Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1962)

'La Dolce Vita' Gets NPAA Certificate June 8 Is V-Day/ Starting Universal's Anniversary NEW YORK — “U-Day" celebrations will be launched by Universal Pictures on June 8, which will mark the 50th anniversary of the company. On June 8, 1912, a group of executives headed by Carl Laemmle formed the Universal Film Manufacturing Co. at 1 Union Square in New York. The celebrations will be part of Universal's Golden Anniversary year and its Presidential Sales Drive honoring president Milton R. Rackmil. According to Henry H. “Hi” Martin, vicepresident and general sales manager, and Americo Aboaf, vice-president and foreign sales manager, exhibitors throughout the world will be asked to exhibit some Universal release on that day. The executives said that some of the biggest boxoffice attractions in the company’s 50-year history will be released during the anniversary year. During the first half of the year, Universal has released “Lover Come Back” and “Flower Drum Song,” which are reported to be among the all-time recordholders of Universal, as well as the general release of “Spartacus,” “The Outsider” and “The Day the Earth Caught Fire.” Scheduled for the final weeks of the sales drive are “Cape Fear” and “Lonely Are the Brave,” and, for the second half of the anniversary year, “That Touch of Mink,” “The Spiral Road,” “Phantom of the Opera” and “If a Man Answers.” In production are “The Ugly American,” “To Kill a Mocking Bird,” “Forty Pounds of Trouble” and “Freud,” and, scheduled to start, are “A Gathering of Eagles” and “The Thrill of It All.” AA to Indemnify Exhibitors Playing 'Raft' and 'Capone' NEW YORK — Allied Artists has prepared a “letter of indemnification” for exhibitors who play either “The George Raft Story” or “A1 Capone,” protecting them against any possible legal action by the estate of the late A1 Capone. The letter was prepared at the request of Theatre Owners of America. As reported. Allied had been threatened by the Capone estate with suits on the two films and AA will issue the letter to any exhibitor requesting it. The letter reads: “We agree to indemnify and hold you harmless of and from any and all legal actions, attorneys’ fees and judgments arising out of any action, claim or proceedings against you by the estate of Alfonso <A1) Capone with respect to said photoplays . . . and to bear the cost of defending any such action, claim or proceeding brought against you by the estate.” Krasny Quits GAC NEW YORK — Milt Krasny, executive vice-president of General Artists Corp., has resigned, effective June 4. He was a partner in GAC with the late Tom Rockwell and served in an executive capacity for the last 22 years. No future plans were announced. UA Ups David Chasmon To Ad Executive Director NEW YORK — David Chasman, advertising manager of United Ai'tists, has been promoted to executive director of advertising, a post newly created by Fred Goldberg, executive director of advertising, publicity and exploitation, in his UA reorganization program. Although Chasman will still continue to be responsible for the administration and operation of worldwide advertising functions, his major responsibility will lie in the areas of creativity and closer collaboration with producers and their representatives, Goldberg said. “The executive director of advertising will now be able to begin the development of a campaign with the producers and their representatives even before production starts on a motion picture. This will enable United Artists to utilize the production period to develop material that can only be created and delivered while the cameras are rolling and the cast is available,” Goldberg pointed out. Prior to joining UA as ad manager in 1960, Chasman had been advertising executive with Grey Advertising, Inc., from 1953 to 1960 and the Monroe Greenthal Agency from 1951 to 1953. Paramount Pictures Net For 1961 Exceeds 1960 NEW YORK — A consolidated net income is reported by Paramount Pictures for the year 1961 at $5,668,000 or $3.35 per share, plus profit on sale of investments of $1,480,000 amounting to $.88 per share, or a total of $7,148,000 or $4.23 per share based upon 1,688,531 shares outstanding at December 30. The net income for the Year 1961 would have been $1,147,000 or $.68 per share higher had it not been for a change in accounting procedure for the amortization of research and development costs. Net income for the year 1960 was $7,026,000 or $4.20 per share of 1,673,231 shares then outstanding. Bobby Darin Film Tieup LOS ANGELES — Plans to release “Hell Is for Heroes” to coincide with topliner Bobby Darin’s nightclub tour which starts June 21 in St. Louis are being blueprinted by Paramount. The company plans to open the pictm’e in each of the 11 cities where Darin appears, including Milwaukee, Detroit, Flint, Michigan: Pittsbm'gh, Rochester, Boston, Philadelphia and Forrest Hills, N. Y., with one date still open. NEW YORK — On the eve of the first anniversary of the opening of “La Dolce Vita,” George Foley, president of Astor Pictures, announced Wednesday (18) that the Motion Picture Ass’n of America had granted a certificate of approval to the picture. At the same time, he announced that Ernest Sands had been appointed general sales manager. At a combination press conference and birthday party, with a big cake holding a single candle, Foley said that the MPAA’s certificate enabled Astor to book the picture in smaller cities throughout the country which played only MPAA-approved pictures and also on military installations, which followed a similar policy. The certificate was awarded by a six-man committee headed by Geoffrey Shurlock, chief of the Production Code Authority, who hailed Astor for the “dignified manner” in which the company was releasing “this important though controversial picture.” Foley said Douglas Netter would be the supervisor of all sales, with Sands serving as general sales manager. He said the promotion was in keeping with Sands’ increasing responsibilities in the company’s continued sales expansion program. Sands had been assistant general sales manager under George Josephs who continues as a vice-president of Astor. Astor will release 12 pictures during the next 12 months, Foley said, two of which will be coproductions overseas. The others will be imported product. There are no plans to participate in the production of any pictures in the United States, at least in the immediate future, he added. Set for release in May is Francois Truffaut’s “Shoot the Piano Player,” French picture staiTing Charles Aznavour. Scheduled for June is Michelangelo Antonioni’s “H Grido,” made in Italy with Steve Cochran, Alida Valli and Betsy Blair. In July, Astor will release Vittorio De Sica’s “The Last Judgment,” starring Jack Balance, Jimmy Durante, Ernest Borgnine and Akim Tamiroff from Hollywood, as well as Melinda Mercouri from Greece, Vittorio Gassman, Renato Rascel, Alberto Sordi and Silvana Mangano from Italy and Fernandel, Anouk Aime and Elisa Cegani from France. Federico Fellini’s ‘"The Swindler,” starring Broderick Crawford, Giulietta Masina, Richard Basehart and Franco Fabrizi, will be released in August. In addition to Astor’s four current releases and the four pictures forthcoming, the company also is releasing “Peeping Tom,” “The Most 'Wanted Man” and “During One Night.” Geraldine Page in 'Toys' HOLL'YWOOD — Geraldine Page has been signed to play opposite Dean Martin in “Toys in the Attic,” Mirisch Co. production of Lillian Heilman’s play which Walter Mirisch will produce and George Roy Hill direct for United Artists release. David Chasman Ernest Sands 8 BOXOFTICE :: AprU 23. 1962