Boxoffice (Oct-Dec 1963)

Screening Campaign Spurs NEW YORK — A “screening campaign” on “Lilies of the Field” has created thousands of press agents for the picture, it was brought out at a meeting with Ralph Nelson, producer of the film, at the United Artists homeoffice Wednesday (2). Nelson's introduction to the press was preceded by a word of explanation from UA's Gabe Sumner who said that by showing the picture to various civic and religious groups and opinion makers, the film had made such an impression that each viewer had virtually become a salesman for it. Nelson, who had had a long career in television before starting his own Rainbow Productions, said a moderately budgeted picture often forced the use of greater 'Lilies' Public Interest imagination in its production. “Lilies” had a budget of $250,000 on a 15-day shooting schedule. Nelson said the picture was brought in for $247,000 and was shot in 141/a days. He stressed that it was the quality that counted, pointing out that the picture had been selected as the official U.S. entry in the Edinburgh Film Festival and that Sidney Poitier, its star, won the top acting award for his role at the Berlin Film Festival. Although Poitier is a Negro and the story concerns his work with a group of nuns, the picture was neither a racial nor a religious film, he said. “Lilies of the Field” was Nelson’s first picture as an independent producer. He currently is discussing two other film projects for possible release by UA. V. C. Officers to Meet In N.Y. October 8-12 NEW YORK — A four-day meeting of the officers of Variety Clubs International is scheduled to be held at the Hilton Hotel here starting October 9. Officers from the United States, Canada and Great Britain will attend the sessions which will concern themselves with fundraising, charitable endeavors, tent operations, plans for the sixth annual Variety Week, the 1964 convention in Buffalo and general business items. The meetings will be conducted by Rotus Harvey, International chief barker. Scheduled to attend the meeting are James Carreras, first assistant International chief barker, London; Ralph Pries, second assistant, Philadelphia; J. J. Fitzgibbons, property master, Toronto; Joseph Podoloff, dough guy, Minneapolis; George C. Hoover, executive director, South Miami, and Philip Gerard, press guy, New York. Members of the International executive board will be John H. Harris, big boss; John H. Rowley, George W. Eby, C. J. Latta, Jack Beresin and Edward Emanuel, chairmen. The International representatives to attend will be D. J. Goodlatte, Nat Nathanson, Robert L. Bostick, Henry Kodinsky and W. M. Brizendine. Knorr to Dr Pepper Ad Dept.; Teitler Is Elevated DALLAS — Thomas H. Knorr jr., has been named cooperative advertising manager for Dr Pepper Co. Knorr replaces Howard Teitler, who is being elevated to the position of advertising projects manager. Before joining Dr Pepper Knorr was with Compton Advertising, Inc., in Chicago. Prior to that he was with the Chicago Tribune as advertising salesman. Teitler has been with Dr Pepper as cooperative advertising manager for the past three years. $100.00 reward; for information leading to the recovery j • of three (3) 35mm color prints, stolen i ; from the Rockingham Theatre, Rock J ingham, North Carolina, on Aug. 28-29, | 1963: \ > “EVE AND THE HANDYMAN” \ “THE NAKED CAMERA” / “WILD GALS OF ■ THE NAKED WEST” ' Stolen from the Sunset Theatre, Hollywood, Calif., on Sept. 28, 1963: “EUROPE IN THE RAW!” “HEAVENLY BODIES” CONTACT: RUSS MEYER 8886 Evanview Drive HOLLYWOOD 69, CALIF. NOW BOOKING IN TOP THEATRES AND DRIVE-INS EVERY WHERE ▲ EXCLUSIVE WORLD-WIDE DISTRIBUTORS DAVIS FILM DISTRIBUTORS, INC. 824 STATLER OFFICE BLDG., BOSTON 16, MASS. Phones: HA 6-2274, HA 6-0717-18 Rotus Harvey 18 BOXOFFICE ;; October 7, 1963