Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1962)

THE Exhibitor has ms say A B 0 U T PICTURESHH^ Good Action Program prom start to finish. Allied Artists’ “Payroll” is action all the way, for what I consider a very good show. The only drawback is the British accent (it was made in England). Even at that, not a car drove out while this was on the screen. Doubled with UA’s “Bandido” (also slam full of action and beautiful color) for a nice weekend program. We’re bucking ball games through next March and it takes something extra to pull them in. I. ROCHE Starlite Drive-In, Chipley, Fla. BUENA VISTA Bon Voyage (BV) — Fred MacMurray, Jane Wyman, Michael Callan, Deborah Walley. Not one of the best of Disney’s, but it did get the TV plugs from Disney. Business was mediocre because the football season is upon us. Played Thurs., Fri., Sat. Weather; Rain. — Albert Aguiar, Lincoln Theatre, Lincoln, Calif. Pop. 3,200. Greyfriars Bobby (BV) — Donald Crisp, Kay Walsh, Laurence Naismith. This picture surprised us and did our best midweek business of the summer. If you haven’t played it yet, it’s worth a playdate. Played Wed., Thurs. Weather: Warm. — Larry Thomas, Fayette Theatre, Fayetteville, W. Va. Pop. 2,000. COLUMBIA Advise and Consent (Col) — Henry Fonda, Charles Laughton, Walter Pidgeon, Don Murray. Another excellent picture. Not the type of feature for our town. Too boring. I liked it, though. Too deep for our middle class patronage. Business: Ugh. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Fair. — Albert Aguiar, Lincoln Theatre, Lincoln, Calif. Pop. 3,200. Best of Enemies, The (Col) — David Niven, Alberto Sordi, Michael Wilding. A big boxoffice bust; should have left it in the can. Very little to recommend it. British humor fails to click. Supposed to be a comedy, and there wasn’t one good laugh aU the way through. Played Sun., Mon. Weather: Good. — Leonard J. Leise, Roxy Theatre, Randolph, Neb. Pop. 1,069. METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER Magic Boy (MGM) — Feature length cartoon. This one’s strictly kiddy show stuff. Used this on a double bill and should have left it in the can. You’d do well to do the same. — Don Stott, Southwind Theatre. Solomons. Md. Pop. 950. Ride the High Country (MGM) — Randolph Scott, Joel McCJrea, Mariette Hartley. Not a bad outdoor picture. Has a good cast, with color and Cinemascope. We enjoyed it and business was good also. Our patrons seem to enjoy western type fare, and it’s hard to get many westerns any more, but the ones we do get are very well done. I don’t think you will go wrong on this one, as it has top star value. Played Sat., Sun. Weather: Nice. — Harry Hawk inson, Orpheum Theatre, Marietta, Minn. Pop. 380. PARAMOUNT Fancy Pants (Para, reissue) — Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Bnice Cabot. Wish they still made money-makers like this — and it’s in color, too. One of the best weekends this fall. Played Thurs., Fri., Sat. Weather: Clear. — Eddie Reyna, Floyd’s Theatre, El Campo, Tex. Pop. 5,610. Hell Is for Heroes (Para) — Steve McQueen, Bobby Darin, Fess Parker, Bob Newhart. This did much better than expected. These stars are popular here. Played Sun., Mon. — S. T. Jackson, Jackson Theatre, Flomaton, Ala. Pop. 1,480. Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, The (Para) — John Wayne, James Stewart, Vera Miles. Dynamic, superb western entertainment, and a crowd pleaser too. Your action patrons will simply love it from the beginning to the end. John Wayne and James Stewart are terrific together. If you haven’t played it, do so. It will do extra business. Played Sat., Sun. Weather: Good fall weather. — Harry Hawkinson, Orpheum Theatre, Marietta, Minn. Pop. 380. 