MGM Press book - 'Advertising, Publicity, Showmanship, Accessories.' Publicity material for the MGM film: The Reluctant Debutante. Staring Rex Harrison and Kay Kendall. The focus of the 12 mini-book is on the two stars of the film. The material exploits the relationship between the couple using it as a unique selling point of film. The booklet is white with purple lettering and pictures. The front cover has the MGM name and logo overhead, with the poster from the film in the middle. The tag line of the poster reads: 'High Society Hilarity!', the image is of Sandra Dee sitting on John Saxton's lap with a picture of Rex Harrison and Kay Kendall expressing a look of shock. The second page features a cast list, synopsis and star biographies of Rex Harrison and Kay Kendall. The third page includes production credits, film length and running time. The page also contains two press clippings/reviews of the film, the reviews appear to focus on the performance and chemistry between Kendall and Harrison. The are three photos, two are stills taken from the film and one is a publicity picture. The next page contains two newspaper stories about the film which applaud the casting choices made by MGM. There are also three photos, two of Kendall and Harrison from the film, and one (close-up posed shot) of Dee and Saxton. Page 5, under the heading 'Husband and wife team' has an image and small article about Harrison and Kendall, opposite that and under the title 'Teenage Dream' is an image and short article on Dee and Saxton. At the bottom of the page are two large stills from the film of the respective couples. Page 6 contains 14 short quotes from newspapers and other media publications that have (positively) reviewed the film, these include: Daily Mail, News Of The World, Evening Standard, Daily Herald and Daily Mirror. The bottom of the page features six tag line suggestions for the film and a brief note about how to exploit the fact that ' The world Loves Young Lovers' and ways that the marketability of Dee and Saxton's relationship in the film should be targeted at youth audiences, and as such marketed to them appropriately. The seventh page is dedicated to tie-up offers and other promotional possibilities (including a suggesting and image of an airline acting as a sponsor.) There are four portrait pictures of Dee which the material suggests the marketing should exploit (using the fashionable nature of her attire to target a young female audience). There is also a 'Woman's Day Magazine Publishers Special Cameo Tribute' (which is a tie in with a well-known and popular female magazine (at the time). Page 8 entitled 'Showmanship' displays the various products used to market the film such as: balloons, dance hall pennants, a serialisation, box office cards, postcards and stills for local tie-ups and window displays. The next page contains information and suggestions for local areas to hold their own 'Reluctant Debutante' beauty contest, aimed at girls who would not necessarily enter into the more conventional beauty contests. Pages 10 and 11 are a two page spread featuring 11 separate versions of the posters used to market the film. The majority of which feature Kendall and Harrison in a propionate position. The back page of the booklet contains information on the size of stills and publicity material (posters etc) that can be ordered as well as a list and price list of the accessories which can also be purchased.
Item number | 72184 |
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Category | Campaign Material |
Type | Cinema Publicity |
Language | English |
Country of origin | UK |
Related people | Kay Kendall (Subject) |
Rex Harrison (Subject) |
Part of the Terry Hallett Collection