Boxoffice-October.02.1978

• OCTOBER 

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naging Editor 

GARY

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Crown Acquires Worldwide 

Distribution of 'Sextette' 

BEVERLY HILLS—Mark Tenser, president 

of Crown International Pictures, announced 

the acquisition 

of worldwide distribution 

rights to 

"Sextette," "$5,000,- 

000 musical comedy 

starring Mae West. 

The stellar cast of 

co-stars is headed by 

Timothy Dalton, 

V ^^^^H Rin- 

go Starr and George 

& ^^^^^H Hamilton, with spe- 

,, , _ cial appearances by 

Mark Tenser ^jj^g Cooper and 

Dom E>eLuise. The cast of "Sextette" also 

topliners Keith Moon, Rona Barrett. 

Van McCoy, Keith Allison, Regis 

R,r^^^^^ 

Philbin, Walter Pidgeon, George Raft, Gil 

Stratton and Harry Weiss. 

Daniel Briggs and Robert Sullivan produced 

"Sextette," with Ken Hughes direct- 

Warner G. Toub was executive prowith 

screenplay by Herbert Baker 

on the Broadway play by Mae West. 

Crown is planning a Thanksgiving release 

in selected theatres throughout the 

and has scheduled "Sextette" for entry 

film festivals throughout the world. 

Univ.'s 'Caravans' Bows 

Nov. 2 at Music Hall 

NEW YORK—"Caravans." a Universal 

release starring Anthony Quinn, Jennifer 

O'Neill and Michael Sarrazin, will begin 

its world premiere engagement at Radio 

City Music Hall Thursday, November 2. 

The Music Hall's famous Christmas show 

will be featured on the stage. 

"Caravans," adapted for the screen from 

James A. Michener's best seller by Tom Mc- 

Mahon, Nancy Voyles Crawford and Lorraine 

Williams, was produced by Elmo Williams 

and directed by James Fargo on locations 

in and around Isfahan, the ancient 

capital of Persia. 

Quinn portrays the charismatic leader of 

a nomadic tribe, O'Neill the headstrong 

daughter of a U.S. Senator and Sarrazin the 

American attache sent to find her. Joseph 

Cotten, Christopher Lee, Barry Sullivan. 

Jeremy Kemp and Behrooz Vosought, Iran's 

most popular actor, also are starred. 

Filmed in Todd-AO, "Caravans" features 

a cast of literally thousands and ranges in 

location from deserts to ancient cities. 

Onstage, the Music Hall will feature its 

traditional presentation of the Nativity 

Pageant and a spectacular new revue starring 

the Rockettes, Symphony Orchestra 

and special guest stars. 

'Forgotten Lady' to Debut 

November 30 in Houston 

HOLLYWOOD— "Forgotten Lady," a 

Bryan Pinette production starring Coleen 

Gray, will premiere November 30 at the 

River Oaks Theatre in Houston, Tex. 

The film also will be screened at the International 

Film Festival in Milan, Italy. 

BOXOFFICE :: October 2, 1978 

'Piranha' Reports Great 

Grosses in Toronto Run 

Hollywood—New World Pictures' 

Brad Dillman starrer, "Piranha," is 

continuing its "amazing boxoffice 

pace," according to sales manager Dan 

Polier. 

In 14 situations in Toronto. Canada, 

where it opened September 15, "Piranha" 

scored boxoffice receipts of $96.- 

740 in the first three days. 

The picture was launched in its next 

saturation booking September 27. bowing 

in 85 showhouses in the Baltimore- 

Washington. D.C.. market. 

Quinn Martin Sells Firm; 

Plans Theatrical Films 

HOLLYWOOD — Quinn Martin, who 

during the 18 years he operated QM Productions 

and turned out a half-billion dollars 

worth of TV series and TV films, has 

sold his company to two of his top executives 

so he can be free 

to satisfy "a long-felt 

desire" to make feature films for theatrical 

release. 

Martin announced the sale of his company 

to Allan D. Yasnyi, the firm's vicechairman 

and chief executive officer, and 

Mcrill H. Karpf. president and chief operating 

officer. Quinn had served as chairman. 

During the period of transition Martin will 

serve as a consultant to the new owners on 

an exclusive basis. 

Two major features are in Martin's immediate 

future. "I will hold a special news 

conference in the very near future to announce 

the titles and the start of principal 

photography," Martin said. 

Quinn Martin Productions long has been 

acknowledged as one of the foremost independent 

producing entities in the video field. 

QM currently has one series on the air. 

"Barnaby Jones." on CBS. Since its inception, 

QM has turned out 18 one-hour series 

and 24 TV movies, all of which are in 

domestic and international syndication. 

Among these are "The Streets of San Francisco." 

"The Fugitive," "The FBI" and 

"Cannon." 

Before organizing his company in 1960, 

Martin had confined his career to writing 

and producing for TV. He wrote for "Four 

Star Playhouse" and produced "The Jane 

Wyman Show," "The Desilu Playhouse" 

and Desilu's "The Untouchables." 

Peter C. Kells Named CPI 

WC Operations Controller 

NEW YORK—Columbia Pictures Industries 

announces the appointment of Peter 

C. Kells as controller. West Coast operations. 

In this position, Kells will be involved 

with the West Coast operations of Columbia's 

TV, theatrical and commercial divisions 

at the Burbank Studios. 

Prior to joining Columbia, Kells served 

as vice-president of finance, Hudson Pharmaceutical 

Corp. in New York, a position 

that he held for some six years. 

Chasman and Lansing 

New Col. Senior V-Ps 

HOLLYWOOD — Vice-presidents David 

Chasman and Sherry Lansing have been 

Sherry Lansing 

promoted to senior vice-presidents at Columbia 

Pictures, the latter becoming the 

first woman ever to hold such a high position 

in a major motion picture company, 

according to Frank Price, president of Columbia 

Pictures Productions, and Daniel 

Melnick, president of Columbia Pictures. 

Ms. Lansing has been with Columbia 

since November 1977, leaving her position 

as vice-president of creative affairs at 

MGM to take the position. Before going to 

MGM she had been in charge of theatrical 

and TV program development as head of 

West Cost operations of Talent Associates. 

Chasman joined Columbia a year ago. 

coming from United Artists where he had 

been vice-president in charge of West Coast 

operations and senior vice-president in 

charge of production. He also had held a 

position in an executive creative production 

capacity with UA in London. 

Melnick said Ms. Lansing and Chasman 

"have played vital roles in all facets of Columbia's 

production activity." He added, 

"They have made significant contributions 

to the continued expansion of our production 

schedule, developing and supervising 

the creative efforts of our filmmakers." 

'Brass Target/ Paperback 

Set for December Tie-In 

NEW YORK—MGM's "Brass 

Target," 

the highly controversial motion picture that 

casts the shadow of criminal conspiracy on 

the death of Gen. George S. Patton jr., will 

be HBJ Jove's major paperback publication 

for December, timed with the Christmas 

release of the film. 

Based on Frederick Nolan's novel of intrigue 

and suspense, "The Algonquin Project," 

published by William Morrow & Co. 

in 1974, "Brass Target" was adapted for 

the screen by Alvin Boretz and was filmed 

as a Berle Adams-Arthur Lewis production 

with an imposing international 

cast of stars 

including Sophia Loren. John Cassavetes. 

Max von Sydow, Patrick McGoohan, 

George Kennedy, Robert Vaughn and 

Bruce Davison under the direction of John 

Hough. 

The paperback edition will reach bookstands 

under the film's title, "Brass Target," 

at the same time that United Artists releases 

the MGM production in the U.S. and 

Canada.

Brandfs Apollo and Lyric Revert 

To Legitimate Presentations Soon 

By ELIOT ADAME 

NEW YORK—The Brandt Organization, 

which controls seven Times Square theatres 

in the heart of famed 42nd Street, has announced 

that it will return two of those 

houses to legitimate presentations. The Lyric 

and the Apollo, two of the most famous 

auditoriums on the street, are the theatres 

selected and will have their entrances converted 

back to 

their 43rd Street fronts. 

Under Way Since Summer 

The announcement was made by Martin 

Levine. managing director of Brandt. Levine 

said. "We have been working on the interiors 

since the summer and have been encouraged 

by several producers with whom 

we are negotiating for bookings. We know 

that making the Lyric and Apollo stage 

playhouses again will upgrade the Times 

Square area. We are working for a restoration 

of the Great White Way just as are the 

various Midtown Redevelopment Authorities 

and civic authorities. We are all working 

toward making 42nd Street and Times 

Square a theatrical center once more." 

Stars 

Are Pleased 

The Brandt plan has been applauded 

warmly by such stage luminaries as Celeste 

Holm, Beatrice Straight, Joshua Logan, 

Hermione Gingold, Gloria Swanson, Jack 

Lemmon and Frederick O'Neill, head of the 

AAAA performing arts unions, and Irving 

Cheskin, secretary-treasurer of the League 

of New York Theatres, producers and Donald 

Grody of the Actors Equity Ass'n. The 

news should further involve the Greater 

New York community, which benefits greatly 

from the continuing attendance at the 

area's legitimate and commercial film 

houses, and which for many years has supported 

various moves to redevelop the 

Times Square area. 

Original 

Works Intact 

Many of the theatres on 42nd Street originally 

were operated as legitimate theatres 

and later adapted for vaudeville and movies. 

The Lyric and Apollo have a history that 

goes back to the early part of this century. 

The Lyric, oi>cned in 1903, has housed 

many stage hits, including the Marx brothers 

in "The Cocoanuts" and "Fifty Million 

Frenchmen." The Apollo originally was a 

vaudeville-movie house, built in 1910, and 

became a legitimate house in 1920. Both 

became film theatres in 1933, but their 

backstage areas and prosceniums have been 

maintained intact. Renderings of the exteriors 

restoring them to their original form 

have been prepared by architect John J. 

McNamara and the work should be completed 

in time for this year's theatre season. 

Both the Lyric and the Apollo have been 

among the most successful theatres on 42nd 

Street in recent years, playing to the street's 

tastes—everything from action films to kung 

fu extravaganzas at times even outgrossing 

the better houses on Broadway. Smaller and 

more intimate film houses have gone up 

along 42nd Street in keeping with the times 

and more are expected to be built soon. The 

conversion of the Apollo and Lyric will, in 

any case, be most welcome to the legitimate 

theatre, which has, during recent years, suffered 

from a shortage of playhouses. 

Para. Appoints Campanella 

Nat'l Ad Exec. Director 

NEW YORK—Tom Campanella has 

been appointed executive director of national 

advertising for the motion picture division 

of Paramount, it was announced by Gordon 

Weaver, senior vice-president/marketing. 

Prior to this appointment, which is effective 

immediately, Campanella held the post of 

tion in the company's marketing structure 

with his long-proven abilities in financial 

matters and his equally proven background 

in all phases of our marketing operation." 

Campanella joined Paramount in 1968 as 

assistant business manager and since then 

has worked for Paramount as assistant manager-general 

accounting, senior financial 

analyst, assistant to the director of business 

administration/advertising and publicity, 

business manager/advertising and publicity 

and director of administration/advertisingpublicity. 

In 1977 he became director of 

finance and business affairs-marketing for 

the corporate division of Paramount, as well 

as the marketing group. 

C. R. Troutner to Retire 

From Eastman Kodak Co. 

ROCHESTER, N.Y.—C. Ray Troutner 

has announced plans to retire as manager, 

sales operations, motion picture and audiovsual 

markets division, Eastman Kodak, 

effective immediately. 

Troutner joined Kodak in 1938 as a sales 

trainee and was assigned to the Eastman 

Kodak Stores in St. Louis, Mo., later that 

year. In 1939 he transferred to Kodak Park 

in the film planning and scheduling department. 

For several months in 1939 he served 

on the staff of the New York World's Fair 

and returned to St. Louis later that year. 

After serving on the staff of the World's 

Fair again in 1940, Troutner was assigned 

to the eastern Pennsylvania sales territory 

in 1940: Cleveland, Ohio, territory in 1949. 

and the Rochester sales office in 1951. One 

year later he became sales supervisor for 

the New York branch office and, in 1957, 

was named regional sales manager for the 

Midwestern region. He was named general 

manager. Eastern region, in 1965 and later 

that year became national sales manager 

for MP&AVMD. He was named to his most 

recent position in 1973. 

James Stewart Named 

For Eastman Award 

ROCHESTER, N.Y.—James Stewart has 

been named recipient of the George Eastman 

Award for his outstanding contributions 

to motion pictures by the Eastman 

House. Stewart will come to Rochester Friday 

and Saturday (20. 21) to participate in 

a seminar and to accept the award. 

Among Stewart's starring films to be 

shown beginning Tuesday (17) are "The 

Philadelphia Story," "Mr. Smith Goes to 

Washington," "Anatomy of a Murder," 

"Vertigo" and "It's a Wonderful Life." 

Eastman House has a 20-year tradition 

of honoring excellence in the film industry. 

Past awards have gone to Charles Chaplin. 

Greta Garbo, Lillian Gish, Harold Lloyd, 

Fred Astaire and George Cukor. 

Billy Hayes Touring U.S. 

For 'Midnight Express' 

NEW YORK — Billy Hayes, who lived 

executive director of business administration/marketing. 

Weaver, in announcing the appointment, 

said: "Paramount is indeed fortunate to have the incredible story that became the basis 

Tom Campanella assigned to this key posi- 

of "Midnight Express," a Columbia Pictures 

release, September 25 began a seven 

week national tour. He is in New York City 

for two weeks of interviews and appearances 

in advance of the film's opening there 

Friday (6). 

From New York, he goes to Washington, 

D.C., Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, San 

Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta 

and Boston. "Midnight Express," 

which is currently doing outstanding boxoffice 

business in London, the Netherlands 

and Finland, opens in theatres around the 

country Friday (27). 

In each city he visits, Hayes not only will 

meet the press and appear extensively on 

radio and TV but also will speak at major 

colleges and universities in the area. 

Additionally, representatives from college 

med'a in outlying areas arc being invited 

to meet and interview him, providing exceptional 

attention for Billy Hayes and the 

dramatic, emotional story which the film 

dramatizes. 

Orion Adds 'Wolfen' Film 

To Production Schedule 

BURBANK — "The Wolfen." Whitley 

Streibei's novel of urban terror and horror 

with ecological overtones, will be a King- 

Hitzig production, to begin filming Feb. 15, 

1979, in New York for Orion Pictures Co., 

it was announced by Robert Sherman, 

Orion's senior vice-president for production. 

Rupert Hitzig and Alan King will produce 

the picture and Michael Wadleigh will 

direct from a screenplay by Lawrence D. 

Cohen. 

The Orion Pictures release through Warner 

Bros, deals with the last of a species ol 

animals fighting for their own survival in £ 

huge metropolitan area. 

"Wolfen," published in hardcover b\ 

Wm. Morrow & Co., already has beer 

bought by Bantam for paperback publica 

tion. 

BOXOFFICE :: October 197i

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— 

Redstone's John Nerich 

Plays Role in 'Brinks' 

BOSTON—With the completion of the 

filming of "Brinks" in Boston. John Nerich, 

area district manager for Redstone Theatres, 

is awaiting his debut in the picture. 

Nerich plays the part of a reporter and is 

seen in many scenes dealing with the robbery 

and with the capture and trial of the 

robbers. 

The feature stars Peter Falk. Warren 

Gates and Peter Boyle. William Friedkin 

directed the film, a Universal release, which 

was shot entirely on location in and around 

Boston. 

Nerich says he felt at ease in his role 

since, prior to entering the theatre business, 

he was employed as a reporter for the Lynn 

Daily Evening Item. Friends declare that 

Nerich was "type cast" for the part he played 

in the movie. 

During photography. Nerich said that the 

professional manner in which all the extras 

and principals in the cast and crew conducted 

themselves was something "to make 

you proud to be part of the industry." 

Asked how he was selected for the role, 

Nerich said he was discovered at a Kiwanis 

meeting when casting director Lou DiGamo 

came in and asked to interview some of the 

members present. A past lieutenant governor 

in Kiwanis, Nerich stated that he knew 

someday his work in the organization would 

bear fruit but he never expected it to occur 

within his own industry. 

Announces Delay 

On 'Bounce!' Production 

NEW YORK—Leonard Kirtman, president 

of International Film Industries, announced 

plans to delay production of the 

feature "Bounce!" 

"We began preproduction in April with 

the intention of making a good low-budget 

[ 

feature," Kirtman said. "But. the film began 

I 

shape itself into one of such potential 

that we've decided to produce it on a different 

level and go for a higher budget be- 

of the commercial possibilities inherent 

in the project." 

is a comedy set in a New England 

college about a group of coeds who 

a college basketball team and demand 

right to play the boys' team to determine 

who will represent the school in a 

key tournament. 

"The film has all the ingredients to be 

a very big boxoffice attraction." Kirtman 

said enthusiastically. "And, we're willing to 

wait until the time is right to produce it." 

As a part of his plans to promote the 

film, Kirtman just completed work on a 

short promotional reel with some representative 

scenes, highlighted by the girls' team 

playing the internationally famous Harlem 

Wizards. He expects to have the film available 

for screenings at the upcoming NATO 

convention for interested backers and distributors. 

Kirtman. who has produced over 

100 commercially successful features, intends 

to ally himself with a distributor so 

that he may concentrate totally on the production 

of films. 

VIP Audience Packs Kennedy Center 

For World Premiere of 'Born Again 

By VIRGINIA R. COLLIER 

WASHINGTON—"Born Again." Avco 

Embassy Pictures' release of a Robert L. 

Munger production, was world-premiered 

in the Eisenhower Theatre of the Kennedy 

Center here Sunday evening, September 24. 

before a capacity audience of celebrities, 

national dignitaries and religious leaders, 

some of whom came from as far away as 

Houston, Tex. 

Stars 

of "Born Again" who were present 

for the premiere, the first of 26 special 

unspoolings across the country, were Dean 

Jones, who portrays Colson; Jay Robinson 

(David Shapiro); Raymond St. Jacques (Jimmy 

Newson). and former Sen. Harold 

Hughes (as himself). 

Formal Dinner at Watergate 

Munger, the executive producer; Frank 

Capra jr., producer, and director Irving 

Rapper accompanied the performing artists 

to the worid premiere in the nation's capital. 

All were guests of honor at a September 

24 press brunch at the Madison Hotel, as 

well as at a formal dinner at the Watergate 

Hotel, hosted by Herman Kass, Avco Embassy's 

vice-president, advertising and publicity. 

At the press brunch, it was learned that 

not only Colson had been "born again" but, 

while shooting the picture, Munger, the 

executive producer, as well as Dean Jones, 

the film's star, likewise had been "born 

again in Christ." 

While dining with reporters, the VIPs 

rotated from table to table allowing brief 

interviews. Rapper spoke happily about 

famous stars whom he had directed and he 

revealed that the story of "Born Again" 

concerns a man's fall and redemption. 

Jones referred to his first two pictures, 

one with Jane Fonda and the other with 

James Cagney. and disclosed that he enjoys 

working in his vineyards in the San Fer- 

Benji Now in Top Ten 

List 

of Performers 

Dallas—BenjI, the canine superstar, 

has joined celebrity kings John Wayne 

and Bob Hope as one of the ten most 

popular performers in the U.S., according 

to Performer Q. an entertainment 

marketing survey that has been utilized 

by TV and advertising decision-makers 

for the past 20 years. 

The floppy-eared mutt was voted the 

sixth most popular performer in the 

U.S.. a position held by the Eagles In 

last year's survey. 

The 1978 "top ten" list is headed by 

Wayne and Hope and includes .\lan 

Alda, James Garner, Carol Burnett. 

IMichael Landon. Sam (from the TV 

show of the same name), Charles 

Schultz and the Muppets. 

nando Valley. His wife Lorey Patrick-Jones, 

who accompanied him, is a serious political 

writer. 

Robinson said he liked his current role 

Colson's attorney in "Born Again" better 

than any part he had played since he portrayed 

the power-mad Emperor Caligula in 

"The Robe," the widescreen breakthrough 

picture which introduced CinemaScopc. 

Among veteran actor Raymond St. 

Jacques' comments was a reference to Colson 

when he was a White House aide to 

President Richard M. Nixon. He declared 

that Colson then "made all of us, black 

and white, realize that we were inferiors." 

Frank Capra jr. described the film's financing, 

explaining that a group of 29 investors 

furnished the $3,000,000 required to 

make the landmark motion picture. He emphasized, 

however, that Colson's share of 

the profits from the movie—8 per cent 

would go to benefit Prison Fellowship, a 

prison rehabilitation project. 

President's Sister Attends 

Ruth Carter Stapleton, sister of President 

Jimmy Carter, was a special guest at the 

dinner. Among the hundreds of celebrities 

seen at the premiere and reception which 

followed in the Kennedy Center's post 

atrium were Colson's mother and a friend 

from Miami, Anita Bryant. 

At the reception, a premiere commemorative 

edition of Colson's book, "Born Again," 

was presented to each $100 ticket-holder, 

the price of each admission. 

NATO 'Male Star of Year' 

Honors to Burt Reynolds 

NEW YORK — Burt Reynolds will be 

honored as "Male Star of the Year" for 

1978 by the National Ass'n of Theatre 

Owners, the organization representing more 

than 8.000 theatres throughout the country, 

it was announced by Marvin Goldman. 

NATO president. Reynolds will receive the 

award at the gala awards presentation to be 

held Wednesday evening (IS). The formal 

event will conclude the annual NATO convention, 

which will take place Sunday (I.*)) 

through Wednesday (18) at the Americana 

Hotefin New York City. 

With some 27 films to his credit, Reynolds' 

boxoffice success has been solidified 

with such hits as "Deliverance." "White 

Lightning." "Semi-Tough," "The Longest 

Yard." "Smokey and the Bandit." "The 

End" and "Hooper." currently in release. 

He will begin rehearsals for his next 

film. "Starting Over." for .\lan Pakula and 

Paramount Friday (20). The Burt Reynolds 

Dinner Theatre in Jupiter. Fla., currently 

is under construction and the 430-seat 

house will open in mid-January. Reynolds 

will head to Florida immediately after 

"Starting Over" to star in and direct the 

opening production. "Mister Roberts," with 

Brian Keith. In April, he will star in "Rough 

Cut" for David Merrick. 

as 

BOXOFFICE :: October 1978

'On the Edge 

Seen as Breakthrough 

Film in Its Genre by George Litto 

By RALPH KAMINSKY 

HOLLYWOOD—Producer George Litto, 

former agent who had packaged some 

50 films before deciding that he might as 

well make movies for himself rather than 

clients, is shooting for his third profitable 

picture in a row with his "On the Edge," 

which he sees as a breakthrough picture in 

a "tried-and-true genre." 

"On the Edge" is a picture about kids, 

teenagers in conflict with their environment, 

their parents and the establishment, 

very much a "Romeo and Juliet" in the 

sense that Shakespeare's youthful and romantic 

hero also was a rambunctious kid 

who associated with other youngsters who 

disregarded the rules of their elders. 

Could See Script's 

Appeal 

That is the overview Litto gives of his 

picture's philosophic viewpoint. From his 

own literary background, his ten years of 

experience as an agent and film packager, 

he said he could see the script's appeal 

along the same lines as the many "ghetto 

films" dating back to "Dead End Kids." 

But, Litto emphasized, "On the Edge" 

comes closer to the "feel" of "Rebel Without 

a Cause" and the roles of James Dean. 

"It's really the 'Our Town' of today, with 

overtones of 'A Clockwork Orange,' " Litto 

believes. 

Actually. Thornton Wilder's gentle characters 

in "Our Town" might shudder a bit, 

if they saw the effects of 1979's parents 

and community upon the children adrift in 

the modern, sterile suburb which provides 

a frustrating environment for its youth. 

"On the Edge" has completed principal 

photography and has gone into post-production. 

Litto is anticipating a spring 1979 release 

by Orion Pictures through its arrangement 

with Warner Bros. 

The picture is the second feature to be 

started under the Orion banner since that 

recently created company of former United 

Artists top brass went into operation. And 

Litto likes the thought that under the present 

production progress it may well become 

the first Orion picture to hit the marketplace. 

'Third Profitable Picture' 

This is the third film George Litto Productions 

has financed, he said. "And I'm 

hoping it will be my third profitable picture 

in a row." His first two were "Drive-In" and 

"Obsession," the latter starring Cliff Robertson 

and Genevieve Bujold. Before those. 

he had produced "Thieves Like Us," directed 

by Robert Allman, one of his former 

clients. 

"On the Edge" should appeal to mid- 

America, that vast segment of the population 

which visualizes life in the suburbs as 

the goal, the way of life of the upper middle 

class. "It's the American dream to be 

able to move out of the cities and degenerating 

environments with crime and social 

problems," he said. 

Screenwriters Charlie Haas and Tim 

Hunter based their script on actual occurrences 

in northern California where, three 

years ago, youths running wild caused widespread 

vandalism and were labeled by the 

press as "Mouse Packs." 

Title 

Was Changed 

The script originally was titled "Mouse 

Packs," but that was changed quickly. Litto 

said, to avoid any thought of exploiting or 

sensationalizing the actual happenings. 

"It's not a gang picture," Litto said, quick 

to disassociate his project from the rash of 

youth gang features that seem to have 

sprung up in recent months. 

"This is a story of a community that 

has gone awry," he said. The setting is 

the new phenomena in America, the "total 

new community" which springs up on the 

outskirts of a city, with new apartments and 

condominiums, attractive to the middle class 

as a "safe environment for the children," 

he explained. 

The problem the picture poses is that of 

youngsters thrown on their own because 

the parents have no time to devote to helping 

them grow up. The parents commute to 

their city jobs, losing time they might give 

their children. Their main concern is to 

keep their toehold on their new lifestyle, 

leaving the young people to rear themselves, 

Litto commented. 

"It points to what can happen even tomorrow 

in our affluent communities, if we 

don't deal with these problems today," Litto 

said. In the picture, the teenagers are left 

to fend for themselves with inadequate recreation 

facilities and a minimum of adult 

guidance. 

A Social 

Dilemma 

"The social fabric falls apart and good 

kids get into trouble," Litto stated. Vandalism, 

violence and a tragic death follow, with 

the story also involving a poignant love 

story, he added. 

The picture was shot in Denver in a newly 

developed community—and its civic center 

served as one of the focal points. A 

junior high school with ultramodern architecture 

in Greeley, Colo., was another major 

site. 

The cast included some 100 youngsters. 

12 to 14 years of age, recruited from the 

Denver area after three or four months of 

scouring the countryside for suitable youths. 

The film features five young people, relatively 

inexperienced as actors. "We didn't 

want to cast a bunch of 18-year-olds and 

tell them they had to act as if they were 

15 years old," Litto said. 

"On the Edge" was directed by Jonathan 

Kaplan as his seventh feature film. Kaplan 

got his start with Roger Corman and in 

1975 he co-wrote and directed "White Line 

Fever," which earned him a reputation as 

one of the most commercial young filmmakers 

in Hollywood. 

Litto said he has a multi-feature deal with 

Orion Pictures. He has two new projects. 

Work already has begun on a script for one, 

"Collage," about the life of an artist who 

works as a police officer specializing in art 

frauds. Filming on locations in New York, 

Paris and Rome is being planned. 

The other feature is titled "Paydirt," dealing 

with gold mining in the Cripple Creek 

area of Colorado in the 1890s. "It's an exciting 

period in American history," Litto 

declared. 

Florida DGA, Burger King 

Backing Miami Festival 

MIAMI—The Florida coordinating committee 

of the Directors Guild of America 

has endorsed the Miami International Film 

Festival and, in the words of Richard D. 

Citron, Florida DGA chairman, "We wish 

you and the festival the very best and offer 

our full support and entertainment." 

The Florida DGA will host a special VIP 

cocktail reception for all attending DGA 

members during the festival, November 10- 

19. Also planned is a series of seminars and 

workshops with the Miami International 

Film Festival, according to executive director 

J. Hunter Todd. 

Additional support has come from Miami-based 

Burger King Corp., which has 

joined the corporate support team with a 

major grant to the festival, it was announced 

by Todd and by Burger King vice-president 

E. C. Schoenleb. 

In addition to the grant to the Miami 

International Film Festival, Burger King 

Corp. is sponsoring the Children's Film 

Award, a $1,000 cash grant for the best 

film made by children (16 or under) or 

for children. Presentation will be made at 

the grand awards gala of the Miami Fest 

November 18. 

Burger King Corp. joins Eastern Airlines, 

Florida International University and the 

state of Florida as major supporters of the 

Miami International Film Festival, which 

has extended the entry closing date to 

Thursday (5). 

The festival is now fully endorsed and 

supported by every film and TV association, 

group, guild and committee in Florida 

which, coupled with state, city and privatesector 

funding, gives America a world-class 

international film festival and film market. 

The Miami Fest also will have a trade fair 

and a film and TV production exhibit. 

Pamela Phillips to Write 

'Run for the Roses' Theme 

HOLLYWOOD — Pamela Phillips has 

been named to write and compose the 

theme for "Rim for the Roses," to be released 

by Pan-American Productions, according 

to producer Wolf Schmidt. 

The song "I've Got Friends" will play 

over the beginning and end credits of film 

and will be sung by Nick Uhrig. Gloria 

Sklerov will co-produce the song with Phillips. 

Vera Miles, Stuart Whitman and Sam 

Groom star in this film about a boy, a horse 

and the Kentucky Derby, slated for auUmin 

BOXOFFICE :: October 2, 1978

LETTERS 

TO BOXOFFICE: 

I felt it would be appropriate tor mc to 

write you to express the appreciation of 

April Fools Productions to Boxoffice Magazine 

for its contribution to the success of 

"Harper Valley PTA." 

It is most unusual in today's market for 

the trade media to give an independent film 

the same degree of coverage and recognition 

that is given to product released by 

major distributors. 

Very often, an independent film will succeed 

at the boxoffice but never attain, in 

the eyes of exhibitors, the stature of a major 

film. 

Boxoffice Magazine's support and fairness 

in its presentation of "Harper Valley 

PTA" was a major factor in establishing 

for the film the recognition it attained. 

Thank you again. 

PHIL BORACK 

President 

April Fools Productions, Inc. 

Film Arts Building 

636 Northland Blvd. 

Cincinnati. Ohio 45240 

Local Doctors Are Signed 

By Will Rogers Institute 

WHITE PLAINS. N.Y.—As previously 

announced by Salah M. Hassanein, president 

of Will Rogers Memorial Fund, a nationwide 

panel of consulting physicians 

prominent in the field of pulmonary medicine 

is now working in cooperation with 

the Will Rogers Institute. Members of the 

entertainment industry and members of 

their immediate families now can call on 

the doctor listed in their city for examination 

and diagnosis of pulmonary ailments. 

Currently affiliated with Will Rogers Institute 

are: 

Atlanta, Dr. G. Michael Duffell, Emory 

University Clinic; Boston, Dr. Barry W. 

Levine, Massachusetts General Hospital; 

Charlottesville, Va., Dr. Dudley F. Rochester, 

head of the pulmonary-allergy division. 

University of Virginia; Chicago, Dr. Ben 

Carasso, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical 

Center; Cincinnati. Dr. Robert W. Penman, 

Bethesda Hospital; Denver, Dr. Thomas 

L. Petty and Dr. Thomas A. Neff, University 

of Colorado Medical Center; Detroit, 

Dr. Paul A. Kvale & Associates: Drs. 

George Bower, Wm. Conway and Jan R. 

Radke, Henry Ford Hospital; Indianapolis. 

Dr. Richard E. Brasher & Associates: Drs. 

Rhodes, Lampton and Miller, Indiana University 

Medical Center; Jacksonville. Dr. 

Eloise Harman. Hillis Miller Health Cen- 

J. 

ter, University of Florida. Gainesville, Fla.; 

Kansas City. Dr. Gerald R. Kerby, University 

of Kansas Medical Center, College of 

Health Sciences and Hospital, and Los Angeles, 

Dr. Oscar Balchum, University of 

Southern California School of Medicine and 

Dr. Cleomenes Generales, 10137 Riverside 

Drive, North Hollywood. 

Also, Milwaukee. Dr. Yen Fuh, 10701 

West North Ave., Wauwatosa, Wis.; New 

Haven, Dr. James Gee, Yale University 

BOXOmCE :: October 2, 1978 

'Midnight Express' Is Breaking Records in Britain 

London—Ten neighborhood theatres here playing "Midnight Express" repoiled 

a week of nearly total-capacity business. The Columbia Pictures release was running 

concurrently in the theatres with the record-breaking West t^nd premiere engagement 

at the Odeon Haymarket. Boxoffice returns from the ten theatres 

strongly indicated outstanding business for "Midnight Express" when it breaks 

throughout Great Britain. 

At the Odeon Haymarket, a Rank West End showcase, "Midnight Express" 

first broke the previous best opening-week boxoffice figure and went on to smash 

the theatre's highest all-time previous seven-day total. British film industry observers 

were keen to note the power of "Midnight Express" in situations such as the 

predominantly middle-class Wimbledon, the county town of Guildford, the bluecollar 

Watford and the ethnically mixed Kilbum. 

"Midnight Express" continued at all ten neighborhood situations for a second 

week. Bookings were limited to a maximum of 14 days. 

Provincial openings in England were backed by a very heavy advertising campaign 

by Columbia and an intensive press, radio and TV interview tour by director 

Alan Parker, co-producer Alan Marshall and Columbia publicity and exploitation 

specialists. 

Peter Guber was executive producer of the Casablanca FilniWorks production 

of an Alan Parker film. "Midnight Express" is based on the true story of Billy 

Hayes from the best-selling book "Midnight Express," by Hayes and William Hoffer. 

School of Medicine; New Orleans, Dr. Morton 

M. Ziskind, Tulane University School 

of Medicine, and Dr. Isadora Yager, Jefferson 

Medical Associates, Metairie, La.; 

New York, Dr. James Smith, 170 East 77th 

St.. New York City; Oklahoma City, Dr. 

Robert M. Rogers, University of Oklahoma 

Health Sciences Center; Omaha, Dr. Irving 

Kass, University of Nebraska Medical Center; 

Philadelphia, Dr. Robert F. Johnston. 

Hahnemann Medical College & Hospital, 

and Dr. Paul Epstein. Colhaset Lane, Cherry 

Hill, N.J.; Pittsburgh. Dr. C. L. Anderson, 

Scott-Anderson, Ltd., 4815 Liberty 

Ave.; St. Louis, Dr. Stephen M. Ayres. St. 

Louis University Medical Center School of 

Medicine; San Francisco. Michael S. Stulbarg 

and Dr. Jeffrey A. Golden, University 

of California Hospital, and Dr. Anthony 

Cosentino, St. Mary's Hospital; Salt Lake 

City, Dr. Attilio D. Renzetti jr.. University 

of Utah; Seattle. Dr. John Butler, University 

of Washington Department of Medicine, 

and Washington, D.C., Dr. Paul C. Adkins 

(for thoracic surgery only), 2150 Pennsylvania 

Ave., N.W., and Dr. David G. Simpson, 

Medical Arts Building, Baltimore, Md. 

21201. 

Upon visiting one of these doctors, present 

a Will Rogers membership card for 

identification as a member or retired employee 

of the entertainment industry. If 

there is no third-party coverage or funds 

available to pay for the examination. Will 

Rogers will pay the fee in its long-established 

tradition. 

'Uptown Saturday Night' 

To Be TV Comedy Pilot 

HOLLYWOOD—First Artists will produce 

a half-hour comedy pilot for NBC 

based on Sidney Poitier's movie, "Uptown 

Saturday Night," according to Peter H. 

Engel. vice-president for TV. who said the 

project will be videotaped on a two-day 

schedule this month. 

Poitier, Bill Cosby and Harry Belafontc 

ModernCinema 35 Offering 

'American Montage' Short 

starred in the feature film for thL-atrical rc- 

HYDE PARK, N.Y.—"American Montage" 

is a new 35mm sound and color motion 

picture short that takes viewers on a 

tour of our country's scenic wonders. From 

Alaska to Hawaii, the film is a dazzling 

kaleidoscope of the U.S.A. 

This ten-minute short subject, produced 

by Paramount Communications for the 

U.S. Travel Service, is available on free 

loan to theatres. Distribution is made 

through the libraries of ModernCinema 35, 

the theatrical arm of Modern Talking Picture 

Service. 

"American Montage" features fabulous 

footage of geographic sites. The skyline of 

New York, the picturesque New England 

fishing harbors and the colorful lakes and 

vast plains of the Great Lake states arc 

some of the highlights of this film. 

Buffy Shutt Named Para. 

Head of Film Publicity 

NEW YORK—Gordon Weaver, senior 

vice-president/marketing, announced the 

appointment, effective immediately, of Buffy 

Shutt as director of publicity for the 

motion picture division of Paramount Pictures 

Corp. Ms. Shutt will report directly 

to Laurence Mark, executive director of 

publicity. 

This is a second promotion for Ms. Shutt. 

who joined Paramount's New York publicity 

staff in 1973. becoming the magazine 

contact in January 1976. Prior to joining 

Paramount. Ms. Shutt had been with Harper's 

Bazaar as assistant to the managing 

editor. 

Univ. Acquires 'Legacy' 

UNIVERSAL CITY—Universal Pictures 

has acquired The Legacy." a Turman-Foster 

production, for U.S. and Canadian distribution. 

The horror film, with a supernatural 

love story, stars Katharine Ross. 

Sam Elliott and Roger Daltrey. with Richand 

Marquand directing.

Farrah Starrer Bows 

In NYC, Los Angeles 

NEW YORK — A special preview of 

"Somebody Killed Her Husband," a Colum- 

projectionist at the Elk Theatre here for 38 

release starring Farrah Fawcett-Majors 

bia Pictures 1910. Equipment 

and Jeff Bridges, was held Sepbia 

years. His job started in 

tember 25 as a benefit for the Ass'n for a 

was not high-intensity to be sure, but it was 

Thomas Edison's best with the famous carbide 

lamp of the day. After having worked 

Better New York. The showing at the 

Trans-Lux East Theatre on 58th Street and 

for seven owners in those years, Johnson 

Third Avenue was followed by a party for 

still runs the machines, and he is proud 

benefit subscribers at Studio 54. 

his record: and 

he has had no substitutes 

Bridges, director Lamont Johnson, producer 

Martin Poll and Melvin Simon were 

no vacations in that long period. He met 

Louise Hearn in 1927 when she began selling 

tickets at the Elk. He married her three 

among those joining the preview audience. 

"Somebody Killed Her Husband" also 

years later. She has continued at her job 

was premiered in Los Angeles September 

years. 

there for 21 

28 at the Crest Cinema, Westwood, as a 

10 years ago 

benefit for the UCLA Cancer Immunization 

DALLAS—After a combined total of 68 

Research Project. 

the motion picture industry 

years service in 

The Columbia Pictures release was shot 

and better than 968,000,000 feet of film 

on location in New York City, produced 

going through their hands. Paramount inspectors 

Willie by Poll, directed by Johnson and presented 

Lee Simmons and Jennie 

by Melvin Simon. The original screenplay 

Taylor have retired. Mrs. Simmons started 

was written by Reginald Rose and the music 

work at ConsoUdated Films in 1911 for 

was composed and adapted by Alex North. 

manager Ned E. Depinet. In fact, she worked 

at several exchanges in the early years, 

Co-starring in the film are John Wood, 

Tammy Grimes, John Glover, Patricia Elliott, 

Mary McCarthy, Laurence Guittard, 

Vincent Robert, Santa Lucia and Beeson 

Carroll. 

Benji Helps Raise Funds 

For Muscular Dystrophy 

DALLAS—Benji, the canine star of motion 

pictures and TV, recently joined Ed 

McMahon, Dan Haggerty, Billy Carter, Joe 

Frazier and other celebrities for the Great 

American Hot Air Balloon Race in Longview, 

Tex., a benefit for the Muscular Dystrophy 

Ass'n. 

The floppy-eared star was chosen grand 

parade marshal and rode to the balloon 

race atop a chauffeur-driven limousine as 

thousands of admirers lined the parade 

route. Billed as "The Battle of the Beers," 

the race featured McMahon aboard the 

Budweiser balloon and Carter aboard the 

"Billy Beer" balloon. The event was the 

culmination of fund-raising activities which 

included two days of star-studded entertainment 

by Benji and other top stars. 

At a press conference where a special 

plaque was presented to the lovable canine 

honoring him for the help and joy he has 

brought to children with muscular dystrophy, 

McMahon was asked to comment on 

Benji's overwhelming popularilty. He retorted, 

"Never share a scene with dogs or 

children. They'll steal it from you every 

time." 

'Watership' to Be Shown 

At Miami Film Festival 

HOLLYWOOD—A vco Embassy's "Watership 

Down" has been scheduled tor a 

screening at the Greater Miami International 

Film Festival. 

The animated feature, based on Richard 

Adams' novel, was produced and directed 

by Martin Rosen. 

= Mark Canton Named MGM 

Yesteryear in the News V-P for MP Development 

30 years ago 

ITALY, TEX.—A record of service in 

the industry perhaps not duplicated anywhere 

is held by J. B. Johnson who has been 

including Triangle Films, Goldwyn and Select 

Pictures. In December 1921 she decided 

to settle down with one firm, so for the 

past 47 years she has been a "true blue 

Paramounter" and is a charter member of 

the 25-Year Club. Mrs. Taylor started at 

the company in 1957, the one and only job 

she has ever held. 

5 years ago 

SCHULENBURG. TEX Fifty-plus 

years ago in a La Grange High School .„„! class, 

.locc 

young and bespectacled Irwin W. Speckels, 

probably wearing knickers and jacket, operated 

a 16mm projector with reels of silent 

historical films. He was selected for the task 

by his teacher who knew he had finely developed 

mechanical skills. Living up to ex- 

pectations, Speckels opened a theatre on the 

corner of Lyons and Anderson here August 

4, 1923 advertising. "Free Show—Cozy 

Theatre." He built a new, brick Cozy Theatre 

four years later which he still owns and 

operates. He remembers the week-long run 

of "Gone With the Wind" as one of the 

highlights of his career in exhibition^ 

Simenon Joins Fox Int'l 

As European Coordinator 

NEW YORK—John Simenon has joined 

20th Century-Fox International as European 

coordinator, it was announced by 

Emilc Buysc, president of the 20th-Fox 

International organization. 

Simenon entered the film industry in 

the Brussels office of United Artists as 

part of the company's management training 

program. Moving to France, Simenon 

joined Gaumont. where he became director 

of distribution. domestic Later he was 

elevated to director of foreign operations, 

the post he resigned to join 20th-Fox. 

In his new position, he will coordinate 

marketing and distribution activities in 

Continental Europe and the Middle East 

from London headquarters. 

CULVER CITY—Mark C. Canton has 

been elevated to the post of vice-president 

of motion picture development for the motion 

picture division of Metro-Goldwyn- 

Mayer, it was announced September 26 by 

Richard Shepherd, senior vice-president 

and worldwide head of theatrical production. 

Canton previously served MGM as 

executive in charge of creative affairs, a 

position he assumed in March 1978. 

"In the relatively short period of six 

months, Mark Canton has proven to be a 

key member of MGM's executive production 

team," Shepherd stated. "In his new 

post, we expect Mark to play an even greater 

role in developing the company's motion 

picture production program." 

Before joining MGM, Canton was execu-j 

tive production assistant to Mike Medavoy 

at United Artists. Prior to that, he was associated 

wtih director Franklin J. Shaffner 

and producer Gabe Katzka's Pantheon Pro-! 

ductions. 

John N. Krier Joins ERC 

| 

As Exec. V-P, Partner 

LOS ANGELES—Nat D. Fellman, president 

of Exhibitor Relations Co., which 

serves as consultant to exhibitors operating 

over 1,200 theatres from coast to coast and 

to several distributors and producers, has| 

announced the appointment of John N. 

Krier as executive vice-president and partner 

A veteran showman, Krier served as vice- 

p^gjjjjgnt 

anjj general manager for ABC In- 

^^^.^4o^,r,tain Theatres and later as vicepresident, 

general manager and head filn-| 

buyer for ABC-California Theatres prior tc 

their acquisition by Plitt Theatres. 

Fellman stated that Krier's "wide experience 

and background will assure the 

^^ continuing^ 

expansion of the services proy^j'Jd'by'Exhibitor 

Relations Co 

David Keith Named Avco 

Sales Development Head 

LOS ANGELES—David Keith has beer 

appointed director of sales development anc 

analysis for Avco Embassy Pictures Corp. 

effective immediately, according to Herb 

Robinson, vice-president and general sale;- 

manager for Avco Embassy. 

The position, according to Robinson, i:, 

one that is primarily designed to coordinah 

sales with advertising and result in an ever 

closer liaison between the company and it 

18 branch offices throughout the U.S. 

