Boxoffice-November.28.1977

DlQstYoulnto7e' 

NOVEMBER 28, 1977 

Win Yoblons CompQny/9229 Sunset DIvd./Los Angeles, Co. 90069/(21 3) 273-91 25

• 

THE NATIONAl FILM WEEKLY 

Published In Nine Sectional Editions 

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included in one issue each month 

Albuquerque: Chuck Mitt estadl |'-0- »»» 

8514. Statiun C 87108. Tele. 265- 

6578, 265-1791. „„,...>. ^ 

Atlanta: Genevieve Camp. 166 Lindbergh 

Drive. N.E. 30305. 

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Boston: Ernest Warren, 1 Colgate Road, 

Needham. Mass. 02192. Tele. (617) 

m-ifis?. _„ ,, ^, 

. 

B.illalo; Edivard V. Mrade, 760 Mam St., 

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Chicago: Frances B. Clow. 175 North 

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(312) 383-8343. 

Cincinnati: licbra Belen. 3785 Kox Run. 

No. COS, 45236. Tele. (513) iil3- 

8927. 

rievi'liml Elaine Kried, 3255 Gienway 

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IN CANADA 

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Puhllcallnn No 062200 

NOVEMBER 

Vol. 112 

2 8, 197 7 

No. 8 

Guest Editorial 

//te ruus elv Tne m&&e^. MctuAe Smîui 

TELEVISION NEEDS THE CINEMAS 

By DON CARLE GILLETTE 

EXHIBITORS may not know it, 

but 

they are a lot more important to 

the television broadcasters than either 

of them realizes. Consider these statistics 

: 

Los Angeles video stations nowadays 

are offering from 180 to more than 200 

telecasts of theatrical films each week. 

On a recent Sunday alone, the daytime 

schedule included pictures starring, 

individually, Bing Crosby, Paul 

Newman, Burt Reynol(is, Elvis Presley, 

Shirley Temple with Robert Young, 

Gary Grant with Doris Day, Rock Hudson, 

the Marx Brothei's, Burt Lancaster, 

Pat O'Brien and Ronald Reagan in 

"Knute Rockne," Clark Gable and 

Spencer Tracy, Jack Benny, Marlon 

Brando, Sonny and Cher, Joan Fontaine 

and Jack Palance, Abbott and 

Costello, Dirk Bogarde and a few other 

favorites. 

There was something for every member 

of the family and every taste, all 

pi-esented in the short period between 

morning and 6 p.m. 

Nor was that all. The day before, 

Saturday, TV offered a lineup of theatrical 

product that was almost as imposing. 

This goes on week after week, 

and many other big cities are doing 

pretty much the same. 

How can exhibitors cope with that 

kind of competition? 

First, bear in mind that the movies 

most desired by the telecasters—and 

that includes all those with the abovementioned 

stars—are attractions that 

have had a prior theatre presentation 

and thereby received the approval, 

more or less, of paying audiences. Even 

if the pictures are not big boxoffice 

hits, the promotion they get as part of 

their theatrical release has a valuable 

penetration that is not entirely lost 

on TV viewers. 

So the TV business needs a healthy 

cinema business. 

If producer-distributors (except Disney) 

are so lacking in foresight that 

they keep allowing TV to gobble up 

theatrical product and thereby fortify 

themselves with voluminous librar: 

of films for all occasions, exhibitc 

must find ways to meet this situatic 

One approach might be for exM 

tors—who seem to be having mu 

trouble raising the capital to launcli 

formidable producing organization' 

to get the TV broadcasters interest 

in putting up some of the coin. TV ij 

cash flow, and it would add to its si 

bility to be assured of a steady supj 

of good family-type theatrical film- 

Right now the filmmakers who wa 

to turn out wholesome pictures find 

hard to get major distribution. As 

result, many of these creators are bei 

lured to 

TV. A notable recent case 

Robert Radnitz. But most of thf^ 

would prefer to stay in the theatri( 

movie field where the potential ; 

wards are much greater. 

Now, say the TV people, put up soi 

or all of the financing for a feati 

picture with the mutual understar 

ing that it would receive its first-r 

in theatres, followed after a propitic 

interval by TV programming, would: 

it serve the dual purpose of giving ( 

hibitors more general appeal films a' 

simultaneously provide the bro£casters 

with more of the type of fil: 

suitable for their programming? 

i 

This cooperation also could be 

tended to advance and current pron 

tion of these pictures, proving of i 

ditional value to both parties. And 

would be possible to judiciously alt 

nate reissues in theatres and re-ri:; 

• 

on the air, again with periodic bene! 

to both sides. 

It may take some courageous ent 

i 

prise and statesmanship to get a set 

of this kind off the ground. But exbitors 

had better get together on soj! 

daring action soon, because they; 

been at war with producer-distributi 

for more than half a century withe: 

getting anywhere—and the worst m' 

still be ahead. 

If you don't believe it, check the n 

jor studios' enormous volume of 

production as compared with tl 

output of theatrical films and dri 

your own conclusions.

I 

NEW YORK—Howard Levine has been 

appointed director, advertising services, Ali 

lied 

I 

nounced 

, 

tor 

I 

i 

munications 

' rector 

'' 

"Alice, 

I 

supernatural 

1 screen 

I Sweet 

Green Appointed NTS 

Gen'l Operations Mgr. 

NEW YORK — Richard J. Urccn has 

been named general operations manager of 

the National Theatre Supply division of 

National Screen Service, it was announced 

by Norman Robbins, executive vice-president. 

Green, whose appointment is effective 

immediately, has been with NTS for the 

past three years as sales control manager 

for the company. In his new capacity he 

will report directly to Dan Miller, NSS vicepresident 

and managing director of NTS. 

Dick Green's wealth of experience in 

sales coordination and operations, which included 

in-depth administration of branch 

personnel management, all matters pertaining 

to credits and inventory control and formulation 

and dissemination of pricing information, 

thoroughly equips him to assume 

his new title for NTS," Robbins stated. "His 

new role as NTS general operations manager, 

in addition to extending his former 

duties, will include active participation in 

the formulation of sales promotion policies 

as well as the purchasing of supplemental 

equipment from other outside manufacturers, 

which NTS will distribute." 

A graduate of Syracuse University (1952), 

Green, after a stint with USAF serving as 

an administrative officer in Japan and 

Korea, joined NSS. He worked in various 

capacities at the company's New York 

branch and home office. In 1960, he went 

to Wall Street as a sales executive with Oppenheimer 

& Co. and subsequently with 

Shearson, Hamill Co. He rejoined NSS in 

1974. Green and his wife Betty, with their 

five children, reside in Huntington, L.I. 

NTS is the exclusive manufacturer and 

distributor of the entire Simplex line of 

theatrical equipment. 

Levine Is Appointed AA 

Ad Services Director 

Artists Pictures Corp., it was anby 

Edward P. Seigenfeld, vice- 

president, advertising and publicity. 

j 

Prior to joining Allied, Levine was direc- 

of advertising and promotion for Hollywood 

Home Theatre, pay TV programers. 

Previously, he worked for Warner Com- 

and Columbia Pictures as di- 

of marketing and advertising, respectively. 

He currently resides in New York City. 

AA's 'Alice, Sweet Alice' 

In 

. Cross-Country Opening 

NEW YORK—The Allied Artists 

release 

Sweet Alice," a suspense film with 

overtones which marks the 

debut of Brooke Shields, opened in 

over 76 theatres across the U.S. Friday (18). 

Formerly titled "Communion," "Alice, 

Alice" was produced by Richard K. 

Rosenberg and directed by Alfred Sole. 

BOXOmCE November 2S. 1977 

President Carter Attends 

Turning Point' Premiere 

WASHINGTON — Marking only the 

ninth time during his presidency that a cultural 

event has drawn him to Kennedy Center, 

President Jimmy Carter and Mrs. Carter 

were among a distinguished array of 

state, civic, social and entertainment figures 

who attended the world premiere of 20th 

Century-Fox's "The Turning Point" at 

Eisenhower Theatre Sunday (13). 

Actress Shirley MacLaine, who stars in 

the film, addressed the guests from a balcony 

in the theatre following the screening. 

Also attending were her fellow cast members 

Mikhail Baryshnikov and Leslie 

Browne, who were invited by President and 

Mrs. Carter to join them in the presidential 

box. 

Representing the studio were Mr. and 

Mrs. Dennis C. Stanfill, president, chairman 

of the board and chief executive officer of 

20th Century-Fox; Mr. and Mrs. Herbert 

Ross (Nora Kaye), the director and executive 

producer of the film, respectively, and 

Arthur Laurents, who authored the screenplay 

as well as co-produced. Guests of the 

Carters also had a special tour of the White 

House. 

"The Turning Point," which had its New 

York premiere Monday (14) at the Coronet 

and Baronet theatres, began its regular engagement 

Tuesday (15) at the Coronet. The 

film also stars Anne Bancroft and Tom 

Skerritt. 

Baker loins Tri-State 

To Helm Acquisitions 

HOLLYWOOD—Phil Borack, president 

and chief executive officer of Tri-State 

Theatre Services, has expanded the company's 

booking and buying operations into 

the Western and Southern states. As part 

of the enlarged program, Murray Baker 

ington, D.C., for the past 14 years. 

Borack said Tri-State has begun serving 

as buying agent for two more circuits 

Bill Warren's nine screens in Wichita, Kas., 

and Charles Alario's three screens in Sarasota 

and Bradenton, Fla. 

Tri-State, based in Cincinnati, represents 

300 screens as booker and buyer in Chicago, 

Indianapolis, Atlanta, Jacksonville and Kansas 

City. 

Borack also is now headquartered on 

the West Coast since becoming president 

of April Fools Productions, which is in 

production on "Harper Valley PTA," starring 

Barbara Eden, Ronny Cox and Nane.te 

Fabray. The film is expected to complete 

shooting in Hollywood December 2. 

Technicolor Dividend Set 

HOLLYWOOD—Technicolor, Inc., announced 

that its board of directors has declared 

a regular quarterly dividend of ten 

cents per share payable January 5 to stockholders 

of record at the close of business 

Dec. 15. 1977, 

300 Dolby Systems 

Predicted by Xmas 

SAN I R.\N(1S(()— Exhibition is on the 

verge of a "sound revolution," according to 

Dolby Laboratories, which introduced op- 

stereo soundtracks with the film "Lisztomania." 

tical 

An estimated 250 movie houses 

in the U.S. already arc equipped for Dolby 

sound and loan Allen, Dolby international 

vice-president for marketing, says that this 

number will be increased to 300 by the time 

the Christmas season rolls around this year. 

Five holiday releases have Dolby encoded 

soundtracks: Disney's "Pete's Dragon," Columbia 

Pictures' "Close Encounters of the 

Third Kind"; "Saturday Night Fever," Paramount 

Pictures; "Mountain Man," Sunn 

Classic Pictures, and Avco Embassy's 

"Manitou." 

Stereophonic sound lor films formerly 

depended on magnetic strips affi.xed to the 

prints, a technological facet which made 

costs almost impossible in today's market. 

Allen pointed out that the optical soundtrack 

used by Dolby doesn't increase print 

prices and, furthermore, it is compatible 

with non-Dolby-equipped audio systems, 

providing high-quality monaural sound in 

such situations. 

The cost for equipping an auditorium 

with optical stereo apparatus is approximately 

$4,000, according to Allen, far less 

than the cost of the set-up required for the 

old magnetic strip system which first introduced 

stereophonic sound in theatres 

more than 35 years ago. And, the maintenance 

costs are far less, he declared. 

He noted that most major circuits, as well 

as many independent situations, have 

equipped showcase houses with Dolby sound 

equipment and predicted that this number 

will grow rapidly in view of the upcoming 

releases which will feature optical stereo 

has joined the company as executive in tracks. Among the features cited by Allen 

charge of acquisitions. 

were "Apocalypse Now" and "The Last 

Baker has been with Cinemation Films Waltz," both expected to be major boxoffice 

and other independent distributors in Wash- 

attractions. 

Brenner Associates Plans 

1978 Bow for 'Submission' 

NEW YORK — "Submission," 

starring 

Franco Nero and Lisa Gastoni and directed 

by Salvatore Samperi, will have its American 

premiere in early 1978, according to 

Steven Brenner, vice-president and general 

sales manager of Joseph Brenner Associates. 

A highly charged dramatic story of a bizarre 

love affair between a young man and 

a mature woman who becomes his love 

slave, "Submission" is set in France in the 

1940s and has been an outstanding boxoffice 

success throughout Europe. 

'Sweater Girls' Multiple 

Is Launched in Florida 

HOI 1 YWOOD -Swealer (iirls" opened 

in Jacksonville Fridav (KS) and in Tampa, 

Orlando and St. Petersburg Thursday (24) 

in a two-week. 50-theatre engagement, according 

to Steve Caplan. president of .Affiliated 

Film Distributors.

Three who dreatnedofglory,,. 

Sudden 

HERB JAFFE and GABRIEL KATZKA present 

AKARELREISZFILM 

NICK NOLTE TUESDAY WELD MICHAEL MORIARTY » 

DOG SOLDIERS' 

screenplay by JUDITH RASCOE and ROBERT STONE Based on the Novel by ROBERT STONE 

Producea by HERB JAFFE and GABRIEL KATZKA Directed by KAREL REISZ

Acclaimed in the New York Times tor its 

"great power and emotional impact." Desciibed 

in Tii)ie Magazine as "More than a whiteknuckled 

plol...haiTovving...leariul accuracy 

IS precise as the cross hairs on a rille sight." 

And Esquire adds: "So good, so interesting and 

unnv and Irightening, so absorbing, so impressive, 

somasterlul. It is a splendid, terrific action -suspense." 

they were trappedon a journey to hell! 

ii:i 

teady to Explode On the Nation's Screens August 1978 

United Artists 

ATransamerica Company

Turner to Head Univ. 

Washington Branch 

NEW YORK — Steve Turner has been 

named Washington, D. C, branch manager 

for Universal Pictures, effective January 1, 

succeeding Alex Schimel, who retires at the 

end of of the year. The announcement was 

made by Universal's general sales manager, 

R. L. Carpenter. 

Turner joined Universal in 1976 as a 

salesman in Kansas City, before moving to 

Washington. He previously was associated 

with Columbia, MGM and Paramount in 

various capacities, including branch manager 

for Columbia in Kansas City. 

Schimel joined Universal in 1933 and 

held a number of positions until being 

named branch manager in New Haven. 

Conn., in 1954. He was appointed sales 

manager in Washington in 1961 and became 

branch manager there in 1966. 

1978 WOMPI Int'l Leaders 

Announced by President 

ATLANTA—Esther Osley. president of 

WOMPI International, assisted by Fentress 

Carr, corresponding secretary, has announced 

the appointment of the following 

1977-78 committee chairmen: membership, 

Marsha Weaver, Jacksonville; bylaws, Dorothy 

Reeves, New York; extension, Sylvia 

Crossley, Toronto; finance, Tillie Spadaro, 

San Francisco; publicity, Sandy Easley, Atlanta; 

bulletin, Terry Walker, Atlanta; industry 

service, Romayne Hoffman, Los 

Angeles; Will Rogers Fund, Myrtle Parker, 

Charlotte; caring and sharing, Mable 

Guinan, Dallas; historian, Mary Hayslip, 

Kansas City, and the 1978 convention chairman 

is Lee Tuley from Dallas. 

According to the new president of the 

organization, in her first speech to members, 

"The success of our organization this 

year will depend upon our involvement in 

our club activities and becoming more involved 

with our industry. We cannot grow 

in numbers, strength or wisdom without involvement 

. . . With your help and cooperation. 

I know we will continue in growth." 

Disney, American Express 

Not Planning Merger 

BURBANK— Walt Disney Productions 

and the American Express Co. jointly stated 

Wednesday (16), in response to inquiries 

from the New York Stock Exchange, that 

executives of American Express recently 

made a visit to officers of Walt Disney 

Productions. During that visit, the American 

Express officers suggested that there 

might be areas of joint interest which would 

indicate the desirability of considering a 

combination of the two companies. 

No terms were discussed, however, and 

the companies emphasize that reports of a 

possible 

tender offer are completely untrue, 

that no further meetings are currently 

scheduled and that the parties mutually 

have decided to discontinue further consideration 

of the matter. 

MCA Reports 2nd Highest 

Ever Quarterly Earnings 

UNIVERSAL CITY—Lew R. Wasserman, 

chairman of the board of MCA, Inc., 

reported that for the third quarter of 1977, 

the company's net income and earnings per 

share were the second highest of any quarter 

in its history. For the first nine months 

of 1977, revenues were at an all-time high, 

although net income and earnings per share 

were lower than for the same period of 

1976. 

In the three months ended September 

30, compared to the same period in 1976, 

net income was $27,672,000, vs. $24,870,- 

000, an increase of 11 per cent. Earnings 

per share were $1.49 as compared to $1.34, 

an increase of 1 1 per cent. Revenues were 

$225,456,000, vs. $202,216,000, an increase 

of 1 1 per cent and average shares outstand- 

cent. 

Wasserman said the filmed entertainment 

division's lower operating income in contrast 

its 

to record revenues for the nine 

months ended Sept. 30, 1977, can be attributed 

to the substantial decrease in the 

highly profitable revenues from the successful 

motion picture "Jaws." Contributing to 

the results of the theatrical division for the 

current year was the strong performance 

of "Smokey and the Bandit." The latter film 

already has become one of the highest 

grossing motion pictures in the company's 

history, Wasserman noted. 

Rights to 'Capricorn One' 

Acquired by Warner Bros. 

HOLLYWOOD—Warner Bros, has acquired 

U. S. and Canadian distribution 

rights to "Capricorn One." a contemporary 

action drama about a fake interplanetary 

mission, directed by Peter Hyams and produced 

by Paul Lazarus III. 

Starring arc Elliott Gould, James Brolin, 

Brenda Vaccaro, Sam Waterson, O. J. Simpson 

and Hal Holbrook. Guest appearances 

are made by Karen Black and Telly Savalas. 

"Capricorn One" is a Sir Lew Grade 

presentation for Associated General Films 

of a Lazarus/ Hyams production of a Peter 

Hyams film. Warners plans a June 1978 

Dimension Pictures Plans 

'Cat' Release in April 

LOS ANGELES — "Devil Cat," starring 

Donald Plcasence and Nancy Kwan, has 

been set by Dimension Pictures for national 

release April 19. 

The film was produced by Ross Hagen 

and directed bv Lee Madden. 

Bette Midler Selects 

'Rose' for Film Debut 

By RALPH KAMINSKY 

HOLLYWOOD—Recording 

and concert 

star Bette Midler, who has been engaged 

in an off-and-on effort to find a motion 

picture in which to make her film debut, 

finally has settled upon a vehicle in the 

form of "The Rose," which Marvin Worth 

and Aaron Russo will produce for 20th 

Century-Fox. The story, appropriately, will 

be about a rock singing star and will be set 

in one month of the hectic 1960s. 

Ms. Midler, annoimcing her selection of 

the film Wednesday (16) in a press conference 

at 20th-Fox, said she will play a rock 

selfdestruction— 

just 

singer who is "a woman 

like the 

bound 

times 

for 

in which 

she lived." The story will cover one month 

in the singer's career, set in 1969. 

The film will parallel the life of singer 

ing were 18.553,599. as compared to 18,- 

532.330, an increase of .1 per cent. 

For the nine months ended Sept. 30, 

1977, compared to the same period of 1976, Janis Joplin. who skyrocketed to fame during 

that period and died at the height of 

net income was $62,859,000, vs. $69,123,- 

000, a decrease of 9 per cent. Earnings per her fame. Ms. Midler declared positively, 

share were $3.39, vs. $3.73, a decrease of however, that the film "won't be about 

9 per cent. Revenues were $608,248,000, Janis but it will be a composite of all kinds 

$574,509,000, an increase of 6 per cent. of people." 

vs. 

Average shares outstanding were 18,560,- It will be heavy on music, with seven or 

064, vs. 18,506,996, an increase of .3 per eight songs planned for Ms. Midler. But 

director Larry Peerce emphasized that "it 

won't be a musical. It will be a film with 

music." The songs Ms. Midler sings will 

be worked into her character's life as a concert 

rock artist and will be sung as part of 

her concert tours, he explained. 

Principal photography is planned to begin 

in March with the main setting in Florida. 

Shooting, however, is slated for numer-j 

ous locations across the country, in keep 

ing with the story idea of a rock singer on 

tour. Shooting is expected to take 50 days. 

Release of the film is set for the fall of 

next year. 

Ms. Midler said she sees the film's story 

reflecting "the times. It was a decade of 

anxieties, a decade where everyone seemed 

to be rushing toward self-destruction, 

crowding in so much life experience." 

The script is being "polished" by Be 

Goldman from a screenplay previously' 

written in association with Michael Ciminc 

based, in turn, on an earlier draft by William 

Kerby. Record producer Paul Roths-, 

child will produce the music and is planning 

a soundtrack album. 

CSID's Nine Current Films 

In 600 Holiday Playdates 

HOLLYWOOD—Cinema Shares Inter 

national's "Roseland" opened at the West 

wood Theatre in Los Angeles and the Stagi 

Door Theatre in San Francisco Wednesda 

(23). leading a group of films which gavi 

the distribution company more than 60( 

playdates for Thanksgiving. 

Other features in national release b; 

CSID are "Aces High," "Blue Sunshine, 

"Poco . . . Little Dog Lost," "Dynasty, 

"School Days," "Bruce Lee: the Man/th 

Myth," "Godzilla vs. the Cosmic Monster 

and "Godzilla on Monster Island." 

BOXOFHCE :: November 28. 197

MOTION PICTURE PIONEERS HONOR SHERRILL C. CORWIN 

.^-^ 

the Foundation of the Motion Picture Pioneers' -Pioneer ol the Year"

CPI Announces Record 

Earnings for Quarter 

NEW YORK— Alan J. Hirschfield. president 

of Columbia Pictures Industries, announced 

that CPI had achieved record 

quarterly operating earnings, after taxes, 

of $8,735,000. equivalent to 95 cents per 

share, for the period ended Oct. 1. 1977. 

This compared to $2,056,000, or 25 cents 

per share, for the same period last year. 

Earnings $1.19 Per Share 

Net income of $10,935,000. or $1.19 per 

share for the quarter, included an extraordinary 

credit of $2,200,000 (24 cents 

per share) from utilization of tax-loss carryforwards. 

For the period ended Sept. 25, 1976, 

there was a nonrecurring gain of $14,854,- 

000 ($1.80 per share) from the sale of the 

company's music publishing division and 

an extraordinary credit of $1,576,000 (19 

cents per share) resulting in net income of 

$18,486,000. or $2.24 per share. 

'Deep' Impact Noted 

Hirschfield indicated that the company's 

successful summer release. "The Deep," 

contributed to Columbia's increase in revenues 

and operating income. He added that 

the company looks forward to the release of 

"Close Encounters of the Third Kind" in 

two situations this month and throughout 

the country in mid-December. 

"We are gratified by the reactions to the 

film at preview and press screenings." he 

stated, "and believe it bodes well for the 

future results of our motion picture division. 

With anticipated growth in our other 

businesses, especially the TV, record and 

Gottlieb divisions, we continue to view the 

future with optimism." 

UA, Prudential Finalize 

$50 Million Loan Pact 

New York — United Artists 

Corp. 

has consummated a long-term financing 

agreement with the Prudential Insurance 

Co. of America in the amount 

of $50,000,000. 

The proceeds from the long-term 

fixed-rate issue will be used to refinance 

a presently existing $19,200,000 

loan with the Prudential Insurance Co. 

of America, to retire existing shortterm 

fluctuating rate debt and for other 

working capital purposes. 

The new loan matures Dec. 31, 

1995, with the commencement of 

amortization payments deferred until 

Dec. 31, 1982. 

'First Ten Years' of AFI 

Featured in New Report 

WASHINGTON — The American Film 

Institute has released a 100-page report detailing 

the cumulative achievements of its 

first decade. "The First Ten Years." The 

report, issued in 

place of costlier annual reports, 

includes sections on the origins, projects, 

programs and collections of the AFI. 

Financial statements for the last two years 

also are itemized. 

Highlights of the report are the AFI 

accomplishments in the areas of preservation, 

documentation and research; publications; 

training and support for new filmmakers; 

public programs, and special days 

and honors in its ten-year history. 

Copies of the report are available for $5, 

plus 75 cents postage, from the AFI, Kennedy 

Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, 

DC. 20566 

TEA BOARD MEETING—The Theatre Equipment Ass'n held its semi-annual 

board of directors meeting during the recent National As^'n of Theatre Owners 

convention in Miami Beach, Fla. Attending the session were, top row, left to right, 

Manford Pickrell jr. (treasurer), PVaser Neal (president) and Charles Wolk (vicepresident). 

Middle row, left to right, Jerry Sunshine (executive director). Bob Tankersley, 

John Dawsey, Dick Strauss, Chuck Lahti and Don Howell, and bottom 

row, left to right, Jerry Harray, Yale Richards (TEA general counsel), Don Moore, 

Jim Barry, Harold Abbott and Roy Smith. 

Stolber Named Director 

Of UA Business Affairs 

NEW YORK—Dean Stolber has been 

appointed to the newly created post of director 

of business affairs 

for United Artists, 

effective immediately, 

it was announced 

Friday (4). He will 

^^W report to William 

» M> ' Bernstein, senior vice- 

president for businessi 

JK^^^^Sr9 

affairs. 

^^KkSg 

^H^^HH^^^ Stolber served 

^H|^^Hp^^^ United Artists' legal 

r. o iL department from 1969 

Dean Stolber 

,^ J973 ^^^^ j^^ ^^^ 

appointed executive assistant to Bernstein. 

A 1969 graduate of New York University 

Law School, Stolber received his degree 

from Harvard College in 1966. He resides 

in Manhattan with his wife Jacqueline and 

his son David. 

Paperback Edition Keyed ! 

To 'Semi-Tough' Release 

NEW YORK — Approximately 600,00( 

copies of the movie paperback edition o 

"Semi-Tough," the Dan Jenkins novel, ar«; 

being distributed in connection with the Fri 

day (18) release of the David Merrick filn 

starring Burt Reynolds, Kris Kristoffersoi 

and Jill Clayburgh. 

A 1,500,000 copy best-seller, the book' 

movie edition features color cover art o, 

the stars and the film credits, 

with an eighth 

page photo insert. Adapted for the screei 

by Walter Bernstein, "Semi-Tough" was di 

reeled by Michael Ritchie. David Merricl 

produced the film for United Artists. 

Earl I. Sponable Is Dead; 

Headed 20th-Fox Research 

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y.— Earl I. Spon 

able, 82, former director of research fo 

20th Century-Fox Studios, died here Wed 

nesday (16) in Champlain Medical Cente 

after a short bout with cancer. Privat 

funeral services were held Friday (18). 

Born in Burlington Flats, N.Y., Sponabl 

graduated from Cornell University an 

joined the old William Fox Studio in r»2( 

He was a co-inventor of the Movicion 

sound recording device which Fox use 

for early talkies. During his tenure as chit 

of research, Sponable and his staff helpe 

develop the innovative CinemaScope wid< 

screen process, with 20th-Fox completel 

converting to it in 1953. The first film 

that process, "The Robe," resulted in CI 

One Technical Awards for Sponable an 

associates at the 1954 Oscar ceremonie 

He retired in 1965. 

He is survived by his wife Marie and 

daughter. Catherine Sponable. 

Univ. Signs June Barrett 

UNIVERSAL CITY—June Barrett, wl 

appeared in the film "First Love," has bet 

signed to an exclusive contract by Univers 

Pictures under its new talent developme 

program. 

BOXOFTICE :: November 28, 19'

' 

to 

I 

According 

i 

)t. Louis Company Offers 

ijew Underskyer Service 

ST. LOUIS—Off Air Productions, based 

»i this city, is offering a new service to 

rive-ins called "Total Entertainment." A 

MOTION PICTURES RATED 

BY THE CODE & RATING 

ADMINISTRATION 

The following feature-length motion pictures 

have been reviewed and rated by the 

Code and Rating Administration pursuant 

to the Motion Picture Code and Rating 

Program. 

Title Distributor Rating 

Bruce Lee (CSID) 

Timothy B. True rehearses introduction 

to one of the latest hit records on 

"Total Entertainment." (Photo by 

Kathy Johannes.) 

'60-minute top 40 music show on tape, the 

package is designed as preshow entertainment 

and features time checks, popular 

music and commercials for the concessions 

stand. 

to the company's national 

sales manager, Lee A. Buchschacher, "Most 

I 

people don't think about the refreshment 

stand until halfway through the first movie. 

What we do is to tempt their appetites before 

the screen lights up, thus creating new 

business for the refreshment stand." 

The weekly package is available in cassette, 

reel-to-reel or eight-track tapes and is 

be played through the subscribing ozoner's 

regular sound system. 

Broadcast personality Timothy B. True, 

formerly of WJNC in Jacksonville, N. C, 

narrates the show. True says he enjoys the 

work because "it gives me the freedom to 

relate to my audience and talk about the 

music rather than following some silly format." 

Off Air Productions believes that the increased 

concession sales generated by the 

service more than pay the subscription fee. 

Dingilian Named 20th-Fox 

V-P for Domestic Ad-Pub 

HOLLYWOOD— Robert Dingilian, executive 

director of national publicity and 

promotion for 20th Century-Fox, has been 

promoted to vice-president of domestic publicity 

and promotion. He will be in charge 

of supervising the studio's publicity-promotional 

operation throughout the U.S. under 

the direction of John Friedkin, vice-president 

of worldwide publicity and promotion. 

Dingilian joined 20th-Fox in August 

1975 as director of special projects. He 

was named executive director of publicity 

and promotion in January 1976. 

Before joining 20th-Fox. Dingilian was 

an executive with the Ass'n of Motion Picture 

and Television Producers and was a 

partner in the Gershenson & Dingilian Associates 

public relations firm in" Beverly 

Hills.

K ^Jôliuwood rêport lA 

f 

Thirty feature films went into production 

in October 1977. an amazing increase over 

the 16 starts of the previous month and the 

13 pictures which began shooting in October 

1976. Thirteen of this month's productions 

are from the major companies and 

17 are from independents. 

AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL 

Force 10 From Navarone. This Oliver 

Unger presentation for Guy Hamilton Productions 

began shooting October 4 with locations 

set in Totograd and Rijeka, Yugoslavia, 

as well as London and Malta. Robert 

Shaw heads the cast of this story about an 

Allied special services unit which goes into 

Yugoslavia during World War II to assassinate 

a spy. Others in the cast are Franco 

Nero, Edward Fox. Carl Weathers, Barbara 

Bach and Harrison Ford. Guy Hamilton is 

directing from Robin Chapman's screenplay. 

Oliver Unger is the producer. 

Meteor. A $16,000,000 epic about the 

earth being endangered by giant meteorites, 

this feature produced by Arnold Orgolini 

and Ted Parvin went before the cameras 

October 31 at MGM Studios, with len&ing 

also planned for New York, Tokyo, Germany 

and Italy. Starring are Sean Connery, 

Natalie Wood, Karl Maiden, Henry Fonda, 

Trevor Howard, Donald Pleasence, Martin 

Landau and Brian Keith. John Williams is 

writing the score and the director is Ronald 

Neame. 

Our Winning Season. Scott Jacoby and 

Deborah Benson have the top roles in this 

story about a high school runner in 1967 

who reaches a new maturity after his encounters 

with sex, death and track rivalries. 

Filming began October 18 in Griffin, Ga. 

with Joseph Ruben directing from the 

screenplay by Nick Nicopher and Ned Wynn 

for producer Joe Roth. Release is scheduled 

for the summer of 1978. 

Starcrash. This Film Enterprises Productions 

space adventure began shooting in 

Rome October 15 under the direction of 

Lewis Cozzi. In the cast are Caroline Munro, 

Marjoe Gortner, Christopher Plummer, 

David Hasselhoff, Judd Hamilton, Robert 

Tessier, Joe Spinell and Nadia Casini. Nat 

and Patrick Wachsberger are the producers. 

COLUMBIA 

Eyes. Filming began in New York City 

October 17 on this Irwin Kershner film, 

produced by Jon Peters, in which Faye Dunaway 

stars as a photographer who experiences 

parapsychological visions and becomes 

involved in a murder. The highly stylized 

suspense drama is set against a romantic 

background of the world of high fashion. 

Kershner is directing David Zelag Goodman's 

screenplay. Also in the cast are Tommy 

Lee Jones, Brad Dourif, Lisa Taylor, 

Darlanne Fleugel and Bill Hoggs. 

PARAMOUNT 

Foul Play. Chevy Chase will fall in love 

with Goldie Hawn in this comedy mystery, 

a Miller/ Milkis/Higgins production which 

began filming October 3 1 with locations 

scheduled in San Francisco and Los Angeles. 

Chase's first starring role in a feature film 

has him playing a police inspector who 

comes to the aid of a jeopardized librarian. 

Burgess Meredith, Dudley Moore and Rachel 

Roberts also star. Thomas L. Miller 

and Edward K. Milkis are producing and 

Colin Hiegins is directing his own screenplay. 

UNITED ARTISTS 

Hair. The filming of the stage rock musical 

hit began October 24 in New York, 

and further shooting is planned in the Midwest. 

Milos Forman is directing the screen 

adaptation by Michael Weller for producers 

Lester Persky and Michael Butler. In the 

cast are John Savage, Treat Williams, Beverly 

D'Angelo, Annie Golden, Don Dacus, 

Dorsey Wright and Suzette Charles. 

Invasion of the Body Snatchers. This 

remake of the 1956 horror film by the Solofilm 

Co. began production October 31 in 

northern California. Donald Sutherland and 

Leonard Nimoy head a cast which includes 

Veronica Cartwright, Brooke Adams and 

Jeff Goldblum. Phillip Kaufman is 

directing 

the screenplay by W. D. Richter. 

The New Woody Allen Film. Filming 

began in New York City October 17 on 

Allen's first drama, as yet untitled. Diane 

Keaton heads a cast which includes Maureen 

Stapleton, Genevieve Page, Harris Yulin, 

Richard Jordan. Sam Waterston and E. G. 

Marshall. Charles Joffe is the producer and 

Robert Greenhut is executive producer. Allen 

is the writer and director but will not 

appear. 

UNIVERSAL 

FM. October 17 was the starting date for 

this look at the field of contemporary radio. 

Starring are Eileen Brennan, Cleavon Little, 

Michael Brandon, Martin Mull, Cassie 

Yates and Alex Karras. Irving Azoff is executive 

producer, with Rand Holston producing 

and Robert Larson co-producing. John 

Alonzo is directing Ezra Sachs' screenplay. 

I Want To Hold Your Hand. Production 

began October 31 on this comedy about 

six youngsters from New Jersey who go to 

New York when the Beatles make their 

first voyage to America for the Ed Sullivan 

show. The cast includes Susan Newman, 

Nancy Allen, Bobby DiCicco, Marc Mc- 

Ckire, Theresa Saldana, Wendie Jo Sperber 

and Wil Albert. Robert Zemeckis is directing 

the screenplay he co-wrote with Bob 

Gale. Tamara Asseyev and Alex Rose are 

the producers, and Steven Spielberg is executive 

producer. 

National Lampoon's Animal House. 

Principal photography began October 24 on 

this Simmons-Reitman comedy set on a college 

campus in the early '60s. Producers 

Matty Simmons and Ivan Reitman engaged 

John Landis to direct the script written by 

Harold Ramis, Douglas Kenney and Chris 

Miller. The cast includes John Belushi, Tim 

Matheson, John Vernon, Verna Bloom, 

Thomas Hulce, Cesare Danova and Donald 

Sutherland. 

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club 

Band. The Robert Stigwood Organization 

began principal photography October 10 at 

MGM Studios on this story based on the 

Beatles' landmark record album. The cast 

includes Peter Frampton, the Bee Gees, Sandy 

Farina, George Burns, Paul Nicholas, 

Dianne Steinberg, Frankie Howard, Donald 

Pleasence, Jay W. Macintosh and Steve Martin. 

Robert Stigwood is the producer and 

Dee Anthony is executive producer. Michael 

Schultz is directing Henry Edwards' screenplay. 

INDEPENDENTS 

April Fools Productions 

Harper Valley PTA. Filming began October 

1 in Lebanon, Ohio on this feature 

based on the Jeannie C. Riley song in which 

a mother gets her revenge upon small-town 

PTA members for their slighting remarks 

about her lifestyle. Starring are Barbara 

Eden, Ronnie Cox, Nanette Fabray, Susan 

Swift, Pat Paulsen and Fay DeWitt. 

Boss' Son Productions 

The Boss' Son. Shooting began October 

24 in Los Angeles with a cast consisting of 

Rudi Solari, Asher Brauner, Rita Moreno, 

Henry Gayle Sanders, Carmen Argenziano, 

Michelle Davison, Richie Havens, Chris 

Mulkey, Fred Scott, Jerry Smith, Gammy 

Burdett, Elena Verdugo and James Darren. 

Bobby Roth is directing and the producer 

is Jeffrey White. 

Brut Productions 

The Class of Miss MacMichael. 

Glenda Jackson and Oliver Reed star in the 

adaptation of Sandy Hudson's novel written 

by Judd Bernard, who also is the producer. 

Silvio Narizzano began directing the feature 

October 17 on London locations. Others in 

the cast are Michael Murphy, Rosalind Cash 

and John Standing. 

Compagnia Europea Cinematografica 

China 9, Liberty 37. Warren Oates, Jenny 

Agutter and Fabio Testi head the cast 

in this film about an assassination plot set 

in the American West of the 1870s. Monte 

Hellman is directing for producers Gianni 

Bozzacchi and Valerio de Paolis. Filming 

began October 31 in Almeria, Spain. 

Crown International 

Coach. Southern California was the site 

of the October 17 launch of this feature in 

which Cathy Lee Crosby stars as an Olympic 

champion hired mistakenly to coach a 

high school boys' basketball team. Also cast 

are Michael Biehn, Keenan Wynn, Steve 

Neil, Channing Clarkson, Jack David Walker, 

Meredith Baer, Myron McGill, Robyn 

Pohle, Kirstine Greco, Brent Huff, Rosanne 

Katon, Lenka Novak, Otto Felix, Milt Oberman, 

Ron Wright and Sidney Wicks. Bud 

Townsend is directing for producer Mark 

Tenser. 

Malibu Beach. This youth-oriented story 

began shooting October 10 in Los Angeles. 

Kim Lankford stars as a female lifeguard 

who is the hub of all the action on her 

beach. James Daughton, Susan Player, Michael 

Luther, Stephen Oliver, Flora Plumb, 

Sherry Lee Marks, Marty Rogalny and Jim 

Kester also are cast. Marilyn J. Tenser is 

producing and Robert J. Rosenthal is directing 

the screenplay he wrote with Celia Susan 

10 BOXOFHCE :; November 28, 1977 

Cotelo.

I 

! 

Kenneth 

I 

Austria, England and the U. S. Also in the 

cast are Anne Meara, John Rubinstein, Michael 

Gough and Linda Hayden. Franklin 

J. Schaffner is directing, with Martin Rich- 

Beauties,"" a backstage musical. Others in 

the double-cast company are Trish Van Devere, 

Barbara Harris, Eli Wallach, Red Buttons, 

Barry Bostwick and Ann Reinking. 

Larry Gelbart and Sheldon Keller wrote the 

script and the executive producer is Martin 

Starger. 

Lorimar Productions 

Someone Is Killing the Great Chefs 

OF Europe. The title aptly describes the 

storyline of this feature which began principal 

photography October 17 in Europe 

with locations set in Munich, Venice, Paris 

and London. The cast includes George Segal, 

Jacqueline Bisset, Robert Morley, Jean- 

Pierre Cassel, John Rochefort, Phillippe 

Noiret, Daniel Emilfork, Stefano Satta 

Flores, Jean Gavin and Gerhard Amman. 

Ted Kotcheff is directing the screenplay by 

Peter Stone. William Aldrich is producing 

and Merv ."Kdelson and Lee Rich are the 

executive producers. 

Magic Lantern/ Elfo Productions 

The Forbidden Zone. Production began 

October 24 on this feature with a cast consisting 

of Susan Tyrell, Viva, Harve Villechaize. 

Hank Kahn, Mystic Knight of the 

Oingo Boingo and the Kipper Kids. Richard 

Elfman is directing from his own script. 

Nicholas James is producing and Gene Cunningham 

is the executive producer. 

Mel Simon/ Film Finance Group 

Matilda. Director Daniel Mann began 

lensing in New York October 24 before 

moving to other planned locations in Reno 

and Los Angeles to finish the story of a 

kangaroo trained to fight the world heavyweight 

champion. Producer Albert S. Ruddy 

co-wrote the screenplay with Timothy Galfas; 

the executive producer is Richard St. 

Johns. In the cast are Elliott Gould, Robert 

Mitchum, Clive Revill, Lionel Stander and 

Karen Carlson. 

