Boxoffice-May.15.1978

I
M42,870
1 78 THEATRES
FIRST WEEK
(held over. 01 course)
r^
MAY
15, 1978
winner!
net your local
:/ WORLD EXCHANbi
n Poller, National Sales Mgf
I^NEW WORLD PICT
\W 11600 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles 13) 820-6733 *

. . You've
. . who
THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY
"uisUihti In Nine Sectlonif Editions
BEN SHLYEN
Editor-in-Chiel and Publisher
RALPH M. OELMONT ..Managing Eilitor
—
.Business Mgr.
MORRIS SCHLOZMA^
GARY BURCH
.Western Editor
RALPH KAMINSKY
Publication Offices: 825 Van Brunt Blvd.
Kjuisas Cll)-. Mo. 64124. (8161 241-7777
Western Offices: 6425 llollyaood Blvd.
Hollywood. Ca.. 90028 (213) 465-1186.
Eastern Offices: 1270 SUlh Avenue Suite
2403. Rockefeller Center. New York, N.t.
10020. (212) 265-6370.
London Office: Anthony Oruner. 1 Woodberry
Way, Flnchley. N 12. Telephone
Hillside 6733.
THB MODERN THEATRE Section l>
Included in one Issue each month.
Alhuquerque; Chuck MIttlestadt. PO. Boi
8514. Station C 87108. Tele. 265-
6578. 265-1791. ^ ^
Atlanta: Genevieve Camp. 166 Lindbergh
Drive, N.B. 30305.
Baltimore: Kate Savage, 3607 Sprlngdale,
Boston: Ernest Warren, 1 Colgate Road
Needham, Mass. 02192. Tele. (617)
Buffalo: Ekisard F. Meade, 760 Main St..
14202. Tele. (716) 854-1655
CUcago: Frances B. Oow. 175 North
Kenllivortb. Oak Park. 111. 60302. Tele.
(312) 383-8343.
Cincinnati: Sharon B.iEUen. 4211 AJlaidorf.
No. 71. 4520e. Tele: (513)
Charlotte: Blanche Carr, 912 B. Park
Ave.. 28203. Tele. (704) 376-1815.
Chas. J. Leonard sr., 319 Queens Kd.,
28204. Tele: (704) 333-0444.
Cleveland: Elaine Fried, 3255 Or«nway
Rd. 44122. Tele. (216) 991-3797.
Columbus; Jim Pearce, 230 Gracriand
Blvd., 43214. Tele. (614) 885-2610.
Dallas: Mable Gulnan, 6927 Wlnton.
Denver: Bruce Marshall, 2881 8. Cherry
Way, 80222. „ „ ,
Des Motaes: Cindy VIers, 4024 E. Maple,
50317. Tele. 266-9811.
Detroit: Vera Phillips, 131 EUot St.
West Windsor, Ont. N9A 5Y8.
Hartford: Allen M WIdem, 30 Pioneer
Drive, W. Hartford 06117, Tele. 232-
Indlanapolls: Robert V. Jones, 6386 N.
Park 46220. Tele (317) 253-1636;
Jacksonville: Robert Cornwall, 3233 College
St.. 32205. Tele. (904) 389-
Mempl.ls: Earllne Bans. 3849 Maid Marian
Une, 38111. Tele. 452-4220.
Miami: Martha Lummus, 622 N.E. 98 St.
Milwaukee; WaUy L. Meyer, 301 Heather
Une, Fredonl*, Wis. 53021. Tele:
^,
(305) 588-6786.
Paul Dispatch,
MUmeapolls: Bill Dlehl, St.
,
63 B. 4th St., St. Paul, Minn.
New Orleans: Mary Oreenbaum, 2303
Mendez St. 70122.
Oklahoma City; L. Eddie Greggs. 410
Smith Bldg., 2000 Classen Center,
73106.
Palm Beach; Lois Baumoel, 2860 S.
Blvd., Ocean No. 316, 33480, Tele.
(305) 688-6786.
Philadelphia: Maurle H. Orodenker, 312
W. Park Towne Place, 19130. Tele.
(215) 567-4748.
Pittsburgh; R. F. Kllngensmlth. 616
Jeanette, Wllklnsburg 16221. Tele.
(412) 241-2809.
Portland. Ore.; Robert Olds, 13640 SB
King Rd., 97236.
Bt. Louis; Fan R. Krause, 8 ISA Longacre
Drive, 63132. Tele. (314) 991-
4746.
Bait Ukf City; Keith Perry, 264 E. 1st
Smith, 84111. Tele. (801) 328-1641.
Ban Antonio: Gladys Candy. 519 Cincinnati
Ave. Tele. (612) 734-5527.
San Francisco: Cathy Meyer, Jan Zones
1221 Suite lOF,
94100.
Goldman, Apt. 404. 101 N.
46th St., 98103, Tele. 782-5833.
Toledo: Anna Kline, 4330 Wfllya Pkwy.,
43612.
Tucson; Gib Clark, 433 N Grande. Apt.
6. 85705.
Wa.shlnv:ton: Virginia R Collier, 5112
Connecticut Ave., N W. 20008. Tele.
(202) 382-0892.
IN CANADA
Calgary: Maxine McBean, 420 40th St..
F3C IWl. Telf. (403 249-
6039.
Montreal: Tom Cleary. Association des
Proprletalres de Cinemas du Quebec.
3720 Van Home. Suite 4-5, H3S 1R8.
Ottawa: Garfield WIUlc" Wlhon, 758
Halnsford Ave.. KIK 2K1. Tele. 746-
6660.
Toronto: J. W. Agnew. 274 Bt. John's
Rd.. MOP 1V6.
Vancouver: Jimmy Davie, 3245 W. 12.
V6K 2R8.
Winnipeg: Robert Hucal. 500-232 Por-
Uge Ave.. R.3C OBI.
Member Audit Bureau of Circulation
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National Executive Edition; $25.00, fordgn,
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Publication No. 062260.
MAY 5, 97f
Me Tulie m ine me^^on. MctuAe yncLiW
A MEASURE OF MERIT
WILLIAM WRIGLEY jr., through
the years, frequently had been
quoted on matters pertaining to advertising.
This man, known around the world,
who amassed a fortune from a small
article and a modest beginning, invariably
attributed his success to advertising.
The anecdote has been published that
Wrigley once was asked by a friend why
he still advertised so extensively when
his product was known everywhere, why
he didn't cut down his advertising expenditures
or cut them out entirely.
To this, Wrigley replied: "Advertising
. is like a locomotive got to
keep stoking coal or the fire goes out.
And when that happens the engine
stops."
There are many specific instances that
can be cited in which the curtailment or
discontinuance of advertising turned a
successful business into a failure. And
there are some instances where renewed
efforts to bring back success failed, because
the public had been permitted to
forget the article and a new one took its
place.
This always has been true, too, in the
motion picture industry and in many instances
firms that in previous years had
shown steady growth and profits have
met with indifferent success and some
even have failed when advertising budgets
were slashed.
Tradepaper advertising plays a very
vital part in the life of this business.
Tradepaper advertising is information
that every exhibitor needs. He buys from
it and he sells as a result of it. It gives
him knowledge of his merchandise; it
gives him confidence in it; it inspires him
to attain the greatest possible boxoffice
results.
Lack of advertising of a product to the
trade is an indication of lack of confidence
therein by its makers. Advertising
is a measuring stick of merit. It is a goal
marker of desired achievement. And the
standard thus set must be built up to or
goodwill and prestige are lost.
Not surprisingly, when an old-line company
undergoes a complete reorganization,
there always is the built-in possibility
of extensive lost business. A case in
point comes to mind—and in that instance
the production-distribution firm,
within a few months, reported sagging
billings. Various causes were cited among
which was "high cost of production." Actually,
the company had better produ
at that time than ever in its history. Yf
its revenues were falling far below wh
it previously experienced.
Somehow, in the reorganization pr
cess, the company had stepped somewh
out of its class and attempted to forg
the "little fellows" . had given it
profit year after year. It stopped "stokir
coal" and a long-established policy th,
had brought it success.
That company (which is still a part
the production-distribution scene) is n
alone in its digression from a successf
business and sales policy in keeping wi1
the times and conditions. Too often
this industry there are overnight poli(
changes that, through hasty decision, d
feat their own purpose.
Advertising, tradepaper advertising,
not "a necessary evil," as some may loc
upon it, but an approach that is essenti
for business success. The most successf
firms in this industry and in other fiel(
have been steady and substantial users <
virtually every type of advertising.
In this business, where most product
sold before it is made, the exhibitor h;
a right to know what its potential f(
success is, and how it can be attained, et
Producers urge exhibitors to do more ai
vertising to the public and yet they ther
selves are remiss, all too often, to give tl:
exhibitor the courage to do so.
The past year has brought record bo:
office receipts, despite the fact that the;
tre attendance is but a fraction of whi
it was dui'ing the halcyon days of tl
mid- 1940s; but this was true only becau'
marquees were dominated by a few s^
called "blockbusters." There were sever,
pictures which attracted more-than-sati
factory attendance, but there were fi
too many features which were viewed 1:
only a handful of patrons—largely b
cause they were not adequately promote
As new product which has not bee
benefited by widespread word-of-mout
comes to the nation's screens, it is to 1
hoped that producer-distributors will r
alize that it is essential to "keep stokir
coal," if the fires of boxoffice success ai
to continue to glow brightly.
\JenAj /O^JLji^T^

. . We
. . fellow
Goldberg Is Retiring
From UA as of June 2
NEW YORK.— Fred Goldberg, senior
vice-president in charge of marketing for
early retirement. He has served United
Artists brilliantly and with enormous dedication
for more than 20 years and has made
a valuable contribution as former head of
the advertising and publicity department
and more recently as head of marketing.
But I also respect his desire to strike out in
new directions and wish him well on whatever
future plans he may have. However,
we all will miss him very much both as a
friend and as a colleague."
Goldberg joined UA in 1958 as executive
assistant to the director of publicity and
advertising and the following year was made
national director of advertising, publicity
and promotion. He became executive director
in that department in 1961. In June
1962. he was appointed vice-president. He
was elected to the board of directors in
June 1968 and he was named senior vicepresident
in January 1973. He assumed his
marketing post in March 1977.
Starting his industry career in 1946, Goldberg
first worked for Paramount, where he
serviced the tradepapers, syndicates and
New York newspapers while in exploitation
and promotions. He joined RKO and IFE,
as national publicity manager of the latter.
before heading the New York office of
Arthur Jacobs and then Blowitz-Maskel.
Then came his long association with UA.
'Avalanche' Set for Gala
Denver Premiere July 19
HOLLYWOOD—New World Pictures
will world-premiere its "Avalanche," Rock
Hudson-Mia Farrow starrer, July 19 at General
Cinema Corp.'s Cherry Creek Cinema
in Denver.
NITE's Patterson
Urges Scientific
Evaluation of Industry's Potential
NEW YORK—A call for the abandonment
of "basic fallacies upon which many
industry policies rest" was sounded by Tom
Patterson at the second annual New Product
Seminar held here Tuesday and Wednesday
(9, 10) by the Independent Theatre
Owners of New York.
The president of the National Independent
Theatre Exhibitors Ass'n told the assemblage,
"When it comes to producing and
selling a motion picture, Warners, Columbia.
Universal, United Artists, Buena Vista,
.
20th-Fox and Paramount are outstandLng.
Movies are bigger and better today than
ever before have a great business
that easily is able to provide for us all. Most
industries, however, attempt to increase
profits by increasing sales. Unfortunately,
policy-makers in our industry have attempted
to increase profits by getting more profits
on . . . fewer and fewer sales."
Fred Goldberg
United Artists, is retiring as of June
Price Drop Pays Off
2, it
was announced by Andy Albeck, president Patterson said that he recently dropped
and chief executive officer of United Artists admission prices and found his third-week
Corp.
ticket income on a particular film easily exceeded
the second-week boxoffice receipts.
Albeck said, "I am making this announcement
with mixed feelings. On the one hand "Our industry pats itself on the back when
I deeply regret Goldberg's decision to take we run a film that grosses $25,000,000, but
BOXOFHCE :; May 15, 1978
a scientific analysis may have revealed the
film should have done $50,000,000. We
should judge our performance against our
true potential. We brag about a $2,400,000,-
000 annual boxoffice when perhaps the potential
is $10,000,000,000." he asserted.
The NITE president asked, "Why hasn't
someone or some group of p)eople seen to it
that we at
least approach our potential?"
Wants MPAA Study
The Motion Picture Ass'n of America, he
suggested, would be acting constructively
if it authorized and financed a scientific
study dealing with patterns of attendance.
"Some people view films as they do diamonds,
oil or precious metals," he explained.
"Some people are of the opinion
that you can release no more than five top
films per year even if you are lucky enough
to produce or acquire five or more. On the
other hand, have we ever had more talent
than we now have? Is there really any limit
to our creative energies? I think not. I believe
the time has come for the gigantic
companies of the motion picture industry
to lead the way toward prosperity for us all."
Patterson declared that it is time for the
film industry to determine why some motion
pictures attract hordes of patrons while
others do not, to develop a comprehensive
analysis on what motivates people to
attend
films. "In a day of computer wizardry with
very sophisticated marketing analysis techniques,
we are still attempting to build and
protect the mystique of so-called gifted people
who can pick winners and reject losers
... If there is a scientifically constructed
psychological profile of the boxoffice hit.
as a tool, it has been used rather sparingly.
We know that "Walking Tall,' "Jaws' and
'The Goodbye Girl' are hits but do we know
why? I say it is within our power to determine
why and that such information should
cover the walls of every writer, every director,
every producer, every distribution executive
and every theatre owner."
The film industry, he charged, has operated
far too long on the "let tomorrow take
care of itself but let us get every dime we
can today" credo. "Movies, in motion picture
theatres, are not essential," he reminded.
"Not only are there alternative forms
and means of entertainment but there is the
option of total abstention. More and more
in recent years we have simply turned the
TV set off. It used to be that we'd pick the
best program of the lot, no matter how bad,
and watch it. Not so anymore! Now we
simply turn the TV set off. It occurs to me
that the same approach would apply to molion
pictures at our theatres. If we in our
business continue to ignore the long-range
effects of our actions the time could very
well come when the theatregoing public
will simply turn us off by staying home or
going elsewhere." He added that $3.50 and
$4 ticket prices, as well as $1 Cokes, indicate
that exhibitors are going with the "get
it while the getting is good" approach.
The objective of NITE, the association
president emphasized, is not to fight, despite
the fact that it now represents over
6,000 screens and its legal defense fund is
growing. He pointed out, "The last three
years have brought a change," commenting
Patterson conceded, "There arc those in
NITE who would say 'put the SOBs in
jail.' There are those in NITE who are so
filled with venom that their only thoughts
that the organization's objective is to obtain
"the independents' rightful place in the market."
are on recrimination. But the leadership of
NITE, though bitter from seeing illegal conduct
and seeing many . independents
forced out of business, has only positive
goals in mind."
Vetoes Gov't Solutions
He asked. "Of what benefit is it to us if
a distributor employee is jailed if there is no
relief forthcoming in the marketplace? Why
should we feel joy in million-dollar fines that
are paid to the government while our balance
sheet remains in the red? Firings of
distribution officers mean nothing to us unless
the successor institutes policies of fairness
and equity.
"I. for one, have no confidence in solutions
designed by government officials. First
and foremost, they don't understand our
business. Second, even if they did understand
our business and developed adequate
solutions for today, chances arc poor that
those solutions would be adequate for tomorrow.
In my view, internal solutions
(Continued on page 4)

Univ., 21sl Century
Sign a 3-Year Pact
UNIVERSAL CITY—Universal Pictures
and Twenty-First Century Communications,
publisher of National Lampoon and Heavy
M.nal magazines, have signed a three-year
motion picture development and production
agreement. Ned Tanen, president of Universal,
announced Monday (8). The deal
follows Twenty-First Century's initial venture
into filmmaking. "National Lampoon's
Animal House," which Universal will release
this summer.
The publishing company and its board
chairman and chief executive officer Matty
Simmons are contracted to present Universal
with at least four properties in treatment
form each year. Simmons, producer of the
first film, will produce the features under
the terms of the agreement.
Some of the properties, according to
Simmons, will be based on National Lampoon
comedy and Heavy Metal fantasy as
well as on original material. The first treatment
under the new pact, written by Lampoon
senior editors Sean Kelly and Tony
Hendra. already has been submitted. Simmons
currently is setting up a permanent
staff to work full time on film development.
They will be based in New York.
Alexander Beck to Handle
Foreign Sales for EMC
LOS ANGELES—John Chambliss,scnior
vice-president and general sales manager,
EMC Film Corp., announced that the Los
Angeles/ Miami-based film distribution
company has retained Alexander Beck as
its sales representative for all territories
outside the U.S. and Canada.
Beck, who has been a top salesman at
Cannes in recent years, will be traveling to
the upcoming festival with two of EMC's
current releases. "Convention Girls" and
"Naked Rider." The two pictures have been
among the best-grossing independent releases
of recent months, Chambliss noted.
"Naked Rider" was among the Boxoffice
Top 12 Hits of the last quarter of 1977 and
"Convention Girls" has outgrossed "Naked
Rider in its initial engagements.
Chambliss observed that the films have
generated considerable international interest
and said he expects "subtantial overseas
sales."
Earl Owensby Expanding
Backlot of EO Studios
SHELBY, N.C.—Earl Owensby has added
75 acres to the backlot of his EO studios
here to provide more space for the elaborate
sets including Southern manor houses, for
a high-budget production of the Civil War
story "The Plantation."
The expansion is the second major improvement
at the studios this year. Earlier,
a large sound stage was completed to give
the facility four stages. Now lensing there is
"Living Legend," a story of a country-rock
superstar with Owensby and Ginger Alden
in the leads.
Hanna-Barbera, AIP Start
Work on Canine Comedy
BEVERLY HILLS — Co-production of
"C.H.O.M.P.S.". a light-hearted comedy
budgeted at $3,500,000. has been started by
American International Pictures and Hanna-
Barbera Productions, with Samuel Z. Arkoff.
AIP board chairman and president,
executive-producing.
Veteran director Don Chaffey, whose film
credits include "The Prince and the Pauper,"
"Ride a Wild Pony." "One Million Years
B.C." and "Jason and the Argonauts." will
direct. Joseph Barbera will produce the film
based on a script by Dick Robbins and
Duane Poole. Burt Topper will co-produce.
"C.H.O.M.P.S." (short for "Canine Home
Protection Systems") is the brainchild of a
young engineer employed by a home security
alarm system who comes to the rescue
of a town plagued by a burglary spree. A
mechanical watchdog, it is indistinguishable
from any normal house dog, as least in outward
appearance. But it not only runs faster,
leaps higher and bites harder than any normal
canine, it also has X-ray vision and a
super-developed sound detection system.
In addition, the dog has the ability to run
through walls, leap off buildings and deliver
flying karate kicks while fighting crime. The
producers hope that the many special effects
will make the picture "a novel and truly entertaining
motion picture for worldwide
viewers of all ages." Numerous promotional-merchandising
activities and tie-ins
are planned.
Avco Embassy to Handle
'Stingray' Distribution
LOS ANGELES—Avco Embassy has acquired
the U.S. and Canadian distribution
rights to "Stingray," according to Bob
Rehme, senior vice-president and chief
operating officer. The action caper stars
Christopher Mitchum, Sherry Jackson and
Les Lannom and introduces Sondra Theodore
in her feature-film debut.
"Stingray" is the initial production effort
by Donald R. Ham and Bill L. Bruce and
marks the first theatrical film by director
Richard Taylor. This action-packed adventure
was filmed entirely in St. Louis and
its environs and features another "star," a
shiny red Corvette Stingray.
Lawyer Jack Schwartzman
Forms New Film Company
HOLLYWOOD — Attorney
Jack
Schwartzman has announced the formation
of a new film company. JS Films. Inc.,
which will receive full financing from Lorimar
Productions. Product distribution also
will be by Lorimar, according to Schwartman,
who said he would disclose planned
projects in the near future.
Schwartzman has been closely associated
with the film industry in his capacity as a
lawyer (Lorimar has been a client).
Among other phases, he has been involved
in negotiations relating to the financing
and distribution of such motion pictures as
"Billy Jack," "Midnight Cowboy," "Coming
Home" and "Paper Moon."
Patterson Urges Film
Industry Evaluation
(Continued from page 3)
would be far preferable to those fashioned
by outsiders. But, internal solutions cannot
be unilateral. Internal solutions must
recogize the needs of all parties and as nearly
as possible attempt to meet those needs.'
As the leader of NITE. Patterson said he
had chosen government intervention only
because "major distributors and major exhibitor
circuits would not listen to us ,
recognize our needs or acknowledge out
plight." Patterson expressed the hope that
exhibition and distribution could work together
toward a system void of discrimination
and abuses. "Let us undertake to bring
not 20, not 40, not 80, but 100,000,000
people per week into our theatres." At the
same time he also called for a greater awareness
of the industry's responsibility toward
the American people, stating that viewers
are highly influenced by what they see on
the screen. "There are and should be motives
superior to the profit motive," he
vowed.
Citing the government's refusal to assist
in the struggle, Patterson asserted that "independent
exhibitors have a place in this
market and consequently we will persist
until that place is recognized . . . Our fight
is for survival. We'd prefer survival with-:
out a fight, but if it's fight we must, then
it's fight we will." Patterson called upon the
people of vision within distribution to reason
together to remove the cau.se of antagonism
and place in its stead a model of innovation
and integrity. "Let us fabricate a
relationship and a system of doing business
that will be on a par with the greatest
creative achievements of our industry. Exhibitors
are ready, willing and able," he
said.
Arkoff and AIP Contingent
Head for Cannes Festival
BEVERLY HILLS—Samuel Z. Arkoff
board chairman and president, heads the
American International Pictures contingent
at
the Cannes International Film Festival.
The group includes Jules Stein, senioi
vice-president in charge of international
sales and distribution, and Rocco Viglietta,
vice-president nontheatrical division, both
from the Beverly Hills AIP office; Ruth
Pologe Levinson, assistant national directoj
of advertising-publicity, from the New York
office, and Steve Previn, AIP's European
production manager, London.
IRC Announces Two More
Areas of Representation
LOS ANGELES — Intercontinental
Releasing
Corp. will have two new areas ol
representation, it was announced by Davie
Baughn, vice-president in charge of domestic
sales and advertising.
Charles Arendall of TAB Films will represent
IRC in Memphis, while Marty Zide ol
Allied Films will handle the Detroit terri
tory.
BOXOFHCE :: May 15, 197!

PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL ENTERPRISES INC.
PROUDLY PRESENTS
A SEQUEL TO "THE WILDERNESS FAMILY'
A PHENOMENAL WORLDWIDE SUCCESS!
The true story of a modern pioneer
family who turned their
backs on civilization...
never to return.
The Further Adventures Of The
WILDSnmS FAMILY
starring ROBERT F. LOGAN • SUSAN DAMANTE SHAW . heather rahray . ham Li\RSEN . : GEORGE -BUCK" flower
Wntien and Produced by ARTHUR R. DUBS • Dr.rt.a b, FRANK ZUNIGA • Mu.n Dy DOUGLAS LACKEY ...i GENE KAUER • s.nt; p„t -m.] =, BARRY WILLIAMS
A PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL ENTERPRISES INC. RELEASE • Color \» C F
IP O, BOX 172? MEDFOBD. OHEGON 97501, USA, Te1e« 5107&70613 PAC INTC MEFi
Cirntatt Tony Manne — Arthur Herskovitz, Majestic Hotel, Cannes
or Jad Films International Inc.. 405 Park Avenue. New York, NY 10022, U.S.A.
Cable: JADFILMS — Telex: 236499 ngp — Phone: (212) 751-2624

Jeff Katzenberg Named
Para. V-P for Production
NE\\' YORK—Jeff Katzenberg has been
named production vice-president for Paramount
Pictures. it
was announced by
Michael D. Eisner,
Jeff
Katzenberg
president and chief
operating officer of
the company.
Katzenberg. in addition
to his new appointment,
will continue
to be in charge
of feature film acquisitions
and pickups.
^^ ^^.„ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^_
ly to Don Simpson, vice-president in charge
of production for the motion picture division.
In 1975, Katzenberg joined Paramount
New York as assistant to the chairman
in
of the board. In 1977 he became executive
director of marketing for administration,
and in the fall of 1977. he moved to the
West Coast as a vice-president in the motion
picture division.
Prior to joining Paramount, Katzenberg.
from 1974 to 1975, was associated with
David V. Picker's independent production
company. Two Roads Productions. From
197.V1974. he was an agent in the motion
picture department of International Famous
Agency working out of the New York
office.
Pat Verducci Appointed
UA Promotion Manager
NEW YORK— Pat Verducci has been
appointed promotion manager for United
Artists, it was announced by John Dartigue,
vice-president/advertising and publicity. He
will report to Carl Ferraza, executive director
of promotion and cooperative advertising.
A fieldman for UA from 1968 through
1971. Verducci last year rejoined the company
as a member of the promotion department.
He also has held promotional
and publicity posts with Texaco, Columbia
Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
A native of West Virginia, Verducci
studied at the American Conservatory in
Chicago, the Julliard Conservatory and Columbia
University in New York, the La
Scala School in Milan, Italy, and at the
Alexander Hamilton Business Institute,
New York City.
Brachman Appointed UA
V-P for West Coast
CULVER CITY—Leon S.
Brachman has
been appointed vice-president. West Coast
business affairs, for United Artists, it was
announced. Brachman is making his headquarters
at UA offices here.
He most recently served as director of
business affairs for Columbia Pictures and
before that was an attorney in the New
York legal departments of Columbia Pictures
for ten years and United Artists for
three
years.
'Secrets' Set to Open
In 11 Cities in South
Los Angeles— Lee Thomburg, president
of Lone Star Pictures International,
has set a Friday (19) opening
date in 11 cities for "Secrets," which
stars Jacqueline Bisset, Robert Powell,
Shirley Knight and Per Oscarssen.
The picture will open in Tampa, St.
Petersburg. Sarasota. Clearwater, Orlando.
Merritt's Island, Daytona Beach,
Belleview and \Mnter Haven in Florida,
Fort Myers and Kingsport, Tenn. Subsequent
openings Friday (26) include
Knoxville. Tenn.; Montgomery, Ala.;
Greenville and Fayetteville, N.C.; Florence,
S.C., and Albany, Ga.
The film was produced by John Hanson
and directed by Philip Savilie.
Avco Embassy Names Silk
Central Division Manager
LOS ANGELES—Paul Silk has been
named Avco Embassy's Central division
manager, it was announced by Herb Robinson,
the company's vice-president and general
sales manager.
As Central division manager. Silk will be
responsible for the Chicago, Cincinnati,
Cleveland, Detroit and Minneapolis
branches. He had been Avco Embassy's
Chicago branch manager prior to this appointment.
Before joining Avco Embassy he served
as the assistant to the division manager at
Columbia Pictures' Chicago offices; before
that, he was with K-tel, motion picture
division, of Minneapolis. Silk assumes his
new position Monday (22) at the Central
division headquarters in Chicago.
Theatre Remodeling Pacts
Go to Chiimian & Krieger
CEDARHURST, N.Y.—Joel L. Chinman
and Maxwell Krieger. theatre-renovation
specialists, have been awarded contracts in
New York City and Ann Arbor, Mich.
The United Artists Columbia I & II in
New York will undergo an elaborate redesign.
The theatre will have new interior
walls, carpet, doors, and a new exterior facade.
Chinman & Krieger also will undertake
the twinning of the existing Mann Fox
Village Theatre in Ann Arbor, as well as an
addition to the structure. This will be a fourweek
conversion.
Both houses will be given the latest sound
and projection equipment.
Univ.'s 'Nunzio' Modified,
Rerated PG by MPAA
NEW YORK—Universal's "Nunzio." reviewed
last week in Boxoffice. originally
was rated R by the Motion Picture Ass'n of
America. However, following the re-editing
of a sex scene which involves the title character,
a change which producer Jennings
Lang feels will "add vastly to the scene's
effectiveness," the feature has been rerated
PG by the MPAA (see Bulletin No. 491).
Dyson. Ogden Move to Top
Positions at Coca-Cola
ATLANTA—Brian G. Dyson, formerly
senior vice-president of the Americas
Brian G. Dyson
John H. Ogden
Group and manager of the South Latin
American Division, has been elected vicepresident
of the Coca-Cola Co. and named
president of Coca-Cola U.S.A. He succeeds
John H. Ogden, who continues as vice-president
of the Coca-Cola Co. and who will
serve as special assistant to the president of
the company. The announcements were
made by company president J. Lucian
Smith.
In his new position, Dyson will report
to Donald R. Keough, executive vice-president
of the Coca-Cola Co. and president of
the Americas Group. Dyson joined the company
in 1959. He has served in various capacities
in the Caribbean, Mexico and South
America. In 1968 he was named assistant to
the area manager for the Caribbean and Columbia
regions based in Coral Gables, Fla.
Dyson was named region manager for
the Mexican region in 1970 and manager
for the South Latin American Division in
1975. He is a native of Argentina.
A native of New Jersey, Ogden joined
the company in 1937. He was appointed
executive assistant, manufacturing division
at the Atlanta headquarters in 1965 and
named vice-president at year later.
He was named executive vice-president of
Coca-Cola USA in 1975. In 1976 he was
appointed president of Coca-Cola USA and
elected vice-president of the Coca-Cola. Co
May 23 Benefit Premiere
For 'Harper Valley PTA'
HOLLYWOOD—April Fools Productions'
"Harper Valley PTA" will open with
a special six-theatre world premiere in Cincinnati
Tuesday (23) for the benefit of the
Ear Research Institute of Los Angeles.
Nanette Fabray, co-star in the picture with
Barbara Eden, is a member of the board
of trustees of the institute.
The two stars and other members of the
cast will attend the benefit performance,
according to Phil Borack. president of April
Fools Productions.
Winkler on European Tour
For Universal's 'Heroes'
UNIVERSAL CITY—Henry Winkler has
begun a month-long European tour to promote
Universal's "Heroes," doing interviews
in England. Sweden and France.
BOXOFnCE :: May 15, 1978

20th Century-Fox Has
AU-Time Record Year
HOLLYWOOD—Stockholders of 20th
Century-Fox Film Corp. routinely elected
four members to the board of directors at
its annual meeting April 29, a session in
which they relaxed in an atmosphere of
goodwill and heard glowing reports of record-breaking
profits and optimistic predictions
of more to come.
Dennis C. Stanfill, board chairman and
chief executive officer, reported that "1977
was the best year for 20th Century-Fox in
its history," with record revenues and earnings
and profits accruing from all company
operations.
Net Over $50 Million
Revenues hit an all-time high of more
than $500,000,000, up from $355,000,000
the previous year. Net earnings hit more
than $50,000,000. or $6.52 a "share, compared
to $10,700,000 or $1.41 a share in
1976, Stanfill declared.
Stockholders, he pointed out, cashed in
on $4,500,000 in dividends last year—the
fifth consecutive year of increased dividend
payments, he pointed out.
The record pace held up in the first quarter
of this year with revenues of $159,000,-
000, up from the $89,500,000 in the same
period last year. Net earnings hit $17,486,-
000. up from $2,500,000 a year ago.
Film Revenues High
Feature film revenues in the first quarter
were $92,000,000. with "Star Wars" leading
the pack which included "The Turning
Point," "Julia" and "High Anxiety." Stanfill
pointed out that similar "improved results"
were achieved by the TV division, international
theatres and TV broadcasting
operations. Adding to the lake was the soft
drink bottling operations of Coca-Cola Bottling
Midwest, Stanfill said.
Elected to three year terms on the board
were Alan Ladd jr., president of the motion
picture division and a vice-president of the
corporation: Donald N. Frey, chairman of
the board and chief executive officer of Bell
& Howell Co.; Ralph F. Lewis, editor and
publisher of the Harvard Business Review,
and John L. Vogelstein. executive vicepresident
of E. M. Warburg, Pincus & Co.,
a specialized financial service organization.
Among other agenda items:
Stanfill reported that the previously announced
merger of the Aspen Skiing Corp.
is expected to be completed by June.
Stockholders approved an antitakover
proposal which requires a vote of two-thirds
of the company shares for approval of any
mergers.
Approved was a proposal to eliminate
preemptive rights under which stockholders
are offered first opportunity to purchase
new share issues.
Announced was an automatic dividend
re-investment plan which will be put into
effect in the near future.
Expressing optimism about the balance
of the 1978 film release lineup, Stanfill gave
this rundown of future product:
"Star Wars" will be rereleased in July to
almost 2,000 theatres in the U. S. and Canada
and it also will open in Japan.
"Damien— the Omen XL" the sequel to
the highly successful "The Omen," will be
released in
June.
"The Driver," starring Ryan O'Neal and
Bruce Dern, will debut in August.
Films set for fall release are Robert Altman's
"A Wedding," "The Boys From Brazil,"
starring Gregory Peck, and Joseph E.
Levine's "Magic."
Scheduled for Christmas release is "Butch
and Sundance: the Early Years."
EMC's 'At Last' Displays
Strong Boxoffice Power
LOS ANGELES—In its initial engagements,
EMC's "At Last ... At Last" grossed
$24,073 in 17 days in the Cinema North
South in Nashville. TTie R-rated erotic film,
which opened strongly, demonstrated good
holding power in its second and third weekends
at the 250-seat theatres.
"At Last ... At Last" outgrossed the
first-run opening weeks of "An Unmarried
Woman" and "Emmanuelle" at the Cinema
North.
In Augusta, Ga., "At Last ... At Last"
grossed $3,343 in three days in a single situation
and was held over for a second week.
"We're confident that we have one of
the biggest grossing independent films of the
year, maybe the biggest," commented John
Chambliss, EMC senior vice-president and
general sales manager. "We have a unique
product—a quality R-rated erotic film that
can produce top grosses in both hardtops
and drive-ins."
Jack E. Freedman to Helm
Acquisitions at Warners
HOLLYWOOD—Jack E. Freedman,
vice-president of business affairs and administration
for Warners Bros., will take on
additional duties to supervise and coordinate
acquisition of distribution rights for
independently financed and produced features.
"Addition of Jack Freedman's talents in
this new function will greatly facilitate
acquisition discussions with independent
producers," said Robert Shapiro, executive
vice-president in charge of worldwide production.
Freedman will report to Shapiro and also
will serve as liaison with the distribution
division. His new function will make it
possible to begin acquisition discussions in
as early a stage of production as the filmmakers
want to talk a project.
'Children Are Watching'
High Grosser in Paris
NEW YORK—"The Children Are Watching."
starring Alain Delon, has grossed
$186,223 in its first week at 24 Parisian
theatres, it was announced by Norbert T.
Auerbach. United Artists senior vice-president
and foreign manager.
SPRING
LAMPHOUSES
SALE
2—Ashcroft 13.6mm (Dyn-Arc)—$300.00 each
2—Ashcroft llmm (SupcrPower)—$300.00
each
3—CX-900 lamphousesXetron with power supplies—$1,250.00
each
1 —Christie 1000 watt lomphouse with power
1—Christie
(used
1600
750 hours)—
watt
$1,550.00
rectifier
each
(Xenon)—
supply,
$500.00 each
4— Kneisley current minimizers—$75.00 each
6— knife switches— 100 amp—$25 00 each
2— knife switches—200 amp—$50 00 each
2—Mighty 90 lamphouses—$300.00 each
1—almost new 30 amp, 58VDC, 230V, 1
phase
low intensity rectifier 2 tube— $150.00
each
4— Excelite 135 lamphouses—$300.00 each
PROJECTORS
1 —Century Model "C" projector— rebuilt
$1,600.00 each
4—Super Simplex (good condition) "as is"
$300.00 each—Rebuilt—$600.00 each
2—Brenkert BX80 (fair condition)—$350.00
each—Rebuilt—$750.00 each
2— Imperial 70/140 omp ballasts—$50.00
each
4— Simplex magnetic penthouses (fair cluster)
—$600.00 each
6— upper XL 18" magazines—$25.00 each
6— lower XL 18" magazines—$75.00 each
AMPLIFICATION
1-Altec A247B power ompjifier-$50.00 eoch
1
—Century W3-11 amplifier—$50.00 each
1—Noreico 20 watt amplification system,
dual sEL-5440/20—$100.00 each
2—Simplex 4 channel 20 watt cmpiification
system. (Drive In or stereo)—$300.00 eoch
20 watt individuol amplifiers—$80.00 each
2—ramp control panels—24 switch—$50.00
each
SOUNDHEADS
2—RCA #9030 soundheads— $750.00 pair
2— Ballantyne Model 6 soundheads—$600.00
MISCELLANEOUS
2—DITMO moonlight f.xtures NEW, Model
#1700—$45.00 each
1—^Automation, 2 projector, simple type
$600.00 each
2—1000 watt Best stereopticon—$75.00 each
2—six section film cabinets—$30.00 each
1—A[>C #934 curtain control—drum type—
$450.00 each
330—Square yards Premier IX Alexander
LENSES
Smith oronge and brown geometric
pattern (our cost $12.00 yard) FOB
Denver—$3,960.00
Excellent used lenses—all sizes—all types
osk
us
RCA, Brenkert, Simplex, Motiograph, many
new, hard to get parts—good prices osk us
4—LL-3 pcdestols—$250.00 each
2—Super Simplex pedestols—$250 000 each
4—Motiograph pedestals—$250.00 each
\m:sikrn
Service & Supply. Inc.
2100 Strout St. • Denver. Co. 802(1!
(303) 534-7611
BOXOFnCE :: May 15, 1978

Spectacular Sites Found in Alabama
For Location Shooting in 'Ravagers
By RALPH KAMINSKY
HOLLYWOOD—Cast and crew members
of "Ravagers," a Cinecorp production
for Columbia release, have completed
shooting in Alabama where, for nine weeks
or more, they filmed this futuristic actiondrama
on four locations which may be difficult
to equal for their spectacular and dramatic
effects.
Producer John Hyde finds it "almost unbelievable"
that the company was given the
run of the Redstone Missile Range in Huntsville
as its chief location. "It's mot often you
get to use a $900,000,000 set," Hyde observed.
"It was a technical paradise."
Photographed Moon Rocket
The filming included abandoned bunkers
at the Redstone Arsenal, the Alabama Space
& Rocket Center and Rocket Park where
the filmmakers photographed a world of
gigantic space vehicles, including the Saturn
V moon rocket and Saturn I.
As an added bonus, the filmmakers witnessed,
but were unable to photograph, the
arrival of the space shuttle Enterprise, flown
there from Edwards Air Force Base.
From Huntsville the company moved in
planned stages to three other sites. One was
a spectacular cave complex at Fagin's
Springs, found through the help of a 14-
year-old boy. The mile-long complex of
caverns, carved out of granite into huge
cathedral-like vaults with 100-foot high
ceilings, virtually was unknown in the area,
according to officials who were contacted
when Hyde and his associates inquired about
getting permits to shoot in the caves.
Used No Doubles
In Birmingham, the company found the
abandoned Sloss steel mills, long shut down
and rusted, "ideal" for use as a brokendown
cathedral where stars Richard Harris
and Alana Hamilton climbed through the
superstructure in a chase scene of vast danger
without using any doubles. "They were
rncrediblc. rcfiisint! doubles. 190 feet above
the ground, scrambling through the scaffolding,"
Hyde commented.
The fourth location, off-shore from Mobile,
was the site for a sequence in which
two abandoned freighters were burned, all
with the eager cooperation of the Coast
Guard, Hyde said.
"The Coast Guard was thrilled at the
chance to use the ships for its firefighting
exercises," he said. Its personnel spent a
great deal of time with the company's special
effects team, working out the best method
to build the hottest possible fire, Hyde
said.
The sequence features Ernest Borgnine,
one of the last survivors of a destroyed civilization,
who loads the ships with all his
supplies and sets fire to them. In the process
he traps the tribe of "Ravagers" that have
been the scourge of more peaceful tribes.
Richard Compton Directed
The broken-down location sites are in
keeping with the $5,000,000 feature's story
about the breakdown of civilization some 30
or 40 years from now. The story, directed
by Richard Compton, deals with three virtually
savage tribes roaming the land, scavenging
a living as best they may. One is a
group of "Flockers" settled in a shanty town
(built in the vast granite caves); another is
the "Loners," a tribe which keeps to itself.
Both are threatened by the "Ravagers," a
viscious Hell's Angels-type tribe.
"Alabama was a fun location," Hyde
avers. "We lost only one day of production
time when we were hit by the tail-end of a
huiricane." The company worked 12-hour
days, commuting from motels in each area
to the location sites.
Hyde's partner in Cinecorp is Saul David,
executive producer of "Ravagers," for which
the script was written by Donald S. Sanford,
who adapted it from Edward Alter's
novel "Path to Savagery."
The two make a team with a well-defined
division of labor, Hyde said. "I like to put a
project together—spend eight to ten months
on it and then go off to another entirely different
project."
Saul David, he said, "loves to storyboard
the entire process of making a film. He
spends incredible hours with the art director
and everyone else."
They are planning a December or Easter
1979 release for "Ravagers," with the final
decision dependent upon the distributor and
his releasing schedule.
Next up for Hyde and David will be
"Good Time Charlie." with Compton again
directing, David executive-producing and
Hyde repeating as producer. Shooting may
begin in September on the story about two
ex-cons, one 60 and the other 28 years old,
and the capers they run into as they cross
the country in the late 1930s.
Also on Cinecorp's production schedule
is a remake of "Lady in the Lake." which
had starred Robert Montgomery. Hyde said
he has obtained rights from the Raymond
Chandler estate to the "definitive screenplay"
for the Philip Marlowe character,
written by Chandler, which gives the authors
own concept of "what the Marlow
character's feel and texture should be."
'Kentucky Fried' Foreign
Sales Rights Go to UFE
NEW YORK—United Film Enterprises
has been appointed exclusive foreign sales
agent for "The Kentucky Fried Movie," it
was announced jointly by Richard Hassanein,
vice-president of KFM Films, and
Munio Podhorzer, president of UFE.
Hassanein also is the president of United
Film Distribution, which was formed in
1977 and which hit the jackpot with its
first major release, "The Kentucky Fried
Movie." In the first nine months since its
U.S. premiere, the picture has grossed over
$8,000,000. A sequel presently is being
planned for release in the summer of 1979.
Podhorzer of UFE has been engaged
actively in the sale of motion pictures for
over 44 years. During this time, UFE has
sold such diverse films as the early German
Nero Film Classics ("M," "Testament of
Dr. Mabuse." etc.). the French post-World
War II pictures of Franco London Film and
animated features of Jean Image, commercially
successful British productions from
Tigon Pictures, Blackwater Film Productions
and Eagle Films, award-winning Spanish
films produced by Elias Querejeta and
numerous American productions.
Hassanein and Podhorzer will be attending
the upcoming Cannes Film Festival.
MORLEV FKTLD—When Lrji .M

Wometco to Distribute
Films in Latin America
MIAMI— It was announced at VVomctco
Enterprises' annual shareholders meeting
that the entertainment company has entered
into a joint venture agreement to buy motion
picture distribution rights for Central
and South America.
Richard F. Wolfson, executive vice-president,
told shareholders that Wometco has
formed a new company to be owned jointly
with American Distributors, Inc., the largest
independent film distributor in Latin America.
The new company will be called ADWO
Film Distributors.
Management of the new joint venture will
be handled by Eduard Sarlui, president of
ADI, and Walter Senior, director of Latin
American film activities for Wometco and
president of Wometco de Puerto Rico.
"We already have purchased certain films
and will continue to make additional purchases
through the new company at the
Cannes Film Festival next month," Wolfson
said.
"We are very excited about the prospects
of expanding into the distribution business
in Latin America, where motion pictures
are becoming increasingly popular," he stated.
"We are confident that this new joint
venture not only will provide us with an
excellent opportunity to utilize further our
53 years of motion picture experience but
also will expand our opportunities for profit
in
the entertainment business."
In other business, Wometco shareholders
re-elected 1 1 directors, approved the appointment
of Raskins & Sells as independent
public accountants of the company and approved
the company's 1978 stock option
plan.
Following the meeting the board of directors
declared a regular quarterly cash
dividend of 13 cents on class A stock and
4.8 cents on class B stock, payable June 9,
1978. to shareholders of record April 26.
Leipzig Is Appointed UA
V-P Ad-Pub, West Coast
NEW YORK—Andy Albeck, president
and chief executive officer of United
Artists, announced the appointment of
Lloyd Leipzig as vice-president. West Coast
advertising and publicity, effective Monday
(I). Leipzig moves up from UA West Coast
director, advertising and publicity, a post
he has held since June 1975.
Leipzig previously was director of publicity
and artists relations for UA Records
and, prior to that, was special projects coordinator
at 20th Century-Fox.
CALENDARofEVENTS
MAY
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 S 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31
Bob Jones Joins American
Multi Cinema in Kaycee
KANSAS CITY—Bob Jones has joined
American Multi Cinema as assistant director
of architecture, it was announced by
Stanley Durwood, president of AMC.
Jones formerly was with the
architectural
firm of Boyle & Wilson and, while there,
prepared the architectural drawings on seven
AMC theatres, including Oak Park, Metro
North and Westminster.

