Universal Weekly (1920, 1923-27)

38 Universal Weekly January 2, 1926 EIGHT (t BUSTER BROWNS ” READY FOR LAUQH MONTH EIGHT Buster Brown Productions will oe available for booking during National Laugh Month, it was announced this week by the Stern Brothers, producers of these two-reel comedies, series which ordinarily would not be released until later in the winter and spring, but which are being rushed to the exchanges now so as to be on hand for January. Not only have the Sterns sent word to all Universal Exchanges to pre-release the forthcoming Buster Brown productions for Laugh Month, they also have let down the bars on all Century Comedies now in the exchanges and those which will be in the exchanges during the next few weeks. This will include comedies set for release up until the end of April, or a total of eleven two-reelers which exhibitors now have the privilege of running before their release dates, an opportunity being seized by many showmen. “The best way in which we can help to make Laugh Month a success is to provide a large assortment of good comedies for showing during that month,” the Sterns state. “By letting down the bars on release dates and by speeding up the making of prints on all comedies now on hand, we feel that we can give the exhibitor an unusual variety of subjects from which to choose. We have made arrangements assuring that Buster Brown Productions and Century Comedies as far ahead as the April releases will be completed in the factory and shipped to the various Universal exchanges in time for January releases, this will total seventeen two reels comedies Ten Other Century Comedies Offered for PreRelease Booking During Laugh Month by the Stern Brothers in Addition to Regular January Releases. This includes three of the uuiuig Liie iitAt xeaniiiiK tui j s**L ts which the exhibitor can get right out of the can.” The Buster Brown productions offered for pre-release showing are: “Buster’s Nose Dive,” “Buster’s Hunting Party,” and “Buster’s Sky Rocket.” The regular January release, “Buster’s Bust-Up,” has just completed a very successful week in the Capitol Theatre, New York City, a showing which firmly established the Buster Brown productions at the top of Short Product box-office quality. Including the January releases, the following Century Comedies are included in the pre-release two-reelers for Laugh Month: “Her Lucky Leap,” “Flying Wheels,” “Yearning for Love,” and “Painless Pain,” all starring Winda Wiley; “A Honeymoon Squabble,” “The Big City,” “Say It With Love,” all starring Edna Marian; one of the new Wampas Baby stars; “Crowning the Count,” and “A Flivver Vacation,” stairing Eddie Gordon; “Helpful Al,” “Accidents Can Happen,” and “Al’s Troubles,” all starring Al Alt; “Too Many Babies,” featuring Charles King and Constance Darling. The four Buster Brown productions which already have been released, and which are offered as excellent Laugh Month material are, “Educating Buster,” “Buster Be Good,” “Oh! Buster,” and “Buster’s Nightmare.” The last recently had a successful week in Warner’s Theatre, New York City. The Century Special production, “Little Red Riding Hood,” with Peter the Great and Baby Peggy, released this week, also is suggested as an appropriate holiday and Laugh Month tworeeler. Sterns Offer Cash Prizes To Laugh Month Showmen SPECIAL prizes to exhibitors are offered by the Stern Brothers for exploitation stunts used with their product during Laugh Month, it was announced this week. The product includes the Buster Brown productions and the Century Comidies released by Universal. There will be three prizes, $25.00 each, one prize of $15.00 and one of $10.00, allotted as follows: For the best exploitation of a Buster Brown Production during the Laugh Month, the Stern Brothers will write the exhibitor a check for $25.00. The next best Buster Brown exploitation will get $15.00 and the third best, $10.00. For the best exploitation stunt on a Wanda WileyCentury Comedy, the Stems will award, $25.00. A similar prize will be given for the best stunt on an Edna MarianCentury Comedy. “We hope this will lend additional incentive toward the advertising and exploitation of Short Products during Laugh Month,” assert the Sterns. “Many exhibitors realize what good box-office tonic even the simplest exploitation of Short product means, but far too many theatre men are indifferent on this score. It has been proven time and time again that One Dollar invested in good exploitation is good for Two at the box-office. One hundred percent on your money is pretty good return. “The Buster Brown Productions are ideal subjects for exploitation. Besides offering a variety of national clothing, shoe, hosiery and other ready-made tie-ups, they offer unusual opportunities for any stunt with a child, or toy angle. Reports from various sections of the country are pouring in confirming their availability for simple and effective exploitation.” It is pointed out by the Stern Brothers that exhibitors competing for those prizes should send in an account of what they do, with pictures or other material where possible, to the Stem Brothers, 730 Fifth Avenue, New York City, and also to the Contest Committee of National Laugh Month, 218 West 42nd Street, New York City, as exploitation stunts done during Laugh Month are in line for the previously announced Laugh Month prizes. In case of a tie, the Stern Brothers will award duplicate prizes.