Mel Simon/ Film Organization 

The Stuntman. Peter O'Toolc and Barbara 

Hershey head the cast in this story 

about the effects felt by a small town which 

becomes the location for the production of 

a movie. Also in the cast are Allen Garfield, 

Steve Railsback, Alex Rocco, Sharon 

Farrell and John Garwood. Richard Rush 

is producing and directing from a screenplay 

by Larry Marcus. Mel Simon is executive 

producer. 

frey Lewis, Lorenzo Lamas, Don Stark, 

Jim Gallante, George Jacobs, Gary Mule 

Deer, Lester Fletcher, Charlie Lehman, 

Bruce Mackay and France Pesce. Rudy Du- 

ards producing and Robert Fryer serving as rand is producing and directing from his 

executive producer. Heywood Gould and own script. Ron Joy is executive producer. 

Ross wrote the screenplay. 

Nobel Productions 

Double Feature. Producer-director Cruise Missile. Mike Connors, Peter 

Stanley Donen began shooting October 10 Graves and Kurt Jurgens star in this story 

in Los Angeles of this movie-within-a-movie in which a Russian and an American agent 

which consists of two stories, both starring join to search for an enemy spy. The film is 

George C. Scott. One is a boxing story, "Dynamite 

being made in association with Eishberg 

Hands,"" and the other is Baxter"s Films of Munich, Depaolis of Italy and 

the 

Ashtani Co. of Iran. Shooting began October 

10 and locations include Tehran and 

Italy. Leslie Martinson is directing Clark 

Reynolds" script. Yugoslavian Ika Tanjotovik 

is producing. 

Peterson Co. 

A Different Story. Perry King is toplined 

in this feature which began filming 

in Los Angeles October 5. Others in the 

cast are Meg Foster, Valerie Curtis and 

Peter Donat. Paul Aaron is directing the 

screenplay by Henry Olek. Allan Belkin is 

producer and Michael Leone is executive 

producer. 

Richmond Productions 

The Wild Geese. Richard Burton, Roger 

Moore and Richard Harris star in this feature 

about mercenaries fighting in Central 

Africa to free a deposed, imprisoned black 

president. Others in the cast are Hardy 

Kruger, John Kani and Winston Ntshona. 

Andrew V. McLaglen is directing Reginald 

Rose"s screenplay. Euan Lloyd is the producer 

of the film, which is being made in 

association with VETCO of Switzerland. 

by the late Bruce Lee and described as the 

final expression of his concept of the physical 

and spiritual implications of the martial 

arts. The cast, headed by David Carradine, 

also includes Jeff Cooper, Eli Wallach, 

Christopher Lee, Roddy McDowall and 

Erica Creer. Richard Moor is directing from 

the screenplay by Sterling Silliphanl and 

Stanley Mann. Sandy Howard is the producer 

and Richard St. Johns is executive 

producer. 

Midland's Pipe Organ Now 

Plays for Calif. Diners 

SOLANA BEACH, CALIF.—The mag- 

ITC EnJertainments 

The Boys from Brazil. Gregory Peck, 

Mel Simon/ Koala Productions 

Tilt. The relationship between a 14-> earold 

Laurence Olivier, James Mason, Lilli Palmer 

female pinball whiz and an aspiring 

and Uta Hagen head the cast of this film rock singer is the focus of this feature which 

in which Olivier plays a Nazi-hunter searching 

began lensing October 26 in Santa Cruz, nificent Robert Morton pipe organ which 

once provided musical enchantment in Ran- 

for Peck, who specializes in cloning du- Calif. The cast includes Charles Durning, 

Brooke Shields, Ken Marshall, Harvey 

plicate Hitlers. Filming began October 31 

Lewis, Bobby Berger, John Crawford, Geof- 

in Portugal, with location shooting set for 

Florence Vidor, Silent 

Film Star. Dead at 82 

HOLLYWOOD—Silent screen star Florence 

Vidor, 82, died Thursday (3) at her 

home in Pacific Palisades, Calif. Among her 

screen credits were "The Grand Duchess 

and the Waiter,'" "A Tale of Two Cities,"" 

"Magnificent Flirt."" "The World at Her 

Feet," "Doomsday." "The Popular Sin"" and 

"Old Wives for New," which she made for 

Cecil B. DeMille. She leaves two daughters 

and a son. 

Console of Robert Morton pipe organ 

which once was part of American 

Multi Cinema's Midland Theatre in 

Kansas City. 

sas City"s Midland Theatre, which recently 

celebrated its 50th birthday (see Boxoffice, 

Oct. 24, 1977), is now installed in the Solana 

Theatre-Plantation Restaurant here. 

Preston M. Fleet, owner of the theatre, disclosed 

that the instrument was removed 

from the Midland in the late 1960s after it 

had suffered water damage during the short 

period when the showhouse was operated 

as a bowling alley. 

According to Fleet, Kansas City resident 

Dr. Robert Frey supervised the removal of 

the organ from the Midland, now owned 

and operated by American Multi Cinema, 

and its transfer to a work-storage area of 

his 

residence. 

Moved to Calif, in '73 

The pipe organ, which has four manuals 

and 20 ranks of pipes, plus percussions, 

after restoration was acquired by Organ 

Sandy Howard/ Richard St. Johns 

Restaurants in 1973 and transported to 

Productions 

California for a thorough overhauling. The 

The Silent Flute. Filming began in 

installation of the mighty theatre organ in 

the Solana Beach Theatre has returned the 

Israel October 28 on this story developed 

famous instrument to public view so that 

its inspirational values and enriching tones 

again can be enjoyed. Fleet explained. 

'"Playing these huge instruments, one organist 

can perform the same music that 

normally would take 50 to 100 musicians,"" 

he pointed out. 

Pipe Work Displayed 

In its present setting, the 30,000-pound 

organ certainly is showcased. Its pipe work 

is displayed behind glass at the rear of the 

stage so that diners may contemplate the 

throaty interior. 

Played by well-known musician P. Hans 

Flath in October 1927, when the theatre 

made its debut as the flagship of the Loews 

circuit, the Robert Morgan organ now responds 

to the touch of three staff organists. 

One is Bill Wright, Midland Theatre resident 

organist 1927-1931 and who also managed 

the Crown Theatre in Pasadena. 

Calif., for more than 20 years. The other 

two organists are Chris Gorsuch and Earl 

McCandless. 

BOXOFHCE :: November 28, 1977 11

BOXOFFICE 

BAROMETER 

This chart records the performance of current attractions in the opening week of their first runs in 

the 20 key cities checked. Pictures with fewer than five engagements are not listed. As new runs 

ore reported, ratings are added and averages revised. Computation is in terms of percentage in 

relotions to averge grosses as determined by the theatre managers. With 100 per cent as average, 

the figures show the gross ratings above or below that mark. (Asterisk * denotes combination bills.) 

i i i 1 1 

i 

i I i ! 1 1! n l! I 

= 

AUegro Non Troppo (Specialty)

• ADUNES li EXPLOITIPS 

• ALPHABH-ICAL INDEX 

• EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY 

• FEATURE RELEASE CHART 

• FEATURE REVIEW DIGEST 

• SHORTS RELEASE CHART 

• SHORT SUBJECT REVIEWS 

• REVIEWS OF FEATURES 

• SHOWMANOISING IDEAS 

THE GUIDE TO m BETTE R BOOKING AND B U S I N E S S - B U I L D I N G 

Colorful Lobby Poster 

Promotes 

Encounters' 

Retired artist Al Thomas continues to 

create eye-catching posters and electrifying 

exhibits that light up the inner lobby of the 

Northridge Sixplex on the far northwest side 

of Milwaukee. For the past several weeks, 

patrons have been admiring a 12-foot-long. 

nearly eight-foot-high, varicolored poster 

promoting the forthcoming motion picture 

"Close Encounters of the Third Kind." 

It depicts the UFO phenomenon, showing 

mysterious flying objects with a 3-D reality. 

One UFO is positioned just a few inches 

from the baseboard. 

Lobby poster, executed by retired artist 

Al Thomas {in color), displayed at 

the Northridge Sixplex on Milwaukee's 

far northwest side. 

The poster text explains: "Close Encounters 

of the First Kind: sightings. Close Encounters 

of the Second Kind: evidence. 

Close Encounters of the Third Kind: contact." 

It continues: "Over 15,000,000 Americans, 

including leaders in science, astronomy, 

the aerospace program and government 

officially have reported UFO sightings. 

Scientists even have conceded the 

probability of intelligent life somewhere 

else in the universe. Hundreds of verified 

sightings are repeated every day from all 

over the world by reliable observers—and 

have been for the past 30 years. This Christmas, 

millions of people will experience the 

most beautiful, frightening, significant motion 

picture of all time." 

The text concludes with the four words: 

"We Are Not Alone." These words also arc 

in block letters atop the exhibit. 

Ruth Pavlic, manager of the theatre, 

r-'ports the film is slated to open at the 

Northridge December 14. 

Emphasis on Sound Ballys 'Alley' 

Richard Rafferty, manager of Florid.i 

West Amusements' Sarno Plaza Twin theatres 

in Melbourne, Fla., staged a not-to-bcmissed 

promotion to ballyhoo the engagement 

of "Damnation Alley." A large banner 

was hung on the theatre touting the 20th- 

Fox film, augmenting the word-of-mouth 

publicity inspired by a ground display of a 

replica of the Landmaster featured in the 

motion picture. 

WMEL Radio of Melbourne provided 

on-the-air plugs for the Sound 360° which 

adds a thrilling dimension to the visual experience 

for "Damnation Alley" viewers. It 

was pointed out that Sarno Plaza Theatre 2 

was the only showhouse between Miami and 

Jacksonville featuring the new audio system. 

Additionally, Rafferty had 2,000 handbills 

plugging the film and Sound 360° distributed 

in local shopping centers and in 

other retail businesses with high traffic. 

Then, starting one week before the beginning 

of the playdate, all theatre staffers and 

managerial employees wore Damnation Alley 

T-shirts. 

All the hoopla resulted in an invaluable 

news-type story in the local press, which 

lauded many facets of Sound 360°. The 

article said, in part: "With Sound 360° the 

director can place sounds anywhere in the 

theatre. He may call for action, music or 

effects which move around the periphery of 

the audience area. Off-screen characters 

BOXOFFICE Showmctndiser :: Nov. 28, 1977 — 41 — 

Starts Friday, October 21st at 

Melbourne Sarno Plaza Twin Theatres 

ALLEY 

THE ONLV PLACE YOU CAN SEE » 

mzOn^m^g 

Handbill promoting "Damnation Alley." 

with emphasis on Sound 360\ distributed 

at Melbourne-area shopping 

centers and other high-traffic spots to 

lub-thutnp the playdate. 

may move around while talking to the actor: 

a whirlwind may swirl aroimd the audience 

or an airplane can circle overhead. All of 

this is accomplished with four-track, fourchannel 

magnetic sound and speaker systems 

surrounding the audience." 

Eye-catching visual ballyhoo for 20th-Fox's "Damnation Alley" displayed outside 

Sarno Plaza Twin in Melbourne. Fla.

Naticnai Guard Aids Charles Cinema 

With 'MacArfhur' Publicity Barrage 

P 

,c Charles Cinema III, Lake Charles. 

,... was beseiged by the National Guard 

tor tour davs in mid-August. Equipped with 

machine guns, troop carriers, medical vans. 

Army recruiting posters and .30 and .50- 

caliber firearms of various types, the troops 

cooperated with the Ogden-Perry Theatres 

house to promote Universal Pictures" "Mac- 

Arlhur" during its playdate in Lake Charles. 

In appreciation for his assistance in enlistment 

drives, the Army presented circuit 

cily manager Jules Courville with a porcelain 

beer s'tein (taken from the adjutant general's 

desk) and bestowed on him the title 

of -Honorary Recruiter." 

Along with the invasion of men and 

equipment. KLCL Radio gave away ."iO 

double passes from a remote location in the 

Prien Lake Mall, in conjunction with the 

Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Ass'n Telethon, 

Pepsi-Cola and the Seven-Up Bottling 

Co. The deejay was confined by a wall 

(over six-feet tall) of Pepsi and Seven-Up 

cases and his only path to freedom was for 

onlookers to buv the soft drinks, with the 

money going to aid MDA. Each person who 

bought a case of either drink received a 

pass^for two to see the film "'MacArthur" at 

the Charles Cinema IIL 

,,, ^,, 

Another deejay. Jay Roberts of KLOU 

Radio, did a promotion for the film from 

inside one of the Army tanks and gave several 

prizes before moving on to another location. 

The excitement of all the opportunities 

to win prizes and hearing machine guns 

firing blanks periodically brought both attention 

and patrons to the Charles Cinema 

III showing of "MacArthur," according to 

Courville. 

Ozoner Uses Trans Am, Bandit, Bride 

To Promote 'Smokey and the Bandit' 

The promotion for the Universal Pictures 

release "Smokey and the Bandit" at Odeon- 

Morton's Odeon Drive-ln. Winnipeg, was 

Mirror giveaway made possible by tie-in 

with Pepsi Cola Canada to promote the 

engagement of "Smokey and the Bandit" 

at Odeon-Morton's drive-in near 

Winnipeg. Man. Left to right are: Reg 

Faidkes, manager of the ozoner; Karen 

Menzies, winner of the Pepsi mirror, 

and Dave Sellar, representative of 

Pepsi-Cola Canada. 

a natural attention-getter. Through the cooperation 

of the local Pontiac dealer, 

Birchwood Motors, the ozoner arranged to 

display a Trans Am identical, equipmentwise, 

to the one seen in the motion picture. 

The car was exhibited directly in front of 

the airer concession stand and invitations to 

see the supercar of the film "Smokey and 

ihe Bandit" were carried by the drive-in's 

telephon-.-answering service, as well as on 

the theatre public address system. 

As an added treat for patrons, the display 

Trans Am, carrying the underskyer's own 

14 

"Bandit" and "Bride," toured the theatre 

area at the same time that Burt Reynolds, 

onscreen, met Sally Field in her wedding 

gown. The car then reappeared in the 

exhibit space with a cowboy hat and wedding 

dress conspicuously discarded in it. 

This promotion was very popular with the 

audience and helped to coax a few more 

into the snack bar, resulting in higher sales 

per patron, according to theatre manager 

R. J. Faulkes and assistant manager N. P. 

Smith, who conceived the campaign. 

A second promotion consisted of a contest 

in which Pepsi-Cola Canada, Ltd., supplied 

all signs, entry ballots and prizes, including 

a large Pepsi replica mirror of a 

1900s-type advertisement. Other giveaways 

included Pepsi coolers, barbecues, beach 

bags. Thermos kits, glasses, mugs and cases 

of^Pepsi products. The ozoner contributed 

numerous passes. 

In progress three weeks, contest advertising 

was limited to spot announcements over 

the PA system before showtime and during 

intermission. In all, there were 17 lucky 

Tie-in With Circus World 

Ballyhoos Tlollercoaster' 

C. E. "Bud" Trimble sent boxofficc receipts 

for Universal's "Rollercoaster" zooming 

to new heights through a simple tie-in 

with the director of marketing for Ringling 

Bros, and Barnum & Bailey Circus World. 

The management of the Carib Theatre, 

Clearwater, Fla., gave away five tickets to 

Circus World every Friday, Saturday and 

Sunday during the "Rollercoaster" playdate 

(15 tickets per week, valued at $5.75 per 

ticket). The cooperative promotion was arranged 

at a cost of only $5. 

— 42 — 

romo f luaaetd 

A highly successful premiere of "New 

York, New York" at Plitt's Regency Theatre 

in Salt Lake City gave the picture a 

well-publicized launching in the Utah metropolis. 

Nearly 500 invited guests enjoyed 

the trip back into the big-band era following 

the end of World War II. The gala 

premiere was co-sponsored by Plitt Intermountain 

Theatres and KRSP Radio. 

A contest held in conjunction with 

WWUN Radio, with the grand prize a trip 

for two to the beautiful Mississippi Gulf 

Coast (for two nights), and a T-shirt giveaway 

plugged "The Deep" effectively at 

Ogden-Perry's Ellis Isle Cinema I and II in 

Jackson, Miss. Manager George Pritchett 

estimated the free airtime used in ballyhooing 

the film would have cost nearly $1,500 

if it had been secured through an outright 

buy. 

Robley Domingue of Ogden-Perry's Center 

Cinema I and II, Lafayette, La., came 

up with what apparently was the perfect 

attendance-builder for "Smokey and the 

Bandit," Universal Pictures' hit release. Via 

a tie-in with the local firm Hurst T-Top, 

Domingue put a Trans Am on display in the 

theatre^parking lot that was identical to the 

one featured in the film; then, on a cooperative 

radio station, free ads were aired publicizing 

a drawing for a sunroof giveaway 

(or a discount on a T-top). Theatre passes 

mailed to selected listeners maintained peak 

interest. The first giveaway proved to be so 

successful that a second sunroof top was 

offered in the same type of contest. Patronage 

during the engagement was outstanding! 

KEWI deejay Marshall ll.iilni a 

Flasher" was a traffic-stopper in Topeka. 

Kas., as he passed out T-.thirts 

and invitations to a radio station-sponsored 

screening of "The Kentucky 

Fried Movie." The tie-in was arranged 

by W. Lee Colvin, city manager for 

Dickinson Theatres. 

BOXOFFICE :: November 28, 1977 

^ll

Healthy Grosses At 

NY Picture Palaces 

NEW YORK— "Close lincoiintcrs of the 

Third Kind" took a close grip on the Manhattan 

filmgoing public with a heavenly 900 

for its first week at the Ziegfeld. In second 

place was another newcomer, "The Turning 

Point." waltzing to a huge 725 in its first 

round at the Coronet. Third was last week's 

winner. "Which Way Is Up?", averaging out 

at 505 in the third stanza at the Cine (485) 

and State II (545). 

Luis Bunuel's "That Obscure Object of 

Desire," acclaimed at the recent New York 

Film Festival, was fourth, with a very close 

500 for round number one at Columbia II. 

Fifth came the only sexer to show, "China 

de Sade" (third last round), with an average 

of 460 for the third encounter at Pussycat 

West and Lido East. "Julia" went from 

second to sixth spot, but was still soaring 

high with a 450 seventh week at Cinema I. 

Doing 300 or better were "Final Sin," 

"Mr. Klein," "The Man Who Loved Women," 

"Semi-Tough" at two houses and the 

new "Confessions of Amans." 

Showcase action was upheld by "Looking 

For Mr. Goodbar." "Oh, God!" and the inevitable 

"Star Wars." 

(Average Is 100) 

Baronet Criterion—Semi-Tough (UA) 315 

Beekman—A Special Day (Cinema 5), 8th wk 220 

Cine, State 11—Which Way Is Up? (Univ' 

3rd 

505 

Cinema I—Julia {20th-Fox), 7th wk 

Cinema 11—Outrageousl (Cinema 5), 17'h wk 

Cinema Studio—Why Does Herr R. Run Amok? 

(New Yorker) 

Columbia I—Hoseland (Cinema Shares), 

5th wk 

Columbia II—That Obscure Object of Desire 

(Fir 

Coronet—The Turning Point (20'h Fox) 

Fesiival— 1900 (Para), 3rd wk 

Fine Arts—The Lacemaker (Gaumont-New Ycitt 

6th wk 

Guild—Sununerdog (Sa.isbury) 

Jean Renoir—Confessions oi Amans 

(Bauer Infl) 

Little Carnegie—First Love (Pan), 3rd wk 

Paramount, Sutton—Shori Eyes (Film League), 

7th wk 

Pans—The Man Who Loved Women (Cinema 5) 

5th wk 

Pussycat West, Lido East—China de Bade 

(Stu Segall), 3rd wk 

Radio City Music Hall—Pete's Dragon (BV), 

3rd wk 

Rialto !I—Final Sin (Command Cinema), 

2nd wk 

68th Street Playhouse-Mr. Klein ( 

Quartet 

i 

2nd wk 

Trans-Lux East—Equus (UA), 5th wk 

Ziegleld—Close Liegleld- Encounters of the Third Kind 

(Col) 

'Average' is Best Description 

Of Baltimore Cinema Situation 

BALTIMORE—"Julia," 110; "Looking 

for Mr. Goodbar," 100; "Star Wars," 120; 

"The Sensuous Man," 110; "Sometime 

Sweet Susan." 110 and all the rest at 50 

. . . that is the story of exhibition on the 

shore of Chesapeake Bay. Fortunately, the 

holidays are drawing nigh and optimism is 

creeping back into 

exhibitors. 

the conversation of local 

Cinema 1—The Other Side of Paradise (SR) 50 

Five theatres-Sweet Revenge CJA) 50 

Mini-Fhck U—Sometime Sweet Susan (SR) 110 

Playhouse—The Sensuous Man (SR), 2nd wk. 110 

Towson, Weslview IV—Star Wars (20th-Fox), 

22nd wk. 120 

Westview I—Julia (2ath-Fox), 3rd wk HO 

Westview II—Looking for Mr. Goodbar (Para), 

,.4lh wk 100 

Westview III—Damnation Alley (20th-Fox), 

4lh wk 50 

DEDICATION CEREMONY—ladies of the Variety Club of New York 

Tent 35 recently donated a plaque in memory of Anne Bressler, the organization's 

former treasurer, at the Mental Retardation Institute in Valhalla, N.Y. The MRI 

is one of the principal beneficiaries of the New York Variety Club. Attending the 

dedication ceremony were, left to right, Betty Geffen, vice-president of Variety 

Club Women; Dr. Margaret Giannini, director of the Mental Retardation Institute; 

Louis Bressler, Anne Bressler's husband, and Ceil Susnow, president of Variety 

Women. 

Glenda Jackson's Position 

Marcia Rodd's Aspiration 

BALTIMORE— Marcia Rodd. starring in 

Herb Gardner's "Goodbye People," was interviewed 

recently by Anne McCracken of 

the Star. She revealed that, among other 

things, she wants to be in "Glenda Jack- 

really care about acting. 

"The only intellectual stuff we see comes 

from England . . . it's very frustrating," 

she noted. The actress gave her opinion that 

the British tradition is acting while ours is 

commercial. 

Reflecting on her background the midwesterner 

accused her chosen field of being 

one in which talent and success are divorced, 

unlike any other business where progress 

depends largely on ability. A Northwestern 

University graduate, she stated that she feels 

she is a good actress and that she trusts 

herself yet she does not consider herself a 

star. She also remarked about the necessity 

for "connections" as a prerequisite to speedy 

success. 

B'nai B'rith Picks Streisand 

'Woman of Achievement' 

NEW YORK—Barbra Streisand has been 

named "Woman of Achievement in the Performing 

Arts" by the women's division of 

the Anti-Defamation League Appeal of 

B'nai B'rith. The award will be presented 

to her at a kmcheon at the Hotel Pierre 

here Tuesday (29). Also honored will be 

City Council President-elect Carol Bellamy 

and Mrs. Jocelyn F. Chait, president of 

1. District B'nai B'rith Women. 

Rabbi Endorses 'Oh, God!' 

Despite Unlikely Premise 

PHILADELPHIA — Although "Oh. 

God!" received mixed reviews from the 

local newspaper and TV critics, the feature 

film was viewed with great favor by Rabbi 

Robert Layman, who told his congregants 

son's position," to be considered the best that he found the film "not only entertaining, 

but intellectually stimulating." Rabbi 

in the business on stage, screen or TV. She 

noted, however, that the fact that Jackson Layman is spiritual leader of Congregation 

comes from England apparently makes the Beth Tikvah-B'nai Jeshurun, a Conservative 

difference as she alleges Americans don't synagogue in suburban Erdenheim, Pa. 

Neil Simon's "The Cheap Detectivt 

scheduled for a spring release. 

Writing in the current issue of the congregational 

news bulletin, in his In Layman's 

Language column the Rabbi admits that it's 

a "rare occasion" when he and his family 

go to the show and when they do, the primary 

interest is in the "entertainment 

value." While he felt the basic premise of 

"Oh, God!" is "preposterous" in having the 

Almighty appearing suddenly on earth in 

human form. Rabbi Layman says that "once 

the viewer accepts that bit of fantasy his 

attention is riveted to several good messages 

which the film conveys." 

What is more, he added that he found 

that the picture contains "some good theology—and 

it is good Jewish theology." 

Rabbi Layman concludes: "I shall leave the 

technical points—the ability of the actors 

and the effectiveness of the direction and 

the cinematography—to the professional 

critics. I can. in good faith, heartily recommend 

'Oh, God!' As a Jew, you will identify 

with its message and you will enjoy it." 

Robert L. Mills, 73, Dies 

PHILADELPHIA—Robert L. Mills. 7.^. 

who had been maintenance engineer for the 

Stanley-Warner Theatre here for 40 years 

until his retirement, died Friday (11) at his 

home in suburban Newtown Square, Pa. 

He retired from the theatre circuit chain in 

1968. Surviving are his wife. Margaret; 

two dauchters. a sister and five grandchildren. 

BOXOFHCE ;: November 28, 1977 

E-1

I 

. . A 

BRO AD\N Ay 

'f ;:: iURNING point," 20th Century- 

: :;-.^ ballet drama starring Anne Ban- 

;.,.i( r.ftd Shirley MacLaine. opened at the 

Little Cameeie theatre Wednesday (23) 

crowds flocking to see it at the 

ease the 

Coronet. Produced by Herbert Ross and 

Arthur Laurents. the film was directed by 

Ross and written by Laurents. with Nora 

Kaye as executive producer. 

Also starring are Tom Skerritt, Mikhail 

Baryshnikov, Leslie Browne and Martha 

Scotl. .Antoinette Sibley. Alexandra Danilova. 

James Mitchell. Marshall Thompson. 

Anthony Zerbe and the American Ballel 

Theatre. Much of the picture was filmed in 

New York. 

Sahidin Jainmal. president of SJ Intenmlional 

Pictures, was an honored guest at tin- 

Virgin Islands Film Festival, along with actor' 

David Jans.ien. The company's current 

release. "The Swiss Conspiracy." which stars 

Janssen. was shown out of competition. 

The New York-hased Jammal also was 

looking at new product and meeting with 

.several of the producers attending the festival 

as pari of a .search for new acquisitions 

for .SJ 

International's growing release .schedule. 

• 

Stanley Adams, president of the American 

Society of Composers. Authors & Publishers, 

will speak on the effects of the new 

copyright law upon the musical community 

Thursday, December 8 at Storyville, 41 East 

58th St.. as the first of a new series of 

luncheon meetings sponsored by the New 

York chapter of the Recording Academy 

(NARAS). Admission is $7 to NARAS 

members and $9 for everyone else. 

Adams, who completed his legal training 

at New York University before becoming 

a noted lyricist, has played a major role in 

the long struggle which resulted in the 1976 

Copyright Act that goes into effect Janu- 

Mae West's "Sextette" and the Harold 

Prince production of "A Little Night Mu- 

^^ (dliriBtmaB 

^ anil Holtliaj! 4- 

QxSm MERCHANT 

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1327 S. WABASH AVE. CHICAGO 

^ 

to 

sic." starring Elizabeth Taylor, were the 

subjects of an article in the Wednesday (23) 

edition of the New York Post. In it. writer 

Stephen M. Silverman reports on the fact 

that neither film may ever get released because 

of unfavorable reactions in previews 

and test engagements. Universal and Warner 

Bros, have been involved with distribution 

rights to the West film, while Roger 

Carman's New World Pictures might release 

"Night Music" next year. The latter, 

based on the award-winning Stephen Sondheim 

Broadway musical and the acclaimed 

Ingmar Bergman film, "Smiles of a Summer 

Night." was shown at France's Deauvillc 

Film Festival last September. 

• 

Jeanette and Nelson will sing again when 

the Regency Theatre schedules 16 musicals 

to run" for a three-week period beginning 

Sunday (4), following its highly successful 

Bette Davis-Joan Crawford retrospective. 

MacDonald and Eddy will be seen both as 

a team and with other stars in the all-MGM 

cycle. The first week will highlight the singing 

stars in "Naughty Marietta" (1935), 

first their together, and "Rose Marie" 

(1936), through December 6. From December 

7 through December 10, the bill 

will be "Maytime" (1937), with MacDonald, 

Eddy and John Barrymore, and "The 

Merry Widow" (1934) with Maurice Chevalier 

and Jeanette. 

• 

The press reception scene has accelerated 

recently. Wednesday (16). Johnson & Johnson 

Baby Products presented showings of 

the film "Bathing Your Baby . Touch 

of Love" at the MGM Theatre, accompanied 

by a cocktail party. Wednesday (23) saw 

David Smith, the consid of Canada, presenting 

an animated film. "A Cosmic Christmas," 

at the offices of the Canadian Consulate 

General. 

Tuesday (29) Galaxy International Productions 

will host a reception to observe the 

start of production on "The Emerald Clue." 

which stars Ray Milland. Gloria Grahume 

and Lionel Stander. at the Waldorf Astoria. 

And distributor Joseph Brenner is giving a 

luncheon December I to keep the press 

happy. 

• 

In the magazines: Seventeen Magazine 

for December has chosen "The Tinning 

Point" as its "Movie of the Month." described 

by entertainment editor Edwin Miller 

as "a major effort to reveal the anguish, 

passion, bitterness and inspiration of an 

artist's life." Also reviewed in this issue 

are such other major films as "The Gooilhye 

Girl," "Heroes," "A Piece of the Action." 

"Bobby Deerfield" and "Valentino." 

Showcases for the Thanksgiving pcrioil. 

opening Wednesday (23) included "Beyond 

the Darkness," an exorcism thriller from 

Mid-Broadway Productions via Marvin 

Films; the New World double bill "Maniac!" 

starring Oliver Reed. Deborah Baffin and 

Stuart Whitman, plus "Andy Warhol's Bad." 

starring Carroll Baker: "Another Man. Another 

Chance," a United Artists release of 

a Claude Lelouch film starring James Caan 

and Genevieve Bujold; Columbia's "You 

Light Up My Life," and Warners' "A Piece 

of the Action." Sidney Poitiers comedy in 

which he stars with Bill Cosby and James 

Earl Jones. The X-rated "A Teenage Pajaiua 

Party" opened as an Adult Showcase presen- 

tation. 

Also playing were "Looking for Mi. 

Goodbar." "Inside Jennifer Welles." 

roes." "Bobby Deerfield." "Oh. God!". "Sim 

Wars," "The Spy Who Loved Me" and. on 

mini showcase, "Semi-Tough." 

NJ Film-TV Commission 

Getting Filmmakers to NJ 

TRENTON, N. J.—Motion picture producers 

have begun moving camera crews 

into the state to film segments of major 

films since the establishment of the New 

Jersey Motion Picture and Television Development 

Commission, according to Jacqueline 

Buesse, a member of the recentlyestablished, 

state-funded commission. She 

calls the upsurge in filming in the state a 

revival of the former glory days as well as 

providing a "shot in the arm" for the states 

economy. 

Through the commission, there is now a 

central location in New Jersey to help producers 

and to identify the state's natural 

resources, talent and technicians. She estimated 

it costs between $25,000 and $60,000 

a day to shoot on location and this helps 

contingent services as well as local businesses. 

From 1887 to 1920, New Jersey was the 

film capital of the world and production 

location of the most famous silent pictures. 

The commission's primary purpose is to entice 

film-TV producers here. Buesse said 

that producer Jon Peters shot scenes for 

Columbia Pictures' "Eyes" at the National 

Guard Armory in Jersey City last month 

and in September, portions of "Murphy's 

Law" were shot in Monmouth County by 

producer Jan-Peter Yelt. 

During November, scenes are being filmed, 

at Newark's Symphony Hall for the Michael 

Levee production of "Slow Dancing in the 

Big City," for which some 2.000 extras have, 

already been hired. Buesse said MGM has 

been scouting the state for locations, both 

suburban and urban sites, for a full-length 

film to be produced later this year. 

Ask Your Supply Dealer or Write 

HURLEY SCREEN COMPANY, Inc. 

2t Soroh Drive Farmingdele, L. I., N. Y., 11735 

BOXOFFICE :; November 28, 197'

WASHINGTON 

The American Film Institute's tenth anniversary 

celebrity spectacle held Thursday 

(17) flashed all the proper glittering 

credentials. The event was directed by AFI 

director George Stevens jr. and stars, superstars, 

motion picture directors par excellence, 

ored the Shah of Iran at dinner two evenings 

before the AFI gala. The President 

was overheard saying that by conversing 

with the foreign dignitary about oil prices, 

"perhaps the motion picture influence helped 

to hold down the price of oil next year." 

It was Hollywood West meeting Hollywood 

East when nearly 600 guests were 

received at the White House by the First 

Family prior to the benefit show in the 

Kennedy Center. At this festivity, the President 

said in part: "The movies have touched 

all of our lives. It gave me a vision of 

the outside world." Those attending the 

spectacular bash in the center's Opera 

House, approximately 2,000, learned that 

the AFI membership had voted "Gone With 

the Wind" the "Best American Film of All 

Time," with "Citizen Kane" and "Casablanca" 

as the runners-up. The show's entertainment 

was highlighted by film clips 

from the top ten motion pictures, with each 

introduced from the stage by cinematic personalities. 

Since AFI's creation by the National 

Arts Council in 1967, Stevens considers 

"survival" its main achievement. 

Michael Ritchie, director of the United 

Artists release "Semi-Tough," based on Dan 

Jenkins" 1972 best seller, hosted a preview 

showing of the film during the AFI's tenth 

anniversary series. He said he had read the 

author's article in Sports Illustrated and that 

he never has been able to obtain NFL permission 

to refer to the Dolphins. The story 

concerns the "amorous exploits of two NFL 

stars during Super Bowl Week." The Post's 

Gary Arnold said: "Although Ritchie's direction 

seems smoother than it ever has 

been, 'Semi-Tough' also seems a more impersonal 

kind of commercial film comedy 

... It is profanely funny and visually attractive 

. . . The film seems certain to become 

a crowd-pleaser." 

Theatre commercials—a marketing breakthrough—apparently 

are upon us; not here, 

as yet, because area exhibitors have not accepted 

the three-minutes worth of sell or 

block of ads. A Nashville-based firm. Cinemavision. 

seems set to start ad blocks in 

4,000 theatres by year's end, thus ending 

an era. Screenvision's commercials are 

shown in European cinemas. Moviegoers in 

New York and Los Angeles arc said to be 

accepting the ads—or "short subjects." 

Operators of theatres may find that the ads 

arc scinlillating. soft, entertaining commercials— 

not the hard-sell commercials one 

sees on TV—and they may bring in extra 

money, which could prove helpful in meeting 

today's high film rentals. Star movie 

critic Tom Dowling commented: "Commercials 

are at the marrow of our lives, thoughts 

and feelings." 

Herbert Schwartz, h/i/s president, is back 

at his office after attending the NATO 

convention in Miami Beach, Fla., where he 

met Joseph Brenner and agreed to represent 

Brenner's product in this exchange territory. 

Schwartz is setting up playdates for "Mannequin," 

"Submission" and "It's Not the 

Size That Counts," among others. 

Dan Tribble, American International Pictures' 

Southern division manager, was here 

visiting AIP branch manager Jerome Sandy 

Wednesday (16) and setting up a campaign 

for the world premiere in this city December 

23 of "The Private Files of J. Edgar 

Hoover." 

Foreign Films Doing Well 

In Allentown Area Houses 

ALLENTOWN, PA.— In earlier days, 

two local theatres, the Jeanette Cinema and 

the 19th Street Theatre, brought foreign 

its films to screens on a regular basis. Today, 

is interest in still 

foreign films being 

kept alive by the 19th Street Theatre and 

the Allentown Art Museum. With many 

colleges and large ethnic groups throughout 

the area, there is still a creditable boxoffice 

for foreign films. 

Almost all of the area colleges, principally 

Lehigh University at neighboring 

Bethlehem, and Lafayette College in nearby 

Easton, include foreign films in their 

weekly campus screenings which are open 

to the public at a reasonable price, usually 

$1 or less. Here in Allentown, Bob Friend, 

manager of the 19th Street Theatre, still 

brings in foreign films as available. Currently 

showing is "Black and White in 

Color." Friend has scheduled the French 

feature, "Pardon Mon Affaire," for the near 

future. 

Foreign language films are included in 

the series of New Wave Cinema presented 

every Friday night at the Allentown Art 

Museum. The series concentrates on the 

very personal filmic statements of American 

and European directors who choose to emphasize 

characters over action, location 

shooting and naturalistic acting. The series 

has two German films coming up in Rainer 

Werner Fassbinder's "Effie Briest" on November 

2.'5, and Werner Herzog's "Aguirre. 

The Wrath of Ciod" on December 2. Admission 

is $\.50 for museum members and 

$2.50 for the general public. 

Film Ads Find Cold 

Reception in Penna. 

PHILADELPHIA— Commercials in theatres 

here will not find a welcome mat as 

yet from either the theatre owners or the 

customers. Don Davidson, advertising and 

promotion director for the locally-based 

Sameric Theatres headed by Merton Shapiro, 

said that the circuit had been approached 

several months ago but turned it 

down "flat." He said the Sameric Theatres 

are not about to start subjecting audiences 

to seeing commercials on its screens. 

However, Davidson feels that the commercials 

are bound to come into this territory 

because there will be enough exhibitors 

looking for additional sources of income. 

But for Max Weiner, head of the Consumer 

Education and Protection Association commercials 

are a "rip-off." 

"It's bad enough we have to watch TV 

ads, but at least there we still 

have the privilege 

of turning the set off." Weiner said. 

"But what does the consumer do when 

charged admission so they can make money 

on us with advertisements? That's really 

carrying things too far." 

Willard Matthews, assistant to president 

Claude J. Schlanger of the Budco Quality 

Theatres here, said they do not plan to use 

commercials in their theatres. The Budco 

chain operates a number of drive-ins locally. 

General Cinema Corporation, which 

operates some 20 screens in the metropolitan 

area, has no plans to use movie ads at 

this time, either. 

American Multi Cinema, which has eight 

local screens in its 425-theatre circuit, including 

the 4-screen Woodhaven Mall Cinemas, 

is now testing Screenvision commercials 

in about half of its theatres to observe 

customer reaction. A spokesman said he 

finds the ads a lot less offensive than increasing 

ticket prices. 

The only screens that loom big right now 

for film commercials are those of United 

Artists, which has some 48 screens in a 

four-state area centered here. While recognizing 

that the public is opposed to the kind 

of commercials seen on the TV screens and 

will probably resent the introduction of 

commercials on the theatre screen, a spokesman 

said there is a need to generate some 

type of additional income for the theatres 

because of inflation. Since continuously 

raising ticket admissions is counter-productive. 

United Artists sees the commercials as 

a means of offsetting the sky-high operating 

costs for the theatres. 

"She'll 

Be Sweet" stars Tony LoBianco. 

CINERAMA IS IN 

SHOW BUSINESS IN 

HAWAII TOO. 

When you come to Waikiki 

g.rj^j^ 

don't miss the famous 

WT* 

Don Ho fHAWMil Show. . at 

. 

[hotels 

) Cinerama's Reef Towers Hotel. 

IN WAIKIKI REEF REEF TOWERS EDGEWATTJl 

BOXOmCE :: November 28. 1977 E-3

. . . Showcase 

. . . The 

. . Amy 

. . The 

. . 

. . . Sunday 

. . The 

. . Johnny 

BUFFALO 

T-i:e Ks«>ney Theatre in Elmira opened Deccr.ber 

25. 1925. In 1952 it became 

lin* E;inira Theatre and. on October 23, 

i977, it was the Samuel L. Clemens Performing 

Arts Center. The refurbished facility 

celebrated its reopening by featuring an 

American immortal singing the melodies of 

two American legends. Ella Fitzgerald highlighted 

her concert with melodies by George 

Gershwin and Duke Ellington. Mayor John 

M. Kennedy marked the occasion by presenting 

her with a key to the city and a 

plaque. 

"The Magic Pony'* is booked for the 

Kensington and the East Hills Mall Cinema: 

"Silver Bears" with Michael Caine is 

booked at the Seneca Mall and Valu cinemas; 

"Dirty Hands." Claude Chabrol's film 

with Rod Stciger and Romy Schneider, 

comes to the Valu as part of their fall 

festival. 

Jackie Reynal, French filmmaker, was 

the topic of discussion along with the 

screening of her 1970 film "Deux Fois" at 

the Albright-Knox Art Gallery. The film 

depicts woman as a "self-determiner" rather 

than "an empty sign which speaks the desire 

of men." 

Sara Hornbachcr. a Buffalo native, conducted 

a filmmaking course for women 

only at Rochester's White Ox Cinemedia 

Resource Center, recently. The course ran 

the gamut of 8mm and 16mm filmmaking, 

included a screening of some of Hornbacher's 

work and offered "hands-on" 

workshop sessions. 

Robert Swadon, Neal DuBrock and Dewey 

Michaels led groundbreaking ceremonies 

for the renovation and expansion of the 

new home of the Studio Arena Theatre on 

the site of the Old Palace. The new theatre 

is to be ready in April for the opening of its 

final, seasonal production. 

Doug Smith, Courier-Express reviewer, 

knocked the "Good" out of "Goodbar" with 

a scathing mini-review and the award of 

three chairs for "Looking for Mr. Goodbar" 

. . . Tom Roberts, general manager 

for Elmira-Colonial Theatres and a spokesman 

for Cinemas I and II at the Mall in 

Big Flats, both agreed that Elmira filmgoers 

will not be subjected to theatre commercials. 

DART 

Serving the Nat-ion 

for 

FILM ACCESSORIES 

Give us a call 

We'll tell you all about it. 

