Boxoffice-January.22.1979

JANUARY 22, 1979
I
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I
THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY - WITH THE LOCAL TOUCH!

KERKORIAN'S COLUMBIA STOCK
PURCHASE ATTEMPT SUCCESSFUL
By RON SCHAUMBURG
NEW YORK—Financier Kirk Kerkorian,
who controls 47 peicent of the stock in
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, was successful in
his tender offer to purchase approximately
20 percent of the stock in Columbia Pictures
Industries Corp., it was announced
by his lawyer Stephen D. Silbert.
Kerkorian purchased between 2.0 and
2.25 million shares at $24 each. His original
offer was to buy 1.75 million shares.
Kerkorian said the purchase was for investment
purposes only that he did not
plan to control the studio.
Justice
Department Intervened
The Justice Department tried to prevent
the transaction because of Kerkorian's involvement
in two major film companies,
but a Federal District Court judge in Los
Angeles, A. Andrew Hauk, refused to
issue
a temporary restraining order. He also refused
to issue a preliminary injunction,
which would have enjoined Kerkorian from
completing the transaction pending a trial
on the Federal antitrust suit initiated by the
government.
The executive committee of the National
Assn. of Theatre Owners (NATO) met Jan.
1 1 and. among other business, adopted a
resolution the sale (see opposing accompanying
story). The resolution expressed the
that the transaction would lessen competition
between the two companies,
belief
MOM
and Columbia, which in turn would result
in decreased film production.
GCC Made Similar Offer
General Cinema Corp., owner of the
nation's largest chain of theatres, had made
an offer similar to Kerkorian's, but withdrew
when Columbia's board of directors
said it would not recommend the move to
its
shareholders.
CPl's president and chief executive officer
Francis T. Vincent Jr. said, "The GCC proposal
as presented would create legal, business,
economic and operational problems
for us. Based on legal advice and after giving
consideration to relevant business and
economic factors, we could not recommend
the GCC proposal to our shareholders."
Judge Allows Sale
In making his decision to refuse to block
the sale. Judge Hauk, whose controversial
decisions have often been challenged, said
the government had failed to prove it
would suffer "irreparable injury" if the
order were not issued. He indicated that the
government, if it won its suit, could seek
to force Kerkorian to divest himself of the
Columbia shares.
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BOXOFFICE :: January
A spokesman for the General Cinema
Corp. declined to state whether government
intervention might spur GCC into resubmitting
its offer if Kerkorian loses the suit.
Karen Libbett, director of public relations
for NATO, expressed the possibility that
Kerkorian "could make MGM totally a
hotels and gambling company," contributing
to the already problematic decline in available
film product.
Seen as Antitrust Case
The Justice Department's antitrust division
acts when mergers involve companies
who control 5 percent or more of the market.
According to NATO figures, MGM,
whose films are distributed by United Artists,
controls over 10 percent of the market,
while Columbia's share of the market is
"at
least" 11 percent. Justice Department figures,
however, indicated that Columbia's
market share from 1972 to 1978 varied
from 5.5 to 14.8 percent and averaged 10.3
percent, whereas MGM's share ranged for
0.8 to 11.2 percent, for an average of 3.5
percent. The figures depend on the number
of hit films a studio releases.
Off MGIVI Board of Directors
Kerkorian's public relations company issued
a statement saying that the Justice Depariment
had told the financier's lawyers
that the tender offer "does not violate the
government's published antitrust guidelines."
Those guidelines were established for
industries which are not highly concentrated,
unlike the film trade, which is highly
concentrated.
An antitrust official stated that the Justice
Department can always bring antitrust suits
for reasons "other than apparent market
shares."
In a separate action, the board of directors
of MGM, for the first time since 1969,
refused Kerkorian a seat on the board. He
was prevented from assuming the position
by an MGM bylaw precluding substantial
stockholders in other film companies from
holding a director's seat.
NATO's Resolution
Opposes Stock Sale
NEW YORK — The text of NATO's
resolution opposing the sale of Columbia
stock to Kirk Kerkorian is as follows:
On Jan. 16, 1979, Mr. Kirk Kerkorian,
the controlling stockholder of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,
Inc., will seek to complete the
purchase of more than 25 percent of the
voting stock of Columbia Pictures Industries,
Inc. MGM is one of the nation's leading
motion picture producers. MGM's films,
which are distributed by United Artists, also
constitute a significant share of the motion
picture distribution business, with United
Artists and MGM, according to published
sources, controlling over 10 percent of that
business. Columbia is one of the nation's
leading motion picture producers and one
of the nation's leading motion picture distributors,
with, according to published
sources, a market share of at least 11 percent
of the motion picture distribution business.
Because of the serious implications of this
proposed stock purchase for the competitive
structure and operations of the motion picture
business generally, the executive committee
of the National Assn. of Theatre
Owners, Inc., adopts the following resolution:
WHEREAS, motion picture distribution
is already a highly concentrated business,
with the top eight firms, including Columbia,
controlling over 90 percent of the motion
picture distribution business in the
United States;
WHEREAS, distribution of MGM-produced
pictures also constitutes a substantial
share of the motion picture distribution
business;
WHEREAS, MGM is a potential entrant
into the motion picture distribution busi-
(Continued on page 7)
Managing Editor Ralph M. Delmont Dies
KANSAS CITY—Ralph Delmont, 58, managing editor of BOXOFFICE
since March, 1977, died Jan. 16 at St. Luke's Hospital. He had suffered a major
heart attack Dec. 31, 1978, and had been in intensive care in the Independence
Sasitariuni and Hospital since then.
Delmont began at BOXOFFICE as a regional editor in August 1969. He succeeded
Jesse Shlyen, brother of the magazine's founder and publisher Ben Shlyen,
as managing editor nine years later.
Bom in Harrisonville, Mo.. Delmont served in the Army as secretary to Gen.
George S. Patton. Prior to coming to BOXOFFICE, he worked with an accounting
firm in Chicago.
Services were conducted Jan. 18 at Speaks Chapel in Independence. In lieu
of flowers, the family has requested that a contribution be made to the Heart
Assn.

REARGUARD PRODUCTIONS, INC.
527 Madison Avenue, Suite 1603
New York, N. Y. 10022
(212) 753-4865
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
6030 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 300
Los Angeles, CA. 90036
(213) 937-1570

AZTEC II THEATER, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
"LET ME DIE A WOMAN"
400 Seats $2.50 Admission
Friday, January 5, 1979: $2,769.50
Saturday, January 6, 1979: $4,436.50
Sunday, January 7, 1979: $3,460.50
Monday, January 8, 1979: $1,507.50
Tuesday, January 9, 1979: $1,169.50
Wednesday, January 10, 1979: $ 763.50
Thursday, January 11, 1979: $1,343.00
FIRST WEEK TOTAL: $15,450.00
HELD OVER SECOND WEEK
Friday, January 12, 1979: $1,447.50
Saturday, January 13, 1979: $3,005.50
Sunday, January 14, 1979: $3,451.50
Monday, January 15, 1979: $ 878.00

THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY
Published in Nine Sectional Editions
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WILLIAM C. VANCE
Publislier
JOHN F. BERRY
Assoc. Publisher/National Sales Manager
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STU GOLDSTEIN Associate Editor
RON SCHAUMBURG Associate Editor
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ADMINISTRATIVE
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'
distribution,
'
WHEREAS,
NATO's Resolution
Opposes Slock Sale
(Continued from page 3)
ness and has operated its own large distribution
business in
prior years;
WHEREAS, Columbia's film
distribution
business competes directly with the distribution
of films produced by MGM and
Columbia's film production business competes
directly with MGM's production business;
WHEREAS, the business of producing
new motion pictures has also become dominated
by a small number of large companies
such as MGM and Columbia;
WHEREAS, in recent years motion picture
exhibitors and the public have been injured
by a steadily worsening shortage of
new films produced by companies such as
Columbia and MGM and distributed by
companies such as Columbia;
WHEREAS, the practice of large distributors
and producers such as Columbia and
MGM has been to minimize competition by
demanding increasingly
burdensome license
fees and substantially similar license terms
and by refusing to grant exhibitors an opportunity
to view new films before licensing
them, all to the detriment of exhibitors and
consumers;
WHEREAS, it is of vital importance to
exhibitors and consumers alike that opportunities
for increased competition in motion
picture production and distribution
should be preserved and not reduced by corporate
affiliations among dominant firms in
the motion picture industry;
WHEREAS, ownership of a substantial
share of Columbia by the controlling stockholder
of MGM is likely to produce neither
an increase in production of new films nor
an increase in competition with respect to
including license terms and
other distribution practices;
the ownership of a substantial
share of Columbia by the controlling
stockholder of MGM is likely to influence
the management of each company to compete
less vigorously with each other— if at
all—in motion picture production and distribution;
WHEREAS, the ownership of a substantial
share of Columbia by the controlling
stockholder of MGM is likely to have the
effect of hindering new entry into the mo-
picture production business by producers
tion
seeking to compete with MGM
and
Columbia, and seeking services and financial
support from distributors such as
I
Columbia;
WHEREAS, there is no basis for concluding
that the affiliation of Columbia and
MGM will be of any benefit to the interests
of the moviegoing public;
NATO's executive committee hereby resolves
that the proposed purchase of a substantial
share of Columbia's outstanding
stock by MGM's controlling stockholder is
contrary to the public policy favoring competition
embodied in the antitrust laws, and
Warner Bros. Sets Industry Record
With $28.8 Million in Single Week
LOS ANGELES—Warner Bros, has captured
the all-time motion picture industry
record for domestic boxoffice gross in a
single week with an unprecedented $28,-
789.809 registered in the December 22-28
period, substantially exceeding the previous
industry record of $24.5 million, it was
announced by Ted Ashley, chairman of the
board of Warner Bros., the film unit of
Warner Communications Inc.
Two Set
Pace
This record was set through the performance
of Warner's two Christmas attractions
in first-run general release: "Superman,"
which garnered a scond week boxoffice
gro.ss
of $18,517,515, thus setting a new alltime
single-picture industry record for a
is likely to reduce the already diminished
state of competition in motion picture production
and distribution.
NATO's executive committee further resolves
that abandonment of the proposed
stock purchase would be in the interest of
a vital, competitive motion picture business
and in the public interest generally.
AFTRA-SAGSlrikels
Supported by COMPTU
NEW YORK—The New Conference
Motion Picture and Television Unions has
voted unanimously to support the strike by
the American Federation of Television and
Radio Artists and Screen Actors Guild
against advertising agencies and producers
of television and radio commercials to the
full
extent permitted by law.
Robert also said that at the suggestion of
has
AFTRA and SAG representatives there
been no concerted recognition of picket lines
at selected sites, since "this would only give
management another opportunity to use
more non-union employees. This agreedupon
policy does not interfere with any individual's
constitutional right not to cross
the picket line."
Robert denounced as "deliberate misrepresentation"
a recent statement by a spokesman
for the advertising agencies that craft
unions in New York did not respect the
actors' picket lines. "We don't let retrogressive
employers dictate union strategy,"
he said.
Robert also noted that Frederick O'Neal,
president of the Associated Actors and
Artistes of America (the international AFL-
CIO parent union of all U.S. performer
unions), has ordered all members of its nine
constituent organizations not to
of
audition for
or appear in any TV or radio commercials
for any employer that has not signed the
AFTRA-SAG interim agreement. COMPTU
has been advised that since the strike began
Dec. 19. over 175 producers and advertising
agencies have signed the interim agreement.
seven-day period, and "Every Which Way
But Loose," which posted an impressive
$10,272,294 boxoffice tally for the same
period, the largest seven-day figure for a
motion picture starring Clint Eastwood.
Paramount Had Mark
As a result, Warner Bros, also set a new
all-time industry record of $21,028,428 for
billings in a single week. Film billings represent
the studio's share of boxoffice receipts.
The billings record resulted from $13,888,-
136 posted by "Superman" and $7,140,292
by "Every Which Way But Loose."
The previous motion picture industry
billings record of $16.6 million was held by
Paramount — for its three July 4, 1978 attractinos
"Grease," "Heaven Can Wait" and
"Saturday Night Fever."
AI'sS-Month Theatre
Income Down From '77
BEVERLY HILLS—American International
reported a net income of $680,000
(28 cents per share) on revenues of $13,-
755,000 for the quarter ending Nov. 25,
1978. This reduced the net loss for the nine
months ended Nov. 25, 1978 to $545,000
(23 cents per share) on revenues of $36,-
323,000. For the third quarter and nine
months of last year, income before extraordinary
income was $22,000 (no return
per share) and $1,360,000 (54 cents per
share) on revenues of $11,020,000 and
$39,247,000, respectively.
Television revenues for the current quarter
were up 270 percent on the strength
of the revenue recognized from television
contracts from networks syndicated series
and syndicated features. Domestic and foreign
theatrical revenues continued to decline
by 49 per cent and 31 per cent respectively
for the current nine months over the comparable
period of last year. This, coupled
with higher amortization, distribution and
related expenses as well as increased borrowing
costs, contributed to the disappointing
results. Offsetting the loss were the effect
of carrying back net operating loss, investment
tax and foreign tax credits earned
during the current period.
A recomputation of the present value of
television contracts benefited the current
quarter and the current nine months by
$480,000 (20 cents per share). Of this
amount $385,000 (16 cents per share) is
attributable to contracts recognized in income
in prior periods.
The company's television operations continue
to positively influence the company's
overall operations, significantly offsetting in
part the disappointing results derived from
theatrical operations. At Nov. 25. 1978,
there were $20 million of television license
agreements which had not been reflected in
the financial statements because the films
involved are not available for exhibition
until a date in the future.
BOXOFTICE January 22, 1979

fOR THE
RECORD
M^c-pi.-.MjciiI ... ouMiic.vs allairs lor
United Artists. Since January. 1978, Stolber
had been vice-president of UA's business
affairs. He joined the company's legal department
in 1969 and in 1973 was appointed
executive assistant to the senior vicepresident
of business affairs. In 1977 Stolber
became director of business affairs.
Daniel R. Fellman has been promoted to
vice-president and assistant general sales
manager of Warner Bros. He joined the
company in April. 1978 as Eastern sales
manager, and formerly was vice-president
and director of CinemaNational Theatres.
Molber
Fellman
Jean-Louis Rabin, 20th Century-Fox vicepresident
of international sales for the past
two years, has been promoted to the newly
created post of vice-president, international
marketing.
Francisco "Paco" Rodriguez, 20th Century-Fox's
managing director for Italy for
almost four years, will be transferred to the
home office where he will assume the post
of vice-president of international operations.
Robert Dingilian has been named worldwide
vice-president of publicity and promotion
at 20th Century-Fox. In his post he will
oversee the publicity and promotional campaigns
on all Fox feature films throughout
the world, reporting to Asley Boone Jr.,
senior vice-president of domestic marketing
and distribution. Dingilian was executive
publicity director with the Association of
Motion Picture and Television Producers
and later formed his own independent firm
with David Gershenson.
Carl Molica has been appointed national
sales manager of Cinema Shares International
Distribution Corp. He has been with
Cinema Shares almost from its inception in
1975, most recently as Eastern district manager,
having worked previously for Embassy
Pictures, Cinemation, 20th Century-Fox
and Allied Artists.
John B. Tarnoff was named executive in
charge of creative affairs for the motion
picture division of MOM, For the past four
years he was associated with the agencies
of Mike I^>vy and Paul Kohner, heading
their TV department as well as serving as
literary agent in motion piclurcs and television.
Kevin P. Donnelly became head of
MGM's production department, succeeding
Dale Hutchinson. Donnelly began his career
with MGM in 1965 as an assistant
director, and has just completed a stint as
unit production manager of Joe Hamilton's
"Tenth Month."
Jerry Grice has been named director of
administration for 20th Century-Fox International.
Since 1972 Grice had been Fox's
manager of participation and he will continue
to make his headquarters in the Los
Angeles home office.
Penny Costigan joins the field marketing
department of Paramount Pictures motion
picture division as a senior publicist. Ms.
Costigan, who has been at work for some
months, is involved with regional magazine
publicity outlets. She joined Paramount's
staff in 1973.
Sam Weinstein succeeded Sid Newman
as worldwide director of nontheatrical sales
for 20th Century-Fox. Weinstein started in
Fox's New York office as a messenger boy
in 1946 and was operations manager of the
company's data processing center until named
branch manager accounting manager in
1972.
Jerome Sandy has been promoted from
Washington branch manager to Atlantic division
manager of American International,
covering Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Boston
and New Haven. Sandy has been with AI
for 24 years.
Ed Harridsleff has been appointed associate
executive art director of Diener/Hauser/
Bates Co. He has been with DHB for
ten years, serving in various art and creative
positions.
Sandy
Harridsleff
Fred Skidmore, formerly publicity director,
moves into the post of vice-president of
advertising and publicity, formerly held by
Farrell. They will be responsible for advertising
activities of all Lorimar divisions
film, TV, syndication, international distribution
and merchandising/licensing.
Stephen Bankler-Jukes was named director
of publicity and advertising for United
Artists in the United Kingdom. He comes
to UA from a varied career in the entertainment
industry, having been a journalist for
the Financial Times in London and a staffer
with several record companies. He was put
in charge of publicity for BBC-TVs feature
programs in 1973.
Richard Parks was chosen executive assistant
to Steven Bach, United Artists senior
vice-president for East Coast and European
production. Parks has worked in all areas
of creative development and production and
for the past eight years was associated with
the literary agency Curtis Brown Ltd.
Titles & Takes
Jnvasion of the Body Snatchers" continues
its pace, earning $9,648,645 in 444
theatres in three weeks across the United
States and Canada.
In Switzerland, "Odds and Evens" (WB-
Col) racked up $188,858 during its first
week in multi-lingual theatres. Fourteen out
of 16 German-language houses reported record
grosses, and the total was $91,393. Two
Italian-language cinemas earned $10,132,
while $87,333 was reported from seven theatres
in
the French-speaking region.
"Force 10 From Navarone" (Col
foreign
distribution) had a 32 percent increase in its
second-week gross in Paris, bringing the
two-week total to $503,745 from 17 theatres.
The film has pulled in $82,124 in 16
days in two Stockholm theatres, $47,824
from one Amsterdam theatre in 12 days and
$41,706 in ten days from one Helsinki theatre.
The first week in Copenhagen grossed
$33,658 from one theatre, while three theatres
in Brussels have brought in $49,868 in
12 days. Other action: Santiago, three theatres,
eight days, $29,135; Bogota, three theatres,
$12,251; Singapore, one theatre, 12
days, $53,495; Hong Kong, six theatres, 18
days, $434,157.
The Neil Simon comedy "California
Suite" scored $2,543,077 in 17 days of
business at 60 theatres in New York. One
weekend's total was $509,522.
Four foreign territories report high totals
for Warner Bros.' "Superman." which earned
$6,211,881 in the first few weeks. The
breakdown: United Kingdom. 145 theatres,
three weeks, $2,875,810: Australia, 51 theatres,
17 days, $2,265,759 (including 28
house records for a week's business); South
Africa, 28 theatres, three weeks, $738,320
(18 weekly house records); New Zealand,
16 theatres, 16 days, $331,992.
"Movie, Movie" (WB) has seen its
grosses
rise each weekend in an exclusive engagement
at the 400-seat Avco Center Cinema.
Warners' "Every Which Way But Loose"
in its third week reports $8,849,878 from
1,275 theatres, bringing its total to $33,-
012,463. Billings are expected to exceed the
$22,922,892 billed during the entire run of
"The Enforcer," previous record Clint Eastwood
starrer.
Nine cities in Brazil, including Rio de
Janeiro, have reported a gross of $301,414
for Warner Bros.' "The Wild Geese," four
days, 23 theatres.
"Ice Castles" (Col) gi'ossed over $53,000
in 12 days in Omaha, Portland and St. Paul,
t
A French-Italian co-production, "La Cage
|
Aux Folles," earned $5,117,000 in France,
42 days, 134 theatres. Most engagements
established records in either boxoffice performance
or length of run. Other action:
Italy, $2,863,500, 55 days, 80 theatres
(house records in Rome, Turin, Palermo,
Bari and Florence); Geneva, $187,592, five
weeks, one theatre; Lausanne, $54,496, one
theatre, two weeks; Belgium, $795,785, 44
days,
nine theatres.
BOXOFFICE :: January 22, 1979

'Futureworld' First
US Film Buy in China
HOLLYWOOD—The first American film
to be released for general audiences in
China will be 'Futureworld," an American
International release starring Peter Fonda
and Blythe Danner. It will be the first
American film to be shown since President
Carter formalized relations with the country.
The Chinese have purchased American
movies in the past but they have only been
shown to select audiences along with movies
from France. Great Britain and other countries.
Jules Stein, vice-president of American
International Pictures, reports receiving a
signed contract permitting the screening of
the film in China's 4,000 theatres.
After Carter formalized relations. Stein
says he received a cable from the Chinese
saying they wanted to purchase "Futureworld"
for general release.
Competition Tough for Independents
MOTION PICTURES RATED
BY THE CODE & RATING
ADMINISTRATION
The following feature-length motion pictures
have been reviewed and rated by the
Code and Rating Administration pursuant
to the Motion Picture Code and Rating
Program.
Title Distributor Ralina
Burnout (Crown)

'Take Down' First BV
Non-Disney Picture
K.ANSAS CITY—In a departure from its
usual practice, Buena Vista, the distributing
arm of the Walt Disney organization, will
be handling the national distribution of
"Take Down." a high school sports feature
starring Edward Herrmann and Kathleen
Lloyd.'
well. The picture broke seven house records
in Idaho, Utah and Montana tests, grossing
$273,243 in one week.
CALENDARofEVENTS
JANUARY
First
Non-G Film
"Take Down." rated PG, is the first outside
production to be handled by Buena
Vista, which until now has released only
product from the Disney Studios. It is also
the company's first non-G picture.
"We're expanding our horizons a little
bit," commented Doug Finlay, Buena Vista's
Kansas City branch manager. "Disney
is still our primary concern, but we're getting
into some new things now. We feel
this
film has potential, and with Disney's reputation
we can afford to be selective in the
outside product we pick up."
In Test Engagements
Finlay pointed out that "Take Down" has
been screened in test engagements in the
Salt Lake City area and has been doing very

• ADLIIIES t 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 B BETTER BOOKING AND B U S I N E S S - B U I L D I N G
Send news of promotional campaigns and audience reactions on current films to STU GOLDSTEIN, SHOWMANDISER EDITOR
Monkey Biz in San Francisco
Gary Warrick, manager of Plitt
Theatres'
St. Francis Theatre in San Francisco, Calif.,
kicked off the opening of Warner's "Every
Which Way But Loose" with what may have
been a history-making event; a beauty contest
for monkeys and apes. Indeed, even if
it wasn't the first such beauty contest of its
kind, it was certainly a first in the history
of theatre promotion, to
say the least.
The contest, held Dec. 20 in the theatre's
lobby, did plenty to ballyhoo the Eastwoodorangutan
pairing of "Every Which Way,"
with the promotion garnering feature-story
coverage on the 10 o'clock evening news on
KTVU-TV, channel 2.
The central problem, manager Warrick
discovered, was where to get all the monkeys
he would need for such a promotion.
After contacting nearly every pet store in
the Bay Area, the manager of Pet World
in neighboring San Bruno referred him to
an organization of monkey and ape owners
who helped Warrick find pet owners who
would enter the contest.
Area merchants were happy to participate
in the promotion. Among them. Marine
World, Africa U.S.A., located in Redwood
City, supplied the contest with several free
admission tickets for prizes. Carter's Jewelry
supplied a gift certificate for gold to be used
as first prize. Howard's supplied a runnerup
prize of clothing and MMM Carpets of
Concord offered the use of a red carpet as
an entrance runway. All prizes were supplied
to the theatre at no cost. Bill Lanese
Advertising provided the theatre with a
limousine to use for the event.
A total of 120 press releases were sent
out, covering every radio and TV station
in the San Francisco Bay area, four major
radio and TV stations in Sacramento, and
the three network TV stations in Los Angeles.
With such widespread coverage, someone
was bound to pick up on the idea, and
indeed they did. Radio KFRC in San Francisco,
the top radio station in northern California,
KFOG, KSAN and several other
San Francisco radio stations, along with
KBHK-TV, channel 44 and KTVU, channel
2 all mentioned the upcoming event.
The San Francisco Progress newspaper published
the news release, which asked inter-
(Continued on ne.xt page)
ALL PRIMATE BEAUTY PAGEANT— Warner Bios: "£ve/v Which Way But
Loose," starring Clint Eastwood and an orangutan, was touted in a most unusual
way at the St. Francis Theatre with the aid of a bevy of beastly beauties. Here,
Bob McKenzie interviews chimpanzee contestants Jeffrey and Shciha.
'Exhibitor Has His Say Will Return
To Help Measure Audience Reaction
BoxoFFiCE would like to know what exhibitors have to say about current
pictures. What are your reactions to currently playing or recently booked films?
How are your patrons responding? Which engagement proved most successful?
Other exhibitors want to know too.
That's why Boxoffice is reinstituting "The Exhibitor Has His Say" feature
as regular part of Showmandiser. It will aid everyone involved in the theatre business
to know what theatre owners themselves report on films they've booked.
We want to know the big ones and the losers— pictures you wish you'd never
booked, ones that did great when you never thought they would. Of course, audience
reaction is most vital.
In addition, Boxoffice is actively seeking news of your best promotional efforts.
We're interested particularly in special campaigns that boosted patronage
and called special attention to a picture. Include the theatre's name and location
along with your name and position. And be sure to send plenty of copy and pictures
so we get the complete story on exactly what you did to ballyhoo an engagement.
The best campaigns will be featured in Showmandiser.
Send your opinions and promotion ideas to Stu Goldstein, Showmandiser Editor,
Boxoffice. 825 Van Brunt. Kansas City, Mo. 64124.
Let's hear from you right away!
BOXOFTICE Showmandiser :: Jan. 22, 1979

