The Exhibitor (1964)

THE NEW YORK SCENE « ( Continued, from page 18) dedication ceremonies for the Cheyenne Autumn Trail, the story of which is the basis for the picture. That night, a specially built wooden bridge carried stars, press, and other guests into the theatre where 70mm equipment presented the film with an intermission. 160 minutes later, a western style party was held at a nearby restaurant-bar. Bits: Someone suggested changing the name of Wyoming to Warner since this is their second such celebration, and more were requested' by state and local officials. . . . There was also some talk of changing Cheyenne to Grossman City in honor of popular national exploitation director Ernie Grossman, who was in charge. . . . J. D. “Woody” Woodward of wonderful Atlanta had an impromtu birthday celebration when word leaked out that it was his time. There was cake, candle, and applause. . . . Philadelphia’s own Irv Blumberg recorded every bit of activity with his trusty movie camera, even Rex Morgan on a horse yet. . . . Home office publicist Wynn Loewenthal deserves a medal for saving six chairs from being consumed by flames when bonfire sparks spread due to high winds. . . . One visitor suffered a heart seizure, but a doctor was handy. He came off okay after an injection. GRATITUDE NOTE: JIM CARRERAS, CHIEF BARKER OF VARIETY INTERNA tional and head of Hammer Films, had a thank you luncheon at the Hampshire House for trade press representatives and for some of his American distributor chaps. He ex¬ pressed sincere gratitude for the help extended him both on behalf of Variety and for Hammer. He expected the latter to continue to release about seven pictures annually through Columbia, Universal, and Metro. Since horror is still so popular, he will seek to continue in that vein. Carreras estimated that there are about 32 features of his that have not been released as yet to tv here, and he had no idea when his distributors here would do so. He estimated that they were about four years old. He did introduce a new starlet, signed by him, Susan Carper, to the asemblage. As regards Variety, he expressed pleasure the way the movement has taken hold since he took the top office over recently, and he was gratified at the realization by many that Variety could prove a wonderful public relations instrument for the industry. He expects to return in January to induct the new Variety slate of Tent 35. CARTOON DEPARTMENT: THE TEAM OF DAVID DePATIE AND FRITZ FRELENG have succeeded in doing what other cartoon producers have not — they have cut costs to the point where it is now practical to start making shorts once again. For instance, they have been able to get the costs of a six minute cartoon in color down from 30 to 35,000 dollars to 20 to 25,000 dollars, and they have cut the period of profit return from five years to two years. As a result, they have been signed by the Mirisch organization to turn out 13 shorts based on the character of “The Pink Panther,” which recently made its debut in the feature of the same name. They also have a deal with Warners to turn out 13 cartoons per year for three years based on some of the standard characters in the Warner cartoon stable, such as Bugs Bunny, Speedy Gonzalez, etc. Fox International Drive Salutes Studio Program NEW YORK — Twentieth Century-Fox In¬ ternational is launching a “Salute to the Studio” Week to honor the company’s studio for its production program with the plege: “More theatres of all nations are playing 20thFox product during salute week than any other week in our history.” Announcement of the “Salute to the Studio” Week, which will run from Dec. 28 through Jan. 3, 1965, was made by David Raphel, managing direc¬ tor of the 20th-Fox international department. A unique first prize, the overseas premiere of “Von Ryan’s Express,” described by Raphel as “1965’s most important non-roadshow at¬ traction,” will be awarded to the branch which produces the most distinguished re¬ sults. The “Salute to the Studio” Week will be judged by Seymour Poe, executive vicepresident of 20th-Fox, and Raphel. The “Salute to the Studio” Week will en¬ compass over 100 branch offices in 34 terri¬ tories representing every major film market in the world with the exception of the United States, Canada, and the Iron Curtain coun¬ tries. In announcing the drive, Raphel declared, “The world-wide sales force, having been given great product with strong interna¬ tional appeal, will produce equally great re¬ sults. Globally, 20th Century-Fox personnel take great pride in being associated with a production group that has turned out the greatest schedule of releases in the company’s history. I am confident the results of our ef¬ forts will make all of the studio personnel proud of its international department.” UNITED ARTISTS MUSIC CO., INC. CONGRATULATES ERNEST GOLD (Music) and MACK DAVID (Lyrics) for the No. 1 LAUREL AWARD SONG "IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD" from the motion picture "IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD" (Stanley Kramer Production — United Artists Release) 24 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR October 14, 1964