Boxoffice-January.05.1976

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inKRnmionfiL 

• JANUARY 5, , 

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE EDITi 

Including the Sectional News Paget o( All Ediir 

is proud to announce the U.S. release of 

If 

you liked 

SYLVIA KRISTEL 

as 

"EMMANUELLE". 

you'll love her 

as "JULIA" 

ilLiaL 

[INNOCENCE 

ONCE REMOVED] 

starring 

SYLVIA KRISTEL 

JEAN CLAUDE BOUILLON 

TERRY TORDAY 

.niroduongEKKEHARDT BELLE 

TECHNICOLOR® 

AN EROTIC COMEDY FOR THE SOPHISTICATED 

A CINE-MEDIA INTERNATIONAL RELEASE 

R RESTRICTED^ 

Under 1/ requnes dCCompanymR Parent ot AcJull CuaiOian 

me-mtma inKRnflnonflL Post Office Box 7005 

• 

Long Beach, Co. 90807 [213) 426-362^ 

• 

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m JANV)AR^ 

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and 

MABCH 

FEBBV3A^^ 

* 

Check your mail: 

In January there's going to be a price on sound systems 

you've just got to hear about . . 

In February there'll be something about platters that 

will start you spinning ... 

And in March we'll be projecting projectors like they've 

never been projected before . . 

If, by the first of each month, you haven't received your 

notices, immediately call your local NTS man. Don't miss out! 

W|J NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY 

1600 BROADWAY. NEW YORK, N.Y. 10010 AND BRANCHES THROUGHOUT THE U.S. 

'Hg^^

, 14th 

THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY 

Published In Nine Sectional Editions 

BEN SHLYEN 

Editor-!n-Ch;ei and Publisher 

JESSE SHLYEN Manaeing Editor 

MORRIS SCHLOZMAN ...Business Mer. 

GARY KABRICK ....Equipment Editor 

RALPH KAMINSKY Western Editor 

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THE MODEIRN THEATRE Section Is 

Included in one issue each month. 

.Mbuquerque: Chuck Mittlestadt, P.O. Boi 

8514, Station C 87108. Tele. 265- 

6578, 265-1791. 

Atlanta: Genevieve Camp, 166 Lindbergh 

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IN CANADA 

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\'RK 2R8. 

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ANUARY 

'ol, 108 

5, 1 976 

No, 13 

/4e ruue e^ om /l4&tcOfL MctuAe ynciud^ 

^ Cretio for 1976

Solomon Urges 

Exhibitor Campaign 

To Secure Tax-Shelter Amendment 

NEW YORK—T. G. Solomon, president 

of the National Ass'n of Theatre Owners, 

has been working to 

secure an amendment 

T. G. Solomon 

to the tax-shelter legislation 

which recently 

passed the House of 

Representatives by a 

vote of 257 to 168 

and is now in the Senate 

Finance Committee. 

Solomon, 

who said 

he was going to follow 

through on the 

legislative effort during the Congress" holiday 

recess, wrote personal letters to exhibitors 

and leaders in those states having 

senators on the Senate Finance Committee. 

He urged them to contact congressmen 

during the holiday to impress upon them 

the negative effect that the loss of non-recourse 

financing would have on the movie 

industry and upon the nation's entire economy. 

There are 18 members on the Senate Finance 

Committee, chaired by Sen. Russell 

Long of Louisiana. Hearings on the taxshelter 

legislation are scheduled to begin 

early this month. 

Solomon pointed out that Burton Marcus, 

counsel for Columbia Pictures, has prepared 

a comprehensive brochure showing the desirability 

of retaining within the tax law 

the nonrecourse incentive for motion picture 

production. It is noted that loopholes 

can be closed and abuses of the tax laws 

rectified by relatively simple requirements 

on the part of the investor. Thus, it is entirely 

possible to amend the present House 

bill to achieve desirable effects on the 

economy and preserve needed tax shelters. 

Congress Giving Attention 

To Industry Practices 

NEW YORK—T. G. Solomon, president 

of the National Ass"n of Theatre Owners, 

announced that the industry's unfair and anticompetitive 

practices in the distribution of 

motion pictures are now receiving active attention 

from Congress. 

Senator Philip A. Hart, chairman of the 

U.S. Senate subcommittee on antitrust 

monopoly has asked NATO to document 

these anticompetitive practices. "Letters or 

memoranda from theatre owners and managers 

and film buyers, which detail and summarize 

specific occurrences and events, 

would be of substantial assistance to the 

subcommittee in its efforts to determine the 

existence of anticompetitive practices." 

This inquiry is the result of NATO's discussions 

with the members of the staff during 

the past six months and a detailed 

presentation of the industry's unfair trade 

practices which was presented to the committee 

staff by president T. G. Solomon 

and chairman of the board, Paul A. Roth 

Washington recently. 

lyndon,' ^Nashville' Tie for NBR Honor 

NEW YORK—For the first time in its 

56 years of selecting the best films annually, 

the National Board of Review of Motion 

Pictures has selected two films for Best 

Picture of the Year: "Barry Lyndon," directed 

by Stanley Kubrick and "Nashville," 

directed by Robert Altman. 

In 

announcing the choice Robert Giroux. 

the group's chairman, said, "The tied films, 

Barry Lyndon' and 'Nashville,' could not 

be more dissimilar— in setting, historical 

period and theme—but they have one thing 

in common: directorial genius. A tie vote is 

a novelty for us, the oldest continuous group 

in the business of selecting the ten best 

films each year. If there had to be a first 

time, the year 1975, a 

record year financially 

and a nearly disastrous year for quality, 

deserves this distinction." 

NBRs list of 1975's ten best Englishlanguage 

pictures arc (1) "Barry Lyndm" 

and "Nashville," (2) "Conduct Unbecoming," 

(3) "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's 

Nest," (4) "Lies My Father Told Me," 

(5) "Dog Day Afternoon," (6) "The Day 

of the Locust," (7) "The Passenger," (8) 

"Hearts of the West," (9) "Farewell. My 

Lovely," (10) "Alice Doesn't Live Here 

Anymore." 

I he Francois Truffaut-directed " I he 

in 

Story of Adele H." was chosen by the 

board as the best foreign language film. 

The board's list of the five best 1975 foreign 

language films included ( 1 ) "Story of 

.Adele H.," (2) "Brief Vacation," (.'*) 

"Special Section," (4) "Stavisky," (5) 

"Swept Away (by an Unusual Desiin\ in 

the Blue .Sea of August)." 

A special award was granted to Ingmar 

Bergman's "The Magic Flute," which the 

board considered outstanding. 

Best directors were Stanley Kubrick and 

Robert Altman chosen for their pri/c-w inning 

films. Best actor was Jack Nicholson 

for "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." 

Best actress was Isabelle .Adjani for "The 

Story of Adele H." Best supporting actor 

was Charles Durning chosen for his performance 

in "Dog Day Afternoon." Ronee 

Blakely was chosen best supporting actress 

for her work in "Nashville." 

Confirm Sale to Plitt 

Ni;W ^'OKK ,-\ previously aiuunmced 

agreement lor the sale of the l!squire I hcatre 

in Chicago by the Walter Reade Organization 

Ui I'litl Iheatres has been con 

firmed. It was consunuiiatt'i! by ShekK>n 

( uinsberg, president o\ Rc.kIc .iiul went inlo 

eltecl December 24. 

Lewis Rachmil Promoted 

To V-P MGM Production 

NEW YORK— Lewis J. Rachmil has 

been elevated to the post of vice-president 

and executive production manager of the 

motion picture division of Metro-Goldwyn- 

Mayer. it was announced b\ Daniel Melnick. 

MGM senior vice-president and worldwide 

head of production. 

In assuming his new executive duties, 

Rachmil will devote his time to the supervision 

and development of production activity 

and involvement in top-level policy decisions 

while working closely with .MGM production 

chief Melnick. 

"Lew Rachmil is a proven executive of 

vast experience in all departments of motion 

picture production, and his rise to a 

vice-presidency is the most deserving reward 

it has ever been my privilege to announce, 

" said Melnick. "In the recent acceleration 

of MGM's theatrical production 

activity he has been a dominating and positive 

force. We are looking forward to great 

and productive plans for the future and 

Lew Rachmil will be an important cog in 

the cxecuti\e responsibilities that will bring 

these plans to fruition." 

Highly skilled and experienced in motion 

pictLire production. Rachmil previously 

served as an art director and a film producer. 

The son of a New York theatre owner, 

Rachmil at one time managed General Service 

Studios, produced films for RKO and 

Columbia, rose to vice-president of Mirisch- 

United Artists and later became vice-president 

in charge of production for .ABC Pictures. 

He came to MGM early in 1972 as a 

production executive. 

Meetings Held to Plan 

Show-A-Rama Seminars 

KANS.AS CITY — Douglas Lightner, 

United Motion Picture Ass'n president, has 

conducted series of meetings with industry 

leaders developing the format and content 

for Show-.\-Rama 19 seminars on concessions 

and advertising. Concessions industry 

leaders Art Vogel of \'ogel Popcorn, Hamburg, 

la., Doug Larsen of Midland Products^, 

Minneapolis; Phil Tomber of C.R. 

Frank Supply Co., St. Louis, and Charles 

Winans of the National Ass'n of Concessionaires, 

Chicago, joined Kansas City executives 

.lack Burlington of N'endo and Larry 

Revburn and Chet Francisco of Coca-Cola 

ill 

discussing seminar content. 

A program stressing concession quality, 

x.ilue ,iiul promotion was developed; in addition, 

the selection of a moderator was 

discussed. NAC is workm;.; with UMPA in 

the further developmenl ol llie concessions 

seminar. 

In a meeting December 2(i. I ighlner led 

llie discussion of an ;idvertising semin.u 

with Kansas City llie;itre admen Cieorgc 

Kieffer, Jack I'lK-ssiger and Gary Downs. 

1 he seminar w ill center on a how-to session 

on newspaper :ind radio ad preparation with 

a retereiKf lo 1\ iime-buying. According 

\o I ighlner. .Show •.V-Rama 19 is going to 

h.i\e seminais with "leal meat" in them loi 

theatre man.igeis and owners. "\N'e want to 

give every cxhilMtor iiselul 

information." 

BOXOFFICE J.iiuuiiN 5. I'>7h

Fuqua Announces Sale 

Of Gulf States Units 

NEW ORLEANS—Fuqua Industries, 

which purchased Gulf States Theatres in 

1972 from T. G. Solomon, announced 

through its president Carl L. Patrick the 

sale of ail the Gulf States circuit's interests 

in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and 

Alabama to Gulf International Cinema 

Corp.. which is headed by George Solomon 

and John A. Dobbs. The theatres involved 

still will carry the Gulf States name and 

will operate from the same office at 510 

OKeefe Ave., New Orleans. 

Theatres which Gulf States operated in 

Texas will be known as Martin Theatres of 

Texas. Frank L. Brady, president of Martin 

Theatres, announced that Bill Slaughter of 

Dallas has been elected president and general 

manager of its subsidiary in Texas. 

Slaughter will set up a Dallas office to 

handle supervision, film buying and booking 

for 

the Texas houses. 

Theatres in Florida formerly operated by 

Gulf States now will be operated out of the 

Martin Theatres office in Columbus, Ga., 

with the film buying and booking to be 

handled by Robert Hosse from the Atlanta 

office. 

All accounting operations for the Texas 

and Florida theatres will be handled by 

Brady in Columbus, Ga. 

T. G. Solomon will remain as consultant 

for Fuqua Industries and will retain his office 

in New Orleans. This will give him 

more time to devote to his new position as 

president of the National Ass'n of Theatre 

Owners. 

John Rubel Resigns Post 

As BJE Board Chairman 

HOLLYWOOD—John Rubel disclosed in 

mid-December 1975 that he had resigned as 

board chairman of Billy Jack Enterprises 

effective Oct. 31, 

1975, but had remained at 

the post to "phase out certain details." 

Rubel cited personal reasons for his decision, 

stressing that he had "no problems" at 

BJE. 

Rubel said he wanted to visit his children 

and added, "I also have other business interests 

to look after." The ex-chairman of 

BJE was an executive at Litton Industries 

prior to joining BJE in 1973 and, during 

the early 1960s, was an undersecretary of 

defense (under President John F. Kennedy). 

John Burke, president of BJE, now will 

take over the chairmanship of the company's 

executive committee, in the past composed 

of himself, Rubel, Tom Laughlin, 

Delores Taylor and Riieben Bercovitch, 

vice-president/ creative affairs. This position 

previously was held by Rubel. 

The announcement of Rubel's resignation 

brought to three the number of executives 

to depart the firm recently. Arthur Canton, 

advertising-publicity-promotion 

vice-president, 

and Alexander Podhorzer, media director, 

alreadv have exited BJE. 

Cine-Media Entering Distribution 

With Domestic Release of 

HOLLYWOOD— Dr. J. Bond Johnson, 

Academy Award-winning producer, clinical 

psychologist and corporate executive, announces 

the formation of Cine-Media 

International as a worldwide releasing arm 

for his Bonjo Productions, as well as for 

general release of other major Hollywood 

and foreign feature films. Dr. Johnson, who 

started in feature films in 1949 with "Sands 

of Iwo Jima," followed by "Flying Leathernecks'" 

and others, is partnered in CMI 

with Rudolph A. Maglin, who also heads a 

national textile chemical manufacturing and 

distribution 

organization. 

Igo Kantor, film and music editor for 

nearly 30 years, is director of technical 

services for CMI, while distribution consultant 

is Herman Ripps, a motion picture 

distributor for nearly 50 years who formerly 

headed the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

national releasing organization. 

Rounding out the professional CMI team 

are Herbert Schlossberg, attorney, and William 

A. Becker, CPA. 

CMI's first release will be "Julia," starring 

Sylvia Kristel of "Emmanuelle" fame. 

Bookings are now being taken through regional 

subdistributors for openings in 30 

major domestic markets in late January and 

Blaze at Goldwyn Studios 

Causes $3 Million Loss 

HOLL"YWOOD—Fire of an undetermined 

origin swept through sound stages 1 

and 2 at Goldwyn Studios in the early 

morning hours of Christmas Day, destroying 

both units. The loss was estimated at 

$3"',000,000. 

The blaze was the second in 19 months 

to hit the studios. Damages of $1,000,000 

resulted from a fire in May 1973 when 

stages 3 and 4 were destroyed and three 

persons injured. 

Only one TV production was affected 

by the Christmas blaze. The CBS-TV "Cannon" 

series lost its set but production will 

move to another studio without affecting 

the schedule. 

The blaze started at 3:10 a.m. in a corner 

of the "Cannon" set, fire officials said, 

and quickly spread through the wood and 

stucco structure, setting fire to an adjacent 

building. 

11 Classic Silent Pictures 

Showing at AFI Theatre 

WASHINGTON — Eleven 

outstanding 

American films of the '20s are being shown 

at the American Film Institute Theatre in 

the Kennedy Center through January 10 in 

a tribute to the art of the silent film. M\ 

are accompanied by live piano music by 

Ray Brubacher. 

The program includes "The Black Pirate," 

"Flesh and the Devil," "Steamboat Bill, Jr.," 

"Wings," "Old Ironsides," "Redskin," 

"Peter Pan," "Stella Dallas," "Exit Smiling" 

and "It's tlie Old Army Game." 

Julia' 

February on an exclusive and mini-multiple 

basis. Originally filmed as a "soft" X 

production, "Julia." after slight editing, has 

been awarded an R rating by the Motion 

Picture Ass'n of America. 

Negotiations are under way with a major 

record company to release the main theme 

song, "Lover Man," in an album with the 

music track. 

CMI also is holding discussions with 

Sylvia Kristel's agent regarding a trip by 

the star to the U.S. for a national tour, 

ending with her participation on the Academy 

Awards show as an Oscar presenter next 

spring. 

"In achieving its goal of releasing ten 

important films during 1976," declared Dr. 

Johnson, "there will be no compromise 

with quality. In order to meet this goal 

and to provide the very finest marketable 

films, a determined effort will be made to 

listen to the needs and desires of the theatregoing 

public—and some who might return 

to the theatres! Input from distributors 

and subdistributors will be welcomed and 

greatly appreciated in this regard." 

He added, "Working together, one of 

the finest production-distribution organizations 

can be built very quickly." 

FAB Awards Honor 

Barrie and Enders 

HOLLYWOOD — Executive 

producer 

George Barrie and producer Robert Erders 

each were honored with an "AiAa'd o*" 

Excellence" by the Film Advisory Board 

for their Brut production of "Hedda," starring 

Glenda Jackson. 

The awards to the Brut film executives 

were presented December 21 at the Beverly 

Wilshire Hotel, when FAB also honored 

Lew Ayres for his documentary "Altars of 

the World," in which the former actor 

explored the many religious practices existing 

in various regions. 

"Executive producer George Barrie and 

producer Robert Enders are to be congratulated, 

not only for making a superb 

motion picture, 'Hedda,' but for bringing a 

classic performance, a classic play and a 

classic playwright to the large moviegoing 

audience," the F.^B award stated. Glenda 

Jackson was a sell-out in her stage performance 

of "Hedda Gabler," FAB said, 

and the film enables many who were unable 

to obtain tickets to see her "acclaimed 

performance in this challenging role." 

'Mean Johnny Barrows' Big 

In Southern Engagements 

HOLLYWOOD— -Mean Johnny Barrows," 

a Po-Boy Production film starring 

Fred Williamson, has grossed $300,000 in 

three weeks in the southern U. S., according 

to Wolf Schmidt, president of Atlas Films, 

which released the feature at Thanksgiving. 

30X0FFICE ;: January 5, 1976

Bob Rehme to New World 

As Gen'l Sales Manager 

HOLLYWOOD—Robert Rchme has been 

appointed general sales manager of New 

:_; 

World Pictures it was 

Pg-.- I^^Hk announced by presi- 

-^^^^^ 

dent Roger Corman. 

The appointment was 

effective Thursday (1) 

and Rehme will headquarter 

at New 

home 

World Pictures' 

office in Los Angeles. 

j^^ 

Rehme comes to 

^^^/f New World with an 

„ . , „ . 

extensive background 

Robert Rehme 

i . u " . 

m distribution andj exhibition. 

Formerly with Paramount in New 

»„ 

York, where he served in several positions. 

including national exploitation director, 

worldwide director of publicity and special 

sales assistant to the vice-president, he also 

was Paramount's Midwestern division manager 

based in Chicago and, prior to that, was 

with United Artists in New York as national 

exploitation manager. 

Rehme is resigning as vice-president of 

Tri-State Theatre Service and his position 

as vice-president of April 

Fools Films, both 

based in Cincinnati. He also is president of 

B&R Theatres, operating 1 1 theatres in 

Ohio and Kentucky, and has been associated 

with NATO for some time. Rehme currently 

is serving as vice-president of NATO of 

Ohio. 

Richard Billay Is Signed 

To Score Monarch Film 

NEW YORK—Allan Shackleton. president 

of Monarch Releasing Corp., has announced 

the signing of Richard Billay to 

compose and conduct the original score for 

"The Vanilla Odyssey," a science-fiction 

comedy which goes before the cameras 

February 16 in New York. Directed and 

written by Chuck Vincent and produced by 

Allan Shackleton, "The Vanilla Odyssey" 

will be released by Monarch early this summer. 

Billay's film credits include the scores 

tor two current Monarch releases, "Blue 

Summer" and "Mrs. Barrington," both directed 

by Chuck Vincent. In addition to his 

composing efforts, Billay also has won wide 

acclaim as a performer and recording artist. 

Together with his group Sleepy Hollow, 

which will perform the score for "The Vanilla 

Odyssey," he has headlined at many 

nightclubs throughout New York and cut 

several albums for I'aramount. 

Minton Now a V-P of MCA 

UNIVERSAL CITY—Walter J. Minion 

has been elected a vice-president of MCA 

by the company's board of directors, it 

was announced by Sid Sheinberg, president 

and chief operating officer. Minton is president 

of G. P. Putnam's Sons, a leading 

publisher of hardcover and paperback 

books, which has been acquired as a wholK 

owned subsidiary of MCA. 

General 

Cinema Completes 

$30M Private Placement 

Boston—General Cinema Corp. announced 

that It ha.s completed a $30 

million private placement of 15-year 

senior notes. The financing, which was 

previously announced In the amount of 

$21.5 million, was purchased b> four 

institutional investors. 

General Cinema operates the largest 

theatre chain in the United States and 

is the nation's largest independent bottler 

of Pepsi Cola and Dr Pepper products. 

Kerosotes Has Added 3 

Theatres in Arkansas 

SPRINGFIELD, ILL. — Locally based 

Kerasotes Theatres, headed by George 

Kerasotes, circuit president, has announced 

the acquisition of three more theatres in 

Arkansas. The company's first Arkansas 

entry was the State Theatre in Corning, 

acquired in October 1975. 

Effective Thursday (1), the Murr Theatre, 

the Elias Drive-In, Osceola, Ark., and 

the Sharum Theatre, Walnut Ridge, Ark., 

joined the Kerasotes circuit, which now 

operates 141 screens in Illinois, Missouri 

and Arkansas. 

The Elias Drive-In and the Murr formerly 

were owned by Willie Elias and the 

Sharum Theatre by James Singleton. Both 

previous owners now will devote full time to 

interests outside the exhibition field. 

The three new units acquired by Kerasotes 

will undergo extensive refurbishing 

and modernization. The two hardtops will 

continue their present operation and the 

ozoner will remain closed until spring. The 

newly acquired theatres will be under the 

supervision of Sam Sheridan, Kerasotes' 

Southern division manager, who headquarters 

in Poplar Bluff, Mo. 

EXPRODICO Is Explained 

At Meeting of NATO-NCS 

MINNEAPOLIS—Members of NATO of 

the North Central States gathered here 

recently to hear Ross Campbell, one of 

the original EXPRODICO backers, explain 

the cooperative plan for production, coproduction 

and distribution of films by theatre 

owners and exhibitors. .Mlhough 

blizzard conditions and hazardous driving 

limited attendance to a small group of 

Twin Cities and outstate theatrcmen, the 

plan was enthusiastically received h\ those 

present. 

Campbell pointed out that 

EXPRODICO 

is expected to restore competition in the 

film industry and provide more films for 

exhibition. 

Cierald Carisch of Wayzata, Minn., president 

of NATO of North Central States, 

reported that nearly $100,000 was committed 

to the plan by MidcontinenI Theatres, 

Hngler Theatres and Carisch Theatres 

in the Twin Cities and Tentelino Enterprises, 

Alexandria, Minn. 

De Laurentiis Starting 3 

For Paramount Jan. 12 

NEW YORK—Dino de Laurentiis has 

set Monday (12) as the start-of-production 

The initial 

newspaper advertisement 

for "King Kong," a Dino de Laurentiis 

presentation for Paramount Pictures 

release in the U.S. and Canada, 

brought a gargantuan 23,127 written 

requests in ten days from readers who 

saw the ad in the Sunday New York 

Times. 

date for three motion pictures, all for Paramount 

Pictures release in the U.S. and 

Canada. The three films are "King Kong," 

"Drum" and 'The Shootist." 

"King Kong," for 1976. is a contemporary 

version of the all-time classic which 

will begin production in Los .Angeles. John 

Ciuillermin, who directed "The Towering 

Inferno," has been signed to direct "King 

Kong." The screenplay is by Lorenzo Semple 

jr. 

"Drum," based on the best-selling novel 

by Kyle Onstolt, will begin filming in Los 

.Angeles, followed by extensive location 

shooting in Puerto Rico and Louisiana. Ken 

Norton, who made his film debut in "Mandingo," 

has been signed for the leading role. 

Burt Kennedy, whose credits include E. L. 

Doctorow's "Welcome to Hard Times" and 

"Support Your Local Sheriff," will direct. 

The screenplay is by Norman Wexler. 

The Shootist," the third film on Del.aurentiis' 

production slate for a Monday 

(12) start, is a Frankovich Self production 

to be directed by Don Siegel, starring John 

Wayne in the title role. The screenplay is 

by Miles Hood Swarlhout and Scott Hale, 

based on the novel by Glendon Swarlhout. 

MCA Increases Dividend 

I'NIVIRSAI CIIY lew R. Wasserman. 

chairman of the hoard of MC.\ Inc., 

aniunmccd thai the biianl of diiectors at its 

meeting Decemhoi 1') dccl.ued a quarterly 

dividend ot 40 cents per share on the MCA 

conmion stock oulsiaiuling, payable January 

12. lo stockholders of record December 

M). MCA previously was paying quarterly 

diviilonds of 25 cents per share. 

6 BOXOFFICE ;: January 

«i. l'>"

Warner Bros. Buys Rights 

To 'Day the World Ended' 

BURBANK—An arrangement which will 

bring to Warner Bros, the Irwin Allen 

production "The Day the World Ended" 

has been completed with 20th Century-Fox, 

it was annoimced by Guy McElwaine, 

senior executive vice-president in charge of 

worldwide production. 

Warners has agreed to pay 20th-Fox 

$1,000,000 for alf rights to "The Day the 

World Ended." previously announced as a 

20th Century-Fox enterprise and which now 

will be made by Allen for WB. 

It will be the producer-director's first 

film under his multimillion-dollar contract 

with Warners negotiated last July. 

"The Day the World Ended," according 

to McElwaine, is slated to start filming in 

June. Much of the motion picture will be 

made in Hawaii and the rest in and arourd 

Los Angeles and on the sound stages at the 

Burbank Studios. It is designed by Allen 

as a three-hour epic, with a shooting schedule 

of 120 days. There will be 14 weeks 

of post-production. 

Under the terms of his two-year contract 

with Warner Bros., Allen will make 

two high-budget pictures of the class of 

"The Day the World Ended," plus other 

theatrical features budgeted at $5,000,000 

each. 

Zanuck/Brown to Produce 

48th Annual Oscar Show 

HOLLYWOOD — Richard D. Zanuck 

and David Brown have been appointed coproducers 

of the 48th annual awards presentation 

program of the Academy of Motion 

Picture Arts and Sciences, it was announced 

by Walter Mirisch, president of the Academy. 

This will be the first time the Zanuck/ 

Brown team has produced the Academy 

Awards show. 

The 4Sth Oscar show, to be held March 

29, 1976, in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion 

of the Los Angeles County Music Center, 

will honor film achievements for 1975 and 

will be broadcast live and in color by the 

ABC-TV network. 

The Zanuck/Brown Co. has produced 

eight feature films, the most recent being 

the highly successful "Jaws." 

MP's 'Friday Foster' Opens 

Nationwide in 200 Runs 

HOLLYWOOD—American International 

Pictures sparked Yuletide boxoffices nationwide 

with more-than-200 simultaneous 

openings on Christmas Day, of "Friday 

Foster," an action drama starring Pam 

Grier and Yaphet Kotto. New York. Chicago, 

Los Angeles, Atlanta, Jacksonville, 

San Francisco and Dallas are a few of the 

key markets set for city-wide situations. 

Based on the formerly syndicated popular 

comic strip of the same name, concerning 

the adventures of a female magazine photographer 

in New York, "Friday Foster" 

was produced and directed by Arthur 

Marks from a screenplay by Orville Hampton. 

Hitchcock's 'Family Plot' 

To Be Filmex '76 Opener 

UNIVERSAL CITY—Alfred Hitchcock's 

"Family Plot," his 53rd film, has been selected 

to open the 1976 Los Angeles International 

Exposition (Filmex) March 21, it 

was announced by Filmex. 

The world premiere of the Universal picture 

at Plitt's Century Plaza Theatre in the 

ABC Entertainment Center, Century City, 

will be followed by a special "Filmex Society 

Salute to Alfred Hitchcock," all proceeds 

to go to 

Filmex. 

"Family Plot." which Hitchcock directed 

on his 50th anniversary as a filmmaker, will 

op:n nationally April 9, three weeks after 

the Filmex world premiere. 

The suspense drama, selected as the unanimous 

choice of Filmex's committee, stars 

Karen Black, Bruce Dern, Barbara Harris 

and William Devane, and was written as a 

screenplay by Ernest Lehman from the book 

"The Rainbird Pattern." by Victor Canning. 

Co-starred are Ed Lauter. Cathleen Nesbitt 

and Katherine Helmond. 

"In the spirit of our nation's Bicentennial, 

it is most appropriate that Filmex '76 honor 

Mr. Hitchcock on the occasion of his 76th 

year," said Gary Essert, Filmex director. 

"The world has had a long cinematic love 

affair with Mr. Hitchcock, one of the few 

marquee-name filmmakers identifiable by 

moviegoers everywhere, and Filmex is 

proud to honor him." 

Tickets for the film and the Hitchcock 

"Salute" are $125 each (tax-deductible) and 

are available for reservations now. Tickets 

for the film only may be purchased by mail 

order beginning March 7, and March 14 at 

the Filmex boxoffice in the ABC Entertainment 

Center. Additional information may 

be obtained from Filmex headquarters at 

(213) 846-5530 or P.O. Box 1739, Hollywood, 

Calif.. 90028. 

R. V. Lee, Director of 'San 

Luis Rey/ Dead at 84 

PALM DESERT. CALIF.—Rowland V. 

Lee, 84. veteran Hollywood director, died at 

his home December 21. apparently of a 

heart attack. He had just finished writing a 

mystery screenplay, "The Belt." He produced 

and directed more than 60 films and 

collaborated on several screenplays. 

Among Lee's silent pictures were "Barbed 

Wire." "Three Sinners." "Wolf of Wall 

Street." "The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchii" 

and "Doomsday." with Gary Cooper in his 

first leading role. When sound came, Lee 

made the transition easily. He directed "The 

Count of Monte Cristo." "Three Musketeers." 

"The Bridge of San Luis Rey" and 

"The Big Fisherman." which was nominated 

for an Academy Award. 

Lee studied at Columbia University and 

went to Hollywood in 1916 to further his 

acting career after having served in World 

War I. He began his film work with Thomas 

H. Ince. who offered him a choice between 

acting and directing. Lee chose directing. 

He leaves his wife Eleanor and brother 

Donald W. Lee. a former film writer. 

Solomon to Be 76 

ShoWesT Keynoler 

LOS ANGELES—New Orleans exhibition 

leader T. G. "Teddy" Solomon, president 

of the National Ass'n of Theatre 

Owners, will give the opening address at 

ShoWesT '76 when that three-day Far 

West convention-tradeshow opens March 1 

the Hotel del Coronado. Coronado. Calif. 

at 

NATO of California president-elect William 

F. Kartozian. will chair the initial session, 

along with Los Angeles concessions topper 

Lapidus and Spero Kontos, Los Angeles, 

A I 

co-chairman for the national Theatre Equipment 

Ass'n (TEA). 

ShoWesT '76 is being sponsored jointly 

by NATO's Western Region Ass'n, composed 

of 1 1 Western states, plus Hawaii 

and Alaska; by NAC, the National Ass'n 

of Concessionaires, of which Lapidus is 

national president, and by TEA. An attendance 

of 650 to 800 is anticipated which, 

if attained, will be double that of ShoWesT 

'75, according to current NATO of California 

president Robert W. Selig of Los 

Angeles. 

Tradeshow space already has been 90 

per cent committed, according to ShoWesT 

'76 coordinator George Aurelius of San 

Diego. 

David Begelman to Chair 

AFI's Wm. Wyler Salute 

BEVERLY HILLS — David 

Begelman, 

president of Columbia Pictures, will serve 

as chairman of the American Film Institute's 

Life Achievement Award dinner 

honoring William Wyler, it has been announced 

by George Stevens jr., AFI director. 

Begelman, a trustee of the AFI board, 

announced March 9 as the date of the 

tribute dinner for the award-winning film 

director. 

The three previous recipients of the annual 

award were the late John Ford, James 

Cagney and Orson Welles. 

The Life Achievement Award is given 

each year by vote of the institute's board 

of trustees to an individual "whose talent 

has, in a fundamental way, contributed to 

the filmmaking art: whose accomplishments 

have been acknowledged by scholars, critics, 

professional peers and the general public, 

and whose work has stood the test of time." 

AIP, Larry Spongier Set 

'Open House' Production 

HOLLYWOOD — "Open House." an 

original story by Juleen Compton, has been 

acquired by American International Pictures 

in association with Spangler & Sons 

Pictures and will go before the cameras 

in March as one of the company's major 

film projects of 1976, it was announced 

by Samuel Z. Arkoff, board chairman and 

president of AIP. 

The picture will be produced by Larry 

Spangler with location shooting in Beverly 

Hills. Bel Air and Malibu, Calif. Negotiations 

for director, three major female roles 

and two male roles are now in progress. 

BOXOFHCE :: January 5, 1976

BV SALES CONFAB—Buena Vista's domestic sales force 

—minus home office personnel—gath?r at the Walt Disney 

Studio backlol during BV's recent sales and screening convention. 

Among the Buena Vista district, branch and office managers 

attending were: Tony Lomonaco, Harvey Schwartz and Ed Larson, 

Philadelphia; Phil Fortune and Florio Simi, Boston; Harry 

Howar, Washington; Bill Brower. Walter Walker and John Heck, 

Atlanta; Jack Kirby, Charlotte; Bob Pollard and Jim Bisetti, 

Jacksonville; John Lundin, Cincinnati; Sebe Miller, Ed Harris and 

Alice Gentry, Dallas; Tipiy Sperti, New ôrk: Larry Fine. New 

Orleans; John Roberts, Kansas City; John Pilmaicr. Mrgil Jones 

and Ray Losinski, Chicago; Gerry Pokorski, Cleveland; Fred 

Bunkelman, Detroit; Carole Sutter, Milvvaukee; Irving Marks. 

Minneapolis; Jim Nocella, Paul Ripps and Dick Pilarski, Los 

Angeles; David Beaupain, San Francisco; Homer Schmitt, Seattle, 

and Mike Morrison, Denver. Also attending the B^' âles convention 

were Herb Math?rs, presid?nt, Bellevue Distributors, 

Ltd., of Canada, and Paul Wroe, controller. 

Nathan Rudich, 20th-Fox 

Ad-Pub Executive, Dies 

NEW YORK — Funeral services were 

held Monday, December 28, for Nathan 

"Nat" Rudich, 56, head of field advertising 

and publicity and cooperative advertising 

for 20th Century-Fox, who died Dec. 26, 

1975, in Mount Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. 

Services were conducted at the Riverside 

Chapel and interment followed at Monlefiore 

Cemetery in Queens, L.I, Rudich, a 

veteran film publicist and onetime executive 

assistant to producer Otto Preminger, had 

undergone kidney surgery last November. 

Rudich joined 2()th-Fox in 1974, moving 

into Jonas Rosenfield jr.'s advertising-publicity 

department where he was responsible 

for major national promotions and 

merchandising tie-ins. 

His most recent project was the promotion 

package he developed for "Lucky 

Lady," induding a $2,500,000 Kool Cigarcts 

Sweepstakes, which began in January, 

with a sailboat named Lucky Lady as the 

main prizi;. He also developed a tie-in with 

Helena Rubinstein cosmetics. 

He became executive assistant to I'remingcr 

in 1956 and was associate producer 

on a number of films, including "Such 

Good F-ricnds," "Exodus," "Advise and 

Consent," "Anatomy of a Murder" and "In 

Harm's Way." 

During the I95()s he produced IV shows 

such as the "Buddy Rogers Show" and 

"Hello Out There" and later joineil United 

Artists' publicity department. 

He leaves his wile Muriel; three daughters, 

Glynn, Rachel and Mrs. Ncssa Weinberg; 

a son. Barrett; his mother Tillie; a 

sister, lithcl Wilson, and a grandson, Jesse. 

Paul Nathan Heads Key 

Production Post at BJP 

HOLLYWOOD—Paul Nathan, veteran 

producer and production executive, has 

been named to a key production post at 

Billy Jack Productions, it was announced by 

John Burke, president of Billy Jack Enterprises. 

The first of several films to be produced 

by Nathan will be "Billy Jack Goes 

to Washington," with Tom Laughlin and 

Delores Taylor co-starring. 

He subsequently will be involved in 

several of the other films on BJP's recently 

announced $28,000,000 slate of productions 

for this year. 

Nathan long had been associated with 

Hal Wallis Productions, having joined that 

firm at Paramoimt in 1946 as casting director 

and story editor. He was associate 

producer for a number of major motion 

pictures and his most recent credits include 

"Mary, Queen of Scots" and "Rooster Cogburn," 

Universal's current John Wayne- 

Katharine Hepburn starrer. 

Foreign Distribution 

Set for Doty-Dayton 

HOLLYWOOD -Contracts have been 

signed in 20 couiitries lor the international 

distribution of Doty-Dayton Production's 

"Where the Red I'ern Cirows" and "Seven 

Alone," staled Dick Nash, vice-president ot 

Doty- Dayton Distribution. 

D-DD has contracleil uilh C'mem.i 

Shares in New \o\\^ lo haiulle all its lilms 

lor loreign distribution. 

"Where the Red Fern Cirows" has won 

acclaim alter be ng shown in parts of the 

United Kingdom, and is scheduled for a 

Chiislnias bic.ik in \Mslrali.i, N.ish saiil. 

Three Features Acquired 

For Dimension Release 

HOLIA WOOD— Esterolilms The Devil's 

Wedding Night" has been acquired for 

distribution this year by Dimension Pictures, 

it was annoimced by Dimension president 

Lawrence H. Woolner. Also obtained 

for release in 1976 were "Beast of the Yellow 

Night" and "Creature With the Blue 

Hand." both produced bs Four .Associates. 

Woolner said. 

Dimension has completed casting for 

"Dixie Dynamite" with the signing of Jane- 

.Anne Johnstone. Kathy McHaley and Mark 

Miller for co-starring roles. The action film 

stars Warren Oates. Executive producer is 

Wes Bishop and producer is F. C. Pearl. 

with Lee Frost directing. 

Woolner also announced that Dim.'nsion's 

"Dr. Black and Mr. While" has been 

retitled "Dr. Black Mr. Hyde." Set for February 

release, the film stars Bernic Casey, 

Rosalind Cash. Marie O'Hcnry. Jitu Ciimbiikn. 

Milt Rogan. Sam Laws and Stu Gilliam. 

Charles Walker produced the picture, 

directed by William Crain from a screenplay 

b\ I arr\ I ehri>n. h.iseil on an original idea 

by Woolner. 

Also set for release in 1976 are "Not 

Now Darling" ( Tigon Film Distributors) and 

"Scum of the Earth," a Zison International 

Pictures production. 

" 

I he Doberman Ciang" anil "The Daring 

Dohermans" are slated lor rerele.ise this 

Near, Woolner said. 

S.m .Anivinio's Suzy Parker Ivcame 

known as the highest paid fashion model 

and cover girl in the U.S. before she was 

signed lo a 20th Ccnlury-Fox contract by 

Huddv Adler. 

e BOXOFFICE :, JanuarN' 5, 1976

The Longest Yard' 

Realiiy in Georgia 

SAVANNAH — Boxoffice recently 

received the following letter and newspaper 

story—both of interest to Filmrow—from 

Leo K. Thomas, secretary of Savannah, 

Ga.. lATSE Local 320: 

". 

. . As 

a member of the film crew 

which filmed 'The Longest Yard' I thought 

. . . the enclosed clipping from the Savannah 

Morning News . . . would be of great interest 

to many people in our industry . . . 

Quite often we may hear of the exhibition 

of a motion picture for the purpose of raising 

funds for a worthy cause, however, it 

rather unusual to learn of such a worthy 

cause as this being the beneficiary as the 

result of a motion picture having been 

filmed. I am quite pleased that little Bobby 

Boyles jr. will benefit from this football 

game which was inspired by 'The Longest 

Yard.' " 

It was the "Longest Yard" come true at 

the Georgia State Prison in Reidsville December 

20 as inmates and Georgia State 

Patrol football players waged one of the 

toughest flag football battles on record, 

wrote Floyd Hendricks in the Savannah 

Morning News. The inmates scored 51 

points while shutting out the troopers. But 

the leal winner of the game was neither 

team—it was a little seven-year-old boy 

hospitalized with a brain tumor. 

The big statistic in the game was L300. 

That's how many dollars were raised at the 

gate and at a prison-operated concession. 

