Variety (March 1964)

Queen. Matilda « ... ee his “Recket_ ™ oxcmco eet aniston : ‘Richard Burton-Peter O'Teele, mt fm a dramatic tour de ferce. - Richly mounted, vividly real-—jzed ‘costume drama with ‘exeeptional dialog. An. exciting film and a bit of a history lesson. a Paramount Pictures “release of. “Hal .. Wallis production.: Stars: ‘Richard Burton. and Peter: ‘O'Toole. : . Directed:by Gienyille.: based -on play by Jean Anouilh;. editor, ‘Anne. Coates: production designer,: ‘John Bryan; manager, Denis Holt; art director, . “Maurice _Cartér; costume designer, Mar-. garet ‘Furse; . eamera. feoftrey” Unsworth; ‘score,’ ‘Laurence: Ropenthal, ~ conducted | ‘by ‘Muir . Mathieson. Freviewed | at. DeMille. -Theatre. | 28, “1964... Running. ‘time, 148 MINS. Thomas Becket, clea ..«.: Richard. Burton. King Henry Il’ rrestesesds . Feter: O'Toole’ Louis of France. ..... « John Gielgud Bishop of London, , _Quéen Eleanor. : Pope Alexafider Wm. Cardinal . Zambello scl ace et Brother John ~ ‘David Weston: ‘Archbishop of Canterbury, Felix ‘Aylmer Duke of Leicester a .l../ Inigo Jackson. ? Paola -Stoppa ‘Gino Cerv ersénove Gwendolen _ .', Stan ‘Phillips French Girl ete eae Veronique Vendell glish. peaasnt .. ~.: Gerald Lawson His. Daughter °-...-..5.-.. Jeniffer Hilary: Prince Henry. ©... .......-. Riggs 0’Hara. Bishop of Winchester | we Bishop of York .-. Bishop of Chichester .. Farmer's. Daughter .-... "William of Corbeil ...:.. Brother Philip -'Pope’s .Secretary French Failor: . Linda. Marlow: Graham Stark .Mictor Spinetti ‘Girl. on Balcony. > Magda nopke. .. Henry Its ‘Barons. "Niall MacGinnis, ‘“:. Percy ‘ Herbert,.Christopner _Rhodes, Peter, Jeffrey. aaa aweeee ss Leave aside the: chance: that “this one, made.in the Shepperton’ Stu dio of Britain, . may go.inta the record as. Hal. Wallis’ . finest. film ever. The buffs of cinema will argue ‘that. Enough to.declare. that: this. is a very fine, perhaps great, motion “picture, a credit to the industry’ as _. Well as. Wallis. It is. costume drama. =: put not Yfoutine,. invigorated" ‘by story .substance;, personality : clash,. ‘bright dialog’ and. religious: interest: |! ‘Not least among its virtues -is the. pace of the. narrative in the astute. handling: of Peter Glenville, with “mounted the stage play. from. which the film’ is. derived. : 7 Patrons, and perhaps many ‘Te. viewers, will ‘tend. to heap’. all. of the credit: on the: actors: They de-: serve. what they: get but a judicious: weighing of yalues, putting . first: ‘things first, cannot slight: Glenville. | the. tight «screenplay. of Edward Anhalt, the.art direction of Maurice Carter,’ the. .costume désign of : Margaret Furse, the production: de-| sign of John Bryan and, very.much, the swift-flow of: Anne ‘Coates’ cut‘ting. . In. brief, “Becket”. _ proves again that a. great. film: ‘is -the harmoniously -combined -: “amalgam of ‘many. professional. talenfs .as-! sembled. by a canny. showman. | Jean Anouilh’s original stage seript. He created the basic. eonflict which. fies. the whole panorama together. The. quality. of “inteHectualism”’. in: the French ‘dramatist. ° has: been. nicely’ dispersed: by. -Anhalt., and’ Glenville for .the mass. ‘market ahd --most faris. wilk barely know . ‘they are having:an. intellectual .as well . as an emotional. experience. True, 7 there aré some. remaining ..inconeruities in the dialogue.-The ear is occasionally . jolted back into. the. 20th Century when. hearing: terms} such as “perennial adolescent” and| “gate erasher.”’