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fHE SMASH SURPRISE<br />

HIT OF THE SEASON!<br />

AUGUST I, 1977<br />

From New World Pictures<br />

Ton can't trust your mother<br />

...your best friend<br />

...the neighbor next door<br />

TOTAL<br />

GROSSES<br />

TO DATE<br />

$2,322,850<br />

with<br />

openings in<br />

LOS ANGELES<br />

PHILADELPHIA<br />

CLEVEUND<br />

SEATTLE<br />

SALT \M<br />

MINNEAPOLIS<br />

COLUMBUS<br />

DALUS<br />

HOUSTON<br />

For Information<br />

call your local<br />

New World office<br />

or New World Pictures,<br />

Los Angeles, CA.<br />

(213) 820-6733


the crime:<br />

NSS is blamed for The missing trailer.<br />

rein h:r;;,i;'"''''*"^''*'"*^diJ not<br />

For the complete story of<br />

'The Case of the Missing Trailer"<br />

write or phone for your<br />

free copies to<br />

Iks National Screen Service, 1600 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10019, Dept. A, 212/246-5700


HE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY<br />

BEN SHLYEN<br />

Published In Nine Sictlonal Editions<br />

Editor-in-Chief and Publisher<br />

\LPH M. OELMONT .Managing Editor<br />

ORRIS SCHLOZMAN ...Business Mgr.<br />

HRY BURCH Equipment Editor<br />

MPH KAMINSKY ...Western Editor<br />

iblication Offices: 825 Van Brunt Blvd.<br />

insas City. Mo. 64124. (816) 241-7777<br />

estern Offices: 6425 Hollywood Blvil.<br />

Jllyvvuud, Ca., 90028 (213) 465-1186.<br />

istern Offices; 1270 Sixth Avenue. Suite<br />

103, RockefeUer Center. New York, N.T.<br />

)020. (212) 265-6370,<br />

jndon Office: Anthony Gruner. 1 Womirry<br />

Way. Flnchley, N. 12, Telephone<br />

Ulside 6733.<br />

THE MOUERN THEATRE Section Is<br />

cluilfd in one issue each month.<br />

|jiii|inT.|(ie: Chuck MIttlestadt. P.O. Bux<br />

8514 Station C 87108. Tele. 268-<br />

C57S. 2(15-1791.<br />

hinlj: Cenevieve Camp, 106 Undliereli<br />

lifiw-, N E. 30305.<br />

iltinmri-: Kate Savage, 3607 Sprlngdale.<br />

444-1657.<br />

irnuo: Eduard F. Meade, 760 Main St.,<br />

1421.12, Tele. (716) 854-1665.<br />

licago: Frances B. Clow. 176 North Kenllnorth.<br />

Oak Park, 111. 60302. Tele.<br />

(312) 383-8343.<br />

.DCinnati: Iiebra Belen. 3785 Fox Run,<br />

No. COS, 45236. Tele. (513) 793-<br />

8927.<br />

eareland: Elaine Fried, 3265 Grenwa?<br />

Rd, 44122, Tele. (216) 991-3797.<br />

plumbus: Jim Pearce, 230 Oraceland<br />

Blvd., 43214. Tele. (614) 885-2610.<br />

illas: Mable Guinan, S927 Winton.<br />

inver: Bruce Marshall. 2881 S. Ctaerr;<br />

Vfay. 80222.<br />

es Moines: Cindy Viers, 4024 B. Maple.<br />

50317. Tele. 266-9811.<br />

etrolt: Vera Phillips. 131 Eliot St.<br />

West, Windsor, Ont. N9A 6Y8.<br />

irtrord: Allen M. Widem, 30 Pioneer<br />

Drive, W. Hartford 06117. Tele. 232-<br />

3101.<br />

dianapolis: Robert V. Jones. 6385 N.<br />

Park. 46220. Tele. (317) 253-1636.<br />

cksunvllle: Robert Cornwall. 3233 College<br />

St., 32205. Tele. (904) 389-<br />

6144.<br />

Louis Bornwasser. 3709<br />

niisville:<br />

Hughes Rd., 40207. Tele: (602) 896-<br />

9578.<br />

emphls: Rarilne Bans, 3849 Maid Marian<br />

Lane, 33111. Tele. 452-4220.<br />

lami: Martha Lummus, 622 N.E. 98 St.<br />

iUvaiikie: Wally L. Meyer. 13637 N.<br />

Green Bay Rd., 62 West. Mequon. Wi«.<br />

53092. Tele. (414) 242-0643.<br />

inneaiMll.s: Bill niehl, St. Paul Dispatch.<br />

63 E. 4th St.. St. Paul, Minn.<br />

!W Orleans: Mary Greenbaum. 2303<br />

Mendez SI. 70122.<br />

ilahoma City: Eddie L. Greggs. 1108<br />

N.W, 37th St,, 73118, Tele. (405)<br />

628-2888,<br />

iiaha: Larry Williams, 9506 Taylor.<br />

68134, Tele, (402) 571-2731.<br />

dm Beach: Lois Baumoel. 2860 8.<br />

Ocean Blvd., No, 316. 33480. Tele.<br />

(305) 588-6786,<br />

illadelphia: Maurie H, Orodenker. 312<br />

W, Park Towne Place. 19130. Tele.<br />

(215) 567-4748,<br />

ttiiburgh: R, F, Klingensmlth, 616<br />

Jeanette, Wiilrinsburg 16221, Tele,<br />

(4121 241-2809,<br />

)rtland. Ore,: Robert Olds, 13640 SE<br />

King Rd,, 97236,<br />

. I/juis: Pan R, Krause, 818A Longacre<br />

Drive. 63132, Tele, (314) 991-<br />

4748,<br />

Ut Lake City: Keith Perry, 264 E, Ist<br />

South, 84111, Tele, (801) 328-1641,<br />

ui Antonio: Gladys Candy, 519 Onclnclnnatl<br />

Ave, Tele, (612) 734-6627,<br />

in Francisco : Cathy Meyer, Jan Zones<br />

Agency, 1177 California St,, Suite<br />

633. 94108, Tele, (416) 673-1060,<br />

•altle: Stu (toldman. Apt, 404, 101 N,<br />

46th St,, 98103, Tele. 782-6833.<br />

icson: Gib Clark, 433 N, Grande. Apt,<br />

5, 85705,<br />

ashlngton: Virginia R, Collier, 5112<br />

Connecticut Ave,, N,W,, 20008, Tele,<br />

(202) 362-0892,<br />

IN CANADA<br />

ilgary: Maxine McBean, Suite 206, 349<br />

14th Ave , SW,, T2R 0M4,<br />

ontreal : Tom Cleary, Association des<br />

Proprietaires de (Cinemas du Quebec,<br />

3720 Van Home. Suite 4-6, H38 1Z7.<br />

tawa: Steve O'Brien. 1110 Shllllngton.<br />

KIZ 7Z2,<br />

Tonto: J, W, Agnew, 274 St, John's<br />

Rd, MOP 1V5,<br />

uicouver: Jimmy Davie, 3246 W. 12,<br />

V6K 2R8,<br />

Innipcg: Rnbert Hucal, 600-232 Portage<br />

Ave r;!c obi.<br />

Member Audit Bureau of Circulations<br />

ibllslied weekly, except one issue at<br />

irend. by Associated Publications, Inc..<br />

!5 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City. MIsuri<br />

64124. Subscription rates: Sectional<br />

litlon, $16,00 per year, foreign. $25,00,<br />

itlonal Executive Edition: $25,00, form,<br />

$30,00, Single copy, 75c, Second<br />

ness City. Mo,<br />

iMlcitl V^<br />

UGUST<br />

T<br />

/he TuAe e^ 'i/ie /l^&tc&y?. Ti^^Ae S^iAoA 7<br />

PERSON-TO-PERSON<br />

HERE are numerous wrongs with current<br />

policies and practices, both on the part of<br />

distribution and exhibition, but whether or not<br />

they can be satisfactorily corrected via recently<br />

suggested approaches is a moot question. It is an<br />

inescapable fact that the course of going to the<br />

public or seeking redress through governmental<br />

agencies has failed in the past to bring alHUit<br />

settlement of trade disputes between e.xhibilinn<br />

and distriliution. Further, what seems now to be<br />

the nlijrctive is<br />

to correct wrongs induced by the<br />

vonscul decrees, which came about through previous<br />

exhibitor action.<br />

There is no denying that exhibitors, particularly<br />

in the smaller situations, are in a tight<br />

squeeze for quality product; that film rental<br />

demands have put the profitable acquisition of<br />

such product out of reach for countless hundreds<br />

of such situations; that this denial has, in turn,<br />

had its affect on theatre attendance, which also<br />

has been felt by merchants in every community<br />

so affected. Perhaps enforcement of the consent<br />

decrees by the Department of Justice would<br />

accomplish what was originally intended by<br />

their enactment. But strong efforts in the recent<br />

past have been unavailing and pressure on Congress<br />

to exert pressure may be just as unproductive<br />

of the desired results. At any rate, such effort<br />

would take time—considerable time—and, where<br />

the need for the relief sought is the greatest, it<br />

might be too late.<br />

While there is an interest in the availability<br />

of pictures and their pricing, we question the<br />

advisability of bringing the public into the situation.<br />

It will be recalled that this sort of<br />

"washing the industry linen in public" was used<br />

in the campaign to eliminate block booking. At<br />

that time the "decency" of pictures angle was<br />

used, which only furthered the belief in the<br />

public mind that motion pictures were substantially<br />

unfit for exhibition in their communities.<br />

Ajid, incidentally, it was the outlawing of blmk<br />

booking to which may now be credited \irtuall\<br />

all of the product supply ills of today.<br />

There is shortsightedness on the part of distributors<br />

who seek only to obtain the top dollar<br />

for their product by which demands they, actually,<br />

are hurting themselves. The various<br />

methods by which these top terms are being<br />

~ought have contributed to the attendance drop.<br />

to building up the "lost audience." Where the<br />

exhibition of the better pictures has been withhtdd.<br />

the public interest in motion pictures<br />

gcneially has been reduced. Where multipleshowing,<br />

fast playoffs have been required, the<br />

potential of product has been dissipated; and<br />

effect.<br />

Exhibition is „ol without blame<br />

lundiiig (d'<br />

these practices and othr<br />

le<br />

long-delayed availabilities have had equally advcise<br />

comll-odu.tS<br />

thereof. It was the so-called "right-to-buy" movement<br />

that brought about com])etitive l)idding,<br />

motivated by an underlying desire to move up<br />

from third to second, to first-run. Thereby,<br />

orderly clearance patterns went out the window.<br />

The public became as confused as did exhibitors<br />

and the moviegoing habit suffered in this transition<br />

from what had been a basic factor in this<br />

industry's beginning and long-continuing success.<br />

And that confusion has been permitted to spread<br />

with the fluctuating trend in admissions pricing.<br />

Exhibitors have it within their power, collec-<br />

if not individually, to correct much of the<br />

tively<br />

wrongs of which they complain. It isn't necessary<br />

to achieve this at once on a national scale<br />

or even regionally. It has, first, to be accomplished<br />

at the local level. There may be some<br />

inconvenience, some small sacrifice in income at<br />

the outset, but those drawbacks would be temporary.<br />

In the long run—and not too long, at<br />

that—it would work out satisfactorily and profitably.<br />

The biggest obstacle is that ancient and<br />

stubborn hurdle—selfishness. And that applies<br />

to distribution as well as to exhibition.<br />

This might be called a person-to-person way<br />

of solving the problems that are plaguing this<br />

business. In most cases, they have arisen from<br />

dealings of one with the other, whether buyer<br />

with seller or among competitors—the latter<br />

often being more imagined than real. Solved on a<br />

man-to-man footing, it will take less time and<br />

the end result will be longer-lasting than will<br />

fui-ther governmental interference with operations<br />

of this industry. The latter may serve only<br />

to provide more loop holes, more circumventive<br />

tactics that would only compound those originally<br />

complained of.<br />

From past experience it has been learned that<br />

"a straight line is the shortest distance between<br />

two points"—and that the direct approach is best<br />

in seeking to settle differences between disputants.<br />

Of course, the other fellow has to be<br />

willing to listen: and both must be equally willing<br />

to give and take. It hasn"t been easy to get<br />

the attentive and understanding ear of the top<br />

echelon of distribution—all together—because of<br />

fears of charges of collusion and conspiracy in<br />

violation of antitrust laws. Approaches made at<br />

the national level have brought nebulous, if any<br />

tangible results. That is why we are suggesting<br />

the local-level approach, right on the home<br />

ground. That's wheie the crux of the problem<br />

lies and where it must first he solved.<br />

\JL^ /jOvuot^^^


Cinemavision President Discusses<br />

Commercials-for-Theatres Concept<br />

By JOHN COCCHI<br />

NEW YORK—The concept of producing<br />

commercials for national advertisers to be<br />

shown in motion picture theatres is a major<br />

topic. William Woosley. president of Cinemavision.<br />

Inc., the Nashville-based firm<br />

which will distr-bute the commercials, states<br />

that he has the blessings of both the Nation-<br />

Ass'n of Theatre Owners (NATO) and the<br />

al<br />

National Independent Theatre Exhibitors<br />

(NITE). He accompanied NITE president<br />

Tom Patterson in addressing a special meeting<br />

of the Independent Theatre Owners<br />

Ass'n (IOTA) at the Hotel Warwick here<br />

Wednesday, July 20. The next day, Woosley<br />

talked to <strong>Boxoffice</strong> about recent developments.<br />

ITOA president Bernie Goldberg introduced<br />

Patterson, who quoted from a recent<br />

Gallagher Poll which found that the majority<br />

of viewers preferred to watch films at<br />

home (on TV) rather than in theatres. The<br />

NITE head said that exhibitors are not in<br />

the future of major distributors, who eventually<br />

will release films directly to cable<br />

TV rather than to theatres. Young people,<br />

however, will always prefer to go out for<br />

entertainment, but only to see films they<br />

want to see and not just whatever is playing,<br />

he predicted. Investor dollars must provide<br />

production capital and a program to make<br />

theatres self-sufficient is necessary, Patterson<br />

said.<br />

2,000 Exhibitors Signed<br />

Some 2,000 exhibitors already have signed<br />

for an advertising program to rim up to<br />

three minutes of "spot entertainment" before<br />

the main feature, Patterson declared.<br />

Cinemavision will pay revenues generated<br />

from the ads into a film financing fund. The<br />

directors of this fund will be exhibitors who<br />

then will hire professional people to make<br />

films for their theatres. A $9 minimum per<br />

1,000 patrons for each ."^O-second spot will<br />

go into the fund.<br />

Justice<br />

Favors Plan<br />

Cinemavision estimates that the rate will<br />

increase in payments. Those in the program<br />

have first-run rights to the films to be produced<br />

but participants need not be confined<br />

to NITE members. A 35 per cent maximum<br />

film rental, or 10 per cent below the current<br />

scale, will pertain to films financed in their<br />

entirety by this program. On films which are<br />

co-financed by the fund, similar terms are<br />

anticipated. The Justice Department is<br />

wholeheartedly in favor of such a fund,<br />

Patterson added. A trustee will receive the<br />

funds and use them with the approval of the<br />

board of directors; the board will not decide<br />

what films to make, leaving artistic control<br />

in the hands of creators of the films. It was<br />

stated that some distributors and subdistributors<br />

are interested in a percentage arrangement,<br />

probably on a<br />

picture-by-picture<br />

basis.<br />

An audience-response survey indicated<br />

that 75 per cent of the patrons had no adverse<br />

reaction to seeing commercials on a<br />

theatre screen. When told that this program<br />

would help maintain admission and concession<br />

prices, the patron response jumped to<br />

96.8 per cent approval. The spots would cost<br />

around $100,000 each to produce and would<br />

feature only major advertisers, not cheap<br />

local outlets, it was emphasized. Cinemavision<br />

will make monthly payments in advance<br />

and NITE will advise the exhibitors<br />

not to play the ads if the payments are not<br />

forthcoming.<br />

A rival<br />

One-Year Pact Sought<br />

company. Screen Vision—subsidiary<br />

of Paris-based Media Vision— is insisting<br />

on a two-year contract, whether or not<br />

commercials can be supplied. Cinemavision<br />

is asking for a one-year contract but prefers<br />

a four-year pact in order to guarantee the<br />

rate of payments. Patterson said that the exhibitors<br />

have an option to<br />

put half the revenues<br />

into the film-producing fund and to<br />

keep half for themselves, but he opposes<br />

this. Half as many films will be made under<br />

this<br />

system, he insisted.<br />

Woosley told the group that the net payout<br />

will be $56,000,000 th= first vear.<br />

While TV rates are very high, Cinemavision<br />

is offering the advertiser a rate equaling $18<br />

per 1,000 viewers. Money is available and<br />

the patron will accept this system, he said.<br />

National Screen Service will handle distribution<br />

for Woosley's company, which is a<br />

selling outlet. Before goina further, Woosley<br />

said that he didn't believe published reports<br />

in consumer periodicals that there would be<br />

no movie theatres by 1985. He then passed<br />

around a message for the theatre patron, to<br />

be distributed prior to the showings of the<br />

commercials.<br />

A primer on the standards for the commercials<br />

will be given to the advertisers.<br />

Woosley said, a soft-sell institut'onal anproach<br />

beina the most acceptable. There will<br />

be commercials produced in Spanish for that<br />

market and major personalities will appear<br />

in various ads, Woosley said in answer to<br />

several questions. An escape clause will<br />

permit<br />

the exh'bitor to get out of his contract<br />

in the first six months, if patron reaction is<br />

adverse, he stated. In closing,<br />

he introduced<br />

Carl Samrock, head of ICPR, public relations<br />

firm here, who made brief remarks.<br />

Commercials Adaptable<br />

The next day, Woosley met with <strong>Boxoffice</strong><br />

to update a previous luncheon conference<br />

of two months earlier. He was joined<br />

by Samrock, who is handling his public<br />

relations; Myra Goldberg, the latter's associate,<br />

and Paul Keckley, Ph.D.. head of advertising-public<br />

relations firm of Ethos, Inc..<br />

Murfreesboro, Tenn. As a group and individually,<br />

they sketched in some of the details<br />

not touched upon at the ITOA meeting.<br />

For example, all commercials will he<br />

made in widescreen format but can be adapted<br />

for 1 6mm houses.<br />

Woosley revealed that he got started by<br />

producing a theatre commercial for a local<br />

(Nashville) client for $10,000 and receiving<br />

a good response from same. This prompted<br />

him to explore the possibilities of a mass<br />

market outlet and to discover that very little<br />

research material existed on the subject.<br />

Through a mutual friend, he met Sam Lovullo,<br />

an Emmy Award-winning CBS-TV<br />

program executive and the producer of "Hee<br />

Haw." which is taped in Nashville. Lovullo,<br />

who had been thinking along the same lines,<br />

agreed to support Woosley's idea, which<br />

emerged as Cinemavision.<br />

Newspaper, radio. TV and network TV<br />

markets were examined to develop a pricing<br />

structure on a level with TV advertising.<br />

Data developed by Keckley determined that<br />

theatre advertising would outscore TV ads<br />

most significantly. A theatre audience<br />

would be more attentive than TV viewers<br />

and a more select audience can be reached.<br />

Plan September Kickoff<br />

While Patterson has 2,000 theatres lined<br />

up to participate. Woosley has received firm<br />

commitments from 1,200 houses to begin<br />

showing a minute and a half of commercials<br />

by September. A full-scale operation is<br />

expected by November. Because of his competition,<br />

Woosley is reluctant to reveal what<br />

advertisers have been signed for the ads or<br />

to name the test market areas. Earlier, he<br />

did say that<br />

testing would be undertaken in<br />

the Southeast, Northwest and Midwest. In<br />

the test areas, handouts were distributed to<br />

make the audience aware of the onscreen<br />

ads.<br />

The Motion Picture Institute of America,<br />

the name proposed for NITE's film production<br />

company, would be self-regulated and<br />

controlled by exhibitors and the producers<br />

associated with the organization. Woosley<br />

has stated that, in ten years, the revenues<br />

generated by Cinemavision's program could<br />

exceed $250,000,000.<br />

MP's Tentacles' Grabs<br />

Great Grosses in Mich.<br />

BEVERLY HILLS—American International<br />

Pictures' "Tentacles" is racking up<br />

remarkable grosses in several areas, with<br />

outstanding patronage reported for Michigan<br />

playdates.<br />

"Tentacles," in its first seven days at the<br />

Bel Air, Wayne and Westside drive-ins,<br />

Detroit, scored total boxoffice receipts of<br />

$44,441. Playing the same length of time<br />

at the Galaxy Drive-In, Madison Heights,<br />

Mich., and Blue Sky Drive-In, Pontiac,<br />

Mich., the picture brought in a total of<br />

$19,916 in the two situations.<br />

JAD Films Set to Handle<br />

'Skateboard' Worldwide<br />

HOLLYWOOD—Robert Meyers' JAD<br />

Films International will represent the Blum<br />

Group's "Skateboard" for worldwide sales,<br />

it was announced by the film's producers,<br />

Harry N. Blum and Richard A. Wolf,<br />

The comedy film, now in post-production,<br />

is scheduled lor a late summer U.S. release.<br />

August I. 1977


One of<br />

Americas<br />

favorite<br />

personalities<br />

invites<br />

you to...


A fifteen-minute glimps<br />

first starring motion p<br />

m<br />

Co-starring<br />

HARRISON FO<br />

Directec<br />

Producec<br />

ATLANTA<br />

Century Cinema<br />

Screening Room<br />

Thurs. 8/4/77<br />

— 2 P.M.—<br />

BOSTON<br />

Motion Picture<br />

Screening Room<br />

Thurs. 8/4/77<br />

-10 A.M.-<br />

BUFFALO<br />

Holiday 1 Ttieatre<br />

Thurs. 8/4/77<br />

-11:30 A.M.—<br />

CHARLOTTE<br />

Car-Mel<br />

Screening Room<br />

Thurs. 8/4/77<br />

— 10 A.M.—<br />

CHICAGO


Henry Winkler's<br />

re performance.<br />

LWM<br />

MLB<br />

GRMAN-FOSTER COMPANY PRODGCTION<br />

tten by JAMES CARABATSOS<br />

^EMYPAGLKAGAN<br />

/ID FOSTER and LAWRENCE TGRMAN<br />

•<br />

NIVERSAL PICTGRE TECHNICOLOR*


. . Cleopatra<br />

Multi-National Cast<br />

In Bobby Suarez Film<br />

MANILA— Philippine-based film producer<br />

Bobby A. Suarez is promoting closer ties<br />

through motion pictures among the member<br />

Marrie Lee<br />

nations of the Ass'n of Southeast Asian Nations<br />

(ASEAN). Members of ASEAN are the<br />

Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia<br />

and Thailand. Suarez maintains film distribution<br />

offices in these countries and plans to<br />

set up production companies in cooperation<br />

with local motion picture producers.<br />

Now filming in the Philippines is "They<br />

Call Her . Wong," featuring a<br />

mixed cast composed of Filipinos, Singaporeans,<br />

Americans and Australians. Playing<br />

the title role of the female secret agent<br />

is Marrie Lee, statuesque teenage beauty<br />

from Singapore. Direction is by George N.<br />

Richardson, from a story by Suarez and a<br />

screenplay by Romeo N. Galang.<br />

WiU Film in Hong Kong<br />

After completion of the Philippine scenes,<br />

where the beautiful tourist spots are featured,<br />

the cast and production staff of Bobby<br />

A. Suarez Film Productions will fly to Singapore<br />

and thence to Hong Kong for location<br />

photography.<br />

Lim Peng Hok (Sonny Lim), Singaporean<br />

associate producer, presently is readying<br />

location and production requirements of the<br />

action film in his island republic. Scenic<br />

spots in Singapore also will be used as a<br />

backdrop for fight scenes that will pit Marrie<br />

Lee against four professional wrestlers from<br />

Australia and the best martial arts experts<br />

from Singapore.<br />

Another Suarez film in preproduction is<br />

"Daughters of Satan," to be filmed entirely<br />

in Malaysia with a cast composed of actors<br />

from the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia<br />

and Singapore. The appearance of an actress<br />

from Thailand still is being negotiated. This,<br />

upon completion, will be the first ASEAN<br />

co-production.<br />

Other forthcoming Suarez productions are<br />

"Queen Cobra," "Vengeance of Cleopatra<br />

Wong" (both Marrie Lee starrers), "The<br />

Professional Mercenaries," "One-Armed<br />

Executioner" and "The Destroyers." These<br />

films also will feature a multi-national cast<br />

and different Southeast Asia location sites.<br />

In addition, plans are under way for filming<br />

activities in Europe.<br />

Suarez most recently completed "The<br />

Bionic Boy," which presently is enjoying<br />

worldwide distribution and exhibition. The<br />

feature is setting boxoffice records in most<br />

territories,<br />

Suarez reports.<br />

Robert Laemmle Acquires<br />

Rights to 'Non Troppo'<br />

HOLLYWOOD—Theatre operator Robert<br />

Laemmle has taken his first step into<br />

feature film distribution, acquiring rights<br />

to "Allegro Non Troppo" in a venture<br />

which includes Phyllis dc Picciotto and two<br />

other exhibitors, Mel Novicoff, San Francisco,<br />

and Randy Findley, Seattle.<br />

Distribution of the motion picture will<br />

be handled by Specialty Films.<br />

Created by Italian animator Bruno Bozzetto,<br />

"Allegro Non Troppo" is a satirical<br />

parody of Disney's "Fantasia" and is presented<br />

in six animated sequences set to<br />

classical music, interspersed with live-action<br />

inserts.<br />

"Allegro Non Troppo" was premiered in<br />

Los Angeles Wednesday (27) at Laemmles'<br />

Music Hall Theatre. Bevcrlv Hills.<br />

WHALE OF A SIGN—Tlic Spectacolor<br />

billboard on the northern facade<br />

of the Allied Chemical Tower, featuring<br />

8,192 light bulbs flashing on and<br />

off into various patterns, is telling the<br />

thousands of New Yorkers who pass by<br />

that Paramount Pictures' "Orca" is<br />

playing at the Criterion and Flagship<br />

theatres.<br />

JereHenshawloAIP<br />

As V-P, Production<br />

BEVERLY HILLS—Samuel Z. Arkoff.<br />

chairman of the board and president of<br />

American Internation-<br />

Pictures, announced<br />

the appointment of<br />

Jere C. Henshaw as<br />

senior<br />

vice-president<br />

in charge of world-<br />

[4^^- 1 wide theatrical pro-<br />

^ J^^ duction for American<br />

International Productions,<br />

effective Monday<br />

(1).<br />

^ ^, .<br />

"American Interna-<br />

Jere C. Henshaw ^^^,^^ welcomes Henshaw,"<br />

Arkoff stated. "He has contributed to<br />

the success of many outstanding motion<br />

pictures. We are committed to expanding<br />

our film program and we are confident that<br />

his talent will be most valuable in realizing<br />

our objective."<br />

Henshaw is leaving Universal Studios,<br />

where he has been vice-president for production<br />

since 1975. Previously, he had been<br />

vice-president in charge of worldwide production<br />

at 20th Century-Fox and vice-president<br />

in charge of worldwide production for<br />

theatrical and TV motion pictures at Cinema<br />

Center Films.<br />

Henshaw also has held top-level executive<br />

studio positions at Revue Productions<br />

and Columbia Pictures. He is 44, was born<br />

in Kansas City, Mo., and is a graduate of<br />

UCLA.<br />

Films with which Henshaw has been closely<br />

associated and/ or supervised include:<br />

"The Last Remake of Beau Geste," "The<br />

lowering Inferno," "Young Frankenstein,"<br />

Cinderella Liberty," "The Paper Chase,"<br />

"Battle for the Planet of the Apes," "The<br />

Poseidon Adventure," "Snoopy Come<br />

Home," "Little Big Man," "A Man Called<br />

Horse," "The Reivers," "Blue Water, White<br />

Death," "Le Mans," "The Revengers," "Big<br />

Jake," "Conquest of the Planet of the Apes"<br />

and many others.<br />

'Love Story IF Planned<br />

By Paramount, O'Neal<br />

NEW YORK—Paramount Pictures and<br />

Ryan O'Neal have agreed to collaborate in<br />

the development of Paramount's "Love<br />

Story II," it was announced by Michael D.<br />

Eisner, president and chief operating officer<br />

of Paramount Pictures Corp.<br />

A number of narrative possibilities are<br />

being considered by Paramount and O'Neal<br />

in their planned continuation of the character<br />

Oliver Barrett, who first was introduced<br />

to moviegoers by Paramount in its 1970<br />

release "Love Story." O'Neal will encore<br />

the characterization of the young lawyer<br />

which brought him worldwide acclaim and a<br />

Best Actor nomination from the Academy<br />

of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.<br />

"Love Story 11" also will mark O'Neal's<br />

return to Paramount for the first time since<br />

"Paper Moon," the highly successful 1973<br />

release.<br />

BOXOFFICE August I. 1977


DOLBY LABORATORIES<br />

IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE FOLLOWING FILMS WILL BE RELEASED<br />

WITH DOLBY ENCODED SOUND TRACKS:<br />

20th Century Fox<br />

5d Artists<br />

Universal/Motown<br />

Avco Embassy Picture<br />

Robert Stigwood Production/Paramount Pic<br />

A Robert Stigwood Production/Allan Carr Production/<br />

Paramount Pictures<br />

A Robert Stigwood Production<br />

Making Films Sound Better<br />

nni<br />

DOLBY SYSTEM<br />

Noise Reduction - High Fidelity<br />

allation and information call: Dolby Laboratories 41 5/392 0300<br />

Sansome Street. San Francisco. California 94111<br />

August 1, 1977


CSID Appoints Mel Maron<br />

Head of Theatrical Div.<br />

NEW YORK.—Mel Maron, executive<br />

vice-president of Cinema Shares Internanational<br />

Distribution<br />

Corp.. has been named<br />

president of the<br />

company's theatrical<br />

^JV ^M^^^T^^ division, which has<br />

^F -fH^ptej* i^ggj^ structured as an<br />

^^ ^F autonomous unit of<br />

bk<br />

the Cinema Shares<br />

Group.<br />

David<br />

President<br />

Blake said the new<br />

corporate structure is<br />

Mel Maron p^^j of a general expansion<br />

of the CSID companies which include<br />

worldwide motion picture and TV<br />

distribution and production.<br />

Blake and Maron formed the theatrical<br />

division in 1975. when Maron was vicepresident.<br />

Maron has held high-echelon<br />

posts in various motion picture areas, including<br />

roadshow sales manager for Metro-<br />

Goldwyn-Mayer and senior vice-president<br />

for Commonwealth United.<br />

As head of the theatrical division. Maron<br />

plans to increase his activity in product<br />

acquisition and distribution. Three films<br />

now in release are "Godzilla vs. the Cosmic<br />

Monster," already passing the $1,000,000<br />

gross figure in only seven cities; "School<br />

Days," which opened to record grosses in<br />

St. Louis, and "Bruce Lee: The Man/ Myth,"<br />

which also bowed to huge grosses.<br />

'Walking Tall' Grosses<br />

$34,607 in Augusta, Ga.<br />

HOLLYWOOD—"Final<br />

Chapter—Walking<br />

Tall," a Bing Crosby production starring<br />

Bo Svenson, grossed $34,607 in the first<br />

four weeks of its playdate in Augusta, it<br />

was announced by BCP.<br />

'Smokey' Reporting High<br />

Grosses in<br />

Limited Run<br />

Universal City—Uiiiversal's "Sniokey<br />

and the Bandit" continues its recordbreaking<br />

pace at the boxoffice, amassing<br />

an eight-week gross of $18,920,388 in<br />

only seven exchange areas.<br />

The film, which stars Burt Reynolds,<br />

Sally Field, Jerry Reed, and Jackie<br />

Gleason, is playing in the Atlanta,<br />

Charlotte, Jacksonville, New Orleans,<br />

Memphis, Dallas and Oklahoma City<br />

exchange areas.<br />

Hal Needham directed the Rastar<br />

film and Mort Engleberg produced.<br />

The picture opened a multiple engagement<br />

in Southern California July 29.<br />

Robert L. Levy was executive producer<br />

of "Smokey and the Bandit."<br />

Peterson Theatre Supply<br />

Acquires Electro Sound<br />

SALT LAKE CITY—Carl E. Peterson of<br />

Peterson Theatre Supply has announced the<br />

acquisition of Electro Sound's theatre equipment<br />

business.<br />

A manufacturing division has been set<br />

up at 455 Bearcat Dr., Salt Lake City, where<br />

the entire line of award-winning Series 8000<br />

sound systems will be buih, Peterson said,<br />

adding that all replacement parts for existing<br />

Electro Sound film house equipment are<br />

available at<br />

Peterson Theatre Supply.<br />

Peterson also announced that Al Lewis,<br />

previously affiliated with Electro Sound, is<br />

now working with Peterson Theatre Supply<br />

and may be reached by calling (801) 466-<br />

7642. Peterson's first sound system recently<br />

was installed in Plitfs Century Plaza Theatre<br />

in Los Angeles, he noted.<br />

Columbia Hosts Latino<br />

Producers at Seminar<br />

NEW YORK—Carlos Barba, vice-president<br />

and general manager of the Spanish<br />

theatrical film division of Columbia Pictures<br />

Industries, recently hosted a two-day<br />

convention of Spanish-language film producers<br />

and film industry representatives<br />

from Mexico, Spain and Puerto Rico.<br />

According to Barba, the meeting was a<br />

salute to the growing boxoffice value of<br />

Spanish-language, family-oriented feature<br />

films in the U.S. The latest official total of<br />

Spanish-speaking Americans within the U.S.<br />

borders (most of whom are of Mexican.<br />

Puerto Rican, Cuban or other Latin-American<br />

descent) is over 12,000,000.<br />

In his opening-session address to the filmmakers,<br />

who supply most of the product<br />

shown in the 450 U.S. theatres that exhibit<br />

Spanish-language pictures, Barba stated,<br />

"We absolutely are convinced that this<br />

group can supply quality product with a<br />

wide enough appeal to reach the entire<br />

Spanish-speaking public, to whom the films<br />

will represent not only entertainment but<br />

also a link to their cultural origin."<br />

In the latter context, Barba amplified<br />

plans for the Columbia Pictures Spanish the-<br />

film division's institutional campaign,<br />

atrical<br />

"Viva Lo Suyo" (Do Your Own Thing),<br />

which will encourage Spanish-speaking people<br />

in the U.S. to see films in their native<br />

language. The campaign will be supported<br />

in print as well as through TV and radio<br />

spots.<br />

At a second session, Barba led discussions<br />

on the future of the Spanish-language film<br />

industry, development of new product and<br />

its distribution in the U.S. market.<br />

Promotion of Dick Ingber<br />

Armounced by Paramount<br />

HOLLYWOOD— Dick Ingber has been<br />

appointed executive director of field advertising<br />

for the motion picture division of<br />

Paramount Pictures Corp., effective immediately,<br />

it<br />

was announced by Gordon<br />

Weaver, vice-president/ marketing for Paramount.<br />

Ingber has been Paramount's director<br />

of field advertising for the past 20<br />

months.<br />

Joining Paramount in June 1969 as a<br />

member of the production-advertising department,<br />

Ingber in 1970 moved to the<br />

cooperative advertising department. In 1975<br />

he was named assistant cooperative ad<br />

manager for Paramount before being promoted<br />

to field advertising director. He now<br />

reports directly to Weaver.<br />

^^m \ 1 Co/;:<br />

AWARD RIX II'ILMS—Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill, right, stars m 20th<br />

Century-Fox's hit<br />

release "Star Wars," accept, for director George Lucas, Scholastic<br />

Magazine's coveted Bell Ringer Award. The trophy is presented by Scholastic<br />

only to films of unique artistic merit that contribute to the art of the motion<br />

picture and which have important values for the 9,000,000 young people and<br />

teachers who are magazine subscribers. Making the presentation, left to right, are<br />

Richard Maynard, editorial director of language arts, and Richard Ravish, curriculum<br />

specialist for social studies. Lucas previously won a Bell Ringer for his<br />

"American Graffiti."<br />

Frank Yablans Launches<br />

'The Fury' Photography<br />

HOLLYWOOD — The Frank Yablans<br />

presentation of John Farris' best-selling<br />

novel "The Fury" went before the cameras<br />

July 28. Starring in the film are Kirk Douglas,<br />

John Cassavetes, Carrie Snodgress,<br />

Charles Durning and Amy Irving.<br />

Yablans is producing, with Brian de<br />

Palma directing from a screenplay by Farris.<br />

Ron Preissman is executive producer.<br />

BOXOFFICE ;: August 1, 1977


—<br />

WCI Shows Increase<br />

In 2nd-Quarter Net<br />

NEW YORK.— VVainer Communications.<br />

Inc.. July 20 reported gains In revenues, net<br />

income and earnings per share for the second<br />

quarter of 1977. Net income of $16,-<br />

246,000 for the quarter was slightly above<br />

the $16,082,000 earned in 1976. Fully diluted<br />

earnings per share of $1.14 were 20<br />

per cent higher than last year's 95 cents.<br />

A reduction in average fully diluted shares<br />

outstanding—^to 14,327.000 in this year's<br />

second period, from 16,958.000 last year<br />

was responsible for the greater gain in earnings<br />

per share than in net income. Revenues<br />

rose to $219,766,000. compared to<br />

$191,601,000 in 1976.<br />

For the six months ended June 30, 1977,<br />

net income was $34,278,000. a gain of 8 per<br />

cent over the $31,619,000 earned in the first<br />

half of 1976. Fully diluted earnings per<br />

share of $2.39 were 28 per cent above last<br />

year's $1.87. First-half revenues of $473,-<br />

040,000 were substantially above 1976's<br />

$376,576,000. These were all first-half records.<br />

Chairman Steven J. Ross, commenting on<br />

second-quarter results, noted: "Profits from<br />

filmed entertainment . . . were higher, despite<br />

a decline in theatrical film rentals. With<br />

the exception of 'Exorcist II: the Heretic,"<br />

which was released late in June to disappointing<br />

boxoffice results, there were no<br />

major new theatrical releases in the quarter,<br />

in contrast to last year when 'All the President's<br />

Men' was in broad domestic release.<br />

Foreign theatrical results were ahead of last<br />

year. Higher revenues from leasing theatrical<br />

films to TV and TV series partially offset the<br />

theatrical decline and were important factors<br />

in the improved profits from filmed entertainment."<br />

ABC-TV Sept. 16 Will Air<br />

A Special on 'Star Wars'<br />

NEW YORK — "The Making of 'Star<br />

'<br />

Wars " will air on the ABC-TV network<br />

as a behind-the-scenes special Friday, September<br />

16, 8-9 p.m. (EDT), it was an-<br />

system.<br />

mittee is the governing body of the entire<br />

nounced jointly by Fred Silverman, president<br />

of ABC Entertainment, and Sy Salkoture<br />

must be withdrawn from domestic dis-<br />

That period, during which a motion picwitz.<br />

president of 20th Century-Fox Teletribution<br />

before CARA will reclassify it, has<br />

been extended from a 60-day period to a<br />

90-day period—but this period may he<br />

vision.<br />

Silverman stated that this will be a TV<br />

event of the highest order, one of many<br />

ABC will offer in the new season. Since<br />

"Star Wars" is the most popular film since<br />

"Jaws" (the largest grossing film of all time),<br />

the special will<br />

feature scenes from the film,<br />

production footage, new material and highlights<br />

of "some of the most incredible special<br />

effects in<br />

the history of the movie industry,"<br />

according to Silverman.<br />

The special will be produced by the TV<br />

division of 20th Century-Fox, the film's producer.<br />

A George Lucas film, currently<br />

breaking boxoffice records everywhere,<br />

"Star Wars" was produced by Gary Kurtz<br />

and written and directed by Lucas, with music<br />

by John Williams.<br />

Rules and Procedures Which Govern<br />

Film Classification<br />

NEW YORK—A statement of the procedural<br />

rules governing the motion picture<br />

industry's voluntary classification program<br />

for children was released July 27 by the<br />

heads of the three organizations which<br />

sponsor the nine-year-old rating system.<br />

"The rules, adopted when the rating program<br />

went into effect Nov. 1, 1968, have<br />

been changed since that time by only occasional<br />

amendments. Now they are brought<br />

together with clarifying amendments and in<br />

integrated form for ease of understanding."<br />

an accompanying statement said.<br />

Effective August 1<br />

The statement of the formal codification.<br />

which becomes effective Monday (1). was<br />

made jointly by Jack Valenti, president of<br />

the Motion Picture Ass'n of America;<br />

Marvin Goldman, president of the National<br />

Ass'n of Theatre Owners, and Jerome Pickman,<br />

Louis Mishkin, and Joseph Brenner of<br />

the board of governors of the International<br />

Film Importers & Distributors of America.<br />

A redefinition of the PG category reads<br />

as follows: "PG-Parental Guidance Suggested.<br />

Some material may not be suitable<br />

for children." This strengthens the PG<br />

rating by indicating that parents should<br />

exercise guidance concerning PG films for<br />

all their children, not just preteenagers.<br />

No changes were made in definitions in<br />

the other three categories which remain:<br />

"G-General Audiences. All ages admitted":<br />

"R-Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying<br />

parent or adult guardian," and "X-<br />

No one under 17 admitted." (Some states<br />

may have higher age limits.)<br />

Committee Governs System<br />

A policy review committee consisting of<br />

four representatives from each of the three<br />

sponsoring organizations determines the<br />

policies, rules and procedures of the Classification<br />

& Rating Administration (CARA),<br />

which designates the ratings, and the Rating<br />

Appeals Board, which hears appeals to<br />

change a rating on a specific film. This com-<br />

WOODBAY PROJECT<br />

—The Cedarhurst, N.Y.-<br />

based Woodbay Construction<br />

Corp., headed by Joel<br />

Chinman and Maxwell<br />

Kriger, has been chosen as<br />

the general contractor to<br />

refurbish the facilities al<br />

the Burke Rehabilitation<br />

Center in White Plains,<br />

N.Y., which will be known<br />

as the Will Rogers Institute.<br />

Shown above is the<br />

entrance to the Will Rogers<br />

Institute.<br />

Are Codified<br />

shortened or lengthened in exceptional cases<br />

by a new waiver committee composed of<br />

three representatives each from MPAA,<br />

NATO and IFIDA.<br />

Procedures have been established for revoking<br />

a rating because of its misuse, with<br />

one representative each of MPAA, NATO<br />

and IFIDA to be designated to make such a<br />

determination.<br />

The new rules place qualified limitations<br />

on the number of appeals which may be<br />

taken to the Rating Appeals Board for the<br />

classifying or reclassifying of a motion picture.<br />

The restated appeals procedures again<br />

make it clear that it is impermissible for an<br />

appellant to speak about an appeal to a<br />

member of the Appeals Board, other than<br />

the chairman, prior to the hearing of the<br />

appeal.<br />

WCI-Knickerbocker Merger<br />

Approved by Shareholders<br />

NEW YORK—Warner Communications,<br />

Inc., announced that the merger of Knickerbocker<br />

Toy Co. into WCI has been approved<br />

by the shareholders of Knickerbocker<br />

and is now effective.<br />

Under the terms of the merger, Knickerbocker<br />

shareholders will receive, in exchange<br />

for each outstanding share of Knickerbocker<br />

common stock held by them, $10<br />

principal amount of WCI's 9-1/8 per cent<br />

subordinated sinking fund debentures, due<br />

1996. and $8,855 in cash (which is $9 minus<br />

the accrued interest on $10, principal<br />

amount of the debentures, from May 15 to<br />

July 12. 1977). The interest accrued from<br />

May 15 to July 12. 1977, will be paid Nov.<br />

15. 1977, the next regular interest p.ayment<br />

date for the debentures.<br />

Rudy Ramos Joins Cast<br />

Of 20th-Fox's 'Driver'<br />

HOLLYWOOD—Rudy Ramos has<br />

been<br />

signed to play a featured role in the 20th<br />

Century-Fox/ EMI presentation of "The<br />

Driver." a Lawrence Gordon production directed<br />

by Walter Hill from his own original<br />

screenplay. Ryan O'Neal, Bruce Dem and<br />

Isahellc Adjani star.<br />

BOXOFFICE :: August 1, 1977


AFI Announces Expansion<br />

Of Its Outreach Program<br />

WASHINGTON— Michael Webb, American<br />

Fiim Institute director for national film<br />

programing, has announced an expanded<br />

schedule for the AFI Outreach Program of<br />

touring motion pictures. Twelve new cities<br />

have been added to the previously announced<br />

circuit of institutions which will share the<br />

film programs developed by AFI, with the<br />

pictures presented via new 35mm prints.<br />

This doubles the number of museums, universities<br />

and other art centers which offer<br />

the screen classics.<br />

In addition, Webb announced that three<br />

original series of films, first shown in 1976,<br />

will be shown in '11 at six additional sites.<br />

The 12 cities added to the AFI agenda<br />

include: Cleveland, Case Western Reserve<br />

Film Society; Colorado Springs, Colorado<br />

Art Center; Dallas, Bob Hope Theatre,<br />

Southern Methodist University; Iowa City,<br />

University of Iowa; Ithaca, N.Y., Cornell<br />

University Cinema; Knoxville, Clarence<br />

Brown Theatre, University of Tennessee;<br />

Lincoln, Sheldon Art Theatre; Madison,<br />

Wis.. University Union Theatre; Memphis.<br />

Orpheum Theatre; St. Louis, City Art Museum;<br />

Salt Lake City, Cinema Council, and<br />

Scottsdale, Ariz., Performing Arts Center.<br />

An Astaire-Rogers series of eight musicals,<br />

shown at Cornell Cinema and the SMU<br />

Bob Hope Theatre in June and July, next<br />

will be presented at the Colorado Springs<br />

Fine Arts Center in<br />

October. A program of<br />

archival rediscoveries, "TreasLires From the<br />

Past," will be screened at the Detroit Institute<br />

of Art October 30-December 18. The<br />

"Great Hollywood Cameraman" series of<br />

eight outstanding achievements in black and<br />

white cinematography will be shown at the<br />

cess" and "Touch of Evil."<br />

Jonathan Chissick Now UA<br />

Manager for Australasia<br />

NEW YORK—Jonathan Chissick has<br />

been appointed managing director of United<br />

Artists Australasia, Pty., Ltd., effective this<br />

month, it was announced by Ernst Goldschmidt.<br />

United Artists senior vice-president<br />

and foreign mana;.^er.<br />

Chissick has held various posts with UA,<br />

starting as a New York office sales executive,<br />

since November 1969.<br />

F VM I) \ I A—Albert Giles, left,<br />

controller of Crown International Pictures,<br />

explains the IBM printout reading<br />

to Crown president Mark Tenser, center,<br />

and general sales manager George<br />

M. Josephs. The installation of the new<br />

IBM system offers complete computerized<br />

monitoring on all playdate information.<br />

The total tran.saction, from<br />

original booking, shipment of the print,<br />

confirmation with exhibitors, how the<br />

picture was sold, collections, etc, will<br />

be recorded on the printout, including<br />

the most important data on any and all<br />

unpaid items.<br />

Bloom Assistant Director<br />

For MGM's 'Stingray'<br />

CULVER CITY—Jim Bloom has been<br />

named the assistant director on MGM's<br />

"Stingray," starring Mark Hamill and Annie<br />

'Orca' Grosses $7,757,043<br />

In 10 Days, 776 Theatres<br />

NEW YORK—"Orca," the Dino De<br />

Laurentiis presentation for Paramount Pictures<br />

release, grossed $7,757,043 in<br />

the first<br />

ten days of its engagements at 776 theatres<br />

across the U.S. and Canada, it was announced<br />

by Frank Mancuso, vice-presidentdomestic<br />

distribution for the motion picture<br />

division of Paramount Pictures Corp.<br />

Among its engagements, in New York<br />

City, where the film is playing at 74 Flagship<br />

theatres, 'Orca" has grossed $1,531,182<br />

in its first ten days. In Los Angeles, where<br />

the film is playing at 30 theatres, boxoffice<br />

receipts for "Orca" were $429,000.<br />

Paramount Sets National<br />

'Charlie Brown' Tie-Ins<br />

NEW YORK—An extensive, nationwide<br />

promotional tie-in between Paramount Pictures"<br />

"Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown!"<br />

and leading department stores in approximately<br />

40 cities currently is under way,<br />

with special weeklong events taking place<br />

from now through the Labor Day holiday, it<br />

was announced by Gordon Weaver, vicepresident-marketing,<br />

and Mildred Collins,<br />

director of special projects for Paramount.<br />

There will be in-person appearances of<br />

Snoopy, one of the stars of the featurelength<br />

animated film; autographed "pawprint"<br />

photos of Snoopy for giveaway, and<br />

one-sheet posters of the film for in-store<br />

display.<br />

Interstate Brands will provide the use of<br />

Snoopy costumes and, in those cities where<br />

there is distribution. Interstate Bakeries will<br />

provide Dolly Madison creme cakes for<br />

giveaway.<br />

As part of the promotional tie-in, there<br />

will be special Saturday-morning screenings<br />

of the film following the local openings.<br />

The department store, in turn, will run a<br />

one-week promotion with in-store and window<br />

displays, plus a full page of advertising.<br />

Depending on the actual date of the promotion,<br />

the Charlie Brown" tiein promotions<br />

will be keyed to themes such as summer vacations<br />

or back-to-school with "Peanuts"<br />

merchandise.<br />

Paramount Pictures will be coordinating<br />

the promotions on a store-by-store, city-bycity<br />

basis in order of the film's local release<br />

date.<br />

Among the major department stores and<br />

cities participating are—Rich's, Atlanta;<br />

Simpson's, Toronto; Joseph Home, Pittsburgh;<br />

Jones Store, Kansas City; Famous-<br />

Barr, St. Louis; L. S. Ayres, Indianapolis,<br />

Fort Wayne, Lafayette. Muncie and South<br />

Bend; May-Cohen's, Jacksonville: Jordan<br />

Marsh, Miami and Orlando; Bloomingdale's.<br />

New York; Hecht Co., Washington, D.C.,<br />

St. Louis Art Museum in September and at<br />

the University of Tennessee Clarence Brown<br />

Theatre, Knoxville, in October.<br />

AFI plans eventually to expand the scope<br />

of its Outreach Program to include communities<br />

in every state.<br />

Potts. The assignment marks Bloom's first<br />

The titles in the three Exxon-funded<br />

and Baltimore; May D&F. Denver; Wanamaker's,<br />

as a "first."<br />

series include "Flying Down to Rio," "The He served as second assistant director on<br />

