Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1962)

TOA Convention Sidelights ^MERICAN-INTERNATIONAL did a terrific promotion job at the convention, with special new'spaper supplements, an elaborate combination book and record on “The Raven,” a luncheon on Thursday and a group of models who gave twist lessons after the luncheon. ♦ ♦ « Si Fabian was crowned king of the Texas drive-ins at the Thursday luncheon. Toastmaster John Rowley called him to the dais and gave him a ten-gallon hat and two pistols for being a two-gun showman. * * * Sam Arkoff, vice-president of AIP, got a big laugh when he told the convention that his company had reached major company status because it had just been named a defendant in an antitmst suit. * * * Continental -APCO again was the fabulous host throughout the convention, with a hospitality suite in the penthouse of the Americana. Food and drinks were always available on the balmy breezy terrace. * « « Pepsi -Cola’s Twist Party was rained out Friday night; that is, it was rained out insofar as having the affair at pool-side and had to be brought indoors. Incidentally, the Pepsi-Cola suite looked like a continuous twist party. Ed Finneran and his crew kept the music going at all times. The principal twist teachers were Juanita Belleville and Juanita Feree, Alcoa, Tenn., exhibitors. * * * Suzanne Pleshette and Jim Hutton, two of Hollywood’s newest stars, were guests at the convention. At the Coca-Cola banquet Saturday night. Miss Pleshette was the recipient of TOA’s first annual award as the “Film Industry’s Most Exciting New Star.” Hutton also was on the dais. « * * Herman Gould, former exhibitor of Kansas City and Omaha and an ex -patient at the Will Rogers Hospital in Saranac Lake, Sol A. Schwartz (right), production chief of Columbia Pictures and former pres.dem of RKO Theatres, receives a TOA "alumnus” plaque from C. L. Patrick, executive vice-president of Martin Theatres, Columbus, Ga. N.Y., maintained a hospital booth at the tradeshow at his own expense. He gave out literature in regard to the hospital’s functions and achievements. Gould had entered the hospital for what he thought was going to be a long siege, but he was dismissed in three months. In appreciation, he is spreading the gospel of Will Rogers throughout the country. * 4: Peter Ustinov was a last minute and unexpected guest at Coca-Cola’s wind-up banquet and he wowed the audience with his subtle British humor. « ♦ And Gregory Peck charmed the diners when he was presented with TOA’s Star of the Year award. Clips from his latest picture, Universal’s “To Kill a Mockingbird,” were presented at the banquet. * * * Rube Jack ter hosted a cocktail party Thursday night and showed scenes from forthcoming Columbia product. * * ♦ The tradeshow was one of the best ever. There was plenty of room for all booths and not the congestion that sometimes hampers such shows. ♦ ♦ * RKO’s Lee Koken did a bang-up job as chairman of NAC’s program committee. He kept things going right on schedule. 4: 4^ Charley Okun again was the genial host at the Coca-Cola suite as well as at the president’s banquet. * * ♦ Rod Johnston, Bill Cosby, Phil Freeman, George Mayer, Jim Leighton and others, as usual, helmed the National Carbon hospitality suite in their always hospitable way. « * « Not many people knew that Sherrill Corwin of Los Angeles was such a comedian. He out-Hoped Bob Hope with a hilarious monolog at the wind-up banquet. 4: 4e ♦ Paramount’s British singing star Cliff Richard offered a medley of bright numbers at the banquet. * ♦ Allied Artists president Steve Broidy told the convention that there was no truth to the rumors that there were deals pending for the purchase of the company. He said three AA pictures would go into production in the next 40 days. * * Warner Bros.’ new sales chief, “Razz” Goldstein, has not lost any of his wit since taking over the new post. He kept a luncheon session in laughter, but in a more serious note pointed out that WB had five pictures in release which cost $17,000,000. ♦ ♦ ♦ Although TOA’s A1 Floersheimer is moving on to a bigger job in the electronics field, he felt a little sad about this being his last convention as chief of public relations. And orchids should go to him, Joe Alterman and George Roscoe for the smooth operation of the convention. They did a great job! that they would.. } •j 10