Texas Across the River (Universal Pictures) (1966)

Stars Spoof The Old West (Advance) An uninhibited comedy spoof that is more Tom Jones in spirit than Buck Jones, with a full quotient of horses and horseplay, is Universal’s “Texas Across the River,” photographed in Technicolor, Opening.........-.....DECC 2 22: Theatre. Starring Dean Martin, Alain Delon, Rosemary Forsyth, Joey Bishop, and co-starring Tina Marquand, Peter Graves, Michael, Ansara, Linden Chiles and Andrew Prine, the comedy western takes a squint-eyed look at the brawling frontier with its picaresque characters. The Harry Keller Technicolor production was directed by Michael Gordon, of “Pillow Talk’ fame, from a screenplay by Wells Root & Harold Greene and Ben Starr. Although “Texas Across the River,” aims a swift-kick-in-thebuckskin at all the beloved cliches of the classic American western, it was photographed by Russell Metty, A.S.C., against the spectacular backgrounds, never before used as motion picture locations. It is well-stocked with gunfire, beautiful women, Indians, the United States Cavalry, Texas longhorn bulls, swift horses and other ingredients vital to the slam-bang, action-packed horse opera, as western pictures were affectionately dubbed early in screen history. Dino Spikes A Hot Rumor (Advance) Dean Martin admitted he was aware of rumors that he’d rather play golf than work and branded them untrue during production of Universal’s western comedy in Technicolor, ‘‘Texas Across the River,’ which conies= Se 2ese2 __.2s The versatile star said he had no objection to being labeled a relaxed performer—‘“Which I am,” he grinned..., but was mystified by the legend that “I’m lazy, indolent and allergic to work. I’ve never dodged work. I thrive on it. “If I were a lazy actor, nobody in the motion picture industry in his right mind would give me a part. This isn’t a business for lazy people. Sure I like to play golf, but only in spare time.” Martin noted that he rarely has a vacation between pictures and that when he’s not in front of the cameras, he’s recording, appearing in his television show and filling night club engagements. French Star Does Stunts (Advance) French film star Alain Delon never dreamed of himself as an honest-to-gosh-western hero riding the range.like his boyhood idol, Gary Cooper, until he found himself starring with Dean Martin, Rosemary Forsyth and Joey Bishop in Universal’s comedy western photographed in Technicolor, “Texas Across the River,” Wihichrcomes’: 2s het ce to the The handsome foreign actor then gave Hollywood a surprise by doing most of his own physical action, once or twice over the protests of producer Harry Keller and director Michael Gordon, who warned him of the danger involved. Stunts performed by Delon with his double looking on in amazement included riding a Longhorn bull; leaping onto his horse from a high rock formation; exchanging kicks, karate and savate in a fight; and facing a charging bull a la matador. Delon learned to ride at the beginning of his screen career in Paris’ Bois de Boulogne. Martin Portrays Non-Hero (Advance) Dean Martin plays his first nonhero role as a lusty Texan attempting to get a herd of cattle through Comanche territory in Universal’s “Texas Across the River,” photographed in Technicolor: <comineg:........ROP cWe!. ss Theatre. The famous star breaks every rule in the book of manners for western heroes, including the injunction not to be wolfish in the presence of a beautiful woman. Bishop Returns To Films (Current) Joey Bishop returned to motion pictures after a four-year absence to star with Dean Martin, Alain Delon and Rosemary Forsyth in Universal’s “Texas Across the River,’ a comedy western in Technicolor, now at the.................. Theatre, and plans to appear in two or more films annually in the future. The impassive-faced comedian said that his affection for television remains unchanged, but that after his long run in “The Joey Bishop Show,” he welcomed the chance to play a variety of roles. “T was just beginning to get my teeth into the business of creating dimensional characters in ‘Ocean’s 11,’ ‘Sergeants Three’ and a few cameo parts when my television series took me away from motion pictures. I thought that in four years I’d be a millionaire and who could resist such a sure thing? But an actor gets rich