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AUGUST 29, 1977<br />
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE EDITION<br />
Including the Sectional News Pages of All Editions<br />
B<br />
"Another fascinating accomplishment by an<br />
extraordmarv' actress who remains as unique,<br />
fresh, and excitmg as ever!"<br />
GEORGE CUKOR<br />
"Real family entertainment that will brine<br />
the magic of Katharine Hepburn to the children<br />
of today."<br />
CLAUDE JARMAN<br />
Intcrnoiional him hcMi<br />
^^^^<br />
Produced and Directed by<br />
Richard A. Colla<br />
Screenplay by Eugene Peine<br />
Story by Maria L deOssio, Richard A. Colla and Eugene Poinc<br />
Original Score by Bob Alcivar<br />
Introdui,<br />
Kevin McKi<br />
Dennis Dim
FROM i\RAMOUNT FOR CHRISTMAS
it already is the best I<br />
HE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY<br />
BEN SHLYEN<br />
Published In Nine Sectional Edlthmi<br />
L :i.,;-in-Chief and Publisher<br />
ALPH M. DELMONT - Managing Editor<br />
ORRIS SCHLOZMAN .Business Mgr.<br />
ARY BURCH<br />
luipment Editor<br />
ALPH KAMINSKY .. Western Editor<br />
uhlication Offices: 825 an Brunt Blvd.<br />
City, Mo. 64124. (816) 241-7777<br />
estern Offices: 6425 llollyuuod Bliil.<br />
ollywood, Ca., 90U28 (213) 465-1186.<br />
istern Offices: 1270 Si.vlh Avenue. Suite<br />
103, Kockefeller Center. New York, N.Y.<br />
)020. (212) 265-6370.<br />
Office; Auttmny Cruner. 1 Wuod-<br />
Vay, Flnchlcy, N. 12. Telephone<br />
illslde 6733.<br />
THE MODEKN THEATliE Section Is<br />
"in one Issue eacli niuiitli.<br />
buquerque: Cliuck Mlttlc,
?:"<br />
ionch Staffers Meet in<br />
NYC<br />
Al till- NSS iiuttii g ill New York Cilj arc, slaiidinj;, lett lo right: Kaiid><br />
Gulbranson. Los Angeles: Roy Woodall. Dallas; Robert Hirshberg. Boston; Norman<br />
Robbins, executive vice-president of NSS; Craig Hyland, Seattle; Frank Bruins, Los<br />
Angeles, and John Swarts jr., executive administrator, sales and marketing for<br />
NSS, New York. Seated, left to right are: Sue Foreman, Philadelphia; Barbara<br />
Bullis, Chicago; Jan Taylor, Atlanta; Debbie Richeson, Kansas City, and Terry<br />
Peavlev, Cincinnati.<br />
NEW YORK—National Screen Service<br />
recently called all its Paramount Pictures<br />
account representatives to New York for a<br />
tw/o-day meeting to give the staffers a<br />
chance to meet each other, as well as the<br />
executives of NSS and Paramoimt Pictures.<br />
The conclave also afforded the opportunity<br />
to restate the importance, in this joint pilot<br />
project, both companies place on their roles<br />
as distribution's "eyes and ears" at the point<br />
of sale.<br />
The greatest concern, beyond getting<br />
trailers to theatres as quickly as possible are<br />
methods for insuring their usage. Account<br />
representatives spend a large percentage of<br />
their time telephoning individual theatre<br />
managers at night to determine if the right<br />
trailer has been received and that it is being<br />
used.<br />
Other ideas are being discussed and a<br />
new communications system, AutEx, has<br />
been installed to assist in the process of<br />
tracking trailers and keeping tabs on inventories.<br />
'Search for Joseph Tully'<br />
On 20th-Fox 78 Slate<br />
NEW YORK—"The Search for Joseph<br />
Tully" has been set for 1978 production by<br />
20th Century-Fox by producers Ronald<br />
Shedlo and Marion Rosenberg, according to<br />
Jay Kanter. sen'or vice-president, worldwide<br />
production. Gary A. Sherman will<br />
adapt the screenplay from William S. Hallahan's<br />
novel, which is due for fall paperback<br />
release with a $ 1 00,000 campaign by<br />
Avon book publishers. Gabe Katzka will be<br />
executive producer of the film.<br />
Co-producer Rosenberg previously was<br />
the vice-president in charge of creative affairs<br />
for British Lion prior to its merger<br />
with EMI. His partner Shedlo will be making<br />
his first feature film since heading the<br />
TV division of Albert S. Ruddy's company.<br />
'Screen Play' by Glasser<br />
Has Opened in Hollywood<br />
LOS ANGELES—"Screen Play," a new<br />
play by former tradepress reporter Barry<br />
Glasser, opened Saturday (27) at the Cast<br />
Theatre in Hollywood after several previews.<br />
The show focuses on the stormy<br />
friendship of four young movie critics and<br />
two would-be actresses who meet once a<br />
week in the basement of an old Manhattan<br />
apartment building to watch old movies<br />
and to play trivia. Performances will be<br />
Thursdays through Sundays.<br />
Glasser once worked for the trade publications<br />
Motion Picture Daily, Motion Picture<br />
Herald and the Independent Film Journal.<br />
The cast of the Prom Productions presentation,<br />
as directed by Mark Rosin, includes<br />
six young actors who have appeared<br />
on the stage, in films and on TV. They are:<br />
Jed Mills, soon to be seen in Joan Rivers"<br />
film comedy "Rabbit Test"; Cynthia Hoppenfeld.<br />
recently seen in "A Star Is Born";<br />
Renny Temple, to be seen in MGM's "Stingray":<br />
Ken Lerner, who plays Rocco on<br />
TV's "Happy Days" show and can be seen<br />
in the film "Grand Theft Auto"; Marsha<br />
Meyers, a member of the War Babies improvisational<br />
comedy troupe at the Cast<br />
Theatre along with Hills and Temple; and<br />
Gary Weber, an Actors Studio member<br />
who played in the hit film "Joe."<br />
Glasser also is co-author of the upcoming<br />
Brut Productions feature "Body Work."<br />
held over for long runs in Canada. Two of<br />
the latest situations are the Imperial Theatre<br />
in Toronto, where the film has played<br />
26 days, and Loews in Montreal, 19 days.<br />
With an accumulative gross of $58,603 for<br />
the two houses, the runs are continuing.<br />
David Forbes to Rastar<br />
As Head of Marketing<br />
HOLLYWOOD — David M. Forbes resigned<br />
as director of marketing for Rastar<br />
Pictures, effective Monday (29). Forbes has<br />
moved into Rastar headquarters at the Burbank<br />
Studios to begin work on three current<br />
productions.<br />
First on the list of anticipated releases<br />
is Neil Simon's "The Goodbye Girl," a romantic<br />
comedy starring Richard Dreyfuss<br />
and Marsha Mason. Others are "Casey's<br />
Shadow," starring Walter Matthau in the<br />
Ray Stark-Martin Ritt production of a comedy-drama<br />
about quarter-horse racing, and<br />
Neil Simon's "The Cheap Detective," starring<br />
Peter Falk.<br />
Forbes also will follow through on "Smokey<br />
and the Bandit," produced by Mort<br />
Engelberg for Universal. Forbes started in<br />
show business ten years ago when he became<br />
manager of the Cooper Theatre in<br />
Omaha. For two years he was MGM's field<br />
man in Detroit and transferred to the company's<br />
headquarters in Culver City where<br />
he became assistant<br />
national advertising coordinator.<br />
He joined 20th-Fox in 1974 as director<br />
of special projects and eventually became<br />
director of marketing services.<br />
Marvin Goldman to Speak<br />
At TONE Closing Banquet<br />
NEW YORK—NATO president Marvin<br />
Goldman, continuing his close liaison with<br />
the membership, will be attending the 15th<br />
annual convention of the Theatre Owners of<br />
New England to be held at Treadway,<br />
Samoset Resort Golf and Racquet Club,<br />
Rockport, Me.. Monday (29) through<br />
Wednesday (31). The exhibitors will meet<br />
in conjunction with the Northeast regional<br />
group of the National Ass'n of Concessionaires.<br />
During informal sessions with the exhibitors,<br />
Goldman, accompanied by Joseph G.<br />
Alterman, executive director and vice-president,<br />
will give an updated report on recent<br />
national NATO activities and discuss issues<br />
of vital importance affecting TONE and<br />
other regional associations.<br />
Goldman will deliver his formal address<br />
at the closing banquet Wednesday evening<br />
(31).<br />
Key City Playdates Set<br />
For 'Pardon Mon Affair'<br />
BURBANK—"Pardon Mon Affair." latest<br />
souffle of a French-language comedy<br />
from Paris distributed by First Artists, is<br />
reporting excellent boxoffice grosses in engagemeiits<br />
in New York City, San Francisco,<br />
Minneapolis, Chicago and Washing-<br />
'Moreau' Scores in Canada ton, D.C. The film will have its Los Angeles<br />
BEVERLY HILLS—American International's<br />
"The Island of Dr. Moreau" is being Beverly Hills and it is set to open in early<br />
premiere September 28 at the Music Hall in<br />
September at the Guild 54th Street in Seattle,<br />
as well as in Boston.<br />
"Pardon Mon Affair" stars Jean Rochefort,<br />
Claude Brasseur, Guy Bedos, Victor<br />
Lanoux, Daniele Delorme and Anny Duperey.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: Augus;t 29, 1977
August 29, 1977
: -ahandisePlan<br />
S^naraling Interest<br />
NEW YORK—National Screen Service<br />
executives reported Friday (19) that ongoing<br />
negotiations with Columbia. Warner<br />
Bros.. Paramount and Buena Vista regarding<br />
national sale and distribution of "Movie<br />
Shirts" to theatres are proceeding with great<br />
enthusiasm.<br />
is<br />
Interest in<br />
this new merchandising project<br />
high, based on the outstanding reaction of<br />
theatres around the country to NSS" initial<br />
offer of "Movie Shirts" on "Star Wars" atul<br />
"New York. New York." "The Deep" and<br />
such superstar personalities as Farrah Fawcetl-Majors<br />
and Sylvester Stallone.<br />
Sales have been "gratifying beyond our<br />
highest hopes." Stewart Harnell. NSS general<br />
sales manager, stated. "What's more,<br />
each week more and more circuits are coming<br />
into our fold since we've proved that<br />
we have the merchandise and can deliver."<br />
In addition to the successful "Movie<br />
Shirt" campaign. NSS has entered into a<br />
special promotion campaign with Paramount<br />
Pictures on its Christmas release "Saturday<br />
Night Fever." starring John Travolta, which<br />
will inaugurate the sale of one-sheet posters<br />
as well as "Movie Shirts" in theatre lobbies.<br />
This unique merchandising offer includes an<br />
onscreen promotional trailer which will be<br />
free to exhibitors with every sizable quantity<br />
purchase of the posters.<br />
The most recent development resulting<br />
from NSS' push into the merchandisingthrough-theatres<br />
campaign is a rush of interest<br />
by large manufacturers of novelty<br />
accessories, who now are bidding for NSS<br />
distribution of their new products.<br />
Columbia Announces Sept.<br />
Opening for 'Deerfield'<br />
NEW YORK.—"Bobby Deerfield," Columbia<br />
Pictures' romantic drama starring<br />
Al Pacino and Marthe Keller, will have its<br />
world-premiere engagement at both the<br />
Coronet and the Baronet theatres in New<br />
York Thursday. September 29. a dual opening<br />
unprecedented in the history of the two<br />
theatres.<br />
A benefit premiere will be held the previous<br />
evening, September 28. at the Coronet,<br />
followed by a supper-party at the new<br />
restaurant, Jim McMullen's. Proceeds for<br />
the benefit will to go the Lenox Hill Hospital.<br />
Hospital benefit chairman is Mrs.<br />
Donald S. Stralem.<br />
Produced and directed by Sydney Pollack.<br />
"Bobby Deerfield" also stars Anny<br />
Diipercy. The screenplay is by Alvin Sargent<br />
and the score by Dave Grusin. John<br />
Foreman is executive producer.<br />
TEXPO 78 Dates Are Set<br />
DALLAS—TEXPO '78, the annual<br />
NATO of Texas convention, will be held<br />
Jan. 31 -Feb. L 1978, in the Fairmont Hotel,<br />
Dallas. The Texas NATO board of dir'ors<br />
also voted recently to stage TEXPO<br />
•he new Hyatt Reucncv Hotel in<br />
29-31. 1979.<br />
BUS STOP—Three shapely girls-<br />
Carol Weinstein, Sandy Schwartz and<br />
Pam Knapp—along with producer-director<br />
Bert I. Gordon and a giant ant,<br />
wait for a bus in Beverly Hills, Calif.,<br />
to take them to a picnic. Actually, the<br />
eight-foot-tall, ten-foot-long "nionster'^<br />
with mandibles and stinger tail<br />
was all part of promoting a new film<br />
in which ants grow into ferocious creatures<br />
after feeding on atomic waste.<br />
The picture? "Empire of the Ants,"<br />
from American International Pictures,<br />
starring Joan Collins. The "ant" is<br />
Michael Kahn, a UCLA student. The<br />
feature opened Wednesday (24) in the<br />
Southern California area.<br />
'Children of Rage' Opens<br />
In Florida September 30<br />
NEW YORK—"Children of Rage." set<br />
in the Middle East in the aftermath of the<br />
Six-Day War, will open September 30 at<br />
the Varsity Theatre in Tampa. Fla., in the<br />
first playdate of many across the country<br />
planned by Coliseum Films, Ltd.<br />
The film also is scheduled to open October<br />
12 at the Quad Cinema in New York<br />
and October 14 at the Omni Theatre in<br />
Miami. Subsequent dates will be announced<br />
shortly by Coliseum for Washington. D.C..<br />
Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles and<br />
other cities.<br />
"Children of Rage" is the story of an<br />
Israeli doctor who seeks to establish a personal<br />
line of communication with the leaders<br />
of the Palestinian movement. The film<br />
has been screened for delegates at the United<br />
Nations, members of the diplomatic<br />
corps in Washington and the Senate Foreign<br />
Relations Committee.<br />
20th-Fox Film Retitled<br />
NEW YORK—"Damnation Alley" is the<br />
final title of the film previously titled "Survival<br />
Run." Directed by Jack Smight. "Damnation<br />
Alley" stars Jan-Michael Vincent.<br />
George Peppard. Dominique Sanda and<br />
Paul Winfield. The feature was produced<br />
by Jerome M. Zeitman and Paul Maslansky.<br />
with Hal Roberts and Bobby Roberts<br />
as executive producers. The picture will<br />
open in New York during the fall season.<br />
Prudhomme Is a New<br />
Production Source<br />
NEW YORK— Prudhomme Productions,<br />
an independent production company, has<br />
been formed with offices in New York and<br />
Los Angeles. Gil Gerard is the president,<br />
Joel Goldstein the secretary-treasurer and<br />
Ed Mann the vice-president of creative<br />
affairs. The company recently completed its<br />
first project. "Hooch."<br />
Starring Gerard and directed by Mann.<br />
"Hooch" was written by Mann with<br />
Goldstein as executive producer. The<br />
comedy about three mobsters who attempt<br />
to take over a North Carolina moonshine<br />
operation was shot in Shelby. N.C. It is now<br />
in F>ost-production editing and will go into<br />
general release this fall.<br />
Prudhomme will be engaged principally<br />
in the production of films for TV and theatrical<br />
release. The company is now acquiring<br />
several properties to comprise its production<br />
agenda over the next year.<br />
Weiss Is Leaving Rastar<br />
For Post at Martin Poll<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Nathan Weiss will resign<br />
as vice-president in charge of advertising<br />
and publicity at Rastar September 9<br />
to join Martin Poll Productions as executive<br />
director of creative affairs, heading the company's<br />
distribution, marketing and promotion<br />
activities.<br />
Weiss will take over his new duties September<br />
12 and will continue his present separate<br />
position as publicity coordinator on<br />
the Herbert Ross film "The Turning Point,"<br />
for 20th Century-Fox.<br />
Before joining Rastar, Weiss was production-publicity<br />
director for MGM in Europe<br />
and before that he was publicity manager<br />
of 20th-Fox when the home office was in<br />
New York.<br />
Poll formed his company last month with<br />
Saul Steinberg with plans to concentrate<br />
on major motion pictures and exceptional<br />
TV events. Poll has announced that he has<br />
signed Farrah Fawcett-Majors to make her<br />
movie debut in "Somebody Killed Her Husband."<br />
a romantic mystery-comedy written<br />
by Reginald Rose.<br />
Monarch Acquires Rights<br />
To 'Emanuelle in Bangkok'<br />
NEW YORK—Allan Shacklcton, president<br />
of Monarch Releasing Corp.. has announced<br />
the acquisition of "Emanuelle in<br />
Bangkok." starring Laura Gemser, for release<br />
October 19. The continuing story of<br />
Emanuelle's quest for happiness and her exploits<br />
throughout the world, the picture was<br />
filmed in Thailand, Casablanca and in exotic<br />
Far East locations.<br />
"Emanuelle in Bangkok" is one of five<br />
new releases which Monarch is presenting<br />
for the fall. Others are: "The Naked Peacock,"<br />
"The Tiger From Hong Kong," "My<br />
Secret Garden," starring Jamie Gillis and<br />
Jennifer Welles, and "Star Pilots," starring<br />
Kirk Morris and Gordon Mitchell.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: August 29. 1977
Commonwealth Has Higher<br />
Third-Quarter Earnings<br />
KANSAS CITY—Commonwealth Theatres"<br />
quarterly dividend rate was increased<br />
by the board of directors to 10 cents, up<br />
from 7'2 cents, for payment September 30<br />
to holders of record September 21, it was<br />
announced by Richard H. Orear. chairman<br />
of the board, and Douglas J.<br />
Lightner, president.<br />
Theatre operations in the third f'scal<br />
quarter ended June 28 resulted in net income<br />
of $371,151, up from $293,424 in the<br />
same period last year. Other income reported<br />
dropped from $110,886 in 1976 to $35,-<br />
943, resulting in total earnings of $407,994<br />
for the quarter, as compared with $404,310<br />
year ago.<br />
a<br />
Theatre operations for the nine months<br />
amounted to $596,471, while the 1975 ninemonth-period<br />
figure was $639,077. Accounting<br />
for the lower income was a drop<br />
in income from sales of land and other<br />
assets—$42,606 for the current nine-month<br />
report period, as against $125,004 year a<br />
ago.<br />
Third fiscal quarter operating revenues<br />
were $9,231,228, compared to $8,500,329<br />
in 1976. The nine-month revenues of $22.-<br />
151.250 compared with $20,448,054.<br />
Per-share earnings for the quarter were<br />
38 cents, against 32 cents last year: for the<br />
nine-month period, 47 cents, compared to<br />
58 cents in 1976.<br />
The improved third quarter was attributed<br />
to the excellent boxoffice results achieved<br />
with such motion pictures as "The<br />
Deep,"" "A Bridge Too Far,"" "Herbie Goes<br />
to Monte Carlo," "Exorcist II: the Heretic,""<br />
"The Rescuers'" and "Smokey and the Bandit."<br />
Commonwealth's newly constructed Coronado<br />
4 theatres in Albuquerque opened for<br />
business as scheduled June 15 and the new<br />
C'nema Twin in Lawrence, Kas., is targeted<br />
to begin operations during October<br />
1977. The circuit May 24 completed a lease<br />
on a twin to be constructed in the Southgate<br />
Shopping Center in Liberal, Kas., to<br />
complement an existing hardtop and ozoner<br />
in that community. Negotiations are continuing<br />
for the lease<br />
of other shopping center<br />
hardtops in Roswell, N.M.: Rapid City.<br />
S.D., and Casper, Wyo.<br />
Benji Is Set for Two TV<br />
Network Specials in 78<br />
NEW YORK—Canine star Benji will be<br />
featured in two major specials on the ABC-<br />
TV Network in the 1978 season, it was announced<br />
by Edwin T. Vane, vice-president<br />
and national program director of ABC Entertainment.<br />
The first special, "The Phenomenon<br />
of Benji," is scheduled to air in<br />
the first quarter of 1978. The second telecast<br />
will be shown as a Christmas special in<br />
December 1978,<br />
Joe Camp, creator of Benji and the president<br />
of Mulberry .Square Productions, said<br />
that all previous TV offers had been rejected<br />
until "we could achieve the best possible<br />
exposure in the proper mood with the<br />
right spirit."' The specials will be produced<br />
by Mulberry Square.<br />
Augu 29, 1977<br />
Coca-Cola Co,<br />
Completes Voluntary<br />
Probe Into 'Questionable Payments<br />
All ANIA— Ihe Coca-Cola C\\ Wedncsda)'<br />
(10) announced the completion of a<br />
nine-month investigation of questionable<br />
payments or practices which confirmed that<br />
approximately $1,300,000 was involved.<br />
This is the same amount disclosed by the<br />
company April I, 1977, when the investigation<br />
had been under way six months.<br />
The investigation was conducted voluntarily<br />
under the general guidance of the<br />
finance committee of the company's board<br />
of directors and carried out by Arnold &<br />
Porter, a Washington, D. C, law firm. Its<br />
purpose was to determine the extent to<br />
which the company or its divisions and<br />
majority-owned subsidiaries were involved<br />
in questionable payments or practices from<br />
Jan. 1. 1971, to completion of the investigation.<br />
Improper Payments Small<br />
In filing a current report on Form S-K<br />
with the Securities & Exchange Commission,<br />
the company stated that the Arnold &<br />
Porter report showed that<br />
"neither improper<br />
payments nor improper business practices<br />
are normal and accepted business practice<br />
within the company." Additionally, the<br />
Arnold & Porter report said that "the transactions<br />
found to be illegal or improper were<br />
small both individually and in the aggregate<br />
and were not material in relation to the<br />
company's overall operations."<br />
J. Paul Austin, chairman of the board,<br />
said, "We have reviewed the Arnold &<br />
Porter findings and it is the belief of company<br />
management that employees involved<br />
in these illegal or improper transactions<br />
were acting in a manner which they felt<br />
was in the best interest of the company.<br />
The report revealed no evidence that present<br />
employees of the company received personal<br />
gain by any of the illegal or improper<br />
pavmcnts or practices."<br />
Austin added, "One former employee at<br />
a low-level position in an overseas subsidiary<br />
may have gained personallv but the<br />
amoimt involved was minor."<br />
Involved 20 Countries<br />
The approximately $1,300,000 in illegal<br />
or improper payments or practices were<br />
made by the company, its divisions and majority-owned<br />
subsid'aries in 20 countries<br />
from Jan. 1, 1971, to completion of the<br />
investigation, a period of six and a half<br />
years during which the company reported<br />
revenues of more than $14,000,000,000<br />
from operations in 135 countries.<br />
Most of the payments were made outside<br />
of the U.S. to government officials and employees,<br />
political candidates and parties,<br />
as well as union officials in connection with<br />
applications for governmental approvals<br />
(approximately $60,000); political contributions<br />
(approximately $140,000); approvals<br />
of price increases (approximately $380,-<br />
000); tax and other legal disputes (approximately<br />
$95,000); termination of employees<br />
(approximately $98,000); cflorts to obtain<br />
favorable business treatment and goodwill<br />
(approximately $165,000); efforts to expedite<br />
routine governmental matters in foreign<br />
countries, including customs clearances,<br />
where such facilitating payments are customary<br />
(approximately $145,000), and other<br />
miscellaneous matters.<br />
During the period under investigation,<br />
approximately $14,500 of illegal or improper<br />
payments were made in connection with<br />
the operations and activities of the company<br />
and its divisions and subsidiaries in the<br />
U.S. Of that amount, approximately $8,000<br />
was expended for improper U.S. political<br />
contributions. At least $50 of the $8,000 of<br />
political contributions was contributed illegally<br />
to a candidate for federal office.<br />
Some of the other political contributions<br />
included in the $8,000 also may have been<br />
illegal. Others were included in the Arnold<br />
& Porter report because they were inaccurately<br />
recorded on the books of the company's<br />
subsid'aries. Arnold & Porter was<br />
able to identify only 25 recipients of about<br />
$2,200 of the political contributions and<br />
was unable to identify recipients of the remain-ng<br />
$5,800 of such contributions. The<br />
largest single contribution identified was<br />
approximately $500.<br />
Largest Pa.vment Was $6,500<br />
The remaining $6,500 was disbursed in<br />
the U.S. by an outside consultant who advised<br />
the company that he had used the<br />
mon'es for improper payments to three<br />
low-level government employees in connection<br />
with matters involving customs clearances<br />
and municipal approvals. The largest<br />
single payment included in the $6,500 was<br />
$4,000.<br />
None of the illegal or improper political<br />
contributions investigated was found to<br />
have been made by the company to<br />
candidates<br />
for Ihe U.S. presidency, the report<br />
said.<br />
"The illegal or improper payments and<br />
practices have been terminated," Austin declared,<br />
"with the exception of individually<br />
small expediting payments made in those<br />
foreign countries where such payments are<br />
customary, which will be properly recorded."<br />
Kane's 'French Quarter'<br />
Distribution by Crown<br />
HOLLYWOOD — Crown International<br />
Pictures" president Mark Tenser has announced<br />
the company"s acquisition of<br />
worldwide distribution rights to "French<br />
Quarter."' produced and directed by Dennis<br />
Kane.<br />
The story of Storyvillc at the turn of the<br />
century was filmed on location in New<br />
Orleans and stars Bruce Davison. Virginia<br />
Mayo, Lindsay Bloom, .Ann Michelle,<br />
Lance Legault, Vernel Bagneris and introduces<br />
Alisha Fontaine.
—<br />
1?I1 T<br />
Bm 1<br />
iiig Planning<br />
Masii-Markel Films<br />
By JOHN COCCHI<br />
NEW YORK—When yoifre only 22 and<br />
you ve produced and directed a hard-core<br />
adult film, where do you go from there? In<br />
Bill Lustig"s case, you progress to massmarket<br />
features. New York-based, Lustig<br />
made "The Violation of Claudia" when he<br />
was just 21. having worked his way up from<br />
an apprentice film editor to the man who<br />
calls all the shots. Associated with several<br />
sexploitation films, including the R-rated<br />
version of Peter Savage's current "Sylvia."<br />
Lustig was able to raise money for his own<br />
project.<br />
Quality Features Charted<br />
Now. by his own admission, he wants to<br />
do "legitimate, respectable and commercial<br />
films with mass appeal." Lustig plans to<br />
produce quality features for under a halfmillion<br />
dollars each, such as New World or<br />
American International can do. With the<br />
budgets on most X movies, one learns to<br />
control costs and Lustig will apply this<br />
abilitv to his init'al ventures. "Fear City"<br />
and "Slay Ride."<br />
A contemporary thriller to be made with<br />
an R in mind, "Fear City" is to be directed<br />
by Armand Weston from his own screenplay.<br />
A close friend of Lustig. who will<br />
produce for his own Caliber Films, Weston<br />
is the writer and director of such films as<br />
"Expose Mc Lovely" and "Defiance" and<br />
also is anxious to get out of the "adult"<br />
field. Filming is slated for New York locations<br />
in the late fall and half the production<br />
money already has been raised. Lustig may<br />
g:t the balance from the eventual distributor,<br />
be it a major or an independent.<br />
•Violence<br />
But Not Gore'<br />
Violence—but not gore— is the main ingred'ent<br />
of "Fear City." which also will be<br />
THE FONTAINEBLEAU HOTEL<br />
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA<br />
INTERCHANGE 77<br />
TO CORNER YOUR MARKET CONTACT<br />
©Q©<br />
CHUCK WINANS
'<br />
Philip D. Pinder Elected<br />
To Bahamas Parliament<br />
NASSAU. N.P.. BAHAMAS—Elected in<br />
•he July 19 ceneral elections to the Bahamas<br />
House of Parliament<br />
was Philip<br />
Donald Pinder. He is<br />
a director of Sunshine<br />
Theatres. Ltd.. the<br />
urgest theatre circuit<br />
in the Bahamas.<br />
Pinder. .^9 and a<br />
Ireshman. is the governing<br />
Progressive<br />
(PLP)<br />
—<br />
Liberal Party<br />
representative for the<br />
I>. Pinder Delaporte constituency,<br />
Philip<br />
one of the western districts of<br />
New<br />
Providence.<br />
The director of Sunshine Theatres is one<br />
of 29 PLP representatives.<br />
Crown Announces Sales Up<br />
50 Per Cent Due to 'Van'<br />
HOLLYWOOD — The<br />
'Crownmanship<br />
•77 Sales Drive'" has hit the halfway mark<br />
and currently is running 50 per cent over<br />
the '76 sales drive, according to Crown International<br />
general sales manager George<br />
M. Josephs.<br />
The main reason for the increased percentage.<br />
Josephs stated, is the popularity<br />
of "The Van." which has been setting many<br />
boxoffice records in its summer playdates.<br />
A total of $8,000 prize money is to be<br />
awarded to the leaders of the 22 exchanges<br />
serving Crown product at the end of the<br />
drive. The No. 1 leader is now Denver,<br />
with Los Angeles in second place, Minneapolis<br />
third and San Francisco/ Seattle placing<br />
fourth, according to tabulations of July<br />
29.<br />
Farrah Fawcett-Majors<br />
Signed by Martin Poll<br />
HOI lAVVOOD — Farrah Fawcett-Majors.<br />
who stepped out of her starring TV<br />
"Charlie's Angels" with the announced<br />
role in<br />
intention of making motion pic-<br />
tures, has been signed to star in Martin<br />
Poll's feature "Somebody Killed Her Husband."<br />
The actress still faces a decision on her<br />
TV walkout as of press time. The show's<br />
producers. Aaron Spelling and Leonard<br />
Goldberg, maintain that she is still under<br />
contract to them. Ms. Majors has insisted<br />
that she never signed a long-term contract.<br />
Poll has scheduled an October 3 start on<br />
the picture, beginning on location in New<br />
York City. Reginald Rose wrote the script<br />
for the romantic mystery-comedy.<br />
^i<br />
ELVIS MOVIE<br />
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'Rocky Global Receipts<br />
Over $124,000,000<br />
New York—United Artists' three<br />
Oscar-winner "Rocky" continues its<br />
boxoffice success worldwide, having<br />
grossed $124,607,500 in 33 nations as<br />
of Saturday (6), according to Eric Pleskow.<br />
United Artists president and<br />
chief executive officer.<br />
The Robert Chartoff/ Irwin Winkler<br />
production won Academy Awards as<br />
best picture and for its direction by<br />
John Avildsen and editing by Richard<br />
E. Halsey and Scott Conrad.<br />
Domestic distribution alone has<br />
grossed $100,075,000 since Nov. 21,<br />
1976. Overseas distribution, beginning<br />
in Italy, France and South Africa in<br />
late March 1977, has grossed $24,-<br />
600,000, including playdates in Japan,<br />
England, Mexico, Spain, Sweden, Australia,<br />
Argentina, Venezuela and Finland.<br />
Appeals Board Has Upheld<br />
'Melting Man' R Rating<br />
NEW YORK — The Code and Rating<br />
Appeals Board, after a hearing Thursday<br />
sustained the R rating given to the<br />
film "The Incredible<br />
(18),<br />
Melting Man."<br />
In an appeal brought by American International<br />
Pictures, the board heard a<br />
statement on behalf of "The Incredible<br />
Melting Man" from Samuel W. Gelfman,<br />
producer of the film.<br />
The Code and Rating Administration was<br />
represented by Richard D. Heffner, its<br />
chairman.<br />
'Annie Hall' Is Opener<br />
At Edinburgh Festival<br />
NEW YORK — Woody Allen's comedy<br />
hit "Annie Hall" was selected to open the<br />
-(1st Edinburgh Film Festival at the ABC<br />
Theatre Sunday (21), with its regular British<br />
engagement commencing at Edinburgh's<br />
Cameo Theatre Sunday (28). One of the<br />
year's outstanding critical and boxoffice<br />
hits, the film bowed in New York April 20.<br />
Allen and Diane Keaton star in "Annie<br />
Hall." which was directed by Allen and<br />
written by Allen and Marshall Brickman.<br />
Charles H. Joffe produced the Jack Rollins-<br />
Charles H. Joffe production, a United Artists<br />
release.<br />
Festival of the Americas<br />
Will Feature 'Job Market'<br />
ST. THOMAS, V.I.— J. Hunter Todd,<br />
founder and president of the Festival of the<br />
Americas, announced that the 1977 event<br />
will feature a special "job market" to assist<br />
film-TV firms seeking talent.<br />
A special listing will he published during<br />
the 1977 Virgin Islands Film Festival, to be<br />
held November 11-20, which will list people,<br />
experience, openings and contacts.<br />
Ms. Peggy Crosby, festival assistant, will<br />
coordinate the new job market, Todd said.<br />
Comedian Groucho Marx<br />
Dies in LA at Age 86<br />
LOS ANGELES—Groucho Marx (born<br />
Julius Henry) died Friday (19) at Cedars-<br />
Sinai Medical Center. Los Angeles, at the<br />
age of 86. The last remaining member of<br />
the original Marx Bros, comedy team, an<br />
which spanned the century's entertainment<br />
world act<br />
from vaudeville to Broadway<br />
to Hollywood to TV. Groucho had been<br />
hospitalized since June 22 with pneumonitis,<br />
following extensive hip surgery earlier<br />
this year.<br />
The vivacious comedian's career began in<br />
1906 when his mother Minnie got him a job<br />
as a boy soprano. A tour with the LeRoy<br />
Trio followed, during which he became<br />
stranded in Denver while his voice changed.<br />
Groucho worked his way back to New<br />
York and by 1910 he had joined a vocal<br />
group organized by Minnie called the Three<br />
Nightingales. Changes in the act were frequent<br />
on the major vaudeville circuits and<br />
the group eventually led to the Four Marx<br />
Bros., as Harpo. Chico and Gummo took<br />
their places beside Groucho.<br />
Their first film was Paramount's 1929<br />
version of the Marx Bros.' Broadway hit<br />
"The Cocoanuts." After a brief stint in London<br />
playing in Charles Cochran's popular<br />
"Vanities." the brothers returned to Hollywood<br />
to make their string of comedy classics,<br />
including "Monkey Business," "Horsefeathers,"<br />
"Duck Soup," "A Night at the<br />
Opera," "A Day at the Races" and "Room<br />
Service." The last film to feature the Marx<br />
Bros, together was "A Night in Casablanca."<br />
the 1946 spoof. Groucho appeared alone in<br />
"Copacabana" in 1947.<br />
The author of four books—"Beds,"<br />
"Many Happy Returns," "Groucho and<br />
Me" and "The Groucho Letters"—Marx<br />
also was successful in a 14-year run of<br />
"You Bet Your Life" on NBC-TV.<br />
He leaves his son Arthur; two daughters.<br />
Maxine and Melinda. and brother Zeppo.<br />
'Chicken Chronicles' Wins<br />
PG From Appeals Board<br />
NEW YORK—A PG rating has been<br />
given to the film "The Chicken Chronicles"<br />
by the Code and Rating Appeals Board.<br />
The film previously had been rated R.<br />
In an appeal brought by Avco Embassy<br />
Pictures, distributor of the film, the board<br />
heard statements on behalf of "The Chicken<br />
Chronicles" from William Chaikin, president<br />
of Avco Embassy Pictures, and Walter<br />
Shenson, producer of the film.<br />
The Code and Rating Administration was<br />
represented by Richard D. Heffner, its<br />
chairman.<br />
'Schizo' Named for Award<br />
HOLLYWOOD— -Schizo." a Niles International<br />
release, has been nominated by<br />
the Academy of Science-Fiction and Horror<br />
Films as "Best Horror Film of 1977,"<br />
according to an announcement by Dr. Donald<br />
Reed, president of the academy. The<br />
winning picture will be announced at the<br />
awards ceremony to be telecast on national<br />
TV in January 1978.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: August 29. 1977
Paul Newman Set to Make<br />
'Paradise' for Columbia<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Columbia Pictures has<br />
signed a deal with Projections Unlimited,<br />
the George Englund-Paul Newman company,<br />
to produce "Paradise," in which Newman<br />
will star as a cunning and ambitious<br />
casino executive at the center of a Las Vegas<br />
operation.<br />
The original story written for the screen<br />
by David Shaber is centered on the complex<br />
backstage of Las Vegas with its paradoxical<br />
combination of Eastern financial<br />
institutions and the Runyonesque men who<br />
operate the casinos.<br />
still<br />
Englund, set to produce the film, has<br />
made pictures in the past for MGM, Warner<br />
Bros, and Universal through his independent<br />
production company.<br />
'Grande Bourgeoise' Sets<br />
Record at LA's Royal<br />
BOSTON—Toin Coleman and Mike<br />
Rosenblatt of Boston-based Atlantic Releasing<br />
Corp. reported that "La Grande<br />
Bourgeoise," starring Catherine Deneuve<br />
and Giancarlo Giannini, set a new house<br />
record at the Royal Theatre in Los Angeles.<br />
The gross surpassed the previous record set<br />
by "Small Change."<br />
"It has become obvious that this is going<br />
to be the largest-grossing foreign film of<br />
the year," stated Coleman, "especially when<br />
you consider that, with a star such as<br />
Catherine Deneuve, we are doing excellent<br />
business outside of the normal 'art' market.<br />
We have grossed over $100,000 in just<br />
three weeks in Manhattan."<br />
"La Grande Bourgeoise" soon will play<br />
situations in San Francisco. Seattle, Portland,<br />
Baltimore and Atlanta.<br />
Videocassettes Available<br />
From Modern Video Center<br />
NEW YORK— Modern Video Center, a<br />
division<br />
of Modern Talking Picture Service,<br />
has just published a new brochure of freeloan<br />
three-fourths-inch U-Matic videocassette<br />
programs. The programs are compatible<br />
with U-Matic Videocassette Systems.<br />
The brochure descibes videocassette programs<br />
covering such diverse subjects as<br />
