Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1963)

Paramount and Embassy In Third Major Deal HOLLYWOOD — An agreement for a third major production to be signed in the last six months has been completed between Paramount Pictures and Joseph E. Levine, it is announced jointly by Levine and Jack Karp, vice-president of Paramount Studios. The new property is novelist Harold Robbins’ latest book, “Where Love Has Gone,” which Levine’s Embassy company and Paramount will produce and release following the filming of the two previously announced undertakings, “The Carpetbaggers” and “Nevada Smith.” A unique aspect of the Paramount-Levine deal is that all three properties are taken from material written by Robbins and all three scripts will be prepared by John Michael Hayes. “The Carpetbaggers” and “Nevada Smith” will be adapted from Robbins’ best-selling novel, “The Carpetbaggers,” while “Where Love Has Gone” is based on the best-selling novel of the same title. Karp pointed out that the deal is a continuation of the policy of increased, important productions by Paramount which was outlined last month following meetings in Hollywood between Paramount home office executives and studio heads. Sanford Abrahams Returns From New York Visit HOLLYWOOD— Sanford Abrahams, Allied Artists director of advertising and publicity, has returned to his headquarters at the studio following two weeks in New York. He conferred there with Edward Morey, vice-president, and Edward Sands, general sales manager, and also Bernard J. Gates, vice-president and general sales manager of Allied Artists International, regarding release and advertising plans for upcoming pictures. Abrahams also met with Paul Lazarus and Ralph Wheelwright, vice-presidents of Samuel Bronston Productions, in connection with “55 Days at Peking,” starring Charlton Heston, Ava Gardner and David Niven, which AA will distribute in the United States, Canada, Japan and the Near East. The film is in Technicolor and scope and was directed by Nicholas Ray. Lee Bergman Named AA's Eastern Publicity Mgr. NEW YORK — Lee Bergman is the new eastern publicity manager for Allied Artists, succeeding Lars McSorley, who has moved over to Samuel Bronston Productions. Bergman was appointed last week by Sanford Abrahams, national director of advertising and publicity. In the last few years, Bergman has handled special assignments on New York film engagements for leading publicity agencies. He currently is completing an assignment for Universal. Bergman spent four years with Columbia Pictures home office publicity and exploitation department. In 1961, he produced the off-Broadway musical, “Meet Peter Grant.” He also is the author of two novels. Fox Realigns Domestic Sales Staffs ; New Division Dickstein Heads Roadshow Sales for 20th-Fox NEW YORK — Abe Dickstein, eastern division manager of 20th Century-Fox, has been appointed roadshow sales manager by Joseph M. Sugar, vice-p resident in charge of domestic sales. Dickstein will be succeeded by Robert McNabb, currently Detroit branch manager. The new Dickstein post formerly was held by Sugar prior to his election as vicepresident. Dickstein joined the company in 1951 as New York branch manager after several years with United Artists in key sales positions. He later became Atlantic district manager and, two years ago, was named eastern division chief. For the last three years, he was president of New York Cinema Lodge of B’nai B’rith. N.Y.-Made "Light Fantastic" Is Acquired by Embassy . . NEW YORK — A motion picture produced entirely in and around New York City has been acquired by Joseph E. Levine’s Embassy Pictures for worldwide distribution. Titled “Light Fantastic,” the picture was produced by Seneca Productions which previously had handled only short subjects, documentaries and commercial films. Interiors were made at the Hempstead Studios, Hempstead, L. I., and the exteriors in various Manhattan locations. “Light Fantastic” was produced by Robert Gaffney and directed by Robert McCarty and has Dolores McDougal and Barry Bartle in the top roles. Both have had offBroadway and road company theatrical experience, but neither had made a film before. The picture is based on an original story by Joseph Hochstein, former chief editorial writer for the Newark Star-Ledger and now with the Washington Bureau of the Newhouse Newspapers. The picture will be released early in the summer. Frontier Ventures, Inc. To Help Small Business WASHINGTON — Harold L. Combs, theatre operator and concessionaire, is president of a newly licensed small business investment company, Frontier Ventures, Inc., Midwest City, Okla. The firm has a starting capital of $302,000, of which $150,000 will come from the Small Business Administration, and plans to assist diversified small business. NEW YORK — The creation of a new central sales division and a major realignment of the domestic sales organization has been effected for 20th Century-Fox by Joseph M. Sugar, vice-president in charge of domestic sales. Robert C. McNabb, Detroit branch manager since June 1959, has been appointed eastern division manager, succeeding Abe Dickstein, who was named domestic roadshow manager. William C. Gehring will head the new central division. He formerly was St. Louis branch manager and more recently served as assistant roadshow sales manager. Both appointments will become effective on April 8. Sugar explained the creation of the new division as a move to strengthen home office relationships with exhibitors and the branches. He said the division setup had been redesigned so that the responsibility of each will extend to a sensible number of branches, thus enabling more intimate attention to branch needs. The executive field changes consist of the following: Charles Powers jr., Seattle branch manager, takes over the same position in San Francisco. Carl Handsaker, Seattle salesman, becomes manager. Ray Schmertz, Cleveland branch manager, has been named Chicago manager and Henry Harrell, now Chicago manager, will become Jacksonville manager. Bennett Goldstein, Cincinnati branch manager, will move to Detroit as branch manager there. Commenting on the changes, Sugar said : “We are desirous of moving our branch managers from one territory to another where such moves represent a promotion, giving them the opportunity to become acquainted with other territories and thus enlarge their knowledge of the domestic market. It is also our desire to develop our salesmen as executive timber, giving them the opportunity to move up and take over branch management.” Thomas McCleaster continues as western manager, William B. Williams as southern manager and Peter Myers as Canadian chief. Zenith Claims Phonevision In 2,000 Hartford Homes CHICAGO — The number of subscribers of Zenith’s Phonevision pay television system in Hartford has passed the 2,000 mark, Zenith stockholders were told in the annual report of the company. The report said that a sample of patronage during the first six months of operations showed that the Patterson-Liston heavyweight championship fight on September 25 last had been bought by 85 per cent of all subscriber homes. Next highest viewing figure was 65 per cent for the motion picture, “The World of Suzie Wong” and “The Notorious Landlady” drew 58 per cent. The Kingston Trio special telecast drew 41 per cent and the “Bolshoi Ballet” drew 29 per cent. Abe Dickstein BOXOFFICE :: April 1, 1963 9