5421 Santa Monica Blvd. 

Hollywood, Calif. 

213-464-9283 

"Edvard Munch," a film biography of the 

turn-of-the-century Norwegian artist was 

screened at the Burchfield Center on the 

Buffalo State College campus recently with 

no admission charge ... "3 Women" by 

Robert Altman, a four-chair pick of the 

Courier-Express, was brought back to the 

Leisureland and Maple Forest theatres. 

Kim Hunter, in town for her role in 

"Semmelweiss," was honored by a party at 

which she received a lifetime membership 

in the Friends of the Buffalo Theatre . 

Pat Corey held a major studio preview of 

"Gray Lady Down" at the Boulevard Mall 

Cinema . Jones, daughter of Dr. 

and Mrs. Ralph Jones jr., of Buffalo, has 

been named editor of MGM's future release 

"Stingray." 

Hallwalls Gallery held a free public showing 

of the experimental films of Paula 

Court, a New York artist who has worked 

with the Experimental Media Foundation 

in London Intellectual Freedom 

and Due 

. 

Process Committee of the New 

York Library Ass'n discussed whether or 

not controversial films are being suppressed 

at a recent meeting. 

Johnny Whitaker, who looks like a grown 

up version of his five-year-old TV character 

Jody in "Family Affair," was in town 

to promote "The Magic Pony." a Russian 

made film in which he provides the English 

voice-over for Ivan, the main character. 

PITTSBURGH 

êrry Thomas and wife Natalie with their 

son Joshua Justice Thomas are pictured 

in the fall issue of On Campus. The 

couple are students at the Pittsburgh Theological 

Seminary. He is the son of Frank 

"Bud" Thomas of Mulone's Cinema 356 

Cinemas which had been 

using a quarter-page ad switched to advertising 

its five features in two-and-a-half inch 

displays . . . Fiesta and Showcase advertised 

"Looking for Mr. Goodbar" as "Goodbar." 

Mel Blanc staged his one-man show at 

the Rea Auditorium of the Sewickley Academy, 

Friday (18) . . . Stanley showed the 

multi-movie experience in quad-sound, 

"Sensasia" . Liberty featured "Gift of 

. . 

Love" and two other adult films . . . Playhouse 

is staging "A Christmas Carol." 

Showcase sneaked "The Kentucky Fried 

Movie" . . . Christmas shoppers demanding 

earlier theatre openings so the cinemette 

opened 60-75 minutes ahead of usual time 

and adult houses are opening as early as four 

hours prior to the other hardtops. 

The Christmas season hit local exhibition 

early as mid-November saw some theatres 

cutting back to a single showing nightly. 

Lack of product was blamed for the decline 

November issue of Brandon St. 

Charles' theatrical journal, That's Entertainment, 

named Bob Hope "Comedian of 

the Century" and paid homage to the late 

Bing Crosby . . . "Two Days in a Hot Place" 

topped the Cinema Follies Club film bill 

coupled with live burlesque. This offering 

followed the return of "Quarterback" on 

screen and the dancer. Bobby, on stage. The 

Cherchez La Fcmme Cabaret at 2001 next 

to the stadium, will have a single showing 

of Arthur Bressan jr.'s "Gay USA" at 

1 1 p.m., December 10. 

Local theatres are showing "French Classmates," 

"Young Lady Chatterly," "Between 

the Covers," "Moving Violation," "Eaten 

Alive," "Catastrophe," "Damnation Alley." 

. 

"Gator," "Heavy Load," "Baby Face." 

"Bobby Deerfield," "All About Jane." 

"Once Upon a Girl," "Young Nurses," 

"Student Nurses" and "Candy Stripe 

Nurses" . . Carl Rogal. top projection 

mechanic-repairman, is scouting for work. 

Exhibitors "now getting plenty of films 

at reasonable prices and enjoying excellent 

profits" were not invited to attend the 

NATO of Western Pa. EXPRODICO meeting 

at the Viking Motor Hotel. Tuesday 

(22), 

The Chatham Cinema premiered "The 

Turning Point" on Monday (21) as a benefit 

for the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. Featured 

was the film debut of dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov. 

The gala realized $20,000 for the 

local troupe. The Willard Rockwell jr.'s 

staged a cocktail party for 200 guests prior 

to the screening and a champagne reception 

was held in the theatre lobby after the show. 

"Close Encounters of the Third Kind" is 

headed this way with a high-powered ad 

campaign . Costa served as 

musical director for the live performance 

of TV's "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood" at 

the 

Stanley Theatre. Children's Hospital benefited 

from the receipts . . . "Telefon" will 

be at several neighborhood theatres next 

month . Forum and Encore showed 

"Cria!" Variety Club Tent 1 invited bar- i 

kers and guests to the club to see the Va- / 

riety International TV salute to Elizabeth 4 

Taylor to be aired on CBS December L Last 

year John Wayne was the honoree . . . The 

Ladies of Variety will sponsor a Christmas 

party that will begin at 7 p.m. December 20 

' 

night December 4 at 6 p.m. 

marks the start of Variety Club Monte Carlo 

night at the Pittsburgher Room of the William 

Penn Hotel. It is the kickoff event for 

the 

telethon. 

John Aniplas, who appeared in plays at 

Point Park College, drawing solid reviews 

for his performance in "Martin" which was 

lensed in Braddock by our own George 

Romero, who currently is producing "Dawn 

of the Dead." The London Film Festival, 

Saturday (26), featured "Martin" . . . Pittsburgh 

artist Roger Jacoby's "Kunst Life" 

(parts 1-4) was presented at the Pittsburgh 

Filmmakers Inc. screening room Tuesday 

(22). He worked on the film more than two 

years, going so far as to set up his own la 

to get the best possible prints. 

Blossom Dearie will do a solo performance 

December 6 at the Manor Theatre and 

E-4 November 28, 1977 

j

. . . Garden 

. . We 

. . . Showcase 

. . . Rick 

. . Frank 

;tart a four-nighter at the Top Shelf the 

ollowing night . . . "Lovelace Meets Miss 

tones" was at the Art Cinema following 

"laudia" . . . 

•Peach Fuzz" and "The Violation of 

Some Cinemette units are 

leing returned to Associated Theatres. 

:)urgh. Erie and Buffalo with Acton Corp., 

landled the operation which included the 

Manos in Vandergrift, Pa., hometown of 

Acton executive Samuel Phillips . . . 

Walt 

Disney's classic "Fantasia" (1940) in 

The Soviet Union's animation feature 

The Magic Pony" had its American preniierc 

Friday (18) at theatres in Pitts- 

stereophonic 

sound at the Showcase ... "A Place 

10 Come To" may opt for production here 

featured "Foxy Lady" . . . 

Tickets already are on sale for the annual 

Bobby Vinton show at Heinz Hall next 

June. 

Peripatetic Lowell Thomas, 85. was in 

plugging his books, films and TV shows. 

first met him "way back when" on 

old Filmrow . Olsen staged another 

mighty Wurlitzer organ concert at the South 

HiHs Theatre, Tuesday (15) . . . Lorimar's 

musical comedy film, "The Fish That Saved 

Pittsburgh," goes into production here in 

mid-March. 

Agreement was reached on a six-month 

extension, from October 31, 1977, of the 

union contract with hardtop projectionists 

sneaked "Gray Lady Down" 

with appropriate advertising . . . Gateway 

showed "Another Man, Another Chance" 

. . . Liberty offered three adult films topped 

by "Pleasure Talk" . . . "Young Lady Chatterly" 

was advertised as a "Beautiful X" 

Stern's Strand in Oakland will be 

remodeled as a fast-food counter when its 

lease expires next April. 

Post Pavilion Options 

Studied by Consultants 

B.\LTlMORE—The corporation developing 

Columbia has engaged a consultant to 

propose alternatives to converting the Merriweather 

Post Pavilion into a performing 

arts center according to a statement issued 

Tuesday (15). 

Michael D. Spear who heads the Columbia 

Development Project for the Howard 

Research and Development Corp.. announced 

that Arts Development Associates. 

Minneapolis, was awarded the $25,000 contract 

to make the evaluation. HRD is a joint 

venture of the Rouse Co., and Connecticut 

General Insurance Co. 

The pavilion, a $3,000,000 investment of 

the Howard County city, has operated at a 

deficit since its opening in 1967, Spear said. 

He noted that its operating deficit of $250.- 

000 annually recently has been reduced to 

$100,000 a year. 

Spear pointed out that the consultant 

would study options such as ownership of 

the facility by the state or county which 

could hire a management group to operate 

it. 

Brad Davis, Randy Quaid and Bo Hopkins 

star in "Midnight Express." 

Honorary Degrees Awarded Theatre 

Greats by Franklin & Marshall U. 

LANCASTER, PA. — Sir Laurence Olivier, 

Gregory Peck and Franklin Schaffner 

will receive honorary degrees from Franklin 

and Marshall College at a special convocation 

on Sunday, December 4. 

The event is being planned as part of a 

series of activities the College is having this 

fall to celebrate the reopening of its Green 

Room Theatre. The campus stage was 

closed for a year while undergoing $175,- 

000 of renovations. 

It was in the Green Room that Schaffner, 

1942 graduate of F&M and now one of 

a 

America's most successful film directors, 

got his start while an undergrduate. 

The three Oscar-winning personalities are 

scheduled to be in Lancaster in early December 

to film scenes in nearby New Providence 

for "The Boys From Brazil," based 

upon Ira Levin's best seller about the search 

for Nazis who fled Germany at the end of 

World War II to escape prosecution for war 

crimes. 

Stage to Screen 

Olivier, Peck and Schaffner will be honored 

by Franklin and Marshall both for 

their individual achievements on the stage 

and in films and for their success in bringing 

great stage plays to world-wide audiences 

thrugh the medium of film. 

The convocation is scheduled at 4:30 p.m. 

in F&M's Hensel Hall. It will be preceded 

by a press conference at 3 p.m. in the Green 

Room Theatre. 

Attendance at both events will be by invitation 

only due to the limited seating capacities 

of both halls, a college spokesman 

explained. Hensel Hall seats about 850 people, 

and the Green Room seats 218. 

A film clip from one of each man's major 

film achievements adapted from a stage play 

will be shown prior to the conferring of 

each honorary Doctor of Humane Letters 

degree. In addition, as is traditionally done 

when presenting honorary degrees at commencements, 

a citation will be read recounting 

each man's film career highlights and 

contributions. 

Receive Their Degrees 

Each of the recipients will be invited to 

speak after receiving his degree from President 

Keith Spalding. 

It is planned that a scene from the film 

version of "Richard III," which Olivier directed 

and starred in. or from "Henry V." 

which he produced, directed, and starred in 

will be screened to illustrate Sir Laurence's 

48 years as a major figure in cinema, especially 

in his adaptation of Shakespeare's 

work to film. 

In presenting Peck for his degree, the 

moving scene in which he. as the Lincolnesque 

southern lawyer, Atticus Finch, 

charges the jury in "To Kill A Mockingbird." 

will be shown. Peck won an Academy 

Award for the best performance by an actor 

in 1962 for his classic portrayal of Finch. 

Ihc film clip honoring Schaffner's work 

will be a scene from the final minutes of 

"The Best Man." which starred Henry 

Fonda and Cliff Robertson. The picture, 

based on Gore Vidal's play, is considered 

one of the best political films ever made. 

Olivier's career is marked by first-ranked 

acclaim both on the stage and in films. He 

is internationally known as a Shakespearian 

actor as well as versatile 

performer, producer 

and director. 

He was knighted in 1947 and was named 

a life peer in 1971. 

Peck set out to become a doctor when he 

entered the University of California at 

Berkeley. A sports injury turned his interests 

to college theatricals, and by the time 

he graduated in 1939. he shifted his career 

plans from medicine to show business. 

His film credits include "Keys of the 

Kingdom." "Twelve O'clock High." "The 

Yearling." "Gentleman's Agreement," "The 

Guns of Navarone" and recently "MacArthur," 

among the 50 films he has acted in 

or produced. 

Schaffner, a native of Lancaster, won an 

Academy Award for directing "Patton." His 

other credits include "The Lord Lord," 

"The Double Man," "The Stripper." "Planet 

of the Apes." "Nicholas and Alexandra." 

"Papillon" and "Islands in the Stream." 

The Franklin J. Schaffner Film Library 

is permanently established in F&M's Fackenthal 

Library. The library contains prints 

of Schaffner's films, along with copies of 

scripts, still photos, posters and other memorabilia 

connected with each of his 

films. 

Hilda Landwehr Pawling 

Dies, Was Ziegfeld Girl 

BALTIMORE—Hilda Landwehr Pawling. 

84. of 10850 Green Mountain Circle. 

Columbia, died at Howard County General 

Hospital. Wednesday (16) after a threeweek 

illness. Funeral services were held in 

Ellicott City. Saturday (19). She was the 

wife of the late Arthur S. Pawling sr. 

A retired Ziegfeld Follies chorus girl, she 

lived in Washington. D.C. with her husband 

tor a number of years and served as a coordinator 

of volunteers for the Republican 

party until her retirement seven years ago. 

Never one to rest on her laurels, she immediately 

became active in the American 

Ass'n for Retired People and as a volunteer 

for the Howard County Commission on 

Aging. 

She is survived by her son. .\rthur S. 

Pawling jr.. Columbia: her daughter. Mrs. 

Joan Maclary. Camp Hill. Pa.; a sister. Mrs. 

Greta Georgi. Babylon. N.Y.: four grandchildren 

and 1 1 great-grandchildren. 

Werner Reschmeier to Loews Quad 

LEVITTOWN. N.Y.—Loews Theatres 

has named Werner Reschmeier, manager of 

the Bay Terrace. Queens, as manager of 

the new Loews Quad at Nassau Mall. 

BOXOmCE :: November 28, 1977 

E-5

PHILADELPHIA 

B. Ellis, head of Ellis Theatres 

iv./-u(i;i 

" ^ 

oa,cd here, was elected to the Board 

o: irustees of the Federation of Jewish 

A«;ciicics for a term ending in 1979. Also 

:,erving on the board is Ralph W. Pries, 

president of Ogden Foods, who is a past 

chief barker of Variety Clubs International 

and the Philadelphia Variety Club. 

Books of eight tickets at a special price 

of S20. arc being offered by the Frank 

Family of Theatres in the Atlantic City, 

N.J. area. The tickets are good for admission 

to the Margate Twin "A" and "B" 

Theatres, the Towne Four (I, II. Ill, IV) in 

the Shore Shopping Mall, the Atlantic Drivein 

and the Absecon Drive-In. 

The Allen Lane Arts Center here will 

launch a series of children's film matinees 

on Sundays, starting with "Summer Magic." 

The Roosevelt Drive-In in suburban 

Langhornc. Pa., will become a Flea & Farmer's 

Market on Wednesdays and Sundays 

from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.. without interfering 

with the nightly movie showings. 

CATV may be operating in 

Haddonfield, 

N.J., by next summer if the borough accepts 

an offer made by Cable Systems Inc. 

purchase a bottle of soda pop for five cents 

and a giant candy bar for a quarter. 

Nico Jacobellis, Eastern division advertising-publicity 

manager for 20th Century- 

Fox in New York City, hosted a morning 

trade preview of "The Turning Point" at 

the Top of the Fox Screening Room prior 

to its opening at the Eric Rittenhouse in 

center city and the suburban Eric Wynnewood 

Theatres. 

Margaret O'Brien, child star of the 40's. 

is in town for a personal appearance at the 

John Wanamaker Store to launch the Holly 

Hobbie Contest for young boys and girls, 

for her toy company. 

A group of Hanafi Muslims in Camden. 

N.J., arc pressuring the city officials there 

to convert the abandoned Arlo Theatre there 

to a recreation center for young people. 

'Bed & Board' Sceened at Juliet 

POUGHKEEPSIE. N.Y. — Francois 

tniffaut's Gallic import. "Bed & Board," 

h;i

. . Herb 

jIus strippers, has been increased from $4 

.0 $5. 

The controversial X-rated film 'Inside 

Jennifer Welles" recently opened an exclusive 

North Jersey engagement at Arthur 

Morowitz's Montauk in Passaic. The Monlauk 

is managed by Edward Multeni. 

Mann's Fox in Woodbridgc continues to 

present special Friday and Saturday midnight 

showings of X-rated films and. according 

to latest reports, the venture has 

met with considerable success. Admission 

for the midnight showings is $3. The Fox 

presents regular PG, G and R-raled films 

during normal operating hours. 

The independent Liberty in Plainfield. 

which normally shows Spanish films, also 

has begun the presentation of X-rated films 

Friday and Saturday at midnight. As in 

Woodbridgc. admission is $3 per person. 

International Animation 

Fest Held at New School 

NEW YORK—The New York 

premiere 

and only local showing of the 12th International 

Tournee of Animation, a two hour 

program of short animated films gathered 

from around the world by the International 

Animated Film Association, took place on 

Monday (21) at The New School, 66 West 

12th Street. This program was developed by 

the Parsons School of Design, a division of 

The New School. 

The Tournee was dedicated to the memory 

of one of its co-founders and a recognized 

leader in the field, John Hubley, who 

died recently. The program opened with 

"Tender Game," a film made by Hubley 

and his wife Faith in 1959, featuring Ella 

Fitzgerald and the Oscar Peterson Trio. 

In all. 24 films were shown representing 

Although the United States with ten was 

represented by the largest number, Canada 

had a strong representation. Among the four 

pieces by Canadian filmmakers three are 

prize winners— "The Street" by Caroline 

Leaf, which won the Grand Prix at the Ottawa 

76 Festival and was nominated for an 

Academy Award; "Paysagiste (Mindscape)" 

by Jacques Drouin which won the Special 

Jury Prize at the Ottawa '76 Festival; and 

"Symbiosis" by David Cox which won the 

first prize for a Premiere Film at the Ottawa 

76 Festival. 

Other countries represented included Belglum. 

Italy, Hungary, Netherlands, Yugoslavia, 

Bulgaria, Poland, England and Japan. 

Other award winning or nominee films 

which were shown included "Dedalo" by 

Italy's Manfredo Manfredi and Aldo Raparelli 

which was nominated for an Academy 

Award and "Toilette" by Joan Freeman, 

which won a first prize at the Ottawa '76 

animation festival. 

Midway Sold. Kensington 

Now Is Without a Theatre 

PHILADELPHIA—With the sale of the 

Midway Theatre by owner-operator Ben 

Shapiro, a heavily populated industrial sec- 

tion of Philadelphia, Kensington will be 

without a single motion picture house. Once 

there were 16 theatres in Kensington, including 

the Midway, which was a flagship 

neighborhood house for the Stanley-Warner 

Theatres chain operating first-run product. 

The 2,724-seat theatre, which originally 

opened on Christmas Eve, 1932 with the 

showing of "Vou Said A Mouthful," has 

been sold to Peter Roberts Enterprises, 

Inc., a real estate development firm that 

plans to convert it into a complex of five 

or six stores. Shapiro said he sold the house 

because, like other large houses, it was too 

expensive to keep open. The cost to maintain 

a 3,000 seat house was just too great. 

Designed by the noted architect, Louis 

Magaziner, who also designed the Stanley- 

Warner's Uptown Theatre, a key neighborhood 

house still open, the Midway's ornate 

Art Deco facade and interior were featured 

in architectural magazines even before the 

ground was broken for it on the site of a 

former mill. 

In addition to the Midway, which was the 

class house in Kensington, the neighborhood 

once had the Allegheny, Alma, Brunswick, 

Cameo, Casino, Eagle, Empire, Palace, 

Harrowgate, Iris, Kent, New Broadway, 

Palm, Star, Windsor and Wishart Theatres. 

First Federal Savings 

Sponsors Film Finale 

LANSDALE, PA.—Without benefit of 

commercial announcements, the First Family 

Federal Savings and Loan Association, 

with five branches in suburban communities 

close to Philadelphia, is sponsoring a 

Film Festival during the closing days of the 

Lansdale Theatre. From Tuesday (15) to 

Wednesday (30), a series of 14 classic films 

— "the last picture shows in the last of the 

small city elegant movie palaces"—are being 

shown as a benefit. There is a $2 admission 

for single 

evening performances for 

the last screenings at the local theatre. First 

Family Federal will turn over all the boxoffice 

receipts to the North Penn United 

Way. 

The series started with "Storm Center," 

and single features are shown Monday 

through Saturday nights. The Film Festival 

ends with "Suddenly Last Summer." 

WOMPl Film 

Directory Changes 

If you have moved, or plan to move, 

since the last Filmrow Directory published 

by WOMPI last January, please 

notify Mable Cuinan, 5927 Winton, 

Dallas, 75206, telephone 821-9455. It 

takes a lot of time and checking to 

bring this directory up-to-date each 

year and WOMPI would like it to be 

as nearly perfect as possible. But we 

cannot do it without help in advising 

us of any changes that need to be 

made. The sooner the better as it must 

be typed, checked, corrections made 

and retyped before sending it on to the 

printers. 

BALTIMORE 

philip Krause is the new manager of the 

World and Boulevard in Salibury, 

Wayne Anderson, R/C District supervisor 

. . . said Vera Wolfe announced that minutes 

of the recent NATO of Md., annual 

meeting will be sent to those who missed 

The R/C Circuit Christmas blast will 

it . . . 

be held at the home of "bossman" Irwin 

R. Cohen, December 14. Sareba Maslow, 

Cohen's ace assistant, announced that guests 

will come in from all over the area. The 

Aaron Seidlers (he's the R/C v-p) will again 

have a major role in insuring the party's 

success. 

Wayne Anderson also annoimced that 

Nichol Saun is the new leader at the Dorset 

Theatre in Cambridge ... Pat Smoot, assistant 

manager at the Carrolltowne, filling 

in for her boss, Donald Stephens who is recuperating 

from a heart attack . . . The 

George Eitels (regional manager of Nationat 

Theatre Supply, based here, back home 

Monday (14) after a two-week visit with his 

in-laws in Albany. Ga. . . . George Kelly, 

outgoing Paramount branch boss in D. C, 

in town with his replacement Larry St. 

John. 

"The Turning Point" was screened here 

Monday (21) as a benefit for the Maryland 

Ballet Education Fund . Gardner's 

"The Goodbye People" drew applause from 

Sun critic R. G. Gardner . . . Mayor Donald 

Schaefer justified subsidization of the 

Mechanic Theatre by citing its effect on 

downtown economy. Nonetheless, taxpayers 

will absorb a $711,000 deficit in addition 

to the half-million dollars spent for renovation. 

Russell C. Wondcrlic, Lyric Foundation 

Inc.. official annoimced that a larger measure 

of control of the 

Lyric Theatre was being 

passed on to the University of Baltimore 

Educational Foundation in an effort to boost 

fund-raising for renovation. Thus far $867.- 

777 of a "projected $5,600,000 has been 

gathered . . . Dennis Wheatley, whose 

books on witchcraft and other bizarre circumstances 

were internationally popular, 

died in his London home Friday (11). One 

of his books. "Uncharted Seas." appeared 

as the motion picture "The Lost Continent." 

Leon B. Back, Rome Theatre's General 

Manager, announced that Raul Berriga's 

A & E Painting Contractors completed their 

work on the Apollo Theatre ... A loveletter 

from Ernest to Mary Hemingway, 

written from northern France during World 

War II prior to their marriage, sold for 

$3,400 during the Detroit Public Library 

auction. 

Jack Helsley. Loews, Trcmsferred 

RICHMOND, VA.—Jack Hclsley has 

been shifted from Loews theatres, Richmond, 

to managership of the Loews Park 

Central Quad, opening in Dallas in mid- 

December. Helsley is succeeded here by 

newly-promoted assistant manager Christopher 

Snead. 

BOXOmCE :: November 28, 1977 E-7

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Christmas Seals Fight Lung Disease 

AMERICAN ^ LUNG ASSOCIATION 

I The "Christmas Seal" People 

Space conifibuied by ihe publisher as a public service % '" 

We CBre about Bvery breath you take 

E-8 

BOXOFTICE :: November 28. 197'

hree Films Gross 400 

ro Lead Denver List 

DENVER—Three films— "Heroes.- "The 

Mouse and His Child" and "Oh, GodI"— 

Jed for the first place position this report 

Aêek with grosses of 400. The race for the 

iecond-place position ended in a two-way 

ie between "Looking for Mr. Goodbar" 

ind "Star Wars." which grossed 300. The 

;hird-place position was occupied by •Julia," 

tvhich earned 275 during its fourth week at 

the Tamarac. 


Century 21—Bobby Deeilield (Col). 4th wk 150 

3herry Creek—Looking for Mr. Goodbar 

(Para). 5th wk 300 

:;olorado Fouv-Liz (SR) 150 

Colorado Four-9/30/55 (Univ), 5th wk 50 

:;onlmental—Damnation Alley (20th-Fox) 

don Mon Aifaire 

Four theat.'i,- Darby O'Gill 

Little People (BV) 

Four thea'r. ..-Semi-Tough lUA) 

5ix Iheolres-The Mouse and His Child (SR) 

Tamarac S,.x-Iulia iJOth-Fox), 4ih wk 

I'hree theal:es-First Love (Para), 2nd wk

Hollywood 

P'ANCY YOUNGBLOOD has been pro- 

* 

moted to corporate vice-president in 

charae of creative affairs for the Movie Ma- 

Happenings 

national's "The Island of Dr. Moreau." ar- 

Trust Fund and Hair Stylists Local 706. 

Completing the 18-month program were S. 

Dale Condit. Nora M. de la Torre, John M. 

Elliott, Marie Carter, Robin Dee LaVigne, 

Jo Anna Robinson Charles, Freddie Mc- 

Clelland, Marvin Mclntire and Mark Bus- 

the MODERN THEATRE. (Remittance 

to: 

payable Trout, 

Editor, 

Wesley Cash 

Check M.O,-No CODs). WESLEV 

or 

TROUT EDITOR, Box 575, Enid, Oklahoma 

73701. 

W-2 

BOXOmCE :: November 2S, 1^7

I 

SAN FRANCISCO 

Cpecialty Films' •'Allegro Non Troppo" 

earned superb grosses during its first 

three days at the Surf Theatre. 

Mitch Blum was in town rceenily to host 

a luncheon and screening of the latest Joseph 

Brenner release. •Submission." for local 

exhibitors. 

Recent sneak previews included Warner 

Bros." ••Capricorn One." Plaza Theatre. 

Daly City: Universal's ••Gray Lady Down." 

Northpoint, and Avco's '•Rabb't Test," 

Ghirardelli Square Cinema. 

A screening of 20th Century-Fox's 

"Julia" was held the Metro Theatre 

at 

along with a party at the Delancey Street 

Restaurant for the benefit of Solarcal, an 

organization researching new ways of harnessing 

solar energy. The film's star, Jane 

Fonda, was on hand to greet guests and 

sell sign one-sheets to as part of the fundraising 

effort. 

One can hardly turn around lately without 

running into a film crew hard at work 

here. Colin Higgins is filming "Foul Play" 

with Goldie Hawn and Chevy Chase, and 

Philip Kaufman is restaging "Invasion of 

the Body Snatchers" with Donald Sutherland. 

Sacramento's Showcase Theatre, the latest 

acquisition of Parallax Theatres, will be 

run as a first-run art theatre: their other 

Sacramento house, the ••J" Street Cinema, 

will continue to run on a repertory policy 

... A wine-tasting reception and screening 

of "Cathy Tippel" were held at the Showcase 

recently in a benefit for the Sacramento 

Film Festival. The event received 

much press coverage and was well attended 

by state political figures. 

Exhibitors saw a screening of "•Telefon" 

recently. While watching the film at the 

Warfield viewers were amused to see our 

own Hyatt Regency hotel playing the part 

of a Houston high-rise. 

Aljean Harmelz, whose long-awaited 

book, "The Making of the Wizard of Oz" 

has recently been published by Knopf, 

was in town to talk about her work researching 

the book. 

The Bay Area lost a true friend this 

month when Alex Goldberg died. Alex 

worked for many years at National Screen 

Service as well as doing stints at several 

theatres in town. He was an avid collector 

of movie memorabilia including thousands 

of one-sheets, stills and issues of every 

trade magazine. He tried to see every film 

that came out and loved to spend hours discussing 

films with his fellow fans. He managed 

to light up every room he entered; he 

will be missed. 

conjunction with the Canadian Consulate 

In 

General here, the 

Canadian-American 

Society will be co-hosting the Northern California 

premiere of •'Games of the XXI 

Olympiad: Montreal 1976." which will be 

shown on Tuesday (29) at the Palace of 

Fine Arts. 

Local exhibitors were able to see Bernardo 

Bertolucci's long-awaited ••|9{)()" on 

Tuesday (23). The film was shown in its 

four-hour version at the Wodell Screening 

Room. 

Tomas Gutierrez Alea, director of "Memories 

of Underdevelopment." the much-acclaimed 

Cuban film, has recently completed 

his latest film, '•The Last Supper." The 

film has been invited to the Chicago Film 

Festival and Filmex in Los Angeles and as 

a result of Tom Luddy's efforts, the Pacific 

Film Archive will be showing the film as a 

special preview on Wednesday (30) at 7:30 

in Wheeler Auditorium on the University 

of California. Berkeley campus. 

Jose Perez, star of '•Short 

Eyes." recently 

talked with members of the press about his 

work in the film. He also made an appearance 

at KDIA Radio's screening of the film 

for commimity and self-help organizations. 

Expansion Plans Set 

For Tropic Theatre 

LEESBURG, FLA.— Bill Cumbaa, president 

of MCM Theatres, announced expansion 

plans for the local Tropic Theatre to 

match the growth of this city. He said the 

Tropic opened Thanksgiving Day. 1960. 

with "High Times," starring Bing Crosby. 

Expansion will consist of remodeling the 

present theatre, construction of a second auditorium 

on adjoining property and conversion 

of the present entrance and lobby 

into joint lobby and concession areas serving 

both theatres. 

MCM also operates two other Leesburg 

theatres, the Vista and Crest Drive-In. 

PETERSON 

THEATRE 

SUPPLY 

455 Bearcat Drive 

Times Square Park 

Salt Lake City, Utah 84115 

801-466-7642 

SALT LAKE CITY 

pilmrow is chuckling over the screening of 

Pro-Industries production of "Ding 

Dong." 

A special general managers meeting was 

held at the Plitl Theatres district office for 

all managers in the intermountain district. 

The Western division vice-president Edward 

Plitt and Bill Haver who is in charge of 

advertising and promotion were in attendance. 

Doug Larner of the booking department 

was also present. The theme of the 

meeting was how to promote pictures dining 

the Christmas season. 

The meeting opened with a status report, 

which revealed a record year for the company, 

and was followed by an address by 

Ernest Hoffman, divis'on manager, who 

covered some areas of operations and past 

promotions. The floor was then given to 

Larner who covered the complexities of 

booking films. Larner asked for feedback 

relative to products playing in the managers' 

areas as well as any information that 

would have a bearing on grosses. A question 

and answer session was then held until 

the group adjourned to the Widow McCoy's 

for lunch. Following lunch Bill Haver presided 

over the remainder of the meeting 

which covered promotions held in the past 

and those planned for the future. He then 

held a workshop regarding advertising. 

Deluxe General Laboratories in Hollywood 

has been given the job of printing 

and supplying all the release prints for the 

film ••The Wendigo," according to Paul 

W. Kener and Raymond H. Smith, producers 

of the film. 

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ALSO: DRIVE-IN EQUIPMENT- 

BOXOFnCE :: November 2.S. 1977

A Variety of First Run Films to Debut 

In Colorado During Christmas Season 

By JACK ROSE 

DENVER—The film companies hiave 

their first run bookings all set for Christmas. 

Here are the bookings for Colorado, 

with the companies named in alphabetical 

order: 

American International Pictures' "Grayeagle" 

will unwind at the Colorado Four. 

Arvada Plaza. Northglenn and Target, all 

in Denver; and at the Rustic, Colorado 

Springs; Pueblo Mall, Pueblo; Cinema 25, 

Grand Junction; Aggie. Ft. Collins; Hillside, 

Greeley; Fox, Montrose: Parkway, 

Longmont; Cinema Mall, Leadville, and 

Gunnison. 

Flicka, 

Bucna Vista has "Pete's Dragon" booked 

at the North Valley. Cinderella City, 

Westland and the Aurora Mall, all in Denver; 

and at the Cinema 70, Colorado 

Springs; Chief, Pueblo; Mesa, Grand Junction; 

Village, Boulder, and Wellshire, 

Greeley, and Foothills, Ft. Collins. 

Columbia Pictures will unwind "Close 

Encounters of the Third Kind" at the Cooper. 

Denver; UA Cinema, Colorado Springs; 

Cooper. Pueblo; Village, Boulder; Campus 

West. Ft. Collins, and the Cooper. Grand 

Junction. 

J&B Independent Film Distributors will 

unwind "Liz" at the Colorado 4. Denver, 

and the Cinema 70, Colorado Springs. 

Paramount Pictures will have a good 

representation and will be showing "Saturday 

Night Fever" at the Aladdin, Lakeridge, 

Buckingham and the Westminster, in 

Denver; and at the Village, Boulder; Cooper, 

Colorado Springs; Aggie. Ft. Collins; 

Greeley Mall, Greeley, and the Pueblo 

Cinema 4, Pueblo. 

United Artists has a strong lineup for 

"Telefon" and "Semi-Tough," which will be 

showing at 19 theatres at Christmas. "Telefon" 

will be at the Colorado Four, Tamarac 

Square, Westminster and Buckingham 

Square in Denver; and at the Village 

Boulder; Cinema 72 and Mall of the Bluffs 

Colorado Springs; Century Mall, Ft. Col 

lins; Cinema No. 2, Pueblo; Teller Arms 

Grand Junction, and the Wellshire. Greeley 

"Semi-Tough" has been booked at the Cherry 

Creek. Lakeridge; Westminster, Denver 

Regency, Boulder; Peak and Cinema 73 

Colorado Springs; Fox, Ft. Collins; Cinema 

4. Pueblo, and the Greeley Mall, Greeley. 

Universal also has two films booked for 

the Christmas season. "The Choirboys" will 

be at the Paramount. Target Village. Northglenn 

and the Valley. Denver; Cooper and 

the Rustic Hills. Colorado Springs; Basemar. 

Boulder; Centennial Mall. Ft. Collins, 

and Pueblo Cinema, Pueblo. "Which Way 

Is Up?" will be at the Cooper Cameo. 

Denver and Lakeridge, which are all in 

Lakewood. 

Warner Bros, also has two features booked 

for the Christmas holidays. "The Gauntlet" 

is booked for the Center, Denver; Citadel 

and the Cooper. Colorado Springs; 

Boulder, Boulder; Pueblo Mall, Pueblo; 

Century. Ft. Collins; Monument. Grand 

Junction; Cooper. Greeley and the Orchard 

Twin. Loveland. "The Goodbye Girl" will 

be showing at the Cherry Creek and Villa 

Italia. Denver; and the Fox, Boulder and 

Citadel 2. Colorado Springs. 

Irene Dunne to Speak 

At Benefit Dinner 

FORT COLLINS. COLO.— Actress Irene 

Dunne will be the featured speaker at the 

Twentieth Century-Fox has booked "The 

World's Greatest Lover" at the Continental. third annual Greeley and Ft. Collins Business 

Denver; Ute. Colorado Springs; Pueblo 

and Professional Dinner to benefit the 

Cinema. Pueblo; Teller Arms. Grand Junction; 

Flatirons. Boulder; Foothills. Ft. Collins, 

National Asthma Center at the Safari Restaurant 

December I. 

and the Greeley Mall. Greeley. Fox The National Asthma Center in Denver 

also has "The Turning Point" booked at the 

ill 

a non-profit hospital for chronically 

Century 21, Denver. 

is 

asthmatic sufferers. Tickets are $30. Reservations 

can be made by phoning 352-1651 

in 

Greeley. 

This time do things right 

JHEATRE EQUIPMENT SPECIALISTS • DESIGN CONSULTANTS . MAJOR 

EQUIPMENT LINES, SALES, SERVICE, AND INSTALLATION . IN-HOUSE 

DRAPERY & DESIGN DEPARTMENTS . DRIVE-INS . SPECIAL PROJECTS 

SEATTLE 

lêcent screenings at 

the Jewel Box included: 

"Telefon," MGM and United Artists; 

"Casey's Shadow." Columbia; "Scotl 

Joplin," Universal; "Mean Dog Blues." 

American International Pictures; "Another 

Man. Another Chance." United Artists, and 

"1900," Paramount. 

Marquee changes: "20th Century Oz," 

Valley 2, Aurora, Bel-Kirk, Admiral. Sea- 

Tac 6 and Neptune; "First Love." Uptown 

and Everett Mall; "Bobby Deerfield." King, 

Renton Village. Bellevue Overlake and Aurora, 

and "Heroes." Bellevue Overlake. 

Renton Village and Aurora. 

"Looking for Mr. Goodbar" is doing outstanding 

business at the Cinerama while 

"Oh. God!" continued to pack the Southcenter, 

Northgate and Belvue theatres. 

"Gray Lady Down" from Universal Picr 

tures was previewed at the Renton Village 

Cinema with "Heroes" on Thursday (17). 

Winter suddenly arrived on Thursday 

(17) in the area with as much as three and 

one-half inches of snow in some of the 

northern and southern suburbs while the 

temperatures dropped into the 20s. 

"Darby O'Gill and the Little People" 

from Walt Disney opened at the Everett, 

Lewis and Clark 3. Lynn 4. SeaTac 6 Cinema, 

and the Bellevue Crossroads Twin on 

Thursday (17). 

Bill 

Mallette, who managed the Coliseum 

Theatre under the Mann banner, retired 

from the theatre business Wednesday (16), 

cuit . . . 

the same date that Mann turned the theatre 

over to Tom Moyer's Luxury Theatres cir- 

The general manager of Tom 

Moyer's Luxury Theatres was in the area to 

talk with his managers and oversee the new 

transition. 

There were some 911 entries in the 

"Darby O'Gill and the Little People" color-' 

ing contest that appeared in Fim, the en 

tainment weekly. 

Myriad Announces New Schedule 

STILLWATER, OKLA. — Myriad Cine 

ma International, an Oklahoma-based cor 

poration, has announced its 1977-1978 pro 

duction schedule according to chairman o 

the board Arthur Leonard: "Five Faces o 

Terror," "College Press," "The Treasure o' 

Hazzard Welles," "A Woman to Remem 

ber," "JFK and More and More and More' 

and "In Black and White." 

The producer will be William 

' 

Jackson. 

PHE FILBERT COMPANY WILL INITIAl OMPLETE THE ENTIl 

FiLSERC 

1100 FLOWER STREEXBOX 5085 

GLENDALE. CALIFORNIA. 91201 (213)247-6550 



HAWAII TOO. 

When you come to Waikiki, 

*^°"'* "^'^5 *^^ famous 

BifESC* 

H4WAU ^^^ '^° Show. . at 

. jioTELSj Cinerama's Reef Towers Hotel. 

IN WAIKIKI: REEF 

• REEF TOWERS • EDGEWATtR 

BOXOmCE :: November 28. 197

dainHEBTH 

SHOW AND TELL—The lonstriiction 

of a log cabin at the entrance of 

the Scottsdale Theatre in South Bend, 

Ind., is credited with adding greatly to 

boxoffice receipts for the showing of 

"The Lincoln Conspiracy." Dennis 

Hutchins, manager of the Scottsdale, 

had the cabin painted to match the 

colors in the promotional posters for 

the film—and e>en had real green 

grass brought in for completing the 

site's atmosphere. It can be concluded 

that Hutchins' efforts were very worthwhile. 

The film outran any other showing 

in the initial break. 

'Oh, God!', 'Slar Wars' 

Top Kansas City List 

KANSAS CITY—The race for the top 

position ended in a two-way tie this report 

week between "Star Wars" and "Oh, God!"', 

which grossed 310. The second-place position 

was claimed by "Heroes," which 

averaged 290 in its second week at four 

theatres while newcomer "First Love" finished 

third with grosses of 185 at four theatres. 


Antioch, Glenwood—Star Wars (20th-Fox), 

25th wk 310 

Brywoo;>, Metro North—You Light Up My Ule 

(Col), Uth wk 55 

Embassy—luUa (20th-Fox), 3rd wit 175 

(SR), Empire—Big Time 3rd wk 45 

Empire—Disco 9000 (SR), 2nd wk K 

Fine Arts—Valentino (UA), 6th wk 55 

Five theaires-Mastermind {SR} 55 

Five theatres—Smokey and the Bondit 

(Umv), 16ih wk 150 

Four thea'res—First Love (Paia) 

Four theotres—Heroes (Umv), 2nd wk 

^35 

2^0 

Glenwood, Plaza—Bobby Deerlield (Col), 

3rd wk 120 

Midland—Damnation Alley i.Oil.-F'x 1 1 h wk 65 

Oak Park— The Lincoln Conspiracy 

wk (Sunn Classed, fith 54 

oi Seven theaires-Mansion the Doomed (SR) 150 

Six theaires—The Kentucky Fried Movie 

(SR), 5lh wk 120 

Three theatres—Cry ol a Prostitute (SR) 60 

Three theatres—Oh, God! (WB), 5th wk 310 

Watts Mi]:- The Sensual Man (SR) 75 

Several Speakers Highlight 

Theatre Owners Confab 

INDIANAPOLIS—The 51st annual convention 

of the Theatre Owners of Indiana 

concluded Thursday (10) amid claims from 

participants that it was one of the most 

informative and best attended conventions 

in many years. 