sports, travel, home economics, science and<br />
business.<br />
The programs, presented in cooperation<br />
with leading companies and organizations,<br />
are available on free loan to schools, civic,<br />
business and community groups and adult<br />
organizations throughout the country.<br />
Danny Thomas Presented<br />
American Legion Award<br />
DENVER—Danny Thomas was the<br />
first<br />
recipient of the American Legion's Humanitarian<br />
Award at its national convention in<br />
Denver Tuesday (23).<br />
The award cited the veteran entertainer,<br />
who spoke at the evening banquet, for his<br />
"outstanding service to humanity" on behalf<br />
of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital<br />
in Memphis.<br />
CALENDARofEVENTS<br />
S M T W T<br />
12 3 4<br />
5 6<br />
7 8 9 10 n 12 13<br />
14 15 16 17 18 19 20<br />
21 22 23 24 25 26 27<br />
28 29 30 31<br />
4 5 6 7<br />
T W T F S<br />
AUGUST<br />
29-31, Theatre Owners of New England and Natit<br />
France.<br />
9-18, Festivol of Festivols, Horbour Castle Hilton<br />
Hotel, Toronto, Ont., Canado.<br />
10-21, San Sebastian Film Festival, San Sebastian,<br />
12-14, NATO of Idaho conventio<br />
Twin Falls, Ida.<br />
Blue<br />
Lokes<br />
15-18, VVOMPI Internationol convention, Hyatt Regency<br />
Hjtel, Memphis.<br />
Sept. 23-Oct. 9, 15th New York Film Festival, Lincoln<br />
Center, Alice Tully Hall, New York City.<br />
OCTOBER<br />
3-5, Tri-Stote NATO convention, sponsored by NATO<br />
of West Virginia, Ogelbay Park, Wheeling, W. Va.<br />
3-7, CISCO tradeshow. Pare des Expositions de la<br />
Porte de Versoilles, Paris, Fronce.<br />
5-6, NATO of New Mexico convention, Albuquerque<br />
Inn & Convention Center, Albuquerque.<br />
16-21, Society of Motion Picture & TV Engineers convention.<br />
Century Plaza Hotel, Los Angeles.<br />
25-28, Nationol NATO convention, Fontoinebleau<br />
Hotel, Miami Beach, Fla.<br />
NOVEMBER<br />
4-17, 13th Chicago International Film Festival.<br />
11-20, Tenth annual Festival of the Americas, St.<br />
Thomas, V.I.<br />
15-16, Theatre Owners of lndi<<br />
vention, Marriott Inn, lndi(<br />
'Shrinking Woman' Charted<br />
For Univ. by Lily Tomlin<br />
UNIVERSAL CITY—Lily Tomlin will<br />
produce and star in Universal's "The Incredible<br />
Shrinking Woman." it was announced<br />
by Ned Tanen. president of Universal<br />
theatrical motion pictures. Jane Wagner<br />
will write the screenplay based on "The<br />
Incredible Shrinking Man," produced by<br />
Universal in 1957.<br />
This will be the first project under Ms.<br />
Tomlin's contract with Universal, which<br />
calls for her to produce and star in two<br />
motion pictures over a three-year period.<br />
Universal executive Thom Mount will<br />
supervise the project on behalf of the company.<br />
Stuntman Carey Loftin<br />
Signed for 'Stingray'<br />
ST. LOUIS—The dean of Hollywood's<br />
car slunt drivers, Carey Loftin. has been<br />
signed by executive producers Bill L. Bruce<br />
and Donald R. Ham to coordinate the auto<br />
action in producer Peter Maris" "Stingray."<br />
starring Chris Mitchum. Sherry Jackson<br />
and Sondra Theodore and currently filming<br />
in St. Louis under Richard Taylor's direction.<br />
In his 30-year career, Loftin has been<br />
responsible for staging some of the most<br />
spectacular car chases recorded on film.<br />
including those in "The French Connection,"<br />
"Bullitt" and "The Getaway."<br />
J. Edward Shugrue Dies<br />
Following Long Illness<br />
NEW YORK— Private burial services<br />
were held in Lowell, Mass., for J. Edward<br />
Shugrue, who died Wednesday night (17)<br />
following a long illness. He was 71 years of<br />
age.<br />
Born in Lowell, Shugrue was educated at<br />
Yale University and spent his entire adult<br />
for the Saturday Evening Post and the U. S.<br />
Treasury Department. He also was director<br />
of the motion picture and special events<br />
section of the War Finance Division<br />
of the<br />
life in the motion picture or related industries,<br />
producing the "Four Freedoms Show"<br />
Treasury Department, director of public relations<br />
and information for the American<br />
Heritage Foundation and organized and directed<br />
the Freedom Train activity.<br />
Shugrue was executive director of the<br />
Will Rogers Memorial Fund from 1951 to<br />
1973. when he retired for health reasons.<br />
He leaves his wife Martha: two sons, J.<br />
Edward Shugrue and J. Christopher Shugrue.<br />
and three sisters. Mrs. Harry Masterson<br />
of New Haven, Conn.. Mrs. George<br />
Davidson of Portland. Ore., and Mrs. Joseph<br />
Rothchild. also of Portland.<br />
The family suggests donations to the Will<br />
Rogers Memorial Fund.<br />
Sebastian Cabot Is Dead;<br />
Film. Stage and TV Star<br />
VICTORIA. B.C.—Sebastian Cabot, star<br />
of motion pictures, stage and TV. died early<br />
Tuesday (23) of a stroke at his home in this<br />
Canadian city. He was 59 years old.<br />
A native of London, England, Cabot<br />
moved to the U.S. in 1955 with his wife<br />
and family after a checkered career in his<br />
homeland. Leaving school at the age of 14<br />
to work as a helper in a garage, Cabot later<br />
became a chef. Then, while working as a<br />
chauffeur to British actor Frank Pettingell,<br />
he became interested in the theatre and<br />
joined a repertory company. His first London<br />
stage role was in the show "A Bell for<br />
Adano" (1945). In the U.S.. he appeared<br />
on the New York stage in Sir John Gielgud's<br />
"Love for Love."<br />
Motion pictures which Cabot made in<br />
England included "Othello," "Romeo and<br />
Juliet," "Ivanhoe" and "The Captain's Paradise."<br />
In America he appeared in a number<br />
of films, among them "Kismet," "The Time<br />
Machine" and "Seven Thieves." Additionally,<br />
he was narrator for many films.<br />
He is survived by his wife, two daughters<br />
and a son.<br />
Columbia Reports Lively<br />
Grosses on 'You Light Up'<br />
NEW YORK—Columbia Pictures' "You<br />
Light Up My Life" reportedly is doing very<br />
well in its first two opening engagements in<br />
Seattle and Houston. The Joseph Brooks<br />
film about a young girl's attempt to break<br />
into the pop music industry grossed $41,134<br />
in five days at five situations in Seattle,<br />
In Houston, Tex., "You Light Up My<br />
Life" opened to a three-day gross of $50,-<br />
562 in 1 1 theatres.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: August 29, 1977 11
. .<br />
. .<br />
. . Warner<br />
. . Amy<br />
. . Nick<br />
. . Lisa<br />
. .<br />
. .<br />
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f<br />
Midnight Express' Will Roll<br />
In September for Columbia<br />
Production is to begin in September on<br />
"Midnight Express." a Columbia picture to<br />
be produced by Casablanca Record and<br />
FilmVVorks. with Alan Parker,<br />
on locations<br />
in Malta and Greece. Peter Guber will be<br />
executive producer and David Puttnam will<br />
produce. The script is by Oliver Stone .<br />
Paramount has signed John Berry to direct<br />
"The Bad News Bears Go to Japan." from<br />
a screenplay by Bill Lancaster. Berry already<br />
has begun preproduction in Japan,<br />
with plans to begin photography September<br />
1 . . . "Beatles 4 Ever" is the working title<br />
for Universal's picture about six youngsters<br />
from New Jersey and how their lives were<br />
changed by the Beatles" first visit to America<br />
.. . "Good Times. Bad Times." based<br />
on the novel by James Kirkwood. will be<br />
made by Bradley-Saslaw Productions, headed<br />
by James Bradley and Gary Saslaw. Cliff<br />
Robertson has been signed for the cast and<br />
filming is set to begin in October in New<br />
Hampshire . . . Independent producer Greg<br />
H. Sims will begin shooting Monday (29)<br />
on "Get It On," a youth-oriented feature<br />
"'Figer Ten." based on a novel by William<br />
Blankenship. will be directed by John<br />
Frankenheimer under his exclusive contract<br />
with Paramount Pictures. Robert<br />
Rosen will produce the film, with a screenplay<br />
Walt Disney<br />
by Kenneth Ross<br />
Productions is in preproduction stages on a<br />
futuristic space film to be titled either<br />
"Space Station I" or "Space Probe I." This<br />
picture is expected to be the company's<br />
highest-budgeted non-animation feature,<br />
with an anticipated cost of approximately<br />
$10,000,000. The screenplay about life in<br />
the year 2100 is being written by Jeb Rosebrook.<br />
Ron Miller, vice-president in charge<br />
of production, will be the producer. Release<br />
has been set for the summer of 1979 . . .<br />
Silent Partners, Ltd., slated a Monday (22)<br />
production start in Toronto on "The Silent<br />
Partner," with stars Elliott Gould, Christopher<br />
Plummer and Susannah York signed.<br />
Garth H. Drabinsky is the executive producer<br />
and Joel B. Michaels and Stephen<br />
Young are producers. Daryl Duke is directing<br />
the screenplay by Curtis Hanson .<br />
The Oasis Co., headed by producer Michael<br />
S. Laughlin, began filming .Saturday (27) in<br />
Paris on "Paperback." an original screen-<br />
• "iv written by British photographer David<br />
^ l:'-v. who alsO'ts directing. In the' cast<br />
T-'miit Berger, ?nul Morrissey and<br />
.Vlarie Helvin .<br />
. . Michael Gitter is planning<br />
to make "Zelinsky's Chronicle" as a<br />
project of Mijen Productions, which he<br />
operates with his wife, actress Jennifer<br />
Ashley.<br />
Warner Bros. Has Acquired<br />
The Thorn Birds' Rights<br />
Warner Bros, has acquired rights to Colleen<br />
McCullough"s novel "The Thorn<br />
Birds." which will be produced by Edward<br />
Lewis . . . The Movie Machine. Inc.. has<br />
acquired "Snoop." an original screenplay<br />
written by Jeffrey and Peter Bates . . .<br />
Actor Peter Graves and director Jack Smight<br />
have optioned British writer George Markstein's<br />
new mystery novel "The Man From<br />
Yesterday," about a CIA agent who becomes<br />
a marked man unable to find shelter<br />
in any country . . . Criterion Pictures of<br />
Montreal has acquired rights to Gerald<br />
Green's story. "Johnny Guts," and has set<br />
Jack F. Murphy as producer, with filming<br />
planned in Queens, N.Y. . Bros.<br />
secured the rights to "The Bodyguard." an<br />
original screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan<br />
. . . Paramount has the film rights to Gene<br />
Thompson's novel. "Lupe." a story of murder<br />
by supernatural forces and the terror of<br />
starring Jacqueline Kaye. with Susan Baldwin<br />
and Gene Hamilton also signed for the witchcraft in 20th century California.<br />
cast . . . Sandy Howard and Gabriel Katzka<br />
have added Run Run Shaw as a third coproducer<br />
Andrew Stevens Joins Cast<br />
on "Meteor." on which photogra-<br />
Of Frank Yablans' 'Fury'<br />
news reporter covering a<br />
Sportscaster Jim Murphy will play<br />
national<br />
a TV<br />
union<br />
phy will begin late this year with a budget Andrew Stevens has joined the cast of convention in "F.I.S.T."<br />
expected to be approximately $11,000,000. "The Fury." which Brian De Palma is directing<br />
for<br />
Parslow Set as Executive<br />
John Frankenheimer to Meg<br />
producer Frank Yablans. Other<br />
recent additions to the cast of "The Fury," Producer of 'I, Tom Horn'<br />
'Tiger Ten' ior Paramount<br />
which will be released by 20th Century- Philip L. Parslow has been signed by<br />
Fox, are Donald O'Connor, Vivian Blaine, Steve McQueen's Solar Productions to be<br />
Fiona Lewis, Carol Rossen, Joyce Easton, executive producer of "I. Tom Horn," First<br />
Patric McNamara, Eleanor Mirriam, Melody<br />
Thomas and Darryl Hannah . . . Hilary<br />
Beane will play a high school teacher on a<br />
computer date at a disco in Columbia Pictures'<br />
"Thank God It's Friday." a Casablanca<br />
Record and FilmWorks-Motown<br />
production now being directed by Robert<br />
Klane on location in Los Angeles. John<br />
Friedrich is cast as a shy. sensitive college<br />
student on the prowl for girls at a fantastic<br />
nightclub in the contemporary comedy. Neil<br />
Bogart is the executive producer and Rob<br />
Cohen is the producer of "Thank God It's<br />
Friday," an original screenplay by Barry<br />
Armyan Bernstein and Klane . . Gianni<br />
.<br />
Russo has been set by producer Charles<br />
Band to co-star in "Laser Blast." Charles<br />
Band Productions film which started principal<br />
photography Monday (22). Michael Rae<br />
is directing from an original screenplav by<br />
Frances Schachi and Frank Ray Pcrilli.<br />
MGM Signs Nanette Ne'wman<br />
For 'International Velvet'<br />
British actress Nanette Newman has<br />
joined the cast of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's<br />
"International Velvet" in the role of Velvet<br />
Brown, the character played as a youngster<br />
by Elizabeth Taylor in the classic MGM<br />
film "National Velvet." Christopher Plummer<br />
also has been added to the cast of<br />
"International Velvet." to be produced and<br />
directed by Bryan Forbes from his own<br />
screenplay. Shooting starts in Devon, England.<br />
September 1 . . . Alexandra Hay has<br />
been signed for "The Cop Who Played<br />
God." a Cal-Am/ Atilla Films production<br />
which got under way in June . . . Harry<br />
Rhodes has been set in the role of a hospital<br />
psychiatrist in MGM's "Coma." while<br />
John Larch will play a hospital director.<br />
Tom Selleck and Robin Cook will portray<br />
patients in the picture.<br />
Former Tarzan Jock Mahoney<br />
Added to Cast of UA's 'End'<br />
Jock Mahoney, a former Tarzan, has<br />
been cast in United Artists' "The End," as<br />
has Sam Jaffe, who will play a hospital patient<br />
in the comedy written by Jerry Belson.<br />
Burt Reynolds will direct; Hank Moonjean<br />
is the executive producer . . . Jeffrey Kramer<br />
and Dana Elcar have been cast in Universal's<br />
"Jaws 2." with Kramer repeating<br />
his "Jaws" role as an assistant to the police<br />
chief and Elcar portraying a wealthy real<br />
Kenneth McMillan<br />
has joined the cast of Warner Bros.' "Bloodbrothers"<br />
Ronee Blakley and Scott<br />
. . . Glenn have been signed for "She Came to<br />
the Valley," to be produced by Albert Band<br />
and Frank Ray Perilli. Previously cast were<br />
Dean Stockwell and Freddy Fender . . .<br />
Gloria Grahame and her daughter Paulette<br />
Howard will play mother and daughter in<br />
"The Game," a Jack Sidney production .<br />
Artists feature for Warner Bros. . . . Film<br />
assignments for 20th Century-Fox's "The<br />
Fury" include Richard H. Kline, cinematographer;<br />
Paul Hirsch. editor; Bill Malley.<br />
production designer; Theoni V. Aldredge.<br />
costume designer, and Audrey Blasdel-Goddard,<br />
set decorator .<br />
Mordente will<br />
be a choreographer for "The End," the<br />
Lawrence Gordon/ Burt Reynolds production<br />
for United Artists . . . Cydney Michals,<br />
a registered nurse on the staff of Los Angeles'<br />
Critical Care Services, is serving as<br />
technical adviser on scenes in MGM's<br />
"Coma" . Jones has been signed as<br />
film editor on MGM's "Stingray"<br />
Producer Euan Lloyd has selected Jack<br />
Hildyard to be cinematographer for "The<br />
Wild Geese." an African adventure film on<br />
which shooting will begin October 3. John<br />
Glen has set a supervising editor and second<br />
unit director for the film. Andrew V. Mc-<br />
Laglen is directing the cast which includes<br />
Richard Burton. Roger Moore and Hardy<br />
Kruger . Niciphor. who attended<br />
the use Film School, has been inked by<br />
Roger Corman to debut as a feature-film<br />
director of New World Pictures' "Deathsport<br />
2020," set to begin shooting in the<br />
fall,<br />
with David Carradine starring.<br />
12<br />
BOXOFFICE :: August 29. 1977
. . Without<br />
—<br />
—<br />
. .<br />
Tor the Love of Ben/T (Mulberry Square)<br />
Chosen June Blue Ribbon Award Winner<br />
T IKE ITS predecessor "Benji," Mulberry Square's "For the love of Benji" was chosen<br />
by the National Screen Council as a Blue Ribbon Award winner for June. Hxecutive<br />
producer Joe Camp also directed and wrote the screenplay for the sequel in which<br />
the popular canine star, now almost 18, becomes embroiled in an international oil<br />
intrigue while visiting Greece. The original "Benji" was Blue Ribbon Award winner in<br />
August 1974.<br />
"For the Love of Benji" carries an<br />
MPAA rating of G and has grossed about<br />
225 per cent of average business in its<br />
first-run bookings in key cities. Boxofficf<br />
reviewed the winner in its issue of June 20.<br />
stating in part:<br />
"That lovable ragamuffin mutt from the<br />
Burbank Animal Shelter is back again in<br />
a new comedy adventure for the entire<br />
family. Set in the cities and islands of ancient<br />
Greece, it is a delightful, suspenseful<br />
sequel to 'Benji." . . . Patsy Garrett, Cynthia<br />
Smith and Allen Fiuzat continue in<br />
the same roles as in the first film. Special<br />
guest star is Ed Nelson . . . However,<br />
these human beings are only supporting<br />
players for the real star of the film, Benji.<br />
This award-winning animal star is 'America's<br />
most huggable hero.' . . . The familiar<br />
music of Euel Box again enhances<br />
the lilting quality of the story. Producer<br />
Ben Vaughn co-authored the original story<br />
with Joe Camp. The animal trainers again<br />
deserve much credit for their successful<br />
efforts . . . This picture should prove a<br />
popular sequel and a solid hit which both<br />
children and parents (and other adults)<br />
will enjoy."<br />
NSC members offered the following<br />
comments as they registered votes "For<br />
the Love of Benji":<br />
Magic . . . Delightful<br />
Even better than the original "Benji."<br />
Josephine Thomas, Hickory Daily Record,<br />
Hickory, N. C. . a doubt, a<br />
real charmer for the whole family. Take<br />
the neighborhood children.— Mrs. Harold<br />
families, truly excellent fare these days.<br />
Tom Hodge, Johnson City Press-Chronicle,<br />
Johnson City, Tenn. . . . Always delightful.—Fred<br />
Souttar, retired district<br />
manager, Shawnee Mission, Kas.<br />
Everyone loved "Rescuers," but I'm continuing<br />
my loyalty to Man's Best Friend.<br />
"Benji." Mighty fine entertainmcnti— Justin<br />
Jacobsmeier, Dubinsky Bros. Theatres.<br />
Sioux City, la. . . . Engaging entertainment,<br />
done with fanciful flair.— Allen M.<br />
Widem, syndicated columnist. West Hartford,<br />
Conn. . . . They just couldn't resist<br />
this pooch the second time around. Nathan<br />
Street, WKSR Radio, Pulaski, Tenn.<br />
... A real travelog of Greece with a<br />
lovable little dog, with such expressive<br />
eyes. A picture for just everyone.— Mrs.<br />
Paul Gebhart, Cleveland WOMPI .<br />
I'm a sucker for those eyes!— Holly D.<br />
Spence, Lincoln Journal-Star, Lincoln,<br />
Neb.<br />
To me, another delightful picture for all<br />
ages. This splendid dog. offsprirg of the<br />
first "Benji," is equally excellent, and the<br />
Greek scenes, authentic or not, are lovely.<br />
— Mrs. Julie Steiner, New York City Federation<br />
of Women's Clubs . . . Best of the<br />
crop for the kids.—John Anthony, WITI-<br />
TV, Milwaukee . . . Children and adults<br />
alike must have enjoyed "For the Love of<br />
Benji," as it is such a warm and exciting,<br />
heartfelt movie.— Laura Ray, Indianapolis,<br />
Ind. ... It was so wonderful seeing the<br />
mothers and children filling the theatre.<br />
Mrs. Henry Augustine, Sheboygan Better<br />
Films Council, Sheboygan, Wis.<br />
Along with many others, my famih<br />
loves Benji. Suspense, adventure, and photography<br />
add to the exploits of "For the<br />
Love of Benji," certainly my first choicL\<br />
Follow up "Benji" with "The Rescuers"<br />
for a lot of entertainment, good entertainment.—Mrs.<br />
C. M. Stewart, Soroptimist<br />
L. Gee, Landmarks Council of Calif., Sacramento<br />
. . . Mulberry Square rides again, outstanding selections of titles for this<br />
International, Lincoln, Neb. ... Of the<br />
with the greatest canine star of all.—Philip month, "Beau Geste" is funny but too deep<br />
Wuntch, Dallas Morning News, Dallas, for children to comprehend: "Sinbad" is a<br />
Tex. . . . Benji works a special magic for little too violent for the youngsters. Therefore,<br />
"Benji" stands out as my choice to<br />
entertain all.—Angelo J. Mangialetta,<br />
WAGA-TV, Atlanta.<br />
Take all the family to see "For the Love<br />
of Benji." It is delightful, and it will make<br />
you forget your worries.— Mrs. Shirley H.<br />
Gunnels, GFWC, Fowler, Ind.<br />
The Cast<br />
Benji Himself Chandler Die/rich Ed Nelson<br />
Mary Patsy Garrett Stelios Art Vasil<br />
Cindy Chapman Cynthia Smith Ronald Peter Bowles<br />
Paid ChapiiHin Allen Fiuzat Llizahcth Bridget Armstrong<br />
Production Staff<br />
Produced by Ben Vaughn. Animal Trainer Frank Inn<br />
Joe Camp<br />
r,. .,,,•• .<br />
Directed and W riiten h\ Joe Camp<br />
nirectnr of Phoiof;raph\ f i<br />
Don R eddy<br />
Based on a Story hy Ben Vaughn. ' 'l'>u-d in Panavision<br />
Joe Camp Color b\ CFI<br />
\v<br />
This award is given each month by the National<br />
Screen Council on the basis of outstanding<br />
merit and suitability for family entertainment.<br />
Council membership comprises motion<br />
picture editors, radio and TV film commentators,<br />
representatives of better films councils,<br />
civic, educational and exhibitor organizations.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: August 29, 1977
BOXOFFICE<br />
BAROMETER<br />
300<br />
1^^^<br />
This chart records the performance of current attractions in the opening week of their first runs in<br />
cities five the 20 key checked. Pictures with fewer than engagements are not listed. As new runs<br />
ore reported, ratings are added and averages revised. Computation is in terms of percentage in<br />
to relation 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)
The<br />
. ; : .::.d<br />
,<br />
—<br />
New Yorkers Enjoy<br />
'Hard Candy' Diei<br />
NEW YORK— It was nothing but adult<br />
films in the first three spots as "Hard Candy"<br />
took the lead with a huge 670 in its<br />
debut at Rialto II. "Inside Jennifer Welles"<br />
was deposed for the first time, coming in<br />
second but still very big (505) in the fifth<br />
round at the World. Third was "Heat<br />
Wave." 380 in the first week at Rialto I.<br />
The new Italian horror thriller "Suspiria"<br />
earned 370 and fourth place in the opening<br />
at the Crit.'rion. "Outrageous!", the only<br />
other holdover from last week aside from<br />
"Jennifer," moved down from second to<br />
fifth spot, while still being potent with 345<br />
in the third installment at Cinema II. A<br />
new Giancarlo Giannini film. "The Sensual<br />
Man" (actually made in 1973, but being released<br />
here for the first time), placed sixth<br />
with its 260 opening week at the newly-reopened<br />
Little Carnegie.<br />
On showcase, it was "Star Wars" first, of<br />
course, followed by "Sinbad and the Eye of<br />
the Tiger," "The Bad News Bears in Breaking<br />
Training," "Ruby," "The Deep," "A<br />
Bridge Too Far," "The Spy Who Loved<br />
Me." "Greased Lightning." "Smokey and<br />
the Bandit." "Fantastic Animation Festival"<br />
and the Disney bill "The Arislocats"<br />
and "The Littlest Horse Thieves."<br />
(Average Is 100)<br />
Baronel—Pardon Mon Afiaire (First Artists),<br />
9th wk<br />
Beekman—La Grande Bourgeoise<br />
215<br />
(Atlantic Releasing), 5th wk 210<br />
Cinema I— I Never Promised You a Rose Garden<br />
(New World), 6th wk 195<br />
Cinema II Outrageous!<br />
(Steinmann-BaxNsr/Cinema 5), 3rd wk 345<br />
Cinema 3— Cria! (i^-n Allen), 5lh wk 180<br />
Cinema Si -i. Slroszek (New Yorker), 115<br />
6th wk<br />
Criterion Suspina • Fox) 370<br />
f Fine Arts Sandakan ppercorn-Wormser)<br />
8<br />
2nd wk 115<br />
Sensual Man<br />
Uttle Cg:t:<br />
(Peppt- 260<br />
New Yo-E Chac wk 95<br />
La Grande Bourgeoise<br />
Pcrramo:.n<br />
(Atlant- h . : 20<br />
and While in Colo, Pans—Black AA<br />
15th<br />
P!aza-In the Realm of the Senses A-3ci Fi.rr.s),
I<br />
BROAD WAY<br />
QADIO CITY MUSIC HAl.L will hold a<br />
^<br />
New York Pop Arts Festival September<br />
i6-November 2. The aim is to bring varied<br />
quality entertainment that exists in such<br />
regional festivals as the Saratoga Festival<br />
(New York), the Garden State Festival<br />
(New Jersey) and the Greek Theatre (Los<br />
Angeles) to the heart of Manhattan. This<br />
will be the first of the series, which is to be<br />
a semi-annual presentation, in fall and<br />
spring, of major star attractions at the<br />
Showplace of the Nation.<br />
The program is as follows:<br />
September 16-18. Marvin Gave. Motown<br />
recording star; 19-20. September "Shalom<br />
77." a multi-media program with the Official<br />
Israeli Dance Company; September<br />
21-22, "Yatran." marking the American<br />
debut of the Ukrainian Dance Company;<br />
September 23-24. Kris Kristofferson and<br />
a blues show with B. B. King. Bobby "Blue""<br />
Bland. Muddy Waters and Albert King, and<br />
November 1-2. Helen Reddy. Additional<br />
programs will be announced.<br />
Following the festival, the Hall will rei<br />
COLOR or Black and White<br />
F»<br />
FOR<br />
INDOOR AND<br />
DRIVE-INS<br />
SPECIAL PROMOTIONS • TRAIIERETTES<br />
NO SMOKING . VANDALISM • DATERS<br />
AND A BIG MONEY MAKER<br />
COLOR MERCHANT ADS<br />
' U^ (312)<br />
1327 S WABASH AVI<br />
^ ttl/^tri'^<br />
CHICAGO U 60*05
. . And<br />
WASHINGTON<br />
ized by opulence and grace, read: '"Walt<br />
Disney Productions and Buena Vista take<br />
great pride in extending to you and your<br />
leading lady on behalf of Miss Helen Hayes,<br />
our leading lady, a warm welcome to 'Candleshoe."<br />
"' The event will be held in White<br />
Flint Mall's Movies 5. Rockville. Md.<br />
Since the Supreme Court ruled in 197.^<br />
that individual communities have the right<br />
to decide what constitutes pornography, local<br />
courts have been ruling on local standards<br />
in connection with "pornographic matter."<br />
Police here, as well as elsewhere, have<br />
made numerous drives to close so-called<br />
"adult" theatres. The results of a series of<br />
studies, as expressed in the Post by Amitai<br />
Elzioni, Columbia University professor, revealed<br />
that suppression of alleged pornography<br />
would "entail censorship far beyond the<br />
closing of X-rated theatres. Censorship enhances<br />
the material with the lure of forbidden<br />
fruit. Pornography is not the cause<br />
of prostitution or mugging and its concentration<br />
in such places as Times Square is<br />
largely the result of its being condemned<br />
elsewhere.<br />
"Were it accessible to those wanting it in<br />
their own neighborhoods, X-rated theatres<br />
would be sprinkled throughout the community."<br />
Etzioni continued, "About half of<br />
the antiporn people are intolerant, dogmatic,<br />
arch-conservative Americans unwilling<br />
to abide by the tenets of the Constitution."<br />
The pres.s run of American Film, the<br />
magazine of film and TV arts published by<br />
the American Film Institute, for July-August<br />
was 42,000 copies. Among the featrres<br />
in the issue are George Weed's story on how<br />
Buster Keaton produced "The General":<br />
Andrew Sarris' clarification of his "auteur"<br />
theory: a profile on director Joan Darling,<br />
and an article titled "Considering De Palma,"<br />
by Royal S. Brown.<br />
Howard Smith, prodticer of "Gizmo."<br />
while here to promote the film's world premiere<br />
at David Levy's Key Theatre, explained:<br />
"All successful innovations are<br />
built on countless failed attempts." (Considerable<br />
footage recorded the "calamitous<br />
demonstration of some ingenious mechanical<br />
device.") Howard continued: "I've tried<br />
to structure the material so that audiences<br />
who begin laughing at these people will end<br />
up laughing with them." The Post's Gary<br />
Arnold wrote: " "Gizmo' is an entertaining<br />
miscellany . . . dredged up from the newsreel<br />
libraries of the world." The Star's Tom<br />
Dowling explained: "For parents it"s a Ci<br />
fjarry Howar, Buena Vista branch manager,<br />
picture in the best sense, a film that makes<br />
through the courtesy ot Walt Dis-<br />
the himian spirit of our oddly earthb
BUFFALO<br />
pop music coming up: Leo Sayer plus Melissa<br />
Manchester Wednesday (31) in the<br />
Century Theatre: George Benson. September<br />
s». Kleinhans Music Hall: Bob Marley plus<br />
Garland Jeffreys September 30 in Toronto<br />
Maple Leaf Gardens.<br />
Magician Jay Malbroiigh of Buffalo has<br />
been receiving extra attention from his fellow<br />
professionals since the publication of<br />
his book. "The Magic of the Forks Hotel."<br />
.^s a result, he has been booked at the prestigious<br />
Magic Castle in Hollywood, Calif.,<br />
for a week beginning Labor Dav. September<br />
5.<br />
Swiss On Wry—"The Wonderful Crook,"<br />
from Switzerland, is a gentle comedy about<br />
a son and heir who has to turn to bank robbery<br />
to make his late father's business pay.<br />
It's on the highly successful foreign-film<br />
series at the Valu-.S Cinema.<br />
"Everything thafs good in my life I owe<br />
to poverty— to running away from it," declared<br />
comedian David Brenner, who did a<br />
single show at Melody Fair Dome Sunday<br />
Victor Danna sr., 95, who played with<br />
the first Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra<br />
and later taught music in Buffalo schools,<br />
died Tuesday (9) after a lengthy illness. For<br />
a time Mr. Danna played in theatrical pits<br />
for the silent movies, providing percussion<br />
sound effects for rolling trains and thundering<br />
horses. When the "talking" pictures came<br />
around, Mr. Danna found employment in<br />
area high schools and elementary schools as<br />
musical director. He was a lifelong member<br />
of Musicians' Union Local 92. His father,<br />
Joseph, a professor of music, taught Mr.<br />
Danna and his 1 I brothers and sisters to<br />
play various instruments.<br />
Dale Evan.s Rogers, the "Queen of the<br />
Singing Cowgirls" has become the "Queen<br />
of the Christian Evangelists" and her audiences<br />
love her more than ever. A crowd of<br />
more than 10,000 jammed into the Niagara<br />
Falls Convention Center Thursday (11) to<br />
hear her address the International Charismatic<br />
Conference.<br />
Pete Skoczwias, assisting manager Tony<br />
Ragusa jr. in screen selections for the Valu-<br />
5 complex in Cheektowaga, reports that attendance<br />
at the summer film series has been<br />
so good that it will be continued in the fall.<br />
At least ten foreign and "uncommercial"<br />
U.S. films are being lined up for the fall<br />
months after the current scries, now featuring<br />
the Swiss-made "The Wonderful<br />
Crook."<br />
Al Wright has installed in-car Cinema-<br />
Radio at his East Twin and West Twin<br />
drive-ins. Patrons now can tune car radios<br />
to 1620 to pick up the sound from the<br />
screens. It's more convenient, produces a<br />
better sound, allows for tight windows on<br />
chilly nights and, as it happily noted, in the<br />
'ong run will allow for more parking, with<br />
V- removal of the speaker poles.<br />
The system operates off underground<br />
cables; the sound can't be picked up much<br />
more than 50 feet away from the cable, so<br />
it won't jam the sound of autos passing on<br />
Walden Avenue.<br />
Shea's Buffalo Theater has re-appointed<br />
Charles F. Chauncey as executive director<br />
for another year.<br />
"I Am a Dancer," featuring Rudolf Nureyev<br />
and Margot Fonteyn was performed<br />
at Shea's Buffalo Theatre Thursday (18).<br />
"Can I Do It ... til I Need Glasses?"<br />
was accompanied by a TV campaign at the<br />
Valu 5 Cinema Thursday (11).<br />
"Before the Revolution," Italian with English<br />
subtitles, booked at the Valu 5 Cinema<br />
(17): "Fire Sale," an Alan Arkin black<br />
comedy Wednesday (17) at Holiday Theatre:<br />
"March Or Die," Foreign Legion drama with<br />
Gene Hackman at Amherst and Como Mall<br />
Cinema Theatres (19).<br />
Mini Reviews: Courier-Express on "For<br />
the Love of Benji." further adventures<br />
of a smart mutt, Tim Wendel, Friday (12);<br />
"If it gets a little slow for you, watch the<br />
kid in the next seat, that's where the show<br />
is." (Three chairs). "Greased Lightning,"<br />
Doug Smith, Friday (12): "A pleasant film<br />
of fair-mindedness, perseverance and good<br />
cheer." (Four chairs.)<br />
Charles E. Funk, former general manager<br />
of the Century Theatre here, has been appointed<br />
general manager for Lippert Theatres<br />
in Southern California, with headquarters<br />
at the Americana 6 theaters in Panorama<br />
City. The circuit has 28 screens<br />
around town. Charlie has purchased a home<br />
in Northridge.<br />
Ike Ehrlichman of Frontier Amusement<br />
Corp. and his wife Mary have returned<br />
from a trip to Oceanside, Long Island, where<br />
they attended the wedding of their son Richard,<br />
to Vicki Shemin of that city and formerly<br />
of Little Rock, Ark. After a honeymoon<br />
to Bermuda the couple will reside in<br />
Baltimore, where Richard will enter his<br />
second year of Medical School at the Johns<br />
Hopkins School of Medicine. Vicki, who<br />
graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Johns Hopkins<br />
University, will attend graduate school<br />
at the University of Maryland, working for<br />
her master's degree.<br />
The editor of "Big Top," the monthly<br />
publication of Variety Club Tent 25 is Dave<br />
Friedman, a former member of Tent 7 here<br />
and now a producer of films in Los Ange-<br />
Thc world famous Vienna Boys Choir<br />
ill open their 1977 American tour with<br />
vo performances in Shea's Uiillalo Tlicalre<br />
in September. The event is sponsored by the<br />
Junior Board of Buffalo General Hospital.<br />
The "Superman" company, which earlier<br />
received permiss'on to<br />
film the spoof on the<br />
flying marvel in Ontario's Niagara Falls<br />
Park, apparently has changed its mind. Lige<br />
Brien, press relations for Warner Bros.,<br />
which will distribute the movie once finished,<br />
told the News that the shoot has<br />
been canceled.<br />
The Marine Band, traditionally referred<br />
"The Own," again<br />
Toronto openings: Sammy Davis, jr., at<br />
the O'Keefe Center. Jay Boy Adams at the<br />
to as President's will<br />
perform here this fall under the sponsorship El Mocambo, Joe Hall at the Groaning<br />
of the Evening News. The date is Thursday. Board. Canadian recording groups each evening<br />
September 29, with two concerts, a matinee<br />
and an evening performance in Kleinhans Pavilion<br />
in the<br />
Theater<br />
Canadian<br />
at the<br />
Recording<br />
Canadian<br />
Industry<br />
National<br />
Music Hall.<br />
Exhibition, which opened Wednesday (17).<br />
Singer Tom Jones held forth at the Melody<br />
Fair Monday (15) through Saturday<br />
(20).<br />
Superfcst 12. the last of the 1977 summer<br />
season concerts in Rich Stadiimi, was held<br />
Saturday (20). Music started at noon instead<br />
of the slated 3 p.m. Gates opened two hours<br />
before the show. British progressive rockers<br />
Yes headlined, with Donovan, the T. GelK<br />
Band and Bob .Seger and the Silver Bullcl<br />
Band.<br />
Paul Sharits showed and discussed his experimental<br />
film "Razor Blades" in the University<br />
of Buffalo's Baird Hall, Amherst<br />
Campus Monday (15). Thom Anderson<br />
showed and discussed his documentar\'<br />
about Muybridge Thursday (18) in Fillmore<br />
Collegiate Center of UB's Amherst Campus.<br />
The musical "Gypsy" with Angela Lansbury<br />
opened Monday (22) at Melody Fair.<br />
The death of John Spense, musical conductor<br />
and arranger, in Los Angeles, caused<br />
the cancellation of the Thursday night (IS)<br />
performance of Tom Jones at Melody Fair<br />
here. The cast flew to the West Coast for<br />
the funeral, and returned on Friday to finish<br />
the weekend commitment.<br />
Robbery Suspects Arrested<br />
After Exchange of Gunfire<br />
PHILADELPHIA — Two robbery suspects<br />
were captiued by State Police after<br />
they allegedly stole $2,000 from the night<br />
manager of the Eric Twin Concordville in<br />
Delaware County. The two suspects took<br />
$2,000 in cash receipts at gunpoint which<br />
the manager was taking to his car for a<br />
night bank deposit, police said. The Eric<br />
Twin Concordville is linked with the locally-based<br />
Sameric Theatres.<br />
The robbery suspects, James W. Walker<br />
and Robert J. Bruce, led police on a highspeed<br />
auto chase. Police exchanged gunfire<br />
and finally arrested the men after shooting<br />
out a right rear tire, disabling the escape<br />
car. A third suspect ran from the car as it<br />
stopped and eluded a police dragnet despite<br />
the use of search dogs. The pair were held<br />
in jail in lieu of $25,000 bail and charged<br />
with attempted homicide, armed robbery,<br />
resisting arrest and other offenses. .All the<br />
money was recovered.<br />
E-4<br />
BOXOFTICE :: August 29, 1977
.<br />
. .<br />
NORTH JERSEY<br />
Jack Infald, owner ;ind opcralor oi the<br />
Franklin in Niitiey. has taken over<br />
operation of the Lincoln Theatre in the Arlington<br />
section of Kearny, it was announced<br />
recently. The I.OOO-seat Lincoln, oriainally<br />
opened in 1937 by Maurie Stahl. had been<br />
operated since 1956 by Stanley Sobelson.<br />
an industry veteran of over 35 years. Ben<br />
Broski. who has managed the Lincoln since<br />
it was acquired by Sobelson. will remain as<br />
