The Exhibitor (1962)

B^EWS CAPSULES FILM FAMILY ALBUM Obituaries Reverend Donald J. Kliphardt, 31, associate director, department of audio visual and broadcast education of the National Council of Churches, was a victim of the tragic air crash at Idlewild Airport. He was founder of the Protestant Cinema Critics Guild, the membership of which is composed of review¬ ers from over 25 denominational and inter¬ denominational periodicals which reach a combined readership of approximately 10 mil¬ lion and serves as a channel for film industry news, release schedules, and preview arrange¬ ments. The Guild continues to explore proj¬ ects which will lead to more perceptive film viewing by Protestants. David M. Orloff, 69, former owner. Colonial, Egg Harbor City, N.J., died at his home in Ventnor City, N.J. Surviving are his wife and two brothers. North Heads London Tent LONDON — The Variety Club of Great Britain appointed Rex North new chief barker at its 1963 nomination and election dinner recently. Other officers named at the meeting were first assistant, A. J. Klein; second assistant, Clifford Jeapes; property master, C. Pearl; and dough guy, David Kingsley. Canvasmen named at the session are David Jones, Trevor Chinn, Bernard Delfont, Billy Manning, Bernard Myers, and Kenneth Rive. Parallel Sets ''Shootout'' NEW YORK — The Loew Circuit has booked “Shootout At Big Sag,” starring Walter Brennan, for 56 playdates in the metropoli¬ tan area, announced Sam Nathanson, general sales manager of Parallel Film Distributors. The film will go as part of a double-bill with the Jerry Lewis production, “It’s Only Money,” over the Christmas holidays. Technicolor Earnings Dip BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF. — Patrick J. Frawley, Jr., chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Technicolor, Inc., an¬ nounced that earnings of Technicolor, Inc., and its wholly owned subsidiaries for the first nine periods ending Sept. 28 equaled 16 cents per share. Earnings for like period for 1961 were 55 cents per share. Double Dividend From U NEW YORK — The board of directors of Universal Pictures Company, Inc., declared a quarterly dividend of 25 cents per share and an extra dividend of 25 cents per share on the common stock of the company, pay¬ able on Dec. 27 to stockholders of record at the close of business on Dec. 14. Starr Quits NSS Post NEW YORK — Martin Starr has resigned his exhibitor relations post with National Screen Service, it was announced by Burton E. Robbins, president of the trailer and acces¬ sory corporation. FORMS FOR THIS PACE CLOSED AT 5 P.M. ON MON,, DEC. 10 Chicago Suburb Cheers B&K’s Newest Theatre CHICAGO — The newest theatre to be con¬ structed here, the 850-seat Lyric in suburban Blue Island, to be operated by the Great States division of the Balaban & Katz cir¬ cuit, will be officially opened at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21. Film star Doris Day will do the honors by remote control, turning on the lights via a Western Union hook-up direct from the set of her current movie in produc¬ tion in the Hollywood studios of UniversalInternational. The new theatre replaces the original Lyric which was razed by fire two years ago, leav¬ ing Blue Island bereft of a motion picture showplace. Replacement of the loss is appre¬ ciated so keenly by the townspeople, they are practically underwriting the opening cam¬ paign with unprecedented cooperation. On opening night, city officials and guest celebrities will be on hand in front of the Lyric awaiting the opening signal from Miss Day. Christmas-wrappings fronting the thea¬ tre then will be cut in a colorful ceremony to be broadcast via the local station, WDHF. Designed for patron comfort, the modern Liyric has a one-floor auditorium assuring acoustical perfection.. The seats are wider and deeper than customary, covered in luxury fabric. Space between rows also was increased for added leg room. The screen is of CinemaScope size, the projection equipment of highest quality. David B. Wallerstein, president of Balaban & Katz, will preside with Blue Island Mayor John Hart in the opening night ceremonies v/hich will climax a publicity campaign that has blanketed the entire south suburban area of Chicagoland. Seen at a special invitational screening of Universal's '‘To Kill A Mockingbird" in Wash¬ ington recently for government leaders were star Gregory Peck, center; Eric Johnston, pres¬ ident, MPAA, left; and Alan Pakula, producer of the picture, right. BROADWAY GROSSES "Jumbo” In King-Size Bow NEW YORK — The big noise along Broad¬ way was the fine opening of MGM’s “Jumbo” at Radio City Music Hall. Most houses were suffering a preChristmas slump. “JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN’’ (Colorama). The second week dropped to $18,000. BILLY ROSE’S “JUMBO” (MGM). Radio City Music Hall did $107,500 on Thursday through Sunday, with the opening week sure to hit $165,000. Stage show. “MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY” (MGM). Loew’s State reported $31,000 for the fifth reserved seat week. “THE LONGEST DAY” (20th-Fox). Warn¬ er claimed the 10th reserved seat week was $28,000. “BARABBAS” (Columbia). DeMille re¬ ported $12,000 for the ninth reserved seat week. “THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF THE BROTHERS GRIMM” (MGMCinerama). Cinerama took in $17,000 on the 18th week. “TWO FOR THE SEESAW” (United Art¬ ists). Astor anticipated the third week at $15,000. “IT’S ONLY MONEY” (Paramount). Forum had $11,200 for the third session. “THE CHAPMAN REPORT” (Warners). Victoria did $10,000 on the eighth week. “WEST SIDE STORY” (United Artists). Rivoli announced $24,000 for the 60th week. “IF A MAN ANSWERS” (U). RKO Palace claimed $10,000 for the third week. The Criterion was closed. Fox Sets "Sound of Music" HOLLYWOOD — Heralding the long awaited resumption of major production activity at 20th Century-Fox Studio, production chief Richard Zanuck has just signed Ernest Leh¬ man to write the screenplay of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “The Sound Of Music.” This is the first of a number of important deals with top personalities now in negotia¬ tion which will put 20th-Fox back into full production this summer. After conferring with President Darryl F. Zanuck and Richard Zanuck regarding casting and production plans, Lehman will start work on the screenplay Jan. 14, 1963. Actual filming will begin in the summer of 1963, with loca¬ tion shooting to be done in the Austrian Alps and interiors at the studios in Beverly Hills. Screen rights to the musical were acquired by 20th-Fox in 196,0 for $1,250,000. Solomon Rejoins Embasy NEW YORK — Burt Solomon has rejoined the publicity department of Embassy Pictures, effective immediately. Solomon was most recently with Astor Pictures. Prior to that, he was on the publicity staffs of Embassy and United Artists. 4 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR December 12, 1962