in TV only when his show is in the top ten according to ratings, and mine wasn’t.” Rosemary Plays Comedy (Current) Rosemary Forsyth, voted the Number One Actress of Tomorrow in a 1966 poll of theatre exhibitors, plays her first comedy role after a succession of dramatic assignments in Universal’s “Texas Across the River,’ the Technicolor western now at the Bee eee aa ae Theatre. The tall ash-blonde beauty who stars in the comedy western with Dean Martin, Alain Delon, and Joey Bishop actually began her acting career in ‘Time Out For Ginger” with Art Carney and was recognized in New York theatre circles as an outstanding comedienne before being signed to an exclusive film contract by Universal Pictures. Miss Forsyth’s first motion picture assignments were in dramatic starring roles with Charlton Heston in “The War Lord” and with James Stewart in ‘Shenandoah.” Montez Daughter Debuts (Advance) Tina Marquand, actress daughter of Jean Pierre Aumont and the late Maria Montez, makes her American film bow co-starring with Dean Martin, Alain Delon, Rosemary Forsyth and Joey Bishop in Universal’s Technicolor western spoof, ‘“‘Texas Across the River’? which! Comesi ke toe thes 4.2 Theatre. The dark-haired young beauty was born in Beverly Hills, Calif., and left the United States for France when she was three years old. Two years later her famous mother died in a tragic accident. Coincident with her role as an Indian girl in ‘Texas Across the River,’ she was signed to a contract for one picture annually at Universal City Studios, where her mother was a reigning film star. Choreographs Sword Fight (Advance) Noted fencing instructor Al Cavens was engaged to coach Alain Delon and Stuart Anderson in their swordfight in Universal’s comedy western in Technicolor, “Texas Across the River,” but found that his two students needed no tips on how to thrust and parry. Cavens, whose father supervised the fencing of Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., in “Don Q” and “Son of Zorro,” settled for choreographing the duel for the accomplished swordsmen. “Texas Across the _ River” COMES! ies. 2a pins to -the:... 42s: Ses Theatre. Shoot ‘Texas’ In California (Current) Universal's comedy western photographed in Technicolor, “Texas Across the River,” now at the eh! See Theatre, had almost the entire population watching the filming when location shooting was done in the town of Julian, California, about 150 miles southeast of Hollywood. Besides the actual filming itself, stars Dean Martin, Alain Delon, Rosemary Forsyth, Joey Bishop and Tina Marquand were the attraction. FOUR STARS INTERVIEWED FOR RADIO FREE IN OPEN END FORM FOR YOUR USE! Interviews with each of the four stars of ‘‘TEXAS ACROSS THE RIVER’’—Dean Martin, Alain Delon, Joey Bishop and Rosemary Forsyth—have been prepared in open-end form for your use. Because they are sparkling, informative and entertaining, your radio station will want to program these short features. And the stars are the best salesmen for your booking. All four interviews come on one platter with a cue sheet and questions furnished for locally personalizing the interviews. Order the FREE Open-End Interview Transcription on ‘‘TEXAS ACROSS THE RIVER” from: RADIO DEPARTMENT, UNIVERSAL PICTURES, UNIVERSAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 91608. files’’ program. FREE TEASER TRAILER Fun-packed with several hilarious high-lights of the comedy western spoof, the COLOR Teaser will create advance interest in ‘‘TEXAS ACROSS THE RIVER.” Use it at every performance start With Dick Strout doing the interviews, these same stars and their answers will be broadcast on more than 1,000 U. S. and Canadian stations on the ‘‘Celebrity Pro ing well ahead of your booking. And for a strong one-two advertising appeal, follow it with the regular trailer—a high-powered sales pitch and an outstanding audience builder. The Teaser Trailer, where possible, should be used in cross plugging at other theatres. Order the COLOR TEASER TRAILER, and the REGULAR SCREEN TRAILER from the NATIONAL SCREEN SERVICE EXCHANGE. TV TELOP OR SLIDE For a quick eye-sell order either a TV Telop or Slide direct from QQ TITLE CARD CO., 247 WEST 46TH.ST., NEW YORK, N.°¥.