manager under the new ownership. Broski.<br />
also an industry veteran, had managed numerous<br />
area theatres prior to the Lincoln,<br />
including the Ampers in East Orange and<br />
the Kent and West End theatres in Newark.<br />
Fred De Anijelis, a former manager and<br />
district manager with Stanley Warner and<br />
RKO-SW in the North Jersey area for the<br />
past 25 years, recently was appointed managing<br />
director of Loews' State I and 2 on<br />
Broadway in New York City. Most recently<br />
De Angelis had served as district manager<br />
for RKO-SW in the Bergen County area,<br />
as well as managing the Stanley Warner<br />
Triplex in Paramus. a post he had held<br />
since 1966. Prior to that, he had managed<br />
SW's Regent in Elizabeth for many years.<br />
Veteran manager Margaref Wall retired<br />
from the industry, ending a 36 year career.<br />
all of which had been spent with RKO<br />
Theatres. Mrs. Wall joined RKO in 1941 a*^<br />
assistant manager of its Proctor's in Newark,<br />
a post which she retained until the<br />
theatre closed in 1969. Subsequently, she<br />
was appointed manager of RKO-SW's Sanford<br />
in Irvington. She remained at the<br />
Irvington house until its acquisition two<br />
months ago by Paul Peterson.<br />
New .Tersey Gov. Brendan Byrne, comment'ng<br />
at the recent swearing-in ceremonies<br />
of members to the state's first Motion<br />
Picture and Television Development<br />
Commission, said he had been informed<br />
that comedian Woody Allen was interested<br />
in making a film in New Jersey. The governor<br />
also told reporters that the producers<br />
of the musical "Hair" want to use sites in<br />
New Jersey for future films. Byrne attended<br />
the swearing-in ceremonies at the home of<br />
Sidney Kingsley in Oakland. Kingsley. a<br />
Pul'tzer Prize-winning playwright, is the<br />
chairman of the commission. Sworn in were:<br />
stage and film actress Celeste Holm, who<br />
resides in nearby Washington Township;<br />
Jacqueline Beusse, director of planning and<br />
development at Caldwell College in Caldwell;<br />
Robert G. Thomas, president of a TV<br />
product'on company located in Bloomfield.<br />
and Paul Peterson, owner and operator of<br />
six film theatres in Essex and Morris counties.<br />
The commission's objective is to bring<br />
the production of motion pictures, as well<br />
as TV, back to New Jersey, where motion<br />
P'Ctures began manv years ago in Fort Lee<br />
and West Orange.<br />
The Colonial in Seaside Heights on the<br />
South Jersey shore, closed since 1972. has<br />
been reopened by Tom Carr. The 6nfl-seal<br />
house, operated many years as a summerseason-only<br />
theatre by Waller Reade. imtil<br />
its closing, reopened with "Jaws." Last<br />
\ear, Peter Firmino had reopened Seaside's<br />
only other theatre, the Strand, which also<br />
had been closed by Reade in 1972. In addition<br />
to the Colonial. Carr operates several<br />
other shore area locations in various partnerships.<br />
May Boyd, manager of UA's Colony in<br />
Livingston, recently returned from a oneweek<br />
vacation spent at Point Pleasant on<br />
the Jersey shore. Taking over for her during<br />
her absence was relief manager John Reynolds<br />
. . . Loews in Parsippany is offering<br />
special "Bargain Nights" every Monday and<br />
Tuesday, at which time all seats are reduced<br />
to $1.99 . . . Reade's Community in Toms<br />
River presented midnight showings of "The<br />
Rocky Horror Picture Show" Friday and<br />
Saturday nights for three successive weekends.<br />
Manager John Chrisman reports that<br />
attendance for the special performances has<br />
increased each week.<br />
A double bill of "Superbug, the Wild<br />
One" plus "Superbug, Super Agent," was<br />
shown, matinees only, for one week at<br />
Mann's Fox in Woodbridge and Grant's<br />
Movies in Long Branch.<br />
Spyros Lcnas' Sliowboaf cinemas 1-2-3-4<br />
in Edgewater recently had a gala grand<br />
opening which fealined ribbon-cutting ceremonies<br />
by Edgewater Mayor Francis Meehan.<br />
Opening attractions were: "A Bridge<br />
Too Far," "New York, New York." "Ann'c<br />
Hall" and "The Little Girl Who Lived<br />
Down the Lane." The Showboat cinemas<br />
seat a total of approximately 1,400 persons,<br />
350 per unit. Charles Santora has been appointed<br />
manager of the new quad.<br />
Distance Between Ginyard<br />
And Jailyard May Be Short<br />
PHILADELPHIA — Detectives of the<br />
District Attorney's office arrested 35-yearold<br />
Virgil Ginyard, aka Isaiah Ginyard,<br />
on charges that he is trying to sell prospective<br />
investors in the production of a motion<br />
picture. The film, called "The Distances Between,"<br />
he told an unknown number of<br />
people between February and May of this<br />
year in selling them stock, would star such<br />
personalities as Richard Pryor, Rosalind<br />
Cash, Billy Dee Williams and Robert Hook.<br />
Investigators said the actors knew nothing<br />
about the film. The show, Ginyard allegedly<br />
promised, would be released<br />
through Paramount Pictures and would<br />
gross $2 million. He also allegedly promised<br />
that for each $100 invested there would be<br />
return "bonus" of $5,900. The stock certificates<br />
a<br />
bore the corporate seal of "The<br />
National Hair and Scalp Clinic of Pennsylvania."<br />
Ginyard also used two other corporate<br />
names. Virgil Ginyard Productions and Elegant<br />
Productions Inc.. it was charged. Released<br />
on his own recognizance following<br />
arraignment to await trial on September I.<br />
Ciinyard is<br />
facing charges of theft by deception<br />
:ind \iol;Uions of ihe stale's securities<br />
BALTIMORE<br />
piiil Glazcr, Associated Pictures honcho,<br />
accompanied by his wife and his son<br />
Charles, spent a lone weekend in Ocean<br />
City, havinc left here Saturday (13) and returned<br />
Wednesday (17) . . . Mr. and Mrs.<br />
Walter Gettinger, Gettinaer Enterprises<br />
Inc.. returned from a week of business activities<br />
in Florida. Wednesday (171,<br />
Theodore Bikel, inlernat'onally renowned<br />
actor and singer, whose talents encompass<br />
stage, screen, radio and TV, will appear at<br />
the Jewish-American Festival at the Inner<br />
Harbor, September 3 . . . Kris Kristofferson.<br />
film star-singer, appeared in concert with<br />
Rita Coolidge and special guest Billy Swan,<br />
at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia,<br />
Wednesday (17).<br />
To err is human, to forgive divine .<br />
we (the regional editor) were guilty of the<br />
former and we hope that reporter Kate<br />
Savaae. Rita Greenfeld (not Greenfield)<br />
and Francia Feikin (not Feikinc. ex. not<br />
present. JF Theatres publicity head) will<br />
exercise the latter quality in our behalL<br />
Mca Maxima Culpa!<br />
Lawmen, Censors in Raid<br />
On Pair of Adult Houses<br />
BALTIMORE—Vice squad detectives<br />
and Maryland Censor Board inspectors hit<br />
two adult film establishments in three days,<br />
confiscating five films and uncovering 200<br />
censor board seals at one theatre.<br />
Tuesday (9) they raided the North Cinema.<br />
East North Avenue, corralinn three<br />
allegedly pornographic films and 200 censors<br />
seals discovered in the projection<br />
booth.<br />
Franc's Pollard jr.. the state board's chief<br />
inspector stated that the agency, which licenses<br />
all motion pictures shown in Maryland<br />
theatres, had not reviewed these films<br />
which were "definitely hardcore pornography."<br />
Pollard said the films, "China Lust." "Run<br />
Jack Run" and "Just Like Mother," were<br />
viewed by the detectives and inspectors before<br />
a search and seizure warrant autho.rizing<br />
the raid was issued. He went on to point<br />
out that they had raided the same theatre in<br />
April and appropr'ated three other films the<br />
board considered as "bevond the pale." The<br />
North is owned by a California corporation.<br />
Three days later. Friday (12). the team of<br />
detectives and inspectors hit the Gayety<br />
Plaza Theatre in the 400 block of E. Baltimore<br />
St.. picking up a pair of films that did<br />
not have the state censor's seal, according<br />
to<br />
police.<br />
Confiscated were "Pleasure Before Business"<br />
and "Innocent Girls."<br />
A doorman at the house, located on "the<br />
block" also known as the city's "Great<br />
White Way." offered his opinion that the<br />
strike was "unjustified" and adding that after<br />
the raid the h;udlop was closed the balance<br />
of the da\<br />
BOXOFFICE August 29. 1977 E-5
. . The<br />
. . Exploiting<br />
. . Rudolf<br />
. . The<br />
. . Coming<br />
. . Tom<br />
. . The<br />
. . Exhibitors<br />
PITTSBURGH<br />
rieoTge and Olga Elmo will observe their<br />
sjolden<br />
wedding anniversary September<br />
2 in 'Miami and the "Class of 1928" of<br />
Paramount Pictures here met at a luncheon<br />
in the Pittsburgh Press Club Thursday (25)<br />
to mark the occasions, their reunion plus the<br />
Elmo anniversary. George Tice rounded up<br />
Peg O'Connell. Phoebe Homer Gordon,<br />
Minnie Gable Nixon. Belle Mandcl Rodin,<br />
Rae Lefkowitz Firestone and Dave Kimmelnian.<br />
who was Paramount branch manager,<br />
and John Navoney was expected to be added<br />
to the list. The "Class" was to be photographed<br />
with a print copy delivered to the<br />
Elmos at their affair September 2.<br />
George Elmo. First National Pictures<br />
aud'tor at Havana, came to this city in<br />
1928 as Paramount branch auditor, then<br />
became booker and later salesman. We<br />
join with the Elmo friends here in extending<br />
best wishes and greet the Paramount<br />
"Class of 1928." old friends. Minnie Gable<br />
Nixon of the Paramount clan is a classmate<br />
of your correspondent and we plan to meet<br />
in reunion with other surviving members of<br />
our Wilkinsburg High School graduation<br />
class of .5.5 years ago October 8 at Churchill<br />
Valley Country Club.<br />
Bob Galvin, manager of Cinema Follies<br />
Club and the Penthouse Adult Theatre, vacationed<br />
in Washington. D.C. CFC has<br />
units at Atlantic City. Washington. Baltimore<br />
and in this city . . . Amen Corner's<br />
annual stag picnic is dated for Lovuola's<br />
Farm. Grcentree. September 14. starting at<br />
3 p.m. .<br />
. . Sunday evening pro wrestling<br />
has enjoyed a good season at St. John's<br />
Arena. Steubenville. Ohio<br />
Township Showcase cinemas will have a<br />
total capacity of 3.000 in its five auditoriums<br />
. Art Cinema gets a lot of free<br />
publicity in the August Pittsburgher Magazine,<br />
with a large photo of the exterior . . .<br />
Homeowners here, as well as in Cincinnati.<br />
Cleveland and Columbus, pay about twice<br />
as much for electricity as those who live in<br />
Seattle, Portland and other Pacific Northwest<br />
cities.<br />
The Chatham Cinema showed "And Now<br />
My Love" . South Hills Village,<br />
Creegan Productions' "Hooray for<br />
Hollywood," seen in continuous showings<br />
for several weeks, remains there through<br />
Labor Day.<br />
The Castelli brothers, longtime ownersoperators<br />
of the Super 71 Twin drive-ins<br />
near Belle Vernon, closed one of the ozoners<br />
in mid-August, continuing the second<br />
unit. The property vacated was being remodeled<br />
into a McDonald's fast-food outlet.<br />
Herb Joseph states that his parents, the<br />
Abe Josephs, are in residence here and are<br />
as well as could be expected at their age.<br />
Abe. who was proprietor of the Triangle<br />
rheatre. East Liberty, for many years, is<br />
' The theatre was wiped away in a rede-<br />
II program . Nureycv's<br />
.1 Ken Russell production, is<br />
opening earlv in October at the Squirrel<br />
Garden offered "Sweet<br />
.^<br />
Hill<br />
The 1977 "Raffle Night" at<br />
Cakes" . . .<br />
Variety Club Tent 1 is set for Friday. September<br />
9. Action begins at 8 p.m.. with a<br />
drawing at midnight for $1.500—or a Caribbean<br />
cruise.<br />
Area theatres have been offering "The<br />
Deep." "Orca," "Thunder and Lightning."<br />
"Relations." "Violation of Claudia." "The<br />
Lords of Flatbush," "The Spy Who Loved<br />
Me," "Stay Himgry." "Smokey and the<br />
Bandit." "Dirty Mary Crazy Larry" and<br />
other<br />
films.<br />
Minnie Silverberg, for a half-century a<br />
leading film industry secretary-booker, died<br />
at her Squirrel Hill apartment Monday (15).<br />
The last of her family, her late brothers<br />
Harris and Maurice "Red" Silverberg, were<br />
among top film salesmen, the former being<br />
one of the original Three Musketeers, along<br />
with the late Harry Millstein and Abe<br />
Schnitzer. Another brother. Minor, was a<br />
noted baby doctor. Minnie started as a<br />
clerk at the Universal exchange and for<br />
most of her four decades there was secretary.<br />
Until her retirement last year, she<br />
had been Screen Guild secretary for another<br />
decade. Efficient and hard working. Minnie<br />
all held the respect of connected with<br />
the<br />
business.<br />
Gibby Katz is "dying the death" at the<br />
Sheridan Square where a second-run policy<br />
failed to click. He sa'd he is losing $1,000<br />
a week on his one-year lease at the East<br />
Liberty house, the loss continuing with admissions<br />
dropped from $3 to $1. Operator<br />
of the downtown Palace burlesque stage and<br />
screen theatre and the Ritz Mini on the<br />
north side (with the same policy), Katz tried<br />
adult movies when he took over at the<br />
Sheridan Square. But authorities ordered<br />
such films off the screen there, as a city<br />
ordinance enacted last fall prohibits new<br />
adult theatres from opening and prevents<br />
established theatres from entering into an<br />
adult film or stage plan. Katz may fight the<br />
politicians in court.<br />
William Jiidson, curator of film at the<br />
Museum of Art, announces that Catherine<br />
Newman is the new curatorial assistant, succeeding<br />
Rebecca Craft, who resigned. Judson<br />
says that the film section's monthly bulletin,<br />
the Travel Sheet, to aid filmmakers<br />
and exhibitors in the U.S. and abroad in arranging<br />
screen'ng-lecture tours by independent<br />
filmmakers, now has a European<br />
counterpart, based in London.<br />
Valley Cable TV's Microwave reception<br />
facility on Crestas Terrace in North Versailles<br />
is bringing Home Box Office pay<br />
TV movies, special sports programs and<br />
night club programs to most communities<br />
east of Wilkinsburg . to the air<br />
soon will be UHF^Channel 22. WBCP-TV,<br />
from studios located in Wall Borough, four<br />
miles south of the Turnpike at Monroevillc.<br />
Showcase Cinemas at two locations here<br />
have licensed Christmas films including<br />
"Semi-Tough" and "The Gairntlet."<br />
Miss Nude World (.lean Fisher. 2fi. aka<br />
Annette Duchenc) and a male companion<br />
were jailed here on charges of robbing a<br />
man in an empty lot off Federal Street near<br />
the Ritz Mini where the exotic dancer was<br />
appearing.<br />
Robert C. Kintz, president of Cinemette,<br />
announces that the circuit advertising and<br />
film department remains under the supervision<br />
of George S. Stern, vice-president. Directors<br />
elected Paul Simendinger as director<br />
of advertising. Simendinger was a former<br />
Associated Theatres house and district manager,<br />
then served similar duties with Cinemette.<br />
Dean Zaimes, youngest son of Tom and<br />
Aglaia Zaimes of the Monroeville Drive-In<br />
theatre, and Laurie Von Osinski were joined<br />
in marriage in Holy Cross Greek Orthodox<br />
Church, Mt. Lebanon, and will res-de<br />
at Washington, Pa.<br />
Nude love scenes in Nureyev's portrayal<br />
feature . . .<br />
of "Valentino" have pre-sold the Ken Russell<br />
<strong>Boxoffice</strong>'s full-page photo<br />
of Henry Winkler, advertising Universal's<br />
"Heroes" in the issue of August 1. is in<br />
demand by fans of the Fonz.<br />
The late Tex Ritter's son John continues<br />
into his second season in the TV show<br />
"Three's Company."<br />
Quote from Doris Lilly's<br />
Hollywood gossip<br />
column: "At some Hollywood parties,<br />
cocaine is being passed around instead of<br />
dessert." . . . More and more restaurants<br />
have installed 16mm projection equipment<br />
for showing of oldtime silent movies, and<br />
the bars in all directions have six-foot projected<br />
television reception for the football<br />
season. Some of the cafes show adult slides.<br />
Hassan B. Mohamed, Art Cinema's longtime<br />
good service floor manager, has been<br />
vacationing, but will resume duties soon. He<br />
is known as "Ruby" to thousands of theatregoers<br />
here. In his younger years, "Ruby"<br />
traveled the world as a circus performer.<br />
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre will host a special<br />
benefit premiere of "The Turning<br />
Point" at Chatham Cinema November 21.<br />
Ballerina Dagmar Kessler is in charge. The<br />
movie will be the Christmas attraction at<br />
the Chatham . . . Gina Martin, daughter of<br />
Dean Martin, is a ballet member of Ice<br />
Caoades, coming to the Civic Arena September<br />
15-25 . Bate has completed<br />
a quarter-century as backstage company<br />
manager for the Civic Light Opera, starting<br />
with CLO at Pitt Stadium, then following to<br />
the Melody Tent, Civic Arena and in recent<br />
years at Heinz Hall.<br />
George Romero's locally-produced "Martin"<br />
seems headed for an early premiere via<br />
Cinemette here . Liberty advertised<br />
"Bring Some My Way" . . . "Teenage Perverts"<br />
was the Art Cinema offering, following<br />
"My Fair Baby" and "Christy."<br />
"Convoy Buddies" is handled here by<br />
John Majdiak . took particular<br />
interest in the <strong>Boxoffice</strong> Letters column<br />
of Monday (15). from projectionist Frank<br />
Bolkovac of the Monroe Theatre, Monroeville.<br />
E-6<br />
BOXOFFICE August 29. 1977
Films, Felines. Forsythia<br />
Fill Kathy Norman's Days<br />
BAI.n.VIOKH—rilm^. Icliiics and lorsythia<br />
arc fcutLircd in the busy world ol<br />
Kathy Norman. Towson Theatre manager.<br />
The film, in this case, is "Star Wars" which<br />
has already been praised to death, yet draws<br />
still more flowery oratory from Norman.<br />
"It ("Star Wars') has been going great; it<br />
has been terrific! Thousands of people have<br />
come to see it. They just cat it up— they<br />
live it! It's going marvelous. We had late<br />
midnight shows the first two weeks, now<br />
we are having them on Friday and Saturday<br />
nights only." she raved.<br />
"It's amazing." she continued "that they<br />
still come to the midnight shows. We're<br />
going into the ninth week and business has<br />
only dropped 25% since opening day. Still<br />
the volume continues to be great. For this<br />
film we start at 1 p.m. instead of our usual<br />
2 p.m. All ages like it—the middle aged as<br />
well as the young and the elderly. Just<br />
amazing."<br />
Kathy derives a great deal of her offthe-job<br />
pleasure from her cats and her<br />
flowers. Tragedy struck, recently, when her<br />
favorite feline "Blackie" was struck and<br />
killed by a car, leaving her only "Kitty."<br />
Anyone who has owned a pet knows that<br />
such an accident is deeply felt.<br />
The busy Towson hard-top manager also<br />
finds time to work out in her garden and<br />
she told us she "planted an informal hedge<br />
of yellow forsythia along the sidewalk. It<br />
makes a charming, natural fence."<br />
Flowers, felines and film— Kathy Norman<br />
certainly finds little time to be bored.<br />
'Citizens Band' Scheduled<br />
For Lincoln Center Film Fest<br />
NFW YORK— Paramount Pictures' Citizens<br />
Band." a Fields Co. production, has<br />
been announced as a selection for this year's<br />
New York Film Festival at Lincoln Center.<br />
The festival, featuring new works by filmmakers<br />
from around the world, will be the<br />
15th to be held at Lincoln Center and will<br />
run from September 2.'i through October 9.<br />
Active Retiree Bringing<br />
A Glow to Golden Agers<br />
BAl IIMOKi; - Retired proieelionisl<br />
Carrol Streeks and his wife do some of the<br />
things common to most retirees— for instance,<br />
travel. Early this month they spent<br />
two weeks at the Ocean City Spa, staying at<br />
the Ocean Villa on 75th Sfeet. In mid-<br />
August they headed north for a fortnight in<br />
Nova Scotia.<br />
It is Carroll's other activity that sets him<br />
apart, for it brings a glow to Golden Agers<br />
confined to retirement centers and nursing<br />
homes. Taking the skill and savvy he acquired<br />
during his career, he shows 16mm<br />
films to the senior citizens.<br />
"In September I'll start showing films at<br />
the homes." he said. "One is Mercy Villa,<br />
a retired nun's home. I'll also go to the<br />
Armacost Nursing Home and the Holly Hill<br />
Nursing Home showing various pictiues<br />
once a week."<br />
He recently purchased some new motion<br />
pictures including "Naughty Marietta,"<br />
"Banjo on My Knee., "Road to Rio" and<br />
"A Millionaire for Christy."<br />
"I paid $150 for 'Naughty Marietta'." he<br />
revealed. He also has a library of Jeanette<br />
MacDonald classics: "Rose Marie," "Maytime"<br />
and "Firefly," and presents his features<br />
on the third Monday of each month,<br />
normally.<br />
"I'll be taking my camera along on my<br />
Nova Scotia trip to film my vacation. I have<br />
a Super-8." he told us prior to leaving. He<br />
also pointed out that next month will mark<br />
his sixth year as a member of the Green<br />
Springs Valley Country Club.<br />
More important, however, is his lifetime<br />
membership in the exclusive fraternity of<br />
people who care and do for their fellow<br />
men.<br />
Paul Newman will star in "Paradi<br />
George Englund production.<br />
PHILADELPHIA<br />
^ajor Frank S. Rizzo officially proclaimed<br />
National Film Day here on which<br />
day local exhibitors and nine major film<br />
companies contributed half their gross receipts<br />
to the American Film Institute.<br />
All the local TV stations pre-empted films<br />
previously scheduled for Elvis Preslev features<br />
during the weekend of his funeral<br />
with one station. WCAU-TV, substituting<br />
four Presley films in one day—one on Saturday<br />
afternoon and three that same evening.<br />
A teaser phone-in was set up to promot'^<br />
the opening of "Naked Rider" at a dozen<br />
ozoners in the area, more than half of them<br />
linked with Budco Quality Theatres based<br />
here.<br />
A summer film festival of D.W. Griffith<br />
and Cecil B. De Mille films offered without<br />
charge at the Hoyt Library in Kingston,<br />
Pa., starting with Griffith's "America."<br />
starring Lionel Barrymore and Neil Hamilton.<br />
Not getting the service<br />
Linda Goldenberg, publicity and promotion<br />
director for Budco Quality Theatre,<br />
hosted two previews on successive evenings<br />
for "You Light Up My Life" at the Top of<br />
the Fox Screening Room.<br />
U.S. Magistrate Edwin E. Naythons, in<br />
U.S. District Court here, ruled in favor of<br />
Budco Inc., and Budco Quality Theatres<br />
Inc., as defendants in a suit brought by the<br />
Savage Is Loose Co. The locally-based theatre<br />
circuit was given leave to join Boasberg<br />
and Boasberg-Goldstein, Inc., as third party<br />
defendants and to file cross-claim against<br />
the Savaee Is Loose.<br />
you deserve?<br />
"Citizens Band" will be screened twice at<br />
Alice Tully Hall, at a date to be announced<br />
later. Except for the opening and closing<br />
nights, which are held at Avery Fisher Hall,<br />
all festival selections are screened at Alice<br />
Tully Hall.<br />
A comedy-drama about the current CB<br />
radio phenomenon and its effects on personal<br />
relationships, "Citizens Band" stais<br />
Paul Le Mat, Candy Clark. Ann Wedgeworth,<br />
Marcia Rodd. Charles Napier, Roberts<br />
Blossom. Bruce IVlcGill and Ali.\ Elias.<br />
Jonathan Demme directed from an original<br />
screenplay by Paul Brinkman. the associate<br />
producer of the film. Shep Fields is the<br />
executive<br />
producer.<br />
The picture is distributed in the U.S.<br />
and Canada by Paramount Pictures, a member<br />
of The Leisure Time Group of Gulf +<br />
Western Industries. Inc.. and throughout the<br />
rest of the world b\' Cinem.i International<br />
Corp.<br />
CALL Allied Theatre Equipment Co.. Inc.<br />
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, v^riMORE—<br />
• of<br />
—<br />
Mills Bros., Rich Little<br />
Deserve Critic's Laurels<br />
Rich liiile and ihc<br />
-ii., Broihers appeared at Painter's Mill<br />
Music Fair from Tuesday through Sunday<br />
(9-14). drawing the following comments<br />
from Cindy Powers of the News-American.<br />
"In 1925 there were four brothers and a<br />
guitar. They could sound like all the instruments<br />
of the orchestra and developed a<br />
close-harmony style that influenced generations<br />
to come.<br />
"Today there are only three brothers<br />
Harry. Herbert and Donald. An orchestra<br />
accompanies most of their songs, but they<br />
still have the harmony that Crosby. Sills<br />
and Nash could envy . . .<br />
"(Rich) Little is one of the few impressionists<br />
who can still be considered a superstar.<br />
His current show still gives gliinpses<br />
into his character and humor.<br />
'.<br />
. . Little is still worth seeing. His impressions<br />
are not the ones you'll hear and<br />
see everyone doing.<br />
"How many times have you seen impressions<br />
of Jack Nicholson, Foster Brooks,<br />
Raymond Burr and Peter Sellers?<br />
"Not to mention the president?<br />
"Although a few miss the mark Richard<br />
Burton, Anthony Newley, Bing Crosby and<br />
many others are bullseyes."<br />
Century Circuit Offers<br />
To Purchase Debentures<br />
Nt;W HYDE PARK. N. Y.—Leslie R.<br />
Schwartz, president of Century Circuit, has<br />
announced that the company intends to<br />
purchase up to S 1.000.000 principal amount<br />
of its -TO-year subordinated debentures due<br />
July 1. 1980. at a price of $950 net per<br />
.$1,000 principal amount of such debentures.<br />
Schwartz stated that the offer to purchase<br />
was mailed Wednesday (24) to the holders<br />
of such debentures. The offer will expire<br />
Tuesday (30) unless extended.<br />
Accrued interest will be paid by the company<br />
to Tuesday (.10) as to all such debentures<br />
validly tendered to and accepted by<br />
Ih.' company prior to that date. In the event<br />
the offer is extended, the company will pay<br />
accrued interest from October 1 to the date<br />
of payment.<br />
As of Monday (1), there was $2,345,100<br />
in aggregate principal amount of such debentures<br />
outstanding. Holders of debentures<br />
registered in the name of a broker or nominee<br />
are advised to contact such broker or<br />
nominee if they desire to tender their debentures.<br />
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Theatre to Open Again Labor Day<br />
PITTSTON, PA.—The American Theatre<br />
in this northeastern Pennsylvania community<br />
is expected to be open again as a<br />
motion picture theatre on the Labor Day<br />
weekend. The new lessee of the theatre<br />
building. James Ahonen, said he plans to<br />
•.how family-type movies in the theatre.<br />
•\honcn. who is leasing the building from<br />
r- r;i'.i('llino, of nearby Scranton, is in<br />
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BOXOFFICE :: August
'Star Wars' Tops List<br />
For 13ih Denver Week<br />
DENVER— -Star Wars" remained at Ilic<br />
pinnacle of the list for the 13th week with<br />
grosses of 525 at the Cooper Theatre. The<br />
newcomers to the area received a mixed<br />
reception as "One on One" managed to<br />
draw enough patrons to ten theatres to cam<br />
an average of 225 while "Fire Sale" earned<br />
a mark of 200 at the University Hills One.<br />
However. "March or Die" finished it debut<br />
week with 130 while "The Van" trailed<br />
slightly beh'nd with 125.<br />
(Average Is 100)<br />
Cenlury 21—Rollercooster (Univ), lllh wlc i'<br />
Centre—Suspiria (20lh-Fox), 2nd wit 1:<br />
Cherry Creek. Villa Ilolia—The Other Side ol<br />
Midnight (20th-Fox). 10th wk<br />
I'f<br />
Colorado Four—The Last Remake of Beau Geste<br />
(Un.v), 6lh wk<br />
1-'<br />
Continenlal-MacArlhur (Univ), 3rd wk 2nn<br />
Cooper— Star Wars (20th-Fox), 13th wk S."<br />
Eight theatres—Smokey and the Bandit (Univ),<br />
4lh wk IMi<br />
Five theatres—March or Die (Col) 130<br />
Four theatres—Race lor Your Lite, Charlie<br />
Brownl (Para), 2nd wk 100<br />
Nine theatres-The Van (SR) 125<br />
Seven theatres— Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo<br />
(BV), 3rd wk I'O<br />
Six theatres—The Bad News Bears in BreaWng<br />
Training (Para), -I'h v.-k ICO<br />
Six theatres-The Spy Who Loved Me (U.A)<br />
Bth wk 135<br />
Tamarac Six—New York. New York (UA)<br />
8th wk i;'5<br />
Ten theatres—One 225<br />
on One (WB)<br />
Three theatres—Final Chapter—Walking Tall<br />
(AIP), 2nd wk 115<br />
University Hills One—Fire Sale (20'h-rox) 200<br />
University Hills Three. Fhck—labberwocky iSR)<br />
4lh wk I?5<br />
Army Helps 'MacArthur'<br />
Opening at Regency<br />
S.Al.l LAKE CITY — Several colorful<br />
events and activities marked the opening of<br />
"MacArthur" at the Regency Theatre Friday<br />
(5), according to manager Richard Easter<br />
and assistant manager Bill Abeyta.<br />
Before both evening shows opening night,<br />
the Army recruiting command presented a<br />
color guard show with both U. S. and state<br />
flags in addition to a filmed version of the<br />
National Anthem.<br />
Lobby displays were furnished by the<br />
.Army recruiters. National Guard Univers'tv<br />
of Utah ROTC and the Ft. Douglas<br />
Museum Ass'n.<br />
Military vehicles also were on display in<br />
the parking lot. Rick Setner. information<br />
officer for the 96th Unit, handled the arrangements<br />
for all military displays.<br />
Cheryl Smith in 'Laser'<br />
HOLLYWOOD—Cheryl Smith has been<br />
set to co-star with Gianni Russo in "Laser<br />
Blast." feature film which will be produced<br />
bv Charles Band Productions. Her last feature<br />
part was in "The Choirboys." Michael<br />
Rae will direct from an original screenplay<br />
bv Frances Schacht and Frank Ray Perilli.<br />
Chuck Sacci, Terri Nunn Signed<br />
BURBANK—Chuck Sacci and Terri<br />
Nunn have been signed for co-starring roles<br />
in "Thank God It's Friday," a Motown-<br />
Casablanca Record and FilmWorks production<br />
for Columbia Pictures now being dilected<br />
by Robert Klane on location in Holh<br />
wood.<br />
LIFE P.\TRON—Tom Fiiiu.). sck.ikI Iroin ri};ht, reeeiMd his lite palroii<br />
card in Variety Clubs International from Donald I. Gillin, second from left, vicepresident<br />
of Tent 25 in charge of the life patron program in Southern California.<br />
Fenno is executive vice-president of Tent 25. At left is Murray Propper, president<br />
of Tent 25, and at right. M. J. Frankovich, chairman of the charities committee<br />
and past president of Variety Clubs International.<br />
RKO-Stanley Warner Files<br />
Suit in Federal Court<br />
LOS ANGELES— RKO-Stanley Warner<br />
Theatres, a wholly owned subsidiary of<br />
Cinerama, Inc., Tuesday (23) filed a counterclaim<br />
in federal court in New York<br />
against United Artists Theatre Circuit and<br />
various of its subsidiaries, as well as a thirdparty<br />
complaint against Loews Corp. and<br />
various of its subsidiaries; Century Theatres,<br />
and a number of motion picture film<br />
distributors. RKO-SW claimed a conspiracy<br />
among them in violation of the antitrust<br />
laws in the licensing and exhibition of motion<br />
pictures in the metropolitan New York<br />
area.<br />
The alleged conspiracy, asserted to have<br />
begun in 1970, consists of "refusal of the<br />
parties to the conspiracy to permit RKO to<br />
obtain the right to exhibition, on a first-run<br />
basis, quality feature-length motion pictures,<br />
unless RKO participated in certain<br />
exhibition and theatre allocation arrangements<br />
specified by the parties to the conspiracy.<br />
The result of such conspiracy has<br />
been to exclude RKO from the first-run<br />
exhibition in the New York metropolitan<br />
area of the most desirable motion pictures."<br />
RKO seeks treble damages in excess of<br />
$60,000,000 from the above theatre circuits<br />
and from Warner Bros. Distributing Corp.,<br />
Recent Personnel Changes<br />
Made at Plitt Theatres<br />
SALT LAKE CITY — Ernie Hoffman,<br />
division) manager for Plitt Theatres' Intermountain<br />
district, recently announced several<br />
personnel changes, which began with<br />
Robert Bathey, who worked in the Phoenix-<br />
Tuscon district before moving north to his<br />
new position as city manager for the Paramount<br />
and Uinta theatres, Provo.<br />
Richard Easter, who previously managed<br />
the Paramount and Uinta theatres and also<br />
worked for Mann Theatres in Provo before<br />
returning to Plitt in March, is now headquartered<br />
at the Regency Theatre.<br />
Additional personnel changes at the Regency<br />
included Bill Abeyta, who was appointed<br />
assistant manager. Abeyta joined<br />
Plitt in May as the assistant manager of the<br />
Centre Theatre.<br />
Grant Sorenson, former manager for<br />
Mann Theatres in Utah and Montana who<br />
has been working since May for Plitt as an<br />
assistant manager at the Woodland Drive-<br />
In under manager Ron Page, was transferred<br />
to the Centre Theatre to work under<br />
manaucr Calvin Ellertson.<br />
Columbia's "Paradise" is being written<br />
Universal Schedules Bob<br />
Zemeckis' Beatles Story<br />
UNIVERSAL CITY—"Beatles 4 Ever"<br />
Universal Film Exchanges, United Artists is the working title for a Universal film<br />
Corp. and Mctro-Goldwyn-Mayer.<br />
project about six k-ds in New Jersey whose<br />
lives are changed by the Beatles' first visit<br />
Stein Goes to Far East<br />
to .America. The film's executive producer<br />
is Steven .Spielberg.<br />
BEVERLY HILLS—Jules Stein, senior Shooting is scheduled to begin in early<br />
vice-president of American International November. Bob Zemeckis will direct the<br />
Pictures Export Corp., departed for the Far screenplay he co-wrote with Bob Gale. Tamara<br />
Asseyev and Alex Rose are producing.<br />
East, where he will meet with distributors in<br />
Tokyo, Hong Kong and Manila regarding Gale is associate producer.<br />
an extraordinarily large number of open-<br />
for the screen by David Shaber.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: August 29, 1977 W-1
Paramount pictures' -citizens<br />
Band." a Fields Co. production, will be<br />
>creened twice at the New York Film Fesaval,<br />
to be held September 23 to October<br />
*<br />
Hugo Valasquez. Mexican still photographer<br />
for United Artists" "Dog Soldiers," has<br />
been commissioned by the Mexican government<br />
to compile a touring exhibit of his<br />
motion picture stills dating back to 1955,<br />
when his first assignment was "The Tall<br />
Man," starring Clark Gable, .lane Russell<br />
and Robert Ryan.<br />
•<br />
l.con P. Blender, executive vice-president<br />
in charge of sales and distribution for Amer-<br />
starring Woody Allen and Diane Keaton.<br />
opened the Edinburgh Film Festival at the<br />
ABC Theatre Sunda\' (21). The film began<br />
its regular Brit'sh engagement in Edinburgh<br />
al the Cameo Theatre Sundav (2
!<br />
Pictures for both tcature films and telemovies,<br />
plus developing new TV series. Before<br />
coming to Paramount, he was in production<br />
and development for international<br />
and domestic markets at Cinema Center.<br />
He also has been a special projects executive<br />
with 20th Century-Fox. an executive assistant<br />
to the president of CBS 'Cinema<br />
Center Films and handled special promotions<br />
for Columbia Pictures.<br />
•<br />
The Manson Distributing Corp. has signed<br />
an agreement to distribute "Too Hot to<br />
Handle" in Hong Kong through Raymond<br />
Chow's Golden Harvest Films. The feature,<br />
a Ralph Desiderio-Don Scham production,<br />
stars Cheri Caffaro and is released in the<br />
U. S. through New World Productions.<br />
•<br />
Joseph C. Youngerman. for 27 years the<br />
national executive secretary of the Directors<br />
Guild of America, will leave that position<br />
to become a consultant for the DGA under<br />
a lifetime contract, with the title of national<br />
executive secretary emeritus. He will leave<br />
six weeks after a new contract with film<br />
employers is signed.<br />
*<br />
Mrs. Phyllis Stewart, president of the<br />
Screen Smart Set, has been presented with<br />
a plaque for distinguished service to the<br />
Motion Picture & Television Fund for<br />
which the group has raised $613,000 during<br />
the past nine years. The Screen Smart Set<br />
was founded in 1968 by Lillian McEdwards,<br />
mother of director Blake Edwards, and<br />
Bettv Lou Oppenheim. mother of actress<br />
Jill St. John.<br />
*<br />
"Homage to Chagall: The Colours of<br />
Love," a feature-length film about the life<br />
and works of painter Marc Chagall, will<br />
premiere in I os .Angeles September 28 at<br />
the Laemmles' Westland Twin theatres.<br />
Sci-Fi Academy Nominates<br />
Collins 'Best Actress'<br />
BEVERLY HILLS— Joan Collins has<br />
been nominated "Best Actress 1977 in a<br />
Science-Fiction. Fantasy or Horror Film"<br />
by the Academy of Science-Fiction. Fantasy<br />
and Horror Films, for AIP's "Empire of<br />
of the Ants" opens in the Los Angeles, area<br />
Wednesday (24).<br />
PETERSON<br />
THEATRE<br />
455 Bearcat Drive<br />
Times Square Park<br />