.- Which is not to quibble ‘since: the modern. -psychology’ of . Anouilh lends.. fascination to these’ 12th. -Century. shenanigans. by. investing “them with special motivational in-} sights. rare in costume drama.: The. “basie story is,.of course, historic, the murder on Dec. 29, 1170 in the Cathedral of ‘Canterbury. ‘of its archbishop, Becket, by baroiis. from. the entourage of Henry. Il, zreat-. ‘grandson of William the. Conquerer. For fictional purposes,’ Becket: and | the King had been. old roustabouts. ‘together, much as, later: in ‘English . history, Henry TV ‘and: Falstaff were. “Liberties: apart, the killing’ of the! . primate in the sanctuary.was orie Ages, The incident yields Hal Wallis .and Paramount ‘an angle. with history classes and parochial: schools. ‘The relationship. of King... and. Archbishop is the taut’ ‘string on which ‘many emotional, notes. rever berate: Beginning. as easy familiars} of hunt, tavern and council,: the pair come to head-on: clash -as’:éx“ponents of. royal and ecclesiastical privilege. The irony. of the plot Ties | in Henry making Becket. archbishop as a ‘political trick’ only to have his chum turn ' serious Christian on him.’ ‘In the title role, Richard. Burton|: gives a generally . convincing and: resourceful performance: * It. strangely theatrical’: when ‘he ‘in teres Latin. phrases at. the : altar during his. consecration . as. arehbishop, and Jater. The .transition |. ‘Peter ‘Screenplay by Edward Anhalt, . (Technicolor), "Martita. Hunt. . Pamela ‘Brown ‘John. Phillips. Frank Pettingell : Hamilton Dyce |. Patrick Newall. evened. Geoffrey. Bayldon. advantage of having also. | as -hand-lettered ‘on. parchment, a The screenplay © owes much: to from: the cold, “ealeulating Saxon : courtier. of ‘a Norman: king into a “ duty-obsessed stficere ‘churchman ‘is | ‘not easily’ managed. . Burton. does. manage, thaugh there may be. wise-| ‘eracks that religious conversion is} far-off. his: personal’ publicity ‘and |: yas. .anarchbishop he is playing} against ‘type, thespically and , a journalistically. oT, | and. the more likely. to get a “best anionship’-has. been “provided -by-|ar e ia . +." plays double role. and” sings. tte ‘Saxon Becket.. Hating-loving; King a -‘tormented, . More’ believable . ‘than. ‘the® aloof Becket. can seem, : : The: latency of liomosexuality: in the relationship | is .more than hirited:. A line: of. dialog’ ‘describes ‘the King’s. reaction ‘to rejection as df Becket.were a woman.-”: There is. ‘ed by: Sian’. Phillips, . fo the king favor for: another wench. The mistress takes: the’ first, opportunity to kill ‘herself rather than sleep: with]. the: king. Revolted: by. the blood, the monarch wishes not:to bé alone that. night. There: is an implication | that the two'-men -share~ the: one |. bed, -the ‘king in.torment of. conscience, Becket as the. comforting presence..: “ In the: Jarge: ast, ‘there’ are’ a Variety of sharply etched. vignettes. ‘The. ‘brutalized’ barons: “are | well. ‘primed . ahead -as:. capable of assassination ‘most foul. . The. Bishop ‘of: London, when’ passed” up for the “+ Canterbury -see, ... becomes, “as de-| ‘ineated by Sir’ Donald Wollfit, . a ‘man. of. strong. personality ‘and dubious’ morality. “Anything to: get the job in the end. -and get bacek at ‘a Saxon pig.: ‘Strangely assorted. ‘sly. faeces: appear.: around. . Pope _ Alexander: HI -to :whom Becket. ap-. ‘peals. when threatened