Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1962)

Robert White of Dallas Wins Pepsi Contest; Weiner of N. J. Runnerup Edward Finneran, left, national theatre sales manager at Pepsi-Cola Co., is shown above with judges Phyllis Haeger, public relations director of Popcorn Institute, and Jim McHugh, editor of Amusement Business Weekly, holding the prize-winning entry in the second annual Pepsi ’n Popcorn contest for theatre concession managers in the U. S. Robert L. White of the Majestic Theatre, Dallas, Tex., runnerup in 1961, won first prize this year. White’s imaginative and promotional scrapbook activities, both in and out of the theatre, are enclosed in a handsome wooden case. Embassy Will Release Six French Films in 1962-63 NEW YORK — Embassy Pictures will release six new French pictures during the 1962-63 season, starting with “Crime Does Not Pay,” directed by Gerard Oury, which is an October release and opened at the Sutton Theatre October 16. The November releases will be “7 Capital Sins,” directed by seven French directors, which will open at the Beekman Theatre October 29, and “Madame,” a Technirama-70mm Technicolor production directed by ChristianJaque, which stars Sophia Loren and Robert Hossein. In December, Embassy will release “Love at Twenty,” as seen by directors of France, Italy, Germany, Poland and Japan. The 1963 releases will include Carlo Ponti’s “Landi-u,” directed by Claude Chabrol, and “Jeunes Filles de Bonne Famille,” a Joseph E. Levine-Gilbert Bokanowski co-production, both of these now before the cameras in France. Max Wolff, 7L Dead; With MGM for 30 years NEW YORK — Funeral services for Max Wolff, 71, formerly head of the purchasing department of MGM, were held at the “Park West” Sunday (14). Wolff died of a heart attack at his home in the Bronx October 13. Wolff headed the purchasing department of the film company for more than 30 years until his retirement several years ago. He was well known for his staging of theatrical performances in Madison Square Garden for the benefit of the police department and other organizations. He was president of the Entertainment Managers Ass’n and, for many years, produced the “Night of Stars,” the annual production to assist the United Jewish Appeal of Greater New York. He is survived by his wife, the former Celia Rheinfeld, and two daughters, Mrs. Pearl Malman and Mrs. Doris Paley. Last Rites for Tod Browning HOLLYWOOD — Interment was held at Rosedale Cemetery for Tod Browning, 80, who directed Lon Chaney in “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and others. Starting at the old Biograph studio in 1912, Browning a year later directed his first film. He worked for D. W. Griffith, Universal and others. Among his best known films are “Dracula” in 1931 and “Mark of the Vampire,” 1933, both starring the late Bela Lugosi. Edwin S. Ettinger LOS ANGELES— Edwin S. Ettinger, 76, brother of columnist Louella O. Parsons and former Hollywood publicist, died of a heart attack. Other survivors are his wife, Barbara Rhodes Ettinger: son, publicist Edwin Ettinger, jr.; daughter, Mrs. Jerry Rehfield, and eight grandchildren. Irving D. Epsteen LOS ANGELES — Irving D. Epsteen, 56, vice-president of NT&T Amusement Corp., and widely known in the motion picture industry, insurance and real estate circles, died last week. Survivors are his wife, Lynn, a son Michael, two daughters Mrs. Leatrice Kalian and Mrs. Marilyn Buckley and four grandchildren. NEW YORK— Robert L. White of the Majestic Theatre in Dallas was the winner in this year’s Pepsi ’n Popcorn contest. He was the runnerup in the 1961 event. Second prize went to Harry Weiner, of Walter Reade’s Asbury Park, N. J., theatres. Edward Finneran, national theatre sales manager for the Pepsi-Cola Co., announced the winners after the judges had made their selections. The judges were Jim McHugh, editor of Amusement Business Weekly; Phyllis Haeger, public relations director of Popcorn Institute, and Irwin Rosee, public relations consultant. For his campaign to promote the sale of Pepsi and popcorn. White can have his choice of the following prizes: a 14-day trip to Paris for two, a 1962 Ford Falcon sedan or a mink coat designed by Heritage Furs of New York. There were two third prize winners: John Echols, Nevada Drive-In Theatre, Las Magazines Boost 'Jumbo' LOS ANGELES— MGM’s “Billy Rose’s Jumbo” is being spotlighted in both the Cosmopolitan and Seventeen magazines for October. Director Charles Walters and the stars, Doris Day, Stephen Boyd, Jimmy Durante and Martha Raye are featured in an article by artist-writer Jon Whitcomb in Cosmopolitan while Seventeen carries a story on Doris Day and the film in “Hollywood Scene.” Astor to Distribute 'Black Fox' HOLLYWOOD — Astor Pictures has acquired the U. S. distribution rights to Louis Clyde Stoumen’s “Black Fox.” The picture, narrated by Marlene Dietrich, covers the infamous career of Hitler. Vegas, and Murt Makins, Admiral, Bremerton, Wash. For fourth place, there were six winners: Robert M. Apple, Fox, San Francisco; A1 Sachs, Vogue, Hollywood, Fla.; James Tinney, Imperial, Augusta, Ga.; Richard Goldsworthy, Everett, Everett, Wash.; Christopher J. Joyce, Hyannis Drive-In, Hyannis, Mass., and Ralph Batschelet, Mayan, Denver. There were ten winners for fifth place: Bill Sorenson, Fox, Long Beach, Calif; Anthony Gasvoda jr., Hiawatha Drive-In, Chassel, Mich.; John Kuntz, Gardner’s Drive-In, Wheeling, W. Va.; Dean Matthews, Fox, Portland, Ore.; William Patterson, Inglewood, Nashville, Tenn.; Don Burroughs, Burnett Drive-In, Austin, Tex.; Thomas Moyer jr.. Hood, Gresham, Ore.; Philip Catherall, Fox, Venice, Calif.; Glynn J. Morsbach, Chief Drive-In, Austin, Tex., and Zeb Pruner, Orpheum, Wichita, Kas. To Distribute Movie Guide In Theatres Next Month NEW YORK — Movie Guide, the new promotional magazine, which is to be distributed through motion picture theatres, starting in November, will appear in 44 states and Canada, according to Nathan E. Jacobs, publisher. The inaugural issue will have a circulation of more than 600,000 with contracts calling for nearly 100,000 more in didve-in theatres, which have ordered Movie Guide when they open next spring, Jacobs said. The publication will carry brief comments on films cm-rently being distributed under the heading of “Don’t Let These Get Away.” Also prize contests are being planned to be helpful to the theatres. BOXOFTICE :: October 22, 1962 13