Boxoffice-April.03.1978

FOR HHUHI-HHUNI-HHUNI • APRIL
PETER PERRY
PICTURES, INC
511 No. La Cienega Blvd., Suite 208, Los Angeles, California 90048
Telephone: (213) 659-9633
ITER PERRY-President
JULES GERELICK- General Sales Manager

R3C
THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY
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BEN SHLYEN
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/ie Tuiie
e^im /vf^&n, 7

Hl^il^^B
Coming this summer from Paramount
D1978 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rigtits Reserved

Rastar Announces 18-Film Slate
Involving 5 Major Distributors
HOLLYWOOD—Ray Stark and his Rastar
Productions, which generated more
than a half-billion dollars in boxoffice
last grosses in the ten years, has announced
plans for a slate of 18 new films. The projects
will involve five major distribution
companies and an association with producer
Mort Engelberg.
Engelberg, who produced "Smokey and
the Bandit." will work under an exclusive
arrangement with Stark under the Rastar/
Mort Engelberg production banner. Engelberg
will produce three projects now in development:
"Hot Stuff." co-produced by
Fred Weintraub for Columbia release; an
untitled comedy to be written by Paul Williams
and Pat McCormick and starring
them, and "Ruby Red" for Paramount release.
The 15 other films include:
"California Suite." written by Neil Simon,
based on his stage play. Production began
March 20 with Herbert Ross directing
and Stark producing Columbia's major
Christmas release. Alan Alda. Michael
Caine. Bill Cosby. Jane Fonda and Walter
Matthau top the cast.
"The Electric Horseman," set to shoot in
August from a script by Carol Sobieski.
with director and top male star to be announced.
"The Hunter" starring Steve McQueen,
set for an October start with Engelberg
producing for Paramount release.
Sequel to 'Bandit' Set
An Lmtitlcd sequel to "Smokey and the
Bandit" set to start in December, with Burt
Reynolds starring and Hal Needham directing
producer Engelberg's Universal release.
"Freestyle," a story about a world-champion
skier facing the end of her career,
which will begin shooting in December for
Columbia release with Robert Butler directing.
A follow-up to Neil Simon's "The Goodbye
Girl," again starring Richard Dreyfuss.
Marsha Mason and Quinn Cummlngs,
which will begin production in May 1979.
with Herbert Ross directing and Stark producing
for Warner Bros.-MGM.
Simon Hit to Be Filmed
"Chapter Two," Neil Simon's current
Broadway hit, which will be adapted for
the screen by Simon for an October 1979
start with Ross directing and Marsha Mason
starring. Stark will produce.
In various stages of development are:
"Desperado," featuring original music by
the Eagles. The rock group will be involved
in all stages of the project's development.
The story will be based on their "Desperado"
album and will be produced by Stark
for Warner Bros., with David Krebs and
Steve Leber as executive producers.
"Colette," based on the life of the fam>-d
French authoress, with the screenplay by
Carol Sobieski. Ross will direct and Stark
will produce.
"Dawn One." the story of Robert Oppenheimer's
involvement with the early days
of nuclear development. Martin Ritt directs
from an original screenplay by Stephen and
Elinor Karpf.
Picture About Student Life
"BAM." about student Ife at the Brooklyn
Academy of Music, with Carol Sobieski
writing the script for a classical contemporary
musical, to be released by Columbia.
"Where are the Children?", with Diana
Ewing writing the screenplay based on Mary
Higgins Clark's novel. Michael Miller will
direct the Columbia release.
High Potential Seen
For Sponsored Films
NEW YORK—New York film consultant
Philip Murphy, noting that five sponsored
films have been nominated for Academy
Awards, says that their selection demonstrates
"a potential for public relations
via movie theatres of which many sponsors
are still dimly aware."
The films are "First Edition," produced
by D. L. Sage Productions for the Baltimore
Sun: "The Shetland Experience," produced
by Balfour Films for British Petroleum, and
"Of Time, Tombs and Treasure," produced
by Charlie/ Papa Productions for Exxon
Corp. These three are competing with two
others in the docrmentary short subject
category: "Notes on the Popular Arts," produced
bv Saul Bass Films for Warner Communications,
and "Floating Free." produced
by Trans World International for Wham-0
Manufacturing Co.. the makers of the Frisbee.
both nominees with three others in the
live short subject division. Both Sage and
Bass previously have won Oscars.
Sponsorship is irrelevant as far as the
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
is concerned but is significant to theatres
because it means that the films are
shown free. Theatrical distribution is attractive
to sponsors, says Murphy, because
it is a means of showing films to more people
faster than anv other outlet except TV:
because the young adult demographics are
desirable, and because the big-theatre screen
and high-fidelity sound provide an ideal
showcase. He points out that commercial
restrictions in public TV are absolute.
Murphv estimates that there are about
1.000.000 showings a year of sponsored
films in U.S. theatres. Modern Talking Picture
Service reported 378.492 showings in
1976. RHR Filmedia and Association Films
handle about the same number of titles as
Modern and place particular emphasis on
theatrical distribution. Summing up. Murphy
states. "It's about time theatrical film
sponsors pot with it."
Para. Names Simpson
V-P for Production
HOLLYWOOD— Don Simpson has
been
appointed vice-president in charge of production
for the motion picture division of
Paramount Pictures, it was announced by
Michael D. E'sner. president and chief operating
officer of Paramount.
In making the announcement. Eisner
"We are pleased to be able to promote
said:
within Paramount's executive ranks. Don
Simpson has been an important part of
Paramount's growth and success in the motion
picture area and his leadership on the
West Coast should help sustain that
growth."
Simpson joined Paramount as a production
executive, motion picture division, in
October 1975. In February 1977 he was
promoted to vice-president/ production, motion
picture division, a post he held until
h's present appointment.
He began his motion picture career as
the Warner Bros, account executive with
the Jack Wodell Agency in San Francisco
in 1969. In 1971, Simpson joined Warner
Bros, as a member of its advertising marketing
group handling special projects until
1975. when he joined Paramount.
AIP, Sunn Classic Host
Show-A-Rcana Delegates
OVERLAND PARK. KAS. — Show-A-
Rama 21 delegates, bused from the Crown
Center Hotel, March 15 were treated to a
screening of American Internatonal Pictures'
"Our Winning Season" at the Dickinson
circuit's Glenwood theatres in this Kansas
City suburb. A late-night champagne
breakfast, hosted by Sunn Classic Pictures,
followed the film's unspooling.
Milton Mortiz. AIP vice-president/advertising,
and Leon Blender. AIP executive
vice-president/ sales and distribution, both
addressed the asssemblage. packed into the
plush Glenwood I. "Our Winning Season"
producer Joe Roth and director Joe Ruben
also were present to greet Show-A-Rama
delegates.
At the breakfast, served in the nearby
Glenwood Convention Center. John Hinks,
Sunn Classic Pictures vice-president. Central
region, introduced four winners of a
recent Sunn showmanship contest.
Dennis Hutchins. now affiliated with Plitt
Theatres in Chicago, and Tony Bruguiere,
with the Ogden-Perry circuit in Fort Walton,
Fla., were grand-prize winners. They received
a plaque. $500 and a trip for two to
San Diego.
Dean McMillian, with Commonwealth
Theatres in Columbia, Mo., and James
Reavy, with the Frisina Cinema in Springfield,
III., each received a plaque and S500.
Debby Boone on Oscar Show
HOLLYWOOD—Debby Boone will
sing
"You Light Up My Life," one of the five
songs nominated for an Academy Award, at
the Oscar ceremonies, being held Monday
{?) at the Los Angeles Music Center.
BOXOFHCE :: April 3. 1978

1978 TEA Convention
April30-May3inSC
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C—The Theatre
Equipment Ass'n has selected the Myrtle
Beach Hilton as the gathering point lor its
annual convention, scheduled Sunday (30)
through May 3. The first official event of
the 1978 conference will take place Sunday
evening (30) at the pool terrace of the Hilton,
As at previous meetings, no planned
breakfasts have been arranged. Business
sessions will be held May 1. followed by an
afternoon luncheon-program. Marvin Goldman,
president of National NATO, will be
present at this event. The women will be
treated to a breakfast and fashion show that
same morning.
In what has become a tradition, the convention
will present a TEA world premiere
film at 6 p.m. May 1 at the Dunes Theatre.
The film is provided courtesy of
Charles Trexler of Stewart & Everett Theatres.
May 2 also will focus around morning
business sessions and another luncheon.
In addition to more business sessions
May 3, that day will feature the presentation
of the Teddy Award at the evening
President's Banquet. Cocktails at poolside
then will be followed by dinner with dancing
in the ballroom of the Hilton. Men also
may choose to participate in a fishing trip
or the annual szolf and tennis tournament
Sunday (30).
For additional information on the TEA
conference, contact Jerry Sunshine, Theatre
Equipment Ass'n, 1600 Broadwav, Suite
605, New York. N.Y. 10019.
$10,722,963 for ^Coma'
Nationwide, 28 Days
New York—Metro-Goldwyii-Mayer's
new boxofficc hit "Coma" has
rolled up a cumulative gross of $10.
722,963 since it's nationwide relea.sc
in over 300 theatres February it was
8,
reported by Al Fitter. United Artists
senior vice-president for domestic sales.
This figure
includes a New York total
of $951,423 for 35 days at seven theatres,
achieved despite several snowstorms.
In Los Angeles and Orange County,
the total was $607,460 in ten spots for
28 days.
"Coma" stars Genevieve Bujold.
Michael Douglas. Elizabeth Ashley.
Rip Torn and Richard Widmark as
Dr. Harris. The Martin Eriichman production
of a Michael Crichton film is
released by United Artists.
Michael Rosenberg Joins
Zaentz as Executive V-P
HOLLYWOOD — Michael
Rosenberg
resigned as United Artists West Coast advertising
and marketing director to become
executive vice-president of Saul Zaentz Productions,
effective Saturday (1).
Rosenberg will be active in all phases of
production, marketing and advertising for
Zaentz. who co-produced "Three Warriors"
and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest,"
both for UA. Before joining UA, Rosenberg
was national advertising director for Columbia
Pictures.
'Encounters' Scoring
In Foreign Playdates
BURBANK — "Close Encounters of the
Lhird Kind" has grossed $3,988,811 at the
boxoffice in only two weeks of very limited
playoff in international markets, it was announced
by Patrick M. Williainson, executive
vice-president of Columbia Pictures
International.
The total includes receipts from 62 theatres
in 38 cities in 12 countries, with fewer
than half of those in release for the full
two weeks.
Major openings in the past few days included
$33,588 from the Zoo Palast in Berlin
for four days, $19,430 from the Urgel in
Barcelona in four days, $15,597 at the Palacio
Musica in Madrid, three days, and an
opening figure of $3,662 at the Cinerama in
Amsterdam.
During the third week of its international
release. "Close Encounters of the Third
Kind" will open in London. Sydney. Melbourne.
Auckland, Lisbon and Teheran.
Also, the broadening-out process will begin
in France, Italy. Japan and several other
markets. By Easter the film was to be on
.iiorc than 670 screens in 19 countries.
First Artists Releasing
Moves to New Address
HOLLYWOOD—First Artists Releasing
has moved to new offices. The new address
is 3400 West Alameda. Burbank, Calif.
91505. The company's phone number is
(213) 843-7002. Other First Artists offices
will remain at the Burhank Studios.
More than 1.400 Show-A-Rama delegates in Kan.-3-, Ci
play o( upcoming product in a high-traffic hallway area c
Hotel. "AIP Presents 1978 and Beyond," with slallers c
answer questions and give information, ieatured displays <
10 From Navarone." "Starcrash." "Caliiomia Dreaming.'
c
down Center

Goldman Asserts Blind-Bidding Halt
Would Aid All Segments of Industry
By JERRY JONES
KANSAS CITY—Blind-bidding, product
sliortages. escalating minimum wages and
Marvin Goldman
operating costs and predictions of the "demise
of theatres by 1985" are not cheery
subjects for the beleaguered movie house
owner. However, Marvin Goldman, president
of the National Ass'n of Theatre Owners,
is optimistic, if cautiously so, about the
future of exhibition.
Goldman, who addressed delegates at
Show-A-Rama 21 in Kainsas City, capsulized
his assessment of the industry for Boxof-
FicE, touching on both the present and the
future. He noted that any evaluation must
be conducted "AT"—meaning "After TV."
Comparisons prior to the rise of that medium,
he suggested, are meaningless. Within
the AT context, he said the industry was
experiencing a dual growth, both in facilities
and in audience size.
'Future
Very Bright'
"There are more people going to the
movies, more people wanting to go to the
movies," he asserted. "There are more theatres
than we've had in years, in terms of
concentration in urban areas. Overall, the
industry is quite healthy ... I think the
future is very bright; maybe not in the same
form, but it will survive."
Goldman referred to "the industry" as a
triumvirate composed of producers, distributors
and exhibitors. He suggested that
current inequities in the film marketplace
have relegated exhibitors to a less-than-desirable
position among the three participants.
"Exhib'tion's problem," he explained, "is
that it's not sharing in terms of profit in
the same terms that the other partners of
the triumvirate are sharing. Right now.
exhibition is at the bottom of the triumvirate."
The maim reason for this seller's market,
Goldman maintains, is blind-bidding, a
technique which requires an interested ex-
d'stributors and producers would have to
compete for the market."
In addition to "evening things up" for the
exhibitor, Goldman foresees the elimination
of blind-bidding as a possible windfall for
producers and distributors. He noted that a
picture such as "Exorcist II: the Heretic"
certainly would not have gathered in as much
money but pictures such as "Star Wars,"
"The Goodbye Girl" and "Saturday Night
Fever" would have "made a hell of a lot
more" if exhibitors had been allowed to
screen them prior to bidding.
"I feel they (producers and distributors)
would get more money out of their pie than
they're getting now," Goldman maintained.
Eastman Kodak Honor
To 5 Cinematographers
HOLLYWOOD — The second annual
Eastman Kodak Co. awards banquet honoring
excellence in cinematography and recognizing
the achievements of five leading
directors of photography was held Saturday
(1) at the Bistro in Beverly Hills.
Award recipients were: Robert Surtees,
"The Turning Point"; Vilmos Zsigmond,
"Close Encounters of the Third Kind";
Fred Koenekamp, "Islands in the Stream";
Douglas Slocombe, "Julia," and William
Fraker, "Looking for Mr. Goodbar."
Guests included the officers of the American
Society of Cinematographers.
Presenting the awards was Kenneth M.
Mason, Kodak assistant vice-president and
general manager of the motion picture and
audio-visual markets division.
"Our partnership with the motion picture
industry dates to the first entertainment film
ever made," Mason said. "While the Academy
necessarily will single out one of these
cinematographers (all have been nominated
for Oscars), our sense of history in the industry
tells us that all their achievements
will provide inspiration for those who will
follow in
their footsteps."
'Deathsport' Multiple Set
HOLLYWOOD — New World Pictures
will open its "Deathsport," starring David
Carradine and Claudia Jennings, in 150 theatres
in the Dallas and Oklahoma City
areas.
TMS Holding Four-Month
'Everybody Wins' Promo
BOSTON—Theatre Management Services
heralded 1978 with its most ambitious refreshment
promotion program ever! Beginning
the first of the year and running
through the first four months of 1978 was
the "Everybody Wins" promotion. The cam-
hibitor to bid for a picture which he has
not seen and a technique which has evoked
paign,
strenuous objections from exhibitors. Terming
the blind-b dding process "immoral,
TMS says, is "unique in that it provides
the opportunity for the theatre patron,
unethical
and maybe illegal." he compared
theatre manager and theatre owner to participate
in the
it
to buying
promotion's success."
a car.
"You give me $20,000," Goldman said, Each patron receives a pass (restricted
"and I'll give you a car. What kind? It could during certain days of the week and for certain
special features) with the purchase of a
be a Rolls or a Pinto. What color? It might
be red or it might be blue. Mileage? It could 170-ounce super-bucket of popcorn and 32-
get 40 miles; it could get eight miles. I feel ounce cold drink. Each customer also is
that if blind-bidding stopped, then all these given a special flyer explaining the pass
offer, as well as giving information about
the sweepstakes opportunity. Attention also
is directed to the promotion through the use
of specially designed four-color wall posters
which were provided by the Sweetheart Cup
Co.
Besides a pass, patrons purchasing the
170-ounce super-bucket of popcorn and 32-
ounce drink receive a sweepstakes ticket,
which automatically enters the customer in
the TMS grand-prize drawing in which 100
prizes will be awarded. Prizes were donated
by TMS. the Coca-Cola Co. and individual
theatre managers, who promoted prizes from
local merchants.
Managers qualify for special prizes in
addition to the sweepstakes. These will be
awarded to individuals based on performance
in promoting prizes from merchants
as well as selling the 170-ounce superbucket
of popcorn and 32-once drink.
'Spaceman Saturday Night'
Rights to Wade Williams
KANSAS CITY—Wade Williams, head
of Wade Williams Productions, has announced
the acquisition of the Frank
Howard-Tom Rathman screenplay "Spaceman
Saturday Night," a science-fiction/horror-comedy,
with music, involving the invasion
by aliens of a small Kansas town in
the late
i950s.
Tensing is planned for late summer in
California and Kansas.
Frank Howard will direct the all-star cast.
which will be announced later. Williams
said.
A Christmas release is planned for
"Spaceman Saturday Night."
Irving Sochin Appointed
Vadib General Sales Mgr.
HOLLYWOOD—Adolfo Veronese, president
of newly formed Vadib International,
has named Irving Sochin to be general sales
manager of the distribution company. Vadib
plans to release "Keoma—The Avenger"
starring Franco Nero in a saturation booking
next month.
Sochin has had executive sales positions
with 20th Century-Fox and Universal. He
also was president of the J. Arthur Rank
Organization (U.S.A.) and Rizzoli Films.
April 3, 1978

EXPRODICO Reaches
Its Invesimenl Goal
HOLLYWOOD—Tom Moyer, president
of EXPRODICO. announced that
the filmprodLiction
cooperative of motion picture
exhibitors has attained its initial required
goal of more than $3,000,000 in order to
enter the filmmaking field. Moyer informed
the board of directors of the National Ass'n
of Theatre Owners, meeting in Palm Springs,
Calif., that more than 600 exhibitors had
pledged $3,340,000, thus satisfying co-financing
requirements with Balcor, Chicagobased
partnership investing $3,000,000, and
the City National Bank of Beverly Hills,
which will loan an additional $3,000,000.
The combination of exhibitor pledges and
funds from the two other sources guarantee
an initial motion picture production investment
of more than $9,000,000. Moyer
pointed out.
Interest has been expressed by several distribution
companies in the domestic marketing
of the films. Moyer disclosed, and offers
already have been received for marketing
internationally and for TV syndication.
None of the offers has been accepted, pending
formalization of EXPRODICO as an
operating entity.
The present exhibitor officers of EX-
PRODICO—Moyer. Cliff Alterman and
Ross Campbell—w'll nominate a board of
directors shortly. Subscribers to the cooperative
will vote on that selection by mail. A
chief executive then will be hired by the
board to run EXPRODICO and the directors
will submit to the members his name
and the terms of his employment.
The chief executive officer, with Balcor.
will select the balance of the production
staff and negotiate necessary marketing arrangements,
as well
as commence consideration
of film packages in which to invest. It
is anticipated that all selections of personnel
and distribution arrangements will be completed
by October and that film packages
may be reviewed actively as early as June
1, 1978.
Moyer stated that support from NATO
president Marvin Goldman and exhibitor
B. V. Sturdivant was extremely helpful in
achieving the EXPRODICO goals.
Nolin Appointed Columbia
Consultant on Product
NEW YORK—Norman Levy,
executive
vice-president, domestic marketing, announced
that Michael Nolin has been appointed
as executive consultant on product
acquisition for Columbia Pictures distribution.
Nolin joined the Columbia story department
four-and-a-half years ago as a reader
and has been executive story editor for the
past two years.
Levy stated: "With more and more independent
completed product being made
available for distribution, we were in need
of a man with Nolin's story background lo
recognize the boxoffice potential of these
available films."
BOXOFHCE April 3. 1978
Krueger's 'Show Boat' Book Popular
Helen Morgan sings "Bill" in the original 1927 Ziegfeld production of "Show
Boat." At right, Oscar Hammerstein II and Jerome Kern as they appeared in 1932.
Both photos are from Miles Krueger's "Show Boat: The Story of a Classic American
Musical."
By JOHN COCCHI
NEW YORK — "Show Boat" long has
been regarded as a "landmark American
classic," from its first presentation on the
musical stage in 1927 through its three
screen versions, to its countless revivals
even today. As a tribute to this durable
work, musical historian Miles Kreuger has
written the definitive book on the subject,
"Show Boat. The Story of a Classic American
Musical" (Oxford University Press).
Starting with a history of the show boat itself,
Kreuger chronicles the Edna Ferber
novel, the 1927 Jerome Kern-Oscar Hammerstein
II musical as produced by Florenz
Ziegfeld, the major revivals and the films:
1929 part talkie. Universal; the 1936 Universal
version, which he regards as the
ultimate screen adaptation, and the 1951
MGM film, not highly praised.
Coincided With Anniversary
Written with a great deal of affection
for his subject—the first words of his introduction
state the author's love for "Show
Boat"—the greatly illustrated book details
everything and everyone connected with the
many different versions. Kreuger personally
interviewed many of the surviving personalities
from the early stage and screen works
and counts among his most cherished
memories the time he spent with Hammerstein
before the latter's death. The book
was timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary
of the show's opening (Dec. 27.
1977). at which time Kreuger introduced
the 1929 Universal film (a completely
silent version) at New York's Museum of
Modern Art. The two other films also were
shown at the museum and Kreuger presented
similar program at the American Film Institute
a
at Kennedy Center in Washington,
D. C. where he gave a copy of his book
to Irene Dunne. Magnolia of the 1936 version.
Kreuger. a well-known and respected
authority, is the founder and president of
the Institute of the American Musical, a
nonprofit archive which houses musical
theatre and film research material including
recordings and which has presented retrospectives
at leading museums.
Initial Printing of 10,000
With his book successfully launched
6.000 copies of the initial 10,000 printing
were sold in a short period, considered remarkable
for a $25 volume on a ipecialized
subject—Kreuger is continuing to publicize
his work. His TV appearances towards that
end have included "Tomorrow," "Straight
Talk." the Jtx- Franklin show, "A. M.
Washington." Philadelphia's "Dialing for
Dollars" and "Collage," a Los Angeles
show. Kreuger also is proud of the Publisher's
Weekly article on him and the rave
it prepublication review gave his book. He
credits Sheldon Meyer, vice-president of Oxford
University Press in America, with encouraging
him to turn his lifelong devotion
to "Show Boat" into a form which everyone
can enjoy.
NSS to Distribute Toys
For 'Pink Panther' Runs
NEW YORK—National Screen Service
Corp. has acquired the rights for the theatrical
distribution of Pink Panther soft
toys and other Pink Panther licensed novelties
from Mighty Star. Ltd.. Montreal, Canada,
it was announced by Seymour Kaplan,
director of sales for NSS, and Harvey Stark,
vice-president of marketing for Mighty Star.
The two principals expressed their certainty
of a successful cooperation in the
venture.

PICTORIAL HIGHLIGHTS OF
SHOW-A-RAMA 21
Lisa Lucas, who appeared as Shirley MacLaine's nondancing daughter in "The
Turning Point." holds "Star of Tomorrow" plaque presented by Douglas I. Lightner,
president ol Kansas City-based Commonwealth Theatres.
Peter S. Myers, vice-president, domestic distribution. 20th-Fox.
displays "Man ol the Year" award presented to 20lh-Fox president
Alan Ladd jr., who could not attend. At right is Norman
Nielsen, president oi the United Motion Picture Ass'n, which
sponsored S-A-R 21.
champion of
oil
Vema Fields, left. Universal vice-president
Show-Women," with Sandy Duncan, soon
Outer Space," at Carriage Club luncheon.
BOXOFHCE :: April 3, 1978

Ashley Boone jr.. 20lh-Fo:
domestic marketing
ident.
S-A-R delegates at the
With the Stars" banquet, which Fox
co-hosted with Coca-Cola USA. S-A-
R saluted 20th-Fox as "Motion PicdI
the Year.
ell described upcoming product
Died Show-A-Rama 21 dele- Partial view of the capacity crowd at the Universal Pictures-spor
(es at the luncheon hosted by the at which producers Richard Zanuck and David Brown explained
npany March 14 in the Century niques that will be used to promote the summer opening of "Jaws
llroom of the Crown Center Hotel,
nsas City.
irketing
lech-

Columbia Holds Sales
Conclave in Burbank
Bb'RBANK—Columbia Pictures March
28 launched a three-day series of publicity
and exploitation meetings at the Burbank
Studios for the company's field force. Discussions
focused on upcoming product, with
the main emphasis placed on the three music-oriented
spring releases.
Norman Levy, executive vice-president of
domestic marketing, and Robert W. Cort.
vice-president and general manager of advertising,
publicity and exploitation, greeted
the group, while the meetings were presided
over by Barry Lorie, national director of
publicity and promotion, and Don Barrett,
national director of field operations.
On the agenda were in-depth discussions
on "If Ever I See You Again." Joe Brooks'
latest production, which he also co-wrote,
directed, composed the music for and in
which he is starred. The multi-talented
actor-composer-filmmaker took an active
part in the meetings regarding his forthcoming
Columbia release.
Executive producer Ed Cohen and producer
Fred Bauer of "The Buddy Holly
Story" attended to spearhead execution of
plans for their films.
Also attending was Neil Bogart. president
of Casablanca Records, who co-produced the
joint venture with Motown of the highly
exploitable comedy musical "Thank God
It's Friday." Producer Ray Stark screened
highlight scenes from his upcoming summer
release, Neil Simon's "The Cheap Detective,"
which features an all-star cast headed
by Peter Falk. Producer Jon Peters, who
recently completed "Eyes of Laura Mars,"
starring Faye Dunaway and Tommy Lee
Jones, stressed the many tie-up possibilities
in his summer release.
The national field staff also met Billy
Hayes in person, the man whose real-life
escape from a Turkish prison is brought to
the screen vividly in Peter Guber's "Midnight
Express."
Members of the field staff attending the
meetings included Jack Scanlon. Los Angeles;
Stan White, Dallas; Joel Poss. Atlanta;
Linda Goldenberg, Philadelphia; John
Markle, Boston; Leo Pillot, Buffalo; Abe
Kronenberg, New York; Jerry Downey,
Chicago, and Debbi Butters. Canada.
Future Product From Sunn
Will Have Stereo Sound
LOS ANGELES — Charles Sellier jr.,
president of Sunn Classic Pictures, recently
notified exhibitors across the country that
Sunn had decided to produce all its future
motion pictures in stereophonic surround
sound. According to Sellier. "The decision
was made easier by the recent technological
advances of Dolby Laboratories, whose systems
render stereo optical sound possible
on a relatively inexpensive basis."
The decision was made, Sellier said, because
it was discovered in recent test-market
engagements that sound was an extremely
important element of enjoyment to patrons.
Further testing pointed out that audiences
specifically wanted sound that involved
them more directly in the action of films.
"As you know," Sellier explained, "stereo
surround sound is an experience. It surrounds,
envelopes and stimulates the viewer,
heightening involvement in the film. It also
reinforces and creates the moviegoing habit
with a unique experience that can be found
both in large and small theatres."
In a letter to exhibitors, Sellier stated:
"We strongly encourage you to investigate
installing a stereo surround system. We
agree with people throughout the country
that unique sound involvment is the wave
of the future. In order to realize this potential,
we must work together by providing
both the product and the facilities."
Trans-Lux Corp. Reports
Increased Earnings, Net
NORWALK, CONN.—Richard Brandt,
president of Trans-Lux Corp.. announced
the preliminary unaudited results of operations
for the year 1977 indicate earnings of
50 cents per share, as against 18 cents per
share for 1976.
Gross revenues in 1977 were $13,166,-
749, vs. $11,314,426 for the previous year.
Net income for the current year was reported
to be $992,270. as compared to $365,-
664 for 1976.
'Atlantis' Film Retitled
HOLLYWOOD — "Warlords of the
Deep" is the new title for "7 Cities to Atlantis."
EMI Films production which Columbia
Pictures will release May 26 in the
U.S. and Canada.
ik
PROMOTION TOUR Roberl
Mitchum is seen being vre\-
comed to Birmingham, Ala., by
president of Cobb Theatres, and
Mrs. Levinson. The star was in
Birmingham promoting United
Artists' "The Big Sleep," opening
at Cobb theatres. Mitchum
having met many years ago
when Levinson was a press representative
lor MGM. The
Mitchum publicity tour \vas being
handled by Addie Addison,
UA press re
^
Rank Planning Film
Div. Revitalization
HOLLYWOOD—Great Britain's Rank
Organization plans to re-enter filmmaking
on a massive scale and particularly is interested
in working with major American
studios on joint efforts, according to Anthony
Williams, production chief. One picture
already is completed, shooting is in
progress on two others and three more are
in various stages of preparation.
Post-production on all Rank films will be
done at Pinewood Studios in London where
the organization is based. Williams said the
"enormous worldwide success" of Rank's
"Bugsy Malone" convinced the company to
revitalize its moltion picture division, a
move initiated by Ed Chilton, recently appointed
head of leisure for Rank.
Already completed and set for competitive
screening at the Cannes Film Festival
is "The Scout," a psychological horror story
starring Alan Bates, Susannah York and
John Hurt and directed by Jerzy Skolimowski.
Director Don Sharp is at work on "The
39 Steps," which will star Robert Powell,
David Warner, John Mills. Eric Porter and
Karen Dotrice. Also in the mill is "The
Eagle's Wing." a western filmed in Durango,
Mexico, and starring Martin Sheen. Harvey
Keitel and Stephane Audran.
April will see production starting on "The
Riddle of the Sands." a mystery starring
Michael York, Jenny Agutter. Alan Bedel
and Simon MacCorkindale. Filming will
take place in the Frisian Islands off the
coast of Germany.
Under development for production in
1979 are two action-adventure features, "Sky
Fall," a large-scale space rescue story budgeted
at $10,000,000. and a $5,000,000
swashbuckler about 17th century buccaneer
Anne Bonny, to b; filmed extensively in the
Caribbean.
Travolta in 2-Film Pact
With Orion Pictures Co.
BURBANK—John Travolta has entered
into a two-picture agreement with Orion
Pictures Co.. it was announced by Eric Pleskow,
president, and Mike Medavoy, executive
vice-president of Orion. The two films
will be developed by Travolta through a
production company which he now is in the
process of forming. The Travolta company
will make its headquarters with Orion at the
Burbank Studios.
It is hoped that the two pictures covered
by the agreement will be made within the
next two years, a spokesman said.
Pleskow and Medavoy, speaking for
Orion, expressed their great pleasure that
"this most exciting new yoimg star will contribute
significantly to the company's program."
Travolta stated that he had sought out
Orion to play an important part in his career
because of his confidence that "it is destined
to become a leading home for the independent
creative talents of the industry."
BOXOmCE :: April 3, 1978

.
Univ. Holds Five-Day
Special Sales Confab
SAN DIEGO—Universal Pictures held a
special sales conference here March 27-31
to set marketing campaigns and to finalize
plans for the remainder of the company's
1978 release schedule. Hosting the conference
at the Town & Country Hotel was
Robert Carpenter, Universal general sales
manager.
Lew R. Wasserman, chairman of the
board and chief executive officer of MCA.
Inc.. parent company; Sidney J. Sheinberg.
Dresident and chief operating officer of
MCA; Henry H. "Hi" Martin, president of
Universal Pictures, and Charles Powell,
Universal Pictures vice-president for advertising
and publicity, were scheduled to attend
the sessions.
The entire Universal "sales cabinet," including
assistant general sales manager R.
N. Wilkinson; assistants to the general sales
manager Norman Gluck and Amos Boyett,
and special marketing head Mike Ridges
also attended, as did regional sales managers
Phil Sherman, New York; Al Kolkmeyer.
Chicago; Tom Dunn, Atlanta; Bob Bowers.
Dallas, and Dave Richoux, Los Angeles.
Branch managers and sales representatives
from around the country were here for the
conference.
Gene Froelich. who heads studio accounting,
also attended.
CLEARING HOUSE
THSATRE SEATING
TOPS IN THEATRE SEATING upholster
mq anywhere— seat covers made to orde;
— linest materials—low crices—we buy and
sell theatre choSrs Ch-caao n^ed Ch-i-
Mart. 26ie W. Grand Ave., Chicago, 111
60612. (312) 235-1111.
SPECIALISTS IN THEATBE SEATING.
New and rebuilt theatre choira for sale-
We buy and sell old chairs Travel from
ol
coast to coast. Seating Corporation
New York, 247 Water Street, Brooklyn
N. Y. 11201. Tel. (212) 875-5433 (reverse
BEST SEATS IN THE HOUSEl Used .
rebuilt, or new theatre chairs. Seat covers
made to order, most fabrics. We buy used
chairsl Call us—WESTERN SERVICE &
SUPPLY, mC, PO. Box 1259, Denver,
Colorado 80201. (303) 534-7611.
RECONDITIONED used chairs. On-location
refurbishing, installation and staggering.
Sewn seat covers, all makes. We buy
used seating anywhere. Entire theatre
equipment available. Frost Seating. 80
Copeland St., Quincy, Mass. 02170. Tel.
(617) 298-7070. Reverse charges.
MISCELLANEOUS
CASH for one-shee!s, posters, lobby
.
sets, pressbooks, stills, trade magazi
coming attraction slides, trailers, etc. (
quantity— older the better). Martinez,
Lexingon Ave., Los Angeles, Ca. 9
(213) 462-5790.
More Classified Listing
On Inside Back Cover
Miller, Milkis See Hawn and Chase
As a 'New Romantic Screen Couple
By
RALPH KAMINSKY
HOLLYWOOD—Producers Thomas Miller
and Edward Milkis, following up on their
highly successful "Silver Streak," believe
their second feature will introduce "a new
romantic screen couple" in Goldie Hawn
and Chevy Chase whom they teamed in
"Foul Play" for Paramount Pictures.
Chase, in his first major movie role, is
"striking sparks" and is giving the film that
certain something that Miller likes to describe
as "an exclamation point to the picture."
Chase became an almost instant celebrity
during his stint on TV's "Saturday Night
Live." developing what the producers describe
as a "hip crowd following." Added
to that is his own charisma and the fact
that "he has a great sense of humor and
he's an actor," Miller observes.
Role Tailored for Chase
Convinced that Chase would add that
certain "top spin" to the movie which had
been wrtten with Ms. Hawn specifically in
mind, scripter Colin Higgins was set to work
to tailor the male star role to fit Chase. Higgins,
who also had written "Silver Streak,"
also took on his first directing chore with
the picture after expressing a yearning to
get into that end of the business.
We believed he should have the opportunity,"
Milkis said, "and now he's getting
offers to direct other pictures." His directorial
performance has been on view since
January 20, when a trailer of "Foul Play"
began playing in numerous theatres.
Paramount president Michael Eisner won
high marks from the producing team for
"his wonderful support" in getting the trailer
out six months before the scheduled release
of the picture.
Comedy-Thriller Genre
"Foul Play" is in the same comedy-thriller
genre as "Silver Streak," putting the lead
characters through harrowing experiences
while balancing a finely honed comedy
line at the same time. "There's a love relationship.
It's a woman's picture—with the
lady getting kicked aroimd in a comedic way
and never knowing why she is going through
it all," Miller said.
Ms. Hawn inadvertently becomes the object
of a whirlwind chase, with everyone out
to get a mysterious object which a hitchhiker
had hidden in her purse—and she not
ever knowing why everything is happening
to her or even who the good guys and bad
guys are.
Everything builds to a climax with Ms.
Hawn and Chase racing to prevent the planned
assassination of the Pope at the San
Francisco Opera.
In a way, the climax will put "an exclamation
point" to the picture instead of ending
it with a mere "period," Miller declared,
much in the same way, he said, as the spectacular
train crash through the Chicago
railroad station put an exclamation point to
"Silver Streak."
Backing the two stars is a cast featuring
English actor Dudley Moore, Burgess Meredith,
Rachel Roberts, Eugene Roche, Billy
Barty and Marian Sokol. "If the picture
does well, it will make several new careers,"
Miller predicted, mentioning especially
Moore and Sokol for possible stardom.
Next Project
Planned
Next on their movie project list, "if this
one is a success," said Milkis, will be "The
Man Who Lost Tuesday," with filming
planned on European locations, France, Ireland,
Morocco and in San Francisco.
In the meantime. Miller and Milkis are
still "working both sides of the street" in
their producing careers. They are continuing
as executive producers of the wildly successful
TV series "Happy Days" and "Lavcrne
and Shirley" joined by Gary Marshall.
Also, Miller revealed that they are
contemplating a new series on the ABC network
for next fall.
Miller and Milkis first teamed in TV production
a few years ago, turning out "Women
in Chains." Four other "Movies of the
Week" followed and then came "Happy
Days" and. simultaneously, "Petrocelli,"
which starred Barry Newman.
Daniel Fellman Appointed
WB Eastern Sales Mgr.
NEW YORK — Daniel R. Fellman has
been named Eastern sales manager for Warner
Bros, and will join the company Monday
(10), it was announced by Terry Semel.
executive vice-president in charge of domestic
distribution. At the moment, Fellman is
president of American Theatre Management,
a film-buying combine based here.
Previously, he was vice-president and a director
of Cinema National Theatres and.
before that, he was a film buyer for Loews
Theatres and held various sales positions
in Paramount Pictures' distribution division.
Married and the father of three, Fellman
is active in charitable and industry organizations.
He serves as president of Variety
Clubs of New York and is a member of the
board of directors of the National Ass'n of
Theatre Owners.
^^.
Free Blackhawk