with. a. royalframe for embezzlement.: This’ very feet’ of the. white-robed: reign‘ing Pontiff (Paola Stoppa) ‘who, however, -mixes. some compassion with banishment to a ‘monastery. titles’: ‘and ¢redits: are represented. ‘nice touch in itself, to. suggest the ‘age -and the. cultural ‘Jevel. -Fans should be edified, too, .by.the intro-: ‘duction: into -Henry’s court: of a ‘great novelty—forks. As for the. French: king. (Sir.John Gielgud): and ‘his retinue, they are-.a curiously effete. ‘bunch. But... it” all. makes: good: theatre: a Imagination in casting. stumbled ‘in’ the choicé. of. Felix Aylmer, as}. bury who helps’the plot along. ‘by: dying. ‘The trouble is that Aylmer has -done... so. many: ‘such: elderly’ trademark: He was.too predictable: stereotype. as the: Queen-Mother, though. in’. this, Anstance she" chad few: lines, If there ’ is: ‘no. “central. “poy-girl romaiice in-’..“Becket,”’ plenty ‘Of. Arollops, : ineluding Mer ‘onique : Vendell, -as ‘a. French lass ‘under the royal sheets, -andJenifer. Hilary, ‘a peasant girl..whose one ‘line is, “Shall.I undress, my: Lord?” “Anyone for: terinis? David. . Weston, ° monk, symbolizes religious sincerlity. and dies alongside‘Becket: on the ‘altar. wealth of: values runningfor ‘it’s boxoffice. success.. than: plot and counter-plot, -broads word and local: color. Plainly great. care. went into: the production . in Technicolor and‘ Panavision. (Of thé musical: score: by . Rosenthal ‘it may. be_ said; as an ‘intended compliment:. that. it serves without obtruding). It. appéars. that ‘the liturgical detail.“ was carefully Yresearched to its:period. The cathe-t dral set was “necessarily eonstructed: ‘mostly | for:.. Geoffrey Unsworth’ ‘Ss camera angles: rather than’ for facsimile’ Ss. sake. * sential.-merits. ‘The. ‘power: of this is; feature : film. is, . rooted: in -.characterization. . It is endowed . with ‘depth. and dialog; ‘two |. “elements. ofteri skimped ia costume. Lana. an ‘assert that,: as :Henry II, Peter}. O'Toole. ‘steals : the. “picture. ‘from | ‘Burton: Still. it“ emerges as.“the| .” ‘fatter -role,. and the more. colorful, |" aetor” nomination a year from ‘now.}|The ‘King. is. an unhappy -‘moriarch| who: has known little. affection in|. : Y..| life. His mother (Martita Hunt). and..." . — " his. wife (Paméla. Brown) are mere| = figures: in. the dynastic: game. Hej.: ‘despises. them: His: four ‘sons, in-|".:*. cluding the’ stupid. boy, Henry IIE, wot ‘bore him. ‘His. ‘only satisfying com-|. ~ miserably lonely. when deserted by |. his.“ ‘friend, O'Toole makes. of the}.:. -Many-sided;| » | baffled, ‘believable “human. being. |; ‘a -Scené, -earlier,’ of. comparable | 5, ; | significance: ‘Becket -has given’-up] his: mistress, heartbréakingly play because. he’ owes. him. a:. return of. |. Trudy. s waeee a ae ‘Dixie « ‘General’ 3. “Aide ‘tide of. Italian olive oil reaches the} ‘Incidentally, all: of : ‘the opening. ' \the earlier -Archbishop of Canter-! among whom © roles that quavery voice is now his | -Martita® Hunt was.. also * rather} there’. are, as. a * youthful, | “Becket”. comes alive ‘and stays alive ‘as. an entertainment. It -has..a}of the great scandals of the Middle}: ‘There: is.