CITATIONS FOR JULY
AND AUGUST
Chi'CK Dunn, Rcchione Managemenr's district manager. Cincinnati, Ohio, who promoted
"House Calls" through a tie-in with WEBN Radio's blood drive, boosting
boxoffice receipts and assisting a worthwhile civic cause.
BiNG Frakes. manager of Crown Cinema Corp.'s HiUcrest 4 theatres, St. Joseph, Mo.,
for his multi-media campaign which resulted in lofty grosses for the engagement
of "Here Come the Tigers."
Repeat Campaign Promo
Given to 'It's Alive 2'
Manager Mark B. Holley of Trade-A-
House Coip.'s Mississippi Mall Cinema in
Slidell, La., found the temptation to repeat
his promotion for "It's Alive" just too hard
to resist. So when the sequel to "It's Alive,"
better known as "It's Alive 2," opened at
CITATIONS FOR SEPTEMBER
AND OCTOBER
G.\v.\ Warrick, trainee manager. Piitt's Capitol theatres I anil 2, Sacraniento. Calif.,
who created vast awareness for the playdate of "The Swarm" via a consciousnessraising
publicity blitz,
Tony Fratis, manager, and Nick Malman, assistant manager. Syufy's Burlingame 4
Drivc-ln, Burlingame, Calif., are cited for an elaborate special program designed
to commemorate the 45th anniversary of drive-in theatres in
the U.S.
CITATIONS FOR NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER
Beng Bengtsson, manager. Cinema 6 theatres. Temple. Tex., who advertised for a
Superman look-alike and netted an ex-Marine insurance salesman who personified
the legendary character as depicted in the Warner Bros, film "Superman."
Buster SMrrn, manager. Simpson Theatres' Capri Theatre. Knoxville. Term., created
an attention-getting lobby display which generated great "want-to-see" for the film
"Somebody Killed Her Husband."
Tom Royer, American Multi Cinema's Academy 6 theatres. Greenhelt, Md.. receives
a special citation for his diligent work in executing a concession sales-boosting
promotion made possible by a discount achieved via a tie-in with a local eatery.
csted monkey and ape owners to participate,
with the first 50 participants admitted free
on opening day.
As the long black limousine pulled up in
front of the theatre, onlookers were treated
as
contestants and their owners walked into
the theatre via the red carpet. Among them:
Father John Gaylord and his Rhesus monkey
Mona; Jackie Morrow, a squirrel monkey
from Walnut Creek: Sheiba Morrow, a variety, that is) received at least one ba-
lose. All contestants (of the monkey and ape
chimpanzee; Trina Anderson, a wooly monnana.
(Continued from preceding page)
key from Concord and Jeffrey Egan, a
chimp from San Mateo. Also participating
were Santa Claus (employee David Leatherwood)
and a professional tap-dancer.
Actress Sandy Herdt was on hand to
crown the winning primate, Sheiba. with a
crown of real bananas and she handed the
owner first prize. But even the losers didn't
MORE MONKEY liUSINESS IN SAN IRANCISCO. not to mention the appearance
of actress Sandy Herdt. resulted in huge audience awareness of "Every
Which Way ..." Sandy poses here with Mona and Trina and a patron escorts
chimp contestant Jeffrey Egan. Contestant Jeffrey turned somersiiiilts and hackflips
in the lobby of the theatre, too.
Manager Holley promoting "It's Alive 2."
the theatre, the promotional technique of
the original "Alive" became a
sequel, too.
Once again the manager set up a baby
basinet complete with a grotesque infant
hand hanging over the side. Holley obtained
a surgeon's outfit for the occasion, splattering
himself with fake blood. To ballyhoo the
picture even further, he made appearances
in the mall in Slidell, wheeling the basinet
from store to store.
Manager Holley had such fun in creating
the promotion, and it is created so much
attention and increased grosses, that he is
eagerly awaiting an "It's Alive 3."
California Comes to Florida
In 'Suite' Radio Tie-In
It was California in Florida as Tony
Brugiere, manager of Ogden-Perry's Santa
Rosa Cinema in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.,
promoted "California Suite." After contacting
numerous travel agents, it became obvious
that this radio contest would have to
be approached with a new angle. If you can
send people to California, why not bring
California to them with the latest in California
fashions? This idea paid off with a
fantastic $1300 worth of free radio advertising.
Brugiere contacted Susie's Casuals and
Ed White's Mens Store and each agreed to
donate a $100 gift certificate as a grand
in prize the "California Suite" radio contest.
Promotion for the weekend contest
began with a 60 second spot which ran
hourly. Each hour, for 50 consecutive hours,
listeners of WNUE were able to win a pass
to see the picture by being the first listener
to call in and identify one of the stars from
"Suite."
Each hourly winner then qualified for the
drawing for the grand prize. The drawing
was held Christmas Eve and was a delightful
Christmas present for the lucky winners and
a highly successful promotion for Santa
Rosa Cinema.
BOXOFFICE Showmandii

! eludes
i\
M ^J^olluwood i'^eport mi
f
m
FILM PROJECTS
Damon Runyon"s classic Little Miss
Marker will be filmed by Universal as a
Jennings Lang production with shooting set
to start the last week of February. Walter
Matthau will star in his first of a three picture,
five-year agreement between Universal
and Matthau. Walter Bernstein will script
and direct.
New World Pictures has set a spring
1980 starting date for Acapulco. Frances
Duel will write the screenplay.
Producer Jerry B. Wheeler has set a
March 5 shooting start in Key West for
The Last Resort, a title change from the
shooting in South Africa and Europe in the
spring on The Man of Heart, a drama based
on the career of heart transplant surgeon
Dr. Christian Barnard. Conrad Bain will
star.
Executive producer Marilyn J. Tenser
will begin shooting May 17 on Crown International
Picture's Mulholland Drive.
Racquet, a comedy about the amorous
escapades of a former Wimbledon tennis
champion, has been set for distribution
through Cal-Am Artists. Starring are Bert
Convy, Edie Adams and Lynda Day George.
David Winters and Alan Roberts produced.
Winters also directed.
Orion's The Great Santini, starring Robert
Duvall and Blythe Danner, has completed
principal photography. Final week
of filming at the Goldwyn Studios came
after eight weeks of location shooting in
[Beaufort, S.C. and two weeks of rehearsals
and jet aerial photography at Beaufort Marine
Air Station.
American International's Defiance has
completed filming and is now in post-production.
John Flynn directed. An August
release date has 'been set.
ACQUISITIONS
Key International Films: U.S. and Canadian
rights to The Sweet Creek County War.
A comedy-drama with a western flavor, the
film is based on a true incident that took
place in Wyoming in the 1890s. Cast in-
Richard Egan, Albert Salmi, Nita
'Talbot and Slim Pickens.
20th Century-Fox: Worldwide distribution
rights, except for Japan, to Kagemusha,
the new Akira Kurosawa film scheduled to
begin production in Japan in April. Frances
Coppola and George Lucas will be executive
producers. Kurosawa will produce and direct
from his own screenplay.
ABKCO Films: Worldwide motion picture
and TV rights to My Family and Other
Animals, from Gerald Durrell's non-fiction
work. The novel is one of five Durrell
properties which ABKCO Films acquired as
a package from EMI Films.
Michael Douglas: Virgin Kisses, a contemporary
novel by Gloria Nagy.
American Cinema Productions: The Osterman
Weekend, Robert Ludlom's novel.
Larry A. Thompson: Naked Camel by
David Weiss. He plans to go into pre-production
early in the year, aiming at a winter
1980 release date.
Warner Bros.: Worldwide distribution
rights to the Tony Bill-Bill Benenson Production
of Boulevard Nights. Set for a
March release, the picture is a drama about
previously announced "Butterflies in Heat."
George Edwards and Tony Crechales are
a determined youth who must fight to
developing the screenplay. Cash Baxter will
bridge the gap between two very different
direct.
worlds. The film stars Richard Yniguez,
Marshalltown Productions plans to begin
Marta Dubois and Danny De La Paz. Warners
has also acquired rights to Miranda,
Pamela Sanders' romantic adventure novel
about a young American woman war correspondent.
The picture will be produced by
Alex Winitsky and Arlene Sellers.
Orion Pictures: Final Payments, Mary
Gordon's book. The film will star Diane
Keaton. Sphinx, the new novel by Robin
Cook, author of "Coma." Robert Daley's
Prince of the City, which will be directed
by Brian De Palma. Sharkey's Machine, by
William Diehl. The film version will star
Burt Reynolds.
FEATURE
CASTING
Joseph Cortese has signed for his first
major film role in Corky, romantic thriller
starring Talia Shire and co-starring Elizabeth
Ashley. Cortese will play the detective
in the picture, a Michael Lobell Prooduction
for release by United Artists. Filming
began Jan. 17.
Norman Jewison and Patrick Palmer have
signed singer-dancer Beverly Sanders for a
straight dramatic role in . . . And Justice
for All. Sanders is cast in the role of
Sherry, a legal secretary to star Al Pacino.
The feature production has just returned
from seven weeks of location work in Baltimore,
Md. Darrell Zwerling has been signed
for the key role of Zinoff, chairman of a
legal ethics committee. Arthur Rosenberg,
Ken Patterson, Sidney Clute. John Haymer
and Angus Duncan have also been signed to
make up the committee.
Eva La Gallienne, who turned 80 this
month, has signed for her first major motion
picture role in Universal's Resurrection,
capping a career which began in 1915.
The legendary actress was a founder of the
Civic Repertory Theatre and in this film
she will portray the lively, high-spirited
grandmother of Ellen Burstyn.
Chariton Heston has been signed to star
in Wind River, an original screenplay by
Eraser Clarke Heston which was recently
purchased for production by Martin Ransohoff
Productions and Columbia Pictures.
The epic adventure film calls for the two
leading men to portray trappers who survive
in the mountains of Wyoming despite
almost unsurmountable odds in the early
1800s. Andrew Scheinman and Martin
Shafer will produce.
Max Showaltcr will portray a minister in
Orion Pictures" 10, produced and directed
by Blake Edwards.
Roberta Maxwell has a featured role in
The Changeling.
TECHNICAL
ASSIGNMENTS
Martin Davidson will direct MGM's Who
Says Nice Guys Finish Last? for producer
Stephen J. Friedman. John Rittcr stars.
Screenplay is by A. J. Carothers.
Ralph Bakshi has entered into an agreement
with Martin Ransohoff Productions
and Columbia Pictures to produce and direct
American Pop, a full-length animated
feature with a multimillion-dollar budget.
The film will feature a minimum of 17
musical numbers that will highlight the history
of American music as told through the
eyes and ears of a ten-year-old boy who ^
arrives in this country in 1910 and lives
through four generations of his family until
1980."
Peter Hyams will write and direct The
Hunter for Paramount. Starring Steve
McQueen, the picture will be based on the
novel by Christopher Keane. Mort Engleberg
will produce.
Walter Hill has signed to direct Warner's
missing persons caper. The Last Good Kiss,
for which James Crumley is
currently writing
the screenplay. The film will be produced
by Sidney Beckerman and is scheduled
to go before the cameras later this
year. ;
Carol Lees will score Suncrest Cinema's
The Number, starring Karen Black, Richard
Harris and Martin Landau.
Michael Anderson will edit Cabo Blanco.
Robert Bums has been named art director
for Star Cinema Productions' Sanctuary
for Evil.
Producer Marilyn J. Tenser has signed
Ron Wright to compose the music and Ken
Mansfield to produce an original score for
Van Nuys Blvd.
Johnny Mandel wrote the score for
Agatha for First Artists and Warners.
Deno Paoli, head of Variety Internation- .
al Pictures, has signed Robert Dillon to
write the screenplay for Oil, based on a
novel by Jonathan Black. Filming is set for
February with Paoli as producer.
Harriet B. Gelberg has been signed to
cast The Jazz Singer, a G.J.L. production in
association with EMI,
BOXOmCE :: January 22, 1979
13

BOXOFFICE
BAROMETER
This chart records the performance of current attractions in the opening week of their first runs in
the 20 key cities checked. Pictures with fewer than five engagements ore not listed. As new runs
are reported, ratings ore added and averages revised. Computation is in terms of percentage in
relation to average grosses as determined by the theatre managers. With 100 per cent as average,
the figures show the gioss ratings above or below that mark. (Asterisk * denotes combination bills.)
i At Last, At Last (EMC)

; phia
!
Trenton
,
transfer
I The
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i
copies
i
Two Philadelphia Men Power of 'Word-of-Mouth' Is Studied;
iArresled for Piracy 'Make-or-Break' Capability Is Found
By MAURIE H. ORODENKER
PHILADELPHIA—Two men from the
Philadelphia area are among seven persons
charged in a federal indictment with allegedly
selling bootlegged versions of current
popular motion pictures, including "Rocky."
"Star Wars." "Close Encounters of the
Third Kind," "Grease." "Fantasia" and
"Dirty Harry." Named in the indictments
handed down by a federal grand jury were
James Murray, 20 years old. of suburban
Lansdowne, Pa., and 22-year-old Richard
Ducar of nearby Trenton, N.J.
Both are accused of selling bootleg versions
of the films on video cassettes. 16mm
films and 35mm films in the Philadelphia
area, an FBI agent said. Murray and Ducar
were arrested Tuesday. Jan. 9 by local FBI
agents. Murray was ariaigned in Philadelbefore
U.S. Magistrate Tullio G. Leomiporra
and released on $5,000 personal re-
cognizance bond. Ducar was arraigned in
i
before U.S. Magistrate John W.
Devine and released in his own recognizance.
Both face hearings later this month to
them to Tulsa. Okla., where the
federal indictments were issued, for further
1 court action.
FBI said that in addition to the two
here, two Ohio men and three from
New York were arrested in the probe, which
originated 14 months ago and resulted in
investigations in nine states. Loss to the film
industry by the operation was estimated at
$40 million by the FBI. which said prices
for the pirated film tapes ranged from $50
to $150 for the videotapes, and between
$125 and $1,000 for films sold in this country.
Prices for the pirated movies overseas
were much higher.
The quality of the illegal copies ranged
from bad to extremely good, the FBI said.
Equipment used for duplicating stolen
of the films was confiscated in raids
in New York City, Detroit and Cleveland,
an FBI agent said.
"This is fast paralleling the sale of bootleg
eight-track tapes because of the advent
of video cassettes," said the agent. "It's a
fast-growing operation." An FBI raid in
[ Bay Village, Ohio, produced a quantity of
allegedly illegally copied movies and equip-
I ment used to make the duplicates. The
I
FBI's 14-month probe covered nine states
I
after an agent in Tulsa first encountered
evidence of a ring, officials said.
Pete Loukas Has Own Firm
EASTON, PA.—Pete Loukas. for the
past three years associated with William
Ditzel Productions in Dayton, Ohio for the
production of promotional motion pictures,
has located here in suburban Palmer Township
with the opening of his own filmmaking
enterprise, Loukas Productions. He
plans to make instructional and promotional
fihns for area businesses and organizations.
By MAURIE H. ORODENKER
PHILADELPHIA—What has the greatest
impact on the success of a motion picture?
Is it the advertising and promotion campaign
or simply the kind of "word-ofmouth"
it generates that can "make or
break" a movie? That's what the Applied
Research Center at the University of Pennsylvania's
Wharton School of Business is
tiying to figure out.
The newspaper ads. the reviews and especially
the stars all
count. But less predictable
is the force of word-of-mouth.
The social statistician analyzing the results
of their polling by telephone, in shopping
malls and movie theatres,
are asking several
thousand persons to keep diaries on their
moviegoing habits.
They want to find out why they go or
don't go to see a particular movie and how
much they are influenced by what they hear
somebody else say about the movie. The
researchers saw how word-of-mouth can kill
off a heavily advertised multi-million-dollar
extravaganza like "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely
Hearts Club Band" and the same kind of
word-of-mouth turned a sleeper and lowbudgeted
"Rocky" into a tremendous hit.
James Emshoff. director of the university's
Applied Research Center, says that
word-of-mouth is probably the most powerful
influence on a person's purchasing decision—more
effective than any advertising
that is done. Word-of-mouth research is not
a new phenomenon for the Applied Research
Center. It has been doing such researches
for yeais on such items as soup,
beer and pain-relievers. However, it was
three years ago that Columbia Pictures asked
the center to find out if word-of-mouth
can make or break a movie.
Emshoff. a former management consultant,
pointed out that the interest in wordof-mouth
is not difficult to discern. If companies
know how to take advantage of wordof-mouth.
they coi'ld increase sales and. of
course, profits.
However, he warned that negative wordof-mouth
spreads more rapidly—like the
recent widely spread rumor that McDonald's
hamburgers contained worms. That the rumors
were untrue was irrevalent. The negative
word-of-mouth took effect and sales
dropped.
What makes people stop buying hamburgers.
Emshoff said, obviously can also stop
them from seeing a movie. If there is no talk
from neighbors and friends and across the
back fence that are are some good movies
playing, the people are prone to stay at
home and see an old Cary Grant movie,
which they know is good, on the home television
set.
Emshoff cited an experiment conducted
by some other researchers which illustrates
the effect of word-of-mouth on the movies.
A "set-up" audience was instructed to leave
a theatre with sour faces, grousing about
the movie they had just seen.
The incoming audience, which was "real."
saw the glum faces, and tended to think
poorly of the picture. Then the "set-up"
audience was told to leave the theatre all
smiles, raving about the movie. The incoming
real audience saw the laughs and grins,
and tended to think they had seen a good
movie. It was the same movie, Emshoff
said, but the word-of-mouth interaction created
opposite responses.
The classic case of word-of-mouth effect
was "Rocky." Emshoff said. People exposed
to it early on. generally industry people, said
it was a good film. The report started to
spread, creating momentum. It surprised
even the company which produced it. They
didn't book enough opening theatres with
the result there were long lines at the theatres,
which helped reinforce the word-ofmouth
reports about the film.
Emshoff calls the people who start the
spread of rumors and reports about a picture
"key word-of-mouth spreaders." They
tend to be movie buffs who know what's
going on in the film industry, he said. They
are people who make a point of seeing a
movie when it is released, who like their
friends to ask them which movies they see.
The results of the center's researches for
Columbia Pictures are still being kept very
confidential. However, indications are that
Emshoff believes less money should be spent
on advertising a movie and more money
should be spent on actually making the
movie. He believes there should be more
audience-targeted films with the budget to
make them.
Eventually, he says hopefully, the center's
research will become an integral part of
making films.
Two NY Loews Houses
Are Near Completion
NEW YORK—Two new luxury
theatres
are nearing completion on Manhattan's East
Side and are set to open in late February,
it has been announced by Loews Theatres
president Bernard Myerson.
They will join the 49 other Loews houses
in the metropolitan New York area and will
be called Loews New York One and Two,
located on Second Avenue and 66th Street
on the lower level of the new oval-shaped
smoked glass 45-story luxury apartment
tower.
The most modern projection equipment
will be installed, including 35mm and 70mm
Century Projectors as well as Dolby stereo
sound.
Architects for the twins are Gmzen &
Partners of Manhattan.
The unusual and color decor has been
conceived by Chermayoff & Geismar Associates,
with a tan carpet treatment for
the walls.
Plush push-back seats will be covered in
rust-colored mohair while carpeting will be
red with black highlights.
. BOXOFFICE :: January 22, 1979
E-1

.
,
B R O A D WAY
THh MOTION PICTURE BOOKERS club
of New York has named the new Neil
Simon musical "They-re Playing Our Song"
as its 1979 theatre party selection. Club
members will attend the Feb. 9 performance
at the Imperial Theatre. A limited
number of tickets are still available to club
members and may be obtained through Max
Fried, theatre party chairman.
The new show is a two-character comedy
with music starring Robert Klein and Lucie
Arnaz. With music by Marvin Hamhsch and
lyrics by Carole Baver Sager. it is reportedly
based on the real-life relationship of the
composers. This marks the third consecutive
year that the Bookers Club has chosen a
Simon work for its annual event, "Chapter
Two" having been the 1978 choice and
"California Suite" the 1977 selection.
•
Marvin Friedlander of Marvin Films is
hack at the office here after attending a
Group 1 Films sales-distribution conference,
on the IVest Coast. Jack Leff, Group I's
genera} sales manager, hosted the sessions
at the Century Plaza Hotel. Los Angeles.
During the meetings. Friedlander screened
portions of four of the company's 1979
releases and heard an address by company
president Brandon Chase, who outlined
Group I's production plans for the next 18
months. Screened were "The Psychic," starring
Jennifer O'Neill: "The Plague," .sciencefiction
thriller with Kate Reid; "Charlie and
the Hooker," described as a sensitive love
story, and "The Best," with Gloria Guida.
•
Francois Leterrier's "Your Turn, My
Turn" (formeriy called "Go Ask Mama .
Papa's Busy") has its American premiere
at the Cinema Studio 1 Jan. 28. A Gaumont/New
Yorker Films release, the comedy
with serious overtones about love, marriage
and children stars Mariene Jobert and
Philippe Leotard, with Micheline Presle,
Macha Meril, Daniel Duval, Vladimir Andres,
Sylvia Joly and Valerie Pascale in
support.
•
"American Mavericks," a festival of independent
films, began Wednesday, Jan. 17
at the Entermedia Theater, Second Avenue
and 12th Street, with George Romero's
"The Crazies' and Jan Egleson's "Billy m
the Lowlands" as a one-night attraction.
Both filmmakers were scheduled to be present.
The series will feature a different
double bill each night through Saturday.
Jan. 27, with many of the directors on hand
to discuss their works. From Jan. 28 through
Feb. 14, selections from the festival will be
double billed for three days per program.
On Tuesday evening, Jan. 16 the theatre
held a gala welcome for invited guests, starting
with a wine reception in the lounge.
Following that, a .short film by Steve Jacobson
was shown—"Junior High School,"
made with an American Film liutitute gran'.
With Michael Norkin and David Wechter
listed as directors, this was an hilarious
spoof on "Grease" and other high school
E-2
epics as it musically told the .story of younj
David Stewart ami his efforts to invite Kris
Capelle. the girl of his dreams, to a party
Everyone enjoyed it and compared it favorably
to the much larger budgeted Travolta-Newton-John
epic.
Festival director Sam Kitt took the stagi'
introduce some of the filmmakers whose
to
works will be represented in the festival.
Taking bows from the audience were Romero,
Egleson, Henry Tomaszewski (star of
"Billy in the Lowlands"), Les Blank ("Always
for Pleasure" and "Spend It All").
Penny Allen ("Property"), Vicki Polon
("Pleasantville," co-directed with Kenneth
Locker) and Peter Hoffman ("Pilgrims").
Kitt read a telegram from Martin Scorsese,
who was to have been present and who
will be represented by an early short, "It's
Not Just You, Murry." After thanking the
New York State Council on the Arts for
their support and the filmmakers for their
cooperation. Kitt invited everyone to the
stage for a buffet spread. Afterwards, your
reporter had the opportunity to talk to
Blank, who is planning to make his first
theatrical feature, and to Vicki, an old
friend who is the screenwriter of the wellregarded
"Girl Friends."
Other films scheduled for this series include
John Carpenter's "Dark Star," Jan.
24 and repeated Feb. 3-5, and Henry Jaglom's
"Tracks," Jan. 27 with repeats Feb.
9-11.
Showcase for Wednesday, Jan. 17 featured
the arrival of Pacific International's
"The Late Great Planet Earth." starring
Orson Welles, plus "Death on the Nile,"
"The Wiz," "Slow Dancing in the Big City,"
"King of the Gypsies" (mini), "The Lord of
the Rings" (mini). "National Lampoon's
Animal House," "Superman," "Magic,"
"Days of Heaven" (mini). "Every Which
Way But Loose." "Up in Smoke," "Paradise
Alley." "California Suite," the X-er "Bad
Penny," "The Brink's Job" (mini) and "Invasion
of the Body Snatchers."
On Friday. Jan. 18 Universal's "Caravans"
began at 30 showcase houses, while
Avco Embassy's "Circle of Iron," yet another
in the posthumous Bruce Lee saga,
starring David Carradine. Christopher Lee,
Roddy McDowall and Eli Wallach, had its
debut.
•
Phil Borack. president of April Fools
Productions, opened his "Hat per Valley
PTA." starring Barbara Eden, in 40 theatres
in New York City Friday. Jan. 12 in a
mass multiple engagement of the comedy
feature in its first showings in that area.
•
Our condolences to the family of our late
managing editor, Ralph Delmont. He will
be greatly missed.
Donald Sutherland, Vanessa Redgrave,
Richard Widmark, Christopher Lee, Barbara
Paikins and Lloyd Bridges star in
"Bear Island."
'The Innocent' Debuts
Spectacularly in HYC
NEW YORK— It was a foreign invasion
as the three top attractions proved to be!
imports, led by the late Italian director Luchino
Visconti's final film. "The Innocent,"
debuting at Gemini II. which had to schedule
extra performances, with a 710. Again
second was France's "Get Out Your Handkerchiefs,"
an improved 515 in the fourth
round at the Paris. Third was Italy's "Wifemistress,"
440 in the opening at the Little
Carnegie, thereby making star Laura Antonelli
the most popular lady in town, she
being the lead in "The Innocent."
'Gloria'
Packs Houses
Fourth was the sexer "All About Gloria
Leonard," averaging 290 in its opening
rounds at the Eastworid (240) and World
(340). and breaking the opening record established
by "Inside Jennifer Welles." "Moment
by Moment" was down two notches to
fifth place, a 275 in the fourth Coronet
week. Also down two rungs, to sixth, was
"Movie. Movie." 235 for its eighth Sutton
week.
'Superman' Leads Showcase
On showcase. "Superman" again reached
the million-dollar mark, the Man of Stee
leading the parade including "CalifomiJ
"Invasion of the Body Snatchers,*
Suite,"
"Magic" and "Every Which Way
Loose."
(Average 100) Is
Beekmon—The Last Wove (World-Northal)
-Same Time, Next Year (Univ)
9lh wk. Moment bv Moment , . .
Gloria Leonard
Gemmi II—The Innocent
Releasing), 1st wk. -
Little Carnegie—WiiemisH
wk.
Param
4 th
-The Last Wave
Paris- Get Out Your Hondlcerchieis
...... Line Cinema), 4th wk. ..........
Radio City Music Hcdl—Caravans (Umv),
nth wk. ...-
68th Street Playho use^bnco in Paris (On
Paris Co.),
Suti -Movie. Movie (WBK'stii wk K
'Express' and 'Lord of the Rings'
Top Minute Grosses in Baltimore
BALTIMORE—On a first-run
one newcomer
which contains only
repo)
"InvE
sion of the Body Snatchers" which snatche
a respectable 175. only two four-week-ol
candidates showed long legs.
The two winners, each with a 250, wei
"Midnight Express" from Columbia an
"The Lord of the Rings" from Unite
Artists. Behind "Body Snatchers" in fourl
place was the Clint Eastwood starre
"Every Which Way But Loose" from Wa
ner Bros.
Cinema 11—Invasion ol the Body Snatchers
" ^
MtafFlick I-Midnight Express (Col) 4th wk i
Playhouse-Viva Italial (Wheeler) 4th wk^
Towson—The Lord oi the Rings (UA), 4lh wk i
I 10 Weslview Force From Novarone (Al),
GrOTd!'Li?erl7''lI—Every Which Way But Loose
We'stvi'ew Il^^^^iing oJ the Gypsies (Para),
4th wk
Westview IV^^Uv'er's Story (Pard), 5th wk. .
BOXOFFICE :: January 22.

