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Weekend Discussion Thread: Castle-like Gimmicks

Alert regular Kenneth suggests:

William Castle is well-remembered for the gimmicks he put together for his movies, like the Punishment Poll for “Mr. Sardonicus” and Percepto for “The Tingler.” What Castle-style gimmicks would you suggest for a MSTed movie? One exception: “The Screaming Skull” already has one, with the “free coffin” offer.

For “Batwoman,” how about some actors dressed as the main characters chasing each other around as the characters do?

What would your gimmick be?

Keep those WDT ideas coming!

64 Replies to “Weekend Discussion Thread: Castle-like Gimmicks”

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  1. EAG46 says:

    For “The Thing That Couldn’t Die”: A giant Trade Rat’s Nest where people pick out free prizes, like watches or jewelry or small amounts of cash. “Gideon Drew” could wander through the theater insulting people’s blood. William Castle made “viral” marketing before there was even “viral” marketing, if you think about it.

       5 likes

  2. mando3b says:

    EAG46:
    For “The Thing That Couldn’t Die”: A giant Trade Rat’s Nest where people pick out free prizes, like watches or jewelry or small amounts of cash. “Gideon Drew” could wander through the theater insulting people’s blood. William Castle made “viral” marketing before there was even “viral” marketing, if you think about it.

    There could be three treasure (excuse me, “trayzhure”) chests in the lobby and you have to pick one; if the scabby head of Gideon Drew is in it, you win!

       3 likes

  3. littleaimishboy says:

    Do you have amazing powers you don’t even know you have?

    Come early to Friday’s showing of THE PUMAMAN and win a chance to be thrown off the roof of the building!

    You may be the next Pumaman!!!

    But enter soon – this could be your only chance to find out!

       8 likes

  4. Ray Dunakin says:

    For both “Jungle Goddess” and “I Accuse My Parents”, viewers will receive a coupon for $1 off a hamburger sandwich and french fried potatoes.

       2 likes

  5. Ray Dunakin says:

    For “Time of the Apes”, audience members will be given fake poo, perfect for flinging.

       3 likes

  6. Ray Dunakin says:

    Anyone who manages to stay awake through an entire showing of “The Castle of Fu Manchu” gets free treatment at the nearest sleep clinic.

       5 likes

  7. Ray Dunakin says:

    During screenings of “Alien From L.A.”, pipe helium into the theater and soon everyone is talking like Kathy Ireland!

       7 likes

  8. Ray Dunakin says:

    To promote “Village of the Giants”, they could set up a huge fiberglass roast duck on giant rotisserie out in front of the theater.

       5 likes

  9. Ray Dunakin says:

    Pasta-throwing contests in between showings of “Zombie Nightmare!”

       2 likes

  10. Cornjob says:

    Bees could be released in to the theater to promote The Deadly Bees. Though there would be few return customers and some possible lawsuits. I think I’m getting in to the Mad Scientist’s evil promotions territory.

       4 likes

  11. Ray Dunakin:
    Anyone who manages to stay awake through an entire showing of “The Castle of Fu Manchu” gets free treatment at the nearest sleep clinic.

    Do you realize how expensive sleep disorder studies are? But I guess if you multiply that by the probability of having to pay off, this could be a pretty cost-effective promotion.

       2 likes

  12. Ray Dunakin says:

    Endoplasmic Reticulum: Do you realize how expensive sleep disorder studies are? But I guess if you multiply that by the probability of having to pay off, this could be a pretty cost-effective promotion.

    Yep, it’s just like the probability that anyone would ever die of fright during “The Screaming Skull” and receive a free coffin.

       3 likes

  13. Everyone who goes to see “Rebel Set” gets either a bongo set, a eyepatch, a “Acting with Rita Leland” record, or a Priest Collar “disguise” depending on where you sat.

    For “Village of the Giants” a lucky raffle winner will get a deluxe Blu-Ray of “Willow”!

    “Beatniks” during that scene when Mooney is on the lamb but acts like he’s taking a pleasant walk, someone dressed as Mooney would meander in the theater seats, pretending to steal someone’s popcorn, and generally get in their space but in a joking way.

    “Beginning of the End” would have an intermission where stage actors would re-enact that epic film “Peter Graves goes the University of Minnesota” and during the part of the grasshoppers invading Chicago, hidden stagehands would toss rubber grasshoppers at the audience.

    “Magic Voyage of Sinbad” the audience is encouraged to search their seats and rows for the Bird of Happiness. No one ever finds it of course, but some lucky people would find a Jester Stick, a toy horse that loudly laughs, golden fish (gold foil wrapped chocolates), a fur hat, or a coupon for free Russian dancing lessons at the nearest dance school.

    In “Killer Fish” everytime someone gets killed in the film, hidden stagehands would use piranha puppets to nibble at the theater goers. But there would be a warning at the start of the film so no one freaks out or gets a heart attack.

       4 likes

  14. Ray Dunakin says:

    For “Devil Fish” everyone gets a free eleventacle.

       1 likes

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