-more| “Laurence . “But judgment reverts to. the: es: “Ken Adam s the One ‘London... Editor, VARIETY. . -Kén Adam was: the ‘produe: tion designer. on. “Dr.. Strange-" ' Jove.) The ‘Variety review gave: the credit for art. direction to the wrong ‘guy. In:fact; ‘The: ' confusion.. was Adams is production designer. ‘But. Adam.is:the man: (as he _.was on “Dr: No,’ “Around The. World In *80-Days,” “The ~ Lee: Minof : Kissin® ‘Cousins a " (PANAVISION-COLOR) Lesser. ‘Presley. -tunefilm,.” ‘He. eleht, songs. Weak ‘story. ".” Hollywood, Feb. 21:. tion.. Stars O’Connell, : Glenda. Farrell, ‘Jack Gerald : Drayson . Adams, Eli Dunn. cows * Elvis Pr eevee kee “Arthor OrConnelt Glenda: Farrell Captain ‘Robert “Saba: 17 -Jack, Albertson. Selena Tatum: Midge , Azalea Tatunt ‘General Alvin Donford... Master. Sat: William. ‘George Bailey J Tommy Farrell. -Pam: Austin " Cynthia: Pepper th we cee ee te eee -Donald* Woods Beverly: -Powers Career: is -to -coritintie to' flourish. as in: the. past:. A “few. more like. this” and Cuhnel ‘Parker. ‘may have. to press ‘the panic.button. — . ‘Presumably, Metro. .iscounting heavily. on the support: of ruralites’ -to bring home fhe. boxoffice. bacon. The -ammunition-is Elvis in‘a‘dual ‘role, a ‘bunchof ‘songs; a backwoods: setting | and a bevy of: decorative young ‘females. in..a minimum. of: ‘wardrobe.. ‘But producer Sam Katz‘mah “and. ‘staff. -bave: “forgotten. several “little” things like a.well-devolped. ‘storyline. and“ characteér-. ‘izations that-are at Ieast remotely [related to: life. Without these: Vital. -ingredients,-‘‘Kissin’ Cousins” is a ‘+ commercial -” long. shot, . country. Gerald: Drayson. “Adains’ ‘came. up. with. ‘a_ripe ‘story. premise, | but he: and ditector-ed-scenarist. Gene’ Nelson appear’ to. have.-run ' dry of: creative’: inspiration” in trying to. develop it. Yarn is.concerned: with : the ‘problem: faced. by -the U.S:. ‘government in attempting .to estab‘lish an. ICBM: base: on land’ owned’ ‘by an ‘obstinate hillbilly clan. To} solve the’ “problem;: ‘the -Air Force | sends: in a lieutenant (Présley) who: to: the’. stubborn ‘critters; is his: lookalike oe cousin | {Elvis ins a blond: wig,” no. is... kin. téss),.. At. ‘the: ‘Poot: of” the: failure of “Kissin’: Cousins”. are.-two.. princi-. pal.factors. One is the business of: bursting into” song .out -of : context’ in: the. middle. ofa scene... This |} used to be. reasonably acceptable . to. atidiences, but. now. it is beginning’ to evolve into an. anachronism. ‘Smoother, ‘slicker, more convine|’ ing’. techniques for. Japsing . into | song are: necessary: in..the: modern Imusi¢al, The other prime negative | ‘factor inthis film is the synthetic,.. two-dimensional pivotal: character, the one portrayed’ by ‘Presley. The. | star’s ‘character: must be appealing. ‘Tt. must ‘have: depth. ‘and ‘substance. to enable his ‘young: fans to. relate: to him. well as ‘possible ‘under the’ ‘circum stanees. He: also. sings: ‘eight songs.: Arthur O’Connell:.is. excellent. ‘as. the” patriareh . of « ‘the mountain: -chan, waste of’ falent.. “Glenda Farrell :is’ ‘put what .4. mountainous good ‘as his hick wife, . .and ‘delivers ‘one musital number-~ effectively:.: Jack. Albertson: handles a. comedy Tole: capably, . -and: Donald ‘Woods .a ‘straighter. assignment . with: “pre finesse. aor . The film. features. thireeluscious females .— Pam : Austin, Cynthia |. { Pepper. and . Yvonne ° "Craig. :Miss. ‘Craig. gets ‘the’ biggest play and, | with | a. racy, cuddly* ‘performance, tT ‘makes: the.strongest’ impression. Miss Austin sort’ of: vanishes. in'explicably: about, Halfway. through 4-the:story. ‘Evidently “she is . the. | femme. ead: on the. cutting 2 room | Lewis, | ‘director. Fred Karggr. ee itSingled: ‘out. the -sets . for: |. 