All that money goes to Bobby Boyles jr., 

son of state trooper Robert and Mrs. Boyles 

of Reidsville. Bobby is undergoing cobalt 

and cortisone treatments at Memorial Hospital, 

Savannah, for an inoperable brain 

tumor at the base of his brain. The money 

will be used to defray some of the mounting 

hospital bills. 

The hard-fought football game was 

played on the same field that was used in 

the movie which starred Burt Reynolds. As 

in the film version, both teams played a 

rough and rugged game. Larry Woods, a 

Georgia Department of Corrections consultant 

said, "It was a chapter out of 'The 

Longest Yard." It was controlled violence. 

Both teams forgot early that there wasn't 

supposed to be any tackling." 

The prison even provided a halftime 

show, with Kenneth "Jelly Roll" Altman, a 

corrections officer, showing up as Santa 

Claus. "The response was tremendous. 

Troopers sold tickets and inmates raised 

money. It was just a heartwarming thing," 

Woods said. 

P-T Sets April 19 Start 

For 'Hell Born' Filming 

HOLLYWOOD — Principal photography 

on Pine-Thomas Productions' "Hell Born" 

has been set for April 19, according to producer 

William C. Thomas. John Bushelman 

will direct the action thriller from an original 

screenplay by Thomas. 

"Hell Born" will be the third theatrical 

feature for the Pine-Thomas Co. 

is 

Theatre Costume Contest 

Ruled an Illegal Lottery 

ST. JAMES, MO.—Ralph Hcrron, owner 

of the Light House Theatre was surprised 

to learn that he couldn't sponsor 

a promotional contest at his theatre, according 

to a ruling by the Attorney General's 

office. 

Because the contest involved door prizes, 

promotions and a costume competition, 

Herron was told that it constituted a lottery 

which is prohibited by state law. Missouri 

defines a lottery as any scheme containing 

the elements of prize, consideration and 

chance. 

Assistant Attorney General James Haines 

ruled that even if the door prizes and other 

promotionals were eliminated that the costume 

contest would still be called a lottery. 

The Leader-Journal quoted Haines on 

the issue as saying "although the best costume 

was to be determined by a panel of 

judges, the element of chance is still present 

because there is no indication as to the 

ability of this panel to judge the merits of 

the 

costumes. 

"It is my conclusion that the winners 

would not be determined on the basis of 

skill but rather on the basis of individual 

bias and caprice of the judges." 

"If this is the case," Herron told a Boxoffice 

correspondent, "then the Miss Missouri 

contest is a lottery." 

MGM Directors Okay Open 

Market Common Stock Buys 

CULVER CITY—Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

announced Dec. 17, 1975, that its board 

of directors had authorized open market 

purchases from time to time of its 

common 

stock. 

MGM said the amount of common stock 

to be purchased would be less than 1 per 

cent of the approximately 12,263,000 shares 

presently outstanding and that shares acquired 

would be held as treasury stock 

solely for the purpose of meeting its obligations 

pursuant to existing stock option 

agreements with officers and other key 

employees. 

MGM further indicated that it may purchase 

additional shares in the future by 

tender offer or otherwise solely for the 

aforesaid purpose of meeting stock option 

obligations. 

Distributors Appointed 

For Larry Gordon Films 

NEW YORK—Larry Gordon has named 

Gamma III to distribute his new Catherine 

Deneuve starrer, "The Lady With Red 

Boots," in the U.S. and Canada. The 

Genesis Properties film was produced by 

Claude Jaeger and Daniel Carillo and directed 

by Juan Bunuel. 

Gordon also has appointed First National 

Film Distributors to distribute his animated 

youth film. "The Magic Adventures of Hans 

Christian Andersen." in the U.S. and 

Canada. The feature is a Saratoga Properties 

film. 

'Seven Alone' Grosses Over 

$8 Million in One Year 

HOLLYWOOD—"Seven Alone," G-rated 

feature film from Doty-Dayton Productions 

has grossed $8,100,000 in the year 

since its release, announced Doty-Dayton 

Distribution vice-president Dick Nash. 

Based on the book "On to Oregon" by 

Honore Morrow, "Seven Alone" was written 

by Eleanor Lamb and Douglas Stewart and 

stars Dewey Martin, Aldo Ray. Anne Collings. 

Dean Smith, James Griffith and 15- 

year-old newcomer Stewart Petersen. 

Directed by Earl Bellamy and produced 

by Lyman Dayton, "Seven Alone" music 

was by Robert O. Ragland and title song, 

"Only a Dream Away" was sung by Pat 

Boone. 

Jac Holzman Leaves WCI 

To Head Production Co. 

BURBANK—Jac Holzman, senior vicepresident 

of Warner Communications, Inc., 

resigned effective Dec. 31, 1975, it was announced 

by WCI chairman Steven J. Ross. 

Holzman founded Elektra Records and was 

active in the cable TV, videodisc and 

quadraphonic sound areas at WCI. 

Holzman plans to enter independent film 

production and will direct a new company. 

Valley Isle Productions. 

Said Ross, "Jac Holzman has made an 

enormous contribution to WCI. We shall 

miss him very much, personally and professionally. 

We wish him well in his new 

endeavors and we remain hopeful that our 

paths will continue to touch in the future." 

CLEARING HOUSE 

FILMS 

FOR RENT 

YIDDISH films, 35mm—Lillian Miriam 

Films of Brooklyn. Tel. (212) 495-0740. 

FILMS 

FOR SALE 

16nim FILMS. Postcard brings bargain 

list- Ingo Films, P.O. Box 143, Scranton, 

P^ iqS04. 

lumm t/uviULfa CLA^tjlCS. Illustrated 

catalog 25c. Manbeck Pictures. 3621-B Wa- 

Icon-ln nrii>e, De.; Moincg Inv>n 5^7 \ _ 

lomm bilUi'iCA: Uomedies, classic 

shorts. Cohen, 478 Frederick, S.F. CA 

qaii7- 

(JL£.Ai1ANC£: bAL£: Ibmm features, 

talkies and silent classics. Also slapstick 

comedies. FILM CLASSIC. 1914 S. Vermont 

Ave,, Los Angeles, Calif. 90007. 

FILMS WANTED 

WANTED: Used 16mm simulated, full 

length adult features, in color and sound. 

Turn surplus product into cash. Send titles 

and asking price to Marauis Distributors, 

POB 34513, Houston, Tex. 77034. 

THE 

BOOKS 

MANUAL OF THEATRE MANAGE- 

MENT. Professional hardcover edition. 

Send your $20 check or money order to 

Ralph I. Erwin, Publisher, Box 1982, Laredo, 

Texas 78040. 

More Classified Listing 

On Inside Back Cover 

BOXOFFICE :: January 5, 1976

" 

BOXOFFICE 

BAROMETER 

This chart records the performance of current attractions in the opening week of their first runs in 

the 20 key cities checked. Pictures with fewer than five engagements ore not listed. As new runs 

ore reported ratings are added and averages revised. Computation is in terms of percentage in 

relation to normal grosses as determined by the theatre managers. With 100 per cent as "normal," 

the figures show the gross ratings above or below that mark. (Asterisk * denotes combination bills.)

— — 

— — 

— — 

" 

'Cuckoo's Nest' Flies 

Of With NYC 515 

NEW YORK—As the year came to an 

end, "One Flew Over the Cuckoo"s Nest" 

was still flying high with a 515 average in 

its sixth week at the Paramount (390) and 

Sutton (640). Second was "The Story of 

Joanna." a 490 average for the fifth time 

at East 59th Street 2^ (470) and Rialto 1 

(510). Truffaufs "The Story of Adele H. 

was third, getting off to a fast start at Cinema 

I with a 440 first round. 

"The Man Who Would Be King" was 

foruth, a 405 average for its second time 

at the Astor Plaza (260) and Coronet (550). 

Fifth. "The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' 

Smarter Brother" earned a 370 average 

for a third round at the Little Carnegie 

(360) and Tower East (380). Si.xth was the 

huge "Barry Lyndon." a 360 average for its 

second week at the Baronet (355) and the 

Ziegfeld (365). 

Just out of the top six were Ingmar 

Bergman's "The Magic Flute" and "The 

Sunshine Boys," now being touted as the 

all-time top Christmas attraction at Radio 

City Music Hall. 

Showcase attendance accounted for more 

than $4 million worth of business in the 

Christmas week, with such films as "Dog 

Day Afternoon." "Snow White and the 

Seven Dwarfs," "The Adventures of the 

Wilderness Family," "Hustle," "Three Days 

of the Condor" and "The Killer Elite" doing 

their part. 

(Average Is 100) 

Astor Plaza-Coronet—The Man Who Would 

Be King (AA), 2nd wk 405 

Baronet, Ziegield—Barry Lyndon (WB), 2nd wk. 360 

Beekman—Special Section (Univ), 3rd wk. -. 100 

Cinema I—The Story of Adele H. (New World) ....440 

Cinema II The Lost Honor of Eatborina Blum 

(New World), Znd wk 155 

D.W. Griifith, Regency Bugs Bunny Superstar 

(Hare Raising Films), 2nd 

.,-;•. 

275 

East 59th Street 1—The Naughty Victorians 

(Hawthorne Films), 10th wk 155 

East 59th Street 2. Rialto I—The Story of loonna 

(Blueberry Hill), 5th wk _...490 

Festival The Magic Flute (Surrogate Releasing), 

3rd wk 350 

Little Carnegie, Tower East The Adventure of 

Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother (20th-Fox), 

3rd wk 350 

Nationcl, Trans-Lux East Lucky Lady 

(20th-Fox) 295 

Paramount, Sutton One Flew Over the 

Cuckoo's Nest (UA), 6lh wk .515 

Pans— Lies My Father Told Me (Col), 11th wk 275 

Plaza—He ter Street (Midwest Productions), 

10th wk _ 300 

Radio City Music Hall The Sunshine Boys 

(MGM-UA), 8th wk 330 

World—Pussy Talk (Catalyst Films), 7th wk 310 

"Le Secret,' 'Daughters' Tie 

For Firs! Place in Baltimore 

BALTIMORE — Two four-week-old 

products shared the top spot this week. "Le 

Secret" at the Playhouse and "Daughters. 

Daughters" at the Mini-Flick II both registered 

a 60. Tying for second place with a 

40 were "Dog Day Afternoon" at the Senator 

(50) and Patterson I (30) and "Winterhawk" 

at three theatres. "Three Days of 

the Condor" struck a 35 for its ninth outing 

at the Westview I. 

Mini-Flick II—Daughters, Daughters (SR), 

4th wk 60 

Playhouse—Le Secret (SR), 4th wk 60 

Senator, Patterson 1—Dog Day Afternoon (WB), 

9lh wk '. 

.: 40 

Three theatres—Winlerhawk (SR), 3rd wk. 40 

Herman Rauncher wrote the screenplay 

for "Ode to Billy Joe." 

GIFTS FOR CHILDREN—Arthur Sarnow, president of the 

Arthur Sarnow 

Candy Co., Mineola, N.Y,, and a member of Variety Club of New York Tent 35, 

donated 1,500 bags of candy to the underprivileged, handicapped and orphaned 

children who attended the Tent 35 Christmas party. Sarnow, in center of picture 

(wearing tie), recruited the local Boy Scout troop to aid in the packaging of the 

goods which were di

BRO AD\NAJ_ 

JÔVIES, MOVIES, MOVIES" was the 

name of the first annual Film Fans 

convention held Christmas weekend, December 

26-28. at the Hotel Commodore 

here. A presentation of Swing Time Productions, 

the gathering was produced by 

two young couples. Dennis and Susan Seuling 

and Michael and Paula Tennenbaum. 

The suests included Gale Sondergaard. Our 

Gang's Spankv McFarland. Butterfly Mc- 

Queen and Robert A. Mattey. who did the 

special effects for "Jaws." Leonard Maltin 

and John Springer hosted two of the panel 

discussions, one being on MGM. 

Trivia contests and film showings punctuated 

the event, with dealers" rooms for 

the buffs to buy and exchange material. 

Actor Lawrence Tierney showed up and 

Dr. Charles Goodman lectured on "Sherlock 

Holmes." Among the movies, movies, 

movies that were shown were "Singin" in 

the Rain." "Gunga Din." "The Wizard of 

Oz,"' "Shane," "Stagecoach," "Camille," 

"The Thin Man." "Bringing Up Baby,"" 

"Murder My Sweet."' "Roberta" and the 

original Hopalong Cassidy film, made in 

1935. 

• 

Composer George Diining. who won an 

Academy Award for his score of "Picnic." 

has been appointed a vice-president of the 

American Society of Composers. Authors 

& Publishers, it was announced by Ascap 

president Stanley Adams. A board member 

since 1972, Duning lives in La Canada. 

Calif., with his wife. 

"Lucky Lady," starring Gene Hackman, 

Liza Minnelli and Burt Reynolds as a trio 

of adventurers seeking their fortune in rumrunning 

off the Mexican-American coast 

during prohibition, premiered Christmas 

Day at the National and Trans-Lux East 

theatres in Manhattan and the Avon Theatre 

in Stamford, Conn. The hugh-scale 

romantic action adventure filmed on location 

in Mexico co-stars John Hillerman, 

Michael Hordem, Geoffrey Lewis and 

Robbv Benson. 

• 

MGM's "The Sunshine Boys" .wared to 

a tremendous gross of $2,035,564 at the 

Radio City Music Hall in si.x weeks and 

four days of its world-premiere engagement, 

it was announced by James R. Velde. 

United Artists senior vice-president. Despite 

the traditional preholiday shopping 

rush, 

the Neil Simon comedy succeeded in 

setting a new record for a Christmas attraction 

at the Showplace of the Nation. 

En route to this record, it also set all-time 

highs for a single day.t' gross for any theatre 

in the history of the motion picture industry. 

These were the receipts for November 

29, which then were exceeded a week 

later on December 6. 

• 

"Sensations." a Pic American Corp. release, 

was doing an excellent $21,150 in 

its eighth week at two theatres, the Lido 

and the Lido East. The sexer is being billed 

as the "sensation of the nation." 

• 

Showcase attractions for Dec. 31. 1975. 

were: "The Adventures of the Wilderness 

Family." "Friday Foster." "The Hindenburg." 

"Aaron Loves Angela." "Mahogany." 

"Three Days of the Condor." "The Killer 

Elite." "The Other Side of the Mountain" 

and "Airport 1975." "Let's Do It Again." 

"Dog Day Afternoon." Disney's "Snow 

White and the Seven Dwarfs' and "The 

Hound That Thought He Was a Raccoon.'' 

"The Romantic Englishwoman." "Hustle." 

"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (mini) 

and the ever-popular "Jaws." 

Mariefta Theatres Vintage Fare 

Draws Diverse Group of Patrons 

YORK, PA.—^James R. Wilson, editor of 

the White Rose Motorist, publication of the 

White Rose Motor Club, wrote an article 

about a movie theatre in Marietta. Pa., for 

the September 1975 issue. Wilson's informative, 

descriptive feature about the venerable 

showplace follows: 

An interesting phenomenon has been occurring 

almost weekly for the past several 

years in Marietta, the quiet river town 13 

miles northeast of York. Shortly after 7 

p.m. on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday evening, 

the parking spaces within a block of 

the old Marietta Theatre begin filling up. 

Stepping from their cars, a motley gathering 

of folks from the York-Lancaster 

area make their way to the theatre boxofficc, 

pay $2.50 for a ticket and take seats. 

By 7:30 p.m.. 100 to 200 persons, depending 

on the drawing power of the movies to 

be shown that night, arc ready to enjoy an 

experience they believe will be well worth 

E-2 

the ticket price, the gasoline, the slight 

discomfort of squeaky, nonplush scats and 

the musty, austere setting which in no way 

resembles the luxurious, ornate movie palace 

of the 1930s. 

This phenomenon, 1 believe, is worth 

examining in some detail, for if you have 

not yet telt the Marietta Theatre's charm, 

you might want to sample it some weekend. 

If you do you will not only see several 

old movies never before shown on TV hut 

you'll see them in a period selling as authentic 

as you arc likely to find anywhere. 

My own family visited the Marietta four 

or five times during the past year and we 

saw an astonishing variety of films. There 

was an early W. C. Fields short subject. 

"The Golf Lesson." two feature-length 

comed'es—one starring Harold Llovd, the 

other Buster Keaton. We saw "A Irip to 

the Moon" produced in Paris in 1902 by 

Georges Melies whose skill at multiple exposures 

and dissolves, halting the camera 

so that an actor could disappear, change 

sex. or suddenly be transformed into some 

unrelated object, fascinated us. We saw 

"The Lonely Villa." a 1909 melodrama in 

which Mary Pickford, soon to become 

known as "America's Sweetheart" made her 

screen debut. Our cinema enjoyment ran 

the gamut from near-boredom (Bob Hope 

in "The Big Broadcast of 1938") to genuine 

interest ("The Path to Glory.") starring 

Warner Baxter. Fredric March and Lionel 

Barrvmore to a night of unforgettable hilarity 

with a Marx brothers double bill 

("Horse Feathers" and "Duck Soup.") 

Obviously, this sort of thing is not for 

everyone. Most persons, in fact, would not 

walk across the street to see a movie made 

in a day before sound by a director groping 

for expression in an unfamiliar medium. 

On the other hand you might enjoy the 

experience thoroughly and return again and 

aaain as many others do. To help you decFde 

whether or not to risk an evening down 

by the river we'll tO' to give you some notion 

of a typical night at the Marietta. 

You'll find the Marietta Theatre at 130 

West Market St.—if you look sharp. You 

could easily drive by without seeing it, for 

there is no well-lighted marquee to catch 

the eye. There may be a movie poster at 

the entrance to advertise the film— if the 

distributor sent one. If not, a hand-lettered 

sign reading, perhaps. "Marx Brothers Tonight" 

will suffice. 

The unmistakable sound of a 1920s jazz 

band reaches your ear as you enter. They're 

playing old records— really old ones—before 

the movie starts. The sound has the 

quality of an old Brunswick 78 record 

which made a cymbal crash sound like 

droppinu a garbage can lid on a cement 

sidewalk. And the tunes are all-but-forgotten 

trivia of the early '30's. Remember 

"Turn On the Heat?" (Turn on the heat, put 

in the oil. wiggle and wobble and come to 

a boil .....) They were playing that old 

tunc when we walked in one night, conjuring 

up in my mind, at least, an image of 

Jack'Oakie in some early Crosby musical. 

At 7:30 sharp the house lights dim and 

a voice over the sound system speaks: 

"Welcome to the historic Marietta Theatre. 

Constructed in 1914. it is the oldest 

existing theatre built expressly for the showing 

of motion pictures in the eastern part 

of the U.S. The theatre was plainly decorated 

as were most of the theatres built in 

that era. with wood seats, plaster walls and 

little or no carpet or draperies. When talking 

pictures came to Marietta in 1929. the 

inside of the building was redecorated to 

the wav vou see it now. Nothing has been 

changed, only restored to its original condition.' 

nie Mariella Theatre originally was 

equipped with a piano-pipe organ apparatus 

which played music rolls like a player piano. 

It was called a "photo-player." It could 

1h- played mechanically with music rolls or 

manually bv a musician to accompany the 

silent films.' In April 1972 two young men 

from Toronto. Canada, purchased the theatre 

with the intention of reviving the silent 

(C.Mitinued on page E-7) 

BOXOFFICE :. J.uui.iiA 5, 1976

. . 

5 WRO Theatres in NJ 

Are Subleased to SWK 

NEW YORK—The Walter Reade Organization 

has subleased five Monmouth 

County theatres to SWK Theatres of Pleasantvilie, 

N.J., effective immediately, it was 

announced by Sheldon Gunsberg. president 

of WRO. The theatres are: Town East and 

Town West theatres, Middletown: the Community 

Theatre and Eatontown Drive-In, 

Eatontown, and the Circle Theatre in Ocean 

Township, the same units that had been 

operated by Coast Theatres Co. and returned 

to WRO several months ago. 

circuit of movie 

SWK Theatres operate a 

houses throughout southern New Jersey, 

well as the Community and Dover theatres 

in Toms River, and the Bay and Laurelton 

drive-ins, all previous Reade units. 

Arcadia Subleases WRO's 

Neptune Theatre in N J 

NEW YORK—The Walter Reade Organization 

has subleased the Neptune Theatre 

in Neptune, N.J., to the Arcadia Theatre 

Co., effective immediately, it was announced 

by Sheldon Gunsberg, president of 

WRO. 

Tom Carr and Earle Heckeroth. owners 

of Arcadia, also operate the Algonquin 

Theatre, Algonquin; Lavalette Theatre. 

Lavalette, and the Shore Drive-In in Farmingdale, 

all former Reade theatres. 

The Neptune Theatre had been operated 

for the past year by Coast Theatres and 

recently was turned back to WRO. 

NYC's Thalia Operator 

Ursula Dewitz Dies 

NEW YORK—Ursula Urdang Lewis Dewitz, 

owner and operator from 1955 to 

1973 of the Thalia Theatre, 95th Street, 

near Broadway, died November 27 in Palm 

Beach, Fla., where she lived. She was 60 

years old and also lived in Stockbridge. 

Mass. 

Under Mrs. Dewitz's administration, the 

Thalia specialized in showing notable 

foreign films and classic American movies. 

She became operator of the theatre after 

the death of her first husband, Martin J. 

Lewis, its owner, in 1955. 

Surviving are her husband, Stephen H. 

Dewitz, a retired graphics executive; two 

sons. John M. Lewis and Thomas P. 

as 

Lewis; 

a daughter Deborah Joanne Lewis, and sister 

Eva Alfredson. 

Jay Eisenstat Is Dead 

NEW YORK—Jay Eisenstat, executive 

vice-president of Myers & Eisenstat Films. 

TV and film producer, died December 9 

of cancer in Beekman-Downtown Hospital 

at the age of 33. Eisenstat served on the 

Mayor's Advisory Council on Motion Pictures 

& Television and was involved with 

many civic and industry organizations. He 

leaves his mother Esther and a brother. 

Samuel. 

BUFFALO 

The 14th annual combined installation 

banquet of the 1976 officers and directors 

of Variety Club Tent 7 was in conjunction 

with Women of Variety Tent 7 

Saturday evening. December 27, in the 

Delaware Avenue clubrooms. Installed by 

Tent 7 were: chief barker. Marc H. Lippman; 

first assistant, James C. Vickery; second 

assistant, William H. Shields: property 

master. Samuel Dine, and dough guy, Myron 

Gross. 

The president of a theatre corporation 

convicted on an obscenity charge pleaded 

guilty to another charge later before City 

Judge Samuel L. Green. The judge ordered 

a probation investigation prior to the sentencing 

Monday (12) of Joyce Adams of 

Fayetteville, near Syracuse. It was alleged 

by detectives of the district attorney's office 

that Adams was president of Avant-Garde 

Theatre Corp., doing business as the Capri 

Art Theatre. The Capri Art, 3135 Bailey 

Ave. was charged with showing obscene 

films on several occasions in 1975 and in 

1974. Adams was convicted by a six-man 

jury before City Judge Alois C. Mazur on 

a charge of promoting obscenity. Richard 

E. Myers, alleged to be the manager at the 

time, was acquitted. The then-manager, 

Dennis Fox, pleaded guilty, as charged, 

with promoting obscenity. He will be sentenced 

later. 

Tom Woolery of Como 6 theatres attended 

an American Multi Cinema Northeast 

division meeting in Cherry Hill, N.f.. where 

film buyer Chuck Wesoky discussed upcoming 

product and Earl Voelker talked about 

future operations of the division. 

Barry Sandler, who wrote the script for 

"Gable and Lombard," flew into town to 

attend a screening of the film at the Holiday 

Theatres complex. Sandler is a native 

Biiffalonian. While in town, he and his 

family were entertained by Ike Ehrlichman 

of Frontier Amusement Corp. "Gable and 

Lombard," a Universal release, was sneaked 

the other night in Holiday 2. Cheektowaga. 

.\ large number of children accompanied 

their parents to the Variety Club Christmas 

party held December 21 in the clubrooms 

from 2 to 4 p.m. There were gifts, refreshments, 

prizes and entertainment . . . The 

Variety Club chef is now on the scene. He 

comes from the Montefiore Club, Delaware 

Avenue, and made one of his first appearances 

at the annual Christmas dinner December 

21 . . . Three public hearings were 

scheduled before officials of six municipalities 

could ratify a new contract that called 

for increases in C.^TV rates in Olean . 

Plaza North and Como 6 are offering "The 

Sunshine Boys." 

John Serfustini, manager of the 20th 

Century-Fox exchange here, disclosed that 

"Lucky Lady" would be a Christmas attrac- 

. . . 

tion nationwide, while "The Adventure of 

Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother" opened 

in selected markets for the Yuletide 

The Kensington Theatre had the local premiere 

of "The Story of O" . . . "The Seduction 

of Mimi" is a Valu 5 attraction, where 

the first four shows of the day have a $1 

admission. 

. . 

. . . Ken- 

The Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda 

presented Frank Olsen in a concert the 

other evening, in addition to a Laurel and 

Hardy comedy film and a singalong . 

Village of Depew residents heard two 

CATV companies present their requests the 

other night for a town franchise 

Ton Cablevision has informed the Tonawanda 

Town Board that CATV will be 

available early this year. Alfred E. Anscombe. 

Ken-ton president, expects to get 

approval of the application momentarily. 

Anscombe is a former chief barker of 

Tent 7. 

Earl L. Lynge, who came to this city several 

years ago as manager of the nowclosed 

Center Theatre, is finding his $1- 

anytime policy a profitable one. The SI 

admission fee is especially popular at the 

Maple Forest 1 and 2. 

Elmer A. Franchelli, owner of the Palace 

Theatre in Lockport, reports "sold-out" 

audiences and long waiting lines for "Jaws." 

The thriller was shown at the 1.500-seat 

house for two weeks with two nightly presentations. 

Richard G. Bealty Named 

Manager of Ticketron 

NEW YORK—Richard G. Beatty has 

been named area manager in New York 

for Ticketron. the computerized bo.xoffice 

network. Beatty assumed his duties December 

1, according to an announcement 

by Robert J. Gorra, vice-president. 

Beatty will have responsibility for sales 

and marketing in Connecticut, New Jersey 

and New York City. He was associated 

with a Wall Street investment firm before 

joining Ticketron in June 1971. 

Active for Theatre Taxes 

PITTSBURGH — The two Allegheny 

County legislators who are among the sponsors 

of the Keystone State House Bill 732, 

which would again impose a permissive 10 

per cent tax on admissions to motion picture 

theatres in any or all political subdivisions, 

are in districts which have no 

theatres. 

V\AANTED 

3MIVI TRAILERS 

Also: 

• movie stilts 

• press'-ooks 

• magazines 

• posters 

• scripts 

•Iny quantity purchased 

Contact: 

MALCOM WILLITS 

6763 Hollywood Blvd. 

Los Angeles, Co. 90028 

BOXOFnCE :: January 5, 1976 E-3

. 

. . Coluinbi.i's 

. . Free 

PITTSBURGH 

Por many years it has been ihis writer's 

interest to pK:ruse the national executive 

edition of this magazine's Christmas issue 

to seek out names of former industry members 

here who are now in other locations. 

Via BoxoFFiCE Christmas greetings, we find 

the following: Atlanta. Kip Smiley: Buffalo. 

Mannie A. Brown; Chicago. Virgil Jones: 

Cleveland. Bill Ley: Detroit. Sam Milberg. 

Harry Russell and Bea Hart; Los Angeles. 

Syd Lehman, and Washington. D.C.. Samuel 

N. Wheeler. 

Kresge Theatre on the Carnegie-Mellon 

University campus is newly equipped and 

decorated and is ready for the new pro 

Equity company which will come in for 

three plays, each for two weeks, opening 

June 29. Directing is Lawrence Carra. who 

heads the CMU drama department . 

"Buy a box of popcorn in nearly all district 

theatres now and you must pay as much for 

plain as for oiled (imitation buttered)." 

writes Ed Blank. Press drama editor. 

The Vernon Theatre, Barnesboro. was 

damaged by fire during the holiday season 

when the adjacent former postoffice building 

was destroyed in a predawn fire. Also 

damaged was the adjacent Eagle Printing 

Co., publisher of the local weekly newspaper. 

The theatre was named for the late 

exhibitor Vernon .Scott. 

Charles B. Gaynor, 66. who died in 

Washington. D.C.. in many former years 

was identified with the local Playhouse, 

where he. as music composer and writer of 

lyrics, presented "Lend an Ear." ".Show 

Girl," etc.. and who revived "Irene" several 

years ago. 

Northern Independent Theatre Exhibitors 

here, with upwards of 100 screens in membership, 

originally was identified as NITE. 

This, however, conflicted with the National 

Independent Theatre Exhibitors, so the local 

association is now NORITE. the first three 

letters for NORthern. plus ITE. 

Holiday sea.son movie in the area included 

"Innocence of Valerie," "Danish Modern," 

"Young .Seducers." "Tanya." "Just the Two 

of Us," "The Story of O," "Tower of Love," 

"Strange Desire," "The Women of Pleasure," 

"Ski Girls," "Swinging Sorority," 

"The Young Secretaries," "Live and Let 

Die," "Towering Inferno," "Blazing Saddles," 

"Three Days of the Condor." "Lucky 

Lady." "The Hindenburg." "Dog Day 

Afternoon," "The Sunshine Boys." "Teenage 

Throat," "One Flew Over the C"uckoo's 

Nest," "The Killer Elite," "Sensations," 

CINERAMA IS IN 

SMOW BUSINESS IN 

HAWAII TOO. 

Witen you come to Waikiki 

''''"' "^'^* '^^ famous 

Bl^6ilC* 

Hawaii' '-'on Ho Show. . 

. at 

""T^J Cinerama's Reef Towers Hotel. 

INUIMKIKI HEO RCI F TflWI US IIH.IWAIIK 

"The Black Bird," "TTie Adventure of Sherlock 

Holmes' Smarter Brother." "The Man 

Who Would Be King." "Hustle" and "Conduct 

Unbecoming." 

Some area theatres started Friday-Saturday 

midnight exhibitions of special movies 

with "Pink Flamingos" being the champ so 

far. 

Exhibitors Service Co., oldest film pickup 

and deliver\ firm in the world, is entering 

its 66th year here. 

"We Search Car Trunks for Illegal Passengers" 

is a 11x1 7-inch red-lettered sign 

which Rocco Serrao has printed for display 

at his Sup)er 66 Drive-In, Ford City. Jules 

Curley at ADV Agency, offset printers, says 

other outdoor theatres are ordering copies 

of this sign. 

A recent Saturday-Sunday kiddies matinee 

feature at area theatres was "TTie Little 

Prince." "Heidi" was the Saturday (3) and 

Sunday (4) offering and for Saturday (10) 

and Sunday (11) there is a double bill. 

"Seven Dwarfs to the Rescue" and "Snowman." 

The new city theme song, "Home in Pittsburgh, 

Pennsylvania," is an original composition 

by Mrs. Jean (John R.) Smith of 

Churchill, who was inspired to write this 

number while on the Gateway Clipper as it 

came into the Point, the merging of the 

.•\llegheny and Monongahcla to form the 

Ohio River. An Ascap member, her "Pittsburgh" 

song is recorded by Christopher Barrett 

via her Bit-O-Pitt recording company. 

Mrs. Smith's other published songs include 

'Just Say the Word" and "Timmy Tinsel." 

More than 100 friends of 2()th-Fo\ booker 

Rhea Kramer Aaronson attended a bon 

voyage dinner party in her honor at the 

Pittsburgh Press Club. After a number of 

years of service here, she has retired and 

will reside in the Golden State of California. 

Your correspondent had a boxing show that 

evening in Monroeville and could not be 

present. Our new 12.S-poimdcr KOed his 

opponent in the first round. We missed the 

Manos holiday party, too. because of .i 

wrestling show . . . Milo Hamilton is the 

new broadcast voice of the haseb.ill Pirates. 

succeding Bob Prince, lormer Variety Tent 

1 chief barker. 

International Ainii.scnicnCs Marvin .Schubert 

and Jeff .Schneider of Charlotte are selling 

their product here and in Boston. Detroit 

and Chicago . manager fi>r 

Ihis city and Bultalo. Neil Sefferman. at the 

Cleveland branch office, has .i new secretary 

in Mary Spiaggue. 

I ho annual loiMi-ntioii of Variety Clubs 

liileriialioM.il will he held ui loronto. C.ui.i 

d.i. May }\ through June 4 . lorlinie 

cookies were given to Rit/-Miiii patrons 

during the run of "I ove Oriental Style." 

"No passi-s iiteeiited" .ipjx'ars in luoiv 

.uul inoK' ihe.ilie ,uK. iiulicaling Ih.il the 

management is 

tightening up or that the film 

distributor has taken over the house for exhibition 

of its movie . . . Richard Losh's 

registered business is known as Keystone 

Cinemas. Inc.. of Pennsylvania, Johnstown. 

lATSE 820 Head 

Elbert J. Oiler Dies 

PITTSBURGH—Elbert J. Oiler, technical 

engineer with KDK.^-TV for 20 years, 

died December 12 in Shadyside Hospital. 

Oiler, 49, of 145 S. Jamestown Road, Coraopolis, 

was president and member of the 

board of directors of Local 820 of the International 

Alliance of Theatrical and Stage 

Employes. 

He was a member and worshipful master 

of the Royal Arch Chapter of the St. John 

Lodge F&AM 219, Carnegie, and a member 

of the Sharon Presbyterian Church. 

Surviving are his wife Arlene A. Oiler; 

two sons. Gary and Keith; two daughters, 

Karen and Genet: two sisters. Sylvia of 

.Annadale. Va.. and Mrs. Julia Falkenstein 

of Fairmont, W.Va.. and a brother. Floyd 

of Neward. Ohio. 

Two-Alarm Fire at Capri 

Theatre in Allentown 

ALLENTOWN. PA.—A two-alarm 

fire 

in the basement of the Capri Theatre in 

the midtown sector was extinguished by 

firemen making a second visit to the theatre 

as a precautionary step. The blaze was believed 

to have started near a stairwell leading 

from the basement to the lobby. 

The Capri Theatre, which seats 497, was 

acquired by the Philadelphia-based Budco 

Quality Theatres circuit in September 1971 

for $135,000 from .Mbert Moffa, local theatre 

and hotel entrepreneur. The property is 

the site of the former Transit Theatre and 

its predecessor, the Cameo Theatre. 

Copyright Infringement 

Charge Ruled Invalid 

READING. PA. ^Charges of showing 

copyrighted major motion pictures for pix)- 

fit against Donald M. Westley of suburban 

West Wyomissing were dropped for lack 

of evidence at a hearing here before U.S. 

Magistrate Charles M. Guthrie. Westley 

had been charged with the offense last 

September following a raid on this home 

in May 1974. During the raid. Federal 

Bureau of Investigation agents seized 12 

films from Wcstley's private collection, 

claiming at the time that the films were 

copyrighted and could not be used for 

private showings. The films, some of which 

were incomplete with reels missing, ineluded: 

The thing," "Bullitt, Ihc 

Golden .\ge of Comedy." "Jungle Book." 

"The lawless Breed." "Satan Never Sleeps." 

"Viva Ma\l." "Tonv Rome" and others. 

Film 

Group Viows 'Lyndon' 

I'llll \l)l I nil A Ihe niembeis of the 

Motion Picture Preview Ciroup 

Phil.idelphi.i 

in December 1975 attended a private 

screening of Warner Bros.' "Barry Lyndon" 

•It ihe Si.ige Di>or Cinema. 

^^ 

E-4 BOXOFFICE Janu.irv 

*!. 1976

! 

NORTH JERSEY 

^Tie Black Bird" opened exclusive engagements 

recently at RKO-SW's Stanley 

Warner in Paramus and Reade's Woodbridge 

in Woodbridge . . . "One Flew Over 

the Cuckoo's Nest" entered its third week 

at UA's Bellevue in Upper Montclair. reporting 

excellent grosses . . . "The Hindenburg," 

now in its second week at UA's 

Cinema 46 in Totowa, is packing in the 

patrons. 

Holiday attractions in the North Jersey 

area, in multiple booking situations, included 

"Dog Day Afternoon" (excellent boxoffice), 

"Three Days of the Condor" (good 

to excellent at most locations), and "The 

Killer Elite" (above average at most houses). 

United Artists Eastern Theatres held its 

annual employees' Christmas party recently 

at the Terrace in the Park Restaurant in 

Flushing, N.Y., and was attended by managers 

and division managers of the North and 

South Jersey areas, as well as other Eastern 

division personnel. More than $25,000 in 

prizes was awarded to the winners of the 

UAction '75 Drive. Prizes were awarded in 

four categories: showmanship, theatre 

maintenance, concession sales and energy 

conservation. Top prize winners in the 

North Jersey division were Bob Bateson, 

manager of the Colonial in Pompton Lakes 

and Wayne in Wayne, and Gerry Hazell, 

manager of the Bellevue in Upper Montclair. 

The gala affair was hosted by UA Eastern 

president Salah M. Hassanein. In a letter 

to all those in attendance, Hassanein announced 

that as of the end of 1975 UA 

was operating 540 screens nationally, an increase 

of 29 over the previous year and 138 

more than in 1971. Additionally, he reported 

that gross revenues have increased 16 

per cent to $123.8 million. 

Tlie Exchange Club of Westfield recently 

sponsored its 25th annual childrens' Christmas 

party on a Saturday morning at UA's 

Rialto in Westfield. The show included cartoons, 

plus a band on stage. Santa Claus 

arrived at the Rialto aboard a fire department 

truck and greeted all the children 

from the theatre stage. The Exchange Club 

gave away two bicycles to lucky ticket 

holders, as well as many other prizes. Admission 

to the special show was one can 

of food, 

which was later donated to a local 

hospital for the retarded. Playing the role 

of Santa was Ron McClosky, a former Rialto 

usher, who is now a professional comedian. 

McClosky has appeared at numerous 

night spots in the area and most recently 

was featured during opening-day activities 

for "The Sunshine Boys" at Radio City 

Music Hall in New York. The Rialto is 

managed by veteran George Karros. 

PHILADELPHIA 

gudco Quality Theatres gets "Lies My 

Father Told Me," with the area opening 

set for three theatres February 11. Premier 

area showings will be at the Orleans 

Theatre in the northeast section of the city, 

City Line Theatre in the Wynnefield suburban 

section and the Community Theatre, 

Cherry Hill, N.J. . . . Irv Blumberg, Warner 

Bros, publicity and promotion chief here, 

staged an invitational preview at the Stage 

Door Cinema, center city Milgram Theatres 

house, the night before the regular opening 

for "Barry Lyndon." 

Sameric Theatres had benefit previews 

three successive nights for the opening of 

"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" at the 

Eric Twin Rittenhouse Square Theatres in 

center city. 

Milton Young, Columbia Pictures publicity 

chief, and Linda Goldenberg, serving 

Budco Quality Theatres in a similar capacity, 

hosted private invitational screenings for 

"Aaron Loves Angela" two successive evenings 

at the Top of the Fox screening room. 

The film opened December 25 at Budco's 

Regency Theatre in center city . For the 

. . 

invitational preview screening of "The 

Rocky Horror Picture Show" at the Top of 

the Fox, prior to its opening at the downtown 

Arcadia Theatre, publicists Harry Jay 

Katz and Stanley Green enlisted the services 

of a society caterer to serve appropriate 

cocktail sandwiches such as Mexican guave 

worms, rattlesnake meat, pickled cockscombs 

and the like to go with the Bloody 

Marys. 

Linda Goldenberg, Budco Theatres publicity 

chief, handled promotional arrangements 

for the recent world premiere of 

Columbia's "Aaron Loves Angela," which 

was a benefit for the Martin Luther King 

International Freedom Games and the Philadelphia 

Pioneer Club. 

Theatre Razing Begun 

WILKINSBURG, PA.—Razing of the 

Colonial Theatre, located on Wood Street, 

began in mid-December 1975. The adjoining 

Rowland Theatre also is scheduled for 

demolition in a long-delayed redevelopment 

project. 

First Artists Production Co. was founded 

in 1969 by Sidney Poitier, Paul Newman 

and Barbra Streisand. 

Not getting the service you deserve? 

CALL Allied Theatre Equipment Co.^ Inc. 