The keynote address was delivered by 

Edwin Tobolowsky, an attorney from Dallas. 

Tom Patterson qave an informative talk 

TOYS FOR YOUNGSTERS—The Illinois 

State Grange, known as the oldest 

farm fraternity, contributed 450 toy stuffed animals to the Variety Club of Illinois 

for distribution to various children's charities. La Rabida Children's Hospital, Little 

City for Mentally Handicapped Children, Chicago School and Workshop for the 

Retarded and the North Center for Handicapped Children, all in Chicagoland, were 

the recipients. Shown during the presentation of the toys are: Bene Stein, president 

of Tent 26, standing center, flanked by Mr. and Mrs. Pagles of the Grange group, 

kneeling are, left to right, Cliff Payne and Ted Wilmes. 

regarding the status of the NITE organization. 

An address concerning a new concept in 

distribution of motion pictures was given 

by Robert Levine from Challenge Pictures 

Corp. while Barbara J. Lowe of Kansas 

City, Mo., presented program on a new 

a 

advertising procedure called "Now Showing." 

Robert E. Richey, a certified public 

accountant, presented an address on tax 

planning. The subject of property and liability 

insurance as it relates to theatre 

owners was discussed by Michael M. Bill. 

A reception was held at Anthony's Restaurant 

prior to the screening of Warner 

Bros." "The Goodbye Girl" at the Woodland 

Theatre. Before the screening a plaque was 

given to the outstanding showman of the 

year. Benny Berger was the recipient of this 

Trueman T. Rembusch award. 

During the convention several other 

product reels were screened including 

United Artists' "Semi-Tough." 

$2,500 Fine for Showing 

'Youthful Lust' in Kas. 

WICHITA. KAS.—The Next Door Cinema 

Corp., convicted last month of exhibiting 

an obscene film at the Calico Cat Theatre, 

has been fined $2,500. Sedgwick County 

Dist. Court Judge James Noone delayed 

payment of the fine to give the corporation 

time to file a notice that it will appeal the 

conviction. 

If the fine—the maximum under state 

law for promoting obscenity—is appealed, 

payment won't be required until final disposition 

of the case in a higher court. 

The owners have shuttered the theatre 

since they were charged with the misdemeanor 

of promoting obscenity for showing 

the film "Youthful Lust" January 21. A 

jury found the corporation guilty September 

15. 

The jurors decided, however, that the 

companion feature, "Memories Within Miss 

Aggie," wasn't obscene and the corporation 

was acquitted of a promotion-of-obscenity 

charae in connection with that film. 

ST. LOUIS 

{Record City," a comedy with music will begin 

a ten-theatre multiple showing December 

2. The American International release 

revolves around the activity and fun in 

a record shop where people come to 

"groove" to the music and action. Michael 

Callan heads the cast, which also includes 

the talented Ruth Buzzi, Larry Storch, Jack 

Carter, Frank Gorshin and Kinky Friedman. 

The holdovers of this fall season are still 

doing outstanding business and the Thanksgiving 

week audiences apparently needed 

no new attractions to augment such features 

as 

"Star Wars," "Oh, God!", "Bobby Deerfield," 

"Heroes" and "Julia" along with the 

more recently released "Looking for Mr. 

Goodbar" and "Semi-Tough," which are 

drawing crowds to local boxoffices. 

Jerry Banta reported that "The Kentucky 

Fried Movie" was doing outstanding business 

in its fifth week and it appeared that 

the public was becoming more interested in 

comedy. 

Universal held a tradescreening Thursday 

(17) of "Gray Lady Down." which is 

PG-iated at the Grandview Cinema 1. The 

Mirisch production boasts of a cast that includes 

Charlton Heston, David Carradine, 

Stacy Keach and Rosemary Forsyth. It is 

scheduled for release next year. 

The latest addition to the staff at Mid- 

America Theatres is Sandy Barrett who 

was formerly with Arthur Enterprises. She 

will assist Scott Jablonow, booker and buyer 

for the circuit. Scott and his bride of one 

month enjoyed a Colorado honeymoon. 

Washington University's Film Art Society 

series will conclude with the showing of 

The Beggar's Opera" on December 9 and 

II. The comic opera stars Sir Laurence 

Olivier as the highwayman. Admission is 

BOXOFnCE C-1 

$1.75.

Distinguished Classics are Offered 

In On-Campus Series at Joplin, Mo. 

JOPLIN. MO.—A varied selection, including 

the work of such celebrated performers 

and filmmakers as Greta and V. I. 

Pudovkin, is being offered this year in the 

Spiva Art Center Film Society's 16th annual 

International Film Classics Series. 

Films in the program, co-sponsored by the 

Missouri Arts Council and the society, are 

unspooled in the Fine Arts Building on the 

Missouri Southern State College campus. 

Season tickets for the ten-film series were 

priced at $4 for adults and $3 for students. 

The kickoff offering October 4 was "College," 

considered one of Buster Keaton's 

greatest comedies. This motion picture was 

made at the peak of Keaton's productive 

period and, because of the ironic reversal 

of modes and manners among the counterculturists 

of today, is more "contemporary" 

than other Keaton comedies. 

Nazi's Destroy Film 

Presented October 18 was "No Man's 

Land," a powerful antiwar film from Germany, 

circa 1931. The Nazis ordered all 

the film's negatives destroyed and this is the 

most complete version available of the few 

surviving prints. The story is described as 

"an outcry against the madness of war, told 

from the viewpoint of five men—a German, 

Frenchman, Englishman, Jew and black 

man—who are thrown together in the cellar 

of a ruined castle after a horrible battle. 

Despite the language barrier, they learn to 

understand each other and organize a successful 

communal existence." 

Screened Friday (4) was "The Raven," 

shocker directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot 

for a Nazi film company during the occupation 

of France. It was shown throughout 

occupied Europe as anti-French propaganda, 

although this was not Clouzot's intent. 

The story involves a small town plagued by 

poison-pen letters and is based on an actual 

happening in Tulle, France. 

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The Tuesday (15) offering was Tony 

Richardson's drama, "A Taste of Honey." 

Rita Tushingham received the "Best Actress 

of 1962" award at the Cannes International 

Film Festival for her portrayal of Jo, an 

English schoolgirl. The film is noted for its 

treatment of such issues as teenage pregnancy, 

unwed motherhood, tension between 

mother and young adult, inter-racial romance 

and homosexuality. 

The fifth program in the series, 

scheduled 

Tuesday (29) is the Swedish horror classic 

"The Phantom Chariot." Famed in its day 

for chilling use of double exposure in the 

scenes of Death driving a chariot, the film 

may have lost some of its horrific quality 

but little of its uncanny beauty. Its otherworldly 

atmosphere is due, in part, to an 

amazing series of flashbacks, to its fog-filled 

sets and a fine performance by director Victory 

Sjoostrom, who also plays the role of 

a miserable drunkard. 

Lamarr Film Screened 

Hedy Lamarr willl provide a change of 

pace with "Ecstacy," once considered a 

shocker. The erotic, yet tasteful film, is 

slated to be unspooled January 24. Publicity 

emphasizing Miss Lamarr's nude 

scenes in this 1933 production have obscured 

its charming qualities. A comment 

by film critic Parker Tyler reads: "In films 

of recent years, we have been treated to 

so many brutally convincing aspects of 

women in sexual situations that this vision 

of Hedy Lamarr seems one of lyric enchantment." 

Set for February 7 is "The Joyless 

Street," starring Greta Garbo. Directed in 

1925 by G. W. Pabst, this film depicts the 

devastated lives of persons in inflation-ridden 

'Vienna after World War I. The film 

brought instant fame to both Garbo and 

Pabst. 

Carl Dreyer's Opus 

Carl Dreyer's haunting masterpiece, "Day 

of Wrath," is scheduled as the eighth program 

for screening February 21. The picture 

was made in occupied Denmark during 

World War II. The mood and texture of 

this feature—a story of a 7th century witch 

hunt—are unequaled. 

The 1965 Japanese horror film "Kwaidan" 

will be unreeled March 7. This collection 

of four tales of the supernatural was 

written by Lafcadio Hearn, an American 

who became a Japanese subject. Judith 

Crist said of this picture: "The ultimate in 

ghost stories . . ." Bosley Crowther called it 

"a horror picture with an extraordinary delicate 

and sensuous quality." 

The final offering will be V. I. Pudovkin's 

"Storm Over Asia," to be presented 

April 1 1 . This drama of the early years of the 

Soviet Union and foreign intervention has 

been praised widely for complex cutting and 

editorial construction, the naturalism of the 

acting and the freely 

experimental nature of 

the film. Arthur Knight said of "Storm 

Over Asia": "Pudovkin refined and polished 

(his editing) technique to an astonishing degree, 

achieving a precision of plastic expression 

that 

never has been excelled." 

Center in Chicago Offers 

Children's Film Series 

CHICAGO—Although parents frequently 

complain that there are few movies suitable 

for viewing by children, it also is true 

that suitable features are not always well 

patronized, which was the case when "The 

Slipper and the Rose" and "Raggedy Ann 

and Andy" were shown recently at theatres 

in this area. In response to these complaints 

the Facets Multimedia Center, a nonprofit 

organization, launched with both public 

and private funds a children's film series 

that is presented Saturdays and Sundays at 

2 p.m. The continuance of the series will 

depend on attendance figures. 

December 10-11, "The Phantom Tollbooth," 

Chuck Jones, voyage into language 

and learning, will be unreeled, followed by 

"The Great 30-Mile Horse Contest" and 

"Hansel and Gretel in Appalachia," which 

will be offered December 17 and December 

18. 

"The Wizard of Oz" will be presented 

December 24-25 while the Peter Cook-Dudley 

Moore version of "Alice in Wonderland" 

will be offered December 31 and 

January 1. 

The series began with Norman MacLaren's 

"A Chairy Tale" and "The Fur Coat 

Club," which were shown Saturday (19) and 

Sunday (20), and "Do You Keep a Lion at 

Home?", which was featured Saturday (26) 

and Sunday (27). 

Setting Record Straight 

CHANUTE, KAS.—In 

a story headlined 

"Warning About Adult Films Issued to 

Neocha Theatre" published on page C-1 of 

BoxoFFiCE Monday (14), it was stated: 

" "Panorama Blue' previously played here 

when the theatres were owned by Ray 

Walsh and they caused no problems." 

Walsh, however, told Boxoffice: "This is 

not complete, relative to my showing of 

'Panorama Blue' when owner of the Peoples 

Theatre. I had this movie scheduled for 

three days but, after seeing it opening night, 

canceled the other two days' showing." 

Vernon Haraldson Named 

TORONTO—Vernon Haraldson has 

been appointed Toronto branch manager 

for United Artists, effective Monday (28), 

it was announced by Al Fitter, UA senior 

vice-president for domestic sales. New York 

City. 



HAWAII TOO. 



ft(|M|a|>i|t 

fi^^ Don Ho Show. . . at 

[HdnasJ Cinerama's Reef Towers Hotel. 

C-2 November 28, 1977

j 

changeable, 

j 

sauce, 

I enjoying 

i 

frightened 

t 

times 

— 

KANSAS CITY 

& bout 35 people attended a Saturday night 

banquet given for those who helped 

with the Variety Club's Haunted House 

project in October. Since your correspondent 

has a hobby of attending free dinners, take 

my word when I say this was one fine feed. 

Salads, fried chicken, spaghetti and meat 

several laugh-weary compatriots. 

The dinner was hosted by Norm Nielsen, 

Paul Kelly and Gene Krull. all of whom 

were instrumental in the actual operation 

of the attraction. Gene presented awards 

beautiful trophies with the little bronze 

figure of a witch astride a broom atop each 

trophy—to three different groups in recognition 

of their abilities to scare the beans 

out of the customers. First place went to 

Columbia Pictures for operation of the 

Vampire Room (those Columbia people 

were a frightening group in that room and 

they eventually had to tone down the effect 

by wearing masks). Second place went to 

20th Century-Fox for operation of the 

"Mechermaker Mortuary," a ghoulish little 

room where white-faced film bookers jumped 

out of coffins at unsuspecting people. 

The scariest part, most people said, was 

when the bookers showed them the terms 

for "Star Wars." Third place went to the 

WOMPIs, that benevolent group of philanthropic 

women, who spent their evenings 

Women of Variety elected new officers 

earlier this month. They are: Sharon Richeson. 

president; Mary Heir, first vice-president 

(program); Mary-Margaret Miller, 

second vice-president (membership); Valerie 

Hood, recording secretary; Marilyn 

Pulver, corresponding secretary, and Carmen 

Blake, treasurer. 

Looking for some Christmas gifts? The 

WOMPIs will have a display table in the 

Kansas Ticket office, 1703 Wyandotte, Friday, 

December 2, featuring craftwork, decorations 

and food items. 

The Women of Variety are quilters— at 

least, 

every Tuesday and Saturday they are. 

That's when they gather (after work Tuesdays 

and Saturday afternoons) at the home 

of Patti Poessiger to put together a handmade 

quilt for their upcoming Christmas 

project. Women of Variety members arc 

urged to drop in and pitch in whenever 

they can. 

Screenings at Midwest: Tuesday (22), "A 

Special Day" (Cinema 5) and "The Man 

Who Loved Women" (Cinema 5), both distributed 

by Thomas & Shipp. and "The 

Turning Point" (20th-Fox). 

scalloped potatoes, roast beef—the 

Forty years ago, according to the column 

dazzles the appetite. Among the folks 

list 

this repast were John Pocsik, who by that name in the Kansas City Times 

Haunted House visitors—some- 

Monday (21), Irene Dunne and Cary Grant 

while he was in costume—as "Igor, were starring in "The Awful Truth" at the 

Loew's Midland. The Plaza was offering 

the Leg Man"; David Shipp, everybody's 

favorite Viking and the only monster whose "Vogues of 1938," with Warner Baxter and 

street clothes and costumes were inter- 

Joan Bennett. The screen attraction at the 

and Charley Jarrett, the Tower was "Danger—Love at Work," starring 

"Cackling Crusader," whose bone-chilling 

Ann Sothern, Jack Haley, Mary Boland 

laugh rumbled through the Haunted House and Edward Everett Horton, and roimding 

so many times that he became the subject of out the cinema menu was "Ebb Tide" at 

strangulation on six different occasions by 

the Mainstreet Theatre, featuring Oscar 

Homolka, Frances Farmer and Ray Milland. 

INDIANAPOLIS 

Yhe Cheer Guild of the James Whitcomb 

Riley Hospital for Children sponsored 

a premiere showing of "The Billion Dollar 

Hobo" at the Glendale Cinema I Saturday 

(19), which was followed by a champagne 

reception for Tim Conway and Will Geer 

at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. 

Prince Charles Visits 

20th Century-Fox Studio 

HOLLYWOOD—Twentieth 

Century-Fox 

hosted a colorful luncheon in honor of Britain's 

Prince Charles with a guest list that 

included many of the industry's most notable 

figures October 27. 

Among the stellar representatives of the 

entertainment world who joined the Prince 

dressed in hooded robes and poking pitchforks 

at innocent men, women and children. of Wales at the luncheon, held in the studio 

Oh yes, in addition to the dinner and commissary, were Mayor and Mrs. Bradley, 

awards, Jarrett brought some concoction Cary Grant, Charlton Heston, Gene Wilder, 

made of orange juice, red paint and kerosene, 

Samantha Eggar, Henry Fonda, Glenn Ford, 

Roddy McDowall, Jack Nicholson, Dinah 

which he proceeded to distribute to 

every table to augment the iced tea. It Shore, Telly Savalas, Cicely Tyson, Billy 

loosened things up considerably. 

Dee Williams, Merle Oberon and Lauren 

Bacall. 

A highlight of the event was a tour of 

the studio which included visits to the sets 

of "M*A*S*H," where he watched Alan 

Alda, Loretta Swit and other members of 

the cast shoot a scene, and a visit to the set 

of "Charlie's Angels," where he was introduced 

to Jaclyn Smith, Kate Jackson and 

Cheryl Ladd. 

Prince Charles' visit to 20th Century-Fox 

marks the second time during this decade 

that 

the studio has entertained a member of 

the royal family; his father, Prince Philip 

the Duke of Edinburgh, was guest of honor 

on a similar occasion in 1966. 

Charles Fries and Daniel R. Goodman 

served as executive producers for "Spider- 

Man." 

CHICAGO 

l^&R 

Amusement Co. has booked several 

new holiday features for the company's 

Old Orchard, Evergreen and Norridge complexes. 

Programs for December include; 

"Close Encounters of the Third Kind," 

"Saturday Night Fever, Ihe Gauntlet," 

"The World's Greatest Lover" and "The 

Goodbye Girl." 

Harry Goldstone Film Enterprises announced 

the appointment of S-K Films to 

represent the firm in the Milwaukee and 

local territories. 

Harry Goldstone, the firm's 

president, noted he will have a nimiber of 

new pictures ready for release in 1978, 

starting with a brand new kimg fu attraction 

titled "Ten Fingers of Death." 

"Disco 9000," now being distributed by 

Ellman Enterprises, will have its first Midwest 

opening under new distribution arrangements 

when it opens at the Riverside 

in Milwaukee. The sub-distributor is S-K 

Films of this area. "Disco 9000" premiered 

last July at the Chicago Theatre in the 

Loop. It is now set for a multiple rim in 

area movie houses. 

Chicago Used Chair Mart continued to 

add new seats to the auditorium at the Admiral 

Theatre. Owner Pat Riccardi said the 

Admiral has booked the Swedish import 

"Swedish Minx" for a premiere engagement 

starting December 9. 

Mel Weisberg was elected president of 

the Variety Club of Illinois. Bene Stein, 

retiring president, will serve as chairman, 

a newly created office for Tent 26. 

The haunted house benefit conducted by 

the Variety Club of Illinois and local 

WOMPIs took in more than $43,000 for 

charities this year. Some 40,000 people 

who attended the 1977 Halloween events 

made the huge contribution possible. 

Oscar Brotman has yet to book a real 

loser in either his near north Cinema or 

Carnegie but gross results are being closely 

watched in relation to the opening of 

"Equus" at the Cinema. The film version 

was severely rapped by all critics. The Carnegie 

opens with "The Turning Point" this 

month. 

Richard Stern said he had Ixioked "Lovers 

Like Us" as a Christmas feature for his 

Wilmette and Devon theatres. 

United Artists' "Audrey Rose," based on 

a current best seller and "Another Man, 

Another Chance" started runs in area theatres 

beginning Friday (18). 

theWTRe equipment 

Everything for the Theatre" 

339 No. CAPITOL AVE., INDIANAPOLIS, IND. 

November 28. 1977 C-3

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AMERICAN ^ LUNG ASSOCIATION 

I The "Christmas Seal" People 

Space comtibutea by ihe publisher as a public service | We CBfe about every breath you take 

"' 

C-4 

BOXOrnCE :: November 28. 1977

Rafshoon Expands Business 

Interests to Hollywood 

A 1 1 AN [A — Local liiends of Gerald 

Ralshoon. the advertising executive credited 

with helping to mastermind the election 

of President Jimmy Carter, were not surprised 

when the former Atlantan announced 

that he was going into motion picture production 

work in Hollywood. Rafshoon was 

20th Century-Fox's director of promotion 

and advertising in the South for a number 

of years and was often called upon by the 

company to head up special promotions involving 

the debut of blockbuster pictures in 

world premieres in various parts of the 

country. Rather than leave this area Rafshoon 

resigned his connection with 20th- 

Fox and opened an advertising company 

bearing his name. 

Met Jimmy Carter 

Eventually, his path crossed that of Jimmy 

Carter, of Plains, Ga., a representative 

in the Georgia General Assembly, a political 

unknown with high ambitions. Rafshoon 

was hired to conduct the advertising campaign 

for Carter in a race for the governorship 

of Georgia. He was defeated, but the 

Carter-Rafshoon combo went to work and 

four years later Jimmy Carter ran for the 

governorship and was elected. 

It was then that Carter and Rafshoon began 

to fan the presidential ambitions of the 

Georgian into the blaze that led to the dramatic 

election of the man from Plains to 

the most prestigious office in the world. 

Carter, more than once, has credited Rafshoon 

with playing a large part in his successful 

campaign. And now Jerry is going 

to have a fling at cinema production. 

Series 

Gen. Lee 

Rafshoon revealed that he has one projection 

under way, a five-part mini-series 

based on the life and career of Gen. Robert 

E. Lee. Paramount Studios is producing this 

series, which will disclose that Lee fell in 

love with a Savannah woman named Liza 

McKay before he was married. 

Rafshoon said he is working on another 

project with Universal-International. He 

added that he has several other projects he 

will produce for TV and theatrical motion 

pictures. In addition to his local agency Rafshoon 

has branch offices in Washington, 

D.C. (with a pipeline to the White House), 

New York and Hollywood. As far as politics 

is concerned he is on the "inactive list." 

but when the time comes for Carter to muster 

his forces for his campaign for a second 

term, he will find Jerry at his elbow with his 

knowledge and magic that previously worked 

so well. 

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Film Star Debbie Reynolds Doubts 

Shell Make Another Motion Picture 

By LOIS BAUMOHL 

MIAMI BEACH, FLA. — "I must be 

crazy." said Debbie Reynolds. "Touring is 

fj 

the most difficult 

HHf-'^g^ thing in the business. 

^9|Kx Show people work 

forming on the road 

W /4 ^ IS like giving birth at 

IH^ ^ 

\ 

Debbie Revnolds 

cwry opening. Bemg 

i\\:cwed weekly—and 

sMiictimes semi-weekh 

-isn't fair. Sets get 

il a mage d, theatres 

aren't always properly 

equipped and it would 

be more realistic and impartial if the critic 

reviewed the show the second or third night 

following the opening." 

Ill on Arrival 

Ms. Reynolds starred in "Annie Get Your 

Gun" Tuesday (1) through Monday (14) at 

the Theatre of Performing Arts here and 

the petite and beautiful actress-singerdancer 

just wanted to sit and have a cup of 

tea at the beautiful Jockey Club while 

talking about her roadshow experiences. The 

talented star arrived here with a throat and 

middle-ear infection (her ears failed to "pop" 

as the plane descended into Miami from 

Dallas). 

An established luminary in motion pictures, 

Ms. Reynolds has gone on to achieve 

equal status in all areas of show business, 

including stage, TV, nightclub acts and other 

personal appearances. She starred two years 

in the musical "Irene," winning success on 

Broadway and on tour as well as in London's 

famed Palladium. Additionally, she 

charmed video audiences with "The Debbie 

Reynolds Show." 

El Paso Native 

Born 45 years ago in El Paso, Tex., as 

Mary Frances Reynolds, she looks and behaves 

as an ingenue half her age. She has 

incredible stamina and an explosive vitality. 

Always known as Debbie, privately and 

professionally, she's been in show business 

since the age of 16. A Metro-Goldwyn- 

Mayer star and an Academy Award nominee, 

she made her screen debut in "The 

Daughter of Rosie O'Grady" but the first 

big role came in MGM's "Three Little 

Words," a musical in which she portrayed 

Helen Kane, the "boop-boop-a-daop" girl." 

Debbie's performance led to an MGM 

contract and subsequent stardom. In the 

years that followed her debut, she acted in 

40 major motion pictures, including the 

$50.00 

$81.50 

classic "Singin' in the Rain," "Susan Slept 

Here," "Tammy," "The Tender Trap," 

"How the West Was Won," "Goodbye, 

Charlie" and "Divorce, American Style." 

The actress hasn't made a film since 1971 

and at the present doubts she ever will make 

another. She feels she's too old for a leading 

lady and not old enough for a character 

part. 

Shows Maternal Pride 

Despite that under-the-weather feeling, 

the multi-talented Ms. Reynolds appeared 

cool and relaxed in a pretty blue print dress 

—and her eyes took on a sudden glow a.s 

she referred to her two daughters. Carrie 

and Tina. 

Carrie Fisher, who lives in New York, 

put her own career into orbit this past summer 

as the princess in "Star Wars." Mother 

Debbie said philosophically, "She was very 

lucky and will be still more fortunate if she 

finds another film as good." 

Tina plans to marry soon, Debbie disclosed. 

When this reporter asked if the 

groom-to-be was anyone connected with 

show business, Ms. Reynolds replied: 

"Heavens, no! He's in the skateboard business." 

As for herself, marriage is not included 

in Debbie's immediate future plans, 

she told BoxoFFiCE. 

'Molly Brown' Favorite 

Debbie's favorite motion picture was "The 

Unsinkable Molly Brown," in which she 

co-starred with Harve Presnell. Once again, 

Presnell was united with Debbie here in "Annie 

Get Your Gun." A reporter asked her 

why. "since Presnell is so tall and handsome 

and has such a wonderful voice, he's 

not been more successful in films." Ms. 

Reynolds quickly answered. "He wonders, 

too." 

Ag.iin^t the advice of two doctors. Ms. 

Reynolds went on opening night at the Theatre 

of Performing Arts with a precurtain 

apology asking the audience to make allowances 

for her weakened condition. Then, in 

a raspy voice, she tackled "There's No Busi-' 

ness Like Show Business" and proved, once 

again, what a genuine trouper she is! 

The audience she didn't want to let down 

conveyed its appreciation with a standing 

ovation! 

"The Kathryn Kuhlman Story" is planned 

for production by Tom Lewis, who also is 

writing the script. 



HAWAII TOO. 



Sl^fi^tA 

Don Ho Show. . 

. att 

i 

"

. . Members 

ATLANTA 

XXToody Sherrill, general sales manager ot 

Sebastian International Pictures with 

home offices in Westlake Village, Califrevealed 

that two of the company's pictures 

are "doing well" and the company now is 

shooting another film, yet untitled, which 

will appeal to the teenage audience. The 

company is headed by Ferd and Beverly 

Sebastian, veterans in the industry. 

Elaine Patterson, daughter of Tom Patterson, 

president of the National Independent 

Theatre Exhibitors, and Mrs. Patterson, 

has entered Baptist Hospital to 

undergo surgery on an injured leg. Miss 

Patterson is manager of the Jonesboro Twin 

Cinemas, which is owned and operated by 

the NITE president. 

C.L. Autry, president of Dixie Film Distributors, 

Inc., has returned from Charlotte 

where he set up saturation details for "Autopsy," 

a Joseph Brenner Production, for 

both of the Carolinas. A total of 75 prints 

have been set for the kickoff rim. 

Canton Corners Twin Cinemas, owned 

and operated by Norman V. Schneider, has 

the distinction of being the first theatre to 

install the Dolby System in the six-county 

metropolitan area, which boasts some 150 

screens in more than 100 theatres. Installation 

of six surround speakers has been 

made in the larger (.300-seat) twin under 

Schneider's supervision, since he is an expert 

in that field. 

Sara Lee Dorton, 20th Century-Fox 

cashier, spent the final week of her vacation 

staying at home . . . Martha Williams, 

secretary to local branch manager Robert 

Tarwater, also spent the last week of her 

one-month vacation enjoying the comforts 

of her home. 

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Singer Jimmy Rodgers has recorded the 

theme song for the soon-to-be released Tim 

Conway motion picture, "The Billion Dollar 

Hobo." Lloyd Adams, president of the 

International Picture Show, which produced 

and is distributing the new Conway picture, 

noted that the musical score for 

"Hobo," as well as the theme song "Half 

Sung Song," were composed and arranged 

by Michael Leonard, who has many Broadway 

and film credits. 

Current historians issued invitations to 

the world premiere of a motion picture 

about the Rev. Pearly Brown, the legendary 

street singer of Americus, Ga. The title of 

the picture, which was produced by John 

W. English, William van der Kloot and Rob 

Williams, is "It's a Mean Old World." It 

was shown Friday (18) in the Historical 

Society's McElreath Hall, .^099 Andrews 

Dr.. N.W. A reception for the Rev. Brown 

followed the premiere showing. 

WOMPI news: Four new members were 

installed at the meeting held in the conference 

room at the Georgia Theatre. They 

were Barbara Jarvis. sponsored by Esther 

Osley; Marguerite Powell. Judy Stephens 

and Harriett Woodall. sponsored by Fentress 

. 

Carr are heeding the 

pleas of Nell Castleberry, Jone Ackerly and 

Georgia Theatre's Dennis Merton for volunteers 

to assist in the staging of the Variety 

Club's Telethon, to be presented Saturday 

(26) and Sunday (27) on the air by 

WXIA-TV, the area's ABC affiliate, with 

all proceeds going to Tent No. 21 's charities. 

Many "show biz" personalities will be 

spotlighted . . . Members brought canned 

and packaged food to the November meeting 

and former president Mary Brannon, 

AIP cashier, took the food to the North 

Fulton Development Center in nearby Roswell. 

Continuing an annual custom, the 

WOMPIs are making up a Thanksgiving 

basket for a needy family. 

Fuqua Industries, Inc., has increased its 

dividend 11.1 per cent to an annual rate of 

40 cents per share, up from 3* cents. The 

first quarterly dividend at the new rate is 

payable January 5 to holders of record December 

5. Fuqua management also announced 

that its directors have approved 

the previously-announced merger of the 

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National Industries, Inc., into Fuqua and 

a definitive merger agreement has been 

signed by both companies. Fuqua stockholders 

will meet to vote on the merger 

December 9 and the national stockholders 

will vote on it December 8. 

Continuous ski films and demonstrations 

were featured at the Ski Club's seventh annual 

Southeastern Ski meeting last week at 

Cumberland Mall. Exhibitors were present 

from a number of ski resorts including: 

Snowshoe. Winter Park, Beech Mountain, 

Cataloochee, Sugar Mountain, Sapphire Valley 

and Gatlinburg. The Ski Club began 

with 136 people in 1964 and the membership 

has grown to its present total of 2,000. 

National Screen Service and National 

Theatre Supply were represented at the 

company's home office in New York City 

by officials Bob Sedlak, Willard Kohorn 

and Jim Ogburn, the latter a management 

trainee. Discussions involved operations, 

policy and charting future improvements. 

Much interest was shown in the Autex 

System, a message and transmission network, 

that is being installed in strategic 

locations. Young Ogburn attended DeKalb 

College in nearby Decatur and is getting 

first hand data information and teaching 

about the film industry, of which NSS and 

NTS are important offshoots. 

John Thompson, president of the local 

chapter of the National Ass'n of Theatre 

Owners, has called a "meeting of tremendous 

importance" for Wednesday (30) at the 

Rodeway Inn across from Lenox Square. 

Attending the meeting will be exhibitors 

from Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. In 

his letter to NATO members, Thompson 

said, "We are faced with a now or never 

type situation. We are again given the opportimity 

to save ourselves and this time 

this is it!" 

Betty Price, who took an extensive personal 

layoff from her Filmrow career to 

give birth to a child and stayed on to see 

him grow to school age, now has rejoined 

the industry, taking a position in the cashier 

department of the Chappell Releasing Co. 

American International Pictures local 

branch manager Glenn Simonds announced 

that the company has two Bing Crosby 

Productions scheduled for January and 

February release. They are "Grayeagle," 

starring Ben Johnson. Alex Cord, Lana 

Wood, Iron Eyes Cody and Jack Elam; and 

"Mean Dog Blues," with George Kenned\. 

Greg Henry. Kay Lenz and Tina Louise. 

The local exchange has taken on a salcv 

trainee named Raoul Rhednek, a native ol 

Ethiopia who has lived and worked here for 

10 years, specializing in salesmanship. 

Another new face on the local film sales 

scene is that of Larry Schumach who has 

joined the United Artists' family in the 

capacity of assistant to Bob Oda. Larry was 

graduated in May from C. W. Post College, 

Long Island, and this is his first job. 

"Freestyle" will begin filming on location 

in Heavenly Valley, Calif, in January. 

SE-2 November 28, 1977

NEW ORLEANS 

Hnieritaii International Pictines hosted a 

special screening ot their new fall 

products Thursday (10) at the Sena Mall 

Theatre. Philip Sliman. Mamie Dureau and 

Kiki Dureau were on hand to greet those 

attending. 

Joseph Alternian, president of NATO of 

New York and his wife were in town visiting 

with their son Larry who is in his final 

year of law school . . . Another member of 

NATO. Ralph Price, president of Ogden 

Foods, also recently visited the area. 

Irene Mexic of .Star Advertising, who gave 

up politics for the motion picture business 

was a former employee of Joseph V. Di 

Rosa, who is running for mayor of this city. 

Harry Lapidus, former president of 

NAC. and his wife visited with Mr. and 

Mrs. Ted Solomon and Mr. and Mrs. Jack 

Dobbs on a cruise down the Mississippi 

River. 

Mike Ripps was in town working with 

Irene Mexic to create publicity for the engagement 

of "Naked Rider." 

All who attended the recent NATO convention 

in Miami had a wonderful time and 

enjoyed meeting old friends. Henry 'Fonz" 

Winkler chatted with Ted Solomon about 

his visit to this area when he reigned as 

King of Bacchus during the carnival season. 

George Solomon of Gulf States Theatres 

visited some of the company's theatres recently. 

'Julia' Grosses 545 

In 2nd Memphis Week 

MEMPHIS—"Julia" clmibed to the top 

of the list this report week with grosses of 

545 for its second round while "Bobby 

Deerfield" claimed the second place position 

with an average of 325 for its second 

week also. "Oh, God!" continued its successful 

run in the area with grosses of .300 

for its fifth week. 


Malco Quartet 1—One on One (V/B) 

' " 

' 

Ico Qua Hulia " (2Cth-Fox), " 

2nd wk 

Malco Quartet, Southbrook—Oh, God! (WE 

5th wk 

Memphian, Paramount— Star Wars (20th-Fo: 

20lh wk 

Plaza-9/30/5S (Univ), 4lh wk 

Ridgeway Four, Southbrook— I Never Prom 

You a Rose Garden (New World) 

Ridgeway, Malco Quar|.:t—Bobby Deeriielc 

.300 

R,dgeway-The Kentucky Fried Movie "Int d) 

4th wk -180 

Three theatres—A Piece ol the Action iV.'B). 

4lh wk 75 

Three theatres—Damnation Alley (20th-Fox), 

3rd wk 80 

RKO Orpheum Theatre hosted the 

world premiere of "Petey Wheatstraw." 

starring Rudy Ray Moore Friday (11) in 

Hollywood style. Rudy Ray Moore's two 

previous features, "Dolemite" and "The Human 

Tornado," were outstanding successes. 

Chuck Johnson arrived in town several 

days before the premiere and worked with 

Irene Mexic of Star Advertising making arrangements. 

Herbert B. Schlosberg of Transvue 

Pictures arrived on Thursday (10). 

Pre-opening activities included a luncheon 

on Monday (7) for the press and on 

Tuesday (8) a luncheon for the radio and 

TV media was held at the Hyatt Regency. 

On Friday (11) a cocktail party was scheduled 

followed by a parade down Canal Street. 

which concluded at the Orpheum Theatre. 

On stage prior to the showing of the feature. 

there were personal appearances by Jimmy 

Lynch. Rudy Ray Moore, Leroy Skillett. 

Ebony Wright and Wildman Stevens. At the 

conclusion of the feature, all were invited to 

a party at the Hyatt Regency. A beauty 

contest was also held on the stage of the 

Orpheum Theatre seeking the most beautiful 

girls to be in Rudy's next movie that is 

scheduled to start in January.

PALM BEACH 

Uoward Sinipkiiis, projectionist at the 

Cinema 70 Theatre, has been viewing 

and enjoying "Star Wars" for well over 20 

weeks. Simpkins also enjoyed the movie 

"Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." 

"You know the guy who sold Butch the bicycle." 

Simpkins said with a knowing grin. 

"Well, that was me. I was a prop man for 

about 12 years and I was put in a few 

movies as an extra." While occasionally 

finding work as a prop man. Simpkins' main 

source of income has been as a 

projectionist 

since 1942. While working in a theatre in 

Connecticut, he ran the film "2001: A 

Space Odyssey" five times a day for 30 

weeks. During his six years at the Cinema 

70 "Star Wars" has been the longest run- 

Dr. Alan Levine, a local psychiatrist and 

family physician, decided to share his hobby 

with the public this summer and over 

200 people paid money to spend the evening 

with him in a darkened room. Movies 

are his hobby. Dr. Levine felt that opportunities 

to see films were restricted to commercial 

movie houses. After talking with 

friends and discovering others shared his 

interest. Levine approached Richard Madigan, 

director of the Norton Gallery, who 

agreed to help sponsor a series of international 

film classics and provided the gallery 

theatre. 

Levine was left with researching film 

choices, writing much of the publicity, introducing 

the movies the evenings of the 

showings by providing historical perspective 

and insights about the director and cast 

and operating the projector. The response 

in July and August was so positive, a new 

series was planned for October and November. 

The films are shown on Friday evenings 

at 8:15 p.m. at the Norton Gallery. 

The films have been selected because of 

their appeal to broad audience, acknowledged 

a 

artistic merit, lack of violence 

and 

rareness of availability in this country's theatres. 

The schedule includes: "Claire's Knee," 

Friday (25) and "Mandabi" December 2. 

Grin Borsten recently vacationed here for 

a week at the Palm Beach Spa. He promoted 

"A Loving Gentleman," published by 

Simon Schuster. It is the story about William 

Faulkner, the obscure resident of Oxford, 

Miss., who went to Hollywood as a 

script writer to try to pay off some of his 

debts. Meta Carpenter Wilde, the young 

script girl in the office at 20th Century- 

Fox, began a friendship which gradually 

deepened into a passionate and difficult 

affa'r with the famous writer. 

After years of 

silence she told her story to an old friend. 

Hollywood writer Orin Borsten. himself a 

Southerner and longtime admirer of Faulkner's 

work. He was impressed and "A Loving 

Gentleman" was the 

result. 

Borsten said. "We feel this is the first 

book that humanized Faulkner and one that 

illuminates the work that followed. She's in 

every woman he ever created. Their romance 

broke up because he couldn't marry 

her." Borsten commented, "Today, Meta, 

69, is one of the highest paid script supervisors 

in Hollywood. She helped give dignity 

to people who used to be called 'scrip' 

girls' by helping them form their guild." 

Robert Allen, vice-president of Disney 

World, was in town Thursday (10) and 

stayed at the Breakers Hotel. A 22-year 

association with the Disney organization 

prompted his recent promotion to vicepresident. 

Apparently his 22-year stint with 

Disney has been a happy one. "Sure we 

have our troubles but our organization 

deals in fun. We deal with something intangible. 

Seeing a father and his family 

leaving our park with toys under one arm 

and a kid asleep on the other—well it gives 

you a good feeling." Allen, 45. credits 

Walt Disney's genius for the success of the 

company. "He was totally a remarkable 

man. I think if we ever deviate from the 

Disney image of entertainment for the 

whole family, then we will lose what it 

took Walt 50 years to build." Prior to his 

death. Disney had one last dream that will 

be realized in the near future, according to 

Allen. 

EPCOT of the Experimental Prototype 

Community of Tomorrow has been 

several years in the planning stages. "There 

are basically two parts, 'World of the Future' 

and 'World of Today,' " he explained. 

The "World of the Future" will be a series 

of pavilions sponsored by American companies 

outlining things to come. The counterpart, 

today's lifestyles, will be illustrated 

through pavilions sponsored by countries 

throughout the world. "I can't say for sure 

when it will be introduced. We expect that 

announcement to come from our president." 

he said. The Magic Kingdom, known worldwide 

for its beauty and attention to detail, 

recently was named the world's most soughtafter 

single destination spot in the world, 

according to a study by the U. S. Travel 

.Service. 

Judge Issues Injunction 

Against Buffalo Newspaper 

BUFFALO—Judge Charles L. Brieant jr.. 

issued a preliminary injunction in a suit 

filed by the Courier-Express against the 

Evening News. He ordered the News to 

scrap "predatory plans" for all but the first 

two weeks of a proposed, five-week giveaway 

of Sunday papers. 

The ruling bars the News from distributing, 

free of charge, more than two issues of 

the Sunday News, guaranteeing advertisers 

or potential advertisers a specific circulation 

figure after the first two weeks of the giveaway 

period and making disparaging remarks 

about the Courier-Express. 

Further. Brieant directed the News to inform 

all the customary Courier-Express 

advertisers who had canceled their Sunday 

ads that it was withdrawing its 230.000 

Sunday circulation guarantee for each of 

the last three Sundays falling within the five 

wcL'k promotional period. 

Jose Ferrer has been signed for a 

role in "The Swarm." 

starring 

CHARLOTTE 

(Continued from preceding page) 

Jimniie Murphy and wife Daisy of Variety 

Films left for a Carribean Cruise to 

Puerto Rico. Granada. Barbados and Trinidad. 

Joe Cutrell of Paramount sneaked "First 

Love" at the Capri Theatre before a very 

enthusiastic audience, which pleased Joe 

and his staff. 

Eddie Marks, an advertising executive at 

Stewart & Everett Theatres, has developed 

an incentive plan, which is a sales commission 

for the managers. 

