Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1962)

Motion Picture Pioneers Honor Milton Rackmil NEW YORK — The industry in general and the Motion Pictui'e Pioneers in particular saluted Milton Rackmil, president of Universal Pictm-es and Decca Records, Monday night (19) when he was named Pioneer of the Year at the 24th annual dinner of the organization in the Americana Hotel here. It was a sellout and gala affair, punctuated by a series of lampoon acts under the general title of “That Touch of Milt,” featm-ing H. H. “Hi” Martin, Tony Randall, Ross Hunter, Jackie Wilson, Rock Hudson, Johnny Ray, Toni Arden, Bobby Darin and Gregory Peck. SEES INDUSTRY ADVANCE In accepting the award, Rackmil scored the frequent remarks that the American motion picture industry was washed up, asserting that the industry had the manpower, enthusiasm, intelligence, showmanship and money to go forward to even greater heights of leadership in the entertainment world. Rackmil said that he and his new associates in MCA had plans for expansion and not contraction, for going forward, not backward and for growth and not decay. He said the industry had attained its great heights because of the courage and aggressiveness of its leaders who had profited from their experiences and by their willingness to experiment and to chart out new courses. After noting that Universal was celebrating its 50th year, Rackmil said the American motion picture industry had a wonderful history of great accomplishments, of providing great entertainment for the masses throughout the world. “The American motion picture industry also has a glorious history of leadership in mass communication,” Rackmil said. “It spread the good will and greatness of America and brought the people of the world closer together long before the scientific marvels of which we read and hear so much today.” PRAISES FOUNDATION Rackmil praised the Motion Picture Foundation of the Pioneers for taking care of those persons in the industry who had been less fortunate and had fallen on bad times and asked that everybody contribute generously to the Foundation so that the work could be continued. Herman Robbins, president of the Pioneers, in his dedication in the dinner program, said of Rackmil: “It is noteworthy that the man we honor tonight symbolizes the cherished traditions of the American success story and the principles of free enterprise. For Milton Rackmil made the ‘Horatio Alger’ trip from Brooklyn to Park Ave. via night schools, hard work and the courage to tackle opportunity. “It is fitting that the mantle of ‘Pioneer of the Year’ should be worn by one whose pioneering spirit has been so successfully demonstrated during his venturesome career in show business. His foresight and Inscription on Plaque The text of the inscription on the plaque presented to Milton Rackmil by the Motion Picture Pioneers was as follows: "The Motion Picture Pioneers, Inc. Bestows Its Highest Honor, Pioneer of the Year, To MILTON R. RACKMIL. "For dynamic leadership and distinguished service to the motion picture industry; "For true pioneer spirit in breaking with precedent to revitalize Universal Pictures Company so that it now reigns among the giants in the world of entertainment; "For his faith in the integrity and future of the film industry; and for his dedication, achievement and contributions to ail phases of show business ond show business life." (Presented At The 24th Annual Dinner, November 1 9th, Nineteen Hundred Sixty Two.) HERMAN ROBBINS, President. courage, at a time when our industry has indicated its greatest need for leadership, has made outstanding contributions to motion pictures. “His boundless energy, business acumen, integrity and warm personality have earned Milton Rackmil the respect of the entertainment world and the friendship of those who are privileged to know him. We salute Milton R. Rackmil — Motion Picture Pioneer of the Year — a warm and generous friend — a distinguished leader of our industry.” The “That Touch of Milt” sketches were produced by Norman Gluck and written by Gene Woods. Dick Jacobs was musical director. A1 Rickey and his orchestra provided