Service . . , the name of the game 

We at Allied feel service is most important. For this reason we have 

our own service department, staffed with highly qualified technicians, and 

repair shops. 

Projection equipment, like any other machinery, needs maintenance, 

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BOXOmCE :; January 5, 1976 E-5

. . . Leon 

. . . NATO 

" 

— 

BALTIMORE 

Powing Friday, December 19. at J&J's 

Towson Theatre and Brchm's Westview 

Cinema was "The Adventure of Sherlock 

Holmes" Smarter Brother" . . . "The 

Magic Flute" began an exclusive unspooling 

on the same date at Schwaber-World 

Fare's Playhouse in Charles Village. 

George A. Brehm sr., owner of the Westview 

Cinema (quadplex). has just moved 

from Ellicott City to his new home in 

Columbia . . . Seats at all times presently 

are $1.25 at the Village Theatre in the 

Reisterstown Shopping Center, Reisterstown. 

Variety Club Tent 19 will hold its installation 

of 1976 officers Wednesday (14) 

at 7 p.m. at Overlea Hall, 6809 Belair Rd. 

There will be an open bar, fabuloLis buffet 

and dancing to a fine band (Mad Man 

Baitch, according to the flyer). Tickets are 

$9.50 per person and reservations are being 

taken by Mrs. Leslie (Frank) Cimino. Call 

her at 484-2947 or phone LA 3-0662 (P&M 

Lounge). 

Mrs. Vera (Austin) Wolfe, secretary of 

NATO of Maryland, has announced that the 

organization's revised directory of all conventional 

and drive-in theatres is available. 

There also is a section on theatre suppliers, 

radio stations and film carriers. None will 

be dispatched by mail but anyone desiring 

Cancer 

hasiiit stopped 

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people 

from living. 

They did it by not letting 

fear kiU them. They did it by 

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They did it with the help of 

the effective methods of 

treatment today: surgery... 

radiation. . .chemotherapy. 

They did it because of the 

advances made through 

research. 

More than 1,500,000 

Americans are living proof 

cancer can be cured. The 

American Cancer Society 

needs millions to save millions 

more. 

Please, give more today. 

We want to wipe out cancer 

in your lifetime. 

AmcricakA 

I 

Cancer Society ^ 

Thit BpACo cont/)bulod by tho pubti»rw. 

a directory may pick one up at the NATO 

office. Contact Mrs. Wolfe at 837-1861 

or write her at 516 North Charles St. for 

information. 

The victory of the Colts over the Miami 

Dolphins Sunday. December 14. at Memorial 

Stadiimi devastated theatre business in 

this city, according to a circuit executive 

B. Back, general manager of 

Rome Theatres and president of Maryland 

NATO, along with Irwin R. Cohen, president 

of Virginia and head of R C Theatres, 

flew to Chicago Thursday, December IS, 

to attend the meeting of NATO presidents 

of Maryland can boast of three 

presidents on its board of directors. They 

are: Leon B. Back, president of Maryland 

NATO; Wade Pearson, president of NATO 

of Washingtton, D.C., and Irwin R. Cohen, 

president of Virginia NATO. 

A Christmas card 

from Adam G. Goelz, 

a chief internal auditor lor Pacific Theatres, 

based in Los Angeles, advised that he 

wished to say "hello" and to be remembered 

to all his friends in the industry here. On 

the Yuletide greeting he wrote: "Hi! Just 

a note at this time of year to say hello to 

Baltimore. I managed theatres in that city, 

more or less my hometown for 20 years, 

for Rappaport. Schwaber's and Fruchtman, 

not to mention General Cinema and GMS 

Theatres in Dover, Del., as general manager. 

Made a lot of friends there over the years 

and have kept in touch with some but lost 

contact with others. Would like to say hello 

to all." 

December 1975 had a special meaning 

for Bill Mitchell, manager at JF's Rotunda 

cinemas I and II. December 1 he celebrated 

his second anniversary in the employ of 

JF Theatres. He started at the Norihpoint 

Plaza, then moved to the Pikes and is now 

at the Rotunda twin. A very important gift, 

a baby girl, Jennifer Ann, was born to his 

wife Linda December 12 at the Greater 

Baltimore Medical Center (their first child). 

Mitchell says he has a dream to own a 

house one day with 100 acres of land in 

Havre de Grace. 

Aaron Seidler, executive vice-president 

Cardinal Sound Co. 

Equipment? 

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"CALL CARDINAL" 

301-937-6630 

(2r-ll

Landmark Obscenity Trial 

Under Way in Delaware 

WILMINGTON. DEL.—Industryites are 

viewing with great interest the first jury trial 

in an obscenity case in Delaware history. 

The hearings in Delaware Superior Court 

here mark the first opportunity to determine 

the "community standard" on that touchy 

subject. The case involves the sale of pornographic 

material by owners of two "adult" 

bookstores here. 

Investigators from the Delaware Department 

of Justice bought several books and 

magazines from the stores in May and June 

1975. The jury will be asked to decide 

whether the material is obscene. "And if 

we can't convict with this stuff, we can't 

convict with anything," said Deputy Atty. 

Gen. Charles M. Oberly III, who is prosecuting 

the case. He said he would read from 

the publications and show the pictures in 

them to the jury and that this would be 

the major portion of the state's case. 

The city's only recent attempt at prosecuting 

obscenity involved taking the Rialto 

Theatre to court in 1969 over the showing 

of two film short subjects which were being 

exhibited along with the feature. That suit 

dragged on for 18 months and concluded 

without success for the city. The court had 

found that portions of the statute under 

which the theatre was being prosecuted 

were unconstitutionally vague. 

Neither the city or state law-enforcement 

officials say they are planning an all-out 

offensive against adult bookstores and movie 

theatres based on the results of this case. In 

fact, they termed the amount of pornographic 

material available in Wilmington as 

being "insignificant" compared to that in 

many cities. But city and state officials 

agreed that it would be easier to prosecute 

such cases once a community standard is 

determined. 

legally 

State Atty. Gen. Richard R. Wier jr. 

said 

that getting a conviction in superior court 

would not mean massive raids on all the 

city's adult bookstores and movie houses 

showing X-rated films "but when we send 

investigators out, at least they will know 

what they are looking for." A verdict for the 

state, Wier said, would only establish that 

certain publications are obscene but that 

finding would at least give officials an 

inkling of what could be prosecuted successfully. 

The case against the Wilmington bookstores 

is one of several recent pornography 

prosecutions by the justice department. One 

involved a circuit of outdoor theatres that 

took the justice department to federal court 

when Wier threatened to prosecute them for 

showing X and R-rated movies. That case 

was dismissed when a Florida statute similar 

to Delaware's that dealt with drive-ins was 

struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court. 

The justice department also has a civil 

case pending in the chancery court dealing 

with the state prosecutor's seizure of several 

poster advertisements displayed outside the 

Rialto Theatre here. The state contends 

that the ads, which depicted the theatre's 

current features, could be viewed by minors. 

Marietta Theatres Vintage Fare 

Draws Diverse Group of Patrons 

(Continued from page E-2) 

and early talking film era of the '20s and 

•30s. 

"Shortly after the purchase of the theatre 

they started installing the large organ 

which you see in front of you, primarily to 

provide accompaniment for silent films. 

The organ was built in 1938 and originally 

was designed to accompany silents. It contains 

over 3,000 individual pipes, which are 

located in two gigantic chambers behind the 

screen. It also has a complete percussion 

section—xylophone, bells, chimes and marimba, 

as well as drums, cymbals and traps 

. . . Again, welcome to the Marietta Theatre. 

And now let's dim the house lights and 

start the show." 

During the next two hours you will see 

some mighty strange images on the screen. 

Usually you'll see at least two films—one 

silent and one with sound. The sound film 

might be from the early '30s. starring Harlow. 

Garbo or some other legendary film 

goddess. It might have been directed by a 

John Ford or a Howard Hawks and prove 

to be an interesting example of a great di- 

. . 

rector's creative genius. Or it might be a 

zany comedy like "Duck Soup," starring 

You may find, as 

the Marx brothers . 

I did, that your enjoyment of the film is 

greater than if you'd been watching it on 

your home TV screen. Laughter is highly 

contagious in a darkened theatre when a 

good movie is shown to an appieciative 

audience. 

Now, it's intermission time. The house 

lights come up and an organist seated at 

the console to the left of the screen begins 

to play. The sound is unique—nothing like 

it in the world. Even a good stereo recording 

of a theatre organ cannot reproduce the 

timbre of those deep bass notes that cause 

the theatre floor to vibrate. More often 

than not, a taste for theatre organ music 

must be acquired. The tremolo, so effective 

when used tastefully as background music 

for a scene of sentiment on the screen, will 

prove excessive to some ears. 

But the Marietta organ is a drawing card. 

Many in the audience have come primarily 

to 

hear Ed Weimer, one of the few remaining 

theatre organists of the silent era, perform. 

And he doesn't let them down. He 

plays for ten or 15 minutes — "Ramona," 

"Always." "Roses of Picardy." "Love Letters 

in the Sand" and a dozen other standard 

ballads of the '20s and "305. 

Again the house lights dim and the 

screen lights up. This time you'll see a silent 

film— perhaps "The Lonely Villa." a melodrama 

directed by D. W. Griffith in 1909. 

Watching a movie made 66 years ago 

requires a certain mental adjustment. Unless 

you are an avid film buff, the old 

movie will probably seem crude, fumbling 

and naive—at first. View it objectively, 

however, and you'll find much of interest. 

"The Lonely Villa," for example, offers a 

rare opportunity to see an early example 

of the genius of D. W. Griffith, who founded 

the modem technique of cinema art. In 

spite of a weak story you'd find, as I did, 

that the actors seem like flesh-and-blood 

human beings. And you'd find Griffith's 

method of switching from action to action 

very effective, generating a real feeling of 

suspense. Finally, upon reflection, you'd 

find this almost prehistoric movie had all 

the essentials of today's sophisticated suspense 

picture. "Psycho," "The Man Who 

Knew Too Much," and "North by Northwest" 

are light years removed from "The 

Lonely Villa" in surface appearance but the 

seed of the modem movie melodrama was 

there. 

At least that is my impression of the 

Marietta Theatre experience. If you're interested, 

why not drive over some weekend 

and see for yourself. 

Leon Back Re-Elected 

Md. NATO President 

BALTIMORE—NATO of Maryland December 

1 1 held a meeting at its headquarters, 

516 North Chades St., for the purpose 

of electing new officers for the coming year. 

Those named to guide the group were: 

Leon B. Back, president (re-elected); 

George Brehm sr., vice-president; Fred 

Schmuff, treasurer, and Vera Wolfe, reelected 

secretary. 

Members of the board of directors are: 

Irwin R. Cohen. Walter Gettinger, Jerry 

Grant, John Manuel, C. E. Prince, Robert 

Rappaport, John Recher, Hank Vogel, 

Wade Pearson and Fred Schmuff. 

An arrangement has been finalized to 

bring Washington. D.C.. theatre owners and 

Maryland exhibitors closer together, wherein 

Back will serve on a reciprocal basis with 

Pearson. Each one will appear regularly at 

the other's organization meetings on the 

appointed dates in the respective cities 

(Pearson is president of NATO of Washington. 

D.C.). 

"Tommy" has grossed over SI. 000,000 

in its first twelve days of two wide multiple 

runs. 

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BOXOFHCE :: January 5, 1976 E-7

5 

. . . Charles 

WASHINGTON 

The pace of life during the Yule season 

brought to the Eisenhower Theatre in 

the Kennedy Center the debut as a prolessional 

director of a noted motion picture 

and stage actor, Jason Robards, who also 

stars in the revival of Eugene O'Neill's 

"Long Day's Journey Into Night." a play 

in the center's American Bicentennial Salute 

for the Performing Arts, honoring center 

chairman Roger L. Stevens, to be held 

Sunday (25) in the Opera House. A cavalcade 

of stars will attend and participate in 

the benefit event, which is under the patronage 

of President and Mrs. Gerald R. Ford 

and Vice-President and Mrs. Nelson Rockefeller. 

Tickets range from $25 for a secondtier 

seat to $3,000 for a box. Orchestra seats 

cost $125. 

The AFI Theatre tribute to the Hollywood 

screenwriters included film showings 

of "Rancho Deluxe." scripted by Thomas 

McGuane. and a double bill of "Crime 

Without Passion" and "Angels Over Broadway." 

both written and directed by Ben 

Hecht ... A series of great American silent 

films likewise were included in the AFI 

Theatre's holiday movie fare. 

Charles T. Jordan, Warner Bros, branch 

manager, sent a copy of the December 1 

issue of Time Magazine, which carried a 

cover story on Stanley Kubrick's newest 

film, "Barry Lyndon," to area exhibitors. 

His transmittal letter stated: "Warner Bros. 

is proud of the picture, as well as Time's 

recognition of it, and we hope this tribute 

to an important filmmaker and his new 

Art Movies Are a Hit 

In Pa. College Town 

EDINBORO, PA.—This small college 

town, with a population of 2,400 residents 

and 6,000 students, is located approximately 

15 miles south of Erie, Pa. It is the site of 

the Cinemette circuit's twin theatre known 

as the Village cinemas, managed by Judy 

Landau. 

Last fall, Ms. Landau decided to organize 

an art film series for presentation in one 

of the two theatres, a risky proposition in 

an area which shows a definite preference 

for Walt Disney films and other motion pictures 

of that genre. Nevertheless, Ms. Landau 

considered that the college faculty and 

students might be depended upon to attend 

screenings of art movies—and she was 

right! 

The college faculty contributed articles 

and reviews of the films for publication in 

the local papers and, as well, organized lectures 

and discussions. Further, the students 

were encouraged by the college instructors 

to see the films and sometimes were required 

to write papers based on the motion 

pictures. Thus, the audience response to 

the 

project became enthusiastic and the festival 

turned into a financial success for the Village 

cinemas, grossing, over a six-week 

period, 50 per cent more than the same 

achievement will interest you as an opinionmaker 

and a friend of the motion picture 

industry." 

Fred Sapperstein. Columbia branch manager, 

issued invitations to a sneak preview 

of "The Black Bird" at the K-B Silver in 

Silver Spring. Md.. Friday. December 1^ 

Cardinal. Cardinal Sound Co., 

Beltsville, Md.. installed the sound and projection 

equipment in the new K-B Baronet 

East/West Twin, which opened Christmas 

Day. He used the Drive-In Theatre Mfg. 

Co. platter system, with Strong lamps. Cardinal 

considers the K-B duo "one of the 

most beautiful theatres" he's seen in a long 

time. 

Kevin Hooks, teenage actor son of Robert 

Hooks, whose first feature film was 

"Sounder," was promoting his second feature, 

"Aaron Loves Angela," currently at 

three area theatres. Kevin's real father, 

Robert, is his movie father in this new feature 

megged by "Super Fly" director Gordon 

Parks jr. Robert Hooks makes his 

home here, where he heads the D.C. Black 

Repertory Theatre. He and son Kevin have 

3 per cent interest of the gross in "Aaron 

Loves Angela." Kevin is a senior at Potomac 

Senior High School in nearby Oxon 

Hill. Md., and expects to go to college (he's 

applied at UCLA's School of Fine Arts). 

He said. "Getting an education in the long 

run will give me the biggest number of options." 

Loews' Palace previewed "Aaron 

Loves Angela" as a benefit for the D. C. 

Repertory Theatre Friday, December 19. 

theatre averaged during the same amount 

of playing time with non-art films. 

The Edinboro Film Festival, as it eventually 

became known locally, presented 12 

films in six weeks, from October 15 through 

November 25. The admission price was 

$1.75, except Tuesdays and Thursdays, 

which were designated as $1 nights. Several 

midnight showings also were scheduled at 

$1 admission. It was at these discount prices 

that Ms. Landau drew the largest crowds. 

A $1 midnight show of "2001: A Space 

Odyssey" filled every seat in the house. 

The biggest moneymakers were "Last Tango 

in Paris," followed by "2001: A Space 

Odyssey" and "Cries and Whispers." All 

three films drew the largest audiences on 

$1 nights. 

The biggest losers were Antonioni's "The 

Passenger," unluckily scheduled during 

Thanksgiving vacation, and Truffaut's "D.iy 

for Night," for reasons as yet unknown. 

Ms. Landau now is organizing a spring 

" 

" 

festival of 20 art films to open February 4 

with "The Story of Adele H." and scheduled 

to include Ken Russell's "Savage Messiah. 

Ophul's 'The Sorrow and the Pity," Cha 

brol's "Wedding in Blood," .Mini, wis 

"Thieves Like Us." I'ellini's ".Am.ircoid 

and many others still in the booking stages. 

The unexpected success of the festival has 

brought lulinboro to the attention of the 

iicighlioring towns, many of which also have 

colleges. A lively dialog is being maintained 

among professors, film buffs at large, members 

of the communications media and 

others, who are talking film sense and film 

nonsense, much to the delight of the perceptive 

Ms. Landau. 

At Edinboro State College (where college-organized 

film series always have 

thrived but have been small lately because 

of financial cutbacks) there now is talk of 

forming a film magazine. 

Irving Blumberg Promotes 

Tiisztomonia' Via Poetry 

PHILADELPHIA — Ir%ing Blumberg, 

publicity chief for Warner Bros. Pictures 

in this area, created a poetic stir among 

radio and TV personalities along with the 

newspaper critics and columnists in promoting 

the opening of "Lisztomania" at 

Budco's Goldman Theatre in center city 

here and at the suburban Bn,n Mawr 

Theatre. Putting his news release in rhyme, 

tagging it "Rhymomania," Blumberg said 

poetically: 

To give you one brief bit of news 

And try not to detain ya. 

We'd merely like to introduce 

A new film— "Lisztomania." 

Ken Russell has directed this. 

His latest project was "Tommy." 

His script deals loosely with Franz Liszt 

As early groupies' swami. 

The film— with Roger Daltrey. 

Rick Wakeman. Ringo Starr— 

And budget that's not paltry 

Opens: Goldman and Bryn Mawr. 

" Lisztomatiia" comes to you 

By way of Warner Bros. 

The trunket here and info too 

Are both Irv Blumberg's druthers. 

So please enjoy the T-shirt 

Which accompanies this sonnet. 

So we can now get off your back 

And that can go upon it. 

With the poetry, Blimiberg added a 

striking yellow T-shirt emblazoned with a 

chest imprint of the logo identifying the 

"Lisztomania" film title. 

Urban Renewal Plan 

Calls for Theatre 

SYR.UL'Si;. N.Y. A theatre and plaza 

area are included in a proposal to redevelop 

an urban renew.il site by Ba/ar Hill Inc. 

The plan, which calls (or dcvclopnienl of 

retail businesses, a theatre and pla/a area 

in the University Avenue-Marshall Street- 

South Crouse Avenue section at $l,S5S,2t)(). 

sparked a debate after it was announced In 

a mid-December city coimcilors meeting. 

I he councilors agreed lo meet in an informal 

session with all interested parties. 

incUuling officials of the University Hill 

Neighborhood Development Program who 

acquired the site in 1971. Council Presideni 

Neal P. McCurn and members requested 

more detailed information in order to make 

a decision on the proposetl mall. 

E-8 BOXOFTICE J.muarv 5, 1976

I 

I 

opened 

1 chomping 

—— 

— 

— 

'Smarter Brother' 

Sets House Record 

LOS ANGELES — "The 

Adventure of 

Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother" 

smashed its way to a house record for UA 

Westwood in its debut with an astounding 

700 average. Registering a soaring 790 at 

last count, "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's 

Nest" continued its steady flight with a 

slight swoop to 650 in the fifth outing at 

the Regent. "The Man Who Would Be King" 

at the Village and Vogue with an 

impressive 440, while "Hedda" gobbled a 

juicy 325 tidbit in a bow at the UA Cinema 

IIL 

Showcasing the area were "Last Days of 

Man on Earth." surviving in 16 new situations; 

"Mahogany," still in fashion in the 

fifth week at eight spots, and "Jaws," 

hefty grosses in the 27th lap. 


Av:r 

,'.. :o 

I—The Sunshine Boys (MGM-UA) 

II—Swept Away (by an Unusual Destiny 

215 

] in the Blue Sea of August) (SR), 6th wk 195 

Century Plaza 2, Fox—The Story of O (AA) 90 

Cinerama Dome Barry Lyndon (WB) 230 

Hollywood Pacific, Plaza—The Killer Elite (UA) ...250 

Hollywood Pussycat—Naked Came the Stranger 

(SR), 9th wk 60 

Los Fell:—Mr. Sycamore (SR) .- _ 150 

Music Hall—Hester Street (SR), 4th wk 200 

Naiional—Dog Day Aiternoon (WB), 11th wk 170 

Pantcges Three Days of the Condor (Para), 

12th wk 45 

Reaent One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest 

(UA), 5th wk 650 

UA Cinema III—Hedda (SR) - 325 

UA Westwood—The Adventure of Sherlock 

Holmes' Smarter Brother (20th-Fox) 700 

Village, Vogue—The Man Who Would Be King 

(AA) - 

440 

250 for 'Story of O' Whips 

First Run Products in Denver 

DENVER—"The Story of O" lashed its 

Denver competition with a stunning 250 in 

its initial week at the Esquire. Tying for 

second place with a healthy 150 each were 

the contrasting pictures, "Snow White and 

the Seven Dwarfs" at five theatres and "The 

Killer Elite" at seven theatres. "Conduct 

Unbecoming" whipped up a 140 in the fifth 

round at University Hills 2 for third place. 

Century 21—Rooster Cogbum (Univ), 10th wk 60 

Centre Mahogany (Para), 9th wk 80 

Cherry Creek Three Days of the Condor (PoYa), 

ICth wk 125 

Ccn:inental—Hearts of the West (UA-MGM), 

10th wk 115 

Cooper Jffws (Univ), 27th wk 85 

Denver Good To See You Again, Alice Cooper 

(SR) - _ 50 

Esquire—The Story of O (AA) 250 

Five theatres Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 

(BV) 150 

Seven theatres—The Killer Elite (SR) 150 

Six theatres—Against a Crooked Sky (SR) 120 

University Hills 2—Conduct Unbecoming (AA), 

5th wk 140 

'Sunshine Boys' Debut 

Raises Over $100,000 

HOLL'iWOOD—The gala West Coast 

premiere of MGM's "The Sunshine Boys" 

raised more than $100,000 Tuesday evening 

December 16, for the Cedars-Sinai 

Medical Center, making it one of the most 

successful cinema benefits ever staged. 

The film, which stars Walter Matthau 

and George Burns and co-stars Richard 

Benjamin, played to a celebrity-studded 

audience at the Avco Center Cinema in 

Westwood, where it opened an exclusive 

local engagement the following day. Premiere 

events included seven vaudeville acts 

which were performed in the theatre court, 

coordinated with the theme of the picture 

about two feuding vaudeville comedians. 

Among those present at the gala, which 

was sponsored by the Women's Guild of 

the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, were: 

Matthau and Burns and writer Neil Simon, 

who adapted the screenplay of "The Sunshine 

Boys" from his Broadway comedy hit. 

Other celebrities included: Gene Kelly, 

Kirk Douglas, Jack Lemmon, Roger Moore, 

Carol Channing, Robert Stack, Helen Reddy, 

Edie Gorme and Steve Lawrence, Danny 

Thomas, Dinah Shore, Fred MacMurray 

and June Haver, Irene Dunne, Marsha 

Mason, Hope Lange, William Wyler, 

Loretta Young, Binnie Barnes and Mike 

Frankovich, Bill Wilder and Zsa Zsa 

Gabor. 

Spearheading the benefit for Cedars- 

Sinai were Mrs. Herbert Lantin, president 

of the facility's Women's Guild; Mrs. Ray 

Stark, chairwoman of the premiere, and 

premiere co-chairwomen Mmes. Fuller M. 

Rothschild and Lawrence Israel served as 

supper-party and publicity chairwomen respectively. 

"The Sunshine Boys" was produced by 

Ray Stark and directed by Herbert Ross 

and is being released by United Artists. 

John Rock Joins 20th-Fox 

As V-P, Business Affairs 

HOLLYWOOD—John Rock, an attorney 

and executive with an extensive background 

in motion picture administration, has been 

named vice-president, business affairs, in 

20th Century-Fox's film division, it was 

announced by William Immerman, senior 

vice-president, administration and worldwide 

business affairs. Morton Smithline is 

the other vice-president, business affairs, 

in the feature film division. 

A native of Urbana, Ohio, Rock is a 

graduate of Ohio State University and the 

University of Southern California Law 

School. After working with the Los Angeles 

law firm of Lillick, McHose, Wheat, Adams 

& Charles, Rock for five years was director 

of business affairs for the CBS-TV network 

and subsequently was affiliated with 

CMA as a vice-president, was head of business 

affairs at Warner Bros. Television, 

London head of administration for Universal 

Pictures and most recently served as 

joint managing director of London Screenplays. 

In his new assignment at 20th-Fox, one 

of Rock's prime functions will be to serve 

as negotiator for both the production and 

distribution arms of the corporation for 

all foreign and domestic operations, reporting 

(directly to Immerman. 

Top Las 'Vegas Performers 

LAS VEGAS—Wayne Newton and Ann- 

Margret were named the top male and 

female performers in the fifth annual Las 

Vegas Entertainment Awards, it was reported 

by the Associated Press. 

"Ode to Billy Joe" is a romantic drama 

based on the song by Bobbie Gentry. 

Staff Protection Law 

Effective in Calif. 

HOLLYWOOD — Employees are protected 

from arrest on obscenity charges 

while working in adult theatres under a 

California law which went into effect Thursday 

(I). 

The bill was strongly supported by Pussycat 

Theatres president Vincent Miranda 

when it was going through the state legislature, 

with the backing of business agent 

Frank McBryde of Projectionists Local 150. 

"Theatre employees for the first time are 

free from arrest when there is a question 

as to whether a film is obscene," Miranda 

said. "If there is a bust it should not be a 

cashier, doorman or usher but the party or 

parties having a financial interest in the 

establishment," he said. 

Meanwhile all Pussycat theatres have begun 

enforcing extremely tight security measures 

to crack down on identification of 

younger patrons. Miranda said the move 

follows action by vice squads in smaller 

communities where police have begun conducting 

searches for minors in theatres 

showing X-rated films. 

24 Pussycat Obscenity 

Charges Are Dropped 

LOS ANGELES—Twenty-four pending 

obscenity charges against Pussycat Theatres 

were dropped by Orange County Deputy 

Dist. Atty. Oretta Sears and Anaheim City 

Atty. Robert Franks December 12, according 

to Vincent Miranda, president of the 

circuit. 

The first tour of two courthouses and 

three police stations saw the recovery of 16 

cans of film out of an expected 42. The 24 

films seized included nine prints of "Deep 

Throat," three prints of "The Devil in Miss 

Jones" and one or more of the following: 

"Sexual Liberty Now," "Touch Me," "Marital 

Aides," "Making the Blue Film," "Beyond 

the Commission Report" and "Whatever 

Happened to Miss September." Dozens 

of posters, one-sheets, ticket stub envelopes, 

trailers, time schedules and assorted office 

papers were seized and are due back, as 

well as over $1,100 cash. 

Ms. Sears' request to Judge Logan Moore 

of the municipal court of north Orange 

County stated, in part: "In view of the 

length of time which has passed since the 

filing, I believe and therefore state that 

the interest of justice is best served by dismissal 

of the cases set forth in the motion 

and by the return of the films upon which 

the charges in the cases are based." 

.Additional films are expected to be relinquished 

as soon as they are located (some 

of the seizures date back to September 

1972). Pussycat staffers are checking prints 

and contacting distributors to arrange the 

return of their property. 

Noted Miranda, president of Pussycat 

Theatres, "The dropping of these cases will 

save the taxpayers an endless amount of 

court time and money. We, of course, will 

have quite a savings, too." 

BOXOFHCE :: January 5, 1976 W-1

focusing 

Hollywood 

LYMAN DAYTON, president of Doty- 

Dayton Production, goes to Walton 

Beach. Fla., Wednesday (7) for contract 

negotiations. 

New World Pictures' two recent acquisitions. 

Francois Truffaut's "The Story of 

Adele H." and Joseph Losey's "The Romantic 

Englishwoman," had special one-week 

runs in Los Angeles to qualify them for 

Academy Award competition. Each opened 

December 24, with "Adele" playing at the 

Royal Theatre and "Englishwoman" at the 

Los Feliz. 

* 

Ziv International has prepared merchandise 

package tie-ins for "The Adventures of 

Sinhad the Sailor." "The Little Warrior" 

and "Panda and the Magic Serpent," fulllength 

animated films which the firm is 

about to rerelease. The merchandising tie-in 

will allow exhibitors to sell the products at 

the theatres during the run of each film. 

• 

The Blaine Ihompson Co., New Yorkbased 

advertising agency in the entertainment 

field, has opened a Los Angeles office 

at 6.300 Wilshirc Blvd. staffed by Richard 

H. Dehnam, vicc-presidenl; Bill Brown, art 

director, and Betsy Gehman. administrative 

assistant. 

* 

Columbia College, the oldest and largest 

cinema school in the West, will present a 

seminar Friday (23) saluting the work of 

director Mark Rydell. Among films to be 

discussed arc "The Fox," "The Reivers," 

"The Cowboys," "Cinderella Liberty" and 

"Harry and Walter Go to New York." 

• 

Rick Thiriot, vice-president of Doty-Dayton 

Productions, goes to New York City 

Tuesday (6) to finalize paperback book 

plans with Bantam Books. 

* 

Principal photography has been completed 

on Neil Simon's "Murder by Death," 

directed by Robert Moore and produced by 

Ray Stark for Columbia Pictures. The enlire 

production was filmed on the sound 

stages at the Burbank Studios. 

* 

William J. Inimerman, senior vice-president 

of administration and worldwide busi- 

^^ IVAILH I'HOjiy.'TION IMi'ROyE 

^^ 

^^^ M/ith ^^00 

S NEW TECHNIKOTE 

g SCREENS S 

JET WHITE &PEARLESCENT _^ 

1 ^"TX Avoilobic from vour aulhonicd 

1 ^si^' Theorrc Equipment Supply Dealer 

ItCCHWIKOTI CORP. «) Stob'xg SI I'ki,., . ] 

Happenings 

ness for 20th Century-Fox, has been elected 

to the board of directors by the Ass'n of 

Motion Picture & Television Producers. He 

succeeds Bernard Barron, vice-president 

of studio operations at 20th-Fox. 

* 

"The Forty Million," a bicentennial tribute 

film produced and directed by Ezra 

Stone, will be shown in next year's film 

festivals in Edinborough, Melbourne, Rome 

and Madrid. The film was narrated by 

Lome Greene and features Pierre Samuel 

DuPont. Laura Fjrmi and Dr. Wernher von 

Braun. Irv Tunich wrote the script, with 

special material by Francine Slone. 

• 

Michael York, completing "Seven Nights 

in Japan" in Tokyo, will participate in five 

premieres of Allied Artists' 'Conduct Unbecoming" 

in the Far East and Australia. 

The openings will be in Tokyo. Sidney. 

Hong Kong, Melbourne and Bangkok. 

* 

Producer Oliver A. Unger is in Hollywood 

from Yugoslavia to develop a massive 

advertising and promotion for his film 

"Assassination!", which will 

be Yugoslavia's 

entry in the "best foreign film" category 

in the Academy Awards competition. The 

film stars Christopher Plummer. Florinda 

Bolkan and Maximilian Schell and deals 

with the events leading up to and including 

the 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz 

Ferdinand which sparked World War I. 

• 

David Fisher will join Elliott Kastner's 

HK. Corp. this month as an executive in 

development, production and marketing ot 

the 1 1 major motion pictures in the works 

in the firm's Hollywood, New York and 

London offices. 

* 

Samuel Goldwyn Productions and Helen 

W. Thurber, widow of author James Thurher, 

both of whom own rights to Thurber's 

The Secret Lile ol Walter Mitty," have 

filed suit against Filmation Associates and 

NBC charging copyright infringement and 

unfair competition from an animated children's 

series. " Ihe Secret I lie ot WakUi 

Kilty," which Filmation has produced for 

the TV network. 

• 

Principal photography has been completed 

in Kauai. Hawaii, on Ernest Hemingway's 

"Island in the Stream," a Connaught 

production for Paramount Pictures. The 

lilin stars George C. Scott and was directed 

In Iranklin J. Schaffner for producers 

I'lIci H:uI and Max Palevskv. 

ForTbtBESTESTAiHl 

MSTfSf 

SPECIAT 

1337 t.Wabo»h • CMco9e.6060S 

'MIHCHANt) 

AOi MAPI 

TO ORDII 

Norman Tokar, signed to an exclusive 

producer-director contract at Walt Disney 

Productions, has set as his first project "The 

Cat From Outer Space," an original screenplay 

by cartoonist Ted Key. Ron Miller 

will be executive producer. 

• 

Director-producer Norman Jewison has 

been elected to the Royal Canadian Academy 

of Arts in his native city of Toronto. 

He is one of only 14 filmmakers named to 

the academy since its inception in 1880. 

• 

Principal photography has been com- • 

pleted in London on "Sarah," starring Glen- | 

da Jackson in the role of Sara Bernhardt, 

a Helen M. Strauss production for Reader's 

Digest, directed by Richard Fleischer. The 

lavish production featured 150 speaking 

parts, employed 600 extras and required 65 

interior sets, including a 600-seat theatre 

used as theatres in Paris and London where 

the famed actress performed. 

• 

The West Coast charity premiere of 

Stanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon" raised 

$12,535 for the research facilities of the 

American Diabetes Ass'n, Southern California 

affiliate. The premiere, held December 

19 at Pacific Theatre's Cinerama 

Dome, was followed by a supper party. 

Arrangements were made by the Select 

Committee for Diabetes Research, headed 

by Frank Wells, president and co-chief 

executive officer of Warner Bros. 

LOS ANGELES 

H new course on 'Ltlinic Images in American 

Film, on minorities in 

" 

Xmerican life .ind motion pictures, will be 

offered at the University of Southern California 

during the spring semester. 

"Mahoganj," the Barry Gordy film for 

Par.miount release, opened Christmas Day 

in 342 addition.il theatres throughout the 

nation for a holiday run. 

"Misly" and "A Dog of Flanders," two 

Robert B. Radnitz films, were the basis for 

an "adopt .i pet for Christmas" campaign 

sponsored b\ the organization known as 

.\cIors and Others for .-Vnimals when the 

films opened December 19 at the Criterion 

Iheatre, Santa Monica. The organization 

operated a booth at the iheatre and offered 

pets lor .iJoption by the moviegiKrs. 

"(iifis of an Kagle." a documentary about 

a Calitornia eagle, has opened in 17 cities 

In .Southern California. Burl Ives does the 

intriKliictlon and sings the film's theme, 

'1 ady of the Wilderness." Ihe film is based 

on a book by Kent Durden 

CINHR.AM.MS IN 

snow BUSINLSS IN 

HAWAII TOO. 

When you come toWaikiki, 

don't miss the famous 

[llAWAIl! 'iiAmn' ^^''i ^^^ Sho^v. . at 

. 

HO rtoinj! 

Cinerama's Reef Towers Hotel. 

IN WAIKtKI Hilt lUIIIIIUIKS MM.IU'AnK 

W 2 BOXOFFICE :: Januar\ 

.•^, 197(>

SAN FRANCISCO 

The needy family sponsored by the WOMPl 

Club was delivered a sleighful of food. 

toys and blankets, thanks to the wonderful 

generosity of contributing Filmrowites. The 

children were delighted and sang "The Little 

Drummer Boy," in sweet harmony led by 

their mother. Many, many thanks to our 

benevolent film community. 

Barbara and Lou Lencioni celebrated a 

very special December this year with the 

birth of their second daughter. Claire 

weighed in at six pounds, nine ounces, at 

the John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek. 

A six-month festival of 48 MGM classics, 

all in 35mm, has begun at Jack Tillmany's 

Gateway Cinema, with "Gigi" and "Seven 

Brides for Seven Brothers" setting the pace 

as openers. To meet the ever-increasing 

demand for these "oldies but goodies," Jack 

also has taken over the operation of the 

Richelieu Cinema, where he will extend the 

Gateway's policy of the most requested 

films from the '30s, '40s and '50s. Many 

of the shows will offer brand new 35mm 

prints freshly struck from original negatives. 

Ten new screens have sprung up in 

Fresno in the month of December: The 

United Artists Movies 4, a fourplex totaling 

1,625 seats and managed by Steve 

Strickler, opened December 19 and the 

Festival cinemas, a sixplex totaling 2,400 

seats and managed by Brian LeStrange, 

opened Christmas Day. Both complexes 

are located at the busy intersection of 

Blackstone and Shaw. 

A! and Vanny Enmirich relocated their 

Theatre Transit Co. over the holidays and 

expected to be totally moved into gorgeous 

new headquarters by the New Year. It's 

just down the street from their old address 

but more spacious. New phone number is 

(415) 543-4041; address is 675 Brannan, 

zip 94107. 

Jack Stone is the new branch manager 

at the Bryanston office here and will be 

handling the entire Northwest territory, including 

Salt Lake City, Seattle. Portland 

and San Francisco. Stone. 26, has been a 

sales manager for United Artists Corp. in 

this city since November 1973, having 

previously been a salesman and booker in 

the Los Angeles exchange. 

Jack Nicholson, his co-star Louise Fletcher, 

producer Mike Douglas and director 

Milo Forman (with French model-actress 

Aurore Clement) were all in attendance for 

the December 17 opening of "One Flew 

cm gU 

mw#l 

Theatre 

Service 

The nation's finest for 40 years! 


A Division of RCA 

1501 Beach Street, Montebeilo, Calif. 90640 

Phone: 1213) 685-3079 

Over the Cuckoo's Nest" at the Regency 

Theatre. The special premiere showing benefited 

the San Francisco Mental Health 

Ass'n. 

Christmas parties galore reflected this 

merriest of business and social seasons, 

kicked off by a Filmrow get-together hosted 

by the WOMPI Club and sponsored by 

Shulman Airfreight at the Rathskeller Restaurant 

December 16. Toni Dyskterhuis and 

Gloria Giordano took tickets at the door 

and Doris Monzo, Gail McGill and Tillie 

Spadaro tended bar for over 90 merrymakers. 

Connie Carpou at Avco Embassy 

and Mike Lamoureux at Far West Films 

both opened their office doors for season's 

cheer and December 19 Shirley Stimmel 

of Bryanston hosted a fond farewell 

bash for departing branch manager Charlie 

Hudgens. 

Howard Willette has left his post at National 

Productions Co. to join Cine Artists 

in Los Angeles as director of sales control. 

Animator-director Bob Clampett. one of 

the "Termite Terrace" crew at Warner Bros, 

during the development of the cartoon 

repertoire, joined the promotion activities 

at the UA Stonestown Theatre for the 

December 17 opening of "Bugs Bunny 

Superstar." Bob autographed reproductions 

of Bugs Bunny drawings and helped hand 

out free carrots to patrons! 

Andre Vardas, former owner-operator of 

the Fox Theatre. Salinas, is leasing the 

Del Ray Cinema in Seaside . . . Don Kennedy, 

past assistant manager of the UA 

Stonestown, has been appointed manager 

of the Serra Theatre in Daly City. Don succeeds 

Harry Whitson, who has been hired as 

booker for 20th Century-Fox. 

a 

Warner Bros, hosted two invitational 

showings of Stanley Kubrick's "Barry Lyndon," 

starring Ryan O'Neal and Marisa 

Berenson, at the Northpoint Theatre December 

18. 

'Sensations' Begins Run 

At SF Pussycat Theatre 

SAN FRANCISCO — "Sensations, " 

X- 

rated film starring Brigette Maier, began an 

exclusive engagement Friday, December 26, 

at the Pussycat Theatre here. Imported from 

Amsterdam, the Netherlands, "Sensations" 

has an English soundtrack and was filmed 

VNAANTED 

3MM TRAILERS 

Also: 

• movie stilts 

• pre5sbooks 

• magazines 

• posters 

• scripts 

Any quantity purrhascd 

Contact: 


6763 Hollywood Blvd. 

Los Angeles, Co. 90028 

at a reported cost of $250,000 by Lasse 

Braun. 

The adult motion pictures was described 

by Playboy magazine as "the best bet for 

all-out 

voyeurs." 