Philadelphia; J. W. Robinson's, Los<br />

Gay Divorcee," "Top Hat," "Follow the such films as "Close Encounters of the Angeles, Santa Barbara and San Diego;<br />

Fleet," "Swingtime," "Shall We Dance," Third Kind," "Bound for Glory" and "Coming<br />

Meier & Frank, Portland; Weinstock's, Sac-<br />

"Carefree," "The Story of Vernon and Irene<br />

Home."<br />

ramento; Dayton's, Minneapolis; Macy's,<br />

Castle," "Foolish Wives," "Sparrows," "So "Stingray" is being produced by Hal Barwood<br />

San Francisco; Goldblatt's, Chicago; J. L.<br />

This Is Paris," "Sunrise," "'The Criminal<br />

and directed by Matthew Robbins Hudson, Detroit, and Liberty House in Ho-<br />

Code." "American Madness," "The Emperor<br />

Jones," "Mystery of the Wax Museum,"<br />

from their original screenplay. Filming began<br />

July 20 in Los Angeles.<br />

nolulu.<br />

"Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown!" is<br />

"Shanghai Express," "The Long Voyage<br />

a Lee Mendelson-Bill Melendez production<br />

Home," "Gilda," "Letter From an Unknown<br />

created and written by Charles M. Schulz.<br />

Woman." "Winchester .73," "The<br />

Produced by Lee Mendelson and Bill Melen-<br />

Night of the Hunter." ".Sweet Smell of Sucdez,<br />

with Bill Melendez directing, the feature-length<br />

animated film stars Charlie<br />

Brown, Lucy, Linus, Peppermint Patty, Sally,<br />

Schroeder, Woodstock and Snoopy. The<br />

music is by Ed Bogus.<br />

'Rose Garden' Bow Aug. 10<br />

LOS ANGELES—Roger Gorman's New<br />

World Pictures release of "I Never Promised<br />

You a Rose Garden," which stars Kathleen<br />

Quinlan and Bibi Andersson and is currently<br />

showcasing in New York at the<br />

Cinema I, will be released in 140 key city<br />

situations Wednesday (10).<br />

12 BOXOFFICE August 1, 1977


'<br />

—<br />

AIP Reports an Increase<br />

In Revenues for Quarter<br />

BEVERLY HILLS—American International<br />

Pictures announced that total revenues,<br />

net income and earnings per share<br />

for<br />

the first quarter of the fiscal year ending<br />

Feb. 25. 1978, were $9,235,000. $504,000<br />

and 20 cents respectively. For the same<br />

period of the prior year total revenues, ncl<br />

income and earnings per share were $8,709.-<br />

000, $641,000 and 25 cents, respectively.<br />

The 6 per cent increase in revenues was<br />

due to increased domestic theatrical revenue<br />

stimulated by good performances from two<br />

pictures in the current quarter.<br />

Higher revenues were more than offset<br />

by increased outlays for advertising and<br />

amortization of the remaining production<br />

last costs applicable to year's program.<br />

Investment and foreign tax credits from<br />

expanded production programs and higher<br />

foreign revenues reduced the tax provision<br />

in the current quarter.<br />

TTie company has increased its backlog of<br />

executed TV contracts and now has $17,-<br />

150,000 of such contracts which, because of<br />

delayed start dates, cannot be recognized in<br />

the current financial statements. These contracts<br />

will be recognized in revenue for the<br />

most part over the next three years.<br />

'Sonata' Rights Acquired<br />

By ITC Entertainment<br />

NEW YORK— Sir<br />

Negotiations have been handled by agent<br />

Paul Kohner on behalf of Kenne Fant,<br />

president of Suede Film Paris, and Felix<br />

Selinger, president of Filmedis, Paris, with<br />

Grade and Starger.<br />

Bond Plans Aug. 10 Start<br />

On 'Laser Blast' Feature<br />

LOS ANGELES—Charles Band Productions<br />

will follow up its science-fiction feature.<br />

"End of the World," with "Laser<br />

Blast," set to roll Wednesday (10) on Los<br />

Angeles and desert locations.<br />

Now casting, the feature was written by<br />

Frank Ray Perilli from an original idea by<br />

Charles Band.<br />

Band, who will produce "Laser Blast.<br />

also is lining up various merchandising tieins.<br />

Show-A-Rama Planners Hold Huddle<br />

Show-A-Rama planners, already at work on the lonvcntion and tradeshow lo<br />

be held next March, are, left to right: co-chairnuii designates George Kicffer,<br />

American Multi Cinema; Kent Dickinson, Dickinson Theatres; Jack Poessiger,<br />

Commonwealth Theatres; Gary Downs. Century Advertising; Dee Brown, convention<br />

coordinator; Norman Nielsen, convention general chairman and president of<br />

the United Motion Pictures Ass'n, and Chuc Barnes, UMPA executive secretary.<br />

New Equipment Acquired<br />

By Karski's Service Firm<br />

SAN FRANCISCO—Gerald L. Karski,<br />

chairman of the board of Motion Picture<br />

Service Co., has announced the purchase by<br />

his company of a Compugraphic/Compuwritcr<br />

machine for use in<br />

the company's art<br />

department.<br />

The Compuwritcr will enable the company<br />

to speed production of special titles<br />

used in the making of merchant ads, special<br />

Lew Grade's ITC Entertainment,<br />

company, in association<br />

trailers, etc., and whbn used in conjunction<br />

an ATV with the special camera also recently purchased,<br />

with Martin Starger, has acquired dis-<br />

the company can duplicate "sigs,"<br />

tribution rights for the U.S., the United<br />

Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and<br />

special logos and facsimiles, thus improving<br />

the overall quality of films produced, Karski<br />

South Africa to Ingmar Bergman's forthcoming<br />

said.<br />

film, "Autumn Sonata," starring<br />

Ingrid Bergman and Liv Ullmann.<br />

Production is scheduled to begin September<br />

12 in Norway, with Bergman producing As Co-Chairmen of Gala<br />

Walker, Forman to Serve<br />

and directing his own screenplay. This marks LOS ANGELES—General chairman M.<br />

the first time that the two actresses have J. Frankovich has named E. Cardon Walker,<br />

appeared together and the first association president and chief executive officers of<br />

of the two Bergmans. Release is planned for Walt Disney Productions, and William R.<br />

spring 1978.<br />

Forman. president of Pacific Theatres, as<br />

The story takes place over a period of co-chairmen of the forthcoming 39th annual<br />

several days, during which Miss Ullmann "Pioneer of the Year" dinner gala of the<br />

visits her recently widowed mother. Miss Foundation of Motion Picture Pioneers.<br />

Bergman. The drama deals with the complex<br />

This year's affair will honor Los Angeles<br />

relationship between the two<br />

women.<br />

industry veteran Sherrill C. Corwin, board<br />

chairman of Metropolitan Theatres. It will<br />

be held Monday night, November 14, at the<br />

Beverly Wilshire Hotel, with proceeds benefiting<br />

the foundation's national fund.<br />

KANSAS CITY—The United Motion<br />

Picture Ass'n's newly elected president,<br />

Norman Nielsen, met recently with his<br />

designated Show-A-Rama co-chairmen^<br />

Kent Dickinson, George Kieffer and Jack<br />

Poessiger. This same trio fulfilled the same<br />

roles for Show-A-Rama 20, held last March.<br />

The objective of the huddle was to develop<br />

a theme upon which the upcoming<br />

convention could be structured and to establish<br />

goals for business activity, as well as<br />

objectives to improve the successful annual<br />

industry conclave. Considerable enthusiasm<br />

was expressed about the opportunities<br />

which await the presentation of Show-A-<br />

Rama 21, slated to be held at the Crown<br />

Center Hotel here March 13-17. 1978.<br />

The early convening of the co-chairmen,<br />

along with Ms. Dee Brown, convention coordinator,<br />

and UPMA secretary Chuc<br />

Barnes. Nielsen stated, was "indicative of<br />

the long-range efforts which are needed to<br />

develop a meeting successfully to command<br />

the yearly industry support that has been<br />

accorded Show-A-Rama."<br />

'Spiders' Starts 90-Unit<br />

Tenn. Multiple Sept. 5<br />

LOS ANGELES—Lawrence H. Woolner.<br />

president of Dimension Pictures, has set<br />

"Kingdom of the Spiders" to open in 90<br />

indoor and drive-in theatres throughout the<br />

state of Tennessee Labor Day, September 5.<br />

The feature, which was filmed in Arizona.<br />

stars William Shatner and Tiffany Boiling.<br />

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SELLING FILMS IN THE<br />

MIDDLE EAST CONTACT: AHMAD GULCHIN<br />

PHARS FILMCO<br />

MOT/On/ PICTURE DISTRIBUTION COMPANY<br />

POST BOX NO. 1186 - TEL: 22498<br />

CABLE: PHARSFILM<br />

COMM. REGISTRATION 733-DEIRA.DUBAI<br />

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES<br />

Telex: 6533<br />

FILMCO DB<br />

BOXOFFICE August 1, 1977


Texas NATO Achieves<br />

Repeal of Sales Tax<br />

DALLAS—The governor of Texas signed<br />

HB 1262 June 10, repealing the sales tax on<br />

film rental. This levy had been the exclusive<br />

burden of Texas exhibitors since the admission<br />

tax was declared unconstitutional<br />

approximately two years ago.<br />

Texas theatre owners, therefore, ceased<br />

paying the 5 per cent sales tax on film<br />

rental effective June 1 1 . Those exhibitors<br />

who were part of the NATO of Texas lawsuit<br />

to achieve a refund of the tax paid<br />

since October 1975 were advised by Texas<br />

NATO to pay the sales tax under protest<br />

through Jime 10.<br />

Brandon Doak, NATO of Texas president,<br />

lauded the many exhibitors who wrote<br />

letters, sent telegrams and called their state<br />

legislators. He also expressed special praise<br />

for the NATO of Texas staffs in Dallas and<br />

Austin for their diligence in guiding HB<br />

1 262 through the long, hazardous legislative<br />

process.<br />

CALENDARofEVENTS<br />

Princess Margaret to Be<br />

Guest at 'New York' Bow<br />

NEW YORK—Her Royal Highness Princess<br />

Margaret will be guest of honor at the<br />

London charity premiere of "New York,<br />

New York" to be held Thursday. September<br />

15, it was announced by Ernst Goldschmidt.<br />

United Artists senior vice-president and foreign<br />

manager. The premiere, which will take<br />

place at the Odeon Leicester Square Theatre,<br />

will be for the benefit of the St. John<br />

Ambulance Centenary.<br />

"New York, New York," starring Liza<br />

Minnelli and Robert De Niro, was directed<br />

by Martin Scorsese and produced by Irwin<br />

Winkler and Robert Chartoff.<br />

A Robert Chartoff-Irwin Winkler production,<br />

the film is being released worldwide by<br />

United Artists.<br />

Snyder Made Gen'l Sales<br />

Manager for Films Int'l<br />

HOLLYWOOD—Veteran film sales expert<br />

Ken Snyder has been named general<br />

sales manager for Films International Licensed<br />

Marketing Service, according to Shel<br />

Haims, director of marketing.<br />

Snyder has been in various sales capacities<br />

with Paramount, Columbia, United Artists<br />

and MGM. In addition to his other duties,<br />

Snyder will be in charge of soliciting<br />

and control of all bookings in Los Angeles<br />

and Southern California, Haims said.<br />

First Artists Production<br />

Declares Stock Dividend<br />

HOLLYWOOD—First Artists Production<br />

Co. has declared a 20 per cent stock<br />

dividend payable Wednesday (31) to stockholders<br />

of record July 29, based on profits<br />

for the fiscal year which ended June 30.<br />

This marks the first dividend ever declared<br />

by the company since its inception.<br />

Full-year earnings will be announced by<br />

First Artists in September.


• AouREs * exptemn<br />

• ALPHABETICAL INDEX<br />

• EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY<br />

• FEATURE RELEASE CHART<br />

• FEATURE REVIEW DIGEST


Underskyer in<br />

Attendance With a<br />

Thomas Rowley, manager of the Town<br />

and Counliy Drive-In in Denton, Tex., is in<br />

love with his customers. As patrons arrive<br />

at the boxoffice they receive a candy "Kiss<br />

from the Town and Country," according to<br />

Rowley.<br />

"T felt this twin drive-in needed promotion<br />

as it is located in a city of 46.000 including<br />

20,000 college students," Rowley<br />

explained. The love-theme promotion consisted<br />

of two primary campaigns, "Kisses"<br />

and bumper stickers.<br />

Rowley wanted to convey to his customers<br />

that their patronage was appreciated.<br />

Red metal hearts with the inscription "We<br />

Love Our Customers" were displayed in the<br />

boxoffice and on the marquee. Candy kisses<br />

from a local concession supply house were<br />

given to each patron at the boxoffice, Row-<br />

Denton, Tex,, Hypos<br />

Love Campaign<br />

cashier is cute," Rowley remarked. The<br />

slogan "We Love Our Customers—Come by<br />

for a Kiss" is used in newspaper advertising<br />

and the answering service concludes with a<br />

loud kiss! The audio "love" has been very<br />

effective!<br />

The second thrust of the love campaign<br />

involved the sale of bumper stickers proclaiming<br />

that the owner of the car had<br />

"parked" at the Town and Country Drivein.<br />

The stickers were on display at the boxoffice<br />

and concession stand, where theatre<br />

employees sold them for 25 cents with an<br />

incentive commission of 40 per cent. The<br />

revenue from the stickers covered the printing<br />

costs and the employee commission,<br />

Rowley said.<br />

"It's become a college fad to have parked<br />

at the Town and Country," Rowley con-<br />

ley said.<br />

tinued. "Old dad even buys a sticker to<br />

"Women usually giggle and think it"s spark his memory of drive-in movies and<br />

cute but the men don't respond unless the younger years."<br />

^tnm^<br />

^^ 1^ rAiik£D<br />

TOWN AND COUNTRY DRIVE-IN oentontexas<br />

Bumper slickers which were sold at the Town ami Country Drive-ln. Denton.<br />

Tex., proved to he popular items with patrons who wanted visible "proof of<br />

parkini^" at the underskyer.<br />

Airer Season Ballyhooed<br />

With a Trailer Giveaway<br />

Allen J. Robinson, assistant manager of<br />

the Northmain Drive-ln and Nick P. Smith,<br />

assistant manager of the Odeon Drive-ln,<br />

both of Winnipeg, Canada, jointly devised<br />

a promotion to draw more family trade to<br />

the drive-ins and to publicize the reopening<br />

of the theatres for the summer season.<br />

A local camping trailer sales outlet. Birchwood<br />

Trailer Sales, was contacted to supply<br />

a trailer to be awarded by a drawing held<br />

by the theatres. Birchwood supplied a Lio-<br />

Trailer firm official congratulates wi<br />

ninfi patron ol ozoner contest.<br />

theatre, promotional signs and contest ballots.<br />

The ballots also were given to Birchwood<br />

after the contest for a mailing campaign.<br />

The contest ran from May 13 to June 9<br />

and tent-trailers were on display at both<br />

drive-ins outside the concession areas. Ballot<br />

boxes and information on the campers<br />

were set up inside the concession stands.<br />

Information on the contest was carried<br />

in newspaper advertising and an invitation<br />

to enter the contest concluded the telephone<br />

answering system dialog. Ballots were given<br />

to all patrons.<br />

An impartial five-year-old drew the winning<br />

ballot under the supervision of a Birchwood<br />

representative. The following evening,<br />

nel LPL 80 tent-trailer valued at $2,200.<br />

In return, the theatres agreed to supply<br />

Birchwood with 50 single passes for each the winner, Mrs. Irene Briston, was presented<br />

the camper by Birchwood at the<br />

drive-in.<br />

A larger majority of patrons came into<br />

the concession stands because of the contest,<br />

resulting in a higher profit per patron.<br />

The contest also brought about a change in<br />

attitude of the more mature people in the<br />

area. Hopefully, their mistaken ideas of<br />

drive-ins and drive-in patrons has been<br />

changed and they will now return more<br />

frequently.<br />

The contest also provided the theatres<br />

with valuable information, giving them their<br />

customers' ages, number in family and residence<br />

area.<br />

Day of the Animals' Date<br />

Boosted Via City Parade<br />

Ronald Rhodes, Coddingtown cinemas<br />

assistant manager, and Ernest Bondi, Park<br />

cinemas manager, have been busy promoting<br />

"Day of the Animals" in Santa Rosa,<br />

Calif.<br />

The main event of the campaign was an<br />

entry in the Santa Rosa Rose Parade, where<br />

an estimated 10,000 spectators looked on as<br />

theatre personnel, dressed in animal costumes,<br />

rode in a tiger-striped jeep.<br />

Jeep Publicizes Film<br />

The vehicle pulled a trailer displaying<br />

one-sheets, stills and a 40x60 sheet and a<br />

public address system mounted on the float<br />

used circus music and recorded radio spots<br />

prepared for the promotion. Other theatre<br />

personnel, wearing "Day of the Animals"<br />

T-shirts, distributed flyers promoting the<br />

show.<br />

At the conclusion of the parade, the float<br />

received the second-place trophy in the individual<br />

novelty class and was then displayed<br />

at<br />

the Coddingtown Shopping Center,<br />

Drawing Contest Held<br />

A newspaper contest solicited readers to<br />

enter drawings of wild animals. These were<br />

displayed in theatre lobbies and 80 winners<br />

from four different age categories received<br />

tickets to a private screening of the film.<br />

A radio contest awarded tickets daily to<br />

the first listener who could correctly identify<br />

a live, wild animal which was displayed<br />

,:; the Coddingtown mall.<br />

")ther aspects of the campaign included<br />

trail "-rs playing two weeks in advance of<br />

thL openmg and one-sheets displayed at the g<br />

siste--<br />

thcatr'^3.<br />

C.neina staffers in Santa Rosa. Calif.,<br />

participated in a civic parade wearing<br />

cnimal costumes to ballyhoo "Day of<br />

the Animals." Flyers pronioting the<br />

film's engagement were handed out to<br />

the spectators who lined the streets.<br />

— 21 — BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :: August 1, 1977<br />

d<br />

^


. . Don<br />

. . Producer<br />

. . . Eugene<br />

. . Country<br />

. . Tatum<br />

. .<br />

. . Annette<br />

. . Edie<br />

. .<br />

M ^J^oituwood rCeport mi<br />

^<br />

m<br />

Group I Schedules August 1<br />

Start for The Majorettes'<br />

Group I Films has scheduled a Monday<br />

(1) start on "The Majorettes" on locations<br />

in Pittsburgh and Los Angeles. John Riisso<br />

wrote the screenplay, an adaptation from his<br />

own novel . . . "Mother Trucker" will be<br />

made by Nevada Motion Picture Supplies<br />

& Rentals, based in Las Vegas, with shooting<br />

set to begin Monday (1). Ray Dennis<br />

Steckler will produce and direct a cast headed<br />

by Sandra Denipsey, Chuck Alford and<br />

Art Burdon . . . "Slow Dancing in the Big<br />

City" will be co-produced by Michael Levee<br />

and John Avildsen. who also will d rect.<br />

Paul Sorvino has been cast in the lead of<br />

fighting in Africa. The feature will be a<br />

production of Richmond Films of London<br />

and VETCO. S. A., of Switzerland . . .<br />

Twentieth Century-Fo.x will begin principal<br />

photography October 12 in Chicago on<br />

"Damien—The Omen IL" sequel to "The<br />

Omen," with William Holden starring, Mike<br />

ducers.<br />

Mayo Set to Script 'Benefit'<br />

For Filming by Warner Bros.<br />

Warner Bros, will film "The Benefit."<br />

a new novel by Nick Mayo about senior<br />

citizens in revolt. Mayo will write the script<br />

for the picture, to be produced by Edward<br />

Lewis and Mildred Lewis . . . Irwin Allen<br />

will produce and direct his new survival<br />

film. "Swarm." on which photography is<br />

scheduled to begin Wednesday (10). The<br />

story about killer bees will star Michael<br />

( .line as a scientist. Henry Fonda as an<br />

entomologist, Katharine Ross as an Air<br />

Force physician and Richard Widmark as<br />

an Air Force general . . . Lorimar Productions<br />

has named Mark Robson producerdirector<br />

of "Avalanche E.xpress," slated for<br />

filming in February. The suspense film will<br />

be based on the new novel by Colin Forbes<br />

. . . "David's Friends," scripted by Frank<br />

Alesia and Dennis Evans, is scheduled for<br />

production November 1 by Phil Foster and<br />

Harvey Lembeck. who formed Brooklyn<br />

Management Team (also known as BMT<br />

Productions) for the project . . . "Crosscut,"<br />

with a cast consisting of Rory Calhoun,<br />

Peter<br />

Breck, Craig Gardner and Tom Swift,<br />

will start production Monday (15) urder the<br />

JEB Productions banner, with King Johnson<br />

producing the script by Leo Gordon . . .<br />

the United Artists feature, set to begin<br />

shooting this fall in New York . . . Lorimar Concord Films will begin shooting this<br />

Productions has signed Gary Stromberg and month in Rome on "The Unglorified Bastard,"<br />

a World War II picture to be directed<br />

David Dashev to produce an original story,<br />

"The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh," a musical by Umberto Brubergio and featuring Peter<br />

comedy about the first astrological basketball<br />

Hooten . . . Coqui Productions has set a<br />

team . Euan Lloyd will be-<br />

September lensing schedule in Puerto Rico<br />

gin filming his $12,000,000 "The Wild for "The Organizer," written by Ray Otero,<br />

Geese" October 3 on locations in Zululand who also will be the producer. Henry Darrow<br />

(southern Africa), with Richard Burton and<br />

has been signed for the lead role in the<br />

Roger Moore already signed for lead roles. adventure thriller about a man caught up in<br />

Andrew V. McLaglen will direct from the the trauma of the Kennedy assassination<br />

script by Reginald Rosen about mercenaries and the social unrest of the 1960s . . .<br />

"Clouds," produced by Diana Young and<br />

directed by Karen Arthur, with a script by<br />

Don Chastain, began filming in Los Angeles<br />

July 11 with Lee Grant. Carol Kane, Will<br />

Geer and James Olson heading the cast.<br />

signed for United Artists' "Comes a<br />

Horseman" . singer Merle Haggard<br />

has been signed for a role in "COM-<br />

TAC 303." Pinnacle Productions feature<br />

now shooting in the Mojave Desert . . .<br />

Dean Stockwell has been set for the Band<br />

Co.'s "She Came to the Valley." on which<br />

production is slated to begin this month in<br />

Mission. Tex. . O'Neal has been<br />

inked to star in MGM's "International<br />

Velvet," to be directed by Bryan Forbes<br />

from his own screenplay . . . James Stewart<br />

will star in an as-yet-untitled feature for<br />

producers Bonita Granville Wrathcr and<br />

William Beaudina jr. To be produced by the<br />

Wrather Corp., Rudd Weatherwax again<br />

will provide the dog to play Lassie, using a<br />

descendant of the original canine star<br />

.<br />

I rank J. Ferreri has signed for a role in the<br />

Robert Amram Films production. "The<br />

Late. Great Planet Earth." to be directed<br />

by Rolf Frosberg . Adams has been<br />

given the lead female role in "Racquet,"<br />

about the Beverly Hills-Bel Air tennis circuit,<br />

set to begin shooting this month with<br />

David Winters producing for Cal-Am/<br />

Harlequin Productions. Bert Convy has<br />

been set as the male lead . . . Ned Beatty<br />

will portray the aide to Gene Hackman and<br />

Marc McClure will play a news photographer<br />

in the Alexander Salkind presentation<br />

"Superman" . . . Robb Diamond. Angeleo<br />

Grisanti, Jeanne Weldon and Philip Miller<br />

have been cast in feature roles in American<br />

Films-Artaxerxes' "Hollywood Knight" . . .<br />

Janet Wood will appear in "Mafia on the<br />

Bounty," Adell Entertainment's feature<br />

which begins shooting Thursday (25) . . .<br />

Cliford David will play a power-hungry busness<br />

executive in "The Betsy," Allied Artists/United<br />

Artists co-production . . . Shirley<br />

Stoler. George Dzundza and Chuck Aspegren<br />

have been cast in EMI Films' "The Deer<br />

Hunter" for Universal . . . Donna Summer,<br />

the Commodores and Ray Vitte have been<br />

pacted for Columbia's "After Dark," the<br />

Casablanca FilmWorks-Motown Productions'<br />

feature that began shooting in a Los<br />

Angeles discotheque July 18.<br />

Michael Hershews Joins Cast<br />

Of Warners' 'Bloodbrothers'<br />

Michael Hershews has joined the cast of<br />

Warner Bros.' "Bloodbrothers" . . . Joseph<br />

Walsh will co-star as the leader of a gang<br />

of hoodlums in the 20th-Fox presentation<br />

of<br />

Comedian Nipsey Russell Set "The Driver." a Lawrence Gordon production,<br />

while Felice Orlandt has a role as a<br />

Hodges directing and Charles Orme (associate<br />

producer on "The Omen") serving as<br />

plainclothes detective in the feature, now<br />

To Make Fikn Debut in 'Wiz'<br />

co-producer with Harvey Bernhard. After Comedian Nipsey Russell will make his on location in Southern California. Will<br />

eight weeks of shooting in the Midwest.<br />

motion picture debut in "The Wiz," the Walker also has been set for a role in the<br />

work will continue in Jerusalem and Hollywood<br />

. Henderson and Kenneth<br />

Universal-Motown production set to begin film . . . Morgana King. Tovah Feldman<br />

photography September 30 in New York and Monica Lewis have been added to the<br />

Dalton will produce "Gang Wars,"<br />

City<br />

a contemporary<br />

love story written by Dalton<br />

with Sidney Lumet directing . . . Robby cast of Universal's "The Eagle Flies." a Jennings<br />

Lang production which began shoot-<br />

Benson and Strother Martin will join the<br />

about a Latin singer who cast<br />

falls in love with a<br />

of "The End," the Lawrence Gordon- ing July 18 in New York with Paul Williams<br />

directing . . . Virginia Vestoff will<br />

Eurasian girl. Filming is planned for October,<br />

with Henderson directing and Dalton<br />

Roche has a leading role in play the spinster aunt of Desi Arnaz jr. in<br />

Burt Reynolds production for United Artists<br />

also acting in the film . . . "Because He's MGM's "Stingray" . . . Teri Garr will play Robert Altman's "A Wedding" for 20th-<br />

My Friend," a Trans-Atlantic Enterprises<br />

the mother of the young hero in "The Black Fox . Cardona and Dennis Stewart<br />

will appear in Paramount's "Grease." in<br />

feature, will start lensing Monday Stallion." United<br />

(15) in<br />

Artists release which began<br />

Sydney, Australia, with Ralph Nelson succeeding<br />

will<br />

filming July 4 in Canada . . . Chris Mitchum which Fannie Flagg will play the high school<br />

Daniel Mann as director. Geoff<br />

co-star in the Cal-Am/Atila Films production<br />

of "The Cop Who Played God" . and Fernando Lamas, will make his debut<br />

nurse. Lorenzo Lamas, son of Arlene Dahl<br />

Daniels is the producer and Robert D.<br />

Kline and Preston Fischer are executive pro-<br />

Jim Davis and Macon McCalman have been in the picture as a high school athlete who<br />

competes with John Travolta for the affections<br />

of Olivia Newton-John. Dick Patterson<br />

also will appear in the film version of the<br />

popular Broadway musical . . . Lee Purcell<br />

has been inked for a starring role in "Big<br />

Wednesday," an A-Team production for<br />

Warner Bros. . . . Walt Disney Productions<br />

announced Michael Sharrett, 12. and Debbie<br />

Lytton. 11. as the juvenile leads in "Bloodshy."<br />

Rick Hurst will play a federal undercover<br />

agent, operating as a diaper service<br />

employee, in Disney's "The Cat From Outer<br />

Space." Hank Jones. Jana Milo. Sammy<br />

Jackson. Arnold Soboloff, Rick Sorensen<br />

and Tom Jackman also have been signed.<br />

August 1, 1977 17


BOXOFFICE BAROMETER<br />

This chart records the performance of current attraction! in the opening week of their first runs in<br />

the 20 key cities checked. Pictures with fewer than five engagements are not listed. As new runs<br />

are reported, ratings are added and averages revised. Computation is in terms of percentage in<br />

relation to average grosses as determined by the theatre managers. With 100 per cent as average,<br />