'Dona Flor' Produced
As a Family Project
By JOHN COCCHI
NEW YORK—"We produce films and
filmmakers," says Lucy Barreto. She is the
wife of Luiz Carlos Barreto, co-producer
of the new Brazilian film "Dona Flor and
Her Two Husbands." Their son Bruno,
23, is the director and younger son Fabio,
20, has been making short subjects and
writing as an assistant to Bnmo. To make
it a true family affair, Lucy helps her husband
in their production company while
her mother does publicity on their films.
"We all have fun," states Lucy.
Being distributed in this country by the
Barretos' own company, Carnaval Films,
"Dona Flor" is based on a famous novel
by Jorge Amado. A sensation in Brazil, it
has been applauded by the critics here.
Carnaval, incidentally, is the American
name for the production company called
Luiz Carlos Barreto in Brazil, where it has
produced some 35 films since 1962. Embrafilm
is financing the Barretos here with
profits made in Brazil. Government capital
and private financing are involved in the
backing.
Turned to Films in '61
Luiz was a photo-journalist for top magazines
and newspapers when he turned to
films in 1961 as a producer, scriptwriter
and director of photography. "Barren
Lives" and "Land in Transit" are among
his films, several of which have played the
Museum of Modern Art in New York as
part of festival showings. New Line Cinema
distributed his political comedy "Macunaima"
here. Lucy, who was studying to
be a pianist, wed Luiz when she was 19.
At the age of 11, Bruno began making
shorts and by the time he was 20, he was
regarded as one of the most promising film
directors in his native country.
"Dona Flor" is the sexy tale of a young
woman, played by Sonia Braga, whose first
husband (Jose Wilker) drops dead at an
early age from dissipation. Although he
mistreated her, he was a great lover. Husband
No. 2 (Mauro Mendonca) is an older,
kindly man who is a realiable sort but too
gentelmanly to satisfy her. Then husband
No. 1 returns as a naked spirit to see to
her sexual needs. She resists at first but
happily settles down with two husbands,
each pleasing her in different ways.
Since gambling was outlawed in Brazil
in 1946 and that is an important plot element,
the book's 1943 setting has been retained.
The locale, Bahia, today is a city
of pollution of its oil industry, so the
film was shot in the older section of town,
which has been preserved by the government.
The climactic scene features the two
husbands accompanying Sonia Braga from
church with Jose Wilker, whom only she
and the audience can see, entirely in the
nude. Permission had to be obtained for this
shot from the bishop of the church, since
the townspeople had complained about the
nudity.
Although Brazil has a military govern-
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 Hating
PG
The Cheap Detective (Col)
Deathsport (New World)
[r]
A D;fferent Story (Emb)
Harper Valley PTA (April Fools)
[r]
PG
Angel Puss (Bona Fide)
Little
Lucky { ) (Rosamond)
(g)
PG
Naked Afternoon (Bona Fide)
(g)
Super Fight (Everest Cine-Metaphors)
Up Tight ("")
JG]
(Johnson Communications)
A Wedding (20th-Fox)
PG
PG
ment, censorship there is not as strict as
in other Latin countries. The population is
120,000,000, with consumers acccounting
for 40,000,000 of that total. Seventy per
cent of Brazilians have never seen a movie
or a TV show and the average patronage
for a film is 400,000. Therefore, the fact
that "Dona Flor" sold 20,000,000 tickets
really is amazing. The Barretos attribute
the film's success to its wish fulfillment
for every man and woman. Also, there has
been a 75 per cent increase in the number
of film tickets sold in the last two years.
Party Held at Studio 54
Following the premiere of "Dona Flor"
at the Paris Theatre here, a Braziliantype
party was held at the famed Studio
54 disco, with numerous celebrities attending.
Since there is less American film
production now, it is felt that exhibitors
are more willing to accept foreign films.
Therefore, Brazilian pictures have more of
a chance to enter the market. The Barretos
also see similarities between the two countries,
which can only help.
UA Promotes Wilson, Katz
To Key West Coast Posts
NEW YORK — Andy Albeck, president
and chief executive officer, has announced
the promotion of two key West Coast executives,
Lee Katz and Alan Wilson.
Katz has been elevated to the position of
vice-president/executive production manager.
He previously had served as worldwide
production coordinator for UA in Los
Angeles for 12 years and. prior to that, was
European production coordinator for three
years.
Wilson has been named vice-president/
West Coast administration. He has been in
key financial and administrative positions
for UA in California for the past 23 years,
the latest of which was controller-West
Coast.
Both promotions arc effective immediately
and both Wilson and Katz will continue
to headquarter in Culver City. Calif.
Actress Peggy Wood Dies;
Film, Stage and TV Star
STAMFORD, CONN. — Actress Peggy
Wood. 86. who won acclaim in films, on
the stage and on TV (in the "I Remember
Mama" series), died at a hospital here
March 18 following a cerebral hemorrhage.
She had been living at a Stamford retirement
home.
Ms. Wood made her stage debut in Victor
Herbert's "Naughty Marietta" in 1910 and
went on to appear in more than a score of
theatrical productions, including "The Merchant
of Venice" and "Blithe Spirit." During
World War IL she took a USO troupe
overseas to entertain members of the armed
forces.
Her film credits included "Almost a Husband,"
"The Housekeeper's Daughter,"
"Handy Andy," "The Story of Ruth" and
"The Soimd of Music," for which she received
an Academy Award nomination.
She is survived by a son and three grandchildren.
Maggie McNamara Is Dead;
Screen-Stage Actress
NEW YORK—Maggie McNamara, 48,
stage and screen actress, died here February
18, reportedly of an overdose of pills. A
spokesman for the family said Ms. Mc-
Namara was ill and "depressed for some
time."
She appeared in both the stage and film
versions of the tremendously popular "The
Moon Is Blue," winning an Academy
Award nomination for her screen portrayal.
Other motion picture credits included "The
Cardinal," "Three Coins in the Fountain"
and "The Prince of Players."
Ms. McNamara had not acted for 15
years but devoted her time to secretarial
work. In recent months she had turned to
writing and one script allegedly had been
bought by an independent film production
company.
Faith Baldwin, 84, Dies;
Wrote Many Screenplays
NORWALK. CONN. — Faith
Baldwin,
84. prolific author of nearly 100 books and
many screenplays, died March 18 at the
home of her son here following a long illness.
Her first novel was published in 1921
and she reportedly was working on a book
at the time of her death.
Among Ms. Baldwin's screenwriting credits
were such films as "Apartment for Peggy,"
"Men Are Such Fools," "Comet Over
Broadway." "Second Chance" and "Queen
for a Day."
John Parkerson, 93, Dies
ORMOND BEACH, FLA.—John
Parkerson,
93. former writer with the Associated
Press and a veteran newspaperman, died
March 1 8 at a hospital here. He authored
a collection of war stories titled "Looking
Back to Glory" (following World War I)
and organized Fox Newsreels. Trans Radio
Press and joined Press Wireless before returning
to Europe to cover World War II.
12
BOXOFHCE :: April 3, 1978

. . The
. . Star
. . . Rcgine,
. . Alan
. . Seymour
. . Colleen
. . Mark
. . Laird
. . Jennifer
. . Annette
M ^J^ottuwood /Report M
f
David Gerber Obtains Screen
Rights to 'Lord of the Land'
Producer David Gerber has pLirchased
theatrical motion picture and TV rights to
Lord of the Land," by western writer
Matthew Braun. Gerber also has pre-acquired
a sequel, based on his own concept,
to be written by Braun . Cinema
Productions has acquired Larry David's
story. "The Middle East Plot," about a terrorist
plan to sabotage the possibility of
peace for Israel . . . Ray Stark will produce,
Herbert Ross will direct and Neil Simon
will write the sequel to their highly success-
the Beverly Hills Hotel serving as the principal
setting. Herbert Ross is directing a cast
headed by^Alan Alda, Michael Caine, Bill
Cosby. Jane Fonda, Walter Matthau, Elaine
May, Richard Pryor and Maggie Smith . . .
A July start is planned on "L Tom Horn."
starring Steve McQueen in the Solar production
for First Artists. The story deals
with one of the legendary heroes of the Old
West . Rank Organization plans to
begin filming in May in northern Europe
on "Riddle of the Sands," starring Michael
York, Jenny Agutter and Simon McCorkindale,
under the direction of Tony Maylam
Producer Jim Gable plans to begin principal
photography soon in Texas on "The
rouble With Hello," a love story . . . Lensing
started March 27 on "Tourist Trap,"
feature being produced under the Charles
Band Productions banner. The picture stars
Chuck Connors, Jon Van Ness, Jocelyn
lones, Keith McDermott. Bob Burns and
Robin Sherwood. Band is executive producr.
Larry Carroll is producing with David
Schmoeller directing from an original
screenplay by Carroll and Schmoeller.
Peter Firth. Candy Clark Set
By Mel Simon for 'Red Ryder'
Peter Firth and Candy Clark have been
signed for a role in Mel Simon Productions'
'When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?"
French nightclub owner and
singer, has been signed for a featured role
in "Robert and Robert," Claude Leiouch
comedy now imder way in Paris. A May release
is scheduled . Cassel,
Alana Collins, Anthony Jones and Kurt
Grayson have been cast in "Ravagcrs," a
Cinecorps production . Camp
has been signed by producer Mel Simon for
a co-starring role in "Cloud Dancer," shooting
in Arizona Bates will co-star
wi^th Bette Midler in "The Rose," 20th
Century-Fox feature slated to begin photography
in New York City Monday (24).
Mark Rydcll has been set to direct from
ful "The Goodbye Girl" which, as the first a screenplay by Bo Goldman in association
picture, will be a joint Warner Bros.-Metro-
Goldwyn-Mayer project. Filming is scheduled
with
draft
Michael
by William
Cimino based on
Kerby. The
an earlier
story is by
to begin in May with the three original Worth and Cimino. Record producer Paul
stars—Richard Dreyfuss, Marsha Mason Rothschild will produce the music.
and Quinn Cummings—repeating their roles
Producer Wade Williams has acquired Dick Sargent Joins the Cast
the rights to the Frank Howard-Tom Rathman
Of A-Team's 'Hardcore' Film
screenplay, "Spaceman Saturday
Dick Sargent will play the role of George
Night," science-fiction horror comedy with
C. Scott's brother-in-law in "Hardcore," an
music. The feature will be directed by A-Team production for Columbia . . . John
Howard.
Schuck has been added to the cast of "Butch
Avildsen Set to Produce, Meg and Sundance: The Early Years," 20th
'Robin Hood' for Universal
Century-Fox feature. Schuck's role marks
his return to 20th-Fox for the first time
John Avildsen will produce and direct since his performance as the sex-crazed
'Robin Hood" as the first of two films under
dentist in the film "M*A*S*H." Richard
his contract with Universal. The script Lester is directing from an original screen-
will be written by Walter Newman . . . production
play by Allan Burns. Gabriel Katzka and
began March 20 on Columbia Pic-
Steven Bach are producing . Hamil,
tures" "California Suite," the Ray Stark presentation
based on Neil Simon's play, with
who was named "Star of Tomorrow" at
Show-A-Rama 21 in Kansas City, joins the
cast of "The Big Red One," which Lorimar
Productions has set to begin in June in Europe.
Hamill previously appeared as Luke
Skywalker in "Star Wars" and most recently
appeared in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's
"Corvette Summer." Gene Corman is producing
"The Big Red One," written by
Samuel Fuller, who will direct the picture
about the famed 1st Infantry Division.
Nick Mancuso Will Make Film
Debut as Lead in 'Nightwing'
Nick Mancuso, one of Canada's foremost
stage and TV actors, has been signed by
producer Martin Ransohoff to make his feature-f'lm
debut in the leading role of "Nightwing,"
slated to gel under way Monday (17)
on location in New Mexico. Columbia Pictures
will release the feature, which Arthur
Hiller will direct. Based on a new suspense
mystery novel by Martin Cruz Smith, published
last fall by W.W. Norton & Co.
Steve Shagan and Edwin Shrake arc doing
the screen adaptation for "Nightwing,"
which will be the first film in a multiplepicture
agreement between Martin Ransohoff
Productions and Columbia . . . Alex
Rocco, Michael Onlkeen, Amy Irving and
Barry Miller will have roles in MGM's
"Voices," currently filming in New Jersey
with Robert Markowitz directing . . . James
Mason will join the cast of "The Passage,"
a Hemdale Film Group production due to
begin shooting later this month . . . Paul
.Sorvino and Maureen Stapleton have been
pacted to co-star in producer-director Melvin
Frank's "Lost and Foimd," on location
in Banff, Canada . Warren has
a starring role in "Ice Castles," an ICC production
for Columbia .
O'Toole
has been added to the cast of Paramoimt's
"King of the Gypsies."
Melissa Manchester Will Do
Title Song for The Promise'
Melissa Manchester will record the title
song for Universal's "The Promise" . . . Al
Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn will write songs
for three Walt Disney projects, "Hot Lead
and Cold Feet." "North Avenue Irregulars"
and a song celebrating Mickey Mouse's 50th
birthday .
Koenig has been inked
to write the screenplay for American International
Pictures' "The Amityville Horror."
based on Jay Anson's novel. Stuart Rosenberg
has been set as the director . . .
Irv
Berwick replaces LaMont Darcia as director
of Star Cinema Productions' "Lovely
but
Deadlv."
'Bitter Heritage' Filming
Is Set to Begin April 4
HOLLYWOOD—Bitter Heritage Productions,
newly formed independent film company,
announces that "Bitter Heritage," a
crime drama about a big-city rackets boss,
his estranged lawyer son and their opposing
ways of life, is now in preproduction. The
screenplay is by Michael Cartel, based on a
story by Robert Mayo, who also stars as
Marcos, the racketeer.
Other cast members are Rory Calhoun
(as a cop on the take), his daughter Lorri
Calhoun in her feature-film debut and Skip
E. Lowe.
Mayo made his screen debut in Woody
Allen's "Bananas." Since then, he has worked
in such films as "Dolemite" and "Che"
as well as in video series in the U.S. and
abroad.
Principal photographv on "Bitter Heritage"
is scheduled to begin Tuesday (4).
Producers are Mayo and Gary Troy, who
also will direct for the company, which is
based at 6.SI3 West Sunset Blvd.
Otto Preminger Acquires
Rights to 'Human Factor'
NEW YORK—Otto Preminger has obtained
screen rights to Graham Greene's
new suspense novel "The Human Factor."
which is the March selection of the Literary
Guild. The film will he produced and directed
by Preminger in England. Africa and
Moscow.
Advance reactions to the novel, published
in March, were highly favorable. The New
York Times Book Review ran a rave on its
front page, calling it a "masterful spy novel"
and listing it as an "Editor's Choice."
Among the many Greene novels which have
become hit movies are "The Third Man."
"The Quiet American." "The Power and the
Glory." "Ministry of Fear" and "Our Man
in
Havana."
BOXOFHCE :: April 3, 1978
13

BOXOFFICE
BAROMETER
This chart records the perfonnance of current attractions in the opening weel( of their first runs in
the 20 key cities checked. Pictures with fewer than five engagements are not listed. As new runs
are reported, ratings are odded and averages revised. Computotion is in terms of percentage in
relation to average 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.)
3
>
Across the Great Divide (PIE)

'Big Apple' In Love
With 'Madame Rosa'
NEW YORK — Simone Signoret as
"Madame Rosa," an Oscar-nominated for-
JOHNSON CITY, N.Y.—There's a popular
commercial encouraging folks "double
eign film, led the parade with a big 540 in
to
its Plaza of>ening, establishing a new one
your pleasure, double your fun" and
day gross and a new one week gross for the folks in this Empire State community may
Last week's winner, "House Calls,"
theatre.
get an opportunity to double their enjoyment
was second with a nice 420 in the second
at the old theatre. The following story
stanza at Tower East. Third place "Coming by Corey Sandler in the Local section of
Home" moved down a notch, although its the Binghamton, New York Press reveals
average improved with an even 400 in its that the Enjoy Realty company has purchased
sixth Cinema I round.
the Enjoy Theatre. Here are the de-
Figures on "Dona Flor and Her Two tails as Sandler wrote them:
Husbands" at the Paris were unavailable, The Enjoy Cinema in Johnson City, in
so its probable fourth place position was occupied
by "Crossed Swords," an improved
265 in the fourth week as the last picture
and out of business for the past 20 years,
has been sold to a local investment group.
The theatre, built in 1920 by George F.
show at Radio City Music Hall, although Johnson, was purchased last month by En-
the theatre's recent designation as a landmark
may change that. From third to fifth
went "Sebastiane," a 240 in the fourth week
at Quad 3.
Showcase winners were many, topped by
'The Fury" and then "American Hot Wax,"
"Coma," "The Goodbye Girl," "Pete's
Dragon." "Saturday Night Fever." "Close
Encounters of the Third Kind," "Casey's
Shadow," "An Unmarried Woman," "Julia"
and "High Anxiety."
(Average Is 100)
ma I—Coming Home (UA), 6th wk 400
Cinema II Fingers (Brut Productions), 3rd wk 135
Cinema III—Summer Poradise (Cinema 5),
2nd wk 120
'inema Studio Furtivos (Empresa Cinema Int'l),
3rd wk 70
Columbia I—A Utile Night Muiic (N-v.- W^rli),
3rd wk 100
olumbia 11—That Obscure Object of Desire
(First Artists), 20th wk 130
Embassy 46th Street—A Hero Ain't Nothin'
But a Sandwich (New World), 7th wk 95
Fine Arts—The Duellists (Para), Uth wk. 80
Plaza Madame Rosa (A'lantic Releasing) 540
Quad 3—Sebastiane (Libra Films), 4th wk
Quad 4—The ChUdren of Theatre Street
(Peppercorn. Wormser), 8th wk
240
135
Radio City Music Hall—Crossed Swords (WB),
wk .265
1—Blue Collar (Univ), 6th wk 145
68th Street Playhouse—Blue Country
(Quartet Films). 7th wk 105
Tower East—House CalU (Univ), 2nd wk 420
Baltimore Film Blahs Are
Remedied by 'House Calls'
BALTIMORE—Baltimore's screen scene
took on a rosier hue and, hopefully, will
continue to eschew its pallid cast. "House
Calls." in its second week, led the film
fare with a 290. "Coma." appropriately,
was second at 150. while "American Hot
Wax" and "The Serpent's Egg" wound up
in a tie for third with 135's. The balance
of the marquee listings matched or broke
average with one exception. Exhibitors are
keeping their fingers crossed that their ship
has finally docked.
Cinema I—The Big Sleep (UA) 100
anema 11, Westview III Casey's Shadow
(Col) 105
lien Buraie Mall, Liberty II—American Hot
Wax (Para), 2nd wk 135
Libertv 1—Straight Time (WB), 2nd wk 100
-Flick I, Paramount— Coma (UA) 120
Flick—lulia (20th-FoitV Ifi'h wk 110
Patterson 1, Westview I—The Fury (20th-Fox)
2nd wk 115
Playhouse The Serpent's Egg (Para),
2nd wk 135
Senator The Turning Point (2nih-Fox),
14th wk 50
bwson, Westview 11—House Calls (Univ),
2nd wk. ... 290
Enjoyment Doubled in
Johnson City
Enjoy Realty Buys the Enjoy Theatre
joy Realty, a development company backed
by Sarkisian Bros. Inc., a general contractor.
The Enjoy Cinema closed in March 1977
and was put up for sale.
"It's just an investment right now," said
Bob LaChance. a spokesman for Sarkisian.
"We haven't formulated our plans," he
said.
LaChance said the group is considering
reopening the building as a movie-house,
establishing a dinner theatre or other, unspecified
possibilities. He said the investors
would probably not raze the structure.
"It's a very nice building," LaChance said.
"It's a large volume area with no center
columns. The possibilities are very openended."
Enjoy Realty, of P.O. Box 1907, Binghamton,
purchased the property from Solar
Sportsystems Inc. of Buffalo, which bought
the theatre and two Binghamton theatres,
in 1974.
With 1,100 seats and ornate exterior and
interior, it was one of the largest and most
spectacular theatres in the area. The building
has a large, domed ceiling above its
balcony seats.
Tie-In For 'One and Only'
ROCHESTER, N.Y.—Loews Ridge Road
manager Ward Pelton and Pittsford manager
Jim Doty teamed for radio promotion on
Paramount's "The One and Only." the
WNYR-Radio management going along
on an idea of airing sixty 30-second spots
(valued at more than $600); lucky listeners
were invited to attend film showings as
guests of the station management. The gag
"cost" the circuit showplaces a few guesttickets.
Quaker' Students Liked 'Deep Throat'
PHILADELPHIA— Ihe Daily Pennsylvanian.
student newspaper at the University
of Pennsylvania, reported this week that the
most popular campus film of the year was
"Deep Throat." The film attracted 2,500
students for three sold-out showings in a
single night earlier this year on campus.
The Enjoy was built by Johnson, cofounder
of the Endicott-Johnson Corp.,
and named the Goodwill Theatre. In its
early years, it was used largely for E-J employee
minstrel shows, boxing matches and
for traveling shows and concerts.
Over the years, Johnson City has had at
least four theatres: the Nicke Theatre,
which operated from about 1906-08; the
Delphi: the Endwell; and the Enjoy.
When the Endwell closed in 1937, the
village was left with only one theatre.
A Scranton company leased the theatre
from Johnson about 1928 and operated it
as a moviehouse for more than 30 years.
In 1960, the theatre closed after its owners
said it was no longer profitable.
The Enjoy was sold several times in ensuing
years, operating for a number of years
as an "adult" moviehouse with X-rated
films. Several owners complained they could
not find enough good family films, and
that attendance was poor when such films
were shown.
Village officials protested the adult films,
and on one occasion the manager of the
theatre was arrested and charged with showing
an obscene film. He was later convicted
of a lesser charge.
In 1969, one owner refurbished the
house, reducing the capacity to about 700
seats, still one of the larger theatres in the
area.
The corporation that owned the Enjoy
offered the building up for sale last year
for $90,000. according to an agent for the
company.
Sportsystems Inc. also owns the Riviera
and Strand Theatres on Chenango Street
in Binghamton. Those theatres are also for
sale. In October 1977, the Binghamton city
treasurer's office reported the two theatres
owed a back-taxes bill of more than $200.-
000.
Walter Reade Picks Preuster
MANALAPAN TOWNSHIP. N.J.—
Christopher W. Preuster. who makes his
home here,
has been named executive vicepresident
of The Walter Reade Organization,
Inc., theatre circuit operators and film
distributors. He first joined the Reade Organization
in 1967 as assistant controller,
later becoming executive assistant, treasure
of the company, and before his present promotion,
was vice-president for finance.
Daiuiy Kaye Film Shown
BROOKLYN. NY.—RKO's 1952 release.
"Hans Christan Andersen." starring
Danny Kayc. was screened at 12:30 and
3 p.m. on a recent Saturday at the Brooklyn
Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn
College, sponsored by the Educational TTieatre
Guild. Tickets were scaled from $1.25
to $2.25.
BOXOFHCE :: April 3. 1978
E-1

BROADWAY
LILLIAN GISH, soon to be seen in Robert
Altaian's "A Wedding," appeared at
Town Hall Tuesday evening, March 28, for
a special presentation of the silent film "La
Boheme" (1926), in which she starred with
John Gilbert, under the direction of King
Vidor. Miss Gish recalled her days at MGM
with host Francis Robinson, who is tour director
of the Metropolitan Opera. The evening
was a special event of the Metropolitan
Opera Guild.
Richard Woitach. a conductor with the
Met, provided piano accompaniment from
the Leoncavallo and Puccini scores of the
opera which had been inspired by Madame
Fred de Gresac's story and Henry Murgcr's
"Life in the Latin Quarter." As Robinson
explained, the Puccini score could not accompany
the film when it was first released
since the music was still in copyright, Miss
Gish was pleased that her dream of presenting
the film with its appropriate score
was finally realized.
•
The Ass'n of Independent Video & Filmmakers
will hold its hoard meeting Wednesday
evening (12) at 99 Prince St. for the
election of officers, all AIVF members being
urged to attend. The association also is
presenting the American premiere of a new
film by Michael Rubbo Wednesday (5) at
8:30 p.m. at NYU's Tisch Hall.
•
"Good Morning America," ABC-TV's
early morning show, presented a number of
Academy Award nominees as guests in anticipation
of the awards Monday (3). Richard
Dreyfuss and Quinn Cummings, contenders
for "The Goodbye Girl," were seen
March 27. March 28, Richard Burton
("Equus") and John Travolta ("Saturday
Night Fever") appeared. Supporting nominees
Peter Firth CEquus") and Melinda
Dillon ("Close Encounters of the Third
Kind") were on the March 29 show. March
30, Jane Fonda ("Julia") and Shirley Mac-
Laine ("The Turning Point") were scheduled.
Finally, March 31, supporting contenders
Jason Robards ("Julia") and Maximilian
Schell
(also "Julia") guested.
•
Alan Bates, who has been making life
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pleasantly frustrated for Jill Clayburgh in
"An Unmarried Woman,,' was in town
briefly. Bates co-stars as the lover in the
20th Century-Fox hit from Paul Masursky.
packing them in at the Beekman. Paramount
and Murray Hill theatres. The actor is due
to start filming "The Rose" opposite Bette
Midler in Hollywood Monday (24).
•
The Fine Arts Theatre, 58th Street between
Park and Lexington avenues, closed
March 26, its lease to the Walter Reade Organization
having expired. The theatre and
three floors of office space above will be
rented to the Archdiocese of New York,
which will convert it into a chapel and religious
offices.
The Fine Arts opened on Oct. 16. 1951.
with the Alec Guinness comedy, "The Lavender
Hill Mob." Reade had leased the
theatre from the original owner, Richard
Davis, since January 1968.
•
Robert Eugene Ginsberg and Noreen Figari
were married here March 4. The groom
is general sales manager for Peppercorn-
Wormser Distribution Co. and the son of
Sidney Ginsberg, president of Rob-Rich
Films. The bride is the daughter of Peter
Figari, owner of the historic Westhampton
Manor Restaurant in Westhampton. N.Y.
•
The American Cinematheque's "1935"
series at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
continues. It was not able to show the Jean
Gabin film "La Bandera" March 23 as
scheduled, because the print was missing
the first three reels. Substituted was the
classic "Carnival in Flanders," with Francoise
Rosay under the direction of husband
Jacques Feyder. March 30, the series
showed James Mason's first film, "Late Extra,"
with Virginia Cherrill. For Thursday
(6), the fare will be John Cromwell's "Jalna,"
with the late Peggy Wood.
George Barrie, president of Brut Productions,
announced the promotion of Dick
Stenta to director of production management.
Stenta joined Brut in 1975 as production
manager in charge of the East Coast
and had been production manager for Dino
De Laurentiis.
Stenta was a producer and director at
CBS in radio and TV for eight years. For
General Artist Corp., he headed the TV and
film department in Europe. He also ha:-
been a freelance production manager for
.several Italian film companies and was manager
of production for Ralph Serpe Enterprises.
•
Universal's "September 30, 1955" (formerly
known as "9/30/55"), starring Richard
Thomas, premiered at Cinema II March
BUX-MONT
Marquees—Signs
LEASING
Horsham, Pennsylvania 19044
Call (215) 676-4444 or 675-1040
31. The title refers to the death of film star
James Dean. Produced by Jerry Weintraub
and written for the screen by James Bridges,
who directed, the film also stars Susan Tyrrell,
Collin Wilcox, Dennis Christopher,
Thomas Hulce and Dennis Quaid. Featured
are three young performers making their
debuts—Deborah Benson, Lisa Blount and
Mary Kai Clark.
•
In the magazines: Seventeen Magazine for
April names "Casey's Shadow" as -"Movie
of the Month." Also reviewed are "The One
and Only," "An Unmarried Woman," "Blue
Country," "Renaldo & Clara" and "Crossed
Swords."
•
Showcases March 29 included a new horror
bill, "Dracula's Dog," with Jose Ferrer
and Michael Pataki, and "Horror High."
Also playing were Disney's "Pete's Dragon,"
which sneaked into theatres March 24, "An
Unmarried Woman" (mini), "Straight
Time" (mini), "High Anxiety," "Julia,"
"Close Encounters of the Third Kind," "The
Turning Point," "Saturday Night Fever,"
"The Fury," "Star Wars," "Casey's Shadow,"
"American Hot Wax," "The Goodbye
Girl," "The Big Sleep," "Coma" and "The
Other Side of the Mountain Part 2."
Robert Mitchum arrived in Columbia's
"The Amsterdam Kill" March 31.
'House Calls' Wins Kudos
From a Baltimore Critic
BALTIMORE—R. H. Gardner, film reviewer
for the Sun, wrote in praise of Universal's
"House Calls," March 24. He termed
it a "funny story with a number of amusing
twists (mostly at the expense of the medical
profession) and some good dialog tailored
to the personalities of the two stars." He
went on to write that the stars. Walter Matthau
and Glenda Jackson, displayed skill
and professionalism worthy of director
Howard Zieff's description of the tandem as
worthy of comparison with the team of
Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn.
Gardner also had laurels to bestow upon
Art Carney and Richard Benjamin and
wound up tabbing the whole schmear with
the same label that Zieff used: ". . . a romantic
comedy, done in a very schmaltzy
way, with the kind of ending that has a
wonderful lump-in-the-throat feeling."
The reviewer concluded, "My mind cannot
conceive of a more eloquent descrip-
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E-2 BOXOmCE ;: April 3, 1978

WASHINGTON
geymour Hoffman, who assumed the
presidency of District Theatres upon
Morton Gerber's death, retired as of March
10. at which time the I6-unit circuit was
acquired for $1,300,000 by Farragut Investments
and renamed Gienmar Cinestate.
Ronald N. Nadler, president of Farragut,
likewise became president of Gienmar Cinestate.
Nadler told Boxoffice that the former
District Theatres would take on its new
identity in a more direct and meaningful
expansion. G. Bradford Cook, chairman and
chief executive officer of Farragut. stated
that the circuit will continue its current
operations and pursue the expansion of theatre
operations in
these and other areas.
Paul Roth, president of Silver Spring.
Md. -based Roth Theatres and past president
of the National Ass'n of Theatre Owners,
has been designated by NATO of Washington
president Wade Pearson to spearhead a
group of area Maryland exhibitors who want
the Maryland legislators to pass a law which
will require film distributors to screen the
Modern Talking Picture Service,
the state before the bidding. Similar laws
have been passed in Louisiana and in Virginia
and are awaiting the governors" signatures.
distributor
of sponsored short subjects to theatres,
videocassettes and collateral materials on a
global basis, has available upon request ts
winter/spring catalog for 1978, "Free Shorts
for Theatres."
Tow Dowling, the Star's motion picture
critic, writing in his March 26 column, commented
about Rona Barrett, syndicated
movie writer, and her new book titled "How
You Can Look Rich and Achieve Sexual
Ecstasy." He commented, in part. "Miss
Rona has a fertile little imagination . . Her
.
latest tome is the sort of book that compels
awestruck meditations on the winds of
change that have blown through Hollywood.
Certainly, I should very much enjoy seeing
the look on, say, Louis B. Mayer's face had
he been given a presentation copy of a similar
sexual self-help guide from Hedda
Hopper of Louella Parsons. Miss Rona's predecessors
as the arbiters elegantaria of
Hollywood mores."
Gary Arnold, the Post's movie critic, visited
director Paul Mazursky in New York,
where his latest film "An Unmarried
Woman" was shot. The 20th Century-Fox
release opened here March 29. Mazursky
told Arnold that working on location in
New York had been such a "total high" that
he was thinking of moving back. According
to Arnold. " "An Unmarried Woman' is an
exceptionally appealing comedy-drama
about the adjustment of a contented housewife
and mother, played by Jill Clayburgh.
to the sudden immobilizing dissolution of
her marriage . . . The best scenes in the film
sustain an illusion of social and emotional
intimacy that seems remarkably touching
and true to life."
Wade Pearson, director of Neighborhood
Theatres' Northern division and chairman of
the 1978 Mid-Atlantic NATO of Metropolian
D.C. and Virginia convention, will
spend Tuesday and Wednesday (11. 12) with
Jerome Gordon. Newport News. Va.. executive
secretary of the NATO huddle, at the
Homestead in Hot Springs. Va.. coordinating
activities with hotel officials. The assemblage
will meet July 23-25.
Marvin Goldman, president of NATO,
and Ned Glaser. president of NATO of
Virginia (and vice-presdent of Roth Theatres),
were among the area exhibitors who
attended the NATO board of directors
meeting at Palm Springs, Calif.
schedules English-language films two days a
week; Indian fare one day. and the rest of
the week Spanish-language motion pictures
exclusively.
Home Censoring of CATV
Uses A Parent Lock Box
RADNOR TOWNSHIP, PA.—A means
of controlling the home viewing of R and
X-rated movies provided by cable television
was promised by Cable Entertainment of
Pennsylvania. Inc.. which is seeking a franchise
in this suburban Philadelphia community.
The new firm, headed by Robert
McGinley. recently was awarded a $1,100.-
000 franchise to provide cable TV service
in neighboring Haverford Township.
At a meeting of the Radnor Board of
Commissioners dealing with Cable Entertainment's
application for the franchise
here. McGinley said he would agree with
the township regarding certain standards of
viewing films. He informed the Board that
his firm's hook-up came with a "Parental
Guidance Box." which contained a key
which could permit parents to lock the
system during the showing of any particular
movie found objcctional.
When asked if his firm, which uses Home
Box Office and PRISM film and sports show
services, would show X-rated movies. Mc-
Ginley said that the question is still up in
the air and will depend on a decision by the
Federal Commimications Commission which
is trying to decide this particular issue.
Baltimore Is Picked
As Future Film Site
BALTIMORE — TV star Alan Alda is
slated to travel to this city for the announcement
that it has been selected as the
site for the filming of a motion picture tentatively
titled "The Senator."
Fontaine Sullivan, director of the Mayor's
Office for Voluntecrism, revealed that
Mayor Schaefer had been informed of the
choice March 21. Washington, D.C, Annapolis,
Md. and New Jersey communities
were the other areas considered.
The film reportedly is budgeted for $5.-
000.000. making it the most expensive project
to be lensed here. Although the mayor's
office would not confirm the figure, it was
stated the cast and crew would be in town
for several weeks this summer.
Sullivan stated that negotiations are underway
to determine whether Universal or
August Entertainment Complex would produce
the epic. She pointed out that the support
of the local government and citizenry
was a major factor in the location site deci-
film before they need to bid for it. The e\-
sion, adding that the need for proper interiors
was another factor and that this reflect-
hbitors desire that blind-bidding be unlawful. The K-B Takoma Theatre, located near
Therefore. James Doyle, Maryland attorney the Maryland and District of Columbia line,
ed upon the work done through local restoration
and preservation programs.
and lobbyist, has been retained by the theatre
owners to push for passage of House However, the Neighborhood Films Ass'n. a
has been showing all foreign-language films.
Bill 1854 and Senate Bill 1159. Frank Durkee
III. president of the Durkee wrote
Alda. who will star in the movie, also
nonprofit community group, requested that
circuit
the screenplay. He has written
in
several
some English-language fare be shown. So.
Baltimore, is assisting in getting the
episodes for his TV series. "M*A*S*H."
joint the management has a new policy which
effort of theatre owners there who would
The city has served as the scene for past
require motion pictures to be screened movie and TV film projects.
in
's Wings" is a Peter Shaw produc-
Meyer Adleman, 79, Dies;
Founded States Film Svc.
PENNSAUKEN. N. J.—Meyer Adleman.
a pioneer in the motion picture industry,
died last Thursday, March 23 in Our Lady
of Lourdes Hospital in neighboring Camden,
N.J. He was 79 years of age and had
his home here and in Miami. Fla.
Adleman founded the States Film Service
in 1928 and was still active in the business
at the time of his death. He operated
the film service, the New Jersey Messenger
Service and the Victoria Adleman Holding
Ltd. from offices in Camden. Active in
many facets of the film industry, he was a
past Chief Barker of the Philadelphia Variety
Club Tent 13. among many other associations.
.Adleman was also widely known for his
civic and charitable activities. He was honorary
president of Beth El Synagogue in
neighboring Cherry Hill. N.J.. which he
helped found: a past president and honorary
president of the Federation of Jewish Charities
of Camden Countv: and was a
national
vice-president of Deborah Hospital in
Browns Mill. N.J.
Surviving are his wife Fannie R., three
sons. Edward. Stanley and Robert, who is
a writer in Hollywood: 13 grandchildren,
two great-grandchildren and a sister. Funeral
services, attended by many friends and
associates in the film industry, were held
last Sundav. March 26, at Beth El .Synagogue,
with interment in Crescent Burial
Park here.
BOXOFHCE :: April 3, 1978 E-3

. . . Variety
. . Lisa
BUFFALO
probabi>' The best new movie of 1978 is
"An Unmarried Woman' by Paul Mazursky"
said the Courier-Express in announcing
a sneak preview for the Holiday
Theatre March 22. "The rating is R and the
film is quite frank about matters of marital
and extramarital relations."
Longtime WBEN radio personality Stan
Barron, who was let go by the station in an
attempt to modernize its sound, has been
rehired by the new WBEN management to
take over his old 7-to-midnight shift Monday
through Saturday.
Kathryn Crosby, widow of crooner Bing
who died last October, returns to the theater
in Bernard Slade's comedy "Same Time.
Next Year", which comes in for a one-night
stand Sunday (2) at Shea's Buffalo Theatre.
John Dwyer in reviewing "House Calls"
for The News, wrote: "mostly funny talk
and a few outrageous gags, but it's a chance
to see some screen-wise pros work out in
the
featherweight division."
Songwriter-singers Anthony Newley and
Burt Bacharach have been booked to appear
together the week of July 17-22, headlining
Melody Fair's 1978 season. Other top
attractions scheduled for week-long engagements
during the June-September season,
include Debby and Pat Boone. Mac Davis,
Johnny Mathis, Bobby Vinton, Ben Vereen,
Tony Orlando, Liberace and Tom Jones. In
addition, the big North Tonawanda arena
will have a separate group of artists for
shorter stands, booked as "specials and onenighters."
These include Bill Cosby, David
Brenner, Robert Klein, Frankie Valli, The
Spinners, Crystal Gayle, Lou Rawls, the
Mills
Brothers and Harry James Orchestra.
Mini-Review: 'American Hot Wax', compact
look at the early days of rock-androll.
Doug Smith, four chairs. "A fetching
movie, one of the finest attributes being
its ability to remind us how good some of
that early rock-and-roll music really was.
Director Floyd Mutrux also knows when
to quit. Recommended." . . , Mini-Review:
"That Obscure Object of Desire" comedymystery
by Luis Bunuel. Bob Groves, four
chairs . . . "full of gleeful symbolism."
Bonnie Raitt is booked for the stage of
.Shea's Buffalo Theatre . . . Shipstad &
Johnson's Ice Follies was booked into Buffalo
Memorial Auditorium March 21 thru
26.
New Jazz Age Series: Cecil B. DeMilles
"Madam Satan" (1930), wild story about
masked ball aboard a dirgible, at Historical
Society. "Promised Lands" (1973) deflating
propaganda of both sides in the 1973 Arab-
Israeli War, at Waterfront Community Center
... At a Shaw Festival matinee series.
"Brigadoon" with Gene Kelly, Cyd Charisse
and Van Johnson was presented at Niagaraon-thc-Lake.
Ont., Canada.
"Africa Dances," focusing on black contiihutions
to dance, was presented on film
at the Black Dance Workshop. 1 1 East
Utica St. "The Uganda Tapes" by William
Stevens, presentation and discussion of
documentary of black journalists' trip
through Uganda, was shown at Media Study/
Buffalo.
"The Boob Tube Strikes
Again" started
&
at the Kensington theatre . . . Harvey
Corky announced their April schedule of
events at the Century theatre, Saturday (1)
The Tubes; Wednesday (.5) David Bromberg
with Maria Muldaur and Fat Chance:
Saturday (29) Al Jarreau with Stanley Clark
... A record 18,000 concert goers turned
out to greet singer John Denver at Memorial
Auditorium.
Mary Beth Lawton opened the 1-290
Drive-ln for the season with "The Boys in
Company C" and "The Deep." Sid Cohen
reopened his Sheridan Drive-In the same
day with "The Gauntlet" and "Shampoo"
Club Women of Tent 7 held
their annual Easter party in the rehabilitation
center of Children's Hospital. Easter
baskets were given to the children. Mrs.
Joseph F. Schaefer, past president of the
group, played the role of bunny . . . Showplace
Theatre presented a special children's
matinee of "Pippi Goes On Board."
Martin Jacob!, president of the Theatre
District Ass'n. has been chosen to head a
committee which will serve as a liaison
with the city of Buffalo Department of
Community Development. The association
is a group of business and community leaders
who are attempting to help the downtown
theatre district.
Buffalo Panhellenic Ass'n will sponsor its
second annual Sunday Pops at 2 p.m. (16)
in Shea's Buffalo Theatre. In addition to
the Greater Buffalo Youth Orchestra and
the Empire State Ballet the concert will
feature the Mount Mercy Melo Dears.
Batman (Adam West) and Robin (Burt
Ward) are among the television personalities
on hand for the 21st annual Autorama
held by the Clutch Artists in the Masten
Avenue Armory . . . Bill Hebert of Frontier
Amusement Corp. announces the reopening
of the Autovision Drive-In. East
Greenbush; and the Super 50 Drivc-In.
Ballston, N.Y. both on March 31.
Musical comedy festival featuring vintage
MGM films, were given a one week preview
of a larger festival being planned for May,
at the Rivoli Theatre. The one week showing
included "Good News" (1947); "The
Barkleys of Broadway" (1949). "Zicgfcld
Follies" (1946), "The Pirate" (1948), "Showboat"
(1951), "Maytime" (1937). Special
discounts were offered for matinees, students
with I.D. and senior citizens.
Free silent films were shown the week
before Easter at the Riviera Theatre. North
Tonawanda, under sponsorship of the Niagra
Frontier Theatre Organ Society and
accompanied by live organ music on the
theatre's venerable Wurlitzer. Charlie Chaplin's
"One A.M." was shown.
Barry Gerson, a major figure in the
American film avante-garde. gave a Buffalo
premiere screening March 30 of three
. . .
films photogaphed in this area as part of the
Albright-Knox Gallery's Evenings for New
Film Series. Seen were "Inversion" (1973),
Translucent Appearances" (1975) and
Paul
"Celluloid Illuminations" (1975)
Sharits. Buffalo filmmaker, was honored
throughout March by the Art Gallery of
Ontario in Toronto, with a series of films
covering the creative vears from 1965 to
1976.
The Studio Arena Theatre's board of
trustees asked Erie County for a "one-timeonly"
grant of $150,000 to finish renovation
of the old Palace Theatre ... In reviewing
"An Unmarried Woman" Doug Smith in
the Courier-Express wrote: "I was just about
knocked out. It is stunning in the strictest
sense of the word. No question, four years
ago it would have caught an 'X' rating.
Be forewarned
. Lucas, who plays
Jill Clayburgh's daughter in "An Unmarried
Woman" is the granddaughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Daniel Helfman of Buffalo.
Under a "Send the Children" heading, the
Courier-Express included 'Crossed Swords"
... has a bit of swashbuckling and a lot of
fine cameos; rated PG but almost too tame
for its own good. Also recommended for
children for the holiday season was "Return
From Witch Mountain." . . . Latest
from the pen of Variety Tent 7 poet-laureate
Michael F. Ellis: "Night snacks expand
slacks."
Long Hiatus Comes to End
As 'Voices' Rolls in NJ
NEW YORK—For the first time since
Pearl White risked life and limb in "The
Perils of Pauline" in 1914, a major motion
picture is being filmed in its entirety in the
state of New Jersey. The feature is Metro-
Goldwyn-Mayer's "Voices," contemporary
love story starring Michael Onlkean, Amy
Irving, Alex Rocco and Barry Miller.
Principal
photography got under way March 22,
with Robert Markowitz directing and Joe
Wizan producing from an original screenplay
by John Herzfeld.
Various locations will be utilized in Essex
and Hudson countes, including Nework,
Hobokjn, Jersey City. Rutherford and East
Rutherford. Interiors will be lensed in the
Videocine Center in Nework.
Sa'd New Jersey Gov. Brendan Byrne,
"We are delighted that the Garden State
has been chosen as the site for this important
film and complete cooperation will be
given to MGM and its production crew and
players on every level."
"Voices" will be distributed in the U.S.
and Canada by United Artists and throughout
the rest of the world by Cinema International
Corp.
Shelley Winters and Eric Roberts have
been signed for starring roles in "King of
the Gypsies." a Dino De Laurentiis presentation
for Paramount Pictures release.
E-4
BOXOmCE :: April 3, 1978

