Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1962)

Opinions on Current Productions Feature reviews Symbol © denotes color; © CinemoSeope; ® VistoVision; ® Superscope; 0 Poi*ovi«on; ® Regolseope; ® Teehniromo. For story synopsis on eoth picture, see reverse sioe. Mutiny on the Bounty F X,'."®' 7^® jfis MGM ( ) 179 Minutes Rel. sc^si greatest, most exciting and highly dramatic sea -*'®"!^ adventures ever written comes to the screen for a second ' '' V time in a magnificent motion picture which has all the elements of violence, romance and thrills, plus incredibly beoutifuil scenic splendor, to fascinate and enthrall moviegoers of all ages. It should become one of the all-time box office hits. Coming 27 years after the release of MGM's original film version, this new production in Ultra Ponavision 70 and Technicolor will all but erase any memories held by the oldtimers and, to today's generation, it will be a terrific and wholly new action spectacle. The various episodes are brilliantly captured by Rdbert L. Surtees' fine camerawork. The occasional romantic scenes are tenderly handled and act as pleasant interludes between the predominantly exciting action. Trevor Howard's performance as the tyrannical Captain Bligh has authority and brilliance. Under Lewis Milestone's direction, Richard Harris, Hugh Griffith and, particularly Noel Purcell give noteworthy portrayals while Marlon Brando, although acting entirely too foppish at first, gradually builds his role into an impressive, even touching, one. Produced by Aaron Rosenberg. Marlon Brando, Trevor Howard, Richard Harris, Hugh Griffith, Tarita, Richard Haydn, Noel Purcell. Swordsman of Siena F “’S"" s’"' MGM (304) 92 Minutes Rel. Oct. '02 ired'i| Stewart Granger, who indulged in the swashbuckling 'e co/ dn.tics of "Scoramouche" for MGM ten years ago, with great success, is back in another period adventure yarn with swordplay and acrobatics galore. An Italo-French coproduction in CinemaScope and Eastman Color made by Jacques Bar for Monica-CCM-CIPRA, this is made-to-order for the youngsters and action fans, who will best relish the skulduggery and adventure taking place in Europe in the 1500s. There's romance aplenty for the women, too, and the still-handsome Granger plays the Errol Flynn-like role with dash and a delightful tongue-in-cheek style. Well directed by Etienne Perier, the screenplay by Michael and Fay Kanin has an exciting opening and maintains a fast pace through scenes of heroism and spectacle climaxed by a thrilling horse race in whic'h riders slash at each other with whips trying to unseat the other riders. The feminine allure is shared by Christine Kaufmann, the fragile German beauty, who is Currently in "Escape From East Berlin" and the forthcoming "Taras Bulba," and Sylva Koscina, a voluptuous, scheming lady who hnolly gets her man, meaning Granger, after Christine meets a tragic death. Stewart Granger, Christine Kaufmann, Sylva Koscina, Fausto Tozzi, Riccardo Garrone, Tullio Corminati. Smashing of the Reich A Brigadier 89 Minutes Rel. Oct. '62 Going out as part of a double-bill (other is "Kamikaze" reviewed on this page), this Brigadier Film Associates attraction, produced and written by Perry Wolff, with resoundingly effective music score by internationally known Norman Dello Joio, con be depended upon for top grosses, the individual showman putting considerable activity on a local exploitation level. Taken from the archives of both Allied and enemy film sections, plus not a little dramatically , compelling underground footage, the documentary goes ^ about its grim task understandably enough with a minimum K ^ of frills. Wolff approaches the infamous Hitler Third j/ Reich story with the objective outlook of the poised and professional journalist. A new generation has grown to adulthood since Hitler first mouthed his vicious rantings in the Nuremberg Sports Palace and both the recent arrivals, as well as their elders, should find what the Wolff forces hove meticulously culled from film storage of consistently engrossing entertainment. Previous films, of course, have delved deeply into the same subject, but this double-bill, perhaps, marks initial release of an overall study of both major theatres of War, as seen through the intervening years. The impact on the local level can't be over-emphasized. Produced and written by Perry Wolff. Two Before Zero F Ellis Films 78 Minutes Rel. Oct. '62 Following on the heels of “We'll Bury You!" Columbia's documentary tracing the history of Communism, this