Jcanes Caan Firm to Make
Two Pictures for Orion
NEW YORK—James Caan has entered
into a two-picture agreement with Orion
Pictures Co.. it was announced b> Eric
Pleskow, president, and Mike Medavoy,
executive vice-president of Orion. The two
pictures will be developed by Caan through
his independent company, Caan Productions.
is expected that the two motion pictures
It
covered by the agreement will be made
actual murder of a young New Jersey
woman in 1968. A noted lie detector expert
and believer in the psychic power of plants
was called in and he hooked up a lie detector
to a common houseplant that had
been present during the brutal murder. The
In the film, a woman is murdered on a
New York rooftop and her sister uses her
unique telepathic sensitivity to plants to
find the murderer. Jonathan Sarno produced
and directed from his original short story.
Broadway stage veteran Ted Leplat stars
and the music is by award-winning composer
Harry Manfredini.
The marketing of an original soundtrack
and a book tie-in will coincide with the release
of the film. Foreign sales representative
is Douglas Garrett Winston, while domestic
sales are being handled by Jay J. Samo, Las
Vegas financier and creator of Caesar's
Palace and Circus Circus Hotel.
Robt. Gilbert Named Col.
Eastern Story Editor
NEW YORK—Robert Gilbert has been
appointed Eastern story editor for Columbia
Pictures, it was announced by Henry
Guettel, vice-president of creative affairs.
The post was vacated by Nina Broad, who
resigned to join Paramuse Artists Associates.
Gilbert joined Columbia in 1976 as an
assistant to the East Coast story editor, later
being appointed senior reader. Since May
1977, he had been responsible for the operation
of Columbia's Eastern story department.
A graduate of Syracuse University,
he earned his M. A. at Carnegie-Mellon
University in 1974.
Variety Telethon Successful
PITTSBURGH—Variety Club Tent I's
first telethon in ten years brought in pledges
and cash totaling $176,411 from 22,000
persons. Assisting in the video marathon
were 1,900 volunteers, who did a "bang-up
job."
MOTION PICTURES RATED
BY THE CODE & RATING
ADMINISTRATION
The following feature-length motion pictures
have been reviewed and rated by the
Code and Rating Administration pursuant
to the Motion Picture Code and Rating
Program.
Title Distributor Rating
Davy Crockett and the River Pirates(')
(BV)
Ferrazza Named UA's Head
Of Promotion, Co-Op Adv.
NEW YORK — Carl
Ferrazza was appointed
to the newly created post of executive
director of promotion and cooperative
advertising for United Artists, effective
Monday (1), it was announced by John Dartigue,
vice-president-advertising and publicity.
Ferrazza, who had been director of
field activities and special events for UA
since August 1976, will report to Dartigue.
Ferrazza joined United Artists in 1967
as a fieldman for the Midwest territory,
working out of the Cincinnati exchange. He
was transferred to the New York home office
in 1968 and promoted to the post of
exploitation manager. He became promotion
manager in 1973.
Film Industry Is Eyeing
The Publishing Business
NEW YORK—Publisher's Weekly says
there is increased film industry interest in
acquisition of book publishing houses. An
article says, in part:
"ABC, 20th Century-Fox, Columbia Pictures,
Metromedia and others have been rumored
to be looking to buy the few remaining
trade-book publishing houses. Since they
arc not doing this merely to trade high-earning
for low-earning stocks, it is clear that
they must be seeking access to
the material
they so desperately need to convert to visual
imagery for profit."
Ralph Martin Named UA's
Cooperative Ad Director
NEW YORK—Ralph Martin was namec
director of cooperative advertising foi
United Artists, effective Monday (1), it was
announced here. Martin is being promotec
from the position of manager of the UA
domestic distribution advertising depart-:
ment.
He began his career in the motion picture
industry in 1965 as an assistant manager
at Loews' Paradise in the Bronx and at the
within the next two years. Ronnie Caan will
Capitol Theatre in Manhattan, then the
serve as executive producer [G]
of both films.
flagship for the Loews circuit. He subse-:
It
A project involving Alan Arkin
Lives
and James
Again (WB) \r\
quently worked in the cooperative advertising
departments of Paramount Pictures,
Caan to start late this year is in development.
The Pack(***) (WB)
\r\
The Last Wahz(**) (UA)
PG
Universal Pictures and Avco Embassy.
The New Adventures of Snow White
(NMD Film Dist.)
[r]
'Kirlian Witness' Slated No 1 of the Secret Service
Michael Temmer Will Head
For Premiere at Cannes
(Trans World Films)
PG IFI's Video Operations
Take Off (D'Arcy Estates)
\r\
NEW YORK—"The Kirlian Witness," the
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y.—Leonard Kirtman,
president of International Film Indus-
Big Thumbs (Coast Films)
first dramatic feature linking plants with
®
The Cat From Outer Space (BV)
the occult, will premiere [g]
at this year's Cannes
Film Festival. The film is based on an
Cheerleaders Beach Party (Cannon Rel.) [r]
Goin" South (Para)
PG
Nunzio(****) (Univ)
PG
Passion Plantation (Howard Mahler) [r]
Temmer will assist in setting up IFI's
The Promise (Univ)
PG
video production company and provide services
such as mobile video units for on-loca-
Somebody Moved My Mountain(*****)
(Reynolda Films)
PG
tion productions, in-house videotape editing
Towing (Sibling Prod.)
PG
plant identified the killer.
facilities, duplicating videotapes and transferring
16mm and 35mm films to tape. The
-Cer' 1956, before
'*) This
facilities
film's oirginal R rating was changed to PG
are being set up for the use of IFI
as well as for independent producers.
•••) Supersedes PG rating listed in Bulletin No. 451,
•*•*) Supersedes rating listed in Bulletin No. 482
•**") Supersedes rating listed in Bulletin No. 330
tries, has announced the contracting of
Michael Temmer, president of Visual Services,
Inc., to act as IFI's video consultant
and technical administration.
Distribution of 'Scalpel'
To Be by Avco Embassy
NEW YORK—Avco Embassy Pictures
has acquired U. S. and Canadian distribution
rights to "Scalpel," it was announced by
Bob Rehme, senior vice-president and chief'
operating officer. The suspense thriller stars'
Robert Lansing and Judith Chapman and!
involves a missing heir, plastic surgery andi
bizarre deaths. Produced by Joseph Wein-I
traub and John Grissmer, it was directedl
by Grissmer from his screenplay, as based
on an original story by Weintraub.
BoxoFFiCE reviewed the film as a United
International release, imder its
"False Face," Dec. 20, 1976.
original title,
Veteran Soviet Filmmaker
Roman Karmen Dead at 71
MOSCOW—Veteran Soviet filmmaker
Roman Karmen, 71, has died, it was reported
by Tass, the official government
press agency. Cause of death was not disclosed.
The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet
and the Council of Ministers praised
him as "an outstanding worker in Soviet
Culture, hero of Socialist labor, peoples'
artist of the USSR and Lenin and State
Prize Laureate."
He began his career in the 1930s and
just recently began preparations for a documentary
to be produced by Isaac Kleinerman,
American filmmaker, involving World
War II. During that conflict, Karmen supervised
Russian camera teams as they filmed
the invasion of his country by the German
Army.
10
BOXOFHCE :: May 15, 1978

. . Warner
. . Robert
. .
. . Filming
. . David
. . Executive
. . . New
. .
. .
H ^J^ottuwood IKeport M
y
Avco Embassy Slates June 12
Kickoff for "Bell Jar' Feature
Filming will begin June 12 in and around
New York on Avco Embassy's "The Bell
Jar," with a screenplay by Marjorie Kellog
based on the novel by Sylvia Plath. The film
will reunite director Larry Peerce and star
Marilyn Hassett of "The Other Side of the
Mountain." Jerry Brandt and Michael Todd
jr. will produce and Bob Goldstone will be
the executive producer . Bros,
plans "Compromising Positions," based on
the novel by Susan Isaacs, with Richard
Levinson and William Link signed to write
the comedy-mystery screenplay about a
feminist murder involving a Long Island
dentist who is killed because he is having
affairs with wives who are his patients . . .
Jon Peters has signed a deal with MGM
to produce a remake of "The Women," with
Polly Piatt to update the 1939 script by
Anita Loos and Jane Murfin . . . Marty
Elfand, who at one time shared the vicepresident/
worldwide production post at
Warner Bros, with Robert Shapiro, will
make "Double Exposure" for WB with his
newly established TT Productions. The film
ing the original screenplay by producers
Steve Neil and Wayne Schmidt . . . Warner
Bros, plans a filming start in 1979 on "Implosion"
for which Laurence Hauben and
producer Gene Taft are preparing an original
script . . . Walt Disney Productions
has set a Monday (22) start on "Trail's
End," a western about two bumbling OLitlaws
trying to go straight, with Tim Conway
and Don Knotts recreating the roles
they played in "The Apple Dumpling
Gang." Location lensing will be in Sonora,
Calif., Kanab, Utah, and the Golden Oak
Ranch near Newhall. Calif. Don Tait wrote
the script. Ron Miller will co-produce with
Tom Leetch.
Len Steckler Acquires Film
Rights to "The Hippo Story'
Producer Len Steckler has acquired
rights to "The Hippo Story." based on the
life of Bubbles, the freedom-loving hippopotamus
that died recently after escaping
from Lion Country Safari. Malcolm Marmorstein
will write the script and production
is set for the fall with shooting planned in
Africa and Los Angeles . Kaplan
and Paul Cohen and their Grand Slam
Productions have obtained the film rights
to the book "Moe Berg. Athlete, Scholar .
Spy," by Louis Kaufman, Barbara Fitzgerald
and Tom Sewell. Production is expected
to begin about the end of the year on this
BOXOFnCE :: May 15, 1978
true story about the all-star catcher with the
Boston Red Sox in the 1930s who worked
. . . as a spy during World War II Parveneh
Hargrove has bought "In the Hole," a
screenplay by James Hamilton.
Co-Star
Faye Dunaway Set to
In MGM Remake of 'The Champ'
Faye Dunaway has signed to portray the
ex-wife of Jon Voight, trying to regain custody
of their only child, in the MGM remake
of "The Champ." The child role is
played by eight-year-old Ricky Schroeder.
Arthur Hill will co-star in the film, which
began production Monday (1) in Miami with
Franco Zeffirelli directing . . . Scatman
Crothers has joined the cast of Stanley Kubrick's
"The Shining" . Matthau,
Walter Matthau's son. has joined the cast
of Columbia's "California Suite," which
stars his father. He will play a bellhop at
the Beverly Hills Hotel . . . Derek Graydon
has signed for a role in "The Displaced
Journal," a John Stephen Nelson production
set to begin photography in London Mon-
to star in "Search and Destroy," playing a
U.S. veteran of the Vietnam conflict who is
forced back into warfare when he is hunted
by a Vietnamese assassin.
Travolta Will Play Top Role
In Para.'s 'American Gigolo'
Paramount has signed John Travolta to
star in "American Gigolo," a Freddie Fields
production slated to go into production this
fall with Paul Schrader directing his own
screenplay, a contemporary story about a
Los Angeles gigolo who simultaneously falls
in love and is framed for murder . . . Second
Street Films plans to begin shooting Mondav
(22) in Arizona on "Wanda Nevada,"
with Peter Fonda starring and directing.
Brooke Shields has been signed to co-star.
The screenplay was written by Dennis
Hackin. Neal Dobrofsky and Hackin will
produce and Hilary Holden will be the associate
producer . . . Paramount Pictures
will make "Flynt's Law," a comedy about
a professor of parapsychology who claims
to have altered the laws of physics, with
Michael Pressman directing the screenplay
by .Mian Scott and Chris Bryant, adapted
from the book by Elliot Baker. Nancy
Cooperstein and Jerry Markowitz will be
the producers . has been set for
sprmg 1979 on Bill Rainbolt Productions'
"Angels in Heaven," with Rainbolt producing
and directing the fantasy-comedy from
his own original screenplay.
Jack Riley Is Added to Cast
Of Fox's 'Butch and Sundance'
Jack Riley has joined the cast of 20th
Century-Fox's "Butch and Sundance: the
Early Years" . . . Alan Arkin will play the
title role in "The Magician," a Golan-Globus
production based on the Bashcvis Singer
novel "The Magician of Lublin," set to begin
lensing in August in Europe with Brenda
Vaccaro co-starring . . . Kathleen Quinlan
will star in Mel Simon's "The Runner Stumbles"
. . . Conrad Bain has been set for
AIP's "C.H.O.M.P.S." . . Soso Tanney has
been cast as the chief of police in Hong
Kong for United Artists' "Revenge of the
Pink Panther" . . . Dorothy Malone has been
set to co-star in "Vortex," a feature film
now shooting under the Charles Band Productions'
banner, which also stars Chris
Mitchum and Jim Davis . . . Peter Ustinov
is to star as an Arab slave trader in "Ashanti."
The film, produced by Georges-Alain
Vuille, featuring Michael Caine. Omar Sharif
and Rex Harrison, began shooting April
24 in Africa and the Mideast. Richard
Sarafin is
the director.
day (15) . . . Japanese star Mako has been Roy Scheider Set for a Star
signed for a major role in the Rankin/ Bass
Role in 'Embrace' Production
and Trident Films feature "The Bushido
is based on an original idea by Dick Richards,
who will direct from a screenplay by
set to roll in June by producers Michael
Blade." the story of the opening of Japan
Roy Scheider will star in "Last Embrace,"
by Commodore Perry . . . Khigh Deigh and
Leon Capetanos.
Ted Cassidy have been cast in "Aloha.
Taylor and Dan Wigutow, with Jonathan
'Vortex' Photography Started
Donny and Marie," now shooting in Hawaii Demme directing . . . Charles Hai and
as an HPI production for Osmond Films
Swcosie Kurtz have been added to cast of
By Charles Band Productions
"Oliver's Story," as has Benson Fong .
. . . Michel Lonsdale and Marcel Bozzuffi
Charles Band Productions began shooting have signed for co-starring roles in the Hemdale-Passage
Films' "The Passage," being
The famed gospel quartet, the Statesmen,
Friday (5) on "Vortex," starring Chris
have been signed tv producer Marjoe Gortner
to take part in a revival sequence in
Mitchum, with John "Bud" Cardos direct-
directed by J. Lee Thompson on locations
"When You Comin' Back. Red Ryder?"
in the French Pyrenees . producer
R. Ben Efraim has signed Perry King
and to provide additional soundtrack musx
for the picture.
Mike Medoff. author of the
play and screenplay, will have a role as a
preacher conducting a faith-healing revival
. . . Paul Ryan has been signed to co-star in
the Suncrest Cinema production of "Fort
Travis" . . . Barbara Rae will debut in films
in MGM's "Hide in Plain Sight" for producers
Robert Christiansen and Rick Rosenberg.
Also inked for the MGM picture
which begins filming this month with James
Caan directing and starring are Gerald Cantor,
Robert Viharo and Jill Eikenberry .
Joyce Jameson will have a featured role in
"Every Which Way but Loose," the Clint
Eastwood picture which got under way
April 26 for Warner Bros, release. Other
cast members include Geoffrey Lewis and
Michael Mann.
DePatie-Freleng Will Create
'Panther' Titles. Campaign
Producer Blake Edwards has signed De-
Patie-Freleng Productions to create titles
and an advertising campaign for United
Artists' "Revenge of the Pink Panther." The
company created the original Pink Panther
character in 1964 . . . John Cameron will
compose the score for "Lost and Found"
World Pictures has assigned
Frances Doel to winte the script of "Lady
in Red."
u

BOXOFFICE
BAROMETER
This chart records the performance of current attractions in the opening week of their first runs in
the 20 key cities checked. Pictures with fewer thon five engagements are not listed. As new runs
are reported, ratings are added and averages revised. Computation 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 mork. (Asterisk * denotes comblnotion bills.)
z
1

• ADLINES A EXPLOITtPS
• ALPHABETICAL INDEX
• EXHIBITOR HAS HIS SAY
• FEATURE RELEASE CHART
• FEATURE REVIEW DIGEST
• SHORTS RELEASE CHART
• SHORT SUBJECT REVIEWS
• REVIEWS OF FEATURES
• SHOWMANDISING IDEAS
THE GUIDE TO BETTER BOOKING AND B U S I N E S S - B U I L D I N
Nat'I Radio Campaign
UlilizedloToutTM'
A national radio promotion launched by
Universal for recently released "FM" has
surprised exhibitors, fieldmen and the stations
themselves, according to reports from
the studio.
The promotion involved buying out the
8 p.m. show one evening at theatres opening
the picture the following day and letting
radio stations invite their listeners to attend.
The results have been astonishing in many
cases.
At the National Theatre in Westwood.
more than 150 persons had to be turned
away at the showing sponsored by KMET.
In Des Moines, there was cheering at the
end of the film. "An unbelievable response,"
were the words of general manager of
KQKQ in Omaha.
In Dallas-Fort Worth, KFWD exhausted
'Melting Man' Promoted
With Citywide Contest
Charles Green, Commonwealth circuit
manager at the Plains Theatre in Roswell,
N.M., developed an "instant campaign" lo
publicize the playdate of "The Incredible
Melting Man" when the picture played the
theatre last fall.
Columbia Is
Reuniting Lost Lovers
To Bally 'If Ever I See You Again
Columbia Pictures has entered into a
unique association with the Pertec Computer
Corp. to give lost lovers an opportunity
to be reunited as part of the release of the
motion picture "If Ever I See You Again."
In keeping with the theme of the contemporary
romance which deals with a man
who goes back to find the girl he lost in
college, the joint effort will utilize a tollfree
telephone number to reunite individuals
whose romances were interrupted years before.
The advertising campaign for "If Ever
I See You Again" focuses on the line: "Call
someone you loved and lost a long time
ago and ask them to see a movie. Maybe it's
not too late." Launched Monday (I), for a
period of two months, between noon and
9 p.m., callers can dial (800) 423-5250 or,
its supply of tickets within two hours after
the announcement of the screening went
on the air. Chairs were filled at all seven situations
in California, (800) 382-3666. An operator
will ask for the caller's name, the name of
screening the film.
Air time garnered by Universal on the
promotions was worth an estimated $1,-
000,000 in 50 key markets, with many stations
continuing the promotion via soundtrack
album and T-shirt giveaways.
"FM," featuring concert apperances by
Linda Ronstadt and Jimmy Buffet, was produced
by Rand Holston with Robert Larson
co-producing. Directing was by John A.
Alonzo from a screenplay by Ezra Sachs.
the person he or she is trying to contact,
their own phone number and the city that
linked the two together in the past. If the
"lost love" also calls, the Pertec computer
will make the match and give the second
caller the phone number he or she seeks.
If the "lost love" has not called, the information
will be stored in the computer.
Trained operators and the XL40 Pertec
computer will be specially housed at a location
in Los Angeles.
Columbia will back the event heavily in
its advertising and publicity campaigns for
the film including special attention in the
ads scheduled for national weekly magazines,
newspapers and broadcast media.
"If Ever I See You Again" stars Academy
Award winner Joseph Brooks, the producer,
director and writer of "You Light Up My
Life." Shelley Hack. Revlon's" "Charlie''
girl, is co-starred.
Coinciding with opening day was the firsi
snowfall of the season, which prompted
Green to call a local radio station for cooperation
in staging a "Build Your Own Melting
Man Contest."
Listeners were asked to build a snowman,
then call the station with their name and
address. Green took photos of the "works
of art"
the following day and presented the
entrants with a pass to see the film at the
Plains.
Photographs then were judged with the
winner receiving an evening for two, theatre
tickets and free concession items.
Mine ilniii 5.1)00 balloons plugging "Pete's Dragon" were passed oiii hv a juirplc
iliiiKiin Junn;.,' a community parade held in IVohurn. A/a.s.v., to promote Disiicx reductions'
Jeulure at the Showcase cinemas. Leading the way for the iire-breathing
creature were two candy girls from the theatres carrying a sign emblazoned with
"Pete's Dragon" and wearing shirts imprinted with the picture's title. Holding the
dragon's leash was a young hoy whose shirt advised. "Vm Pete." The parade entry
was viewed by more than 80.000 spectators who lined the route, as well as an estimated
25.000 subscribers lo the Woburn Daily Times, which published a fourcolumn-wide
photo of the colorful .scene. Additionally, the striking exhibit devised
by John J. Nerich, Showcase cinemas district manager, and IVilliain Papa, directing
manager of Showcase Woburn, was seen by the viewing audience of WBZ.
BOXOFFICE Showmandiser May 15, 1978 — 13

CoiiuJ\ iMis luiuluii u7(/; ihc pioiiuiiion of "The Kentucky Fried Movie" when
the popular ieature was booked for an engagement at Mid States Theatres' Times
and Tri-County cinemas. Under the direction of Don Wirtz. a chicken and a gorilla
visited Cincinnati's Fountain Square during the noon hour, as well as other urban
areas during peak traffic hours. Two of the chickens went disco dancing and, as a
result, a larger segment of the general public knew that "The Kentucky Fried
Movie" was on the way. WBEN Radio hosted a midnight radio preview of the picture
and those attending the showing were entertained by a live rock band. Chumley
the Chimp danced with the band and then took time out for a soft drink— and
two of the chickens even danced in the aisle!
Ellis Isle Twin Uses Multi-Stage
'Return From Witch Mountain
tie-in whereby the bookstore owner displays
motion picture advertising in exchange for
two pas.ses for each engagement plugged
and, since the shop located in heavy-
is a
traffic area, the value of this publicity virtually
is priceless.
Imagination and an artist's skills were utilized
in constructing two unusual and exciting
lobby displays. Two plastic wading
pools ten feet in diameter were joined, one
forming the dome of a "flying saucer" and
the other representing the bottom. The UFO
then was suspended above the concession
counter. The saucer was sprayed a shiny
metallic silver and multicolored twinkle
lights were strung around the perimeter.
The talents of assistant manager Lorene
Hammons and cashier Betty Hill were put
to work in constructing a scale model of
Wilch Mountain, complete with miniature
Hype
Richard Breland, manager of Ogden-Perry
Theatres' Ellis Isle Cinema I and II in closed in an eight-foot-square box and illu-
houses and trees. The model then was en-
Jackson. Miss., began his campaign to promote
the engagement of "Return From through the use of dry ice, constantly drift-
in advance of the main radio event. m-
minated with a black light. Mist, created so that promotion spots were aired a week
Wilch Mountain" weeks in advance of the ed up and around the mountain, adding to Noack tied-in with a local disco and 1
playdate by ordering T-shirts to be worn by the eerie effect. Peepholes at various heights
^
the latter provided the facilities and paid
theatre empolyees and to be awarded as afforded all patrons the opportunity to view one-half the cost of the remote on a prime
prizes. Staffers wore the shirts every day for the Ellis Isle Cinema's very own Witch night—Saturday—which effectively publicized
the film title. The three-hour broad-
a week in advance of the opening. Additionally.
Breland had the employees of the Jack-
The city of Jackson has a large countrycast
from the disco, which featured many
Mountain.
son Mall Cinema, Ogden-Perry's theatre on western music audience and WJQS Radio, songs from the film (the title of which was
the opposite side of the city, wear the T- the No. 1 C/W station, was approached by repeated frequently), formed a showcase for
shirts during the engagement at the Ellis Breland with the idea of running a weekend the giveaway of passes, T-shirts and ironons
hyping "Saturday Night Fever."
Isle as a cross-plug promotion. One-sheets T-shirt giveaway over the air. Breland furnished
the station with two-dozen small T- Cost of the campaign for the theatre was
also were displayed in the Jackson Mall Cinema
as well as at the Ellis Isle I and II.
The giveaway was teased over the air
shirts.
$125, which bought over $1,500 worth of
free, widespread publicity, creating a great
Shopping Center agreed to display a onesheet,
along with the name of the theatre From Witch Mountain." Beginning Satursponses,
Noack said.
Isle Cinema and the engagement of "Return promotion that resulted in exciting re-
and the opening date, in its window. This day morning and running through Sunday
tie-in was accomplished through an ongoing night, lucky callers were awarded the T-
shirts—and the cinema and "Return From
A bookstore located in the Ellis Isle Thursday and Friday, mentioning the Ellis
Witch Mountain" were plugged each time
a shirt was won. A total of 68 free spots,
at $6.50 each, netted the engagement $442
worth of air time. The station manager of
WJQS advised that response was "super"
and theatre attendance for "Return From
Witch Mountain" increased 86 per cent over
the previous day (when the contest began).
During the second, third and fourth weeks
of the engagement, a coloring contest generated
tremendous response. A scene from
the movie poster was supplied by Buena
Vista and reproduced in quantity. These
pictures were dispensed at several kindergartens
in
the Jackson area and were available
at the Ellis Isle Bookstore for children
12 years old and younger. One winner was
chosen and awarded a three-month pass to
Ogden-Perry's three theatres in the city.
Saturday night during the fourth and
final week of the playdate, Breland and
Hammons addressed the packed house from
the front of the auditorium. Breland asked
if there were any children in the audience
under 12 years of age who were celebrating
thcii birthdays. There were two—a little
boy and a little girl. Each child then was
given a "Witch Mountain" T-shirt which
had been "especially ordered" for them direct
from Witch Mountain. The presentation
brought a long round of applause from
the audience as well as several telephone
from patrons the next day. The callers
calls
expressed their pleasure with enjoying a
"truly family-oriented night at the movies."
Breland's use of the No. 1 country-western
station to advertise a children's film
tapped an audience often ignored in radio
advertising budgets and brought a surprising
upsurge in grosses. His foresighted campaign
also generated a tremendous amount
of goodwill in the community, which only
can bring more attendance in the future.
Tie-Ins
Garner Free
Publicity for 'Fever'
The "Saturday Night Fever" playdate at
the Duck Creek cinemas was ballyhooed
with a campaign designed by Kurt J. Noack
of General Cinema's Northpark Cinema I
and II, Davenport, Iowa. In conjunction
with the local rock FM station, a live remote
broadcast was arranged, with the kickoff set
House Calls by 'Chicken'
Plugs 'House Calls' Run
Universal's publicity department came up
with a unique stunt to promote "House
Calls" in the San Diego area. With the aid
of KGB Radio's Chicken, a costumed mascot,
free tickets were given to selected
households.
The popular fowl, a five-foot-four
chicken with skinny yellow legs and bloodshot
eyes, randomly selected houses to receive
two free tickets. Many heard the advance
promos on KGB-FM-AM and wel- 1
comed the chicken by placing signs on their
doors. Naturally, the mascot paid them a
visit with two free tickets.
"House Calls" is a Jennings Lang production
starring Walter Matthau, Glenda
Jackson, Art Carney and Richard Benjamin.
14
14
BOXOmCE :: May 15, 1978

Two New Titles Hi!
New York Marquees
NEW YORK—It could be spring fever,
but it's hardly spring with the cold and
rainy weather here hitely. Whatever the
reason, only four films qualified for the
Golden Circle this week and two were tied
at second place. "Pretty Baby" continued
to ride high, an even 400 for her fifth session
at the Coronet. Second was a tie at 360
each for "The Last Waltz," third last time,
second round at the Ziegfcld; and "Madame
Rosa," second last week, seventh week at
the Plaza and also on mini-showcase. Third
place was a one step jump for "Dear Detective,"
290 in the second Sutton sitting.
Showcase power was exerted by "House
Calls," "Rabbit Test," "An Unmarried
Woman," "The Incredible Melting Man,"
"F.I.S.T." and the double bill "Malibu
Beach" and "The Van."
(Average Is 100)
Cinema Studio A Woman of Paris {Kmo Inl'l),
4th wk 170
Columiia I—We Will All Meet in Paradise
(First Artists) 150
Coronet Pretty Baby (Para), 5lh wlc 400
115
Festival—Joseph Andrews (Para), 4lh wk
Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands
Paris
(Carnaval Films/New Yorker), 9th wk 180
Plaza Madame Rosa (Atlantic Releasing),
7th wk 360
Radio City Music Hall—The Sea Gypsies (WB),
2nd wk 70
6Bth Street Playhouse—The Last Supper
(Tricontinental) 110
Sutton—Dear Detective (Cinema 5), 2nd wk 290
Waverly—Joseph Andrews (Para), 4th wk 125
Ziegfeld—The Last Waltz (UA), 2nd wk 360
Coca-Cola's Stockholders
Re-Elect Six Directors
WILMINGTON. DEL. — Stockholders
representing more than 85.2 per cent of the
outstanding common stock of the Coca-Cola
Co., in the annual meeting here, re-elected
six directors whose terms expire in 1978.
Directors re-elected were: C. H. Candler
jr., retired; William A. Coolidge, retired;
Dr. E. Garland Herndon jr., vice-president
for health affairs, Emory University; J. Lucian
Smith, president and chief operating
officer, the Coca-Cola Co.; J. R. Talley, retired,
and Robert W. Woodruff, chairman,
finance committee, the Coca-Cola Co.
Board chairman J. Paul Austin reported
to stockholders that the company has appealed
in circuit court the recent ruling of
the Federal Trade Commission that some
aspects of its U.S. bottler contracts were
in violation of the FTC Act. Austin said.
"We believe the ruling ultimately will be
overturned by the courts." He added that
the company will continue to enforce all
aspects of its bottler contracts during the
appeal
process.
Myrna Post Associates
Moves to New Location
NEW YORK — Myrna Post
Associates.
public relations firm here, has moved from
15 Columbus Circle to 9 East 53 id .St., New
York City 10022, with a new telephone
number, (212) 935-7122.
The Post associates joining in the move
are Pierre Lehu, Merle Frimmark and Linda
Wymbs.
Producer of Pot Smuggling
Picture Has High Hopes
NEW YORK— After years of being ignored
as a thematic subject, marijuana has
arrived in the cinema in a big way. A new
feature-length motion picture, "The Smugglers,"
has been completed and prints are
awaiting distribution.
The film is the first realistic treatment of
big-time dope smuggling since the explosion
of pot consumption in this country during
the last decade. Filmed in Polk County, Ga.,
"The Smugglers" is based on the true story
of how a DC-6 turboprop airplane carrying
3.600 pounds of pot managed to land on a
rugged 1,000 foot dirt runway on a Georgia
mountaintop. The real-life pilot was arrested,
but the protagonists of "The Smugglers"
are luckier. They make their way across the
landscape to deliver their load, leaving demolished
cars, houses and policemen in their
wake.
The man behind "The Smugglers" is "Big
Jim" West, a former Georgia state legislator
who produced, directed and starred in the
film. West had no problem getting the cooperation
of local authorities: police officers
from Jonesboro, Ga., were delighted to play
themselves in the film, and local boys took
the part of the smugglers. The marijuana
does not play itself; it is simulated out of
other agricultural products.
In order to produce "The Smugglers,"
West had to buy the plane and the mountain,
costing him about $300,000. He was
able to hire the film and stunt crews of
"Smokey and the Bandit" to contribute their
expertise.
The film was turned down by every major
Hollywood film distributor on the
grounds that a pot epic was "too controversial."
"Now, that's a hell of a reason for turning
down this film," West said. "If they had
said it was too violent, all right. It's more
vivid than 50 episodes of "Baretta," the last
act of 'Macbeth' and the first battle of the
Marne all rolled into one. But, hell, that
ain't it at all. They wouldn't touch this film
with a ten-foot pole because it's about dope
smugglers winning."
Independent distributors will release "The
Smugglers," however, as soon as its soundtrack
is rescored by a major rock band.
E. Warner Is Seeking Aide
RICHMOND—The Fauquier Democrat
recently carried this classified advertisement:
"Seeking a full-time aide with education
and qualifications for international theatrical
personality. Requires script evaluation,
foreign languages, analyze legal and
accounting reports, automobile license,
including house, health and medication
child care,
supervision. Salary, $1,000 per
month plus lodging. Requires at least 50
hours per week. Reply to Elizabeth Warner,
P.O. Box 1320, M'dd'leburg. Va." Elizabeth
Warner is the married name of actres.s Elizabeth
Taylor. Her husband John, a former
Secretary of the Navy, is presently a candidate
for senator from Virginia on the Republican
ticket.
Lucas, Burdette Are
Promoied by Cornco
BALTIMORE—Cornco Inc., announces
the appointment of Robert B.
Lucas as pres-
Robert B. Lucas Mi'drid Kurdetle
ident and chief operating officer of their
plant in Bare Hills. Mr. Lucas succeeds
Donald W. Maybom who is retiring from
the company. A co-founder of the company
in 1946 with Mr. Mayborn and
former vice-president for 32 years, Lucas is
a graduate of Johns Hopkins University.
Mildred Burdette. a graduate of Goucher
College and Columbia University, has been
promoted to director of development. She
has been associated with Cornco for 17
years in various capacities.
The company has grown since its inception
from one manually operated popper to
automated poppers which are capable of
producing at the rate of 555 pounds of
popped corn an hour or in an eight hour
shift turning out 71,040 average theatre
servings. In addition to regular salted popcorn,
cheese flavor and caramel coated popcorn
is produced in various size packages.
Another facet of the company is the distribution
of all
types of concession and snack
bar equipment and related supplies.
Cornco is unique in that it is the only
plant in the United States whose nearly
$1,000,000 a year in sales are mainly derived
from the sale of popcorn products.
Camera Rolls in Ireland
On 'Great Train Robbery'
NEW YORK—"The Great Train Robbery."
a Dino De Laurentiis presentation
based on the Michael Crichton novel, went
into production in Ireland in late April.
Scan Connery. Donald Sutherland and Lesley-Anne
Down star. John Foreman is producing
the picture which will be released
worldwide by United Artists.
Crichton is directing from his own screenplay,
the story of Edward Pierce, a handsome
English rogue who made a daylight getaway
with a shipment of gold bound for Crimea
in 1855. No train in history had been robbed
before.
Eight weeks of filming in Ireland will lake
the cast and crew to locations in Dublin
and Cork and to sites in County Wicklow
and County Meath. The principal action
BOXOFnCE :: May 15, 1978 E-1
centers on an 1S50 coal-burning steam engine
which the producers say has been "lovingly
restored to service." A final two weeks'
shooting will be in Pinewood Studios. London.

BROADWAY
ally youthful, headl'ned a program that in-
1954 film, and ctirrenlly appearing on cluded juggler Tony Curtin. The Spurrlows
Broadway in "Timbuktu!"
(they have appeared at the White House and
The theatre will be holding a Summer on a Bob Hope special), and a silent screen
Camp Festival, with such features as "The attraction of classic dimensions—Charlie
QLALDE LELOUCH. the lamed French
Graduate" and the comedies of W. C. Fields Chaplin's "The Gold Rush" with piano accompaniment.
director, was honored at a cocktail
to keep everyone happy.
parly at the Plaza Hotel Monday evening
• '
Granted the theatre has yielded to the
(8). sponsored by Quartet Films, which is
dynamics of the industry with the addition
releasing Lelouch"s ""Cat and Mouse" here.
Among the beautiful people on hand were
Arlene Dahl. Luciana Paluzzi, Rachel Roberts.
Carol Kane and Lynn Redgrave. The
film opened to rave reviews and excellent
business at Cinema I. where it can be expected
to do business indefinitely.
The same evening. "Nunzio" was being
celebrated with a street festival on Greene
The 8th Street Playhouse is scheduled to
reopen Monday evening (15) with a screening
of "New Faces" and a dinner, for the
benefit of the Village Nursing Home. Tickets
are only $10. Among the celebrities scheduled
to be there is Eartha Kitt, a star of the
TWIN
IT!!
Call Harry Jones
Drive-in Theatre Construction Since 1946
• Steel Towers
• Painting • Repairs
Free Estimates
Lester Sill, president of Screen Gems-
Colgems-EMl Music, has been appointed to
the board of directors of the American
Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers,
it was announced by Ascap president
Stanley Adams. The performing rights organization's
board appointed Sill to serve
as a publisher director.
•
"Designed for Film: The Hollywood Art
Director" is an exhibition at the Museum
Street in the Village. Held in the rain, the
tin Scorsese film of the final concert of the
of Modern Art through September 26. On world-famed rock group The Band, is heading
feast offered Italian delicacies as you
mingled with the cast of the Universal release.
view in the auditorium, it was directed by
for a big first-week gross of $65,000 at
Rated PG. "Nunzio" was set to open
Sunday (14) at the Cinema II. David Proval
Mary Corliss, curatorial assistant in the department
of film, and designed by Kathleen announced by United Artists. It grossed
the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York, it was
for producer Jennings Lang and director
Williams. James Andronica costar
Haven, with Carlos Clarens as consultant. $50,855 in the first five days of its worldpremiere
stars
Paul More than 100 sketches, matte paintings,
engagement.
is
and
Tovah
scripler
Feldshuh.
and the cast
Morgana
also
King.
includes
Monica
storyboards and film stills are part of the Produced by Robbie Robertson and directed
by Scorsese, the picture presents one
exhibition. Such famous films as "Intolerance,"
"Gone With the Wind," "The Wiz-
Lewis. Theresa Saldana. Maria Smith-Calley,
Vincent Russo and Joe
of the most important rock musical events
Woodstock Spinell.
ard of Oz." "Spellbound" and "All the in years, ranking with and the
President's Men" are
Still on the festive scene, let's not forget
the pleasant luncheon given by Joe Brenner
•
represented.
Beatles' TV performance on "The Ed Sullivan
Show."
a few weeks ago for his new release "Free
The Band, comprised of Rick Danko,
In the magazines: Films in Review for
May has a look at the 50th Academy Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel
Spirit." Rachel Roberts, one of the film's
stars, was on hand, accompanied by friend
Awards presentations, by Ronald Bowers; a
and Robertson, stars in the film. Also
Sybil Christopher.
list of all the Oscar-nominated performers featured are Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Joni
•
for the past 50 years by Michael and Marie Mitchell, Neil Young, Emmylou Harris,
A press conference announcing significant Buckley; the career of silent screen idol Ringo Starr, Ron Wood and several other
legal developments in the Radio City Music Earle Williams, by DeWitt Bodeen, and groups.
Hall situation was held Thursday morning William K. Everson's tongue-in-cheek
{II) at the 21 Club. A bold new programing "Movies That Might Have Been." Alvin Robin Miller Announces
format was to be announced and there was Marill reviews original musicals for TV in
a statement by Bill Sargent, chairman of the his "Films on TV" section and Anthony
Permanent Base in NYC
board of Special Event Entertainment. The Slide examines Louise Glaum's silent "Se.x"
BETHLEHEM, PA. — Robin Miller/
management of the Hall has applied for a il920) for "Films on 8 & 16."
Filmaker Co. based here announced that its
permit to demolish the house, which has
•
tjmporary quarters in New York City would
been designated a landmark. Apparently, The showcase scene: Burt Reynolds in
this move is felt necessary if no feasible
be
feature
made
motion
permanent
picture
in order
and television
to develop
film
"The End" opened at five area theatres
alternative is forthcoming.
Wednesday (10): the Baronet, Nassau's properties, as well as to broaden the base
Next feature for the Hall is scheduled as Plainview and Criterion theatres, UA Cinema
of its Bethlehem operation. Robin Miller,
a revival of Disney's "Fantasia."
461 (Totowa. N.J.) and Blue Star
Cinema
3 (Watchung. N. J.). A new arrival that
day was Warners' "It Lives Again," sequel
to "It's Alive" of some years back. Also
around town: "An Unmarried Woman,"
"Madame Rosa" (mini), "Rabbit Test,"
AIP's bill "The Incredible Melting Man"
and "The Island of Dr. Moreau," "Coming
Home"—opening at Flagship theatres,
"House Calls," "F.I.S.T.," "Close Encounters
of the Third Kind," "Hot Cookies"—an
X, double bill of "Malibu Beach" and "The
Van," "Saturday Night Fever," "High Anxiety,"
"Annie Hall" and the animated feature
"Allegro Non Troppo."
"The Greek Tycoon," Universal release
starring Anthony Quinn and Jacqueline Bisset,
opened Friday (12) at Universal Blue
Ribbon houses.
Albee's 50th Anniversary
Is Brightened by Vallee
HUNTINGTON. W. VA.—May 7. 1978
was a gold-lelter-day here. The venerable
picture palace, the Keith Albee, celebrated
its 50th anniversary. Rudy Vallee. perenni-
of two smaller auditoriums and a Dolby
sound system, to name two key changes,
yet the awesome majesty of the original
building has not been diminished.
New Rock Musical Big
Grosser In New York
NEW YORK—"The Last Waltz," a Mar-
founder of the eight-year-old movie production
company, is co-creator and executive
producer of a pilot film which NBC
plans to televise as a made-for-television
movie series.
Written by Gethers, who also will direct
the pilot, the agreement with NBC anticipates
placement of an initial run of 13 hourlong
movies on the network schedule by
1979. As many as 22 hour-long episodes
per year could result. Miller said, depending
on the reception of the films. The network
film series will be filmed on the West
Coast.
Film Rights to Tribute'
Acquired by Paramount
NEW YORK — Paramount Pictures has
acquired the motion picture rights to "Tribute,"
a new play by Bernard Slade, the
playwright of "Same Time, Next Year," it
was announced by Michael D. Eisner, president
and chief operating officer of Paramount
Pictures.
Lawrence Turman will produce the film
version of "Tribute," a comedy-drama about
a moribund screenwritcr-tiirned-press agent.
E-2 BOXOFnCE May 15, 1978

Theatres Attrition Rate
Swelled in Garden State
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.—With the razing
of the Hollywood and Center Theatres
on Atlantic Avenue, and the conversion of
the Apollo Theatre on the Boardwalk into
stores, the resort is now left with only three
theatres showing motion pictures. At one
time there were 16 theatres operating in
the
resort along the Boardwalk and Atlantic
Avenue, the main business district removed
by one block from the Boardwalk.
At present, only the Strand Theatre operated
by The Charles Theatres circuit offers
movies to Boardwalk strollers. The
movie screen in the Steel Pier, Boardwalk
entertainment landmark, v/ill be dark this
summer, and the Apollo Theatre offered
only X-rated films with its burlesque stage
shows. Only two movie houses remain on
Atlantic Avenue—the Charles Theatre, operated
by that group, and the Beach Theatre.
The Hollywood and Center Theatres,
shuttered for some time, along with six
other adjoining stores and offices between
them, were purchased by Abe Grunwald, a
Long Island. N.Y., investor, for a reported
$465,000. Current plans are to raze the
properties and use the cleared land as a
temporary parking lot. It is reported the
cleared land will be put up for sale for $1,-
000.000. more than double the purchase
price, as a result of casino gambling, real
estate values are skyrocketing at the resort.
Grunwald reportedly bought the theatre
properties from Joseph Bradway sr., who
acquired it from George Hamid jr., former
owner of Steel Pier and a number of movie
theatres in the resort. The Hollywood and
Center Theatres, once major centers of entertainment
in the resort, closed because
of the economy squeeze on movie houses.
Both houses featured vaudeville shows with
first-run movies, and Eleanor Powell played
the Center when first breaking into show
businsess.
The Center was constructed during the
days of silent pictures and featured a 17-
piece theatre orchestra along with the movies.
The first talking picture shown in Atlantic
City was presented in the Center Theatre
in 1927. The Hollywood Theatre was
constructed in 1934 at a reported cost of
$250,000.
'Goodbye Girl' in Metro
NY Is Over $7 Million
New York—Wanier Bros." "1 he
Goodbye Girl" has topped the $7,000,-
000 boxoffice gros.s mark in the metropolitan
New York area, it was announced
Monday (8).
The film went over the mark during
the first week of May, reaching a total
of $7,040,018 from the Nov. 30. 1977.
opening date through Sunday night
(7).
Included in the accumulated total
are $684,020 in the first-run engagements;
$2,864,613 in flagship engagements;
$1,340,818 in Red Carpet showcase,
and $2,150,567 in second showease
runs.
McGeary to Speak on Film
Futures at ASFA Meeting
PHILADELPHIA—Is film passe? What
are the trends of video and film production
around the world? One of the country's
best-known film and videotape laboratory
executives. Frank M. McGeary, will challenge
the doomsayers in his talk, "Global
Film Futures," at an American Science Film
Ass'n regional luncheon meeting in New
York June 8.
McGeary, president of Motion Picture
Laboratories in Memphis and past president
of the Ass'n of Film and Video Laboratories,
is currently in the Far East where
he is participating in the opening of a
laboratory in Manila. Earlier this year he
toured the world analyzing trends in production
of film and videotape.
ASFA is meeting in conjunction with the
forthcoming Visual Communications Congress.
Plans for ASFA's Sci/Com '78 biennial
conference in Chicago in November
will be announced. Following the luncheon,
Eastman Kodak Co. will stage a special multi-image
presentation in the New York Hilton
Hotel.
General chairman for the regional meeting
is
veteran film producer Tom Willard.
Philadelphia Taking Aim
At Motion Picture Makers
PHILADELPHIA — Although the city
has no official film commission set up to
try to attract film producers to use local
facilities, as did the producers of "Rocky,"
the city of Philadelphia has embarked on
an advertising campaign to attract film producers
here. The initial advertisement,
placed in the New York Times and other
selected publications, makes capital of the
fact that the city was used by Garrett Brown
and his Steadicam invention for the filming
of "Rocky."
"Perhaps your next film needs the streets
of the city—the exciting old-new look of
Philadelphia." says the city-sponsored advertisement
addressed to film producers.
"Philadelphia cooperates to make filming
easy and economical. We've a staff that's
knowledgeable about locations and suppliers."
The ad is signed by mayor Frank L.
Rizzo and city representative Joseph A.
LaSala, and lists a telephone number.
Local theatrical unions and a number of
local figures in the entertainment field have
been lobbying the city
representative's office
to form a Philadelphia film commission to
woo some of the movie producers here.
UA and Universal Film
"Yanks" in Yorkshire
NEW YORK—"Yanks," a United Artists-
Universal co-production, which UA will distribute
in all overseas territories, is now
filming in England. Academy Award winner
John Schlcsinger is directing and Joseph
Janni producing this World War II
drama, which stars Richard Gere. Vanessa
Redgrave. William Devane and newcomer
Lisa Eichorn.
COMING SOON
Set in a small Yorkshire town in 1943,
"Yanks" traces three different but connected
love stories involving American servicemen
and British women. Colin Welland and
Walter Bernstein have written the screenplay,
based upon Welland's original story.
Also starring in "Yanks" are Rachel Roberts.
Chick Vennera, Annie Ross and Wendy
Morgan.
TV Guest Spots Plug Col.'s
'If Ever I See You Again'
NEW YORK—Shelley Hack, who stars
with Joe Brooks in Columbia's "If Ever I
See You Again," was a
guest on the syndicated
"Mike Douglas Show" shown in the
New York and Los Angeles markets Tuesday,
April 25. It will be telecast throughout
the country during the next weeks.
Her appearance includes a film clip from
the motion picture.
This was the first of two major guest
spots in connection with the film. Brooks
taped a segment which was aired Wednesday
(3).
"If Ever I See You Again" will open in
many major cities beginning Friday (19).
DISTRIBUTED By J.M.G. FILM COMPANY
BOXOFHCE :: May 15. 1978
E-3

CINE Announces
Officers, Directors
WASHINGTON—The board of directors
of the Council on International Nontheatrical
Events, at a meeting April 7,
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elected the following slate of officers:
President, Frank Kavanaugh, executive
producer, Airlie Productions; first vicepresident,
Guilford C. "Dan" Kater, vicepresident
and general manager. Modem
Talking Picture Service; vice-president/ finance,
James G. Damon, manager. Visual
Communications. IBM Corp.; vice-president/festivals.
John B. Kuiper. director of
films. International Museum of Photography,
George Eastman House; vice-president/information.
Barbara B. Legg, executive
secretary. International Quorum of Motion
Picture Producers; vice-president/selections,
Lois A. Kane, coordinator, special
services, Arlington. Va., Public Library;
secretary. Daryl I. Miller, director. Bureau
of Audio-Visual Services, American Dental
Ass'n; treasurer. Harriet Lundgaard, executive
director. Educational Media Council,
and Carl Lenz, president. Modern Talking
Picture Service, the outgoing CINE president,
voted chairman of the executive committee.
Board Vacancies Filled
Seven new members were elected to the
board of directors to fill vacancies: John
Irwin, senior adviser, public affairs, Exxon
Corp.. New York; James W. Moore, director.
Audio-Visual Archives Division. National
Archives, Washington. D.C.; George
Griswold jr.. film and CCTV manager,
American Telephone & Telegraph Co., New
York; David Parker, technical officer. Library
of Congress, motion picture section,
Washington, D.C.; Karen Loveland. director,
exhibits/motion picture unit, the
Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.;
Stuart Finley, president, Stuart Finley
Films, Falls Church, Va.. and Robert B.
Hudson, retired, former senior vice-president.
National Educational Television, Reston,
Va.
These seven new members join those directors
already serving CINE: C. Bennett,
W. Carr, H. Farmer. 6. Franklin, W. Grayson.
T. Hope. B. Hopper. A. Hyer. H.
Johnson, N. Keehn. O. Knudsen. R. Lee,
H. Lowe. D. Poindexter. T. Radford, A.
Ramirez. H. Sweeney. W. Tipton, H. Weincr
and G. Weiss.
Four honorary life board memberships
to former officers were voted by the CINE
board: John Flory. Spacefilms, Rochester,
N.Y.; Emily Jones. Acorn Films. New
York; Edward Oglcsby. retired. Virginia
State Department of Education, Richmond,
Va.. and Reid H. Ray. retired. Rochester
Institute of Technology. Tucson, Ariz.
CINE is a voluntary, nonprofit organization
formed to encourage international communications,
understanding and goodwill
for the benefit of the U.S.. through the
selection and entering of U.S. nontheatrical
and short subject motion pictures in the
appropriate international festivals.
The deadline date for the next CINE
competition is Aug. 1. 1978.
E-4
BOXOmCE :: May 15. 1978

. . . Steve
. . George
WASHINGTON
TJniversal's "Jaws 2," which will open at
six theatres here June 16, was promoted
through full-page advertisements in the
Sunday (7) issues of the Post and the Star
Turner, Universal branch manager,
trade-creened "The Greek Tycoon"
at the Motion Pictures Ass'n Tuesday (9).
The film opened the following day in area
theatres. Since the story is about a multimillionaire
shipping magnate and the widow
of an assassinated American President, the
Star asks: "Is fiction stranger than truth?"
President and Mrs. Carter will honor Bob
Hope at a White House reception Wednesday
(24). The next evening the USO will
stage a three-hour salute to Hope on his
75th birthday. The gala occasion, to be held
at the Kennedy Center, will be taped by
NBC for a TV special to be broadcast at a
later date. Nearly 30 entertainers will star
on the program which will be a benefit for
the US. Hope's frontline tours for the service
organization began in 1941.
Buena Vista's rerelease of Walt Disney's
"In Search of the Castaways" comes to area
theatres Friday (26). Disney's "The Jungle
Book" also will return this summer, according
to Phil Jenkins the new branch booker
who recently came here from BV's Dallas
office . . . The stud'o's new summer feature,
"The Cat From Outer Space," will open
in local houses July 12 and "Hot Lead and
Cold Feet," another Disney feature, begins
in this territory August 9.
Victor Nicholson of Chevy Chase, Md.,
has been granted a patent for his Bi-Directional
Uni-Cable Switching System which
utilizes a new type of coaxial cable system.
He announced that each BUSS subscriber
will have a private TV channel which will
receive programs upon request. The system
also will allow users to communicate through
a high-definition video telephone. The overall
costs of system construction are comparable
to CATV, according to Nicholson.
A cinematic treatment of sculpture was
introduced by filmmaker Michael Blackwood
at the Hirshorn Museum Thursday
(4). In the three-part documentary series entitled
"Masters of Modern Sculpture,"
Blackwood looks at the work of Rodin, Degas,
Picasso, Matisse, Brancusi, di Suvero,
Christo and Smithson . Romero,
director of "Martin," now playing in area
theatres, was here Monday (8) to promote
the picture.
NORTH JERSEY
^ick Nathan, president of Nathan theatres,
headquartered in West Orange, has announced
a major expansion program for his
circuit. Conversion of the former 850-seat
Washington Theatre in Washington to two
twin units of 400 seats each now has been
completed. The conversion entailed completely
gutting and rebuilding the house from
the new maiquce and facade to the new
seat 400 upon completion, which is scheduled
for this month. Also as in Washington,
this conversion will involve a complete remodeling
and renovating of the theatre. Nathan
and the town of Newton have reached
an agreement whereby the public parking
lot in front of the house is being expanded
and the amount of parking spaces tripled.
At the circuit's Hunterdon Theatre in
Flemington, ground has been broken to
construct a multimillion-dollar enclosed
shopping mall which will adjoin the existing
theatre. Together with the extra shopping
facilities, two new auditoriums are
being added to the Hunterdon, which already
seats 750. The new i;nits will provide
an additional 500 and 400 seats, respectively.
The lobby for the three auditoriums will
be an extension of the enclosed mall. Construction
is being done so that the present
theatre will not be closed one day. The two
new units are slated to be ready for an August
1st opening, while the rest of the mall
is scheduled to be completed by October
15. All of the above houses were acquired
by the Nathan circuit in October 1976.
Patrick Nagle, former assistant manager
at RKO-SW's Stanley Warner Quad in Paramus,
has been appointed manager of the
circuit's Oritani in Hackensack. The Oritani
is the latest North Jersey house to be converted
into a triplex. Nagle noted that "The
Rocky Horror Picture Show" is still being
presented at the Oritani at special weekend
midnight showings and continues to result in
phenomenal business.
"Madame Rosa," selected as the Academy
Award winner for Best Foreign Film, has
been held for a third week in an exclusive
North Jersey engagement at Wood Theatres'
Strand in Summit, operated by Norman
Schonfeld.
Albert D. Unger, 82. a veteran theatre
manager on this area, who retired from the
industry seven years ago, died recently in
Hempstead, L.I., N.Y. Unger has worked
for Skouras Theatres (later United Artists)
for over 50 years, mangaging the Capitol,
Palace, and Fulton theatres, all located in
Jersey City, as well as UA houses located
on Long Island. He also served for a short
time as manager of Stanley Warner's Roosevelt
in Jersey City. Born in New York City,
he lived in Jersey City 37 years, before
moving to Hempstead eight years ago.
Robert Buhot's Arnold Cinema in Point
Pleasant, on the South Jersey shore, has begun
a new admission price policy of 99
cents for all seats at all times.
lantha. Inc., an independent development
corporation, located a' 37 Washington St.
in Toms River, has announced plans to convert
several former stores in the Toms River
Mall on Route 37 into two twin theatres.
PHILADELPHIA
lobby, restrooms, auditoriums and projection
room. The theatre now is compleieK
automated using Cinemeccanica equipment
^^ritcr Peter "Jaws" Benchley and screen
from Carbons, Inc.
stars Cliff
At Nathan's Newton in Newton,
Robertson,
construction
is under way
Valjrie Perrine,
Robert Fuller
to convert that housj
and Wayne Rogers
into
came to
Trenton (N.J.) State
a twin. As in Washington, each
College
theatre
on Sunday
will
(7)
for the Prince-Boy Scout Pro Celebrity
Tournament sponsored for the Boy Scouts
by Prince Manufacturing Inc., tennis equipment
company based in Princeton. N.J.
Sameric Theatres leased retail store space
on the ground floor of its midtown Duchess
Theatre to Young Mun Son for the sale and
repair of jewelry. The lease represents an
aggregate rental of more than $57,000.
Pulitzer Prize-winning screen and stage
playwright Sidney Kingsley will be awarded
an honorary doctor of literature degree from
Monmouth College, West Long Branch,
N.J., on Saturday (27). The chairman of the
New Jersey Motion Picture Development
Commission, Kingsley will also bj the commencement
speaker at the graduation exercises
that day.
Broad-Olney Associates, investors and
developers in commercial and professional
real estate, acquired a large commercial
complex in the OIney section of the city
which includes Budco's Esquire Theatre.
The planned changes to the property will not
affect the continued operation of the movie
hou.se by the locally-based Budco Theatres
chain.
UltraCom of Delaware Valley, Inc., a
subsidiary of UltraCom, Inc., headed by
Samuel M. Merion, announced the initiation
of cable television service to the residents
of suburban Marple Township and Haverford
Township.
A motion picture theatre is included in the
plans for a $100,000,000 hotel, apartments
and stores complex for Atlantic City, N.J.
The project, introduced as "Traniiatlantic
Megastructure," does not include plans for
a gambling casino.
Joe Baltake, movie critic for the Philadelphia
Daily News, taped a TV interview
with film director Frank Capra during his
film-lecture engagements here. The interview
will be televised by Station WTAF-TV
here next month.
"Horror at 7:00" is the title of a scries of
horror films for young adults to be shown
free on Thursday nights at 7 P.M. at the
Concord Pike Library in Wilmington, Del.
The series includes "Nosferatu, the Vampire,"
a silent film and the first movie
about Dracula ever made.
€ L\ER.\>IA IS L\ SHOW
BI'SLVCSS L\ HAW.VII T(M»,
Wlicn yon come to Wuikiki,
don't miss tlic famous Don H
Show ... at Cinerama's
Reef Towers Hotel. f
BOXOFHCE :: May 15, 1978
E-5

