Variety (January 1962)

‘Pict URES e ‘By MIKE WEAR © "Variety's. ‘regular weekly * a boxoffice. reports are. stmmarized each ‘month,: retrospec‘tively. Based con an ayerage of 24 key situations; the source data’ constitute an adéquute °sampling : of. current releases ., but are: not, of course, fully “definitive. ” An: index of.rel-ative grossing strength: in the: U.S.-Canada market this month.. | . | other. Twist :pic. which :did’ fairly } well the first. week out, was ‘mostly |: } fair ‘ ‘to. ‘sad the’final round. -in ly reprise: does tiot pretend to express total rentals. . on Although the tag-end ‘of. Decems ‘ber as usual, witnessed. a sharp |; upbeat at the boxoffice or as: ‘soon. .. as’ the. Christmas . holiday * week. 7 started, earlier portion of: month. ‘saw exhibitors merely coasting “along. with overly-extendéd. long. FUns, ‘weaker. screen fare “or reissues. And it was the same: story in every. key city: by : VARIETY. Nothing _ ‘could “overcome. © the Christmas ‘shopping distraction. Little. of the fresh, stronger product was launched in time to contest for ‘laurels in December, Most |. @f the top...grossers’: being. carry: overs from. November. _ “King of Kings” . (M-G) again finished -No; -1, the same: as. in. November, being, about $300 000). Best i in December “King of Kings” (EG): “West Side Story” (UA); . “Bachelor Paradise” (M-G). .“Comancheres”: (20th): ° “Hawaii: Blues” (Par). 6. “Breakfast Tiffany’s” (Par. 4. “Susan Slade” (WB). . 8. “Mysterious Island” “CoD: 9: “Errand Boy” (Par). ne 16. “La Dolce. Vita” (Astor). : . ahead of: ts: nearest competitor. Second position was copped: by 7 4. 2. 4 5. “West: Side Story” (UA). although | out in release ‘only three weeks to. -, any extent and making its amazing showing mainly. from playdates. in. four key cities, ; . “Bachelor in “Paradise” (M-G), ‘which -was ‘fifth’ in: “November, copped. third. place.. it. was: closely. followed by ‘ *Comazicheros” <20th), ° ‘in fourth spot. Pie was fourth also’ in -November: "— “Hawaii Blues”. _ (Par) finished ‘fifth. “Breakfast ° ‘at. “Tittany’s, ” also from Paramount, wound . -up sixth. This comedy, which was second ‘in: November, was ‘champion in Octo| " ber. “Susan Slade’. (WB) captured'}’ seventh position. It: Was ° eighth. in| November. “Mysterious ‘Islana”” (Co, "-neweomer, did ‘well enough in: ‘wo | ‘weeks to Jand eighth. Position.’ “Errand Boy” (Par), * another newie, copped ninth position. while]: “La Dolee. . Vita” ‘Out the. Top. 10 pix: _ . “Wonders of Aladdin’: “ay, a. spotty newcomer;. “Splendor in’ Grass” .(WB),' sixth‘ ‘in. November; AAstor) rounds: --and : “Devil. ‘at 4 O'Clock” ‘ (Col); third i. November -and: fourth in October, were the runner-up: films in that order.’ Nore | was par oe ticularly Strong in, Décember. ‘. Several new pictures, launched late in the ‘month,. show ‘excellent promise. “Flower ° ‘Dram: ° Song” “(Us, which played: previously. -for: ” five weeks at the N.Y. Music.-Hall, _and “Babes in Toyland” iBV) ‘in-| > gicated. high .promise. Latter, now ‘at-the Hall, and-‘Song”. rari. neck- n-neck ‘for top honors. thefinal week: of December. -. “Judgment. at Nuremberg” wa) should. hit “the. ~ b.o. week at the N.Y. Palace. Ht. is playing ‘hardticket .as. ig “El Cid” (AA},. which did: well enough ‘the ‘first’ -wWeek out onrelease: ‘te ‘cop fifth place in VartTety’s“weekly. survey: the final December. stanza: . “One, _Two,“Three”: “AUA), other ‘newcomer, ‘made such ‘a _ Strong, showing. the firtal Ww eek last.