Popi (United Artists) (1969)

PUBLICITY MATERIAL Still PP-36 Mat 2A Alan Arkin plays the role of a widowed Puerto Rican father who is frustrated with the task of bringing up his two sons in a New York ghetto, and attempts a way-out solution. ‘“Popi, at the i... ccne Theatre through by DeLuxe, will open .............. *” in Color release by United Artists, an entertainment service of Transamerica Corporation. The two boys are played by screen newcomers, Ruben Figueroa and Miguel Alejandro. Alan Arkin as ‘Popi Plays His Most Complex, Funny Role Every Alan Arkin the moviegoing public sees is different. In “Popi” he portrays his most unusual — and heartwarming — role. Opening in Color by DeLuxe <5 eee at the Theatre, through United Artists, an entertainment subsidiary of Transamerica Corporation, “Popi’ co-stars Rita Moreno and casts Arkin as a Puerto Rican widower desperately battling New York’s hostile environment to provide a good life for his sons. “Tt’s a matter of identification,” noted the actor—once an improvisational performer. “You imagine you have two kids you love dearly and these kids live with rats and garbage and dope-addicts in a ghetto and you can’t get them out of it. How would you feel? What would you do? ‘Popi’ is about what I did, as the father. It was a hard role to play,” added Arkin. “Not because I couldn’t identify with Rodriguez — but because I could!” Celebrated on Broadway for roles in “Enter Laughing,” and “Luv,” Arkin made his screen debut as the timorous leader of a Russian submarine landing party in “The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming!” Starring roles in several movies followed, including that of a master criminal in “Wait Until Dark,” opposite Audrey Hepburn; Shirley MacLaine’s suitor in “Woman Times Seven,” a police investigator in “Inspector Closeau”; and a lonely deaf-mute in “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter.” Considered by many to be a modern Renaissance man, Arkin had a widely varied and successful career in folksinging (with The Tarriers and The Babysitters) ; composing (over 100 songs, recorded by The Weavers and The Limelighters among others) and PAGE 6 improvisational comedy (with The St. Louis Compass Theatre and the famed Second City troupes of both Chicago and New York). Hits tk After tw Hollywood’ cers of te Herbert B. talents to first featur Color by D Theatre, st Rita More United Ar subsidiary ration. During h 120 produc fore emb: production Ll-y Eleven-year-ora Iv1guerAreyandro, who plays Alan Arkin’s older son in “Popi,” opening in Color by DeLuxe ....... aitheees. Theatre thru Unitec Artists, an entertainment subsidiary of Transamerica Corporation, was a New York schoolboy when director Arthur Hiller first spotted him in his classroom while touring schools in search of two bilingual children to cast in key roles. Born in New York City, he is the oldest of three children. Both his parents were born in Puerto Rico and came to the United States sixteen years ago. ‘Po| Star Alan comedy starrin Unie subsid-ary of Transamerica Corporation. In Color by DeLuxe, “Popi” highlights the tribulations of a Puerto Rican widower in New York attempting to create a better life for his two young sons. Miss Moreno, who won an Academy Award for her role in “West Side Story,” was born in Puerto Rico but grew up in New York, where she originally studied to become a dancer. Small acting chores, including a part in a Broadway play, led to her screen debut in “So Young, So Bad.” Discovered by producer Darryl Zanuck, she signed a three-year Hollywood contract and was featured in several films, including “Untamed,” “Seven Cities of Gold,’ and “The Lieutenant Wore Skirts.” “Popi” is the second film for Miss Moreno after a_ three-year absence from the cereen fallawine Still PP-29 Mat 1A The fiery Rita Moreno is cast as Alan Arkin’s girl-friend in the comedy-drama “Popi,” which will open ............ at the nr aT Theatre. This tale of life in a New York ghetto was filmed in Color by DeLuxe and is being released by United Artists, an entertainment subsidiary of Transamerica Corporation. re avail1 special een: 2, 203 a = oe wished. The day after Mayor LindAlan Arkin’s young son in “Popi,” say visited the “Popi” set in Harlem an explosion blew out the front window of a Cuban store only two blocks from where they were filming. On another occasion, police raided neighboring houses and arrested two suspects—an incident which drew less of a crowd than the filming, since it was less of a novelty! In Miami, there was no problem at all. Principal location there was the magnificent mansion owned by former Venezuelan President Marco Perez Jiminez! A 70 room, three-villa compound with fantastic marble halls, it is a palace reminiscent of the Arabian nights. PINES PEN ‘POPI ster Pine’s major moheart anial issue. Luxe: 2.2. , through rtainment ~ Corpo\rkin as ruggling rk slum. children the self evitable amusing dream” ely com 1ich they 1EVU; -WLUtO— tre —uragsex_vcreenplay for a deeply penetrating film about a black jazz musician—portrayed by Sammy Davis in “A Man Called Adam.” In tandem, Lester and Tina Pine have written two novels, two screenplays and several short stories. Before their marriage each enjoyed separate successful careers in the entertainment fields: Lester as nightclub comedian and television script writer; Tina as both a singer and television personality. John Harkins, Arny Freeman, Joan Tompkins and Anthony Holland are featured in “Popi”. OPENING sc. t, Abwt Newer ens: Theatre, is a veteran actor at the age of ten. He made his professional debut two years ago on the New York stage in “The Oxcart.” In Color by DeLuxe, “Popi” is released thru United Artists, an entertainment subsidiary of Transamerica Corporation. Interpreting his role as the son of Puerto Rican parents in New York came easily to Ruben, whose parents actually came to New York from Puerto Rico. Now a porter, Ruben’s father has three other children . . . but only Ruben has “made it” in the movies. The young actor has been performing with the Puerto Rican Folklore Group (also known as the Ambassadors of St. Juan) for the past two years and has also appeared on Spanish-language television. Ruben adores animals and his present collection of pets includes two parakeets, five chicks, one hamster, two goldfish and a turtle. Still PP-1 The versatile Alan Arkin has his most demanding role to Mat 1B date in “‘Popi,” as a father who has a wild scheme to get his two young sons out of a New York ghetto. The picture, in Color by DeLuxe, is being released through United Artists, an entertainment subsidiary of Transamerica Corporation.