. . . The
MisINUT
. . Following
. . . "The
. . . CFC
. . Eastern
. . "Bitches
. . The
. . Tony
PITTSBURGH
Pobinson Township will be in the spotlight
June 16 when Redstone Theatres open
their new five-plex. Showcase Cinemas West
on Parkway and Route 60. Bookings, for
the most part will parallel those of the circuit's
Showcase East . . . With the exception
of one building, the original Exhibitors
Service Company, the old Filmrow on
Forbes between Hooper and Magee, has
been a Duquesne University parking lot
for years. The only symbol of the past is
Esser Costumes on the north side of Forbes.
Cinema Follies Club showing "The
Homecoming." with "Golden Years." due
Wednesday (17) and "Twel\e at Noon" and
"Sex Magic" due Wednesday (24) . . . "The
New Exotic Adventures of Casanova" at
the Garden . . . Art Cinema offered "Rollerbabes"
and "Memories Within Miss Aggie"
followed by "Dong Jeanne Silver" . . .
Premiering here June 9 will be Joe Brooks"
("You Light Up My Life") latest opus "If
Ever I See You Again." which Brooks
plugged on the Merv Griffin Show.
Area theatres showing "The Goodbye
Girl." "Rabbit Test," "American Hot Wax,"
"Last Days of Man on Earth," Andy Warhol's
"Bad" and "Peeper," "Stolen Love,"
"Saturday Night Fever," "FM," "C.B.."
"Introductions," "First Love," "End of the
Game," "Deathsport," "Summer School
Teachers" and "Stay Hungry."
During their 40th season the Savoyards
are staging "The Mikado" through Sunday
(21) at the Playhouse. Bob Whitley is general
director for all the Gilbert and Sullivan
presentations .
the MGM festival
the Guild will show ten Alfred Hitchcock
pictures in a series of five twin bills
Kings Court lobby was the setting
tor two karate demonstrations and live mu-
2 beats 1
3 beats 2
4 beats 3
WE BEAT THEM
ALL IN TWINNING
TRIPLEXING AND
QUADRUPLEXING!
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CHifimnn KmcGcn
formMt WOOOMf CONSTRUCTION CORf
516 569-1990
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BUFFALO
J^ichacl F. Ellis. Variety Club lent 7 bard,
gives us this:
To this fact you can certify
Both road and driver are safer when dry.
The Como 8 theatres held a sneak preview
of "A Different Story." "The Man
Who Loved Women," directed by Francois
Truffaut, starring Charles Denner, opened
an enclusive engagement at the Maple-
Forest Theatre. "Short Eyes," starring Bruce
Davison, opened the same day at Loews'
Tech downtown.
Niagara Frontier Theatre Organ Society
presented a silent film classic, Charlie
Chaplin's "Tillie's Punctured Romance" at
the Riviera Theatre, North Tonawanda .
"Our Dancing Daughters" with Joan Crawford
and "Movie Night" silent films with
organ by Harvey Elsaesser were shown at
the historical society.
Peter Watkins, noted British filmmaker,
presented three of his works including "Edvard
Munch" penetrating view of the great
Norweigian painter at a Bright-Knox Art
Gallery: "Privilage," allegory about rock 'n"
roll and totalitarianism University of Buffalo
campus: and "The War Game," hypothetical
documentary of nuclear attack on England,
Student Union Social Hall, Buffalo State
College.
"Hearts and Minds," documentary about
what the Vietnam war did to our nation,
with panel discussion featuring Bruce Beyer
and other Vietnam activities, was presented
in Diefendorf Hall, UB Main Street Campus.
University of Buffalo Series Week of
April 24: Eisenstein's "Ivan the Terrible,"
Borzage's "Mannequin," Rapper's "Now,
Voyager," Montgomery's "The Lady in the
Lake," Godard's "Two or Three Things I
Know About Her," Alea's "Memories of
Underdevelopment," "The Heart is a Lonely
Hunter," "Zardoz." Carne's "Bizarre, Bizarre,"
Carne's "Daybreak," "Super Fly,"
"Citizens Band," Marx Bros, in "A Day
at the Races," Cohen's "It's Alive" and
"Black Sunday."
Kenneth Bunford, owner of the Genesee
Theatre, was given a summons charging second-degree
obscenity, a Class A misdemeanor,
by the Buffalo Police Department's salacious
literature squad. The summons
stemmed from a viewing of the movie "Tattoo
Lady" by City Judge Frank A. Sedita,
an allegedly pornographic film. Saying he
is tired of what he calls "police harassment,"
Bunford locked the doors of his theatre and
said he wants to get out of the business, and
was going to sell the theatre. He told police
he had six more films at the bus terminal
waiting to be picked up. They made the
pickup for h'm and turned the films over
to the FBI since they had crossed a state
line in their trip here from New York City.
Joe Grifasi, who will have a major role
May
in the MGM motion picture being tilnicU
herj, "Hide in Plain Sight," is a Buffalonian.
He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph
Grifasi sr. of Kenmore. He grew up on
the West Side, where the movie being
is
shot. Others on hand for the first-day press
conference were James Caan, actor-director;
Barbara Rae, who will play his ex-wife
and Jill Eikenberry, who will play his girlfriend
. . . "Pretty
Baby" opened an exclusive
engagement at the Holiday 2
Theatre.
"Welcome to L.A." starring Keith Carradine
and Sally Kellerman, started an exclusive
run at the Thruway Mall Cinema. "The
Man Who Loved Women," with English
subtitles, opened at the Maple Forest Theatre.
Jeff Simon, in his review of "FM" in the
Buffalo Evening News, said: "The movie
makes a pretty silly hash of the radio business,
but the basic conflict is
real."
Mrs. Alfred E. Anscombe, a member of
the Variety Club Women of Tent 7, is president
of Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital
Women's Board, and as such gave a report
on her trip to Leadership Institute in
Syracuse at an executive board meeting in
the hospital.
"Short Eyes," movie version of a stage
by Miguel Pinero. is an excellent, sobering
view of prison life, at Loews' Teck Theatre,
said the Courier-Express . . . "Hawaii—The
Picture Islands" was presented as one of the
opening productions of the Artpark Spring
Season . . . "Casablanca" plus Errol Flynn's
"The Adventures of Robin Hood," played
a return engagement at the Rivoli theatre.
That helicopter that disrupted the filming
of the James Caan movie on Tuesday
(2) probably was the one hired by the News
to take a photographer for pictures of the
ice boom removal on the Niagara River.
Quoted the News: "Do the Hollywood folks
expect a city to fall silent—even the gulls
when the cameras roll? We thought local
color (and sounds) was the
idea of on-location
filming .
."
No-Gun Rule Dropped, Not
With a Bang but a Whimper
ROME—The ban against the firing of a
gun in Italian-made films was quietly
dropped recently, film industry souces said.
The ruling, a result of government effort to
halt a wave of violent crime in Italy, had
caused some problems for filmmakers.
The source said that actor David Janssen.
while making a film in Italy, had had to film
one scene aiming a plastic revolver. He then
had to fly to Greece to fire a real gun foi
the next shot.
Hal Holbrook on TV Ads
TOLEDO—The Toledo Trust Co., largest
financial institution in northwest Ohio, is using
longtime actor Hal Holbrook in newly
introduced TV commercials. The assignment
is a first in Holbrook's career.
'Joe Townsley Day'
Is Observed in Md.
BALTIMORE— Past chief barker Joseph
Townsley was named Variety Club Tent
Variety Club Tent 19"s "Men of the
Year" award was presented to past
chief barker Joe Townsley, left, by Bill
Howard, the tent's present leader.
I9's "Man of the Year" in ceremonies before
300 people at Blue Crest North recently.
Bill Howard, incumbent chief barker, made
the award.
Baltimore County executive Ted Venetoulis
took the opportunity to add to Townsley's
honors by declaring it "Joe Townsley
Day" in the county. Joe was cited for his
untiring efforts on behalf of underprivileged
and handicapped children.
Howard also announced the latest charity
project to benefit Johns Hopkins Hospital.
The goal is the addition of a wing to be
called the Variety Club Pediatric Oncology
Pavilion. Financially, the tent is looking at
a target of $1,500,000 to support the new
unit. Funds will be raised by holding a
telethon and a series of additional special
events.
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(213) 749-8288

KAN's Clout Halls
Theatre Demolition
PHILADELPHIA—\lihoiigh the Kensington-area
residents may not be able to
block the proposed rock music concerts
planned by the new owners of the Midway
Theatre in that section of the city, the Kensington
Action Now (KAN) neighborhood
group is now successful in blocking any attempt
to tear down the theatre building. The
1932 movie palace, a classic example of Art
Deco and constructed by noted local architects,
was certified this week by the Philadelphia
Historical Commission.
The historical commission certifies buildings
in the city that have historic associations
or are outstanding or representative
examples of period architecture. The owner
of a certified building cannot make any
alterations to his property without first consulting
the commission, and the commission
has the power to halt demolition of the
building for a six-month period.
City historian Richard Tyler told the commission
that although the most important
features of the exterior of the modern-styled
Midway Theatre are now missing, the interior
is substantially intact and merits protection.
"It is bright, flowing, exuberant art
deco work and one of the few surviving
such interiors in the city," Tyler said.
KAN opposed plans of the building's
owner to hold rock concerts there and
sought the certification even though it will
not affect the use of the Midway Theatre.
However, it will prevent tiie developer from
tearing the landmark down, pointing out
that the theatre building is important to the
Kensington neighborhood, having been part
of its heritage and culture for nearly 50
years.
Historical commission policy requires
that the owner of a building that is certified
be allowed to object to the decision. In the
four years since this polxy was adopted,
only two property owners have objected.
Peter Bressi. of Peter Roberts Enterprises,
owners of the Midway, did not indicate as
yet what course he will take.
KAN members said thev had received assurance
that no permits for rock concerts
in the mammoth 2,800-seat Midway Theatre
would be approved by the city's Department
of Licenses and Inspections without
first
consulting with the community.
Alterations that had been started were
stopped on April 28 and official notice was
served on Bressi by the commissioner of
licenses and inspections, that he must stop
any further alteration to the interior of the
theatre until a permit for alterations has
been secured.
The large theatre, once the flagship
among the 16 movie houses that operated
nV-13'//-14"o,A* $50.00
$81.50
in the Kensington neighborhood, has not
been a financial success while used exclusively
as a movie house. Bressi has said that
only small modifications would be needed
to use the theatre as a rock concert hall.
Bressi purchased the Midway last October
and closed it shortly thereafter.
KAN members have suggested that part
of the theatre remain as a small movie house
and that the rest be converted into a shopping
mall. They said that Ihe theatre's most
notable features, such as its ceiling, murals
and stairway, could be preserved with such
Susquehanna University
Hosts Movie Conference
SELINSGROVE. PA.—The filming of
classic movies and lectures by visiting film
scholars marked a weekend conference on
"Film and Humanistic Education," in the
Campus Center at Susquehanna University
here. Funded by a grant from the National
Endowment for the Humanities, the program
was designed to demonstrate the use
of motion pictures in strengthening instruction
in the humanities. Admission to the
film showings and lectures was free to both
students and the public.
Among those participating in the conference
were William Arrowsmith, professor
of classics and humanities at Johns Hopkins
University; Gerlad Mast, professor of English
at the University of Chicago; Michael
Rohmer, professor of film at Yale University;
and Susan Steinberg Wolf, president of
Independent Film-Mayers of Boston.
A specialist in documentary film. Miss
Wolf opened the conference with a lecture
on "Film as a Biography; A Program of
Work and Progress." Among the films
screened were "Red River." and Michelangelo
Antonioni's "The Passenger." Other
panel discussions, with film showings, dealt
with "A Western, the Htmianities and the
Teaching of Film," and "Film Arts and
Liberal Arts; Will the Romance Last?"
Young Filmmakers Contest
Sponsored by NJ Institute
TRENTON. N.J.—A statewide competition
for yoimg filmmakers is being sponsored
by New Jersey Public Television and
the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
The "New Jersey Young Filmmakers Festival"
will provide recognition for talented
New Jersey students who work in the film
medium. Open to students from ages six to
18. there will be cash prizes ranging from
$50 to $100 in each of three different age
categories.
Films may be submitted in color or black
and white, using Super 8, 8 or 16mm film,
and either sound or silent. In the senior division,
there will be a Jennings Lang Award, In were kept in an eerie mood when Connie
with a cash prize of $250, for the entry Cox offered refreshment center freebies
judged best in scriptwriting and/or direct-
during the run of "Blood Thirsty Butchers."
Patrons could sample fried fingers (deep
ing." The award was established by Jennings
Lang, executive producer and vice president
of Universal Pictures.
The award-winning films will be shown
by New Jersey Public Television on June
21 and on June 24.
John Gardner Elected
PrexyofW.Va.NATO
WHEELING, W. VA.—A veteran of 30
years in exhibition in this area. John Gardner
was elected president of NATO of West
Virg'nia at the annual membership meeting
of the organization held at the Charleston
Elks Club.
Walter Dills of Charleston, who had served
two years as president, was elected board
chairman.
Alex DeFabio. Logan, was elected first
vice-president; Gene Warden, Crab Orchard,
second vice-president, and Eileen
Ledford, Charleston, former pi^esident, secretary-treasurer.
In addition to the officers,
the board includes James Hanna. Craigsville,
and George Gannon, Charleston.
President Gardner asked each member to
secure one new member or a renewed membership.
He urged early registration for the
NATO of Virginia meeting July 23-24-25 at
the Homestead. Hot Springs. Va., which is
designated as the Mid-Atlantic NATO convention.
A meeting of the West Virginia
NATO board will be held there July 24.
Under a new policy, NATO of West
Virginia will hold quarterly meetings, in
April. July, October and January.
At the Charleston Elks Club luncheon
and meeting, members enthusiastically welcomed
the news of the recent court decision
concerning the legality of splits.
Mountain State exhibitors and others in
the trade may address NATO at P.O. Box
2058. Wheeling. W. Va. 26003.
Adams Again Ascap Prexy;
All Officers Re-Elected
NEW YORK—The board of directors of
the American Society of Composers, Authors
& Publishers has re-elected lyricist
Stanley Adams as president. Adams hasi
been a member of the ASCAP board of directors
since 1944 and served as president
from 1953 to 1956 and from 1959 to the
present.
The ASCAP board also re-elected Salvatore
Chiantia, president of MCA Music, and
screen and TV-scorer George Duning as
vice-presidents. Composer Morton Gould
was re-elected to the position of secretary;
Ernest R. Farmer, president of Shawnee
treasurer; composer Arthur Schwartz,
Press,
assistant secretary, and Leon J. Brettler,
executive vice-president of Shapiro. Bernstein
& Co., assistant treasurer.
Eerie Eats Enliven (?) Film
SPRINGFIELD. MO.—Customers at
Commonwealth Theatres' Springfield Drive-
fried hot dogs), fried skin (pork rinds), liver
slivers (fried liver) and blood (red soft
drink.). to increase Helping attendance was
a $3-per-carload admission during the
week's engagement.
BOXOFHCE May 1978

'Unmarried Woman'
Strong in Denver
DENVER— Djspitf heavy competition
from "FM" (250), 'House Calls" (275).
"F.I.S.T." (220) and the perennial duo "Star
Wars" (220) and "Close Encounters of the
Third Kind" (250). "An Unmarried Woman"
continued to find favor among patrons
here, drawing a substantial 300 in its seventh
week to tie with controversial fourth-weeker
"Pretty Baby." Openers fared just abovj
average, with "The Hills Havj Eyes" ard
"The Last Survivor" reporting 150 cich.
"Straight Time," in its eighth week two
at
situations, slipped to a 70.
Is 100)
Buckingham Squa Westn -I Wan Hold
Your Hand (Univ). 3rd wk
Century 21—High Anxiety (20lh-Fox), 7l'i vvl;
Centre—Blue Collar (Univ), 7th wl-
Cherry Creek, Villa Italia- Straight Time ('
8th wk,
Colorado Four— House Calls :'i. v -i wk
Continental-Star Wars m wk
Cooper Close Encounleis of [ho Third Kind
(Col), 21st wk
Esquire Pretty Baby iFaraj, 4:n w.^
Five theatres—Coach (SR), 2rid wk
Four theatres—Oily Oily Oxen Free (SR),
2nd wk
Four theatres The Last Survivor (SR)
Six theatres—FM (U.nivi L'nd wk
Six theatres—The Hills Have Eyes iSRl
Tamarac Six— An Unmarried Woman (20 h I
chants here and the producers of "The Last
Gun," a western film, probably will result
in the film's being shot in New Mexico or
Arizona instead.
Occurences during the Central City shooting
of a previous picture. "The Duchess and
the Dirtwater Fox" in 1975. have led to
the present hassle between the city and the
producers. One merchant complained thiit
most of the dirt used to cover the pavement
at the time filtered into his store, turning
it into a "dust bowl." The store owner said
that if he had wanted to live in a movie
colony he would have moved to Hollywood,
EMI Films and Producer Frank Marshall
indicated they probably would shoot the
film in New Mexico or Arizona during the
warmer weather this fall.
DuBrow Becomes Editor
LOS ANGELES—Rick DuBrow, United
Press International's TV critic for 12 years.
has been named entertainment editor of the
afternoon Los Angeles Herald-Examiner.
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RMMPA Lunch to Feature
Film Criticism Discussion
DENVER— Rcna
ilm editor, will givi
unchcoii meeting o
.Andrews. Denver Posi
,1 talk at the monthlv
the Roekv Mountain
Rena Andrews
Motion Picture Ass'n Tuesday (16) at the
Continental Brokers restaurant at 11:.^()
7th wk.
pitals, clinics, schools and recreational activities.
Tamaiac Six— Julia r2r-n-Fn.\ i^th w>
a.m.
Three theatres— F.I.S.T. (UA), 2ni wk
Well-known as a motion picture critic,
Three theatres—Return From Wilch Mounlai
During the 18 hours of entertainment on
(BV), 8th wk
Rena Andrews has an interest in many facets
of the arts. She joined the Denver Post
the air over KTLA-TV, top film, TV, radio,
Llniversity Hills—Casey's Shadow (Col)
8th wk ,
nightclub and sports stars appeared to entertain
the huge crowds that gathered at
University Hills—Coming Home (UA), 5th wl
in 1972 where she has been a feature writer
and reporter and a fine arts critic. She the outdoor plaza of the ABC Entertainment
Center in Century City.
'Dirtwater Fox' Mud Soils covered theatre and music when she first
joined the entertainment department and
Hollywood's Rep in Colo.
Not including this year's funds. Tent 25
has been the film critic for four years. already has raised
CENTRAL CITY.
more than $5,000,000 in
COLO.— Unsolved The topic of her talk is "Do Movies. the last 33 years to aid its various children's
differences that have arisen between mer-
As We Know Them, Have a Future'?" Within
this theme she will discuss the
charitable programs.
responsibility
of the critic and the critic's role in
promoting interest in film, illuminating
films through criticism, and so on. She will
give some casual opening remarks and then
will field questions from the audience.
In line with the plan to honor film companies
in alphabetical order, the RMMPA
plans to honor Columbia Pictures at the
gathering.
TM Tucson Triplex Tapped
For December '78 Opening
TUCSON— Merton B. and Jeff Weiner.
owners of TM Theatres here, have announced
that an agreement has been reached
with Harris & Co., developwrs of Campbell
Plaza, for the construction of a threescreen
motion picture theatre.
The complex will be built to accomodate
the latest technology in construction
and design. The auditorium of each theatre
will accomodate 400 people, for a total
seating capacity of 1,200.
Construction will commence within the
next 60 days in conjunction with the elaborate
work being done on the Campbell
Plaza center as a whole. Tentative opening
date of the theatre is now planned for earh'
December 1978.
With the addition of this triplex. TM
Theatres will own and operate 1 ?< screens
in the city of Tucson.
Tenl 25 Telethon 78
Hits Record $504,149
HOLLYWOOD—Variety Club Tent 25
garnered a record-breaking total of $50,149
in pledges during its precedent setting outdoor
Telethon '78 in which some of Hollywood's
top performers participated to raise
funds for the organization's numerous children's
charities.
Monty Hall repealed his annual chores
as host and master of ceremonies during
the 18-hour show which lasted all night
and into Sunday afternoon. Assisting him
were Richard Dawson, Regis Philbin. Jack
Smith, Sarah Purcell and Sue Ranev,
Money collected as a result of the telethon
will remain in Southern California to
support projects, including the Child .Amputee
Prosthetics Electronic Limb Bank: the
James H. Nicholson Children's Heart Center;
Variety Boys Club: the William Thedford
Memorial Scholarship Fund: Johnny
Carpenter's Heaven-on-Earth Ranch for
Handicapped Children; and the Sunshine
Coach program, which has already provided
66 mini-buses to make transportation
available for handicapped children to hos-
NATO of Idaho Convention
Scheduled for Sept. 18-20
BOISE, IDA.—NATO o\ Idaho has announced
that its 1978 convention is scheduled
for Sept. 18-20.
The convention will take place ;it the
Rodeway Inn in Boise.
Sarah Horwifz Is Dead
BEVERLY HILL.S— Funeral services for
Sarah Horwitz, 64. who died Saturday (6) at
the Encino Hospital following a long illness,
were held Monday (8) at Eden Memorial
Park. Survivors include her husband
Alex, national syndication sales director of
American International Television; two sons,
Michael and Frederick, and a daughter, El-
Peter Donat is a featured player in Avco
Embassy's "A Different Story."
C LVKKi\>L% IS L\ SH(m
BI'SLVf^SS IX ILlLWAll T(M»^
Ulicu you conic to Wuiklki,
don't miss the famous Don 11
Show ... at Cinerama's
Reef Towers Ht^el.
.,. ,, ,, 5i3e»f
EOXOFHCE :: Mav 15, 1978 W-1

. .
Hollywood
gCOTT JACOBY. who stars in American
International's "Our Winning Season"
as a high school track champion, presented
the AIP Trophy for Best Athlete of the
Meet Sunday (7) at the UCLA-Pepsi outdoor
track meet, which attracted the top
competitors from throughout the U.S. Jacoby
also was the honorary timer of the
"Our Winning .Season" men's SOO-nieter
race.
Filming began Monday (1) on "Brink's."
a Dino De Laurentiis production for Universal
release in the U.S. and Canada, with
the entire picture to be shot on location in
Boston at 65 sites around the city. Peter
Falk stars as Tony Pino, leader of th;
Brink's gang, who masterminded the heist.
Produced by Ralph Serpe. the film is directed
by William Friedkin.
•
John Daly, chairman of Hemdale Film
Group, is in Hollywood to open permanent
offices for Hemdale Leisure Corp. at 9255
Sunset Blvd.. adding to the organization's
headquarters in London and the New York
office, where Fred Schneier. vice-president
for worldwide sales, is headquartered. Daly
will leave here soon to join his other major
Hemdale executives at the Cannes International
Film Festival.
•
David Chudnow. producer of "Lucky."
has named Ward Pennington distributor for
the Western states and plans to announce
other regional distributors shortly. "Lucky"
was sst to start a 35-theatre saturation
Wednesday (10) in the Salt Lake Citv-Idaho
Falls area.
•
The Screen Smart Set. women's auxiliary
of the Motion Picture and Television Fund
will hold its annual luncheon and auction
at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel Wedesday
(17). Up for bids will be clothing and art
objects donated by celebrities including
Cher. Mona Freeman. Henry Winkler. Barbara
Stanwyck and Mark Hamill. Also featured
will be Jeanctte MacDonald's memorabilia.
•
Buena Vista Distribution will release Walt
Disney's "The Jungle Book." an animated
tale of love and adventure between a young
boy and his animal friends, nationally June
V. "The Jungle Book" was the last animated
film to be produced personally by Disnev.
•
The American Film Institute's Center for
Advance Film Studies in Beverly Hills will
hold a one-week institute for humanities
educators who teach film July 9-15. with a
Happenings
program of seminars to bridge the gap betwjen
academic study in film and the actual
process of producing motion pictures
•
Brut Productions' "I Will. I Will .
For Now" grossed $68,000 in its first week
of release in Singapore. Brut president
George Barrie reports.
*
Bonita Granville Wrathcr and Lassie
will
be honored at the Friday (19) luncheon of
the Pioneer Broadcasters at the Sportsmen's
Lodge in Studio City. June Lockhart
and Jan Clayton, both of whom played the
mother role in the TV series will be present.
Rudd Weatherwax. trainer of all the Lassies
also will be honored.
*
Girls Friday of Show Business will hold
their regular monthly dinner meetirg Tuesday
(16) at the Smoke House in Toluca
Lake with Monty Hall as the principal
speaker.
•
Robert Gilbert has been appointed Eastern
story editor for Columbia Pictures. He
joined the company in 1976 as assistant to
the East Coast story editor and later was
made senior reader. Gilbert has been responsible
for operations of the Eastern
story department since May 1977,
•
"Electronic Labyrinth," formerly titled
"THX 1 138." and "The Emperor." two films
mad; by director George Lucas when he
was a cinema student at the University of
Southern California, were screened during
a student-made film series at USC Wednesday
(10).
•
Raymond D. Wcisbond has been named
vice-president and associate general counsel
of Warner Bros, and will work with Peter
D. Knecht, vice-president and general counsel.
Weisbond will leave h's present post as
Avco Embassy Pictures' vice-president and
general coLmsel to report to Warners Monday
(15).
•
The original song and soundtrack album
of April Fool's Productions' "Harper Valley
PTA" will be released by Shelby Singleton's
Plantation Records of Nashville. Jeannie
C. Riley, who first made the title song
a national sensation, sings the tune for thj
soundtrack.
•
Joseph L. Mankiewicz participated in the
Thursday (11) session of the Picker Film
Institute at the City College of New York
as part of the visiting artists program of
the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and
Sciences and the Academy Foundation. Makewicz
conducted an informal questionand-answer
session with the film students
and showed clips from some of his films.
•
Katy Sweet has been named vice-president
of Maslansky/Koenigsberg, Public Relations,
coming to the firm after two years
as partner in Shapian & Sweet, Public
Relations and Publicity. For five years before
that she was an account executive with
Frank Lieberman and Associates.
•
Peter Beiler has been named West Coast
administrator of the American Film Institute
and also will function as a general assistant
to Robert Blumofe, director of AFI-
West. Beiler succeeds Chr's Chesser who
has joined Orion Productions as West Coast
story editor.
•
Verna Fields, a vice-pres'dent at Universal
Studios and member of the board
a
of governors of the Academy of Motion
Picture Arts and Sciences, met in a daylong
session on "Hollywood Tcday" with
film students at Syracuse University Monday
(1) and viewed and discussed selected
works of Syracuse film majors.
•
"The Project Aware Presentation." a M)-
minute film produced by Dave Crawford,
an ex-convict, dealing with the problems
of juvenile delinquency, has been named a
finalist in the human relations category of
the 1978 National Educational Film Festival
in Oakland. Calif.
*
First Artists reports that "Specdtrap." its
first venture into mass distribution, grossed
$693,242 in its first ten days in 264 houses
in Florida and Texas. Joe Don Baker and
Tyne Daly star in
the film.
*
Pioneer film producer Sol Lesser has donated
$8,500 to the Academy Foundation
and its president Walter Mirisch said the
gift will be used to buy microfilm issues of
early motion picture trade journals as well
as to maintain and exhibit the Sol Lesser
Collection which the producer gave the
foundation in 1956, consisting of prccinema
optical devices and lantern slides.
•
The Hartman Co. of Beverly Hills is offering
a new national press clipping service,
available June 1, designed to meet the needs
of those in the entertainment induslrv.
•
Robert Aldrich has been honored w:lh the
annual Thames Film Festival Award "for
the consistently high integrit) of his films."
•
"The Rose." 20th Century-Fox musical
love story starring Bette Midler, has completed
shooting in New York and has been
filming at the studio since Monday (8).
Salt Lake • Boston • Dallas • New York
NIVERSAL THEATRE SUPPLY
- HOME OFFICE -
264 tost Ist South, Soil Lake City, Utah 84111
BOXOFFICE :: May 15. 1978

, .
. .
. . Columbia
TUCSON
attending from divisional offices were Homer
Schmitt, Seattle branch manager, and Country Home.
suggests donations to the Motion Picture
Darlene DeMaria, Seattle booker; Jerry Poroski,
Bom November 24, 1906, in Corinth.
FILMACK STUDIOS, SUPPLY
Fa^AACK STUDIOS,
455 Bearcat Drive
Cemana de la Raza, a Mc\ican-Amjrii.an
was
San Francisco branch manager along
with Ron Fernandez and Jenny Sommerville
Miss., Denton was a gradrate of the University
of Colorado where he met his brid -
of the San Francisco office. Also in to-be, the former l.ucile (Jo) Norvell who.
for the sessions were Kansas City along with a daughter. Jane,
cultural celebration, observed at
Pima Community Colkge in early May with
town ,'md two grand
screenings of the film "Fray Escoba" .
branch manager Jim Witcher and Los Angeles
sons, survive him.
Five library Tucson public branches arc
branch manager John Lang. Those present
Following a teaching stint at the Uni-
hosting after-school children's (Ww^.
from the Denver office were Al Hemversity
of Washington, Denton entered the
Plitt's Catalina was the locale for K.1KT- mingway, branch manager; Irene Robinson, newspaper field and became a highly respected
Janis Edier,
assistant branch manager and Radio's presentation of a live music show
journalist. At various times in his
Denver booker.
career, he worked on newspapers in N;w
featuring Slitt. All seats sold for SI. 75 for
the midnight shows. Regular filmfarj was
Orleans and Tucson before moving to Los
Chick Lloyd of Lloyd Booking .Service
"The Alice Cooper Show" and "The Cloodbye
Angeles where he became a rewrite man on
traveled New Mexico way calling on his
AP
Girl."
accounts in Los Alamos, Clayton and Raton,
the old Examiner, a staffer on and
assistant managing editor of Internal-oral
Grand-marshalling the parades of current
longrunners at Tucson situations is "Star and then covered Alamosa on his re-
turn to Denver . branch manager
News Service.
In 1936, he
Ted Shugrue was calling on the ac-
Wars," three months short of a super-record
one-year run at Plitt's Cine El Dorado. counts in .Salt Lake City and then along with
Century-Fox
national magazine
joined
publicity
contact.
Harry Brand's
department
In I95S.
as
Denton
2()lh
the
Columbia salesman Bruce Marshall traveled
First marching unit is "Julia" in its 15th
left Fox to be:ome national publicity director
week at TM's Oracle View quad. Followirg on to Bozeman. Mont, for meetings with
for Perlberg-Seaion Productions
Tim Warer, marketing manager for Theatre
Sometime later he became associated with
is "The Fury" in its eighth week at Mann's
Buena Vista 2, tandemed with eighth-weeker
Operators.
producer-director George Stevens, handling
"House Calls" at TM's Showcase. Then
In town to buy and book were Jack Mc- the national publicity on "The Greatest Stor\
comes "Annie Hall" with a six-week run
Gee, Judith Theatre. Lewistown. Mont., and Ever Told."
entry ribbon; ne.xt in Ine are a trio of twoweek
runners, "Pretty Baby" at the Show-
come West Coast publicity director, suc-
Springs. Also in setting dates were Bob
Neal Lloyd, Westland Theatres. Colorado Denton returned to Fox in 1965 to be
case
and
and "The
parade-ender
Valley" at TM's
"F.I.S.T."
Cineworld.
Spahn of United Enterprises and
at the New
Sam Dunevitz
of Exhibitors Booking .Service.
Harry Brand four years earlier. He retired
ceeding Perry Lieber who had succeeded
Loft. Good show!
from Fox January
Kathy, daughter
DENVER
I. 1971, with his longtime
friend and associate Frank Ncill be-
of Mr. and Mrs. Al
Hemmingway, became Mrs. Reginald Bowman
in a wedding ceremony held in Sunnycoming
publicity director.
vale, Calif. The newlyweds will be residng
Edna Brownfield Dies
in -Santa Clara, Calif.
pred and Helen Campbell have closed and
LOS ANGELES — Edna Brownfield.
dismantled th; Roxy Theatre in Trenton,
Mary Lou Schuchardt, Salt Lake C ty mother-in-law of Rick Parker, m.irketing di-
Neb. The Campbells had operated the booker for Buena Vista Distributing in the rector for Topar Films, died Thursday (111
theatre for the pa-t 17 years . . . Chuck Denver area, is recuperating at home and at the home in Los Angeles. Additional information
Noffke has taken over the operation of the
was not available at press time.
well on the way to recovery after a period
Evergreen Twin Theatre, Evergreen, Colo., of hospitalization.
from former owrer John Meitinger .
Wallace Chapman has set a mid-May opening
date for his new Taos Cinema, Taos, Former 20th-Fox Publicity DRIVE-IN
N.M. The new 260-seat house will be bought Director Jim Denton Dies
and booked by Chick IJoyd of l.loyd Booking
OXNARD. CALIF.—James F. Denton,
Service.
THEATRE SCREENS
Buena Vista Distributing Co. held a divisional
meeting in Denver recently with Jim
71, one of the last of the "old breed" press
''The Qiifilily Toner ihnt never
agents, died here Saturday, April 29 in St.
Johns Hospital. A has had lo he replaced."
former school teacher,
Nocella, domestic sales manager: Frank newspaperman, film publicist and eventually
* •
Carbone, divisional manager; Dick Pilarski,
divisional office manager; Gary Stibal, systems
GENE TAYLOR
publicity director of 20th Century-Fox
studio, Denton suffered a massive stroke
manager and Loretta Aukschun, as-
three weeks ago and never recovered. No
D & D Fabrication
sistant systems manager in attendance. Those funeral services are planned. The family
and Erection Co.
Post Office Box 3524
FILMACK'S 1978 INSPIRATION CATALOG
mmm^
Shawnee, Kansas 66203
913-631-9695
m
Make it your aid to increase your attendance
and concession sales, by using
Merchant Ads, Snack Bar films,
PETERSON
and Special Announcement films.
(Write For Your FREE Copy)
THEATRE
(2
Times Square Park
1327 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago.lll. 60605
Salt Lake City, Utoh 8J115
(312)427-3395
801-466-7642
:OXOFFICE :: M;

short. !
Selig Scholarship
Extended to 7 Years
DENVER—The University of Denver's
unnual Roheri W. Selig $500 scholarship for
incoming students now will be funded for
seven years instead of five, it has been announced.
Selig. of Los Angeles, an eminent
figure in the entertainment industry, is a
graduate of the
University of Denver and a
life member of its Board of Trustees.
The Selig awards were established in 1976
by several leaders of the California motion
picture theatre industry in recognition of
Selig's career of public and community service
and his continuing leadership in the exhibition
branch of the film
industry.
Sponsors participating in the scholarship
are Theatres West, a confederation of individual
motion picture exhibitors and various
state exhibitor associations of the 12 far
western states: the National Ass'n of Concessionaiiies
and the National Theatre Equipment
Ass'n.
Selig entered show business in Denver by
way of Fox Intermountain Theatres, eventually
becoming executive vice-president and
general manager of its parent company. Los
Angeles-based National General Corp. and
since 1965 has become a top executive of
Pacific Theatres Corp.. Los Angeles, one of
the nation's leading film circuits.
Selig is now chairman of the board of the
newly organized Theatre Ass'n of California,
an affiliate of Theatres West and one
of the most influential exhibitor groups in
the nation. Currently he also is western
chairman of the Foundation of Motion Piclure
Pioneers and a member of the Executive
Committee of the Los Angeles Film
Development Council.
Cult Film Finds Audience
Years After First Release
HOLLYWOOD— -Harold and Maude."
starring
Bud Cort ard Ruth Gordon, which
got off to a slow start when first released
in 1971 but which has been going great guns
as a cult film ever since, tallied an outstanding
gross in the first days of its opening
week at Laemmle's Royal Theatre in West
Los Angeles.
"At the rate it's going it could play for
years and years," a Laemmle spokesman
said, pointing out that "Harold and Maude"
played for two full years in Detroit. The
film is being distributed in new .^5mm form
by Specialty Films of Seattle.
E. Cardon Walker Tabbed
For Humanitarian Award
HOLLYWOOD— E. Cardon Walker,
president and chief executive officer of
Walt Disney Productions, will be presented
with the 1978 Humanitarian Award of the
San Fernando Valley Child Guidance Clinic
at a $75-per-person dinner-dance sponsored
by the organization at the Sheraton Universal
Hotel. Les Brown and his band will
entertain, along with a group of specialty
acts.
Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley is honorary
chairman of th^- event. Paul Mosher,
dinner chairman, pointed out that funds
raised by the affair will aid the clinic's nonprofit
work in providing mental health
services for emotionally troubled children
and their families.
Florence Gershenson. the clinic's board
chairman, announced: "Walker is being saluted
for what the Disney organization he
heads has done for children throughout the
world: for the furtherance of health and
education of young people; for the wholesome
quality of family entertainment Disney;
represents, and for Walker's personal dedication
to all these efforts."
Cooper-Highland Theatres
To Screen Bicycling Film
BOULDER. COLO—One of the Rocky
.Mountain region's largest theatre circuits,
Cooper-Highlard Theatres of Denver, has
embarked on a unique sponsorship of the:
nine-day Red Zinger Bicycle Classic. A tenminute
short highlghting last year's bicycle
race will be shown throughout the Rocky
Mountain area for a month preceding this
year's event. July 8-16.
for the company's contribution to the health The film was produced by local Colorado
and education of young people.
filmmakers and features ihe excitement and
The presentation will be made June 14 international color of the Red Zinger, the
largest amateur cycling competition in the
world.
Brad Smith and Bob Andersen of Cooper-Highland
announced a vigorous marketing
program to assist in tying the theatre to
the race. Programs, posters and Red Zinger
Classic T-shirts will be sold at Ihe outlets
and single-sheet posters will be displayed
at all participating theatres. The film features
a major credit for Cooper-Highland
and is expected to run at 58 screens in
Nebraska. Utah. Minnesota. Wyoming and
Colorado. Cooper-Highland estimates that
almost a million people will see the sports
Extensive race publicity also will tie in'
Ihe circuit's involvement. "We think this
was a great answer to badly needed shorts."
Smith said, "where our rame and our region
can be associated right on our screens
with the thrill and positive aspects of competitive
bicycling."
O".
IIOO Flower St., Glendale, Ca., 91201 - (213) 247-6550
Talk
to a
Filbert
Professional
TODAY!
Ask Your Supply Dealtr or WrHt
HURLEY SCREEN COMPANY, Inc.
H S«foh Drive Fofmlngdol*. L. I., N. Y., 117J$
BOXOFHCE

In Chicago, 'Rabbit'
Oulpunches T.I.S.T.'
CHICAGO—Gross lepoils for the past
week show "Rahbit Test" at the top of the
list with 400 in its second week. Next came
"Youngblood" with 375 in its third week
at the Roosevelt Theatre, and "Coming
Home." fourth week at Water Tower 2, also
with 375. "Madame Rosa." newcomer at
the Carnegie Theatre, rated 300. while
"The Toolbox Murders" debuted at 275.
(Average Is 100)
Carnegie Madame Rosa (SR) 300
Cinema—Siroszek (SR), 2nd wk 225
Eight Iheatres—The Other Side of the
Mountain Part 2 (Univ) 2:0
Eight theatres—House Callj (Univ), 7th w'-
Eleven Iheatres—Rabbit Test (Emb), :nd wk
250
400
Esquire, River Oaks—An Unmarried Woman
(20lh-Fox), 7ih wk 250
Four theatres—Close Encounters ol the Tki.d Kind
(Col), 2ath v/k 175
Nine theatres—F.I.S.T. (UA) .75
Orland Square 4, United ArtiL-';—The Fury
(20lh-Fox), 7th wk 1S5
Seven theatres—Saturday Night Fever {P~.:t.)
20th v^k. 175
.
-.
Six theatres—The Goodbye Girl (WB), IS li v 250
Water Tower 2— Coming Home (UA), .;ih v t .375
Will Rogers—Return From Witch Mounlain (EV),
7lh wk 200
Woods—The Toolbox Murders (SR) 275
ll
"F.I.S.T.' Is Leader Among New
Releases Appearing in Kaycee
KANSAS CITY—The seven fresh titles
which appeared last week made way for
seven additional silver screen newcomers
this timj around. Biggest crowd-drawer was
"F.I.S.T.," at 200, which placed the film
among the top four attractions in the city,
behind "Star Wars" (300), "Close Encounters
of the Third Kind" (275) and "House
Calls" (215). Other first-timers were "FM,"
"Leopard in the Snow," "Coach," "The Last
Survivor," "Metamorphoses" and "Sunset
Cove."
Blue Ridge, Spnnas—Return From Witch
Mountain (BV),'6-h wk 120
Embassy—An Unmarried Woman (20th-Fox).
(SR)
3rd
Five theatres— Rabbit Test (Emb) 2nd wk
Four theatres FM(Univ)
Four theatres—House Calls (Univ) 7th wk
Four theatres- 1 Wanna Hold Your Hand (Univ),
2nd wk
Four theatres—Leopard in the Snow
(New World)
Gldtfstone—Alice, Sweet Alice (AA), 2nd wk
Glenwood—Close Encounters oi the Third Kind
(Col), 20lh wk
Glenwood—Star Wars (20th-Fax), 49th wk
Melcall—The Turning Point (20lh-Eox), 13th wk
Midland—F.LS.T. (UA)
Nine theatres Coach (SR)
Plaza—The Fury (20th-Fox), 7th wk
Ranchman High Anxiety (20th-Fox), 13th wk
Ranchman The Medusa Touch (WB), 3rd vj'.:
t—Straight Time (WB), "'
theatr -Blue Co (Un 2nd wk
Kelly Harman, daughter of sports commentator
Tom Harmon and former screen
actress Elyse Knox, makes her feature film
debut in Neil Simon's "California Suite."
thewTre equipment
"Everything for the Theatre"
339 No. CAPITOL AVE., INDIANAPOLIS,

!
Women of Variety
Meeting Scheduled
KANSAS CITY—Friends of Variety are
invited to attend the Kansas City Variety
Women's Thursday (18) membership meeting
to be held at 1 1:45 a.m. at the Leawood
Country Club. 8901 Sagamore Rd. (take Lee
Boulevard to 89th Street, then proceed
east). Members are urged to bring their
boss, husband, others in the family and especially
prospective members to participate
in this very special luncheon, the first that
the Variety Women's Club has held.
The event is themed "The Mary. Mary.
Mary Month of May Luncheon" and the
S4.50 cost includes aratuitv and ta.x. Firm
reservations must be received immediately
by the committee, so call 642-8065 or mail
check to Mrs. Dale Stewart at 10328 Pawnee
Lane. Leawood. Kas.. 66206. call Marge
Herr days at 474-3050. evenings at 831-
4757. or Bemice Powell as 299-4646.
A program, "To Light Up Your Life. "
be highlighted by speaker Dennis Allen,
will
actor-philosophei-playwright. Well known
locally from his appearance at Tiffany's Attic
and Waldo Astoria. Allen's acting career
also has included roles on the Brodaway
stage, in motion pictures and on TV in New
York and on the West Coast.
Allen for many years was seen regularly
on TV's "Laugh-In." in "Love American
Style" and with Patty Duke in "Me. Natalie."
He first appeared at Tiffany's Attic in
"Barefoot in the Park": starred in his own
HELLO. INDIANA!
OUR THEATRE
ISN'T MUCH DIFFERENT
THAN ANYONE ELSE'S
EXCEPT
SUPPLY COMPANY
FOR:
/THE EQUIPMENT: ONLY THE FINEST
/THE SERVICE: WE CARE ABOUT YOU
/THE AVAILABILITY: 168 HOURS PER WEEK, INSTANT!
/THE KNOW-HOW: YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
/THE REPUTATION: NO UNSATISFIED CUSTOMERS
play "Harrumph" at the Waldo Astoria, and
played the lead role in "Harvey" (as Elwood
P. Dowd) at the Waldo Astoria. His
talent and comedy has variety, sincerity and
a touch of magic that is unique. Since his
theatrical work permits very few personal
appearances, the Kansas City Variety Women
are indeed fortunate to have Allen as a
guest at the club's first luncheon.
Door prizes and favors will be awarded
those attending the gala event.
Because of an alternation in the club's
by laws, its fiscal y.ar has been changed
from July 1 to to June 30, so there will be
an election of the nominat'ng committee to
present nominees for election at the June
meeting. It is emphasized that anyone who
joins the organization now aiUomatically will
qualify as a charter member, so that distinguished
opportunity stiil exists for those
who do not yet belong to Kansas City
Women of Variety.
Mary Lightner, Mary-Margaret Miller
and Mary Stewart comprise the "Mary,
Mary, Mary" committee.
Seat Purchases Contribute
To Embassy Theatre Fund
FORT WAYNE, IND.—As part of the
50th birthday celebiation of the Embassy
Theatre, formerly the Emboy film house,
purchasers can buy theatre seats as a means
of donating funds to the historic theatre.
The gifts will be recognized with a small
plaque on the back of an appropriate seat.
Donations in the amounts of $50, $100,
$250 and $1,000 are sought and the donor
may select a ono-l'ne inscription to be used
on the plaque.
'Youngblood' Going Strong
CHICAGO — .American International's
"Youngblood" is doing healthy business
here, earning a gross of $113,511 in its first
20 days at the Roosevelt Theatre and with
C-2
ASK YOUR FELLOW INDIANA EXHIBITOR-
HE KNOWS US ALREADY!!
WE CARRY A FULL-LINE OF QUALITY EQUIPMENT AT
THE RIGHT PRICE, AS WELL AS A FULL SET OF EMER-
GENCY REPLACEMENT PARTS.
INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION FROM THE OWNERS OF
THE COMPANY: LOUIS AND LOUISE BORNWASSER
HADDEN Z^
THEATRE SUPPLY COMPANY
502-896-9578
CALL 24 HOURS )URS
DP [dolby system
^
3709 HUGHES ROAD
LOUISVILLE, KY. 40207
the prognosis of a long life in this situation, i
2 beats 1
3 beats 2
4 beats 3
WE BEAT THEM
ALL IN TWINNING
TRIPLEXING AND
QUADRUPLEXING!
(Mffi^mMS^KMl (Mr][^
formarii WOODBAY CONSTRUCTION CORP
516 569-1990
>5 CHESTNUT STREET CEDARHURST • NEW
YORK 1 151
BOXOFFICE :: May 15. 1978

. , The
ST. LOUIS
JJiw World's "A Hero Ain't Nothin' But a
Sandwich" currently is playing at the
St. Ann and Stadium 2 cines. A Robert
Radnitz production, the picture deals with
drug addiction of teenagers and rehabilitation.
In starring roles are Cicely Tyson. Paul
Winfield, David Groh and Larry B. Scott as
the troubled
adolescent.
"The Boys in Company C" is the attraction
at the Grandview. Jamestown Mall and
Sunset Hills. The story revolves around five
young men drafted into the Marines and
shipped to Vietnam. The new young talent
in the film includes James Whitmore jr. as a
compassionate lieutenant and Andrew
Stevens, son of actress Stella Stevens, as a
Galveston farm boy, along with Craig Wasson,
who sings his own composition "Here
I Am."
The Henry Winkler starrer, "The One and
Only," is enjoying a multiple sub-run engagement.
In addition to Winkler, the Carl
Reiner-directed comedy boasts a cast including
Kim Darby, Harold Gould, William
Daniels, Gene Saks and two popular TV
performers, Herve Villechaize of "Fantasy
Island" and Polly Holliday of "Alice."
Tony Peluso, former manager of the Fox
Theatre who decided to "take it easy" after
38 years with Arthur Enterprises, will be
heading for the Variety Clubs International
convention in Seattle Monday (29) through
June 2. Tony, a member of Variety Club
Tent 4. always has been active in Variety
and for many years served as talent scout
and coordinator for the annual telethons. As
executive director, he is in charge of Variety's
Sunshine Coach and Limb Transplant
programs. So far as the "taking it
easy" is concerned, he does manage to
squeeze in a few rounds of golf during the
week and excels at that, too.
While Tony is winging toward the Northwest,
Marie Sweeney of 20th-Fox will be
heading for sunny Florida along with her
husband Harold. The Sweeneys are the
proud owners of a new mini-motor home
that sleeps six and is complete with tub and
shower. Their two-week trip will take them
to the St. Petersburg and Tampa area.
shows, book fair, carnival rides, a treasure
hunt and the usual game booths and- refreshments
. Spring Arts and Crafts Fair
featuring more than 250 artists will be held
Saturday (20) and Sunday (21) in Tilles
County Park. McKnigh: and Litzingcr
roads. The hours each day will be 9 a.m. to
6 p.m.
Kevin O'Brien, a 17-year-old Washington
High School student of Labadie, won first
prize in the senior category of the 1977-78
Young People's Radio Festival for his tape
"The American Education System: A Study
in Mediocrity." Second place went to Tom
Radcliff, 18, a student at Parkway North
for his
taped program "The Aurora Show."
Both winning tapes will be aired by
KWMU-FM 91 on a special broadcast
Monday (22). The festival is an annual event
sponsored by KWMU in which youths between
the ages of six and 18 create and produce
their own programs.
KANSAS CITY
^^OMPI Club members will invite their
bosses to be their guests at a luncheon
Tuesday (23) at the Golden Ox Restaurant.
The cash bar will open at 11:30 a.m. and
lunch will be served at 12:15 p.m. The cost
is $4.75 for each luncheon; steak will be
served. A member of the Kansas City Chiefs
will be present to introduce the Chiefs' 1977
highlight film.
Condolences to Commonwealth secretary
Marge Herr, whose mother Elizabeth Stephen,
died Wednesday (3).
NATO of Nebraska is hosting a two-day
mini-convention in Lincoln this week and
some of the local industryites will be attending,
including Carole Alt and Dennis
Marsh from the New World office.
Thomas & Shipp Films screened "All
Things Bright and Beautiful" last week for
media representatives and managers of the
theatres that wlil be playing the picture.
The emphasis of the screening was group
.,alcs and Thomas & Shipp hosted a luncheon
at the Hereford House following the
screening to explain the group sales possibilities
of the picture.
The Variety Club met for its monthly
luncheon Tuesday (9) at the Arrowhead
Inn, located in the Harry S Truman Sports
Complex. A featured speaker was Walter
White. Kansas City Chief tight end. and the
group was treated to the first public showing
of the Chiefs' 1977 highlight film.
Mark this one on your calendar as a
very
worthwhile date to remember! Variety
Women Tent 8 will be sponsoring an allday
bus trip to Omaha July 15 for a day at
the races. Sharon Richescn, president of
Variety Women, promises this will be an
imforgettable trip to the track, with the
usual en route hijinks and, of course, unreliable
tips on winning nags. The one-day
affair will be a fund-raising project for the
benefit of the Crippled Children's Nursery
School.
Bev Miller, Mercury Film Co., and his
wife Mary-Margaret trekked to Washington
(not the capital city, the one in Missouri),
where the chairman of the board attended
his 54th high school class reunion and renewed
old friendships. Capitalizing on Bev's
show busness charisma, his alma matter
naturally called upon him to emcee the festivities,
which enlivened the event considerably.
Not every school, you know, has the
benefit of a live-and-in-person film exhibitor-distributor-producer
to add sparkle to
the traditional get-together when old classmates
gather for an in-retrospect appraisal;
thus, Washington High School has every
right to be proud of a onetime student (and
Romeo, we hear).
MID-CONTINENT Theatre Supply Corp.
1800 Wyandotfe, Kansas City, Mo. 64108
Phone (816) 221-0480 W. R. "Bill" Davis, Mgr.
PROMPT • £maCNT • COURTEOUS
The Covenant House Senior Center Film
Festival continues with "Telephone Hour"
and "Unfinished Symphony" Tuesday (16)
at 1 p.m. "Beatles" and "Free to Be" will
be the attraction Tuesday (23) and "To Be
a Conductor" and "Vivaldi's Vienna Time"
will be shown Tuesday (30). These screenings
also are at 1 p.m.
EXCITING
Spring fever usually biings with it "fair
lever" and this year is no exception. Creve
Cocur Days, scheduled Thursday (18)
through Sunday (21), will be preceded by a
kickoff dinner Tuesday (16) at which a
'Queen of the Festival" will be crowned.
The fair will be held on the parking lot of
the Venture Store at 1-270 and Olive Street
Road. Activities will include a men's and
women's golf tournament, figure-skating