TUCSON 

J^lchelene Keating, Daily Citizen movie 

critic, bewailed the fact that only one 

G-rated — film played in this city at Christmastime 

"Snow White and the Seven 

Dwarfs" at the Cineworld 4 cinemas and at 

the Miracle Drive-In—but her spirits were 

somewhat uplifted in overhearing a smallfry 

at a "Jaws" matinee remark: "Gee, 

there aren't many grownups here." His 

equally small friend replied: "Naw, this 

isn't a movie grownups can take." The incident 

hopefully means that children are 

seemingly more unaffected by disaster and 

violence depicted in films than are their 

parents. 

Local theatre managers' comments about 

pre-Christmas attendance at showings included 

one lament, "I've been in this business 

25 years but I've never seen the pre- 

Christmas slump as bad as it has been this 

year." Another manager mused: "I could 

have thrown a bean bag down every row 

and not hit anyone." Christmas Day, however, 

saw a resurgence of moviegoing. with 

such openings as "Dog Day Afternoon" at 

Plitt's Cine El Dorado 2 and "The Hindenburg" 

at Mann's Buena Vista 1. Another 

holiday biggie was "Lucky Lady," onscreen 

at Plitt's Cine El Dorado 2. 

Matinees for late shoppers and youngsters 

were offered December 22-24 at Plitt's 

Cine El Dorado 2. with film fare including 

the Three Stooges and a cartoon festival . . . 

Plitt Intermountain Theatres announced the 

following managerial lineup: Danny Rosenow, 

Cine El Dorado 1 and 2; Jon Travis, 

Catalina Theatre; Henry Stone, Coronado 

Theatre, and Susan Le Blanc. Miracle 

Drive-In. Assistant managers are Robert 

Bathey at Cine El Dorado 1 and 2 and 

Nancy DiPalermo at the Catalina. 

t'eliz Ano Nuevo del Pueblo do Tucson! 

Happy New Year to all from the city of 

Tucson! Hope you all enjoyed a most Feliz 

Navidad (a Merry Christmas). 

1 FINER PROJECTION -SUPER ECONOMY

. 

SEATTLE 

JJo "White Christmas" was evident in the 

metropolitan area where, after niiie 

consecutive rainless days, the dew again 

commenced. The temperature soared to a 

mild 54 degrees which, in reality, was ideal 

weather for the many new holiday openings 

on screens of major circuits and independent 

operators. 

Recent screenings: American Cinema's 

"White Fang." December 16. at the Jewel 

Box: Paramounfs "Hustle." Jewel Box, December 

17: 20th-Fox's "The Adventure of 

Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother" in the 

Fox screening room, December 19: Columbia's 

"Jack and the Beanstalk," Jewel 

Box, December 20, and Universals "Special 

Section," Jewel Box, December 23 . . . 

Warner Bros, tradescreened "Barry Lyndon" 

at the Lewis & Clark 3 December 22. 

Allied Artists' Jt>hn Olds, West Coast division 

manager for this area of the country. 

was in town December 17-18 working with 

various accounts. 

There were 1,721 entries in the coloring 

contest for "Snow White and the Seven 

Dwarfs" that appeared in the December 

10 editions of the Today Newspapers. Joe 

McCann, assistant motion picture editor of 

Today, picked 45 of the best entries (all 

ages) and they in return received a pair of 

passes to see the Walt Disney Productions 

rerelcase, plus the first eight winners were 

recipients of a soundtrack albimi from the 

picture which opened December 20 at the 

Bellevuc Crossroads Theatre, Seattle Aurora 

Cinema and Renton Village Cinema. 

New releases: "Lies My Father Told Me," 

Varsity and Bellevue Overlakc Cinema; 

"The Black Bird," SeaTac 6, Bellevue 

Overlakc Cinema, Aurora Cinema and Renton 

Village Cinema: "The Sunshine Boys," 

UA Cinema 70: "The Killer Klite," Seattle 

7th Avenue; "Lucky Lady," UA Cinema 

150; "Dog Day Afternoon," Cinerama; 

"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," Music 

Box; "Hustle," Town, and "The Adventure 

of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother," Uptown, 

Norihgate, Bellevue and Lynn theatre. 

"Three i>ays of the Condor" was at the 

For Prompt Personal Attention 

Equipment, Supplies or Service 

PETERSON THEATRE SUPPLY 

19 E. 2nd South 

Solt l^kc City, Utoh 84111 

Phone (801) 322-3685 

I>cwis & Clark 1, Lake City and John Dan/. 

theatres . . . The Moore Egyptian was showing 

"Arsenic and Old Lace" and "Casablanca." 

To all of you, Happy New Year from 

Joe McCann and your correspondent Stu 

Goldman. 

DENVER 

. . . 

Mews and notes from Commonwealth Theatres: 

Dick Orear, president, and Doug 

Lightner. general manager of Commonwealth, 

visited this city and then, along with 

Bruce Young, district manager, traveled to 

Casper, Wyo., to check on theatres there 

Don Murtha. manager of the Pawnee 

Drive-In, North Platte, Neb., and his wife 

. . 

Jeanne are celebrating the arrival of their 

Ralph 

baby son Austin Lee Murtha . 

Zauner has been transferred from the Riverside 

Drive-In, Kansas City, to his new post 

as city manager in Cheyenne. Wyo. Joining 

him will be Bruce Beaman, who is the newly 

appointed manager trainee in Cheyenne . . . 

William Johnson, who traveled here from 

St. Louis, is the new assistant booker in the 

Commonwealth office and will be working 

with head booker Dick Fulham. 

Al Pesicka has been appointed city manager 

in Riverton, Wyo., and will be supervising 

operations in the Acme and Gem 

theatres as well as the Knight Drive-In 

Gary Palm has returned to the 

. . 

Commonwealth 

circuit as city manager in Chadron, 

Neb., overseeing operations in the Eagle 

Theatre and Starlight Drive-In . . Hugh 

. 

Williams, manager of the Homestake Theatre, 

Lead, S.D., won first place in a contest 

conducted by McGee Film Distributors for 

his showmanship in creating th; best Halloween 

midnight show promotion. 

The Dogie Theatre, Newcastle, Wyo., is 

reopening after undergoing complete remodeling 

and redecorating. In addition to 

the renovation, the theatre now sports an entirely 

new concession stand, new projection 

equipment and new Soimdfold draperies 

throughout the theatre . . . New platter projection 

system equipment has been installed 

in the booth of the Rialto and America theatre 

in Casper. Wyo.. as wjll as the Midwest 

and Bluffs Theatre in Scottsbluff. Neb. The 

same type installation was made in all of the 

hardlops in Rapid Cily, S.D„ with work now 

finished in the State, Hlks. Rapid and North 

Gate Twin cinemas. 

Roger Sargent, manager of the I'ox 1 lieatre, 

La Junta, conducted a highly successful 

campaign for the collection of canned 

goods to be presented to the needy at Christmastime. 

Sargent enlisted the aid of a local 

bank which supported the effort with a fullpage 

adverlisenient in local newspapers lo 

back up the campaign and assure its success 

. . . The 

Homestake (Opera House) Theatre 

in Lead. S.D.. has been designated as a 

National Musical Historical Site and has 

been presented a bronze plaque from the 

National Musical Council. Appropriate 

ceremonies will be held to celebrate the 

event after the plaque has been installed. 

The theatre has an additional plaque placed 

in the box seat which was used by President 

Coolidge to commemorate those times he 

attended the theatre. 

Randall Thornsley, who operates the 

Chugatch circuit, headquartered in Sturgis, 

S.D.? reopened the Dakota Theatre Christmas 

Day. The inaugural attraction was 

"Jaws." New Ballantyne projection equipment 

has been installed and the auditorium, 

lobby and foyer have been completely remodeled 

and redecorated. New carpeting 

and draperies have been installed throughout 

the theatre. 

Lyie Livsey is busy notif\ ing accounts of 

his new address for Avco Embassy Pictures 

in Salt Lake City. Correct street address is 

2095 Douglas St., Salt Lake, zip 84105, and 

the phone^ is (801) 487-4709. Livsey requests 

that exhibitor accounts make a note 

of the change to avoid any confusion. 

. . Universal 

Don Swales, Playhouse Theatre. Aspen, 

was in town to set bookings . 

salesman Les Laramie was winter vacationing 

.. . Warner Bros, held a Thursday night 

screening of "Barry Lyndon" at the Century 

21 Thealre. 

SALT LAKE CITY 

Qharlie Huggard o( Plitt Intermountain 

Theatres announced that December 9- 

10 actor Roy Thinnes and his wife actress 

Lyn Loring were in town to promote Universal's 

"The Hindenburg," which opened 

December 25 exclusively in the Regency 

Theatre. While here, the couple m.ide three 

IV appearances and were interviewed by 

the Tribune, Deseret News and University 

of Utah Chronicle. 

Tom Bullock of Ambassador Releasing is 

pleased to annoimce that "Escape to the 

Sun" premiered in this city and in Las Vegas 

Christmas Day. Also, .-Vmbassador's "Meal" 

was an exclusive Christmas Day opener in 

Las Vegas. 

Avco Kmbassy has moved to 29')5 Douglas 

St., No. WK), in this city. The telephone 

nimiber is unchanged. 

David Sharp of Film Service commented 

on the rv'ccntly passed bond issue. The 

Capitol Theatre will be restored for use as a 

performing arts center. Estimated cost of 

the project is $4.9 million. 

S'jit Lokc • Bojton • Dolloj • Ntw Yoik 

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W-4 

BOXOFFICE ;. j,nui,US 5. I')7(i

— 

— 

'Smarter Brother' 

Uncovers 550 in KC 

KANSAS CITY — "The Adventure of 

Sherlock Holmes" Smarter Brother" romped 

into town with a rolliclcing 550 for openers 

at Embassy 1 and 2. Two other films bowed 

this week with impressive results: "The 

Killer Elite" scored 255 in four situations, 

while "The Sunshine Boys" followed closely 

behind with a bright 250 at the Glenwood 2. 

"Three Days of the Condor" connected with 

175 for its tenth round at the Glenwood 1. 

{Average Is 100) 

Boulevard, 1-70—The Sex Clinic (SR) 20 

Embassy 1,2 The Adventure ol Sherlock Holmes' 

Smarter Brother (20lh-Fox) 550 

Empire 1—The Story of O (AA) 145 

Empire 2, Oak Pari: 3—Mahogany (Para), 9th wk. B5 

wk. Fine Arts—Lies 

Four theatres 

My Father Told Me (Col), 6th 

The Driver's Seat; Jury of One 

100 

(Avco Embassy) - ,- - 35 

Four theatres If You Don't Stop It, 

You'll Go Blind (SR), 5th vi-k 75 

Four theatres—The Killer Elite (UA) 255 

Glenv/ood 1— Three Days of the Condor (Para), 

10th wk 175 

Glenwood 2—The Sunshine Boys (UA) 250 

Midland 1—Jaws (Uruv), 26th wk 50 

Three theatres—Rooster Cogburn (Univ), 10th wk. 35 

12 theatres—Challenge to White Fang (SR) 45 

Watts Mill 3—Flossie (SR), 3rd wk 65 

'Cuckoo' Nets 275 in 

Third; 

185 for 'Dog Day' in Chicago 

CHICAGO — "One Flew Over the 

Cuckoo's Nest" built up a nice nest egg of 

275 in the third frame at the Esquire. The 

next nearest competitor, "Dog Day Afternoon," 

weighed in at 185 in the eighth 

round at three theatres. "Let's Do It Again" 

grabbed a solid 150 in its tenth lap at the 

State Lake. 

Chicago Mahogany (Para), 9th wk 100 

Esquire One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest 

(UA), 3rd wk 275 

Gateway—Jaws (Univ), 25th wk 125 

Four theatres—Old Dracula (AlP) 145 

State Lake—Let's Do It Again (WB), 10th wk 150 

Three theatres Dog Day Afternoon (WB), 

8th wk 185 

Three theatres—Sandstone (SR) 125 

Three theatres Three Days of the Condor 

(Para), 9th wk 125 

United Artists—Abduction (SR), 2nd wk 125 

Powell Is Installed 

As CB of Variety 10 

INDIANAPOLIS—Variety Club Tent 

lO's recently elected officers for 1976 were 

installed at a banquet held at the Marion 

County Ass'n for Retarded Children, with 

entertainment following the official ceremonies. 

The new officers of Tent 10 are: Frank 

E. Powell, chief barker; Robert Swan, first 

assistant chief barker; Walter St. Clair, second 

assistant chief barker; Robert Wilder, 

dough guy, and E. Edward Green, property 

master. 

Other elected members of the crew are: 

Abe Baker, J. Hilligoss, Bob Jones, Elmer 

DeWitt, Jan Eden and James Stehlin. 

Louis Abramson Relocates 

CHICAGO — Louis Abramson, retired 

executive director of the National Ass'n of 

Concessionaires, has moved from Anaheim, 

Calif., to a new home in Los Angeles. His 

new address is: 357 South Curson, Los 

Angeles, Calif. 90036, 

VARIETY S\LUTES WOMPI—Members of Variety Club t.f Illinois Tent 

25 have been saluting their partners, the members of the Chicago WOMPI Club. 

The hard work done by the WOMPls was responsible, say Tent 26 members, for the 

big success of this year's Windy City Halloween "Haunted House" project. Chairmen 

Bene Stein, left, and current chief barker Jack Grecnberg are shown turning 

over a $7,686.98 check for WOMPI children's charities to Kathy Jurkowski, left, 

and Doris Payne, right, both officers of the organization. The amount was their 

portion of the proceeds from the Spook House '75 in Niles, III., which attracted 

over 20,000 adults and children. 

Malthau, Burns Attend 

'Boys' Chicago Debut 

CHICAGO— Walter Matthau and George 

Burns brought their "act" for MGM's "The 

Sunshine Boys" into Chicago for the opening 

of the film at the McClurg Court Theatre 

December 18. The stars of the Neil 

Simon comedy hit participated in a twoday 

promotional campaign for the picture, 

including tandem newspaper and radio interviews 

and guest appearances on the Phil 

Donahue and Kup TV shows. They then 

made personal appearances at the gala 

invitational premiere of the film Thursday 

night, December 18. 

Matthau and Burns graced both the New 

York and Los Angeles premieres of "The 

Sunshine Boys," which co-stars Richard 

Benjamin. Ray Stark produced and Herbert 

Ross directed from Simon's adaptation of 

his Broadway hit. 

The film, released by United Artists, is a 

Rastar feature in Panavision and Metrocolor. 

Indiana's Obscenity Law 

Facing Test in Court 

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana's 

statewide 

adult obscenity law, known as Public Law 

341, passed at the last session of the general 

assembly (1975), exempted from 

prosecution persons and businesses involved 

in the dissemination of material and execution 

of any performance that is made for 

"legitimate scientific or educational purposes." 

This includes museums, schools with a 

full-time faculty, churches affiliated with a 

national or regional denomination, medical 

clinics, physicians, psychiatrists, hospitals, 

public libraries, governmental agencies and 

organizations that are income tax exempt, 

supported partially or wholly by tax funds. 

etc. 

As a result, Indianapolis City Prosecutor 

James Kelley has filed charges to determine 

whether an adult bookstore on the west 

side, known as the Adult Belmont Museum, 

is exempt from prosecution. Donald Christ, 

an Indianapolis police vice squad officer, 

filed charges of obscenity against three 

photo magazines on sale at the "museum." 

Under the state law, a probable cause 

hearing must be held and notice of the 

pending prosecution must be given to the 

owner of the museum. If probable cause is 

found, the judge who hears the case can 

order an arrest. 

Prosecutor Kelley said the charges against 

the establishment are aimed at testing the 

constitutionality of the law. 

Br'yanston Names Witcher 

Chief at Kaycee Office 

KANSAS CITY— Louis Peraino, president 

and chief operating officer of Bryanston 

Distributors, Beverly Hills, Calif., announced 

the opening of a Kansas City 

branch office December 22, with industry 

veteran Jim Witcher in charge. Witcher long 

was associated with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

and more recently was affiliated with Cinemation. 

The Kansas City branch is located in 

the VFW Building. 406 West 34th St., Suite 

511, Kansas Citv, Mo. 64111, telephone 

number (816) 561-0406. St. Louis, Des 

Moines, Omaha and Kansas City territories 

will be serviced through this office. 

Randy Schmidt Exits UAT 

For Plitt Circuit Post 

CHICACiO — Randy S.hmidt. 

who has 

been associated with United Artists Theatre 

Circuit for the past three years, has resigned 

his position as house manager at the 

UA Marina cinemas. He also had handled 

local advertising for UATC in the Chicago 

area. 

In his new post with Plitt Theatres, 

Schmidt will direct operations at the 2,700- 

seat State Lake Theatre in the Loop. 

BOXOFFICE :: January 5, 1976 C-1

" 

Jaiuiary 

K AN S A S 

The benefit premiere ol "Lui.ky Lady ai 

iho Glcnwocd Th.-aire before Christmas 

netted the Crippled Children's Nursery 

School more than SI 5.000. Doug Lighlner 

of Commonwealth Theatres presented the 

check lo Dorothy Morris, director of the 

school. 

Pete Holm, American Multi Cinema 

booker-buver. spent New Year's week in 

Southern California. Holm, who was with 

Mann Theatres in Los Angeles before coming 

to Kansas City, returned to his old 

stomping grounds for the holiday. 

Jean Calvert, Universal office manager, 

vacationed Christmas week in Mount 

Vernon. Ind.. where she visited her daug'ntcr 

and family. The return trip Friday, 

December 26, offered some anxious moments, 

however, as a winter storm struck 

Missouri and Illinois coating the highway 

with solid ice. Jean reports she traversed the 

southern half of Illinois going no faster 

than 25 miles per hour . . . Bob Johns, 

sales representative for St. Louis, vacationed 

with his wife Dorthea in Florida last week 

. . . Alice Manning, Universal inspector. 

returned to work Christmas week after an 

extended illness ... Jim Hanlon, Universal 

booker, received the perfect gift for a 

Universal employee— a "Jaws" necktie. 

Cheire Wiggins is the new contract clerk 

at Paramount. Cheire (pronounced SHUR- 

EE). a native of the Kansas City area, is 

new to the film industry . . . Marlcne 

Ziegcr, Paramount cashier, visited her 

family last week in her hometown of Glen 

Elder, 

Kas. 

Filmrow extends deepest sympathy to 

Chuck Elder, United Artists booker, whose 

wife died Thursday, December 18. 

Sharon Richeson, Stone Enterprises, vacationed 

during New Year's week. 

Forty years ago, according lo the column 

by that name in the Kansas City Times Dec. 

29, 1975, Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two 

Cities," starring Ronald Colnian. was the 

feature at the Locw's Midland. Katharine 

Hepburn was starring in "Sylvia Scarlett 

with Cary Grant and Brian Aherne at the 

CI NERAMAISIN 

SHOW I 

HAWAII TOO. 

BUSINESS IN 

When you come to Waiklki, 

j|FV5v^ don't miss the famous 

Hawaii' ôn Ho Show. . 

.Horna.s, Cinerama's Reef Towers Hotel. 

. at 

IN WAIKIKI HJir MIJI llJWIJIii IJXilWAIIJt 

CITY 

Mainstreel ... .An 

audience of 900 persons 

left the Royal Theatre, 1022 Main, as fire 

broke out in the projection booth. Manager 

B. L. Fagin asked them to line up outside 

at the boxoffice so that admission fees could 

be refunded. 

The Commonwealth booking contingent 

of Byers Jordan, Dave Clingman. Richard 

Ytell and Don Starkweather made the 

rounds of the film exchanges before Christmas 

to distribute some cheer on behalf of 

Commonwealth Theatres, an annual gesture 

of the circuit . . . Harold Hume. Commonwealth 

booker, spent the holidays in Idaho 

with his family. 

Monday, December 22. had to be one 

of the busiest days of the \ear on Filmrow. 

With nearly 20 pictures breaking at 

Christmastime, the scramble was on to get 

gross figures as soon as possible. Early reports 

indicated that nearly all the films were 

returning favorable boxoffice receipts. 

Judge Orders Padlocking 

Of Theatres in Wichita 

WICHITA, K.'\S.—According to a news 

report published December 10 by the 

Wichita Eagle, the doors to Hollywood 

cinemas in Parklane .Shopping Center will 

be padlocked Friday (9) because a judge 

ruled that the theatres showed films that 

promote obscenity. Howard Kline, Sedgwick 

County District Court administrative 

judge, told the press thai the padlock order 

issued by him resulted from two pending 

lawsuits filed in .-Xpril 1975 by the city of 

Wichita. 

One lawsuit, the Eagle said, alleged that 

a showing of a censored version of "Deep 

Throat" violated an earlier court order that 

ruled the film obscene. The other suit 

claimed that the showing of the films 

"Alter of Lust" and "Oral Contract" was 

promotion of obscenity. Kline stated that 

attorneys for Movie Showcase, Inc., operators 

of Hollywood cinemas, and attorneys 

for the city reached an out-of-court agreement 

Tuesday. December 9. 

The agreement, Kline disclosed, iiKluded 

seizure of the films in question and padlocking 

of the theatres beginning Friday 

(9) until further order of the court. 

Cinema Service, Inc. 

TOTAL BOOTH SERVICE 

SOUND, PROJECTION, AUTOMATION 

(316) 262-3368 

P.O. Box 1621S Wichita. Ks. 67216 

Independence, Mo.. Twins 

Opened by General Cinema 

INDEPENDENCE. MO.—The Independence 

Center twin theatres were opened 

Christmas Day 1975 by General Cinema 

Corp. Charles Van Horn is manager of the 

new shopping center cinemas, each seating 

432. He also^ is managing GCC's Highway 

40 Drive-In in the Independence area. 

Opening attractions were "The Black 

Bird" and "Mahogany." A special matinee 

price was offered Christmas Day—SI. 25 

before 2 p.m. 

Film Delivery Strike Ends; 

New Three-Year Pact 

K.ANSAS CITY— .\ month-long strike 

at Exhibitors Film Delivery & Service 

ended December 23 when members of 

Teamsters Local 955 accepted a new contract 

calling for a $1 .28-an-hour raise 

spread over three years for full-time union 

employees, according to a union spokesman. 

The settlement also included insurance 

program improvements, an extra holiday 

and' clarification of a seniority clause. The 

contract was approved by a "substantial 

margin" but vote totals were not given. 

Earl E. Jameson jr., the company president, 

said employees were called back beginning 

Monday, December 29, and full 

operations were expected to be resumed 

during the week. 

Drivers, sorters and routers from the 

union voted November 18 to strike the 

company, also known as EFD Package 

Express. Negotiations began October 6 on 

a contract that expired November 11. 

'Fantasia' Kicks Off 1976 

At Mid-America Quad 

INDEPENDENCE. MO.— Mid-.-\merica 

Cinema Corp.'s Blue Ridge Cinema, located 

at the bustling intersection of Blue 

Ridge Boulevard and Interstate 70. outdid 

itself in adding a delightful bit of dessert 

to top off the circuit's holiday film menu. 

Walt Disney Productions' "Fantasia," which 

has developed a distinctive psychedelic appeal 

for youthful moviegoers, was screened 

at 9:45 and 11:45 p.m. as a special New 

Year's Eve attraction, providing a colorful 

experience for hordes of \oung revelers to 

rec.ill as the really far-out beginning of the 

.American Revolution Bicentennial \ear of 

1970. 

"Hustle," "The Killer Elite," "The 

1 egend of Bigfoot" and "Snow While and 

the Seven Dwarfs" were the regular features 

at the Blue Ridge, while M.AC's Watts 

Mill C inenia offered the exclusive first-run 

Kansas City area showing of Ingmar Berg- 

(Continucd on next page) 

MID-CONTINENT Th«o»r« Supply Corp. . 

1800 Wyondolte, Kansas City, Mo. 64108 

Phono (816) 221-0480 W. R. "Bill" Davis, Mgr. 

PROMPT • mClENT • COWtTEOUS 

thewtre equipment 

I \ ii \ ihint; ior ihr I hrdlrc" 

J]9 No. CAPITOL AVI., INDIANAPOLIS, INO. 

BOXOFFICE ; 

5. 1976

— 

HOST HONORED—Ariiie's, known 

as the "in place" in Chicago dining 

circles, hosted the precelebration festivities 

for participants in the third annual 

Variety Club Kup Open. Players 

and their ladies were guests of Arnie 

Morton, center, the night before the 

Irv Kupcinet Celebrity Amateur Golf 

Tournament. For his outstanding and 

unusual dedication, Morton is presented 

a special citation plaque by Tent 26 

chief barker Jack Greenberg, left, and 

Kup coordinator Robert Dachman, 

right. 

'Fantasia' Kicks Off 1976 

At Mid-America Quad 

(Continued from page C-2) 

man's "The Magic Flute." Other holiday 

goodies at the circuit's five local quads included 

"Jaws," "Mahogany," "Rooster Cogbum" 

and "Three Days of the Condor." 

Special matinee and early evening prices 

are in effect at all Mid-America Cinema 

hardtops (Independence Cinema, Chouteau 

Cinema, Truman Corners Cinema, Blue 

Ridge Cinema and Watts Mill Cinema), 

with adults and students admitted for $1.50 

and children for $1 

at any show starting before 

6:30 p.m. This policy is in effect every 

day at all the circuit's indoor theatres. 

MAC, headed by Lu Vaughan, board 

chairman, and Martin Stone, president, also 

operates a number of single and twinscreen 

drive-ins in Missouri and Kansas. 

Arts Club Slates Film 

CHICAGO—The Arts Club of Chicago 

in May will present the first showing of "A 

Sheaf of Dreams," a one-hour color film 

featuring the dance of Sybil Shearer. 

Special $1 Admission 

CHICAGO — The Golf Mill theatres 

charged $1 admission until 6:30 p.m. during 

the holiday 

season. 

"Lies My Father Told Me" stars Yossi 

Yadin, Len Birman, Marilyn Lightstonc 

and Jeffrey Lynas. 

CHICAGO 

Pxecutive-level changes have been coming 

along in bunches and the latest news 

concerns Herb Martinez, who is moving 

from Midwest division manager for Columbia 

Pictures to Western manager. He is 

due to leave for his new headquarters in 

Los Angeles in late January . . . Jack Greenberg 

who, as was announced, will go to 

Detroit to manage the Allied Artists exchange 

there, was feted by his peers December 

The local WOMPIs arranged a 

19 . . . luncheon December 23 in honor of John 

Pilmaier, who moves from Buena Vista 

here to the West Coast office, which was 

announced earlier. 

Travelers wanting to fly home for the 

Christmas holiday were not the only people 

worried about the stoppage of United Airline 

flights due to a strike. Pete Smith of 

Novo Airfreight said he is mighty grateful 

that full service is resuming. Meanwhile, he 

thanks those who were inconvenienced but 

very understanding of the problems. 

Everybody in the business is familiar with 

Joan Braver's "hello" at the H&E Balaban 

Co. telephones, so it must have been a surprise 

when her name, in error, was spelled 

"John" . . . And while Joe Feullner has 

retired, he is welcomed back at H&E Balaban, 

about two days a week, except for 

vacation time in Florida . . . Richard Balaban 

and his family also were vacationing 

in Marco Island, 

Fla. 

A six-foot feathered figure has been going 

about the streets in connection with the 

Christmas Day opening of Columbia's "The 

Black Bird." 

"Friday Foster," it is said, was inspired 

by the cartoon strip of the same name. Some 

of the original drawings which ran in the 

Tribune are on display in the lobby of the 

SILICON 

L*« ARTOE 'FUZeD' 

SILKON TUBES 

FOR MOTION PICTURE RECTIFIERS 

OeSMMEO TO a£ KST 

2SO VOKi •• '••«•«'' KMACf 

wixMNsrvf mm 

MSTiAO or 

mma§ run 

15 AnWM M* DliMUr 

— 

aUiklAMTII 5 ,.* «.-'.

. . Richard 

I 

ST. LOUIS 

Qutstaiiding product and good reviews 

combined to make lor happy boxoffice 

crosses this holiday season. "The Sunshine 

Boys." "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," 

"Dog Day Afternoon" and "The Hindenburg" 

were almost guaranteed to open big 

and settle in for a long run but the "little" 

pictures like "Hester Street" and "Lies My 

Father Told Me" attracted good audiences. 

Loews' State continues to do outstanding 

business with its exclusive showing of 

"Aaron Loves Angela." which opened 

Christmas D;iy. 

Mid-America Theatres innovated an unusual 

holiday treat by presenting a special 

midnight show every night from Thursday. 

December 25, through Sunday (4) at the 

Esquire 2 and 3. A different feature was 

shown at each theatre for the 1 1 nights, 

making 22 features in all and including such 

favorites as "Z." "Midnight Cowboy." "Psycho," 

"Five Easy Pieces." "Cool Hand 

Luke" and "Charlie." All seats were $2 with 

a 50-cent discount upon presentation of the 

newspaper ad listing the performances. 

Community-Federal Savings & Loan Co. 

in a tie-in with MAT hosted a preview 

showing of "The Sunshine Boys" at the Fine 

Arts Theatre, giving away a free ticket to 

each person entering its offices (whether or 

not they made a deposit) as long as the 

tickets were available for Wednesday. December 

17 ... At the final monthly managers' 

meeting of the year at MAT's home 

office, vice-president Jules Jablonow presented 

the lop divisional prize in the "Mid 

America Promotion Man of the Month" 

. . Terry Martin, 

contest to Richard Gash, manager of the 

Paddock Cinema. Carl Ruskaup of South 

City Cinema and Tom Elliott of Nameoki 

Cinema were winners in their respective 

divisions, along with Gash . 

Coca-Cola sales representative, conduct- 

ed an in-depth presentation of concession 

merchandising at the meeting, after which 

ideas were exchanged on concession stand 

promotion. 

The Robert E. Johnson Advertising Agency 

won the trophy for "Uest Holiday Office 

Decoration" in the lliinibokll liuilding. 

home of the film industry. I he contest conducted 

annually by the Denial Arts Laboratory, 

located in the building, also is judgeil 

by its organization. Avco Embassy placed 

second in the competition. 

An ordinance prohibiting the dissemination 

of obscene materials has been enacted 

by the Bridgeion City council. The ordinance 

for (his suburban community outlines 

F«fTb.BESTESTAii4 

SPEciAX 

MSTEST 

.FILMACK 

//akath . ChUsfoMMS 

'MItCMANIl 

ADl MADI 

lO OlOla 

standards for films, books, magazines and 

vending machine items to meet the tests required 

by the U. S. Supreme Court. Convicted 

violatcrs can be assessed fines up to 

S.'iOO or jail terms up to six months. 

Chuck Norman, owner-manager of 

WGNU-AM-FM points out that the Colony 

Theatre in East St. Louis. 111., the home of 

X-rated movies which has had many hassles 

with the law, is now running a kiddies matinee 

every Saturday and Sunday afternoon. 

Variety Club Women hosted a holiday 

party for the children at St. Patrick's Day 

Care Center complete with a raft of toys 

and Santa Claus. They also served ice cream 

and cookies to the youngsters . . . The 

Globe-Democrat's Old Newsboys Day collections 

totalled a record high of $130,000. 

It is the fourth year that the special-edition 

sale, in which Variety Club members participate, 

has topped $100,000 and the grand 

total for the 19 years of the fund drive is 

$1,431,827. 

Zoning Law Limits Sought 

By Indiana Church Group 

LAFAYETTE, IND. — Members of a 

local church are circulating petitions asking 

for legislation which would ban the 

adult bookstores and an X-rated theatre in 

this city. At present there is no ordinance 

licensing or governing such businesses. 

Members of the congregation also indicated 

the> planned to picket the theatre and 

two bookstores. 

The Rev. Ross Lakes, assistant pastor of 

the church, said the group wants zoning 

laws that would give people in the affected 

neighborhoods the right to say whether they 

want that kind of business in their midst. 

17-Year-Old Youth Fined 

For Smoking in Theatre 

BELEVIDERE, ILL. — A 17-year-okl 

youth was fined $100, plus $10 court costs, 

for smoking in a prohibited place. The 

charge slemnicd from a recent fire at the 

Dollarodeon Theatre, which reportedly was 

caused by the man and a Ui-year-old girl 

companion flipping cigarels into the theatre 

seals the night before the blaze occurred. 

One of the cigarels apparently smoldered 

and the fire broke out the ne.\i morning, 

d.miaging Ihc showhouse. 

I he south pleaded guilts lo the charge 

in a county court hearing. 

Film Festival Benefit 

CHIC,AGO Ihe Wcdnesdas night (21) 

opening ol Belle Midler in concerl at tlu' 

Civic Opera House will be a benefit for Ihe 

12lh Chicago International Film Festival. 

LIFETIME COVERS 

START JANUARY '76 

I'll.,,,,-: (:il2) '>:t'>l77l 

INDIANAPOLIS 

•phe highlight of the 

program following the 

installation of Variety Club Tent lO's 

1976 officers at the Marion County Ass'n 

for Retarded Children was the dedication of 

a memorial to Miss Helen Green in the 

form of a fully equipped audio testing room. 

Funds for this facility at the center were 

raised by donations from friends and members 

of Tent 10. Miss Helen Green, prior 

to her death, had been a past president 

and very active in the Variety Club Auxiliary 

for many years. 

A strike against the Indiana Film Transit 

Co. was settled recently after a long and 

costly service shutdown. The strike affected 

all theatres served by Indiana Film Transit 

in this state. It was only through the efforts 

of Robert L. Hudson jr., who owns and 

operates theatres in Richmond, that Indiana 

movie houses were able to get films delivered. 

Hudson immediately stepped in at 

the beginning of the strike with sufficient 

trucks and drivers to serve the stale's showhouses, 

organizing Hudson Film Trucking 

Service in three days and rendering a very 

efficient 

service. 

CHICAGO 

(Continued from page C-3) 

a provision in the city code. The provision 

requires that all theatres have direct access 

to Ihe street. Each of the four theatres will 

seat about 250 people and will be located 

on Ihe second floor of Water Tower Place. 

Jos. F. Fitzgerald, city building commissioner, 

said he saw no problems in amending 

the code. 

As the phenomenal "Jaw.s" is being set 

up for fuithcr runs. L'niscrsal Pictures is 

gearing for Ihe L'ebruars opening of "Gable 

" 

and Lombard and "Faniily Plot" in .Vpril. 

Reaction following a screening of "Ciable 

and Lombard" gives indication that it will 

be another winner tor Universal in 1976. 

Jim Clayhurgh is due here in earh February 

lor press rounds . 

Roundtree 

was in town lo proniolc his new movie 

"Man Fridav." 

Ihis correspoiulciit knows ol no one who 

did not respect Morrie Kahn and it is fell 

that many share Sandy Berman's feelings 

when he says: "Every day 1 will miss Morrie 

Kahn. He always was there to help each 

OIK ol m\ days come alive. He nudged me 

along when I needed nudging and he look 

some of my far-less-lhan-geiuus ideas and 

made Ihem workable. Morrie always was 

working, always running, always pushing, 

•dways helping, always caring. He was devoted 

lo all of us individually. He was a 

mnid friend. We will miss him very much." 

Moirie Kahn. an executive of Ihe I.&M 

M.ui.igemenl Co., was killed IX-cemlKr 12 in 

.ui ,iuiomobile accident, as previously reported. 

I 

01 BOXOFFICE January 5, 197t>

— 

FBI in NC Announces 

Crackdown on Porn 

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—The head of the 

FBI in North Carolina said December 9 

that federal agents intend to crack down 

on the importation of pornographic materials 

into the state— an effort at which 

many state and local lawmen have failed 

because of legal complications. 

"We looked at our particular situation 

(in North Carolina) and we saw areas 

where we need to bring manpower to bear," 

Louis A. Giovanetti, special agent in 

charge, said. "We're going to see if we 

can't do something about the widespread 

use of pornography in the state." 

In an interview with The Associated 

Press, Giovanetti said the crackdown was 

part of a nationwide redirection of FBI 

efforts against so-called victimless and 

white-collar 

crimes. 

Giovanetti said most anti-pornograph> 

efforts have failed because local laws are 

vague about what constitutes pornography. 

He admitted federal agents may run into 

similar problems in the courts, which will 

make the final determination of whether 

a given item is pornographic. 

He said the FBI plans to curtail distribution 

of pornography by enforcing federal 

laws prohibiting interstate transportation of 

obscene material, in an attempt to stop the 

flow of material before it reaches retail 

outlets. 

A few years ago. pornography could be 

bought openly at only a few places in the 

state's largest cities. Now, the cities and 

most of the towns have X-rated theatres and 

adult book stores. 

Theatre and store operators say most of 

their wares come from outside North Carolina, 

usually from New "Vork, California 

or Florida. 

No figures are available on the amount or 

value of pornography sold in North Carolina, 

but authorities say it runs into hundreds 

of thousands of dollars annually with 

a high profit margin for the distributor. 

Giovanetti said he thought complicated 

and vague laws have facilitated the spread 

of pornography in the state. 

"Local courts have had no uniformity 

as to what constitutes pornography," he 

said. 

State laws on obscenity were rewritten in 

1973 to conform with U.S. Supreme Court 

decisions. Edwin M. Spease jr. of the North 

Carolina Justice Department said. The old 

laws limited their definition of obscenity to 

a vague "without redeeming social value." 

But even new laws, with more complicated 

and more specific definitions of obscenity, 

have brought different results in 

different areas. 

The movie "Memories Within Miss .Aggie" 

was declared obscene in Guilford 

County last year, but a judge in neighboring 

Forsyth County ruled the same movie 

was not obscene. 

The state's laws also provide for some 

complicated prosecution. A judge must hold 

a hearing and rule that a certain book or 

movie is obscene before the distributor can 

be brought to trial on an obscenity charge. 

.And each case is limited to a single book 

or movie. 

"It's not so bad with a movie but with 

a book, they can just change the cover," 

Spease said. 

Several of the state's newspapers, on their 

editorial pages, took a dim view of the FBI's 

sudden announced campaign against smut. 

"Interestingly enough," said The Raleigh 

News and Observer, "the word comes on 

the heels of disclosures about earlier, unsavory 

FBI doings here (in North Carolina), 

such as dabbling in Ku Klux Klan 

organizational work and amassing unnecessary 

files on lawmakers. 

"So the question arises as to whether ihc 

FBI is turning to smut as a smokescreen, 

hoping to shift attention from what's being 

exposed in Washington. 

"But even if the announced crackdown 

has nothing to do with the FBI public relations 

strategy," the newspaper's editorial 

continued, "there are reasons to be skeptical 

about it. 

"For one thing, the FBI is setting off 

into a legal thicket. Years of U.S. Supreme 

Court struggling with the issue have vet 

to produce sure-fire guidelines as to what 

is obscene. So the FBI will be babbling in 

the dark as it charges against shipments 

of allegedly obscene books and films into 

this slate. Determination of obscenity will 

be up to the courts, of course. Ultimatel). 

the FBI crackdown could prove fruitless." 

'Old Dracula' Sinks 

Fangs in 1st Place 

MEMPHIS—Two out of three movies in 

iheir initial rounds here placed high in the 

first rim line-up. "Old Dracula" took the lid 

off and staked out first place with a rosy 

375 at the Maico Quartet 3 and Southbrook 

4. Another premiering film. "Inside Out," 

turned up third in the standings, averaging 

a solid 175 at three theatres. ""Conduct Unbecoming" 

tied up a 120 in its bow at the 

Plaza 2. but ""Three Days of the Condor," 

still full of life in its sixth frame, grabbed 

second rank with a heady 315 at the Malco 

Quartet 2 and Southbrook 1. 