. . The
. . Bank
. .
. . . Holiday
PITTSBURGH
.
phe Art Cinema bill is topped by "Dutch
Treat" with 33 Dutch girls having
novie tests for adult films, this following
he showing of "China de Sade" and "Candy
,ips" . . . Garden offered "Sharan" . . .
Captain Lust" is coming to the Art Cineia
. . Starting Wednesday (12) The Guild
s featuring a pair of MGM hit-twin bills,
veekly, for four weeks . Center
leld a four-day, "remember when?" sale
md the upper level Bank Cinemas particijated
with noon showings of "Days of
Thrills and Laughter," a very interesting
ull-length
feature with old footage.
"F.I.S.T." comes to the Chatham screen
ollowing the conclusion of "The Turning
rty Avenue, the new "Doll Country" havng
live shows and 100 adult "peep mahines."
George Romero has completed "Dawn
jf the Dead" and can now turn his attenion
to the third epic in his terror trilogy
vhich began with the ghoul-genre's top
;rosser, "Night of the Living Dead." Most
3f "Dawn" was lensed at Monroeville Mall
)y Romero's Latent Image company which
vill release "Martin," filmed at Braddock
ast year, shortly.
Manuel Greenwald, 63, ex-city manager
md film critic, died in Miami March 19.
-Ie lived in the Florida city since he left
'ittsburgh 18 years ago. He is survived by
Sound and
I Projection Service
Nationwide — on all brands.
RCA Service Company, A Division of RCA
43 Edward J Han Rd Liberty Industrial Park
Jersey City, N J 07305, Phene (201)451-2222
his wife Gertrude and son Michael. He began
his career with the Art Cinema and
then moved to the independent Barry, ncc-
Plilt, for a long stay. He reviewed films
which did not appear on the Barry screen
for a local tabloid. Later he opened Hostess
House, a gift shop on Forbes Avenue in
Squirrel Hill, which grew into the fifth
largest mail-order operation in the country.
A gala "Brunch with the Stars" will
launch Variety Club Tent I's telethon which
will be carried on WIIC-TV from 11:30
p.m. Saturday (15) until 4 p.m. Sunday (16).
The brunch begins at noon Saturday at the
Holiday House, Monroeville. Tickets for
"Angels" are $50 and for sponsors $25.
spring season in addition to its film lecture
series. Taking an $8 subscription ticket, the
center-city theatre is offering "Musical Masters
at Work," with films and lectures about
Beethoven, Mozart and Bruckner; "The
Berlin Lubitsch," offering the films of the
German filmmaker; and a showcasing of
"Critic's Choice: Three Films That Got
Away," hosted by Joe Baltake, film critic
for the "Philadelphia Daily News."
Other film series' focus on "Looking at
Video," "New Indian Cinema," "Images at
Work in the People's Republic of China"
and "The Work of Art" featuring Rene
Magritte, Louise Nevelson and Meredith
Monk.
The Walnut Street Theatre launched the
spring season with its six-week film seminar,
"Up and Down the Ladder," highlighted by
the personal appearance of author Studs
Terkel, Gray Panther's organizer Maggie
Kuhn, film director Frank Capra. anthropologist
Jay Ruby and film scholar and
critic Antonin l.eihm. Each lecturer will
screen a film for discussion and Ihc seminar
is offered at $20.
Four New Universal
Films Debut in LA
LOS ANGELES— Universal has scheduled
openings of four of its films this month.
They includ: "Gray Lady Down," "Blue
Collar," "House Calls" and "Skateboard."
"Gray Lady Down," a Mirisch Corporation
production starring Charlton Heston,
David Carradine and Stacy Keach, opened
a mini-multiple engagement March 10
David Greene directed and Walter Miinsch
produced from a screenplay by James
Whittaker and Howard Sackler.
"Blue Collar" which stars Richard Pryor,
Harvey Keitel and Yaphet Kotto, opened an
exclusive engagement March 15 at the
Plaza Theatre in Westwood. Paul Schrader
directed from a screenplay he co-wrote with
Leonard Schrader. The T.A.T. Communications
Production was produced by Don
'oint's" long run . . .
"1900," forced out
Jeffrey Weiss, telethon chairman, is handling
)f the Kings Court, will return at another
We visited Manos circuit headjuarters
reservations through the club office
in the William Penn Hotel, Pittsburgh. PA Guest. Robin French was executive producer.
at Greensburg, briefly, and enjoyed
15230. Allegheny county commissioners
alking with Ted Manos. Don Woodward have proclaimed April as "Variety Telethon "House Calls" and "Skateboard" opened
md Joe Bugala, all dedicated showmen,
Month" and radio stations 13Q and WPEZ, March 17, "House Calls" n eight theatres,
^anos is one of the industry's pioneer cirthe
Red Dog Saloon and Pepsi are cooperating.
including the Fox in Hollywood and the
Variety collected $1,100 from cannistcr Century Plaza 1
:uits the late founded by Mike Manos.
in Century City. "Skateboard"
The addition of Gene Kelly to the roster
stars added glitter to the TV spectacular
opens a wide multiple throughout
day and balloon promotions at the St. Patrick's
Day parade.
Southern California.
)f
"House Calls," a Jennings Lang Production,
aluting the Oscar's 50th anniversary
Shaun Cassidy will appear at the Civic
stars Walter Matthau, Glenda Jackson,
laster releases included "American Hot
Vax," "Straight Time" and "House Calls" Arena Sunday (9) "Return From Witch Art Carney and Richard Benjamin. Howard
. . .
Eastern Telecom Corp. is moving right Mountain" opened at the Cheswick, Cinema Zieff directed from a screenplay by Max
Shulman & Julius J. Epstein and Alan Mandel
ilong with CATV installations in Plum 22, Cinema World, Crest. McKnight and
& Charles Shyer. Alex Winitsky and
Jorough . . . Area theatres are showing Rainbow . . . "Close Encounters of the
The Gauntlet," "Oddysex," "Heroes," Third Kind" is on view at the Cinemette Arlene Sellers produced and Jennings Lang
Marlin
Naughty Models," "Journey to the Bey- East, Hills North and Village was executive producer.
)nd," "Looking for Mr. Goodbar" and Way. Dubois Theatre owner is hospitalized Allen Garfield. Leif Garrett and Kathleen
The One and Only."
House will feature Charlie
Lloyd star in "Skateboard" which was
Callas May 5-13.
directed by George Gage from a screenplay
CATV ordinance bid for Pittsburgh calls
he wrote with Richard A. Wolf based on a
or 30 TV channels including access chanlels
although a court ruling does not make Philadelphia Is Abounding produced "Skateboard."
story by Wolf. Henry N. Blum and Wolf
iccess channels mandatory for community In Motion Picture Series
mtenna operations . former Bazaar PHILADELPHIA—The Walnut Street
Theatre-Arcade, once known as the Emerjld,
Theatre's Film and Video Center has scheduled
is now called the Showplace, 637 Lib-
a series of film showings during the
New York State Rejects
Shopping Mall Proposal
ALBANY—The New York State Department
of Envronmental Conservation has
turned down plans for construction by the
Pyramid Cos. of DeWitt of an 80-store
shopping mall, with 600,000 square feet of
floor space, on a 94-acre site in New Hartford.
The development should not be allowed,
commissioner Peter A. A. Berle ruled, because
it would "destroy" wetlands on and
near the proposed site. In addition, he said
that the project had not demonstrated "need
or necessity."
Whether the devolpment would have contained
a cinema is mere conjecture at this
point.
CINERAMA IS IN
SHOW BUSINESS IN
©
HAWAII TOO.
When you come to Waikiki,
don't miss the famous
giUtfjUUlHi
|h^^ Don Ho Show. . .
HAW/I
at
Imrp " Cinerama's Reef Towers Hotel.
'
TOWERS . EDGEWATER
JOXOFHCE ::
April

. . Allen
. .The
PHILADELPHIA screening
ton, Del..
^ennis Cunningham, movie and theatre
critic for WCAU-TV since 1973. will
be leaving the local CBS station in May to
become the arts and entertainment reporter
for the CBS affiliate in New York City. He
was formerly an English and drama professor
at LaSalle College here.
The University of Delaware Deutsches
Haus ("German House) in Newark, Del.,
will present a series of films in German,
this spring, on the campus. The screenings
will be free and open to the public, continuing
through May 10 with "Peter Voas. Der
Millionendieb."
The Rondo Cenfer, Wilmington. Del.,
presented the films and video^ pieces of
area filmmakers Stephen Tindell and Charles
Althoff
.
Baxter, directing the
filming of a dramatization of John Updike's
"Ace in the Hole," is shooting the feature
film here at the Friends Central School
baronial campus in suburban Merion, Pa.
General Cinema's Walnut Street Cinema
near the University of Pennsylvania campus
is celebrating its first anniversary as a repertory
film house with a four-month program
of 45 films awarded Oscars as Best Pictures
of the Year.
Station WTAF-TV offered free tickets to
"The Saturday Night Fever" at Budco's
Regency Theatre in center city along with
albums of the film soundtrack,' in a promotional
deal arranged by Donna Baum, Budco
Theatres publicity and promotion chief,
in connection with a repeat telecasting of
the hour-long promotional special. "The
Saturday Night Fever Party," originally
shown here in December.
Comcast Corp. in suburban Bala-Cynwd.
Pa., a television cable company, reported
profits for fiscal 1977 rose to $1 200 000
from $929,581 in 1976. Gross revenues
were up $12,900,000 from $10,900 000 in
fiscal 1976.
The downtown Cinema 19, which was the
first $l-at-all-times theatre here and increased
the boxoffice tariff to $1.50 this
season, switched back to a admission
$1
until 5 P.M., and now has a $1 ticket again
for all seats, all times Films geared
. . .
specifically for teenagers, school-age and
pre-school children are being programmed
for free showings on various days of the
week by the Welsh Road Branch of the
Free Library in the Northeast section of
the
city.
Film producer Joseph Lcvine, who was
scheduled to brief the students at the Wharton
School of Business and Finance at the
University of Pennsylvania here on his 494-
movie productions career, has asked for a
"rain check." Slated to appear at the end
of March, he will make good the lecture
date at
the end of April.
"Desperate Living," John Water's latest
cult "Cinema Nausea" film starring Edie
the Egg Lady, had its first area public
the Rondo Center in Wilmir
foliowing Its private showing at
the TLA Cinema here
Peter Nolan, Charles Yurick amd Ken
Crowther, local filmmakers, won the Walnut
Street Theatre Film Center's "Best of the
Best Filmmakers Film Contest." Nolan won
first prize for his "Nick and Greg" and
third prize for "(JFK)3." Yurick won second
prize for "Oscillations" and the fourth
prize went to Crowther for his "Transitory
Phasing."
Castor Theatre, independent house in the
Northeast section of the city, is offering the
first showing of an all-Jewish film program
featuring "Mourning Suit." It's the first" run
for a Jewish film with English dialogue in
a commercial house. Such showings are generally
featured in synagogue halls."
. . . City
Joan Rivers was in town to promote her
new movie, "Rabbit Test," scheduled to
open in area theatres in April
council in Wilmington, Del., approved a
21 per cent increase in cable TV service
rates requested by Rollins CableVision Inc.
It increases the monthly cost for standard
service from $6.95 to $8.34. With the increase.
City Council included a provision
making all Rollins' cable-related revenues
subject to a 3 per cent franchise tax: and a
provision calling for fines up to $30,000
if Rollins fails to meet a September 30 deadline
for completing cable construction for
three city neighborhoods.
The New Jersey Motion Picture and Television
Development Commission was commended
editorially by the Asbury Park
Press in that Jersey city for its initial success
in attracting movie producers to New
Jersey with three full-length
features already
scheduled this year. The editorial also paid
tribute to playwright Sidney Kingsley, who
is the commission chairman
.
merchants
of Independence Mall in Trenton.
N.J., hosted a free Easter Matinee for children
at the Eric Theatre there, featuring
cartoons and free candy.
Charles Sweet. 78. Dead
TRENTON, N.J.—Charles F. Sweet, who
had spent 44 years of his life as a theatre
manager until his retirement, died last Tuesday,
March 21, at his home here at the age
of 78. He was for many years manager of
the Stacy Theatre and later the Mayfair
Theatre, both in Trenton. Sweet came to
here in 1923, shortly after graduating from
the University of Pittsburgh and Worfd War
I service to become associated with his
uncle, Charles C. Hildinger, a pioneer motion
picture exhibitor who owned a string
of local movie theatres here.
Surviving are his wife Frances H.. a
daughter and three grandchildren.
'Red River' at Playhouse Cinema
WESTPORT, CONN.—"Red River,"
Howard Hawks UA 1948 attraction, was
brought back by Playhouse Cinema on a
double-bill with same distributor's "The
Missouri Breaks."
NORTH JERSEY
ffew Jersey, the nation's movie capital ii
the pre-Hollywood days, has entered
i
new era in the industry with the productioi
of the state's first full-length film in 6
years now under way. MGM's "Voices" wil
be shot in six New Jersey cities during th(
next couple of months. "Voices" will be thi
first full-length motion picture filmed in th<
state since Mary Pickford's "Poor Little Rid
Girl" was made in 1917 in Fort Lee. At tha
time. Fort Lee was the location of the production
of some of the greatest films of the
silent era, including "The Great Train Robbery"
and "The Perils of Pauline." "Voices'
is the first production to be brought to New
Jersey by the newly formed state Motion
Picture and Development Commission,
which was created to attract film producers
and directors to the state.
Peter Runfolo. production manager for
the new film, said the commission was very
helpful in cutting red tape and finding locations
for various scenes in the picture.
"Voices" is the story of a 29-vear-old
asDiring singer who lives in Hoboken and
falls in love with a deaf woman. The basement
ballroom of Newark's Military Park
Hotel was renovated for scenes of the interior
of the singer's home. Other scenes will
be shot in Hoboken. Jersey City, Bayonne,
Rutherford and East Rutherford. Runfolo
said MGM will hire about 500 local extras
for the filming and spend approximately
$1,500,000 in the state. Filming is expected
to be completed by early May.
Ken Beyer has been appointed manager
of Theatre Management Associates' Fabian
Paterson, which recently was reopened as
in
a triplex. Beyer, who resides locally, had
been assistant manager at the circuit's Central
in Passaic for the past seven years,
prior to h^s promotion to the Fabian. He
began his career in the industry as a doorman
at the Central in 1970. Named assistant
to Beyer at the Fabian is Robert Osborne,
who had retired recently from RKO-Stanley
Warner Theatres after a lengthy career
which snanned over 40 years with Warner
Bros., Stanley Warner and, subsequently,
RKO-SW. During that time, Osborne had
managed numerous area theatres including
the Oxford in Little Falls, Tivoli in Newark,
Ritz in Elizabeth and Fabian in Paterson.
a post which he held until July 1977.
At that time, the Paterson house had been
acquired from RKO-SW by Theatre Management
Associates.
Jimmy Durante used to crush his fedora
between his hands and growl, "Everybody
wants to get into the act!" RKO-SW's Union
Theatre in Union is the latest house in this
area to get into the "act" of converting to
a multi-screen operation. The Union recently
reopened as a twin featuring "American
Hot Wax" and "Casey's Shadow." Each
auditorium now seats approximately 550. a
slight overall decrease from the previous
total of 1,130. The Union Twin is managed
by veteran John Stanek.
Presently under construction—and due to
BOXOFHCE :: April 3, 1978

I good
. . The
. . The
. .
open soon as a twin— is RKO-SW's 1,200-
eat Royal in Bloomfieid, managed by
Adolph Finkelstein. Plans call for the Royal
to remain open throughout the entire period
of conversion . Oritani in Hackensack,
also part of the RKO-SW circuit, has
announced plans for a complete renovation.
The house will be converted into a triplex,
with construction slated to get under way
this month.
"The Fury" was presented in sneak-preiew
showings at several area houses including
GCC's Totowa Cinema in Totowa,
Loews' Harmon Cove Quad in Secaucus,
American Multi Cinema's Rockaway Six
theatres in Rockaway and the Newton Theatre
in Newton, prior to opening at those
as
well as other area locations.
'Straight Time" was held for a third
week of an exclusive North Jersey run at
UA's Bellevue in Upper Montclair. Upcomng
at the Upper Montclair showplace is an
exclusive engagement of "F.I.S.T.",
starring
Sylvester Stallone, scheduled to open there
Wednesday (26), as well as at Century's
Paramus 1 in Paramus the same day. TTie
Century house held a sneak showing of
Triplex in Totowa held "House Calls" for
I third week and began its second week
jresenting "A Little Night Music".
Lenas' Cinema 1 and 2 in Woodbridge
nitiated a new low admission price of
51.50 for all seats at all times.
A new column entitled "Entertainment,"
5y veteran columnist Doc Goldstein, has
aegun weekly publication in the Paterson
Mews, one of North Jersey's leading dailies.
This is one of the few such columns to
ippear on a regular basis in a major daily
n this area, which continually reports hapsenings
on the local motion picture theatre
cene, as well as covering the entire entertainment
spectrum, including nightclubs,
;onccrts, stage plays, etc. It appears to be
example of how the industry and
he press can work together for the good
jf each other as well as the general public.
Two Atlantic City Theatres Sold
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.—The Center
Theatre and the Hollywood Theatre,
ocated off the Boardwalk on Atlantic Ave.
n the business area of the resort between
Kentucky and New York Avenues, have
>een sold to a group of New York investors
or $400,000. Albert M. Greenfield & Co.,
:onducted the sale. The purchasers have anlounced
no plans for changing the present
Jse of the theatres at this time, and it is ex-
)ected that they will again reopen for the
pring and summer season.
School of Arts Announces
Slimmer 78 Film Courses
NEW YORK. CITY—Over 60 courses
and workshops in acting, directing, dance,
drama, cinema studies and film and TV
production are being offered by the New
York University School of the Arts' 1978
summer sesson. Providing both undergraduate
and graduate courses, the program,
which meets in three-week and si.vweek
sessions between May 22 and September 1,
will be taught by visiting artists who are not
available during the academic year,
together
with the school's resident faculty of professional
artists and master teachers.
For writers, directors, and cinematographers,
filmmaking instruction in workshops
that range from beginning work in 16mm to
production for professional distribution arc
being offered by the Institute of Film and
Television. Courses in cinema include the
study of films by directors Frank Capra and
John Ford, flm comedy from slapstick to
parody, a seminar in contemporary cinema,
an examination of the American narrative
cinema from 1946 through the '50s, and an
exploration of "America in the European
Film Imagination."
the new United Artists release on a recent
Friday
The School of the Arts summer program
night.
is open to qualified visiting students from
In other exclusive engagements, "The Big other institutions, working professionals,
Sleep," starring Robert Mitchum, continues special nonmatriculating students and auditors
on a non-credit basis. A maximum of
at GCC's Blue^ Star in Watchung and Century's
1 in Paramus; "An Unmarried Woman"
entered the fourth week at GCC's Menlo
four credits may be earned in each threeweek
session, eight credits in each six-week
Park in Menlo Park and Moss' Mall session. For further information wrte: Dean
Theatre in Paramus, and UA's Cinema 46 J. Michael Miller, School of the Arts, New
York University, 1 1 1 Second Ave., New
York, N. Y. 10003 or call (212) 673-7117.
Viacom Inc. Plans to Buy
SBC's Broadcast Interest
ALBANY—The Sonderling Broadcasting
Corp. of Miami and its one television station,
WAST-TV, in this New York State
capital city, will be sold to Viacom Inc..
New York City-based television conglomerate,
according to a station spokesman.
The SBC Management Corp. cinemas in
the New England states and upstate New
York (including suburban Albany) and the
Sonderling radio properties in Chicago are
not involved in the sale, according to
Michael J. Corken, WAST-TV vice-president
and general manager.
Sonderling owns 1 1 broadcast properties
and has Federal Communications Commission
approval pending on two more. The
SBC Management Corp., a subsidiary based
in Boston, has some 50 screens, with four
more under construction in Poughkeepsie,
in New York state's Dutchess county.
Corken said that Viacom has agreed to
acquire at least 75 percent of the Sonderling
Broadcasting Corp.'s 1.150,000 outstanding
shares at $25-a-share. He added that he had
been informed that the Sonderling board of
directors had signed a letter-of-intent to sell
Viacom up to 75 '~r of the company's outstanding
stock.
BALTIMORE
pjouse Calls" has achieved the enviable dstinction
of pleasing the critics and the
fans according to Kathy Norman, manager
of John Rechcr's J & J house, the Towson
Theatre . Walter Gettinger's moved
to the Belvedere Tower apartments March
26. Gettinger, who heads the corporation
that bears his name, told us that his son will
graduate the University of Michigan law
school May 15 and will go to work as an attorney
in New York.
Phil Glazer, Associated Pictures boss, had
the following news flashes: Estelle Sowianski
has been upped to head booker; "Hitchike
to Hell" teamed with "Kidnapped Coed" to
cash in on the springlike weather in the Norfolk-Newport
News area; the release "Fight
for Your Life" completed a successful subrun
here after four weeks at the Hippodrome.
If you recall we ran a story about
Phil trying to negotiate a merger with his
13-year-old son Charles after the latter ran
up a $40 profit off of a major snow storm.
Well, evidently the father didn't make a
good enough pitch as he reports the junior
magnate invested his earnings in a three-man
tent and is now waiting for an opportune
moment to erect his investment. Try again
next winter. Phil.
Helen and Leon B. Back, NATO of Md.
chief and Rome Theatres G.M., combined
business with pleasure during a trip to California
late last month. He attended a NATO
area presidents confab and then joined
Helen for a visit with their son, Leon jr. and
his family . , . Cluster Theatre has reopened
and is showing "Semi-Tough" at $1.50 a
seat . . . Gov. Blair Lee signed the new obscenity
bill which replaces the old law struck
down by the court of appeals.
The Northpoint Drive-In, 401 North
Point Blvd., has opened its Flea Market
again. The market will do business every
Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There is space for more than 100 merchants.
For more information call 477-5084 .
Irwin R. Cohen. R/C Theatres, and Fred
Schmuff, F. H. Durkee Enterprises, also attended
the NATO gathering at Palm
Springs. Calif., last month.
Twin Cinemas Add Appeal
To W. Va. Shopping Mall
ST. ALBANS. W. VA.— Part of the success
of the St. Alb;ins Mall hjre is attributable
in part to the existence of a twin theatre
in the building, according to Bob Yoder.
president of the St. Albans Mall Merchant's
Ass'n. The Mall Twin cinemas, which opened
February 3. have "rounded out" the
Mall's attracton. which now includes everything
from food and clothing to books and
games.
"The cinemas will bring a lot of people
down where who didn't even know there
was a St. Albans Mall." added Yoder.
The mall, located on U.S. Route 60. is
first of its kind for the Kanawha Valley.
lOXOFHCE April 3. 1978 E-7
the

21 Obscure Japanese Films
To Be Unveiled in Series
NEW YORK — "Unknown Masterpieces
of Japanese Film" is a 21 -film series fealuring
the works of a number of directors
who are unknown to American audiences;
15 of the screenings will be U.S. premieres.
The series, from Friday (7) through May
26, will be shown in single features on
Tuesdays and double features on Fridays
at 7:30 p.m. at Japan House, 333 East 47th
Street. John Gillett, noted British film critic,
will open the series with a lecture.
.Amidst the social and military upheavals
of the 1930s and '40s, export of Japanese
f'lms to the West virtually ceased, and many
of the filmmakers of the period had little
hope of having their work seen abroad. The
Japan Film Library Council gathered together
some of these masterpieces for a
tour beginning at Japan House, traveling
to the British Film Institute in London,
and on to Paris and Montreal.
The series opens with the 1935 version
of Kinugasa's "An Actor's Revenge" on
Friday (7). Kazuo Hasegawa plays the triple
lead, as he did in Ichikawa's 1963 remake of
the film. The younger Hasegawa is more
plausible in this story of a Kabuki actor's
vendetta.
"The Abe Clan" on Tuesday (25), is
credited as being Japan's first full-scale
historical epic. Adapted in 1938 by Hisatora
Kumagai from Mori Ogai's celebrated
novel, the film is a scathing indictment of
the samurai tradition of harakiri. This antifeudal
work portrays a warrior family's
fight to preserve its honor and its inevitable
annihilation from ritual suicide and government
execution.
"Sweet Sweat" is a 1964 work by the
recently deceased Shiro Toyoda. The film,
to be shown on May 16. depicts the struggles
of an unmarried mother who works
as a Tokyo bar hostess. Machiko Kyo gives
an outstanding performance as the mother.
"The Moon Has Risen" is a domestic
drama of a widower, his three daughters and
their romances. Directed by the outstanding
actress Kinuyo Tanaka who died last year,
the film is from a script by Ozu and heralds
the debut of actor Shoji Yasui.
Arsonists Start $50,000
Blaze at Bridge Theatre
SAN FRANCISCO—Arsonists believed
to be protesting the showing of Luis Bunuel's
"That Obscure Object of Desire" were blamed
for a fire that caused an estimated
$50,000 damage to the Bridge Theatre.
The fire broke out in the theatre March
7. three days after a print of the Bunuel
film had been stolen. The film had completed
the 11th week of its run at the time
of the burglary. The thieves also spraypainted
the walls of the auditorium with
slogans denouncing the film as obscene.
The print, sprayed with a flammable solution,
was set on fire on the theatre's stage
to start the blaze. The Bridge Theatre, built
in 1939 and dubbed the city's "first art
house," is closed at least three weeks
for
E-8
repairs.
Pennsylvania, New Jersey
Dailies in Film Contests
PHILADELPHIA — Area
newspapers
have joined hands with motion pictures in
major promotional efforts. Philadelphia
Daily News invited its readers to join the
50s rock 'n roll revival by entering the
Daily News "American Hot Wax Contest"
tied in with the showing of "American Hot
Wax" at the Milgram Theatre. In a random
drawing, the newspaper offered 40 original
sound track albums from "American Hot
Wax" on A & M records as first prizes,
and 40 full color posters from the film as a
second prisse.
Across the river in Camden, N.J.. the
daily Courier-Post tied in with the Academy
Awards in a promotion with the area
theatres of General Cinema Corp. Readers
were invited to submit their choices of
Academy Award nominations for Oscars
with the newspaper ballots to be deposited
at their nearest General Cinema theatres
located in Cherry Hill. Deptford and Echelon,
all on the New Jersey side.
The first prize, going to the one checking
in with the most winners of Oscars, receives
a 1978 season pass good for any General
Cinema Theatre. The runner-up gets a dinner
and tickets for a movie show for two;
and the third prize is two tickets to General
Cinemas I and II in Cherry Hill. Cinema
I, II and III in Echelon, and Cinema I, II,
III and IV in Deptford. All other runner-up
entries will get an Academy Award calendar
that features photos of nearly all the big
winners in the 50-year history of the Academy
Awards.
The Courier-Post also offers its readers
25 "American Hot Wax" T-shirts in a
random drawing, asking readers only to give
the name of their favorite rock 'n roll
group. The feature is showing at General
Cinema's Cherry Hill Cinema I.
The Morning Call in Allentown, Pa.,
also asked its readers to pick the winners in
ten of the most popular categories in the
Academy Award nominations. The first
prize is a dinner for two and choice of any
movie show in the area. The next four
winners will each receive a pair of passes
to a movie of their choice at an area thea-
AIP Promotes Joy Surratt
DALLAS—Joy Surratt has been appointed
assistant branch manager of American
International's Dallas exchange, it was announced
by Leon P. Blender, executive vicepresident
in charge of sales and distribution
for AIP. During her 16 years with the company
Surratt has been office manager, head
booker and saleswoman.
Meal and Movie Promotion Held
NEW HAVEN— In a "first" such promotion
for metropolitan New Haven exhibition
for 1978, New Haven's Cines 2 advertised:
"Price of your dinner at Soffers Barn
Restaurant includes a ticket to this theatre."
The eating establishment is situated directly
across from the twin-auditorium
picx.
ALL OF THESE
PRACTICAL
SERVICE
DEPARTMENTS
APPEAR REGULARLY
in
ADLINES AND EXPLOITIPS
BOXOFHCE BAROMETER
(First Run Reports)
FEATURE BOOKING CHART
FEATURE REVIEW DIGEST
& ALPHABETICAL INDEX
REVIEWS OF FEATURES
•
SHORT SUBJECT CHART
•
SHOWMANDISING IDEAS
In
All Ways the Best
SERVICE THAT SERVES!
BOXOFFICE :: April -^. 1978

SAN FRANCISCO
fhe local
WOMPI club named Don Uiqiihart
as its 1978-79 "Boss of the Year"
at a luncheon February 24. Al Camilla,
last year's Boss of the Year, was emcee ai
the luncheon, and Connie Carpou handled
door prize duties. Gordon Hewitt of Mann
Theatres was named Honorary Boss of the
Year at the event, which was attended h\
1.^0 people. WOMPI committee members
Margi Rykowski. Cardinal Flms: Tillie
Spardaro. UATC: Jenny Somerville. Buena
Vista: and Ramona Wascher. Hardy Investments:
are to be congratulated for a
job well done!
On Friday, March 4, vandals broke into
the Bridge Theatre and stole the print of
Luis BunuePs "That Obscure Object of
Desire." during its I I th week at the Bridge.
The vandals spray-painted the auditorium
walls with garbled slogans denouncing the
Academy-Award-nominated film as obscene.
The graffiti were signed "Mouse (merciless)."
Four days later the same thieves returned
sometime before 3 a.m. with the
print, unreeled it on the theatre's stage and
set fire to it using a flammable liquid. Before
firemen could put out the blaze, San
Francisco's first "art house" had sustained
damages in excess of $50,000. There are.
as yet, no suspects in
the case.
A local booker thought he could win the
Lencioni Award by booking "The Boys in
Company C" with "Casey's Shadow." but
good taste prevailed at the Columbia branch
and the booking was squelched. In any case,
it would have been hard to beat this week's
winning combination: "The Incredible Melting
Man" and "The Betsy."
United Artists' Bobby Lippert III gives
up his devil-may-care bachelorhood to marry
Martha Johnson of Three Rivers. Cal.
this spring. One last fling was held at Tim
Swain's to celebrate the marriage.
CINEMA OPENING—When the West coast premiere of "Casey's Shadow"
was held March 16 at the new Sherman Oaks Cinema, Alexis Smith and Michael
Hershewe, center, stars of the film, joined in the formal ribbon-cutting ceremony.
DoDo Meyer, left, from the Mayor's office, and Phil Isaacs, General Cinema's
vice-president, assisted in the festivities. General Cinema Theatre Corp., under the
direction of Isaacs, on the West Coast has 30 theatres operating in the Los Angeles
area. The circuit has more than 900 screens throughout the U.S. The Sherman
Oaks showcase features three giant-size screens, push-back seats and the latest in
sound and projection equipment. The new Sherman Oaks III-IV-V join Sherman
Oaks I and II at the Sherman Oaks Plaza.
Carl Skelton Services
HOLLYWOOD — Memorial
seiviccs
were held March 27 for Carl Skelton, 62,
former head of Paramount's payroll department,
who died March 23, of cancer, in
Grants Pass, Ore., where he had lived since
retiring in 1974. Skelton joined Paramount
in 1937, serving as an auditor during his
last years in the film business.
Bill Watmough Is Dead
LOS ANGELES— Bill Watmough, retired
head booker for Warner Bros.' Los Angeles
branch, died March 25. He had served
12 years as president of the Filmrow Club.
Watmough started in the motion picture
business with MGM in 1920 and later served
with Columbia, Gaumont British and
Grand National Pictures before joining
Warners in 1940 in Minneapolis.
'Spider-Man's Web Snares
Filipino Filmgoing Fans
BURBANK—"Spider-Man," an all-liveaction
film based on the adventures of the
world's No. 1 comic book character, has
scored outstanding boxoffice figures in the
Philippines, it has been announced by Patrick
M. Williamson, executive vice-president
of Columbia Pictures International.
In its opening five days. "Spider-Man"
registered 690,683 pesos (U.S. $93,933)
which ranks with Columbia's all-time-high
boxoffice performers in this territory.
The film was directed by E. W. Swackhamer
and produced by Edward J. Montagno
from a script by Alvin Beretz. Charles
Fries and Daniel R. Goodman served as
executive producers. Nicholas Hammon
stars in the double role of Peter Parker and
Spider-Man. Also featured are David White
and Michael Pataki.
PETERSON
THEATRE
455 Bearcat Drive
Times Square Park
SUPPLY
Salt Lake City, Utah 84115
801-466-7642
S^teln i/UoodcraPt (^orp.
MANUFAaURERS
OF POPCORN WARMERS AND CONCESSION STANDS
22 Sprague Avenue, Amityville, N. Y. 11701 (516) 691-2222
Solt Lake • Boston • Dallas • New Yo.k
NIVERSAL THEATRE SUPPLY
- HOME OFFICE -
264 Eoif 1st South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84
BOXOFHCE ;: April 3. 1978 W-1

,
Merchant
Mclnteer of Warner Bros., president: Jerry Club's monthly dinner-meeting March 28
MacLeod. GM Productions, executive vicepresident,
ways-and-means; Penny Rice, wood.
at Barone's Restaurant in North Holly-
Hollywood Happenings
with Jerry Lewis, first vice-president, program:
Diane Maddox. Warner Bros., second Irene Papas, star of "Iphigenia." will be
•
I^ARY ALLEN ROWLANDS, mother of
Gena Rowlands, has been installed
vice-president,
as
members; Betty Jackson, present to accept the Silver Halo Award,
president of the Motion Picture
with
Mothers
Mrs. Jack Benny, corresponding secretary:
to be presented Wednesday (5) at the luncheon-meeting
of the Southern California Mo-
Club. Other mothers of entertainment
Barbara Russel,
personalities
taking office were: Audrey recording secretary: Kathy Grant, Warner tion Picture Council.
with Gregory Peck,
Bros., treasurer:
Descher. vice-president: Elizabeth Lynn,
Sandy Cowan. Warner
•
Bros.,
second vice-president, and Riki Heimlick.
philanthropy chairman; Judie Gold. Roger MacDougall, author of screenplays
Tillie Adams, Martha Lathrop, Elsie Moore Motown Record Corp., publicity chairman; for "The Man in the White Suit" and "The
and Josephine Roberts.
Margaret Boscoe, social chairman, and Mouse That Roared." will conduct a UCLA
Christie Palmer, bulletin
*
chairman.
Extension course entitled "The Man in the
•
White Suit:
Screenwriter Ms.
A Case Study of Contemporary
Leigh Brackett. 60. died
Factors Etc.. Ltd.. mass merchandiser of
of cancer March
Film Techniques," starting Thursday (6).
18 shortly after finishing
products spinning off from films. TV series
•
the first draft for the sequel to "Star Wars."
and personalities, has obtained rights for Hilda Frishman.
Her screen credits include "The
Hollywood/Los Angeles
Big Sleep."
numerous articles involving three major
"Rio Bravo." "Hatari!" and "Rio Lobo"
WOMPI Club nominating committee
movies. "Superman." "F.LS.T." and "Saturday
Night Fever." Items include such preparing a
chairman, reports that her committee is busy
for Howard Hawks: "The Long Goodbye"
for Robert Altman. and many
new slate for the upcoming
others,
standard features as iron-on transfers, election Tuesday (25). Committee members
are: Romayne Hoffman. Susan O'Rear.
•
badges, caps, patches, T-shirts and bumper
Joan Rivers" "Rabbit Test" ran up stickers.
Betty Silverforb and Adelaide Guggenheim.
grosses of $117,186 in its second wave of
*
•
openings March 17. The Avco Embassy Film Ventures International has obtained "An Unmarried Woman," Paul Mazursky's
boxoffice hit for 20th Century-Fox,
release did a three-day gross of $55,728 domestic and Canadian distribution rights
in ten theatres in the Greater Miami area: for "The Dragon Lives." starring Bruce Li will open Friday (7) in Flagship theatres
in the story about the late martial arts expert
Bruce Lee.
after it opened to rave reviews and huge
throughout the Los Angeles area month
grosses in the UA Theatre, Westwood.
$12,498 in three houses in Atlanta.
Melvin "Bud" Getzler has been named
•
•
to the newly created position of vice-president
and director of business affairs for the tury-Fox as vice-president for production
Herb Wallerstein has joined 20th Cen-
"Game of Death," Bruce Lee's last motion
picture, completed after his death by
management, succeeding Ray Gosnell, who
is leaving the company Friday (7) to join
atres in to set a single-performance
boxoffice record. Production Co.. Cine Guarantors and Malier
had served as vice-president for pro-
*
rineland.
gram production for Paramount TV.
Productions. Cinemobile Systems. Solow the Cravton Smith Agency. Wallerstein ear-
Michael Marcus has been named corporate
vice-president of the Paul Kohner- The Bloodmobile donated last August to WOMPI membership chairman Adelaide
*
*
Michael Levy Agency. Two additional executive
the American Red Cross by the Permanent Guggenheim has announced the addition of
five
vice-president of the Tony Ford Agency, Industries already has collected 2,416 pints are: Sharon Sagman (Universal Film Exchange).
Pamela Hausman (Hanna-Bar-
joined the firm as talent executive in the of blood at 80 locations throughout the
actors, producers and directors areas, and Greater Los Angeles area.
bera). Nataska Hertz (Motivational Media
John Tarnoff. with the agency for the past
•
Productions). Shirley Vellutini and Peggy
three years, was named to head the TV Kathleen Johnson, operator of MPTVT Friscia (both from Warner Bros,). Ms. Guggenheim
reports the membership now stands
department.
Productions, has established Kathleen Johnson
Casting Service as an arm of her corpo-
at 86 active members and ten honorary
*
Girls Friday of Show Business named ration to cast feature films. TV shows, theatre
and commercials. Jacquie Mendenhall
WOMPIs.
La Donna Webb "Girl Friday of the Year"
and actor Jack Albertson as "Girls Friday will work as her assistant.
of Show Business Angel of the Year" during
their installation dinner at the Sports-
Actress Susan Oliver was the guest speak-
Projection Service
•
SflM^HSound and
man's Lodge. Taking office were Sylvia er at the Hollywood/ Los Angeles WOMPI Nationwide on all brands.
RCA Service Company, A
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W-2