° 20036. Specify which type you want. BANNER ACCESSORIES DeLuxe Fluorescent Valances, 3-Piece Stream ers, Flags, Wall Banners and Usher Badges are available from your NATIONAL SCREEN SERVICE EXCHANGE, and from Consolidated Theatre Services in Canada. THE KINGSTON TRIO SINGS TITLE SONG FOR DECCA Sammy Cahn and James Van Heusen, one of the nation’s top song writing teams, wrote the lyrics for the title tune with music by DeVol, who created the complete musical score for the film. The Kingston Trio, longtime internationally known singing group, sing the song over the title, and have recorded it for Decca. Get the cooperation of your local Decca Distributor and use this as one of your pre-opening promotions on ‘“‘TEXAS ACROSS THE RIVER.” FREE RADIO SPOTS The sparkling wit inherent in ‘TEXAS ACROSS THE RIVER”’ is pointed up in selling listeners in this series of radio spots. They are geared to meet your time requirements with a variety of lengths all on one transcription. They involve the voices of Dean Martin and Joey Bishop in the unique comedy patter. Request your FREE radio spot transcription on “TEXAS ACROSS THE RIVER” from RADIO DEPARTMENT, UNIVERSAL PICTURES, UNIVERSAL CITY, CALI FORNIA 91608. 10022. FREE TV SPOTS Furnished in both COLOR and black-and-white, the TV spots on ‘‘TEXAS ACROSS THE RIVER’”’ are designed to gain the interest of every type of viewer. They tease just sufficiently with brief scenes of the hilarious humor in the western comedy spoof. In a variety of lengths, each has sufficient silent footage for local playdate information. When you order your FREE TV SPOTS, please specify whether in color or black-andwhite, and the station on which they will be used. Order from: HERMAN KASS, NATIONAL EXPLOITATION DIRECTOR, UNIVERSAL PICTURES, 445 PARK AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y. BIG PROMOTION ON DEAN MARTIN TV SHOW Dean Martin, star of ‘‘TEXAS ACROSS THE RIVER”, will sing the title song and show clips of the motion picture in color on ‘‘The Dean Martin Show.’’ It’s a builtin audience for the picture that runs into the millions and it gives your show a plug money can’t buy! Advertise your booking with TV spots either before or after ‘‘The Dean Martin Show”’ on NBC Thursday nights. Day-Glo Title Display Containing a photographic illustration from the film, this brilliant, reflecting Day-Glo title display is 24”x82". It’s printed on adhesive paper. Can be converted into a 20”x60” pictorial sidepiece. Order from your NATIONAL SCREEN SERVICE EXCHANGE. production credits Sam Hollis............ DEAN MARTIN Don Andrea............ ALAIN DELON Phoebe .... ROSEMARY FORSYTH WSOC 22 e ecte JOEY BISHOP Lonetta............ TINA MARQUAND Capt. Stimpsen....PETER GRAVES Tron Jacket...MICHAEL ANSARA Yellow Knife...... LINDEN CHILES Lt. Sibley...........ANDREW PRINE Produced by Harry Keller; Directed by Michael Gordon; Written by Wells Root & Harold Greene and Ben Starr; Photographed in Technicolor; Director of Photography, Russell Metty, A.S.C.; Art Directors, Alexander Golitzen and William D. DeCinces; Set Decorations, John McCarthy, John S. Redd; Sound, Waldon O. Watson, David H. Moriarty Unit Production Manager, Wallace Worsley; Assistant Director, Terry Morse, Jr.; Film Editor, Gene Milford; Make-Up, Bud Westmore; Hair Stylist, Larry Germain; Ladies Costumes, Rosemary Odell; Men’s Costumes, Helen Colvig; Music by DeVol; Music Supervision by Joseph Gershenson; Song, “Texas Across The River,” by Sammy Cahn and James Van Heusen; Sung by The Kingston Trio. Hi-Rise Standee Both custom-designed and _ tailormade for ‘‘TEXAS ACROSS THE RIVER”, this full color advertising display is new and dramatic. It sells for $9.95, and is usable mounted on metal base and tubular stand, or can be hung on a wall. Order from your NATIONAL SCREEN SERVICE EXCHANGE. LIVE Color Stills This set of 8x10 full color stills captures the comedy spoofing and romantic hilarity of “TEXAS ACROSS THE RIVER.’’ Use them for your lobby displays, out front, or away from the theatre in window and store tie ups you arrange on the records. Order from your NATIONAL SCREEN SERVICE EXCHANGE. PARDON ME — Dean Martin lifts his hat in apology to an angry Rosemary Forsyth who he has just dunked in Universal’s hilarious western spoof, “Texas Across the River,” photographed in Technicolor. Other co-stars are Alain Delon and Joey Bishop. Michael Gordon directed and Harry Keller produced. (Still No. 1981-7)