Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1962)

Opinions on Current Productions Feature reviews Sjrmbol Q denotes color; © ClnomoScope; (J) Visto Vision; ^ Superscope; ® Ponavision; iB) Re9oiscope; Techniromo. For story synopsis on eoch picture, see reverse sido. Escape From East Berlin F i"S"i MGM (311) 94 Minutes Rel. Nov. '62 consii "Escape From East Berlin," a Walter Wootd production for ,s-k MGM release, has been authentically photographed in Ger S., ) many. Director Robert Siodmak uses an almost all German ‘ cast with the exception of the stars, Don Murray and Christine Kaufmonn. The film's self-explanatory title, combined with the current situation in Berlin, gives the audience an immediate background for the unveiling of this ever present struggle for freedom from imprisonment behind the Berlin wall. Screenplay by Gobrielle Upton, Peter Berneis and Millard Lompell has been accurately written — showing the determination of a German family — who is guided by Don Murray, the older son, at first finding himself reluctant to become involved in any plans to flee. Due to his growing affection for Miss Kaufmonn and pressures from the family he finally devises the plan to dig a tunnel under the wall, effecting the escape to the Western sector. Siodmak's direction is remarkably authentic and highly suspenseful, gaining audience sympathy and appreciation for the determined group as each foot of the tunnel nears completion. All performances and technical achievements cere highly professional. Georg Krause's photography is outstanding and intimate, especially in the tense tunnel digging scenes. Don Murray, Christine Kaufmann, Werner Klemperer, Ingrid Van Bergen, Edith Schultze-Westrum, Bruno Fritz. What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? A i gs^i Warner Bros. (252) 132 Minutes Rel. Nov. '62 1 Clear the decks for action! Bette Davis and Joan Crawford are on the move! "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?" produced and directed by Robert Aldrich as an Associates and Aldrich-Seven Arts presentation has enough suspense, drama and excitement going for it to make this film a memorable moviegoing event. As much ballyhoo has already been carefully executed by Warner Bros., audiences are keenly aware and obviously (awaiting its release. (During the preview at the Pontages in Hollywood, the applause was so tremendous (ot times, it was difficult to hear the dialog.) Even though Miss Davis has the juicier role, Joan Crawford has many spell-binding moments, especially in a scene where she is so frustrated and gripped with fear for her life that she reels her wheelchair in circles with the camera panning down on her. Bette Davis plays her role w'ith unequaled command, running the full gamut of all the professional and artistic talents that have made her a top star. Both actresses give nothing less than Oscar-winning performances. Robert Aldrich has directed with an intense exactness and keeps the film moving, giving emphasis to every carefully spoken line of his capable cast. Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Victor Buono, Marjorie Bennett, Moidie Norman, Anna Lee, Barbara Merrill. The War Lover F Columbia (712) 105 Minutes Rel. Nov. '62 A different type of war film, which puts considerable emphasis on flying action but has a strong romantic element so handled that women patrons will be attracted to the handsome, yet selfish, "war lover" hero. Splendidly portrayed by the rugged Steve McQueen, known to TV fans for his "Wanted: Dead or Alive" series, this undisciplined Air Force pilot who loves the excitement and glory of battle is a fascinating figure created by John Hersey in his best-selling novel of the same name. With Robert Wagner to pull in the teenage fans, the Arthur Hornblow production shapes up as i . a fine boxoffice entry generally. Well directed by Philip Lea cock, the early scenes showing flight squadrons on dangerous ~ ' war missions are exciting and suspenseful while the tragic climax is on edge-of-the-seat thriller. Shirley Anne Field, British actress who scored in "Saturdcry Night and Sunday Morning," is attractive and soft-spoken in her love scenes with Wagner, more sensual in her moments with McQueen. Interspersed with these scenes ore many human interest touches dealing with the anxieties and differences of members of a bombing crew. The aerial sequences ore strikingly photographed by Ron Taylor and Skeets Kelly while Richard Addinsell's music is highly effective. Steve McQueen, Robert Wagner, Shirley Atme Field, Gary Cockrell, Bernard