Boxoffice-May.31.1971

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MILWAUKEE
pilmgoers here have shown especial interest
in two new first-run movies because
local ties with the featured stars. Will
of
Geer, who is seen in "Brother John," became
widely known in this area during his
tenure as actor and director with the Milwaukee
Repertory Theatre. In addition to
his appearances in stageplays. he frequently
gave dramatic recitals or lectures for club
eroups. "Brother John" is running at the
Riverside. Southgate. 59 Outdoor and Giant
41 .
EvMilwaukeean Tom Laughlin plays
the star role in "Billy Jack" at the Esquire
Theatre.
A Wisconsin novel has taken on revived
prominence because of the recent announcement
that it has been optioned for film production.
Leslie Cross, Journal book editor,
reports that "On the Mountain," which an experienced hand around like Kimball
shared the major fiction award of the Council
for Wisconsin Writers last year, is by Mike.
especially for a new manager," confides
Dion Henderson, who is Wisconsin director
Jerry Siegei, manager of the UA Cinema
of the Associated Press. He lives in suburban
Elm Grove. A contract has been ne-
One and Cinema Two theatres, 528 West
Wisconsin Ave., believes in keeping fit
gotiated by Joan Fulton of the Harold Matson
Co.. representing the author, and Lou
through athletics—only now his right arm
will be in a cast for three weeks as a result
Weitzman of the William Morris agency,
of a broken wrist he suffered while playing
in an outdoor game of softball. "I'm
in which Jack Miller Productions have been
allotted a year to begin the principal pho-
thankful, at least, that it's my right hand,"
Jerry said, "because I'm left handed" .
tography. Five per cent of the net profit is
due the author when the movie is released.
It is a story about an old man, a boy and
a wolf, with a wilderness setting. The latest
information is that the Oscar and Emmy
award-winning actor George C. Scott has
expressed an interest in the deal. He would
like to play the old man.
"Look what they've done to my canopy
again," sighed Tom Mack jr., manager of
the Sherman Theatre, 4632 West Burleigh,
pointing to the jagged holes that resulted
when a semi-trailer had drawn too close to
the curbing in front of the movie house. It
had been damaged in a similar manner and
then patched only a few months ago. Tom
confided he was seriously considering instituting
a kiddies-type matinee for weekend
showing. "I want to do something for the
kids in this neighborhood," he said, "and
I'll go ahead with the idea as soon as I can
FINER PROJECTION-SUPER ECONOMY
CREENS
Ask Your Supply Dealer or Write
HURLEY SCREEN COMPANY, Inc.
2t Sarah Drlv.
I_
I, N. Y., 117JJ
previously has worked at other theatres, in-
—
cluding the Esquire in this city and several
as far away as Vietnam, where he was stationed
in the military service. Assistant manager
continues to be Junior Kimball, who
has been at the Uptown for the past 20
years. "And it sure helps when you have
The long and successful run of "Ryan's
Daughter" will end after 17 weeks at Cinema
One, when it will be replaced by another
David Lean film masterpiece, namely,
"Lawrence of Arabia."
"Dr. Phibes" was presented at a tradeshowing
by Ed Gavin, manager of the
American International Pictures office, and
Ed holds no reservations about its ultimate
success. "The best picture AIP ever made,"
he assured this column. Sentinel columnist
Alex Thien predicts "this terror-filled story
should make the Frankenstein monster films
appear to be nothing more than bedtime
stories for the little nippers." The role of
Dr. Phibes is played by Vincent Price (his
open at the Centre Theatre here Wednesday
100th motion picture). It was scheduled to
(26) and in Chicago Friday (28).
Albert Behm, owner for many years of
1he Hy 10 Drive-in, Waupaca, died Sunday
(16).
Miklos Gyulai, well-known independent
filmmaker and film instructor at Marquette
University, has been named vice-president
and director of film production at Parke-
Randall Productions. 1372 South 72 St. Also
named is Phillips G. Terhune jr., an account
executive with Doremus & Co., New York,
to the position of director of Parke-Randall
Corp., the parent company. The company
produces industrial motion pictures, promotional
films and TV commercials. A recent
production was the 30-minute campaign film
lor the American Freedom from Hunger
Foundation of Washington, D.C. Expansion
of the Parke-Randall staff is due to an increased
demand for films from both local
and national agencies, according to President
T. A. Papke.
Mount Senario College's Film Forum went
Italian one Sunday evning recently with the
feel assured there will be good, family-type
film fare available." The Fraternal Order screening of "Eclipse." Director of this 1962
Italian classic is Michelangelo Antonioni,
of Eagles honored Tom recently "for outstanding
services" to Milwaukee Aerie No. one of the most important contemporary
137 and presented him with a lifetime membership.
He manager Sherman
filmmakers whose films
up
have never failed
John chairman
has been of the to stir controversy. Reilly.
for the past 14 years. General manager
is Gary Franzen.
of the forum committee and an English
instructor at Mount Senario College, which
The new manager for the west side UA
Uptown Theatre. 2323 North 49 St., since
is located at Ladysmith, commented: "This
film is outstanding in its rhythms of editing
mid-March has been Mike Mullen. Mike
and montage, especially in the final sevenminute
sequence in which neither of the two
principals appear." Other films by the Italian
director include: "Blow-Up," "L'Avenrura,"
and "Zabriskie Point." The public is
invited to the film showings without charge.
From the past: Fifty years ago, according
to the Sentinel files, the film comedian
Charlie Chaplin was severly burned while
on a Hollywood movie set, as he stumbled
over an acetylene torch. It set fire to his
voluminous trousers, burning his arms, leg
and body. Quick action on the part of the set
hands helped to extinguish the flames (with
wet blankets) in a matter of seconds. While
this event took place in 1921, it was just
ten years ago, May 14, 1961, that the movie
world was shocked with news of the death
of film star Gary Cooper at the age of 60.
His real name was Frank James Cooper.
Morris A. Anderson Dies;
Film Industry Veteran
MILWAUKEE—Morris A. "Morey" Anderson,
who made the movie industry his
business career for more than 45 years,
died at St. Joseph's Hospital in Milwaukee
Sunday (9) at the age of 66. A 30-year
man with RKO Radio Pictures Co.. he was
highly regarded for his outstanding success
as a salesman. He became a familiar figure
at district and national conventions and
sales meetings held around the country.
Anderson managed the RKO office in
Milwaukee the last year or two before it
closed down operations here in the mid-
'50s. He then went into business for himself
as the Independent Film Distributors
of Wisconsin, serving hardtop and drive-in
theatres throughout this state and Upper
Michigan. While the firm, with offices now
located at 6421 Milwaukee Ave.. Wauwatosa,
Wis. 53213, also handled feature films
at the outset, it has in recent years become
primarily a short subject business.
Anderson's wife Fern worked alongside
him for the past dozen years or so and she
will continue to handle film bookings and
manage the office.
Other survivors include his son Ronald
and two sisters, Mrs. Edgar Andres and
Mrs. William Eckert, who live in Milwaukee.
A grandson Mark is serving with the
Air Force in Japan. Three more grandchildren
and other relatives also survive.
Private funeral services were held at the
Wisconsin Memorial Chapel.
"The Cowboys" is based on an unpublished
novel by William Dale Jennings.
NC-2
BOXOFFICE :: May 31, 1971