The Exhibitor (1966)

PRODUCT PREVIEW • topping Audie Murphy, George Sanders and Marianne Koch. National release for “Violent Journey,” with Anthony Perkins, Henry Hull and Salome Jens, is in February. In March, AI will go into release with its multi-million-dollar adventure drama, “The 1,000,000 Eyes Of Su-Muru” with Frankie Ava¬ lon, George Nader, Shimey Eaton and Wilfred Hyde-White; “Psycho-Circus,” a horror-science-fiction feature starring Christopher Lee, Leo Genn and Margaret Lee; and “Thunder Alley,” newly completed stock car racing drama starring An¬ nette Funicello, Fabian, Diane McBain, Warren Berlinger and Jan Murray. For April release, AI has set “The Devil’s Angels,” motor¬ cycle action feature, with “Sunset Strip” scheduled for the theatres in May. June will see distribution of “The Trip” followed in July by “The Hatfields and the McCoys.” In August, behind a mammoth advertising, exploitation and publicity campaign, American International will release its ’67 top-budgeted special, “P. T. Barnum’s Rocket To The Moon,” starring Burl Ives, Troy Donahue, Daliah Lavi, Terry Thomas and Gert Frobe, and “House Of Dolls.” “The Glass Sphinx” will go into release in September with the untitled drama made in Vienna set for national distribu¬ tion in October. 1967 release dates are yet to be firmed on “2267 A.D. — When the Sleeper Wakes,” “The Puppet Masters,” “The Island of Amazons,” “The End,” and “The Black Jacket Girls.” Embassy By D. J. EDELE We at Embassy look forward to 1967 with a confidence and expectation that is the result of two years of intensive preparation by our president, Joseph E. Levine, and our execu¬ tive vice-president, Leonard Lightstone. While so many of our films during the past few years have broken boxoffice records, and Embassy has become an important new source of product for the nation’s exhibitors, I think that 1967 will mark the major turning point in our short history. For those few exhibi¬ tors still left in any doubt, the coming year should prove that we are indeed “out of our infancy” with an ambitious and orderly release schedule rivaling that of any distributor in the country. This summer we will offer “Woman Times Seven,” a ro¬ mantic comedy in color starring Shirley MacLaine and an extraordinary galaxy of male stars, including Alan Arkin, Michael Caine, Vittorio Gassman and Peter Sellers. This most important film ever to be produced by Embassy is now shoot¬ ing in Paris under the experienced hand of Vittorio De Sica, whom exhibitors know as the director of three of our greatest successes, “Two Women,” “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” and “Marriage Italian Style.” At Eastertime, our release will be an exciting color adven¬ ture drama, “The Caper Of The Golden Bulls,” which stars Stephen Boyd, Yvette Mimieux and Giovanna Ralli, and costars Walter Slezak. Our current plans are to release “The Graduate,” Mike Nichols first film since “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” in late summer or fall. This comedy drama of today’s youth, to be produced by Lawrence Turman, will go before the cameras in Hollywood early in 1967. This list of top features with top stars will be augmented during the year, making 1967 a milestone for Embassy — and for exhibitors. Allied Artists By ED CRUEA We at Allied Artists look forward to the New Year 1967 with an eagerness comparable to that of the birth of a new baby. We expect this baby to grow in leaps and bounds. As you know, we have been going through very trying times. Now we at least have our head above water, and are able to ; plan realistically and enthusiastically. Following are some of the releases we have scheduled for the first part of the New Year: “The Tall Women” in Eastman Color, starring Anne Baxter and Maria Perschy; George Hamilton in “That Man George,” in color; “Bikini Paradise,” a hilarious story of two Naval officers on a “virgin” island; a “horror” combination show consisting of “Island Of The Doomed,” in color, and “Nightmare Castle,” featuring Bar¬ bara Steele. In addition to the list of announced releases for the coming year, there are many more in the works. We can not announce pictures until they are firm as we do not want to jeopardize any negotiations in progress. Of major interest is our currently playing Cannes Grand Prize winner, “A Man and A Woman.” Its acceptance, both artistically and financially, has exceeded our fondest expecta¬ tions. It has now been selected as France’s official entry for Best Foreign Film in the Academy Awards. As it has had a limited number of runs, this will be an important picture for exhibitors in 1967. Allied Artists has had a definite and valuable position in this industry for many years. In addition to a hefty and size¬ able amount of product for exhibitors in 1967, we have initi¬ ated modern and new ideas in distribution that can and do offer considerable extra inducement to attract top producers. It is our aim and our intention that we shall continue to grow with the industry. Buena Vista Walt Disney’s “The Happiest Millionaire” highlights Buena Vista’s 1967 release schedule and marks an important departure in the company’s distribution policy. The “happy family musical,” based on the fabulous life of Anthony J. Drexel Biddle, will be released as a reserved seat attraction. In announcing the “hard ticket” policy, Irving H. Ludwig, Buena Vista president, explained that “the property made the decision for us. Every factor, from cast to story, from music to production to breadth of appeal, points in that one direc¬ tion.” “The Happiest Millionaire” will premiere on June 23 in the Pantages Theatre, Hollywood, then open in October in 1 7 to 20 additional cities, he stated. “The Happiest Millionaire” will bring to the screen three of the most exciting young talents in the entertainment world today — Tommy Steele, the acting, singing and dancing sensa¬ tion of the Broadway production of “Half A Sixpence”; Lesley Ann Warren, another exciting and versatible product of the Broadway stage; and John Davidson, who in a relatively short career has become one of the most popular and sought-after performers in television. These three will join a cast of such established stars as Fred MacMurray in the title role, Greer Garson, Geraldine Page, Gladys Cooper, and Hermione Baddeley. ( Continued on page 48) 46 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR December 28, 1966