1 praise, t-would not’ be ‘warranted ‘to| probably. because: Peter. Mar-. -ton’s-eredit is art director, and on ‘Trials of. OscarWilde,” “éte.) :| of production.. (Columbia Pictures) ‘}Jan : ant ‘director, Don. Torpin: the studio. Feb. 24, Metro: ‘release of. Sam Katzman produc: Elvis Presley; ‘features Arthur. ‘Albert|. 7] Son Pam. Austin, Cynthia Pepper, Benen by raig. recte y -Gene. Nelson creen|: play. ‘neyman. efficiency, .Nelson,; elso |'Comanche -Creek”’. from . story: by. ‘Adams; camera “(Metra‘color), Ellis W.: -‘Carter:. editor; Ben Lewis: assistant director, | Reviewed at Crest Theatre; North. Long Beach, Feb. 21, "64. Running time,’ 8. MINS. ” Elvis Presley. esley. cn -.2s.ee ¥vonne Craig nites _ Hortense Petra | Robert Stone: risks his ‘neck in guinea pig fashion ‘to’ uproot ‘the ‘gang . from. -within. ‘His: ‘low-pressure, easygoing -histri-: oni¢’style-may not be great. acting,’ ern = hero formances | are. also delivered . by ‘city. Or a Of ‘a: ‘narrator’s voice. tends; :: spots, to be superfluous: ‘and: con. \ ‘descending... A , | Carlton. ‘Film... E: Jean. Desailly; Mic’ wgleddees “ies ‘Paul. Amiot. Nicky... Beene eeeeeecees “Catherine Lafond | Evelyne we wos ee we wees “Elisabeth Wiener, ‘the. older ‘folks is “somewhat. old. | hat.and ‘sans the. insights, thesping |. or -révéaling ..direction to keep : it. . mainly. a l6cal item. Histtionically,. “presley ‘does as. ‘another forgives. A: few girls: help. ; Meira. : a floor. Beverly’ “Powers chips: “in | some fancy: cleavage to the cause.. | ‘Some of Ellis W. Carter’s ‘photo|. . graphy’ is. striking. Capable credits |. are ‘also: attained. by editor Ben} ‘art directors” George. :W. Davis and Eddie Imazu. and. mua “Tu e Gantigne, At. Comanche . Creek . _ (PANAVISION-COLOR) Serviceable’ ‘program “western » with: ‘Audie: Murphy. .a | Hollywood,: Feb: 24. 'Atlied Artists . ‘peléase. of BenSchwalb. Stars Audie Murphy, Ben -Cooper,. Colleen. Miller, DeForest Kelley, | Merlin. Directed” by Frank McDonald. . Screenplay, Edward Bernds;.. camera. . | Me. Luxe), Joseph. F.. Biroc;: editor,. Wil Jiam. Austin; ‘music, Marlin. Skiles;-assist-. » “64; Running. time, ‘90.-M ‘). Gifford... ees ca cece cove. Audie’ Murphy.| | Carter. cece ecto cee ccccneBen. CoopérAbbie. ,s ee ee : Colleen: Miller | Froop «2... 3.2 seneeee ee. .. DeForest Kelley : Nielson .. 22. ..iieec.e.3.5.. Jan. Merlin ‘| Marshal ‘Shearer’ eeosces-JOHN Hubbard ; Winton . eee sa veavenene Damian: O’F lynn Janie a Susan. ‘Seaforth. | Devised and executed ‘with jour: | “Gunfight. -at | is tailor-made. ta satisfy the tastes of the ‘Audie: selectivity’ scale; but as a “program |:; western, the. role for which it’ has. ‘been désigned; it is right on. target. ‘Allied’ Artists should get ample " boxoffice mileage out of the Ben ‘Sehwalb ‘production. ~ Serviceably. “written” by. Edward. Bernds ‘and. tautly directed. by: “This: ‘new: “Elvis “Presley. “‘egneoe-. ‘Frank: “McDonald, ‘tion is..a pretty: dreary. effort, one that: -certainly. won't: replenish’ the’ : popularity’ of Sir Swivel. Presley. _Neecs. —.and merits — more-sub‘stantial material: than’ this. if ‘his: ~ “Gunfight -at Comanche Creek” describes, with. ‘a ‘minimum.. of-: outrageous. contrivance, ‘the. Tisky -adventures . of ‘a. member of.the National Detective. Agency, : ‘eirea 1875, in ferreting out “Wednesday, March 4 964 -rected “by Noel: Howard.. + tor, Reviewed at | Bou ‘Viens-Ta Jeknuy? : (Where ‘Are You From’ Johnny?) . » (FRENCH-COLOR).a ‘Paris, ‘Mareh 3.