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

1 Annie Hall (UA)<br />

H i . 5 g i I . t: I<br />

i g t i i<br />

> > ?<br />

I<br />

i i i i i<br />

i I :i ^ s'^<br />

I<br />

: i I ^ ^ ^ i : 2<br />

§ I<br />

< ^<br />

i<br />

tomaioiJUQQXii-JSEz*za.« coin


Philadelphia Encourages<br />

Further Film Production<br />

PHILADELPHIA— With the recciil lilming<br />

of "Winterkill" here (starring Jeff<br />

Bridges, Elizabeth Taylor and Anthony<br />

Perkins) following the successful productions<br />

of "Rocky" and "Nasty Habits," and<br />

before that "Mickey and Nicky" with Peter<br />

Falk and John Cassavetes, the city fathers<br />

are beginnng to woo the filmmakers in<br />

earnest. While the city has not set up any<br />

advertising budget to lure potential filmmakers<br />

here, a movie showing the nev\<br />

Philadelphia is in the works for distribution<br />

to organizations like the Screen Actors<br />

Guild, to interest directors and producers<br />

in using the city.<br />

There is also talk of drafting legislation<br />

for a state filmmaking commission, following<br />

in the footsteps of bordering New Jersey's<br />

newly-created agency. Not only does<br />

.he tiiy o''''er a variety of "looks," with<br />

new and old areas that duplicate other city<br />

locales, but the city considers moviemakers<br />

like all other tourists with a camera, and<br />

does not charge for taking pictures.<br />

Film crews are not charged for use of<br />

locations and city services unless it means<br />

overtime or pulling someone off normal detail<br />

and having to replace him. Then the city<br />

just passes along its costs. The city also<br />

helps filmmakers in shopping for locations<br />

and getting people to cooperate without interfering<br />

with the shooting.<br />

A major advantage is the fact that union<br />

rules here are less stringent. There are no<br />

standby rules as in New York City where a<br />

local man must be hired for each job on the<br />

set even though the picture company may<br />

have its own crew. Moreover, hotels and<br />

food are much cheaper here.<br />

Fictional 'Island' Beast<br />

On View at Baltimore Zoo<br />

BALTIMORE—The center cage of the<br />

Baltimore Zoo featured the bizarre "humanimal"<br />

July 17.<br />

A creation of the imaginative H. G. Wells,<br />

the "humanimal" is on temporary loan from<br />

American International Pictures, whose film<br />

"The Island of Dr. Moreau" includes the<br />

beast in its motion picture debut. The film<br />

opened July 20 at Baltimore area theatres.<br />

The "humanimal" was on display from<br />

one to four p.m., soliciting donations for the<br />

Baltimore Zoo Annual Fund and giving<br />

away free passes to see "The Island of Dr.<br />

Moreau."<br />

Goldman Featured Speaker<br />

At TOP Conclave, Philly<br />

NEW YORK—NATO president Marvin<br />

Goldman was the featured speaker at a<br />

membership meeting of the Theatre Owners<br />

of Pennsylvania July 28.<br />

He addressed the exhibitor organization<br />

at a luncheon held at the Latham Hotel in<br />

Philadelphia.<br />

ment.<br />

Nick Grippo and Edwin Morgan are associate<br />

producers of "You Light Up My<br />

Life."<br />

Woodbay Is Building<br />

Quadplex for Loews<br />

Carbons Inc. Holds<br />

CEDARHURSr, N.Y.— Construction has<br />

A Special<br />

begun on Loews<br />

Seminar<br />

Theatres" fourplex located<br />

on the Hempstead Turnpike in Lcvitiown. CEDAR KNOLLS. N. J.— routing the<br />

Checking new Levitlown project are,<br />

left to right, George McNeil of Loews<br />

Corp., Joel L. Chinnian and Maxwell<br />

Krieger of Woodbay Construction<br />

Corp.<br />

N.Y. Woodbay Construction Corp., headquartered<br />

here and headed by Joel L. Chinman<br />

and Maxwell Krieger, was awarded this<br />

contract, with a target completion date of<br />

Thanksgiving 1977.<br />

The quadplex will have up-to-date projection<br />

booths and will feature the latest equip-<br />

New Jersey Anti-Obscenity<br />

Bill Blasled in Trenton<br />

TRENTON, N.J.— In taking a strong editorial<br />

position that the state's new anti-obscenity<br />

bill passed by the legislature last<br />

week will only invite legal chaos, the Trenton<br />

Times daily newspaper urged Governor<br />

Brendon T. Byrne to veto the measure.<br />

Calling it a "bad law," the newspaper warned<br />

that the evil it is designed to eliminate<br />

will not disappear, the mess it will create<br />

will take years to straighten out, and "all of<br />

us will lose part of our right to the free exchange<br />

of ideas."<br />

The New Jersey bill puts in the hands of<br />

every mimicipality in the state the legal<br />

right to set up community standards in respect<br />

to pornography, and where there is no<br />

local law, the municipal judge has the legal<br />

right to censor movies, magazines and<br />

books. The law defines pornography as anything<br />

which appeals to prurient interests,<br />

portrays sexual acts in a patently offensive<br />

way, and lacks serious literary, artistic, po-<br />

or scientific value.<br />

litical<br />

"No adult in a free country should be<br />

willing to let anyone else judge for him or<br />

her what pictures and words and acts fit<br />

that<br />

classification," stated the newspaper's editorial.<br />

"It is far too easy to misjudge artistic<br />

merit; to label political differences as unacceptable;<br />

and to confuse religious beliefs<br />

with scientific truths. The closing off of a<br />

free exchange of ideas—no matter how<br />

grotesque and obscene they might seem today—<br />

is the first step down the long road to<br />

tyranny."<br />

lull scope of their expanding lines of theatre<br />

equipment, the XeTRON Products Division<br />

of Carbons, Inc. entertained East Coast<br />

theatre supply dealers at a recent sales and<br />

engineering seminar. The two-day meeting,<br />

held at the New Jersey based firm's headquarters,<br />

were conducted by Manford E.<br />

Pickrell jr.. pres!d.nt of Carbons, national<br />

sales manager Phil Rafnson, and the company's<br />

technical staff.<br />

Dealer representatives from Boston to<br />

Miami attended to learn about a plethora of<br />

new products and technical innovations for<br />

Lxistng products. Represented at the seminar<br />

was Joe Hornstein, Inc. of New York.<br />

Florida Theatre Equipment and Supply, Major<br />

Theatre Equipment Corporation and<br />

Standard Theatre Supply.<br />

Highlighting this first of a series of East<br />

and West coast seminars to be conducted<br />

by Carbons were many new products that<br />

give Carbons' customers the industry's widest<br />

selection of lamphouses. film transports,<br />

projectors, sound and lighting control systems,<br />

power supplies, automation, lenses,<br />

and accessories.<br />

Outstanding among the new products was<br />

the fully automatic Loopmatic Endless Film<br />

Transport, the XeDEK Film Handling Platter<br />

w th make-up table, the XeTROL IV<br />

Incandescent Lighting Control, and the Xe-<br />

TREX Moving Message Display for concession<br />

promotion and cross plugging, and a<br />

new line of portable 35mm projectors by<br />

Cinemeccanica.<br />

Commenting on the success of the seminar,<br />

Rafnson said that a soon-to-be-released<br />

schedule of similar seminars will be sent to<br />

dealers nationwide and that special dealer<br />

organization seminars will be conducted upon<br />

request.<br />

Ozoner Denied Permission<br />

To Twin Near Asbury Park<br />

HAZLET TOWNSHIP, N.J.— Ihe plans<br />

of National Amusement Inc. to twin its<br />

Route 35 Drive-In Theatre near Asbury<br />

Park here was rejected by the township's<br />

Planning Board. The company sought to put<br />

up a second screen on the drive-in site. The<br />

board based most of its reasons for denying<br />

approval of the site plan application on the<br />

complaints registered by residents who presented<br />

a 113-name petition protesting the<br />

proposed drive-in twin construction.<br />

The board said that the proposed twinning<br />

would create light and soimd problems<br />

that would exceed Ihe normal expectancy:<br />

that neighbors are entitled to an orderly<br />

operated facility; that the proposed second<br />

screen would be harmful to residential<br />

neighbors because the screen could be seen<br />

from their homes and that the additional<br />

vehicular traffic and accompanying .sounding<br />

of horns would create a<br />

residential<br />

neighborhtxid.<br />

hardship on the<br />

August E-1


BROAD WAY<br />

THE BAD NEWS BEARS baseball team<br />

from the two Paramount features defeated<br />

an all-girls' team from the Broadway<br />

musical "Annie" at a special game held<br />

Tuesday afternoon. July 26. at Diamond<br />

No. 6 in Central Park West. The girls suffered<br />

a 6-2 loss at the hands of the more<br />

professional ball players.<br />

The Bears, who will be seen shortly m<br />

•The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training"<br />

consisted of Jackie Earle Haley and other<br />

actors from the cast, while Annie herself—<br />

Andrea McArdle—captained the girls and<br />

had Sandy, the dog from the musical about<br />

Little Orphan Annie, as team mascot.<br />

The Paramount film, also starring William<br />

Devane and Clifton James, was produced<br />

by Leonard Goldberg and directed by<br />

Michael Pressman. The screenplay was written<br />

by Paul Brickman. as based on the characters<br />

created for the first film by Bill Lancaster.<br />

The Bears, incidentally, were present<br />

Monday evening. July 25, at the Paramount<br />

Theatre preview of their new feature.<br />

Producer Raymond R. Homer has returned<br />

from the South African locations for<br />

Sharpies." which is being filmed with<br />

Michael Moore as director and David<br />

Broadnax and Stella Stevens as the stars.<br />

The action-adventure film is due for completion<br />

later in the year, after a week of<br />

location work in Munich. Germany.<br />

Homer now is scouting New Jersey locations<br />

for "Crown of Thorns." the story of<br />

a child evangelist, which he will direct there<br />

early in 1978. The busy producer, based in<br />

New York, is now in preproduction on "The<br />

Kids." psychological siispenser which is set<br />

to start filming in South Africa after<br />

"Sharpies" is completed.<br />

•<br />

Guests on ABC-TV's "Good Morning<br />

America" show included Leslie Caron July<br />

25. now touring in a summer theatre production<br />

of "Can Can"; Albert Finney July<br />

26. talking about a new album — "His Life<br />

Story"—which he recorded and for which<br />

I COLOR<br />

or Black and White i<br />

FOR<br />

INDOOR AND<br />

DRIVE-INS<br />

SPECIAL PROMOTIONS • TRAILERETTES<br />

NO SMOKING • VANDALISM • DATERS<br />

COLOR MERCHANT ADS<br />

Filmacic<br />

.»3 tudio:<br />

he composed the lyrics; entertainer Ben<br />

Vereen and two stars from "Sinbad and the<br />

Eye of the Tiger." Patrick Wayne and<br />

Taryn Power, July 27. and comedienne<br />

Totie Fields July 28. talking about her<br />

adjustment after the amputation of a leg.<br />

With "The First Nudie Musical" now at<br />

the 68th Street Playhouse after going<br />

through at least three distributors, attention<br />

can be focused on another resurrected feature,<br />

"Sugar Cookies," which opens Wednesday<br />

13) at the Mark Triple.x 3, Seventh Avenue<br />

and 47th Street.<br />

Originally released by General Film Corp.<br />

in 1972. the film had a brief New York<br />

run. Now being presented by Troma. Inc..<br />

the psychological sex thriller has had interest<br />

revived because of its reception in the<br />

college-art theatre circuits. Produced by<br />

Lloyd Kaufman and Ami Artzi. it was directed<br />

by Theodore Gershuny from a<br />

screenplay by Kaufman and Gershuny.<br />

Starring are Lynn Lowry. Mary Woronov.<br />

George Shannon and Monique Van Vooren.<br />

•<br />

"Greased Lightning." starring Richard<br />

Pryor as Wendell Scott, the first black auto<br />

racer, opens Wednesday (3) at Flagship theatres.<br />

Also starring in the Warner Bros,<br />

release are Beau Bridges. Pam Grier. Cleavon<br />

Little. Vincent Gardenia. Richie Havens<br />

and Julian Bond. Songs written by Fred<br />

Karlin are performed by Havens and Roberta<br />

Flack.<br />

Filmed in Georgia, the Third World<br />

Cinema production details Scott's progress<br />

from taxi-owning moonshine runner to national<br />

stock car racing champion over a 30-<br />

year period. Michael Schultz directed for<br />

producer Hannah Weinstein and executive<br />

producers Richard Bell and J. Lloyd Grant.<br />

The screenplay was written by Kenneth<br />

Vose, Lawrence DuKore, Melvin Van<br />

Peebles and Leon Capetanos.<br />

•<br />

"MGM at the Regency" continues with<br />

the following .schedule for the first week in<br />

August: July 31 through Tuesday (2). the<br />

all-color "Ziegfeld Follies" (1946). with<br />

Fred Astaire. Gene Kelly and Judy Garland,<br />

and the all-black 'Cabin in the Sky"<br />

(1943). with Ethel Waters, Eddie "Rochester"<br />

Anderson, Lena Home and Duke Ellington<br />

and orchestra; Wednesday (3)<br />

through Saturday (6), "Grand Hotel"<br />

(1932), all-star cast, and "Waterloo Bridge"<br />

(1940), Robert Taylor and Vivien Leigh;<br />

Sunday (7) and Monday (8), "Broadway<br />

Melody of 1940," with Fred Astaire, Eleanor<br />

Powell and George Murphy, and "For<br />

Me and My Gal" (1942). Kelly. Garland<br />

and Murphy.<br />

•<br />

Showcase action July 27 was enlivened<br />

by the arrival of several new bills. One was<br />

"The Amazing Dobermans" or "Dobermans<br />

77." starring Fred Astaire, James Franciscus<br />

and Barbara Eden, plus "Godzilla vs. Cosmic<br />

Monster." Warners offered an old bill.<br />

"Enter the Dragon." starring the late Bruce<br />

Lee and "Sparkle." plus a semi-new bill, the<br />

first-run "Viva Knievel!", starring Evel<br />

Knievel, Lauren Hutton and Gene Kelly,<br />

plus the second-run "The Enforcer," starring<br />

Clint Eastwood as Dirty Harry. The<br />

Disney Summer Hit Parade consisted of<br />

"In Search of the Castaways" and the allcartoon<br />

"Robin Hood."<br />

The new James Bond film, starring Roger<br />

Moore as Agent 007. "The Spy Who Loved<br />

Me." opened at seven area theatres. The<br />

United Artists epic, directed by Lewis Gilbert<br />

and produced by Albert R. Broccoli,<br />

also stars Barbara Bach, Curt Jurgens and<br />

Richard Kiel as Jaws. Monty Python's "Jabberwocky"<br />

started a showcase run and the<br />

Universal release "Rollercoaster," without<br />

benefit of Sensurround. began a new track.<br />

Also playing were "Star Wars" (mini),<br />

"Cousin Cousine." "Annie Hall," "The<br />

Island of Dr. Moreau." "New York, New<br />

York," "A Bridge Too Far" (mini), the X-<br />

rated "Overnight Sensat'ons," "The Deep,"<br />

"The Other Side of Midnight." "Orca" and<br />

"Smokey and the Bandit."<br />

WASHINGTON<br />

Tim Mullis, Cumberland, Md. exhibitor, expanded<br />

his theatre circuit by the July<br />

opening of a new single hardtop in Grantsville.<br />

W. Va. The 450-seater is located in<br />

the Grantsville strip center. Mullis chose the<br />

United Artists release. "Rocky," to unveil<br />

the beautifully constructed Granlsv:ile Theatre.<br />

Other situations operated by Mullis are<br />

the Center Theatre and Light Cinema, as<br />

well as the Potomac Drive-In and the Super<br />

51 Drive-In in Cumberland; the Tri-Town<br />

1 and 2 in Westernport, Md. and the Highrock<br />

Drive-In, McCoole, Md. John Broumas<br />

is<br />

the buyer-booker for the Mullis houses.<br />

Ted and Jim Pedas, owners and operators<br />

of the Circle Theatres and the 360-seat West<br />

End Theatre (formerly the Washington Theatre<br />

Club, presenting live theatre), have<br />

changed the name of the West End to the<br />

West End Circle Theatre. Its new policy is<br />

to alternate first-run films and legitimate<br />

theatre. Following extensive renovations, the<br />

Pedas brothers' premiere film in the West<br />

and Circle will be "Outrai^eoiis." imspoolini!<br />

Thursday (11). The Cinema V release is a<br />

Canadian low-budget comedy written and<br />

directed by American Robert Benner. Tho<br />

Pedas" future plans include construction of<br />

a new theatre on Wisconsin Avenue.<br />

The Washington Post reviewer Gary<br />

Arnold noted that "Teenage Graffiti"<br />

"may justify a certain amount of local interest<br />

as the first theatrical feature with a cast<br />

and crew recruited predominantly from the<br />

Washington area." although "its artistic<br />

value seems negligible."<br />

Speaking of critics, The Star's Tom<br />

Dowling explained in a Sunday feature July<br />

24 why he has "declined participation" in<br />

an American Film Institute poll which asks<br />

35.000 insiders to select the "five greatest<br />

American films of all time." AFI's invitation<br />

supplies a list of 341 motion pictures<br />

BOXOFFICE August 1977


. . Paramount's<br />

J'<br />

,<br />

from which to choose, and does not limit<br />

votes to their list. Dowling failed to find<br />

"a single title" which he "should not feel a<br />

gushing idiot to term great." He suggests,<br />

"Why not a list of the five all-time laugh<br />

riots? Or the five most stupendous, supercolossal<br />

movies ever made? Or even the five<br />

most superbly great stories ever told? . . .<br />

This at least puts the movies in their real<br />

context."<br />

Pam Grier, here to talk up her 17th film,<br />

"Greased Lightning," expressed hope that<br />

her fans have begim to see her as a real<br />

actress. Her 18lh will be the story of the<br />

first black, and the second woman, to drive<br />

a stagecoach, Mary Fields.<br />

Bob Malhews, office manager of Highway<br />

Film Delivery, a subsidiary of Clark<br />

Transfer, has announced his resignation after<br />

27 years, effective Friday (12).<br />

Barry London, Paramount eastern-division<br />

manager, visited Buffalo and Pittsburgh<br />

branches . "The Bad News<br />

Bears in Breaking Training" opened in five<br />

theatres July 29.<br />

Ronald Steffensen, District Theatres' chief<br />

booker, returned from a "fantastic" vacation<br />

at Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, "brown as a<br />

berry."<br />

The Supreme Court ruled six to three to<br />

uphold the conviction of Roy Splawn, owner<br />

of a bookstore in Redwood City. Calif., involving<br />

his sale of two reels of "sexually<br />

provocative" film to an undercover policeman.<br />

The California Court of Appeals, previously<br />

upholding that conviction, rejected<br />

Splawn's claim that First Amendment rights<br />

had been violated. In a dissent, Assoc. Justice<br />

John Paul Stevens, joined by Justices<br />

Stewart and Marshall, said the constitutional<br />

guarantee of free speech embraces truthful<br />

statements, such as Splawn's description of<br />

the material as "sexually provocative," if<br />

they are neither "misleading or offensive<br />

... I would not send Mr. Splawn to jail<br />

for tellng the truth about his shabby business."<br />

Splawn's sentence was a $1,000 fine<br />

and 91 days in jail.<br />

George Stevens jr., director of the American<br />

Film Institute, has named Ma:cia<br />

Johnston API's special projects director<br />

A former polit'cal organizer, her first<br />

project will be to coordinate AFI's tenth<br />

anniversary celebration this fall . . .<br />

Michael Webb, AFI's national film programing<br />

director, announced Adam Rcilly's<br />

appointment as theatre supervisor foi<br />

AFI, which involves the programing and<br />

operations of the AFI Theatre. Formerh.<br />

Re'lly was director of publicity at Time-<br />

Life Films in New 'Vork. His book titled<br />

"Harold Lloyd: King of Daredevil Comcd\'<br />

will be published in November.<br />

!<br />

BUX-MONT<br />

Marquees—Signs<br />

I<br />

LEASING<br />

Horsham, Pennsylvania 19044<br />

Call (215) 676-4444 or 675-1040<br />

(;<br />

Porno Queen's Tale<br />

High in New York<br />

NEW YORK— The memoirs of a porno<br />

queen, "Inside Jennifer Welles" scored a big<br />

600 in its opening at the World to take top<br />

honors. Second was the erotic Japanese import,<br />

"In the Realm of the Senses," 530 for<br />

the first week at the Plaza. Third was last<br />

week's winner, "The Last Remake of Beau<br />

Geste," still hot as it earned 515 in the<br />

second stanza at the Sutton.<br />

The heat wave left town, followed by<br />

cooler weather, followed by "I Never Promised<br />

You a Rose Garden" in fourth place;<br />

second last time, it was an even 400 in the<br />

second round at Cinema I. From third to<br />

at the 68th Street Playhouse with indications<br />

of being a hit.<br />

On showcase, "Orca" was again on top,<br />

followed by "Smokey and the Bandit," "Star<br />

Wars." "The Island of Dr. Moreau," Disney's<br />

reissue of "Darby O'Gill and the Little<br />

People" and "Winnie the Pooh." "The<br />

Deep." "New York, New York" and "The<br />

Other Side of Midnight."<br />

(Average Is !00)<br />

Baronet—Pardon Mon Aiiaire (Firsl Artists),<br />

5th wk. , ,<br />

2V0<br />

Beekman—La Grande Bourgeoise<br />

(Atlantic R-;.!asin3) 385<br />

Cinema Studio—Stroszek :: . Y ,:), 2nd wk. ..205<br />

Cinema I— I Never Promised You a Rose Garden<br />

(New World), 2n • 400<br />

Cinema , , III— Crial !|i ...205<br />

Eastworld—Barbara BroadcaM<br />

2nd wk 300<br />

Paramount— La Grande Bourgeoise<br />

(Atlantic H. : T r: , 175<br />

Pans—Black and White in Color ?AA), 11th wk 220<br />

Plaza—In the Realm ol the Senses (Argos Films) ..530<br />

Radio City Mus;; H ..:- MacArlhur iljniv),<br />

4th wk, .<br />

80<br />

Sutton—The Last Remake of Beau Geste (Univ),<br />

2nd wk 515<br />

World— Inside Jennifer Welles ("v-yt) ...bUU<br />

Baltimore Likes 'NY, NY'<br />

But Space Fantasy Leads<br />

BALTIMORE—The leader of the pack<br />

Baltimore boxoffices remains "Star Wars,"<br />

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"New York, New York" is going strong in<br />

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Opening at the Beekman (385) and Paramoimt<br />

its third week, closely followed by "The<br />

(175), "La Grande Bourgeoise" aver-<br />

aged 280 for sixth spot.<br />

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Just under the Golden Circle were "Pardon<br />

receipts, while all the big names in<br />

Mon Affaire" at the Baronet and "Black the world can't seem to do much for either<br />

and White in Color" at the Paris. The longdelayed<br />

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"The First Nudie Musical"<br />

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Mini Fhok II—Annie Hall lU 175<br />

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AugU'


i<br />

j<br />

Wood," "As<br />

BUFFALO<br />

the Sun Goes Down,"" "A Hole<br />

!<br />

Appears in the Sky," and "Statement on<br />

Because" July 12 at Diefendorf Hall. "Prov- i<br />

idence" July 14 and 15 at the Squire Con-<br />

a nthony Mercurio, local Paramount branch 1975 Academy Award nominee for Best<br />

ference Theatre.<br />

manager, sent out special invitations Foreign Film, Wednesday (24) and "Grey<br />

for a sneak preview of "The Bad News Gardens,'" compelling documentary about The Martha Graham Dance Company<br />

Bears in Breaking Training" at the Holiday two reclusive women related to Jackie Onassis,<br />

Wednesday (31). Regular prices are in ton, with performances nightly July 13-16<br />

played a five-day stand at Artpark in Lewis-<br />

3 theatre July 22.<br />

effect for all showings in the series.<br />

and a two p.m. matinee July 17 in the<br />

Girls with long hair who plan to take in<br />

Artpark Theatre.<br />

the Hick at the Holday S x theatres in The Enterprise Drive-In, Falconer, owned<br />

Cheektowaga might well put their treasured by Dave Saullo, has completed installation WUTV, channel 29, was purchased July<br />

locks into an upsweep. There have been of the Christie Platter System, which makes<br />

1 1 by a group of Boston investors organized<br />

three incidents of a "phantom snipper" doing<br />

some unauthorized hair styling while his Terrell of Christie installed the equipment, station. Pease and investors representing<br />

both booths 100 per cent automated. Glen by Herman Pease, general manager of the<br />

"patrons" were watching the picture. wh'ch was sold through Jim Lavorato of three Boston firms combined to form Whitehaven<br />

Entertainment Corp., and purchased<br />

National Theatre Supply.<br />

Walt Difney's "The Rescuers" opened<br />

the Grand Island-based UHF station from<br />

at the East Twin and Park Drive-Ins and at Buffalo and Western New York were wellrepresented<br />

at the annual convention of was the last of the Buffalo-owned stations.<br />

Ultravision Broadcasting Co., Inc. WUTV<br />

the Como 8 and North Park Indoor theatres.<br />

NATO of New York State and New Jersey,<br />

Theatre Organ Society featured popular held July 24-28 at the Concord Hotel, Kiamcsha<br />

Lake. Heading the welcoming com-<br />

Pictures arranged for a special screenirg of<br />

Minna Zackem of American International<br />

Chicago organist Kay McAbee in a silent<br />

"The Island of Dr. Moreau" in the Motion<br />

comedy-and-singalong program at the Riviera<br />

Theatre, North Tonawanda.<br />

NATO of New York and Jack Infald. presimittee<br />

were Sidney Cohen, president of<br />

Picture Operator's Screening Room July 6.<br />

dent of NATO of New Jersey.<br />

The Shaw Festival opened Bernard Shaw's<br />

United Artists,' "The White Buffalo" Among those attending were Mannie<br />

opened at the Como 8, Towne. Broad<br />

"The M-llionairess,'" starring Ian Richardson<br />

Brown, president of Frontier Amusement<br />

way and .Skyway Drive-ins. Speaking of<br />

and Carole Shelley, in the Festival Theatre.<br />

Corp., Craig Clark and Bill Hebert of Front<br />

er; Bob Kowal of Blatt Bros, circuit; Al<br />

which, Hal Crowther of The News wrote:<br />

Shaw"s "The Great Catherine" played the<br />

"Next summer we may see 'Death Sheep'<br />

Court House Theatre. It's rare to see both<br />

Wright of Holiday theatres; Pat Mendola<br />

or 'The Duck from Hell," but this year there<br />

Shaw's "Man and Superman" and the playwithin-the-play<br />

"Don Juan<br />

of Delevan Drive-In, chairman of prizes;<br />

tiis?<br />

and Lockport Palace theatres Lavorato<br />

of National Theatre Supply. A special<br />

"Perhaps subconscious guilt motivates humans<br />

to make the largest myths out of the<br />

summer.<br />

screening of United Artists" latest James " 'Star Wars' is stunning interstellar emptiness,"<br />

read the three-column headline in<br />

animals they exterminate most effectively.<br />

Bond thriller "The Spy Who Loved Mc"<br />

Whales were already on the way out when<br />

was held at a theatre in Monticello.<br />

the Buffalo Evening News the day after the<br />

Melville wrote 'Moby Dick." No creature<br />

opening of the film at the Holiday One and<br />

took a worse beating than the bison. Fifty There were streamers, hats, noisemakers<br />

Boulevard Mall theatres. Says Hal Crowther,<br />

critic. "I'm not the man to knock any-<br />

years after they've killed off the last mountain<br />

lion, they'll probably tell children that Theatre's New Year's in July party recently,<br />

and bargain-priced drinks for the Century<br />

one out of orbit just for spite. But it's high<br />

the big cats used to haunt the freeways, but the atmosphere was strictly midsummer<br />

night's steam. The one thing that kept<br />

time somebody threw up a few deflector<br />

picking off everything smaller than a bus."<br />

shields against the barrage of intergalactic<br />

t from being hotter was that the Century adjectives urging us to declare George Lucas'<br />

'Star Wars" an instant classic.<br />

"Summer Cinema '77," a series of seven<br />

was only half-full for the Atlanta Rhythm<br />

foreign and offbeat American films, opened<br />

Section and R.E.O. Specdwagon. two rock<br />

at the Valu 5 Cinema complex. Opening<br />

lark, yes.<br />

show was "MJlhouEs: A Whit; Comedy,""<br />

read the<br />

a 1971 film. One of the highlights of the<br />

and<br />

series was the 1976 Swiss-made romantc<br />

realized that no one lied to me after all.<br />

comedy "Jonah Who Will B: 25 in the Year Rogers Memorial Fund audience collections.<br />

2000," dre;ted by Alain Tanner and shown<br />

They said it was an extravagant adolescent<br />

Sid Cohen, area chairman, urges those not<br />

fantasy with great special effects and a sense<br />

here in French with English subtitles. already signed up to do so as early as possible.<br />

As you know, the Will Rogers Insti-<br />

"Aguirre, the Wrath of God " opens Wednesday<br />

(3). It is a German film directed<br />

of humor, and that's just what it is. 'Star<br />

Wars' is Flash Gordon the way Flash's people<br />

would have done it with a lot more<br />

tute is now affiliated with the Burke Rehabilitation<br />

Center in White Plains. Your support<br />

by Werner Herzog.<br />

Other films scheduled 'n the series: "Th;<br />

money and a little more wit.<br />

is a contribution towards good health for us<br />

"I<br />

Wonderful Crook,"' Swiss film in French<br />

think it would take a pretty jaded and<br />

all.<br />

with English subtitles, opening Wednesday<br />

facetious cr'tic to call it a great motion<br />

(10); "Before the Revolution," Italian, opening<br />

Wednesday (17); "Scent of a Woman," d scussed his work during a screening of know Marvel Comics by heart. In Friday's<br />

Author and filmmaker Norman Mailer picture. But it's a Dark Age, when Ph.D's<br />

his films July 13 at the University of Buffalo's<br />

Farber Hall as part of the Summer In-<br />

takes ideas. I'll stick to it. 'Star Wars' is lov-<br />

paper I asserted that prime science-fiction<br />

CINERAMA IS IN<br />

stitute in the Making and Understanding of able, but its head is as empty as interstellar<br />

SHOW BUSINESS IN<br />

Film and Media.<br />

space."'<br />

HAWAII TOO.<br />

University of Buffalo: "Mean Streets," Mary Beth Lawton, manager of the 1-290<br />

When you come to Waikiki,<br />

Scorsese's urban drama, played July 9-10 Drive-In, ran a promotion for her exclusive<br />

'^°"'* "I'ss the famous<br />

BiMiilCl*<br />

on the Amherst campus. "Wild 90" and skytop run of "Black Sunday'" recently. All<br />

Ib^mT Don Ho Show. .<br />

. at<br />

"Eddie Sachs"" July 1 1 in Diefendorf Hall; m-mbers of the Amvets and Disabled Veterans<br />

were admitted at a special reduced<br />

ii?^j Cinerama's Reef Towers Hotel. •Ramblin",'" "Wide Anglo-Saxon,'" "L'Amico<br />

F TOWERS EDGEWATEH . f'ritz" Glamorous Friends," "Aged in price. Also a special ice cream novelty called<br />

"I went expecting a supernova and found<br />

bands not wall known here.<br />

intermittent meteor showers. A<br />

But 'Film of the Year"? Then<br />

There are still kits available at the local<br />

small print in those ecstatic<br />

for the Will<br />

I<br />

reviews<br />

in Hell" performed<br />

together, due to the unusual length<br />

isn't likely to be anything sillier than 'The<br />

Earl Lyng; of Maple Forest theatres, chairman<br />

of the golf tourney; Tony Kolinski.<br />

Whte Buffalo." Who knows why this placid<br />

and all but helpless herbivore has<br />

of the combined pieces. However, they were<br />

lieen<br />

Syracuse exhibitor; Elliott Press, Rochester<br />

singled out for infamy by Dino De Lauren-<br />

both performed at the Shaw Festival and<br />

exhibitor; Ed Bebko of Downtown Cinema<br />

will return on selected dates throughout the<br />

and Jim<br />

National Theatre Supply office<br />

E-4<br />

BOXOFFICE :; August 1, 1977


a Black Sundae, available al the snack bar,<br />

was a<br />

huge success.<br />

A trip for two to the "island of your<br />

dreams," the Bahamas, was offered during<br />

the local showing of "The Island of Dr. Morcau"<br />

at the Seneca Mall, Como 8. West<br />

Twin and 1-299. Regislration blanks were<br />

available at participating theatres. Travel<br />

arrangements were made through Travel<br />

Haven, a local agency.<br />

"Viva Knievcll" opened July 13 at the<br />

Holiday Theatre and ozoners. "The Spy<br />

Who Loved Me" the same day at the Amherst<br />

and Como Mall Cinema; Disney's "The<br />

Rescuers" at the North Park, Como Mall<br />

and drive-ins; "Orca" at the Holiday and<br />

"The Island of Dr. Moreau" at the Como<br />

Mall.<br />

Lt. Gov. Mary Anne Knipsak was in<br />

town July I for the filming of segments of<br />

1<br />

a documentary on the Comprehensive Employment<br />

and Training Act (CETA) program.<br />

The state-sponsored film is designed<br />

to show the impact of CETA programs in<br />

New York.<br />

Cinemette's Colvin and Townc theatres<br />

had special midnight performances of "A<br />

H'story of the Beatles," presenting the allnew<br />

"Best of the Beatles" July 9, all seats<br />

$2.50. The Townc Theatre also had 2 p.m.<br />

matinees.<br />

Richard Carlson, the manager of the Niagra<br />

Falls Cinema, told police he was robbed<br />

of a briefcase containing $1,000 cash after<br />

3 a.m. July 1 1.<br />

Miss Staten Island, Lesly Carol Braun,<br />

won the 1977 Miss New York State Scholararship<br />

Pageant held in Shea's Buffalo Theatre.<br />

She has returned home to prepare for<br />

the Miss America Pageant which will be<br />

held the first week in September. The threeday<br />

preliminaries were held in Shea's Buffalo,<br />

climaxed by a statewide telecast of the<br />

finals over WBEN-TV. Miss Braun was a<br />

preliminary w'nner in the swimsuit competition.<br />

The successful bidder lor the Granada<br />

Theatre complex has notified the city of<br />

Buffalo he wishes to withdraw from the<br />

deal. Edward Bebko, through his attorney,<br />

has asked for the return of his $13,500 deposit,<br />

citing lengthy delays and court-imposed<br />

restrictions on the city's transfer of<br />

the<br />

property.<br />

Bebko's cash bd of $135,000 was approved<br />

by the Common Council in January.<br />

However, the second bidders, Lawrence J.<br />

and Norman J. Mattar, filed suit in the State<br />

Supreme Court alleging the auction of cityowned<br />

property was not conducted according<br />

to established procedures. This pending<br />

llt'gation prevents completion of the Bebko<br />

purchase.<br />

In a letter to the city law department,<br />

Bebko's counsel asked for refund of the deposit,<br />

threatening "judicial proceedings" if<br />

the money is not returned. Noting the "rapid<br />

deterioration" of the theatre and adjoining<br />

buldings because of "extended delays" in<br />

completing the sale, the attorney said "the<br />

building is, quile simpK, not in the s;inie<br />

condition as when our clients submitted their<br />

purchase offer."<br />

"For the Love of Bcnji." produced by<br />

the family film company Mulberry Square,<br />

is scheduled for Ccmo Mall Cinema ai d<br />

Boulevard Mall Cinema August 10. "Smokey<br />

and the Bandit" booked for Friday (5)<br />

the Holiday and Como Mall theatres.<br />

"Millhouse: A White Comedy" b\ Hmile<br />

dj Antonio opened at the Valu Cinema.<br />

Pretension and Pandering<br />

Post Critic's Criteria<br />

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Washington<br />

Post's six arts critics wrote a full page in the<br />

July 16 edition devoted to the question<br />

"What is bad in the arts?" Kenneth Turan,<br />

reporting on film, answered "the intellectually<br />

pretentious and the insipidly pandering."<br />

He particularly pointed to the current<br />

"Rollercoaster," describing it as a "singularly<br />

tepid piece of work, so dull not even<br />

Sensurround can keep you fully awake."<br />

As examples of pretentiousness, Turan<br />

cites Antonioni's "L'Aventura" and Dennis<br />

Hopper's "The Last Movie," although it<br />

seems almost unfair to pick on the latter<br />

since it was so undeniably bad that it destroyed<br />

its director's career. Interestingly,<br />

the former helped make its director an international<br />

success. Turan does not discuss this<br />

quirk of judgment, but he does say that he<br />

almost forgave "Rollercoaster" upon reflection,<br />

admitting that "While intellectually we<br />

know that ultimate determinations of good<br />

or bad may take decades to work out, and<br />

may change decades later . . . emotionally<br />

we often cannot resist flatly saying that what<br />

we dislike is bad, bad, bad.<br />

". . . Bad popular movies are harder to<br />

work with since film is basically a popular<br />

medium and since many people find all sorts<br />

of virtues in what have come to be called<br />

gocd-bad movies' or "movie-movies.' "<br />

Among popular films, he chooses to knock<br />

"The Exorc'st," "Butch Cassidy" and "The<br />

Sting," saying that the first "failed because<br />

it laid nausea on with a trowel," the others<br />

for being "so calculatedly, cloyingly cutesy<br />

as to inspire naisea of a different sort. The<br />

problem is not that people won't respond to<br />

quality escap'st entertainment—huge successes<br />

like 'Star Wars' prove that they will<br />

— it's that they're hardly ever given the<br />

chance to choose."<br />

The critic began by expressing a wish to<br />

say that ";here is no such thing as a bad<br />

movie, that standards are relative, tastes<br />

differ." Indeed they do. Would it be reasonable<br />

to suggest that the same criteria by<br />

which Turan reluctantly judges a "bad"<br />

movie are applicable in judging a "bad"<br />

critic, and that to vacllate between the pretentious<br />

and the pandering is doubly offensive?<br />

Not that Turan is a bad critic,<br />

necessarily, but one might have wished he'd<br />

thought h s ideas through rather more completely.<br />

Didi Conn makes her<br />

"You Light Up My Lif<br />

al<br />

dL-hut<br />

Spanos Recalls Childhood<br />

As Baltimore Film Freak<br />

BALTIMORE— -I grew up in the neighborhood<br />

movie houses. I s.iw as many films<br />

as I had money to see. And I'm very thankful<br />

the downtown theatres had all-day previews<br />

and special bargain hours while I was<br />

in high school in the early Sixties."<br />

The words are from a screenwriter (his<br />

lacst film, "Whiskey Mountain," just enured<br />

national release), a film critic (syndicated<br />

to newspapers), an associate editor for<br />

Showcase magazine, and president of his<br />

own advertising agency. The P. A. System.<br />

Nick Spanos was raised in Baltimore and<br />

grad.iated from hgh s hool in 1962.<br />

Spanos now resides in Miami, Florida,<br />

where h s varied activities are centered.<br />

Additional scripts are scheduled to go into<br />

prrd.ict:cn in 1978 and his Imeup ol<br />

projects is heavy, the writer admitted.<br />

"Screenwriting keeps me busy, yet nowhere<br />

near as busy and hectic as seeing film.<br />

You have to constantly see film. New film,<br />

old film, independent productions, Hollywood<br />

productions, art films, retrospective<br />

scr.cs, expermi;ntal film., porr.ogiaph c<br />

garbage—everything you can. The most important<br />

thing, of course, is being able to<br />

correlate all of the film you do see, knowing<br />

how everything fits into the overall scheme<br />

of distribution, advertising, promotion, exhibit<br />

on, and subsequent reissues, TV sales,<br />

etc."<br />

Spanos originally attended Johns Hopkins<br />

University, also in Baltimore, where he<br />

studied civil engineering (transit and traff<br />

c). before transferring to the University of<br />

Southern California to major in film and<br />

jojrralifm. He giaduated in 1967.<br />

"I miss Baltimore. Worse, I miss the theatres<br />

that no longer are open, that merely<br />

exist now as memories for me. The Waverly,<br />

where I discovered Roger Corman; the<br />

Harford, with "The Thing" and "The<br />

Blob"; and the Vilma, where CinemaScope<br />

meant the screen was really twice the size<br />

of a "flat' image."<br />

A member of Delta Kappa Alpha, the<br />

honorary cinema fraternity at USC, Spanos<br />

was a teacher during the Vietnam war and<br />

director of publicity for McGraw-Hill Films<br />

in New York Citv, before moving to Miami<br />

in 1972.<br />

"Even though I'm still young (32). I really<br />

am deeply indebted to many people in Baltimore<br />

and Miami," Spanos commenled.<br />

"who were instrumental in my career.<br />

"Naturally producer-director Bill Grefe.<br />

with whom I'm proud to have begun one of<br />

the finest working relationships I've ever<br />

had, and who helmed "Whiskey Mountain.'<br />

is foremost. But, when you get down to it.<br />

I really want to thank only my parents, who<br />

have helped me, had faith and loyalty over<br />

the years for my endeavors.<br />

"I miss the Vilma; it was a good theatre,<br />

my own neighborhood theatre. One time. I<br />

was the only patron to see "The Three<br />

Worlds of Gulliver' during a severe winter<br />

snowstorm. Now a private screening means<br />

nothing; but iluii— that started me on the<br />

road to a film careerl"<br />

BOXOFFICE August 1977 E-5


. . . Motion<br />

. , The<br />

Liberty<br />

I<br />

PITTSBURGH<br />

}^e are are in<br />

receipt of a lollipop which is<br />

to "sweeten receipts" for "Lollipop<br />

Paiiice." being handled hereabouts by HLT<br />

Distributing Co. The film stars John Holmes,<br />

Ric Lutzette and Bunny Savage. Thanks to<br />

Helen Louise Trautman.<br />

Crown's "The Van" was a multiple release<br />

in the area, as was Columbia's "Sinbad and<br />

the Eye of the Tiger" . . . Penthouse's new<br />

runway stage is proving popular with the<br />

adult trade . . . Sheridan Square showed<br />

"Buffalo Bill and the Indians" and "From<br />

Noon Till Three" . Liberty featured<br />

"Pleasure Island."<br />

"School Days" is handled here by Max<br />

Shabason . . . JMG is readying for release<br />

"I Never Promised You a Rose Garden"<br />

Picture Film Services here has<br />

$150,000 in equipment for processing 16mm<br />

film for commercials, TV and industrials<br />

across the nation. John Zweregel is president<br />

of MPFS. The studio of Robert S. Costa,<br />

producer, is located nearby. Costa and Al<br />

J. Lhota, cinematographer, direct filmmaking<br />

classes with MPFS.<br />

"Laserium" is now a great feature at<br />

Buhl Planetarium, with performances daily<br />

for the next nine months. There are 17<br />

Laserium installations in the U. S.<br />

We never hear from the NITE organization,<br />

and several times in recent months<br />

have believed that the group had disbanded,<br />

but this is not so. The small exhibitor group<br />

is functioning and is now asked to have test<br />

runs here on the new film "The Hills Have<br />

Eyes" and to show ad reels on NITE<br />

screens.<br />

Dave Silverman at Screen Guild has a<br />

new laugh hit, "Sex on the Groove Tube."<br />

Knute Boyle, manager of the Theatre<br />

Equipment and Service Co., has invited theatre<br />

managers to preview the Century singlechannel<br />

all-transistor optical sound system.<br />

Gibby Katz has been informed that his<br />

operation of the Sheridan Square Theatre in<br />

East Liberty is under a conditional-use permit,<br />

and that the showing of adult films is<br />

banned by a city ordinance which allows no<br />

more adult movie houses to be opened,<br />

either in new locations or by change of<br />

. . policy at established theatres . Richard<br />

Torch, of Greentree, faced five counts of<br />

transporting allegedly obscene films from<br />

Pittsburgh to Charleston, W. Va. for distribution<br />

there.<br />

The Manor Theatre in Squirrel Hill now<br />

has a daily $1 policy . . . Showcase Cinemas<br />

exploit gift certificates, which are always<br />

^1<br />

available there . . . The Garden featured<br />

Forum and<br />

"The Devil Inside Her" . . .<br />

Encore showed "Lovers Like Us."<br />

Dan Lange has joined his father's distributing<br />

firm, William Lange & Associates,<br />

Chicago. In years past. Bill was WBP branch<br />

manager here, and always a gentleman.<br />

Summer offerings at area theatres include<br />

"Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger," "The<br />

Van," "Pom Pom Girls," "Eruption," "1001<br />

Danish Delights," "The Island of Dr. Moreau,"<br />

"Cross of Iron," "The Deep." and<br />

"2002—Futureworld."<br />

"Dirty Words," with Gordon Grant, was<br />

the feature at the Cinema Follies Club following<br />

"Track Meet," which introduced<br />

Gavin Geoffrey. "French Schoolgirls"<br />

topped the Art Cinema bill, following "A<br />

New York City Woman" and "Kinky<br />

Tricks."<br />

Several robberies at the ADV Agency<br />

stripped Jules and Gertrude Curley of profits<br />

for several years. They now have new<br />

equipment and are turning out offset printing<br />

heralds and other theatre forms for exhibitors,<br />

and your patronage is solicited to<br />

keep these veterans of the industry in this<br />

business and to help exhibitors' boxoffices<br />

everywhere with good advertising material.<br />

Jules and Gert need more than a vote of<br />

confidence.<br />

Previews with designated title advertising<br />

included "The Bad News Bears in Breaking<br />

Training" at the Stanley, and "The Spy Who<br />

Loved Me" at the Warner and Showcase.<br />

Bank Cinema 1 & 2 brought "Star Wars"<br />

to downtown patrons on both screens.<br />

A new Glenn "Pop" Warner picture is<br />

the works; it is not announced who will<br />

enact the role. Some years ago the late<br />

Charles Bickford played Pop Warner and<br />

Jim Thorpe was played by Burt Lancaster<br />

in a very popular film. More than 50 years<br />

ago this correspondent helped Pop in preparing<br />

his daily grid news column.<br />

PHILADELPHIA<br />

^^alter W. Lisman, Mayor of Wilkes-<br />

Barre, told the center city merchants<br />

and professional people that he would like<br />

to see the darkened ParamoLmt Theatre on<br />

Public Square turned into a mimicipal civic<br />

center if funds could be found to purchase<br />

the building.<br />

General Cinema Corp.'s Walnut Mall<br />

Cinema III, located opposite the University<br />

of Pennsylvania campus here, has programed<br />

The Metro Retro, a series of 26<br />

film favorites from the MGM library spanning<br />

40 years. The pictures range from "San<br />

Francisco" (1935) to "Network" (1976).<br />

"Snoopy Come Home" and "20,000<br />

Leagues Under the Sea" will be among the<br />

features offered during the family film series<br />

at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church social<br />

rooms on Thursday nights. The church is<br />

located in suburban Woodlyn.<br />

in<br />

The promotional plan for "The Bad News<br />

Bears in Breaking Training" includes a special<br />

preview at Budco's Orleans Theatre<br />

with Linda Goldenberg, publicity and promotion<br />

chief for the Budco circuit, serving<br />

as<br />

hostess.<br />

NORTH JERSEY<br />

^be Community Theatre in Toms River on<br />

the South Jersey shore has been reopened<br />

for the summer by Walter Reade<br />

Theatres. Operated for many years by<br />

WRO, the Community had been leased by<br />

them to several independent organizations<br />

during the past four years and had been<br />

opened and closed numerous times during<br />

that period. The theatre had been closed<br />

since last March. At that time it had been<br />

operated by Music Makers Theatres. Originally<br />

opened in the early 1940s by Izzy<br />

Hershblock, the Community long ago became<br />

a landmark along the Jersey shore.<br />

John Chrisman, who has been with the<br />

Reade circuit in New York City for the<br />

past two years, has been appointed manager<br />

of the Community. Most recently, he had<br />

served as assistant manager at Reade's<br />

Baronet and Coronet theatres in Manhattan.<br />

Prior to joining Reade, Chrisman had helmed<br />

several drive-ins in the North Jersey area<br />

for General Cinema Corp. and, subsequently.<br />

Eastern Outdoor Theatres, for approximately<br />

five years. He began his career with<br />

Stanley Warner Theatres in 1967 as a relief<br />

manager and assistant manager in the North<br />

Jersey area. Reopening attraction for the<br />

Community was a double bill of "Empir;<br />

of the Ants" plus "Food of the Gcd;."<br />

Chrisman noted that the admission policy<br />

is now $2 for all seats at all times.<br />

Paul Peterson, who operates six houses<br />

throughout the North Jersey area, has been<br />

appointed a commissioner on the newly<br />

created New Jersey State Motion Picture &<br />

Television Commission, headed by the noted<br />

Sidney Kingsley. Organized with the support<br />

of New Jersey Gov. Brendan Byrne and<br />

numerous members of the industry, the<br />

commission's objective is to bring motion<br />

picture and TV production to the state on<br />

a large scale. Following Peterson's recent<br />

appointment, he also was elected vice-chairman<br />

of the commission.<br />

Joseph Purwin, manager of UATC's Linwood<br />

Theatre in Fort Lee, recently resigned<br />

that post and left the industry. Purwin<br />

joined the circuit<br />

four years ago as an assistant<br />

manager at the Colonial in Pompton<br />

Lakes. He was transferred the following<br />

year to UATC's Wayne in Wayne as assistant<br />

manager and was appointed manager<br />

of the Linwood in May 1975. Prior to<br />

ISound and<br />

Projection Service<br />

Nationwide — on all brands.<br />

RCA Service Company, A Division of RCA<br />

J3 Edward J Harl Rd Industrial Park<br />

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E-6 BOXOFFICE :: August 1. 1977


I vacation<br />

UATC, Purwin had been employed by De<br />

Visser Theatres in the Passaic and Essex<br />

County areas. Succeeding him at the Linwood<br />

is Dean A. Christodoulou, who has<br />

served with UATC for the past four years<br />

as an usher and relief manager at the Closter<br />

in Closter. Christodoulou, who resides in<br />

Closter, attends Fordham University in New<br />

York City and e.xpects to return there when<br />

classes resume in the fall. He presently is<br />

being assisted at the Fort Lee house by relief<br />

manager Joseph Crasci.<br />

The Wayne Mall Adult Theatre in Wayne<br />

has begun a new policy of presenting continuous<br />

performance's on a daily basis,<br />

presentation of X-rated films, has been reopened<br />

under new management as the Lakeside<br />

Theatre. John Nelson, part-owner of<br />

the K Cinema in Randolph Township, recently<br />

acquired the house and presented<br />

"Rocky" as the inaugural attraction. The<br />

theatre had been operated the past six years<br />

by Gabe Gargirello, who had been involved<br />

with local and Morris county authorities in<br />

litigation regarding the X-rated film policy<br />

of the Netcong house. The last adult films<br />

at the theatre were "Behind the Green<br />

Door" and "Eve." Following the last day<br />

of that bill, the New Palace was closed four<br />

days, refurbished in many areas and reopened<br />

as the Lakeside. Nelson said he<br />

plans to follow "Rocky" with a one-week<br />

showing of "For the Love of Benji" and intends<br />

to invite the mayor and other local<br />

officials to view the "new theatre."<br />

Al Bulay has been appointed manager of<br />

Loews in Parsippany. succeeding Norma<br />

Stewart who retired recently. Most recently,<br />

Bulay had been involved in the ownership<br />

of his own theatre in New York state and<br />

prior to that had managed several houses<br />

for RKO-SW Theatres in North Jersey, including<br />

the Oritani in Hackensack and Warner<br />

in Ridgewood.<br />

Gerry Hazell, manager of UA's Bellevue<br />

in Upper Montclair, returned from a week's<br />

at the South Jersey shore. Substituting<br />

for him during his absence was assistant<br />

manager Don Satterfield.<br />

"The Spy Who Loved Me" opened an exclusive<br />

North Jersey engagement July 27 at<br />

UA's Cinema 46 Triplex in Totowa following<br />

special sneak-preview showings of the<br />

film at the same location the Friday and<br />

Saturday night prior to opening.<br />

Rudy Di Blazio and Maurice Miller, in<br />

conjunction with Theatre Management Associates<br />

of Passac, have taken over operation<br />

of the 2,700-seat Fabian Theatre in<br />

Paterson from RKO-SW. Orginally opened<br />

in 1914 by the late Jacob Fabian, an industry<br />

pioneer in this area, the Fabian is downtown<br />

Patcrson's only theatre remaining in<br />

operation. The Fabian, for many years one<br />

of North Jersey's finest and most palatial<br />

nioto:! picture houses, was owned and operated<br />

by Stanley-Warner Theatres for manv<br />

years and, since<br />

1969, by RKO-SW. Shortly<br />

aflei acquiring the Paterson house. Di Blaz!o<br />

and Miller annoimced plans to convert<br />

the Fabian into a triplex as soon as arrangements<br />

can be completed.<br />

John Troxler, former assistant manager<br />

lor RKO-SW at the Fabian, has been appointed<br />

manager of the house, it also was<br />

announced. Robert Osborne, who had last<br />

managed the Fabian for RKO-SW, has received<br />

a new assignment with that circuit<br />

starting<br />

at 12 noon every day and 2 p.m. Sundays.<br />

Previously, the 300-seat house had<br />

in the Essex<br />

been open<br />

County area. In<br />

evenings<br />

addition to the<br />

only, with continuous<br />

Fabian, Theatre<br />

performances on<br />

Management<br />

Saturday and<br />

Associates<br />

Sunday only.<br />

also operate the Plaza in<br />

The the<br />

theatre was acquired from<br />

Totowa section<br />

the Nathan<br />

of Paterson. Central in Passaic,<br />

Circuit last March by Mark Modcll who,<br />

Allwood in<br />

at<br />

Clifton and Meadtown in<br />

that time, changed<br />

Kinnelon.<br />

the policy from familyoriented<br />

shows to X-rated films.<br />

The New Palace in Netcong, a source of<br />

BALTIMORE<br />

controversy for several years because of its<br />

August<br />

phil Glazer of Associated Pictures Co.,<br />

Inc., announced that their latest Washington<br />

Film Directory is in the mail to all<br />

exhibitors in the Washington, D.C. exchange<br />

area. If you haven't received yours yet, call<br />

(301) 385-0600 or write 19 West Mount<br />

Royal Ave.. Baltimore. Md. 21201 for<br />

your copies of this handy directory.<br />

Milner-Fenwick, Inc., producers of educational<br />

and medical films in the documentary<br />

field, has moved to 2125 Greenspring<br />

Dr. Their official opening at the new address<br />

was July 1 1.<br />

Leon B. Back, general manager of Rome<br />

Theatres and president of NATO of Md.,<br />

and his wife, Helen, spent the weekend of<br />

July 16 in Beach Haven, N. J. visiting with<br />

Leon's nephew, Donald Leek, and his family.<br />

Claude Akins, who starred in the TV<br />

series "Movin' On," was in Baltimore recently<br />

for a charity appearance and was the<br />

subject of an interview in The Evening Sun<br />

July 15. Akins made his screen debut in<br />

"From Here to Eternity," and is chiefly<br />

remembered for his performance in "The<br />

Caine Mutiny." He is also scheduled to be<br />

in a TV Movie-of-the-Week this fall, titled<br />

"Cruise of Terror."<br />

Barbara Britten opened Tuesday July 19<br />

in "Mary, Mary" at the Limestone Valley<br />

Dinner Theatre.<br />

Lou Cedrone, critic for the Evening Sun.<br />

had some nice things to say about Rock<br />

Hudson in "Camelot," which played at the<br />

Painters Mill Music Fair July 12-15. Said<br />

he: "Hudson makes a fine Arthur. He is<br />

very much the reluctant monarch, an almost<br />

wistful one who, when he says 'I didn't want<br />

to be king, I never thought I would be king,'<br />

gives the lines new resignation. He sings<br />

nicely, too, better than Burton did on Broadway<br />

and certainly as well as Richard Harris<br />

did in the screen version. Hudson is, in<br />

(Continued on next page)<br />

Grosses $66,000,000<br />

20th-Fox's ^Sfar Wars'<br />

New ^ork—The feature film 'Star<br />

Wars" had reported $66,000,0()0 in<br />

boxofficc receipts in playdates across<br />

the country, as of July 24, it wa.s announced<br />

by 20th Century-Fox, which is<br />

releasing the blockbuster feature, which<br />

won the BOXOFFICE May Blue<br />

Ribbon Award.<br />

"Star Wars" opened May 25 and at<br />

the end of July was playing in S«7<br />

theatres.<br />

Distributor Charged<br />

With Arson in N.J.<br />

ATLANIIC CriY, N. J.—Three men<br />

linked to the Colombo crime family and its<br />

pornographic film distributing business were<br />

arrested on charges of arson after a fire<br />

which burned out the projection room at the<br />

Tilton Theatre, undergoing conversion to a<br />

twin. The theatre, owned and operated by<br />

Charles Tannenbaum jointly with the Philadelphia-based<br />

Milgram Theatres circuit, are<br />

located in suburban Northfield.<br />

While an exact motive for the arson was<br />

not clear, police were investigating two<br />

theories. First, law enforcement sources<br />

speculated that a rival theatre operator may<br />

have contracted for the fire following competitive<br />

booking of the highly successful<br />

"Star Wars," which was .scheduled to begin<br />

the following week in an exclusive area engagement.<br />

The second theory, which was<br />

offered by the State Police, is that the fire<br />

may have been part of an underworld campaign<br />

to convince Tannenbaum to start<br />

showing pornographic films instead of the<br />

general family fare that now plays there.<br />

The three suspects allegedly broke into<br />

the theatre the morning of July 15, tied up<br />

two employees on the premises, dumped the<br />

contents of a five-gallon gasoline can in the<br />

theatre's projection room, and tossed a<br />

I'ghted match. The two employees, projectionist<br />

Morton B. Hodge and his brother<br />

Frederick, were led imharmed from the<br />

burning building as the suspects fled. Descriptions<br />

of the suspects and their getaway<br />

car helped Stale Police apprehend them<br />

about 60 miles away. The two employees<br />

and 10 other persons includng firemen and<br />

policemen were treated at the hospital for<br />

smoke inhalation.<br />

Charged with arson and held on $200,000<br />

bail each are Joseph C. Peraino jr., identified<br />

as manager for Plymouth Distributors,<br />

Inc., of Brooklyn, N. Y., Philip J. Sevora<br />

and Peter Marchese. Authorities said an<br />

answering service confirmed that all three<br />

suspects worked at Plymouth Distributors,<br />

which reportedly distributed "Deep Throat"<br />

and "The Devil in Miss Jones," amona other<br />

films.<br />

No estimate was available on the damage.<br />

(Continued on next page)


