AFD Campaign Pressbook (pages 1-4)

25 July, 2015 Sean 0 Comments 1 category

“Newcomer Robin Johnson is a revelation as Nicky…”

The Campaign Pressbook from Associated Film Distribution was a promotional tool for theater owners. The first part repeated almost verbatim the biographical articles from the Press Materials folder, but supplied them in a format with illustrations that could be sent directly to a newspaper and printed. For instance, the article on Robin is the same as the one in the press kit, but the paragraphs dealing with her birthday, her home life, and her “whatever” attitude toward an acting career have been removed, and a line added for the theater owner to insert the theater name and the date Times Square opens. All of the photos in the Pressbook are ones included with the press kit.

Cover of the AFD Campaign Pressbook for "Times Square" from Associated Film Distribution, displaying an ad with its size for newspaper printing.Text (not including poster):CAMPAIGN PRESSBOOK AFD Associated Film Distribution AD 402 (STANDARD) 4 COL. X 150 LINES = 600 LINES — *Times Square* AFD Campaign Pressbook (cover)

Page 2 of the Campaign Pressbook for "Times Square" from Associated Film Distribution: film and music credits, and a partial synopsis illustrated with TS-82-30 . Text: PUBLICITY SYNOPSIS New York City at night. Along 42nd Street in the heart of Times Square, Nicky Marotta (ROBIN JOHNSON) swings aimlessly, a loose and carefree teenager plugged into life and rock music, complete with guitar, and portable amp system. With sudden inspiration, Nicky leans on the alley wall of a disco and begins to play her own music, loud and strong. When someone from the disco complains, she smashes the night spot owner's parked car. The police are called and she is taken into custody to await court and medical decisions. David Pearl (PETER COFFIELD), a widower consumed with his career as a rising young politician, has lost touch with his daughter, Pamela (TRINI ALVARADO). Unable to see that she is troubled and lonely, he takes Pamela to hear his speech presenting his "Times Square Renaissance" program. To her dismay, Pamela is seated with her father on the dais and when he uses Pamela as the subject of a false and embarrassing story, she is convulsed with mortification and runs to the ladies restroom. Later, when Pamela is in her upper East Side high-rise apartment listening to the mellow words and rock music of late-night disc jockey Johnny LaGuardia (TIM CURRY), she hears LaGuardia read a letter she has written to him, a missive of deep anguish and loneliness. On the air, he advises the anonymous letter writter, who signed it "Zombie Girl," to believe that all people should be very special to themselves and to learn how to "fly." Anxious for a solution to his daughter's apparent neuroticism, David Pearl agrees to his doctor's recommendations that Pamela be admitted to a hospital for neurological testing. It js there that Pamela meets Nicky who is undergoing the same psychiatric and physical tests. Nicky has been sent by police officials for the tests, following the recent arrest, he — AFD Campaign Pressbook, page 2

