Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1963)

This is how the RKO Orpheum in Denver will look when converted to an International 70 theatre. International 70 to Be Circuit Within Circuit NEW YORK— Selected key theatres of the RKO circuit will be identified as RKO International 70 houses, each having screen facilities permitting the presentation of 70mm projection and all other processes except three-projector Cinerama. The first of the theatres in what might be termed a circuit with an existing circuit will be in Denver where the RKO Orpheum is being converted to an International 70 theatre which will represent a curb-to-screen conversion. Charles Horstman, chief engineer and architect for RKO Theatres, is supervising the Denver changeover. He said the present seating capacity would be reduced from 2,700 to approximately 1,200 and would have new projection and sound, a new marquee, front, lobby, screen and a surround curtain, along with complete redecoration of the interior. It is planned for the conversion to be completed by December 25 for the opening of Otto Preminger’s “The Cardinal.” Harry Mandel, president of RKO Theatres, said that other theatres to be converted would be RKO houses in Boston, San Francisco, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Syracuse, Rochester and several in the New York metropolitan area. He said the conversion followed a modern trend in motion picture exhibition. MGM's #West Was Won' Gross $17,000,000 in U.S. NEW YORK — The MGM-Cinerama production of “How the West Was Won” has grossed $17,000,000 in its 60 roadshow engagements throughout the U.S. as of November 30. “How the West Was Won” had its American premiere engagement at the Warner Theatre in Los Angeles February 21. The Cinerama feature passed the $1,250,000 mark in boxoffice grosses in both Los Angeles and New York, where the picture is in its 37th week at Loew’s Cinerama Theatre. Approximately 20 of the 60 situations will be continuing through the holiday season. “How the West Was Won” will be available in 35mm in June, according to Morris Lefko, vice-president and general sales manager, and Mel Maron, in charge of MGM roadshow engagements. AIP Updating '64 Lineup To Include 14 'A' Films HOLLYWOOD — James H. Nicholson and Samuel Z. Arkoff, American International Pictures toppers, announced that they are updating their 25-picture 1964 release schedule to include 14 films “worthy of ‘A’ playing time.” Among the pictures scheduled are “Muscle Beach Party,” “Torpedo Bay,” “Captive City,” “Twelve Guns East,” and the Christmas holiday release of the action-spectacle combination, “Goliath and the Sins of Babylon” and “Samson and the Slave Queen.” Others upcoming are “Under Age,” “Some People,” “Black Sabbath,” “The Last Man on Earth” and “The Unearthly Stranger.” Currently filming in London, starring Vincent Price, is “The Masque of the Red Death.” Contempt Proceedings May Stem From 'Knocks' Battle NEW YORK— If the New York State Board of Regents does not comply with the Appellate Court order granting a license to “A Stranger Knocks,” then Trans-Lux Corp. will start contempt proceedings. Richard Brandt, president of Trans-Lux which has the distribution rights to the Danish-made film, said Trans-Lux would welcome an appeal by the Regents who had threatened such action. He said he be New York — The Trans-Lux Corp. has been notified by the Board of Regents that the Regents had filed a motion with the Appellate Division requesting a stay of the November 21 Appellate Court order for the issuance of a license to “A Stranger Knocks,” pending the Regents’ appeal in the Court of Appeals. Trans-Lux will file an opposing brief. This is said to be the first time that the Board of Regents has been obliged to file a motion for a stay. lieved the company again would have the opportunity to achieve another victory in the continuing battle for freedom of the press. The picture, which was denied a license last March because of two scenes involving sexual intercourse, received a ruling by the Appellate Court that a license should be granted, holding that a film must be considered in its entirety and, therefore, the censors could not order deletion of individual scenes. Brandt said the ruling was a major breakthrough in the film industry’s fight against arbitrary censorship and was precedent-setting in New York State. Trans-Lux plans to open “A Stranger Knocks” in New York in January. Only 1 General Audience Film in Dec. Green Sheet NEW YORK — There is only one picture in the GA or general audience classification in the December issue of The Green Sheet and that is United Artists’ “McLintock!” And there was not 100 per cent agreement on the picture among the ten groups that comprise the Film Estimate Board of National Organizations, which makes the monthly surveys of screen product. The Protestant Motion Picture Council rated it A-MY, suitable for adults and mature young people. The Protestant Motion Picture Council also disagreed with the FEBNO rating on 20th Century-Fox’s “Take Her, She’s Mine,” which got an A-MY-Y rating, meaning recommended for adults, mature young people, young people, whereas the PMPC rated it A-MY. Three pictures were placed in the A, or adult class, by The Green Sheet; namely, Columbia’s “Maniac,” United Artists’ “Johnny Cool” and MGM’s “Twilight of Honor.” Six pictures, including “Take Her, She’s Mine,” were placed in A-MY-Y. They were Universal’s “Charade,” Toho’s “Chushingura,” Royal International’s “The Householder,” “Continental’s “Ladies Who Do” and Columbia’s “The Old Dark House.” Rated A-MY were Continental’s “Billy Liar” and Warner Bros.’ “Mary, Mary” and “Rampage.” Technicolor Dividend HOLLYWOOD — The board of directors of Technicolor, Inc., declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of 12 V2 cents per share, payable on January 18 to stockholders of record December 31, at a meeting Friday (6). The 12V2 cents per share dividend is for the fourth quarter of 1963. Overall operations and earnings of the company continue to improve, according to Patrick J. Frawley jr., chairman of the board and chief executive officer. BOXOFFICE December 16, 1963 13