Boxoffice-September.04.1978

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CATO Unit Seeking
NATO Reaffiliation
NEW ^ORK.— Ihe Connecticut Assn of
Theatre Owners in a recent meeting voted
13 rcafflliatc with the National Ass"n of
Theatre Owners. The application will be
heard at the October meeting of the NATO
membership committee.
The president of CATO. Ms. Sylvia Stieber.
operator of the Avon Twin Theatre in
Avon. Conn., said. "The forward-moving
spirit and accomplishments of NATO are
something in which we in Connecticut believe.
Exhibition's strength is in strong
organization and we arc pleased to be able
to cooperate with and to work with NATO
in its many activities which benefit all exhibition."
Other officers of CATO are: vice-president,
indoors. Milton Daly; vice-president,
drive-in. Livio Dottor: treasurer. Robert
Spodick; legislative agent. Herman M. Levy,
and the executive committee consists of Patrick
D. Carter. Bernard Menschell, James J.
Murray and -Sperie Perakos.
With the reaffiliation application of the
Independent Theatre Owners of New York,
the new application from Connecticut and
another reaffiliation expected soon, the
regional units' strength of the National Ass'n
of Theatre Owners continues to grow.
Hope. Bergen, McCarthy
Join 'Muppet Movie' Cast
NEW YORK—Bob Hope. Edgar Bergen
(ioelz. A .Sir Lew Grade presentation of a
Jim Henson production, the film has Martin
Slargcr as executive producer, Henson
as producer, David Lazcr as co-producer
and James Frawlcy as director. The original
strccnplay is by Jack Burns and Jerry Jurl.
Corman Predicts 'Piranha'
Will Set Company Record
111 VI H\\ III! IS New WoiUI Pictures
.iiiiKiuntcd that "Piranha" grossed $2,099,-
'07 ill its first three weeks of playing time,
iiivulving 196 dales in Detroit, Seattle, Portland,
Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Florida, lllinciis
and Georgia.
HoKcr Corman, New World Pictures
and Dan Poller, sales manager,
1.
"I'iranha," which stars Brad-
"will be the biggest grossing
ciKht-plus years of New World
Roderick Ryan to Receive
Kalmus Memorial Award
.SCARSDALE. N.Y.— Roderick T.
Ryan.
Eastman Kodak Co.. has been given the
Herbert T. Kalmus Memorial .Award for
1978 by the Society of Motion Picture &
Television Engineers. The award will be
given at the annual awards presentation
of the society at the Americana Hotel, New
York City. October 30.
The Herbert T. Kalmus Memorial Award
is presented to Dr. Ryan for his continuing
substantial contribution to color film printing
and processing systems. Significant of
his work is the 1977 Focal Press publication
"A History of Motion Picture Color
Technology."
Dr. Ryan holds a bachelor of arts degree,
master of arts and Ph.D. from the
University of Southern California. During
30 years with Eastman Kodak Co., he has
been closely associated with the business
and technical aspects of motion-picture films
in both the feature film and video industries.
As a quality control engineer in the color
print and processing division of Hollywood,
he was responsible for the printer
and process control of all the early Kodachrome
processes and subsequently in the
color technology division, for the introduction
of new photographic film systems
including the Eastman color film and
process system. As coordinator of engineering
services for the motion picture and
audio-visual markets division. Dr. Ryan
has been responsible for the coordination
all in of technical services the Pacific Southern
region.
and Charlie McCarthy arc the latest guest
Dr. Ryan has been a frequent lecturer
stars to be signed for "The Muppet Movie."
on films and film systems at the American
the currently filming ITC feature in which
Film Institute. UCLA. U.SC and California
Jim Henson's endearing creations make their
State, Irvine. In 1974. he edited the third
initial theatrical appearance. Hope will be
edition of the society's book. "Principles
seen as an ice cream vendor at a Midwest
of Color Scnsitometry" and in 1977 Focal
county fair, while Bergen and McCarthy
Press. Ltd., published his book "A History
will portray judges at a beauty contest in
of Motion Picture Color Technology." covering
some 75 years of the development of
which Miss Piggy is a contestant.
Orson Welles and Richard Pryor arc
practical color technology, through the
among the two-dozen guest stars and
numerous separation systems up to the latest
multi-layered subtractivc processes, in
Charles Durning is the Muppcts' archenemy.
Ihe Muppet performers arc Henson, Frank
all parts of the world.
()/., Jerry Nelson. Richard Hunt and Dave
The Herbert T. Kalmus Memorial
Award will be presented by SMPTE president
William D. Hadden at a ceremony
following the get-together luncheon that
will open the society's 120th technical
conference at Ihe Americana Hotel. New
York City. October 29-November 3. An
equipment exhibit of professional motionpicture
and TV products of over 100 companies
will be held in conjunction with ihe
conference.
Brolin to Star in AIP's
'The Amityville Horror'
HOI I.YWOon- Actor J;inics
Brolin has
been signed lo puilray lieorge 1 ul/ m ihe
starring role in "Ihe Amilyville Horror."
based on Ihe besi seller by Jay Anson, reports
Samuel /.. Arkoff, board chairman
and presideni of .Anieric.ui Iiilernalii>nal
Pictures.
ANE Cancels Purchase
Of International Stock
S.\L1 LAKE tm R. \ .
Co.ilson.
chairman of American National Enterprises,
has announced that the pending acquisition
of International Film, Inc. (International)
by .ANE has been canceled. Coalson
stated that analysis of the acquisiton following
an audit of International by ANE's
certified public accountants indicated that
.ANE's business objectives would not be met
if the acquisition were accomplished at this
time in accordance with the terms of the
agreement in principle which had anticipated
a purchase of all the outstanding stock
of International in exchange for up to 501.-
000 shares of ANE common stock.
Coalson and Donald Mayer, president of
International, jointly stated that the management
of ANE and International remain
on extremely good terms and plan to examine
the possibilities of an acquisition again
at a later date.
Rapaport Appointed Para.
Sales Operations Chief
NEW YORK—Steven Rapaport has been
appointed director of sales operations for
the motion picture division of Paramount
Pictures Corp.. it was announced by Frank
G. Mancuso, senior vice-president-domestic
distribution.
Rapaport's appointment, which is effective
immediately, marks a further expansion
of Paramount's domestic distribution department.
As director of sales operations,
his duties will be two-fold, with responsibility
for branch operations and the collection
activities of the sales department, those
rejsponsibilities previously handled by the
recently promoted assistant director of
sales, Jerry Esbin.
With his appointment, Rapaport becomes
a member of Paramount's sales cabinet,
joining Martin Kutner, vice-president-director
of sales; Jerry Esbin. assistant director
of sales, and Gino Campagnola. director of
sales administration.
Prior to his promotion. Rapaport had
been director of theatrical distribution-accounting,
a pcisition he attained in June
1977. He joined Paramount in 1970.
He will be reporting directly to Mancuso
.nui will be based in the New York office.
20th-Fox Int'l Sets New
Weekly Billing Record
I OS .\N(.ihl IN An .ill lime weekly
record of S9,S91.415 was established
billing
here the week ending .August 19 by 20lh
Century-Fox International, it has been announced
by Emilc Buysc. president.
The primary sources of the record rcve
mic were the "Star W.irs" run in Japan
.iiul ".An I'nmarried Woman." which rcceiiiK
K'g.in worldwide release and just
0|X'ned in London lo record-breaking business.
Ihe company's previous weekly billing
high was $5.263.24S, recorded the week
eiulmt! Jan 14, l')78.
BOXOFTICE :
11. 1'>7.S