Boxoffice (Jan-Mar 1962)

THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY Published in Nine Sectional Editions A TRIPLE THREAT BEN SHLYEN Editor-in-Chief and Publisher DONALD M. MERSEREAU, Associate Publisher & General Manager NATHAN COHEN. .Executive Editor JESSE SHLYEN. . . .Managing Editor HUGH FRAZE Field Editor AL STEEN Eastern Editor WILLIAM HEBERT. .Western Editor I. L. THATCHER. .Equipment Editor MORRIS SCHLOZMAN Business Mgr. Publication Offices: 825 Van Brunt Bird. Kansas City 24, Mo. Nathan Cohen, Executive Editor: Jesse Shlyen, Managing Editor: Morris Sehlozman, Business Manager; Ilugh Fraze, Field Editor; I. L. Thatcher, Editor The Modem Theatre Section. Telephone CHestnut 1-7777. Editorial Offices: 1270 Sixth Are., Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Donald M. Mersereau, Associate Publisher & General Manager; A1 Steen, Eastern Editor. Telephone COlumbus 5-6370. Central Offices: Editorial — 920 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago 11, 111., Frances B. CIqw, Telephone Superior 7-3972. Advertising— 5809 North Lincoln, Louis Dldler and Jack Broderick, Telephone LOngbeach 1-5284. Western Offices: Editorial and Film Advertising— 6404 Hollywood Bird., Hollywood 28, Calif. William Hebert, manager, Telephone Hollywood 5-1186. Equipment and Non-Film Advertising — 672 S. Lafayette Park, Los Angeles, Calif. Bob VVettstein, manager. Telephone DUnkh k 8-2286. London Office: Anthony Gruner, 1 Woodberry Way, Finchley, No. 12. Telephone Hillside 6733. The MODERN THEATRE Section is Included In the first issue of each month. Atlanta: Jean Mullls, P. O. Box 1695. Albany: J. S. Conners, 140 State St. Baltimore: George Browning, 119 E. 25th St. Boston: Guy Livingston, 80 Boylston, Boston, Mass. Charlotte: Blanche Carr, 301 S. Church Cincinnati: Frances Hanford, UNlverslty 17180. Cleveland: W. Ward Marsh, Plain Dealer. Columbus: Fred Oestreicher, 52% W. North Broadway. Dallas: Mable Guinan, 5927 Wlnton. Denver: Bruce Marshall, 2881 S. Cherry Way. Des Moines: Pat Cooney, 2727 49th St. Detroit: H. F. Reves, 906 Fox Theatre Bldg., WOodward 2-1144. Hartford: Allen M. Wldem, CH 9-8211. Indianapolis: Norma Geraghty, 436 N. Illinois St. Jacksonville: Robert Cornwall, 1199 Edgewood Ave. Memphis: Null Adams, 707 Spring St. Miami: Martha Lummus, 622 N.E. 98 St. Milwaukee: Wm. Nichol, 2251 S. Layton. Minneapolis: Don Lyons, 72 Glenwood. New Orleans: Mrs. Jack Auslet, 2268% St. Claude Ave. Oklahoma City: Sam Brunk, 3416 N. Virginia. Omaha: Irving Baker, 5108 Izard St. Philadelphia: A1 Zurawskl, The Bulletin. Pittsburgh: R. F. Kllngensmlth, 516 Jeanette, Wilkinsburg, CHurchlll 1-2809. Portland, Ore.: Arnold Marks, Journal. Providence: Guy Langley, 388 Sayles St. St. Louis: Joe & Joan Pollack, 7335 Shaftsbury, University City, PA 5-7181. Salt Lake City: H. Pearson, Deseret News. San Francisco: Dolores Barusch, 25 Taylor St., ORdway 3-4813; Advertising: Jerry Nowell, 417 Market St., YUkon 29537. In Canada Montreal: Room 314, 625 Belmont St., Jules Larochelle. St. John: 43 Waterloo, Sam Babb. Toronto: 2675 Bayview Ave., Wlllowdale, Ont. W. Gladish. Vancouver: 411 Lyric Theatre Bldg. 751 Granville St., Jack Droy. Winnipeg: 93 Albert St., Barney Brookler. Member Audit Bureau of Circulations Second Class postage paid at Kansas City, Mo. 8ectlonal Edition, $3.00 per year. National Edition, $7.50. FEBRUARY 19, 1962 Vol. 80 No. 18 CENSORSHIP continues to hold the spotlight in much of the news, with some new and dangerous overtones arising out of the maelstrom which, insofar as New York State is concerned, threatens to engulf other communications media than motion pictures, albeit this medium is the apparent principal target. New York State already is censoring motion pictures, but it is seeking, as it has before, to shackle their making and exhibition with prohibitions that would make nigh impossible the making of anything but films suitable only for kindergarten children. There is little, if any, consolation to be found in the fact that the three New York legislative bills pending include coverage of newspapers, radio and television. The extreme to which these measures are carried is indicated by two of them — one to amend the Obscenity Statute and the other to repeal a section previously enacted — which would subject distributors and exhibitors to criminal prosecution for the showing, even of a film which the New York censor had approved and licensed. And the basis for reaching such a determination is such that hardly any film could escape involvement. For on the slightest whim of any one charging that a “questionable” film was “ advertised for exhibition to a person under 18 years of age,” distributor and exhibitor could be subjected to criminal prosecution. This is seen as another attempt to impose sanctions in support of arbitrary classification of films as provided in the third bill, which is an amendment to the motion picture censorship statute. An effort to put through such an amendment last year was defeated. But this shows the relentlessness of the censorship zealots. Perhaps, the ridiculous extremes taken will, in themselves, bring about the defeat of the three New York State measures. But that cannot be taken for granted, not even in the slightest degree. If even one of these measures is enacted, there would follow in its wake a landslide of similar attempts in other states and municipalities, the danger of which is inestimable. The collective industry will have to summon its fullest strength to combat these measures, calling on support from newspapers, radio and television media, which also would be affected, albeit their inalienable rights under the Constitution are largely protected by the Amendments on Free Speech and Free Press. A victory for motion pictures in this case — as in others before it — will not, however, be more than the winning of a single battle. The “war” still will be on, only the battleground will be changed from time to time. That is, until the motion picture industry obtains a clear-cut U.S. Supreme Court decision that the motion picture, per se, is entitled to the same Constitutional rights as apply to the other media of communication. ★ ★ Changing the Pattern Experience is a great teacher but, often, those getting it are slow on the uptake. For a long time, this department has been harping on the too-fast playoff of pictures and the resultant dissipation of much good product. Talk to exhibitors about this and they tell you that they are “forced” to go along with the locked-in releasing pattern that ties their playdates in with others in their community. But, recently, we have received reports from exhibitors who “dared” to act on their own good judgment and bring back pictures for a second and even a third time, after they had gone the rounds. Thus, they benefited by the word-of-mouth built up for these good attractions. At the same time, they found this brought them new patrons and more regular attendance from previously spasmodic ticket-buyers. One little neighborhood theatre that might be classed as a “last-run” situation has done a flourishing business under such a policy. ★ ★ Abe Montague One of the finest men it has been our pleasure to know, in this or any other industry, has gone from our scene. Abe Montague was a gentleman through and through, serving the industry in many ways and in many areas, both within and without. He was a statesman in the truest meaning of the word, earning the respect and admiration of all those with whom he worked. His astute judgment and executive ability contributed much to the industry’s progress, as did his devotion to its worthwhile undertakings as exemplified in his accomplishments on behalf of the Will Rogers Memorial Hospital which he served as president for more than a decade. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to his family, his associates and his legion of friends.