1^

—
^^ OME afterthoughts on the Academy
1^^ Awards while they are still fresh in
mind:
We have not seen Stanley Kramer's
brief, warm and humorous speech on accepting
the Irving Thalberg Award anywhere
in print, but here is the complete
text:
"When they told me that I was going to
receive the Irving Thalberg Award, I remembered
that Mr. Thalberg's mother and
my grandmother used to be bridge partners.
If they had told me at that time that
some day I
would receive the Irving Thalberg
Award I wouldn't have believed it
but my grandmother would."
At the same event. Bob Hope, the wellknown
M. C. who walks as if he were wearing
roller skates with the brakes on. was at
his very best. Many of his comments never
reached the TV audience because they were
delivered while the living room captives
were being "entertained" by the commercials.
Said Mr. Hilarious:
"Tonight you will see Hollywood's newest
and greatest production: 'Judgment
at Santa Monica.'
W-4
day and see a star in the window—it means
he's not working.
"However, Grace Kelly is coming back
here to make a movie. Monaco needs the
money. Since Jack Warner imy new landlord'
came back from there, the Casino
hasn't had enough big losers.
"As for those foreign movies being shown
in this country with all those strange people
doing strange things. I can't understand
it. If I make a U-turn on the way to
the studio, there is a policeman right there
to remind me that I am breaking the law.
"Some of the foreign movies are real
great, however, like 'La Dolce Vita'—meaning
what to do until the spaghetti is ready.
"Some of our Hollywood producers are
doing all right, too. in that department. If
they make a pictui-e that gets the Production
Code Seal of Approval, they look at
each other and say— 'Where did we fail?'
"So far we haven't had any bulletins
from Rome, but, in case you're worried,
Mrs. Stone is not the only one who had
a Roman Spring.
"Among the nominees for 'Best Song' is
the love theme from 'El Cid.' The music is
by Miklos Rozsa. The lyrics are by Paul
Francis Webster. Incidentally, Mr. Webster
wrote Miklos Rozsa's name."
Thank you, Bob, for the memories. As
a consolation prize you get the Point of
View Award for never being funnier.
"They say that 'Cleopatra' is going to
cost 30 million dollars. So who's worried?
It's been shooting so long that that comes
down to about two dollars a day.
Topic A throughout the world seems to
"This program will be interrupted if be the Elizabeth Taylor embroilment. Because
of the nature of human nature, it
there are any news bulletins from Rome . . .
"As you know, this auditorium is only a seems to take precedence in the minds of
few feet from the ocean. We are leaving many over international crises of far
the back door open so that if the 'Mutiny greater importance and significance. This
on the Bounty' cast gets back in time they writer, along with many others, I am sure,
can wade ashore.
is frequently asked, "What do you think
of it?"
"Ironic,
Opinion
isn't
reserved.
it, that Hollywood's
We are in the
greatest
business of criticizing
moment of the
pictures
year
or
should
business
be going
out
operations,
all over
not
the
people.
world—from Santa Monica?
Rather than be the first to throw a Biblical
stone at Miss Tayor's
"I don't expect
Spring, let's
to win an Oscar myself,
refer the discussion
but
to
I'm
the opinions
still smiling.
of
Hollywood is full of others
method
and simply report. (This
actors, but I'm what
column
they call a can hardly be
•method'
accused of cowardice in
loser. I wouldn't
view
be surprised if.
of its usually
instead
forthright
of
opinions,
giving me but the
an Oscar, the Academy
young lady has been
voted
lacerated
to put
from sufficiently
a manhole cover over
my
other
star on
sources
Hollywood
without our having
Boulevard. My agent to join as
keeps
a soloist in
telling
the chorus.)
me not to worry, that I'm
still young. That's one good
The best
thing
analysis
about
of Miss Taylor's dilemma
is given in the April 13 issue of
having a 95-year-old agent.
Life Magazine, and it is rather
"As
frightening.
you know, George Scott rejected Never has the editorial mailed fist
his
of
nomination
a
for a best supporting role national magazine been so thinly
in
veiled in
'The Hustler.' I imagine that Mr. Scott so innuendous a velvet glove.
is sitting home tonight watching television
with his back From this, and
to the
other comments
set.
in the
press, one would gather that
"This
Miss Taylor
program is being taped for all of has all the assets in
our
the world except
actors
ordinary
intelligence, a sen.se of responsi-
overseas. It is probably the first
television program that will do better in bility, and a regard for
the
public opinion.
reruns than it did in the original.
Miss Taylor's next vehicle, if
"So many she ever
Hollywood actors are going gets one, might well be
overseas
a remake of
that
Ben
their agents are beginning Ames Williams' "Leave
to demand
Her to Heaven,"
ten per cent of the typhus shots. once made by 20th-Fox with Gene Tierney
"If you drive through Beverly Hills to- in the starring role. End of shudders.
Legion Post to Boycott
Runaway Production
HOLLYWOOD—At a membership meeting
condemning runaway production, the
American Legion Post 46 in Culver City
adopted a resolution calling for a boycott
of Hollywood interest films made in foreign
countries.
The action asked that such product not
be patronized by the public because of the
danger of Communist infiltration in picture
content, cooperation of some runaway producers
with Commie controlled unions
abroad, and certain filmites taking residence
overseas to "avoid their responsibilities
as citizens" and to "unpatriotically
evade their fair share of income taxes"
needed for national defense.
The resolutions wall be sent to the state
department of the American Foreign Legion
of California for consideration at its
convention this June.
Warners Mails Portfolio
On 'Chapman Report'
LOS ANGELES—Motion pictui'e exhibitors,
newspaper and magazine editors
throughout the U.S. are receiving from
Warner Bros, a portfolio, labeled "Case
histories from 'The Chapman Report,' a sex
survey of American women."
Each portfolio contains four "case histories"
of the characters portrayed by Shelley
Winters. Claire Bloom, Jane Fonda and
Glynis Johns in the Dan-yl F. Zanuck production
for WB, which also stars Efrem
Zimbalist jr.. Ray Danton. Ty Hardin and
Andrew Duggan.
The film, based on the novel by Irving
Wallace, was produced in Technicolor by
Richard Zanuck and directed by George
Cukor.
Suzanne Pleshette Signed
For '40 Pounds of Trouble'
HOLLYWOOD — Suzanne Pleshette has
been set by Tony Curtis and producer Stan
Margulies for the femme lead in "40
Pounds of Trouble," Curtis Enterprises production
for Universal release in which
Curtis and Phil Silvers are starred.
Miss Pleshette will portray Silvers' niece
in the romantic comedy scripted by Marion
Hargrove. The actress is currently appearing
in Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds," and
will
"
check in at U-I for "Trouble. slated to
roll in color and Panavi.sion April 19, with
Norman Jewison directing.
Prolog in 5 Languages
HOLLYWOOD—Stephen Boyd has been
set by producer Joe Pasternak to record
the prolog to MGM's "Jumbo" in five additional
languages to supplement the English
version. The actor will dub the track
in French, Spanish, Italian, Gei-man and
Japanese.
To Play Bob Hope's Son
HOLLYWOOD — Twelve-year-old Ricky
Kelman, described as having "a ski nose
like Bob Hope," has been cast by Warner
Bros, as Hope's son in "Critic's Choice."
Director Don Weis and producer Frank P.
Ro.senberg located the youngster while he
was playing a two-week engagement at the
Sombrero Playhouse in Phoenix.
BOXOFFICE April 16, 1962