Johnny LaGuardia, meanwhile, reads the newspaper accounts and reports of the search for David Pearl's runaway daughter, believed to be kidnapped by Nicky Marotta, a dangerous delinquent. He makes the connection that Pamela is, in fact, his anonymous, troubled correspondent and on the air begins to encourage the two rebels, urging them to remain free. The publicity turns Pam and Nicky into minor media celebrities with legions of teenage girls their fans. In their rejection of many of the values of the culture, the girls adopt "bag lady" wardrobes, bits and pieces of the '60s mini-skirts, plastic garbage bags as blouses. And they become "Sleaze Sisters," when they see their fans' spray-painted graffiti on a street bus panel advertising Pamela's disappearance. Nicky and Pamela then begin a series of exciting but dangerous escapades — dropping television sets from the tops of buildings to crash amongst unsuspecting pedestrians below. Pamela, now frightened by the behavior, begins to waver in her allegiance and friendship with Nicky. This leads to Pamela and Nicky's first real disagreement. Upset and depressed, Nicky burns all her mementos of the time with Pamela and, later, bursts into Johnny's studio demanding that she be allowed to sing on the air. Into a dead microphone, Nicky sobs an incoherent babble of pain, accompanied by her guitar strumming. Then, out of control, Nicky is carried out of the studio, emotionally spent. LaGuardia seeks out Pamela and brings her to a sleeping Nicky, now composed. Pamela tells Nicky that she will arrange for Nicky to fulfill a lifelong dream — a live rock concert to be held in Times Square. In her father's office after hours, Pamela makes phone calls to every major radio outlet in the New York area, informing them of the impending rock concert in Times Square. Within days, every Sleaze Sister fan of Pam and Nicky has been told by radio of the big event. All over New York City, teenage girls dress in their Sleeze (sic) costumes and garish make-up and converge on Times Square. With the huge crowd teeming on the streets of Times Square, Nicky Marotta makes her entrance for the hundreds of fans — atop the marquee of the Times Square movie house. With her are Pamela and Nicky's back-up group, The Blondells. She introduces her concert with some well-chosen words on revolt, rebellion and resistance to authority, then breaks into an inspired rendition of her "Damn Dog." As cheers and applause fill Times Square, a number of policemen move in toward Nicky. She threatens to jump if they close in before her concert is concluded. A few more remarks, a song reprise...and Nicky leaps into the crowd below... TIMES SQUARE OPENS ______ AT THE ______ THEATRE "Times Square," a contemporary drama with music, opens ______ at the ______ Theatre. The picture stars the bright new talents of Tim Curry, best known for "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," Trini Alvarado, who scored a remarkable screen bow in Robert Altman's "Rich Kids," and introduces dynamic 16-year-old Brooklyn actress and singer Robin Johnson in her motion picture debut. Filmed on diverse New York locations, "Times Square"is highlighted by 20 original songs — exemplifying some of the best contemporary rock music and performed by leading recording artists, as well as co-stars Robin Johnson and Trini Alvarado. "Times Square" depicts the misadventures of two rebellious teenage girls — one from an affluent environment, the other a product of the streets. Together, they flee from their shared room in a neurological hospital, commandeer an ambulance and begin a series of wild and bizarre escapades. But, when their behavior is glorified by an all-night disc jockey, his reports turn the girls into minor media celebrities. A Robert Stigwood Presentation, "Times Square" was produced by Stigwood and Jacob Brackman and was directed by Alan Moyle from Brackman's screenplay, based on a story by Moyle and Leanne Unger. Kevin McCormick and John Nicolella are the executive producers, and Bill Oakes is associate producer. The EMI Films motion picture is released in the U.S. and Canada by AFD (Associated Film Distribution). Robin Johnson, (right) is determined to become a rock music star, Trini Alvarado is her fellow teenage runaway, and their wild, bizarre escapades in New York make them minor media celebrities when reported by an all-night radio disc jockey in "Times Square," opening ___________at the ___________Theatre. TRINI ALVARADO — SHOW BUSINESS 'PRO' AT 13 Trini Alvarado, who made an impressive screen debut in Robert Altman's ""Rich Kids,"" now is co-starred with Robin Johnson and portrays Pamela Pearl, troubled daughter of an ambitious politician who becomes a runaway and a rebel against authority in "Times Square," opening ___________ at the ___________ Theatre. Most 13-year-old girls spend their waking hours contemplating that cute boy in school, the newest Andy Gibb record or when they'll wear their first pair of high heels. But not Trini Alvarado, who has been deep into the psyche of runaway Pamela Pearl, the girl she portrays in "Times Square," an AFD release opening ______ at the ______ Theatre. Following a sensational film debut in Robert Altman's "Rich Kids," Trini was cast as a teenage runaway in "Times Square." Her character, Pamela Pearl, is the only child of a widower-father whose career as a rising young politico makes him insensitive to his daughter's growing pains. Pamela is withdrawn, inhibited, convinced that she is awkward, ugly and unable to express herself verbally. The role is beautifully realized, but the actress herself is hardly the image of that withdrawn, rebellious teenager. Trini was a "show biz" baby. Her father, who came to this country from Spain, is a classical singer and guitarist, and her mother is a flamenco dancer. Trini's earliest memories include performing songs and dancing in nightclubs with the entire family. "It was always like a party," she recalls. Trini first appeared on Broadway in the Tony-nominated musical, "Runaways," and then in the film "Rich Kids," for which she also sang the theme song. Now, in "Times Square," Trini encores her singing and dancing. "She's so good," one of the film's creative personnel observed, "that we had to work hard to make Trini look a little awkward. After all, her character of Pamela is at that stage where she feels disconnected with her body. We had to disguise the fact that Trini's a trained dancer." An added bonus for Trini on "Times Square" was the friendship she formed with co-star Robin Johnson. "Casting is a risky business," commented director Alan Moyle, "and we certainly looked everywhere before going with Trini and Robin. But you can't predict how two people will relate on the screen, until you see it. The chemistry that we have up there is larger-than-life, but truly a reflection of how well the two girls got along during the filming. We were more than lucky. They make the film come alive, together." Members of the "Times Square" crew marvelled at the energy and high spirits of the young leading ladies. But Trini Alvarado is well aware of the hard work and discipline required. "We got up most days by five and then the car came to take us to the day's location. On a movie like 'Times Square,' where everything is real, that means all-over-outdoors, in a high-rise on the upper East Side where Pamela, my character, lives, or on 42nd Street. "After being made up and costumed, then you wait until the crew and the director have everything ready. I've been going to Professional School, because they don't mind if your schedule changes for a job. But for this film, I had to have a tutor who made certain I had done my lessons. When I went home, around seven, there was both school work and script pages to study for the next day's filming." That kind of demanding schedule on "Times Square" left little time for contemplating that cute boy in school, Andy Gibb, or high heels. "Times Square," starring Trini with Tim Curry and Robin Johnson, is a Robert Stigwood Presentation, directed by Alan Moyle from Jacob Brackman's screenplay. The film was co-produced by Stigwood and Brackman, with Kevin McCormick and John Nicolella as executive producers and Bill Oakes the associate producer. 'TIMES SQUARE' STAR ROBIN JOHNSON IS A NATURAL IN SCREEN BOW At some time in the future, Brooklyn's Technological High School steps may become legendary as the spot where a star was "born," the 1980 equivalent to Hollywood's Schwab's Drugstore. On those steps and waiting for classes to begin, 16-year-old Robin Johnson was discovered by a casting scout on the lookout for possible candidates for the leading role in "Times Square," an AFD release opening ______ at the ______ Theatre. "He gave me this card and said to call this number if I was interested in a movie," Robin recalls in her inimitable Brooklyn-accented speech. "I thought: Wow! Another wise guy. But I gave it a shot." What Robin didn't know at the time was that the film's director, Alan Moyle, had written the original story for "Times Square" with Leanne Unger. Moyle was determined to cast only the young actress who would be precisely right for the crucial central role of Nicky Marotta, a spunky teenager loose and without adult supervision, determined to become a rock star. "We were looking for someone who was Nicky," Moyle admits. "Robin is definitely not that doomed child. Luckily for the film, Robin brought a lot more humor to the character than what I had originally envisioned. Her youthful innocence and energy buoy up what might have been played as too much of a downer." Without any previous experience ("I had sung in a choir when I was 12"), Robin won the role over literally hundreds of other candidates. Upon winning the role, she entered an intensive program of singing lessons and a dance and movement regimen. Making this film meant that the novice had to be transformed quickly into a seasoned professional. Robin worked seven days straight for 12 weeks. As a minor, the new "star" had to continue her studies with atutor on the set and more learning sessions on Saturdays. On Sundays, recording or dancing demands took up the day. Veteran members of the New York film crew were dazzled by the professionalism of both Robin and her even younger co-star, 13-year-old Trini Alvarado. Both exhibited an almost non-stop flow of dedication, energy, high spirits and raucous good humor. As do many young women her age, Robin can identify with Nicky's rebelliousness and non-conformity, traits which land Nicky in trouble with the law and into the arms of a concerned social worker. "Nicky can't put things over on her like she does with others," Robin figures, "and that's the reason she admires her. I have trouble with authority figures, too, which means anybody with the upper hand — my principal, my mother, my teachers." Of director Alan Moyle, who might be considered the supreme authority figure, Robin has only priase. "We're alike in certain ways and that made it easier to relate. Alan's absolutely brilliant for inspiration, for giving you energy for a scene. When he believes you can do a scene better, he gets you to think, but not with bullying or intimidation. I really want to work with him again." Robin perceives Nicky as a teen-agaer, masking what she really feels and tried to "make her real." "She was bitter about being abandoned. Her dad's a loser. All she can do is pity him, not be mad at him now. Nicky has a lot of gutsiness that I really admired. Her philosophy always was: 'When you're mad, show it.'" Gutsiness is a trait Robin and Nicky have in common. Robin, as well as being bright, witty and talented, is seemingly fearless, whether performing atop a 42nd Street theater marquee or being dunked into the icy December brine of the polluted Hudson river. "Nerves don't get you anywhere," she says, simply enough. — AFD Campaign Pressbook, page 3

