Boxoffice-February.26.1973

• ADLINES & EXPLOITIPS
• ALPHABETICAL
INDEX
• EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY
• FEATURE RELEASE CHART
• FEATURE REVIEW DIGEST
• SHORTS
RELEASE CHART
• SHORT SUBJECT REVIEWS
• REVIEWS OF FEATURES
• SHOWMANDISING
IDEAS
THE GUIDE TOM BETTER BOOKING AND B U S I N E S S - B U I L D I N G
Canadian Displays Deliver
Success for 'Deliverance'
Two separate displays — one centered
around a canoe; the other around a Scout
truck—were put to good use by manager
Brian M. Cameron of the Cinema Polo
Park in Winnipeg, Man., for the theatre's
showing of "Deliverance."
A local canoe distributor loaned the theatre
a canoe similar to the one used in the
movie for a display in the lobby, which
also featured poster-size photos of Burt
Reynolds and Jon Voight, the two stars of
the film. The display was further emphasized
by the use of flood lights.
Cameron also made arrangements with
the local International Harvester outlet to
have a Scout truck (also similar to the
vehicle used in the movie) parked in front
of the theatre under the marquee. The
truck featured advertising for the film on
each door, and a canoe was placed on top.
The truck also made frequent trips around
the city.
The premiere of the movie at the Cinema
Polo Park was sponsored by radio station
OKRC, and the engagement enjoyed excellent
holdover business for several weeks,
Cameron reported.
'Big Foot' Autograph Bally
Creates Patron Involvement
Dave Heath, field manager for American
National Enterprises, Inc., and Freeman
Skinner, manager of General Cinema's
Stoneham Twin Theatre, used the personal
touch to draw attention to ANE's "North
Country" and featurette, "Big Foot—Man or
Beast."
Color photographs of the "Sasquatch," a
name commonly used when referring to the
legendary Big Foot creatures, already were
available to the public. However, Heath
decided to carry the photo idea one step
further and provide pictures with a personal
autograph from Big Foot.
"A small rental fee for the costume and
an enthusiastic employee created a sensation
for the children as well as the adults,"
Heath said. "We had many of the same
people return with friends as many as two
times. The presence of the vicarious Big
Foot seems to reinforce the idea that the
public enjoys a more total entertainment
package more than ever."
In addition to word-of-mouth advertising,
a popular local radio station announced
periodically that Big Foot would personally
autograph a photograph for those who
dared come and see him.
Revolutionary War Period Relived
As 7776' Sets New House Record
A striking "1776" lobby display, complete with authentic uniforms of the period,
was but one of several promotion ideas staged in conjunction with the movie's
successful run at the Holiday 1 Theatre in Cheektowaga, N.Y.
Color guard reviews and displays reminiscent
of the Revolutionary War era have
accompanied Columbia's "1776" on a long
and record-breaking run at the Holiday 1
Theatre in Cheektowaga, N.Y.
The promotion campaign opened with a
color guard review by members of the
Buffalo area's only authentically uniformed
revolutionary era regiment. Shouldering
muskets of genuine 18th century models,
a color guard of members of "Congress'
Own Regiment of the Continental Line"
posed in front of an elaborate "1776" display
in the theatre lobby and seemed to
attract a great deal of attention. In addition,
a stove display, featuring replicas of
those featured in the movie, was set up in
the
lobby.
Joseph P. Garvey, managing director for
the Holiday Theatres, arranged a special
screening for the heads of the Catholic
diocese schools. During the intermission, a
small buffet was served.
A special mailing was sent out to all
schools notifying them of the dates available
for special student shows. "The response
on this was terrific," Garvey said.
BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :: Feb. 26, 1973 — 27 —
One of the special highlights of the campaign
was a special preview showing with
all proceeds going to the Will Rogers
Memorial Hospital and Research Laboratories.
All the radio and television stations
in the area and the branch managers of
the various exchanges sold tickets for the
worthy event and gave it thousands of
dollars in free advertising.
Crayon Coloring Contest
Held for 'Snowball Express'
A crayon coloring contest sponsored by
the San Antonio Express helped promote a
showing of Walt Disney's "Snowball Express"
at the Laurel and Century South
Theatres in San Antonio, Texas.
Contestants were required to color in a
cartoon blank which appeared in the newspaper.
The contest rules established an age
limit of 12 years or older; however, there
was no limit set on the number of cartoon
blanks a person could submit.
First prize was a $50 U.S. Savings Bond,
while second and third prize winners received
two cases of dog food and two passes
to the movie.