E. Ray Jordan, Mt. Airy, N.C., is busy 

arranging his annual Christmas party movie 

programs for employees of manufacturing 

plants in the area. He has sold his first one 

to Perry Manufacturing Co. He will show 

"Flipper's New Adventure" and provide 

Cokes and popcorn for each person attending 

.. . James Yates. Dunn, N.C., has sold 

the Shopping Center Merchants Ass'n three 

features for children. 

Herman Stone, executive of Consolidated 

Theatres Inc., announced the addition of 

twin theatres to their existing Kingswa\ 

Cinema. The new triplex is in the Kingsw.i\ 

Shopping Center in Eden, N.C. . . . 

Stone 

also announced the closing of the State 

Theatre, Mooresville, and the Cameo. 

Rocky Mount, N. C. 

WOMPI news: Amalie Gantt and Irene 

Lauer attended the United Appeal go.il 

luncheon recently as special guests and 

were recognized for the group's assistance 

in packing kits for all United Appeal workers. 

WOMPI activities for the month ol 

November include working at the Presb\- 

terian Hospital coffee shop, assisting a 

needy family at Thanksgiving and holding 

a bake sale on Wednesday (23) at the 

Northwestern Bank Building. 

JACKSONVILLE 


Melinda Thompson, a member of Chailey 

Jones' staff at 20th Century-Fox. has 

been welcomed into WOMPI membership 

... A turnout of 24 WOMPI members and 

their husbands and other friends netted a 

profit of more than $300 for WOMPI 

charitable projects the afternoon of Saturday 

(5) as they operated concession stands 

at the Gator Bowl for the annual Florida- 

Georgia football classic attended by 72.000 

fans. 

Mike Clark, Journal movie man. pulled 

out all of his stops in praising "Bobby Deerfield." 

which is showing at ABC FST's 

Regency I and Kingsley I. In his final 

summation. Mike remarked. "It left some 

women crying and it left this reviewer 

richer." 

SE-4 

BOXOmCE :: November 28, 1977

. . Art 

. . 

Nat'lFilmAdCo. 

Launched in Boston 

BOSTON—A national network for film 

theatre, on-screen advertising was launched 

in Boston and eight other American markets. 

Tuesday (8) despite negative reactions 

liom film distributors and advertisers. NITE 

.iiid its regional affiliate representing 150 

independents in the six state area, began 

showing the filmed national advertisements 

to patrons the first of the month. 

Not Hard Sell 

Patriot Cinemas operating the Cameo. 

South Weymouth; Loring Hall, Hingham; 

Queen Anne, Norwell; Pembroke I and II, 

Cinema, Brookline Village, and twin cinemas 

in Lincoln Plaza, Worcester, are showing 

the Cinemavision spots which run with 

the coming attractions before the feature 

film, at each of two evening performances 

and any matinees scheduled. Edith Scott, 

executive director of NITE of New England, 

whose husband Philip, is president of 

Patriot, said other metropolitan Boston and 

regional independents signed up for the 

advertising program. "These are strictly 

national 

advertisers, not the local advertisements 

which you see in some theatres and 

drive-ins. They aren't like commercials, 

more like entertainment. It's definitely not 

a hard sell, but a 30 second, or one minute, 

entertaining film, sort of a subliminal approach." 

RCA Records was the first advertiser to 

buy a one-minute spot from Cinemavision, 

a Nashville distributor, associated with 

NITE. The test is being conducted in 1,000 

film houses across the country, the start of 

what its promoters see as a network of 

10.000 theatres, whose screened advertisements 

could produce $50,000,000 annually. 

Patron Survey Results 

Revenue from the advertising will go to 

Screen Advertising Film Fund Corp., an 

arm of NITE, and be used to finance, purchase 

and produce films, Tom Patterson, 

NITE president, said in a recent visit here. 

A Cinemavision executive conferred with 

New England NITE members on the program, 

offering results of patron surveys in 

other sections of the nation where the idea 

was first tried. There was little if any customer 

objection to exhibiting the paid ads, 

Mrs. Scott said. "They didn't feel offended 

and many said it was better than seeing 

the admission price raised." 

Under the terms of a four-year contract 

with Cinemavision, exhibitors agree to 

screen three minutes of advertising before 

each showing of the feature film. The company 

charges the advertisers $18 per 100 

admissions for a theatre weekly. It was understood 

that major distributors generally 

were concerned that the ad showings would 

anger and alienate theatre patrons. Other 

markets are Los Angeles, San Francisco. 

Sacramento, Portland, Ore.. Philadelphia. 

Colorado Springs and Pueblo, Colo. 

Rastar Films will produce "Freestyle" for 

Columbia Pictures release. 

BOXOmCE :: November 28. 1977 

Performing Arts District 

Studied by San Antonio 

SAN ANTONIO— Broadway and 42nd 

Street or Hollywood and Vine may in the 

future be replaced by Houston and St. 

Mary's as the quintessential address for 

America's rialto. This street juncture in 

San Antonio is the center of a downtown 

area in the Alamo city where seven theatres, 

mostly opulent presentation houses of 

the twenties, are being examined for 

adaptive re-use in the creation of a 

performing 

arts district. 

Five agencies of San Antonio, 

representing 

urban renewalists, conservationists, and 

supporters of the performing arts, have 

united with the city of San Antonio in the 

development of a cooperative study led by 

consultants who are prominent in the fields 

of theatre design and urban planning. 

This study will be made public next simTmer 

in tandem with a national conclave 

sponsored by the Theatre Historical Society 

of America. Participants will have the opportunity 

of touring the involved theatres 

which together have more than 20.000 seats 

and represent the output of the leading 

architects of their era. 

The principal consultants are Brannigan- 

Lorelli Associates Inc.. of New York; Lebensold, 

Affleck, Nichol, Hughes, Khosla, of 

Toronto; and Ford, Powell, and Carson of 

San Antonio. The cost of the study is being 

borne jointly by the city of San Antonio 

and the National Endowment for the Arts. 

The local applicant agency is the Arts Council 

of San Antonio; the coordinating agency 

is the office of the city manager and 

the department of planning of the city of 

San Antonio; and the cooperating agencies 

are Centro 21; Downtowners, Inc., San Antonio 

Conservation Society; and the Symphony 

Society of San Antonio. 

The conclave dates will be July 15-17. 

Appropriately, the headquarters hotel will 

be the historic Gunter, located at the juncture 

of Houston and St. Mary's. 

Lady Bird Johnson Salute 

AUSTIN. TEX.— Helen Hayes. Kiik 

Douglas and Roberta Peters will participate 

in a December 1 1 tribute to Lady Bird 

Johnson in the Lyndon Baines Johnson 

Auditorium. 

Hayes and Douglas will present readings 

from letters and diaries of the former first 

lady and President Lyndon B. Johnson, and 

Peters who often performed at the White 

House during the Johnson administration, 

will sing. 

The program is being staged and moderated 

by playwright Preston Jones. 

Canadian Director Honored 

OTTAWA — Canadian director Yves 

Dion shared second-place honors with two 

Americans and a Canadian-made film received 

special mention at the ninth International 

Documentary Film Festival held 

recently in Nyon, Switzerland. Tied for second 

place were "Raison d'Etre." "Healthcaring 

From Our End of the Spectrum" and 

"Seconds to Play," by Patrick Crowley. 

OKLAHOMA CITY 

\/ôodie Sylvester, Vesta Theatre and 40 

West Drive-In, Weatherford, just returned 

from a successful pheasant hunt in 

Nebraska where he bagged the limit. He reported 

that the weather was great except 

for the last day . . . Jack Box, Universal 

branch manager in Denver, arrived in town 

with his wife Lou to visit relatives and 

friends. After having lunch with him we 

came away convinced that time hasn't 

changed him. 

Frank Myers. M&M Pictures, Dallas, 

was also up on a visit with old friends. 

He reported that he had gotten out of independent 

distribution as the owner of Continental 

Film Distributors but reversed his 

field later as he joined with Don Morris, 

ex-MGM representative to form their current 

operation. 

Mildred Owen, Liberty Theatre, Konawa, 

was in buying and booking films. She 

said that family illness had forced her to 

shut down temporarily but she is looking 

forward to reopening soon . . . Dennise 

Hardy, United Artists' staffer, took a week 

off to get somethings done at home that 

she hadn't been able to do while she worked 

all week. 

Jerry Northcutt, Gemini Twin, Ada, 

made a rare trip here on film business . 

Jake Guiles. Continental Film Distributors; 

Gene Banks, Crystal Theatre and Jewel 

Drive-In. Okemah; Charles Townsend, 

Pryor and Miami theatres, together with 

his manager Roger Parrish, all were in town 

on business. 

Roger Rice, Video exploiter is back at 

his desk after a stroke and we are sure 

happy about that. One reason is that he is 

a fountain of information via his Around 

the Circuit publication for Video and the 

other, more important, reason is that we 

missed him Weber. Lawton projectionist 

and veteran Okemah theatre manager 

is off continent-hopping in Europe. 

Carlton Weaver, Family Theatres' Plaza 

Theatre manager in Tulsa and one-time 

owner of the Carlton Drive-In, McAlester, 

freely admits being "hooked" on the motion 

picture business. His father. C. H. 

"Buck" Weaver, local Paramount manager 

for many years is credited with his son's 

addiction. 

Barbara Carrera Plugging 'Moreau' 

BEVERLY HILLS— Barbara Carrera. a 

star of American International's "The Island 

of Dr. Moreau." arrived in Sydney. 

Australia, Friday (18) for a three-week 

promotional visit in that country and in 

Japan. 

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pToilywood film stars (Catherine Ross and 

Michael Caine and producer Irwin Allen 

were in Houston to shoot scenes for 

"The Swarm" at the Houston Center . 

Film star and singer Kris Kristofferson and 

his wife Rita Coolidge, appeared in concert 

at the Summit. "A Star Is Born" featuring 

Kristofferson can be seen at the Palms and 

Westchase 5 while his latest film "Semi- 

Tough" with Burt Reynolds is at the Clear 

Lake 2, Gaylynn, Gulfgate 2, Northline 2 

and Woodlake 3 . . . The Parkway has a 

policy of admitting youngsters under 12 

years of age free when with their parents. 

Jack Palance, Hollywood film star, was 

in to view Yatran. the Ukrainian Dance 

Company which appeared at the Music Hall 

. . Radio station KLOL sponsored midnight 

shows at the Woodlake 3 where 

"Zachariah" was shown and the same film 

at the Village . new sci-fi film by 

"Jaws" director Steven Spielberg. "Close Encounters 

of the Third Kind" will have a 

December 14 opening in Houston 

Matinees on Saturday and Sunday were held 

prise visitor here and was warmly greeted 

by his many fans . . . Two science-fiction 

fantasies that started it all are being shown 

in Houston. They are H.G. Wells' "The 

War of the Worlds" and "When Worlds 

Collide" at the Northshore, Parkview, Tower 

and Woodlake 3 . . . "Star Wars" continues 

on for a record-breaking 26th week 

Among the new titles appearing on 

the local marquees are "Emanuelle in 

Bangok," the third in this French series 

about a sensual young woman's escapades 

at the Tower; "That's Action" at the Gaylynn; 

"Skateboard" at the Allen Center 3 

Almeda 9 East; Greenway 3, Northwest 4 

Palms, Park 3, Shamrock 6, Southway 6, 

Town & Country 6, Westchase 5, Airline, 

Gulfway 2, King Center 2, McLendon 3 

Telephone Road 2, Pasadena and Thunderbird 

2; "It's Not The Size That Counts" at 

Almeda 9, Briargrove 3, Festival 6, Greenway 

3, Shamrock 6, Southway 6. Town & 

Country 6 and Westchase 5; "The Last 

Remake of Beau Geste" at Allen Center 3, 

Almeda 9 West. Briargrove 3, Champions 2, 

Deauville 2, Greenway 3, Northwest 4, 

Southway 6. King Center 2, Park 3. Town 

& Country 6, McLendon 3, Southmore 6, 

Westchase 5, Pasadena, Telephone Road 2 

and Thunderbird 2. 

Also, "The Happy Hooker Goes to Washington" 

at the Allen Center, Park, Town & 

Country 6, Southway 6, Northwood 6, 

Greenway 3 and Almeda 9 East, Irvington, 

Thunderbird and McLendon Triple drive- 

for "The Magic Christmas Tree" at the 

Bellaire. Allen Center 3, Clear Lake 2, Gaylynn 

ins; "First Love" at the Festival 6, Galleria 

2, Memorial 2, Northshore, Palms, 4, Shamrock 6 and Westchase 5; the double 

Parkview, Northwood 6, Park 3 and Southmore 

bill of "Torso" and "The Texas Chainsaw 

6. 

Massacre" at the Park, Allen Center, North- 

wood 6, Shamrock 6, Southmore 6, Bellaire 

Actor Sir Michael Redgrave was a sur- 

and Festival 6, Airline, Telephone 

Road, King Center, McLendon III, Gulfway, 

Tidwell, Parkway and Town & Country 

drive-ins; "Silver Bears" for a multiple 

opening. 

The Museum of Fine Arts in Brown Auditorium 

screened Hitchcock's "Shadow of a 

Doubt," Fassbinder's "Ali" and "Fear Eats 

at the four General Cinema Theatres, the the Soul"; at the Rice Media Center showings 

included Cocteau's "Beauty and the 

Galleria, Cinema I & II, Greenspoint, Gulfgate, 

Meyerland and Northline. 

Beast," Gunnar Hede's "Saga" and "The 

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Nortull Gang," Pudovkin's "Mother," Lorentz's 

"The River" and Flaherty's "Man of 

Aran," "Castle of Purity," "Adventures of 

Robin Hood" with Errol Flynn and "Swastika," 

a look at Hitler's rise to power using 

German newsreels, propaganda shorts and 

Eva Braun's home movies. 

Honolulu's Nippon Theatre 

Books Hit Japanese Film 

HONOLULU—One of the biggest boxoffice 

pictures currently in Japan, Shochiku 

Co.'s "The Village of the 8 Tombstones" 

(Yatsu Haka Mura) was booked to play 

at the Nippon Theatre beginning Wednesday 

(23). This announcement was made b\ 

manager Satoshi Furuya. 

A benefit premiere sponsored by the Aloha 

United Way. was held at 8 p.m. Refreshments 

were served prior to the screening. 

The regular engagement followed the 

next night. The spectacular suspense .'ilm's 

total running time is two hours and 30 minutes. 

Toru Okuyama, managing director of the 

Shochiku Co., was here recently and reported 

that in Tokyo alone, the picture 

grossed over $370,000 in three days at three 

theatres, and 15 theatres in nine of the 

major cities in Japan brought in a hefty $1.- 

000,000 in three days. 

The picture was released simultaneous! 

in several cities in Japan, and at a time 

when the usual film openings were dominated 

by foreign-made releases. Based on 

a well-known Japanese detective story by 

Seiishi Tokomizo, and tracing back 400 

years of a village's history to unravel a m\stery, 

the studio reported that it spent over 

two years on the production at a budget ol 

over $2,500,000. 

When "The Village of 8 Tombstones' 

opened in Tokyo in late September, the theatre 

staff was confronted with endless lines 

at the Shochiku Central, Shibuya Pantheon 

and Shinjuku Mila-noza. An estimated 1,- 

800 completely circled the Shockiku Central. 

To accommodate the overflow, the nearby 

Shoch ku Ginza Theatre canceled its 

scheduled program and ran "The Village of 

8 Tombstones." 

'The Turning Point' Bows 

Nov. 22 in Kansas City 

KANSAS CITY~"The Turning Point," 

a brilliant new 20th Century-Fox film starring 

Anne Bancroft, Shirley MacLaine and 

Tom Skerritt and introducing Mikhail Baryshnikov 

and Leslie Browne, had its mid- 

America premiere on Tuesday (22) at the 

Glenwood Theatre, 91st and Metcalf. The 

9:15 p.m. showing was sponsored by the 

Kansas City Ballet Ass'n and Kansas City 

Ballet Women's Guild as a benefit for the 

Kansas City Ballet, Missouri's first professional 

ballet company. 

Tickets for the benefit premiere were $S 

each, $15 per couple and $25 for single patrons 

and could be obtained by sending a 

check and stamped, self-addressed envelope 

to the Kansas City Ballet, 823 Walnut. 

Kansas City, Mo. 64106 or by callins 421- 

1980. 

SW-2 BOXOFTICE November 28, 1977

I 

and 

I 

I 

and 

I 

chie 

I 

. . . The 

I 

SAN ANTONIO 

Qeorge Giierra has been named manager 

(if the suburban Josephine Theatre. 

which features the showing of X-rated 

fihiis. Guerra was previously the assistant 

manager of the downtown Texas Theatre, 

both theatres operated by Movie One Theatres 

of San Antonio. Don Shoemaker is 

ciiv manager ... A! Zarzana of Texas National 

Theatres, with headquarters in Houston, 

was in San Antonio for a brief business 

visit. The circuit has theatres in San Antonio, 

the Alameda, in Houston. Dallas and 

Fort Worth. 

Grace Lee Whitney, who played the role 

of Janice Rand and Waller Koenig who was 

Ensign Chekov, were in the city attending 

film about professional football in Texas is 

currently at the Wonder and New Laurel 

Theatre. 

in Harlingen and Floresville. Martin said. 

with filming expected to last about four 

weeks. 

Giiillermo Lozano, who managed the 

Cine Mexico Theatres I and II for Eloy 

Centcno, has returned to his first love, 

broadcasting. Lozano gave up radio broadcasting 

after 21 years as an announcer to 

handle publicity for the Centeno Supermarkets 

and managing the two theatres. He has 

taken over new duties as Spanish marketing 

manager for Lone Star Brewery and is 

writing, directing, producing and emceeing 

a monthly 30 minute series called "Neustra 

Gente" or "Our People" on KLRN-TV . . . 

Clint Eastwood is back on the screen of 

the Judson 4 Outdoor theatres in a triple 

bill comprising "A Fistful of Dollars." "For 

A Few Dollars More" and "Hana "Em 

High." 

"Starhops" showing at the San Pedro. 

Mission Twin. Judson 4, Aztec 3 and Movies 

4 is giving away a "Bird." Patrons were 

asked to call the theatre nearest them for 

complete information on the promotion . . . 

The Westwood Twin will present six fiill 

days of Elvis Presley. The special double 

feature will be "That's the Way It Is" and 

"Stay Away Joe" on one screen, while the 

other will show "Elvis On Tour" and "The 

Trouble With Girls." A color print of the 

painting "Graceland" by local artist Hal 

Sims, is on display in the lobby. A limited 

number of souvenirs will be given away 

Century South 6 is showing "Star 

Wars" in Dolby stereophonic sound exclusively 

in San Antonio. 

David Jaxton, of the Public Broadcasting 

System, is in the city making arrangements 

in an upcoming movie about Charlie Smith, 

America's oldest living citizen. Part of the 

feature length movie, "Star Trek 11" . . . 

( 

a meeting which brought out some 400 fans film will be shot in San Antonio's Playland 

Park. Filming in the amusement park will 

of "Star Trek." A two-day meeting was 

begin December 14 . . . The Witte Museum 

held here at the El Tropicano Hotel. Paramount 

Studios is contemplating making a will present the classic western film "High 

Noon" on Simday in the museum's activity 

Bob Polunsky, whose Flicker Footnotes appears 

gallery. The film stars Gary Cooper, who 

in the San Antonio Light and on radio won his second Academy Award for it, and 

television, was in New Orleans for a Grace Kelly, in her second film. The movie 

press review of "Semi-Tough." During his was first released in 1952. Since then it has 

been recognized as one of the most popular 

stay there he interviewed Burt Reynolds 

Kris Kristofferson, director Mike Rit- films about the West ever made. It won 

and David Merrick, the producer. The four Academy Awards, including best actor, 

best music score, best song and best film 

editing. It was nominated as best picture. 

The film is being presented at the Witte in 

conjunction with the western art of Frederic 

Remington. 

Girls" at the Fredericksburg Road. Trail 

and Town Twin Drive-In theatres; "It's Not 

the Size That Counts" at the Northwest 

Six and Century South Six and "Another 

Man, Another Chance" at the Aztec 3, Judson 

4, Movies 4, Cine Cinco, San Pedro 

and Mission Twin. 

Special film showings include "Hester 

Street" and "The Wrong Box" at San Antonio 

College in the Fiesta Room at Loftin 

Student Center; "Lord of the Flies" sponsored 

by the San Antonio Film Society in 

the Chapman Graduate Center at Trinity 

University; University of Texas at San Antonio 

will screen "Miracle on 34th Street" 



HAWÂII TOO. 


^^' 

5ll^/l ^^^n'f Vîss the famous 

HAWAII Lôn "O -"how. . at 

. 

H0TE1.S Cinerama's Reef Towers Hotel. 

IS HAIKIKI REIJ Kt£F TOWEJ& UXiEWATtH 

in Room 2.01.36 in the Humanities & Business 

BIdg. and Incarnate Word College will 

show "The 39 Steps" and "Bridge on the 

River Kwai" in Marian Hall. 

Midnight shows sponsored by local radio 

stations included the KISS-FM midnight 

show Friday and Saturday at the Colonies 

North featuring Woody Allen's "Sleeper" 

plus another chapter of the "Dick Tracy" 

serial ... the KAPE midnight show Friday 

and Saturday at the Texas featured "Superfly" 

plus free popcorn with each ticket 

purchase and the KTFM showing of "Rocky 

Horror Picture Show" in its 10th week. 

•Welcome to L.A.," "Julia" and "Slap Shot" 

at the Northwest Six and "Star Wars" at the 

Century South Six. 

TEXPO Keeps 77 Format, 

Brandon Doak Announces 

DALLAS— "Due to 

the popularity of last 

year's great array of screenings and product 

seminars the convention committee will stay 

with the same (1977) formula and over ten 

hours will be devoted to screening and discussing 

1978 product," said Brandon Doak, 

NATO of Texas president. 

In a letter to industryites Doak noted 

some of the activities planned for next 

year's Southwest Regional Convention for 

Motion Picture Exhibitors to be held under 

the TEXPO banner from January 31 

through February 2 of the coming year. 

This state's NATO will host the meeting 

which is conducted for all exhibitors biit 

primarily those from Texas. Oklahoma and 

New Mexico. 

Doak pointed out that producers, dis- 

F'ilniing began on a made-for-TV show 

being shot on location in San Antonio to be 

Among the new films opening here: the 

titled "Rose and Eddie." a contemporary 

western which will be telecast on CBS next double bill of "Ruby" and "The Legend of 

Independent casting director Elizabeth 

year. 

3. the Wolf Woman" at the Aztec Judson tributors, film stars, key industry figLires 

Kiegley hired all of the San Antonians who 4 Drive-In, Capitan Drive-In and Movies 4; and others who serve and support the motion 

picture business will be on hand to 

applied for parts—mostly crowd scenes. San a double bill of "The Death of Bruce Lee," 

Antonio was selected for some of the location 

and "The Bamboo Brotherhood" at the Az- 

take part in the various presentations, dem- 

work because there are several parts of tec 3; "Alice, Sweet Alice" at the San Pedro, onstrations and social activities. He also 

Mission Twin, Town Twin. Movies 4 and noted that the limited number of accommodations 

the city with small stores that appear to be 

located in a little town, according to Terri Cine Cinco; "Barbara Broadcast" at the 

and higher registration fee would 

Central Park Fox 3; "Desires Within Young suggest that the prudent person sign up 

Martin, assistant to Kiegley. It is set in a 

small Texas town. Scenes also will be filmed 

before January 24. 

Jack H. Harris is executive producer for 

Columbia's "Eyes." 

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BOXOFHCE :: November 28. 1977 SW-3

. . We 

. . Don 

DALLAS 

Kemeny, Jewison Attempt 

To Arrange China Filming 

TORONTO—A delegation of four Canadians, 

led by producer John Kemeny, have 

giU Wood, booker for United Artists Theatres, 

is recuperating at home, 6812 prises, is in the Baylor Hospital where they 

Evelyn Neely, Sack Amusement Enter- 

left China after failing to obtain government 

Coronado, Dallas, following an accident are trying to dissolve a blood clot in her 

approval to shoot a feature film there based 

that left him with a broken leg. We're sure leg. This delays the move to her new business 

quarters at 1499 Regal Row, Suite 512 

on the career of Dr. Norman Bethune. The 

some chirpy, get-well cards would help him 

delegation had spent two weeks conferring 

mend . wish to join those extending (telephone: 630-8451) but more importantly 

keeps a vivacious member of the industry 

with Chinese officials and traveling to villages 

and towns where Bethune worked as 

best wishes to John Kitts who succeeds 

Russell Brown, retiring Universal branch out of circulation. 

a doctor for the Red Army during the "SOs. 

manager in Seattle. Kitts is a Dallas native 

The prospective filmmakers insist that 

son. 

Donna Boyd, FLW Theatres, will be 

the Chinese have not given a flat no to their 

moving to Chicago 

Everyone 

soon as a result of her 

get over to 6123 Winton, behind 

the Wilshire Theatre, Thursday 

Jewison says he is optimistic that they will 

proposal and prospective director Norman 

husband's recent transfer. They are currently 

busy packing, selling their 

through Sunday (December 

home and 

1-4) for the big 

give permission within a couple of months 

looking for a 

WOMPI garage sale. The 

new home in the Windy City. 

ladies are really 

for the Bethune biography to be made there. 

knuckling down We wish them both the very best . . . 

to the task of raising funds 

However, 

Brett Miller, formerly 

other sources indicate that 

with J. C. 

for next year's convention here. They 

McCrary 

will 

while the 

and Assoc, had 

Chinese were polite and sympathetic 

to the Canadians' request, they hinted 

the nicest birthday present 

accept, gratefully, any donations of excess 

of all Friday (4), when she 

"goodies" from 

was delivered 

your garage, attic or whereever. 

Just call Mary 

quite clearly that they don't intend 

of a 9-'4 

to create 

pound boy 

Crump 

who has 

at 692-5055 

been named 

to 

a precedent 

make 

Maxwell. 

by allowing a foreign film to be 

arrangements for your contributions. 

made within their borders. 

Charge the regional editor with a major Jackie Fugate, ex-Paramounter. 

Michael Spencer, executive director of 

is also a 

boo-boo. His fingers were working while 

the 

new mother. She 

Canadian Film 

has a six pound 

Development Corp., 

girl, Michelle 

Lee. Sharing Jackie's happiness is the 

his mind was out to lunch. In the issue of 

which would be asked to finance a substantial 

portion of the 

Monday (7) we noted Marvel Lee Sullivan's proud grandmother. Marion Stilwell, who 

$10,000,000 project, described 

the 

birthday on Thursday (10) but called her has been with RKO, Columbia and 

Chinese position as "not 

American 

Multi-Cinema. 

100 per 

Marvel Lee Miller. This occasioned many 

cent no." 

calls to our Dallas correspondent inquiring 

Jewison and Spencer seemed to agree th:it 

if Marvel's husband had died and she had 

the biographical film won't 

John Richardson is the new 

be made unless 

salesman at 

re-married. Gladly we report Sam Sullivan 

permission 

Associated Popcorn. 

can be obtained to film it in 

announced Corle 

is well and active. We apologize to one and 

China, 

Pierce who credits booming 

where Bethune spent the last aiul 

business with 

all, repeat the birthday wish and hope that 

most dramatic months of his life. "There's 

the expansion in staff. John is an alumnus 

the Sullivan's enjoy many more festive occasions 

together. 

of North Texas 

no place you can make it except theie," 

State and earned a Master's 

Degree 

Jewison and 

from 

Spencer told Ross Munro o\ 

Texas Christian University. 

Good 

the 

Our deepest sympathy to Jimc Patterson, 

Globe and Mail. "The general feeling 

luck, John. 

among us all is that if we can't make it in 

an inspector at Universal who lost her father, 

Charlie Bryant, Lone Oak, suddenly. Walter Penn, 5647 Southwestern, Dallas 

China it won't be a very good film." 

this month 

However, 

. Kay. Don Kay 

Kemeny, who wants to produce 

the film, is planning to meet soon \miIi 

Enterprises, 

New 

75209. will be celebrating his birthday Monday, 

December 5. Cards from all his friends 

Orleans, is currently in the intensive 

care 

pro-China film companies in 

unit at Our Lady 

Hong Kony 

of the Lake and associates would brighten the day. 

It is 

Hospital, Baton 

unclear whether Kemeny, who couklni 

Rouae. La. 70802. 

"Have a happy," Walter. 

be reached for comment, expects to discuss 

making the film in Hong Kong or to enlist 

the companies' support in his continuing 

effort to shoot in China. 

Meanwhile, a delegation representing the 

National Film Board, which is visitmy 

Pinkston Sales & Service 

China simultaneously but separately from 

the Bethune group, has found Chinese officials 

"very receptive" to proposals for closer 

MOTION PICTURE EQUIPMENT 

ties. 

Andre Lamy. chairman for the NFB, said 

Complete Sales Service or Repair 

in an interview that he has been greatly encouraged 

by the Chinese response to the 

AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTORS FOR MANY MANUFACTURERS 

board's request that an AFB film crew be 

allowed 

Ed Cernosek 

R.W. (Pinky) Pinkston 

2017 Young St. 

^ 

to make a major documentary film 

in China in the near future. 

Lamy and the NFB group reportedly 

214-741-1637 

talked to the Chinese in fairly concrete 

Dallas, Tex. 75231 

or 741-1638 

terms about an NFB crew getting permission 

to spend several months in a Chinese 

commune or other Chinese setting, making 

"Go Modern. 

^ 

a film about contemporary life in the vast 

Asian country. 

..For All Your Theatre Needs" 

Additionally, the NFB soon will be sending 

a variety of its films to China for screening 

by Chinese officials, with a view toward 

selling them for limited distribution. The 

Stipplia & Strrkt- Chinese have expressed a special interest 

in educational films of a scientific, technical 

2200 YOUNG STREET DALLAS. TEXAS, 75201 TELEPHONE 747-3191 or • agricultural nature. 

• 

SW-4 BOXOmCE November 28. 1977

I 

held 

. . Myers 

. . 

i;d 

MINNEAPOLIS 

Cneak previews and trade screenings were 

for several forthcoming attractions 

here. Avco Embassy branch manager 

Dean Liitz held a combination sneak-trade 

screening for "Rabbit Test" at the Terrace 

Theatre Friday (!«) The PG-rated comedy 

toplines Dennis Dugan, Doris Roberts, Joan York. 

Rivers, Paul Lynde, Roddy McDowell, Vincent 

Price, John Byner and Ronnie Schell. 

It will be released next January or February. 

Avron Rosen, head of the 20th Century- 

Fox branch, set a tradescreening for "The 

Turning Point," which opens Dec. 21 in 

the Twin Cities, some dates still pending. 

Anne Bancroft and Shirley MacLaine costar. 

The showing was held at the Skyway 

Screening Room. 

co-star . . . 

Paramount's "Thi Serpent's Egg" was 

screened Thursday (17) at the Skyway 

Screening Room by branch chief Forric 

Myers. Liv Ullmann and David Carradine 

Larry Bigelow, American International 

Pictures branch head, screened 

"Mean Dog Blues" Thursday (10) at the 

Skyway Screening Room, and included a 

product reel from the forthcoming "Grayeagle." 

"Mean Dog Blues" stars George 

Kennedy, Gregg Henry and Kay Lenz. Also 

on the program was a product reel with 

footage from II AIP 1978 films, among 

them "Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover," 

"California Dreaming," "Force 10 From 

Navarone" and "Meteor." 

Manager trainees in the Plitt North Central 

Theatres circuit include; Mark H. 

Schm dt, training at the Skyway I-M-lIl 

Theatres in downtown Minneapolis; and 

Gary D. Hembree, training at the State 

Theatre, Sioux Falls, 

S.D. 

Changes in managerial posts in the Plitt 

circuit: John R. Cain, manager-trainee at 

the State Theatre. Sioux FaUs. S.D., has 

been promoted to manager of the Empire 

Theatre. Minot. N.D., replacing George 

Tobin, who recently resigned. 

Frank Zanotti, Universal branch manager, 

has requested offers for "Gray Lady 

Down," due for a March release. Charlton 

Heston, David Carradine. Stacy Keach and 

Ned Beatty toplinc the picture, which was 

sneak-previewed Thursday (17) at the Skyway 

Theatre here. 

Filnirow Visitors: .Scott Hiller, Marshall 

Theatre; Ray Vonderhaar. Tentilino Enterprises, 

Alexandria, Minn.; Sid Heath. 

Flame, Wells, Minn.; John Walters. FamiU 

Drive-in, Fairmont, Minn. 

It's a boy for Linda M. Ebeling, Plitt 

Lake Theatre, Fairmont, Minn. Daniel Allen 

was born to Mr. and Mrs. Ebeling at 

precisely 6:49 p.m. October 28, in Fairmont. 

The couple's first-born weighed 9 

pounds, 2' 2 ounces, and measured 21 '2 

inches. All are doing fine—even daddy! 

Filling in for Linda during her maternity 

leave is Kevin Wolcenski, manager-trainee 

from the Plitt Skyway complex here. 

BOXOmCE :: November 28, 1977 

Matthew Walsh, manager of the Plill 

Brookdale Theatre here, returned from a 

vacation spent along the Minnesota North 

Shore and in Iowa. And Ken Anderson, 

manager of the Plitt Norstar in downtown 

St. Paul, left on a vacation trip to New 

Minnesota Valley League bowling started 

Saturday (26). with team members listed as 

Dean Lutz, Avco Embassy branch manager; 

Forrie Myers, Paramount branch manager; 

Tommy and Denny Lutz of the 20th Century-Fox 

branch, and Jack Kclvic of Northwest 

Theatres. Don Palmquist. office manager 

of the 20th Century-Fox branch, is listed 

as a sub. 

Lou Calamari, general manager of Plitt 

North Central Theatres, Inc., and Bob Thill 

and Cliff Knoll, district managers, were in 

Chicago to huddle with Plitt executives at 

their Midwest office in the Windy City . 

Earlier. Plitt North Central had conducted 

managers" meetings for Minnesota and Wisconsin 

managers in Minneapolis, and North 

Dakota and South Dakota managers in 

Grand Forks, N.D. 

Forrie Myers, head of the Paramount 

branch here, went hunting on the closing 

day of the duck season—and found the 

ducks had closed it even earlier. His 400- 

mile roundtrip quest in the Battle Lake- 

Fergus Falls, Minn., area was fruitless. And 

duckless . earlier had attended a 

Paramount division meeting in Chicago. 

Tom Doughty, Grand Theatre, Northfield, 

Minn., who has been doing his own 

buying and booking, turns those duties over 

to Midwest Entertainment on December 1 

. . . Mr. and Mrs. Bill Gordon, Grand Theatre, 

Baudette. Minn., were in the Twin 

Cities visiting their daughter, who attends 

Hamline University in St. Paul. 

"The Swarm" was scripted by Stirling Siliphant 

from a novel by Arthur Herzog. 

%^ ffllfriBtmaB ^ 

^ mi Unltban 

.»' 

Ci^ MERCHANT 

* FILM*ADS^ 


^ 

1 • SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FILMS 

f 

• DATE STRIPS • TRAILERETTES J^ 


Filmdck 

(312)427 3395 ^^ tudlod ,\NC. 

1327 S. WABASH AVE. CHICAGO, IL . 60605 

Minneapolis Hosts 

Two New Pictures 

MINNEAPOLIS - -La Grande Bourgeoise" 

and "First Love" were the lone new 

arrivals as grosses remained mixed. "La 

Grande" scored a 135 at the Edina I Theatre, 

while "First Love" merely "got by" 

at the Mann with a 115. "Julia" remained 

a potent 250 at the Skyway 111, and "Heroes" 

was at 210 in a second week at the 

Skyway I. "Oh, God!" continued leggy at 

two situations, notching a smart 200. "Star 

Wars" in a 25th week at the Park looked 

good for the run through Christmas with its 

175. "Bobby Deerfield" in a third frame 

at a trio of screens backed off to a 190. 


Brookdale, Southdale— Oh, God! (WB), 6th wk ,200 

Coooer, Sou'hi^!.--A Piece ot the Action iWB) 

4lh wk, 55 

Cooper Cam.-- -Valentino ('.'..V' .:,- ,30 

Edlna I—La Grande Bourgeoise i.^rvi 135 

Edina Il-Joseph Andrews iP^:^;, 3 J v.t . 95 

Hopkins; Studio—Can I Do It Til I Need Glasses? 

(SR), 6th wk 45 

Mann— First Love (Para) 115 

Movies at Eden 

• 

P:ai: - Smokey and the Bandit 

(Univ), IR-h •,-'.- 45 

Park—Star War.^ ?^ Sth wi: 175 

Seven thea': The Chicken Chronicles 

(Avco En,! ),,;,. 80 

Skyway I-Heroes ::r,,, , wk 210 

Skyway Ill-Julia '.',Uth-Fox) , 3rd wk 250 

Three theatres—Bobby Deerfield (Col), 3rd wk 190 

Three theatrej-The Kentucky Fried Movie (SR). 

3rd wk _ 75 

Mark Sullivan to Rivola, Oskaloosa 

OSKALOOSA. lA.—The Rivola Theatre 

in Oskaloosa has a new manager who took 

over the job October 22. Originally from 

Ottumwa. Mark Sullivan moved to Oskaloosa 

from Iowa City where he managed 

another theatre for the Central States Theatre 

Corp. The plans are to do some 

remodeling, including new carpeting and 

wall papering at the Rivola. Chamber of 

Commerce ambassador Fred Koogler and 

Mark recently looked over the remodeling 

plans and the coming attractions. 

"Blue Sunshine' Honored 

NEW YORK—"Blue Sunshine." a Joseph 

Beruh/ Edgar Lansbury production 

distributed by Cinema Shares International 

Distribution Corp.. which has been invited 

to the Edinburgh Film Festival, was unspooled 

as the American entry in the London 

Film Festival Friday (18). 

S3S.00 

^ iMMKi^MrHii 



HAWAII TOO. 


^°"'^ "^'^ the famous 

wf* 

QllMmlM 

[hûi] '-'o" fô Show. . at 

[ggnasj . 

Cinerama's Reef Towers Hotel. 

IN WAIKIKI: REEF REEF TOWERS EOGEWATEII

— 

MILWAUKEE 

Located in Mequon is a 33-foot-diameter 

microwave dish that is bringing films 

to the Milwaukee area via pay TV. According 

to George Brenard, local ptibiicist with 

Movie Systems. Inc., the programs originate 

from Home Box Office, Inc.. a Time-Life 

Co. in New York. TV signals are sent to 

New Jersey, then beamed to the RCA STA- 

COM H satellite orbiting above the equator 

and relayed to the top of the First Wisconsin 

Center on Milwaukee's downtown lakefront. 

Here an earth station (costing $120.- 

000) feeds the signals to the microwave 

dish and are made available to subscribers 

within a 20-mile radius. 

The service, which is licensed through 

the Federal Commimications Commission, 

brings patrons first-run, unedited pictures 

like "Gator" and "Network" for a monthly 

cost of $10, plus a one-time installation 

charge of $15. Brenard said the service is 

available to apartment projects of as many 

as 100 units that have master antenna systems. 

In addition to Fountainview Apartments, 

a large facility in the suburb of 

Shorewood, other apartment complexes being 

considered are Lakeshore Tower and 

Bay View Terrace on the south side where 

demonstrations are scheduled later this 

month. 

Two news releases from John litis Associates, 

Chicago-based publicity agency for 

motion picture companies, reports that Columbia 

Pictures' "Silver Bears" will not 

open in Milwaukee on Friday (18) as previously 

slated and has been postponed indefinitely 

and Universal Studios' film release, 

"Which Way Is Up?" is slated to have 

a first-run Milwaukee engagement beginning 

Friday, December 23, at the Centre 

Twins and possibly one other theatre. 

Vesey Walker, a former Milwaukee 

bandleader who moved to Hollywood in the 

1930s where he became active in films and 

organized the famed Disneyland Band 

(which had performed for more 90 million 

people by 1970), was buried in Whittier. 

Calif., in early November. A graduate of 

the U.S. Army Bandmasters School, he had 

organized and directed more than 50 musical 

organizations. He retired in 1970. Survivors 

include his son Thomas of Arnheim. 

his daughter, Mrs. Gail Beverly of Orange, 

Calif and his sister Elsie Darling of Milwaukee. 

Ben Marcus, board chairman and president 

of the Marcus Corp., was presented 

with the Walt Disney Humanitarian Award 

at NATO's recent annual meeting in Miami, 

Fla. The honor, named for its first recipient. 

is not given every year and Marcus was chosen 

for his "voluntary and charitable activities 

both in Wisconsin and nationally." 

Others who have received the award include 

Bob Hope. ABC President Leonard Goldensen, 

and MCA board chairman Jules Stein. 

Wayne Fitzncr, who formerly worked at 

the Majestic Theatre in Cudahy. is the new 

manager at the Avalon Theatre on Milwaukee's 

south side. His father, Chuck Fitzner, 

is co-owner of the two theatres along with 

Paul Nespbor. Wayne told Boxoffice he 

was looking forward to a new Saturday 

night policy of "Midnight Movies" to begn 

before the end of November. ""We're tying 

in with WQFM Radio and the Rushmore 

Ltd., record shop," Wayne said, "and we'll 

featLU-e live stage entertainment each weekend 

before the film feature." Referring to 

the midnight format at the Oriental Landmark 

Theatre, which has been successfully 

run on the city's east side the past two 

years, Wayne said he would likewise point 

his midnight film fare at the teen-to-thirtyish 

crowd. 

