Boxoffice-August.02.1976

. . . Al
. . . Bob
Anselmo Exits Wolfberg;
Comments on '70s Films
DENVER—After 20 years in the theatre
business, Peter N. Anselmo, superintendent
of Wolfberg's indoor circuit, has resigned to
enter private business. The announcement
was made by Tom Smiley, president and
general manager of the 15-theatre circuit.
Smiley said that Anselmo's duties would
be assumed by William Van Deventer and
his assistant, who supervise the nine driveins
in the Wolfberg circuit. The walled theatres
will be added to their assignment.
Van Deventer has been in the theatre
business 19 years, the past ten with Wolfberg.
According to Smiley, Van Deventer
will supervise the entire circuit with the
exception of the Paramount, which remains
under manager Jim Richmond's supervision.
His assistant, who also heads the maintenance
department for Wolfberg, started with
the circuit at the East Drive-In in 1960.
'I Abhor Screen Violence'
Anselmo's first job was as assistant manager
at the Paramount. He has witnessed
many changes in his two decades in the
business. "Without question, the so-called
rating system governing age restrictions has
to head the list, in my book," he said. "Little
did I know when I began that we one day
would have to become selective by age as
to who could or could not see a Hollywood
product." He shrugged negatively.
Anselmo added that he felt film companies
"have an obligation to return to making
movies that are for everybody," but it
was a statement without emphasis.
As the father of two daughters and a son.
he nevertheless has not been bothered by
the upsurge in sexual explicitness. "No, sex
in films I can handle, but I abhor violence
on the screen." As a result, neither he nor
his offspring have seen two of the biggest
all-time hits, "The Exorcist" and "Jaws."
James Bond, Spaghetti Westerns
But Anselmo has his favorite pictures,
too, including "Trapeze," "Giant," ("I've
seen it probably more times than any other
film"), "Carpetbaggers," all the James Bond
movies and Clint Eastwood's "spaghetti
westerns."
Topping his all-time list is "Face in the
Crowd." Anselmo said he was impressed
with the solid performance turned in by
Andy Griffith, "but I really dig it because
it was Lee Remicks' first starring role and
I've been in love with her ever since."
And his favorite actor? "No contest— it
is Rod Steiger. What a great talent!"
Anselmo, who, as a teenager had aspirations
of becoming a movie star, pinpointed
five pictures as trendsetters, "pictures that
have led us from the fairy tale days of early
Hollywood to the current 'tell it like it is'
theme." The quintet includes "The Moon
Is Blue," "Tom Jones," "Who's Afraid of
Virginia Woolf?". "Blow-Up" and "The
Fox."
As for "retirement," Anselmo laughs and
says he will devote "only about 40 hours
a week to my own business instead of the
80 I have been working."
Correspondent Finds John Wayne
As Salty as Famous Screen Roles
Straight shooter that he is, he replied: "I
have not seen it. but I know it is a good
one because we had good people in it and
the best artists and technicians producing
it. I am irritated that they didn't have it
finished in time for me to see it. I only hope
it came out the way I wanted it to."
After that reply, it was apparent that the
bars were down and Wayne would field
any question thrown at him. Since "Shootist"
is his golden anniversary picture (more
than 200 films in a 50-year span) he was
asked if that signalized that he might retire.
"Hell no," he said with a smile. "I want
to biuy everyone in this room so I don't
want you to know what my last film is."
The "Shootist" credo is "I won't be
wronged, I won't be insulted. I don't do
these things to other people and I require
the same of them," the hero, a gunslinger
who is dying of cancer, says.
He would like to make a sequel to
"Rooster Cogburn" with Katharine Hepburn,
and both of them are willing if it can
ATLANTA — The instructions read:
"This will confirm your luncheon interview
with John Wayne on Friday, July 9, in the
Omni International Hotel ... As per Mr.
Wayne's request, it is imperative that everyone
see the film 'The Shootist.' For your
convenience we have set up three screenings."
There was more ... in the same tone.
The scriveners were prepared for the worst
but it didn't happen.
Wayne remained mobile during the press be arranged, Duke says. He hasn't had a
luncheon as he moved from table to table cigaret since one of his lungs was removed
to face the inquisition. When he reached 12 years ago, his secretary said. "Just recently
he discovered he is allergic to tobac-
table three, a Boxoffice rep posed the question:
"How did you like the picture?"
co, so he has had to give up cigars, too.
And while he was filming 'Green Berets' in
Fort Benning, Ga., he discovered, after all
DENVER
^ann Theatres imveiled the new Gaslight
Twin Theatre in Durango with grandopening
festivities . . . Bill Pence has reopened
the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen.
The theatre had been closed for remodeling
Hemmingway, representing A. Stirling
Gold, was in town calling on accoimts.
Hemmingway is an ex-Denverite, having
represented several distributors as a film
salesman in the area imtil relocating some
eight years ago.
Herb Martinez, district manager for Columbia
Pictures, was here conferring with
branch manager Ted Shugrue and branch
personnel . . . Bates Farley traveled to Salt
Lake City to set dates on his New World
Pictures product.
Cheryl Brethour, granddaughter of Mr.
and Mrs. John Burton, who operate the Nile
Theatre in Mitchell, Neb., was critically injured
in an automobile accident at an intersection
in the Mile High City. Her car was
completely demolished by a heavily loaded
sand-and-gravel truck. Cheryl is a niece of
Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Brethour. Floyd is
Warner Bros, branch manager in Chicago.
Out-of-town exhibitors visiting film exchanges
included Bob Heyl, Wyoming Theatre,
Torrington, Wyo.; David Cory, Goodhand
Theatre, Kimball, Neb.; Jack McGee,
Judith Theatre, Lewistown, Mont.; Randall
Thornsley, Chugatch Theatres, Sturgis,
S.D., and Howard Campbell and Neal
these years, that he was allergic to makeup."
When asked if he was prepared to give
up his guns, Wayne replied: "\ have a sign
on my car that reads: 'They can have my
guns when they can pry them loose from
my cold dead fingers.' "
At the conclusion of the luncheon, Ed
Spivia, representing Gov. George Busbee,
presented Wayne with a proclamation appointing
him an admiral in the Georgia
Navy. That pleased John Wayne very much.
Lloyd, Westland Theatres, Colorado Springs
Spahn of United Enterprises and
Clarence Batter of Batter Booking, have
been setting late summer and early fall
datiniis.
Wolfberg Ad Agency Tab
For Circuit's Drive-Ins
DENVER—The newly formed Wolfberg
Advertising Agency has issued Vol. 1, No.
1 of an eight-page tabloid which will be
printed every other Wednesday. It will be
distributed at the nine Wolfberg circuit
drive-ins in the immediate Denver area.
The first edition featured a coloring contest
offering passes to any of the Wolfberg
theatres as prizes. Most of the space is used
for publicity about films coming to the
Wolfberg outdoor theatres.
Printing costs of the publication, named
Movie Night, are expected to be met by
selling advertising space in the tabloid.
C'wealth Circuit Reopens
Galeria Duo, Albuquerque
ALBUQUERQUE—The former Screening
Room, located at 77 First Plaza Galeria
here, was reopened July 23 by Commonwealth
Theatres, it was announced by Richard
H. Orear, circuit president. The twin,
renamed the Galeria, is under the supervision
of city manager Lou Avolio. Kenneth
Claypool is booking for the situation.
Orear said the theatre's policy will be to
present third-run motion pictures, offering
an occasional art-type film.
BOXOFFICE :: August 2, 1976
W-7