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availability in
your exchange.
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(416)486-5535
^
THEWl
ilZ^
IilSliBlt*"*^^niRK' s,a.n9
^^^h° aM SuRES >N^Sr^^
WILLIAM
DEVANE
A Super 79 Releasefmm FVI.
Territorial T.V. Saturations
Being Set Now!
i^FVI FILM VENTURES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
310 North San Vicente Blvd., Suite 200, Los Angeles, California 90048 •
(213) 659-0545
EDWARD L. MOrSTORO, President SAM HELFMAIN, Director of Marketing
•
BOXOFFICE :: January 22, 1979 E-3

I bash
WASHINGTON
Cueiia Vista's first outside production,
"Take Down," which it is distributing
the United States, was sneaiced by branch
in
manager Harry Howar at the Wheaton
Plaza 3 in Wheaton, Md. Jan. 18. Howar,
his invitation to exhibitors, stated: " 'Take
in
Down.' a PG film, will have you and your
audiences up in your seats cheering a group
of high school losers whose destiny it is to
win, win, win."
"The Thief of Bagdad," in revival at the
Key Theatre in Georgetown, "offers local
moviegoers a rare opportunity to compare
the art of special effects across a generation,"
observed the Post's critic Gary Arnold.
" 'Superman'," continued Arnold,
"represents the present summit of craftsmanship
in the adventure-fantasy genre,
and while some techniques have improved
remarkably, process work and flying illusions
in particular, there's an antique pleasure
involved in being able to observe the
state of the art as it used to be."
William Oates, owner of the Cinema Follies
Theatre, which was gutted by fire, killing
eight persons in October 1977, will go
on trial March 13. Oates has been charged
with 16 fire safety and building code violations.
If convicted by the non-jury trial,
Oates could receive for each misdeamenor
count $300 fine and 10 days in jail. Some
of the fire victims' families have filed suit
for civil damages against Oates and the Dis-
"To Fly," a film produced by Francis
Thompson, showing for two and a half
years at
the Smithsonian's National Air and
Space Museum, has sold 3,750.000 tickets
(population of metropolitan Washington
numbers a little over 3 million). The film
created "queasy stomachs" in a number of
viewers, all adults, according to museum
officials. "To Fly" was underwritten by
Continental Oil at a cost of $750,000. It
will be replaced in mid-April by a new 30-
minute movie, "Living Planet," also pro-
duced by Thompson. S. C. Johnson and
Son, makers of Johnson's Wax. financed
"Living Planet," which cost about $1,750.-
000. "Living Planet" is described as dramatizing
"man's capacity in this country to see
the earth for the first time from space, and
gives fresh perspective to sights from the
Bertrand Blier's "Get Out Your Handkerchiefs,"
will premiere here at the Pedas
brothers' Outer Circle 1 Wednesday, Jan.
3L
Roland Husson, the French Embassy's
cultural attache, was this month's speaker
before the Washington Film Council. The
luncheon program Monday, Jan. 8, also included
a screening excerpted from a new
documentary portrait of Yves Montand.
Concorde, the giant Air France plane,
and French star Alain Delon with director
David Lowell Rich spent a day here at
Dulles Airport shooting "Airport 79—Concorde,"
a Jennings Lang production for
Universal release. Concorde was permitted
to be used only three days during the filmmaking.
The other two days were at Paris'
Charles de Gaulle Airport.
'Wanderers' Sequences Are
Shot at New Jersey Sites
TRENTON, N.J.—A number of sequences
for another major film produc-
trict government. In March, following the
tion, "The Wanderers," were shot in the
destruction of the old movie theatre, Oates
opened another Cinema Follies nearby. It,
state recently at the entrance to the Holland
Tunnel and on the Jersey Turnpike.
likewise, is an X-rated theatre and discotheque
for gays.
"The Wanderers," an Orion picture to be
released through Warner Bros, next summer,
is being produced by Martin Ranshoff
and directed by Phillip Kaufman.
Fred Caruso, associate producer of the
comedy-drama, complimented Turnpike officials,
the State Police and the Port Authority
of New York and New Jersey on
their thoroughgoing assistance and cooperation
during the filming of these difficult
scenes, according to Joseph Friedman, executive
director of the New Jersey Motion
Picture and Television Development Com-
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E-4 January 22. 1979

SftOSSeS THAT STICK OUT
Top Grosser
After "Superman!"
SanDiego
in 2 Situations
28,364
12 DAYS
SMASH
FIRST
WEEK...
AND
LONG
RUN!
>| NO INSTALLATION
of a special screen or lens!
Distributed by
jaguar FILMS
Los Angeles, California
Special thanks to the theatres.ad agency, radio and disco d j's
who promoted DISCO DOLLS in HOT SKIN

BUFFALO
Toe Garvey, manager of the Holiday Theatre
complex since it opened, left that
position Friday, Dec. 29 to form his own
advertising agency. Garvey is the only manager
the Holiday has had. It opened in
1970 with two 818-seat auditoriums and
since has been expanded to include four
_^00-seat screening halls at the rear of the
big complex, which also takes in the Aerohead
and Holiday Showcase restaurants.
The Holiday is owned by Alvin B. Wright
Jr. Garvey is a well-known and highly respected
member of the industry, having
worked for several years as manager of
the Granada Theatre, when it was owned
by the Schine organization and subsequently
other independent operators. He plans to
work from his home at 1455 North French
Rd., North Tonawanda, and will specialize
in both indoor and outdoor theatre advertising.
A 17-year-old youth. Joseph L. Page Jr.,
was slain with a single shot from a small
caliber pistol in the Downtown Cinema Theatre
early Sunday morning, Jan. 7. The incident
took place during an all-night movie
program. Witnesses said Page and his assistant
became involved in a verbal altercation
before the shooting. They told police
the assailant calmly walked back to his seat
after shooting Page, picked up his coat and
walked out of the theatre. Police had no
solid leads as to
the identity of the slayer.
" 'Brass Target' presents an interesting
hypothesis on the death of General George
S. Patton and has its share of action and
thrills, but plays fairly fast and loose with
history, raising more question than it
answers," said Bob Groves in his Courier-
Express review.
Ed Pantano was offic'ally installed as
chief barker of the Variety Club of Buffalo
at joint installation ceremonies of the
men and women's groups Saturday, Jan. 13
in Santora's La Stanza Restaurant on Niagara
Falls Boulevard. Other new officers
installed were Pat Corey, first assistant; Joe
Crimi, second assistant; Tom Million, property
master, and Myron Gross, dough guy.
Sue Mason was sworn in as president of
the Variety Club Women, a.ssisted by Maryann
Mazzella, first vice-president; Rose Marie
DiPaola, second vice-president; Joan
Ross, treasurer; Marie Newman, recording
secretary; Cleo Verolini, financial secretary,
and Karen Million, corresponding secretary.
Pat Corey was chairman of the event.
Clarence A. Hill. Industry
Pioneer, Dead at Age 82
NEWARK, N.J.—Clarence A. Hill, 82,
former Millburn mayor and film industry
veteran, died December 12 at Overlook Hospital
in Summit, N.J.
Over the years Hill was associated with
Universal Studios, Samuel Goldwyn Productions
and Fox Film Corp. He retired in
1963 as manager of the 20th Century-Fox
branch operations in the U.S. and Canada.
He also represented the entire motion
pictuie industry in labor negotiations. Previously,
he served as mayor of Millburn
from 1942-54 and was a member of the
township committee and was active in many
civic affairs. He was a member of the Motion
Picture Pioneers and an Army veteran
of World War I.
Ticket Prices in Philly
Reach $4 for 'The Wiz'
PHILADELPHIA—For the second time
ever in Philadelphia, the admission price to
a major movie exceeded the customary boxoffice
ceiling of $3.50. The ticket increase
to $4, with $2 for children, which was first
instituted for the current showing of "The
Wiz" at Budco's Midtown Theatre, has now
been matched for "Superman" at the Fox
Theatre.
William Milgram, head of the Milgram
Theatres circuit, explained that the theatre
spent $32,000 on new projection and sound
equipment for "Superman," and is able to
show it in full Dolby four-track stereo
sound. He also pointed out that "this is a
$40 million picture—an event! I think people
will pay the price, and they'll be satisfied
with what they see." Milgram said he
expects "Superman" to be the biggest picture
that has played the Fox Theatre since
"The Godfather."
SUBSCRSPTION ORDER FOISM
BOXOFFICE: 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. 64124
Please enter my subscription to BOXOFFICE
n $15.00 FOR 1 YEAR D $28.00 FOR 2 YEARS
Outside U.S., Canado and Pan American Union, $25.00 per year
n Remittance Enclosed Q Send Invoice
THEATRE
STREET
TOWN STATE ZIP
NAME
POSITION
Budco 61st Street Ozoner
Runs Afoul of Neighbors
PHILADELPHIA—Change in picture
policy at
Budco's 61st Street Drive-In Theatre,
the only open-air facility within the city
limits, also brought with it a change in attitude
on the part of the neighbors. The flagship
of the six drive-in theatres in the area
still operated by the locally based Budco
Quality Theatres chain, problems started
cropping up when the 61st Street lot switched
from its normal summer showings of
first-run movies to the X-rated triple features
to warm up the cold weather months.
Caused Six Accidents
In the past month, police claim, there
have been at least six traffic accidents as
motorists shift into low gear on the six-lane
stretch in front of the drive-in in order to
get a peek at the theatre's screen which sits
on a ten-foot high ridge. A police officer
had to be dispatched to the drive-in to keep
traffic moving at a normal 45-mph clip
after the rash of accidents.
The stopping by motorists also brought
protests from D'Agata Trucking Co., a 24-
hour trucking agency located across the
street from the drive-in. The company
charged that people park their cars in front
of the trucking company's driveways, bottling
up the truckers who wanted to start
their late-night cross-country treks.
Other Businesses Angered
Dennis Coren, whose drain-cleaning establishment
parking lot is also across the
street, said he and other area businessmen
are planning to ask the district attorney's
office to do something about the "public
nuisance."
"When they showed G-rated pictures,
everything was okay," Coren said. "No one
stopped to see them without sound." Tom
Snyder, who manages the 61st Street Drive-
In, also said he was unhappy about people
watching the movie from the road. Now
that police are patrolling the street, Snyder
said he hoped the watchers will be coming
in and paying the $3 admission instead of
freeloading from the outside,
'Different Crowd' in Winter
Snyder said the only drive-in theatres in
the area which stay open in the winter run
X-rated films. "It's a different kind of
crowd you get in the winter." he said. "You
know, we give them in-car heaters, but
that's not really enough." In an effort to
get back the regular crowd over the
holiday season, Snyder said they are booking
in "Midnight Express" and other firstrun
films. "We just like to keep open and
make some money," he added.
€IJVERi%Mi\ IS Vi SHOW
BITSLVCSS Vi HAWAII T,
f
WTicn you come to Waikiki,
don't miss the famous Don I lo
Show ... at Cincnuua's
Reef Towers Hotel.
E-6
BOXOFFICE :: January 22, 1979

I
Pay Television Station
Reaches 50,000 Plateau
PHILADELPHIA-PRISM the jomt
PHILADELPHIA
pay-TV venture between 20th Centuy-Fox
^
A ^^^^^
^^
P
^^^ ^_^^,^_^^^^
^^^__^^.,
Corp., United Artists Corp. and the locally
based Spectacor Co., has just reached
new plateau in extending its reach to over
50,000 homes in the tri-state area of eastern
Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware.
Despite stiff competition, PRISM's success
is due in large part to its unique programming
package combining major motion
pictures and entertainment specials, with the
local professional sports of the Philadelphia
Flyers ice hockey team, the '76ers basketball
team, Phillies baseball team, plus events
at the Spectrum, local sports and entertainment
complex operated by the Spectacor
Co.
PRISM first entered the pay-TV market
two and one-half years ago. The encouraging
growth of the subscriber base enabled
PRISM to venture into independent production
with a recently created "Soundtrack"
program series. Considered to be the first
of its kind in the pay-TV industry, the
program consists of various top name musicians
in performance created especially for
promotional purposes by record companies.
The shows are produced by WIOQ Radio,
a local station which is also a subsidiary of
the Spectacor Co.
In celebration of the subscriber growth
milestone. PRISM held a random drawing
among its affiliates to determine the official
50.000th subscriber. Each cable company
submitted one, also picked in each community
at random, from a household installed
during the week when PRISM officially
exceeded the 50,000 mark.
The drawing, held live between periods
^^^^^^^^^^ Cablevision Inc., of West Long
Branch, N.J., the franchise to provide cable
TV for the 65,000 residents. The cable service
will also provide first-run motion pictures
rated G through R and a variety of
sports and entertainment features, according
to the ordinance.
TLA Cinema, the city's major film repertory
house, is lining up a French Film Festival
to start sometime in May. Foreign
film series have always done well at the
playhouse.
The Philadelphia Variety Club Women
are having their paid-up membership meeting
and installation of officers at a Luncheon
Jan. 23 at Old Original Bookbinder's
Restaurant. Sydelle Salkind will be installed
as new president of the women's affiliate.
Mae Sostman is in charge of arrangements
for the gala luncheon . . . Budco's Gateway
3 provided 15 pairs of tickets for "The
Wiz" to the readers of the Main Line Jewish
Expression in suburban Bala-Cynwyd,
Pa., in a random drawing.
The center-city Arcadia Theatre, shuttered
last month, has been sold for $750,000
to Gino's Inc., for conversion into a Gino's
fast-food hamburger restaurant . . . Linda
Goldenberg, regional publicity and promotion
director for Columbia Pictures, hosted
an advance showing of "Ice Castles" at the
Top of the Fox Preview Theatre for community
and media leaders.
Monty Hall, TV personality and former
Variety Clubs International president, will
of an ice hockey telecast, was won by a
suburban Delaware County subscriber. The come here Feb. 3 and 4 to host the Philagrand
prizes included a 19-inch portable delphia Variety Club Telethon '79 He will
Sony color TV set, two VIP tickets to a
Spectrum event of the winner's choice, free
PRISM service for one year and cocktails
and dinner at Ovations, the private dining
club at the Spectrum here. All contest runners-up
receive one year's free PRISM sei^ice
as well.
Variety of Philly Re-Elects
C. F Schalch Chief Barker
PHILADELPHIA—The Philadelphia Variety
Club has re-elected Charles F. Schalch,
public affairs manager for Bell Telephone
Co. of Pennsylvania, president. Russell E.
Fitzgerald, president of the Continental
Bank, was elected first vice-president; attorney
Malcolm P. Rosenberg, second president;
businessman Sydney Benjamin, secretary,
and Fred Zimmerman, ti^asurer.
Hank Milgram, executive vice-president
of Milgram Theatres, was elected chairman
of the board. Elected to the board of directors
were Donald T. Epstein, Raymond
Gathrid, Oscar Koff, Frederick G. Levin,
Mort Magill, Dr. Ronald S. Pennock,
Lawrence J. Pollock, Elliot Rosen, Variety
Club telethon chairman. Dr. Melvyn E.
Smith, Jack A. Thalheimer and Morrie H.
Zinman.
be surrounded by a star-studded roster of
nationally famous performers and local talent
in this all-out effort over WPVI-TV to
raise funds to help the area's handicapped
children.
Local filmmakers Oliver Franklin, Peter
Rose and Linda Blackaby have ben named
to the judges panel for the film competition
for local area filmmakers being sponsored
by the Walnut Street Theatre's Film Center.
Subjects are up to the entrants, but the
films are restricted to 30 minutes in length.
Comcast Cablevision Corp. is offering
publicly a $4.7 million industrial revenue
bond to finance construction of its facilities
in eastern suburban Montgomery County,
Inc. Issued by the county Industrial Devel-
opment Authority through local underwriters,
the issue is said to be the first of its
kind in the United States.
BALTIMORE
n federal bankruptcy judge ordered JF
Theatres, Inc., to file a reorganization
plan by April 3, after its first meeting of
creditors on Wednesday, Jan. 3. The theatre
circuit—the largest in the Baltimore area
was granted protection last month from any
attempts by its creditors to collect on almost
$2 million in debts. At Wednesday's meeting
before Judge Joseph O. Kaiser, attorneys
for the chain stated it plans to sell
some theatres or other assets and to give
up money, draining leases to raise cash to
pay creditors over an extended period. The
company has earned $29,000 in profits since
it
filed for protection, they said. They stated
the company had lost money since 1975 at
the Tower, in Charles Center, and at the
Charles Theatre, in the 1700 block of North
Charles Street. The two theatres and the
Mayfair 2, on North Howard Street, are
closed. The company will try to sell the
Mayfair. they said.
Maryland exhibitors are planning to
descend upon Annapolis, Md.. to urge the
legislature to pass anti-blind bidding legislation
during the 1979 session . . .
Mrs.
Rita Greenfield, bookkeeper for 26 years at
Rome Theatres general offices, resigned
Monday. Jan. 15 to work elsewhere on a
full-time basis. Mrs. Betty Chazen. with
Rome for about a decade before leaving
several years ago, has returned, according
to Leon B. Back, Rome general manager.
Mrs. Dolores MacLaren recently became
the new bookkeeper for John Recher, head
of J&J Theatres Corp.. at his Towson, Md.
office.
A "Buck Nite" promotion was held Tuesday,
Jan. 16 at the E.M. Loews Governor
Ritchie Drive-In. Manager is William
Steele.
Bill 2127 was introduced into the city
council Monday, Jan. 15 to set up a Board
of Motion Picture Projectionist Examiners.
Back again was the Ladies Day promotion
at .Security Square Mall Tuesday, Jan.
9 with a free showing of "Summer Wishes,
Winter Dreams." starring Joanne Woodward.
When you plan to install your Dolby system,
call the service company with the most
Dolby system experience.
Aor TECHNICAL SERVICES CORPORATION
/\3^ P.O. Box 5150 • Richardson, Texas 75080 214-234-3270
STAR TREATMENT SERVICE - E-7
BOXOFTICE :: Januaiy 22, 1979

Paste this inside your medicine cabinet.
Cancer's seven
warning signals
1. Change in bowel or bladder habits.
2. A sore that does not heal.
3. Unusual bleeding or discharge.
4. Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere.
5. Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing.
6. Obvious change in wart or mole.
7. Nagging cough or hoarseness.
If you have a warning signal, see your doctor
American Cancer Society
I
I
BOXOFFICE :: January 22, 1979

Call your FVI
Showman to book
availability in
your exchange.
THE
Atlanta Jacksonville
WAYNE CHAPPELL
(404)432-3361
Charlotte
TOMMY LAMBERT
(704) 882- 11 54
Dallas
J.C. McCRARY
(214)252-5573
Oklahoma City
HARRY McKENNA
(405) 232-4623
St. Louis Omaha
Des Moines Kansas City
PAUL RICE
(913)383 3880
Washington, D.C.
ROSS WHEELER
(202)244-1500
Philadelphia
SAM HELFMAh
(213)659-0545
Boston New Haven
JIM EINGLE
(617)482-9039
Denver
SHERM WOOD
(303)751-1464
Los Angeles San Francisco
Seattle Portland
FRED KarHKEL
(213)659-0545
Pittsburgh
JOHN MAJDIAK
(412)391-0370
Milwaukee Chicaqo
DON BUHRMESTER
(312)782-0988
Detroit
DENNIS GLENN
(313)968-7770
Minneapolis
JIM PAYNE
(612)332-3303
Salt Lake City
DALLAS FARRIMOND
(801)521-9888
Cincinnati Indianapolis
JEFF RGFF
(513)921-8200
New Orleans
LEW OGBRE
(504) 837-5200
Memphis
LARRY VINSON
(501)732-3665
Cleveland
MORRIEZYRL
(216)461-9770
New York
MARVIN FRIEDLANDER
(212)354-5700
Albany Buffalo
JOHN WILHELM
(518)943-2285
Toronto
ORVAL FRUITMAN
(416)486-5535
•r^4#^
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.THF DARK'
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s,a,rm9 WILLIAM OEVANE
A Super 79 Releasefmm FVI.
Territorial TV. Saturations
Being Set Now!
FVI
_ - . - FILM
^ ^ ^
VENTURES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
JIO Noith San Vicente Blvd., Suite 200, Los Angeles, California 90048 •
(213) 659-0545
EDWARD L. MOMTORO. President . SAM HELFMAN, Director of Marketirig
BOXOFFICE January 22, 1979
W-1

