Boxoffice (Jan-Mar 1962)

Ohio High Court Rules Lovers' Obscene COLUMBUS, OHIO — The Ohio Supreme Court Wednesday (17) ruled that the imported film, “The Lovers,” is obscene and upheld a state law barring “knowing” possession of obscene literature or motion picture films. Exhibition of the French -made film, banned in some states, resulted in the conviction of Dayton and Cleveland Heights theatre managers under different sections of Ohio’s obscenity laws. Judge William D. Radcliff in his decision on “The Lovers” said: “To me, it was 87 minutes of boredom induced by the vapid drivel appearing on the screen and three minutes of complete revulsion during the showing of an act of perverted obscenity ... it was filth for money’s sake.” The court also held unconstitutional a state law making it a misdemeanor to possess obscene films without knowledge of the obscenity. The conviction of Nico Jacobellis, manager of the Heights Art Theatre, Cleveland Heights, was affirmed, but the decision was reversed for the conviction of Allan S. Warth, manager of the Art Theatre, Dayton, for showing the same motion picture when it declared the section under which he was convicted unconstitutional. Rites for Ernie Kovacs, Film and TV Comedian HOLLYWOOD — Funeral services for comedian Ernie Kovacs, 42, were held last Monday (15) in Beverly Hills Community Church, followed by private interment in Forest Lawn. Simple services, with no eulogies, were observed for Kovacs, who was killed instantly on January 13 when his car crashed into a steel pole on Santa Monica Blvd. in Beverly Hills. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to medical research. Noted for creating, producing, directing and acting in “The Ernie Kovacs Show,” his popular television program, Kovacs also had a non-exclusive film contract with Columbia Pictures, where he had appeared in several features, including “It Happened to Jane,” “Our Man in Havana,” “Strangers When We Meet,” and “Sail a Crooked Ship.” He also was in “North to Alaska” and “Wake Me When It’s Over” for 20thFox. Survivors include his wife, singing star Edie Adams; three children; mother, father and a brother. DCA Now Out of Business; Stockholders Equity Lost NEW YORK — Distributors Corp. of America is, for all practical purposes, out of business, with debits far exceeding assets. Stockholders of DCA were so informed last week. Fred Schwartz, founder and president of the defunct distribution company, advised the shareholders that their equity had been lost and that the purpose of the letter was written so that the stockholders could take a capital gains loss on their 1961 income tax reports. I 16 Tony Curtis, seated, signs contract for “Playboy” while Hugh M. Hefner, publisher of Playboy Magazine; Stan Margulies, producer for Curtleigh Productions, and Sol Schwartz, Columbia Pictures studio head, look on. 'Playboy' to Columbia; To Star Tony Curtis HOLLYWOOD — Sol Schwartz, Columbia Pictures studio head, announced at a press conference held at the studio that Columbia had acquired “Playboy,” starring Tony Curtis, for Columbia release. The deal is one between Columbia and Curtis’ recently formed independent company, Curtleigh Productions, and the first to be made under the banner of the newly formed corporation, of which Curtis is president. Columbia will finance entirely, it was declared. Indicating the importance which Columbia attaches to the project was the attendance at the conference of top Columbia executives in addition to Schwartz. Paul Lazarus, Jonas Rosenfield, Sam Briskin and others in Columbia’s executive echelon joined the press as Schwartz introduced Hugh Hefner, founder of Playboy magazine, whose life story Curtis will portray. Stanley Margulies is producing, Bernard Wolfe is writing the screenplay, a major portion of the picture will be shot in and around Chicago. Director and additional stars are to be selected upon completion of the screenplay. Nicholas Vandensteen RIDGEWOOD, N.J.