20th CENTURY-FOX Hemingway’s Adventures of a Young Man (20th -Fox) — Richard Beymer, Susan Strasberg, Diane Baker, Paul Newman, Another feather in Fox’s cap — a damn good picture and believe me this was no sleeper. My patronage ate this one up. Business, however, was mediocre. Played Thurs., Fri., Sat. Weather: Fair. — Albert Aguiar, Lincoln Theatre, Lincoln, Calif. Pop. 3,200. UNITED ARTISTS Jessica (UA) — Maurice Chevalier, Angie Dickinson, Agnes Moorehead. A real good sexy comedy. The customers really liked it. Play it. It will make a little money. — John M. Bailey, Opera House, Miltonvale, Kas. Pop. 911. Judgment at Nuremberg (UA) — Spencer Tracy, Burt Lancaster, Richard Widmark, Maximilian Schell. An excellent drama, well presented and well accepted by our patrons. Business increased each night during the run of the picture and the last night was excellent. Very poor newspaper mats for one and two column ads. Schell certainly deserved the Oscar for his acting in this picture. The remainder of the cast also gave outstanding performances. Beautifully done camera work which occasionally 'Howling Good Time' falling attention to “Boys’ Night Out” from MGM — this is quite a picture. Everyone, young and old, seemed to have a howling good time. Business was good for this picture, so yours truly even had a good time. My advice is to play it. Oh yes, it has a little spice, but that is what makes it good. Nice color and scope also. Played it on Saturday and Sunday. HARRY HAWKINSON Orpheum Theatre, Marietta, Minn. 'My Geisha' Will Repay A Little Extra Effort ^^as a little afraid of “My Geisha,” from Paramount. Not too good a title for small towns. If you can tell them a little of the story, or get them to see the trailer, they’ll come. Very good, has something for everyone — comedy, good drama, music and beautiful scenery. Best of all, portrays Hollywood folks as human beings. Used it on a Sun.-Tues. change. ROD B. HARTMAN Coulee Theatre, Coulee Dam, Wash. makes one dizzy. Our first two reels were in the worst shape I have ever seen — the picture keep jumping and at times was so twisted you couldn’t make out who was on the screen. Why can’t these companies check their prints before they are sent out? Even so, thanks to UA for another firstrun picture for our area. Played seven days. Weather: Cool.— Donald E. Bohatka, Catlow Theatre, Barrington, 111. Pop. 5,400. Manchurian Candidate, 'The (UA) — Frank Sinatra, Laurence Haiwey, Janet Leigh, Angela Lansbui-y. Business very good. ’The comments were all excellent and it really held their interest. Played Thurs., Fri., Sat. Weather: Clear. — Eddie Resma, Floyd’s Theatre, El Campo, Tex. Pop. 5,610. UNIVERSAL-INTERNATIONAL Cape Fear (U-I) — Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum, Polly Bergen. A good picture, with a top flight cast that was a complete flop at the boxoffice for us. What few did come enjoyed it. Played Sun., Mon., Tues. Weather: Good. — Frank Patterson, Mansfield Theatre, Mansfield, La. Pop. 6,000. Outsider, The (U-I) — Tony Curtis, James Franciscus, Vivian Nathan. Quite a picture. One that all should see. Was pretty well liked. — John M. Bailey, Opera House, Miltonvale, Kas. Pop. 911. Tammy, Tell Me True (U-I) — Sandra Dee, John Gavin, Charles Drake. Played this late to above average business. Not quite as good as “Tammy and the Bachelor,” but it should please. John Gavin is very good. Played Fri., Sat. Weather: Cool. — James Hardy, Crescent Theatre, Jasonville, Ind. Pop. 2,500. WARNER BROS. Majority of One, A (WB) — Rosalind Russell, Alec Guinness, Madlyn Rhue. Although the basic premise of this picture is thoughtful, the performances by Russell and Guinness are disappointing because of miscasting. But I still think it’s a fine family picture that should be seen by all because it has a message that is very rare to find in a comedy. Business was the lowest of the year so far. ’The title is confusing to general audiences. Good color. Played Thurs., Fri., Sat. Weather: Warm. — Paul Fournier, Acadia Theatre, St. Leonard, N. B. Pop. 2,150. MISCELLANEOUS East of Kilimanjaro (Parade Releasing Organization) — Marshall Thompson, Gaby Andre, Fausto Tozzi. Nice little jungle picUire in color that did excellent business. Played Thiu's., Fri., Sat. Weather: Clear. — Eddie Reyna, Floyd’s Theatre, El Campo, Tex. Pop. 5,610. 4 204 — BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :: Dec. 17, 1962