Hollywood
Happenings
The black-tie dinner will be held Feb. 9 at
the Century Plaza Hotel. Jack Valenti will
be the keynote speaker.
Rory Calhoun was the guest speaker at
HOWARD D. BABRICK. a partner in the Warren Ackerman, treasurer; Ray Friedman,
the regular monthly meeting of Girls Friday
Loeb & Loeb law firm, has been named
assistant secretary-treasurer, and Wil-
Kings
of Show Business Jan. 16 at the
to the Los Angeles Film Development Commilie;.
Before joining Loeb & Loeb, he named to the board are Mike Frankovich,
liam Sarnoff, secretary. New members Four in Hand Restaurant.
had held executive spots with Columbia Murray Trugman, Dave Friedenberg. Phil
Pictures, the Burbank Studios and the Assn. Greitzer, Milt Krasner and Amie Mills. Reelected
DENVER
to the board of governors were
of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
•
Adolph Alexander, Kirk Douglas, Cary
Election of three corporate vice-presidents Grant, Buddy Hackett, Bob Hope, David \A7arner Marketing Associates, headquartered
has been made at 20th Century-Fox, with Janssen, Tony Martin, George Raft, Phil
in Bozeman, Mont., has taken
each retaining prior function. They are corporate
secretary Joseph C. Gallagher, with
•
Amusements, which is operated by Roy
Silvers and Dean Martin.
over the buying and booking for Interstate
Fox since 1973 when he joined as assistant Carl Hanauer of Hanauer/ Heller Films Roper. Warner Marketing will be setting the
datings the Twin and Mall theatres and
in to the president; treasurer E. Lyle Marshall
has joined Sandy Howard Productions to
supervise financial operations overseas from the Grand and Motor Vus drive-ins. Twin
who joined Fox as assistant treasurer
in 1969. and corporate personnel director his base in Amsterdam.
Falls, Idaho; the State and the Derrick
Charles F. Weiss, who joined Fox in 1975
•
drive-in. Cut Bank, Mont.; the Roxy and
Frankie Avalon and agent Lou Alexander North Star drive-in, Shelby, Mont.; the
have formed American Eagle Productions to Orphan and Star drive-in, Conrad, Mont.,
develop film projects and involve itself in and the Cinema Four in Jerome, Idaho.
music publishing and record production.
*
Stan Dewsnup has announced that his
Modern Cinema Corp. has purchased the
John E. Dahlgren, data processing and
Lamar Theatre in Lamar, Colo. The 800-
in that position.
*
John Travolta and Jane Fonda will be
named "World Film Favorites" by the
Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. at its Golden
Globe ceremonies Jan. 27 at the Beverly
Hilton Hotel. Their selection is based on a
worldwide survey by Reuters News Agency,
covering 59 nations. Fonda also won the
title in 1972.
•
Robert Stigwood will be presented with
the Motion Picture Showman Award by
the Publicists Guild at its annual award
luncheon April 6 at the Beverly Wilshire
Hotel. Past winners include Lew Wasserman,
Ted Ashley and the Walt Disney organization.
•
Dan Rosenthal, director of business affairs
for Hanna-Barbera Productions, has
been named vice-president for business affairs.
He joined the company more than
three years ago. Before that he had specialized
in entertainment law for Youngman,
Hungate & Leopold.
•
Directors of the Friars Club have reelected
Milton Berle for his second consecutive
term as president and also returned
all other officers to their posts. Also reelected
were Lou Mandell, first vice-president;
Edward Marks, second vice-president;
^ Theatre
Systems
payroll manager for Central Casting Corp.,
will resign Jan. 31 after 37 years with the
company, beginning there on a temporary
basis in 1942 while attending college.
•
Morton Dennis Wax & Associates has
been retained to handle public relations for
ECI Casting for the East and West Coast
operations in casting for films, television
and commercials.
*
Peggy Stevenson, who represents the
Hollywood area on the Los Angeles city
council, was honored at a reception luncheon
Jan. 10 at the Century Plaza Hotel as
the Woman of the Year by News-radio
KNX.
*
Ballantine Books has released the paperback
novelization of "She Conies to the
Valley" by Cleo Dawson, tied in with the
opening of the RGV picture starring Ronee
Blukley and Dean Stockwell.
•
Perry Lafferty will produce the dinner
show to commemorate the 50th anniversary
of the division of cinema television at USC.
seat theatre has been shuttered for several
years and Dewsnup will be doing an extensive
remodeling and redecorating prior to
opening March 17. Modern Cinema Corp.
in also operates theatres Delta, Montrose
and Craig, Colo., as well as in Price, Utah,
Bob Spahn will handle the buying and booking.
Bernice Gilmore, cashier for the Denver
branch of 20th Century-Fox, has tietired
after some 45 years of service in the industry.
Bernice started in the film industry for
RKO Pictures in 1933 and then worked for
several other film distribution companies
until joining Fox in 1956. She has been
with Fox as
a cashier for the past 22 years.
Paramount screened "Real Life" at the
Cooper Cameo Theatre ... J & B Independent
Film Distributors have solicited the
accounts with a clever mailing piece that has
resulted in a batch of dates for their company
. . , Film brokers are setting a saturation
booking of "Beyond the Door Part 2"
for April playing time throughout the territory
. . . John Btrrton, Nile Theatre, Mitchell,
Nebr.. has been hospitalized for a heart
condition. Friends are wishing John a speedy
recovery.
Wycoff Truck Lines has started a new
service which will be of great value to the
Denver and Salt Lake City exchange areas.
Wycoff is now operating overnight from the
Los Angeles area into Las Vegas and second
morning delivery to all points in Idaho,
Utah, Wyoming and Colorado.
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BOXOFFICE :: Januai

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BOXOFFICE :: Januai7 22, 1979 W-3

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]
j
'Superman' and 'Loose'
Still Tops in Denver
DliNVER— Superman" retained the top
spot with 360. and "Every Wich Way But
Loose" held on with 300 in the fourth week.
"Uncle Joe Shannon" dropped to a score of
."iO. while 'The Wiz" hit the average mark
of 100.
(Average Is 100)
Aladdin—The Wiz (Umv), Uth wk
Buckingham, V/estminsler Magic (20th-Fox)
10th
Cherry Cree
Joe Sha (UA)
4th wk au
Colorado Four— Paradise Alley (Univ),
10th wk. 85
Cooper—Ice Castles (Col), 4lh wk ,235
Cooper Cameo—Movie. Movie (WB), 4lh wk 115
Continental—Invasion oi the Body Snatchers
(UA), 4th wk 175
Flick—Violette (SR) 4th wk . SO
Umversity H^lls— The Lord oi the Rings (UA),
9th wk. 150
University H:::?— Autumn Sonata (SR),
4th wk 160
3 CaUiornia Suite (Col), 4th v.k
335
4 theatres— Brass Targel (UA), 41h wk
4 theatres—Every Which Way But Loose (WE
4th wk,
4 theatres—Sing ot the Gypsies (Para),
4th wk
4 theatres—Moment by Moment (Un:v)
4th wk.
4 theatres—
Lampoon's Animal Hous
(Univ), 24

St
[
Number
I
KANSAS
: enthusiasts
'
Loose"
'
of
'St
f
'
Thirty Inches of Snow
I
Slow Chicago Grosses
CHICAGO—As the wintry storms continued,
there were some drops in business.
But "Superman" still did far above average
with a gross of 500 percent in the third
week. Also doing very well was "Autumn
Sonata" in the fourth week in its single
showing at the Biograph; it did 400 percent,
which represented an increase over the
prior week. "Invasion of the Body Snatchers"
and "California Suite" each scored with
275 percent in the third week, and "The
Wiz," still showing in its single run at the
State Lake in the Loop, grossed 275 percent
in the eleventh week.
(Average Is 100)
Biograph Autumn Sonata (NW), 4th wk 400
Slate Lake—The Wiz (Univ), 11th wk 275
4 theatres—The Lord ol the Hings (UA),
9 theatres Moment by Moment (Univ), 3rd wk
10 theatres Superman (V/B), 3;d wk
11 theatres—Every Which Way But Loose (WB)
-Caliioraia Suite
'Every Which Way But Loose' Is
One Kaycee Attraction
CITY—The persistent snow
i
tried its best to keep movie fans away from
theatres but did not succeed. Clint Eastwood
gave "Every Which Way But
^
1
I
a 575 gross percentage. "California
Suite" also scored high at 360, and "The
Lord of the Rings" and "Superman" tied at
330. Other films didn't fair too badly, and
overall it was a better than average film
week.
Embass Watts Mill The Lord oi the Rings
(UA), 3rd ?rd wkw
330
Empire, Glenw
(WB), 4th wk 330
Midland—The Wiz (Univ), 10th c 50
Oak Park Paradise Alley (Uni ,. 9th wk
Oak Park, Seville Slow Dancing in the Big
City (UA), 3rd wk -
50
Trail Ridg^Up in Smoke (Para), 15th wk. .
Watts Mill—Bread and Chocolate (SR),
-Moment by Moment (Univ),
-Every Which Way But Loose '(WB)
3rd
he Body Snotchers
(UA), 3rd wk
4 theatres Oliver's Story (Para), 4th wk.
5 theatres Brass Target (UA), 3rd wk
6 theatres Force 10 From Novarone (AIP),
3rd wk -
Media Bureau Internat'l
Opens Entertainment Div.
CHICAGO—The Media Bureau International,
a Chicago-based media service, has
announced the opening of an entertainment
division. The division will be headed by
Tom Wolfe, recently relocated from Los
THEWTRE EQUIPMENT
"Everything for the Theatre"
339 No. CAPITOL AVE., INDIANAPOLtS, IND.
Angeles.
Wolfe has had eight years of film
distribution and advertising experience with
Sunn Classic Pictures, Universal Pictures
and the Los Angeles office of D'Arcy-Mac-
Manus and Masius advertising.
The new division will specialize in handling
advertising for film distributors and
exhibitors both nationally and regionally.
Best Way to Quiet Noisy
Filmgoers: A Mean Face
CHICAGO— Mike Royko, columnist
for
the Chicago Sun-Times, received an irate
letter from a theatre patron, who said: "I'm
almost ready to quit going to the movies
forever, even though I enjoy them. People
today, especially the young ones, think
nothing of talking loud during a movie.
"I went to see 'Invasion of the Body
Royko's humorous, if unpractical, reply
was: "The best solution is to be about 6 feet
4 inches tall and weigh about 240 pounds,
and have a mean face. Then you say: 'Shut
your mouth, you rotten punk, or I'll turn
your head around backwards.' That never
fails. But most people aren't that big, so
the next best approach is to form large
groups when you go to the movies. If six
or eight male adults all turn around at the
same time and threaten to disfigure them,
teen-agers usually listen to reason. Some day
a movie theatre is going to get rich by advertising:
'We employ large, vicious ushers
to assure quiet.' "
Film Fails to Materialize
FORT WAYNE, IND. — Fort Wayne
Cinema Center's film scheduled for Saturday,
December 16, did not arrive in time,
so the program was cancelled. The film was
to be "Yojimbo," the last of the center's
Far Eastern showings for this series.
Brolman Sworn In As
Tent 26 Chief Barker
C HIC \Ci() Ihc enthusiasm over Oscar
Bmlni.ins clcclion to the post of president
ol the Variety Club
F.^
^^Hlj^^
I
Illinois indicates it
^^^^^^^^
will be an energetic
Oscar Brot
year for Tent 26.
While Brotman has
been a practicing attorney
since 1941, he
has pursued a longtime
family interest
in the motion picture
business. As head of
the Brotman chain,
t m a n operates
nine theatres in the Chicago area. He has
been very active in Variety for some 25
Snatchers' at the Golf Mill Theatre in Niles.
Two big teen-agers behind me didn't shut years as a canvasman, second assistant chief
up during the first 30 minutes. I finally barker and vice-president.
turned around and politely asked them to When Brotman and the other 1979 officers
please keep quiet. One of them said: 'Up
were installed at a dinner Jan. 17 at
the Guild Hall of the Ambassador West
yours, jerk.' And they kept on talking. So
what could I do? I'm not very big or tough. Hotel, checks totaling over $100,000 were
To get away from them, my wife and I had
to move to seats on the side where the view
presented to La Rabida Children's Hospital.
Variety Club Women also presented checks
wasn't as good. Something like this always totaling $25,000 to various charities, including
happens. What can be done?"
$5,000 to La Rabida; $3,000 to the
Karyn^Kupcinet Center at Little City; $16,-
000 to the Ann and Jack Sparberg Limb
Bank at LaRabida, and $1,000 to the North
Center for Handicapped Children. The latter
amount represents a gift from board
member Libby Lavin, who contributed the
proceeds from the 1978 sales of her boutique
gifts.
Mrs. Bene (Edythe) Stein, re-elected for
a second term as president of Variety Club
Women, heads the officers who were installed
at the same time.
RKO's Roberta' Screened
CAMBRIDGE, MASS. — "Roberta,"
RKO 1935 release toplining Fred Astaire
and Ginger Rogers, was screened free at
the Central Square Branch Library.
"Women Inside" will be a Levine-Van
Winkle production from a screenplay by
Joe Van Winkle.
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BOXOFFICE :: January 22. 1979 C-1

|
Gladson to Try Again
To Save Ind. Theatre
INDIANAPOLIS—G€ne Gladson, theatre
lover whose initial effort was to "save"
the Lyric Theatre now a parking lot— is
now hoping to "save" the Fox, a 1.400-seat
auditorium downtown at New York and
Illinois streets. And Gladson has picked up
a fellow-enthusiast for this latest project-
James Tillett, manager of the Circle Theatre.
Before the Fox went dark, it was used for
burlesque and porno films, but if concerned
citizens help finance the rescue of the Fox,
it would be used for ballet, opera, country
and western, special films, community theatre.
Las Vegas acts, jazz programs, concerts,
lectures,
vaudeville and so on.
Tillett said the amount of entertainment
to be booked is "endless." and said the pair
wanted to know if there was any support for
the proposed project. They want to create a
management group to own and operate the
building.
The property is for sale for $450,000.
which includes two storage spaces, an adjoining
hotel and a lounge. Total investment
to save the house would be less than $1
million, because the interior is considered
to be in fairly good shape.
KANSAS CITY
American International will soon be booking
for the St. Louis area from their Kansas
City office.
Midwest Films screened "Movie. Movie"
Jan. 17 for Warner Bros, publicity.
"Take Down" sneak previewed Jan. 18
the Ranch Mart. Although not a Walt
at
Disney feature. "Take Down" will be handled
by Buena Vista.
The Women of Variety enjoyed a
Christmas
party Dec. 20 at the Leawood Christmas
Club, with full-course meal, prizes and
entertainment by former Royals organist
Joetta Morman.
WOMPIs hosted a special Christmas
screening at Midwest Screening Room December
27 for Crittenton home for girls and
Ozanam home for boys.
Two X-Raled Theatres
Denied City Licenses
INDIANAPOLLS—Two adult theatre
ventures in neighborhood locations of Indianapolis
have been notified they will not
receive city licenses in 1979. One affects
the now-open Rivoli Theatre, at .3155 E.
St.. 10th and the other involves a Chicago
firm which sought to reopen the Festival
Theatre at 5507 E. Washington,
Charles Gebuhr. city license administrator,
said that Charles Chulchian, owner of
the Rivoli, was notified by letter that his
application for a 1979 theatre license has
been denied. Gebuhr said his main reason
for tinning down the application for the
Rivoli is a report from the Indianapolis police
department that ten arrests were made
at the theatre within a period of three days
in November.
Gebuhr said the city has received letters
from residents and businessmen charging
that the theatre attracts a bad element to the
community and is not conducive to good
economic growth in the neighborhood.
Gebuhr said the recent request of a Chicago
firm to obtain a license to re-open the
darkened Festival Theatre at 5507 E. Washington
also was denied. The Festival was
Cfeve Foster and Gary Pulver of National
Screen Serv'ce and Gene Krull and
shut down more than a year ago when its
Ken Lang of National Theatre Supply were
license was revoked after the arrest of the
in Florida to attend a combined NSS/NTS
manager and projectionist on obscene conduct
charges. In a letter to Steven sales meeting Jan. 13-16.
Toushin.
president '^of the Festival Theatre Corp. in
Chicaeo. G-buhr sa'd the licence application
was being denied because the corporation
owes back local property taxes and the location
is not properly zoned for an adult
theatre use.
The city originally revoked the Festival
Theatre license in September 1977 after a
city vice squad officer arrested the two employees
on obscene conduct charges. The
corporation later filed court action against
the city to prevent the revocation of its
license, but the case was dropped after being
venued to Johnson County Circuit Court.
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Phone 314-352-2020

Call your FVI
Showman to book
availability in
your exchange.
Atlanta Jacksonville
WAYNE CHAPPELL
{404)432-3361
Charlotte
TOMMY LAMBERT
(704) 882-1154
Dallas
J.C. McCRARY
(214)252-5573
Oklahoma City
HARRY McKENNA
(405) 232-4623
St. Louis Omaha
Des Moines Kansas City
PAOL RICE
(913)383-3880
Washington, D.C.
ROSS WHEELER
(202)244-1500
Philadelphia
SAM HELFMAM
(213)659-0545
Boston New Haven
JIM ENGLE
(617)482-9039
Denver
SHERM WOOD
(303)751-1464
Los Angeles San Francisco
Seattle Portland
FRED KGNKEL
(213)659-0545
Pittsburgh
JOHN MAJDIAK
(412)391-0370
Milwaukee Chicago
DON BCJHRMESTER
(312)782-0988
Detroit
DENNIS GLENN
(313)968-7770
Minneapolis
JIM PAYNE
(612)332-3303
Salt Lake City
DALLAS FARRIMOND
(801)521-9888
Cincinnati Indianapolis
JEFF RUFF
(513)921-8200
New Orleans
LEW OUBRE
(504) 837-5200
Memphis
LARRY VINSON
(501)732-3665
Cleveland
MORRIEZYRL
(216)461-9770
New York
MARVIN FRIEDLANDER
(212)354-5700
Albany Buffalo
JOHN WILHELM
(518)943-2285
Toronto
ORVAL FRaiTMAN
(416)486-5535
MM^^^^'
,.uF DARK'
stamng WILUftM DEVANE
„„ WARREN KEMMERLING J'^'^""'''-'' • e«ecutive
produce. UtHtr^ ru
n kANTOR
;ro\Mo«TOM-...-»J»"""";;,-„„i
A Super '79 Releasefmm FVI.
Territorial T.V. Saturations
Being Set Now!
FVI FILM VENTURES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
310 North San Vicente Blvd., Suite 200, Los Angeles, California 90048 .
(213) 659-0545
EDWARD L. MOrSTORO, President • SAM HELFMAN, Director of Marketinq
BOXOFFICE January 22, 1979
C-3

fill
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CHICAGO
The year 1979 marks the 35th anniversary
of the National Assn. of Concessionaires.
As executive director and editor of
Concessionaire. Charles Winans puts it:
"NAC has met the challenge during the
past three and a half decades and the NAC
board of directors under the leadership of
president Perry Lowe are making plans that
will carry the association into the 1980s."
"Halloween," launched by Mid-America
Releasing Co. shortly prior to Christmas,
and 20th Century-Fox' "Magic" held over
as a holiday season feature, were strong
contenders with the Christmas features
which heralded in the holiday season. Theatres
participating in the showing of "Magic"
leport substantial grosses despite the film's
long run. Exhibitor response to the holdover
strength of "Magic" in the tenth week
were enthusiastic. At the Adelphi, an L&S
Management property, "Halloween" will
continue its run beyond the committed four
weeks. Manager Howard Schcrmerhorn tcported
that no other picture has ever had
such a successful run at the Adelphi.
"Autumn Sonata," which grossed 400 percent
in
the fourth week, also represents success.
Rick Warner, manager of the Biograph,
announced that the movie will continue
its run here for four to five additional
weeks.
plans for the fiist
Wm. Lange & Associates are working on
showing of a Brut production,
"The Class of Miss McMichael." It
stars Glenda Jackson.
Lucy Salenger, who heads up the State
of Illinois Film Office, has been checking
on a suitable abandoned bridge to be used
as a site for "The Night the Bridge Fell
Down." She reports she met with success
in Madison, 111. . . . During 1978, Chicago
parks were featured in 150 feature films.
Virgil Jones, who heads up the International
Picture Show Co. operations here,
returned from Atlanta where the company
announced that five films are going to be
produced during the next year and a half.
According to reports from theatres in West
Virginia and the Blue Ridge Mountain area.
HADDEN Zrf
THEATRE SUPPLY COMPANY
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business for "They Went That-a-Way and
That-a-Way" has been very good.
Charles Winans, executive director. National
Assn. of Concessionaires, reminds industry
members of important points relating
to the minimum wage. Winans says that
though many of the nation's employers attempt
to stay within the new price guidelines,
they will have to contend with the
minimum wage increase of nearly 10 percent.
He notes that the minimum wage has
now been increased from $2.65 to $2.90
an hour. Winans said that it is expected that
a bill to defer future minimum wage increases
will reappear during the 96th Congress,
and he adds that at the present time
the minimum wage rate is scheduled to increase
to $3.10 beginning in 1980 and $3.35
an hour in 1981. "It is quite evident that the
boost in minimum wage will reduce job opportunities
of minority teens who already
bear the highest unemployment rates,"
Winans said.
United Artists' regional publicity manager
Ellen Davis has completed all arrangements
for the opening on Feb. 9 of "The
Great Train Robbery." Members of the
press throughout the country have been invited
to see the film and meet with Sean
Connery, star of the film, in New Orleans.
Buena Vista is assuming distribution responsibilities
for "Take Down." It arrives in
the Chicago territory March 2.
Tom Bruggeman has moved from Brotman
Theatres to M&R Amusement Co.
Barbara Sapstein succeeds Tom as booking
agent for the Brotman organization.
"Padre Padrone," a movie which will
its start first extended Chicago engagement
at the Film Center at the Art Institute, is
the subject of diverse comment. It was made
two years ago for Italian TV and was winner
of the grand prize and the International
Critics' prize at the 1977 Cannes Film Festival.
While the story is described as "enriching
and vibrant," it is also noted that
"Its somber, unblinking description of a
grim existence is not ideal 'escape' fare, and
it has a few quick scenes of sudden, bloody
death that are hard to take."
L & M Management Co. reports
"Superman"
and "Every Which Way But Loose"
have done great business in four of the
company's properties regardless of the bad
weather. And even though January remains
grim, L&M contemplates the reopening of
some of its 20 drive-in screens in February.
WOMPl notes: Peter Mayer of Medi-
Chcck was the guest speaker at the January
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• Richardson, Texas 75080
TOTAL BOOTH SERVICE, SOUND,
PROJECTION, PARTS, INSTALLATION
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-STAR TREATMENT SERVICE
meeting. Medi-Check is a nonprofit organization
that supplies free medical emergency
tags worn by people who are victims of
diseases or allergies.
Outdoor Comic Strip
Helps 'Superman Fly
iUUlH PAH (IMEMAS
,
The Southpark's Superman display.
LEXINGTON, Ky.—Southpark Cinema
has transformed the area above the glass 6
lobby doors into an original Superman
comic strip.
Credit for the innovative idea goes to Jim
Frakes. manage:, and usher/dormen J.B.
Bowman and Thane Ury.
Their full-color paintings depict the Man
of Steel battling the forces of evil, including
his well-known nemesis Brainiac.
The two Asbury College students created
the impressive array from an idea suggested
by Frakes.
Reaction has been "just great," according
to the South Park manager. In fact on a
number of occasions employees have found
it necessary to restrain overly enthused pa- .
trons from stealing the paintings.
LOUISVILLE
n cold rain and a new blanket of snow
]
have been hampering plans to complete
|
the Take Five restaurant under construction !
in front of the Showcase cinemas. The restaurant,
which will feature a decor of old
movie memorabilia, missed its intended
Christmas opening. It is now slated for completion
by February.
The J-Town 4 theatres closed finally
Jan.
5. Rumors of such a closing have been rife
for many months now. A spokesman for
Mid-States Theatres, which has operated the
suburban four-plex, cited lack of quality
films as the reason for shutting down the
theatres.
Over the holidays, "Death on the Nile"
proved so popular at the Village 8 that an
e.xtra later evening showtime had to be
added to accommodate patrons wanting to
see the Agatha Christie thriller.
CUVERANA IS IX SHOW
BrSLVESS m hawaii too^
Wlicn you conic to Waikiki,
don't miss tlic famous Don Ho
Show ... at Cinerama's
Reef Towers Hotel.
Ki;i;i- • w.MKiKi rowER of ti ii: ruf.f