— Nicholas Vandensteen, 67, veteran foreign title film editor, died Sunday (14) at his home here. Vandensteen worked on thousands of films distributed abroad by United Artists, 20th Century-Fox, Paramount and other companies during his 35 years in the industry. He is survived by his wife Dorothy. 'Day the Earth Caught Fire' Correct Title of U-l Film In the review of “The Day the Earth Caught Fire” appearing in the BOXOFFICE Booking Guide section of this week’s issue the title appears as “The Day the Earth Exploded.” Also the type of film inadvertently was given as comedy instead of drama due to a mixup of linotype lines. 'West Side' Seminar Draws Top Exhibitors CHICAGO — More than 50 leading exhibitors and advertising-publicity directors from about two dozen states met here with United Artists branch managers, sales executives, group sales personnel and field exploitation men Monday and Tuesday (15,16) for a merchandising seminar on “West Side Story.” Joining them were officials of the Mirisch Co., producers of the film. At the Mike Todd Theatre, Monday night, the theatre executives and more than 1,000 local news media representatives, disc jockeys and social and civic leaders attended a screening of the picture. The following day, the exhibitors and UA-Mirisch representatives participated in the sales and promotion seminar at the Ambassador East Hotel. Milton E. Cohen, UA’s national director of roadshow sales, presided at the seminar. Leon Roth, Mirisch Co. vice-president, presented the concept of the over-all “West Side Story” campaign and how it was derived, and Fred Goldberg, UA’s executive director of advertising, publicity and exploitation, outlined the advertising and publicity “tools” which will be available and how they can best be utilized. David E. Weshner, Mirisch sales representative, covered the particular problems of theatre operation for roadshow engagements. Others who participated in the seminar included A1 Fisher, Herb Pickman, Marshall Migatz and Sy Freeman of UA’s roadshow department; A1 Fisher, UA’s exploitation manager; and Guy Biondi, eastern publicity director of the Mirisch Co. Exhibitors at the seminar and their theatres which soon will play “West Side Story” include; Noble Arnold, Roxy Theatre, Atlanta, WilbyKincey Service Corp.; Dick Harrison, Mayfair Theatre, Baltimore, J. F. Theatres; Maurice Druker, Loew's Teck, Buffalo; Leo Zablin, Mike Todd Theatre, Chicago; Lou Weithe, Valley Theatre, Cincinnati; Arthur Spaeth, Pub Theatre, Cleveland. Raymond Willie and Francis Barr, Dallas, Interstate Circuit; Mrs. Vera Cockrell and Robert Lotito, Denham Theatre, Denver; Woodrow Praught, president, Marie Meyer and Mickey Rose, Madison Theatre, Detroit, United Detroit Theatres; Art Katzen, Houston Interstate Theatres. Ralph Adams, Fox Midwest, Kansas City; Irwin Clumb, Greater Amusement Co., Indianapolis; Dale MacFarland, Lyric Theatre, Louisville, Fourth Avenue Amusement Co.; James Nairn, Tivoli Theatre, Toronto, Famous Players Canadian; Ralph Blank, Admiral Theatre, Omaha; Gabe Rubin and John Bos, Nixon Theatre, Pittsburgh; Marilyn Hoffman, Music Box, Seattle, Hamrick Theatres. Oorothy Solomon, Music Box, Portland, Hamrick Theatres; Lynn Smearl, Rivoli Theatre, Rochester, Schine Circuit; Claude Kenner and Thor Svenson, Capri Theatre, San Diego, Fred Stein Theatres; John Denman, Southeast Theotre, Salt Lake City, Fox Inter-Mountain; Sid Kallet and Sam Mitchell, Shoppingtown Theatre, Syracuse, Kallet Theatres; Ted Mann and Betty Miller, Academy Theatre, Minneapolis, Mann Circuit; Al Frank, Strand Theatre, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Amusement Corp. Warner Bros, to Distribute 26-Minute Documentary HOLLYWOOD — As a public service, Warner Bros, will distribute “A Force in Readiness,” 26-minute documentary featurette produced by the Marine Corps Reserve motion picture unit with the cooperation of Warners and AFM. The film will be distributed to theatres nationally in 35mm following its run at the Beverly Theatre on the bill with “The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone.” The film is narrated by Jack Webb and was written and produced in Technicolor by William L. Hendricks. BOXOFFICE :: January 22, 1962 :