Balmoral Cinema—Rooster Cogbum (Univ), 

7lh wk 140 

Crosslown—^Mahogany tPara), 4th wk 50 

Loew's Palace— Let's Do II Again (WB), 7lh wk. .- 60 

Malco—^Welcome Home. Brother Charles (SR), 

2nd wk 35 

Malco Quartet 1. Southbrook 3—The Human 

Factor (SR), 3rd wk 140 

Malco Quartet 2, Southbrook 1—Three Days ol 

the Condor (Para), 6th wk 315 

Malco Quartet 3, Southbrook 4 Old Dracula 

(AIP) 375 

Pctrk—laws (Univ), 24th wk 100 

Raleigh Springs 2—Hoyal Flash (20lh-Fox), 

2nd wk 50 

Three theatres— Inside Out CAT?) 175 

Three theatres—Dr. Syn. Alias 'the Scarecrow' 

(BV), 2nd wk. 80 

Plaza 2—Conduct Unbecoming (AA) 17" 

Wild Animals Plug Film 

.ATLANT.A- JD .Anthony, manager of 

Grand Theatre, posed with James McMichen's 

collection of mounted wild animals to 

arouse interest in the theatre's featured attraction. 

"The Forgotten Wilderness." Ihe 

Atlanta News carried the picture in its theatre 

section. 

Staff Arrested, '0' 

Seized in Atlanta Raid 

A 1 LAN 1.A— Fulton County Criminal 

Court Solicitor General Hinson McAuliffe, 

known as Atlanta's No. 1 smut fighter, sent 

members of his staff December 19 to Weis 

Cinema where they interrupted the second 

showing of Emanuel L. Wolf's '"The Story 

of O," seized the print and arrested the theatre's 

manager, projectionist and cashier. 

Asked why he moved against "The Story 

of O" instead of one of the many X-rated 

""skin flicks" showing at adult theatres in 

this area, he said: ""There is not a so-called 

adult movie house in Atlanta that we have 

not made a case against. And against some 

of them we've got several cases pending." 

He added that an obscene film is an obscene 

film, no matter what kind of a theatre it is 

being shown in or what kind of critical acclaim 

it has received. And. in his opinion. 

""The Story of O" is an obscene film. 

Lawyers for the company accompanied 

the three arrested and posted bail for their 

Management did not attempt to re- 

releases. 

sume showing the picture until after the 

committee hearing December 22. 

McAuliffe refused to say if he would repeat 

the raid if the showing of the film was 

resumed. 

" 'O' opened in 40 cities yesterday (December 

19) and this location is the only one 

that has experienced any trouble," said 

Steve Crisp, an official of the Savannahbased 

Weis circuit which owns and operates 

18 theatres in the metropolitan area. ""We 

don't feel that the movie is obscene." he 

added. 

"Of course, we know this is a particularly 

obscene film." McAuliffe said. ""That's why 

we are going after this particular theatre and 

this particular film." 

Earlier this month, McAuliffe filed a civil 

suit seeking to stop an Atlanta company 

from distributing the December issues of 

Playboy, Penthouse and Gallery magazines 

on the grounds that they are obscene materials. 

His suit against the Atlanta News 

Agency, Inc., also asked Fulton County 

Superior Court Judge Luther Alverson to 

order the distributors to appear in court to 

show cause why a permanent injunction 

should not be issued against the circulation 

of the three publications. 

.According to the suit, the Atlanta News 

Agency, a wholesale firm, is distributing the 

magazines which ""are obscene as a matter of 

fact and a matter of law." 

Thomas R. Moran. assistant solicitor who 

filed the suit for McAuliffe. said that the 

current issues of the magazines illegally depict 

sexual acts. 

Swap Shop Opens 

Drive-In 

MI.AMI— Ihe ouner-operator of the new 

North Dade Drive-In Swap Shop is Richard 

Fleischman. whose late father Harvey was 

senior vice-president of Wometco Enterprises. 

The shop made its debut December 

14 and is situated at Palmetto Expressway 

and NW 27th Avenue. 

BOXOFFICE :: January 5, 1976 SE-1

. . Sara 

JanuaiN 

ATLANTA 

QcorRia Theatre Co. threw "A Nilty 50 

l\iriy" during ihc holiday season in 

observance of the 50lh anniversary of the 

circuit in its new offices at 3445 Peachtrce 

Road. Suite 1005. The elegant celebration 

was attended by numerous friends of the 

company, including those in the motion picture 

industry. 

Christmas trees, gayly decorated, appeared 

in nearly every exchange, branch and 

agency lobby. Celebrations were everywhere. 

Party-goers made merry at Universal 

Pictures. 20lh Century-Fox. Bryanston Pictures. 

Allied Artists. American International 

Pictures. Columbia Pictures. Harnell Independent 

Productions. New World Pictures 

of Atlanta. Paramount Pictures. Jack 

Vaughan Productions, Mack Grimes Enterprises, 

Jaco Productions. General Films Distributors. 

Omni Pictures, Bucna Vista Distribution 

Co.. and others. 

Not to be outdone, theatres in the sevencounty 

metropolitan area had lighted trees 

and lobby decorations for their Christmas 

trade to sec and admire. 

Mrs. Bobbi Grccly, formerly with AIP 

here, and then moved to the West Coast to 

join the AIP headquarters staff there, returned 

last week to attend the marriage of 

her son 1 ommy Reese in Austell. She visited 

with her AIP friends and her former associates 

in Atlanta's WOMPI Chapter, which 

she served in many official capacities. 

Filmrow's condolences are extended to 

Robert Sherwood, Universal's Southern regional 

advertising and promotional director, 

on the death of his father. Edward Sherwood, 

who lived in a New Jersey suburb 

of NYC. 

I radrprevs screeninB.s at the 20th Century-Fox 

Filmrow Playhouse included 

"Showdown at Breakheart Pass" by UA. 

"Friday Foster" and "Devil Within Her" 

by AIP, "The Magic Flute" by New World, 

"Aaron Loves Angela" and "Or Else I'll Ciet 

Mad" by Columbia. "Hustle" by Paramount, 

"The Adventure of Sherlock 

Holmes' Smarter Brother" by 20th-Fox, 

"Deadly Hero," by Avco Embassy, "Bart 

Earuc and Ark Noah" by Clark Releasing 

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"Siw J939" 

and "t.hoes ol a bummer by C ine .Artists. 

T.G. "Bill" Worthani announces that he 

bought out his partner and now is sole owner 

of the Martin Theatre in Roanoke. 

Tom and Mary Jones (he's the owner of 

the Tom Jones hooking and buying agency 

in nearby Decatur. Ga.) were among the 

many area travelers who visited Spain hefore 

the holidays. They visited Madrid, 

Malaga. Barcelona. Torremolcnes on the 

Spanish Riviera and the wine country. They 

also visited Tangiers, Morocco, on the day 

before the government closed the area to 

tourists due to riots. "We were glad to get 

out after visiting the old section of the city 

where shops were located. The poverty was 

quite noticeable and the beggars, especially 

the children, caused us to cut short our visit. 

In fact," Tom added, "I kept my hand on 

my wallet all of the time, and Mary and I 

were just plain scared." 

Film Ventures Int'l sales staffers Walter 

Durell and Gordon Craddock are visiting in 

the East, dividing their time between New 

York City and Boston, conferring with circuit 

chiefs on new product the company has 

available. One of the offerings, "Sundance 

Cassidy and Butch the Kid," turned in exceptional 

business in test engagements in 

Missoula. Billings and Butte. Mont. 

FVl, growing by leaps and bounds, is 

searching for additional space to house its 

leasing, accessories and editing departments, 

which are being squee/ed out of the headquarters 

at 2.351 Adams Drive. Suite C. 

here. 

Edward L. Montoro. president of the 

company, has been devoting most of his 

time to putting the finishing touches on the 

company's latest feature. "Grizzly," filmed 

on location in Clayton. 

Free films shown at the Atlanta Public 

library uicluded "But Is I his Progress?", a 

film study of the effects of technology on 

three generations of Americans; "A Christmas 

Carol," the Dickens Christmas classic; 

and three travelogs, "The .South Pacific." 

" 

"The Orient" and "The Caribbean. 

Maryaret llllley, 2()lh Fox booker, used 

up some of her vacation to complete Chrisini.is 

errands . l.owery, UA cashier, 

.uul l\nda Bunielt. booker, also look late 

v.n.alions Ms. I oweiy si lyeil at home iliuing 

the lu>lidays, while Ms. Burnett visileil 

Iriends and relatives in Colquitt. 

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Kathy Sain, Bryanston Atlanta branch 

manager, and her assistant, Mary Lou Lanaux, 

paid a pre-Christmas visit to NYC, 

where they finished their shopping after 

calling on folks in the Big Town's Bryanston 

headquarters. Ms. Lanaux also spent a week 

with friends in Detroit. The two returned 

to the Big Apple for a sales meeting this 

week. 

Correction: the Christmas edition of Box- 

OFFICH called the Bryanston Christmas party 

a "women only " affair. Actually the celebrations 

was arranged by "women only." 

since all of the Bryanston .-Xtlanta branch 

personnel are women, but the party definitely 

was a mixed gathering. 

Columbia Pictures and Loew's 12 Oaks 

sent out invitations to a "special sneak preview" 

December 20 of "The Black Bird," 

starring Stephane Audran, Lionel Stander 

and Lee Patrick. It played on the same bill 

with "Conduct Unbecoming." 

Atlantans now in the senior citizen category 

remember two auspicious dates whenever 

December rolls around. This year December 

15 marked the 36th anniversary of 

the world premiere in .Atlanta of David O. 

Selzniek's production of "Gone With the 

Wind." The picture attracted an unequaled 

assembly of stars and Hollywood personalities. 

The other date. Christmas Day 1929, 

marked the opening of Atlanta's magnificent 

Fox Theatre. In its 46th year, it was 

threatened with destruction imtil a dedicated 

group, calling themsches the Atlanta Landmarks, 

Inc., came to its rescue by assuming 

a $2,400,000 obligation, which it must pay 

off within the next three years. 

Cecil Peacock, Avco Embassy's booker 

handling the Atlanta and Charlotte territories, 

spent his vacation Christmas shopping 

and resting at home . . . Norris Gazaway, 

who recently was promoted to Southern 

division manager for the company, is 

taking his vacation this week. Curtis Fain, 

booker, who started his film industry career 

as a projectionist in Albertville, Ala., in a 

W.W. Hammond theatre, 

spent the holidays 

with his parents Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fain 

in .Mbertville at a family reunion which 

included his brother .Man. who is stationed 

in the An Force at lli^meste.id, Fla. 

Robert Tarwatcr, l'.\ br.inch managcrdisinbutiM 

and chaiiinan of the Will Rogers 

audience collection, sent a letter of commendation 

to Harry Curl, of the Birmingham-based 

Cobb Ihcalres for his $5,0()0 

check gathered in Cobb playhouses for the 

collection, larwaler wrote Curl, "I am sure 

this IS the result of h.ird work on the part 

(Colli iiiued on page SE-4) 

ncii 

Theatre 

Service 

The nation's finest for 40 years! 


A Division ot HCA 

l76

. . Ernie 

. . . Because 

WOMPI Holiday Party 

Draws Jacksonville Filmrow 

JACKSONVILLE—The 

WOMPI group 

staged its third annual pre-Christmas banquet 

December 17 in honor of male executives 

of Filmrow who generously aided 

WOMPI during 1975 in the execution of its 

many charitable projects and programs devoted 

to industry and community services. 

The highlight of the annual party was 

Benter A. "Dock" Cawthorn"s showing of 

a satirical film "Strange Kargo" which he 

produced and directed in 1941. The movie 

is 

a spoof on a Clark Gable movie of similar 

title. 

The "Appreciation Luncheon" was given 

in the Fountain Room at Swain"s Charcoal 

Steak House. Guests were welcomed in a 

brief address by Marsha Weaver. WOMPI 

president, who gave credit to Martha Scott 

for planning and carrying out all arrangements 

for the affair. Winners of the door 

prizes were Alice White. WOMPLs newest 

member from Benton Bros, and Tom 

Waterfield, ABC. The door prizes were 

beautiful pillows handmade by WOMPI 

Mamie Newman. 

WOMPI members attending the affair 

with their guests included from ABC Florida 

State, Helen Wintenburg, Ms. Scott. 

Lorraine Hardin. Marian Harris, Mary Hart 

and Iva Lowe; from Universal. Frances 

Conner, Ms. Weaver and Julie Williams; 

from Eastern Federal. Sylvia Wakefield; 

from AIP. Sandy Hughes. Lisa Johnson, 

and Diane Ruhoy; from Kent Theatres. 

Ethyle Vorhis. Joyce Malmborg. Evelyn 

Hallick; from 20th Century-Fox. Sandy 

Easley, Thelma Claxton, Sandy Kilpatrick: 

from Columbia, Phil Eckert and Mamie 

Newman, retired; from Dixie Drive-In, 

Bette Caswell; from Benton Bros., Ms. 

White; from Warner Bros., Rex Grimm; 

from AMC, Kitty Dowell, Betty Poston; 

associate members of WOMPI, Judy Yeager 

and Easy Raulerson. 

Guests included from ABC Florida State. 

Cawthorn, Waterfield, Bob Gunter, Tom 

Sawyer, Stan Davis, John Harlan, Joe 

Charles. Ralph Puckhaber. Will Henley and 

Oscar Cannington; from Universal. Oliver 

Mathews and George Byrd; from Eastern 

Federal. Perry Revis; from AIP, Richard 

Lewis, Charlie King and Dick Reagan; from 

Kent Theatres, Ed McLaughlin, Bob Fulford, 

Cleveland Kent and Tommy Hyde; 

from Columbia, Terry Tharpe; from Dixie 

Drive-In, Horace Denning; from Benton 

Brothers. C. C. Silcox; from Paramount. Al 

Stout; from Warner Bros.. Roger Hill; from 

Floyd Enterprises. Paul Simmons; from 

AMC, Dick Vollberg, Marsha Schneider 

and Lillian Woodruff; John Hart; Ann and 

Judson Moses; Dick Bussard and Rocco 

Morobito. Jacksonville Journal. 

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JACKSONVILLE 

DBC Florida State Theatres hosted a banquet 

in Tampa December 10 in honor 

of Robert R. Harris, who is retiring at the 

end of the year. Robert is district manager 

of ABC Florida State Theatres. 

Jennings Easley and Nick Lewis. American 

Multi Cinema, have returned from Atlanta 

where they viewed AMC's new theatres 

which are scheduled to open soon. 

Filmrow friends were saddened by the 

death of Lawrence Fling, oldest son of Marshal 

Fling, a longtime employee of Kent 

Theatres . . . Funeral services also were held 

in Atlanta for Fran Lawler's father, Joe 

Lawler. Fran works for ABC Florida State 

Theatres. 

Holiday happenings: Marsha Schneider, 

AMC, spent the holidays with her parents 

in New York . Pelegrim. Columbia, 

and wife went to Newburg, N.C., to spend 

New Year's week with their daughter. Alma 

Lee Hartley, husband Jim and granddaughter 

Christine ... Ed McLaughlin, Kent 

Theatres, flew to his mother's home in Anderson, 

S.C., and joined his family for the 

holiday festivities. Ed's wife, Martha and 

son. Mark, motored to Anderson a week 

earlier and were joined by daughter 

Frances and her husband and three children 

who live in New York—a regular family 

reunion. Terry Tharp, Columbia branch 

manager, was on vacation but had no plans 

to travel. 

Clark Releasing hosted a Christmas Party 

for Filmrow people on December 22 and 

Paramount Pictures celerated the holidays 

with a party on December 19 . . Norma 

. 

Lockwood temporarily filled in at Kent 

Theatres for Ethyle Vorhis who was on vacation. 

Out-of-town visitors included Wayne 

Byrd of Chappell Releasing. Atlanta; Jack 

Durrel from Eastern Federal's home 

office in Charlotte. N.C.; Harold Turbyfill 

from Florida Drive-In management of Margate; 

and Ted Levy and Marty Wurtzburg, 

exhibitors from south Florida. 

WOMPI news: Settling down after the 

annual "Appreciation Luncheon," the Jacksonville 

chapter of the Women of the Motion 

Picture Industry will conduct a board 

meeting on Tuesday (13) and a closed business 

meeting on Tuesday (27) in the conference 

room at One Regency Place. The 

purpose of the closed business meeting is 

to elect a nominating committee which will 

work on a slate of new incoming officers 


SHOW BUSINESS IN 

HAWAII TOO. 

When you come to Waikiki 

rj.^x>^.i don't miss the famous 

HAWAiT Don Ho Show. . 

HOTELS Cinerama's Reef Towers Hotel. 

. 

at 

IN WAIKIKI REEF RCEF TOUERS -EDCEWATEH 

due to so many of the film 

companies moving to the Regency Square 

area, WO.VlPIs have changed their meeting 

place from the downtown location at the 

public library to the conference room at 

One Regency Place in order to stimulate 

membership attendance. WOMPI president 

Marsha Weaver will discuss with members 

the proposed rules and guidelines of the 

awards for "WOMPI of the Year" and 

"Man of the Year," which will be presented 

next December. 

Author of 'Dumbo' 

Hal Pearl Is Dead 

MIAMI, FLA.— Hal Pearl, 61, author of 

the children's classic story "Dumbo, the 

Flying Elephant," which Walt Disney made 

into a movie, died December 17 in a Miami 

Beach hospital. 

Pearl, who was the amusement page 

editor and columnist for the Hollywood 

Sun-Tattler for the past eight years, was 

born in New York City where he first 

worked as a copy boy at the old New 

York Journal-American. He left the paper 

in 1940 as assistant drama editor and came 

to Miami to work for the Miami News. 

In 1944, Pearl started his own weekly 

magazine. Now, which carried general information 

about housing and entertaining. 

He is survived by his wife Mitzi; son, 

Anthony; daughter, Mrs. Penny Weiner; a 

brother, Leonard; and a sister, Mrs. Ruth 

Ginsberg. 

'Academy Award' for Milton Berle 

MIAMI—The Greater Miami Hebrew 

Academy bestowed upon Milton Berle its 

"Academy Award" December 14 at a S150- 

a-couple dinner dance. 

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BOXOFFICE :: January 5, 1976 

SE-3

— 

CHARLOTTE 

Kfanin Schubert and Jeff Schneider. 

Iniernaiional 

Amusement Co.. returned 

after a successful business trip to the Midwest 

and then immediately took off for 

Washington, D.C. 

Frank Jones, Fairlane Litchfield Theatres, 

.iniiounced that more theatres are in 

Correction: Linda 

the blue prim stage . . . 

Breyare is the booker for the Fairlane Litchfield 

Theatres and not Frank Jones" secretary 

as previously announced. 

Marquee changes: ".Snow White and the 

Seven Dwarfs," Capri I ; "Executive Action," 

Tryon Mall I; "Gone With the 

Wind." Regency 1; "The Killer Elite." Regency 

2 and Charlotte Mall I; "Flesh Cordon," 

Manor; "Mr. Supcrinvisible," East 

Mall 2; "Mr. Invisible," Charlotte Mall 2, 

and "The Way We Were." Southpark 1. 

Screenings at Eastern Federal: "Showdown 

at Brcakheart Pass," United Artists; 

"The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes" 

Smarter Brother.'" Fox; "Hustle." Paramount; 

"The Black Bird,'" Columbia. 

Sneak previews: Universal's "Gable and 

lujmbard" at Cine 1. Mall and Warner 

Bros." "Dog Day Afternoon"" at the Cine 1 

Eastland 

Mall. 

Phil Nance, Mission Valley. Raleigh, was 

in town discussing future products and 

bookings with U.S. Eaddy jr.. Exhibitors 

Seiîce . . . Sam Cloninger, Columbia Pic- 

Theatre Chair Upholstering 

AnMihere in the U.S.A. — 

Lifetime Covers 

Start 1976 

tures. returned after a successful trip to 

Charleston. S.C. . . . Pam Sheline, Charlotte 

Booking, went on a skiing trip to Aspen. 

Colo. 

Visitors on Filmrow: Rudy Howell. 

Smithfield; Roy Champion, Wilson; Sonny 

Baker, Gastonia; Harry Ostcen. Seneca. 

S.C; M.B. Goodnough, Easley; J. K. Whitley. 

Kannapolis. 

Sieve Smith, Twin States, made a business 

trip to New Orleans. 

ATLANTA 

(Continued from page SE-2) 

of a lot people and we are most grateful for 

the particular effort you gave this important 

endeavor."" 

Georgia got its first taste of subfrcezing 

weather the week before Christmas when 

thermometers 

."i 

plunged to 1 degrees. 

Steve Warren, freelance writer and film 

critic for Creative Loafing and V\'kLS r;idio. 

participated in the Warner Bros. "Barr> 

Lyndon"" jimket to New York December 12- 

13. He filled in for ailing Jim Whalcy, host 

of WETV's "Cinema Showcase"" and interviewed 

Marisa Bcrenson for the 85-station 

regional network of the PBS affiliate. 

Warren also interviewed R\an 0"Neal, 

star of "Barry Lyndon."" for Ihe Advocate, 

for which he is a correspondent. Dannv 

Rt>>al. producer of "Cinema Showcase." 

and Tony Taylor, host of WXIA-TV's "A.M. 

Atlanta," also participated in the junket. 

"Barry Lyndon'" was previewed here at 

Phipps Penthouse December IS and opened 

Chrislni.is Da\. 

Fat and Marjoric Kobersoii (he's the 

booker for Chappell Releasing and she"s the 

booker for 20th-Fox) flew down to Jacksonville 

for a pre-Christmas visit with friends 

there. On their return trip, they chose an 

early flight so the\ could attend the Falcons" 

Saturday evening game. But when their 

plane approached Atlanta, the weather 

turned foul, and the tlight was routed to 

Charlotte. They wired their children, who 

then used the tickets to see the game. 

Paramount sent out invitations to a preview 

showing of its new holiday film 

"Hustle." starring Burt Reynolds and 

Catherine Deneuve December 23 at Weis' 

Broadview Cinema at the unusual hour of 

I 1 p.m. The picture opened Christmas Day 

at Georgia Cinerama. Perimeter Mall. .Arrowhead 

3. Cinema 15 and Weis Candler I 

,iiul 

II 

Larry 

Weinstein. newest addition to Ralph 

Buring's 20ih-Fox ad and promo staff, returned 

to his former Dallas territory to 

spend the holidays with his father and twin 

brother . . . Ralph and Margarite Buring 

spent the holidays in Pittsburgh with her 

grandmother who celebrated her 1 00th 

birthday December 19 . . . Dan Coursey, 

20th-Fox branch manager, with Harry Purdy. 

office manager, and Buring and Weinstein 

are planning to attend the national 

sales meeting and seminar shortly after the 

air is cleared of the annual football bowl 

games Thursday ( 1 1. 

MIAMI 

Qelcbritj watching: Cyd Charissc, Tony 

Martin. Robert Culp and Phyllis Diller 

were recent entertainment guests at the 

Jockey Club. Goldie Hawn was seen recently 

on Miami Be.uh .uul Millon Berle was 

glimpsed at the Diploiiuii Hotel with Norm 

Crosby at I.e Club Iniernaiional in Fort 

Lauderdale . . . Jackie Cileason and Marilyn 

Taylor Horwich were married recently in 

the penthouse apartment of Jockey Club 

owner Bob Larson and wife. 

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SE-4 BOXOFF1CK I.IIUl.llA >. ''7h

Pom Theatres in Houston 

Tolerated, Students Report 

HOUSTON—A University of Houston 

student group terms Houston as the most 

open of Texas cities for pornography. A 

special communications class concluded after 

a five month research study, however, 

that pornographic movie theatres pose no 

threat to morality in the community. 

The 10 male and five female student 

group viewed sexually explicit films, talked 

with adult theatre owners, religious leaders, 

prosecutors and law enforcement officers. 

They also surveyed public attitudes through 

questionnaires distributed at theatres and at 

four shopping centers, one in each quadrant 

of the city. Thirty-four feature films were 

viewed but "Deep Throat" was the only required 

viewing outside the class for everyone. 

The survey indicated that 49.3 per cent 

of those interviewed believed that pornographic 

films have a good effect or no effect 

on the community, while 48.3 per cent felt 

there was a bad influence. Dr. William 

Hawes, a cinema teacher who conducted the 

seminar, said the survey's slight edge for 

tolerance prompted the conclusion by the 

students that the morality of the community 

is 

not being threatened. 

Houston has 18 adult theatres, with 15 

exhibiting heterosexual films and three exhibiting 

all-male homosexual films. No large 

segment of the Houston community seems 

to be advocating the elimination of these 

cinemas or films from the community, states 

the 82-page report prepared by the class. 

Reflecting this general level of tolerance or 

disinterest, the report continued, public officials 

have no plans to attempt to close the 

cinemas. 

Harris County police and district attorneys 

have found the prosecution of theatre operators 

to be expensive, time-consuming and 

not worthwhile because of the difficulty in 

obtaining convictions, the report said. 

Two mistrials resulted from the 1973 

seizure of the "Deep Throat" film and the 

filing of felony and misdemeanor charges 

against the theatre operator. District Attorney 

Carol Vance said the trials had cost 

taxpayers more than $100,000. and he 

would not prosecute the cases further. 

The student group said the exhibition of 

sexually explicit films in Houston is a wellattended, 

profitable business. Their report 

said local adult theatres are often shabby, 

gutted old stores with smelly toilets and dark 

aisles but gross from $1,500 to $4,000 a 

week. 

The survey classified the average viewer 

as a married, affluent. 

not-quite-middle-ag.;d 

white male. Considering the $5 ticket price, 

it is assumed that poor people seldom attend, 

the report said. 

The students recommended the public 

should take a more active role in upgrading 

the films and the theatres. Some cinemas 

should be upgraded or phased out, because 

they are thought to be hangouts for undesirable 

elements in the Houston commimity. 

another recommendation said. 

John Kemeny and Henry Gellis will 

produce 

"Big Iron" for Columbia release. 

BOXOFnCE January 5, 1976 

Projection-Sound Expert Skinner 

Retires From Modern Sales 

DALLAS—J. C. "Jimmie" Skinner, vicepresident 

in charge of sound and projection 

equipment at Modern 

Sales and Services, 

Inc.. Dallas, retired 

Thursday ( 1 ) after 

48 years in the theatre 

industry. Skinner's 

retirement was 

announced at a luncheon 

hosted by Modern 

Sales and Service 

in his honor November 

22 at the Majestic 

Jlniniie Skinner 

Steak House. 

Skinner began his career installing public 

address systems and teaching radio and 

electronics at Taylor Vocational School in 

Houston. From 1935 to 1941 the native 

Texan became engaged in the design and 

supervision of amplifiers and recording systems 

for Seismic Explorations, Inc. 

During the early '40s, Skinner installed 

the first radio communication equipment 

in the control tower of the Houston City 

Airport and he built and installed radio receivers 

for airplanes that were based there. 

For his work, Skinner took part of his 

pay in flying lessons. He earned a private 

pilot's license which he kept active for many 

years. 

In 1941, Skinner became a field engineer 

for ABC Interstate servicing the sound and 

projection equipment in the circuit's theatres. 

A year later he was moved to Interstate's 

Dallas office as supervisor of the 

sound and projection department. 

One of the interesting events in his career. 

Skinner recalls, occurred during the World 

War II years. Interstate president R. J. 

O'Donnell was serving as national chairman 

for the industry war bond sales and called 

Skinner to New York to help set up a 

tremendous public address system for a 

gigantic bond sale rally. Both war heroes 

and movie stars were in attendance and 

Skinner roomed with actor Eddie Albert during 

his stay. 

When 3-D and stereophonic sound were 

coming into vogue. Skinner, who by this 

time was well known as an expert in the 

field, was called on again by O'Donnell 

to work with RCA engineers on the development 

of magnetic sound reproducers 

at the Warner Bros, studios. While in Hollywood 

the Texan recalls that he was treated 

to dinner by John Wayne and Raymond 

Willie who also took him to thj Academy 

Awards dinner and show. 

When the present Modern Sales and 

Service company was formed in 1935, 

Skinner became head of the sound and projection 

department eventually aspiring to 

vice-president of the firm. While working 

for Modern Sales Skinner found time to 

install a complete sound and projection 

system for the then President L. B. Johnson 

when the industry decided to provide 

the President with his own projection 

facilities 

at his Texas ranch. 

"Jimmie" Skinner closed his long industry 

association with equipment installation 

in the new ABC Interstate Theatres' 

Woodlake Triple Cinema in Houston, the 

town where Skinner went to high school 

and still holds a card in Local 279 of the 

lATSE. Skinner says he and his wife 

Robbie have moved to their retreat home 

located on Cedar Creek Lake south of 

Dallas where they will spend time fishing 

and visiting with their six married children, 

twenty grandchildren and friends in the theatre 

industry. 

ABC Interstate Opening 

First Triplex in Houston 

HOUSTON—ABC Interstate Theatres, 

the Houston-based division of ABC Theatre 

Holdings, has announced the opening here 

of the company's first triplex theatre Christmas 

Day. The theatre, Woodlake Cinema 

III, 

will mark ABC Theatre's first entry into 

the triplex market. The triple-screen theatre 

has a combined seating capacity of 1,200. 

A pre-opening reception and screening 

was held December 19 with Mayor Fred 

Holheinz of Houston and other city officials 

attending. Harvey Garland, president, ABC 

Theatre Holdings, and Joe S. Jackson, 

executive vice-president, ABC Interstate 

Theatres, will host the event. ABC Theatre 

Holdings is a division of American Broadcasting 

Companies. 

Experimental Film Festival 

Features Award Winners 

DALLAS—Several award-winning short 

films were among the entries shown December 

13 in the second annual Experimental 

Film Festival at McFarlin Auditorium. 

The two-hour festival with a goal of expanded 

awareness of cinema technique featured 

"Renaissance," a short film which won 

three international awards within a month 

of its first screening: "Sky." a cinepocm produced 

by the National Film Board of Canada; 

"Moon 1969," winner of film festival 

prizes in Grand Prix, San Francisco, New 

York and London as well as Germany; "The 

Concert," a 1975 Academy Award nominee: 

"Flora," winner of Best Short Subject at the 

Chicago Film Festival, and "Allures," a film 

of molecular structures and subconscious 

phenomena. 

Others were "Open Window," from Saki's 

classic ghost story: "K-9000, A Spacy Oddity," 

an animated film about a bewildered 

hero; "Dots," an abstract film from Norma 

McLaren; "Captain Mom," and "Across the 

Universe," featuiing music by the Beatles. 

College Shows 'Beatrix 

Potter' 

WEST HARIFORD — MGM-UA'- 

"Peter Rabbit and Tales of Beatrix Potter," 

a 1971 release, was screened December 3 at 

the Saint Joseph College main auditorium. 

SW-1

. . 

DALLAS 

Fort Worth Poll Reveals 

Readers Like 'Jaws' Best 

FORT WORTH—Columnist Bruce W estbrook 

of the Fort Worth Press polled his 

readers on motion picture preferences. Westbrook 

reported that the largest reader support 

went to three recent films — "Jaws." 

"The Day of the Locust" and "Cabaret." 

Runners-up included "2001: A Space Odyssey." 

"Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?". 

"Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," 

"Bonnie and Clyde" and "The Godfather" 

and "The Godfather. Part II." 

Notable non-runners were "The Sting," 

""Casablanca" and "Gone With the Wind." 

for tenth place between "Butch Cassidy and 

the Sundance Kid" and "Doctor Zhivago." 

.Murgarcl UuUh, branch manager's secretary 

I)a\id 

and II 

Sadler, 

is personally 

manager of the Wcodlawn 

handling special groups 

I 

lor 27 years at Universal Film Ex- 

who will be given special rates during the 

change, retired Friday (2) aft;r a memorable 

booking of ""Lies My Father Told Me" . . . 

association with the firm. During her 27 

"Jaws" which originally had a long run at 

years she was secretary to four branch managers: 

"Hi Martin. Bob V\ ilkerson, Walter 

the Broadway and the Century 6 returns to 

open at the Aztec 3. the San Pedro Triple 

Armbruster and Roy Smith. She says she 

Screen Outdoor and the Mission Twin Outdoor 

Theatre ... A special kiddie show was 

has enjoyed working with each of them. 

Universal employees gave Margaret a goingaway 

parly with many former and retired 

held on a recent Saturday and Sunday at the 

Colonies North. Olmos. Universal City Twin 

employees in attendance including Dean 

and the Woodlawn of the Academy Award 

Goldman, Jessie Smith. Christine Biggs. 

winner "The Yearling." All seats were SI 

Maurice Baty and Janie Lee with her daughter 

and grandchild. 

receiving not a single vote. 

. . . Bart LaRue was in the city on a promotional 

visit in behalf of his film ""The Ark of 

United Artists held a special screening of 

Noah." 

"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" December 

15 at the Cine 2 Theatre. The film 

A number of outstanding films have un- 

SAN ANTONIO 

stars Jack Nicholson. Louise Fletcher and 

reeled here as the theatres' Christmas present 

to the San Antonio public. .Among the 

Cheryl Galin has been appointed the assistant 

manager of the Woodlawn I and 2 

William Redfield. 

new films are "Hustle" at the Century South 

replacing 

Warner 

Mary Anne Watts who has been 

Bros, held a private screening of 

6, Aztec ? and Fox Central Park; "Lucky 

transferred to the 

'Barry Lyndon" December 

home office of Santikos 

18 at the Wilshire 

Theatre. 

at the Broadway and V.\ Movies 4; "The 

Lady" at the Wonder; ""Dog Day Afternoon" 

Theatres in the advertising department . 

The Frcdericksbi rg Road Outdoor Theatre 

Doug 

Hindenburg" at the 

Nord, Eric Distributing Co. booker, 

is jubilant over his week-long 

and the Town Twin 

North Star Cinema and 

Outdoor Theatre are 

Century South 6; "The Adventure of Sherlock 

Holmes' Smarter Brother" at 

skiing presenting a bill of five of Russ .Meyer's 

expedition in Ruidoso. N.M. Since he was greatest films. Being shown 

UA, The 

at both theatres 

away 

Movies 4 and Fox Central Park 3; 

for the holidays he extends holiday are "The Immoral 

"The 

.Mr. Teas," "'Cherry. 

greetings to all his Filmrow friends and a Harry & 

Man Who Would Be King"' at the Century 

Raquel." '"Lorna" and ""Mondo 

.South 

prosperous new 

6 and Olmos: ""The 

year. 

Topless." The 

Ark of Noah" at 

other film at the Fredericksburg 

Road is "Common-Law Cabin" 

Colonics North; and "'If 'ôu Don't Stop It. 

while 

Members of WO.VIPI supplied more than 

You'll 

the film at the Towne Twin is "Mud 

Go Blind" at the Woodlawn 1 and 11. 

300 individually-wrapped Christmas tray 

Honey." 

favors brimming with sweets for patients at 

"Mahogany," which opened its original 

three convalescent centers. They also filled As the result of a poll conducted by Bob playing date at the remodeled Woodlawn. is 

food baskets for several needy families and Polunsky in the Light, the ten best films being 

in 

given additional playing time at the 

took magazines, books and clothing to the this city listed in the order of popularity as 

Town Twin Outdoor Theatre, Valley Hi 

State Hospital at Terrell. The group plans voted by the readers of the newspaper are: Outdoor. Fredericksburg Road Outdoor and 

to repeat the charitable act on Valentines "Gone With the Wind." ""The Wizard of 

the McCreless Cinema . . . ""The Human 

Day for other hospitals. 

Oz," '"The Godlather." ""The Godfather. Revolution." a movie tracing the foundation 

Part II," ""The Sting." ""The Graduate." of the Nichiren Shoshu Academy was presented 

recently at the Broadway Theatre . . . 

Cable TV Steps Up Ads 

""Jaw.s," "Psycho" and "The Sound of Music"; 

a three-way tic lor ninth place was "Love and Death." which originally had a 

HARTFORD—table antenna television 

(CATV) is stepping up newspaper advertising 

registered among "Walking Tall." "The Ten run at the New Laurel, returns for additional 

in Connecticut. 

Commandments" and ""Ben-Hur." and playing 

a 

time at the Century 

tie 

.South 6. Universal 

City Twin and San Pedro Triple 

Screen Outdoor. Also on the bill will be 

Woody Allen's "Lverything You Always 

Wanted to Know About Sex, But Were 

Afraid to Ask." 

fînkdton Sales & Service, Inc. 

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Hamilton paid up. 

And it sure paid off. 

TheWar of Independence 

had put us in the red for 

$27 million in securities. 

It would have been easy 

to shortchange the public 

by paying them off at 

depressed market value. 

But Hamilton said no. 

You see, he had pretty 

definite ideas about 

keeping the people's trust. 

After aU, he was the first 

Secretary of the Treasury. 

So he insisted that every 

debt be paid in full. And 

they were. 

Over the years, it's paid 

off. Tod ay, over 9y2 million 

Americans buy U.S. Savings 

Bonds through their 

Payroll Savings Plan at 

work. 

They know Bonds are 

safe, secure and pay off at 

a good rate of interest. 6% 

when held to maturity 

in 5 years. 

Here's a tip that's guaranteed 

to pay off. 

Take stock in America. 

With the specially designed 

BicentennialSeriesEBonds. 

Don't shortchange your 

future. 

Now E Bonds pay 6^ interest when held to maturity of 

5 years (V t% the first yeart. Lost, stolen or destroyed 

Bonds can be replaced if records are provided. When 

needed, Bonds cnn be cashed al your bank. Interest is 

not subject to stale or local income taxes, and feder«l 

tax may be deferred until redemption. 

Take,^ 

. stock 7 

in^menca. 

200 years at the same location. 

pjl A puMtc »fvlc< ot this publication 

'" and Tha Advertising Council. 

BOXOFHCE :: January 5, 1976 SW-3

HOUSTON 

J'hi- premiere openin;; December iv ol ilic 

Southmore Cinema 4 sporlcd attractions 

such as "Siiperbiig," "The Return of 

the Pink Panther." "The Other Side ol the 

Mountain" and "Where the Red Fern 

Grows." The 1.100-seat. four-screen theatre 

complex is situated in the .Southmore Shopping 

Center. Admission is $2..'iO for adults 

and SI. 25 for children. 

Cream of Christmas crop: Pla\ing 

through the holidays are "The Adventure 

of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother." "The 

Devil Is a Woman." and "The Hindenburg" 

at the Woodlakc III: "Barrv Lyndon" at the 

Village: "The Man Who Would Be King" 

at the Loew's Town & Country and Saks 

Center: "Black Bird" at Town & Country. 

Saks Center and .Almeda IV, "Lucky Lady" 

at the Alabama: "The Sunshine Boys" at the 

Cinema Galleria: "The Story of O" at the 

Delman. and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's 

Nest" at the Gaylynn Terrace. Multiple 

openings inch ded "Dog Day Afternoon," 

"Hustle." "The Killer Elite" and "Mysteries 

From Beyond the Earth." Walt Disney's 

Christmas reissue "Snow White and 

the Seven Dwarfs" also had multiple openings. 

Holiday homework: Three "teacher " films 

are on the bill at several area theatres and 

drive-ins. "Kiss the Teacher Goodbye," 

"Trip With the Teacher" and "The Teacher." 

"Deep Throat," the controversial X-rated 

film, passed its 9Sth record-breaking week 

at the Screening Room, where "The Devil in 

Miss Jones" also is playing ... A $1 admission 

policy has been instituted at the 

River Oaks. Oak Village and Cârden Oaks. 

Neil .Simon is on the screen and stage 

here. "The Sunshine Boys" is showing "at 

'OUR CUSTOMERS' 

appreciate the some day delivery of 

orders. Only a tremendous stock can 

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"Your Complete [quipment House" 

OKLAHOMA THEATRE SUPPLY CO. 

43I W.it Grand Oklahomo CKy 


SHOW BUSINESS IN 

HAWAII TOO. 

When you come to Waikiki. 

^°"'' "^'^^ '^^ famous 

BiIMI/CJ^ 

[mawaii f^'^n Ho Show. . . at 

IHSmSj Cinerama's Reef Towers Hott 

INWMKIKI Kllf Kill KMIillt I IX.I WAII M 

the Cinema Galleria and "The Last of the 

Red Hot Lovers." starring Pat Paulson, is 

being performed at the Windmill Dinner 

Iheatre. 

OKLAHOMA CITY 

gam and Etta Mauldin sent a Christmas 

card from Germany where he is with 

the Army and Air Force Motion Picture 

Service. Formerly the office manager for 

Columbia Pictures here, Mauldin has been 

overseas for the past five years . . The 

. 

Redskin Theatre, closed for several years, 

has been reopened. George Sam Caporal 

added the house to his circuit. 