I
I
The Wiz' Is Wonderful
At 625 in New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS— The Wiz" with
two
theatres reporting took the top spot at 625.
"National Lampoon's Animal House" in its
22nd week was still a strong contender with
600, to tie with "California Suite" in its
third week. "The Lord of the Rings" took
third position at 450.
(Average Is 100)
Lakeside Paradise Alley (Univ), 3rd wk 300
Lakeside National Lampoon's Animal House
(Univ), 22nd wk 600
Lakeside—Watership Down (Emb), 3rd wk .300
Lakeside, Plaza The Lord of the Rings (UA),
3rd wk.
-King oi the- Gypsies (Para), 3rd wk
Loews Gaines of the Dragon (SR), 1st wk
Loews—Cinderella 2000 (SR), 1st wk. .
Orpheum, Sena Mall—The Wiz (Univ), 3rd v
Plaza Calilomia Suite (Col), 3rd wk.
Plaza, Robert E Lee Oliver's Story (Para)
3rd
-Force 10 From Novarone (AIP),
Hardest Part of Saving
Fox Theatre to Come
ATLANTA—"The hardest part of 'saving
the Fo.x" is yet to come," says Alan
McCracken, the new general manager of
the Fox Theatre. "Many people feel that
since the Fox was rescued from the wrecking
ball last year the job is now done. They
feel they have done their bit. Actually, it
has only just begun. The huge job of restoring
still lies ahead."
McCracken, 45, began his duties as general
manager last September. "I'm a restoration
and operations man," he stated. "We
want the Fox to be classy. It should and will
be one of the showplaces of the world."
Among the top priorities McCracken has
in mind are achieving greater diversity in
the Fox's attractions, marketing the facility
on a national level, and developing further
sources of funding for continued restoration.
"We have just repainted the marquee.
Next in line is recarpeting, which will cost
several hundred thousand dollars," Mc-
Cracken said.
Included in McCracken's restoration
background is his previous four-year executive
directorship of the Pabst Theatre in
Milwaukee. There he spent over $5 million
to acquire and refurbish that theatre
to its
original glory.
Prior to rebuilding the Pabst, he was director
of the Ohio Theatre in Columbus for
five years. He guided reconstruction of the
elegant atmosphere and it has since beer
called "the most beautiful theatre in the
Northwest."
McCracken replaced Ted Stevens who resigned
from the Fox on lune 15. 1978.
MERCHANT ADSSPECIAL TRAILERS
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COLOR—BLACK & WHITE
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DES MOINES, IOWA
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UATC Hosts Its Company Executives
As 13 New Screens Open in Florida
By LOIS BAUMOEL
PALM BEACH—The Palm Beach area
was the starting point for a Florida get-together
of motion picture
executives, theatre
suppliers, tech-
. ^ nicians and several
V_ j^^ ^__ United Artists Thetres
key men. They
»V tirst gathered here
"''
Wednesday, Dec. 13
'
for a grand preview
of the Village Green
Movies, one of the
newest motion picture
Salah Hassanein
entertainment centers
constructed by the United Artists Theatre
Circuit.
Salah M. Hassanein, executive vice-president
of UATC. hosted the day-long gala
event.
The opening of the Village Green Movies
marks the second multiscreen complex by
U.A. Theatres in this area. The official public
opening took place Dec 20. The
company also operates the Palm Beach Mall
cinemas. Both theatres are located on Palm
Beach Lakes Blvd., near 1-95, almost directly
across from each other, offering the
public a selection of ten first run, classic
and art features.
The Village Green Movies features six
screens served by one boxoffice, lobby and
refreshment center. The projection room,
servicing all six auditoriums, is fully automated
and controlled by one operator. The
films are set on smoothly rotating Orion
platters from which auto-wind discs are fed
through projectors on to another rotating
platter, which automatically rewinds them
in reverse, allowing the projector to be
ready for the next showing. When the operator
pushes the start button, the house lights
dim, intermission m.usic fades out and the
film begins to roll.
The auditoriums are set up in a fashion
permitting a shorter "throw" from the projector,
thus providing a razor sharpness to
the image on the sceen. The Village Green
Movies also utilize the latest high fidelity
FILMACK IS
CHOICE
1st
WITH
SHOWMEN
EVERYWHERE
sound reproduction system, including the
highly acclaimed Dolby system, in its larger
auditoriums, insuring a true aural image.
Brinton Carpet Company installed the
carpeting and American Seating provided
at the seats. Policy this new theatre, being
managed by Pat Moore, is a boxoffice opening
at 1 p.m. every day and an "Early Bird"
admission price, before 2:30 p.m., of $L50.
Moore is stressing the intimate, 150-seat
auditorium which will feature the classics
of yesteryear. "Casablanca," "The Petrified
Forest" and others. Opening attractions for
the holiday season at the Village Green
Movies include "The Lord of the Rings."
"Invasion of the Body Snatchers," "Force
10 From Navarone," "Every Which Way
But Loose," "Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands"
and "Showboat."
Following a tour of the new theatre,
mixed drinks and a filet of mignon luncheon
were served at noon. At 1:30 p.m. guests
departed by chartered bus for Pompano
where they were shown Movies at Pompano,
a six-auditorium house which opened May
26 of 1978. Movie at Pompano opens at
1 a.m. each day. It also is serviced by one
projection room, one boxoffice, lobby and
refreshment center. John Flanagan is the
manager of the Pompano Theatre.
At 3:15 guests boarded the chartered bus
and were driven to the Movies at Plantation,
Palntation, Fla. UA's seven-theatre
complex in Broward county scheduled for
a simultaneous opening with Movies on the
Green Wednesday, December 20.
While speaking with Hassanein, one is
caught up in his enthusiasm for the projected
increase of screens in the state of Florida
which he says is attributed to the potential
growth in this state. Already serving under
the banner of UA Theatres is the Palm
Beach Mall Cinema, four screens; Volusia
Mall Cinema. Daytona Beach, three screens,
and Movies at Pompano. six screens. Opening
in December were Movies at Village
Green, West Palm Beach, screens, and
Movies at Plantation, Plantation, seven
(Continued on page SE-4)
ORDER FROM FILMACK
WHENEVER YOU NEED
SPECIAL FILMS
DATE STRIPr
CROSS PLUGSa,
'merchant ADS,
NOUNCEMENTS
FILMACK STUDIOS, INC.
BOXOFTICE :: January 22, 1979
SE-l

. . . ABC
. . Erma
|
CHARLOTTE
ice suffered a heart attack and is slowly
£arl Wheeler of M&M Film Shipping Serv-
recovering.
Screenings at Car-Mel: Uncle Joe Shannon"
and "Last Embrace" (product reel.
United Artists) "A Dream of Passion" (Avco
Embassy). "Tilt" (Warner Bros.) was
screened at the Capri Theatre, and "A
Dream of Passion" was unspooled at the
Mini Cinema. Rock Hill, S. C.
Top grosses of the week: "Superman"
(Charlottetown Mall II, Tryon Mall II) "Every
Which Way But Loose" (Charlottetown
Mall 1. Eastland Mall III) "California Suite"
(South Park II) "The Wiz" (Capri I) "The
Lord of the Rings" (Park Terrace II).
Correction: Inadvertently we included
Steve Smith and Tony Tracy as personnel
of Twin States Booking in their annual ad
in the Christmas issue of Boxoffice. Deepest
apologies to R. T. Belcher and his staff
of Twin States for this misconception.
MIAMI
pie officials of the City of North Miami
are considering a promotional campaign
to help the city's already large film
and recording industries to attract an even
larger share of business. The city's Downtown
Redevelopment Board has asked city
public relations consultant Charles Johnson
lOOKING SERVICE2SSSE£
230 S. Tryon St., Suite 362, Charlotte, N.C.
Frank Uwry . . . Bill Cline
Phone: (704) 377-9341
WINNER—Tony Bruguiere of Ogden-Perry's
Santa Rosa Cinema III in
Fort Walton Beach, Fla., has won the
company's prestigious "Showman of
the Year" award for the second consecutive
year. He was presented a
plaque and a check for $500 by Earl
Ferry Sr. at the annual awards banquet
held at the posh Plimsol Club in New
Orleans.
Jules Courville of the Charles Cinema
in Lake Charles, La., was named
Man of the Year and Tony Bruguiere
won the Best Maintained Theatre
award.
period. The list was led, he says, by "Superman,"
with seven pictures earning the
status of "hit" and three others doing reasonably
well. Two, "Moment by Moment"
and "Days of Heaven." he says fizzled com-
Jane Maria Robbins will repeat her role
.if a pet shop owner in "Rocky II."
JACKSONVILLE
Hrfhur E. "Art" Castner ended his long
career in theatre management by retiring
his at executive post the Edgewood
Theatre of this cily after serving ABC Florida
State Theatres (now Plitt Southern Theatres)
for 19 years. Previously he managed
Schine circuit theatres in Corning, Rochester
and Salamanca, N. Y.. and operated a
theatre of his own in Little Valley, N. Y.
Despite management offers. Art says he
plans to "make retirement stick to his ribs."
Joe Charles, manager of Plitt's San Marco
Theatre, notes that April 7 will be the first
anniversary showing of "The Rocky Horror
Picture Show" from 20th Century-Fox
which has been playing at the San Marco
Friday and Saturday midnights. With capacity
houses at $3 a throw, plus concession
profits, Joe may sigh in anticipation but he
is also happy.
Gus Kavouras, who formerly managed
theatres for ABC FST in the Miami area,
has succeeded Art Cortner as manager of
the Edgewood Theatre. He took over from
Gary Fras, assistant manager, when Art
retired Jan. 1. Gary's identical twin brother
Larry, is an assistant manager to Bob Jones,
Plitt city manager at the Regency twins
FST's auditor Tom Waterfield will
retire to his St. Petersburg home in May
after a career in theatre management and
auditing.
American Multi Cinema's film management
division has taken over the buying
and booking chores of the Kent Theatres
circuit. Kent's former buyer Horace Den-
policy does not apply to individual ticket
buyers.
Bob l.eMond and Lois Zetter will produce
"Interview With the Vampire."
704.333.9651
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BOXOFFICE :: Janua

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Showman to hook
availahility in
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Atlanta Jacksonville
WAYNE CHAPPELL
(404)432-3361
Charlotte
TOMMY LAMBERT
(704)882-1154
Dallas
J.C. McCRARY
(214)252-5573
Oklahoma City
HARRY McKENNA
(405) 232-4623
St. Louis Omaha
Des Moines Kansas City
PAUL RICE
(913)383-3880
Washington, D.C.
ROSS WHEELER
(202)244-1500
Philadelphia
SAM HELFMAN
(213)659-0545
Boston New Haven
JIM ENGLE
(617)482-9039
Denver
SHERM WOOD
(303) 751-1464
Los Angeles San Francisco
Seattle Portland
FRED KUrSKEL
(213)659-0545
Pittsburgh
JOHN MAJDIAK
(412)391-0370
Milwaukee Chicago
DON BUHRMESTER
(312)782-0988
Detroit
DENNIS GLENN
(313)968-7770
Minneapolis
JIM PAYNE
(612)332-3303
Salt Lake City
DALLAS FARRIMOND
(801)521-9888
Cincinnati Indianapolis
JEFF RUFF
(513)921-8200
New Orleans
LEW OOBRE
(504) 837-5200
Memphis
LARRY VINSON
(501)732-3665
Cleveland
MORRIE ZYRL
(216)461-9770
New York
MARVIN FRIEDLANDER
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Albany Buffalo
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EDWARD L. MONTORO, President • SAM HELFMAM, Director of Marketing
BOXOFFICE :: January 22, 1979 SE-3

Wometco Revenue
Up by 24 Percent
MIAMI—Wometco Enterprises has estimated
that its net income for continuing
opt-rations in 1978 would reach $16.7 million
or $1.95 per share compared to $13.1
million or $1.53 per share the year before.
Revenues were expected to increase 24 pier
ATLANTA
J^ windswept fire gutted seven shops last
week in the Emory Village shopping
area. Among the debris that was left was
the Emory Cinema, part of the Storey Theatre
Co.'s Atlanta-based circuit. This 450-
seat location was remodeled about five years
ago but the owners could not give an estimate
of their loss because of the 30-mile
per hour wind and freezing temperatures
that left icy streams in gutters around the
site.
Tradepress screening at the Century Cinema
facility included "The Brink's Job,"
Universal; "Red Neck Miller," Fantasy Releasing
Co.; "Uncle Joe Shannon," and
"The G'reat Train Robbery," United Artists.
The Silver Screen has selected
12 of Alfred
Hitchcock's greatest suspense films for
a festival starting Sunday. Feb. 4 and ending
Feb. 17. Shown at the fest will be
"Strangers on a Train"; "The Wrong Man";
"Rebecca"; "Foreign Correspondent"; "Ttie
^
Lady Vanishes"; "Suspicion"; "Psycho";
The Birds"; "Dial M for Murder";
"Stage Fright"; "Notorious," and "Spellbound."
The Screening Room at Broadview Plaza
booked Robert Altman's presentation of
"Welcome to L.A." Although originally
released in many American cities last year,
this film by Alan Rudolph had its Atlanta
premiere Jan. 12,
PALM BEACH
his wife Martha were among the many political
figures present.
Richard Toggle, 30-year-old author of the
screenplay for "Escape From Alcatraz"
scheduled for a June release by Paramount
Pictures, visited here recently. He earned
$100,000 for his script. Tuggle, who resides
in Santa Monica, is completing work on
"Tidal Wave," a screenplay for Universal
Pictures, "Escape From Alcatraz," which
stars Clint Eastwood, was Tuggle's first
writing
effort.
In February, when American Multi Cinema
opens its eightplex near Okeechobee
Boulevard and Military Trail, Palm Beach
County will have a total of over 50 indoor
screens, reflecting a 60 percent increase
over last year. Additional screens also are
in the planning stages. Most of these screens
are within a two- or three-mile radius of
each other.
Universal will begin production late in
February on "Coal Miner's Daughter," a
film based on the life of Loretta Lynn.
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Atlanta, Ga. 30324
(404) 876-0347
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NEW ORLEANS
Quif States Theatres held a special district
managers meeting prior to the Christmas
holidays. New office procedures and
other business matters were discussed.
Irene Mexic of Star Advertising and Billy
Gay, advertising director for Gulf States
cent to $280 million from $225.1 million
Theatres, visited with the various theatre
managers in the Mississippi area, working
in 1977.
Speaking before New York entertainment
Miami
with
releases.
them
Managers
on campaigns
each
for forthcoming
town will analysts at Wometco's Seaquarium.
in be a
president Mitchell Wolfson said all major holiday party recently
J^
was given at The representative of Star Advertising and will
divisions contributed to the improved earnings
Beach Club by actor-producer Cliff handle all radio, TV and newspaper pub-
Robertson and producer C. Gregory Earls,
e.\eept for the cable television division,
licity. Monthly visits will be made to differ-
which was unprofitable because of expansion
to thank members of the Florida Film Commission
ent areas to set up special promotions and
for their cooperation and support
an activity letter will be sent to all the managers
in the over-the-air subscription televi-
sion system in the New York-New Jersey during the filming here of "The Pilot." Robertson
from the home office.
mjtropolitan area.
Irene Mexic set up a publicity campaign
surprised and amused guests by ar-
After "unusual transactions" such as the riving at the black-tie event, directly from for "The Wiz" currently playing at the
Orpheum, Sena Mall and Gentilly Woods
sale of property and writedown of assets, the set, wearing his pilot uniform and a
four-in-hand black necktie. He presented a Cinema. "The Wiz" zoomed into town with
net income was estimated to be $18.6 million
heavy TV, and newspaper
or $2.18 per share, 47 percent above plaque to Peggy Evatt, chairman of the a radio campaign.
$12.7 million or $1.48 per share in 1977. Palm Beach County Commission, as an The false front of "The Wiz" on the Sena
expression of his appreciation for the assistance
Mall Theatre attracted quit; a bit of attention
and Ann Milligan, manager, held a
received. Former Senator George
Murphy and Congressman Dan Mica with "Wiz" contest with albums for the winners.
Mort Sunshine met with George Solomon,
Larry Fine and committee men at the Gulf
States office to help with plans for the Variety
Club convention in June.
WOMPI president Anna Clare Leggitt
conducted the January board meeting Jan.
5. The January closed meeting is set for
Jan. 23. Earline Dupuis. Will Rogers chairman,
reports that a proposal will be presented
to the general membership to assist
in the newly expanded Will Rogers Project
adopted at the last international convention.
Carl IMabry, New Orleans Variety Club
dough guy for over 20 years, was honored
with a dinner and roast at the Plimsol Club
Jan. 17.
UA Hosts Tour of New
Fla. Screen Complexes
(Continued from page SE-1)
screens and set for the summer of '79) and
Desota Square Mall Cinema, Bradenton
(being increased from four screens to six
screens and set for the summer of '79) and
the University Mall Cinema, Pensacola
(from three screens to six screens) by February.
Also under construction is the Falls
in South Miami, a seven-screen complex
scheduled to open the summer of '79.
CUVERAMA IS Vi SHOW
BITSUVESS m HAWAII TOO,
WTicn you conic to Waikikl,
don't miss Uic famous Don Ho
Show ... at Cinerama's
Reef Towers HoteL f
BOXOFFICE :; Jai iry 22, 1979

Sanlikos Theatres
Will Build Sixplex
SAN ANTO;\IO—John Santikos. owner
of the largest area theatre circuit, will begin
construction of a new six-screen facility
on or near Feb. 1.
To be called Galaxy Theatre, the new
facility should be completed in late August
or early September at the Northcross Business
Park in the 2800 block of NE Interstate
410 near Interstate 35.
A 'Bookend Project'
Des;gned to be a bookend project to his
Santikos" Northwest Six Theatre, construction
on the new facility will be more expensive
"to create a fancier and plusher
operation," Santikos said.
The project, 36,000 square feet, will cost
approximately $3.5 million as compared to
the Northwest Six Theatre's $3 million, including
land, he said.
"We are planning a theatre complex in
that location because we feel the northeast
area of San Antonio has grown and Santikos
Theatres is not represented in that area,"
he explained.
Population growth was cited as one of
the primary reasons. "And we feel this will
also serve Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills and
the general northeast area better," Santikos
added.
Spending for Quality
But the added expense was not due to the
affluence in the area, he cautioned. "We
want to have another theatre and we have
more experience now in how to build theatres
so we want to build it better, more
functional," he said.
The changes include a glass front instead
His newest complex will be constructed
on 7.5 acres of land acquired in a trade
with Embrey Investments, Inc. which still
owns three acres of undeveloped property
in the 1-410 and 1-35 interchange area next
to a recently completed Kmart store.
Santikos traded an equal size plot located
at Bitters Road and San Pedro Avenue to
developer Walter Embrey, according to Express-News.
The trade was made for tax
reasons, Embrey said.
AST
PO Box 5150
TECHNICAL SERVICES
CORPORATION
. 75080
TOTAL BOOTH SERVICE. SOUND.
PROJECTION. PARTS, INSTALLATION
AND MAINTENANCE
214-234-3270
"^^f^Qu'p^
STAR TREATMENT SERVICE'
Film Product to Highlight TEXPO 79
DALLAS— Brandon Doak, NATO of
Texas board chairman, announced that more
than ten hours of upcoming film product
Susan Anton . . . Star of Tomorrow
will highlight TEXPO 79, the Southwest
regional convention, which kicks off Jan.
30 and runs through Feb. 1, at the plush
new Hyatt Regency Hotel here.
Companies that plan to hold seminars
along with film showings will be Universal
Pictures, Avco Embassy Pictures, Crown
International, New World Pictures, Group
1 International Distributors, Dimension
Films, Crump Distributors and Texas Films,
Inc. National Screen Service will conduct a
seminar on its new "Movie Madness" project.
Other film companies showing new product
will be Paramount Pictures. Dai-Art
Film Exchange, Pacific International En-
Distributing Co., Howco International, Cal-
Am Productions and Special Events Entertainment
Co.
TEXPO '79, which is hosted by NATO of
Texas and is in its tenth year, expanded into
a regional convention two years ago to
serve Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico.
It is estimated that over 700 show people
will attend the conclave in Dallas.
Doak said that during the three-day meeting
awards will be made lo outstanding
screen and industry VlPs. Among those to
be honored will be Susan Anton who will
receive the TEXPO "79 Star of Tomorrow
Award for her outstanding role as star of
the new Avco-Embassy film "Golden
Girl." Producer of the Year Award will be
presented to the team that produced Universal's
"National Lampoon's Animal
House," Matty Simmons and Ivan Reitman,
and Universal Pictures has been selected to
receive the TEXPO Company of the Year
Award.
Again this year the successful Show-inthe-Round
theme will prevail in the big
annual trade show. A new feature will be
showing of several lines of electronic game
machines that have proven popular moneymaking
items when installed in lobbies of
movie theatres. The trade show, which has
been sold out for weeks, will officially open
the convention at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 30,
in the Reunion Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency.
Show-in-the-Round booths will be occupied
by Southwestern Theatre Equipment
Co., Optical Radiation Corporation, National
Screen Service, Glenn E. Koropp
Co., Coca-Cola USA, Liberto Specialty Co.,
Sweetheart Cup, Stewart Sandwiches, Inc.,
Blevins Popcorn Co., Dr Pepper Co.. Drivein
Theatre Manufacturing Co., National
Theatre Supply, 3M/Wagner Signs, Sherwood
Associates, Modern Sales & Service,
Modern Talking Picture Service, Inc., American
Seating Co., Pinkston Sales and Service,
Ted Ferguson Agency, Delaware Punch
Co., Jiffy Franks, Inc., Cine-fi Drive-In
of bricks and an additional side exit in order
Theatre Sound and Lucky Coin Co,
to be able to hold more people in the
lobby. The cost of these two improvements terprises, Sunn Classic Pictures, DeBerry A special one-hour concession presentation
Film Distributor,
M M
Joseph Brenner Associates,
alone, he said, was more than $125,000
will advise exhibitors how to increase
above similar costs for the other theatre
profits at their concession stands. The subjet
& Releasing Co.. Film Ventures
complex.
International. McCrary and Associates,
aptly titled "Partners in Profit" will fea-
Besides the Northwest Six, Santikos owns United Artists, Columbia Pictures, Grimes ture executives from the National Assn. of
the Century South and Fox Theatres in San Film Booking, R & S Distributors, Universal
Amusement Co., Warner Bros., 20th A business session for NATO members
Concessionaires.
Antonio and all drive-in theatres in town
except the Judson and El Capitan facilities. Century-Fox, American International, Eric will zero in on legislative affairs. High on
INIRIGUE.VIOLENCEAN
the list of priority legislation will be a defense
against the rumored levy of a boxoffice
tax. NATO of Texas was successful in
removing the state's sales tax on film rental
during the last legislative session, thus saving
exhibitors millions of dollars.

Brooklyn,
DALLAS
Tim Prichard Jr.
of New World Pictures of
Dallas is back at his desk after visiting
California to attend a Group I Films salesdistribution
conference. During the meetings.
Prichard screened portions of four of
Group I's 1979 releases, and heard an address
by company president Brandon Chase
who outlined Group Ts production plans
for the next 18 months. Among the pictures
he screened were "The Psychic," starring
Jennifer O'Neill; the science-fiction
thriller "The Plague," with Kate Rcid;
"Charlie and the Hooker," and "The
Best," starring Gloria Guida. Jack Leff,
Group I general sales manager, hosted the
sessions which were held at the Century
Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles.
zation chartered by the U.S. Congress to
encourage public participation in preservation
of^ites, buildings and objects significant
in American history and culture.
Among the items on the Trust's agenda are
theatres, which definitely are endangered
species. Adair points out that there are
many tax incentives and federal and state
funds available for restoration of historic
houses. He is a member of MPMO Local
249 and spends most of his spare time
researching the history of the motion picture
industry.
The new general office employee at
Theatres is Eileen Goodwin.
FLW
George Roscoe of the Seguin Theatres.
Seguin, Tc\ a nicmb.-r of NATO's president's
advisory cabinet
and director of
NATO of Texas, died
Jan 11 after a long
illness. He was 73
\ears old.
Roscoe, who had
been with NATO
Mnce 1956 as director
of exhibitor relations,
was an industry veteran
with over 50
George Roscoe
years of experience in
both distribution and exhibition. After 23
years with Columbia Pictures he joined Theatre
Owners of America, the predecessor
Continental Film Distributors and Guiles organization of NATO, in 1956. maintaining
1964 he
Booking Service, who have had offices together
his offices in Charlotte. N.C. In
moved to
NATO
Washington. D. C.
New
and to the
Building, have
in the 500 S. Ervay
moved both offices to the Northeast National
national office in York City
in 1967. He is survived by his wife Mimi,
Bank Tower, 7001 Grapevine High-
way, Ft. Worth, Tex. Their new telephone three daughters, one son and seven grandchildren.
Services were held Jan. 13 in
number is 589-0801.
Seguin.
Paul Adair is a charter member of the
National Trust for Historic Preservation,
which is the only private nonprofit organi-
William B. Slaughter, president of Martin
Theatres of Texas left Dallas Jan. 7
for Monterrey, Calif, to attend a meeting
of the parent company, Fuqua Industries.
Inc. He returned to Dallas Jan. 19.
The Variety Club of Texas will present
12 new Care-Van buses in honor of the first
12 chief barkers of Tent 17. Variety Clubs
International president Eric Morley will fly
in from London for the dedication of the
vans and the luncheon scheduled to follow
at the Loews Anatole Hotel. Tickets for the
luncheon are $12.50 per person. For more
information contact co-chairman Eddy
"Go Modern...For All Your Theatre Needs'
IfiW^^mg^ SALES & SERVICE, INC.
"Co Modtrm . . E^ifmtml, SiffUa & Strrk^
•
2200 YOUNG STREET DALLAS, TEXAS. 75201 • TELEPHONE 747-3191
Erickson at 741-2293 or co-chairman Randy
Slaughter 368-8083.
HOUSTON
prank Yablans, producer for Paramount
Pictures has said that shooting of
"North Dallas 40" will begin sometime in
February instead of in January as was previously
announced. Nick Nolte will star in
the movie.
Eric Gerber, Post film writer, said that
by rough count he viewed some 160 or so
feature' films during 1978. He has selected
his list of ten best and ten worst films of
\
1978. His ten best include "Straight Time,"
"Blue Collar," "Who'll Stop the Rain?", !
"Halloween," "Superman," "Lacemaker,"
"Heaven Can Wait," "Girl Friends," "Bread
and Chocolate" and "Days of Heaven." His
list of ten worst includes "The Fury,"
"Rabbit Test," "The Big Sleep." "Moment
by Moment," "The Swarm," "Paradise Alley,"
"Convoy." "Every Which Way But
Loose," "The Greek Tycoon" and "Eyes
of Laura Mars."
Stars Help Raise $100,000
At Three 'Valley' Premieres
DALLAS—Stars Ronee Blakley, Freddy
Fender and Scott Glenn attended the benefit
premieres of RGV Pictures' "She Came
to the Valley" which took place in the
Rio Grande Valley Jan. 11 in three theatres,
the Majestic in Brownsville, the Rialto}
in Harlingden and the United Artists Com-j
plex in McAllen. The $100,000 raised will
|
go to the Cleo Dawson Foundation.
Produced by Albert Band and Frank Ray
Perilli, the picture about the Texas border
country is based on the novel by Dr. Cleo
Dawson and was filmed entirely in the Rio
Grande Valley, financed by Texas money.
Also attending the premiere in addition
to Band, Perilli and Dawson will be executive
producer Robert S. Bremson, RGV
Pictures' executive vice-president W.T. Ellis
and RGV president William Duncan.
Marketing and distribution of "She Came
to the Valley" is being handled by Leon
Roth, executive vice-president for Max E.
Youngstein Enterprises.
Pinkston Sales & Service
MOTION PICTURE EQUIPMENT
Complete Sales Service or Repair
AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTORS FOR MANY MANUFACTURERS
Ed Cernosek
Jim Fritz
2017 Young ®
St.
214-741-1637
Dallas, Tex. 7523 or 741-1638
JS^ WATCH PROJECTION IMPROVE WITH>J
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PEARLESCENT
TECHNIKOTE CORP
63 Seabnng St ,
O MATTE ;^
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SW-2
BOXOFFICE :: January 22, 197S