. .
6th
KANSAS CITY
Vou might think that all the concern with
canals now centers on Panama— but
that is not true. Pauline Blender, American
International Pictures, is exceedingly interested
in another canal: the root canal her
dentist is constructing to alleviate the pain
caused by a defective wisdom tooth. Our
sympathy to Pauline as she tries to bring
her mouth back to normal but we remind
her that there are large differences between
her root canal and the Panama Canal—the
Panama Canal probably was cheaper.
Jim Thrasher, 20th Century-Fox bixiker
and fisherman extraordinaire, would like to
live close to the water but last week things
went out of hand. A plumber, hired by Jim
for a minor job, accidentally broke a main
water line in front of the house. The waterspout
was of such magnitude that the water
company was forced to shut off service for
the entire block for over 24 hours. Water,
too, indirectly was responsible for problems
suffered by Jim's wife Dianne, who works
at Columbia. Doctors last week thought that
she may have developed a hernia probably
acquired from moving Jim's old fishing
boat when he sold it and then moving the
new boat in.
The Women of Variety netted over $900
for charity from their raffle during Show-
A-Rama of a handmade quilt.
Wellington, Kas., exhibitor Michael
Johnston should be convalescing at home
by now after spending nearly five weeks in
a hospital recuperating from the effects of
a ruptured appendix.
John Wangberg, American International
Pictures branch manager, celebrated a birthday
Wednesday, March 29.
Paramount's Francis Jones took advantage
of an offbeat holiday over the
weekend to throw a party. Saturday (1) she
entertained her guests at an April Fool's
party.
Sharon Richeson, Topar Films, crossed
the f)oint of no retunn on March 21 when
she experienced her 40th birthday. The
gang at New World Pictures treated her to
a wild get-together at Kelly's, noted local
pub. Sharon said that, in a way, she was
disillusioned by the prospect of being 40.
"They say that life begins at 40." she recalled.
"Well, it hasn't started yet." If anything,
the 40-syndrome frightened her. "I
actually went home from work, crawled into
bed and pulled the covers over my head."
That's the way to cope, Sharon!
Another person geared up for a milestone
birthday over the weekend. Carol Hobbs.
20th Century-Fox secretary who was 30
March 31. invited all of her friends over to
help her drown her sorrows in a flood of
Cold Duck.
.
Screening at Commonwealth: Tuesday
(28), "Night of the Askari" (Topar)
Screening at Midwest: Wednesday (29), "It's
Not the Size That Counts" (Joseph Brenner),
distributed hv Midwest.
PROCLAMATION—Variety
Club
of Illinois president Melvyn Weisberg
is shown with Chicago Mayor Michael
Bilandic in the latter's office for the
signing of a proclamation designating
Sunday (2) through Saturday (8) as
"Variety Club Week" in the Windy
City. Weisberg in turn presented the
mayor with the first pair of tickets for
the 11th annual Variety Club Celebrity
Ball, to be held Friday (7) at the Hyatt
Regency Chicago. Variety Clubs International
is celebrating the organization's
51st anniversary (1927-1978),
marking over 50 years of assistance to
needy and handicapped children. During
1977, Tent 26 raised over $308,360
for ten children's charities in Chicagoland.
AMC's Midland Theatre
Is Getting A Facelift
KANSAS CITY—The historic Midland
Theatre, which closed for remodeling March
I. is in the process of being extensively redecorated
and refurbished. Cost of the remodeling
program is set at over $150,0(X).
As part of its new look, the 50-year-old
antique seats are being replaced with plush
new rockers. New drapes and curtains also
are being installed to complete the package.
Reopening of the Midland is slated for
mid-April.
"Stevie." based on the life of English poet
Stcvie Smith, is a First Artists production.
Eight Spring Chicks
Hatch in Chicago
CHICAGO— Eight newcomers opening
for the spring season did take away some
business from the holdovers which have
been exceptionally strong for the past weeks.
But "The Turning Point," "The Goodbye
Girl" and "Blue Collar" lost little or no
ground.
(Average Is 100)
-The Tun (20th-Fo)c)
19th
e Collar (Univ), 6th wit.
Cinema— The Lacemaker (SR). 7th wk
Coral The Betsy !AA), Rth wk
Five theatres—American Hot Wax (Pti)
Five theatres-The Goodbye Girl (WB)
13th wk. .
Five theatres Close Encounters o( the Third
Kind (Col), 14th wk
Four theatres An Unmarried Woman
(20th-Fox)
Nine theatres The Fury (20th-Foxl
Nine theatres House Calls (Univ)
Sandburg, Wilmette One Sings, The Other
Doesn't (SR)
Seven theatres Casey's Shadow (Col)
Six theatres Crossed Swords (WB)
Six theatres Saturday Night Fever (Paio),
14th wk
Six theatres Straight Time (WB)
Will Rogers—Candleshoe (BV), 6th wk
.275
Nine New Releases for Easter
Make Their Impression in KC
KANSAS CITY—Nine Easter releases
burst onto the scene here with generally
good results. Only two new features grossed
below 150, the average intake being around
200 per cent. "House Calls" did especially
well at 445, displacing "Close Encoimters,"
which pulled a 400 this week, as K.C.'s topdrawing
film. Third in line was the phenomenally
popular "Star Wars," still attracting
300 business in its 43rd week (that's
nine weeks short of a year) at the Glenwood.
Blue Ridge—Candleshoe (BV), 6th wk 270
Boulevard. Fairyland The Tiger From Hong
Kong (SR) 160
Embassy—Equus (UA), 4th wk 65
Empire, 63rd St —A Hero Ain't Nothin' Bui a
Sandwich (New World) .280
Fairyland Gums (SR) .150
Fine Arts The Serpent's 90
Egg (Para)
Five thecrtres—The Betsy (AA) wk .280
245
Four theatres—American Hot Wax (Para)
Four theatres—The Billion Dollar Hobo
(Infl Picture Show). 6th wk 125
Four theatres—House Calls (Univ) 445
Four theatres The Other Side of the Mountain
Part 2 (Univ), 6th wk 70
Glenwood Close Encounters o( the Third ICind
(Col), 14th wk 400
Glenwood—Star Wars (20th-Fox), 43rd wk 300
Metcalf—The Turning Point (20th-Fox), 7th wk 220
Plaaa The Fury (20lh-Fox) 280
Six theatres Casey's Shadow 115
(Col)
Six thecrtres Crossed Swords (WB) 190
Three theatres The Boys in Company C (Col),
4th wk 105
Three theatres—Coma (UA), 6th wk 180
Three theatres Gray Lady Down (Uni
2nd wk.
130
Three theatr. —High Anxiety (^llth
7th wk ...
Three theatre -The One and Only
"Voices" will be produced by Joe Wizan
from an original screenplay by John Herzfeld
which Robert Markowitz will direct
this
spring on locations on the East Coast.
RTOE WATER COOLED' CONTACTS ^ MID-CONTINENT Theatre Supply Corp.
243W. BELMONT CHICAGO
5 1800 Wyandotte, Kansas City, Mo. 64108
P Phone (816) 221-0480 W. R. "Bill" Davis, Mgr.
PROMPT • EFFICIBNT • COURTEOUS
BOXOFFICE ;: April 3, 1978 C-1

ST .
LOUIS
The Evil," New World release, asks the
audience to witness the awakening of
an ancient horror that slept beneath an elegant
mansion. It is on the screens of four
drive-ins—Airway Twin. South Twin, North
Twin and 1-44. as well as at Crown Cine
and the Melba Cine in Desoto. Starred are
Richard Crenna. Joanna Pettet. Andrew
Prine and Victor Buono as "the Evil."
The local premiere of "Operation Thunderbolt."
the Israeli film depicting the raid
on Entebbe airport, will be Wednesday (5)
at the Varsity Theatre under the sponsorship
of the local chapter of the American
Jewish Congress. The film, nominated for
an Academy Award in the Best Foreign
Film category, is being presented as a part
of the 30th anniversary of the State of
Israel. The film is a dramatization of the
rescue July 4. 1976. of 104 hijacked hostages
from Entebbe in Uganda, a major
step in the war against international terrorism.
The exciting film stars Yohoram
Gaon. Israeli actor/singer, as Yoni; the
special unit commando who was fatally
wounded, and Assaf Dyan. son of former
Defense Minister Moshe Dyan. as Shuki, a
close friend of Yoni's. Rachel Marcus portrays
Mrs. Dora Bloch. Menahem Golan,
director of "Operation Thunderbolt." is
proud of the fact that the film is authentic
and had the full cooperation of the Israeli
government. Army and Air Force, which
made available such facilities as four Hercules
planes and Phantoms. A real Army
camp was used for rehearsals and actual
participants in the Entebbe rescue were
consulted during the filming. It is the only
feature made for theatrical release and is
distributed
by Cinema Shares International.
Candy Clark, starring in "The Big Sleep."
was a visitor in this city while on a crosscountry
promotional tour for the Raymond
Chandler thriller. In an interview with Bob
Goddard. Globe-Democrat entertainment
she shattered the report that Russian
editor,
ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov is her
favorite date, saying that she can hardly
wait to get back to California to see Marjoe
Gortner. a blond American.
She and Marjoe are scheduled to make a
movie together, based on the Red Ryder
comic strip. Titled "When You Comin'
Back. Red Ryder?", the film also will star
Hal Linden. Getting back to "The Big
Sleep." Candy said she found the all-star
cast easy to work with and called Robert
Mitchum "a pussycat." She got her start in
films (she had been a New York model)
when Jack Nicholson met her at a party
and introduced her to casting director Fred
Roos. She tested for and won a role in "Fat
City," then came "American Graffiti". "The
Big Sleep" is currently at Cinema 4 Center,
Des Peres 4. Halls Ferry 6 and South City.
Universal screened its production reel
"Paradise Alley" at Wehrenberg's Des Peres
screening room recently. Wehrenberg will
reopen its Ellisville Cine, now closed for
remodeling, Friday (28) as a twin cine.
Sci-fi films are proving an inspiration for
more than the regular moviegoer. The St.
Louis Symphony Orchestra is presenting a
concert Sunday (9) at Kiel Auditorium Convention
Hall titled "Starship Encounters,"
featuring the music from "Star Wars,"
"Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and
'2001: A Space Odyssey." complete with a
laser light spectacular, surroimd sound and
special effects, produced by Showco. Inc.
Shows are at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Admission
price is $9.
"Star Wars" and its robots were the inspiration
for Dan Bretch. electronics instructor
at Hazelwood East Senior High
School to construct his own radio-controlled
robot at his home, since it was too complicated
to put together at school. When his
students saw it for the first time, they of
course dubbed it R2-D2. He used a metal
and wood body which contains two tape
recorders and can beep, squeak and whistle.
It's powered by an automobile battery to
explain electrical projects and publicize the
school's industrial arts classes. When Bretch
took his creation to an auto show at the
Cervantes Convention Center, a spectator
decided to buy it and it probably today is
somewhere in California being used for promotional
projects.
Bill McCutcheon, who was featured in
"W. W. and the Dixie Dancekings" and
EXCITING NEW PRODUCTS FROM THE NEW
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For new theatres or modernization, contact
JOHN or MIKE
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8421 Gravois Avenue
St. Louis, Mo. 63123
Phone 314-352-2020
WE SPECIALIZE IN ALL LEASING & FINANCING PLANS
"Viva Max!", is playing the title role in
"The Miser" at the Plantation Dinner Theatre.
The farce with a series of hilarious
confrontations will play nightly except Mondays
through May 8.
Singer-actress Leslie Uggams will be the
headliner Wednesday (12) through Saturday
(15) for the opening of the Pavilion Ballroom
in the Breckenridge Pavilion Hotel.
The former Pavilion Theatre has been converted
into a Las Vegas-type nightclub.
The University of Missouri-St. Lou's winter/spring
film series featuring "Olivier on
Film" concludes the season with "The Shoes
of the Fisherman" (1968), Monday (10);
"Oh! What a Lovely War" (1969), Tuesday
(11); "The Three Sisters" (1970). Monday
(17). and "Sleuth" (1972) Tuesday (18).
Screenings are at the J.C. Penney Auditorium
at 8:15 p.m. and are open to the public.
Various locales around town are being
used in the filming of a comedy, starring
Tom Smothers and hometowner Phyllis Diller.
entitled "A Pleasure Doing Business."
In charge of the project is Steven L. Vagnino.
producer, director and author of the
screenplay. TCA Pictures is the production
company. Principal parts were cast in Hollywood
by Paramount and include John
Byner. Richard Karron (he is in the Henry
Winkler starrer. "The One and Only"). Bubba
Smith, former Baltimore Colt football
player, and Misty Rowe. who portrayed
Marilyn Monroe in "Goodbye. Norma
Jean." More than 40 additional roles were
cast
here.
Radio TV Campaign Plugs
Hobo' Playciates in KC
KANSAS CITY—A promotional campaign
combining the efforts of radio and
TV stations and the five local full-line Sears
stores resulted in making "The Billion Dollar
Hobo." current Tim Conway starrer, the
top-grossing film in its opening week here.
Promotions were coordinated by Mike
Forsythe of Century Advertising (American
Multi Cinema's agency). Susie Nance of
Century. Margaret Schleicher from Sears.
Art Malcy from Fremerman-Malcy (Sears'
agency). Alex George of KMBA-TV and
John Kizer. WHB Radio.
Highlights of the campaign included a
coloring contest for which entry blanks
were distributed at all five Sears stores. In
addition five actors disguised as "mystery
hobos" circulated at shopping centers handing
out free passes to anyone who recognized
them.
Anthony Hopkins and Ann-Margrct will
;ir in "Magic."
CINERAMA IS IN
SHOW BUSINESS IN
HAWAII TOO.
When you come to Waikiki,
don't miss the famous
Don Ho Show. . . at
Cinerama's Reef Towers Hotel.
. REEFTOIVEIIS . Et>GEWATQI
C-2 April

I
Illinois Observing
Variety Week Apr. 2
CHlCACiO— During Variety Week. Sunday
(2) through Saturday (8). the highlight
tor Tent 26 is the 11th annual Variety Club
Celebrity Ball. Gov. Thompson of Illinois
and Mayor Michael Bilandic of Chicago
proclaimed the period as Variety Club
Week in both the city and the state.
During 1977, the Variety Club of Illinois
for the second straight year rewrote history
and established new records. Bene Stein,
past president, is credited with the successful
drives for accomplishing Variety Club
endeavors. For the second time in history.
Tent 26 membership passed the 500 mark.
with an all-time high of 569 for 1977.
Stein also set the pace for a new record
of $398,350 in monies raised for ten children's
charities, plus numerous other progressive
achievements.
Word from Melvyn Weisberg, who recently
succeeded Stein as Tent 26 president,
notes that the efforts of Variety members
in behalf of the Celebral Palsy telethon resulted
in a total of $392,746. which is 47
per cent better than last year's total.
Variety Women also are due for credits.
Outgoing president Lyn Nassan presented
a check "for $9,000 to aid the Sparberg Limb
Bank program. Variety Women also turned
over a $5,000 check to La Rabida. For five
consecutive years, board member Libby Lavin
has contributed $1,000 to the North
Center for Handicapped Children. This
monev represents the proceeds from the sale
of Mrs. Lavin's jewelry gifts.
$2 Million Porn Inventory
Discovered in Warehouse
PROVIDENCE—A pornography warehouse
containing "at least a $~^2.000,000 inventory"
of materials including child sex
films allegedly being distributed nationally
has been uncovered by Rhode Island police
and federal authorities.
Police raided Imperial Distributors. 208
Laurel Hill Avenue, and arrested its president
Kenneth Guarino, 28, of Johnston,
R.I. Prologue to the raid developed two
days earlier with FBI arrest of Edward
Miguel of East Providence after he was
seen distributing materials from the Imperial
warehouse in Boston's so-called "Combat
Zone" (it contains adult film outlets). Miguel
was charged with interstate transportation
of pornographic magazines and films.
Guarino, charged under a new Rhode
Island law spelling out tough penalties for
use of children under 18 in pornographic
materials, is allegedly linked to five corporations
said to be distributing pornography in
.
most eastern states and across the country,
according to police.
A Providence police officer. Detective
Ronald J. Urso, said: "Guarino is a big
pornography distributor throughout the
country. Invoices seized . . show he's
making a million dollars a month. We're
not going to tolerate his kind of business in
Providence. This child stuff is reallv raw."
CHICAGO
Li'o Freedberg, head of the Tiffin Management
Co., said Harry Freedberg has
been appointed general manager oi the company,
which now operates the Til I in and
Davis theatres.
A bomb explosion at the Devon 1 heat re
has no explanation. A neighbor claimed she
saw two men flee the scene at the time of
the bombing but otherwise there is no answer
for this destructive effort. Richard
Stern, owner of the Devon, has been out of
the city and is due to return next week. Fortunately,
there was no one on the premises
at
the time.
Louis Calamari was appointed
vice-president
of the Plitt North Central division,
with headquarters in Minneapolis.
While the predictions for the arrival of
spring weather foLmd drive-ins reopening
throughout the area, a renewed outburst of
wintry weather had the operators concerned.
But despite the snow and sleet, the Cascade
reopened Easter weekend. Allied Theatres
Buying & Booking is doing the booking for
this
property, owned by Spiro Charhus.
"The Turning Point" inspired the Planned
Parenthood Ass'n to hold a "Turning Point
in Fashion" benefit. It will be held Tuesday
(11) at Bonwit Teller. Committee head
Taryn Edwards, whose husband Larry owns
the Biograph Theatre, arranged for 14 students
from the Stone-Camryn Ballet School
to
be the models.
As if Chicago Used Chair Mart didn't
have enough trouble with two break-ins
within a two-month period, a falling ice
"boulder" caused a large hole in the roof
when the recent snow started to melt.
Ken Mathey has joined Buena Vista as
Indianapolis booker.
Added to 20th Century-Fox good fortune
is the "Rocky Horror Picture Show." It
opened as a midnight special Friday and
Saturday nights at the Biograph Theatre in
early March. Acceptance has been strong
enough to hold the film over for the month
of April.
American International Pictures has set
up a wide outlying break of "Last Survivor"
beginning Friday (14). And Friday (21)
"Jennifer," a new spring AIP movie, opens
in Chicagoland. It stars Lisa Pelikan. who
had a role in "Julia."
Opening business for Buena Vista's "Return
From Witch Mountain" looks exceptionally
good, giving rise to optimism for
an extended rim.
According to late reports, the near north
Sandburg Theatre s being taken over by a
New York group. Quartet. It reportedly is
planned to show "quality art films."
Charles B. Pierce wrote the script and
will direct "The Norseman." starring Lee
Majors, Mel Ferrer and Susan Coelho, for
American International release.
Mercury Is Launching
3 Major Films in May
KANSAS CITY— Locally based Mercury
Film Co. is lining up bookings which should
make May 1978 the biggest comparable
month the distribution company has had.
Kicking off the lineup May 17 will be
EMC Film Co.'s "Convention Girls," which
a MercLiry spokesman said appears to have
"tremendous potential" in view of test-engagement
results in selected Texas and Oklahoma
situations.
May 24, Mercury is launching territory
saturation playdates of Dimension Pictures'
"High Riders." The feature, which is described
as "a new breed of picture dealing
with a 'car gang' instead of a motorcycle
gang," reportedly has been well received at
all tradescreenings held to date.
May 31, Mercury will open areawide
multiple engagements— including Kansas
City and Wichita—of the Henry Fonda
starrer, "The Great Smokey Roadblock,"
also from Dimension. Originally titled
"Elegant
John and His Ladies," this feature has
met with excellent reaction at all preopening
unspoolings.
All the openings, pegged for successive
weeks in May, involve saturation playdates
throuahout the Midwest trade territoiy.
Where's 'Where's Boston?'
After Blizzard of '78?
BOSTON—The city's longest rimning
show, "Where's Boston?," at the Prudential
center, closed six weeks earlier than scheduled,
due to damage caused by the recent
blizzard. The air inflated roof of the temporary
structure collapsed after being ripped
by storm winds, creating yet another stormrelated
fatality.
The show's run started during the Bicentennial
year and attracted thousands of tourists
and Bostonians. All the exhibits and
slide shows were saved, but the cost of repairing
the roof and starting all over again
for just six weeks was deemed too costly.
Cambridge Seven, the firm which designed
the exhibit, has announced it will go
ahead with plans to scale the show down to
a road version and move into space in the
new skyscraper at 60 State Street. "Where's
Boston?" is expected to be a big draw in the
new Faneuil Hall market area.
RCili
Sound and
Projection Service
Nationwide — on all brands.
RCA Service Company. A Division of RCA
7620 Gross Point Road. Skokie. Ill 60076
Phone (312) 478-6591
THEWTRE EQUIPMENT
Everything for the Theatre"
>. CAPITOL AVE., INDIANAPOLrS, IND.
BOXOFFICE April 3. 1978

$
TheRiq
cost more than
agrand*
In 1853, money took America to the hanks. money. By purchasing government securities.
Of the Rio Grande.
\ou could bank on America back then.
In that year, the Gadsden Purchase tLirther And vou still can. By buying U.S. Savings Bemds
extended United States territory down the west
bank ot the mighr\' Rio Grande.
And established what today is the border
between Mexico and the states ot Arizona and
New Mexico.
>^»!*.
The cost 0,000,000. 1 ;
yf"^^^^
And Americans put up the "C^v- ^"
Take
at
-

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Tucker,
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'Turning Point' Is
Spl Memphis Besl
Hermione Gingold Remembered Well'
p^^ o„g^ jy,Y;, Chevalier in 'Gigi'
Memphis—20th Century-Fox s smasn *
"The Turning Point" is still waltzing away By LOIS BAUMOEL
However, the turning point of her career
with top boxoffice returns in many cities,
came in 1938 when she was cast as a comedienne
in "The Gate Review," the first of a
including Memphis. The Anne Bancroft-
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. — Her-
Shirley MacLaine starrer, now in its seventh ^'one Gingold, international star of theatre
series of smash musical reviews.
wjek at the Malco, pirouetted to a power- |B^H^L.
^"'^ motion pictures,
ful 495 rating, far outpacing the rest of the ^^^ j"^' completed an
Golden Globe for 'Gigi'
H^^^^^
field. -Hiah Anxiety" was second with an ^^^^H^^ appearance at the The actress made her American debut in
impressive" 290 in its third week. Last place ^"^^"^ Playhouse in "it's
|^H^HB
About Time" in Cambridge, Mass., in
was occupied by Columbia's "The Boys in jMBpyfalB "Side by Side by 1951. It was in John Murray Anderson's
Company C," with a just-above-average Sondheim.
^|M*L >SlW
"Almanac" that Ms. Gingold made her
P5
"
HmV ^Tt Taller than one Broadway bow, receiving the Donaldson
(Average Is 100)
si^ > J^ might imagine, Ms. Award. Her Broadway credits are many and
Malco Quartet 1—Semi-Tough (UA), 11th wk. ,230 •^EP*-* —^It r.inonlH\ PTPCi Malco Quartet 3—The Turning Point (20th-Fox). W
UingOld S ereCt man-
>^ .,
Hollywood utilized her unique talents in
7th wk 495 %r." ^A.- ±'^m.-^^ ner of carriage adds such motion pictures as "Bell, Book and
Malco Quartet 4, Southbrook 1-The Late Great /l!MdiBB^&i^ .Ml , „ t ,- ^ uL:„Ut .„
Planet Earth (PIE), 3rd wk. 260 C^^^^^^^^ «"" extra height to Candle," "Around the World in 80 Days"
Memphian, Ridgeway Four 4—The One and -
.her appearance. She's and "The Music Man." Still, as she sat there
o°u°'^ ^ T^Jv ^iSi."u«7 Hermione Gingold . '''l.j
TT ,Ti ,
Muhammed Ah—Which Way is Up? (Un.v) " Slim ana aHmit^ aumitS tn 10 in the dressing room, a faint smile crossing
"^'
Par°c^ol\ 1 Southbrook "i-Tha Goodbye Girl "Ot knowing why, sinCe shc claimS tO lOVe her lips, her amazing and intriguing blue
(WB), 3rd wk ^ 3fio
candy bars and pastries.
eyes twinkling,
Plaza I—The Boys in Company
one could best remember
C I Col),
her in that wonderful duet "I Remember It
Plaza Z'^Raleigh" Springs—The' Betsy (AA), '^^ Popularity is Undimishcd
Well," which she so effectively executed in
SolllhbJook 2-Candieshoe (BV), 4th wk I?" The actress who, at a very early age, en-
"Gigi" with Maurice Chevalier, a performance
for which she won the Golden Globe
Three theatres-Coma (UA), 4th wk^ 160 chanted audiences in His Majesty's Theatre
Three theatres—High Anxiety (20th-Fox),
•
5ih wk 290 in London in 1908 as the herald in Pinkie
Award.
and the Fairies," continues to be received
Hermione makes her home in New York
New Orleans Variety Club eagerly.
and loves it there. Her favorite city abroad?
It's
Installs Officers for 78
Venice!
^,1:;;.,?"^A^'lTrNi* mu*'"
NEW ORLEANS, LA.-Vanety Club
Broadway. She repeated the role again, this
Multi-Talented Lady
Tent 45 held its installation luncheon in the ^^^ ^j,^ j^^^ simmons, in the Zev Bufman She has recited poetry and verse with
beautiful Lamplighter Club overlooking the
production here at the Parker Playhouse. many major symphony orchestras and recently
narrated a Twyla Tharp Ballet at the
Superdome in downtown New Orleans.
^^^-^ ^^^^ production also garnered rave
Joe Rault was master of ceremonies, and ^^^-^^^ -^ London. The actres^s now may be Brooklyn Academy of Music for a forthcoming
children's special for TV. She's un-
T. G. Solomon introduced former chief
^gen in the same role in the recently released
barkers. The new chief barker, George Solo-
^^^ ^^^^^ Pictures screen adaptation with der contract to an English firm and has
mon, extended his sincere thanks for loyal
Elizabeth Taylor, Diana Rigg and Laurence been commissioned to write a book—a picture
book—with several little short
support during the previous year.
Guittard
stories.
Solomon swore in the new 1978 officers
Arising Was Work
the in
, , .. • 1. J » . tu
^, j
Clad
.
in
,
white
, ,
s acks, navy
u
blouse , and
.
club. Each joined the ceremonies
to pledge their help and support to the orga- . , ,,
. •...-,.•
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Nationwide
Projection Service
on all brands.
RCA Service Company, A Division of RCA
4506 Bibb Blvd
, Ga 30084
Phone (4041 934-9333
CINERAMA IS IN
SHOW BUSINESS IN
HAWAII TOO.
When you come to Waikiki,
[j|tjtf]l^ don't miss the famous
^'^iil Don Ho Show.
Cinerama's Reef Towers Hotel.
It is to be titled "Why Not Take All of Me."
But first, Ms. Gingold, who came here
directly from a five-month run with the
New "Vork company of "Side by Side by
Sondheim," following this stint, will continue
in the same role for an eight-week
run at the Los Angeles Huntington Hartford
Theatre.
The gifted performer has a son and two
grandsons in Scotland. She likes small, intimate
parties and not large Hollywood-style
first-night openings.
At the close of the interview, as this reporter
walked away, Ms. Gingold, thoughtfully
and flatteringly, called after her: "My
dear, you have very beautiful legs"—an
opinion equally shared by a certain naughty
Yorkshire terrier!
Ed "Too Tall" Jones of the Dallas Cowboys
and Lyle Alzado of the Denver Broncos
will play assassins in Mulberry Square
Productions' "The Double McGuffin."
MERCHANT ADS-SPEOAL TRAILERS
Trailerettes-Daters
COLOR—BLACK & WHITE
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PHONE (515) 288-1122
April 3, 1978 SE-1

ATLANTA
Miracle Northlake and Perimeter Mall,
"Casey's Shadow;" Cobb Center. Lenox
Square and South DeKalb, "Straight Time;"
Cobb Center and five drive-ins, Greenbrier
and four drive-ins, "The Evil;" Tower Place
6, Cobb Cinema and North DeKalb. "An
Unmarried Woman;" Cinema 75, Loew's 12
Oaks Twin, Arrowhead and Ben Hill, "The
Fury;" Parkaire and Westgate, "Gray Lady
Down."
WOMPI Cindy Byerly and her husband
Steve, a news photographer at WXIA-TV,
Atlanta's ABC outlet, offered to house a
chef of Nicolai's Roof at the Atlanta Hilton.
The visitor has been to the Berlin Film
Festival and is planning to attend the Cannes
Festival. Crose rented a car and made a
quickie visit to Jacksonville, Savannah, Mobile
and New Orleans to become better
acquainted with the Southland. Cindy. Marcel's
hostess, is a receptionist/ secretary at
the Buena Vista exchange. She and Steve
were delighted to participate in the Friendship
Force movement. They hated to say
goodbye to their visitors and will try to host
another guest when the next FF announcement
is made.
Rock promoter Jerry Weintraub is near
an agreement with the Elvis Presley estate
for a film version of Presley's life story.
Weintraub, who arranged many of Presley's
tours, is negotiating film details with Presley's
l^arquee changes: Cinema 75, Loew's Tara,
father Vernon and Col. Tom Parker,
Mableton Triple, Old Dixie, Weis
Presley's manager and mentor. "There is
Doraville. Westgate, "American Hot Wax;"'
nothing hanging it up," Weintraub said. "I
Akers Mill. Belmont Hills. Old Dixie, Perimeter
am sure to be the one to do it. Col. Parker
Mall and Phipps Plaza, "House Calls;"
and I have a long relationship. It is going
Tower Place Six and Emory Cinema,
to be a motion picture of Presley's life story
"Julia," Northlake. Omni 6, Perimeter
and I'm going to produce it."
Mall, Tower Place and Town & Country,
"Crossed Swords;" Phipps Plaza Twin, National
&
Meanwhile Elvis' stepmother Dee says
Triple, Town Country Twin and she and her two sons will reveal new facts
Stonemont Twin, "High Anxiety;" Greenbriar,
in a forthcoming book she wants to call
"Elvis. We Love You Tender." "My sons
Parkaire, Omni 6, Jonesboro Twin,
South DeKalb and Suburban Plaza, "Here will have a lot to tell that hasn't been told
Come the Tigers;" Mableton Triple. Roswell
and so will I," she said. Dee's comments
Village Twin and Tower Place. "Rab-
were part of an interview published in a
Memphis newspaper. "The boys were close
bit Test;" Lenox Square, National Triple,
to him the last nine years of his life. They
worked for and with him and Elvis took
them on tour as close companions at an
early
age."
Doris Chase, internationally acclaimed
sculptor and film and video artist, showed
and discussed several of her films at the
High Museum of Art March 12. Chase is
the second artist in the 1978 Southern Independent
Film Circuit, a program of films
and filmmakers. The program was partly
funded by the National Endowment for the
Arts and is travelling through several South-
Belgian Friendship Force participant by the ern states.
name of Marcel Croes and we're delighted
to learn that he was a staffer with the Belgian
Several films presented during the 1977
National Radio Network as well as a International Film Festival in Berlin arc
being shown in the Goethe Institute. Atlanta
Brussels film critic and journalist. They
showed him the sights of Atlanta and the in cooperation with George and Michael
surrounding area. Steve arranged for Marcel Ellis, the owners and operators of Cinema
Gallery, 2825 Peachtree Rd., N.E. The films
to interview the maitre d'hotel and head
include "Mozart. A Childhood Chronicle;"
"You Can't Eat Without a Set of Cutlery."
a film which portrays the marriage of a
German woman and a foreign worker in
Berlin, "Zero Hour," which recreates the
moment in history between war and peace;
"The Expulsion From Paradise," and "Disorder
and Early Sorrow," a film based on a
story by Thomas Mann. All films are in
German with English subtitles.
Charles Fischl, president and general manager
of the Atlanta Ballet, announces that
the ballet has been given an $18,000 grant
by the dance program of the National Endowment
for the Arts. The grant will sup-
1
-

. . . WIOD
MIAMI
panied movie and stage actress Julio Harris
got rave notices for her live ap-
the Performing Arts . . .
pearance in Miami Beach in "The Belie of
Amherst." She appeared at the Theatre of
Ann Margaret
and Joe! Grey of)ened March 28 at the
same spot.
The Footlighters' Memorial at Giilfstream
Park Race Track March 27 honored one
of the greatest horse players of them all.
the late comedian Joe E. Lewis. His brother
Murray still lives in Miami Beach.
The Variety Club presented awards and
installed officers at the Dupont Plaza Hotel.
"Great Gal" was Marie MacDermott; "Distinguished
Service" recipients were Norma
Huttone, Darlene Searle and Judy Sauls:
"Great Guy' " was Harry "Lifty" Lewis.
past president of the Footlighters, and
"Good Samaritan" was past president of
Miami Showman's Ass'n John Campi who
was re-elected president of Variety Club.
Awards were presented by Newell Taylor
and Ed Melniker. both past presidents of
Variety Children's Hospital.
John Huddy, columnist for the Miami
Herald, points out that Frank Sinatra may
have caught the most expensive case of flu
in the annals of show business. A source
close to the Sunrise Musical theatre in Hollywood,
where Sinatra was booked and appeared
in several performances, said that the
Sinatra virus cost the Sunrise owners some
$450,000. There were seven canceled appearances
in the big Broward County theatre,
and tickets cost $17.50. That's 3,800
seats per show, or a total of 26,000 customers.
TTie show was a sellout. Sinatra is
due to return this month to make up the
lost
dates.
The old Liberty Theatre, 6702 N. W. 15th
Ave., Miami, was resurrected by a group
called the Apostolic Revival Center. The
fourth anniversary of that resurrection and
the eighth year of the ministry of that group
was celebrated with a dinner and awards
banquet March 25 at the Joseph Caleb
Community Center.
It was announced that the Miracle Theatre
in Coral Gables, an old, ornate and elegant
structure built during the Depression
era, will close Sunday (23), remain closed
for eight weeks, and reopen as a modernized
twin theatre. While the theatre will lose
some of its former atmosphere to the modern
design, it was pointed out that films are
so expensive one can't afford to have a
flop that remains on screen because of a
minimum engagement contract. With two
screens in one theatre, the exhibitor spreads
the risk and insures the investment.
"On Target," the newspage for progressive
showmen published by WOMETCO Theaters,
listed recent promotional activities for
its current films. For "Casey's Shadow," for
example, special quarter horse races were
nm at Pompano race track. Free passes
were given to lucky patrons at the gate.
Eight top world championship harness drivers
switched sports especially for the race,
and were given special plaques with pictures
of Walter Matthau and the horse,
Casey's Shadow. Bob Cox of Pompano set
up special displays at the Lakes Mall and
Patio Theatres . . . Theatre personnel wore
hospital lab coats and caps labelled with the
name of the new Walter Matthau/Glenda
Jackson vehicle, "House Calls." A "doctor
of fun and entertainment" was on hand to
greet patrons, and also to go house to
house delivering contest winners' passes
radio hosted a free screening
of "An Unmarried Woman" . . . Harold
Robbins came to town to promote "The
Betsy," receiving quite a lot of attention on
radio and in print. Station WIOD gave out
guest passes and books in a contest.
The Grove Theatre on Virginia Street has
closed its doors after an extended period of
slow business. John Waller's theatre gave it
a try, but couldn't face the competition of
the Fendelman brothers' Grove Cinema and
Nat Chediak's import house, the Cinematheque
in Coral Gables.
Baptist Hospital's Medileague is
having a
night of "Saturday Night Fever" for the
hospital's center for rehabilitation services.
On March 25 the group sponsored a silver
screen soiree, which included vintage films,
talks by critics, and an appearance by Martin
Kreloff, an artist known for his large
silhouette-style portraits of 1930s movie
stars. The show was held at the Omni hotel.
Kiddie Shows Being Offered
At Florida Adult Theatre
RIVIERA BEACH, FLA. — An X-rated
adult theatre here has adopted the unusual
policy of giving free Saturday morning
children's shows of cartoons and film features,
according to a nationally-syndicated
story from the Associated Press:
"Most days and nights the theatre's fare
portrays steamy sex. But once a week the
X-rated stars are replaced by Bugs Bunny
and Elmer Fudd.
"When the adult theatre here opens its
doors to neighborhood children every Saturday
morning. Charles Hart, the manager,
even strips the lurid posters off the walls.
Children 16 years old and under are admitted
free of charge, and adults are allowed
only if accompanied by a child.
"What they see is strictly family fare. One
Saturday, for example, it was three cartoons
and Jerry Lewis in 'Sad Sack.'
"After the matinee Mr. Hart checks theatre
seats for young stowaways who might
want to see the X-rated shows later.
"Mr. Hart says the reversal of movie
fare on Saturday mornings is his way of
saying thank you to the people of Riviera
Beach. 'If not for the community, my theatre
would not be a success,' Mr. Hart says.
T wanted to show my appreciation by doing
something for the kids. These are all G-
rated. fun movies with cartoons. I want to
see smiles on those children. They have
nothing to do here in town.'
".Some parents are enthusiastic. 'We're
behind him,' said Alfred Snoddy. father of
five. "We hope this continues. We can't even
take our children to the drive-in any more."
MEMPHIS
^emphians have a special reason to be
interested in the 20th Century-Fox
suspense film "The Fury" which opened at
the Paramount, Raleigh Springs Mall and
Whitehaven Cinema. Author of the book
from which the film was made is John
Farris, former Memphian and Southwestern
graduate, who also wrote the screen play.
Another Memphian, Andrew Stevens, young
son of Memphis actress Stella Stevens, pl^ys
an important role in the film.
W. G. Kirkscey, is now doing the booking
and buying for Cinema 72 in Collierville,
which was formerly handled by Tri-
State Theatre Service.
Charies Arcndall advises that the Carousel
Drive-In, Fordyce, Ark. and Calvert City
Drive-In, Calvert City. Ky. reopened March
24 and the luka Drive-ln. luka. Miss., reof>ened
on March 16.
All seats were filled
on the Variety chartered
bus which made the trip to the races
at Hot Springs, Ark. Among those who
attended were WOMPI president Deltine
Craig and her husband Jim: Fay and Lonnie
Sheets: Evelyn and Fordyce Kaiser and Martha
Reinert .
Juanita Hamblin of Malco Theatres is
collecting money for WOMPI's Will Rogers
Memorial Fund.
Deltine Craig, WOMPI president, called
a board meeting on Monday. March 13, at
which time two members were approved.
The new members welcomed were Mrs.
Virginia Moss of Malco Theatres, sponsored
by Juanita Hamblin of Malco and Mrs.
Lin Peterson of Blevins Popcorn, sponsored
by Catherine Gipson, also of Malco.
Elizabeth Coleman, community service
chairman, reports that a group of WOMPIs
met at the home of Mary Katherine Baker
March 22 to fill Easter baskets for the
Durham Home for the Elderly. Baskets were
delivered the following day.
Frances Salmon announced that the first
Buck-of-the-Month drawing was held at the
WOMPI meeting March 27.
Evelyn Rushing of Malco Theatres and
her sister Addie Vescovo recently made a
trip to Shreveport. Louisiana to visit relatives.
Birthday greetings for .April go to Marianne
Gordon (7). Ruth Slaton (14). Mildred
Miller (15). Sue Owings (26) and Jessie Rae
Lucy (29). All are members of WOMPI.
FLORIDA THEATRE
EQUIPMENT
& SUPPLY CO.JNC.
EVERYTHING VOU NEED FOR YOUR THEATRE'
1966 N.E. 149th St. •N.Miar ""
Tel: f305) "" "
BOXOFTICE :; April 3, 1978 SE-3

