Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1962)

Record Details:

Title:
Boxoffice
Date:
Apr-Jun 1962
Publisher:
New York, Boxoffice
Volume:
Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1962)
Leaf #:
00047
Language:
English
Collection:
Hollywood Studio System
Format:
Periodicals
Contributor:
Media History Digital Library
Sponsor:
Media History Digital Library
Coordinator:
Media History Digital Library
Description:
BOXOFFICE was the leading American exhibitor trade paper of the post-World War II era. But the publication had modest beginnings. In 1920, Ben Shlyen founded the paper, orginally titled THE REEL JOURNAL, in an office located in Kansas City's Film Row district. Like other regional exhibitor publications, THE REEL JOURNAL focused its attention on the local -- in this case, KC and the nearby territories that the city's distribution exchanges served. By the end of the 1920s, however, Shlyen had acquired or founded several more small exhibitor papers serving other US markets. In 1932, their titles all changed to BOXOFFICE, though they continued to be published in regional editions for decades to follow. -- Eric Hoyt, 2015
Date Added:
March 21, 2024
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'West Side Story’ (UA) Winner Of March Blue Ribbon Award By VELMA WEST SYKES gOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Award winner for March is “West Side Story,” modern version of the Romeo-and-Juliet theme transposed to New York City, with its clash of opposing juvenile gangs. Although a musical, with colorful choreography to help tell the story, it is still a tragedy of young love in which the Puerto Rican Juliet (Maria, played by Natalie Wood) loses both her brother and her lover. Based on the stage play, the screenplay is by Ernest Lehman. Richard Beymer plays Romeo, under the direction of Producer Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins. Robbins also did the choreography. In selecting “West Side Story” as the outstanding picture of the month which is suitable for viewing by the whole family. National Screen Council members cDnfirmed the Boxoffice reviewer’s estimate in the October 9, 1961 issue, which read in part: “Mirisch Pictures’ presentation of the enormously successful Broadway stage hit proves equally effective as a screen blending of the dramatic, musical and dance fonn . . . Suitable for family audiences, but not the very young.” Playing now on a roadshow basis, it has been grossing 266 per cent of average business in key cities. Study Guide Available The National Council of Teachers of English published a study guide for “West Side Story” for its October issue of “studies in the mass media” and makes it available to classroom use at a nominal price. Comments from NSC members gave these reasons for its selection as the March Award winner: “West Side Stoi-y” is a beautiful, dramatic and distinguished film. — Paine Knickerbocker, San Francisco Chronicle . . . Shakespeare would not recognize this modern adaptation but his big plot has its classic appeal today. — May Williams Ward, Wellington (Kas.) author. This 20th Century version of the Romeo-and-Juliet theme is beautifully presented and executed. — Virginia M. Beard, Cleveland Public Library Film Curator . . . This is an extraordinary production, a brilliant fusing of drama, ballet and music. — Mrs. Edward F. CaiTan, G.F.W.C., Cleveland . . . This will be a sure winner of the Academy Award. — William Hebert, Western Boxoffice editor. In my opinion, “West Side Story” is “unfair” competition. With an obvious emphasis on bigness and spectacle in our motion pictures today, quality and artistic value are somewhat overlooked. “West Side Story,” although a giant of production, also overflows with the art of music, choreography, cinematography, direction, dialog and costuming for the situation at hand. Moreno and Tamblyn were excellent. So were Natalie Wood and George Chakiris. It’s a shame there couldn’t be a “sweepstakes” prize for this realistic — as well as entertaining — movie. — Jack Ong, Mesa (Ariz.) Tribune. While “West Side Story” has brutal incidents, the music is so outstanding, as well as the acting, that it gets my vote. — Mrs. Paul Gebhart, Cleveland Cinema Club . . . Vibrant, vivid and volcanic, this erupts brilliance. — Art Preston, Portland (Me.) teacher. Good Enough for Oscar What’s good enough for Oscar is good enough for me. I’m waiting to see it again — Wayne Allen, Springfield (HI.) Journal -Register ... By all odds, “West Side Story” should win. — Raymond Lowery, Raleigh News and Observer. The musie, ballet, race strife of New York “caverns” and the fine photography win my vote. — Mrs. A. L. Mun-ay, Long Beach Kappa Kappa Gamma . . . This is an excellent list, for a change. “West Side Story” is great. — Glenn Himebaugh. Canton Repositoi’y. This “best picture of the yeai’” has something for everyone. The coloring is tops — so is the music by Bernstein. — Chuck Fisher, president MP Appreciation Ass’n, Kansas City . . . The best-filmed musical I ever saw. — Dick Kenworthy, Chicago White Sox. The Maria Natalie Wood Tony Richard Beymer Riff Russ Tamblyn Anita Rita Moreno Bernardo George Chakiris Cast Lieutenant Schrank Simon Oakland Officer Krupke Bill Bramley Doc Ned Glass Glad Hand John Austin “The Jets” and “The Sharks” Production Staff Producer Robert Wise Directed by Robert Wise, Jerome Robbins Screenplay by Ernest Lehman Associate Producer Saul Chaplin Choreography by Jerome Robbins Music by Leonard Bernstein Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Based on the stage play by Robert E. Griffith. Harold S. Prince Book by Arthur Laurents Color by Technicolor iiiMiMiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiimiiiimiiimiiiiiii RUSS TAMBLYN AS RIFF ENTERTAINS HIS GANG WITH A SPOOFING OF EXPLANATIONS ABOUT DELINQUENTS NATALIE WOOD (MARIA) AND RICHARD BEYMER (TONY) PLEDGE THEIR ILL-FATED LOVE IN THE BRIDAL SHOP A RUMBLE THAT ENDS TRAGICALLY FOR GANG MEMBERS LEAVES MARIA BEREFT OF BOTH BROTHER AND LOVER iiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiii This award is given each month by the National Screen Council on the basis of outstandng 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 organizations.