Hollywood Studio Magazine (July 1972)

June was “Living Free” month in Illinois. Governor Richard Ogilvie proclaimed the designation to coincide with the statewide openings of the new Carl Foreman film starring Nigel Davenport and Susan Hampshire. “Living Free,” based on the book by Joy Adamson, chronicles the further adventures of Elsa and her three “Born Free” cubs. “Young Winston,” a film by Carl Foreman and Richard Attenborough, will have its American premiere October 10 at the Columbia II Theatre in New York. The roadshow attraction stars Robert Shaw as Lord Randolph Churchill, Anne Bancroft as Lady Jennie Churchill and Simon Ward in the title role. Churchill himself selected Foreman to bring his early life to the screen after viewing Foreman’s earlier effort, “The Guns of Navarone.” Foreman and Attenborough spent six months interviewing 400 prospects for the title role before selecting Ward, a versatile young actor from London’s West End. SCREEN GEMS - David Gerber has joined SG’s as an independent producer of TV features and series under an exclusive contract. Gerber was the exec producer of “Cade’s County” for CBS this past season and prior to that, was exec producer on “Nanny and the Professor” and “The Ghost and Mrs. Muir” for ABC. Sid Kalcheim, who has been serving as an attorney in SG’s legal dept, for the past 2 x h years, has been appointed executive assistant to Art Frankel, VP in charge of studio affairs. Before joining SG’s, Sid spent two years with the George Litto Agency and four in the literary dept, at William Morris. He is married and resides with his wife, Bonnie, and children, Lindsey and Julie, in Malibu. “The Partridge Family,” starring Shirley Jones, has resumed production at the Columbia Ranch in Burbank. First show of the third season is entitled “This Male Chauvinist Piggy Went to Market” which has endless possibilities. Executive producer William Castle’s “Ghost Story” is in full swing with the signing of 11 writers to pen episodes for the suspense series premiering this fall on NBC. Scripters signed by producer Joel Rogosin are Robert Hamner, Bill Bast, Robert Bloch, Halsted Welles, John McGreevey, Ed DeBlasio, Seeling Lester, Bob Specht, Del Reisman, Jimmy Sangster and Mark Weingart. Latter two are also story consultants for the series. In addition, Castle announced the signing of Bill Butler as cinematographer and Billy Goldenberg as music scorer. Goldenberg was recently nominated for an Emmy Award for his score of a “McCloud” segment. Butler’s recent credit is “Hickey and Boggs,” the Bill Cosby - Robert Culp feature. Yet another honor for “Brian’s Song,” winner of five Emmy Awards, and James Caan, who starred as Brian Piccolo in the 90-minute TV movie. Film received “Best Movie” and Caan “Best Actor” awards in a poll conducted by the Newspaper Enterprise Association recently. The awards were presented on “The Merv Griffin Show.” Caan was present to accept his award and film award was accepted jointly by Art Frankel, Producer Paul Junger Witt, and Billy Dee Williams, who starred in the film as Gale Sayers. A brand new SG’s series, “Temperatures Rising,” will premiere this fall on ABC. The hospital comedy stars James Whitmore, Cleavon Little, Joan Van Ark and Reva Rose, with Nancy Fox in a recurring role. Exec producer is Harry Ackerman, William Asher is producer and Ernie Losso is associate producer. With so many producers of one kind or another, there might indeed be some “Temperatures Rising.” Those comedic delights, Henry Gibson and Rose Marie, have been set for starring roles in “Honeymoon Suite,” 90-minute daytime movie being produced by Douglas S. Cramer’s company in association with SG’s for ABC. The show will serve as a pilot project for a new form of daytime viewing featuring vignettes about various couples who occupy the honeymoon suite of an elegant hotel. Gibson and Rose Marie play a bellboy and maid respectively and the pairing of these two funny folk should make for some delightful daytime viewing. Also from SG’s and premiering this fall on CBS will be “Bridget Loves Bernie,” comedy series starring David Birney and Meredith Baxter. Eleven writers are busy penning segments and three rotating directors will serve. AlPieces - Handsome (in a diabolique sort of way) Robert Quarry has been elected to the Board of Governors of The Count Dracula Society, it was announced by President Dr. Donald Reed. The organization is composed of devotees of Gothic literature and films. Quarry’s qualifications for this honor were his absorbing portrayals of Count Yorga in “County Yorga, Vampire” and “The Return of Count Yorga.” Wonder if Count Yorga is a blood relative of Count Dracula? If Vincent Price ever retires from films, he could open a travel bureau. This indefatigable star has logged thousands of miles promoting his films in a day when many top actors feel this is beneath them. Price’s most recent activity was as principal speaker and guest of honor at the annual meeting of The California Associated Press Television-Radio Association at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco where he spoke about the making of his latest film, “Dr. Phibes Rises Again.” In addition, Price has appeared on 76 radio and TV shows plugging “Dr. Phibes.” This must be a record. Pretty Fiona Lewis, also starring in “Dr. Phibes Rises Again,” is branching out from the acting profession into the music industry. The multi-talented young lady has written lyrics for several songs and they must be good as The Fifth Demension is recording them. First to be released will be “Santa Monica Freeway.” July is “Blacula” month and we can hardly wait to see AIP’s variation on a theme by Universal. As you enter the theatre, you will be given a special Vampire Protection Kit which is guaranteed to keep you safe from Vampire attack. The kit contains genuine Transylanian Bat-Laurel tree leaves. The leaves in our kit smelled suspiciously like Bay Leaves, a staple in our spice cabinet usually reserved for the making of chicken soup! Well, the chicken soup was delicious and we have not been bothered with Vampires either, so the leaves served a dual purpose. Try it, you’ll like it. You’ll also like “Blacula” which stars William Marshall, Denise Nicholas, Vonette McGee, Gordon Pinsent and Thalmus Rasulala with a pulsating score by Gene Page. AIP will serve up a few other goodies in the near future. Ray Milland (currently being seen in “Frogs”) and Rosey Grier star in “The Thing With Two Heads,” new terror film in which both their heads live on one body in a unique genetic concept. “The Black Angel” and “The Adulteress” are also in the works so it looks to be another good year for the AlPeople. PARAMOUNT NEWS - “Report From Engine Co. 82,” best-seller Turn to Page 39 37