Chilton Cinema presented a special midnight 

show recently together with, JPM 

Productions and WYNE Radio on two successive 

evenings. All seats went for $1.00, 

no advance sales, just ""first come, first 

served." Free prizes went to the first ten 

people in line. Film feature was "The Graduate." 

Meanwhile, Chilton Cinema began 

offering official ""Star Wars" T-shirts on 

sale in the lobby. 

Alerted by advance promotion during recent 

months for the coming screening of 

'"Close Encounters of the Third Kind," the 

interest kindled here in the Columb'a Pictures 

studios has also apparently influenced 

investors around the nation. Contemplation 

of a possible blockbuster sci-fi that may 

trace a profitable journey around the world 

film circuit, as did ""Star Wars." is credited 

with the phenomenal interest in Columbia 

shares. According to Robert Metz, writing 

in the Journal, Columbia shares had risen 

to a year's high of 19% Thursday (17) 

from a low at the beginning of 1977 at 

7 -Vs. 

""Investors May Have Close Encounter 

of a 4th Kind" is the across-page headline 

over the special report which quotes one 

Wall Street analyst as stating that were 

"Encounters" to produce $40,000,000 in 

domestic rentals, it "would be one of the 20 

biggest boxoffice successes of all time." 

One sobering fact, however, this analyst 

does not overlook is that ""Encounters" is 

believed to have cost Columbia $20,000,000 

or more, whereas '"Star Wars" cost an estimated 

$10,000,000. 

""Encoimters" is set to open locally on 

Dec. 14 at Northridgc Sixplex (in two auditoriums) 

and Southtown Theatre. 

Frank Osteroth who has operated the 

Brauwamt Theatre in Iron Mountain, Mich., 

since it opened in 1952, is now planning a 

lot of hoopla and gala events to observe 

that theatre's 25th anniversary to start December 

11. There's no doubt that Frank 

enjoys good relations with local merchants 

and the Iron Mountain Chamber of Commerce 

for the citywide window painting art 

contest they sponsored had as its theme, 

"Movies." The merchants chipped in for 

the prizes: $100, $50 and $25 government 

bonds which went to talented teens at both 

the Iron Mountain and Kingsford High 

Schools. ""Star Wars" and '"One on One" 

were two of the most popular films around 

which the yoimg artists created their colorful 

art pictures on merchant's windows. 

Starlite Outdoor Theatre, near Sturgeon 

Bay. had a triple feature for its "last show 

of the season" the final weekend in October 

and offered ""free popcorn and soda with 

each paid admission." 

The Adams Theatre had a photo on the 

"Second Front Page" of the local weekly 

newspaper, Adams County Times and 

Friendship Reporter, showing two local 

workmen atop ladders set up in front of 

the theatre's marquee. The text explained 

that a '"cherry picker" was used to reach 

parts of the huge theatre sign that were too 

high to reach with an ordinary ladder and 

that it was all part of a ""brightening up of 

the front of the building with a paint job 

on the sign and a general spruce-up." 

A news story in Elkhorn Independent reports 

that the Walworth County Arts Council 

is presenting a film festival during the 

fall and winter at the Genoa City Theatre. 

Classical and contemporary films are to be 

made available by the Arts Council for 

members, friends, students and the community. 

The first film chosen to open the 

festival was ""Romeo and Juliet." Student 

admission is 50 cents, all others $1.00. 

There are ""more bad actors off the screen 

than on" was the complaint registered in 

a top-of-page editorial which appeared in 

the ""Waterloo Courier" early in Novemhci. 

""The owner of the local theatre has expressed 

concern for the disorderly conduci 

by juveniles attending weekend shows," ihc 

editorial began. ""The problem was announced 

at last week's meeting of the chamber 

of commerce with a plea by the pioprietor 

of the house for assistance with his 

problem of misconduct among the youth. 

What wasn't brought up at the meeting was 

the extent of bad acting off the screen." 

Bill Zabit. newspaper editor continues. 

"I have learned that actions by attending 

youth includes things such as property destruction, 

the partaking of drugs and immoral 

conduct. These are issues that demand 

the attention of police enforcement 

though the presence of an officer onl\ 

temporarily deters these actions. I appeal 

that the real source of discipline in curbing 

such behavior is not in the policing of the 

premises by city officials or voluntary or 

hired security persons, but instead by parents 

who need to exercise stern control 

not just at home but also a responsible 

management of their children while they are 

away ... A movie house is intended lo 

provide entertainment in the form of a presented 

movie. Waterloo is fortunate as a 

small town to have a theatre facility. Abusing 

that privilege can only cause an ultimate 

elimination of it. And with its absence 

the problem will not be solved. The misconduct 

will take place—only at another 

location. 

It concludes: '"By supporting disciplinars 

action parents can contribute to the welfare 

of their children and restore the pleasurable 

privilege of viewing major motion 

pictures in Waterloo." 

The Waterloo cinem.i is the Mode Thea- 

November 28, 1977

. . . The 

. . Some 

— 

With these 

Christmas Seals 

the children of 

America 

celebrate 

life and breath 

tit; 

'£^'M 

On this year's Christmas Seals the 

children of America express their feelings 

about Christmas. At the season 

of giving, they help us praise the gift 

of breathing. 

Your lungs must last you all your 

life. Smoking, pollution, disease wear 

them out. Christmas Seals fight these 

killers. 

Christmas Seals have helped conquer 

tuberculosis and are hard at 

work on the other dangers. Your contribution 

for Chnstmas Seals will help 

lung health for everyone. 

And your use of Christmas Seals 

will tell everyone else to help too. Act 

today. It's a matter of life and breath. 

We all share the same air And we 

care about every breath you take. We 

really do. 

Give to Christmas Seals. 

AMERICAN 

LUNG 

ASSOCIATION 

The Christmas Sear' People 

We care about every breath you take 

f:fibuted by the publisher as a public service 

Robert Fridley, Producer 

Of 'Hazing/ Is an lowan 

NEW SHARON. lA. — A former New 

Sharon businessman has joined the ranks 

of motion picture producers with a quality, 

low-budget film. "The Hazing," a story of a 

eollege fraternity initiation. 

Robert Fridley. who operated the old 

Sharon Theatre (now the Capri) from 1941- 

49 and still owns it, now operates a circuit 

out of Des Moines where he now lives. 

K.eith Miller, New Sharon's mayor, said 

19. 

Some time ago. Fridley became concerned 

about the decline in quality product. 

He leased his nine Des Moines theatres and 

began spending half of his time in Hollywood 

searching for a suitable product that 

could be turned into a film at a reasonable 

cost. He also probed the "nuts and bolts" 

of picture production. 

Another ex-circuit owner from Des 

Moines, Dick Davis, brought him the script 

for "Hazing" and they decided to have a 

go at it as a joint venture. They assembled 

Lopatin Productions, Inc., 

Announces Expansion Plan 

PHILADELPHIA— Ralph Lopatin Productions. 

Inc.. one of the oldest and largest 

independent producers and marketers of 

corporate, educational and commercial motion 

pictures, will double its workspace by 

acquiring a modernized three-story, centercity 

building of 7,488 square feet. The structure 

immediately adjoins the building of the 

s.nne size in which Lopatin has operated 

for the past 15 years. 

The firm is equipped to provide complete 

film production service, including sound recording 

and animation, and will soon add 

production of video tapes to its film activities. 

Studio space in its present quarters will 

be supplemented by 4,000 square feet in the 

newly acquired building. 

Sale price for the new property was 

$1.S5.000 and an additional $40,000 is 

slated 

for improvements, including a new unified 

facade for both buildings and internal access 

to each building from the other. The 

firm now has 1 1 full-time employees and 

expects an eventual increase to 21. 

DES MOINES 

J)cs Moines WOMPI held a November 

meeting at the home of Evelyn James 

(Universal). The Christmas dolls that were 

prepared for the Salvation Army have been 

delivered for their Christmas project. The 

meeting was spent in making decorative 

Christmas card baskets which are for sale 

as a money-making project to finance 

WOMPl's charity donations. Anyone interested 

in buying one is asked to call Betty 

that he felt pleased by the ex-resident's success 

and noted that Bob Fridley had always 

Hemstock, finance chairman, at 243-5287 

been ambitious, holding down 

December meeting will be held at 

two jobs and 

the 

making daily roimd trips from Des 

home of Joyce Taylor in West Des 

Moines. 

Moines. 

He started as an exhibitor when he was only 

. . . Gayle 

Central Slates: Linda Quiglcy is the new 

face in the CSTC accounting department. 

Linda replaces Terry Spencer 

Gustafson won over $50 in cash and Nancy 

Gustafson won a turkey, a calculator and 

$25 in cash from radio contests. 

This week saw the drive-ins close in Ottumwa. 

Mason City, Burlington, the Twin 

at Cedar Rapids and the S.E. 14th in Des 

Moines . . . ArthLir and Mrs. Stein went to 

the Twin Cities to attend a wedding. 

a talented staff of relative newcomers There's still interest in "Romeo and Juliet" 

including 

screen writer Bruce Shelley who has 

which played to good results recently 

as a late 

several first rate TV credits, and 

show at Ames . welcome: 

Jeff East. 

Brad David and Charlie Martin Smith as 

for his Halloween late show, Don Herdliska 

had a wooden coffin, standing on end 

co-stars. 

Fridley noted that he enjoyed the work inside was his doorman, in costume and 

and hopes to keep his hand in the business 

mask, reaching out to take tickets as customers 

entered—very clever stunt to set a 

if his early efforts are successful. His second 

project is a PG-rated comedy entitled "Every 

Girl Should Have of the 

spooky atmosphere with ... It seems Irving 

Shiffrin 

One." 

West Vue Drive-In could use 

a built-in zipper, 

"The Hazing" recently opened 

he has undergone so many 

at the 

Capri in New Sharon, the Rivola in Oskaloosa 

and several Des Moines theatres. from his latest surgery and seems to be do- 

operations, recently. However, Irv is home 

ing well. Hope you are home to stay this 

Laura Ziskin is associate producer for 

'Eyes." 

t iTie, Irv!! 

Visitors to various film exchanges this 

week included Jack March from Wayne, 

Nebraska and Chris and Carl Swanebeck of 

Kerr Theatres. 

Jones, Neff to Lead NorlTE 

PITTSBURGH—The Northern Independent 

Theatre Exhibitors elected officers 

for 1978 at a recent meeting. The new leaders 

are Edward C. Jones, board chairman; 

Richard W. Neff. president: Helen Trautman. 

secretary: Frank W. Lewis, treasurer; 

William F. Choltko, vice-president for 

membiership; George Stern, vice-president 

for public relations and Robert L. Stone, 

vice-president for publicity. 

Robert Towne wrote and will direct 

Greystoke." 

MERCHANT ADSSPECIAL TtlAILERS 

Trailerettes-Daters 

COLOR^BLACK & WHITE 

PARROT FILMS. INC. 

Novenihcr 28. 1977 NC-

Paste this inside your medicine cabinet. 

Canar's seven 

warning signals 

1. Change in bowel or bladder habits. 

2. A sore that does not heal. 

3. Unusual bleeding or discharge. 

4. Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere. 

5. Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing. 

6. Obvious change in wart or mole. 

7. Nagging cough or hoarseness. 

If you have a warning signal, see your doctor. 

American Cancer 

I Society 

J 

NC-4 BOXOmCE :: NovcmK-r 28, 1977

CLEVELAND 

Hiuly Grucnbcrg, Warner Bros, branch 

manager, is a happy young man these 

days! Andy said that "week in and week 

out" the grosses are remaining strong for 

"Oh, God!" The exhibitors are more than 

pleased. 

Warner Bros.' Don Buda left for an exciting 

vacation. The first stop was Boston 

before he departed for the glamorous Mediterranean. 

Tony Luria, head booker at Warner 

Bros., planned vacation to Phoenix and 

a 

Hawaii. 

Donna Petti, cashier at Warner Bros., 

spun the globe for her vacation and Greenland 

is it! 

Sportservice Corp. has moved from the 

Cedar-Brainard building to 2177 South Taylor 

Rd. This move requires Larry Crowley's 

secretary Veronica Compondu to travel the 

highways to the tune of 25 miles each day. 

Larry and his wife Lorraine have had a very 

busy month. First, they attended the NATO 

meeting in Florida. After that they traveled 

to this area and to Indianapolis, where the 

Independent Theatre Owners conclave was 

held. Larry also reported that Sportservice 

of Indiana, Michigan and Ohio have signed 

a contract with Cinemavision for screen 

advertising for the new year. 

The Cleveland State University Film Society 

is bringing back good old films at the 

good old price of 50 cents. They will feature 

Simday matinees only and the schedule 

for the remainder of this month includes 

"Ship of Fools" and "Days of Wine and 

Roses." 

Several stars have visited this area recent- 

CALGARY—A new slate of officers and 

ly. Edward Asner and Stephanie Zimbalist 

visited this area for a charity benefit in conjunction 

with the TV special "TTie Gathering." 

board of directors was elected by the Motion 

Picture Theatre Ass'n of Alberta at its 

Ms. Zimbalist. daughter of Efrem 

recent annual meeting held in Jasper, Alta. 

Zimbalist jr., made her first movie just a 

President of the MPTAA for the upcoming 

year ago. Recently she finished filming 

term is Brian Mcintosh, Landmark Theatre, 

'Lassie, My Lassie," a love story with James 

Edmonton. 

Stewart. Edward Asner's wife Nancy, producer 

Harry Sherman and youthful 

Other officers are: Bert Wiber of Famous 

director 

Randal Kleiser were also present. Kleiser's 

most recent credits include the TV production 

of "Boy in the Plastic Bubble" and 

the film version of "Grease." There will be 

five benefit showings of "The Gathering" 

at the Falls Theatre in Chagrin Falls where 

it was filmed. The project is sponsored by 

Cuyahoga Savings in cooperation with Hanna-Barbera 

Productions. Inc., producers of 

the 

film. 

Another star to shine in this area recently 

was Kitty Carlisle. She was the guest 

speaker in the Play House Womens lecture 

series. She discussed the future of the arts. 

Ms. Carlisle has been involved with the arts 

for more than four decades, having performed 

on stage, screen and in operas. She 

is also a special consultant to the governor 

of New York on women's opportunities. 

Monday (21) Bruce Stern screened "Star 

Ship." which stars Robert Vaughn and 

Christopher Lcc. 

Robert Kaplowitz, branch manager of 

United Artists, had a capacity crowd at the 

MGM screening of "Telefcn." starring 

Charles Bronson. 

Morrie Zryl of Selected Theatres is beaming 

with the prospect of his coming week's 

vacation. Morrie is off to Los Angeles to 

work with Group 111 and the New World 

companies. 

Silk Stockings, the harness racing horse 

and star of a movie made last summer in 

this area, is back at the Northfield Track. 

This time he hopes to be a star at harness 

racing. 

Volunteers for Playhouse Foundation, 

one of several groups helping to raise funds 

to save old film palaces, will open a boutique. 

It will be located on the balcony of 

the Palace Theatre and volunteers will sell 

their arts and crafts from now until Christmas. 

If it is successful, it will become a permanent 

project. 

Dobama's two Woody Allen one act 

plays, "God" and "Death," grossed $6,000 

for a clear profit for the regional playhouse. 

Gov. James Rhodes has signed the capital 

improvements bill which includes $1.5 million 

for the Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival's 

new theatre. The 1977 Great Lakes 

Shakespeare Festival's attendance overall 

was up nine per cent over 1976. The show 

with the best draw was "Peg O' Mv Heart." 

Brian Mclnlosh Is 

MPTAAPrexy 

Players, Edmonton, Northern vice-president; 

Barney Regan, Odeon Theatres, Calgary. 

Southern vice-president, and Reg Dutton. 

Famous Players, Calgary, secretarytreasurer. 

Members of the board of directors are: 

Larry Becker, Fort Macleod and Waterton; 

Sam Binder. Edmonton; Reg Dutton, Calgary; 

Brian Holberton, Edmonton; Bill Hunchak. 

Rocky Mountain House; John Lewis, 

Devon and Leduc; Lou Lobb, Calgary; Phil 

May, Edmonton; Don Purnell, Red Deer; 

Barney Regan, Calgary; Hector Ross, Calgary; 

Ron Tiboni, Calgary; Bert Wiber, Edmonton; 

Terry Yushchyshyn, Edmonton; 

Bob Shackleford, Lethbridge; Don Menzies. 

Calgary, and Brian Mcintosh, Edmonton. 

New York TV personality Bill Boggs 

make his screen debut in "Eyes." 

CINCINNATI 

phil Borack is once again flying out to the 

coast for the final shooting on "Harper 

Valley PTA." This is great news because it 

means that Nannette Fabray will be able to 

resume shooting. You will remember that 

Miss Fabray was injured during the end of 

October when she was hit by an elephant's 

trunk during the filming. 

John Rice is reopening the Grand Theatre, 

Ronceverte, W. Va. It has been closed 

for several years. 

Area exhibitors warmly welcomed back 

Mona Binns. Mona, JMG booker for Indianapolis, 

recently lost her husband Duane. 

She returned to work Monday (21). 

The Capitol Theatre, Frankfurt. Ky., is 

closing after 40 years of service. Chakeres 

Theatres of Springfield, Ohio, is opening 

up a new theatre in the Frankfurt area. 

David Gillis, head of Clark Film Service, 

was in town to confer with Harry Janssen. 

Gillis, who is from New Jersey, also met 

with area distributors. 

Tri State Theatre Service is once again 

expanding, this time southward. They are 

now buying and booking for two Florida 

theatres. In Sarasota, its the South Trail 

Cinema, a syndicated theatre, and in Bradenton, 

the Cortez Plaza 1 and 2 Cinemas. 

Florida West theatres. 

Fuqua Industries Reports 

Third Quarter Profits 

ATLANTA— Fuqua Industries, Inc., reported 

that its profits rose 40 per cent in 

the third quarter ending September 30. Net 

income of $4. .300,000 or 44 cents per share 

was posted on sales of $157,000,000 in 

the third quarter. In the comparable period 

last year, $3,100,000, or 34 cents a share 

was earned on sales of $129,000,000. 

For the first nine months of 1977, Fuqua's 

earnings rose 22 per cent to $13,200,- 

000 or $1.37 a share on sales of $453,000,- 

000. In the previous year $10,800,000 or 

$1.21 a share was earned on sales of $385,- 

000,000. 

In a statement released by the company, 

which includes the Martin Theatre Co., 

Columbus, Ga., with 300 screens in ten 

Southern states, board chairman J. B. Fuqua 

said the plan for Fuqua to acquire National 

Industries, Inc., Louisville, Ky., is proceeding 

rapidly. He announced that National's 

director had approved the one-for-one common 

stock exchange and recommended the 

shareholders ratify it at a stockholders 

meeting expected to be held in December. 

The Fuqua board, he added, is expected 

to approve the final agreement this week. 

Fuqua already has acquired 16.5 per cent 

of National's common stock from several 

of National's directors last month. 

Fuqua said the combined companies 

would have annual revenues of more than 

$1,600,000,000, making it the second largest 

industrial company based in Georgia, 

outranked only by the Coca-Cola Co. 

BOXOmCE November 28, 1977 

ME-1

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"Christmas Seal" People 

We care about every breath you take 

ME-2 BOXOFHCE :: November 28. 1977

I 

'Rocky Horror Show' 

A Hit in Columbus 

COLUMBUS— -The Rocky Horror Picture 

Show," one of the longest running films 

in the area, was the subject of an article 

by Michael Salster. Dispatch reporter. The 

story, which includes an interview with Jim 

Pearce, proprietor of the Graceland Cinemas, 

follows in complete context: 

Er. urn, yes. "The Rocky Horror Picture 

Show," it's a, well, ahem, perhaps it's best 

to let Jim Pearce describe it. 

"Punk rock goes to the movies." the 

proprietor of the Graceland Cinemas says 

with a grin. Grin he should, because the 

movie, soundly drubbed by the critics when 

it was released a couple of years ago. is the 

longest running movie in Columbus. 

"Rocky Horror Show" celebrated its first 

birthday at the twin cinemas the weekend 

of Saturday (5). It's been playing to full 

houses on Friday and Saturday at midnight 

regardless of the weather or anything else. 

The movie is not so much watched as experienced. 

Pearce says that some fans of the film 

have seen it "50 or 60 times, because everyone 

has a good time with it." 

The novitiate should come prepared for 

a heavy ratio of craziness, as the audience 

literally becomes part of the movie. 

Example: The opening scene is of a wedding. 

From the audience comes a shower ot 

rice. 

Example: During the scene which features 

the dance, "The Time Warp." singles 

and couples begin to bounce and gyrate 

along with the cast on the screen. 

Pearce loves it that people are enjoying 

the movie, but he adds sternly: "There are 

rules. Everyone comes to have a good time. 

If someone gets too far out of line, they 

are asked to quiet down. If they don't, 

they're escorted out." 

As for the movie itself, Pearce calls it a 

"rip-off" of every science fiction movie ever 

made, with sort of a "Wizard of Oz' in reverse 

thrown in." 

The lead character. Dr. Frank N. Furtcr. 

, (WiriBtmaa ^ 

r anb BoliiiaD j^, 

Cetofi MERCHANT 

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• DATE STRIPS • TRAILERETTES J^ 


'ilmack 

(312) 427-3395 ^^tudloi. 

1337 S. WABASH AVE. CHICAGO, IL. 60605 

campily played by 1 ini Ciury. can best be 

described as a cross between Mick Jaggci 

and Renec Richards, with a dash of Bcia 

l.ugosi thrown in. 

Ihe plot, etc., is for those 17 or above, 

or accompanied by their parents. 

Tim Hack. 17, of Powell, Ohio, stood 

outside in a steady drizzle one recent weekend, 

waiting for the doors to open so he 

could see the film for the 25th time. 

"I come to see it every Friday and Saturday 

night." he said. "Everybody's having 

fun. both on the screen and in the audience. 

" 'Rocky' is not like any other regular 

movie I've ever seen before." he said. "It's 

not your basic normal movie." 

John McKitrick. a student at Marietta 

College in southeastern Ohio, has traveled 

to Columbus on weekends to watch the 

show, then spend the night with friends. 

"I mostly enjoy watching all the other 

people." he said, explaining why he has 

made so many repeat visits. 

To honor the craziness and the longevity 

of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," 

Pearce planned a "Rocky" birthday party 

Sunday (6). 

Pearce, who admits to having been in the 

movie business for 37 years, says he has 

seen a "lot of garbage on the screen" over 

the years. 

But, he adds, "never in my wildest 

dreams did I expect 'Rocky" to do so well." 

Ohio's Obscenity Laws 

Remain in Question 

COLUMBUS—There has been no rush 

by the state legislature to introduce any 

legislation as a result of the recent action 

by U.S. District Judge John M. Mano who 

declared the state's present obscenity laws 

unconstitutional. However, law enforcement 

officials throughout the state said they 

were not sure about their ability to make 

arrests and prosecute such cases until a 

final ruling is made on the law's constitutionality. 

Several county prosecutors expressed anger 

over the ruling, which specifically affected 

Cuyahoga County prosecutor John 

Corrigan and police from enforcing the 

state law against the Sovereign News Co.. 

its employees or its owner. This left a loophole 

for the prosecution of others under 

the law. according to some lawyers, while 

other legal experts said the federal court 

ruling would halt enforcement of the law 

in all Ohio counties. State Atty. Gen. William 

Brown said he plans to appeal the ruling. 

Judge Manos held that the state's laws 

were unconstitutionally vague and broad, 

and gave his own definition of illegal obscenity 

after "synthesizing past judicial decisions." 

He said that sexually explicit pictures 

are obscene and can. therefore be declared 

illegal. He also said that the state 

laws failed to meet the "clear and present 

danger" test, last established by the U.S. 

Supreme Court's 1973 obscenity decision. 

'Heroes' Nabs Lead 

In Cleveland Area 

CLEVELAND ^ Newcomer 

-Heroes" 

braved its way to the top of the list this 

report week with an average of 395. "Looking 

for Mr. Goodbar" found its way to the 

second place position with an average of 

325 at four theatres while "Oh, God!" came 

in third with a mark of 275 at five theatres 

for its fifth area week. 


the -Hero 

5— Slar Wars 

Five thea1res~0h. God! 

Four theatres— Looking Ic 

3rd wk. .. 

wl 4th 

Two the -Julia (20th-Fox), 2nd wk. .210 

"Heroes' and 'Star Wars' Earn 

GOO at Cincinnati Theatres 

CINC1NN.'\T1 — -Heroes" and "Star 

Wars" tied at the top of the list this report 

week with the top grosses of 600. The 

second place position was merited by "Oh, 

God!", which earned a mark of 500 in its 

sixth week. "Looking for Mr. Goodbar" 

found itself in the third place slot with 

grosses of 450 for its fourth week. 

Carousel Cmema-Julia (20th-Fox), 4th wk .350 

Carousel Cmema. Florence Mall—MacArlhur

Sell ... and Sell 

Scores of busy little messages 

go out every week to a tremendous 

audience— and they get a tremendous 

response! 

Every exhibitor is 

busy—buying, 

selling, renting, hiring. All this is 

made easier and more profitable 

with the classified ads in Clearing 

House each week. 

READ • USE • PROFIT BY— 

Classified 

Ads 

in 

BOXOFFICE 

Greatest Coverage in the Field—Most Readers for Your Money 

Four Insertions for Price of 

Three 

ME-4 BOXOFHCE :: Novembor 28, 1977

; 

BOSTON—A 

I 

Affairs 

A. C. Hardy Dies, Helped 

Talking Pictures Develop 

BOSTON— Arthur C. Hardy. 82. VVellcslc\, 

Mass., died Tuesday (1). He was professor 

emeritus of optics and photography 

at the Massachusetts Institute of Technoiog\ 

and helped in the birth of tallying pictures 

through his contribution to the development 

of sound recording on film for 

motion pictures. He served as a consultant 

to the MIT instrumentation laboratory. 

Born in Worcester, Mass.. he was graduated 

from the University of California and 

heyan his teaching career at the Cambridge 

university in 1917 as an assistant instructor 

ol 

physics. 

He served as a photographic officer with 

Boston's Music Hall Fund Raising 

Goal Is Announced as $3.5 Million 

i;Sfffrr«» 

nnn 

[ho army in France during World War 1 

aiul was section chief for the National 

a 

Defense Research Committee in World War 

Hardy was best known for his contributions 

to the science of color. He was the 

inventor of the spectrophotometer, a colormeasurement 

device with broad applications 

for science and industry. As a consultant to 

C.eneral Electric from' 1926 to 1931 he 

helped develop the technology that resulted 

in the first "talking pictures." He was also 

instrumental in developing basic technology 

ill modern color reproduction for the graphic 

arts. 

In 1957 he was honored by the Optical 

.Society of America for his work in optics. 

He was a member of many national scientific 

societies and the author of textbooks 

and scientific treatises on optics, photography, 

spectrophotography, colorimetry and 

tone and color reproduction. 

He is survived by his wife Elizabeth Beamon 

Hardy. 

Helen Rees Named as New 

Director of Mass. OCA 

new director of Cultural 

was named by Mayor Kevin White 

I at a press conference at the Wilbur Theatre, 

Wednesday (9). 

Helen Rees, who succeeds Betty Cook 

Monday (28), becomes the third woman to 

hold the job since OCA was created in 

1968 to clean up the theatre district, and to 

administer Summerthing, the city's summer 

arts program, and other arts-related functions. 

The new director said she plans to focus 

on making renovations in the theatre district. 

Since the move to clean up that area, 

the Boylston St. subway has been rechristened 

Boylston theatre district, mounted police 

are present at all legitimate theatre 

openings and surrounding motion picture 

theatres have benefited from the cleanup 

operations. 

Voters Reject James Shulman 

HARTFORD— Hartford Attorney James 

Shulman, of the Shulman exhibition family. 

was a loser in the Tuesday (8) West Hartford 

town election. He had sought a post 

on the town Board of Education. A Democrat, 

he is son of the late Maurice W. Shulman. 

pioneer Hartford exhibitor. 

'y-llU I . III. 

The Music Hall of (omorrow is depicted in the artisCs sketch of the entertainment 

center which is the reason for a current fund-raising drive with a $3,500,000 

goal. The target date for the opening of the facility is late 1980. The lower right 

hand corner of the sketch shows the base building, the old Metropolitan Theatre. 

In the lower photo, the activity attending the opening of the French baroque piclure 

palace in 1925 was captured on film. The Metropolitan was managed by E. F. 

Albee, father of famed playwright Edward Albee and dedicated by the legendary 

Mayor-Govemor-U.S. Representative James Michael Curley, whose career was the 

basis of the novel and motion picture, "The Last Hurrah." 

BOSTON—Governor Michael Dukakis 

and Boston's Mayor Kevin White inaugurated 

a fund-raising drive with a goal of 

$3,500,000 for the renovation and expansion 

of the Music Hall, formerly the palatial 

Metropolitan Theatre. The kickoff was 

held imder the auspices of the Metropolitan 

Center Inc.. at the Park Plaza Thursday 

(10). The opening is slated for late 1980. 

The 4.400-seat Metropolitan was designed 

by the noted theatre architect Clarence 

Blackball and dedicated by the late, great 

Mayor James M. Curley. E. F. Albee. the 

father of playwright Edward Albee, was the 

manager. One of the hallmarks of the theatre 

was its 90-foot-high grand lobby with 

the grand staircase inspired by the Paris 

Opera House. 

The objective behind the project is to 

provide Boston with a facility that will suit 

the needs of such inajor attractions as the 

Metropolitan Opera and the Bolshoi Ballet. 

Indeed, the hope is that the Music Hall will 

prove an enduring sanctuary for culture in 

the Hub and that the city will once again 

become a "must stop" for touring companies 

in all areas of the arts. This was the 

thought expressed by Henry Sears Lodge, 

president of MCI. The mayor and the governor 

underlined this sentiment and pledged 

support. 

The property currently is owned by Tufts 

University-New England Medical Center 

with Sack Theatres as the lessee initil MCI 

assumes the lease in 1980. 

Don Law. an MCI overseer will present 

the various programs that will appear at the 

Music Hall. While it is hoped that the hall 

will continue the traditions of the Metropolitan, 

there are some moments in the old 

theatre's history that are best forgotten: 

among them the time when Rudy Vallee. a 

Yale graduate, was singing "Oh. Give Me 

(Continued on next page) 

BOXOFHCE ;: November 1977 NE-1

. . . Joe 

. . Carl 

Hub Hit Parade Now 

Includes Newcomers 

BOSTON—Two newcomers added to 

the 

list of run-away hits at Beantown theatres. 

Eqiuis" rode into the Cheri III with a galloping 

500 and "The Lacemaker" had a 

ucli-knit 200 at the Exeter. 

"Looking for Mr. Goodbar," "Heroes," 

"Oh. God!", "Julia" and "Bobby Deerfield" 

lead the returnees with 300-plus grosses. 

The balance of the roster, with one exception, 

is also roaring along at breakneck 

speed. The question is "If the exhibitors are 

doing this well during the so-called "slack 

period," what will happen when the holiday 

break comes?" 


Beacon Hill—Heroes (Univ), 2nd wk 370 

Charles I—Slor Wars (20th-Fox), 25th wk 220 

Charles III, Saxon—Short Eyes (SR), 4th wk 250 

Cheri I— Julia (20ih-Fox), 5th wk 360 

Chen II, Chestnut HiU II—Oh, God! (WB), 

6th wk 3B5 

Cheri III—Equus (UA) 500 

Chestnut Hil ~ 57 I—Looking ioi Mr. 

Goodbar (Para), 4th wk. 

Cinema 57 II, Circle Cinema III—Bobby 

Deerfield (Col), 3rd wk 

Exeter—The Lacemaker (SR) 

Orson Welles I—American Friend (SR), 3rd 

Savoy II—Mohammad. Messenger oi God 

3rd wk 

Showcase IV—The Kentucky Fried Movie (SR 

6lh wk 

Showcase V—Looking lor Mr. Goodbar (Para) 

4th wk . 

Thirteen theatres- A Piece oi the Action (WB) 

6th wk 

Three theatres—Star Wars (iOth-Fox), 8th wk 

Three theatres—Bobby Deerlield (Col), 

Thn theatres—Oh. GodI (WB), 3rd wk 

New Haven's Film Offerings 

Are All Tightly Bracketed 

NEW HAVEN — Paramount's "First 

Love," with 225, auditorium one, and Universal's 

"Heroes," with 200, auditorium 

four, Redstone Showcase 5, were the sole 

newcomers. Holdover-wise. Paramount's 

"Looking for Mr. Goodbar," fourth week. 

Redstone plex (auditorium three), registered 

tops in town (250). And 20th-Fox'"s ""Star 

Wars," in record-shattering 19th week (auditorium 

five, same plex), zipped along at 

235. 

Cinemart I, Milford II—Oh, Godl (WB), 2nd wk. 16.S 

Cinem-::- I!—The Grateful Dead (SR), 2nd wk 125 

Snow-^f. :— First Love 'Para) 225 

Shov.cT -Bobby Deerfield (Co;) 

ng lor Mr. Goodbar (Para). 

BOSTON 

Jane Badger, publicity agent, sent out invitations 

to the Boston area press for a 

special showing of "Mermaids," a fantasy 

play about women presented by the Theatre 

Company of Boston School Touring Co., 

Friday (1 I). It took place at 8 p.m. at the 

Boston Center for Arts' Ehrlich Theatre. 

"When Irish Eyes are Smiling" chances 

are they belong to the colleen at E. M. 

Loew's who performs the duties of receptionist, 

Siobhan (call her Shuvon) McDonough. 

She is in her second year there and 

still enjoys the activity and excitement of 

the business. Siobhan was recruited by her 

aunt Rita Johnson, formerly E. M.'s secretary, 

and still well-thought of by Filmrow- 

Martin Berman, 20th Century-Fox 

branch manager, had a trade screening of 

'"The Turning Point" at the Parker Screening 

Room Thursday (17) . . . The same day 

Universal's branch manager, Ben Cammack 

jr.. held a sneak preview of ""Gray Lady 

Down" at the Sack Beacon Hill Cinema. It 

secretary Nan Gagne is now the mother of 

a IVz pound baby girl named Lindsay . . . 

Justin Freed's Coolidge Cinema expects a 

capacity crowd for two Charlie Chaplin 

shows, on December 5 and 6. The features 

will be "City Lights" and "Modern Times." 

Mike Parker, Judd Parker Films, gave his 

friends a reason for thanksgiving by getting 

out of the Norwood Hospital where he had 

been an involuntary guest . Goldman, 

executive-secretary of Theatre Owners 

of New England, announced that the TONE 

office is now located at 141 Tremont Street, 

on the corner of Temple across from the 

Boston Common. The phone number is still 

542-9144. 

Candidate for Property Tax Repeal 

AUGUSTA, ME.—Maine gubernatorial 

hopeful Charles L. Cragin III is calling for 

repeal of the state's uniform property tax, 

contending that the tax has thwarted efforts 

ito achieve equal educational opportunity. 

He is disputing tax backers' arguments to 

the effect that it has provided equal educational 

opportunity, and, for that matter. 

held the line on property taxes. 

INCORPORATIONS 

— Connecticut 

— 

KGH Productions Inc. c/o A.M. Ul 

man, 195 Church St., New Haven, 06510; 

Kenneth Harper, president; Gerald Edelstein, 

secretary. 

Merger 

Hartley Productions Inc. (New York 

corporation) into Hartley Productions Inc. 

(Connecticut corporation), Cos Cob 06807. 

Dissolution 

Middlesex Cablevision Inc., Middletown. 

filed a certificate of dissolution (going out 

of business), with persons holding claims 

against the corporation asked to contact 

legal counsel, Dzialo, Pickett & Allen. 164 

Court St.. Middletown 06457, on or before 

February 15, 1978. 

'Close Encounters' Debut 

Anxiously Awaited in Hub 

BOSTON—Business and theatre people 

stars Charlton Heston and David Carradine 

Majority of Hartford Film 

Rathgeb, the branch manager at 

Entries Well Above Average 

Paramount, held a screening of "1900" 

HARTFORD — 

starring 

Robert De Niro and Burt Lancaster. 

Extended engagements 

dominated the first-run bloc, with Paramounfs 

"Looking for Mr. Goodbar" (200, 

theatres as part of a vast, nationwide break. 

Friday (18) at the Parker Screening Room. 

fourth week) and 20th Century-Fox's ""Star Don Allen, regional accounting executive The multi-million dollar film, directed by 

Wars" (225, 18th week) the pace-setters. in Universal's home office was introduced Stephen Spielberg of "Jaws" renown, has 

Paramount's "First Love." auditorium three. to local industryites by that company's 

deliberately been shrouded in mystery with 

SBC Cinema City 4 (175), and Inter Planctary's 

""20th Century Oz" (160), auditoriimi Caller, Empire Theatre, Lewiston, Me., such as "Unidentified Flying Objects" and 

branch manager Ben Cammack jr. . . . Ray the exception of the "leak" of catch-phra 

two, Redstone Showcase 5, were sole newcomers. 

Myerson, N. E. Motion Picture Co., and A 

was in town to discuss product with ""A Sumner New Threshold for the Movies." 

to major media safari to Hollywood was 

Art Cinema—Paul. Lisa & Caroline (SR) Love 

Me 

check holiday bookings with 

to Death 

Gerry Govan. 

canceled when it was decided that ""Encounters" 

was not yet ready for screening. 

(SR). 2nd wk 175 

Atheneum Cinema—La Grande Bourgcoi.e (SR), 

Tom Coleman's staff at Atlantic Releasing 

passed on the good news that former some wild and some ridiculous. The word, 

This, in turn, triggered a spate of rumors. 

now, is that the press viewing was greeted 

are focusing their attention on the debut of 

Columbia Pictures' "Close Encounters of the 

Third Kind." The release represents that 

company's bid for a share of the gold harvested 

by "Jaws" and ""Star Wars." The 

forthcoming production will open December 

14 at the Sack Cinema 57 and suburban 

enthusiastically in New York this month. 

Music Hall Fund Drive On 


Something to Remember You By" and a 

Harvard student let fly with a large, ripe 

grapefruit, or the appearance of Johnny 

Ray who broke into his alltime hit '"Cr\. " 

and was tear-gassed, thus earning his sobriquet 

as ""The Prince of Wails." 

Nonetheless it is hoped that the new Music 

Hall will prove to be worthy heir to the 

traditions 

of the old Metropolitan. 

'Mildred Pierce' Screened at Harvard 

CAMBRIDGE, MASS.—Warner Bros.' 

""Mildred Pierce," starring the late Joan 

Crawford, was screened at the Harvard University 

Science Center on a recent Sunday 

night (7:30 and 9:30 p.m.), as part of the 

continuing "A Room of One's Own Series." 

Admission was $2. The melodrama was 

originally released in 1945. 

"Playmate" will be filmed on locations 

Northern Spain, Paris, New York and 

in 

Las Vegas. 

NE-2 

BOXOFTICE :: Novemb.-r 28. 1977

'^..T'. 

;^VN 

"^^ 

IHSJDE 

Available . . . 

Appointment

. . . MGM-United 

. . Paramount's 

' 

HARTFORD 

Cylvia Steiber, president of the Connecticut 

Assn of Theatre Owners (CATO), 

scheduled a Saturday midnight showing of 

"The Last Resort." documentary about last 

summer's occupation of a Seabrook, N.H.. 

nuclear power plant site by antinuclear power 

protesters, at her Avon Twin with proceeds 

benefiting the People's Action for 

Clean Energy, a statewide group opposing 

nuclear power and promulgating alternative 

power. Admission was $1.50. 

Veteran industry barrister Nathan O. 

Freedman is dead at 87. He lived in California 

for many years after a professional 

association here with his lawyer-brother 

Joseph. He was senior member of Freedman. 

Merdink, Levin and Kales in Los 

Angeles, handling such "names" as the late 

Sophie Tucker (she also grew up in Hartford), 

Helen Morgan. Bud Abbott and Lou 

Costello. 

Teresa Wright has been starring in Tad 

Mosel's "All the Way Home" at the newlyopened 

$2,500,000 Hartford Stage Company's 

John W. Huntington Theatre. In an interview, 

she said, "I was made a star by 

Mr. (Sam) Goldwyn by virtue of being costarred 

with real stars like Gary Cooper. 

I never really was a star; I just had very 

good parts in my first three or fotir films 

and that was it." 

"Show Boat," the 1951 MGM musical, 

was brought back by the Essex Theatre 

Artists' "Network" was 

shown on a recent Friday (8 p.m.) in Palmer 

Auditorium, Connecticut College, New 

London. Admission was $1. 

A Continental 1963 release, "This Sporting 

Life," co-starring Richard Harris and 

Rachel Roberts, was shown as a free attraction 

on a recent Friday (7 and 9 p.m.) in 

Auerbach Auditorium. University of Hartford. 

Hartford visitors: Richard J. Wilson, vicepresident, 

SBC Management Corp.; Paul 

Macbeath, former manager, E.M. Loew's 

Farmington Drive-In, now living in Rhode 

Island. 

