Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1963)

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FEATURE REVIEWS Story Synopsis; Exploitips; Adlines for Newspaper and Programs THE STORY: “The Comedy of Terrors” (AIP) Late in the 19th Century, Vincent Price, who has taken over Boris Karloff’s funeral establishment when he married Karloff’s daughter. Joyce Jameson, has run the business to the ground by his drinking. Price and his assistant. Peter Lorre, keep going mainly by dumping their “customers” into the ground after the funeral and retrieving the coffin for use again. When Price’s land in)t lord. Basil Rathbone, threatens to evict him for non (angers payment of rent, he and Lorre invade the landlord’s home — and plan to kill him, thus “killing two birds with one stone,” as Price says. But Rathbone, who is a catalepsy victim, continues to awaken and rise from his coffin. Bound and gagged, Rathbone is finally buried, but in a vault, from which he escapes to rampage through the funeral parlor. Price shoots Rathbone dead but dies himself from poison intended for the senile Karloff. Lorre, who loves Price’s wife, Joyce, goes off with her. EXPLOITIPS: Vincent Price, Peter Lorre and Boris Karloff, who last starred for AIP in “The Raven” a year ago, are the big selling angle for horror devotees, even though this picture stresses comedy. Basil Rathbone is another selling name and Joe E. Brown will be welcomed by old-timers. Use photos of blonde Joyce Jameson to attract the males. CATCHLINES: Your Favorite Creeps Together Again! . . . Price, Lorre, Karloff and Rathbone Deal in Multiple Mayhem. THE STORY: “Kings of the Sun” (UA) More than 1,000 years ago, the Mayan tribes, who built pyramids in Mexico, are menaced by fierce warriors from the north. The Mayan king is killed by the invaders and his young son, George Chakiris, becomes their new ruler. The Mayans are forced to flee to the coast, where they commandeer boats owned by fishermen and, with oi these people, sail to what is now North America, where wstone they settle and start to build a new civilization. Yul . v . Brynner, head of a tribe of Indians, decides to attack these people but the Mayans capture him. Chakiris spares Brynner’s life and his wounds are healed by Shirley Ann Field, who is affianced to Chakiris. The Mayan high priest, Richard Basehart, prepares Brynner for a sacrifice to their gods and, when Chakiris refuses this, the high priest sacrifices himself. Later, the invaders again attack the Mayans and Brynner is killed. EXPLOITIPS: While Yul Brynner and George Chakiris, who won an Academy Award for his role in “West Side Story,” are the chief selling angles, dress up lobby with ancient relics, borrowed from a museum or antique shop and interest colleges and museums. CATCHLINES: A Lost World Becomes a New World of Adventure . . . Deep in the Jungles of Yucatan Flourished the Ancient Mayan Civilization . . . These Were the People of the Plumed Serpent, Masters of Mountains, Kings of the Sun. THE STORY: “Cavalry Command” (Parade) A small Spanish-American War troop of United States cavalry enters a Philippine village to establish civilian administration and find the natives terrified and hiding in a church. Myron Healy, the lieutenant, convinces Eddie Infante, the local priest, of their earnest efforts to restore order. With normal life returning, William Phipps, Army private, becomes interested in a local girl, but the priest takes him to her village home to discourage the romance where the family is ostracized and Phipps runs away. Pancho Magolona, rebel captain, still fighting the war, but without one single soldier, is conducting a one-man rebellion. When the light Army outfit returns with weekly supplies, they are attacked at a key city bridge by hill natives and he jumps in to help the Americans on the burning wooden bridge. EXPLOITIPS: Drape red, white and blue bunting in the lobby, along with any kind of Spanish-American War cannon, crossed 'esky swords, or pictures of Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders, usually found in the library, American Legion or patriotic hall. A burro or mule paraded