Harrison's Reports (1962)

Rntered as second-class matter January 4, 1021, at the post office :it New York, New York, under the act of March 3, 1879. Harrison's Reports Yearly Subscription Rates: Published Weekly byUnited States $17.00 Harrison's Reports, Inc., U. S. Insular Possessions... 19.00 Canada and Mexico 19.00 A Motk)n Ploture Reviewing Service !600 Broadway Other Countnes 19.50 New York 19, N. Y. 45c a Copy Devoted Chiefly to the Interests of the Exhibitors COlumbus 5-4434 Established July 1, 1919 Martin Starr, Editor A REVIEWING SERVICE FREE FROM THE INFLUENCE OF FILM ADVERTISING Vol. XLIV SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1962 No. 4 Battle for Oscar Votes This is Oscar time for some 2,500 members of the 36-year old Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The other day they received their official nominating ballots. The members of this revered association have several weeks in which to make up their own minds as to which of the stars, supporting players, directors, pictures, etc., etc., they want nominated for an Academy Award this year. Of all the nominations, five in each category will be announced February 26. Then, there'll be voting (not by the overall 2,500 membership) on the nominations. On April 9 the big radio and Tv shows will make known the winners. The electronic pickup yields the Acad' emy a goodly piece of revenue. But, it's not going to be as simple, or as smooth, or even as decent as it sounds. Between now and the end of this month there will be a pretty penny spent in two trade dailies out in Hollywood. Lavishing this big money on a limited segment of the trade press will be the respective creative talent out in Hollywood who feel that their brain-children should get the nomination. Be you producer, director, screenwriter you're not going to allow the few remaining ethics of your particular business to stand in the way of politicking tenaciously and relentlessly for votes. Ethics, Canons, Principle Violated To the stars, of course, it becomes a necessary "must" these days to plead with your fellow Thespians for their vote. Professional principle, conserva' tive canons, time-honored dignity are thrown to the Hollywood winds as they throw their tax-deductible dollars into the boiling pot that may cook up those necessary votes for you. Nor is this nature of pleading for the vote a marshmellow roast. It becomes quite an ugly battle with each succeeding splash in the trade dailies. The battleground, of course, is Hollywood. That's where the greater majority of the 2,500 Academy members live, work and vote. Considering the downright messiness and sheer shamelessness of this nature of politicking for an Oscar nomination, and then, the vote itself that follows, it is a good thing for the motion picture in' dustry that this is a localized (Hollywood) battle. It would not create a pretty image of the movie capitol if some of this trade-paper fighting (for recognition) were to reach out to the movie going public. Not only would it hurt the prestige of the box office names wanting to get elected, it would wreak irreparable harm to the Academy itself. Meaning, that strong, silent symbol (Oscar) standing guard over all that {Continued on Bac\ Page) Open Letter to B. Berger Dear Bennie Berger, It is not easy to take a beating on a booking and keep quiet about it. Losses hurt, especially when you're taking them on a release in which you seemed to have had so much confidence. We find ourselves entering this somewhat heated controversy between you and United Artists (via their "Pocketful of Mir' acles") because of one reason. When most of the trade press went overboard on the Frank Capra film, we at Harrison's Reports were afraid that we may not have seen the same picture although the trade brigade sat together on the night of the so-called sneak preview. When our review came out we were not only ribbed, but criticised almost severely. The opposition said that we sure were away off on this one. But, in the light of what's happening, now that the film is in national release, we have a right to look back on the review and reread its reaction to its probable faltering at the box office. Not All Touted Blockbusters Make Money Since this is your favorite weekly (we hope) we are wondering if you read our review (October 28, '61, Issue #43) dealing with what was expected to be a box office blockbuster, but to our gauge of box office potential was quite a distance from it. In part, we said that, "-this doesn't quite reach its big picture objective." The truth of it seems to be playing itself out your way (Minneapolis). Good pictures could use exploitation, publicity, (Continued on Bacl{ Page) Moving Slows Up Operations As our exhibitor-subscribers know, we moved last week. Anyone who ever moved from one apartment to another, for instance, knows the kind of problems such an unavoidable mess poses. In moving a publication like "Harrison's Reports" from its 25-year old address was quite something, to say the least. . . Let's repeat the new address: 1600 Broadway, (Room 604) New York 19, N.Y. The new telephone number is COlumbus 5-4434. . . As is our custom, we answer nearly all mail within a few days after its receipt. Those who have written to us know that. However, for the while, that prompt answering service is slowed up a bit, due of course, to the job of moving. So, if you didn't get the customary prompt reply to your recent letter, please bear with us. Thank you!