Boxoffice-January.03.1966

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ROBERT BLUMOFE, United Artists vicepresident
of production, doesn't look
for a rush of "war
pictures." The opposite
will be the
case, with more
escapist films than
before with the continuation
of the Vietnam
engagement. He
reasons that since
1945 "we have been
living in a nuclear
age, with the atomic
threat hanging over
our heads. Stories
Robert Blumofe
about the Vietnam
war are not in demand. It's too close. Loy.
"While we are concerned about the
problems of nuclear war, I think the attitude
of the public is, 'Live for today, and
don't worry about the future,' " Blumofe
continued. "However, there is a World
War II orientation. Look at the themes
coming through which stress bravery and
heroism. I think it's a form of escape, a
make-believe situation for the public, not
a real war, which is fought against clear
issues. We're in the era of escapist stories
and spy stories, which are bigger than
reality on the screen."
ness. It has changed radically in 20 years.
In the past, a studio could get by with
mediocre pictures. Today, with selective
audiences and selective theatregoing
habits, only the fine picture has a chance."
HOLLYWOOD WRITING ASSIGNMENTS
On the position of the Hollywood writer
In the story market for originals, when
most of the pictures being made come from
novels or plays, Blumofe said. "Hollywood
writers want security more than anything.
They want assignments and are now much
more attracted to taking a 'job.' They cannot
have the benefits of maximum profit
from selling originals and having a job,
They can't have their cake and eat it,
too.
too."
Are the money incentives present for
originals? Blumofe said that $50,000 was
not much for an original screenplay and
he would be willing to discuss a prize contest
among the professional Hollywood
writers with this stake in mind.
He said there is a tremendous resurgence
in the film businsss abroad.
Europe is excited about motion pictures.
What is more important is taking place in
Prance, where a new group of films is
being made. These men are not the Truffauts,
but a new realistic group, such as
Louis Malle and Felipe de Roca. They are
the tongue-in-cheek satirical group, which
WITH SYD
CASSYD
has gained experience and is working much
more along orthodox lines. This brings
them in line with American acceptance,
but they do very well in foreign nations.
This trend will be followed and a new
school will develop in France.
In England, Blumofe said, the ideas set
forth in "HELP!" and "The Knack" are
entertaining and on the upbeat. Men like
Richard Lester, John Schlesinger, Tony
Richardson and Sidney Furie are the innovators.
Spain is turning out good pictures, more
on a production-line basis, rather than
with any great new modes. Italy is making
an enormous contribution with Antonioni.
Monicelli, Fellini and Nanni
GREATER ROLE FOR SCREENPLAY
In Hollywood, Elliot Silverstein, Sidney
Pollock and Ralph Nelson are the new
crop of innovators, Blumofe said. He observed,
"Stars no longer are as tough a
problem as they once were. There is a
greater awareness that it's the story and
not the picturemakers alone that counts
in today's market." Quoting a local bank
finance man, Blumofe remarked. "There is
no single 'bankable' star today."
Tors Names Ann del Valle
West Coast Publicist
HOLLYWOOD—Ann del Valle has been
appointed West Coast publicity director
MAKE-BELIEVE STORIES NEEDED
Blumofe carried this a step further and
included religious pictures. Turning to the
downbeat story in vogue about two years
ago, he found they were out of style. To for Ivan Tors Films, Inc. She was publicity
be successful now, a story has to be upbeat
director for Cecil B. DeMille until
and make-believe. Downbeat stories
his death. From early 1962 to mid-1965,
would be depressing, he said.
she was special area public relations director
What about the story market? Was it
for the George Stevens' film, "The
more difficult to find stories today?
Greatest Story Ever Told." Miss del Valle
Blumofe didn't think it was any different
joins the Tors organization on Monday
1
—always a problem.
10
"This is a tough busi-
1 to handle press and public relations
for the Tors' multiple-entertainment projects
and provide liaison, in behalf of
Tors, for the companies with which Ivan
Tors Films is variously associated.
CPI, Menahem Golan
Sign Two-Picture Deal
HOLLYWOOD—Cinema Productions International
announced a two-picture coproduction
agreement with Israeli producer-director
Menahem Golan. In making
the announcement, CPI president Harold
Goldman said the Golan films are in addition
to a 13-picture slate already scheduled
by CPI this year. Golan just completed
filming in England "Trunk to Cairo,"
which stars George Sanders and Audie
Murphy.
'Battle of Bulge' Breaks
Hollywood Boxoffice Mark
HOLLYWOOD—"Battle of the Bulge,"
Warner Bros.' Cinerama-Technicolor release
now in its exclusive engagement at
Pacific's Cinerama in Hollywood, broke an
all-time record on Christmas Day by doing
$9,700 in four performances.
Co-starring in "My Last Duchess," a
Paramount comedy, are Nancy Kwan and
Tony Curtis.
Publicist Sees 'Tailored'
Campaign for Pictures
HOLLYWOOD — The quarterly of the
Publicist Guild Local 818, the Image,
carried an article by Russell Birdwell. His
assignment at present is on the Universal
picture "Beau Geste." in production by
Walter Seltzer, producer, and Douglas
Heyes, director.
Birdwell sees an "entertainment hunger"
on the part of the public, which he feels
has been sighted by the production heads
of the studios. He said money is being
squandered in "paid-space" programs,
which repeat obsolescent prose first
describing "The Great Train Robbery."
Proper channeling of these funds, he
added, might bring wider publication and
exposure in all media, including broadcasting.
Birdwell sees more "tailored" campaigns
in sight than ever before, with public relations
specialists hired for specific pictures
by independent producers.
Yvette Mimieux Named
YESACTT Ambassador
HOLLYWOOD — Yvette Mimieux has
been named official ambassador to South
Vietnam by YESACTT, the Youth Expresses
Support through American Christmas
Trains and Trucks movement, sponsored by
the National Junior Chamber of Commerce.
Walt Disney gave her time off from filming
"Monkeys, Go Home!" to attend the
organization's special press conference in
San Francisco.
For this special drive, $100 million worth
of food, clothing, medical supplies and toys
for South Vietnam's civilians are being solicited
by Jaycees throughout the country,
to be transported by trains and buses to
the Bay Area for embarkment early in
1966.
Merrick Chooses 'Nana'
As First Feature Film
HOLLYWOOD—The famous Emile Zola
film "Nana" is to be Broadway stage-producer
Laurence Merrick's first feature film.
The venture is to be made as an independent.
Merrick looked at both the 1929
silent version and the 1934 United Artists
version. He will star Joan Huntington in
the title role. No starting date has been
announced.
Three Named to SPG
Milestone Awards Group
HOLLYWOOD — Robert Cohn, Lewis
Rachmil and Aubrey Schenck have been
named to serve with co-chairmen Norman
Felton and David Tebet on the 14th annual
Screen Producers Guild Milestone
Awards dinner committee, announces Louis
F. Edelman. SPG president.
Comedian Al Ritz Dies
HOLLYWOOD—Last rites for Al Ritz,
64. member of the Ritz Brothers comedy
team, were held here December 26. He
died December 22 in New Orleans, apparently
of a heart attack. Ritz, who organized
the family team that made 46 films, was
eulogized by Rabbi Lawrence Block as a
pioneer among film comedians. Attending
the services were the other two brothers
of the team. Harry and Jimmy.
W-2 BOXOFF1CE