Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1961)

J Opinions on Current Productions Feature reviews Symbol 0 denotes color; @ CinemoScope; ® VistoVision; (§) Superscope; (g) Ponovision; (g) Regalscope; (f) Techniromo. For story synopsis on each picture, see reverse side. Lover Come Back F Univ.-Int'l ( ) 107 Minutes Rel. March '62 Employing the sure-fire marquee lure of Rock Hudson and , consij Doris Day, the stars of the boxoffice smash, "Pillow Talk,''ge,' plus another light and entertaining story by Stanley Shapiro, who also produced with Martin Melcher, results in a laugh riot with built-in audience appeal — and that means busine s of block-buster proportions. With its other tried-and-true ingredients, such as Tony Randall in the chief supporting role, Eastman Color to enhance the plus Madison Avenue ad agency settings and Miss Day's chic costumes designed by Irene — what more could on exhibitor ask for to keep patrons happy? Under Delbert Mann's knowing direction, his ruggedly handsome Hudson gives his most adroit comedy portrayal to date and his costar handles the role of on ad agency executive with her customary aplomb and warbles two songs briefly, one under the credits. Randall is once again a scene-stealer, this time as an ineffectual young business head and Edie Adams is well cast as a sexy model for TV commercials. Granted that the story is filled with cliches and that each is repeated several times, the audience howls crre so loud and long that some of the dialog is drowned out. The picture is booked for the Radio City Music Hall in February. Rock Hudson, Doris Day, Tony Randall, Edie Adams, Jack Oalde, Jack Kruschen, Ann B. Davis, Howard St. John. The Colossus of Rhodes F Si MGM (204) 128 Minutes Rel. Nov. '61 Theatregoers who enjoy the tense, exciting ingredients of atiei adventure yarns based on the trials and gory battles of the early centuries will find this Italian import up to their wildest expectations. Except for its lack of marquee mighty cast names, the offering has all of the important elements to be found in recent films of its ilk — action, adventure, magnificent sets and costumes — and there is no apparent rea.'on why it should not enjoy the same financial success as its predecessors. Albeit the production gets o.f to a slovr start, the action picks up steadily, climaxing in an earthquake, tidal wave and battle royal that should satisfy the most avid devotees of this type of screenfare. Producer Michele Scaglione has spared no expense in the making of the film, and director Sergio Leone keeps a tight rein on performances by the topliners as well as by the hundreds of extras employed. Of the cast, the name of Rory Calhoun is the only one that will mean anything to American audiences. Herein, he is a splendid, handsome and virile Greek captain, fully capable of handling a role that calls for Herculean feats. Other thespians are Italian, and while probably unknown to most viewers, they turn in capable work. Brilliant Eastman Color, Supertotalscop>e and musical score add to the film. Rory Calhoun, Lea Massari, Georges Marchal, Conrado Sanmartin, Angel Aranda, Mable Karr. Hey. Let's Twist! F S mT Paramount (6108) Rel. Christmas-Jan. '62 Harry Romm's hastily made (20 days shooting time) picture dealing with the phenomenal dance craze is highly exploitable fore which will attract the teenagers and their dance-mad elders and clean up while the Twist rage is at its height. Entirely filmed in Manhattan, it boasts Joey Dee and the Storliters, who brought nationwide fame to the Peppermint Lounge in Times Square, acceptable story by Hal Hackady, rather than a succession of song-and-dance acts, jitev and some performers who can carry the plot capably, as well dismj as Twist. Director Greg Garrison keeps the action lively ond^_ ■ ' gets believable performances from young Dee, who whirls up a storm when he dances, and Teddy Rondazzo, a nightclub singer, who warbles a ballad effectively, playing the two sons of an Italian restaurant owner who turn their father's place into a Twist palace. Kay Armen, who also sings twice, and Dino di Luca play the older folk while the stillglamorous Hope Hampton, silent days star and current cafe society queen, plays herself in several flash appearances — a selling point for mcmy old-timers. "Roly-Poly" and "Mother Goose Twist" ore toe-tapping tunes. Joey Dee, Teddy Rondazzo, Zohro Lamport, Dino di Luca, Kay Armen, Jo Ann Campbell, Hope Hampton. The Continental Twist F Keelou Productions 76 Minutes Rel. It's the claim of Keelou Productions, independent film company responsible for this light exploitation