These bits and pieces from the press book were used to advertise the film and create interest among the fans. They were sent to movie theatres so that the owners could buy lobby cards, posters, advertise the film and its stars on radio and in newspapers and even suggested ways to promote the show (such as talent contests, essay contests and other fun ways to encourage the audience to want to attend the film). Unlike the press kits of today (which contain only film synopsis, talent bios and a few b&w 8x10s), these early-day press kits made it easier on the theatre owners to promote a particular film.

The following are excerpts from the press kit that speak directly about Bobby Van. Similar pieces appeared throughout for other performers in the film.

This May Be Beginning of New Hubby-Wife Team
What may be the beginning of a new husband-and-wife screen team was inaugurated when Diane Garret won a role in M-G-M's new romantic comedy, "The Affairs of Dobie Gillis," now showing at the [theatre would insert their own name here] Theatre.

Although Miss Garret has made previous film appearances, the new picture marks the first in which she appears with her husband - Bobby Van. In the film story, however, it's Debbie Reynolds who leads Bobby to the alter."

Debbie Reynolds and Bobby Van Form Exuberant Team in MGM's Collegiate Comedy, "Affairs of Dobie Gillis."
[excerpt]
The pert Miss Reynolds and agile Bobby Van are delightfully cast as the romancing coeds, whether in such comic scenes as those in which the blundering young hero tips his girlfriend out of a canoe or rescues her from a chemical laboratory explosion, or in the lilting moments when they join in such melodies as "All I do Is Dream of You," "You Can't Do Wrong Doin' Right" and "Believe Me If All These Endearing Young Charms*." *this song did not make it into the film with Bobby singing.

It's Pronounced Dobie Gillis, not "Dopey," Bobby Hastens to Explain
Bobby Van, M-G-M's young song, dance and comedy find, who has zoomed to top popularity with but four motion picture appearances to his credit, plays the title role opposite Debbie Reynolds in M-G-M's "The Affairs of Dobie Gillis," now showing at the [theatre inserts their name here] Theatre.

It worries him. It seems that if you pronounce the name, Dobie, with anything less than flawless diction, it comes out - Dopey!

"It's apt to give a fellow a complex," he sighs. "In my last picture, 'Small Town Girl,' I played a fellow named Ludwig Schlemmer. No one could say that one, let alone mispronounce it."

Ever since Bobby began his career as a Brooklyn teen-ager, he's been telling himself that a rose by any name would smell as sweet. But the trick was to find the name. With a band act of his own (he plays trumpet) Bobby tried such eye-catchers as Bobby Bob, Bobby Katz, Bobby Sox and so, straight on, through the phone book. Then his younger sister, president of the Brooklyn division of the Van Johnson Fan Club, put in her two-bit worth. Why not take her idol's first name? It's been Bobby Van ever since.

In the two years he's been in Hollywood, young Van has made a name for himself as one of the tip finds of recent seasons. He started with a guest spot in "Skirts Ahoy!", followed in a role with Mario Lanza in "Because You're Mine," then won a top role with Jane Powell and Farley Granger in "Small Town Girl," in which he "stopped the show" with his remarkable Hippity Hop dance routine.

Dancing on the screen offers Bobby a dilemma. He's looking for something Gene Kelly or Fred Astaire haven't danced with - or on! This narrows the search to an almost nonexistent point. Now that he's used up a soda counter and glass showcases as dance floors, and a bunch of carrots as a partner, he admits to being temporarily stymied.

Fortunately, he was given an opportunity to let his ingenuity rest during the filming of "The Affairs of Dobie Gillis." He does a dance number in the collegiate comedy but its locale and setting were specified in the script. Bobby didn't have to do anything except dance!