Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1961)

iii 1 1 111 ii i hi mill iii 111 iii 111 ill 111 mi iii! iimi mm iiiiii PERDITA AND PONGO ARE LED THROUGH THE STREETS BY PROUD OWNERS ANITA AND ROGER CRUELLA DE VILLE, MEAN HUMAN HEAVY, TALKS WITH HER TWO UNDERWORLD CHARACTERS Hiiimimiimmmiiimiiiimmiiiimmiiiiiiiimim This Award is given each month by the National Screen Council on the basis of outstanding merit and suitability for family entertainment. Council membership comprises motion picture editors, radio and TV film commentators, representatives of better films councils, civic, educational and exhibitor organisations. ' One Hundred and One Dalmatians’ Wins March Blue Ribbon Award ^NOTHER Walt Disney presentation, released by Buena Vista, “One Hundred and One Dalmatians,’’ has won the votes and plaudits of members of the National Screen Council as their choice for the March winner of the Boxoffice Blue Ribbon Award. This makes the second successive month a Disney film has been chosen as the winner, “Swiss Family Robinson” having been the National Screen Council’s February selection. The Council is comprised of representatives of women’s clubs, civic organizations and film councils, film critics and radio-TV commentators, as well as exhibitor leaders. Members of the Council base their selection of each month’s winner on the film most suitable for whole family entertainment. The Boxoffice review on “Dalmatians,” which appeared in the issue of Jan. 30, 1961, stated: “The film’s charm and delightfully satiric humor will entertain adults, just as the adorable blackand white puppies (all 99 of them, plus two parents), will bring forth squeals of glee from the kiddies. It makes wholesome fare for the entire family. As in all Disney cartoons, the animation is virtually flawless as a result of the painstaking work of 300 artists over a three-year period.” Based on British authoress Dodie Smith’s book of the same title, Disney’s animated feature-length Technicolor cartoon of “Dalmatians” is the story of an evil woman whose determination to have a coat made of Dalmatian fur makes her resort to dognapping, resulting in all the dogs of England coming to the rescue to locate the missing dogs and to halt the mass dognapping of other Dalmatians. According to the percentage figures on its first-run playdates, “Dalmatians” has scored 272 per cent so far in its key-city runs, with Detroit and Minneapolis still to report at this writing. Critics’ reviews were also favorable, as attested by the 12 plus rating it received in Boxoffice’s Review Digest department. National Screen Council members who sent along comments with their ballots were unanimous in their approval of the film, not only for its merits as a fine film, but for its high entertainment value for adults and children alike. Here are some of the comments received from various women’s groups: One of Disney’s best! An excellent, clever and humorous picture, one the whole family can enjoy and see over again. Very entertaining. — Mrs. Kurt W. Schmidt, NSC group, Indianapolis ... A precious picture for the entire family. Humans just loved it. — Mrs. E. M. Godfrey jr., Better Films Committee, Knoxville ... A beautiful family picture and well attended here in Springfield. — Mrs. Arthur B. Davis, Springfield (Mass.) MPC . . . Disney did it again ! Took six youngsters to see it and was glad they wanted to see part of it again (I did, too). — Mrs. William Stute, Indiana Indorsers of Photoplays, Ft. Wayne . . . “One Hundred and One Dalmatians” will be one that should have the appeal. This could be seen in the long line waiting to purchase tickets to see it at the Hippodrome Theatre in Cleveland. Walt Disney pictures are without question “tops” for family entertainment. — Delia McMyler, Director, Cleveland MPC. Film critics and radio-TV commentators were especially high in their praise of the picture: Disney does it again — only more so! This is probably his best animated picture both for kids and their parents. — David V. Koch, Dayton (Ohio) Journal Herald . . . This is it — not for month but for year! — John M. Gordon, Springfield (Mass.) Union Republican . . . A wonderful picture for adults and an exciting adventure for children. — Malcolm Miller, Knoxville (Tenn.) Journal . . . Excellent adventure for children, wonderful satire for adults. — Mildred Stockard, Houston (Tex.) Chronicle . . . Packed with laughs. Should appeal to family. — Agnes E. Rockwood, Pennington (Vt.) Banner . . . When you say this film is a dog, it’s high praise! A triumph for kids. — Alan Branigan, Newark (N. J.) News ... A doggone good motion picture! — Art Preston, Portland, Maine. Honorable Mention goes to “The Alamo,” “Hand in Hand,” and “Pepe,” which were runners-up in that order and received many favorable comments, including some from members who designated “Dalmatians” as their No. 1 choice, but also commented on the outstanding merits of these three films for family enjoyment. The Cast With the talents of: Rod Taylor, J. Martha Wentworth, Lisa Davis, Tom Pat O’Malley, Betty Lou Gerson, Conway, Tudor Owen, and others. Production Statf Producer Walt Disney Directors Wolfgang Reitherman, Hamilton S. Luske, Clyde Geronimi Based on book, “The Hundred and One Dalmatians,” by .... Dodie Smith Screenplay by Bill Peet Color by Technicolor Production Supervisor Ken Peterson Sound Supervisor Robert O. Cook Film Editors Donald Halliday Roy M. Brewer jr. Music Editor Evelyn Kennedy Special Processes .... Ub Iwerks, A.S.C, Eustace Lycett Music George Bruns Orchestration Franklyn Marks Songs Mel Levin Art Direction and Production Design Ken Anderson