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"Joyridc" is presently playing at the<br />

Grand, Boulevard, Governor Ritchie Drivein,<br />

Paramount, and the Pulaski, Northpoint<br />

and Valley Drive-ins.<br />

"Greased Lightning" is now showing at<br />

the Hippodrome and the Timonium Drivein.<br />

Presley T. Powell, 62, a former advertising<br />

account executive for radio and TV stations,<br />

ded Friday, July 15 after a brief illness.<br />

He had most recently been working<br />

periods with WITH and WNAV in<br />

for radio station WLPL. following short<br />

Annapolis.<br />

Md. Powell had worked 12 years for<br />

WMAR-TV. He is survived by his wife, the<br />

former Carolyn Roth, a daughter, Mrs. Gay<br />

Lynn Scholta of New Windsor. Md., two sisters<br />

and two brothers.<br />

New Jersey Theatre Fire<br />

Blcaned on Distributor<br />

(Continued from preceding page)<br />

but sources said the damage could reach<br />

$100,000. even though the fire was confined<br />

to the projection room. The four projectors<br />

were damaged, and while repairs<br />

start immediately, the opening of "Star<br />

Wars" is in limbo, according to Tannenbaum.<br />

Employees will be "working around the<br />

clock" to get the theatres open as soon as<br />

possible, Tannenbaum says, and while the<br />

opening date is still in doubt, he does intend<br />

to show "Star Wars." Tannenbaum said he<br />

hadn't received any pressure to change the<br />

house policy to include pornographic films,<br />

and he appeared baffled by the fire. However,<br />

he said that since authorities indicated<br />

the booking of "Star Wars" may be connected<br />

with the motive for the arson. "I<br />

have no reason to believe it or disbelieve<br />

it." The "Star Wars" theory, he said, makes<br />

more sense than the pornographic movie<br />

theory.<br />

Vi McMonigal, theatre manager, said she<br />

had been employed there for 1 1 years and<br />

couldn't understand why anyone would want<br />

to burn down the projection room at a time<br />

when the theatre was closed. While the FBI<br />

declined to comment, it was also reported<br />

that Federal authorities may be asked to<br />

enter the case.<br />

William Moore Will Edit<br />

Mar Vista's 'Good Guys'<br />

LOS ANGELES— Producer Allan F. Bodoh<br />

has S'gned William Moore. ACE, to<br />

edit Mar Vista Productions' "Good Guys<br />

Wear Black."<br />

Dave DePatie jr. will assist Moore on<br />

the action-adventure picture starring Chuck<br />

Norris, James Franciscus and Anne Archer.<br />

E-8<br />

BOXOFTICE :: August 1, 1977


Commonwealth Opens<br />

Albuquerque 4-Plex<br />

ALBUQUERQUE — Commonwealth<br />

Theatres opened the new Coronado 4 theatres,<br />

which is the first fourplex for this area,<br />

June 15 with the showing of a "A Bridge<br />

Too Far" in all auditoriums. The quad,<br />

which has a combined capacity of 1,.V50. is<br />

managed by Joe Abousleman. who transferred<br />

from the M-Plaza Theatre.<br />

The theatres, which are housed in a<br />

20,000-square-foot building that also contains<br />

district and city offices, are located<br />

adjacent to the Coronado Shopping Center<br />

on Uptown Boulevard. They were designed<br />

by Mel Glatz & Associates of Denver and<br />

Flatlow, Moore & Bryan of Alburqueque.<br />

."Ml auditoriimis, which are climate-con-<br />

throughout the year, are served by a<br />

trolled<br />

central projection room that is equipped<br />

with Drive-In Mfgs.'s automated platter system<br />

and Century projectors.<br />

A different color scheme is featured in<br />

each of the auditoriums, which feature<br />

.Alexander Smith carpeting. The seats were<br />

furnished by American Seating and the<br />

drapes and elaborate wall coverings were<br />

installed by Allied Crafts of Kansas "city. A<br />

huge full-color ceramic tile mosaic that<br />

depicts the Coronado expedition is located<br />

in the lobby. It was created by American<br />

Glean Tile Co.<br />

Proceeds from opening night benefited<br />

the ""Ira Robinson for District Attorney"<br />

fund, while the second night's activities were<br />

sponsored by KRKE Radio.<br />

Representatives from Commonwealth,<br />

which is headquartered in Kansas City, present<br />

at the opening were district managers<br />

Phil Blakey and Web Meredith and city<br />

manager Lou Avolio. Representing Commonwealth's<br />

home office were Dale Stewart,<br />

vice-president in charge of circuit operations;<br />

Doug Lightner, president; Richard<br />

Drear, board chairman, and E. C. Rhoden.<br />

executive committee chairman and founder<br />

of the company.<br />

The theatres officially were opened to<br />

the public June 17 with several promotional<br />

activities for the showing of ""A Bridge Too<br />

Pies Fly at Denver Theatre Opening<br />

m~ ^-w<br />

it<br />

^"''i^;<br />

Pictured above are several members of the Sons of (he Desert club filling 100<br />

pie shells with whipped cream. At bottom left the pie fling is started by club members<br />

who were joined by nearly 200 spectators who either voluntarily<br />

or unvoluntarily<br />

got involved in the battle. At bottom right grand pshaw Joan Trainor leaves<br />

the battle scene splattered with cream.<br />

Far." Armored tanks and artillery were furnished<br />

by the New Mexico National Guard<br />

and displayed in front of the building.<br />

Under the direction of Glenn Alexander the<br />

Icras Sports Club's skydiving team parachuted<br />

into the parking lot that also was<br />

the scene of a concert provided by the<br />

Shrine Band and the ROTC Drill Team<br />

from Valley High School. Other activities<br />

included a giant balloon drop and a 21-gun<br />

mortar salute.<br />

Patrons were invited to register for a<br />

free trip to Las Vegas, furnished by Frontier<br />

Airiines, including three days and two<br />

nights at one of the strip's luxury hotels.<br />

Commonwealth previously introduced the<br />

twin and triplex concept to this state. With<br />

the addition of the Coronado 4, Commonwealth<br />

now operates 19 screens in the Albuquerque<br />

area.<br />

First American Films and Arta.xer.xes<br />

co-producing "Hollywood Knight."<br />

are<br />

DENVER—Wolfberg Theatres, which<br />

operates 17 screens in the metropolitan area,<br />

recently opened the new Northglenn Twin<br />

with an unusual bit of fanfare—a reenactment<br />

of a Laurel and Hardy pie fight! The<br />

entire project that required 100 pie .shells<br />

and 60 gallons of whipped cream was organized<br />

and carried out by 40 volunteers<br />

from the local chapter of the Sons of the<br />

Desert, which is a Laurel and Handy fan<br />

club sponsored by the Englewood public<br />

library.<br />

A week prior to the actual pie fight rehearsals<br />

were held using paper towels as<br />

Your pictures still unsold for<br />

East area? Airmail pressbooks<br />

terms to the serious buyers:<br />

MUHIDDINE A. RIFA'I FILMS<br />

p. O. Box n-6031, Beirut, Lebanon<br />

Coble: Rinoiilm<br />

Phone: 308Z76<br />

substitutes for the more expensive pies. On<br />

opening night some of the members whipped<br />

up the cream while others planted themselves<br />

in the audience to wait for the signal<br />

to start the free-for-all battle.<br />

Joan Trainor. grand pshaw of the Sons of<br />

the Desert, kicked off the activities with a<br />

demonstration of proper pie-throwing techniques.<br />

The promotional event received heavy<br />

coverage from local newspapers and radio<br />

and TV stations.


Hollywood<br />

J^ARJOE GORTNER. who stars as a<br />

motocross racer in Avco Embassy's<br />

Sidewinder One," has completed a six-city<br />

promotional tour for the film, talking to<br />

news and TV representatives and appearing<br />

on talk shows in Knoxville and Nashville,<br />

Tenn.: Birmingham, Ala.: Atlanta: Philadelphia,<br />

and New York City.<br />

*<br />

IRMI Films' cast and crew has returned<br />

trom Munich after four weeks of shooting<br />

on "One-Armed Warrior" and will continue<br />

production in San Francisco and later in<br />

Hollywood. A November release is being<br />

planned by IRMI and Clamil Productions.<br />

*<br />

James Stewart was in Dayton, Ohio, July<br />

23 to participate in ceremonies enshrining<br />

the late Will Rogers in the Aviation Hail of<br />

Fame, with Will Rogers jr. attending.<br />

•<br />

Columbia Pictures' "Sinbad and the Eye<br />

of the Tiger" will open Wednesday (3) in<br />

multiple engagements throughout the Southland.<br />

The action-adventure fantasy stars<br />

Patrick Wayne. Taryn Power and Jane Seymour.<br />

•<br />

Principal photography began on "Big<br />

Wednesday," an A-Team production for<br />

Warner Bros., with a week of location shooting<br />

in El Paso. Filming has moved to Southern<br />

California locations, including Santa<br />

Monica, Malibu and the Point Conception<br />

area north of Santa Barbara,<br />

*<br />

Producer-director William Girdler has<br />

completed principal photography on Weist<br />

& Associates' feature, "The Manitou," two<br />

days ahead of schedule. The Avco-Embassy<br />

AUTOMATION . y^NHM<br />

^<br />

.<br />

Happenings<br />

release now goes into editing and post-production,<br />

including musical scoring by Lalo<br />

Schifrin.<br />

*<br />

Jules Stein, senior vice-president of<br />

American International Pictures' Export<br />

Corp.. is in London arranging for release of<br />

AIP pictures in the areas of the world where<br />

they have not already been scheduled.<br />

•<br />

Production began July IS on "After<br />

Dark," a Motown-Casablanca Records &<br />

FilmWorks feature for Columbia Pictures.<br />

Starring is Casablanca recording artist Donna<br />

Summer and Motown Artists" the Commodores.<br />

•<br />

Michele Wolf has been promoted to the<br />

newly created position of supervisor of<br />

marketing services for IDC Services and will<br />

be responsible for promotional development<br />

for IDC units, including Talent & Production<br />

Payments. Inc.: Central Casting Corp.,<br />

and BCI Casting.<br />

•<br />

Director Michael Crichton has been shooting<br />

on location since July 19 on "Coma,"<br />

starring Genevieve Bujold and Michael<br />

Douglas. Locations include a Santa Monica<br />

racquet ball court, a Century City air-conditioning<br />

facility, the University of Southern<br />

California Medical School and the Los<br />

Angeles City Hall.<br />

*<br />

Three members of the Academy of Motion<br />

Picture Arts and Sciences participated<br />

in a three-day seminar for high school and<br />

fn /\<br />

SYS<br />

IS 'REPA<br />

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ONSULTINi<br />

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'(213)247-6550<br />

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college teachers of film July 22-24 at the<br />

University of Florida at Gainesville. They<br />

were Peter Berkos and Arnold Schwarzwald<br />

of Universal Studios' sound editing and music<br />

departments, respectively, and Peter Gibbons,<br />

cinematographer and teacher at the<br />

University of Southern California,<br />

•<br />

Stanley Kubrick's "Barry Lyndon," a<br />

Warner Bros, release, has been named best<br />

foreign picture of the 1976-77 season by the<br />

Egyptian Ass'n of Film Press and Critics.<br />

The award will be presented at the annual<br />

festival in Cairo Saturday (30).<br />

•<br />

Don Cook, technician at Van der Veer<br />

Photo Effects in Hollywood, is taking a<br />

leave of absence for two months to assume<br />

the position of assistant cameraman to<br />

Richard C. Glouner, director of photography<br />

on "Com-Tac 303." Prior to his<br />

position as optical effects assistant at Van<br />

der Veer Photo Effects, Cook was with<br />

Universal optical for ten years and Technicolor<br />

for 15 years. "Com-Tac 303"' is a<br />

Pinnacle production starring Billy Dee Williams,<br />

Henry Fonda and directed by Robert<br />

Toten.<br />

Screenplay To Be Written<br />

For 'Avalanche Express'<br />

BURBANK—Abraham Polonsky was<br />

signed by Lorimar Productions' chairman<br />

Merv Adelson and president Lee Rich t^<br />

write the screenplay of "Avalanche Express"<br />

for producer-director Mark Robson.<br />

"Avalanche Express," a contemporary<br />

suspense drama, is based upon Colin Forbes'<br />

new novel to be published in the U.S. later<br />

this month by E. P, Dutton & Co. It is presently<br />

a best-seller in England and Germany.<br />

Filming for Lorimar Productions will begin<br />

next February.<br />

Polonsky is famed for writing "Body and<br />

Soul" and writing and directing "Force of<br />

Evil" and "Tell Them Willie Boy Was<br />

Here." Polonsky also co-wrote "Madigan."<br />

Theatre Advertises Films<br />

Through Personal Letters<br />

ALBUQUERQUE—Scott Brewer of the<br />

Cinema East Theatre is sponsoring a tenweek<br />

series of films for children, which he<br />

advertised through personal letters that were<br />

sent to PTA presidents, school principals<br />

and a select list of parents.<br />

The letters invited the recipients to attend<br />

a special meeting at the theatre, which is<br />

part of the Commonwealth Circuit.<br />

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W-2 August


—<br />

'<br />

er<br />

Richard Eaion Named<br />

ToUNDayPosiiion<br />

BALTlMORh— Richard Eaton, president<br />

>'i Lnited Broadcasting Co., Inc.. of Eastern<br />

\l,ir\land and of radio stations WLPL and<br />

WSID. was named a chairman of the 1977<br />

National UN Day committee by Henry<br />

I Old II. chairman of the Ford Motor Co.,<br />

,iiul national chairman of UN Day.<br />

Ford, who was appointed to his position<br />

h\ President Jimmy Carter, formed the<br />

committee of more than 1,000 prominent<br />

business and labor leaders across the nation<br />

to direct this year's nationwide United Nations<br />

Day observance on June 24, the anniversary<br />

of that organization's founding.<br />

Ford and the committee were inaugurated<br />

at a gala dinner at the New York Hilton<br />

June 7. Andrew Young, the United States<br />

ambassador to the UN, presented Ford with<br />

his official appointment on behalf of the<br />

President.<br />

The Carter message read, in part, ". . .<br />

You can provide strong impetus to the efforts<br />

of others ... to make this year's<br />

observance more than a ceremonial event."<br />

Los Angeles & Hollywood<br />

Get New WOMPI Officers<br />

HOLLYWOOD—Members of the<br />

Hollywood<br />

and Los Angeles VVOMPIs have elected<br />

a slate of new officers that will be headed<br />

by Vini White as president and standing<br />

committee chairman.<br />

Other newly elected officers include:<br />

Betty Silverforb, vice-president and programs;<br />

Adelaide Guggenheim, second vicepresident<br />

and membership; June Rose Marlow,<br />

corresponding secretary; Lili Beaudin,<br />

recording secretary, and Sydell Kalb, treasurer.<br />

Standing committee chairmen are: Gail<br />

Lindsey, community service; Joanne Reeves,<br />

finance; Shirley Hoyt, publicity; Susan<br />

Gottlieb, bulletin; Jane Statham, Will Rogers<br />

Memorial, and Iris Ross, bylaws and<br />

parliamentarian.<br />

Special committee chairmen are: Lydia<br />

Telo, yearbook; Elizabeth Cianfarani, hospitality,<br />

and Ruthe Bierman, historian.<br />

SAN FRANCISCO<br />

paraniount's "The Bad News Bears in<br />

Breaking Training was sneaked " at several<br />

Bay Area locations including the Regency<br />

Theatre July 22.<br />

Ever in search of the perfect tan. Corrine<br />

Perri will be leaving her post as media buyer<br />

at Jack Wodell's in order to work in sales<br />

at KIK.I radio station in Honolulu.<br />

The Cinema 21 was the scene of a Filmrow<br />

kiddie matinee when Paramount<br />

screened "Race for Your Life, Charlie<br />

Brown!" The children received Snoopy paw<br />

print autographs and Woodstock dolls.<br />

New World'.s "I Never Promised You a<br />

Rose Garden" was shown to exhibitors July<br />

Jackie Earle Haley was in town recently<br />

to talk with the press about his role in "The<br />

Bad News Bears in Breaking Training."<br />

Paramount's New 'Bears'<br />

Bows in LA Area Houses<br />

in<br />

HOLLYWOOD— The Bad News Bears<br />

Breaking Training," Paramoimt Pictures'<br />

all-new adventures of the pint-sized sandlot<br />

ballplayers, opened July 29 in a citywide<br />

multiple including Mann's No. I theatre in<br />

Westwood, the Fox Theatre in Hollywood<br />

and the Pacific Theatre in Beverly Hills. It<br />

is the second in a series of films initiated<br />

with the smash success of "The Bad News<br />

Bears."<br />

Written by Paul Brickman and based upon<br />

characters created by Bill Lancaster, the<br />

new film picks up the Bears' career one year<br />

after their infamous second-place finish in<br />

the North Valley League.<br />

Produced by Leonard Goldberg and directed<br />

by Michael Pressman, the film stars<br />

William Devane, Clifton James, and the<br />

team: Jackie Earle Haley, Jimmy Baio,<br />

Chris Barnes, Erin Blunt. Jaime O. Escobedo,<br />

George Gonzales, Alfred Lutter, Brett<br />

Marx, David Pollock, Quinn Smith, David<br />

Stambaugh and Jeffrey Louis Starr.<br />

"The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training"<br />

is distributed in the U. S. and Canada<br />

by Paramount Pictures Corp.<br />

Holdovers Monopolize<br />

Screens In Denver<br />

DENVER—With no new films to provide<br />

competition several holdovers were able to<br />

finish out this report week with substantial<br />

grosses. Once again "Star Wars" finished far<br />

in front of any other titles that appeared on<br />

area marquees as it grossed 550 in its ninth<br />

week. 'The Last Remake of Beau Geste"<br />

was another big boxoffice attraction in its<br />

second week at the Colorado Four as it<br />

earned 310. It was only slightly trailed by<br />

"The Deep," which averaged 300 at three<br />

theatres in its sixth week.<br />

(Average Is 100)<br />

Centre— Exorcist II: the Heretic (WB), 6lh wk 70<br />

Cherry Creek, Villa Italia—The Other Side oi<br />

Midnight {20th-Fox), fith wk 165<br />

Colorado Four The Last Remake of Beau<br />

2nd wk Geste (Univ), 310<br />

Colorado Four, Paramount— The Island oi Dr.<br />

Moreau (AIP), 2nd wk ..160<br />

Cont;n.;ntal—A Bridge Too Far A ...150<br />

Cooper—Star Wars (20th-Fox;, ,..S50<br />

,:.. .. ,;<br />

Eight theatres—The Rescuers (BV), 3rd 275<br />

wk<br />

Flick One—Jonah Who Will Be 25 in the<br />

Year 2000 (SR). 2nd wk 75<br />

Four theatres— Sorcer^er (Pora'Un:-,-), 5th wk 90<br />

o ^T<br />

7th wk<br />

^<br />

_^^<br />

Ten theatf Orca ; : ; , .. i .-, • .190<br />

Ten theatr. The Spy Who Loved Me<br />

(UA), 2nd V..-. 175<br />

Three theatres-New Yorlt. New Yorlt<br />

(UA), 4th wk 135<br />

Three theatres—Hoclty (UA), 26th wk 135<br />

Three theatres—The Deep (Col), 6th wk 300<br />

Walnut Properties Adds 2<br />

Theatres to Its Holdings<br />

HOLLYWOOD—Vincent Miranda's Walnut<br />

Properties has acquired the Guild and<br />

El Portal theatres in North Hollywood,<br />

bringing to 50 the total number of houses<br />

owned by the company.<br />

Miranda also owns the Lankershim Theatre<br />

in North Hollywood. That house has<br />

been operating on an adult film polic> but<br />

now switches to an all-Spanish-language<br />

theatre.<br />

The El Portal will be leased to Jim Jannopoulos.<br />

who will run it on a family-theatre<br />

basis.<br />

The Guild will become part of the Pussycat<br />

circuit<br />

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BOXOFFICE :: August 1. 1977 W-3


'The Deep' Sets Record<br />

In Honolulu and Japan<br />

Ho!l>»vood— "The Deep" opened in<br />

Japan and Honolulu nith phenomenal<br />

bosoffice business that set records for<br />

Columbia Pictures at both locations.<br />

Consolidated Amusement's Waikiki<br />

Tri-Cinema Theatre and the Kani Hi-<br />

Way Drive-In both did blockbuster<br />

business with total grosses of $97,910.<br />

Patrick M. Williamson, executive<br />

> ice-president of Columbia Pictures International,<br />

reported that openings in<br />

Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoja grossed a<br />

three-day total of $476,929 to surpass<br />

all present records.<br />

The three-city opening preceded a<br />

nationwide release across Japan that<br />

started July 30.<br />

"The Deep," a Columbia/EMI presentation,<br />

is the Casablanca Filmworks<br />

production of a Peter Yates film. It<br />

was produced by Peter Guber and directed<br />

by Yates from a screenplay by<br />

Peter Benchley and Tracy Keenan<br />

Wynn from Benchley's best-selling novel.<br />

The film stars Robert Shaw, Jacqueline<br />

Bisset, Nick Nolte, Louis Gossett<br />

and Eli Wallach.<br />

Sinatra To Host Show<br />

At Aladdin's Theatre<br />

LAS VEGAS—Frank Sinatra and Dean<br />

Martin will combine talents in a special<br />

benefit show titled "Frank Sinatra and<br />

Friends" at the Aladdin Hotel's Theatre for<br />

the Performing Arts Saturday (23). The<br />

event is held annually to honor scholarship<br />

donors who contribute to the 16-sport intercollegiate<br />

athletic program at the University<br />

of Nevada Las Vegas.<br />

This year is the first time the benefit<br />

performance is being held at the large<br />

Aladdin Theatre because the program has<br />

outgrown all previous sites. Also, for the<br />

first time, after the complimentary tickets<br />

are distributed to the UNLV donors, the<br />

remaining tickets will be sold to the general<br />

public at costs of $25, $15 and $10.<br />

UNLV athletic director Bill Ireland commented,<br />

"It is always an honor for us to be<br />

able to have Frank Sinatra with us. He has<br />

given us two of our finest evenings and this<br />

year with the help of James Tamer, the<br />

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event ever. Frank is really a great humanitarian."<br />

The evening will start for all UNLV<br />

donors with a special cocktail party at the<br />

Aladdin at 7 p.m. that will be followed by<br />

the show at 830 p.m.<br />

Valley Drive-In Closes;<br />

In Operation Since '40s<br />

DENVER—Increasing taxes and land<br />

values, along with several other economic<br />

considerations, instigated the shuttering of<br />

the Valley Drive-In, which was one of the<br />

area's oldest outdoor theatres. After the<br />

property is cleared, the site will be developed<br />

into a shopping center.<br />

The drive-in, which opened in the '40s,<br />

was operated by the Wolfberg circuit.<br />

Warner Operation To Aim<br />

For Jai Alai in Delaware<br />

WILMINGTON. DEL.—'Warner Communications.<br />

Inc.. the sprawling conglomerate<br />

that includes the motion picture, TV<br />

and recording companies, will enter the<br />

jai alai field here if the state legislature<br />

passes an enabling bill now under consideration<br />

in the General Assembly. Caesar<br />

P. Kimmel, Warner executive vice-president,<br />

is heading up the company's initial<br />

entry in the jai alai field.<br />

Warner has said it would build a 4,500-<br />

seat fronton (arena) in the downtown Wilmington<br />

Civic Center area. If the legislative<br />

and licensing barriers are overcome fairly<br />

quickly the fronton would be open in<br />

late 1978 or nearly 1979. Kimmel said<br />

Wilmington's location near major urban<br />

centers makes it an excellent choice for the<br />

first East Coast jai alai venture outside of<br />

Florida, where it has been played for the<br />

past 50 years. The game was introduced<br />

only recently in Rhode Island and Connecticut.<br />

Warner Communications expects to generate<br />

$55 million in betting revenue yearly if<br />

allowed to build and operate the fronton<br />

here. Under the enabling legislation now<br />

pending Warner's share of such gambling<br />

receipts would be about $7.5 million. While<br />

that amount is only a pittance compared with<br />

the $826 million in revenues reported by<br />

Warner Communications last year, Warner<br />

executives say the Wilmington operation<br />

would only be the first of several frontons<br />

it<br />

would build.<br />

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Don Taylor Interview Set<br />

For Belgian TV Program<br />

HOLLYWOOD—An interview with Don<br />

Taylor was taped for showing on Roland<br />

Lomme's Belgian TV program, which is one<br />

of the most popular question-and-answer<br />

series in that nation. Taylor told of his experience<br />

directing American International's<br />

"The Island of Dr. Moreau." in the U.S.<br />

Virgin Islands.<br />

Lomme, who is now in Beverly Hills, will<br />

present the interview in Belgium in September<br />

along with footage from the<br />

film.<br />

Twinning Builds Profits<br />

For Kutztown Exhbitor<br />

KUTZTOWN, PA.—Paul Angstadt,<br />

whose twinning of the Strand Theatre has<br />

been paying off at the boxoffice, now plans<br />

to institute a new policy of featuring classic<br />

and foreign films at one of the theatres and<br />

continuing the present "sub-run" policy for<br />

the other theatre. While Angstadt is the<br />

owner of the Strand Twin, the houses are<br />

operated through the Lehigh Valley Theatres,<br />

Inc., an area chain owned and operated<br />

by Angstadt and his partner, Richard Wolfe.<br />

In addition to the Strand Twin here, the<br />

chain includes the Roxy Theatre in Northampton,<br />

and the Movies in Hellertown. All<br />

the theatres play sub-runs with a $1 admission<br />

for all seats at all times. The sub-run<br />

policy has also paid off for Angstadt at the<br />

boxoffice. He explained that with some<br />

films, at $2 ticket, the gross would be<br />

a<br />

only $2,000, but when the charge was<br />

dropped to $1, the gross was $2,500 because<br />

more people attended.<br />

"The nicest aspect of twinning the Strand<br />

Theatre," he said, "is the distribution of the<br />

economic risk between two movies instead<br />

of one. If one film bombs, the house loses<br />

completely. But if it's running two shows,<br />

one may offset the loss at the other. As a<br />

result, Angstadt said he wants to institute<br />

the classic and foreign film policy at oae<br />

of the Strand Twins.<br />

He was encouraged to try the new<br />

policy by the success of playing some foreign<br />

films already on a break-even basis.<br />

He believes that with the foreign element<br />

that lives here and in nearby Allentown and<br />

Reading, the foreign films should draw a<br />

goodly number here. Also, both the foreign<br />

and especially the classic films should attract<br />

the students when school resumes in<br />

the fall at the Kutztown State College.<br />

The Strand Theatre was the only motion<br />

picture house here. Angstadt turned the<br />

large old theatre into two smaller ones by<br />

closing the balcony and making a small<br />

viewing room. As a result of the twinning,<br />

Angstadt said the income doubled but the<br />

overhead didn't, with only a slight increase<br />

in manpower to run the theatre complex.<br />

Cost of building maintenance, heating, lobby<br />

and concession stand remained about the<br />

same while the boxoffice income increased.<br />

Angstadt pointed out that the $1 policy also<br />

helped because people were less choosy<br />

about a film when the admission was only<br />

a dollar. When they are charged $3.50 or<br />

more it really has to be good.<br />

BOXOFnCE :: August 1, 1977


—<br />

Obstinate Competition<br />

For Newcomers in KC<br />

KANSAS CMY— Slai Wars" once<br />

again insured that the first-place slot was<br />

out of the reach of any newcomers in the<br />

area as it continued to dominate boxoffice<br />

business with a gigantic lead of 1.100 in its<br />

eighth week at the Glenwood Theatre. However,<br />

the two newcomers "The Spy Who<br />

Loved Me" and "The Island of Dr. Moreau,"<br />

which both played at 12 theatres.<br />

did reap substantial boxoffice receipts with<br />

averages of 285 and 205 respectively. The<br />

second-place slot was occupied by "New<br />

York, New York," which finished its third<br />

week with grosses of 350 at two theatres.<br />

It was trailed by "The Deep," which netted<br />

295 at two theatres durinq its fifth week.<br />

Aniioch, Gle<br />

Blue Ridge,<br />

(UA), 3rd<br />

(Av<br />

-The<br />

Is 100)<br />

295<br />

PROMOTION FOR 'THE DEEP'—When Columbia's "The Deep" opened<br />

at Brotman & Sherman's Hillside Theatre, 4541 Harrison St., Hillside. III., manager<br />

Lil Bone used a two-pronged approach to generate publicity and word-ofmouth<br />

ballyhoo for the picture, which features a half-hour of spectacular underwater<br />

photography. An instant-recognition approach was initiated with the marquee<br />

message, with the lettering arranged to coincide with that in the Columbia advertising<br />

campaign logo. In the lobby, a tie-in with the Illinois Institute of Diving resulted<br />

in a display featuring scuba equipment, etc. Both gimmicks proved to be<br />

eye-catchers, with many, many viewers demonstrating interest in<br />

the theatre exhibit.<br />

npire, Metro ^<br />

Hei.<br />

(WB), 5th wk<br />

Fairyland<br />

Take<br />

mell the Flowers<br />

3R)<br />

Fairyland. Lake Pj:k-I< Bait Babysitter I<br />

2nd wk ,<br />

Five theatres—Race for 3ur Life, Charlie<br />

(Para). 2nd v.k<br />

Four theatres— The Othe Side of Midnight<br />

(20th-Fox), 5t'<br />

Fou the -Sor.<br />

Univl, 4th V,<br />

Glenwood—Star Wars (20th-Foj(<br />

Midland—RoUercraster (Univ), 6th \<br />

Nine theatres-Viva Knievell (WB)<br />

Plaza—One on One (WB), 3rd wk<br />

Seven theatres-The Rescuers (BV)<br />

Seville—Annie Hall (UA), 12th wk<br />

Three theatres—A Bridge Too Far (L<br />

12 theatres—The Island of Dr. IHorea<br />

12 theatres—The Spy Who Loved IVI<br />

Valley View—For the Love of Benji<br />

(Mulberry Square), 7;h wk<br />

'Orca' Plunges Onto Chicago Screens<br />

But Can't Topple "Star Wars' Lead<br />

CHICAGO—After a complete absence of<br />

newcomers last week. "Orca" splashed onto<br />

four area screens and finished out its debut<br />

week with a hefty 300 average. However, it<br />

could not cause enough waves to topple<br />

"Star Wars" from its first-place position as<br />

it continued to dominate the list with grosses<br />

of 400 at five theatres. "Disco 9000" also<br />

continued to drum up substantial boxoffice<br />

receipts with a mark of 300 at the Chicago<br />

Theatre.<br />

Eight theatres—The Deep (Col). 5th wk<br />

Five theatres—Star Wars (20th-Fox), 8th vjk<br />

Five theatres—The Rescuers (BV), 4th w'.:<br />

Four theatres—Orca (Para)<br />

Nine theatres—The Other Side of Midnight<br />

(20th-Fox), 5th wk<br />

Norlown, Yorktow.-i 2— Rollercoaster i'Jmv)<br />

6th wk, .,<br />

Seven theatres—New York, New York CJA),<br />

3rd wk.<br />

Six theatres— Exorcis<br />

300<br />

Cinema West Duo in KCK<br />

Sold by Commonwealth<br />

KANSAS CITY, K.AS.— With the sale of<br />

the Cinema West I and 2 theatres to Benjamin<br />

Johannes and Rex Hessley, the property<br />

once again is destined to become a<br />

bowling alley.<br />

The property was a bowling alley when<br />

Commonwealth Theatres purchased it in<br />

1969 and converted it into a twin complex,<br />

with 467 seats in each auditorium. The<br />

former manager of the theatres, Jess Spain,<br />

has now assumed a position at the district<br />

booking office.<br />

Commonwealth's acquisition of the Trail<br />

Ridge and Valley View theatres from Guy-<br />

Con caused several personnel changes including<br />

the transfer of Michael Holmes from<br />

the West Loup Theatre, Manhattan, Kas.,<br />

to manage the Trail Ridge. Woodrow Longan<br />

succeeded Robert Hockensmith at the<br />

Valley View, while William Menke became<br />

the manager of the Ranch Mart 4 theatres.<br />

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Bill Shirk and Friends<br />

Go Underground for Cause<br />

INDIANAPOLIS—In an effort to solicit<br />

funds for a new school bus for the Marion<br />

County Ass'n for Retarded Children the<br />

Variety Club, Tent 10, buried Bill Shirk,<br />

the owner of WXLW radio station who is<br />

also known as the great escape artist in this<br />

area, in a coffin that also included a 12 foot<br />

python snake, a five foot rattlesnake and<br />

two tarantula spiders.<br />

During his stay underground without food<br />

or water Shirk accepted pledges from people<br />

living not only in this city but throughout<br />

the country. His four-day interment raised<br />

over $5,000. which included a $1 pledge<br />

that Shirk requested from President Jimmy<br />

Carter.<br />

Tent 10 has scheduled two more events to<br />

raise additional funds. The first will be a<br />

bike-a-thon Sunday (7) that will be followed<br />

by an annual golf tournament September 8.<br />

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?620 Gross Point Road, Skokie III 60076<br />

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BOXOFFICE :: Auyus C-1


. . . Apache<br />

KANSAS CITY<br />

The WOMPls are working hard, gearing<br />

lip for a big sale in November. That's<br />

when they'll sponsor a booth at the annual<br />

Blue Ridge Mall Bazaar and they're working<br />

now to make the craft-goods which will<br />

be for sale. Members met July 13 at Nancy<br />

Crandall's home where they dined on a salad<br />

supper and made plans for the sale. They<br />

returned the following week to begin work<br />

on their projects. Subsequently, they will<br />

be meeting each week at Nancy's house<br />

after work for the next three months to<br />

complete the articles. Those members who<br />

intend to work with the group should bring<br />

their own sandwiches. Dessert and drinks<br />

will be supplied alternately by various members.<br />

Dave Aiipp, Independent Film Shippers,<br />

reluctantly has agreed to let his pet, a threeyear-old<br />

black Labrador retriever named<br />

Bathsheba, go to another good home.<br />

There's nothing wrong with the dog, Dave<br />

says, but there just is no more room in his<br />

backyard for the dog and two little Shipps,<br />

who need the limited expanse for their own<br />

toddling. Dave and his wife have concluded<br />

("with great sadness") that they must find<br />

the canine a new home, preferably a home<br />

where Bathsheba will have room to rim.<br />

Persons interested should contact Dave at<br />

Independent Film Shippers.<br />

The Filmrow union for front oliicc personnel<br />

had its annual summer bash last Friday<br />

night; an evening of food, fun and frolic<br />

at King Henry's Feast, a derivative of the<br />

theatre playhouse where the audience is included<br />

in the act. The decor is 17th century<br />

England, where the women are wenches and<br />

1 COLOR<br />

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FOR<br />

INDOOR AND<br />

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A NEW FACE HAS ENTERED THE BROAD ARENA OF MOTION PICTURE<br />

ENTERTAINMENT SERVING THE CHICAGO AND MIDWEST AREA<br />

FROM TRIPLE X TO G. THAT FACE IS<br />

CHICAGO PIX<br />

BOOKING SERVICE<br />

For the product that generates the $$ at the boxoffice,<br />

contact Leo Altz or Si Lax at 32 W. Randolph,<br />

Suite 1306, Chicago, ///. 60601 (312) 782-6424<br />

*A Roger Grod Production:<br />

The Woy They Were G<br />

(The Beatles)<br />

Volunteer Jam G<br />

(Charlie Daniel's Band^<br />

Faces in Concert G<br />

(Rod Stewart)<br />

The Devil's Joint [r]<br />

lexploitatior^)<br />

'Americon Transcontinental Productions<br />

Because of the Cats[l]<br />

Tis a Pity She's a Whore [r]<br />

*and More to Come<br />

Midwest Premiere<br />

Cincstagc, Chicago<br />

September 9, 1977<br />

ANNfTB HAVmN • CLA0IDIA<br />

wn J


—<br />

.<br />

.<br />

ST. LOUIS<br />

\A^arner Bros.' "Greased Lightning," an<br />

action drama, begins a first-run multiple<br />

in this area Wednesday (3). Richard<br />

Pryor plays his first dramatic role as the<br />

real-life Wendell Scott, first black auto-racinc<br />

driver. The motion picture traces Scott's<br />

caner from taxi driver through high-speed<br />

chases as a bootlegger to his championship<br />

in national stock car competition. Pam<br />

Grier portrays his wife and other cast members<br />

are Beau Bridges, Vincent Gardenia,<br />

Richie Evans and Cleavon Little.<br />

The highly successful "Star Wars." now<br />

playing at the Creve Coeur and Westport<br />

Cine, will be showing in five additional theatres<br />

beginning Friday (5) . . . Academy<br />

Award winner "Rocky" and "Outlaw Blues"<br />

both are enjoying long runs at Mid-America<br />

houses and will go into multiple sub-runs<br />

Friday (26).<br />

Two former Monty Python regulars<br />

Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam—have<br />

joined forces to bring another raunchy medieval<br />

England tale to the screen in "Jabberwocky,"<br />

which bowed July 27 at the Varsity,<br />

South Twin ozoner and the Petite 4 in<br />

Collinsville, III. Palin stars as a dopey country<br />

lad who sets off for the big city in search<br />

of fame and fortune and ends up battling a<br />

monster which has terrorized the countryside.<br />

He then presents the beast's head to<br />

the k ng. played by Max Wall, who forces<br />

Ringold<br />

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the bumpkin to marry his daughter, thereby<br />

making Palin heir to the kingdom. Gilliam<br />

directed the comedy based (loosely) on Lewis<br />

Carroll's nonsense poem bearing the same<br />

name.<br />

which<br />

The Charlie Chaplin Film Festival,<br />

began last month at St. Louis County Library<br />

headquarters on Lindbergh Boulevard,<br />

has been moved to the Daniel Boone branch<br />

for the presentation of the last two films<br />

Tuesday (2) and Thursday (9). The relocation<br />

was necessary because of a malfunction<br />

in the air-conditioning system at the former<br />

site.<br />

Donald O'Connor, longtime film star, will<br />

make an appearance at the new St. Louis<br />

Gateway Convention & Exhibition Center<br />

during the grand opening, which continues<br />

through Sunday (7). O'Connor will be starring<br />

at<br />

week.<br />

the Barn Dinner Theatre during the<br />

"Serpico" will be the film presentation<br />

Thursday (4) as the Festival of Family Entertainment<br />

continues at the Southern IIInois<br />

University at Edwardsville, 111. Starting<br />

time is 7:30 p.m. (in Meridian Hall). Kris<br />

Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge will be<br />

appearing in person in concert on the SlU-E<br />

campus Wednesday (10) at 8:30 p.m. . . ,<br />

The Covenant House Senior Center will exhibit<br />

"Hemingway" as its film festival feature<br />

Tuesday (2) and "Marcel Proust."<br />

double-billed with "The Tragedy of John<br />

Milton." Tuesday (9). Presented in the auditorium,<br />

showtime is 7 p.m.<br />

Funeral services were held recently for<br />

Constance Caporal. who was a patient at St.<br />

Mary's Health Center until her death, cause<br />

of which was undetermined. She was the<br />

wife of the late John George Caporal, who<br />

was part-owner of the Wellston and Victory<br />

theatres, now closed, in the 1930s and '40s.<br />

He died in 1969.<br />

The mystery film series showing at the St.<br />

Louis Art Museum through September continues<br />

with Hitchcock's "The Lady Vanishes"<br />

Friday (5); "The Kennel Murder<br />

Case" Friday (12); "Don't Look Now" Friday<br />

(19), and "Murder Most Foul" Friday<br />

(26). Screenings are at 7 and 9 p.m. .<br />

Snoopy, canine star of the Paramount release<br />

"Race for Your Life. Charlie Brown!",<br />

made a personal appearance at the Webster<br />

Groves Theatre, Shriner's Hospital for Crippled<br />

Children and Famous-Barr's West<br />

County children's department.<br />

General Cinema Opens<br />

Triplex in Fort Wayne<br />

FORT WAYNE, IND.-<br />

—Three new theaircs<br />

operated by the Gene:ral<br />

Cinema Corp.<br />

opened in the Glcnbrook Mall July 29. All<br />

three auditoriums, which will be managed<br />

by John Boldman, will fi;ature<br />

wall-to-wall<br />

screens, push-back scats and transistorized<br />

val."<br />

CH ICAGO<br />

(Continued from page C-2)<br />

for Omni Pictures "Sacco and Vanzetti,"<br />

which is scheduled to open Tuesday (23).<br />

The Museum of Contemporary Art<br />

launched an Esther Williams film series July<br />

26. The six-week series will include the following<br />

films: "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."<br />

"Neptune's Daughter." "Million<br />

Dollar Mermaid." "Dangerous When Wet."<br />

"Easy to Love" and "Jupiter's Darling."<br />

General admission is $1.50 and $1 for students<br />

and museum members.<br />

Future Features booker Wilma Zicgler<br />

vacationed with her family in Tennessee.<br />

This fact alone is not significant, however;<br />

because the big point is her knowledge of<br />

yams. According to Wilma. yams are capable<br />

of sprouting unusually beautiful vines,<br />

which can be verified by their increasing<br />

numbers at the offices at Future Features.<br />

Lester Stepner, a veteran exhibitor in the<br />

area who owned and operated the Evanston<br />

1 and 2 for several years, recently died.<br />

Seymour Hite has been promoted to<br />

branch manager for Warner Bros. . .<br />

.<br />

District manager Richard Hill has added the<br />

following territories: Kansas City. St. Louis.<br />

Des Moines and Omaha.<br />

While there have been some slight indications<br />

that Warner Bros, might move from<br />

their headquarters at 550 West Jackson<br />

Blvd.. the extensive remodeling work that<br />

is now going on tends to indicate continued<br />

occupancy at that address.<br />

Warner Bros.' "One on One" is scheduled<br />

to open locally Friday (12) . . .<br />

Tracey<br />

Lamb, head of Lamb Theatre Management,<br />

vacationed in Alaska.<br />

sound.<br />

The opening films were "New York, New<br />

York," "The Bad News Bears in Breaking<br />

Training" and "Fantastic Animation Fcsti-<br />

•nlSi^-<br />

&eqo»P<br />

August 1. 1977


. . The<br />

Macon's Camp Wheeler<br />

Subject of New Film<br />

MACON — Camp Whcclcr. which w.is<br />

one of the largest army training camps in<br />

the country during World Wars I and II,<br />

is to be the subject of a documentary, according<br />

to producer-director Steve Stewart,<br />

27.<br />

Stewart said he is producing the film because<br />

he feels historians have overlooked<br />

the importance of the camp, which is now a<br />

deserted group of deteriorating structures on<br />

land that is up for sale.<br />

"I feel that this particular camp has been<br />

overlooked in that it has not been recog-<br />

ily returned to farming the land.<br />

The new camp opened in 1941 and established<br />

a 13-week training operation for<br />

30,000 soldiers. The complex had 740 buildings<br />

including a tailor shop, beauty shop,<br />

watch repair shop, clothing store, service<br />

station, 12 barber shops, six chapels, five<br />

theatres and 18 PXs.<br />

Todt described the camp's boost to the<br />

area's economy as follows: "Younger and<br />

more aggressive hands began molding the<br />

city, bringing new business and civic interests<br />

to Macon. Construction of the camp<br />

alone employed 12,500 workers with a<br />

$525,000-per-week payroll. The 2,000 civilian<br />

employees added $1,000,000 per month<br />

to the Macon economy.<br />

Records show that the camp trained<br />

more than 200,000 men who left to fight<br />

on many battlefronts and outposts throughout<br />

the world.<br />

In 1967. 1.410 acres of the original plot<br />

were sold to DuPont.<br />

MEMPHIS<br />

fhe Iri-.Slatc 1 heatrc Owners' golf tournanamcni<br />

will he held at the Windykc<br />

Coimtry Club October 10. Registration procedures<br />

are being handled by Charlie Craig<br />

of United Artists and Jim Ronsiek of Starline<br />

Pictures.<br />

Marjorie Malin, the first womaji president<br />

of the Tri-State Theatre Owners Ass'n, recently<br />

attended a board meeting to discuss<br />

plans for a convention that will be held in<br />

October at the Sheraton Motor Inn. Miss<br />

Malin is also the owner of the Lura Theatre.<br />

.Augusta. .'Krk.. which her father opened in<br />

1916.<br />

nized in Georgia history as an important The film schedule that began July 29 for<br />

factor in the development of Macon and the historic Orpheum Theatre, which is currently<br />

growth," he told <strong>Boxoffice</strong>.<br />

imdergoing renovation work, includes<br />

its<br />

The camp's history stems back to the "Murder on the Orient Express." "Bugsy<br />