CHICAGO
TJnited International Films is setting up ;i
campaign lor a combination ot honor
I'ilms. "Daughters of Darkness"" and "The
House That Cried Murder."'
Wm. Lange & Associates set up a city
hreiik of "Fingers."" It is the story of a young
CLVERAMA IS IX 9
BVSViESS L\ HAWAII TOO.
f
Wlicn you come to Walkiki,
don't miss the famous Don II
Show ... at Cinerama's
Reef Towers Hotel.
mat: attempting to overcome the pressures
involved when his mother strives to make
him a pianist and his father aims him in a
far different direction: he wants him to become
a collector of debts ... In mid-May.
the Lange organization will open "Tintorera."
This story, which features a tiger
shark, opens on a wide saturation basis.
locally Friday (12). It was filmed in Athen
Greece, and the Aegean Isles, as well
New York, London and Washington, D.C
There are indications that the story relate
to Jackie Onassis and her late husband.
The Sun Times film critic. Roger Eber
says of Lou's Malle's "Pretty Baby" tha
the film "is a pleasant surprise. After all th
controversy and scandal surrounding it
production, it turns out to be a good-hearl
Susan Antonucci of Mid-America Releasing
Co. is a May bride. David Murphy is
the groom . . . Mid-Ameiica's '"Laserblast"
ed, good-looking, quietly elegaic moviie
is set for a big break. Mid-America's "Harper
Valley PTA." which opens in this area
"Pretty Baby' has been attacked in som
Friday (26), was the subject of favorable
quarters as child porn. It"s not. It's an evo
discussion on ABC's "Good Morning Amercation
of a time and a place and a
chapter of Americana." The movie take
place in the Storyvillc section of New Oi
"The Greek Tycoon" started a first
leans, circa 1917.
5c
^'iTCH PROJECTION IMPROVE 00^
*NS -with ^t
^ NEW TECHNIKOTE £
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^ XRL (l-ENTICULAR) ^^
^ JET
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GERMANY WAS NEVER THE
AFTER THE SS GIRLS CAME
THEIR WEAPON WAS DESIRE...
FOR WHICH THERE WAS NO DEFENSE!
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C-4 BOXOFFICE :: May 15, 1978

Francis Barr Calls
II 'Quits' June 1
DALLAS— Francis Barr, veteran advertising-publicity
director of ABC Interstate
Francis Barr
ABC Interstate.
There have bee
publicity
directors
Theatres, Inc., headquartered
here, has
elected to take early
retirement
effective
June I, 1978.
He has spent his entire
45-year career,
starting at age 17. in
the exhibition part of
the motion picture industry
with Interstate
Theatres in Dallas,
which later became
only two advertisingthe
history of the pioneer
theatre circuit, the late Frank O. Starz
taking the post in the 1920s and Barr, his
protege, succeeding him in the 1960s.
Louis Charninsky's Student
Barr started as an usher in 1933 at the
colorful Capitol Theatre in downtown Dallas
and learned the rudiments of exploitation
under the tutelage of the showmanship experi,
the late Louis Charninsky. Several of
their exploitation campaigns won national
awaids in the Quigley competition.
From usher, Barr progressed to assistant
manager and later became publicist for
downtown theatres—the Majestic, Palace,
Melba, Tower and Rialto. Then he became
assistant city manager of the circuit's 14
suburban theatres.
During the interim of 1933-1978, Barr
served four years in the U. S. Marine Corps
in World War II as a sergeant in the 3rd
Infantry Division and as a combat correspondent,
writing many battle stories (including
Iwo Jima) about Marines in combat
thai were published nationally in newspapers
and magazines.
Had Many Jobs
In his first years at the Capitol Theatre,
known for its exploitation activities, Barr
not only was an usher but performed as a
ballyhoo man in front of the theatre, wearing
costumes portraying the types of pictuies
being shown. One week he might be
a cowboy, the next a gangster, or the next
a hunter in Africa. After the theatre was
closed for the night, he assisted in building
eye-catching and elaborate lobby displays
to attract the heavy pedestrian traffic of
those
days.
He handled campaigns for
legitimate theatre
attractions that were presented in Interslate's
Dallas theatres, which starred such
outstanding performers as Gertrude Lawrence,
Alfred Lunt and Lynne Fontaine.
He also handled many world premieres
thai involved John Wayne, James Stewait.
Bob Hope and many others. And he worked
with many personal appearance tours of
stars throughout the circuit.
When he was doing publicity for the Majestic
Theatre in Dallas, the flagship of the
circuit, he did campaigns for ihe Spike
Jones band. Phil Spitalny and His .-Ml-Girl
Orchestra. Woody Herman's hand and
others.
Often, he was master-of-ceremonies for
world premieres and stage appearances of
visiting stars. And he was emcee for th.-
WRR radio kid show that was presented for
90 minutes every Saturday morning from
the Melba Theatre.
Barr said he is fortunate to have worked
for such showmen and gentlemen as the
late Karl Hoblitzelle, founder of Interstate
Theatres; the late R. J. "Bob" O'Donnell;
the late John Q. Adams, Raymond Willie,
William E. Mitchell; and more recently with
P. Harvey Garland, president of ABC Theatres;
Joe Jackson, executive vice-president
of ABC Interstate; W. R. Curtis, vice-president
and secretary
of ABC Interstate.
Barr will be succeeded by Pat Hudgins,
a division manager of Interstate, who also
has been associated with the circuit for
more than 40 vears.
Beach Boys Concert Tour
Tie-In for Universal
DALLAS—An album-concert tie-in for
Universal Studio's "Almost Summer" has resulted
in outstanding business for the film in
200 Texas and Oklahoma theatres. The
film has been promoted directly through
concerts which feature the music and personal
appearances by members of the cast.
With the picture's first U.S. openings set
for April 21 in the Southwest, the studio
reached an arrangement with the Beach
Boys, members of which composed and performed
much of the soundtrack, for a sevencity
tour of the area beginning April 14.
Radio contests were set for two weeks prior
to the concerts in Houston, Fort Worth,
San Antonio, Tulsa and other cities. Music
from the album received heavy air-play
during the promotion.
Lee Purcell and Tim Matheson, who star
in "Almost Summer." were set for publicity
tours of the same area and their itinerary
was coordinated with that of the Beach
Boys so they could make appearances at
each concert. A Motown Production, the
film also stars Bruno Kirby. John Friedrich,
Didi Conn and Thomas Carter. Produced
by Rob Cohen and directed by Martin Davidson,
it was written by Judith Berg. Sandra
Berg, Martin Davidson and Marc Reid
Rubel.
Sandwich Promo 'Lady'
HOUSTON — Manager Mike
Reed arranged
a tie-in with Jersey Mike's deli to
promote the engagement of "Gray Lady
Down" at American Multi Cinema's Almeda
5 East theatres. The deli provided a
giant submarine sandwich which was served
to patrons on opening night. Assistants
Clyde Moore and Kim Jones did the honors.
The promotion was extended to other
customers, as buttertubs were marked "Submarine"
on the bottom, and the lucky recipients
received coupons good for steak
sandwiches at
the deli.
Alamo City Picked
For July Conclave
SAN ANTONIO—Texas, with a record
number of historic movie theatres now in
varied stages of restoration, has leaped into
the national forefront in theatre preservation
at a time when similar buildings in most
regions have fallen to the wreckers.
A high priority given to conservation by
local leaders in San Antonio and funding
by several levels of government, foundations
and private support across the state, has
made this possible.
Many of these theatres, such as the old
Majestic, will be spotlighted this summer
when a national conclave of preservationists,
urban renewalists and theatre historians will
be headquartered in San .Antonio July 15-
17. The meeting will focus on what can
become the state's most ambit'ous theatre
restoration project: the adaptive re-use of
several Alamo City movie palaces as a performing
arts district.
These and other theatres, including the
century-old Beethoven Hall, currently undergoing
restoration, will be open for guided
tours each day. Evening programs will
feature presentations by architects, planners,
and others involved in theatres. The sponsor
is
the Theatre Historical Society.
The tour will then continue through Galveston
and Columbus which boast two 19th
Century opera houses in the process of
restoration—the Grand and the Stafford.
On the day following the San Antonio
activities, there will be a tour to Austin,
where the Paramount Theatre and the Hoblitzelle
Performina Arts I.ibrarv will be
viewed.
The historic theatres cut a wide swath of
periods and architectural styles— ranging
from 19th Century designs of prominent
regional architects Tke Nicholas Clayton
and Frank Cox to the prolific silent movie
cathedrals of national specialists like John
Eberson. Emil Weil and Robert and Carl
Boiler.
President of Ihe Theatre Historical Society
is Ste\jn Levin. San Francisco; membership
seeretars is Frederick Beall. Alameda.
Calif., and the editor of the society's
official publication. Marquee, is B. Andrew
Corsini, Notre Dame. Ind.
Texas Theatre Purchased
By Universal Amusements
AUSTIN— Universal Amusement Co.,
Inc., announced the purchase of the Texas
Theatre, 2224 Guadalupe. The Houstonbased
circuit bought the hardtop from Trans
Texas Theatres and took control Fridav
(5).
The general release policy that had been
followed is being scrapped for an all X-
rated program currently being employed at
Universal's first theatre here. Cinema West.
The Texas' first bill under the new owner
wai "Her Last Fling" with Johnny Wadd
and "Carnal Haven" with Annette Haven,
Sharon Thorpe and Leslie Bovee.
BOXOFHCE
SW-1

nI
DOLBY
. . Motion
HOUSTON
p.M" has opened at Ihc Almeda 9 West.
Gaylynn 2. Northoaks 6, Northwest 4.
NL-rthwood 6 and Southmore 6. it was partially
filmed in Houston . . . Another film,
"1 he Buddy Holly Story" which was locally
financed with Texas born Gary Busey
in the title role, is scheduled to open in the
Houston area ... In "FM" the concert appearance
of Linda Ronstudi in Houston
appears in the film.
Eric Gerber, Houston Post film writer
posed the following question to his readers:
"How about a little notorious cinema? Director
John Waters has made a rather notorious
reputation for himself as an artist
of the repugnant, with such films as "Pink
Flamingoes." and "Female Trouble." His latest
exercise in idiocy and hilarious bad taste
is "Desperate Living." a head-on collision
of "Alice in Wonderland." Dante. Women"s
Lib and the Three Stooges. A mentally disturbed
suburbanite housewife is banished
to Mortville with her 400 pound ma'd for
killmg her husband. In Mortville. all the inhabitants
are subjected to unending htimihation.
They wear outlandish costumes,
eat fried rat and, at the whimsy of the
cruel queen, must walk backward down the
streets of this grotesque ghetto . . . The
film played earlier this year at the River
Oaks and will be at Rice Media Center
Friday and Saturday, 7:30 and 10 p.m. Ii
is most assuredly not for everybody. But if
you've had it up to here v/ith Donny and
Marie, 'The Goodbye Girl," white bread and
double-knit leisure suits, and are desperate
for something refreshingly twisted . ,
."'
Included among the new films are:
"Pretty
Baby"" at the Galleria Cinema I & II:
"Deathsport"" at Allen Center 3. Festival 6.
Northoaks 6. Northwood 6, Shamrock 6,
Southmore 6, Southway 6, Westchase 5.
Airline. Gulfway 2. King Center 2, Mc-
Lcndon 3, Parkway, Telephone Road 2.
Thunderbird 2. Tidwell. Champions 2 and
Town & Country 6; "'F.I.S.T."" at Almeda
9 East, Shamrock 6, Southway 6 and Town
& Country 6; "Padre Padrone" at the Greenway
3; "French Quarter" drive-ins: King
Center, Irvington. Paikwas. Tidwell. Thunderbird,
Telephone Road and Town & Coun-
[r\ and indoors: .Allen Center. Northwood
"
and Southmore: "Coach at Grecnspoint 5.
Gulfgate 2. Meyerland 2, Northline 2.
Ncrthshore and Town & Country 6; "The
Betsy'" indoors: Clear Lake. Champions Villagt.
Long Point, Northshore and Southmore
and drive-ins: Gulfway. Irvington.
King Center. Telephone Road. Triple and
Thunderbird; and a multiple opening for
"Ifs Still Alive Again.""
"Maltese Falcon," 'Satan Met a Lady."
and Fassbinder's "Satan's Brew"" were
shown at the Rice Media Center; German
new waver Werner Herzog's much acclaimed
"Strozek." tale of some Berlin misfits
following the American Dream to Wisconsin
made it to the Museum of Fine Arts after
an earlier cancellation . . . and at the University
of Houston Central it was "Day
for Night" in Aanes Arnold Auditoriimi.
Pie-in-Face Promo Boosts
'House Calls' in Houston
HOUSTON—American Multi Cinema"s
Almeda East 5. North Oaks 6 and Northwest
4 coordinated with Universal Pictures
to emphasize the opening of "House Calls'"
in a multiple playdate. KAUM Radio heralded
the promotion, highlighted by a drawing
for the winner of a house call.
The winner received a visit via Eastern
Onion Delivery from "Dr. Quack"" with a
package of goodies, including a pair of
track shoes, a case of vitamin E, movie
passes and more, with a telegram signed by
stars Walter Matthau, Art Carney and Richard
Benjamin. All this was delivered, as well
as a pie in the face. The contest ran during
the first two weeks of the engagement, and
the gag angle attracted tremendous attention.
Schools Invited to Film
CLOVIS. N. M— Ruth Crouse sent personal
letters to all teachers in the Clovis
area announcing the engagement of "The
Lincoln Conspiracy" at the Hilltop Twin.
Ths letter also offered special group rates
and afternoon showings for entire classes.
SAN ANTONIO
Lee Marvin is the expected headliner at th
1978 Fourth Biennial Internationa
Film Festival to be held September 15-1'
at the University of Texas Health Cente
here. This year"s theme: Canadian Cultur
and the Healing Arts pictur
actor Cesar Romero appearing here at th
Fxsta Dinner Playhouse v^as the honorar
San Antonio chairman of the charity drive
entitled A Day in May for MDA. This wa
the nation"s largest single day fund raisin;
campaign for charity. Volunteers walkei
from door to door seeking donations for th(
Muscular Dystrophy Ass"n. Sponsored her<
by San Antonio ERA real estate brokers
the drive seeks to collect $1,000,000 nation
wide for disease research.
Mexican comic Mario Moreno, knowi
also as Cantinflas. is coming to San An
tonio on Saturday (20) for a personal ap
pearance at the Alameda Theatre. Cantin
fla^ is admired throughout Mexico for hi;
charitable works. There will be 2.400 ticket;
available at $5 each and the fimds will gc
to eight of the city"s more needy parishe;
to purchase musical instruments for the chil
dren interested in playing with musica
groups. Cantinflas will appear along witl
the showing of his latest film. "El Patrul
lere"" (The Patrolman). Bishop Patricl
Florcs made the necessary arrangements tt
bring the comic to the city.
Darlene McClellan observed her 24tl
birthday on Sunday (7) and her son, Frederick
observed his first birthday on Monday
(I). They are the wife and son of Free
McClellan. manager of th; ABC Interstate
Theatres. Inc. Broadway Theatre . . . Abou
3,000 school safety patrols attended the 38th
annual School Safety Patrol Rally Saturday
(6) at Trinity University"s Laurie Auditori-;
imi. The rally began with the showing of j,
fill! length movie. The Fifth U.S. Army
band provided music and serving as color
guards was a detachment of U.S. Marines
The event is sponsored by the Kiwanis Chit
of San Antonio.
Television and screen star Carol Burnet
wili be the guest of honor for San Antonit
school district"s second annual Scholastic
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Achievement and Improvement Day to be
held on Tuesday (23) at Alamo Stadium.
Dr. William Elizondo, the district's board
president, in annoimcing Ms. Burnett as the
special guest for the program, said she was
invited because she is a San Antonio native
and also attended school in the SASD. Elizondo
said that her success in her field '"can
be an inspiration to every student in the
district and we arc honored that she accepted
our invitation to play a leading role
in our awards program—the purpose of
which is to motivate our students to greater
scholastic achievement." The actress-comedienne
is actively involved in the national
Reading is Fun program and has established
scholarships at Emerson College in
Boston and at the University of California
at Los Angeles.
Zvi Kolitz will be the featured speaker
at the 56th annual meet'ng of the Jewish
Federation of San Antonio on (23) at the
Jewish Community Center. Kolitz was the
co-producer on Broadway of "The Deputy,"
a Tony Award winning production which
focused new attention on the question of
Everyone's a Winner: A "Heaven Can
Wait," contest is being conducted by the
San Antonio Light in conjunction with the
showing of "Heaven Can Wait" at the Cine
Cinco and Central Park Fox 3 due in June.
There will be 20 lucky winners with sets
of passes being offered. Every entry will
full receive a color poster of star Warren
Beatty with wings checking a stop watch,
wh'le attired in a jogging suit. A drawing
w'll determine the winners of the passes.
Giorgio Tozzi who appeared in th; opwra
"Tosca" in San Antonio has appeared with
Burt Reynolds in the movie "Shamus" and
First run films began coming to the Olmos
Friday (12) with ""1900" followed b\
'"Black and White in Color" on Friday (19).
Booked to open Friday (26) will be "The
Man Who Loved Women" and ""Madame
Rosa" on June 2 . . . RTFM-FM midnightcrs
included ""Rocky Horror Picture Show"'
in its 36th week, "'An Unmarried Woman,"'
""High Anxiety," ""The Manitou" and
""Coach" at the Northwest Six and ""Star
Wars," ""The Manitou" and ""It Lives Again"
at
the Century South.
Weisbond Joins Warners
As V-P, General Counsel
BURBANK— Raymond D. Weisbond has
been named vice-president and associate
general counsel of Warner Bros., it was announced
by Jack E. Freedman. vice-president,
business affairs. Weisbond will work
with Peter D. Knecht. vice-president and
general counsel of Warner Bros. He reports
to the studio Monday (15).
Weisbond is presently vice-president and
general counsel of Avco Embassy Picture^,
having joined them in 1975. Prior to that,
he was in private law practice. Previous industry
positions include head of the contracts
department at ABC TV and positions
silence as a moral crime. He was the author
and executive producer of Israel's first major
motion picture "Hill 24 Doesn't An-
with CBS and Ascap.
swer," a film which was awarded international
prizes in Cannes and Mexico City.
was chosen as one of the ten best pictures
It
of the year by the New York Post. His
newest motion pictures will be "Masada"
and "A Train Goes to Russia" starring
Theodore Bikel.
Beiler Named Adminstrator
Of AFI on the West Coast
LOS ANGELES—Peter Beiler has been
named West Coast administrator of the
American Film Institute, it was announced
by Robert Blumofe. director of AFI-West.
In his new position. Beiler will be in charge
of all administrative activities at AFI-West.
including the maintenance and operation of
Greystone. where the Center for Advanced
Film Studies is located. He also will function
as a general assistant to Blumofe.
Beiler. 33. is a veteran location manager
for feature films and TV. having served in
that capacity on the shooting of ""Boimd for
Glory." ""The Deep," and a number of TV
pilots and series for Quinn-Martin. MGM
and Filmways. He has a degree in philosophy
from the University of Glasgow and
has done three years of post-graduate work
at use in film production, aesthetics and
history.
A Promotional Blitz
Spearheads 'Summer'
NEW YORK— Since April 3 Universal
Pictures has been building a massive promotion,
advertising and publicity campaign
for the opening of "Almost Summer" in the
Southwest, which includes major TV, radio
and newspaper buys, along with record and
department store tie-ins and sending the
stars of the film on personal appearance
tours.
Lee Purcell, John Friedrich, Didi Conn,
Tim Mathieson and Mike Love departed
Los Angeles April 2 and have been touring
the Southwest for three weeks appearing in
the following nine cities: Houston. San Antonio.
Austin. Dallas. Fort Worth. Lubbock,
Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Little
Rock.
each they were interviewed by
In city
high school editors, made personal appearances
at department and record stores which
had tied-in with the film, and took part in
radio. TV and newspaper interviews.
Other promotions included "Dinner With
the Beachboys" contests. "Almost Summer"
beach disco parties held at local shopping
centers, bathing suit contests, and call-ins
to disc jockeys for free tickets to Beach
Boy concerts which were billed as "Almost
Summer Celebrations."
Universal's ""Almost Summer" opened in
100 theaters throughout the Southwest April
21. Two weeks prior to its opening trailers
were shown on 500 screens in the territory.
The premiere was telecast live by the
local ABC-TV affiliate and all the stars
made personal appearances at the six theater3
in Dallas on opening day.
Universal's ""Almost Summer" was directed
by Martin Davidson from a screenplay
by Judith and Sandra Berg. Martin
Davidson and Marc Reid Rubel. Steve
Tisch was executive producer and Rob
Cohen produced.
Menschell Expansion in Full Sowing
HARTFORD—Construction is continuing
on second phase addition at the Menschell
Theatres' Berlin Cines and Vernon
Cines 2. each complex to two more
screened.
is scheduled to appear in "The Rhodes Incident"
to be filmed on the island of Rhodes
with a cast that includes Glenda Jackson,
Michael Redgrave and Robert Powell. Brian
Forbes is the writer and director . . .
Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Braha are off to
Europe for a month's vacation. He is head
of Braha Theatres, operating the Aztec 3
and Judson 4.
Among the new titles and those returning
foi- additional playing time are: "The Buddy
Story" at Central Park Fox 3 and Century
South 6; '"The Greek Tycoon" at the Wonder
Twin and Cine Cinco; "For the Love
of Benji" at the Broadway, Judson 4, Mission
4 and San Pedro; "FM" at Northwest
6 and Century South 6; "The Toolbox Murders"
at San Pedro, Varsity. Mission, Town
Twin, Cine Mexico, Judson 4. Aztec 3.
Capitan and Universal Twin; and "Rabbit
Test" at Central Park Fox 3. Century South
Six, San Pedro and Mission.
FILMACK'S 1978 INSPIRATION CATALOG
Make it your aid to increase your attendance
and concession sales, by using
MM
Merchant Ads, Snack Bar films,
and Special Announcement films.
Ot!^
(Write For Your FREE Copy)
FILMACK STUDIOS,
f,l^AACK STUDIOS,
1327 S.Wabash Ave., Chicago, III. 60605
(312)427-3395
BOXOFHCE :; May 1978 SW-3

1 /--Arlington
DALLAS
June Unveiling Set
DALLAS, TEXAS, 75201 TELEPHONE • 747-3191
Texas Nachos. These are equalling if not
bettering the sales of popcorn. The 13 cents
2200 YOUNG STllEET •
^^oodie \Voodall, Paramoiinl
cost brings in a dollar in sales. You can't
beat that.
representative
For Beverly Cinema
at National Screen Service reports The Dallas area greeted the Byron Nel-
EDMONTON—The residents of Beverly
vTihusiastically on his recent trip to the so 1 Golf pros with their annual rainy reception.
Frankly a little more than anticipated again. Used soon will be able to view motion pictures
company's meeting on the West Coast. All
18 years as an outlet for the
of the advertising agency people from nine with hail ranging from mothball size to golf buying and selling of used merchandise, the
National Screen Service branches handling ball size, a number of homes had their roofs old Annex Theatre Building is to
Paramount
become a
advertising were in attendance totaled by hail damage and many cars with cinema once more. Appropriately, it is to be
at the seminar.
broken windshields and dented hoods. The named the Beverly Cinema.
Full length movies were shown as well tourney was won by Nelson's protoge. Tom
as trailers and
Tornado
available advertising
Janitor
on such
Service general
Watson
manager
of Kansas City, the tour's leading
Jim
films as "Grease."' "Bad News Sundar,
Bears Go who purchased to
Redwater's
money winner.
Ro.\y Theatre November Japan." "Foul Play" and "Up in Smoke"
in 1977. said he
Warren plans to
Beatty was present during the seminar.
Lisa Whelchel,
have the
the
250-seat
multi-talented Lake
showhouse operating
Worth teenager who became one of the
by June 1978.
At the cocktail party in addition to
the executives from Paramount"s New York most popular of the new Walt Disney The theatre, located at 6420 118th Ave.,
and LA offices were Eve Arden. Dodi Mouseketeers. will star in a two-hour TV changed ownership several times before the
Goodman, Sid Caesar and Didi Conn. movie to air on NBC's "Wonderful World present occupants. Ted and Anne Sawka.
Woodic was greatly impressed with the of Disney during " the coming season.
acquired the property. They operated the
upcoming summer releases and the advertising
campaigns planned.
Norma Malone, a WOMPI, formerly with
facility as a theatre for a year before going
into the auction business. Sawka explained
United Artist Theatres, is in Presbyterian that dwindling attendance 20 years ago (with
We are glad fo report Bill Bond was to Hospital where she underwent surgery a few the advent of TV) forced them to give up
days ago and is reported doing nicelv now. exhibition of motion pictures.
bi." released from the hospital Saturday (6)
and will recuperate at his home before returning
Sundar plans to renovate the structure
to work.
completely. Comfortable seats will be in-
Hobos Tramp Around Malls stalled
Pat
and
Galli
the
of Grimes Film
booth will feature
Booking
"the latest
is back
at her desk following a week's
Promoting
vacation
TIPS
in
Release
theatre equipment.'" He asserted, "It will
in
Las Vegas. If she is as lucky as most of DALLAS—American Multi Cinema's
be a theatre Beverly residents can be proud
of."
Northtown 6 and Forum 6 theatres had real
livp hobos to promote "The Billion Dollar A parking area just west of the theatre
us. a week is about all she could take of
that exciting city.
Hobo" in their respective
building will
engagements.
Paramount A
accommodate 45 autos. Sundar
forces are busily engaged in
staff member
said.
in hobo costume waited on
preparation for the multiple saturation of each mall to give free passes to listeners of
"Saturday Night Fever" on Friday (26). K.LIF Radio, who asked only "Are \ou the Astral and Columbia Hold
Congratulations are in order
Billion
for Cathy
Dollar Hobo?""
Wiight at Warner Bros. She was made head A Branch Managers'
Saturday morning
Huddle
show was held at
booker following the resignation
each
of
theatre as
Jim
a tie-in with KLIF,
MONTREAL — Astral-Bellevuc-Pathc's
the
Jackson. Charlotte Prestridge special
is a new employee
shows being branch
for underprivileged
managers joined Columbia Pictures'
chil-
U.S. Counterparts at Warners.
dren. The "hobos" greeted the children with
April 5 for a product/
marketing conference at the Chateau
free candy. Managers Troy Willingham.
Gary Parish of Associated Popcorn Distributors
Northtown, and Bill LeNeveu, Forurn, re-
Champlain Hotel here.
is really excited over the huge ported the promotion a success for the Dal-
Columbia films discussed included "Silver
Bears," "If Ever I See You Again," "The
success exhibitors are cnjovins with their
areas.
Buddy Holly Story"' and "Thank God It's
Friday." Astral outlined sales plans for
its releases, including "Rabbit Test," "In
Praise of Older Women"" and "Silent Flute."'
It was disclosed at the huddle that producer
Sandy Howard had been scouting lo-
Pinkston Sales & Service
cations in Montreal a couple of weeks earlier
MOTION PICTURE EQUIPMENT
and that the decision had been made
by Howard to shoot "City on Fire" here.
Complete Sales Service or Repair
AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTORS FOR MANY MANUFACTURERS
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• Audit Bureau o( Cir.ulalK.ns
r'MblishcrV Stal.-niPtit for 6 mo^. eniting June 30, 1977
May

OKLAHOMA CITY
L.viin Mooreland is the new employee of
Oklahoma Shipping & Inspection.
Cieorge Bannon up from to Dallas to work
on exploitation on upcoming United Artists
pictures. Jackie Taylor also up from Dallas.
to set up .screenings and invitations to same,
on "Three Warriors", U.A. that is to start
August 4 here and to be saturated throughout
this trade territory. Jake Guiles. Continental
Film Distributors, Dallas, up to
sell and book their films.
In to buy and book: Paul Goddaid. .Sate!
lite Twin, Norman; Mike Brewer, Royal
Theatre and Brewer's Drive-In, Pauls Valley:
and Dean Wolfenharger, Hillcresi
Dri\e-ln. Lindsay, Okla.
Funeral services for Wayne Wallace, were
held recently in Marlow. Wayne had worked
for Griffith Amusement as manager for
seven years, for Frontier Theatres for ten
years, and owned theatres in Marlow. Our
sincere condolences to wife Lctly, and remaming
survivors.
New names on Ihe marquees this week:
Allied Artists "The Betsy"— MacArthur
Park Theatre, Cinema 70 and 14 Flags
drive-ins. Avco Embassy's— "The Manitou"
—Quail Twin, Reding 4 Sooner Twin and
The Movies Twin, Moore. Dimension Pictuies—
"Out of the Darkness Alive"—Mac-
Arthur Park, Hillcrest, Cinema 70, and
Sooner Twin. Universal"s—"FM"— Westwood,
Red'ng 4 and Apollo Twin theatres.
Tulsa Marquee Chanjies: ?.Oth Century-
Fox's— "An Unmarried Woman"—Southroads
Mall, Paramount's— "Pretty Baby"
Woodland Hills Theatre, Universal's "FM"
—Park Lane Theatre. Dimension Pictures
"Out of the Darkness Alive"—Forum, Fontana
and Airview Drive-In, Cinema 5's "The
THEATRE
DRIVE-IN
SCREENS
'The Qiifiliiy Toner that never
has had lo he replaced."
* -k *
GENE TAYLOR
D & D Fabrication
and Erection Co.
Man Who Loved Women"— U.A. Annex.
Crown International's "Coach"—U.A.'s Annex
and Forum Theatres, and Avco Embassy's
"The Manitou"— Plaza 3 and Spectrum
Twin theatres.
Long holdovers in Oklahoma City are:
"The Fury" and "Close Encounters of the
Third Kind"—Shepherd Twin, "Star Wars"
and "Saturday Night Fever" —Southpark 4,
and "House Calls"— North Park 4 Theatre.
Texas Criiic Offers His
'Belated' Best Ten List
TYLER. TEX. — This town of 60,000
"doesn't receive films at the same time the
big cties do," reports Tyler TV-Star film
columnist Jerry Fitzgerald, which is why
his list of his ten best for 1977 is "somewhat
belated." Nevertheless Fitzgerald
offers his views on last year's finest.
He named "Star Wars" No. 1. "A historymaking
film. A thriller science-fiction blockbuster
that had a message to go with it.
I saw it ten times and it's worth seeing
again."
"Close Encounters of Ihe Third Kind"
ranked second. "Not knowing what to expect,
I walked in feeling normal. I walked
out in a state of altered consciousness. Spectacular,
timely and brilliant, even a little
'mushy' in places but still a b-g prestige picture
that wasn't bad at
all."
Calling it "the finest suspense picture of
the year," he chose "Black Sunday" fourth.
"A thriller in every sense of the world. The
action never stops until after the final
frame. John Frankenheimer is back."
"Looking for Mr. Goodbar" was next.
"Raw, gutsy drama. A little too real for certain
women in the audience, who realized
this as a warning. A scary film, because it
can and does happen."
Impressed by George Burns in Oh,
God!',' Fitzerald says: "Larry Gelbart
tinned what could have been a mockery
into a thoughtful, compassionate film that
delivered a message of love and understanding.
Carl Reiner had his work cut out for
bin; and the success of this picture makes
his labors even more memorable and noteworthy."
He picked "Annie Hall" seventh. "Woody
.Mien's expose of his love life also turned
out to be a witty, wordy, b'ting satire of
American social life. Good show."
He found "The Turning Point" provocative,
"Little do we realize until too late how
the decisions we make about life have more
of an effect that we realize. This film gave a
"This film brought back the color and gloss
of a 1940s musical. Highly underrated.^ this
picture made me fully appreciate jazz music.
Robert De Niro strikes again, with Liza
Minnelli an equally talented counterpart."
And rounding out Fitzgerald's list is
"Semi-Tough." "Walter Bernstein's screenplay
showed us to what absurd lengths people
will go in order to achieve emotional
security. Whether it be religion, pyramidpower,
astrology, or palm-reading, we all
have to have an emotional crutch. Burt Reynolds
is funny as usual. Where will his devious
eves turn next?"
Cineplex Picks J. McKenna
MARSHALL, TEX.—Jimmy Duncan,
president of Cineplex Corp., revealed that
Jim McKenna has been named general manager.
McKenna is already "on board" in]
that capacity. The growth of the organiza-|
tion was cited as the reason for the addition
to the executive staff. McKenna has wide
experience in many facets of the business
and was active in industry-related organizations
in Tulsa, Okla., where he was working
for Family Theatres prior to receiving the
appointment to his present position.
Women's Shows at Forum 6
ARLINGTON. TEX. — The American
Multi-Cinema's Forum 6 Theatres are tied
in lo a women's day promotion at its mall,
good for anextra show every four to six
weeks. Manager Bill Le Neveu shows one
of his current films for the ladies' event,
which also includes a continental breakfast,
fashion show, ice skating and a prize drawing.
Radio Tie-in for 'Sleep'
HOUSTON—The engagement of "The
B'g Sleep" in Houston was aided by a promotional
hook-up with KRLY Radio. In
return for tickets which the station used as
on-the-air prizes, the station promoted the
film with two-for-one radio spots during
the first seven days of the run. Theatres
participating included Almeda 9 East, North
Oaks 6 and Town and Country 6.
Post Office B-x 3524
Shownee, Kansas 66203
913-$31-9695
ARTOE WATER COOLED' CONTACTS
1243 W.BELMONT CHICAGO
thoughtful view of this subject, as well as
providing us with some strenuous dance sequences."
"New York, New York" placed ninth.
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don't miss tlic famous Don I
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ri;i:f»w.\ikiki tdwikoi iiii: ki:ki
Mav 15. 1978

New Orleans Floods
Keep Grosses Low
NEW ORLEANS, LA.—Torrential
rains
350. "An Unmarried Woman" and "Julia"
were still drawing and were tied at 250.
(Average Is 100)
6th wk
Lakeside—Julia (20th-Fox), 27th wk
Lakeside—The Turning Point (20lh-Fox), 19lh wk
Loews Stale The Fury (20th-Fox), 7th wk
Loews Slate Godzilla on Monster Island (SR)
Loews Slate Solurday Night Fever (Para)
20lh wk
Orpheum—Youngbiood (AIP), 3rd wk
Plaza Five Days From Home (Univ), 2nd wk
Robert E. Lee Prelly Baby (Para) 4th wk
Westside, Plaza— I Wanna Hold Your Hand
Atlanta's Variety Tent 21 Holds
Installation of Its New Officers
ATLANTA—The 1978-79 leaders of At-
and flooding had its effect on the grosses.
"Youngbiood" in its third week at the Orpheum
Theatre dropped to 500 but still took office at the Tower Place Hotel recently.
lanta's Variety Tent 21 took their oaths of
first spot. "Pretty Baby," fourth week at the The new chief barker is John Stembler jr,,
Robert E. Lee, settled for second place with a junior executive of the Georgeia Theatre
Co. Jack Rigg, of New World Pictures of
Atlanta, is the first assistant chief barker,
and M. F. Rodriguez, buyer and booker for
the Storey Theatre circuit, is the second
James H. Edwards, past
Lowery. talent, and H.
chief barke
R. Mathew
W. J.
delc-
The Atlanta Club ol the Women of Variety's
president was re-elected and was
presented with patron life membership and
'House Calls' Outdraws Memphis
'Other Side of Mountain' Debut
MEMPHIS—The week's only opener,
"The Other Side of the Mountain Part 2,"
did a respectable 240 at the Malco Quartet
1 and Southbrook 1. It won out over "An
Unmarried Woman," in its second week,
which earned 225. "The Big Sleep" is faring
no better here than it has elsewhere,
plopping down in its snoozy second week
with a 50. "High Anxiety" and "The Turning
Point," both from 20th Century-Fox,
tied with 180 each. Topping the list, however,
was Universal's hit comedy, "House
Calls," with 315 in its fifth laugh-filled
week.
Maico Quartet 1, Southbrook 1—The Other Side
ol the Mountain Part 2 (Univ) 240
Malco Quartet 2—High Anxiety (20!h-Fox),
lllh wk 180
Malco Quartet 3—The Turning Point (20th-Fox),
13th wk.
Malco Quartet 4— Casey's Shadow (Col)
180
5th wk 90
Paramount 1, Southbrcok 3-The Goodbye Girl
(WB). 9th wk 205
50
Plaza 2 Straight Time (WB), 4lh wk
Ridgeway Four 2—Return From Witch Mountain
(BV), 4ih wk 120
Ridgeway Four 4 House Calls (Univ), 5th wk 315
Southbrook 2 An Unmarried Woman
(20th-Fox), 2nd wk 225
Three theatres—The Big Sleep (UA), 2nd wk, 50
Three theatres—The Fury (20th-Fox), 5th wk 95
Meiselmon, Eastern Fed.
Corp. Founder, Is Dead
CHARLOTTE—Herman B. Meiselman,
pioneer motion picture exhibitor whose business
career spanned more than half a century,
is dead at the age of 80. Meiselman
founded the Eastern Federal Corp. theatre
circuit (originally the H. B. Meiselman Theatres)
in 1933. The circuit now operates
about 60 theatres in Georgia, South Carolina,
North Carolina and Florida.
He is survived by a brother, Louis Meiselman
of Miami, and two sons, Michael of
Atlanta and Ira of Charlotte, N.C.
Joel Hickman Transferred
ST, PETERSBURG. FLA.—Joel Hickman
has been transferred to American Multi
Cinema's Tyrone Square 6 theatres here.
Before coming to Tyrone, Hickman was an
assistant manager at AMC's Varsity 6 theatres,
Tampa.
Elstelle Moscow (top, left) wa.s re-elected president of the \\onien -if Variety
Tent 2\. Next to her is John Stembler jr,. Georgia Theatre Co.. who was elected
a Good Gal award for her invaluable services
in making last year's telethon a suc-
the tent's chief barker. T. Hal Gibson (top. right), president of Coca-Cola U.S.A.,
was given the Go*jd Guy award for services to Variety. (Below) Key veteran members
of Tent 21 are. left to right: "Red" Hall, retired Coca-Cola Co. promotion
wizard; C. L. Patrick sr.. president of ,\tlanta-ba.scd Fuqua Indu.stries: "Kip"
Smiley, buyer/ booker for the Georgia Theatre Co.. and Charles Lester, retired
Atlanta branch and division manager of National Screen Service. (Photo of Gibson
by Fabian Bachrach)
assistant chief barker. Dennis Morton,
Georgia Theatres, is the dough guy and
Tom Carr is the property master. Robert
Hosse presided at the installation ceremonies.
Chairmen for the new regime are W. K.
Edmondson. fund raising; Donald G. Howell,
membership; Jack R. Lease, telethon;
Hal Gibson, vice-president of Coca-Cola
U.S.A., was given the Good Guy award in
appreciation of his innumerable services and
favors to Variety. Gibson and his wife arc
patron life members. John Ogden, president
of Coca-Cola U.S.A., and his wife escorted
Mrs. Gibson to the podium to accept the
(Continued on next page)
BOXOFHCE May 15. 1978 SE-1

Atlanta's Variety Tent 21
Installs Its New Officers
(Continued trom preceding page)
award in the absence of her husband.
Also in attendance was C. L. Patrick
sr.. president of Fuqua Industries, who is
international ambassador for Variety. Past
chief barker Edwards received the Standard
Bearer award for his fruitful work on last
year's telethon.
Donations were made to several Varietysponsored
organizations. Stembler presented
the Elaine Clark Variety Center with $8,700
to buy a Sunshine Coach. He also donated
$1,000 to Variety International to help
handicapped children the world over.
Mrs. Moscow presented the Georgia
chapter of Cystic Fibrosis with a check for
$8,000 in the name of men and women of
Variety. Jim Edwards presented a check for
$.5,800 to a representative of Atlanta's Arbor
Academy, another recipient of Tent 21*8
benevolence.
Monty Hall, international chief barker,
mailed an autographed graphite tennis racket
to Edwards for his outstanding work in putting
together last year's telethon, the first
ever held in Atlanta. Tent 21 is making
plans for the 1979 telethon.
Gail Janus, WXIA-TV personality, who
participated as an emcee in last year's telethon
and who will play an important role in
ne.\t year's effort, gave an excellent talk on
the importance of the telethon and why all
members should get involved, especially in
the solicitation of advance gifts.
Herb Mathews of Benton Film Express
and a four-time chief barker of Tent 21, is
a polished master of ceremonies and kept
the festivities moving in his witty fashion.
Glen Simonds. manager of the Atlanta
branch of American International Pictures
(also a past chief barker), was given a vote
of thanks for his excellent handling of the
arrangements for the installation banquet.
Red Dots Yield Passes
DAYTONA, FLA,—American Multi
Cinema's Daytona 6 theatres have been running
a concession promotion to increase
both the popcorn and overall per heads.
Manager Dick Stokes placed one red dot on
a tub for every 25 tubs taken to the concession
stand. The purchaser of the tub with
a red dot was entitled to two free passes to
the theatre.
^^ IVATCH PROJECTION IMPROyE ^^
^ NEW TECHNIKOTE ^
5 SCREENS S
5g XRL ^
(LENTICULAR)

CHARLOTTE
\X70MPI elected its 1978-79 officers at
tiie business luncheon meeting at the
YMCA April 19. They are: president, Clara
Finlayson, Piedmont Theatres; first vicepresident,
Lucille Nantz, Universal Pictures;
second vice-president, Janet Honeycutt.
Stewart & Everett Theatres; corresponding
secretary, Dessie Guyer, Carolina Booking
Service; recording secretary. Louann High,
Columbia Pictures and treasurer, Jackie Trudeau.
Standard Theatre Supply Co. Installation
ceremonies will be held June 19 at
Idlewild Country Club. Door prizes were
won by Irene Lauer and Doris Ducker.
WOMPI earned $723 participating in
WBTV's attic sale April 22-23. Finance
chairman Jeanette Royster thanks each
WOMPI member who donated and collected
items to sell, helped set up the booth and
gave many hours of their week en dto staff
the booth. It takes teamwork to earn that
much money in two days.
Clarinsa Craig, service chairman, announced
that 54 Easter rabbits made from
milk cartons and filled with candy were delivered
to the patients at Lee's Rest Home.
Two hair dryers also were delivered to the
detoxification center. These have been
much-needed items for some time.
WOMPI welcomes four new members,
Leigh Sanders and Lavern Flannigan, 20th
Century-Fox, and Jan Vann and Carolyn
Grondin, Columbia.
Welcome to filmrow: Carol Vogler, seccretary
to Tony Tracy of Irvin-Fuller Theaties
. . . Congratulations to Tony Tracy
on his marriage March 7 to Landa Gibbons,
formerly of Asheville, N.C. Good luck to
y'all:
Steve Smith (Independent Theatre Booking
Service) announces he is now doing the
buying and booking for Cinema III. Greer.
S.C. . . . Dessie Guyer was honored April
26 at the new Raddison Hotel at a luncheon
with her bosses Frank Lowry and Bill Ciine,
the occasion being National Secretary's
Week.
Columbus, Ohio gains and Charlotte loses
now that Karen Petrie, formerly associated
with Exhibitors Service for several years,
has returned to her home town due to her
husband's being transferred. We will miss
you.
Peter Graves, star of the TV series "Mismion:
Impossible," was in town to promote
an ad for Honeywell, Inc., smoke alarms.
He spent a day in this city talking to your
CGI respondent and reporters and left for
Tampa, Fla., the following morning. He
stated that he is waiting for TV programmers
to offer him something "a little classier"
than the run-of-the-mill adventure or
suspense series. He recently- finished a picture
in Iran, a James Bond-style action and
suspense
film.
U. S. Eaddy jr. (Exhibitors Service) visited
Bob Turnbull (Mini-Cinema), Rock
Hill.
S.C, and then went to see Phil Nance
in Raleigh, N.C. (Mission Valley Theatres,
Inc.) .
R. T. Belcher (Twin Stales Booking) was
a very proud parent this week as his son
Mark, a student at the University of North
Carolina at Charlotte, was chosen by the
English department faculty to receive the
Margaret B. Ryan award for excellence in
scholarship. This award is presented in
memory of Dr. Bryan, an outstanding teacher
and scholar who died while a member
of the department. A book will be placed
in the UNCC library with a bookplate memorializing
her and honoring Mark as recipient
of this year's award. Incidentally, Mark
is the only junior to be so honored; previously
the award has gone to seniors.
Congratulations to Burtus Bishop, brother
of Joe sr., on his birthday in Ft. Lauderdale,
Fla.. Wednesday (3). Burtus was formerly
branch manager for MGM here and retired
as western division manager headquartered
in
Chicago.
Bill Simpson (Simpson's Distributing Co.)
is handing out cigars celebrating the birth
of his grandson (8 lbs.. 9 oz.). Bill's daughted
Barbara and the baby are doing fine.
News from Southern Booking and Advertising
Co.: Cape Fear Theatres of Fayetteville,
N.C. are completing construction of
a new auditorium addition to the presently
existing Buccaneer Twin Theatres in Greenville,
N.C, and will have a seating capacity
in excess of 200. Cape Fear is owned by
Tommy Bradford and P. R. "Buz" Loyd
of Fayetteville. The company presently operates
theatres in Fayetteville, Whiteville
and Greenville, N.C. The new Buccanneer
auditorium, opening in mid-June, will give
Bradford and Loyd a total of ten screens.
The booking and buying will be in the capable
hands of Locke, Jones and VanderHorst.
with Jack Jordan (former ABC advertising
executive) handling all promotion campaign
and TV saturations. Southern Booking is
now servicing 86 theatres.
A. Foster McKissick, president of Fairlane/
Litchfield Co., Inc., has announced
th- construction of a new auditorium to be
added to the existing Crown Theatre which
opened in March, 1975, in Lancaster. S.C.
The new auditorium will have around 200
seats, giving the twin operation a total capacity
of 625. The new auditorium will
feature
wide seat spacing with draped walls
and automated projection. Don Hyatt is
citv manager for Fairlane/ Litchfield's Lancaster
operations, including the Hyatt and
the Crown. Fairlane/ Litchfield, one of the
Southeast's most energetic young theatre
organizations, has 52 screens in North and
South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Alabama.
Southern Booking and Advertising,
in this city, handles all their buying, booking
and advertising.
Eddie Marks (executive with Stewart &
Evirett) just returned from a most stimulating
advertising conference in Dallas. "".Xt
least," Eddie said, "I though I was in Dailas.
I could see a big city about seven miles
from my motel room and I was told that it
was Dallas. All I saw was the inside of the
motel for about 25 hours of meetings
where I was exposed to some 40 feature
films and merchandising details pertaining
to film company plans to advertise
and sell the movies." Seven film companies
were represented at the conference; American
International. Warner Bros.. Columbia,
Universal, UA. MGM and Paramount. "I
believe we will have a sizzling movie summer
of '78," reported Eddie. "The massive
enlcrtainment value of all future product
coming up this summer, the remainder of
th; year and next year means that we will
have plenty of high-quality film merchandise
on our screens to offer the public. We
must have maximum .showmanship on the
local level to support each of these forthcoming
releases properly. Many of them have the
potential of doing blockbuster business, and
everybody should be excited about our business
and the possibility for greater grosses."
New films on the marquees: "F.I.S.T."
(Tryon Mall), "Black Game of Death" (Dilworth).
"The Mouse and His Child" (Eastland
Mall), "The Serpent's Egg" (Visulite).
Top grosses of the week: "An Unmarried
Woman" (Park Terrace), "F.I.S.T." (Tryon
Mall). "Annie Hall" (Charlottetown Mall),
"The Goodbye Girl" (South Park).
Screenings at Car-mel: "Drive-In Massacre"
(Dixie Films, Atlanta), "Thank God
It's Friday" (Columbia). "CB. Hustlers"
(Dixie Films).
I00KIN6 SERVICE^i^
230 S. Tryon St., Suite 362, Charlotte, N.C.
Frank Lowry . . . Bill Cline
Phone: (704) 377-9341
CUVERAMA IS EV SHOW
BVSUVESS MX HAWAII TOO,
When yon come to Waikiki,
don't miss the famous Don H
Show ... at Cinerama's
Reef Towers Hotel. f
FINER PROJECTION-SUPER ECONOMY
Ask Your Supply Dealer or Wrif
HURLEY SCREEN COMPANY, Inc.
7t Soroh Ortvc Fermingdate, L. I., N. Y., 1173S
BOXOmcE :: May 15, 1978
i-3

MIAMI
fhe Oscar-winning film "Madame Rosa"
will appear in the Miami area on the
Wometco circuit, but not until Oct. 6. according
to newspaper announcement.
A newspaper story out of Tallahassee
points out that if Wometco president Mitchall
VVolfson wants to remain a member of
the Miami-Dade Community College Board
of Trustees he will have to resign his position
on the Off-Street Parking Authority.
It is stated in the article from the Herald
Capital Bureau that the Senate executive
business committee has decided that Wolfsor.'s
service on two non-paying public
boards violates a ban on dual office-hold-
FLORIDA THEATRE
EQUIPMENT
& SUPPLY CO., INC.
IVERVTHINC YOU NIED FOR YOUR THEATRE'
1%6 N.E. 149th St. • N. Miami, Fla., 33181
Tel: f 3051 944-4470
TWIN
IT!!
Call Harry Jones
Drive-in Theatre Construction Since 1946
• Steel Towers
• Painting • Repairs
ing. The committee, it is pointed out. postponed
confirmation hearings on VVolfson
and four other persons who were appointed
by Governor .'Kskew to various positions.
Strother Martin of film fame was a recent
viistor to the area . . . Actor Peter Graves,
the "Mission: Impossible" star, was in Miami
recently for a quick tour and interviews
with the press. He has done a number of
films and some commercials since the above
series left the air and he has just finished
two features— "Spree." which was shot in
Mexico, and "Cruise Missile," which was
shot in Iran and Austria. On his current
tour he is visiting 12 cities, after which he
goes to Nicaragua for a TV dcoumentary.
Joel Hirsch has been signed for a starring
lie in "King of the Gypsies."
New Avco Embassy Branch
Opens in New Orleans
LOS ANGELES — Avco Embassy Pic'
opened
New Orleans, it
a
was
branch office
announced by
i
Her:
Robinson, vice-president and general sale
manager.
Hammond, who Jerry has been branc
manager for Buena Vista in New Orlean"
for the past two years, has been namei
manager of Avco Embassy. He will be re
sponsible for the New Orleans-Memphis ter
ritory.
A native of Omaha, Neb., Hammond re
ceived a B.S. degree in physics from Johi
F. Kennedy College in Wahoo, Neb. He be
gan his career in film business as a booke
for American International Pictures it
Omaha.
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WE BEAT THEM
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CARACOL MOSQUITO COILS ARE No. 1
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2. Only one with Aluminum Coil Holder.
3. Only one with separated, individual coils. Tbis meca
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4. Small size available at a price so inexpensive that it
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5. Free Freight on orders over $200.
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no customer
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WHY LET MOSQUITOES HURT YOUR BUSINESS
ORDER CARACOL NOW
MABEN, INC.
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Phone: (305) 681-2021
SE-4 BOXOFTICE :: May 15. 1978