Braden, Michael Crawford. Two tor the Seesaw A t”*”— United Artists ( ) 120 Minutes Rel. Dec. '62 A Broadway stage success has been brought to the screen with only two changes: the addition of several minor characters and some exterior shots. On stage, it was a twocharacter, one-set ploy and it was a smash hit. The picture should be that and probably more so. But despite the additions, the story still is spotlighted on the boy-meets-girl, girlloses-boy angle and nothing else matters. Robert Mitchum and Shirley MacLaine are superb as the pair of incongruously matched persons who happen to meet <ond come to know ^ each other, ultimately with heart-breaking results, in the less glamorous sections of New York. Miss MacLaine puts another notch in her belt as one of the most versatile actresses on the screen. The picture should be a solid boxoffice hit for grownup patrons inasmuch os many of the episodes ore slanted toward the sophisticates. 'This is a Mirisch Pictures-Argyle Enterprises-Talbot production, presented in association with Seven Arts Productions and released through United Artists. Directed by Robert Wise and produced by Walter Mirisch, from the stage play produced by Fred Coe, the screenplay was by Isobel Lennart. Robert Mitchum, Shirley MacLaine, Edmon Ryan, EUsabeth Fraser, Eddie Firestone, Billy Grcry. Well Bury You! F "S Columbia (711) 77 Minutes Rel. Oct. '62 "We'll Bury You" from Columbia is a highly exploitable documentary presentation by coproducers Jack W. Thomas and Jack Leewood which shockingly reveals the rise of Communism in Russia from the time of Karl Marx to the present day. Rare film clips of such Red leaders as Lenin and Trotsky hove been used along with astonishing footage of mass executions during the various political purges; the dramatic sinking of a Russian warship during the Russo-Japanese War, where hundreds of hands went down like trapped rots. It also includes recent shots of escape over the Berlin wall. The narration written by Thomas and spoken by William Woodson runs throughout with only the addition of the voice of Churchill and a film clip of the famous Nixon-Khrushchev "Kitchen Debate." There are spots when the narration becomes weak and reaches conclusions, which are debatable, and refers to the United Nations instead of the United /Sill. States. However, the overall effect is strong and powerful. . ) With the present threat to the entire free world by the spread — | of Communism, this film will find a place on any theatre bill 1 and should be bexsked and viewed by all Americans who will give an answer to the concluding minutes of the film's plea for the free world to rise to the present challenge. The Legend of LoJbo F fg5“i “J"" Buena Vista (110) 67 Minutes Rel. Nov. '62 Here is on ideal second feature which, because of its short running time, could be a potent magnet even if booked with a longer feature in single bill situations. It's a saga of a notorious wolf that menaced the New Mexico cattle country in the 1880s and had a price on its head of $1,000. All available data on the animal hove been collected and by means of long-range cameras, a real life wolf family's doily life has been recorded and made to conform with the documented facts in a most skillful and ingenious manner. Lobo, the hero of the tale, is followed faithfully from its pup-hood through its romance with a black-haired feminine wolf of another pack, its fatherly devotion to its offspring and, ultimately, the family's escape to less inhabited territory. Here, with sheer delight, is an answer to the cry for family films. Narrated by Rex Allen, the picture has a western ballad musical background, composed by Bob and Dick Sherman and sung by Allen and the Sons of the Pioneers. Production ,n. . credits go to Jack Couffer and James Algar, with screenplay Oma by Dwight Hauser and Algor based on the story by Ernest 'Thompson-Seton. Excellent, colorful scenic backgrounds were caught by the cameras of Couffer and Lloyd Beebe. Narrated by Rex Allen. The reviews on these pog^ may be Filed for future reference in any of the following ways: (1) in any standard three^ring loose-leaf binder; (2) individually, by company, in any stondard 3x5 cord index file; or (3) in the BOXOFFICE PICTURE GUIDE three-ring, pocket-size binder. The lat^r, including □ year's supply of booking and doily business record sheets, may be obtomed from Associated Publications, 825 Von Brunt Blvd., Kansas City 24, Mo., for $1.00, postoge ^id. 2680 BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: Nov. 5, 1962 2679