Boxoffice (Jan-Mar 1962)

iiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimmiiiiiiiiimmiiiiiiiiiii ' A Majority of One ’ (WB) Wins February Blue Ribbon Award By VELMA WEST SYKES RATIONAL Screen Council members voted “A Majority of One,” the Warner Bros. film version of the Theatre Guild stage play, the February Boxoffice Blue Ribbon Award. The heart-warming story of the middle-aged widow from Brooklyn who forms a sympathetic attachment for the formal Japanese widower, is a departure from the sentimental, East-West romantic films and is delightfully humorous in spots but keenly philosophical in others. As a family picture it has much to offer in its interpretation of tenderly loyal family relationships without loss of individual freedoms and self-respect. Rosalind Russell and Alec Guinness both essay difficult roles but manage to establish their screen identities with surprising agility. Reviewed in our issue of November 20, our reviewer said in part: “A strong lesson in racial tolerance, cleverly sugarcoated with human interest and down-toearth comedy touches, Mervyn LeRoy’s picturization of the Dore Schary-Theatre Guild stage hit is top audience fare, surefire for women patrons and fine entertainment for all age groups. With Rosalind Russell, padded and playing against type as a middle-aged Jewish widow — and doing it splendidly — and Alec Guinness, at the peak of his acting form as a dignified Japanese industrialist and widower, for strong marquee draw, boxoffice success is assured.” In first run reports from key cities, it is shown as doing 138 per cent of average business. Give Reasons for Choice Ballot comments from NSC members give reasons for their choice which have significance: “A Majority of One” is a delightful, entertaining, down-to-earth comedy — an impressive lesson in brotherhood and love of fellowmen, with superb acting by Rosalind Russell and Alec Guinness at their best. Surely they should have Oscar nominations. — Mrs. Harry T. Jarvis, Detroit MPC ... A truly great picture. I loved every minute of it, although long. It had dignity, romance, beauty and all attributes to be remembered. — Mrs. Claude Franklin, Indianapolis NSC Group. I believe the message in “A Majority of One” very beautiful and well projected by Roz Russell and Alec Guinness. — Howard Pearson, Deseret News, Salt Lake City . . . Human relationships on the screen at their best. Roz Russell is no Molly Goldberg but she turns in a marvelous per formance— ditto for Alec Guinness. — Virginia M. Beard, Cleveland public library film curator. “A Majority of One” is delightful entertainment for any age. — Mildred Stockard, Houston Chronicle . . . This is a great picture but it is being missed by thousands who say they want “clean” movies. — Fred Souttar, Fox Midwest, Kansas City. The characterizations are well done and ring true in “A Majority of One.” This is definitely one of the finer films of the year. — Edith M. Haus, Milwaukee BFC preview chairman . . . An appealing film, stressing warmth and simplicity — two alien cultures merging in happy unity. — Mrs. Harold E. Kerwin, Greater New Bedford (Mass.) BFC. “A Majority of One” is a picture which leaves you with a good feeling. We need more of them. — Ingrid Clairmont, Scandinavian Press, president Hollywood Foreign Press Ass’n . .. This is the only one listed suitable for all the family. — Wayne Allen, Springfield (111.) Journal-Register. Of the listed pictures, I’d pick “A Majority of One” as the one most suitable as family film fare. — John Bustin, (Tex.) American . . . One of the finest pictures viewed in a long time, with both Rosalind Russell and Alec Guinness turning in Academy Award performances. — Mrs. Lawrence Delay, Springfield (Mass.) MPC. For a good family picture, “A Majority of One” has what it takes. But then anything that Alec Guinness plays in is tops with me. — Mrs. Paul Gebhart, Cleveland Cinema Club . . . Rosalind Russell, who is always good, won the favor of filmgoers in her latest film. The cast was excellent and all in all was an enjoyable feature. — Frank Grosjean, Shreveport Journal. Mrs. Jacoby ... Koichi Asano Jerome Black Alice Black .... Mrs. Rubin ... Eddie Mr. McMillan The Cast Rosalind Russell ... Alec Guinness Ray Danton Madlyn Rhue Mae Questel Marc Marno Gary Vinson Bride Sharon Hugueny Noah Putnam Frank Wilcox American Embassy Representative Francis De Sales Mr. Asano's Secretary Yuki Shimoda Mrs. Putnam Harriett MacGibbon Captain Norcross Alan Mowbray Production Staff Executive Producer Jack L. Warner Producer-Director Mervyn LeRoy Screenplay by Leonard Spigelgass Based on the Stage Play by Leonard Spigelgass (as produced by The Theatre Guild and Dore Schary) Director of Photography Harry Stradling sr., A.S.C. Art Director John Beckman Film Editor .. Philip W. Anderson, A.C.E. Sound by Stanley Jones Miss Russell’s Hair Styles by Jane Shugrue Music by Max Steiner Orchestrations by Murray Cutter Costumes Designed by Orry-Kelly Set Decorator Ralph S. Hurst Technical Adviser Takemo K. Shinohara Makeup Supervisor Jean Burt Reilly, C.H.S. Assistant Director Gil Kissel Color by Technicolor MRS. JACOBY (ROSALIND RUSSELL) ON SHIPBOARDDAUGHTER MADLYN RHUE AND SON-IN-LAW RAY DANTON IN WESTERN CLOTHES, THE BROOKLYN WIDOW AND THE JAPANESE WIDOWER VISIT ON A SUNNY DECK IN EASTERN DRESS AND IN THE JAPANESE HOME OF THE ORIENTAL TYCOON, THEY LOOK QUITE DIFFERENT lllllllllllllllllllllltlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll This award is given each month by the National Screen Council on the basis of outstandng merit and suitability for family entertainment. Council membership comprises motion picture editors, radio and TV film commentators, representatives of better films councils, civic, educational and exhibitor organizations.