1800s when the land was granted to the Malone" and "Pluto's Party." Concerts will<br />

great-grandfather of Harry Stillwell Edwards<br />

also be presented at the theatre by Vincent<br />

by the King of England. The land Astor and Stanley Hightowcr who will play<br />

was passed from generation to generation the pipe organ.<br />

and is now for sale by Crawford Edwards,<br />

according to Macon news writer Betsy Todt.<br />

Frank Heard, owner of theatres in Booneville.<br />

New Albany and Tupelo, Miss., invited<br />

During World War I. 60,000 men were<br />

the WOMPIs for a weekend of fun<br />

trained at the camp, which was named after<br />

and relaxation at his lake front home near<br />

Civil War cavalry fighter Gen. Joe Wheeler.<br />

Tupelo.<br />

After the war ended in 1918, all the government<br />

buildings were sold, the horses and<br />

mules were auctioned and the Edwards fam-<br />

Larry<br />

vice reported<br />

Vinson of Tri-State<br />

that the Parker<br />

Booking Ser-<br />

Theatre. Coffeeville.<br />

Miss., reopened June 23 under the<br />

direction of its new owner Ricky Parker.<br />

Victor Weber sold the Joy Theatre, Bald<br />

Knob, Ark., to Carlton Garner and James<br />

Spaulding of Searcy . . . Charles Arendall<br />

reported that Warren Walls in the new owner<br />

of the Suzore Theatre on Jackson Avenue<br />

. Murr and Osceola drive-ins,<br />

Osceola, Ark., were closed July 30.<br />

Charlie Craig, United Artists' salesman<br />

who was recently hospitalized for surgery, is<br />

now recuperating at home . . . Lurlene Carothers<br />

of United Artists and her husband<br />

Herman left for a vacation in Montgomery<br />

Bell State Park.<br />

Ruskin Drive-In Sold<br />

RUSKIN. FLA. — The Ruskin Drive-in<br />

was recently sold by Charlie Utley to Ted<br />

Freiwald & Associates, which have offices<br />

in Winter Haven and Jacksonville. Freiwald<br />

previously served as both a manager and a<br />

soimd and projection engineer for the Floyd<br />

Enterprises circuit.<br />

High Grosses Earned<br />

By Memphis Theatres<br />

MLMPHIS- Subsl.uiual g!oss.-s were the<br />

norm this report week as several holdovers<br />

continued to draw boxoffice crowds. "Star<br />

Wars" led the list once again with an average<br />

of 750 at two theatres, while two films<br />

— "Nasty Habits" and "The Other Side of<br />

Midnight"—tied for the second place slot<br />

with grosses of 400. Although it grossed a<br />

hefty 310, "Smokey and the Bandit" was<br />

forced into the third place slot by the heavy<br />

competition. The only newcomer in the<br />

area, "Final Chapter—Walking Tall,"<br />

scored slightly above average with a mark<br />

of 140 at two theatres.<br />

(Average Is 100)<br />

Balmoral Cinema, Southbrook 4—Final Chapter-<br />

Walking Tall (AIP) 140<br />

Malco Quartet 1—Nasty Habits (SR), 2nd wk 400<br />

Memphian, Paramount 1—Star Wars (ZOth-Fox).<br />

3rd wk 750<br />

Plaza—Sorcerer (Para/Umv) 3rd wk 120<br />

Ridqeway Four—Smokev and the Bandit (Univ),<br />

Znd wk 310<br />

Ridgeway Four, Mal:o Qu^Ttv: 1—The Other Side<br />

ol Midnight (20th-Fox), 4th v. k 400<br />

Southbrook 2, Paramount 2— Exorcist Heretic<br />

II: the<br />

(WB), 4th v/k 150<br />

Three theatr->s -New York, New York (UA),<br />

2nd wk. 230<br />

Three thealr-s-A Bridge Too Far (UA), 4th wk 225<br />

Three :heatr.-,:-The Deep (Col), 4th wk 200<br />

Whitehnv-n Cn.:-~:3 1, Rjleiah Springs—Herbie<br />

Goes to IVIonte Carlo :BV), 3rd wk 250<br />

Film Tribute to Columbia<br />

Hosted by Grove Cinema<br />

MI.^Ml—The Fendclman brothers, who<br />

own and operate the Grove Cinema, were<br />

assisted by Nick Spanos. film critic, screenwriter<br />

and advertising agent, in selecting<br />

fUms for a special two-week tribute to Columbia<br />

Pictures that was held July 17-30.<br />

Spanos also wrote special program notes<br />

for the Grove Cinema newspaper that provided<br />

information about the film's stars and<br />

directors.<br />

The Grove Cinema presents both first run<br />

films as well as retrospective programs and<br />

reissues of older films.<br />

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.•\ugust 1, 1977 SE-1


. . . Doris<br />

Tucker.<br />

ATLANTA<br />

fund-raising dinner to help him in his race<br />

for re-election.<br />

Trade and press screenings of the following<br />

films were held at Century Cinema:<br />

"Submission," "Rolling Thunder," "The<br />

Last Remake of Beau Geste" and "The<br />

Swiss Conspiracy."<br />

Lynda Norris, new WOMPI secretary,<br />

and her husband returned from their vacation<br />

in Sacramento . . . Jennings<br />

Easley,<br />

film buyer and booker for American Multi<br />

Cinema, and his wife Sandy, a 20th Century-<br />

Fox staffer are vacationing in Panama City.<br />

Fla. . . . Linda Crain, secretary to Doug Ouderkirk<br />

at 20th-Fox"s southeastern advertising<br />

and promotion department, is visiting<br />

friends at the Martin Theatre Exchange in<br />

Dallas.<br />

Sarah Lowery, United Artists" cashier, has<br />

returned to her job after a prolonged illness<br />

McDonald, whose husband Walter<br />

is office manager and booker at United Artists,<br />

recently underwent surgery.<br />

Southern Independent Theatres reported<br />

that they will begin doing the booking and<br />

buying for the Nancy Cinema. Forsyth . . .<br />

Southern Independent also reported that the<br />

Holly Theatre, Dahlonega, has been sold by<br />

its former owner Jesse L. Proctor to Ms.<br />

Ann Smith of Gainesville.<br />

New films on the marquees: "The Island<br />

of Dr. Moreau," South DeKalb, Georgia<br />

Twin, Greenbriar and Cobb Center;<br />

"Orca," Broadview, Buford Highway Twin,<br />

Old Dixie Twin, Parkaire, Roswell Twin,<br />

Stonemont 1, Westgate, Northeast Expressway,<br />

Marbro North Starlight; "Greased<br />

Lighting," Atlanta, Ben Hill 1, Broadview,<br />

Bankhead, Glenwood and North 85; "Annie<br />

Hall," Emory, Georgia Twin, Parkaire and<br />

Jack L. Rigg mailed out invitations to a<br />

sneak preview of New World Pictures'<br />

"Hero Work" that was held at Storey's<br />

Rhodes Theatre.<br />

Pat and Marjorie Roberson. both bookers,<br />

had Mrs. Thelma Claxton who is a 20th<br />

Century-Fox booker in Jacksonville, as their<br />

house guest . . . Jim Dixon, who is an assistant<br />

to Glenn Simonds at American International<br />

Pictures, and his family vacationed<br />

in Florida. Jim's wife Sharon works for<br />

Southeastern Management and Film Buying.<br />

The world premiere of Warner Bros.'<br />

"Greased Lightning" was held at the Alliance<br />

Theatre, which is part of the $20,000.-<br />

000 Memorial Arts Center. Special guests<br />

in attendance were the film's stars Richard<br />

Pryor and Pam Grier in addition to Mayor<br />

Maynard Jackson and other city officials<br />

and county dignitaries. The film opened<br />

July 15 at the Broadview, Ben Hill and Atlanta<br />

theatres and three drive-ins.<br />

Army brass from Fort MacPherson were<br />

invited by Friddell Pagodin. Universal's<br />

SoLUhern advertising and promotion staffer<br />

to a screening of "MacArthur" at the Century<br />

Cinema headquarters. High ranking<br />

military members present included: Maj.<br />

Gen. John Singlaub, who was recently transferred<br />

from his assignment in Korea to become<br />

chief of staff at the fort; Gen. S. J.<br />

Roresen and Gen. P. Kaplan.<br />

Trade and press screenings at the Century<br />

Cinema headquarters included: "Thunder<br />

and Lightning," 20th Century-Fox; "Hero<br />

Work," New World Pictures; "Hills Have<br />

Eyes," distributed by Clark Film Releasing,<br />

and "A Guy from Harlem" and "Willie,"<br />

d stributed by Mack Grimes.<br />

Phipps Penthouse sneaked United Artists'<br />

"Semi-Tough " on the same bill with "Exor-<br />

cist II: the Heretic" . . . "The Bad News<br />

Bears in Breaking Training" was screened at<br />

the Lenox Square, Mableton, Perimeter<br />

Mall, Old Dixie and Town & Country while<br />

Westgate II; "Rabid," Coronet, National<br />

Chris Barnes, who starred in the film, visited<br />

("Jelebrities are scheduled to visit the area<br />

at future dates in order to help local Triple, Buford Highway, Lawrenceville,<br />

the area and made a personal appearance at<br />

North 85. Roosevelt Scott and South Starlite:<br />

political candidates boost their causes.<br />

Rich's Cimiberland Mall Toy department to<br />

Rodnev Cook. Georgia Republican party<br />

"Slap Shot," Westgate, Village. North-<br />

sign autographs.<br />

chairman, reported that Elizabeth Taylor east Expressway and South Expressway;<br />

will attend a reception for the GOP Wednesday<br />

(10). Not to be outdone, city council-<br />

and Cobb Center, and "Outlaw Blues."<br />

"The Spy Who Loved Me," Lenox Square<br />

Mack Grimes, president of a local company<br />

bearing his name and James McCtilloLigh<br />

and his son Jerry from the Great<br />

man James Bond said he has recruited his Town & Country.<br />

"good friend" Louise Lasser to attend a<br />

West Films Co., Dallas, met here to make<br />

plans for the release of "Willie," which is the<br />

story of a kid who can make computers obey<br />

hs every command. The film is scheduled<br />

for general release in November.<br />

Motion picture trivia expert Ludlow<br />

Porch, who is a channel 36 personality and<br />

a part-time staffer at WRNG Radio, conducted<br />

a trivia quiz at the recent WOMPI<br />

installation banquet. Among those in attendance<br />

at the dinner were: C. L. Autrey,<br />

Dixie Films; Andy Borders, Rhodes Theatre;<br />

Travis Carr, 20th Century-Fox; Ike<br />

Katz. Kay Films; Harry Katz, Dixie Litho;<br />

Sam Lucchese, <strong>Boxoffice</strong> correspondent;<br />

Mac MacAfee, Paramount Pictures, and<br />

Jack Rigg, New World Pictures.<br />

Directors of Fuqua Industries, which is a<br />

locally based manufacturing and service<br />

corporation that specializes in leisure-time<br />

products, declared a second quarter dividend<br />

of nine cents ... It was also announced<br />

that David L. Eraser, vice-president of the<br />

Crocker National Bank in San Francisco,<br />

was named treasurer of the company.<br />

Print Mix-up Surprises<br />

Pairons and Proprietor<br />

JACKSONVILLE, N.C—Approximately<br />

200 persons at the Norwood Theatre<br />

found themselves unexpectedly watching a<br />

sexually explicit film instead of the scheduled<br />

feature, "The History of the Beatles."<br />

at a recent Saturday night late show.<br />

John Sanderson, the projectionist, said<br />

one reel of the pornographic film was mistakenly<br />

mixed up with the Beatles' film by<br />

the film distributor.<br />

"A friend of mine came out and told me<br />

hut I thought it was a gag," said Sanderson.<br />

"When I went out to see, I saw it was no<br />

joke and I cut off the projector."<br />

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TOM LAMBERT FILMS<br />

4037 E. Independence Blvd.<br />

Charlotte, N.C. 28205<br />

704/568-4872<br />

Harry and Belton Clark<br />

CLARK FILM COMPANY<br />

905 North Street<br />

Jacksonville, Florida 33211<br />

904/721-2122<br />

Charles Varnado, Jr.<br />

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. . Ann<br />

A/EVV<br />

ORLEANS<br />

Qary Solomon, son of Ted Solomon of<br />

Gulf States Theatres, is training to become<br />

a manager under the supervision of<br />

Linda Walker, Sena Mall manager.<br />

William Harrison, Slidell, La., was appointed<br />

manager of the new Gulf States<br />

si.xpiex in Jackson. Miss. His wife is a graduate<br />

of Tulane University and will work in<br />

a Jackson hospital as a dietician . . . Jack<br />

Pabzeca recently completed some renovation<br />

work on the Plaza Theatres.<br />

caught and the biggest tale told about a<br />

fishing trip. Old sea captains who donned<br />

their sea hats were admitted free . . . Irene<br />

Mexic contracted a local artist to paint an<br />

eight foot picture of Rocky on the front of<br />

the Sena Mall Theatre and also set up a boxing<br />

ring in the lobby . . . Richard Brown of<br />

Westgate Drive-in sp)onsored a Benji looka-like<br />

contest and gave away cases of dog<br />

food to the winners. A local veterinarian was<br />

the judge and several pet stores arranged<br />

displays near the concession stands.<br />

Ted Solomon's daughter Gloria was recently<br />

married to Stephen Carter of Baton<br />

Rouge . . . Cheryl Dempsey and several<br />

Promotional activities: Bob Buras of Algiers<br />

Drive-in constructed a wildlife display<br />

for the showing of "The Island of Dr. Moreau"<br />

. . . The Do Drive-in management set<br />

up a large fish tank complete with a small friends from Gulf States Theatres recently<br />

shark and a fake iceberg for the engagement vacationed in Florida . . . Irene Mexic hosted<br />

a seafood dinner with the help of Blaze<br />

of "Orca." Whaleburgers were the specialty<br />

at the concession stand and a "whale of a Mareno. the local Blevins Popcorn representative<br />

who served as chief cook . . . Mr. tale"" contest was held for the laraest fish<br />

and<br />

Mrs. Ray Milligan of the Do Drive-in enjoyed<br />

a visit from Ray's mother and brother.<br />

Sneak preview of Paramounfs feature<br />

"Bad News Bears in Breaking Training"<br />

were held July 20 at the Elmwood, Lakeside,<br />

Westside and Lake Forest Plaza cinemas.<br />

News from Gulf States: Sheran Smith of<br />

the payroll department recently retired and<br />

was entertained at a luncheon . . . Pat Demount,<br />

a concessions staffer, resigned to<br />

assume a new position in Florida . . . Ted<br />

Solomon and his wife Doris vacationed recently<br />

in Europe . Balencie of the<br />

booking department is back from her vacation<br />

in San Antonio.<br />

Dick King of Columbia Pictures recently<br />

visited the Gulf States offices . . . Anna<br />

Claire Leggitt of Universal Pictures vacationed<br />

in Hawaii, Los Angeles and San<br />

Francisco.<br />

JACKSONVILLE<br />

Specially Designed for Drive-ln Theatres<br />

HARMLESS • PLEASANT<br />

^ew films on the marquees: "Orca," five<br />

theatres; "The Island of Dr. Moreau,"<br />

seven theatres; "Thunder and Lighting," six<br />

theatres, and "Sorcerer," two theatres.<br />

Sneak previews of "The Spy Who Loved<br />

Me" were held at ABC State Theatres' Regency<br />

I and American Multi Cinema's<br />

Orange Park I, while "The Bad News Bears<br />

in Breaking Training" was screened at Kent<br />

Theatres" Plaza II.<br />

NOW WITH<br />

BIG NEW<br />

IMPROVEMENTS<br />

WOMPI members Gisela Tillkers of Universal<br />

and Mamie Newman who retired<br />

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. . . Vacationing WOMPIs include Sandy<br />

Hughes of AIP and Judy Plyler of Warner<br />

Bros, who are visiting Beach Mountain,<br />

N.C.<br />

Filmrow was saddened by the sudden<br />

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accident. He is the husband of Rexene<br />

Grimm, a veteran staffer at Warner Bros.<br />

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BOXOFFICE :: August 1. 1977 SE-5


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Wometco Enterprises reported that it has<br />

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Ann Edwards Writes Sequel<br />

To 'Gone With the Wind'<br />

ATLANTA— Anne Edwards has been<br />

contracted by Richard Zanuck and David<br />

Brown to write a sequel to "Gone With the<br />

Wind," which w II be the basis for a picture<br />

to be titled "Tara."<br />

Mrs. Edwards said that she will be taking<br />

Margaret Mitchell's spirited heroine Scarlett<br />

from the age of 27 to a mature 37 in a<br />

decade dominated by Reconstruction efforts<br />

to reunite the nation. "Scarlett, Rhett and<br />

the others were a product of their times,"<br />

she said, "and I feel that the plot will emerge<br />

pretty much of its own accord from the historical<br />

backgroimd and from their own<br />

shirply defined characters."<br />

Plans Set for New Park<br />

At Silver Springs, Fla.<br />

OCALA, FLA.—Construction of a new<br />

$2.1 million park is scheduled to begin in<br />

September at Silver Springs, one of the<br />

state's oldest major tourist and entertainment<br />

complexes which is operated by ABC<br />

FST and connected with the Florida State<br />

Theatres.<br />

The park, which will be called Wildwaters,<br />

will include food and gift shops,<br />

recreation rooms, tennis and volleyball<br />

courts, playground areas and many other<br />

features.<br />

The park was designed by Robert Goodwin<br />

of Goodwin & Associates, Jacksonville.<br />

New WOMPI Committees S'art<br />

To Schedule Activities<br />

NEW ORLEANS—The new members of<br />

several WOMPI committees have scheduled<br />

meetings and activities to start off their<br />

terms. Anna Claire Leggitt said that members<br />

of the community service committee,<br />

which she heads, visited the Abbe Nursing<br />

Home July 30. She also reported that her<br />

committee scheduled Friday (5) for a visit to<br />

the St. Jude Baby Village, which is a nonprofit<br />

home where unwanted children arc<br />

housed until a permanent home is found.<br />

Yvette Ogden. head of the finance committee,<br />

said that she met with president<br />

Anna Power to finalize plans for the first<br />

"Night at the Races" program, which will<br />

be held at Jefferson Downs September 30.<br />

Columbia Pictures has acquired distribution<br />

rights in the U.S. and Canada to "You<br />

Light Up My Life."<br />

SE-6 EOXOFFICE :: August


. . Benny<br />

New Orleans' WOMPIs<br />

Announce New Posts<br />

NEW ORLEANS— Ann;i Power, the<br />

newly elected president of the WOMPIS, recently<br />

announced the following list of chairpersons<br />

and committee members for the<br />

1977-78 committees.<br />

Finance: Yvette Ogden. chairman; Earline<br />

Dupuis, Dawn Wise, Pam Mercier, Eimicc<br />

Peeples, Linda Johnson, Bonnie Blanke,<br />

Shirley Thompson, Georgette Leto and Irene<br />

Mexic.<br />

Community service: Anna Claire Leggitt,<br />

chairman; Georgette Leto, Anna Sinopoli,<br />

Marie Saucier, Inez Tauzin, Imelda Giessinger,<br />

Agnes Schindler, Regina Lambou<br />

and Luna Babin.<br />

Industry service: Eileen Dalier, chairman;<br />

Mamie Dureau, Kay Richard and Myrtice<br />

Swearington.<br />

Program: Marie Berglund, chairman; Lee<br />

Nicholaus, Earline Dupuis, Gladys Villars.<br />

Vickie McWaters, Cheryl Dempsey, Margaret<br />

Seghers, Pam Mercier and Donna Latiolais.<br />

Social: Bernice Chauvin, chairman; Delia<br />

Favre, Catherine D'Alfonso, Doris Stevens<br />

and Dot Cornibe.<br />

Parliamentarian: Gene Barnette and Lee<br />

Nickolaus; bylaws: Anna Sinopolis; historian:<br />

Agnes Garcia; sunshine: Ruth Cook;<br />

telephone: Blanche Gubler and Imelda Giessinger;<br />

Will Rogers: Earline Dupuis; membership:<br />

Joan Winstell, and publicity: Mary<br />

Greenbaum and Marie Bergland.<br />

The new committee members recently<br />

held board meetings at which time plans<br />

were discussed to expand the programs of<br />

the community service, finance, industry<br />

service and membership committees.<br />

Monstrous Mcmimal-Mobile<br />

Meanders Mid-Manhattan<br />

NEW YORK—As if traffic isn't bad<br />

enough in Manhattan, Paramount Pictures'<br />

publicists had to throw in a whale-mobile.<br />

Blase as they might be. it is quite conceivable<br />

that New Yorkers might have done<br />

a double take July 15 as the meandering<br />

mammal moved along Manhattan's main<br />

stem visiting theatres where "Orca" (the killer<br />

whale) was debuting: four in all, the Criterion,<br />

Loews 83rd St., Cinema II and RKO<br />

86th St.<br />

Back in the bowels of this media-inspired<br />

machine were marine biology expert Fred<br />

Husni and a rear projection viewer showing<br />

scenes from the film.<br />

A reverse pitch of "Moby Dick" the show<br />

about a killer whale's revenge stars Richard<br />

Harris, Charlotte Rampling, Will Sampson<br />

and Bo Derek. Luciano Vinccnzoni, who<br />

wrote the screenplay together with Sergio<br />

Donati, is the producer. Michael Anderson<br />

directed the motion picture. The score was<br />

written by Ennio Morricone. "Orca" is a<br />

Famous Films NV production, distributed<br />

in the U.S. and Canada by Paramount Pictures.<br />

CHARLOTTE<br />

gill Vanderhorst left Stewart & Everett En<br />

terprises, which he was associated with<br />

for several years, in order to join the Southern<br />

Booking Service Co. . . . Joe Bishop sr.<br />

who is retired from .American International<br />

Pictures recently visited Filmrow friends<br />

after an absence of two years.<br />

Top grosses of the week: "Star Wars,"<br />

Charlottetown Mall: "The Spy Who Loved<br />

Me," Trvon Mall, and "Orca," Eastland<br />

Mall.<br />

Joe Cutrell recently conducted a screening<br />

of "Bad News Bears in Breaking Training<br />

"at the Eastland Mall . . . "The Last<br />

Remake of Beau Gcste" was screened at<br />

the Car-mel.<br />

A multiple screen theatre that is now imder<br />

construction in Anniston, Ala. is scheduled<br />

to open in November . Sessions<br />

recently opened the fourth screen at<br />

his theatre complex in Concord with turnaway<br />

business for the "The Deep" . . . Paul<br />

Cook opened two additional auditoriums at<br />

the Bijou Cinemas, Greenville, S.C, which<br />

makes it the first sixplex in the state.<br />

John R. McClure of Charlotte Booking<br />

and his family spent a week at North Mrytle<br />

Beach, S.C. ... Mr. and Mrs. Allan Locke<br />

of the Southern Booking Service spent their<br />

vacation at<br />

Litchfield Beach.<br />

Gerald Brodersen Named<br />

To Expo 81 Committee<br />

LOS ANGELES—Gerald D. Brodersen,<br />

president of Foto-Kem Industries, one of<br />

the nation's largest<br />

independent motion picture<br />

laboratories, has been named to the<br />

advisory committee of Expo 81, world exposition<br />

to be held in Los Angeles in 1981.<br />

Richard M. Pittenger, president of Expo<br />

81, said Brodersen will join a committee<br />

which already includes Mayor Tom Bradley<br />

of Los Angeles; former California Gov.<br />

Edmund G. Brown sr.; Edward Carlson,<br />

board chairman of United Airlines, and Dr.<br />

Armand Hammer, board chairman of Occidental<br />

Petroleum Corp.<br />

Expo 81 will be the first Class I world's<br />

fair to be held in the U.S. since 1939 and<br />

the first in North America since Montreal's<br />

Expo in 1967.<br />

"We look forward to calling upon your<br />

talents, as an active participant of the advisory<br />

committee, between now and May 1,<br />

1981, when Expo 81 is due to open," Pittenger<br />

told<br />

Brodersen.<br />

Foto-Kem, established in 1963, is headquartered<br />

in Burbank, Calif. Its 43,000-<br />

square-foot plant facility utilizes the newest<br />

and finest film processing equipment<br />

available.<br />

The original music for "You Light Up<br />

My Life" was composed, arranged ;ind conducted<br />

by Joseph Brooks.<br />

MPCC Funds Proposed<br />

For Sunny Acres Park<br />

JACKSOWTl Ll - A group of Filmrow<br />

men from the Motion Picture Charity Club,<br />

which has been inactive for several years,<br />

along with local WOMPI members are once<br />

again making plans to contribute to the<br />

further development of Sunny Acres Park,<br />

which is the only facility of its kind in the<br />

U.S. that caters to the recreational, educational<br />

and physical therapy needs of mentally<br />

and physically handicapped persons<br />

of all ages.<br />

The facility<br />

was originally founded by the<br />

MPCC and assisted in its development by<br />

the WOMPIs until it began to receive city,<br />

state and federal funds several years ago.<br />

However, the MPCC members decided to<br />

once again revitalize their charitable efforts<br />

towards the facility because of a considerable<br />

bank balance that has accumulated over<br />

several years, according to Dick Vollberg,<br />

an American Multi Cinema salesman who<br />

serves as the group's spokesman.<br />

The coalition of MPCC and WOMPI<br />

members are now planning a $35,000 central<br />

community hall for the park. A committee<br />

to direct the group's efforts is headed<br />

by Tom Sawyer of ABC State Theatres and<br />

Horace Denning of Dixie Drive-In Theatres.<br />

Other committee members include George<br />

Byrd, Universal manager; Roger Hill, Warner<br />

Bros, manager; Jim Tharpe, General<br />

Cinema Corp., Terry Thorp, Columbia manager;<br />

Martha Murphy Scott, ABC EST<br />

staffer, and Dick Vollberg.<br />

Vollberg said that the Sunny Acres' summer<br />

program received 5,000 applications<br />

from doctors, institutions and individuals,<br />

but the present facilities can only treat approximately<br />

25 people a day with its $80,-<br />

000 budget for the period from September<br />

to May.<br />

In a recent time span Sunny Acres has<br />

helped 73 handicapped individuals learn<br />

how to fimction independently and return<br />

to the mainstream of society, according to<br />

Vollberg.<br />

'New York, New York'<br />

Debuts in Atlantic City<br />

ATLANTA CITY. N.J.—A premiere of<br />

"New York, New York" at the Tilton Theatre<br />

was followed by a gala costume dinner<br />

party at the Holiday Inn June 29 for the<br />

benefit of the Atlantic Performing Arts<br />

Center.<br />

Entertainment at the dinner was provided<br />

by a 16 piece band conducted by Paul<br />

Mann, who featured the music of the '40s.<br />

Prizes were given for the best costumes and<br />

dancers.<br />

lOOKINC SERVICES^<br />

230 S. Tryon St., Suite 362, Choriotfe, N.C.<br />

Frank Lowry .<br />

. . Bill Cline<br />

Phone: (704) 377-9341<br />

BOXOFFICE August 1. 1977 SE-7


.<br />

.<br />

Who reads <strong>Boxoffice</strong>?<br />

>p/e you know...<br />

and want to reach<br />

Key people in Exhibition:<br />

11,778* theatre owners and managers, circuit<br />

executives, film buyers and bookers, and<br />

projectionists<br />

Key people in Distribution:<br />

1,151* distributors and sales executives, home office<br />

managers, bookers and publicity people<br />

Key people in Equipment:<br />

449* supply dealers, sales agents and executives<br />

Key people in Production:<br />

350* producers, directors, studio executives,<br />

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Key People in the Media:<br />

193* newspaper, magazine editors and writers and<br />

radio-TV broadcasters<br />

Recognize your soles prospect?<br />

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BOXOFFICE for its complete and<br />

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* Audit Bureau of Circulaliuns<br />

Publisher's Statement for 6 mos. ending Dec. 31. 197S<br />

August


. . "The<br />

. .<br />

Projectionist Adair<br />

Comments on Quality<br />

DALLAS — "No mutter how go


, SPECIAL<br />

. . Walt<br />

HOUSTON<br />

Hrtbur Knight, professor of film at the<br />

University of Southern California was<br />

recently in Houston to discuss the Benson &<br />

Hedges 100. a program of 100 of the greatest<br />

films from 1930 to 1955 that is currently<br />

beina shown in ten film series around the<br />

country. The series is being shown here at<br />

the Town & Country VI on Friday and Saturday<br />

niahts at midnight at a $1 admission<br />

Jan'Cobler of Houston plays the role<br />

of Kathy. the television reporter in "Outlaw<br />

Blues" filmed in Austin which is currently<br />

on the screens of the Almeda 9 East. Northwest<br />

4. Northshore. Shamrock 6. Westwood<br />

.^. McLendon Triple and Woodlake 3.<br />

CINERAMA IS IN<br />

SHOW BUSINESS IN<br />

HAWAII TOO.<br />

When you come to Waikiki,<br />

don't miss the famous<br />

Don Ho Show. . . atm<br />

Cinerama's Reef Towers Hotel.<br />

marquees are "Kingdom of the Spiders" at<br />

the Almeda 9 West. Festival. Greenway 3.<br />

Northwood 6. Park III. Southmore 4. Southway<br />

6. and Town & Country 6 and the following<br />

drive-ins: Gulfway. McLendon<br />

Triple. Pasadena. Thunderbird. Tidwell and<br />

Irvington; "The Rescuers" at Northline.<br />

Gulfgate. Meyerland. Greenspoint, Parkview<br />

and Memorial; "Rabid" at the Briararove.<br />

Deauville. Greenway 3. Loew's Delman,<br />

Majestic Downtown. Park lU. Northwood<br />

6. Shamrock 6 and Southway 6 and<br />

the following drive-ins: Gulfway. King Center.<br />

McLendon Triple, Thunderbird, Telephone<br />

Road and Town & Country, and "Star<br />

Wars," which has been showing at the Gal-<br />

Lillette Renn. casting director and choreographer<br />

of "Return to Boggy Creek" has the Northlane, Gulfgate. Meyerland and<br />

leria Cinemas is now being screened at<br />

moved to Houston. The film is currently on Greenspoint.<br />

the screen of the Northwood 6 Hollywood<br />

film great Gene Tierney and her hus-<br />

The feature showing at the Jewish Com-<br />

. . .<br />

band Howard Lee, who make their home munity Fest included "Guys and Dolls," and<br />

here, observed their 17th wedding anniversary<br />

last week . . . "The Silent Clowns in in the Children's Series at the Kaplan Thea-<br />

Zeffirelli's "Romeo and Juliet" and "Fluffy"<br />

the Cinema" is the theme of the eighth week tre: "Edvard Munch" was screened at the<br />

of the ninth annual Alley Theatre summer Museum of Fine Arts while the Children's<br />

film festival. To be shown is Buster Keaton's Series included "20.000 Leagues Under the<br />

"Steamboat Bill. Jr.." Charlie Chaplin's Sea" and "Gulliver's Travels" in the Brown<br />

"The Great Dictator," and Harold Lloyd's Auditorium; while the Rice Media Center<br />

"Safety Last" and "Hot Water." The Friday screened Hitchcock's "Spellbound," Marilyn<br />

m-dnight Sleaze series will screen "They Monroe in "Niagara" and Gene Kelly's "It's<br />

Always Fair Weather."<br />

Came From Within" Friday (5).<br />

.ical<br />

Among the new titles appc inne on loc Upcoming films to be shown at the Town<br />

& Country 6 and the Benson & Hedges 100<br />

on Friday and Saturday nights includes "A<br />

Hollis Franipton presented his work-inprogress.<br />

"The Magellan Cycle." at the Rice<br />

Media Center where "Dead End" and<br />

"There's No Business Like Show Business"<br />

also were screened Disney is well<br />

.<br />

represented about town with the return of<br />

"Fantasia" in stereophonic sound at the<br />

Windsor and "Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo"<br />

at the Northline. Gulfgate. Meyerland.<br />

Greenspoint. Parkview and Memorial.<br />

June Wilkinson Starring<br />

In 'Ninety-Day Mistress'<br />

DALLAS—June Wilkinson. Playboy magazine's<br />

favorite "Playmate," opened at Grannv's<br />

Dinner Playhouse in "Ninety-Day Mistress"<br />

July 24, marking her second appearance<br />

there in just about a year. She appeared<br />

in "Pajama Tops" last July and set house<br />

records.<br />

She has also appeared in the films "Macumba<br />

Love," "Twist All Night" with Louis<br />

Prima and "The Candidate" with Mamie<br />

Van Doren. She made an extended road tour<br />

with Spike Jones and His Apple Slicers.<br />

She cannot hog the spotlight when she is<br />

offstage, however, since she is married to<br />

the Houston Oilers' number one quarterback-punter.<br />

Dan Pastorini and they have a<br />

15-month old pinup daughter. Brahna.<br />

G. D. Spradlin Is Back<br />

(Continued from preceding page)<br />

Mummers Theatre in 1965, continued into<br />

TV spots in "The Big Valley," "The Chrysler<br />

Theatre" and others. His previous film<br />

work includes "Will Penny" and "The Godfather—Part<br />

II." and his appearance in<br />

Francis Ford Coppola's long-awaited<br />

"Apocalypse Now" will be seen late this<br />

summer. He will also return to TV briefly<br />

Niaht in Casablanca." with the Marx Bros.,<br />

lor the first episode of "Columbo" this season,<br />

working with Ruth Gordon.<br />

citizen Kane" with Orson Welles. "Top<br />

Hat," "The Public Enemy" with James<br />

Spradlin's return to Oklahoma City July<br />

Cagney and "Stagecoach" with John Wayne<br />

20 marked the end of a three-year absence<br />

and Claire Trevor.<br />

for the former Pauls Valley High School<br />

Jim Mustard<br />

Paul Anderson<br />

Jeannie Graham<br />

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BOXOFFICE :: August


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Jack and Linda Boucher, Erie Theatre and<br />

Circus Drive-In, Hugo, find time (somehow)<br />

from running their theatres to raise<br />

Doberman Pinschers and Appaloosas. Their<br />

success in the latter endeavor may be measured<br />

by the first place trophies they have<br />

brought home for their Appaloosas, from<br />

horse shows around the country.<br />

Bill and Virginia Slepka, former owners of<br />

the Okemah theatres, are in London, England<br />

visiting their daughter, son-in-law and<br />

two grandchildren. The Slepka's daughter<br />

and her husband are teachers for the Department<br />

of the Army. Bill and Virginia intend<br />

to visit several other countries while<br />

they are in Europe.<br />

From Top O' The Mornin': "We checked<br />

it out and it is positively not true that the<br />

leading robots in "Star Wars' have been<br />

asked to pose for the centerfold of Popular<br />

Mechanics. (Editor's Note: That's good! We<br />

would hate to see the supporting cast of<br />

some of the current "bug" pictures in a gatefold<br />

of Lawn and Garden.)<br />

Earl Murray, manager of the Shepherd<br />

Twin and president of the United Theatre<br />

Owners of Oklahoma and the Panhandle of<br />

Texas, got out a letter to all exhibitors urging<br />

them to contact their congressman and<br />

push for the defeat of the proposed federal<br />

minimimi wage law which could work quite<br />

a hardship on theatre folks . . . George<br />

Grube now booking for the Chieftain Theatre<br />

owned by Charles Shadid.<br />

Southwestern Productions' "Moonbeam<br />

Rider" is being filmed In Lawton, Ft. Sill.<br />

Ardmore, the Arbuckle Mountains and<br />

Waynoka, site of "The Little Sahara Desert."<br />

David Carradine is the star and Greg<br />

Leasure of Local 112, Stagehand's Union is<br />

a member of the crew. Greg is the son of<br />

United Artists' staffer Peggy Leasure.<br />

New titles on local marquees are "The<br />

Spy Who Loved Me" at the Continental<br />

Theatre and "The Bad News Bears in Breaking<br />

Training" at the Reding 4 and North<br />

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BOXOFFICE :: August


. . . Denise<br />

PES MOINES<br />

patty Rengo, Columbia's office ni;inagci.<br />

ttx)k two weeks vacation to visit her inlaws<br />

in California . . . Jeanne<br />

Myer, secretary<br />

to the branch manager at United Artists,<br />

and her husband are the proud parents<br />

of their third child, a seven pound-eight<br />

ounce girl born July 14 at Iowa Methodist<br />

Hospital. The new mother plans to he back<br />

at her desk alter Labor Day.<br />

Visiting on Filnirow last week were Irwin<br />

Dubinsky and his son-in-law Arthur Lapin<br />

Conroy of Central States took<br />

a 16 day vacation early in July and traveled<br />

3,100 miles with her friend Doris Botith.<br />

They visited North and South Dakota, Montana,<br />

and Wyoming as well as Saskatchewan,<br />

Manitoba and Ontario in Canada.<br />

Clinton Smestad, Central States' district<br />

manager, was hospitalized for surgery July<br />

19 at Mercy Hospital and is now recuperating<br />

nicely . . . Central States' Gus Campagna<br />

is back to work, on a part time basis, after<br />

heart surgery, and that is good news . . .<br />

George Catanzano, hard top booker at Central<br />

States, is on a two-week tour of the<br />

East with his family.<br />

WAR STORIES—This quintet of vettraiis of the N2nd "All American" .Virborne<br />

Division exchanged tales of "how it was" during their get-together as<br />

guests of the Indian Hills Theatre. Omaha. Left to right. VMIIiani Janke. Omaha;<br />

Joe Marchisello, Omaha: Jesse Collier. Council Bluffs. Iowa; Edmund Becker.<br />

Omaha and Radio Station KFAB's Walt Kavanaugh, Omaha. The five ex-troopers<br />

were among the VIP's from business, the media and industry who attended the<br />

premiere of "A Bridge Too Far" hosted by theatre manager Don Shane. Don also<br />

requisitioned an armored personnel carrier and a number of Army officers to promote<br />

the World War 11 battle-action flick. The five men who exchanged war stories<br />

were all involved in the bitter fighting recreated in the film and all five are now<br />

successful members of the local business community.<br />

License Threat Delayed<br />

By Error in Ordinance<br />

MILWAUKEE — The Princess Theatre,<br />

738 North 3rd St, faces further legal difficulties<br />

as Police Chief Harold A Breier<br />

seeks revocation of its license. Thirteen<br />

adult films have been seized at the theatre<br />

and there have been six<br />

since Apr I charges of disorderly conduct and one<br />

charge of second degree sexual assault involving<br />

a minor since January of this year.<br />

Complicating the issue is an apparent typographical<br />

error in the existing ordinance pertinent<br />

to theatre licensing.<br />

Chief Breier requested the Milwaukee<br />

Common Council to consider revoking the<br />

troubled theatre's license but the council's<br />

investigation led to a report from its utilities<br />

and licenses committee stating that action<br />

is blocked by "several technical deficiencies<br />

in the city's ordinance governing the operation<br />

of adult movie theatres."<br />

As the ordinance presently stands, the<br />

committee discovered, the only way a theatre<br />

can keep its license is to be convicted<br />

of a crime every year.<br />

Assistant City Attorney Sandy Buffalo<br />

advised the committee that the Princess<br />

could not be closed on the basis of the disorderly<br />

conduct charges, although Alderman<br />

Betty Voss insisted that theatre operators<br />

must be held responsible for activity on the<br />

premises. Buffalo said the license might be<br />

revoked as the result of corporate obscenity<br />

convictions. James Shallow, attorney for the<br />

Princess Theatre, pointed out that films<br />

shown at the Princess are no worse than<br />

those shown at other showhouses throughout<br />

the country.<br />

Discovery of the apparent error in the ordinance<br />

has halted the battle temporarily.<br />

(Continued on page NC-3)<br />

Variety of Roles<br />

Pleases Aciress<br />

oris MOINE.S— DCS Moines' pride and<br />

joy, Cloris Leachman, would be perfect<br />

casting if "The Three Faces of Eve" was<br />

ever remade. Cloris admits that the dolllike<br />

personality who appears on talk shows<br />

and the dramatic actress of "The Last Picture<br />

Show" are the same in name only. "She<br />

is one of the few actresses." she said, "who<br />

never has to worry about typecasting since<br />

everything she has done seems to be different<br />

from what she has done before."<br />

The end of the "Phyllis" TV show does<br />

not bother Miss Leachman. Now she will<br />

have more opportunity to accept roles than<br />

her schedule permitted during the popular<br />

series. She reported that she is having a<br />

ball doing "High Anxiety" with Mel Brooks<br />

and that she has a Christmas special with<br />

Mario Thomas on the agenda.<br />

How does she manage to shift gears with<br />

such ease?<br />

"I guess," she replied, "that it's because I<br />

really enjoy talking. Many people in this<br />

business have such a fear of failure that they<br />

don't, or won't, try anything different from<br />

what they have successfully done before."<br />

Some producers are reluctant to experiment<br />

with performers and Cloris was asked<br />

why they let her do different things, "It<br />

isn't difficult now, because I have enough<br />

different things on film for them to look at<br />

and also, I advertise what I do on talk<br />

shows, like singing on the "Mike Douglas'<br />

show to remind them that I can sing or<br />

being silly on the 'Tonight" show to prove<br />

that I am not always serious," she responded.<br />

Her role in "High Anxiety" will not be<br />

like the one in "Younu Frankenslcin." Deling<br />

anything with Mel Brooks is like stepping<br />

through a looking glass—you never<br />

know what is going to happen, but you can<br />

hi certain it won't be like anything you have<br />

done before, according to the actress. She<br />

plays a nurse with a 44 inch bust this time.<br />

Most actors and actresses who achieve<br />

success in films shy away from TV. Miss<br />

Leachman attributes this to ". . . part snobbery<br />

and part economics. The thinking out<br />

in Hollywood is that you weaken the demand<br />

for your filmwork by appearing on<br />

TV where people can see you for free.<br />

This idea is changing rapidly and only a<br />

few stars still maintain a "no-no' TV policy.<br />

I prefer to work in every medium."<br />

The termination of her TV show did not<br />

make her want to jump right into another<br />

series although she is looking forward to<br />

starting anew, but prefers to wait at least<br />

a year. The pressures and long work days<br />

that cause some to moan and groan brought<br />

only the comment that she can handle it,<br />

said Cloris, who opined that the secret to<br />

success is the right series at the right time<br />

in the right slot with the right people and,<br />

of course, the right money.<br />

She is happy doing just what she is doing<br />

and she emphasized that as long as she gets<br />

to change characters she will never get bored<br />

standing in line in the employment office.<br />

In the forthcoming Christmas special, a TV<br />

version of Frank Capra's comedy, "It's a<br />

Wonderful Life," she plays an angel. The<br />

cast also includes Orson Welles and Wayne<br />

Rogers, as well as Mario Thomas who will<br />

recreate the Jimmy Stewart role.<br />

Asked if she will miss playing Phyllis.<br />

Cloris answered, "Oh. I<br />

don't intend to quit<br />

playing Phyllis. I will toss her character in<br />

a bit here and a bit there, between doing<br />

other things. Phyllis is too great a gal to just<br />

write off and Corset."<br />

BOXOFFICE August 1, 1977 NC-1


1<br />

MILWAUKEE<br />

aiai) Sirekow, a local artist tor Spectrom;d:a<br />

Communications of the Marcus<br />

Theatres, was declared the Central zone<br />

winner of the "Sinbad and the Eye of the<br />

Tiger" Showman's contest for colored posters.<br />

Strekow received a check for $500<br />

from Columbia Pictures. Columbia pointed<br />

out in a mid-July news release that 'The<br />

U. S. and Canadian contest was opened with<br />

a notice and entry blank in the April 1<br />

issue of BoxoFFiCE and the 1,500 respondents<br />

give testimony to the significant circulation,<br />

readership and drawing power of the<br />

weekly publication.'" Judging the entries<br />

from each of the four time zones were the<br />

film's stars Patrick Wayne and Taryn Power.<br />

The Motion picture opened July 22 at<br />

the Northridge, Modjeska, Brookfield<br />

.Square. Brownport, United Artists' Cinema.<br />

Point, Villa and Tosa, as well as the 41,<br />

59 and Victory drive-ins.<br />

Media advertising and just plain curiosity<br />

about the personal property of a great film<br />

star drew as many as 600 people to the<br />

Marriott Inn in suburban Brookfield for the<br />

estate auction of the late Anita Louise who<br />

appeared in more than 70 pictures during<br />

her long and noteworthy career. The three<br />

and a half hour auction realized $1 million<br />

as antique fLirniture,<br />

exotic porcelain pieces,<br />

domestic pewterware and oil paintings<br />

moved across the block. The daughter of an<br />

COLOR or Black and White =<br />

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antique dealer, the actress was an avid collector<br />

