Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1963)

A A tea** Peking ' Caretakers ' <jit)e* MA £trch# September Cntrif SUMMER PRODUCT SURVEY Allied Artists Allied Artists has put just about all its eggs in one basket this summer. Samuel Bronston's "55 Days at Peking" is the big one and, except for that, this company has only a pair of programmers to offer, a startling circumstance in view of the general product shortage. All indications are the "55 Days at Peking" will be one of the summer's bigger grossers. Directed by Nicholas Ray, this action spectacle is one of the more visually exciting films to come along in some time and, while the BULLETIN reviewer reported that the story line falls somewhat short of the pictorial splendor, this will affect only discriminating moviegoers. Depicting a phase of the Boxer Rebellion in China in 1900, the Bronston film stars Charlton Heston, David Niven and Ava Gardner and features such talented support as Flora Robson, UNITED ARTISTS ( Continued from Page 15 ) playgirl with a serious brain ailment who finds full — if temporary — happiness with the young doctor who treats and falls in love with her. Set against the swift backdrop of the European racing car set, this picture for August should fill the bill for the fern fans and those who like their soap opera hot and heavy. Heavy dramatic fare, too, is "Caretakers," UA's September release. No "Snake Pit" in the intensity of its look at a mental institution, it, nevertheless, shapes up as a drama of unusual interest. Robert Stack stars as the doctor at Canterbury State Hospital who is fought at every turn in his efforts to forge ahead in group therapy work. Polly Bergen is one of the patients, while Joan Crawford, once again a hot b.o. name, thanks to "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane," aims to stage a second "comeback" success as the hospital's head nurse. This serious film figures to adult audiences. 55 DAYS AT PEKING Paul Lukas, Leo Genn, Kurt Kasznar and John Ireland. Going into general release during the first few days of June, "55 Days" should bolster considerably the overall boxofnce showing throughout the summer months. "The Long Corridor", scheduled for a late June release, was produced and directed by Samuel Fuller and features no marquee names of note. Its mental hospital scenes and the twist ending may give it some appeal and furnish fodder for sex and violence exploitation. July brings a western, "The Gun Hawk", starring Rory Calhoun and Rod Cameron, a pair who will provide fair boxofnce draw in situations where oater fare has a following. THE CARETAKERS M-G-M (Continued from Page H) in love and war features Simone Signoret, still remembered for her "Room at the Top," and Stuart Whitman. The film has a twist ending. Aiming at the general audience is "A Ticklish Affair." This Metrocolor romp about a Navy Commander who woos and finally wins a stubborn Navy widow with three children is designed for the entire family — and should come off well in almost every market. Shirley Jones, Gig Young, Red Buttons and Carolyn Jones, the latter two as a second romantic team, provide the marquee push. In August, it appears Metro will rely on exploitation product almost exclusively. One is a British import, "The Natives Are Restless Tonight," which shows off Nancy Kwan as a native Tahitian girl who goes to England for education at a famous British public school and ends up by teaching 400 teenage boy students a lesson in life — Tahitian style. It's in Eastman Color. "The Young and the Brave," a Korean-War drama about battle-hardened U. S. soldiers and a small war orphan who helps them, appears an adequate action-house entry as one end of a dual bill. "Gladiators Seven" and "Tiko and the Shark," 1 are both foreign-made exploitation pictures that fit into the lower-half category. And September, as stated, is the month of "The V.I.P.'s." Page 38 Film BULLETIN May 27, 1743 1