SUPPLY<br />
Salt Lake City, Utah 84115<br />
801-466-7642<br />
SEATTLE<br />
foiii IVloyer of Luxiuv Thealics. Portland,<br />
Ore., announced the appointment of<br />
Ralph W. Ossood, who formerly work-d<br />
for General Cinema Theatres, as openit'ons<br />
manager of Oregon, Washington and Idaho.<br />
Osgood will be headquartered in Portland.<br />
"Smokey and the Bandit" opened Friday<br />
(19) at the followina theatres: .*ith Avenue,<br />
SeaTac 6, Bellevue Crossroads, Renton Village,<br />
Aurora and Valley.<br />
Current attractions are; "You Light Up<br />
Mv Life," Lewis & Clark I, Lake City.<br />
John Danz and Lynn 2; "One on One,"<br />
Southcenter, Northgate and Bellevue: "Kentucky<br />
Fried Movie," Music Box; "Herbie<br />
Goes to Monte Carlo," Aurora, Renton<br />
Village, Bellevue Overlake, SeaTac 6 and<br />
Sno-King; "Star Wars," UA Cinema 150;<br />
"The Other Side of Midnight," UA Cinema<br />
70; "The Spy Who Loved Me," Cinerama;<br />
"Black and White in Color," Harvard Exit;<br />
"The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training,"<br />
SeaTac 6, Crossroads Twin and Varsity;<br />
"MacArthur," Coliseum: "March or<br />
Die," Bellevue Overlake, Renton Village.<br />
ALirora and Valley: "The Last Remake of<br />
Beau Geste." King, and "The White Buffalo."<br />
Bel-Kirk and Duwamish.<br />
Stu Goldman and Joe McCann of Fun,<br />
the Entertainment Weekly continued to visit<br />
stud'os, observe films in production and<br />
talk with personalities whose films are readv<br />
for release. They visited with Ron Howard<br />
of "Grand Theft Auto," which will open in<br />
the area Wednesday (31), and Henry Winkler<br />
in regard to "Heroes." They also vis'ted<br />
with Linda Haynes who has the female lead<br />
in "Rollins Thunder," which will be released<br />
in October. They previously visited<br />
with Jeff Lee, Columb'a Pictures branch<br />
manager; Pete Latsis, publicity staffer for<br />
American International Pictures: Jeff Reiniis,<br />
who works in AIP's advertising department,<br />
and Julian Meyers who works for<br />
.MP's publxitv department. They also viewed<br />
"Coma" in production at the MGM<br />
studios and had a personal interview with<br />
Ants."<br />
director and writer Michael Crichton.<br />
the<br />
Ms. Collins stars in the H.G. Wells drama Members of the motion pictLire industry<br />
as a resort developer attacked by huge mutant<br />
extend their deep sympathy to A. B. Mc-<br />
ants. Final voting by the Academy's Glinchey, branch manager of National<br />
400 members will be in December. "Empire<br />
Screen Service, on the death of his \\'if«'<br />
Christina. Services were held Wednesday<br />
(10) at Green's Sunset Hills ChapM in<br />
Bellevue.<br />
Theatre Operators. Inc.<br />
Holds Annual Convention<br />
BIG SKY, MONT.—Theatre Operators.<br />
Inc.. recently held its annual managers' convention<br />
here at which time the "Manager of<br />
the Year" award, which is given annually<br />
to the city manager who does the best overall<br />
job in supervising the theatres under him.<br />
was given to Dan Klusman. the Bozeman<br />
city manager.<br />
Klusman and his wife received an allexpense-paid<br />
trip to the national NATO<br />
convention in Miami Beach this fall. The<br />
"Showman of the Year" award was presented<br />
to Lanny Wagner, the city manager<br />
in Billings. This award is given to the manager<br />
who best promotes a number of molion<br />
pictures during the year. Wagner and<br />
his wife will receive an all-expense-pa'd trip<br />
to a national convention or a film company<br />
convention.<br />
A cash award was given to Ron Lewis.<br />
manager of the Ellen Theatres. Bozeman.<br />
for the best lobby display. The "Traveling<br />
Cleanliness" award was given to the World<br />
Theatre. Missoula. Mont. A cash award,<br />
which was part of the prize, went to the<br />
theatre's janitor for excellence in maintenance.<br />
Approximately $1,500 'n cash prizes<br />
were given for successful efforts to increase<br />
sales during the annual popcorn and drink<br />
contest<br />
promotions.<br />
Business sessions were held on two separate<br />
afternoons, and a grand banquet concluded<br />
the convention. Humerous skits were<br />
used at the business sessions to introduce<br />
the top'cs. which included concessions,<br />
drive-in operations, personal growth, advertising<br />
and miscellaneous revenue.<br />
Mornings were devot-^d to recreational<br />
ictivities such as horseback ridina, tennis,<br />
hiking and aolf. A family picnic and marathon<br />
volleyball game opened the three-day<br />
conclave.<br />
The chairmen of the convention were<br />
Dan Klusman. Kelvin Plumb and Ron Lewis<br />
of Bozeman. Theatre Operators is comprised<br />
of 21 theatres in a four-slat.- area.<br />
Members of the board of directors awarded<br />
the prizes and directed the business sessions.<br />
This time do things right<br />
[PN . IN-HOUSE<br />
(RAPERY & DESIGN DEPARTMENTS . DRIVE-INS . SPECIALTROJECTS<br />
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GLENDALE. CALIFORNIA, 91201 (21^247-6550<br />
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5^-.,,MA/C/SC0<br />
"yVarner Bros, screened "Greased Lightning"<br />
for a variety of groups in order<br />
i;i build good word-of-moulh ... In town<br />
for a sneak of "The Goodbye Girl" were<br />
Neil Simon and Marsha Mason. The film<br />
was screened Friday (19) at the Norihpoint.<br />
Marilyn Chambers is in town for interviews<br />
promoting "Rab'd," opening here<br />
Wednesday (31).<br />
UATC booker Bob Lenihan took the traditional<br />
UAT bookers" summer trek—he<br />
did a lour of the theatres in his Monterey-<br />
Santa Cruz territory.<br />
KTVU-TV's Bob Wilkins. host .il th:<br />
popular "Creature Features," greeted himdreds<br />
of his fans in Sacramento. San Jose<br />
and this city Saturday and Sunday (20.21)<br />
as he hosted special screenings of "Kingdom<br />
of the Spiders."<br />
Paramount will be doing a test engagement<br />
of two classic sci-fi films. "War of the<br />
Worlds" and "When Worlds Collide." The<br />
double bill opens Wednesday (31).<br />
The previously announced prenverc of<br />
Lina Wertmuller's "Night Full of Rain,"<br />
which was to have been the San Francisco<br />
Film Festival's opening-night film, will not<br />
be shown. The "Evening with l.ina Wertmuller"<br />
also has been canceled. In explanation,<br />
Wcrlmullcr said, "Because part of the<br />
film was made in San Francisco, 1 had hoped<br />
to rush completion in order to show it<br />
for the first time anywhere in that city.<br />
Unfortunately, as the date came closer and<br />
closer, it became obvious that the production<br />
schedule would not permit me to finish<br />
in time." The new opening programs have<br />
yet to be announced.<br />
Snoopy made an appearance at Macv's<br />
Saturday (27) to give away passes to his<br />
newest movie, "Race for Your Life, Charlie<br />
Brown!" The well-known beagle also handed<br />
out Dolly Madison cakes and showed<br />
h's new line of accessories for the back-toschool<br />
season.<br />
'Deep' Sets Columbia<br />
Record in Australia<br />
Sydney — "The Deep" pulled In a<br />
Columbia Pictures record one-week<br />
total of $230,133 in seven cities in<br />
.Australia, it was reported by Patrick<br />
,M. WiilianiEon, executive vice-president<br />
of Columbia Pictures International.<br />
Leading the way was the $100,505<br />
gathered in a six-theatre engagement<br />
in Sydney and suburb.<br />
Two Mar Vista Features<br />
At Deauville Festival<br />
LOS ANGELES—Two Mar Vista product'ons.<br />
"The Last of the Cowboys" starring<br />
Henry Fonda, Eileen Brennan and Susan<br />
Sarandon, and "Dogs" starring David<br />
McCallum, have been selected for presentation<br />
at the Deauville, France, Film Festival,<br />
to be held September 4-10, it was announced<br />
by Mar Vista president Allan F.<br />
Bodoh, who also produced the two features.<br />
Michael Leone served as executive prodiicer.<br />
Another Leone film, "Meanwhile, Back<br />
at the Ranch ..." also has been chosen for<br />
showing at the festival.<br />
"Dogs" currently is in release, both domestic<br />
and foreign, while "The Last of the<br />
Cowboys" is scheduled for fall release.<br />
Giant Ant Stalked LA<br />
To Promote New Film<br />
LOS ANGELES—American International<br />
Pictures attracted extra attention to the<br />
opening of H. G. Wells' "Empire of the<br />
Ants" throughout the area Wednesday (24)<br />
by turning loose an eight-fool walking ant.<br />
Like the giant mutant ants in the drama,<br />
this model could walk upright, and did so<br />
in many locations. Ominous in appearance,<br />
it was shown on TV news programs and in<br />
newspapers.<br />
On Sunday (21) the ant battled Radio<br />
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DENVER<br />
Jerry Bullard who operates the Sage Theatre<br />
in Upton. Wyo., was in the area<br />
to visit the exchanges and set playdates.<br />
Bullard's trip to this area was twofold since<br />
he also visited various oil production companies<br />
on behalf of his venture Goodwell,<br />
Inc.. an oilwell logging and perforating service<br />
that he also operates from his headquarters<br />
in Upton.<br />
Former Columbia branch manager Jerry<br />
Smith, who now operates a buying and booking<br />
service in Salt Lake City, was in town<br />
to renew acquaintances and to set dates for<br />
his theatres in this area . . . Dick Klein of<br />
the Trojan Theatre, Longmont, Colo., and<br />
Neal Lloyd of the Westland Theatres, Colorado<br />
Springs, were also in the area to set<br />
dates.<br />
Columbia Pictures branch office is in the<br />
final stages of settling into its new quarters<br />
in suite 1102 in the Lincoln Tower Building,<br />
1860 Lincoln St. The new phone nimibe7<br />
is 303-861-9048.<br />
City Restraining Order<br />
Blocks Theatre's Plans<br />
HOLLYWOOD — Vincent Miranda's<br />
Walnut Properties has acquired the Buena<br />
Vista Theatre in Duarte but faces a restraining<br />
order obtained by the city which<br />
blocks, at least temporarily, plans to screen<br />
adult films, beginning with "Deep Throat"<br />
and "The Devil in Miss Jones."<br />
A court hearing has been set for September<br />
2 on the city's move to enforce its new<br />
antipornography zoning ordinance. As a<br />
result,<br />
the theatre must switch to other than<br />
X-rated films within five<br />
days.<br />
Lack of Amenities Causes Exodus<br />
HARTFORD—A regional conference of<br />
the National League of Cities was told by<br />
New Haven Mayor Frank Logue that a<br />
"lack of amenities" has contributed to the<br />
mass exodus of resident taxpayers from<br />
northeastern cities. He grouped theatres with<br />
libraries and museums among key amenities.<br />
"Although such amenities are the most<br />
expensive," he said, "they pay off."<br />
THEATRE<br />
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W-4 BOXOFFICE :: August
Gala Benefit Slated<br />
At Fox in St. Louis<br />
ST. LOUIS — A different type of<br />
(.loLible feature" will be the atrraction at<br />
Arthur's Fox Friday, September 2, starting<br />
at 8 p.m., when a benefit film showing will<br />
be accompanied by an organ concert. Slated<br />
for unspooling is the classic motion picture<br />
"Phantom of the Opvera," starring the<br />
la;e, great Lon Chaney.<br />
Stan Kann. former organist at the Fo.x.<br />
who has been featured on network talk<br />
shows displaying his antique household<br />
gadgets, will provide the musical score for<br />
the 1920s silent film playing the Fo.\ Wurlitzer<br />
organ, which is second in size only<br />
to the one at the Radio City Music Hall in<br />
New York City.<br />
The event will benefit the St. Louis and<br />
Chain of Rocks Railroad, which operates<br />
three miles of track along the Mississippi<br />
River in the northern part of St. Louis<br />
County and allows passengers to ride along<br />
the route free the second Sunday of each<br />
month. Proceeds from the concert will be<br />
used to maintain and improve the railroad's<br />
museum, which has a year-round program.<br />
Tickets for the show are $4.50 in advance<br />
and $5 at the door. A limited number of<br />
benefactor tickets at $20 each are available,<br />
providing reserved orchestra seating and an<br />
after-the-event buffet at Stan Musial's restaurant<br />
with a reception for Kann, who<br />
formerly played the organ at "The Man's"<br />
popular eatery before departing for California<br />
where he now makes his home (it's<br />
more convenient for Stan's TV appearances).<br />
"The Phantom of the Opera" still is considered<br />
by many film critics to be the greatest<br />
horror presentation of the silent-picture<br />
era. with the unmasking scene described as<br />
one of the most brilliant episodes ever<br />
photographed.<br />
During the three-hour program, Kann<br />
also will play favorite numbers from his<br />
years at the Fo.x console.<br />
Lincoln Village Theatre<br />
Boosts 'Bad News Bears'<br />
CHICAGO— Enthusiasm on the part of<br />
Lincoln Village Theatre management and<br />
staff has inspired patron interest and increased<br />
volume at the boxoffice in relation<br />
to a number of films. "The Bad News Bears<br />
in Breaking Training" has been no exception.<br />
As a preopening stunt, a 60x40-foot sign<br />
on a side of the building drew a lot of preliminary<br />
comment and subsequent substan-<br />
business to the boxoffice.<br />
tial<br />
Advance publicity also included yellow<br />
Bears pennants and baseballs in the lobby<br />
and around the candy counter. With the<br />
baseball motif as a feature in the overall<br />
decor, a new price sign for bleachers, box<br />
seats for adults and grandstand seats for<br />
children was posted at the boxoffice along<br />
with a showtimes scoreboard.<br />
At a sneak preview, three youngsters representing<br />
"Bad News Bears" were introduced<br />
on the theatre stage by Robert Ken-<br />
THE LINEUP—Old-timers a( Plitt llieatres were reminded of "the good old<br />
days," back when patrons waited for some time to see film attractions at Balaban<br />
& Katz theatres in the Loop, when they saw the moviegoers lined up recently at<br />
the Orland Square 3 in Chicagoland. The eager ticket-buyers were waiting to enter<br />
the triplex to see "The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training."<br />
nedy, general manager of Brotman & Sherman<br />
Theatres.<br />
Credit for the effective exploitation also<br />
goes to Bob Silverman, George Aniehini<br />
and Hillside Theatre manager Bill Rivkin.<br />
Chicago Was Filmmaking<br />
Capital From 1907-1918<br />
CHICAGO—Filming of "The Fury" in<br />
Chicago is coming to an end. Shooting has<br />
taken place in the Old Town area, the near<br />
north side and in suburban Bolingbrook.<br />
Interior lensing will be done on the West<br />
Coast.<br />
The moviemaking activity which was<br />
done in Chicago during the past several<br />
weeks reminded many longtime citizens that<br />
the Windy City is where filmmaking began.<br />
Research shows that in 1907 Chicago was<br />
the film capital—and it remained so until<br />
1918.<br />
According to information gleaned by<br />
George Estep of the Chicago Tribune, it<br />
was in November 1918 that William N.<br />
Selig, owner of the Selig Polyscope Co.,<br />
was shooting "The Count of Monte Cristo."<br />
A search for information revealed that Chicago<br />
is where the serial movie came into<br />
focus and it also has been revealed that<br />
early stars, including Charlie Chaplin, Edward<br />
Arnold, Ben Turpin, Francis X. Bushman,<br />
Lillian Drew and a number of others,<br />
appeared in films produced at the Essanay<br />
Film Studios at 1333 West Argyle St.<br />
As the story goes, Selig discovered Tom<br />
Mix. Mix reportedly was a U.S. marshal in<br />
Oklahoma but he started visiting Essanay<br />
Studios while S:lig was shooting on location.<br />
Selig, it is recorded, took Mix to Los .Angeles<br />
for "Ranch Life in the Great SoiUhwest"<br />
for scenic reasons but he kept his<br />
Chicago studios.<br />
The first full-length five-reel epic made<br />
Chicago at Essanay was "Graustark,"<br />
in<br />
starring Francis X. Bushman.<br />
Recorded among other Selig accomplishments<br />
are "The Coming of Columbus."<br />
which won Selig a medal from Pope Pius X.<br />
Hartford vs. the Russo's<br />
In Land War-Part II<br />
HARTFORD—The Russo brothers, once<br />
owners of the land on which the 2,100-car<br />
capacity Meadows Drive-In was situated in<br />
Hartford's North Meadows district, have<br />
filed suit for $5 million against the Hartford<br />
Redevelopment Agency in Hartford<br />
County Superior Court.<br />
Anthony and John Russo, who operate<br />
an excavating company, seek the return of<br />
the condemned 42.5-acres; when condemned<br />
in July, 1975, the city paid $1,243,-<br />
000, a price immediately contested in the<br />
same court by the Russos. State referees<br />
Louis Shapiro, Abraham S. Borden and Joseph<br />
Klau have since awarded the brothers<br />
$403,892 more from the city, but the Russos<br />
argue the land was worth more than<br />
$2.5 million.<br />
The Russos assert that although the redevelopment<br />
agency formed its final plan for<br />
the North Meadows Industrial Business<br />
Project in September. 1971, not until four<br />
years later was their land condemned. The<br />
delay, they continue, hindered continuing<br />
negotiations to sell, lease or develop the<br />
land. They add that at one point General<br />
Cinema Corp. was ready to convert the<br />
Meadows into a twin underskyer: this<br />
project, however, was blocked by the condemnation.<br />
The new suit claims that the redevelopment<br />
agency illegally condemned the property<br />
because the site did not fit the definition<br />
of a slum area and was not really necessary<br />
for the redevelopment project.<br />
city<br />
The Russos, for their part, claim that the<br />
needs only "two or three" acres of the<br />
property to relocate Weston Street. They say<br />
that about nine acres of the land is illegally<br />
leased by the redevelopment agency to<br />
World Jai Alai of Hartford for use as a<br />
parking lot. such use putting the redevelopment<br />
agency into improper competition with<br />
other parking lot<br />
renters.<br />
EOXOFFICE Angus 1977 C-1
. . . Tom<br />
JUIS<br />
lyjfary Sfetgios has joined the Mid-America<br />
Theatres staff as the newest employee<br />
in ihe advertising department.<br />
United Artists has scheduled a special<br />
wide multiple double-dip which will begin<br />
Wednesday (31). The duo is composed of<br />
"The Return of the Pink Panther" and<br />
•The Pink Panther Strikes Again." Both<br />
features, of course, have Peter .Sellers starring<br />
as the bumbling Inspector Clouseau.<br />
Donald O'Connor, popular stage and motion<br />
picture star who most recently appeared<br />
in "That's Ent.-rtainmcnt!" and "That's Entertainment,<br />
Part 2." will be starring in the<br />
title role of "Charle's Aunt" at the Barn<br />
Dinner Theatre through September 25<br />
Smothers, actor-comedian-guitarist<br />
(and brother of Dick Smothers who now<br />
prefers auto racing to performing), comes<br />
to the Plantation Dinner Theatre Tuesday,<br />
.September 6. He will be starred in "Play<br />
It Again. Sam." which runs through October<br />
16.<br />
For the fourth consecutive vear.<br />
Ringold<br />
Cinema<br />
Equipment Inc.<br />
the Jerry<br />
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Lewis Labor Day Telethon, which benefits<br />
the Muscular Dystrophy Ass'n of America's<br />
research and service programs, will be carried<br />
by KSD-TV. Channel 5. KSD-TV newsmen<br />
Cliff St. James and John Auble will<br />
co-host the live entertainment segments from<br />
the Breckenridge Inn at Lindbergh and<br />
With the aid of a grant from the Missouri Clayton Road and the Northwest Plaza<br />
Arts Council, the University City Library Shopping Center from 10:30 p.m. Sunday.<br />
hopes to have on its fall schedule of films September 4, through 5:30 p.m. Monday,<br />
such attractions as "Cimarron." "A Woman<br />
September 5. The fund-raising marathon<br />
Rebels." "Dames." "Up Ihe River." orginates in Las Vegas. Aimee Lynn Weh-<br />
"Mark of the Vampire." "This Day and meier of St. Charles is the Missouri MD.A<br />
Age," "Shanghai Express." "Thunderbolt" 1977 poster child. A six-year-old victim of<br />
is<br />
and "Cabin in the Cotton."<br />
spinal muscular dystrophy. Aimee conlined<br />
to a wheelchair. She will represent<br />
the association in fund-raising campaigns.<br />
Citizens Mount Anti-Smut Attack<br />
CLAREMONT, N.H.—The display of<br />
pornographic material is under fire in this<br />
New Hampshire city, 500 persons signing a<br />
petition asking Mayor Charles Puskta to<br />
recommend that such material be displayed<br />
at least six feet from the floor.<br />
'Tall' Scores in KC Run<br />
KANSAS CITY — "Final Chapter-<br />
Walking Tall," a Bing Crosby Productions<br />
feature starring Bo Svenson, grossed $76,-<br />
622 in its first week in ten theatres in Kansas<br />
City, according to James Whiteside,<br />
BCP's vice-president in charge of sales and<br />
marketing. The film is released by AIP.<br />
RojoB Promotes 'Bears'<br />
KANSAS CITY—Cookie Rojas, infieldcr<br />
of the Kansas City Royals, helped promote<br />
the opening of "The Bad News Bears<br />
in Breaking Training" at the AMC Springs<br />
4 theatres here by holding an autograph<br />
session and giving away Square Shooter<br />
suckers, a new concession item.<br />
SALT Talks are Successful<br />
In Syracuse Negotiations<br />
SYRACUSE — A citizens group has<br />
agreed to purchase the downtown Locw's<br />
Theatre to save it from demolition.<br />
The non-profit group, Syracuse Area<br />
Landmark Theatre (SALT) will have 90<br />
days to raise the $65,000 purchase price.<br />
SALT wants to reopen and restore the<br />
downtown "picture palace," according to<br />
SALT president Joyce Schreiver.<br />
At the contract signing Friday (12) Mrs.<br />
Schriever said she is confident the $65,000<br />
can be raised by the deadline. She reported<br />
SALT has about $5,000 in membership<br />
pledges in hand and gave $1,000 of that as<br />
a down payment to the Sutton Real Estate<br />
Corp.<br />
Corporation vice-president Daniel Sutton,<br />
who signed for the film, described the<br />
possibility of reopening Loew's as a "much<br />
needed shot in the arm for downtown Syracuse."<br />
Peter Baum, SALT attorney, said Loew's<br />
will not be reopened as the first run house<br />
it used to be, but for "entertainment of all<br />
types."<br />
He noted that the 3,000-seat theatre,<br />
built<br />
in 1928, is the largest entertainment area in<br />
the city outside of the War Memorial and<br />
that SALT already has received inquiries<br />
from agents anxious to book live shows into<br />
Loew's.<br />
He said the theatre could reopen in late<br />
September or October.<br />
City Councilor Armond Magnarelli, who<br />
is<br />
also a member of the State Council on the<br />
Arts, said that he felt it would be possible<br />
to cut taxes on the theatre since SALT is a<br />
non-profit group.<br />
The chairman of renovation and restoration<br />
committee is Harris Cooper, who owns<br />
a theatrical decoration business.<br />
Ed Hunt will direct "War of the Ali<br />
Norman Glick production.<br />
ALL<br />
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C-2 August 29, 1977
—<br />
—<br />
KC Newcomers Net<br />
Variety of Grosses<br />
KANSAS CITY—A mixed reception<br />
awaited the newcomers to the area this<br />
report week as the grosses ranged the full<br />
gamut from 350 to 90. Newcomer "I Never<br />
Promised You a Rose Garden" along with<br />
holdover "Smokey and the Bandit" topped<br />
the list. "The Last Remake of Beau Geste,"<br />
which completed its first week at the Glenwood,<br />
along with "MacArthur." which<br />
completed its second week at the Plaza,<br />
tied for second place with a mark of 300<br />
while "Final Chapter—Walking Tall" took<br />
the third place slot with an average of 250<br />
at ten theatres.<br />
Eight theatres—Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo<br />
(BV), 3rd wk 175<br />
11 theatres—Outlaw Blues (WB) 125<br />
r.ne Arts—Black and White in Color (AA)<br />
3rd wk 95<br />
Five theatres—Fire Sole (20th-Fox) 90<br />
Glenwood I—The Last Hemake ol Beau Gestc<br />
(Univ) 300<br />
Plaza-MacArthur (Univ), 2nd wk, 300<br />
Ranchmart—A Bridge Too For (UA), 9!h wk 55<br />
Seville I Never Promised You a Rose Garden<br />
(New World) 350<br />
Six theatres—The Bad News Bears in Breaking<br />
Training (Para), 3rd wk 230<br />
Six theatres—Smokey and the Bandit (Univ),<br />
3rd<br />
.350<br />
Ten theatres—Final Chapter-Walking Tall<br />
(AlP)<br />
Three theatres-The Other Side oi Midnight<br />
'Suspiria' Tops Chicago List<br />
For the Second Straight Week<br />
CHICAGO— Although five new films<br />
debuted in the area this week none of them<br />
were able to capture the lead from "Suspiria."<br />
which earned the highest grosses for<br />
the second straight week. The second place<br />
slot was shared by "Greased Lightning"<br />
and "The Bad News Bears in Breaking<br />
Training." which both earned grosses of<br />
275.<br />
Chicago, Hyde Park—Greased Lightning (WB),<br />
3rd wk 275<br />
Cinema—Block and Wiile in Color (AA),<br />
8lh wk 250<br />
Eight theatres—The Spy Who Loved Me (UA) 250<br />
Five theatres—MacArthur (Univ) 225<br />
Five theatres—Star Wars (20th-Fox), 12th wk 240<br />
Five theatres The Last Remake oi Beau Geste<br />
(Univ), 2nd wk 225<br />
Four theatres—March or Die (Cc'.l 200<br />
Golf Mill 2, Portage—Smokey and the Bandit<br />
(Univ), 3rd wk 225<br />
Highland Park 1, Riviera—Herbie Goes to Monte<br />
Cotlo (BV). 3rd wk 150<br />
Nine theatres One on One iWB) 2 =<br />
Ookbrook, Woodfield 2—The Other Side oi<br />
Midnight (20th-Fox), 9th wk :'50<br />
Six theatres-The Bad News Bears in Breaking<br />
Training (Para), 3rd wk 27,=i<br />
Slate Lake— Suspiria (20th-Fox), 2nd wk .100<br />
Three theatres—Fire Sale (20th-Fox) FO<br />
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KANSAS CITY<br />
^idwest Films' Gene Irwin cekbrated his<br />
birthday Friday (26)—and it was celebrated<br />
in proper fashion, with co-workers<br />
Mary Pickett. Jo Ann Bergman and Sharon<br />
Richeson surprising him with a party on the<br />
big<br />
day.<br />
Laurie Hanson, New World's office manager<br />
and part-time jock, has racked up another<br />
trophy for her showcase. Laurie played<br />
on a coed Softball team in a Johnson<br />
County Parks & Recreation League and she<br />
and her mates just finished the season in<br />
first place, with ten wins and no losses. One<br />
wonders how much more awesome the team<br />
could have been if they had played while<br />
sober.<br />
Biiena Vista held a special invitational<br />
screening Thursday afternoon (25) at the<br />
Fine Arts Theatre of the upcoming release<br />
"Candleshoe," with David Niven. Cake and<br />
coffee was served to augment the popcorn.<br />
Summer is winding down and so are vacations<br />
but a few people are still out there<br />
getting their licks. One is Marilyn Pulver.<br />
Universal clerk, who spent last week recreating<br />
in southern Missouri, amidst the Mark<br />
Twain National Forest in the Ozarks.<br />
Nearly all the film exchanges will be closed<br />
Monday, September 5, in observance of<br />
Labor Day.<br />
Valerie Hood, National Screen secretary,<br />
reports she had a "wonderful" time on Florida<br />
beaches earlier this month. Her time was<br />
spent sitting in the rain on the beach. "It<br />
was a nice option." she said. "You could<br />
get wet in the ocean or get wet on the<br />
beach." Valerie, incidentally, is a new member<br />
of Women of Variety.<br />
Universal has a new clerk-typist in its office.<br />
Kathleen Huff began her duties Thursday<br />
(18). She is a newcomer to the industry<br />
but Kathleen is not a total stranger to Filmrow<br />
personnel. Her mother Pat Nylund also<br />
is a co-worker at Universal.<br />
Debbie Richeson, account representative<br />
for National Screen Service, traveled to<br />
New Orleans last week to meet with Paramount<br />
sales executives.<br />
Bob Jackson and Jesse Graves each celebrated<br />
25 years service with American Muiti<br />
Cinema here. Both are custodians who<br />
begin their AMC careers at the Roxy Theatre,<br />
where they remained until the house<br />
fell victim to the city's urban renewal<br />
project in 1972. In recognition of their<br />
combined half-century of service, the staff<br />
and management presented Jackson and<br />
Graves with gifts and congratulations.<br />
Bev and Mary-Margaret Miller, Mercury<br />
Film Co., went to Poplar Bluff Thursday<br />
(18) to attend funeral services for Bev's<br />
aunt Etta Gram, who died Tuesday (16)<br />
at age 89 following a stroke. The Millers<br />
returned to their Overland Park, Kas.. home<br />
Simday (21).<br />
Walt Disney is in the thoughts of people<br />
in the Kansas City area. In the "TV Scene"<br />
section of the Sunday (21) Kansas City Star<br />
three writers to the "Mailbag" had questions<br />
about Disney productions. One letter a.sked,<br />
"Can you tell me why Walt Disney movie<br />
classics such as 'Uncie Remus' and Mary<br />
Poppins" and the like are not rereleased very<br />
often? My son is coming to the age where I<br />
would like to take him to see these movies,<br />
hopefully a couple of times while he is still<br />
a child. But it seems that many years pass<br />
before these movies come back. Besides. I<br />
want to see them again, too." The answer:<br />
"Disney Productions has followed a strict<br />
policy of reissuing the classics every seven<br />
years. What is magic about a seven-year<br />
cycle? 'Years ago we tried having them<br />
come out more often.' Irving H. Ludwig,<br />
president of Disney's distribution organization,<br />
said. ".Attendance was not what we<br />
hoped it would be. Every seven years a new<br />
cycle develops and we stick to it, almost in<br />
a religious manner.' "<br />
Irving Marx, Buena Vista branch manager<br />
in Minneapolis, was in town last week.<br />
Screening at Commonwealth: Friday (26),<br />
"The Contest" (Atlas), distributed by<br />
Thomas & Shipp.<br />
Cinema Prospects Studied<br />
NARRAGANSETT. R.I.—A town council<br />
authorized study on the possibility of<br />
improving available entertainment within<br />
the town limits for summer visitors is exploring<br />
the prospects of a town supported<br />
cinema. Narragansett at present has no such<br />
facility. A report will be submitted to the<br />
town council by Sidney Kramer at its<br />
September 6 meeting. Thrust of the study<br />
is understood to be geared to halt continuing<br />
criticism of insufficient entertainment<br />
for Narragansett's many summer tourists.<br />
CINERAMA IS IN<br />
SHOW BUSINESS IN<br />
HAWAII TOO.<br />
When you come to Waikiki,<br />
"^o" f "T^'ss the famous<br />
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Don Ho Show. . . at<br />
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August 29. 1977
'Siar Wars' Regains<br />
Lead in Memphis<br />
MEMPHIS—A decrease in the competition's<br />
might enabled "Star Wars," which<br />
toppled to the third place position last week,<br />
into the second place slot with grosses of<br />
420 while the area's newcomers faced receptive<br />
crowds as "Orca" opened with substantial<br />
grosses of 230 and "Jabberwocky"<br />
ended its debut week with a mark of 210.<br />
(Average Is 100)<br />
Malco Quartel 1—Nasty Habits (SR), 5th wk 135<br />
Memphian, Paramount 1—Star Wars (20lh-Fox),<br />
_ 6th wk 435<br />
3za 2—Iabber\<br />
dgeway Four<br />
(UA), 5th wk.<br />
Ridgeway Four 3, Malco Quartet :—The Other<br />
Side of Midnight (20th-Fox) 7th wk<br />
Soulhbrook 2, ParamounI 2—Orca (PnrnJ<br />
Three theatres—A Bridge Too Far (UA!<br />
7th wk<br />
Three theatres—The Spy Who Loved Me lUA)<br />
2n6 wk<br />
Rescuers (BV), 2nd wk.<br />
Elvis Presley's Death<br />
Mourned in Memphis<br />
By EARLINE EANS<br />
MEMPHIS — Local citizens were<br />
shocked and saddened by the sudden death<br />
of Elvis Presley who suffered a heart attack<br />
Tuesday (16).<br />
He was not only Memphis' favorite and<br />
most famous citizen but a well behaved,<br />
good and generous person whose contributions<br />
to numerous charities and individuals<br />
brought happiness to thousands.<br />
The private funeral, which was conducted<br />
by Rev. C. W. Bradley of Wooddale<br />
Church of Christ, was held at Graceland<br />
mansion and burial was in the mausoleum<br />
at Midtown Forest Hill Cemetery, both of<br />
which are located on Elvis Presley Boulevard.<br />
Calls came from foreign cities and<br />
people arrived from all over the world in<br />
order to pay their respects to the rock 'n'<br />
roll king who had touched so many lives.<br />
Approximately 100,000 persons pressed<br />
at the gates of the mansion in order to enter<br />
and view the body and thousands were still<br />
waiting in lines when the gates were finally<br />
closed to the public. Many people spent<br />
the entire night standing in lines and some<br />
fainted and collapsed from the heat and<br />
emotional strain. At one point a drunken<br />
driver crashed into the crowd of mourners<br />
and killed two teenage girls from Monroe.<br />
La., also injiirina one airl from St. Clair.<br />
Mo.<br />
About 100 vans were required to transfer<br />
the flowers, which lined the mansion's<br />
driveway, from the mansion to the cemetery.<br />
Memphians will miss their idol. Although<br />
only a select group were allowed to enter<br />
his gates and associate with him. the example<br />
he set with wholesome living together<br />
with the magnetism of his voice and personality<br />
along with his generosity and graciousness<br />
will live on.<br />
Gov. Ray Blanton of Tennessee was<br />
among llic crowd of about 200 persons iliai<br />
attended the private services, l.imousuu's<br />
were brought in for the celebrities that included:<br />
John Wayne. Sammy Davis jr..<br />
Ann-Margret, Burt Reynolds, James Brown.<br />
George Hamilton, Chet Atkins and several<br />
executives from RCA, the company for<br />
which Presley recorded.<br />
to recapture its previous position at the pinnacle<br />
Pallbearers were Billy and Gene Smith,<br />
of the list with grosses of 435. "The cousins of Presley; Joe Esposito, Presley's<br />
Spy Who Loved Me" was narrowly edged road manager; Dr. George Nichopoulos,<br />
Presley's personal physician; Charles<br />
Hodge, a close friend; Felton Jarvis, a<br />
Nashville producer who handled Presley's<br />
records; George Klein, a former Memphis<br />
radio announcer who is now the director<br />
of Libertyland and a good friend, and Jerry<br />
Schilling, road manager for the Beach Boys<br />
and a longtime friend.<br />
Caroline Kennedy, daughter of the late<br />
President John F. Kennedy, visited the mansion<br />
to pay her respects and later talked to<br />
fans.<br />
Presley kept busy the two weeks before<br />
his death by enjoying a visit with his nineyear-old<br />
daughter Lisa Marie and his father<br />
Vernon Presley. He was scheduled to leave<br />
on a tour Tuesday night that was to begin<br />
in Portland. Ore., and end in Memphis Sunday<br />
(28). Bill Minkus of American International<br />
Pictures had scheduled a private<br />
showing of "One on One" for Presley on<br />
Tuesday night.<br />
In addition to his success as a singer.<br />
Presley had also made 31 movies.<br />
Bert D. Benton Sr. Dies;<br />
Famed Filmrow Veteran<br />
JACKSONVILLE—Bert D. Benton sr..<br />
the elder statesman to generations of Filmrow<br />
people in exhibition, distribution and<br />
allied industries throughout the Southeast,<br />
died Saturday (13). Benton with his younger<br />
brothers founded Benton Bros. Film Express,<br />
which operated a fleet of freight<br />
trucks.<br />
Benton also headed the Jax Film Service,<br />
which was an offshoot of Benton Bros. Film<br />
Express, and held prominent positions in<br />
Masonic orders.<br />
Benton is survived by his widow, a son<br />
Bert D. Benton jr., three grandsons, Bert<br />
D., Patrick F. and James F.; a sister Mrs.<br />
Arthur Swaim of Atlanta, Ga., and an aunt<br />
Mrs. John Bishop of Marietta, Ga.<br />
Giveaways and Displays<br />
Highlight AMC Promos<br />
GREENSBORO. N. C—Ron Anderson,<br />
assistant manager of the Carolina Circle 6<br />
theatres here, arranged a motorcycle giveaway<br />
in conjunction with the Harley-Davidson<br />
dealer here to promote "Viva Knievcl!"<br />
The drawing was advertised over three local<br />
radio stations.<br />
A display of health club posters and stills<br />
of the facilities of the Greensboro Health<br />
Clubs was arranged by manager Don Emmert<br />
of the same AMC multiplex to promote<br />
Cinema 5's body-builder documentary<br />
"Pumping Iron."<br />
PROMOTION EFFORTS RE-<br />
WARDED—Tony Bruguicre, manager<br />
of the Santa Rosa Cinema III, Mary<br />
Esther, Fla., is pictured above holding<br />
the "Showmanship Award," which he<br />
won for his promotion of "The Deep.''<br />
Besides receiving the certificate, Bruguiere<br />
also received a $100 check. Ogden-Perry<br />
Theatres instituted the<br />
awards program this year to reward<br />
and acknowledge their theatre managers<br />
who produce innovative and productive<br />
promotion campaigns.<br />
NC Pornography Law<br />
Challenged in Suit<br />
CHARLOTTE, N.C.—A suit challenging<br />
the constitutionality of North Carolina's<br />
new pornography law has been filed in federal<br />
court here, presenting what is thought<br />
to be the first test of the statute.<br />
