Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1962)

THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY Published In Nine Sectional Editions Guesf Edifonal BEN SHLYEN Editor-in-Chief and Publisher DONALD M. MERSEREAU, Associote Publisher & Generol Monoger JESSE SHLYEN. .. .Monoging Editor HUGH FRAZE Field Editor AL STEEN Eostem Editor Ch+RIS DUTRA Western Editor I. L. THATCHER. . Equipment Editor MORRIS SCHLOZMAN Business Mgr. Publication Offices: 825 Van Brunt Bird. Kansas City 24, Mo. Jesse Sblyen, Managing Editor; Morris Scfalozman, Business Manager; Hugh Fraze, Field Editor; I. L. Ttiatcher, Editor The Modern Ihestre Section. Telephone CHestnut 1-7777. Editorial Offices: 1270 Sixth Are., Rockefeller Center, New York 20. N. Y. Donald M. Mersereau, Associate Publisher k General Manager; A1 Steen, Eastern Blditor. Telephone COIumbus 5-6370. Central Offices: Editorial— 920 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago 11, 111., Frances B. Clow, Telephone Sl’perior 7-3972. Advertising— 5809 North Lincoln, Louis Didier and Jack Broderick, Telephone LOngbeacb 1-5284. Western Offices: Editorial and Film Advertising— 6362 Hollywood Bird., Hollywood 28. Calif., Chris Dutra, manager. Telephone Hollywood 5-1186. Equipment and Non-Film Advertising — New York Life Bldg.. 2801 West Sixth St.. Los Angeles 57, Calif. Boh Wettsteln, manager. Telephone Dunkirk 8-2286. London Office: Anthony Gruner, 1 Woodberry Way, Finchley, No. 12. Telephone Hillside 6733. The MODEltN THEATRE Section Is Included In the first issue of each month. AtlanU; Jean Mullls, P. 0. Box 1695. Albany: J. S. Conners, 140 State St. Baltimore: George Browning, 119 E 25th St. Boston: Guy Livingston, 80 Boylston, Boston, Mass. Charlotte; Blanche Carr, 301 S. Church. Cincinnati: Frances Hanford, UNlverslty 17180. . Cleveland: W. Ward Marsh, Plain Dealer. Columbus; Fred Oestrelcber, 52% W. North Broadway. Dallas: Mahle Gulnan, 5927 Winton. Denver: Bruce Marshall, 2881 S. Cherry Way. Des Moines: Pat Cooney, 2727 49th St. Detroit; H. F. Beves, 906 Fox Theatre Bldg., woodward 2-1144. Hartford: Allen ,M. Widem, CH. 9-8211. Indianapolis: Norma Geraghty. 436 N. Illinois St. Jacksonville: Robert Cornwall. 1199 Edgewood Ave. Memphis: Null Adams, 707 Spring St. .Miami: Martha laimmiis, 622 N.E. 98 St Milwaukee: Wni. Nlchol. 2251 S. Layton. Minneapolis: Don Lyons. 72 Glenwood New Orleans; Mrs. Jack Auslet, 2268% SI. Claude Ave. Oklahoma Clly: Sam Briink. 3416 N Virghua. Omaha: Irving Baker. 5108 Izard St. I'bllailelidiia: A1 Ziirawski, The Bulletin. Pittsburgh: It. F. Klingensnilth. 516 Jeanette, Wllklnsbiirg. Clliirchlll 1-2809. Portland, Ore. : Arnold Marks, Journal. Providence: Guy Langley. 388 Sayles St. St. Louis: Joe k Joan Pollack, 7335 Shaftsbiiry, Ilidversity City, PA 5-7181. Salt fjike City: 11. Pearson, Deseret News. San Francisco: Dolores Barusch. 25 Taylor St., ORdway 3-4813; Advertlslt^: Jerry Nowell. 417 Market St.. Yukon 29537. Washington: Virginia R. Collier, 2308 Ashmead Place, N.W., DUpont 7-0892. In Canada .Montreal: Boom 314, 625 Belmont St.. Jules lairocbelle. St. John: 43 Waterloo, Sam Babb. Toronto: 2675 Bayvlew Ave., WHIowdale Ont. W. Gladlsh. Vancouver: 411 Lyric Theatre Bldg. 751 Granville St.. Jack Droy. Winnipeg: The Tribune, Jim Peters. Member Audit Bureau of Circulations Second Class postage paid at Kansas City Mo. Sectional Edition. $3.00 per year National Edition, $7.50. OCTOBER 22, 1962 Vol. 82 No. 1 American Films By ERIC JOHNSTON President, Motion Picture Ass’n of .America V ^ J HE American motion picture overseas is a window to the interest, variety, and color of American life. I wish I’d said that. But I didn’t. Those are the words of our Ambassador to India, John Kenneth Galbraith. And they are high praise, indeed, coming as they do from one of the leading statesmen of our time. Interestingly enough, it’s characteristic of our business as well as most others to take compliments for granted and to take criticism to heart. A word of praise, somehow, seems to get lost. But let someone take a shot at us, and the explosion rocks the industry. Perhaps it’s time we paid some attention to the good things that are being said about us around the world. Maybe it would help to answer that recurring question; w'hat impression of this country is the American film giving the world ! “No greater teacher of democracy than the American motion picture has ever been imported into this country.” This statement was made only last month by the Governor of the State of Bahia in Brazil, Juracy Magalhaes. Added the Governor: “The esteem in which the Brazilian holds his favorite Hollywood artist clearly proves his interest in the things and the people he sees on the screen.” From Brazil to Denmark is quite a hop, but let’s make it and pick up some words from our Ambassador in Copenhagen, William McC. Blair, Jr, Said Ambassador Blair: “It must be quite clear to any one who views significant numbers of Hollywood films that the majority of them represent an artistic and technical achievement of the highest order.” He continued: “There is no doubt in my mind Around the World that despite a few distorted images of the United States, American films do far more good than harm abroad as well as at home. And that, mind you, without either support or control from the government!” Care for a few more? The Ambassador of Costa Rica to the Court of St. James: “I wonder if the average American realizes the impact and importance of the really good American pictures in making a favorable impression on the Latins, who look for leadership to the United States and like to have their hopes for and expectations in this leadership graphically demonstrated. In this particular field, Hollywood is doing a tremendous job that I am positive will help a lot towards our understanding of what has made the United States a great country: its people.” The American Ambassador to Panama: “We find that the image of the United States as presented by U. S. motion pictures to be generally favorable. In the United States we have much of which to be exceedingly proud. It is gratifying to note that the emphasis in the majority of U. S. motion pictures has been directed toward creating a better understanding of America and the American way of life.” The American Ambassador to Venezuela: “While I naturally cannot defend all American motion pictures as portraying the L nited States fairly, I am convinced that the overwhelming majority of Hollywood films shown abroad are useful to our image.” India, Brazil, Denmark, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela . . . had enough? What about one more? “Clearly, the U. S. motion picture is an effective ambassador in the other nations of the world.” Who said it? That was Eric Johnston. I wonder if anybody will believe him?