Hollywood Studio Magazine (February 1972)

Zelda Cini is on vacation and will return next month with her own inimitable coverage of the entertainment world. Take it from the top News notes on the Hollywood scene Oscar promoters beware Promoters of Academy Award nominations have been placed on notice by the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences that “outright, excessive and vulgar solicitation of votes” may make it necessary to “consider proposals for disqualification of films or individuals.” They add, “It is not the deception but the dignity of the Academy that is our concern.” *** Business looks good Better pictures with more money for making them is the forecast for ’72 from 20th Century Fox, according to Elmo Williams, production vice president. A budget of $40 million last year was earmarked for 15 to 20 productions; this year they’ll aim for 15 pics with the same amount of money. Big money maker for Fox last year was “The French Connection,” which is reported to have grossed about $10 million and is expected to bring in up to $20 million. *** New Pasadena theatre group Legitimate theater came back to Pasadena with the opening of the Theatre Co., a new community theater group in the Old Pasadena Art Museum, now called Pacificulture Center. First production was G. B. Shaw’s “Arms and the Man,” directed by Michael S. DeMaree. A nostalgic moment occurred last month when Maria Cole Devore donated a collection of Nat King Cole’s personal memorabilia to USC’s Doheny Library. Included were gold records, scrapbooks, musical arrangements, photos, and correspondence. *** Magic Mountain face lift A $5 million facelifting is underway at Magic Mountain, now owned exclusively by Newhall Land and Farming. The park will be closed for three months while work is underway. *** It’s a first Non-writers who have been helpful to writers will receive honors for the first time this year when the Writers Guild holds its 24th annual awards on March 22 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Also, the event will be minus its usual show. Don’t grieve, though. Next year’s show promises to be better than ever. *** All time high record Plaudits for “Will Rogers’ U.S.A.,” which broke the all-time high record at Mark Taper Forum with $31,476 for eight performances and played to a full house for the entire run. *** Annual arthritis telethon Jane Wyman, campaign chairman for the Arthritis Foundation, hosts her fourth annual telethon on February 5-6 over KTLA. Jack Rourke, who has been named as producer, will also serve as anchorman for Gene Raymond, who will emcee for the ninth consecutive year. This year marks the 17th annual telethon for the foundation. *** KCET’s film festival “Jules and Jim,” starring Jeanne Moreau and Oskar Werner, led off the “Film Festival” series, launched January 14 on KCET. The collection of 26 film classics will be presented on 26 consecutive Friday evenings on more than 200 member stations of the non-commercial Public Broadcasting Service network through a grant from Xerox Corporation. The series will conclude on July 7 with “Los Olividados” (“The Forgotten Ones”), directed by Luis Bunuel in 1951. Charles Champlin, entertainment editor of the Los Angeles Times, will emcee. *** Changes New director of special projects for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is Phillip Chamberlin, noted film scholar, teacher and administrator. Chamberlin was the head of Art Museum Education and Curator of Motion Pictures of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. *** Radio & baseball-his career It’s country music time for L.A. Dodgers pitcher Don Sutton, who has joined Radio Station KBBQ as a disc jockey. His program will air Saturdays and Sundays from 2 to 7 p.m., according to Bob Kingsley, program director. Sutton will return to baseball when the season opens, but plans to follow his days in baseball with a career in radio and television. *** Film festivals Film festivals are in the foreground as entry deadlines draw near for two different events. The U.S. Industrial Film Festival says that entries for their 5th annual awards competition should reach festival headquarters prior to March 1. Entry forms and a brochure describing the festival may be obtained by writing the U.S. Industrial Film Festival, Suite 825, 39 S. LaSalle St., Chicago 60603. Closing date for submissions for Movies On A Shoestring, the Rochester International Amateur Film Festival, will be March 18. Information and application forms for the 14th annual show may be had by writing Movies On A Shoestring, P.O. Box 7604, Rochester, New York 14622. A slightly different type of festival Ephraim Zimbalist looks on as Girls Friday of Show Business president, Jaque Hansen presents a $1112 check to Cheryl Crane, left, on behalf of Crippled Children’s Society. This money will provide reconstructive jaw surgery to a young girl who was born with 24 extra teeth. 5