John G. Ncwitt jr.. a local lawyer, filed<br />
the papers in the U.S. District Court here.<br />
Newitt represents Jolar Cinema which<br />
operates several peep shows, and W&S Enterprises,<br />
which operates theatres and adult<br />
bookstores in Greensboro and High Point,<br />
N.C.<br />
Newitt said he was challenging the new<br />
law on "grounds of the First Amendment<br />
freedom of speech and freedom of the press,<br />
and second, on taking of property without<br />
just compensation and without due process<br />
of law."<br />
Under the law, which took effect Monday<br />
(1). an attorney general or district attorney<br />
can seek to have firms such as X-<br />
rated theatres and adult bookstores closed<br />
as public nuisances. When the bill passed<br />
the state Senate on June 30. state Atty.<br />
Gen. Rufus L. Edmisten said he was concerned<br />
about the bill's constitutionality and<br />
was reluctant to become "a censor."<br />
Edmisten was named as a defendant in<br />
Newitt's suit along with local Dist. Atty.<br />
Peter Gilchrist and Greensboro Dist. Atty.<br />
E. Raymond Alexander jr.<br />
Ncwitt said he hoped U.S. District Judge<br />
James B. McMillan jr. would hold a hearing<br />
on the suit within two weeks.<br />
"It (the law) is the first of its kind that<br />
I've seen in the U.S.," Newitt said.<br />
BOXOFFICE Augu.st 29, 1977 SE-1
ATLANTA<br />
Mg Elliott of locally based International<br />
Pictures, which produces motion pictures<br />
in addition to buying and distributing<br />
lilms. was in Hollywood to put the finishing<br />
touches on the company's new production<br />
"The Billion Dollar Hobo." starring<br />
Tim Conway and Will Geer. Anne Ander-<br />
.son. Elliott's secretary, reported that the<br />
company has moved to new headquarters at<br />
Omni International, 500 North. Atlanta<br />
.»0303. The telephone number is 522-7075.<br />
Two locations quickly booked Elvis Presley<br />
films and did a good business. Georgia<br />
Theatres' Westgate Triple advertised "A<br />
Tribute to the King—A Legend in His Own<br />
Time" and offered the four films "Elvis on<br />
Tour," "That's the Way It Is." "Girl Happy"<br />
and "The Trouble with Girls." Storey<br />
Theatres chose an outdoor showcase, the<br />
North 85 Drive-In. for its trio of offerings,<br />
with "That's the Way It Is." "The Trouble<br />
with Girls" and "Spinout" advertised under<br />
the banner "Elvis . . .<br />
Three of His All-<br />
Time Best Pictures."<br />
Jack Rigg, head honcho at New World<br />
Pictures, is an innovator when it comes to<br />
arranging vacations for his family. Last<br />
year they spent their holidays in Hawaii by<br />
way of Mexico City. This year Jack opted<br />
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to see what New England had to offer. He<br />
led his entourage, including his wife, two<br />
sons Champ and Kenny and daughter Carol.<br />
into a plane destined for Boston. There they<br />
boarded a Winnebago in order to take a<br />
leisurely trip and enjoy the scenery of<br />
Maine. Massachusetts. Connecticut. New<br />
Hampshire. Vermont and Rhode Island.<br />
Louise Cathy, Paramount's head cashier<br />
and the historian for the WOMPIs, vacationed<br />
with her daughter-in-law and grandchildren<br />
for two days and then set out for<br />
Columbia, S.C, where she participated in<br />
a Fred Astaire Dance Studio competition.<br />
Betty Smith, secretary to Paramount's<br />
branch manager Mack MacAfee. returned<br />
from a whirlwind holiday to such interesting<br />
places as Virginia Beach, Baltimore and<br />
Washington. D.C. She is now storing up<br />
energy that she will need when she attends<br />
the WOMPI International convention in<br />
Memphis.<br />
Trade and press screenings at Century<br />
Cinema's facilities included "The End of<br />
the World." distributed by Clark Film Releasing,<br />
and "To Love, Perhaps to Die" and<br />
"Black Tulip." distributed by Film Gems<br />
International . . . Century Cinema's screening<br />
room was pre-empted one evening by<br />
Joe Harper, who is the vice-president of<br />
Cobb Theatres in charge of booking, for a<br />
party that was highlighted by the screening<br />
of Paramount's "Islands in the Stream."<br />
The WOMPIs staged their August board<br />
meeting at the Century Cinema's plush quarters<br />
and were delighted with the accommodations.<br />
They hope to utilize the room in<br />
the future due to its proximity to a large<br />
segment of the membership.<br />
The name of WOMPI president J one<br />
Ackerly was inadvertently left off the list<br />
of delegates to the WOMPI International<br />
convention in Memphis. WOMPI presidents<br />
automatically are delegates to the annu;<br />
conclave.<br />
arc determined to take over the illegal operation.<br />
The film was written and directed by<br />
Ed Mann, produced by Thierry Pathe and<br />
stars Gil Gerard with co-stars Erika Fox and<br />
Melody Rogers. After the local opening,<br />
the film will break in the Charlotte. N.C..<br />
and Jacksonville, Fla.. territories in early<br />
fall.<br />
Susan Morgan, New World Pictures'<br />
billing<br />
clerk, and Beverly Barnett. front desk<br />
receptionist, joined the company's staff during<br />
the summer.<br />
Bob Oda and his wife returned from their<br />
vacation in Ohio and Missouri where they<br />
visited friends and relatives. Bob says that<br />
his company is counting heavily on two<br />
"biggies," "Valentino" and "Semi-Tough,"<br />
which are due this fall and winter. The<br />
former is set for October<br />
MEMPHIS<br />
release.<br />
Pill South, a shipper for American International<br />
Pictures, and his wife Frances<br />
traveled to New York for a two week vacation<br />
to visit relatives and sightsee.<br />
Maggie Gaines, secretary for AIP's bookers,<br />
spent a week relaxing at home and<br />
visiting her parents . . .<br />
Valerie Davis. AIP<br />
staffer'^ spent her vacation at home on Chip<br />
Road.<br />
WOMPI president Deltine Craig of Malco<br />
Theatres called a board meeting Monday<br />
(15) to discuss plans for the International<br />
convention that will be held in Memphis<br />
September 15-18.<br />
COLOR MERCHANT ADS<br />
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Michael Rothschild, president of locally<br />
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"Hooch." the kickoff film for Prudhomme<br />
Productions, will premiere September 30<br />
throughout the city. "Hooch" is a PG-rated<br />
action film about a peaceful North Carolina<br />
moonshining community that is suddenly invaded<br />
by a mob of inept New Yorkers who<br />
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BOXOFFICE :: August 29. 1977
CHARLOTTE<br />
^op grosses of the week: The Bad News<br />
Bears in Breaking Training." Park Terrace<br />
II and Eastland Mall II; "Star Wars."<br />
Charlottetown Mall II: "Greased Lightning,"<br />
Charlottetown Mall III. and "The<br />
Spy Who Loved Me." Tryon Mall II.<br />
Mrs. Arietta Black ot Hxhibitors Service<br />
has organized a halfway house named<br />
Hope Haven for women alcoholics. So far<br />
only $3,500 of the $25,000 goal has been<br />
raised, and an urgent appeal is being made<br />
for private donations. Anyone interested in<br />
this project may call Mrs. Black at 372-3100<br />
from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or at 527-31 16 during<br />
the evenings and weekends.<br />
^^^<br />
Lee Collins, who formerly worked for<br />
Variety Films, is now running his own<br />
company Collins Film Distributors, which<br />
is located at 115 Barkley Rd. He said that<br />
his first film "Lovers Like Us" is doing<br />
well in its opening engagements despite<br />
heavy competition and that it is slated for<br />
wide exposure in September.<br />
Deepest sympathy is extended to the family<br />
of Joe Rector of Drexel who died recently.<br />
He worked as an exhibitor for several<br />
years.<br />
"The People That Time Forgot" debuted<br />
in the area . . . Double Nickel" from<br />
Galaxy Films was screened at the Car-mel.<br />
Frank Savage, a salesman for American<br />
International Pictures, made a recent swing<br />
into the western part of the state to visit<br />
the Coopers in Burnsville and Spruce Pine.<br />
Doyle Norris of the Norris Drive-In,<br />
Lenoir, is now recuperating from a heart<br />
attack.<br />
Nu-Image Films Sponsors<br />
Free Screening of 'Chac'<br />
MIAMI—Nu-Image Films in association<br />
with the Miami Department of Parks and<br />
Recreation presented a free public screening<br />
of "Chac" in Peacock Park on Wednesday<br />
(10).<br />
In an unprecedented procedure "Chac."<br />
which details how a Mayan chief searches<br />
for a sorcerer to end a severe drought, was<br />
shown in other open-air screenings throughout<br />
the country on the same date.<br />
The film, which is G-rated and in a<br />
Mayan dialect with English subtitles, won<br />
the Silver Venus award for best feature,<br />
the Americas award for best Latin American<br />
film, the Best Director award for Rolando<br />
Klein and the Special Jury award at<br />
the 1975 Festival of the Americas held in<br />
th-.; Virgin Islands.<br />
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BOXOFFICE :: August 29. 1977 SE-3
. .<br />
Charlie<br />
JACKSONVILLE<br />
yyOMPI news: Community service events<br />
during August included a social eveoms<br />
at Woodstock Park that was attended<br />
bv more than 100 handicapped teenagers<br />
and a similar party for elderly residents of<br />
the Florida Christian Health Center. Both<br />
parties included games and refreshments<br />
provided by the WOMPI hostesses ... A<br />
group of 20 WOMPI volunteers continued<br />
their support of educational TV station<br />
channel 7. by answering 20 telephones during<br />
a showing of -'South Pacific" in order<br />
to'help boost the station's membership drive<br />
Mrs. Estelle Greene, who is known as<br />
the WOMPI "randmother in the local media,<br />
is being cared for by WOMPI members<br />
during a stay in St. Luke's Hospital following<br />
a stroke.<br />
R. L. "Bob" Jones, local manager for<br />
ABC Florida State Theatres, reported that<br />
five of the circuit's ten local theatres had<br />
132 morning matinees for children from<br />
June 6 to Wednesday (17), which set records<br />
at the Regency I. Edgewood, Kingsley<br />
I. San Marco and Florida theatres. The<br />
Monday and Tuesday morning shows were<br />
co-sponsored by the Duval County School<br />
Board and the Wednesday shows were<br />
billed as public service attractions by the<br />
Florida Times-Union and the Journal,<br />
which contributed large newspaper advertisements<br />
four days each week. Attendance<br />
at the 132 matinees exceeded 50.000 children<br />
in addition to a substantial number of<br />
parents.<br />
Loews Names Manager<br />
For Madison Theatre<br />
NASHVILLE, TENN.— Kirby Jeffreys,<br />
who has been with Loews Theatres since<br />
1973, has been appointed manager of the<br />
circuit's Madison Theatre.<br />
Jeffreys joined the circuit as an assistant<br />
manager at Loews Crescent and Melrose<br />
theatres.<br />
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Folks Hold Fun Day Picnic<br />
BOSTON—The New England Motion<br />
Picture Club unwound with a fun day picnic<br />
at Harry Browning's estate on Mystic<br />
Lake. The event was the culmination of<br />
hard work by chairman Ben Cammack,<br />
Universal, aided by Wendy Hess, Rita Keegan<br />
and Richard Myerson. Festivities got<br />
underway at 1 p.m. under sunny skies.<br />
While the youngsters quaffed soft drinks<br />
(known as tonic in New England) their<br />
elders sipped somewhat sturdier stuff. The<br />
usual outdoor menu of hot dogs, hamburgers,<br />
cake, watermelon, etc., was available<br />
to those who craved solid food.<br />
Evy Titleman, Gasper Urban, Jack Keegan<br />
and most of the small fry brought bathing<br />
suits and romped in the cool water while<br />
we less foresighted folks stood around and<br />
suffered. Evy also kept busy assisting the<br />
food service department, earning thanks<br />
from one and all.<br />
Even the flock of ducks patroling the<br />
lake got in on the act as a certain distributor<br />
(who shall remain nameless) threw two<br />
pieces of bread upon the waters. One duck,<br />
faster than the rest, outraced his feathered<br />
brethren and gobbled up both tidbits, reminding<br />
us of a certain exhibitor (who<br />
shall also remain nameless).<br />
Six of the more athletic types spent the<br />
entire day playing games—poker. At approximately<br />
five of the clock Ben, who had<br />
been on the go constantly, was forced to<br />
yield to a case of "the wearies" and Harry<br />
the host made several attempts to say farewell,<br />
some subtle and some otherwise, as<br />
he noted that he was due at his drive-in in<br />
Medford.<br />
When all was said and done, it was a relaxing<br />
and enjoyable outing and Ben, Harry<br />
and all who made it possible must be<br />
aware that their efforts were appreciated.<br />
Faces in the Fun<br />
Jim. Jeanne, John and Mark Engle with<br />
Jim in a "Star Wars" T-shirt , . . Joe, Helen<br />
and Kathy Leahy with Joe apologizing for<br />
not bringing Harold Levin along . .<br />
Jerry<br />
.<br />
Kravitz, Jay Sands in a "The Deep" T-<br />
shirt and telling everyone how he threw a<br />
frisbec about 100 yards into Joe Morana's<br />
lap (arc the "Pats" still looking for a backup<br />
quarterback?) Hoyt and<br />
.<br />
Anita Magee brought the glad tidings that<br />
Tarsisio Fava, one of their bookers, was<br />
married recently in Joe's presence, in New<br />
York . . . George Abbot, Gasper Urban's<br />
wife Blanche, Henry Neveau, Plainville<br />
D.l.<br />
Bob<br />
with Phil<br />
Rancatore and Bruce Quackenbush<br />
from Sunn Classic headquarters in Marblehead<br />
Ray Swank. 16mm distributor<br />
. . .<br />
from Braintree ... and th-th-that's all,<br />
folks.<br />
It's Comedy Night in Walertown<br />
WATERTOWN, MASS.—"Swiss Miss,"<br />
Laurel & Hardy comedy classic, plus Buster<br />
Keaton and Three Stooges shorts, were<br />
shown at the Watertown Public Library as<br />
a free attraction program.<br />
BOXOFFICE :; August 29. 1'
.<br />
.<br />
Who reads <strong>Boxoffice</strong>?<br />
you know...<br />
and want to reach<br />
Key people in Exhibition:<br />
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OFFICE Reader: someone who is<br />
integral to the film industry . .<br />
someone who makes the big<br />
^decisions . .<br />
iomeone like<br />
you.<br />
L<br />
P^<br />
iblisher's Statement for 6 mos. ending Dec. 31, 1975<br />
August 29, 1977 SE-5
. . Don<br />
.<br />
/""J<br />
M I<br />
.<br />
3^iK and Alyce Weinstock just returned<br />
from a trip to Las Vegas. Alex reported<br />
that they are renaming the poker<br />
room of the MGM-Grand Casino after<br />
him and Bobbie Gallagher and<br />
iheir children left on Friday (5) for a two<br />
week vacation in Montana and Colorado.<br />
It's their first visit back home since moving<br />
h;re one year ago ... Jim Carey, Wometco<br />
Enterprises e.xecutive. and his wife Ruth are<br />
anxiously anticipating their Labor Day departure<br />
for Europe. They will be spending<br />
three glorious weeks drinking and eating<br />
their way across France. It is almost an annual<br />
event for the Careys.<br />
Happy anniversary to Manford and Berneice<br />
Pickrell who celebrated their 50th on<br />
•Saturday (6). Family members from all<br />
over the U.S. arrived in Orlando for the<br />
event including their son Pick, president of<br />
Carbons. Inc. ... On the same date Fred<br />
and Mary Anderson celebrated their 40th.<br />
Mary said it was lovely despite having to<br />
work that day. She is the manager of the<br />
Village Theatre in Hialeah where she says<br />
they have been filling the house with "The<br />
Rescuers."<br />
There has been standing-room-only business<br />
the Wurtzburg's Movies of Kendall,<br />
at which has been featuring "One on One."<br />
Martin Hornstein, the producer of the film,<br />
was in the area recently on a whirlwind<br />
publicity tour accompanied by G. D. Spradlin<br />
who plays the despicable coach of Western<br />
University in the summer feature, which<br />
also stars Robbie Benson and Annette<br />
OToole.<br />
Ted Freiwald has assumed the operation<br />
of the Ruskin Drive-In, Ruskin. Fla,, from<br />
the former owner Charles Utley.<br />
Bill<br />
Sanders, service engineer from Chris-<br />
NATIONAL<br />
Changeable<br />
Letters<br />
Hard ba1
Cash ¥low.<br />
In 180V America found herselt up<br />
Tlu- Mississippi, that is.<br />
\ aluablc goods were being produced in the<br />
Midwest, and the mights' Mississippi was our on<br />
link to the sea. But the outlet in New Orleans<br />
belonged to France.<br />
So President Jefferson sent agents to Paris u<br />
negotiate tor the addition of New Orleans.<br />
Surprisingly, Napoleon offered to sell<br />
entire Lx)uisiana Territory tor onlv<br />
$15,000,000.<br />
Thanks to Americans taking<br />
stock in their new country by<br />
buying over $11, 000,000 in<br />
gm'ernment securities, we made<br />
th<br />
. Stock<br />
i^^^nerica.<br />
the purchase. And doubled our si:e o\'ernight.<br />
Today, Americans still take stock in their<br />
country by buying U.S. Savings Bonds through<br />
the Payroll Savings Plan.<br />
They know there's no safer way to save for an<br />
education, \-acation or retirement. And they know<br />
that while they're helping themsel\-es, they're<br />
helping America, too.<br />
So buy U.S. Sa\'ings Bonds.<br />
And help ycKir cash tlcnv into saxings.<br />
K Bond.s pav 6% interest when<br />
hild to maturity of 5 years (4V2% the<br />
fir.st year) Interest is not subject to stati<br />
or local income taxes, and federal tax<br />
may be deferred until redemption.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: August 29. 1977
. . Pop<br />
. . "Looking<br />
NEW ORLEANS<br />
Qii National Film Day, Monday (22),<br />
movie distributors and exhibitors coniiibtiied<br />
part of the day's boxoffice receipts<br />
to the American Film Institute. Andre<br />
Guttfrcund and Peter Werner were in town<br />
recently on pari of a ten-day tour to promote<br />
the event since they have an interest<br />
in the AFl— it paid for their Academy<br />
Award-winning film "In the Region of Ice."<br />
Gulf States Theatres hosted a reception for<br />
the filmmakers and for members of the<br />
press and this city's film exhibitors.<br />
The tragic passing of Elvis Presley<br />
brought the return of several of his films<br />
to local screens. The films were "That's the<br />
Way It Is" and "Elvis on Tour." Kenilworth<br />
Cinema II and "Clambake" and "Frankie<br />
and Johnny," Panorama.<br />
The Midway Drive-In, Lake Charles, La.,<br />
closed because of a recent fire that destroyed<br />
the snack bar and projection building.<br />
New titles on the marquees include: "The<br />
Last Remake of Beau Geste," Lakeside Cinema;<br />
"Empire of the Ants," four theatres,<br />
and "Kingdom of the Spiders."<br />
WOMPI news: At the first closed meeting<br />
this year delegates were selected for<br />
the International convention that will be<br />
held September 15-18 in Memphis. The<br />
delegates are Anna Power, president, and<br />
Marie Berglund, first vice-president. Joan<br />
Winstell and Catherine D'Alfonso were<br />
elected alternates. Other members planning<br />
to attend are: Eunice Peeples, Yvette Ogden,<br />
Imelda Giessinger, Gene Barnette,<br />
Earline Dupuis, Ruth Cook. Agnes Garcia<br />
and Lee Nickolaus, who is one of only two<br />
WOMPIs in the entire organization that has<br />
not missed a convention since the first one<br />
WS/mfOODSALES<br />
\7DReSTAURANTS..,<br />
brjng'em in, make'em happy,<br />
WITH DaiCIOUS, PROFITABLE.<br />
JIFFY<br />
FRANKS<br />
in 1953. Blanche Boyle from Dallas is the<br />
other holder of a perfect attendance record.<br />
Bernice Chauvin, social chairperson, and<br />
her committee have been busy working on<br />
plans for the annual "outgoing officer's party"<br />
that was scheduled for Sunday (28) at<br />
Bernice's camp in Little Woods.<br />
Yvette Ogden, financial chairperson, reported<br />
that her committee is in the process<br />
of compiling a cookbook, which consists of<br />
recipes that were donated by members and<br />
friends. Currently advertisements are being<br />
solicited to sponsor the project and anyone<br />
who wants a copy can place an order with<br />
any of the members. All proceeds will benefit<br />
the ABBE Nursing Home and the Hickory<br />
Heights retirement homes.<br />
News from the Byrne Watts Storey Agency:<br />
Luana Anders, who signed for an important<br />
role in Paramount's "Goin" South,"<br />
directed by and starring Jack Nicholson, is<br />
reunited with Nicholson for the fourth time<br />
cinematically. The three previous occasions<br />
were "The Missouri Breaks," "Easy Rider"<br />
and "The Last Detail" . . . Jack Warden,<br />
who was nominated for an Oscar when he<br />
co-starred with Warren Beatty in "Shampoo,"<br />
has been signed by Beatty for a starring<br />
role in "Heaven Can Wait," which is<br />
a Paramount film currently before the cameras<br />
in San Francisco that Beatty is producing,<br />
co-directing and starring in.<br />
When Agatha Christie's famed Belgian<br />
detective Hercule Poirot returns to the<br />
screen in Paramount's "Murder on the<br />
Nile," the actor portraying him will be twotime<br />
Oscar winner Peter Ustinov. Among<br />
the murder suspects he'll be questioning on<br />
a paddle-wheeler cruising on the Nile in<br />
the 1930's will be several other Oscar winners<br />
including Maggie Smith, Bette Davis<br />
and David Niven . recording star<br />
Yvonne Elliman who is currently scoring<br />
with her smash single of "Hello, Stranger"<br />
.<br />
next record two songs composed by the<br />
will<br />
Bee Gees for Paramount's disco-drenched<br />
musical "Saturday Night Fever," which<br />
stars John Travolta for Mr.<br />
Goodbar" is the third No. 1 bestseller that<br />
Richard Brooks has directed for the screen.<br />
The previous two were Robert Ruark's<br />
chiller "Something of Value" and Truman<br />
Capote's autopsy of American crime "In<br />
Cold Blood."<br />
Film to Help Raise<br />
Funds for Memorial<br />
MILWAUKEE—When Universal Pictures'<br />
"MacArthur" opvened at the Northtown<br />
and Southtown Theatres on Friday<br />
(5), color guard from the U. S. Army<br />
a<br />
made a presentation of colors immediately<br />
preceding the screening at 7:15 p.m. at<br />
the south-side house. The army also displayed<br />
a large, lighted exhibit of various<br />
combat and non-combat aspects of the military<br />
in the theatre's lobby. Army recruiters<br />
were on hand to distribute copies of General<br />
of the Army Douglas MacArthur's<br />
moving farewell address that he had delivered<br />
to the cadets at West Point. "Duty.<br />
Honor and Country."<br />
The Northtown Theatre also had an exhibit<br />
set up in its lobby devoted to medals<br />
and it contains every Army medal ever<br />
given from the Medal of Honor to campaign<br />
ribbons.<br />
A native of Milwaukee, MacArthur left<br />
his home here in 1898 to attend United<br />
States Military Academy, West Point. N.Y.<br />
Inasmuch as 1978 will mark the SOlh anniversary<br />
of his entry to West Point, the local<br />
War Memorial Corp. established a Mac-<br />
Arthur Memorial Committee which has announced<br />
plans to commemorate MacArthur<br />
in the following ways: to assemble a major<br />
MacArthur exhibit at the Milwaukee County<br />
Historical Society; to place a historical<br />
marker at MacArthur Square; to place a<br />
marker at the MacArthur family home site<br />
on Marshall Street; to prepare a booklet<br />
on the MacArthurs in Milwaukee; and to<br />
erect a statue of Gen. Douglas A. Mac-<br />
Arthur to be placed at MacArthur Square.<br />
The initial raising of funds for these<br />
memorials have been coordinated with the<br />
"MacArthur" film. A three foot-tall, bronze<br />
miniature of the MacArthur statue will be<br />
publicly displayed for the first time in the<br />
lobby of the Southtown Theatre throughout<br />
the exhibition of the film. The Marcus<br />
Theatres management has announced it<br />
shares the War Memorial Committee's enthusiasm<br />
in commemorating Gen. Douglas<br />
MacArthur. To help support these projects,<br />
envelopes will be available at the<br />
Southtown Theatre explaining the project<br />
and requesting patrons to forward their<br />
contribution to the War Memorial Corporation.<br />
LI6HT£DIMPULSESAUESSIGN,F/
. . Bob<br />
Frels Charts Luxury<br />
4-Plex in Victoria<br />
VICTORIA, TEX.— Alter 42 years of<br />
operation, the Uptown Theatre in the downtown<br />
section of Victoria is scheduled to<br />
give the Frels circuit 15 indoor screens and<br />
one underskyer. The company already has<br />
a fourplex in Victoria and a Spanish-language<br />
house, as well as its luxurious Salem<br />
6 multitheatre, which was unveiled May 19<br />
and currently is enjoying a highly successful<br />
run with "Star Wars" in Dolby sound.<br />
The new Uptown, according to Sides,<br />
very likely will have two auditoriums<br />
equipped for stereo, as well as a completely<br />
automated projection booth with platter<br />
systems. A novel and attractive feature of<br />
the yet-to-open quad will be a concession<br />
stand with a patented barbeque pit for cooking<br />
hamburgers, hot dogs, etc. This eatery<br />
will be available to walk-in trade and not<br />
confined to serving moviegoers exclusively.<br />
A large, glassed-in portico will be provided<br />
for the convenience of diners, many of<br />
whom probably will be members of the<br />
downtown business community.<br />
Sides stressed that<br />
stereo sound would be<br />
offered in the new Uptown, since it is a<br />
presentation plus for which Frel Theatres is<br />
well known. "Like the other multitheatres,<br />
the auditoriums probably will have Dolby<br />
sound systems," he commented.<br />
Will Rogers Fund Support<br />
DALLAS— In a letter to Texas theatre<br />
owners, NATO of Texas president Brandon<br />
Doak urged Texas theatres to support the<br />
industry's Will Rogers Hospital by conducting<br />
audience collections for one week's performances<br />
before school starts in late August.<br />
Doak stressed the importance of the<br />
hospital and called it a real fringe benefit<br />
since theatre employees and their families<br />
can receive the finest treatment available<br />
for pulmonary problems. He said theatre<br />
owners and managers should order the<br />
trailer and campaign kit from National<br />
SAN ANTONIO<br />
^^ith siuns stating their sentiments, young<br />
and old alike joined forces Saturday<br />
(20) to protest the showing of two X-rated<br />
movies at the Westwcod Twin Theatres,<br />
which have become a member of the Pussy-<br />
Mann Theatres has sold the Central Park<br />
Fox Theatre 3 to Santikos Theatres Inc.<br />
John Evans has been named manager of the<br />
theatre complex. Ken Squier, director of<br />
operations for Santikos Theatres, Inc., with<br />
Tom Bridge, vice president and general<br />
manager and Ken Higgins, booker were on<br />
hand for the appointment of Evans and the<br />
takeover of the theatre by the new owners<br />
. . . Hollywood star Virginia Mayo is expected<br />
to purchase a ranch in the hill country<br />
near San Antonio to be near her daughter<br />
and son-in-law Mary and Kent Johnston<br />
who will move to San Antonio.<br />
A "Can-I-Do-It Girl" contest is being<br />
conducted by KBUC and the Century South<br />
Theatre in conjunction with the showing<br />
of "Can I Do It ... Til I Need Glasses?"<br />
Included among the prizes are an AM-FM<br />
clock radio, a dinner for two at the Royal<br />
Street Crossing Cape Restaurant and Pub, a<br />
gift certificate from Mary B's Boutique plus<br />
SILICON<br />
Lee ARTOE 'FuZeD' SILICON TUBES<br />
FOR MOTION PICTURE RECTIFIERS<br />
DESIGNED TO BE BEST<br />
250 VoM<br />
h<br />
'"<br />
FUJeD<br />
I I<br />
mixnMsivt<br />
tfPtACE<br />
rusts<br />
IMSUAD Of<br />
tmiU TUBf<br />
^BKiMai»ggBB-lillHilNI-M<br />
west Six claims to he the only theatre with<br />
guts enough to play two Monty Python<br />
movies together, "Jabberwocky" and<br />
"Monty Python and the Holy Grail."<br />
Local theatres booked a number of Elvis<br />
shutter after the last showing September 1,<br />
Frels Theatres executive Bill Sides told cut Theatres of San Antonio. The films are<br />
Presley films for showing following the<br />
BoxoFFicE Tuesday (23).<br />
"Eruption" and the double bill of "Resiurection<br />
of Eve" and "Behind the Green San Pedro triple screen outdoor, the Trail<br />
sudden death of the singing star. At the<br />
The site, however, is not destined to become<br />
another dark monument to a glorious Door." Admission is $3.50, for military outdoor and the Valley Hi outdoor it was<br />
cinematic past. "We are making preparations<br />
now, finishing the blueprints, to start tres in the circuit includes Woodlawn I & west Six consisting of "Elvis on Tour" and<br />
with ID, $2.50 and couples $5. Other thea-<br />
"Tickle Me" and a double bill at the North-<br />
construction of the new Uptown October II and Josephine . Polunsky, whose "Elvis—That's the Way It Is" . . . The<br />
1," "The new Flicker Footnotes appears San Antonio<br />
"Monty Python<br />
in the Sides explained. facility will<br />
film Meets Light was in Hollywood attending a Fringe" will have its Texas premiere Sept.<br />
Beyond the<br />
be a quadplex with a total seating capacity<br />
300 of 1.200, with approximately seats press conference for "The Other Side of<br />
in<br />
I and 2 at Trinity University.<br />
each auditorium."<br />
Midnight" and an interview with Susan<br />
The addition of the quad, which tentatively<br />
Sarandon.<br />
Proceeds<br />
from the showing will go to muscular dystrophy.<br />
The film will be shown Sept. at<br />
1<br />
and and is slated for a June 1978 debut, will<br />
7 10 p.m., Sept. 2 at 3:30, 7 and<br />
10 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room of<br />
a trip to Hollywood and a featured role in and Northwest Six.<br />
a new, major motion picture . . . The North-<br />
Trinity's Coates Center. Admission will be<br />
75 cents . . . The San Antonio Film .Society<br />
will screen "Au Hasard Balthasar" by Robert<br />
Bresson, "The End of August at the<br />
Hotel Ozone" by Jan Schmidt at the Chapman<br />
Graduate Center of Trinity University.<br />
The midnight show at the Olmos includes<br />
"The Cool Cat Is Back." "Fritz the Cat,"<br />
"Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat": the KTFM-<br />
FM midnight show at the Northwest Six<br />
was "Fantastic Animation Festival,": "The<br />
Hills Have Eyes" was the attraction at midnight<br />
at the Town Twin while "Can I Do<br />
It ... Til I N2ed Glasses?" was featured at<br />
Century South Six . . . New film titles appearing<br />
here include "The Happy Hooker<br />
Goes To Washington" at the Cine Cinco<br />
and Movies 4; "Fantastic Animation Festival"<br />
at the Northwest Six, Century South<br />
Six and Cine Cinco; "Can I Do It . . . Til<br />
I Need Glasses?" at the Century South Six<br />
UGHTEDlMPULSESMJESSIGN.FRtt!<br />
Screen Service and solicit the help of outside<br />
groups (Scouts, church groups, etc.) to<br />
help with passing collection cans. At driveins,<br />
Doak suggested that a pretty girl in<br />
shorts be stationed at drive-in entrances to<br />
pass the collection can while customer's<br />
cars are lined up waiting to buy tickets :ii<br />
the boxoffice.<br />
Robert Vaughn and Christopher Lee will<br />
star in "War of the Aliens."<br />
CINERAMA IS IN<br />
SHOW BUSINESS IN<br />
HAWAII TOO.<br />
When you come to Waikiki,<br />
BlUtiSlCA'<br />
*-'°"'* ^^ ^^^ famous<br />
wf
. . what<br />
. . "Rolling<br />
. . Industry<br />
LAS<br />
:^ Dallas fireman, Grady Moore, of 13017<br />
Vi-rdani Street. Kleburg, Texas 75145<br />
is the new owner of the Showcase Theatre,<br />
i.formerly the Showcase Cinema) in Balch<br />
Springs. Texas. Tel. 286-5790. Claudia Elliott.<br />
500 So. Ervay. Suite 603-B, Dallas,<br />
Tel. 744-3165 will do the booking. Confirmations<br />
and bids are to be sent to Claudia.<br />
Contracts and payments will come from<br />
Grady Moore.<br />
Mary Crump, Genevieve Koch and Jo<br />
Ellen Greenlee of the WOMPI Club visited<br />
the Big Town Nursing Home Wednesday<br />
(17) and took 240 tray-favors, (beautifully<br />
wrapped cones filled with hard candies) and<br />
a number of personal gifts to one of the<br />
patients, a former United Artists Corp.<br />
employee. Ila Sample. Visiting a nursing<br />
home where residents are living far away<br />
from their family and friends is a touching<br />
experience. Ila has no family in the Dallas<br />
area and the visit meant much to her. The<br />
tray-favors were well received by the other<br />
residents in this home.<br />
Beverly Foster, a new WOMPI member<br />
from 20th Century-Fox just returned from<br />
her vacation in Tennessee.<br />
Congratulations to Mozelle Jamison of<br />
United Artist Theatres, whose husband<br />
bought her a mobile home about eight weeks<br />
ago. After spending the weekends at Cedar<br />
Creek Bay area they have cleared out the<br />
brush, had ih; water and light connections<br />
turned on. so Mozelle could hardly wa't<br />
for the weekend of Saturday (20) to get<br />
down there in her new home on wh;els.<br />
She feels proud that he bought it in her<br />
name . a nice surprise gift.<br />
Velde at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, New<br />
York. Wednesday (10). From Dallas there<br />
was Mr. and Mr?. John Rowley. Rowley<br />
is a member of the Board of Directors<br />
of the Will Rogers Memorial Foundation.<br />
Also, there was Brandon Doak, chairman of<br />
the reg'onal Will Rogers Memorial fundraising<br />
drive, Fred Mound and his daughter<br />
Carol. From Houston there was Charlie<br />
Paine and Bob Park. From San Antonio was<br />
Maurice Braha.<br />
Reports indicate great pride and satisfaction<br />
with the new Will Rogers Memorial<br />
plans and dedication services. Theatres<br />
throughout the country are asked to participate<br />
in the audience collection drive so<br />
all funds can be in before school starts in<br />
late<br />
August.<br />
The newly revived Windmill Dinner Thetre<br />
has been sold to Perry Cloud, owner of<br />
Granny's Dinner Theatre. Cloud is a successful<br />
innovator in the field who will seek<br />
to satiate Dallasites' thirst for "name" entertainers<br />
... "I Never Promised You a<br />
Rose Garden" at the Village, is labeled as<br />
a "sleeper" . pundits are puzzled<br />
by the failure of "New York, New<br />
York" and the success of "The Spy Who<br />
Loved Me."<br />
"Semi-Tough" with a host of Dallasites<br />
on screen got a sneak peek recently to generally<br />
positive comments . . . Localite Buddy<br />
Boren announced plans to film a semi-documentary<br />
on drag racing . . . Dallas may also<br />
serve as the site of "Semi-Tough's" world<br />
premiere according to filmmaker Michael<br />
Ritchie . Thunder" filmed in<br />
and around San Antonio is slated for October<br />
release.<br />
From what we can learn Texas was well John Special and Gary Sebastian are<br />
represented at the Will Rogers* Memorial working hard to make the Borzoi (named<br />
Fund SlOO-a-phite dinner, honoring James after Sebastian's dog. Veruska) a profitable<br />
operation with good films at prices the public<br />
can afford. Formerly the Capri which<br />
showed Spanish-language films before it<br />
lapsed into the so-called "adult market,"<br />
the Borzoi has been battling the stigma<br />
associated with its predecessor.<br />
Exhibitors, Distributors<br />
Facing Antitrust Charges<br />
HOUSTON—Tercar Theatre Company<br />
said Monday (15), in a suit filed against 12<br />
motion picture exhibition and distribution<br />
companies, that it has been pushed out of<br />
competition for superior first-run shows in<br />
the Houston area.<br />
The antitrust suit filed in federal court<br />
alleged that competing circuits have agreed<br />
among themselves to divide the first-run<br />
films and are aided in the conspiracy by<br />
distribution companies.<br />
The defendants use an unlawful system<br />
of bid-rigging to exclude Tercar, according<br />
to the suit which seeks $5 million in damages.<br />
It also said Tercar is prevented from<br />
screening new pictures along with other<br />
circuits.<br />
Cinema Del Norte Open in Laredo<br />
LAREDO—United Artists' Cinema Del<br />
Norte opened Friday (12) at Mall Del Norte.<br />
On the premiere bill were "Star Wars,"<br />
"Sorcerer," "The Bad News Bears in<br />
Breaking Training" and "Rocky." The new<br />
quadplex uses a boxoffice computer system<br />
that is a first for the UA circuit.<br />
BOOK Association<br />
Pinkston Sales & Service<br />
MOTION PICTURE EQUIPMENT<br />
Complete Scdes Service or Repair<br />
AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTORS FOR MANY MANUFACTURERS<br />
Ed Cernosek<br />
2017 Young St.<br />
Dallas, Tex. 7520:<br />
R.W. (Pinky) Pinkston<br />
214-741-1637<br />
"Go Modern...For All Your Theatre Needs"<br />
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SALES & SERVICE, iKlC.<br />
"Co Modtrm . . . Efmifmnt, ^Supflia & Strrk^"<br />
2200 YOUNG STREET • DALLAS, TEXAS, 75201 • TELEPHONE 747-3191
HOUSTON<br />
patrons attending the showing of "Tentacles"<br />
at the Allen Center, Almeda 9<br />
Majestic OST, Northwest 4, Northwood<br />
East,<br />
6, Park 3, Shamrock 6. Soiilhway 6<br />
and Town & Country 6 indoors and Irvington,<br />
King Center 3, McLendon Triple.<br />
Parkway, Thunderbird 2 and Tidwell driveins<br />