Taking care of business: visiting Filmrow 

this week were Jake Guiles. Continental 

Film Distributors: Jerry Malone. K-tel Pictures, 

Dallas, and Charles Smith who books 

and buys for the Corral Drive-In in Wynnewood 

and the Grand Theatre in Canton 

. . . According to Charles Townsend, the 

Pryor Drive-In, Pryor. will be closed until 

the middle of March. 

The Ritz Theatre in Shawnee received a 

complete facelift and re-opened December 

IS with "Rooster Cogburn" as the feature. 

Several 

Filmrowites attended the event. 

. . . "Winterhawk" 

Previews: "Gable and Lombard" was 

screened at the North Park Theatre December 

12 and "The Killer Elite" was screened 

at the Continental fheatre 

is the holiday attraction at Tulsa's 

Will Rogers. 

Charles "Funny" Hudgens is the new 

branch manager of Colimibia Pictures in 

Dallas. Leaving Bryanston Pictures in San 

Francisco, Hudgcns formerly was a Warner 

Bros, salesman here . . . Audie Adwell. 

Video Booker, visited Dallas to set up bookings 

lor his circuit's West Texas towns. 

Iliiiij;r> 

SliippmL; ini.'i 

lhie\es broke into Oklahoma City 

the weekeiul. Cooknig utensils 

iuid ihiiigs used by the inspection departiiiciil 

lor lunches were about the only things 

uporlcd missing. 

Los Angeles native Kim Novak's re.il 

ri.iMie is Marilvn N

— 

— 

Xondor' Uncoils 115 

To Beat Out Starters 

MINNEAPOLIS—None of the new 

products did as well as longtime front-runners 

"Three Days of the Condor," ringing 

up a 115 in the ninth lap at the Mann, and 

"Mahogany." parading through the seventh 

showing at the Orpheum with a slight 90. 

States rights' release "Saturday Night at the 

Baths" lathered up a mild 80 in its first 

dunking at the Academy, but AIP's "The 

Wild Party" entertained only 55 in its opening 

at eight theatres. 


Academy—Saturday Night ot the Baths (SR) 80 

Cooper Rooster Cogbura (Univ), 9th wk - 65 

Eight theatres—The Wild Party (AIP) 55 

Mann—Three Days oi the Condor (Para), 9th wk. 115 

Orpheum—Mahogany (Para), 7th wk 90 

Skyway I—The Street Fighter (SR)/Return of the 

Street Fighter (SR), 2nd wk -- _ 55 

Skyway III-Let's Do It Again (WB), 9th wk 75 

Rcmce Mason Re-Elected 

Wis. NATO President 

MILWAUKEE—Ranee Mason, who was 

elected president of the National Ass'n of 

Theatre Owners of Wisconsin June 4, 1968, 

has been re-elected for the ninth year. Other 

officers, all re-elected for 1976, are: Ben D. 

Marcus, chairman of the board; Fred Florence, 

vice-president; Lawrence Beltz, secretary, 

and Roland Koutnik, treasurer. 

Directors are: Edward Bones, Elroy Dean 

Fitzgerald. Madison; Nic Frank. Fond du 

Lac; Gerry Franzen. Milwaukee; Richard 

Kite. Milwaukee; Jack McWilliams. Portage; 

Russell Mortenson, Waukesha; Paul Rogers. 

Marshfield; Otto Settek. Merrill; Jerome 

Siegel (new member). Janesville. ar.d Andrew 

Spheeris. Milwaukee. Henry Kratz continues 

as e-xecutive director. 

The membership unanimously went on 

record via resolution commending Mason 

for the time and effort he has given during 

the past year in fulfilling the duties of president 

of Wisconsin NATO. 

Wisconsin NATO Is 

Urging 

Swift Action on HR 10130 

MILWAUKEE — Ranee Mason, Ben 

Marcus, Henry Kratz and Richard L. 

Kite. 

Wisconsin NATO's legislative committee 

chairman, were at the meeting on the minimum 

wage issue arranged by national 

NATO and held at Chicago's O'Hare Hilton 

Thursday, December 18. The purpose of the 

session was to organize "grass-roots support 

for the defeat or amending of the Dent 

bill known as HR 10130." As explained by 

Mason and Kite in their letter, which was 

addressed to exhibitors, "HR 10130. if 

enacted as written, will raise the minimum 

wage for employees to $2.50 July 1, 1976; 

$2.75 Jan. 1, 1977, and $3 per hour Jan. 

1, 1978. This bill contains no exemptions." 

NATO is opposed to the bill as written 

and all theatre owners across the countr> 

must band together in opposition, the letter 

explained. 

"We would like to see the bill amended 

so that part-time employees under 25 hours, 

as we and many others are a part-time 

business, are exempt. We also would like 

to have included in the bill an exemption 

of all businesses doing less than $250,000 

per year in gross receipts," the letter stated. 

Recipients were encouraged to "contact 

your local merchants and get them to see or 

write their representative opposing this legislation." 

It was pointed out "this bill can 

affect you and other businesses, such as 

restaurants, hotels, motels, drug stores, 

variety stores, farmers, etc." Noting that 

congressmen would be home for the holidays, 

the letter urged theatremen to contact 

them — "write them. Let's get some 

action now. Talk to your local chamber 

of commerce. Have them contact or write, 

too. If possible, get a copy of letters sent 

and answers received so that we may forward 

them to our national legislative people. 

If you speak to your representative, drop 

us a note telling to whom you spoke, when, 

where and what the response was." 

All attending the meeting were given a 

five-page fact sheet concerning theatre employees. 

How would HR 10130. if enacted 

into law, hurt theatre employees? The reply 

was: "Reduced hours. When costs go up. 

marginal operations are cut back, matinees 

disappear and other screen times are reduced. 

The employees' take-home pay 

suffers and jobs are eliminated. Vending 

machines and other coin-operated equipment 

will replace employees whose wages 

are set unrealistically high." 

Until 1974 Congress exempted such theatre 

jobs from the minimum wage law, the 

letter said, adding: "The public will pay 

higher prices at the boxoffice as a result of 

the huge wage increases required by HR 

10130. Reduced patronage brought on by 

higher ticket prices will weaken an industry 

already suffering from the impact of TV 

and facing the new competition of pay TV." 

of congressmen, particularly noting 

A list 

members of the subcommittee considering 

HR 10130. was provided with the fact sheet. 

Exhibitors were urged to drop a note telling 

what congressmen were contacted, when, 

where and what the response was, this 

information to be sent to Richard L. Kite, 

legislative chairman, NATO of Wisconsin, 

161 West Wisconsin Ave., Room 7166, 

Milwaukee, Wis. 53203. 

SCMPC Cites Doty-Dayton 

Movies, Universal Film 

HOLLYWOOD — Doty-Dayton Productions 

was honored with awards for special 

merit for two of its films, "Seven Alone" 

and "Against a Crooked Sky," Monday 

(15) at the monthly meeting of the Southern 

California Motion Picture Council in 

Studio City. 

Council members also cited Universal 

Pictures' "Special Section" with an award 

for 

excellence. 

Among participants in the program were 

Joseph Campanella. Jane Withers, the 

Hager brothers, Henry Wilcoxon, Lyman 

Dayton and Anne Collings. 

Theatre Plaza Gets Nod 

DES MOINE.S 

A plan to build an $1 1.4 

million theatre plaza in downtown Des 

Moines has won the approval of the ciiv 

council. The vote was 4-3. 

Ehlenbach Kicks Off 

Major Updating Plan 

HARTFORD. WIS. — Greg Ehlenbach. 

new owner and manager of the Hartford 

Theatre here, has been converting a low 

Greg Khienbach is shown with the 

new Lume-X systems which were obtained 

from Harry Meleher Enterprises 

in Milwaukee. 

gross house into a competitive, popular theatre. 

Ehlenbach installed two Lume-X systems 

from Strong Electric Corp. and his plans for 

modernization included complete redecorating 

and renovation. 

The Hartford TTieatre was closed during 

December 1975, with the grand reop;ning 

scheduled for Thursday (1). 

As envisioned by Ehlenbach. the upd.iting 

project called for new draperies, carpeting 

and rocker-loungers for a seating capacity of 

250. as well as a new concession stand. 

Lume-X systems are designed for indjor 

screens up to 45-fect wide. The lamphouses 

use horizontally mounted bulbs for maximum 

collection and transmission of light to 

film aperture, with a minimum of heat. 

'American in Paris' Shown 

In Stuhr Museum Series 

GRAND ISLAND. NEB.—"An American 

in Paris." the 1951 film which won seven 

Academy Awards, was presented Sunday. 

December 14. at Stuhr Museum at 1:30 and 

3:30 p.m. Th; Gene Kelly-Leslie Caron- 

Oscar Levant starrer was directed by Vincente 

Minnelli. 

For The 

SPEciat 

BESTEST And 

FILMACK 

1337 S.Waboih . Chicago.«0605 

BOXOFFICE :: Januarv 5. 1976 NC-1

. . Youngsters 

. . One 

1 

MILWAUKEE 

ITarold liullnu-ier, iiighl m;in.iuci i>l liic 

Sprini; M.1II triplex in the Spring Mall 

Shopping Center, was walking toward a 

banks night deposit box in the mall Sunday 

night. December 14. when he was accosted 

by a robber. The man, according to press 

reports, was wearing a white ski mask and 

carried a pistol. The gunman managed to 

escape with an undisclosed amount ot 

money. The shopping center is located at 

4200 South 27th St. in the south-side suburb 

of Greenfield. For many years Harold was 

an assistant to the manager and doorman 

at the Center Theatre on Wisconsin .ANcniie. 

More than 2,(»(K) dedicated followers ol 

rock music packed the Oriental Landmark 

Theatre on Simday night last month for an 

appearance by Ray Davies and "his durably 

outrageous band." the Kinks . of 

the wildest ways to celebrate New Year's 

Eve offered this year was the opportunity to 

hop a jet to Detroit and join the mob at an 

Elvis Presley concert. Travelpower, a local 

travel agency, offered a tour to get to see 

and hear Elvis at the new domed football 

stadium in the Detroit suburb of Pontiac. 

The S 1 .^9 per-pcrson fee included a roundtrip 

flight, a room at the Southficld Sheraton 

in Pontiac. a ticket to the concert and transfers 

from the airport to the hotel and to the 

concert . . . For those not turned on by 

Elvis, there was Frank "Old Blue Eyes" 

Sinatra at the Chicago Stadium, also New 

Year's Eve. Bob Cook's Vagabond Travel 

Service offered a round-trip package for 

S49.50 per person that included bus transportation 

Irom this city, a first-balcony seal 

for the show, a steak dinner at thi. Rustic 

Manor and a split of champagne. 

A froiit-paê slory in the Lake Mills 

Leader, printed in Lake Mills, noted that 

there was a tree double-feature matinee 

("Animal Crackers," "My Name Is Nobody") 

at the Lake Theatre December 20. 

'I he kiddies event was sponsored by various 

merchants . in I^lkhorn were 

given an opportunity to greet Santa in late 

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"''" '^*^ 'ninous 

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ISWAIMIKI Ntit Kill lb Jessup. 

anil the cast, composed mosth ot non-prolessional 

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LIFETIME COVERS 

START JANUARY '76 

/'/1..11. . CM 

2) .-,:('» 177 

" 

"How did we end up in Terrell'.'' the 

director echoed. 'Well, I have worked in 

Texas before many times as a second unit 

director. Then there is the question of 

logistics. It would have cost us three limes 

as much to make this film in Hollywood. 

" 'But in terms of specifics there is a 

lovely woman named Diane Booker at the 

Texas Film Commission in Austin who cut 

through a lot of red tape for us. We had 

shopped around. She made it very easy 

for us to come to Texas. Then we must 

have looked at about 25 drive-in movies in 

the Metroplex area. The one here at Terrell 

was exactly what we were looking for. It 

is really unique. It isn't even paved. And 

it is only open on the weekends, which 

means we can use it the rest of the week. 

•And there is a marvelous, open air foller 

rink with roll down canvas sides we are 

using for some of the sccens.' 

Was "Drive-In" inspired by '.American 

Graffiti" or the "The Last Picture Show"? 

-Amateau said that "Drive-In" has a contemporary 

setting as contrasted with the 

nostalgia factor in the other two films. 

However, he said, the small-town setting 

might seem to create a nostalgic feeling. 

"American Graffiti" stirred a realistic 

feel since most of its cast members were 

relatively unknown. Amateau said he 

wanted that type of realism for "Drive-In." 

" 'One of our main cast members is a 

Kelly girl, another is a model. One of the 

male leads from Mesquite is the son of a 

teamsters official. One has been active in 

little theatre but has had no professional 

experience. It takes longer to work with this 

type of cast but I think it will be worth it 

in the long run." " 

"Amateau is keen on the future of filmmaking 

in this area, bolstered by the drive 

of the Texas Film Commission, the talent 

on both sides of the camera available in 

this area, and the wide diversity of settings 

available. 

" 'The only thing missing is that Texas 

needs a first-class lab for processing film," 

he said. As it is, the company has been 

making daily trips to D-FW airport shipping 

out film, picking up nishes processed in 

Hollywood and flown back here so .\mateau 

can follow the progress of the filming. 

"Am.it.au is toying with a kicky idea 

I'l premiering 'Drive-In' next spring in 

Terrell, perhaps having a black-tic event at 

the drive-in where it was filmed. '1 would 

like for the town to benefit in some way 

lu>m ih.- Iiliu's opening.' Am.ile.iu said. 

'Our stay here ha.s really been enjoyable. 

I have been all over the wiirld making 

lilms -except for Russia and China. 1 have 

never met more lovely, out-going people 

than we have encountered here. 1 hev have 

been friendly, helpful.' " 

'Couples Night' 

ExpoimnMit 

WE.S1 NEWTON. MAS.S.-Ihe West 

Newton Cinemas III complex has been 

osperimenting with a "Couples Night" 

|iii|iev. charging S.^-pcr-couple. 

Big Iron" will be an International Cinenedia 

Cenlei 'Rising Road production. 

BOXOFTICE .: Januaiv 5. l')7(.

The annual checkup. It may save your life. 

Even though you feel fantastic, there's only a complete examination, your doctor can 

one way to be sure you're in perfect health. 

discover if you're as well as you feel. 

Have an annual checkup. The annual checkup 

The annual checkup gives your doctor 

IS a complete, head-to-toe examination. 

a good chance to catch a minor ailment before it 

By taking a blood count, doing a Pap test becomes a major illness. Or a fatal one. 

for women, giving you a procto, and We want to wipe out cancer in your lifetime, j, 

doing all the other important things that make up Give to the American Cancer Society. f 

Blood Pressure Urinalysis M

! 

. . Forrie 

— 

MINNEAPOLIS 

r'hcl Leôi^. United Artjsis branch salesman, 

has been named UA branch manager 

here, succeeding Bill Doehel. who will 

be heading the Detroit branch. The changes 

are effective Monday (5). LcVoir entered 

distribution in 1943 as a salesman for Republic 

Pictures, a post he held ten years. He 

then joined the Universal branch here, again 

as a salesman, holding that position for 15 

years. LeV'oir subsequently moved to the 

United Artists branch, first as a booker and 

then as a salesman, the post he held when 

named next branch manager. He is married 

and the father of four children. 

Bill l>oebel. departing UA branch chief, 

was feted at a "surprise" farewell luncheon 

December 23 at the Hyatt Lodge here. His 

many Filmrow friends toasted him. wished 

him luck and success in Detroit— and presented 

him with a gift. 

Bill 

Wood, Columbia branch manager, is 

so excited about "The Black Bird ' that he 

has to bite his tongue to keep from telling 

the ending . . . "Gable and Lombard" was 

sneaked December 12 at the Mann Theatre 

here—and the acclaim was unanimous. The 

film isn't pegged for general release until 

March. 

Frank Xanotti, Universal branch chief, 

. . The 

returned December 17 from a brief vacation 

in his hometown. Des Moines . 

Paramount branch offices moved December 

27 to new quarters in the Valley South 

Building. 6950 Wayzata Blvd.. Golden Valley, 

a suburb of this city. The new phone 

number will be printed here when available. 

All Filmrow branches cooperated and 

joined in the km of the annual Filmrow 

Christmas parly December 17. held this 

time around at the 20lh Century-Fox offices 

AlP opened "Old Dracula" December 

. . . 19 at the Hopkins, IDS and Studio 

97 theatres here—and at the Roscvillc in 

St. 

Paul. 

The .Slate Theatre looms as the next Twin 

Cities showhouse to go dark. General Cinema's 

lease on the theatre expired December 

31 — and the Boston-based circuit elecleil 

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Service 

The nation's finest for 40 years 


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not to continue operation i>l the in.issiê. 

old-style film palace. It is known to be in 

need of extensive repair and refurbishing 

and has not done well for a long time. 

Theatres such as the World, with a quarter 

as many seats, consistently outgross it by as 

much as two to one or more. 

Filmrow visitors: Gene Grcngs. Holl\- 

wood. Eau Claire. Wis.; Paul Berg. Slate. 

Winona, and Dan Peterson, Peterson circuit. 

Brookings. S.D. . Myers, 

Paramount branch boss, reports that Dean 

I.utz, K-tel Productions general sales manager, 

"is having a bad year financially— at 

the bowling lanes." Chortles Myers: "I've 

been getting my hand in his pocket pretty 

good." 

Cooper-Highland Theatres 

Relocates Denver Offices 

LINCOLN — The Cooper-Highland circuit, 

which of)erates movie houses in several 

states, recently announced th; relocation of 

its Denver offices as follows: 

"We are pleased to announce 'The Great 

Escape.' 'Far From the Madding Crowd' of 

downtown Denver, to 'The Oth.T Side of the 

Mountain' as we move our offices to 88 

Steele St.. Denver. Colo. 80206. 

"December 24 our staff will 'Take the 

Money and Run' as we 'Exodus' from 'The 

House of Horrors' to the 'Fantastic Planet.' 

We ask your indulgence as. for a few days, 

everything will be 'Bananas' in our new offices. 

In case of emergency our phones will 

be manned by 'The Fixer.' although our offices 

will be closed December 26 and December 

29. 

"Our 'Last Tango' at 514 16th St. before 

we catch 'The Last Stagecoach West' will he 

December 24. Happy holidays!" 

Effective December 30. Cooper-Highland 

Theatres' office was opened at 88 Steele St.. 

Denver, where the phone number is (303) 

399-6900. 

American Theatre Corp. 

Found Guilty by Court 

OMAHA—The American Theatre Corp., 

operator of a so-called "adult" theatr;; in 

()iii;iha, was convicted F'riday. December 

12, on six counts of ilistribuiing obscene 

material, according to 

Richanl Dunning, .issisiant 

city prosecutor. I his brings to 15 the 

number of obscenity convictions returned in 

Omaha Municipal Court, he said. 

Downtown Books. Inc.. 

which operates an 

adult book and m.iga/ine store at 2236 I'arnam 

St., was convicted earlier in December 

Slipfie^ Thcairc Supply. Inc. 

Â 1502 Davenport St. 

^^Ômaho, Nebraska 68)02 

^0 "t^xcQ 

Whire Your Busineu It APPRECIATED 

Code (402) 341 5715 

on nine counts of distributing obscene books. 

Coun records show that the .American Theatre 

Corp. and Downtown Books are related 

businesses. 

Municipal Court Judge Walter Cropper 

fined Downtown Books SI.000 on each 

count. Dunning said that Judge Cropper 

would sentence American Theatre Corp.. 

which operates the Pussycat Theatre. 1316 

Douglas St., in the near future. 

Buena Vista College Dean 

Okays 'Throat' Screening 

sroR.M l.Akt. low .A— Fred Brown, 

dean of the 

faculty of Buena Vista College, 

said December 4 that a recent showing of 

"Deep Throat" in a motion picture history 

class was "within the purview of the course." 

Instructor .\\ Lifton said his students expressed 

interest in seeing a pornographic film 

in 

their study of American motion pictures, 

so he chose the Linda Lovelace starrer, 

"Deep Throat." 

Lifton said he selected this particular 

movie because he believes it is the best of 

its type. He warned the students about the 

nature of the film before it was screened and 

said anyone who wanted to leave before the 

showing could do so without being penalized. 

No one elected to leave, Lifton noted. 

Dean Brown said he had invest gated the 

matter and remarked, "I found it to be as it 

should be. It is a course on film, so it was 

appropriate to look at any American film. 

The showing was well su[>ervised and it was 

not op>en to the public. It was handled in an 

academic manner." 

Industry Officials Meet 

With Denver U. Students 

HOLLOW 001i—.-\ do/cn Iilm students 

from the University of Denver met December 

9 with executives of the .-Xss'n of Motion 

Picture and Television Producers, Central 

Casting Corporation and the Code and 

Rating .•\dministration of the Motion Picture 

Ass'n of .America. Conferring with the 

students were K. William O'Connor, \\ ilton 

R. Holm. Frank P. "Pete" Clark. John M. 

Pavlik. Marshall Wortman. Albert \'an 

Schmus and Karl Brindle. 

Documentary Wins Award 

1 CJS ANC.I 1 I S I he I>'it\ Million." 

documentary produced and directed by 

|{/ra Stone, has won a CINE Gold Eagle 

by the unanimous vote of the screening jury 

in Washington, D.C. The hour bicentennial 

speei.il s.ilute to the over 40.000.000 immigrants 

who have come to the l'.S..-\. since 

the revolution is narrated by Lome Greene 

and features Pierre Samuel DuPont, Laura 

Fermi uini Dr. Wcrnher von Braun. 

Cinema Service, Inc. 

TOTAL BOOTH SERVICE 

SOUND, PROJECTION, AUTOMATION 

(316) 262-3368 

P.O. Box I624S Wichita. Ka. 67216 

NC 4 BOXOmCE J.inu.ii'N S, u>7(,

— 

— 

—— 

'Panther' Returns 225 

For Cincinnati 30th 

CINCINNATI—"The Return of the Pink 

Panther" tiptoed out with 225 for its 30th 

and last weeic at the Times Towne Cinema 

to lead all first runs this week. A trio of 

films posted 175: "Three Days of the Condor," 

in its ninth week at Showcase 2; "The 

Other Side of the Mountain," in its 30th and 

last frame at Carousel 2, and "Lies My 

Father Told Me," in its fifth stanza at the 

Valley. 


Carousel 2 The Other Side of the Mountain 

(Univ), 30th wk 175 

Showcase 

—Mahogany 1 (Para), 8th wk 150 

Showcase 2—Three Days ol the Condor (Para), 

9th wk 175 

Showcase 3—Hard Times (Col), 10th wk 125 

Times Towne Cinema The Return of the Pink 

Panther (UA), 30lh wk - 225 

Three theatres—Let's Do It Again (WB), 9th wk. _150 

Two theatres—Old Draculo (AIP), 3rd wk 125 

Valley—Lies My Father Told Me (Col), 5th wk. _..175 

'Lies' Climbs Past 195 

For Cleveland 4th Week 

CLEVELAND—"Lies My Father Told 

Me" gained on the competition this week 

scoring 195 for the fourth round at the 

Village. "Mahogany" swept past a fashionable 

140 for the seventh frame at Loews 

East II. A third place tie was registered between 

"Janis" debuting at the Heights and 

Westwood and "And Now for Something 

Completely Different" serving the second 

course at the World East and West; both 

pulled 120. 

Colony—Yessongs (SR), 2nd wk 95 

Detroit, Lasalle— If You Don't Stop It. You'll Go 

Blind (SR), 7th wk 110 

Five theatres Three Days of the Condor (Para), 

8th wk 110 

Four theatres Conduct Unbecoming (AA) 80 

Heights, Westwood Janis (Univ) 120 

Loews Ecst II Mahogany (Ptfra), 7th wk 140 

Six theatres—A Boy and His Dog (SR) 80 

Three theatres—laws (Univ), 25lh wk _100 

Village—Lies My Father Told Me (Co!), 4th wk 195 

World East, World West—And Now for Something 

Completely Different (SR), 2nd wk 120 

William Twig Dead at 62; 

20th-Fox Branch Manager 

CLEVELAND—William Twig, 62, 20th 

Century-Fox branch manager here, died in 

his sleep December 26. Twig had been in 

the industry since 1929. 

He was branch manager at Warner Bros. 

15 years prior to his past eight years at 20th 

Century-Fox. Twig also worked for Paramount 

Pictures here and in Cincinnati. 

He originally worked for the old Grand 

National Films in this city and had experience 

as an exhibitor when he worked for 

Peter Wellman Theatres in Girard, Ohio. 

A board member for several years of 

Variety Clubs International, Twig recently 

was elected treasurer. He also served on the 

local board of Boys Town and was a member 

of the Parents Volunteer Ass'n for Retarded 

Children. He was a past member of 

Temple Emanu El. 

He leaves his wife Sally; two daughters, 

Mrs. Alison Lovett and Mrs. Janine Weisfeld; 

his mother Mrs. Hilda Twig, and four 

grandchildren, Matt, Kim, Todd and David. 

Services were held Sunday, December 28, 

at noon in the Miller-Deutsch Memorial 

Chapel. The family suggests contributions 

to Variety Club Tent 6. 

BOXOFHCE :: January 5, 1976 

E W S^ 

. DAYS OF 

m CONDOR 

iVdVoro 

dunaway 

THEATRE-TWINNING PROJECT—Woodbay Construction Corp. of Cedarhurst, 

N.Y., headed by theatre specialists Joel L. Chinman and Maxwell Krieger, 

were awarded the contract for the twinning of the Loews' Morse Road Theatre, 

Columbus. All plans, permits and architectural work were prepared by Woodbay. 

Opening of the duo was scheduled for Dec. 19, 1975. 

MST Opens Continent 

4-Plex in Columbus 

COLUMBUS — Cincinnati-based 

Mid 

States Theatres opened its new Continent 

cinemas 1-2-3-4, located in northern Columbus, 

with a great display of showmanship. 

Wednesday, December 17, MST chartered 

a bus to take a group of Cincinnati film 

executives to the entertainment complex so 

that they could inspect the facility. While 

there, they toured the Continent Shopping 

Center, in which the quadplex is located. 

The Continent Shopping Center is designed 

in European style, with shops on the 

ground level and offices and apartments on 

the upper floors. 

The executives had lunch at the Racquet 

Club, dinner at the famous Wine Cellar and 

cocktails at the Continent cinemas 1-2-3-4. 

Thursday, December 18, a champagne 

preview was held for the news media and 

an invited audience. The cinemas opened 

to the public following day, presenting 20th 

Century-Fox's "The Adventure of Sherlock 

Holmes' Smarter Brother" and three United 

Artists films: MGM's "The Sunshine Boys," 

"The Killer Elite" and "One Flew Over the 

Cuckoo's Nest." 

Tango' Case Injunction 

Refused by U.S. Court 

OAKWOOD, OHIO—U.S. District Court 

Judge Carl B. Rubin, Dayton, has turned 

down a request for a temporary injunction 

to halt officials in Oakwood, a suburb of 

Dayton, from prosecuting Robert Mills, 

owner of the Cinema South, in connection 

with the showing of X-rated "Last Tango 

in Paris," alleged to be obscene by Oakwood 

Prosecutor James R. Gould. 

Judge Rubin set a hearing for Monday 

(5) to hear arguments on such an order. 

Gould said Mills' trial, originally scheduled 

for Dec. 26, 1975. was postponed pending 

a decision in the federal court. 

Carmine Garafalo, counsel for the theatre, 

argued in the district court complaint 

that the prosecution in Oakwood Municipal 

Court violates the free speech and equal 

protection amendments of the U.S. Constitution 

and the U.S. Civil Rights Act. Gara- 

. . . 

falo said that the film was seized by police 

because of "bad faith and malicious harassment 

without any regard whatsoever as to 

whether the film was obscene and with 

complete disregard for numerous decisions 

finding the film to be not obscene." 

The petition said, "One of the film's 

essential themes is the ultimate futility of 

sex without love and commitment 

Taken as a whole, the film clearly has 

serious literary and artistic value, is not 

without redeeming social value and does 

not depict or describe sexual contact in a 

patently offensive way." 

The complaint named as defendants the 

city of Oakwood, Prosecutor Gould, Oakwood 

Municipal Judge Irvin H. Harlamert 

and Richard W. Ulbrich, an Oakwood resident 

who initiated the prosecution after 

viewing the film and claiming it was obscene. 

Mills pleaded not guilty to the municipal 

obscenity charge. 

"Last Tango in Paris" was booked into 

Cinema South and opened December 11. 

The print was seized by police December 

17. 

Martin Circuit Opens 

Duo in Worthington 

COLUMBUS — A new twin theatre, 

Worthington Square Cinema 1 and 2. was 

unveiled Christmas Day 1975 in Worthington, 

a suburb of Columbus, it was announced 

by Olcn Martin, president of Martin 

Theatres of Bucynis. Ohio. 

Each auditorium of the twin-theatre complex 

seats 300 viewers. 

Martin Theatres also operates hardtops in 

Marion and Fostoria, Ohio, as well as driveins 

in Delaware, Bucyrus, Ottawa, Mansfield 

and Marysville, all in Ohio. 

Richard Lester directed Columbia's 

'Robin and Marian," 

ME-1

" 

CLEVELAND 

JJorniaii 

Barr, General Theatres vice-presii.!j!ii. 

and his wife Fern spent the holidays 

in Sharon, Pa., before their mid-January 

vacation in Ciiraco. 

Apologies to Larry Crowley. Sportsystems 

vice-president, whose name was misspelled 

in the Christmas ad in the December 15 

issue. Crowley also informs us that Dennis 

Szefel recently was named president of all 

Sportsystems theatres nationwide. (Editor's 

note: Double apologies to Larry! After 

checking his ad twice, we decided to make 

his name "Crawley" in photograph outlines 

which appeared in the December 22 issue. 

One of our New Year's resolutions has 

something to do with "trusting intuition.") 

Pete Rosiaii, Personal Film Research 

president, and Rick Mycrson. Columbia 

branch manager for Cincinnati and this city, 

attended the opening of Roy White's new 

fourplex in Columbus December 17. Roy 

White hired a special bus to take guests 

from Cincinnati to Cokmibiis to view the 

grand opening of the Continent 1-I1-I11-I\' 

in the French Market near Route 161. 

College Near Toledo Sets 

Series of Film Classics 

TOLEDO. OHIO — Ihealre 

managers 

here aren't worried about the weekly series 

of ten films which will be offered to the 

public starting early this month at nearby 

Owens Technical College. In the first place, 

many of the movies have appeared on TV; 

secondly, the campus is not easily accessible 

to most Tolcdoans except by a long automobile 

ride, and third, the films will cost 

$5 for the series and will be preceded by 

brief 

lectures. 

Screenings will be each Thursday at 10 

a.m., 3 p.m. and 730 p.m. starting Thursday 

(8). 

The series will open with John Ford's 

19.39 classic, "Drums Along the Mohawk." 

starring Henry Fonda and Claudelte Colbert. 

(Jther entries in the series are: I hursday 

(15), "One-Eyed Jacks," the I'K.I movie 

directed by and starring Marlon Brando; 

1 hursday (22), "The Birth of a Nation," the 

1911 silent landmark in cinematic history 

U« ARTOI XENON LAMPHOUSI 

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1000 WATT/ t«00 WATT LA«HOUSE $600 

1*00 WATT / 2S00 WATT UHPHOUSE $750 

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Ohio Official Seeks Ban 

On Some Bingo Operators 

COLUMBUS — While waiting for the 

Ohio Legislature to enact a bill regulating 

bingo games when sponsored by a bona fide 

charity, the state attorney general's office 

is seeking temporary orders closing more 

than a dozen such operations because they 

allegedly are violating Ohio's antigambling 

laws. The suits, filed in Dayton, Toledo, 

Canton, Cleveland and Akron, charged the 

operators with failing to register with the 

attorney general's office and with failing to 

submit financial repwrts. The complaints 

asked that the bingo operators be required 

to 

turn over one-third of their gross receipts 

to charity. The suits charge that all the 

games arc operating "in the name of 

charity." 

The suits ask that the operators be enjoined 

from disposing of assets until their 

obligations to charity are met. Atty. Gen. 

William J. Brown also asked for preliminary 

uijunctions to prevent them from continuing 

the bingo games until a hearing on the suits 

can be held. 

According to Brown, there may be more 

than 2.000 charitable bingo operations in 

the state but only 1.000 are registered with 

his office. It was esitmated that some Sl.- 

000,000,000 a year is spent on bingo in the 

state of Ohio. 

Meanwhile, public hearings on proposed 

regulations are now being held. One proposed 

state law would require all profits 

of bingo games to go to charities. In Cleveland, 

City Councilman Joseph NL Kowalski 

said he planned to introduce an ordinance 

to limit charity bingo games lo one night a 

week. 

Possibly the strongest antigambling bill 

uitroduced in the Ohio Legislature is that 

of Sen. Charles Butts, Cleveland, which 

would bar completely any outside group 

irom consulting, running on a contract basis 

or in any way participating in a bingo game 

and its operation. This bill. loti. would permit 

an organization to run only one game 

a week and would limit the players to persons 

1 8 years of age or older. 

Some of the defendants have high-soimdmg 

names but in the complaint against Bin- 

^;o Charities. Inc.. Dayton, it was said only 

1.5 per cent of money taken in was ever 

lorwarded to charily, while another Daston 

group known as the Concerned Citizens for 

Sickle Cell Anemia was charged in the suit 

ol giving no money at all to charity. Suits 

liled in I'oledo uicli ded one against the 

SiK'iely for the Preservation and Fneour.igement 

ol B.uheisliop Qu.irtei Singing in 

.\merica and the Milii.uy (.)rdcr of the 

Cootie. 

Ill 1924 CBC Film S.ilcs Co. changed its 

name to Columbia Pictures Corp.

Hemadeit 

with his own two hands. 

There's a name for a place that 

employs men and women with serious 

physical and mental handicaps. 

It's called a "sheltered workshop." 

As you might expect, "sheltered 

workshops" are an unusual kind of 

business. 

But as you might or might not expect, 

they do an unusual kind of 

work. Excellent. 

In fact, sheltered workshops consistently 

turn out work every bit as 

good as more usual kinds of businesses. 

And priced just as low. 

your company farms out any of 

If 

its work, we'd like to invite you to 

give a sheltered workshop a chance 

to bid on it—without obligation, of 

course. 

(For more information, write to 

Workshop,c/o HURRAH, Box 1200, 

Washington, D.C. 20013.) 

If you like their bid, you may decide 

to give them a chance to do 

some of your work. 

In which case, you'll be helping 

a lot more people "make it" with 

their own two hands. 

And, if you like good work, helping 

yourself in the bargain. 

The State-Federal Program of 

Vocational Rehabilitation. 

Help Us Reach & Rehabilitate 

America's HandicappedHURRAH 

BOXOFHCE ;: January 5, 1976 ME-3

' lltd 

CINCINNATI 

ihcatrc equipment needs 

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Wlifri tjr,u ((jiiic to Waikiki, 

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iuMAii fôn Ho 

/ l» O. Il.ix 7H2 its I)rln«:irr Ave. 

Show. . . at 

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Trlrphonr (304) 344-4li:t / 

|J 

If Canada's There, 

(VOock Luncheon Club held its Director Is Reason 

WINDSOR. ONT.—The activities of 

Jean Lefcbvre in coordinating the showing 

of Canadian films at global festivals were 

described in depth recently by John Laycock 

of the Windsor Star. The article, 

which imparted details of the vast cinematic 

held either office parties or luncheons to 

undertaking, follows: 

celebrate the h;lidays. 

Someplace in the world, right now. there's 

Tri-'" .1- Theatre Service held a beautiful 

probably a film festival going on—and Canada 

could quite likely be there, winning 

part. n.>r all the area film colony at its suite 

prizx's 

in the Film Arts Building, with Bob Rehmc 

and convincing the rest of the planet 

pli' 

•^t, 

Santa Claus. The festive occasion 

that we're overrun with skilled moviemakers. 

gave all film industryites an opportunity to 

say goodbye to Bob and to wish him the Wherever that festival may be, Jean 

best of everything in his new position as Lefcbvre should know about it. .\nd if Canada 

is represented, Lcfebvre more than 

general sales manager for New World Pictures 

in Los Angeles. His appointment was likely helped get us there. The federal government 

pays Lefcbvre to know—he's di- 

effective Thursday (1). 

rector of the secretary of state's film festivals 

Mr. and Mrs. Jay Goldberg of JMG- Film 

office. 

Co. spent the holidays touring the West Lcfebvre knows about the festival for 

Indies. 

amateur films, the festival for marine subjects, 

the festivals for sports or horror or 

Elaine Scherdcr, secretary to Paramount 

science-fiction films—even the one for films 

branch manager Larry St. John, was among 

about canned goods. They add up to about 

those on vacation during Christmas week. 

400 festivals a year and Canada is represented 

at about 100, the ones the festivals 

Back from Florida preholiday vacations 

office rates as 

were Jack Haynes 

having 

and 

some benefit for the 

his wife of Cincinnati 

Theatres and Billic Spiegel, secretary at 

country. 

Mvco Films. 

The problem with all this knowledge is 

passing it on to the people making the 

movies. Lcfebvre's operation is one of the 

OgdenPerry To Build 

few in Canada with any sort of comprehensive 

view of the country's movie indus- 

Twin in Biloxi Complex 

NEW ORLEANS—Earl Perry, president 

of Ogden-Pcrry Theatres recently announced 

the signing of a lease with American 

gether. 

National Insurance Co. to build an additional 

With his annual budget of $300,000 to 

twin cinema in the Hdgcwalcr Pla/a S4()().000, I efebvre 

Shopping City in Biloxi, Miss. The theatre to bring about this 

has a variety of ways 

meeting. Ho can pay the 

will be named the Rdgewater Plaza Cinema shipping costs for film prints, help with subtitling, 

assist major filmmakers attend festi- 

III and IV and will b;; built inside the mall 

area with a seating capacity of 27.'!. 

vals (but for no more than three days— the 

The newest OgdenPerry theatre, scheduled 

effects start to wear ofO- The office will 

to open February 25, is the Santa Rosa even buy its own print of a film that ap- 

Triple Cinema in Fort Walton, Fla. The pears particularly popular with festivals: 

circuit unveiled its Easig-ate Cinema IV in "Lcs Ordres" is this year's hit. 

Shrcveport November 14, 1975. 

The big push comes cich spring at 

Cannes, France. A prize at Cannes is probably 

second in prestige only to the Oscars, 

r«Tb«BESTESTA«i 

And away from the competitions, Cannes 

has become the biggest market for wheeling 

MSTfSf 

.md dealing film purchases and distribution 

SPEciat 

pacts. Canada lately has gained the reputation 

of being a wcll-i>rgani/eil deleg.ilum: 

I olebvre's in charge of the organizing. 

FILMACK 

( incma Canada, as his office describes 

l»7 ».Waba>h ct>i

—— 

— 

— — — 

4th 

— 

Hartford Filmmakers 

Planning 76 Special 

HARTFORD—Long-range planning is 

under way for a Connecticut-based motion 

picture project by The Media Group, newlyformed 

television production firm. The 

company, comprised of area talent, is presently 

developing a television special with a 

Bicentennial "musical" salute theme. 

Principals are Bob Dio, air personality 

on WEXT and WKSS, area radio stations; 

musicologist Leslie Rottner; attorney-playwright 

William Barnett; and actor George 

Piel. The firm is based at 114 Levesque 

Ave., West Hartford 06110. 

Court Upholds Land Act, 

Bars Animal Park Plan 

MONTPELIER, VT.—In a ruling with 

direct application to the entertainment field, 

the Vermont State Supreme Court has voted 

to uphold the State Environmental Board's 

ruling to prohibit construction of a proposed 

65-acre exotic animal park in Mount 

Holly, Vt. 

The ruling, in effect, proved capacity 

of Act 250, Vermont's basic land-use law. 

to withstand a strong legal challenge. The 

state's high court, while ruling that the 

basic structure and purpose of the act are 

valid, did not address itself to the issue 

of whether the state should compensate an 

owner for limiting the use of his land. 

Beat Pre-Christmas Slump 

MALDEN, MASS.—One theatre 

owner 

found a way to deal with the pre-Christmas 

slump. He closed the house until Christmas 

Day. Winthrop S. Knox, president of Middlesex 

Amusement Co. and operator of the 

Granada Theatre, said the reason for the 

shutdown of the theatre was "because there 

are no products worth showing." 

