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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 />
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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 />
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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 />
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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 />
at<br />
place came "Barbara Broadcast," sexer now in its fifth week. But United Artists'<br />
fifth<br />
"New York, New York" is going strong in<br />
at the Eastworld with a 300 second week.<br />
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 />
Deep." "Annie Hall" and "The Other Side<br />
of Midnight" show substantially better-thanaverage<br />
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 />
"A Bridge Too Far" or "Sorcerer."<br />
"The First Nudie Musical"<br />
debuted<br />
Lib»<br />
Mini Fhok II—Annie Hall lU 175<br />
Playhou ^—Han on the Roof 100<br />
s H<br />
I E 50<br />
Supe "l-Viva Knievel<br />
Thr-.- th T loyride F 110<br />
M , 310<br />
ti Thrp» th The Deep ^ ) 230<br />
Westvie. The Other Side of Midnight<br />
4 (20 h Fox) h vk 170<br />
WmsIvipw III—Sorcerer (Para) 4th *:k 60<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 />
,<br />
Jersey City, N J 07305, Pfione (201) 451-2222<br />
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 />
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terms to the serious buyers:<br />
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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 />
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ONSULTINi<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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people at the Aladdin. Dean Martin and<br />
others, this should be the biggest and best<br />
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 />
5c<br />
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H^ATCH PROJECTION IMPROVE ><<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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RCA Service Company. A Division of RCA<br />
?620 Gross Point Road, Skokie III 60076<br />
Phone (312) 478-6591<br />
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 />
or Black and White<br />
FOR<br />
INDOOR AND<br />
DRIVE-INS<br />
SPECIAL PROMOTIONS • TRAILERETTES<br />
NO SMOKING • VANDALISM • DATERS<br />
COLOR MERCHANT ADS<br />
Filrr.a
i Linda<br />
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 />
Cinema<br />
Equipment Inc.<br />
8421 Gra>ois St. Louis, Mo, 63123<br />
ALL<br />
MAJOR<br />
LINES OF<br />
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INTERIOR<br />
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CARPETING<br />
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CONTACT<br />
Harry or John<br />
Phone (314) 352-2020<br />
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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"You Light Up My Life" for Cokmibia<br />
release.<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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445 PARK AVENUE NEW YORK, N.Y. 10022<br />
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Tommy Lambert<br />
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 />
INDEPENDENT FILMS, INC.<br />
4117 Heaslip Avenue<br />
Metairie, La. 70011<br />
504/637-6106<br />
CONTACT YOUR NEAREST<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 />
from Columbia are both recovering from<br />
bone fractures sustained in home accidents<br />
. . . 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 />
death of George T. Grimm, 56, in an industrial<br />
accident. He is the husband of Rexene<br />
Grimm, a veteran staffer at Warner Bros.<br />
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SE-4 August I. 1977
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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 />
cameramen, actors and writers<br />
Key People in the Media:<br />
193* newspaper, magazine editors and writers and<br />
radio-TV broadcasters<br />
Recognize your soles prospect?<br />
You should because more key<br />
people in the film industry rely on<br />
BOXOFFICE for its complete and<br />
accurate information than any other<br />
film industry publication with ABC<br />
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Take one small step today toward<br />
big sales tomorrow . . . deliver your<br />
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OFFICE Reader: someone who is<br />
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E.<br />
* 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 />
Park 4.<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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Scores of busy little messages<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+
s„. 5<br />
1-1 -^,<br />
1 if ^<br />
= E- -S-Sb-?<br />
?P^S3<br />
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'I<br />
i=5<br />
-'I<br />
|3 iit f"Sii<br />
Hi<br />
ill
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§1<br />
lis<br />
m<br />
2-gs<br />
111<br />
111 '-"£<br />
•s<br />
V<br />
il<br />
•I 4<br />
i;| lit<br />
«"<br />
n<br />
111<br />
ill<br />
:g<br />
III<br />
III<br />
p u<br />
!:1<br />
AavnNvr
laa
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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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 />
nal circuit for theatre expansion in<br />
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 />
concession sales and workknowledge<br />
of operating projectors,<br />
ry negotiable. Send resume. Indicate<br />
.:si'e:i and include photograph.<br />
;, 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 />
Drive, Des Moines, Iowa 50321.<br />
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 />
MEANEST AND SEXIEST SECRET AGENT!<br />
•:s<br />
HARRIELEE<br />
LcoPATiU Worn<br />
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