package, that the production is "first on the screen with the Twist." Beating its prospective competitors to the boxoffice may prove a financial advantage; otherwise, the offering's success will depend largely on the age and stamina of the viewer. There may not be much of a twist to Berni Gould's original screenplay, but everything and everyone else connected with the opus twists like crazy — from a musical score that introduces such tunes as "Twistin' at the Savoy," "Continental Twist" and "Twist With Me" to topliners Louis Prima, Sam Butera and The Witnesses. When it's all added up, there's no apparent reason why block-long lines shouldn't twist right up to the cash drawers of theatres exhibiting the feature. Prime appeal will be to the teenagers, albeit current national publicity being given the new dance fad should do much to lure adult patronage. An added plus is the appearance of June Wilkinson, whose blonde and buxom attributes provide eye *ev appeal. Prima devotees will get their fill of the jazzman's p. ) brand of music and comical capers. Maurice Duke produced -est 1 1 and William J. Hole jr. directed. ler | ’ The Outsider F Univ.-Int'l ( ) 108 Minutes Rel. April '62 A grim, intensely dramatic factual film dealing with the tragic life of Ira Hamilton Hayes, the Pima Indian who participated in the famous Iwo Jima flag-raising, this Sy Bartlett production is notable chiefly for the remarkably faithful portrayal by Tony Curtis, which should win him Academy Award nomination. Curtis, better known for romantic, comedy or action roles, submerges his own personality by using darker makeup and changing the shape of his nose to better interpret the unhappy, alcoholic Hayes. His is the only selling name, with most of the others stage and TV players \ whose very unfamiliarity to moviegoers adds to the realism ) of their characterizations. Director Delbert Mann skilfully injects a message — that the shy Indian was victimized by hero-worship, which wounded him emotionally. However, because of the complete absence of any romantic interest or relieving comedy moments, the drab backgrounds and the stork finale, the picture lacks appeal for entertainmentminded patrons. Vivian Nathan, the sole feminine character, Hayes' mother, helps to create sympathy for the Indian hero and James Franciscus, Gregory Walcott and Edmond Hashim etch memorable bits. Bruce Bennett, former Warner leading man of the 1940s, is effective as Major General Bridges. Tony Curtis, James Franciscus, Vivian Nathan, Bruce Bennett, Gregory Walcott, Stanley Adams, Paul Comi. The Two Little Bears F 20th-Fox (143) 81 Minutes Rel. Dec. '61 The two little boys in this offering believe so hard they can change themselves into bears that they are ultimately able to make the transition. Unfortunately, no amount of wishful thinking is likely to transform the results into other than an overage programmer, with skimpy boxoffice potential. It will serve satisfactorily as the supporting booking, particularly in conventional situations catering to family trade, but any merchandising efforts undertaken to widen the film's appeal will have to concentrate on enticing kiddie patronage and the draw furnished by names of cast members. In the latter category, teenage ticket-buyers may be encouraged through the motion picture debut herein of recording star Brenda Lee and the appearance of Jimmy Boyd, best remembered for his hit platter, "I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus." For adults, topliners Jane Wyatt and Eddie Albert will provide interest. Otherwise, the photoplay is handicapped by a screenplay that attempts to combine fantasy with comedy and falls short of both, unless the viewer is willing to chuckle at — rather than with — the situations depicted. George V/. George is the producer, and Randall F. Hood gets dubious 4 .... credit as the director. Louis Prima, June Wilkinson, Sam Butera, The Witnesses, Gertrude Michael, David Whori, Hal Torry, Ty Perry. Eddie Albert, Jane Wyatt, Soupy Sales, Donnie Carter, Butch Patrick, Brenda Lee, Jimmy Boyd, Nancy Kulp. The reviews on these pages may be filed for future reference In any of the following ways: (1) In any standard three-ring loose-leaf binder; (2) individuaily, by company, in any stan dard 3x5 card index file; or (3) in the BOXOFFICE PICTURE GUIDE three-ring, pocket-size binder. The latter, including a year's supply of booking and daily business record sheets, may be obtained from Associated Publications, 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City 24, Mo., for $1.00, postage paid. 2590 BOXOFnCE BookinGuide :: Dec. 25, 1961 2589