of silver, china and jewelry. Now, six<br />

years after her death, the estate was acquired<br />

by the C. B. Charles Galleries and<br />

this area selected for the partial release of<br />

the estate. The auction was held two successive<br />

evenings.<br />

New films selected to open here Friday<br />

(5) are "Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo" at<br />

the Skyway, Mill Road and Spring Mall,<br />

and "MacArthur" at the Northtown and<br />

Southtown. "The Last Remake of Beau<br />

Geste" opens Friday (12) at Mill Road and<br />

Westgate.<br />

The front page of the Boscobel Dial fcatLired<br />

a photo of Sylvester Stallone and local<br />

actor Bob Koolman taken by staffer Jamie<br />

Goldsmith on the location of "F.I.S.T." in<br />

Dubuque. Goldsmith approached Stallone<br />

during the last moments of a lunch break<br />

and blurted out "I'm from a small town<br />

paper. Can I get your picture?" Stallone<br />

agreed and Jamie quickly corralled Koolman<br />

to pose with the star. The local staffer<br />

also got a<br />

shot of director Norman Jewison<br />

surrounded by extras and an action shot of<br />

the cast rioting at<br />

the factory.<br />

It was "Popcorn Week" at the 23 Outdoor<br />

Theatre in Ripon recently. Patrons<br />

were advised that if they bought a 70 cent<br />

container of popcorn they were entitled to<br />

free refills all night long. On screen during<br />

ihe promotion were "Breaker! Breaker!" and<br />

"Th: People That Time Forgot."<br />

The Oeononiowoc weekly paper reported<br />

that Scotland Cinema Inc., purchased the<br />

Park and Pix theatres in Waukesha which<br />

had been closed since the former owners.<br />

Standard Theatres Inc., had let the leases<br />

lapse last February. Separate corporations<br />

were formed for each house and the Park<br />

opened a while back with the Pix reopening<br />

last month.<br />

Police officers backed up by a seaich warrant<br />

confiscated several films and three projectors<br />

after a search of the Unisex World<br />

Book Store last month. The employee on<br />

dtity was ordered to appear at the district<br />

attorney's office . . . Fabian, whose 25 film<br />

credits include "The Longest Day" and<br />

'North to Alaska" appeared at the Chula<br />

Vista Resort and Supper Club in Wisconsin<br />

3rv


. . The<br />

deal on their meal for a special dinner-theatre<br />

price. Tickets for adults were $2 and<br />

for students only $1.<br />

Similar theatre-restaurant<br />

programs have been arranged by<br />

United Artists' theatres of Wisconsin with<br />

cooperating restaurants in the area, over the<br />

past few years.<br />

The Teepee Drive-In, Hwy 45, Clearwater<br />

Lake, has initiated a $4-a-carload policy<br />

on Wednesday nights. The recent Wednesday<br />

night feature was "Marathon Man"<br />

with Dustin Hoffman .<br />

Eagle Outdoor<br />

Theatre, Hwy 45, Eagle River, is promoting<br />

"Ladies Night" every Tuesday evening<br />

with the fair sex admitted for half<br />

price.<br />

The Nova Theatre, Medford, and the local<br />

weekly. The Star, have a pact whereby<br />

readers get a "freebie" for the show if they<br />

can find their name tucked unobtrusively in<br />

among the classified ads.<br />

License Threat Is Delayed<br />

(Continued from page NC-3)<br />

The utilities and licenses committee has<br />

voted to ask the city attorney's office to<br />

draft amendments correcting the error (s)<br />

and to determine what action, if any, the<br />

committee may take against the Princess<br />

Theatre.<br />

Raytown Family Dislikes<br />

Long Drive to Ozoners<br />

KANSAS CITY—A recent letter to the<br />

"Speaking the Public Mind" column on the<br />

editorial page of the Kansas City Star asked<br />

that perennial question: "Why can't the<br />

films we want to see be played closer to<br />

where we live?" While the demise of the<br />

so-called neighborhood theatre might be<br />

involved in this continuing situation, apparently<br />

a large segment of the public has no<br />

conception of distribution practices, despite<br />

frequent appearances of filmites on radio<br />

talk shows and occasional feature articles<br />

in some area newspapers.<br />

Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Huggins of Raytown<br />

wrote: "We like to do things as a<br />

family and find it very disgusting to have<br />

to go to the Twin or Crest drive-ins to see<br />

a family show. We like both drive-ins but<br />

the trip both ways from our house is approximately<br />

30 miles.<br />

"Another thing that seems imfair is<br />

charging $1 a child for family shows. Why<br />

don't they charge for children to go to the<br />

violent and sex shows and maybe not so<br />

many parents would take their children?<br />

"We're all for family shows but give us<br />

a break and show them at closer drive-ins.<br />

The Twin was very crowded July 3, so people<br />

really do go to family shows. Surely we<br />

aren't the only Walt Disney fans in Raytown."<br />

Since the distance traveled was included<br />

as a complaint in the first paragraph ol<br />

the letter, it appears obvious that the higher<br />

price of gasoline deters many moviegoers<br />

from drivi.ng 25 to 50 miles to see a motion<br />

picture. This factor might be worth consideration<br />

by circuit owners at this point in<br />

time when booking film programs.<br />

Spanos Joins Showcase Magazine;<br />

Reviews Promotions for Features<br />

MIAMI— Nicholas Spanos, who holds<br />

many titles including movie critic, author<br />

and officer at P.'K Systems, which is a promotion,<br />

publicity and advertising firm, recently<br />

was named associate editor of Showcase,<br />

new locally published magazine devoted<br />

to the arts. Spanos, who is a 1967<br />

c nema graduate of the University of Southern<br />

California, also will be the magazine's<br />

theatre and film critic.<br />

Spanos wrote the following article about<br />

ihc film "Cheering Section" and its producer<br />

Wayne Crawford, who re;entiy made a piomotional<br />

tour of the area.<br />

The age of merely prodLicing an independent<br />

low-budget motion picture is gone,<br />

according to American General Pictines<br />

who now has "Cheering Section" in release<br />

through Dimension Pictures.<br />

Producer Wayne Crawford began a threecity<br />

promotional lOLir to help launch "Cheering<br />

Section," not only for filmgoers, but for<br />

exhibitors and subdistributors as well. Concurrently,<br />

executive producer Mark Owen<br />

and director Harry Kerwin began a publicity<br />

program in Dade and Broward counties,<br />

since the film was made there.<br />

American General even pressed over<br />

1,000 copies of the 45rpm record for promot'onal<br />

use in the film's Dayton area engagements<br />

Friday (8) and the Dallas, Fort<br />

Worth and El Paso territories Friday (15).<br />

Producer Crawford began his tour in Boston<br />

where he conferred with the picture's<br />

subdistributor, NFB Films, and Harvey Appell<br />

and Paul Peterson. He also met with<br />

local and national exhibitors based in Boston<br />

giving a story and advertising presentation.<br />

"The time has come where the producer<br />

of an independent film," Crawford began,<br />

"must answer questions important to both<br />

the distributors and the exhibitors. Does<br />

the filin have the advertising campaign on<br />

which it can be sold? What is the distributor<br />

going to do to sell the film in each territory?<br />

What is in the film to market it to<br />

today's audience?"<br />

Crawford, who's only 30 years old, has<br />

produced four films in the past two years,<br />

recently completing production on "Disco<br />

Dolls," which goes into national release<br />

through Dimension Pictures in early 1978.<br />

Director Kerwin also had encoiuaging<br />

words during the interview.<br />

"Independent producers more often than<br />

not tap their own dreams and wishes in<br />

making pictures for moviegoers. Instead,<br />

they should tap that one important source<br />

— the moviegoer," he began. " "Cheering<br />

Section' comb'nes the best of "American<br />

Grafitti," "Happy Days' and 'The Pom Pom<br />

Girls' in<br />

recreating the agonies and ecstasies<br />

of high school. Students today enjoy seeing<br />

the rivalries between high schools portrayed<br />

on the screen. They like to see their lifestyle<br />

accurately reflected."<br />

Executive producer Mark Owen, who<br />

doubled as production manager on the film.<br />

stated, "We shot the film where it happened<br />

— in the classrooms, locker rooms and athletic<br />

fields. Other predictions haven't done<br />

this, nor could they afford lo. This adds immediate<br />

real'sm and audience involvement<br />

to the film which insures favorable wordof-mouth<br />

from viewers."<br />

Crawford also visited ihe Dallas area<br />

during the initial saturation openings making<br />

sure the special promctioral and publicity<br />

programs were running smoothly. Thj<br />

local branch of PA Systems coord nated the<br />

programs for American G-eneral Films.<br />

Los Angeles was th; last stop on Crawford's<br />

tour, where he was joined by director<br />

Kerwin and executive producer Owen to<br />

confer again with Dimension Pictures on<br />

the special openings for ""Cheering .Section"<br />

and to prepare the upcoming "Disco Dolls"<br />

campaign.<br />

"Cheering Section." R-rated, introduces<br />

the natural and handsome talents of 19-<br />

year-old Thomas Leindecker.<br />

Federal Agency Funds<br />

To Aid Buffalo Plans<br />

BUFFALO—The downtown theatres and<br />

the Buffalo Zoo are among the activities<br />

which will benefit from the $13.4 million<br />

federal public works grant awarded the city<br />

by the Economic Development Agency.<br />

Deputy Mayor L. G. Foschio said that<br />

$1.6 million would go toward renovating the<br />

Shea's Buffalo and Palace theatres, with the<br />

latter scheduled to become the new home<br />

of the Studio Arena theatre and marking<br />

""the first step in creating a theatre and entertainment<br />

district."<br />

The Buffalo Theatre, one of the great<br />

rococo movie palaces of the 20s was declared<br />

a ""City Landmark" by the local Landmark<br />

and Preservation Board. It is listed in<br />

the National Register of Historic Places.<br />

Planners announced that approximately<br />

$700,000 will go toward a variety of interior<br />

and exterior repairs to the Buffalo, which<br />

was termed the keystone in the city's plans.<br />

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BOXOFFICE Augus 1977


OMAHA<br />

The Admiral Theatre is experiencing ihe<br />

aps and downs of summer audiences<br />

with -Rollercoaster." Following strong reviews<br />

from the local press, the film appears<br />

easily capable of a long si'mmer run. Local<br />

critic Leroy Perkins, writing for the Sun<br />

newspaper, said: "The sensurround rollercoaster<br />

ride assaults your senses, draws your<br />

breath, blurs your eyes, and twirls your<br />

stomach." In the reviewer's opinion it's the<br />

best way to experience the most exciting<br />

amusement parks of the coimtry without<br />

leaving Omaha.<br />

The Fox Theatre, at the Westroads shopping<br />

center, is exercising the benefits of a<br />

double-screen house by pulling "Exorcist II:<br />

the Heretic" out of one of two houses and<br />

offering "The Pink Panther Strikes Again."<br />

nationally the turnout for "Exorcist 11" is<br />

If<br />

like Omaha, there are a lot of moaning<br />

house managers. Suffering from bad reviews,<br />

locally, from newspapers and radio,<br />

even the change of ending did little to stir<br />

audience interest.<br />

The Center Theatre, owned and operated<br />

by the Omaha Junior Community Theatre,<br />

continues in its tradition of offering G-rated<br />

family entertainment in between its theatre<br />

presentations with the second run showing<br />

of "Raggedy Ann & Andy." In addition<br />

the theatre is offering Spanish films for the<br />

Mexican-American population.<br />

The Boys Town Community Theatre<br />

plans a cartoon marathon on Tuesday (16)<br />

with invitations to inner-city youth and child<br />

service agencies to join the citizens of Boys<br />

Town in a three hour cartoon festival. The<br />

community theatre board is currently selecting<br />

the movies for their new season. In<br />

a recent evaluation by the Boys Town<br />

Youth Care program the theatre was rated<br />

(-,.5 (with a possible high of 7). Management<br />

and staff are to be congratulated for another<br />

year of services to the famous city of little<br />

Boys Town has announc<br />

Sound and<br />

I Projection Service<br />

Nationwide — on all brands.<br />

RCA Service Company. A Division of RCA<br />

7620 Gross Poinl Road, Skokie III 60076<br />

Phone 1312) 478-6591<br />

an agreement with Shay Duffin for the<br />

filming of a new feature about the famous<br />

child care institution. Duffin is in the<br />

writing stages and plans are for a television<br />

movie" (perhaps mini-series) with possible<br />

o.'jrseas sell as a feature. This will be the<br />

station in the area called the Thursday night<br />

showing of "Orca" at the South Cinema<br />

Four a special preview. Special ticket giveaways<br />

(for the 4th caller) took place several<br />

times during the day—most efficiently during<br />

the traffic hours in the morning and<br />

afternoon. A Dubinsky screen, the Astro<br />

Theatre, has "Orca" following "Jaws."<br />

Between the splashes of the big whale,<br />

"Orca," and the fur-flying hero, "Benji," the<br />

Six West Theatre has its lobby full. Another<br />

strong entry has been the "Island of Dr.<br />

Moreau", wh'ch received a goodly amount<br />

of TV coverage and concession girls have<br />

been sporting the monster-faced T-shirts promoting<br />

the opening for several days.<br />

The Douglas-owned Cinema Center Complex<br />

still pulls in strong crowds for "Star<br />

Wars" but disappointing houses for "New<br />

York, New York." Return faces in "Star<br />

Wars" audiences show the draw of this summer<br />

sensation. A double feature science fiction<br />

bill at the Astro Theatre provided alternative<br />

viewing for sci-fi fans excited by<br />

"Star Wars."<br />

Gov. Hugh Carey in Tour<br />

Of 'Blood Brothers' Set<br />

NEW YORK—Gov. Hugh Carey of New<br />

York paid a visit to the construction site set<br />

of Warner Bros.' "Blood Brothers," now<br />

shooting in New York City before returning<br />

to Hollywood. On hand to greet him were<br />

Warner Communications, Inc., chairman of<br />

the board Steven J. Ross. Jay Emmett, WCl<br />

Neighborhood Shows<br />

Reopen in Scranton<br />

SCRANTON. PA.—With the repeal of<br />

the city's ten per cent amusement tax, two<br />

motion picture theatres that closed last<br />

month reopened their doors. The Roosevelt<br />

Theatre reopened for the July 4 holiday<br />

and the West End Theatre is expected<br />

dramatic presentation of the worldand<br />

first<br />

known home for boys since Spencer Tracy ^^ resume operations in the very near future<br />

Mickey Rooney brought the Nebraska<br />

The theatres, formerly owned and operated<br />

village to world attention.<br />

by Sportservice, Inc., of Buffalo. N.Y.. were<br />

refurbished for the new openings.<br />

"Orca" is making its big splash in town Both theatres will now be under the management<br />

on six screens. The Douglas Theatre chain<br />

of a combine of three businessmen<br />

has pushed the film in an excellent radio from nearby Green Ridge—Jack Lance,<br />

give-away on WOW. The number one radio Frank Harrington and Joseph O'Connor.<br />

They indicated that both houses, located in<br />

neighborhoods, will feature family-oriented<br />

offerings. The Roosevelt Theatre was reportedly<br />

sold for $50,000, while the West<br />

Side Theatre had a price tag of $100,000.<br />

Repeal of the city's high amusement tax was<br />

reportedly a prerequisite for reopening the<br />

two theatres.<br />

While the two neighborhood houses will<br />

be open, Scranton for the first time will be<br />

without a movie theatre in its downtown<br />

business district. Daniel Jones, Eastern division<br />

manager for Sportservice announced<br />

that the closing of the Comerford Theatre,<br />

announced earlier, will take place at the<br />

end of July, resulting in the loss of employment<br />

for some 22 persons.<br />

The Comerford has been purchased by<br />

Rexcraft Business Interiors, of suburban<br />

Avoca and the property will be turned into<br />

a mini-mall. Rexcraft also has purchased the<br />

Strand Theatre and reportedly plans to tear<br />

down that building also to make room for<br />

a parking lot. Scranton's third theatre in the<br />

central city area, the Center Theatre, was<br />

sold earlier to the Scranton National Bank,<br />

which has announced plans to use it for expansion<br />

of the bank's lobby.<br />

The area office for Sportservice is located<br />

in the Comerford Theatre building and<br />

Jones said he is looking for new quarters.<br />

Scranton will be joined by neighboring<br />

Wilkes-Barre as being without a center city<br />

motion picture theatre. Sportservice already<br />

closed one theatre in downtown Wilkes-<br />

Barre and closed another on July<br />

Wilkes-Barre City Redevelopment Author-<br />

."i. The<br />

office of the president, the film's director several months ago purchased the chain's<br />

ity<br />

Robert Mulligan, its producer Stephen triplex; the Barre East, Barre West and<br />

Friedman, and cast members Paul Sorvino, Barre Lodge.<br />

Tony Lo Bianco and Richard Gere.<br />

Several weeks ago, Sportservice announced<br />

Carey regaled the assembled company<br />

it also was closing the Paramount<br />

by trading Italian jokes with Sorvino and Theatre, also located in downtown Wilkesirre,<br />

film on<br />

Irish jokes with Mulligan and his remi-<br />

with the final showing of<br />

niscences of family ties to the movie industry.<br />

Carey's late wife's aunt was chief of<br />

cinematography at Vistagraph Studios in<br />

Brooklyn.<br />

Carey then turned to the serious discussion<br />

of the state's efforts to woo the motion<br />

picture industry back, as he outlined plans<br />

to ease clearance procedures through establishment<br />

of a special agency to coordinate<br />

all producers' requirements and to function<br />

in an encouraging role to all production<br />

companies.<br />

July<br />

.*>. The triple Barre Theatres and the<br />

Paramount Theatre were the last two motion<br />

picture houses in operation in the<br />

downtown business district in Wilkes-Barre.<br />

Restaurant Promotes Film<br />

CASPER, WYO.—The showing of "Pony<br />

Express Rider" at the Beverly Twin Cinema<br />

received a promotional boost from the local<br />

Beef 'N Tacos fast food franchise when it<br />

distributed 10,000 Hollywood star cards.<br />

BOXOFFICE :; August 1, 1977


Convictions in Kentucky:<br />

'Deep Throat' Trial Ends<br />

COVINGTON, KY.—Convictions were<br />

returned to four of five defendants July 20<br />

in a U. S. District Court obscenity trial<br />

here regarding the film "'Deep Throat."<br />

The American Amusement Co., Guy<br />

Weir and Harry Mohney of Durand, Mich.,<br />

and Stanley Marks, former operator of the<br />

Cinema X theatre in Newport, Ky., were<br />

each found guilty on two counts of interstate<br />

transportation of obscene material and one<br />

count of conspiracy to commit interstate<br />

transportation of obscene material. The<br />

American News Co. was acquitted.<br />

No date has been set for sentencing the<br />

defendants and all remain free on bond,<br />

pending appeal.<br />

Judge Carl Rubin presided over the retrial<br />

of a 1973 court action in which all<br />

five defendants received convictions, which<br />

were subsequently overturned by the U. S.<br />

Supreme Court. The Supreme Court had<br />

ruled that the original trial was decided on<br />

an inappropriate definition of obscenity.<br />

Prosecuting Attorney James Arehart expressed<br />

pleasure with the verdict but declined<br />

to comment on the likelihood of future<br />

prosecutions. Arehart was quoted as<br />

saying, "I believe the verdict was a message<br />

to the people that they (the jury) didn't like<br />

that sort<br />

of stuff."<br />

Code Violations or Adult<br />

Film Closes Pa. Theatre<br />

WAYNE. PA.—Whether it was the fire<br />

code or the X-rated "Cinderella" shown, the<br />

fact remains that the Anthony Wayne Theatre<br />

in this suburban community was closed<br />

for a few days. A spokesman for Philadelphia-based<br />

Budco Quality Theatres, which<br />

operates the showhouse. said he felt the<br />

theatre was closed by officials because of<br />

alleged fire code violations and not because<br />

of the X-rated motion picture.<br />

Nonetheless, when the theatre reopened<br />

few days later, another film title was on<br />

a<br />

the marquee.<br />

Apparently the incident began when a<br />

mother decided to take her daughter to the<br />

Anthony Wayne to see "Cinderella." When<br />

she got to the theatre and saw the pictorial<br />

display in front, she soon realized this "Cinderella"<br />

was not a film for a ten-year-old.<br />

The mother, who apparently didn't know<br />

how to read film rating symbols in display<br />

advertisements, became so indignant that<br />

she started a protest movement and soon<br />

had a number of people picketing the theatre.<br />

It was then that the fire marshal suddenly<br />

appeared at the Anthony Wayne for an inspection.<br />

He said he had found some flaws<br />

that had to be corrected to make the house<br />

conform to the township's fire code. The<br />

Budco circuit shuttered the theatre several<br />

days to make the corrections indicated.<br />

However, township officials said the fire<br />

insjwction had nothing to do with the showing<br />

of "Cinderella,"<br />

Hollywood Int'l Productions ha<br />

The Deadly Game."<br />

CLEVELAND<br />

Jim Swingos, local hotel owner who has<br />

provided suites for numerous celebrities<br />

including Yiil Brynner, Jack Albertson,<br />

Andy W lliams, Henry Fonda, Carol Channing<br />

and Frank Sinatra, installed a new luxluy<br />

suite in one of his downtown properties.<br />

Jeff Glass, a student at Ohio State University,<br />

has been employed as a production<br />

assistant for the movie "The Deer Himter."<br />

Two days of shooting will be done at a local<br />

steel mill and a wedding scene will be shot<br />

at St. Theodosius Russian Orthodox Cathedral.<br />

Glass will be responsible for employing<br />

from 200 to 500 extras for the film.<br />

Marilyn Palmer, AIP staffer is<br />

now vacationing<br />

. . . Westgate Quad projectionist<br />

Mike Sobota also left for vacation.<br />

"Viva Knievel!" was screened at the new<br />

Motion Picture Sound Theatre July 22.<br />

While cnroute to California to write the<br />

screenplay for his book "Oliver." Erich<br />

Segal made an exclusive appearance on<br />

WEWS' "Morning Exchange" program.<br />

An area premiere of "The Spirit of the<br />

Beehive" was held at the new Mayfield<br />

Repertory Cinema Jirly 26.<br />

DETROIT<br />

producer Andre Guttfreund was in town<br />

July 19 in connection with a publicity<br />

and promotion tour to acquaint the public<br />

with National Film Day. which will be held<br />

Monday (22). Guttfreund's film "In the Region<br />

of Ice" won an Academy Award.<br />

Paramount Pictures held a special sneak<br />

preview of "The Bad News Bears in Breaking<br />

Training," which is rated PG and stars<br />

William Devane and Clifton James at the<br />

Prudential Town Center July 22. The film<br />

opened in the area July 29.<br />

Kelly Theatre Service reported that it will<br />

be doing the booking and buying for the<br />

Cinema Theatre, Saginaw. The theatre will<br />

be operated by Ohio Movies of<br />

Pa.<br />

Pittsburgh,<br />

Avco Embassy Pictures moved to the International<br />

Plaza Building, 23300 Greenfield<br />

Rd.. Oak Park.<br />

Correction<br />

DETROIT—The Cinema Shares International<br />

Distribution Corp. advertisement for<br />

"School Days" which appeared in the Mideast<br />

edition of <strong>Boxoffice</strong> July 1 1 inadvertently<br />

carried the incorrect Detroit distributor<br />

identification. "School Days" is distributed<br />

in the Detroit area by Levin Film Distrihulon<br />

Co., phone number (313) .5.59-<br />

'Siar Wars' Retains<br />

Lead in Cleveland<br />

CLEVELAND —<br />

I<br />

he Inst and second<br />

place slots were claimed by the same occupants<br />

this report week as "Star Wars" averaged<br />

980 at five theatres and "The Deep"<br />

scored 270 at five theatres also. The only<br />

newcomer to the area was "Rabid," which<br />

finished its debut week with an average of<br />

105 at four theatres.<br />

(Average Is 100)<br />

Five theatres—Rollercoasler (Univ) 5th .. 1: 120<br />

Five ihealres—For the Love of Benji<br />

(Mulberry Square), 4th wlc 120<br />

Five theatres—The Other Side of Midnight<br />

(20lh-Fox), -Ith wlc 180<br />

Five theatres—The Deep (Col) ;. 270<br />

Five theatres—Star Wars (20tyi F 980<br />

Five theatres—Sorcerer (Para U:.. 90<br />

Four theatres—Rabid Wev Wo:. : 105<br />

Four theatres-Exorcist II: the Heretic<br />

4th wk ,60<br />

Six theolres—A Bridge Too Far (UA), 4th wk ,100<br />

Two theatres-Rocky (UA), 20th wk 120<br />

Wahl Named Manager<br />

Of Hopkins Triplex<br />

MINNEAPOLIS—Daryl Wahl, newest<br />

member of the Engler circuit's managerial<br />

staff, based here, has assumed the helm of<br />

the Engler triplex in Hopkins. He plunged<br />

right into promotions for "Rollercoaster,"<br />

which opened June 10. Among his innovations<br />

was an actual rollercoaster car donated<br />

by Lord Fletchers, a restaurant in<br />

nearby Minnctonka, and Bill Naegele, local<br />

advertising executive.<br />

Wahl also set up a portable ticket booth<br />

manned by his staff dressed in amusement<br />

park array down to the straw hats and gaudv<br />

vests. Cotton candy was available, thanks<br />

to Ogden Foods. This attraction also tied in<br />

with the Art Fair on the Hopkins Mall.<br />

He pursued the midway motif with aisle<br />

vending, using a push cart to peddle popcorn<br />

and soda pop.<br />

Hopkins was not the only Engler house<br />

where things were happening. Rex Thompson<br />

(Engler's "Manager of the Year") had<br />

generated public excitement for the recordbreaking<br />

"Star Wars" even before it began<br />

its run." Rex had his staff togged out in<br />

"Star Wars" uniforms. "Star Wars" is shattering<br />

all house records at Thompson's Roseville<br />

4. Rex had to share some of the limelight<br />

with one of his ushers, Tim Schrampfer.<br />

On his own initiative and time. Tim<br />

made three spaceships out of cardboard and<br />

suspended them from the ceiling with working<br />

lights in hanging displays to accentuate<br />

the air-space theme. Schrampfer was cited<br />

for his outstanding effort, during the Engler<br />

staff meeting June 21 and Thompson named<br />

him as his assistant promotion director.<br />

August 1. 1977 ME-1<br />

In addition to the promotional excitement.<br />

Roseville 4 also boasts the first Dolby<br />

system stereo four-track installation in the<br />

state. Installation was performed by Cinema<br />

Systems of Minneapolis. Paul Wenz and<br />

John Sery. who handled the project, moved<br />

into high gear when the target date was<br />

advanced a month but they met the challenge.


New Price Policy at Vogue A Success<br />

According to Cleveland Columnist<br />

CLEVELAND—The Vogue Theatre,<br />

which recently was operating under the new<br />

policy of showing quality second-run features<br />

on a double bill at the low price of<br />

$1.50, was declared "very much alive and<br />

well" by Donna Chernin in the "Cinema"<br />

column of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. July<br />

8.<br />

Chernin wrote the following detailed<br />

story on the theatre's revitalization efforts<br />

and business practices:<br />

"When the Vogue Theatre closed a couple<br />

years ago there was much TV coverage and<br />

newspaper publicity. But when the theatre<br />

in the Van Aken Shopping Center in .Shaker<br />

Heights reopened six weeks later nothing<br />

was said.<br />

"Consequently, there are many people<br />

who believe the Vogue is still closed, according<br />

to Sylvia Sheer, the theatre's manager<br />

for the past seven years.<br />

" "It's just a question of re-educating the<br />

public and getting them to understand our<br />

new policy," Mrs. Sheer said. 'We are showing<br />

two movies for $1.50. But when people<br />

see two pictures advertised in the newspaper,<br />

many times they think that we're in a<br />

twin theatre like the Southgate, Randall Mall<br />

and many of the others. But we arc showing<br />

two separate movies. Sometimes the people<br />

in line ask if there is a discount for children<br />

or the golden-agers, but the $1.50 cut price<br />

applies to everyone.' "<br />

"The theatre began its new program this<br />

past winter after being closed again from<br />

November 8 through the end of January be-<br />

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Every exhibitor is<br />

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COXOFFICE :: Aucus


Hie Land ofdie Free<br />

didiftcome cheap.<br />

Even before we had a<br />

formal constitution,<br />

investors were asked to<br />

buy over $27,000,000 in<br />

securities to provide the<br />

arms we needed. And to<br />

provide the money to<br />

rebuild.<br />

That was just the beginning.<br />

Through war and<br />

peace, the good years and<br />

the bad, Americans have<br />

always given freely. Millions<br />

invested their<br />

money. Many invested<br />

their lives.<br />

We've never stopped<br />

fighting for freedom. For<br />

the American way of life.<br />

Today, over 9y2 million<br />

Americans buy U.S.<br />

Savings Bonds through<br />

the Payroll Savings Plan.<br />

Maybe you should<br />

consider your interest and<br />

take stock in America.<br />

It isn't cheap, but there's<br />

never been a better deal.<br />

Take ,<br />

, stolen or destroyed<br />

. stock .<br />

in^menca.<br />

200 years at the same location.<br />

ME-4 BOXOFFICE :: August


. . . "Broken<br />

. . The<br />

. . The<br />

MAINE<br />

"P M. Loew's Theatres, in a precedent-selling<br />

move for a first-run auditorium<br />

in Portland, started a "Movie Festival," with<br />

focus on vintage and current domestic and<br />

foreign product at the Fine Arts Twin Cinemas<br />

2 (auditorium two). Regular, first-run<br />

product continues in auditorium one. Ads<br />

emphasize 35mm prints, wide screen and<br />

double bills, with, uniquely enough, a $2<br />

charge in effect for all seats at all times. The<br />

auditorium has been dubbed, "Maine's Finest<br />

Art-Repertory Cinema," with a mailing<br />

list taking on names of interested patrons<br />

Blossoms," the Lillian Gish-<br />

Richard Barthelmess classic, was shown as<br />

a free attraction in the English-Math building<br />

of the University of Maine's Portland-<br />

Gorham campus . State 2, "adult"<br />

film outlet in downtown Portland, charging<br />

$2 for senior citizens (as previously reported<br />

in <strong>Boxoffice</strong>), advertised a "special<br />

couples discount."<br />

Maine openings: "Peter Perry Pictures'<br />

"Hollywood High," 20th Century-Fox's<br />

"Star Wars," AIP's "Tentacles," among other<br />

titles.<br />

Lynn Redgrave starred in Neil Simon's<br />

"California Suite" at the Lakewood Summer<br />

Theatre . Commission on Maine's<br />

Future, in a summary of its preliminary report,<br />

notes: "Although average income here<br />

is rising, Maine people continue to earn<br />

lower salaries than people in other states."<br />

Dorothy Rodgers, 44 Miller St., Belfast<br />

Me., wrote to the Bangor Daily News for<br />

help, the newspaper noting: "She is trying<br />

to locate a part of an old Kodak projector.<br />

sound Kodascope Model FS-IO-N made in<br />

the 1940's. The part is a upper film threading<br />

drive gear. She has written and advertised<br />

and had no luck. Now she is hoping<br />

that someone might recall having an old<br />

projector in an attic. Drop her a note if you<br />

have any information that might help her."<br />

Expansion Plans Are Dim<br />

HARTFORD— Prospects lor the Redstone<br />

Theatres to get East Hartford's permission<br />

for expansion of the Showcase Cineni.is<br />

5 to a six-screen complex (see earlier<br />

<strong>Boxoffice</strong> stories) are dim. The town's zoning<br />

board of appeals has unanimously denied<br />

a variances petition for construction<br />

of a Wendy's Restaurant, 345 Main St., the<br />

town board citing traffic reasons. A similar<br />

application by the Redstone circuit to expand<br />

the Showcase 5 evoked the same denial<br />

reason. A Redstone court appeal is<br />

pending.<br />

Loews College Theatre Shuttered<br />

NEW HAVEN—Loews College, long<br />

one of downtown New Haven's prime first<br />

runs, was shut down July 16. Arthur Rapport,<br />

vice-president for real estate, said<br />

that decision had yet to be made on what<br />

a<br />

would be done with the cinema.<br />

A Busy, eO'Vear-Old Love Affair<br />

For Patriarch of Projectionists<br />

BOSTON — "If you want to be happy,<br />

love the work you do and keep busy." Thus<br />

did Morris A. Goldman, 81, dean of projectionists,<br />

explain his philosophy to a reporter<br />

for the Boston Globe whose story<br />

we quote in part.<br />

The story began a half century plus a<br />

dicade ago, in 1917, when a yoimg Russian<br />

immigrant from Kiev wandered the "cowpath<br />

streets" of Boston seeking work in a<br />

mediimi of which he was already fond, the<br />

motion pictures.<br />

Indeed, his career is a living chronicle<br />

of the industry from the days of handcranked<br />

projectors to talkies to color to wide<br />

screen to the modern facets of the business<br />

vis-ble in his booth at the Pi Alley Theatre.<br />

Last of Era<br />

One of the first stops in his quest for<br />

work was at the Beacon Theatre (later the<br />

Beacon Hill) where he was referred to the<br />

Comiqiie. He spent the next two years at the<br />

latter working for six bucks a week. Goldman<br />

is, perhaps, all that is left of that era<br />

save the memories. The Comique, ScoUay<br />

Square, the Beacon Hill—all have fallen to<br />

the wrecking crews of progress.<br />

But Morris remembers. He remembers<br />

gettng the posters, being an usher and even<br />

carrying film to the theatres on trolley cars<br />

before "there was a fire and they stopped<br />

it." Fire was once a very real part of the<br />

industry and a projectionist's life. The pre-<br />

1952 film stock had great flammable properties<br />

and this, plus some tragic accidents,<br />

led the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to<br />

put some tough laws into effect relating to<br />

the film industry, laws that are still on the<br />

books despite the across-the-board improvements<br />

in all areas of exhibition and the motion<br />

picture business.<br />

It was at the time when motor driven<br />

machines replaced the vintage, hand cranked<br />

jobs that Morris joined lATSE Local 182,<br />

the Motion Picture Machine Operator's<br />

Union to wh'ch he still belongs.<br />

Early 3-D<br />

He was working at the Eagle Theatre in<br />

Roxbury near the Dudley Street station (of<br />

the street car line) and "I remember distinctly,<br />

almost 50 years ago. they used to<br />

have shorts—eight to ten minutes. Pete<br />

Smith made a lot of these. He made a<br />

3-D reel, before anyone ever knew to call<br />

it 3-D, about baseball. The pitcher pitched,<br />

the batter hit the ball and I was watching<br />

from the projection booth. As the ball came<br />

toward me. so help me, I ducked. The audience<br />

screamed."<br />

3-D was just a passing fancy but talking<br />

pictures were not and Goldman was at his<br />

post when the "Jazz Singer" came to town<br />

and he had to learn how to operate the<br />

cumbersome Vitaphone equipment. "We<br />

had a record player below the machine and<br />

we'd start it and the film at the same time<br />

and hope they'd stay in 'sync'."<br />

The changes came, and are coming, fast<br />

and fLirioiis. Goldman keeps pace with them,<br />

doing his job, observing and, in his way,<br />

acting as a commentator. "I've seen all the<br />

changes, but they'll still be movies . . . they<br />

have to give them something else—a little<br />

sex.<br />

"Who rims the film business now? Big<br />

corporations who make wood and glass.<br />

Louis B. Mayer, the others were showmen."<br />

Morris has many opinions and many observations<br />

on this world that he loves and<br />

which keeps him busy. Yet not ttx) busy to<br />

become involved in community and religious<br />

activities or keep an eye on a family<br />

that includes three doctors and several scholars.<br />

Love and activity— it works for Morris<br />

Goldman and maybe we should all try his<br />

philosophical<br />

prescriptions.<br />

Once-Upon-a-Time Film<br />

Palace Greets Musical<br />

BOSTON—The posh Metropolitan Theatre<br />

was once the flagship of the American<br />

circuit where filmgoers saw the top stars<br />

in lavish splendor modeled after the Opera<br />

Comique in Paris. Now renamed the Music<br />

Hall, it marks its renaissance as the site<br />

for live entertainment as it welcomes Carol<br />

Channing and the Houston Opera Company's<br />

production of "Hello. Dolly!"<br />

The musical was originally scheduled for<br />

the Colonial Theatre but switched to the<br />

Music Hall to take advantage of the latter's<br />

4.400 seat capacity as opposed to the Colonial's<br />

1,700 seats. This is the first major<br />

show to be booked in the newly converted<br />

facility.<br />

Sack Theatres, operators of the big hall,<br />

have long sought to lure a major production<br />

to their stage and producers David Merrick<br />

and Hal Ziegler had considered using the<br />

Music Hall but rejected it. Hopes are that<br />

"Hello, Dolly!" represents a breakthrough<br />

that will place the Music Hall in the pre-<br />

Broadway tryout league currently controlled<br />

by the Shubert, Colonial and Wilbur theatres.<br />

The Music Hall has been used for Hurok<br />

productions, ballet and opera but mainly<br />

for rock one-nighters in recent years. Since<br />

it has no staff of its own, producers have<br />

had to provide their own personnel and<br />

their own contracts.<br />

negotiate<br />

Houston Opera's production of "Porgy<br />

and Bess" played to a sellout crowd at the<br />

Colonial last year but the limited seating<br />

combined with the cost of staging the elaborate<br />

musical saw the producers barely<br />

break even, spokesmen said.<br />

There is a move afoot to transform the<br />

Music Hall into a legitimate opera house<br />

supported by a foundation that is now raising<br />

the money to take over when the Sack's<br />

lease expires in 1980. The New England<br />

Medical Center, which owns the property,<br />

favors the foundation's plans.<br />

August 1. 1977 NE-1


i<br />

VERMONT<br />

Extended engagements—those going into<br />

the half-year mark—are rare indeed, at<br />

least for Vermont. Merrill Jarvis, president<br />

of the Merrill Theatre Corp.. operating in<br />

northern Vermont, proudly advertised,<br />

"25th Smash Week!" for United Artists<br />

"Rocky." in auditorium two of his Essex<br />

Twin Cinema. Essex Junction, The twin,<br />

incidentally, has a $1.25 admission in effect<br />

for all seats at all times. The Merrill circuit<br />

advertises: "Dial 862-5050 For Complete<br />

Movie Information!"<br />

NEW HAMPSHIRE<br />

Qranite State openings included Warners'<br />

"Viva Knievel!". backed by large-scale,<br />

prc-playdate newspaper advertising.<br />

Qreen Mountain State openings: 20th Century-Fox's<br />

"Star Wars." Warner Bros."<br />

"Viva Knieve!!", Paramount Pictures' "Race<br />

for Your Life. Charlie Brown!". Columbia's<br />

"Sinbad and The Eye of the Tiger," and<br />

.MP's "Tentacles," among other titles.<br />

The Canobie Lake Amusement Park. Salem,<br />

has designated Tuesday and Thursday<br />

nights as "Rrde All You Want" evenings,<br />

payment of $4 entitling a customer to go<br />

on a ride for as long as the customer wishes.<br />

American International Pictures' "Tentacles."<br />

in a multiple drive-in. statewide<br />

premiere, was backed by large scale advance<br />

newspaper advertising. The playdates included<br />

the Ski Hi. Boscawan; Sky Ray,<br />

Hooksef, Milford and Rte. 16. Somersworth.<br />

Fringe Benefit Recovery Law In<br />

AUGUSTA, ME.—The Maine State Legislature<br />

has passed, and Gov. James B.<br />

Longley signed into law. a bill to allow<br />

workers who lose their jobs when their<br />

employer goes bankrupt to seek recovery<br />

of fringe benefits as well as accumulated<br />

wages.<br />

I COLOR or Black and White j<br />

FOR<br />

INDOOR AND<br />

DRIVE-INS<br />

SPECIAL PROMOTIONS > TRAIIERETTES<br />

NO SMOKING . VANDALISM • DATERS<br />

COLOR MERCHANT ADS<br />

Filmack « "-<br />

Film Business Hums<br />

Profitably in Hub<br />

BOSTON — Motion picture business is<br />

humming along as "Star Wars" goes into its<br />

perimeter break without cutting into the<br />

big above averages in the one Boston walkin^<br />

This picture proves that you can't keep<br />

them out when they really want in and the<br />

Charles 1 has had repeaters four or five<br />

t'mes on this picture, now in its eighth week,<br />

where it is still leading with a tremendous<br />

1.500 above average. Out in the suburbs on<br />

the perimeter break. "Star Wars" opened at<br />

the Circle Cinemas I and II with lines greeting<br />

the film and fantastic 600 above average<br />

in each house was scored for new theatre<br />

records. There's lots of new product in this<br />

week and exhibitor hopes are high as Disney's<br />

"The Rescuers" at the Saxon is off<br />

to the tune of a big 300 above average.<br />

"The Last Remake of Beau Geste" is high<br />

above average at Cheri III with 290 above.<br />

"Smokey and the Bandit" is rolling with<br />

Motion Pictures, Weather<br />

Hit New Highs in Hartiord<br />

HARTFORD—20th Century-Fox's "Star<br />

Wars." at General Cinema's Newington 3.<br />

United Artist's Westfarms 3 and UA East 3.<br />

hit 1.000 (900 points above average and<br />

CINERAMA IS IN<br />

SHOW BUSINESS IN<br />

HAWAII TOO.<br />

When you come to Waikiki,<br />

'^°"'* "^'^^ *^^ famous<br />

Rlf^jCl*<br />

Don Ho Show. . at<br />

^^^{yj<br />

.<br />

1<br />

HOTELS<br />

J Cinerama's Reef Towers Hotel.<br />

IN WAIKIKJ: REIT REEF TOWERS EDGEWATEH<br />

well in the category of record-shattering<br />

opening figures for Hartford). Warner Bros.'<br />

"Viva Knievel!" in ten situations, registered<br />

350. Buena Vista's "The Rescuers," at Redstone<br />

Showcase 5, zipped along at 300.<br />

Others in newcomer bloc were from state's<br />

rights distributors and hit between 150 and<br />

225. making this, overall, one of the better<br />

weeks of the warmer weather.<br />

Atheneum Cinema—Le Sauvage (SR), 2nd wk ....115<br />

Cinema City I—FontasUc Animation Festival (SR) 225<br />

Colonial—The Ghostly Face (SR), The Street<br />

Fighter (SR) 150<br />

Showcase I—The Rescuers (BV) 300<br />

Showcase II-The Other Side of Midnight<br />

(20th-Fox), 5th wk ..., - 200<br />

Showcase III—A Bridge Too Far (UA), 5th wk 200<br />

Showcase IV—Sorcerer (Univ/Pora), 4th wk 175<br />

Showcase V-New York. New York (UA),<br />

3rd wk , - 200<br />

Ten theatres—Viva Kniev<br />

-Star W,<br />

Three theatres—The Deep (C-<br />

Webster—Blowdry ISR)<br />

New Haven Filmgoers Boost<br />

Local Exhibitors' Grosses<br />

NEW HAVEN — The Sampson & Spo-<br />

WORCESTER<br />

J)rive-In Concessions of Massachusetts<br />

took over complete management of the<br />

Edgemere Drive-In. following bow-out of<br />

Theatre Management Services. John Galvin<br />

is the new manager . . . Mid-Massachusetts<br />

premieres included Columbia's "Sinbad and<br />

The Eye of the Tiger." Crown International's<br />

"The Van." and Buena Vista's "The<br />

Rescuers."<br />

Hardtop Triple Features Set<br />

PROVIDENCE—Three-feature programs<br />

]<br />

dick York Square Cinema chalked up a<br />

strong 300 with a state's rights film "Welcome<br />

to L.A." Warners Bros.' "Viva Knievel!"<br />

and Buena Vista's "The Rescuers."<br />

both multiple openings, hit 250 and 225,<br />

j<br />

respectively. 20th Century-Fox's "Star<br />

]<br />

are commonplace in drive-ins. but the practice<br />

is rare for area hardtops, especially intown<br />

situations. The downtown Ocean State<br />

(formerly Loews State) booked reruns, "The<br />

Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat," "Heavy Traffic"<br />

and "Fritz the Cat." charging 9^) cents<br />

for all seats at all performances.<br />

NE-2<br />

BOXOFFICE :: August 1977


ELLIS GORDON FILMS<br />

(Ellis<br />

Gordon -Bob MacPherson)<br />

New England's Foremost Distributor<br />

AND<br />

AFFILIATED THEATRES CORPORATION<br />

(Joe Hochberg - Alan Hochberg)<br />

New England's Oldest, Most Experienced<br />

Buying and Booking Combine<br />

ANNOUNCE<br />

WITH PRIDE AND PLEASURE<br />

THEIR MERGER<br />

AND THE FORMATION OF<br />

AFFILIATED CINEMAS. INC.<br />

Afiiliated Cinemas, Inc. offers you, the exhibitor or you, the producer<br />

looking for a top independent distributor, a combine of more than sixty<br />

theatres, with powerful buying power, powerful screens. We also bring<br />

you vast distribution know-how and selling. There are nine of us at your<br />

service with experience in every phase of booking, buying, and distribution.<br />

Call us, write, come to 1330 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts,<br />

