The Exhibitor (1962)

NEWS CAPSULES FILM FAMILY ALBUM Arrivals John Nirenberg, general manager, Merben, Mayfair, and Liberty-Tacony, Philadelphia, became a grandfather for the first time when his son, Ronnie, became the father of a boy. Obituaries Barney Gerard, 80, retired producer-writer, died in Hollywood following a lengthy illness. Before coming to Hollywood, Gerard for 18 years produced on Broadway the annual “Follies Of The Day,” which he wrote. In Hollywood, he was principally identified with Allied Artists for which he produced a comedy series, “Bringing Up Father.” He is survived by his widow, a brother, and three sisters. A. G. Gortatowsky, 83, well known Albany, Ga., businessman and lessee and manager of a chain of Albany theatres, died at his home following a long illness. He was manager of Gortatowsky Insurance, a member of the TOA, Motion Picture Operators of Georgia, COMPO, Variety Club of Atlanta, and charter member of the Elks Club. He was also an aide de camp on the staff of Governor Vandiver of Georgia. Marshall Jones, retired projectionist, Para¬ mount, New Haven, and on that theatre’s booth staff for over 30 years, died. He was step-father of Russell Newton, manager, Capitol, New London, Conn. Mrs. Hattie Harriet Kreisle, a pioneer in motion picture exhibition in the deep South died at her home in Morgan City, La. Mrs. Kreisle, 88, was known as the “Grand Lady” in regional film circles. She and her husband, William, ran the old Opera House in Morgan City when the industry was in its infancy. She is survived by four daughters, five grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild. Alfred L. Levy, president of Talent Associates-Paramount, Ltd., died in Littleton, N.H., Hospital after a long illness. Levy was personal manager of such stars as Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, and Gordon MacRae be¬ fore founding Talent Associates. The 52-yearold Levy had affiliated Talent Associates last year with Paramount Pictures. John W. Mangham, 66, retired motion pic¬ ture film exchange owner in Atlanta for many years, died following a heart attack at his home. Surviving are his wife and a brother. Jack Mundstuk, Washington branch man¬ ager for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, died in Washington. Mundstuk has been associated with MGM for 32 years. He is survived by his wife, Retta, a daughter, and son. Mrs. Mildred Rudsill, for many years a staffer on Atlanta film row, died at her home after a long illness. Nathan Schrieber, 77, died at his Detroit home. He was at one time owner of the seven theatre Midwest Circuit and founder of the Colonial Department Stores. He is survived by his wife, one son, five daughters, two brothers, two sisters, 13 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. His son, Ray¬ mond, operates the Colonial and has an inter¬ est in the Palmer Park. FORMS FOR THIS PAGE CLOSED AT 2 P.M. ON MON., JULY 9 Baumgarten Forms New Distrib Firm HOLLYWOOD — Formation of a new film distributing company, Intercontinental Pic¬ tures, Inc., and acquisition of western hemisphere distribution rights to a number of top-quality features was announced by Ed Baumgarten, president of the new com¬ pany. Baumgarten, formerly president of Lippert Pictures and Regal Films, is also president of Associated Film Releasing Corp. which will continue actively in distribution apart from Intercontinental. The films acquired by Intercontinental are being produced by Hollyburn Film Produc¬ tions at the new Commonwealth Film Studies in Vancouver, B.C. Hollyburn, now filming its first picture, “The Sweet and the Bitter,” will produce from four to eight pictures a year which Intercontinental will distribute. Eastern hemisphere distribution will be through Anglo-Canadian Film Co. in as¬ sociation with British Lion. William V. A. Gell of London, is managing director of both Anglo-Canadian and Hollyburn. Baumgarten, a long-time advocate of inde¬ pendent distribution, announced that he is leaving on an extensive trip in mid-July. He will set distribution deals with independent exchanges throughout the United States and arrange for distribution in Canada and Latin America. He will also finalize accessory ar¬ rangements with National Screen Service. Hollyburn has set a production budget of $2 to $4 million for the next 12 months. Target is to turn out eight pictures, but four will be the absolute minimum. William J. Magginetti, a resident of Canada, who was production head of Lippert, Regal, and Associated Producers, is now serving in a similar capacity at the Commonwealth Studios, which are the newest and most modern facilities in Canada. Other properties on the Hollyburn schedule are “No Hands on the Clock,” a suspense thriller; “Circle of Greed,” a melodrama; “The Golden Florentine,” a mystery; “The Wendigo,” a horror film; and “High North,” an adventure set in Alaska. Donald S. Rugoff, Rugoff Theatres, recently re¬ ceived a certificate of merit from the New York City Department of Commerce and Indus¬ trial Development recognizing the circuit's in¬ auguration of the new twin theatres. Cinema I and Cinema II, on Third Avenue at 60th Street. Deputy Commissioner of Commerce Robert W. Watt made the presentation. BROADWAY GROSSES "Mink" Still Top Hit NEW YORK— “That Touch of Mink” and “Lolita” topped the Broadway first-run pic¬ ture in an all holdover week. Estimated returns were as follows: “MR. HOBBS TAKES A VACATION” (20th-Fox). Paramount reported $20,000 for the fourth week. “THAT TOUCH OF MINK” (Universal). Radio City Music Hall with stage show con¬ tinued its record pace with $123,500 for Thursday to Sunday and $200,000 for the fourth week. “LOLITA” (MGM). Loew’s State continued strong with $40,000 for the fourth week. “EL CID” (Allied Artists). Warner re¬ ported $18,000 for the 30th week. “MY GEISHA” (Paramount). DeMille an¬ nounced $9,000 for the fourth and last week. “BOYS’ NIGHT OUT” (MGM). Victoria re¬ ported $20,000 for the third week. “THE MIRACLE WORKER” (United Artists). Astor stated the seventh week was $15,000. “THE SKY ABOVE-THE MUD BELOW” (Embassy). Forum did $18,000 on the third week. “ADVISE AND CONSENT” (Columbia). Criterion announced a good fifth week of $25,500. “WEST SIDE STORY” (United Artists). Rivoli reported the 38th road show week hit $38,000. “JUDGMENT AT NUREMBERG” (United Artists). RKO Palace announced $22,000 for the 30th road show week. U-l Billings Soar NEW YORK — Universal’s domestic billings for the final week of its 26 week Presidential Sales Drive honoring Milton R. Rackmil, which ended June 30, soared to a record $2,523,410 for the best week since 1957, according to Henry H. “Hi” Martin, vice-president and general sales manager. In releasing these figures, Martin noted that the billings do not include “Spartacus” bill¬ ings which are handled separately. Were they added, they could have brought a new alltime high in weekly billings. Victoria Shipping Reports New Progress In Canada PHILADELPHIA — Meyer Adleman, head of Victoria Shipping Services, Ltd., and president of New Jersey Messenger Service, recently returned from Canada with news that Victoria’s efforts to con¬ solidate Canadian back-room facilities are making exciting progress. Latest developments find MGM and United Artists in Winnipeg joining other companies in turning over film inspection and shipping services to Victoria. Film companies in Calgary are also coming into the Victoria fold, while extensive negotia¬ tions are underway in other Canadian film centers. Victoria has already signed up a majority of the companies in Winni¬ peg and Calgary. 8 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR July II, 1962