1949 'Columbus' Screened 

WEST HARTFORD—"Christopher Columbus," 

Universal 1949 release of a 

British-made drama co-starring the late 

Fredric March and his wife, Florence Eldridge, 

was screened on a recent Thursday 

night as a free attraction in Webster Hall 

at the main branch of the West Hartford 

Public Library. 

Joyce Regan Elected Head 

MYSTIC, CONN.— Mrs. loyce Regan of 

Olde Mystick Village (which contains the 

Village Cinemas 11), has been elected vice 

chairperson of the Chamber of Commerce 

of Southeastern Connecticut. 

New "Jerry Lewis' Going Up 

NEW MILFORD, CONN.—An early 

spring completion is planned for a 350-seat 

Jerry Lewis Cinema being built in the Plaza 

Seven Shopping Center. Walter Buell will 

operate the 

theatre. 

Actor Walter Pidgeon is a native of East 

St. John, N.B.. Canada. 

Conn. Cable TV Firm 

Raising Monthly Rates 

NORWICH, CONN.—Cable-Video, inc., 

will charge $8.35-per-month for delivery 

of cable television (CATV) to customers 

in its Norwich area franchise, unless the 

rate is challenged by the State Public 

Utilities Control Authority (PUCA), company 

president Peter Matthews said last 

week. 

A PUCA spokesman disclosed thai 

Cable-Video cannot provide its projected 

eastern Connecticut service until the PUCA 

gives approval, latter action not expected 

until 

April. 

In addition to the monthly tab, the company 

expects to charge $20 for installation 

of a 30-channel selector and a $20 deposit, 

refundable upon termination of service, according 

to Matthews. 

Subscription rates in the 18 CATV franchises 

across the state are ranging from 

S6.25 to $9.95, with installation fees anywhere 

from $12.95 to $24.95. 

Eastern Connecticut Cable Television, 

Inc. (of which Matthews is vice president), 

is charging a monthly rate of $8 in its New 

London franchise area. The PUCA has 

called that excessive and is fighting the figure 

in 

court. 

Coastal Cable Television, Inc., serving the 

Groton area, is charging a monthlv rate of 

$6.25. 

James Haley Closes House 

'Strain Was Tremendous' 

WETHERSFIELD, CONN.— ihe Orion 

Webb Co., which took over the Cine Webb 

last May on sub-l;ase from SBC Management 

Corp. of Boston, has suspended 

operations, with Haley and associates not 

disclosing future plans. 

Haley was quoted as saying, "it was a 

question of our peace of mind in the end. 

The strain of sitting there, evening after 

evening, wondering if anyone would show 

up, was tremendous." 

He also told the local weekly, Ihe 

Wethersfield Post: "It's only in the week 

or so since we closed that we've realized 

what a toll it was taking." 

INCORPORATIONS 

— Rhode Island — 

Goods and Plentee Entertainment Productions, 

Inc., Providence 02902; officer, 

Ronald A. Tagliaferri: 200 shares, no par 

common; to provide "live" enterlainnient 

and allied operations. 

Movies, Inc., Bristol 02809; officers, 

Raymond G. and Eleanor C. Bilodeau; 

100 shares, no par common; presentation 

of movies, plays, and related theatrical matters. 

'Couples Night' at Puritan 

DORCHESTER, MASS.—The Puritan 

Mall Cinemas 11 have been running a 

unique "Couple's Night" on designated evenings, 

charging S2.50-per-couplc. 

'Cuckoo's Nest' Flies 

To 700 in Boston 

BOSTON—"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's 

Nest" opened to f.mtastic reviews and an 

impressive audience response, winging its 

way to the top of the competition with a 

lofty 700 at the Chcri 1. Meanwhile. "The 

Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter 

Brother" snooped out a smart 600 average 

at the Pi Alley in its "elementary" week. 

"The Killer Elite" blasted its way to a deadly 

500 during its entry at the Savoy I. "The 

Sunshine Boys" took a sunny bow at the 

Cheri II and softshocd off with a terrific 

400. And "The Magic Flute" played an 

above average tunc of 240 in its opening 

concert at the Charles. 


Beacon Hill—A Boy and His Dog (SR), 4th wk 120 

Charles—The Magic Flule (SR) 240 

Circle Cinema Three Days of the Condor 

(Para), Ilth wk 125 

Cheri I—One Flew Over Ihe Cuckoo's Nest (UA) 700 

Cheri II—The Sunshine Boys (MGM-UA) 400 

Cheri III—Lies My Father Told Me (Col), 

6th v/k 100 

Cinema 57 I—-Dog Doy Afternoon (WB), 11th wk. 125 

Cmema 57 II—Mahogany (Para), 9th wk 125 

Exeter ^Swept Away (by an tJnusual Destiny 

in the Blue Sea of August) (Cinema 5), 

10th wk 130 

Gary— The Human Factor (Bryanston), 3rd wk 120 

Orson Welles Cinema—Hester Street (SR), 

10th wk 185 

Pi Alley The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' 

Smarter Brother (20lh-Fox) 600 

Savoy I—The Killer Elite (UA) 500 

Saxon—Inside Out {WB) , wk 120 

West End Cinema Intimate Playmates (SR); 

Swinging Stewardesses (SR), 3rd wk 130 

'Pain' Registers Spanking 175, 

But Double-Bill Pulls in 185 

HARTFORD — The Ernest A. Grccula 

Art Cinema rang up 185 with a double-bill 

states rights adult film program, composed 

of "Marilyn and the Senator" and "Blackmail 

for Daddy." Another states rights release, 

"A Pain in the A - -." in four cinemas, 

hit 175. Beyond that, it was either a holdover 

or rerun. 

Art Cinema Marilyn and the Senator 

(SR); Blackmail for Daddy (SR) 18.S 

Cinema City II—Hester Street (NWP), 3rd wk 130 

Cinema Citv IV— If You Don't Stop It, You'll Go 

Blind (Topar), 12lh wk 65 

Four theatres—A Pain in the A - - (SR) 175 

Showcase I— Mahogany (Pcrra), 6th wk 135 

Showcase III The Other Side ol the Mountain 

(Univ). 4th wk 70 

Showcase IV— Three Days of the Condor (Para), 

9th wk 100 

Three theatres Conduct tlnbecoming (AA) 

3rd wk 90 

Three theatres—The Night Caller (Col), 4th wk 70 

Webster—Sensations (SR), 4th wk, 150 

Three Double-Bills Make Up 

Front Runners in New Haven 

NEW HAVEN— Three new programs 

uniquely enough, at least for New Haven, 

all double-bills — chalked up moderately 

brisk returns, ranging from 185 (NWP's 

"Crazy Mama") to 175 (states rights' "llsa. 

She Wolf of the SS") to 165 (llA's "Rancho 

Deluxe"). 

College—Craiy Mama (NWP); Big Bad Mama 

(NWP) 185 

Lincoln—Rancho Deluxe (tJA); Hearts of the West 

(MGM-UA) 165 

Roger Sherman—llsa. She Wolf of Ihe SS (SR); 

Hommer of God (SR) 175 

Showcase II—Mahogany (Para), Bih wk 150 

Showcase III—Three Days oi the Condor (Para), 

9th wk 135 

Showcase IV—The Other Side of the Mountain 

(Univ), 4th wk 75 

Showcase V— A Boy and His Dog (LQ |if); 

3rd wk 115 

York Square Cinema Swept Away (by an 

Unusual Destiny in the Blue Sea of August) 

(SR), 8th wk 125 

BOXOFFICE :: Jimuary 5, 1976 NE-1

iODE ISLAND 

Di-dstoni- I hcalri-s, in an unusual "salute' 

to a regional premiere, look full-page 

ad space in the Providence Journal-Bulletin 

Sunday editions' weekend arts supplement 

to herald the opening of UA"s "The Killer 

Elite." 

as 

Jack NichoKon is not one to mince words 

far as voicing loyalty to the industry thut 

And at a iinie in industry booking patterns 

when single-screen scheduling of a 

major release is increasingly rare. General 

Cinema Corp. opened MGM-U.\'s "The 

Sunshine Boys." in an exclusive Rhode 

Island premiere at its Warwick Mall Cinema. 

has brought him worldwide recognition. Interviewed 

by the Rhode Island press, in 

conjunction with openings of UA's "One 

Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." Nicholson 

noted: "I am a movie man myself. There's 

no ground to be gained by selling an inch 

to TV. I sometimes think I'm sort of an 

anachronism like a theatre actor in the 20s 

who won't gel into the movies. For instance. 

I don't want to see 'The Last Detail' on TV. 

It's very much against the artist to have a 

thing taken from one medium to another. 

And you know they're going to chop it all 

up." 

'Peter Proud' Pulls Over 

$16 Million Grosses 

HOLLYWOOD— "The Reincarnation of 

Peter Proud," a Bing Crosby Production 

distributed in the domestic market by 

Cinerama/AIP, has racked up more than 

S16 million at the boxofficc to date in the 

U.S. and Canadian markets, according to 

BCP president Charles A. Pratt. 

Among contributing factors in the film's 

outstanding success were the bcsi-selier 

biK.k editions — hard-cover and paperback 

versions. With the hard-cover book a best 

seller. Bantam had more than a million 

copies of the paperback edition on order 

a week before the film's release, and they 

sold fast, spurred on by the favorable reviews 

of th;: picture. 

Max i:hrlich, the author ol ihc book. 

also did the screenplay of the film, which 

was produced by Frank P. Rosenberg, 

directed by J. Lee Thompson, starring Michad 

.Sarra/in and Jennifer O'Neill. Prati 

was executive producer. 

Avco i:mbassy is handling F:uro|Kan ilisirihuii(»n 

ol "Pclcr 

' 

Proud 

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Jeanne Moreau Turns 

Movie Director 

PARIS, FRANCE—Imperturbable actor 

Lee Mai^'in once said of Jeanne Moreau. 

leading French movie star since 1948. "She 

is the most sensual woman on the screen 

today." Now, the actress has turned director 

and is working on her first film, for which 

she also wrote the script. Miss Moreau'^ 

premier directorial effort is titled 'Lumiere.' 

"I'm determined the women will he realistic," 

the actress-director told Patricia Pui- 

Ian of the Baltimore Sun's Paris Bureau. 

"There do not seem to be any good part-, 

for women in today's films—and you know 

why? Because the men who write the scripts 

no longer really know their women. The 

ones they know, sleep with and work with 

are no longer representative of all women, 

as they once were. Women's lib has changed 

the world. I'm not liberated. No woman 

IS. Being free is a far different kettle ol 

fish." 

The article by Ms. Pullan which resulted 

from an interview with Miss Moreau follows: 

A slender si/e ten in her crispK tailored, 

cream-colored Cardin two-piece. Miss Moreau's 

very "lived in" suntanned face with 

its deeply shadowed eyes is a far cry from 

the conventional celluloid women. Her beestung 

mouth turns down at the corners 

petulantly and her voice is metallic as she 

recalls Louis Malle. the well-known French 

film director and her close friend, who once 

ordered her to "look lustful" during one 

of the movies they were making together. 

"It is a k\ik I seem lo have maslw'red." 

she 

chuckled. 

Last May. Miss Moreau was president 

ol the Cannes Film Festival jury. "It came 

as a surprise to me because I hardly ever 

go to movies. I took my job very seriousK 

I here was enough paperwork to choke .i 

horse." 

"What made SDii turn lo directing.'" 

"Artists can't go i>n living in the past— 

when they are past 40," she said, "and as 

I have got to continue working. I think 

it is the ideal solution for me." Miss Moreau 

was born Jan. 23, 1928, in Paris, the daugh 

ler of Anatole-Desire Moreau, a restaurateur, 

and an linglish mi)ther. K.ithleeii 

Buckley. In 1949. she married Jean-I.oiiis 

Richard, the actor .ind lilm director and 

they have a son, Jerome. I he ntarriage 

ended in divorce but she is still on the best 

of terms with her ex-husbund 

"Another marriage'.'" 

.She shrugged her shouUleis .iiul spieail 

her hands. "Have you ever pondered on 

liiiw shoii a love life most ol us eii)o\ ' 

iwenlyfive years, perhaps, at most'.' I o 

lo\e completely requires time. Nobody h.is 

the liiiic, liula\. People want love but .is a 

suleline. something wonder! ul which does 

not mess .ibout with their careers. \^\.\^ 

applies lo both men and women. lo realK 

love, one nuist be prepared lo give up an 

.iwful lot of things and even then Iheie is 

.iKvays the nagging thought: Will it last'.'" 

She sippeil her colfee, wrinkled her brow 

and continued "Real reliilioiisliips exist on 

need— that's what lasts—not love. I was 

c\nical about love when 1 was a young girl. 

Then, one lover was never enough. I enjoyed 

the. let's say, complications." 

Miss Moreau went to the telephone and 

returned. "I usually choose younger men 

because I like them. .Age does not protect 

you from love but love, to some extent, 

protects you from age. To age well it helps 

to have two things—fame and money. And, 

of coulee, an interesting face. I made a 

decision about my life many years ago and 

that was never to allow anyone to cut out 

even a tiny piece of my existence. I decided 

to live it exactly as I choose. If it 

is a lousy day, as I draw the curtains ot 

my bedroom, I decide not to get up. I just 

stay in bed with a good book. I'm an avid 1 

reader. Sometimes 1 don't go out for days 

on end. I don't feel a bit guilty. So many 

people think a day is wasted if they haven't 

achieved one important thing that day. I 

know, because I used to feel that way. but 

i have grown out of all that, thank God." 

She shook her head sadly: "Film directing 

is going to knock the bottom out of my 

carefully planned world. I'm lucky if I can 

get a good night's sleep and an uninterrupted 

meal, but as I have always been a tiny eater 

and prefer snacks, I'm not complaining. 1 

got into this thing with my eyes wide open," 

she laughed, returning to the set. 

Variety Club Tent 25 

Award to Geo. Burns 

HOLLYWOOD—George Burns has been 

named the recipient of the Sunshine Merit 

Award b\' the Variety Club of Southern 

California Tent 25. reports Milton I. 

Moritz, 

president of the showmen's organization devoted 

to aiding handicapped and needy children. 

The presentation will be made to 

Burns at the club's first 1976 luncheon 

meeting to be held January 14 in the Grand 

Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton Hotel. 

In m.iking the announcement. Moritz 

said. "George Burns' humor literally has 

brought 'sunshine' into the lives of countless 

people all over the world, bringing joy and 

happiness to young and old. We of Variety 

are indeed delighted to honor this great 

showman." 

Proceeds from the e\ent will go to Tent 

2.'5's Sunshine Co.ich lund which, since 1964, 

h.is provided over ."^0 mini-buses to transport 

ph\sically handicapped btiys and girls in the 

Southland. 

I'ickels, available to members and the 

general public, may be obtained from the 

Variety Club, 125 .South Robertson Blvd., 

I OS Angeles 9|H)4S. or h\ calling (21 W 274- 

S7I7. 

.Actor Ryan O'Neal started his tilm industry 

career .is .i st.iiulin .iiul .is .i stunt- 

III. Ill 

IMMIDIATI 

"" 

60c »ou*w '001 lilli. \ 

CMPllll mil) WMMT Mill tN IMIN / 

Hoxonict. J.MUl.ll \ 1970

. . The 

— 

— 

Dimension to Distribute 

24 Features in 1976 

LOS ANGELES—Dimension Pictures 

has acquired additional space for its releasing 

company at 9000 Sunset Blvd. 

According to president Lawrence H. 

Woolner. Dimension will distribute 34 theatrical 

features in 1976. 

Post-production on Dimension Pictures' 

theatrical feature. "Dixie Dynamite," had 

been set to start December 22. Tlie outdoor 

action film stars Warren Oates and the producer 

was Wes Bishop. The feature was 

directed by Lee Frost. 

Woolner has slated national release of 

the film for April 14. 

WORCESTER 

The Kaleidoscope Cinema, suburban Clinton, 

came up with something rather 

innovative for repeat bookings of UA's "Bananas," 

the Woody Allen comedy; it distributed 

free bananas to first 50 ticket-buyers 

at 8 p.m. showing only on a recent Sunday 

night. For the afternoon trade, the cinema 

charged $1 admission for a double-bill, 

starting at 1 p.m., comprised of UA's "Tom 

Sawyer" and states rights' "The Werewolf of 

Washington." 

The Paris Cinemas II (auditorium two) 

advertised an adults-only admission of $2 

"this engagement only," playing states rights' 

sexploitation release, "S.O.S.," which is X- 

rated ... A $4-per-carload policy (regardless 

of number of passengers was in effect 

for AIP's "The Reincarnation of Peter 

Proud" and "Murph the Surf" (screen one), 

and Columbia's "Emmanuelle" and "California 

Split" (Worcester screen), at the Oxford 

Drive-In . Lincoln Plaza Cinema, 

showing repeat booking of Warners' 

"Mame," played up co-star Beatrice Arthur's 

television status, ads reading, "Lucille Ball 

and Beatrice Arthur (TV's "Maude'!)" 

MAINE 

Purlington-based exhibitor Merrill Jarvis, 

who heads Merrill Theatre Corp., 

jumped the gun on the opposition as far 

as "hosting" Santa Claus was concerned. 

He invited parents to bring youngsters to 

the Essex Twin Cinemas, Essex Junction, to 

meet the figure (Jarvis had a man dressed 

in suitable costuming) and register for a 

giant holiday season stocking. 

" 

Playing states rights' "Big Mo, the Jarvis 

Merrill's Showcase II printed audience 

quotes stemming from special preview showing. 

The Jarvis cinemas in the Burlington area 

are continuing their "Bargain Dollar Mati- 

. . . 

nees" on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. 

The SBC Burlington Plaza Cinemas II 

had rerun attractions in both auditoriums 

"The Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat" and 

"Fritz the Cat," auditorium one, and "Nashville," 

auditorium two. 

HARTFORD 

Îfred Alperin, former general manager of 

the Hartford Theatre Circuit, has come 

up with an economy-minded solution to his 

Monday-through-Friday commuting, encompassing 

600 miles a week. He is now 

registrar at Housatonic Community College, 

Stratford, and has joined a carpool from 

West Hartford. 

New London is getting a $1.5-million 

sports arena, with seating capacity of 4,000 

for hockey or ice shows and up to 6,000 for 

special attractions. Backing the venture are 

Robert McKearnon and Frank O'Connor. 

Columbia's "And Now For Something 

Completely Different" was screened (7 and 

9 p.m.) on a recent Friday in the Simsbury 

High School Auditorium, unedr sponsorship 

of Simsbury DeMolay. Admission was $1 

and refreshments were sold. Central Village 

school administrators arranged a showing of 

Columbia's "1776" at the Danielson Cinema 

for 140 students. 

Andy Rosselti, UA Theatres, tied up with 

WHCN-FM for large-scale promotion on 

Friday-Saturday midnight showings of Co- 

. . Wesleyan 

lumbia's "Easy Rider" and "Five Easy 

Seventeen metropolitan 

Pieces" (double-bill) . . . 

Hartford theatres had reprise week- 

end showings of "Superbug" . 

University's Center for the Arts is scheduling 

"D.W. Griffith: A Film Retrospective," 

encompassing 16 motion pictures, February 

1 through April 11. Admission to the 7:.30 

p.m. screenings will be by subscription only. 

The retrospective was arranged by New 

York's Museum of Modern Art on occasion 

of the centennial of the film pioneer's birth. 

It includes footage between 190S and 1931. 

Griffith died in 1948. 

Mrs. Janice Law Trecker, film critic for 

the West Hartford — News, has had her third 

book published "The Big Payoff," Houghton 

Mifflin Co. novel, which is said to strike 

a strong blow for women's equality in the 

international spy-and-suspense genre. 

Major media attention is focusing on the 

upcoming (February 1) start of a David 

Wark Griffith film retrospective in the Wesleyan 

University campus Cinema. In all, 16 

attractions are being screened on Wednesdays 

and Sundays through April 1, with a 

subscription series charge of $6. No single 

ticket sales are planned. 

Nat Segaloff, assistant promotion manager, 

was in from UA's New 't'ork home office 

for "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nesi" and 

visitors: John P. 

"Killer Elite" Other . . . 

Lowe, Redstone Theatres; Richard J. Wilson, 

SBC Management Corp. 

Murry Levine. who heads Mini Theatres 

Corp. of Connecticut, may have a law enforcement 

officer in the family in a few 

years' time. Son f.ric, who has worked in the 

Levine theatres, is a member of the West 

Hartford Explorers Post, which provides 

voluntary assistance for the town's police 

department. Eri\ a senior at Hall High 

School, tells Murry he'd like to get into a 

college with major emphasis on the subject. 

Levine interests include the Jerry Lew'is 

Cinemas, Canton and Suffield; and Queen 

Plaza Cinema, Southington. 

Ilartford-headquartcred Harold Konover, 

president of both H.K.. Theatre Corp. and 

H.K. Film Corp., came back from Miami 

Beach enthused over south Florida premiere 

of AA's "The Man Who Would Be 

King" in the newly-opened Loews-Konover 

Theatre in the Konover Hotel. 

Luddy House, suburban Windsor's teen 

drop-in center, announced a course in filmmaking, 

the end result to be a 10-minute 

motion picture on the town's Bicentennial. 

NEW BRITAIN 

The Levine Queen Plaza, Southington, ran 

a double-feature Friday-Saturday midnight 

show, charging 99 cents for all patrons 

for all seats for the three-hour program, 

comprised of "Dracula A.D. 1972" and 

"Crescendo." Normally, area cinemas feature 

a single attraction for weekend midnighters. 

Paul Macbeath, manager of the E.M. 

Loew's Farmington Drive-In, is not one to 

bypass ebullience in advertising, even for 

rerun attractions. With a triple-feature program 

("Buster & Billie," "White Line Fever" 

and "Aloha, Bobby & Rose"), Paul advertised: 

"REWARD! Yourself With 5—Hours 

— 5 Of Entertainment!" 

Special on "French Connection' 

WEST ROXBURY, MASS.—The Village 

Cinema advertised a "$1.25 Special" admission 

for rerun showings of 20th-Fox's 

"The French Connection, Part II." 

National Screen Service was formed in 

1920 to produce trailers. 

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BOXOFFICE ;: January 5, 1976 NE-3

SPRINGF I ELD 

The Mann Theatres' Kox, Springfield, 

played 2()ih-Fox's "Tora! Tora! Tora!" 

just after national network showing. The 

cinema had a SI. 25 charge for all patrons 

for all scats for the 2 p.m. screening on a 

Sunday. 

AIP's "Hcniiessj" had a long-delayed 

western Massachusetts premiere at the E.M. 

Loew's Palace Cinema. West Springfield, on 

a double-bill with AIP rerun. "Born Losers." 

The suburban cinema followed this program 

with a "Prc-Christmas Film Festival," charging 

SI for all patrons for all seats at all times. 

for shows comprised of recent releases and 

reruns. Ads urged newspaper readers: "Clip 

this ad and use as your guide to first class 

entertainment at money-saving prices!" 

The film, "A Brand New Life," starring 

Cloris Leachman and Martin Balsam, was 

shown, admission-free, on a recent Wednesday 

night at 7 p.m. at the Pine Point Branch 

Public 

Library. 

John P. Lowe, western New England division 

manager. Redstone Theatres, and 

Robert Kozak. resident managing director. 

Showcase VL West Springfield, conducted 

a newspaper coloring contest ahead of reprise 

booking of Buena Vista's "Snow White 

and the Seven Dwarfs." winners receiving 

free tickets plus sets of color drawings. The 

winning entries, for good measure, were 

displayed at the complex. 

The Parkway Drive-In, North Wilbraham. 

had a strong combination in triple- feature 

show, composed of "Cooley High," "Cornbread, 

Earl and Me," and "Super Fly." It 

went into a second week—something unusual 

for area undcrskyers. 

General Cinema Corp. brought back 

"Supcrbug" for Saturday-Sunday showings 

(1 and 3 p.m.), with a $1.2.'i admission for 

all patrons for all scats. 

A lellcr to the editor, appearing in the 

morning Spring! leld Union, cited I'aramount's 

"Mahogany," the writer asserting, 

"Harry Ciordy, director, succeeded with 

'Mahogany,' to prove a black picture can 

be worthy without being facetious or pornographic." 

Joliii P. I.owe, western New England divi- 

%ion manager, Redstone Iheatres, and Robert 

Ko/ak, managing director. Showcase 

Cincma.

Above 

, 

- 

. 

^ 

Three Starters Rank Asfral Bellevue-Pafbe Announces 

Among 7 'Excellent' 

5J5 Million in Film Production 

FDMONTON—Seven EDMONTON—Seven motion nictures. pictures, "^ 

three of them starters, are sporting "excellent" 

ratings here. "Old Dracula" sprang up 

at the Capitol Square 2 with a high score 

as did openers "Whiffs." nosing around the 

Odeon 1 and Plaza 1. and "Welcome to M> 

Nightmare." blaring at the Towne Cinema. 

Other "excellent" products included "Part 

2 Walking Tall" at the Avenue for the third 

outburst; "The Wonder of It All." musing 

for the second time at the Capilano; "Three 

Days of the Condor." striking a nice stride 

in the eighth lap at the Capitol Square 3: 

and "Let's Do It Again." racing through the 

eighth episode at the Garneau. 

Avenue—Part 2 Walking TaU (AFD), 

3rd wk Excelllenl 

Capilano—The Wonder of It ftU (PR) 

2nd wk Excellent 

Capitol Square 2—Old Dracula (AFD) Excellent 

Capitol Square 3—Three Days of the Condor 

(Para), 8th wk Excellent 

Capitol Square 4—Conduct Unbecoming 

(IFD) Very Good 

Garneau—Let's Do It Again (WB), 

8th wk Excellent 

Klondike—Liszlomania (WB) Very Good 

Meadowlork—The Homecoming (AFD) Fair 

Odeon 1 Plaza I—Whiffs (IFD) Excellent 

Odeon 2—The Way We Were (Astral), 

6th wk Very Good 

Paramount—Toke a Hard Ride (BVFD), 

2nd wk Good 

Plaza 2, Rialto I^Devil and Leroy Bassett 

(IFD) 

Fair 

Roxy—Beyond the Door (IFD), 3rd wk Very Good 

Strand-Treasure Island (BV). Dr. Syn, Alias 

"the Scarecrow' (BV) 

Towne Cinema—Welcome to My Nightmare 

Good 

(AFD) 

Excellent 

Varscona—The Apprenticeship of Duddy Eravitz 

(Astral), 2nd wk Good 

Westmount A—Lies My Father Told Me (Astral), 

2nd wk - Very Good 

Westmount B—Special Section (AFD) Poor 

'Hearts of West' Rounds Up 

'Good' for Vancouver First 

VANCOUVER—"Hearts of the West" 

rode into Lougheed Mall and Park Royal 

Twin with a "good." and the other starter. 

"SuperVixens" rated an "above average" 

run in its first week at the Vogue. 

Bay—Charlotte (AFD), 2nd wk Good 

Coronet—Stardust (Col), 3rd wk Average 

Denman Place—Dog Day Afternoon (WB), 

7th wk Above Average 

Downtown—Three Days of the Condor (Para), 

7th wk Above Average 

Lougheed Mall, Park Royal Twin—Hearts of the 

West (UA) Good 

Lougheed- Mall—Let's Do It Again (UA). 

7th wk - 

Average 

Odeon—Whiffs (IFD) -- Above Average 

RiHae—Conduct Unbecoming (IFD), 

2nd wk- Above Average 

Str>-lev—Ues My Father Told Me (Col), 

3rd wk ..flbove Average 

Varsity—Down the Ancient Stairs (BVFD), 

2nd wk Fair 

Vogue—SuperVixens (IFD) Above Average 

Calgary Displays 'Excellent' 

On Five Motion Pictures 

CALGARY— Five motion pictures ranked 

"excellent" in Calgary. "Whiffs." breathing 

at the North Hill and Uptown 2. inhaled 

a top rating along with "The Wonder of It 

All, contemplating its second turn at the 

Brentwood and Westbrook 3; "Let's Do It 

Again," scampering through the eighth 

caper at Calgary Place 2; "Three Days of 

the Condor," marching in its eighth trek al 

the Palliser Square 1. and "The Other Sid 

of the Moimtain," slushing down the ISth 

slope at 

Brentwood, Westbrook 3—The Wonder of It All 

(PR), 2nd wk Excellent 

Calgary Place 2—Let's Do It Again (WB), 

8th wk Excellent 

the Towne Red. 

BOXOmCE :: January 5. 1976 

TORONTO— Harold Greenberg. president 

of Astral Bellevuc-Pathe of this city 

and Montreal, has announced that his company 

plans to produce Sl.î million worth of 

feature films in Canada over the next 12 

months. This is the largest production package 

ever assembled in this country and will 

involve a number of key global co-producers, 

international star actors and actresses 

and. in some instances, investments by the 

Canadian Film Development Corp. 

At the present time. Astral Bellevue- 

Pathe has two feature films in production: 

"The Breaking Point," a $1,1 million thrilleraction 

story, with 20th Century-Fox and 

the CFDC. being filmed in Toronto with 

Bo Svenson and Robert Culp heading the 

cast, and "The Little Girl Who Lived Down 

the Lane," a $1.1 million thriller being made 

in Montreal with co-producer Alexis Smith 

and Martin Sheen. 

Greenberg said the following projects are 

set for this year: A $3 million musical version 

of "David Copperfield." an Anglo- 

Canadian co-production with music by Al 

Kasha and Joel Hirschenhorn. who composed 

the Oscar-winning scores for "The Towering 

Inferno" and "The Poseidon Adventure." 

It is planned to film "David Cooperfield" 

in Victoria, B.C., with Art Carney, 

Bette Davis, John and Hayley Mills and 

rock star David Essex being approached 

for roles. 

With co-producer Carlo Ponti. Astral 

Chinook, Palace—Treasure Island (BV)/ 

Dr. Syn, Alias 'the Scarecrow' (BV) Very Good 

Grcmd I—The Rocky Horror Picture Show 

(BVFD) Very Good 

Grand 2, Westbrook 2—Devil and Leroy Bosselt 

(IFD) 

F-^'- 

North Hills, Uptown 2—Whiils (IFD), 


Odeon 1—The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz 

(Astral) 

Fair 

Odeon 2—laws (Univ). 24th wk 

Good 

Palliser Square 1—Three Days of the Condor 

(Para), 3th wk - Excellent 

Palliser Square 2—Welcome to My Nightmare 

(AFD) 

Very Good 

Towne Blue—From Beyond the Grave (AFD) Good 

Towne Red—The Other Side of the Mountoin 

(Univ), 18th -xk Excellent 

Uptown 1—Part 2 Walking Tall (AFD) Very Good 

Westbrook 1— If You Don't Stop It. You'll Go 

Blind (PR) Very Good 

'Whiffs' 

Smells 'Excelled' 

In Bow; "Grave' Digs Top Score 

WINNIPEG — The sole opener "Whiffs" 

sniffed out an "excellent" rating at the 

Northstar II. "From Beyond the Grave" 

haunted the Metropolitan for the second 

week and scared up the other "excellent" 

reported this week. 

Capitol—Let's Do It Again (WB), 8th wk. Very Good 

Colony—Welcome to My Nightmare (AFD), 

2nd wk Good 

Downtown—Girls on the Make (C-P): 

The Miner's Wife (C-P' Average 

Garnck I—Old Dracula i Astra!), 3rd wk Average 

Garrick 11— Confessions of a Window Cleaner 

(Col), 3rd wk Very Good 

Grant Park—The Secrets of a Door-to-Door 

Salesman (IFD' 2r.dv,-k Average 

Kings—The Wonder of It All IPR), 3rd wk. Average 

Metropolitan—From Beyond the Grave (AFD), 


Northstar I— Lies My Father Told Me (Astral). 

3rd wk V»''Y '^°°'' 

Northstar Il-Whifls (BVFD) .Excellent 

Odeon—The Other Side of the Mounlau (Univ). 

15th wk Average 

Bellevue-Pathe has scheduled "The Wolves," 

a $2..5 million Franco-Canadian thriller; 

"Shameful." a S2.3 million western to be 

co-produced with Britain's Rank Organization 

and direckd b> Peter Collinson ("The 

Italian Job," "Up the Junction" and "The 

Penthouse"). Shooting is planned for western 

Canada. 

Marcello Mastroianni is to star in "The 

Outcry." a $1.2 million co-production with 

Quebec Cine Video due to be filmed in 

Montreal in February. Also slated for Montreal 

filming at the same time is "Mad-Dog 

Vachon," a $1.4 million fictional biography 

of a Quebec wrestler. Sandy Howard is 

scripting and Bo Svenson will 

head the cast. 

As well, there is an untitled $1.5 million 

film due to be made here in Toronto by 

next March with 20th Century-Fox as coproducer. 

In addition. Astral Bellevue-Palhe 

has provided script development funds to 

Mordecai Richler and Ted Kotcheff for a 

film based upon Richler's novel. "St. Urbain's 

Horseman." which is due to be made 

next year with a budget approximating $1 

million. 

"Canada can become a major movie production 

center." Greenberg told Sid Adilman 

of the Star. "And we're going to make 

happen. This kind of program undoubtedly 

it 

will enlarge the appetite of other 

producers 

to follow us—and it all will be good for 

Canada." 

Polo Park-Three Days of the Condor (Para), 

9th wk ...Good 

Toronto's 'Dog Day' 'Excellent'; 

New Entries Makes 'Good' Showing 

TORONTO—Only "Dog Day Afternoon" 

warmed up enough to obtain an "excellent" 

reading on the first-run thermometer. 

Three openers scored good readings, 

however. "Welcome to My Nightmare"" registered 

a "very good" in its first number at 

the Imperial Six and "Cooley High" rated a 

"good" in the opening week at the York 1. 

while "The .'Xnti-Christ"" nailed up a ""very 

good" in its first appearance at the Park and 

Uptown 1 

Capitol Fine Art— The Amorous Milkman (IFD) — Ppoi 

Eglinlon—Rooster Cogbum lUniv) Fail 

^ 

Five theatres— If You Don't Slop It. You'll Go 

BUnd (PR), 3rd wk Goo.a 

Hollywood North—Mahogany (Para), 8th wk, Fan 

Hollywood South, Imperial Six—Three Days ol 

the Condor (Para), 8lh wk —Fair 

Hyland 1—The Night Caller (Col), 3rd wk Fair 

Hyland 2—laws (Univ), 24th wk Fail 

Imperial Six—Welcome lo My Nightmare 

(AFD) 

Very Good 

Imperial Six—The Human Factor (Astral), 

2nd wk Good 

; 

Imperial Six—Old Dracula (AFD), 2nd wk ......^Foir 

Imperial Six—Diamonds iBVFD), 2nd wk, _^.,.Good 

. 

International Cinema— Love and Anarchy (IFD), 

2nd wk 

Vet-y Go°^ 

^^ 

Park, Uptown—The AnIi-ChrisI (AFD) Very Good 

Towne Cinema— Lies My Father Told Me (Astral), 

lOlh wk, Fail 

, 

University—Dog Day Afternoon (WB), 

6lh wk, Excellent 

Uptown 2— Let's Do It Again (WB). 9lh wk Good 

Uptown 3— Hearts of the West (UA). 6ih wk Good 

Yonge—The Man With a Golden Arm (UA)/ 

Live and Lot Die CJA) 2nd wk Fair 

York 1—Cooley High (AFD) Good 

K-1

' 

CALGARY 

At laj>l report, ii was indicated that a firm 

"iciilcment of the nationwide postal 

strike was very indefinite but, at this time 

(December 17), things seem to have been 

resolved. The federal government deserves 

thanks for overriding the first decision on a 

wage dispute that the anti-inflationary board 

had issued. The board was set up by the 

federal powers-ihat-be to rule on any inflationary 

hike in wages or prices; the first 

time it gave oi.t a ruling, the governing body 

vetoed it. 

The edict by the board that the wages 

agreed upon in the postal workers" dispute 

was that the increase was invalid, as it overstepped 

the guidelines on inflation. This 

drew a prompt and frenzied response from 

post office employees—such as protest 

meetings, voles to go out on strike again, 

etc.—which in turn resulted in the parliamentarians 

slapping the board's collective 

wrists and approving the wages agreed upon 

by the union and the postal department. 

So, it is back to work—or to what the 

postal employees laughingly call work—and 

the usual terrible service that is as bad as 

none at all. At least when there is a strike 

no one expects any service; but when the 

union members have gained a raise in wages 

and return to work we should be able to 

expect, at the very least, reasonably adequate 

deliveries. However, as we all know, 

such is not the case and we are limping 

along with the disgraceful lack of service 

that is called "normal." 

Jim McLaughlin, manager of Victoria 

Shipping, took a couple of days away from 

the job for some optical repairs in the hospital. 

Apart from a certain tenderness, Jim 

says his eye is back to "almost as good as 

new." 

Calgary Film Society screened "I.'Etrangcr" 

for its members December 1 1 in the 

Jubilee Auditorium. I his l.uchino Visconti 

film, starring Marcello Mastroianni, was 

made in Italy and F'rance. 

I he l.uliurttaru I hi-ulrv, I'cacc Kiver, has 

been st)ld to Jim A Keed ol Kimbey. Bob 

I.eikam of Peace River will manage the 

house . . . The Calgary Zoological Society 

December 15 held its annual meeting in the 

Jubilee Auditorium and, before the business 

portion of the event got under way, a lilm 

was shown, "Helore the Deluge," with Clill 

Wallis and Cleve Weishler, a natural history 

documentary ol the grasslands ol southern 

Alberta. showin|L' llie diversity ol ihe land 

and giving u close-up look al Ihe mammals, 

>VANTED 

3MM TRAILERS 

Any iiuiintilY /luo /uni ./ 

^/"|. 

liinliiil: 


I "T,:.'.!'!" 

• "J"!"" 6763 Hollywood Bivd 

• :,,': to-, Ant)rlpt, Co ')00?8 

birds, insects, reptiles, flowers and grasses 

of the region. Admission was by a 1975 zoo 

membership card. 

Any Edmonlonian boasting Polish heritage 

had an opportunity to view a Polish 

film Sunday, December 21. in the Student 

Union Building on the University of Alberta 

campus. "Potop—The Deluge, Part 1" was 

shown, a picture that won an Academy 

Award nomination for Best Foreign Picture. 

It had English subtitles. Tickets were available 

to the public at the door. Sponsor of the 

screening was the 

Polish Students Ass'n. 

In Edmonton, the National Film Board 

presented a free film program on Quebec, 

picture titles including "Les Bucherons de 

la Manouane," "Jour Apres Jour," "La 

Dravc" and "Les Raquctters" . . Another 

. 

free film program in lidmonton was presented 

by the Boreal Circle, featuring films 

on Canada's northern area. Screened in the 

Biological Sciences Center, University of 

Alberta, the following titles were included: 

"Canol Road," "Trial by Ice." "The Loon's 

Necklace," "The Owl and the Lemming," 

"Eskimo Artist—Rcnojuak." "The Colors 

of 

Price" and "Pan^znirlung." 

Vern llaraldson. United .^rtists branch 

manager, is the only exchange chief who 

can boast proudly of "the biggest and best 

year we have had" in this city. All in all, it 

has been a very good year for the film 

industry in this territory, with several smash 

hits that broke record after record. While 

there have been a few shutterings. by and 

large the new theatres that have opened in 

our district are numerically superior. The 

Famous Players complex. Capitol Square, 

in Edmonton topped all the houses with 

four cinemas under one roof. By all reports, 

this project is not suffering. Therefore, let's 

all hope that 1976 will be as kind to us as 

1975 was. 

Kdnionton Film Society December 15 

screened "I iltic Man, What Now?", a Lrank 

Borzage film produced in 19.^4, to mark the 

hallway point in its Classic Series. Margaret 

Sullivan starred in the story of the depression 

era in Germany. Admission was by 

membership only and thus viewers were restricted 

to persons 18 years of age and over. 

Sam Wendell Loses $2,467 

To Grab-and-Run Bandit 

VANCOUVER -- Sam Wendell, Famous 

Players relief man.iger. was Ihe target of a 

gr.ib-and-riui thiel on a recent l-riday night. 

