Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1962)

^(McfUfmd ^cfiont ■ By CHRIS DUTRA PRODUCER-DIRECTOR Howard Hawks has moved his offices from Paramount Studios, where he recently completed “Hatari!” to Universal-International, taking with him a project on which he has been working, “Man’s Favorite Sport,” which now is to be made for U-I as a Rock Hudson starring vehicle. Upon completion of the project. Hawks reportedly will return to Paramount to continue his multiple-picture deal with the studio . . . Nick Castle has been assigned by producers NoiTnan Lear and Bud Yorkin to choreograph a routine for Frank Sinatra and Tony Bill in “Come Blow Your Horn,” which Essex-Tandem is filming for Paramount release . . . On the same picture, cameraman William Daniels is employing a new fast lens, an F 1, which Panavision made especially for him at a cost of $18,000 . . . In Knoxville, Tenn., director Alex Segal has signed 85-year-old Lylah Tiffany, onetime street accordionist outside New York’s Carnegie Hall, to play her first movie role in David Susskind’s “All the Way Home,” for Paramount, which stars Jean Simmons and Robert Preston. Miss Tiffany will recreate the role of “Great-gram-maw,” the part she played in the stage version. Roger Corman, president of the Filmgroup, has announced completion of negotiations with English, French and Italian coproducers for shooting of the forthcoming “Promise Her Anything.” Corman stated the Filmgroup would produce the Hollywood and New York portions of “Anything.” British Lion, Raoul Brillant and Fulvia Lucisano will coproduce English, French and Italian portions, respectively, with the Filmgroup. An American crew nucleus will shoot all portions of the internationally financed feature and Corman will supervise the entire production. The Filmgroup will release in all countries except those in which the native coproducers will have national distribution. The Filmgroup, however, will participate in British, French and Italian release profits. The film is being screenplayed by Charles B. Griffith. Producer-director William Asher has set Elisha Cook jr., for a top featured role in Chrislaw Productions’ “Johnny Cool,” currently being filmed on location in and around Hollywood for a United Artists release. Film toplines Henry Silva and Elizabeth Montgomery, with guest star appearances by Sammy Davis jr., Joey Bishop, Telly Savalas, Mort Sahl, Hank Henry, Jim Backus and Marc Lawrence . . . Added “Cool” production notes: Asher silently thanked the inventor of the wide angle cameras when he had to shoot down the length of Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, the airport dimensions of the lobby of the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas’ New Frontier and the waiting room of Union Terminal for scenes in the picture. But, faced with a situation in which he had to cram camera, lights, boom, cables and sound equipment into an eight-foot stateroom on a luxury yacht at Newport Beach, he threw up his hands and yelled, “There’s no room left for actors or camera. Get me a couple of midgets and a Polaroid!” Universal-International has cast Edward Andrews in “The Thrill of It All,” Ross Hunter-Martin Melcher production starring Doris Day, James Garner and Arlene Francis. Norman Jewison directs . . . Walt Disney has signed Dean Fredericks to play the Comanche leader of a band of renegade Apaches in his next feature, “Savage Sam,” which stars Brian Keith, Tommy Kirk and Kevin Corcoran. The Technicolor production is under the direction of Norman Tokar. Bill Anderson coproduces with Walt Disney . . . “Merlin Jones” has been added to Walt Disney’s production slate with a November starting date on the Tom and Helen August screenplay. The plot deals with the high IQ of a college student with mind-reading abilities. Century Productions has been formed by Charles Strauss and Stephen Perry to produce both feature and television films. The new company has taken offices on the Goldwyn lot in Hollywood. Strauss recently completed “Hitler” for Allied Artists . . . Additional independent news comes from Irving Briskin and Frank Seltzer, who through their Variety Enterprises and W. S. Productions, resp>ectively, have set up joint production on “The Bedroom,” written by Herman McCoy and Stephen Kendel for Columbia release. The feature is scheduled to roll in Italy next year . . . Filmaker, independent company headed by Charles