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TOMMY LAMBERT
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HARRY McKErnrSA
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PAOL RICE
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ROSS WHEELER
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SHERM WOOD
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FRED KGMKEL
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DENNIS GLENN
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JIM PAYNE
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JEFF RUFF
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LEW OUBRE
(504) 837-5200
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LARRY VINSON
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ORVAL FROITMAN
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liMiiiW "^
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EDWARD L, MONTORO, President • SAM HELFMAM, Director of Marketing
BOXOFFICE :: January 22, 1979 SW-3

Chakeres Opens Twin
Theatre in Dayton
From Mideast Edition
DAYTON. OHIO—Kettering Cinemas 1
& 2. Dayton's newest multiscreen theatre,
opened its doors December 15.
Located at 1441 East Dorothy Lane and
operated by the Chakeres Theatres, Inc., of
.Springfield, Ohio, the Kettering Cinemas
represent the circuit's newest Dayton addition.
Among other screens in that city owned
by Chakeres are the Cinema North 1 &
2. Dayton Mall 1-2-3-4. Fairbom Twin
Cinema 1 & 2. Page Manor Cinema 1 & 2
and Southtown Cinema 1 & 2.
Great care and effort have been devoted
Ultra-comfortable "air-no" seating assumes
a perfect view of the seamless wallto-wall
"mirro-glo" screens. Accoustically
perfect, there is no sound interference between
the two auditoriums.
The $146,000 project undertaken by Brell
Construction Co. under the close personal
supervision of Grant Frazee, Chakeres
Theatres' general manager, includes fully
automated, computerized xenon projection
system permitting the complex to show both
35 and 70mm film.
bow PRICE
FAST SERVICE
OKLAHOMA CITY
Very few braved the snow, sleet and ice
storms to come in to take care of film
business. At least two. Charles Townsend
of the Pryor and Miami theatres and Dan
Wolfcnbarger of the Lamar, Dumas. Texas
and Sterling, Colorado theatres, did make it.
Correction: The late Peggy Leisure was
46 years old. We wrote that she had been
in
the business 46 years.
Universal tradescreened "Fast Charley"
and United Artists screened a production
reel of "Last Embrace." Both were seen
at
the Continental Theatre.
°
1702 Rusk Avenue
Houston, Texas 77003
to the construction and decoration of the
Kettering cinemas. The large illuminated Dwight Terry's Lakeside Theatre in
foyer is highlighted by cathedral-style windows
Woodward was robbed, just after opening,
and a group of crystal chandeliers. recently.
Both auditoriums are decorated to bring
the other one blends rich tones of scarlet
forth a feeling of luxurious intimacy. One
emphasizes shades of warm sun yellow and
Funeral services were held in Hobart recently
for Raymond E. Forbes. He had theatres
and Mountain
in Gotebo. Roosevelt Park. He also once owned a chain of week-
red.
ly newspapers in those towns.
Four Join HEMISFILM
SAN ANTONIO—Four new countries
who have never before participated in the
annual International Film Festival have already
sent their films to IFACS, the sponsoring
organization of HEMISFILM '79.
the 13th annual festival to be held here
Feb. 5. 6 and 7.
The new countries are Australia, Bahrain.
Uraguay and 'Venezuela. This information
was released by Louis Reile. executive-director
of HEMISFILM '79.
According to Reile the new films are "It's
a Small World." from Warien Boland of
Australia; "Pictures of an Island," the first
feature produced by Bahrain, a small country
in the Gulf of Arabia; "Kaleidoscope,"
a film by filmmaker Eduardo Darino, of
Uraguay. and "El Domador (The Horse
Breaker)." produced and directed by 39-
vear-old Joaquin Cortes of Venezuela.
(713) 654-1461 -Office
(713) 931-0748 -After Hrs.
YOUR TOTAL THEATRE SUPPLY DEALER
Pfoj^c*'®" & Sound Equip.
,. ^^..-.j
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SALES — SERVICE — INSTALLATIONS
Pn
I
DOLBY SYSTEM
The Original Sunshine
Boys Plan to Appeal
From Southeastern Edition
ATLANTA—Edward Wallace of Stockbridge,
Ga., and Milton Harry (Ace) Richman
of Marietta, Ga., vowed that they
were going to appeal U.S. District Court
Judge Albert Henderson's directed verdict
agafnst them. They sought $4,500,000 from
playwright Neil Simon and MGM for producing
the motion picture titled "The Sunshine
Boys." The two plaintiffs maintained
that the movie improperly portrayed them,
used their name and caused them to suffer
"injury to their personal feelings by being
humiliated, annoyed and exposed to public
contempt and ridicule."
Shortly before his decision. Judge Henderson
noted that nothing in the presentation
of their case proved that Wallace or
Richman suffered because of the movie.
There was no evidence, he said, that firmly
established any lost profits, any instances of
ridicule or justification for the amount of
damages they sought.
Richman and Wallace gave primarily a
history of their entertainment careers, said
the judge, reviewing the two-day trial. "But,
beyond that point, what do we have?"
The plaintiffs' case consisted of testimony
by both men as to their years making movies,
records and personal appearances as the
country-western gospel group known as
"The Sunshine Boys."
Following their testimony, a witness identified
as a marketing expert. Dr. Edward
Cundiff, testified that he thought the damages
should be assessed at the $4,500,000
figure. Under cross-examination, however,
when attorneys for the defense asked Cundiff
if he had ever had any professional
dealings with entertainers' accounts before,
he replied he had not.
He said he never saw any of the group's
Grade B Westerns or the Simon movie "The
Sunshine Boys." Attorney Mark Kaufman
asked Cundiff if he didn't really think his
"expert testimony" was "a hobglob of information
based on a lot of speculation."
Kaufman later moved for a directed verdict
from the judge against the Sunshine
Boys based on the fact that "there is no evidence
for a jury to consider in returning a
verdict, no damages established, no show of
intent" and no show of suffering.
He also noted that Cundiff admitted his
clients are in a totally different area of entertainment
than the ethnic, vaudevillian
heroes of Simon's movie.
Judge Henderson agreed that just "suing
somebody's name alone is not enough" and
he directed a verdict against Wallace and
Richman.
CIIVERA9L.1 IS Vi SHOW
BUSINESS IX HAWAII TOO^
WTien you conic to Walkiki,
don't miss tlic famous Don Ho
Show ... at Cincruma's
Reef Towers Hotel. f
SW-4
BOXOFFICE :; January 1979

.
.
ALL OF THESE
PRACTICAL
SERVICE
DEPARTMENTS
APPEAR REGULARLY
in
OXOfflCt
ADLINES AND EXPLOITIPS
BOXOFFICE 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!
BOXOF7ICE :: January 22, 1979
MILWAUKEE
\A7hen the Geneva Twin Cinema, Lake Geneva,
Wis., screened "National Lampoon's
Animal House," tlie management had
a special offer: "First ten people to the 7 and
9 p.m. shows will receive a copy of the
sound track album for 'Animal House.' Clip
this ad and present it at the door." Parties
patterned after a similar event in the
film have been held around the state, but
the biggest toga party of all was undoubtedly
held on a Saturday night at the University
of Wisconsin-Madison campus. Campus
police estimated the crowd of toga
bearers at 10,000 but the fraternity official,
whose estimate was 12,000, said this (unofficial)
figure would be submitted as a
new category to the Guinness Book of
World Records as the world's largest modern
toga party. Daniel Torppe, national
college" promoter of the Universal movie,
was present and called it "the biggest and
perhaps the best ever." He said that the
studio was completing a handbook for toga
parties based on the Madison experience.
Even the mayor of Madison, Paul Soglin,
was drawn to visit the event saying what
attracted him was "the large gathering .
and I wanted to make sure everything was
all
right."
The Parkland Twin in nearby Muskego
announced there would be "no matinees
due to kiddie show in Twin 2." The shows,
starting at 2 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday,
Jan. 6 and 7, consisted of two features,
"The Sad House" and "Terror of Godzilla,"
plus Chapter 1 of "Batman." The serial
will continue for 15 weeks.
Cinema North, Phillips, Wis., reopened
in mid-December after being closed for
several weeks for total remodeling with new
seats, new screen, updated sound system.
Opening film presentation from Dec. 15 to
21 was "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club
Band."
Seasonal films, such as motion pictures
with a Christmas theme, may be a thing of
the past, believes Prof. Russell Merritt, film
historian in the communication arts department
of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The professor reasons it like this:
"Back in the 1940s and '50s new movies
were on the market every week. Moviemakers
could more easily respond to the
charge of the seasons." But producers are
now making most of their money on yeararound
rerims of their films. It used to be,
Merritt pointed out, that most of the money
was made from the first-run of a movie.
"Now, however, you cripple yourself if you
make a film just about Christmas because
chances are it won't be rerun nearly as
often as a film with a general theme," he
added. Professor Merritt estimated about
800 movies a year were produced in the
past. "Today, I'd be surprised if more than
200 films were being made," he said. "You
cannot afford the luxury of a seasonal film
when you put so much money into a small
number of films."
Free tickets to the Tomahawk Theatre to
see Joseph E. Lcvine's "Git!" during two
showings at 1 and 3 p.m. on a recent Saturday,
could be picked up at Nelson's
Super Market in Tomahawk. No purchase
was necessary ... A dozen Sparta merchants
banded together to sponsor free
movies at the Sparta Theatre so that parents
"may bring your children to the Sparta
Theatre to see a fine family show and you
may have a few hours of leisurely shopping
by yourself." "The Whackey World of
Mother Goose" was unreeled three times
on Saturday and once on Sunday as "free
kiddie matinees."
Grosses Plummet After
Holidays in Mill City
MINNEAPOLIS — With the Christmas-
New Year's holiday period over, grosses
looked as if someone had taken scissors
and cut those figures almost in half. And
this wasn't the situation at just a theatre
or two but almost down the complete list.
Even 'Superman' Slides
For example, "Superman" at the Brookdale
and Southtown Theatres in his fourth
leap did a 690 compared with the preceding
week's sensational 1,100. "Invasion of the
Body Snatchers" skidded from a 435 to a
220 in a third week at the Cooper. "California
Suite" on three screens fell from a
565 to a 365 in its third frame. "Brass
Target" slipped to a 40 from a previous
reading of 100 in its third lap at the Academy.
And so it went.
Find January
Legs.'
Now, everyone is watching closely to see
exactly what will happen during this month.
Several of the Christmas releases, counted
on for leggy runs, did not perform up to
expectations. And with release sheets looking
skimpy for the next several weeks, some
exhibitors are scanning recent winners for
"encore" engagements if necessary.
The weather" has been fierce (well below
zero each night—anywhere from 12 to 25
on the minus side), and that might have
been a negative factor. Despite all this, most
situations are optimistic, and no one is frantic—
yet. (Average Is 100)
Academy—Brass Target (MGM), 3rd wk 40
Brookdale, Southtown Supennan (WB),
^^^
Biookdale 'ij'ast, Southdafe-^oment by Moment
Cooper—Invasion of "the Body Snatchers (UA),
^^^
1
Cooper'^Cameoi::Ma'g;ic"(20ih-Foxrm^
Edina I—The Lord of the Rings UA). 8th wk 345
Edlna II-Autunm Snata (New World). 3rd wk. ....250
Mann—The Wiz (Umv) 10th wk^ ,..- 60
Movies at Burnsville Pai-adise Alley (Univ),
Sheloid Paric, Yorkto^ZlWatersiiip Down
(Avco Embassy), 9th wk (^
Skyway I—Ice dastles (Col), 4th wk 210
Skyway II National Lampoon's Animal House
theatre's—California Suite (Co:), 3rd wk 285
3
3
theatres Every Which Way But Loose
(WB), 3rd wk, -.-- 365
theatres—King iP:ira), 3rd 115
of the Gypsies wk
3 theatres—Oliver's Story (Para), 4ih wk^
3
90
4 10 theatres—Force From Navarone (AD,
3rd wk - 70
NC-1

MINNEAPOLIS
Richard Guetschoff and his ARE. Co.
ha\e taken over the Cambridge Hollywood
Theatre, Cambridge, Minn. . . . Ben
Berger. veteran exhibitor and circuit head,
journeyed to Israel to participate in ceremonies
there honoring the late Sen. Hubert
H. Humphrey, who had been a strong supporter
of the state
of Israel.
Dick Maiek, Warner Bros, branch manager,
set "'Movie. Movie" for a Jan. 26
break at the World and Hopkins theatres
here and at The Movies at Maplewood in
St.
Paul.
"The Lord of the Rings," despite thumbsdown
reviews locally, continues to perform
in lively fashion in an eighth healthy week.
"Ice Castles" has found its legs and has
played nicely at the Skyway I Theatre. And
"California Suite" and "Every Which Way
But Loose" look good for the long run.
"Superman" is — of course — the leading
grosser and is a biggie in both Minneapolis
and St. Paul. But reports on outstate dates
find "Superman" performing surprisingly
below expectations.
Modern Cinema Short Film
Wins Festival Gold Medal
From Southeastern Edition
MIAMI—"About Cats," the I2-minute
free-loan short subject, has just been awarded
the Miami Film Festival's Gold Medal.
The short is also being seen in motion picture
theatres with outstanding feature films
including "Grease," "Hooper," "Heaven
Can Wait" and "Foul Play."
Jim McPoland, vice-president of operations
at Modern, commenting on the film's
success said, "It's a film that conveys a
message about responsible pet ownership
in a delightful and entertaining way. For
this
reason we're not surprised that the film
is in great demand and has been seen by
over a half-million people in the five months
^C WATCH PROJECTION IMPROVE WITH^
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^
5
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LENTICULAR PEARLESCENT
^O HILUX O MATTE $
METALLIC WHITE
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TECHNIKOTE CORP
'Superman' Sets New
Omaha House Record
OMAHA—According to the World-
Herald here, the following films did
the best Christmas business at area
theatres.
"Superman" set a house record for
the Fox, since it became a twin. "The
Exorcist" probably still holds the record
for the building when it was a 750-
sealer, says Shelby Doty, manager.
Other top draws were "California
Suite," "The Lord of the Rings," "Every
Which Way But Loose," "Invasion
of the Body Snalchers" and "Moment
by Moment."
New Cinema Cooperative
Shows Avant Garde Films
OMAHA—A group calling itself
the New
Cinema Cooperative began a series of avant
garde films Jan. 16 at Eppley Conference
Center on the University of Nebraska-Omaha
campus.
The films shown were "For the First
Time," directed by Octavio Cortazar and
produced by the Cuban Film Institute, and
"One Sings and the Other Doesn't," directed
by French filmmaker Agnes Varda.
Other movies in the series, all at the same
location at 7 p.m. are "Rapid Eye Movements"
and "The Man Who Left His Will
on Film," which ran Jan. 20; "Quazi at the
Quackadoo" and "Chuquiago," Feb. 13, and
"33 Yoyo Tricks" and "Ali: Fear Eats the
Soul." March U.
Law Favoring Suburban
Theatres Under Review
F,om Southeastern
Edition
RALEIGH, N.C.—An outdated North
Carolina tax law, under study for possible
change in the 1979 General Assembly, provides
a cheaper tax schedule for suburban
it has been available. The awarding of the
Gold Medal to 'About Cats' certainly confirms
our belief in the film's appeal."
film theatres than for downtown cinemas,
The short features original music, pantomime,
although the downtowners are hurting and
special effects and youngsters play-
with
shuttering while the suburbans are generally
ing their feline friends. Narration by thriving.
actress Tammy Grimes sets the mood.
The revenue laws committee of the General
Assembly is preparing a report that wilj
recommend change. State revenue secretary
Mark Lynch says the existing law, written
in the 1930s and reflecting different times
and economy, needs to be updated. It is one
of a number of outdated statutes the committee
is
working on.
DES MOINES
garen Seltzer joined the Associated Theatres
staff Jan. 8. She will be secretary
to Peter Frederick.
John Shipp, ptesident of Thomas &
Shipp. was unable to make his planned visit
to book theatres here Jan. 11. His plane
circled the city for some time but was unable
to land and returned to Omaha.
Mickey Ellis of Thomas & Shipp won the
Filmrow pool Jan. 8. The involved guessing
what the top 12 grossing pictures would be
from their openings in December for a
period of two weeks.
Film Board Chairman
Promotes Canadianism
From Canadian Edition
OTTAWA—James de Beaujeu Domville,
,
appointed National Film Board chairman
last month, wants the government-funded i
agency "to promote Canadianism," not political
propaganda.
"Our mandate is to make films to interpret
Canadian life," de Beaujeu Domville
said in an interview from his Montreal
office.
"We do not intend to promote a political
party," he said a few moments after Prime
Minister Trudeau announced the veteran of
the theatrical and film scene would replace
Andre Lamy as film board chairman and
government film commissioner Jan. 8.
Since the election Nov. 15, 1976 of the
Parti Quebecois, some members of the government
have suggested such state cultural
agencies as the Canadian Broadcasting
Corp. and the National Film Board should
be done more for national unity. Only a
few minutes before Trudeau announced de
Beaujeu Domville's appointment, Jean-.
Robert Gauthier (L—Ottawa Vanier) attempted
to force debate in the Commons,
on the film board's decision to end a program
allowing French-Canadian minority
groups in Ontario and Western Canada to
make their own films.
The program was cut by the film board
after the government decreased the agency's
budget this summer as part of a general
program of restraint. The 1979-80 budget
will be $5.7 million less than the $34 millioni
of this fiscal year. I
Government spending restraint, especially'
in the cultural field, may be one of the big
gest headaches de Beaujeu Domville inher
its from Lamy, who becomes a CBC vice
president.
C liVEILlMA IS BV SHOW
Bl'SLVESS IX HilWAII TCM>,
Wlicn you conic to Wulklki,
don't miss the famous Don Ho
Show ... at Cinerama's
Reef Towers Hotel.
KliliF • W.VIKIKJ TOWER OF THE REEF ^.'J®!?
rei;ft

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HARRY McKENMA
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ROSS WHEELER
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SAM HELFMAN
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M 'm'^—
,„
\MILLIM^ DEVANE
BB^^^^^^TTriARK Present 'THE °'^'^„^p/MC'\NyNN
A Super '79 Release from FVI.
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•
BOXOFFICE :; January 22, 1979
NC-3

Ho^vwe sweetened
the melting pot*
We all pitched in. That's how we sweetened
the melting pot called America.
Like a big family coming together for a
festive meal, each immigrant group has added its
contribution. The world's best skills, talents,
minds, hearts, music, children, customs, that's
what's gone into America.
We've put them all together and
they've nourished the greatest
nation in the world.
And the best thing is, we ha\'en't stopped
pitching in.
Today ^)' 2 million American workers in\'est
in their country by buying U.S. Savings Bonds.
"^ou can tcxi. Sign up tor the Payroll Sa\'ings
Plan where you work. It's an easy, automatic way
to sweeten your life while you sweeten your land
by taking stock in America with
U.S. Savings Bonds.
1!:.;
Take
. stock
m^^pierica.
NC-4 January 22, 19'

'
.
2
1\l
Weather Puts a Chill Survey of Mideastern Critics Shown
On Cincy Film Trade
CINCINNATI—Rotten week-end weath-
vy/,o^ Makes a Film Reviewer Tick
^^ ^^^Y RUTHERFORD
CINCINNATI — Ever wonder what
STw?~"°""°"' "'' ^"'"" *"""" 300 lumbus Dispatch, explained that each film
I tTel^u^^J'°wB)^°M?.^'^'^'' "'•.:.:::::f50 is evaluated according to what it sets out to
3 theatres—Woiership Down' (Emb), achieve and what vicwers expect from it.
4 ^hlair^s-caiifomia Suite (Soi):-3rd"wkr::::loo Among the qualities which the Columbus
5 theatres—Every Which Way But Loose ^^^ Dispatch writers Utilize are such items as
'"^ '*^'' ^"^
a good story that has something to offer its
viewers, unusual character development
Cleveland Grosses Great Though with which people can relate, believable dia-
Holidays Over, Kids in School logue, and the decision whether perform-
CLEVELAND— Holiday celebrants are anccs plug into a formula or promote an
back at work, students are back at school, interesting interplay between characters,
but grosses here were still better than aver- Wood Simpson, whose Lexington Herald
age. "Superman" was way out in front with byline reads "contributing film critic." pre-
U325; second in command was "Every fers to describe himself as a "reviewer" pen-
Which Way But Loose" with 915. "Cali- ning "non-expert" personal evaluations of
fornia Suite" took third with 675. whether a film is worthwhile.
iheatre—The wiz (Univ), 9ih wk 370 Noting that his reviews are "very person-
Dancing in the Big City (UA),
.,
1
^| theatres—Slow ^^ gj^p^on g^id, "I don't try tO establish
theatS—Brass Target (UA)72ndwk:'T.. 155 ^ God-like relationship with the readers. I
°"'''^' '''''"''
225 try to establish as just myself another guy
^£d"'wk~'^''''°''''^
5 theatres-Moment by Moment (Univ),
sitting in an office who has a chaucc to
theatres-Oliver's Story (Para), 3rd wk 145 expresS an opinion."
5
I fhlres=lvLT^^ch*^ay' But'Lose
'''
He also labels himself a "populist'" in that
2nd wk ^ y he geneially likes those films which prove
,tat\'e1=i?v'^L^"oMt%idy knauhe^s 6 to be wcll-liked by the moviegoing public.
Ms. McNcelcy expresses similar sent,-
of.he Rings (UA,:
'
erolre's^^T^e Lord
2nd wk 365 ments, saying. "I m not sitting on a percn
somewhere. I personally don't believe in
__ rave-rave and pan-pan reviews."
TT 1
TniTia iViaV HaVP nan
Slmpson. however, attempts to "practi-
UOmd I'lCiy naVi; liaU
^^,|y |;„ ^^^ p^^p,^ -^ tj,^ first sentence
D

|
|
Downtown Toledo Will
Have a Theatre Again
TOLEDO, OHIO—The downtown area
of this city of 450,000 is no longer without
a motion picture theatre, after the recent
re-opening of the 800-seat Pantheon in the
heart of the shopping area, on St. Clair
Street. That street once boasted three theatres
on the same block as the Pantheon, and
three more on the
next block—mostly firstrun
houses. The Pantheon was shuttered in
mid-1977, after several months as an operation
directed mostly at black audiences.
Only a few months ago the last downtown
film house. The Esquire, a burlesque/adult
theatre operation, closed down.
The theatre has been refurbished and
cleaned up, including new carpeting, plumbing
and repainting, at a cost of $30,000.
and is now being operated by Welcum Productions,
Inc. The firm has been promoting
one-night concerts and live shows for the
last five years in the Toledo Sports Arena,
the University of Toledo and the Masonic
Auditorium. President of the firm is Charles
Welch, who is aided by Tom Kaye. vice
record store and a gift
boutique.
Films are booked for the house thiough
the Armstrong Theatre Circuit. Bowling
Green, Ohio.
The theatre is open evenings for three
shows on weekdays, and for afternoons to
midnight operations on Wednesdays
(Ladies' Day witti $1.25 admission throughout),
Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is
$2.50 for adults, $L25 for children 12 and
under, and $1.25 for senior citizens anytime.
The management plans to have children's
cartoon shows on Saturday mornings,
running continuously from 11 a.m. to
3 p.m., when regular programing will take
over.
Though ownership of Welcum is all
black, confined to the two principals, they
plan to offer films of general interest to
the entire commLinity. Toledo Council of
Business and the Small Business Administration
helped make possible the financing
for the venture.
Initial booking was "A Hero Ain't
Nothin' But a Sandwich." starring Cicely
Tyson and Paul Winfield.
April 2 Is the Deadline
For Athens Fest Entries
ATHENS— Filmmakers, producers and
distributors are invited to submit their films
by April 2 for the 1979 Athens International
Film Festival, which will be held at
the Athena Cinema in Athens. Ohio from
April 20-29.
The international film competition is open
to all 35mm, 16mm and Super-8 films in
the categories of feature films, short story,
animation, experimental and documentary.
The Golden Athena Award will be presented
to the best film in each of the major
categories, and $3,500 worth of awards
will be allocated by the festival judg;s to
winning independent filmmakers. The festival
serves as an international showcase for
independent productions and the majority
are screened publicly during the
of entries
president and secretary. Welch is the station
manager for WKLR-FM. a Booth festival.
Broadcasting Co. outlet aimed at the black Festival 79 will also present a special
community. He has never been a film exhibitor
retrospective. "Cinema of Illusion," April
20-23. This retrospective will include a historical
before but has been preparing for
this venture since July of 1977. when his
survey of special effects in the cine-
firm leased the building occupied by the ma, plus a series of workshops by special
theatre and two adjacent retail shops, a effects artists.
Further information pertaining to
the entry
procedure and other festival programs is
available by writing to the Athens International
Film Festival, Box 388, Athens, Ohio
45701.
The Athens International Film Festival
is supported by grants from the National
Endowment for the Arts in Washington,
D.C. and the Ohio Arts Council.
Twin to Open in Wooster
WOOSTER. OHIO—This city will become
a three-theatre town with the opening
of a twin cinema in May of this year. Henry
Bishop and his wife Chell. who own the
Wooster Theatre on Liberty St., plan to
open the twin cinemas on Market Street.
Each auditorium will have about 300 seats.
There's No Product Shortage at
RING®LD
theatre^"^equipment
952 Ottawa, N.W.
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
(616) 454-8852
29525 Ford Road
Garden ^City, Michigan 48135
(313) 522-4650
Serving Michigan & Ohio for 50 years
ME-2
Q[][DDLiY|YSTEM]
Critic Urges Revision
Of Film Scheduling
TOLEDO. OHIO—Norman Dresser, entertainment
editor of the Toledo Blade, used
his recent column to deplore the "feast-orfamine"
system of holiday film distribution.
His comments appear below:
Traditionally, movies are a feast-or-famine
proposition, with the year's major films
opening before Easter, around the Fourth
of July, and before the Christmas holidays.
Recently, for example, eleven major pictures
opened in Toledo. It's a situation
which neither the exhibitor nor the moviegoing
public particularly likes, but distributors
and studios are set in their ways,
even though common sense indicates it's a,
practice which is harmful to the industry.
I
I
You can be sure, too, that critics hate the
situation. The most passionate movie fan
and most critics basically love pictures
would blanch at the prospect of going to.
eleven movies within a one-week period.
Even critics are human (oh yes. theyi
are!) and along about the sixth movie in
three days his critical facilities weaken. Inj
addition, his eyes tend to become blood.shot
and certain portions of his anatomy ache'
or become deadened. This affects his jridg-j
ment and writing ability (if any).
It used to be that the Christmas holidayl
film feast was so prodigious that the famine,
period preceding it extended over a couple
of months.
That wasn't true this year, thank good-'
ness. Among the major pictures which open-^
ed in Toledo during October and November
were "The Wiz," "Who Is Killing the Great}
Chefs of Europe?" "The Boys From Brazil,"
"Magic," "Goin' South," "Midnight'
Express" and "Comes a Horseman."
While all these were big-budget pictures.!
not all were hits, either at the boxoffice oij
critically. But at least they got a chance.'
and were not drowned in the deluge of
Christmas holiday releases.
However, it's probably true that some of
these movies were withdrawn from circula-|
tion sooner than necessary, particularly ir!
markets the size of Toledo, simply because
of the arrival of the Christmas releases.
!
"Superman," which is expected to be ;
super-blockbuster on the scale of "Stai
Wars," has even affected the film distribU|
tion patterns of other studios.
For the first time in many years. 20tl'
Century-Fox does not have a Christma'
picture on the market. Fox had planned U
release its "Butch and Sundance: The Earl;
Years" for Christmas. But in the face 0|
the tremendous publicity surrounding War
(Continued on page ME-4)
Bvsvn:ss ix HiVkah too^
[""TO^f
WTicn yon come to Waikiki,
don't miss tlic famous Don Ho
Show ... at Cinerama's
Reef Towers Hotel.
REEF* WAllvlKI TOWER OFTHE REEF mwAii
KEEFTOW-ERS • EIXIEWATER
January 22. 197