SPRINGFIELD 

Âêstern Massachusetts openings: AIP's 

"Empire of the Ants," Midwest Films' 

"Between the Lines," Inter Planetary Pictures' 

"20th Century Oz," Paramount's 

'First Love," among others. 

In a significant development, pointing up 

a preference for suburbia over city atmosphere, 

the Home Builders Ass'n of Greater 

Springfield has signed a five-year contract 

to hold its annual Home Show in the Better 

Living Center at the Eastern States Exposition 

("The Big E"), West Springfield. The 

March event was held this past year at the 

downtown Springfield Civic Center. 

FIRST FAMILY HONORED— 

Governor and Mrs. Michael Dukakis 

received the B'nai B'rith Communicators 

of the Year Award in ceremonies 

at the 57 Restaurant. A. Alan Friedberg, 

president of Sack Theatres (right) 

shown making the presentation to the 

governor, awarded the honors to the 

Bay State's first family. Friedberg 

called Dukakis "One of the best friends 

the Jewish community has ever had in 

the state house," noting his outspoken 

efforts on behalf of Soviet Jewry. Kitty 

Dukakis earned recognition for her efforts 

in support of Judaism and Israel. 

Friedberg called attention to her cancellation 

of travel plans to Cuba in the 

wake of that country's anti-Zionist 

resolution. 

'Mohammad' Draws Slap 

From Sunni Muslims in Hub 

BOSTON—A leader of the Sunni Muslims 

in Boston protested the showing of 

th3 film "Mohammad. Messenger of 

God," which opened to big business, high 

above average, at two Sack theatres, the 

Cheri, and the Savoy. "The film distorts 

many of the aspects of Islam," said Imam 

Abdul Aliyy of the Islamic Cultural Society 

of New England, which has its headquarters 

in Dorchester. 

"We believe in cooperation with the law 

and the government," Aliyy said. "We are 

law-abiding citizens. We do not intend to 

create disorder or trouble. We are urging 

Muslims and non-Muslims not to view this 

film because it misrepresents Islam." 

Last March 12, members of the Hanafi 

Muslims held hostages in three locations in 

Washington, D. C, for 39 hours, demanding 

that the film be repressed. One person 

was killed and eight others injiued during 

the seigc. 

MIT Screens Foreign Films 

CAMBRIDGE, MASS.—The Massachusetts 

Institute of Technology Film Society 

sponsored showings of European imports. 

"The Soft Skin" (directed by Francois Truffaut) 

as well as "The Silence" and "The 

Ritual" (both directed by Ingmar Bergman), 

with audiences requested to donate $1.25- 

pcr-screening. 

VERMONT 

jêw titles on Vermont marquees: Warner 

Bros." "Oh, God!". United Film Distributors' 

"The Kentucky Fried Movie," 

Columbia's "Bobby Deerfield," Crest Films' 

"Fantastic Animation Festival" . . . Universal's 

"Smokey and the Bandit." while not 

getting the media attention of, say, 20th 

Century-Fox's "Star Wars," has managed 

to register significantly in first-run Vermont 

situations. It went into a record-shattering 

14th week in auditorium one of the Merrill 

J.irvis Century Plaza 2. metropolitan Burlington 

first-run plex . "Race 

for Your Life. Charlie Brown!" had its Burlington 

area bow, with the SBC Burlington 

Plaza 2 charging $1.25 for all patrons for 

all seats. The Merrill's Showcase 3 and 

Essex Twin charged $1.25 for all seats, distributed 

free candy to all patrons, and, for 

good measure, had an aide dressed as 

"Snoopy" before showtime at the Showcase, 

after showtime at Essex. 

State Rep. John Murphy, who chairs the 

Vermont House General and Military Affairs 

Committee, has spoken in favor of 

raising the state's minimum wage to match 

the newly-implemented federal minimum. 

A Ludlow Democrat, Murphy says he will 

oppose any state legislative move that would 

leave Vermonters earning less than the federal 

scale. 

The State Legislature traditionally has set 

the state minimum wage the same as the 

federal minimum. It is not required to do 

so, however. President Carter has signed 

into law a boost in the present $2.30 minimum 

wage to $2.65 in January and to $3.35 

in 1981. 

NEW BRITAIN 

Yhis central Connecticut city of close to 

100,000 population, presently has only 

one full-time downtown cinema (the Palace. 

part of the Perakos family holdings). It 

needs another motion picture theatre, plus ;i 

5-and-lO cent store, a children's store and i 

a sports center, according to a Chamber of j 

Commerce study. Some 150 persons, shop- I 

ping at the Farmer's Market, provided the 

findings for the survey. 

Gone, because of urban renewal and al 

trition, are the Glackin & LeWitt Arch 

Street, the then-Warner Bros. Capitol and 

Embassy and RKO-SW Strand, and the 

P.S. McMahon State. The Broad Street Music 

Box Theatre, operated by independent 

interests through the years and now known 

as the Falcon Theatre, is open on a sporadic 

basis. 

Police reported the theft of more than 

$250 in cash from the lobby concession 

stand at the Tolls Ncwington Theatre. The 

break occurred on a recent Thursday. A 

theatre employee reporting to work shortly 

after noon discovered that a door on the 

northwest side of the building had been 

taken off its hinges. 

NE-4 BOXOFHCE November 28. 1977

. . The 

. 

. . The 

I 

. . 

NEW HAVEN 

"phe Yale University School of Law Film 

Society sponsored a Saturday night 

showing of Allied Artists' "Cabaret." 1972 

ivlca.se, with $1 admission on presentation 

of a Film Society membership card . 

•David Copperfield," MGM 1935 release, 

was shown in the lecture hall, Yale Center 

for British Art, on a Saturday afternoon 

(2:30 p.m.), with free admission in effect. 

Seating was limited to 200 . Bowl 

Drive-In. West Haven, adopted a weekend 

operating policy for the colder months: 

there are no showings Mondays through 

Thursdays. 

Cine II, New Haven, screened Universal's 

"The Ghost and Mr. Chicken," 1966 release, 

at Saturday-Sunday matinees, charginc 

99 cents for all 

seats. 

RHODE ISLAND 

Rhode Island openings: Paramount's "First 

Love," United Film Distributors" "The 

Kentucky Fried Movie," states rights "Love 

in Strange Places." "French Classmates," 

"Head Nurse," "Private Collections of 

Shorts," "Satan Studs," "Gay Games," 

"Winter Heat," "The Teenage Sexmaids," 

"Breaker Beauties," "A Coming of Angels," 

"Teenage Surfer Girls," "The Jade Pussycat," 

"High School Fantasies," "Suzie's 

Takeout Service" and "Girl Scout Cookies." 

The Providence Journal-Bulletin newspapers 

carried a full page of commentary 

and art, no less, on popcorn's impact on 

film going through the decades. "It's been 

a part of American film-going since the 

Depression, when theatre managers brought 

p)oppers into their lobbies," the feature 

story said. "Before the tough times of the 

'30s, most theatres had banned the stuff as 

too messy, although many patrons bought 

it from independent popcorn vendors who 

stationed themselves outside theatres. Today 

it's hard to imagine a show without it." 

And while popcorn continues a prime 

bill-of-fare ingredient in area cinemas, it is 

noted that chocolate chip cookies are available 

at the Avon, Providence, and that the 

SBC Cinerama 2 is planning to put in a line 

of health snacks that will include maniica 

nuts, sunflower seeds and a banana-nut mix. 

 

^ JET 

WHITE & PEARLESCENT 

S 

Available from your outhorized 

'Theatre Equipment Supply Dealer 

[TtCHNII TECHNIKOTE CORP. 

3 

63 S.obrins St., Bklyn 3 

Henry Winkler, talking with the Rhode 

Island press aboLit his first starring vehicle. 

Universal's "Heroes." said that he has developed 

a personal philosophy over downgrading 

media commentary: "When one 

weekly newspaper found out that I wasn't 

MAINE 

Jêw Maine films.' Slates rights "Cousin, 

Cousine," "Fantastic Animation Festival," 

"The Love Couch," "The Story of 

the kind of person they could go after for 

Joanna," "Hungry Mouth," "Teenage Innocence," 

"Teacher's Pet," "The Young 

squandering his money, they started running 

stories about how I would go out to 

and the Innocent," "Nurses' Report," "Point 

dinner with a girl and then have her pay 

of Terror," "Blood Mania" and "Dracula's 

with her credit card. I could not understand 

Castle" . . . The E.M. Loew's Fine Arts 2, 

how people could lie, but now 1 guess I've 

in-town Portland, screened "Pinocchio in 

gotten used to that. It used to create so 

Outer Space" at 1:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday 

much anger in me that I wanted to take a 

matinees, charging $1 for all patrons for all 

pie-in-the-face contract out on them. 

seats. Supporting fare: Six cartoons . 

"But now I say," he continued, "what 

The Prides Corner Drive-In, Rte. 302, Westbrook, 

double-billed "Last House on the 

my very own sex symbol, Katharine Hepburn, 

said once, thai as long as you spell 

Left" and "House That Vanished," charging 

my name correctly, I don'i care what you 

$5-per-carload, regardless of nimnber of passengers. 

say about me." 

The Redstone Showcase 5, Seekonk, 

slotted United Artist's "Semi-Tough." Burt Actor Ben Vereen is serving as honorary 

Reynolds starrer, for the year-end holiday chairman of the Maine Lung Ass'n 71st 

season. 

annual Christmas Seal Campaign. 

Henry Winkler, in an interview appearing 

in the Maine Sunday Telegram tied to his 

NEW HAMPSHIRE new Universal release, "Heroes," emphasized 

that while he is essentially identified 

Qranite state openings: Cinema Shares' with TV, filmmaking is not new, either. 

"Godzilla vs. the Cosmic Monster' Titles of his pictures include "The Lords of 

and "Godzilla vs. Megalon" (double-bill); 

Flatbush" and "Crazy Joe." The new film, 

United Film Distributors' "The Kentucky however, gives him top screen billing for the 

first 

Fried Movie" . Civic Theatre, 

time. 

Portsmouth, had reprise booking of Warner "Films for TV are different—more private." 

Winkler said. "I like watching star- 

Bros. "House of Wax," 1953 release films 

in 

ring Vincent Price. 

a theatre because I need the excitement 

of a response from an audience. You don't 

get that when you see something you've 

Frank Misterly, Retired 

done on TV." 

"Wuthering Heights," United Artists 

RCA Vice-President, Dies 

1939 release, was shown on the Nason College. 

Springville campus on a recent Tues- 

SPRINGFIELD. MASS. — Attorney 

Frank S. Misterly, 76, retired vice-president 

day night at 8; admission was 50 cents. 

in charge of RCA worldwide patent operations, 

died recently. 

An alumnus of Rensselaer Polytechnic Off The Wall Halloween 

Institute, he got his law degree at Fordham CAMBRIDGE, MASS.—The Off The 

University and joined RCA in 1927 as a Wall Cinema in Central Square hosted a 

patent attorney, working in domestic and Halloween Movie Marathon with attractions 

screened from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. .Ad- 

foreign patent operations. 

During World War II. Misterly was regional 

director of the War Production 

mission was $3 for all seats. 

Board's radio and radar division. 

fflljriBtmaH 

"Modern Times' At Dedham Library 

DEDHAM, MASS.—Modern limes." 

^ ^ anb Unltban 

Charlie Chaplin United Artists 1936 j^ 

release, 

was shown as a free attraction at 

2:45 and 6 p.m. on a recent Wednesday at CdeK MERCHANT 

the Dedham Public Library. 

* FILM* ADS Ir 

Gray Fredericks •"ill produce "Free 



f 

CINERAMA IS IN ^ • DATE STRIPS • TRAILERETTES ^ 


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don't miss the famous ilmack IMJ 

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rHAWAiil 

Don Ho Show. . . at 

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l"°î Cinerama's Reef Towers Hotel. 

IN WAIKIKJ: REEF . REEF TOWERS EDGEWATER 60605 

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BOXOFFICE :: November 2S, 1977 NE-5

Al Pickus: 'A 

Man for All Seasons/ 

Honored for His Community Service 

By ALLEN M. WIDEM 

STRATFORD. CONN.—Albert 

Pickus, 

the veteran Connecticut exliibitor. got his 

umpteenth community citation the other 

night; he received the Stratford Oldtimers' 

Athletic Ass'n Citizen Award in recognition 

of "community and civic service." The town 

turned out in full force for the dinner. 

Pickus. a past president and board chairman 

of then-Theatre Owners of America 

(TOA). the predecessor organization to National 

Ass'n of Theatre Owners (NATO), 

owns and operates the Stratford Theatre in 

this Bridgeport suburb. 

Everybody in town calls him Al—and, 

mind you, just about everybody knows or is 

aware of Albert M. Pickus!— and while theatre 

operation is his stock in trade, an interested 

observer will quickly find that once 

Al Pickus gets involved in a project, this 

septuagenarian executive injects a spirit of 

ebullience and enthusiasm to be readily 

emulated by an exhibitor half the man's age. 

He is a town booster of the first calibre. 

Through the years, when the Motion Picture 

Theatre Owners of Connecticut 

(MPTOC) hosted golf outings (an activity 

shelved of late because of budgetary limitations, 

unfortunately enough), it was common 

scene to find Al Pickus and Attorney 

Herman M. Levy, then and now executive 

secretary of the statewide exhibitor group 

(now known, of course, as the Connecticut 

Ass'n of Theatre Owners), huddling with 

this exhibitor and that exhibitor. Object: 

To get the message of home-town exhibition 

across to the decision-makers in those hometowns 

across Connecticut. If there has been 

one thing that has irked the likes of Pickus, 

Levy, Robert Spodick (Sampson & Spodick 

Theatres) and Bernie Menschell (Menschell 

Theatres) and present-day CATO president 

Sylvia Stieber (Avon Twin Cinemas), it has 

been the lack of all-out embracing of exhibitor 

credo, on both the local and state 

law-making machinery level. 

Exhibitor credo compliance— in particular 

to the foregoing industry people—means 

operating a theatre constantly in light of 

community responsibility, reaction, response. 

Al Pickus has addressed himself to 

opinion-makers, decision-makers, in Stratford 

and elsewhere in Connecticut, time and 

time again, to expound on the merits and 

meanings of exhibition responsibility; he is 

an industry booster of the first rank and can 

be expected to function vigoroLisly in said 

status for many years. 

What has Al Pickus done, over and above 

operating a theatre reflecting the finest exhibition 

principles, to merit the continuing 

admiration and attention of Stratfordites? 

For starters, he directed town Civil Defense 

from 1950 right through to 1976 — yes, 26 

years—was instrumental in obtaining funds 

for a Civil Defense truck, boat and fire engine, 

plus trucks for the Public Works Department. 

Additionally, he was a prime mover in 

continuing efforts to get station wagons for 

the Police Department—so that thousands 

of sick and injured persons could be speedily 

transported to medical facilities through 

the years. 

Let it not be forgotten the individualistic, 

quality touch of Al Pickus has been reflected 

in Connecticut Brotherhood Week. 

Stratford Economic Development Commission, 

Sterling House, American Red Cross, 

Cerebral Palsy Ass'n. Name a worthy, needing 

effort in Stratford, in environs, in Connecticut, 

and. without a stretch of the imagination, 

the Pickus participation was, is or 

will be there ere long. 

He has been recipient of service awards 

from the U.S. Treasury Department, Stratford's 

Exchange Club, Civitan Club, Police 

Department and a plentitude of town 

groups, organizations and committees. 

Al Pickus and his wife, Lehia, enjoy the 

respect of their neighbors and townspeople 

because they have approached each day's 

dawn with singlenejs of purpose: doing as 

much as possible for neighborhood and 

town. (Mr. and Mrs. Pickus have three 

daughters and five grandchildren). 

The courtesy that has marked the Al 

Pickus lifestyle has been discernible time 

and again at statewide exhibition assemblies. 

Not one for loud protestation, his has been 

a gentlemanly approach. The quiet tones 

inject a knowledgeability, yet a modesty. 

Herman Levy has summed up the man: 

"A continuing pride in industry, in family, 

in community, and a constant willingness to 

work in effort and endeavor to improve thai 

pridefulness. This is Al Pickus, motion picture 

exhibitor." 

Burlesque License is Denied 

WEST WARWICK. R.L—The West 

Warwick Town Council has ruled against 

exhibitor John J. Tavone's plans to stage 

"live" burlesque at his Palace Theatre, 

which has been on an adult film policy. 

The council decided to go along with 

thinking of Police Chief William A. Gallucci 

in rejecting Tavone's application for a 

"live" show license; in a written decision, 

the council commented that it had denied 

the Tavone request because the shows would 

increase congestion in the Washington 

Street 

area. 

Library Shows Films Twice Weekly 

NEW BEDFORD. MASS.—The New 

Bedford Public Library is screening free 

film programs on a twice-a-week basis. 

in the third-floor lecture hall. Showings are 

scheduled at 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, and at 

6:30 p.m. on Thursdays; recent titles include 

"Treasure Island," with the late Wallace 

Beery and Jackie Cooper (MGM, 

1934); "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," 

with the late Charles Laughton (RKO, 

1939); "Citizen Kane," with Orson Welles 

(RKO, 1941); and "A Midsummer Night's 

Dream." with James Cagney. 

Maine Man Pleads Guilty 

In 'Kiddie Porn' Case 

BANGOR. ME.—An Aroostook County, 

Me., man who allegedly ran a pornographic 

film and brochure distribution service out 

of his former home in the Maine town of 

Sinclair, has pleaded guilty in U.S. District 

Court to two charges of using the mails for 

delivery of so-called "kiddie porn" films. 

The U.S. Attorney's office in Bangor disclosed 

that Thad A. Gray, 45, of Madawaska, 

had changed a previous innocent 

plea, to a five-count indictment returned by 

the U.S. grand jury last August, to a guilty 

plea on two counts. 

U.S. Attorney George Mitchell indicated 

that Gray has agreed to cooperate with federal 

investigators who are seeking to determine 

the sources of the films that Gray had 

distributed. 

The Super-8mm films and advertising 

brochures that Gray was accused of mailing 

to a federal investigator in Portland on five 

separate occasions earlier this year depicted 

juvenile males engaging in 

various sex acts. 

Mitchell said that Gray, who apparently 

would not be sentenced for several weeks, 

woLild appear before a federal grand jury by 

mid-December. 

A recommended sentence of 18 months 

in prison and a fine of $50,000 reportedly 

will 

be advanced at sentencing by the prosecution. 

Each count Gray pleaded to could 

result in a maximum sentence of ten years 

in prison and a $10,000 fine. 

Gray reportedly was freed on $25,000 

bail following his plea here. 

Seekonk Selectmen Warn 

Local Ozoner Operators 

SEEKONK, MASS.—The Board of Selectmen, 

at BoxoFFiCE presstime, threatened 

legal action against the operators of the 

Seekonk Twin Drive-In if they did not halt 

the showing of "obscene" attractions. 

The selectmen, in a letter to the theatre 

operators, asserted that if they did not pick 

"a more adaptable type" of film, the board 

would "instigate legal restraining proceedings." 

Earl Clancy, district manager for Theatre 

Management Services, was quoted in the 

area press as having no comment on the 

letter which, he indicated, he had not yet 

received. 

The board said that seeing adult motion 

pictures indoors "is the prerogative of those 

of age who wish to see them," but the 

Twin's site, adjacent to a shopping center 

parking lot, creates "a serious situation" by 

exposing shoppers and children to the 

Quincy Sees "Funz-A-Poppin' 

QUINCY. MASS.—The Strand Cinema 

presented a "live" Saturday-Simday 1:30 

p.m. matinee over a recent weekend, charging 

$1.25 for all seats at performances of 

"Fimz-A-Poppin' Puppet Show, with Big 

Bird, Ernie, Bert & More!" Prizes were 

d siributed at both shows. 

NE-6 BOXOFHCE :: November 28, 1977

Tiny Yankee Hamlel 

Nabs Big Name Film 

WILTON, N.H.— More people are familiar 

with "Star Wars" than with the .small 

New Hampshire community of Wilton. 

When you think of the blockbuster motion 

picture you associate its showing with the 

major film markets of the country. When 

BoxoFFicE runs its measure of a film it uses 

these big cities. Yet there is a story in the 

union of the small town and the big film. 

Early in May, before the scheduled premiere 

in Hollywood, Meredith Kurtz, wife 

of producer Gary Kurtz, offered "Star 

Wars" to a pair of exclusive schools located 

in Wilton: Pine Hill Waldorf School and 

High Mowing. Thereby hangs the chain that 

links the town and the film. The schools 

are part of a string of schools (150 internationally) 

started in Stuttgart, Germany in 

1919 by Rudolf Steiner for the children of 

the Waldorf Astoria cigaret factory. One 

of the schools is the Highland Hall in 

Northridge, California. 

It is this school that many of the children 

of Hollywood luminaries attend and the 

student body includes the offspring of the 

Kurtz' and Harrison Ford, star of the already 

legendary motion picture. Kurtz offered 

the film to the score of U.S. Waldorf 

schools as a vehicle to raise funds and thus 

Wilton's two institutions got into the act. 

New 

Enter one of the dynamic figures in 

England exhibition, Dennis Markaverich 

who is the manager and driving force behind 

the Wilton's Town Hall Theatre. With major 

population areas such as Manchester, 

Nashua and even Boston to choose from, 

it was Markaverich's enthusiasm and cooperation 

that swung the tide in favor of the 

local house. 

The designated date for the showing was 

Sunday, July 17. The stipulations were that 

it would be a one-day shot but with unlimited 

showings on that day. It was fiuther 

stated that the admission prices had to exceed 

the going local tariff and that it be 

made absolutely clear that it was a benefit. 

Still, those in the know scoffed at the possibility 

that Wilton would edge out "the 

biggies" for the showing. 

Thus. Dennis Markaverich was sitting in 

an uncomfortable environment in Boston's 

20th Century-Fox branch surrounded by unbelievers, 

waiting on a call from Peter Meyers, 

20th-Fox distribution chief in Hollywood. 

The call came and the word from 

Meyers was "Give it to Wilton." In a scene 

fit for a film itself, it is easy to visualize 

the Wilton exhibitor's elation set against 

the background of the local staff's silent 

amazement. 

Plans for the benefit swung into high 

gear. Six showings were set. the first at 

noon and the last at midnight. All tickets 

were reserved and outlets for sales were set 

up in Milford and Peterborough, thus those 

attending the event would not be discomfited 

by having to wait in line. Such decisions 

were the hallmark of the operation, earning 

acclaim from all sides. 

.•\s in all stories of this genre, it has li 

happy ending as localites 

responded warnil.\ 

to the opportunity and the schools and the 

thjatre prospered. There's no need to go 

into the story of "Star Wars" which has 

covered the entertainment and business 

pages around the world. 

Three Boston Publicists 

Featured in News Story 

BOSTON—John Markle, Paul Levi and 

Karl Fasick were the subjects of a six-page 

feature story in the Herald-American's Simday 

magazine. The story recounted their 

daily activities covering and promoting pictures 

throughout the six-state area. 

Markle is the publicity director at Colimibia 

Pictures. Levin has his own agency and 

includes Paramount Pictures among his accoimts. 

Fasick has his own "shop" which 

has a contract with Warner Bros. 

The writer, Nat Segaloff, paints a vivid 

picture of the triumphs and pratfalls 

of the 

business, describing the ultimate goal, the 

money involved and the less glamorous details 

of the field. 

One conclusion that may be drawn from 

the story is that "there must be an easier 

way to make a living." 

It Will Be A 'Pippi' Yule 

For Beantown Youngsters 

BOSTON—The "Pippi Holiday Film 

Festival" set for Christmas school vacation 

week has Nick Russo's publicity department 

at G & G Communications in a frenzy as 

their campaign rolls 

into high gear. 

"Pippi Longstocking," "Pippi Goes on 

Board" and "Pippi in the South Seas" are 

the trio of films comprising the festival series. 

Each will run for two days during the 

holiday respite, at 40 selected theatres. 

Tie-ins with schools, libraries, parent 

groups and study guides provided directly 

to the students will push the promotion that 

includes saturating TV and utilizing the other 

regular media channels. 

Prizes totaling $1,000 will be annoimced 

prior to and during the festival, on various 

TV channels. 

CATV Operators Scolded 

By Connecticut PUC Board 

H.ARTFORD—Connecticut cable antenna 

TV (CATV) operators have been reminded 

by the State Public Utilities Control 

Authority (PUCA) that they cannot charge 

customers for a year's service in advance. 

The PUCA is 

also reminding operators that 

they may not require potential customers to 

help finance construction costs and that 

they may not offer special rates not approved 

by the PUCA in advance. 

Authority spokesperson King Quillen disclosed 

that the Connecticut River Cable TV 

Co., (serving eight valley-shore area towns) 

had been charging for a year in advance 

without approval. She said, too, that other 

CATV firms had been offering special rates 

to senior citizen housing projects. 

Ocean State Theatre 

Gets Year Reprieve 

PROVIDENCE— It will be at least a year 

before the prestigious one-time Loews State, 

now known as the 0;ean State Theatre, becomes 

a performing arts center. Building 

owner B. A. Dario and the Providence Foundation 

have reached an understanding on a 

one-year option for the foundation to buy 

the theatre. 

Dario has conceded that a continuing 

subsequent-run film policy has lost money 

at the downtown theatre. 

The foundation, which received considerable 

commendation for its imaginative 

move, must raise $600,000 for the purchase, 

another $2 million for large-scale remodeling, 

preparatory to staging cultural arts programs. 

At BoxoFFiCE presstime, it was reported 

that several corporate members of the foundation 

had tentatively pledged $200,000, 

that a Woonsocket bank had said it would 

consider a $400,000 mortgage and that 

Providence Mayor Vincent A. Cianci jr. had 

declared his readiness to allocate $250,000 

of federal community development funds 

to the effort. 

Editorial page comment in the Providence 

Journal-Bulletin newspapers remarked: 

"The diversity of these economic 

sources is as encouraging as the amounts 

themselves. The proposed arts center must 

reach out to the entire state and all Rhode 

Islanders must perceive the center as theirs. 

As the Providence Foundation points out, 

it can only start the ball rolling, but if the 

center is to become a reality it will have to 

be taken over by a broad-based community 

organization—not an elitist cultural ingroup 

—that will manage and operate it. Picking 

up on this theme is a consultants' report 

which observes that to succeed at the boxoffice, 

the center must offer a wide variety of 

events, from pop to longhair, for every cultural 

level." 

Columbia Retrospective Shoiwing 

BOSTON—Justin Freed is showing a 

Columbia retrospective spanning 28 years 

from 1934 to 1962, and ending with 

"Lawrence of Arabia" at his Coolidge Corner 

theatre. Columbia has provided brand 

new prints for the 18 pictures. The opening 

film. "Twentieth Century" (1934) with John 

Barrymore and Carole Lombard, has special 

interest here because next January, a 

musical comedy version of the film will open 

on stage at the Colonial theatre. 

'Star Wars' Shatters HYonnis Record 

HYANNIS, MASS.—Auditorium two of 

the Interstate Theatres of New England's 

Cinema Centre 3 went into a record-shattering 

fifth month of its continuously-extended 

enaaaement of 20th Centurv-Fox's "Star 

Wars." 

Jaws' in Bargain Return 

NORWICH, CONN, — The Movies 

brought back Universal's "Jaws." charging 

99 cents for all seats. 

November 28, 1977 NE-7

Mother and Son Chalk Up 

Local Record for 'Wars' 

BOSTON—Marge Irving and her son 

Jimmie have spent $78 in setting a local 

record of 32 visits to the Westgate Cinema. 

Stoughton, to see "Star Wars." 

It is not entirely surprising, then, that 

they discovered a "boo-boo" in one of the 

scenes: a cameraman, or grip, appears for 

three seconds in a shot showing the six main 

characters aboard the space ship. 

Marge said they go to the show during 

budget-price hour and stay for the second 

show. They'll see it as long as it's around 

as she pointed out, "I'm addicted." 

The record-holder manages the employees' 

credit union at Carter's Underwear 

in Needham. 

The Lincoln Conspiracy on Cape Cod 

HYANNIS. MASS.—Sunn Classic Pictures 

slotted Cape Cod booking of "The 

Lincoln Conspiracy" into auditorium one 

of the Airport Cinemas 3, with price-structuring 

$1.75 for adults at all times, $1.50 

for children and senior citizens. 

'Socky' Perakos is Socked 

Again in Bid for Alderman 

NEW BRITAIN—Connecticut exhibition 

executive Peter G. Perakos jr., known as 

"Socky" to his family and the industry, 

has lost out in his latest bid for elective 

office. He was defeated Tuesday (8), in the 

municipal elections. He entered the race for 

the Board of Aldermen on the Republican 

Perakos, assistant general manager of the 

family owned-and-operated Perakos Theatres 

is Associates, a past city comptroller 

(1962-65), member of Board of Tax Review 

(1964-65) and city treasurer (1965-69). 

Phyllis Diller A Reporter—Briefly 

BOSTON—The "People" column in the 

New England Magazine supplement of the 

Boston Globe carried this question-andanswer 

portion: 

Lincoln Shows Steinbeck Classic 

LINCOLN, MASS.—20th Century-Fox's "Q—A journalist-friend swears that Phyllis 

Diller worked on a small-town newspa- 

"The Grapes of Wrath," 1940 release directed 

by John Ford and starring Henry 

per with him some years ago. Is that true? 

Fonda, was shown at the DeCordova Museum 

on a recent Sunday night at 8; admis- 

"A—Although her newspaper career was 

short-lived, Diller was once a reporter for 

sion was $1.50. 

the San Leandro News Observer in California. 

"An editor took a deathly dislike to 

me and busted me down to putting together 

E. M. Loew May Recapture 

Bay State Raceway Reins 

FOXBORO, MASS.—Control of the Bay 

State Raceway may be returning to theatre 

circuit owner E.M. Loew, according to a 

report in the Boston Globe. 

The newspaper says that Loew, whose 

northeastern holdings include both four-wall 

and outdoor theatres, has told friends that 

ticket. 

he will again own the track. He sold the 

property to a group headed by broadcasting 

personality Eddie Andelman a year ago. 

Mt. Auburn Has "Third Man' 

CAMBRIDGE, MASS.—"The Third 

Man," Selznick Releasing Organization 

1950 release starring Orson Welles, was 

shown as a free attraction on a recent 

Thursday at 6 p.m. by the Mt. Auburn 

Branch Library. 

'Ladies Day' Monday in New Bedford 

NEW BEDFORD, MASS—The State 

Cinema has designated Monday as "Ladies' 

Day," with female patrons admitted for $1. 

'The Hireling' at Danforth Museum 

FRAMINGHAM, MASS. — Columbia's 

the movie schedule,' she recalls. 'It was im- 

"The Hireling," 1973 release co-starring 

Sarah Miles and Robert Shaw and directed 

by Alan Bridges, was shown at the Danforth 

Museum on a recent Wednesday night 

at 8. Admission was $2.50. 

possible because the theatres never answered 

their phones. Then he fired me, and 

from then on it was onward and upward. 

That man today is working as a cactus in 

Translation for Paleface: 

"Don't waste time with old-fashioned 

way sending message. BEST way to 

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NE-8 BOXOFTICE :: November 28, 1977

Very 

NFB Racks Up 51 Canadian 

Film Awards Nominations 

MONTREAL — Ihc C;inad .in Film 

Au.irds (nickn;inicd Hlrogs) were presented 

Sunday (20) in Toronto and the National 

Film Board annoimccd that 13 of its productions 

had received a total of 51 nominations. 

Two features. "One Man" and "J. A. 

Martin. Photographer" totaled 26 of those 

nominations between them. 

Nominations for "One Man" included 

best fiction feature; Robin Spry, best director; 

John Kramer, editing; Douglas Kiefer, 

cinematography; Robin Spry, Peter Pearson 

and Peter Madden, original screenplay; 

Claude Hazanavicius, sound recording; Les 

Halman and Ken Page, sound editing; 

Michel Descombes and Jean-Pierre Joutel. 

sound rerecording; Len Cariou. best actor; 

Jayne Eastwood, best actress; Jean Lapointe 

and August Schellenberg competing as best 

supporting actor, and Carol Lazare was 

nominated as best supporting actress. 

Nominations for "J. A. Martin, Photographer" 

included best fiction feature; Jean 

Baudin, best director; Jean Beaudin and 

Helene Gerard, editing; Pierre Mignot, 

cinematography; Jean Beaudin and Marcel 

Sabourin, original screenplay; Jacques 

Blain, sound recording; Jean Beaudin, 

sound editing; Jean-Pierre Joutel, sound rerecording; 

Maurice Blackburn, original 

score; Vianney Gaiithier. art direction; Marcel 

Sabourin. best actor; Monique Mcrcure. 

best actress, and Jean Lapointe. who also 

competes against himself for the best supporting 

actor award. 

Two NFB productions also were nomnated 

in the feature-length doctimentary 

category, Mireille Dansereau's "Famillc ct 

Variations" and Jean-Claude Labrecque's 

"Games of the XXI Olympiad." Donald 

Brittain's "Henry Ford's America" was 

nominated in the short docimientary category 

and Brittain also was honored for his 

work as director and as scriptwriter of the 

film.. 

Ishu Patel's "The Bead Game" and John 

Weldon's "Spinolio" represented the NFB 

in the best animation category. Results of 

the Canadian Film Awards were unavailable 

at BoxoFFiCE press time. 

'Bilitis' Bows in Quebec 

As Mutual Films Product 

MONTREAL— Mutual Films is handling 

distribution here of David Hamilton's erotic 

film "Bilitis" through the Odeon circuit. 

Shot in both French and English, the French 

version played the Cremazie. Carrefour and 

Atwater 2 theatres, while the English was 

booked at the Place du Canada. All engagements 

opened Friday (II). 

Also known as a photographer and graphic 

art designer responsible for extensive 

series of posters, postcards, photographic 

albums and magazine art, Hamilton makes 

his feature film debut with material insp 

red by the poetry of Pierre Louys. 

Francis Lai, composer of the music for "A 

Man and a Woman." "Live for Life" and 

many other films, provided the score. 

Hefty Grosses the Norm This Round 

At the Montreal Area Theatres 

MONTREAL — Three English films— 

"Heroes." Looking for Mr. Goodbar" and 

"Damnation Alley"—tied for the first place 

position this week with "excellent" grosses. 

Three other English films — "Oh. God!". "A 

Piece of the Action" and "The Spy Who 

Loved Me"—finished right behind with 

"very good" grosses. 

.i^twater-Hsroes" (Un.v 

Excellent 

Avenue—Valentino (UA), 5th wk Good 

Cmerr.a— Oh, God! (WB) 5lh vV. Very Good 

Claremon;—Loolting ior Mr. Goodbar (Para), 

3rd wk. Excellent 

Loews—A Piece oi the Action (WB), 

5th wk ...,Very Good 

Loews—The Spy Who Loved Me (UA), 

-Can I Do It Til I Need Glasse 

Loews—Damnation Alley (BVFD) 

2nd wk, ... 

Place du Canada—Bobby Deeriield (As 

5ih wk 

Good 

French Films 

Bern—Le Casse Cou (WB) 

Good 

Chamolain—Le Lancer Frappe (Univ) Excellent 

Le Dauphm—La Dantelliere (PR), 

5th wk Very Good 

Parisien—AKreux, Sales, el Mechanti (PR), 

3rd wk. Very Good 

Parisien-Les Filles de lâdame Claude (PR), 

5th wk. Very Good 

Parisien—L'Animal (PR), 2nd wk Excellent 

Parisien—L'Une Chante L' Autre Pas (PR), 

5th wk Good 

. 

Parisian—La Menace (PR) Excellent 

'Damnation Alley' Dynamites 

Into Ottawa with Top Marks 

OTTAWA—"Damnation Alley" rolled 

into the area th=s report week with "excellent" 

grosses while "Joseph Andrews" earned 

"good" grosses followed by "The Kentucky 

Fried Movie" that earned a mark of 

"fair" for its first round. "Star Wars" continued 

its lengthy run in the area with 

"good" grosses for its 15th week. 

Bntannia-^Thunder and Lightning (PR I 

..._ _, Place ..ace de Viib Viile—A Piece oi 

(WB). 4th 

13th

. 

. 

Who reads Boxoffio 

^ple you know... 

and wont fo reach 

Key people in Exhibition: 

1 1,778* theatre owners and managers, circuit 

executives, film buyers and bookers, and 

projectionists 

Key people in Distribution: 

1,151* distributors and sales executives, home office 

managers, bookers and publicity people 

Key people in Equipment: 

449* supply dealers, sales agents and executives 

Key people in Production: 

350* producers, directors, studio executives, 

cameramen, actors and writers 

Key People in the Media: 

193* newspaper, magazine editors and writers and 

radio-TV broadcasters 

Recognize your sales prospect? 

You should because more key 

people in the film industry rely on 

BOXOFHCE for its complete and 

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Take one small step today toward 

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OXOFFICE 

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• Audil Hun-aii ,.f Circulalicn, 

Publisher's Statement for 6 mos. ending Dec. 31, 1975 

U I 

K 

K-2 BOXOFFICE :: November 28, 1977

. . The 

. . Monday 

" 

Canada's NFB Continues 

Festival Award Streak 

MONTREAI.—The National Film Board 

of Canada has announced recent awards 

bestowed upon several of its productions, 

following seven awards captured at the 

Yorkton competition last month. At the International 

Film Festival in Columbus. 

Ohio, awards went to co-directors Philip 

Bridgeman and Alec MacLeod for "First 

Stops"; Ian Pedersen's "Tara's Mulch Garden"; 

"The Lady and the Owl," by Bill 

Canning, and to Caroline Leafs animated 

"The Street." 

At the San Francisco Festival, special 

jury awards were given to Anne Wheeler's 

"Augusta"; "Path of the Paddle: Doubles 

Whitewater." by Bill Mason; "Henry Ford's 

America," by Donald Brittain, and the "remarkable 

direction" of Jacques Drouin as 

evidenced by "Mindscape" also was cited. 

Other single awards were garnered in 

Besancon, France, for Andre Leduc's 

"Cherie Ote Tes Raquettes"; in Manherin. 

Germany, for Eduardo Maldonado's 

"Jornaleros Agricolas"; in Nyon. Switzerland, 

for Yves Dion's "Raison d'Etre." and 

in Chicago for Doug Macdonald's "Living 

and Growing. 

China Extends Tentative 

Approval to NFB Project 

MONTREAL—The People's Republic of 

China has given tentative approval to Canada's 

National Film Board's proposal to 

film two or three documentaries on life in 

China for worldwide distribution, according 

to NFB leader Andre Lamy, recently 

returned from a 15-day tour of the country. 

The project could mark the most extensive 

film production in China by outside sources 

since the revolution. A private Canadian 

company seeking to film a biography of Dr. 

Norman Bethune there recently failed to receive 

even tentative commitment (see earlier 

BoxoFFiCE story). 

Negotiations between the NFB and the 

China Film Corp. have been in an exploratory 

stage for two years. Further negotiations 

now will proceed through diplomatic 

channels, as details of the project's dates and 

hopes to produce 60 to 90-minute films, for 

Canadian or foreign TV broadcast, on subjects 

ranging from life in an agricultural 

commune to the social and political organization 

of a large factory. All rights to the 

films will be retained by NFB. 

Michael Zaslow Slated 

To Co-Star in 'Meteor' 

NEW YORK— Michael Zaslow. who 

made his film debut starring with Didi 

Conn in Columbia's hit "You Light Up 

My Life," has been set by director Ronald 

Neame for a co-starring role in the multimillion-dollar 

science-fiction adventure 

"Meteor." Shooting began October 31 in 

Los Angeles. 

On Broadway. Zaslow won raves as Brick 

in the revival of Tennessee Williams' "Cat 

On a Hot Tin Roof." playing opposite 

Elizabeth Ashley. 

BOXOFHCE :: November 28, 1977 

CALGARY 

Cam Binder of Canadian Theatres. 

— 

Edmonton, 

was featured in an article (in the 

local paper) regarding retirement age. Proud 

of his 70 years—and looking more like 50 

Sam still is putting in a 16-hour day and 

enjoying it immensely. Five years ago he 

was forced to retire from Odeon Theatres 

and, after a two-week vacation, assumed 

his 

present position with Canadian Theatres. 

Needless to say. he has no present thoughts 

of a second retirement; in fact, if he were 

honest about it, Sam would admit that he 

doesn't even know what "retirement" or 

"retirctnent age" mean! To young-at-heart 

Binder, the words have no meaning. 

Cinematheque 16 in Edmonton again is 

offering some outstanding motion pictures 

for film fans. Fare this month consisted, in 

part, 

of "Follow the Fleet," "The General," 

"Painters Painting," "The Lost Honor of 

Katharina Blum," "Fellini's Roma," "War 

of the Worlds" and "The Story of Vernon 

and Irene Castle." 

The International Series presented by the 

Calgary Film Society treated members to 

an unspooling of "The Marquise of O" 

Thursday (.3) in the Jubilee Auditorium. 

This Eric Rohmcr picture was made in 

France and Germany in 1976. It is an adaptation 

of Heinrich Kleist's 10th century 

novella. Admission was by society membership 

cards only. 