. . . Richard
. .
CHARLOTTE
Qood, good news: Joe Bishop sr. (retired
American International Pictures) and
A. W. "Hap" Bell (retired Warner Bros.)
were expected to be released from Charlotte
Memorial Hospital. Joe had undergone tests
and checkups, and Hap had surgery. Hap
is short for Happy, and he is always optimistic
about everything. He said when he
got home, he would participate in the annual
Easter Monday golf outing, for which he
and L. A. Ireland (of Charlotte Booking)
have worked relentlessly all these years.
Proceeds of the outing went to the Will
Rogers Memorial Hospital. Good luck Hap
and Joe.
New pictures on the marquees: "Straight
Time" (Charlottetown Mall). "Crossed
Swords" (Eastland Mall). "Casey's Shadow"
(Park Terrace). "American Hot Wax"
(Charlottetown Mall). "The Fury" (Capri),
"Blue Collar" (Village and Carolina). "Return
from Witch Mountain" (Park Terrace).
"House Calls" (Eastland Mall and Southpark).
Top grosses of the week: "Straight Time."
".American Hot Wax." "The Goodbye
Girl" (Southpark 1), "Crossed Swords."
Charley Hunsuck (United Artists branch
manager) is feeling plenty relieved after
having disposed of his back brace after a
year of agony and discomfort.
John Clayton, film director, was in town
conferring with "Erv" Melton (Car-mel
studios). Clayton has just completed a production
in Egypt.
Bill McClure (Universal Pictures) had
"The Greek Tycoon" set up for a screening
last week, but no print arrived. His last
sneak had been postponed because of snow
in Cincinnati. As soon as "Tycoon" arrives
in Charlotte. Bill will set up another screening.
Karen Grondin, beautiful secretary to Ed
McLaughlin (Columbia Pictures), was pleasantly
surprised by her co-workers who gave
her an unexpected birthday party at which
there were cakes and refreshments.
Screenings at Car-mel: "The Fury" (20th
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Century-Fox), "Lasar Blast" (Charlotte
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NEW ORLEANS
^OMPI members Earlinc Dupuis. .A,nna
Power, Georgette Leto, Eileen Dalier,
Anna Clare Leggitt, Yvette Cardinale, Sherry
Martiny, along with WOMPI friend
Gerry Richard, met during their lunch
hour Tuesday, March 21 to make candy
packs for the ABBE residents . . . Books
and clothing donated by members and
friends were delivered to the patients at
Charity Hospital by Yvette Cardinale.
Make plans for you and yours to attend
a gala evening of fun and thrills. WOMPI is
undergoing another exciting Night at the
Races, set for Friday (14) at Jefferson
Downs. Tickets are a must! Contact either
Yvette Cardinale or Anna Power for yours.
A plant and garage sale is slated for Saturday
(29) at 611 Bonnabel Blvd., Metairie.
La. Conact either Anna Power or Yvette
Cardinale and arrangements will be made
for pick-up of merchandise anyone wishes
to
donate.
All WOMPI's have their allotment of
cookbooks and copies may be secured at
$1.50 a copy.
Welcome to Glenda Jatho! She's a new
WOMPI. and works with Film Inspection.
Inc. Glenda has been in the film business
for a number of years and will undoubtedly
be an asset
to the club.
Welcome to the new president of LOV.
Grace Sehrt Frayer. Many will remember
her as Grace Sehrt Schneider, when she was
LOV president from 1961 to 1964. She returned
as president in 1972 and 1973 after
being on the ways and means committee
for three years. Now that she has retired
from her position in the business world, she
is ready to start again to try to help Variety
help children. Grace has planned a
general meeting on Wednesday (5) at her
home in Lakeview so that she may meet
the members of LOV and make plans for
the future. The monthly luncheon and bingo
was held at the club headquarters. Andrew
Jackson Restaurant. March 22.
John John, head of United Artists' advertising
department, visited with local UA
people Gene Goodman. Frank Rule and
.Addie Addisen. and with Bill Cobb. Lakeside
and Westside Theatres, and Irene Mexic.
Star Advertising.
The Sena Mall Theatre is getting all
spruced up with a face lift for the summer
Brown has been assigned as
the new manager of the Do Drive-In.
:iOOKINe SERVICE^
230 S. Tryon St., Suite 362, Chorlotte, N.C.
Frank Lowry . . , Bill Ciine
Phone: (704) 377-9341
JACKSONVILLE
JJaster weekend newspaper blowup ads for
films, all in multiple showings, touted
"The Goodbye Girl," "Julia," "Malibu
Beach," "American Hot Wax," "Casey's
Shadow," "House Calls," "The Fury," "Return
from Witch Mountain," "Blind Rage,
"Saturday Night Fever," "High Anxiety" and
"Star Wars." Playing singly were "Straight
Time" at the Expressway Mall Cinema and
a Good Friday sneak of "Hanging on a
Star" at the Town & Country.
Willie Tarn, a native of Hong Kong and
more recently an industryite from Guam,
has joined the Clark Films distribution firm
here to head up its national release of art
films. Willie is also enrolled at the University
of North Florida as a graduate student.
La Faunn Poston, a staffer at Clark
Films, originated a series of bikini contests
to publicize showings of "Malibu Beach"
in three Eastern Federal Theatres. It is expected
that La Faunn's promotion idea will
be used nationally by Crown International,
the film's producer. Prizes to winners in
the
contests included EFT passes and novelty
Malibu Beach balls.
Back from Show-A-Rama in Kansas City
were American Multi Cinema executives
E. A. "Gene" Jacobs and Bob Capps .
Betty Poston. AMC, is recovering from a
hospital stay for minor facial surgery . . .
Karen Smotherman of Clark Films resigned
her post to accompany her husband to a
new job in San Diego. Cal.
Norm Going, the local Florida Times-
Union's lifestyle editor, flew up to Chicago
for an interview with Jane Fonda during a
promotion there of her new starrer "Coming
Home." Miss Fonda indignantly rejected
the report that she is no longer a political
activist.
Roddy McDowall's movie career over
the past 37 years received good and nostalgic
treatment from Ann Hyman, Times-
Union entertainment writer. Roddy was in
town for a concert appearance with the
Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra at the
Coliseum. He leaves here London for to
star in "The Thief of Baghdad," an NBC
film also featuring Peter Ustinov and Omar
Sharif.
Widely publicized in local theatres and
newspapers is an Academy Award contest
being sponsored by five major theatre circuits
operating here: ABC FST. Kent Theatres,
EFT, AMC and the General Cinema
Corp. The paperwork involved in judging
the thousands of entries is being handled
in the .A.BC FST home office advertising
department by Ralph Puckhaber and associates.
Skyrocketing singing star Debby Boone
has been given for marquee billing here
over her movie star father. Pat Boone, a
former hometown boy, for a concert Monday
(10) in the 8,000-seat Coliseum, with
lickets ranging from .$7 to $9.
SE-4
BOXOFHCE :: April 3. 1978

Laurel Leaf Productions
Is Off to a Flying Start
DALLAS— Laurel Leaf Inc.. a national
disliibiilor and film production company,
showed a net profit for its first eight months
Bennie Grimes
H. LaVeme Smith
according to H. Laverne Smith who is also
a Texas Location auditor.
Smith heads up production while Bennie
Grimes is in charge of distribution. They
are editing their first feature film "Kris!
and the Legend of Mount Shasta," a family
production slated for release im June.
Laurel has options on several outstanding
scripts and screenplays in all the ratings
categories.
Grimes has long been recognized as an
expert in distribution while Smith has a
broad background in the business and production
phases of the industry.
Santikos Circuit in Alamo
City Joins Short Film Fest
SAN ANTONIO—The Santikos Theatres
circuit in San Antonio is participating in the
National Endowment for the Arts Short
Film Showcase.
The endowment is supplying the theatres,
which include the Northwest Six. Century
South Six, Central Park Fox, Olmos and
several drive-ins, with three short films to
run with featured movies.
The shorts are "Lapis." one of the early
computer-generated films; "Clay," in which
clay animals transform from whales and
anteaters into turtles, oysters and dinosaurs;
and "Frank Film." an Academy Award winning
film that's a visual blitz of cut-out
images.
The films will be shown in an irregular
basis at the Santikos theatres.
Park Dedicated to Ritter
NEDERLAND, TEX.—The late motion
picture star and country and western singer
Tex Ritter was honored by this Southeast
Texas city where he attended school when
a downtown park was dedicated in his
honor.
Ritter. who died in 1974. was born in
Panola County and attended the University
of Texas at Austin before breaking into
show business by singing cowboy ballads on
a Houston radio station.
Ken Ritter, a nephew of the singing star
and now mayor of nearby Beaumont, delivered
an address at the dedication.
The cowboy singing star is biired in nearbv
Port Neches.
Report on 'The Whole Shootin Match'
Given by One of the Film's Big Guns
DALLAS — The Times-Herald ran the
following accoimt of the USA Film Fcst
offering, "the Whole Shootin' Match." written
by one of the production's pistols. Lin
Sutherland. She is the 28-year-old niece of
Times Herald columnist Liz Carpenter and
is one of a group of young Texans who
wrote and produced "The Whole Shootin'
Match." which was selected to compete in
the recent USA Film Festival in the Bob
Hope Theatre at Southern Methodist University:
When the phone rang, it was a call from
William Jones, director of the USA Film
Festival in Dallas. He gave us the news
"The Whole Shootin' Match" had made it!
It was one of 1 1 films selected "One of the
Best New American Films of 1978" to be
exhibited during the recent festival, he explained.
Pair Join Forces
Eagle Pennell and I formed Maverick
Films, Inc. and started work on "The Whole
Shootin' Match" a year ago.
I've
But I
I had never worked on a picture before.
been an observer and free-lance writer.
love a good story and new experience.
so when Eagle asked me to help write the
screenplay. I jumped on the opportunity
with very little idea of what I was getting
into. But you ain't gonna win the horse race
yellin' "whoa." I wanted to do it and believed
we could. With Eagle's determination
and artistic ability. I knew it would be worth
a
shot.
It took us two months to write the script.
That was the easy part, as it turned out. Creating
dialogue and scenes and characters is
what I like to do. but it's just the beginning
of putting together a 105-minute finished
motion picture.
Budget at $15,000
"The Whole Shootin' Match" was made
with a crew of seven, counting the director
and myself, and a $15,000 budget. It was
shot around Austin on 16 shooting days that
averaged 17 hours each. While we were
shooting it, I kept seeing articles in the
paper about how Texas was becoming a
popular place for Hollywood pictures to
be shot, but I read nothing on the independent
work Texas' own film makers are doing
here— yet there we were, all from Austin,
making our own movie.
Working on "The Whole Shootin' Match"
was unique for all of us. We were committed
to "do anything to get the picture made."
Each crew member did four of five jobs at
once.
I was assisting in the producing, managing
aspects of the business, acting as contact
for the location people and for the cast and
crew on production schedules, acting as production
assistant, grip, "gofer" and general
gap-filler during shooting. Doug Holloway
(assistant producer) was. like myself, workins'
on his first feature. On location he
would be setting up the lighting, taking still
photos, loading and unloading equipment
and changing magazines all at once. Wayne
Bell (sound producer) would be holding an
8-foot boom and recording simultaneously,
doing his own soundman's dance around the
actors, just out of frame and with a permanent
tilt to his shoulder from holding the
recorder for 13 hours. Jim Rexrode (art director)
was ingeniously coming up with the
inventions for the story, finding props and
costimies, and dressing the sets. He, Wayne,
and Sonny Davis and Lou Perry (the lead
actors) were holding down full-tirae jobs
throughout it all. as well.
The one who worked the hardest and did
the most, though, was Eagle. He was handling
most of the producing work and directing
and shooting the picture. Then, too,
he edited it. Several times, after we had been
shooting for 12 hoius and had just finished
a scene and I thought I was going to die
my mouth would drop open when I would
see Eagle going right on to the next set-up
and four more hours of shooting! He pushed
and made us push ourselves. We had to.
When each day is costing a chunk, the day
must be 24 workins; hours lona if it has to
be.
It was the joint effort and unflagging dedication
of everyone involved to make a good
picture on our own that makes "The Whole
Shootin' Match" so special to me. When we
began a year ago. Eagle told me he knew
entertaining, interesting features could be
made successfully on low budgets outside
of the Hollywood aegis and without using
the Hollywood formula. Audiences just
want good, honest pictures they can enjoy.
And that's what "The Whole Shootin"
Match is, I couldn't be prouder of it.
First Austin Film Fest
Emphasizes Education
AUSTIN— Austin's new Texas Film Festival
hit town March 10 and its goal was
to spotlight amateur, student and independently
made films.
James Elliot, a festival coordinator, asserted
"Our whole thrust is we would like
people to attend and then leave with a little
more than they knew when they came in."
The stress, he added, was on involvement
through workshops, seminars, screenings,
and awards.
Workshops were offered in filmmaking
using super 8 and 16mm film and in video
technology. Celebrities such as director Edward
Dmytryk ("The Caine Mutiny") were
on hand to share their experiences and.
talents.
Over 250 films from all over the country
were submitted for judging in categories
ranging from live action and animation to
documentary.
Elliot, director of the Austin Film and
Video .Society, hopes that the festival will
help establish Texas as a national film base.
BOXOFHCE :: April 3, 1978 SW-1

DALLAS
Rennie Lynch, of Grimes Film Booking reports
a break of "Where's Willie?"
opening in E! Paso Tuesday-Monday (14-20)
and Wichita Falls. Mav 5-11. The picture
has been doing excellent business thus far.
Mary Crump, chairman of the WOMPI
"Bosses Luncheon." May 12 is working diligently
to have a most enjoyable program
of interest to both the WOMPIs and their
bosses. Mark your calendars now to save
that date.
The April WOMPI luncheon will
be held
tising program got a rousing, boisterous
greeting from disgruntled fans who booed
and hissed the spots . . Critic Philip
.
Wuntch devoted several columns to the USA
Film Festival, its films and filmmakers.
Perrin Plaza Twin Cinema
Now Owned by C. Anderson
SAN ANTONIO — The Perrin Plaza
Twin Theatre is now open for business imder
the banner of Cliff Anderson, who is a
newcomer to the motion picture industry.
Anderson is also an associate partner in the
Independent Theatre Supply Co.
The theatre complex is being managed
Restoration of Old Theatre
Stirs Nostalgic Memories
BH.^UMONT—The following story recalling
the old Jefferson Theatre here recently
appeared in the Houston Post:
"Al Sacker and friends have fond memories
of the Jefferson Theatre in its heyday.
They are working to restore some of its old
glory.
" "I used to play hooky from school to
come over and put my ear to the door and
just listen to the organ." says Sacker. .58,
who became a musician and played for silent
movies at the Jefferson and other theatres.
" "As kids we used to nm in the aisles
.a the Holiday Inn Central. Thursday (20).
until the ushers came out and stopped us."
which time the proposed slate of officers
at recalls Earl Brickhouse. "and there was a
will be presented for election of the new
whole lot of courting in those balconies.'
board for the 1978-79 term.
The NATO of Texas Transportation committee
by Dan Shoemaker who has extensive management
background, most of it being with
"Although run down now the Jefferson
was a grand palace of fantasy when it was
and the Texas Film Carrier Ass'n
the military in which he served for 20 years. built in 1927 at a cost of $1,000,000 as a
committee met February 22 in San Antonio His first contact with the movie industry showplace for silent films, vaudeville, traveling
resolve NATO complaints about shipping
was when he was associated with Santikos
orchestras and cultural events.
to
weights and tardy deliveries. The carriers
Theatres Inc. Shoemaker has dedicated himself
"The theatre seated 1.800 in an old Span-
pointed out that standard weights had been
to the theatre industry and promotional ish atmosphere, complete with six types of
techniques.
imported marble in the lobby, Moorish false
assigned in an agreement between the two
groups signed many years ago. The late deliveries
Anderson conies to San Antonio from windows, an 18-foot chandelier copied from
Palace and Milwaukee. Wis. This is his first adventure the of Versailles etched glass in
were relatively isolated occurrences
and in
the suggestion was made to contact the
the operation of a theatre. He has, however,
an extensive background in electronics, "It had five floors of dressing rooms,
the powder room.
carrier where the infraction had occurred.
The two committees agreed to meet semiannually,
or when a need arose.
ment.
in a lot of money,' Sacker says—and a 20-
sound systems and motion picture equip-
four safes— 'They must have been bringing
The pair stated that they will be showing seat screening room used bv local critic
A spate of pulled releases, recently, served first and second run features at the Perrin Merita Mills— 'Everybody feared Merita
Twin with a commitment to honesty, sincerity
to underline one of the main weaknesses of
Mills.'
blind bidding which works hardships on exhibitors.
"There were decorative nude statues of
and dedication to the public and the
The rescinded pictures were United film industry.
Artists' "Apocalypse Now." "Lord of Rings."
Apollo and Venus and a 790 pipe theatre
organ.
"The Last Waltz" and "Comes a Horseman,
"Sacker has restored the organ, which
'Night
Wild and Free"; Warner
Drum' Plays
Bros.' "Superman."
Witch City
cost $30,000 originally and is now valued at
bid for June and now slated for December: SALEM, MASS.—"Night Drum." Japanese
$93,000. He still plays.
import, was screened at the Peabody
and Paramount's "Going South."
Museum of Salem on a recent Friday nigh!
"Hearing him expertly pump out some of
the old silent screen music as the giant oraan
rises from the orchestra pit on a hy-
The Fort Worth Star Telegram reported at 8:30 p.m. Admission was $].5Q for all
that the highly-touted motion picture adver-
seats.
draulic lift makes one wonder why they
needed films.
" 'It's the only theatre organ in operation
in Texas.' says Sacker. now a music teach-
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April 3, 1978

Scheduled
For Release
July, 1978
i
r
This mule will kick you
off your Blazing Saddle!
STARRING
RORY CALHOUN "'S^ErjrDONKNOTTS
Angela Richardson • Richard Webb • Dee Cooper • Cathy Carricoburu •
Doodles Weaver • Noble "Kid" Chissell • Frank Onerman • Arthur Roberts
Written and Directed By Donald R. Von Mizener
Produced By Robert F. Slatzer
Animated By John Paul Jones
Associate Producer Ross Hawkins
Harry Weed Productions
822 North La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90069 • (213) 652-5254

. . K.TFM-FM
. . "The
SAN ANTONIO
Kfart' Casas is the new assistant manager
at ABC Interstate Theatres Inc. Broadway
Theatre where Fred McClellan is serving
as manager ... A movie made by three
local men has won a first place award in the
first Texas Film Festival. The festival, which
took place last weekend in Austin, Te.K.
awarded a first prize in documentary to
Dave Middleton. Claude Stanush and lack
Landman for their film "The Newton Boys;
Portrait of an Outlaw Gang," The film is
about a gang of bank robbers that worked
the South Te.xas area in the 1930s, and includes
interviews with the surviving members
of that
gang.
Bob Polunsky. whose column Flicker
Footnotes appears in the San Antonio Light
was in Chicago recently for a special screening
of "The Fury." He interviewed Brian De
Palma, Amy Irving, producer Frank Yablans,
and Carrie Snodgress about the film
which is currently being seen at the North
Star Cinema and Century South Six . . .
Radio station KTSA late shows included
"American Hot Wax" at the UA Cine Cinco
and "High Anxiety" at the UA Movies 4
Midnighters included
"Rocky Horror Picture Star" in its 30th
week, "High Anxiety," "Crossed Swords"
and "Eraserhead" at the Northwest Six and
"American Hot Wax," "The Fury," "House
Calls" and "Casey's Shadow" at the Century
South Six.
John Wayne, the Hollywood film great,
who was scheduled to appear in San Antonio
for a talk at the Cattlemen's convention, was
unable to attend due to illness . . . The San
Antonio Film Society presented at Chapman
Graduate Auditorium at Trinity University
"The Goalie's Anxiety at the Penalty Kick,"
a 1972 film by Wim Wendler: "An Autumn
Afternoon," Yasuiro Ozu's final film before
his death in 1963; "Four Nights of a
Dream,' a 1971 film by Robert Bresson;
"White Nights" and "Duel in the Sun" directed
by King Vidor. All films are scheduled
for April showings.
"The Red Shoes" was shown March 5 in
the Fiesta Room of the Loftin Student Center
at San Antonio College; March 11-12,
"The Romantic Englishwoman" was shown;
"A Doll's House" was screened March 25-
26 . . . "I, A Woman" was booked for
screening at the UPTSA Student Representative
Assembly Film Series in the Humanities-Business
Bldg. and "The Taming of the
Shrew" was shown on March 20 in the same
location.
i new film titles appearmg on
local marquees are "The Evil" at the San
Pedro, Mission. Town Twin, Aztec 3, Judson
4 and Capitan and "An Unmarried
Woman" at the Northwest Six . . "Annie
.
Hall" has returned by popular demand at
the New Laurel Theatre .
Big Sleep"
opened at the Northstar Cinemas and UA
Movies 4; "Crossed Swords" opened at the
Northwest Six, UA Cine Cinco and OA
Movies 4 and a double bill of "The Child"
^
^
^
and "Axe" at the Aztec 3. Judson 4 and
Capitan.
Special Film Series Held
At San Antonio College
SAN ANTONIO—A short film series
was shown at San Antonio College. Not
only does the series have a brief run, the
films featured are short, too.
"The Possibilities of the Short Film; 24
selected Works of Modern Filmmakers"
was shown in McAllister Auditorium.
Jack Landman, independent filmmaker
and director of the San Antonio Film Society,
selected the film's which ranged from
two and one half to 25 minutes long.
Films which have been grouped according
to the filmmaker's approach under the
titles "The Pixilated Momentary Image."
"Manipulation of Light" and "The Commonplace
Transformed."
Other themes were "Altering the Celluloid."
"The Beauty of Cinematography"
and "The Animated Image."
Short film series of this type have been
done in New York and on the west coast,
but have not been common elsewhere. Landman
moderated and introduced the films
to give continuity to the presentation, which
showed film as an innovative art form in
America.
One Way Productions plans to begin
lensing in May on "Inchon," an $11,000,-
000 war epic with Mitsuharu Ishii as executive
producer.
"JOIN
US
in Electing
farmer
Governor
PRESTON SMITH
as Texas'
Next Governor . . .
Vote for him
in the May 6th
Democratic Primary"
(A Paid Political Announcement)
. . . TEXAS THEATRE EXHIBITORS can assist PRESTON SMITH
in his campaign for re-election ... run a copy of above
trailer on your screen(s)
National Screen Service
7138 Envoy Court
Dallas, Texas 75247
RUSH trailer immediately to
Theatre Exhibitors should order trailer no
later than April 12th from:
Ruth Heitman
NATIONAL SCREEN SERVICE
7138 Envoy Court
Dallas, Texas 75247
Theatre
Address
City
Ordered by
SW-
April 3, 1978

HOUSTON
Universal Theatres, in
conjunction with the
Adult Film Ass'n. of America, will
present
the First Annual Village Theatre Erotic
Film Festival featuring four weeks of 1977s
top X-rated films completely uncut and uncensored.
The first double bill was shown
March 22-28 and included "The Joy of Letting
Go" plus "China Girl." The doublefeature
screened March 29-Tuesday (4) included
"Hard Soap, Hard Soap" plus "The
Jade Pussycat." On Wednesday-Tuesday
(5-11). the twin bill will consist of "Opening
of Misty Beethoven" and "Every Inch a
Lady" with the final double bill showing
Wednesday-Tuesday (12-18) will consist of
"Mary. Mary" and "Oriental Babysitter."
All seats are priced at $5 with discounts for
couples and college students. There is also
a $12 Festival Ticket good for all four
programs.
Shooting has begun in Houston of Brian
Pinette's "Forgotten Lady." Scenes have
Hill and Filomena . . .
been shot with Coleen Gray who stars in the
film as an actress trying for a comeback.
The movie features Robin Hurky. Dallas
Lance Stevens, a
local dance instructor is receiving numerous
telephone calls from people who desire to
.
learn the dance steps in the movie "Saturday
Night Fever," especially the Manhattan
hustle or body language . . Eric Gerber
Houston Post film writer interviewed Robert
Mitchum when the star visited Houston
on a promotional visit on behalf of "The
Big Sleep" in which Mitchum plays the role
of Philip Marlowe. In 1976 Mitchum first
appeared as Marlowe in the remake of Raymond
Chandler's "Farewell, My Lovely,"
a remake of "Murder, My Sweet."
Luis Bunuel's "That Obscure Object of
Desire" opens an exclusive Houston engagement
at Greenway 3; "Straight Time" opens
at the Festival 6, Gaylynn 2. Memorial 2
and Shamrock 6; "Here Come the Tigers"
opens at the Allen Center 3. Almeda 9 East,
Deauville 2. Festival 6, Northoaks 6, Southmore
6, Southway 6, Town & Country 6,
Westchase 5. Irvington. Gulfway 2 and
Telephone Road 2; "American Hot Wax"
at Champion 2, Gulfgate 2, Meyerland 2.
Northline 2 and Town & Country 6;
"Casey's Shadow" at Almeda 9 West. Galleria
2, Greenspoint 5, Loews Town &
Country 3 and Southway 6; "The Fury" at
Loews Saks 2, Tower, Loews Town & Country
3 and Weslwood 3: "Catherine" at the
Gulfway. Parkway, Thunderbird. Triple
drive-ins and Allen Center; "Return from
Witch Mountain" at Clear Lake 2, Champion
2, Gaylynn 2, Memorial 2, Northshore
and Parkview.
Also "House Calls" at the Almeda 9 East,
Clear Lake 2. Greenspoint 5. Northoaks 6,
Northwest 4. Shamrock 6 and Woodlake
3; "An Unmarried Woman" at Almeda 9
West; Northoaks 6, Northwest 4 and Town
& Country 6; "The Man Who Loved Women"
at the Greenway 3 and "Crossed
Swords" will have a multiple opening as
will "The Big Sleep."
Special showings include "The Eternal
Return." "Christopher Strong," "The Magic
Flute" and "Island of Lost Souls" at the
Museum of Fine Arts ... At the Rice Media
Center films shown include "We All Loved
Each Other So Much," "Funeral Rites,"
Delphine Seyrig in "Aloise," "Pat Garrett
and Billy the Kid." "L'Avventura." "Metropolis."
"Providence" and "Chomana's Drum."
Univ. of Penna. Sponsors
A Film Course Near Cannes
PHILADELPHIA—The history department
at the University of Pennsylvania summer
school will offer an accredited course
in contemporary cinema at the Cannes Film
Festival. The course, "The Cannes Experience,"
will be conducted from May 13 (o
June 3 and the students will be housed in
the Chateau de La Napoule, a few miles
from the festival.
The contemporary cinema course, which
will be linvted to 20 students, will be conducted
by Dr. Stuart Samuels, of the Walnut
Street Theatre Video-Film Center, and Seth
Willenson of Films, Inc.. a film rental firm.
Washington Street
Theatres to Reopen
BO.STON—Washington Street, once the
Rialto of motion picture theatres in the Hub,
lined with fabulous huge rococo and art
deco film houses with vast auditoriums, may
stage a comeback to former glory. The situation
looks promising with the proposed
elimination of the "combat zone" and it's
array of sleazy porno theatres and peep
shows. The Washington Street block containing
the Savoy I and II, the long dark
Paramount, Modern and Mayflower theatres,
has been designated by the state as a
National Registry Landmark site.
The Savoy I and II which opened as the
RKO and which operates now imder the
Sack banner, is the only one of the houses
operating. The Paramount, a classic example
of art deco, which wound up its day as a
porno house, may be re-opened. The Modern,
which was renamed the Mayflower,
was opened in 1914 as the first Hub theatre
built solely for the purpose of showing
motion pictures. It. too. has wound up its
days as a porno house but is being renovated
as a legitimate theatre. David Archer, of the
company which took over the house, says
spring 1979 has been set for the opening
date of a program of short plays by Edward
Albee, "Albee Directs Albee."
Pending approval from Washington the
landmark site appelation means that the
block cannot be torn down and that renovations
must be within certain set limits.
Funds are expected to permit a face-lift and
clean up the old theatres. Archer plans a big
Wednesday (12) gala benefit for the bulding
fund at the Aquarium, the former Loew's
Orpheum. The benefit features a 1914 motif
commemorating the year the Modern opened.
Another plus for the revitalization of
the old theatre palaces is the Lafayette
Place project across the street, which would
contain a mall and a Disneyland-type
amusement park rides and games for children
while their parents are shopping.
Dan Witt is associate producer of "The
Double McGuffin."
'/mves/ern j/iea/re Uauijbmen/ ^qiupi_ (jo.
CINERAMA IS IN
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HAWAII TOO.
When you come to Waikiki,
don't miss the famous
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at
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Houston, Texas 77003
(713) 654-1461 -Office
(713) 931-0748 -After Hrs.
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BOXOFFICE ;: April

Austin Filmmaker's Production Is
Picked as a USA Film Fest 'Best'
DALLAS—The work of
a young Austin
filmmaker and his team were among the 1
pictures selected as winners by the USA
Fih-n Festival judges. Dallas Times-Herald
writer C. W. Smith wrote the interview with
Eagle Pennell which we quote:
If you thought feature filmmaking was
the sole province of a closed circle of Hollywood
producers, then you would have had
a surprise at the USA Film Festival last
Sunday when Austinite Eagle Pennell presented
his full-length film "The Whole
Shootin' Match."
A labor of love by seven energetic, but
broke young Texans. the film was shot on
weekends when the cast and crew were off
their regular jobs. The budget for the 105-
minute nim was $15,000 to $20,000, most
other, his latest creation.
He means Texas film, or what he calls
"regional film."
"Most of the time when people make
films about Texas, somebody from Hollywood
writes a script and then somebody
else comes running down and checks out
a location, and then maybe the director
knows something about the stale or he
doesn't."
Pennell thinks of his films as "imiversal,"
but he bases them on Texas material "because
it's what I know. I think filmmakers
should know their material. A lot of times
when we were doing 'Shootin' Match' we
got to know people who had loaned us their
om
mA>^
a
houses or bars for locations. I think a film
has to come out of a place and a time, and
I think the maker of it has to be aware of it."
Pennell's film concerns the ups and downs
of a couple of "good-old-boys," Frank and
Lloyd, who as buddies and business partners
have had to endure the agonies of defeat
over ill-fated ventures—such as chinchilla
raising. Determined to make their mint and
their mark on the world, thev go into poiyurethane
foam spraying, onlv to suffer defeat
at the hands of their decrepit equipment
purchased with waning funds. Lloyd
is an erstwhile inventor specializing in madcap
contraptions such as a revolving ring
which makes a continous circle of soap
bubbles and an automatic bait dispenser "so
you don't have to try digging them last couple
worms out of the bottom of the bottle."
While journeying through a carwash in his
rouse by gulping down bottles of Lone Star
and by picking up girls in dance halls.
"I got interested in those characters when
I was doing the first film," Pennell explained
"Frank and Lloyd aren't exactly
rednecks, but they are working class and
they're one generation removed from the
farm, from the country. They can't really
adapt to the urban way of life, but th-it's
how they have to make their living. They're
caught in between," added Pennell. who
lists oldtime Hollywood filmmaker Frank
Capra, known for his "common man" pictures,
as an influence.
"Texas is changing, and it's an exciting
place. So even if I had a big budget, this is
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and concession sales, by using
Merchant Ads, Snack Bar films,
and Special Announcement films.
(Write For Your FREE Copy)
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still the kind of story I'd choose, because
I think poor people lead much more interesting
lives than rich people do. With more
money to make a film, though, I'd be more
free to have a bigger scope, I could do a
lot of things better. I could shoot it in 35
millimeter instead of 16. for instance."
Pennell said that even if he had had more
money to do "The Whole Shootin' Match,"
however, he still would have done it in black
and white film because that choice "fits the
story and the characters."
In many other ways. Pennell also worked
to make virtues out of liabilities. Lacking
the funds to secure sophisticated equipment
for lighting. Pennell used high wattage bulbs
which could simply be screwed into regular
sockets on location.
Much F"ree
"That helped me get
Labor
the effect of natural
light," he said.
Aside from the lab costs which consumed
a large part of the budget, most of the labor
on the film was done gratis by the film's
of it raised from friends and investors willing
to take the gamble.
actors and small crew, which Pennell speaks
battered old pickup, he gets a notion about
Had Popular Support
of in the manner of a man discussing his
a mop which dispenses wash-water and vacuums
it up as it goes along. He and Frank "After two films, we're really more of
family.
"We gave people a percentage against the
profits," said Pennell, the film's 25-year-old
sell the motion to a crooked patent attorney, an ensemble now, so that even if I should
director and co-writer. "But most people
predictably blow their money before it's get a lot of money, I'd still use them. I think
gave us money because they wanted to see
earned, and are left having come full cycle Lou (Perry) and Sonny (Davis) and Doris
this kind of film made."
back to their life of amiable poverty.
(Hargrave) are as good as any actors in L.A..
When Pennell says "this kind of film"
and the same is true of people on the crew.
he's not exactly talking about a "type" because
not enough examples exist to create
Seamy Side Scenes
"But with more money. I could hire
a category. Currently, there are two films Crammed between the developments of somebody to shoot the film wh'le I would
of the kind he means. Both his. one called this plot are scenes of roadside taverns, direct. Either one of those is a full job by
"A Hell of a Note." based on a short story ranch-houses, and the tacky outskirts housing
of Texas cities. Frank and Lloyd ca-
other film."
itself, and I had to do both on this and the
by Texas writer Larry L. King, and the
Pennell believes that the indigenous Texas
material he brings to the film and the int'-
mate knowledge and feeling he has for it
results in a kind of cinema which cannot
be had from a major studio.
Charm and Humor
Though the lack of a big budget and the
ensemble's relative youth have resulted in
an effort which still retains some earmarks
of an amateur film, "The Whole Shootin'
Match" is notable for a rambimctious charm
and style of humor which could only be
classified as Texan.
Pennell and co-writer Lin Sutherland
wrote a script, but after rehearsing individual
scenes, Pennell allowed the actors to
improvise dialogue, and while thev were on
location, he found that some of the best
parts of the film came from the spontaneous
discovery that certain situations had comic
potential. A moment characteristic of this
soirit occurs during a scene when Lloyd and
Frank are trying to back a trailer down a
caliche road leading to the geodesic dome
of their first polyurethane foam customer,
described by Lloyd as "a rich hippy." Lloyd
and Frank are never more winning than
when they do a kind of unself-conscious
Laurel and Hardv nimiber in trying to best
each other in backina the trailer.
Born and raised in Andrews. Pennell began
college at the University of Texas, but
dropped out of whnt he describes as that
"cattle barn" after onlv one year there.
"I think sU'dvin". film nlakin^ in collcae
BOXOmCE Apri 1978

Tucker,
is a waste of time. I think you've got to just
get out into the business and work." said
Pennell, who has supported himself in the
past by working as a cameraman for a commercial
production house. "I saw a lot of
movies as a kid, and I made my own super
8 films later, but I never seriously considered
making feature films because I thought
that everybody had to go to Hollywood and
get the "gold key' or something before they
school, he would dive into the business of
making films instead of studying about
them.
With his own savings. Pennell made the
short feature "A Hell Of A Note." using
.Sonny Davis and Lou Perry.
"I think that film is crude now. but it
was a learning experience. I see how it
taught me some things that made 'Shootin'
Match' easier to make. I'd advise anybody
who wants to get into filmmaking to do it
the way I did. I just went out onto the sets
and himg aroimd until finally somebody let
me work as a grip, and then I just hung on
imtil gradually I got to do a little of everything."
Pennell hopes that a distributor of foreign
art films and special-audience films like his
own will be interested in taking "The Whole
Shootin' Match" and putting it
into the theatres.
It couldn't be said that "A Whole Shootin'
Match" was the best film screened at the
USA Film Festival. But it wasn't the worst,
and it had the rare distinction of being to
cinema what Lone Star is to beer and Willie
Nelson is to music.
Regioncd Film Competition
Opens at Texas University
AUSTIN, TEX.—A six-state regional
noted Dr. Bill Mackie, assistant professor
of radio-television-film at UT.
Student filmmakers from Texas, Oklahoma,
Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana and
Mississippi are eligible to enter the regional
competition. Cash awards and trophies vvll
be awarded by the academy for outstanding
achievement in four categories: animated,
documentary, dramatic and experimental
films. Dr. Mackie explained.
Last year a UT radio-television-film student,
Frank Binney, won the top award in
the documentary category for his film on a
brewery in Shiner, Texas.
Deadline for submitting entries was Saturday
(1). Entries will be reviewed in preliminary
judging conducted by committees
could do it."
But while Pennell was at UT. he became
aware of another Austin filmmaker by the
name of Toby Hooper, who later hit boxoffice
gold with "The Te.xas Chainsaw Massacre."
At that time. Hooper had produced
a film about the singing group Peter, Paul
and Mary for PBS and a kind of small, in each of the nine regions throughout the
counterculture feature called "Eggshells." country, composed of faculty, local film
Hooper's example inspired Pennell to think professionals, journalists and critics. Dr.
that rather than waste his time going to film Mackie said that films will be judged on
originality, entertainment, resourcefulness of
the filmmaker and production quality.
To be eligible, films must have been
completed after April 1, 1977, in a studentteacher
relationship within the curriculum
of an accredited college or university. Films
of any length in 16-, 35-, or 70mm may be
submitted. Siiper-8 films with composite
magnetic tracks will be considered in the
regional competition, but must be converted
to 16mm in order to be eligible for
the
finals.
The preliminary judging at UT will be
from Wednesday (5) through Wednesday
(12) with the selection of winning films in
each category on Friday (14).
The films viewed by the regional jury
(14) will be shown to the public at 4 p.m.
and 8 p.m. on Saturday (15), and regional
winners will be announced.
The academy's membership of leading
film industry professionals will screen the
regional winners. National awards will be
presented May 28 in the academy's Samuel
Goldwyn Theatre in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Cash awards of $1,000 will be given in
each of the four categories. Other presentations
that may be made are two additional
merit awards of $500 each and an honorary
award of $750. Winning students will be
flown to Los Angeles for the awards ceremony.
New Arts Center Is
Auto Dealer's Goal
GlEN BURNIE. MD,— When Harold L.
Gladding says "Thank You!" he really says
it in style. The local automobile dealer announced
that he is offering to build a 600-
seat theatre as part of north Anne Arundel
coimty's urban renewal program as a gesture
of appreciation to the community for his
business success.
Part owner of Gladding Chevrolet, Ritchie
Highway, and Lee Oldsmobile, Crain Highway,
he stated it would be a non-profit veniLuc,
funded by him and operated by a
foimdation. He added that he would also
build a french-style restaurant adjacent to
the theatre which would be modeled after
his highly successful eaterie in the Mount
Vernon area of Baltimore. The estimated
construction cost, according to Gladd'ng,
is $500,000.
H. Erie Schafer. county urban renewal
director, said that the theatre is "... a
significant step toward revitalizing business
in Glen Burnie. Here is a man who has had
sLipport from the community for his business
and now he wants to return that support."
Gladding and Joseph Aiello, his partner
in the Chevy dealership and in a county
real estate company, own two of the 21
acres targeted for a shopping mall along
Ritchie Highway. A tentative, preliminary
drawing of the proposed theatre and restaurant
was unveiled by the donor at the
urban renewal office at the time of the announcement.
The civic-minded business
leader revealed that he will meet with the
three developers who have submitted proposals
for the mall to discuss the best way
to incorporate the performing arts center
in their plans.
The trio. Rouse Company. Developers
General Inc. and Ralph Di Chiaro Enterprises,
will have to resubmit their mall plans
according to Schafer.
Gladding took a realistic look at his proposal
as he said "I realize it's not a moneymaking
venture but the community's been
good to me. The center will be available
film competition for university and college
for plays, musicals and film presentations."
student filmmakers will be held at The University
of Texas at Austin this month. Ads Back "High Anxiety' Bow
performed at a local, vacant A&P super-
Schafer recalled that a theatre troupe had
Winners in the regional judging will move NEW LONDON—Twentieth Centurymarket
in recent years. "From what 1 remember,
they had good attendance." he
on to the finals of the Fifth Annual Student Fox's "High Anxiety" was booked for its
Film Awards competition, sponsored by the southeastern Connecticut premiere,
noted. All concerned in the Gladding project
are
day-anddate,
into the UA Groton Cinemas 2 and
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
and the Academy Foundation, and the Sampson-Spodick-Rosen Norwich Cine-
hopeful that the troupe's success is
an omen for their future venture.
the American Telephone and Telegraph mas 2, backed by one of the largest preopening
advertising compaigns for a major Michael Robson wrote the screenplay for
Company.
The Student Film Awards competition is
release in many weeks.
"The 39 Steps."
designed to recognize outstanding achievement
in film production bv college students.
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BOXOFFICE :: April 3, 1978 SW-7