-°°| Imp eria: ‘eléase ‘of Hoche: Films-SNO.: eville production.: ‘Stars: Johnny. a y; features Sylvia: Vartan; Evelyne ‘Dane ary: Henri Vilbert,; Pierre Barrouh. Dk © Screenplays. Yvan Audouard,: Christian Plume; ‘came -‘era: astmancolor),. Walter “Wottitz; edi_R. .Lichtig. '. At arignan, Paris. * Running time, 108. MIN fIJohnny .... og ee a ; Tobniny: ‘Hallyday: ‘Gigipu see ‘ ‘Sylvie. ‘Vartan we -] Ma Gali. cca stetassies .. Evelyne Dandry. -. — Christophe ’. ‘ebeeee Henri. Vilbert — Django “Pierre. Barrouh ermeteGevaceesearia trying ‘to. cash in: ‘on the ‘pull: of. . of Tok” and twist: singer. Johnny . ' ‘Hallyday.. is: the’ mainstay .of thie : would-be: ‘action. film. Otherwise it. is-ineptly directed, haltingly played ©: ‘and ‘mainly: for’ local chances. on. . the” ‘Hallyday’ tag. ne -. The. “handsome °* plonde. youth a here gets:a chance to sing one song ‘before the. titles..But after that‘he | hardly’ has any more: to.parade his > ; ‘vocal talents as he goes. back to his . ‘ home /in» the. plains: section ..of -: ‘Frartce. He: is--chased ‘by: ‘gangsters — whose. cache of. dope he. has a _ ‘destroyed. ” Beta, ‘Dhere: are ‘some. riding séenes, aa and . also: a’ vague love™ affair. Sylvie Vartan,:also :a. rock fave,.is . ‘Murphy branch of:the. International. forlornly unable to" show any act=_. | Society of: Western “Film Addicts. Its © palatability . diminishes. some| ‘what. as ‘one ascends the audience | ‘* ing’ possibilities ‘while Hallyday at’ least..does. have a fairly Magnetic: ve presence. . 7. . This. feeble film: with: its halt" ‘ing. story ‘values and flat. direction, : 4 ‘will not help — ‘Hallyday’s. rep-much -with youngsters. Regular filmgoers . f “will not stand mich ‘of it'sinee they. : | -get:a staple of fine ‘actioners and westerns. from the -U:S: Pic .is. an -miss.. ‘However, it Jooks Tike. it-did. not have -too. big a nut and could. possibly: make ‘its ‘way .on ‘playoff ' via. Hallyday’s popularity ‘with: the younger’ ‘population: It is ‘technic. ally: fair. "Mosk. : , . . cade — : re — ) et and bringing to justice a. gang. of: |... badmenwhose" technique iit..is to | ‘spring’ prisoners. from: jail, fatten. their bounties. by implicating #iem: ‘in-further hoist, ang then shooting | them for purposes. of collecting’ the. sizeable ‘bounty stipend:. . Murphy plays. the detective who. but: it’s. ideally suited. tothe westmold.. _.-Useful Ben Cooper,. Colleen. Miller, De Forest : ‘Kelley, Jan ‘Merlin, John: ‘Hubbard, Damian’ O'Flynn ‘Susan Seaforth. . and: “The film is. haridsomely decked: out in? Panavision and De Luxe: ‘Color ‘and = contains knowing pro-duction efforts.in the. western vein: by. cameraman Joseph F. -Biroc; editor William Austin, cart direc ‘tor’ Edward ‘Jewell . and. composer Marlin. _Skiles. However; “the. use Tube. “Annee Du. Bae . (Graduation Year) | (FRENCH). Ls a we . «Paris, Feb. 35. Prédis’ release. of: -CICC-Bertho Filnis:. “port. ‘production. . With ‘Simone:: Valere, Paul | Amiot,,Jacques Rispal, Elisabeth ‘Wiener.. Written ..and-. directed. by Jose Andre. Lacour; camera; ‘Andreas Winding; music, |. Claude Carrere. At Avenue, Paris. : :Run-ning time, 90. MI NS. ather. a a acs Jean. “Desailly. Mother. . evens eneeee ie ifs -Simone -Valere “Adapted from a ‘hit play’ Of a few. years ago,. this. loses nearly everything. intransfer to. the. screen. Its ‘theme ° about. the. ‘misunderstand ings of the