Formerly, Keith served as co-op advcr 

tising manager for the company and earlie 

was with Mann Theatres and National Gen 

eral Theatres in Los Angeles. 

Valiant Int'l Acquires 

'Frenchman's Garden' 

HOLLYWOOD — Valiant 

InternationE 

Pictures has acquired the R-ratcd "Th 

Frenchman's Garden" and is scheduling pre 

release engagements for November. 

BOXOFHCE :: October 2, 197

— 

Campus Toga Parties 

Tout 'Animal House' 

UNIVERSAL CITY—More than 15,000 

students at the Univershy of Wisconsin 

were expected to attend the first of a series 

of toga parties at campuses across the country. 

The events, of course, were inspired by 

•'National Lampoon's Animal House" and 

an astonishingly successful college-oriented 

promotion. 

The Wisconsin party, to be held on a 

campus soccer field, was sponsored by the 

Interfraternity Council and was to be followed 

by similar events at the University 

of Maryland Wednesday (4), University of 

Iowa Thursday (5), University of Texas 

Friday (6) and more than a score of campuses 

thereafter. 

Among the first scheduled are the universities 

of Oregon, Tennessee State and 

Vanderbilt Saturday (7); Illinois at Champaign 

Thursday (12); Colorado and Arizona 

Friday (13), and others planned but with 

dates not firmed up. 

The promotion, a joint effort by Universal, 

MCA Records, Miller Beer and 

Ampersand, a college marketing and promotion 

organization, has four basic elements. 

Party sponsorship is set by Ampersand 

through its campus contacts. Universal and 

MCA Records provide party accessories 

posters, T-shirts, albums, movie books and 

some theatre tickets—and the local Miller 

Beer distributor arranges for sufficient gratis 

kegs. 

The local sponsor takes a full-page ad in 

the college paper announcing the party and 

giving details, while on the facing page 

Miller's corporate headquarters has a fullpage, 

tongue-in-cheek instruction manual 

on how the party should be staged. 

While justifiably delighted with the promotion. 

Universal is not taking all the credit, 

since toga parties are breaking out spontaneously 

on many campuses even before 

they can be approached by Ampersand. 

In its eighth week of national release, 

the picture continues to roll up grosses 

equal to and, at some theatres, greater than 

recorded during its opening weeks. A Matty 

Simmons-Ivan Reitman production, John 

Landis directed "National Lampoon's Animal 

House." 

3 Appointments in Kodak 

MP&AV Markets Division 

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Eastman Kodak 

Co. has announced three appointments in 

the motion picture and audio-visual markets 

division at 

the Kodak office. 

Appointed were: William A. Koch, as 

manager; Richard G. Schiavo, as marketing 

sales 

director, audiovisual markets, and 

Anthony D. Bruno, as marketing director, 

motion picture and TV markets. 

Koch joined Kodak in 1949 and his most 

recent position was director, sales development 

and technical services. He is a Fellow 

member of the Society of Motion Picture & 

Television Engineers. 

Schiavo joined Kodak in 1964 and his 

most recent position was director, sales development, 

audio-visual markets. He is a 

member of the Society of Motion Picture 

& Television Engineers and the Ass'n for 

Multi-Image. 

Bruno joined Kodak in 1947 and his 

most recent position was director, sales development, 

motion picture and TV markets. 

He is a member and Fellow of the Society 

of Motion Picture & Television Engineers, 

the Society of Photographic Scientists & 

Engineers and an associate member of the 

American Society of Cinematographers. 

The division's products serve entertainment, 

TV news, business and industry. 

Margaret Booth Appointed 

Rastar V-P, Production 

HOLLYWOOD— Margaret Booth, veteran 

film editor who began her career in 

1915 as a negative-cutter for D. W. Griffith, 

has been promoted to the post of vicepresident/ 

production at Rastar Productions, 

where she has been supervising editor since 

1968. 

In her new position, Ms. Booth will be 

involved with projects from inception to 

completion of post-production. 

Ms. Booth received a special Academy 

Award in April 1978. 

U.S. POSTAI. SERVICE 

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION 

IRequired by 39 U SC 368fl

WOMPI Inl'l Pledges 

$40,000 for WRI Lab 

DALLAS— Myrtle Parker, WOMPI International's 

Will Rogers committee chairman, 

in reporting to the organization's 25th 

anniversary convention here last month, 

said that when she visited the Burke Rehabilitation 

Center at White Plains. N.Y.. she 

found it "looked like a college campus with 

beautiful archways connecting the buildings." 

The Will Rogers Institute, the Burke 

Rehabilitation Center and the laboratories 

are 

adjacent. 

The institute's rooms are "light, bright 

and airy and the entire compound sparkles 

with cleanliness." Mrs. Parker said, adding. 

"The doctors and staff members are all so 

kind, concerned and devoted to their causes 

that this attitude is reflected in their facial 

expressions, speech and relationsips. An air 

of warmth and friendliness prevails at the 

institute and center, creating a pleasant atmosphere." 

Program Is Unchanged 

WOMPI CONFAB HIGHLIGHTS 

Lavinia White, president of 

it 

The affiliation of the Will Rogers Institute 

with the Burke Rehabilitation Center 

provides a greater opportunity for service, 

since Burke has facilities for the treatment 

of cerebrovascular diseases, orthopedic disabilities, 

cardiopulmonary dysfunctions, 

spinal cord injuries, amputations, strokes, 

parkinsonism and other neurological diseases. 

The three-part program of the Will 

Rogers Institute remains the same: patient 

care, research and health education. 

It was while visiting with Salah Hassanein, 

president of the Will Rogers Institute, 

at his offices in Great Neck, N.Y., that he 

proposed that WOMPI International furnish 

the cardiopulmonary laboratory at an 

estimated cost of $40,000. Mrs. Parker 

brought this proposal before convention 

delegates in Dallas, where it was discussed 

in 

considerable detail. 

Two-Year Effort Planned 

WOMPI International voted to accept 

the proposal and each local club will make 

every effort to help accomplish this goal 

with'n the next two years. 

WOMPIs, therefore, will appreciate the 

cooperation of co-workers and friends in 

the motion picture industry, especially memorials, 

honorariums and special contributions 

through WOMPI clubs, for the purpose 

of meeting this $40,000 obligation. 

Memorial cards will receive prompt acknowledgement 

to the family—the same 

as other organizations, such as the American 

Cancer .Society, American Heart Ass'n, 

etc. All memorials or honorariums channeled 

through WOMPI will be credited to 

the cardiopulmonary laboratory at the Will 

Rogers Institute until the $40,000 goal is 

reached. 

WOMPIs who are members of the 14 

clubs in the U.S. and Canada will be holding 

special fimd-raising events to raise 

monies to fulfill this commitment and solicit 

the assistance of all industryites in this 

project.

What do these 

five uncommonly 

successftil films 

have in common? 

AMERICAN GRAFFm 

DUDDYKR^S^TTZ 

J/WS 

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS 

OF THE THIRD KIND 

THE GOODBYE GIRL

•i'liiiifU'i'lfT*

Richard 

DrcyfusSas 

Moses Wine 

Private Detective 

...so go figure 

RICHARD DREYFUSS 

SUSAN ANSPACH 

BONNIE BEDELIA 

JOHN LITHGOW 

OFELIA MEDINA 

FRITZ WEAVER 

"THE BIG FIX" 

Screenplay by 

ROGER L. SIMON 

Based on His Novel 

Directed by 

JEREMY PAUL KAGA^ 

Produced bv 

CARL BORACK and 

RICHARD DREYFUS! 

Music by BILL CONTI 

A UNIVERSAL PICTURE 

TECHNICOLOR® 

PGl PARENTAL 

; SUIUBL! FOR P!l!-IE[M«$t(IS 

Starts Oct. 6th at selectee 

theatres everywhere

I 

, natural 

Disney, Kraft Join Forces 

On Disney World Project 

lil!RBANK — Walt Disney Productions 

nd Kraft. Inc., jointly announced that 

Craft has agreed, in principle, to participate 

n EPCOT Center, new showplace for the 

'concepts of tomorrow," to be built during 

he early 1980s at Walt Disney World near 

Drlando, Fla. 

Kraft will be the sole sponsor of the Land 

avilion located in the Future World area 

)f the new project. 

Card Walker, president and chief execitive 

officer of Walt Disney Productions, 

aid, "We are extremely pleased and hon- 

)red to welcome Kraft as a member partner 

n our plan to bring Walt Disney's greatest 

Iream to reality. The leadership they have 

lisplayed in their industry and their longtanding 

reputation for quality makes Kraft 

and needed addition to this project. 

We look forward to working with mem- 

)ers of the Kraft organization in developng 

the final concepts and design of the 

-and Pavilion which will dramatize the 

:hallenges and alternatives we face for tonorrow 

in the important areas of nutrition, 

ood production and the wise harvest of our 

ands." 

The EPCOT Center will introduce a new 

;eneration of Disney entertainment from 

vhich guests at the Florida vacation comilex 

may draw enlightenment as well as enoyment. 

Unn Reinking Joins Cast 

Df Columbia's 'Jazz' 

NEW YORK—Ann Reinking, currently 

tarring in Bob Fosse's smash Broadway 

[lusical "Dancin," a Columbia co-producion 

with Jules Fisher and the Shubert Or- 

;anization, has been signed for a starring 

ole in Fosse's motion picture "All That 

azz," an original drama highlighted by muical 

production numbers. She has taken a 

eave of absence from the musical to begin 

ehearsals for the film. 

Roy Scheider already has been signed for 

role in the picture. 

Robert Alan Aurthur will produce "All 

!^hat Jazz" and Fosse will direct from a 

creenplay which they co-authored. 

'All That Jazz" will be filmed on locaion 

in New York City and at the Astoria 

itudios with Giuseppe Rotunno as director 

f photography. 

lyVarners Appoints Arnow 

Foreign Publicity Mgr. 

BURBANK—Roger Arnow has been 

lamed publicity manager for Warner Bros. 

nternational effective immediately. 

He will supervise the handling of all aderlising, 

publicity and promotional mater- 

^li lor Warner Bros. International in all 

crritories outside the U.S. and Canada. 

Arnow joined Warner Bros, in 1966 as 

Issistant to the Warner Bros. International 

dvertising and publicity director in the 

'cw >'ork office and was reassigned to the 

iiiili'i operation in 1970. 

MOTION PICTURES RATED 

BY THE CODE & RATING 

ADMINISTRATION 

The following Icature-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 

Every Which Way but Loose (WB) 

The Great Smokcy Roadblock 

(Dimension) 

Shenanigans (WB) 

The Silent Witness (Independents Int'l) 

PG 

PG 

PG 

PG 

Warner Bros. Expanding 

Nontheatrical Sales Dept. 

BURBANK—A major restructuring and 

expansion of Warner Bros.' domestic nontheatrical 

sales department and the promotion 

of Roger Lewin to head the operation, 

was annoimced September 12 by Terry Semel, 

Warners executive vice-president and 

general sales manager. 

Under the new structure, all of Warner 

Bros.' nontheatrical operation will be consolidated 

and the Warner Gallery 16mm 

library for educational and institutional outlets 

will be distributed by Swank Films of 

St. Louis, one of the country's leading distributors 

of 16mm films. 

The Army & Air Force Motion Picture 

Service and distribution to steamships also 

will fall under Lewin's aegis, as will the 

airlines, which continue to be a major 

source of revenue. 

Another area to receive increasing attention 

will be Warners' 35mm classics. An extensive 

inventory of more than 115 films 

will be consolidated under this umbrella. 

All of the company's classics of the 1950s. 

'60s and '70s will receive a fresh, new approach 

in an elaborate catalog now in 

preparation. It will be mailed within a few 

weeks to all major theatre owners who specialize 

in this type of exhibition. 

For six years Lewin was in Warners' domestic 

sales department and most recently 

was Western district manager. Before that 

he was with Buena Vista for six years as a 

member of their domestic sales department. 

'One Night Stand' Starts 

Calif. Location Filming 

NEW YORK— Filming began September 

1 1 at Palisades High School. Pacific Palisades, 

Calif., on Columbia Pictures' "One 

Night Stand," a unique comedy in which 

George Bums as a retired vaudevillian of 

82 becomes involved in the problems of 

Brooke Shields, a 14-year-old runaway orphan 

girl. The Fein-Zeitman production 

will be shot on Los Angeles locations and 

at the Burbank Studios, with Leonard Stern 

directing. 

Produced by Jerome M. Zeitman and 

Irving Fein, the film has a screenplay by 

Stern, Tom Lazarus and Oliver Hailey. The 

producers have signed Jack Elliott as conipo.scr 

and musical director. 

52nd TOI Convention 

Slated Oct. 31-Nov. 1 

INDIANAPOLIS — Theatre Owners of 

Indiana will hold its 52nd annual state convention 

here Tuesday (31) and November 

1 at the Indianapolis Marriott Inn. Registration 

fee of the entire conclave is $45; 

checks should be forwarded to Theatre 

Owners of Indiana, 646 Illinois BIdg.. 17 

West Market St., Indianapolis, Ind. 46204. 

Following the opening-day registration, 

delegates will assemble for cocktails and 

limcheon preceding a general business session. 

Also highlighting the afternoon will 

be a special huddle for theatre managers, 

as well as a theatre owners' round table. 

"Party time" will start at 6:30 p.m. 

November 1 will be devoted exclusively 

to previews of upcoming motion picture 

product, with a noontime break for cocktails 

and luncheon. 

Room reservations should be made directly 

with the Indianapolis Marriott Inn, 

which is conveniently located at Exit 89, 

1-70 East. The hotel's address is 7202 East 

21st Street, zip code 46219. or for those 

who wish to call direct, the telephone number 

is (317) 352-1232. Cutoff date for convention-block 

room rates is Tuesday (17). 

'Two Solitudes' Premiere 

Publicized on CN Tower 

TORONTO — "Two Solitudes." major 

Canadian film, was launched September 28 

by the first message to inaugurate the light 

panel on the CN Tower. The tower's microwave 

airbag herald?d the film as its world 

prem'ere began at the International Cinema 

in Toronto. 

"Two Solitudes" is based on Hugh Mac- 

Lennan's award-winning novel and was 

written and directed by Lionel Chetwynd 

and produced by Harry Gulkin and James 

Shavick. It bowed in Montreal Friday, September 

29. at the Loews, Laval, Parisien 

and Versailles cinemas as it commenced its 

regular Toronto run. 

The film stars Stacy Keach. Jean-Pierre 

Aumont and Gloria Carlin. Distributor is 

New World-Mutual Pictures of Canada. 

The Toronto region population for five 

miles could ?ee the beacon in the sky spell 

out "Two Solitudes" in 12-foot-high letters. 

September 29, the name of the winner of 

the joint "Two Solitudes" trip contest was 

displayed in lights, all part of the celebration 

of the film's opening by Simpson's, Via 

Rail Canada and CN Hotels. 

Simpson's 14 stores in Montreal and Toronto 

hosted a two-week contest with "Two 

Solitudes" displays in stores and windows, 

with boxes in stores for entry to the contest. 

Prizes were two two-week trips across 

Canada on Via Rail with accommodations 

at CN Hotels for seven nights. 

September 30, as another example of the 

fim and festivity that has made it a top 

world attraction, the CN Tower offered free 

admission and two film passes to the first 

100 people who proved they had the same 

name as the contest winner. 

OXOFFICE :: October 2, 1978 15

. . Medusa 

. . "Labrynth," 

. . . "Rodeo 

. . . Lorraine 

. . John 

. . Principal 

. . Group 

. . Nino 

. . 

. . 

. . . Roger 

M ^yôituu/ood r\eport m 

f 

MGM's 'Nice Guys Finish Last' 

Comedy to Feature John Ritter 

MGM plans to begin production early 

next year on "'Who Says Nice Guys Finish 

Last?"', a comedy to star John Ritter of 

TV's 'Three's Company." Stephen Friedman 

will produce from an original screenplay 

by A. J. Carrothers . 

a 

thriller produced by Alexander Mnouchkine. 

began shooting September in Mon- 

5 

treal with Angle Dickinson and Lino Venturi 

starring. Claude Pinoteau is directing 

from a script by Jean-Claude Carriere. Also 

in the cast are Chris Wiggins and Mollis 

McLaren, both Canadian actors . . . Monte 

Hellman plans "Going Down." with a 

screenplay by Jerry Harvey, as his next 

feature, with Fabio Testi starring. 

Farrah Fawcett-Majors Is Star 

Of Hemdale-Bond's 'Sunburn' 

Hemdale and Bond Films began shooting 

September 1 1 on "Sunburn." a comedyadventure 

starring Farrah Fawcett-Majors. 

Charles Grodin. Art Carney and Joan Col- 

lins. Richard Sarafian is directing on location 

in Acapulco . "Quadraphenia" began 

shooting September 21. despite the 

death of Keith Moon, drummer for the 

Who. the stars of the film. Bill Curbishley 

and Roy Baird are producers and Franc 

Group I plans 

Roddam will direct . . . 

shooting to begin early next year on "The 

Actresses." dealing with four girls from 

different parts of the world who come to 

Hollywood seeking film careers. Richard 

Adamson will produce and will write the 

screenplay with Frank Ray Perelli . . . 

Blake Edwards has signed with Orion Pictures 

to write, produce and direct "The 

Ferret." a suspense comedy about a clumsy, 

bumbling son of the master of international 

intrigue. Production is planned for next begin in South Carolina Wednesday (11) 

summer . 

Gary has been signed to play 

has begun shooting on "Clonus" in Southern 

a co-starring role in "One Night Stand." 

California locations with Peter Graves starring George Burns and Brooke Shields. 

Gary is cast in the role of Burns' over-protective 

Parka Productions has signed a deal with 

daughter. "Shirl." who calls in the 

Robert Hargrove for his original dramatic cops when her elderly father becomes interested 

screenplay "No Longer a Child's Game." a 

in the problems of a 14-year-old run- 

away orphan girl. Jerome Zeitman and Irving 

story dealing with the lives of two college 

students. 

"Kramer vs. 

Fein are producers . . . 

January Filming Start Planned Kramer." a Stanley Jaffe production for 

For Universal's 'Last Couple' 

Columbia Pictures release, marks the film 

debut of Jobeth Williams. She plays the 

The Cates Brothers Co. will make "The 

Last Married Couple in America" for Universal 

Pictures with George Segal and Nat- 

role of Phyllis Bernard, an intelligent young 

lawyer who gives Dustin Hoffman counsel 

and loving frienship during a time of crisis. 

alie Wood starring. Gilbert Cates will direct 

the comedy scripted by John Herman Shaner 

and Al Ramrus. Production will begin in 

January on this comedy about a couple 

whose marriage is repeatedly jolted when 

their happily married friends break up in 

a series of bangs . Productions 

of Rome will begin shooting in mid-October 

in Rome on "Volcano Island." with Joseph 

Cotton starring as a scientist in the 

adventure-romance feature to be directed 

by Sergio Martino . photography 

began September 18 in San Francisco 

on Warner Bros.' "Time After Time," starring 

Malcolm McDowell. David Warner 

and Mary Stcenburgen. Nicholas Meyer is 

directing his own screenplay, with Herb 

Jaffe producing . Frank Yablans will 

return to Paramount Studios, where he once 

was president, to produce "North Dallas 

Forty," with Nick Nolte starring as a professional 

football player in a story dealing 

with eight days of his life. Ted Kotcheff 

will direct the script to be adapted from 

the novel by Peter Gent . 1 will 

produce "The Treasure," a multimilliondollar 

adventure story about a hunt for a 

lost treasure in Central America, as a production 

of Harmony Productions of Canada. 

Filming will be on location in Jamaica 

and Canada, beginning in November . 

Parka Productions plans to lens next summer 

in Boston on "State Street." a contemporary 

drama to be written by Theodore 

Todis. with Parveneh Hargrove producing 

Road." the story of the true 

life exploits of rodeo star Veral McGinnis. 

has been acquired by producers Neal Dubrofsky 

and Dennis Hackin . Mastorakis 

has optioned "Odyssey of the 

Meek." an original screenplay by Fred 

Perry . Conboy Productions has 

acquired rights to Belva Palin's historical 

novel, "Evergreen." 

Michael O'Keefe to Co-Star 

In Orion's 'Great Santini' 

Producer Charles A. Pratt has set Michael 

O'Keefe for a co-starring role in "The Great 

Santini" for Bing Crosby Productions and 

Orion Pictures. Robert Duvall and Blythe 

Danner have starring roles in the feature 

based on Pat Conroy's novel. Filming will 

"Kramer vs. Kramer" began filming September 

6 on locations in New York . 

Charles Bronson has been singed for a 

reported $1,000,000 fee to star in "Caboblanco," 

set by producers Lance Hool and 

Paul Joseph to begin shooting in South 

America in November. J. Lee Thompson 

will direct from a script by James Hunter 

... Bo Hopkins will star in Hickmar Productions' 

"The Fifth Floor," shooting on 

locations in Los Angeles . , . Paul Gleason, 

Al Gacia, Michael Rougas and Lew Horn 

have roles in Orion Pictures' "The Great 

Santini" . . . Ray Sharkey has signed for 

a role in Orion's "Heart Beat" . . . New 

York actress Cindy Pickett has been signed 

by Roger Vadim to star in "Night Games," 

to be produced by Rogert Lewis and set 

begin shooting this month . . . William Daniels 

and John Hillerman have joined the cast 

of "'Sunburn." a Hemdale Leisure/Bond 

Films co-production shooting in Mexico 

Robert Hitzig and Alan King will produce 

"The Wolfen" for Orion Pictures . 

Loraine Gary has signed for a co-starring 

role in Columbia's "One Night Stand." wit! 

William Russ and Ben Frank announced as! 

additions to the cast . . . Charles Gray has 

a role as a backwoods sheriff in Paramount's 

"Prophecy" . . . Actor and stunt-, 

man Bob Minor has a co-starring role in tl] 

Mi-Ka Productions' "Gold of the Amazone 

Women," now shooting in Port of Spain,! 

Trinidad. 

Ron Goodwin Signs to Compose 

Musical Score for 'Spaceman' 

Ron Goodwin has signed to compose the 

film score for Walt Disney Productions' 

"The Spaceman and King Arthur" j 

Maus has been named art director 

on Blake Edwards' "10," which will 

Barth Jule 

begin shooting Monday (2) . . . 

Sussman has signed to rewrite the scrip| 

for Roger Vadim's "Night Games" 

Jack Nitzche has been signed by produc 

Marjoe Gortner to write the musical scon 

for the Melvin Simon production "Whe 

You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?" . . . Nes-I 

tor Almendros is cinematographer on Co-j 

lumbia's "Kramer vs. Kramer" , . . Johnny! 

Mandell will compose the score for First] 

Artists' "Agatha." 

Orion Buys Screen Rights 

To New Robin Cook Novel 

BURBANK—Eric Pleskow, president ol 

Orion Pictures Co., announced Septembe: 

18 that Orion has concluded a majo: 

literary arrangement with ICM agents 

Bookman and Erica Spellman for the fil 

rights to Robin Cook's new untitled novel 

be published next April by G. P. Putna: 

to 

& Sons. 

Cook's novel, a contemporary thrill' 

set against an Egyptian background, fol 

lows his recent best seller "Coma," whicl 

was translated into a highly successful' 

motion picture. The film will be an Orion 

Pictures release through Warner Bros. 

Duff Gets Feature Role 

In 'Kramer vs. Kramer' 

NEW YORK—Howard Duff has been 

signed for a featured role in "Kramer vs. 

Kramer," a Stanley Jaffe production for 

Columbia Pictures release, starring Dustin 

Hoffman. Meryl Streep and Gail Strickland. 

Robert Benton will direct from his own 

screenplay, as adapted from the Avery Corman 

novel. Duff will play the role of John 

Shaunessy, a high-powered lawyer who 

represents Hoffman in a court battle to regain 

custody of the latter's son. 

16 


• ADUNU « EXPLOITIPS 

• 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 m BETTER BOOKING AND B U S I N E S S - B U I L D I N G 

Benefit Disco Party 

To Launch 'Coconuts' 

Plitt Theatres. Osmond Films and Inter 

Planetary Pictures combined efforts with 

the Century City Cuhiiral Commission and 

the ABC Entertainment Center to create a 

fabulous promotion for the new Osmond 

film, "Goin' Coconuts." In doing so. they 

have created a super-gala event and a tremendous 

benefit for a worthwhile community 

youth foundation! 

Plans for the kickoff of the engagement 

of "Goin' Coconuts" at the Plitt Century 

Plaza Theatre in Century City, Calif., include 

the following: 

Wednesday (4) the Century City Cultural 

Center will be sponsoring a huge disco party 

to benefit "Joy to the World" and the Casa 

Maravilla Community Center, located in 

East Los Angeles. The center serves the educational 

needs of over 1.500 children to 

the age of 13. The foundation is dedicated 

to involving these youngsters in positive, 

constructive activities as an alternative to 

the streets, gang violence and crime. 

The disco, hosted by KIQQ's Joe Light, 

will begin at 5:30 p.m. on the outdoor stage 

at the ABC Entertainment Center. Folks 

will disco under the stars until 9:30 p.m. 

At 8 p.m., Marie Osmond, members of the 

Osmond family and other celebrities will 

arrive at the center to visit the "Largest 

Disco in the World." The theme song from 

"Goin' Coconuts." of course, is a rousing 

disc 3 number by the Osmonds. 

Marie then will invite the first 500 lucky 

parlygoers, who arrived early for the firstcome, 

first-served ticket giveaway, to join 

her and the other family members for the 

8:30 p.m. West Los Angeles gala opening 

performance of "Goin' Coconuts" at the 

Plitt Century Plaza Theatre. 

This will be the first time the Osmonds 

have been in Los Angeles for a function 

such as this and Mayor Tom Bradley plans 

to be present to extend a warm welcome. 

The Osmonds then will be greeted at the 

Plitt Century Plaza Theatre with all the hospitality 

of the Islands—complete with hibiscus 

and flower leis to highlight the spirit 

of the film. 

Disco coordinators expect 5,000 to 8,000 

people to attend the festivities. 

The super-comedy starring Donny and 

Marie Osmond begins its Los Angeles engagement 

at the Plitt Century Plaza Theatre, 

ABC Entertainment Center, Wednesday 

night (4). 

'Tommy Encore Run Backed by Huge 

Campaign Exhibits Old-Time Magic 

Dawn Disbrow plays her new pinball machine while her friends Angela Levin. 10, 

and Jon Montonen. 5, watch. The game was given away by drawing at the Capri 

Theatre at the last showing of "Tommy." Columbia Pictures rerelease. 

Two weeks prior to a special midnight 

showing of "Tommy," a Columbia Pictures 

rerelease. the newspaper advertisement for 

the Capri Theatre in Concord, Calif., published 

in the Contra Costa Times, included 

the words: "See Me—Tommy Is Coming." 

One thousand "Tommy" flyers were 

printed, with each one including a drawing 

entry blank. The flyers were placed in stores 

at local shopping centers, on car windshields 

and posted on lamp poles throughout Contra 

Costa County. Hand-painted posters that 

sparkled in the sun also were displayed in 

various Concord stores. 

KWUN Radio tied-in with the Capri and 

aired 50 radio spots plugging "Tommy" one 

Sarasota Mall Cooperates 

In Hypoing 'Sgt. Pepper' 

week prior to the playdate in exchange for 

100 passes to see the movie. 

During the musical's run. a "Tommy" 

soundtrack album was given away nightly, 

courtesy of Warehouse Records & Tapes. 

At the last unreeling of "Tommy," a 

drawing was held in the Capri Theatre for 

a $L200 pinball game, which was supplied 

by Oakland Cigaret Service. 

The intensive promotional campaign for 

the film generated tremendous interest 

throughout the county, with boxoffice receiplb 

demonstrating that the "show and 

tell" 

principles of showmanship are effective 

audience-builders which benefit a motion 

picture through increased patronage. 

Many decorated with streamers, balloons 

and posters ballyhooing the film. 

The lobby of the theatres was decorated 

Opening day of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely especially for the occasion, with cut-out 

Hearts Club Band" at American Multi Cinema's 

Sarasota Square 6 theatres in Sara- 

the event. A huge cake with a very hand- 

horns, streamers and tinsel adding glitter to 

sota, Fla., saw the Sarasota Mall become some copy of the "Sgt. Pepper" logo as a 

"Heartland U.S.A." in a festive transformation. 

WYND Radio did an all-day remote The picture drew sellout crowds, even 

decoration was a work of art to behold! 

broadcast from the shopping complex, with filling the auditorium for a special midnight 

the music from the film attracting an enthusiastic 

crowd to a decorated bandstand. following day enabling the Sarasota Square 

screening. The momentum held over to the 

Mall merchants joined in, providing 6 to set an all-time one-day boxoffice gross 

many prizes and holding in-store sales. record. 

BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :: Oct. 2, 1978 34

BOXOFFICE 

BAROMETER 

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

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

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

relation to overage grosses as determined by the theatre monagers. With 100 per cent os average, 

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

Avalanche (New World)

j 

The 

Less X-Raled Product 

Appearing on Screens 

By MAURIE H. ORODENKER 

PHILADELPHIA — Significantly, the 

start of the new season finds only a minimal 

presence of X-rated films and ever fewer 

film houses with an exclusive X to triple-X 

film policy. Save for a number of storefront 

movie houses that are operated in conjunction 

with adult book stores and "live" features, 

there are less than a half dozen conventional 

theatres in center-city dedicated 

to 

the X's. 

Ad Copy Less 

Explicit 

It wasn't too many seasons ago that the 

X films had a high degree of visibility on 

the theatrical pages of the daily newspapers. 

Now, with its descriptive art and headlines 

severely toned down, there are only 

four such center-city theatres carrying display 

ads running from 30 to 86-line ads in 

the tabloid Philadelphia Daily News. Significantly, 

only the Apollo Theatre shows 

the letter X in its copy. 

The Apollo, once part of the RKO-Stanley 

Warner circuit and one of the first center-city 

conventional theatres to go X, has 

isince become a complete adult complex 

with a full stock of books, magazines and 

films for sale where other theatres offer 

popcorn, candy and Coke. The only center- 

Icity cinema operating 24 hours around the 

|cIock, the Apollo utilized its basement. It's 

'only a 25-cents admission through a separate 

entrance to the basement below where "Live 

Nude Dancers— 16 Girls Daily" are offered. 

JReguIar admission to the "four X-films 

levery day" is S3 with senior citizens getting 

!$1 off with the Daily News ad, which 

doesn't appear in the other two daily papers. 

Changes in Program 

The other three theatres, 

which avoid use 

lof the letter X in their ads in all three papers, 

are the Studio Theatre, which once 

featured foreign films, as did the Forum 

Theatre, which may try at it with classic 

ifilms, and Theatre 1812, originally opened 

as a first-run house. The Studio is also an 

['adult complex," with its lobby boarded up 

with a separate entrance for adult magaizines, 

books, films and peep shows. The theatre 

itself tries to perk up business from 

time to time with live burlesque and nude 

shows. 

only other conventional theatre in 

:center-city with a triple-X rating is the Center, 

which confines its advertising in the 

three newspapers to four-line listings in the 

Neighborhood Movie Directory. Opening 

daily at 1 p.m., it stays open all night. Interestingly 

enough, the Neighborhood Movie 

Directory shows only two other theatres 

operating in neighborhoods are listed—Art 

Holiday, the first neighborhood house to 

turn to X-rated films, and the Devon Theatre, 

both in the Kensington section of the 

icity. Of the five other X-film houses among 

the almost 90 theatres listed, two are suburban 

houses—the Yorktown Theatre and 

(Continued on page E-8) 

CHARITY, STAR POWER AT LUNCHEON—Nearly 650 persons packed 

the house at the Blue Crest North in Pikesville, Md., for the Variety Club Women 

of Tent 19 luncheon and fashion show September 11. Proceeds from the event 

benefited a Variety pediatric oncology isolation unit at Johns Hopkins Hospital. 

Special guests included Tony Randall, who was honored as "Entertainer of the 

Year"; Oscar De La Renta. "Designer of the Year"; Eric Morley, president of 

Variety Clubs International, with his wife Julia, and Dr. Brigid Leventhal, director 

of pediafrioncology at Johns Hopkins Hospital, who accepted the Variety donation. 

Chairperson for the event was Shirley Howard. Pictured above are, (seated left to 

right), Dr. Leventhal, Randall and De La Renta; (standing left to right) Shirley 

Howard, chief barker William Howard, president of Variety Club Women Barbara 

Goldberg and Morley. 

Classic German Films 

Find Way Onto Screen 

TOMS RIVER, N.J.—A festival of German 

Film Classics will be presented at two 

of the three Ocean County Mall Cinemas 

located in the Ocean Mall in suburban 

Brick Township. While the triplex is an 

operation of the General Cinema Corp., the 

foreign film festival will be promoted by 

Erwin Single, an area resident, who leased 

the theatres for eight dates throughout the 

year. 

Friday Morning Screenings 

Not interfering with the regular film programs, 

the films will be shown Friday mornings 

at 10 a.m. with simultaneous screenings 

of a drama or comedy in one theatre 

and a musical in the other. The series opened 

this week with "Der Zigeunerbaron" 

("The Gypsy Baron") and "Heimweh nach 

St. Pauli" ("Homesick for St. Pauli"). 

Season tickets for the entire series of 

eight films are being sold at $20 with single 

admissions at $3. Other festival dates include 

Friday (20), November 17, December 

8, March 9. April 20, May 18 and June 5. 

All the films selected for the series were 

made in the 1950s and 1960s with English 

subtitles. Each film program will be accompanied 

by a travel featurette on Germany 

or Austria. 

Single, former owner of "New Yorker 

Staats-Zeitung," one of the largest Germanlanguage 

newspapers in this country, which 

was published in that city, said he began 

to organize the series eight months ago. He 

said that he discovered there still is a great 

affection for German films in the nostalgia 

category, especially among the many thousands 

of German-speaking residents in the 

adult communities of Ocean and Monmouth 

counties in this Central Jersey resort area. 

Response Is 

Enthusiastic 

Announcement of the festival, Single said, 

has drawn enthusiastic response not only 

from the German-speaking community, but 

also from lovers of the classic operetta. The 

operetta, he added, was the traditional form 

of theatre the German-speaking residents 

grew up with and he feels that the postbreakfast 

showings will prove most popular 

especially among the older moviegoers. 

The other three musicals in the series are 

"Der Vogelhaendler" ("The Bird Vendor"), 

"Der Bettclstudent" ("The Beggar Student") 

and "Don Juan." the film version of Moazart's 

"Don Giovanni." Others in the comedy 

and drama series arc "Alle Tage ist kein 

Sonntag" ("Not Every Day Is Sunday"), 

"Kein Tag Schoener als der Andere" 

("Every Day Is Better Than the Other") 

and "Auf der Reeperbahn Nachts um halb 

eins," which depicts Hamburg's streets at 

12:30 a.m. 

BOXOFFICE :: October 2, 1978 E-1

—— 

— — 

1 

BRO AD)N Ay 

JHE MONTH OF OCTOBER in 

New 

York always signals in the start of the 

new fall movie season and this week's openings 

promise to be big grossers. Leading the 

parade are 20th Century-Fox's "A Wedding," 

Warner Bros.' "Bloodbrothers," Paramount's 

"Death on the Nile" and Columbia's 

"Somebody Killed Her Husband." 

Coming up during the month are not only 

a great number of entries, but offerings of 

such variety that practically all film tastes 

will be covered. Great returns are being 

predicted for Universal's "The Wiz" and 

"The Big Fix," Warners' "Who is Killing 

the Great Chefs of Europe?" and 20th- 

Fox's "The Boys From Brazil." Of the more 

artistic endeavors which also should do well 

are New World's "Autumn Sonata," Columbia's 

"Midnight Express" and Paramount's 

lease through Warner Bros., has begun 

filming in New York City. Based on Richard 

Price's acclaimed novel, the story is a 

street drama about youth gangs in New 

York City during 1963, when the atmosphere 

was changing from that of the pre- 

Kennedy-assassination era to the Johnson/ 

Nixon years. The film is being produced by 

veteran Martin Ransohoff and directed by 

Philip Kaufman, from a screenplay by 

Kaufman and his wife Rose. Virtually all 

the major characters in the drama are to 

be portrayed by newcotners. Among the 

key members of the production staff are 

Michael Chapman as director of photography 

and Jay Moore, art director. "The 

Wanderers" has a ten-week shooting schedule 

throughout the New York metropolitan 

area, primarily in and around the Bronx. 

• 

Lillian Roth, Linda Manz and lyricist 

Sammy Cahn have joined the cast of 

"Boardwalk," the Stephen Verona film produced 

by George Willoughby which currently 

is shooting on location in Brooklyn and 

Manhattan. The film stars Ruth Gordon, 

Lee Strasberg and Janet Leigh. 

Miss Roth, a popular leading lady in early 

sound films such as "The Love Parade," 

"The Vagabond King" and "Animal Crackers," 

is well-remembered as the author of 

the autobiography "I'll Cry Tomorrow," 

which was brought to the screen in 

1955 with Susan Hayward playing the lead 

role. In "Boardwalk" Miss Roth plays a 

woman recently widowed. Linda Manz currently 

is being acclaimed for her performance 

in Terence Malick's "Days of Heaven." 

In "Boardwalk" she plays the lone female 

member of a youth gang known as the 

Satans. Sammy Cahn, the award-winning 

lyricist of such popular songs as "Three 

Coins in the Fountain" and "All the Way," 

here is making his screen acting debut, 

playing an old friend of Lee Strasberg. 

"Boardwalk" is being directed by Verona, 

who also wrote the script with Leigh Chapman. 

A Gerald T. Herrod production, the 

executive producer is Herrod. Director of 

photography is famed British cinematographer 

Billy Williams. 

• 

In the magazines: Seventeen magazine for 

October names "A Wedding" as its movie 

of the month. Also reviewed are "Foul 

Play," "Who'll Stop the Rain," "Revenge 

of the Pink Panther," "Hooper" and "National 

Lampoon's Animal House." The newly 

published Life magazine, which will be 

a monthly patterned after the old and popular 

weekly, features a picture-spread of the 

musical-movie version of "The Wiz." star- 

"Coin' South." The New York Film Festival 

always produces a few critical and firing 

Diana Ross. 

• 

nancial successes. Among this year's best 

The second Cahiers Du Cinema Festival 

bets are Claude Chabrol's "Violette" from 

will be held again this year at the Bleecker 

France, Werner Fassbinder's "Despair" 

Street Cinema Sunday ( 1 ) through Wednesday 

(4). Included will be seven recent 

from West Germany, Australia's "Newsfront" 

and "The Shout" from Great Britain. 

European films, not yet shown in the U.S. 

• 

New York City is the first stop in a tour 

of these films, after which they go to Los 

"The Wanderers." an Orion Pictures re- 

Angeles, San Francisco and other cities. 

This festival has been planned to serve as 

an alternative to 

the New York Film Festival 

and the films selected, 

although thought 

to be less commercially viable, provide a 

series of provocative works by less wellknown, 

yet highly innovative and promising 

European filmmakers. 

On showcase: Biggest winners of the 

week in limited runs are 20th-Fox's Robert 

Altman comedy "A Wedding." Paramount's 

Cheech and Chong counter-culture fling 

"Up in Smoke." Universal's "National Lampoon's 

Animal House" and the revival of 

Stanley Kubrick's "200 L- A Space Odyssey." 

Wider breaks were led by newcomer 

"Go Tell the Spartans" from Avco Embassy 

and continuing runs of such consistent 

boxoffice performers as Paramount's 

"Heaven Can Wait," "Foul Play" and 

"Grease." Warners' "Hooper" and UA's 

"Revenge of the Pink Panther." Also on 

the tracks were UA's "Who'll Stop the 

Rain," 20th-Fox's "An Unmarried Woman." 

Universal's "Almost Summer" coupled 

with "American Graffiti," and reis.mes of 

20th-Fox's "Young Frankenstein" and Columbia's 

"The Greatest" with "Thank God 

It's Friday." 

Universal Appoints Lingg 

East Coast Story Editor 

NEW YORK— Katherine Lingg has been 

named East Coast story editor for Universal 

Pictures, it was announced by Thom Mount, 

executive vice-president. The post formerly 

was occupied by Sharon Edwards. 

Ms. Lingg, who began as assistant to the 

story editor at Universal in New York in 

June 1976, is a graduate of Smith College. 

'Days of Heaven' Slill 

Apple's Big Attraction 

NEW YORK—Terence Malick's pastoral 

view of rural America in 1916. "Days of 

Heaven." again led the boxoffice scene with 

a hefty 575. In close second was Woody 

Allen's "Interiors" with a remarkable 535. 

displaying strong staying power. "Girl 

Friends" continued its strong pace and placed 

third with a big 485. spreading out to 

showcase this week. The popular Italian 

favorite. "Bread and Chocolate," still is 

bringing them in and places fourth again 

this week with a nice 400. "No Tim or 

Breakfast," the latest French entry in town, 

is proving itself a big winner and comes in I 

fifth with a good 300. 

Leading the showcases this week a 

Paramount's "Up in Smoke," "Foul Play' 

and "Grease." Universal's "National Lampoon's 

Animal House" and "Almost Sum 

mer" coupled with "American Graffiti.' 

Avco Embassy's "Go Tell the Spartan-,' 

and UA's "Revenge of the Pink Panther." 

(Average Is 100) 

Baronet—Interiors (UA), 8th wk 535 

Cinema I Days oi Heaven (Para) 2nd wk. 575 

7th II—Girl Friends (WB), wk J85 

Cinema 

Cinema Studio—Women (New Yorker), 3rd wk 185 

Guild—The Opium War (Sine- American) 

4th wk 125 

Little Carnegie Bread and Cliocolate 

(World-Northdl). 9th wk 

Paris—Viva Italia (Cinema 5), Uth wk 

Plaza A Slave of Love (Cinema 5), 7th wk. 

68th St. Playhouse—No Time For Breakfast 

(Bourla), 2ni wk 

Trans Lux East—Nea (Libra Films) 6th wk 

No Surprise: "Animal House' Beats 

400 

\'4 

Out All Other Baltimore GHerings 

BALTIMORE— It was a week of moderate 

business here for first-run feature 

films. The top scorer in the race of the now 

releases for the entertainment dollar. ua\, 

as usual. "National Lampoon's Animal 

House," with a steady 150 in its seventh 

week. 

Cinema I— Who'll Stop the Rain (UA) 

3rd wk, . 80 

Cinema II—Revenge of the Pink Panther lUA) 

9th wk. 115i 

Glen Burnie KLaU—Grease (P.ara), 6th wk 70' 

Liberty I— National Lampoon's Animal House 

(Univ), 7th wk 150 

Playhouse Dear Inspector (SR), 6!h wk 100 

Senator Heaven Can Wait (Para), I2th wk 50 

Towson—The Driver (20th-Fox), 1st wk 75 

Westview IV— Eyes of Laura IVIars (Coi) 

4th wk. 5C 

Universal Slates January 

Start for 'Resurrection' 

NEW YORK—'Rcsurrcction," starring 

Ellen Burstyn as a woman with the gift ol 

healing, is scheduled to begin production ir 

January, it was announced by Ned Tanen 

president of Universal theatrical motior 

pictures. The film will be produced by Re 

nee Missel and Howard Rosenman, whi 

currently are acting as executive producer 

on "The Main Event," starring Barbr: 

Streisand and Ryan O'Neal. 

Directing will be Daniel Petri, whose liln 

credits include "A Raisin in the Sun," "Life 

guard" and "The Betsy." The screenpla; 

was written by Lewis John Carlino, whi 

"The Sailor Who Fe 

scripted and directed 

From Grace With the Sea" and currently i 

directing his own screenplay of "The Greg 

Santini." 

E-2 


i 

PHILADELPHIA—To 

I 

i 

, 

The 

. . . The 

. . "Somebody 

. . "Hot 

. . Liberty 

'Nile' Promo Feaiures 

Bette Davis, Contest 

excite interest in 

jthc opening of "Death on the Nile," Donna 

IBaum, local publicity and promotion representative 

for Paramount Pictures has made 

khe area "who dunnit?" conscious with 

jnewspaper and radio contests. Attracting 

ide attention was the "who dunnit?" conest 

on WIP-AM, a top area station, which 

rought 80 promo spot announcements for 

he feature's opening at the Sameric Theatre 

ere and other theatres in 

the area. 

Winners Get Tickets 

The radio disc jockeys keyed the "who 

unnit?" questions to who did what on the 

cord played. Winners received tickets for 

special preview invitational opening the 

ght before its regular opening at the Saeric 

Theatre. Special guests and celebrities 

ted to the preview received their invitalons 

in a paperback edition of the Agatha 

hristie mystery thriller. 

