Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1962)

FEATURE REVIEW 'The Longest Day' 20th Century-Fox By FRANK LEYENDECKER £IGHTEEN YEARS after D-Day in June 1944, Darryl F. Zanuck brings forth the greatest, most realistically haiTowing and most technically authentic picture of World War II — a film certain to stand the test of time as the best of its kind. With a starstudded cast of Hollywood names, plus outstanding actors from England, France and Germany, many of them playing actual officers and soldiers who participated in that momentous battle, the picture should be a big boxoffice hit, if backed up by a strong selling campaign. “The Longest Day” is the crowning achievement of Darryl F. Zanuck’s long producing cai’eer. Entirely filmed on actual Nonnandy beachheads and in European locations and studios, “The Longest Day” will exert its strongest appeal to male patrons, especially those of mature age who fought in World War II. While some squeamish women may find the temfic battle action, with its constant bombing and killing, difficult to endure, the majoi'ity will take delight in identifying the many familiar players in bit roles, which was part of the enjoyment of “Around the World in 80 Days” which had 40 star names in comparison to the 42 in “The Longest Day.” And the younger patrons, particularly the teenagers, will be attracted by such singing idols as Paul Anka, who also wrote the musical score, Fabian and Tommy Sands, as well as Richard Beymer, Jeffrey Hunter, Robert Wagner and Sal Mineo — quite a lineup of young leading men. Cornelius Ryan’s book was a best-seller which sold more than 1,600,000 copies in the U.S. To insure authenticity, the author did the screenplay with additional episodes written by Romain Gary and James Jones. The top directors included Andrew Marton for the American exteriors (Zanuck, himself, did the American interiors) ; Britain’s Ken Annakin for the British exteriors and Germany’s Bernhard Wicki for the many German episodes, which are made more realistic by using German dialog translated with English subtitles. The terror and suspense of the 1944 invasion has been brilliantly captured by the directors and the cameraman with some of the overhead shots of the soldiers fighting and dying on the Nonnandy beaches being among the finest photographic shots ever filmed. At times, it is difficult for the spectator to believe that these scenes were entirely re-enacted on today’s Corsican beaches but, of course, the camerawork is far superior to any newsreel or stock shots. The sound and fury of these episodes will leave many patrons breathless, especially during the huge parachute jump over the town of Ste. Mere-Eglise and the later merciless bombing of the French town. But author Ryan and Zanuck also wanted to stress the human side of the invasion, as it affected the American and British soldiers, the French civilians and the German genei’als and staff. Of the American cast, the action honors must be evenly divided between John Wayne, who gives his finest portrayal as the dynamic Col. Vandervoort, the 82nd Airborne officer who led his men into Ste. Mere-Eglise on D-Day, and Robert Mitchum, as Brig. Gen. Norman Cote, the laconic assistant commander of the 29th InfantiY Richard Beymer, Jeffrey Hunter and Red Buttons are outstanding among the younger soldiers, with the "THE LONGEST DAY" Darryl F. Zanuck production released by 20th Century-Fox In Cinemascope Running time: 180 minutes CREDITS British exterior episodes directed by Ken Annakin. American exterior episodes directed by Andrew Marton. German episodes directed by Bernhard Wicki. Produced by Darryl F. Zonuck; associate producer and coordinator of battle episodes, Elmo Williams. Screenplay by Cornelius Ryan based on his book. Additional episodes written by Romain Gary, James Jones, David Pursall, Jack Seddon. Musical score composed and conducted by Maurice Jarre. Thematic music by Paul Anka. Arrangement by Mitch Miller. Directors of photography, Jean Bourgoin, Henri Persin, Walter Wottitz. Editor, Samuel E. Beetley. Special effects, Karl Baumgartner, Karl Heimer, Augie Lohman, Robert MacDonald, Alex Weldon. Dialog director, Mickey Knox. Technical advisers, Maurice Chauvet, Gilbert Delamare. CAST (Alphabetically): Eddie Albert, Paul Anka, Arletty, Jean-Louis Barrault, Richard Beymer, Bourvil, Richard Burton, Red Buttons, Sean Connery, Ray Danton, Irina Demich, Fabian, Mel Ferrer, Henry Fonda, Steve Forrest, Gerd Froebe, Leo Genn, Henry Grace, John Gregson, Paul Hartmann, Werner Hinz, Jeffrey Hunter, Curt Jurgens, Alexander Knox, Peter Lawford, Christian Marquand, Roddy McDowall, Sal Mineo, Robert Mitchum, Kenneth More, Edmond O'Brien, Ron Randell, Madeleine Renaud, Robert Ryan, Tommy Sands, Rod Steiger, Richard Todd, Tom Tryon, Peter Van Eyck, Robert Wagner, Stuart Whitman, John Wayne, Donald Houston, Leslie Phillips, Dewey Martin, Mark Damon, John Crawford, Lyndon Brook, Fernand Ledoux, Hans Christian Blech, Georges Riviere. latter contributing a few lighter moments as do Paul Anka, as a confused U.S. Ranger, and Roddy McDowall, as a seasick GI. Hem'y Fonda and Robert Ryan add marquee value, if little else, but Eddie Albert and Stuart Whitman make their scenes count. Of the British, Richard Burton makes a memorable impression in his climactic scene, which shows the futility of war; Peter Lawford and Richard Todd are equally fine and Kenneth More is a delight as a colorful beachmaster who keeps the invasion traffic moving. Bomwil, as the excitable French mayor, and Christian Marquand are the best of the French players, while Curt Jurgens gives a striking portrayal of the German Maj. Gen. Blumentritt. Werner Hinz, Paul Hartmann, Gerd Froebe and Peter Van Eyck also add excellent performances of Gennan military figm-es. Zanuck’s latest discovery, Irina Demich, does well in a small role, the only touch of feminine charm in a primarily grim picture. Independent Filmmakers To Be on ABC-TV Net LOS ANGELES— Globe Video News, a subsidiary of Globe Photos, contracted to produce a half-hour documentary, “Hollywood Goes Independent,” for nationwide network telecasting on ABC-TV’s “Hollywood Special” series. Charles B. Block will produce the film, which will feature The Mirisch Co. as today’s leading exponent of the evolution of the independent company in Hollywood. Jack Lemmon will narrate. AIP Break in Trailer Magazine LOS ANGELES — Front cover of TrailR-News, nationally circulated magazine for trailer owners, features a full-color photo of the stars of American-International’s “Panic in Year Zero!” Color photo shows stars Ray Milland, Jean Hagen, Frankie Avalon and Mai-y Mitchell with travel trailer featui'ed prominently in AIP film. John Wayne, center, as Lt. Colonel Vandervoort, with Steve Forrest, on the left, and Tom Tryon and Stuart Whitman, right, in “The Longest Day.” 16 BOXOFFICE :: October 8, 1962