Movies were promoted very differently in the Golden Age of Hollywood. Unlike today, a movie would not open in wide release (there were of course no multiplexes) but instead tour the country on week by week showings. While today a major motion picture release is out at the same time (roughly speaking) all across the nation, in 1932 a film like The Most Dangerous Game might be seen in New Jersey in November and not seen in Dallas, Texas until June of the following year. If films were especially profitable they would be "held over" their initial one or two week rental time. When I was a kid you knew what the big movies were because the ads in the paper would trumpet in big bold print, "Held Over for Twelve Straight Weeks!"
Along with the town by town showing were the Program Bills and Guides sent to theatres in advance. The studios, who owned the theatres, would provide literature to the theatre owner suggesting marketing techniques, tips and tricks as well as providing choices for a wide variety of posters. Above is the original poster for The Most Dangerous Game, made slightly more famous by the recent Zodiac film, and below are some of the features from the program guide that accompanied it.
As always, click to enlarge.
