Movie theatres were in the business of showing movies , but half the battle was getting people into the theater. Newspaper ads were important, but downtown theatres also had to come up with unusual promotions to get you in to see the show. Many times the promotion could be better than the movie itself.	The walking billboard, for the 1951 movie " Tomahawk" I found the picture already damaged in the collection, but I had to share it anyway.
	To the left, a 1920's program for the Century Theatre. Listed would be notes on the show, and upcoming attractions. Above, a homemade Mickey Mouse hands out flyers. To the right, a actual Jeep was brought into the theatre's lobby for a promotion. The stunt actually made it into the trade magazines.
John Kilduff Collection     Posting cards in the windows of nearby stores often attracted movie goers. A promotion for the 1950 movie " Kim" in front of the Century Theatre Box office. Promotions worked their way all the way to City Hall, as seen to the right with cars in front with banners for " Mr. Blandings Dream House "

A promotion for " Steeltown" at Dundalk Motors,  7up trucks outfitted with special full front bumper stickers for the Century and the grandfather of all walking billboards, the Walking Book .The Century seems to liked using the Walking Book , as you can see in the pictures below. The photo on the right was taken in the mid 1950's on the corner of North Charles Street and Lexington.
The perfect summer job, walk around downtown Baltimore wearing a Walking Book for the Century Theatre. Notice there isn't one happy face in the group ; Promotions included in this group are for " Gone With the Wind", "Magnificent Obsession" and "Ivanhoe". All these promotions are from the 1950's, with Gone With the Wind being for a re-release.
	Perhaps there is a job worse than the Walking Book. A street side promotion for the movie " Beat The Devil". To the right is a handflyer for the Mickey Mouse seen above.