Boxoffice-September.04.1978

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—
Memphis Strikes Take
Toll on Theatres
MEMPHIS— First run grosses were all
but demolished by the curfew imposed during
the reporting period. A true measure of
a film's popularity is thus unavailable, but
the figures below will give some indication
of relative business. On top is "Foul Play,"
turning in a report of 325, while many
marginal pictures drew only minimal attention.
"Grease" stayed alive with 310 and
"Hooper" absorbed a 260.
(Average Is 100)
Frayser 2
1st 90
2, Fare Frayser 3—Think Dirty (SR), 1st wk 50
1st Malco Quarlet 1—The End (UA), wk 50
Malco Quarlet 2, Southbrook 2—Heaven Can
7lh Wail (Para), wk 150
Malco Quartet 3 The Cheap Detective
(Col), 8th wk 50
Malco Quartet 4—Foul Play (Para), 3rd wk 325
Paramount 2, Ra'leiqh Springs 1—Jaws 2
(Umv), 9th wk ' 50
Park—The Buddy Holly Sloty (Col), 7th wk 50
Plaza 1—International Velvet (MGM-UA),
5th wk 50
Ridgeway 2. Southbrook 4 Revenge of the
wk Pink Panther (UA), 4th 125
3 Convoy (UA), 50
Ridgeway 7th wk
Grease (Para), 9th wk 310
Ridgeway 4
1, 2r..d 2fi0
Southbrook Fare 3—Hooper (WB), wk.
Southbrook 3 The Great Smokey Roadblock
MEMPHIS
50
T eon Rountree, who will be heading up
ihis year's TOA convention, has annoimced
that this year's convention will be
that most all major film companies will
havv" their representatives here to meet and
visit with exhibitors. Theme for the convention
will be "everything great in '78; '79
will hit us on time." Film Transit and Coca-
Cola again will sponsor the affair as they
have done for the past 25 years.
Theatre owners here suffered tremendous
losses in admissions and concessions
August 9-17 when an 8 p.m. curfew was
placed on this city by Mayor Wyeth Chandler.
Th; curfew was imposed when the
local policeman's union went on strike. On
top of all this the Memphis fire department
joined the striking police. The National
Guard was called in to keep this fair city
under order. During the strike Memphis
sul'fered a total city black-out ar.d was left
helpless for over two hours. Along with all
this activity the first anniversary of Elvis
Presley's death brought tourists from all
over the world to file past Elvis's gravesite
at this home at Graceland. Over 200.000
people stood in lines for hours during the
week to pay respect to the King of rock 'n
roll. All things are back to normal, including
theatres.
Bonnie Steward just returned from a
most enjoyable vacation, touring Mexico
City and Acapulco then a few days in San
Antonio with friends. Harry Steward's family
reunion was at Reelfoot Lake with all
their children attending; then Bonnie's family
reunion on her father's 82nd birthday
was at the family home in Walnut, Miss.
WOMPI Diana Anderson and husband Jim
and children also attended both reunions.
Lurlene Caiothers spent the last week of
July visiting Paris Landing, Tenn., Gatlinburg,
and Ken Lake, Ky., with family and
friends.
WOMPIs had a great time at Mr. Heard's
cabin at Lake Piomingo August 4-6. As
usual the food was delicious and plentiful,
as was the booze, and a whole case of beer
for Martha. The following WOMPIs enjoyed
the sun and fun: Bonnie Steward,
Diane Anderson, Mary Katherine Baker,
Faye Sheets, Peggy Hogan. Lurlene Carothers,
Judy Trimeloni. Evelyn Rushing,
Martha Reinert. Lois Boyd and Deltine
Mildred Miller and her husband were on
vacation last week and his son and family
from Great Falls, Mont., visited them. While
they were here they saw Graceland and
Liberty where they saw the Ron Young
Show.
had a lovely time, just about broke even and
are an,\ious to go back.
Get-well wishes are extended to Tommy
Hamblin, husband of WOMPI Juanita
Hamblin of Malco Theatres. Our thoughts
and prayers are with Tommy and his family.
Move over Billie Jean King—you have
competion. AlP'ers Faye Sheets and Peggy
Hogan are taking tennis lessons at Harding
Academy and soon will be taking everyone
on the courts for a fast set.
Bill Minkus, branch manager and salesman
for Clark/ Blue Ribbon Pictures (and
Boxoffice's correspondent) is busy setting
up saturation bookings for Arkansas, Tennessee,
Mississipi, Kentucky and Missouri.
Features which are being readied are: "Halloween"
October 26. "Crusin' High," Thursday
(28), "The Groove Tube" rerelease Friday
(22), "The Girls Next Door" October
26 and a double-bill combo of "End of the
World" and "Laserblast" being set for November
9. Other features that are being
readied for the upcoming months include:
"Love at First Sight," starring Dan Aykroyd
of NBC's "Saturday Night Live"; "Death
Dimension." starring Jim Kelley, and "Mr.
Magoo's Solid Gold Show," a 90-minute
feature film of never-released Magoo cartoons.
Minkus feels that this particular picture
will have the same boxoffice draw that
"Bugs Bunny Superstar" had. Bill asks exhibirors
to give him a call at 901-683-8182.
Tim Hendrix of Arendall Enterprises has
advised that Roger Shinal has taken over
Craig.
he!d Ncvcmbcr 19 21 at the Shsraton Inn
On agenda concession seminar Mildred Miller and her husband Chet
the Merlu Theatre at Clarendon, Ark.,
here. the is a
from Dr Pepper which promises to be different
effective Friday (1).
recently attended her family reunion at Phil-
from any other concession seminar adelphia, Miss.
Jeff Williams of Williams Releasing has
you have ever seen. Don Howell of Capital
Lois Boyd is planning a trip to Chicago
Supply and Theatre Supply
informed us that he has set "High Rolling"
October City Tri-State
in the Arkansas territory for 21.
the latter part of this month to visit her
of this city will be on hand to present an
brother Billy and family. Her mother and The picture stars Joseph Bottoms, Judy
equipment seminar. Also on hand will be
sister Wanda will go with her.
Davis and Grigor Taylor. The picture will
representatives Poster,
from Consolidated have its world premiere in Albuquerque,
Velde, Bartco and U.T.A. Leon says that Sue Owings and daughter Patricia have
N.M., a week prior to the Arkansas openover
200 screens will be represented and relatives visiting from Albertville, Ala.
JOHN TRAVOLTA
FAN PHOTO
$37.50
per 1000
4 $2.50 pet
1000 For
CUVERAMA IS Wi SHOW
SrSLVESS L\ HAWiUI TOO,
WTicn you conic to Wuikikl,
don't miss the famous Uon Ho
Show ... at Cinerama's
Reef Towers Hotel. f
FILMACR STUDIOS,INC.
1327 S. WABASH AVE. CHICAGO 60605 (312) 427-3395
.September 11. 1978 SE-I