Boxoffice-August.02.1976

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Lousiana Porn Law
Tabled Over 'Typo'
NEW ORLEANS — A criminal
court
judge recently ruled the state's laws on pornography
and obscenity unconstitutional because
of a typographical error left in the bill
by the state legislature. Judge Rudolph
Becker III held that the laws were void
because one section of the statutes passed
in 1974 uses the word "obscure" instead of
the word "obscene."
Acting on a motion to quash the law filed
by attorney Jacques F. Bezou on behalf of
his client, Stephen W. Johnson, Becker
agreed with Bezou's contention that the law
as written is "so vague, indefinite and misleading
that any penalty prescribed for the
violation of its terms constitutes a denial of
due process of law, and further, a denial of
equal protection under the law."
The section of the bill in question is Section
C which was designed to provide a
defense for employees of a business engaged
in selling allegedly pornographic materials
when there is a manager present. The
defendant in this case, Johnson, was an
employee of the Ellwest Stereo Theatre on
Bourbon Street when he was arrested in
April.
Attorney Bezou contended that "the
courts may not alter a criminal statute to
read the way the state wishes it read, because
that would be a legislative function."
In his brief, Bezou also states that the inaccuracy
is so misleading that "a person
of ordinary intelligence cannot know what
is criminal imder its terms."
Assistant Dist. Atty. Joe Meyer, who
handled the case, said the state will appeal
the decision to the state Supreme Court.
If the Supreme Court upholds the decision,
the law would be considered unconstitutional
statewide.
'Polish Cowboy' Promotes
New Film in San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO—Jack Patton, the man
calling himself the "Polish Cowboy" was in
the city promoting his feature film called
"Inspiration, or the Polish Cowboy Rides
Again" at the Woodlawn Theatre.
Patton, who stars and who wrote eight
songs for the movie, was quick to say, "This
is no Polish joke." To make his point, he
pointed out the movie took first place in
the special awards category at this year's
Cannes Film Festival. It also marks Patton's
first movie role.
The film, both an adventure and travelog,
is having its first U.S. screenings at the
Woodlawn. Patton said he wanted the film
to have a local premiere because Panna
Maria, a town southeast of San Antonio,
is "the cradle of Polish heritage in America"
and some footage was shot there.
If it turns out well, Patton hopes to give
it to Universal for distribution.
Ring Lardner jr. wrote the screenplay for
"The Greatest," based on Muhammad All's
biography.
Joe Panther
'Garbage
MIAMI—A movie producer who feels
there are too few family films and to much
"garbage" playing the theatres of the nation
today has been trying to do something about
it for ten years, and is at it again.
"Joe Panther," a heartwarming adventure
story of a young Seminole Indian struggling
to manhood in his own and the white man's
world, is in production in Miami under the
leadership of Stuart Beveridge, producer
and president of Artists Creation and Associates
of Salt Lake City.
Taken from one of a series of "Joe
Panther" books written by Miami author
Zachary Ball 25 years ago, the story details
the struggles of 17-year-old Joe Panther
whose family consists of a widowed mother
and a brother.
"He becomes a man by facing tribulations
and adversity," Beveridge said. "There
is warmth in this movie for the adult, interwoven
with the adventure that will hold a
child's attention. Joe Panther is authentic."
Beveridge said his reason for making the
movie out of Ball's book is that there aren't
enough family pictures around any more.
"Garbage is being shown in the movies nowadays,"
the young producer said. He feels
MEMPHIS
Juanita Hamblin, Maico Theatres, and husband
Tom have returned from a vacation
trip to Washington, D.C. They were
accompanied by their daughter, Ann and
grandson. Jay. The four drove through and
took sightseeing tours along the way.
Lurlene Carothers of United Artists and
her husband, Herman, plan to leave September
1 for a vacation which will include Mt.
Rushmore National Memorial and the Black
Hills of South Dakota. Their first stop in
Canada will be Lake Louise. At Whitehorse
they plan to take the Yukon train to Skyway,
Alaska, where Herman was stationed during
military service. From Skyway they will
travel by ship to Haines and then to Mt.
McKinley National Park, Fairbanks and
Anchorage.
While recently enjoying the hospitality of
Frank Heard, owner of Lee Drive-In,
Tupelo, Miss., the WOMPIs used their own
initiative and added a few constructive ideas
to the schedule. Lois Evans, club president,
brought her flower-making kit along and
gave instructions to those who were interested
and Katherine Keifer, United Artists,
gave lessons in yoga. This, combined with
swimming, canoeing and plenty of delicious
food, resulted in a very relaxing, enjoyable
weekend at the Lakeside Piamingo home.
Gerald Jackson, credit manager of Film
Transit, has advised that the Radio Theatre,
Harrisburg, Ark., has closed.
Producer Bypasses
for Clean, Family Films
moviemakers have a big responsibility because
their product touches more lives and
molds more children than any other media
form.
Beveridge found Ball's book in a library
and immediately contacted the author. Although
the book has been out of print for
15 years, 17 of the 79-year-old writer's
books are in school libraries in the U.S.,
Canada, Europe and Australia.
Ray Tracey, a 23-year-old Navajo Indian
and drama student at Brigham Young University
in Salt Lake City, was chosen to play
the title role following a four-month nationwide
search. Sharing star billing with him
are Brian Keith, who plays Captain Harper,
owner of a charter boat with whom Joe
seeks employment, and Ricardo Montalban.
Others in the cast are Bobby Hoffman, who
is acting and dialog coach for Fonzie,
Alan Feinstein, Monika Ramirez and Adolfo
Martinez. Paul Krasny is directing.
The production company spent July at
the Miami Marina filming the charter boat
scenes. Release date for the film is October
20 in Oklahoma City, with showings in
7,000 theatres across the country to follow.
'Silent Movie' Sacks
700 in Memphis 2nd
MEMPHIS—"Silent Movie" seized the
lead again as it entered its second week at
MaIco Quartet 2 with an astounding 700.
"The Outlaw Josey Wales" cornered its fair
share of business wrangling 345 for its second
round-up at Balmoral Cinema and
Southbrook 3. Two films took a 265 average
this week: "Logan's Run," sauntering past
its third mark at MaIco Quartet 4 and Southbrook
1, and "Murder by Death," for its
third time on the Paramount 1 and Southbrook
2 marquees.
Balmoral
Josey Wales (WB). 2nd wk
Malco-I.D.-s Revenge (A!P), 3rd wk
Malco Quartet 1—Thai's Enterlaimnent. Pari 2
(UA). 4th wk
Malco Quartet 2—Silent Movie (20th-Fox),
2nd wk
Malco Quartet 3—One Flew Over the
Cuckoo's Nest (UA), 23rd wk
Malco Quartet 4, Southbrook 1 Logan's Run
(UA). 3rd wk
Memphian—Mother. Jugs & Speed (20th-Fox),
2nd wk.
Southbr. ok 2—Murder by Death
Paramount 2—The Omen (20thTox)
Southbrook 4—Special Delivery (AIP)
Three theatres—lack and the Beanstalk I
Three theatres Treasure of Matecutnbe
Theatre
Service
The nation's finest for 40 years
RCA Service Company
A Division of RCA
4508 Bibb Blvd.
Tucker, Ga. 30084
(404) 355-6110
,345
BOXOFFICE :: August 2, 1976
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