Motion Picture Corp. of America presentation produced by Fred Niles is also an authentic and factual feature comprised of footage from newsreels and stock shots. While its chief interest is to the mature, serious-minded patrons, the picture will also hove more general appeal, due to the "visual narration," in which Basil Rerthbone and Mary Murphy, both familiar names, portray the symbols of Communism and the -y average woman uncoble to gr<asp political complexities, jr pj respectively. Both appear frequently during the action to argue pro and con and, in addition to presenting these orgUc ments forcefully, they take the picture out of the strictly documentary class and make it suitable as a supporting dualer generally. While many younger patrons might be repelled by the horror of the closeups of Communist brutality and executions, it will serve os an object lesson to today's youth. Directed by William D. Foralla and written by Bruce Henry, the footage presents a step-by-step picture of the rise of the Communist movement, beginning with Karl Marx, through the background and causes of the Russian Revolution and into World War I, when Lenin traded Russian surrender for the Kaiser's promise to support his rebellion. Visual narration by Basil Rathbone and Mary Murphy. Kamikaze A Ss!' Brigadier 89 Minutes Rel. Oct. '62 Just as its sister release, "Smashing of the Reich," is concerned with the European phase of World War II, this Perry Wolff produced-and-written attraction, also with music score by Norman Dello Joio, takes the viewer, through edited footage, on a fast-moving, ever-entertaining trek into the Japanese atmosphere, detailing the initial plunder in the Pacific and eventual retribution leveled with mounting intensity by the Allied Forces. As good as any previous documentary studying the cause-ond-effect of Japan's expansion through land grabs and submission of bewildered peoples, the film will appeal to the millions of American troops who served in the Pacific, either during the memorable World War II years or in the Korean conflict. It must be remembered, too, that America's entry iPto the global war of two decades ago was precipitated by the wholly unexpected air attack on a thoroughly unprepared Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. And the youngsters who have grown up in the intervening years should be urged to view the film, if \ solely out of historical importance and impact. Like its sister / film, "Kamikaze" has relied upon the camera records of'®'^ < Allied and Japanese forces, as well as those hardy warriors ‘V,' 1 of the scattered underground valiantly battling a mighty enemy amid terrifying circumstances. Produced and written by Perry Wolff. The Bellboy and the Playgirls A United Producers Rel. Org. 94 Minutes Rel. Nov. '62 June Wilkinson, accoladed and acclaimed as the favorite and biggest (she's a tall gal!) playmate of the internationally read and mcde-respected Playboy Magazine, is stcxrred with a bevy of some fetching females in this strictly adult novelty-comedy, produced by Wolfgang Hortwig and directed by Fritz Umgelter, working from a lively screenplay from Dieter Hildebrondt and Margh Malina. Best audience response is anticipated in the larger poipulation centers known for more liberal policy on attractions highlighting the undraped female form. The dramatic plotting, as such, is unrelatively, complicated; hotel billboy Don Kenny would like nothing better in the world th<mi to hold status and stature as a hotel house detective; towards such objectives, he strives ever ecamestly. When Miss Wilkinson and coterie of lingerie (!) models check into Kenny's hotel, the fun gets going and never really ends before the tragic-comedy fadeout. The Umgelter directorial prowess, while nothing m, much to rove about, gets the principal thought across briskly, Ft. 'Vi even boldly, but on an uneven keel, which may distract the more-thinking viewers. June Wilkinson, Don Kenny, Karin Dor, Michael Cramer, Louise Lawson, Laura Cummings. The reviews on these poges may be filed for future reference in any of the followinq ways: (1) in any standard three-ring loose-leaf binder; (2) individually, by company, in ony standard 3x5 card index file; or (3) in the BOXOFFICE PICTURE GUIDE three-ring, pocket-size binder. The loiter, including o year's supply of booking and daily business record sheets, may be obtained from Associated Publications, 825 Von Brunt Blvd., Kansas City 24, Mo., for $1.00, postage ^oid. 2684 BOXOFFICE BookinGuide ;; Nov. 19, 1962 2683