Boxoffice_May.09.1960

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Spaceman Heralds
Twin Cily 'Planel'
A space suit and spaceman's helmet,
borrowed from the Civil Air Patrol, helped
provide top ballyhoo for "Visit to a Small
Planet" through ten days, on streets and
inside stores of downtown Minneapolis, in
advance and during the run at the Gopher
Theatre.
It was at the height of the Easter shopping
season, so Ed Linder, Gopher manager
figured an acceptable way to get the
spaceman inside the big department
stores. This was achieved by the simple
expedient of having the ballyhoo man
seek out the store manager and give him
tickets to see the film. Of course, the
spaceman, carrying proper signs, took the
long way around the crowded stores to
find the manager's office.
The spaceman passed out space money.
This gag money also was passed out at the
candy and novelty stores.
One hundred window cards ifrom Pepco
at Omaha
I used in the downtown
area, especially around the bus and transportation
stops.
The Civil Air Patrol supplied three officers
and a dozen recruits to hand out information
pamphlets and answer patron
questions in the outer lobby and on the
front walk. The CAP also loaned several
large blowups and other photo and display
material for the front.
A strong schedule of ads was set up in
the Minneapolis dailies and the big Argus
shopper.
The special short subject, "The House
Hunters," sponsored by the National Ass'n
of Real Estate Boards, was used on the
same bill as "Visit to a Small Planet."
Naturally, Manager Linder saw to it that
the local real estate people had full information
on the playing of the short.
Hoover 'Havana' Tieup
Pays Big in Minneapolis
A tieup with the Hoover Co. was arranged
by Regal Johnson, manager of the
World Theati-e, Minneapolis, for "Oui- Man
in Havana." Alec Guinness, star of the
picture, is a spy who sells Hoover cleaners.
A special screening was held for the
company's sales staff. Johnson obtained
some vacuum cleaners which were given
away as prizes for a contest on the Treasui-e
Chest program over KSTP-TV. The
theatre, in turn, got plugs for the picture
during the promotion, whiah lasted three
weeks.
In a tieup with Donaldson's department
store, two free tickets to "Our Man in
Havana" were given to the fii-st 100 persons
calling for a home or store demonstration
of the Hoover cleaner. Donaldson's
ran an ad in the Minneapolis Star plugging
the promotion and the pictui-e.
Harry Hollander, Columbia, worked with
Johnson in arranging tieups.
Snack Feast for Cowboys!
During the showing of "Westbound."
Garland Morrison of the Starlite at North
Wilkesboro, N. C, advertised the airer
would serve the cowboys' favorite food at
the snackbar, steak and cornbread muffins.
Do You Measure Up to Theatre Profession?
Here're Three Rules to Test Your Rating
Recognition as "professional" is sought
by every successful theatre manager, according
to Bill T. Bohling, who manages
the EUanay Theatre in El Paso. Tex., for
Trans-Texas Theatres. The statement
was made during a speech Bohling gave at
meeting of the El Paso Chamber of Commerce.
"The world 'professional' implies requisites
common to all who claim the designation,"
he said. "Namely, specialized
training in a specified field and competent
use of this training. These qualities certainly
apply to the theatre manager, and
they in turn lead to a third quality—selfconfidence.
"The professional person emanates
strength and assurance, never giving the
recipients of his services reason to doubt.
"The theatre manager has other characteristics.
He dresses neatly and in good
taste, and likewise shows good taste in
his speech and manners. He must always
remember that he is in the public eye and,
as a result, he should maintain a high
standard of conduct.
"The theatre managers give services to
his community—service beyond his professional
duties. He gives himself to civic
projects, using his talents freely and without
thought of payment in behalf of the
public. In short, he ever is ready to take
time to show his interest in his fellowmen.
"The theatre manager supports his
calling by belonging to and being active
in both national and local civic organizations.
In so doing he fulfills one final
Three
Different
Ads on
Same Film Is
Cleveland
Innovation
The use of full page ads advertising
a film opening occurs ct
times, even in smaller situations,
but how many of us have seen
three different ads for the some
film on the same page! People in
Cleveland did recently when they
glanced over the movie pages in
the Plain Dealer and in the Press
and noted three ods on "Who
Was That Lady?" opening at the
A'len Theatre. Many persons
thought somebody hod goofed,
and quite a few called up the
newspaper office to point out the
mistake!
BOXOFHCE Showmondiser :: May 9, 1960 -75—
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Manager Bill T. Bohling buys a ticket to get into
his own theotre. The occasion wos one of the
many civic projects he and the Elanoy Theatre at
El Paso, Tex., support. This one was a benefit
showing of "The Sheriff of Fractured Jaw" for the
March of Dimes, sponsored by the Northeost 20-30
Club. Bohling is at right with Phil Parker and
Buddy Dunn of the club at the left.
requirement of the professional man—that
of always learning and increasing his professional
knowledge and ability. The professional
theatreman doesn't rest on his
past accomplishments."
Elderly Free Mondays
Jim Jellico. manager of the Playhouse
Theatre in Statesville, N. C, has a standing
invitation for all members of his Golden
Age Club to be his guest on each and every
Monday.
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