Wendell was making .i deposit for Ihe Denm.ui 

Place al Ihe Royal B.uik in the l(M)() 

I'lock ol IVninart, when the b,ig C(ite Ihe motion picture "Jesus Christ 

Su|XMsl.lI 

^ our reporter's d.iugluer-inl.ixK. Doreen 

McUe.m, w.is shopping m Ihe di>«niown 

store ol the Bay I hursday, November 27, 

when Ihe slre;iker. fully cUnhed, appeared 

and held a public interview of sorts. .She 

asked a number of people if they had 

w. Itched the Cirey Cup g.utie on 1 \' and if 

they had seen her. When asked why she 

had imlulged in the exhibilii)!!, N.idia replied 

Ih.il It was because she "is a child of 

(hi 1st ,iiid sIk- w.inis everyone to know 

about Him and LOVI '." 

As long as Ms. Whitman is a citizen of 

Calgary -and can move about with freedom 

it wiiuld appear lh,il the citizenry 

always cm evpetl the une\pecleil! 

j 

K2 noXOFFICE :: J.uuiarv 5, I97

Sell . . . and Sell 

Scores of busy little messages 

go out every week to a tremendous 

audience — and they get a tremendous 

response! 

Every exhibitor is 

busy—buying, 

selling, renting, hiring. All this is 

made easier and more profitable 

with the classified ads in Clearing 

House each week. 

READ • USE • PROFIT BY— 

Classified 

Ads 

in 

BOXOFFICE 

Greatest Coverage in the Field—^Most Readers for Your Money 

Four Insertions for Price oi 

Three 

BOXOFHCE :: January' 5. 1976 

^"^

I 

• 

TORONTO 

The Nariel) Club ol Ontario Toni 28 held 

its Christinas luncheon-meeting December 

16 in the ballroom of the Royal 

York Hotel. Head table guests included 

Conrad Janis and Joyce Van Patten, stars 

of "Same Time Next Year." This was the 

annual nomination meeting Students 

of the Village Vocational School staged 

"Box and Cox" as their annual Christmas 

presentation Tuesday evening. December 

16. 

The National Him Board plans to establish 

a production unit here next spring and 

currently is seeking a suitable property in 

this area for the purpose. 

.•\nolher year came to a close, not without 

its problems and tribulations, but with 

a certain assurance that this wonderful business 

still has to give to a weary world. To 

all our friends and colleagues, the wish 

for "Peace on Earth" is extended with 

warmth and sincerity, with the prayerful 

hope that it may yet be achieved. Happy 

New Year to all! 

VANCOUVER 

. . . 

âiiancrial ihaiiyes: Oilvons Mary Iahi 

M.C ausLiiul has gone from the Haida, 

Victoria, to the British Columbia Film 

Classification Board . . . Larry Oya moved 

from the Counting House. Victoria, to the 

Haida . Bob Hankinson exits the Totem. 

. . 

North Vancouver, for the Counting House 

and Jack Henta succeeds Bob at the Totem 

Famous Players, wishing to keep veteran 

Ted Bielby on Granville Street after the 

closing of the Orpheum. moved him into th.- 

live across the street and slightly south 

Hasling's St. I.ux, run lor many yearN b\ 

Harry Howard (and associates), is now under 

the Cinepix banner and featuring so-called 

"adult" films. Veteran Canadian Picture 

Pioneer I.ou Segal continues to manage the 

house 

Varirl) « ImI> I iiil 47 held its first allcommiltce 

ineeliiig in early December to 

launch the 1976 lelelhon, slated to bo held 

at the Oueenie Ilieatre February 21-22. 

Peter Hariietl. lelcthiin chairman, announced 

officially thill for the third straight year 

colk-ctions have exceeded pledges by a sizable 

amount. Among chairpersons appointed 

for the 1976 telethon were; Lionel Cour- 

chmc. pledge booth; Vi Hosford, refreshments, 

and Jimmy Davie, boxofficc (where 

else) 

II would appear that Universal's "The 

Other Side of the .Mountain" set an all-time 

record for length of run in a sub-run theatre 

in the metropolitan area when it went 19 

weeks in the Haida. 

Richard .Sleinman has resigned as 16mm 

booker at Bellevue and has been succeeded 

bv Kathie Stadnyk. 

Astral Will Distribute 

Avco Embassy Product 

TORONTO— Locally based Astral Films 

began handling the Canadian distribution 

of all Avco Embassy Pictures theatrical 

releases, effective Thursday (1), it was announced 

by Phil Isaacs, Avco Embassy 

vice-president and general sales manager, 

and Michael "Mickey" Stevenson, president 

of Astral. 

"Our expanded release program of 15 

major films in 1976 will include some of 

the most important pictures in our company's 

history," Isaacs said, "and we believe 

that Astral will give them the kind 

of aggressive handling that will result in 

maximum grosses." 

Stated Stevenson, "We at Astral arc particularly 

pleased and proud to commence 

Canadian distribution for Avco Embassy 

Pictures. We look forward to working with 

Avco's superbly skilled new sales management 

team in bringing to the theatres of 

North America the finest in entertainment." 

Astral has offices in six major Canadian 

cities and is a division of Astral Bellevue- 

Pathe. 

Original 99Cent Roxy Is 

Hit by Inflation Spiral 

lOkONIO Intkilion h.is caught up 

with the Original 99-Cent Roxy Theatre 

here. December 16, admission prices at 

this Danforlh Avenue movie house increased 

by 51 cents. Thus, the house is 

being renamed the Original $1.50 Roxy 

Theatre. 

"Expenses keep going up." co-owner 

Gary lopp explained. "In four years, 

attendance hasn't gone down. We get an 

average .l.SOO customers a week. But advertising 

and printing costs and wages have 

gone up." 

lopp ,ind his parlner .ilso own the New 

Yorker. .Admission prices there are going 

up 50 cents to $2.50— for the same reasons 

Lensing Sci-Fier in BC 

\.\Ntt)r\IK Li S. piodiicei iliieclor 

lliil I ( loiilon, who wrote the sciecnpl.iv 

liii 

I Ik- I iH>d o( the Gods," sci liei b.iscil 

nil .1 iiovi-l l)\ II G. \S\-lls, h.is been liliniiu' 

ilic picliiie on Uiiwcii Isl.iiul I lu- picluic 

stars Marjoe Ciortner. R.ilph Meeker. Ida 

iipino and Pamela !-ranklin, among others 

Mutual Film Co. in 1916 signed Charlie 

li.iplin to a contract of $10,000 .i week 

( 

(ilus a lx)nu» of $I50.0{M). 

OTTAWA 

pilni distributors attempted to lure the 

crowds away from groaning tables of 

food into darkened theatres for a few hours 

by lighting marquees with titles of holiday 

film offerings. "Lucky Lady" opened December 

26 at Odeons St. Laurent L with 

"Killer Force" opening the same day at the 

St. Laurent II. At Odeons Somerset. "The 

Hindenburg" expkxled onto the screen 

Christmas Day. The George Segal starrer. 

The Black Bird." started unspooling the 

same day at Odeon's Elmdale. 

Famous Players also presented a tempting 

motion picture menu for moviegoers. "Tidal 

Wave" broke at the Rideau December 25. 

with "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" 

bowing at the Nelson December 20 . . . 

"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" fluttered 

into the Main Elgin December 18. 

while "The Sunshine Boys" brought a special 

glow to the Little Elgin the following 

day . . . "Dog Day Afternoon started " its 

premier unreeling at the Place de Ville I 

December 25, with "The Killer Elite" making 

its debut at the Place de Ville II the 

same day . . . Capitol Square I offered 

"Hustle" starting December 25; "The Man 

Who Would Be King" opened the same date 

at Capitol Square II. and "The Magic 

Flute" made a Christmas Day debut at 

Capitol Square III. 

John Colicos Takes Role 

In De Laurentiis' 'Drum' 

lORONlO — .\clor John Colicos. who 

has been portraying a mafia leader in "The 

Breaking Point." Canadian movie being 

filmed here, has announced that he svill not 

fulfill a commitment to appear in a stage 

role at Stratford. Onl. 

Colicos said that director Dino de I-aurentiis 

has offered him a major role in the 

motion picture "Drum." a sequel to "Mandingo." 

It appeared highly unlikely. Colicos 

said, that the film would be completed soon 

enough to enable him to participate in rehearsals 

at Sir.iiford. since they begin 

M.irch 8. 

Besides the part in the $4 million-budgeted 

"Drum," Colicos said that de Laurentiis 

has offered him an option for roles in several 

future motion picture productions. 

'Grizzly Adams' Held Over 

MONIKI M .Sun (lassies' " I he lite 

,ind limes of tiri//l> .-Xdams" went into a 

second ntonlh's st.i\ .ii the Colo dos Noighes 

Cinema. 

t'lNlR.\M.\lSlN 

S1UA\' lU SINLSSIN 

H.\\\.\ll IXX). 

Wlion yiHi coiiio to W^îkiki 

rj|VV. don't miss llio f.unous 

'liAWAii 

HoiM.s 

'^"" ll"Sh,nv ,it 

Cnui.iin.i s iu'.'l iov*.Vl>; Hotol 

ISUMKIKI Hill Milt I.MtllS IIH.IU^lin 

BOXOFTICE :: January 5. 197(>

BOXOFFICE BOOKINCUiDE 

An interpretive analysis of lay and tradepress reviews. Running time Is In porentheses. The plus ond minus 

signs indicate degree of merit. Listings cover current reviews regularly. (C' Is for CinemoScope; ^ Ponovision; 

® Techniroma; J) Other Anamorphic processes. Symbol (j denotes BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Award; All 

films ore in color except those indicated by (b&w) for black & white. Motion Picture Ass'n (MPAA) rotings: 

[g]—General Audiences; PG—All ages admitted (parental guidance suggested); [g]— Restricted, with 

persons under 17 not odmitted unless accomponied by parent or odult guardian; X— Persons under 17 not 

admitted. Notional Cotholic Office for Motion Pictures (NCOMP) ratings: A1 — Unobjectionable for Generol 

Patronage; A2— Unobjectionable for Adults or Adolescents; A3— Unobjectionable for Adults; A4— Morolly 

Unobjectionable for Adults, with Reservations; B—Objectionoble In Part for All; C—Condemned. Broadcasting 

ond Film Commission, National Council of Churches (BFC). For lUtings by company, see FEATURE 

CHART. 

Review digest 

AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX 

H Very Gocd; + Good; — Fair; — Poor; = Very Poor In the summary H is rated 2 pluses, — as 2 minuses.

i' 

REVIEW DIGEST. 

AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX - Vcry Good, • Good, - Foir; - Poor; = Very Poor In the sumrrwrjr rotcd 2 pluses, = as 2 minuses 

4790 Jacqutlint Suoaii'i Onct 

li Not Enouih (121) P«r» 6-23-75 

4788 Ja»i (124) At-0 Unit 6- 9-75 

Johnnx in tnc Vallty of Iht Ciintt 

(72) An-F MP Eihibilon Film 6- 9-75 

4829 Jury of Oni (100) ..Aico Embuiy 12-1S-75 

—K— 

4799 Kincufxti (119) 

King Lev (136) D 

B B 

PC A3 

-I lo- ' : * 

i- •* - >^ 

= 

' 

Hfw Lini 7- 7-75 E A4 + 

. ..Artkino 10- 6-75 H 

s I>izk|£zizoI s 

* i: - i: - 445^ 

H « + ft ++ U+ 

1-^ 

1-^ 

Uncilot of th< UU 

(85) S Urn Yort» 7-28-75 

J823 Lt«rnd of Amaluh. Th« 

A3 + 

(103) Doc-Ad Coldslont 11-17-75 gS 

4788 Ltptt (110) t Cr-0 WB 6- 9-75 B B 

l« Felines (85) Sei D A.R.T.. Inc. 10-20-75 

4816Let'i Do It Ajjin (112) C WB 10-20-75 PC A3 

4818 Lies My Father Told Mi 

(102) Col 10-27-75 PG A3 

4816 Liiitomania (105) M-F WB 10-20-75 iS B 

4805 Li» (95) Mclo Horizon 8-25-75 BI 

4790 Uit and Death (85) C UA 6-23-75 PG A3 

—B— 

4824 Magic Flute, The 

(134) M Surrogate 11-17-75 8S A3 

4820 Mahogaiy (110) D Para 11- 3-75 PG A3 

Man. a Woman and a Killer, A 

(78) D Richard R. Schmidt 9- 1-75 

4825 Man Friday 

(109) Ad-D A.co Embassy 11-24-75 PG 

4787 Man in the Glass Booth, Tha 

(117) D AFT S- 9-75 PG A3 

4832 Man Who Would Be King, The 

(129) Ad-D AA 12-22-75 PG 

4808 Man Who Would Not Die, The 

(83) My-0 Dandrea 9- 8-75 PG 

4811 Mailer Gunlighter, The 

(121) Ac-W ...Taylor-Laughlln 9-29-75 PG A3 

Melhadcne: An American Way of Dealing 

(62) Doc Methadone Info, Center 12-15-75 

4794 Mitchell (96) AcO AA 7-7-75 |BI B 

4821 Mr. Ouilp (118) M A.co Embassy 11-10-75 ES Al 

Mysteries From Beyond Earth 

(105) Ooc CincVuc 11-24-75 88 

+ 

6-t 

* 6J-2- 

2-1- 

—Pi- 

Naked Came the St/anger 

(89) Sei C Calalyit 6-23-75 t) 

4787 Niihiilli (159) M-D Pan 6-9-75 D A4 

4S2S Night Ciller. The 

(91) Ac-0 Col 11-24-75 ia B 

4826 Night Cod Screamed, The 

(85) Ho Cinemation 11-24-75 [K 

4785 Night Mim (100) My-D WB 

4797 Night Thry Robbed Big Bertha's. The 

(88) C Scoiir Americaa 

4810 Night «( a Thousand Call. Th( 

(75) Ho Trani-Int'l 

,„ tr,, stijdt UA 

:»ri? ;• Cil)

«N 

s« 

° 

I -=6 

•:S 

a: - 

. 

o 

si 

s 5 

I 12 

III 

1. 

if 

Ill - 

E = « 3 

— _ 

B 

LU ,5 

•Ml 

I'b' 

o 

>- 

o! 

>- 

o

' 

E 

' 

r* r* r^ 

2l 

5 a 

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MANUIL S CONOI 

Tht All-Awwlcan Woman . . 

Oitt 

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Th( Olcktalor X; » . « 

Affair in Cannes 

.0. Oct 75 

S»'««»n tht S*«t< C Hot 75 

Ottiint t NfOtunt Mtio Dec 75 

7 Sin» on 6th Street Ac. Dee 75 

Rtl. 

LIBERT FILMS INTT. 

Charlie Rich— The SM.er Foi 

Ol't 

in Concert (82) "'""• Z| 

Willie & Scralcti (88) W Junt 75 

Encounter IMth the Unknown 

,90) D. June 75 

So Sad About Gloria {"".ll 

Sle.le Sannon and Delilah 7b 

. 

Tif LUPid •» Koo- 

TrMiure ot Ihe Emerald Ca.e 

Tm 

00-Ad Jan 76 

OANORtA RILEASING CORP 

,„-, 00 Oct 75 

Vild Fury (90) ODAd Jan 76 

The Sollchblade 

T1,e AC/DC Caoee (92) C. Ocl 75 

[icjo. (0 the Sun (95) Ftb 76 

Siiten 

*c-t> Aor 75 Death H Not the End (92) Oct 75 

The NaiiQhlY Nvmohs 

Apr 75 And Baby Makn 

1M< C'im* (98) -„'^'''^* 

Tlir Man Wtw Would Not 

Die (83) "»•" Sent 75 

foof Turn lo Die "00) Mar 76 

. 

Sluntj nm Hadt Uie Mo.iw 

Alir76 

Faaoai 

COMING RELEASES 

ALLIED ARTISTS 

Jr.t Bttiy 

AMtmCAN FILMS, 

LTD. 

Panami Red (87) D May 75 

nt Oa» the UriJ Got Buiteil 

(fl) 

D..llay75 

SIranoer at Ho«« (95) 

Ereryday (8)) 

JOSEPH BRENNER 

Hirry and the Hoofcrrj 

The Girl in Room 2A 

Kidras 0' Mary Lou 

T"mi- Mllljn. Ilcnrj 

Lola (95) 

Rape Killer (82) . - - 

M.. 

t,,rf, i....i^'«, ti'trnlh^ 

Lady J (97) *t 

Cry o( a Projtilute . 

Ac 

••AMiinT muj 

Anita. S»rdl'h Nvmohtt 

Ilia She WoK of the SS 

(95) Sei Ho-O.. 

ttn-.\p'* IKt^ K&w 

Tht Altair (91) 

Relationj 191)

I 

the 

Opinions on Current Productions Feature reviews 

Symbol © denotet color; © Cinemascope; ® Panovlsion; ® Technlromo; ® a ther anamorphtc proceuas. For rtory lynopilt oa Mch picture, ie« reverse Jide. 

LUCKY LADY 

20th-Fox (04564) 

PG Comedy-Adventure 

® © 

117 Minutes Rel. Dec. '75 

It takes three to tango in "Lucky Lady," the trio being 

the 

Academy Award-winning Gene Hackman and Liza 

MinneiU, with friend Bui-t Reynolds. In her first film 

since her Oscar-winning role in "Cabaret" (1972 1. Liza 

inaKes a memorable character out of the singer and 

saloon owner who tinas riches and love with ner rumrunning 

cnums, Hackman and Reynolds. In a comedy 

for a change, Hackman proves irresistible, while the 

rugged Reynolds tackles a challenging part as a bumbling 

racKCteer and the odd man in the triangle. Apart from 

the menage a trois angle and the nostalgic setting (19a0), 

the film has garnered much publicity from its filming in 

Mexico and its ending. As wTitten by WiUard HuycK. and 

wife Gloria Katz, the story was in the action-aoventure 

vein. When Stanley Donen began directing for producer 

Michael Gruskoif, the comeoy was accented and the 

original ending—Hackman and Reynolds die—was shot 

but scrapped. A new ending, with the three leads as 

elderly people, was made in Rome. Currently, it winds 

up with the stars saUing away together. Geoffrey Unsworth's 

Panavision-DeLuxe Color photography is in soft 

focus. While the critics might be harsh, this lady appears 

to have what it takes to get lucky at the ticket windows. 

Gene Hackman, Liza Minnelli, Burt Reynolds, Robby 

Benson, John Hillerman, Geoffrey Lewis. 

THE ADVENTURES OF THE 

W'lLDERISESS FAMILY M A'"'""'^"'" 

Pacific Int'l Enterprises 100 Minutes Rel. Dec. '75 

Oiegon-based Pacific International Enterprises. Inc., 

bills Itself as a "universal force m family entertainment" 

production and distribution. Company president Ai'thui- 

R. Dubs has produced a feature in that vein, which 

Stewart Raitill directed from the latter's screenplay. Set 

in the magnificent Rocky Mountain region, the lilm tells 

of a hanasome young couple and their two children who 

forsake city life tor the advantages of nature. Ihe dangers 

they encounter make the film adventurous and entertaining, 

yet one would wonaer why they'd prefer coping with 

wild animals and the elements to the less physical trials 

of ui'ban livmg with its 

creatm'e comforts. Any husband 

and father coiisiaering a similar step would have to be 

as resourceful as Robert P. Logan, ruggedly handsome 

in the leaa. and have a wife as pretty and understanding 

as Susan Damante Shaw. Not to mention a son and 

daughter, Ham Larsen and Hollye Holmes, who do their 

share and a family dog who saves the family in numerous 

situations. Color by CFI enhances the beautiful settings 

greatly and there are two numbers delivered unobtrusively 

by Lee Dresser. "The Wilderness Family" and "To 

Touch the Wind." Performances are all appealing. 

Robert F. Logan. Susan Damante Shaw, Hollye Holmes, 

Ham Larsen, Buck Flower, William Cornford. 

THE BLACK BIRD 

Columbia (76010) 

PG 

Comedy 

® O 

98 Minutes Rel. Dec. '75 

Traditionally, remakes and sequels are not as good as 

the origmals. A rare case in point is the 1941 "The Maltese 

Falcon." which was the third screen version of the 

Dashiell Hammett tale and is regaraed by many as the 

best aetective movie of all time. The same film has inspired 

a sequel with George Segal starring as Sam Spade 

jr. David Giler, who wrote the screenplay, makes his 

debut as a director and also has a bit at the very end. 

Story by Don Mankiewicz and Gordon Cotler is wacky 

in the extreme, further embellished with sight gags 

along the way. French star Stephane Audran is the glamorous 

female lead, with veteran Lionel Stander co-starring. 

The actors also include two members of the 1941 

cast, Lee Patrick (Effie) and Elisha Cook .ir. (Wilmer), 

Signe Hasso. beautiful in an unbelievable part and Felix 

Silla as a midget menace, a bald-headed Nazi who wants 

the black bird

I 

WoojN. 

'"lid 

— 

FEATURE REVIEWS Story Synopsis; Exploifips; Adiines for Newspapers and Programs 

THE STORV: "Thf Killer Elite" (UA) 

An ullra-CIA organization. Com-Teg Associates, is assigned 

to guard aefectjr Helmut Dantine. Instead, agent 

Robert Duvall kiUs hun and wounds fellow agent James 

Caan in the arm and leg. Caan wills himself to recover. 

despite the danser of being permanently crippled, and . 

has an affair .with his nurse Katy Heflin. Superiors Gig '., 

Young and Arthur Hill decide to hand Caan the assignment 

of escorting Chinese leader Mako and his teenaêd 

dau;4hter Tiana. especially since old friend Duvall Is 

working for those who want Mako assassinated. Caan 

contacts his old team, garage owner Burt Young and 

supposedly insane Bo Hopkins, for aid. When Duvall 

holds Tiana hostage. Hopkins kills him. At the rendezvous 

point. Caan and men battle more foes. Hopkins 

being killed and Mako besting an old enemy. Caan sh:;ots 

traitorous Hill in the way he was wounded by Duvall and 

then refuses the unfeeling Young's offer to take over 

Hill's job. With Hill's bribe money. Caan departs with 

Young. 

EXPLOITIPS: 

The Peckinpah reputation, plus the Caan and Duvall 

names, should count for much on the marquees. The 

CIA angle is always an exploitable one. 

C'ATCHLINES: 

Men Wanted: Private Company With CIA Contract 

Seeks Men Willing to Risk Life. Perfect Physical Condition. 

Experience With Weaponry. Incendiaries. Karate/Judo. 

No Loyalties. Long Career Doubtful 

"'' 

CO, 

" 

THE STORY: "Lucky Lady i20th-Fox) 

In Tijuana, Mexico, in 1930, widowed Liza MinnelU 

sings at her late husband's saloon and has lover Burt 

Reynolds continue in the illegal alien business. Bad luck 

and Reynolds' ineptness cause the cargo to be lost at the 

border, whereupon Gene Hackman cuts himself in as a 

partner in a rum-running scheme. The three and young 

sailor Robby Benson team up to buy booze from cultured 

Michael Hordern and outwit rival runner John Hillerman 

and Coast Guard Capt. Geoffrey Lewis. Successful, 

the three find love when Minnelli realizes she cares for 

Hackman but doesn't want to let Reyniolds go. Crashing 

high society. Minnelli persuades her partners to pull a 

really big haul. Hillerman retaliates by killing Hordern 

and massacring Benson and the crew. The small rum 

runners are organized to fight Hillerman. with John 

McLiam strafing him in a biplane. Hillerman is killed 

and the thi-ee partners decide to keep their relationship. 

EXPLOITIPS: 

Tie in with the Bantam Books paperback edition. Use 

different symbols of luck—horseshoes, rabbit's feet. etc. 

to decorate the theatre and for designs on playdate announcements. 

Play the title song, "Gettin" Is Good." by 

Fred Ebb and John Kander. 

CATCHLINES: 

Three Can Be More Fun Than Two . . . Liza. Burt and 

Gene, Three of the Top Stars of Today, in the Luckiest 

Movie of the Year. 

THE STORY: "Killer Force" lAIP) 

Syndicated Diamond Corp. maintains tight security in 

guarding its mine in the South African desert. Chief security 

officer Telly Savalas arrives and is attracted to 

fellow officer Stuart Brown's daughter, model Maud 

Adams. She. meanwhile, is 

resuming her affair with security 

patrol officer Peter Fonda. Savalas' heartless attitude 

Is di.sliked. Fonda's boss Victor Melleney has Fonda pretend 

to steal a diamond, to get into a gang led by ex- 

Major Hugh O'Brian. Latter and mercenaries Maj. Christopher 

Lee. O. J. Simpson, Michael Mayer and Ian Yule 

are planning to rob the vault. The knife-happy Lee kills 

Fonda's contact, prostitute Marina Christelis. and Melleney. 

As the robbery gets underway, Fonda reveals that 

he has planned the Job for two years. Despite all their 

efforU, O'Brlan's men die. Fonda insists on picking up CpJ}" 

Adams as Savalas' men give chase. O'Brian is killed and î^-" 

Savalas allows Fonaa and Adams to escape with their 

loot by helicopter. 

EXPLOITIPS: 

The name value can't be denied, but tle-lns with diamond 

outlets miyht be used in the promotion. 

CATCHLI.VES: 

They Were Professionals Who Killed For Hire. But the 

Man Who HunUd Them Killed For Pleasure. 

THE STOKV: 

"Distance" (Cine-Brig hi) 

Stationed at the U. S. Army GarrLson in Fort Stewart 

Oa., in lUjB IS black Master t>gt. Paul Benjamin, married 

to a white woman, German-born Eija Pokknun. AUhojgh 

he no longer loves lier, Benjuniin feels a re.sponsibillty 

to his wile, ari.siiu mainly out of the child she lost. He 

and brother Hal Miller, a boxir. ciash oxer Pokklnen 

Pvt. JamiK WooJ.'j. Benjamins aide, becomes linolved 

with Biol Be.scli. u woman who sells liLSuraiice on various 

Army ixi.sLs. Woods rent.s u house by the beucli, where 

thsy have a brief ullalr. Unable to go into tcjwn with 

hi-r hiiNljttiid because of the local altitudes, Pokklnen Is 

rl ; 

(Uhpalr by Bi indilJeience. She Ihiows 

whi. iir as best he can At a 

!.:.iiv ' - tor a ,..„, drunken Benjumln tries 

to oring and Wood.s t«;{ellier us he susjiccts 

their re. Wouds insulLs Binjamin, who hits 

hUn. Ill ii 1j(.i./,>. Pokklnen alms a luger at Benjamin 

but klllh li

i 

- 

— 

box 

ATES: 45c per word, minimum $4.50. CASH WITH COPY. Four consecutive insertions for price 

[ three. When using a Boxofiice No. figure 2 addtional words and include 75c additional, to 

3ver cost of handling replies. Display Classified, $38.00 per Column Inch. No commission 

[lowed. CLOSING DATE: Monday noon preceding publication date. Send copy and answers 

} Box Numbers to BOXOFFICE, 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. 64124. 

HELP WANTED 

POSITIONS AVAILABLE in Texas for inustnous 

persons experienced in al! 

bases of theatre management and operlions. 

Salaries depend on experience. 

^roup insurance policy and advancement 

pportunities are also available. Send 

3sume with photo to Boxoffice, 3515. 

SOUND ENGINEER: Growing indepenent 

service company needs good eager 

ngineer who will work to make a future 

ir himself- California location, I. A. card 

jquired. No clock watchers need apply. 

ull particulars hrst letter. Boxoffice, 3577, 

COLD? FREEZING? Managerial position 

pen with top circuit in Florida. Please 

ive full resume- All applicants' names 

eld strictly confidential. Boxoffice, 3590- 

MANAGER, promotion minded. Circuit 

peration, large midwestern city, new 

tulti-p!ex mall operation, opening early 

[arch. Boxoffice, 3587. 

ASSISTANT to Operations Director. Midwest 

location, national circuit. Ideal posion 

for young theatre manager desiring 

> get into administrative end of business, 

oxoiiice, 3588- 

WORKING MANAGER, full or part time, 

elerences required. Settle in the warm 

outhwest. Boxoffice. 3594. 

SUPERVISOR. Chicago circuit will pay 

Dp salary to a man thoroughly experinced 

in theatre operation, including conession. 

Opportunity to advance to execuve 

position. State age, experience, tele- 

'hone number. Replies held in confidence, 

oxoffice, 3593. 

POSITIONS 

WANTED 

PROJECTIONIST—21 years experience, 

lependable, sober- Most anywhere conidered. 

Boxoffice, 3566. 

PROFESSIONAL with extensive manaerial 

and supervisory experience. Posion 

sought with growing circuit. Boxofice, 

3564- 

EXPERIENCED professional manager, 

8 years experience, multi screens, bookng, 

promos, advertising. Not afraid of 

esponsibility Want first class opportunity 

1 midsouth. 'south, Boxoffice, 3589. 

PROJECTIONIST, 6 years experience 

Villmg to go anywhere. Donald Goff, 533 

7th St. S.E., Apt. 2, Moultrie, Ga. 31768, 

912) 985-7950. 

ENGINEER: Sound, projection, automaton. 

Top dog engineer 30 plus years sucessful 

experience. Booth layout, design, 

istallation, troubleshooting and repair 

'rained and experienced platters, aUtomaion, 

projection and Xenon, transistor and 

jbe sound- Presently employed. Desire 

hange. Prefer factory rep, dealer aftilia- 

Lon or circuit engineer. Boxoffice, 3596. 

BUSINESS 

STIMULATORS 

THEATBE GAMES. BINGO, BANKO 

16.00 eekly including 400 cards. Novelly 

Somes. R.D, 2, _, Box 459, Port lervis, N.Y. 

2771 (914) 856-8843 

BUILD ATTENDANCE with real Hawaian 

orchids. Few cents each. Write Flowers 

oi Hcrwaii, 670 S. Lafayette Place, Los 

\naeles, Calif 90005. 

BINGO CARDS DIE CUT: 1—75, 1500 

omhination 

WANTED: OLD MOVIE MATERIALS. Pre 

aium Products, 339 West 44th St., New 

ork, N.Y. 10036 (212) 246-4972. 

T-SHIRTS, BUTTONS, BALLOONS for 

our theatre or special movie. United 

oeciallies, P O. Box 12189, Kansas City, 

fo. 64152. 

BUSINESS 

OPPORTUNITIES 

VIDEO GAMES make $$$ wherever there 

re pieople. An investment that will pay 

Dr Itself within months. Call (602) 955- 

233 or write: MIRACLE GAMES, 6528 E. 

nd St., Scottsdo'le, Arizona 85251, for more 

hformation 

WANTED: Partner—50% net in exchange 

j^r 1/2 initial construction costs. No compei.tion. 

Contact Chuck Thomas, Del-Van 

kdult Theatre, Box 701, Delavon, 111 

1734. (309) 244-7445. 

iOXOFFICE :: January 5. 1976 

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE 

35mm PROIECTION BOOTHS FOR THE 

ECONOMY MINDED EXHIBITOR. COM- 

PLETE $1,500.00. Boxoffice. 2840. 

PHILLIPS arc lamp carbon savers. Ask 

your theatre supply dealer. 

35mm BOOTH and all theatre equipmenl, 

(206) 673-2266, Vancouver, Wash. 

TWO STRONG FUTURA II lamps, 135/160 

amp. 18" cold reflectors, 13.6 mm w/c 

jaws. Bi-Power rectifier, 135/160 amp., 240 

volts 60 cycle. Perfect condition. Two 

spare Strong 18" cold reflectors. One 

Strong 135/160 spare stack. Best offer 

takes. Charles Sugarman, 2260 Morse Rd., 

Columbus, Ohio 43229. Phone (614) 471- 

0225. 

EQUIPMENT WANTED 

LET US BID on your surplus equipment 

Lee Artoe, 1243 Belmont. Chicago 60657. 

WE PAY good money tor used equipment. 

Texas Thecrtre Supply, 915 S. 

Alamo. Son Antonio, Texas 78205. 

TOP CASH PAID tor soundheasd., lamphouses, 

rectifiers, projectors, lenses and 

portable projectors. What have you? STAR 

CINEMA SUPPLY, 217 West 21st Street, 

New York 10011. Phone (212) 675-3515. 

MISCELLANEOUS 

WANTED: Press kits, stills, lobby cards, 

one sheets, MP trailers. Trade journals 

MP News, MP World and Film Daily. 

Any other movie material oj the 20's, 30's, 

40's up to 1950. Any quantity acceptable. 

Big lots preferred. Quote price in letter. 

Ken Galente, 150 West 55th St., N. Y. 

10019. 

CASH PAID for one sheets, pressbooks, 

trade magazines, stills, llxl4s, etc. Cesar 

Lopez, 7057 Lexington, Hollywood, Calif. 

90038. 

PRIVATE COLLECTOR wants all types of 

16mm sound films. Reasonable prices paid. 

Tom Miller, 6396 Drexel, Phila., Penna. 

19151. 

MOVIE POSTERS, lobby cards, etc. 

wanted State price, Boxoffice, 3563. 

THEATRE SEATING 

TRADE your old chairs for new GRIGGS 

PUSHBACKS. Let's deal. Commercial Seating 

Co, (312) 539-4771. (WATCH OUT. IR- 

WIN!) 

THEATRE CHAIR UPHOLSTERINGl ANY- 

WHERE. Finest materials, LOW prices. 

Custom seat covers made to lit. CHICAGO 

USED CHAIR MART, 1320 S. Wabash, Chicago, 

60605, Phone: 939-4518. 

SPECIALISTS D< REBUILDING CHAIBa 

New and rebuilt theatre chairs for sale 

We buy and sell old choirs. Travel anywhere. 

Sealing Corporation of New York 

247 Water Street, Brooklyn, N.Y., 11201, 

Tel, (212) 875-5433. (Reverse chargefl) 

COMMERCIAL SEATING CO. See our ad 

:n pages C-3 and SE-4 

THANKS . 

So we will 

. . Business Is terrilicl . . . 

continue our low prices saving 

you money on orders received "Anytime." 

Our price is always . . . $4.90 per 

cushion installed anywhere in the U.S.A. 

Find out why there are no discoun's or 

gimmicks, just everyday low prices and 

quality craitsmen insuring immediate service. 

Commercial Seating Co., Chicago, 

Illinois (312) 539-4771 . . . Call today, tomorrow, 

or w henever—we are ready. 

UNIVERSAL SEATING 6, CONST. CO. 

INC. Reconditioned used chairs. On-localion 

refurbishing, installation and staggering. 

Sewn seat covers, all makes. We 

buy used seating anywhere. Entire 

theatre equipment available. Call (617) 

442-3830-3831. 1245 Adams St., Boston, 

Mass 02124, 

LIFETIMES COMING (312) 539-4771. 

SERVING ENTIRE CENTRAL U.S.A. 

Theatre seat upholstering refinishing, repairing. 

Work done at theatre with no 

show interference. Quality craftsinen— 

work guaranteed. Free estimates. Good 

selection of fabrics available. (501) 847- 

0794, Institutional Sealing Service, Inc., 

208 Elrock Bldg., Uttle Rock, Ark. 72202. 

iimm HOUSE 

THEATRES FOR SALE 

WORLD'S LARGEST THEATRE broker. 

loe Joseph, Box 31406, Dallas 75231. 

Phones (214) 363-2724, (214) 239-2934. 

DRIVE-IN theatre for sale or lease, 7 

miles from downtown Denver. 500 speakers, 

200 heaters. 5 years old, excellent 

condition. Texas Nat'l Theatres, 505-D S. 

Sherman, Richardson, Tex. 75080 (214) 

690-1937 or 369-8400. 

MELINDA THEATRE and Pine Hill Drivein 

m Piedmont, tvlo. Charles Bazzell, Silva, 

Mo. 63964. (314) 224-3530. 

INDOOR. CENTRAL KANSAS, good trade 

area. Includes business, building and rentals, 

$20,000. Boxoffice, 3591. 

ATTENTION CIRCUIT OWNEHSl Do you 

want to increase your number ot screens, 

this is your opportunity to expand by purchasing 

an existing circuit of 28 screens 

grossing over 31/2 million dollars per year 

and showing an excellent profit. This circuit 

has excellent personnel including 

General Manager and a top advertising 

man. All properties are in excellent condition 

including the newest in projection 

equipment. A strong buyer could increase 

the already excellent profits by 25 to 30% 

m this circuit that includes two fourplexes, 

two three-plexes, four twins, three 

singles, and two drive-ins. Drive-ins being 

expanded to a triplex and two twins. 

Some properties are leased and others 

are owned outright. I wish to retire and 

will sell lor three times yearly profit with 

29% down, balance over ten years at 

97o interest. This is your opportunity to 

earn over 100% a yeoT on your cash investment. 

This is about as good as an oil 

well. Hurry! This won't last long. All replies 

will be held in the strictest confidence 

Boxoffice, 3581- 

UNCOLN, NEBRASKA College town with 

25,000 students. Excellent twin. .Small but 

high grossing possibilities. Right across 

from University of Nebraska. Can be used 

as specialty house or regular run. This 

theatre excellently equipped and showing 

good profit. Wish to retire. Sell equipment 

and leasehold interest for $75,000.00 

with 29% down and balance over five 

years at 9% interest- If you want a nice 

theatre with excellent potential, write todav. 

Boxoffice, 3582. ^^^___^^_ 

ST. LOUIS EXCHANGE, excellent fourplex. 

Gross 1975 over $500,000.00. A-1 condition 

including newest automated equipment. 

Will sell for 1/4 yearly gross with 

29%, down and balance over ten years at 

9% interest. Shows excellent profit. You 

can earn over 100% a year on cash invested. 

All replies confidential. Write today. 

Boxoffice, 3583. 

KANSAS CITY-ST. LOUIS EXCHANGE, 

excellent Ihree-plex grossing over $500,- 

000.00 per year. Newest automated equipment 

and building. You can earn your 

investment back in this theatre in one 

year. No bidding, plus excellent management. 

Hurry! This one won't last long. 

Write todav. Boxoffice, 3584. 

OMAHA/DES MOINES EXCHANGE. Do 

you want to own bQ% of the indoor 

screens in a large town and 55% of the 

drive-in screens? Here's your opportunity 

12 screens consisting of one four-plex, two 

three-plexes, one twin, one single, plus 

two drive-ins being expanded to a triplex 

and a twin. 1975 gross over $2 million 

dollars with excellent profits. A strong 

buyer could increase profits 25%. This is 

your opportunitv to make over 100% on 

cash invested. Will sell with 29% down, 

balance over ten years at 9% interest. 

Hurrv! Boxoffice, 3585. 

FOR SALE: Three adult oriented theatres 

m Texas Excellent leases outstanding- 

Terms available All proven money-makers 

Priced to sell quickly, Boxoffice, 3592 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE, equipment only, includ-ing 

screen . office, projection 

equipment ond restaurant equipment. 

Package deal only! Write P.O. Box 224, 

Timmins, Ontario. 

ARROWHEAD THEATRE, resort area, 

same owner 25 years. Onamia, Minn. 

56359 (612) 532-3954, 

S25,0O0.CO DOWN can purchase moneymaking 

indoor and outdoor located in the 

great southwest, Over 12.000 population. 

Boxoffice. 3595. 

THEATRE FOR LEASE 

LEASE AVAILABLE tor profitable 400 

seat shopping center theatre in Northern 

New Jersey. Isl run—4 years old—growing 

area. Write Boxofiice, 3586. 

DRIVEIN THEATRE CONSTRUCTION 

SCREEN TOWERS INTERNATIONAL: Ten 

Day Screen Inslaliation. (817) 642-3591 

Drawer P. Rogers, Texas 76569. 

POPCORN MAOtlNES 

ALL MAKES OF POPPEHS, caramel corn 

equipment, floss machines, sno-boU machines. 

Krispy Kom, 120 So. Hoisted, Chicago, 

111. 60606. 

SERVICES 

WIRE OR RADIO sound. Fully licensed. 

Projection and automation. 28 years experience. 

S.M.P.T.E. member. New and 

used equipment. Cinema Service Inc., 

Box 15245, Wichita, Kas. 67216. (316) 262- 

3368. 

More Classified Listings 

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Boxoffice-January.05.1976

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