A "who dunnit?" contest in the Inquirer 

psked readers to guess the name of the one 

who "dunnit" among a listing of the 13 

principals in the film cast. Ms. Baum had 

similar contest conducted by the Courier- 

^ 

Post across the river in Camden. N.J. Each 

newspaper gave 100 winners selected at 

pndom pairs of tickets to the special inviiiational 

preview. 

Highlight of the campaign was the personal 

appearance of Bette Davis, making 

1 highly promoted public appearance in the 

Fohn Wanamaker Store followed by a presscelebrity 

luncheon hosted by the center-city 

department store. A s{>ecial screening for 

,he media critics was hosted by Ms. Baum 

at the Top of the Fox Screening Room. 

The book also was used to help promote 

,he movie in a tie-in with the B. Dalton 

8ook Store, the largest book shop in town, 

(vhich gave a full street-window display to 

Ihe Agatha Christie classic. 

Baltimore Film Forum Will 

Feature Pictures, Lectures 

BALTIMORE—The Baltimore Film Forjm 

1978-79 season began September 18 at 

Center Stage. This year the Forum will ofer 

a six-lecture/ film/discussion series at the 

Jaltimore Museum of Art, Johns Hopkins 

Jniversity and Center Stage. 

Guest speakers include Sunpapers film 

critic R.H. Gardner, hosting an American 

ilm series at the museum, and Professor 

-eo Braudy, author of "Jean Renoir: The 

Vorld of His Films," hosting a series on 

he work of the master filmmaker. The Ren- 

'ir program also may be taken for continung 

education credit at the Johns Hopkins 

•vening school. 

Film Forum has scheduled a pro- 

:;ram of current foreign films at Center 

iitage. These films, many of which have 

never before seen in the Baltimore area, 

Ivill be screened once a month. Films by 

\gnes Varda, Akira Kurosawa, Rainer Werler 

Fassbinder and Carlos Saura will be 

eatured. 

PITTSBURGH 

^rs. Reggie Stern is chairman of the 1978 

Montefiore Ball, themed "Something 

Special," Saturday, November 18 at the 

William Penn Hotel. A founder of the 

Women's Auxiliary to the American Cancer 

Society, she was its first president. Through 

her theatre interests she also was president 

of the Women's Auxiliary of Variety Tent 

1 and, with husband Ernie, she recently 

served in a leadership capacity for Israel 

Bonds. In the theatre world she plans and 

designs interiors for Cinemette. 

Frank E. Lewis, veteran with Blatt Bros. 

Theatres, reports that reservations for the 

George Tice celebration Sunday (8) have 

poured in. The event will be held at the 

Greentree Marriott Inn with a cash bar at 

6 p.m. and dinner at 7. Featured will be a 

live musical presentation and a slide show 

which celebrates the NATO of Western 

Pennsylvania president's 75th birthday and 

his 60 years in the motion picture industry. 

G.W. Pabst's 1931 German film "The 

Threepenny Opera" will be screened Saturday 

(14) at 2:30 p.m. in the Museum of 

Art theatre. Admission will be $1. This 

pioneer sound film with music by Kurt 

Weill is derived from John Gay's "Beggar's 

Opera" of 1728 and based on the play by 

Bertolt Brecht. 

Italy's "Bread and Chocolate" is underlined 

at the Forum and next up will be the 

French "Cat and Mouse" . top 

featured "Play Softly" and "Love Addict" 

. . . Twenty-one drive-ins continue full operations 

in the area with ten on weekendonly 

schedules. 

"The Bottom Line" was seen at the Bank 

Cinema and Forum, this being the Pennsylvania 

premiere of the French film . . . 

"Three Summer Afternoons" was the screen 

feature at the Follies . . . The Playhouse 

will bring in "Gone With the Wind" for 

one showing only Saturday (21) at 7:30 

p.m. . Killed Her Husband" 

is playing the area . Honey" followed 

"Honeymoon Haven" at the Art 

Cinema. 

The John O. Glaus Agency here is handling 

"Hot and Saucy Pizza Girls," which 

recently was featured at the Art Cinema 

X-rated Sylvester Stallone starrer, 

"Italian Stallion" will be released in early 

winter. 

Herman Hartman of Kings Court is creating 

more noise and excitement—and business—than 

any other manager in the city. 

Being located a few steps from the University 

of Pittsburgh campus, he welcomed 

new and returning students at six area colleges 

with different live bands on four consecutive 

nights. He also staged a Tarzan 

look-alike contest to promote the showing of 

"Shame of the Jungle" and has a regular 

tie-up with the Airport Hilton which results 

in dinner, wine and room for winners of 

the weekly costume contests. His house was 

featured recently on CBS's "People" program 

during their coverage of the "Rocky 

Horror Picture Show" phenomenon. Herman 

himself dresses up as "Hairy Herman" 

the gorilla and emcees each Friday and Saturday 

midnight showing of "Rocky Horror." 

Monroeville now has its CATV ordinance 

and franchising procedures straightened out. 

Probably six to ten cable outfits will seek 

the 15-year license for the largest subdivision 

in Allegheny County next to Pittsburgh 

itself. 

the Redstone circuit . . . 

Gene Deitch, award-winning film animator, 

spoke on "The Art of Visual Communication" 

at Wilkinsburg's Frick Fine Arts 

Building . . Architects are working on 

. 

plans for a five-auditorium Showcase Cinema 

to be located in the North Hills for 

The Pittsburgh 

Public Theatre opened its fourth season in 

the rent-free Allegheny Commimity Theatre 

in Allegheny Center. 

Area theatres were featuring "Hot and 

Saucy Pizza Girls." "The Buddy Holly 

Story," "Hard Soap," "Slithis." "You Light 

Up My Life," "Teenage Peanut Butter 

Freak," "Love Me to Death," "Takeoff," 

"Summer of Laura," "The Incredible Melting 

Man," "Smokey and the Bandit," "FM," 

"The Hills Have Eyes" and "Don't Open 

the Window." 

i i:iiiiiiiii:i: i iiiiiiii :i 

RELAX 

MR. EXHIBITOR! 

No more running through airports 

for your accessories. 

UTAcJelivers them on time. 

Ask any theatre about 

UTA'saccesson/sea/ice, 

1658 Cordova street LosAnqeles Calif 90007 

Contact: ARMANDATAMIAN 

213-734-0510 

iiii: i :iiin:i i m;iiiiii; 

•OXOFFICE E-3

Liberiy 

. . . AFI 

WASHINGTON 

Qlenmar Cinestate, formerly District Theatres, 

announced the relocation of its 

offices to One Farragut Square, South. Suite 

400. Washington. DC. 20006. The new 

telephone number is (202) 638-1000. Glenmar 

Cinestate. a 16-theatre, 23-screen circuit, 

a subsidiary of Farragut Investments 

which owns the posh office building, may 

be realistic in taking on a new corporate 

image. G. Bradford Cook spearheads Farragut 

Investments, with Ronald N. Nadler 

as president. Nadler. likewise, is president 

of Glenmar Cinestate. 

The National Archives' new film series 

"The Unknown War" consists of ten onehour 

free programs of documentaries concerning 

the conflict between the Soviet 

Union and Germany during World War II. 

Burt Lancaster is the host and narrator. 

The Air Time International release will be 

shown through December 8 in the Archives 

screening room. 

Crown International Pictures' release 

"Coach" is praised by the Post's critic Gary 

Arnold as a "delightful trifle of courts and 

courting." Arnold comments, as well, on 

"Cathy Lee Crosby's wide, brilliant smile 

and husky, cheering laugh." He continued: 

"Movies like 'Coach' frequently turn out to 

be valuable auditions for young performers. 

Michael Biehn tops a list of unknowns 

whose looks and skills may eventually make 

them better known." 

Larry St. John, Paramount branch manager, 

returned from a brief vacation in 

Houston. Before departing, St. John screened 

"Up in Smoke" at the Motion Picture 

Ass'n of America and announced the tradescreening 

of the film version of Agatha 

Christie's "Death on the Nile." The EMI 

Film presentation had a four-theatre opening 

September 29 and a full-page advertisement 

in the previous Sunday papers which 

stated: "The only thing that could follow 

'Murder" is 'Death.' " St. John's screening 

of "Goin' South." starring Jack Nicholson. 

Mary Steenburgen and John Belushi, was 

September 29. The film unreels in seven 

theatres Friday (6). 

Steve Turner, Universal branch manager, 

will have two exhibitors' screenings Friday 

(6): "The Wiz." at the Pedas brothers' Uptown 

Theatre at 10 a.m., and "Same 

Time Next Year," 1:30 p.m. at the MPAA. 

"The Wiz" multiple debut includes Washington, 

Friday (27); Baltimore, November 3. 

and Newport News and Roanoke December 

22 . . . Universal's "Paradise Alley" recently 

was sneaked at General Cinema Corp.'s 

Jennifer Theatre. Farhang Esfandiary, man- 

Nationwide 

Sound and 

Projection Service 

on all brands. 

RCA Service Company. A Division of RCA 

43 Edward J HaM Rd Industrial Park, 

, 

E-4 

Jersey City. N J. 07305, Phone (201) 451-2222 

ager of the Wisconsin Avenue twin complex, 

greeted the showmen and their guests. 

Brut Productions' "The Class of Miss Mc- 

Michael." starring Glenda Jackson, was 

screened at a seminar-luncheon at the Pedas' 

West End Theatre September 13. Morris 

Lefko, Brut's vice-president and general 

sales manager, hosted the midday trade 

event. Ernie Shapire. head of advertising, 

also attended from the home office. Herbert 

Schwartz of h.i.s. pictures is the area 

distributor for Brut. 

The Corcoran School of Art is introducing 

film studies this fall under the title 

"moviemaking from every angle." Michael 

Day, highly regarded local independent 

filmmaker and the Corcoran's top-flight instructor, 

is noted for his film seminars at the 

Corcoran and the Smithsonian Institution 

Guide to College Courses shows 

that there are 1.100 of our colleges offering 

film studies. In 1975. the publication showed 

the number to be 790. 

Philadelphia Variety Club 

In Warwick Headquarters 

PHILADELPHIA—The Philadelphia Variety 

Club highlighted the grand opening of 

its new headquarters Tuesday. September 27 

with the presentation of a Variety Club 

Sunshine Coach to the City of Philadelphia. 

For the past year, due to the closing of the 

Bellevue-Stratford Hotel, which had been 

the local tent's home address for many 

years, 

headquarters. 

the Variety Club had used temporary 

The new address is the newly reopened 

luxury hotel, the Warwick, with a plush 

suite on the third floor. Cocktails and hors 

d'oeuvres were served to the hundreds of 

guests attending the opening ceremonies 

from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Those present included 

tent members and Variety Club Women. 

At 6 p.m., in front of the Warwick, Mayor 

Frank S. Rizzo accepted the sixth Sunshine 

Coach that has been presented to the 

city which will be utilized by the Philadelphia 

department of welfare. The specially 

designed mini-bus to transport handicapped 

children and adults alike was donated by 

Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Bernstein of Silver 

Wind Farms in Riegelsville, Pa., and represents 

a cost of over $17,000. The coach 

was dedicated in their name. 

The presentation was made by Charles 

F. Schlach. president of the Philadelphia 

Variety Club. Other principals in attendance 

in addition to the Bcrnsteins were Dr. Margaret 

J. Sosnowski of the city's welfare department. 

David Rosen, chairman of the 

Variety Club Sunshine Coach committee, 

and Pat Benjamin, co-chairman of the Variety 

Club heart committee. 

Susan Clark will portray 

owed philanthropist in "City ( 

shooting in Montreal. 

twice-wid- 

Fire." 

now 

Fit to be 

TIDE 

OR 

how WEkept 

ourhead 

above waterIN 

1812. 

Freedom of the seas. 

That's what the War of 1812 was 

all about. 

But it would have been sink or 

swim for our Navv had Americans 

not bought $1 1.000.000 worth of 

government securities to keep our 

flag upon the waves. 

Back then, folks took stock in 

America by putting their money 

where their country was. To save 

the good old Navy. 

Today, over 9V2 million modern 

Americans still take stock in 

America by buying U.S. Savings 

Bonds. 

When you join the Payroll 

Savings Plan, you help yourself 

to safe, automatic savings. And you 

help your country, too. 

So buy U.S. Savings Bonds. 

They'll keep your savings on an 

even keel. 

Now E Bonds pay 6% interest when held 

to maturity of 5 years (•»>^% the first 

year"). 

Interest is not subject to state or 

local income taxes, and federal tax may be 

deferred until redemption. 

.Stock . 

inyênca. 

^ aJf h'e ZZ'lTc'"^'''' 


; 

Yê 

' 

"Gourmet 

j 

win 

. 

business 

'; 

"The 

, 

number 

. . . Two 

. . WBKZ-FM 

. . Rome 

— 

BALTIMORE 

Advertising Club of Baltimore is presenting 

"'A Night at the Copacabana" 

featuring the Paul Caldwell Show, at the 

Hunt Valley Inn Saturday (7) from 7 p.m. 

to 1 a.m. Tickets are $30 per person 

and admission will be limited. For reservations 

call the Ad Club office at 685-6559 

new members of the Advertising 

Club of Baltimore are Charles Miller, owner 

of the Art-Lite Sign Co., and Dennis 

L. Atkins, marketing director of the News- 

American. 

I 

} 

a one-day trip to Boston for dinner 

via Allegheny Airlines, or a seven-day 

Paris holiday for two via Air France. 

The annual city fair which took place at 

Baltimore's Inner Harbor the weekend of 

September 15-17 just about killed the film 

Larry Cuba, independent filmmaker and 

computer artist who worked on several 

"Star Wars" sequences, showed and discussed 

his work September 14 at the University 

of Maryland Baltimore County 

campus. 

Bill Pacy, a booking executive at F.H. 

Durkee Enterprises for the past decade, has 

left the circuit to enter a new field of 

business. Before joining Durkee. Pacy managed 

the McHenry Theatre on Light Street. 

Leon H. Zeller, former theatre owner, 

died September 12 at age 74. From the early 

years of talking pictures. Zeller was a partner 

in a circuit of theatres which included 

the Roslyn. the Times, the Rex. the Roy 

and the Roxy. At the Roxy he was known 

as Uncle Lee and presided over a talent 

show that was broadcast on the radio for a 

of years. He also served, at times. 

las an advisor on scripts and as a talent 

iscout for Hollywood studios. A native of 

Baltimore, he earned a doctorate in psychol 

ogy at Pennsylvania College and practiced 

as a psychologist for many years. Zeller 

was a charier member of Variety Club Tent 

19 here. He also owned and operated Zeller 

Enterprises, a real estate firm in the Mount 

Vernon area. He is survived by his wife 

Virginia. 

PHILADELPHIA 

Joe BaJlako, film reviewer for the Daily 

News, is handling an assignment for 

US magazine to do a personal interview 

with 

The Paramount, a Schwaber World Fare 

Burt Reynolds. It was the screen star's 

personal request that the interview be handled 

by Baltake (hat sends the local film 

Cinemas house, was shuttered September 

12. The theatre is located at 6650 Belair 

writer to 

^Road 

Hollywood. 

here . is presenting a 

Jet-Away" to promote Warner 

William Milgrani is utilizing two of the 

jBros. new release "Who Is Killing the Great 

three screens in booking "Girl Friends" 

Chefs of Europe?" which stars George Se- 

I 

into the Rilz Three theatres in center city 

Igal and Jacqueline Bisset. Contestants may 

at month's end. In order to stagger the 

shows and accommodate the patrons. Milgram 

said the feature will be shown on two 

of the three Ritz screens for at least the 

first month of the opening engagement. 

Fast Eddie Greves, well-known restaurateur 

and man-about-town. will be playing 

movie critic on the newly revamped "Morn- 

Linda Goldenberg, regional publicity and 

screen here at the Hillendale Theatre for a 

Save-A-Heart is promotion director for Columbia Pictures, 

presenting Helen Reddy in concert Sunday hosted an invitational preview for "Somebody 

November 5. Proceeds from the Lyric The- 

âtre benefit will go to the Save-A-Heart Killed Her Husband" at the Top of 

the Fox Screening Room. 

Foundation. 

Mrs. Adele Capalbo, who had worked as 

cashier at the Midtown, Duke, Duchess 

and Cinema 19 movie theatres in center 

city for the past ten years, died September 

22 in St. Agnes Hospital here at the age of 

58. Two daughters, two sons, three brothers 

and four grandchildren survive. 

"Attention Mr. and Mrs. Philadelphia 

and all the ships at sea!" That was the heading 

for the announcement that "it happened, 

finally" 

for Hank Milgram. executive 

vice-president of the locally based independent 

circuit of Milgram Theatres. The happening 

was the fact that Hank has tied the 

marital knot with "blond and beautiful" 

Carol Harkness. Milgram. chairman of the 

board of the Philadelphia Variety Club, of 

which he was formerly chief barker, and 

recently named international ambassador for 

Variety Clubs International, and his bride 

were toasted by Variety at a fund-raising 

event for the benefit of handicapped children, 

at the Meadowlands Country Club. 

Actor, Morley Saluted 

At Variety Club Soiree 

NEW YORK—The Variety Club of New 

York hosted a luncheon for Variety Clubs 

International president Eric Morley Friday, 

Star of stage and screen Jack Lemmon. 

left, with Erie Morley, president 

here for three days. "Business 

of Variety Clubs International, with a 

was off about 50 f)er cent because of it," 

special Variety 

ing" show on K'VW-TV. 

award for outstanding 

here. 

stated Leon B. Back, NATO of Maryland 

service to handicapped children 

president and general manager of Rome The Apollo Th?atre, long a Boardwalk throughout the world. Lemmon was 

Theatres . executive Edward A. landmark in Atlantic City, N.J.. until it saluted at a luncheon hosted by New 

Kimpel jr. found something to get excited was converted into Charlie's Picture Palace York City's Tent 35 in honor of Morley. 

about, however, as his step-son Roy Murrill, 

earlier this year, and accommodating a 

a professional photographer, placed number of business establishments, was 

;some wedding photos on the front page of 

September 15, at the Hotel Americana. This 

heavily damaged in a $100,000 fire. 

'the Sunday Sun society section that same 

was Morley's last stop on a five-day. sixcity 

weekend. Murrill, who is 26. is a graduate Darth Vader of "Star Wars" fame came 

visit to Variety tents throughout the 

country. 

of the University of Rochester school of to Wilkes-Barre. Pa., to kick off the "Reading 

photography. 

Jack Lemmon. star of screen and stage, 

Is Fundamental" program conducted by 

was another special guest of Tent 35 and 

the Osterhout Free Library. 

Sound of Music" is back on the 

was honored for his efforts on behalf of 

handicapped children everywhere. Lemmon 

had made two short film clips for VCl that 

were aired on TV during the NBA playoffs 

in Seattle. The 30 second spots were shown 

to all the guests at the luncheon via a rearprojection 

system. 

Burton Robbins. a vice-president of VCl 

ard chairman of the patron life membership 

program, served as chairman of the 

event. Speaking for the New York Variety 

Club, president Daniel R. Fellman presented 

a beautiful plaque to Eric Morley for his 

magnificent efforts and leadership of VCl 

and its work with children all over the 

world. 

Felicia Farr. Lemmon's wife and an 

actress herself: Tony Award winner Barnard 

Hughes of "Da"; Constance Towers 

of "The King and I." and David Groh of 

"Chapter Two" all were present to pay 

tribute to Lemmon and Morley.

. 

. 

. 

BUFFALO 

Media Study Buffalo's new series of silent 

films and early talkies continues with 

the release of October bookings: Saturday 

(7) F.W. Murnau's "Faust" of 1926. a German 

silent; Saturday (14) Frank Lloyd's 

"Cavalcade," based on Noel Coward's play; 

Saturday (21) Frank Capra's "Bitter Tea of 

General Yen" and 1931 "Platinum Blonde," 

and Saturday (28) Frank Borzage's "History 

Is Made at Night" from 1937. 

A private screening of the Paramount 

Pictures release "Death On the Nile" was 

presented September 21 at the Holiday 2 

Theatre . . . "Where there's a will there's a 

way, but there's not much of a movie." said 

Doug Smith in reviewing "The Inheritance" 

the Courier-Express. Continuing, he said: 

in 

"The production is a mess. One exit scene 

appears to be made from three separate 

takes pasted together willy-nilly. The dubbing 

is a disgrace and the story line just 

sort of wears out. 'The Inheritance' is a 

testament to drabness. It's always a wonderment 

that quality performers get into films 

like 

this." 

In its second newsletter of the year. 

Morality 

in Media of Western New York opined: 

"All Buffalo theatres have compiled with 

the new Buffalo city ordinance requiring all 

city movie theatres to be registered . . 

except the Village Cinema which is suing 

the city on grounds the ordinance is unconstitutional. 

Village Cinema has often 

shown X-rated movies. We commend the 

City of Buffalo for a long-needed ordinance, 

as well as corporation counsel Joseph P. 

McNamara, sponsoring councilmen James 

P. Keane and Eugene M. Fahey; and officer 

John T. Dugan and city court judge Julian 

F. Kubiniec who gave testimony supporting 

such legislation." 

McNamara, Buffalo corporation counsel, 

said in the same publication: "Many attempts 

to prosecute violations of state and 

local laws regulating exhibition of allegedly 

pornographic motion pictures have been unsuccessful 

due to an inability to identify 

those legally responsible for the operation 

of the movie theatres in question. Since the 

operation of any movie theatre bears directly 

on such public concerns as the health 

and safety of theatre patrons and residents 

of the community, the city is unquestionably 

authorized to license and regulate all movie 

theatres within the city. Registration of 

those legally responsible for the operation 

of the theatre will aid in enforcing building, 

fire and health ordinances as well as antipornography 

statutes." 

"Mean Dog Blues" started September 22 

in the Como 8 Theatre . . . 

"Blind Rage," 

"Number One of the Secret Service" and 

"Adios, Amigo" make up a triple-bill at 

Charlie Chaplin in "Monsieur 

Loews Teck . . . 

Verdoux" was shown at the Buffalo 

Historical Society September 16. "The 

Deep" was shown the next day and "Five 

Easy Pieces" the following Thursday at the 

Student Union Social Hall. Buffalo State 

College. 

E-6 

University of Buffalo Series: September 

17 "Harlan County. U.S.A."; September 18 

Armold's "High School Confidential" (1958) 

and Lander's "Go Johnny. Go" (1958); 

September 19 "Land Without Bread" and 

"The Spanish Earth"; September 20 Lubitsch's 

"The Doll" (1919) and "Design For 

Living" (1933): September 21 "The River." 

"The Plow That Broke the Plains." "The 

City" and "Short Eyes." and September 22 

"Short Eyes." Poe's "Night Lunch" and 

"Black Generation." 

"If it vvas the 'summer of the sequel' in 

the movie houses." said Doug Smith in a 

recent Sunday "Focus" section of the Courier-Express, 

"then the coming season lineup 

looks like "The Mysteries of Autumn.' At 

least five of the films upcoming on Buffaloarea 

screens between now and Thanksgiving 

are described as mysteries and a couple 

others fall into the 'thriller' category, which 

differs from a mystery, usually, in that the 

violence is wrought at the beginning of the 

picture 

rather than near the end." 

British organist Ronald Curtis played the 

mighty Wurlitzer theatre organ in North 

Tonawanda's Riviera Theatre Wednesday, 

September 20. On the screen was Buster 

Keaton's silent comedy "One Night" . 

Ramsey Lewis plus Freddie Hubbard have 

been booked for Friday (20) at Shea's Buffalo. 

Other coming shows include Van Morrison 

(27) and Count Basic (28) . . . 

William 

Lerner of Williamsville has been named 

senior law vice-president of Sportsystems 

Corp., Jeremy Jacobs, Sportsystems president, 

announced. 

Larry Cuba, the computer animator for 

special effects in "Star Wars." showed and 

discussed his work recently at Media Study 

Buffalo, the first event in the community 

media center's fall series of electronic arts 

presentations. Cuba showed excerpts from 

"Star Wars" and from other films by himself 

and other artists to survey techniques 

used in computer controlled film animation. 

The series will include the following visual 

artists, composers and theoreticians: 

Anda Korsts, Chicago videomaker, Wednesday 

(4); an installation of "sound and flexible 

architectural forms" by Ampersand 

(Ron Kuivila and Nicolas Collins) and performances 

by the two, Wednesday (18)- 

Wednesday (25); theoretician Gene Youngblood 

discussing "The Theory of the Observer," 

November 8; David Antin, poet and 

art critic, November 29; Norie Sato, presenting 

Seattle videotapes. 5 December and 

6, and a performance of electronic music 

by Frankie Mann of San Francisco, December 

17. 

The Reporters Notebook column of the 

Buffalo Evening News ran the following 

poem submitted by a reader: "The Century 

Theatre to be razed'?/ How sad to have seen 

its time./ But more depressing still:/Its vintage 

is the same as mine." 

Xana Theatres announced thai the Kensington 

and North Park theatres will close 

for approximately two months because of 

a lack of new films. "We're closing until 

mid-October or early November until we get 

some new product," said Bill Gilliland, district 

manager for Xana. The two houses 

also closed during September and October 

1977. Closing date was Sunday, September 

24. The circuit does not plan to close its 

other Buffalo area screens, which include 

the Amherst, Plaza North, Colvin and 

Broadway Drive-In theatres. 

The U.S. government moved Tuesday, 

September 19 to seek dismissal of Thomas 

S. Leonhard's $10,500,000 suit that accuses 

federal authorities of violating his rights as 

a father by keeping him from his children. 

Leonhard's attempts to force the government 

to tell him where his children were living 

formed the basis for the book and film 

"Hide In Plain Sight." The movie was shot 

in Buffalo this year. 

Gerry George, projectionist at Loews 

Teck, took his boat for an evening's cruise 

down the Erie Barge Canal recently and 

went through the Lockport locks and wound 

up 42 miles away at Middleport, N.Y.. 

where he dropped in to see his old friends 

Alex and Mary Stornelli, owners of the Sunset 

Drive-In. Gerry stayed overnight, took 

his friends for a boat ride and had breakfast, 

before returning to Buffalo. 

Memphis Benefit Premiere 

For 'Remember My Name' 

NEW YORK—"The Home of the Blues" 

—the city of Memphis—will host the world 

premiere of Columbia Pictures' "Remember 

My Name" when Alan Rudolph's contemporary 

film drama is unspooled at a 

one-performance-only benefit Friday (6) at 

the Beale Street Orpheum Theatre. The Rudolph-Altman 

production stars Geraldine 

Chaplin and Anthony Perkins and features 

a score performed by Memphis-born blues 

great Alberta Hunter, who will be honored 

by the city and state at a presentation marking 

"Alberta Hunter Day" in the state of 

Tennessee. 

The benefit premiere, for the Beale Heritage 

Fund, will be capped by Ms. Hunter's 

first-time performance in her hometown. 

In addition to international press and political 

figures attending the two-day event, 

the "Remember My Name" delegation will 

include stars Geraldine Chaplin, Anthony 

Perkins, Moses Gunn and Berry Berenson; 

producer Altman; writer-director Rudolph; 

record producer John Hammon, who produced 

the soundtrack recording, and nightclub 

impresario Barney Josephson. who 

brought Ms. Hunter back to the music 

world from a 20-year retirement. The Blues 

Alley Band will perform during the festivities. 

Following the world premiere, the film 

will open in key U.S. cities. The soundtrack 

album was released September 25 by Cokimbia 

Records. 

Darth-Palmer Productions now has rights 

to Christopher Keene's novel. "The Crossing." 

BOXOFFICE ;: October 2. 1978

. . Succeeding 

ALL OF THESE 

PRACTICAL 

SERVICE 

DEPARTMENTS 

APPEAR REGULARLY 

M 

in 

ADLINES AND EXPLOITIPS 

BOXOFnCE 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! 

NORTH JERSEY 

^ôody Allen's "Interiors" opened exclii 

area engagements September 27 at 

sive 

UA's Belleviie in Upper Montclair. Century's 

Twin in Paramus and General Cinema's 

Blue Star in Watchung, while "A Wedding" 

opened an exclusive showing September 

23 at UA's Rialto Triplex in Westfield. 

"The Wiz" is set to make its exclusive 

North Jersey premiere Friday (27) at UA's 

Cinema 46 Triplex in Totowa. The Totowa 

showplace recently opened an exclusive run 

of "Bloodbrothers." 

Also in exclusive area showings is "Up 

In Smoke." starring the comedy team of 

Cheech and Chong. which has been held for 

a second week at the RKO Quad in Paramus 

and General Cinema's Blue Star Twin in 

Watchung. 

"Butch and Sundance: the Early Days," 

the sequel to the very popular "Butch Cassidy 

and the Sundance Kid" of about nine 

years ago, was presented at a special sneak 

preview showing on a recent Sunday at the 

RKO Quad in Paramus. 

The Richard A. Cohen Organization recently 

presented the rock group Pure Prairie 

League, with special guest Toby Beau, on 

stage at the Stanley Theatre in Jersey City, 

for one night only, a Saturday. Admission 

was $7 and $8. with all seats reserved. 

The Stanley was closed by RKO-SW last 

March, and has been open only for special 

stage events by various promoters, since that 

time. 

Wometco Home Theatre, located in East 

Orange, has been taking ads in North Jersey 

dailies announcing that for $13.95 a 

month customers can see 11 "first-run" 

films in their own homes. Among the films 

mentioned are "Annie Hall." "The Deep." 

"Oh, God!" and "The Other Side of the 

Mountain." Wometco bills itself as the "Uncablc 

cable TV channel." 

The Chancellor in Irvington, operated by 

Murray Steinberg, reopened after Labor 

Day. as it does at that time each year, after 

having been closed for the summer months. 

This season, the Chancellor has a new price 

policy of $1 for all seats, at all times, except 

Saturday, when the admission is $1.50. 

Veteran RKO-SW district manager Sam 

Conti. who also manages that circuit's Twin 

Theatre in Wayne, has returned to his duties 

following successful recovery from recent 

surgery. 

A spokesman for the mayor's office in 

Irvington has confirmed that the town is 

considering acquisition of the 452-seat Art 

Theatre there, for conversion into an extension 

of city offices. The Art has been 

closed since the summer of 1977. 

Howard Herman's Hawthorne in Hawthorne 

has been closed while undergoing 

conversion into a twin theatre, complete 

with Dolby stereo sound and fully automated 

projection. Herman, whose family 

has operated the 811-seat house since 1930, 

expects it will take about two months and 

more than $100,000 to do the job. Little 

Pond Corp. of Clifton has been hired to 

build a soundproof wall dividing the theatre 

into two cinemas, seating 416 and 350 

persons respectively. A new promenade 

lounge, new refreshment center, and art 

exhibit, will greet patrons of the new twin 

when it opens. This latest construction 

marks the fourth renovation of the Hawthorne 

Theatre, originally built in 1928. 

Other changes were made in 1950, 1962 

and 1974. Herman, who took over operation 

of the Hawthorne from his parents, 

William and Jessie Herman, in 1931, said 

he will continue showing family fare (for 

which the small-town theatre is widely 

noted) while offering selected adult films 

(not X-rated) at the same price. 

As is usual at this time of the year, many 

very successful (and some not so successful) 

made-for-motion picture theatre films are 

finding their way onto our local television 

screens, much to the consternation of more 

than a few local film exhibitors. This season. 

CBS has announced that its lineup will 

include "Rocky." "Carrie." "Marathon 

Man" and "The Last Tycoon." NBC will 

attempt to counter this with "One Flew 

Over the Cuckoo's Nest." "American Graffiti," 

"King Kong," "Woodstock" and "The 

Sentinel," among others. Last, but certainly 

not least, will be ABC which will probably 

offer the biggest hit single when it presents 

"Saturday Night Fever" and follows this 

with "The Goodbye Girl." Other ABC premieres 

will include "The Deep." "Coma" 

and "The Bad News Bears." One cannot 

help but wonder how television would ever 

its get regular season off the ground each 

year without the obviously necessary assistance 

of theatrical motion pictures. 

Mike Demscack, a theatre veteran of the 

past 49 years, recently retired, from RKO- 

Stanley Warner Theatres as manager of 

their Cranford Theatre in Cranford, a post 

he has held for the past 15 years. Demscack, 

who resides in Bayonne. began his 

career in the industry as an usher at the 

De Witt in Bayonne in 1929, then part of 

the Stanley Co. of America circuit. Subsequently, 

the company became Stanley Warner, 

and most recently, RKO-Stanley Warner, 

and during that time Demscack managed 

numerous theatres in that circuit 

throughout this area. His first post as manager 

was at the Strand in Bayonne. Others 

included the Ritz and Central theatres, both 

in Jersey City, the De Witt in Bayonne and 

the Warner in Harrison. A retirement 

luncheon recently was held for Demscack at 

the Coach and Fore Restaurant in Cranford, 

attended by approximately 35 RKO- 

SW managers, division managers and New 

York office personnel . 

Mike 

Demscack as manager of the Cranford is 

Richard Perotti, who joined RKO-SW three 

months ago as assistant manager at their 

Ritz in Elizabeth. Perotti is assisted by 

Joseph Saporito and Greg Woienski. 

BOXOFTICE :: October 2, 1978 E-7

Less X-Rated Product 

uses only 22-line ads to call attention to its 

XXX-offerings in the Camden Courier daily 

newspaper. The three other houses with an 

adult policy on the Jersey side advertising 

their film fare all are linked with Budco 

Quality Theatres which is based here—Budco 

Millside in the Millside Shopping Center, 

the Budco Ritz Theatre in Oaklyn, and 

the Budco Community Theatre at EUisburg. 

Indicative of the losing battle being waged 

by the sex-film palaces is seen in the recent 

closing of the Route 295 Cinema, with its 

"XXX, Erotic, Uncensored" marquee, to 

become the Woodcrest Cinema, located in 

the Woodcrest Shopping Center, with the 

lights on the marquee spelling out "First- 

Run, Classic, Quality." 

Barney Sackett, who operates the Sackett 

Screening Room in center city, admits that 

"X-clientele is down and porno has peaked 

out." Sackett operates one of the two "male 

cinema" operation in midtown and, like the 

Sansom Cinema, his to an embellished storefront 

theatre. Sansom Cinema, however, 

offers "live shows" Tuesdays and Thursdays 

to help bring up the gay attendance. 

Sackett blames all X-film business is down 

because the novelty of explicit sex has worn 

off and because of the shortage of novel, 

"quality" sex films that might be able to 

bring the bored moviegoers back into the 

theatres. The manager of Theatre 1812 said 

that an X in front of the house "don't mean 

nothin'." If the picture isn't good, he added, 

"you don't do business." Sackett, who also 

has produced several sex films, said the 

films which draw must have better stories. 

"I mean, how many times can you have 

someone get into bed?" Sackett mused. "It 

gets tiresome." He said the camera work 

and editing is better now, but the stories 

still are so incredible, "so asinine," and the 

majority of the performers can't act. 

Marquees—Signs 

LEASING 

Horsham, Pennsylvania 19044 

Call (215) 676-4444 or 675-1040 

Other operators complain that "quality" 

films are in short supply to maintain boxoffice 

interest as in earlier days. For every 

"Deep Throat" and "The Devil in Miss 

Appearing on Screens 

Jones," there are a dozen of the same thing 

(Continued from page E-1) —a procession of couplings strung together 

Phiimont Cinema, both in shopping centers by embarrassingly silly story lines and witless 

narratives. 

—and the other three are in nearby communities—the 

Norris in Norristown, Bristol Also hurting the adult operations is the 

Art in Bristol and the Boyd Art in Chester, harassment by county prosecutors and police. 

The theatres themselves frequently are 

all on the Pennsylvania side. 

Even among the drive-in theatres in the subject to prosecution. The filmmakers, as 

area, where X to triple-X films were the well as their actors and crews, are subject 

main staples, only one of the almost two to arrest, as was the case last month when 

dozen open-air cinemas throughout the Philadelphia, 

southern New Jersey and Delalor 

in nearby Point Pleasant, N.J. 

police raided an X-film set in a beauty parware 

area depends on adult product—the In between are the film distributors, who 

Lincoln Drive-In located just across the also can be prosecuted and who are frequently 

victimized by print piracy as soon 

city border, which operates from dusk to 

dawn with five features on the movie menu. as their films are released. Sackett said that 

The withering of the letter X for classification 

of films also is pronounced much harassment that he's getting tired of 

one distributor told him that he has had so 

throughout the entire area. Across the river it all and is going to handle Kung Fu movies 

in Camden, N.J., the Glassboro Theatre instead. 

'B' Westerns Will Be Seen 

On Big Screens Once Again 

From North Central Edition 

LINCOLN, NEB.—Keith Smith of Omaha's 

Modern Sound Pictures is hoping all 

the moviegoing cowpokes aren't too saddleweary 

to sit through another couple of sagebrush 

westerns, according to the Sunday 

Journal and Star. 

This fall Modern Sound will distribute 

35mm prints of "Trigger Pals." made in 

1939, and "Trailriders," first released in 

1943. 

"They're very well produced and stand 

up well today," Smith said. "They're black 

and white of course. We just thought they 

made a good combination. 

"We thought they might be fairly successful 

just as nostalgia, where a father 

wants to take the family to show them what 

he saw when he was young." 

B westerns were the staple of Saturday 

afternoon matinees in the 1930s and 1940s. 

Usually shot on shoestring budgets, the Bs 

provided ritual theatre in their plot line. 

Heroes were virtuous, fought clean and 

triumphed over evil. On rare occasions a 

minor character might be torn between 

good and evil but plot subtlety or moral 

ambiguity was generally frowned on. probably 

viewed with equal disdain by audience, 

producer and actors alike. 

"Trigger Pals" features Art Jarrett. 

Lee Powell (he had the lead in the Lone 

Ranger serial) and popular western comic 

Al "Fuzzy" St. John. "Trail Riders" stars 

John King, David Sharpe and Max "Alibi" 

Terhune and his dummy Elmer who would 

often kibitz at poker games. 

Although Smith has been spending considerable 

time readying his B westerns for 

release, he says Modern Sound has been 

"very busy in nontheatrical" film distribution, 

its main business. 

Smith and his wife, Margaret, bought 

Modern Sound in 1943. The company does 

a nationwide business distributing 16mm 

of movies by major and independent 

prints 

film companies to churches, schools and 

other nontheatrical venues. 

Richard Bittner Is Named 

Cornco, Inc., Sales Mgr. 

BALTIMORE—Richard Bittner recently 

was appointed sales manager for Comco, 

Inc., it was announced 

by Robert B. Lucas, 

C o r n c o president. 

Comco is a Baltimorebased 

manufacturer of 

a line of popcorn 

products. 

Bittner, a graduate 

of Loyola College, 

lives in Bel Air. He 

held the position of 

^- L J »-... district sales manager 

Richard Bittner 

^.^^^ g^^^^^^ p^^^^ 

before joining Cornco and has had extensive 

experience in the snack food industry. 

Bittner will be responsible for all phases 

of Cornco's marketing operations. 

Museum Series Will Trace 

History of Motion Pictures 

F'om Canadian Edition 

CALGARY—AS part of its new special 

events programming, Glenbow Museum is 

presenting a series of lectures on the history 

of cinema. 

Each Thursday at 7 p.m.. from September 

14 until January 25, Charles Hofmann 

will provide historical background and his 

own musical scores for silent films prior 

to 1930. 

The opening lecture at the museum 

dealt with pre-cinema experiments such as 

optical toys, photography, peep-shows and 

magic lanterns. On subsequent Thursdays, 

cinema development will be followed 

through the films of Georges Melies, Edwin 

Porter, D.W. Griffith and Charles Chaplin. 

A survey of cinema's golden age in the 

1920s follows, with examples from prominent 

American filmmakers. 

Charles Hofmann, currently lecturing at 

the Alberta College of Art. provided the 

musical scores for some of the original silent 

movies during his high school years. 

His background in music and folklore 

has taken him from his native Tallahassee, 

Fla., to the American Museum of Natural 

History, N.Y.; the Library of Congress, 

Washington, D.C.; U.S. Department of 

State, Washington; the Museum of Modem 

Art. 

N.Y.. and CBC, Toronto. 

The cinema lecture launches a new special 

events program at the Glenbow, made 

possible by the extension of public hours 

to 9 p.m. daily, seven days a week. 

Admission to the Glenbow is $1 for adults 

and 50 cents for senior citizens, students 

and children 12 to 18 years. 

€ UVERAMA IS WX SHOW 

Bl'SLVESS LV IL%WAn TOO, 

When >()U come to Walkiki, 

don't miss the famous Don Ho 

Show ... at Cinerama's 

Reef Towers Hotel. f 

E-8 BOXOFFICE :: October

Interiors' Only 2nd 

In First Denver Week 

DENVER — Woody Allen's 

'-Interiors" 

opened here this week, but failed to gain 

It the inside track. rated a substantial 220 

per cent, but was not a strong enough draw 

to pull focus away from "National Lampoon's 

Animal House" which stayed strong 

in its eighth week with 235. "Almost Summer," 

another newcomer, ranked a hefty 

200, but "Buckstone County Prison" garnered 

only half that figure in its first outing. 


Century 21—Sgl. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club 

Band (Univ), lOii, xk 85 

Continental—Revenge of the Pink Panther (Un:v) 

7th wk. 130 

, 

Cooper—Eyes ot Laura Mars (Col), nth v.k . 90 

Flick—Woman at the Window (SR), Isl wk 150 

University HU::- Interiors (UA), 1st wk 2:^0 

3 theatres—Hot Lead and Cold Feet (BV), 

8th wk. 115 

4 theatres— National Lampoon's Animal House 


5 theatres—Go Tell the Spartans (Avco), 

1st wk. . 60 

6 theatres—Buckstone County Prison (SR), 

1st wk _ 100 

8 theatres—Almost Summer (Univ), 1st wk 200 

8 theatres—Hooper (WB), 9th wk 110 

PORTLAND 

Ceven Gables Theatres announced a few of 

a foreign film. Claudia Weill's "Girl 

Friends" opens at the Movie House this 

week. Melanie Mayron, the film's star, was 

in Portland recently to promote the film. 

"Girl Friends" started out as an independently 

made film, but has been picked up 

by Warner Bros. 

Cinema 21's repertory for October—November 

includes such classics as "King of 

Hearts." Wertmuller's "Swept Away" and 

"Seven Beauties," "The Thin Man" and 

"The Red Shoes." Two of the music films, 

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the Rolling Stones" 

and "Nashville," will be run in full fourtrack 

stereo. 

The Guild Theatre is presenting a Hitchcock 

Showcase Festival featuring great 

films such as "Notorious," "Spellbound" 

and "Rebecca." The festival will continue 

for five weeks. 

Paramount Theatre held a charity benefit 

premiere of the Mazama Productions 

CITY CITATION—Los Angeles 

Mayor Tom Bradley presents a citation 

to Daniel Wadiaeff, vice-president of 

Sunn Classic Pictures, honoring the 

company and president Charles E. Sellier 

jr. for outstanding contributions to 

the motion picture and entertainment 

industries. Sellier's shooting schedule 

prevented attendance at the ceremony 

in the mayor's office. 

film "Fast Break," featuring the world 

champion basketball team the Portland 

Trailblazers. "Fast Break" is a documentary 

which covers the period of the Blazer 

championship. 

]y[aking up for the relatively bland Tucson 

summer this year was a terrific sneak 

cloudcracker roaring in suddenly in midafternoon 

September 21, on gales up to 45 

mph and blanketing the city in dense swirling 

dust. Blinding bolts of awesome lightning 

played thunderous piano in all parts 

of metro Tucson. In one section an observer 

described hail as a sheet which limited 

visibility to two feet. Cars were swept 

into roaring washes, including a police car 

and its would-be rescuer. When prevailing 

wind suddenly shifted, moist air from Mexico 

poured in. A weatherman declared it 

was the most rain he had seen in six years. 

Two and one-half inches swamped D-M 

AFB on the southeast side. But the luck 

of drive-ins held. All was innocently peaceful 

and calm when gates opened for the 

first shows. 

From Knoxville, Tenn., comes Kenny 

Ledford to assume managership of TM's 

Oracle View quad. 

Cheeeh and Chong appeared in a major 

studio sneak of a new comedy at 8:30 p.m. 

September 22 at Park Mall 4. 

cashier, 

Rising from TM's ranks, starling as 

then assistant to the manager of the circuit's 

Cineworld 4, Rowena Munoz has 

been promoted to manager of the situation. 

Curtain raisers were numerous starting 

September 20 and 21 at situations. Ending 

soon at Plitt's Cine El Dorado is "Sgt. Pepper's 

Lonely Hearts Club Band." 

