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MEWS AND VIEWS OF THE PRODUCTION CENTER
I Hollywood Of/ice— Suite 320 at 6362 Hollywood Blvd.. William Hebert. Western Manaocn
Cliff Robertson Cast
As John T. Kennedy
HOLLYWOOD—One of the most important
casting decisions of the year was
announced by Jack L. Warner in revealing
that Cliff Robertson has been signed
to play the role of Lt. John F. Kennedy in
•PT-109.
Lewis Milestone will direct the film,
dealing with F^-esident Kennedy's wartime
adventures, including a full-scale re-enactment
of Pacific sea battles, highlighted
by the crash of Kennedy's motor toiisedo
boat by a Jap destroyer.
Work has already begun in Munson
Island. Key West, on coiistructing the fleet
of FT boats which will be used in the South
Pacific battle. Warner will personally
supervise production, with Bryan Foy as
producer. It will be lensed in Panavision
and Technicolor, based on Robert Donovan's
book, "PT-109."
Dick Van Dyke Contract
For Five Columbia Films
HOLLYWOOD—A seven-year, five-picture
deal with Columbia Pictures has been
signed by Dick Van Dyke, inclusive of his
currently filming "Bye Bye Birdie." in
which he makes his motion pictm-e debut in
the role he created on Broadway.
The deal does not include the actor and
Byron Paul's independent Lotus Productions,
which plans "Zoomar." based on the
late Ernie Kovacs' novel, as its initial
project.
Also being prepared by Lotus are "Laurel
and Hardy," to star Stan Lam-el, and
"Gold," originally written as a video series
by Paul and Allan Chase, which Paul has
rewritten as a screenplay.
Refurbished Ghost Town
Given Over for Tourists
HOLLYWOOD — On the condition that
no other motion picture or TV company be
permitted to use the site for location work.
MGM will leave the refurbished buildings
of the mining ghost town of Oatman. Ariz.,
used in filming MGM-Cinerama's "How
the West Was Won," as a future tom'ist
attraction.
Some of the changes made by MGM
crews under the set direction of Addison
Hehr include paint jobs on some 20 dilapidated
buildings to give them an 1880
flavor and construction of a balcony and
boardwalk around the old two-story hotel
building.
Oscars Are Given Credit
For Improving Pictures
HOLLYWOOD—Congressman James C.
Corman of California recently voiced high
praise for the role that the Oscar Show of
the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and
Sciences has played in raising the artistic
level of the film medium.
On the floor of the House of Representatives,
Corman declared that the awards
provide an incentive to strive for an increasingly
better product and have raised
the standards of motion picture production
and made the American film industry
the finest in the world.
In his remarks to Congress. Corman
said:
"The motion picture industry, which has
long been a significant element in our nation's
economy, is particularly important to
my congressional district where many of
its facilities are located, in which many of
its employes live and from where so much
of its creativity springs. The industry directly
employs thousands of people, and
through its varied operations helps to employ
thousands more in related industries.
More important, perhaps, it brings untold
enjoyment into the daily lives of millions,
both at home and abroad."
Jim Burkett Joins
MGM Laboratories
HOLLYWOOD—James Burkett has resigned
as vice-president of Pathe-America
to become sales manager for MGM Laboratories
in Culver City. Mike O'Hara takes
over Burkett's position with Pathe. At the
same time, Walter G. Eggers. formerly
vice-president with Movie Lab in New York,
was engaged by MGM Lab as assistant to
Alan Jackson, who heads the laboratory
here. Both appointments emphasize MGM's
recent decision to extend its lab facilities
to producers and distributors outside the
studio.
Newman and Loren
Are British Choices
Hollywood — Robert Rossen's "The
Hustler" was named by the British
Film Academy as the best foreiRn picture
of the year, in a tie with the
USSR's "Ballad of a Soldier." Paul
Newman was named best foreign actor
as a result of his performance in Rossen's
picture, and Sophia Loren was
named best foreign actress for "Two
Women."
Tall Down' Chosen
For Cannes Festival
HOLLYWOOD—MGMs "All Fall Down"
has been named the U. S. entry at the
Cannes Film Festival to be held May 7-21.
The festival selection committee announced
that the picture was selected because of its
"exceptional artistic merit."
Eva Marie Saint, Warren Beatty, Karl
Maiden and Angela Lansbury head the cast
of the fUm, which John Houseman produced
and John Prankenheimer directed.
Roy Evans Returns to LA
As UA Circuit Staffer
LOS ANGELES—Roy Evans, for the past
three months in New York as division
manager of Skouras Theatres, has returned
here to join the parent company. United
Ai-tists Theatres, as assistant to general
manager Fred Kunkel in buying, booking
and theatre operation.
Reason for the move is United Artists
Theatres projected expansion in Southern
California, where the circuit now operates
11 theatres. Plans are to acquire several
more in the near future.
Evans also will work with Kunkel on UA
circuit's long range remodeling plans in
which over $1,000,000 will be spent on refurbishing
and remodeling all theatres.
The Four Star recently was completed at a
cost of $160,000 for the "Black Tights"
premiere and engagement. The UA Pasadena
and Glendale also have been completely
done over and work is progressing
on the Long Beach.
Evans joined Skouras Theatres several
months ago after many years as district
manager for National Theatres and Fox
West Coast.
Grain Harvesting Theme
Of Next Zephyr Feature
HOLLYWOOD—"Some Men Reap," a
story of American grain harvesting, will be
filmed by Zephyr Productions in June with
president Paul Parry producing and directing.
Zephyr also will release the picture
on a regional basis.
The featm-e will be shot in Eastman Color
and widescreen.
New George Chakiris Role
HOLLYWOOD—Harold Hecht has signed
Oscar winner George Chakiris to costar
with Yul Br^^mer and Richard Widmark in
"
"Flight From Ashiya. to roll June 1
for United Artists release. Chakiris is
currently starring in "Diamond Head."
BOXOFFICE April 16. 1962 W-1