I
law
David Stein, formerly a forger of such
esteemed art masters as Picasso, Chagall,
Duffy, Braque, Van Dongen and others,
successfully captured the hearts of many
among these Roslyn and Alex Sailor. The
Worth Avenue merchants befriended Stein
during a period when he was battling the
and deeply in debt. Following a two-
stint in prison, Stein continued paint-
i year
i
now
I and
'
are
PALM BEACH
TJnited Artists Theatres has big plans for
this area. According to Pat Moore,
manager of U.A. Mall cinemas 1-2-3-4,
ground has been broken at the intersection
of Palm Beach Lakes and 1-95 for an auditorium
which will house six screens. The
sixplex, to be named Movies of the Village
Green, is due to open around Labor Day.
,1 opening Friday (26) for a six-screen auditorium
in Pompany called "Movies of Pompano,"
located in the Fashions Mall.
Moore also reported sold-out matinees in
three out of four of the Cinema Mall the-
atres on a recent Monday. The sellouts
were "House Calls," "Annie Hall" and "An
Unmarried Woman"
U.A. division manager, recently was in the
city.
ing frauds, but legitimately. Each painting
j
bears the name of the original artist
Stein's own signature. The Sailors, who
closing their Worth Avenue establishment
after twelve years, are marketing
Stein's works. In addition, the Sailors are negotiating
with Jack Lemmon for a film on
Stein's life.
Karen Lynn Gorney, still swamped with
post-publicity for her starring role in "Saturday
Night Fever," is appearing in the
Jean Kerr comedy "Mary, Mary" at the
Dinner Playhouse, St. Petersburg, through
Sunday (21). Ms. Gorney's father. Jay Gorney,
producer-composer-director, co-wrote
the depression hit "Brother, Can You Spare
a Dime?" Karen also has written some
twenty-five songs. Now divorced, Ms. Gorney's
ex-husband is documentary filmmaker
Ken Golden.
Actress Lesley Ann Warren recently appeared
in "Same Time, Next Year" at the
©
hairdresser-turned-producer, split to live
with Barbra Streisand. Ms. Warren's and
Peters' son Christopher was due in St. Petersburg
for a ten-day visit.
Marty Allen and David Toma hosted the
Florida Arthritis Telethon '78 at the Bay-
The National Ass'n of Chain Drug Stores
recently held its annual convention at the
Breakers Hotel. Margaux Hemingway,
granddaughter of "Papa" Hemingway and
star of "Lipstick," was among the invited,
as was Tamara Dobson. the statuesque fashion
model who starred in "Cleopatra Jones."
Phyllis Diller entertained one night as a
guest of Max Factor. During her stay Ms.
Diller was a guest at Anne Hamilton's
(mother of George) home. The 61 -year-old
comedienne recently appeared in St. Petersburg
at Tierra Verde's "Le Club." She also
plans to perform at Disneyworld the week
of Monday (15).
George Burns was the featured entertainer
at the NACDS conference. Burns said
he had appeared at the Breakers in 1924
and was so successful they asked him back
—51 years later. When asked by the press
if he considered retiring, George replied,
"I don't think anyone should retire. I doubt
if anyone my age can make a nickel in bed."
Burns recently completed work on a new
film. He is Mr. Kite in "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely
Hearts Club Band," co-starring Peter
Frampton. The actor-comedian has a passion
for bridge and walks a mile each day.
Lou Reznick has appeared in 33 movies,
TV and commercials. He's the man who
helped Rhoda get to her TV wedding.
In "The Godfather" he took Al Pacino to
see his bullet-riddled father, Marlon Brando.
He's the man in "Mortadella" who
stopped just short of running down Sophia
Loren. Reznick, now retired and living in
Fort Lauderdale, drove a New York City
taxi, both for a living and as an actor. His
CAPITAL CITY SUPPLY COMPANY, INC.
COMPLETE THEATRE EQUIPMENT AND CONCESSION SUPPLIES
OUR 39th YEAR
2124 lackaon Parkwar, N.W. 713 Sudekum Bldg.
Allanla, Georgia 30318 Nashville. Tennessee 37219
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Showboat Theatre, St. Petersburg. Ms. Warren
admitted being seriously engaged in a in wardrobe during shooting of "John and
acting career began when a niece, working
romance. It is her first serious commitment Mary," informed him that a cab was need-
since she and Jon Peters, her husband and
ed. The pay was $60 but Reznick was not
the driver. He appeared first in "A New
Leaf." He joined the actor's guild and has
since been seen in many motion pictures including
"Sybil." "Marathon Man," "The
Goodbye Girl, " "Annie Hall," "An Unmarried
Woman" and appropriately "Taxi Driv-
Nearly 500 people attended the Salvation
Army Ass'n's dinner at the Breakers Hotel
front Center Theatre, St. Petersburg. April
Total seating capacity will be 1900 and the
contain the equipment.
23 from noon til midnight. Among the other
theatres will latest professionals contributing their time were
One of the six auditoriums will be called Sue Ane Langdon, Delia Reese, Mary Tyler in April. Receiving the General William
Moore, Jack Klugman, Natalie Wood, Booth award were Mr. and Mrs. Walter
Nostalgia House. It will be decorated in the
Charlton Heston, Peter Falk, Robert Wagner,
Hoving of New York. Hoving founded the
style of an old-fashioned theatre, showing
Bob Hope, Cesar Romero and many Salvation Army Unit No. 114 in New York
double features for $1.50 and sponsoring
bank nights and give-aways. Moore will others.
20 years ago. His wife Jane Pickens is the
manage the six-screen complex and his wife
former star of motion pictures and the
Betty will manage the nearby Mall Cinemas.
Jovan and Lazar Obican, internationally music world.
famed Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia father-son
Connie Fleming, 16-year-old Jupiter resident,
artists, recently had a four-day
United Artists Theatres also plans a grand
showing at
the Lowe Levinson Art Gallery. The Obican
recently went to Hollywood and ap-
works are included in collections owned by peared in the upcoming Burt Reynolds' film
Frank Sinatra, Alfred Hitchcock, Eva Marie "The End." Connie's father Logan is foreman
Saint, Anthony Quinn and Claire Bloom.
at the Reynolds' ranch in Jupiter. Al-
though Ms. Fleming found out motion picture
acting was hard work, with all-day rehearsals,
she is anxious for more roles. Reynolds
arranged a scholarship for the young
actress at the Professional Children's School,
New York, and she has been there since
September. Connie had been doing bit parts
at the Manatee Dinner Theatre in Port Salerno.
At Reynolds' request Sally Fields interviewed
her for the part last July.
Hamilton Is Merchants V-P
ATLANTA—Jack Hamilton, manager of
American Multi Cinemas Omni 6 here, has
been elected to the vice-presidency of the
Omini merchants association.
Hollywood Costume Contest
Attracts 3,000 Spectators
LAWRENCEVILLE. N.J.—The second
"Hollywood Comes to the Quaker Bridge 4
Theatres" contest, recently completed, drew
over 100 costume entries of film star lookalikes.
The first contest was staged last year
in conjunction with the grand opening of the
theatre, and was so successful that it was
repeated this year. Jeff Schnabel, American
Multi Cinema's district supervisor, said that
all sponsors are highly enthusiastic and
the contest might become an annual event.
Manager Bob Cortese of AMC's Quaker
Bridge 4 coordinated the contest with the
sponsors. WPST Radio provided over 200
6-second spots over a two-week period inviting
entries. American Airlines and Liberty
Travel Agency provided a trip for two to
Hollywood. The Quaker Bridge Mall furnished
extensive newspaper coverage.
The contest included five categories:
Science Fiction Character," "Best .Actor,"
"Best
"Best Actress," "Best Picture"
and
"Best Child Star."
Bob and Jeff figure over 3,000 spectators
jammed the center court of the Quaker
Bridge Mall to witness the judging. Followup
publicity included major space for pictures
and stories in five newspapers.
May 15, 1978 SE-5

. . . Coming
JACKSONVILLE
Two licensed professional li>pnotists. Ralph
and Jane McClain, will provide an exotic
atmosphere at the next WOMPI monthly
business meeting by lecturing and demonstrating
their mental controls over hypnotized
patients who have come voluntarily
under their care. The meeting is set for the
night of Tuesday (23) in
the Deb Clubhouse,
;uid program chairperson Mary Ellen
Boyd has requested subjective volunteers for
the McCiaine demonstrations.
WOMPI members were busy gathering
clothes, toys, linens, dishes, junk jewelry
and many miscellaneous items from Filmrow
friends and foes for use in a fund-raising
flea market .Saturday (20) at the popular
Market Place on westside Ramona Blvd.
Chairing the event for WOMPI's many local
charity causes is Marsha Weaver who will
pick up contributions if phoned at 725-
0993 . . High on the May calendar of
.
WOMPI community service projects was
the overflow attendance at a morning bingo
party in the Florida Christian Health Center,
with WOMPI also providing refreshments
and bingo prizes.
Kicking off Sun Day activities a day early
Tuesday (2) was the appearance of the sunny
personality of Lola Redford. spouse of
motion picture star Robert Redford, who
came in town to dedicate a new solar energy
system. It is designed for use in cutting
back usage of electrical energy in the local
Anheuser-Busch beer brewing plant here
by substituting solar energy reaped from the
Florida sun. Mrs. Redford is president of
the National Council of Environmental Alternatives,
which has sponsored Sun Day
observances in more than 500 cities in 30
countries, including all the provinces of
Canada. Mrs. Redford told reporters, "It
is important to reduce our dependence on
(foreign) oil. The sun is the one source of
energy which has never produced a war,"
Richard Kiel, the seven-foot, two-inch,
325-pounder who shuddered film viewers
with his role in "The Spy Who Loved Me"
as a steel-toothed giant, is traveling the
South with his Jacksonville-bom wife.
Diane Rogers, a mere five-foot, one-inch
tall young lady, and two (still) small children.
Richard is coming in soon to screens
two pictures, "Force 10 from Navarone"
and "They Went That Way and That Way."
ABC Florida State Theatres received a
"good-okay" mark from handicapped persons
who came to see "Coming Home,"
showing exclusively at the circuit's Regency
Drive
Atlanta, Go. 30324
!404) 876-0347
N E
I Theatre locally, because there were no
stairs
to navigate before their entrances into
the lobby and auditorium. The Regency is
ground level all the way. so that wheelchair
patients may maneuver easily to their seats.
Ralph Puckhaber. southeastern regional advertising
and publicity director for TBC.
found no problem for the handicapped as in
other cities, and he complimented ABC FST
theatre personnel for their help in overcoming
the problems of handicapped patrons.
Kent Theatres male home office executives
took National Secretaries Week seriiously
by honoring all female office workers
on the home office April 26 with a special
luncheon at Strickland's Town House and
with carnation corsages for each invitee.
Radio station WVOJ's popular disc jockey
"Country Charlie" in late April joined
hands and spirits with WOMPI volunteers
by playing disco music for dances, holding
several contests on the dance floor and by
generally rounding out a fun program at
the
city's Woodstock Community Center for
handicapped teenagers. Also sparking the
festivities were WOMPI out-reach sponsors
Sandy Easley, Betty Poston, Kitty Dowell
and Kitty's daughter Martha . . . Kitty, by
the way, had just returned from the NATO
convention in Nashville as a representative
of American Multi Cinema. She took time
off for thrills by attending the Grand Ole
Opry.
The American Multi Cinema regional
©
office, headed by E. A, "Gene" Jacobs, is
set to move from its hinterlandish Baymeadows
Way location to a closer knit cofraternity
with other Filmrow offices in the vicinity
of central Reeencv Square prior to
July I.
Friends of Joyce Malmborg, staunch
WOMPI supporter and publicist on the staff
of Kent Theatres, point with pride to a letter
from U. S, Congressman Charles Bennett
of this city in which he praised Joyce for
being selected as the local "WOMPI of the
Year" . . . Joyce expressed the views of
other WOMPI leaders and herself by asking
all local WOMPIs to live up to their pledge
this year. She hopes for 100 per cent participation
(a total of 46 members) in the
"Dimes From WOMPI Dames" annual collection
for the Will Rogers Hospital. Minimum
pledge is ten cents weekly or $5.20
for the year.
'Everything for your theatre— except film"
Advance screenings of the week at the
Preview Theatre set in by Vivian Ganas
were AIP's "High-Ballin' "; Columbia's
"Thank God It's Friday"; and Universal's
"The Greek Tycoon."
Mike Clark, writer of the Journal's "At
the Movies" column, dealt a rather deadly
800 S. Groham St.
Chorlotte, N.C. 28202
(704) 334-3616
blow to UA's "F.I.S.T." by terming it a
entertainment effort that "F.I.Z.Z.L.E.S
soon to the Alhambra Dinne
Theatre will be TV and film star Cesar Re
mero in "Never Shout At An Angel" . .
The Alhambra, after many years as film:
minor competitor for the dollars of cocktail
and-dinner sophisticates, is now receivin
competition from a newcomer here, th
Broadway South Dinner Theatre, with a
attractive opening program of "Can-Can,
Coie Porter's risque musical comedy of Pari
long ago . . . Getting further to the point o
evening entertainment dollars, cinema
here are also bucking in the way of stage the
atres the Studio Players with "The Wizari
of Oz." the Orange Park Community The
atre's "Annie Get Your Gun"; the Players b
the Sea's "Butley." "In Search of the Goldei
Teardrop" by A Company of Players; am
the Shoe String Puppet Theatre's "Magi^
Tails."
Keith Miller, Kent Theatres' manager o
the St. Johns twins, was pictured in th
Journal as he and Sergeant Dennis Petersoi
of the U.S. Air Force were honored by Mrs
T. F. Pollock, a national DAR prize winne
of this city, for their help in media achieve
ments. Mrs. Pollock's DAR national organ
ization. composed of 3.082 local chapters
awarded her with three national first places
for successes with the media, for the bes
program involving safe auto driving and ai
pollution prevention and for the organizatioij
of historical tours. She is a former membej
of the local Paramount Pictures staff.
Three top units of ABC FST went int
Saturday midnight themes of interplanetar
warfare and a doo.msday threat to the eartl
with their multiple showings of early fon
runner popular futuristic classics of H. Gl
Wells' "War of the Worlds" and "Wheij
Worlds Collide," playing at the Regency
Kingsley and Edgewood.
Journal film ratings were not overly gen'
erous this time around. The Journal is quit*!
chary of awarding "4s" but a "3'2" went tc
"Annie Hall;" in the "3" class was "One
On One." "The Mouse and His Child," "Th€
Billion Dollar Hobo" and "An Unmarried
Woman." Next down the list at "2V2" were
"F. I. S. T." and "In Search of the Castaways;"
"2" places were accorded to "The
NATIONAL
Changeable
Letters
lO-in $2.40
I2.in $3.10
17-in $5.30
24-in $8.00
Other siies
proportionately low
Hard bolced enamel on V4" Masonite/hardboard
resists weather and abuse. Clamp hooks with bronze
spring hold letter to any track (describe when ordering).
Letters stay put, are easy to change, easy
to read, available in a choice of colors. Available at
your theatre supply dealer. Sample on request. Ask
for literature.
Prices subject to change.
NATIONAL DEVICES CO.
NATIONAL CHANGEABLE LETTERS DIV.
1535 16th St. Denver, Colorado 80202 (303) 892-1072
SE-B BOXOFHCE :: May 15, 1978

Martha Murphy Scott, outgoing WOMPI
"'president, left her duties as Oscar Canningi
ton's
1:1
'
li:
WOMPI
'
'
stead
,
throughout
1 ed
: ladies
Boys in Company C." "The Other Side o[
the Mountain Part 2" and "The Medusa
Touch."
secretary in the ABC FST home office
for the earliest of summer vacations.
Filmrow friends of Lillian E. Woodruff,
i:(
it a staff mmebr in the American Multt Cinenma
regional office here, extended sympathy
f'over the death of her husband, Cleo B.
li, Woodruff, a
retired grammar school princi-
,,:pal. He is also survived by two sons, Jerry
t
and David Woodruff, three sisters, a brother
K and two granddaughters.
[
A CORRECTION: The death of H. A.
'l"Red" Tedder reported on page SE-7, Box-
^OFFICE issue of Monday (1), mistakenly
identified him as H. A. "Red" Todder.
^MEMPHIS
^
yjfariety Club Tent 20 has been moved to
new quarters. The suite formerly was
''occupied by "The Cabaret." The address re-
"' mains the same in Sheration Inn, but is
^'across the hall from the old Variety quarters.
and Ladies of 'Variety were en-
'itertained recently at the club by Lt. Jim
Bullard and Ms. Marty Brewer of the police
department, who gave a demonstration on
self-defense. Bullard's witty remarks drew
''laughter from the crowd as he urged the
to react to an attacker in anger in-
of fear and demonstrated the various
.'techniques which could be used. Later he
^
offered a book which he had written e.x-
plaining in detail ways to protect oneself so
as not to lose the freedom of driving and
walking in safety on the city streets. Bullard
appears at speaking engagements
the midsouth.
New WOMPI officers elected for 1978-
79 are Evelyn Rushing, president; Diana
Anderson, vice president; Bonnie Steward,
secretary, and Lois Evans, treasurer. Time
for the installation banquet will be announced
later.
On April 15, Arendall Enterprises moved
to a new location. The new address is P. O.
Box 27336, Overton Crossing, Memphis,
3S127, phone 353-4100.
Jack Braunagel of Hot Springs, Ark., has
leased the Dixie Drive-In, West Helena,
.Ark. to Gene Boggs of Hot Springs, as of
April 4.
Larry Vinson of Tri-State Theatre Service
has advised that the Southgate Twin Cine-
: ni.i opened in Memphis on Thursday (4).
Other theatres reopening are City Theatre,
Junction City, Ark., and Sunset Drive-In,
Martin, Tenn.
Clarence McDaniels has reopened the
Skyway Drive-In, Princeton, Ky., and
George Lackey informs us that he has openthe
Starlite Drive-In at Kosciusko, Miss.
NEW ORLEANS
\A7cdncsday (3) was Sun Day across the
nation, but it turned into "Rain Day"
for the city of New Orleans and suburban
areas. Torrential rains poured from the skies
flooding streets and homes. Telephone and
transit service was interrupted. Schools closed
and the Orpheum and Loews State Theatres
in the Canal Street area (an appropriate
name Wednesday!) were unable to open.
Downtown skyscrapers were oases in a big
lake for thousands of shoppers and workers
who were unable to leave until the water
had subsided late in the evening. Many
waded thru knee-deep water after being
forced to abandon their cars and on arriving
home found their homes flooded.
The regular monthly meeting of LOV
was held Wednesday (10) at Grace Prayer's
home. Final plans for the style show to be
held in the fall were discussed, as well as
plans for raising money for the Variety
Children. The monthly luncheon and bingo
will be held Wednesday (24) at the Red
Onion restaurant. At the April luncheon
thirteen new ladies were signed up as new
members.
Welcome to the new branch manager at
Buena Vista. Richard Salkin. Dick is from
New York but he is familiar with New
Orleans, having graduated from Tulane University.
He was formerly with National
Screen and Buena Vista, Cherry Hill,
N.J.
Helen Pabst, a retiree of Buena Vista, is
enjoying her leisure time travelling.
TIPS Acquires Adventure
Films for Summer Release
ATLANTA—The International Picture
Show (TIPS), an Atlanta-based company,
which has a runaway boxoffice hit with its
first release "The Billion Dollar Hobo,"
owns two adventure motion pictures they
plan to release this summer.
The films are "Where Time Began,"
based on Jules Verne's "Journey to the Center
of the Earth," and "Land of No Return,"
starring William Shatner and Mel Torme.
Both of these features already have been
given G ratings, indicating that TIPs officials
were not kidding when they announced
that the company intended to specialize in
family-oriented pictures.
"Journey to the Center of the Earth" was
the subject of a 1959 picture starring Pat
Boone and James Mason, and the new version
stars Kenneth More, a stalwart hero of
countless British film epics.
"Land of No Return" is described as a
MERCHANT ADSSPECIAL TRAILERS
Trailerettes-Daters
COLOR—BLACK & WHITE
PARROT FILMS, INC.
P.O. BOX 541
•
DES MOINES. IOWA 50302
PHONE (515 288-1122
rescue stoi7 involving Torme as an animal
trainer whose plane crashes in the Rockies.
His partner, Shatner, leads the dangerous
search for the wreckage. The film was photographed
in the rugged country around
Salt Lake City. Both pictures will be released
this summer .according to TIPS officials.
Meanwhile production continues in Atlanta
and vicinity on "They Went That Way
and That Way." a comedy starring Tim
Conway and Chuck McCann. In addition
to using Atlanta as its base of operations,
TIPS has hired many Atlantans to take part
in the production. Twenty of the 30 speaking
roles and all of the 150 extras are local
residents, as is executive producer Lloyd
Adams, producer Lang Elliott and associate
producer Wanda Dell.
On April 22 Conway and members of the
"That Way" cast made personal appearances
at the Trapp Community School in
nearby Powder Springs to accept the keys
to the city from the mayor. Powder Springs
is one of the locations being used in the
film.
Sanrio Films Children
At 'Mouse and His Child'
TAMPA, FLA.—Sanrio Productions put
a new angle on promotion for its current
release, "The Mouse and His Child." filming
young filmgoers in the Tampa. St.
Petersburg and Clearwater areas. The film
crew and Sanrio representatives toured the
area with Les Caulfield. assistant manager
of American Multi Cinema's Varsity 6 theatres,
as their guide. Included in the tour
were AMC's Horizon Park 4. Varsity 6,
Countryside 6 and Tyrone 6 theatres.
Some of the children were disappointed to
find the film would be shown only in Japan.
Said one little girl. "But I don't think our
TV will pick up that far."
Mgr. Trainees at Circle
GREENSBORO. N. C—Don Emmert,
manager of American Multi Cinema's Circle
6 theatres, welcomes two manager trainees.
John Bailey has a BA in history from St.
Edwards University, Austin, Tex. Jim Kappus
is married and has a BS degree in business
administration from the University of
North Carolina.
THEATRE
DRIVE-IN
SCREENS
'T/ie Qiialily Tourer that never
has had to be replaced."
* • *
GENE TAYLOR
& D Fabrication
and Erection Co.
Post Office Box 3524
Shownee, Kansos 66203
913-631-9695
BOXOFTICE May 15, 1978 SE-7

MCA-Univ. Special
Brings 'FM' to TV
UNIVERSAL CITY—Martin Mull, one
of the stars of Universal's "FM," hosted a
30-minute TV special which aired nationally
to coincide with the film's release Friday.
April 28.
Entitled " 'FM': Comin' .At You At the
.Speed of Sound." the MC.'\ TV/ Universal
TV special also featured Michael Brandon.
Eileen Brennan. Cleavon Little and Cassie
Yates, who star in "FM" with Mull.
Included in the special were sequences
with Linda Ronstadt and Jimmy Buffett.
who make live concert appearances in
"FM," and portions of filmed performances
hy Queen, the Doobie Brothers, Billy Joel
and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
Steeley Dan was heard singing the film's
title
song.
•
'FM: Comin" At You at the Speed of
Sound" was directed by Jack Regas and
written by Bruce Vilanch. Lee Miller produced
and George Crosby was associate
producer.
John A. Alonzo directed "FM" from a
screenplay by Ezra Sacks. Rand Holston
produced and Robert Larson co-produced.
Grenade Explodes in Cinema
ZAMBOANGA—A grenade exploded inside
a packed cinema in this port city, in
the Philippines, some 500 miles south of
Manila, killing two persons and injuring at
least 46 others. It was the second grenade
blast in the region within two days.
Freed Filmmaking Seminar
Slated for San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO—For the first time
in Northern California. Hollywood producer,
writer and director Herb Freed will conduct
his course on the hows and whys of
getting into the motion picture business.
This comprehensive seminar, "The Business
of Making Movies," will be held Saturday
(13) and Saturday (20), at the Golden Gateway
Holiday Inn. Van Ness at Pine Streets.
San Francisco, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The course, which Freed has been presenting
in Southern California for more
than a year, is a hard-nosed, business-oriented
approach to getting a film made and
distributed profitably. It was designed primarily
for potential investors, producers and
filmmakers and the lawyers, bankers and
accoimtants who advise them.
Cost of the two-day seminar is $250. A
$50 deposit is required for registration with
the remainder due Saturday (13).
To obtain more information and a seminar
syllabus, call (415) 431-8528 or write
Seminar on Independent Production, 1424
North Crescent Heights Blvd.. Los Angeles,
Calif. 90046.
Topics covered by Freed include an introduction
to independent production, what
to do first, how much money it will take,
wise investment practices, upside potential
and downside risk, financing, packaging
and distribution.
Newsweek selected Herb Freed as one of
the outstanding young .-American directors
and included him in its international edition
on "The New Directors." Hollywood veteran
Dore Schary referred to Freed as one
of the most exciting and innovative young
filmmakers of our time.
Freed's latest film. "Haunts," which he
directed, co-produced and co-authored, was
independently produced and has just gone
into general release. He recently completed
a script. "Tea for Three," which will star
and be directed by Tony Curtis. His next
film, "Maya," an action-adventure film, is
scheduled to go into production in Central
America later this year.
Hong Kong Youth Learning
Distribution Ins and Outs
JACKSONVILLE—Half a world away
from his home in Hong Kong is Willie Tan,
a 23-year-old Chinese engaged in the selling
and distribution of kung fu motion pictures
produced in the Orient by his father Sui-
Lin Tan. who is also an ocean shipping
tycoon in the far east, and by other producing
companies in Hong Kong.
The elder Tan produces under the name
of L and T Films and is the largest producer
of kung fu pictures in the world. The
films are sold and distributed under the
name of Ark, Inc., here and abroad.
The young Tan is in Jacksonville to become
an employee of Clark Film in order to
study and learn American sales and distribution
techniques from Harry and Belton
Clark. Clark Films is reputed to be among
the more successful U. S. firms in the marketing
of low-budgeted screen product from
independent sources of competition with the
big film distributors. He came to Jacksonville
from Guam.
Young Willie Tan lifts himself out of the
stereotyped image of an "inscrutible Oriental"
by means of the ready smile which
emerges from under his dark hair and his
saffron
face smooth with youth. His arrival
in town was first noted in the Jacksonville
column of Boxoffice April 3. Charles
Brock, entertainment editor of the Florida
Times-Union, followed it up Thursday (4)
with a fine interview story, but with no
mention of Tan's mentors at Clark Films.
The energetic Hong Konger is doubling
up in business administration courses at the
University of North Florida here in order
to better prepare himself to deal with American
film wheelers and dealers.
Avco Embassy Gets Rights
To 'Go Tell the Spartans'
HOLLYWOOD—Avco Embassy Pictures
has acquired distribution rights in the U.S.
and Canada to "Go Tell the Spartans,"
starring Burt Lancaster, The film tells the
story of a group of American soldiers during
the early days of the Vietnam conflict.
The screenplay was written by Wendell
Mayes, who also wrote "The Poseidon Adventure"
and "Death Wish." Ted Post directed
and Allan F. Bodoh and Mitchell
Cannold produced.
Westerling 'Challenged'
By AMC Incentive Plan
BOCA RATON. FLA.—As manager o
the Boca Mall 6 theatres. Dick Westerlini
finds the different incentive programs of
fered by American Multi Cinema create ;
competitive and challenging atmosphere fo
himself and other theatre managers as well
He also believes the support and involve
mcnt shown by executives throughout thi
company tend to create a unity of operatioi
not found in many large companies today.
Dick joined AMC in April 1975 as at
assistant manager of the Daytona 6 thea
tres, but his stay there was short. He wa;
transferred after four months to the Boc£
Mall 6, and in February 1976 he was reas
signed to Tyrone 6 theatres as an assistan
manager.
The year and four months he served then
were influential in forming a strong back
ground of experience. This he carried to th«
Boca Mall 6 where he became manager ir
May 1977.
Dick was born in Erie. Pa., but was raisec
in Daytona Beach. Fla. He earned a BS ir
mass communicatons from Florida State
University, Tallahassee. Tennis, golf anc
fishing are sports enjoyed by Dick and his
wife Nancy in their spare time.
Ex-Con's Delinquency Film
Is Finalist at NEF Festival
LOS ANGELES — "The Project Awar«
Presentation," a 30-minutc film producec
by an ex-felon, which deals with the problems
of juvenile delinquency, has beei
named a finalist in the human relations cate
gory of the 1978 National Educational Filn
Festival in Oakland, Calif.
The festival is the foremost educationa
film-judging contest in the nation. It brings
the best available educational films to th<
attention of educators, audio visual administrators,
purchasers of educational films,
students and the general public.
"The Project Aware Presentation" features
Dave Crawford, a former convict,
addressing a group of high school students
about the consequences of, and alternatives
to, a life of crime.
The film is one of several finalists in the
festival's human relations category, which
includes works that illustrate, motivate op
inspire understanding among people.
Project Aware is a non-profit organizai
tion aimed at reducing the growing rate of
juvenile crime and the high recidivism (repeat
offenders) rate of delinquent youth.
The film is available for purchase or rent to
civic, law enforcement, educational and business
organizations. A large amount of the
film's earnings will be rc-invested in th©
activities of Project Aware.
Project Aware, founded in 1972 by Crawford
as he served time in Terre Haute, Ind.,
federal penitentiary, began as a series of rap
sessions between inmates and youths. Under
the guidance of the recently-paroled
Crawford, the program has expanded across
the nation with impressive results.
Peter Donat is a featured player in Avco
Embassy's "A Different Story."
SE-8
BOXOmCE :: May 15. 1978

'"I
b-iculminate with a Gotham shopping exf)edi-
tion upon their return. Jennifer Kylander.
e.jsecretary to Paramount Branch Manager
ji
, and
1
Mary
. . Forrie
MINNEAPOLIS
Jfenneth Newberl, currently
Columbia Pictures
branch manager here, will be departing
that post June 1 to assume a similar
position at Columbia's Denver branch. Newbert.
who took over the Minneapolis office
a year or so ago following the death of Bill
Wood, will be in charge of the Denver and
Salt Lake City areas. He will be succeeded
by Jack Ignatowicz. currently branch salesman
and a member of the local crew for
the past eight years. "I really hate to leave
tho Twin Cities area." Newbert told Boxoffice.
"Minneapolis and St. Paul are fantastic
places to live and I've really loved it."
Ken Anderson, manager of the Plitt Norstar
Theatre, downtown St. Paul, has been
shifted to the Plitt Valli-Hi Drive-in there for
the summer. Mark Schmitz has taken over
managerial duties at the Norstar. Anderson,
who once weighed in at close to 300 pounds,
ihas shed some 70 pounds in Weight Watchdiers
sessions "and I'm far from through!"
Dick Maiek, Warner Bros, branch boss,
j|accompanied his 9-year-old son, Richy,
'[who's a member of Indian Guides, on a
'Vamping-out trip in the Amery. Wis., area.
Kay Nebel, formerly of the Buena
. jVista and United Artists branches, married
iBruce Harrington in Shell Lake. Wis. The
couple left on a honeymoon that carried
[fthem to New York City, from whence they
;i!departed on a Caribbean cruise. That will
ujForrie Myers, was serving champagne at the
iwedding party—and tripped over someone's
jiipurse. She showed up for work as part of
jjthe "walking wounded." her ankle twisted,
her back wrenched.
Loma Hamit, Paramount branch contract
clerk and her sister Heidi Hamit, took Jennifer
Kylander and Jean Weingartz. General
^Cinema offices, to Mr. Nibs, a local water-
•'ing spot where a band called Montana Starr
I',
was appearing. The other gals told the band
'- it was Jean's birthday (it wasn't) and it was
decided that this entitled her to a kiss from
1'
every member in the band, described by the
' Filnirowites as "cute." That's the way they
" do it up here in the Northland!
The Spring Valley Drive-in, Spring Valley,
y Minn., has changed hands. Bill Loftus sold
the operation to Mrs. Frances M. Strain
her son. J. Harper Strain . . . The Stardusk
Drive-in, Superior, Wis., also has a
new owner. R. A. Paine purchased the situaiion
Irom Jack Musich.
.
Filmrow visitors: Charles Steuerwakl.
State Theatre, Huron, S.D.: Ken Brandhagen.
Cavalier. N.D. Myers.
Paramount branch boss, has two films out
for offers. "Death on the Nile," an Agatha
Christie mystery cut in the mold of "Murder
on the Orient Express," is available Steplember
29. Bette Davis, Mia Farrow, Angela
Lansbury, David Niven, Maggie Smith,
Olivia Hussey and Peter Ustinov head up the
cast. And Jack Nicholson's "Goin South" is
available for October 6.
'Coming Home' High
In Twin Cities Bow
MINNEAPOLIS—A half-dozen fresh
ar-
bucked beckoning spring weather and
rivals
there was a wide range of action as a result.
"Coming Home" homed in on a sturdy 320
in its bow at the Cooper Cameo Theatre.
But "Claws" couldn't afford a manicure
with the feeble 50 it scraped up at seven
situations. "F.I.S.T." was a disappointing
120 across a trio of screens, that old
"Rocky" magic not working this time.
"FM" was not well-received, and it tuned in
on an 85 in three situations. "Thunder and
Lightning" made little of either ingredient
at the ticket wickets in an 11 -screen spread
and came in a tranquil 70. "I Wanna Hold
your Hand" was not "Hold"-over material,
limping in with a mere 60 at the Skyway
II Theatre.
Only a few of the long-runners were still
potent. "An Unmarried Woman" was a
single-blissful 300 in its third week at the
Skyway III. "House Calls " was still finding
appreciative audiences and scored a 135 in
its seventh tally. "Star Wars," soon to have
its first-year birthday party at the Park, observed
Week No. 49 with a sassy 190.
(Average Is 100)
Brookdale, Movies at Burnsville House Calls
(Univ). 7th wk 135
Brookdale, Soulhdale Saturday Night Fever
(Para). 20th wk 9S
Cooper—High Anxiety (20;h-Fox) 13th wl IIS
Cooper Cameo—Coming Home (UA) 3^0
Edina 1—The Lacemaker (SR), 3-d wk 55
-Thunder and Lightmng
The Fury (20th-Fox), 7th wk
Movies at Eden Praine— Return 1
Mountain (BV). 7th wk
Park Star Wars (20th-Fox), 49th
Sevc-n theatres—Clows (SR)
Skyway I—The Goodbye Gir WB)
Skyway II—I Wanna Hold Your Hand
Skyway III—An Unmarried Womon (?0*^
3rd wk
Three theatres-Coach (SR) 3-d vk
Three theatres—F.I.S.T. (UA)
Three theatres—FM (Un.v)
Three theatres—Rabbit Test (Emb) 3-d
World—The Turning Point (20th-Fox), 19
Design — Sales
Installafion — Service
6- en^a
DES MOINES
Qary Lampc. United Artists, took a week's
vacation but stayed home to rest . . .
Irwin Dubinsky was in town to visit the
Des Moines offices of Dubinsky Bros. . .
.
Visiting film exchanges were Byron Hopkins
of Bellevue and Jack and Terry March
of
March Theatres.
Iowa U.S. Senate candidate Roger Jepsen
called for recognition of John Wayne's
birthplace Winterset. Iowa as a National
in
Historic site. This was done after Wayne
left Massachusetts General Hospital following
open-heart surgery three weeks ago. The
70-yeai-old Wayne, leaving in a limousine,
told reporters, "I feel great, 1 couldn't feel
better. I feel like a new man, that's all I
know. It's a wonderful feeling." Jepsen called
Wayne "as American as apple pie."
Tic Toe Theatre for Sale
WHAT CHEER. IOWA— It's the sign of
the times it seems that the owners, Mr. and
Mrs. Richard Fritz of North English, recently
announced the closing of the Tic Toe
Theatre. It has been listed with a realtor for
sale.
The theatre, which opened March 12,
1948. first showed "Cynthia." starring Elizabeth
Taylor and George Murphy. The Patriot-Chronicle
of What Cheer reports the
final show to appear on the silver screen
before closing was "Murder bv Death."
'Nalemba' Wins 3 Awards
OMAHA— "Walking to Nalemba," produced
by this city's C-P Films Inc.. won the
Firalist award of the Infoimation Film Producers
of America, the Creative Excellence
award at the U.S. Industrial Film Festival
and the CHRIS plaque at the Columbus
Film Festival. C-P is both a production and
distribution companv and filmed "Nalemba"
for the Columban Fathers.
CUVERAMA IS EV SHOW
BUSUVESS iX HAWAII T(N>,
WTicn you come to Waikiki,
don't miss the famous Don II
Show ... at Cinerama's
Reef Towers Hotel. f
5^»t«'"*'
^ilC'
P.O. Box 16036
Minneapolis, Minn. 55416
(612) 920-2910
BOXOFFICE :: May 15. 1978

. . . (however)
MILWAUKEE
^ijarge Ondrejka, local branch manager tor
20th Ccntur\-Fox. hosted a special trade
showing of "The Driver," starring Ryan
ONeal and Bruce Dern. on Friday (5) at
the Centre Screening Room. 212 W. Wisconsin
Ave. The R-ratcd chase-picture,
which becomes a tense match of guile and
guts between the top "wheel man" (O'Neal)
and the detective (Dern) who is determined
to nail him. was viewed by a nearly capacity
house. The consensus of opinion; "Wow.
what driving . . . this tops all other chase
pictures." And several wondered out loud
about the photography: "How can cameramen
keep up with that kind of action?"
A full pajje ad in The Sunday Journal announces—all
new— "Jaws 2." It's slated to
start June 16 at Brookfield Square. Giant
41 Twin and Northtown Cinemas. There is
an accompanying warning to this PG-rater:
"may be too intense for younger children."
When the Playboy Resort and Country
Club at Lake Geneva had its 10th anniversary
celebration in mid-May. a benefit
show starring screen personalities Bill Cosby.
Mel Torme and James Darren had
tickets priced at $25 in advance and $30 at
the door—with part of the proceeds going
to Variety Club's Wisconsin Tent 14. In the
ten years since it
has opened. Playboy hired
an estimated 2.500 bunnies and so far about
500 have signified interest in the first Bunny
Reunion Day also in May.
Swap-O-Raina (Flea Market) had its
a.m. to 2 p.m. The display ad in a local
daily can also be used as a coupon "good
for one free visitor's admission any Sunday."
15 Outdoor at I45lh & National and 59
Outdoor, east side of Waukesha, both also
have Flea Markets every Sunday from 9
a.m. to 4 p.m.
A film that will help attract convention
business and which can be used by local
industry and business to attract new clients
as well as management personnel— this is
what Milwauk.c County, the Metropolitan
Milwaukee Ass'n of Commerce, and the Milwaukee
Convention and Visitors Bureau
had in mind.
Local moviemaker. Moyniham .Associates,
was engaged (with the county contributing
S25.00d) ui the making of the film entitled
.Milwaukee. The Well-Kept Secret." This
1 5- minute film had a premiere screening
and the producer. Paul Moyniham. was
present to explain that "our goal was to
show Milwaukee as an exciting, sophisticated
and very alive community."
One local media critic -stated: "This is a
film that really tells the Milwaukee story
neighborhood scenes of
homes, condominiums and other Tving quarters
are absent." Another newspaper critic
says: "There is nothing new. nothing exciting
done with the film ... it just doesn't
say "Milwaukee' and it doesn't capture the
excitement or really good things about
THIS city. If it wasn't for the narration
and a few landmarks here and there, it
could be a film about Anycity. U.S.A.
Somehow, that doesn't seem to have been
thj point of the project."
A good-sized photo printed at the top of
a page in the Delevan Enterprise recently
shewed the Delevan Theatre ""getting a facelift."
The photo caption expla'ned: "Workmen
have been refurbishing the inside for
over a week to change the old single screen
theatre into a twin. The work is expected
to be completed in about four weeks."
Meanwhile, for more than a month now,
local newspapers have carried the theatre's
spiing reopening on Sunday (7) at the Starlite
Drive-In on North Fond du Lac Ave-
New Twin,"
teaser ads saying: "Watch for re-opening of
nue just outside Menomonee Falls. This
Acting
market, where
Governor Martin Sehreiber of Wisconsin
has signed a bill prohibiting
locals can buy. sell, swap,
trade
OLitdoor
or haggle, is open every Sunday. 7
theatres from showing hard core sex flicks
when the screen can be seen outside the
premises. Touchng on this in front page
a
editorial under the title "Reasonable Limits
on Dirty Films at Drive-Ins," the Journal
said: "There's a bit of good news from the
Capitol for parents who worry about what
their children may be seeing over the fence
of a drive-in movie. Under a bill signed the
other day by Acting Gov. Sehreiber. theatres
will not be allowed to show hard core
^^^MfARH FILMACK'S 1978 INSPIRATION CATALOG
|

Wis., gives up movies for an evening to permi;
the theatre's use by the Ass'n for Mental
Health in Washburn County which presents
a Spring Variety Stage Show. "Firsts"
this year included a newly organized band
called "Touch of Class." also "The Over thj
Hill Gang." and a new all-male chorus.
Shelly Kliman is owner and operator of the
Palace.
Chilton Cinema 1 hi Chilton. Wis., advertises
itself as "the small town movie theatre
with the big town movies." Recently,
it had special matinees on Saturday and
Sunday during the showing of "The Bad
News Bears" and "Bad News Beats in
Training" with all seats going at $1.25. In
addition, a free T-shirt was given away
each day plus "Bad News Bears" shirts in
sizes 6-16 (regular price $3.50) were placed
on sale during showtime for only $2.50.
When the Eagle River Outdoor Theatre
was set to re-open recently, theatre manager
Steve Lind announced that the parking
area had been "plowed out" and was
now in good shape. Gates open at 7:15
with the show starting at 8 p.m.
Scotsland Cinemas on Hy 67 near Oconomowoc
announced in its local newspaper
display ad that "group showings of 'Romeo
and Juliet" are available to teachers, call
567-6968 evenings."
S3 Auto Vu (Garisch Theatre) located on
Hy 53 near Rice Lake announces: "Watch
for our new modern screen at the 53 Auto
Vu." It is presently operating on weekends
only.
Dreyfuss Tackles NBC's
'Saturday Night Live'
NEW YORK— Richard Dreyfuss. whose
portrayal of a struggling actor in Neil Simon's
romantic comedy "The Goodbye
Girl" earned him the Best Actor award.
was the host of "NBC's Saturday Night
Live" Saturday (13). He joined the show's
regulars, the Not Ready for Prime Time
Players, and a musical guest to be announced.
Dreyfuss made his first appearance on
the Emmy Award-winning program which.
in its third season, is enjoying its best ratings
to date.
Prior to his Oscar-winning performance.
the New 'Vork-born Dreyfuss achieved star
recognition in "American Graffiti," "The
Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz" and the
boxoffice smashes "Jaws" and "Close Encounters
of the Third Kind." Other films
include the "The "Voimg Runaways" and
inserts."
Dreyfuss most recently produced and is
Joe Baltake Blasts
Media Coverage of
PHILADELPHIA — In strong terms,
newspaperman Joe Baltake. movie critic
fo,- the Philadelphia Daily News, blasted
the local newspapers by name for not giving
motion pictures the same kind of press coverage
given to sports. As a result, he
charged, Philadelphia has lost out as a major
movie market. "Why,"" asked Baltake in
his by-lined aiticle appearing on the editorial
page of the Daily News April 27. "should
a city that has the appearance of being culturally
enriched and sophisticated be so out
of sync with its peers (Los Angeles, New
"Vork, Chicago, Boston, Detroit)"?""
Baltake. who has earned the
sobriquet of
"the passionate moviegoer"" among his peers,
said that movies everywhere are fighting a
battle for survival in competition from TV
and restrictions from "the blasted rating system."
But Philadelphia exhibitors are up
against an additional force—sports, which
get wide press coverage. The city"s newest
daily newspaper, the Philadelphia Journal,
not mentioned by Baltake, devotes half of
its pages to sports coverage. The Canadian
publisher of the Journal said he selected
Philadelphia for his ventur.- because of the
sports oriented public here.
Baltake charged that while sports, along
with hard news and TV coverage, are given
top priority by the newspaper, the excuse
being that "we're giving the people what
they want," the movie critic said the newspapers
also have a responsibility of educating
the public. "Our city will never be
a major arts market if the media continues
to resist inspiring some enthusiasm for the
Baltake said.
arts,"
While movies such as "Star Wars."
"Rocky" and "Saturday Night Fever" have
done landslde business in Philadelphia, Baltake
noted the films did well everywhere.
"But other films— films like 'Julia.' 'Out-
Philadelphia's
Movie Industry
New "Vork City can account for
15 per cent
of the movie's coimtrywide gross, Philadelphia
is likely to come up with only about
5 per cent. "If you want more tangible
proof of our city"s preference of sports over
movies," he wrote, "lake a walk to the
southeast corner of 19th and Market Sts.
You'll find that the New World Theatre is
now the Center City Sports Club—a sign
of the times here."
Baltake charged that Philadelphia will
ne\er be a major market for motion pictures
and the legitimate stage as well if the media
continues on its current course.
"Really," he concluded, "have you ever
tried mustering up enthusiasm from the indifferent
arts coverage in the Sunday entertainment
sections of the Bulletin and inquirer?
Don't the newspaper honchos here
read their entertainment sections'? Can't they
see that something's wrong? Chances are, if
the press continues to endorse only blatancy
(whether it be a hockey game or the disco
scene), people might even stop 'reading'.
Then where will we be?
"Even if our tendency towards the crude
and the insensitive is only temporary, it
could be enough to destroy movies in Philadelphia."
Herbie the Love Bug Makes
A Personal Appearance
EMPORIA. KAS.— Herbie. the lovable
Volkswagen, made a personal appearance at
the Flint Hills Shopping Center to herald
"Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo " at Commonwealth's
Petite Twin theatres.
Complete with racing stripes and a big
"53" on the sidjs and hood, the car was
promoted by the Emporia Music Center.
Those wishing to guess the number of balloons
inside the VW were given a pass to
rageous!' and 'Crial'—didn't attract the kind the picture. Those asking for a demonstration
of the Lowrey organ were given a
of lines here that they did elsewhere."
Baltake further pointed out that while Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo game.
COMING SOON
si.nring in Un'versal's "The Big Fix." ;i
sior\ about a private investigator named
.\Kiscs Wine who lakes on a most unusual
.isMynment.
He currently is appearing as Cas^'us in
Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar" at the Brooklyn
Academy of Music. On TV he has had
roles in such series as "The Big Vallev,"
Room 222.'" "The Bold Ones,"" ""Judd ior
the Defense"" and "Mod Squad."'
DISTRIBUTED By J.M.G. FILM COMPANY
BOXOmCE :: May 15. 1978

Carl Brownfield Parlays a $700 Tax
Refund into Minnesota Mini-Circuit
ISLE. MINN.—.An envelope from John
Rohr. Marlow Theatre in Pine River, contained
an article on exhibition by Larry Simons
of the Mille Lacs Messenger. To the
tory. John appended a noli containing the
following postscript: "These theatres are
quite som; distance from me. but what he
has revealed to the public is how it is for
every small town." This is the release that
drtw that comment from one who knows:
"I started into the theatre business with
a $700 income tax refund. I fell into the
business, more or less. A friend offered to
lease a theatre to m; and I took the chance,"
said Carl Brownfield, owner of the Arrowhead
Theatre in Onamia. a former production
control supervisor in a sheet metal
company.
That falling into a business now involves
owning and operating three theatres: one
in Elk River, another in Milaca and the
third in Onamia.
Brownfield began in the business about
foiu and a half years ago. Two years ago
Carl purchased the Onamia theatre.
Supply Popular Demand
"I built the business by running a clean
theatre and by showing movies people wanted
to see. I grew because I continually put
the profits back into the business," Carl
said.
Carl maintains that offering the style and
type of movie popular in a given area helps
the business and allows people to see what
they want to see.
"Each area is different. The people in the
Onam'a area like action-adventure, comedy,
sexy love stories and Walt Disney movies,
that order.
something may be offensive and parents
in
"What an audience wants is extablished should know the contents of the film.
by the adults. The baby boom is over. Most
now
An R rating means the movie has some
attending movies are adults," Brown-
offensive material like language, sex or vio-
field
said.
Selection is
a matter of getting hits scheduled
as early as possible and other shows are
filled into a schedule.
Screens Films First
"I screen nearly every film before I book
it.' Carl said, "that way I know what it is
about and I can answer questions about
the rating or the subject matter."
The availabilty of films and when they
can be shown is most often dependent on
the number of prints made of a film.
"A certain number of prints are made of
a film when it is released based on how
popular the movie is thought to be. First
prints are available to large cities and smaller
cities like Onamia have to wait because
numbers means sales and more sales are
available in more densely populated areas."
Brownfield said.
Smaller theaters offer varie^y that isn't
available in large towns Brownfield informed.
"Large cities play about 12 movies a
year. That isn't much variety. At Onamia
we play eight movies a month. While an audience
is wailing for a hit they get a lot more
vaiiety without traveling to another distant
town to see a movie," he said.
Brownfield books films for his theaters
without going through a booking combine.
"I save the agents fees, but the major reason
I do it is to have more control of the
type and style of shows. I don't get better
deals," said Brownfield who has done his
own booking for about a year.
When a movie is booked a contract is
drawn up for the rental of the print. Brownfield
said that a guaranteed minimum is
charged, for instance, $50 and a certain
percentage of the salaries added. Warner
Brothers Studios get a $100 guarantee.
The minimum is paid before the film is
rented and the percentage is paid for after
the show.
'The percentage is based on a sliding
scale, the more business or viewers the larger
th,; percentage. It can range from 35% to
90% like "Star Wars," Carl said.
Establishing Ratings Difficult
All movies are rated, not to determine
they are good or bad, but to give some
if
indication about offensive content.
"It's difficult to establish standards for
the whole country. What is offensive may
be nothing to someone else. The ratings include
sex, language, violence, corruption,
bigotry, and any number of other things
which may be offensive to some people,"
Carl said.
Movies are rated G which suggest that
the content of the film is not offensive to
any sizable group. PG rating means parental
guidance is suggested. That means
lence. Viewers under the age of 17 must be
accompanied by an adult.
Burden on Public
The X rating means no one under 18 is
admitted. "If we have questions about age
we check ID's. that's the law. On R rated
films if there is a question I check, otherwise,
if someone looks to be 17 1 let them
in. I don't censor. Parents ought to know
where their children are. If they want to
send them they take the responsibility. If
they don't know their child is attending an
R rated movie that isn't my fault if they
don't know where they are," Carl said.
Brownfield said that the Motion Picture
Guild is considering giving an explanation
of the PG and R ratings so a viewer will
know what is offensive.
"Ihe ads for movies arc announcements.
They are not designed to entice anyone to
see something they don't want to see. If
there is any question about the ratings people
should read about the film or call. No
one has to see a film without knowing what
it is about unless they want to." Carl said.
"Something people don't know about
fihns is interesting material. For example,
the proceeds from 'Star Wars' was used to
buy Coca-Cola. U.S.A. That tells you something
about the amount of money that was
miide from that picture. The problem is that
the small theatres get raped—90% of the
gross plus rental is a lot of money!." Carl
said
Recently Brownfield testified at a Justice
Department Grand Jury hearing in New
York to investigate practices of percentage
takes and possible monopolies within the
motion picture industry.
"The hearing was called because of complaints,
especially as they releated to "Star
Wars.' Four that I know of from the state
testified. They asked what specifically had
been done to me. said to me or enacted in
a contract. I don't know what the outcome
will be. I haven't heard anything," Carl said.
"Some movies 1 won't book because of
the percentage practice and if we are told
when to play the movie," Brownfield said.
"Movies are still the cheapest entertainment.
People are getting tired of sitting in
front of a T.V. Some people haven't gone to
a movie for ten years and all of a sudden
they realize how good the entertainment is
and they become regular customers. Movies
have a lot to offer," Carl said.
Leon Altz Becomes Adult
Film Ass'n Vice-President
CHICAGO — Leon Altz, Chicago Pix
Booking Service general manager, was elected
Ihe Midwest vice-president of the Adult
Film Ass'n of America at a recent meeting
held at the Waldorf Astoria in New York
City. Altz expressed his appreciation to
those producers who showed faith during
the formative period of CPBS and gave
thanks to those who recently have joined the
CPBS family.
Recently distributed by Chicago Pix were
such new top-grossing releases as "Seven
Into Snowy." "Chorus Call," "Do You Wanna
Be Loved," "China DeSade," "Cadillac
Named Desire," "Babyface," "Adventures
of Casanova" and "Velvet Tongue."
Altz expects a banner year with such
boxoffice draws as "Inside Jennifer Wells,"
"Sex World," "From Holly With Love."
"Fantastic Orgy." "Teddy Bear," "Take
Off," "Maraschino Cherry." "Joy," "Little
Me and Maria Strangelove," "Anna Obsessed,"
"Health Spa."^ "Black Silk Stockings,"
"Candy Stripers" and loads of film
kept imder wraps for holiday release.
still
Needless to say, the classics "Barbara
Broadcast," "Misty Beethoven," "Behind
the Green Door," "Autobiography of a
Flea," "Story of Joanna," "Odyssey,"
"Through the Looking Glass," "Naked
Came the Stranger" and the like are still
generating big dollars at the boxoffice.
The formula for success, according to
Altz, is that the producers are now aware
that the adult film audience is much more
sophisticated and expect better story Hnes
and better production. The exhibitors are
learning that the better-managed houses,
kept in immaculate condtion and conclusive
to mature adult couples, will draw the largest
attendance.
NC-4 BOXOmCE :: May 15, 1978