Old Tucson held a "Cavalry Days" weekend 

special September 16 and 17, featuring 

the fifth Memorial Regiment in authentic 

maneuvers and demonstrations. 

"Padre Padrone," presented by the 

International 

Arts Society, was screened at 7:30 

p.m. September 22 in the UofA's Gallagher 

Theatre. "Padre Padrone" won the 1977 

Cannes Festival's Golden Palm and has 

rated 

raves. 

Some folks complain about apparent lack 

of seasonal changes in Tucson. One sure 

way to discover it is being inside an airconditioned 

supermarket, especially the produce 

section, these early-morning fall days. 

Also, it won't be long until car heaters will 

be mighty welcome at 

drive-ins. 

SAN FRANCISCO 

QIaire Goerner, UATC's affable switchboard 

operator, is on two weeks vaca- 

the attractions they will be bringing to The Rose Moyer Theatre held a special 

this city in the upcoming months. "The 

screening of Agatha Christie's "Death on 

Last Wave," which won a reaction of awe the Nile" September 21, prior to the regular 

and respect from the sneak preview audience, 

opening. Audience reaction was good. 

will be coming to the Movie House. 

"The Toy," which was seen in the Second 

Portland International Film Festival last 

March, will open TUCSON 

this winter. Its recent 

tion in Santa Barbara. 

opening in Seattle set a boxoffice record for 

Festival Cinemas, Larkspur, hosted an 

open house with the house expense figures 

posted on the reader boards Wednesday, 

September 20, with a party following at 

the Sawmill in Mill Valley. Out-of-town distributors 

for the festivities included Gene 

Margoluis (Columbia), John Catanzaro 

(Fox). Barry London (Paramount), Davis 

Richoux (Universal), and Milt Charnas and 

Dick Miller (Warner Bros.). 

The Bay Area abounds with filmmaking 

this fall. Before the cameras, besides German 

director Wim Wenders' film about 

Dashiell Hammett, there are "More American 

Graffiti," Bill Norton directing, "Time 

After Time," Nicholas Meyer directing, and 

"Heart Beat," directed by John Byrum. "Escape 

From Alcatraz," starring Clint Eastwood 

and directed by Don Siegel, is scheduled 

to start Monday (16). The Jack Kerouac 

movie "Heart Beat." starring Nick 

Nolle and Sissy Spacek has been extensively 

covered by the local media as has the concurrent 

but unrelated publication of "Jack's 

Book." 

Solf Lake • Boston • DoMos • New York 

NIVERSAL THEATRE SUPPLY 

- HOME OFFICE - 

254 Eost Isf South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84 

ALSO: DRIVE.IN EQUIPMENT. 

BOXOFFICE :: Octobei

— 

Hollywood 

distribution rights to Roman Polanski's 

"Diary of Forbidden Dreams." 

* 

Harry Clein has been named executive 

charge of publicity for Alan J. Pakula 

in 

Productions. He handled unit publicist 

chores on Pakula's "Comes a Horseman" 

and will do the same for "Starting Over." 

• 

Frances Schoenberger and Sven Rye have 

been named as the music committee for 

selection of nominations for the annual 

Golden Globe Awards of the Hollywood 

Foreign Press Ass'n. Best musical score 

and best original song in a motion picture 

are the music categories. The two also will 

arrange for press conferences for foreign 

journalists with music personalities. 

• 

Paramount Pictures has named Charles 

E. Greene as director of advertising production 

for the motion picture division. Green 

joined Paramount in August, 1973. and became 

production manager three years later, 

adding responsibilities as foreign traffic 

manager in 1977. 

* 

Harry Gurwitch, chairman of the board, 

and Mike A. Ripps, president of EMC Film 

Corp., have returned from a European tour 

talking production and distribution deals 

and signing international sales agreements 

in West Germany, Amsterdam, London and 

Switzerland. 

• 

Jon J. Gould has been named director of 

marketing administration for the marketing 

group of Paramount Pictures' motion pic- 

before goina to 

ture division. Gould was with Straight Arrow 

Publishers working as East Coast sales 

manager for the Rolling Stone and Outside 

publications. 

* 

Janice Pam has been appointed execu- 

Happenings 

Blvd. 

ooo 

hit San Diego, Chicago, Detroit, Indianapmmi^ 

(think back. . 

.) 

WHEN WAS 

THE LAST TIME 

YOU DID SOMETHING 

TO IMPROVE 

YOUR THEATRE? 

THE BOYS FROM BRAZIL," 20th Centur\'-Fox 

tive assistant to Richard D. Heffner, chair- 

feature starring Gregory man of the Classification and Rating Adtive 

Peck and Laurence Olivier, will open Friday 

ministration of the MPAA. For the last six 

(6) at Mann's Chinese Theatre and the years she has been administrative assistant 

Westwood Avco Theatre, and two houses to John Pavlik. the association's director 

nearby Orange County. 

of public 

in 

relations. 

• 

• 

Motion Picture Marketing has acquired Lone Star Pictures International has 

moved from its headquarters at 9715 Wilshire 

Blvd. to larger quarters at 6515 Sunset 

Ik- 

Paramount Pictures' "Death on the Nile," 

an EMI Film presentation, opened its West 

Coast premiere engagement September 29 

at the "Village Theatre in Westwood, the 

Hollywood Theatre in Hollywood and selected 

theatres in the Los Angeles area. 

* 

First Artists' "Stevie" grossed $15,331 in 

its first week at Laemmle's Royal Theatre 

in Los Angeles. 

• 

Warner Bros, will put two of its major 

features into release in the Los Angeles area 

Friday (6), with "Bloodbrothers." starring 

Paul Sorvino. Tony Lo Bianco and Richard 

Gere, opening at the Bruin Theatre in Westwood, 

the Pix Theatre in Hollywood and 

selected L. A. houses, and "Who Is Killing 

the Great Chefs of Europe?" starring 

George Segal. Jacqueline Bisset and Robert 

Morley opening at the National in Westwood, 

the Vogue in Hollywood and selected 

theatres. 

* 

Tom Hudsen has been named Los Angeles 

branch manager for New World Piclures, 

moving over from Allied Artists Pictures 

where he was Western division manager, 

handling the Los Angeles, Denver and 

Salt Lake City branches. Susan Hill has 

been named head booker for the Los Angeles 

branch. She previously was head 

booker for Paramount's Los Angeles branch 

New World. 

• 

Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong. the 

comedy team of Cheech and Chong, have 

embarked on a nationwide publicity tour for 

their first film "Up in Smoke." They will 

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Vegas before the tour ends Friday (6). 

• 

Central Casting Corp. has donated bound 

volumes of the Call Bureau Casting Sheets 

from 1942 through 1972 to the Margaret 

Herrick Library of the Academy of Motion 

Picture Arts and Sciences. The casting 

sheets list all principals and extras who appeared 

in feature films made by the major 

studios in that period. 

• 

Compass International Pictures has acquired 

worldwide distribution of "Halloween." 

a MoListapha Akkad presentation set 

to open Wednesday (25) throughout Southern 

California. The suspense-thriller stars 

Donald Pleasence and Jamie Lee Curtis. 

• 

Dale Books will publish a paperback 

novelization of "Blue Sunshine." set for 

distribution by Cinema Shares International 

Distribution Corp. 

• 

"Born Again" author Charles Colson, 

former Nixon aide, and actor Jay Robinson, 

one of the stars in the movie adapted 

from the book, will plug the Avco Embassy 

Pictures release on two religious TV shows, 

"The 700 Club" and "The PTL Club." Film 

clips of the picture and lengthy interviews 

with each man will be featured. 

• 

Mort Abrahams, executive producer of 

such films as "The Greek Tycoon" and 

"The Man in the Glass Booth," will conduct 

a course on "Your Theatrical Film 

From Concept to Screen" six Wednesday 

nights from November 8 to December 20 

at the Davidson Conference Center of the 

College of Continuing Education at the 

University 

of Southern California. 

• 

Betty Givens has been named administrative 

assistant to John Pavlik, director of 

public relations for the Ass'n of Motion 

Picture and Television Producers. She will 

take over the issuance of credentials to domestic 

and foreign Hollywood press and the 

booking of press screenings and premieres 

for the Hollywood studios. 

* 

"Outside Chance," starring Yvette Mimiuex, 

has been scheduled for screening 

at the Greater Miami International Film 

Festival. The film is a New World Pictures 

release. 

• 

MGM's "International Velvet," starring 

Tatum O'Neal, has been presented with the 

Golden Halo Award of the Southern California 

Motion Picture Council. 

• 

Andrew Scheinman and Martin Shafer 

have assigned their Scheinman-Shafer Productions 

lo a two-picture development deal 

with Orion Pictures. 

* 

"A Great Ride." a Hookcr-Hulcttc production 

dealing with motorcross racers who 

embark upon a Mexico-to-Canada "off 

road" jaunt, has been acquired for international 

distribution by Manson International. 

President Michael Goldman said the film 

W-2 October 2. 1978

will be screened at the Milan Film Festival 

(MIFED) Monday (16) through Saturday 

(28). 

• 

Lone Star Pictures International reports 

that "Secrets," starring Jacqueline Bisset, 

grossed $101,560 in nine theatres on its 

opening weekend in Detroit. 

• 

Crown International Pictures plans a 

Thanksgiving release on its newly acquired 

"Sextette." the Mae West musical comedy 

produced by Daniel Briggs and Robert Sullivan. 

• 

Hayes, whose incredible experiences 

Billy 

in Turkey are the basis for Columbia 

Pictures" "Midnight Express." is on a sevenweek 

national tour which began with a twoweek 

stay in New York City to pave the 

way for the Friday (6) opening of the film 

there. On his schedule are visits to Washington, 

Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, San 

Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta 

and Boston. The film will open nationally 

Friday (27). 

* 

George Segal, Jacqueline Bisset and Robert 

Morley. stars of Warner Bros.' "Who 

Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?", will 

head a long list of film stars and celebrities 

when the movie has its gala benefit premiere 

for the ACLU Foundation Thursday (5) at 

the National Theatre in Westwood. A sumptuous 

dinner, featuring the culinary arts of 

Europe, will be held following the screening 

at Robinsons-Beverly Hills. 

• 

"Up in Smoke." Paramount Pictures 

presentation of Lou Adler"s production featuring 

comedians Cheech and Chong, opened 

on the West Coast September 29 in a 

mini-multiple engagement that includes 

Mann's Westwood Theatre and the Pacific 

Theatre in Hollywood. 

• 

The Paramount Charities Committee of 

the Entertainment Industries gave away 

1,800 tickets to the annual KMPC "Show 

of the World" held September 23 at the 

Forum in Inglewood. The PCC receives all 

of the profit from the annual charity show, 

staged by the radio station. The tickets were 

distributed among at least a dozen charities, 

going to persons who otherwise would 

be unable to see the show. 

* 

Entertainment investment specialist Lewis 

P. Horwitz spoke at a dinner meeting 

of the Los Angeles chapter of the Information 

Film Producers. September 26 at La 

Villa Taxco on Sunset Boulevard. He discussed 

ways of making money from feature 

films, industrial pictures, television films 

and other ventures. 

• 

Lois D'Andre Shafir has been named executive 

director of field marketing for Paramount's 

motion picture division reporting to 

Eddie Kalish, vice-president of publicity' 

promotion. She joined Paramount in January. 

1977, as assistant director of fieldmarketing 

for the division and became director 

of the unit in September, 1977. 

• 

Choreographer Dee Dee Wood has been 

BOXOFFICE :; October 2, 1978 

signed to stage the lavish musical number 

planned for "Benji's Very Own Christmas 

Story" that will feature Mulberry Square's 

movie star in ABC-TV's holiday special. 

Ron Moody will be featured in the number, 

singing and dancing among 100 four-footlall 

elves. 

• 

Producer-director Max Bacr has gone into 

his final month of post-production on 

"Home Town USA," shot on location in 

California. The Baer-Camras production, in 

association with Cinema Ventures, stars 

Gary Springer, David Wilson, Brian Kcrwin 

and Julie Parsons. 

• 

Movie memorabilia of Edward G. Robinson, 

including the honorary Oscar awarded 

him posthumously, has been given to the 

University of Southern California by his 

widow Jane. The collection documents Robinson's 

stage, radio and screen career from 

the 1910s to the 1970s and includes his 

leather-bound screenplays, including "Little 

Caesar." "Five Star Final," "All My Sons" 

and "Double Indemnity." 

• 

June Rose Marlow, Hollywood/ Los Angeles 

WOMPI, has been elected the club's 

international president, and Betty Rose has 

been chosen international correspondence 

secretary at the Dallas convention earlier 

this month. The Hollywood/Los Angeles 

WOMPIs also won three awards: the industry, 

membership and attendance awards. 

• 

Tony Adams, executive producer of 

Blake Edwards' "10," is in Mexico scouting 

locations for the film comedy that will star 

Julie Andrews and George Segal, on which 

production is set to begin in Hollywood 

Monday (2) with Edwards producing and 

directing from his own screenplay. 

• 

Peter C. Kells has been named controller. 

West Coast operations, for Columbia Pictures 

Industries, involving theatrical, television 

and commercial divisions at the Burbank 

Studios headquarters. Kells was vicepresident 

of finance for six years with Hudson 

Pharmaceutical Corp. in New York. 

Ik- 

^. 

"k/ 

> ^ 

David Grober and his Motion Picture 

Marine Productions are shooting a halfhoLir 

documentary, "The Eagle." the company's 

first documentary. Filming will take 

place aboard the Eagle, said to be the last 

of the 220-foot square riggers. The ship 

sails from Long Beach to Panama and back 

and is on its last journey. 

• 

Group I has acquired world theatrical 

and television rights to "Disco Fever," 

which is in the final stages of post-production 

and is set for a November release. The 

film stars Fabian, Casey Kasem, Phoebe 

Dorin and Susette Carroll in a story about 

a rock star of the '50s and '60s who succeeds 

in making a comeback in the '70s. 

• 

Members of the Cartoonists Union, Local 

839 lATSE, had a general meeting 

September 26 at union headquarters to 

nominate candidates for all offices of the 

organization. 

10 Short Films Are Added 

To San Francisco Fest 

SAN FRANCISCO—Ten short films 

have been selected for the evening program 

of the 22nd annual San Francisco International 

Film Festival, Wednesday (4)-Sunday 

(15) at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre 

and the Castro Theatre. 

Three American films selected for presentation 

are "Ruth Asawa—On Form and 

Growth," by Robert Snyder, Marina del 

Rey. California; "The Best I Can," by Robert 

Rosen, Amram Nowak Associates, New 

York City, and "Modeling Universe/ With 

Buckminster Fuller." by Jaime Snyder, San 

Anselmo, California. 

The two shorts from Europe are "The 

Killing of an Egg," by Paul Driessen of the 

Netherlands, and "Turkiye," produced by 

Claude Lelouch, France. 

Five animated films produced by the National 

Film Board of Canada complete the 

shorts programming: "The Metamorphosis 

of Mr. Samsa." by Caroline Leaf; "The 

Bead Game," Ishu Patel; "Revenge of the 

Objects," Pierre Veilleux; "Demon and 

Marvels," Bertrand Langlois, and "The Lion 

and the Mouse," Evelyn Lambart. 

The short films are shown with the evening 

feature premieres. 

Jerome Hellman will produce and direct 

Promises in the Dark." 

ADS 

FECIAL ANNOUNCEM^^^^^ ^^°^ ^^'^^^ 

MENT F 

TRAILERETTES 

ILMS DATE STRIPS' 

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NO SMOKING /Day HEADERS 

FILMACR STUDIOS, INC. 

1327 South Wa ish Avenue. Ch 

'

SEATTLE 

Qre Wash Theatres, Inc., and Forman 

United Theatres have entered into an 

agreement with the developers of the Redwood 

Plaza Shopping Center located at 

Wheaton Way and Ridell streets in Bremerton, 

Wash., for the construction of a foiirplex 

theatre. Theatre drawings are being 

completed by Rich Ebiling & Associates of 

Portland and will be submitted shortly for 

a building permit. The theatre will be the 

first phase of the Redwood Plaza Shopping 

Center and a spring of 1979 opening is 

planned for the theatre. 

The theatre will feature four auditoriums 

with twelve hundred of the latest-design 

rocking chair loge seats, the newest 35/70 

projection equipment with Xenon lighting, 

to insure the finest screen presentation, and 

Dolby deluxe stereo sound systems in addition 

to other features. 

All partners were represented in the transaction 

by George Barber, of Western Pacific 

Properties, of this city. 

Additionally Ore Wash Theatres has entered 

into an agreement with Ed Bremer 

for remodeling of the Admiral Theatre in 

Bremerton into a three-auditorium theatre. 

Construction will begin immediately after 

the issuance of a building permit. 

Joe Vigil, 

branch manager of Paramount 

Pictures, headquartering in San Francisco, 

was in town two days working on upcom- 

TTTTTTTtTmimmillllU 

RELAX 

MR. EXHIBITOR! B 

ing releases that are breaking in this area 

in the ne.\t few weeks. 

Ralph Osgood, formerly of this area and 

now residing in Vancouver, is the new director 

of concessions for Tom Moyer"s 

Luxury Theatres for the states of Washington. 

Oregon and Idaho. He will continue 

to headquarter in the company's main offices 

in 

Portland. 

Paramount sneak-previewed "Up in 

Smoke" at the Town Theatre with the regular 

feature "Goodbye, Bruce Lee.'" 

Paramount also had a special promotional 

screening of "Death on the Nile" at the 

Cinerama theatre September 28 before its 

opening the next day. same location. 

Warner Bros, had a special promotional 

screening of their new release "Who Is 

Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?" also 

at Cinerama the afternoon of September 

28. It is set to open early in October. 

Paramount had a tradescreening of "Goin' 

South" at the Jewel Box screening room 

on Filmrow Wednesday, September 27. 

New films on the local scene: "Night 

Full of Rain" at the King Cinema; "Convention 

Girls" at the Valley. Aurora and 

Bel-Kirk drive-ins; "Almost Summer" at the 

Seattle Aurora. Renton Village, Everett 

Mall, SeaTac 6 and Bellevue Overlake cinemas 

as well as in the Kenmore and Valley 

drive-ins; "Bread and Chocolate" at the 

Guild 45th. and "Jason and the Argonauts" 

returned to the Renton Village, Seattle Aurora. 

Bellevue Overlake and Everett Mall 

cinemas. 

Another major opening September 20 

was "Jennifer" at the Admiral Twin. Renton 

in downtown Renton, and at the Duwamish. 

Sno-King and Bel-Kirk drive-ins. 

Rain and more rain along with wind and 

cool temperatures for the time of year continued 

to plague the territory, certainly doing 

an injustice particularly to the driveins. 

Seattle schools meanwhile, as of this 

writing, are still on strike which presently 

means schools will be in session until at 

least July 5 of next year. Tacoma and Everett 

schools just got off strike the last few 

days. 

lowed by Diahann Carroll Tuesday (10). 

The Mills brothers went over dynamically 

during their gig. 

Seattle Cinematic Productions rented the 

Broadway Theatre on Capitol Hill to present 

"A Thousand Clowns" for two weeks. 

The annual Western Washington Fair in 

Puyallup wound up with Johnny Cash and 

his wife June Carter Cash September 17 

and Neil Sedaka September 24. Wisely the 

performing stage has been moved up right 

to the grandstand this year making it much 

better for the viewers. 

300 Attend Girls Friday 

Charity Celebrity Ball 

LOS ANGELES—Over 300 beautiful 

people sat at elegantly appointed tables in 

the Biltmore Hotel's Biltmore Bowl on the 

evening of September 9 for Girls Friday of 

Show Business" 1978 Celebrity Benefit Ball. 

Polly Bergen emceed the event, which 

netted the group approximately $4,500, earmarked 

for reconstructive surgery for eightyear-old 

Tomas Dominguez. The surgery 

will be performed through the auspices of 

Interplast, a group of plastic surgeons dedicated 

to donating their services toward 

helping needy children. 

Music by Gene Merlino set the background 

for an evening of dancing, dining 

and a celebrity show highlighted by Buddy 

Ebsen and Jack Albertson doing a spontaneous, 

impromptu soft-shoe/ tap duet, 

which earned them a standing ovation from 

the audience. Ron Masak presented a complete 

comedy routine, and Meredith Mac- 

Rae, in a gypsy-styled costume, sang her 

heart out to a most appreciative audience. 

Miss MacRae confided that this was her 

debut as a solo performer in her native city 

of Los Angeles. 

'Tarzoon' Banana Promo 

Has Appeal for Tucson 

TUCSON—Richard Ravicchio, manager 

of Cine El Dorado (and Plitt city manager) 

"went bananas" in hyping "Tarzoon" at the 

situation August 26, with a 10 a.m. "Banana 

Bust" fruit-eating contest held in front 

of the theatre. 

No more running through airports 

tor your accessories, 

UTA delivers them on time. 

Ask any theatre about 

UTA's accessory service. 

1658 Cordova Street, Los Angeles, Calif 90007 

Contact: ARMANDATAMIAN 

213-734-0510 

"The Toy" continued to break all existing 

records in the Moore Egyptian Theatre 

where it began a sixth week. 

P^ggy Lee had to delay her openings at 

Jack McGovcrn's Music Hall Follies until 

November 7 because of illness. Therefore 

the house was dark for three nights, with 

Kay Starr opening earlier there September 

29, and Ferlin Husky joining her the next 

night, playing through Sunday (8) to be fol- 

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Bulging with 1 1 bananas consumed in 

two minutes, the winner, Michael Erickson, 

was bestowed the championship "Banana 

Belt" in the form of a Sony stereo, awarded 

sympathetically by Dorado assistant manager 

Cathy Lugo. 

Plitt provided the tropical fruit for the 

ten contestants chosen through a call-in arranged 

with KFWM Radio. Every fifth caller 

became a contestant. KFWM also gave 

callers 150 free "Tarzoon" passes. 

As long as they lasted, 100 free T-shirts 

and 45 rpm records were distributed free to 

the audience, which was estimated at around 

I 50 persons. 

Richard Dysart has been signed by producer 

Robert L. Rosen to join Talia Shire 

and Robert Foxworth in Paramount's "Prophecy." 


. . ut 

DENVER 

^r and Mrs. Jerry Bullard of the Sage 

Theatre, Upton, Wyo., have completed 

a three-week tour of Norway and Sweden. 

Jerry describes the trip as "out of this world 

for scenery." 

ker for the seasonal first luncheon. Buena 

Vista Distributors was the honored company 

and branch manager Al Hemingway 

gave a brief history of Mickey Mouse where 

fiftieth birthday is being celebrated. The 

properly candled birthday cake was distributed 

by members of the local Disney 

branch. 

The RMMPA extended a 

vote of thanks 

to Warner Bros, branch manager Steve Felperin 

for the great job accomplished by him 

and his fellow workers for the industry picnic 

which was held in Washington Park recently. 

Thi; picnic was attended by some 

100 people from the industry with the customary 

hot dogs, hamburgers, soda pop and 

beer being served. 

Exhibit Celebrates 75th 

Anniversary of Hollywood 

LOS ANGELES—"Hollywood; The First 

75 Years." an exhibit representing the 

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' 

salute to Hollywood's 75th birthday, 

is on display in the lobbies of the Academy's 

building, 8949 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly 

Hills. 

The exhibit, free to the public, is open 

weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will be 

on display through mid-November. 

Featured in the exhibit are artifacts from 

the collections of Mary Pickford and Buddy 

best picture, "Wings," and W.C. Fields' 

hat from "It's a Gift." 

A portion of the original Hollywood sign 

—part of the first "O"—is also on display. 

Various historical photographs of Hollywood, 

dating back to the 1890s, are contained 

in the exhibit, including those showing 

many of the city's landmarks, such as 

Grauman's (now Mann's) Chinese TTieatre, 

the Hollywood Bowl, the intersection of 

Hollywood and Vine and the Hollywood 

sign. Other materials spotlight celebrated 

events in Hollywood, such as Ken Murray's 

"Blackouts." 

The exhibit is coordinated by Academy 

staff member Anthony Slide. 

Disco Parly Planned 

For 'Goin' Coconuls' 

HOLLYWOOD—"Coin' Coconuts," the 

Osmond Films feature starring Donny and 

Marie Osmond in their first movie, will be 

launched with a disco party Wednesday (4) 

George Burns and Brooke Shields sta 

Columbia's "One Night Stand." 

Fred Kaysbier has been forced to delay at the Century City Cultural Center before 

the premiere screening at Plitt Century 

the reopening of his Mesa Theatre, Douglas, 

Plaza Theatre. 

Wyo., until repairs to the building can be made. Fred was trying for a September Party planners are girding to handle a 

crowd of up to 8,000 at the festivities, 

.^0 reopening. 

which will include a formal welcome for 

Approximately SO members of the 

Donny and Marie by Los Angeles Mayor 

RMMPA gathered at the Continental Bro- 

Tom Bradley. At the theatre the Osmonds 

will be greeted with the traditional Hawaiian 

welcome, including the usual hibiscus 

and flower leis. The film was shot in the 

islands. 

The party will benefit "Joy to the World" 

and the Casa Maravilla Community Center 

in East Los Angeles, which serves the needs 

of more than 1,500 children up to the age 

of 13. 

The disco, to be hosted by radio station 

KIQQ's Joe Light, will begin at 5:30 p.m. 

on the outdoor stage of the ABC Entertainment 

Center. Dancing under the stars will 

continue until 9:30. 

Marie Osmond and members of her family 

will arrive at 8 p.m. She will invite the 

first 500 persons to arrive at the party to 

join her at the 8:30 screening of the pic- 

'Time After Time' Begins 

Filming in San Francisco 

SAN FRANCISCO—Principal 

photography 

on Warner Bros.' "Time After Time," 

starring Malcolm McDowell, David Warner 

and Mary Steenburgen, began September 18 

on location in San Francisco, with Nicholas 

Meyer directing from his own screen- 

Square, Muir Woods, Union Street, the 

Hyatt Regency Hotel and Embarcadero 

Center, the Palace of Fine Arts, Golden 

Gate Park, the Marina, North Beach, San 

Francisco General Hospital, the downtown 

financial district and the Oakland Museum. 

Meyer, who is making his directorial debut 

on "Time After Time." wrote the 

screenplay for "The 7 Per Cent Solution." 

C L\ERi\]»L\ IS L\ SHOW 

BrSL\Eft»K L\ ll

Telluride Film Fest 

In Idyllic Setting 

DENVER— "It is the smallest, most original 

and in many ways the most stimulating 

of the major film festivals," says the New 

York Times. 

The reference is to the Telluride Film 

Festival, held 8,745 feet high in the San 

Juan mountains of southwestern Colorado, 

near the head of a beautiful glacier valley, 

and surrounded by 14.000-foot peaks. Telluride 

in its mining heyday boasted a population 

of 5.000. including 100 bars, gaming 

houses and bordellos. Now it's a tourist 

mecca with skiers in the winter time and 

jeep trails, hiking, waterfalls and trout 

streams and of course the big film festival 

event in the summer. 

The National Film Preserve, a tax exempt 

nonprofit educational corporation, is headed 

by Bill and Stella Pence, a husband and 

wife team. 

Pence, in a letter to the media, stated: "As 

has been our policy in the past, because of 

the very limited seating, enormous demand 

for tickets and the significant expense in 

mounting the Festival, there are no free 

press passes or complimentary tickets of 

any kind." No data sheets nor schedules 

of any kind were produced. Consequently 

the festival was held September 1-4 but enjoyed 

no coverage by newspapers, television 

or radio. 

Peter Klem. dedicated film 

buff and critic, 

paid his $85 which provided admission 

to two of the three evening tributes to celebrities 

and all other festival events. 

Klem wrote a review for the Straight 

Creek Journal and reported: "The 1978 

festival was no exception to the pattern. 

Tributes were offered to 86-year-old producer 

Hal Roach, sire of countless Harold 

Lloyd, Laurel and Hardy and Our Gang 

comedies; to 62-year-old Sterling Hayden, 

the veteran character actor whose life has 

surpassed in adventure and excitement the 

plots of most of his movies, and to a quartet 

of Czechoslovak filmmakers (Jan Nemec, 

Ivan Passer, Pavel Juracek and Jaromil 

Jires) who, along with Milos Foreman, 

launched the 'Czech New Wave' of the 

60s. 

"Hayden." continued Klem. "was the 

most colorful and ubiquitous of the lot. 

striding about town in headband, layered 

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shirts and sandals—an imposing figure, from 

his jutting white beard to the tip of his goldhandled 

cane. Roach, affable and avuncular, 

split the scene on the second day to go 

fishing, but returned for the wind-up activities. 

Namec made a short film during 

the festival, bustling about with an attractive 

woman cinematographer." 

Di Niro a Superstar 

"The bon fide superstar was Robert De- 

Niro. lured to Telluride by festival aficionado 

Martin Scorsese, himself accompanied 

by his traveling companion Isabella Rosselini 

(daughter of Ingrid and Roberto). De- 

Niro replaced Julie Christie (who was in 

Peru) as a target for the festival star-gazers." 

While the spectrum of celebrities was im- 

the program offered overall was of 

pressive, 

inferior quality to past festivals. The most 

popular films were generally oldies but 

goodies: the 1939 Hal Roach production 

"Of Mice and Men" and Stanley Kubrick's 

1956 Sterling Hayden vehicle "The Killing." 

Those who attended the festival premieres 

of Rosselini's "Messiah," Monte 

Hellman's "China 9," "Liberty 37," and 

Krzysztof Zanussi's "Camouflage" often 

came away muttering disappointed derogations. 

Only Joan and Ray Silver's "On the 

Yard" received widespread favorable notices. 

Czech New Wave 

"The Czech New Wave tribute offered a 

welcome overview of the work of Czechoslovak 

filmmakers during the '60s. when 

the country's cinema flowered and became 

internationally recognized," Klem commented. 

"Filmmakers like Milos Foreman 

("The Fireman's Ball"). Jan Kadar ("The 

Shop on Main Street") and Ivan Passer 

("Intimate Lightning") emigrated to other 

countries when the formerly cool political 

climate that had made their films possible 

grew hot in 1968, while brave souls such 

as Jaromil Jires ("Valerie and Her Week of 

Wonders") stayed on in the Prague." 

The program opened with Ivan Passer's 

"A Boring Afternoon," a 14-minute short 

made in 1965, followed by Juracek's "Josef 

Kilian," a 30-minute short (1954) which is 

a surrealistic satire on bureaucracy, and 

Nemec's "The Junior Clerk's Temptation" 

plus a segment of his 1967 three-part film, 

"The Martyrs of Love." The feature presentation 

was Jaromil Jires's "My Love to 

the Swallows." made in 1972 in a repressive 

political climate. 

There was film and more film, including 

two Aanussi pictures. "Face to Face" and 

"Camouflage" plus Wenders' "King of the 

Road" and "Wicker Man." 

Frank K. Shaffer, film collector, presented 

a program of V/i \ 4 inch slides dating 

from 1913, which was billed as "Coming 

Attractions." The program featured slides 

used as trailers during the silent era and 

featured such films as Mack Sennett/Gloria 

Swanson comedies, Harold Lloyd's "Why 

Worry." and many others. In addition, Robjrt 

De Niro spoke about his film work and 

presented a trailer from "New York. New 

York" which contained two scenes not included 

in the theatrical release. 

Shaffer's presentation of 86 slides was 

accompanied by organ music. Both presentations 

of the program were will attended. 

Panel discussions were scheduled between 

the showings of film and the success of the 

"biggest, best little film festival," held high 

in the Colorado Rockies, was summed up 

by one enthusiast who exclaimed, "I'm really 

movied out!" 

Wambaugh Company 

To Film 'Onion Field' 

HOLLYWOOD—Former Los Angeles 

police officer Joseph Wambaugh, who frequently 

has been critical of the way his 

books have been translated into movies, 

has formed his own filmmaking company. 

Black Marble Productions, to produce "The 

Onion Field," his "factual novel" which he 

will adapt for the screen. 

Wambaugh has signed Walter Coblenz as 

producer for the film. For Coblenz it will 

be the second time that he has been involved 

in production of a Wambaugh novel. 

He produced a four-hour television film 

based on Wambaugh's "The Blue Knight," 

starring William Holden as an aging street 

cop. 

Wambaugh plans to finance his first venture 

into filmmaking with his own money 

and funds from a small group of personal 

friends, he said. He recently bought back 

film rights to "The Onion Field" from 

Columbia Pictures as part of an out-ofcourt 

settlement in a $3,200,000 lawsuit he 

had filed against the company. 

"The Onion Field" recounts the sensational 

Jimmy Smith-Gregory Powell murder 

case involving the abduction of two 

Los Angeles policemen and the subsequent 

brutal shooting of one of them. 

Production is planned to begin late in 

November. Casting is expected to begin as 

soon as a director is signed. Wambaugh 

said. All shooting on the picture will be 

done on location, Coblenz said, and sites 

are expected to be determined in the next 

few weeks. 

Coblenz has been involved with Robert 

Redford's Wildwood Enterprises and was 

producer of "All the President's Men." 

His relationship with Redford goes back 

to "Downhill Racer," on which he was 

assistant director. 

'Corvette Summer' Earns 

$1,097,980 in LA Area 

LOS ANGELES—MGM's "Corvette 

Summer" has become one of the major 

boxoffice attractions of the Los Angeles 

area where it has rolled up a gross of 

$1,097,980 in 19 days at 74 theatres. 

An action-comedy starring Mark Hamill 

and Annie Potts, the film also stars Eugene 

Roche, Kim Milford and Richard McKenzie. 

It was written by Hal Barwood and 

Matthew Robbins. produced by Barwood 

and directed by Robbins. 

The picture is released by United Artists. 

Armand Assante has been cast in Par 

moimt's "Prophecy." 

BOXOFFICE ;: October

Youlhs' Wheelchairs 

Are 'Not a Handicap' 

By SUSAN LEONARD 

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ.—The first time 

Scottsdale teenagers Mark and Dan Cole 

wheeled— as they call it—down to a nearby, 

drive-in, the attendant was understandably 

Their vehicles are battery powered wheelchairs—and 

from their point of view, the 

chairs are not a handicap but simply a 

means of getting around. 

And get around they do. 

"If we want to go do something, we do 

it," said Dan, 14, an eighth grader at Tonalea 

Elementary School. "I don't like being 

in a wheelchair at all but I don't let it affect 

my life. I don't let it control me. I just keep 

on living." 

Mark, who has been confined to a wheelchair 

since he was 10 years old, also keeps 

on living. 

"I used to spend a lot of time sitting in 

the house watching TV but I can't stand 

to do that anymore," he said. "It drives me 

crazy. I like to be as independent as possible 

now. I have to go out and have a life." 

Besides regular treks to the Round Up, 

Mark and Dan also wheel on down to nearby 

indoor theatres, Los Arcos Mall, parks, 

record shops and grocery stores. Day or 

night, it doesn't matter. 

Parents Give Support 

The boys have the full 

support and blessings 

of their parents, Elwood and Eloise 

Cole. 

"We know it's a risk," said Cole, an air 

conditioning service engineer, "but we have 

found that for their own self-worth, it is 

important and essential to let them be independent. 

We think we're doing them a 

favor. We think it's unkind to keep our children 

sheltered." 

The Coles have two other children, Richard, 

20, and Leanne, 17, who are not afflicted 

with muscular dystrophy. 

According to 

Mrs. Cole, the entire family 

lives with a philosophy that stresses three 

points: live for today; be happy, participate 

in the same activities that other families 

do. 

Besides increasing self-worth and independence. 

Mrs. Cole, a nurse/ receptionist 

in a veterinarian's office, said the family 

philosopsy keeps Mark and Dan's muscles 

working, broadens their horizons and reduces 

frustration. 

"The feedback from the boys is very positive," 

she said "They are very active children. 

They see themselves in the middle of 

things rather than on the sidelines." 

Because of their affliction, Mark and 

Dan have limited arm and leg movement 

but that hasn't kept them from exercising. 

They regularly play a mean game of basketball 

in the cul-de-sac in front of their 

home, substituting a 20-gallon plastic trash 

barrel for the hoop. 

"No one in the world understands how to 

a bit perplexed. 

play that game except them," said Cole. 

"Where's your vehicle?" she asked. 

"We're in them," answered Mark, 18, a 

The boys are avid sports fans— particularly 

Mark who keeps statistics—and they 

senior at Coronado High School. 

regularly attend Coronado High and Arizona 

State University athletic events. 

The teenagers—who suffer from muscular 

dystrophy, a chronic disease which Their parents or their older brother usually 

take them to the games in a colorful 

causes gradual, irreversible muscular deterioration—have 

been regularly wheeling van specially equipped with a hydraulic lift 

down to the Round-Up Drive-In for more 

than a year. 

which 

vehicle. 

allows them to easily get into the 

Means of Getting Around 

Thanks to the van, they are also able to 

go to rock concerts, on picnics, out for 

meals and on vacations without much trouble. 

But their favorite form of weekend entertainment 

remains their trips to the 

Round Up Drive-In. 

Dan said he and Mark decided to go the 

first time because they desperately wanted 

to see a movie that was playing. 

They said they weren't worried about 

making the half-mile trip to the theatre, 

even though it involved traveling on several 

busy streets. 

"The only thing we were nervous about 

was whether they would let us in," said 

Mark. 

Roger Vadim Names Cindy 

Pickett to Star in Film 

HOLLYWOOD—Roger Vadim, internationally 

famous director who launched the 

careers of Brigitte Bardot, Catherine Deneuve 

and Jane Fonda, has chosen a littleknown 

New York actress to star in his new 

picture "Night Games." She's a slim greeneyed 

blonde named Cindy Pickett, who will 

make her motion picture debut in the film, 

which went before the cameras in mid- 

September. 

Presently a regular on "Guiding Light," 

a top-rated soap opera in which she appears 

as Jackie Marler, Cindy, 5'8" tall 

and weighing 128 pounds, is a trained 

singer and dancer. 

Vadim tested more than 50 actresses in 

London, Paris, Los Angeles and New York 

before signing Cindy to play the role of 

Valerie, an exciting, sensuous but sexually 

frustrated woman whose erotic fantasies 

trigger a tale of suspense and drama. 

"I believe," said Vadim, "that at this 

stage in 

her career Cindy has more exciting 

qualities and dramatic potential than any 

actress I have ever worked with." 

Cindy is still hard put to believe it's all 

happening to her. "When I heard on a TV 

talk show that Vadim was looking for a 

new actress," she said, "I hoped but never 

really expected it would be me. I'm thrilled 

with the idea of working with him." 

Cindy is the daughter of a former actress 

and a father who is a professor of drama. 

Filbert Co. Adds Krueger 

To Architectural Dept. 

GLENDALE, CALIF.—Jon Rrucgcr has 

been appointed director of architectural design 

services at the 

Filbert Co., according 

to vice-president 

Chris Kontos, who 

organized the division 

three years ago. The 

Southern Californiabased 

Filbert Co. 

.,,1^ serves the needs of 

t ^ / exhibitors throughout 

j^ 

the Western U.S. 

^^ Krueger, formerly 

Jon Krueger 

î,^ Daniel, Mann. 

Johnson & Mendenhall. who has had experience 

in dealing with several large scale 

domestic and foreign structures, as well as 

local residential buildings, earned his degree 

in architecture at the University of 

Southern California. At Filbert Co.. he will 

be responsible for several current projects, 

ranging from designing new theatre complexes 

to twinning and tripling existing 

houses. 

"By enlarging our architectural design 

services at Filbert," stated Kontos, also a 

use architecture graduate, "we can entirely 

fulfill the needs of the motion picture 

exhibitor by providing initial design and 

working drawings, construction supervision, 

color coordination, graphics and decor, furnishings, 

drapery, designed and manufactured 

in our in-house facility, as well as 

full lines of theatre equipment. By adding 

Krueger to our organization, we can expand 

our 'turn key' service to an even greater 

extent." 

The Sierra Vista Drive-In 

Opens in Socorro, N. M. 

SOCORRO. N.M. — The Sierra Vista 

Drive-In here celebrated its grand opening 

recently. The theatre boasts a brand new 

sound system, 35 by 70 foot metal screen 

and a completely furnished snack bar. The 

parking area accommodates 403 cars. 

Les Dollison, owner of the property, 

owns several other theatres in the area, including 

the Loma. 

During the screening of the first feature, 

"The Shootist" starring John Wayne, free 

donuts and coffee were provided. A family 

season pass to the theatre was awarded as 

a prize. 

pul

Retired Tradepress Writer 

Is Honored at Luncheon 

DENVER—Jack Rose, veteran Boxof- 

FicE representative, recently retired, was 

Jack Rose (right) is congratulated by 

Herman Hallberg, RMMPA president. 

guest of honor at a luncheon of the Rocky 

Mountain Picture Ass'n. 

Many of the guests, including Frank H. 

"Rick" Ricketson jr.. Fred Brown, Pat Mc- 

Gee and Bob Spahn, remembered Jack's 

BoxoFFiCE career that started in 1931. 

Herman Hallberg, president of RMMPA, 

presented Rose with a gold life-membership 

card on behalf of the association. 

Mickey Mouse's 50th birthday was celebrated 

also, aided and abetted by Al Hemingway. 

Buena Vista branch manager, and 

Irene Robinson, office manager. 

TM's Six-Screen Complex 

Is Set For June Opening 

TUCSON—Crowning of the Queen Theatre 

of the expanding realm of TM screens 

in booming Tucson has been targeted for 

June. 1979, according to Jeffrey Weiner, 

head of TM Theatres here. 

"We have acquired the most sought-after, 

most prestigious location in the city," declared 

Weiner. "When El Con shopping 

center's multimillion-dollar expansion project 

is completed, it will be the biggest regional 

shopping center in Arizona, with 

1,500,000 square feet. Our new El Con 

situation will beautifully complement the 

already-opened glittering new Goldwater's 

department store. 

"When the El Con six-screen opens, we 

will have a total of 19 screens out of the 

current 29 hardtop in Tucson," continued 

Weiner, "with TM theatres located in the 

first-, third- and fourth-ranked shopping 

centers in the city." On the boards are 

plans for another new theatre in the Campbell 

Plaza shopping center. "When Campbell 

Plaza opens. TM will have theatres 

serving northwest, midtown and eastside 

sections of Tucson." 

"Our new El Con showhousc—and it will 

be just that—will be fully automated and 

equipped with the finest equipment, including 

Dolby sound," stated Weiner. "The six 

auditoriums will have a combined seating 

capacity of 1,820. The largest auditorium 

will seat 520: next in order will seat 400, 

300, and three with 200 seats each. The 

entire situation will cover 20,000 square 

feet." Architect is Douglas Seaver & Associates. 

Plans for 'The Wiz' 

Premiere Under Way 

LOS ANGELES—Preparations for the 

West Coast premiere of "The Wiz," a Motown 

production from Universal, selected 

by the Filmex Society for its annual fall 

benefit, got underway at a kick-off reception 

September 12 held on Stage 12 at Universal 

Studios. Filmex director Gary Essert 

introduced Filmex Society president Wendy 

Goldberg, who described the upcoming 

event as "the most spectacular and elaborate 

premiere Filmex has ever staged." 

The premiere will be held in the ABC 

Entertainment Center in Century City Wednesday 

(25). Arriving guests will cross "the 

Rainbow Bridge" and then will be escorted 

by 70 performers costumed from the film 

to the Plitt Century Plaza Theatre where 

the film will be shown. Emerald-green beacons 

and giant strobe lights will beam from 

the Century Plaza Towers as the core complex 

in Century City is turned into "the 

Emerald City" for the evening. 

A yellow brick carpet will lead guests to 

the post-premiere party to be held in a 

transparent tent beneath the 50-story Century 

Plaza Towers. Special entertainment 

will be provided as the guests dine and 

dance amidst the splendor of the Emerald 

City. Special green glass lorgnettes will be 

passed out as favors. Milton Williams will 

cater the event. 

Ms. Goldberg introduced MCA president 

Sidney Sheinberg and "The Wiz" producer 

Rob Cohen. Author Joel Schumacher was 

also in attendance. 

On display at the reception were costumes 

from the film. The Grafitti City costumes 

were designed by Tony Walton and Dona 

Granati; the Poppy Hooker costumes were 

designed by Joel Schumacher; two additional 

costumes by Tony Walton, the Winkles 

and Miss One. were also on display. Kamall 

designed those costumes representing the 

Emerald City sequence. Other costumes 

were designed by Oscar de la Renta. Bill 

Blass, Burrows, Scott Barrie, Ralph Lauren. 

McFadden, Fernando Sancheiz and Zoran. 

