What's New? (Sep 1968)

$100.00 WINNERS The following have submitted four $25.00 prize-winning promotions which entitles each to a special bonus of ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS. Stetia Culhane — Belle, Belleville Doug Robertson — Algoma, Sault Ste. Marie Gerry Wormald — Capitol, Woodstock Phil Traynor — Capitol, Ottawa Frank Gower — Pen Centre — St. Catharines Jack Franko — Westmount, Edmonton Charlie Doctor — Capitol, Vancouver Rolphe Reinhardt — Strand, Edmonton Bill Howe — Paramount, Kelowna NOVEL STREET BALLY SELLS ROSEMARY’S BABY IN MONTREAL John Xinos, manager of the Westmount in Montreal scratched his head and came up with a street stunt that stopped them in their tracks. He picked up an old baby carriage at a Salvation Army store, borrowed a tape recorder from the maintenance department, hiked over to a local hospital where he taped the howling of newborn babes, and he was in business. The sign shop lettered the carriage, top and sides with good ROSEMARY’S BABY and theatre copy, and an attractive young lady pushed it up and down St. Catharines Street ... Montreal's main drag. Of course the tape recorder did its bit, so well that one elderly matron stopped the girl and really let pais — ae Suowine * CURT WEST her have it... ‘Kid, you're a disgrace to motherhood letting your baby cry un so much... The stunt got attention ... the picture likewise, and the old ticket machine made beautiful music for the duration of the run. Congratulations John, and let’s hear from you more often. Incidentally John knocked off a $25.00 bonus for this stunt. HUNDREDS OF 'BATMEN’ CROWD LE CANADIEN THEATRE IN QUEBEC Jaques Castonguay, manager of Le Canadien in Quebec City booked a Batman picture for a Saturday A.M. show and advertised free admission to all youngsters showing up in Batman costume. Many youngsters took him up on his offer, but more important, over 500 paid their way in... the most successful morning show in the theatre's history. Just goes to show what a little thought mixed with an equal portion of ingenuity can do to brighten things up... and fill a theatre. Congratulations Jaques ... we're looking forward to your next showmandizing effort. EDDIE LAMOUREUX GOES ALL OUT ON HALF A SIXPENCE Eddie was so impressed with HALF A SIXPENCE when he saw it in Detroit that he pulled out all the stops when it was dated into his theatre and came up with one of the finest selling jobs to come out of Windsor in a long, long time. The highlight of his campaign in my opinion was the terrific promotional job he did for opening night. He arranged a stage presentation featuring Brenda Lee who was appearing at a local night spot .. . and to accompany her, no less a personage than the Elmwood Casino's Ralph Ford one of the finest organists in this part of the country. George MacDonald, G.M. of station CKWW acted as M.C. It proved to be an exciting and fun-filled evening for all. Ed’s entire staff was attired in colourful red and white striped coats and boaters to match Tommy Steele’s outfit in the picture. Naturally these were promoted from the theatre which played this attraction in Detroit. One of the highlights of this campaign was Ed's tie-up with Steinberg’s Miracle Mart. For one week they displayed a miniature theatre called STUDIO 7 where the shoppers could view a 16mm short plugging HALF A SIXPENCE, and it proved so popular that they kept it in for the run of the pic. CK WW jammed the airways with continuous blurbs... for free, and the Windsor Star was most generous in its coverage. In addition Ed arranged for Steinberg to stuff over 2,000 smart mailing pieces provided by Win Barron into shopping bags . . . 200 table tents in all eateries in town... six good 40 x 60's placed in strategic positions ... 2,000 colourful folders distributed to theatre patrons in advance of the opening... and many more stunts and gimicks than | have room for in this issue. Congratulations Ed on a truly fine job of merchandising ... now you know what we expect of you in the future. _