The real estate business' loss here is the 

motion picture industry's gain, as Ralph 

Zelickson has returned to United Artists 

Corp. as branch manager. Ralph will be 

understudying Vern Haraldson for several 

weeks before Vern leaves to take up the 

position of branch manager in Toronto. 

Both men are well-known throughout Canada 

in this industry, as Vern has been with 

UA some 17 years. All of Vern's friends 

and co-workers wish him the very best in 

his new position. Although Ralph has been 

out of distribution for a short time, he will 

be remembered for his many years spent 

in Winnipeg. Toronto and this city. The 

industry extends a warm "welcome home" 

to 

Ralph and wishes him well. 

A series of John Wayne motion pictures 

has been booked by the Provincial Museum 

for Sunday matinees. Starting the special 

showings was "Stagecoach" (1939) . . . The 

Edmonton Parks and Recreation Department, 

the Edmonton Bird Club and the 

Edmonton Natural History Club joined in 

sponsoring an Audubon Wildlife film in the 

Provincial Museum Theatre titled "Pacific 

Shores." The accompanying speaker was 

Norm Wakeman National Film 

Theatre, Edmonton, screened "Julius Caesar" 

Tuesday (8) in its Academy Awards 

Winners and Losers Series in the Public 

Library Theatre . (7) the Edmonton 

Film Society exhibited another film 

in its Classic Series, "Twentieth Century." 

starring John Barrymore and Carole Lombard, 

in the Tory Lecture Theatre on the 

University of Alberta campus. 

Bev Holman of Astral Films is 

recuperating 

comfortably at home after surgery. It 

still will be a while before Bev can return 

to work, however. 

The Banff section of the Alpine Club of 

Canada sponsored a festival of mountain 

films Monday (5) in the Eric Harvie Theatre. 

Banff Centre. Included were films 

from Canada, Great Britain, France and 

Switzerland, as well as one made during the 

British ascent of the southwest face of 

Everest in 1975. With snow falling over 

the weekend in Banff, no doubt a number of 

out-of-town skiers were present for the 

showings. 

Back from a recent jaunt to eastern Canada 

to see her daughter is Eileen Dobson. 

formerly of Universal Films. Eileen and 

husband Tom both are retired but are doing 

more and seeing more than they ever have 

done. Both are looking extremely well. 

The German Club at the University of 

Calgary presented a film Tuesday (8) on 

campus. Titled "Wenn Suess das Mondlicht 

auf den Huegln Schlaeft" (When the Moonlight 

Sweetly Sleeps on the Hills), the feature 

was based on a novel by English author 

Eric Malpass. 

Your reporter no longer is employed at 

United Artists Corp. but can be reached at 

420 40th St.. S.W.. in Calgary. 

The local Planetarium Pleiades Theatre 

offered a Sunday matinee showing of the 

Shirley Temple starrer, "Heidi," Sunday (6). 

Monday night (7) was a big occasion for 

Hector Ross. He received the "Pioneer of 

the Year" award at a dinner held in Toronto 

and hosted by the Motion Picture Pioneers 

of Canada. 

The World Theatre Hosts 

Midnight Movies Series 

COLUMBUS—The World Theatre. 2159 

N. High, is currently celebrating the tenth 

anniversary of Midnight Movies. The idea 

of presenting Midnight Movies began in 

1967 with Mike Getz who wanted to give 

independent and low budget filmmakers a 

medium to present their films. 

According to Dennis R. Young, city manager 

of the Bexley-World Theatres, the first 

Midnight Movies were shown in this area. 

To celebrate the anniversary an eightweek 

film series is being presented that will 

include Neil Young's "Journey Through the 

Past." "Jimi Plays Berkeley" and "The 15 

Most Popular Comedies From the Last Ten 

Years." 



HAWAII TOO. 



^^^ 

IHAWAU! Don Ho Show, .at 

[hotelsj Cinerama s Reef Towers Hotel. 

IN UlAIKrKl RiXr REEF TOWERS EDGEWATEK

TORONTO 

âyor Da\id Crombie of this city has 

cording to the Canadian Press news service, 

the demonstration involved some 200 women, 

about 20 of whom forced entry into the 

theatre. 

"A lot of films have the same type of 

influence on some sick minds as "Snuff," " 

Mayor Crombie told the metro council's 

executive committee Tuesday (8). "I 

haven't seen it, or the film "Looking for 

Mr. Goodbar.' but I'm told they have the 

same effect. 

"I'm sure "Snuff is a crummy film," 

Crombie stated, "but I'm also sure "Goodbar' 

is crummy, too. The danger is that 

'Goodbar' is more pervasive. "Snuff lasted 

only five days in Detroit because it had no 

advertising but "Goodbar" and "Snuff are 

both drawing crowds here." 

The local premiere of the Canadian feature 

""Who Has Seen the Wind?" was held 

at the Hollywood Theatre. Astral Films, 

the distributor of the highly touted picttirc, 

arranged the opening as well as a special 

screening held Wednesday (2) at the Ontario 

Science Centre for invited guests. The 

film was produced and directed by Allan 

Winton King on a budget of $1,300,000, 

invested largely by the federal government, 

the province of Saskatchewan and Famous 

Players. 

King is best remembered here simply as 

Allan King, director of the noted docunuiitaries 

"Warrendale" and ""A Married 

Couple." This is King's first fictional feature, 

an adaptation of W. O. Mitchell's 

popular 1947 novel concerning life in a 

small prairie town during the '30s depression. 

The cast is all Canadian, except for Oscar-winner 

Jose Ferrer, who portrays the 

town drunk and bootlegger Old Ben. The 

script was written by King's wife Patricia 

Watson. "Who Has Seen the Wind?" was 

very well-received at the Paris Film Festival 

recently. 

World distribution rights, exclusive of the 

U.S. and Canada, to "Spider-Man," have 

been acquired by Columbia Pictures Int'l. 

Cluster Theatre Reopens 

After Nine Month Siesta 

BALTIMORE—A Baltimore newsman 

reported the reopening of the Cluster Thea- 

called upon the Ontario government to 

atre Monday (7) after a nine-month period 

set up new standards for film censorship in 

of inactivity. Martin and Susan Katzen, 

the province. This action follows a weekend 

demonstration led by a group of women 

doing business as Lively Arts Cinema Corp., 

are the new owners. 

against a sex-and-torture film titled "Snuff 

at the Cinema 2000 on Yonge 

The story termed the cinema, which was 

Street. Ac- 

built at the turn of the century, "... a 

museum piece next to today's plush but 

sterile cinemas." The "new" Cluster will be 

a specialty house featuring old American 

and foreign films with an emphasis on 

Greek and Polish motion pictures. It was 

noted that the limited supply of foreign 

films may mean most will be shown without 

sub-titles. 

The hardtop was named after its builder, 

pioneer Baltimore picture man Benjamin 

Cluster. It was hors de combat from 1921 

to 1923 and, for the most part, looks the 

same today. 

It 

has always been among the most innovative 

houses in town, one of the first to 

have air conditioning, later a Wurlitzer 

"100" pipe organ was added and a $15,000 

Vitaphone sound system to accommodate 

"The Jazz Singer" when talking pictures became 

the rage. 

In honor of the 50th anniversary of 

"talkies" the Katzen's have resurrected the 

Vitaphone system and, coupled with the 

total environment of that bygone, golden 

age, filmgoers may truly take a step backward 

in time. 

CPI Announces Election 

Of Directors, Officers 

NEW YORK—Columbia Pictures Industries 

announced that all of the nominees 

to its board of directors were elected by 

the shareholders at the corporation's annual 

meeting held Thursday (10) at the 

Manufacturers Hanover Trust Co, headquarters 

in New York City. 

The elected members are: Leo Jaffe, 

chairman, and Alan J. Hirschfield, Matthew 

B. Rosenhaus, Herbert A. Allen, Irwin H. 

Kramer, Samuel L. Tedlow and James P. 

Wilmot. 

Jaffe announced the board of directors 

had elected Joseph Reilly, formerly vicepresident, 

employee relations at NBC, to 

serve as vice-president, labor relations. Jaffe 

further announced that Philip Breen was 

named assistant secretary of the corporation. 

Elected to continue to serve in their current 

capacities as officers of the company 

were Leo Jaffe, chairman of the board; 

Alan J. Hirschfield, president and chief 

executive officer; Joseph A. Fischer, senior 

vice-president and chief financial officer; 

Allen Adler. senior vice-president; Victor 

A. Kaufman, vice-president, general counsel 

and secretary; C. Charles Jowaiszas, vicepresident 

and treasurer; Patrick M. Mellilo, 

controller; Eli Horowitz, assistant secretary; 

Benson H. Begun, assistant secretary; Paul 

Stager, assistant secretary; Jonathan Dolgen, 

assistant secretary; Jared Jussim, assistant 

secretary, and Herbert Morgan, assistant 

treasurer. 

U.S. Paper Notes Booming 

Toronto Film Production 

TORONTO— Is this city becoming the 

new Hollywood of North America? Bob 

Groves posed the question in a feature story 

in the Sunday Focus section of the Buffalo 

Courier-Express and offered strong evidence 

to support an affirmative answer. 

""Next to Hollywood, this is the place to 

make a movie," said Toronto filmmaker 

Jon Slan. His independent company began 

filming Monday (21) a trucker film titled 

"PF Flyer." Americans Peter Fonda and 

Jerry Reed star and the rest of the production 

company, except for one American 

writer, are Canadian. 

Other major films produced at least in 

part in the area recently include "Coup 

d'Etat," starring Peter O'Toole; the Richard 

Burton starrer "Equus"; ""The Black 

Stallion," with Mickey Rooney; the teaming 

of Elliott Gould, Susannah York and 

Christopher Plummer in "The Silent Partner," 

and scenes from Warner Bros." "Superman." 

According to Canadian film journalist 

Stephen Chelsey, nearly 50 films, including 

several major commercial items, were produced 

in the area in the past year and another 

25 are scheduled to begin production 

next 

spring. 

Chelsey rightfully credits the Canadian 

filmmaking boom to the 1976 revision of 

tax laws which now allow a 100 per cent 

tax write-off for investments in Canad'an 

productions, as well as other assistance 

available from the government. 

NJ Voters Reject Adult 

Entertainment Outlets 

CAMDEN, N.J.-Voters in suburban 

communities of Pennsauken, Haddon Township 

and Paulsboro overwhelmingly expressed 

opposition to pornography in their 

municipalities on election day. Pennsauken 

residents voted 2-1 to prohibit the sale and 

showing of pornography, in any form, 

within the township. The others expressed 

even more opposition. 

The vote was almost 4-1 in Haddon 

Township where two public questions posed 

the same question: Should the commissioners 

adopt stronger legislation to halt the sale 

and distribution of pornography in the 

township? In Paulsboro, voters voiced their 

staunch opfXJsition to pornography by votes 

of 5-1, 7-1 and 6-1 on three questions on 

the ballot. The residents were asked if the 

borough should permit X-rated bookstores 

and novelty shops, live burlesque shows or 

exhibitions featuring human and/or animals, 

and a third question voted 6-1 to ban X- 

rated motion picture showings. 

Though the residents were given the opportunity 

to test local standards on obscenity, 

the vote won't have much effect unless 

Governor Brendan T. Byrne signs the antiobscenity 

bill on his desk which would allow 

municipalities to enforce their own anti-obscenity 

laws under provisions of disorderly 

persons statutes. The bill passed legislature 

months ago, but the governor has not signed 

the measure as yet, 

K-4 

BOXOFnCE :: November 28, 1977

BOXOFFICE BOOKINCUIDE 

An interpretive analysis o{ lay and tradepress revie' 3. Running timo la in parentheses. The plus ar 

minus signs indicate degree of merit. Listings cov current reviews regularly. Symbol ij denoti 

BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Award. All iilms are in color xcept those indicated by (biw) ior black & whit 

Motion Picture Ass'n (MPAA) ratings: EJ—general udiences; PG—all ages admitted (parental gt 

suggesled); [fl— 

17 not admitted unless accompanied by pare 

3dult gu -per; unde 

admitted. National Catholic Oilice lor Motion Piclur. 

able fo leial patronage; A2— unobjectionable for adults or ad 

-morally unobjectionable for adults, with reservation 

i. Broadcasting and Film Commission. National Coun< 

FEATURE CHART. 

îBVIEW DICES T 

AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX 

++ Very Good; + Good; - Fait Poor; = Very Poor. the summary H Is rated 2 pluses, — as 2 minuses. 

i 

flliiKt s 

lllli 

4940 Aguirre. the Wrath of God 

(90) Hi-D New Yorker 4-11-77 A3 -f ff ± 4+1- 

4938 OAirport '77 (117) Sus-D ..Univ 4- 4-77 PG A2 + + H ± ± + 7-+2- 

Alice in the Cities 

(110) Melo (b&w) ..White Screen 6-20-77 + 1-1- 

Allegro Non Troppo (85) An-C 

(0 and biw) Specially 8-22-77 PG -f -f ± -|- 4+1- 

4971 American Friend, The 

(127) Melo New Yorker 9-5-77 A2 -+ + ++ H + 8+ 

4938 Andy Warhol's Bad 

(107) C-D New World 4-4-77 Bl ± ± - - + 3+4- 

4942 UAnnie Hall (94) R-C UA 4-25-77 PG A3 H ++ ff :t H ft H+l- 

4982 Axe (75) Sus-Ho Boxoffice 10-JA.77 (H + 1+ 

4968 Bad News Bears in Breaking Training, 

The (97) C Para 8- 1-77 PG A3 + ± - +| i: ± 6+4- 

4943 Beast. The (100) Sex F . Jason Allen 5- 2-77 it + + ± 4+2- 

4944 Between the Lines 

(101) C Midwest 5- 2-77 H B + f- ± ± + 6+2- 

4944 Black and White in Color 

(90) C AA 5- 2-77 PG A3 H ff ± H + 8+1- 

4937 Black Oak Conspiracy 

(92) Ac-D New World 4-4-77 + 2: + 3-11- 

4971 Blue Jeans (SO) C-D ..Peter Miller 9-5-77 + 1 + 

. 497S Bobby Dcerfield (123) R-D . . .Col 10- 3-77 PG A3 ff ff + ± ± 7+2- 

4943 Breaker! Breaker! 

(86) Ac-D AlP 5- 2-77 PG A3 ± ± - ± - 3+5- 

4958 Brioge Too Far, A 

(175) War D UA 6-20-77 PG A3 ff + ff i: ± ++ 9+2- 

By the Blood of Others 

(95) D Joseph Green 10-10-77 ff + + ± ± 6+2- 

4948 Car, The (95) Ho-D Uniw 5-16-77 PG A3 + - ± i ± ± 54 5- 

Chac (95) Doc Libra 9-26-77 + ff 3+ 

4982 Chicken Chronicles, The (91) C ..Emb 10-24-77 PG C ± - + — 2+3- 

4952 Cinderella 2000 

(95) Sex-MF . 

4990 Close Encounters of the Third Kind 

. Independent-lnfl 5-30-77 ± 1+1- 

(135) SF-D Col ll-a-77 PG ff + ff 5+ 

Conversation 

Piece 

(122) Melo New Line 8-8-77 D ± + ± - 3+3- 

4947 Cousin Angelica 

(106) F-D New Yorker 5-16-77 A3 ± ff ff 5+1- 

4945 Crash! (85) Sus-Ac-D ....Group 1 5- 9-77 PG ± 1+1- 

Cria! (115) D Jason Allen 6-20-77 PG ff 9+2- 

A3 ff + ± it ff 

4949 Cross of Iron (119) War D ....Emb 5-23-77 (g] B + + ± ± ± 5+3- 

4985 Damnation Alley 

—D— 

(91) SF-D 20th-Fox 11- 7-77 PG A3 ± +: ± - 3f4- 

4954 Day of the Animals, The 

(97) Ho-D Film Ventures 6- 6-77 PG A3 + — + ± 3+2- 

00660. The (123) Sus-Ad Col 6-27-77 PG B + ± + 41 g+3_ 

4960 ± i 

4984 Demon (95) Sus-Ho-D ..New World 10-31-77 HJ B + i: 2+1- 

4977 Desperate Living (90) C-F ..New Line 10- 3-77 _ _ ± 1.^.3_ 

Dreamer That Remains: a Portrait of 

Harry Partch, The 

(27) Doc Macmillan 5-23-77 + 14. 

4973 Dynasty (94) Ac ... .Cinema Shares 9-19-77 B] + ± + _ ± 4 3_ 

4974 Eaten Alive! 

—E— 

(90) Ho Virgo 9-19-77 H ± 1 + 1- 

Effi Briest (140) Melo 

(b&w) New Yorker 7-18-77 A3 ff ff + 5 + 

4961 Empire of the Ants 

(91) Ho-D AlP 7- 4-77 PG + + ± + _ 4,2- 

4973 End of the World 

(82) SF Irwin Yablans 9-19-77 PG ± 1 + 1_ 

Equinox 

Flower 

(118) C-D New Yorker 7-25-77 A2 + 1 + 

Equus (138) D UA 10-17-77 C ff 7.1 

4961 Exorcist II: the Heretic 

(120) Ho-D WB 7- 4-77 E) C ± - + _ _ ± 3^5_ 

BOXOFHCE BookinGuide :: Nov. 28 1977

REVIEW DIGEST 

AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX H very Good, + Good. ^ Fair; - Poor; = Very Poor. -H is roted 2 pluses, — as 2 minuses. 

q; P (tw 00:= ez 

4965 Last Remake of Beau Geste, The 

(83) C-Ad (© and b&w) ..Univ 7-25-77 PG A3 

Joy Reign Supreme 

4972 Let 

(120) Hi C-D Specialty 9- 5-77 B 

49S3 Lincoln Conspiracy, Tiie 

(95) Hi-D Sunn Classic 10-31-77 H A2 

4986 Looking for Mr. Goodbar 

(135) D Para 11- 7-77 El C 

Lo»e at First 4987 Sight 

(85) C-D Movictimc 11-14-77 

4952 Lovers Like Us (100) R-C ... .Atlas 5-30-77 PG

..78001 

Isaet, 

.77011 

i 2 

111 s 

111 

111 

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.- sill 

II 

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!rt 

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ill! 

II 

pel 

liii 

"SI 

If 

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III 

IS 

it 

fill 

pliil 

AVW

. Aug 

. 

. 

. . 

. Apr 

. Dec 

. Feb 

. 

tttl. Date 

APACHE FILMS 

American Tickler (77) ..C .Apr 77 

(A Spectrum VUms picture) 

Wizard of Gore (80) ..Ho.. May 77 

The Best of Laurel 4 Hardy (90) 

BEEHIVE PRODUCTIONS 

The Raw Report (70) Sex C. Aug 77 

Curves Ahead! (81) . .Sex C. 

r.oldif-Bear. W r. Margold 

Carnal's Cutles (SO) Sex C. Dec 77 

Muffin Macintosh 

Rumps ... Is There One in 

Your Past? Sex C. Feb 78 

BURBANK INT'L 

PICTURES 

Journey Into the Beyond . . . .Jan 77 

The Holes (Les Gaspards) ..Jan 77 

14 and Under Feb 77 

2069. a Sex Odyssey May 77 

MISCELLANEOUS 

FLORA RELEASING 

Wacky Taxi (79) Aug 77 

Mastermind (90) Aug 77 

ZiM. Mnsld. Bradlnrd Dillman 

Seeds of Evil (90) Sept 77 

Keep My Grave Open (85) 

Cimilia (jrr. Gene Ross 

No Way Back (91) 

30LDST0NE FILMS 

Bruce Lee and I 

Kung Fu Master— Bruce Lee Styli 

Shanghai Connection 

Vampire Beast Craves Blood 

North ol the Yukon 

Cops Is Cops 

HEMISPHERE PICTURES, 

INC 

Hanky Panky S( 

Willing Wives Si 

Terror From Under the 

Rel. 

NMO FILM DISTRIBUTING 

Date 

Invasion of the Blood Farmers/ 

She Beast/The Emhalmer 

(80/74/83) Ho.. Apr 77 

The Carhops (88) May 77 

The New Adventures of Snow 

White (76) May 77 

Naughty School Girls/Teenage 

Tramp/Teenage Hitchhikers 

(86/80/74) May 77 

OMNI PICTURES 

Death Driver (90) ..Ac-C. .Apr 77 

Frank Challenge— Manhunter 

(88) Ac. .Apr 77 

Hooch (98) Ac-C. Sept 77 

PACIFIC COAST FILMS 

My Wife the Hooker (65) ...Feb 77 

Confessions of Linda Lovelace 

(72) Apr 77 

Do You Wanna Be Loved 

(85) Aug 77 

Please Please Me (75) Sept 77 

Candy Stripers (80) Oct 77 

SEXPLOITATION FEATURE REVIEWS 

Jutterflies for Lunch 

Sex Coined/ 

(D © 

Leisure Time 92 Minutes Rel. 

Harry Reems' ciurent "last" porno offering 

affords him a gooii showcase for his acting talents 

as well as the accomplishments that maiie him the 

top in his field. Filmed in West Germany, apparently 

back-to-back with the previously released "Bel 

Ami" (his official "last" pomoi and "Swedish 

Minx," the new release casts him as a Munich 

nightclub owner who dallies with women constantly, 

not bothering to get rid of cun-ent "flames" until 

after finding replacements. Farm girl Maria Forsa 

( also known as Maria Lynn ) is a new recruit, fresh 

from several encounters with her back-home lover, 

Eric Edwards, a student. She receives Reems' usual 

attention before returning to the farm. Written 

and directed by Joseph W. Sarno, an old hand at 

this, the Monarex production offers enough plot 

and skin to please the patrons. Forsa offsets her 

very youthful good looks with skill as an actress 

and sex performer. Good Eastman Color photography, 

in Widescreen. Better than average. 

Harry Reems, Maria Forsa (Lynn), Eric Edwards, 

Nadia Henkowa, Natascha Verell, Zoe Uva. 

CAMBIST FILMS 

Swedish Minx (99) C.Jun 

Maria Lynn, Ble Warburg 

Girl on Her Knees D . 77 

Chris rhittell, Jacqueline Laurent 

Easy Come, Easy Go . . . C. . Nov ; 

Remus Peets. Heidi Kappler 

Superbug, Super Agent . .C. 

Andy Warhol's Young Dracula 

(105) C-D. 

Superhug. the Wild One C 

New House on the 

Left 

Ho-Sus. 

Charge of the Model T's . .C. 

People Who Own the 

Bank 

Ho-Sus. 

Supei 

Starbird and Sweet William 

(90) Ad. Nov 77 

A. Martinez, Dan Haggerty 

Messiah ol Evil (90) ...Ho.. Nov 77 

Michael Greer. Marianna Hill 

Legend of Sea Wolf 

(90) Ad.. Nov 77 

Chuck Connors, Barbara Bach 

Poopsie (96) Dec 77 

Sophia Loren, Marcello Mastrnlannl 

Loralie Legend (85) ...Ho.. Jan 78 

Tony Kendall 

Escape From Angola 

(92) Ad.. Feb 78 

Sian Brook .\nne Collins 

Dirty Pictures/Hassled Hooker 

(92/92) Sex 

Papas/Terence Hill 

" Sisters 1 

Satan/Dr. Jekyll and 

the Werewolf (85/91)' 

.\nne He.vv.ootl 

Saga of Dracula/Vengeance of 

the Zombies (85/91) Ho. 

Sexorcists (92) Sex. 

Leigh Heine. Steve Vincent 

Till Death (89) Sus. 

Keith Atkinsim, Belinda Balaskl 

HOLLYWOOD INT'L 

The New Erotic Adventure 

Casanova (85) ..Sex-i 

Fantastic Orgy (80) 

Iris Medina 

Jungle Blue (83) . 

.Sex D Dec 77 

Sex C Apr 78 

CANNON GROUP 

INDEPENDENT-INT'L 

Cherry Hill High Apr 77 

What Might Have 

Uncle 

Been 

Tom's Cabin (108) D Mar 77 

May 77 

The Last Wilderness Ma " Herbert Lom, Olive Monrefleld 

The Happy Hooker 

Nurse Sherri (92) Ho,, Mar 77 

Goes 

to Washington Game Show Models ..Sex D . 77 

June 77 

Cinderella 2000 

(95) SF-Sex ..Apr 77 

ralliarlne Erhardt 

CENTRAL PARK FILM 

CINEMA S 

We All Loved Each Other So 

Much (124) © and 

•i** 

C-O..Jun 

\lttnrln Cassman. Nino Manfre 

Jahberwocky (100) C. May 77 

MMa.-\ I'.iii,,. M;,>, 

Outrageous! (100) .. .C-D. Aug 77 

Craig Russell, Hnllls McLaren 

Volcano (100) and b&w . D( 

CONSTELLATION FILMS 

Crazy House (89) Mar 77 

Kraiikle HiivierU, Ray Mllland 

Lucifer's Women (88) Mar 77 

Larry Hankin, Jane Brunel-rnhen 

Night of the Howling Beast . , Mar 77 

Paul Naschv, Silvia Snlar 

COUGAR RELEASING 

KEY INTERNATIONAL 

The Father Kino Story 

(115) Ac-D ..Sept 77 

Richard Egali, Rlcardo Montalban 

Run for Blue (86) .W- Doc. .Sept 77 

Allen, Tanya Tucker 

LIMA PRODUCTIONS 

MFI 

DISTRIBUTORS 

7 Sins on 6th Street . 

An Affair in Cannes . 

The Abductor 

NEV/ LINE 

77 

73 

. Mar 78 

.C-Ad. .June 77 

Femmes Fatales D.. Sept 77 

Voyage to Grand 

Tartaric F.. Oct 77 

Michellne Lanctot, Jean Luc BIdeau 

Desperate Living 

(90) C-F..0ct77 

M Ki-iia.v, Mink Stole 

Gizmo! C. Nov 77 

Monty Python Meets Beyond the 

Fringe C. Nov 77 

M.inti r.vlhoii. Bejond Iho I'l iiisp 

House Made of 

Dawn Hi-D. Nov77 

lolin Saxon. Larry LIttleliIrd 

Stunts Ac-Ad. Dec 77 

Robert Forster. Fiona Leu Is 

NILES 

INTERNATIONAL 

Schizo (105) Ho.. June 77 

no Frndeilrk. Lavtnn 

John 

Love All Summer 

(95) C-D Aug 77 

Pill Dana. Marty Allen 

Wonder Who's Killing Her Now 

(84) C. Aug 77 

Boll Disln, Barnes 

Joanna 

PETER PERRY PICTURES 

Hollywood High (81) ...C. Feb 77 

The Young Cycle Girls 

(82) Sus-Melo..0ct77 

S.J. 

INTERNATIONAL 

The Swiss Conspiracy 

(87) Ac-Sus..Sept77 

David Jan.ssen, Senta Berger, 

John Saxon. Kay Milland 

Catherine & Co. (87) Sex C. Oct 77 

Jane Blrkln, Patrick Devvaere 

A Slightly Pregnant Man 

(92) C. Oct 77 

Marcello Mastroianni. Catherine 

Death Rage (90) Ac. Nov 77 

Yul Brynner, Barbara Bouchet 

My Niece Christine 

(90) Sex D.. Nov 77 

Mireille Dare, Pierre Mondy 

Lunatics and Lovers 

(90) C. Dec 77 

Marcello Mastroianni, Claudia Mori 

Jacob and Rachel 

(105) Hi-D.. Dec 77 

Leonard Whiting, Rita Tiishlngham 

Eagles Attack at Dawn 

(87) Ac. .Jan 78 

The Inheritance 

(115) R-D..Feh7S 

TOPAR FILMS, INC. 

Sudden Death Cr-D..May77 

IJiihert Conrad. R'roud 

Don 

SS Girls Sex D.. Oct 77 

Night ol the Askari . .Cr-D. .Oct 77 

Christoiilier Lee. Tievor Hovvanl 

Bilitis 

R-D..0ct77 

If You Don't Stop It. You'll 

Go Blind Sex C. 

Wackiest Wagon Train in the 

West C. 

Doll Denver. Forrest Tucker 

21sf 

CENTURY 

The Three Fantastic 

Supermen Apr 77 

Brail Harris, Tony Kendall. 

Nick Jordan, Patricia Carr 

The Divine Nymph Sept 77 

Marcello Mastroianni, Laura 

.\nlimelll, Terence Stamp 

The Obsessed One Nov 77 

Slalcolm I'anday. Sally Sevallas 

Demon Rage Dec 77 

George Rastman. Ka'cn LIndt 

Vengeance (One by One) Jan 78 

Pliilippo Nnlrct. Romy Schneider 

Voice in the Wind Feb 78 

.\ri 

S.an 

UNLIMITED INTERNATIONAL 

Rip Off (85) C-D.. Feb 77 

VANGUARD RELEASING, 

INC. 

The Hills Have Eyes 

(89) AcSus..June77 

Dirty 

Lilly 

sex 

gmedy 

Bunnco Films 75 Minutes Rel. 

Comedy quotient of this sexer almost makes the 

hard-core elements take a back seat. Forsaking the 

usual credits, the film has star Beth Anne address 

the camera as a dumb but willing character and 

name the actors and craftsmen. Then she narrates 

her wild adventm'es searching for her daddy in the 

big city of New York after being thrown out of her 

New Jersey home by fanatical mom Molly Malone. 

She meets shyster lawyer Eric Edwards, gets involved 

with porno movies, finds herself forced to 

watch the lovemaking of muscular Roger Cane and 

Marlene Willoughby, has a session with daddy's 

mistress C. J. Lang and becomes the chosen one of 

a group of devil worshippers. The not unexpected 

ending has daddy tm-ning out to be Marlow Ferguson, 

her former boss in a variety of rackets. Uncredited 

screenplay as directed by Marc Ubell, or Chuck 

Vincent, is very funny and enhances the doings 

quite a bit. Produced by Baja Pi-oductions. 

Beth Anne, Eric Edwards, Marlow Ferguson, Kurt 

Mann, Richard Bolla, Sharon Mitchell, C. J. Lang. 

FOREIGN FILM REVIEWS 

The Demise of Father Mouret 

VMSiish^TmeV 

(La Faute de I'Abbe Mouret) 

Images Film Library 90 Minutes Rel. Nov. '77 

Gallic filmmaker Georges Fi-anju, no stranger to 

the more discerning audiences on this side of the 

Atlantic, has approached a screen version of Emile 

Zola's 1875 novel with imagination and insight. 

Sharply-defined characterizations are contributed 

by Francis Huster, in the principal role, and Gillian 

Hills, who portrays a troubled woman who commits 

suicide after seducing a man of the cloth. Jean 

Ferry collaborated on the script with Fi-anju. 'Vera 

Belmont produced. Marcel Fradatal was cinematographer 

and Jean Wiener provided the musical 

score. A grim commentary on life, this import reflects 

solid structuring which sensitively weaves 

together realism and flight from realism. 

Francis Huster, Gillian Hills, Andre Lancombe, 

Margo Lion, Lucien Barjon, Hugo Faustio Tozzi. 

Tricontinental 75 Minutes Rel. Nov. '77 

Alicia Alonso. who first danced in the U.S. in the 

1940s and presently is principal dancer and artistic 

director of Ballet Nacional de Cuba, in Havana, is 

the subject of this Instituto Cubano del Arte e 

Industria Cinematograficos production. She is in 

her mid-50s and the years of artistic excellence are 

reflected in superb footage. Director Edwardo Manet 

has captured on film the unique artistic essence of 

this internationally recognizeii ballerina. 

AUeia Alonso, Azari Plisetski, Jose Pares, Josefine 

Mendez, Mirta Pia, Aurora Bosh. 

BOXOFHCE BookinGuide ;: Nov. 28, 1977

Opinions on Current Productions

. . SEE 

! 

FEATURE REVIEWS Story Synopsis; Exploitips; Adiines for Newspapers and Program 

THE STORY: •The Duellists" (Para) 

In Strasbom-g in 1800, Hussar lieutenant Keith Canadine 

is ordered to seek out fellow lieutenant Harvey 

Keitel and iirform him that he's being confined to quarters 

for duelling and wounding a major's nephew, »! Gii 

Matthew Quinness. Outi'aged, Keitel demands that Car- âgc 

radine give him satisfaction, which the latter does reluctantly. 

Later. Carradine is wounded by Keitel and then 

loses mistress Diana Quick in short order. As the years 

pass. Carradine tries to avoid the fanatical Keitel, whose 

promotions in rank equal his. They clash on the Russian 

front in a bitter winter but imite to drive off the Cossacks. 

Much later, Carradine's sister Meg Wynn Owen arranges 

a marriage to beautiful neighbor Ci-istina Raines. 

At the wedding. Carradine defends the now-defeated 

Napoleon. As a general, Carradine obtains Keitel's rslease 

after the latter is charged with treason. A final duel 

with pistols takes place and Carradine has the opportunity 

to kill Keitel. He doesn't, telling Keitel that now 

he has the upper hand and Keitel must bow to his honor. 

EXPLOITIPS: 

The two stars and the theme could be promoted, also 

the locations and the background of the Napoleonic Wars. 

CATCHLINES: 

Their Conflict 'Would Last as Long as They Were Both 

Still Alive. Which One Could Sui'vive? 

THE HIGHLIGHTS: "Jabberwalk" (ITM) 

America's frontiers have become freeways. The car is 

a symbol of energy and a major cause of death, yet auto 

shows have an almost religious focus. Stockcar races, 

drag races and demolition derbies are popular entertainment 

with a greater attendance than football, basketball 

and baseball games. A recent Indianapolis Speedway 

classic had many crashes and deaths. A Miss All-Bare 

America contest is held in New York. Ghost towns in 

Nevada have nothing but bordellos, to which small planes 

fly in customers. Massage parlors are called pleasure 

spas and shelter prostitution. Nude therapy groups 

abound in underground sex clinics. Hollywood makes pornographic 

films, and Eros Awards are given to the best 

ones. Americans have opted for hasty eating and junk 

food. Fredericks of Hollywood caters to erotic fantasies 

with bottomless girdles and inflatable brassieres. Tattoos 

have become beauty fads and half the customers are now 

women. There are drive-in mortuaries and cryonic suspension 

(liquid nitrogen) burials at the cost of $50,000. 

Luxmious co-ed prisons are also depicted. 

EXPLOITIPS: 

Stress the featm-ed underground sex clinics, the Black 

Mass, male go-go dancers. Miss Nude America contest 

and massage parlor rip-offs. 

CATCHLINES: 

SHOWS What America Is Into Today! . Underground 

Sex Clinics! SEE Boy Go-Go Dancers! 

THE STORY: "Horror of the Zombies" (Indep.-Int'l) 

Model Barbara Rey is upset at the disappearance of her 

roommate and lover, Blanca Estrada. Fearing she'll go to 

the police, fashion photographer Maria Perschy takes 

Rey to sporting goods promoter Jack Taylor, who explains 

that Estrada and another woman are adrift in 

one of his motor launches as a publicity gimmick. Tavlor's 

strong-arm man, Manuel De Bias, has to restrain 

Rey. The launch runs into a fog which sui-rounds an 

ancient Spanish galleon: aboard are zombies of a devil 

cult from the 18th Century. When Taylor decides to 

investigate, professor Carlos Lemos lal'so called Carl 

Leonard; accompanies the rescue party. The ship is 

boarded and Rey, upon discovering the zombies, is hacked 

to pieces. Taylor, Lemos and De Bias throw the zombies' 

coffins overboard. When the ship bursts into flames, 

Lemos dies. Di the water, Perschy is forced to kill the 

greedy De Bias, who was choking Taylor in a dispute over 

the treasure he found on the galleon. Perschy and Taylor 

reach a beach; exhausted, they don't see the zombies 

rising from the water until it's too late. 

EXPLOITIPS: 

Ad material is available from Consolidated Poster 

Service. 

CATCHLINES: 

Living Dead Men—Existing on the Flesh of the Young 

and Beautiful. 

THE STORY: "Three Warriors" lUA) 

Widowed Indian Lois Red Elk takes her reluctant son 

McKee "Kiko" Redwing and daughters Raydine Spino 

and Stacey Leonard to see their grandfather, Charles 

White Eagle. They think that he is dying, but soon learn 

he is just lonely. Resentful of his race and what he considers 

his grandfather's foolish old ways. Redwing wanders 

into an area where wild mustangs are governmentprotected. 

He sees Christopher Lloyd and motorcycle 

cronies Trey Wilson and Michael Huddleston loading a 

herd onto a truck. White Eagle has ranger Randy Quaid 

take him and Redwing to the county fair. With his last 

dollai-. White Eagle buys a lame palomino for Redwing. 

The two take the horse to the sacred healing springs; 

along the way, Redwing softens toward his grandfather's 

ways, learns to hunt and fish and captm-es an eagle 

feather as a sign of manhood. The horse, named Three 

Warriors after Redwing, White Eagle and the boy's father 

Byron Patt, is cured. Redwing frees another herd 

and helps captui-e Lloyd and men, with Quaid's aid. 

Redwing and White Eagle exchange tearful goodbyes. 

EXPLOITIPS: 

Play this up as good family entertainment, with plenty 

to attract adults. Zaentz, it can be noted, co-produced 

"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." 

CATCHUNES: 

He Dreamed of Great Adventure. And He Pound It. 

He Was an Indian. And He Became a Warrior. 

THE STORY: "AUce, Sweet Alice" (AA) 

In Paterson, N.J., in 1961, Catholic Brooke Shields is 

about to take her first Holy Communion as mother Linda 

Miller contends with nasty older daughter Paula Sheppard. 

In chmxh. Mother Superior Mary Boylan discovers 

Brook's bm-ning body after the girl is strangled. The disturbed 

Sheppard is suspected. Miller is comforted by exhusband 

Niles McMaster, now remarried, and young 

priest Rudolph Wilhich. Aunt Jane Lowry, a domineering 

type, is stabbed in the feet and hands by a figure in a 

mask and yellow raincoat and swears that it was her 

niece. Detective Tom Signorelli investigates as Sheppard 

is held for observation and given a lie detector test. She 

thinks Brooke is still alive. McMaster is certain that 

Lowry's daughter Kathy Rich, who disappeared after the 

stabbing, is guilty. He is lui-ed to a deserted warehouse 

and killed by Mildred Clinton, housekeeper at the rectory, 

whose own child died on her first communion day and 

who holds Miller to be an adulteress. After Sheppai d retm-ns 

home, deranged Clinton stabs landlord Alphonse 

De Noble. Refused commmiion, she kills Willrich. 

EXPLOITIPS: 

Be sure not to sell this as a "Bad Seed" film, but rather 

as a shocker revolving around the sacrament of communion. 

CATCHLINES: 

Alice Was Capable of Anything, But Was She Guilty? 

... A Real Shocker. 

THE STORY: "Mansion of the Doomed" (Group I) 

Eye surgeon Richard Basehart lectures to his class of 

resident doctors on transplants. Later, while driving his 

daughter, Nancy, he swerves to avoid hitting a dog and 

has a wreck which renders Nancy blind. Having performed 

eyeball transplant sui-gery on dogs, he feels that 

he can conduct the operation on his daughter. Basehart 

invites victims to his home, drugs them, removes their 

eyes to transplant to Nancy's and then locks them in a 

cell in his basement. He tells them that he'll eventually 

restore their eyesight, too, when he perfects his technique. 

But Nancy keeps rejecting the new eyes and, gradually, 

th number of basement prisoners mounts. Gloria Grahame, 

who helped raise Nancy after her mother died, 

assists Basehart with the sm-gery. One blinded victim 

escapes, is struck by a car and killed. When police notice 

the missing eyes, they call upon Basehart for consultation. 

Gloria Grahame is killed by a prisoner, so Basehart 

transplants her eyes. Nancy regains her sight temporarily 

and is shocked by what she sees. She leads her 

father to the cell, where the victims gouge out his eyes. 

EXPLOITIPS: 

Horror film buffs will appreciate the unique eye-transplant 

theme. Play up the names of Richard Basehart and 

Gloria Grahame. 

CATCHLINES: 

'What Happens Is So Horrifying That We Can't Even 

Hint It in This Advertisement 

BOXOFHCE BookinGuide :: Nov. 28, 1977

: minded. 

: 

• 

. . . 13 

Y 

f.TES: 50c per word, nmumum S5.00 CASH WITH COPY. Four consecutive insertions ior price 

Dthree. When using a Boxoifice No. figure 2 additional words and include SI. 00 additional, to 

c?er cost of handling replies. Display Classified, S38.00 per Column Inch. No commission 

towed. CLOSING DATE: Monday noon preceding publication date. Send copy and answers 

|.Box Numbers to BOXOFFICE, 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. 64124. 

WANTED 

memo to advertisers 

a two Headed 

Coin 

An honest face, a pleasant smile, and a new set of facts to match each sales 

pitch. 

And there goes another unsuspecting advertiser, wondering where his 

message went wrong. 

We have only one set of circulation facts and figures—those audited and 

reported by the Audit Bureau of Circulations. 

That way you are ABC-sure our story is reliable, with nothing hidden and 

nothing distorted in the telling. 

You can depend on it. 

In the motion picture industry, 

ONU 

Boxo Frier 

Is a member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations. Our circulation 

records and practices are subject to the scrutiny of regular field 

and the discipline of ABC determined standards. 

audits 

x-Êo 

U L ^

Boxoffice-November.28.1977

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