Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1949)

SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW, October 29, 1949 Selling the Picture News and Ideas Concerning Profitable Advertising, Publicity and Exploitation BRILLIANT HOLLYWOOD 'HEIRESS' PREMIERE. This striking photograph shows a brilliantly lighted scene for the invitational premiere of Paramount's "The Heiress" one night last week at the Carthay Circle Theatre in Hollywood. The elite of fUmdom turned out in full force and full dress for the star-studded affair, with more than 500 stars and other celebrities on hand to salute the picture and its stars, Olivia deHavilland, Montgomery Clift and Ralph Richardson. Ten thousand spectators witnessed the opening. 3 Charity Bows Set For 'Fallen IdoV Three gala charity benefit premieres will precede the openings of David O. Selznick's "The Fallen Idol" in Boston, Philadelphia and New York, according to Sidney G. Deneau, SRO vice-president and general sales manager. The Boston premiere at the Esquire Theatre on Nov. 9 will benefit the Children's Hospital there, with the picture opening at the Esquire and Pilgrim theatres the following day. The American Women's Voluntary Service will benefit from the Philadelphia premiere at the Trans-Lux Theatre on Nov. 16, the occasion promising to be one of the Quaker City's highlights of the social season. Regular longrun engagement will start the next morning. A novel premiere will be staged at the Sutton ''^heatre. New York, on Nov. 14 for the benefit of the Prescott Neighborhood House. Tagged "A Night in a London Theatre," it will feature all the background of a typical evening at an English theatre, including the cue-line, buskers, orange girls, a doorman in London bobby costume, flags, refreshments, etc. The same motif will be used at the Philadelphia premiere. An extended engagement will begin next day at the Sutton. N. y. Exhibitors at Wilcoxon Luncheon Leading exhibitors of the New York area were the guests of Paramount Vice-President and General Sales Manager A. W. Schwalberg at a luncheon and special presentation by Henry Wilcoxon last Friday (21) on the Hotel Pierre roof. Wilcoxon, who has addressed more than 5,000 exhibitors and leaders of civic, religious, women's business and educational groups during his 41-city tour of the LTnited States and Canada, as goodwill ambassador on behalf of Cecil B. DeMille's "Samson and Delilah," discussed the picture with Kodachrome slide illustrations. The presentation also included a discussion of the part Wilcoxon's tour is playing in public relations and a general discussion of exhibitorproducer relations. Tassos Taps Press Wires With Swanson Kiss Photo That picture which the Associated Press photo wires carried of Vice-President Alben W. Barkley receiving a dignified kiss from Gloria Swanson, now on the road for Paramount, is reported in Washington, D. C, to be the work of Johnny Tassos, Paramount's field publicist in the Capital city territory. Tassos, who only two weeks ago got plenty of space for Marie Wilson's Washington visit, topped that with the Swanson appearance which included a non-stop tour of radio stations, television broadcasts, press interviews, luncheon at the ^Mayflower for women reporters, and a press cocktail party. SOME BALLYHOO. For the showing of RKO's "Mighty Joe Young" at his suburban 20th Century Theatre, Cincinnati, Willis Vance pressed into a service a red and gold circus wagon, placed a few cutouts on it, added a snow-white donkey, and presto! he had an effective ballyhoo, as you can see. Activities Begin For ^Seabiscuit^ 255-City Premiere Multiple premiere activities were set in motion this week by Warner Bros. Vice-President in Charge of Publicity and Advertising Mort I^lumenstock for the six-state, 255-city opening of "The Story of Seabiscuit" on Nov. 2. In Cincinnati the Ohio Valley Thoroughbred Association held a special luncheon Wednesday and a screening of the picture for its members, local press and radio representatives, and topflight turf writers of the Blue Grass Country. A plaque was presented to A. B. "Bull" Hancock, Claybourne Farm, Paris, Kentucky, breeder and the original trainer of Seabiscuit. There was also a presentation of a large photograph of Seabiscuit autographed by the owner, Charles S. Howard, to F. Barbour, president of the Ohio Thoroughbred Club. The Times-Star is carrying a contest, while the Enquirer is putting on a classified ad contest. Special art stories were being prepared by the Times-Star and Post. Meanwhile over in Indiana at Indianapolis Gov. Henry T. Schricker invited local press and radio representatives to a special screening of the Technicolor film. Radio station WIVC is running a contest on the premiere, and that station's Sid Collins is devoting two weekends of his Hollywood program to the "Seabiscuit" opening at the Circle Theatre. Race Tip Sheet Down in Louisville a novel race tip sheet is being prepared for distribution along the route to Churchill Downs by girls dressed in jockey attire. The sheet carries plugs for the picture and its premiere at the Mary Anderson. The Kentucky Thoroughbred Association held a gala dinner and screening Tuesday at the Brown Hotel honoring J. Yeager, former Seabiscuit jockey. And in Columbus preparations for .the. Ohio premiere included a luncheon and screening for Gov. Frank Lausche and prominent turfmen. The governor was expected to proclaim Nov. 3 "Seabiscuit Dav." Daly, Mink Win RKO Showmanship Awards Manager Harold Daly of RKO Proctor's. Yonkers, and Manager Max Mink of the RKO Palace, Cleveland, have won the September RKO Showmanship Awards. Daly scored for his arrangements in connection with the personal appearance of Jeanne Grain, while Mink, a twotime winner, earned honors for his campaign on "Mighty Joe Young." Each manager received $25 and a Showmanship Certificate. Gathered the Eagles The Eagles in Delaware, O., yearly hold a big annual gathering with an unusually valuable giveaway as a major attraction. Previously the aflr'air had taken place out of doors. This year it was held on the stage of the Strand Theatre, Manager Lou Marcks having persuaded them to change locale. The giveaway was a $500 television set, in addition to which the Eagles agreed to add a door prize of $100 in cash.