The Exhibitor (1966)

iiiiJiiiiitiiniitinicc LONDON Observations Rivoli Dedicates Plaque To Producer-Director Wise By Jock MacGregor THE FESTIVE SEASON HAS SEEN QUITE AN EXODUS OF PERSONALITIES from the London film scene — to Broadway. ‘‘The Sand Pebbles” premiere attracted Percy Livingstone and his publicity chief, John Fairbairn, away from the 20th-Fox Soho Square citadel. MGM’s Mike Havas went for the openings of Antonioni’s first British film, “BlowLTp,” which is yet to be seen here, and “Grand Prix.” Nat Cohen once again has selected this time for a trip to discuss the Anglo Amalgamated-American International tieup with Jimmy Nicholson and Sam Arkoff, and other production deals. Ed Smith has been con¬ ferring at the NSS headquarters, and Paramount’s Russell Hadley, Jr., has been celebrating his first Christmas with relations in America in heavens knows how long — so long that he probably regards London as home. CONGRATULATIONS HAVE BEEN POURING IN ON BOB WEBSTER ON HIS appointment to the board of Associated British Cinemas and the new post of booking con¬ troller. Trained for the law, a Canadian by birth, he has been Jack Goodlatte’s personal assistant for some years and will work closely with him and Bob Barton, booking manager. Over the past seven months, he has visited all ABC’s 267 theatres to talk to managers about product and to prepare for the job which it was felt necessary to establish in view of chang¬ ing conditions within the industry. In announcing the appointment, the Daily Mail wrote: “Perhaps the best qualification Mr. Robert Webster has for his new job is that he actually likes the cinema . . He is celebrating by taking his wife and two young daughters to Canada for the New Year. WHILE THE DIRECTORS CANNOT BE CONFIDENT THAT THE FIGURES will be so good for the second half of the year, British Lion reports that profits for the six months ending Sept. 30 are $609,414, against $220,863 for the same period of 1965. For the same period, Shepperton Studios are up from $139,250 to $292,258. ONE OF THE SHREWDEST STEPS THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN IN THE INDUStry in recent years was the wooing of television interests to support the Cinematograph Trade Benevolent Fund instead of forming a charity organization of its own. Not only would there have been a duplication of effort, but an overlapping of supporters in many instances. The benefits of a combined operation are seen in the annual report of the CTBF which now stands for Cinema and TV Benevolent Fund. Nearly $600,000 was raised by a Royal Gala, staged by the commercial tv companies in the presence of Prince Philip and subse¬ quently networked. HOT ON THE HEELS OF JAY EMANUEL’S LEADER (NOV. 30) ON FILM titles comes the most distasteful and inappropriate of the year, and probably the most mis¬ leading and sniggering for a top quality offering ever. I refer to the Boultings’ “The Family Way,” which stars Hayley Mills, and is based on the play, “All In Good Time,” by Bill Naughton, author of “Alfie.” Such a title can put off many people. To most, it must surely suggest a joke about pregnancy, whereas in fact it is an extremely tender and warm story of a young theatre projectionist and a shop girl trying to consummate their marriage in the face of more tragic than comic circumstances. Keenly observed and well acted, it moved me tremendously. Though no American distributor has been named, I do hope whoever takes it discards this catchpenny image. JAMES QUINN, FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE BRITISH FILM INSTITUTE, has joined Charles Cooper and Ralph Stephenson in the formation of Contemporary Cinemas with the aim of extending the activities of Contemporary Films which has been operating in the specialized field for 16 years. They believe there is an increasing demand for worthwhile foreign and English speaking films and hope to acquire cinemas in suitable localities. Their first acquisition is the Paris-Pullman, Kensington, which will be modernized and extended. Adjoining premises will be developed as a bar, cafe and meeting place for film enthusiastics. John Stapleton, for 14 years British Film Producers Association festivals representa¬ tive, will be general manager. WHO SAYS THE STARS ARE NOT HUMAN? JOAN CRAWFORD WAS VISIBLY moved when she was given a standing ovation at the Variety Club’s Christmas lunch. Though principal guest, she