|- month ‘that . it~ ‘finished sixth al , though playing in’-only. four keys. |: “Pocketful of Miracles, ” also. irom United Artists, was jseventh the fame week, ‘the Anitial ‘one eut in} @istr ibation, a “Lover.Come’ Beck” IU: another | "“Rewie, was. rated fancy . On its ” }Hour? (WA). was ‘smart in same keycity. Started. smash ‘in LZA: while: “See‘| ond’: Time; Around,” . compaily, ‘was sock in. Denver. and ‘nicd -in. N.Y. at.. the’. Paramount.’ | “Hey, Let's Twist”. (Pat): was. -un-. -[even‘its first ‘week: oufin. cireula‘-| tion -but managed . to ° win : ‘Tunner- firstrun:. week. « Films Bad v V Homicidal : -| theatre Screen adding’ a “} fast: dollar.” “women ‘during. his” “Sermion.. “It ‘is: .:| disgraceful , the :way .sonieof: our. ‘women dress. outside. of: the. honie,: | sters. crow. ded ‘into ‘see. '“Song” is. winding: up second, with’ close to $340,000 gross in. the ‘key, -Cities covered ‘by: VARIETY. : Pic: ‘is’ proving as strong: ‘as “it was at: the. bullseye “judging from. its capacity -. initial: "ane { : | Sronsot Boston: Preem: of ‘Nurem: |, ag Agia Mealy BO tes | t Story’ Cops Second, Bachelor’ 3d {preem : date’ “in: LA. . “Children’s “The: .. Innocents”. -.. €20th) -ffom,° ‘game up classification... . “Twist Around. lock”: (Col): -an- December. “Summer -ard. Smoke’. (Par) is. credited. with doing. nicely, in two.cifies... | “Back Street” w), long. high an] the weekly lists, finished: ninth one | session ‘last month, final week: out. |‘Fextensively: in: ‘bigger key,’ cities |. “White . Christmas” (Par), one of the few-réissues to domu¢h [ in. December; fared. well enough: tot” wind | up. .10thone -stanza. -‘‘The Mark’’’ (Cont). did. well. enough . to become .a “runner-up Pic. Another. ‘And Women Disgraceful. | Te Baptist ‘Clérgyman ‘Memphis, Jan. 2. “censor ~ booster, ”, used his : pulpit: again: to. excoriate. further barrage* against ‘tv: awhete he | charged: “the slaughtering. was out : of hand by. producers . and. ‘pro ‘1 moters. ‘using the-home. to make:a. Caudill also. chided’ Aight-skinned shorts and’ ‘siacks. are disgusting,” he stated. In his sermon ‘Caudill . tevéaled |. thatJudaeo-Christian ‘Council. for.|° Democraey,. his ‘baby, had‘asked |. the. distributors for the‘ right | to preview films and. this. had’ been “denied them,” he strongly empha-: ‘|. sized:. ‘He said: the Council had. hoped to “grade’films. so that. ‘moviegcers ‘would: knéw what: to’ expect. He told ‘his flock that this | ° ‘arrangement was. provided “by. a “*recent .. Supreme. “Court ‘decision récognizing the right. of -municipalities to preview.” Caudill. stated: ‘that “this was not ‘censotship: 7 ._Kuniins, ~: ‘ping center.: “BINAL ‘erRITH TEIN” “bere, Honor. ‘Kramer ; “Boston, Jan: 2: berg,” to. ‘be. held: at Ben: Sack’s branch. ‘manager of Warner. Bros. here; said ‘4. -testimonialluncheon |: will-be held the same day. in|: 3 producer: ‘Stanley .Kramer, who. has been]: % chosen. by Ciriema Lodge. for: its | “Man: of, the. Year”. award-: * i: Previous. récipients -of. the: Cine. byt ema Lodge: honor have: included | “| Jimniy -_ ‘Durante,. Joe..E, ‘Levine,| Steve. ‘Broidy: and Herman: ifn. | 7 honor. of” Judgment”. Chi Only City © Attempting bb ~~ Classify. Films! With ‘the. ‘passage . of the’ amendA ‘ment’. to: the Chicago. ‘censorship |_| ordinance, : ‘Chicago: has‘beconie the J only : city or: state in: the.