"The Wiz." in Technicolor and Dolby 

stereo, stars Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, 

Nipsey Russell, Ted Ross, Lena Home and 

Richard Pryor (as "the Wiz"). The film was 

directed by Sidney Lumet, produced by Rob 

Cohen, and written by Joel Schumacher. 

The production design and costumes were 

created by Tony Walton. 

tftt^BSound and 

Nationwide 



RCA Service Company, A Division of RCA 

1501 Beach Streel. Moniebello, Calil 90640 

Phone (2131 728-7473 

Year's Goals Outlined 

By Ariz. NATO Pres. 

TUCSON—NATO of Arizona president 

Ewart Edwards, who has been a member of 

the Grand Canyon State's chapter since 

1962, has outlined several ambitious goals 

for the group during his administration. 

"We'll 

concentrate on gaining new members 

and regaining lost members," states 

Edwards. "I believe the effective way to do 

this is to establish a rotating meeting system 

among three cities—Tucson, Phoenix and 

Casa Grande. In the past, the distance presented 

a problem for some members. With 

the three-city plan, members, for every third 

meeting, will 

not have to drive so far. 

"Then, a concerted effort will be made 

to obtain independent theatre owners in the 

southeast .Arizona area to join forces with 

NATO. Concentration will be on Safford, 

Sierra Vista, Douglas and other areas in that 

district. 

"One thing I look upon with special pride 

is the successful drive that NATO of Arizona 

made to defeat daylight savings time, 

a disaster to drive-ins. Intensive lobbying in 

Phoenix proved effective, and a precedent 

was set nationwide. 

"As for the blind bidding question: This 

certainly will be on our agenda. A couple of 

meetings have been held to discuss the matter, 

but as yet no definite plan of action 

has evolved. 

"I will be in New York for the NATO 

national convention," Edwards said, "and 

will wait until I return to Tucson before 

calling a meeting of the Arizona unit. One 

of the first things that has to be done is to 

fill the vacancy of the unexpected resignation 

of Pascal Agosta of Phoenix, our secretary-treasurer 

who resigned due to pressure 

of other business." 

Present officers 

of NATO of Arizona besides 

Edwards are James Snelson, Bagdad, 

vice-president, and William Maples. Casa 

Grande, treasurer. Board of director members 

are Edwards, Frank E. Hollis, John 

Louis, Maples, Snelson. Sturdivant and 

Agosta, 

Plitt Manager Jeff Wine 

Wins Big on Game Show 

LOS ANGELES— Prtt City Centre manager 

Jeff Wine has proved himself a winning 

showman in more ways than one. 

Viewers tuning in to a new game show on 

NBC called "Card Sharks" the week of 

Tuesday (10) will see game show history 

taking place. 

Wine won $39,300 in cash and prizes 

over five appearances. A spokesman for the 

Goodson & Todman Productions stated that 

Wine may be the all-time highest cash winner 

in the history of their game shows. 

When asked of his plans with such a 

windfall. Wine stated that he is busy househunting. 

Blythe Danner will have the female lead 

"The Great Santini." 

W- 

BOXOFFICE :: October

— 

— — 

. . . Screenings 

'Executioner' Leaves 

Mark on Chicago 

CHICAGO—The lone newcomer, "The 

Executioner" at the Roosevelt, scored with 

400 per cent. Except for "National Lampoon's 

Animal House," which continued as 

a high grosser (425 percent) in eleven theatres 

during its fourth week, it seemed clear 

that newcomers will be welcome. However. 

"Bread and Chocolate" at the Cainegie in 

the second week and "Dear Inspector" in 

its fifth at the Cinema still grossed 400. 

Some rereleases deserve mention for achieving 

good business: "The Sound of Music," 

"Smokey and the Bandit" and "Harold and 

Maude." 


Carnegie—Bread and Chocolate (SR), ?n I v.k .300 

Cmema Dear Inspector (SRI, ;;h -.vk 300 

Evanston, Esquire—The Buddy Holly Slory (Col), 

Bth wk 150 

Mercury, Water Tower 2—Eyes ol Laura Mars 

(Col), 6th wk - 125 

Nortown, UA Cinema 2—Revenge of the Pink 

Panther (UA), 8th wk. 

Roosevelt The Executioner (SR) ! 

4 theatres Grease (Para), 13-h -.vk 

5 theatres—Heaven Can Wait (Para) 14th v, 

7 theatres Hooper (WB), 7th wk 

9 theatres Foul Play (Para), 6th wk 

11 theatres National Lampoon's Animal Hou 

(Univ), 4th wk 

Fall Slides Into Kansas City; 

Film Grosses Sliding as Well 

KANSAS CITY—Grosses continued to 

drop as the K.C. favorite, "Animal House," 

sank to 310 and others followed suit, 

"Grease" coming in second with 200, "Foul 

Play" and "Hooper" tied at 210 and "Heaven 

Can Wait" stooping to 145. "The Fruit 

Is Ripe" and "Eyes of Laura Mars" managed 

to whip up a 100 per cent gross. The 

other ten first runs reinforced K.C.'s movie 

slump, with percentages ranging sadly from 

50 to 85. 


Blue Ridge, Gladstone The Cat From Outer 

Space (BV), 7th wk, .,.. 85 

Boulevard, Empire Bloody Fists (SR), 

1st wk 70 

Chouteau, Watts Mill The Fruit Is Ripe 

(GP Management), 2nd wk 100 

Fairyland—M*A*S*H-D (STl), Isi wk 75 

Fine Arts—Cat and Mouse (Quartet), 5th wk . 75 

Glenwood—Grease (Para), 14th wk 280 

Independence—Beyond and Back 

(Sunn Classic), 5th wk 85 

Midland Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club 

Band (Univ), 9th wk 55 

Watts Mill—Who'll Stop the Rain (UA) 

5;h wk. 50 

3 theatres—Eyes oi Laura Mars (Co!) 

5th wk 

3 theatres—Heaven Can Wail Pi: 

3 theatres—National Lampoon's Animal 

100 

House 

lith wk .145 

310 

(Umv), 7th v.-k 

4 theatres—Foul Play p3i.ii, •;. ...; 210 

4 theatres—Revenge of the Pink Panther (UA), 

9th wk 85 

5 theatres Hooper (WB), 7th wk 210 

7 theatres Buckstone County Prison (SR) 

12 theatres—Skateboard (Uni' 

Bob Hope Appearance Adds 

To Embassy Theatre Funds 

FORT WAYNE— Bob Hope appeared 

for one performance September 30 at the 

restored Embassy Theatre, one-time film 

house in downtown Fort Wayne. Funds 

from the event will go to provide new stage 

curtains. 

The Embassy Theatre Foundation's aim 

is to restore the building to the condition 

it was when it opened in 1930. 

KANSAS CITY 

John Wangbcrj; returned last week after a 

two-day stint in Dallas, where he participated 

in a benefit golf tournament, 

Filnirow was never one to turn its collective 

back on an opportunity to party, so 

New World's Don Stidham figured it was 

time to cater to that innate desire. Thus, 

the first annual Octoberfest party was born. 

Actually, it more closely resembled a picnic. 

Held Sunday (1) at Blue Valley Park in 

eastern Kansas City, everyone was invited 

to bring his own repast, while a modest fee 

purchased unlimited tappings of a 16-gallon 

keg. Footballs and softballs went flying 

through the crisp autumn air as part of the 

festivities, while the kids busied themselves 

on the playground equipment. "It was about 

time for another party," Stidham said. 

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation sponsored 

a jog a-thon two weeks ago to raise 

money for its cause, and helping the jog-athon 

on to success were the following members 

of WOMPI: Bea Young, Elaine Palmer, 

Peggy Martin, Goldie Woerner, Goldie 

Lewis, JoAnne Weaver, Sue Hawley, Nadine 

Mummaw, Fran Frame and Maryelle 

Calon. 

The United Motion Picture Ass'n is sponsoring 

an E.xplorer post of the Boy Scouts 

of America, under the leadership of National 

Screen Service's Gary Pulver. 

Judy Helton, Buena Vista booker, is taking 

this week as a vacation from the wonderful 

world of Disney, but she is undecided 

about any possible travel plans. She'll 

probably wind up going to a movie. 

National Screen Service's 

Margaret Stanley 

was involved in an automobile accident 

September 21 as she drove home from 

work. Another motorist failed to heed a 

stop sign and plowed into Margaret's car. 

causing $1,500 damage. Fortunately, Margaret 

was only slightly injured, suffering 

bruises to her legs. 

A couple of Kansas exhibitors have decided 

to spend the next few weeks in California, 

getting a good look at the home of 

all that celluloid that ends up in their projection 

booths. Trent Stigall, Fredonia, and 

Dennis McLallen, Yates Center, departed 

Saturday for the West Coast. 

Four representatives from National 

Screen Service attended the Ass'n of Colleges 

and Universities international convention 

in Emporia, Kas., two weeks ago. 

Those representatives were Gary Pulver, 

Debbie Richeson, Steve Foster and Ken 

Lang. 

Screenings at Commonwealth: September 

27, "Hugo's Magic Pump" (Heart) and "La 

Dolce Vita" (Heart), both distributed by 

Topar; September 29 "Goin' South" (Para) 

at Midwest: September 26, 

The Boys From Brazil" (20th-Fox); September 

27. -The Dark" (Film Ventures), 

distributed by Mercury, and September 28, 

"Somebody Killed Her Husband" (Col). 

City to Buy Indiana 

Theatre Building 

INDIANAPOLIS—The city 

of Indianapolis 

has agreed to purchase the historic 

Indiana Theatre Building downtown for 

$820,000 as the first step needed for the 

planned Claypool Center urban -renewal development. 

Under the plan, the city authorized 

the Urban Renewal Division to buy 

the theatre from its private owners at $119,- 

500 above the appraised value. 

The Indiana Theatre property is on part 

of the site north of Washington Street, 

between Illinois and Capitol downtown, 

which will represent a $30,000,000 redevelopment 

project to include a new 300- 

room Radisson Hotel and a possible new 

office building. The theatre building would 

be resold to the Indianapolis Merchants 

Ass'n, which has agreed to lease part of 

the facility to the Indiana Repertory Theatre 

its for new home. 

Acquisition of the property is subject to 

the sale of a $4,500,000 bond issue 

the city 

is planning to finance its share of the renewal 

project's cost. The bonds, expected 

to be sold in October, would be used to 

buy the entire site, including the parking 

lot where the Claypool Hotel formerly was 

located, and to construct elevated pedestrian 

walkways and other improvements. Private 

money would be used for the hotel and 

office projects. 

Tri-State Adds 31 Screens 

CINCINNATI— Phil Borack's Tri-State 

Theatre Service has signed a deal to represent 

31 screens in Indiana for United Artists 

Theatres, including Indianapolis, Lafayette 

and Terre Haute. 

"Somebody Killed Her Husband" is a 

Martin Poll production presented by Melvin 

Simon. 

MID-CONTINENT Theatre Supply Corp. 

1800 Wyandotte, Kansas City, Mo. 64108 

Phone (816) 221-0480 W. R. "Bill" Davis, Mgr. 

PROMPT • £Fna£NT • COURTEOUS 

BOXOFFICE :: October 2. 1978 C-1

J 

A.J.'Kal'Kalberer 

Honored in Indiana 

WASHINGTON. IND.—Forty years ago. 

in August, 1938, A.J. (Kal) Kalberer came 

A. J. Kalberer 

to Washington from Louisville to manage 

the Switow theatres here for two weeks until 

a new manager could be found. 

Kal never left, and recently some 500 of 

his friends surprised him at the Indiana 

Theatre with a This Is Your Life" program. 

Forty years of leadership in retail business 

activities and in community service 

projects included such diverse things as 

more than 30 years" volunteer work with 

the March of Dimes to Saturday "babysitting" 

for over two generations of Washington 

kiddies. 

Frank Bates, supervisor for Kerasotes, 

present of the local theatres, owners was 

master of ceremonies. 

He reviewed highlights of Kal's career 

in the theatre business, noting that during 

30 years some 45.000 children moved 

through the Indiana Theatre on Saturdays 

as participants in the Roy Rogers Riders 

Club. At every Saturday matinee Kal was 

the biggest kid and had the most fun. but 

he also reminded the youth of proper conduct 

and respect for others. Games, amateur 

contests and free movies on their birthdays 

were part of the program. 

And all the while, parents had those 

Saturdays free knowing their children were 

in good hands. 

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Many renowned entertainers found their Everett Beasley read a letter from Indiana 

way to Washington through Kal's efforts. 

Gov. Otis R. Bowen, complimenting 

One of the most popular was Smiley Buinette. 

Kal on his contributions to the community 

who appeared here frequently and in 

one promotion gave a pony to a Washington 

girl. 

and to the state. 

KaFs insight into the community's major 

interest was illustrated in the late '30s and 

Others included organist Ken Griffin, early '40s when he designed a "Playograph"' 

"Forrest Tucker (who auctioned cakes for 

the high school band), and also in the Calvacade 

of Stars were Mari Blanchard, Gene 

Evans. Tony Romary. Rubinoff and his violin 

were here frequently. 

Bates noted that KaFs activities for local 

business promotions never ceased. Movie 

passes were issued generously as rewards 

for community service projects and infinite 

business promotions. 

Kal brought in top movies, highlighted by 

a "Gone With the Wind"" premiere, which 

included the election of a local Scarlett 

0"Hara, 

While his work with the March of Dimes 

organization has been especially significant. 

Bates noted that during World War II he 

was deeply involved in the sale of savings 

bonds and also served on the county ration 

board. 

Immediately upon coming to Washington, 

Kal became active in the Rotary Club, 

the Elks, 

Eagles and Moose lodges. 

In recent years. Kal served two terms as 

a city councilman and also served as a Republican 

precinct committeeman. 

When Kay came to Washington, the Switow 

brothers owned the Indiana and Liberty 

theatres. Later, they acquired the Temple 

Court Theatre. Both the Liberty and Temple 

Court have been closed. In 1950 Switows 

built 

the East 50 Drive-In and Kal devoted 

countless hours to make this the finest in 

southern 

Indiana. 

Again using his ingenuity to give the theatre 

a local interest atmosphere, Kal set up 

the B&O miniature train 

for the children to 

ride. He personally watched over the playground 

area to see no children were injured. 

Harry Switow, before presenting Kal a 

plaque, recalled that Kal has received many 

citations from major film companies over 

the years with trips to meet company officials 

and film stars. Other former associates 

of the Switow company present were Henry 

Saag and Eddie Saag. 

Mrs. Flo Cavanaugh, president of city 

council, presented Kal Mayor Leo Sullivan's 

proclamation of "A.J. Kalberer Day" and 

the key to the city. She noted his long time 

contribution to 

the best interests of the city. 

Margaret Harris, treasurer of the March 

of Dimes, disclosed that during KaFs 30 

years" direction of that organization locally, 

over $198,000 had been pledged in this 

county— a record that MOD officials declared 

was outstanding. 

CUVERAMA IS EV SHOW 

BUSUVESS UV HAWAII TOO, 

When you conic to Waikiki, 

tion't miss the famous Don He 


Reef Towers Hotel. f 

board inside the theatre so basketball fans 

could watch a play-by-play of an out-of-city 

game and still enjoy a movie. At tourney 

times, it was noted, he opened the theatre 

to visiting basketball teams between games. 

Kal started in the theatre business in 

Lafayette, Ind., when he was 12 years old, 

running errands for the actors and stagehands. 

He became an exploitation man for Fox 

Film Corp.. later a manager for the Quimby-Marcus 

circuit at Fort Wayne until 1927, 

and then with the Fourth Avenue Amusement 

company of Indianapolis and Louisville. 

At one time, he was manager of the 

Lyric Theatre in Indianapolis and the Strand 

in Louisville. He also managed theatres in 

Terr-e Haute, and in San Diego, Calif. 

Kal's promotional abilities have won him 

many honors in the theatre field, including 

an award in 1949 from MGM. 

Special recognition also was given Jeannette 

Peek, who has been associated with 

the theatre many years and has assisted Kal 

in March of Dimes and all other community 

efforts. 

A special tape recording offering congratulations 

by Joe Edwards, manager of 

radio stations WAMW-WFML was presented. 

Present and former employes of the theatre 

presented Kal a plaque in recognition 

of his 40 years here. 

George Young of Vincennes sang a song 

he had written especially for the anniversary 

and presented Kal a framed copy of 

the song. 

Family members present included Kal's 

sister Mrs. Helen Westfall. Vero Beach, 

Fla.; son Stan Kalberer and his wife Barbara; 

grandson Blaine (now drive-in manager) 

and his wife Debbie; grandsons John 

and Tim. and grandchildren Susan and Timothy. 

A granddaughter. Ann. had just returned 

to Purdue, 

ST. 

LOUIS 

^ho Is Killing the Great Chefs of 

Europe?"" opens Wednesday (4) at Esquire, 

Crestwood, Village and Woods Mill. 

Jacqueline Bissett stars as a premiere dessert 

chef who becomes involved in a demoniacal 

scheme to wipe out all the leading 

practitioners of haute cuisine. Filming took 

place in Paris. Venice, Munich and London 

where Jackie is helping to cook a superb 

dinner for the queen when one by one the 

great chefs of Europe are found dead. The 

murders coincide with their specialities; for 

example, the chef who makes pressed duck 

is found with his head in the duck press. 

Co-starring in the comedy-mystery-drama is 

George Segal as Bissett's former husband 

who is in the fast food business, trying to set 

up a chain of food shops in Europe. Ted 

C-2 

BOXOFFICE :: October

Kotcheff directed the film which is a Lorimar-Aldrich-Bavaria 

production. 

The North Shore suburb of Lake Bluff 

near Chicago is the locale for "A Wedding" 

which will be celebrated at the Shady Oak 

exclusively beginning Wednesday (11). Robert 

Altman, who directed the cast of 52 

players as well as co-authoring the screenplay, 

said he chose the Midwestern setting 

because he wanted a real mansion and felt 

also that the center of the country is where 

the real wealth can be found. Some footage 

was shot on th; 80 acre estate of Mrs. 

Lester Armour of the meat-packing family. 

The film explores the intrigues and drama 

within the lives of the family and guests 

set within the ritual of an American marriage 

ceremony. 

The final film at the Art Museum in its 

series augmenting the Monet exhibit is a 

documentary, "Paris 1900," to be shown 

Friday (6) at 7 and 9 p.m. A segment of 

the production documents Claude Monet at 

work. 

The University of Missouri-St. Louis in 

its "Masculine and Feminine Images in the 

Movies" series will screen "Captain Blood" 

(1935) with Errol Flynn, Tuesday (3); "The 

Little Colonel" (1935), Shirley Temple, 

Monday (9), and "The Women" (1939). 

Joan Crawford, Norma Shearer, Tuesday 

(10). Films are shown at 8:15 p.m. in the 

J. C. Penney Auditorium at no charge. 

More recent films are shown on Friday 

nights in 200 Lucas Hall at 8 p.m. with 

parade September 23. Other floats depicting 

the "Wonderful World of Children" 

were Birthday Party, Carnival, Peter Pan 

and the Pirates. Pete, Wizard of Oz. Stuffed 

Toys, Sand Castles, Skate Boards and Bicycles, 

Comic Books, Tree House, My Favorite 

Toys. Nursery Rhymes, Ghosts and 

Goblins, Sports and Games and 'Twas the 

Night Before Christmas. The United States 

Air Force Color Guard from Scott Air 

Force Base led the parade followed by local 

high school bands and those of schools in 

in the film industry have contributed their 

services in the past. This year's goal is 

$100,000. 

CHICAGO 

TJotice to members of the National Ass'n 

of Concessionaires Chuck Winans, executive 

director, said the Chicago office will 

be closed during the NAC convention in 

New York City Sunday (15)-Wednesday 

(18). Winans is due to arrive in New York 

Wednesday (11) to finalize details. An 

answering service will handle all incoming 

calls to NAC headquarters in Chicago, and 

urgent matters will be referred to Winans in 

New York. 

It is reported here that Ted Zethro, a 

former Paramount Pictures branch manager, 

is still active. He has just finished producing 

"Fyre," briefly described as a hardhitting 

study of a girl who goes bad. 

Cathy McBride, booker and salesperson 

for Teitel Amusement Co., is brushing up 

on her French. She hopes to have the language 

mastered when she goes to Paris in 

early spring of 1979. While she is in France. 

Cathy will take a look at some films to be 

brought here by Teitel Film Co. 

According to reports, Roger Ebert, movie 

critic for the Chicago Sun-Times, is work- 

the Virgin Island Film Festival; the San 

Francisco Film Festival special jury award, 

and the blue ribbon from New York's 

American Film Festival. "Medusa Challenger" 

was produced by Philip Koch and 

written and directed by Steve Elkins. 

Bob Stockmar, sales manager in the Midwest 

for United Artists, has been coaching 

the company's new salesman in the downstate 

area, Douglas Buckley. 

Chuck Viane, film buyer for General 

Cinema in the Midwest, is reported to be 

passing around some highly exploitable 

fishing tales. However, the boasting is not 

about his own exploits, but those of his son 

David. Even though the boy is only eight 

years old, he has been pulling in some 

whoppers. 

"Speedtrap," a new First Artists release 

through Mid-.^merica Releasing Co., opened 

at a number of theatres throughout Chicagoland. 

The story revolves around an ingenious 

car thief nicknamed the Roadrunner. 

He has stolen eleven luxury cars, but 

eye witnesses seem incapable of describing 

how the crimes happen as the Roadrunner 

opens car doors, starts the engines and then 

scrambles radio frequencies with a mysterious-looking 

little black book. "Speedtrap" 

is rated PG. 

Even though Charles Teitel has established 

new roots in California after 55 years 

in Chicago, he has been discovering that 

much of the ingenuity and professionalism 

coming out of Hollywood is generated by 

people in the Midwest. Teitel reports that 

one of the names that keeps cropping up 

is that of Studs Terkle, a Chicago writer. 

A number of filmmakers appear to be interested 

in Terkle's books. 

Herman Kogan, another Chicago writer 

and former feature writer and editor of the 

now-closed Daily News magazine section, 

is launching a film project based on one of 

his best sellers, "Lords of the Levee." 

Charles Teitel, who still retains quarters in 

Chicago, said he is interested in the Kogan 

ing with Russ Meyers on a release referred 

story. 

to as another "Vixen" movie. 

20th Century-Fox Midwest publicist Larry 

Dieckhaus joined a press junket to New 

an admission charge of $1 for students Many people in the film industry may 

with ID card and $1.50 to the general public. 

remember Dave Friedman, who once served York for showings of "The Boys From 

Brazil" and "A Wedding." Chicago was the 

Screenings for Friday (6) and Friday as Midwest publicist for Paramount Pic- 

tures. We are informed that Dave has been 

site for special promotional activity for both 

(13) are respectively "The Turning Point" 

and "Smokey and the Bandit." 

profiled in Forbes magazine for his ingenuity 

films when Desi Arnez jr. arrived here just 

in making and distributing adult 

prior to the opening of "A Wedding" on 

Comedian Bill Cosby will appear at the films. Dave now also is in the business of September 29. and James Mason comes to 

Kiel Opera House for one performance marketing TV tapes on a worldwide basis. town in connection with the opening of 

Sunday (8) at 7 p.m. with prices scaled from 

Frankie Laine is in 

. $9.90 to $6.90 . . 

At the Biograph Theatre, "Medusa Challenger" 

"The Boys From Brazil" Friday (6). 

concert at the Plantation Dinner Theatre 

has been presented nightly between Even though AIP's "Count Dracula and 

showings 

through Saturday (7). He will be followed 

of "Harold and Maude." The 20- His Vampire Bride" will not open in this 

Hall's country music show Sunday 

by Tom T. 

minute short has been awarded a gold area until Friday (13), second bookings 

(8). 

the 

award 

plaque from Chicago International Film 

already been set for 17. 

have November 

Festival; a gold medal special jury in 

AIP is conducting a contest in connection 

The Star Wars float was possibly the 

with "Dracula." Cash prizes will be awarded 

to theatre managers, based on their pro- 

most popular in the 20 that were featured 

in the 101st annual Veiled Prophet 

motional campaigns. 

(Continued on next page) 

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More than 9,000 volunteers are needed to 

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Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day. The 

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BOXOFFICE :: October 2. 1978 0-3

CHICAGO 

(Continued from page C-3) 

AIP continues to book shows designed 

for the kiddies. "Here Come the Tigers" is 

booked for theatres throughout Chicagoland 

for November 18 and 19. 

Station WLS and Plitt Theatres will be 

doing an on-location shoot for a no-smoking 

trailer. Disc jockey Larry Lujack will be 

doing this midnight trailer. 

Dave Schatz, president of Chicago Used 

Chair Mart, and Mrs. Schatz returned from 

England where they visited with their daughter 

and grandchildren. While in the British 

Isles, they took time to visit Scotland. The 

Chicago Used Chair Mart crew has just refurbished 

the seats in the Granada Theatre 

and chair work has also been completed in 

the Hi-Way Theatre owned by Mike Stern. 

Tom Kane, who took over the Far North 

Granada when Plitt Theatres released it. 

had closed it when the showing of movies 

failed to be profitable. But now Kane has 

had the Granada updated for a multipurpose 

theatre. Concerts with food and bar 

services will be featured. Kane said in explaining 

his position: "I had the Granada 

restored at a cost of $750,000, but over a 

two-year period F became convinced that 

showing movies was not constructive business 

in a 3,400-seat movie house." Concert 

programs begin this month. 

The Greiver booking organization has 

been appointed to handle bookings for the 

Colonial Theatre in Marengo, III. David 

Ames is owner. 

Carl A. Covelli, who was a member of 

Local no, died September 21. 

Eve Conklin of 20th Century-Fox has 

been named publicity chairman for Chicago 

WOMPIs by president Georgia Klein. In 

her first assignment. Eve outlined news 

relating to the Dallas WOMPI events in 

the Chicago mini-convention. Since only 

five members of the local group were able 

to attend the "main" event, the stay-at-home 

members were given a day-by-day report on 

what transpired. 

The Biograph Theatre has booked the 

first showing here of "Girl Friends," a film 

distributed through Warner Bros. This is a 

first feature film by Claudia Weill, who 

normally does documentaries. "Girl 

Friends" has just opened in New York and 

early gross reports have been encouraging. 

Rene Rabiela, who recently took over the 

Uptown Theatre, announced he will be presenting 

first-run Spanish language films in 

this new acquisition and in his Congress and 

Peoples theatres as well. 

Azteca's newest film is "Soy el Hijo del 

Gallero," which stars Antonio Aguilar, his 

wife Flora Silvestra and their teenage son 

Antonio. This family trio is well known for 

stageshow performances and rodeos. Aguilar 

produces his own films and he stresses 

such features as scenery and Lmusual photography 

in his films. 

In order to make the WOMPI effort in 

Chicago more productive. Georgia Klein, 

president, has appointed committee chairpersons 

to be responsible for specific efforts 

and events. All WOMPIs currently are joining 

members of Tent 26 in connection with 

the fifth annual Variety Club/ Chicago 

WOMPI Halloween Haunted House sequences. 

Industry members, as well as others, 

are urged to join in the fun. Location: 

Oak Mill Mall, 7900 N. Milwaukee Ave., 

Nilss. There will be constant entertainment 

from Friday (13) through Tuesday (31). 

Our best wishes to Linnea Johnson, secretary 

to Warner Bros." district manager 

Floyd Brethauer. She will be missing for 

a short time while awaiting the arrival of 

a new member to the Johnson family. Until 

Linnea returns, Lee Davidson will do double 

duty by filling in and working as secretary 

to branch manager Seymour Hite. 

According to summer TV programs, the 

Count Dracula saga seems to remain an 

undying topic, and ratings show that viewers 

are interested. So "Count Dracula and 

His Vampire Bride," new in the AIP lineup, 

may represent another segment with 

supplementary interest. The Plitt Chicago 

Theatre in the Loop has booked the first 

showing for Friday (13) and a number of 

Chicago area movie houses have already 

negotiated to present "Dracula" starting 

November 17. 

"Somebody Killed Her Husband," the 

new Columbia Pictures' feature, is the center 

of current publicity effort by publicist 

Jerry Downey. 

WICHITA—The following is 

The Marple Theatre Is 

an editorial 

reprinted from the Wichita Eagle-Beacon 

commenting on the reopening of the Marple 

Theatre there: 

The Marple Theatre, like an aging screen 

star who is making a comeback, is taking 

center stage again. And 70 years after its 

birth in downtown Wichita, the theatre is 

helping in the rebirth of the East Douglas 

area. 

Wichita's oldest vaudeville-movie house 

—microfilm files show the Marple's first 

ad may have run in the Wichita Eagle of 

October 4, 1908—the theatre will be reopening 

under its original name. 

The Marple's birthdate had been thought 

to be 1918—but like many a human star of 

similar vintage, it turns out to be older than 

people imagined. 

The theatre's reincarnation as an intimate 

entertainment house with both live talent 

and classic and foreign, movies, is a tribute 

to the vision and the perseverance of owners 

Linda Powell and Marilynn Gump. 

The two women saw the Marple's potential 

when most others were considering it 

an eyesore, and they convinced the Small 

20th-Fox Donates $15,000 

To Indiana Scholarships 

BLOOMINGTON, IND. — 20th Century-Fox 

announced it is donating $15,000 

to the Indiana University Foundation scholarship 

fund, in appreciation of assistance 

received from the foundation and Indiana 

University students in restaging the "Little 

500" bicycle race for use in a film titled 

"Breaking Away." 

Peter Yates, director and producer of the 

film, said the donation acknowledges the 

help and the enthusiasm of those who came 

to the 10th Street Stadium on the campus 

and participated in the race as spectators 

and bike riders. The original plan was for 

the film company to donate $1 for each 

peison who entered the stadium. 

Fort Wayne Film Program 

Is Changing Locations 

FORT WAYNE, IND.—The Fort Wayne 

Cinema Center, a non-profit group devoted 

to showing and studying classic American 

and foreign films in this city where few 

other opportunities to see such films exist, 

has moved its program from the Artlink. 

the new art gallery-center, to the Unitarian 

Meeting House, because the art gallery does 

not meet theatre regulations as set forth by 

the fire marshal's office. 

Admission to the films is $2 for adults, 

$1 for children, students and senior citizens, 

and memberships good for ten admissions 

cost $15. The offering September 

16 was "Viva Zapata" starring Marlon 

Brando. 

The Cinema Center plans to continue its 

program through May of 1979, with different 

months devoted to programs of French, 

Orson Welles, Far Eastern. Eastern European, 

British. Italian and Bergman films. 

Back 

Business Administration to grant them a 

$225,000 loan. 

The SBA's approval was contingent on a 

sufficient show of community interest. The 

agency asked for 1,000 pledges of support. 

Powell and Gump got 1,400. 

That speaks something for the community's 

willingness to become involved in restoration 

projects that can benefit the entire 

city, and its interest in this specific project. 

After this weekend's grand opening, the 

theatre will be open seven days a week with 

foreign films on Thursdays. American classics 

on Fridays and Saturdays, mysteries on 

Sundays, and live entertainment Mondays 

through Wednesdays. It also will be open 

for lunches and free entertainment during 

the week. 

It's been good in recent weeks to see the 

Marple's colorful purple and white marquee, 

laced with red neon, go up; and to 

see the fresh flush of activity in that formerly 

bare section of East Douglas. 

Welcome back, Marple Theatre. May 

your next 70 see you still entertaining and 

making glad the hearts of the people of 

Wichita. 

C-4 BOXOFFICE :: October 2. 1978

5th 

'House' Challenged 

By 'Alive' in N.O. 

NEW ORLEANS—-National Lampoon's 

Animal House," playing at three theatres, 

moved up to take first spot. "It's Alive 2" 

took second place in its opening week at 

the Loew's State, pushing "Soul Brothers 

Kung Fu" to third. 

{Av 

(Univ), 

100) 

wk 

Lakeside—Jaws 2 13th 

Lakeside—Avalanche (New World), 2nd wk 

Lakeside—Revenge oi the Pink Panther (UA), 

100 

8ih wk 175 

Loews State—Hatchet Murders (SR), l = t wk 20C 

Loews Stale—Thank God Ifs Friday (Co') 

5th wk 150 

Loews State—Ifs Alive 2 IWB), 1st wk 600 

Orpheum—Soul Brothers oi Kung Fu (SR), 

2nd wk 500 

Robert E. Lee—Heaven Can Wail (Ptig) 

Ulh wk 225 

3 theatres—Notional Lampoon's Animal House 


EaBjEfiSlE^tEB 

HEAVENLY SIGHT — Anyt 

passing the Robert E. Lee Theatre in 

New Orleans might have wondered if 

an angel had descended from heaven 

and perched on top of the building. 

The angelic figure, painted by Dandy 

Signs, Fort Walton, Fla., was 20 feet 

high and was installed by Larry Fine, 

manager of Paramount Pictures and 

'Animal House' Blitzes Memphis Kevin Keller, manager of the theatre. 

With a High-Grossing 1,085 for the engagement of "Heaven Can 

MEMPHIS—"National Lampoon's Ani- Wait." 

mal House" delighted the crowds here, 

turning 

in high grosses both on screen and at the m ^ m 

' 

m m m 

boxoffice. The frat film turned in a score nil I Jl jwf j 

of 1,085 in two situations. Nearest competi- ''' ' ''' ' 

tor was "Grease" at 655. followed by "Foul -,,_ ^^^ j^^^ Lawrence A. Crowley, for- 

Play" at the Malco Quartet. Four nevy films 

moved ^^ Cleveland, have to 

appeared, including The Manitou and 

^^^^^ p.^^.^^ ^^^ purchased a condomini- 

FareT'sLhbTok'2-iaws2(Un,v), nthwk 175 

"^ '" ^his city. The Crowkys spent the 

Fare 2—Coming Home (UA), 1st wk 300 past 22 years in the theatrical and sports 

MJi:o'Qu°a";e'',-\i7E:5''ruArT4th''wk'^':^^::::^ arena business in the Mideast. Mrs. Crowley 

Malco Quartet 1—Heaven Can Wait (Para), Operated theatres in Cleveland for many 

Malco Quortei 3—The Cheap Detective (Col), years and her husband served as Cleveland 

uTo Quariet-4-Foui- Play (Para) wk 

Memphian, Paramount 1—Sgt. Pepper's Lonely 

Z^ regional manager for Sportservice Corp. of 

Buffalo. His responsibilities included man- 

Pa"roun?'2",''Ra;:!gh'spnngs'i-Eyes Laura agement of 80 theatres in five States. The 

'' 

o. 

'50 Crowleys to get as 

r,*^"^J^°Jl' 1=' "•=. , 

Park—The Manitou (Avco), Isl wk 100 

e.xpect 

, 

involved 

t> 

here 

, . 

2, Plaza Whitehaven Cinema 1— The Inheritance owncr-operators Or managers. Both have 

'" ''««" ^Ctive WOrkerS and officCrS in NATO 

Ridfeway'k^Southbrook 4-Revenge of the 

Pink Panther (UA), 6th wk 

Ridgeway 3, Southbrook 3—National Lampoon's 

265 and Variety Tent 6 in Cleveland. 

Animal House (Univ), 2nd wk 1,085 

of North 

,~ . ^ 

Ridgeway 4—Grease (PaTa). 11th wk .,.655 closmg 

. 

The VldCO City, S Miami 

^ 

s^rwl'^.^^.^ ^'^..'^'°" .°"'.".^.''.°"...'.^.^.'.: 

Disney Films Still Give 

Cryroom a Stiff Workout 

LIBERTY, N.C—A tear-stained carpet 

is evidence that the tiny room with two 

padded chairs in the Curtis Theatre here 

has served its purpose over the last 29 years. 

A neon sign proclaiming "Cryroom" 

points the way to the cubicle, which theatre 

operator John Curtis believes to be the only 

one of its kind left in North Carolina. 

Many first-time patrons of the theatre are 

curious when they see the sign and take a 

look into the ten-foot-by-seven-foot room, 

with a plate-glass window looking into the 

theatre and equipped with speakers piping 

in sound from the movie. It was designed 

to give mothers a place to watch the film 

without allowing their bawling babies to 

bother others in the audience. 

"It used to be occupied more often than 

it is now," Curtis said. "Pictures have 

changed, you know. There are not as many 

small children brought to the theatre as 

there used to be." He added that the cryroom 

still gets used quite a bit when he 

shows a Disney film. 

125 film and broadcasting studio, continues to 

cause much comment in the area. It is this 

studio that occupies the old Ivan Tors stages 

where "Flipper." "Gentle Ben" and other 

scries were shot, and it has been considered 

the heart of the local film industry. The 

studio is expected to close down in late 

October. Eric Stevens, current operations 

manager of the facility, which is an arm 

of the New York-based Video Corp. of 

America, said: "This place could be run 

differently and it could make money. There 

was a problem involving the corporate philosophy 

and the fact that we were more 

expensive than the loal marketplace could 

bear." 

He also said that Video City, which made 

mostly commercials and a few series pilots, 

tried to get by with national clients, explaining 

that it did not focus on local busi- 

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ness. "Maybe that was a mistake," Stevens 

commented. Another Video executive observed 

that they should have focussed sooner 

on attracting trade from the southern 

states, but that they got started in that direction 

too late. 

There are offers for the puriihase of 

Video City, Norin Co. owns the old Tors 

tract and two huge sound stages at 12100 

N.E. 16th Ave. here. Right now no one is 

sure what use will be made of the property. 

John Buddy of the Miami Herald wrote 

a two-part article recently pointing up the 

decline of the drive-in theatre. He says that 

each year the number of drive-ins dwindles 

because of changing lifestyles and rising 

land values. He says they were at their peak 

during the 1960s. The theatres have many 

advantages— letting whole families (and 

even their pets) attend and watch from the 

comfort of their cars. There are perils, also, 

with the young folk viewing in such a relaxed 

atmosphere. 

Dade County, he says, had at least 20 

drive-ins at one time, and now has approximately 

10, with several sold or up for sale 

including the Dixie in South Dade and the 

Coral Way. Huddy says there are no new 

drive-ins being built. He blames the decline 

on the fact that movie houses have moved 

from downtown areas and now are more 

accessible. They feature discount prices, almost 

as low as the drive-in. especially if 

they feature a second-run film. 

The writer points out that some persons 

still think the well-run drive-in can survive 

and be profitable, and he cites the Airport 

Hi-Way in Broward County, where there 

are nine screens and. due to automation, 

only one manager and two more employees. 

With advanced technology, one print can 

be shown on two or more screens at the 

same time. The sound is good and there 

are other automatic gadgets, such as speakerless 

sound systems, which are used in the 

Hi-Way. He concludes by saying that new 

booking tactics, with multiple drive-ins bidding 

for films, are as important as updated 

equipment to the success of the drive-in. 

Wometco Enterprises has announced that 

it has sold an II -acre land tract in Vancouver 

and a Miami drive-in for an approximate 

after-tax gain of $1,800,000. 

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BOXOFFICE :: Octobe 1978 SE-1

ATLANTA 

the country, handled the sale to Hollywood. Geese," Allied Artists; "Renaldo and 

The purchaser was Orion Pictures, a new Clara," distributed by Woody Sherrill; a 

company put together by former top executives 

of United Artists Pictures, who re- 

"Take All of Me," American International 

product reel for C.L. Autry's Dixie Films; 

a flantans who have been complaining that 

signed from the company en masse during Pictures; "Mickey Mouse Celebration Specorporate 

struggle. Diehl. who is out of cial," Buena Vista 

they have no place to go when they 

satisfy their yearning for what has 

book, was not available 

intersection, offering the presentation culated by a film columnist, but 

Fans of the North Georgia Mountams 

ters of Dell says this was exaggerated. 

(and they are legion!) are preparing for the 

want to town promoting his 

Century-Fox 

become known as "art films" are going to 

Patricia Whitman, 20th 

for comment. Dell said Diehl's much-publicized 

literary contract of $1,000,000 

have two theatres that plan to supply that 

booker, is enjoying a short vacation in Sarasota, 

Fla. She was accompanied by her 

kind of film fare. They are American Multi 

covers three books and he now is writing 

Cinema Omni 6 (which will devote one unit 

the second. The figure of $500,000 for husband and her daughter, who also enjoyed 

the sun, surf and sand. 

in the cluster) at the Piedmont-Peachtree movie rights to "Sharky's Machine" was cir- 

of a 

headquar- 

"Distinctive Film Series." Their first offering, 

which opened September 29. is 'Dona 

Flor and Her Two Husbands." a fantasycomedy 

which is the most successful motion 

picture ever made in Brazil. On the same 

day showman George Lefont, who owns 

and operates the Silver Screen in the Peachtree 

Battle Shopping Center, is opening the 

Screening Room, located on the site of the 

Broadview 2, which the Albert Weis circuit 

abandoned. (Weis earlier gave up the 

larger twin of Broadview 2, which is being 

combined with the former home of the 

Great Southeast Music Hall into a mammoth 

discoteque to be called "2001." The 

disco opening is likely to take place around 

Thanksgiving.) 

Tower Place has occasionally experimented 

with foreign films. In the past year, 

the theatre has had the Atlanta premieres 

of Ingmar Bergman's "The Serpent's Egg," 

Francois Truffaufs "The Man Who Loved 

Women" and Philippe de Broca's "Dear Inspector." 

On the whole, new foreign films 

have been scarce for years. The Film Forum 

and the Rhodes Theatre have been the 

only sites involved in systematic presentation 

of works from foreign sources. 

Lefont, whose Silver Screen location is a 

runaway success with classic films, says he 

has not made definite commitments about 

films to be shown at Screening Room, but 

he intends not to limit himself to foreign 

pictures. He wants to book American pictures 

that otherwise might not be shown in 

Atlanta. 

William Diehl, the Atlanta author, is not 

collecting $500,000 for the motion picture 

rights to his novel "Sharky's Machine." 

He's only getting a paltry $250,000. This 

latter figure was divulged by Dell, his publisher, 

in New York. Irving (Swifty) Lazar. 

probably the best-known literary agent in 

800 Lambert Drive N.E 

Atlanta, Go. 30324 

(404) 876-0347 

I 

Israeli films and exhibits are on display 

in the Jewish Community Center. Zohar 

Guri will show ceramic single relief pieces 

and wall decorations and screen two films 

she produced in Israel. The exhibition is 

free. 

Women in Films staged its annual workshop 

recently at the Alliance Theatre 

of the Atlanta Memorial Arts Center on 

Peachtree Street. Participants met with Joan 

Micklin Silver and Hindi Brooks, two women 

who have made it as writers in the fields 

of feature films and dramatic television. 

Silver wrote and directed "Hester Street." 

a film showing immigrant life in New 

York's Lower East Side in the 1890s. The 

film was screened at the Cannes Festival 

and received an Academy Award nomination. 

Other Silver films include "Between 

the Lines" and the award-winning short film 

"Bernice Bobs Her Hair," based on F. Scott 

Fitzgerald's short story. 

Brooks has written episodes for many 

television series, including "Eight Is 

Enough." "Family," "The Waltons," "Charlie's 

Angels," "Marcus Welby" and others. 

She also has written three made-for-TV 

feature films. "Cheating," "Before and Af- 

'Everything for your theatre— except film' 

tpr" and "The Flame Is Love." Following 

registration conversations with the authors, 

the workshop began at 10 a.m. and screen 

ings were held in the Walter Hill Auditorium. 

This workshop was free, open to the 

public and was funded by a grant from the 

City of Atlanta Bureau of Cultural Affairs 

and with contributions from the High Museum 

and Women in Film, an organization 

working with films and related fields. 

Tradepress screenings at Century Cinema 

Corp.'s facility last week: "The Wild 

colors of fall in the hill country, 

brilliant 

when Mother Nature puts on her own 

"Greatest Show on Earth." Starting now 

and continuing through October, the hills 

are alive with color and festivals. Currently. 

Helen, Ga.. is celebrating its Oktoberfest 

through Sunday (8). In Cleveland, Ga., the 

natives are preparing for the Fall Leaf Festival 

sponsored by the Kiwanis Club, featuring 

booths displaying mountain arts and 

crafts. For those with the sweet tooth, 

Blairsville's annual Sorghum Festival is 

slated for Friday (13)-Sunday (15), with a 

working sorghum mill and biscuit-eating 

contests. Also over in Hiawassee, the Fall 

Country Music Festival and Blue Grass Festival 

make the mountains dance. 

"Caravans," the film version of James 

Michener's novel, will be released in the 

United States, thanks to Universal Studios, 

which acquired the rights from Ibex-FIDCI 

Films. Anthony Quinn, Jennifer O'Neill and 

Michael Sarrazin are the stars in the picture 

which will have its American premiere 

at Radio City Music Hall November 2. 