Skinner, has been activated for both theatrical and television production. For the states right market, Skinner will shoot two low-budget features, each to cost under $125,000. The hour-long TV series is being prepared which Michel Kraike will produce. “The Great Mail Robbery” is the first feature planned. “Tiger on the Stairs,” is the companion piece for dual billing, and is described as a bank robbery with a love story. Mitch Hamilburg will be the selling agent. Richard Widmark has arrived in London to begin a series of conferences on two top film properties with Mike Frankovich, English production head for Columbia Pictures. Widmark, who finished his starring role in “Flight From Ashiya” in Japan last week, planed to London from Tokyo at Frankovich’s request to discuss the starring role in a film to be directed by Jack Cardiff, and also a property that Widmark’s Heath Productions, Inc., may produce for Columbia distribution . . . Hope Holiday has checked onto the Goldwyn lot to begin her role as Lolita, a gum-chewing cocotte, in Billy Wilder’s “Irma la Douce” which stars Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine . . . Director Ralph Nelson has set Joe Popkin as production manager for “Lilies of the Field,” to be filmed by Nelson’s independent unit for a United Artists release. Shooting starts next month with Sidney Poitier starring in the James Poe screen play . . . Harry Sanford and Max Lamb’s novel, “I’ll Sell You a Secret” has been optioned for production early next year under the Robert II Productions banner with Robert Vaughn set to star for producer Robert Reese. Actor Richard Long will make his directorial bow on the film . . . The film rights to Ernest Lehman’s novelette, “The Comedian,” have been purchased by Three Crown Productions, headed by E. Charles Strauss, for filming early next year. Film rights to “The Girl Hunters,” a new Mike Hammer detective mystery, by Mickey Spillane, have been acquired by Colorama Features, Inc. Shooting starts next month under Roy Rowland’s direction, with Bob Fellows producing. According to president Jules Weill, author Spillane will portray the Mike Hammer role. Colorama will handle worldwide distribution . . . Gallant Productions, new independent feature film company, has been formed by Jack Scellato, president: Donald C. Koppang, vice-president and Fredric Bay, secretary-treasurer . . . Oakhurst Enterprises, Inc., whose principal stockholder is Joan Fontaine, has concluded a deal involving purchase and production of the suspense mystery novel, “The Devil’s Own,” by Norah Lofts. The production is tentatively set for April 1963 . . . Sandra Dee will star in the Universal -International film “The Richest Girl in Town,” comedy by Oscar Brodney. Ross Hunter will produce, with Jean Louis to create gowns for the actress . . . Shelley Winters has been signed to star in “Time of Indifference,” comedy by Alberto Moravia which Pietro Germi will produce and direct in early February in Italy. With the start of principal photography the past week on the Ross Hunter-Martin Melcher production, “The Thrill of It All,” starring Doris Day and James Garner, Universal-International now has three features shooting at the studio. The other pictures now in production are “Three on a Match,” starring Kirk Douglas, Mitzi Gaynor and Gig Young, with Michael Gordon directing for producer Robert Arthur; and “The List of Adrian Messenger,” a Joel production starring George C. Scott, Dana Wynter, Clive Brook and Herbert Marshall. John Huston is directing for producer Edward Lewis. I Patrick Wayne, son of John Wayne, joins his father, Maureen O’Hara and Yvonne De Carlo in the Batjac production, “McLintock!” rolling October 25 with Andrew V. McLaglen directing for a United Artists release. The screenplay is by James Edward Grant . . . Producer Robert Arthur has assigned Walter Newman to work on the screenplay of Universal-International’s “Captain Newman, M.D.,” based on Leo Rosten’s novel. Teet Carle Takes New Post HOLL'YWOOD — Teet Carle, former Paramount Studios publicity director, joins Cleary-Strauss-Irwin & Goodman, as a senior account executive in the firm’s west coast office. He served for six years as a member of the board of governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, during which time he was chairman of the public relations committee for the Annual Awards presentation show. 16 BOXOFFICE :: October 22, 1962