are being given a miniature sea creature<br />
while the supply lasts . . . "Smokey" Robinson<br />
appeared live in concert in two shows<br />
on Wednesday (17) at the Majestic Metro.<br />
His movie "Big Time" was screened on the<br />
same program with tickets $6.50 per person.<br />
Tickets tor the capacity of the theatre<br />
were sold for the two shows held at 7 and<br />
10 p.m.<br />
Big Splashc!i in<br />
the Cinema was the theme<br />
for the final week of the ninth annual Alley<br />
Theatre simimer film festival. Tallulah<br />
Bankhead in Alfred Hitchcock's "Lifeboat"<br />
is to be shown Tuesday and Wednesday (30-<br />
31): Esther Williams. Peter Lawford and<br />
WORLD FAMOUS<br />
CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES<br />
144 1/4 Pounder Per Case<br />
Shipping Wt. 32 lbs.<br />
$53.00 Per Case<br />
General Office and<br />
Dallas Warehouse<br />
2251 VANTAGE<br />
DALLAS, TEXAS 75207<br />
Phone<br />
Doilos QVi) 688-0021<br />
Houston (713) 681-0618<br />
Jimmy Durante in "On An Island With<br />
You" on Sept. and 2 and Jean Harlow.<br />
1<br />
Clark Gable, Rosalind Russell and Wallace<br />
Beery in "China Seas" on .Sept. 3 and 4.<br />
The Friday Midnight Sleaze series featured<br />
the showing of "Carry on Camping" on<br />
Sept. 2 . . . Cesar Romero ended his engagement<br />
at the Windmill Dinner Theatre<br />
in the stage production of "Never Get<br />
Smart with an Angel." The play was well<br />
attended by the many fans of the star.<br />
New titles appearing on local marquees<br />
include "Between the Lines" at the Galleria<br />
and Westwood; "Happy Hooker Goes to<br />
Washington" at the Tower, Woodlake and<br />
Clear Lake and "Stas and Nell" at the Village<br />
. . . The Rice Media Center screened<br />
"Ulysses;" the Jewish Commimity Center<br />
test presented "Captains Courageous" at<br />
Kaplan Theatre; in the Children's Series the<br />
Museum of Fine Arts presented "Ichabod<br />
and Mr. Todd" and "King Kong" in Brown<br />
Aud toriimi ... A number of drive-ins have<br />
a policy of free admission to youngsters<br />
tmder 12 when accompanied by their par-<br />
TEXAS<br />
COOKIES<br />
1/4 POUND'R<br />
ents. i hese include the .Airline, king Center<br />
2, Parkway, Pasadena. Telephone Road<br />
2, Thunderbird 2. Tidwell and Town &<br />
Country.<br />
Houston's own Annette O'Toolc is being<br />
'<br />
seen in "One on One ciurently at the Almeda<br />
9 East, Shamrock 6, Festival 6, Northshore<br />
and Woodlake 3 . . . The Beatles have<br />
taken over screen number 2 at the Bijou<br />
Twin with "Yellow Submarine" and "Help!"<br />
being shown ... In a recent column Houston<br />
Post film writer Eric Gerber himnorously<br />
recalled some of his more difficult interviews<br />
from Ryan O'Neal to Ossie Davis.<br />
OKLAHOMA CITY<br />
^he death of Elvis Presley brought a raft<br />
of calls to the United Artists' office to<br />
book any Presley picture that they had<br />
prints on. They had several of the MGM<br />
releases, but were booked up as fast as possible<br />
through August. This reminds us of<br />
the time when Will Rogers was killed in a<br />
plane accident. There was a great demand<br />
for the showing of his movies. They too,<br />
were big boxoffice.<br />
Peggy Leasure, UA staffer, attended a<br />
meeting of th; 15th district of lATSE<br />
and MPMO held in Muskogee recently.<br />
International president Walter DichI was<br />
present.<br />
Jerry Smith and his wife have returned<br />
from Denver, to make their home here. Jer-<br />
going into independent<br />
ry is<br />
film<br />
planning on<br />
distribution. He was a former MGM<br />
salesman.<br />
Jack Box, Universal manager in Denver<br />
(Continued on next page)<br />
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BOXOFFICE :: August 29. 1977 SW-3
...„ /0Af4 CITY<br />
(Continued fom preceding page)<br />
,\::d wife Lou were in to visit with children,<br />
grandchildren and friends.<br />
John Buffo, Liberty Theatre, Hartshorne,<br />
IS recuperating here at St. Anthony Hospital,<br />
alter open heart surgery. His wife Lou is<br />
staying here to give him comfort.<br />
George Gnibe. 14 Flags Drive-In is glad<br />
to be back, at his desk, taking care of advertising<br />
and bookings, after a trip to the<br />
Baptist<br />
hospital.<br />
Jerry Brewster and Jerry Malone. U.-^<br />
sales managers, made a trip to northeastern<br />
Oklahoma, to re-acquaint Malone with former<br />
customers. Malone had traveled this<br />
territory for Columbia pictures several years<br />
ago.<br />
In lo book and buy: George Grube, 14<br />
Flags Drive-In; Everett Mahoney. Guymon<br />
and Perryton; Phil and Jake Guiles, Continental<br />
Film Distributors, Dallas.<br />
There was a Pearl Harbor Navy Motion<br />
Picture Exchange get-together at Lake Tenkiller,<br />
when Ed Ray, former Warner Bros,<br />
office manager, George Friedel, and Jack<br />
Whelihan. former 20th Century-Fox salesman<br />
and Eddie Greggs. UA salesman, got<br />
together and reminisced about their duties<br />
distributing films during World War IL<br />
Hookers in a Frail Tale<br />
Of Goodnight-Loving Trail<br />
WACO— ESI Films of Waco has just<br />
completed location filming on a comedy<br />
western entitled "The Hooker Bunch." The<br />
film was shot entirely on location in southern<br />
Montana.<br />
Co-producers of the film, Zack and Mary<br />
Belcher, said it is a rollicking story of an old<br />
con artist and his three female companions<br />
as they work their way up the Goodnight-<br />
Loving cattle trail in 1885.<br />
The picture stars veteran actor Dub Taylor<br />
as Dr. Isiah Beauregard Hooker. He is<br />
supported in the picture by Buck Taylor,<br />
formerly Newly on "Gunsmoke." Also starring<br />
in the film is Otis Sistrunk, defensive<br />
lineman for the Oakland Raiders.<br />
Dr. Hooker's three companions on the<br />
trail are Gaetana Campbell, Danielle Hibbard<br />
and Linda Mann, all<br />
of Dallas.<br />
At one point in the film, "The Hooker<br />
Bunch" is ambushed by a group of drunk,<br />
inexperienced bandits led by Hollywood<br />
character actors John Chandler and John<br />
Furlong.<br />
"The Hooker Bunch" has the use of a<br />
traveling "entertainment center" while they<br />
work their way up the trail. A trick wagon<br />
was constructed for the picture which includes<br />
a dance stage complete with piano, a<br />
complete bar and a gambling casino.<br />
The Belchers say the film will be ready<br />
for release in late October or early November.<br />
It will probably be rated PG.<br />
New Wage Law Proposal<br />
NATO Write-in Target<br />
DALLAS—HR 3744 proposes to increase<br />
the Federal Minimum Wage from the<br />
present $2.30 to $2.65 per hour. It is before<br />
the House now and should be voted upon<br />
very soon.<br />
The NATO exemption attempt failed by<br />
one vote in the Labor Committee but it will<br />
be brought up again before the House.<br />
NATO urges all members to write their<br />
congressmen and senators and seek their<br />
support of a minimum wage category for<br />
employees under the age of 21 years. With<br />
all the teenage unemployment, the new<br />
minimum will further increase unemployment<br />
for young people since most exhibitors<br />
feel $2.65 is too high for teen help.<br />
Dallas Industrialist<br />
Enters Pay TV Market<br />
DALLAS—A by-lined story in the Dallas<br />
Times revealed that wealthy industrialist<br />
Clint Murchison has purchased a controlling<br />
interest in a New York-based pay TV equipment<br />
company and has filed with the Federal<br />
Communications Commission to operate<br />
in several major metropolitan markets.<br />
Subscription Television of America, a<br />
new Dallas company owned by Murchison<br />
already has an application filed in its behalf<br />
to operate in Dallas according to STA<br />
president Sam Price, who stated that a move<br />
is underway to get the greenlight for operations<br />
in other metropolitan areas.<br />
All Theatre Exhibitors Are Invited<br />
Southwestern Independent Theatre<br />
Exhibitors<br />
Association<br />
Meeting Wed. Sept. 7th, 10 a.m.<br />
at HOLIDAY INN — 4070 No. Central Expressway<br />
DALLAS, TEXAS<br />
Tel. Area 214 — 827-0880<br />
Exhibitors from 7 States are invited . . . OKLAHOMA, TEXAS,<br />
ARKANSAS, LOUISIANA, NEW MEXICO,<br />
COLORADO and KANSAS<br />
IF<br />
you have not already signed up as a member of the<br />
S.W.I.T.E. Association . . . please become a member of<br />
this ACTION GROUP NOW!<br />
WHAT AN ORGANIZED GROUP OF<br />
THEATRE EXHIBITORS CAN AC-<br />
COMPLISH WHEN ALL ARE WORK-<br />
THINK ING TOGETHER.<br />
Heor President Tom Patterson of<br />
N.I.T.E. outline details of plans to assist independent theatre<br />
exhibitors and provide additional film product for Associated members.<br />
Southwestern Independent Theatre Exhibitors Association<br />
Post Office Box 30051 — Dallas, Texas 75230<br />
Telephone Area 214 - 361-5381<br />
Aucust 29. 1977
Ozoners Offer Plus<br />
To Economy-Minded<br />
DES MOINES—What kind of people go<br />
to drive-ins? People who don't want to dress<br />
up. people who balk at indoor theatre prices,<br />
people who can't afford baby-sitters, people<br />
who have trouble getting into theatre seats<br />
and outdoor freaks.<br />
Sure there are the unmarrieds who aren't<br />
worried about admission prices and who<br />
At an indoor theatre there is always the<br />
chance of sitting close to theatre critics and<br />
noisy children. Also, you can't prop up your<br />
feet, you can't smoke or drink beer, you<br />
can't make out with your date, and you can't<br />
talk to your friends. There is also a cost factor.<br />
Most drive-in admissions are $2.50 per<br />
person with children under 12 free, a policy<br />
long abandoned by traditional theatres. On<br />
the other hand indoor theatres cost $3.50 a<br />
head plus refreshments and cost of a babysitter,<br />
if necessary. At a drive-in many people<br />
come equipped with lawn chairs, coolers<br />
full of pop, beer, popcorn and candy from<br />
home.<br />
"We have many people who come to<br />
drive-ins saying that they can't go to the<br />
movies during the winter because they can't<br />
afford baby-sitters," says Blank. As for<br />
bringing small children to R-rated movies<br />
there usually is no problem. By the time the<br />
show starts, the kids have had some popcorn,<br />
watched the cartoons and are asleep<br />
in the back seat. "I come here so I can get<br />
some peace and quiet while the kids are<br />
up there," said Marilyn Cheek of Des<br />
Moines, whose daughter and a friend were<br />
watching "Jaws" from atop the quilt-draped<br />
car. "After a while, the kids poop out and<br />
I can watch the second feature." The quality<br />
of the picture is<br />
not necessarily important.<br />
Fewer Ozoners Now<br />
Despite their advantages the number of<br />
drive-ins nationwide has fallen from a high<br />
of almost 6,000 in the early '60's to about<br />
4,500 today. Skyrocketing land prices arc<br />
a factor. "I used to be able to go out, get a<br />
location outside the city, get ground at a<br />
reasonable price and build a theatre," Blank<br />
said. "But today land values have changed<br />
and it costs a lot more to build. Also, you<br />
can't use a drive-in for anything else." It<br />
lakes aboiU 15 acres for the average drivein.<br />
Long-time theatre owners were encouraged<br />
to sell their holdings to shopping mall<br />
and apartment complex developers. Despite<br />
the financial problems, many operators are<br />
struggling to keep alive the tradition long<br />
enjoyed by filmgocrs who like to smoke,<br />
eat, or neck while watching a show. The<br />
key, say today's operators, is to attract a<br />
full parking lot in order to offset high fixed<br />
costs such as property taxes. Robert Selig,<br />
chairman of the drive-in committee of the<br />
National Association of Theatre Owners<br />
says "Drive-ins are the great middle-American<br />
pastime. "Where else can families go<br />
films just don't pay for themselves."<br />
Baltimore Radio Station<br />
Working Film Promotions<br />
BALTIMORE—Motion picture companies<br />
are flocking to WLPL-FM for its promotional<br />
assistance in publicizing their summer<br />
releases.<br />
American International Pictures' "The<br />
Island of Dr. Moreau" received a great shot<br />
in the arm by WLPL. The station promoted<br />
the appearance of the Humanimal at the<br />
Baltimore Zoo. A member of the Adventures<br />
Group Agency, dressed in the himianimal<br />
costume, was caged at the zoo on a<br />
Sunday afternoon while Casey Jones,<br />
WLPL's midday radio personality, solicited<br />
donations for the Baltimore Zoo Animal<br />
Fund. Two-for-one admission passes were<br />
also given away with Humanimal T-shirts<br />
on WLPL's "Constant Contest." The station<br />
also staged a private screening of the film<br />
at the JF screening room.<br />
Ray Thompson & Associates gave 92FM<br />
a chance to promote the new 007 feature,<br />
"The Spy Who Loved Me" via an on-air<br />
James Bond trivia contest. Audience response<br />
was phenomenal, as this contest ran<br />
two weeks. United Artists Records tied into<br />
the promotion by supplying soundtracks to<br />
be given away with complimentary passes to<br />
see the film for all winners. United Artists<br />
was interested in promoting the new Carly<br />
Simon single, which is the featured song<br />
on the soundtrack.<br />
The Robert Kriger Advertising Agency<br />
has used WLPL's "Constant Contest" as a<br />
means of promoting the Paramount releases<br />
of "Sorcerer," "Bad News Bears in Breaking<br />
Training" and "Orca."<br />
Twin Cities Expect<br />
Fall Doldrums Early<br />
MINNEAPOLIS—Even with its first-run<br />
engagement "augmented" with competing<br />
dates, "Star Wars" at the Park Theatre<br />
continued to perform in leggy style, 310 in<br />
its 12th orbit and still flying high enough<br />
to lead the Barometer pack. As the summer<br />
play-time neared its end, only three multiples<br />
bowed . . . and "The Bad News Bears<br />
in baby-sitters<br />
don't have children need of<br />
in Breaking Training" was easily the strongest<br />
of these, hitting 235 in a three-screen<br />
but who find theatre seats aren't too cozy.<br />
for<br />
"Drive-ins have always had<br />
$5 and not have to<br />
a reputation<br />
pay for<br />
for<br />
parking, a spread. "The Teasers," exploitation fare,<br />
baby-sitter,<br />
being<br />
or a<br />
passion<br />
big<br />
pits." says Myron Blank,<br />
expensive<br />
president<br />
of<br />
dinner." Selig found a 125 across four screens. And "Final<br />
insists the<br />
Central States Theatre Corp. which<br />
economic appeal of drive-ins will Chapter—Walking Tall" in a six-house<br />
owns help<br />
four Des Moines<br />
them to<br />
drive-ins. "But<br />
overcome their current<br />
I'd<br />
slump. spread was in with a 1 15.<br />
say about 80% of our cars normally have<br />
That and maybe the fact that the industry "MacArthur" was marching along with<br />
is planning<br />
children.<br />
to unveil<br />
I don't think young couples have<br />
new equipment next fall a 270 in a second lap at the Cooper, but<br />
that will enable owners to show X-rated films other figures were trailing off with little<br />
to go to drive-ins, they have other places to<br />
go. According to a recent University of Minesota<br />
to customers in the theatre on a special con-<br />
product excitement in view. School starts<br />
survey, people who tainment screen that will<br />
go<br />
appear totally<br />
to drive-ins are<br />
blank early here this year, even before Labor Day.<br />
about ten years older than those who go to<br />
And so the dreaded early-fall doldrums<br />
to motorists outside. But, Blank says, the<br />
indoor theatres." Comfort seems to rate the<br />
highest priority in a recent check of Des<br />
screen is a "very expensive, elaborate thing,<br />
whether it will be profitable, I don't know."<br />
could arrive prematurely.<br />
(Average Is 100)<br />
Moines drive-ins. Most of them felt that the<br />
indoor theatres posed too many restrictions.<br />
He added that he doesn't think it will ever<br />
be in general use, although Selig said it has<br />
.270<br />
a future in theatres showing X-rated films.<br />
Why the need for X-rated films if the industry<br />
Perils of Hardtop<br />
Edina 1—Jabberwocky (SR) 3rd v.-k<br />
is so dedicated to the family? "Econom-<br />
wk<br />
11—Black Edincr and White in Color :AA1<br />
5th<br />
ics, naturally," Blank said. "Family-type
m<br />
VAUKEE<br />
NC-2 August 29. 197
photos. Don was interviewed by the reporters<br />
and quoted in the front page story as<br />
explaining how the mishap occurred. He<br />
said the two men heard the bridge give way<br />
and tried to get out of the way but did not<br />
have time.<br />
Don tells Boxoffich "We are now in the<br />
process of having our marquee sandblasted<br />
and painted, and we are giving ii and the<br />
neon a general facelift."<br />
80 actors recruited from the Neenah-<br />
Menasha area of Wisconsin were used in<br />
the two-week filming of an Occupational<br />
Safety and Health Act (OSHA) training film<br />
made in New Holstein. Completed by the<br />
first of August, the film is now being edited<br />
and will be ready for viewing by the end of<br />
November. It will be used primarily to train<br />
management personnel, union representatives<br />
and state and federal inspectors.<br />
Another in the periodic series of Baker<br />
Shoe Store display ads that look like movie<br />
ads and are run on the local theatrical page<br />
is the current one with its headline: "New<br />
Rope, New Rope." Its stars are listed as<br />
Liza Cushionelli and Robert De Neato with<br />
the accompanying message: "Get high on<br />
this sole story." Head drawings of the two<br />
stars are located at each end of an illustration<br />
of a shot possessing a very high, cushiony<br />
sole. "Daily 16.99' the ad announces<br />
and adds: "Now showing at the Bakers<br />
near you."<br />
PES MOINES<br />
pick Hayes, Dick Hayes Enterprises, has<br />
been hop-scotching the Midwest with<br />
one of the most attractive and delightful<br />
traveling companions imaginable: lovely<br />
Linda Wong, star of the "Jade Pussycat."<br />
During a promotional tour for her picture<br />
the pair spent July 27— 30 in Kansas City,<br />
Wednesday—Sunday (10-14) in Denver.<br />
Wednesday— Friday (17-19) in Davenport,<br />
and Saturday—Tuesday (20-23) at the 1536<br />
Theatre in Des Moines. Producer Dick Aldrich<br />
will join them their first day in Des<br />
Moines for an appearance at the theatre.<br />
Linda will continue her triumphant midwestern<br />
tour after her visit here.<br />
Central States reported several items of<br />
interest leading off with the good news that<br />
Gayle Gustafson of the hard top booking<br />
department has been promoted to assistant<br />
booker with Peggy Miller joining the organization<br />
as Gayle's successor as secretary<br />
ports that his wife Wilma is recovering nicel><br />
from nerve surgery at Mercy Hospital<br />
. . . Phyllis Patterson, purchasing, spent a<br />
week in Hudson, N.Y. enjoying a visit with<br />
her son and his family . . . Richard Ellenberger,<br />
a traveling auditor, retired Friday<br />
(19) which is good news for Richard but<br />
bad news for the company he has served<br />
so well and where he will be missed.<br />
Bill Dippert, erroneously listed as employed<br />
by Paramount is actually on the<br />
payroll at United Artists . . . UA"s division<br />
manager, Carl Olson, visited here Tuesday<br />
(16) and took off for Lincoln with Don<br />
Bloxham the following day to talk shop<br />
with Dubinsky and Brehm.<br />
Dennis Voy, Maquoketa and Harold<br />
Guyctte, Guy-Con, Kansas City, rounded<br />
out the list of visitors to the area.<br />
MINNEAPOLIS<br />
gteve Johnston, Sunn Classic Pictures<br />
branch manager here, reports that<br />
Mitchell, S.D., exhibitor Jeff Logan (Roxy.<br />
State Theatres) staged a benefit shoot on<br />
behalf of the Variety Heart Hospital here<br />
—and raised $1,000 in pledges . . . Meanwhile,<br />
Johnston is set with "The Lincoln<br />
Conspiracy," Sunn Classic's prime effort<br />
of the coming season. It will break October<br />
5 with 25 territorywide dates set.<br />
Ted Bolnick, former manager of the Hollywood<br />
and 5th Avenue Theatres. La Crosse,<br />
Wis., returned from California (where he's<br />
living in retirement) to visit old friends in<br />
the Badger city. Bolnick helped open the<br />
theatres in December of 1936—and was<br />
manager until September, 1944. "Admission<br />
was 35 cents in those days—and the theatres<br />
were filled," he recalled. (Today, tickets<br />
are $2.50.) Bolnick remembered that during<br />
the 1930s, his theatres had Bank Nights,<br />
"and I got cited once, not for not giving<br />
the money but for blocking the street. There<br />
were so many people lined up outside, the<br />
Greyhound bus couldn't get through!" These<br />
days, the 5th Avenue is the location of a<br />
community theatre, and the Hollywood is a<br />
Plitt theatre managed by Dave Teague.<br />
Tent No. 12, Variety of the Northwest,<br />
has set two September events. The 42nd<br />
annual golf tournament will be held (with<br />
the first annual tennis tourney) at the Minnesota<br />
Valley Golf Club September 9. Tennis<br />
starts at noon—and golfers may tee off<br />
any time between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Golfers<br />
arrange to play by calling Forrie Myers.<br />
Paramount branch chief, at 544-01 12, while<br />
tennis players set their times with Jim Wilson<br />
at 333-2281. And the 25th anniversary<br />
Stag Dinner will be held Sept. 15 at 7:30<br />
p.m. at the Calhoun Beach Athletic Club.<br />
Ben Bcrger at 333-6481 is dinner chairman.<br />
Filmrow visitors: Bud Woodard. Chief<br />
Theatre, Bemidji, Minn.; Jerry Hickcrson,<br />
Galaxy, Thief River Falls, Minn.; Jeff Logan,<br />
Roxy Theatre, Mitchell, S.D. . . .<br />
Frank Zanotti, Universal branch boss, is<br />
delighted with the performance thus far of<br />
"MacArthur." "It's doing very nicely in<br />
both of its Twin Cities dates," he says, "at<br />
the Cooper Theatre here and the Grandview<br />
in St. Paul."<br />
Jeff McBride, former Paramount branch<br />
manager here, who retired to St. Louis, is<br />
seriously ill and is hospitalized. Cards from<br />
his many friends in this territory would be<br />
greatly appreciated by McBride. For mailing<br />
details, contact Forrie Myers at the<br />
Paramount branch here at 544-0112.<br />
Wayne Peterson, Dell Theatre, Cottonwood,<br />
Minn., now retired, was a Filmrow<br />
caller, visiting his friends and swapping<br />
stories . . . "One<br />
on One"—in a multiple<br />
run in both Minneapolis and St. Paul— performed<br />
very well, and Warner Bros, kicked<br />
off the second week with full-page ads in<br />
both Minneapolis and St. Paul papers, a<br />
rare push for the second stanza of an engagement<br />
and for a picture not really rated<br />
a major release. The ads were stunners and<br />
were the talk of film folk in each city.<br />
Action and Mutual Renew<br />
Quebec Distribution Pact<br />
MONTREAL—The continuation of an<br />
exclusive distribution agreement between<br />
the production company Action Films and<br />
distributor Mutual Films was announced<br />
here recently. Upcoming Action Films<br />
product includes Alain Resnais' "Providence."<br />
starring Dirk Bogarde, John Gielgud,<br />
Ellen Burstyn and David Warner; "La<br />
Dentelliere," a film by Claude Goretta toplining<br />
Isabelle Huppert, and Yves Boisset's<br />
"Le Sheriff," starring Patrick Dewaere.<br />
In production for Action Films are Jean-<br />
Louis Bertucelli's "L'Imprecateur," "Reperages,"<br />
by Michel Soutter, which stars Jean-<br />
Louis Trintignant, Lea Massari and Delphine<br />
Seyrig, the new Jacques Deray film<br />
"Un Papillon sur L'Epaule (A Butterfly on<br />
My Shoulder)," starring Lino Ventura, and<br />
Francois Le Terrier's "Va Voir Papa,<br />
Maman Travaille" starring Marlene Jobert.<br />
. . . Earl Lehman, head of accounting, re-<br />
Dolby Stereo<br />
Factory Authorized Sales & Service<br />
C^c^Ci<br />
5f ic^^' ^ilC-<br />
P.O. Box 16036<br />
Minneapolis, Minn.<br />
(612) 339-4055<br />
August 29. 1977 NC-3
The only handicap to hiring us<br />
is not knowing where to find us.<br />
You won't find guys like us selling<br />
pencils on street corners. We're<br />
skilled, able-bodied workers. We're<br />
industrial designers. Salespeople.<br />
Secretaries. Managers. Accountants.<br />
Technicians. Blue collar and<br />
white collar.<br />
, ^<br />
Unfortunately, though, too many<br />
of us are unemployed.<br />
Andtheironyof it is, it snot that<br />
men and women like yourself don't<br />
want to hire us. It's simply that you<br />
don't know how to go about it.<br />
Every state in this country has a<br />
Department of Vocational Rehabilitation.<br />
Its function is not only to ence and skills required.<br />
to be filled. The background, experi-<br />
evaluate a person's disabilities and He'll be more than happy to put<br />
to help him rehabilitate himself. you in touch with the right people<br />
But to help place him in a job that for your company or organization.<br />
allows him to fulfill his capabilities. People who will appreciate the opportunity<br />
to help your company<br />
If you are interested in tapping<br />
your state's supply of hard-working,<br />
capable men and women, write to<br />
your State Director of Vocational<br />
Rehabilitation. His office is located<br />
in your state capital.<br />
Tell him what kind of business<br />
you're in. What job openings need<br />
grow. Who wril work to their fullest<br />
potential. And help your company<br />
— and our nation — prosper.<br />
Write: Director, State Department<br />
of Vocational Rehabilitation at your<br />
state capitol.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: August 29. 1977
—<br />
CINCINNATI<br />
J^ew World Pictures' "I Never Promised<br />
You a Rose Garden" premiered at the<br />
Dayton Mall Cinema Friday (12). All female<br />
patrons were given a red rose. The<br />
film opened at the Kenwood and Studio<br />
cinemas Wednesday (17).<br />
The premiere of 'Billy Jack Goes to<br />
Washington" was held at Midstales Theatres'<br />
Skywalk Cinema Tuesday (23). The<br />
premiere, which benefited the Campbell<br />
Lodge Home for Boys in Campbell County,<br />
Ky., was attended by several of the film's<br />
cast including: Tom Laughlin, the star and<br />
creator of the film; Laughlin's wife Delores<br />
Taylor and daughter Teresa; John Lawler,<br />
Dick Gautier, William Wellman jr. and<br />
Kathy Cronkite.<br />
Donna Bastillung and Ella Smith joined<br />
the acounting department at Midstate Theatres<br />
. . . Morris Hale, head booker at 20th<br />
Century-Fo,\, and his family vacationed<br />
in Florida for two weeks.<br />
Susan Schadler of Midstates' film department<br />
married Douglas Laws Sunday (7).<br />
They spent their honeymoon in Gatlinburg,<br />
Tenn.<br />
Wednesday (10), which marked the first<br />
round of softball tournaments for the Filmrow<br />
sluggers, turned out to be a calamityfilled<br />
day. A muddy and slick diamond<br />
helped cause four disabling injuries. Buena<br />
Vista's Jill Simminger broke her finger and<br />
National Screen Service's Debbie Thullen<br />
suffered a broken ankle. Tri-State's girls<br />
received more than their share of injuries<br />
when Rosie Boardman was hit in the eye<br />
with the ball and Tina Von Bokern suffered<br />
a severely sprained ankle that will require<br />
her to stay on crutches for several weeks.<br />
Production manager Joan Carson visited<br />
Phil Borack to check on locations for the<br />
filming of "Harper Valley PTA," which will<br />
be a 1978 release by April Fools Productions.<br />
"The Last Remake of Beau Geste"<br />
opened at the Showcase Springdale and<br />
Showcase Erlancer Fridav (19).<br />
Hite Named Warner Bros.<br />
Chicago Branch Manager<br />
CHICAGO—Terry Semel, executive vicepresident,<br />
general sales manager for Warner<br />
Bros.. Burbank, Calif., announced the<br />
appointment of Seymour Hite as Chicago<br />
branch manager, effective July 18. Hite<br />
previously served as sales manager in the<br />
Windy City.<br />
Semel said, "We feel Seymour Hite is an<br />
excellent executive and are pleased to have<br />
him in the key position he has assumed."<br />
Hite joined Warner Bros, in November<br />
1973 and previously had functioned for<br />
other film companies as branch manager<br />
in Milwaukee and Indianapolis and, for a<br />
period of time, as an assistant branch manager<br />
in the Chicago area.<br />
Capitol Theatre to Reopen<br />
Under New Management<br />
FLINT, MICH.—The Capitol Theatre,<br />
which has been closed since last fall, is lo<br />
reopen under the direction of its new manager<br />
George S. Farah who recently purchased<br />
the theatre and the building that<br />
houses it and about 30 other stores and<br />
Farah said that through offering firstrun<br />
films and live entertainment that is<br />
suitable for the entire family he hopws to<br />
make the theatre a focal point that will<br />
instigate the revitalization of the downtown<br />
area.<br />
Farah bid on undisclosed first-nm features<br />
for fall showings and is considering<br />
offering ethnic films in their native languages.<br />
He also may add international foods<br />
to the menu at the concession stand. Plans<br />
to convert the bowling alley in the building<br />
into a night club are also underway.<br />
Frank Marzonic will act as the "entertainmsnt<br />
counselor" and Farah will manage the<br />
theatre and continue to rent out the other<br />
stores and offices. Farah feels that there will<br />
be a great potential for the entertainment<br />
business in the downtown area when the<br />
University of Michigan riverfront campus<br />
and other projects are completed.<br />
Farah has hired the former Capitol employees<br />
and cleaned the theatre. The stage<br />
has been refinished and the lighting and<br />
projection equipment have been overhauled.<br />
The theatre was built in 1927 by the<br />
Capitol Theatre Building Co. who eventually<br />
leased it to Butterfield Theatres, Inc.. who<br />
operated it until last fall.<br />
Promotions for "Herowork"<br />
Discussed in Cleveland<br />
CLEVELAND— Paul Yeskel of International<br />
Harmony Productions traveled here<br />
to meet with Morrie Zryl of Selected Pictures<br />
to design a campaign for "Herowork,"<br />
which IHP is promoting.<br />
Yeskel also met with Mike Mooney of<br />
Academy Advertising regarding the "Fantastic<br />
Animation Festival."<br />
Political Era in Chicago<br />
Subject of New Film<br />
CHICAGO—The first feature length<br />
spoof of big-city politics to hit the screen<br />
in 25 years will take form this fall when<br />
the movie version of "The Election<br />
Chicago Style" is filmed in the Windy City<br />
for national distribution.<br />
Chicago Talking Pictures has acquired<br />
motion picture rights to the paperback of<br />
the same name written by a judge who took<br />
shelter under the alias of "Ward Heeler."<br />
The book has sold over 30,000 copies.<br />
The entire film will be shot in this area<br />
and a predominantly local cast with tvso<br />
stars will be used according to Alan Davis,<br />
who will serve as director, and Ray Saeger,<br />
company president. The production budget<br />
is $1,250,000.<br />
Chicago Talking Pictures previously concentrated<br />
on industrial and educational<br />
films.<br />
'MacArlhur' In Charge<br />
Of Cincinnati List<br />
CINCINNAII— It was a busy week for<br />
area boxoffice personnel as numerous films<br />
earned hefty grosses. "MacArthur" landed<br />
on area screens and ended up towering over<br />
the list with a mighty 1,000 mark for its<br />
debut week. "Star Wars" orbited close behind<br />
with an average of 950 for its llth<br />
week while newcomer "Smokey and the<br />
Bandit" stole a substantial share of patrons<br />
and ended the week with 800.<br />
Five -healr.- The Deep ' -:; v.,:<br />
Five theat;.-^ Oullaw Blues iWRi
I<br />
, jiied<br />
.<br />
-1<br />
\<br />
. . Newman<br />
^' '<br />
ELAND<br />
vas the "green man" respon-<br />
. r aiming summer into fall on<br />
! he Deer Hunter," which was<br />
in this area. He transported<br />
.i:. l)ags of leaves from Pittsburgh in<br />
oiuei U) give the scene the look and feel of<br />
aiiuiinr.. He also sprayed the trees suriOiindiny<br />
the St. Theodosius Cathedral with<br />
a chemical to temporarily defoliate them.<br />
Basso created forests for "Camelot." "Hello<br />
Dolly" and "The Island of Dr. Moreau."<br />
He is reputed to be able to convert a parking<br />
lot into Central Park.<br />
Five stage and screen personalities including<br />
Kitty Carlisle. Olivia de Havilland<br />
and producer Cheryl Crawford will lecture<br />
to the Play House Women's Committee this<br />
season. John Cairney. who has appeared<br />
with the Bristol Old Vic Theatre in Europe,<br />
and Robert Strane, the artistic director of<br />
the Asolo State Theatre, Sarasota, Fla., will<br />
also<br />
lecture.<br />
Ray Walston, an alumni of the Play<br />
House, will return this season for guest appearances<br />
in their productions. He has<br />
many film roles to his credit including "Silver<br />
Streak" and "The Sting." He will direct<br />
and act in this season's opening production<br />
COLOR or Black and White<br />
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SPECIAL PROMOTIONS • TRAILERETTES<br />
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of Moliere's "The Learned Ladies."<br />
The Cleveland papers gave lengthy coverage<br />
to the activities of Paul Newman who<br />
is racing at Warren, Ohio. On a recent<br />
Sunday Newman raced in the Sports Car<br />
Club of America races at Nelson Ledges<br />
Road Course. Newman, who is a native of<br />
Shaker Heights and the defending SCCA<br />
D-Production champion, started that event<br />
from the pole in his TR-6, but finished in<br />
the llth place slot. In the B-Sedan event,<br />
Newman piloted a Datsun 510, but completed<br />
only three laps before blowing his<br />
engine . was seen dining on<br />
chicken and cans of Budweiser beer at the<br />
Mark Restaurant. Lakefront Airport. Newman<br />
also visited the Cleveland Clinic.<br />
Conscientious Mark Bladd, Detroit publicity<br />
director for United Artists, visited the<br />
area for two days to count heads at the<br />
promotional radio screening of "New York,<br />
New York" at the Village Theatre.<br />
Films for both young viewers and adults<br />
at area theatres are: "Star Wars," six theatres;<br />
"Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo," five<br />
theatres, and "The Rescuers," three theatres.<br />
Alfred Hitchcock's "Topaz," which stars<br />
John Forsythe and Karin Dor. was shown<br />
free Monday (22) at the public library auditorium.<br />
Bob Bruce, Buena Vista Cincinnati<br />
branch manager, visited the area.<br />
Margaret Ulmer Ezekiel, who was recently<br />
promoted to associate professor of<br />
CINERAMA IS IN<br />
SHOW BUSINESS IN<br />
HAWAII TOO.<br />
When you come to Waikiki,<br />
theatre at Cleveland State University, died.<br />
She graduated from Northwestern University,<br />
received her masters from Yale University<br />
and earned her doctorate from Case<br />
Western Reserve University. She acted in<br />
many productions but her preference was<br />
the behind-the-scenes work.<br />
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Witness Threatened<br />
In Adult Store Case<br />
HOUSTON—Adult book stores<br />
and theatres<br />
will continue to operate until the end<br />
of August when a federal judge says he will<br />
consider whether to permanently enjoin a<br />
city ordinance that would close most of the<br />
businesses here that sell adult books, films<br />
and magazines, it was reported by Jorjanna<br />
Price of the Houston Post.<br />
U.S. District Judge Ross Sterling, Friday<br />
recessed a hearing until Tuesday (30) and<br />
extended an order which temporarily restrains<br />
the city from enacting an ordinance<br />
that forbids adult commercial establishments<br />
to operate within 2,000 feet of a<br />
church, school or other educational or<br />
charitable<br />
institution.<br />
City Attorney Otis King said the city<br />
would abide by a previous agreement to<br />
forestall action against any adult commercial<br />
establishment not protected by Sterling's<br />
order.<br />
A group of adult bookstore and theatre<br />
operators won postponement of the ordinance,<br />
due to go into effect last week, after<br />
filing suit in federal court in opposition to<br />
the antipornography law.<br />
At Friday's hearing, a Spring Branch<br />
woman. Nancy Brinsdon, testified that two<br />
female leaders in the move to close adult<br />
establishments warned her to leave town<br />
and destroy a tape recording of an antipornography<br />
rally that Brinsdon said she had<br />
been asked to play at the hearing.<br />
Brinsdon said she was threatened by Beverly<br />
Heinrich and Geneva Kirk Brooks,<br />
outspoken opponents of adult bookstores<br />
and theatres. She said Heinrich told her to<br />
say she did not have the tape and to destroy<br />
it. Brooks suggested it would "be very convenient<br />
for me" to leave town, Brinsdon<br />
said.<br />
Heinrich. sitting in the back of the courtroom,<br />
shouted, "That's a lie." As she rose<br />
to leave. Sterling admonished her.<br />
Brinsdon said she also had received a<br />
telephone call from an unidentified man<br />
who said "I wouldn't make it to court with<br />
