Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1962)

Adult Films on Downbeat In October Green Sheet NEW YORK — Pictures tabbed strictly for adult audiences were overwhelmingly in the minority in the October issue of Green Sheet, issued by the Film Estimate Board of National Organizations. Only two pictures were so designated, whereas five films were placed in the family class and eight in the adult-mature young peopleyoung people category, which comes close to the family bracket. Eight were marked for adults and mature young people. The two adult-slotted films were MGM’s “Money, Money, Money” and United Artists’ “Nun and the Sergeant.” The family-designated pictures were Walt Disney’s “Almost Angels,” MGM’s “Damon and Pythias,” “Tarzan Goes to India” and “The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm” and 20th Century-Pox’s “Five Weeks in a Balloon.” In the adult-mature young people-young people slot were Allied Artists’ “BUly Budd,” Columbia’s “Two Tickets to Paris” “Ringa-Ding Rhythm” and “Damn the Defiant,” Universal’s “No Man Is an Island,” 20th Century-Fox’s “300 Spartans” and United Artists’ “Follow That Dream” and “Kid Galahad.” Recommended for adults and mature young people were 20th-Pox’s “Firebrand,” and “Gigot,” United Artists’ “Hero’s Island,” Universal’s “If a Man Answers,” Paramount’s “The Pigeon That Took Rome,” Warner Bros.’ “Guns of Darkness” and Columbia’s “Pirates of Blood Island” and “Requiem for a Heavyweight.” Gala Sneak Preview Held For 'Mutiny' in Denver DENVER — Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer held one of the most successful sneak previews in the company’s history here last week, according to a studio spokesman. The occasion was the first public screening of “Mutiny on the Bounty.” With the 800-seat Denham Theatre sold out hours in advance of the 8:30 p.m. starting time, the long awaited film played to an enthusiastic audience which interi-upted the screening with applause more than a dozen times. More than 500 preview cards were turned in with at least 80 per cent of them acclaiming the production as one of the greatest ever presented. A contingent of MGM executives from New York included Joseph R. Vogel, Robert O’Brien, Morton Spring, and Robert Mochrie. Studio executives from Hollywood included Robert Weitman, Raymond Klune, Howard Strickling and Peter Shaw. Marlon Brando, whose performance as Fletcher Christian was acclaimed the finest of his career, also was present, as was his Tahitian costar, Tarita. The film will be the Christmas attraction at the Denham. Muto Quits 20th-Fox HOLLYWOOD — Anthony Muto, with 20th-Fox for the past quarter centiory, severed relations with the company this past week. Muto spent the majority of his Fox service as head of Movietone News in Washington. He was transferred to the studio in 1956 as a producer and most recently has functioned as director of public affairs. Mandel Urges RKO Circuit Managers To Apply Strong Local Selling NEW YORK — Out-of-town and in-town division managers of the RKO circuit were urged to apply stronger and more thoi'ough selling at the local level by Harry Mandel, president, at homeoffice meetings here last week. Citing the changing patterns of selling over the last decade, Mandel emphasized balance in the use of media which are at the disposal of exhibitors, such as television, radio and newspapers. He advocated inventiveness beyond pressbook suggestions to achieve maximum results from available releases. The RKO president told the managers that the “bread-and-butter” pictm’es must be sold “to the hilt week after week to maintain our business.” He commended the division managers on their activities in connection with the circuit’s 75th anni versary celebration and said the campaign would continue to the end of the year. Matty Polon, vice-president, told the managers to make the selling of product their first concern. Division managers attending the sessions were Joe Alexander, Ohio; Bill Hastings for Harry Weiss, midwest; Millroy Anderson, Los Angeles and San Francisco; Jay Golden, upstate New York and New England; Edward Sniderman, Trenton and New Brunswick; Michael Edelstein, Manhattan and Newark; Sigurd Wexo, Brooklyn and Queens, and Charles Oelreich, Bronx and Westchester. Homeoffice executives were Tom O’Connor, Tom Crehan, Fred Herkowitz, Charles Horstman, Fred Squire, Ed Avery, Lee Koken and Michael Cojohn. Harry Mandel (seated, third from right), RKO Theatres president, shown at last week’s meeting of out-of-town and in-town division managers and home office department heads at the New York home office. Matty Polon (seated to his right), vice-president, presided. Seated, left to right: Bill Hastings, RKO’s manager in Denver, attending for Harry Weiss, midwest division manager; Joe Alexander, Ohio division manager; Polon; Mandel; Fred Herkowitz, national director of advertising and publicity; Michael Edelstein, Manhattan and Newark division manager; (standing, left to right) Jay Golden, upstate New York and New England division manager; Millroy Anderson, Los Angeles and San Francisco division manager; Paul Ringe, New York press representative; Ida Cohen, assistant booker for out-of-town; Tom Crehan, assistant to Mandel; Archie Berish, assistant booker for New York; Lee Koken, concessions; Sigurd Wexo, Brooklyn and Queens division manager; Blanche Livingston, in charge of advertising and publicity for out-of-town theatres; Pat Grosso, in charge of in-town publicity and exploitation; Charles Oelreich, Bronx and Westchester division manager; and Edward Sniderman; Trenton and New Brunswick division manager. Lee Moselle Appointed President of Filmways NEW YORK — Lee Moselle has succeeded Rodney Erickson as president of Filmways, Inc. A prominent attorney in the entertainment industry, Moselle was a partner in the law firm of Katz, Moselle & Schier, Filmway’s general counsel. Moselle has taken over his new duties which formerly were handled by Martin Ransohoff, chairman of the board and production chief, thus freeing the latter to pursue activities in both motion picture and television production. Filmways currently has releasing arrangements with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Columbia and United Artists. Embassy Southeast Branch Opened in Atlanta NEW YORK — Continuing the expansion of its distribution organization. Embassy Pictures has opened its newest branch office in Atlanta, it was announced by Carl Peppercorn, general sales manager. Located at 193 Walton St., N. W., the new office will service the Atlanta, Charlotte, New Orleans and Jacksonville territories. James Frew has been appointed southeastern district manager to supervise the territories, headquartering in Atlanta. Frue, a veteran sales executive in the motion picture industry, has resigned as southeastern district manager for Continental Distributing, to accept the new post. BOXOFFICE :: October 15, 1962 7