could say little but thank you, after some of her kindnesses had been mentioned. This is the occasion when the stars, wearing Father Christmas costumes and assisted by “Miss Christmases,” collect toys from guests. Chairman of this particular venture, Jack Goodlatte, was able to announce that despite the squeeze this year, no less than 17,000 gifts would be distributed to children’s establishments. “What top level vacan¬ cies in newspapers, radio, television, and show business would occur if a bomb should fall on the Savoy now,” I heard an editor remark on arriving at the Variety Club’s annual “thank you” lunch for press and communication editors. Chief barker Sir Billy Butlin, announcing that Tent 36 would give away just under half a million pounds this year, said that this would never have been achieved without the invaluable publicity which had made the cause known to the public. One editor paid high tribute to David Jones and suggested that he was one public relations man who did not put him on guard, scare him, and whom he could trust. How those sentiments were echoed. THERE IS NO HAPPY MEAN WITH SOME PEOPLE. ON SUNDAY AFTERnoon, UA’s Charles Berman had me to the Hilton to meet 400 lbs. of six ft. Jocelyn La Garde, who was here to pre-sell the Jan. 2 premiere of “Hawaii.” Next morning, he intro¬ duced me to 24 inches of “Lady Penelope,” the puppet heroine of “Thunderbirds Are Go,” an ingenious and exciting adventure in Marionation and Techniscope. After the press show, she stood on the bar of the “Blue Boar” unperturbed as her creator, Gerry Anderson, explained to critics how the incredible effects were obtained. . . . Phil Kutner hosted a Savoy press reception for Bibi Anderson, the star of his Swedish import for Miracle, “My Sister, My Love,” which has opened at the Curzon. . . . Even the UA boys were surprised when they found "Return of the 7” established a record at the Leicester Square. NEW YORK — In an unprecedented gesture by a motion picture theatre to a film maker, the Rivoli dedicated a specially cast bronze plaque honoring producer-director Robert Wise, whose “The Sand Pebbles” has become his third reserved-seat attraction to world pre¬ miere at the famed Broadway showplace. The dedication ceremony, which Wise at¬ tended, was conducted by Salah Hassanein, executive vice-president of United Artists The¬ atres; Jonas Rosenfield, Jr., 20th Century-Fox vice-president and director of advertising, pub¬ licity, and exploitation; and John Endress, j manager of the Rivoli. The plaque reads: “The Rivoli Theatre pays tribute to the great motion picture achievements of Robert Wise, producer and director, whose internationally acclaimed pro¬ ductions have honored this site with world pre¬ miere engagements.” At the bottom of the plaque the three Wise roadshows are listed — “West Side Story,” “The Sound of Music,” and “The Sand Pebbles” — with sufficient space for the listing of forthcoming Wise films. Length-of-run information — 77 weeks for “West Side Story” and 93 weeks for “The Sound of Music” — will be included on the plaque along with opening and closing dates. The Rivoli also announced that it had in¬ stalled the D-150 All-Purpose Projection Sys¬ tem. Col. Votes Dividends NEW YORK — The board of directors of Columbia Pictures Corporation declared a 2/2 percent stock dividend on its outstanding | common stock and voting trust certificates for common stock, payable Feb. 15 to stockholders of record at the close of business on Dec. 30. The board of directors also declared the regular quarterly dividend of $1.06% per share on the $4.25 cumulative preferred stock payable Feb. 15 to stockholders of record at the close of business Feb. 1. Smight Signs Mirisch Pact HOLLYWOOD — Jack Smight has signed a three-picture, non-exclusive producer-direc¬ tor contract with The Mirisch Corporation, it is announced by Walter Mirisch. Additionally, Smight has purchased the highly acclaimed Ray Bradbury book “The Illustrated Man” for his own independent production company. An armored car was used by Ray NcNamara (cen¬ ter), Hartford resident manager for New England Theatres, Inc., to deliver the print of Buena Vista's "Follow Me Boys!" to Allyn Theatre for "An Eve¬ ning with Walt Disney." To his immediate left is Mayor George Kinsella, and to his right is William Torres, Allyn staff. 22 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR December 28, 1966