Page 4 of the Campaign Pressbook for "Times Square" from Associated Film Distribution: "'Times Square' Star Robin Johnson..." continued from p. 3, illustrated with TS-57-26/1; 'BRITISHER TIM CURRY ACTING RARITY — SKILLED IN CLASSIC AND CONTEMPORARY', illustrated with TS-66-28/8; "FILM DIRECTOR MOYLE KEEPS HIS COOL ON FIRST MAJOR FILM", illustrated with TS-78-2/16; "'TIMES SQUARE INTRODUCTION". Text: 'Times Square," starring Robin with Tim Curry and Trini Alvarado, is a Robert Stigwood Presentation, directed by Alan Moyle from Jacob Brackman's screenplay. The film was co-produced by Stigwood and Brackman, with Kevin McCor-mack and John Nicolella as executive producers and Bill Oakes the associate producer. Robin Johnson, 16-year-old Brooklyn miss, makes her screen singing and acting debut as Nicky Marotta, an uninhibited product of the streets who sets New York City on edge as a wild runaway from authority in "Times Square, "opening__ at the_Theatre. BRITISHER TIM CURRY ACTING RARITY — SKILLED IN CLASSIC AND CONTEMPORARY The performances of Britisher Tim Curry have displayed a remarkable range and dazzling versatility. A cult hero for his portrayal of the outrageous rock star in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," Curry is a classically trained actor with an impressive list of stage and screen credits. Tim Curry, British actor-singer best known for his rock star role in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," is starred as Johnny LaGuardia, all-night disc jockey in New York whose encouragement on the air to two runaway teenage girls turns them into minor media celebrities in "Times Square," opening _at the_Theatre. Curry now is starred in a contemporary role, playing an opportunistic, hyper-kinetic New York disc jockey who gives his all-night listeners a running account of the adventures of two runaways in "Times Square," and AFD release opening _ at the _ Theatre. Born in Cheshire, England, Curry studied classical drama at Birmingham University before winning his first — AFD Campaign Pressbook, page 4