First Annual Texas Film
Fest Overcomes Confusion
business, and independent film and video
AUSTIN. TEX.—The first annual Texas makers absorbed knowledge from Franklin
Film Festival had some obv;ous growing Miller, a University of Iowa professor with
pains—which at least means the festival is experience in commercials, feature films
healthy and moving forward it was reported and popular experimental works.
by Diane Werts. entertainment staff writer Somehow the mixture seemed to work.
Although Saturday's workshops concentrated
of the Dallas Morning News.
Based at the University of Texas at Aus-
on high school students, with Sunday
set aside for college and independent filmmakers,
the two groups meshed easily. By
it the end of the festival really didn't seem
tin, the festival combined video and filmmaking
seminars, screenings of feature films
and the student short films entered in the
festival competition and discussions between
the student festival participants and estab-
I'hsed filmmakers, both experimental and
studio-based.
The problems that cropped up were bothersome—lack
of a printed program with
times for screenings, causing confusion as
to starting times, and one workshop canceled
because of equipment problems. But
the only major snag came when Chuck
Jones, animator of Bugs Bunnv and other
Warner Bros, cartoons, canceled his appearance
when his wife died the week before
the festival.
Most Plans Worked
Amazingly enough, 90 per cent of the
festival's ambitious plans came off, and
thafs even more surprising because nearly
all its activity was concentrated on a Saturday
and Sunday, with onlv a feature film
screened Friday night and some collegelevel
entries shown Monday.
Four hundred high school and college
students attended 13 workshops, ench an
hour or two long, which were crammed into
Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Portable
video, video art, studio television production.
Super 8 and 16mm filmmaking and
film animation workshops attracted as many
as 70 students, filling communications center
classrooms.
Director Is Questioned
Saturday evening's screening of "The
Caine Mutiny" and a discussion with its
director, Edward Dmytryk, drew more than
200 eager viewers who bombarded the director
with questions when he took the
stage after the film. The range of questions
showed the diversity of the festival's appeal.
Some, obviously asked by college film students,
centered on Dmytryk's studio experiences
and specific techniques he used for
certain scenes and films and with certain
actors; others, posed by apprentice high
school filmmakers, showed enthusiasm without
experience. One drew a bit of a laugh
when a young questioner asked "What's the
best and most expedient way to be a director?"
Dmytryk's reply was polite but made il
clear things aren't quite that simple. The
elements going into this festival weren't
versity of Texas students wanted to know
how to prepare for getting into the film
strange to see a detailed discussion of
dollies and cameras between two boys whose
voices had barely changed.
High School Offerings
The high school films screened included
animation, documentary, commercials and
story films and some showed amazing control
of filmmaking; others were amateurish
and silly. The college entries were more of
a revelation—there was amazingly colorful,
creative and skillful animation in "Roll 'Em
Lola," a car chase with a pimch line, from
the University of Southern California;
simple story-book charm in "Twaladora,"
be easier.
"We were really just going in the dark
this time," he said, collapsing into a snack
bar chair near the festival's end. "We were
expecting about a thousand people and got
about 460-and it really worked out better
that way, I guess.
Goal Is Realized
"Otir idea in starting it was we wanted
people to leave knowing more than they did
when they came in," he said. "And we did
that."
Some Dallas students came out winners
in the TEA high school film competition.
First place winners included Skyline Center's
Allan Shiffer for the documentary
"Washing and Airplane," and Arnold Joe
Bennet for the commercial "G.I. Joe."
Other Skyline winners were John D. Chapel,
with third place for the dramatic film "The
Bug," and Russ Chandler, with third place
for the commercial "Ford Thunderbird."
Jesuit College Prep had a winner with
"Reaching Out," a second place documentary
by Vincent A. Laino jr. and David
either, and that's what made it so interesting.
Jenkins.
The festival was sponsored by the Uni-
versity of Texas, the Austin Film and Video
Ramridge Productions, recently formed
Society and the Texas Education Ass'n.,
by Conrad Bain, will begin filming next
arnd each group drew a different type of
film fan. TEA brought high school teachers year on "Scott's Last Expedition," the adventures
and even parents who wanted to know more
of British Navy Capt. Richard
about film education and opportunities and Falcon Scott, who died searching for the
equipment for younger filmmakers. Uni- South Pole in 1912.
Floyd Mutrux Talks About
Film 'American Hot Wax'
DALLAS—The Morning News film critic.
Philip Wuntch, carried the following
accoimt of some backgroimd of "American
Hot Wax," as related by director Floyd
MiUrux:
Floyd Mutriix's "American Hot Wax,"
which received the largest ovation so far of
any film at the USA Film Festival, was almost
canceled by the studio a day before
shooting began because of the lack of a
major star.
"I had cast Tim Mclntire as Alan Freed
because he had rock "n' roll spirit," Mutrux
said Thursday before his film was shown
for the festival audience at the Bob Hope
Theatre. "James Caan and George Segal
didn't want to do the movie, and Elliott
Gould was in Canada. As it happened, I
think we were lucky."
Not Freed's Story
Although the film centers on Freed's final
days as rock 'n' roll arbiter and king of
New York disc jockeys, Mutrux emphasizes
it is not "The Alan Freed Story."
"That would be an entirely different
in which a green elf sets a young girl's spirit
story. The star of this picture is the music.
free, from the University of Texas; and
Freed is secondary."
"Roy Obi," the affecting story of a black Mutrux tried to get the top remaining
city worker's loneliness, filmed in black and
rock 'n' roll stars for the movie's climactic
white at New York University.
concert at the Brooklyn Paramount Theatre
One complaint from the filmmakers was.
(Actually, it was filmed at the Wiltern Theatre
with screenings and workshops crammed
in Beverly Hills, Calif.) He was suc-
cessful at getting Chuck Berry and Jerry
into two days, they had little opportunity
to talk with each other and compare ideas. Lee Lewis to recreate their acts but had
Festival co-director James Elliott agreed the
less luck with Fats Domino and Little Richard.
problem existed and, with the fatigue of
getting this first festival off the ground,
Two Stars Missing
replied in a hoarse voice that next year will
"Fats Domino can't even come to California,"
Mutrux said. "He's got eight exwives
and they'd all jump on him for alimony.
And Little Richard is now a minister
in Watts. He's totally involved with God
and religion. He said Arthur Freed was the
biggest influence in his life but he doesn't
perform anymore."
He cast Laraine Newman of "NBC's Saturday
Night Live" as a character named
"Teen-age Louise" without having seen a
segment of the television series.
"She just walked into the office and was
very cheerful and very right as a 1959 teenager,"
Mutrux said, "I hadn't seen 'Saturday
Night Live' at all. The character she
plays is supposed to represent Carole King,
but I don't know how many people are
going to catch that. It doesn't reallv matter
if they do."
Although the film skims the surface of
Alan Freed's personality, Mutrux anticipates
a media blitz on the controversial disc
jockey, who died penniless in 1964.
"There's no doubt Freed died heartbroken.
He was accused of payola, but that was
part of the territory then. That was the day
of the $50 handshake. But once they took
away his music, they took away his spirit."
Pat Hingle has been cast in the Mel Simon
production of "When You Comin'
Back Red Ryder" set to shoot Monday (3)
on locations in El Paso and Las Cruces,
N.M.
SW-8
BOXOFHCE :: April 3, 1978

. . . Westlane
MILWAUKEE
Wariety Club's Wisconsin Tent 14 was the
big gainer and Marcus Theatres Inc..
the pacesetter, when a new record for
Variety Club collections was set the week
before Easter. Executive Carl Konrad, with
Marcus, reported to Boxoffice with unrestrained
enthusiasm that four movie houses
—Capitol Court (twins). Northtown (triplex).
Skyway (triplex), and Southtown Cinemas
(triplex) in West Allis—had set a new
record for collections over a seven day
period. Ushers armed with cannisters went
into action immediately following a movie
trailer (screened at the start of each show)
concerned with the services of Variety
Club's Children Charities, and came up
with a grand total of $4,380.
One usher at Capitol Court led all the
others by a substantial margin when he was
credited with collecting $485. This correspondent
would also like to point out that
at least one Marcus theatre collects for
Variety all year long. This is the Centre
Twins on Wisconsin Avenue which permits
its Variety Club display to remain in the
inner lobby on a permanent basis and when
I asked the theatre manager. Sean Downs,
about it. he said the display draws contributions
the year round.
Len Schuize, divisional director for the
Kohlberg Theatres, has been busily engaged
in getting that circuit's outdoor houses ready
for openings in March and April. Part of
the "getting ready" was looking for signs of
over-winter vandalism and, in general, making
repairs where needed. We were interested
to learn that June Coppo. wife of the
longtime movie exhibitor. Fred Coppo, has
been an assistant manager at the Point triplex
on Milwaukee's south side for some
months now.
"Early bird" patrons at the U.A. theatres
of Northridge and Southridge can buy their
tickets for only $1.25 starting daily at 10
a.m., Mondays through Saturday. However,
the tickets must be used before 1:30 p.m.
Cinemas advertises all seats
at daily matinees for "$1.50 'til 2:30 or
capacity." . . . Mill Road Fourplex and
Spring Mall Triplex have a special Monday
bargain matinee 'til 5 p.m.
chronicled in newspapers after the cocaineglorifying
'Superfly' made the circuit. According
to reports, cocaine use among youths
in Brooklyn. N.Y., soared in the wake of
the film. Therefore, such exploitation films
cannot be granted a clean bill of health."
The writer points out that these sevenyear
old films are shown regularly "in Milwaukee
theatres, including two on Wisconsin
Ave., and a third on the North Side.
These are significant locations because they
are the only neighborhood theatres for North
Side residents and, therefore, the only moviehouses
many blacks patronize. Many suburban
theatres are simply too far away."
Movies exploiting blacks are primarily
supported by black moviegoers who "make
up 25% of the total moviegoiflg public."
Alexander claims. "It is also no secret that
when theatre operators realize there is no
profit in blaxploitation movies they will stop
rimning them," he adds.
But there is good news in the offing, he
says. Fewer exploitive films are to be shown
in downtown theatres beginning in spring.
to parents who have—or who have ever been
tempted to—let a five hour triple feature of
"It might also give greater peace of mind
carnage, profanity and fornication do the
babysitting while they do their downtown
shopping."
Move Is On to Save Block
BOSTON — Washington Street, once a
prime cinema center for metropolitan Boston,
is taking on renewed importance. The
block containing the Savoy and the nowshuttered
Paramount and Mayflower-Modern
has been designated a National Registry
Landmark Site by the state, in effect, meaning
that, pending expected Washington approval,
the block cannot be torn down.
According to local reports, the Paramount
is to be reopened. The Modern, renamed
the Mayflower several years ago, has reverted
to its original name and will play
legitimate theatre attractions. The 1914-
built structure was the first Boston theatre
constructed for the express purpose of exhibiting
motion pictures. The Savoy still
shows films.
Estherville Grand
Converted to Twin
ESTHERVILLE, IOWA—The Grand
Theatre here has been completely remodeled
and expanded into a twin situation. A Strong
Laddie D. Kozak, owner of the
Grand Theatre, Estherville, Iowa, is
shown with the new Lume-X system
which was obtained from Slipper Theatre
Supply, Omaha, Neb.
Lume-X system obtained from Slipper Theatre
Supply in Omaha was installed in the
booth to provide brilliant screen illumination.
Both projection booths are completely automated
and both auditoriums are decorated
in a contemporary theme, featuring reds and
blues.
Grand I seats 535 viewers, while the
Grand II will accommodate 174.
Laddie D. Kozak, owner, reports that a
private viewing booth is in the process of
completion in Grand IL Enhancing the twin
in a readily visible way is a totally new
facade, especially designed for the Estherville
cinemas.
Double Feature Festival
CALGARY — The Brentwood Theatre
here presented a Midnight Film Festival
on March 4, with "Jesus Christ Superstar"
and "Silent Running" as the screen attractions.
Scores of so-called "black" movies, made
their way to the theatre between 1971 and
1974. recalls a Journal reporter, when "they
shared the dubious distinction of being low
budget flicks that were long on sex and violence
but short on everything else. Most
were rated R." The writer, Luther C. Alexander
jr., says the critics believed these
dubbed "blaxploitation" because they
films,
cap'talized on the desire of many black
moviegoers to see black faces in leading
roles on the big screen, with their glorific.'tion
of violence and drug abuse would
indelibly influence the millions of yoimg
blacks who saw them.
"There are cases of youths who apparently
were enticed by the glorification of drug
pushing, flesh peddling and macho sex."
Alexander writes. "One such connection was
m
Make
•@«fiSH
FILMACK'S 1978 INSPIRATION CATALOG
it your aid to increase your attendance
and concession sales, by using
Merchant Ads, Snack Bar films,
and Special Announcement films.
(Write For Your FREE Copy)
FILMACK STUDIOS,
1327 S.Wabash Ave., Chicago, III. 60605
(312)427-3395
BOXOFHCE April 3, 1978 NC-1

. . Bob
. . Bud
MINNEAPOLIS
paramount branch manager Forrie Myers is
hoping that all his many exhibitor
friends will support the Minneapolis branch
in the current Paramount sales drive that
continues through July 28. Says Myers:
"I'm hopeful all will aid us during this push.
Quotas have been assigned to the various
branches across the country. When 100 per
cent of that quota has been reached at any
time during the drive, that branch automatically
becomes a winner. I'm hoping all
the branches will win!" But Myers indicated
he'd really like to be one of the early victors.
And there's another Paramount drive
coming up at the local branch. This will
be "Bonnie Lynch Week," June 14-20, honoring
Bonnie, who's the branch booking
manager and is in her 37th year at the
Minneapolis offices. "We're hoping to break
all shipments records," declared Myers.
Walter Badger will be the new branch
manager here for United Artists. Badger,
who has been in sales with UA in Denver
for nearly seven years, currently is working
with retiring branch manager Chet LeVoir,
who steps down Saturday (15) . . . Meanwhile,
Cart Olson. United Artists division
manager, was here March 20 from New
York City on routine branch matters.
Alice Baier, secretary to Ed Gulberg, buyer-booker
for Plitt North Central Theatres,
welcomed a baby boy March 11... Stan
McCulloch, of the buying-booking service
that bears his name, and his wife departed
March 17 for a ten-day vacation in the
Cancun, Mexico, area.
Larry Bigelow, American International
Pictures branch chief, screened the finished
version of "The Chosen" March 15 at the
Plitt Skyway Screening Room. A three-minute
product reel on "California Dreaming"
was part of the program . Lahti
and Kermit Eisinger, board members of
Minneapolis Theatre Supply-Northwest
Sound, returned from a winter vacation that
carried them through Texas, Arizona and
California.
John Rohr, Marlow Theatre, Pine River,
Minn., was the subject of a lengthy and
praise-filled article in the Pine River Journal.
The very detailed account presented a
complete history of Rohr and his theatre.
noting he opened it in 1934 and is Pine
River's "oldest consecutive businessman."
Julie Yackly, Minneapolis Theatre Supply-
Northwest Sound bookkeeper, had been hobbling
around town, thinking that she had a
touch of arthritis. Finally, she limped over
to a doctor who discovered she had a broken
bone in her ankle! Only minor treatment
was necessary during a brief hospital stay,
the bone somehow almost working itself
back into position and healing nicely. Julie
is back at her desk, laughing about it all.
(We grow 'em hearty here in the North
Country!)
Filmrow Visitors: David DcLitsch, Maco
Theatre, Virginia, Minn.; Norm Olson. Park.
Park Rapids, Minn.: Joe Carriere. Hallock
Drive-In, Hallock, Minn.; Leonard Novak,
Warren Drive-In, Warren. Minn., the latter
two booking for their spring openings.
The Universal branch was delighted with
the impressive bow made by "House Calls."
Meanwhile, branch boss Frank Zanotti has
"National Lampoon's Animal House" out
for offers for an August 4 bow. "Sgt. Pepper's
Lonely Hearts Club Band" is available
in the Twin Cities for July 21. "I Want to
Hold Your Hand" is day-and-dated Friday
(28) at the Skyway II Theatre here and at
the Har-Mar in St. Paul. And Universal's
"The Big Fi.x." starring Richard Dreyfuss,
will be an October 13 arrival.
Among the several film folk from this
territory who attended Show-A-Rama in
Kansas City were Jim Ellis, Carisch Theatre
circuit, Wayzata, Minn, and Harry
Green and Martin Pinkstaff, Midcontinent
Theatres. Minneapolis.
Marvin Mann reopened March 17 his
Highland Theatre, St. Paul, which had been
closed due to a January fire. Mann has
twinned the house by creating an auditorium
in the former balcony area. He ends up
with two good-sized auditoriums, some 600
seats on the main floor and 400 on the
second level. Mann operates both his Highland
screens on a 99-cent policy.
Dick Maiek, Warner Bros, branch manager,
winged off to Denver March 20 for a
three-day sales huddle . Woodard,
Chief Theatre. Bemidji, Minn., and Jerry
Hickerson, Galaxy Theatre, Thief River
Falls, Minn., returned with their wives from
a vacation trip to South America.
Audrey Hagen, Warner Bros, branch
billing clerk, noted her 35th year with WB
March 17 and it turned into a surprise event.
She was guest of honor at a dinner March
16 tossed by her many branch buddies. The
next day, when Audrey returned from
lunch, she was given a surprise welcome by
a host of longtime friends who had assembled
to greet her.
The Rock Lake Theatre, Rock Lake,
N.D., has been operated by Mr. and Mrs.
O. C. Ishler, in the theatre business 48 years.
Now the Ishlers have leased the theatre to
the Rock Lake Jaycees. The theatre is being
operated by Dennis Leas for that organization.
Student Group Examines
Marquette Film Policy
MILWAUKEE—A controversy has developed
at Marquette University here over
the university's unwritten policy prohibiting
the showing of X-rated films on campus.
The issue was brought out in the open in
the campus newspaper, the Marquette
Tribune, when a request to show X-rated
"Last Tango in Paris" was denied.
University officials said that the request
was denied not because of the film's content
but because of the institution's "unwritten
policy" concerning films of that nature.
Since then, the university's student government
committee has been examining Marquette's
film policy closely.
"Last Tango in Paris" was one of three
films scheduled to be a part of the university's
Fine Arts Week. "The Passenger"
and "Amacord" also were planned, to be
followed by a panel discussion. All the films
had been endorsed by three Marquette faculty
members, who had agreed to participate
in the panel discussion, but only "Amacord"
was shown during the Fine Arts Week activities.
Several new film policies have been considered.
The committee on student life recommends
that student organizations file applications,
including film synopses, with the
student activities office. The film request
would be approved or denied by the student
activities director, who also could refer the
request to a faculty committee for recommendation.
A final decision probably would
come from Marquette's vice-president of
student affairs.
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NC-2 BOXOmCE April 3. 1978

; to
. . . Judy
. . Ray
. .
REFINED
Gentleman
ORhow
N0R8ERTRILUEUX
wasflie
original
SugarDaddy.
On August 26. 1842,
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he enclosed condensation coils
in a vacuum chamber. A
process that's made things a
lot sweeter ever since.
You can make your future
a little sweeter, too. by buying
U.S. Savings Bonds through
your Payroll Savings Plan.
They're the dependable
way to save for an education,
vacation, or even retirement.
Because they always pay off
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So buy U.S. Savings
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And be a "sugar daddy" in
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i K Bonds pay 6% interest when held to
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'House Calls' Leads
In Minneapolis Bow
MINNEAPOLIS—The Easter Week vaeation
period (important here because of
the large numbers of students affected, including
some 40,000 at the University of
Minnesota) got under way with eight new
arrivals. That broad menu of fresh fare
might have diluted the overall figures. At
any rate, there was no real barn-burner in
the lot, though "House Calls," "Straight
Time" and "Return From Witch Mountain"
found abundant takers. "House Calls" bowed
at the Brookdale Theatre and The Movies
at Burnsville with a hefty 290. "Straight
Time" opened at the Skyway III and the
Southdale, and it cornered a fine 260. "Return
from Witch Mountain." aimed at the
moppets during this vacation period (and
finding them), did a nifty 180. "Blue Country"
was a light 95 at the Edina I. Others
shared readings that were in a narrow range:
"American Hot Wax" spun to a 140 in a
Brookdale, Movies at Burnsville—House Calls
(Ur
Cooper High Anxiety (20th-Fox), 7ih wk
Cooper Cameo, Movies at Burnsville—Return
from Witch Mountoin (BV) .,
Edi-na I Blue Country (SR)
Edina II—The Other Side of the Mountain
Part 2 (Umv), 6th vrk
Four theatres American Hot Wax (Para)
Four theatres—Casey's Shadow (Col)
Four theatres CJray Lady Down (Umv),
2nd wk
Mann—Coma (MGM), 5th wk
Park—Star Wars 120th-Fox), 43rd wk
Skyway II—The Goodbye Girl (WB), 13th wk
Skyway III, Southdale—Straight Time (WB)
Suburban World-That Obscure Obiect of
Desire (SR), 3rd wk _
Three theatres—Crossed Swords WB)
Three theatres-The Fury (20th-Fox)
Three theatres Saturday Night Fever (Para),
14th
World—The Turning Point (20th-Fox), I3th wk
CATV Tower Gets 'Okay'
FALMOUTH, MASS.—Increased Cape
Cod cable antenna television (CATV) reception
is expected this spring with completion
of a receiving antenna by Massachusetts
Cablevision Inc. The company had
been held up with construction plans because
it was awaiting a zoning variance
from the Falmouth Board of Appeals. Final
approval now has been given for the special
permit. Massachusetts Cablevision is promising
"12 channels of excellent, sharp, clear
channel
reception."
PES MOINES
Qniversal's branch manager, Mike Dunn
left March 26 for San Diego and the
national sales meeting for one week. His
wife accompanied him to visit her mother
Wilson, Paramoimt branch manager's
secretary and her husband left March
30 for one week in Jamaica.
Steve Blank, Central States, and his wife
are vacationing in Acapulco last month .
Ginny Biggs has resigned from the Central
States drive-in booking dept. to take other
employment. Leanne King has been moved
up to take Ginny's place. Nancy Torode is
the new face taking over Leannc's old
job . Cox in accounting, and his
wife left March 25 for a week in Las Vegas
to play games and visit their son who lives
there.
Tim Johnson, Dubinsky Bros., and his
wife are in Washington, D.C. to visit the
Smithsonian Institute for two weeks
Jerry Fischer is the new manager at the
Wakonda Theatre. He has been working on
four-screen opening; "Casey's Shadow" rode
to a 135 in a quartet of bows. "Crossed a training program at the Sierra theatres
Swords" carved out a 135 on a trio of and started his manager's position at the
screens, and "The Fury," so heavily advertised,
was a rather calm 120. But this was worked for Iowa United Theatres in Wash-
Wakonda on March 13. Jerry previously
only the start of the spring vacation period ington and Iowa Falls . . . Congratulations!
and exhibitors were hoping for bigger David Collins, manager of the Sierra 3 theatres
and his wife Debbie are the proud par-
things. Namely, grosses.
Is 100)
ents of their first child. Christy Suzanne was
Brookdale Close Encounters of the Third Kind
(Col), 14th wk
born March 11, tipping the scales at 7 lbs.
2 oz. Also giving birth was Jeanne Maness
wife of Jay Maness manager of the Midlands
IV Theatres in Council Bluffs. Jay is
the proud father of a 7 lb. 13 oz. baby boy
named Michael William.
Visiting the Des Moines film exchanges
recently were Abbott Swartz of Minneapolis
and Dennis Voy from Maquoketa.
'The Scarlet Letter' at Yale
NEW HAVEN—"The Scarlet Letter,'
1926 MGM release starring Lillian Gish,
was screened as a free attraction in the
Yale University Art Gallery lecture hall on
a recent Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. Piano
accompaniment was provided.
W
Take
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CINERAMA IS IN
SHOW BUSINESS IN
HAWAII TOO.
When you come toWaikiki,
don't ft|[Mjjl^>m miss the famous
[]j^^3^ Don Ho Show. . . at
15?^ Cinerama's Reef Towers Hotel.
April 3, 197S NC-3

This space contributed by the pubhsher as a pubhc
John Wayne, Honorary Crusade Chairman.
Maybe well core cancer
without your help^
but dorft betyour life on it<
The way it stands today, one American out of four will someday have
cancer. That means it will strike some member in two out of three
American families.
To change those statistics we have to bring the promise of research to
everyday reality. And to expand our detection program and techniques.
And that takes money. Lots of money. Money we won't have — unless
you help us.
The American Cancer Society will never give up the fight. Maybe we'll
find the answers even without your help. But don't bet your life on it.
American Cancer Society sje.
We want to cure cancer in your litetime.
NC-4 BOXOFFICE :: April 3, 1978

CLEVELAND
^wo of the principals in the big hit "Saturday
Night Fever" visited here this
weeiv. Paul Pape, accompanied by other
Paramount personalities, stopped at the Rare
Cherry, a large and popular disco in an
eastern suburb. Donna Pescow, who plays
Annette, also visited our city. She declared
that her role tested her love of acting because
it required her to look 15 pounds
heavier than she really is. Her hair was
dyed and cut to fit the role. She portrayed
a girl with "old fashioned ideals" such as
virginity and marriage who desperately
wanted to attract the disco king John Travolta.
Donna and Paul also were supposed to
appear at the opening of "The Happy Apple,"
Cleveland's newest disco. Tt turned out
to be "The Un-Happy Apple." In spite of a
promotion by a local radio station which
had issued 500 passes, the city fathers refused
the club a permit to open. They cited
violations of the fire code, the most serious
benig that the doors opened inward. The
owners are working hard to correct the defects.
In the meantime Donna celebrated
with the contest winners at "Swingo's" in
downtown Cleveland.
Even if you can't carry a tune, for a $5
contribution to WCLE radio's benefit for
the Cleveland Orchestra you can sing along
with Mitch Miller Saturday (8) at Severance
Center and Sunday (9) at Parmatown. Miller
will be on hand for three days of musical
hoopla beginning Friday (7).
Gay Marshall, dancer-actress-singer, is
the
first Clevelander chosen to join the national
company of "A Chorus Line." She will join
the cast in Kansas City Monday (24), the
day after she completes her run as a featured
player in the musical "The Club" at the
Cleveland Playhouse. Gay had not intended
to audition, but was asked to do so by the
show's dance captain, Michael Ricardo, after
he conducted her in a master class at the
Cleveland Ballet.
Candice Bergen will be the star of the
night Wednesday (5) on behalf of "Cie," a
perfume created for her by Shulton. A party
for her will be held at the May Company in
downtown Cleveland as a benefit for the
Northeast Ohio affiliate of the American
Heart Ass'n. Ms. Bergen, who seldom makes
promotional appearances, agreed to come
here only because the party was for such a
good cause.
Chita Rivera, who starred at the Palace
on St. Patrick's Day, confessed that her first
stage name was Chita O'Hara. She is on her
way to appear in the hit musical "Chicago"
in Los Angeles. So is co-star Gwen Verdon.
Both starred in the musical on Broadway.
Edward Schuernian, new branch manager
of Avco Embassy in Cincinnati, was in town
for a sneak preview of "Rabbit Test."
Laughs were plentiful and loud. For the
first time I saw three young men actually
fall from their seats and roll in the aisles.
Bill Lau, former branch manaaer of Avco
Embassy in Cincinnati, has been promoted
to Avco division manager in Atlanta. Bill
will certainly be missed as his smiling face
was always welcomed in Cleveland. Best o'
luck. Bill. And a hearty welcome to Edward
Schucrman.
Irv Kash Heeds Old Advice;
'Goes West' for Mid-States
ASHLAND, KY.— Irv Kash has spent
nearly 30 years working at theatres here,
with jobs ranging from his humble beginnings
in 1948 as an usher at the Paramount
to the district manager in Ashland and
Chesapeake supervising the Mid Town cinemas.
Paramount and Capitol theatres, plus
the Tri State and Corral drive-ins.
Now the personable Kash has "gone west"
to Lexington, where he handles division
management for 20 Mid States theatres in
the Lexington/Richmond region. He continues
to
handle advertising for the Tri-State
area Mid States theatres.
Originally Kash had been asked to take
an advertising post in Cincinnati, but he
refused, claiming reluctance to move to a
city that size. The Lexington offer, however,
was just too good to turn down.
The move to Lexington will require some
adapting on Kash's part, although "movie
tastes are the same all over," he declared.
Over 20,000 college students within the
city create a measurable impact. Also, nearly
every film with merit will play the city at
least four to eight weeks.
Kash explained that the Lexington theatres
draw not only from the city's population
and students, but many surrounding
towns, making it similar to the "hub of a
wheel."
Multiple screen complexes have revolutionized
Lexington moviegoing habits, said
Kash. Even smaller single theatres have
profited by the upsurge in attendance.
Audiences "just came out of the woods
someplace and filled them," he noted.
Despite his leaving the Ashland area,
Kash retains fond memories of his friends
and activities here. Yet Kash has the cinema
theatre "bug," and obeys his calling wherever
it
leads him.
Recently the "bug" has struck other
former Ashland theatre personnel. Now
residing in Lexington and working at Mid
States theatres are Ted Osborne, Victor
Sweeney, Frank Jackson and Irv's son Mark.
'Gray Lady' Brightens
Cleveland Screens
CLEVELAND— Boxoffice returns slipped
generally here as film patrons anticipated
the Easter onslaught of new product. Even
the towering inferno. "Saturday Night Fever,"
dropped a few points on the barometer.
The only film to gain any ground was
Universal's "The Other Side of the Mountain
Part 2," now in its fifth week at two
theatres. The only opener was also a Universal
release. "Gray Lady Down," which
scored a respectable 170.
(Average Is 100)
Five theatres—Gray Lady Do:wn (Univ) 170
Five theatres—The Betsy (AA), 5th wk 170
Five theatres—Coma (UA), 5th wk 205
Four theatres—Close Encounters of the Third
Kind (Col), 13th wk 175
Four theatres—The Goodbye Girl (WB),
12th wk . 220
Four theatres—The One and Only (Para),
6th wk 135
135
One theatre— The Gauntlet (WB), !2th wk 75
One theatre—Equus (UA), 2nd wk 100
6-h 130
Six theatres High Anxiety (20th^Fox), wk
Three theatres—Soturday Night Fever iFur!
13th wk 445
Two theatres The Other Side ol the Mountain
Part 2 (Univ), 5th wi: .110
Two theatres—The Turning Point (JO h FjX)
12th wk 200
4-Plex Ready to Reopen
LOUISVILLE—Don Wirtz, assistant to
Roy B. White, Mid States Theatres, announced
completion of the refurbishing of
the J-Town cinemas 4, Reopening of the
quadplex by Mid States has been set for
Wednesday (5),
HFINER PROJECTION-SUPER ECONOMY
Hurley fl
Hi nScreens
Ask Your Supply Dealer or V/r'Ho
HURLEY SCREEN COMPANY, Inc.
Drive L. 1., Y., 2« Sarah Farmingdole, N. U73S

Modern Day Movie Junketeers Merit
Sneers of Oldtime Junket Pioneers
By ALLEN M. WIDEM
HARTFORD — Media watchers—and
only a fleeting number of years back they
simply were called "cynics"—may wince inwardly
when pondering the editorial decision-making
that obviously dictated a particular
Page One layout on a day when
seemingly more vital, more important
developments "broke." But when it comes to
arts coverage, the cultural "enrichment" of
the U.S. implies a matter of no-holds-barred,
press-wise.
Media Watcher's Ire
ford affiliate, asked if I'd ever been invited
As a self-described media watcher from to a West Coast "CBS Week." (It should be
early childhood, this writer was downright explained that "CBS Week" is a loose phrase
angry to see misspelled words after having for a tightly scheduled program of screenings,
interviews and mass cocktail parties to
listened to Mrs. Martha Flippen's admoni-
herald the fall's incoming new TV shows.)
tions about sloppy spelling in the fourth
grade at Hartford's Northwest Elementary
School, while reading a critic (whose name
I did not recognize) in an Eastern newspaper
who was ecstatic about staying in a
$90-a-day room in Mayfair while in London
as a United Artists guest for the world premiere
of "The Spy Who Loved Me." The
words sent a veritable shudder of revulsion
through the body of an old movie junketeer.
This is professionalism?
And if Paul Hochuli, that self-described
"All for Texas!" man-about Houston, were
alive today, attacking the keys of a portable
typewriter aboard a West Berlin-bound plane
for another UA release (Stanley Kramer's
"Judgment at Nuremberg"), he would snort
in derision, hearing that a newspaperman
had mentioned the tab for a hotel room.
Texas Weather Bulletin
Hochuli, long the amusements editor for
the then-Houston Press (it was part of the
Scripps-Howard Newspapers and he was the
only Texas newsman I've known to phone
in the dead of winter to tell me it was snowing
in Houston), conceded that film junkets
implied a certain amount of free news space
in return for accommodations and the
chance to rub elbows with Spencer Tracy
or John Wayne or whoever in North America
or Europe (some papers, of course, firmly
have their own way at all times; this is
their perogative). But nowhere in any columnar
comment was there anything alluding
to hotel expenses.
What Hochuli and others of his breed
in a way, breeding, perhaps—of a generation
ago covering show business had was a
sense of propriety, ethics, insisting that while
one accepted film company accommodations,
one did not mention same in print. It
was a sensitive matter. One could talk of
what Sophia and Cary got for a film role
or one could talk film grosses—but beyond?
No!
Twenty-eight years with the Hartford
Times gave me many memories. My last
"major" junket was in June 1974. It was
to be another two years before the newspaper
abruptly went out of business.
Daniel
E. Gold, newly ensconced man of decision
at the Post-Newsweek Stations' CBS Hart-
Airport Travel Hassle
Air-coach transportation and hotel accommodations
were courtesy of CBS-TV.
Getting to and from airports, as well as intown
transportation, I was to learn, was my
own problem—and not the fiscal concern
of either the Hartford Times or CBS. Twenty
years ago, MGM, UA, 20th-Fox Warners—you
name them—had door-to-door
transport ready at all times, thanks to Al
Fisher, Joe Friedman, et
In Los Angeles. CBS had nary a company
car, let alone a limousine, to meet one at
the airport. A $12 cab fare to the Century
Plaza Hotel, abutting the 20th-Fox lot, and
a$10 cab fare down to CBS Television City
to interview Hartford's "own" Norman Lear
just happened to be a private affair—but
there never, was any print mention of cost.
One didn't do that; one doesn't.
Junkets Small Potatoes
What passes for film-junketing, circa
1978, is small potatoes, compared to past
endeavors. In June 1964, 20th-Fox hosted
a week-long chartered flight, covering inwork
filming in Austria ("The Sound of
Music"); Italy ("The Agony and the Ecstacy"),
and England ("Those Magnificent
Men in Their Flying Machines"), with doorto-door
ground transportation everywhere.
Press output cited film company planning
al.
but nary a word anent film company cost.
As one tradepress editor described the trip:
"A massive project, flawless in detail."
To cite more chapters and verses: To Mason
City, Iowa, for Warners' "The Music
Man"; to Miami Beach, for the same distributor's
"Hotel"; to Louisville, for MGM's
"Raintree County"; to San Antonio, for
UA's "The Alamo," and scores more
through the year. Never was anything seen
in print about cost per day.
Perhaps the most venturesome promotion
of the
past 25 years was a decision by producers
William Perlberg and George Seaton
to bring out (what was it, a score-plus?)
working newspeople to the Paramount Studios
for a newspaper comedy. "Teacher's
Pet," written by news-wise Henry and
Phoebe Ephron, in 1957. Back-and-forth
transportation, hotel accommodations,
ground transportation and checks for the
week's work and a chance to work with
the likes of Clark Gable (he acted in Hartford
in the late '20s and never returned) and
Doris Day.
•Hock' Slept With Banker
Paul Hochuli was there. With all of his
wisecracking, he was proud, darned proud
of journalism. He liked to say he was the
only newsman in America to sleep with his
banker (Mrs. Hochuli worked in a bank).
"Hock" was an inveterate cigaret smoker
and I've been puffing way on cigars ever
since I was aboard the Aquitania going to
England in February 1944, with thousands
of other GIs—amid submarine alerts.
Ho.k. our "co-star" (Gable) and this
writer were standing on the newsroom set,
they smoking cigarets and I smoking a
cigar.
"Hock." Gable asked, "you ever going to
stop smoking?"
The Texan grinned. "Naw. It'd hurt my
Emily Post Would Frown
Sadly enough, 1978's image of journalism
has been tarnished. Too many in the newswriting
ranks are too quick, indeed, to print
about hotel accommodations (for lack), exalt
in words over comforts of plushness. Unless
they're over 50 (and your writer is just two
years beyond that figure) they can't claim
allegiance to
the film junketing of 25 years
ago—the junketeers roaming with the
"names." proud to do their job. Squabble in
print? Talk about money? Emily Post would
never approve.
At this point in time, it would seem thai
far too many of the film critics fraternity
prefer, nay. opt for paragraphs pointing up
malfunctioning hotel elevators—these consumer
advocates are everywhere—than on
what Paul Newman thinks about doubling
as an actor-produccr-director and, for that
matter, what he advises novices.
Your writer was on an elevator in Mason
City. Iowa ("The Music Man" premiere).
When you plan to install your Dolby system,
call the service company with the most
Dolby system experience.
th:hnical services corporation
80x5150
• Richardson, Texas 75080 • 214-234-3270
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CINERAMA IS IN
SHOW BUSINESS IN
f
HAWAII TOO.
When you come to Waikiki
'^°"'* "^'^^ *^^ famous
SlIitflUlM
rg^jQVjji Don Ho Show. . . at
BOT&S Cinerama's Reef Towers Hotel.
F TOWERS
EOGEWATBI
April

and who do you think was on the same lift?
Hedda Hopper! She looked grim. At 1
a.m., a lady, despite superstar syndicate
status, is entitled to look grim after late
hours. But I didn't dash into the press room
—a room off the hotel lobby—and write
with sheer bliss about having been in an elevator
with a Hollywood columnist earning
a lot more each week than an amusements
editor in Connecticut. She did her job. I did
mine.
Personal journalism, the opinion-making
folks who focus their thinking for OP-Ed
exposure, is something else again. King Features,
United Features—they all need X
number of words for X number of papers,
preferably on global ramifications beyond
a politico's polite burp.
(Editor's note: Allen M. Widem. BOXOF-
FICE New England regional correspondent,
based in West Hartford, Conn., began writing
for this publication four decades ago at
the age of 12.)
Lorentz Presents Works
At Museum Film Series
FORT WORTH—A four-program
series
on American documentary filmmaking began
March 9 at the Anion Carter
Museum in Fort Worth. The first program
featured two works by Pare Lorentz, "The
Plow that Broke the Plains" and "The
River." Lorentz was on hand to present both
of the pictures and to deliver anecdotes
concerning their origin and creation.
Lorentz noted that "The Plow" was made
after a trip to the Great Plains during the
Depression of the 30's. The trip convinced
him that Americans needed to be made
aware of the devastation of the dust storms
and draught of the Dust Bowl years.
"The River" was an effort to capture on
film the results of flooding along the Mississippi
River system in 1936 and 1937.
Both films have soundtrack scores by
American composer Virgil Thomson and
poetic narration of Lorentz's scripts by
Thomas Chalmers. Despite occasional flights
into propaganda and heavy-handedness, the
films retain a great deal of visual lyricism
and impact.
The second program in the Amon Carter
museum series was held March 12 and
featured films by Lcs Blank, renowned for
his documentaries of Te.xas folk musicians.
We can handle it!
^^""""^ * ----- - - -—
TheaTre

Paste this inside your medicine cabinet.
Cancer'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 Society
1VIE.4 BOXOFHCE :: April 3. 1978

