Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1963)

MINNEAPOLIS J^atest word finds the Minneapolis Daily Herald resuming publication on April 16. According to reports, the paper, which has not published since October 1 of last year, will once again be printed only five days a week. The new format may be that of a tabloid. “Lawrence of Arabia,” the probable Academy Award winner for Best Picture, starts April 17 at the Academy Theatre, a Mann unit . . . Randy Anderson is the new assistant manager trainee at the MACO State Theatre. Joella Cchen, one of the few lady exploiteers, was in town last week for work on the campaign for Columbia's “Man From the Diners’ Club,” due at the MACO Lyric Theatre Easter Sunday. Joella is also doing some fancy chirping for Columbia's big musical, “Bye Bye Birdie,” due for spring release. This flick was sneak -previewed at the Orpheunr a few weeks ago to enthusiastic response. Local theatres are once again backing the Academy Award presentations 100 per cent, just as they have every previous year. The MACO advertising department, headed by Ev Seibel, has made an outstanding tieup with radio station WDGY concerning an Awards: Pick-the-Winner Contest. Contest entry blanks and ballot boxes are located in all Twin City MACO theatres, and audiences have been happily guessing away at a terrific rate. Your reporter, who functions as coeditor of The Little Sandy Review, a national magazine devoted to the coverage of folk music records, was in Milwaukee last weekend producing an album for Audiophile Records. Although it was a pretty harried weekend, I did manage to see a sneak preview of “Come Fly With Me” and it seemed excellent entertainment in the tradition of “Where the Boys Are.” As long as we’re writing on a purely egotistical level, I might also mention that yours truly was on KTWN’s Forum 14 with Lou House a couple of weeks ago. The radio show was devoted to folk music that night. FILMACK HAS ALWAYS LED THE FIELD FOR TOP QUALITY AND SPEED 1327 S. Wabash Chicago 5, lit SPECIAL TRAILERS / *B5 What with the Awards coming up soon, Wedgely Todd and I, if anyone cares, would like to announce our Best Picture of the Year, United States or foreign: “Shoot the Piano Player,” distributed by Astor. Seldom has a new picture opened to such critical thunder and praise-to-the-skies as "Love and Larceny,” the Vittorio Gassman vehicle now playing at the Suburban World Theatre. All three of the Star and Tribune critics. Will Jones, Don Morrison and Ben Kern, pulled out all stops in heralding the movie. Jones coined a new comic phrase, "It’s a Gassman!” or “It’s a Gass, man!”, so great was his enthusiasm. Lafayette Closes Up Shop To Visit Tippi Hedren LAFAYETTE, MINN.— This town of 505 population just about closed up shop Monday (1) when 175 residents accepted Universal’s invitation to a luncheon with hometown movie star Tippi Hedren at the Raddison Hotel in Minneapolis. Miss Hedren, who has a leading role in Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds,” is the daughter of a former Lafayette teacher, the former Dorothy Eckhart. Because of a very tight schedule during her two-day visit in Minneapolis, Miss Hedren was unable to come here for a personal visit. Louis Orlove, Universal publicist, thereupon arranged with Keith Verthein, druggist, and John Diedenhofen, local theatre manager, to round up reservations from all local folks who would like to meet the star in Minneapolis at the film company’s expense. Because of an arthritic condition, Mrs. Harry Hedren, Tippi’s aunt and nearest relative living in this community, was unable to be in the party going to Minneapolis to visit her niece. However, the aunt enjoyed a visit with the star in Hollywood last December, taking her first jet trip to the coast for that purpose. Commenting on her niece, Mrs. Hedren said, “She’s very lovely and has worked hard to get where she is now.” Diedenhofen hopes to book the Hitchcock thriller for the theatre at New Ulm, 14 miles from here, about a week after the premiere in Minneapolis, where the film opens April 12. MILWAUKEE JJeavy promotions are again dominating the scene in the Milwaukee area. For example, over at the Palace, all is activity over the forthcoming grand opening of “How the West Was Won,” with Man NEW ... An ILLUMINATED Screw Driver for working on speaker post otter dark . . . Complete with 4 driver bits; two sizes flat head and phillips head and two No. 135 batteries, $3.35 each, post paid when cheek is sent with order. LOU WALTERS Sales and Service Co. 4207 Lawnview Ave., Dallas 27, Texas ager Milt Harman directing and Ruth Malver in charge of group sales. Estelle Steinbach, managing director at the Strand, is gathering her forces for her usual dynamic approach on her coming attraction. In this case, it is none other than “Lawrence of Arabia,” which she anticipates as another long-run feature. John McKay, Riverside Theatre manager, had a strong exploitation under way with “The Birds.” The picture was screened at the Warner screening room and drew standing room only. He had a big radio campaign in progress, and at one point, invited all birdwatchers to a special 6 a.m. screening at the theatre. His lobby display was quite unusual and fitting as well. Joe Reynolds, Towne Theatre manager, prevailed upon the powers that be at radio station WRIT to do something for their many devoted listeners. Bernie Strachota, station manager, responded by picking up the tab for a special morning show as a goodwill gesture. Sratchota says he got the idea when he attended one of the sessions Reynolds made possible in acting as host for members of the Press Club. Reynolds has been awarded special guest privileges at the Press Club in token of his thoughts in behalf of the Club. Then there’s Harold “Bud” Rose, Milwaukee’s lone free lance publicist who is striving to have it become known that he’s fit as a fiddle again and back “in the harness.” Returning from a fast visit to Hollywood, he begins his first promotion for Allied Artists on the film, “Billy Budd,” by throwing a press luncheon at the Steak Ranch, and followed through with a screening at the Egyptian Theatre, Thursday, March 28, and surprised “even the best of ’em” with a packed house. He finishes his task with a tour of the territory. What's next? He is spearheading a testimonial dinner at the Milwaukee Athletic Club honoring Frank Marasco, former art director of the Milwaukee Sentinel, who came through so often with a line drawing, cartoon or whathaveyou on the many visiting screen stars to this area. Already he has a number of responses from Hollywood and New York. The Better Films Council of Milwaukee issued the following film ratings for April: Family — Very Good: The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, Papa’s Delicate Condition, Son of Flubber; Fair: Young Guns of Texas. Young People — Fair: House of the Damned. Adults and Young People — Excellent: The Longest Day, To Kill a Mockingbird, Mutiny on the Bounty. Adults and Mature Young People — Very Good: Days of Wine and Roses; Good: Crooks Anonymous, The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner. Adults — Very Good: Love Is a Ball; Good: Follow the Boys, Sundays and Cybele, Five Miles to Midnight, Tales of Paris. Mrs. S. V. Abramson, president of the council, is also chairman of the preview committee. Mrs. Carl A. Meyer is secretary of the preview committee. Kiwanis Club Inducts Vinson From Southeast Edition SHEFFIELD. ALA.— A. T. Vinson, city manager of Martin Theatres, was inducted into membership of the Kiwanis Club at its last meeting. Vinson belonged to the Kiwanis Club in Opelika, Ala., before being transferred to Florence. NC-2 BOXOFFICE :: April 8, 1963