The Exhibitor (1966)

EX-804 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR November 16, 1966 Alvarez Kelly Personnel Return To Louisiana For Films Premiere The official world premiere of Columbia Pictures’ “ALVAREZ KELLY” was held re¬ cently at Gordon Theatres’ Broadmoor in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. There was much excitement and fan-fare associated with the premiere as director Edward Dmytryk and producer Sol C. Siegel chose Baton Rouge for a location to film “ALVAREZ KELLY” and as the local people, because of much prior publicity, really felt close to the stars and others connected with the film. Stars Richard Widmark and Victoria Shaw and the director Edward Dmytryk returned to Baton Rouge for the premiere. Premiere activi¬ ties began with a cocktail welcome party and Louisiana steak bar-b-que hosted by the Louisi¬ ana Cattlemens Association. It provided a good opportunity for some of the leading politicians, advertising leaders and social wellto-do’s to meet and to be with the celebrities. The following morning was a press break¬ fast that really became an effective work ses¬ sion. The Louisiana Cattlemens Association made Richard Widmark the 6,000th member of the Cattlemen’s Association. He appreciated this but humorously replied that “really not too many actors appreciate being the 6,000th anything.” Seven radio stations, both television stations, the college newspaper, and both of the city newspapers interviewed the celebrities at this breakfast. Following the breakfast the world premiere cavalcade of cars were escorted to both the television stations for live interviews which lasted approximately 15 minutes on each channel. Exhibitor, Gordon Ogden, introduced Wid¬ mark, Shaw, and Dmytryk to the Rotary Club, Baton Rouge’s largest civic organization, and he was followed by the Secretary of the State of Louisiana, the Honorable Wade O. Martin, who presented the celebrities with Colonelships from the Governor. A very delightful luncheon hosted by leading restauranteer, Jack Sabin, who had become personal friends with the cast and the director during their two and a-half month stay in Baton Rouge, fol¬ lowed. The evening festivities included a large outdoor stage show at the theatre for the public. The theatre front was decorated with banners, an “ALVAREZ KELLY” 24-sheet back-stop was built behind the hugh outdoor stage, a search light was used, many police¬ men and baracades were used to control the crowd, and the whole area was illuminated by carbon-arc spot lights. The outdoor show included a 15 piece band playing “ALVAREZ KELLY,” the famous NAGAWANTI Istrouma Indian dancers, the area’s leading come¬ dian, Justin Wilson, and the introduction of and remarks by the celebrities and other nota¬ bles. The whole affair was MC’d by Baton Rouge’s favorite radio personality, Bob Earl, and the entire affair was televised by the largest television station. Since the premiere showing was a reserved seat, invitational only, black tie affair, the theatre tried to give it a Hollywood Academy Award flavor by having each celebrity and notable arrive by car at the front of the theatre to be announced and interviewed on television separately. Thanks to a walkie-talkie this worked remarkably well and certainly “dressed up” the occasion. When everyone was seated MG Bob Earl introduced Edward Dmytryk, Victoria Shaw, and exhibitor Gordon Ogden who in turn introduced Rich One of Best and Company's nine New York windows displaying United Artists' "Hawaii" photographs and Vogue fashions inspired by the picture. Canadians ( Continued, from page EZ-801) tion. The box was made of light cardboard which was not heavy for the girl to carry on her shoulders. The idea of the girl’s legs and head (only) appearing, added special effect and interest in this street stunt. “On opening night of the film we had the executive committee of the Taj Mahal Chap¬ ter No. 50 of Toronto attend the theatre in a group. These ladies who hold prominent positions in various business places throughout the city were instrumental in giving us splen¬ did away from the theatre publicity, with window space in different stores, restaurants, book shops and travel bureaus, in advance of our opening of “The Wrong Box.” On their arrival at the theatre wearing their formal Taj Mahal head attire they were photographed in a setting with a “Wrong Box” floor display. This Taj Mahal No. 50 Chapter which is a branch of the Rebekah Lodge is known as the “Ladies