Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1962)

CELEBRATE 'U-DAY' AROUND WORLD Film Showings Mark 50th Anniversary of the Founding of Universal Pictures NEW YORK— Worldwide "U-Day” celebratioiis ai'e scheduled for Thui'sday (8> to mai'k the 50th aiinivei-sary of the founding of Univei-sal Pictui'es Co. as part of the Golden Anniversaiy year and the companj-'s Presidential Sales Drive honoring Milton R. Rackmil. Heruy H. ‘•Hi" Mai'tin, vice-president and general sales manager, and Americo Aboaf , vice-president and foreign general manager of Universal-International Films, Inc., foreign sales subsidiary of Univei’sal Pictures Co., announced the “U-Day” plans in which exhibitors w'ere asked to show some U-I release on their screens to mark the company’s birthday. Approximately 15,000 theatres in the U. S. and Canada, and another 30,000 throughout the world are participating in this salute. Universal Film Co. was formed on June 8, 1912, at 1 Union Square in New York City by a group of film executives, with Carl Laemmle elected president. The “U-Day” observance is one of a series of special events which Universal has set up for its anniversary celebration. With some of the biggest boxoffice attractions in its history being released during the year, the first 26 weeks have been highlighted by the Pr-esidential Sales Drive in both the domestic and foreign markets in honor of President Rackmil, under whose leader’ship the company has attained its gr'eatest financial success. The first half of the year saw the release of “Lover Come Back” and “Flower Drum Song,” high among the all-time record grossers, based on their early per MILTON RACKMIL formances. In addition, “Spartacus” was placed in general release after’ setting records in its limited roadshow engagements. Also placed in release dui’ing the first half of the year were “Back Street,” “The Outsider” and “The Day the Barth Caught Fire.” Scheduled for' domestic release during the firual weeks of the Presidential Sales Dr-ive ai’e “Cape Feai’” and “Lonely Are the Brave” and scheduled for the second half of the anniversary year are “That Touch of Mink,” “The Spiral Road,” Answers.” Some of the biggest boxoffice names in the industry are featured in the Golden Anniversary releases, including Cary Grant, Doris Day, Rock Hudson, Gregory Peck, Kirk Douglas, Tony Curtis, Sandra Dee, Robert Mitchum, Montgomery Clift and Susan Hayward. The impetus of the Golden Anniversary year also continues in production activities with five pictures before the cameras and in final stages of production. These include “The Ugly American,” starring Marlon Brando; “To Kill a Mockingbird,” based on the Harper Lee Puhtzer Fhize novel and stan’ing Gregory Peck; “If a Man Answers,” starring Sandra Dee and Bobby Darin: “Forty Pounds of Trouble,” starring Tony Cm’tis and Phil Silvers, and John Huston’s production of “Freud.” Scheduled to follow later in the year are “A Gathering of Eagles,” starring Rock Hudson, and “The Thrill of It All,” starring Doi*is Day and James Garner, all for release in late 1962 and early 1963. Flaherty Film Seminar Set In Minneapolis June 18 MINNEAPOLIS — The Eighth Annual Robert Flaherty Film Seminar, presented by International Film Seminars, Inc., will be held June 18-28 at the University ( Minnesota Center for Continuation Study on the Minneapolis campus. This will be the first time the seminar, which is expected to attract leading film scholars and filmmakers from all over the world, will take place in the Midwest. The seminars were initiated eight years ago as a memorial to Robert Flaherty, pioneer documentary filmmaker and creator of such films as “Nanook of the North,” “Moana,” “Man of Aran” and “Louisiana Story.” Purpose of the seminars is “to bring together filmmakers, scholars and film students in a searching look at the art of the film and its growing world role,” according to the 1962 seminar director, George Amberg, University of Minnesota professor and interdisciplinary programs. Set Warner Theatre Date For 'The Longest Day' NEW YORK— Darryl F. Zanuck’s “The Longest Day,” produced in Europe at a cost of $10,000,000, will have its world premiere in October on a reserved-seat basis at the Warner Theatre, according to Spyros P. Skouras, president of 20th Century-Fox, and S. H. Fabian, president of the Stanley Warner Corp., owners of the theatre. Allied Artists’ “El Cid” is currently playing the Warner Theatre on reserved seats. The thi-ee-hour, 15-minute feature, which has a cast of 50 stars, will have one 10minute intermission. Boxoffice facilities will be established throughout the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area to meet ticket demands. The Warner Theatre will close for a brief period for refurbishing prior to the opening of “The Longest Day.” “Phantom of the Opera” and “If a Man From the files of BOXOFFICE comes this nostalgic photograph of a historical occasion in the long career of the Universal Company. The photo was taken just 30 years ago when Universal stars, directors, producers and other studio personnel saluted Carl Laemmle, the company’s founder, on the occasion of his 26th year as a motion picture executive, dating from 1906 when he became an exhibitor in Chicago. Doubtless, oldtimers will recall the prominent stars of that period, many of whom were among the industry’s best boxoffice bets. From left to right, rear row: Lester Cohn, Boris Karloff, Genevieve Tobin, John Boles, Tala Birell, James Whale, James Flavin, Bela Lugosi, Paul Perez and Raymond Massey. Second row: Leo Carrillo, Mrs. Edward Laemmle, Louis Friedlander, Sigmund Moos, Luis Trenker, George Sidney, Carl Laemmle, June Clyde, Charlie Murray, Lucile Browne, Tom Mix, Lew Ayres, Noah Beery jr., and Lola Lane. Front row: Allen Rivkin, 'Witt K. Cochrane, Paul Kohner, Karl Freund, C. R. Hunter, Mickey Rooney and Ernst L. Frank. 8 BOXOFFICE :: June 4, 1962