Boston Grosses Are
Doing Elevator Bit
BOSTON-—Grosses here did the old "elevator
caper"—some films soared up to the
penthouse while other, highly-touted offerings
plummeted. "The Fury," for example,
made its local debut with a hefty 305 and
"American Hot Wax," another new film,
paraded in with a strong 240. Tops among
the holdovers were "Coma" and "The Turning
Point," both scoring 300. just five points
in front of "Saturday Night Fever." Courtesy
would have us note, in closing, that
the venerable "Star Wars," in its 43rd week,
still soars among the clouds and UFO's with
a glittery 220.
(Average Is 100)
Charles 1—Star Ware (20th-Fox), 43rcl wk 220
Charles III, Paris Cinema—American Hot Wax
13tl
111—The Man Who Loved Women (SR) 200
Chestnut Hill I, Cinema 57 1— Close
Encounters of the Third Kind (Col) 190
Chestnut Hill II—High Anxiety (20th-Fox),
7th wk 195
Cinema 57 II, Cinema III—Saturday Night Fever
(Para), 14th wk 295
Circle Cinema I, Pi Alley—The Fury
(20th-rox) .305
Circle Cinema 11—The Goodbye Girl (WB),
14th wk .100
Exeler—That Obscure Object of Desire (SH),
7th wk 185
Gary—Straight Time (WB) .220
Orson Welles 1—Handle With Care (Para),
3rd
Orson Welles II—Padre Padrone (SR), 5lh wk.
Orson Welles 1111— Outrageous! (SR), 3Ist wk.
Savoy I—Blue Collar ,Univ), 2nd wk
Savoy II—The Boys in Company C (Col),
3rd wk
Saxon—Gray Lady Down (Univ), 2nd wk
"Gray Lady Down' Pulls Up
Ahead in New Haven Race
NEW HAVEN—Three newcomers (UniversaPs
"Gray Lady Down," 200, Redstone
Showcase 5; same distributor's "Blue Collar,"
175, Whalley; and Cinema 5's "Outrageous!"
165, Sampson & Spodick Lincoln)
were accorded sizable preopening ad-
>'ertising space. Whalley had a $2.50 admission
in effect, with senior citizens charged
a dollar less, for "Blue Collar," advertised
as "Another Important, Big. New
Hit!"
Cinemart I, Milford II—The Boys in Company C
(Col), 3vd wk. 150
Cinemart II, Milford I—The Goodbye Girl
(WB), 7ih wk 125
Lincoln—Outrageous! (SR) 165
Showcase I—Gray Lady Down (Univ) 200
Showcase 11—Close Encounters of the Third
Kind (Col), 14th wk 185
Showcase 111—High Anxiety (20th. Fox),
4th • 140
Showcase IV—Saturday Night Fever (Para),
I4th wk 160
Showcase V—Coma (UA), 4th wk 115
Whalley—Blue CoUar (Univ) 175
York Square Cinema—A Special Day (SR),
6lh 165
New Films 'Blue' and 'Gray'
Color Hartford Screen Scene
HARTFORD—A pair of Universal releases
("Gray Lady Down," auditorium one,
Redstone Showcase 5, and "Blue Collar,"
IVlenschell Berlin 2, SBC Cinema City 4,
and Perakos Mall Cinema), generated 200
and 175, respectively, in a week dominated
by continuing attractions.
Art Cinema—Black Silk Stockings (SR) and
Oriental Baby Sitter (SR), 2nd wk 200
Alheneum Cinema—That Obscure Object of
Desire (SR), 2nd wk 125
Cinema City I—The One ond Only (Para),
7th wk _ _ _ 90
Cinema City II The Turning Point
(20th-Fox), 8th wk ..._ 75
Elm, UA East HI—Close Encounters of the Third
Kind (Col), 14th wk .
Showcase I—Gray Lady Down (Univ)
Showcase II—The Boys in Company C (Col),
4lh wk
Showcase 111— Coma (UA). 5th wk
Showcase IV—The Goodbye Girl (WB),
13th wk.
Showcase V—Saturday Night Fever (Para),
I4th wk
Three theatres—Blue Collar (Univ)
Three theatres-Julia (20th-Fox). 8th wk
Three theatres-High Anxiety (20th-Fox)
UA East II—Candleshoe (E
TV Four-walling Ads Mine
Exploitation Film Gold
NEW BEDFORD. MASS.—New Bedford
Standard-Times arts columnist Earl J.
Dias recently wrote, in part:
"A recent TV special called 'Land of
Hype and Glory' attempted to show that if
the producers of a product advertise it
enough on the tube, there will always be
at least some people who believe what the
advertisers say.
"Consider those films, for example, which
appear sporadically at movie theatres for
'limited runs,' after loud and long drumbeating
campaigns on TV.
"Most of these are poorly made, dismally
acted and of comic-strip substance, but one
of them ... an inept and laughable effort,
managed to gross more than $20,000,000
at the boxoffice.
"In recent weeks, two other movies of
this questionable ilk . . . both recipients of
plenty of advertising on the channels, have
come and gone and, I suspect, attracted
their share of greenbacks.
"Both are horrendous examples of moviemaking,
and at least one of them . . . seems
perpetually out of focus. But thar's gold in
them TV hills."
Fear of Kidnapping Halts
Levine's Italian Travels
BOSTON—Joseph E. Levine earned the
soubriquet "Boston's Barnum" and an international
reputation as a premier motion
picture director. This, however, has boomeranged
on him in one respect. The industry
leader used to travel from the Hub to
Italy as casually as most of us go to the
grocery store. Now his preeminence has
made him a logical target for kidnappers
and he has suspended his travel to that country.
This item was contained in a recent profile
in the February 5 magazine supplement
of the London Sunday Times jjenned by
Peter Dunn. Under the headline "The Last
Movie Mogul," Dunn recounts the hardships
Levine encountered and overcame in
the early days of his amazing climb to the
top.
Anent the potential kidnapping hazards.
Dunn quotes the industry kingpin as stating
"The last time I took two guards with me.
I talked to a guy who'd been kidnapped and
he said 'You're a perfect target.' I may say
that I'm well known in Italy." Thus he
decided "discretion is the better part of
valor."
Edward Herrmann and Bruce Davison
have joined the cast of Metro-Goldwyn-
Mayer's "Brass Target."
NEW HAVEN
p'aiis of Shaiin Cassidy, son of veteran
actress Shirley Jones and the late
actor
Jack Cassidy, jammed the New Haven Coliseum
recently. The teenage hero of Universal-TV's
"The Hardy Boys" series, which
airs nationally on ABC Sunday nights, said
backstage that he feels his TV job and his
concert performance do not conflict with
one another. This allows him to develop
both careers at an enjoyable pace. "I'm still
shocked every time I perform," he said.
"It's really like fantasyland."
A 47-year-old Easton man was arrested
shortly after the holdup of the Penthouse
Cinema, Bethel, and was being held in lieu
of $50,000 bond at the Bridgeport jail pending
appearance in Danbury Court of Common
Pleas. Vito Plungys was charged with
first-degree robbery, first-degree attempted
kidnapping, third-degree larceny and second-degree
assault with a firearm. Police
said that Plungy's entered the cinema, off
Route 58, armed wtih a revolver and took
$500 from the cashier. They said he also
pistol-whipped and tried to abduct a woman
employee. Police said that the gun was fired
once during the holdup. No one was hurt.
Charlie Chaplin retrospective programs
continue. The Yale Center for British Art,
New Haven, has been screening free Saturday
programs and the town library in Woodbridge
also has shown vintage footage . . .
The Hamden YWCA sponsored a showing
of Paramount's "Islands in the Stream" at
the Whitneyville Theatre . . . Twentieth-
Fox's "Cheaper by the Dozen" (1950) was
shown as a free attraction by the Chesire
Public Library as part of the facility's contiuing
"Feature Films for Favorite Folks"
series.
Nick Falzone, owner of the Nick Falzone
Theatrical Agency, White Plains, N.Y., and
one-time manager of the Avon and Stamford
cinemas, died in White Plains. He
brought Broadway to Stamford in the
1950s. Survivors include his wife. Hope,
White Plains; a son, Marshall, of Danbury;
and four grandchildren. The showman
was 68.
French Double Feature Unreeled
BOSTON—The French Library hosted
showings of a French silent double feature
comprised of "Juve Contre Fantomas," a
horror film featuring "the emperor of
crime" and presenting a realist view of
France in 1914, and "La Chute de la Maison
Usher," experimental motion picture
based on Edgar Allan Poe's short story
"The Fall of the House of Usher."
'Elecira' Screens in Cambridge
CAMBRIDGE, MASS.—RKOs "Mourning
Becomes Electra," a 1947 release with
Sir Michael Redgrave and Rosalind Russell,
was screened as a free attraction by the
Central Square Library.
BOXOmCE :: April 3, 1978 NE-1

. .
. . The
RHODE ISLAND
Continuing attractions: United Artists'
"Coma." Buena Vista's "Candleshoe," First
Artists' "That Obscure Object of Desire."
Sunn Classic's "Beyond and Back." Cinema
5's "Outrageous!". Universal's "Heroes,"
"The Other Side of the Mountain Part 2."
and Paraniount's "Saturday Night Fever."
"Looking for Mr. Goodbar," "The One and
Only." Also Warners' "The Gauntlet," "The
Goodbye Girl." Allied Artists' "The Betsy,"
20th Century-Fox's "Julia." "Star Wars,"
"High Anxiety." and Columbia's "Close
Encounters of the Third Kind.'
of North American Productions' "Sasquatch."
Cinemas liave traditionally picked up the
late afternoon. "Twi-lite" admission ($1.50)
tab for personnel uniforms. Now banks are
is in effect in four auditoriums, at the Swansea
4 Mall. Tickets are limited
Swansea
the Latest development
getting into act.
in finds personnel at the main office and
to seating capacity and continuing ads take
branches of the New Bedford Five Cents
Speaking of ad logos,
due note of this . . .
Savings Bank voting to accept a career
the
apparel program. Staff people are now in
Columbus, in Providence, carries the
"One of New England's Most Beautiful
line.
brown uniforms, with a variety of selections
The
Theatres!"
to emphasize day to day flexibility.
bank allowed each employee to initially buy It's been many months, of course, since
up to $230 worth of apparel, with an op-
the holiday season, but General Cinema
tion to purchase additional items at his
own expense.
\X7hiIe the region's exhibition ranks continue
."
The SBC Cinerama 2 and Castle 2.
both Providence, are charging $1.50 Monday
through Thursday nights and all matinees,
with admission going to $2 for Friday
through Sunday nights . . . Avon Repertory
Theatre, Providence, double-billed
"Modern Times" and "The Great Dictator."
The Econo-Cinema group is now charging
$1.50 admissions Monday through
Thursday and at all matinees, with a $1.99
tab in effect Friday through Sunday nights.
Tlie Fairlawn Cinema, Pawtucket, has
been advertising adult $1.50 admission, with
Senior citizen card holders are admitted
for $1.25. Participating cinemas include the
couples charged $2 at all times . . . The
Elmwood. Providence, with subsequent-run
Four Seasons 4, East Providence; Apple
booking of 20th-Fox's "The World's Greatest
Lover," advertised $1 admission for
Valley 4, North Smithfield; Park Cinema,
Cranston; and Meadowbrook. Warwick.
Daily
Wednesday and Thursday . . . The Coventry,
in Coventry, charged $1 for all seats
ad logo contains the ebullient endorsement:
"The Best Buy In Town! Why Pay
at 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday showings
More?"
The American Multi Cinema circuit is
continuing its innovative (at least for this
immediate area) audience-building pitch for
FOR
INDOOR AND O
IDO&
'i'lim
filMACK STUDIOS,
FILMACK'S 1978 INSPIRATION CATALOG
Make it your aid to increase your attendance
and concession sales, by using
Merchant Ads, Snack Bar films,
and Special Announcement films.
(Write For Your FREE Copy)
FILMACK STUDIOS,
1327 S.Wabash Ave., Chicago.lll. 60605
(312)427-3395
Corp. situations in Rhode Island continue
to advertise "The Thoughtful Gift—Entertainment
Gift Books—On Sale Now!" The
motif, apparently, is that movie-going should
be encouraged on a year-round basis. An
ad approach worthy of emulation elsewhere!
Artists' "Mutiny on the Bounty" (1935);
Warners' "To Have and Have Not" (1944)
and Columbia's "It Happened One Night"
(1934). Ad-wise the cinema plex bought
newspaper display space on a scale comparable
to brand new product.
RKO's "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon"
(1949) was shown for an audience of senior
citizens at the Springfield Public Library's
Brightwood branch.
Sy Becker, WSPR-Radio news director
and film buff, addressed the West Springfield
club. His topic was "A Look at the
Movies." He told club members how to
judge better the screen fare which they
watch and how to spend their entertainment
dollars wisely.
A Los Angeles Times News Service dispatch
appearing in the Morning Union contained
veteran TV producer-director Norman
Lear's reasons for resuming motion
picture work after so many years: "The excitement
of a theatrical film is that you can
get an idea and then, in the writing, make
Tove to it for three months. You can film it
slowly, making sure you have everything
you want over a period of eight or ten
weeks. Then, he continued. "You can rewrite
it wherever you want to in the editing
and again make love to that material for
anywhere from three months to a year. You
can finish it, hone it. get it as complete
as you'd like it." As for the immediacy
of TV, Lear mused: "The excitement of
TV is that you can have a good idea on
the first of September and it can be broadcast
to 40.000,000 people in mid-November.
Now in that process is the crunch of getting
it out— getting it cast, getting it written,
getting it made well."
Twentieth Century-Fox's "The Fury."
which co-stars Kirk Douglas. John Cassavetes.
Carrie Snodgress and Charles Durning.
was sneak-previewed March 10 in
auditorium six of the Redstone Showcase
8. West Springfield. The auditorium's current
attracion. 20h-Fox's "High Anxiety."
was screened both before and after the
preview.
Regional exhibition rarely finds occasion
to use area film critics' quotes in newspa-
NE-2
BOXOFHCE :: April 3, 1978

Liberty
per ads. The principal reason is that most
national distributor ad campaigns contain
quotes from the critics in major population
centers. The Springfield Plaza Twin (auditorium
one), playing Columbia's "The Boys
in Company C," included a line from the
Springfield " Daily News review: "A sleeper
hit."
Joanne Woodward is slated for a rare
theatrical role this summer. She is scheduled
to star in a revival of Lillian Hellman's
drama "The Children's Hour" at the Berkshire
Playhouse in Stockbridgc. Playhouse
producer Allan Albert says that he is planning
to open his 1978 season with a revival
of the 1951 musical, "A Tree Grows in
Brooklyn." Arthur Schwartz, who teamed
with longtime MGM ad-publicity vicepresident
Howard Dietz in song writing,
has written several new numbers, with his
own lyrics, for the upcoming attraction.
Schwartz, now 78, is living in London.
Hollywood Pacific Closed
Until May Triplex Opening
HOLLYWOOD—Pacific Theatres, the
Los Angeles-based circuit of 150 hardtop
and drive-in theatres, has embarked upon
a $1,000,000 reconstruction project for its
Hollywood Blvd. landmark, the 50-year-old
Hollywood Pacific Theatre, which will be
converted into a three-auditoriuni complex.
The theatre was closed January 31 for
the reconstruction, which is expected to
be completed by May. The triplex will have
a total seating capacity of 2,350, with one
house holding 1,250 and two each having
550 seats. Every advancement in sound,
projection, seating and acoustics will be
incorporated in the renovation, Pacific officials
said.
The theatre first opened in 1928 as a
major vaudeville house known as the Warner
and soon became famous for its headliners,
stars and premieres. The theatre was
remodeled inside and out in 1952 when
Cinerama was introduced. In 1966 the
single-strip 70mm film process was introduced.
Pacific officials pointed out that the
$1,000,000 project is believed to be the
largest to date in the program to revitalize
Hollywood which was launched last year.
Oscars for Writing to Be
Presented by Chayefsky
HOLLYWOOD — Paddy
Chayefsky.
Academy Award-winning writer and playwright,
will present the writing awards on
the 50th annual presentation of the Academy
of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
it was announced bv producer Howard W.
Koch.
Nationwide
Sound and
Projection Service
on all brands.
RCA Service Company. A Division of RCA
43 Edward J Hart Rd Induslrial ParK
,
Jersey City, N J 07305. Phone (201)451-2222
Orpheum in Wichita Dark
As Mexican Films Depart
WICHITA, KAS. — After a three-week
hiatus, Mexican movies again are being
screened Sunday afternoons. However, the
location has been changed and the crowds
have increased in size.
Dwindling attendance forced the change
from Mann Theatres' ostentatious downtown
Orpheum Theatre to the less ornate
Nomar Theatre, 2134 North Market.
Crowds at the downtown cinema varied
from 200 to 250. Approximately 250 to 300
patrons have been attending the weekly
offerings at the Nomar, which arc sponsored
by Mexican Attractions. The firm is
co-owned by Julio Caudillo, a police captain
in a neighboring community, and his brother
Greg, a local professional musician.
The company plans to offer occasional
speical attractions such as duets or bands
from Mexico.
Hollywood films last were shown at the
Orpheum in November 1976. Since then,
the house has been silent except for concerts
and then the weekly Mexican movies.
"We don't plan to do anything with it,"
James Martin. Mann district manager, told
Mamie Carter, Wichita Eagle-Beacon staff
writer.
Martin said several people have looked
at the Orpheum but no one has shown interest
in buying it. The corporation is asking
$100,000 for the building, which was constructed
in the heyday of palatial theatres,
1925.
Martin told Ms. Carter he hopes the
Wichita Urban Renewal Agency will designate
the theatre as a historical landmark
and use it as a community theatre.
A number of local performing arts organizations
are working with URA Director
Kenneth Kitchen to determine what can be
done with the landmark building.
"Officially, we (URA) have no position."
he said of the Orpheum's purchase or use.
"It's a beautiful old theatre," he told the reporter.
"It's the last ornate theatre we have
left in Wichita. I think it needs to be saved."
No money is budgeted by the URA for
the movie house, he said. "We need to find
a bunch of sugar-daddies to form a nonprofit
corporation that could accept taxdeductible
contributions to hold the title
to the theatre." Kitchen told Ms. Carter.
Now. the Orpheum's screen is dark.
Where once its comer location was filled
with filmgoing patrons waiting for admittance,
the only activity around the majestic
structure is in three firms which occupy the
building's office
space.
Early Hitchcock Work Screened
NEWTON. MASS.— "Murder," an early
Alfred Hitchcock mystery, was screened al
the Rebecca Pomroy House, with a $2 admission
in
effect.
Compass Cinemas Get New Name
NEW BEDFORD, MASS.—Lockwood-
Friedman's Compass Cinemas 2 have been
renamed Twin Cinema 140. The two-auditorium
picx is situated at the junction o(
Route 140 and Hathaway Road.
Vermont Gov't: 'No More
Anti-Porn Debate til 79'
MONTPELIER— Fabling of anti-pornography
proposals in the Vermont State Legislature
has dashed hopes for enactment of
these measures in 1978. A firm deadline
came and went and the House Judiciary
Committee had not voted on the proposals,
meaning, in effect, that such legislation must
wait until law-making processes begin again
in 1979.
Under Vermont law a committee vote is
necessary as a prelude to deliberations in
both chambers of the legislature.
One proposed bill called for one of the
harshest penalties under state law for pornographers
sexually exploiting children.
Another would have required storekeepers
to wrap and seal sexually explicit literature.
Conceding that the House Judiciary Committee
had heard scant testimony on the
"kiddie porn" proposal, as it became
known, sponsor Judith Stephany, D-Burlington,
urged committee approval "with
the understanding we'll get it back for more
study."
Another Democrat, William Robinson of
Colchester, warned, however: "It's too dangerous
to send this stuff out. We may never
get it back."
At the same time, Robinson contended
that such a measure could spark debate on
a scale equal to pornography discussions in
the state legislative 1977 session. Last year's
proposal banning the sale of pornography
was indefinitely postponed.
Mrs. Stephany asserted. "I don't look at
this as a pornography issue. It's a child
abuse, a child protection issue."
Hartford Theatre Growing Again
HARTFORD—The Redstone Showcase
5. in the Charter Oak Mall. East Hartford,
is to have its long-projected sixth auditorium
addition later this year. Construction is already
imder way to
the west of the existing
structure. The cinema complex, with five
auditoriums operational, is the largest such
development in metropolitan Hartford. Redstone's
Showcase 8, West Springfield, Mass.,
is the largest cinema complex in the six-state
New England region.
Menard Obscenity Trial Slated
PROVIDENCE—The trial of a 30-yearold
Warwick, R.I. man charged with shipping
and distributing obscene material is being
scheduled for U.S. District Court, Providence.
Kevin Menard is facing two counts of
shipping and ditsributing obscene material
across state lines into Maine. Each charge
carries a maximum five-year sentence and
a fine of $5,000.
CINERAMA IS IN
SHOW BUSINESS IN
HAWAII TOO.
When you come to Waikiki,
'^°"'* "^'55 ^^^ famous
BltfiSlCA
[^^^1,1 Don Ho Show. . . at
("OTELsJ Cinerama's Reef Towers Hotel.
IN WAIKIKJ: R££f REET TOWERS EDGEWATEH
April 3, 1978 NE-3

Who reads Boxoiiice?
^ple you know...
and want to reach
Key people in Exhibition:
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executives, film buyers and bookers, and
projectionists
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managers, bookers and publicity people
Key people in Equipment:
507* supply dealers, soles agents and executives
Key people in Production:
396* producers, directors, studio executives,
cameramen, actors and writers
Key People in the Media:
208* newspaper, magazine editors and writers and
radio-TV broadcasters
Recognize your soles prospect?
You should because more key
people in the film industry rely on
BOXOFFICE for its complete and
accurate information than any other
film industry publication with ABC
audited circulation.*
Take one small step today toward
big sales tomorrow . . . deliver your
advertising message to the BOX-
OmCE Reader: someone who is
integral to the film industry . .
someone who makes the big
^decisions . .
)Onneone like you.
Audit Bureau of Circulalicms
Publisher's Statement for 6 mos. ending June 30, 1977
^^ED
mu L ^
BOXOmCE ;: April 3, 1978

Censor Board of NS
May Make Comeback
HALIFAX—A provincial cabinet minister
has told the press that the board of censors
may be revived in Nova Scotia. The
board has been inactive since February
1975.
Th^^ banning of the showing of "Last
Tango in Paris" in 1974 made the censor
board the focal point of a legal flap which
went all the way to the nation's highest
court. As a result, board vacancies were not
filled as they occurred.
The Supreme Court of Canada recently
ruled that the Nova Scotia board had the
legal right to bar exhibition of "Last Tango
in Paris" in the province.
CMPDA Launches Program
To Help Script Writers
MONTREAL—Script writers throughout
Canada are reminded that the Canadian
Motion Picture Distributors Ass'n script development
program is designed to provide
them with access to the motion picture industry.
Feature-film scripts submitted to the
program receive professional evaluation and
scripts felt to have solid commercial potential
are forwarded directly to the production
heads affiliated with CMPDA member companies.
In the past, many promising writers have
been diverted to other fields due to the difficulty
of establishing contacts within the
industry and the problem of receiving constructive
criticism on their scripts. Such a
loss is not good for the filmmaking business.
Brochures on the script development program
may be obtained by writing to the
Canadian Motion Picture Distributors
Ass'n, 1 Yonge St., Suite 2207. Toronto,
Ont. M5E 1E5.
Calgary's Plaza Presents
Classic Motion Pictures
CALGARY—The Plaza Theatre here is
continuing its policy, with marked success,
of offering superior-quality vintage motion
picture classics for the discerning moviegoing
public.
Among the features scheduled for screening
during March were: "The Maltese Falcon"
(1941): "The Red Shoes" (1948); "High
Sierra" (1941): "Repulsion" (1965); "Let It
Be' (1970); "The Caddy" (1953); a return
engagement of "The Freaks" (1932); "A
Streetcar Named Desire" (1951), and Chitty
Chitty Bang Bang" (1966).
Also, "Barbarella" (1968); "King of
Hcart.s" (1966): "Downhill Racer" (1969);
"Tom Jones" (1963); "Singin' in the Rain"
(1952); "Magical Mystery Tour" (1968);
"Reefer Madness" (1936); "A Man for All
Seasons' (1966). and "Blow-Up" (1966).
Special Easter offerings consisted of
"Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Ben-Hur."
David Rawlins has been selected as film
editor of "Power" by producer Michael
Douglas.
use Is Offering Course
Devoted to Work of NFB
MONTREAL—The University of Southern
California in Los Angeles, the film
capital of the world, is offering a unique
course, devoted entirely to the work of the
National Film Board of Canada. Courses
dealing with the films of one country or one
filmmaker are not unusual; a course centered
on one particular production organization
appears to be unprecedented.
Launched March 15, the intensive
eight-week program, entitled "Behind the
Screens of the National Film Board of
Canada," is familiarizing students with the
history, technology and operation of the
NFB and most particularly with its worldrenowned
animation and documentary techniques.
It is expected that the cinema department
of use will integrate the program as one of
its credit courses in the coming year. The
U.SC School of Performing Arts, in its syllabus,
states that "the National Film Board
of Canada, a very special organization, may
be a paradigm for the development of an
American Film Board."
Sponsored this year by the USC College
of Continuing Education, the class, open
to professionals and the public, is of special
interest to independent producers.
The course began with the screening of
two overview films, "The Light Fantastick"
and "Grierson." During the following six
weeks, NFB filmmakers will present their
films and lead discussions in
their particular
areas. Tom Daly will provide a historical
look at the NFB. Donald Brittain will discuss
the documentary film, Kathleen Shannon
the social awareness film, Co Hoedeman
the animation film. Marcel Carriere
the cultural film and Bill Mason the information
film.
The filmmakers also will go on from Los
Angeles to the San Francisco area where
they will make presentations at the University
of California at Berkley and at Stanford
University.
The idea for the course evolved from discussions
between the Canadian Consulate in
Los Angeles and the University of Southern
California, which since have undertaken
arrangements to provide the necessary resources.
The program itself was established
and is being coordinated by the media division
of the NFB's distribution branch in
Montreal with the assistance of the NFB's
distribution office in San Francisco.
Lotte Reiniger Featured
Speaker at ACA Seminar
CALGARY— Lotte Reiniger. who made
the first full-length animated film in history
between 1923 and 1926, was the featured
speaker at a workshop held recently at the
Alberta College of Art. The German-born
animator's first feature, titled "The Adventures
of Prince Achmed," was released in
1926.
Ms. Reiniger recently created her first
color film, "Aucassin and Nicolette." while
employed by the National Film Board of
Canada.
Alberla Filmmakers
Must Be 'Aggressive'
EDMONTON—Alberta Motion Picture
Industries Ass'n speakers advised filmmakers
of this province to be more aggressive
and "more capitalistic" in marketing their
product, according to Dale Phillips, who
chaired the association's seminars. The sessions
were held to give provincial film producers
tips on marketing techniques, since
it was felt they were "deficient in that area."
Noted Ottawa filmmaker Graeme Eraser
outlined his theories on how to secure contracts
and cited problems CBC and the
National Film Board "create for independents"
by "dominating most federal contracts."
Raj Chaganti, marketing professor at the
University of Alberta, also discussed ways
and means of getting product from independent
producers to theatre and TV
screens.
Highlighting one of the seminars held
during the two-day conference was a debate
between Fil Eraser and Calgary film distributor
Frank Kettner about the merits of
distribution firms. Kettner contended that
film producers cannot hope "realistically" to
distribute their works across Canada because
of the financial cost involved and
"lack of expertise." He said that distributing
films is a risky financial venture since only
one motion picture in nine makes a profit
and only one in 36 is considered a "blockbuster."
Eraser agreed producers required distributors
to create a profitable working situation:
however, he remarked that they
"should be careful to find one you know
and trust."
Eraser said his feature "Why Shoot the
Teacher" wasn't distributed and promoted
well enough and only experienced a degree
of success "through more through good luck
than good management."
Producers must take an "active involvement"
in the distribution process to insure
that their film receives proper treatment
from its distributor, he declared.
Cinema Part of a Center
Proposed for St. Albert
EDMONTON — Residents of St.
Albert
may get what they've been wanting for a
number of years—a motion picture theatre—
if a local developer wins approval for
a commercial complex. Located on the
northwest corner of Gervais Road at the St.
Albert Trail, the center would include a
cinema, grocery story, a small department
store and other shops.
George Mason of Mason Developments,
Ltd., Edmonton, described the project as
"a supporting commercial center for St.
Albert." Mason stated that the indoor cinema
would be the major occupant of the envisioned
development.
Members of the municipal planning commission
were expected to take the proposal
under consideration at a special late-March
meeting.
April 3, 1978 K-1

.
Very
Very
Mi'
New 'Special Day and 'Short Eyes
Draw a Fair Response in
CALGARY — The holdovers continued
to dominate over new product this week.
"A Special Day" and "Short Eyes" generated
only a Fair response, while "JuHa,"
"The Goodbye Girl" and "Saturday Night
Fever." among others, continued to draw
Excellent crowds. Slipping a bit were "Close
Encounters of the Third Kind." now in its
] 1th week at the North Hill and Uptown I,
"The Turning Point," also in its 11th week,
and "Coma," in its fourth week at the Calgary
Place 2.
Calgary Place 1—A Special Day (PR) Fair
Calgary Place 2—Coma (UA). 4th wk Good
Chinook—The One and Only (Para),
5th wk Excellent
Grand 1—Short Eyes (PR) Fair
Grand 2, Westbrook 3—The Boys in Com;,any C
(Astral), 3rd wk Excellent
Market Mall 2—Looking for Mr. Goodbar (Para),
15th wk Ftfir
Market Mall 3, 4—High Anxiety (BVFD),
4th wk Very Good
Market Mall 5—Oh, God! (WB), 22nc* wk Very Good
Market Mall 6—Soturday Night Fever (Para),
12th wk Excellent
Marlboro Square 2— Pete's Dragon (BV),
11th wk Good
North Hill, Uptown 1— Close Encounters of the
(Astral), Third Kind Uth wk Very Good
Odeon 1—The Turning Point (BVFD),
11th wk
Palace—Candleshoe (BV), 3rd wk
Very Good
Excellent
Palliser Square 2—Julia (BVFD), wk Excellent
5;h
Three Theatres, The Late Great Planet Earth
(PR), 2nd wk. Very Good
Towne Blue—The Goodbye Girl (WB)
Uth
Uptown 2—The Other Side oi the Mountain Part 2
(Univ), 3rd wk Excellent
Westbrook 2—Star Wars (BVFD).
27th wk Very Good
T-wo New Films at Opposite Poles
In Very Strong Etdmonton Week
EDMONTON— It was generally a strong
week in Edmonton, with most of the holdover
product registering a decisive Excellent
•n the boxoffice sweepstakes. The exceptions
were "I Never Promised You a Rose
Garden," gaining momentum and scoring
a Good rating, and "The Boys in Company
C," slipping a bit into the Good category.
Two openers split to opposite poles:
"The Late Great Planet Earth" spun to the
top of the list with an Excellent, while "S.S.
Girls" drew a Poor rating at the Plaza 2.
Capilano, Plaza 1—The Late Great Planet Earth
(PR)
Excellent
Capitol Square 1—Semi-Tough (UA).
11th wk Excellent
Capitol Square 2—The One and Only
5th
Excellen
Capitol ;
3— Saturday Night Fev (Pa
12th V.
-High Anxiety (BVFD)
Londonderry A— Candleshoe (B\ wk Excelle
Londonderry B— Coma (UA), 4'Yi wk Excellen!
Meadowlark, Odeon 1— Close Encounters oi the
Third Kind (Astral), lllh wk Excellent
Ptea 2—S. S Girls (PR) Poor
Rlaho 1—The Other Side of the Mountain Part 2
(Univ), 4th wk Excellent
Rialto 2—The Boys in Company C (A;:al),
3rd wk, ., Good
Roxy—I Never Promised You a Rose Garden
(IFD), 2nd wk Good
Westmount A—Julia (BVFD), 5th wk Excellent
Westmount B—The Goodbye Girl (WB),
Uth wk
Excellent
Film Lovers in Montreal Give
Encouraging Nod to 'Gray Lady'
MONTREAL^Univcrsal's "Gray Lady
Down" drew considerable attention, opening
strong in Montreal with an Excellent
rating. Also doing well were "The Goodbye
Girl," "Julia," "Saturday Night Fever"
and "The Turning Point." "Close Encoun-
Calgary
ters of the Third Kind" still held strong but
dropped to a Very Good mark. A trio from
Paramount, "Looking for Mr. Goodbar,"
"The One and Only" and "1900," stayed
at a steady Very Good, while "The Chicken
Chronicles" and "Candleshoe" slipped to
the Good notch.
Atwater—Close Encounters oi the Third Kind
(Astral), 13th wk Very Good
Avenue—The Goodbye Girl (WB), 11th wk. Excellent
Cinema—The Turning Point (BVFD),
12th wk Excellent
Cote Des Neiges—Gray Lady Down
(Univ)
Excellent
Decarie Square—High Anxiety (BVFD),
5th wk Very Good
l^ew's-Saturday Night Fever (Para),
12th wk Excellent
.
Loews—Looking lor Mr Goodbar (Para),
12th wk Very Good
Loews—The One and Only (Para),
6th wk Very Good
Loew's—Coma (UA), 5th wk Very Good
Loew's- 1900 (Para), 3rd wk Very Good
Palace—Goodbye Emmanuelle (Mut) Very Good
Place du Canada— Julia (BVFD), fith wk .Excellent
Place Ville Marie—The Serpent's Egg (Para),
4lh wk Good
Van Home—Candleshoe (BV), 5th wk Good
York—The Chicken Chronicles (Astral),
2nd wk Good
French Language Films
Parisien—L'Education Amoureuse de Valentin ....Good
Parisien—La Derniere Balle a Pile ou Face
(CAR), 2nd wk - Good
Ottawa Boxoffice Level Remains
Steady as Holdovers Continue
OTTAWA—Most of this city's first runs
stayed at the same level of activity as last
week, but a few dropped in boxoffice appeal.
Even fans of "Close Encounters of the
Third Kind" seemed to lose a little interest,
as the Astral release dropped a notch from
"Excellent" to "Very Good" in its 14th week
at the St. Laurent 1. Others that fell slightly
were "Coma," "The Serpents Egg," and
"Candleshoe."
Capitol Square 1—Saturday Night Fever (Para),
13th wk Very Good
Capitol Square ?— The Goodbye Girl (WB),
12th wk. Very Good
Capitol Square 3—The Serpent's Egg (Para),
4th wk Fair
Elgin—The Turning Point (BVFD),
4th wk Very Good
Elmdale—Julia (BVFD), 3rd wk Very Good
Little Elgin—The One and Only (Para),
6th wk Good
Nelson—Candleshoe (BV). 5th wk Fair
Place de Ville—Coma (UA), 5th wk Good
Place de Ville 2—The Betsy (IFD), 5th wk Good
Si, Lciurent 1—Close Encounters of the Third
Kind (Astral), Uth wk Very Good
Sl Laurent 2—The Other Side of the Mountain
Part 2 (Univ), 4th wk Excellent
'Boys in Company C Opens Big
in Steady Week in Wirmipeg
WINNIPEG—Business was virtually unchanged
from the previous week. "Julia."
"Saturday Night Fever" and "Coma" continued
Excellent. "The Boys in Company
C" opened very strong. "The Goodbye
Girl" improved in its twelfth week.
Capitol—The Betsy (IFD), 5th wk Very Good
Colony—The One and Only (Para),
6th wk Excellent
Convention Centre—The Other Side of the
Mountain Part 2 'Univ), 3:d wk Excellent
Downtown—Tapestry of Passion (PR), Don't
Change Hands (PR) Average
Garden City—Candleshoe (BV), 5th wk, Good
, .
Garrick 1—Julia (BVFD), 4th wk Excellent
Garrick 2—The Choirboys (Univ), 12th wk Good
Grant Park—The Goodbye Girl (WB),
12th wk Excellent
Hyland—The Late Great Planet Earth (PR),
3rd wk Good
Metropolitan Fingers (IFD), 2nd wk Good
Northstar 1—Coma (UA), 5th wk Excellent
Norlhstar 2—The Turning Point (BVFD),
7th wk Very Good
Odeon—Close Encounters of the Third Kind
(Astral), 12th wk Good
Park—The Boys in Company C (Astrol) Excellent
Polo Park—Saturday Night Fever (Para),
13th wk, ...- Excellent
Ads Carried by Cablevision Aid
Vancouver Debut of "Gray Lady'
VANCOUVER — "Gray Lady Down,"
which opened in the Coronet, Hyland and
the Westminster Drive-In, benefited from
cablevision this week. All openings in the
Northwest, including Seattle, were promoted
on all TV stations, giving the picture
saturation publicity at no extra cost to the
local outlet.
Capitol 6—Coma (UA), 5th wk Very Good
Capitol 6—Semi-Tough (UA), 17lh wk Fair
Capitol 6—The One and Only (Para), 6th wk Good
Copitol 6—High Anxiety (BVFD), 5th wk Excellent
Capitol 6—Looking for Mr. Goodbar (Para),
20th wk Fair
CoDitol 6—Saturday Night Fever (Para),
13th wk Good
Coronet—Gray Lady Down (Univ) Very Good
Downtown—The Betsy (IFD), 5th wk Fair
Odeon—Death Rage (IFD) Fair
Park—The Turning Point (BVFD), 12th wk Average
Vancouver Centre-The Goodbye Girl (WB),
12th wk Very Good
Vancouver Centre— Julia (BVFD),
.
12th wk. Good
Two New Attractions in Toronto
Fail to Impress Film Audiences
TORONTO—Two new openers. "Homage
to Chagall" at the International and
"1900" at the Park did Poor business in a
relatively slack week in Toronto. "Saturday
Night Fever," in its 12th week at the Uptown,
and "The One and Only" in its fifth
week at the Uptown, are showing signs of
slacking off. "The Turning Point," however,
turned upwards a bit. Both it and "The
Betsy" did Very Good trade.
Hollywood—The End of the World in our Usual
Bed in a Night Full of Rain (WB), 3rd wk Fair
Hollywood—The Turning Point (BVFD)
10th wk Very Good
Imperial—The Gauntlet i"',H'. ! ./(: ..Fair
Imperial—The Betsy ilTi ' Good
International—Homage to Chagall PH) Poor
Park— 1900 (Para) .Poor
.
Plaza—Julia (BVFD), zlst wk Good
Towne—The Serpent's Egg (Para), 4th wk ..Poor
University—Coma (UA), 3rd wk Very Good
Uptown—Saturday Night Fever (Para),
12th wk Very Good
Uptown—High Anxiety (BVFD), 4th wk. Good
Uptown—The One and Only (Para), 5th wk Fair
Toronto Jail Is Reopened
For 'Fast Company' Cast
TORONTO—The municipal jail, closed
not long ago. was reopened recently to permit
the cast of "Fast Company," a motion
picture about small-time bank robbers who
want to turn big time, to film there.
Faster Films, operating on a grant from
the Ontario Arts Council, plus private investments,
has set a $100,000 budget for the
picture.
The producers are Paul Eichgrun, Steve
Klys and Peter Wronski, who also directs.
Nat'l Film Board Short
Is Selected for Cannes
TORONTO—Gillcs Jacob, director of
the Cannes Film Festival, recently screened
15 films chosen by a Canadian preselection
committee but selected only the short "L'Affaire
Bronswik," directed by Andre Leduc
and Robert Awad, for the official competition.
"L'Affaire Bronswik" was produced by
the National Film Board.
K-2
BOXOmCE April 3, 1978

. . "Hey
VANCOUVER
^his city, New Westminster and Victoria
were hit by a crippling transit strike
March 13. As the bulk of the week's business
already was recorded, the impact was
not felt immediately; however, if the strike
was of long duration, it was expected that
boxoffice grosses would sag.
Making the short trip from the Sunshine
Coast at Gibsons was Ray Boothroyd, who
says he is considering retiring from the
business. He has no definite plans as
date.
of this
On the eve of the Variety Club's annual
Heart Award get-together at the Stage Door
Room of the Bayshore Hotel, chief barker
Ben Kopelow gleefully announced that only
one month after the telethon a total of $1,-
000,000 had been collected—or better than
90 per cent of the pledges already had been
honored. Recipient of the Heart Award this
year was veteran barker Bob McLelland,
minister of health in British Columbia and
the man chiefly responsible for the new
Children's Hospital, to which Variety had
pledged $5,000,000 in facilities.
To quote columnist Denny Boyd of the
Sun. "The beetle-browed minister with the
linebacker's physique got his . . . He got it
right under the ribs on the left side when
Variety Tent 47 presented him with its annual
Heart Award ... He was cited
for his
continuing and enthusiastic work with the
Variety Club. Traditionally, the health minister
makes a dramatic appearance at 4:30
p.m., hands the government's check with a
flourish to the fanfare of trumpets and disappears
for another year . . . McLelland
didn't get his award that way. He worked
as a backstage volunteer at the telethon and
other Variety activities long before he got
into politics.
"As a radio man at CJJC in the Fraser
Valley, his responsibility was coordinating
the country and western music sections of
the show and that was no plum job. It always
has been the practice to schedule the
country-western portion at 5 a.m. and Bob
always was on hand to assist the direction
and he did it willingly . . . Now he's in a
much broader field of show business with
a tremendous load of responsibility but he
still finds time to devote all day to the telethon.
This year his fellow barkers gave
him the most special 'thank you' possible
in show business."
McLelland's reply was short, humorous
and befitting a workman who always gives
his best . . . Recipient of a life membership
award was elder statesman Jack Barnett,
while Jack Senior of Harlan Fairbanks re-
CINERAMAISIN
SHOW BUSINESS IN
HAWAII TOO.
When you come to Waikiki,
don't miss the famous
giljgjUljpil
[Sii^;;;^ Don Ho Show. . . at
i5?^ Cinerama's Reef Towers Hotel.
IN WAIKIKI: REQ: . REEF TOWERS . EDGEWA1ER
ceivcd the "Barker of the Year" award from
Variety Women for the help he has given
them over the last 12 years . Rube"
citations went to Debbie Watson of Channel
8; Bryan O'Sullivan, Swinton's, and Bryan
Morton of the Sun.
March programs presented by Pacific
Cinematheque included subjects from Germany,
U.S.S.R., France and Finland. The
Russian films all were entries from various
Soviet film festivals and had been organized
by the Russian Embassy in Ottawa. The
opening program March 10 featured "Key
Not 10 Be Passed Over," in Russian with
French subtitles. March 17 brought the
Golden Bear winner from the Berlin Film
Festival, "The Ascent," by Larrisa Shkitko,
a woman director. March 24 featured "Personal
Affair," a spoof of the management
class. The March 26 offering was "Minimo"
and winding up the Russian entrants March
3 I was "Orphans."
Partly due to a 4 per cent boxoffice levy,
which is applied to Finnish productions,
that northern country often produces more
films than might be thought possible. Some
of the films, all slated for showing in the
National Film Board Theatre, 1155 West
Georgia, were: "The Holy Family," "Earth
Is a Sinful Song," "One Man's War," "A
Worker's Diary," "The Big League" and
"Black and White and Redhead."
French films, presented Saturdays, began
with "George Oui?" March 18. Following
was "Veronique, Aloise" March 25. In
deference to anglophones, all pictures had
English subtitles.
An interesting group from Berlin included
"Berliner Bettlewurst," described in the
program notes as "a look at the seamy side
of gay life and the petit bourgeoise kitsch."
"Harlis" concerned a lesbian dancer who
fell for a man and "A Spot of No Nostalgia
—His Fight" was about a 1970s Nazi, of
course. Other titles were "Diary," "Beyond
the Black," "The Long Lament," "Two
Days of Life," "The Small World—Fragment
of Experience" and "I Had the Feeling
I Was Dead." All features had English
subtitles.
Ralph Clarke, down from Chilliwack,
where his ozoner has just completed the
first two weeks of the new season, says
business is "away off from prior year," thus
echoing the sentiments of the local drive-in
operators generally.
Cochran Heads Heart Fund
GRAND ISLAND, NEB—John Cochran,
Commonwealth Theatres city manager,
headed the successful Hall Coimty Heart
Fund drive. The volunteers collected $3,190
in February, leading Cochran to predict the
effort will exceed its goal of $10,750.
Events listed as fund-raisers included a
basketball doubleheader at the high school
featuring the Sertoma Heart Pumpers
against the KRGI Radio Foul Shooters and
eight of the Denver Broncos against a team
of local coaches and athletes.
"The 39 Steps" is a Greg Smith Norfolk
Int'l Productions feature.
OTTAWA
Cvend Pcderson, manager of the Rideau
Theatre, recently returned from a twoweek
vacation in Hawaii, where he and his
wife had a marvelous time. Svend adds,
"The islands were beautiful."
Doug Watt, district supervisor for Odcon
Theatres (Canada), also returned from a
vacation. He and his wife spent a week at
their cottage in the Muskoka resort area
just north of Toronto. They both are avid
sportspersons who enjoy the outdoor activities,
such as snow-shoeing and ice-fishing.
Canada's largest outdoor skating rink, the
Rideau Canal, was closed officially a couple
of weeks ago. The rink was enjoyed by
thousands this past year and had provided
many enjoyable hours for people of all ages.
NFB Starts Photographing
Commonwealth Games
MONTREAL—A National Film Board
crew left Montreal in early March on a
month-long assignment in Africa to begin
shooting for the official film of the Commonwealth
Games to be held in Edmonton
next August.
Director-cameraman Paul Cowan, with
camera assistant John Dyer and soundman
Richard Nichol, planned to start in Tanzania
with coverage of Filbert Bayi, the runner
who holds the world record for 1,500 meters.
The much-anticipated race between
Bayi and the chief contender, John Walker
of New Zealand, did not take place at the
Montreal Olympics when several African
nations withdrew from competition. The
games in Edmonton will provide the first
opportunity in four years for the two speedsters
to run in the same race.
After Tanzania, the NFB crew will go to
Nairobi to film sprinter Ruth Waithera, who
also is a corporal in the Kenya armed forces.
Some shooting in Zanzibar is scheduled before
the crew moves on to cover other athletes
with whom negotiations should be
completed by that time.
Preparations are under way for several
other NFB crews to leave soon for various
parts of the world where athletes are being
groomed for the XI Commonwealth Games
to be held in Canada this year August 3-12.
"Bandit' Steals A Second Run
NEW BEDFORD, MASS —The Oxford
Cinema in Fairhaven brought back Universal's
"Smokey and the Bandit," advertising
$1.50 admission for all seats.
April K-3