Call your FVI
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Atlanta Jacksonville
WAYNE CHAPPELL
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Charlotte
TOMMY LAMBERT
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Dallas
J.C. McCRARY
(214)252-5573
Oklahoma City
HARRY McKENNA
(405) 232-4623
St. Louis Omaha
Des Moines Kansas City
PAUL RICE
(913)383-3880
Washington, D.C.
ROSS WHEELER
(202)244-1500
Philadelphia
SAM HELFMAN
(213)659-0545
Boston New Haven
JIM ENQLE
(617)482-9039
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SHERM WOOD
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Los Angeles San Francisco
Seattle Portland
FRED KCJMKEL
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JOHM MAJDIAK
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^
.
m^^iiillfcljBF^^^^^^^^
Hill \m DEVANE
\N\L1-»ai»i
stalling
'TUf DARK
„,„., Sen «wf«„ So mm "-^-XW
A Super '79 Releasefmm FVL
Territorial TV. Saturations
Being Set Now!
FVI FILM VENTURES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
310 Noith San Vicente Blvd., Suite 200, Los Angeles, California 90048 •
(213) 659-0545
EDWARD L, MOMTORO. President • SAM HELFMAN, Director of Marketing
January 22, 1979

.
.
Survey Uncovers What
Makes a Critic Tick
(Continued from page ME-1)
ing whether the combination of acting, directing,
scripting, cinematography and production
values come together evenly.
"Producers like to think of critics as objective,
but they are really highly subjective."
Stein said.
Apart from these functional procedure
questions, the critics interviewed generally
revealed that sometimes they do have second
thoughts about a motion picture.
Asked if his opinion had ever altered after
a second viewing. McElmfiesh said
"everybody changes every day. as do our
perceptions of things."
Ms. McNeely of the Dispatch indicated
that she has "mellowed a little" after the
second viewing, though not often.
However. Stein's answer said it best: "We
are all a creature of psychology, therefore,
a particLilar frame of mind might cause indigestion."
All of the critics weic adamant to varying
degrees about to what extent audience
reaction influences their articles. While Mc-
Elmfresh said. "I review films, not audiences,"
McNeeley said she was "barely .
or not at all" susceptible but Simp.son said
his opinions could be influenced by the
audience, though "not a great deal."
Perhaps of significance too, the Cincinnati
critics generally watch films in screening
rooms, while the others usually view
regularly scheduled performances at a theatre.
Other interesting items:
—None of those interviewed attempt to
deal with areas of technical nature, although
most are aware of the various techniques
involved in editing, cinematography,
etc.
—No preferences existed regarding the
type of film being reviewed. All indicated it
was no more difficult to review a message
film or an escapistic outing. McElmfresh
pointed out that the most difficult type of
film upon which he has to pass judgment
is one of mediocre achievement which
"leans against the screens .
. . it's just sorta
there."
—Most are unwilling to compile "Ten
Best" lists.
HADDEN
THEATRE SUPPLY COMPANY
IN
DRIVE
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THE ONLY DEALER
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As for the current state of the filmmaking
art, here are some ideas expressed by
these daily newspaper critics:
William Mootz: "The trend from Hollywood
is to forsake all else for the big blockbuster,
a big money-maker, anything they
think will turn the public on," thus making
it more and more difficult to produce
"modest films."
Jerry Stein: While mentioning a predominance
of "women's culture" productions in
1977, he evaluated 1978's crop of films as
"kind of a cultural lark, not as philosophical
as 1977."
Shirley McNeeley: 1978 was a "smattering
of everything," getting more into "fantasy
business." She said, "Young people
don't want all that message stuff," although,
she quickly retorted, a film is "not necessarily
entertaining just because it is light."
Wood Simpson: "Most of the films of the
different, almost echoing the very variety
of the features churned out by Hollywood
studios.
Critic Urges Reevaluation
of Film Schedule Policy
(Continued from page ME-2)
ner's "Superman." Fox postponed the release
of the "Butch Cassidy" sequel until
next summer.
And Universal pushed up release of "The
Wiz" to October because of the impact of
"Superman." The studio decided it would
have cost an additional $1.5 million on top
of the $3 million already spent on promoting
"Wiz" if the musical had to complete
with "Superman" for the Christmas business.
This boom-or-bust syndrome hurts the
movie industry, because few fans aie going
to see a half-dozen or so pictures within a
period of a few weeks. Theatre owners
would like an orderly flow of pictures coming
out of Hollywood, so that moviegoers
would get in the habit of seeing movies on
a regular basis.
^CJ WATC H PROJECTION IMPROVE WITH^J
Technikote
^ * SCREENS ^
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TECHNIKOTE CORP
CIEMEIAHD
yariety Club Tent 6 held its election of
officers and the results were: chief
barker. Bill Anderhalt. 20th Century-Fox
branch manager; first assistant chief barker,
Mike Mooney; second assistant barker,
Russell Wintner; dough guy, Leonard Mish-
kind. and property master, Ray Serraglio.
Women of Variety officers are: President,
Jean Frisch; vice-presidents Mickey Kaufman
and Ray Eurchel; treasurer, Sara Zeve;
corresponding secretary. Sally Rosen, and'
recording secretary. Linda Vinnay.
Natalie Wood is in town for the filming
of the ABC movie "The Cracker Factory."
The film has been brought to Cleveland^
through the efforts of the Ohio Film Bureau.
It will be aired on national television i
in April. Based upon a book of the same
title by Joyce Rebeta-Buiditt. the story isi
past year have not been what I would call
intellectual films. I've seen a lot of commercial
films that do a good job entertaining
. . . delivering a product designed for a set in Cleveland and concerns a young;
mass audience. I want to be a part of that woman's real-life struggles with alcoholism.;
audience."
After the entire day of shooting the movie,
j
As can be observed, the inner composition
of each critic is vastly complex and will appear in the movie.
a total of one minute of Cleveland scenes,
>
Thomas Mihok, United Artists branch
manager, screened "The Great Train Robbery"
at Brainard Place Screening Roomj
Friday. Jan. 12.
For two successive days, the Plain Dealer
carried huge headlines on the pirating of
movies by Cleveland men. The article re-j
ported that over 80 countries are cooperat-i
ing in many investigations into the interna-!
tional distribution of illegally copied full-;
length motion pictures. Stanley S. Czar-,
necki. head of the FBI in Cleveland, said the|
estimated annual loss to the world-wide,
legitimate motion picture industry is $800;
CINCINNATI
Qhuck Dunn of the Showcase Cinemas is
preparing champagne premiere festivi
ties for the Jan. 26 opening of Warner
Bros.' "Movie, Movie."
Myco Films reports that
i
"Halloween'1
gathered Dayton, Ohio's highest gross dar-l
ing the week of Jan. 5-9 at the Kon-Tiki.l
The horror-suspense entry amassed $13,-
540 during five days of the third week.
News items for this column should be!
sent to: Tony Rutherford. PO Box 362J
Huntington, W.Va. 25708. Phone: (304)1
525-3837.
We can handle it!
:Z.r' ,r>. MOORE TREAT
^^ EQUIPMENT CO.
^n^e^n:^
repairs"
213 Delaware Ave.
P.O. Box 782
Coll:
Charleston. W. Va.
(304) 344-4413 25323
ME-4

: City
'Superman' & 'Suite'
Are Biggest in Boston
BOSTON—Business here is holding
steady despite a new admission price jump
of 7 percent, or 25 cents. Most big pictures
are locked in from the holidays and most
are showing signs of long life.
Notable "blockbusters" include "Superman,"
with a giant 1,500 at two houses;
"California Suite," checking in with a 1,200
at two: "Invasion of the Body Snatchers,"
snatching a 600, and •Th; Brink's Job,"
filmed here several months ago, stealing a
solid 510 in its fifth week
(Averaqf- I ind)
3rd wk -
Circle III—IHomenl by I^
Charles I,
(Univ), 3rd wk
Charles II Autumn Sonata ,- -
Cheri I—Lord of Ihe Rings (UA) b>h a I 300
Cheri II—The Brink's Job (Univ)
Cheri III, Chestnut Hill II— Califo
(Col), 3rd wk. 1,200
Chestnut Hill I, P
(Para), 4th wk
Cinema 57 I The Wu.
Circle Cinema 57 Il.-Supe. I, ..
4th wk - 1 500
Circle II, Paris—Every Which Way But Loose
1 (WB), 3rd wk "
Exeter Interiors (UA) I5th /t ..H
Orson Welles II—Dossier 5 (IJ . i
1st wk
Pi Alley I—Invasion of the Body Snatchers
17'
(UA), 3rd wk. - 600
-Magic (20th Fox) 4th aI 200
"Superman' and "Body Snatchers'
Get Top Attendance in Elm City
NEW HAVEN—There was nary a new
attraction on the first-run bloc. Everything
in town, both major and independent product,
heldover, and like the preceding week,
stayed well above the traditional 100 percent
average range.
Warner Bros.' "Superman" zipped along
with 500 in its fourth week. United Artists'
"Invasion of the Body Snatchers" hit 400.
Columbia's "California Suite" locked in a
300, while UniversaFs "Moment by Moment"
chalked up 225.
Cinemart I, Milford I California Suite (Col),
..._ _
Milford II—Moment by Moment
3rd wk 300
Cinemart II,
(Univ), 3rd wk 225
-
Showcase I—Superman
Showcase II—The
(WB),
the
500
4th wk
Lord of Rings (UA),
3rd wk
Showcase III—Invasion ol the Body Snatchers
250
(UA), 3rd wk 400
Showcase IV—Every Which Way But Loose
(WB), 3rd wk -..200
Showcase V—Oliver's Story (Para), 4;h wk 175
8 theatres—Wilderness Family. Part 2 (PIE),
It's the Same Story in Hartford:
'Superman' Tops All Competition
HARTFORD—Attractions which opened
for the season continued to register briskly,
despite continuing cold, snow and freezing
rain, all components of Hartford winter
weather.
One of the largest multiple bookings in
months. Pacific International Enterprises'
"Wilderness Family, Part 2," backed by
hefty television advertising, registered 200,
second week in a dozen situations.
Art Cinema Liz (SR), 2nd wk 200
Atheneum Cii
Sonata (NWP),
3rd wk.
I, Eln -California Suite (Col)7
3rd
Showcase I Every Which Way But Lo
(WB), 3rd wk
Showcase II Superman (WB), 4in wk
Showca'se III ^Moment by Moment (Un
3rd wk _ _
Showcase IV—The Lord ol the Rings iUAi
3rd wk. 7.85
Showcase V— Invoiion ol the Body Snatchers
(UA), 3rd wk 375
3 theatres— King ol the Gypsies (Para)
3rd wk 150
3 theatres—Watership Down (E.-nb), 3rd wk 140
3 theatres— Brass Target (MGM-UA), 3rd wk 135
12 theatres—Wilderness Family. Part 2 (PIL),
2nd wk 200
Sack Pub/Promo Dir.
Is Christine LaMonte
BOSTON—Two new executive positions
m the Sack Theatie organization were made
with the iKu \i, 11 Chiistine I aMonte,
Christine
LaMonte
former media coordinator for H-T concerts,
was named director of publicity and promotions.
Susan Fraine, from Allied Advertising
Agency, was appointed director of advertising.
Both appointments were made on the resignation
of Leslie Littlehale, director of advertising
and publicity for Sack, who became
unit marketing director for United
Artists in New York City Jan. 2.
LaMonte, who joined Sack Theatres in
May 1978, is a native of Buffalo, N. Y.,
and came to this area some four years ago.
She fiist served as managing director at the
Joy of Movement in Cambridge. She went
on to become media-coordinator in charge
of advertising, promotions and publicity for
M.T.L., Inc., owner of the late Paul's Mall/
Jazz Workshop complex. LaMonte, who
lives in Boston's historic South End, has
had over four years of publicity related
experience, and has staged promotions for
"The Wiz," "The Brink's Job" and "Superman"
for Sack.
Fraine, currently joining Sack Theatres
as director of advertising after a four-andone-half-year
association with Allied Advertising
where she served as an account
executive with film accounts, will coordinate
all advertising efforts for the Sack 39-
screen chain.
Littlehale, who had been with Sack Theatres
since 1974, is a native of Boston, and
started her advertising career at Jordan
Marsh Co. here. She also has held various
advertising positions in Los Angeles and
San Francisco.
NEW HAVEN
jQave Browu of the Edmond Town Hall
Theatre, Ncwlown, normally plays
product after neighboring towns. With Pacific
International's G-rated "Wilderness
Family, Part 2," he participated in
a saturation
southwestern Connecticut booking, at
the same time boosting his admission, regularly
$1 for all seats, considerably. His
advertising asserted: "Note—The producers
of this film REQUIRE an admission of $3
for adults and $1.50 for youths. We sincerely
hope that the local availability of
this fine family entertainment on a FIRST-
RUN basis will delight more folks than the
increased admission may disappoint."
Columbia slotted the southeastern Connecticut
premiere of "California Suite" dayand-date
into the United Artists Eastern
Theatres' UA Cinemas 2 in Groton and
Liberty Theatre in Uncasville, with latter
dropping its regular senior citizen Saturday
night discount plan.
The State, Jewett City, played Buena
Vista's "Mickey's Birthday Party Show,"
charging $2 for adults and 99 cents for
children . . . "Hollywood Memories," a
program featuring original costumes worn
by Jean Harlow, Rita Hayworth and Elizabeth
Taylor, was featured at a meeting of
the Notre Dame Mothers Club.
The Chapel Library Center, 1580 Chapel
St., opened a free Thursday adult film
series, comprised of "Rain," "Cheaper by
the Dozen," "Anastasia" and "Algiers."
The Yale University Art Gallery in February
and March is sponsoring a 12-hour
film series on everyday life in the People's
Republic of China. "How Yukong Moved
the Mountains" was filmed by Dutch documentarian
Joris Ivens. The 80-year-old
filmmaker has been in the industry 50
years and is a leading exponent of the
cinema verite technique. "We shot 120
hours of film," he said. "From the beginning,
I had decided that I would not make
a conventional documentary. There is no
narration or explanation. Only the Chinese
talking about themselves and their lives.
Nothing like that has ever been done before."
Subscriptions are being sold for
Thursday and Saturday showings for $8.
Remaining seats are $2 each.
New Haven visitors may like to know
that Lender's bakery and coffee shop on the
Post Road in Orange (next to Loehmann's
Plaza) has wall facades depicting motion
picture theatres back in the days when an
adult admission of 25 cents was in vogue.
E. J. Murphy Joins Bostonia
BOSTON—Edward J.
Murphy has joined
Bostonia Film Productions, Inc. as sales
manager. He was formerly director of public
relations and special markets for Seagrams
Co., Four Roses Division. New York.
In addition. Murphy has held marketing
posts with IBM and Mobil Oil
BOXOmCE :: January 22, 1979 NE-1
Corp.

,
I
H AR T F O RD
riizabeth Hartnian, \\ho « as nominated lor
an Academy Award for her performance
in the 1966'mGM release. "A Patch of
Blue" (starring Sidney Poitier and Shelley
Winters), has resumed her acting career in
the play "Wedding Band." the Alice Childress
lyrical drama revival, at Hartford
Stage Co.. a downtown professional repertory
theatre. She dropped out of the acting
ranks several years ago.
Courant film critic Malcolm L. Johnson
was far from impressed with Univcrsal's
Moment bv Moment." which teams John
Travolta and Lily Tomlin. His review noted.
••
'Moment by Moment" is supposed to be
romantic, but it's merely embarrasing. One
has the uncomfortable feeling of sitting too
close to an indiscreet couple whose idea of
emotional contact is lots of cliches and said. "Then there would be big matinee
heavy breathing. A good 25 percent of the crowds." The Stiand has been shuttered for
sounds emitted by Tomlin in this film are a number of years.
crooned 'Huummms" in fact" . . . Reviewmg
MGM-UA"s "Brass Target." Johnson lamented:
"Despite an all-star cast which VERMONT
includes
a few truly fine actors (all misused),
•Brass Target' has a thoroughly careless feeling
about it" ... He had words of praise
for writer Neil Simon and director Herbert
Ross in a review of Columbia's "California
Suite," saying. "Though it is not always as
hilarious as it tries to be, this shrewdly assembled
film version of Simon's recent four
one-act plays contains enough verbal cleverness
to compensate for some of its less
graceful moments of physical comedy. At
its it best, shows us how well Simon and
Ross work together; at its worst, it demonstrates
their limitations."
Of United Artists' "The Lord of the
Rings." Janice Trecker wrote in the West
Hartford News: "I might as well confess
that J.R.R. Tolkien is one of the modern
enthusiasms that has passed me by. I've
never read a line of him, have no acquaintance
with Hobbits and can't imagine pronouncing,
never mind spelling, the master's
pseudo-gothic names. On the the other hand,
I've enjoyed Ralph Bakshi's cartoons very
much. One may have reservations about
their content, but his drawing is vigorous,
his color voluptuous and his dramatic ability
considerable."
Free film showings: Paramount's "Blue
Hawaii" (1961. co-starring Elvis Presley
and Joan Blackman) and MGM's "The Thin
Man" (1934, with William Powell and Myrna
Loy) were at Kent Memorial Library,
Suffield. "The Lady Vanishes," Gaymont
British 1938 release directed by Alfred
Hitchcock, and co-starring Margaret Lockwood,
Dame May Whitty and Michael Redgrave,
was seen at the West Hartford Public
Library.
Paris Cinemas 2, Wethcrsficid, arc advertising
"new low prices" on Sunday, with
99 cents adm.-sion in effect for all scats at
all
times.
Ihe Hartford Courant oped page carried
some sentimental thoughts about Connecti-
NE-2
cut's capital city 35 years ago. saying, in
part: "For a few laughs, you could have
gotten movie seats for 30 cents at Proven
Pictures on Main Street at Morgan to see
'Ship Ahoy,' starring Frank Sinatra, Eleanor
Powell and Red Skelton, plus Charlie Chaplin
in The Gold Rush.' called 'World's
Greatest Laugh Picture.' "
Gov. Ella T. Grasso, who has begun her
second four-year-term, recalled in a recent
interview that for more than ten years
from the mid-1940s to the mid-1950s—she
and her husband. Dr. Thomas Grasso, operated
the Strand Theatre at Sound View, Old
Lyme, as a summer season business. Dr.
Grasso. now retired from education, ran the
projectoi while Mrs. Grasso sold tickets and
popcorn. "We used to pray for rain," she
Cix out of eight Burlington first-runs have
boosted evening admission prices for
adults from $3 to $3.50, representing an
increase of 17 per cent. Involved in the hike
are Merrill's Showcase 3, Century Plaza 2
and Flynn, all part of the Merrill G. Jarvisheaded
Merrill Theatre Corp.. with SBC
Management Corp.'s Burlington Plaza 2
continuing the $3 tab. Children's prices continue
at the same level—$1.50 at matinees
and $2. evenings. Most matinee tickets for
be getting 1 1 percent higher salaries."
Merrill Jarvis had a special advance showing
of Buena Vista's "The North Avenue
Irregulars" at his Century Plaza 2.
Continuing attractions across Vermont
included Warner Bros.' "Superman" plus
"Every Which Way But Loose," Columbia's
"California Suite" plus "Midnight Express."
20th Century-Fox's "Magic," United Artists'
"Invasion of the Body Snatchers" plus ""The
Lord of the Rings" and Paramount': 'Oli
ver's Story" plus "Foul Play."
Vou can't find a more community-minded
exhibitor in Vermont than Merrill G.
Jarvis, who helms the Burlington-based
Merrill Theatre Corp. The independent circuit
and the Downtown Burlington Development
Corp. co-sponsored a free Saturday
matinee showing of MGM's "Clarence the
Cross-eyed Lion" at the downtown Flynn,
Burlington. The film, which stars Marshall
Thompson, Betsy Drake, Richard Hadyn,
Cheryl Miller and Clarence, was released
in 1965.
The Pavilion Auditorium in Montpelicr
screened Columbia's "From Here to Eterni-
by
1I
ty," the 1953 Oscar winner directed by i
•
Fred Zinnemann and starring Burt Lancas- as-
ter, Montgomery Clift, Deborah Kerr, :rr, |
Frank Sinatra, Ernest Borgnine and Donna ;B
Reed . . . Paramount's "Play It Again, 'i
Sam," Woody Allen 1962 release, was i
shown at the Johnson State College.
SPRINGFIELD \
a hefty number of holdovers across western
Massachusetts included Universal's
"Moment by Moment," Columbia's "California
Suite," Warner Bros.' "Superman"
plus "Every Which Way But Loose," Paramount's
"King of the Gypsies" plus
"Oliver's Story," Avco Embassy's "Watership
Down," United Artists' "Invasion of
the Body Snatchers" plus "The Lord of the
Rings" and MGM-UA's "Brass Target."
The" moveover bloc encompassing 20th
Century-Fox's "Magic," Universal's "National
Lampoon's Animal House," Columbia's
"Midnight Express" and Paramount's
"Foul Play" plus "Up in Smoke."
Openings included "Sweet Pumpkin" and
"Reunion," both X-rated state's rights pictures.
The E. M. Loew's Riverdale Drive-In.
West Springfield, triple-billed Paramount's
"Grease," "First Love" and "American Hot
Wax" on a Friday-through-Sunday schedule,
charging $5-per-carload. The underskyer
has electric
in-car heater service.
The Redstone Showcase Cinemas 8,
Westj
Springfield, largest complex in the six-statei
New England region, started advance teasen
adults are $2. Jarvis notes, "We've kept it
at $3 for over two years. Films now cost us advertising for Universal's "Same Timei
more, though. There's been a 9 or 10 Next Year," with the tag-line reading.j
percent increase. And now the minimum "Watch for Universal's comedy blockbuster!"
wage is going up from $2.65 to $2.95 an
hour. We have 64 employees who will now
Richard Freedman, nationally syndicated
film critic, came up with a column containing
his choices for the best—and the worst
—of 1978's screen attractions. Cited were
"The Deer Hunter," "Who'll Stop the
Rain," "Heaven Can Wait," "A Wedding,"
"Invasion of the Body Snatchers," "Day^
of Heaven," "Girl Friends," "Bread and
Chocolate," "Midnight Express" and
"Movie, Movie." He didn't like "Superman,"
"Jaws 2," "The Swarm," "Sergeani
Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," "Uf
in Smoke," "The Boys From Brazil'
"Magic," "Paradise Alley," "Uncle Jw
Shannon" and "Moment by Moment."
Morning Union sports editor Garr
Brown carried this paragraph in a column
"The title might turn you off, but pleasi
believe that 'Invasion of the Body Snatch
ers' is an excellent film."
SBC Norwalk to Dissolve
HARTFORD—SBC Norwalk Theatr
Corp. filed a notice of dissolution with th
Connecticut Secretary of the State's offici
The corpoiation. part of the SBC holding:
lists its principal office as Hartford.
BOXOFTICE :: January 22 197