Quinn portrays the charismatic leader of 

a nomadic tribe, O'Neill plays the headstrong 

daughter of a U.S. senator and Sarrazin" 

plays the American attache sent to 

find O'Neill. "Caravans" was filmed in Iran 

^.^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ literally thousands and ranged 

in locations from barren deserts to ancient 

cities. After its New York debut "Caravans" 

will play selected theatres across the country. 

— Marquee changes "Convoy, " 

Westgate. 

Belvedere, Cobb Cinema, Lakewood, 'Village 

and five drive-ins: Andy Warhol's "Dracula," 

Omni 6 and Tower Place 6; "The Cheap 

Detective," Douglasville, Canton Corners, 

Cobb Center, Greenbriar, Jonesboro Twin, 

Mableton Triple, Parkaire, South DeKalb 

and Stonemont 1: "Coming Home," Old 

Dixie, North DcKalb, Cobb Center, Parkas 

re, Greenbriar and Rhodes; "The Executioner." 

Rialto, Westgate and Starlite Drivein; 

"Wishbone Cutter," Northeast Express- 

800 S Graham St. way. South Expressway, Lithia and Roose- 

Chorlotte, N.C. 28202 velt drive-ins; "The Greek Tycoon" (99 

(704) 334-3616 

© 

2124 

SE-2 

^CAPITAL CITY SUPPLY COMPANY, INC. 

COMPLETE THEATRE EQUIPMENT AND CONCESSION SUPPLIES 

OUR 39th YEAR 

Jackson Parkway. 

713 Sudekum Bldg. 

_ 

Allanla. Georgia 30318 

Nashville. Tennessee 37219 

(404) 792-8424 

(615) 

Members 

©^ 

of: Theatre Equipment Association 

National Association of Concessionaires 

Merchant Chrislmds Trailers 

FAST SERVICE—HIGH QUALITY 

nMjaa 

BOXOFFICE ;: October 2, 1978

Tucker, 

. . And 

cents). Toco Hill: "The Goodbye Girl," 

Snellvillc 

Cinema. 

A major studio preview of a new comedy 

starring Cheech and Chong, a Paramount 

production, was staged September 22 in six 

locations. Cinema 75, North DeKalb, Old 

Dixie, Phipps Penthouse, Mableton Triple 

and Roswell Village Twin. 

Dan Coursey, 20th-Fox Atlanta branch 

manager, and his assistant Pat Pade have 

returned from Dallas where they participated 

in a Southeastern branch managers 

sales meeting. While they went west, Doug 

Ouderkirk, the company's southern district 

director of promotion and advertising, traveled 

south to Miami where he stirred up 

interest in two "biggies," namely, "A Wedding" 

and "The Boys From Brazil." 

A Cobb County woman, who based her 

first novel on the life of Elvis Presley, has 

filed a $9,000,000 lawsuit against a man 

whose name apears with hers as co-author 

of the novel. The copyright of the novel, 

titled "Orion," lists Mrs. Gail Brewer-Giorgio 

as the writer of the book, according to 

papers with the suit, but the cover of the 

first specially printed edition gives her second 

billing, after Gene Arthur of Power 

Springs. Mrs. Giorgio filed suit in Cobb 

Superior Court, naming as defendants Arthur. 

Golden Eagle Publishing Co. (owned 

by Arthur) and Rose Printing Co., a Florida 

firm that printed the 2,000 special edition 

copies. Upon receipt of the books, the suit 

contends, Mrs. Giorgio and EOS learned 

that Arthur had listed himself as co-author, 

had made textual changes and had included 

a picture of himself with biographical data 

on the back cover. 

Agnes Bailey, secretary to 

William Brower, 

Buena Vista district manager, retired 

September 15 after 37 years in the industry. 

Mrs. Bailey started her career for RKO 

Pictures here until they closed their offices 

in 1957, when she went with 20th Century- 

Fox. In 1959, she went to work for Buena 

Vista. She made a host of friends during 

those years, who wish her well in her retirement. 

Agnes is a member of the Motion 

Picture Pioneers and a charter member of 

WOMPI and served in numerous offices 

in that organization. Agnes and her husband 

Jim plan to spend some time on their farm 

near Warrenton, Ga. 

A new theatre is in the offing. Sonny 

Knox, a frequent actor at the Barn Dinner 

Theatre, and David Califf, active in stage 

and film work around the city, have joined 

forces to create a theatre house out of an 

old building at 1022 Peachtree St. The 

building, which had many lives, was most 

recently a Spanish film house and is still 

used for running movies temporarily. Knox 

and Califf, who moved in July I. are showing 

a variety of films every night with 

matinees on Saturday and Sundays as a 

prelude to turning the house into a legitimate 

theatre for their own productions and 

as a house to rent to other groups. Knox 

said they would renovate the interior and 

expand the lobby space into a bar area in 

the nature of the European tradition. The 

new theatre will seat between 150 and 190 

people when the remodeling is done. 

CHARLOTTE 

jêcpest sympathy to Eddie Marks (Stewart 

& Everett Theatres) and his family on 

the accidental death of his beloved mother 

in Asheville, N.C., this past week. 

Vicki Benefield, Tar Heel Films, wife of 

Bobby, Avco Embassy, was ill at home for 

the past week with a virus and is slowly 

recuperating. Hurry back. Vicki! We miss 

y'all. 

A return engagement of "The Sound of 

Music" is playing a seven-day engagement 

at the Park Terrace Theatre and is just as 

popular as ever, earning good grosses. 

James Littlefield (Inman, S.C.) is recuperating 

slowly at his home after surgery. 

It would be nice if you exhibitors and distributors 

would send him a note or post 

card to let him know we have not forgotten 

him. Speedy recovery. Pinto! 

Smilin' Jack Jordan (advertising executive, 

Southern Booking & Advertising Co.) 

in Dothan, Ala., is working up new gimmicks 

for the fall and winter releases. 

C. L. Autrey, Dixie Films, Atlanta, was 

in town screening product and calling on 

distributors and booking agents. 

Karen Simms (Harry Pickett's secretary) 

married Michael French August 20 in Shelby, 

N.C. Karen and Mike honeymooned at 

Daytona Beach. Now when you call Harry 

Pickett, just ask for Mrs. French. 

And over in the booking department. Bill 

Baker was married to Marsha Green September 

2 in Clover, S.C, and they honeymooned 

at North Myrtle Beach, S.C. 

CIIVERAMA IS m SHOW 

BITSUVESS IN HAWAn TOO, 

WTien you come to Walklki, 

don't miss the famous Don IIo 


Reef Towers Hotel. 

And . . . John Shaver's daughter was recently 

married . in Winston-Salem, 

James Gregory, who is city manager for 

two twin theatres, announces the marriage 

of his daughter Mary Kathryn to Robert 

Wayne Tedder. 

Eddie Marks's daughter Patricia Carol 

Marks will marry David Poland, who works 

for the General Cinema Corp. in Jacksonville 

where he books for 75 screens. 

And all of these weddings usually lead to 

the same happy event that recently happened 

to our manager in Aiken, S.C. John 

Tucker jr. and Laurel are the proud parents 

of a baby daughter, Lisa Wren, born July 1. 

Joe Pugh is now a member of the home 

office staff and has been appointed a vicepresident 

and assistant film buyer, working 

directly under Jim Gilland. He is a native 

of West Virginia and we formally introduced 

him at our annual manager's meeting 

September 26. 

Jeff Marks, son of Eddie, has accepted 

the position of printer for the company. Jeff 

takes the place of Ricky Clontz who did a 

magnificent job for the past two and a half 

years and who has moved on to work for 

Charlotte Theatrical Printing Company. If 

Jeff works half as hard as his dad—he will 

be a success. 

Notes from Columbia Pictures: Nancy 

Kirpatrick and husband spent their vacation 

at beautiful and historical Williamsburg. Va. 

Jerry Hasty's son Eric was rushed to the 

hospital for an emergency appendectomy, 

and things looked rough for a while, but 

now he is at home recuperating rapidly. 

New pictures on the marquees: "Slithis" 

(Capri and Viking Drive-In), "The Fruit Is 

Ripe" (Capri and Village), "Love and Anarchy" 

(Visulite). 

Screenings at Car-mel: "Watership 

Down" (Avco Embassy), "Hot Wire" (Variety). 

"Mickey's Birthday Partv" (Buena 

Vista). 

Top grosses of the week: "National Lampoon's 

Animal House" (Eastland Mall 1 and 

South Park), "Grease" (Manor), "The 

Sound of Music" (Park Terrace 1), "The 

Fruit Is Ripe" (Capri 1). 

(Continued on next page) 

I00KIN6 SERVICE^ 

230 S. Tryon St., Suite 362, Charlotte, N.C. 

Frank Lowry . . . Bill Cline 

Phone: (704) 377-9341 

Bfl^JV Sound and 

mWPÎ Projection Service 

Nationwide — on all brands. 


4608 Bibb Blvd , Ga 30084 

Phone (4041 934-9333 

704-333-9651 /^l f u ^1 i

CHARLOTTE 

(Continued from page SE-3) 

Charlie Abercronibie sr. and Charlie jr. 

were in town this week talking with their 

new booking agent Steve Smith (Independent 

Theatres), setting up bookings for the 

Park Theatre in Danville, Va. 

En Melton (Car-mel) was unpleasantly 

surprised when he opened the doors to the 

screening room (which supposedly is 

security 

safe) and saw that his new tape recording 

and all other equipment that was movable 

had been stolen. He has hopes to replace 

same when he confers with his insurance 

agent. 

Tony Tracy (Erwin/ Fuller Theatres) and 

wife Lana spent a very quiet and delightful 

vacation at Algonquin Provincial Park. 

Canada, canoeing and fishing. 

Lina Basset, petite black-haired beauty, 

is a new employee at Erv Melton's Car-mel 

studio. Lina (pronounced Ly-na) wants to 

learn all the segments and formats of the 

motion picture business, production, exhibition, 

etc. Welcome to the club, Lina— you 

have a good teacher in Erv, 

JACKSONVILLE 

gusan Howell, publicist at Clark Films, 

took an R&R vacation in North Carolina 

from the Great Smokies on the west 

to Charlotte in the east. There she hoped 

to meet up with bosses Harry and Belton 

Clark in the office of Bob McClure (Clark's 

Charlotte connection) to attend a screening 

of the EO Corp.'s "Living Legend," based 

on the career of Elvis Presley and featuring 

G nger Alden. 

Roger Hill, Warner Bros, branch manager, 

and office manager Dan Hoffman 

were engaged in moving company records, 

loose change (which had rolled under desks) 

and staff members from the long-held space 

on the 17th floor of the Universal-Marion 

BIdg. downtown to the greener pasture of 

ners is the September 18 birth of Jennifer 

Elizabeth MacPhec to Karen and booker 

Ron MacPhee. 

Royce Brimage, Paramount district manager 

from Dallas, is visiting with the local 

Paramount staff. 

Propaganda or not, an unusual "China 

of the Mainland Film Festival" was held in 

the main library here September 18, celebrating 

a friendly coalition of Jacksonville's 

United States-China Peoples Friendship 

Ass'n for the furthering of cultural exchanges. 

Screened were a dubiously named 

"Freedom Railway," "Children of China," 

"The White-Haired Girl," a medley of 

West-style Chinese folk dancing, acrobatics, 

wushu and selections from the Peking 

Opera, plus a film of current Chinese sporting 

events. 

WOMPl members have scheduled their 

annual Filmrow picnic and exhibition-softball 

competition for Saturday (28), at the 

Beachwood Clubhouse. Boulevard, beginning 

at 10 a.m. Including a sumptious 

lunch, prices are $5 for adults and $2.50 

for children under 12. Profits will go to 

the international WOMPI convention set 

for the local Hilton Hotel in September 

1979. 

Kitty Dowell of AMC is 

chairing an oldfashioned 

Southern cake walk featuring a 

Halloween carnival for handicapped teenagers 

at the Woodstock Community Center 

on Beaver Street Thursday (26). This 

WOMPI community service project had advance 

registrations of 156 youngsters for 

the evening cake walk, to be followed by 

WOMPI refreshments and sundry fun 

games. 

Another WOMPI community service 

project scheduled for Saturday (21) and 

Sunday (22) will be the annual "haunted 

house" events. WOMPI members will don 

spooky costumes and as usual assist in all 

phases of the shivery fun for children. 

A second WOMPI Halloween service is 

set up for the Stockton Elementary School 

where WOMPIs will staff concession booths 

and fill in on games of chance. 

Walter Johnson, super sales manager at 

United Artists, revealed that everyone in 

the joint got raises. Not money necessarily, 

but they moved offices from the second to 

the twelfth floor of the Regency Tower 

BIdg. More prestige and less soliciting up 

there . . . Larry Terrell, UA's office manager 

and head booker, went on target for 

visiting around booking offices in Atlanta 

while vacationing. 

suite 1107, Bamett Regency Tower BIdg., 

9559 Regency Square Blvd. The new phone 

number is 904-721-0480. Warners completes 

the move of many major distribution 

NEW ORLEANS 

offices once clustered tightly about the ABC 

Florida Theatres BIdg. The new locale for ÔMPIS back from the Dallas convention 

with raves about the wonderful 

all is centered about Regency Square, midway 

between this city and its beach resorts, 

a move pioneered in 1968 by ABC EST 

time they had. Adding to the good times 

was the election of our Anna Power as international 

when the company built its flagship Regency 

vice-president. Congratulations, 

Theatre . . . Also important news from War- 

Anna, we know you will do a good job, 

just as you did when you were our president! 

New Orleans also won the Lee Nickolaus 

Creativity Yearbook Award for the 

second year. Thanks to Agnes Garcia, who 

did all the art work and arranging. Anna 

Clare Leggett. president, was thrilled over 

the lovely BIG orchid corsage the New 

Orleans girls attending the convention sent 

In the industry service department, the 

current WOMPI project is to assist the 

. 

Ladies of Variety with their Las Vegas 

Night . . Blanche Gubler, Corrinne Foret 

and Corrine's sister Amelia Webre, community 

service, visited Hickory Heights 

Nursing Home with refreshments and entertainment 

for 200 people. 

Travelling WOMPIS—Bernice Chauvin 

visiting her daughter in Colorado; Anna 

Power enjoying her vacation in California; 

Irene and Joe Mexic spending a few days 

in Disney World. 

Judy Hanmer, a former New Orleans 

WOMPI, is recuperating at home after major 

surgery. She would love to hear from 

her old friends. Her address is 600 West 

Superior St.. Apt. 406, Duluth. Minn. 

55802. 

Birthday greetings to October WOMPIS 

Blanche Gubler, Betty Browne, Patricia 

Guillot. Bernice Chauvin, Georgette Leto, 

Lee Nickolaus, Joan Bode, Agnes Schindler 

and Dawn Wise. 

Welcome to new WOMPI member Marlene 

Cook. Marlene is the payroll clerk at 

Gulf States Theatres. 

Paramount Pictures tradescreened Agatha 

Christie's "Death on the Nile" September 

21. Sneaked September 22 was Cheech 

and Chong in Paramount Pictures' "Up in 

Smoke" at the Westside Theatre, Gentilly 

Woods Cinema. Joy's Panorama and Joy's 

Cinema City. 

LOV held its September meeting at the 

Vista Shores Country Club which also will 

be the site for all future social affairs. All 

money raised by LOV goes to Children's 

Hospital and a tour of the hospital and a 

party for the children is being planned for 

the near future. Rose Dobbs. LOV treasurer, 

is leaving to return to San Francisco 

with her husband John, who is leaving 

for a new position there. They both will be 

missed as they have served Variety well 

during their five years' stay here. Rose was 

honored at the September luncheon and 

bingo. 

Cooper Is Named Manager 

Of the Year in Raleigh 

RALEIGH. N.C.—Doug Cooper, manager 

of the Cardinal Twin theatres, was 

named Manager of the Year September 12 

by the North Hills Merchants Ass'n during 

the a.ssociation's 16th annual awards banquet. 

About 200 people attended the affair at 

the North Ridge Country Club. 

"They (the Cardinal Twin) had a dynamite 

year this year," said Robert V. Hughes, 

head of the shopping center division of 

North Hills, Inc. 

The theatre was changed from a single 

to a twin movie house this year. 

The award was based on the theatre's 

business gains, manager's attitude and effective 

advertising. 

"They do a lot of advertising, they bring 

a lot of people to the shopping center. Doug 

is 

cooperative and aggressive." Hughes said. 

SE-4 BOXOFTICE :: October 1978

. . Bob 

HOUSTON 

ârio Moreno, better known on the screen 

as Cantinflas. was the guest of Al and 

Rose Mary Zarzana here. Cantinflas was 

brought to Houston from San Antonio 

where the Mexican film star was grand 

marshal I of the Diez y Sies parade. The 

comedian flew back to his home in Mexico 

but had a seven-hour wait due to the strike 

problems in that country . . . Hollywood 

film star Elliott Gould was a recent visitor 

here . Cummings is the latest film 

star to appear on stage in Houston. He currently 

is appearing in "Fun and Games" at 

the Windmill Dinner Theatre. 

Curiously, only in the final shot of "And 

Now My Love" do the lovers actually meet. 

In one sense, all of Claude Leiouch's 1974 

historical romance is a colossal flashback 

leading toward one brief scene in the present 

tense: Andre Dussolier and Marthe Keller 

arc seated next to one another on a 

plane and it is love at first sight. The bulk 

of this singular movie is a kind of romantic 

"Roots," giving us case histories of these 

two before their meeting . . . and their 

parents' . . . and their grandparents,' all 

the way back to World War I. Not surprisingly, 

that kind of scope makes for a 

decidely busy and demanding movie, one 

that encompasses several genres, moods and 

styles. The film made a brief appearance 

here in December, getting steam-rollered 

beneath the Christmas "blockbusters." It's 

back at the Woodlake III now that things 

have calmed down and was the critic's 

choice of Eric Gerber of the Houston Post. 

The Looscan Branch Library and the 

Heights Branch Library held special showings 

of films for the youngsters on a recent 

Saturday. "Cricket in Times Square" and 

"Most Marvelous Cat" were screened at 

Looscan while "Paddington Marches On" 

and "Paddington Helps Out" were shown at 

Heights. 

New film titles here and films returning 

for additional playing time included "Secrets," 

"And Now My Love," "Oily Oily 

Oxen Free," "Terror of Godzilla," the 

double-bill of "Song Remains the Same, 

Janis" and "Gimme Shelter." "Derzu Uzala" 

with "Dodes Ka-den," "Avalanche," 

"Bread and Chocolate," "The Far Shore," 

"Interiors." "Citizen Kane" together with 

"F for Fake." "Sleuth" with "The Magus" 

and the double-bill of "Children of Theatre 

Street" and Prokodiev's "Romeo and Juliet." 

Special film showings at the Rice Media 

Center included "M," "College," "The Gold 

Rush." "Seconds," "Singin' in the Rain," 

"Duel." "Coonskin" as a midnight show, 

"Old Yeller," "The Duellist," ^"Treasure 

Island" and "Voyage to the Grand Tartaric" 

... At the Museum of Fine Arts 

films included "Justine," "The Damned." 

"Night of the Hunter" and "Accident." all 

screened in Brown Auditorium. 

Star Olivia Hussey, Lavish Costumes 

Highlight 'Death on the Nile Premiere 

SAN ANTONIO—Ask Bette 

Davis what 

she thinks of the exquisite, lavish look of 

the "Death on the Nile" costumes, and she 

enters into the kind of rhapsodic tribute to 

the designer that comes rarely from such a 

lady. "Anthony Powell is a genius," she declares. 

"A genius." 

To design the costumes for its newest 

release, "Death on the Nile," an Agatha 

Christie mystery with intricate twists of 

plot. Paramount Pictures selected designer 

Anthony Powell. 

San Antonians had a rare opportunity to 

see some of the actual costumes from the 

film as part of the premiere activities for 

the film, sponsored by Joske's and the San 

Antonio Light. 

Thursday evening. September 28, film 

star Olivia Hussey was guest of honor when 

the film had its premiere at the Northwest 

Six here. The audience included 300 ticket 

winners who entered a contest sponsored by 

Joske's and the Light, and for this select 

audience Ms. Hussey shared her experiences 

during the film and commented on 

the eight costumes which were modeled. 

Acting as master of ceremonies was Jack 

Newman, public relations director for the 

Light. Conducting the interview with Ms. 

Hussey was Light film critic Bob Polunsky. 

The film's all-star cast includes, in addition 

to Ms. Hussey and Ms. Davis, Peter 

Ustinov, David Niven, Maggie Smith, 

George Kennedy, Mia Farrow and Angela 

Lansbury. 

Ms. Davis is dressed in fashion as early 

as 1917 at some points for her character of 

Mrs. Van Schuyler, a Washington socialite. 

One gold evening dress, which was modeled 

on premiere night, was created with lace 

made of genuine gold thread. Dating from 

the World War I period, the original gold 

joi///f// 

^^ 1702 Rusk 

Houston, T£ 

YOUR 

Bob Mortensen 

Dan Waggoner 

SALE! 

lace dress was re-embroidered with beads 

and sequins and lined with flesh-colored 

pure silk satin, both from the period. 

Angela Lansbury plays a particularly florid 

character. Salome Otterbourne, a romantic 

novelist with an extravagant imagination. 

Her costumes all exhibit an outrageous 

romanticism, such as the beaded cream 

cloak and cream silk pleated dress, with a 

deep brimmed straw hat. Shown with it was 

Olivia Hussey's orange voile dress and petticoat, 

accessoried with an orange bead 

necklace. 

The richest girl in the world—Linnet 

Ridgeway, played by beautiful American 

actress Lois Chiles—is given a streamlined 

look signifying restrained taste along with 

evident wealth. 

In addition to the premiere Thursday of 

the newest Christie mystery, Joske's and the 

Light sponsored a week long "Agatha Christie 

Film Festival," with a different vintage 

film shown nightly in the restaurant at 

Joske's North Star Mall. 

"Death on the Nile" opened the next day 

at the Northwest Six and the eight original 

costumes were displayed Friday and Saturday 

at Joske's North Star Mall store. 

Dubovoy Named Sundance 

Marketing Vice-President 

DALLAS—Mark Dubovoy has joined 

Sundance Productions, Inc., as vice-president 

for marketing and operations, it was 

announced. Dubovoy formerly was with 

Texas Instruments where he concentrated 

on research and development for the technical 

staff. He also was manager of international 

marketing and deputy strategy 

manager for Air Traffic Control Products. 

At Sundance Dubovoy will be focusing 

on new technological developments as well 

as on the day-to-day operations of the company. 

Sundance also announced that Alton 

Cagle has been promoted to vice-president 

in charge of production services. Also joining 

the company were unit manager Jake 

Jacobie and producer-director Henry 

Brown. 

Roy Scheider will star 

"All That Jazz." 

Bob 

Fosse's

DALLAS 

âstj' Italian food, Mexican music and good 

friends were the ingredients which 

made the WOMPI luncheon September 20 

a success. Dorothy Barbosa, LaVerne Gordon 

and Mary Lou Sutton of ABC Interstate 

Theatres are to be complimented on 

the food and arrangements. Dorothy, chairman 

of the program, was beautifully dressed 

in a Spanish costume and served pecan 

pralines she made using WOMPI pecans 

and the recipe from the WOMPI cookbook. 

Juan Alvarado and his wife entertained 

the gathering which was held at 

Femando"s Mexican Restaurant. Club 

members took advantage of the opportunity 

to sell tote bags, cookbooks, rain hats and 

WOMPI souvenir rock paperweights. They 

had their hands in their purses about as 

often as they did to their mouths, making 

for a fun-filled and nourishing hour of fimdraising. 

Fran Jenkins is a new member of 

WOMPI and the luncheon meeting was her 

first. She and her husband operate the Twin 

and Seymour drive-ins in Wichita Falls for 

Martin Theatres. 

C.E. Davidson, former office manager at 

20th Century-Fox. is in Presbyterian Hospital 

here, having suffered a stroke. We suggest 

sending cards to him at 8200 Walnut 

Hill Lane, Dallas 75230. It would be helpful 

to use his home address. 1315 South 

Marsalis. Dallas 75216 as the return address. 

This would help to get the card to 

him more quickly should he be released 

before it reaches the hospital. 

Shirley Hobbs, secretary to Southern division 

manager Bill Williams of 20fh-Fox, 

also is in the hospital having undergone 

surgery. She is expected to be released soon. 

Her address is 712 Purnell, Lewisville 

75067. 

Vernon Watkins has moved his booking 

office to his home at 1000 West Spring 

Valley Rd., Apt. 136, Richardson 75080. 

His phone is 235-4218 ... Jo Nelle Bain, 

secretary in the publicity department at 

American International Pictures, is vacationing 

in Italy touring several cities before 

returning to a full fall schedule. 

Our sympathy is extended to Verlin Osborne, 

branch and division secretary at 

Paramount for many years, whose mother 

died Friday, September 22 at age 93. The 

elder lady had been in St. Paul Hospital for 

some time. 

. . . Robert Edwards, 

Fred Munsell's Texas Theatre in Jasper 

burned to the ground September 12. The 

cause is unknown 

regional accounting manager for Universal, 

spent the week of September 11-15 in Des 

Moines working with the office there. 

Other recent deaths include Henry Smith, 

brother of Lillian Umphress of the Universal 

exchange here, and Jay Moore, father 

of Kathy Christian of Martin Theatres. Our 

sincere condolences go to 

"Go Modern...For All Your Theatre Needs" 

the survivors. 

A welcome back to United Artists Theatres 

is extended to Carrol Watley . . . We 

learned only the other day that Hal Moore, 

retired National Theatre Supply veteran of 

40 years, has been in the hospital for surgery. 

Cards from his many friends in the 

industry would do much to brighten his 

days at his home at 3808 Rockford, Dallas 

75211. 

Mall Merchants Show Free 

Films to Boost Business 

From North Central Edition 

GRAND ISLAND, NEB.—Since September 

5 Conestoga Mall merchants here 

have been providing free films at 10 a.m. 

Tuesdays. The reason, they announced in a 

recent issue of the Heartland Advertiser, 

was to say "thank you" to their customers. 

%^„/l/io€l&tn ' 

^ 

SALES & SERVICE. fNC. 

-Go MoJtrm . . . Equipmail, Supflia & Strrkt" 

2200 YOUNG STREET • DALLAS, TEXAS, 75201 • TELEPHONE 747-3191 

Loews Theatres Will Build 

2,800-Seater in N. Dallas 

DALLAS—Loews Theatres, the oldest 

movie theatre circuit in the U.S., will build 

a 2.800-seat multiplex theatre in far North 

Dallas, Don Baker, Loews vice-president in 

charge of advertising, announced recently. 

The theatre, which is scheduled to open 

around Christmas 1979, will be located at 

the corner of Beltline Road and Forest 

Bluff, directly across from Prestonwood 

Mall, which at 1,000,000 square feet, is the 

largest regional mall in the Southwest, 

Although Baker said the total seating 

would be 2,800, he said Loews had not 

decided how many auditoriums will be constructed. 

The theatre will be part of an office 

complex that will also include restaurants 

and racquetball courts. 

Loews made its first appearance in North 

Dallas last Christmas with the Loews Quad 

Park Central. It has become one of the most 

prominent theatres in the city, establishing 

boxoffice records with showings of "Grease" 

and "Saturday Night Fever." 

UA Theatre Circuit Plans 

Three June 79 Openings 

DALLAS—The United Artists Theatre 

Circuit will open four theatres in Texas 

June 1. 1979. it has been announced. Jerry 

Brand, film buyer for UA Theatres, has 

sent out requests for negotiations and bids 

to all 

film companies and film delivery services. 

The UA Movies 4 in Sherman will have 

a seating capacity of 1,400. The UA Cinema 

4. in Denton, located in the new Simon 

Mall among 120 stores, also will have 1,400 

seats. 

The UA Permian Cinema 4 in Odessa, 

in West Texas, will contain 1,250 seats. It 

will be located in the Permian Mall which 

will 

have 125 retail outlets. 

1IV-13'//-14"d, 

16"-I6'/2"d,ameti 

E 

Fish Film is Back in Texas; 

Sequel to Shoot in Brazil 

SAN ANTONIO—"Watch out for your 

children. 'Piranha" is coming back to Texas," 

warned Mike Ullmann writing in the .San 

Antonio News. His story is reprinted, in 

part, below. 

Filmed largely in San Marcos, the new 

"mini-'Jaws' " features hundreds of the 

fish. It greedy, flesh-eating started September 

29 in several San Antonio theatres. 

The News ran an exclusive report last 

spring when the movie crews were at San 

Marcos' Aquerena Springs. During one 

scene a television news crew reports: "Terror, 

horror, death at Aquarena Springs. 

Film at eleven." 

Dozens of Texas actors and extras arc 

featured in "Piranha." And a few even 

make it to the end of the film. Many are 

gobbled up spectacularly as the cannibal 

fish swim down the Guadalupe River, devouring 

bathers and resorts along the way. 

The plot deals with a secret military plan 

to breed indestructible piranhas to attack 

enemy camps. But the vicious fish are accidentally 

released into a river full of swimmers 

and lined with developments and resorts. 

If you like toothy fish and lots of blood, 

there's more where this one came from. A 

big budget piranha movie is in the making. 

The title's not certain yet, but it may be 

called "Naked Sun" or "Greed." This epic 

should be hitting the screen just about the 

time you thought it was safe to go back in 

the 

water. 

Big-name stars include Lee Majors, Margaux 

Hemingway, Marisa Berenson and 

Karen Black. In this one a gang of jewel 

thieves hide their loot at the bottom of a 

Brazilian lake. But when they come to get 

it, they discover the lake has been taken 

over by piranhas. 

The movie supposedly was difficult to 

film, partly because the piranhas ate their 

plastic 

shipping containers. 

By the time filming was ready to start. 

the piranhas were eating each other. 

"Mousepacks," an original screenplay, 

was written by Charlie Haas and Tim Hunter. 

NATIONAL 

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TEXAS THEATRE TWINS—The Apache Theatre in Ft. Stockton, Tex.. 

The new 

recently underwent extensive remodeling and has opened a second .screen. 

auditorium seats 175 and an acoustic material surrounds the addition which contains 

Griggs chairs. Walter Brice, Apache managing partner, said the new screen 

was made possible when two busines.ses moved out of the Apache Plaza where the 

theatre is located. Pictured above are (left) the remodeled foyer which houses an 

antique marble table on which large plants live and (right) the facade of the Ft. 

Stockton cinema. Noret Theatres will continue to book for the Apache, according 

to Brice. 

Filmmaking in Florida Is 

'Picking up All the Time' 

From Southeastern 

Edition 

JACKSONVILLE—The possible upsurge 

movie-making down Florida way received 

in 

some intensive study from Stan Franklin, 

local Florida Times-Union entertainment 

writer, as he questioned Ben Harris, administrator 

of the State of Florida's motion 

picture-television office in the state Department 

of Commerce at Tallahassee. 

Harris pointed out to Stan: "In California 

it costs an arm and a leg to film a 

picture. It could cost $500 to $600 a day 

just for permission to shoot in a park 

there. In Florida the cost is $25 day a 

and that's often waived if the scene is 

beneficial to the state's park system." A 

"beneficial" scene is 

one which makes viewers 

want to come to Florida on vacation, 

Harris pointed with pride several pictures 

made or partially filmed in Florida 

during the past couple of years. His list 

included "Black Sunday," "Joe Panther." 

"The Norseman," "Jaws II," "Airport '77," 

"Semi-Tough" and "The Champ." He added 

that Florida's moviemaking business is 

picking up all the time. 

"We are basically just trying to cut 

through the red tape on the state government 

level," said Harris. 

Theatre Mgr. Guy C. Moses 

Dies in Spring, Tex. at 79 

SPRING, TEX.—Guy C. Moses, former 

manager of the Grand Theatre in Ft. Stockton, 

died recently. He was 79. 

Born in Dime Box, Tex., and educated 

the Southwestern University in George- 

at 

town, Moses started working for the late 

Oskar Korn in 1922 and remained with the 

Grand after it was sold to Frontier Theatres. 

He retired in 1968. 

While operating the theatre he was mayor 

of Ft. Stockton in 1946 and 1947. He 

was a resident of that town for 48 years, 

but recently moved here for health reasons. 

Survivors include his wife Ouida, one 

daughter and two grandchildren. 

ATTENTION ALL WOMPI 

It was such a pleasure meeting the WOMPI members at the convention. 

It was an enlightening experience to see such a gracious 

group of WOMPI and CO-WOMPI enjoying our "Hospitality Suite" 

with such relaxed dignity. 

The true warmth of friendship of people so dedicated to the service 

of our community and our industry was most heart-warming. It 

was a joy to have you as our guests. 

Bermie Lynch 

GRIMES FILM BOOKING 

500 So. Ervay, Suite 603-B 

Dallas, Tx. 75201 

BOXOFFICE :: October 2, 1978 

SW-3

. . The 

SAN ANTONIO 

^he reopening of the 

Majestic Theatre will 

feature a star-studded show headlined 

by Arthur Godfrey. Alvino Rey. Henny 

Youngman and the King Family. Scheduling 

problems prevented Milton Berle. who 

was originally announced as the opening 

attraction, from being present. The new 

lineup of stars was announced by Tommy 

Reynolds. Theatre Street Productions, Inc., 

is producing and operating the shows in the 

Majestic Music Hall. The opening night 

festivities will include a reception and music 

starting at 6 p.m. Friday (6). Music will be 

by Mackie King and the Majestic King 

Trio. A new marquee and drive-up entrance 

has been built on the College Street side of 

the theatre. 

Mrs. Margie Overstreet, cashier at the 

new Laurel Theatre, took a week's vacation 

in Houston to visit with her children and 

grandchildren . . . "For Pete's Sake!", a 

Billy Graham film which reportedly has 

been seen by more than 3.000.000 people, 

was shown Sunday (1) at the Allena Baptist 

Church. According to James R. Barnett, 

pastor, the film is "unique in its capacity 

to reach out to meet the problems of 

people." The showing was free and open to 

the downtown Texas and the Atec 3. 

The New Laurel Theatre is sponsoring 

extra midnight shows of the current attraction 

"Revenge of the Pink Panther" on 

Friday (6) and Saturday (7) with a special 

admission price of $1 for all seats. Regular 

admission for the showings is $1.50. 

The University of San Antonio student 

representative assembly will sponsor five 

free showings of "Viva Zapata" in Room 

2.01.10 of the humanities-business building. 

It is among several free movies which 

the group will sponsor on campus this 

semester as part of its fall film series. 

Remaining films in the series are "Wizards," 

"Race With the Devil." "The Three 

Musketeers," "Executive Action" and "Silver 

Streak." 

The Westfall Branch Library has scheduled 

a program of Saturday films for adults 

and young adults at 1 1 a.m. The opening 

program September 23 featured two mystery 

films, "The Rocking Horse Mystery," 

a film based on a short story by D.H. 

Lawrence, and "Blaze of Glory," a Sir 

Arthur Conan Doyle story which has Sherlock 

Holmes working on a murder case on 

the eve of a great horse race. The programs 

are free and open to the public . . . "If I 

Should Die." a 46-minute film, was presented 

by Riverside Baptist Church Sunday 

(I). The public was invited to view this 

film which purports to reveal how "no one 

is immune from the sting of death—its grief 

or sorrow," yet through "personal testimony" 

the film claims to share "a living 

hope for man—to face not only death itself, 

but also the loss of loved ones." 

The San Antonio Film Society will present 

King Vidor's "Street Scene" Tuesday 

(3). Other films to be sponsored during 

the current month are "The Bitter Tears of 

the public. 

Petra von Kant" Tuesday (10), "Blood of 

the Condor" Tuesday (17), "The Apple 

Entertainment, Inc., an advertising agency 

War" Tuesday (24) and "Let Joy Reign 

and subsidiary of Santikos Theatres, has Supreme" Tuesday (31). 

announced the promotion of Linda Rios to 

program director at the CBS affiliate. Also 

promoted was Debra Vrba, who was named 

Burt Reynolds is being seen in "Hooper" 

the Northwest Six and Century South Six 

at 

director of advertising for Santikos Theatres 

replacing Ms. Rios . . . The downtown UA Movies 4 . . . Clint Eastwood also is 

and in "Man Eater" at the Mission and 

Empire Theatre has been closed. It is located 

being seen on local screens. He is at the 

around the corner from the Majestic 

Theatre in the center of the city and near 

Century South 6 and Town Twin Outdoor 

in "The Gauntlet" and "The Enforcer" and 

at the San Pedro Triple Screen Outdoor in 

"The Enforcer." 

Among the films bowing here and films 

returning for additional playing time are the 

double-bill of "The Turning Point" and 

"Julia," "Oily Oily Oxen Free," the doublebill 

of "Mother, Jugs and Speed" and "The 

Duchess and the Dirtwater Fox," "Avalanche," 

"The Terror of Godzilla," "Slithis," 

"Somebody Killed Her Husband," 

"Born Again" and "THX 1138" together 

with "Slaughterhouse-Five." 

OKLAHOMA CITY 

])ave Hudgens, New World Pictures salesman, 

and his wife Carol are proud to 

announce the arrival of daughter Jennifer 

Elaine . new manager of the Continental 

Theatre is Francine Shed. She is 

new to this business and we wish her much 

success. 

Because of the two big fairs in Oklahoma 

recently, there were very few new pictures 

in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Traditionally, 

the fairs take a big cut in the amusement 

dollar in both cities. 

Attending the Dallas Variety Club golf 

tournament from this area were Jim Buckalew. 

Frank McCabe, Weegee McCabe and 

Audie Adwell from Video Independent 

Theatres; John Wilkinson of the Westwood 

Theatre; Athel Boyter of Boyter Booking 

Service, and Jerry Malone, United Artists 

sales manager. John Ashley and Marge Snyder 

of Snyder-Ashley Theatres in Tulsa also 

attended. They report a fine time was had 

by all. 

Dan Wolfenbarger of the Evelyn Twin 

Theatre and Prairie Drive-ln in Dumas and 

Woodie Sylvester of the Vesta Theatre and 

40 West Drive-In in Weatherford were in 

to do their film chores. 

Better film grosses will result from some 

nice rains we have experienced all over the 

state recently. Rain enhances future crops 

and good crops mean good money, some 

of which will be spent at movie houses. 

Oklahoma Cinema took out full-page 

ads 

to publicize these upcoming attractions: "Interiors," 

"Death on the Nile," "Somebody 

Killed Her Husband" and "Who Is Killing 

the Great Chefs of Europe?" at the Northpark; 

"The Big Fix" and "Magic" at the 

French Market, and "A Wedding" and 

"Paradise Alley" at the West Park. 

The Forum Twin has leased one screen 

to Movie. Inc., of Albuquerque to show 

some great oldies, according to Ronald E. 

Butler "of the Tulsa World. 

Dean Fox, former exhibitor in Leedey 

and Selling, was in to inquire just where he 

might get back into the business. 

Nationwide 

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SW- BOXOFFICE :: October

. . and 

SlAi K SI EP—The Arthur Murray 

dancers performed the "Grease Hustle" 

in front of the Hollywood Theatre in 

Eau Claire, Wis., before a special Wednesday 

afternoon premiere showing of 

"Grease," starring John Travolta and 

Olivia Newton-John. 

Allan King Presented 

Golden Reel Award 

From Canadian Edition 

TORONTO—Allan Winton King, producer 

of "Who Has Seen the Wind."' winner 

of the Golden Reel Award for 1978, 

was honored September 21 at the St. Lawrence 

Town Hall here by the Canadian 

Motion Picture Distributors Ass'n. 

The Golden Reel Award is presented 

to the producer of the Canadian feature 

film which has achieved the highest level 

of commercial acceptance and having the 

broadest public appeal in the Canadian 

market during the past year. 

Since Astral Films released the film Oct. 

20, 1977, "Who Has Seen the Wind" has, 

to date, grossed over $1,000,000 at the 

boxoffice. For this achievement the directors 

of the CMPDA were delighted to honor 

King, who also directed the film, at a 

champagne luncheon. 

George Heiber, president of the CMPDA. 

made the award presentation to King before 

an assemblage of 300 guests, who joined 

in congratulating the filmmaker and his 

associates. 

"Who Has Seen the Wind," which also 

won the Grand Pri.\ at the 1977 Paris Film 

Festival, is the story of a young boy growing 

up in a small Saskatchewan town during 

the Great Depression. Based on W. O. 

Mitchell's classic novel, the film was shot 

on location in the southwestern region of 

the province of Saskatchewan in the tiny 

community of Areola. Brian Painchaud, 

Gordon Pinsent, Helen Shaver and Charmion 

King starred. 

Previous years' winners of the Golden 

Reel Award were Lawrence Hertzog, for 

"Why Shoot the Teacher?" (1977). and 

Harry Gulkin, for "Lies My Father Told 

Me" (1976). 

Toolin 

Around Location Shooting 

Begins in St. Paul; Gary Busey Stars 

ST. PAUL—The Twin Cities area, where 

the original "Airport" was filmed in part 

and where the forthcoming "Ice Castles" 

locationed last March, again is providing 

the backdrop for a big-screen feature. The 

picture is an independent production titled 

"Foolin' Around" and starring Gary Busey, 

Cloris Leachman, Tony Randall and Eddie 

Albert. Among the Twin Cities locales in 

focus will be St. Paul's fam;d Summit 

Avenue and its Cathedral, and the University 

of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis. 

Filming began here in early September 

and is expected to continue through October, 

according to Art Sarno. the film's publicist. 

The Twin Cities are the setting for the 

film, a present-day romantic comedy about 

an Oklahoma farmhand who hitchhikes to 

the University of Minnesota to study architecture. 

While there, he meets a wealthy 

coed, who is already engaged to be married 

to a stuffy suitor who was selected by 

her mother. The farmhand finally wins the 

coed but only after a wild chase scene involving 

a hang glider, the Cathedral of St. 

Paul and some close timing. 

Features Top Stars 

The film stars Busey. who recently won 

acclaim as the star of "The Buddy Holly 

Story"; Annette O'Toole, who co-starred in 

"One on One"; Randall, known to television 

viewers as Felix Unger in "The Odd 

Couple"; Albert, a Minneapolis native and 

former star of the video series "Green 

Acres" and "Switch," and Ms. Leachman, 

who was a semi-regular on "The Mary 

Tyler Moore Show" and won an Academy 

Award as best supporting actress for "The 

Last Picture Show." 

According to Arnold Kopelson, the film's 

producer, the Cathedral of St. Paul "is one 

of the primary reasons" why the Twin Cities 

were chosen as the movie's site. 

The Twin Cities also offered a fresh 

look for a movie background, according to 

Sarno. In addition, he said the film company 

received "great cooperation" from the 

Twin Cities and state of Minnesota in making 

arrangements for the film to be made 

the Twin Cities. 

in 

Film crews will be shooting more than 

100 Twin Cities sites including the IDS 

Building, the University of Minnesota 

campus, St. Paul's Summit Avenue, the 

Cathedral of St. Paul. St. Anthony Falls, 

the old Hamm's brewery, the Pillsbury mansion, 

a Minnesota Gophers or Vikings game 

and several lakes and parks in the area. 

The film company includes nearly 75 

persons, according to Sarno. but he added 

that "we'll probably hire a couple thousand 

extras during our stay here." The crew is 

shooting six days a week from 7:30 a.m. 

to 6 p.m.. according to Sarno. 

In addition. Kopelson's estimates that the 

Canon Comedy Corp.. the film's producers, 

will spend $3,000,000 of its $5,000,000 

budget in 

the Twin Cities. 

Richard Heffron is the film's director. 

He has directed "Futureworld" and "Outlaw 

Blues." as well as two features for 

"See How She Runs" and "Young 

Joe—The Forgotten Kennedy." 

The original screenplay for "Foolin' 

Around" was written by David Swift, Howard 

Berk and Michael Kane. 

"Foolin' Around" will be a family film, 

according to Sarno, who added that someone 

has described the film as "the romantic 

comedy of the type that the young Gary 

Cooper and Henry Fonda used to do years 

ago." 

Busey, the film star, describes his role as 

"Gary Cooper, Will Rogers and Peter Sellers 

all rolled up into one." 

This isn't Buscy's first visit to the Twin 

Cities. A few years ago, he appeared here 

as drummer "Teddy Jack Eddy" in Leon 

Russell's band. 

Although Sarno said the film company 

has gotten "great cooperation" so far from 

Twin Citians, there was some foolin' around 

of a serious nature during the first week. 

Three men armed with shotguns tied up 

a security guard at a warehouse leased to 

Canon Comedy and stole an undetermined 

amount of props, according to police. Minneapolis 

police are investigating the robbery. 

