The Exhibitor (1966)

NEWS CAPSULES FILM FAMILY ^ ALBUM Arrivals A son, Edward Levenson, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Alan Benjamin at North Shore Hospital, Manhasset, L.I. Benjamin is an attorney with United Artists legal department. Twins, a boy and a girl, were born to Sarita and Louis A. Lagalante. Named Christopher Blaise and Maria Anne, they are the sixth and seventh children in the Lagalante house¬ hold. He is comptroller of American Interna¬ tional Pictures export corporation. Obituaries Michael Colton, 62, projectionist for 40 years in Detroit, died. He was employed at the Grand Circus Theatre and also worked for many years at the Colonial. He is survived by his wife, who is a secretary at Columbia Pic¬ tures, Detroit; a son, one grandchild, and a brother. John Joseph Fitzgibbons, 76, board chairman of Famous Players Canadian Corporation, Ltd., died at his Scarsdale, N.Y., home after a long illness. Interment took place in Meri¬ den, Conn., his birthplace. Among survivors are his wife, two daughters, and five sons. He entered the industry as a newsreel cameraman and projectionist, and later owned and oper¬ ated theatres in Long Island. He joined Para¬ mount Publix in 1925, becoming the com¬ pany’s director of theatre management for the eastern U.S. In 1946, he was made a Com¬ mander of the Order of the British Empire for service and leadership as chairman of the Canadian Motion Picture War Service Com¬ mittee. He established the Variety Club of Toronto and was its first chief barker. Arthur Israel, Jr., 66, secretary of Paramount Pictures Corporation, died in Beth Israel Hos¬ pital after a short illness. A lawyer, he was president of Paramount Music Corporation and the Famous Music Corporation. He joined the Paramount legal department in 1928 and became assistant to Barney Balaban, now board chairman of Paramount. He later was made assistant secretary and then secretary of the corporation. He was president of the National Music Publishers Association and a director of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. He is survived by a son. Saul Jacobs, Universal Pictures manager for Panama, died there at the age of 60. An in¬ dustry veteran, he joined Universal as head booker in Washington, D.C., in 1942. J. Howard McGrath, 62, Providence, R.I., and Washington, D.C., a member of the board of directors of MGM since 1957 and former Attorney General of the U.S., died at his summer home in Narragansett, R.I. H. L. Robinson, Sr., 72, veteran of the indus¬ try, died in Bronxville, N.Y. He retired in 1965 after 34 years with Warner Brothers Theatres and Distribution Department. Earl Wright, in Connecticut sales capacities with 20th-Fox and Columbia for 30 years, died in Hollywood, Fla., where he moved six years ago. FORMS FOR THIS PACE CLOSED AT 5 P.M. ON MON., SEPT. 12 Universal Slates 30-34 In 1967 Production Push NEW YORK — Universal Pictures will re¬ lease a minimum of 30 pictures and possibly as many as 34 during 1967 including reissues, as compared to the 26 pictures being released during the calendar year of 1966, Henry H. “Hi” Martin vice-president and general sales manager, told trade press publishers and edi¬ tors. Martin noted that the company’s contem¬ plated releases during 1967, all in color, would be the largest number in the past 10 years. Queried about hard ticket roadshow attrac¬ tions being contemplated by Universal during 1967, Martin pointed out that it was the policy of the company to complete a picture and look at it before making a decision about a possible roadshow. He indicated that “Tobruk” had been thought about as a possible roadshow for the Christmas season, but since it could not be made ready in time, the picture would be re¬ leased as a regular attraction starting in Feb¬ ruary. He indicated that “Thoroughly Modem Millie” would be viewed when completed as a possible roadshow attraction. Discussing the business of Universal’s re¬ leases during the summer just concluding, Martin noted it was one of the best summers for Universal because of the releases of “Torn Curtain” and “Arabesque.” He indicated that “Tom Curtain” could become the