young “generation with: from falling. into. familiarity. It: is. “A group-of young ‘boys. are dis : illusioned ‘with. their. Fathers when’ ‘the. truth comes out.” about ..them.. One kills ‘himself;.one runs off: and them in. their -decisions . ‘or aid them. “But . no -feeling : ‘for ‘the’ -characters comes through... Jose Andre Lacour, who. scripted: and directed;. also. is hamstrung. by ‘uninspired: thesps.. He--seems “un able to.give this movement or snap. -Technical’ credits. are only par and. even the renown of the play; which fhesps.. ¥ will not: ‘help. this one.. = Mosk... ‘Richard. Jessup’s jlovel: “The ‘Cincinnati. Kid,” which: Martin Ransohoff. recently aequired : for Film ways’. ‘production, “Bore, out: ‘via. ‘ per-} essary: —, ‘continued from page 5 — | : the ‘Kanawha | chiefs is’ ‘that if ‘the’ Pie had: been_ bought -for }$50,000 outright—which ‘producers of some. ‘equally esoteric pix ask. and. get, | the Poles would have cut -them-:. ‘selves ‘off. from the: hefty . -addi-. . ‘tional change “which. As: going. to accrue. The ‘moral: “foreign ‘producers o must ‘be prepared .‘to:.share. the’ risks: inherent “in the: American market by (1) offering. their films:’.. at the right price, and. (2): trusting’ | their. U.S, distribs’ to. give them. an. ‘honest: and complete accounting of expenditures. ‘(The lattér, of course, | ‘puts. something of. a burden. on. the: ® U.S. distrib, but the: ‘Kanawha boys. a } feel that’s. the only way to-beat an .. otherwise impossible. game. )Kana-~ ‘wha, incidentally,’. would like. it . known: that they -are not interested” * fin pitting up. more than $10, 000° ; D | for: any acquisition. _ -Meanwhile, ing. into ‘release, .. “The. Doll, ” just: gor: has" ‘been, one :.. “of the .Season’s. major surprises. ‘to: ° ‘Broadway ‘filmmen: Pic’s. preem. -. date at the Embassy, on Broadway. 7 +was-cut short. ‘at ‘Seven. weeks -be|-cause.’ of. a “previous .. “booking, but | Still managed,.:as .a. result of some: strange chemistry: which showmen ‘are ‘still pondering, . ‘to “Pay. off its. initial: ‘investment: Though ‘the’. film -¥eceived’ very. respectable notices for: the’ most’ part,’ ‘Kanawha. went ‘the _exploita-: tion route -with it. at the Embassy” (Barined: In England!” ). and got ‘some of the healthiest businéss to. be. found on. ‘Big: Street. Pie: is’ do-. ing: equally well-in its second U.S... -date ‘at:Ben. Sack’s -Capri ‘Theatre... ‘in Boston. (It was Sack, incidental° ly; ‘who described. Kanawha as “two. -guys, two. prints and a’ girl: ‘whoa can't. take shorthand.” ). ts Despite its: Sa aca happy’ cir: | cumstances, ‘King ‘and Ramos -say they. have no thought of expanding Le, {or reaching ‘out for more expen sive product, .They’re going: to keep ‘the’ overhead. low, the prices right, : orie. set of “pooks; and ‘setting as |. many dates ‘as they. can from -New: ‘York—using a limited. number: of.. subdistribs “where ’ absolutely: 1 nee ‘Munoz. ‘Personals ‘i ‘in. “Texas San Antonio,. March: 3. Rene Munoz; Mexican motion pic-. | ture:star, appearing in person this e week. at the Alameda, ace Spanish. | language theatre here. : spawned. © ‘Many: present: name On':the ‘screen. is: the: star“Pray, || Escoba,” "an Azteca Filnt Teleasé. ‘Pietro ‘Francisci, who: “directed. abet “Hercules” pix, has‘two more. brewing: ‘Hercules, Samson, and — -“Maciste * Fight -Baek,”‘and.“Her‘eules, Maciste,: Samson, and. ‘Ursus s : against. the: Universe: ” ae a an Sinan 0S ae “ter ake eel