Hollywood Studio Magazine (August 1969)

NEWS FROM GOWER GUICH END OF FILMING PARTY FOR "THE LIBERATION OF L. B. JONES'" Enjoying the festivities are Vincent Tubbs, unit publicist; actress Lola Falana, Gertrude Gibson, of the L.A. Sentinel, Mrs. Yaphet Kotto and actor Yaphet Kotto. Lovely Mary Jane Mangier (Mrs. Mike Frankovich, Jr.) dances with Fayard Nicholas. By Bea Colgan Thirty years ago, this column would have been considerably shorter than it is today. With the industry in it’s current state of flux, hello’s and goodbye’s are common place with people moving about from one lot to another. NEW AT GOWER GULCH are attorney Kenneth Kleinberg, legal; Tom MacLeod, messenger in Columbia publicity; Jim Coplan, mailroom; Jim Easterwood, grip; Wayne Artman, sound; William Black, property. Bill Grant, vice-president of research and program planning, Screen Gems, who transferred from the New York office; Richard Chambers, EUE/Screen Gems commercial department; Chuck Montgomery, sync room; Elmer Bernstein, currently writing the music score for “A Walk in the Spring Rain;” Don Robinson, data processing; Tonni Yee, new receptionist at Screen Gems; Gene Steele, sound; Mort Abrahams, executive with Rastar Productions and Eddie Kafafian, unit publicist on “Getting Straight.” ... Taking over in the teletype room while Burns is recovering from surgery, is Gertrude MacLaughlan who moved over from transportation ... Doris Siegel, formerly with Larry Werner in Screen Gems, who has been away for six months, back on the lot in the sound department .. . Robert Kaufman, who recently finished scripting “Getting Straight,” remains to assume similar chores on “The Ravagers” . .. Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart have established offices at Screen Gems. The multi-talented duo recently signed an unprecedented multi-million deal with three companies within the Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. organization: Screen Gems, Bell Records and SG-Columbia Music, Inc., for TV, recordings and music publishing, respectively. Charming Judy Filsinger handles the secretarial duties ... Joe Ansen, trailer department, back after six months leave of absence. FAREWELL TO: Neil Warner, construction; Glenn Sobel, messenger,off T he end-of-filming party for the William Wyler-Ronald Lubin production, “The Liberation of Lord Byron Jones,” liberated more enthusiasm and free spirit than has been seen on the Columbia lot in a long time. Over 300 members of the press, cast, studio employees and friends enjoyed themselves in Southern style at the Tennessee plantation party. On July 15th, Stage 12 became “Club Wyler” for more than three hours of festive enjoyment. Entering under a canopied entrance, guests were greeted in the entry area by Betty Worledge, Bea Colgan and Bette Rutter of the publicity department, and then, on to the party. It was the set used as the veranda and grounds around Lee J. Cobtfs elegant mansion in the film. An array of food and drink, prepared by Ralph’s Catering, was served on checker-board cloaked banquet tables and included every Southern delicacy from mint juleps to Southern fried chicken. Couples clustered around pink tables decorated with bouquets of carnations sprouting Confederate flags. Lynn Willis’ orchestra entertained those'* inclined to dancing while members of the news media spirited off the stars of “Liberation’s” cast for quick interviews. Producer Ronald Lubin introduced Director William Wyler to the audience, who in turn introduced his cast who then entertained with varied song-dance-talk acts, all of which were enjoyed by the appreciative audience. ‘The Liberation of Lord Byron Jones” stars Lee J. Cobb, Anthony Zerbe, Roscoe Lee Browne and introduces Lola Falana. It is a William Wyler Film for Columbia Pictures presentation. Page 11