biggest grossing Alfred Hitchcock picture in the U.S. With Martin at the head of the table were Philip Gerard, Universal’s eastern advertising and publicity director; Robert N. Wilkinson, assistant general sales manager; James J. Jor¬ dan, assistant to the general sales manager; and Norman E. Gluck, sales manager of the short subjects and newsreel department. Martin announced that “Texas Across the River” would be given a Texas pre-release world premiere kickoff starting Oct. 26 with the personalities of the picture participating and the picture being given what he termed the “Shenandoah” type of launching. Starting with “Gambit,” the company’s Christmas picture scheduled for January re¬ lease, Martin indicated the company’s releas¬ ing plans for the first six months of 1967. He said that “Fahrenheit 451” is also planned for January release, and “Tobruk” is planned for February. Also in the early period of 1967 is the picture first announced by Martin at the luncheon as “Perils of Pauline,” to star Pamela Austin, the “Dodge Rebellion” television com¬ mercial girl, and Pat Boone. These will be followed by “The Bandit” and “Deadlier Than the Male.” Martin announced that “A Countess From Hong Kong” is planned for April 1967 release with an opening in New York. Also for release during the first half of 1967 will be the re-release combination of “That Touch of Mink” and “To Kill A Mock¬ ingbird,” Martin announced, and indicated that a complete new marketing plan was being developed for the re-release of “Spartacus” during the second half of 1967. BROADWAY ^ GROSSES “Fantastic Voyage’’ Opens Big NEW YORK — Generally satisfactory grosses were reported by the Broadway firstruns led by a big opening for 20th-Fox’s “Fan¬ tastic Voyage” at Loew’s State. “HOW TO STEAL A MILLION” (20thFox). Radio City Music Hall with usual stage show reported $80,000 for Thursday through Sunday, with the ninth week sure of $125,000. “TORN CURTAIN” (U). DeMille an¬ nounced $16,000 for the seventh and final week. “FANTASTIC VOYAGE” (20th-Fox). Loew’s State had a big $52,000 opening week. “DR. ZHIVAGO” (MGM). Capitol an¬ nounced $30,000 for the 38th week. “THE SOUND OF MUSIC” (20th-Fox). Rivoli had $34,000 for the 80th week. “ALFIE” (Paramount). New Embassy did $23,000 on the third week. “WHAT DID YOU DO IN THE WAR, DADDY?” (United Artists). Astor showed $14,000 for the second week. “BUTTERFIELD 8” (MGM) and “CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF” (MGM). Victoria with these reissues did $20,000 on the second week. “WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?” (Warners). Criterion did $30,000 on the 12th week. “KHARTOUM” (UA). Warner Cinerama had $24,000 for the ninth week. Reade Name Change Set NEW YORK — The shareholders of Walter Reade-Sterling, Inc., approved a change of the company’s name. Effective immediately, the company will be known as The Walter Reade Organization, Inc. The new name was proposed by the board of directors in July. At that time, Walter Reade, Jr., president, said that the Walter Reade-Sterling, Inc. name, which resulted from the 1962 merger of the Sterling Televi¬ sion Co., Inc. with Walter Reade, Inc., was no longer appropriate. He explained that, “since the activities of the two companies are so completely merged into a single organiza¬ tion, there is no longer reason to continue the dual identification.” Nathanson Quits AA NEW YORK — Allied Artists vice-president and general sales manager Nat Nathanson an¬ nounced his resignation from the company, effective Sept. 30. He joined the company in 1952 as midwest division manager and also served as assistant general sales manager. Nathanson is international property master for Variety Clubs and also serves on the board of Will Rogers Hospital. Reports are that the company is seeking to unload branch offices on a franchise basis lead¬ ing to discontinuing production and distribu¬ tion activities. “The Reluctant Astronaut” is planned for May release. Also to be released during the first half of 1967 will be “Gunfight in Abilene” and “The Young Warriors.” September 14, 1966 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR 5