Early 20th Century Hoaxes and Gimmicks
AMC Movie List

Early 20th Century Hoaxes and Gimmicks

Chairs that tingle. Skywritten breasts? Which marketing stunt is the best of the bunch?

rank title points votes your vote
1 Gone With the Wind
American Idol circa 1939? Pretty much. The movie had a three-year nationwide star search for the actress to play Scarlett O'Hara. 23 57
2 The Tingler
Screenings of this Vincent Price picture had small electric motors under seats to shock viewers with mini-jolts whenever the star appeared. 16 44
3 House on Haunted Hill
This horror flick flew a 12-foot long glow-in-the-dark skeleton over the audience. 4 34
4 13 Ghosts
The movie required audience members to don red-and-blue colored glasses to spot the ghosts on screen. 4 34
5 Macabre
This horror flick promised a $1,000 Lloyds of London insurance policy for anyone who died of fright during the screening. 0 30
6 The Outlaw
Skywriting planes flew over San Fran and spelled the title of this Jane Russell film (the two giant circles -- each dotted in the center). -4 28
7 This is Cinerama
The first mainstream, widescreen format movie required three cameras, three projectors, four-track stereo sound, and a number of interlocking, semi-curved screens. -5 29
8 Bwana Devil
The first in the 3D movie craze of the 1950s. -9 27
9 Behind the Great Wall
Aroma-Rama pumped "Oriental" scents into the theater through the air-conditioning system. -10 30
10 Child Bride
A sexploitation flick with teenage nudity that claimed to educate audiences on the dangers of child marriage. -11 33
11 Mom and Dad
This sex hygiene pic was hosted by two nurses who sold sex manuals and lectured on contraceptives. -13 27