the music. INDUCT NEW MEMBERS Judge Ferdinand Pecora inducted the new Pioneers, those veterans of 25 years or more in the industry, who have been enrolled as members during the past few weeks: Alfred L. Baker, A. “Ike” Bartimoccia, Robert H. Benton, Edward P. Bertsch, Louis H. Bress, Phillip Bress, Arthur Cohen, Robert L. Conn, Robert M. Corbin, Joseph T. DeGennaro, Jerome C. Diebold, D. “Bud” Edele, Lou Formato, A. Raymond Gallo, Phillip Gerard, Joe V. Gerbrach, Murray Goodman, Allen A. Grant, William Sherman Greene jr., Harold Gutman, Charles Hacker, Bernard Helfand, Samuel Horwitz, Jack B. Huber, Ben R. Katz, James A. Kellock, Abraham I. Kessler, Karl B. Knust, Robert I. Kronenberg, Charles E. Kurtzman, Maurice Lipson, George Lewin, Clifford B. Loth, Phillip L. Lowe, Frank J. A. McCarthy, James McKeon, Gabriel J. Malafronte, John H. Maynard, Theodore Mann, Joseph I. Maser, ’Thomas M. Mead, Milton Menell, Nathan Milgram, Harold H. Newman, James H. Nicholson, Charles Okun, Vincent J. O’Neill, Anthony Petti, Ken Prickett, Milton R. Rackmil, Reid H. Ray, Carl F. Reardon, Allan Robbins, Barney Rose, Peter F. Rosian, Robert L. Scottino, Samuel L. Seidelman, Harold H. Seiden, Samuel S. Sigman, Joseph P. Smith, Stanley Sobelson jr., Sidney P. Solow, Samuel C. Sunness, Henry Ushijima, Lew Wasserman, Irving Weiner, Alexander Weiss, Hans C Wohlrab. On the dais were Charles Alicoate, Barney Balaban, Robert S. Benjamin, Steve Broidy, Max A. Cohen, Bobby Darin, George Dembow, Sam Dembow jr., Ned E. Depinet, Jay Emanuel, Gus Eyssell, S. H. Fabian, Leopold Friedman, William J. German, Leonard H. Goldenson, Abel Green, William J. Heineman, Alfred Hitchcock, Rock Hudson, Ross Hunter, Rube Jackter, Leo Jaffe, Benjamin Kalmenson, Marvin Kirsch, Felix Knight, Arthur B. Krim, Joseph E. Levine, the Right Rev. Msgr. Thomas F. Little, David Lipton, Albert List, Harry Mandel, H. H. Martin, Arthur L. Mayer, Robert Mochrie, Edward Muhl, James H. Nicholson, Gregory Peck, Hon. Ferdinand Pecora, Eugene D. Picker, Seymour Poe, Martin J. Quigley, Milton R. Rackmil, Tony Randall, Sam Rinzler, Herman Robbins, Samuel Rosen, Abe Schneider, Adolph Schimel, Serge Semenenko, Ben Shlyen, Spyros P. Skouras, Jules Stein, Laurence A. Tisch, Preston R. Tisch, Joseph R. Vogel, Richard F. Walsh, Lew Wasserman, Jackie Wilson, Max Youngstein and Adolph Zukor. Alfred Hitchcock and Francis McSorley were the winners of 'Triumph sports cars at the dinner. The lucky numbers were drawn by Rock Hudson. McSorley bought his ticket at the Universal branch in San Francisco. EGA Formally Elects Arthur Mayer Director NEW YORK — Arthur Mayer, formerly executive vice-president of the Council of Motion Picture Organizations and veteran film industry figm’e, has been elected formally to the board of directors of Entertainment Corp. of America, a wholly owned subsidiary of Television Industries, Inc., according to Max E. Yoimgstein, president of the latter. Mayer will serve as consultant to EGA in all phases of the newly formed company’s motion picture activities. Commenting on his new affiliation, Mayer said: “I have been associated with the motion picture industry for a long time — 45 years to be exact— and in all of that time I cannot recall anything that seemed to me more timely and more exciting than the formation of ECA. What we need today in our industry is more good motion pictures and more young men in positions of authority. All of these needs will be satisfied by this new organization.” Mayer is also the author of several books, including “The Movies.” 'Period of Adjustment' Set For 65 Key City Runs LOS ANGELES — “Period of Adjustment,” has been booked in 65 key city engagements throughout the U. S., following premiere OE>enings in New York and Los Angeles. November openings for MGM’s Thanksgiving attraction include Sacramento, San Francisco, Kansas City, Seattle, Washington, D. C., San Diego, Pittsbm'gh, Cincinnati, Toronto, Omaha, Miami, Salt Lake City, Portland, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Syracuse, Indianapolis, Toledo, Des Moines. Lawrence Weingarten produced and George Roy Hill directed. 6 BOXOFFICE :: November 26, 1962