the tape." The hour-long tape, played over<br />
the objections of King, recorded the rt<br />
marks of four city councilmen, state and lo<br />
officials who spoke at a rally held by the<br />
cal<br />
Spring Branch Oaks Civic Center on June<br />
21. Clyde Woody, attorney for the book<br />
store and theatre owners, said he introduced<br />
Brinsdon's testimony to show harassment.<br />
Heinrich later denied she wanted the<br />
tape destroyed and charged that Brinsdon<br />
had committed perjury.<br />
Parking Lot in Theatre's Spot<br />
DES MOINES—History in the form of<br />
the venerable Galaxy theatre, met destiny<br />
in the shape of a wrecking ball, Po make<br />
room for progress in the configuration of<br />
a parking lot. The 64-year-old former RKO<br />
house was the last of this city's grand old<br />
cinemas. It was closed by its owner last<br />
April because of low attendance and will<br />
reopen,<br />
according to the contractor, as a parking<br />
lot.<br />
ME-2<br />
BOXOFFICE :: August 29, 1977
Give her love<br />
Give her a healthy start.<br />
She needs you to teach her good health habits now<br />
to reduce her risk of heart attacic and stroke later in life.<br />
Your Heart Association advises:<br />
Serve her foods low in saturated fats<br />
and cholesterol.<br />
Teach her not to begin smoking cigarettes.<br />
Help her maintain normal body weight and<br />
exercise regularly.<br />
Make regular medical check-ups a family routine.<br />
co,,ribu,.jb ,b r ki k<br />
Give Heart Fuiidrf^<br />
American Heart Association \!/<br />
BOXOFHCE :: August 29, 1977
3<br />
. . The<br />
DETROIT<br />
h.;:'.i\n Theatres' operations in East Lansing.<br />
Ann Arbor and Benton Harbor<br />
imII be handled by Leon Hoofnagle. who<br />
.an be contacted at Mann Theatres. P. O.<br />
Box 10180. Kansas City. Mo, Phone number<br />
is 816-561-2920.<br />
well.<br />
Columbia Pictures presented "You Light<br />
Up My Life" at a special advance screening<br />
at the Towne Theatre Tuesday (23). The<br />
film with music comparable to "A Star Is<br />
Born" was billed as "intimate in nature,<br />
modest in budget, which captures the hearts<br />
of the moviegoing public—a film filled<br />
with emotion, warmth and love."<br />
The Detroit News letter box ran the following<br />
note from a reader. "I've seen a<br />
dozen current movies rated PG. No wonder<br />
we hear such foul language from children.<br />
I suggest PG be redefined as for liberal<br />
parents and grandparents only—and not be<br />
left to mean parental guidance."<br />
The tip-off column of the Free Press<br />
reported<br />
that the wife of teamsters president<br />
Frank Fitzsimmons will make her acting<br />
debut in the film "Now I Lay Me Down<br />
to Sleep." which is currently being shot in<br />
the Ann Arbor area. The movie is a fictionalized<br />
account of the slayings of seven<br />
coeds in that area from 1967-69.<br />
The filming of "The Betsy," a PG-rated<br />
film based on the novel by Harold Robbins<br />
that is planned for release next March by<br />
United Artists, has received extensive media<br />
coverage by local newspapers. Director Dan<br />
Petrie and the entire crew and cast related<br />
to a local paper that they "found Detroit<br />
to be a delightful experience and that goes<br />
for downtown Detroit as well. Wha^ is<br />
more. I plan to spread the positive word<br />
about your city, which is continually bad<br />
mouthed" ... On another front. Little Harry's<br />
Restaurant, which was used as a filming<br />
site, has added a drink called the "Bcl-<br />
We can handle it! —<br />
><br />
•^-•-"<br />
nteds ond<br />
')<br />
Coll:<br />
O MOORE THEATRE<br />
^iSK EQUIPMENT CO.<br />
.^44-441<br />
213 Delaware Ave.<br />
P.O. Box 782<br />
Charleston, W. Va.<br />
25323<br />
sy" to its list. It is made of champagne, blue<br />
curacao and ice. The bartender has been<br />
getting requests to mix a blue drink for the<br />
extras . . . Larry Doss, president of New<br />
Detroit. Inc., and Fred Matthaei jr.. chairman<br />
of the company, were invited to meet<br />
actor Laurence Olivier upon his arrival at<br />
A Clark Theatre representative reported<br />
City Airport where a scene was filmed. The<br />
she plays opposite Richard Pryor and the<br />
gave away that they are the sole agents for Toledo<br />
station complimentary tickets to<br />
invitation was made in appreciation of their<br />
Cinema Systems, Inc.. which operates the<br />
highlight the opening of the film at the<br />
efforts and help in finding locations for<br />
Vine North in Toledo . Pantheon<br />
Hippodrome and Timonium drive-ins, Ray<br />
filming in the city and for helping to expedite<br />
Theatres. Toledo, will also be represented<br />
Thompson & Associates coordinated Ms.<br />
the shooting of the movie.<br />
by Clark Theatre Service. The new lessee<br />
Grier's promotional tour through Baltimore.<br />
Inc.,<br />
Scenes from the $5.5 million dollar movie<br />
were shot at the Metro Airport, Kings-<br />
and operator is Welcum Productions,<br />
2.^09 Warren St.. Toledo. The president<br />
WSID also has undertaken is<br />
a major promotional<br />
campaign with the AdVentures<br />
wood School, the Detroit Towers penthouse<br />
W. Charles Welch.<br />
and at several other local sites . . . One area Agency to hypo Smokey Robinson's first<br />
made Nate Levins of Levins Distributions, resident his apartment available for<br />
film, "Big Time." Smokey is the executive<br />
Southfield. is recovering from a severe hand<br />
producer, as well as the composer of the<br />
filming and even went to the expense of<br />
injury. Although<br />
Nate returned<br />
the latest features<br />
his hand<br />
to work<br />
are<br />
is still bandaged,<br />
and reported<br />
doing exceptionally<br />
that<br />
having a white rug dyed for almost $400.<br />
soundtrack music. "Big Time" stars Jayne<br />
However. the apartment management Kennedy and Christopher Joy, who did an<br />
thought that the filming would be "too disruptive."<br />
As a result the disgruntled apartment<br />
dweller left his $500 a month apartment<br />
with the gripe that he felt the management<br />
refused to help the company make<br />
a positive movie about Detroit.<br />
The Studio 4 Theatre in Birmingham,<br />
which has been dark since May 1 1 when<br />
the police ordered it not to open without<br />
a license, has apparently closed. Since the<br />
marquee, which once read "opening soon<br />
for mature audiences." is now bare, the<br />
residents will not have to worry for a while<br />
at least about having X-rated movies in<br />
their downtown area.<br />
The Corn Corner of the Detroit News<br />
printed the following item on Thursday<br />
(18). "Bill Kreifeldt overheard the desk man<br />
at Howard Johnsons in downtown Detroit<br />
receive a complaint from a guest about an<br />
R-rated movie 'The Sailor Who Fell from<br />
Grace with the Sea." 'You shouldn't be<br />
showing that movie on TV. It's all about<br />
sex and my children are seeing it all.' she<br />
said. 'How long have you been watching<br />
it?', inquired the man. 'About an hour or<br />
so,' she said. That's life."<br />
'Rituals' Applauded<br />
At World Premiere<br />
SAULT STE. MARIE, ONT.—The motion<br />
picture "Rituals," $600,000 suspense<br />
picture filmed north of here approximately<br />
a year ago, received an enthusiastic reception<br />
from a capacity audience at its recent<br />
world premiere in this city. "Rituals" is the<br />
story of five doctors who take their annual<br />
vacations together. During their adventure in<br />
the wilderness, the men find themselves individually<br />
menaced by an unknown terror.<br />
American Hal Holbrook, who played the<br />
lead role in the film, attended the premiere.<br />
"Rituals" was produced by Larry Dane.<br />
with Peter Carter directing. The picture was<br />
financed by Astral-Bellevue-Pathe-Canart<br />
Films of Toronto, with additional funding<br />
provided by the Canadian Film Development<br />
Corp, and Famous Players.<br />
WSID Steps Up Promotion<br />
Of Black-Oriented Films<br />
BALTIMORE—WSID-AM, this city's<br />
very popular black station, recently has<br />
been involved in promoting new black-oriented<br />
films in Charm City.<br />
Pam Grier stopped by the station to appear<br />
on the Bob Greene show to discuss her<br />
new starrer. "Greased Lightning," in which<br />
interview with WSID's morning personality<br />
Harry Boomer.<br />
Additionally, the station is giving away<br />
T-shirts<br />
and soundtrack albums to ballyhoo<br />
the film. Four of the lucky winners in a<br />
contest staged by WSID were slated to be<br />
chauffered in a limousine to join Harry,<br />
Smokey, Jayne and Christopher for dinner<br />
at the Chesapeake Restaurant. They also<br />
were to attend Robinson's live concert and<br />
the Baltimore premiere of "Big Time" at the<br />
Hippodrome Theatre Thursday (11).<br />
Peep Show Proprietor In<br />
Plea Pictures Peekable<br />
BALTIMORE—A total of 1 1 peep show<br />
films have been submitted to the city circuit<br />
court by the state attorney general after the<br />
state board of censors refused to license<br />
them on the grounds that they were obscene.<br />
The films were listed in a suit filed<br />
by the state against Anthony J. Varano of<br />
Diversified Investment Corp., Ltd. Monday<br />
(1).<br />
Under Maryland law, the court is required<br />
to set a hearing date and view the films<br />
promptly. If the court concurs with the censors'<br />
findings the peeps can be banned from<br />
exhibition in the coin-operated projectors<br />
usually found in<br />
adult bookstores.<br />
F. Todd Taylor jr.. an assistant attorney<br />
general, stated in the suit that the board<br />
turned thumbs down on the pictures in an<br />
order dated July 29. The 200-foot-long<br />
films are usually shown in 25 cent segments.<br />
The state law has long required that<br />
all films shown commercially, including<br />
those viewed on coin-operated machines,<br />
must be screened and approved by the censor<br />
board prior to exhibition.<br />
In a board-approved film the explicit<br />
sexual activity associated with the peepers<br />
would have to be blacked out which might<br />
discourage potential peep show peckers.<br />
Operators face a fine, under this law, should<br />
they show films that do not have the approval<br />
of the state regulatory agency.<br />
Warner Bros, will distribute "War of the<br />
Aliens."<br />
ME-4<br />
August 29, 1977
Hub Circuit Leaders<br />
Laud Summer Records<br />
BOSTON—Film business in Boston is<br />
hitting high marks and exhibitors are experiencing<br />
the best summer in 25 years.<br />
Bigger pictures, bigger prices and bigger<br />
grosses are the order of the day. Factors<br />
include the elimination of smaller houses,<br />
concentration of product with the same<br />
picture playing two or more houses simultaneously,<br />
perimeter breaks and moveovers<br />
of films from house to house possible only<br />
in large circuits. Another factor is this summer's<br />
elimination of art houses and reissue<br />
houses in downtown Boston. The heads of<br />
the two biggest circuits based in Boston.<br />
Sack Theatres and General Cinema agree<br />
that this summer's business, paced by "Star<br />
Wars" has been phenomenal.<br />
This week finds exhibition moving right<br />
along with two new big entries: "Outrage-<br />
ous!" which is high above average. 225 at<br />
the Orson Welles I and "Final Chapter-<br />
Walking Tall." 300 at the Gary.<br />
(Average Is 100)<br />
Beacon Hill—One on One (WB), 2nd wk _ 130<br />
II, Charles Chestnut Hill I—Morch or Die (Col),<br />
2Tid wk 90<br />
Cheri I—I Never Promised You a Rose Garden<br />
(New World), 2nd wk 300<br />
Chen II. Chestnut Hill Il-Bad News Bears in<br />
Breaking Training (Para), 4th wk 75<br />
Cheri III—The Last Remake of Beau Geste<br />
(Univ), 6th wk - 130<br />
Cinema 57 I, Circle Cii<br />
(Univ), 3rd wk<br />
Cmema 57 II—New York. New York (UA),<br />
8th wk<br />
.175<br />
Exeter—Black and White in Color (AA),<br />
5th wk liiU<br />
Gary—Final Chapter—Walking Tall (AlP) 300<br />
Orson Welles 1— Outrageousl (SR) 225<br />
Pi Alley, Savoy I—The Spy Who Loved Me (UA),<br />
3rd wk -..-600<br />
Lightning (WB), 2nd wk 300<br />
Thr the s—Star Wars (20th-Fox 12lh<br />
Old Record Breaker Repels<br />
Challengers in New Haven<br />
NEW HAVEN—Three newcomers, brisk<br />
grossers all, failed to outpace the season's<br />
champion figure-setter, 20th Century-Fox's<br />
"Star Wars" (an unprecedented 400 for its<br />
sixth week, auditorium five. Redstone<br />
Showcase 5). Universal's "MacArthur"<br />
chalked up 275. auditorium one, same plex.<br />
Columbia's "March or Die," auditorium<br />
two, RKO-Stanley Warner Cinemart 2, and<br />
auditorium one. General Cinema Corp. Milford<br />
II. registered 250. And 20th-Fox's<br />
"Thunder and Lightning" (double-bill). Milford<br />
Drive-In. hit 175.<br />
Cine I, North Haven—Smokey and the Bandit<br />
(Univ) 2nd wk
BOSTON<br />
yA iinudson, vice-president of advertising<br />
and publicity at Redstone Theatres.<br />
be hard to live with after a glamor<br />
»>ill<br />
-Tuise of Europe. On his three-week hiatus.<br />
Ed visited Great Britain, Denmark. Sweden.<br />
Norway and Russia ... A belated, but<br />
nonetheless sincere, "Happy Birthday" to<br />
Redstone's Alan Naglin, assistant director<br />
of advertising and a two-and-a-half year<br />
veteran.<br />
NFB Film Distributors office staff gave<br />
a warm welcome to pert and purty Barbara<br />
Hurlberl who is heading up the billing department.<br />
Barbara lives in Franklin and was<br />
with the Foxboro Co. before she came to<br />
NFB . . . Harvey Appell and Paul Peterson,<br />
also NFB. announced that their new<br />
release "The First Nudie Musical" is rated<br />
"R" and will open in September at Sonny<br />
and Eddy's Allston Cinema.<br />
i<br />
I<br />
OUTDOOR<br />
SCREEN<br />
41 ft. Height<br />
91 ft. Width<br />
EXCELLENT<br />
CONDITION<br />
Washington Hotel, Bretton Woods, N.H..<br />
where he watched the National Tennis<br />
Championships.<br />
Richard Myerson and David Landau<br />
proudly announce the formation of Regal<br />
Films Distributing Co., Inc., 46 Church<br />
St.. Boston. Two of their new releases.<br />
"Mystery of the Gods" starring William<br />
Shatner. rated "G," and "The Lion Who<br />
Thought He Was People" also rated "G."<br />
will be out this fall.<br />
Bruce Gildstein and Monty Rome of the<br />
Metro Provincetown continue to do the<br />
unusual in promotions. Recently they<br />
booked the original "Phantom of the Opera"<br />
with Lon Chaney for showing at the stroke<br />
of midnight accompanied by Lee Irwin, the<br />
world famous master of the theatre organ,<br />
in person at the Conn console. Irwin got a<br />
standing ovation after each performance<br />
and business increased with each succeed-<br />
. . .<br />
. .<br />
Walter Dyer, sales manager at Universal,<br />
was at<br />
for of radio<br />
the uninitiated) now living in Westbrook<br />
soap operas, played regularly on the<br />
and has generally week-ended there the past<br />
Arthur Godfrey show and is often heard<br />
few years. He's an ardent golfer (and not too<br />
at the Carnegie Hall Cinema in<br />
shabby on the links, either). He<br />
New York.<br />
played in a<br />
member-guest tourney over the weekend<br />
Under Personals in the Boston" papers,<br />
of<br />
ing show. The<br />
NBC console<br />
TV<br />
master organist<br />
hundreds<br />
the<br />
and<br />
is a "Mainiac" (State of Maine native, to<br />
August 6-7. with his twosome copping low<br />
net honors with a tidy 59. That Sunday.<br />
the following ad:<br />
"Wanted! Former members of the French<br />
Walter went around in 63 to walk off with<br />
individual low net honors. Look out Tommy<br />
Foreign<br />
to take<br />
Legion,<br />
part in<br />
officers<br />
the opening<br />
or enlisted<br />
of Columbia<br />
men.<br />
Watson.<br />
Pictures' spectacular adventure 'March or<br />
Die" Please contact John Marklc. Columbia<br />
Advance notice to all in the film district<br />
8980."<br />
Pictures. Telephone (617) 426-<br />
that the New England Motion Picture Club<br />
Markle. publicity chief at Columbia,<br />
will hold their annual luncheon at Nick's<br />
placed the ad as part of a widespread campaign<br />
Restaurant. October 14, is hereby issued<br />
to drum up interest in the film which<br />
. Genial Solly Simons, Columbia sales<br />
representative (retired) and now a perennial opened Friday (12) at the Sack Charles<br />
vacationer was on Church Street gladhanding<br />
Cinema and five shopping center houses.<br />
old friends and regaling them with the Within<br />
details of his two-week stay at the Mount<br />
24 hours, according to John, he<br />
was beseiged with responses to the ad.<br />
Technical Advice Sought<br />
From Woods Hole Institute<br />
WOODS HOLE, MASS.—The Woods<br />
Hole Oceanographic Institute has been approached<br />
by two documentary film companies<br />
for advice on technical problems involved<br />
in location-shooting on a story about<br />
finding and photographing the Titanic, according<br />
to published reports.<br />
An institute spokesman has now remarked<br />
that an institute scientist (Robert Ballard)<br />
had been approached by the film companies,<br />
neither identified.<br />
"It's still in the talking stage." the spokesman<br />
added, "and nothing would be done<br />
until 1979."<br />
Marian Mack Will Attend<br />
Buster Keaton Film Fest<br />
CAMBRIDGE—J. D. Pollack, manager<br />
of the Orson Welles Cinema here, announced<br />
that a Buster Keaton Retrospective is<br />
planned for September 28-Novcmber I. The<br />
event, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of<br />
Keaton's classic "The General." will be<br />
highlighted by a visit from his leading lady<br />
in the film. Marian Mack.<br />
Miss Mack will be in town for two days<br />
of receptions and interviews. The retrospective<br />
will serve as this year's annual, fall<br />
comedy series offering and will present the<br />
following Keaton features and two-reelers:<br />
"The General," "Sherlock, Jr.,"" "Battling<br />
Butler," "Neighbors,"' "Playhouse," "Our<br />
Hospitality," "Coney Island."' "The Scarecrow,"<br />
"Steamboat Bill Jr.," "College,"<br />
"The Butcher Boy,"' "The High Sign," "Go<br />
West," "The Blacksmith," "The Haunted<br />
House," "The Navigator," "The Saphead,"<br />
"Seven Chances," "The Pale Face," "Good<br />
Night Nurse," "Cops,"" "The Cameraman,"<br />
"One Week," "Sunset Boulevard," "Tlie<br />
Boar."' "Daydreams" and "Backstage."<br />
Capitol Theatre Annex Doomed<br />
NEW LONDON. CONN.—The New<br />
London Redevelopment Agency has been<br />
given City Council authority to demolish<br />
the Capitol Theatre annex. The theatre itself,<br />
once part of M&P Theatres and later<br />
operated by American Theatre Corp., has<br />
been shuttered in recent years: it was a<br />
long-time eastern Connecticut premiere site<br />
for Paramount Pictures.<br />
INCORPORATIONS<br />
— Connecticut—<br />
Parmalee Hills Productions Inc.. Wallace<br />
Parmalee Hill Rd.. Newtown 06470; Art<br />
Wallace, president-treasurer; Carole Wallace,<br />
vice president-secretary.<br />
Ocean State Twin Bill Admission<br />
PROVIDENCE—The one-time Loews<br />
State, now called the Ocean State Theatre,<br />
has adopted a double-feature policy, charging<br />
$2 admission. Bulk of area cinemas<br />
operate on a single-feature plan.<br />
(Cost $25,000)<br />
Make an offer<br />
Route 9, Hadley, Mass. I<br />
(413) 665-2518<br />
|<br />
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CINERAMA IS IN<br />
SHOW BUSINESS IN<br />
HAWAII TOO.<br />
When you come to Waikiki,<br />
glUgjIHUHl<br />
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[5^J]]<br />
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don't miss the famous<br />
Don Ho Show. . at<br />
isorasj Cinerama's Reef Towers Hotel.<br />
IN WAIKIKI: REEF . REEF TOWERS . EDGEWATER<br />
NE-2 August 29. 1977
I chairman<br />
. .<br />
HARTFORD<br />
J^Morney James H. Shulnian, 31. ol the<br />
Shulmun exhibition family, has entered<br />
the political wars, as predicted earlier in<br />
BoxoFFicE. A partner in the Hartford law<br />
firm of Ribicoff & Kotkin. he has been<br />
nominated by the Democratic party in West<br />
Hartford to run for the Board of Education<br />
in November. His father Maurice W. Schulman;<br />
uncle. Joseph L. Shulman; and grandfather.<br />
Max Shulman. (all deceased) were<br />
in exhibition, and his uncle. Albert H.<br />
Shulman. is still in the industry in Connecticut.<br />
WHNB-TV, the NBC affiliate, has<br />
mounted a sizable promotion effort for a<br />
continuing Sunday morning (7:30 starting<br />
time) "Advenline Theatre" feature film<br />
series comprised of vintage Warner Bros,<br />
product, titles including "Silver River" (Errol<br />
Flynn, Ann Sheridan); "Captains of the<br />
Clouds" (James Cagney. Dennis Morgan);<br />
"The Adventures of Robin Hood" (Flynn<br />
and Olivia deHavilland). among others.<br />
The Roger's Comer Drive-In. Pleasant<br />
Valley, had a Friday and Saturday drawing<br />
for two sets of tickets to Hartford Civic<br />
Center boxing; on the screen were United<br />
Artists' "Rocky" (which has a boxing<br />
theme, of course) and "From Noon Till<br />
Three."<br />
William R. Daltoii, lifelong concert organist,<br />
died recently at his Hartford home.<br />
His theatre ties included status as featured<br />
organist and associate conductor for a 50-<br />
piece orchestra at Loews Ohio. Columbus,<br />
and stints at New York's Radio City Music<br />
Hall, among other showplaccs.<br />
Westporter Paul Newman, a veteran<br />
sports-car racing driver, entered the tougher<br />
world of stock-car driving for a day. renting<br />
the Stafford Speedway to see what it would<br />
be like to drive a modified stock car. The<br />
day's events were given considerable media<br />
coverage across Connecticut.<br />
The Greater Hartford Community College<br />
introduces its fall/spring Friday night<br />
free film series September 23 with "Small<br />
Change." Since some of the titles are not<br />
"G" rated, the college is emphasizing in<br />
publicity releases: "All persons wishing to<br />
attend the films may be asked to provide<br />
proof of majority (college ID. driver's license,<br />
majority card, et al)."<br />
The Sampson & Spodick Grolon and<br />
Norwich Cinemas 2 (auditorium two at<br />
both theatres) advertised. "It's A Smash<br />
Hit!" with playdale of Buena Vista's "Herbie<br />
Goes to Monte Carlo."<br />
Bigger Meal Tax Bite Planned<br />
HARTFORD—The possibility of new<br />
taxes on meals of less than $1. a move<br />
expected to generate $15-million annual<br />
state revenue, has been recommended for<br />
Connecticut state legislative attention.<br />
State Rep. Gardner E. Wright (D-Bristol).<br />
of the finance committee, would<br />
apply the existing 7-per cent sales tax to<br />
meals under $1.<br />
Woodward's TV Film Earns<br />
Mass. Film Bureau Kudos<br />
BOSJON~A major. made-for-TV. film<br />
starring Joanne Woodward, is to be shot in<br />
the Bay State, the newly formed Massachusetts<br />
Film Bureau reported. The film will<br />
be made by Projections Unlimited which<br />
is owned by Woodward's husband, actor<br />
Paul Newman and George England, who<br />
is also the producer.<br />
Woodward is cast as the divorced mother<br />
of two, living in Boston, who decides to<br />
attempt the internationally renowned Boston<br />
Athletic Association Marathon. The 26-<br />
mile. 385-yard event draws runners from<br />
all over the world every Patriot's Day. During<br />
this year's running, last April, Newman<br />
got some shots of his wife chugging the<br />
long road from Hopkinton to Boston.<br />
Lensing is slated to begin in the Boston<br />
area September 19 and continue for a<br />
month. The entire film, interior shots as<br />
well as exterior, is to be produced in the<br />
state. Lt. Gov. Thomas P. O'Neill III and<br />
John J. Marino, state commerce commissioner,<br />
praised this aspect of the film as<br />
they pointed out that most filmmakers take<br />
their work to New York or California<br />
studios for the inside shots.<br />
Richard Heffron. with a long and impressive<br />
list of TV shows to his credit is<br />
the director. The high caliber of the cast<br />
and crew also drew words of approbation<br />
from Marino as a key to attracting more<br />
such ventures to the state. Economics, of<br />
course, is the prime mover in such undertakings<br />
and motion pictures bring dollars<br />
into the state and provide a boost for tourism.<br />
Marino added.<br />
The film bureau was formed by Marino<br />
to attract filmmakers to the area and it<br />
is headed by Jack McGlyn, director and<br />
his assistant. Patricia Barry, both of whom<br />
have assured the production company of<br />
the fullest across-the-board support before<br />
and during the shooting.<br />
NEW HAMPSHIRE<br />
^^arners Bros.' "Greased Lightning" had<br />
its New Hampshire premiere, day-anddate<br />
at the Movie Center. Hookset; Hookset's<br />
Skyray Drive-In and the Nashua<br />
Drive-In.<br />
The state cannot set fair tax rates lor its<br />
local communities imtil the state legislature<br />
acts in October on a state budget. Revenue<br />
Administration Commissioner Lloyd Price<br />
said last week. He added that New Hampshire<br />
programs for $43-million in local aid<br />
could change, thus upsetting any tax rates<br />
set now.<br />
Star to Make Horse Show Awards<br />
WENHAM. MASS. — Actress Tatum<br />
O'Neal and actor Anthony Hopkins, who<br />
have been on location in England for MGM-<br />
United Artists' "International Velvet." are<br />
to participate in the Ledyard Farms International<br />
Horse Trials here in October. The<br />
players are to award trophies.<br />
SPRINGFIELD<br />
JJcw titles on Western Massachusetts marquees:<br />
Columbia's "March or Die."<br />
Warner Bros." "One on One," AIP's "The<br />
Island of Dr. Moreau." United Artists' "The<br />
Spy Who Loved Me." Universal's "The<br />
Last Remake of Beau Geste." and 20th<br />
Century-Fox's "Thunder and Lightning."<br />
The Air-Line Drive-In, Chicopee, is continuing<br />
its Monday and Tuesday "Date<br />
Nile" plan, ads asserting, "Bring Your<br />
Date Tonight—You Pay Regular Admission<br />
and Your Date Is Free!"<br />
General Cinema Corp.'s Eastfield Mall<br />
Cinemas 2 participated in sizable promotion,<br />
including use of cooperative newspaper<br />
advertising, by mall businesses welcoming<br />
the J.C. Penney Co. department store<br />
chain to the shopping center. Ads were<br />
captioned. "You'll find Big Values throughout<br />
the mall during The Big Celebration!"<br />
The Morning Union is now including<br />
Motion Picture Ass'n of America (MPAA)<br />
ratings after each title listed in its daily<br />
amusement pages "Movie Timetable."<br />
Newhouse News Service entertainment<br />
writer Frances Taylor, writing in the Sunday<br />
Republican, commented: "The real<br />
movie fans of the U.S. are impatient for<br />
more films. Money ready, they scan the<br />
ads, searching for what they want and deserve.<br />
"Where, for example, is Dustin Hoffman?<br />
Who's seen him on any screen since<br />
'All the President's Men?' This fine actor,<br />
with his everyman quality, creates a strong<br />
bond with his audience in any role he plays.<br />
Dustin. we need you and want you .<br />
"A return to the past isn't very healthy<br />
and it's often a disappointment. I'm not<br />
looking backward at all, just hoping for a<br />
re-discovery of the fun of life as well as the<br />
problems, hoping for movies that will give<br />
us our favorite people in movies rich with<br />
the materials of our lives."<br />
Old 3 for 2 Trunk-Aided<br />
BROCKTON. MASS.—Area police, investigating<br />
a report that a couple had put a<br />
man into a car trimk. tracked the vehicle<br />
down with a registration supplied by an<br />
onlooker. It was learned that the "body"<br />
was the friend of the couple; the intent,<br />
police said, was to avoid paying an admission<br />
charge for the man at the nearby Avon.<br />
Sports Arena Plans Greenlighted<br />
NEW LONDON. CONN —The city<br />
Redevelopment<br />
Agency has approved plans of<br />
Robert McKearnon and Coleman Burke for<br />
construction of a .$2-million hockey rink<br />
and sports arena off Winthrop Blvd.<br />
Ghost Hunters Gamble at Granada<br />
MALDEN. MASS.—The Granada Twin,<br />
in a change-of-pace booking, scheduled the<br />
Warrens, billed as "ghost hunters," for a<br />
"live" 9 p.m. show on a recent Wednesday,<br />
charging $2.50 for adults: $1.50. .senior<br />
citizens and $1. children.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: AuausI 29. 1977<br />
NE-3
. . Lana<br />
. .<br />
./ i. RMONT<br />
Qp
. . Odeon<br />
. .<br />
Mutual Has Quebec Rights<br />
To International Films<br />
MON IRIt.M,-- Ihc pmduclion c-onip;mv<br />
Orphcc Arts has signed an agreement VMlh<br />
Mutual Films for distribution of Orphce"s<br />
films in both French and English versions<br />
throughout Quebec and the Maritime provinces.<br />
Orphee's upcoming product, included in<br />
the agreement, includes a film of Albert<br />
Camus" "The Plague"; "Giants on the<br />
Road," a story of truckers on the Paris-<br />
Afghanistan route; "Girl in Blue Velvet."<br />
a '40s romance by Alan Bridges; "Stars," a<br />
Hollywood story, and "Louisiana Love" by<br />
Nicolas Gessner.<br />
Mutual Films also has acquired Quebec<br />
distribution rights to the thriller "Communion,"<br />
which Allied Artists will distribute in<br />
the U. S, and English Canada.<br />
Films still in production for which Mutual<br />
has distribution rights in Quebec include<br />
Alain Resnais" "Providence." starring Dirk<br />
Bogarde. John Gielgud. Ellen Burstyn and<br />
David Warner; "Un Taxi Mauve," an Yves<br />
Boisset film starring Philippe Noiret. Charlotte<br />
Rampling. Fred Astaire and Peter<br />
Ustinov; a new Claude Chabrol work with<br />
Sylvia Kristel titled "Alice"; Jacques Rouffio"s<br />
"Violette et Francois." starring Isabelle<br />
Adjani; a biography in which Rod Stciger<br />
plays "Mussolini." supported by Henry<br />
Fonda and Franco Nero; "Je T'Aime, Moi<br />
Non Plus" by Serge Gainsbourg. with Joe<br />
Dallesandro and Jane Birkin. and Francois<br />
Legrand's "Casanova et Co." toplining Tony<br />
Curtis and Marisa Berenson.<br />
Two other internationally respected directors<br />
have films in the works which Mutual<br />
will distribute in Quebec. Joseph Losey's<br />
"Les Routes du Sud" stars Yves Montand<br />
and Isabelle Adjani and Ingmar Bergman<br />
will direct Ingrid Bergman and Liv<br />
Ullman in "Sonate d'Automne."<br />
Quadrant's Trent Plans<br />
Independent Productions<br />
lORONTO — Quadrant Films has anniuineed<br />
that production manager John<br />
licnt will expand his activities to include<br />
is production is a three-hour limited scries<br />
titled "The Albertans," directed by Ron<br />
Weyman for CBC.<br />
David Perlmutter continues as president<br />
of Quadrant Films, supervising financing<br />
and distribution of film product through<br />
Quadrant's affiliated companies. National<br />
Film Finance Corp. and Compass Film<br />
Sales. Currently available Quadrant films<br />
are "Love at First Sight." starring Dan Ackroyd.<br />
and "Why Shoot the Teacher?", toplining<br />
Bud Cort and Samantha Eggar.<br />
Scheduled for fall release is "Alien Encoimter,"<br />
produced by Hal Roach Studios.<br />
VANCOUVER<br />
Qordon Nojus is substituting lor manager<br />
Dick Letts at the Downtown while<br />
Dick enjoys his annual holidays. Since the<br />
weather has been so warm and sunny, with<br />
lovely evenings, it is safe to assume that<br />
Dick has spent at least a part of each day<br />
enjoying the air at Exhibition Park while<br />
he handicaps the bangtails. Oh. that your<br />
correspondent were there!<br />
Bill Gibson, who spent a couple of years<br />
up at the Capitol. Prince Rupert, now is<br />
relieving for Famous Players in the lower<br />
mainland . district manager Norm<br />
Reay left on a holiday, as did Margaret<br />
Copping of Victoria Film Services, who<br />
spent a week at the transcendental meditation<br />
seminar at UBC. Ellen McKeever,<br />
16mm inspector, left for her holidays after<br />
Margaret returned.<br />
Kathy Kasendix of Bellevue Films had<br />
a leisurely tour of Vancouver Islands and<br />
the Gulf Islands during July—the Riviera<br />
for one-fourth the price and no language<br />
Cathy Froelich<br />
or money problems<br />
went just a short distance across the line<br />
to northwest Washington's lake country to<br />
join thousands of other British Columbia<br />
people at Lake Whatcom.<br />
Elsie Kalz left the office chores at Astral-<br />
Columbia in the capable hands of Theo<br />
Ross while she spent a couple of restful<br />
weeks . . Janet Wisniuk, laid low by a<br />
.<br />
back ailment, was back at work<br />
painful<br />
at Canfilm. During her absence, Kevin<br />
Norman did double duty covering her position.<br />
The husband-and-wife team of Laara and<br />
Zaie Dalen, as competent a show business<br />
couple as has appeared in this province for<br />
many years, went over to Victoria to promote<br />
the opening of their picture "Skip<br />
Tracer" in the Counting House Friday (5).<br />
They returned Thursday (11) in time for a<br />
session with CB.S's "Hourglass." after which<br />
Laara flew to Toronto for a scries of interviews<br />
and talks for a national release. Zale<br />
The first two days of the August holidays<br />
were not beach weather, so any house with<br />
a kiddies picture got a very big play. Cashing<br />
in—and in a big way—were "Smokey<br />
and the Bandit" (Odeon Vancouver and<br />
New Westminster. Haida, Dolphin, Totem.<br />
North Vancouver, Clova and Surrey Drivein)<br />
and "Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger,"<br />
which was big in the Hillcrest Drive-In. with<br />
both ozoners capitalizing on special duskto-dawn<br />
shows one night . . . Once again.<br />
Vancouver Island and the interior exchanged<br />
weekend trippers with the lower<br />
mainland to clog the highways and till the<br />
motels and hotels. Places of amusement got<br />
a big play but stores were almost uniformly<br />
quiet on Saturday.<br />
The Granville Mall scene: That bewitching<br />
blonde beauty seen strolling downtown<br />
really was Elizabeth Montgomery .<br />
Clancy Loranger, veteran sports columnist<br />
of the Province, told Johnny Bernard about<br />
the Alpen Club type who tried to write a<br />
new drinking theme song for the Oktoberfest:<br />
couldn't get past the first two bars.<br />
Ms. Terry Einfeld of Warner Bros, was<br />
away enjoying the perfect August weather<br />
and Vi Hosford returned from a couple<br />
of weeks at her trailer hideout at Oroville.<br />
Wash.<br />
Mike Radulovich of the Auto-Vue Trail<br />
says the only way to avoid the unending<br />
parade of slow-moving campers and leisure<br />
vehicles on our interior highways is to<br />
travel at night—and then hit the lower mainland<br />
after the commuters have left for work<br />
in this city.<br />
The August week which ended Saturday<br />
(13) was a rare one in this city! You<br />
could have fried eggs on the downtown<br />
sidewalks and shot guns off in the stores<br />
(and in some theatres) without hitting a<br />
body. The drive-ins, however, were loaded.<br />
CKNW's Bill Hughes, who runs the<br />
longest-playing "Man on the Street" broadcast,<br />
had his roving mike on a Greyhound<br />
btis heading for the Howe Sound scenic<br />
trip. Asking an English chap what he did<br />
for a living, he was told he was a film salesman<br />
and that his latest big one was "The<br />
Spy Who Loved Me." He added that we all<br />
should be sure to see it, if and when it ran<br />
here. Bill didn't have the heart to tell the<br />
man the film already was in its third week<br />
at the Capitol 6 and had broken a house<br />
record there. (Guess that to some of our<br />
English cousins, this area still is "The Colonies.<br />
Outpost of the Empirah.")<br />
iiuicpendent producing and directing while d^d a long interview with CKVU-TV just<br />
ni.iintaining his present office at Quadrant, before leaving for Victoria.<br />
iS Isabella St. here. His current co-productuni<br />
activities are involved with the CBC<br />
The Varsity is now back to its regular 'Who Has Seen the Wind'<br />
fare of outstanding films of more than passing<br />
interest. Immediately following the In-<br />
.mil independently with William Stevenson<br />
Premiere Set for Fall<br />
.Mui screenwriter Tony Sheer.<br />
REGINA. SASK.— "Who Has Seen the<br />
ternational Festival, it opened with "Edvard<br />
front's first production assignment is<br />
Munch," which<br />
Wind," film version of W. O. Mitchell's<br />
played a special holiday<br />
I he Fighting Men." a 90-minute CBC-TV<br />
novel, will premiere in Saskatchewan this<br />
show last winter, winning customer approval.<br />
drama to be directed by Don Shebib. Also<br />
fall, according to Gwen Iveson of Souris<br />
Rivers Films, Toronto, associate producer.<br />
The original intention was to release the<br />
EOXOFFICE :: August 1977<br />
picture in the spring of '77; however, the<br />
film's debut was delayed to permit extra<br />
editing.<br />
Plans are to hold the world premiere in<br />
Areola. Sask.. near where the production<br />
was made, in late September or early October.<br />
Release in larger centers would he<br />
scheduled for the following day.<br />
Lensed entirely on location in southern<br />
Saskatchewan last year at a cost of $1,100.-<br />
000, "Who Has Seen the Wind" stars Canadian<br />
actor Gordon Pinsent.
