Boxoffice-January.10.1953

a
December Blue Ribbon Award
Goes to 'Plymouth Adventure'
By DOROTHY F. MARTIN
lyjETRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER'S big Technicolor production depicting the hazardous sea
voyage of the Pilgrim Fathers, "Plymouth Adventure." was the decisive winner of
the BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Award in December. Under the personal supervision of
Dore Schary. the company's production chief, every resource of the studio was used to
bring this account of one of the great events of history to the screen. The picture stars
Spencer Tracy in the role of the Mayflower's captain. Gene Tierney, Van Johnson and
Leo Genn. which battery of thespians gives showmen a head start with exploitation
factors. Clarence Brown provided a top directorial touch.
Authenticity of sets and costumes and the
thrilling scene of the storm at sea were mentioned
again and again by members of the
National Screen Council as votes mounted
for this entry. All this was brought about by
four years of careful research in preparation
by Schary. Brown and the author of the
screenplay. Helen Deutsch. Thus framed,
the acting of the principals and supporting
members of the cast, gives the exhibitor
an offering w'hich will appeal to all segments
of the public and in every situation.
Reviewing "Plymouth Adventure" in its
October 25 issue BOXOFFICE has this to
say: ".
. an
engrossing, stirring and .suspenseful
motion picture. Artistically and
technically it is a magnificent job of filmmaking,
loaded to the gunwales with praiseworthy
factors, all of which can be merchandised
to assure the profitable attendance
the feature's excellence merits. The
star-encrusted cast in itself should spell
capacity business."
This opinion has been substantiated in the
weeks following by the first run reports
from 17 cities with an average business of
124 per cent, well into the hit category. The
best figures came from Minneapolis where
"Plymouth Adventuie" scored 190 and in
Kansas City where the take showed 175 at
Loew's Midland. At the Liberty in Seattle
the first run did 160 and Indianapolis and
Los Angeles reported 140 per cent. BOX-
OFTICE Review Digest records a 10 plus
rating on the film.
As reported in the Showmandiser section,
showmen across the country have been quick
to take advantage of the duplication in the
title of the well known make of automobile
and have effected tie-ups with agencies in
Capt. Christovher Jones....Spencer Tracy
Dorothy Bradford Gene Tierney
John Alden
Van Johnson
William Bradford Leo Genn
Priscilla Mulli7is Dawn Addams
Coppin
Lloyd Bridges
William Brewster
Barry Jones
Gilbert Winslow John Dkhner
The Cast
Cortland, N.Y., Toledo, and other cities. In
Auburn, N. Y., Plymouth-Chrysler dealers
cooperated with exhibitor Joe DaSilva. using
poster cards with stills in the center of their
display windows and supplied a new Plymouth
for street ballyhoo. A new car was
placed on exhibit in front of the theatre
during exhibition dates. DaSilva also gave
away five jumbo turkeys with the co-operation
of a local merchant to lucky ticket
holders. Discounted student tickets were
distributed through city and county schools
in several towns. In St. Louis. Russ Bovim
invited the Society of Mayflower Descendants
to be his gue.'ts, thus garnering fine
publicity through the local press. The theme
lends itself to endless variations of these
exploitation ideas, even though the Thanksgiving
release date is now past.
Quoted herewith are comments received
from members of the National Screen Council
with their ballots:
"Plymouth Adventure" is outstanding—
definite "must see." Not only for the beautiful
Technicolor but for the authenticity of
the sets and the historical accuracy. The
.storm at sea is terrific!—Dorothy R. Shank,
Radio Station WEBR, Buffalo.
Story well done. Historic scenes impressive.
Acting good. All so realistic the audience
is inclined to forget it is a film.—Mrs.
Volney W. Taylor, General Federation of
"Women's Clubs, Brownsville, Tex.
"Plymouth Adventure" rates award for
good acting and color photography. Storm
scenes are memorable.—Mark H. Alkire jr..
Commercial News, Danville, 111.
Extraordinary combination; entertainment
and education.—Wm. Lewin, A-V
Guide. Maplewood, N.J.
Tommy Ivo
William Button
Edward Wiiislow Lowell Gilmore
Miles Standish
Noel Drayton
Mr. Weston Rhys Williams
Mary Brewster Kathleen Lockhart
Christopher ATartJn....Murray Matheson
Greene John Dierkes
John Carver PAtjL Cavanagh
JOHN ALDEN (VAN JOHNSON) AND PRISCILLA
MULLINS (DAWN ADDAMS) MEET ON BOARD
THE FAMOUS MAVlHj..LI: .'ACT IS SIGNED
BY THE PILGRIM LEADERS WHILE AT SEA
GENE TIERNEY AND SPENCER TRACY DEPICT
THE TRAGIC AND ILL-FATED LOVERS
Production Chief
Dore Schary
Producer Dore Schary
Director
Clarence Brown
Screenplay
Helen Deutsch
From the Novel by Ernest Gebler
Music MiKLOS ROZSA
Color by Technicolor:
Director of Photography
William Daniels, A.S.C.
Production Staii
Technicolor Color Consultant
..Henry Jaffa
Art Directors
Cedric Gibbons, Urie McCleary
Recording Supervisor
Douglas Shearer
Costumes Walter Plunkett
Makeup William Tuttle
4J This Award is Diven each month by the National Screen Council on the basis of outstandino merit
and suitability for family entertainment. Council membership comprises motion oicture editors, radio
(ilm commentators, and representatives of better film councils, civic and educational organizations.
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