The Exhibitor (1965)

5277 April 28, 1965 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR REVIEWS The famous pink paper SAVEABLE SECTION in which Experienced Trade Analysts evaluate coming product Published every second week, as a separately bound and easily saveable section of MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR, this exclusive 26 year old service Is both numerically more complete, and Informatively more candid, than any similar trade analysis. Cumulatively numbered by film seasons (September to September). It is recommended that readers consecutively save all REVIEWS section in a permanent file. The last Issue of each August will always contain a complete annual exhibit to close the season. Combined the every second week, yellow paper SERVISECTION indexes to the past 12 months' product, and the alternating every second week pink paper REVIEWS, represent a unique Informative service to theatremen. Please address all inquiries or suggestions about these two service features to the Editors of MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR. 317 N. Broad St.. Philadelphia, Penna. 19107. ALLIED ARTISTS The Fool Killer Drama 98M. Allied Artists (Landau) Estimate: Off-beat drama can use special attention. Cast: Anthony Perkins, Dana Elcar, Henry Hull, Salome Jens, Charlotte Jones, Arnold Moss, Sindee Anne Richards, Frances Gaar, Wendell Phillips, introducing Edward Albert. Directed by Servando Gonzalez; executive producer, Worthington Miner; produced by David Friedkin; associate producer, Herbert R. Steinmann. Story: Twelve-year-old Edward Albert runs away from a foster family and heads west. One of those he comes in contact with is old, dirty Henry Hull in his second child¬ hood, who revels in a life of non-conformity and who tells the boy that there is a tall bogey man about known as The Fool Killer, who kills off the fools of the world. Albert is impressed with the tale. He accompanies Hull to town where he is taken ill and re¬ cuperates in the home of the town constable, whose daughter, Sindee Anne Richards, in¬ forms Albert that her father intends sending him back to his home. She helps him get away in the night. Next, he meets Civil War veteran Anthony Perkins, who lost his mem¬ ory during the war and who travels all the time avoiding cities and people. He allows Albert to come along with him. One night, they come across a camp meeting where reverend Arnold Moss conducts a revival meeting that deeply affects the boy. He blacks out, and when he reawakens, finds that Perkins is gone, and Moss has been murdered by an axe. He searches for Perkins without sucoess and is taken in by storekeeper Dana Elcar and his wife, kindly Salome Jens, who lost her own child in birth. They are kind to him, and he remains there for a while until Perkins reappears. The boy persuades him to meet his new family and then he leaves. Perkins is upset when Albert refuses to come along with him, and he later returns, axe in hand. He climbs to the roof of the house and falls to his death. Later, a train passes, and Albert begins to wonder whether it isn’t time to move on again. X-Ray: A sophisticated and mystic aura surrounds a runaway boy, whose adventures otherwise might have made a good entry for the youngsters and family trade. In its present form, it is offbeat and a mite too different for this type of audience. One wonders whether the art spots might not prove of more value in the playoff of the film. Performances are fine, with young Ed¬ ward Albert impressive in the role of the confused runaway. The direction and produc¬ tion are noteworthy. The screenplay is by Morton Fine and David Friedkin, based on the novel by Helen Eustis. Ad Lines: “The Unusual Adventures Of A Runaway Lad Seeking A Place In The World”; “A Young Boy Takes On The World As A Runaway And Encounters Unusual Adven¬ tures.” Young Dillinger Melodrama 102M. Allied Artists Estimate: Typical crime-does-not-pay meller. Cast: Nick Adams, Robert Conrad, John Ashley, Mary Ann Mobley, Victor Buono, Dan Terrgnova, John Hoyt, Reed Hadley, Robert Osterloh, Anthony Caruso, Art Baker, Gene Roth, Ayleene Gibbons, Frank Gerstle, Emile Meyer, Beverly Hills, Harvey Gard¬ ner, Helen Stephens, Patty Joy Harmon, Sol Gorse, Wally Rose, Walter Sande, Ted Knight, Mike Masters. Produced by Alfred N. Zimbalist; associate executive producer, Byron Roberts; directed by Terry O. Morse. Story: Nick Adams (John Dillinger) and Mary Ann Mobley are in love, but a lack of money prevents their