,'<br />
; . ; The<br />
Herbic<br />
:<br />
'<br />
—<br />
i<br />
this<br />
. . Also<br />
. . Dave<br />
r xcdIenY and 'Very<br />
Good Grosses<br />
arned by All Colgary Newcomers<br />
CALGARY — Receptive crowds gener-<br />
.lU'd hefi\ boxofl'ice business that resulted<br />
in substantial grosses for thj five newcomers<br />
10 the area this report week, "One on One,"<br />
"The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training,"<br />
"Smokey and the Bandit" and "The<br />
Last Remake of Beau Gestc" were joint<br />
residents of the "excellent" category while<br />
"Grand Theft Auto" checked in a notch<br />
below with "very good" grosses.<br />
Brentwood—For the Love ol Benji (PRl. 2nd wk Fair<br />
Calgary Place 2—Orca (Para), 2nd wk Very Good<br />
Chinook—A Bridge Too Far iUA),<br />
7lh wk Excellent<br />
Market Mall 1— One on One (WB1 Excellent<br />
Market Moll 4, 5 d (^The Spy Who loved Me<br />
(UA), 2nd wk. .<br />
Excellent<br />
Norlh Hill, Uptown I-Stai Wars ! : ),<br />
6th wk<br />
. .Excellent<br />
Odeon l~Hollercoasler<br />
Fair<br />
Od-.-:: :-SIapShot ; . v.,: Good<br />
Pa::.<br />
Bad News Bears in<br />
'<br />
Breaking Training Excellent<br />
Pa..., .:.-.:: , Goes to Monte Carlo<br />
'';-<br />
:L:V;:'; .. ,. Excellent<br />
Three Ihealres- Grand Thell Auto (IFD) ..Very Good<br />
Towne Blue—The Other Side ol Midnight<br />
(BVFD), 6th .-.k Very Good<br />
Towne Red—Smokey and the Bandit<br />
(Univ)<br />
Excellent<br />
Uptown 2—The Last Remake oi Beau Geste<br />
(Univ)<br />
Excellent<br />
Average Grosses Earned by Majority<br />
Of Films on Vancouver Marquees<br />
VANCOUVER—"Fair" grosses tended<br />
—T<br />
Para), 14th wk<br />
Cajii d News Bear: Breaking<br />
Traming Fara), ^nd<br />
Cai;itol—The Island ol<br />
Capitol— One on One (WB:i<br />
Coronet—The Last Remake of Beau Geste<br />
(Univ)<br />
Coronet—The Other Side of Midnight (BVFD),<br />
8th<br />
Downtown—Outlaw Blues (WB)<br />
Odeon—Smokey and the Bandit (Univ),<br />
2nd wk<br />
Park—MacArthur (Univ)<br />
Stanley—A Bridge Too Far (UA), 8ih wk.<br />
Vancouver Centre—The Rescuers (BV), 5th wk.<br />
Vancouver Centre—New York, New York (UA),<br />
5th<br />
Vogue—Star Wars (BVFD), 7th wk Very Good<br />
Variety of Nev^ Films Debut<br />
On Edmonton Area Screens<br />
EDMONTON—The grosses earned by<br />
at the Provincial Museum Sunday (7) . . .<br />
. . The<br />
"Treasure Island" was screened Friday (12)<br />
by the National Film Theatre in its "Family<br />
Film Favorites" presentation . University<br />
of Alberta Chaplains" "Summer Session<br />
Series" offered "Jesus Christ Superstar"<br />
Monday (1) in the Tory Lecture Theatre.<br />
The screening was followed by a discussion<br />
on the theme of "The Quiet Violence<br />
of Society."<br />
Bill Chernyk, who has worked the past<br />
20 years in his neatly pressed doorman's<br />
tuxedo at the Westmount (previously known<br />
as the Sahara Theatre), retired recently at<br />
the age of 68. Bill's duties included everything<br />
from maintaining order in the theatre<br />
to rousing sleepy projectionists, he told Joe<br />
Sornberger of the Edmonton Journal. Admitting<br />
that he had seen few motion pictures<br />
in their entirety. Bill's favorite film<br />
probably was "The Sound of Music." The<br />
one he liked least, he told Sornberger. was<br />
"Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" "I never<br />
gave a heck for that one," he explained,<br />
"and that darned thing won an Academy<br />
Award."<br />
able on a loan basis to schools, associations,<br />
community groups, etc.—in fact, to anyone<br />
interested enough to screen them for a<br />
group of people. Details of the various<br />
movies and titles are available from Metric<br />
Commission Canada, Box 4000, Ottawa,<br />
Ont.<br />
A big welcome to Harvey Levin, who is<br />
booking again at Astral Films . . . More<br />
news will be forthcoming on a new business<br />
venture in this city that will bring a movie<br />
buffs some of the greatest films ever made<br />
in an earlier era. Flemming Nielson and<br />
Don Carrol, both former CBC staff members,<br />
have purchased the Plaza Theatre on<br />
Kensington Road in the northwest section<br />
of town and are converting it to an "art<br />
house." The two neophyte theatremen are<br />
even going back to the silent films hoping<br />
that there will prove to be an audience for<br />
such pictures in this city. It is a new approach<br />
for Calgarians who like a "different"<br />
evening at the movies.<br />
Work is well under way—in fact almost<br />
to the completion stage— at the two-screen<br />
Mill Woods Drive-In, Edmonton. I'he theatre<br />
is equipp>ed with heaters and will be a<br />
year-round operation. Cinema 1 will have<br />
a capacity of 442 cars, with Cincm;i 2 able<br />
to host 355 vehicles.<br />
Sandra McBean, daughter of Ken Mc-<br />
Bean, Landmark Theatres, has enjoyed several<br />
friends from Swift Current who have<br />
been visiting with her. The young ladies<br />
have taken in some of our more outstanding<br />
attractions, gone on shopping jaunts, visited<br />
with friends and—what else?— gone to the<br />
movies. The primary reason for the girls<br />
arriving in lown was to help Sandra celebrate<br />
her birthday Tuesday (2), which they<br />
did with a lovely supper at Ihe McBcan<br />
home.<br />
For the first time since its opening, the<br />
Market Mall 6 here is showing one film in<br />
three auditoriums. United Artists' "The Spy<br />
Who Loved Me' bowed in Cinema 4, Cinema<br />
5 and Cinema 6 to excellent grosses in<br />
all<br />
situations.<br />
The big news here in the motion picture<br />
industry is the shooting of some of the<br />
footage for the upcoming feature "Superman,"<br />
with auditions being held for<br />
several "Superkids." The film company<br />
scanned talent at the Calgary Inn and was<br />
on the lookout for children (particularly)<br />
in the age groups of three, five and ten<br />
years.<br />
Publicity director Gordon Arnell said<br />
the youngsters will be involved in scenes<br />
depicting the arrival from the planet Krypton<br />
of the future Superman. It is expected<br />
that these sequences will be photographed<br />
in this area. The film has been under way<br />
in southern Alberta and the crew was in<br />
town to start lensing in the nearby Exhaw<br />
area, as well as in the Blackie and Drum-<br />
The poor Canadian taxpayer is footing<br />
heller regions. Stars in the city, or arriving<br />
the bill for yet another metric conversion<br />
soon, to take part in the picture were Glenn<br />
aid. This time, it is several films that have<br />
been made specifically for Metric Commission<br />
Canada to assist the general public Ned Beatty and Margot Kidder. Total bud-<br />
Ford, Gene Hackman, Valerie Perrine,<br />
with the system of measurements. In color<br />
get for the feature is $25,000,000—and<br />
and 16mm, the films are from 20 to 30 some of that will enter into Alberta's economy,<br />
minutes in length. The pictures are avail-<br />
as well as creating a number of spinoff<br />
jobs in connection with the filmmaking.<br />
Cinematheque 16 in Edmonton continues<br />
to delight the true movie buff with classic<br />
film fare. Pictures scheduled for August included<br />
"Through a Glass Darkley," "Winter<br />
Light." "The Silence" and "Smiles of<br />
a Summer Night." The first annual Summer<br />
Festival of International Cinema (presented<br />
Thursdays and Fridays) offered "Bed<br />
and Board" (France, 1970), "The Fifth<br />
Horseman Is Fear" (Czechoslovakia. 1964).<br />
"The Milky Way" (France-Italy. 1968) and<br />
"Seven Samurai" (Japan, 1954). The very<br />
knowledgeable Sam Koplowitz has arranged<br />
for a new season of international features<br />
and retrospective series to begin September<br />
1. With Sam's know-how, the films should<br />
make September a very interesting month<br />
for Edmontonians.<br />
Some time ago, there were plans afoot<br />
to make a motion picture about the life of<br />
Alberta's black cowboy, John Ware, but<br />
the company involved ran afoul of the Security<br />
Commission and to date the film has<br />
not been completed. The National Film<br />
Board, however, has made a documentary<br />
on this colorful pioneer and his daughter<br />
Jeannette (Nettie) has a top role in this<br />
film. The interest in Ware was touched off<br />
by the publication of the book "John Ware's<br />
Cow Country." written by the Hon. Dr. J.<br />
Grant MacEwan. During Stampede week.<br />
the NFB crew was in Nanton shooting<br />
footage for this interesting picture. Ware's<br />
childhood was spent in slavery and much<br />
of this time in his life is based on interviews<br />
with his daughter. Ware came to Alberta<br />
in 1882 and became known throughout the<br />
West as a very capable roper, rider, sharpshooter<br />
and rancher. A fall from a horse<br />
in 1905 resulted in his death, just a few<br />
months after his wife had died. Another<br />
daughter. Mildred, still is living in Alberta,<br />
with one son, Robert, living in this city.<br />
Another, Arthur, makes his home in Vancouver,<br />
No date has been set for the release<br />
of the film.<br />
.<br />
Stan Phillip.s, 16mm booker lor Bellevue<br />
It's not<br />
Films, departed on vacation . .<br />
that Susan Pietrowski of Victoria Shipping<br />
Services has had more holidays than anyone<br />
else— it's just that she has split up her<br />
three weeks and is away for another short<br />
hiatus from daily toil.<br />
Edmonton has experienced some real deluges<br />
of rain in the past few weeks— heavy<br />
pounding rains that really have shown up<br />
as poor nights at ozoner boxoffices. Lack<br />
of rain in the south and east sections of Alberta<br />
also has affected theatre attendance.<br />
With no prospect of a crop in that area,<br />
people are becoming very cautious in<br />
money matters and reduced spending is reflected<br />
in some very low grosses.<br />
Cinemobile Display Set<br />
As Feature of Festival<br />
TORONTO— Parked at Harbourfront<br />
and showing films which will include National<br />
Film Board shorts and some fulllength<br />
features, as well as films by independent<br />
Canadian filmmakers and some animation<br />
and classic films, will be the Cinemobile.<br />
The Cinemobile is a van with an inflatable<br />
theatre coming out of its back. It<br />
looks like a giant carrot and has to be seen<br />
to be believed!<br />
This "inflatable" mobile theatre was devised<br />
by Martin Heath, director of projects,<br />
and Chriss Clifford, design engineer, of<br />
Mobile Cinema Systems. It seats approximately<br />
75. The balloon environment creates<br />
excitement among adults and children,<br />
creating a delightful new way to view film.<br />
The Cinemobile is an all-weather yearround<br />
mobile cinema with continuous projection<br />
and a self-contained generating system.<br />
In the environment created by the inflatable<br />
auditorium, people become enthusiastic<br />
about viewing film and in the process<br />
seem to enjoy themselves and find that the<br />
person next to them also is "getting off" on<br />
the experience.<br />
The Cinemobile will be at Harbourfront<br />
the weekends of the festival, September 10-<br />
11 and September 17-18. All of the films<br />
are free and part of the festival's Harbourfront<br />
activities.<br />
BOXOFFICE :; August 29, 1977 K-3
.<br />
;<br />
New Sreec/ of Filmmaker Making Mark<br />
^ylth British Columbia Productions<br />
By JIMMIE DAVIE<br />
VANCOUVER—A new group of young<br />
West Coast movie producers, far removed<br />
from the types of the last decade who first<br />
sought Canada Council grants before<br />
shooting the "great" Canadian cultural and,'<br />
or sex epic, have been learning their trade<br />
quietly in local studios and on location on<br />
behind-the-camera assignments associated<br />
with documentaries, commercials and educational<br />
subjects. Heading this list are the<br />
Dalens of Highlight Productions, who have<br />
just put the dramatically and artistically successful<br />
"Skip Tracer" into release.<br />
Zaie Dalen. who entered filmmaking<br />
after he was fired as a news reporter, has<br />
worked in commercial productions for others.<br />
Dalen, 28. plays guitar and piano, rides<br />
an antique Royal Enfield motorcycle, has<br />
a pet Florida king snake named Andy,<br />
practices fast-draw with his .44 magnum<br />
and can take a cigaret out of your mouth<br />
with a 12-foot bullwhip. He's also dedicated<br />
Wife Versatile<br />
Aide<br />
His wife Laara also has spent considerable<br />
time behind the cameras in assignments<br />
ranging from gaffer to script girl. She's<br />
also had some distribution experience, having<br />
an educational subject which she told<br />
your reporter grossed $14,000 in 16mm<br />
film library rentals.<br />
Barry Healey. creator of the super-short<br />
"Outtakes," likewise has had a checkered<br />
career in the field of "sink or swim" professional<br />
show business. Everything he<br />
owns, except his guitar and typewriter, is<br />
jammed into eight cardboard boxes so that<br />
he can move fast in pursuing his bread-andbutter<br />
occupation as a folk singer. He<br />
worked at this endeavor three years after he<br />
left Vernon for a struggling band— to earn<br />
tea and cakes. It was named, appropriately.<br />
Heartaches.<br />
Became Freelance Writer<br />
Healey then became a freelance writer<br />
for CBC doing variety and comedy shows<br />
for such people as Mike Neun. He also<br />
wrote for Rolph Harris and the short-lived<br />
'Celebrity Revue," which was shot in Vancouver's<br />
Cave for domestic syndication. He<br />
got into films by being an extra in Trevor<br />
Wallace's "Journey into Fear" and then was<br />
CINERAMA IS IN<br />
SHOW BUSINESS IN<br />
HAWAII TOO.<br />
When you come to Waikiki,<br />
don't miss the famous<br />
glljgjjUJjUi<br />
[Smi^ Don Ho Show. .<br />
mi^ Cinerama's Reef Towers Hotel.<br />
IN WAIKIKI: REEF . REIT TOWOtt EDGEWATER<br />
George Segal's stand-in for "Russian Roulette,"<br />
also lensed in Vancouver.<br />
Seeing the unconscious comedv that went<br />
on behind the camera led to "Outtakes." a<br />
comedy of the boo-boos committed during<br />
the making of a motion picture that never<br />
show up in the finished product.<br />
His lead. Richard Romanus. played a hit<br />
man in "Russian Roulette," which he does<br />
again in "Outtakes." but for laughs. Local<br />
performer Bill Reimer plays a movie director.<br />
John Holbrook, who helped lens "Shadow<br />
of the Hawk," was the director of<br />
photography. The whole crew, Healey explained,<br />
"was a feature-film crew" who. in<br />
two days, shot enough film for a 118-minute<br />
feature and it was "cut to 18 minutes<br />
for short release." They gave a lot of love<br />
to the project, according to Healey.<br />
Belief<br />
Always Works<br />
He is optimistic about "Outtakes." explaining,<br />
"Everytime I do something I believe<br />
always works. I'm not going<br />
the growth to of the British Columbia film<br />
in, it to<br />
industry and represented western Canada make a lot of money but it's a nice feeling."<br />
on the Canadian Film Development Corp.<br />
advisory committee.<br />
To quote the Vancouver Sun's Les Wedman:<br />
"In some ways. Phil Borsos is typical<br />
of young filmmakers but he's also unique.<br />
He's broke. He complains a lot and yet he<br />
finds there is nothing as exciting as making<br />
a film. He says he will never make another<br />
short film yet he's already doing another<br />
(since completed). That's what makes him<br />
unique. He keeps doing and doesn't just<br />
keep talking about making films."<br />
Borsos is 23 and his short "Cooperage."<br />
the story of barrel-making at Sweeney's,<br />
won the Canadian Film Awards' Etrog as<br />
the best documentary short in Canada last<br />
year. It beat out the National Film Board's<br />
competition—sweet justice, since the NFB<br />
earlier had withdrawn its support from Borsos'<br />
subject (he quite likely lacked the necessary<br />
academic credits to qualify for the<br />
august body). He got the film into theatres<br />
across Canada and almost wound up with<br />
an Oscar nomination in Hollywood.<br />
Idea From Helicopter<br />
Borsos got the idea for "High Rigger"<br />
when he saw a Vancouver Sim photo taken<br />
from a helicopter of a giant fir being toppled<br />
in Capilano Canyon because it was<br />
infected with dry rot. With the prestige and<br />
the film rental results of "Cooperage" behind<br />
him, Borsos swung a bank loan and,<br />
recruiting a crew, was in business.<br />
Unable to get the high-rigger he wanted<br />
in British Columbia, he tabbed veteran<br />
Washington timber-topper Hap Johnson of<br />
Castle Rock. Next was young professional<br />
stuntman John Thomas, to add the necessary<br />
pizzaz, along with special-effects assistants<br />
John Wardlow and Graham Langley.<br />
After several false starts, due to high<br />
winds and unexpected snow, they literally<br />
were able to gel production off the ground<br />
in April and. with the aid of high-rigger<br />
Marv Trudcau of Honeymoon Bay and<br />
Robbie Carrol, a speed climber from Squamish,<br />
making set-ups and slinging cables<br />
for cameraman Dave Geddes, managed to<br />
get the actual aerial shots completed in four<br />
days. Not seen—but very necessary—was<br />
high-rigger Art Williams, whose bullhorn<br />
instructions scared off the birds and bears,<br />
while 12 cameras were planted high in the<br />
trees.<br />
Look for "High Rigger" first on TV this<br />
fall, after which Borsos and his Mercury<br />
Pictures. Inc.. hope to launch another short<br />
which hopefully will be the pilot through<br />
which he intends to sell investors to back<br />
him on his first feature, a Pacific Coast<br />
western.<br />
Perhaps this might be a good place for<br />
the circuits to invest their money—with<br />
young, no-nonsense pros.<br />
Unexpected Rain Dampens<br />
Hot Comedy on Location<br />
MONTREAL—Cinepix set up to begin<br />
location shooting of its sex comedy "Heads<br />
or Tails" at the J. K. Walden, Ltd., fur store<br />
here but suddenly was rained out as the<br />
lights on the set triggered the store's automatic<br />
sprinkler system.<br />
Cinepix insisted that the sprinklers had<br />
malfunctioned but Superior Court Judge<br />
Denis Levesque didn't see it that way. He<br />
awarded $45,000 damages to the fur store<br />
and the Tokyo Marine & Insurance Co.<br />
Scriptwriting Contest<br />
Has October Deadline<br />
ATHENS, OHIO—October 3 is the deadline<br />
for the first annual scriptwriting contest<br />
sponsored by the Athens International Film<br />
Festival. All scripts from both new and experienced<br />
writers are eligible except those<br />
that have already been produced or are in<br />
the process of being produced for film or<br />
TV.<br />
The scripts, which must be of original<br />
material and not adaptations from published<br />
works, can be entered in the following categories:<br />
Screenplay, feature film or short<br />
story film; TV drama. 60 or 90 minutes, and<br />
TV pilot, 30 or 60 minutes.<br />
The contest's entry procedures require<br />
that all scripts be typed on 8'/2 x 1 1 inch<br />
white bond paper in master scene form for<br />
film and a similar format for TV writing.<br />
In addition, all scripts must be well bound<br />
so that there are no loose pages and they<br />
must have a title page that lists the author's<br />
name and address and the title of the script.<br />
All scripts submitted will be judged by a<br />
panel selected by the festival management<br />
that will include: Steve Barker, associate<br />
professor of Cinema at Loyola University;<br />
John Block, screen and TV writer and instructor<br />
in screenwriting at the American<br />
Film Institute; Peter Bukalski, chairman of<br />
cinema and photography at Southern Illinois<br />
University, and Richard M. Blumenberg,<br />
associate dean and professor at Southern Illinois<br />
University.<br />
Additional information can be obtained<br />
by writing to: Athens International Film<br />
Festival, Scriptwriting Competition, Box<br />
388, Athens, Ohio 45701.<br />
BOXOFFICE August 29. 1977
BOXOFFiCE BOOKINCUiDE<br />
An interpretive am ysis of lay and tradepresa riiviews. Running time is in parentheseB. The plu3<br />
minus signs indict e diigree oi merit. Listings cover current reviews regularly. Symbol ti dei<br />
BOXOFFICE Blue F Dbon Award; All iilms are in color except those indicated by (bcSw) lor black
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CHE FILMS<br />
kin Ticklfr (78) ..C. Apr 77<br />
s:'ednim KUms picture)<br />
i of Gore (SO) ..Ho. .Hay 77<br />
Srst of Laurel & Hardy (90) .<br />
.MHENA FILMS,<br />
LTD.<br />
Conspiracy (87) Ho.<br />
Belween Hoieti and Hell (87) . . D<br />
Virility (87) C.<br />
ImpMsible U»e (90) D.<br />
JOSEPH<br />
BRENNER<br />
Rape Killer Oct 76<br />
The Cheaters Oct 76<br />
Autopsy Nov 76<br />
Cry of a Prostitute Nov 76<br />
The Winners D..<br />
Evil Eyes Sus-D .<br />
Ifs Not the Size Thai<br />
Counts Sex C.<br />
Bike Scimmer, VIncenI Price<br />
Lady J Ac-Ad.<br />
Naked Sacrifice Ad-D..<br />
BURBANK INT'L PICTURES<br />
Between the Covers Auo 76<br />
Secrets of Sweet Sixteen Auo 76<br />
Superknight Sept 76<br />
Journey Into the Beyond . . . .Jan 77<br />
The Holes (Les Gaspards) . . .Jan 77<br />
14 and Under Feb 77<br />
2069. a Sex Odyssey May 77<br />
CENTRAL PARK FILM<br />
Super Bug, Super Agent . S<br />
Andy Warhol's Young Dracula<br />
MISCELLANEOUS<br />
Rel.<br />
Date<br />
The Booby Hatch (86) Jan 77<br />
on Joy Miller, Rudy RIcd<br />
The Groove Room (S3) Feb 77<br />
Ollle Solloft, Sue Lonehurst<br />
The Fabulous Fanny (87) ...Feb 77<br />
.\lan SpUz. Diane Suromerfleld<br />
Crazy House (89) Mar 77<br />
Frankle Howerd. Ray MUland<br />
Lucifer's Women (88) Mar 77<br />
Urry Hankln, Jane Brunei-Cohen<br />
Night of the Howling Beast ..Mar 77<br />
Paul Naschy, Sllrla Solar<br />
COUGAR PRODUCTIONS<br />
BEEHIVE PRODUCTIONS<br />
Assassin (82)<br />
The Raw Report (70) StK C. Aug 77 I.in Hendry<br />
MItcli Morrill. Polly nemcnto Tiger Bay (156)<br />
Curves Ahead! (81) ..Sex C. Oct 77 .lasdish Prem, Itart Shankar<br />
(Wrlif-near. W.K. Margoki<br />
The Sky Is Falling (91) ....<br />
Carnal's Duties (80) Sex C. Dec 77 Richard Tndd, Dennis Hopper,<br />
.Muffin Macintosh<br />
Carroll Baker<br />
Rumps ... Is There One in<br />
Shriek Out (90)<br />
Your Past? Sex C. Feb 78 •Iiidd Hlrsch<br />
My Brother Has Bad Dre,-ms/<br />
Sisters of Satan (97/85) .<br />
Paul VIcent/.Anne Hej-»ood<br />
Saga of Dracula/Vcngeance of<br />
the Zombies (91/91)<br />
The Vampire Happenings/The<br />
Swinging Monster (90/85) .<br />
Pia neEermark, Tony Kendall<br />
GOLDSTONE FILMS<br />
Curse of the Devil<br />
Kung Fu Brothers<br />
Bruce Lee and I<br />
Kung Fu Master— Bruce Lee Style<br />
Shanghai Connection<br />
Vampire Beast Craves Blood<br />
North of the Yukon<br />
Cops Is Cops<br />
.<br />
Hlrls (Tiitlpll. Jacqueline 1,!<br />
I<br />
,<br />
'<br />
'<br />
JOSEPH GREEN<br />
CAMBIST FILMS<br />
Emili!<br />
licole<br />
Two Against the Law .Aug<br />
Swedish Minx (99) C.<br />
By the Blood of Others Sept<br />
Maria Lynn, Ble Warbiirc<br />
The Slap (104) D. Sept 76<br />
My<br />
Girl on Her Knees D.<br />
Husband, His Mistress and<br />
(9S) C-D..Sept76<br />
Easy Come. Easy Go C.<br />
Something Creeping in the<br />
It.-miis VptU. Heidi Ka[)plpi<br />
Dark (90) Sus 76<br />
Belmondo Is the Swashbuckler<br />
(100) Hl-C-D. .Scpl76<br />
CANNON GROUP<br />
The Prophet (90) C-D. .Oi<br />
Vlltnrln Cassman<br />
Vnn-Marcret.<br />
Three Way Love Mar 77<br />
Sicilian Connection .. .Cr-D. Oct 76<br />
Cherry Hill High Apr 77<br />
What Might Have Been May 77<br />
The Last Wilderness May 77<br />
HEMISPHERE PICTURES, INC.<br />
The Happy Hooker Goes<br />
to Washington June 77 Refle<br />
Bed<br />
.Sex.<br />
Intimate Playmates Sex.<br />
Naughty Co-eds Sex.<br />
Smartie Pants Sex<br />
Hanky Panky Sex<br />
Willing Wives Sex.<br />
Terror From Under the<br />
House<br />
Sus-D<br />
CINEMA S<br />
HOLLYWOOD INT'L<br />
Harlan County, USA<br />
Her Last Fling (75) Sex D. Dec 76<br />
(103)<br />
Ultimate Pleasure<br />
Pumping Iron (85) . Doc. .Jan 77 (80) Sex D. .May 77<br />
Providence (104) F. Jan 77 Jungle Blue Sex C. .July 77<br />
nirk Rneardp. RUrn nur^tvn<br />
The New Adventures of<br />
We All Loved Each Other So<br />
Casanova Sex-Ad .. Sept 77<br />
Much (124) Q and<br />
b&w<br />
C-D..June77<br />
Vlllorlo Oa-wman. Ninn Manfredi<br />
Jabberwocky INDEPENDENT-INT'L<br />
(100) C. May 77<br />
MlrhacI<br />
Nurses for Sale (84) ...Ac<br />
Palln. Max Wall,<br />
Dcbt.rah<br />
Losing Cousins (87) . . . . D.<br />
Rallendcr<br />
Volcano<br />
The Naughty Stewardesses/<br />
(100) O and b&w Doc<br />
Blazing Stewardesses<br />
(102/85) Sex C<br />
The Lonely Woman (81) .0<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 />
llorliert l.om, Olive Mooreflelrt<br />
Nurse Sherri (92) Ho,.N<br />
Game Show Models ..Sex D. ./<br />
Cinderella 2000<br />
(95) SFSex /<br />
r.itharlnc Erhardt<br />
Rel. Date<br />
LIMA PRODUCTIONS<br />
ttle Miss Innocence<br />
(SO) Sex D.. May 77<br />
MFI DISTRIBUTORS<br />
Dicktator C-D.. May 77<br />
s on 6th Street D.. Aug 77<br />
An Affair in Cannes D.. Oct 77<br />
The Abductor Cr. .Nov77<br />
Man of<br />
Convictions<br />
Cr..Dec77<br />
Fog 0., Feb 78<br />
Raices<br />
D..Mar78<br />
MULBERRY SQUARE<br />
For the Love of Benjl<br />
(85) C-Ad..June77<br />
Patsy Garrett, Cynthia Smith<br />
NILES INTERNATIONAL<br />
chizo (105) Ho. .June 77<br />
Lynne Frederick, John Lfl>1on<br />
Love All Summer<br />
(95) C-D.. Aug 77<br />
Rill Dana, Marty Allen<br />
Wonder Who's Killing Her Now<br />
(84) C. Aug 77<br />
Rnb DIshey. .loanna Barnes.<br />
Bill Dana<br />
NMD FILM DISTRIBUTING<br />
Invasion of the Blood Farmers/<br />
She Beast/The Embalmer<br />
(80/74/83) Ho.. Apr 77<br />
The Carhops (88) May 77<br />
The New Adventures of Snow<br />
While (76) May 77<br />
Naunhly School Girls/Teenage<br />
Tramp/Teenage Hitchhikers<br />
(86/80/74) May 77<br />
OMNI PICTURES<br />
Kiss of the Tarantula May 76<br />
Death Driver (90) , . Apr 77<br />
Frank Challenge— Manhunter<br />
(88) Ac. Apr 77<br />
PACIFIC COAST FILMS<br />
My Wife the Hooker (65) ...Feb 77<br />
Confessions of Linda Lovelace<br />
(72) Apr 77<br />
Do You Wanna Be Loved<br />
(85) Aug 77<br />
Please Please Me (75) Sept 77<br />
Candy Stripers (SO) Oct 77<br />
Mondo Magtc<br />
Sandakan, No.<br />
(120)<br />
PETER PERRY PICTURES<br />
Hollywood High (81)<br />
SCOTIA AMERICAN<br />
hrislian the Lion . .Ad-Doc .. Jan 77<br />
Rlll Traver^^, VirRinla McKenna<br />
The Ninhl They Robbed<br />
Big Bertha's (88) C.<br />
list CENTURY<br />
The Demon Lover<br />
Salut I'Artiste (96) ..C-D. N<br />
M.in-tlln MastroiannI, Francoisi<br />
l':ilii:n(. Cirla flravina<br />
The Three Fantastic<br />
llr.i.l lliirrli. Tony Kendall,<br />
CLAMIL PRODUCTIONS<br />
Magic Legend of the Juggler<br />
Blood Freak (80)<br />
Bedroom Magic (90)<br />
Europa (80)<br />
.357 Magnum .<br />
KEY INTERNATIONAL<br />
The Father Kino Story<br />
(115) Ac-D .Sepl77<br />
CONSTELLATION FILMS<br />
Ulchard F.giin. Itlcardn Monlalban VANGUARD RELEASING, INC.<br />
Battle Command (100) Jan 7? Run for Blue (86) .W-Doc. .Sept 77 The Hills Have Eyes<br />
Frederick Stafford. Van Johnson<br />
Itev Allen. Tanya Tucker<br />
(89) Ac-Sus..June7<br />
COMING RELEASES<br />
ALLIED ARTISTS<br />
NEW WORLD<br />
The Betsy Feb 78 Deathsport 2020<br />
SF-Ae.<br />
Laurence Olivier, Katharine Ross, David Carradlne<br />
Robert Duvall. Tommy Lee Jones Phibes Rejurrectus Ho-C<br />
(A United .Artists Co-release)<br />
Vincent Price. Roddy McDowall<br />
Such Men are Dangertus<br />
PARAMOUNT<br />
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL Joseph Andrews<br />
Mean Dog Blues Feb 78 (103) C-Ad..0ct77<br />
George Kennedy, Kay Lenj<br />
Ann-Margret. Peter Firth,<br />
Rolling Thunder<br />
John Glelgud, Hugh Griffith<br />
William Devanc, Tommy Lee Jones Looking for Mr. Goodbar ....Oct 77<br />
The Black Pirate Ad..<br />
. le Keaton. Richard Kiley<br />
Mel Ferrer<br />
Pretty Baby Feb 78<br />
ATLAS FILMS<br />
Ann of St. Tropez<br />
AVCO EMBASSY<br />
Rabbit Test C. Oct 77<br />
Jnan Prather, Alex Rocco,<br />
Paul Lynde, Alice Ghostley<br />
The Manitou<br />
Susan Strasberg, Tony Oirtis.<br />
Michael Ansara, Burgess Meredith<br />
Yockowald<br />
Tom Jones. Harry (Juardlno.<br />
Su.san Sarandon, Kdth Carradlne<br />
Born on the 4th of July<br />
Al Padno<br />
Fraternity Rov» (101) 0..<br />
Peter Fox, Gregory Harrison<br />
Seven Nights in Japan<br />
Michael York<br />
The Duellists<br />
Harvey Keitel, Keith Carradlne<br />
Sextette<br />
Mae West, Timothy Dalton.<br />
Dom DeLiilse, Rlngo Starr<br />
First Love R-D-<br />
WiUiam Katt, Susan Pey<br />
Strother Martin, Arthur Hill<br />
Bessie D .<br />
20TH-FOX<br />
_<br />
Aretha Franklin<br />
Julia D.. Nov 77<br />
Jane Fonda, Vanessa lledgrave,<br />
Jason Rohards. Maximilian Srhell<br />
BUENA VISTA<br />
Survival Run Ac- Ad.. Dec 77<br />
Pete's Dragon ....An M-F..Nov77 Jan-Mlchael Vincent, George<br />
Helen Reddy. Mickey Rooney.<br />
Peppard, Dominique Sanda.<br />
Red Buttons, Shelley Winters<br />
Paul Wlnfleld<br />
Counterfeit Countesi Milo .<br />
The World's Greatest<br />
Jodie Foster. David NIven<br />
Dee 77<br />
Hero From Otherwhere Ad-F..<br />
The Cat From Outer Space ..An..<br />
Ken Berry. McLean Stevenson.<br />
Dec 77<br />
Sandy Duncan. Roddy McDowall<br />
Hayburgh, Alan Bates<br />
Return From Witch Mountain<br />
A Wedding<br />
Bette Davis, Oirlstopher Lee,<br />
Carol Bun Geraldlne Chaplin.<br />
Kim Richards<br />
Lillian Gish, Lauren nntton<br />
Turning Point ,;•••;''<br />
Shlrlev MacLaloe .\nne Ranrrnfl<br />
CINEMA SHARES<br />
Aces High (114) ... .Ac-D. Oct 77<br />
John Gielgud. Trevor Howard, UNITED ARTISTS<br />
Richard Johnson. Malcolm McDowell Equus D. .Oct 77<br />
Godzilla on Monster<br />
Richard Burton, Tony Perkins<br />
Island<br />
SF-F..N0V77 Valentino "0177<br />
Ultra Secret<br />
Rudolph Nureyev, Ml-heite PhUlliis<br />
Le.slie Carnn, Carol Kane<br />
The Betsy Eeb 78<br />
COLUMBIA<br />
Laurence Olivier. Katharine Ross.<br />
Close Encounters of the Third<br />
Robert Duvall, Tommy Lee Jones<br />
Kind<br />
SF..Nov77 (,\n Allied .\rtists Co-release)<br />
Richard Dreyfuss, Terl Garr,<br />
Semi-Tough<br />
Francois Truffaut, Mellnda Dillon Riirt Revnolds, Kris Krlstoffersnn.<br />
Six Weeks<br />
Jill Oayburgh, Robert Preston<br />
Audrey Hepburn. Tatum O'Neal<br />
Eyes<br />
Kris Krlsoff'ersVn'.'Ail Macljraw,<br />
Faye Dunaway<br />
Burt Yoimg, Ernest Borjnlne<br />
Casey's Shadow<br />
Coming Home "<br />
Walter Matthau. Alexis Smith<br />
Jane Fonda, Jon Volght,<br />
Watch the Skies<br />
Bruce Dern, Robert Carradlne<br />
Richard Dreyfuaa<br />
The Dog Soldiers •<br />
The Cheap Detective<br />
Nlrk Nolte, Tuesday Weld,<br />
Ann-Margret. Peter Falk,<br />
Gall Strickland, Michael MoMarty<br />
Louise Fletcher, Stockard Channlng That's Comedy (MGM)<br />
Telefon (MGM) Ho-Sus.<br />
Annie Glrardot, Jacques DutronI Charles Brnnson. Lee Remick<br />
CROWN INTERNATIONAL<br />
Pom Girls. Part<br />
Gym Teacher<br />
The Coach .<br />
Love Buggies<br />
The Majorettes<br />
DIMENSION<br />
Cat<br />
Noi<br />
Donald Pleasence, Nancy Kwan<br />
The Tiger's Claw<br />
Bruce LI<br />
Man Monster<br />
The<br />
GROUP 1<br />
Alligator<br />
The Deadly Menace<br />
The Black Box<br />
Eat It Raw<br />
While Slavers<br />
MONARCH<br />
Emanuelle in<br />
Bangkok , . .<br />
Laura Oemscr<br />
.Sex<br />
Kirk Morris, (hirdon Mitchell<br />
Shining Star<br />
Harvey Keltcl, Ed Nelson,<br />
Earth, Wind & Fire<br />
Melo..0ct77<br />
UNIVERSAL<br />
9/30/55 D. Oct 77<br />
Richard Thomas. Susan TMr.ll<br />
Gray Lady Down Nov 77<br />
Charlton Heston. Ciirndlne<br />
David<br />
Blue Collar C-D Feb 78<br />
Ri'liard Pryor. Harvey Keitel<br />
Which Way Is Up?<br />
Richard Pryor<br />
Heroes<br />
C-D..<br />
Henry Winkler. Sally Field,<br />
Lawrence Turman<br />
The Deer Hunter Ac-0..<br />
Robert De Nlro. John Cazale<br />
The Lonely Lady<br />
Susan Blakely<br />
Checkered Flag—or Crash<br />
Joe Don Baker. Su=an Sarandon<br />
WARNER BROS.<br />
The Gauntlet Ad-D Dec 77<br />
Clint Eastwood. Sondra Locke<br />
A Piece of the Action C.<br />
Sidney Poitler. Bill Cosby<br />
Operation Daybreak Ac<br />
Timothy Bottoms. Anthonv Mi.lr.-";<br />
An Enemy of the People<br />
Steve McQueen. Nlrnl Williamson<br />
The Day the World Ended Ad. Sus<br />
Yul Brynner. Henry Fonda<br />
Oh, God<br />
I<br />
Burns, John Denver<br />
Stuntman C-Ad.<br />
Reynolds<br />
Bloodbrothers<br />
D--<br />
Paul Sorvlno, Tony LoBlancn<br />
Straight Time<br />
Hoffman, Katby Bates<br />
BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: Aug. 29. 1977
• ADUREs * Bmjtmn
*<br />
Who Loved' Hyped<br />
¥id Media Blitzkrieg<br />
.\ massive electronic media blitzkrieg<br />
. launched in New England by North-<br />
I Theatre Corp.'s Edgar A. Knudson.<br />
.e-president. advertising and publicity, for<br />
playdates of United Artists' "The Spy Who<br />
Loved Me" at the circuit's Showcase cinemas.<br />
In Springfield, where WHYN Radio has<br />
an annual promotion at Mountain Park (all<br />
rides are free, etc.). contests were conducted<br />
live via remote broadcasts for a giveaway<br />
campaign that involved 25 soundtrack albums.<br />
25 Model 007 cars and 25 pairs of<br />
passes to Showcase cinemas. Approximately<br />
50,000 visitors were at the park on the day<br />
of the promotion, which had received an<br />
advance hypo through a total of 100 air<br />
spots. Total value of the ballyhoo was pegged<br />
at $2,000.<br />
WLLH in Lawrence has been running a<br />
"James Bond Trivia Contest," with five<br />
questions daily for four days. The first caller<br />
with the correct answer was awarded a<br />
James Bond kit consisting of a pair of<br />
passes, a 007 model car and a soundtrack<br />
album. Fifty promotional spots were aired,<br />
valued at S800. and 25 kits were given to<br />
winners. An almost identical tub-thumping<br />
campaign was carried out in New Haven<br />
via a tie-in with WPLR. while WAAF in<br />
Worcester sponsored a trivia contest, giving<br />
out 25 kits. A $550 value was placed on<br />
100 radio spot announcements.<br />
In Hartford. WTIC-FM has a regular<br />
jackpot promotion going which is called<br />
"The Cash Connection." All listeners who<br />
call in and don't win the jackpot are awarded<br />
a consolation prize. As a tie-in with the<br />
UA film, the latter was (for a given period)<br />
a pair of passes to sec "The Spy Who Loved<br />
Me" at Showcase cinemas, a soundtrack<br />
album or a 007 model car. Seventy-five air<br />
spots were valued at $1,500. it was reported<br />
by Knudson.<br />
As par! of the kickof/ for "A Bridge Too Far" when it opened at the Times Tinvne<br />
Cinema in Cincinnati. Mid States Theatres' Don Wirtz arranged for a man in a<br />
parachute to he suspended over the Sixth and Walnuts streets intersection in the<br />
downtown area. A parade which wound its way through the business section of<br />
the city incUided a color guard from the original 82nd Airborne Division, with<br />
military music played by the award-winning Roger Bacon High School Band. The<br />
end of the route was the Times Town Cinema and, at right. Shirley Gossett. secretary<br />
of tlie 82nd Airborne, speaks to the throng assembled at the theatre for the<br />
opening of the United Artists release. Looking on. right, is Wirtz. who conceived<br />
the effective tub-thumping campaign for the debut of "A Bridge Too Far."<br />
Selective Radio Campaign on 'New York, New York'<br />
George Pritchett, manager of Ogden-<br />
Perry's Jackson Mall Cinema in Jackson,<br />
Miss., conducted a successful promotion for<br />
the run of "New York, New York" at the<br />
duo. relying heavily on the area's<br />
electronic<br />
media for saturation publicity.<br />
Two months in advance of the opening<br />
of United Artists' Liza Minnelli-Robert De<br />
Niro starrer, the film was cross-plugged at<br />
the twin with posters and trailers. Knowing<br />
that "New York. New York" would appeal<br />
to the over-30 group, the promotion was<br />
designed to catch the attention of that particular<br />
segment of the citizenry.<br />
Pritchett arranged with WSLI (considered<br />
the radio station for the "over 30" group)<br />
for ballyhoo on Jackson's most popular talk<br />
show and. in addition, the station gave<br />
passes two weeks in advance of opening<br />
day. The tie-in netted over $240 in free<br />
radio spots and greatly aided grosses.<br />
Through a tie-in with WJDX, Jackson's<br />
top-rated station, another ticket giveaway<br />
was held opening week, netting $300 in free<br />
airtime.<br />
The final phase of the promotion was<br />
carried out by making up invitations for<br />
special guests for the first and second showings<br />
of "New York. New York." Among<br />
those invited were Mississippi Gov. Cliff<br />
Finch; Mississippi Lt. Gov. Evelyn Gandy,<br />
Jackson Mayor Dale Danks, and members<br />
of all the officials' staffs. Also included on<br />
the guest list were regional TV personalities.<br />
To add impact, the invitations were handdelivered<br />
by Pritchett personally.<br />
As a promotion for the<br />
multiple engagement of<br />
Cinema 5's "Jabberwocky"<br />
in San Franci.ico. the Jan<br />
Zones Agency staged a<br />
"Monty Python Jabberwocky<br />
Tournament and<br />
Noble Twit of the Year<br />
Contest" at the Cannery.<br />
The zany put-on included<br />
medieval swordfighting. a<br />
mummer's play and dances<br />
from the Middle Ages, all<br />
staged by the Society for<br />
Creative Anachronism.<br />
The society is a Bay Area<br />
group which specializes in<br />
historical theme events and<br />
creates its own costumes<br />
and productions from<br />
studies done on the period.<br />
Needless to .uiy. the<br />
promotion garnered plenty<br />
of word-of-mouth.<br />
— 29 — BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :: Aug. 29. 1977
'<br />
over<br />
"<br />
i<br />
:<br />
:<br />
-J5,<br />
IaTES: 50c per word, minimum $5.00 CASH WITH COPY. Four consecutive insertions lor price<br />
|< three. When using a <strong>Boxoffice</strong> No. figure 2 additional words and include Sl.OO additional, to<br />
cost oi handling replies. Display Classified, S38.00 per Column Inch. No commission<br />
llowed. CLOSING DATE: Monday noon preceding publication date. Send copy and answers<br />
5 Box Numbers to BOXOFFICE, 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. 64124.<br />
cuflmne<br />
HELP WANTED EQUIPMENT FOR SALE<br />
THEATRE MANAGER Alaska the<br />
xperience in theatre manogng,<br />
promotion, concession sales and workig<br />
knowledge of operating projectors<br />
'alary negotiable. Send resume. Indicate<br />
alary desired and include photograph,<br />
end Boxollice. 3943,<br />
to<br />
DELUXE NEW QUAD THEATRE, West<br />
hesler County N. Y, needs Managinc<br />
lirector. Must have multiple theatre ex<br />
erience including advertising, publicity<br />
romotion etc. No film buying. Grouj<br />
isurance and commissions port ot com<br />
ensation. Send resume, photo and salar><br />
jquired to Hank Lightstone, 505 Pari<br />
.ve. N. Y., NY. 10022.<br />
TWIN TERRACE DRIVE-IN needs orojec<br />
lonist. Send resume to 3818 Blossom Lone<br />
!351.<br />
;a, Tx 79762 or call nights (915) 3"2<br />
OUTDOOR THEATRE MANAGERS, Kejcky<br />
and Ohio. Must be experienced<br />
alary negotiable. Reply with ccmplel:<br />
;sume in strict confidence to O. Bo:<br />
P<br />
2151, Lexington, KY 40512.<br />
ASST. TO GENERAL MANAGER, small<br />
rcuit, expansion minded, benefits, Eastn<br />
shore, Virginia, Maryland. Send<br />
TOP MIDWEST CIRCUIT has excellen<br />
penings for managers. Benefit progran<br />
icludes liberal accident, health and life<br />
nee, vacations, concession and ac<br />
irate with experience. Send com<br />
resume with recent photo to Boxof-<br />
lete<br />
included. Everything in excellent condi-<br />
Wr; xoffi,<br />
MODERN THEATRE serving popula'ior<br />
if 8,500 in mountains of Northern New<br />
lexico. Building (210 seats), equipment<br />
SERVICE AND INSTALLATION TECHNIlAN<br />
needed now by Southern California<br />
eatre equipment dealer. Experienced in<br />
;non, automation and all major booth<br />
quipment. Good position for apprentice<br />
.d/or experienced person. Send resume<br />
nd photo if possible with salary expecilion.<br />
<strong>Boxoffice</strong>, 3958.<br />
MANAGING DIRECTOR for top crossing<br />
eatre. Should be young and aggressive<br />
ith extensive experience in theatre mangement,<br />
promotions, advertising and<br />
quipment. 30% commission on misceljs<br />
revenue, stock options, highest<br />
idustiy salary and 3% concession comission.<br />
Only top drawer perfectionir-t<br />
cmagers need apply. All correspondence<br />
anlidentiol. Send resume and references<br />
Bill Warren, President, American Enterlinment.<br />
Inc., P. O. Box 18209, Wichito,<br />
s 67218.<br />
MANAGER, large m<br />
I the New England<br />
enefits. Please send<br />
ith recent photo to<br />
ECONOMY MINDED EXHIBITORSl USE?<br />
EQUIPMENT AND SEATS SINCE 1050<br />
MIDWEST (flB) 523-2699 Boxolhce, 3913<br />
SEATS,<br />
used/n<br />
COMPLETE BOOTH $2250 00, Two 135<br />
AMP Rectifiers (Kritron) Ballantyne Drivein<br />
Genera-or 20 HP 200 electric m-caheaters<br />
several small rectifiers, lamphouses,<br />
pedestals, 500 seats, antique<br />
em electric equipment. Eds Discount<br />
west<br />
1655<br />
North Atherlon, State College, Penna<br />
16801 1814) 237-5112.<br />
HERE'S A BUYI Complete equipment for<br />
twin cinema—new 1975—404 American<br />
in<br />
Desk chairs, 2 Simplex PR 1014 projectors<br />
lens lurrents. Simplex soundheads LL7<br />
pedestals, large reel arms, 2 PAS1500<br />
Sound systems, Simplex makeup<br />
2 platters,<br />
table, Gemini automations, 2 2 inter-<br />
mission music programmers, ORC Xenons<br />
Magnacom lenses, ticket machine, etc. AH<br />
for $29,500.00 STAR CINEMA SUPPLY, 217<br />
West 21st Street, New York 10011.<br />
CLOSING DRIVE-IN. Must sell 60x60<br />
surface, excellent condition. Also. 600 RCA<br />
speakers with posts, used only one sea<br />
son. Priced for quick sale. Contact R E<br />
Farley, 2909 South Sheridan, Tulsa, Okla<br />
homo 74129 or call (918) 627-4363.<br />
NEW EPRAD Golden in-car heaters, 240<br />
oils, $29,00 each, original boxes, Gemin<br />
inve-In. Box 183, Eau Claire, WI 54701<br />
HOUSE<br />
THEATRES FOR SALE THEATRE SEATING<br />
WORLDS LARGEST THEATRE broker<br />
IDE JOSEPH Box 31406, Dallas 75231<br />
214; 363-2724<br />
INDOOR THEATRE, 350 seats. Onh<br />
black theatre in county over of 50,00C<br />
people, 40% black population. Located ir<br />
acres included in sale price of $93,000'<br />
FANTASTIC BARGAINSI Indoor & Drv=<br />
^s<br />
: s, Lubbock, Texas. Jin<br />
'<br />
P"- 341-0240.<br />
TOPS IN THEATRE SEATING upho
TfieNafionj^ hcJttest. .<br />
mostout-of-coritrol movie/<br />
New York - 8 Theatres -<br />
247553<br />
First 12 Days<br />
Los Angeles -13 Theatres - First 12 Days<br />
«302.8<br />
^g^od\um§r...freshness...rreverenca<br />
RESTRICTED^<br />
NED TOPHAM PRESENTS A KENTUCKY FRIED THEATRE PRODUCTION fc^ ,,, - .^i,:^<br />
Assodale Producer LARRY KOSTROFF • Executive Producer KIM JORGENSEN • Saeenplay by JERRY ZUCKER.<br />
JAMES ABRAHAMS, OWAD ZUCKER • Produced by ROBERT K WHSS • Directed by JOHN LANDIS<br />
RELEASED BY UNITED FILM DISTRIBUTION COMPANY. © 1977 KFM FTLMS, INC<br />
For yocT piece of the'Kentucky Fried' action call or write Harry Goldman<br />
United Film Distribution Co.. 1111 West 22ncl Street, Oakbrook. III. 60521 (312) 323-8022