I
I
great
I Just
I
V
LETTERS
iDear Sirs:
a few notes from a town with no
Itheatre, Munising, Mich. The nearest theajtre
is 45 miles away in Marquette.
I am happy to say that movies are better
than ever, and that most people are getting
tired of watching the tube all the time. "The
Bad News Bears" played at Mather High
School here to a crowd of 425 for one showing
only. That seems to show that there is a
deal of interest in films here.
Sunn Classic Pictures seems to be responding
to the needs of theatre-less areas
such as Mimising. Recently they distributed
la print of "The L'ncoln Conspiracy" in
16mm so that it could be shown in non-theiatrical
locations. They will be doing the
same with "The Bermuda Triangle" when
it is released next January. With these
16mm prints becoming increasingly availjble,
good motion pictures are now being
seen in "handicapped" areas such as Muniing.
If other distributors would get on the
)andwagon and distribute 16mm films in
hese areas, they could earn good returns.
Of course it's much easier to see a film in
Dne's hometown than it is to drive 45-60
niles to see it. 16mm would make this more
jossible and with fewer heartaches.
I have been a motion picture nut all my
ife but have never gotten into the business
vith both feet. I would love to find somc-
)ne in the theatre industry who would back
small theatre here in Munising. It would
0. and the time is ripe!
Sincerely vours.
Paul E. Peoskv
^4a^athon Raises MS Funds
LANSING. MICH.—Management and
of American Multi Cinema's Meridian
tafi
lasf 4 were instrumental in raising $150
or multiple sclerosis with a dance marathon
IS the principal event. Manager Jim Quear
looperated with a fraternity at Michigan
itate
University which sponsored the event.
The theatre donated passes and WFMK
'adio carried the announcement that any-
>ne donating $5 or more would receive the
ree passes.
Ada Harris Recuperating
ASHLAND, OHIO—Ada Harris, manigcr
of Ashland's Mid Town cinemas, is re-
.'uperating at her home following an extendd
hospital stay after major surgery. Mrs.
Harris, who also formerly managed Ashand\
Capitol Theatre, has been with Mid
.latcs since 1961.
New Falls Theatre Lights
Go Out; Future In Doubt
CUYAHOGA FALLS. OHIO — The
Greater Akron area's oldest first run film
house. Loews New Falls Theatre, which
opened in 1925. closed for good following
the final reeeling of "The Kentucky Fried
Movie" on Sunday night (7). Robert Peyak.
manager of the theatre at 2220 Front st. in
downtown Cuyahoga Falls since it was acquired
in 1968 by Loew from the old Washington
Theatre Circuit, said a steady decline
in customers spelled the end for the 53-yearold
theatre.
There arc old film houses in the Akron
area, but the New Falls was the last of its
kind to continue offering first-run films.
Herb Brown, division manager for Loews,
said a new pedestrian mall on Front Street
did not help traffic to the boxoffice in any
degree.
Though the New Falls may not show
films in the future, the 620-seat house is
being considered a "community resource"
since it is located in the city's Front and
Center urban renewal area. Charles T. Crangle.
Falls community development director,
said, "We want to encourage the theatre
as a community resource, and are considering
other uses for the property."
Theatre, Shopping Center
License Bid Is Rejected
COLUMBUS. OHIO— rhe Ohio Department
of Liquor Control has turned down
a request to transfer liquor licenses from a
downtown bar to a film complex, so that
alcoholic beverages could be served in a
second floor viewing room and in each of
the three theatres operated by Raintree Cinemas
at 2438 E. Dublin and Granville Road,
a suburban area.
The 161 North Corp. requested permiss
its
ot: to transfer liquor permits from Ty's
Bar. downtown, to the Raintree Cinemas'
address. Such a transfer would pose no problems
to police and state liquor agents if the
alcoholic beverages would be consumed only
in the second floor viewing room, but the
request was turned down because law officers
would not be able to see if liquor laws
were being violated by drinkers in the
darkened auditoriums, according to liquor
officials.
The 161 North Corp. has until Thursday
(18) to appeal the decision in Franklin
County Common Pleas Court. A similar
ruling rejecting the transefer of the corporation's
beer and wine permits was appealed
in October, 1977 and is still pending.
Three Openers Fight
Tever' in Cleveland
CLEVELAND—Three new major stud'o
releases still couldn't combine to dislodge
"Saturday Night Fev.-r" from its No. 1
throne. "Pretty Baby" did manage a 195,
"Silver Bears" hit 110 and "I Wanna Hold
Your Hand" reached 120, but "Fever" stayed
far ahead of the competition with 490.
"The Fury" slipped to 95 and "Blue Collar"
dropped to 90.
!Av.-.::^,- h !00)
Five theatres—House Calls Un-v), 5th wk 175
Five theatres—Blue Collar U-iv), Znd 90
wlc
I
Four theatres—The Goodbye Girl (V/Pi
Five theatres— Wanna Hold Your Hand (Un:v) ,1?0
18lh wk 205
Four theatres—The Fury (2fiih-Foy) •}: 95
,.
Four theatres—Pretty
One thealres
Baby (Paia!
Coma (UA), Il'h v.k
I"5
100
One theatre—Return From Wilch Mountain
5th wk, l?0
;hree theatre
18th wk
When you plan to install your Dolby system,
call the service company with the most
Dolby system experience.
TECHNICAL SERVICES CORPORATION
ASC P.O. Box 5150 • Richardson, Texas 75080 • 214-234-3270

. . and
. . Jerry
CLEVELAND
pht Cle\ eland International Film Festival
continued Wednesday and Thursday
(10-! I) with Akira Kurosawa's Academy
\\v.ird winning masterpiece. "Dersu Uzala,
The Hunter." The film was shown once each
night at the Cedar-Lee Theatre. The festival
was presented by the Cleveland Cinema
Guild with assistance from the Cleveland
,^rea Arts Council.
Lew Rateer, owner of The Montrose
Drive-In. .Akron, home again and attending
all the trade screenings at the Brainard
Place Screening Room. Lew spends a great
deal of the winter at his second home at St.
Croi.x.
Virgin Islands.
EIna Gebhardt looking forward to the
annual luncheon meeting of the Motion
Picture Council on Thursday (18) at Higbees
Department Store. The meeting will include
the election of new officers.
The Cleveland Group of Variety Club
Tent 6 anticipating the Variety Club convention
in Seattle. Washington. Those trekking
to Seattle include the Leonard Mishkinds.
General Theatres: Mollye Davis. 20th
Century-Fox the Jack Kaufmans. Cinepix;
Ernie Zeve. officer and active member of
the Club: Larry Plant, also an active participant:
and Mike Scigliano of the musicians
union.
Lets hope they have enough funds to
get there ... the group is stopping off at
Vegas for a few days prior to the convention!
Seen In the halls of the Brainard Bldg.
week. Frank Mason of General Cinema
this
who was in town to visit distributors . . .
Steve Martin, comedian, opened his show
Sunday at The Coliseum with a showing
last
of his short comedy film "The Absent-
Mindcd Waiter." . it was a Paramount
Release.
The film set the tone for the evening of
nonsense. With 11.500 seats filled, the Coli-
.seum held the largest audience Martin has
ever played before. An afternoon performance,
scheduled when the evening one sold
out. drew 8.700. so the Richfield gig was
profitable for the hottest stand-up fi;nnyman
in show business.
A surprise farewell dinner was held last
w.-ek in honor of Sharon Scott, booking department
at Universal Pictures. Sharon is
expecting her first-bom. In addition to the
dinner at Pat Joyce's, a baby shower was
also given for Sharon.
Also at Universal, Mary Lou Haupin is
the new employee in the booking department.
Mary Lou was formerly with Jack
Kaufman of Cine Pix . . . Robert Streidle,
shipper at Universal, celebrates his birthday
on Wednesday (24) . . . Condolences to Leland
Preston. Pittsburgh booker at Universal,
on the death of his father in April.
Bill Andrews, Avco Embassy booker in
Cleveland, reports that "Tempter" will open
in May at Youngstown and Steubenville,
Ohio . Koemer. AlP branch manager,
anticipating his coming films. "Winning
Season" and "High Ballin' "... Don
Buda. Warner Bros, branch manager, screened
"It Lives Again" this week at Brainard
Bldg.
COMING SOON
Jane Fonda will appear at a reception
Tuesday (16) at the Shaker Heights home of
Michael and Rena Blumberg. Mrs. Blumberg,
community relations director for
WDOK-FM and WMGC radio, has already
lined up 40 friends to cook and bake.
Lew Ayres will be at John Carroll University
with his film. "Altars of the World."
a study of religions. In World War II. he
was a conscientious objector and served as
a chaplain's assistant and medical aide . . .
Another star on the Cleveland horizon this
week is Joan Rivers who will appear on
"Morning Exchange."
Henry Mancini will compose and conduct
the score for Lorimar Productions'
"Someone Is Killing the Great Chefs of
Europe."
Film Festival Flourishes
During Its Fifth Year
ATHENS. OHIO — The Athens Inter
national Film Festival came to a climax ;
few weeks ago with the appearance of Vincente
Minelli. whose classic MGM musical;
are some of the finest of the genre. His arrival
was the high point of the world-famous
11 -day film event which provides a showcase
for young filmmakers.
Support for the festival, in its fifth year
came from some sources who originall)
scoffed at the idea that such an event coulc
take root and blossom in out-of-the-waj
Athens.
Entries were received from the U.S.. Canada
and Europe. West German director Wirr
Wenders appeared in person and scre;nec
his thriller "The American Friend."
Pictures ranged in age from 51 years ("Ar
Italian Straw Hat") to brand new films by
students and other amateurs. Minnelli classics
were screened and the director held two
workshops for interested filmmakers.
Mindlin Is Planning New
Theatre Circuit's Liquor
COLUMBUS. OHIO— B.T. Mindlin who,
with his brother and brother-in-law. owr
sevaral propetries in the Ohio State University
area, plan a multi-million doller complex
of shops, restaurants and a movie theatre
along N. High Street, between 15th
and 16th avenues, conditional on zoning
changes being approved.
The group plans to start building this fall,
with a 1980 completion date, at the latest,
if the necessary zoning changes are approved.
Mindlin estimated the cost would
be well in excess of $2,000,000.
Kid Shows Aid Toy Charity
LANSING, MICH.— Proceeds from the
weekend childrens' shows at American
Multi Cinema's Meridian 4 theatres were
presented to the U. S. Marine Corps for
its Toys for Tots program. Chet Wosko
made the presentation of the theatre-raised
funds to the manager of Wooico, which
helped sponsor the project.
Peter Donat is a featured player in Avco
Embassy's "A Different Story."
HADDENZ^
THEATRE SUPPLY COMPANY
Making Films Sound Belter
nm DOLBY SYSTEM ['^^
Noise Reduction High fidelity
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DISTRIBUTED By J.M.G. FILM COMPANY
THE ONLY DEALER
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Mav 15. 1978

ii,to speak with Phil Borack, executive proi
1
be
'
"On
i!
gamble
e
I
.
Riley's
, up
'
production
'
, utes
'PTA' Producer Hopes Hard
Work, Gamble Will Pay Off
CINCINNATI—Tony Rutherford, editor
of the Entertainer, had a chance recently
,ducer of "Harper Valley PTA." He reports:
i;
"Phil Borack rolls the dice with other
t people's money. He's a booker and buyer
*
of motion pictures—the man who in advance
tells theatre operators which films will
"hits' and which will be bombs.
Borack's instincts theatre owners
thousands that his pick will sizzle
j at the boxoffice.
"Now he has ventured into new phases
(for him) of the motion picture industry
and distribution. Borack's April
Fools Films has recently completed most of
the post-production work on "Harper Valley
PTA.'
J "Starring Barbara Eden and Nanette
t
Fabray, the family-oriented comedy based
(•on the song by the ^ame title goes into release
in late May.
"According to Borack, the first 20 minis
a duplication of the lyrics, followed
by a sequence where Mrs. Johnson (Eden)
tells off the PTA; then the scriptwriters'
imaginations took over. Some of the PTA
board members are extremely upset and do
some nasty things but Eden retaliates in a
,
series of revenges. In fact one might call
"Harper Valley PTA' an anthem in the bat-
tie against hollowncss, quackery and pretense
of virtue.
"Borack has hunted through atlases and
maps but can find no evidence of an actual
Harper Valley, as sung about in Jeannie C.
chart-topper which was penned by
Carter County (Ky.) native Tom T. Hall.
"Finding the actual production of his first
film more difficult than expected. Borack
recounted, I loved every step of the project
10 the day we started shooting; then it
became just very hard work. After one day
of watching your movie being shot, you
start getting involved with the day-to-day
problems—and they're not problems you can
control
too well.'
"His greatest frustration was being at the
merchy of weather, temperament, freaks of
.nature, timing, lighting, accidents and mis-
1 takes, as well as finding it very hard to deal
i with people in Los Angeles who made lots
CUVERA91A IS EV SHOW
BrSLVESS VS HAWAU TOO,
When you come to Waikiki,
don't miss the famous Don Ho
Show ... at Cinerama's
Reef Towers Hotel. f
We can handle it!
—^1
MOORE THEATRE
'^°°"'
213 Delaware Ave.
P.O. Box 782
C

'Biography' Tells
Ohio Cinema Story
COLLMBLS. OHIO — A recently publishid
book on the storied Ohio Theatre won
warm praise fiom Columbus Dispatch writer
ShTlcy McNeely, who wrote:
li
the Ohio Theatre could talk.
Resonant tones to match its velvet and
gold interior might pour forth. Perhaps there
would be a slight trembling sound as it described
its almost-demise.
Though architect Thomas Limib's
tribute
to the common man stands silent, the theatre
has obtained a most competent spokesman.
The Ohio Theatre 1928-1978" is a book
celebrating the theatre's jubilee. Copies were
presented to Gov. James A. Rhodes. Mayor
Tom Moody and others in ceremonies at
the theatre.
The book also was placed on sale at severa'
downtown and area book and department
stores.
The volume is 144 pages of heritage delineating
the glories and problems of a building
and the people associated with it for 50
years.
An interesting test carries Ih: reader from
the creation of the Ohio as a Marcus Loew
movie palace in 1928 through the war years
and into its present glory days.
The story also has a potboiler plot, bubbling
with suspense and chills and thrills
as the battle was waged—in some cases, to
the wire—to save the Ohio.
On Feb. 16. 1969. organist Roger Garret;
played the Ohio farewell concert.
"The Ohio, so 'mportar.t to the movi?
industry as Coli mbus" major theatre, was
now an obsolete and shabb\ old movie house
." . . the book says. "Tts years of cinema
glory were over, surviving only in the memories
of her audience."
The people pi-lured in the struggle to
form a nonprofit corporat'on. raise funds,
obtain pledges and. later, search for carpet
mills or paints for restoration, those people
make the theatre live.
Perso.nal touches include letters from persons
associated w'th the saving of the theatre.
Mrs. Kenneth L. Bishop describes th;
aerm of the idea for the jubilee. Lawrence
Fisher and Philip Jastran. who were on th"
first board of the Columbus Ass'n for the
Performing Arts, recall s'gning checks a'-d
bonds for the option on the building: and
fund chairman Robert Lazarus jr. recounts
fund-raisers with coats of arms and names
on plaques.
The book is a wealth of color pictures of
the Ohio today— the grand chandelier, pictuies
of various cherubic and demonic faces
to be found throughout the theatre: and a
foirr-page centerfold of the interior that
makes one gasp.
The reproductions of older pictures,
mcv-e posters and newspaper clippings also
speak well for not onh the building, but the
people who have parsed through its port;'K
The architect and others are depicted with
tenderness, as though the theatre itself were
the author.
.•^nd. in recounting the words of architect
Lamb, there is a description that might serve
the book as. well as the building. -
The theatre is the palace of the average
man. As long as he is there, it is his. and it
helps him to lift himself out of his daily
drudgery.
Atlanta WOMPIs Install
New Officers at Meeting
ATLANTA — WOMPI president Anna
Power pres'ded over the April closed meetings
at the elegant new Sevin's Restaurant,
owned and operated by exhibitors' friend
Jules Sevin and son Barry, for the election
of officers for the coming year.
Those elected to serve were Anna Clare
Leggitt. Universal Film Exchange, president;
Georgette Leto. Universal Film E,\-
change, first vice-president: Yvette Cardirale.
New World Pictures, second vicepresident;
Eun'ce Peeples. Star Advertising,
recording secretary; Eileen Dalier. United
.Artists Corp.. corresponding secretory, and
Catherine D'Alfonso. Warner Bros., treasurer.
Business discussion included a poll taken
of members who plan to .Tttend the Dallas
anniversary convention in September.
In an effort to build the club's treasury
skyhigh. a new project was introduced at
the meeting in which the girls will offer an
original New Orleans-style WOMPI money
doll scheduled to be raffled at the forthcoming
installaton banquet. Tickets are
now available and may be secured from any
WOMPI member. A personal thanks went
to those sponsors for their efforts and si'pport
in making the cookbook project a huge
success.
Ruhoy Becomes President
Of Jacksonville WOMPIs
JACK.SONVILLE— Diane Ruhoy. American
International Pictures staffer and an
innovative leader in many new WOMPI
community and industry service projects,
won recognition from her fellow members
April 25 when thsy elected her 1978-1979
local president. She succeeds Martha Murphy
Scott of ABC Florida State Theatres
who retired from the presidency after two
terms in order to become the industry
group's recording secretary.
.Serving the new year when they take office
July 1 will be Mary Ellen Boyd. Warner
Bros., as first vice-president: Rexene
Grimm. Warners, second vice-president:
Tanya Russell. 20th Century-Fox. corresponding
secretary: and former president
Marsha Weaver. 20th-Fox. treasurer, financial
chairperson and head schemer.
The incoming officers are due to be installed
the night of June 17 at an industry
gala banquet for WOMPI members, families
and Filmrow associates in the ballroom
of the Turtle Inn at nearby Atlantic Beach,
with
Carl Voelcker. WTLV-TV personality,
serving as tostmaster and guest speaker.
Also on the agenda is a presentation b\
Joyce Malmborg. WOMPI publicist, explaining
the many hundreds of hours
WOMPI members gave to serve Jacksonville's
underprivileged groups.
^'
A stitch
in time
OR
EliasHowe
was a
SEW-^SEW
inventor.
When Howe invented the
sewing machine in 1846, he
really got needled.
Some tailors said a
machine could never replace
hand work, or so it seemed.
But a few followed the
thread of Howe's thinking.
An automatic stitcher worked
faster and more consistently,
and the results were highly
profitable.
Which happens to he the
same reason folks today sign
up for the Payroll Savings
Plan. It's tailored to let
buy U.S. Savings Bonds
automatically. And that
you
makes saving faster and more
consistent. With results that
are highly profitable.
So, save regularly with
U.S. Savings Bonds. You'll
have your future all sewn up.
i.rl.x K HmihI- p.i^ •. ,. inl.r,>l •.sUn ii.-lil I,,
". nuliiriK "I .••.ir> i 1' ;"„ tht- first yoar). Int. n-
.

Witch Mountain' Puis
\ Spell on New Haven
CAPE COD
J^ irowp of
.^ Fran Waci Mmmtasa. -,.

. .
RHODE ISLAND
of United Artists' "Annie Hall." Paramount's
"Saturday Night Fever." Warners'
"The Goodbye Girl." among others.
20th-Fox"s "Julia," in a second month's
stay at the Midland Mall Cinema. Warwick,
has matinee admission of $1.50. with seniors
charged 50c less . . Mario Thomas was
in Rhode Island to campaign on behalf of
Norman Jacques, a candidate for Congress
from the first district. Jacques has been assoc'ated
with the actress, daughter of Danny
Ihomas. since 1972: he has worked as a
writer and consultant.
Providence Journal-Bulletin film critic
Michael Janusonis. in a recent column, commented
that "some of the most popular new
films are about people and. thankfully, they
have some wonderful performances by fine
actors who breathe life into their roles."
In another column, reviewing United Artists'
"F.I.S.T.," he charged that the Sylvester
Stallone starrer "is a mess. Even at nearly
two and a half hours, this story of a Jimmy
Hoffa-like character, from bloody strikes
the '30s to Washington investigations of corruption
in the late '50s, is just too big a
subject to be tackled coherently. At least in
this medium."
The West Greenwich Town Council gave
permission to Henry Davis of the Stepping
Stone Ranch for Jimc coimtry-western
shows, over area resident's protests about
ensuing problems. The authority, however.
in
specifies that Davis must have an ambulance
contract for emergency medical assistance
and. additionally, must provide for
triple-feature show, on both screens of the
Staying on: Columbia's "Close Encounters
Sickonk Twin under-skyer; screen one had
of the Third Kind." Biiena Vista's "Re-
"Little Miss Innocence." "Teenage Se-
turn From Witch Moimtain." UA's "Coma." ductress" and "Wonder Woman." while
AIP's "Here Come the Tigers." 20th Century-Fox's
screen two featured "Horror Hospital,"
"An Unmarried Woman," reprise "Don't Open the Window" and "The School
That Couldn't Scream." Ad-copy for R-
rated "Horror Hospital" enthused: "If you
think 'Coma' is horror! See 'Horror Hospital'
"... Same tab was advertised for a
triple-bill, comprised of "Coma." "Telefon"
and "The Specialist." at the Cranston Drive-
In; triple-bill, "Oh. God!" "The Late
Show" and "The Destructors" (south
screen), and "The Pack," "Audrey Rose"
and "The House by the Hill" (north
screen), at the Lonsdale Twin underskyer,
Lincoln . . . College campus screenings:
"Green Pastures." "Two or Three Things
I Know About Her." "The Man in the Iron
Mask," "Adam's Rib." "A New Leaf" and
"Terror of Tiny Town." Carmichael Auditorium.
Brown University. Providence; "Annie
Hall." Rhode Island College. Providence
(Gaige Auditorum); "Silent Movie." Roger
Williams College. Bristol (Lecture Hall);
and "New York. New York." University
of Rhod; Island. Kingston (Edwards Auditorium).
WORCESTER
yhe 1976 French Film, "I.umiere. " directed
by and starring Jeanne Moreau, was
shown at the Worcester Art Museum three
times, no less, on a recent Tuesday—2:30,
6 and 8:30 p.m. Museum members were admitted
free, but non-members were charged
Cinema Booking Service of New England, Inc.
$2.
938 Park Square Building
Boston, Mass. 02116
426-2274

. . . The
. The
. . . The
SPRINGFIELD
\A/estern Massachusetts premieres: Columbia's
"Silver Bears," Universal's "FM,"
Cinema 5's "A Special Day." Warner Bros."
"The Pack" (metropolitan Springfield multiple
bow contained eight playdates. representing
one of the largest day-and-date
bows of a major release in months hereabouts),
United Artists' "F.I.S.T.," plus X-
rated. state rights' "Seven into Snowy" and
"Count the Ways," among others . . . Springfield's
Cinema X double-billed Crown International's
"The Van" and "Pom Pom Girls"
Air-Line Drive-In. Chicopee. had
both current and rerun product in a fivefeature
"Dusk to Dawn" Friday-Saturday
booking, the titles including United
"Semi-Tough," "Another Man. Another
Artists'
Chance," "Audrey Rose" and " Sweet
Revenge," plus AIP's "A Small Town in
Texas."
Continuing attractions across the area:
AIP's "Here Come the Tigers," 20th Century-Fox's
"Star Wars," "Julia," "The Turning
Point" and "An Unmarried Woman,"
Columbia's "Close Encounters of the Third
Kind," plus "Casey's Shadow," Buena Vista's
"Return From Witch Mountain," Universal's
"House Calls," Warner Bros.. "The
Goodbye Girl," Paramount's "Saturday
Night Fever," and Avco-Embassy's "Rabbit
Test."
Sy Becker, the WSPR-Radio news director,
discussed motion picture censorship and
the general quality of today's screen product
at a meeting of the Parent-Teacher organization
at Springfeld's Memorial School.
Becker has reviewed motion pictures on the
air for the past eight years and maintains
an active lecture
schedule on the subject.
The Forbes Library. Northampton.
hosted a screening of Universal's "Sherlock
Holmes and the Spider Woman." 1944 release
with Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruc:
Brightwood Library screened "Buster
Keaton Rides Again!" for an audience
of senior citizens . . . RKO's "The P;;de of
the Yankees," 1942 release co-starring the
late Gary Cooper and Teresa Wright, was
shown by the East Springfield Public Library.
Stage/West, the West Springfield professional
repertory theatre, screened four clasics
as a "bonus" for early subscribers to its
1978-79 season; non-subscribers were
charged $1 for admission. The attractions
included 194rs "Meet John Doe," Warner
release with the late Gary Cooper and Bara
Stanwyck; 1942's "Sherlock Holmes
and the Secret Weapon" (Universal, starring
the late Basil Rathbone); 1940's "His Girl
Friday" (Columbia, Cary Grant, the late
Rosalind Russell); and 1940's "Slightly Honorable"
(United Artists. Pat O'Brien, the late
Edward Arnold, Broderick Crawford).
West Springfield's Storrowton Theatre,
summer music tent, has firmed a show comprised
of Harry James and his orchestra.
Phyllis Dillcr and The Mills Brothers for
May
son's opening week show, beginning June
Memorial Drive-In triple-b'lled "Smar;;e
Pants," "Hanky Par.ky" and "The Swingin'
Pussycats," all with R ratings, advertising,
"Big Triple Unit— First Time Together!"
MAINE
]^cw titles on Maine marquees: Buena Vi'-
ta's "Return From Witch Mountain."
Group I's "Cinderella" (on a double-bill
with same distributor's "The Tease; s." at
the SBC Management Corp.'s Saco Drive-
In); 20th Century-Fox's "An Unmarried
Woman," plus a plenitude of states-rights
product, among them "Barbara Broadcast"
(X-rated), "The Private Afternoons of Pamela
Mann" (X). "The Carhops" (R),
"Naughty School Girls" (R), "Horror Hospital"
(R), among others.
Continuing attractions included Columbia's
"The Boys in Company C." Warner
Bros.' "The Goodbye Girl," Universal's
"House Calls," 20th-Fox's "High Anxietv."
plus "Julia." AIP's "Here Come the Tigers."
United Artist's "The Big Sleep." plus
reprise of Oscar-winning "Annie Hall"
among others. Paramount's "Saturdav Night
Fever" went into a sixth month . . . The
Windham DriveTn, Rte. 302. double-billed
Paiamount's "Looking for Mr. Gocdbar"
and "Lipstick," charging $5-per-carload (regardless
of number of passengers).
The Paris Cinema, in-town Portland,
double-billed "Superstooges vs. The Won-
1
derwomen" and "Sky Riders" (20th-Fox
release), for matinee showing at p.m., on
a recent weekerd, charging $1 for all seats.
Free popcorn was distributed both afternoons.
Industry visitors to Maine are reminded
that as of Monday (1) drivers are now able
to make right turns at most red lights after
coming to a stop and yielding the right-ofway
to pedestrians and other traffic. Stat"
administration spokesmen note there are
only a few scattered intersect'ons in urban
areas where the right turn-on-red will not
be allowed — generally at points where pedestrian
traffic is considered heavy or in
places close to police and fire stations.
Karate Demo at Ozoner
WAYNESVILLE. MO.—James Dakc arranged
for a karate demonstration at the
Commonwealth Theatres' Woodlane Drivo-
In during his engagement of "Exit the Dra
gon. Enter the Tiger."
Levine Is Slow Walker
BO.STON— Film producer Joe Lcvinc.
named first "Man of the Year" by the
Harvard University Business School's Communications.
Arts and Entertainment Club,
remarked:
"About three miles from here there's ,i
street called Billerica Street. It used to be ,i
slum. That's where 1 started. It's a short
distance from there to here, but it's taken
me 72 years to make it."
HARTFORD
participating in a regional saturation scheJule
for Warn.-r Bros.. 'Th.- Pack," the
Movies (at one time known as Loew's Poli),
Norwich, distributed free tickels entitlins;
holder to one free admission to a Sunday 2
p.m. matinee performance by Stan jr., entertainer,
in a "tribute to Elv's Presley." Advance
tickets for latter Kold for $4, with the
charge increased by $1 at performance time.
The Menschell Berlin C^nes 2, playing
subsequent run booking of Columbia's
"Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (auditoriimi
one), and participating in regional
bow of Avco-Embassy's "Rabbit Test" (auditorium
two), had 99 cent "bargain policy"
in effect Monday-Tuesday for auditorium
one. but dropped the plan for aud'toriiun
two.
Lake Compouncc amusement park,
marking annual area public schools'
Spring vacation week, reduced chargeper-ride
for all seats to 20 cents Wednesday
through Friday, advertising. "Don't miss
this old-fashioned, low price bargain
nowhere else can you ride for these prices!
It's our treat to the kids—and to mom
and pop, too!"
The Mark Twain Memorial, which has
brought scores of visitors from the film industry
through the decades, got a new director'curator,
Wynn Lee, who has been executive
director of Belle Grove a National
Trust historic house in Middletown, Va. Lee
succeeds Dexter B. Peck who is retiring
Middletown, Connecticut Driv;-In
ran it first "dusk to dawn" show of the
spring, comprised of Warner Bros.. "The
Gauntlet," "The Enforcer," "Let's Do It
Again" and "Bobbie Jo and the Outlaw."
Menachen Dayan, Israeli film producer/
journalist, lectured on "The Israel Exerience
'78" at West Hartford's .Agudas Achim
Synagogue.
Also speaking here was Hartford native
Brendan Gill, dramatic critic for The New
Yorker Magazine. He spoke at a Trinity
College meeting of the Hartford Architecture
Conservancy. He got his bachelor's degree:
from Yale in 1936. the same year he
began contributing to the magazine.
TWIN
IT!!
Call Harry Jones
Drive-in Theatre Construction Since 1946
I
• Steel
• Painting
Towers
Free Estimates
Theatre Construction
FolrflsM
Dr«T*-l
Fa

. . You
Mixed Feelings Are
Evident on Filming
BOSTON—Residents of Boston's North
End district greeted the "Brink's" film crew
and cast with a variety of emotions according
to Globe correspondent Michael Blowcn
in the following story which we quote:
Tuesday was a big day for Joseph "Peppy"
Cavallo: Peter Falk dropped into his
kitchen to sample his wife's home-cooked
meatballs. The Cavallo kitchen adjoins their
Prince street variety store, lately the scene
Blessing oi* Curse
Falk. along with director William Friedkin
and others working on the film crew
for "Brink's," ih; S9,000.000 Hollywood
version of Boston's famous Brink's robbery,
were involved in a North End dress rehearsal.
Peppy says that his neighborhood has
not seen this much excitement since the
Brink's office was robbed lor real in January
19.'50.
On the other hand, some other North
End residents are not sure whether the film
is a blessing or a curse.
Charles Falco. manager of the North
End Little City Hall, said he has received
numerous community complaints about the
local filmmaking. He said residents have
objected to street lamp replacements, the
dismantling of a neighborhood playground,
and the generally disruptive influence of the
filmmakers in the area.
Many Changes Made
"It's been terrific," countered Peppy.
"Ever since they've been here they've gone
out of their way to help us. They've doni:
more for this neighborhood in a few months
than the city has done in 50 years."
The producers have made physical
changes in the lower Prince street area.
Friedkin, a stickler for authentic-detail, has
replaced the modern street
lamps with lampposts
of the period; he has sandblasted graffiti
off the walls, and has collected enough
artifacts to recreate the Prince street of
Jan. 17. ly.'iO, right down to the last bottle
cap.
In the quest for convincing realism.
Friedkin's crew stripped one neighborhood
playground—there are no basketball hoops,
no slides, and no lights left in the recreation
area that abuts the Brink's garage.
"There's no place for the kids to play."
( L\KRiV»L\ IS L\ SHOW
BI'SLVESS L\ IL\WAII T(N>,
Wlicn y

Wehad to dig deep
for the Grand Canyon,
ground.
$1 5,000,000 is a lot of money tor a hole in the Jt s eas\' when \ou join the Payroll Savings
But that's what we paid Mexico for territor\-
that included the magnificent Grand Canyon.
Americans had to dig deep for the money. So,
they invested in government securities
Because they knew they could take stock
in America.
You can take stock in America
tcxiay hy buying Savings Bonds.
i/
^
Take ^ ^^ ,
. stock ^
in^^4^erica.
Plan. That way, a little is set aside automatically
from each paycheck to buy Bonds,
It's a great way to save. For a new house. Or
your children's education.
Or e\-en a trip to the Grand Canyon.
So buv Bonds. It's a sa\ings plan
you'll really dig.
IJPl A public soivice or ihis public
{gJJJ
ana The AOvetlising Council.
rOXOmCE - May 15. 1978

NEW HAVEN
The region's s'jnimer t!ic;aires haw d\\ !-dlcJ
down to a precious few. The area, at
one point not that long ago, contained a
flourishing quantity. But time has a habit
of corroding popularity for seasonal entertainment
and this, coupled wi;h the mati'
of economics, posed the question of a I97.S
opening for the Ivoryton Playhouse, which
d.ites back to 1908. no less. Ken Krezel. the
present owner (he almost lost the propertx
three years ago in a court-ordered auction)
has leased the theatre for $12,000 per summer
to the newly-formed Ivoryton Theatre
Co., which is headed by Ken Gaston. Personalities
sad at Bo.xoFFiCE press-time to
be firmed up for the summer include Kathryn
Crosby (widow of Bing), Lana Turner.
Louise I,asser, Desi Arnaz sr. and Desi Arnaz
jr.. plus talk of such other "names" as
Telly Savalas and Vincent Price.
The Yale University Center for British
Art screened 20th Century-Fox's "Modesty
Blai,se," 1966 release starring Monicavitti.
Terence Stamp and Dirk Bogarde, as a free
Saturday 2 p.m attraction.
Dave Brown, who operates the Edmond
Town Hall Theatre. Newtown, for the town,
booked a country-music program on a recent
Thursday (8 p.m.), featuring Lyn Hardy
and Jay Unger. plus local favorite Jackson
Pike Skifflers. Admission was $3. The
theatre normally runs motion pictures on
a week-long basis . . . WPLR-FM had an
air gimmick, offering free tickets to an exclusive
showing of "Voluntary Jam," featuring
the Charlie Daniels Band, the Marshall
Tucker Band, Greg Allman and others, on
a Friday-Saturday at the General Cinema
Law School film attractions (membership
charge, $1; admission, 75c), included such
titles as "Goldfinger." "Where Eagles
Dare," "The Thin Man," "Charlie Chan
Murder Cruise," "Lenny." "Metropolis,"
"Circus." "Gone With the Wind," "Barbarclla,"
"Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?",
"Spellbound," "Torn Curtain," "Going My
Way," "The Road to Singapore," "The
Chinese Connection," "The Man Who
Would Be K^ng," "It Happened One Night,"
and "No Man of Her Own," among others.
Jolin Raitt, equally at home in theatre and
moiion pictures, wrapped up an extended
stay with touring company of "Shenandoah"
at the Connecticut Center for the Performing
Arts, American Shakespeare Theatre.
Stratford. He began his Hollywood career
in 1940, appearing in "Flight Command" at
MGM Studios. The principal players were
the late Robert Taylor, Walter Pidgeon and
Ruth Hussey.
Ridgfield's Mr*. Irene Kampen, who developed
the characters ultimately used in
Lucille Ball's enormously-popular television
"Lucy" series, admits now that "Life Without
George." the initial source material,
evolved out of despair. She says that she had
tried writing a humor column for the Ridge-
field Press, the new>paper dropping hjr contributions
when business interests apparently
took offense at her satire. The incident reminded
her of the time she worked as a
topygirl at the old New York Journal-American:
"The city editor didn't like the way I
got coffee— I didn't get it dark enough. I
couldn't get it right."
AMC Mgr. Enjoys Providing
Good Family-Priced Fare
SWANSEA, MASS.—Sonny Gourley.
manager of American Multi Cinema's Swansea
4 theatres, enjoys working with the
many facets of theatre operation, but particularly
that which enables him to provide
good entertainment at affordable family
prices.
He became a member of the AMC team
in April 1975 when he was named an assistant
manager at Woodhaven 4 theatres,
Philadelphia. It was in January 1976 that
he was transferred to the East 5 theatres,
Harrisburg, Pa., and became manager there
in August, 1976.
His experience at these two locations
prepared him to become the manager at
Swansea 4, which opened in December
ski areas not too far away in the winter.
A dedicated bachelor. Sonny's interests include
skiing, basketball, reading and camping.
Patron Questionnaire
Reveals Preferences
WAYNESVILLE, MO.—To get a better
idea of what potential patrons wanted to see
at Commonwealth's Ft. Wood Theatre,
James Dake prepared a questionnaire for
handbill-type distribution.
Listed were 30 titles of current and
coming product ranging from "The Demon
Seed" to "Smokey and the Bandit." with
additional space for write-ins.
Fairbanks a "No-Show"
BOSTON— Douglas Fairbanks jr., who
was honored by Friends of the Libraries
of Boston University, sent word after the
invitations, at $17-per-person. for a cocktail/dinner
party had been mailed out. that
he was ill in New York with an undisclosed
ailment. The university said this marked
the first such cancellation in 15 years.
Conn. Studies Anti-Con Bill
HARTFORD—The Connecticut state legislature
is considering a proposed measure
that would prevent convicted criminals from
making a profit on stories of their experience.
The bill would allow victims of a
crime to sue any convicted criminal who
has sold his story to newspapers, magazines,
publishers, or television and motion picture
producers.
Veteran S.K. Barry
Elects to Xool It'
SAN ANTONIO—Fast approaching his
62nd birthday, veteran showman S. K. Barry
decided to retire froin the industry to
spend more time traveling and to enjoy his
family.
Sylvan Barry began his career 48 a years
ago. hiring on as an usher at the Palace,
here, in 1930. Two years later he spent a
brief stint with the Prince Theatre until he
joined Interstate at the Texas cinema in
August of that same year. He was eventually
charged with hiring and training ushers.
He moved up the ladder quickly until, in
1947. he resigned to go into business for
himself opening the Ritz Theatre which he
sold a year later. S.K. then joined Gene
Muller and Bob Dennis, who became his
partners, in
building and operating the Varsity
Drive-In.
The ambitious young man moved from
the ozoner to the Kelly airer under Art
Landsman. He managed the underskyer and
was in charge of the snack bars at all the
Landsman units in the area. His pattern
was unchanged, however, and he left Landsman
in 1950.
1976. A native of Philadelphia, Sonny is
a graduate of Miami University of Ohio
with a BA in English. He hopes to earn an
MBA degree in the near future.
Barry took over the sinking Fiesta Driveand,
by changing it to a Mexican language
In
format, turned things around in short
Sonny now resides in East Providence.
R. I., and finds the New England area ideal, order. After a few years, he and his new
with its many beaches in the summer and partners bought the Capitan Theatre and
changed it. also, to a Spanish oriented program.
His policies continued at both theatres
for a decade. Eventually they reverted
to English language product and the Fiesta
was shuttered and dismantled. At this time
Barry bought out his partners' interest in
the Capitan.
But S.K. was not a "one-industry" man.
He acquired the Reinback Canning Co.,
Iowa; the Laredo Brick and Tile Co.. Laredo,
Texas and Toni's Drive-In Restaurant
in San Antonio. He also found time to operate
a used car business, S. K. Barry Auto
Sales.
During the years he was in drive-in exhibition,
S. K. held a number of positions
in
the Texas Drive-In Theatre Owners Ass'n
including two terms as president and a 15-
year stint as a director. His wife Hclene,
better known as "Pinkie," served in an official
capacity on the distaff side. Barry played
a major role in uniting his group with
NATO of Texas.
The veteran entrepreneur began selling
off his various holdings in 1970 with the
Capitan as the last to go. In mid-April he
sold the theatre to John Killian and Joseph
Etheridge who will set up shop in the Capitan
Theatre, 4600 Broadway, suite 111, San
Antonio, Texas 78209. Etheridge, the acting
manager, can be reached at either of two
telephone numbers, (512) 656-7127 (days)
or 656-7528 (nights). The theatre numbers
remain 432-9072 and 434-7351.
Barry did not completely sever himself
from the business world. The day he sold
the theatre he got a real estate license so
that he can remain active and still pursue
his stated retirement objectives.
NE-8
BOXOmCE Ml 1978

1 This
i
company
1
16mm
[
35mm
!
International
[
[
scenic
I
tawa.
I
i
April
I
TORONTO
Tom Miller, \ ice-president of operations j:
N'ictoria Film Sei-\'ices. is pleased ard
i proud to announce the expansion and mcdemization
plans for both the 35mm and
1 6mm departments of the Calgar\ branch.
expansion program will enable the
to reorganize its entire branch
operations and create a new 16mm depanment.
Additional space also has been acquired
at the Winnipeg branch for a new
department and expansion of the
department.
Film Distributors receniK
has acquired seven ten-minute short subjects
dealing with Canadian locations. These
tours, narrated by Lome Greene.
;
were f'Imed at Niagara Falls. Toronto. O:-
Quebec City. .Mgonquin Park. Ca'-
gar>-. Jasper and the Banff-Jasper highwa'.
This excellent series will be booked into a'
Canadian key locations and shown on worldwide
tours. Showings also have been ar
ranged for international film festivals, ir
cludina~
special screenings at Cannes in m d
May.
As usual, the WOMPI Club has been kep-
'busy with many early spring activities
1 1. WOMPIs served refreshments anJ
showed a f-lm to the senior citizens at ih;
Second Mile Club. April 16. 17 WOMPI
iClub members assisted the Variety Club or
i Ontario at its annual Bike-.A-Thon. Just ai
present, too. WOMPIs are collecting uniused
clothing to be distributed by the Good
Neighbours Club of this city. Plans now a-:
well under way for the annual WOMPI in
stallat'on dinner, scheduled for June 7.
BOYS
''- -
Director Norman Jewison returned to
this, his home city, for the Canadian premiere
Thursday evening. April 27. o'
"F.I.S.T.". with proceeds going to the \'arietv
Club of Ontario Tent 28.
Gordon Guiry Named Gen'l
Manager of Danton Films
RONTO—Gordon Guiry has been
-1 general manager of Danton Films.
'
now operates branch offices in the
mes. Quebec and British Columbia.
"Other Terry Guiry is general sales
ger of Danton.
one of his primarv' functions. Guiry
"i concentrating on new trends in film
rjtion and exhibition, according to
D^ -on president Daniel Weinzweig.
D ;r:ng his 17 years in the motion picture
" :->. Guiry has worked in Montreal
Toronto: was Western division manag-
'
Astral Films, and most recently serv-
.- - vice-president and general sales man-
-je: :or Saguenay Films.
- e nzweig said Danton has acquired
rer Valley PT.A" to head its summer
-
r of releases, which includes "The
-^>e Run." "Cheerleaders" Beach Par-
"I'um Yum Girls." "Prime Time."
the Lady" and "Leopard in the
A REEL FIND—When the old Lacombe Theatre in Lacorabe. .\lta.. was
razed, a treasure trove of old advertising, including one-sheets, was found tucked
away under some stairs. ^ em Burrows of the currently operating Lux Theatre in
Lacombe salvaged the material and has put it to good use. as the above photos
show. The Lacombe Theatre ceased operations in 1952 but some of the advertising
dates back to the 1930s and '405. .\ few of the classic titles included are: "The
Phantom President" (1932). "The Silver Streak"" (1934). "Operator 13" (1933), "The
Whole Town's Talking" (1934). "Imitation of Life" (1934). "One Night of Love"
(1934). "No More Ladies" (1934). "The Golden West" (1931). "Life Begins at
40" (1935). ".\lice .\dams" (1935) and "Hard to Handle" (1933). The one-sheets
were used as wall-covering in the lobby of the Lux. as »ell as in the cry room.
^mm\\\if///jff^
5^ n-ATCH PROJECnOS IMPROVE^^
% NEW TECHNIKOTE ^
g SCREENS S
^ ](||^ (LENTICULAR) ^^
^ JET
|>f^S
WHITE & PEARLESCENT §>
A'3ilci)!e htm
IrtCHNIKOTE COUP. ;:
BOXOFHCE :: Mav 15. 1978 E-1

