Boxoffice (Jan-Mar 1962)

Rock Hudson Is UTO 'Star of the Year' Kansas City — Rock Hudson has been named “Star of the Year” by the officers and directors of United Theatre Owners of the Heart of America. The announcement came from Fred C. Souttar, program chairman of UTO’s upcoming Show-A-Rama V convention, March 6-8, at the Hotel Continental. Hudson will be here to accept the UTO’s award for this honor, the presentation of which will be made at the noonday session Thursday, March 8. Richard Orear, president of the organization, predicts a record turnout for the event. Hudson will attend the large reception to be given the previous evening. Later that evening he will make an appearance at the Uptown Theatre for the opening of “Lover Come Back,” his current UniversalInternational picture. Another notable Show-A-Rama guest from Hollywood will be Chuck Connors, TV’s “Rifleman” and a screen actor of growing stature. Connors recently completed filming “Geronimo,” which United Artists is releasing. Recipient of the first UTO “Star of the Year” award was Janet Leigh, who accepted the honor in person at last year’s Show-A-Rama meet, which also was held in Kansas City. Top Attendance Seen For Show-A-Rama KANSAS CITY — Early registrations for the Show-A-Rama V convention of the United Theatre Owners of the Heart of America indicate an all-time record attendance, not only in total but by circuit representation, according to Richard Orear, president of the organization. Among those that will send a minimum of two men, upwards to 60, are the following: Cooper Foundation, Lincoln, Neb.; Rowley United Theatres, Dallas, Tex.; United Theatre Corp., North Little Rock, Ark.; Welworth Theatres, Minneapolis, Minn.; National Theatres, Kansas City and Los Angeles; Wooten Associated Theatres, Hutchinson, Kas.; Cooper Theatres, Dodge City, Kas.; H. P. Rhodes, Atlanta, Ga.; State Theatre Co., Brookings, S. D.; Westport Theatres, Wichita, Kas.; Irvin Dubinsky Theatres, Lincoln, Neb.; Edwards & Plumlee Theatres, Farmington, Mo.; Commonwealth Amusement Corp., Kansas City; Struve Enterprises, Deshler, Neb.; Ricketts Theatres, Ness City, Kas. ; Ed Kidwell, New Mexico; J. T. Hitt, Bentonville, Ark.; Harley Fryer, Lamar, Mo., and Elmer Bills Theatres, Salisbury, Mo. Orear reports that individual theatre operators also are making reservations at a substantially higher rate than in previous years and that, in addition, there will be a strong representation from the distribution branch of the business. The concession and equipment booths have been completely sold out and many new products will be exhibited. These displays always have held a high exhibitor interest, which is expected to be heightened this year due to expansion of activity in this phase of theatre operation and as a result of continuing rise in new theatre construction and remodeling programs. The meetings will be held at the Continental Hotel in Kansas City, opening on Tuesday, March 6 with a luncheon at which Spyros P. Skouras, president of 20th Century-Fox, will make the keynote address. A clinic on “the hard sell” in merchandising, presented by Dr. Herbert True and Fred Klemp, will follow. Robert W. Selig, head of theatre operations for National Theatres & Television, Inc., will give a progress report on exhibitors’ efforts to improve the output of quality attractions. Campaigns for ten features will be presented by top theatre promotion men. Fred Souttar, Fox Midwest division head for NT&T, will preside at this session in the afternoon of Wednesday, March 7. Mass Key City Runs for 'Two Women' LOS ANGELES — Embassy Pictures sales chief Leonard Lightstone has announced saturation key city bookings of “Two Women” across the country on Wednesday (28). The new playdates for the Joseph E. Levine presentation starring Sophia Loren were instigated in anticipation of a “best actress” Oscar nomination for Miss Loren. W. PA. Allied Hails Fox, MGM on Reissue Action PITTSBURGH— -In letters to bsth Spyros P. Skouras of 20th Century-Fox and Joseph R. Vogel of MGM, the Allied Motion Picture Owners of Western Pennsylvania commended the distribution heads for their action in reissuing many of their outstanding films to the theatres instead of selling them to television stations. Following is the letter which was signed by Harry Hendel, chairman of the Allied unit board: “The members of the Allied Motion Picture Theatre Owners of Western Pennsylvania heartily commend you and your company for making available many of your outstanding boxoffice films produced several years ago. “Exhibition, presently in the throes of boxoffice anemia due to a lack of entertaining films, will, we are certain, rally to the support of this vitally important contribution of product to keep alive and revive public interest in the motion picture theatre. “These reissues should find a ready market for a new generation of moviegoers and financial returns of these films to your company should far surpass the potential income derived from their sale to free TV. “Every exhibitor in America has a stake in our endeavors to rebuild theatre patronage as does every producer and distributor. “This office will alert exhibitors in our territory to exercise their business acumen in support of the program of boxoffice reissues released by your company.” Radio City Music Hall Gets Foreign Press Award NEW YORK — Russell V. Downing, president of Radio City Music Hall, was the recipient of a special award for the Music Hall presented Tuesday (20) by the AllAmerican Press, at a cocktail reception at Blair House. The Press, an organization of 31 foreign language newspapers and magazines, gave the award for the theatre’s “consistent presentation of good family entertainment,” according to Lee Posner, director of the Press, who presented the inscribed plaque. Ask Full Integration At Chapel Hill Show CHAPEL HILL, N. C — The Chapel Hill Citizens Committee for Open Movies has asked the Carolina Theatre here to adopt a complete integration policy by March 1. The request was contained in letters to E. Carrington Smith, manager of the Carolina Theatre, and William G. Enloe, district manager for North Carolina Theatres (Wilby-Kincey), which operates the Carolina. Enloe also is mayor of Raleigh. After the letters were approved at a meeting here Thursday night, the executive committee of the citizen’s committee began setting up machinery for picketing although no mention of picketing was made in the letters to Enloe and Smith. The citizens group made it clear that picketing will be started if complete integration of the theatre has not taken place by March 1. The only other theatre in Chapel Hill, the Varsity, adopted a policy of complete integration last December. Under the present policy at the Carolina, Negro students at the University of North Carolina may attend if they show their identification cards. Negro students may also bring dates and guests other than UNC students. Negroes who are not students may attend if they are the guests of white patrons. Negro children may attend if they are accompanied by one adult. The theatre integration movement started here in January 1961 and in August 1961, the Carolina put in a policy of integration calling for the admission of Negro UNC students. Other groups were added in the months to follow. Last December the Varsity moved from complete segregation to integration. The Citizens Committee for Open Movies is composed of townspeople, UNC faculty members, and college students of both races. Lee J. Cobb in Sinatra Film HOLLYWOOD— Lee J. Cobb has been set to play the role of Frank Sinatra’s father in “Come Blow Your Horn,” the play by Neil Simon which Bud Yorkin and Norman Lear will film for Paramount in association with Essex Productions. *V ► *Slk Richard Orear 10 BOXOFFICE :: February 26, 1962