-United | °.’ : ..{ States which is attempting to. “elas: |. -; +L Sify” motion ‘pictures’. by: legisla|. ° tion;”. according .to ‘a:-letter, sent |" -: ‘| last week to. the:Chicago. City Goun|... ‘| eil hy. the:MotionPicture ‘Assn. of |. America. Letter asks. whether “the | > ‘| people-’ ‘in. Chicago. ‘are-so in neéd] -4! of controls:that their fellow Ameri|. cans: in. the. 50. states; feel. are “ane | Be pecessary?”. Moy a a Rev. ‘Paul Caudill, pastor of the | "| First... Baptist. Church «here . and . longtime ‘film ~ An ‘addition ° to. “having. ‘eprave: Ms Constitutional. defects,”. the amend-: a. ment : will not: reduce ’:the. rate: of.|.~ juvenile . crime, . says the: MPAA. “The. crime’ rate: in:Washington;1. -D.C., or. Philadelplita, was ‘certainly: a not’. ‘higher. ‘than “that: :of ° Chicago. ; prior. to 1959, ‘when. this’ city was |’ pictures. ok MPAA‘: -alsopredicts’ the: ‘amend[°-iment’s attempt -to redefine: ‘‘ob-1.’, classifying ©. motion: scenity’” for: younger: pedple “will: not survive. examination. yy ‘the | courts.” ' ven ae, “Shopping ‘Genter’ Gattoonery ‘Amarillo, ‘Tex., Jan, .2. on «their . children” at’ a. glance : _ ‘while on. ‘their. shopping: tour. . ON. ational Boxoffice: Survey. . :| Xmas-New. Year’ s Booms: Biz; ‘Babes’: Champ;‘Sone’| 2d, ‘Story’, 3d, ‘El Cid’: ath; “Miracles” 5th: (in: Washington, ‘looms. hep: “ta ral ‘Every ‘key city’ ‘is’ ‘booming’ in éurrent ‘session what. with the :holi-: day upsurge carying through Mon-. day (1);. Amazing showings ‘are be-" ‘ing made by some. .of. the. new screen. fare, even. in‘:the :fact .of snow and. very cold temperatures. . “Babes ‘in: ‘Toyland’ (BV), which“Flower. (UW) last * stanza,. is’ Tan . “neck-n-neck with. Drum ©..Sorg”’’ soaring to. No: 1 ‘spot asthe young N:Y.:-Musie Halt in. most. keys, ¢ ‘despite playing: in, only.. six key cities... “El Cid”. (AA} is capturing | fourth. ‘position, — dating . in “some ‘eight keys. “Pocketful of: ‘Miracles AY ‘is pushing. up .to fifth spot. “King of: ‘Kings” ‘(M-G). is” ‘winding | up. sixth, “One, Tivo, Three” +UA)will’ land. in seventh “place, first’ week out. in. release to .any exteiit.. ““Roman Spring” (WB) is: ening |= eighth. money, initial‘ Week ‘out in ‘distribution.. ‘tion, “Summer: ‘and Smoke”..iPar) ‘Is: winding . in “10th ‘spot, week ‘out-on: release: to any. extent.. ; “Errand” Boy”. (Par), . ‘long high on past:. weekly. . ists: » “Twist in. Ta ‘looks’ big ‘“Babes.”.. “Second ‘Time|‘Around’ ‘is Capturing ninth Posi| its first” : | pix “Party; it. is ° -expeéted to: pass. 1 “The. Outsider’, (U), ‘Jooks ‘torrid ae / “Tinocents”” 20th), “sock, . and :-loftyin N.Y. ‘Lover Come Back” (U), another. newie, | :Shapes bolfo: in L. “AL: “Judgment at’ Nurembere” (A), Still eapacity..in N-Y., is rated. wow ‘in L;A. “Les Liaisons: Dangereuses” 5 “smash. “in. ‘Washington, in. “N.Y. ‘Twist’ -. (Par). “is”. rated “okay: dn]. Detroit. "and Minneapolis. ° ”. | “Happy. “Thieves”. happy.” ‘in Chil . while’. “Children’s (Astor), | hefty ‘in. “L:A, high at-one.. ...""- fine. in. St: Louis. -: ‘Majority. of‘One’: (we) is: bef in. first ‘séssion:-in. EA... “Bachelor; in: :Paradige"* {M-G) looks’. smash in: LAe Complete’ "Boxoffice . Re sorts’ On: Pages. 89) : ere Cut 35% Tix Tak: « Tokyo, Jan.. 3." Breetive in. April,” ‘when “new . fiscal “year: is. launched, _admish ‘taxes are expected to “Now a ‘pill being. pushed ‘in = Diet by.’ Ltberal-Demiocratic: ” ‘from’. Socialists, :: Cinema Lédge of B’nai. ‘Brith’ fe _ weil sponsor. : the “ New.. England.} preem: of . “Judgnient = at: Nurem|": Saxon ‘Theatre, Feb. 13. William-[ chapter ‘president, © pnd |: ” Suburban: ‘Sunset . Center shop: es pitig Mall -has what-is ‘believed to-| be: the only.’ kind ‘of. ‘installation’ of. ‘its kind where motion ‘pichires can. j. ‘be shown-: without’ the benefit of. ey ‘darkness. Roy. ‘Friddeéll ‘of BERL Iné., “has ‘designed. and ‘set up‘a-rear ‘projec-|tion: cartoon theatre inthe shop-| -" -Mothers: can “check. | 7 o “(WA)Jooms Hour,” -from same: -ecompany, ‘shapes | . ““Ta’ Dolce’ Vita”: (Astor); tall: in.LiA.,. is" sockeroo" inTtwo NY. houses, hitting. a new, . “West Side: Story”: (UA): is: ‘wind; ‘ing ‘up a.strong’ third-place: winner |". “La :Belle~ ‘Ameiicaine™ ACont}; te ‘fast: in Boston, looks smash.in.N.Y. | “Rocco | and Brothers” (Astor). is |. ” be generally. reduced : ‘to 10%... } "Present bite is scaléd“to 3550 Around -Clo¢k” (Col and “Call Mel: Genius” tCont): are the” Tunner-up. vote. despite.’ Someoppesition a cs wh, aa . aa _ fie nee _-Weilneeday, ‘Fanitory 8; 1962 ; : —_ St sc ‘ i ‘Week Ended Tues: (2)-. BERGER ‘OPEN. LETTER. N, Y. Stock: Exchange... “owe 196162: \ _ Weekly Vol. Weekly ‘Weekly : ‘Tues. — Chee. Hike Low: wo “in 100s '..: -Low:Close..:’for wk. 2734. 1734: ‘ABC Vending “156: | git : 20085 90%. 4". 61% 4134:: Am Br-Par Th 130°. 453%. 44 45 pe IQ 27% 174% Ampex. <.:..; 811° (2056 1056.) --'1956) => TQ 425%: 31¥a CBS. ..w.,,.. 233 | 4078" 89: 5 4016 4” 3594. 21% Col: ‘Pix’. age 61 " 2934. 28° 7. 98% 156 474232... Decea ....<. 120 °-41% -4016 405% 4 36 | 4614 2656 . Disney..:..:. 84° 3814"... 36%4 i8T%. Ob ee: 11934, 8714. ‘Eastman. Kak. 228... 112 _ 10854..." "11034 oa Da 756. 434 EMI... 595° 64 Se Be A . 17%. 124% “Glen. ‘Alden ; «610. “13% +. 1234". “13... ae oe) Ve 8314 3634: MCA Ane,” ay > 8036: TUS... 7% ied 5 7038: 4114°° Metro.GM ; res, 240° 52%). 4934650 “|. 4138 “25%. NAFICorp. B17. 3416 |: 3216: -B8aq ne OY: | .26%4.: 1656 Outlet: hate dbs 41200 2078. --: 2444. °.-25 5° Qe “853%. “5336 Paramoait £105 -: 56% ~5536 56%... MY: “|, 238% VS “Polaroid: fe ele 124 222.65 296-217 EE “| 6556 -4914°. RCA’: . "546° 5456". 5214 5856-0 4 56 ‘}.. 18% §-10% * Republic”: wees: UBL 12% IQ DIA FP Ye , 22 --; 1434 Rep... ra. 15 |=, 1684. 16%... 1634 2 1K: 4234 2614" Stanley: ‘War:. TIT 4156 ° 3856 BOI: * s2Tg 3414. 2734: Storer”. ..00.. 32. 5.299% 28%." 2834.) 1g 55% 2956: .20th-Fox...:. . 290° 36. > 2 .8414G5 35le ag, 4034 2914 | United. Artists-173° . 32% 1. 31%..9236 > + 4q 9434°.5234 Warner.. Bros. | 18.) 83: SBE PBB ee 8224 e256 Henith’ . | STB: THe TO T1868 Ue ‘American Stock Esehange. re Bie. a “allied Artists. '82° ‘534 51a... 556 washes 1514 .. 614." BalM’nt GAC 23. 776 Te. Ey eee SY ee 2496. 994 Cap. Cit. Bde. 97-22". 204" 204: He. 2214 : 456 *€inerama:Inc. 196 “20: 2 DA 1926) “ag 1678. 738. Desila Prods. 20 ‘Bie TSB LIT eM. 956 . 4%: : Filmways:....°.45 0° 67 * on Sig BS ee 2534 |: 8% .MPO Vid... © -35-°..14° -. 12%" 1234, “Ms . 18. 1214 Movielab. :...:.°14) 1314-1214) 125%8 BB 534°. :214:. Nat'l Telefilm 265 7 QM BRE eg: 10%: 3%. -Reeves.. 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Magna Pictures “ales wey 2% .. 3%. — % : Metromedia’ Ine. : ‘be SPREE 1644. 