Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1962)

'Almost Angels' (BV) Is October Blue Ribbon Award Winner By VELMA WEST SYKES gUENA VISTA’S “Almost Angels” has been voted the Boxoffice Blue Ribbon Award for October by members of the National Screen Council. This delightful musical drama which features the historic Vienna Boys Choir, founded in 1498 by decree of Maximilian I of Austria, has all the elements which make for good family entertainment and is outstanding in its unusual settings and musical renditions. It also has a story that does not seem as contrived as most do built around such a central theme. Vincent Winter, who won an Academy Award for his role in “The Little Kidnappers” and played a feature role in “Greyfriar’s Bobby” stars in this with Peter Week, former member of the Choir, as choirmaster, and Sean Scully. Boxoff ice’s review in the September 10 issue said in part: “‘Almost Angels’ . . . brings to the screen for the first time, the 464-year-old story of the Vienna Choir Boys, filmed in the elegant palace home of the choir, the Augarten Palais in Vienna, as well as the beautiful historic landmarks that reach back to the early youth of the picture’s composers — Schubert, Brahms and Strauss, among others . . . Hans Holt registers well as Choir Director Eisenger. Steve Previn makes his debut as a feature film director for the Vernon Harris screenplay.” Barometer figures on the picture are hard to evaluate since it has been booked on the lower half of a double bill with the reissued “Lady and the Tramp.” However, the double bill is doing SRO business all over the country so Disney has again done the family unit a real service in making such entertainment available. Superior EIntertainment NSC members offered these comments as they checked their votes on the ballots: This is a wonderful way to introduce children to good music while entertaining them. — Mrs. Edward F. Carran, GJ’.W.C., Lakewood, Ohio . . . “Almost Angels” is a good family picture. What wonderful things boys can do when they have the right training! — Emory W. Cowley, Women’s Department Club, Indianapolis ... A Disney picture — nuf said — Jim Downing, Tulsa Tribune. “Almost Angels” is superior entertainment for the entire family. ’The color is beautiful and the Vienna Boys Choir a rare delight. Peter Week’s role as Max Heller is a handsome, personable conductor. The children are natural and quite adorable. — Malcolm Miller, Knoxville Journal . . . Truly a lovely picture. With the double bill, it’s superb.— Mrs. Harry T. Jarvis, Greater Detroit MPC. 'There Is definitely need for quality family entertainment these days, such as “Almost Angels.” — J. Coleman Daniel jr., Spartanburg (S.C.) Fine Films Committee ... I know of several boys who aspired to be choir boys after seeing “Almost Angels.” — Elisabeth Murray, Long Beach Teachers Ass’n. . . . Such charming boys with such believable dialog and vivid photography made this movie an utter delight. — Elayne Bybee, KID radio, Idaho Falls. Disney’s done it again — “Almost Angels” is a beautiful picture that is good family fare — may the tribe increase! — Tom Peck, Charleston Evening Post . . . The title was well selected. At times the entire choir of 80 members seem almost divine. — Mrs. Claude Franklin, Indianapolis NSC Group. The shallow plot ideal for small fry and the singing a thrill for adults. The production is first class. — Dick Osgood, WXYZ radio, Detroit ... A beatuiful picture worthy of the highest family rating. — Mrs. T. W. Swartz, A.A.U.W., Claremont, Calif. . . . The best family picture here in some time. — Mrs. Jean W. Mullis, WOMPI president, Atlanta, Ga. “Almost Angels” gets my vote because it is an entrancing story about boys in the 464-year-old Vienna Boys Choir — a Walt Disney import of outstanding merit. — Mrs. Kenneth C. Wilson, San Francisco MP & TV Council ... It has much to offer our young people and adults— delightful music, comedy, and drama all appeal. — Mrs. Harold E. Kerwin, Greater New Bedford Better Films Council. Such a fine picture, clean and wholesome. I will always remember the sweet faces of those happy little boys. It reminded me of the time my brother was that age and was singing in a school chorus, when his voice changed the night of their big play.— Mrs. Paul Gebhart, Cleveland Cinema Club. Another Walt Disney goody. If Mr. Disney can give irs such good movies, why not other producers?— Mrs. Fred Hire, Fort Wayne Ond.) Indorsers of Photoplays. The Cast Max Heller Peter Weck Director Eisenger Hans Holt Father Fiala Fritz Eckhardt Radio Commentator .... Gunther Philipp Frau Fiala Bruni Lobel Toni Fiala Vincent Winter Peter Schaefer Sean Scully Friedel Schmidt Denis Gilmore Ferdy Henny Scott AND Vienna Boys Choir Production Staff Director Steve Previn Screenplay by Vernon Harris Original Idea by R. A. Stemie Production Supervisor .... Peter V. Herald L -ector of Photography Kurt Grigoleit Featuring Famous Songs of Schubert, Brahms, Strauss Musical Director Heinz Schreiter Orchestra Wiener Symphoniker Conducted by Helmuth Froschauer Art Direction Werner AND ISABELI SCHLICHTING Film Editor Alfred Srp Assistant Director .. Rudolph Nussgruber Color by Technicolor llimilllllllMIMillllllllllllllllMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMII PETER WECK, FORMER MEMBER OF THE FAMOUS VIENNA BOYS CHOIR, IS CAST AS CHOIRMASTER MAX HELLER OLDEST CHOIR BOY PETER SCHAEFER (SEAN SCULLY) ACTS AS JUNIOR DIRECTOR WHEN HIS VOICE CHANGES FRECKLE-FACED FRIEDEL (DENIS GILMORE) CAST AS MITZI, TONI FIALA (VINCENT WINTER) AS ' HER” BEAU iiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiii This award is oiven each month by the National Screen Council on the basis of outstandng merit and suitability for family enteitainment. Council membership comprises motion picture editors, radio and TV film commentators, representatives of better films councils, civic, educational and exhibitor organizations.