The Exhibitor (1966)

showing of his film, "Grand Tour of Europe.” . . . Donna Douglas and Nancy Kovack were in the city to attend the opening of Elvis Presley’s latest, "Frankie and Johnny,” Eoew’s State. . . . Easter sunrise services were held at the Airline Market St., Thunderbird (north and south), Tidwell, and Winkler d-i’s. . . . Stan Van Der Beek, whose films have ap¬ peared in festival centers in Europe, was a guest lecturer at Rice University to discuss some of his techniques as well as to demon¬ strate them. . . . Maxine Arno, New' York publicist for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, flew in to visit MGM’s Eunice McDonald here. . . . Joseph Rebman, president, A. V. Corp., and director Aldo Vadali are establishing a film company to make a series of feature films. . . . Col. Shorty Powers will be the master of ceremonies at the opening of Interstate’s Clear Lake on April 20. Chuck Connors, Arthur O’Connell, and Ann Ford, who wall be in the city for the premiere of "Ride Be¬ yond Vengeance,” which will be held at the Majestic on April 21, wall attend the Clear Lake opening. ... A local group will sponsor the showing of “China” at the Alray on May 4-9. KANSAS CITY Kansas City viewers got an advance look at Academy Awards in a half hour tv show pro¬ duced through the cooperation of KCMO-TV and Durwood Theatres. Jim Newman, M.C. of "In Town Tonight,” which covers local entertainment with live interviews, turned over most of his show to this subject. Film clips of the nominees for the best picture, best actor, and best actress were obtained for the program direct from the film companies by George Kieffer, Durwood office. Newman rolled the film clips for viewers and brought on a trio of local picture enthusiasts to offer their picks. These included Bede Sullivan, Benedictine nun who is conducting a summer college course on motion picture appreciation; Dr. James Loutzenheiser, chairman of the motion picture committee of the Missouri Council on the Arts; and Phil Koury, editorial consultant to the Kansas City Star and former public relations rep for Cecil B. Mille. Effort in originating the show and producing was furnished by Durwood’s city offices as a measure to generally spur interest in the industry, according to M. Robert Goodfriend, general manager. Show is the only nod given locally by the broadcasting industry to the Awards. Newsman went out on a limb to pick “Sound of Music,” Laurence Olivier, and Julie Christie as the likely w'inners. JACKSONVILLE Fine film product flashed onto local firstrun screens with the advent of the Easter season. Sheldon Mandell’s long run of “The Greatest Story Ever Told” finally gave way to “Hold On,” a lively musical starring Her¬ man’s Hermits and Shelley Fabares. . . . The downtown Florida advanced its prices for a showcase showing of “Frankie and Johnny” with Elvis Presley, who has long been Jacksonville’s favorite young singing star. . . . The Imperial presented “Viva Maria,” which William Venus Means II, Jacksonville Journal film critic, recom¬ mended to his readers by saying: “Two of France’s top female stars, Brigitte Bardot and Jeanne Moreau, sing, dance and romp their merry way through an action-packed, Frenchmade spoof of American westerns. . . . Kent Theatres’ three local drive-in theatres went from a subrun to a firstrun policy over Easter to offer a new Japanese science-fiction film, Roy Miller, right, Universal Minneapolis branch manager, recently discussed the Universal Power Drive with Ted Mann, president, Mann Theatre Company, Minneapolis. "Ghidrah, The Three-Pleaded Monster.” . . . The downtown Center opened strong before Easter with “Harper,” presenting Paul New¬ man in a tough-guy role. . . . Dale Rubley, local girl who is a coed at the University of Florida in Gainesville, had the honor of escorting Bop Hope on a tour of the uni¬ versity’s campus when the comedian pre¬ sented a show in Gainesville. . . . The Beach Boys headed a live musical variety show which radio station WAPE brought to the Civic Auditorium. . . . The Civic Auditorium was also the scene of the first local presenta¬ tion of the Playmakers Guild of Florida A. & M. University, the only state-supported institution of higher learning for Negroes. They offered “Purlie Victorious,” a play written by Ossie Davis, Negro star on Broad¬ way who hails from nearby Waycross, Ga. . . . Louis J. Finske, president of Florida State Theatres, and Jack Mahon, general manager of FST’s Weeki Wachee Springs, Inc., re¬ ceived unusual honors from the State of Florida. On behalf of Gov. Haydon Burns, citations of honor were presented to Finske and Mahon by Charles Campbell, chairman of the Florida Development Commission, and a third citation went to Weeki Wachee. The awards were presented in a special ceremony at Weeki Wachee. . . . French Harvey, head of FST’s concession sales and purchasing de¬ partments, is resting at home for a few weeks after recovering from a heart attack in Baptist Hospital. . . . Frank Bell, former FST district supervisor, has resigned from his post as FST city manager in Fort Myers. His place has been taken by Gene Odum, who moved from the Edison to the Arcade, and Ken¬ neth Powers is the new manager of the Edison. MIAMI , FLA . Wometco managers from throughout Florida came to Miami to attend a breakfast meeting to aid in advertising and promotional plans for the world premiere of “Around the World Under the Sea.” The film was made locally at the Ivan Tors Studio, as well as on location off the Florida coast. Following the June 2 premiere at the Carib, Miami Beach, the film will open on June 3 at Wometco’s Miami, Miracle, 163rd St., and Palm Springs. The following week, it will open in the rest of the state as well as elsewhere in the country. Andy Sullivan, MGM exploitation director, was guest speaker at the breakfast meeting. Other special guests were John Calhoun, field representative for MGM; Howard Kleinberg, representing Hank Meyer Associates, pub¬ licists; Lew Price, Miami publicity de¬ partment; and Burton Clark, general man¬ ager, Miami Seaquarium. Sullivan told the assembled managers that MGM, with the co¬ operation of Wometco, plans to make this the "biggest world premiere ever staged by MGM anyplace in the country.” Among plans re¬ vealed were a special premiere parade on opening night, to consist of 50 or 60 units, including floats and bands and the stars of the picture — David McCallum, Lloyd Bridges, Shirley Eaton, Keenan Wynn, Brian Kelly, and Marshall Thompson. Harvey Fleischman, vice-president and district manager of Wo¬ metco, announced a special contest for man¬ agers: to the manager submitting the long¬ est list of ideas that are workable, a weekend for two to Nassau with $200 spending money. The manager who submits the best single idea that is workable will win a trip for two to Lucaya with $100 spending money. Man¬ agers arriving at the meeting were greeted by Miss Lee Wiggins, Miami Seaquarium, dressed in a skindiving outfit, and carrying a sign on her back, “Follow Me Around the World Under the Sea.” Special radio spots CLARK TRANSFER, INC. Terminals: • BOSTON, MASS. 818 Albany Street, Roxbury 617-268-4682 • NEW YORK, N. Y. 809 W. 46th Street 212-246-0815 • NORFOLK, VA. 316 South Main Street 703-545-3832 • PHILADELPHIA, PA. (Executive Offices) 829 North 29th Street 215-232-3100 • RICHMOND, VA. 312 South 17th Street 703-648-6083 • TAMAQUA (Hometown), PA. RD #2 717-668-1727 • WASHINGTON, 0. C. 3194 Bladensburg Road, N.E. 202-526-4800 April 20, 1966 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR 19