of the Orient.” They spread lots of goodwill for us on this invitational showing. “We made an arrangement with the mem¬ bers of the Blue and White Society of the Uni¬ versity of Toronto, to attend the first Sunday evening performance of “The Wrong Box.” The members came to the theatre in a group, wearing their blue and white university colors. They were photographed at the theatre front and also in the main theatre foyer. In return for the showing they secured free space for us in the Varsity University Newspaper, where their photograph appeared. “An advance main lobby display for weeks in advance gave full credit to “The Wrong Box.” Featured on this huge 10x6 standee was the superb review which appeared in Newsweek Magazine, and which we had en¬ larged for the standee. Prominent space was also given to excellent quotes from the New York Times and the London Daily Sketch. 24 selected stills were used to show various scenes from the film, and star names were played up on this large standee. An autumn background color was used to tie in the sea¬ sonal showing, and this display was seen by thousands in advance of our engagement.” ard Widmark. An organist added colour to the inside stage presentations. Giant Fashion Promotion Set For Hawaii'' By Vogue “Hawaii,” Mirisch Corporation roadshow presentation for United Artists release, is the object of the biggest fashion promotion in motion picture history and the most extensive ever handled by Vogue Magazine. The pro¬ motion will reach an estimated 75,000,000 people across the country. Sixty pages in the November 1 issue of Vogue are devoted to the “Hawaii” fashions designed by scores of leading manufacturers and currently available in 36 major depart . ment stores in as many cities across the coun¬ try. Each store is mounting full window and in-store displays to showcase the new style in feminine apparel. A kit is being distributed which contains advertising and publicity ma¬ terial and merchandising tips for these latest fashions and the film, “Hawaii.” The giant Vogue spread begins with a title page about the UA release, with the film’s logo, pictures of the stars and production credits. The magazine features ads for every fashion idea from haute couture to lingerie to cos¬ metics inspired by the Islands and “Hawaii.” Credit is given the film (in the form of the logo) and United Air Lines, officially desig¬ nated airline for the motion picture. The fashion kit is introduced by a publicity release on “what’s happening these days in Hawaii ... in Vogue ... in ‘Hawaii’ . . . in travel ... in luxury . . . And in Fashion, Hawaii’s really happening!” Also in the kit are ads for the film, sample Vogue ads as well as a booklet from the Fischer Co., Bantam Books’ 16-page color insert from the souvenir movie edition, information and stills from the film, the “Hawaii” page from Vogue, and suggested fashion-promotion ideas including window displays, newspaper ads and luaus. Department stores involved in the fashion tie-up are: Best & Co., New York; Bullock’s, Los Angeles; Carson Pirie Scott, Chicago; The Liberty House, Honolulu; Joseph Magnin, San Francisco; Jordan Marsh, Boston; John Wanamaker, Philadelphia; Woodward & Lothrop, Washington, D.C.; May D. & F., Denver; J. L. Hudson, Detroit; The Dayton Co., Minneapo¬ lis; Halle Brothers, Cleveland; Joseph Home Co., Pittsburgh; Burdine’s, Miami; Stix, Baer & Fuller, St. Louis; L. S. Ayres & Co. Indian¬ apolis; The Boston Store, Milwaukee; Bret Apparel, Seattle; The Marston Co., San Diego; Goldwater’s, Phoenix; Makoff’s, Salt Lake City and Louisville; Fanny’s, Las Vegas; A1 Rosenthals Inc., Oklahoma City; Furchgott’s, Jacksonville; Battelstein’s, Houston; The John Shillito Co., Cincinnati; Harzfeld’s, Kansas City (Mo.) and Baltimore; Sanger Harris, Dallas; D. H. Holmes, New Orleans; Davison Paxon, Atlanta; Meier & Frank, Portland (Ore.); F. & R. Lazarus, Columbus; Maas Bros., Tampa; Goldsmith’s, Memphis; Hovland-Swanson, Lincoln, and Rike-Kumler Co., Dayton. ' 'Professionals* Soundtrack Album Colgems Records will issue the soundtrack album of the music score “The Professionals,” it has been announced by Columbia Pictures, distributor of the film. The new recording will be the first Colgems motion picture soundtrack album to be dis¬ tributed internationally by RCA Victor under its recent agreement with Columbia Pictures Corp., Screen Gems, Inc. Two-time Academy Award-winner Maurice Jarre composed and conducted the music score for “The Professionals.”