CALGARY
gid Sniderman of Theatre Agencies is back
at work and, from reports, is happy to
be there. Sid and his wife spent a wet, wet
two weeks in Palm Springs on a combined
vacation and business trip. Nice to have
you back, Sid. and perhaps you can try
again later for a drier holiday.
Cy Davies,
branch manager. International
Film Distributors, is now president of the
Calgary Film Board. He takes over the slot
vacated by Jim McLaughlin when he exited
Paramount Films.
Ina Mary Gotfried, wife of Abe Gotfried,
died here March 8 at age 61. Mrs.
Gotfried was a member of the United Way
Agency, past president of the Multiple
Sclerosis Society and was involved in many
other community endeavors. Abe, for a
number of years, worked in film distribution
in eastern Canada and abroad before
coming to this city. She also is survived by
her two sons Dick and Dave, both of whom
reside here; two brothers, and two sisters.
Private services were held in the Garden
Chapel.
The Calgary Film Society screened another
in its Specialists' Series March 12 in
the Boris Roubakine Recital Hall on the
University of Calgary campus. The U.S.-
produced feature was made in 1961, with
Samuel Fuller directing. Titled "Underworld
USA." the film starred Cliff Robertson.
Some readers may remember that last
year we told them to watch our local singing
star, Roxanne Goldade; we felt that she
was slated for big things. It seems as though
those big things may be coming Roxanne"s
way. She has been nominated for a Juno
Award as best new female vocalist of 1977.
For the past eight years she has been performing
semi-professionally and late last
year her first album was released. Titled
"Twenty More Miles to Go," it was recorded
on the Track Records label at Sound
West Studios, with three singles from the
;\lbums being released earlier. Record sales
between November 1976 and December
1977 determine the nominees for the Juno
Award. The 600 members of the Canadian
Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
determine the winner by voting on each
ncrformer. Winners were to be announced
March 29, so were not available at the time
of this report.
University of Calgary held open house
March 12 and used films in a number of
situations, including cartoons in the Science
Theatre, documentaries in Science Theatre
148, faculty of law, anthropology department
and social services, as well as several
feature films. The best-known features
screened were "The Apprenticeship of Duddy
Kravitz" and "The Drylanders."
The Hyland International Theatre is
functioning
again. Since its heyday as the Ciarry
a number of years ago, this house seems to
have had a lot of ups and downs. Unfor-
K-4
tunately, there have been more "downs"
than "ups." It was used as a specialty theatre
for Italian, then Chinese and then Hindu
films—but now it's on a nostalgia policy.
Latest weekend offering was the Alfred
Hitchcock thriller "Stage Fright." starring
Marlene Dietrich.
A series of classic biblical films, sponsored
by Alberta Culture, was screened in
the Provincial Museum in Edmonton during
the month of March. Richard Burton
starred in "The Robe" March 12 and March
19 the feature was "Ben-Hur," starring
Charlton Heston and Stephen Boyd. March
24 brought "The Ten Commandments," with
Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner and Anne
Baxter. The series ended March 26 with
"King of Kings" (1961), featuring Jeffrey
Hunter, Robert Ryan and Siobhan McKen-
Ednionton's CHED Radio presented the
Canadian premiere of "American Hot Wax"
in Famous Players' Capitol Square. The
screening of Paramounfs newest release was
by invitation only and these were awarded
as prizes by CHED. The unspooling was
March 14 at 8 p.m.
Although February was a short month
in terms of working days (only 20), it was a
very busy month for the Alberta Motion
Picture Censor Board in terms of 45 feature
films viewed and classified. But a strange
trend seems to be developing. Unless there
has been a transposition of figures, the running
time for "Banging in Bangkok" (Cinepix)
is only 36 minutes. Cinepix also submitted
two more films with less than onehour
running time — "The Miss Layed
Genii" (58 minutes) and "Never Enough"
(42 minutes).
Of the 45 features categorized, there were
four in the "family" group, 1 1 in the "adult"
classification, five rated as "adult—not suitable
for children" and 25 passed as "restricted
adult." There were only three films
that must carry warnings on all advertising
— "Fingers" (IFD), which drew "violent sequences
and crude language may be objectionable
to some"; "Lady Exterminator"
(Livince Investments) must warn "violence
throughout," and "Short Eyes" (New Cinema
Enterprises), with "coarse language
throughout." Also included in the censored
f'lms were 29 foreign pictures coming from
France, India, Germany, China, Italy. Britain.
Switzerland and Australia. Most prolific
distributor sending features to the board
was Cinepix (with eight), followed by Livince
Investments and International Film
Distributors,
with five each.
This industry sometimes results in
strange
all'ances. In this case. Famous Players" theatres
and Duncan Hines cake mixes teamed
up for a promotion. Duncan Hines is putting
out specially marked boxes of its mix
with a coupon inside that will entitle the
bearer to a reduction of .$1 in the adult
price of admission to any FP house. The
coupon only can be used during the week.
Monday through Thursday, and the entire
offer expires June 2, 1978. The campaign
is being carried on nationwide TV for maximum
exposure.
The National Film Board, in commemoration
of International Women's Day, presented
a series in Edmonton, with the
screening followed by an open-discussion
period. The first offering was "Films for
People: About Women, Part 1, the Working
Women," shown March 8. The second,
presented March 14, was "Films for People:
About Women, Part 2, Sexuality." The final
it film was screened March 23 and focused
on leaders among women. Showings were
attended by representatives from the Canadian
Union of Public Employees, the Alberta
Human Rights Commission and the
Alberta Union of Provincial Employees.
Extracurricular films in this city recently
were "The Sound," at the Brentwood, shown
March 11 as a midnight presentation;
"Amarcord," unreeled March 12 at the
Odeon, and screened the same day was
"Executioners From Shaolin" (Chinese) in
the Towne Cinema.
In town to conduct the Calgary Philharmonic
Orchestra was guest conductor Carmen
Dragon of Hollywood. He is musical
director for Standard Oil, which sponsors
public service programs in the arts. He conducts
a variety of orchestras in this capacity
and proceeds from the performers are used
for the benefit of the group involved. Besides
arranging, composing and conducting.
Dragon plays the piano.
Canada, Israel Sign
Co-Production Pact
MONTREAL—An initial
agreement was
signed by Canadian and Israeli officials in
mid-March for the co-production of motion
pictures. The pact will give Canadian producers
tax benefits on certified co-productions,
which will be eligible for Canadian
Film Development Corp. financial assistance.
A $2,000 thriller planned by Montreal
producer Harold Greenberg, with Sandy
Howard and Israfilms, Ltd., of Tel Aviv,
rkely will be the kickoff co-production. The
motion picture will be photographed on locations
in both Canada and Israel beginning
in
October.
Fine Arts Museum Ups Fee
BOSTON—The Museum of Fine Arts,
where classic films are shown, is raising its
admission fee by 25 cents. The new admission
price will be $1.75, Tuesday through
Saturday, $1.25 on Sunday and it will all
be free Tuesday evenings from 5 to 9. Children
under 16 will be admitted free at all
times and senior citizens can get in "cuffo"
on Fridays.
Robert C. Casselman. associate director,
said the $1.50 admission fee was established
in 1973, and operating costs have increased
nearly 50 percent in the past five years. The
actual cost per visitor is more than $12 per
person, he said.
BOXOFnCE ;: April 3, 1978

BOXOFFICE BOOKiNCUIDE
An interprelive cmalysis of lay and tradepres3 reviews. Running time is in parenthese
Symb nbol minus signs indicate degree oi merit. Listings cover current reviews regularly.
s. The plus and ^ y'^
denotes mX^ M
i^j
BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Award. All iilms are in color except those indicated by (b&w) "
Motion Picture Ass'n (MPAA) ratings: [fi]—general audiences; PG— all ages admitted
dance suggested); [r] — restricted, v;ith persons under 17 not admitted unless accompanied llSx-m
or adult guardian; \^)—persons under 17 not admitted. National Catholic Oiiice "'
foi
(NCOMP) ratings: Al—unobjectionable lor general patronage; A2— unobjectionable lor adult;
lescents; A3—unobjectionable ior adults; A4—morally unobjectionable ior adult:
B—objectionable in part ior all; C—condemned. Broadcasting and Film Commissi
of Churches (BFC). For listings by company, see FEATURE CHART.
++ Very Good; + Good; ± Foir; -
r

.
. . Raymond
REVIEW DIGEST
AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX ^ Very Good, + Good; ± Fair; - Poor; = Very Poor. 3ry ff is rated 2 pluses, — as 2 minuses.
2 Is - ? ll
49S6 Lookinj for Mr. Goodbar
(135) D
4987 Love at First Sight
(85) C-D
.Para 11. 7-77
!lime 11-14-77
Si
9+1-
1+2-
4980 Rolling Thunder (99) Ac-I
4979 Roseland
(103) C-D Cin
...AlP 10-17-77 H C + + +
Shares 10-17-77 PG A2 ff -f ++
3+2-
7+1-
5014 Madame Rosa (105) D Atlantic 3-20-78
5001 Mado (130) D Josepti Green 1-30-78 B
5014 Man Wlio Lo»ed Women. The
4981 Maniac (90)
(119) C-D Cinema 5 3-20-78 B
Ac-Sus-D New World 10-24-77 PG
5009 Manitou. The (104) Ho-D Emb 3- 6-78 PG
4992 Mansion of the Doomed
B
(85) Ho-D Group 1 11-28-77
4969 March or Die
+ + (+ + +
Outrageous (100) 5 9- 5-77 m A4
(106) Ac-Ad Col S-15-77 PG A3
6+3-
5010 Mean Dog Blues (108) Ac-D AlP 3- 6-78 m
3+
5010 Medusa Touch, The
(110) Sus-Ho-D WB 3-13-78 PG
2+
Mr. Klein (124) D Quartet 2-13-78 PG A3
&fl-
4975 Mouse and His Child, The
(S3) An-F Sanrio 9-26-77 E|
5006 My Boys Are Good Boys
(90) Ac-D Peter Perry 2-13-78 PG
49S7 Night Child (90)
Sus-D Film Ventures 11-14-27 m +
1900 (241) Hi-D Para 10-24-77 H +t 4982 C ++ ++
4976 9/30/55 (101) D Univ 9-26-77 PG A3 ff H ff
4979 c=Oh, God! (104) WB 10-17-77 PG A3
C
4974 On the Comet Filmaco 9-19-77
(75) SF ....
Ona People: Life and Death Tierra
in
del Fuego, The (55)
Doc Chapman/de Gonzalez 1-23-78
5006 One and Onlv, The (98) C ....Para 2-13-78 PG A3
4975 One Sings, the Other Doesn't
(105) C-D Cinemas 9-26-77 B
5000 Opening Night (144) D Faces 1-9-78
4998 Operation Thunderbolt
(125) Hi-Sus-D ....Cinema Shares 1- 2-78 A2 PG
Other Side of the Mountain Part 5005 2,
The (100) D Univ 2-13-78 PG A3
H -H- -f tt -H
4994 Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom
(117) Hi-D Zebra
San Francisco Good Times (90) Doc
(b&w)
(120) Melo .
4995 Saturday Night Fever
4984 Scott Joplin
Frankovich/Rosow
i-Worms(
(118) C-DM Para
(90) B-D Univ
4989 Semi-Tough (108) C-D UA
4968 Sensual Man, The (lOS)
Sex D Pcppercorn-Wormser
4996 Serpent's Egg, The
(119) Hi-D Para
4985 Short Eyes (104) D ...Film League
4968 Sidewinder 1 (97) Ac-D Emb
4961 Special Day, A (110) D ...Cinema 5
5002 Starship Invasions
(89) SF-Ac WB
4967 Submission (107)
Sex D Joseph Brenner
4971 Sugar Cookies (92) Sex Melo .
.Troma
4997 Summerdog (90) Ad-C-D ..Salisbury
4972Suspiria (92) Ho-Sus 20th-Fox
4974 Swiss Conspiracy, The
4996 Telefon
(91) Ac-D S.J. Int'l
12- 5-77 C
11-14-77
8-22-77 m A3
12-19-77 m A4
10-31-77 PG A2
11-21-77 El C
8- 1-77 m C
12-19-77 m A4
11- 7-77 H A4
8- 1-77 PG A3
10- 3-77 A4
8- 1-77 H
9- 5-77 D
1- 2-78 El A
9- 5-77 El B
9-19-77 PG
(48) OD-Doc BV 8-22-77 El
(103) Spy-Sus MGM-UA 12-19-77 PG A3
4983 That Obscure Object of Desire
(100) C First Artists 10-31-77 E C
49SS Their Only Chance
(90) OD Ellman 11-14-77
4992 Three Warriors
(110) Ad-D UA 11-28-77 m Al
4993 Thunder and Lightning
(94) Ac-C 20th-Fox 12- 5-77 PG B
Tiina (110) D ...Edmond J. Martin 10-10-77
Truck, The (Le Camion) (80) Doc-
D ....Moliere/Cinema 9/Auditel 10-31-77
4989 Turning Point, The
(119) D 20th-Fox 11-21-77 PG A3
H- ±
tt tt tt + tt
2+2-
1+1-
7+1-
+ + + 6+2-
2+1-
5+1-
5+3-
1+
9+
4+ 7+4-
8+
4+3-
+ 6+2-
2+5-
1+1-
5+2-
4+3-
6+4-
3+3-
1+2-
3+4-
+ 10+
4978 Until Tomorrow
(92) SF-R .
R. Homer 10- 3-77
4980 Valentino (128) B-D U A 10-17-77
Padre Padrone (114) B-D RAI 11-14-77 A4
Pafnucio Santo
Violation of Claudia. The (67)
Sex C Lustig Productions 11-14-77
2+1-
(98) F Conacinc. S.A. 10-31-77
Pete's Dragon
4988
(135) An-CM BV 11-14-77 H Al
Phantom Baron
(100) F Rohauer 2-13-78
Raymond
4981 Piece of the Action, A
(135) C-D WB 10-24-77 PG A3
++ + H -f +
2+1-
H 9+
Viva la Republica
(91) Hi-Doc Tricontincnlal 8-8-77
Volcano (100) B-Doc
(© and b&w) Cinemas 7-25-77
4977 Voyage to Grand Tartaric
(100) F New Line 10- 3-77
2+
± 5+2-
4+2-
5000 Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover, Tlte
(116) Hi-D AlP 1- 9-78 PG
—WXYZ—
5004 Rabbit Test (86) C Emb 2- 6-78 PG
4967 Rabid (91) Ho-Sus New World 8- 1-77 H C
4966 Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown!
(75) An-C Para 7-25-77 E| Al
4955 Record City (96) C AlP 12-18-77 PG
Reflections (81) Sex Segall 8- 8-77
D ..Stu
5004 Renaldo & Clara
tt 7+2-
1+1-
2+1-
We're Not the Jet Set
+
(86) Doc Robert Duvall 7-11-77
Which Way Is Up? (100) C . 11- 7-77 B ±
Univ Bl 4986
Why Does Herr R. Run Amok?
(88) D New Yorker 2-13-78 A3 +
4999 Wicker Man, The
++
(87) Ho-D Abraxas 1-9-78
Woman's Decision, A
(99) D Tine Productions 10-10-77 A3 ++
World's Greatest Lover, The
4993
(90) C 20th-Fox 12- 5-77 PG A3 +
+
(232) M-F Circuit 2- 6-78 B)
Rescuers, The (76) BV 7- 4-77 4962 An-Ad BI Al
5012 Return From Witch Mountain
(94) F-Ad-C BV 3-13-78 IS
+t ++ ff + H
4970 UYou Light Up My Life
(90) C-D Col 8-15-77 PG A2 +
4978 Young Cycle Girls, The
(82) Sus-Melo Peter Perry 10- 3-77 IS +

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Nov
. Hi-D.
, Mar
, Oct
•
ATLAS
The Confessional (95) ..Ho. July 77
AEthony Shaip. Susan Penhaligon
The Contest (83) D..Au|i77
Nancy Gordon. Sandra Potter
Lo»ers Like Us (100) ..R-C..0ct77
Catlierlne Deneuve. Yves Montand
Curves Ahead! (SI) . .Sex C.
tinldie Keur. W.F. Margold
The Lady Wants a
t'lirls Ihiltell. Jacqueline Ll
Easy Come, Easy Go C
Kemus Feets, Heidi Kapplei
CANNON GROUP
The Happy Hooker Goes
to Washinpton
CENTRAL PARK FILM
Superbup, the Wild One . A
New House on the
Left
Ho-Sus..No»77
Charge o( the Model T's ..C. Nov 77
People Who Own the
Bank Ho-Sus. .
77
Super Wheels C. Dec 77
Outrageous! (100) ...C-D..Ai
Craig Russell. Hollls McLarea
Coup de Grace (96)
.Hi-D..Feb7g
MISCELLANEOUS
Dale
Rel.
FLORA RELEASING
termind (90) Aug 77
10 M"-itel, Bradford Dillman
Way Back (91) Oct 77
prt Willi.imsnn. diaries Woolf
>nd Spring (92) Nov 77
ri lurceas. Irms.ird Shonberg
Chesty Anderson. U.S. Navy
(88) Nov 77
Shari Eubank, nnrri Thomson
Death Journey (91) Nov 77
Fri>d Williamson. Bernard Kuby
Mean Johnny Barrows (90) ..Nov 77
I'Tfd Williamson. Roddy McDowall
Wacky Taxi (79) Nov 77
I'"r.ink Sinatra jr.. John .\stin
Seeds of Evil (90) Dec 77
.lo.' n.illosiindro. Katharine
llnuKhton
Keep My Grave Open (85) ..Jan 78
Camilla Carr, Gene Ross
The Demon Lover (SO) May 78
Cliristman Bobbins. Val Mayerik
The Bandits (87) May 78
Boliert Conrad. Jan-Michael Vincent
GOLDSTONE FILMS
Kung Fu Master— Bruce Lee Style
Shanghai f onncction
Vampire Beast Craves Blood
Cops Is Cons
Ten Fingers of Death
Kung Fu Brothers
Curse of the Devil
HEMISPHERE PICTURES,
INC.
Hanky Panky Sex
Willing Wives Sex
Terror From Under the
House
Sus-0
HOLLYWOOD INT-L
Fantastic Orgy
(SO) Sex D..M
Iris ^Ipilina. John Holmes
Jungle Blue (83) ..Sex C. June 78
The New Erotic Adventures of
Casanova Part 2 ..Sex 0.. Oct 78
KEY INTERNATIONAL
The Father Kino Story
(115) Ac-0 Sept 77
Richard Egan, Rlcardo Monlalljan
un for Blue (86) .W-Doc. .Sept 77
Rex Allen. Tanya Tucker
I
COUGAR RELEASING
Legend of Sea Wolf . . . .Ad..Nov77
MFI DISTRIBUTORS
Chuck Connors, Barbara Bach
Loralie Legend Ho. Jan 78
Tony Kendall
Starbird and Sweet
William Ad.. Jan 78
A. Martinez. Dan Haggerty
Saga of Dracula/Vengeance of the
MULBERRY SQUARE
Zombies Ho.. Jan 78
Sisters of Jekyll and
Satan/Dr. L-'For the Love of Benji
the Werewolf Ho. .Jan 78 (85) C-Ad.
Baker's Hawk Ad..Fel)78 Patsy Garrett, Cynthia Smit
Clint Walker. Burl Ives
Till Death Ho.. Feb 78
Keith Atkinson. Belinda BalasM
Dirty Pictures/Hassled
NEW LINE
Hooker C. Feb 78
Irene Papas/Terence Femmes Fatales D.. Sent 77
Hill
Escape From Angola ..Ad.. Mar 78 Voyage to Grand
Slan Brock. Anne Collins
Tartarie F.. Oct 77
Poopsie C. Mar 78 Desperate Living
(90) C-F..0ct77
Sophia I.oren, Marcello Mastrol:
Gizmo! C. Nov 77
Caesar's Code Sus..Apr78
Alain Noriry, Ruth Leuwerik
Monty Python Meets Beyond the
Right to Love D. May 78 Fringe C. .Nov 77
Omar Sharif. Florlnda Bolkan
House Made of
Love Comes Quietly ..Sus.MayTB Dawn
Hi-D..Nov77
Ralph Meeker. Barbara Hershey Stunts Ac-Ad.. Dec 77
Astral Factor Sus..Jui
Rlke Sommer, Rtepbanle Power
The Body D..Jui
INTERNATIONAL
ZeudI Arava. Carol Baker
NILES
Love All Summer
(95) C-D Aug 77
Wonder Who's Killing Her Now
(84) C. Aug 77
FIRST ARTISTS RELEASING
Pardon Mon Affaire
(107) C. June 77
Jean ILicheforl, Victor Lanoux.
\nny 'luperey
That Obscure Object of Desire
(100) C-D.,N
Fernando Itey. Cnrote Boufiuet.
Ancela Molina
Speedtrap (101) .. Ac-Ad. Apr 78
Joe non Baker. Tyne Paly
Do You Wanna Be
Loved
PETER PERRY PICTURES
.Ac-C..Sept77
Hollywood High (81) ...C. Feb 77
The Young Cycle Girls
(82) Su$-MeIo..Oct 77
PRO INTERNATIONAL
Young Lady Chatterley (88)
da Lovelace for President (95)
ig Dong (90)
Iter Scarfacc (S5)
Angels in Hell (94)
Ilelon
Moreau
Cat
(107) Sus-C .Jan78
Michele Morgan. Serge Begglanl
Blue Country (105) ....C. Feb 78
Erlgitle Fossey, Jacques Serrcs
Think Dirty (94) C. May 78
Marty Feldman. Shelly Berman
SANRIO FILM
DISTRIBUTION
The
Chil
(82)
.An.
Metamorphoses (87) ...An.. Apr 78
Oily. Oily. Oxen Free
(92) Ac-Ad.. May 78
Kalliarine Hepburn
Where the Northern Fox Goes
(90) OD-Doc.
Nutcracker Suite
(100)
.An-M--Dec7S
S.J. INTERNATIONAL
The Inheritance R-D 78
Anthony (Julnn, Pominlque Sanda
Death Rage (90) Ac. Mar 78
Yul Bryiuier, Barbara Bouchet
Catherine & Co, (S7) ,..C..Mar7S
Jane Birkin. Patrick Dewaere
Sex and the Call Girl
(90) Sex D.. Apr 78
24 Hours of Terror— Kidnap
Syndicate (90) Ac. Apr 78
Come Hom'e and Meet My Wife
(90) Sex C. Apr 78
A Slightly Pregnant Man C. Apr 78
Marcello Mastroianni. Catherine
The Girl Who Came From
Tomorrow (90) . . . R-SF. .May 78
Rachel's Man (105) . .May 78
Leonard Whiting, Rita Tiishlngharo
Lunatics and Lovers .... C .. May 78
Marcello Mastroianni. Claudia Mori
Trc Bananas Boat C. May 78
llavley Mills, Doug McCIurc
Eagles Attack at Dawn Ac. June 78
The Suspects Ac-D..June7S
SS Girls
.Sex D. .OctT7
Night of the Askarl . .Cr-D 77
Bilitis
R-D Oct 77
If You Don't Stop It. You'll
Go Blind
Sex C.
Wackiest Wagon Train in thi
West
Iloh lienver. Forrest Tucker
21st CENTURY
NMD FILM DISTRIBUTING
The Three Fantastic
The Carhops (88) May 77 Supermen Apr 77
The New Adventures of Snow
The Divine Nymph Sept 77
White (76) May 77 The Obsessed One Nov 77
Naughty School Girls/Teenage
Demon Rage Dec 77
Tramp/Teenage Hitchhikers
Vengeance (One by One) Jan 78
(86/80/74)
.May 77 Voice In the Wind
Feb 78
COMING RELEASES
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL
Our Winning Season .. C-D . .June 78
Dennis Quaid, Scott Jacoby,
llehorah Benson. Itimrlv Merman
Trapped (94) My-Sus. .Oct 78
Pninella Riinsome, Lewis Fiander
Starcrash
F-Ad..
Cliristopher Phimmer, Marjoe
Gortn Can
The Black Pirate Ad .
Mel Ferrer
Sean Connery. Natalie Wood.
Henry Fonda. Trevor Howard
The Incredible Melting Man ..SF..
.\l(x Rehar. Michael AUredge
Force 10 From Navarone
Itohert Shaw. Franco Neix),
Eil'varil Fox, Carl Weathers
California Dreaming
Glynnis O'Connor, James Van Patten,
Seymour CSssel, Dorothy Tristan
Lee Ma.iors
AVCO EMBASSY
Wanda Nevada . .
Peter
Fonda
BUENA VISTA
Hero From Otherwhere . . .Ad-F.
The Cat From Outer Space
Ken Berry. McLean Stevenson,
SaiKlv Iluncan, Roddy McDowall
Bloodshy
C-W.,
Karen Valentine, fiarren MeGnvln,
lion Knotts. Jack Blam
The North Avenue Irregulars ....C.
Karen Valentine. Cloris Leachman,
Susan Clark, Barbara Harris
Trail's End C. .
Tim Conway. Don Knotts
CINEMA SHARES
Godzilla on Monster Island ..June 78
Blue Sunshine
Zalman King. Mark Goddard
COLUMBIA
The Cheap Detective June 78
Ann-Margret, Peter Falk, Louise
Fletcher, Stockard Chamiing
Midnight Express July 78
Brad Davis. Randy Quald
Eyes Oct 78
F:ive Dunaway. Tommy Lee Jones
Watch the Skies
Richard Dreyfusa
The Photographer
Annie Glrardot, Jacques Dutronl
Paradise
Paul Newman
Hardcore D.
Gco'-ge C. Scott, Bobby Kosser
All That Jazz DM. .
Richard Drcvfuss
Freestyle
Susan nark
The Amsterdam Kill (93) ..Ac-D..
Hnhert Mitrfium. Richard Bean.
Bradford Dillra.Tll. Leslie Nielsen
Ice
Castles
liohliy Benson. Ls'nn-Holly Johnson
Power
I.iii-- Fonda. Jack Lcmmnn.
luglas
CROWN INTERNATIONAL
The Coach July 78
Cathy Lee Crosby. Michael Blehn,
Keennn Wvnn, Steve Nell
The Pom Pom Girls, Part II ...,
Gym Teacher
Love Buggies '77
The Majorettes
DIMENSION
Tennessee Work Farm June 78
Stone Cold Dead July 78
FILM VENTURES
The Dragon Lives (90)
The Dark (92)
GROUP 1
The Black Box
Eat It Raw
White Slavers .
NEW WORLD
Avalanche July 7
Rock lluilsoll, Mia Farrow
The Bees
.lohn Saxon
The Movie Goer
Karen Black. Sam Waterston
Dcathsport
SF-Ac
liavld Carradlne, Claudia Jennings
Phibes Resurrettns Ho-C
Vincent Price, Roddy McDowall
The Frat Rats
Deborah Rafflo
PARAMOUNT
Born on the 4th of July
Al Padno
Fraternity Row (101) 0.
Peter Fox, Gregory Harrison
leven Nights in Japan
Michael York
Sextette
Mae West, Timothy Dalton.
Dora DeLulse, Rlngo Starr
Grease
Id
John Travolta, Stockard Channlng.
Olivia Newton-John, Dldl Conn
Foul Play Sus-C.
Goldle Hawn. Chevy Chase
Death on the Nile «>
Bette Davis. David Nlven.
Majgle Smith, Mia Farrow
20TH-F0X
A Wedding ^-'V'
Carol Burnett. Gcraldlne Chaplin,
Lillian Gish, Lauren Hutton
Damien—the Omen II Ho-D.
William Holden. Lee Grant
The Driver •••
Rvan O'Neal, Isabelle AdjanI,
Itonee Blakley
St, Petersburg Cannes Express . . .
.Iiille Christie, Donald Sirtherland
The Rose """
r.ettp Midler
UNITED ARTISTS . „ , „
Corvette Summer Ac-C..June7S
Ma k llamill, Annie Potts.
RuBine Iloelie, Richard Scha.ll
Convoy
..JuneTS
Kristofferson. AH MacGraw.
Youne. Ernest Borgnlne
Apocalypse Now ....War D.. Oct 78
Ion Brando. Robert Diivall,
lln Sheen. Dennis Hopper
The Dog Soldiers
Nick Nolte. Tuesday Weld.
Gall Strickland. Michael Morlarty
Comes a Horseman
Jane Fonda. Sterling Hayden.
James Caan. Jason Robards
Revenge of the Pink Panther ...C.
r Sellers. Dyan Cannon
UNIVERSAL
Jaws 2
Ad-D..June78
Roy Schelder. Lorraine Gary
The Wiz F-DM..Dec78
Diana Ross. Richard Pryor.
Lena Ilorne. Michael Jackson
The Deer Hunter Ae-u..
Itohert He Nlro. John Cazale
The Lonely Lady "•
Susan Blakely
Paradise Alley • •
Sylvester Stallone. Ann Archer
The Moonbeam Rider
David Carradlne. Brenda Vacarro
The Promise • • • •. • •.
Kitlileen Qiilnlan. Beatrice Straight
Same Time, Next Year
.Man Aldn. Ellen Burstyn
The Big Fix • • •
Rii'Iiard Dreyfuss, Susan Anspach
WARNER BROS.
Someone Is Killing the Great
Chefs of Europe Oct 78
.lacoiieline Blsset. George Segal
The Day the World Ended .Ad-Sus..
Yul Brj-nner. Henry Fonda
Hollywood Stuntman C-Ad..
Bnrt Reynolds. Sally Field.
Jan Michael Vincent, Brian Keith
Bloodbrothers
"••
Paul Sor\lno, Tony I^BIanco
Big Wednesday
Jan-Mlrhael Vincent, Lee Purcell,
Sam MehUle. B.arbara Hale
The Swarm
•
Michael Calne, Katharine Ross,
Richard Wldmark, Henry Fonda
The Squeeze Sus-C.
Siariy Keach. Lino Ventura
BOXOmCE BookinGuide :: April 3, 1978

Opinions on Current Productions ^JATURi REVIEWS
Symbol © denotes color;

Ivor
, Ms
. . The
. .
. .
FEATURE REVIEWS Story Synopsis; Exploitips; Adiines for Newspapers and Programs
THE STORY:
"Straight Time" IWB)
Dustin Hoffman is released from prison and reports to
Lx3s Angeles parole officer M. Emmet Walsh, who gives
Hoffman a hard time. Latter gets manual labor through
Theresa Russell at an employment agency. Old friend
Gai\v Busey. another ex-con, welcomes Hoffman but his
wife Kathy Bates is afraid of the latter's influence and
says so. Russell takes a romantic interest in Hoffman,
who is sent to city jail when Walsh thinks he's been
smoking pot. While transferring him to a halfway house,
Walsh so angers Hoffman that the parolee attacks and
leaves him half nude, handcuffed to a fence on the highway.
From Russell's place, Hoffman contacts bar owner
Sandy Baron for a gun, then calls on old friend Harry
Dean Stanton, who is bored with his affluent Ufe and
anxious to retui-n to crime. Hoffman has Stanton help
him in robbing a Beverly Hills jewelry store. Busey, the
getaway di'iver, is scared off and Stanton is killed by a
policeman whom Hoffman wounds. After killing Busey,
Hoffman takes off with Russell, but sends her back home
as he continues his escape.
EXPLOITIPS:
The Hoffman name is the major element. Mention that
the original novel was WTitten by an ex-convict who
knows his subject well.
CATCHLINES:
'Please God. Don't Let Him Get Caught.'
•^''
THE STORY: "An Unmarried Woman" (20th-Fox)
Wall Street broker Michael Murphy and wife Jill Clayburgh
have been wed 16 years and enjoy a good sex life,
along with a mutual interest in jogging. Daughter Lisa
Lucas, 15, is wise and often irritating. Easily upset by
New York Life, Mm-phy one day bluits out to Claybm-gh
that he's fallen in love with another woman. Shock and
humiliation give way to hate and Claybm-gh finds she
can't adjust as easily as the forgiving Lucas. Claybm'gh's
close friends—Linda Miller, Kelly Bishop and Pat Quinn
—try to help, as does analyst Penelope Russianoff.
Bishop's attempt to match Clayburgh with divorced Andrew
Duncan results in a fmnbled pass, and Jill takes out
her anger on Lucas and boyfriend Matthew Arkin. In a
bar, Claybm'gh runs into artist Cliff Gorman, who frequents
the art gallery where she works. They have a
one-night affair, replaced in short order by English
conceptual artist Alan Bates, who offers tenderness, understanding
and a lastmg relationship. Claybui-gh can't
take back Mm-phy when his affair fizzles or commit
herself to Bates, but she develops a better view of her
life.
EXPLOITIPS:
Tie in with the Avon paperback and the original soundtrack
album on 20th Centm-y-Fox Records and Tapes.
CATCHLINES:
A New Star Is Born in an Incisive Look at Man'iage
From One of Om- Top Filmmakers.
THE STORY: "Wackiest Wagon Train . . ." (Topar)
Wagon master Forrest Tucker and dumb assistant Bob
Denver lead a covered wagon and an elegant coach across
the trouble-laden West. There are five passengers: a
pompous husband and wife
i
Francis and Lynn Wood )
a tainted dance hall girl (Jeannine Riley), an innocent
gii-1 (Lori Saunders) and a sensible engineer iBill Cort>.
Denver saves an Indian boy from a bear. Later Denver
disguises himself as an Indian. When the real Indians
arrive, the cowboy imknowingly challenges a brave to a
fight and accidentally wins. The Indians hold the entire
party captive. Denver's wig falls off and the Indian boy
recognizes him. He tells his father, the chief, how Denver
saved him from the bear. Tire Indians release the travelers.
Later, Denver lassos a stray Appaloosa, for which
he is later accused of horse-rustling and sentenced to
hang. After getting out of this mess, the group goes to a
ghost town, where outlaws have driven the citizens away.
Denver impersonates Bat Masterson and frightens the
culprits away.
EXPLOITIPS:
Kiddie audiences are the target here. The names of
T'V stars Denver and Tucker are the most promising bait.
Play up the slapstick, sight-gag comedy aspect.
CATCHLINES:
The WACKIEST Two Guys Ever to Lead a Wagon
Train Across the WUd West! . . . Stars "Gilligan" and
the "F Troop" Man.
USE THIS HANDY SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM
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THE STORY:
"Pretty Baby" (Para)
In New Orleans, 1917, the Storyville district is a succession
of brothels, one of the most successful being rmi
by aging madame Frances Faye. One of her girls, Susan
Sarandon, gives birth to a son as Sarandon's daughter
Brooke Shields, 12, watches. Dedicated photographer
Keith Carradine wishes to photograph the prostitutes,
who become accustomed to his gentlemanly ways, but
don't understand his reluctance to get involved with any
of them. Brooke begins her own career by being sold in
auction for $400 to Don K. Lutenbacher as her fii'st customer.
Sarandon, upset when her favorite customer Gerrit
Graham is clubbed after shooting up the house,
threatens to leave. She finally does depart with businessman
Don Hood, who marries her and accepts her baby.
Shields, whom Sarandon pretends is her sister, stays behind.
She moves in with Carradine, who is amused at
first and then admits he loves her. Storyville is forced
to close. Carradine and Shields wed when she becomes
his nude photographic subject. He tries to accept her
whims just as Sarandon and husband arrive to take
Brooke back with them.
EXPLOITIPS:
Tie in with the Al Rose book "Storyville, New Orleans"
which inspired the film. Play up the jazz score.
CATCHLINES:
A Very Adult World Through the Eyes of a Child .
Possibly the Most Shocking Film of the Year.
THE STORY: "Here Come the Tigers" (AIP)
Rookie policemen Richard Lincoln and James Zvanut
coach the Piddletown Tigers, a Little League baseball
team made up of a collection of misfits and characters.
The pitcher is wild and the catcher is bad, and two
flirtatious teenage girls are on the team. A judge paroles
a juvenile delinquent boy to Lincoln's care. He and his
wife, Samantha Grey, try to help the boy build up some
self-confidence by putting him on the team. The Tigers
get off to a ten-ible start and lose games by wide margins.
Then they find an Oriental lad who handles a bat like a
Samurai sword and belts out home runs. They add a
deaf boy, who turns out to be an ace pitcher, but they
must first talk his over-protective mother into allowing
it. Just before their championship game with the Panthers,
the team gets into a fight in a pool hall. The
Samm-ai kid saves them with his karate chops, but the
pitcher's shoulder is severely dislocated. A top orthopedic
surgeon is flown in to manipulate it back into shape. The
Tigers win the big game.
EXPLOITIPS:
Arrange advance screenings for little league coaches.
Tie in with police-sponsored youth programs.
CATCHLINES:
It's a Whole New Ball Game! . New Coach is
Ready for the Funny Farm, the Umpire is Unconscious
and They're Down by 39 Runs in the Last Inning
.
THEY'VE NOT YET BEGUN TO FIGHT!
BOXOFFICE BookinGuide April

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MANAGERS, theatre, indoor and driven.
Io]n country's leading independent
:ircuit. Work in Louisville, Kentucky area.
Pop salary, plus company's life, health
ind dental benefits for serious, responsible
men and women. Year round employnent
with advancement. Send resume to
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reens. Circuit operation with
sxcellent salary and top medical cmd life 35MM INTERNATIONAL SPECIALS: Pair
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APPUCATIONS: Now being taken for with 500 watt Xenon, 50 hours since new,
heatre field engineers by Dolby Laboraories.
Applicants should have extensive
$3,650.00. Eiki 3020, used, good shape.
ield service experience with above averige
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