in town with a sign, “Last of the U.S. Cavalry,” can be used. CATCHLINES: Rough, Raw and Ready for Action. Desperate Men Fighting for Life and Love in a Hostile Land. First U.S. Army of Occupation in Spanish-American War Philippines, 1900. THE STORY: “The Three Lives of Thomasina” (BV) In turn-of-the century Scotland, Patrick McGoohan, a widowed veterinary surgeon, lives with his little daughter, Karen Dotrice, and her pet cat, Thomasina. When the cat is badly injured, McGoohan decides she must be destroyed and Karen swears she will never forgive her father. Karen and the other village children hold an elaborate funeral for Thomasina, but they are scared away by Susan Hampshire, a young healer, who they believe is a witch. Susan finds Thomasina is still alive and she takes the cat in and heals her. Much later, Karen sees Thomasina and runs out in the rain after her. The girl gets pneumonia and the frantic McGoohan enlists the aid of Susan in making the child well. Susan tells him he must coax Thomasina back. When he does this, Karen recovers and her father weds Susan. EXPLOITIPS: Paul Gallico’s “Thomasina,” the story of a cat, was a ! best-seller and the picture will attract the millions of adult cat-lovers. The Walt Disney name will bring out the family audiences. Stress that Laurence Naismith is currently starring as Chris Kringle in the Broadway musical hit, “Here’s Love.” CATCHLINES: Walt Disney Brings Paul Gallico’s Novel, “Thomasina,” to Life on the Screen ... A Story About the Scottish Highlands, Its Witches and Its Wonderful World of Children and Their Pets. THE STORY : “Alone Against Rome” (Medallion) Before the Roman invasion of her country, Rossana Podesta is betrothed to Jeffries Lang. Their love is shattered by the Romans’ onslaught and Rossana’s house is occupied. The families are sentenced to death, with Rossana held as hostage by Roman Captain Philippe LeRoy. She submits to LeRoy, pleading for lives of Lang and others, and Lang, infuriated with this knowledge, organizes counter-revolt and guerrilla factions from his dungeon. LeRoy’s plan to kill Lang in the arena backfires when Lang, assuming tremendous strength, bests all oncoming warriors and chariots. Lang now takes on LeRoy in combat, matching his great acknowledged skill. The occupying forces acclaim the new gladiator whose love gave him the courage to stand alone against Rome. EXPLOITIPS: Rent Roman togas and the like from costume house for use by usherettes, cashiers prior to opening. Teaser ads, run-of-paper, can be effective. CATCHLINES: She Sacrificed All to Keep Her Lover Alive! ... He Fought for His Love Against the Oncrushing Might of Rome! ... A Hostage Gladiator Who Overcame the '' Mighty Warriors of Rome! (,ar e THE STORY: “Square of Violence” (MGM) In 1944, the partisans inside a German-occupied city in Europe are preparing to attack the Nazi forces there with the aid of an Allied air-attack. To signal the start of the attack, Broderick Crawford is selected to drop a bomb on the town square when Nazi officers are there. The bomb kills 30 officers and the Nazi major (Branko Plesa) issues a proclamation that 300 male hostages will be taken and executed unless the man who dropped the bomb gives himself up. Crawford, whose son had been executed two years before, is torn between remaining quiet and protecting the Underground or saving the 300 hostages. Crawford asks Plesa if the hostages will be spared if the bomb -thrower reveals himself because he believes that the Nazis will not keep their word. Later, Crawford decides to confess, but is shot down by the partisans as he tells Plesa he was the man they want. But Plesa kills the 300 hostages anyway. EXPLOITIPS: Broderick Crawford, who starred in “Bom Yesterday” and “All the King’s Men,” among many others, is the sole marquee name although Valentina Cortesa was in several Hollywood films and, recently, in “Barabbas.” Use the Nazi symbol in the lobby to attract passersby. CATCHLINES: A True Story of Nazi Duplicity During World War II -<*; ... A Battle of Wits Between Partisans and the Nazi ' Forces. BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: Dec. 16, 1963