The cover is a variation of the poster, with the elements moved to fill a 600-line newspaper ad space (four columns by 150 lines). (Most of the Pressbook, in fact, consists of pages of variously-sized ads based on the poster, all ready to be cut out and sent to your local paper with your theater’s name added in the blank space provided.)

The “Synopsis” on pages 1 and 2 is an edited version of what was given in the press kit. The accompanying photo is cropped from TS-82-30.

“‘Times Square Opens _____ at the _____ Theatre” is an edited version of the “Photo Captions – General Information” sheet from the press kit, accompanied by press photo TS-72-8A/14.

Trini’s bio is word-for-word from the press kit, illustrated with her headshot TS-11-24/5. Robin’s bio starts on page 3, and concludes on page 4 with her headshot TS-57-26/1. The Tim Curry bio has a cropped version of TS-66-28/8, and the Alan Moyle article is accompanied by TS-78-2/16, the action shot of Peter Coffield and Tim Curry.

The article at the end of page 4 is a new, punched-up synopsis intended to get you, the theater owner, excited about the fantastic promotional gimmicks on the pages to follow:

TIMES SQUARE INTRODUCTION

Nicky Marotta is tough…funny…funky… talented. At sixteen, she’s been put away and put down often enough to last a lifetime. She roams Times Square with a hot-wired guitar and a portable amp, making music and trouble.

But Nicky may be off the street for awhile. She bashed the car of an arrogant club owner with a crowbar — and now she’s in the hospital, under observation.

Pamela Pearl is the daughter of a civic do-gooder who has sworn to clean up Times Square. She is scared…shy…delicately pretty. In a recent letter to an all-night deejay, she described herself as a “zombie.”

She is in the same hospital — taking the same tests — as Nicky.

That’s the start of a beautiful friendship that leads to a wild escape in a stolen ambulance…a crumbling Hudson River pier…and back to the neon night world of Times Square where Pammy and Nicky take on a new identity.

As the incredible Sleaze Sisters.

With half the city searching for them, and the other half cheering for them to stay lost, only one person knows where the teenagers will turn up next — or what they’ll do. He is dee jay Johnny LaGuardia, the Diogenes of the all-night broadcasting.

And he isn’t telling…

Set to the beat of today’s most popular music, TIMES SQUARE is bold…colorful…exciting…imaginative entertainment from Robert Stigwood, whose hold on the youth market is now established with hits like “Grease,” “Saturday Night Fever” and “Tommy.”

Tim Curry (Dr. Frankenfurter in the cult classic, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show) is Johnny LaGuardia, perched in a soundproof skyscraper studio above Times Square, turning urban sprawl into poetry.

Newcomer Robin Johnson is a revelation as Nicky, teaching her new-found friend the ropes of roughing it and toughing it on 42nd Street. She’s also a dynamite singer, whose rendition of “Damn Dog” becomes a rallying cry for a million kids — in the movie — and is poised to zoom to the top of the charts in reality.

Trini Alvarado brings a cameo beauty and disarming appeal to the role of “Pammy,” who finds the courage to defy her uptight father — and his upright principles — by dancing in a Times Square nightery. She does it for friendship..for Sleaze Sister Nicky… and that’s all that matters.

Whether they’re creating a road hazard as windshield washing vagrants …developing a new teen-age fad, the rag-tag “look”… coming down on television…or coming up with kooky ideas to enlighten a city…the teamwork is terrific.

And the finale, atop a 42nd Street theatre marquee — where a swarm of chanting kids have gathered to hear the Sleaze Sisters play their spectacular swan song — is the best thing of its kind since “Meet John Doe.”

Kids will soon start picking up the Sleaze Sisters’ slogans (like “No sense makes sense”), their outrageous fashions and their music. But you can help that excitement get rolling by taking advantage of some sensational promotional opportunities.

Here’s what we mean….

AFD. “Times Square” Campaign Pressbook. Los Angeles: Associated Film Distribution, 1980, pp. 1-4;
black and white, 14.75 in (H) x 10.5 in (W), 20 pp (work)

Category: "Times Square"

Robin Johnson