02167. (That's Route 9, directly across the street from General Cinema<br />

Corporation.)<br />

Phone: (617) 734-0700<br />

(617) 731-2770<br />

(617) 731-2776<br />

BOXOFTICE :: August I, 1977 NE-3


Liberty<br />

. . The<br />

. . The<br />

BOSTON<br />

J^artha Pinson, publicist at the Gates Theatres,<br />

fanned out a wide-ranging advertising<br />

spread in newspapers throughout the<br />

grealer Boston area for the opening of<br />

"Agu rrc; the Wrath of God" at the Orson<br />

Welles Cinema July 13. Based upon the<br />

first ten days' grosses they expect the film<br />

to run through the late summer.<br />

The newly opened Off the Wall Cinema<br />

on Main Street. Cambridge, is creating<br />

plenty of excitement with their premiere<br />

promotions. They have four New England<br />

premieres coming up this month starting<br />

with the Australian import "Leisure." a<br />

1977 Oscar winning animation picture: then,<br />

from Canada. "Monsieur Pointu." a 1976<br />

Oscar nominee; "Mindscape." by Jacques<br />

Drouin and Botner's "Later That Night,"<br />

Rita Appell has launched a far-reaching<br />

promotional push for their Dimension Pictures"<br />

release ""Cheering Section," set for a<br />

break in the Hub area Wednesday (10).<br />

Threa and four column ads are being set in<br />

feet of office space at 141 Tremont St., at<br />

the<br />

corner of Temple.<br />

Richard Shamban, Allied Advertising<br />

Agency executive, issued special invitations<br />

to" a trade-press advance showing of the<br />

Academy Award winner ""Black and White<br />

in Color," July 18, in the Judd Parker<br />

Screening Room. Released by Allied Artists,<br />

the picture opened at Sonny and Eddy's<br />

Exeter July 20 in an exclusive run.<br />

National Film Day will be observed nationwide<br />

on Monday (22). All motion picture<br />

fans will participate in the observance<br />

which benefits the American Film Institute.<br />

This is a non-profit organization established<br />

by the National Endowment for the Arts.<br />

aimed at preserving and advancing America's<br />

film heritage through the education of<br />

new filmmakers. Motion picture distributors<br />

and exhibitors will contribute a portion of<br />

that day's receipts to AFl to support its continuing<br />

programs and the repertory film<br />

theatre at their headquarters in the nation's<br />

capital.<br />

Your correspondent, Ernie Warren, ran<br />

into ever-popular Jim Mahoney in the parking<br />

lot of the Deaconess Hospital where we<br />

were both waiting on friends. Jim. retired<br />

general manager of Interstate Theatres,<br />

looks as hale and hearty as ever and we<br />

passed a most pleasant few moments reminiscing<br />

over the '40s and '50s. Mahoney,<br />

who made innumerable friends during his<br />

45-year career, asked that we send his very<br />

best to all.<br />

NEW HAVEN<br />

The North Haven Memorial Library hosted<br />

a free Monday (7:30 p.m.) showing<br />

the 1932 version of ""Dr. Jekyll of and Mr.<br />

Hyde" Country Cinema, Watertown,<br />

screening Paramount's ""The Last<br />

Tycoon," advertised a 99-cent admission<br />

Sunday through Thursday, with the tab<br />

increasing to $1.50 Friday and Saturday<br />

Edmond Town Hall Theatre. Newtown.<br />

continued its sporadic pattern of "live" entertainment,<br />

bringing in the music group.<br />

Steppenwolf. for 7:30 and 10 p.m. performances<br />

on a recent Thursday; advance<br />

admission price was $7.50, with customers<br />

MM AM ^Sound and<br />

%^p#| Projection Service<br />

Nationwide — on all brands.<br />

RCA Service Company, A Division of RCA<br />

13 Edward J Hart Rd Industrial Park<br />

,<br />

Jersey City, N J 07305, Phone (201) 451-2222<br />

?.4 suburban journals timed to coincide with<br />

the appearance of half-page ads in downtown<br />

papers. TV and radio promotional charged $10 at show-time Lake<br />

.<br />

spots are also aligned with the pre-opening Quassapaug Amusement Park, Middlebury.<br />

print media publicity.<br />

has adopted a ""Bargain Day" policy for<br />

Tuesdays, charging 20 cents for all rides,<br />

Tom Duffy's Flicks' Cinema in Natick<br />

ice cream, popcorn, soda and cotton candy.<br />

had a record-breaking three week run at<br />

his No. 3 house (150 seats) where he screened<br />

NFB's release of ""House of Wa.x" in 3- Continuing to alternate screen attractions<br />

D and stereo . , , A. Alan Friedberg. Sack with ""live" entertainment on an occasional<br />

basis, the Edmond Town Hall Thea-<br />

Theatres' president, announced that the Boston-based<br />

circuit has leased 7,500 square<br />

tre, Newtown, booked Ed and Lorraine<br />

Warren, billed as '"America's Foremost<br />

Ghost Hunters," for a Thursday night program;<br />

admission was $2.50 for all patrons<br />

for all<br />

seats.<br />

Singer Deborah Freedman, daughter of<br />

Dr. and Mrs. Benedict Freedman. was married<br />

to Daniel Rosenfeld, associate with the<br />

Energy Resource Management Co,, New<br />

Haven. The bride's mother, known profes-<br />

RHODE ISLAND<br />

Hmerican Multi Cinema Corp.'s Swansea<br />

4 cannot be said to ignore the on-going,<br />

sizable newspaper advertising by area independent<br />

exhibition pointing up ""bargain"<br />

prices and the like for both first-run and<br />

subsequent-run bookings. A recent AMC ad<br />

asserted, "Why Pay More? Adults never<br />

more than $2.50—Students with AMC ID<br />

$2—Children at all times $1.25" . . . General<br />

Cinema Corp. holdover advertising for<br />

Mulberry Square Productions' ""For the<br />

Love of Benji," Garden City Shopping<br />

Center, and Lincoln Mall, was captioned,<br />

""Rhode Island's Most Huggable Hero Has<br />

A Brand New Movie!" . . .<br />

Midland Mall<br />

Cinema, playing Cinema 5's "Pumping<br />

Iron," advertised availability to every patron<br />

of use of all European Health Spa facilities<br />

for one week; eligibility adhered to minimum<br />

age of 18,<br />

The Strand Cinema 2, Providence adult<br />

film complex, started advertising free admission<br />

for ladies with escort after 6 p.m., auditorium<br />

one.<br />

Openings including AlP's "Tentacles,"<br />

Peter Perry Pictures' ""Hollywood High" and<br />

Buena Vista's ""The Rescuers" (AMC's<br />

^^^^^^^^ Swansea ^4 tied-up ^ with WSAR-Radio for<br />

"7^"or",hip o7a "so-called "The Rescuers"<br />

Week, distributing free balloons to youngsters,<br />

with latter registering to win a giant<br />

stuffed "Bernard," the principal character<br />

in the Disney animated cartoon, plus a oneyear<br />

pass for two).<br />

Regional openings: United Artists' "New<br />

York, New York," Crown International's<br />

•"The Van," on a double bill with same<br />

distributor's rerun, ""The Pom Pom Girls";<br />

Columbia's ""Sinbad and the Eye of the<br />

Tiger," and reprise of Buena Vista's "The<br />

Boatniks."<br />

wrote material for the Ziegfeld Follies and<br />

Fanny Brice.<br />

Involvement Negates Claim<br />

PORTLAND. ME,—A US, District<br />

Court jury has ruled that an insurance company<br />

does not have to pay a $400,000 policy<br />

on the life of a murdered film director<br />

to a production firm that the insurance company<br />

charged had been involved in the slaying.<br />

The policy was purchased from Transamerica<br />

Life Insurance Co., by Planet 3<br />

Films ten days before the director. 39-yearold<br />

Jon Pownall, was murdered while working<br />

in his Portland office nearly four years<br />

ago.<br />

. Seekonk Redstone Showcase 5 sneak-previewed<br />

Buena Vista's "The Rescuers" . .<br />

.<br />

sionally as Nancy Mars, performed with the<br />

fabled Max Reinhardt Theatre, and the<br />

The Starcase Cinemas 3,<br />

Matinees,"<br />

Middletown, are<br />

Monday<br />

advertising ""Bargain<br />

through Fridays, with a $1.75 admission m<br />

bride's father wrote comedy material for<br />

the late Al Jolson, Red Skelton and Jimmy<br />

Allied Artists' ""The Betsy," based<br />

Durante, among others. Dr. Freedman is<br />

effect<br />

on . the . Harold Robbins best-selling novel,<br />

now chairman of the mathematics department<br />

began Newport location filming July 6.<br />

at Occidental College in Los Angeles.<br />

_ with the leading player. Lord Laurence<br />

The bride's grandfather^ David Jreedman^ Olivier working from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. at<br />

^" "'"<br />

several historic mansions, leaving the properties<br />

open for tourists in the daytime hours.<br />

The film is being produced by A A/ Harold<br />

Robbins International.<br />

UA's "Annie Hall" got a rare "second review"<br />

in the Providence Journal-Bulletin.<br />

Critic Michael Janusonis enthusing that a<br />

second watching "proved almost as much<br />

fun as the first (Woody) Allen's humor<br />

. . .<br />

is<br />

non-stop. There are so many funny, little<br />

things going on in this very contemporary<br />

comedy-romance that you don't pick up<br />

everything the first time around. Some of<br />

the jokes are as fresh as they were at the<br />

first<br />

visit."<br />

NE-4<br />

BOXOFFICE :: August 1. 1977


VIPs Set to Attend<br />

Montreal Festival<br />

MONTREAL— Ingrid Bergman, one of<br />

the great international film stars, will open<br />

Montreal's World Film Festival Friday (19).<br />

The actress, who won as Oscar in 1944 for<br />

her role in "Gaslight," has accepted an invitation<br />

to kick-off the ten-day international<br />

film event. Serge Losique, festival director,<br />

disclosed. Miss Bergman is expected to arrive<br />

in this city Thursday (18) and to stay<br />

several days.<br />

Her participation in the opening ceremonies<br />

underscores the "international aspect<br />

of the Montreal festival," which will present<br />

films from 36 countries, Losique said.<br />

Two other legendary Hollywood personalities,<br />

actress Gloria Swanson and director<br />

Howard Hawks, also will be in Montreal<br />

for retrospectives of their films at the<br />

World Film Festival Friday (19) through<br />

Sunday (28). Tribute will be paid to two<br />

other film greats—Italian director Federico<br />

Fellini and British actor-director Lord<br />

Laurence Olivier.<br />

Losique Names Guests<br />

Losique told the press that five Canadians<br />

who have achieved fame acting, directing<br />

or producing in Hollywood also will be<br />

among many international personalities attending<br />

the festival. The five—Fay Wray,<br />

Lome Greene, Arthur Hiller, Ted Kotcheff<br />

and John Kemeny—will be in Montreal for<br />

screenings of their films in the "Canadians<br />

in Hollywood" section.<br />

Miss Wray, a veteran actress from Alberta,<br />

will attend the showing of the motion<br />

picture that brought her international fame,<br />

the original 1933 version of "King Kong."<br />

Director Ted Kotcheff, a Toronto native,<br />

will be present for the showing of his 1976<br />

boxoffice hit, "Fun With Dick and Jane."<br />

starring George Segal and Jane Fonda.<br />

"Love Story," the 1970 smash that ranks<br />

among the top-grossing films of all time,<br />

will be screened in the presence of its director,<br />

Edmonton-born Arthur Hiller, whose<br />

latest film is "Silver Streak." Lome Greene<br />

of "Bonanza" fame will be here for his 1971<br />

feature, "The Harness." which co-starred<br />

Julie Sommars. Producer John Kemeny.<br />

Montreal, will return for his 1975 release<br />

"White Line Fever." starring Jan-Michael<br />

Vincent. Kemeny's next production will be<br />

a $7,000,000 epic on Canadian doctor Norman<br />

Bethune.<br />

Jewison<br />

Film Slated<br />

Director Norman Jewison, honorary copresident<br />

of the Montreal festival, will be<br />

represented by his "In the Heat of the<br />

Night" (1967), starring Sidney Poitier, Rod<br />

Siciger and Lee Grant.<br />

Other Canadians in Hollywood whose<br />

work will be showcased in the World Film<br />

Festival are actors Donald Sutherland,<br />

Genevieve Bujold, Glenn Ford and Yvonne<br />

de Carlo.<br />

The five "Canadians in Hollywood" attending<br />

the festival will participate in a number<br />

of public events, Losique commented.<br />

including attendance at screenings, press<br />

conferences and other happenings.<br />

Tickets at popular prices and a first-come,<br />

first-served policy will give Montrcalers the<br />

opportunity to participate fully in the festival.<br />

Ducats to most of the 110 feature films,<br />

including the popular attractions at Place<br />

des Nations, will be only $2, Losique observed.<br />

Admission to the 20 major films in<br />

the official selection will be slightly higher<br />

(S3).<br />

There will be no advance sales, Losique<br />

noted, adding, "We want the festival to be<br />

as democratic as possible."<br />

The director also announced two additional<br />

forums to discuss the state of the film<br />

industry in Canada and the U.S. A major<br />

aspect of the festival, he said, will be the<br />

international film market for film professionals.<br />

Screenings will be held mornings<br />

for buyers at the five theatres at the Cinema<br />

Parisien on St. Catherine Street and the<br />

Cine Centre on Bleury. Films also will be<br />

available on videocassettes which will be<br />

shown in screening rooms at the International<br />

Aviation Center.<br />

The World Film Festival will take place<br />

on the site of Montreal's Man and His<br />

World Exposition. Screenings will be held<br />

in four theatres on the site, plus special<br />

showings of popular films in the open-air<br />

Place des Nations. The complete program<br />

is scheduled to be announced.<br />

TORONTO<br />

Local producer Bill Marshall's newest feature<br />

"Outrageous" obtained a New<br />

York distributor for its release in the U.S.<br />

but has not yet acquired a Canadian distributor.<br />

The film, which stars impersonator<br />

Craig Russell,<br />

received good reviews following<br />

its showing at the Cannes Film Festival.<br />

It will be shown at the Edinburgh Film Festival<br />

and other similar events around the<br />

world.<br />

Associate producer Gwen Iveson of<br />

Souris River Films announced that the film<br />

version of W. O. Mitchell's novel "Who<br />

Has Seen the Wind" will have a world premiere<br />

this fall. The film was originally<br />

scheduled for release this spring but was<br />

delayed because of additional editing.<br />

Variety Clubs International vice-president<br />

Joseph Sinay visited this city recently to get<br />

a first-hand view of Tent 28's project, which<br />

is overseeing the manufacture of electronic<br />

limbs for disabled children.<br />

The Canadian film "Why Shoot the<br />

Teacher?" opened to grosses of $60,000<br />

during its first six days and received very<br />

favorable reviews.<br />

Calgaricms Attend BC Powwow<br />

CALGARY—Sid Sniderman of Prairie<br />

Allied Booking Ass'n and Vern May of Victoria<br />

Film Services here attended a meeting<br />

of the British Columbia Film Classification<br />

Board in Vancouver recently. The huddle,<br />

presided over by the director of the classification<br />

board, was held in the BCFCB<br />

offices.<br />

Festivities Mark Bow<br />

Of Britannia Sixplex<br />

By STEVE O'BRIEN<br />

OTTAWA— Representatives of Famous<br />

Players, 20th Century, the local media including<br />

Noel Taylor of the Citizen, local<br />

managers, officials from Nepean Township,<br />

specially invited guests and Ottawa <strong>Boxoffice</strong><br />

representative Steve O'Brien attended<br />

the recent unveiling of the Britannia Six<br />

theatres. The event was one that many had<br />

been looking forward to for some time (even<br />

for many years), when plans for the new<br />

complex were being formulated.<br />

One guest remarked, "We've needed a<br />

theatre in<br />

for 20 years."<br />

this end (the west end of the city)<br />

Jack Marion, manager of the Britannia<br />

Six, was beaming the entire evening as the<br />

unanimous verdict was being decided; the<br />

new sixplex was an unqualified success!<br />

Canadian Film Shown<br />

The film chosen for the premiere was the<br />

Canadian-made feature "Why Shoot the<br />

Teacher?" Producer Larry Hertzog and two<br />

stars of the picture, Samantha Eggar and<br />

Bud Cort, attended and they obviously were<br />

pleased with both their efforts in making the<br />

high-budget, $1,000,000 drama.<br />

The story, set in the Canadian prairies<br />

during the depression, tells about an Eastern<br />

city boy who goes to a small Saskatchewan<br />

town to teach school. The realities with<br />

which he comes face to face cause him to<br />

recons'der why he even bothered to accept<br />

the assignment.<br />

Ms. Eggar talked with your correspondent<br />

about the picture and mentioned the long<br />

shooting schedule in Hanover, Sask.. which<br />

she described as "a small place with a restaurant,<br />

gas station, one and one-half hotels<br />

and about 20 churches." But she spoke kindly<br />

of her experience there and mentioned<br />

that the local townspeople accepted the<br />

crew with open arms and many residents<br />

appeared in the film.<br />

Samantha Eggar Pleased<br />

Ms. Eggar said further that she "loves<br />

making movies in Canada and, in fact, receives<br />

better scripts than in Los Angeles,"<br />

where the actress has lived for a few years.<br />

She has two other films, as yet unreleased,<br />

that she made here, plus one shot in Vancouver<br />

(currently undergoing a title<br />

change). She appeared in "Welcome to<br />

Blood City," with Jack Palance and Keir<br />

Dullea. a picture which she described as<br />

"sort of like "Westworld." " The other feature<br />

is "The Uncanny." lensed in Montreal<br />

with Ray Milland and Donald Pleasence.<br />

Hertzog. who has been a documentary<br />

filmmaker for CTV, needless to say, enjoyed<br />

the reception accorded him by those present.<br />

Practically everybody is hoping that this<br />

film "makes it" and further solidifies the<br />

Canadian industry's position as a new, vi-<br />

(Continued on next page)<br />

BOXOFFICE Augus 1977 K-1


——<br />

Very<br />

—<br />

—<br />

Very<br />

Calgary Residents Pack Area Theatres<br />

And Boost Nine Films to Top of List<br />

CALGARY—The task of finding an empty<br />

seat at area theatres became a challenge<br />

this report week as nine out of 1 1 films<br />

netted "excellent" grosses. The two exceptions<br />

to<br />

the norm — "Sinbad and the Eye of<br />

the Tiger" and "Exorcist II: the Heretic"<br />

did not trail too far behind as they both<br />

scored "good" grosses.<br />

Brentwood, Grand 1—Sinbad and the Eye ot the<br />

Tiger (Astral) ...Good<br />

Calqary Place 2—New York. New Yo:<br />

(UA)<br />

Excellent<br />

Chin. A Bridge Too Fa \), 3rd wk Excellent<br />

Grand 2. Westb--l: := The De ep (Astral),<br />

3rd wk.<br />

Excellent<br />

North Hill, Up':..:, . Sic rs (BVFD),<br />

2nd wk. ,<br />

Excellent<br />

Odeon 1—Hollercoasler<br />

4th wk - Excellent<br />

Odeon 2—Slap Shot lunr h wk Excellent<br />

Palace—Exorcist II: the H (WB), 3rd wk. ..Good<br />

Palliser Square 1— Sorcerer (Para),<br />

2nd wk Excellent<br />

Pa'Hser Square I!—Herbie Goes to Monle Carlo<br />

(BVFD), 2nd wk Excellent<br />

Towne Blue—The Other Side ol Midnight<br />

(BVFD), 2nd wk Excellent<br />

Grosses Remain High in Montreal<br />

Despite Absence of New Films<br />

MONTREAL— Although there were no<br />

new English films in the lineup this report<br />

week, an array of holdovers were able to<br />

maintain the enthusiasm of area patrons as<br />

"good" was the lowest mark reported. "Star<br />

Wars," "The Other Side of Midnight," "New<br />

York, New York" and "A Bridge Too Far,"<br />

which have played in the area from two to<br />

four weeks, topped the list with "excellent"<br />

grosses.<br />

Atwater—Rollercoaster (Univ), 5th wk Good<br />

Cinema—Exorcist II: the Heretic (WB), 4th wk, .Good<br />

Claremont—Annie Hall (UA), 11th wk Very Good<br />

Cote des Neiges— Star Wars (BVFD),<br />

2nd wk, .. Excellent<br />

Decarie Square— The Other Side of Midnight<br />

(BVFD), 3rd v,-: Excellent<br />

Kent Hac« ior Your Life, Charlie Brownl<br />

(Para). 3rd wk .Good<br />

Loews—Sorcerer (Para), 3rd wk Very Good<br />

Loews—Final Chapter—Walking Tall (AFD),<br />

3rd wk Good<br />

Loews—Roclcy (UA), 24th wk Very Good<br />

Loews Cross oi Iron (Astral), 7lh wk Good<br />

Place du Canada— The Deep (Astral), 4th wk. Good<br />

Place Ville Mane—New York, New York (UA),<br />

2nd wk Excellent<br />

York—A Bridge Too Far (UA), 4th wk Excellent<br />

Parisian -Main Basse sur TV<br />

Very Good<br />

Good<br />

'Annie Hall' and "Star Wars'<br />

Dominate the Toronto List<br />

TORONTO—Holdovers "Annie Hall"<br />

and "Star Wars" retained their joint command<br />

of the top of the list with "excellent"<br />

grosses in spite of the tough competition<br />

created by newcomers "New York, New<br />

York" and "Sorcerer," which both earned<br />

"very good" grosses. The marks turned in<br />

for all other films showing in the area were<br />

either "very good" or "good."<br />

Eight theatres—The Deep (Astral),<br />

3rd wk<br />

Very Good<br />

Five theatres—The Other Side of Midnight<br />

(BVFD), 3rd wk Very Good<br />

Four theatres— Rollercoaster (L'.tiv) I'^.th wk Good<br />

Imperial, Hollyv,'cr,T- Sorcerer<br />

(Para/Univ) ,<br />

Good<br />

Imperial, Hollywood— Exorcist II: the Heretic<br />

(WB), 2nd wk<br />

Very Good<br />

Plaza—Annie Holl (UA), 9th wk Excellent<br />

Three theatres-Star Wars (BVFD),<br />

2nd wk Excellent<br />

University—A Bridge Too Far (UA),<br />

3rd wk<br />

Very Good<br />

Uptown-New York, New York (UA) Very Good<br />

Results Vary for Three Newcomers<br />

At Theatres in Edmonton Area<br />

EDMONTON—Reception of the three<br />

newcomers to the area varied as each one<br />

ended the week in a different slot. "New<br />

York, New York" was the biggest attraction<br />

of the three as it boasted of "excellent"<br />

grosses at the close of its first week at the<br />

Garneau. "Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger"<br />

followed with "good" grosses at two theatres,<br />

while "Joyride" trailed behind with<br />

"fair" grosses at the Strand. In regard to<br />

the holdovers, the following seven films displayed<br />

their might by earning "excellent"<br />

grosses: "Rollercoaster," "The Deep,"<br />

"Sorcerer," "A Bridge Too Far," "Star<br />

Wars," "Exorcist II: the Heretic" and "Slap<br />

Shot."<br />

Avenue ^Rollercoaster (Univ), 4lh wk Excellent<br />

CapUano, Riallo 2—The Deep (Astral),<br />

3rd wk Excellent<br />

Caoitol Square 1—Final Chapter—Walking Tall<br />

(AFD), 3rd wk Very Good<br />

Capitol Square 2—Sorcerer (Para/Univ),<br />

2nd wk Excellent<br />

Capitol Square 3—A Bridge Too Far (UA),<br />

3rd wk Excellent<br />

Garneau—New York, New York (UA) Excellent<br />

Jasi^er Red—The Other Side oi Midnight<br />

(BVFD). 2nd wk<br />

Good<br />

Londonderry B—Race lor Yor Life, Charlie<br />

Brown! (Para), 2nd wk Fair<br />

Meadowlark, Odeon 1—Star Wars (BVFD),<br />

„ 2nd wk Excellent<br />

Paramount-Exorcist II: the Heretic (WB),<br />

„3rd wk Excellent<br />

Pla^o 1—For the Love oi Benji (PR) 2nd wk Fair<br />

Pla:a 2, Rial o 2—Sinbad and the Eye oi the<br />

Tiger (Astral) Good<br />

"oxy-Slap Shot (Univ), 2nd wk<br />

nd—<br />

Excellent<br />

Fair<br />

Strc Joyride (Astral)<br />

Towne Cinema—Viva Knievell (WB) 2nd wk Fair<br />

'Final Chapter—Walking Tall' Opens<br />

With Excellent Grosses in Winnipeg<br />

WINNIPEG—In spite of tough competition<br />

"Final Chapter—Walking Tall" earned<br />

a place in the crowded "excellent" category<br />

during its debut week at the Colony Theatre.<br />

Other films that earned a place for<br />

themselves at the top of the list were:<br />

"Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo," "Star Wars,"<br />

"A Bridge Too Far" and "New York, New<br />

York."<br />

Capitol—Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo (BV),<br />

^2nd wk<br />

Excellent<br />

Colony—Final Chapter—Walking Tall<br />

„ (Astral) Excellent<br />

Convention Cent,-— Rollercoaster (Univ),<br />

^^th wk .<br />

Good<br />

Garrick 1—Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger<br />

(Astral), 2nd wk Very Good<br />

Gcfrrick II—The Other Side of Midnight (BVFD)<br />

„3rd wk '„Good<br />

Grant Park, Kings—Star Wars (BVFD),<br />

3i-d wk. .<br />

Excellent<br />

Metropolitan—A Bridge Too Far (UA)<br />

4lh wk, Excellent<br />

Norlhstor 1—Sorcerer (Univ-Paro)<br />

3rd wk, Very Good<br />

Northstar II—New York. New York (UA)<br />

2nd wk , ,<br />

Excellent<br />

Odeon—The Deep (Astral), 4th wk Very Good<br />

Polo Park-Race for Your Life, CharUe Brown!<br />

(Para), 2nd wk Very Good<br />

"Good' Grosses Dominate Ratings<br />

Of Films at Vancouver Theatres<br />

VANCOUVER—With the exception of<br />

only two films, "good" was the unanimous<br />

mark earned by all films during the report<br />

week. The exceptions, which both earned<br />

"excellent" grosses to tower above the heavily<br />

crowded second-place position, were<br />

"New York, New York" and "The Rescuers,"<br />

which both played at the Vancouver<br />

Centre theatres.<br />

Capitol—Sorcerer (Para/Univ), 3rd wk Good<br />

Capitol—Exorcist H: the Heretic (WB),<br />

4th wk Good<br />

Capitol—Annie Hall (UA), 10th wk Good<br />

Capitol—Rocky (UA), 17th wk Good<br />

Capitol—Ruby (AFD) Good<br />

Coronet 1—The Other Side of Midnight<br />

(BVFD), 4th wk Good<br />

Coronet 2—Grand Theft Auto (IFD) Good<br />

Odeon—The Deep (Astral), 4th wk Good<br />

Park—Rollercoaster (Univ), 5th wk Good<br />

4th -A Bridge Too Far (UA), wk _..Good<br />

Vonco er Centre-New York. New York (UA),<br />

2nd<br />

Exc<br />

Vanco Centre—The Re (BVFD) ellent<br />

NFB Takes Major Awards<br />

At Aiinecy, Melbourne<br />

TORONTO—High praise for Canada<br />

and major awards to NFB films have come<br />

from international film festivals at Annecy,<br />

France, and Melbourne, Australia. At Annecy,<br />

where animation films were featured,<br />

Canada was honored for having entered the<br />

best selection of films, while Melbourne<br />

gave a special award to the NFB for the<br />

consistently high-quality of its entries.<br />

The grand prize for individual films at<br />

Annecy went to "The Sand Castle" by Co<br />

Hoedeman. The International Critics Award<br />

was won by Caroline Leaf for the film "The<br />

Metamorphosis of Mr. Samsa." She also was<br />

selected as the best filmmaker.<br />

At Melbourne, "Los Canadienses" by Albert<br />

Kish won top place in the TV films<br />

category. A special prize went to Caroline<br />

Leaf for "The Street" and a Diploma of<br />

Merit was presented to Paul Driessen for the<br />

film "An Old Box," which is being shown<br />

in Canadian theatres presently.<br />

TONE'S Reaction Aid<br />

To Tax Bill's Rejection<br />

BOSTON—On June 15, a phone call to<br />

Carl Goldman, executive director of Theatre<br />

Owners of New England, Inc., from<br />

New Hampshire state Senator Tom Claveau,<br />

alerted him to a fast hearing June 16,<br />

of proposed legislation imposing a ten per<br />

cent tax on admissions. Through TONE,<br />

all members, and the Motion Picture Ass'n<br />

of America were alerted and an attorney engaged.<br />

The results of the hearing before<br />

the House Ways and Means Committee was<br />

a 14-0 vote against the measure.<br />

Before the entire House of Representatives,<br />

June 21, the legislation was defeated<br />

by a vote of 228-18.<br />

Britarmia Sixplex Debuts<br />

(Continued from preceding page)<br />

able and quality center of filmmaking. Director<br />

Silvio Narizzano, who also megged<br />

"Georgy Girl," was unable to attend the<br />

opening.<br />

Nate's Delicatessen on Rideau Street catered<br />

the buffet and perhaps the most eager<br />

sampler of the many hors d'oeuvres and<br />

other delicacies was Samantha Eggar, who<br />

tried something from every tray passed by<br />

her (small wonder, it was all delicious)!<br />

A complete detailed story on the cinema<br />

and its many fine features, many unique,<br />

will be upcoming very shortly. It is hoped<br />

that photos of the complex can be obtained<br />

which will illustrate the beauty of the new<br />

Britannia Six.<br />

K-2 August 1, 1977


I<br />

I<br />

1<br />

Story<br />

I<br />

"<br />

. .<br />

Don Barnes Presents 15th<br />

Annual Mid-July Festival<br />

VANCOUVER— It has been 15 years<br />

Three outstanding documentaries also<br />

were on the agenda. One was Barbet<br />

Schroeder's "Idi Amin Dada," "Yoga, a<br />

Road to Happiness" and "The California<br />

Reich," an Academy Award nominee telling<br />

about the rebirth of the Nazi movement,<br />

California style.<br />

Unique among the short subjects was the<br />

world premiere of "High Rigger," the story<br />

of the timber-topper who was vital in the<br />

rigging of the spar tree which held the gear<br />

necessary for snaking felled logs to the loading<br />

zone—or "cold deck"—in<br />

of the logging industry.<br />

the early days<br />

The best-received films will have encore<br />

engagements, which means they also will<br />

receive playing time in Victoria, Calgary<br />

and Edmonton.<br />

The complete schedule of feature film<br />

les follows: "Allegro Mon Tropo," "The<br />

of Sin," "My Friends," "Le Magnifique,"<br />

"The Land of Promise," "Sunday Too<br />

Far," "Caddie," "Idi Amin Dada," "The<br />

Beast," "Skip Tracer," "California Reich,"<br />

"Jonah Who Will Be 25 in the Year 2000,"<br />

"Les Gaspards." "La Grande Bourgeoise"<br />

I and "Between Wars."<br />

U.S. Commemorative Stamp<br />

Salutes 'Klingensmiths'<br />

PITTSBURGH—The U.S. Postal .Service's<br />

recently issued commemorative 13-<br />

ceni stamp saluting "The Blacksmith" has<br />

,in interesting relationship for <strong>Boxoffice</strong><br />

and for veteran tradepress writer Robert F.<br />

Klingensmith, longest-in-service correspondent<br />

for this publication. His family in Old<br />

S.ixony in the 13th century was designated<br />

In the name Klingensmith (klinging or<br />

cl.inging of the smiths).<br />

Thus, there is only one family of Klingensmiths,<br />

regardless of how the name is<br />

spelled in German or English, and all<br />

Klingensmiths are at least cousins. Bob's<br />

ancestors for many generations were the<br />

official bell manufacturers and makers of<br />

armor, shields and swords.<br />

CALGARY<br />

Qood reviews heralded the debut here of<br />

another made-in-Alberta motion pic-<br />

14; David Blame. uKl (.Mil Alexander,<br />

since Don Barnes launched his mid-July<br />

14, all of this city.<br />

festival of specially selected international<br />

more<br />

ture, "Why Shoot the Teacher?" The film,<br />

According lo reports, "Silver<br />

which<br />

Streak<br />

seems likely to be held over for some<br />

Two<br />

films of than routine interest. This<br />

year's program was presented, as always, at<br />

will be lensed in and around this metropolis<br />

time, was shot in Hanna, north and east of<br />

the Varsity, running from July 15 through<br />

in the near future. This will be a sequel to<br />

our town. "Why Shoot the Teacher?" had its<br />

July 30, with two films screened each night.<br />

the successful "Silver Streak," which<br />

The exception was two Sundays when Andrzej<br />

Wajda's Polish epic, "The Land of<br />

The song "The Band Played Waltzing<br />

Canadian premiere in the Westmount,<br />

had a<br />

Edmonton.<br />

Domestic distribution is being han-<br />

very long run at the local Grand Twin .<br />

dled by<br />

Promise," was featured. The film was<br />

Ambassador<br />

Matilda,"<br />

written by Scottish songwriter Eric<br />

Films.<br />

over<br />

three hours long, so there was only one<br />

Heard over and over again— and the subject<br />

of many "profound" letters to the edi-<br />

Bogle and sung by Liam Clancy, has made<br />

showing starting at 7:30 p.m.<br />

it to the top of the Irish hit parade. Tommy<br />

Selected films ran the gamut from the tors of newspapers both here and in Edmonton—are<br />

comments concerning the scarcity the song as an antiwar ballad. The hit record<br />

Makem, who sings with Clancy, describes<br />

lately completed local production "Skip<br />

Tracer" to three Australian pictures, chosen of family-rated films in theatres. One of the was recorded here at Sound West Studios . . .<br />

not because Barnes is himself an Aussie, but<br />

Edmonton's National Film Theatres continued<br />

best family films seen in many a moon,<br />

because that country is producing many however, was on three local screens for just<br />

its "Family Film Favorites" in Zied-<br />

commercial and artistic films as well as one week. "Race for Your Life, Charlie ler Hall, Citadel Theatre, with "20,000<br />

some outstanding short subjects and documentaries,<br />

Brown!" was promoted with a coloring contest<br />

Leagues Under the Sea" and "Tom Sawyer."<br />

a couple of which were sched-<br />

uled for the festival program. Features included<br />

staged by local Paramount branch man-<br />

ager Jim McLaughlin— but even this failed<br />

Exhibitors visiting film firms were Don<br />

"Sunday Too Far Away," "Caddie" to stir enough support at the boxoffice to<br />

and "Between Wars," with Corin Redgrave. warrant holding the film over for a second<br />

Purnell, Red Deer (Don also is doing the<br />

buying and booking for the new Ram Drivein<br />

Rocky Mountain House); Harry<br />

week. The same delightful picture was on<br />

at Se-<br />

Unity, Sask.; Dwayne Wacko, Jasper,<br />

two screens in Edmonton. It played one<br />

week in one house and two weeks in the<br />

linger,<br />

and Ron Naves, Bashaw.<br />

other. Critics of theatre programing in both<br />

cities, therefore, seem to have lost their<br />

credibility when they will not support a<br />

motion picture such as "Race for Your Life.<br />

Charlie Brown!"<br />

The chaplains of the University of Alberta<br />

in Edmonton are sponsoring a summer<br />

session series of films in the Tory Lecture<br />

Theatre Monday nights. A recent presentation<br />

was "Wedding in White," with the<br />

screening followed by a discussion which<br />

was related to the theme "The Quiet Violence<br />

of Society."<br />

July 14 was moving day for Bellevue Film<br />

Distributors, although the firm didn't move<br />

far away. Now in much more attractive<br />

premises, Bellevue's new address is Suite 2,<br />

1019 17th Ave., S.W. The new phone number<br />

is (403) 245-9222.<br />

With several hundred entries in the coloring<br />

competition to promote the Paramount<br />

feature "Race for Your Life, Charlie<br />

Brown!", it was difficult for the judge to<br />

arrive at a decision. Onetime Stampeder<br />

football player John Forzani was the judge<br />

of the contest which saw the first 150 entries<br />

receive sports bags and double passes<br />

to the picture. Jim McLaughlin, Paramount<br />

branch manager, announced the following<br />

winners of $35 gift certificates: John Vos,<br />

Hudson's Bay, downtown store, promoted<br />

the Stampede with free films during the<br />

noon hour. Considering the crowds in town<br />

for the annual event, it would be surprising<br />

if anyone could get near enough to see the<br />

screen.<br />

Chinese films still are rimning up good<br />

boxoffice returns at Sunday matinees, both<br />

here and in Edmonton. The Klondike in<br />

Edmonton recently presented a "Restricted<br />

Adult" double bill comprised of "Erotic<br />

Nights" and "Killer Claws," both with English<br />

subtitles. The same day, the Towne Red<br />

downtown screened "The Brotherhood," a<br />

kung fu action movie, rated "Adult" and<br />

with English subtitles.<br />

Film West of Edmonton is in the process<br />

of making a film in that city. The as-yet-untitled<br />

short subject deals with child care.<br />

Site chosen as subject matter for the picture<br />

was the South Edmonton Child Care Centre<br />

and it received a $14,000 grant from the<br />

Clifford E. Lee Foundation for this project.<br />

The center's director will be shown working<br />

with the children and parents during a<br />

"typical day" in the facility. The production<br />

is expected to be completed by this fall.<br />

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BOXOFFICE Augus 1977 K-3


. . Some<br />

VANCOUVER<br />

H t a meeting of the Motion Picture Theatre<br />

Ass'n of British Columbia, Mike Murphy<br />

of Famous Players was elected vicepresident,<br />

succeeding Ken Thom. who has<br />

moved to Saskatchewan. Murphy was nominated<br />

by G. Sutherland, with R. Clarke<br />

seconding.<br />

Carmel Griffiths, Victoria Film Service,<br />

completely recovered from last spring's ac-<br />

Yves Montand completed local footage<br />

for his action picture "Flashback" and celebrated<br />

with a dinner at the Orestes Greek<br />

Restaurant on West Broadway, just across<br />

from the Hollywood Theatre. The wine<br />

flowed and the shish kebabs were consumed<br />

in large quantities as everybody had a really<br />

good time.<br />

"The Rescuers," paired with "A Tale of<br />

Two Critters." opened in the Vancouver<br />

Center Twin, backed by a massive TV and<br />

radio campaign. The personal appearance of<br />

the Disney troupe was a month ago and the<br />

Camelia Gauthier of Hosford Theatres<br />

beaches were loaded with kids just out of<br />

relumed from a holiday spent on short<br />

school, plus<br />

trips<br />

the counter-attraction of the<br />

around home . Canfilm representatives<br />

free Vancouver Sea Festival, with parades<br />

and spot entertainments, at nearby English<br />

went greater distances. Doug Isman<br />

made his yearly trip to Las Vegas and Bay and the harbor. In spite of this, the<br />

Charles Backus, now helping Doug with the<br />

picture still broke the house record.<br />

35mm booking, took a week for a little uninterrupted<br />

In the wake of seizures of allegedly por-<br />

golf.<br />

nographic motion pictures involving<br />

juvenile<br />

participants, the Sun ran a two-column,<br />

page-deep article concerning this phase of<br />

The Bellevue came up with one of its<br />

classic revivals of "The Boatniks," which<br />

did well enough the week before Canada<br />

Day to warrant a holdover in the Park Royal,<br />

West Vancouver; Paramount, New Westminster,<br />

and Richmond Square Twin.<br />

Movie Organ Comes<br />

Back in Cherokee<br />

CHEROKEE. IOWA—Elmer Johnson,<br />

manager of the American Theatre here, is<br />

seeking to revive the old movie house organ<br />

with the return of the once traditional concerts<br />

each weekend. This could make Cherokee<br />

the only place in Iowa that still offers<br />

movie theatre organ concerts.<br />

Organs originated in the movie industry<br />

as sound effects for silent films. They also<br />

were used to entertain the audience before<br />

the show and during intermission. Some of<br />

the instruments had as many as 3,000 pipes,<br />

were powered by large compressors and<br />

took up a great deal of space on both sides<br />

of the auditorium. Organ concerts began to<br />

fade out in the '50s. Wurlitzer. for example,<br />

built its last organ prior to World War II.<br />

Johnson began his musical training as a<br />

offbeat film production and sex-oriented releases.<br />

Amongst the general unorganized<br />

cident, arrived to help out with film inspection<br />

chores during the holiday season. Away<br />

child, minored in the organ at the University<br />

of Nebraska and took further train-<br />

furore for more control and more, not less,<br />

on vacation were Norman Tsang and Irene<br />

censorship of theatrical releases, antipornography<br />

groups have surfaced in Delta, Surrey, was stationed in Germany with the Army.<br />

Thorogood of the inspection department.<br />

ing at the University of Munich while he<br />

Services for Miss Grace Drybrough, another<br />

of the fast-dwindling group of real and Vancouver. Victoria has come to life<br />

Penticton, Prince George, Prince Rupert<br />

After his discharge from the Army in 1953,<br />

he worked for Wurlitzer as a demonstrator<br />

industry pioneers in this territory, were held with Rosemary Brown (NDP-Vancouver/<br />

and sales promoter. Afterwards, he taught<br />

here July 8. Miss Drybrough arrived in this Burrard) lashing the government and Atty.<br />

piano and organ in Cedar Rapids 13 years.<br />

city in 1906 and went almost directly into Gen. Garde Gardom and asking for stronger<br />

legislative action.<br />

Old newspaper clippings recount his days<br />

theatre operation and management, at one<br />

at the keyboard of the Paramount's "Mighty<br />

time helming the Dewees circuit, which included<br />

the local Rex Theatre.<br />

tre<br />

Drive-in grosses in the Surrey area continue<br />

Wurlitzer" there, one of two remaining thea-<br />

pipe<br />

to be fantastic! The Westminster<br />

organs in Iowa. The organ has been<br />

Drive-In had two top weeks<br />

restored<br />

with "The<br />

and is still in the renovated theatre<br />

The documentary "Going Surfing" was<br />

Farmer" followed<br />

which now<br />

by a record-smashing<br />

houses the Cedar Rapids Symphony<br />

Orchestra.<br />

booked into the Queen Elizabeth and played<br />

week on "Star Wars," while the Surrey underskyer<br />

was at or near the top with a two-<br />

to a near-capacity house of enthusiastic<br />

"I played theatre pipe organs 20 years<br />

youngsters.<br />

week<br />

ago<br />

engagement of "The Deep."<br />

and I decided to give them (moviegoers)<br />

something extra besides the feature and the<br />

Duo Will Hold Photo Sail<br />

NEW YORK—George Hurrell, Hollywood<br />

photographer, and Harry Benson, photographer<br />

for People Magazine, will conduct<br />

a special one week photo session aboard the<br />

Cunard Princess beginning October 1. The<br />

Saturday-to-Saturday cruise-course will cover<br />

all phases of photography via lectures,<br />

demonstrations and field work on a dawn<br />

expedition to St. George. New York rates<br />

start at $495 per person for double occupancy.<br />

More information is available from<br />

local travel agents or Cunard Line, 555 Fifth<br />

Ave., New York, 10017 (tel.: 212-983-<br />

2573).<br />

CINERAMA IS IN<br />

SHOW BUSINESS IN<br />

HAWAII TOO.<br />

When you come to Waikiki,<br />

don't miss the famous<br />

hllj^jajjUl<br />

Ihaw^ Don Ho Show. . . at<br />

Ib2^ Cinerama's Reef Towers Hotel.<br />

IN UAIKIKL REEF . REEF TOWERS . EDGEWATER§<br />

OTTAWA<br />

TJnited Artists' "New York, New York"<br />

bowed at the Elgin and, if that wasn't<br />

enough, motion picture buffs here were<br />

treated to the first local showings of 20th<br />

Century-Fox's "Star Wars," a boxoffice<br />

smash, at the Somerset and Auto-Sky Drive-<br />

In .. . Other "biggies" making their debut<br />

were "Exorcist II: the Heretic." "A Bridge<br />

Too Far." "The Deep." "Sorcerer." "The<br />

Other Side of the Mountain." "Welcome to<br />

L.A." and "Why Shoot the Teacher?" . . .<br />

Amidst this cinematic banquet, the populace<br />

took time out for Canada Day celebrations,<br />

this year blessed with great weather.<br />

Most of the action took place on Parliament<br />

Hill, with the largest Canadian flag ever<br />

made being hoisted on top of the Peace<br />

Tower, fireworks displays and a huge birthday<br />

cake for the thousands who participated<br />

in the activities.<br />

The warm weather (30 degrees, Celsius)<br />

lately has affected some houses but not the<br />

long-awaited blockbusters.<br />

cartoon. It's a little bit of nostalgia people<br />

appreciate." Johnson said. He has the enthusiastic<br />

support of the Fridley circuit,<br />

owners of the American Theatre.<br />

The concerts are given 20 minutes prior<br />

to each weekend show.<br />

As part of "Senior Citizens' Week." observed<br />

across Canada, the Nelson Theatre<br />

held a free screening of "The Sunshine<br />

Boys" for local golden-agers. This has been<br />

an annual event for Famous Players/20th<br />

Century Theatres and was. in fact, the only<br />

activity in the city that week where there<br />

was no admission charge. Ernie Warren of<br />

the Elgin. Doug Pinder of Place de Ville<br />

and Sven Pederson of the Rideau dropped<br />

by to give Kim Marleau a hand. Approximately<br />

200 attended the screening and later<br />

were treated to coffee and cakes. Many<br />

door prizes were donated by local interests.<br />

According to Marleau. 18 companies assisted,<br />

including the Citizen, Journal, CFGO<br />

Radio, CKOY Radio, Coca-Cola and Pure<br />

Spring.<br />

The Rideau's Sven Pederson just had<br />

time to catch the opening of the new Britannia<br />

Six complex before leaving on a<br />

three-week holiday . . . The Rideau likely<br />

will get Warner Bros." "Evel Knievel!"<br />

K-4 BOXOFFICE August 1, 1977


I<br />

4947<br />

I Good<br />

I<br />

I<br />

I<br />

Mulberry<br />

><br />

BoxorriCE bookincumde<br />

An interpreKve onoIysiB of lay and tradepreu rtiview». Running Um» \m in parenlhesea. The plus<br />

minus signs indicate dugree of merit. Listings coTor current reviews regularly. Symbol ^ den<br />

BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Award; All films are in color except those indicated b-/ (bSw) lor black S, wl<br />

Motion Picture Ass'n (MPAA) ratings: O— General Audiences,- PC— All agos admitted (parental<br />

dance suggested); |Rj —Rostricted, with persons urder 17 no! admitted unless ci^ojipanied Ly -^a<br />

or adult guardian; iX^I orsons under 17 not adiailled. National T"" •-'.;.; Office for Motion Picli<br />

(NCOMP) ratings: Al—Uuobiectionable for General Patronage; A2— Unobi.jc.tionable for Adulls or /<br />

lescents; A3— Unobjectionable for Adults; A4—Morally Unobjectionable lor Adults, with Reseivali.<br />