•
, .. , 1 •. i-i .J . TORONTO—Most
5tn
Warm Spring Days, Fading Holdovers,
Combine to Undercut Winnipeg Trade
WINNIPEG— Business was down as while several other pictures. "Rabbit Test"
warm spring weather set in and several hold- and "Julia" among them, slipped from preovers
ran out of drawing power. Two new- vious E.xcellent returns to Very Good,
comers. "High Anxiety" and "Coach," Calgary Place i—straight Time (WB),
opened very strong and were rated Excellent. Four thea--- - Beyond and Bacu pr) Excellent
l.ong-running "Saturday Night Fever" and
"" End of the World
°',A"suaV' ' ' ^^^^
"The Goodbye Girl" were slower but still Grand 2— Rabbit Test a •.'..' .-.i: Ve:v Good
well above average. "Star Wars" began its °°' """ °°" '^Tuh'^"''" Good
44th week Markel Mall 2—The Scrpenfs Egg (P^ra) Fair
P„„,,„,_^„ . ,DRi F „^n.,„, Market Mall 3— The End ol the World in Our
r^UnvZ?^r=\l'qlL^. 7wrV V^ wt rL.J "="=' ^ed in a Night Full oi Rain (WB) Fair
rl "^„T:S r!^f J^ft iL' ni n m
Market Mall 4-High Anxiety (BVFD), 10th wk Fa.r
Convenl.oi, Cenlre-Gray Lady Down
>
(Un.vK Market Mall 5-Oh, GodI (WB), 28th wk Good
Downtown-Hanky Pa^ (PR) and ^"
''°(
Montreal Holdovers Lose Ground
As Newcomers Boost Activity "House Calls' Tops Toronto List
MONTREAL — Several films, including
vVhile 'Hot Wax' Is Cooling Off
tour ot the French language first runs, slip- •
-rn,Dn,Kt-rn, \a , ct i.
j
fims here remained
ped this week m popu arity; no fi m did bet- , u , .u r , rrr
,u . • r .J
a' about the same rate of bo.xoffice activity
ter than its previous week. Long-standers ,, > a r . -r-i „ ;,
••I I- • •
J ..T-u -r r. ... J J as the previous week. A few. "The Betsy,
Julia and The Turning Point dropped ..„ uu-. -r ... j • ..o u -r^- ...
, ,u r- J . ui ..-T-u r- .. Rabbit Test, and S raight Time, dropinlo
the Good category, whi e The Fury a , , . • , .... ^
came in with a Very Good rating. New fiJis ^..^ " °^ ° P^P^'^^'y- "°"^^
'n
did reasonably well. "The Goodbye Run"
and "Black Emmanuelle Goes East" both
^f"lu'°"""r'^ ,^f " '"^
week, 'f American ' ^f,^
Hot'V°?,
Wax"
^'"^ '^'.^
^P',""'"^ '" '^e cellar. "The Mescored
rated Good marks while "Rabbit Test" 7' ^!i"
a Very Good.
Alwater-The Fury (BVFD,
'^u'^'J
'^^ ^Igin, while
u?^^."^
ConvOy
Good response at
Buddies" Opened
'°
3rd wk Very Good
Avenue—The Goodbye Girl (WB), with Fair interest at the Imperial.
''^
Cinema-Tho Turning Point (BVFD,,
°° Elgin—The Medusa Touch (WB, Good
18th wk Very Good ^°}'' theatres—House Calls (Univ),
Claremonl—An Unmarried Woman (BVFD), „ ^'^ '"^^ Excellent
. „ ,
6lh wk Very Good Hollywood—An Unmarried Woman (BVFD,,
Cote Des Neiges-House Calls (Univ), 5th wk ..Good „ ^'^ '"''_,
^, , Good
Decarie Square—The Goodbye Run Hollywood—The Turning Point (BVFD),
(Cinemonde) Good ,°'^ ,'*'^
,,
Goo.*
Loews—Rabbit Test (BVFD) Very Good Hyland-Blue Collar (Un.v), 2nd wk .. Fair
Loews-Salurdoy Night Fever (Para) mperia —Crossed Swords (WB), 4lh wk Fair
19th wk Excellent
'mperial—The Fury (BVFD,. 4th wk Good
Loews—Coma (UA), Ihh wk Good 'mperial-The Betsy (IFD), 7th wk Fair
Loews—The One and Only (Para) mperial-Rabbit Test (BVED), fh wk Fair
12th wk. Very Good
mpenal—Convoy Buddies (IFD) Fair
Loews-The Medusa Touch (WB), Inlemat.onal-Retum From Witch Mountain
6th wk Very Good „, '^'' ' J'" "'= Good
Palace—Block Emmanuelle Goes East Plaza—The Goodbye Girl (WB,, 5;.>, wk Good
(Astral) Very Good
University-Coma (UAl, Qth wk Good
Place du Canada—lulia (BVFD, I2lh wk Good
Uptown—American Hot Wax (Para,, 5-h wk Poo;
Place Vllle Mane— Pretty Baby (Para, Uptown—Saturday Night Fever (Para,,
2nd wk Excellent '8* "k. Good
Van Home—Return From Witch Mountain (BV), Uptown—High Anxiety (BVFD), 10th wk Fair
6th wk
,. Good
York-The Betsy .iFD)^^5,h^wk^
Good
^_^_^
glasting its Way Into Edmonton,
c1,^;TlaPn^-l-i:i"R.l-o'n"e"dr3fe'mi"T'yp;'^ °°°'
"^^^ ^"''Y' ^°^^^ ^ ^^'^^^ Week
-Excellent EDMONTON — Universal's "House
Crlm"""' C-remozie—Annie a'^'-^h Hall n ,t,. ,. .
(UA), 7lh v.k Excellen' ," n ., , . , ^ ..
Parisien— 1900 (Para), 9th wk. Very Good ^^"^ fosc to a healthy Excellent mark in
'''7th' wr°°°'"'*° ^"""""'"^ '""" '*^ ''°"''"' ^^^"^ ^' '^^ '^'^"o ^-
Good
""^e One
Pansien—Lo Vie Devant Soi( Pros), °° and Only" and "Straight Time" each missed
Parisie*-L-Homm, Presse (Para), 2nd wk^^'^ Good
""^ °" '^6 tOp SCOfe, turning in Very Good
returns, while "Julia" and "Close Encoun-
Four of Five Calgary Newcomers '^rs of the Third Kind" nestled into the
Attract Only Fair Attention Good category. Only one newcomer, "The
CALGARY—It wasn't a great week for Fury," drew E.xcellent crowds; "What's Up
newcomers. Four out of five debuters, "End Nurse" and "Oh. God!" did Good business
of the World," "The .Serpent's Egg," "The while "Equus" and "The Betsy" did Fair in
End of the World in our Usual Bed in a 'heir first weeks.
Night Full of Rain" and "The First Nudie Capllano—Casey's Shadow (Astral), 2nd wk Fair
Musical" did only Fair business. One, how- '-"' ^iftTw'?'""" °"' "^""'^ "Te'ry Good
ever. "Beyond and Back" at four
Capuo^^Squai^e
locations.
^-Saturday Night Fever
"ce'iem
turned in an E.xcellent score. "An Unmar- Capito? Square ^4—straight Time (WB)
ried Wom.in" rose in popularity to a Good, Cameau-Equus (UA,
:^"''
°F°a°u
Londonderry A—Return From Witch Mountain
(BV), 4th wk Excellent
Mecrdowlark, Odeon 1— Close Encounters ol the
Third Kind (Astral), I7th wk Good
Paramount-The Fury (BVFD) Excellent
Pia2Ki 1—What's Up Nurse (IFD) Good
PlozQ 2— Oh, God! (WB, Good
Rialto 1—House Calls (Univ,, 4th wk Excellent
Rlalto 2—An Unmarried Woman (BVFD,
4th wk Good
Roxy—The Betsy (IFD, Fair
Westmount A—Julia (BVFD,, 10th wk Good
Westmount B—The Goodbye Girl (WB),
17th wk Excellent
"Straight Time's' Ottawa Debut
Stirs Up Hefty Boxoffice Trade
OTTAWA—The only new marqueebrightener
this week was "Straight Time,"
Warner Bros." Dustin Hoffman starrer, at
the Place de Ville 1, which came on strong
with a Very Good mark. Seven of the remaining
1 1 films dropped in popularity.
"The Big Sleep" scored a narcoleptic Poor,
"The Goodbye Girl" held steady at Very
Good. "The Turning Point" rated a Fair,
and everything else did Good trade.
Britannia 6—The Late Great Planet Earth (PR),
3rd wk Good
Capital Square 1—Saturday Night Fever (Para),
19th wk Good
Capitol Square 2—The Goodbye Girl (WB),
18th wk Very Good
Elgin—The Turning Point (BVFD), lOlh wk Fciir
Elmdale-Iulia (BVFD), 9th wk Good
Little Elain— The Big Sleep (UA), 5th wk, , . .Poor
Nelson-Rabbit Test (BVFD), 3rd wk Good
Place de ViUe I—Straight Time (WB) Very Good
Place de Ville 2—Coma (UA), 11th wk Good
St Laurent 1—Close Encounters of the Third
Kind (Astral), 20th wk Good
St Laurent 2—The Other Side of the Mountain
Part 2 (Univ), 10th wk Good
Somerset, Queensway—Gray Lady Down (Univ),
2nd wk
Good
CALGARY
j!\_lthough banned for exhibition in the
provinces of Saskatchewan and Ontario,
the feature "Pretty Baby" has been
passed in Alberta and was scheduled to
opened in Calgary Place Cinema One April
28. Chairperson Pat Preston, of the Calgary
Status of Women Action Committee, has
announced that members of the group will
be protesting outside of the theatre. The
suggestion for the protest came from Preston
at a week-end meeting of the organization
which discussed the role of women
in a violent society. The picture was classified
as Restricted Adult by the Alberta
Censor Board and is not compelled to carry
any special warnings on advertising. Purpose
of the protest, according to Ms. Preston,
is to discourage people from attending
the theatre rather than advocating stricter
censorship. About 40 women signed their
names to a petition saying that they supported
the idea of the protest.
Complete renovation is under way at the
Vista Theatre in Hardisty. Alberta, according
to owner Wayne Bitzer. The theatre has
been gutted and a new sloped floor will be
installed, plus a new ceiling and Soundfold
wall covering on the walls. The cinema will
have an enlarged concession area, new furnace
room, and indoor plumbing (for the
first time). The projection room is also being
enlarged and the Century projejction
equipment rewired. A new screen and deluxe
motorized drapery will grace the front
of the theatre. The bii'lding, which dates
from the early years of this century, will
al.so have a new modern facade.
K-2
BOXOmCE :: May 15, 1978

I
Its decor. Independent Theatre Supply is
iicting in an advisory capacity for the reno-
/afions.
Upcoming for May in Calgary's Plaza
Theatre are the following outstanding picures
— "Butley" (1973); "Outrageous!"
1978); Andy Warhol's "Dracula" (1975);
•The Tenant" (1976); "The Groove Tube"
1974); "Paths of Glory" (1957); "The
Voung Lions" (1958); "The Devils" (1971);
•200 Motels" (1971); "The Wrong Box"
1966); "Cabaret" (1972); "Rasiiomon"
1950); "Badlands" (1973); "The Produc-
;rs" (1968); "If" (1969) and "The Seven-
Vear Itch" (1955). In addition to these films
.here will also be special presentations of
Woody Allen pictures, "What's Up Tiger
Lily?" (1966) is double-billed with an Engish
comedy, •Jabberwocky" (1977), and
•Sleeper" (1973), which will play by itself.
There will also be a science fiction double-
-lill of "War Of The Worlds" (1953) and
•When Worlds Collide" (1951). May is
iKo the month for the 'Sound of the Sicnts'
series shown on Monday nights. These
.hi'sics will have live musical scores by
Charles Hofman. A truly delectable menu
for the dyed-in-the-wool movie fan.
.Vpril 23 the Roxy Theatre in Edmonton
^ho\^cd the third in its Foreign Film Festi-
\al of internationally acclaimed films, the
English picture "The Incredible Sarah".
The Calgary Film Society
completed another
season April 21 with the presentation
its last of the film in International Film
Seiies at the Jubilee Auditorium. Screened
for the members was '"Red," produced in
Carada in 1970 and directed by Gillcs
Cailc. A fitting climax for a very successful
season!
if any readers are travelling the No. 1
highway east of Calgary and want to stop
for a coffee, a bite to eat or a full-course
meal, they will do no better than stopping
at the Hilltop Country Kitchen. There is
no sign outside at present but it is located
on the south side of the highway at the
Cluny turn-off in the Esso .service station
(about 60 miles east of Calgary). This is a
family operation that turns out pies, cakes,
cinnamon buns, and pastries that are even
belter than '•mother used to make." Owner,
hostess and head chef Anita Andres
brings years of experience in
the same business
in the United States to this delectable
eatery. And as an added bonus you just
don't know who you may run into there.
A number of well-known rodeo stars are
habitual customers, and your reporter had
the pleasure of meeting Winston Bruce,
arena director for the Calgary Stampede.
o\ei a cup of coffee and a friendly chat.
The Clark Gable film series continued in
Edmonton April 23 at the Provincial Museum
with the screening of "San Francisco,"
co-starring Jeanette MacDonald. April 22
at the museum, the Films from Novels
presentation was carried on with Dicken's
"David Coppcrfield."
.lust a word of warning picked up at the
Calgary Press Club. If any colleagues should
lie travelling to Dublin and decide to take
leh.intage of Irish hospitaliJi\_pleasc bear
in mind the hours of operation at the club
there are from midnight to 6 A.M. Admission
is limited to newspaper employees and
their guests. Also from the Cuckoo's Nest
comes word of the New Delhi Press Clubs:
With the country going 'dry,' business was
twice the normal and the club has appealed
to the courts to rescind the government's
prohibition
order.
In town recently was well-known Canadian
TV star Bruno Gerussi who took part
in Home Expo "78, sponsored by the Housing
and Urban Development Ass'n of Calgary.
Gerussi was in town to perform at
celebrity cooking demonstrations for five
different shows. The star of the television
program, "The Beachcombers," is also the
headliner and host of his own TV cooking
program, "Celebrity Cooks."
Sound seems to be the "in" thing this
spring at local theatres. The Lyric in Outlook,
Saskatchewan, the Town and Country
Drive-in in Virden, Manitoba, and the Roxy
Theatre in Barrhead, Alberta all report new
solid-state sound systems this spring, installed
by Independent Theatre Supply of
Edmonton.
The new Gull Lake Cinema building is
nearly completed, with a scheduled Victoria
day opening in sight. Built by a local cultural
co-operative, the new cinema building
will also house the local library. It will
boast new Heywood-Wakefield seats. Kinotone
projection equipment, and Quad-8
sound, to be supplied by Independent Theatre
Supply of Edmonton. The town of
3.000 in southwestern Sasketchewan has
been without a cinema since the Lyceum
burned over two years ago.
ter.
The Dreamland Theatre, under the own-
The Regent Theatre in downtown Winnipeg
has recently been purchased by Richard
Falk, former projectionist there. The venerable
old showplace will receive a thorough
cleaning, and repairs will be made to bring
the house back to neat and clean condition.
Strong xenon lighting equipment was installed
in the projection room, supplied by
Independent Theatre Supply. Falk indicates
that he hopes to expand the clientele of the
theatre with international shows and special
screenings. Best of luck, Richard.
Nash Heads Ozoner Ass'n
PITTSBURGH — Jim Nash was elected
president of the Tri-State
Drive-In Theatres
Ass'n during the annual dinner meeting held
at the Park Schenley, recently. Other leaders
selected were Milton Lodic, vice-president,
George Tice, secretary and Al Ranalli,
treasurer. Lou Lambros, Jack Vogel and
Steve Rodnok are the d'rectors and Meercy
B. Weiner remains as executive secretary.
071 A\N A
Jack Marion, matTagcr of the Cinema 6, recently
celebrated his
26th wedding anniversary.
CongratLilations. Mr. and Mrs. J. A.
Marion, and we all wish you manv more
happy years together.
AMPEA Planning S-Day
Confab in Charlotte'own
SAINT JOHN— Industryites attending a
recent executive meeting of the Atlantic Motion
Picture Exh'bilors Ass'n at Keddy's
Motor Inn in Saint John included: president
Genny LeBlanc. Moncton, N.B.; secretary
Doug MacLeod jr., Kentville. N.S.; Paul
Gunn. CharlollJtown. P.E.I.; Bill Tavenor.
Cornerbrook, Nfld., and Brian Clark. Saint
John.
Selected as the promoter for the association's
1978 convention was "Freddie Film
Strip," who will be kept busy sending out
promotional material plugging the confab,
which the convention committee has rated
"G for Great."
The gathering will be expanded by one
day this year and is scheduled to take place
October 14-16 at the Rodd Motor Inn,
Charlottetown, P.E.I.
It was disclosed at the executive meeting
that Dan Jardine, AMPEA vice-president
and treasurer, was a patient in Moncton City
Hospital. Moncton. N.B.. and delegates in
attendance sent wishes for a sp>eedy recovery.
Also, condolences were extended to Bill
Richards of Neweastle. N.B.. past president
of the AMPEA. on the death of his
wife Marg. as well as to Genny LeBlanc
on the death of her sister in Glace Bay. N.S.
It also was observed at the AMPEA get-
ership of Warren Fontaine, will close at
together that the call of the sun had been
the end of May, Fontaine reports. The
too
Dreamland
much for many to resist, with the result
that they had put away snow shovels
is the last of the grind-houses
in Alberta, and until the time of its closing
and jetted to Flor da. Among those making
it will still be open ten hours a day, with
the trip were Fred and Eva Leavens.
a double feature for $1.50, and a midnight
shew on Sunday. The building is owned
by the City of Edmonton, and is on the Michael Brandon Makes PA
grounds of the proposed Convention Cen-
Tour for 'FM' Promotion
UNIVERSAL CIT^'— Michael
Brandon
began a five-city publicity tour for Universal's
"FM" Monday (1) in Dallas, with
newspaper, TV and radio interviews plugging
the picture also scheduled in Houston,
Atlanta, Philadelphia and New York.
Eileen Brennan, Alex Karras, Cleavon
Little, Martin Mull and Cassie Yates star
with Brandon in the film, which features
special concert appearances by Linda Ronstadt
and Jimmy Buffet. John .\. .Alonzo
directed "FM," produced by Rand Holston
and co-produced by Robert Larson,
nVSVSJESS L\ HilWAII T(N>,
f
When you come to Wuikikl,
(k)n't miss tlic fumous Don H
Show . . . ut Cinerama's
Reef Towers Hotel,
EOXOmCE May 15, 1978

VANCOUVER
Taking an earlj vacation this year was
Margaret Davie of Hosford Theatre
Supply who spent a quiet week at home
and then went over to Victoria to enjoy
the beauty of the gardens and to visit the
marine life and whales at Sealand. Accompanying
her was your correspondent.
News from Canfilm is that Tashi Grady
has exited her post there to pursue her fulltime
modeling career. Look for her in the
Eaton's commercials.
Amateur night is back! Every night at the
Ridge Theatre talented youngsters perform
before the show and during intermission
with the audience donating via a giftbox
in the lobby which is shared by all performers.
Dave Fairleigh of Hollywood phoned
in to advise that Frank Shepherd jr. of the
pioneer family who operated theatres at
Biggarm. Sask.. and Armstrong died March
28. In recent years he had been projectionist
at the Starpght Drive-In at Williams
Lake. Dave also informed that his company
Dominion Sound of Vancouver installed
all equipment, scats and indoor facilities
at the new Cassiar Theatre.
Odeon booker Ron Keillor is
annual trip to Europe.
away on his
Tom Miller, Canadian general manager
of Victor a Film Services, accompanied by
Steve Holden of Calgary, spent the weekend
at the local branch and in meetings
with Mary-Lou McCausland, chief provincial
classifier. Meetings with the classifier
dealt with ways of expediting viewings
of prints recc'ved from Eastern branches
and also the censorship status of video cassettes
which VFS will be handling in the
near future. He also confirmed various staff
changes. Margaret Copping will go to Calgary
Thursday (25) to manage that branch
and will be succeeded as manager here by
Lloyd Pritchard. Head shipper locally will
be Joan Trecious. The best wishes of everyone
in the industry here go with Margaret,
who has combined efficient management
with rapid advancement since starting with
Victoria Film .Services a year and a half
ago.
Patei Enterprises, an East Indian importing
company, which also
has been interested
in the distribution and exhibition of East
Indian films at the old York, has moved
to th; suburbs, taking over operation of
the Haida Theatre from Odeon. The policy
will be East Indian on weekends and rentals
during the balance of the week. This leaves
only Odeon's Hyland to service the whole
southeast end of the city from Eraser Avenue
to the New Westminster boundary with
controversial product.
This city is well on its way to becoming
the second-hand capital of the Pacific Coast.
Sunday, April 30. in spite of all the opposition
which has developed lately, the
l.ougheed Drive-In was turning customers
and cars away by 1 1 a.m. and parking was
K-4
impossible on side streets . . . Mike Radulovich
of the Auto-Vue Drive-In, Trail, and
Bob Bennett of the Castle, Castlegar. visited
Hosford Theatre Supplies on a booking trip.
Mike reports that, contrary to the trend
and despite heavy rains, this year's opening
business was the best in ten years.
Large Ad Campaign Blasts
'Deathsport' Into Canada
TORONTO — Southwestern Ontario
jumped 1.000 years into the future Friday
(12 a.s Roger Corman's latest action-packed
feature. "Deathsport." blasted into the big
screen.
Backed by one of the largest ad campaigns
ever used in Canadian film distribution,
the film, which opened in over forty
theatres, offered audiences a spectacle of
action as David Carradine and Claudia Jennings
fight for their lives in the year 3000.
Theatres are packed wherever the film
plays. "Deathsport's" first-week Los Angeles
gross of $442,000 is the largest in the
history of New World Pictures. Los Angeles
Times critic Kevin Thomas described
the film as "lots of exhilarating fun" and
Carradine's performance as "terrific." He
found the special effects "convicing" and
enjoyed the "high energy" displayed.
The story opens after the Neutron Wars,
when self-contained city-states must survive
on meager fuel supplies. One plans war for
another's fuel and develops a Deathmachine
for battle. To test its superiority. Carradine
and Jennings are captured. They are Range
Guides, superior humans who along with
the Mutants inhabit the vast wasteland between
the states.
"Deathsport"" is distributed in Canada by
New World-Mutual Pictures of Canada.
Patrick J. Hogan Honored
By St. Patrick Society
SAINT JOHN— Patrick J. Hogan. 85.
was honored March 17 at the annual St.
Patrick's Society dinner, an event he has
been instrumental in forming into a celebration
of "Irish goodwill and cheerfulness
and a healer of the strife-torn side of Irish
history." according to Sen. Daniel Riley,
who compared the film industry veteran to
the Con fed .'ration-era politician Thomas
D'Arcy McGee.
Born in Newfoundland, Hogan has been
made honorary life president of the Saint
John St. Patrick's Society. He has been secretary-treasurer
and a moving force of the
organization for the past 49 years.
Involved in the motion picture industry
over 60 years. Hogan resides in Saint John.
He remains active in the business, buying
and booking for a number of theatres in
Newfoundland.
Besides Sen. Daniel Riley. Mayor Samuel
Davis. Veterans" Affairs Minister Daniel
MacDonald (who was guest speaker) and
Premier Richard Hatfield were among the
dignitaries who attended the festive occasion.
Michael Cartel wrote the screenplay for
"Bitter Heritage.""
ALL OF THESE
PRACTICAL
SERVICE
DEPARTMENTS
APPEAR REGULARLY
i
in
ADUNES 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!
BOXOFHCE :: May

\C9tU^lud&9tt, • &u^M6nt • CoHceddiBiU • nfnUdetutMetTHE
MODERN
MAY
15. 1978
THEATRS
The Tennessee Theatre, recently closed hy ABC. will be reopened hy Tennessee
Theatre Classics. Inc. Dr. Georfie Spiva of the University of Tennessee heads up a group
of local businessmen who formed the corporation that is planning to turn the Tennessee
into a house specializing in classic film fare.
featuring Seating and Floor Coverings

--—Til
1 MDDIRM I
1ATB.I M
I his issue of The Modern Theatre
contains the annual Seating and Floor
Covering Review. Representative models of
theatre seats made by the major U.S. manufacturers
are detailed beginning on page 4.
Exhibitors who are in the market for an
entire auditorium of seats or simply looking
for a few replacements should be able to
find what they are looking for on these
pages. Why not save this issue for reference
throughout the year?
The Floor Covering Review begins on
page 10. Exhibitors must bear in mind that
domestic quality carpet is not designed to
withstand the heavy use of a commercial
facility. The carpets featured in this section
are of commercial quality and have been designed
for heavy-use areas. In selecting
either seats or carpeting, you should remember
that any radical change in auditorium
furnishings will affect the acoustics of your
theatre.
Related to our theme of Seating and
Floor Covering is the article by Paul Hatch
on page 16. He explains that roughly 14
per cent of our society is afflicted with a
physical handicap. This means that roughly
14 per cent of our potential patrons also are
affected by the accessibility of a motion picture
theatre. He then outlines some simple
and economical plans to help these potential
patrons enjoy the benefits of your theatre.
You have little to lose and only patrons to
gain!
*
An expose on the plans to reopen the
Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville begins on
page 14. Because of the theatres close location
to the University and its large, movieoriented
population, it is felt that the Tennessee
will be most suited to classic and
repertory film fare. The reopening is being
spearheaded by Dr. George Spiva of the
University of Tennessee and a group of local
businessmen.
In addition to some fine new products for
the concessions area, our final offering is
the first instalment of a two-part feature article
on the History of Popcorn. This article
was compiled by Boxoi i ice correspondent
Miibic Guinan, supplemented with information
from "The Popcorn Cookery." a book
by Larry Kusche. and "The Dynamite in
Popcorn," an essay by Denise Liberto. the
daughter of Frank Liberto. president of Liberto
Specialty Co. The photos were courteously
provided by Crelors & Co. and Manley.
Inc.
o n t n
ix
The Modern Theatre's 1978 Annual
Seating and Floor Covering Review 4
The exhibitor's one-stop i-iiide to the fine seating products offered
by the major manufacturers. Included is a showcase of
durable carpets designed for commercial use in high-traffic
public areas.
Plans To Revomp The Tennessee Theatre
Include Classic and Repertory Film Fore 14
"The Tennessee Theatre is typical of many cinema palaces
built between the teens and the thirties during the heyday of
movies. With its ornate interior, the 1 .600-seat Tennessee is a
familiar landmark to moviegoers of all ages in Knoxville."
Theatre Seating for Handicapped
Requires Little Effort or Cost By Paul Hatch 16
"Approximately one out of seven people in our nation has a
permanent physical disability. This segment of our population
represents human resources of inestimable value and is of great
economic significance to the entire nation."
The History of Popcorn: Part One 22
"As movies became popular, attempts were made to sell popcorn
in theatres but few establishments would allow it. Popcorn
was too messy and many patrons complained that it smelled and
was too noisy as it was being popped."
Bally Case & Cooler Develops
Extra Strength Floor Ramp 18
New High Speed Floor Buffer
Is Compact, Simple and Fast 18
Rugged Lighted Butter Server
Announced By Server Products 19
Christie Projector-Protector
Receives Worldwide Accolades 19
Merchandising Aids Available
For 'Discover America' Line 20
Whipped Beverage Dispensers
Hove Visual Selling Appeal 21
DEPARTMENTS:
Seating & Floor Covering 4
Refreshment Service 22
1^
GARY BURCH, Mano^ing Editor
New Products & Developments 18
About People & Product 28
The MODERN THEATRE is a bound-in SKtron published each month in BOXOFFICE. Editorial
or general business correspondence should be addressed to Associated Publications,
825 Von Brunt '.1

BOXOmCE :: May 15, 1978

There is
nothing
in the world
as dependable
as a...
The Modem Theatre's
1978 Annual
Seating and Floor Covering Review
Your patrons spend nearly all of their time in your theatre sitting in the auditorium
seats. If you've got a good quality picture, but your patron has to shift and
squirm during the time the show runs, then you're going to have a dissatisfied customer.
Probably the best tesi of a theatre seat for comfort is to actually sit through a
feature film showing. If you find it uncomfortable, so will your patrons. Make this test
on your present seating and perhaps you may decide to replace your furnishing.
Regardless of whether you have new or old seating, remember that you can prolong
the life of your seating a considerable amount by rotating the rows as needed.
Simplex
projector...
I
NTS
sales-seivicesupply
man:
IRWIN SEATING CO.
Irwin Seating Co., Grand Rapids.
Mich., combines seating comfort with
beautiful, contemporary design. The
Citation chair, above, offers theatre
owners the original, one-piece, injection-molded,
linear polyethylene back
that requires no painting— ever. The
model also features the option of allowing
selection
of three different degrees
of back pitch upon installation including
the unique "Comfort-Slope" 24-
degree pilch. The Citation also features
the exclusive Irwin "Quick-Change"
seat cushion. The Atlas Hi-Back
Lounger, below, has a back that extends
three inches higher than normal, with
plush back cushions specially designed
in two densities.
MASSEY SEATING CO.
Two popular chair models that Massey
Seating Co., Nashville, Tenn., offers
are, top to bottom, the Astro-Rocker
and Rocker-Lounger. The big, oversized
Astro-Rocker, and its companion
Astro-Lounger, feature three foampillar
back supports and a full-depth
foam cushion seat. The latter has the
same distinctive styling and construction
as the former, except that it
is stationary. A fool-proof rocking
mechanism, permitting an automatic
adjustment for the proper seat pitch,
has contributed to the Rocker-Lounger
becoming "the standard of comparison
in theatre sealing." The Loge model
is available with the same features.
The MODERN THEATRE SECTION

Is yourbox office
out ofcontrol?
kame it with Pacer Cashtronic!
With a Pacer Cashtronic system in your box office,
you'll have all of these answers at the tip of
your finger:
1. Immediate customer count, or individual
descending house counts for up to four separate
auditoriums.
2.Cash receipts by departments and auditorium
whenever needed.
S.Total tickets sold, broken down by type of ticket.
4. Instant audit trials for verifying the number of
tickets and dollars sold in each price category.
Improve profit and security. Pacer
Cashtronic can help you increase profits because
admission prices are pre-programmed. The cashier
simply issues the type of tickets in each transaction
and the price is calculated automatically
and displayed to the customer and cashier. Change
is calculated electronically to eliminate error and
speed ticket sales.
Tickets cannot be issued without recording
a sale and a complete hard copy of all transactions
is available when needed.
BOXOmCE :: May 15, 1978
Free box office taming kit. Send for our
free guide to box office control. It could be the
most profitable thing you do today. For your copy/
contact Pacer Corporation, 220 South River
Street, Seattle, WA 98108.
Phone 206/762-1133.
PACER

. .
"^THE FINAL TOUCH ^
of the first tonsideration .
carpeting of proven performance
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pRGNieR i;^
Alexander SmithCarpet 4=j
Consult
EXPERTS
first witli tfie . . .
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^ *
Western Service & Supply. Inc.
^fi yj : 10(1 Stout St. • Denver, CO S02t)l
((03)'i34-76ll
Folded Machine
Roll Tickets
Coupon Books
TICKETS
HEYWOOD-WAKEFIELO
Hey wood-Wakefield. M e n o in i n e e,
Mich., offers theatre chairs in stationary
models and seven rocking chairs,
above. Representative rocker model
TC-2104, below, has a spring base
mechanism, veneer back panel and
solid wood armrests. The spring-base
rocking innovation adjusts automatically
to all seating positions without
levers, buttons or gadgets. Padded
backs and spring-filled backs are available
along with coil spring and arch
spring seat cushions. All metalwork.
available in a choice of .standard and
custom colors, is steel. Seat cushions
arc available in widths from 19 to 24
in. and are fitted with wire drawstring
covers for easy replacement. Rocking
Models are available in mini-midi-ma.xi
sizes to accommodate various size sealing
budgets.
NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY
Produced for National Theatre Supply
by American Desk Manufacturing Co.,
the company's chair line includes three
varieties. The Lounger model 2840,
above, is offered in two styles— the
King-Back, a deep plush style, and
the slimline Queen-Back. Both provide
the ultimate in comfort and convenience
with an unusual mechanism that
maintains a precise relationship between
back and seat in every angle of
recline. Model 21 I7-24F, below, is the
Marquis, which features a imiquely
contoured plastic back that is superbly
designed for ease, durability and freedom
of maintenance
Wddon, Williams &l». IM-
PORT ^smVhM""
501/783-4113
imp^ OA Portable 35mm
ir
Sound Projector
Professional
portable
equipment offering top
quality projection.
1 Ideally suited for stanrrh?^
WriV
'HEfet^
-~'^* '
dard, mini-sized theaters
3nd screening rooms.
Many outstanding features
including Xenon
or incandescent lamphouse,
interlock. Base
price $2950.00.
ALAN GORDON ENTERrrSES INC.
FSPECIAUST IN TWINNING, BUILDING
or
REMODELING THEATRES
We are "THE" specialist in the creation of a twin or multi-theatre from
your existing theatre. Complete turnkey job, plans, engineering,
construction and finishing. Call or write:
Norman and Friddell, 94 Panorama Dr.. Conroe. Tx. 77301
A/C 713-856-5297
The MODERN THEATRE SECTION

HE KEY TO BETTER BUYING
THE PRODUCTSERVICB DIRECTORY
of The MODERN THEATRE
section of BOXOFFICE
Is the buying guide for circuit executives, theatre owners, managers and technicians.
It is their key to ideas and sources when planning theatre improvements
and replacements, when purchasing different equipment, supplies and
refreshment products.
A few of its many valuable features include:
— Portfolios on Theatre Planning, Design and Construction, Drive-ln Design,
Projection and Sound, Air Conditioning and Heating, Refreshment Service—including
technical information, "how-to" instructions, useful tables,
the newest ideas and trends on all phases of motion picture theotre
operations presented by experts.
—Listings of equipment and supply sources.
—Hundreds of leading products, indexed with firm names and addresses.
—Directory of Theatre Equipment and Supply Dealers.
All These Classifications
Covered in the Directory
and Reference Pages
W MOST COMPLETB REFERENCE
omp'ilation of its kind, titeatremen prefer it also because
t
is an integral part of their comprehensiy» service from
OXOFFICE, included in
their yearly subscription.
ANOTHER EXCLUSIVE
BOXOFFICE SERVICE
BOXOFFICE
825 Von Brunt Bl»d., Kansas City, Mo. 64124
Pleose enter my subscription to BOXOFFICE (12 issues of which contoin
The MODERN THEATRE section) and including the Annual BAROMETER
and BUYERS' DIRECTORY and REFERENCE Editions.
D 1 yeorfof $15.00 D 2 ycors for $28.00
THEATRE
These rotes for U.S., Canoda only. Other countries: $25.00 a year.
STREET ADDRESS
TOWN STATE ZIP NO.

I 1
THE
SOURCE
FOR
3 Dimensional
Plastic
Letters
6' to 31"
The first word in
DURABILITY
DELIVERY
DESIGN
Rapid Change
Letter Co.
Affiliated with Sign Products
THE
SOURCE
FOR
Acrylic
Flat
Letters
4" to 17"
AMERICAN SEATING CO.
American Sealing Co., Grand Rapids.
Mich., is aggressively ntarkeling public
seating designed specifically to reduce
the hazard of flame spread. Within its
35M series is the model 35M-FR,
which incorporates neoprene foam as
the cushioning material. Neoprene
foam has been found to be inherently
flame-resistant, durable and resilient.
A wide selection of rich upholstery
fabrics, colors and aisle treatments are
available in the 35M series as are a
variety of seats, backs, middle standards,
and armrests which permit creating
an individualized chair for any
sealing need. Also available are accessories
such as number plates, folding
tablet arms, ash trays and aisle
lights.
r— v^
GRIGGS EQUIPMENT CO.
Griggs Equipment Co., Belton, Tex.,
"sets a new standard for theatre seating
excellence" with its model 1065
Push-Back chair, above. Eye-appealing
design, sturdy one-piece molded Cycolac
back, top-quality upholstery and
the famous push-back mechanism have
made it a favorite with theatre owners
and managers. Model 4252, below
features a full-molded five-inch polyurethane
cushion and an extra high
back with a three-inch foam and melaine
plastic back shell. The seat pan
and uplift are made of steel.
Self-spacing panels that are
EFFECTIVE
ECONOMICAL
EASY TO USE
Samples on request. For complete
information, please call immediately.
213-747-6546
1319 West 12th Place Los Angeles. CA 9001
I
I

It took a short bulb
to complete
our long line.
After a long year of testing, in the
lab and in the field, our new short bulbs
have proven themselves to be brilliant
performers. So we're bringing them to
you with a very important feature— the
best warranty in the business.
Besides durability we wanted
our new "S" series short bulbs to have
the same reliability and economy as our
other Xenolite' bulbs. And they do.
At Christie, we've also known from
the very beginning that we want to be
your primary source for xenon bulbs. To
be your primary source, we first had to
become your most complete source.
And we are.
Our distributors can now offer
the most complete Christie xenon bulb
line— 23 different models to fit any
lamphouse.
It took us a long time to bring
you our completed bulb line. Because,
at Christie, we believe in testing our
bulbs on ourselves instead of on our
customers.
SINCE 1929
ELECTRIC CORP.
3410 W. B7th Street, Los Angeles, California 90043
Tel: (21 3) 750-1 1 51 TWX 91 0-321-3867
jBOXOFPICE :: May 15, 1978

«^\*^^f^iK-:'*>?^G¥^WK8PPWf
EASTWEST CARPET MILLS
Eastwest Carpet Mills, the parent
company of Econo-Pleat, offers three
new additions to their carpet line. Galveston,
top, is 100 per cent heat-set nylon
and is
antistatic treated and soil retardent.
This carpet has a longer pile
height than a phish but is fuller than a
shag. Bronco, center, is made of 100
per cent Antron III nylon yarn in a
dense velvet fiber. Las Vegas, bottom,
is a short shag offered in 17 solid and
tweed patterns.
self-perforating
frame-line tape
SPLICERS
AND TAPE
70mm,
Unprecedented Performance, Reliability, Serviceability
from XeTRON 35mm Automated Projection Console.
QualPro* Xenon, Automation, Sound • Modular Construction
Totally Wired • 1000, 2000, 3000 Watts • Illuminated Controls
Slide-Out IREM Power Supply •Accepts most popular projectors.
Pictured with Cinemeccanica V5 Projector, C-55PTA
Sound, Maxi-Automation, XeTRON Products Division, Carbons,
Inc., 10 Saddle Rd, Cedar Knolls, N J 07927. (201)267-8200.
Quality Proven Components
>l I
JCeTRON
Division of CARBONS. Inc.

Why
Wagner?
ALEXANDER SMITH CARPET
Crestwood II, above, and Regal
Touch, below, are two brands of commercial
carpeting offered by Alexander
Smith. Amsterdam. N.Y., a division of
Mohasco Corp. Anso X® anti-shock
nylon is used in the 18 stock patterns
of Crestwood II. Regal Touch, with
second generation nylon for soil and
static control, is designed for use in
heavy duty public areas. Patterns include
two-color geometries, soft geometries,
plaids, oriental influences and
red tonal stepping. Under the velvet
pile is a 189 pilch axminster backing
which has a reputation for combining
nylon's highly abrasive resistant properties
with anti-soil power. This is the
first axminster Mohawk has ever offered
with static control.
let your
youngest
part-timer
answer that!
If you would like more information on
any of the items mentioned in this
section or on any of the advertisements
appearing in this issue of THE MOD-
ERN THEATRE, please indicate the
product or products in question in the
space provided on the postage paid
coupon that appears on pages 27 and
28. Clip the coupon, mail it to us. and
we will handle your request as expeditiously
as possible.
We believe your copy board should be
a helper, not a nuisance. So we design
Wagner letters and marquees any
unskilled employee can handle for you.
Guaranteed unbreakable.
New Wagner Super Plus
black letters are indestructable. and we
guarantee it. Color letters are virtually
unbreakable, too. Won't chip, scratch,
or fade. Choose from stainless steel
frame marquees with unbreakable
backgrounds or economical Enduronamel
panels.
Fool-proof changes,
Wagner letters' exclusive slotted design
means no clips, no hooks, no possible
upside down or backward mounting.
And no freezing to the track—even
when it's zero.
A helping hand.
Wagner's mechanical hand works like
fingers that mount messages quickly.
conveniently up to 22 feet. No ladders.
Wagner.
Call your theatre supplier for immediate
delivery.
3m
ELECTRICAL SIGN PRODUCTS
3100 Hirsrli Street
Melrose Park. Illinois oOlbO
National
BOXOmCE :: May 15, 1978

OSRAM Xenon bulbs last longer.
That's what cost-conscious theatre managers and
chain executives everywhere report. It seems that
in hundreds of cases these remarkable bulbs last
even longer than their warranteed life. That gives
you hundreds of extra hours per bulb—and drastically
reduces your operating cost per hour
But to get this extra life, you have to be sure it s
an OSRAM Xenon bulb. Ask your distributor If he
doesn't stock the OSRAM Xenon bulb you need, he
can get it for you— often within a day or two.
If youre using Xenon bulbs now. be sure yours go
on, and on, and on. insist on OSRAM.
Xenon bulbs
goon
and on
and on
Macbeth
Sales Corporation
A DIVISION OF KOLLMORGEN CORPORATION
R,D. #3 Jeanne Drive •Newburgh, New York 12550
(914) 564-6300 • Toll free: (800) 431-9980
BOXOFHCE :: May 15, 1978

The small tiered curtain in the right of this photo veils one of
two organ chambers holding pipes for the still active instrument.
This photo, taken from the spotlight porthole, shows the width
of the proscenium and the size of the main seating area.
Plans to Revamp the Tennessee Theatre
Include Classic and Repertory Film Fare
The Tennessee Theatre, recently closed
by ABC, will be reopened by Tennessee
Theatre Classics, Inc., under the leadership
of Jess Long, who was previously employed
by the Wendy's chain of hamburger
stores in a management position. Dr.
George Spiva of the University of Tennessee
heads up a group of local businessmen
who formed the corporation that is planning
to turn the Tennessee into a house specializing
in classic film fare.
Howard Hopwood, Films Inc. equipment
consultant, visited the theatre recently to
advise the group on possible improvements
in the booth and necessary steps to be
taken in the renovation of the interior. Portions
of his report follow.
"The Tennessee Theatre is typical of
l^ss^\KS^!>>s^>3

flo moneii doum
25y^tr

Theatre Seating for Handicapped
Requires Little Effort or Cost
By
PAUL HATCH
"Approximately one out of seven people
in our nation has a permanent physical
disability. This segment of our population
represents human resources of inestimable
value and is of great economic significance
to the entire nation.
The most common design and construction
of buildings and facilities cause problems
for the physically handicapped that
lessen the social and economic gains now
evident in the rehabilitation of these individuals.
These architectural barriers make
it very difficult to project the physically
handicapped into normal situations of education,
recreation, and employment."
These words are contained as part of
the forward in a publication entitled "Specifications
for Making Buildings and Facilities
Accessible to and Usable by, the
Physically Handicapped," published and
distributed by the American National Standards,
Inc., 1430 Broadway. New York, N.Y.
10018.
JGIuick
Relieti
1. Find a cure for
4ways
unimpressive sidewalls
2. Listen for a remedy
to acoustical problems-
3. Discover relief for chronic
energy pains *
4. Put away your tranquilizers the cost
wont jangle your nerves.
-.with,- ,
Soundfold
8,000 theatres across the country and around the world have
made a full recovery from dull, noisy and energy absorbing
sidewalls by installing Soundfold. With 4 varieties to choose
from, you have all the options Select Mix & Match, Economy,
Plush or the ever popular Standard Soundfolds international
reputation is well known. If you would like to know more, clip
the prescription below and mail it to us. If you need help for
sidewalls that are weakening fast call us collect: 513/228-3773
or 513/293-2671
Please supply me >
D Standard
D Plush
Company
Address _ .
'ith complete information on the following
Li Mix & tVlatcfl
D Economy
City Slate Zip
Soundfold Inc., P.O. Box 2125, Dayton, Ohio 45429.
The specifications adopted by this organ
zation are used by many state and goverr
mental jurisdictions in the absence of thei
own regulations and serve as guidelines fo
construction standards.
During recent years, there has been
concerted effort on behalf of the physicalf
handicapped to assure consideration of thei
needs in both public and private sectors. Th.
federal government demands inclusion o
facilities and designs for the handicappei
in any building constructed with federa
funds.
Aside from the humanitarian considera
tions, businessmen should underline the par
of the previously mentioned forward whicl
states that "one of seven" people are physi
cally handicapped. When this is translate(
into dollars and cents for the economy, ant
in particular to the motion picture enter
tainment industry, you can see that a largt
portion of the monies spent are controllec
by the handicapped.
What have you. as a theatre owner, dont
for them and to your facility in an attemp'
to encourage their patronage and subsequently
increase your boxoffice gross?
With the inception of the small cinema
and shopping mall theatres many barriers
to the handicapped have been substantially
removed. Few new theatres hav,; stairs and
generally have sufficiently large rest rooms
and other accomodations which make theii
establishments accessible to the handicapped.
But do you capitalize on this fact? Do
you note these features in your advertising?
Have you notified any organized group
dealing with the handicapped that you seek
their
patronage?
14% Are Handicapped
The handicapped comprise much of that
vast lost audience of moviegoers which we
must attempt to lure back to the movies.
With little effort on your part, they again
can become part of the mainstream of theatregoers.
Many states have either a permanent
subcommittee or commission specifically
designed to work with business people in
working to overcome architectural barriers
and to make suggestions as to what can be
done to qualify your place of business as
one which is capable of catering to the
handicapped. A phone call or letter to such
a body can and will bring immediate response
from someone who is eager to work
with you.
While the rules are quite rigid, it appears
that those who voluntarily seek to eliminate
the barriers arc given a great deal of consideration.
Despite the fact that your theatre
may not meet all of the requirements,
they are often very flexible in awarding
the
approval.
It should be noted here that a nationally
recognized symbol showing a likeness
of a wheelchair is available and may be
affixed to your building, indicating that you
are equipped and ready to handle the handicapped.
Caution: do not allempi to display this
symbol without proper authorization, since
laws may prohibit its display unlets you are
approved and given permission to post this
sign.
The MODERN THEATRE SECTION

If you do qualify, another suggestion is
1
to designate certain parkings places in your
lot as "reserved" for handicapped patrons.
These are generally located very near the
main entrance.
In our quest for the almighty dollar, many
fail to recognize the benefits of such efforts,
and crowd every available space in the
auditorium with permanent seats. To provide
space for the handicapped may mean
removing a couple of seats near the exit
to accomodate the wheelchair(s). If your
space is limited, it is a good idea to suggest
that handicapped patrons call in advance
to reserve the space.
it may be advisable too, to provide a
movable seat so that someone accompanying
the handicapped person may sit alongside
the patron to assist their needs. Wherever
the space is made available, it should be
as close to an emergency exit as is possible.
In my own situation, we have space for
foLir wheelchairs. During the years which
wo have offered this service, the public reaction
has been tremendous. Originally the
space was provided solely to assist an old
school chum of mine stricken with polio.
We display a sign indicating that we are
equipped for the handicapped. I have been
amazed to learn that many tourists and
Msitors have seen this and stop to determine
exactly what we do offer. Not only
have I gained the patronage of the handicapped,
but also that of their families and
friends who come to the theatre with them.
Not all handicapped are confined to
wheelchairs. It became obvious that many
people are subject to orthopedic problems
and that a two hour sit in a standard theatre
seat is either extremely unconjfortable or
downright unbearable. To compensate for
this, we have placed a regular living room
styled recliner chair in the auditorium. There
is never an additional charge made for either
this chair or the wheelchair accomodations.
Look your theatre over. You'll probably
find that you too can provide this unique
and most welcome service to the handicapped
of your community. Even if your
boxoffice doesn't skyrocket, you'll at least
have done something nice for your fellow
man.
SOME CUSTOMERS
ARE NOTICEABLY UPSET
WHEN THEY CAN'T
READ THE TITLES
... or anything else. And customers paying today's
tickel prices are not likely to be satisfied unless they
can read all the titles (and the fine print, too.) So why
compromise the clarity of your screen image with
"el cheapo" 4-element lenses when new 6-element
lenses in the American/European tradition are available
to keep customers happy. Ask your dealer about
the all-new breakthrough designs by Schneider. Or
write for literature or call Glenn Berggren at Schneider
Corporation of America, 185 Willis Avenue, Mineola,
NY 11501. (516)747-5100.
Be the first to know about
the new lens designs!
Send for 1978 information

]20frh SMPTE Technical Confab
Appoints Program Chairman
John Zeman. Eastman Kodak Co.. has
been appointed program chairman for the
i 20lh SMPTE Technical Conference, it was
announced by SMPTE editorial vice-president
K. Blair Benson. Video Corp. ot
A.Tierica.
The conference, schedule for Sunday Oct.
29 to Thursday Nov. 2 at the Americana
Hotel in New York City, will feature four
days of technical sessions, a 210 booth
equipment exhibit, a spouses program, a
hmcheon and a banquet.
Assisting Zcman will be Edward J. Messina,
ABC. as associate chairman for film
topics; and C. Robert Fine. Fine Communications
and L. Merle Thomas. Public
Broadcasting Service, as associate chairmen
for video topics. The theme of the conference
will be "Imagery—Today /Tomorrow."
Zeman recently issued his call for papers.
He urged prospective authors with high
professional competency in the conference
topics to submit papers for presentation at
this conference. The subjects of the conference
are: Electronic Editing; Stereo
Sound in Video Broadcasting and Theatrical
Applications; Production Technics; Special
Effects in Film and Video; Video Processing;
Film Laboratory Practices; State
of the Art in Transferring Film-to-Tape and
Tape-to-Film; and Status Reports on Standards.
JUTENTIONI
You will have Everyone's Attention when you display key titles or
your whole marquee in our new Brite-Glo* system. Here is the
really noticeable difference in signage that can add creativity and
flexibility to your presentation.
NEW
EQUIPMENT
= and =
JL9 a B.B.ll-B-B-9-8-a-gJLB.B.9J-g-g-B-B-B-g-B-g.B_B-aj
o, DEVELOPMENTS
Bally Case & Cooler Develops
Extra Strength Floor Ramp
A new, e.xtra-strength interior floor ramp
for walk-in coolers and freezers has beer
developed by Bally Case & Cooler. Inc.
The new ramps have a core completeh
made of high-density foamed-in-place ure
thane. This gives them increased structural
18
The Brite-Glo* system gives you changeable copy with a
permanent look. THERE IS NO ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT IN
YOUR SIGN-FACE REQUIRED BECAUSE BRITE-GLO* LETTERS
WILL FIT THE TRACK YOU HAVE NOW. Sizes from 4" to
24" — perfect even for mini-marquees. Specify Bevelite-Adler
Brite-Glo*, from the same company that makes your Pronto,
Slotted or Snap Lok letters. Just tell your dealer what type of letter
that you have so that Brite-Glo* can be made to fit your track.
The Brite-Glo* system — a major advance in changeable copy.
^___
NETWORK in BRITE-GLO*
NETWORK
WE MAKE THEM BOTH!
(& Pronto Flat Letters Too!)
NETWORK in Snap Lok Letters
strength and improved insulating efficiency.
Heat gained through the ramp is minimized.
Entrance ramps are required when carts
must be rolled into a walk-in and it is impossible
to recess the unit's
the building floor.
floor panels into
Interior floor ramps are also used when
space or safety concerns prohibit installation
of an exterior ramp.
The ramps, like Bally modular panels, are
listed by Underwriters' Laboratories (UL),
and the Factory Mutual Insurance Group.
New High Speed Floor Buffer
Is Compact, Simple and Fast
A new ultra-high-speed floor maintenance
machine— the first ever to be made
size—has been introduced by American
available in a compact 20-inch diameter
Cleaning Equipment Corp.
Reportedly up to 50 per cent faster than
standard floor machines of equal size, the
new "Minuteman Ultra Speed" significantly
reduces the time and labor ordinarily required
for floor buffing, yet its compact
size makes it easy to handle for men and
women alike.
A special "Spray and Buff" system kit.
including an exclusive built-in electric power
spray is available for the new unit. Powered
by a 1 '/2 -horsepower motor, the floor
buffer provides a 300-rpm brush speed. The
normal speed in a standard machine is 175-
rpm.
The MODERN THEATRE SECTION

ugged Lighted Butter Server
Announced By Server Products
A durable, lighted butter server from
Server Products is reported to attract attenion
and build concession popcorn sales and
jrofits.
Small and compact, the Lighted Butter
icrver has a three-quart capacity and easily
its in concession operations where popcorn
5 served. The rugged LBS is a water bath
Christie Projector-Protector
Receives Worldwide Accolades
Not all of the major technical innovations
in the movie industry need to cost an
arm and a leg or be coupled to a computer
capable of mi.xing a three hour feature
in 17 minutes.
As a matter of fact, one of the most
important innovations—for theatre owners
in particular—has been acclaimed
worldwide for its ability to increase the
life of prints and projectors.
The device is the Christie Projector-
Protector film cleaner. In the past 18
months that it has been offered to theatre
operators, the unit has made a significant
contribution in cutting down on costly
maintenance, spare parts repair and downtime
by cleaning and lubricating the film
before it reaches the projector. From the
audience's standpoint, the Christie Projec-
Contimied on next paee
Selby:
Best performance in a
supporting role.
.'armer constructed of stainless steel and
an be used wet or dry. An adjustable therlostat
assures a safe, constant heat so but-
;r stays at the desired temperature and
onsistency.
The pump operated dispenser accurately
ontrols servings of warm butter with no
ripping or mess. The pumps maximum
troke yields a one-ounce serving and gagig
collars are available for smaller portions.
or more information, use the Reader's
ervice form on pages 27 and 28.
SPECIALISTS
111
REBUILDING
CHAIRS
Best workmanship. Reasona
.wOd, Id,
--1 Coi
•
• $2.00. We
sating Cor-
/ork (Neva
treet. Brooklyn,
1201. Tel. 212-875-5433. (Re-
3es.)
Selby has been behind some of the biggest
names in the business for 30 years.
Today, over 700 precision-engineered Selby
screen towers are in use in drive-m theaters
throughout the United States, Canada, Puerto
Rico, Jamaica and Venezuela.
Selby support is full-service. All of Selby's
screens are engineered, fabricated and constructed
to meet the strictest AISC and ACI code
standards.
And Selby screen towers are built from the
ground up. We even install the foundation and
surfacing. And for a nominal fee, we paint it,
too.
24-hour Selby service guarantees that the
show which must go on, will go on. Call Selby
and get star support.
fe^
Industries, Inc ^^
3920 Congress Parkway
Richlield. Ohio 44286
216-659-6631 (on 24-hour call)
lOXOmCE :: May 15, 1978