Chow Mein Delivery Tests 

Courage of 20th-Fox Mgr. 

MINNEAPOLIS—Don Palmquist. 

office 

manager of the 20th Century-Fox branch 

here, phoned ailing buddy Roger Dietz, now 

residing in Grand Rapids, Minn., where he's 

co-owner of the Rialto, Rapids and Pine 

Tree Drive-In theatres. "How's it going?" 

Palmquist asked Dietz, formerly Columbia 

branch manager here. Dietz said his appetite 

was just about nil. 

"Well," Palmquist persisted, "if you had 

an appetite, what would like to cat?" Replied 

Dietz: "I sure miss the chow mein 

from the Nankin Cafe down there." "Okay." 

Palmquist responded. "I'll be there tomorrow 

with that chow mein." 

Palmquist loaded up with six orders of 

chow mein and wonton chips and set out 

for Grand Rapids, 175 miles distant. During 

his drive, a turbulent storm developed 

and swept across his path—but Palmquist 

drove on. 

Checking into a hotel in Grand Rapids 

after the wearing drive. Palmquist was approached 

by a man who said: "Well, we 

both made it! I was right behind you all 

the way . I even pulled over when 

you did back there when the windshield 

wipers couldn't handle the rain. But I'll tell 

you—this is a long way to drive to go to a 

wedding." 

"That's nothing." Palmquist replied evenly. 

"I'm just delivering some orders of chow 

mein!" 

BOXOFFICE :: October NC-1

. . 

Filmrow 

• 

14th 

^, 

" 

M I N N E A P O L I S 

J^r. and Mrs. M. Meschke are the new 

owners of the Sundowner Drive-In 

Theatre. Bowman. N.D. The situation previously 

was owned by Jim Svihovec. Spearfish, 

S.D. visitors: Norm 

. 

Olson of the Park Theatre in Park Rapids 

and Jim Fraser of the Auditorium. Red 

Wing. 

"The Wiz," a road-company presentation, 

was a sell-out hit on the stage of the Orpheum 

Theatre recently. Public response 

to the musical was closely watched smce 

the film version is due in November. That 

response was totally enthusiastic. Also 

scanned was audience composition—and 

to out be 75 per cent white 

that turned 

and 25 per cent black, a mix which m 

this area indicates total acceptance. 

Audrey Hagen, supplementary clerk at 

the Warner Bros, branch here, left on vacation 

September 16. her travels including 

California, where she planned to visit 

relatives, and then a swing back to Reno. 

Nev. 

Gary VViebusch, Columbia brancn salesman, 

returned from a most satisfactory 

to announce that title. 

Paramount's "Up in Smoke." the Cheech 

& Chong film dealing with pot. was given 

the sneak-preview treatment at all Twin 

Cities theatres where it was to play. The 

picture bowed September 29. 

The 10-Hi Drive-In in St. Cloud, part of 

the Ross theatre circuit, was among 

the victims of a severe windstorm that swept 

through the area in mid-September. One 

observer said the drive-in was "demolished." 

Lion's Gate Films tied in with the local 

Donaldson's department store to stage an 

invitational premiere showing of "A Wedding," 

the event held September 28 at the 

Skyway III Theatre here. The picture opened 

the next day. Among its performers are 

some actresses from the Twin Cities area 

—and one of these is Mary Seibel. She's 

the daughter of Ev Seibel. formerly with the 

Minnesota Amusement Co. here and a 

veteran area film business figure. 

Josh Logan Doing Double 

Duty on Promotion Tour 

From Mideastern Edition 

CLEVELAND—Producer Josh Logan 

is in town doing double duty. He is here 

to publicize his new 

Josh Logan 

self, states thai 

^ 

book, "More Stars, 

Real People and Me," 

and he will be the 

speaker at the sixth 

annual luncheon for 

the Woodward Hospital, 

which treats 

psychiatric and alcoholic 

disorders. 

Logan, who has 

been the victim of this 

type of illness himhe 

has been helped by 

hastens to add he cannot 

medication for others. 

lithium but he 

sales swing through South Dakota . . 

Roy Smith, head of Associated Film Distributors, 

recommend tht 

"a good summer—and "That is a job for a doctor." he says. 

calls 

it 

now we're looking forward to a good fall." "There is no business like show business," 

Smith has set a Wednesday (18) saturation 

Logan believes. "I don't 

people 

know about 

are 

break for "Alaskan Wilderness Family." depressives. but half the in it 

blanketing North Dakota. South Dakota manic. The great thing about the industry 

and Minnesota, including the Twin Cities. 

that if you have something to offer, 

Another saturation is set for a second feature 

you are accepted." 

November 3—but Smith wasn't ready He started his career at the beginning 

of 

Design — Sales 

Installation — Service 

the Depression with the University Players 

in New York. "I was sharing an apartment 

with James Stewart and Henry Fonda," 

he said. "We were all struggling for 

work." 

Logan has obtained the rights to a book 

set in Australia titled "Careful, He Might 

Hear You" about two aunts bickering as 

to which of them should bring up a sixyear-old. 

"If I can find the right actress. 

I'd like to produce it." he said. 

At the luncheon, Logan was asked to 

sign a copy of his book for a young person 

considering the theatre as his career. "This 

is what I usually write for people thinking 

of going into the theatre." Logan said: " 'If 

anything tries to stop you from going into 

" 

the theatre—let it!' 

3tvc 

6- eâ sf Xai^^' P.O. Box 16036 

Minneapolis, Minn. 

(612) 920-2910 

55416 

'Hanging' Dangles, Bui 

'House' High in M'polis 

MINNEAPOLIS—The annual •September 

Slump" was in full reign—and the only 

new arrival went right down the tubes. 

"Hanging on a Star" opened on seven 

screens ... and was left hanging with a 

mere 50. The summer holdovers gradually 

were running out of gas, but bucking the 

trend were the leggy "Heaven Can Wait." 

still an angelic 315 in a 12th flight at the 

Park Theatre, and "National Lampoon's 

Animal House." surprising all local screen 

observers by continuing to clobber all rivals 

with a 425 in a sixth scamper at the Skyway 

II. 

(Average !s 100) 

Edina I, Terrace—Revenge ol the Pink Panther 

(UA), 9th wk "" 

- 

^ • 

Edina II—Cat and Mouse (Oua:t't Fi1t,s), 

^^ 

Hopkrnl'skyway I-Fcul Play (P..a), 8.h wk ::::i40 

Movies at Burnsville—Coming Attractions (SH), 

^^ 

Park—Heaven Can Wait (Para), l.:t!. vk 315 

Skyvây II—National Lampoon s Animal House 

Sky"way'ilI-!-Shame of the Jungle (SR), 2nd wk 155 

Southtown—Grease (Para) 

3 theatres—Eyes oi Laura Mars 

wk ^-^- 135 

(Ool), btn wk /o 

4 

110 

theatres-Hooper (WB), 8th wk 

4 theatres-The Inheritance (SR 3rd wk 95 

7 theatres—Hanging on a Star (SR) 5U 

'Rocky Horror' Proves It's 

A Winner in Belmar, N.J. 

From Eastern Edition 

BELMAR, N.J. — "The Rocky Horror 

Picture Show," which proved a midnight 

winner at the Belmar Cinema this summer, 

will continue to show during the fall and 

winter. After 15 weeks of Friday and Saturday 

night showings at midnight and at 2 

a.m., Michael Frankel. owner of the theatre, 

said he will continue the run to see if 

"Rocky Horror" is only a summertime phenomenon 

or if it has enough fans to sustain 

showings during the fall and winter. 

Frankel said it is the biggest cult film 

ever to play at his 300-seat cinema. Many 

nights, he added, the demand for tickets 

was so great that extra late-night performances 

have been added, which has required 

the staff to remain at the theatre until 5 

and 6 a.m. The only real problem the film 

created was the necessity for staffers to mop 

up about 40 pounds of rice and six barrels 

of trash each "Rocky Horror" performance. 

Sound and 

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. . "Comes 

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MILWAUKEE 

mitt.'e chairmen present. Council president 

Eunice Thessin informs Boxoffice: "We reviewed 

and discussed any additional duties 

for each chairman. Our goals are to keep 

ourselves more informed . . . also see and 

publicize the good in movies and TV." 

About 50 council members, upon invitation 

from Warner Bros., showed up for a 

special unreeling of "Girl Friends" at the 

Centre screening room August 31. The 

council also was invited to a prescreening 

at the same facility September 18 to see 

an International Picture Show offering, 

"Billion Dollar Hobo" with Tim Conway 

and Will Geer. It opened September 29 at 

Mill Road, Capitol Court and Westlane. 

First regular meeting of the council's 

1978-79 season is Monday (2) at the Wauwatosa 

Civic Center. Wade Mosby, Journal 

Green Sheet editor and entertainment critic, 

is 

the featured speaker. 

Standard Theatres of Waukesha, having 

opened its new Green Bay Triplex in Green 

Bay August 18, now has under construction 

another house in Beloit. It will be called 

the Prairie Triple.x and located in what 

is 

president Russ Mortenson of Standard describes 

as "a new dynamic area in Beloit." 

The theatre can be enlarged some more if 

conditions warrant this, Russ added. 

A full-page ad in the local daily newspaper 

September 8 announced the "first 

public showing anywhere" of Sylvester Stallone's 

"Paradise Alley." The presentation 

was at the Point Triplex on the city's south 

side. 

"Death on the Nile" is slated to open 

Friday (20) at Spring Mall, Southgate and 

Northtown . a Horseman," 

starring James Caan and Jane Fonda, comes 

to Northridge, Northtown and Fox Bay 

visible. 

Goodsell announced he was pleased with 

the take. In 1973 his documentary "Always 

a New Beginning" was nominated for an 

^^ 

^ 

The merriest 

Christmas trailers 

of them all! 

The Better Films & TV Council of ihc Milwaukee 

Oscar. Greg, his son, also is a Hollywo

. 

. 

Who reads Boxoffice? 

^p/e you know... 

and want to reach 

Key people in Exhibition: 

11,893* theatre owners and managers, circuit 

executives, film buyers and bookers, and 

projectionists 

Key people in Distribution: 

1,227* distributors and sales executives, home office 

managers, bookers and publicity people 

Key people in Equipment: 

507* supply dealers, sales agents and executives 

Key people in Production: 

396* producers, directors, studio executives, 

cameramen, actors and writers 

Key People in the Media: 

208* newspaper, magazine editors and writers and 

radio-TV broadcasters 

Recognize your soles prospect? 

You should because more key 

people in the film industry rely on 

BOXOFFICE for its complete and 

accurate information than any other 

film industry publication with ABC 

audited circulation.* 

Take one small step today toward 

big sales tomorrow^ . . . deliver your 

advertising message to the BOX- 

OFFICE Reader: someone who is 

integral to the film industry , . 

someone who makes the big 

^decisions . . 

lomeone like 

you. 

• Audit Hureau of Cir

— 

90 

2nd 

AHimai nOUSe is Dig 

'Anil1i;)1 Hnil^p' T^ Rirr 

Balloon Launch Celebrates 

^^^^^^ Mouses Birthday 

Winner in Cleveland j^'^^^.' £,1'"'^'',^''' Mouse s 5()th birthday was °"',V^",'V- 

celebrated by 

CLEVELAND — "National Lampoon's 477 kids at the Walter Shade grade school 

Animal House" was way out in front of the in this suburb of Dayton September U) 

pacic, leading with 460 in its 5th week. No when each of them took to the school playother 

film even came near that score, ground to laimch special balloons in Mick- 

"Hooper" and "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts ey's honor. 

Club Band" tied at 145. while "Big Wednes- Each balloon was identified by a card 

day" wiped out with 50 in its opening gjving the child's name and address and 

week. asking the finder to mail the card back 

„ J , or, 

wk 90 

within ten days. A $5 reward was offered 

";''^.^ ''^.'''^j, 

2 theatres—A Difierent Story (Para), 3rd wk 65 

, r- . r ., i . 

to the findcr of the balloon that had trav- 

. , 

2 theatres—Avalanche ::.,•.• World) 

''' 

eled the farthest. 

VteTel-^^riJ,t7ZX''^:j:%^:^ 

The child with the winning 

balloon will be given a Mickey Mouse 

Band (Univ), sth wk 145 

4 theatres—Big Wednesday (WB), 1st wk 50 ^ °. , 

4 theatres— Grease (Para), 13th wk 75 1-snirt. 

nî- tr^ r- x- it Director of 'Spoitans' 

Athens Video Festival Is 

p^ ^ yisit to Cincy 

Set for October 20-21 

CINCINNAXI-Ted Post, director of 

ATHENS. OHIO — Video artists and "Go Tell the Spartans." visited here reproducers 

were invited to submit their works cently to make the rounds of local media 

before Monday (2) for the 1978 Athens as part of Avco Embassy's promotion of 

Video Festival, which will be held at Ohio ih_. fi|m. 

University here Friday (20)-Saturday (21) 

ê made appearances on WKRC-TV's 

The competition was open to all one-halt ..g^,^.^.. program, "The Noon Report" on 

inch (reel to reel) and three-quarter inch wCPO-TV. and on radio over WLYK and 

(cassette) video tapes. All entries must have 

wGUC 

. 

..... ., 

been completed between 1977 and 1978 „ , 

and not have been entered in previous Ath- P^^^' 

^ 

^''^° participated in interviews with 

^'''''''- entertainment editor ot the 

ens competition. 

^'^^^ 

C'nt'.nnati Post, and Roger Grooms, film 

The competition is conducted in the fol- 

^îler tor the Cincinnati Enq uirer, 

lowing categories: video art. video drama, 

documentary and educational video. 

The Golden Athens Award will be pre- 

Honey Display SweetenS 

sented to the best video entry and $1,000 'c„,^-t^' T3-tvvv,jl ;^ r»«^«U^-v, 

in awards also will be made at the discrebwarm 

FrOITlO in UearbOm 

tion of the festival judges and management. DEARBORN. MICH.— In a major pro- 

Only independent video artists were eligible motion for Warner Bros.' "The Swarm," 

for the cash and equipment awards. Bob Goodell of the Movies at Fairlane. 

The festival serves as a showcase for arranged a display of live bees making 

independent video artists and producers, honey in his lobby. The theatre ceiling was 

Entries will be screened on local cable tele- decorated with many bee-shaped kites. Door 

vision the week before the festival and pub- panels also were used, 

licly during the festival. The staff was dressed in beekeepers' coslumes 

and a queen bee costume with wings 

Jonathan Winters will play a dual role in and a stinger was made especially for the 

Lorimar's "The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh." 

promotion. 

Christian Film House 

Begins Experiment 

From Southeastern Edition 

MIAMI — The Manna Movie House, 

which opened September 22 for a two-week 

experiment in the southwest section of town, 

features fare made up entirely of Christian 

films, classics and cartoons, and it 

will be free, according to Mrs. Sue Martin. 

Donations, however, will be welcome. 

Mrs. Martin has said she wants high 

school kids to be able to go to a show 

without violence and sex. She also wants 

to keep them out of bars and off the street 

and desires that they see family-style movies 

at less expense. 

Mrs. Martin and her husband are taking 

on the project as an aid to teenagers 

and young families. If it works it may 

become a permanent Friday and Saturday 

night event. 

The Martins have been considering this 

for many months, not for profit, but for 

the good of the community. The name 

of the theatre is derived from the food 

God provided his people in the wilderness. 

The Martins expect to use projectors from 

their church, the First Baptist church of 

South Miami, and films obtained through 

a friend, a doctor at South Miami Hcspital 

who collects film classics. 

The first movie to be shown was "Beloved 

Enemy," about a space scientist. Also 

on that showing was Laurel and Hardy's 

"Oliver and the Ape." Among other films 

planned to be shown are "Held for Ransom" 

and Jerry Lewis's "Don't Raise the 

Bridge, Lower the River." 

There will be popcorn served in the 

300-s2at auditorium, which some years ago 

was used as the sanctuary of the South 

Miami First Baptist Church. 

We can handle it! 

MOORE THEATRE 

EQUIPMENT CO. 

repoirs" 

213 Delaware Ave. 

P.O. Box 782 

Coll: 

Charleston, W. Va. 

(304) 344-4413 25323 

HADDENZ^ 

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.Golden 

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Sales 

Service 

Serving Michigan and Ohio 

Of samf \ 

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EOyiPMENT CO. 

952 Ottawa, N.W. • Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503 • (616)454-8852 

29525 Ford Road • Garden City, Michigan 48135 • (313) 522-4650 

BOXOFFICE :: October 2, 1978 ME-1

Radiologist Leaves Career Behind 

To Pursue Hypnotic Lure of Films 

From Southeastern Edition 

CHARLOTTE—On a December night in 

1968. a Burlington. N. C radiologist named 

Dr. H. Bennett decided to get in the film 

business as an exhibitor, believing the allure 

of the movies was hypnotic. 

He bought a piece of property in Greensboro. 

N. C. and commissioned a San Francisco 

architect to design an intimate twin 

theatre/ restaurant complex, and booked two 

films for opening night: a Swedish film, the 

lush, delicately-paced "Elvira Madigan" and 

"Yellow Submarine." an animated fantasy 

based on the Beatles song. 

The competition was stiff. He was competing 

against the Carolina's 1,000 seats 

with a pair of 214-seaters and with almost 

no experience with the intricacies of the 

business. 

"We had a pretty tough time of it these 

first few years," he says. "Right from the 

start, when I was trying to finance the 

first Janus twin theatre. I ran into difficulty 

getting credit from the banks. Doctors 

he has built, the Penthouse Screening 

Room, one of the few theatres in the country 

where viewers can drink beer or wine 

(served in the "Espresso Lounge") while the 

silver screen flickers before them. 

"I'd been interested in film—and many 

aspects of art—for a 

long time." he recalls. 

"It was back in the 'GOs, while I was still 

practicing medicine in Burlington, I helped 

URGENT!a 

It is imperative that you contact: 

Total Theatrical 

Service, Inc. 

Fred C. Lentz, President 

135'/2 

North Main Street 

Bowling Green, Ohio, 43402 

(419) 352-1618 or 352-5195 

organize the Cinema Guild." The group 

rented the Star Theatre ("It was a familyfare 

grind movie house in those days") and 

set up a subscription series which became 

part of the Greensboro United Arts Council. 

They showed sophisticated films like 

Renoir's "Grand Illusion" and the series 

sold out. 

Bennett has imported art shows for exhibition 

in the Janus lobby, including a collection 

of Andy Warhol originals, and has 

done things like bringing in a group of 

actors who had performed with Buster 

Keaton in "The General" during a weeklong 

Keaton Festival. He has traveled Europe 

extensively, always keeping his eyes 

peeled for art and curios. 

He believes blind bidding has some 

good aspects. Through this format he has 

already bid on and secured all of his Christmas 

films, many of them still in production. 

How does he make these precarious and 

expensive decisions, with only a written 

description of an unfinished film to bet on? 

"I lead the trade papers—Boxoffice. Va- 

don't have a good track record in business 

dinator will help film companies with such 

ventures, much less one as chancy as opening 

a moviehouse, and especially with no riety, Hollywood Reporter," he says. "In the 

problems as border crossing of equipment 

or in dealing with local officials. 

experience." 

case of 'Star Wars.' I saw some early set 

McCarthy said that within the next six 

But 10 years have passed; the Carohna designs at 20th Century-Fox and they were 

months the film coordinator will have assisted 

major companies with films whose 

has converted its screen into a stage and most impressive. Usually I keep in touch 

Bennett (who stopped practicing radiology with people in Washington and New York, 

budcets total $35 million. 

two years ago) sits talking to a visitor several 

hundred feet from the seventh theatre Steve Smith of Independent Theatres 

and of course th; astute buyer and booker 

Booking 

Service, who has access to virtually all 

the current films on the market plus the 

advantage of attending screenings at Carmel. 

Dr. Bennett stated that although he paid 

an exhorbitant bid on "Star Wars." he recouped 

his cost in a week and a half, and 

from then on everything was gravy. "We do 

not feel the shortage of films as other more 

commercial theatres do." Bennett says. "We 

have more flexibility in using product, more 

variety because we use fewer commercial 

films as well. That's what I want this theatre 

to be." 

Out in the parking lot beside the marquee-covered 

building where Bennett and a 

visitor sat talking, a painted sign bearing a 

picture of the little god Janus is swinging 

in the wind. Those two bearded faces, which 

legend has it are peering into the past and 

future at once, must chuckle sometimes at 

the uncertanity of the movie business, which 

is the secret life of a nation played out in 

dreams. Life is uncertain, he must know, 

and those who make their livelihood on 

dreams deserve its risks and rewards. 

BC Won't Invest in Film 

Business, Says Secretary 

From Canadian Edition 

VICTORIA—The provincial government 

has no intention of investing in the film 

business. Provincial Secretary Grace Mc- 

Carthy said Thursday. 

But she said the province is doing what 

it can to facilitate use of B.C. locations by 

majoi- film companies. 

McCarthy was commenting on speculation 

the province might be thinking of investing 

in a film involving actor Donald 

Sutherland. 

"Our philosophy is that we will create 

the climate but the investments will have 

to come from the private sector," she said. 

McCarthy said the province's film coor- 

BUSLVESS I^ HAWi\II TOO, 

f 

WTicn you come to Waikiki, 




Victory Theatre Ass'n 

Seeks Restoration Bids 

DAYTON. OHIO—Victory Theatre 

Ass'n. a nonprofit group which is restoring 

the historic downtown Victory Theatre, a 

former movie palace, has sought bids for 

the restoring of the auditorium, the repairing 

of the walls and for the building and 

equipping of a concessions facility. 

Tri-State Adds 31 Screens 

CINCINNATI— Phil Borack's Tri-State 

Theatre Service has signed a deal to represent 

31 screens in Indiana for United Artists 

Theatres, including Indianapolis, Lafayette 

and Terre Haute. 

Sound and 


I 

Nationwide — on a ll brands. 


20338 Piogress Di Slrongsville, Ohio 44136 

or 

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(21G) 4S1-7290 or 461-7974 

to order provide yourself with in the 

finest in booking and buying services, 

in lowest prices concession supplies and 

the most original advertising assistance. 

-HELP WANTED- 

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEATRE ENGINEERS 

Join the ttteatre Industry's most dedicated nationwide service team II you tiave a high level ol experience 

and competency with todays sophisticated theatre sound and proiection systems, send us your resume 

tor prompt, conlidential consideration 

AQf^ 

TECHNICAL SERVICES CX>RP0RAT10N 

#mi3^^ P.O. Box 51 50 • Richardson, Texas 75080 • 214-234-3270 

- STAR TREATMENT SERVICE - 

ME-2 

BOXOFFICE :; October 2. 1978

Cancer is often cuiable. 

The fear ofcancer 

is often f^tal. 

Some people are so 

afraid of cancer they won't 

go to the doctor when they 

suspect something's wrong. 

Or even for a routine checkup. 

^-.rî 

They're afraid the doctor 

V 

will "find something'.' 

This fear can prevent them 

^^^ 

from discovering cancer 

in the early stages when it is 

most often curable. 

There are over 

3,000,000 people alive today 

who have had cancer. 

If that surprises you, it shouldn't. 

Cancer is highly curable. 

J L American Cancer Society 

THIS SPACE CBNTRIBUTEn BV THf PUBUSHTR AS A PUBUC SSRVICt 

BOXOFFICE :: October 2, 1978 ME-3

The only handicap to hiring us 

is not knowing where to find us. 

You won't find guys like us selling 

pencils on street corners. We're 

skilled, able-bodied workers. We're 

industrial designers. Salespeople. 

Secretaries. Managers. Accountants. 

Technicians. Blue collar and 

white collar. 

Unfortunately, though, too many 

of us are unemployed. 

And the irony of it is, it's not that 

men and women like yourself don't 

v/ant to hire us. It's simply that you 

don't know how to go about it. 

Every state in this country has a 

Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. 

Its function is not only to 

evaluate a person's disabilities and 

to help him rehabilitate himself. 

But to help place him in a job that 

allows him to fulfill his capabilities. 

If you are interested in tapping 

your state's supply of hard-working, 

capable men and women, write to 

your State Director of Vocational 

Rehabilitation. His office is located 

in your state capital. 

Tell him what kind of business 

you're in. What job openings need 

to be filled. The background, experience 

and skills required. 

He'll be more than happy to put 

you in touch with the right people 

for your company or organization. 

People who will appreciate the opportunity 

to help your company 

grow. Who wrll work to their fullest 

potential. And help your company 

— and our nation — prosper. 

Write: Director, State Department 

of Vocational Reiiabiiitation at your 

state capitol. 

ME-4 BOXOFFICE :: October

— — 

I 

'Animal House' Still 

Top Draw in Beantown 

BOSTON—The boxoffice here is down 

a bit from its abnormal summer highs as 

students are back at the myriad of colleges 

in this city and the tourist invasion has subsided. 

"National Lampoon's Animal House" 

is the consistent winner, guzzling a terrific 

865 at two houses in its seventh week. 

SPRINGFIELD 


Beacon Hill—Bread and Chocolate 

(World-Northa;), 4th -..1: 330 

Charles II—The Inheritance (SR), 1st wk 175 

Charles III—The Buddy Holly Story (Col), 

4th wk 170 

Cheri I—Fairy Tales (SR), Isl wk 170 

Chen II, Circle II—Foul Play (Para), 9th wk 245 

Chen 111, Chestnut Hill II National Lampoon's 

Animal House (Univ). 7th wk 865 

Chestnut Hill 1, Pans—Eyes of Laura Mars (Col), 

7th wk, 260 

Circle I, Cinema 57 11—Grease (Para), 10th wk 230 

Circle III—Heaven Can Wait (Para), 6th wk 100 

Cinema 57 Revenge oi the Pinlc Panther (UA), 

9th wk 185 

Gary—Laser Blast (SR), 1st wk 185 

Orson Welles 1—A Slave oi Love (SR), 3rd wk .300 

Orson Welles II—Madame Rosa (SR), 23rd wk 140 

Orson Welles III—Oulrageousl (SR), 57th wk 120 

Savoy 1—Hooper (WB), 8th wk 170 

Savoy II The Dragon Lives (SR), 4th wk IBS 

Saxon-Who'll Slop the Rain (UA), 2nd wk 220 

'Grease,' "Secrets' and New 'Oz' 

Lead Crowded Field in Hartford 

HARTFORD— It was an unusual "mix'" 

of strong major distribution product holdover, 

plus a whopping seven independent 

releases in regional premiere and a multiple 

scheduling of UniversaKs "Almost 

Summer."" The newcomers included Quartet 

Films" "Cat and Mouse"" which has proven 

its popularity across the country. 

Art Cinema-Desire Within Young Girls (SR), 

Atheneum Cinema—Dear Inspector (Cinema 5),

. . 

"The 

NEW HAVEN 

gob Spodiek of the Sampson & Spodick 

Theatres and Connecticut Ass'n of Theatre 

Owners got back from an enormously 

interesting and informative study of cinemas 

in London. Dorset. Wales and Scotland, 

meeting with leading independent exhibitors, 

some sessions arranged by R.C. Camplin 

(England's Joe Alterman) of the Cinematograph 

Exhibitors' Ass'n and some by 

CATO's own legal counsel. Herman M. 

Levy, the latter an old hand on the British 

cinema scene. Once Bob gets squared away 

with varied and sundry business details, he 

promises to sit down with this Boxoffice 

paragrapher for remarks on Bingo and food 

operations—including full bars—in cinemas. 

David Brown, who operates the Town 

Hall in Theatre Newtown for that downstate 

community, played a rare R attraction—United 

Artists' "Coming Home"— 

with advertising emphasizing, "R—Under 

17 not admitted without parent present at 

boxoffice." Such terminology rarely is spelled 

out, ad-wise, in the region. The Hoffman 

Brothers' Capitol Theatre in Milford has 

used the words. "R—Over 17 please!" 

There are some quarters in exhibition who 

commend the Brown touch. They tell us 

that it's past time for an exhibitor to call 

a spade a spade, rather than adhere to lukewarm 

recognition of the Motion Picture 

Ass'n of America code and simply list R 

without further qualifications. 

The late exhibition pioneer Sylvester Z. 

Poll's legendary domicile, the Villa Rosa, a 

27-room mansion in the Woodmont section 

of Milford. is being restored to its original 

(1912) grandeur by the present owner. Anthony 

Yagovane. Poll's wife. Rosa, was the 

source of the name. Yagovane bought the 

property, which had been subjected to some 

vandalism, in 1976. He gradually is infusing 

the Poll touch through considerable 

time and effort. The basement screening 

room, in which many an industry "name" 

watched films 50 and 60 years ago, was 

long ago converted to a music recording 

studio. The fabled underground passage to 

the boat dock has long been bolted— again 

because of fear of vandalism. At its peak, 

the Poll theatre circuit totaled 18 situations 

in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Loews 

Theatres took over the properties in the 

mid- 1930s. 

The dinner theatre in Higganum. at one 

point operated by former Jerry Lewis Cinemas 

district franchiseman Ray Kavarsky. 

has been taken over by other interests and 

renamed the Camelot Dinner Theatre. 

"Spellbound," United Artists 

Nationwide 

1945 release 

Sound and 


brands. 

on all 


43 Edward J Harl Rd . Liberly Industrial Park. 

Jersey City. 07305 Phone (201) 451-2222 

NE-2 

co-starring Gregory Peck and Ingrid Bergman 

and directed by Alfred Hitchcock, was 

shown as a free attraction at the Chapel 

Library Center here. 

RHODE ISLAND 

rjnited Artists' "Who'll Stop The Rain" 

had its regional bow at the Redstone 

Showcase 6, Seekonk, while S.J. International's 

"The Inheritance" premiered, dayand-date, 

at the SBC Management Corp.'s 

Cinerama 2, in-town Providence, and General 

Cinema Corp.'s Garden City 2 and 

Lincoln Mall 4. American International 

opened "Mean Dog Blues" at the Four Seasons 

4 in East Providence. SBC Castle 2 

in Providence. Elmwood in Providence and 

Seekonk Twin Drive-In. 

The sizable holdover roster included Buena 

Vista's "Hot Land and Cold Feet," 

Quartet Films' "Cat and Mouse," Warner 

Bros.' "Hooper." Universal's "National 

Lampoon's Animal House." United Artists' 

"Revenge of the Pink Panther" plus the 

reprise of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's 

Nest." Paramount's "Grease" plus "Foul 

Play" plus "Heaven Can Wait" and Lone 

Star International's "Secrets." 

Mann Theatres' Warwick Cinema. Warwick 

Plaza, with the reprise of "One Flew 

Over the Cuckoo's Nest," charged $1.50 

1 for p.m. Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 

matinees. 

Buster Bonoff had to schedule an extra 

night's performance to accomodate the 

crush of demands for tickets to see Liberace 

at the Warwick Musical Theatre. Seats 

were scaled at $9.50 to $10.50—somewhat 

above going admissions— for the entire 

booking. And there are some exhibitors in 

the Plantation State asking now just why. 

in light of the enormous turnout for Liberace 

in summer appearances for years in 

Rhode Island. Hollywood has not seen fit 

to cast the veteran "name" in films any- 

Campus cinema: Paramount's recent 

"Looking for Mr. Goodbar" (1977, Diane 

Keaton and Richard Kiley), Columbia's 

"Easy Rider" (1969. Peter Fonda. Dennis 

Hopper and Jack Nicholson) and Warner 

Bros.' more recent "The Goodbye Girl" 

(Richard Dreyfuss and Marsha Mason) 

were screened at the University of Rhode 

Island's Edwards Auditorium. 

Musical headliner Bob Dylan was booked 

into the Providence Civic Center for 

Thursday (7) with tickets scaled at $7. $8.50 

and $10 on a "first-come, first-served" 

basis. 

Charles Petit, vice-president of FitzGerald-Toole, 

Inc., the Providence advertising 

agency, has been elected president of the 

Rhode Island Advertising Club. He succeeds 

Jeff Holmes, vice-president and management 

supervisor. Horton. Church & 

Goff, another Providence agency, who will 

continue as a RIAC director. 

MAINE 

JJew titles spotted on marquees across the 

Pine Tree State: EMC Films' "At Last. 

At Last." Columbia's "The Buddy Holly 

Story" and AIP's "Mean Dog Blues." 

In the holdover bloc were such attractions 

as Universal's "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts 

Club Band." "National Lampoon's Animal 

House" plus the reprise of "Smokey and the 

Bandit," Paramount's "Heaven Can Wait." 

"Grease" and "Foul Play," Warner Bros.' 

"Hooper." United Artists' "Revenge of the 

Pink Panther," Columbia's "Eyes of Laura 

Mars" and others. 

A sizable number of Maine underskyers. 

going along with regional traditions once 

the cooler weather arrived, eliminated performance 

schedules early part of the week 

... The E.M. Loew's Fine Arts Twin, 

in-town Portland, has a new fall policy in 

effect, with 1:30 p.m. matinees only on 

Saturdays and Sundays ... The Bangor 

Twin Drive-In. playing "Smokey and the 

Bandit." advertised: "Sound available thru 

your AM radio only." Screen one featured 

"Mean Dog Blues." 

The touring "Bugs Bunny Follies" troupe 

played the Cumberland County Civic Center. 

Portland, and the Bangor Auditorium, 

with tickets scaled at $4 and $5. A tieup 

with all Kentucky Fried Chicken fast-food 

outlets across the state provided free $1 

discount off any seat for any child aged 

1 2 and under for any reserved performance. 

Talking to the Maine press, veteran thespian 

Fred MacMurray recalled that he starred 

in seven motion pictures at Walt Disney 

Studios—six before Disney died. "It was a 

wonderful place to work." MacMurray 

mused. "He (Walt Disney) ran a very wonderful 

ship, and the food was good!" 

Bob Hope was slotted for September 28 

at the Bangor Civic Center. It marked his 

first appearance in that city . . . 

Best-selling 

novelist Stephen King (his literary output 

has included "Carrie." which was filmed 

for United Artists release) is back at his 

alma mater, the University of Maine, to 

teach creative writing. He is a 1970 alumnus, 

U-M, Orono campus Little 

. 

Fo.xcs." RKO 1941 release co-starring Bette 

Davis. Herbert Marshall and Teresa Wright, 

was screened at the Hancock County Auditorium 

in Ellsworth. Warner Bros.' "A 

Clockwork Orange." 1971 release with Malcolm 

DcDowell and Patrick Magee. was 

shown at the U-M, Presque Isle campus. 

Richard Welch, projectionist at the Strand 

Theatre in Rockland, had a busy three weeks 

in August directing traffic as a special police 

officer with the local department. Dick 

was stationed at two of the city's busiest 

intersections. He recently resigned as a 

school-crossing guide, a part-time position 

he had held for 18 years Incidentally, 

. . . 

he and his wife Cora recently celebrated 

their 41st wedding anniversary. 

BOXOFFICE :; October 2. 1978

— 

. , Half 

Columbia Pictures' Fine 

Is Quadrupled to $5,000 

From Canadian EAtion 

TORONTO—The fine imposed on Columbia 

Pictures last year for using its influence 

to raise the price of matinee movie 

tickets at an independently owned Scarborough 

theatre has been quadrupled. 

The Ontario Court of Appeal gave no 

reason for its decision this week to increase 

to $5,000 the $1,250 penalty levied last 

year by a judge of the Provincial Court. 

The Crown had launched its appeal 

against the initial sentence on the grounds 

that Provincial Court Judge C. J. Cannon 

"did not give sufficient consideration to the 

aspect of deterrence." 

Columbia Pictures Industries, one of 

Canada's major film distributors, pleaded 

guilty in June, 1977, to a charge of pricefixing 

under the federal Combines Investigation 

Act. 

'Jack and the Beanstalk' 

In March, 1976, Bijou Cinemas, an independent 

movie house which normally did 

not show first-run films, obtained "Jack 

and the Beanstalk," a new release being distributed 

by Columbia to Odeon theatres in 

time for the spring school break. 

Federal prosecutor Roger Leclaire told 

the Provincial Court that the Bijou ticket 

prices were initially set at $3.25 for adults 

and $1 for children, but when sales were 

slow theatre management dropped the adult 

matinee price to $1. 

Odeon management then received a complaint 

from a patron for charging $3.50 

admission to see a film that could be viewed 

at the unaffiliated Bijou Theatre in the 

Morningside Shopping Centre for only $1, 

the Crown counsel said. 

prices should be more uniform," the court 

was told. 

After the booking agent spoke to Charles 

Knapp, the owner of the theatre, the matinee 

prices at the independent theatre (now 

closed) were raised back to the normal 

$3.25 from $1. 

Pressure to Comply 

"Knapp felt that if he didn't comply he 

would no longer be supplied with films by 

Columbia or would receive only second or 

third-run films," the Crown lawyer said. 

A federal investigation into the case revealed 

a letter in Columbia's files which 

Harnick had written to another company 

official, deploring the "lack of cooperation" 

from independent theatres that was "causing 

us nothing but untold grief." 

Harnick wrote: "I am not saying what 

the price should be but certainly it should 

he standardized and anybody who doesn't 

want to fall 

into that category can drop out." 

NEW BEDFORD 

Jêw Bedford's special fondness for one 

Continuing attractions on southeastern 

particular Warner Bros, release 

Massachusetts screens included Paramount's 

1956's "Moby Dick," starring Gregory Peck 

"Grease" plus "Foul Play." Universal's 

and directed by John Huston—was renewed 

"National Lampoon's Animal House" plus 

with a benefit showing, at the Lockwoodreprise 

of "Smokey and the Bandit." Co- 

Friedman Twin Cinemas. Tickets were 

priced at $12.50. with proceeds going to 

help along the $1,500,000 Whaling Museum 

library campaign. The film's initial setting 

and world premiere was in the Whaling 

City—hence, the continuing interest. The 

global press attended several days of activities, 

with leading man Peck himself very 

much visible in a plenitude of events. 

Melvin Simon & Associates, 

whose president, 

Mel Simon, is increasingly investing 

in motion picture projects, announced plans 

for a shopping center to the west of the 

North Dartmouth Mall. The latter facility 

is site of General Cinema Corp.'s North 

Dartmouth Mall Cinemas 4, running firstrun 

in metropolitan New Bedford. 

Earl J. Dias, arts critic for the Standard- 

Times, enthused about Paramount's 

"Grease" in a recent column: "One of the 

advertisements for 'Grease,' the musical 

film starring John Travolta and Olivia 

Newton-John, which has been playing at 

area theatres for many weeks, notes. "It 

gets better every time you see it.' In seeming 

support of this hyperbolic claim, a 

young woman speaking on one of the local 

radio talk shows recently confessed to having 

seen 'Grease' 1 1 times. I stand in awe 

not only of her single-minded dedication 

but also of her stamina." 

"Captains Courageous," MGM 1937 release 

with Spencer Tracy, Lionel Barrymore 

and still very-much-alive Freddie Bartholomew, 

was shown as a free attraction on a 

The complaint got back to Columbia and 

Harvey Harnick, the company's general 

manager, called Bijou's booking agent and recent Monday evening at the suburban 

told him "to rectify the situation Westport 

so that 

Free Public Library . . . Another 

he would not receive similar complaints." 

area free film was "Feet First," Paramount 

1930 release starring the late Harold Lloyd, 

Harnick said that when independent theatres 

were showing the same first-run movies 

shown at 2 p.m. on a Tuesday and again at 

6:30 p.m. the following Thursday at the 

being played at Odeon cinemas, "admission 

New Bedford Free Public Library. 

Area openings included AIP's "Mean 

Dog Bkies" and state's rights X release 

"Maraschino Cherry." 

¥r>^^^. 

^ 

^/ 

lumbia's "The Buddy Holly Story," Carnaval/New 

Yorker Films' "Dona Flor and 

Her Two Husbands," Cinema Shares' "Seniors," 

United Artists' "Revenge of the Pink 

Panther" and Warner Bros.' "Hooper." 

Reprise scheduling of United Artists' 

"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" in 

the area was preced:d by large-scale teaser 

advertising . . . The Westport Drive-In has 

a new solid-state sound system . a 

dozen cinemas, with "Smokey and the Bandit," 

advertised: "Wall-to-wall entertainment! 

Even better the second time 'round!" 

in large-scale, co-operative ads. 

Providence Adult Theatres 

Raided by Ever-Alert Police 

PROVIDENCE—The two X-rated showcases 

in Rhode Island's capital city were 

raided by police at Boxoffice press-time, 

with two film prints seized at one cinema 

and the owner of each showplace arrested 

for alleged violations of the new state obscenity 

laws. Jon Sarkis Berberian, 47, owner 

of the Columbus Theatre at 270 Broadway, 

and Stanley Lemenski, also 47, owner 

of the Paris Cinema at 291 Weybosset St., 

were arraigned in District Court and released 

on personal recognizance. 

Unlike an earlier state police raid at the 

Rustic Drive-In, North Smithfield, the developments 

at the intown cinemas were 

"low key," according to Sgt. Ronald J. Urso 

of the Providence police intelligence bureau. 

Urso added that he and detective Alfred 

Hamel had obtained search warrants signed 

by District Court Judge Robert McAsker 

for four films after viewing the attractions 

during regular public showings. The action, 

he said, had followed complaints from religious 

and civic groups and city officials. 

Identifications were not disclosed. 

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South Wabash 


. . 

Entertainment 

. . The 

O 

. . spending 

^^ 

many hours on the sandy beaches, 

C I 

rj IV/ they went scuba-diving on the south coast 

'-' ' ^-^ *^ 

of the island. They brought back several 

samples of shells and stories of exciting un- 

Tn an innovative pitch for cooler-weather 

James Ogburn, office manager at National 

j^^^water moments. 

drive-in trade, enterprising Merrill Jarvis 

charged "only $1 .50-per-person. mini- 

Screen Service, was away from his 

desk recently on a honeymoon trip to Geor- Another reminder from Dave Titlcman; 

gia. "Where else could it be?" he asked, the B'nai B'rith Communications-Cinema mum $3 per car" for double-bills comprised 

Ogburn ori

. . The 

CALGARY 

1978-79 season September 

the usual program of outstanding 

18. As well as 

films, 

there will be two extra series, a series of 

Hollywood films from the '30s and '40s 

por those who could afford it. comedian 

and a third series titled "The Clowns." Later 

Bob Hope performed in Edmonton at 

in the season, a series entitled "Eroticism 

tiie Convention Inn South under the auspices 

in the Cinema" will be screened. 

of the Canadian Progress Club. The 

$125-per-plate dinner and show was put The Canadian Motion Picture Distributors 

on to raise funds for the Uncles-at-Large 

Ass'n has completed a detailed paper 

program of the club. It is reported that entitled "Report on the Motion Picture Distribution 

Hope garnered a $30,000 fee for his 90- 

Industry in Canada." The report 

minute stint on stage. The 800 persons in is an update and expansion of the 1976 

attendance were entranced with Hope, even "Position Paper Concerning the Motion Picture 

though his routine was routine; it still was 

Distribution Industry in Canada." In 

the association's view, the report represents 

it his and came across in the usual superb 

manner associated with the entertainer. Edmonton 

the most complete documentation of feature 

was one of four stops on a junket film distribution that has been done to date. 

that included Dallas, Chicago and Thunder Copies of the report are available from the 

CMPDA. Contact the Canadian Motion 

Bay. Immediately after the show, Hope left 

for Los Angeles by executive jet. This was 

the largest fund-raising event undertaken 

to date by the Uncles-at-Large and, happily, 

it was successful. 

The Neilson Co., makers of fine candies, 

including chocolate bars, has teamed up 

with Famous Players, 20th Century-Fox and 

United Theatres circuits to promote its 

wares. Inside specially marked family packs 

of Neilson Jersey Milk, Mr. Big, Crispy 

Crunch, Sweet Marie and Malted Milk, 

vouchers will be hidden that will entitle the 

finder to attend a movie at a participating 

theatre any day Monday through Thursday. 

The voucher has a question that must be 

answered; there is a place for a signature, 

and then this coupon will be accepted for 

admission to the theatre with no taxes or 

service charge. Canadians with a sweet 

tooth stand a chance of getting a bonus with 

their bars. 

The Saskatchewan Film Classification 

Board viewed a total of 25 feature films 

in August with none falling iato the general 

class, ten rated adult, two in the restricted 

adult category and the majority. 13, classified 

in the special X category. Three of the 

pictures cannot be shown in any drive-in in 

the province: "Autopsy" (Creswin), "Is 

There Sex After Marriage?" (Danton) and 

"Turkish Delight" (Cinepix). A total of 15 

films must carry warnings; "The Dragon's 

Dead—Long Live the Tiger," violence; 

"Foul Play," language; "Hanging on a 

Star," not suitable for young children; "No. 

