Showmen's Trade Review (Jan-Mar 1949)

16 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW, February 5, 1949 Cops Have Good Time Cooperating With Theatres Showing ^Walked by Night^ ATTEND POLICE FILM PREVIEW ! Nearly SOO PMUdebhi^ police aHordod e preview of th» film "H'> WdlL'>d b.' I ipector Richard Doyle, of the Detective Bureau, Asiiitjint Superlnterdenh of Police George F. Flichardion and Thomai P. Burns, and John Ro^eHs of Station WFIL-TV. intcrvfewlrrg the group before the jhowing. The' film is baiod on police records. 500 ill lliif Hull Svv t^riine Film Preview Enlisting tlie interest of the police to attract crowds to the theatre — as well as to handle them after they get there — is not exactly new in showmanship, but Eagle Lion went this stunt one better recently when it not only got ballyhoo help from Baltimore and Philadelphia's police but actually had a print of "He Walked By Night" made part of the instruction course for student cops in New Orleans. The result not only got some good newspaper ipace in the local dailies, but made an Associated Press wire story which Wanketed the country. The film, which is based on actual reports of the Los Angeles Police Department, was considered by the New Orleans Police Rookie School as an excellent visual education study of modern police and scientific crime detection methods. The Crescent City stunt was A novel "Walkathon" was scheduled to get under way this weekend in front of the Criterion Theatre, New York, in connection with the engagement of Eagle Lion's "He Walked by Night." Believed to be the first of its kind ever conducted in New York, the contest will pit men and women who claim superior walking endurance in a "walk to the finish" exhibition during the entire run of the picture. Walkers will be fed by the theatre during their participation. Contestants will be expected to walk 24 hours a day, with a 10-minute rest period each hour, following a circular path from 44th Street and Broadway through the lobby of the Criterion to 45th Street and Broadway. Winner of the "Walkathon" — the man or wo Police help exploit Eagle Lion's "He Walked by Night." Top: New Orleans Police Rookie School "students" view the picture as first in visual education program of modern police methods, prior to showing at Joy Theatre there. Above: police, cab drivers, others at midnight screening in Baltimore at Hippodrome Theatre. At left: news break in Philadelphia when 500 policemen saw preview; also column from New Orleans. worked out by EL and the Joy Theatre, where the film played. The same police work angle led to a Philadelphia tieup with 500 police viewing a special showing screened for them in a corridor of the City Hall. In Baltimore the stunt was expanded by EL's Max Miller and Hippodrome Theatre -Manager Bert Claster, to take in state troopers nd taxi drivers, the latter of whom are also in the picture. i.uth in Balumore and Philadelphia the taxis carried stickers plugging the picture, and the general value of the police stunts can be judged by the report from the exploiteer in Philadelphia. He asked his cab driver about the sticker and whether "He Walked By Night" was good. "It must be good," grunted the cabbie. "They made 500 cops see it the other day." man who outwalks all other contestants— will be awarded a handsome cash prize, in addition to other gifts. The contest is expected to last at least one week, though similar marathons in other cities have been known to last several weeks. Plugs Music Records Records of Hoagy Carmichael's songs in 'The Best Years of Our Lives" were played over the public address system of the State, Hamilton, N. Y., by Manager Bob Thompson. For "Night Has a Thousand Eyes" he bannered a car with credits and sent it to ballyhoo the film in Hamilton and surrounding communities. LM.P.S. MEMBERS TELL: Why I'm Glad I Started as: JANITOR By ROY O. PRYTZ Mgr., Granada Theatre, Duluth, Minn. Of course, there is an advantage, no matter where you start in this business, because you know something of what is expected of others My case, however, started at the very bottom as janitor. Work as usher, cashier, doorman and assistant manager preceded my managership. I am always glad that I have had this experience because I feel a manager who has knowledge of every phase through actual experience has more edge, as he can put himself in every position in his theatre, knows just what is expected of each person and can, therefore, talk intelligently to those under him. This produces better feeling and close harmony with employes. In turn, a happy staff reflects itself on the patrons. This is, I believe, very essential to good management, and I am eternally glad that I started at the bottom. 'Red Pony' Bows in 3 California Cities Three-city world premiere showing of Republic's "The Red Pony," Technicolor adaptation of the John Steinbeck story, was held Wednesday evening at the Fox Theatre in San Francisco, the Orpheum in Oakland and the California in Salinas. Special invitations for the three openings were extended by major civic organizations of San Francisco, Oakland and Salinas. Author Steinbeck, who has spent most of his life in northern California, and who has backgrounded a great many of his stories there, including "The Red Pony" in the Salinas Valley region, was one of the guests of honor at the premieres. In addition, state, city and civic leaders attended the opening ceremonies. A number of special events were held in connection with the celebration. Plans for the event were set last week by Mort Goodman, Republic Studios publicity head; Dick Spier, Fox West Coast Theatres northern California division manager, and Fay Reedsr, FWC head in San Francisco. LM.P.S. Member Report Feel Manager Should Know Employes Well "If I were a manager, I believe it would be absolutely necessary for me to know something about everybody and everything in my theatre," says Projectionist Billy Lovorn of the Strand Theatre in Georgetown, S. C. Billy speaks also for his brother Taylor, an LM.P.S. member. The manager's knowledge, he continues, should include the equipment in the projection booth, the promoting and carrying out of advertising schemes, and the duties of the projectionists, ushers, doormen, cashiers and janitors. He recommends a little actual experience in every kind of theatre job. "I would try to find out what kind of personalities the different members of my staff' have, how they feel about their particular jobs, and if they are smart and ambitious or just plain dumb and lazy and don't care." 'Walkathon' Scheduled As N. Y. Theatre Contest