New Products-
Continued from preceding page
lor-Protector puts a better image on the
screen and better sound in the theatre.
Basically, the heart of the Christie film
cleaner is a silicone-coated. non-woven
lape which cleans film as it runs through a
projector. According to Lynn Shubert,
vice-president of Christie Electric Corp.
"The secret— if there is one— to our Projector-Protector
is that our film cleaning
surface is never dirty. Therefore, it gives
greater protection to film and equipment.
Our film cleaner is an energy saver too.
It actually drives itself by the passage of
film—without electrical connections or
motors. It's a well-designed, well-engineered
product that will be in theatres for years
to come."
The Christie Projector-Protector already
is gaining prestige among its users and
has even been considered for a major
industry award.
An Australian film distributor calls it
one of the most important technical advances
in years, stating that the film cleaner
relieves the dust and static problems due
to Australia's climate.
A major British organization says the
savings in film damage has been considerably
more than the initial cost of the cleaner
itself. They also intend to equip all of their
major complexes with the Christie Projector-Protector
film cleaner.
Natural Honey Granola Cookie
Introduced By Woodfield Co.
The Woodfield Co. is introducing a new
large-size "Whole Wheat Honey Granol
Cookie" which includes no sugar or othe
sweetener. Ingredients in the cookies in
elude honey, oats, whole wheat flour, so;
oil, prunes, water, coconut, wheat germ
sesame seeds and peanuts as well as othe
high-quality ingredients.
Merchandising Aids Available
For 'Discover America' Line
Merchandising aids designed to suppor
Dixie/ Marathon's new Discover Americ;
line of disposables include posters, bannen
and mobiles to hang in the theatre lobby.
All are available at no cost to operator
using the landmark-theme line. Use of th(
line automatically gives operators' custom
ers a discount premium offer on 14 travel
you want more comfort?
related products. A separate offer is on tht
back of each cup.
If
the operator chooses, he can offer free
food in exchange for a number of back-of
The new Irwin
Loge chair's
got it!
cup Discover America seals. Printed numbers
supplied with merchandising materials'
can be affixed to the posters shown above,
\/r Ralph R/iinoo/Rundlupp.
\in f/ompshjre enjoi mi> Ihelu.vuriou
ni( il t\ /nun Seating b
.'^n operator can offer a free sandwich, fries
or drink for the number of seals of his
choice. The line also is supported by extensive
full-color advertising. For more information,
use the Reader's Service form on
pages 27 and 28.
Some of your patrons could maybe styling and durability. Then, we made
be comfy sitting in a beanbag ashtray. our seat cushion a lot deeper— our
For them, maybe you don't need us. armrests longer and half again as wide
But not everybody's a lightweight. —and gave our backs a lot thicker
Most folks would really
padding.
appreciate all the delicious
We've now got the most
luxury and comfort of oirr ^ Irwin Seating
comfortable theatre chair
new Logo line of theatre I Company available. Anywhere. Even
chairs. For them, you need us.
I'.O. Box 24Z9 lor rhinos. So write, and
The new Loge chair line m Grand Rapids. we'll send you a beautiful
began with Irwin's proven Michigan 49501 brochure that tells all.
Total U.S. Population Shifts
To Older Age and Retirement
,
The total U.S. population has increased
I
about nine times since the mid- 19th century.
The older population—i.e., those aged
65 and over—has jumped 40 times, however.
Other findings by the American Council
of Life Insurance: Each day, approximately
1 .300 persons join the ranks of the older
population, which adds up to nearly 500,-
000 more retired people annually. And while
there were approximately 22,900,000 persons
aged 65 and over in the U.S. in 1976,
by {hi year 2000 the figure is expected to
hit .11,800,000. Even further along— by the
year 20.^0, the number of persons aged 65
and over is predicted at 55,000,000.
The MODERN THEATRE SECTION

Whipped Beverage Dispensers
Have Visual Selling Appeal
Two versatile visual display whipped beverage
dispensers which effectively merchandise
a variety of approved beverages,
including natural fruit juices and health
drinks, have been introduced by the Jet
Spray Corp.
Called the Twin Jetwhip, the dispensers
are available in two models. Model TJW2
serves two whipped beverages; Model TJWl
serves one whipped and one conventional
beverage, side-by-side from the same dispenser.
Their unitized twin bowl holds approximately
ten-gallons of beverage— about
five-gallons on each side.
The visual display and constant motion
add profitable impulse sales and the constant
aeration gives the beverage an appetizing
appeal. The transparent bowls of virtually
unbreakable Lexan resin allows one to
tell at a glance the amount of beverage remaining.
The units refrigerate and circulate the
beverage in the dispenser in a non-whipped
condition, then each drink is individually
whipped in the whipping chamber before
it is dispensed. This whipping process produces
a delicious, light, frothy drink in
.seconds. Both models are equipped with
separate spray switches which individually
control each bowl. Beverages also can be
sprayed or circulated depending on the nature
of the drink.
The KNEiSLEY Lamphouse to
Remember when Equipping Your Theatre,
"XENEX"
• It's moderately priced, ruggedly constructed.
— write for free details—
Clean styling. Complete rear Instrument ponel.
Access to interior through full hinged doors
Adjustable nose cone. Heavy duty igniter.
• Horizontal lamp and 14 inch dichroic cooted,
glass reflector provide greater light pickup and
excellent screen coverage. Focusing and beam
controls provided.
• Accommodates 1000 through 4000 watt Xenon
Lamps for indoor and outdoor screens up to
125 feet wide.
• Magnetic ore stabilization properly positions
arc tail flame around anode, increasing lamp
life.
• Bbwer cooled. Manual Ignition and manual
douser are standard. Automatic ignition optionol.
KNEISLEY ELEaRIC COMPANY, P.O. BOX 4692, TOLEDO, OHIO 43620
BOXOmCE :: May 15, 1978

THE HISTORY OF POPCORN: PART ONE
Somciimcs a food has been around so
long ajid has become so familiar that one
may lose sight of its virtues. Perhaps it is
placed too much in the category of a treat
when one should be considering its importance
in nutrition.
So it is with popcorn whose exploded
"little white flower" contains real food
value dynamite. Popcorn is dynamite for
the theatre industry and dynamite for health.
No one knows who deserves the credit
for "discovering" popcorn, but popcorn lovers
everywhere are grateful for the discovery.
It was probably discovered accidentally
when one of our ancient ancestors held an
ear of com over a fire, heard it make a
funny noise and saw a "little white flower"
mysteriously grow on its side.
The sense of wonder that discovery must
have inspired, and the good taste of the
popped corn have been a part of popcorn
since
the beginning.
An Ancient History'
There is evidence that popcorn may have
been the first type of corn raised for human
consumption. Ancient clay and metal poppers
have been foiuid in many parts of
Mexico, South America and the southwestern
U.S. Ears of popcorn 5,600 years old
were found by archeologists in the Bat
Caves of New Mexico in 1948.
There had been popcorn in the Americas
long before Columbus discovered the new
world. A bag tied to the belt of a mummy
in Chile many centuries before Columbus
sailed contained well popped grains of corn,
still fluffy white. This bag of popped com
probably was a mortuary offering,
revealing
a dependence on popcorn as a form of daily
nourishment.
Charles Cretors
Popcorn was not known in Europe until
its introduction by Christopher Columbus
after his return from the West Indies. He
found the natives of the new world not only
eating popcom, but wearing it in decorative
corsages.
The early explorers of North and South
America saw popcorn used in many ways
by the natives. In 1519, Cortez found Aztec
Indians using popcorn as an important food,
as a decoration on ceremonial headdress
and as ornaments for the statues of their
gods. They honored their god of the fishermen
by scattering popcorn before him.
Young maidens placed garlands of popped
com over their heads to honor the god
of war. Some Indian tribes tossed kernels
of corn into a fire to predict their fortunes
from the number of kernels that popped
and the direction in which they flew. Even
today, it is part of the life-style in Guatemala,
occupying a quasi-religious position
in the social and political lives of the people.
Historians generally agree that popcorn
was introduced to the English colonists at
the first Thanksgiving feast in Plymouth,
Mass. According to the legend, Quadequina,
the brother of a local chief, brought a deerskin
bag full
of popped popcom to the dinner
as a gift.
As relations
continued between the colonists
and the Indians, popcorn became a
sign of peace. It often was shared as a
token of goodwill when the two met for
negotiations.
Captain John Smith learned from the Indians
how to plant this new grain called
"maiz" in Jamestown. North American Indians
were eating popcorn long before the
Pilgrims arrived. The early colonists and
explorers of North America found the Indians
thriving on corn and popcom combined
with other natural foods from the
and streams.
forests
For two centuries, popcorn was almost
exclusively home-grown and home-popped.
Just about every farmer grew some popcom
for his own use. Sometimes farmers
sold a little at the local marketplace, but
nobody went into the business on a large
scale. Historians have found little mention
of popcorn in early American writings and
no commercial use was made of popcorn
until the 1880s.
Enter Charles Cretors
In 1885, Charles Cretors of Chicago invented
the first popping machine which was
steam-powered. He also developed the wet
popper which popped the corn in oil. Until
then, it always had been dry popped. Travelina
salesmen beaan takins orders for Cre-
1 Ills hoisf-tlniHii popcorn \\as>ori n proof that popcorn uo.v popular with
all ayes c\en bejoie the advent of the automobile or the motion picture.
The MODERN THEATRE SECTION

j
quickly
I
I
t
Charles
i to
j
the
! to
!
potential
tor's poppers and the popcorn business began
to grow.
The next evolutionary step was the placing
of popcorn popping machines on wheels
so they could be moved about. Small popcorn
wagons were pulled by ponies, large
popcorn wagons were horse-drawn or
mounted on truck frames. Popcorn wagons
became familiar sights at street
j
corners, county fairs, circuses, political rallies,
band concerts, parades and outdoor
gatherings of all kinds. Their familiar aroma
and the commotion they caused at the spectacle
of the popping process made them
welcome everywhere.
Cretors introduced salesmanship
the business. He believed the best advertising
was the popping of the popcorn itself.
If his machine was full, he would give
popcorn away, not only to make room
pop more but to attract the attention of
customers. Free samples always
formed a line around his machine and, once
a line formed, it usually grew longer.
Server
Americas most
experienced
manufacturer of
POPCORN
SERVING
EQUIPMENT
Butter Servers
For more than 25 years Server craftsmen
have been designing, developing
and building butter and popcorn warming
and serving equipment. The colorful
and attractive units belov\/ will enhance
the appearance of your concession
area and boost your sales of popcorn.
This photo, taken about January, 1939.
shows a predecessor to the Manley line
of poppers. The "Jumbo" popcorn box.
although printed in an unappetizing
green, was designed in the same art
studio where young Wait Disney was
learning. Anyone knowing the whereabouts
of such a machine should contact
The Manley Co.
Many people still grew small patches of
popcorn in their home gardens and those
who could not began to buy the commodity.
The 1897 Sears & Roebuck catalog listed
25-pounds of raw popcorn for one dollar.
Some stores began carrying popcorn on the
cob in open barrels and by the start of the
new century popcorn was well known in
many parts of the U.S.
In 1914, Cloid Smith of Iowa began packing
his Jolly Time popcorn in one pound
cardboard containers for distribution to local
grocery stores. In 1952, Orville Redenbacher,
Charles Bowman and Carl Hartman
began developing a hybrid popcorn with an
improved popping quality. This led to Orville
Redenbacher Gourmet Popping Corn
which is on the market today.
Continued on ne.xt page
Automatic
Fully automatic . . . dispenses up to 45
servings of warm butter per minute. Variable
heat thermostat keeps butter at desired
temperature.
Manual
Manually operated pump . . . dispenses up
to 30 servings per minute. Variable heat
thermostat keeps butter at proper temperature
and consistency.
Server Products Inc.
Popcorn Server
^^
Thermostatically controlled hot air
and insulated walls keep popcorn warm
and crisp . . . holds enough pre-popped
corn for approximately 100 standard
servings.
Display Tray
Holds up to 35 24 oz. containers of
popcorn at desired temperature.
Infra-red heating element keeps popcorn
warm and delicious.
(IgiOu All
items NSF approved.
For full color brochure on popcorn
serving equipment, write
Server Products, Inc., P. O. Box 249,
Menomonee Falls, Wl 53051.
BOXOFHCE :: May 15, 1978

In the photo above. "The Birth of a Nation." released in 1915, can be seen in the wini!ow
reflection. .Such confectionary shops were often built next door to theatres to reap
their profits. The top left photo was taken in 1918. A vendor and his Cretors machine
stand boldly at the theatres entrance. It won't be long 'til exhibitors sell popcorn inside.
History of Popcorn-
Continued from preceding page
Some of the things we take for granted
today came about only after years of determined
effort. As movies became popular,
attempts were made to sell popcorn in theatres
but few establishments would allow it.
Popcorn was too messy and many patrons
complained that it smelled and was too
noisy as it was being popped. But vendors
who set their popcorn wagons outside the
theatres found an eager buying public.
During the depression, theatre owners began
breaking down and purchasing poppers
for their lobbies. In many cases popcorn
wagons were sitting just outside the theatre
anyway, and confectionary shops often were
built next door to the theatres to reap the
profits.
If a theatre owner banned these outside
refreshments from his theatre the patron
quickly took his business to another
theatre. Theatre owners grudgingly decided
they might just as well strive for the profit
that was being lost to the outside venders.
Most of the next-door confectionaries
went out of businesses soon after a concession
stand opened in a theatre. The popcorn
venders in the street fared better. In
many cases, they had been "planted" at the
theatre locations as part of a team working
to convince the theatre owners to sell popcorn.
Charles T. Manley of Kansas City
used this method and was very successful
in engineering the breakthrough into theatres.
It was not long before a common saying
in the concession business was, "Find a
good popcorn location and build a theatre
around it."
By 1947, popcorn and other treats were
sold in 85 per cent of the nation's theatres.
The surprising fact is that the remaining 15
per cent did not utilize a concession stand.
Popcorn was bringing millions of "extra"
dollars to the theatres and enjoyment to
millions of theatre patrons. In many cases,
concession stands brought in almost as much
income as admissions.
SHOWTIME
Your audience will see stars
with Showtime. Popcorn cups,
buckets and tubs with
the famous movie faces.
The Popcorn Containers that
make your audience whistle
for more. Because
they're so much fun to eat from.
FUNNY FRIENDS
The cups, buckets and tubs
with the friendly faces.
Great for the kids
in your audience.
all
correspondence to Dept. BMTS.
For details, contact Dixie/Marathon at 2A 5 American Lane, Greenwich, Conn. 06830 (203-552-4183),
DIKie/MaRaTHON
The MODERN THEATRE SECTION

'
'
,gan
,
pie
,
,
new
Concession stands led to another innovation
in theatres—the intermission. During
the show, the house lights would come on
for ten minutes or so to allow patrons plenty
of time to get to the lobby and back. In
some theatres, girls dressed in evening
gowns walked the aisles informing the audience
of the delicious refreshments available
in the lobby. Later, concession trailers promoting
the food items were used to make the
intermission more profitable.
The Great Popcorn Slump
Motion picture theatres transformed popcorn
into a big business. In 1900 there were
about 20,000 acres devoted to popcorn
growing in the U.S. In 1920 there were
60,000 and by 1948 this figure had risen
to 300,000 acres.
And then—disaster! Movie attendance be-
falling drastically about 1949 and popcorn
consumption fell at the same rate. Peo-
were staying home in droves to stare at
(
a tiny, flashing box called television. Theaj
tres began folding and the market was
. flooded with used commercial poppers and
.warmers. 1950 was especially hard on the
I,
^. popcorn business and it was apparent that
marketing approaches were needed.
Pretors Diplomat
will nickel and
dime you to $60
an hour.
Hot Popcorn. 15

History of Popcorn-
Continited from preceding page
corn, operators agree, accounts for approximately
40 per cent of all concession sales,
but the smell of fresh popcorn lures many
people to the refreshment center where they
also purchase candy and soft drinks.
And the wholesale cost of popcorn makes
it a high profit item. A 30-cent box of unbuttcred
popcorn is made with only eight
cents worth of raw materials—the container,
the oil and the popcorn itself. These
eight cents don't include employee wages,
electricity or other overhead, but most Theatres
still make a profit of more than 100
per cent on popcorn sales.
The popcorn/soft drink relationship also
Collectable Promotional Cups by Comet
Comet's plastic cup promotions create excitement, increase your average sale and
keep customers coming back for more. Kids love to collect or swap ttiem! Perfect
for soft drink and frozen beverage promotions, continuity programs, snack foods,
near-packs, and much more! Highly creative, appealing designs in unsurpassed,
4-color reproduction utilizing non-lead based inks. 1 6 oz. size. (Available in other
sizes on special order.)
is a profitable marketing tool. Many promotions
feature the two commodities as a
single item at a single price. The October
24, 1977 issue of The Modern Theatre
contained two outstanding popcorn/soft
drink promotions as well as some valuable
advice for incrcasins concession sales.
op
Typical subjects: "Sports •Cartoons 'Celebrities
• Movies 'Juvenile •Custom Promotions
Back-up promotional aids available. Write today!
comer producrS inc. e Stuart Road • Chelmsford, Mass. 01 824 • (61 7) 256-6551
APPROVED BUTTER CONCENTRATE
FOR
BUTTERED POPCORN"
ODELL'S
ORIGINAL ANHYDROUS
99.95% PURE
BUTTER
(THE REAL THING — NOT A SUBSTITUTE)
more volume per pound . . .
. . . less cost per serving
• No waste — No rancidity — No curd
• No water — No soggy popcorn
• Needs no refrigeration
• fVlakes pre-packaging possible
• Save time — Speeds service
• Profits — Profits — Profits
ORDER NOW! Write us for the name and address of the distributor serving your area,
ODELL CONCESSION
PO BOX 280 CALDWELL IDAHO 83605 TEL 208 459-8522
SPECIALTIES CO.
In a nutshell, you should stock only three
sizes of cold drinks and popcorn in order to
cut down on your customers decision-making
time. Make your present smallest size
larger and your present largest size larger.
Specifically, if you aren't selling a 32-ounce
cold drink and a 170-ounce popcorn tub as
your largest sizes, you're missing a proven
opportunity. If you feel that a 32-ounce
popcorn container or 16-ounce cold drink
is loo large as your smallest size, then add a
fourth size of smaller containers for "G"-
rated featLires or kiddie matinees only. Your
patrons are accustomed to consuming larger
sizes— don't constrain them.
In next month's issue we'll take a closer
look at what makes popcorn pop and outline
the various types of popcorn and their
advantages and disadvantages. In the meantime,
perhaps you should evaluate your concession
operation. Experts agree that if
you're not running at least two promotions
each year, you're missing a significant business
opportunity.
The preceding article was compiled by Boxoffice
correspondent Mable Gidnan. supplemented
with information from "The Popcorn
Cookery." a hook by Larry Kusche
and "The Dynamite in Popcorn." an essay
by Denise Liberto of San Antonio. T.x. Miss
Liberto is the daughter of Frank Liberia,
president of Liberto Specialty Co.
26
The IVIODERN THEATRE SECTION

CONDENSED INDEX OF PRODUCTS
Page
AUTOMATION SYSTEMS
Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc 15
BOXOFFICE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES
Pacer Corp 5
Weldon, Williams & Lick 6
CONCESSION SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT
Bally Case & Cooler, Inc 24
Comet Products Inc 26
Cretors & Co 25
Dixie/Marathon 24
Greer Enterprises 22
Odell Concession Specialties 26
Server Products 23
Page
Page
PROJECTOR SYSTEMS
Seating Corp. of New York 19
Alan Gordon Enterprises 6 Spotz Paint Industries, Inc 17
National Theatre Supply 4
SCREENS & TOWERS
THEATRE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES
Harry Melcher Enterprises 8
Selby Industries, Inc 19
WALL & FLOOR COVERINGS
Econo Pleat 14
SEATING & EQUIPMENT
Soundfold, Inc 16
Irwin Seating Co 20 Western Service & Supply, Inc 6
Clip and Mail This Postage-Free Coupon Today
FOR MORE INFORMATION
CONSULTANTS & BUILDERS
Forest Bay Construction 21
Norman & Friddell 6
This form is designed to help you get more informotion on products and services advertised in
this issue of The Modem Theatre. Check the items on which you want more information, then fill in
your name, address and other information in the space provided on the reverse side. Fold as indicated,
staple or tape closed and moil. No postage necessary.
ALPHABETICAL INDEX OF ADVERTISERS, Issue of May 15, 1978
FILM SUPPLIES, REPAIRING
Ciro Equipment Corp 10
LAMPS, CARBONS, REFLECTORS
Canrad-Honovia 15
Carbons, Inc 10
Christie Electric 3, 9
The Kneisley Electric Co 21
Macbeth Soles Corp 13
The Marble Co., Inc 8
Strong Electric 15
MAINTENANCE SUPPLIES
Wotermoster Co 12
MARQUEES & LETTERS
Bevelite-Adler Mfg. Co 18
Sign Products 8
Wagner Sign Services 11
Page
G Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc 15
n Bally Case & Cooler, Inc 24
n Bevelite-Adler Mfg. Co 18
n Conrad Hanovia, Inc 15
D Christie Electric Corp 3, 9
n Ciro Equipment Corp 10
D Comet Products, Inc 26
n Cretors & Co 25
n Dixie/Marathon 24
n Econo Pleat 14
n Forest Bay Construction Corp 21
n Alan Gordon Enterprises, Inc 6
n Greer Enterprises, Inc 22
D Irwin Seating Co 20
n The Kneisley Electric Co 21
D Macbeth Sales Corp 13
n The Marble Co., Inc 8
n Harry Melcher Enterprises 8
n Notional Theatre Supply 4
n Norman & Friddell 6
n Odell Concessions Specialties Co., Inc 26
D Pacer Corp 5
n Schneider Corp. of America 17
n Seating Corp. of New York 19
n Selby Industries, Inc 19
D Server Products, Inc 23
D Sign Products (Rapid Chonge Letter Co.) .... 8
n Soundfold, Inc 16
Spatz Point Industries, Inc 17
D Strong Electric 15
D Wagner Sign Services (3M Notional) 11
D Wotermoster Co 12
n Weldon, Willioms & Lick 6
D Western Service & Supply 6
Xetron Products Div., Corbons, Inc 10
PROJECTOR CONSOLES
Carbons, Inc 10
PROJECTOR LENSES
The Marble Co., Inc 8
Schneider Corp. of America 17
BOXOmCE :: Mav 15. 1978
n Irwin Seating Co
n Mossey Seating Co
n Heywood-Wokcfield
n Notionol Theatre Supply
n American Seoting Co
Griggs Equipment Co
Eostwcst Carpet Mills
D Alexander Smith Carpet
n Soundfold, Inc
NEW PRODUCTS AND EQUIPMENT
Pogc
4 n Congoleum & Mogee
4 D Viking & Lees
Page
. 12
.. 12
6 D Extra Strength Floor Romp 18
6 D High Speed Floor BuHer 18
... 8 D Lighted Butter Server 19
8 D Christie Projector Protectof 19
10 n Natural Honey Granola Cookie 20
11 D Discover America Merchandising Aids 20
12 D Whipped Beverage Dispenser 21

aboui PEOPLE j and PRODUCT
Cemcorp Acquires Screen Firm
With Plans for New Facility
C.uisolidaud tnginccring and Manufaciuring
Corp. recently announced the acquisition
of the Hurley Screen Company.
Inc. of Farmingdale. N.Y. on May 8.
Hurley Screen will be operated as a subsidiary
of Cemcorp whose product line includes
X\\i "Automaticket" ticket issuing
machine among others.
Hurley's e.xisting manufacturing operation
will remain in Farmingdale under the
direction of Cemcorp"s management with
the assistance of Melson Hurley until adjacent
new facilities in Maryland are ready
for the operations to be transferred.
BOXOFFICE-MODERN THEATRE
Sweetheart Cup Corp. Promotes
Theodore Alpert to Soles VP
Thi.'odoro .-Mpcrt recently was promoted
to vice-president of sabs for Sweetheart
Cup Corp. Prior to his promotion, Alpert
was a divisional sales manager and sales
manager for the company's bottling and
vending division.
Servomation Names Phillips
Refreshment Systems Manager
Dale Phillips has become the new refreshment
systems manager for the Servomation
Corp. Phillips most recently served
as refreshment services manager the
Houston district.
Send me more information about the products and articles checked on
the reverse side of this coupon.
Plitt's 'Theatre Cafe' Opens
In Chicago Water Tower Place
Plitt Theatres has moved into foodservice
with the Theatre Cafe which is located next
to their theatres in Chicago's Water Tower
Place. The posh restaurant should reach
sales of $1,000,000 by the end of the year.
Among house specialties at the 100-seat
restaurant are hand-dipped fresh strawberries
and chocolate, superb salads and sandwiches:
yogurt fondue, gourmet ice cream
masterpieces made with Haagen-Dazs, or
home-made chocolate ice cream for $2.95
per dish.
According to management, only the best
foods are served in the restaurant. Theatre
Cafe is a prototype unit for others planned
by Plitt to open this year.
Liberto Specialty Acquires
Associated Popcorn In Texas
Liberto Specialty Co. has completed the
acquisition of Associated Popcorn Distributors
in Dallas and Houston. Associated is
now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberto
Specialty which is headquartered in San
Antonio and has three warehouses in Dallas.
Houston and Corpus Christi.
Theatre or Circuit
Seating or Car Capacity
Street Number
City
Zip Code
Carbonated Systems Names Dye
Vice-President of Marketing
Carbonated Systems has appointed Donald
W. Dye vice-president of marketing.
He has over ten years of experience in the
soft drink industry, having held positions
in finance, sales and marketing management
with the Pepsi-Cola Co.
^ Fold along this line with address out. Tape closed along both sides &
SEND US NEWS ABOUT YOUR THEATRE, YOUR IDEAS
We'd like to know about them and so would your fellow exhibitors.
If you've installed new equipment or made other improvements in your
theatre, send us the details—with photos, if possible. Or if you have
any tips on how to handle some phase of theatre operations, concessions
sales, etc.—faster, easier or better—let other showmen in on them. Send
this
material to:
The Editor
MODERN THEATRE
Notional Confectioners Ass'n
Slates Convention for June
The National Confectioners Ass'n will
hold its annual convention at the Hyatt
Tahoe. Lake Tahoe. Calif.. June 25-27.
Additional information is available by contacting
the NCA at 36 S. Wabash Ave..
Chicago 60603.
NITE of Philadelphia Elects
Troutman as Vice-President
Marvin Troutman. Martro Theatres, was
elected vice-president of the Philadelphia
chapter of the National Independent Theatre
Exhibitors.
Fold along this line with address out. Tape closed along both sides & boll
BUSINESS REPLY ENVELOPE
First Closs Permit No. 874 - Section 34.9 PL&R - Kansas City, Mo
BOXOFFICE-MODERN THEATRE
• THIS SIDE OUT
825 Van Brunt Blvd.
KANSAS CITY. MO. 64124
Kips Bay Theatres Are Leased
To Walter Reade Organization
The Walter Reade Organization has signed
a multi-year lease for the Kips Bay Theatre
on Second Avenue near 32nd Street in
New York City. The 540-seat theatre was
completely refurbished before its reopening.
National Vendors of St. Louis
Expands Sales Force by Three
National Vendors, St. Louis, has expanded
its sales force with the addition of three
new marketing representatives: Kathy Robben,
Central region: Rich Willmering, South
Carolina: and Harold Sheldon, Eastern region.
The MODERN THEATRE SECTION

BOXOFFICE BOOKiNCUIDE
Ad interpretive analysis of Xaj and tiadepress reviews.
minus signs indicate degree o{ merit. Listings cover
BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Award. All films are in color ex.
Motion picture Ass'n (MPAA) ratings: ^—general au
dance suggested); [R] —restricted, with persons under
Running tim«
:ept those indicate
diences; PG—all
17 not admitted u
or adult guardian; ix';—
persons under 17 not admitted . National Cathol
(NCOMP) ratings: Al— unobjectionable for general patronage; A2—uc
lescents; A3— unobjectionable ior adults; A4—morally unobjectionabl
B— objectionable in part ior all; C—condemned. Broadcasting and Fi
of Churches (BFC). For listings by company, FEATURE CHART.
H Very Good; + Good; ± Foir; - Poor; =
is
in parentheses. '
plus
regularly. Symbo
d by (b

^£V!EW DIGEST
ASD alphabetical index ^ Very Good; - Good; =: Fair; - Poor; = Very Poor. ++ is rated 2 pluses,
1

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June
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Gerard
he
ATLAS
Tlis Contest (83) 0..A
Lovers Lile Us (100) .R-C..0rt77
BEEHIVE PRODUCTIONS
Lust Flioht (SO) ...Sex D.. June 78
Sirrra. Mi'.c ILuiger. Pat Manning
Curves Ahead! (81) ..Sex C. Oct 78
IrtiMie Bear. W.F. Mareold
The Lady Wants a
Tramp Sex C Jan 79
Jlichflle St. Bernard. Robert Terrier
JOSEPH BRENNER
The De/ifs Rain/The Virgin Witch
«90/M) Mar 78
Krnf'~l Kiirgninc. &lflie .Miiert /
Mm Miciielle. I'.itrlcia Hainrs
AutODsy/Carrie (UA)
'85/98)
Ma,7g
Mim (armer. Hay l,,.velock/
SK-y .i|,a,-,.k, ,1„|„| Tr;n..lla
Ifs Not the Size That Counts
"'y 78
|.-'f^*.;
Super Jocks"(90) '""",'.".' .May 78
Madeloim- IMur
Restless (90) May yg
lUquel '
Welch
^Wl'»"„.(?3) May 78
J'llm Ridlarils.in. .Marline Brml'r.l
Almost Human (90)
,
"'ir'. .Kill,,, Tomas MilLin
78
^miui'h'' *°"'^" "^' June
, 78
Submission (90)"'. ."",'.",
.'.'"'june 78
frain'o .Nmi. Lisa (;a.«oni
'^;« Spirit (88) ....R.D..June78
Hartiel Rol)erls. &ic Porter
CAMBIST FILMS
MISCELLANEOUS
Girl on Her Knees
Easy Come. Easy Go
Fantastic Orgy
'SO'
Sex D..
,
Mar 78
ns .Medina, .lohn Holmes
< CENTRAL PARK FILM
T"h"."« ^'"/ S'" C -June
f?^'.
78
The New Erotic Adventures of
the
Casanova Part 2 ..Sex D.. Oct
Left
78
Char,eo.theModelT"°-.'."c'.N;;l? "'""/
People Who Own the
c„5.'"^n.
Ho-Su5..Nov77
5""" *^«'' C..D.C77
KEY INTERNATIONAL
The Father Kino Story
(115) Ac-D ..„,. .Sept 77
Icliard Egiui, RIcardo .Montalban
^EMA 5
Run for Blue (86) W-Doc. .Sept 77
Allen. Tanya ?uck(
V it Grace (96)
COUGAR RELEASING
Leoend of Sea WoM ....Ad No. 77
Loralie Leoend .... j" "
Ho' ''
T"ny Kendall
'"'' ^*"'
^' Will'-"
A ^'rtlne,;Y,,„n,V(!'ert*y''''''"^
''"om°hier"."".^""""'"„r'r,u
''-ilA':,yV,rn^-.Baker''- •"""»
FIRST ARTISTS RELEASING
Mon Allaire C Ju„p
Parilw
T»"' O""" Object of Desire
77
'
"
^'I'"''',?''" „"">' " ' *c-Aii"''Apr 78
l"e llui, B.kor, T)7,c Daly
FLORA RELEASING
Mastermind (90) Aug 77
No Way Back (91) Oct 77
Fred Williamson. Charles Woolf
Second Spring (92) No
Cnrt .lurgens. Irmgard Shonberg
Chesty Anderson. U.S. Navy
Shari Bibank, Dnrrl 'Rioinson
Death Journey (91) No
Fred Williamson. Bernard Kuby
Mean Johnny Barrows (90) . . Nov 77
Fred Williamson. Roddy Mcnowall
Wacky Taxi (79) Nov
Frank Sinatra jr. John .\stln
Seeds of Evil (90) Dec 77
Jne Pallesandro. Katharine
Hoiinhtrm
Keep My Grave Open (85) ..Jan 78
Camilla Carr. C^ne Ross
The Demon Lover (80) May 78
Chrlstman Bobbins, Val Mayerlfe
The Bandits (87) May 78
Robert Conrad. Jan-Michael Vincent
GOLDSTONE FILMS
Kung Fu Master— Bruce Lee Styl
Shanghai Connection
Vampire Beast Craves Blood '.'.
Cops Is Cops
Ten Fingers of Death
Kung Fu Brothers
Curse of the Devil
HEMISPHERE PICTURES, INC.
Hanky Panky s„
Willing Wives 'sex
Terror From Under the
H"i«e
Sus-D
HOLLYWOOD INT'L
LIMA PRODUCTIONS
Erotic Adventures of Pinocchio
(75) Sex C. Mar 78
Teenage Seductress
,.'P> Sex D. Mar 78
Little Miss Innocence
MFI
DISTRIBUTORS
^"9 D. Feb 78
""t" D.. Mar 78
TrII Death ...
Kelth A,Hn.on.
Hn
BalJk'l'
r.k »
NEW LINE
-Mlnda
Dirty Pktures/Hajsled
Femmes Fatales D.. Sent 77
Voyage to Grand
Hooker p r.k •»
Irene P«n»»/Terenee' iini
%"'' *"«"''»
;^..n^ „^T Brock Anne
Ad 7B
Tartarle F.. Oct 77
Desperate Living
ColIln,
^.(50)
C-F..0cl77
^S;^,,L,^„.M.;ce„oM^t;»

Symbol © denotes color: ? CinemaScope; g Pan anamorphic processes. For story synopsis i
•
there
Opinions on Current Productions Feature rsviews
THE END [R] '"^''
United Artists (78089) 100 Minutes Rel. May '78
Dying is treated as one long sick joke in Bui-t Reynolds'
latest. The star-director has made one of the more tasteless
yet funniest films of the yeai'. Many are bound to be
offended by Jerry Belson's script, which pokes fun at a
lot of not very funny subjects. Yet just as many—and
probably more—people will find "The End" often hilarious.
Bui-t's bearded, he-man image is cut to shreds as he
tearfuUy accepts the news of his terminal illness and
determines not to suffer and to get as much sympathy as
he can from family and friends. As the lunatic who tries
to help Reynolds commit suicide, Dom DeLuise portrays
a split personality on such a wild level that he steals the
film. Joanne Woodward, Sally Field and comic David
Steinberg appear, while cameos are given to veterans
Pat O'Brien and Myrna Loy as Bui-t's parents, Kristy
McNichol (of TV's "Family"!, in the most touching scene
ol the film, Norman Pell, Robby Benson, Carl Reiner
and Strother Martin. Lawrence Gordon produced, with
music by Paul Williams and songs sung by Glen Campbell
and Prank Sinatra (latter is heard on "My Way").
The U.A. release is suie to be condemned and praised
with equal fervor.
Burt Reynolds, Joanne Woodward, Sally Field, Dom
DeLuise, Myrna Loy, Pat O'Brien, Kristy McNichol.
ACES HIGH PG war D^ana
Cinema Shares 103 Minutes Rel. Apr. '78
Aerial dogfights provide spectacular action in this
adaptation of the famed World War I play and film
"Joui-ney's End" by R. C. Sherriff. By switching the locale
from the trenches to an airfield and using additional
material ircm "Sagitarius Rising" by Cecil Lewis, scripter
Howard Baker has fashioned an absorbing if famihar
tale of the futility of war and the indifference displayed
by superior officers towards the men who participate in
the conflict. Jack Gold directed a top cast, headed by Malcolm
McDowell and Peter ("Equus"i Pirth, with guest
appearances by Ray Milland, John Gielgud, Ti'evor
Howard and Richard Johnson. While McDowell seems too
young for his role as the commander, he nevertheless does
a good job. Pirth progresses from young innocent to skilled
combatant and Simon Ward degenerates from cynic to
mental case. An Anglo-Prench co-production, produced by
S. Benjamin Pisz, the EMI-Nat Cohen presentation made
its debut at a royal premiere in London and was imported
by Cine Artists before Cinema Shares acquired it.
Shot in Panavision and Technicolor at Wycombe Air
Park, Booker and EMI Elstree Studios, the drama has a
most impressive sequence of a pilot (David Wood) plummeting
in flames to earth without a parachute. Production
credits are all top notch.
Malcolm McDowell, Peter Firth, Christopher Pliimmer,
Simon Ward, Ray Milland, John Gielgud.
THE FOX AFFAIR
Kpy'i
OUR WIP^NINO SEASON
American Int'l (7804) 92Minutes Rel. June '78
%'^Z%
Panther Productions 95 Minutes Rel.
This film, dealing with sex, drugs and the ethereal atmosphere
oi mega-money, simply doesn't have the talent
in acting, writing or direction to pull itself off believably.
Its attempts at ultra-sophistication and worldliness seem
strained. Location photography is reasonably well done
but the camera seldom allows us to see what little action
there is clearly. The plot is loose enough to allow time
for scenes of bare female bodies in baths, bedrooms and
boutique dressing rooms. Erotic mood, however, is dispelled
by the crudity with which such scenes are handled.
The risque double entendres typical of the softcore genre
pass for wit but the actors seem to have difficulty articulating
them. More time and care undoubtedly would have
helped solve these directorial problems, but the central
difficulty, the amorality which lies at the core of the
story, is an obstacle not easily overcome. In this era of
liberation it's difficult to sit through a film which would
have one believe that any woman can be bought with a
pretty dress and a suave smile. Barry 'Victor wrote the
screenplay for the color film, which was produced and
directed by Pereidun G. Jorjani. Music is by Olubiji Adetoye.
Kathryn Dodd, Robert Bosco, Steve Lincoln,
Yuri Alexis, Young Eagle Kim.
Recapturing the spirit of the Sixties in "American
Graffiti" style, this Joe Roth production is geared toward
the youth market. Its central Uttlc-man-who-makes-good
theme has been successfully done in "Rocky" and "One
an One"; "Om- Winning Season" has the same optimism
and exuberance. The screenplay by Nick Niciphor is sensitive
and touchnig. While the cast is not well known,
they are al! likeable and word-of-mouth should be good.
Joseph Ruben diiected the young thespians to give natural
performances. Scott Jacoby plays the lead, with Jan
Smithers. Dennis Quaid and Deborah Benson featured
in supporting roles. The story is set in 1967 and focuses
on a group of teenagers in their senior year of high school.
It combines comedy and drama as it follows these young
people through a year of joy and sadness, triumph and
loss. The naivete and idealism of the period come across
quite well, and a variety of musical numbers in the background
reinforces the spirit of the decade. Music is by
Charles Pox, and songs by Pox and Dave Loggins are
performed by the latter. Production values are good. The
Cinema 77 film is enjoyable and should be a major hit
of the summer. In Movielab Color.
i^cott
Jacoby. Joe Penny. Jan Smithers. Randy Herman,
Dennis Quaid. Robert Wahler, P.J. Soles.
IT LIVES AGAIN E "°"°; ^"""
Warner Bros. (78705) 91 Minutes Rel. May '78
Mutant babies menace the population in this effective
sequel to Larry Cohen's "It's Alive" il974i, already regarded
as a classic in some quarters. Writer-producerdu'ector
Cohen allows the new film to progress naturally
from the first one. John P. Ryan is featured in a retui'ning
role aiding FYederic Forrest and Kathleen Lloyd,
whom he believes will become parents of another mui'derous
infant. James Dixon and Andrew Duggan in a dif-
i
ferent role I are also back and the score is again credited
to the late Bernard Herrmann, with musical adaptation
and additional music by Laurie Johnson and songs performed
by the Livei-pool Express. Main difference here
is that the beastly babies i are three of them) are
seen frequently, whereas that element was almost entirely
played down in the original. Credit Rick Baker with an
excellent makeup job on this one. In Panavision and
Technicolor, the Larco production was shot in Tucson,
Los Angeles and San Fi-ancisco with an eye towards
realism. Cohen is not so much concerned with how well
his actors perform, but with the naturalness they bring
to their emoting. Except for a few silly spots, the film is
a good follow-up and should generate immediate interest
as a result of its inspiration.
Frederic Forrest, Kathleen Lloyd, John Ryan, John
Marley, Eddie Constantine. Andrew Duggan.
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Von Brunt Blvd., Kansas City, 64124 for $350.
BOXOFnCE BookinGuide :; Ma\

FEATURE REVIEWS Story Synopsis; Exploitips; Adiines for Newspapers and Progra
THE STORY: "Our Winning Season" (AIP)
The episodic story focuses on the interpersonal relationsliips
ol various characters. Scott Jacoby is a member
of his high school track team but can never beat the
team's star. Robert Wahler. Complicating matters is that "'
Jacoby and his friends belong to a school club, the Spartans,
which is in shai-p rivahy with Wahler's club, the
Gladiators. The story focuses on Jacoby and liis adolescent
growing pains. Jacoby's sister. Jan Smithers. is in
love with Spartan Joe Penny. Another Spartan, Randy
Herman, is a ladies' man. Dennis Quaid. also a Spartan.
idolizes his cherished car. Then there's Joanna Cassidy.
the dnderstanding prostitute who teaches Jacoby the
facts of life. The death of Penny has a sobering effect
on Jacoby. causing him to train very hard for the big
track event, which he wins.
KXPLOITIPS:
Offer ticket discounts to '67 high school graduates. Promote
the Dave Loggins songs and tie in with radio stations
for heavy air play of pop tunes from the Sixties.
CATCHLLNES:
The Spirit of Youth! The Spirit of the Sixties! . . . 'Om-
Winning Season' -Will Tug at Your Heart and Tickle Yom-
Funny Bone.

I per
'
Service
. xenon
[ Hawaii,
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No.
,
TOPS
I ing
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i;S: SOc per word, minimum $5.00 CASH WITH COPY. Four conBecutive insertions lor price
ee. When using a Boxoiiice No. figure 2 additional words and include Sl.OO additional, to
cost ol handling replies. Display Classified, $38.00 per Column Inch. No
fired. CLOSING DATE: Monday noon preceding pubhcation date. Send copy a
X Numbers to BOXOFFICE, 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. 64124.
CLEflliine HOUSE
HELP WANTED
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
THEATRES FOR SALE THEATRE SEATING
LD SALES: Soft Drink Concession
ment. Wholesale distributor in fastag
beverage dispensing market
enlliuEiastic sales oriented person
irn the business and assist with field
ofattractive
Kansas City based company
salary, commission and
la program S'end confidential
e to Boxolfice, 4089. An EOE, M/F
[JAGER lor first class operation. Iowa
Seat town. Write or call for opit.
Fridley Theatres, 1024 Walnut,
\loines, lA 50309.
'EHVISOR—Midwest circuit will nee
top salary with man thoroughly
ienced in hardtop and drive-in oi>
ns. Replies held in confidence. Send
e including telephone number. Box-
4095
)GHESSIVE Midwest circuit h.
available, managers and t
aloiies, top benefits (hospita
tnent). Send resume in con
BUSINESS STIMULATORS
:;ATBE games. Bingo Banko $B,OC
!ly. Novelty Games, R.D. 2, Port ler-
;ATHE movie programs—we print
est looking 6 page programs in the
ry. Short booking no problem as we
48 hour service. Call collect or write:
inting, P. O. Box 450,
46624. (219) 234-1318,
SOUND PROJECTION
MAINTENANCE MANUAL
lOUTS SOUND AND PHOIECTION
iJAL." Simplified service data on
: ng makes ol projectors, Step-byinstructions
on Sound aquiplamps,
screens, lenses, film
iport equipment (platter), motors,
;iheads, speakers, etc. Schematics on
equipment and drawings. This help-
'ervice Manual endorsed by the in-
£y. Authentic maintenance data for
ilirojectionist, the exhibitor. Simplified
t You should have this Manual and
^ on repair work and obtain better
: and sound. Send TODAY. Special
copy, ONLY $8.50, prepaid. Don'
i-order now at this special price
U), Over 200 pages 8'/2 x 11" Loose
; Practical Manual—Data is Reliable
rAuthentic. Edited by the writer will-
,ars of Experience; 27 years Technica
ir, the MODERN THEATRE. (Remit
i to: payable Wesley Trout, Cash,
k or M.O.-No CODs) WESLEY
575, UT, EDITOR, Box Enid, Oklahoma
FAVE SOMETHING
D SELL ? THEN LET
lEOPLE KNOW! USE
HE
"CLEARING HOUSE"
^ANT TO BUY? THEN
IT PEOPLE KNOW!
ISE THE
"CLEARING HOUSE"
TICKET MACHINES repaired. Fast
vice, reasonable rotes JE.D. Service
10 Woodside Dr.. Grafton, Massachus
(617) 839-4058.
DHIVE-IN SPEAKERS reconed, $1 50
each. Send to: I.ED. Service Co., 10
Woodside Drive, Grafton, Massachusetts
(617) 839-4058.
ONE HORTSON 16mm 5,000 ft. capacity,
900 watt Xenon. Two Strong high intensity
(180 amp) lamps. Call Richard, (212) 222-
3370 after 2:30.
4 YEARS OLD, pair ol ORC 1000 Xeno
lamps, $2,000.00 for both. Call (302) 79E
4421.
COMPLETE equipment for theatre. (2)
Super Simplex Projectors plus all related
equipment, including Hi-Rectifiers, lights,
lenses, soundheads, etc., 240 seats, popcorn
machine Contact Richard Huck, (50!)
965-2201.
rith $250.00 each
COASTAL MAINE (Milbridge) theatre,
estaurant, apartment complex. $49,000
SIMPLEX XL projectors with sound. Ex- 86 seats. Details and photos Soco Falls
leolty, Columbia Falls, Maine 04623.
:ellent condition. Boxolfice, 4088.
TWO IGmm Victor-Kalart proectors with AUSTIN, TEXAS 975 seats. Across from
zoom lenses, $200 each Two 16mm Victor-
Kalart power-pack projectors with 200M
University campus. $80,000.00. JOE JOSEPH
(214) 363-2724.
lenses, $400 each. Send $100 with order,
pay balance upon inspection of projectors.
EQUIPMENT WANTED
WE PAY good money for used equipment.
Texas Thecrtre Supply, 915 S. Ali
mo, San Antonio, Texas 78205.
3-D GLASSES WANTED: Red and green
type with red on the right! Contact: Tom
DeSimone, 6105 Westpark Or Hollywood,
CA 91606 or call: (213)'
,
980-2655.
BOOKS
ist For your own copy of our profes
nal hardcover edition, send $20 check
money order to Ralph J. Erwin, Pub-
^er. Box 1982, Laredo, Texas 78040,
FILMS FOR SALE
16mm FILMS. Postcard brings bargain
list. Ingo Films, P.O. Box 143, Scrant
Pa. 18504.
16mm CLASSICS. Catalog 25c. Manbeck,
3621-B Wokonda Drive, Des Moines, Iowa
50321.
THE LIST—published 12 months a year.
Regular price $10.00 a year. Limited offer
3 months $1.00. Send now to C.R M P.O
.
Box 3424, Seattle 98114.
FILMS WANTED
WANTED: 35mm trailers. 1930-1977, an>
quonUty. L. Brown, 6763 Hollywood Blvd.
Hollywood, Calif. 90028.
16mm LIGHT SHOWS, loser shows, etc
Peter Gross, 957 East Commercial Blvd.
Ft. Lauderdale, Ha. 33334.
WORLD'S LARGEST THEATRE broker
lOE JOSEPH, Box 31406, Dallas 75231 (2141
353-2724.
TURLOCK, CALIFORNIA. Tw:n Indoo-,
seals each side. $350,000 00 JOE JO-
1
SEPH (214) 363-2724.
DRIVE-IN THEATRES in Lemmon. SD
and Bowman, ND. Show good net. Box
189, Spearfish, SD. (605) 642-4857.
CIRCUIT, South Texas. Highly profit(
operation. 13 theatres in 8 towns. $2,1
000 00. Terms to qualified buyers JOE
SEPH (214) 363-2724.
PALESTINE. TEXAS, 750 seals with balcony,
good building, no equipment, $48,-
500.00. Terms available, will consider
lease. Anita Gibson, P. O. Box 1307,
Palestine, Texas 75801. (214) 723-1148.
DRIVE-IN THEATRE CIRCUIT in Dallas
TX. 4 dnve-ins, includes all real estate
JOE JOSEPH (214) 363-2724.
LEASE, newly remodeled indoor the
Currently running top American mo
Located in sunny South Central Ari2
Boxoffice, 4083.
INDEPENDENT has cosh to buy indooi
and drive-in, Southeastern town of 8,000-
15,000, Boxoffice, 4094,
THEATRES WANTED
INDOOR THEATRES or drive-ins wanted
to lease in Mich., Oh. and Ind Open oi
closed. Please send information. Boxoffice
4087.
WE HAVE BUYERS for Wisconsin thea
ties We need sellers J. P. Norton Rea
Estate, Inc., Box 222, Chilton, Wis. 53014
(414) 849-9718.
TO LEASE, theatres 600 seats or less any
area. Send full information to: Glenn R,
Henderson, 5115 Industrial Rd., No. 409.
Las Vegas. Nev. 89118.
LEASE, outdoor or indoor anywhere. Bill
Loftus, 301 Stone Terrace, Madison, WI
53716. (608) 222-5478.
SERVICES
THE RIGHT background
perfect touch to your theo
available. (815) 397-9295.
POPCORN MACHINES
BRAND NEW COUNTER MODEL
ELECTRIC Display Poppers from J-12
(
each. Knspy Korn. 120 S Halsted,
cago 60606
DRIVEIN THEATRE CONSTRUQION
SCREEN TOWERS INTERNATIONAL: Tei
Day Screen Installation, (817) 642-3591
Drawer P, Rogers, Texas 76569.
IN THEATRE SEATING upholsteranywhere—
seat covers made to order
— finest materials Io-a^ prices— we buy and
sell theatre choirs. Chicago Used Chair
Mart, 2616 W. Grand Ave,, Chicago, 111
60612. (312) 235-1111.
SPECIALISTS IN THEATRE SEATING.
New and rebuilt theatre chairs for sale
IWe buy and sell old chairs. Travel from
to coast. Sealing Corporation ol
York, 247 Water Street, Brooklyn,
. 11201. Tel. (212) 875-5433 (reverse
HEYWOOD-WAKEFIELD theatre
i. extra wide sell-risers, thickly podded
backs, $15.00 each. (816) 523-2699.
Boxoffice, 4091.
MISCELLANEOUS
CASH for one-sheets, posters, lobby card
;ts, pressbooks, stills, trade magazines,
coming attraction slides, trailers, etc (any
quantity—older the better). Martinez, 7057
Lexingon Ave., Los Angeles, Co. 90038
(213) 462-5790.
'J.Y. 12771.
ALSO IN THE FOLLOWING TEXAS
LD ATTENDANCE with real Hawairchids.
Few cents each. Write Flow- Call (305) 531-3423. Write: Mini Theatres TOWNS. Drive-in, Longview $200,000 00
670 S. Lafayette Place. Los of Florida. Box 402788, Miami Beach, Florida
33140.
AND m Morlin, indoor, downtown, $35,-
:,es. Calif. 90005,
000.00 AND in Honey Grove, indoor, $30,- WANTED: Recent movie posters, lobby
000 00. AND in Alpine, twin indoor and cards and stills in quantity L. Brown,
;ATBE monthly CALENDAKS, weekpgrams,
heralds, bumper strips, daily ..leatre. Includes Bauer p
2724.
90028.
LIQUIDATING entire cont<
drive-in $75,000.00. JOE JOSEPH (214) 363 6763 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, Calif.
lice reports, time schedules, passes, sound, 900 Heywood seats
thickly
i etc. Write for samples, prices. Dixie padded backs, all drapes.
THEATRE, same owner 10 years. Excel- WE BUY SELL AND EXCHANGE any
Box 882, Atlanta, Ga. 30301.
concession, booth equipment, signs,
;nt family operation. $25,000 cash, long kind of movie material, photos, posters,
more. Equipment like-new condtion. $20,- ease from seller. Boxoffice, 4092.
lobbys, press. Memory Shop, Box 355,
GO CABDS DIE CUT: 1-75, 1500 comons
in color. PREMIUM PRODUCTS, Central Kansas. Boxolfice, 4090, (816) 523-
000 takes all, or will sell separately. South
Cooper Station. N.Y.C. (212) 473-2404.
/est 441h St., New York, N.Y. 10036. 2699
THEATRES FOR LEASE
246-4972
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:OFnCE :: May 15. 1978