1 of the Secret Service," violence; "Our 

Winning Season." not suitable for children; 

"Driver," violence; "Tintorera," violence; 

"Autopsy," scenes; "I Miss You—Hugs & 

Kisses," violence; "In Praise of Older Women," 

scenes; "Is There Sex After Marriage?", 

scenes; "1001 Perversions of Felica," 

scenes; "Turkish Delight," scenes and 

language; "Valentina—The Virgin Wife," 

scenes, and "Who'll Stop the Rain," language 

and violence. Astral and Cinepix 

were the distributors submitting the largest 

number of features—six each—with Warner 

Bros., Paramount Films, Ambassador 

Films, Bellevue, Creswin and United Artists 

sending one each. Other distributors submitted 

varying numbers. 

The Edmonton Film Society launched its 

Picture Distributors Ass'n, 1 Yonge St., 

Suite 2207, Toronto, Ont., Canada, M5E 

1E5. 

Comedian Bill Cosby was in the province 

recently, making an appearance in Edmonton 

and then appearing here the following 

day. Both performances were held in the 

Jubilee Auditorium in the respective cities. 

Cosby played to sell-out crowds in both instances 

and wowed everyone. He did it by 

presenting a typical Cosby program with 

his immense insight into human nature and 

into a child's wocJd. Although there is much 

grumbling locally about the lack of bigname 

entertainment, people here certainly 

have had a large share of such personalities 

recently and none has been enjoyed more 

than Cosby , Pleiades Theatre in ths 

Centennial Planetarium screened "Raggedy 

Ann & Andy" Sunday. September 10. 

Industryites here will remember Roy 

Maurice Aikenhead who at one time was 

the manager of the Jubilee Auditorium in 

this city. It is with regret that we report 

his death September 5 at Victoria, B.C. He 

leaves his wife Helen of the home; a son, 

Keith, Biggar, Sask.; daughter and son-inlaw, 

Karen and Don Howie; granddaughters 

Casey and Corri Ann of this city, and 

one brother. 

Forty-two features were screened by the 

Alberta Motion Picture Censor Board during 

Auugst and only eight were rated "family." 

Two received the adult label, nine were 

in the adult not suitable for children group 

and the remaining 23 in the restricted adult 

category. 

Festival of Festivals 

September 8. a week before the opening 

of the third annual Festival of Festivals in 

Toronto, the Ontario Censor Board reversed 

its decision on George Kaczender's 

Canadian-made film "In Praise of Older 

Women." The board restored 82 seconds of 

the original two minutes it wanted deleted 

from the film. Co-producer Robert Lantos 

expressed pleasure with this decision but 

festival founder and president Bill Marshall 

valued the "shock" publicity of the 

decision and was willing to "go for broke"; 

in other words, defy the law by screening 

the film with no cuts at all. "It does seem 

a kind of absurdity that what was deemed 

an obscenity on Tuesday is now regarded 

as wholesome." Marshall said at a press 

conference called by Lantos. However, he 

admitted that if the uncut version of the 

film was shown at the Elgin or any other 

Ontario theatre, he and his festival officials 

would be liable to a fine and jail sentence. 

Marshall and his partner, director Wayne 

Clarkson, viewed the third film festival as 

a civic event and tourist attraction par excellence. 

"We want to make the festival 

reflect the way the city is," Marshall staled. 

"We're trying to expand the audience." As 

a result of this objective, this year's festival 

showed a big increase in both )najor U.S. 

films and popular entertainment films. As 

well, the lineup of name Canadian, American 

and European film personalities was 

truly impressive. 

htighlights 

Besides the Band's Robbie Robertson, the 

rock superstar who was a judge of the Canadian 

Film Awards, the festival's roster of 

guests also included Michelangelo Antonioni. 

the master Italian director (as a special 

guest), and Canadian-born director Ted 

Kotcheff ("Fun With Dick and Jane." "The 

Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz"), who 

personally brought his film "Who Is Killing 

the Great Chefs of Europe?" American director 

Martin Scorsese was a guest, as was 

Claudia Weill, who brought her new picture 

"Girl Friends." 

Festival director 

Wayne Clarkson scheduled 

a varied program including future U.S. 

boxoffice champions; a selection of A uslralian 

films in its year of revitalization: "buried 

treasures." films considered entertaining and 

significant 

but never successful financially; 

special films selected on merit by Paris critic 

David Overby; past and future (hopefully) 

cull films; feature-length specials made 

by RAl (Radiotelevisione Italiana). plus a 

variety of other specialized categories that 

attracted their special little audience. In all, 

there were more than 80 feature films and 

approximately 30 shorts. 

Clarkson told Star writer Sid Adilman 

that he was "not ashamed of big U.S. films" 

and that he had no qualms about bowing to 

the commercial side of the industry, including 

Hollywood. He also was out. he said, to 

prove to 

the general public (without alienating 

them) that "it is hogwash and balderdash 

that all foreign films are art films" and 

that "art" means "inaccessible." Clarkson 

stated, "One of the purposes of the festival 

is to get the public to see films they don't 

usually see but should and would enjoy." 

He added that he wants foreign films to get 

more credibility with the public. 

BOXOFFICE :: October 2, 1978 E-1

steady Rains Mean Sfeady Business 

For All of Vancouver s Holdovers

. . While 

Brooklyn. 

VANCOUVER 

îvian and Ray Manzer made one of their 

infrequent trips to town to discuss late 

fall and early winter bookings for Grand 

Forks . . . North American sightseers Lucille 

and Lionel Courchine made their annual 

safari trip to the Maritimes. returning 

in time to get involved in activities for 

the handicapped with both the Lions and 

the Variety Club . the problem of 

many industry folks hereabouts seems to 

be the onset of geriatric syndromes, we still 

have the young and they are still getting 

married. Saturday. September 16, saw the 

wedding of Kevin Norman of Canfilm and 

Lydia Novikoff. The happy couple flew out 

to Hawaii for their honeymoon ... In an 

effort to get a little sunshine and warmth 

before winter sets in. your correspondent 

and his wife Margaret departed on a bus 

tour down the Pacific Coast via Route 99 

to Tinseltown and Tijuana, with a side trip 

to Reno and Las Vegas. Plans are to return 

in about three weeks. 

Zale and Laara Dalen scored a "first" for 

Canada when their locally produced "Skip 

Tracer" was shown at the New York Film 

Festival September September 23-24. No 

other Canadian film ever had been invited 

for screening at this exclusive event. The 

picture also is slated to be shown at the 

London Film Festival in November and the 

Dalens will attend. They have negotiated 

deals for the film in both East Germany 

and West Germany, as well as Great Britain, 

in addition to video deals in Canada. 

Theatrical distribution in the U.S. and Canada 

also has been worked out and a release 

date will be announced shortly. Meanwhile, 

Zalen is putting the finishing touches on a 

screenplay for another motion picture which 

will deal with drugs. 

Varsity manager Don Barnes returned 

from a well-earned rest just in time to catch 

the phenomenally successful "National 

Lampoon's Animal House," which now is 

going into its third week at the Varsity . . . 

Meanwhile, across town in the Lougheed 

Mall, "International Velvet" completed a 

four-week run and moved over to the Park 

Royal in West Vancouver . . . With all 

the wet weather, mothers in this city must 

be thankful that their youngsters have some 

place to go. 

Pacific Cinematheque, always to the fore 

in encouraging young moviemaking talent, 

showcased San Francisco's Nick Schmidt, 

unreeling his "Showboat 1988" September 

16. The offering the following day was "A 

Man and a Woman and a Killer." Showings 

were in the National Film Board Theatre 

on West Georgia, handy to the downtown 

area . . . Cinematheque now is past the halfway 

mark in its Ernst Lubitch series. Business 

to date has been less than brisk for the 

master of the sophisticated, who now is a 

legend. Possibly the fact that he made pictures 

starring the likes of Miriam Hopkins 

and Herbert Marshall, who any veteran 

BoxoFFiCE subscriber would know never 

were individual drawing cards, may be part 

of the answer. Films already shown include 

"Design for Living," "The Shop Around 

the Corner" and "The Naughty Widow." 

Scheduled September 23 through late October 

are such features as "To Be or Not to 

Be," "So This Is Paris" (silent, 1926), "Bluebeard's 

Eighth Wife" and "Trouble in Paradise." 

The legitimate theatre and concert stage 

got off to a booming start with a seven-day 

stand by Nana Mouskouri and four days 

by Cleo Lane, which kept the Orpheum and 

Queenie turnstiles humming. The only sour 

note seems to be the opera which, reduced 

to playing the old standbys such as "Carmen," 

still is having a tough time flogging 

tickets. As one local wag remarked: "Seems 

like you can do anything in opera except 

make a dollar." 

The audience for the old-time "class picture" 

is not lost; it just moved. This was 

apparent when grosses for "Same Time, 

Next Year," which has been filling the 654- 

seat Queen Elizabeth Playhouse for the last 

two months, were revealed. As of September 

22, boxoffice receipts were calculated 

at over $55.000—not bad for summertime; 

in fact, not bad anytime! 

TORONTO 

J^ndree Pclletier, Montreal-born actress, 

was a visitor in this city. Andree plays 

the central role in "Marianne." screened 

Friday afternoon, September 15, at the 

Towne Cinema for the Festival of Festivals. 

Andree's role in this film won her a nomination 

for best actress in the Canadian Film 

Awards. Andree's father Gerald Pelletier is 

a former federal cabinet minister and now 

Canada's ambassador to France. Andree also 

soon will be seen as a principal in Teri 

McLuhan's new film "The Third Walker." 

The Variety Chib of Ontario Tent 28 

this city's saluted Festival of Festivals with 

a special luncheon Monday, September 18, 

at the Hotel Toronto. Tent 28 also presented 

a special award to former Mayor 

David Crombie, who is running for a seat 

in 

the federal cabinet. 

Co-producer Bill Marshall reported that 

a snow storm in Alberta played havoc with 

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the Icnsing of "Hank." a $2,800,000 Canadian 

feature film starring Linda Blair 

and Richard Crenna. Lin, \|x-jicil mtow, rain 

and sleet earlier in the w.-.k iiimcLJ a "d-'serl" 

location into an Arctic-likc quagmire. 

Filming has been under way at Pincher's 

Cre:k. Waterton and Crow's Nest Pass 

but now another desert-like location may 

have to be found somewhere in the U.S. 

"Blood and Guts," the Canadian feature 

film directed by Paul Lynch, has received 

rave press reviews. This modest $750,000 

effort opened locally September 15 at the 

Imperial and managed to gather no less 

than 1 1 Canadian Film Awards nominations. 

The story concerns the trials and 

tribLilations of a traveling wrestling troupe. 

In the cast are William Smith, Micheline 

Lanctot and Brian Clarke. The screenplay 

was written by Joseph McBride, William 

Gray and John Hunter. The filming was 

done largely in London (in this province). 

The success and hgh attendance at the 

Festival of Festivals was threatened by a 

transit strike which clogged all main streets 

because of increased auto traffic. However, 

special provincial legislation ended the walkout; 

traffic has returned to normal. 

Manitoba Film Board Will 

Issue Obscenity Warnings 

WINNIPEG—The Manitoba Film Classification 

Board has announced plans to notify 

exhibitors and police about possible "obscenity" 

that it detects in motion pictures. 

Set up in 1972, Manitoba is the only province 

which has a classification board without 

censorship powers; however, Barbara 

Weselake, board chairman, said the new 

notification system can alert film distributors 

and theatre owners to "questionable 

scenes." 

The decision as to whether to delete the 

scenes specified still will be the responsibility 

of industryites. 

Mrs. Weslake told the press that she 

doubts the system will have much effect on 

motion pictures shown in Manitoba, because 

she expects that the industry, in 

general, will 

continue to "take chances if the films appear 

to be good moneymakers." 

After consultation with police and the 

film industry, the board has set number 

a 

of standards and, if a picture violates those 

standards, warnings will be issued to the 

distributors, exhibitors, police, attorney general 

and tourism department. 

According to the classification board, 

"extreme acts of sexual violence, oral sex, 

actual portrayal of child pornography, 

and graphic genital close-ups" will 

bestiality 

warrant issuance of a warning. "We can 

say with some predictability the law will 

frown on any of these." Mrs. Weselake told 

the Winnipeg Tribune. 

The system has been in effect since August 

1 but no warnings have been sent out 

yet. While a restricted adult classification 

was given to the Canadian film "In Praise 

of Older Women." no warning was issued. 

Some provincial boards in Canada have 

cleared the feature for showing but the 

Ontario and Alberta censors demanded that 

cuts be made in the film. 

BOXOFFICE :: October 1978 K-3

' 

Jephcott Is Distribution 

Manager of Nielsen-Ferns 

TORONTO—Nielsen-Ferns has announced 

the appointment of Samuel C. Jephcott 

as distribution manager, 

effective immediately. 

Prior to 

devoting full time to 

Nielsen-Ferns" distribution 

expansion. 

Jephcott. 

^^^^ who has 

WjJIHI^ been with the com- 

^1|B|^^^^^^ pany for over a year 

^B ^^HrflHfe as production manag- 

^^k ^''- 

iS^ V^H ^'" (ôrnplete cur- 

Samuel C. Jephcott 

rent assignments and 

^-^^y^^^ p,^^^ f^^ ^ 

full-scale sales expedition to MIFED along 

with Pat Ferns, vice-president of Nielsen- 

Ferns. 

Jephcotfs new responsibilities will include 

coordination of sales of Nielsen-Ferns 

product throughout the world. In some territories, 

local agents will continue to represent 

the company and will deal directly 

with Jephcott. 

His background as general manager for 

Compass Film sales has provided a familiarity 

with foreign distribution procedures and 

a thorough knowledge of foreign markets. 

Jephcott has traveled to Milan. Cannes and 

through the Far East on previous trips. His 

film and TV experience spans 22 of his 34 

years. Credentials include managing productions, 

directing, producing and acting. 

Jephcott is an elected member of the 

boards of both the Canadian Ass'n of Mo- 

staged outside of Montreal. Entry quality 

exceeded that of previous years; however, 

attendance at the festival could only be 

described as "disappointing." 

The Norman McLaren Award (cash prize 

of $1,000) for the outstanding film of the 

festival, regardless of category, was captured 

by Scott Barrie, 26. student at Conestoga 

College. Brantford, Ont. The 14-minute 

sci-fier was titled "Gracie" and dealt with 

the loneliness of an elderly widow whose 

only contact with the outside world was 

her fantasy of meeting someone to fill 

the void left by her husband's death. 

Barrie also was the winner of the best 

director award for his work on "Gracie." 

Dev Ramsaran. Sheridan College, Toronto, 

won the $250 cash prize for best animation 

film for her "Madhouse Rag," 

while best experimental film honors went 

to Andjela Milosavjevic. student at Concordia 

University in Montreal, for her film 

"L'Instant." 

York University sludent Anthony D"Andrea's 

"Nomads" received honorable mention 

for its sophisticated cinematography 

and also was cited as best science-fiction 

film. 

The best documentary film award was 

split between Michael Kennedy's "Jim and 

Muggins Tour Toronto," made at Ryerson 

Polytechnical Institute, and Bob Boyd's 

"Labyrinth," made at Vancouver's Simon 

Eraser University. 

Maxwell Berdowski of Concordia University 

won the best screenplay award for 

"Conversation," while Forest Taylor's "The 

Return," made at the University of British 

Columbia, received the ncd for best film 

editing. Best cinematography went to Louis 

Arthur for his work on Denis Vachon's 

"Premeditation." Jean Eontain's "Le Precepteur" 

won best film score honors. 

Paul Fitzgerald received a $100 cash 

award in the best actor category for his 

performance in the made-at-Ryerson "Not 

Another Love Story." Best actress prize, 

also $100. was won by Patricia Nember 

for "Back From Paradise." made at York 

University. 

Dr. David Leighton. director of Banff 

Centre, served as host for the awards presentation. 

Famous Players Holds 

Huddle in Vancouver 

VANCOUVER — Approximately 500 

Famous Players theatre circuit personnel, 

headed by president George P. Destounis, 

from St. John's. Nfld.. to Pr. Rupert. B.C., 

descended on the Hotel Vancouver recently 

boats were required to transport the group. 

Wednesday, September 20, was devoted 

to workshop sessions featuring instruction 

and discussion dealing with all phases of 

modern theatre operation. 

The agenda Thursday, September 21, 

featured general sessions in the morning 

along wtih screenings of excerpts from 

forthcoming feature productions slated to 

be shown throughout the circuit in future 

months. Various distribution and media 

people were luncheon guests. 

ri]VER

. . ,WB 

Emb 

SOXOFFICE BOOKiNCUIDE 

Running tim* Is in parentlieses. The plus and 

:urrent reviews regularly. Symbol O denoles 

BOXCFFICE Blue Ribbon Award. All films in color except those indicated by (b&w) for black S, white, 

Motion Picture Assn (MPAA) raUngs: -general audiences: PG—all ages admitted (parental guions 

under 17 not admitted unless accompanied by parent 12eview 

dance suggested): 0—restricted, with 

ult g der 17 not admitted. National Catholic Ollice lor Motion Pictures 

(NCOMP) "ratings: Al— unobiectionable lor general patronage: A2—unobjectionable for adults or adolescents: 

A3—unobjectionable for adulU; A4—morally unobjectionable for adults, with reservations: 

B—objectionable in part for all; C—condemned. Broadcasting and Film Commission, NaUonal Council 

of Churches (BFC). For listings by company, see FEATURE CHART. 

digest 

AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX 

ft Very Good; + Good; - Fair; - Poor; - Very Poor. the summory H is rated 2 pluses, — os 2 

" 

502SAces High (103) 

War D Cinema Shares 5-15-78 PG 

5033 All Things Bright Beautiful 

and 

(94) C-D World Northal 6- 5-78 El 

Almost Summer C-D Univ 4-24-78 PG 5022 (S9) B 

Always for Pleasure 

(58) Doc Les Blank 6- 5-78 

5016 American Hot Wax 

(91) C-DM Para 3-27-78 PG A3 

5057 Avalanche (91) Ac-Sus .New World 9-11-78 PG 

—B— 

5045 Bad News Bears Go to Japan, 

The (92) C Para 7-24-78 PG A3 

Bad Penny (SO) Sex 

C Chuck Vincent Productions 9-25-78 

Barocco (102) Ac- 

D -Films La Boetie-Sarah Films 5-15-78 

Battle of Chile, The (191) Doc 

(b&w) Tricontincntal 4-17-78 A3 

5057 Beyond and Back 

(91) Doc Sunn Classic 9-11-78 m A3 

Big Thumbs (80) Sex C Coast 5-29-78 ® 

8- 7-78 PG B 

5C50 Big Wednesday (125) C-D 

Black at Yale: a Film Diary 

(50) Doc ....Warrington Hudlin 4-24-78 

Black Indians of New Orleans, The 

(33) Doc ..Maurice M. Martinez 6- 5-7S 

B) 

5058 Blackout (90) Ac-Sus ...New World 9-11-78 

5021 Blue Sunshine 

(97) Ho-D Cinema Shares 4-24-78 H 

Bonjour Amour (90) D Atlantic 6-19-78 

5038 

5061 Boys From Brazil, The (124) 

SF-Sus-D 20th-Fox 9-25-78 Bl 

5045 Bread and Chocolate 

(111) C-D Northal 7-24-78 World B 

Buddy Holly Story, 5038 The 

(113) B-DM Col 6-19- 78 PG A3 

Bus, The (87) Melo ..Helios Films 5-15-78 

Calm Prevails Over the Country (100) 

Melo New Yorker 5-15-78 

Candleshoe BV 4-17-78 5C20 (101) Sus-C (51 Al 

5038 Capricorn One (124) Ad-Sus-D ..WB 6-19-78 PG A2 

5010 Casey's Shadow (117) C-D ....Col 3- 6-7S PG A3 

5030 Cat and Mouse 

(107) My-C Quartet 5-22-78 PG A3 

From Outer 5037 Cat Space, The 

[5| (104) C-F BV 6-19-78 Al 

Ceddo (120) D New Yorker 3-27-78 

Celine and Julie Go Boating 

(193) F New Yorker 3-27-78 

5044 Cheap Detective, The 

(92) C-My Col 7-17-78 PG A3 

Chess Players, The 

(135) D Creative Films 7-10-78 A2 

5013 Chosen, The (100) SusD AlP 3-20-7S H C 

5041 Convoy (111) Ac-C UA 7- 3-78 PG B 

5031 Corvette Summer 

(104) Ac-C MGM-UA 5-29-78 PG B 

. 

5035 Di 

(106) Ho-D 20th-Fox 6-12-78 H B 

of 5058 Days Heaven (95) D Para 9-11-78 PG A3 

5035 Dear Inspector (Reviewed "Dear Detective") 

as 

(105) My-R-C Cinema 5 6-12-78 PG A3 ff 

Death on the Nile 

5061 

(140) My Para 9-25- 78 PG 

Different Story, 4-24-78 H 

5022 A (107) R-C 

BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: Oct. 2, 1978

REVIEW DIGEST 

AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX H Very Good, + Good, i Fair; - Poor; = Very Poor. the summary H is rated 2 

5024 I Wanna Hold Your Hand 

(104) CM Uni» 1-7S PG A3 

5- 

5032 If Ever I See You Again 

(105) R-D Col 5-29-78 PG A3 

Incredible Meltins 5C25 Man. The 

= - 7-f3- 

(86) SF-Ho AlP 5- 8-78 (H 

5052 Interiors (99) D UA 8-14-7S PG A4 

5046 International Velvet 

(126) D MGM-UA 7-24-78 PG A2 

5046 Iphigenia (129) D Cinema 5 7-24-7S A3 

5027 11 Lives Again (91) WB 5-15-78 B 

Ho-D H 

Landscape After Battli 

(110) Hi-D .... 

Last Supper, The 

(110) Pol-D Tricontinental 5-19- 

5059 U 

(90) Sus-Ho-Ad United Producers 9-18-78 S 

Last Waltz, The 

5023 

(115) M-Doc UA 5- 1-78 PG A3 

5015 Late Great Planet Earth, The 

(90) Doc PIE 3-27-7S PG 

5024 Leopard the Snow 

in 

(90) R-D New World 5- 1-78 PG 

Little Girls Blue 

(76) Sex C New Day 5-29-78 

5016 Little Night Music, A 

(124) R-CM New World 3-27-78 PG A3 

5014 Madame Rosa (105) 

5049 Magic of Lassie, The 

(lOO) C-DM ..I 

Main Actor, 

The 

Atlantic 

ure 

Show 

3-20-78 PG A3 

8- 7-78 151 Al 

(88) D Bioskop/WDR 6-19-78 

5021 Malibu Beach (93) C Crown 4-24-78 H 

5009 Manitou, The (104) Ho-D Emb 3- 6-78 PG B 

5042 Matilda (103) C AlP 7- 3-78 El 

5054 Matter of Love, A 

H 

(88) Sex D ...William Mishkin 8-21-78 

Maya Deren Retrospective 

(90) Doc-D Grove Press 6-19-78 

5034 Metamorphoses 

(87) An-M-F Sanrio 6- 5-78 PG 

5047 Midnight Express (120) D Col 7-31-78 d 

Mother and 

Daughter 

(90) D Pantheon 1 5-15-78 

5043 National Lampoon's Animal House 

(109) C Univ 7-17-78 El C 

Nea (101) Libra 8-21-78 

5053 Sex C 

5062 No Time for Breakfast 

(100) D Bouria 9-25-78 

Daniel 

Norseman, The 

5056 

Ac-Ad AlP 9- 4-7S PG 

5026 Nunzio (92) C-D Univ 5- 8-78 A3 

5054 Oily Oily Oxen Free 

(89) C-Ad 

Ona People: Life and Death in Tierra 

8-21-78 

del Fuego, The (55) 

Doc Chapman/de Gonzalez 1-23-78 

Other Side Mountain Part The 

5005 of the 2, 

(100) D Univ 2-13-78 PG A3 

5027 Our Winning Season (92) C-D ..AlP 5-15-78 PG A3

1 

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MISCELLANEOUS 

COMING RELEASES 

ALLIED ARTISTS 

Fedora 

^ 

Rel. Date 

Hilliam Holden. 

PRO INTERNATIONAL 

APRIL FOOLS FILMS 

CINEMA 5 

Young Lady Chatterley , (8S) ... 

Harper Valley PTA 

nda Lovelace for President (95) 

(97) , 

Barbara Eden, llonny tos, 

A^fGirard^ PhiUppe Nolret ng Dong (90) 

, 

(gsi 

Nanrtte Fabray, Susa.. Swift 

'^f„ r'^'caiS. uVo-Tognazif'I Angels in Hell (94, 

Feb 79 

„ ., OTonnor. James Van Patten 

Seymour Cassel, Dorothy Trlstân 

APf 7S 

Madame 

COUGAR RELEASING, LTD 

Force 10 From Navarone 

I 

r Country (105) ...^C.F.bTH 

l.'."l. -.a Adventures of Starbird Nero, 

^^ 

I 

leitte Fossey, Jacques Serres 

E,l^'^Ti Fox, Carl Weathers 

^ 

Sept /H 

Max Havelaar 

nk Dirty (94) C. .'.'/..* 'r\.,n TliaffPi-tV 

May 78 

Sept 7S 

Peter Faber 

irtv Feldman, Shelley Berman 

Ltn 

Picnic at Hanoing Rock .Oct 78 

Keithritieariio Montalban ConiieVy,' Natalie Wood 

" 

i 

^^j ^^j ,fl„use 

Henry Fonda. Trci - Howard 

Rachel Robeits Legend of Sea Wolf 

(107) .. 

c.nt 78 

, i„n.Dn» Vaneur ft" ,=*'" '° 

C.H.O.M.P.S. ... 

I 

(90) 

Michele Mm 

Valerie Bertinelli, Wesley Eii 

Barbara Bach 

Chuck Connor 

Conrad Rain 

Nov 78 

Astral Factor (93) 

The Humanoid . 

El'k'e. Sommer,' Robert Foxworth^^ 

Richard Kiel, Barbara Bach 

^ 

The Amityville Horror ..... 

' 

BACKSTREET-BEEHIVE 

I'"?"!!', 'l!?ren MnVcello' 'Maslroianiiil rqCHILLE FILMS, INC. 

Janws Brolin, Marmot Kidili- 

Lust Flioht 2000 

Drive-ln Massacre 

(77) Se-C- 

(88) 

Barnes. Adam Lawrence 

EMC PRODUCTIONS 

CB Hustlers (85) ^- 

Naked Rider (93) ..Sex D. 78 

i""^^^ 

many Jones. Jolu, Alderman,,,^ 

^ 

BEEHIVE PRODUCTIONS 

Convention Girls 

Cunes Ahead! (78) ..Sex C. Dec 78 (92) Sex_C.D. 

Fiona Hichmond. Anthony Steele 

Seward 

fioldle Bear. Yale Barnoy 

The Lady Wants a 

Tramp Sex C ....Mar 79 '^'(î"''^... sex CD, 

. . . 

u.. Fever (98) Plummer. James Alasoi 

Michelle St. Bernard. Rnbort Terrier Ed»1ge Fcnech, Carroll Bi 

r Jackyll's Dungeon of 

i/oman and a Bank . . 

Heads " Tails '' '""' (90) Sex "" C. 

Death (91) 

therland, Brooke Adam 

in farsentinn 

(90/90) ^.•,,••.;,; 

Ernest Borcnme. Eddie .Ub 

Ann Michelle. Patricia llan 

Autopsy/Carrie 

iitopsy/tarrie (UA) (u») 

M,r 7!! 

(85/98) .-•i'V/ 

Mimsy Farmer. Ray Love ock/ 

Sls^y Spacek, John Travolta 

Not the Size That Counts 

5 i.ui i..= -." . 

May78| 

I 

Tii'e'Wonderful Wizard of ^^^ ^^ 

SANRIO f'LM, DISTRIBUTION 

Metamorphoses (87) .An-F..May /B 

..- I Oily Oxen Free 

FIRST ARTISTS RELEASING ""'g^/ 

. . . . Speedtrap (101) Ac-D 78 

. 

Ks„h,r,ne Hepburn 

Baker. Tyne Haly 

^^,„i, the Northern Fox Goes 

\ 

(90) ....... "" " 

Nutcracker 

ld Carradlne, 

Rider •••;••• 

Brenda Vacarro 

'B^t'rl'c'e' sirVlgh't' 

'Katw"r'Q.ilnl'a'n: 

Same Time, Next Year 

Man Alda. Ellen Burstyn 

The Senator 

Alda. Melvyn Douglas, 

Harris 

Ac-D. 

^?^.°ri^Cîohn'razale 

Moment to Moment .. - « 

Tl,'l""i„liledihle' 

ShJinkinS' Woman 

lYARNERBROS. Dec 78 

^rn7';iack'manVMaJon 

BOXOFFICE BookinGuide 

Brando 

a:ifffd.''vSle^PeSie"'*'' 

Who Is Killing the Great 

• 

Chefs of Europe? 

.ianiuellne Blsset. George Segal ^ 

Bloodbrothers .••; i,,:',, 

Paul Sorvdno, Tony LoBlanco^^^_^ 

'^tacê'y"KSch.'uno'\yntura 

Every Which Way But Loose 

Clint Eastwood. Sondra Locke 

First Blood

Opinions on Current Productions 

All films reviewed heie are in color, unless otherwise specified as blac

. . Based 

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

THE STORY: "Paradise Alley" (Univ) 

Sylvester Stallone, Armand Assante and Lee Canalito 

portray the Carboni brothers, who live in Manhattan's 

West Side slums in 1946. Stallone is Cosmo, a small time 

hustler and con-man who thinks he appeals greatly to 

the ladies. Assante is Lenny, who retm-ned home from 

the war with a permanent leg injui-y. His war experiences 

have left him bitter and disillusioned with life. Canalito 

is Victor, the iceman, a brawny and very strong man. 

One night at a bar Canalito wins an arm-wrestling match 

with Frankie the Thumper i Terry Funki, a dirty fighter. 

This gives Stallone the idea to transfoim CanaUto into 

a wi-estler, who is to be known as "Kid Salami." The final 

match is staged at a local club called Paradise Alley. The 

brothers' chief nemesis, hoodlmn Kevin Conway, gets his 

pants ripped off by Canalito and is exposed wearing 

ladies' underwear. Canalito waits until the twenty-second 

romid to win, because his birthday anniversary is on the 

twenty-second. 

EXPLOITIPS: 

Play up the StaUone name and the wrestling theme. 

Plan a tie-in with the Berkley paperback. 

CATCHUNES: 

The Place 'Where People Fight Their "Way Out of Ghetto 

Poverty ... See Sylvester Stallone in a Human Story 

Pull of Energy, Love and Vitality! 

THE STORY: 

"Bom Again" (Emb) 

Charles Colson (Dean Jones), former counsel to President 

Nixon, enters a minimimi secm-ity prison to serve 

a brief sentence for his role in a 'Watergate-related crime. 

There he relives the events of the past few years. He was 

a "team player" for the "White House and came to be 

known as NLxon's "hatchet man." However, dui'ing a 

visit with Dana Andrews, an old friend, he comes to see 

the error of his ways. He decides to quit the admimstration 

after the 1972 election and return to law practice. 

Partner Jay Robinson welcomes him back. As the "Watergate 

stomi breaks over his head, he is accepted by a Congressional 

prayer group headed by Iowa Senator Harold 

Hughes. The group stands behind his decision to tell the 

truth. He is convicted. His jail term, during which he 

forms a Bible study group, is tough, but he lives through 

it thaiiks to fellow convicts Raymond St. Jacques and 

Robert Gray, who provide fellowship and muscle. Wife 

Anne Francis remains faithful throughout. Colson, chastised 

and mellowed, returns to the "outside" world. 

EXPLOITIPS: 

Religious, civic and political organizations should provide 

audiences. Tie in with the Bantam book. 

CATCHLINES: 

For Everyone Who Ever Wanted a Chance to Start 

Over . . . The True Story of Charles Colson . on 

the International Best-Seller. Millions Read It. One Man 

Lived It. 

USE THIS HANDY SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM

RATES: 50c per word, minimum $5.00 CASH WITH COPY. Four consecutive insertions lor price 

of three. When using a Boxolfice No. figure 2 additional words and include $1.00 additional, to 

cover cost ol handling replies. Display Classified, $38.00 per Column Inch. No commission 

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

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

CUHRlOe 

HELP WANTED 

SUPERB OPPORTUNITY lor skilled pr( 

jectionist. Responsible lor booth maint^ 

nance and operation of several lully ai 

lomated theatres. Excellent working coi 

ditions in progressive midwest communil 

ol over 100.000. Send resume to Boxollic( 

4148. 

ALTERNATIVE iormot theatres. Need 

lilm-buff managers nationwide. Must be 

experienced, a promoter, and willing to 

relocate. Send resume to Boxollice, 4155. 

MANAGEH and/or Projectionist, 

enced, single or multiple in South 

Philadelphia area. (609) 728-0527_ 

THEATRICAL BOOKER. By New York 

based Independent Distributor. Must have 

strong experience with subdistributors^ 

Salary, Prolil sharing and beneiits Send 

resume with first leltf-r. Reply Boxoflice, 

4160. 

POSITIONS WANTED 

SHARP aggressive manager/operat 

seeks new opportunity. Currently er 

ployed. Willing to relocate. Boxollic 

4152 

VIDEO TAPES: Estate left me with $250,- 

000 worth of video equipment, can handle 

any size order duplications or transfers- 

We are the best and fastest in the country 

Write: Progressive Industries, 2800 

Euclid Ave., Room 230, Cleveland, Ohio 

44115 or call (216) '621-7310. 

EXPERIENCED Theotr< 

phases, Los Angeles are 

Avcrilable. (213) 923-9540 

FILMS FOR RENT 

16MM & 35MM hard XXX films for 

area in the world. Call (216) 779-7136 

(24 hours). "Our service made us 

FILMS FOR SALE 

16MM hard XXX films brand new, posters 

and trailers, also used, some soft. (216) 

779-7136. 

DISCOUNT VIDEO TAPES Full length 

list. movies, free P.O. Box 7122, Burb 

' 

California 91510. 

FILMS WANTED 

WANTED: 35mm trailers. 1930-1977. on' 

luantity. L. Brown, 6763 Hollywood Blvd 

loUywood, Cahf. 90028. 

WANTED 35mm entertainment featur< 

films for Canadian market. Rights pur 

chased or will distribute on percentage 

a 

basis. Send particulars to Boxoffice, 4139. 

MOVIE SCRIPTS 

MISCELLANEOUS 

CASH for one-sheets, posters, lobby cai 

sets stills, pressbooks, trade magazine 

coming attraction slides, annuals, trailer 

geles. CA 90038. 

WANTED: Any litTe, quantity, must be 

complete; Your used movie posters, any 

size, pressbooks paying 15c each. 35mm 

trailer 40c each. Stills paying 3c each 

Ship COD Ireight collect to: Jerry Ohlin- 

INDEPENDENT PRODUCERS Unusual 

Novel ready for the screen. Check it out. 

Ask for it. NOVEL, Box 10396, Honolulu, 

Hciwaii, 96815. 

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE 

TICKET MACHINES repaired. Fast 

t 

vice, reasonable rates. Your old 

machine worth money. We trade, buy and 

sell ticket first. machines. Try us Ask 

about our rebuilts. Save money. J.E.D 

Service Co., 10 Woodside Dr., Gralton 

Massachusetts. (617) 839-4058^ 

16MM KODAK Pageant with Marc 300 

it. Lamps. Like new with 6000 n 

driven reels. TECO. (704) 847-4455. 

TWO 35mm Cinemeccanica projec 

350 American Stellar seats, plus. (314) 

822-4098. 

DRIVE-IN EQUIPMENT. Nice includ. 

cedar poles/screen and Cretors Preside 

popper. Reasonable, will load; near Boz 

man, Montana. (307) 856-5123, Dennis, 

leave message. 

charge? If inter* 

write Boxoflice, 4151, Boxolfice Maga 

Established dealer contemplating for 

THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL: New factory 

fresh EPRAD DBL-MUT Automation pack 

ages at lowest prices. Cinequip, 631 

Southwood Avenue, St. Louis, Missour 

63105 (314) 863-5009 days. (314) 427-2000 

INTERNATIONAL sale. Exports inv 

Complete 35mm projector booths 

$2,995. Pair Strong 900 Watt Xenons 

Power Supplies $2,995. Pair rebuilt super 

Simplex $1,350, Tokiwa portable T-6C 

$1,995. Holmes portable $995. Norelcc 

portable $1,595. DeVry portable $1,450. 

Lamps, soundheads, projectors, bases, 

platters. BUY-SELL-TRADE. Free catalogue. 

International Cinema Equipment 

Co., 6750 N.E 4th Court, Miami, Fl. 33138 

(305) 756-0699, 

TWO SIMPLEX XL Projectors, and XL 

oundheads. Completely rebuilt, refinished, 

Illinois. Ideal for family-type opera 

ke new. Plus picture changeovers. Boxfhce, 

Good condition. Presently operating. 

4153. 

BURLAP WALL COVERING DRAPES, 

4157. 

200 SEAT INDOOR THEATRE, operatin 

$1 per yd., flame retordcmt. Quantity discounts. 

Nurse & Co., Millbury Rd., Oxford, 

brick building, equipment, owner retirin' 

Mass. 01540, Tel. (617) 832-4295. King City, Missouri. Call, write Ivan 

THREE COMPLETE projection booths for 

Schottel (816) 233-9292, 364-2364, GENERAL 

REALTY, St. Joseph, Mo. 64501. 

sale. Six-year old Norelco projection 

equipment in two booths. Ten-year old 

Century Projection equipment in one 

booth. Also 850 Massey Astro Rocking FLORIDA. Small town family operation 

Chairs, screens, speakers, 

Equipped plus property and adjacen 

equipment, etc. Call (305) 752 

downtown lot. $47,500. Terms available 

(904) 787-2255 

700 ELECTRIC HEATERS (Eprad) 750 

Watts, 208 Volts. Best offer takes all. 

Springfield Auto Theatre, 40 Court Street, 

THEATRES FOR LEASE 

Boston, Mass Tel. (617) 742-0278. 

EQUIPMENT WANTED 

WE PAY good money lor used equipment 

Texas Theatre Supply, 915 S. Alamo, 

San Antonio, Texas 78205 

BUSINESS STIMULATORS 

BUILD ATTENDANCE with real Hawaiian 

orchids Few cents each. Write Flowers 

of Hawaii, 670 S. Lafayette Place, Los 

Angeles, Calif. 90005 

THEATRE MONTHLY CALENDARS, week 

ly programs, heralds, bumper strips, daily/ 

weekly boxoffice reports, time schedules, 

passes, labels, etc. Write for samples, 

prices, Dixie Utho, Box 882, Atlanta. Ga 

30301. 

BINGO CABDS DIE CUT: 1-75. 1500 combinations 

in color. PREMIUM PRODUCTS, 

339 West 44th St., New York, N.Y. 10036 

(212) 246-4972 

POPCORN MACHINES 

LECTRIC Display Poppers from $426 5( 

cich. Krispy Korn. 120 S Halsted, Chi 

60506 

EXCELLENT CONDITION, floor model 

Hollywood Serial No. 47445 by Cretors. 

Large capacity, UOv, best offer over $600, 

FOB Los Angeles. Call Jeff collect (213) 

462-4326. 

HOUSf 

THEATRES FOR SALE 

WORLD'S LARGEST THEATRE broke 

lOE JOSEPH, Box 31406, Dallas 75231 (21' 

363-2724. 

DRIVE-IN THEATRES m Lemn 

and Bowman, NO. Show good 

189, Spearlish, SD. (605) 642-4857 

DHIVE-nj THEATRE, Schuylkill County, 

PA Excellent location on busy Rt. 61. 16 

acre commercial property, newly refinished 

screen, dual sound system, 5^r 

speakers, concession stand. Property in 

excellent condition. Call CM. Detweiler. 

Inc. (717) 345-4475. Ask for Bernie. 

ALBUQUERQUE, NM adult theatre, op. 

portunity of a liletime $12,500. (505) 265- 

8963. 

INDOOR SINGLE, 384 sea 

4 years old. Southern I 

lease Good Gross Land 

olli( 1149 

IN BEAUTIFUL northern Wisconsin theatre 

plus rentals, profit maker, automated 

booth, theatre newly redecorated, ell 

equipment and building in excellent 

shape, cash-no terms! Boxoffice, 4150. 

INDOOH Motion Picture Theatre building 

and equipment. Strong Xenon lomphouse(2). 

Owner retiring. Small down 

payment, balance fifteen years at 8% interest. 

Phone (601) 628-5025, Calhoun 

City, 

Mississippi. 

INDOOR, 439 SEATS. Central Illinois, 

small town with large drawing area. (217) 

482-5368 

DRIVE-IN theatres for sale or k 

excellent locations in Kansas. Missouri and 

FOR LEASE—THEATRE SF Area (E 

ir 

ay) Vacant Twin Cinema 8800 sq. It 

igh volume shopping center. Contact 

at Campbell (415) 839-9600 

THEATRES WANTED 

INDOOR THEATRES or drive-ins wa 

to lease in Mich., Oh. and Ind Ope 

closed. Please send intormation Boxol 

4087. 

TO LEASE, theatres 600 seats or less 

area. Send full information to- Gleni 

Henderson, 5115 Industrial Rd., No. 409 

Las Vegas, Nev. 89118. 

CHAIN is seeking Motion Picture The 

tres for sale, lease or rent in major cities 

lease send information to Boxolfice, 4147 

WILL LEASE theatres, open or closed 

ANYWHERE in U.S. Downtown and neighborhood 

theatres our specialty. Also small 

IS and shopping center houses. Immediate 

replv to all letters, Trans-National 

Theatres, 153 E. Houston St., San Antonio, 

Tx. 78205. 

INDOOR THEATRES WANTED. Anyhere, 

open or closed. Call or write: Jim 

icilia, P.O. 75216, Los Angeles, Caliimia 

90075. Phone (213! 388-0541. 

BOOKS 

THE MANUAL OF THEATRE MANAGE- 

MENT. We appreciate all the mail orto 

coast. For your own copy ol our professional 

hardcover edition, send $20 

check or inoney order to Ralph I. Erwin, 

Publisher, Box 1982, Laredo, 

Texas 78040. 

THEATRE SEATING 

TOPS IN THEATRE SEATING upholstering 

anywhere— seal covers made to order 

—finest materials—low prices— we buy and 

sell theatre chairs. Chicago llsed Chair 

Mart, 2616 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, HI. 

60612. (312) 235-1111. 

SPECIALISTS IN THEATRE SEATING. 

New and rebuilt theatre choirs lor sale 

We buy and sell old chairs. Travel froit 

coast to coast. Seating Corporation ol 

New York, 247 Water Street, Brooklyn, 

N Y. 11201 Tel. (212) 875-5433 (reverse 

charges). 

E. Syr. 

RECONDITIONED used chairs. On-localion 

refurbishing, installation and staggering. 

Sewn seat covers, all makes. We buy 

used seating. Frost Seating, 80 Copeland 

St., Quincy, Mass. 02170. Tel. (617) 298- 

7070. 

for 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE CONSTRUCTION 

SCREEN TOWERS INTERNATIONAL: T»r 

Day Screen Installouon, (817) 542-3591 

Drawer P Rogers, Texas 76569. 

SERVICES 

WE THANK the many exhibitors who 

have chosen us to provide them with 

background music programming. Both of 

our programming packages have proven 

to be very popular. You too can have 

background music that fits your theatre 

and your audience.. CSC music service 

(815) 397-9295. 

IT ONLY HAPPENS AT MIDNIGHT. Late 

shows What to book, how to sell it. Ads, 

radio copy for 20 recent titles. $3.50 check 

or money order payable to MIDNIGHT. 

Boxoffice. 4159. 

SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM 

BOXOFHCE: 

825 Vai? Brunt Blvd. 

Kansas City, Mo. 64124 

Please enter my subscription to 

BOXOFFICE. 

D 

D 

1 YEAR $15.00 

2 YEARS $28.00 

n Remittance 

D Send 

ln»oice 

Encloied 

Outside U.S.. Canada and Pan 

Americon Union, $25.00 Per Year. 

THEATRE 

STREET 

TOWN 

NAME 

ZIP 

CODE 

POSITION 

STATE.. 


LEARN 

SUCCESSFUL SHOWMEN 

MERCHANDISE PICTURES, 

BOOST THEIR THEATRES, 

PROMOTE GOOD WILL, 

BUILD 

ATTENDANCE, 

AND INCREASE PROFITS 

N 

CHOCKFUL OF BUSINESS BUILDING IDEAS 

In All Ways FIRST with the MOST of the BEST

Boxoffice-October.02.1978

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