B—Objectionable in Part ior All; C—Condemned. Uroadcosting and Film Commission. Nalionol Cou<br />

ol Churches (BFC). For Uatlngs by company, see FEjlTURE CHART.<br />

Review digest<br />

AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX<br />

t+ Very Good; + Good; - Foir; - Poor; - Very Poor. roted 2 pluses, - as 2 nuses.<br />

t .1 =<br />

lllllli<br />

m<br />

I<br />

x+5-<br />

H 4+1-<br />

ff 6+1-<br />

1+1-<br />

4+1-<br />

1+<br />

4964 Fantasti<br />

(112<br />

4931 Farmer,<br />

The<br />

7-18-77 PG<br />

(98) Ac-D Col 3- 7-77 E C ±<br />

4929 Fellini's Casanova<br />

(158) Hi-B Univ 2-21-77 B +<br />

4958 Final Chapter—Walking Tall<br />

(112) Ac-Melo AlP 6-20-77 B it<br />

4955 Fire S.ile (88) C 201h-Fox 6-13-77 PG ±<br />

4957 For the Lo/e of Benji<br />

(85) C-Ad ,<br />

Square 6-20-77 @j ff<br />

4935 Fraternity Row (101) D Para 3-28-77 PG A3 ft<br />

4930 Fun With Dick and Jane<br />

(95) C Col 2-21-77 PG B ff<br />

Godzilla vs. the Cosmic Monster<br />

(80) An-F Cinema Shares 5-16-77 ( El +<br />

Dissonance Like a Man, A<br />

! (60) Doc . .Theodore W. Timreck 5-23-77 +<br />

4960 Grand Theft Auto<br />

(89) Ac-C New World 6-27-77 PG +<br />

Greased Liohtning (94) 8-Ac-D -WB 7-18-77 +<br />

4963<br />

4952 Gre.itest, The (102)<br />

4922 Guardian of the<br />

a52) 00 Sunn Classic 1-24-77 83<br />

4958 Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo<br />

!105) Ac-C BV 6-20-77 El Al + +<br />

Hoiss, The (94) C . . . Burbank Inl'l 4-11-77 PG +<br />

4939 Hollywood High (81) C ..Peter Perry 4-11-77 B +<br />

Homage to Chagall—the Colours of Love<br />

(90) Doc Harry Rasky 7-11-77 Al ff ±<br />

4948 House by the Lake, The<br />

(89) Sus-D AlP 5-16-77 e C ± +<br />

4954 Day of the Animals, The<br />

(97) Ho-D Film Ventures 6- 6-77 PG A3<br />

4932 Day That Shook tlie World, The<br />

(111) Hi-D AlP 3- 7-77 A4<br />

Death Collector<br />

4919<br />

(90) Cr-D Goldstone 1-17-77 [H B<br />

4942 Death Game<br />

(H<br />

(89) Sus-D Levitt-Pickman 4-25-77<br />

4960 Deep. The (123) Sus-Ad Col 6-27-77 PG B<br />

4937 Demon Seed (95) SF-D ...MGM-UA 4- 4-77 B<br />

Desires Within Young Girls<br />

(97) Sex C. .Leisure Time Booking 4-11-77<br />

4935 Domino Principle, The<br />

(100) Ac-D Emb 3-28-77 HI A3 -f<br />

+<br />

W 5+1-<br />

1+1-<br />

5+2-<br />

± 5+3-<br />

3+2-<br />

± *+2-<br />

1+<br />

+ 3+1-<br />

1+2-<br />

6+1-<br />

± 9+1-<br />

5+5-


.Peppercorn-Wormser<br />

Univ<br />

REVIEW DIGEST<br />

AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX ^ Very Good; + Good; - Fair; - Poor; In the summary -H is rated 2 pluses, = as 2 minuses.<br />

|3: = |£»1zq|<br />

1 g<br />

4965 Last Ren-M of Beaj Geste. The<br />

IS3) C-Ali (0 and b&w) 7-25-77<br />

, PG<br />

4926 Laii Show, The (94) C-Melo ...WB 2- 7-77 PG<br />

Les Zn:os (105) C Bauer Infl 4-25-77<br />

Let My Puppets Come<br />

(43) Sex C ..ASOM Distribulino 2-28-77<br />

Lina B.aake (85) C-D Bernhard Sinkel 1- 3-77<br />

4949 Little Girl Who Lives Do»n the Lane,<br />

The (94) Sus-0 AlP 5-23-77 PG C<br />

4933 Littlest Horse Thieves. The<br />

(105) C-0 BV 3-14-77 El Al<br />

4932 Looking Up<br />

(94) C-D Levilt-Pickman 3- 7-77 PG A3<br />

Love Come! QjJtlly<br />

(103) Melo Libert 1- 3-77<br />

4952 Lovers Like Us (100) R-C ...Atlas 5-30-77 PG<br />

ft + + ff<br />

++ ± + 7+2-<br />

4959 MacArlhur (128) B-War D ...Univ 6-27-77 PG A2 H -H ff ± 7+1-<br />

.i921 Madam Kitty<br />

® (111) Sex Melo ..Trans-American 1-24-77 + + + 3+<br />

Man on the Roof<br />

(110) Cr-D Cinema 5 6-13-77 H H ff 7+1-<br />

A3 ± + +<br />

Marching Mizzou<br />

+ (11) Doc ...University of Missouri 7-11-77 1+<br />

4960 Memory of Justice, The<br />

(270) Doc (h&iv) P.ira 6-27-77 PG A4 ff tt ff H ± H 11+1-<br />

Metamor^hoslS (60) F-D<br />

+ (© and b&w) Ivo Dvoiak 1- 3-77 + 2+<br />

4946 Moliaiiimad, Messenger of God<br />

(180) Hi-D-S ....Irwin Yablans 5. 9-77PG + ++ ± + 5-fl-<br />

Mondo Magic<br />

(100) Doc .<br />

4934 Mother Kustcrs Goes to Heaven<br />

1-24-77 iS - - 2-<br />

(108) D New Yorker 3-14-77 + ^ +<br />

4931 Mr. Billion (93) C-Ad ....20th. Fox 3- 7-77 PG A2 ± + -f<br />

- ±<br />

^<br />

±<br />

T+<br />

5+4-<br />

My Childhood/My Ain Folks (103)<br />

British Film Institute 5-23-77 + 1+<br />

4930 My Husband, His Mistress<br />

and I (95) C-D ...Joseph Green 2-21-77 H + 1+<br />

4948 Mysteries of the Gods<br />

(93) Doc Hemisphere 5-16-77 ± 1-fl-<br />

4933 Nasty Habits (96) C Brut 3-14-77 PG A4 + ++ ++ ± ± :t S+3-<br />

New School,<br />

The<br />

(90) Doc Tricontinental 7-25-77 ± 1 + 1-<br />

4962 New York, New York<br />

(155) C-DM UA 7- 4-77 PG 6+<br />

4927 Nickelodeon (121) C Col 2-14-77 PG<br />

tt<br />

+<br />

+<br />

±<br />

+<br />

+ ±<br />

+t<br />

H + 7+2-<br />

Odyssey (86)<br />

Sex ASOM Distributing 2-28-77 ± - l-f2-<br />

Off the Wall<br />

On the<br />

(83) D (b&w) ... Oz Releasing 4-25-77 ± - l-|-2-<br />

Line<br />

(60) Doc ...Distribution Co-op 2-28-77 ±: 1+1-<br />

on One (98) R-0 WB 6-20-77 PG + 442-<br />

4957 One ± + ±<br />

4965 Orca (92) Ac-Ad Para 7-25-77 PG + =t it 4 + 4-<br />

±<br />

Orders, The (Les Ordres) (107)<br />

Doc (© and b&w) .New Yorker 6-13-77 + + + 3+<br />

Oskar Fischinger Retrospective<br />

(81) An-F Fischinger 4-11-77 ± 1+1-<br />

4956 Other Side of Midnight, The<br />

Pardon<br />

—PQ—<br />

Mon Affaire<br />

(105) C First Artists 7.25-77 PG B<br />

4945 Pelvis (81) C Funky 5- 9-77 m<br />

4959 People That Time Forgot, The<br />

(90) SF AlP 6-27-77 PG<br />

4917 yPink Panther Strikes Again, The<br />

(103) C UA 1- 3-77 PG<br />

Pink Telephone, The<br />

(95) Melo S.J. Int'l 1-24-77 |Rl A4<br />

Providence (104) F Cinema 5 7-77 B<br />

2- 4926<br />

4922 Pumping Iron (85) Doc ...Cinema 5 1-24-77 PG A3<br />

++ tt + + + 8+<br />

H tt H ++<br />

(165) R-Sus-D 20th-Fox 6-13-77 H C ++ ± -H ± ± 7+3-<br />

4962 Outlaw Blues (100) C-DM WB 7- 4-77 PG + + + ± 4 11-<br />

4+3-<br />

± 10+2-<br />

+ 7+


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C<br />

, , June<br />

",<br />

.<br />

.<br />

.<br />

.'<br />

; .<br />

. Ae-C.<br />

. . .F-D.<br />

Apr<br />

Dec<br />

. May<br />

.<br />

.<br />

.<br />

.<br />

..<br />

Rel.<br />

Date<br />

JOSEPH BRENNER<br />

Rape Killer Oct 76<br />

The Cheaters Oct 76<br />

A"'""!!' Nov 76<br />

Cry of a Prostitute Nov 76<br />

The Winners D<br />

Evil Eyes Sus-d"<br />

It's Not the Size That<br />

Counts Sex C.<br />

F^lie Sommer, Vincent Price<br />

l-'ify J Ac-Ad.<br />

Nailed Sacrifice Ad-D<br />

MISCELLANEOUS<br />

The Groove Room (S3) Feb 77<br />

.C. Apr 77 Ollie Soltoft. Sue Longhursl<br />

The Fabulous Fanny (87) ...Feb"?<br />

.Man Spitz. Diane Siimmerfield<br />

Crazy House (89) Mar 77<br />

Franliie Howerd, Ray Mllland<br />

Lucifer's Women (88) IVIar 77<br />

Larry Ilanliin, Jane Brunel-Cohcn<br />

ATHENA FILMS, LTD.<br />

Night of the Howling Beast ..Mar 77<br />

Conspiracy (87) Ho Pai.l Naschy. Silvia S"Iar<br />

Between Heaven and Hell (87) . . D<br />

Virility (S7) C<br />

Impossible Love (90) D COUGAR PRODUCTIONS<br />

Assassin (82)<br />

Ian Hendry<br />

BEEHIVE Tiger PRODUCTIONS<br />

Bay (156)<br />

.lasdish Prem. Rart Shankar<br />

The Raw Report (70) Sex C..Auo77 The Sky Is Falling (91) ...<br />

Mitch Mnrrl I, y rirmcnln<br />

Richard Tndd. I^ennis Hoppri<br />

Curves Ahead! (SI) ..Sex C. Oct 77<br />

Gnldif-Bear. W.F. M.ircold<br />

Shriek Cut' (90)<br />

Carnal's Cutics (SO) Sex C. Dec 77 Jiidd Ilir.-h<br />

Muffin Staclnlnsh<br />

My Brother H,is Bad Drc.-.ms/<br />

Rumps ... Is There One in<br />

Sisters of iatan (97/85) .<br />

Your Past? Sex C.FebTB P:iul Vicerit/Aime Ilcyivood<br />

Sana of Dracula/Vengeance of<br />

the Zombies (91/91)<br />

The Vampire Happenings/The<br />

Swinging Monster (90/85)<br />

Pia Dccermark, Tony Kendall<br />

Volcano (100) ©<br />

;<br />

CINE-III DISTRIBUTORS<br />

The Bclstone Fox (87) .<br />

D.Sepf;<br />

CLAMIL PRODUCTIONS<br />

Magic Legend of the Juggler .<br />

Nov 76<br />

Blood Freak (80) ... S oil 75<br />

Bedroom Magic (90) Nov 76<br />

Europa (80) ja„ 77<br />

.357 Magnum jj„ 77<br />

CONSTELLATION FILMS<br />

Battle Command (100) Jan 77<br />

Frederick Stafford. Van Johnson<br />

The Booby Hatch (86) jan 77<br />

Sharon Joy Miller, Rudy Rlccl<br />

DOTY-DAYTON<br />

The Great American<br />

Pony Express Rider .<br />

Stewart Petersen, II<br />

Baker's Havk (90)<br />

Hint Will.rr. li.uie<br />

Young Rivals<br />

BURBANK INT'L PICTURES<br />

Between the Covers Wilderness Lake<br />

Aug 76<br />

Secrets of Sweet Sixteen ....Auo76<br />

Si'sefkirsht<br />

S 75<br />

;iourney Into the Beyond ....Jan 77<br />

Gaspards) .<br />

.<br />

J,' J''m i"-"<br />

.Jan 77<br />

14 and Under Feh 77<br />

2069. a Sex Odyssey . . . ..•.-.m" 77<br />

GOLDSTONE FILMS<br />

Curse of the Devil<br />

CAMBIST Kung<br />

FILMS<br />

Fu Brothers<br />

Bruce Lee and I<br />

Swedish Minx (99) . . . .C. .June 77<br />

M^ria Lynn. Rie WarbiirR<br />

Shanghai Connection<br />

Girl on Her Knees Aun 77 Vampire Beast Craves Blood ,<br />

fhris Chittcll, Jiicnnelinc LauVent North of the Yukon<br />

Easy Come. Easy Go c Nov 77 Cops Is Cops<br />

lVmi.5 Pcpt9, irelrtl Kappler<br />

Rel<br />

Kung Fu Master— Bruce Lee 'siyi<br />

CANNON GROUP<br />

The<br />

tmihenne<br />

Jaws and<br />

of Death<br />

Nicole . . .<br />

. . Ac-Sus. Sept 76<br />

Happy<br />

Two Against<br />

Housew the Law .<br />

ves .Cr-D<br />

. . . Sent 76 By the<br />

Three<br />

Blood Way of<br />

Love<br />

Others .<br />

m' 77<br />

Cherry Hill High ... 4" The Slap (104) 77<br />

D<br />

What Might Have Been ..." My Husband. His Mistress anil<br />

May 77<br />

I The Last<br />

(95)<br />

Wilderness C.D..<br />

May 77<br />

The Happy<br />

Something Creeping in<br />

Hool(er<br />

the<br />

Goes<br />

Dark<br />

to Washington<br />

(90) Sus<br />

.<br />

77 Belmondo Is the Swashbuckler<br />

(100) Hi-C-D<br />

The Prophet (90) C-D<br />

CENTRAL Ai'n-Mnrirret. PARK Vidnrlo f;a=sm,<br />

FILM<br />

Sicilian Connection ...Cr-D.<br />

Christmas Massacre . Ho-Sus Auo 76<br />

Super Bug. Super Agent . C. Sept 76<br />

Andy Warhol's Young Dracula<br />

^ '105) HEMISPHERE<br />

C-D..Nov76<br />

PICTURES, INC<br />

Superhug. Reflections<br />

the Wild<br />

From a<br />

One . Mar 77<br />

Brass Bed<br />

Sex<br />

Naughty Roommates .<br />

Intimate Playmates .<br />

Naughty Co-eds<br />

Sex.<br />

Smartie Pants<br />

Hanky Panky<br />

Willing<br />

Pumping<br />

Wives<br />

Iron (85) Doc! '.Jan: Terror From<br />

Providence<br />

Under the<br />

(104) F. .Jan :<br />

Date<br />

, .<br />

HOLLYWOOD INT'L<br />

Last Fling (75) Sex D Dec 76<br />

Ultimate Pleasure<br />

'80) S-x D Mav77<br />

nlle Blue Sex C July 77<br />

e New Adventures of<br />

Casanova Sex-Ad, Sept 77<br />

INDEPENDENT-INT'L<br />

use of Pyschotic Women .July 76<br />

rses for Sale (84) . . .Ac. .Aug 76<br />

vino Cousins (87) D. .Sept 76<br />

e Naughty Stewardesses/<br />

Blazing Stewardesses<br />

(102/85) Sex C. Nov 76<br />

Rel.<br />

Date<br />

The Lonely Woman (81) .D.. Dec 76<br />

Cina Lollobrigida. S.i^an Hanii.>h;re<br />

Horror of the Zombies ..Ho .Jan 77<br />

Girls' Hotel (93) D. .Feb 77<br />

Uncle Tom's Cabin (108) D.. Mar 77<br />

Moorefleld<br />

Nurse Sherri (92) ,<br />

Game Show Models ..Sex 1 Apr 77<br />

Cinderella 2000<br />

(95) SF-Sex<br />

KEY INTERNATIONAL<br />

The Father Kino Story<br />

(115) Ac-D . .Sept 77<br />

nicli.inl Fivin. I,'ie:inln Mnnlallian<br />

Run fcr Blue (86) W. Doc. .Sept 77<br />

Pev Allen, Tanva Tucker<br />

LIMA PRODUCTIONS<br />

Little Miss Innocence<br />

MFI<br />

The<br />

(SO)<br />

DISTRIBUTORS<br />

Dicktator<br />

Sex<br />

77<br />

in Affair in Candies Oct 77<br />

The Abductor Or .Nov 77<br />

4 Man of<br />

Convictions Cr Dec 77<br />

Fog D Feb 73<br />

Raices D.. Mar 78<br />

MULBERRY SQUARE<br />

For the Love of Bcnji<br />

(85) C-Ad..June77<br />

Palsy Ha'-rctl. Cynthia Smith<br />

•IILES INTERNATIONAL<br />

i^hizo (105) Ho.. June 77<br />

l.'nnc I-redeiick. John Lavtnn<br />

-ove All Summer<br />

'95) C-D.. Aug 77<br />

Pill n.ina Marty Allen<br />

Wonder<br />

" Her Now<br />

C. .Aug 77<br />

She Beast/The Embalme<br />

(80/74/83) Ho.. Apr 77<br />

The Carhops (S8) May 77<br />

The New Adventui<br />

White (76) May 77<br />

'"htv School nirls/Teenage<br />

Tramn/Teena"e Hitchhikers<br />

(86/80/74) May 77<br />

OMNI PICTURES<br />

Kiss of the Tarantula<br />

(85) Ho-n May 76<br />

Death Driver 77<br />

(90^<br />

Challenge—Ma-hunter<br />

Frank<br />

(88) Ac. Apr 77<br />

PEPPERCORN-WORMSER<br />

Dream City (96) . . 76<br />

Mondo Magic (100) .Doc. Dec 76<br />

SCOTIA AMERICAN<br />

"hiistian the Lion<br />

(89) Ad-Doc. Jan 77<br />

Pill Ti.ivers, Virginia MeKenn.'i<br />

The Night They Robbed<br />

Big Bertha's (83) C.<br />

TAYLOR-LAUGHLIN<br />

Silly Jack Goes to<br />

Washington Oct 77<br />

Train Ride to Hollywood C. .<br />

UNITED NATIONAL FILMS<br />

'ary of Forbidden Dreams<br />

(93) C. Sept 76<br />

NGUARD RELEASING, INC.<br />

The Hills Have Eyes<br />

(89) Ac-Sus.. June 77<br />

COMING RELEASES<br />

ALLIED ARTISTS<br />

The Betsy Feb 78<br />

Laurence Olivier, Katharine Ross.<br />

Robert Duvall. Tommy Lee Jones<br />

(.\ United Artiste Co-release)<br />

Such Men ai '<br />

Jerusalem<br />

AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL<br />

The Way to Dusty Death ..Ac-Sus.<br />

The Black Pirate Ad.<br />

AVCO EMBASSY<br />

Rabbit Test C. Oct 77<br />

J'lan Prather. Alex Rocco,<br />

Paul Lynde, Alice Ghostley<br />

The Chicken Chronicles ..C. Oct 77<br />

Phil Silvers<br />

The Manitou<br />

Susan Strasberg, Tony Curtis,<br />

Michael Ansara, Burgess Meredith<br />

Turn Jones, Harry (Jiiardlnc<br />

Slrnther Marl in mil<br />

Bessie<br />

.\retha<br />

Franklin<br />

BUENA VISTA<br />

Pete's Dragon An M.F..[<br />

Helen Reddy, Mickey Rooney,<br />

Red Buttons. Shelley Winters<br />

Counterfeit Countess M<br />

Jodie Foster, David Nlven<br />

Hero From Otherwhere Ai<br />

The Cat From Outer Space .<br />

Ken Berry. McLean Stevenson,<br />

Sandy nuncan, Roddy McPnna<br />

Return From Witch Mountain .<br />

Bctte Davis. Christopher Lee,<br />

Kim Richards<br />

CINEMA SHARES<br />

Aces High (114) ....Ac-D..O<br />

John GielRud, Trevor Howard,<br />

Richard Jrjlinson, Malcolm Mclinwell<br />

Godzilla on Monster<br />

Island<br />

SF-F..N0V77<br />

Ultra Secret<br />

COLUMBIA<br />

Close Encounters of the Third<br />

„K',"tl<br />

SF..Dec77<br />

Ridiard Preyfuss, Teri Garr<br />

Fr.ineiiiq Ti-uffaut, Melinrta nillnn<br />

Six Weeks<br />

Audrey Hepburn. Tatum O'Neal<br />

Eves<br />

Faye Dunaway<br />

Wounded Knee<br />

:Marlon Brandn<br />

Casey's Shadow<br />

IV.iller Slatthaii, Alexis Rmllli<br />

Watch the Skies<br />

Richard DreyfiBa<br />

The Cheap Detective<br />

Ann-JIargret, Peter Falk.<br />

Louise Fletcher. Stockard Channlng<br />

The Photographer<br />

Annie Clrardot. Jacques Dutronl<br />

CROWN INTERNATIONAL<br />

The Pnm Pom Girls. Part II<br />

Gym Teacher<br />

The Coach<br />

Love Buggies *77<br />

The Malorettes<br />

DIMENSION<br />

Ca' Nov 77<br />

lion.ihl Plcasence, N.nncy Kwan<br />

The Tiger's Claw<br />

Bruce LI<br />

Man Monster<br />

The Redeemer<br />

rhrlstnpher Flint, Jeanette Arnette<br />

Out of the Darkness<br />

GROUP 1<br />

The Last 4 Days War..<br />

Henry Fonda, Rod Stelger<br />

Alligator<br />

The Deadly Menace Sus.<br />

The Black Box C. .<br />

Eat It Raw<br />

Strange and Wondrous World<br />

White Slavers<br />

INTERCONTINENTAL<br />

Slaughterday Oct 77<br />

MONARCH<br />

Shining Star<br />

Harvey Keltel, Ed Nelson,<br />

Earth. Wind & Fire<br />

NEW WORLD<br />

Deathsport 2020 SF-A(<br />

Dai1d Carradlne<br />

Phibes Resurrettus Ho-C<br />

Vincent Price, Roddy McDowall<br />

PARAMOUNT<br />

Joseph Andrews<br />

(103) C-Ail..0et77<br />

Ann-Margret, Peter Firth,<br />

John Glelgud. Hugh Griffith<br />

Lookmo for Mr. Goodbar Oct 77<br />

Diane Keaton, Richard Kfley<br />

Born on the 4th of July<br />

AI Padno<br />

Pretty Baby<br />

Susan Sarandon, Keith (irradine<br />

Fraternity Row (101) D .<br />

Peter Fox, Gregory Harrison<br />

Seven Nights in Japan<br />

Michael Ynrk<br />

The Duellists<br />

Harvey Kcitel, Keith Carra«ne<br />

Sextette<br />

Mae West. Timothy Daltoo,<br />

Horn DeLuIse, Rlngo Starr<br />

First Love R-D..<br />

William Katt. Susan Dey<br />

20TH-FOX<br />

Julia D.. Nov 77<br />

Jane Fonda. Vanessa Redgrave,<br />

Jason Rnhnrds, JIaximlllan Sehell<br />

Survival Run Ac-Ad . . Dec 77<br />

Jan-MIchael Vincent, Oeorge<br />

Peppard, Dominique Sanda.<br />

Paul Wlnfleld<br />

The World's Greatest<br />

Lover C. .Dec 77<br />

Gene Wilder. Carol Kane,<br />

Pnm DeLirise<br />

Oman . . .D. .Dec 77<br />

Alan Bates<br />

A Wedding<br />

Carol Burnett. Geraldine Chaplin.<br />

Lillian Gish. Lauren Hutton<br />

Turning Point D..<br />

Shirley MacLatne, Anne Bancroft<br />

UNITED ARTISTS<br />

Valentino Oct 77<br />

Rudolph Nureyev, Michelle Phillips,<br />

Leslie Caron<br />

The Betsy Feb 78<br />

Laurence Olivier, Katharine Ross.<br />

Robert Duvall, Tommy Lee Jones<br />

(An Allied Arti.sts Oi-release)<br />

The Serpent's Egg<br />

Liv mimann. Richard Harris<br />

Semi-Tough<br />

Port Re\Tinld>t. Kris Krlstofferson.<br />

Jill Clayburgh, Robert Preston<br />

Convoy<br />

Kris Krlsofferson, All MacOraw.<br />

Burt Yoimg, Ernest Borgnlne<br />

Coming Home D..<br />

Jane Fonda, Jon Volght,<br />

Bruce Dern, Robert Carradlne<br />

Equus D .<br />

Richard Burton, Tony Perkins<br />

The Dot! Soldiers<br />

Nick Nolle, Tuesday Weld,<br />

Gall Strickland, Michael Morlarty<br />

That's Comedy (MGM)<br />

Telefon (MGM) Ho-Sus..<br />

Charles Bronson, Lee Remick<br />

UNIVERSAL<br />

9/30/5S D.. Oct 77<br />

Ricliard Thomas, Susan Tyrrell<br />

Gray Lady Down Nov 77<br />

Charlton Hestnn. David Carradlne<br />

Which Way Is UpT<br />

Richard Pryor<br />

Heroes<br />

C-0..<br />

Henry Winkler, Sally Field,<br />

Lawrence Tiirman<br />

The Deer Hunter Ac-D..<br />

Robert De Nlrn, John Cazale<br />

The Lonely Lady D .<br />

Susan Blakely<br />

Checkered Flag—or Crash<br />

Joe Don Baker, Susan Sarandon<br />

WARNER BROS.<br />

Gauntlet<br />

At-0..Dtt7<br />

aint Eastwood, Sondra Locke<br />

A Piece of the Action C.<br />

Sidney Poitler, Bill Cosby<br />

Greased Llohtninii<br />

Richard Pryor, Pam Grler<br />

Operation Daybreak Ac<br />

Timothy Bottoms. Anthony Andrews<br />

An Enemy of the People<br />

Steve McQueen. Nlcol Williamson<br />

The Day the World Ended .Ad-Sus.<br />

Tul Brynner, Henry Fonda<br />

Oh, God<br />

George Burns, John Denver<br />

The Stuntman C-Ad.<br />

Burt Reynolds<br />

loodbrothers D.<br />

Paul Snrvino. Tony LoBlanco<br />

BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: August 1. 1977


cousin<br />

Opinions on Current Productions Feature reviews<br />

denotes color; (C) CinemaScope: rphic processes. For story syno<br />

.<br />

The Had ISens Bears PC; C'.medy<br />

in Breaking Training<br />

Paramount (8965) 97 Minutes Rel. July '77<br />

The Bears are back, with more heart and less mouth<br />

than before. The 1976 edition was a hit, since it featm-ed<br />

Walter Matthau. Tatum O'Neal and some very obscene<br />

awa<br />

?i^/<br />

kids. This sequel has no Matthau or O'Neal and few dii-ty<br />

words, while the sentiment has been upgraded. Jackie<br />

Earle Haley is the oldest and wisest member of the Little<br />

League baseball team and his relationship with estranged<br />

father 'William Devane provides some of the dramatic<br />

highlights. DeVane's entrance into the film saves the<br />

Leonard Goldberg production from being just a kids'<br />

comedy, as he wins laughs with his role of an easy-going<br />

but efficient authoritarian. New members of the team are<br />

Jimmy Baio of Scott Baio of "Bugsy Malone")<br />

i<br />

and fat Jeffrey Louis Starr, replacing Gary Lee Cavagnaro;<br />

the more flamboyant characters—Chris Barnes,<br />

Erin Blunt—are back, as well as the introverts. 'Written<br />

by Paul Brickman as based on Bill Lancaster's characters,<br />

the Paramount release was directed by young (26)<br />

Michael Pi-essman in California and at the Houston Astrodome.<br />

The soft approach could keep this from being<br />

the runaway hit that the original was, but there is every<br />

indication that the Bears are far from being through.<br />

William Devane, Jackie Earle Haley, Jimmy Baio. Clifton<br />

James, Chris Barnes. Erin Blunt, Alfred Lutter.


!<br />

FEATURE REVIEWS Story Synopsis; Exploitips; Adiines for Newspapers and Programs<br />

THE STOKY: "Rabid" (New World)<br />

Marilyn Chambers suffers severe burns when she and<br />

boyfriend Pi-ank Moore crash their motorcycle. She undergoes<br />

surgery and doctor Howard Ryshpan uses experimental<br />

techniques to overcome lost body functions. When<br />

Chambers awakes from a coma, she has an insatiable ''"""^'^<br />

appetite for human blood and attacks a patient, who then<br />

develops rabies-like symptoms. After attacking her doctor,<br />

she leaves the hospital and hitchhikes to a girlfriend's<br />

apartment. Dm-ing this tiip, she victimizes two more<br />

people, unaware that she is spreading a disease. The<br />

populace of Montreal becomes panic-stricken as rabies<br />

symptoms begin to spread. Martial law is enforced and<br />

experts seek to contain the strange disease, now almost<br />

of plague proportion. Moore and Joe Silver return to<br />

the clinic to find it under police control. Retm-ning to the<br />

city. Silver is attacked and killed by his infected wife.<br />

Moore meets Chambers and tells her that she is the cause<br />

of the epidemic of madness. She runs away, picks up a<br />

yomig man and goes to a hotel room. After attacking him,<br />

she waits to see whether he becomes rabid. He does and,<br />

as he approaches her. Chambers falls to her death.<br />

EXPLOITIPS:<br />

Play up Marilyn Chambers' prior roles in adult films,<br />

contrasting them with this "straight" dramatic portrayal.<br />

CATCHLINES:<br />

She Fed Upon Their Blood and Drove Them Mad<br />

THE STORY: 'Submission" (Joseph Bremier)<br />

In a French provincial village in 1940. the French Army<br />

is much in evidence and hated by Franco Nero, a shop<br />

worker who managed to stay out of service due to the<br />

efforts of a colonel. Nero works for pharmacist Lisa Gastoni,<br />

who lives above the store with her husband, professor<br />

Raymond Pellegrin, and daughter Claudia Marsani,<br />

15. During an affair with cashier Andrea Feneol 'despite<br />

her husband) Nero fondles Gastoni by mistake<br />

in the dark. When he isn't fired, Nero becomes bolder and<br />

Gastoni responds. Dissatisfied with his lot, Nero degi-ades<br />

Gastoni at every opportmiity and manages to get his<br />

job back after leaving the shop briefly. Gastoni, threatened<br />

by blackmail and too hungry for Nero, allows herself<br />

to be stranded, nude, on the street one night. She is<br />

repelled when Nero asks for her daughter. Finally, she<br />

sends Marsani to him and he is strangely gentle with her.<br />

Meanwhile, Gastoni takes an overdose of pills and goes<br />

to bed with Pellegrin, who knows of her affaii-. Bombs<br />

begin falling on the house.<br />

EXPLOITIPS:<br />

Breimer promises to accompany "Submission" with the<br />

heaviest and most expensive promotional campaign in its<br />

history.<br />

CATCHLINES:<br />

The More Erotic It Gets, the More Beautiful It Feels.<br />

USE THIS HANDY SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM<br />

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Q Remittance Enclosed<br />

Q Send Invoice


•<br />

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HEIP WANTED<br />

.ORIDA-ALABAMA-GEORGIA-TENNES-<br />

Exp.-:-nc.-.:l h?nen-, sober, man-<br />

3 and city managers needed immely<br />

by large expanding theatre circuit.<br />

1 salcrry and fringe benefits- Send<br />

ne, photo and salary required to Irv<br />

and, Vice President, Cobb Theatres,<br />

I A. Eastwood Mall, Birmingham, Ala-<br />

35210 Replies confidential.<br />

PERIENCED MANAGERS needed by<br />

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ago area. Group insurance, pension,<br />

incentives. Send resume, references<br />

photo to <strong>Boxoffice</strong>, 3939.<br />

EATRE MANAGER for Alaska theatre,<br />

have experience in theatre managpromotion,<br />

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ry negotiable. Send resume. Indicate<br />

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;, maintenance and superviist<br />

experience helpful. Send<br />

,e, references and salary re-<br />

Boxollice, 3947.<br />

IMAGER, Midwest drive-in, 800 speak-<br />

,t be experienced and reliable.<br />

arv plus vending commission and<br />

surance. Call collect, (312) 782-<br />

EATRE MANAGER for Northwest Cir<br />

Must be experienced in Multi-Screer<br />

promotion minded. Salary negotiable<br />

TENTION: REAL ESTATE, Insurance<br />

xjnies and banks. Qualllied personal<br />

lent will operate your theatre<br />

- References. <strong>Boxoffice</strong>, 3942.<br />

ORKING CIRCUIT EXECUTIVE. Twen-<br />

:-.- experience, all phases. Fam-<br />

52. <strong>Boxoffice</strong>, 3944.<br />

PERT SERVICE/INSTALLATION en<br />

.need all phases equipme<br />

. :. Travel, relocate. Boxoffi<<br />

BOOKS<br />

THE MANUAL OF<br />

THEATER MANAGEMENT<br />

— $20 —<br />

Ralph I. Erwin, Publisher<br />

Box 1982, Laredo, Texas<br />

78040<br />

MISCELLANEOUS<br />

itily— older the better). Martinez, 70<br />

ngon Ave., Los Angeles, Ca. 9003t<br />

) 462-5790.<br />

POPCORN MACHINES<br />

L MAKES OF POPPERS. Brand new<br />

all Electric $399.50. Krispy<br />

Chicago 60606.<br />

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE<br />

ECONOMY MINDED EXHIBITORSI USED<br />

EQUIPMENT AND SEATS SINCE 1960.<br />

MIDWEST. (816) 523-2699, <strong>Boxoffice</strong>. 3913<br />

Pair 35mm Acme-Simplex projectors. Reconditioned,<br />

solar sound, with lenses including<br />

scope, $1250 B&H 16mm Filmo<br />

Arc projector. Solar sound, excellent condition,<br />

$625. (215) 238-4887, or (609) 546-<br />

2636.<br />

COMPLETE THEATRE, like new, 4 yr.<br />

old, 350 American Seals red, 2 Simplex 35<br />

proiectors, sound, automation, etc., two<br />

ORC Lamps, complete booth, concession,<br />

candy case, warmer, soda counter, etc.,<br />

red drapes and motorized curtain, off the<br />

floor $23,500. (302) 453-0359 or 798-4421.<br />

Also 2 Strong Arc Lamps and generators,<br />

$700<br />

CENTURY C projection mechanisms, abolutely<br />

like-new condition, used 6 months,<br />

151S new for $4,000 pair—$2,500 pair. (816)<br />

23-2699 or <strong>Boxoffice</strong>, 3945.<br />

BAUSCH & LOME 3.75" lenses, like new,<br />

5150 00 pair. (816) 523-2599 or <strong>Boxoffice</strong>,<br />

3946.<br />

NEW EPRAD GOLDEN IN-CAR HEATEBS<br />

240 volts—$29.00 each, original boxes<br />

Drive-In, 183. Gemini Box Eau Claire,<br />

WI 54701.<br />

IM BUYING USED SILVER POSITIVE<br />

CARBON CONTACTS. Paying $9.00 per set<br />

Ashcraft AG or Strong water cooled. $12.00<br />

for Regular Strong or Ashcraft water<br />

cooled. Ashcraft ribbon leads 30c, Strong<br />

Negative Shunts 70c. Send insured: Contact<br />

Salvaging, POB 4634, Redding, California<br />

96001. I'll refund postage and in-<br />

BUSINESS STIMULATORS<br />

THEATRE GAMES. Bingo, Bonko $6.75<br />

veekly. Novelty Games, R.D. 2, Port leris,<br />

N.Y. 12771.<br />

BUILD ATTENDANCE with real Hawai-<br />

3n orchids. Few cents each. Write Flow-<br />

^s of Hawaii, 670 S Lafayette Place. Los<br />

Calif<br />

THEATRE MONTHLY CALENDARS, week<br />

.y programs, heralds, bumper strips, daily<br />

BINGO CARDS DIE CUT: 1-75, 1500 c<br />

binalion $6.00 per thousand and in cc<br />

PREMIUM PRODUCTS, 339 West 44th<br />

New York, N Y 10036 (212) 246-4972,<br />

DRIVE-IN MUSIC SERVICE WITH AN-<br />

NOUNCEMENTS TO INCREASE CONCES-<br />

SION SALES. :• ::<br />

DRIVEIN THEATRE CONSTRUaiON<br />

SCREEN TOWERS INTERNATIONAL: Ten<br />

Day Screen Installation, (817) 642-3591<br />

Drawer P. Rogers, Texas 76569,<br />

DISTRIBUTION<br />

CLEflfiine HOUSE<br />

THEATRES FOR SALE THEATRE SEATING<br />

WORLD'S LABGEST THEATRE broke,<br />

JOE JOSEPH Box 3!.;G6. Dallas 75231<br />

214) 363-2724.<br />

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS. 200 car drivein<br />

IZV2 acres, 300 seat indoor 23 miles<br />

away, newly remodeled. Both $50,000,<br />

$15,000 down balance 10 years at 71/2%<br />

(817) 888-5588.<br />

INDOOR THEATRE. 350 seals. Only<br />

black theatre in county of over 50,000<br />

people, 40% black population. Located in<br />

South Carolina, Building and real estate<br />

included. Everything in excellent condition.<br />

Write <strong>Boxoffice</strong>, 3948.<br />

I.P. NORTON PRESENTS: The<br />

(414) 743-6034.<br />

IN THE BEAUTIFUL NORTHERN CALI-<br />

FORNIA MOUNTAINS: One indoor and one<br />

drive-in theatre with all equipment and<br />

ONLY THEATRE in city of Three Rivers,<br />

MI (pop. 7,500 +) 450 seats, automated<br />

booth, concessions; also includes 2 office<br />

rentals with space for third. Contact Arrowhead<br />

Real Estate, 1103 W. Michigan,<br />

Three Rivers, MI 49093 (616) 279-5184.<br />

THEATRES WANTED<br />

WANTED TO RENT: Thea!:e, Long Isand,<br />

New York Reply: Package, Box 176.<br />

EQUIPMENT WANTED<br />

rooklyn, N. Y. 11229.<br />

lEATRE SERVICE TECHNICIAN wanted<br />

epair and routine maintenance. This<br />

TO LEASE OR BUY indoor within 60<br />

Michigan. LAS-6237<br />

miles of Detroit,<br />

ion requires experience with Xenon<br />

Ledgeway Drive, West Bloomfield, Michigan<br />

and Platter Systems. Knowledge<br />

3S 48010, (313) 851-6078.<br />

ube and Transistor Sound Systems WE PAY good money lor used equipment.<br />

S. Texas Theatre Supply, 915 Alamo,<br />

an expanding<br />

d be helpful. We are<br />

located in the beautiful Pacific<br />

San Antonio, Texas 78205<br />

FILMS FOR SALE<br />

est. Please send complete resume<br />

jxoffice, 3952<br />

IGmm FILMS. Postcard brings bargalr<br />

TOP<br />

POSITIONS WANTED<br />

CASH PAID for Xenon lamphouses,<br />

soundheads, projectors, lenses and portable<br />

St. Ingo Films, P O. Box 143, Scranton<br />

a 18504.<br />

have you? STAR<br />

)NSOLTANT part time. 40 years exce<br />

all phases of business. 25<br />

projectors. What<br />

CINEMA SUPPLY, 217 West 21st St., New<br />

York 10011. Phone (212) 675-3515<br />

in<br />

film-buying/booking 300 theatres<br />

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rive-ins for lour major circuits. Box-<br />

PRODUCER SELLING 35MM R' rated<br />

3940.<br />

horror movie. Excellent grosses. $2000<br />

16mm CLASSICS. Illustrated Catalog<br />

25c. Manbeck Pictures, 3521-B Wakonda<br />

buys ownership of print to play your theatre<br />

or distribution territory. Mr. Jackson<br />

(517) 265-5749.<br />

FILMS WANTED<br />

I'D UKE TO BUY THOSE OLD 35MM<br />

FILMS you've halt forgotten . . . maybe<br />

stored long ago back in the cabinet under<br />

the stairs, etc. John L. Maddox, R-I, Duck<br />

River, Tenn. 38454.<br />

SOUND PROJECTION<br />

MAINTENANCE MANUAL<br />

•TROUTS SOUND AND PROJECTION<br />

MANUAL." Simplified service data on<br />

Leading makes of projectors, Step-by-<br />

S;ep Service instructions on Sound equipment,<br />

xenon lamps, screens, lenses, film<br />

transport equipment (platter), motors,<br />

soundheads, speakers, etc. Schematics on<br />

sound equipment and drawings. This helpful<br />

Service Manual endorsed by the industry.<br />

Authentic maintenance data for<br />

the projectionist, the exhibitor. Simplified<br />

data. You should have this Manual and<br />

save on repair work and obtain better<br />

proj. and sound. Send TODAY. Special<br />

Price per copy, ONLY $8.50, prepaid. Don't<br />

wait—order now at this special price<br />

($8.50). Over 200 pages 8V2 x II" Loose-<br />

Leaf Practical Manual—Data is Reliable<br />

and Authentic. Edited by the writer with<br />

35 years of Experience; 27 years Technical<br />

WILL REPRESENT YOU in Minneapolis/ Editor, the MODERN THEATRE. (Remittance<br />

to: payable Wesley Trout. Cash,<br />

I<br />

',' Lincoln area. Jim<br />

Gray :;;,: ,:i -;<br />

:<br />

Purchasing, 416— 12th<br />

TROUT EDITOR, Box 575, Enid, Oklahoma<br />

Check or M.O.—No CODs). WESLEY<br />

St.. Des Moines. Iowa 50309. Phone (515)<br />

288-3218.<br />

737UI.<br />

TOPS IN THEATRE SEATING ufh<br />

sell theatre chairs Chicago Used Chair<br />

Mart, 1320 S. Wabash Ave. (312) 939-<br />

4518. Chicago, 111. 60605.<br />

UNIVERSAL SEATING & CONST. CO..<br />

INC. Reconditioned used chairs. On-localion<br />

refurbishing, installation and staggering.<br />

Sewn seat covers, all makes. We<br />

buy used seating anywhere. Entir<br />

theatre equipment ai aU^Te- Call (517)<br />

298-7070. 1157 Adams St.. Boston. Mass.<br />

02124.<br />

SPECIALISTS IN THEATRE SEATING.<br />

New and rebuilt theatre chairs for sole.<br />

We buy and sell old chairs. Travel from<br />

coast to coast. Seating Corporation of<br />

New York, 247 Water Street, Brooklyn.<br />

1 N. Y. 1201. Tel. (212) 875-5433 (reverse<br />

charges).<br />

real estate. A<br />

THEATRE CHAIRS New-rebuilt-used-rockers<br />

and late model chairs. Chair recover-<br />

good opportunity that won't<br />

last long at $110,000 with good terms, Call<br />

ing. Seat covers and fabrics. New and<br />

Mahoney Realty (916) 243-6446, Redding,<br />

used theatre equipment. Hayes Seating<br />

CA.<br />

Co<br />

, Inc., 6600 Joy Road, East Syracuse,<br />

N Y, 13057. (315) 432-1901.<br />

RECOVERING MIDWEST and BORDER-<br />

ING STATES complete seat upholstering,<br />

spacing and painting. Your seats will look<br />

and feel new. Free estimates. Call today.<br />

Commercial Repair Co. (812) 379-9485, 1815<br />

Vinewood Dr., Columbus, Ind. 47201.<br />

MANKO SEATING DEPT. Our large inventory<br />

plus 40 years experience in making<br />

sewed covers guaranteed to fit all<br />

theatre chairs, priced from $1.75 each.<br />

Also fabrics sold by yard, precut to specifications.<br />

Send sample for matching and<br />

our price for quantity needed. Monko<br />

Fabric Co., Inc., 50 West 36th St., NYC<br />

I00I8. (212) 695-7470.<br />

200 INTERNATIONAL theatre seats and<br />

$500 00 new covers parts, $1,000.00. Manley<br />

PCM $250.00. E. Cole (304) 253-8692 before<br />

9 am,, after 6 p,m.<br />

SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM<br />

BOXOFFICE:<br />

825 Von Brunt Blvd.<br />

Kansas City. Mo. 64124<br />

Please enter my subscription to<br />

BOXOFFICE.<br />

D<br />

D<br />

1 YEAR $15.00<br />

2 YEARS $28.00<br />

D Remittance Enclosed<br />

n Send Invoice<br />

Outside U.S., Canada and Pan<br />

American Union, $25.00 Ter Yeor.<br />

STREET<br />

TOWN<br />

NAME<br />

ZIP CODE<br />

POSITION<br />

August 1. 1977


P^flfflCi BOBBY A. SUAREZ PRESENTS<br />

SHE PURRS LIKE A KITTEN...MAKES LOVE<br />

LIKE ASIREN...FIGHTS LIKE A PANTHER. THIS<br />

SIDE OF THE PACIFiaSHE IS THE DEADLIEST,<br />

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HARRIELEE<br />

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WITH AN INTERNATIONAL SUPPORTING CAST<br />

Story by Directors of Photography Screenplay by<br />

BOBBY A. SUAREZ ARNOLD ALVARO ROMEO N. GALANG<br />

DAVID HUNG<br />

GEORGE RICHARDSON<br />

FOREIGN SALES:<br />

BOBBY A. SUAREZ FILM PRODUCTIONS CO.,<br />

Suites 206-207 T'laoqui Building, Plaza Sta. Cruz<br />

CABLE Manila, Philippines<br />

AOORESS;<br />

BASFILMS-MANILA<br />

INC,<br />

TtLtPHONt:<br />

48-32-13

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