1736 AIM Official” Films :. /.3.0%,.0¢u.... tenets tie 2582 Bo. oP IB: * “Sterling: Television’ . tagiesetecdceccadesewe SIGS 39474 = 1. : s U.: ‘A. Theatres. vieidhvetnere ; CEL, ose e. "684 | 14 a ite wot: . _. Wometco. Enterptisés | we deawsecedorcyen cee .2614°. 288 ios Cr _ _Wrather” Corp. ...... Vale ea Deby Saba we ot 656 TYE ee a a Source: National Assn. of Secirities Dealers. Inc. J cs : ; a TOUTING POCKETFUL’|“" > | Minneapolis, « Jan, 2, -:. With 4K. Pocketfuf: of. Miracles” ee | OUAY having suffered:a:brutally bad. a ne . ; : | boxoffice beating : its Christmas} “ .. ‘opening week at-his local loop first°: a a run Gopher:Theatre where it never-:} | theless was: held. over Le required |. 4 his: deal with -its distributor; : circuit. owner Bennie. Berger, the | SPeatheaded ‘by, Milton, London-as. °°“ [-Prexy.-of ‘Allied. Theatres: of: Michie -en | “are. ‘putting up. ‘a ‘fight. te” oe | ‘film companies” inveterate foe, ‘took ‘much Jarger newspaper ads thar ds* | usual for house. at: the film’ s second: ” “Hey, -Let’s. * stanza’ s outset: : : . He did this to. ‘personally: ‘entreat ‘the: public: not, to miss “A Pocketful of “Miracles.” He called it ‘a’ won‘derful, -wonderful motion. picture.” panned: the picture, was. labeled an. open: letter” from: Beréer. ae .Greéensboro, N.C. ‘Jan: 2 Ans, -Ed ecombe Count; cou 1éoan f Ve Gay | Chureh-. :and:.civic. ;'groups . have™ ~ ‘joined éxhibs:in opposition-to the: |: ‘ford ‘Superior. Court: against’ Star-. light.-Theatres Inc:. of Giéensboro,: of -which.-Max Zager is president.” ‘R,..O.Tarkington and. wife,’ way .| Marsh Tarkington, ‘claim Starlight 7 -| Theatres. owes.-them $36. 120;°°" ‘Their. complaint |. ‘Tof North Carolina by charging: them. ‘| too :-thuch | ‘interest on money ‘they paid: ‘him for -'a. notion: picture’ ..| theatre’ in “Angier. A..similar action “by. the. Tark-: ingtons. against Starlight, Theatres. | Was brought. in’. Harnett ‘Superior: | Court in’ 1959, and ‘wheri. the case [was transferred ‘to_.andheard in}: ‘Guilford ‘Superior Court. they: tovk. a a voluntary. ‘onsiit in: the. matter. # oa ie ‘gan;;: . Newman: ‘alteady ‘appeared. béfore the. State: ‘The ad, -ran.in: both of the: local: constitutional conyention,. which is-. daily newspapérs,, one of which: ‘had: Pair Again Sue Tager Co. : . stated: that. “Vases violated the General Statutes Michigan. exhibitor r: ¢i rel és; we block. ‘proposed: legalization. in’ that. ae 7 State: of ‘bingo. ‘and latteries.. “together <swith-: “Davia .general eounsel, | have London, : Studying: .aproposed amendment ~ .to greenlight . the two... games . of |” : eae | ‘chance. Lotteries, which the.courts |." [have ‘interpreted.:to include bingo, : a — fare, .presently.. barred "by article, “".°. five, section *33 of the ‘Michigan anaes | constitution, « “Pringipal ‘hdvorates ¢ ot the amend: oles ment ‘are:. veterans ‘organizations. , proposal; “basing. objections ons: ors economie. and ‘moral: factors.” ; ‘: Toei Fest Windup.. ‘Honolulu, J. any. 2. “TaetFilm Festival -ends:. today. . eh ) ‘(Tues,). “at” “Consolidated’s’:‘down|‘... : | town Princess .Theatre: ‘First run... ‘showing ‘of “Young: ‘Prince -and-the =“ £ Playboy”: (Wakagimi’-to: -Jinanbo)7°" ‘is ‘bolstered by’ stage show. featur°° ¢-:. ‘ing: four Toei_stars;. .Kinya. ‘Kitaaji, os -. -Hiroki' | “Matsukata, . Chiyonosuke " on Azuma’ ‘and. “Yoshiko Mita.. ft “Five-day ‘event. . has: ‘hiad:. ‘two: or , ‘shiows_nightly:. plus’ three. matinees;_ ‘. oe with, house. scaled : cat $1 5“Pop. . wun, ot .