marriage. Mobley con¬ vinces him they should rob her father’s busi¬ ness, and they get away with $8,000. A jus¬ tice of the peace refuses to marry them because they are under age. They go from city to city on a wild spending spree until they are finally arrested. Mobley’s father convinces Adams he should take the rap by himself, and he goes to prison for five years. A fellow convict sees Adams as a bright crime prospect, and a complicated prison break is planned. They get away with the help of Mobley, and Adams forms a gang with Robert Conrad (Pretty Boy Floyd) and John Ashley (Baby Face Nelson). They com¬ mit every kind of crime, working up to bank robbery and many murders. Mobley, now pregnant, tries to convince Adams to go straight, but he is after personal notoriety. He is Public Enemy No. 1 when Mobley decides to finger him for the FBI. Adams’ wasted life of crime is at an end. X-Ray: Plenty of violence, flaming ma¬ chine-guns and a decidedly over-simplified message of morality make this a typical crime meller that may please the least dis¬ criminating movie audience. Performances are suitably shrill, and direction and pro¬ duction adequate. The whole thing has a decidedly old-fashioned flavor, and it comes from more than the period of the ’20s and the old cars. One almost expects to see Edward G. Robinson or Jimmy Cagney come snarling into the scene. Action spots can probably use it on the program although some tightening would have helped. The young cast may attract a young audience. They would probably be better off seeing something else, but maybe this is what they want. Screenplay by Don Zimbalist and Arthur Hoerl. Ad Lines: “His Blazing Guns And Thirst For Vengeance Made Him Public Enemy No. 1”; Her Love Was Great . . . But His Lust For Violence Was Greater.” COLUMBIA Genghis Khan Melodrama Columbia 124M. (Filmed abroad) (Color) (Panavision) Estimate: Impressive adventure story. Cast: Omar Sharif, Stephen Boyd, James Mason, Eli Wallach, Francoise Dorleac, Telly Savalas, Robert Morley, Yvonne Mitchell, Woodrow (Woody) Strode, Michael Hordern, Gustafo Rojo, Branislav Radovic. Produced by Irving Allen; associate producer, Euan Lloyd; directed by Henry Levin. Story: As the Yesugai Mongols ride, they are attacked by a band of Merkit Mongols led by Stephen Boyd. The chief is killed as are most of the men of the tribe, but the chief’s son is taken prisoner and made to wear a large round wooden collar. When he grows up, Omar Sharif (Genghis Khan) tricks Boyd into removing the collar and then escapes, aided by wise man Michael Hordern and dumb Woody Strode. The trio free a number of other slaves until Sharif has a large band with a need for women. They raid the camp of Boyd again, and Sharif steals princess Francoise Dorleac, betrothed to Boyd, and marries her. Later, her three brothers follow. Boyd learns of the camp’s location and man¬ ages to recapture Dorleac, attacking her. Sharif retakes her, and they move eastward toward China. As they proceed, it becomes apparent that Dorleac is to have a child. Enroute, they come across a disabled wagon of a Chinese ambassador, James Mason, on his way home. They help him and escort him to Peking, where he introduces Sharif to emperor Robert Morley, who welcomes him warmly. When the Manchurians threaten in the north, Morley appeals to Sharif for aid, and he de¬ feats the invaders, headed by Boyd. Boyd is taken prisoner and given a wooden collar to wear. Sharif in recognition is given the title of Genghis Khan. Eventually Boyd escapes. When Sharif tries to get Morley to permit him and his people to go home, he refuses to hear of it. Sharif tricks his way out, and with Mason as his side as adviser, he sweeps across the countryside conquering many lands and peoples. Only in Mongolia is he opposed by Boyd. When he conquers his army, a per¬ sonal combat ensues between them. Boyd is killed, and Sharif is fatally wounded. X-Ray: The tale of the famed barbarian who conquered half the world is overflowing with action, adventure, intrigue, and glimpses into history, as well as romance. Competent performers, good direction, and able produc¬ tion help make this an exciting film that should be appreciated by the seekers and lovers of adventure. A bit of editing might have improved the release even more, but this critique is not really a vital one although it could be a helpful one. Screenplay is by Clark Reynolds and Beverly Cross, based on a story by Berkely Mather. Tips On Bidding: Higher bracket in some situations.