The Exhibitor (1966)

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 29-year-old service is both numerically more complete and informatively more candid, than any similar 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 ad inquiries or suggestions about these two service features to the Editors of MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR, 317 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, Penna. 19107. -. . . ; AMERICAN INT. Bang, Bang, You’re Dead Melodrama 92M. American International (Color) (Filmed abroad) Estimate: Enjoyable spy romp. Cast: Tony Randall, Senta Berger, Terry Thomas, Herbert Lorn, Wilfred HydeWhite, Gregoire Aslan, John Le Mesurier, Klaus Kin¬ ski, Margaret Lee, Emil Stemmier, Helen Sanguined, Sanchez Francisco, William San¬ guined, Hassan Essakali, Keith Peacock, Burt Kwouk. Produced by Harry Alan Towers; di¬ rected by Don Sharp. Story: Klaus Kinski murders Keith Pea¬ cock in Morocco and then arrives at the air¬ port in time to photograph passengers from a particular flight as they board a bus for the city. Kinski works for Herbert Lorn, who is trying to fix a United Nations vote in favor of Red China and collect for the deal. His con¬ tact with the money is one of the arriving passengers, but he suspects one of the others to be a counter-espionage agent. Included in the group of passengers is Tony Randall, an oil representative; Senta Berger, a journalist; plumbing salesman Wilfred Hyde-White; John Le Mesurier, travel agency chief; and Lom’s mistress, Margaret Lee, who is trying to spot the courier. Randall and Berger discover Pea¬ cock’s body in her room where Lorn has placed it. In the series of chases and plot twists that follow, suspicion is shifted from one passenger to the other. Randall becomes the prime target when he accidentally takes Loms’ briefcase containing valuable spy documents. Escaping with Berger, who is wanted by the police for Peacock’s murder, they are aided by Arab chieftain Terry-Thomas. In the action-packed finale, Berger is revealed as a CIA agent, Hyde-White as the Communist contact, and Randall as a hotel advance man seeking a site for a new resort. The plot is foiled, and a Randall-Berger romance seems solid. X-Ray: Tony Randall may not have the super-agent physique, but his comic timing is perfect. The excellent color photography catches Morocco and bountiful Senta Berger at their best. A light directorial hand keeps the comedy, action, and suspense moving at ' a brisk pace that is highlighted by professional performances from everyone involved. Could stand alone, but would probably do better as the top of a program. Ad Lines: “Bang-Bang. Who Has The Body? Bang-Bang, Where Is The Money?”; “Forty-eight Hours To Save The United Na¬ tions From Possible Catastrophe.” IMPORTANT Data carried in this issue of REVIEWS as it pertains to the 1965-66 season will not be carried in complete detail again. Subse¬ quent issues will be compiled as of and after the issue of Sept. 14, 1966, and will start the only complete reviewing record of the 1966-67 season in any motion picture trade paper. Additional data of the 196566 season will continue to be carried in REVIEWS until the record is completed. Back issues of REVIEWS are available for purchase on request at the MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR BOOKSHOP. BUENA VISTA The Fighting Prince Of Donegal Melodrama' 112M. Buena Vista (Filmed abroad) (Technicolor) Estimate: Good adventure entry with Dis¬ ney label. Cast: Peter McEnery, Susan Hampshire, Tom Adams, Gordon Jackson, Andrew Keir, Donal McCann, Maurice Roeves. Co-producer, Bill Anderson; directed by Michael O’Herlihy; associate producer, Hugh Attwooll. A Walt Disney Presentation. Story: Ireland of 1587 is garrisoned by English troops against the threat of Spanish invasion. When the father of Peter McEnery (head of the O’Donnell clan) dies, McEnery takes over. According to legend, he has been chosen to unite the clans of Ireland against English oppression. One of the first visited by him is the clan headed by Andrew Keir (MacSweeney) who has a lovely daughter, Susan Hampshire, in whom McEnery has always been interested. The youngsters find that they are in love. Keir offers to accompany him to some of the other clans to get the alliance going, but they are hoodwinked into visiting aboard an English trading vessel. McEnery is trapped, abducted, and made a prisoner in an Englishcontrolled • castle to await the pleasure of Queen Elizabeth I, who is trying to prevent an alliance of the clans. He escapes but is brought back by vicious captain Gordon Jackson. Placed in irons again, an attempt is made to free him as Keir and Tom Adams offer to have Irish soldiers fight for the Queen. Jackson turns down their offer, and when Adams becomes abusive, he imprisons him as well. They persuade an Irish jailer to help them escape before McEnery is to be sent to London. Evading pursuit, McEnery returns at the head SECTION TWO Vol. 76, No. 4 August 31, 1966 of an Irish force to take Jackson prisoner and capture or kill the English soldiers around him. He also frees Hampshire and his mother, who had been held as hostages. The future looks bright for the pair of young lovers. X-Ray: Generous amounts of action, in¬ trigue, and Irish spirit are to be found here along with bits of romance, comedy, and drama. The end result should be entertaining for most audiences. The Disney organization has once again come through with an adven¬ ture thriller in its usual able fashion, replete with the usual quota of castles, sword fights, and appropriate historic atmosphere. Perfor¬ mances are good, and direction and production are capable. The use of color is an added plus factor. Robert Westerby wrote the screen¬ play from a book by Robert T. Reilly, “Red Hugh, Prince of Donegal.” Ad Lines: “An Adventure Thriller About The Irish Rebellion”; “An Adventure Thriller Packed With Action, Romance, and Comedy In The Disney Manner.” EMBASSY Nights Of Cabiria Drama 110M. Embassy (699) ( Reissue ) (Italian-made) (English titles or dubbed) Estimate: Okay for art houses. Cast: Giuletta Masina, Francois Perier, Frances Marzi, Dorian Gray, Amedeo Nazzari. Produced by Dino DeLaurentiis; directed by Federico Fellini. First released through Lopert in 1957, this has been acquired by Embassy and is being reissued at this time. For complete review under the original title, “Cabiria,” please refer to page 4423, issue of Jan. 8, 1958. Picture Mommy Dead Embassy (Pathecolor) Drama 88M. Estimate: Suspenseful drama for program. Cast: Don Ameche, Martha Hyer, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Susan Gordon, Maxwell Reed, Wen¬ dell Corey, Signe Hasso, Anna Lee, Paule Clark. Produced and directed by Bert I. Gordon. Story: Following the mysterious death of her mother, Zsa Zsa Gabor, in a fire at the family’s estate, Susan Gordon is confined to a convent-sanitarium suffering from a loss of memory. She is taken home by her father, Don Ameche, who has been living abroad with his second wife, former governess Martha Hyer.