Call your FVI
Showman to book
availability in
your exchange.
Atlanta Jacksonville
WAYNE CHAPPELL
(404)432-3361
Charlotte
TOMMY LAMBERT
(704)882-1154
Dallas
J.C. McCRARY
(214)252-5573
Oklahoma City
HARRY McKEINNA
(405) 232-4623
St. Louis Omaha
Des Moines Kansas City
PAUL RICE
(913)383-3880
Washington, D.C.
ROSS WHEELER
(202)244-1500
Philadelphia
SAM HELFMAM
(213)659-0545
Boston New Haven
JIM EMGLE
(617)482-9039
Denver
SHERM WOOD
(303)751-1464
Los Angeles San Francisco
Seattle Portland
FRED KUMKEL
(213)659-0545
Pittsburgh
JOHN MAJDIAK
(412) 391 0370
Milwaukee Chicago
DON BUHRMESTER
(312)782-0988
Detroit
DENNIS GLEMN
(313)968-7770
Minneapolis
JIM PAYNE
(612)332-3303
Salt Lake City
DALLAS FARRIMOND
(801)521-9888
Cincinnati Indianapolis
JEFF RGFF
(513)921-8200
New Orleans
LEW OGBRE
(504) 837-5200
Memphis
LARRY VINSON
(501) 732-3665
Cleveland
MORRIEZYRL
(216)461-9770
New York
MARVIN FRIEDLANDER
(212)3545700
Albany Buffalo
JOHN WILHELM
(518)943-2285
Toronto
ORVAL FRGITMAN
(416)486-5535
,ND Wm BLAINE ^1
bv ROGER KELLAWW--"-^' JAMES J^^^^^^^^^^ PAL^tn
„„rti,ction consultant ^ ^^^^^^^^
^";a«. .V DICK CLARK -; HOWARD L MO^ ^^^^^^^^^ OgRESTRICTED^
'''''''Zu vSes intUationalrele^^
A Super 79 Release from FVI.
Territorial T.V Saturations
Being Set Now!
^FVI FILM VENTURES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
310 North San Vicente Blvd.. Suite 200, Los Angeles, California 90048 • (213) 659-0545
EDWARD L. MONTORO, President • SAM HELFMAM, Director of Marketing
BOXOFFICE :: January 22, 1979
NE-3

"^
RHODE ISLAND Old Columbia Building MAINE
Wiirncr Bros.' "The End of the World in
Oar Usual Bed in a Night Full of
Rain." initially released nearly a year ago,
had its Rhode Island premiere at the Cable
Car Cinema in Providence. The theatre continued
its prevailing dollar admission, applicable
Mondays through Thursdays.
"The End of the World" was the sole
-new" attraction. Just about everything else
across Rhode Island was holding over—
UniversaFs "Moment by Moment" plus
"National Lampoons Animal House," United
Artists" "Invasion of the Body Snatchers""
plus "The Lord of the Rings."" MGM-
The Johnston Cinema, which lists Anthony
DeLuca, Primo DePetrillo and Steve
Minasian as owners, according to records
with the Rhode Island Secretary of the
State's office, reopened with an X-film pol-
in 1972. The switch to general fare occurred
last July. Reopening with X product
led Johnston Mayor Ralph R. aRusso to
remark, "I noticed that the parking lot was
loaded. I don't want the movies. They certainly
did not open with by blessings."
Initial reopening double-bill was comprised
of "Masterpiece" and "Fastball."
Bought by Ad Agency
BOSTON—One of the city's long lun
Filmrow landmarks, the Columbia Pictures
Building, is being sold. Built 22 years ago,
the huge structure resembles a granite for-
perched on a comer site.
tress
The building, which housed the branch
office of Columbia, covering Boston and
New England and the Albany and Rochester,
N. Y. territories, is being acquiied
by Allied Advertising Agency, which has a
large amount of motion picture advertising
billing in various media, including television.
The Columbia branch is moving to the
UA"s "Brass Target,"" Warner Bros." "Girl
Office Building where it will occupy
Friends"" plus "Superman"" plus "Every
Statler
four offices in a suite housing bookers, office
manager Caspar Urban
Which Loose,'" Way But Avco Embassy's
personnel, branch "Watership Down," Paramount's "Oliver's
and John Markle. veteran film press
Story"' plus "King of the Gypsies," Columbia's
Suite" and the Buena
agent who heads the publicity department.
expected to be completed
"California The move was
Vista 1940 reprise "Pinocchio."
by Jan. 15. The telephone number remains
the same: (617) 426-8980.
Cambridge's Orson Welles
Will Celebrate Tenth Year
BOSTON—The Orson Welles triplex in
Cambridge, which has been giving area film
icy, following a run of poorly attended general
screen fare and subsequent shut-down.
buffs off-beat films since its opening, celebrates
its tenth anniversary April 8. The
The house, which was at one point a Jerry
Lewis Cinema, began with X-rated product
management has scheduled a number of
h-ghlights for the anniversary year.
Included is the United States premiere of
Betrand Bliefs "Get Out Your Handkerchief
" with Blier and leading lady Carole
Laure slated to visit Cambridge for the premiere.
.
Also scheduled are Luc Beraud s Like a
Turtle on Its Back," Bertrand Tavier's
•Judge and the Assassin." Michel Deville s
-Dossier 51," Pons Rademacher's "Max
WrSnr^trCTCD
U K \^ t O I t K Vavelaa." and Peter Weir's "Picnic at Hang-
Qontinuing attractions in mid-Massachusetts
cinemas: Warner Bros.' "Superman"
plus "Every Which Way But Loose,"
Paramount's "King of the Gypsies" plus
"Oliver's Story," Artists' United "The Lord
of the Rings" plus "Invasion of the Body
Snatchers," MGM-UA's "Brass Target,"
Columbia's "California Suite," Universal's
"Moment by Moment" and Avco Embassy's
"Watership Down."
Universal's "Smokey and the Bandit," the
Jackie Gleason-Burt Reynolds-Sally Field
starrer, has emerged as a true phenomenon,
with literally constant repeat scheduling
and in situations not normally known for
rerun bookings, such as the General Cinema
Corp.'s Galleria Cinemas 3, Worcester Center.
The Kaleidoscope in Clinton, playing
United Artists' "Message From Space," advertised
50-cent matinee admission for all
seats. This price is markedly lower than the
$1.25 at General Cinema Corp.'s Galleria
Cinemas 3. Rec^tone Showcase Cinemas 4
charge $2.50 all day, every day, with children
admitted for $1.25 at all times.
NE-4
ing Rock."
Rec. Dept. Screens 'Wonka'
NEWTON, MASS.—The Arts in the
Park of the Newton Recreation Department
sponsored a showing of Paramount's "Willy
Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." 1971
release co-starring Gene Wilder and Jack
Albertson, at the Ward School. Admission
was 75 cents.
'Cuckoo's Nest' at Jr. High
LYNN, MASS.— United Artists' "One
Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," 1976 release
with Jack Nicholson and Louise
Fletcher was shown at Breed Junior High
School "and at Washington Community
School as part of an ongoing "Mental
Health in the Movies" series, scheduled
through mid-March.
'Treasure Island' Is Free
BOSTON—The Boston Public Library,
screened MGM's 1934 ver-
Copley Square,
sion of "Treasure Island." co-starring Wallace
Beery and Jackie Cooper. Adm.ssion
was free.
The Pittsfield Community Theatre, the only
municipally owned theatre in the Pine
Tree State, has marked its first anniversary
with an increasingly popular mix of motion
pictures, live concerts, children's programs
and other events. Film admission is $L75,
compared to the prevailing $3 charge in
central Maine cinemas. Susana Ventura is
house manager. The theatie, incidentally,
was built in the early 1900s, had upgrading
(to the tune of $100,000) by millionaire
J.R. Ciachette in the middle 1950s.
Continuing attractions across Maine included
Warner Bros.' "Superman" plus
"Every Which Way But Loose." Buena Vista's
reprise of "Pinocchio," United Artists'
"Invasion of the Body Snatchers." Columbia's
"Midnight Express" plus "California
Suite," Pai amount's "Oliver's Story" pltis
"King of the Gypsies," 20th Century-Fox'i
"Magic" and United Artists' "Invasion ""
the Body Snatchers."
Mrs. Emma Means closed down her Co
lonial Theatre in Machias, citing high cos
of fuel, electricity, mushrooming film renta
costs and her age (presently 84). Lookini
back, she remarked that bookings years age,
—such, as Gene Autry Republic westernswere
rented for $7.50 a show, with $15(i
"tops for the best." In recent years, how
ever, Mrs. Means has had to pay some $2.
400 for such product as Universal's "Jaws.
Paramount's "Grease" cost her $3,000 i
film rental.
NEW BRITAIN
JJewington Theatre owner Demetrius Koi
naris got Newington plan and zonin
commission approval for a zone change t
allow construction of a $400,000 shoppin
center on 1.2-acres of Kounaris-owned Ian
off Cedar Street, north of the cinema's pari
ing lot. As previously reported in Boxoi
FICE, an early Newington planning and zoi
ing commission hearing heard oppositic
from area residents. Commissioner Alan 1
Hanbury, who made the motion to appro\
the Kunaris request, said that the propose
use of the tract conforms to Newington
master development plan.
The Country Cinema in Watertown, pla
ing Pacific International's "Wilderness Far
ily. Part 2," dropped its 99 cents "barga
nights" policy. The theatre charged $2.!
for adults. 99 cents for children and seni
citizens.
CVVEIL191A IS m SHOVt
BISLVESS IX HAWiVIl TOO
Wlicii you conic to Wuikiki,
don't miss Uic fanious Don Ho
Show ... at Clncraniu's
Reef Towers Hotel.
W
KEEP • WAIKIKl TOWER OFTIIE REEF a
REEFTOWERS » ElX.EWATER l»f
BOXOFTICE ::
Januar)'

'
j
imported
'
Mendeiuk
'
"Stone
I
'Stone Cold' Is Labeled
An 'Unusual Movie'
TORONTO — Writer-director George
Mendeiuk describes his low-budget thriller
"Stone Cold Dead" as "the most unique,
unusual movie to come out of Canada."
Based on Canadian novelist Hugh Garner's
Sin Sniper," which was set in Toronto's
Cabbagetown, the screen version's setting is
an unnamed U.S. city.
Mendeiuk, who wrote the script, raised
the money and directed the murder-mystery,
chose as locations for filming Toronto's
downtown alleys, bars, strip-joints
and massage parlors. But except for a panorama
froni the CN Tower, Canadians will
be hard-pressed to recognize "Stone Cold
Dead" as a native product.
"I'm not hooked into making just Canadian
films," says Mendeiuk. "If you talk to
the common Joe, he doesn't give a damn
about Canadian identity in films."
Mendeluk's characters are hookers,
pimps, killers cops-on-the-take. It's and raw
and it's lyrical," says the 30-year-old Torontonian.
"Stone Cold Dead" is his first
feature film.
The story revolves around a veteran police
detective with marital problems who is
tracking down a psychotic vigilante. The
vigilante is committed to cleaning up the
city's "sin strip" by sniping prostitutes from
rooftops.
;
Filmed in November and December,
"Stone Cold Dead" was given a deliberately
star.
is the first to admit that "a lot
[
of Canadian films can't even get arrested
I after they're made," but he's confident
Cold Dead" will be an exception.
"I really trust in my innate sense of taste
and timeliness," he says. "I think I know
what makes a good picture."
The film may be ready for release by
mid-summer.
The 'Institut Quebecois'
Lists 89 Films as Aided
MONTREAL—Since its programs were
launched in August 1977, the Institut Quebecois
du Cinema has assisted 89 film projects
of which 53 are currently in production,
27 are completed or nearing completion
and nine are starting production in the
near future.
Soon to be released are "Eclair au Chocolat,"
Jean-Claude Lord's latest feature,
"Le Premier Pas," a short dramatic film by
Franck Laflaguais, "Voir la Radio" by Michele
Mercure. and two new documentaries,
"Chante Si t'Es Capable" by Jean-Roch
Marcotte and "Renaissance" by Robert
O'Brien.
Among features going into production are
"Contrejour" by Jean-Guy Noel, "Vie
d'Angc" by Pierre Harel and "Albert ct Leo
en Albanie" by Andre Farcier. And on the
documentary side, the full-length films beginning
production are "Parcours de Production"
by Jean Tessier, "Passage du Nord-
Ouest" by Real Bouvier and Robert Morin
and "Le Temps de la Manicouagan" by
Jacques Augustin and Daniel LeSaulnier.
B.C. Is Playing Big Part
In U.S. Film Production
VICTORIA— British Columbia is playing
a handsome part in North American film
production and the reviews indicate it will
be assigned an even larger role in 1979.
Vince Lunny, a writer for The Financial
Post, has written about the situation, and
his comments are reprinted in part below.
U.S. producers have budgeted $65 million
for shooting in Canada, and British
Columbia expects to get at least half that
amount.
The expectation is not unreasonable, says
Justis Greene, consultant with the filmproduction
branch of Tourism B.C., because
cinema and TV movies with budgets
of about $30 million were shot in British
Columbia in 1978.
A new and aggressive marketing program
by the provinces lies behind this. The pitch
is a familiar one: U.S. filmmakers can save
money by shooting in Canada because of
the exchange rate.
One attention-grabbing — advertisement in
the Hollywood Reporter "Shoot the works
in British Columbia"—generated a wave of
cold, dismal look by Miendeluk and designer
Ted Watkins.
favorable responses. In one week, four
Hollywood veteran Richard Crenna was
producers flew into Vancouver from Los
from Los Angeles, along with
Angeles to inspect locations for future productions.
Belinda Montgomery and singer-composer
Paul Williams, to beef up the film's boxoffice
"With B.C. closer to L.A. than other
appeal. Canadians Linda Sorenson,
of Canada, equipment packages are
parts
Chuck Shamatu and Andree Cousineau also
transported less expensively, and highpriced
acting talent can be flown home
conveniently from British Columbia locations
when their services are not required
during certain periods of shooting," Greene
said.
"Also, rushes can be jetted back and
forth in a few hours, so that what gets shot
today can be processed overnight and
viewed tomorrow."
U.S. producers who have made movies
in British Columbia say Vancouver has a
pool of top-notch technicians and service
people who meet all their requirements.
Two major productions are under way.
"Bear Mountain," based on the Alistair
Maclean novel, is being filmed at the site
of the Granduc mine, at the foot of Leduc
Glacier, which ceased operations in June.
About $1.6 million of the $3.5 million
allocated to Canadian production will be
poured into the town of Stewart, about 30
miles away. Residents are employed in construction
and transportation of sets, catering,
avalanche control and other services.
A film crew of 75 was brought into Stewart
from Vancouver.
Jonathan Demme will direct "Melvin and
Howard" from Bo Goldman's screenplay.
Sharp Theatre Supply
Joins Independent
M. Gregg Nelson, Calgary, president
of Sharp's Theatre Supply (left), and
Tom Hutchinson, Edmonton, president
of Independent Theatre Supply, shake
hands upon the announcement of the
association of their two companies.
CALGARY — Sharp's Theatre Supplies
of Calgary and Independent Supply of Edmonton
have announced that they have
joined forces to better serve the needs of
exhibitors in the Canadian west.
All business now will be conducted under
the name of Independent Theatre Supply,
which will maintain offices here and in
Edmonton. The head office in Edmonton
will be located in a new, modern industrial
facility designed for a more efficient handling
of the large inventory of parts and
supplies. Included will be a complete service
department where motion picture theatre
equipment will be repaired and rebuilt.
With the addition of Brian Jessup and
other Calgary personnel to the Independent
Theatre Supply staff, it is hoped requirements
for service will be met in an even
more speedy and efficient manner than was
possible before. Jessup and Tom Hutchinson,
president, bring the combined technical
experience of over 27 years in servicing
theatre equipment.
According to Hutchinson, the inventory
of parts includes parts for both new and
older equipment. Hutchinson reports that
there are many parts in stock for equipment
over 40 years old and a considerable
number of parts which are no longer manufactured.
It is hoped that most parts orders
can be shipped directly from stock, thus
eliminating annoying delays while parts are
ordered from the U.S. or Europe.
In addition to projectors and sound
equipment. Independent Theatre Supply
also offers concession equipment, film date
strips of many descriptions, 4x14 dater
strips, marquee letters, crowd control equipment
and many other accessories for theatres
and other places of entertainment.
Order forms and postage paid envelopes are
available from either office.
The Edmonton office will move effective
Jan. 31. The new address is 10550 106
St. and there will be a 24 hour phone number
for exhibitors and customers to use. The
Calgary office will be located at 104 4th.
S.W. with phone number 233-0377.
BOXOFFICE :: January 22, 1979
E-1

I Slaves
Very
j
Strong Holiday Business Continues
But T/je Wiz; Which Isn't,
Vt'INNIPEG—The strong holiday business
continued, wiih "Superman" and "California
Suite" at near-record levels. "The
Boys From Brazil" and "Invasion of the
:Body Snatchers" continued Excellent.
"Magic of Lassie" improved after an Average
week, all the way up to Excellent. But
"The Wiz" ended after two very slow weeks.
Capitol—Invasion of the Body Snatchi
(UA), 2nd wk
Excellent
Convention Cen'-— The Mag Lassie (PR),
2nd wk.
Excellent
Downtown—Temptations ,PH): Girl Slo (PR),
1st wk
Garrick I—The Wiz iihi:-.), .ni v.-k
'Garrick II—Calilomia Suite (Astral),
2nd wk
-Excellent
Grant Park—Moment by Moment (Unlv;
2nd wk
Good
igs-^In -In Praise of Older Women (Ast: (Astral),
th wk Good
Metropolitan—Superman iWB), 3rd wk Excellent
Northstar I—Every Which Way But Loose (WB),
2nd wk - Very Good
Northstar Il—Brass Target (MGM-UA),
2nd wk
Very Good
Odeon—The Boys From Brazil (BVFD),
2nd wk --Excellent
Polo Park—Oliver's Story (Pcfra),
3rd wk - - Very Good
Winning Week of Excellent Openers
Starts off the Year in Edmonton
EDMONTON — There was plenty to
choose from in the way of new films here
this week, and filmgoers were taking advantage
of the situation. The winners included
Neil Simon, Clint Eastwood and
"body snatchers." The only outright losers
were "TTie Boys From Brazil" and "Battlestar
Galactica," which both opened with
Poor. And it should go without saying that
the old reliable "National Lampoon's Animal
House" is still hanging in there, this
week with a Good rating.
Avenue—The Boys From Brazil (BVFD),
Moment
1st wk Poor
Capilano, Rialto I— Moment by lUniv),
1st wk V^-ry Good
Capitol Square 1 — Invasion of the Body Snatchers
(UA), 1st wk Excellent
Capitol Square 2—Every Which Way But Loose
(WB), 1st wk
Capitol Square
Excellent
3—Force 10 From Navarone
(AFD), 1st wk .Excellent
Capitol Square 4—Brass Target (UA),
1st wk Very Good
Gameau—King of the Gypsies iP:iri),
1st wk Good
Jasper Red—Battlestar Galactica (Univ),
1st wk . Poor
Londonderry B— Caravans (AFD), Ist wk ...Excellent
Meadowlark, Odeon 1— California Suite (Astral),
Ist wk Excellent
Odeon 2, Plazo 1—Magic (BVFD),
1st wk Excellent
Paromounl—Superman (WB), 2nd wk Excellent
Rialto 2—Halloween (Astral), 1st wk Good
Towne Cmr-ma—National Lampoon's
Animal House (Univ), 21st wk Good
Westmount A—The Lord of the Rings (UA),
1st wk ._ Excellent
Westmount B—Oliver's Story (Para),
2nd wk
Good
An Unlikely Group of Leaders
Heads the Pack of Premieres
MONIREAL—Superman. Neil .Simon,
Clint Eastwood and Frodo the Hobbit make
an unlikely group, but this week they had
one thing in common. They were the leaders
in the Christmas premieres here. Not
far behind were several gypsies, some unfriendly
pods and :i French shark.
The Cinema— Brass Target (
CiTlema de Pan. Avalanche
Loews—Foice 10 From Navarc
-Invasion of the Body Snathe
Doesn't
Loews— Oliver's Story (Para), 2nd w
Loews—Superman (WB), Isl wk
Palace—Every Which Way But Loose
1st wk
Place Ville Mane—King of the Gycs
1st wk.
York—Caravans (AFD), 1st v/k
French Lanauaq-.- Fil-
Bern—La Malediction de la Panlhere
'")
2nd"'
Le Dauphin—Conate d'Ai
7th wk.
Pansien—Biillantine (Pa
Parisien—L'Ange Gardiei
Pansien—L'Ouragan Vie
Pan
(C-P),
.Very
Exceller.l
Good
Very Good
Good
(IFD),
Good
Good
Excellent, Excellent, Excellent
This Week in Toronto Theatres
TORONTO—"The Lord of the Rings,"
"Superman," "California Suite," "Same
Time Next Year" and the list goes on and
on. It would be quicker here this week to
name the films that gained Poor responses
than those that gained Excellent responses,
but certainly not as pleasant. And now if we
can just keep it up.
Ealint. The Lord of the Rings (UA)
6th
Hollywood—Ol Story
2nd wk. -
Hollywood, Imj-nc!—
2nd wk.
Imperial—Every Which
-Fore 10 Fr^
(Para),
..Excellent
Very
Good
.
International—Autumn Sonata
8th wk
Plazn—King of the Gypsies (P
1st wk
Towne—Brass Target (UA) 2ri
University-Invasion
(UA), 2nd '.vk
Body Snatchers
/ Good
Uptovra-Movie, Movie (WB), 2nd wk Fair
Uptown—Uncle Joe Shannon (UA), 2nd wk Fair
York—Same Time Next Year (Univ),
1st wk. Excellent
2 theatres—Midnight Express (Astral),
9th wk - Very Good
3 theatres—Magic (BVFD). 7th wk Good
4 theatres—The Wiz (Univ), 9th
" wk Good
nia Suite (Astral),
Ist wk
7 theatres—Mc by
'Superman,' 'Suite' Open Great
In a Mixnd Week in Calgary
CALGARY — It was a mixed, but not
bad, week here. As they are most everywhere
else, "Superman" and "California
Suite" opened with ratings of Excellent.
along with a number of others. But "The
Boys From Brazil" and "Sensasia" opened
with Poor, and "Brass Target" could only
muster a Good.
Calgary Place 1—B^ass Target (UA), Isl wk Good
Calgary Place 2—Superman (WB),
2nd wk Excellent
Chinook—Oliver's Story (Para), 2nd wk Good
Grand 1, Westbrook 3—Moment by Moment
(Univ), Isl wk Very Good
Grand 2—Halloween (Astral), 1st wk Excellent
Market Mall 3, 4—Magic (BVFD),
1st wk Very Good
Market Mall 5, 6—The Lord of the Rings
(UA), 1st wk Excrllent
Marlboro Square 3—The Boy? From Brazil
(BVFD), 1st wk. Poor
Odeon 1—Sensasia (PR), Isl wk Poor
Palace—Invasion of the Body Snatchers
(UA), 1st wk Excellent
Palliser Square 1 — Force 10 From Navarone
(AFD), 1st wk _ Excellent
Palliser Squar. :- King of the Gypsies (Para),
1st wk Excellent
Towne Red— Every Which Way But Loose
(WB), 1st wk .. Excellent
Westbrook 1- Midnight Express (A:l:rl),
9th wk. Good
Westbrook 2—Madame Claude (PR) 1st wk Fai'
3 theatres California Suite (A: tnl!
1st wk Excellent
It's Another Steady Week in Ottawa
As 'Superman' Still Leads the Pack
OTTAWA— Business around the capital
city remains steady with the Christmas
holdovers. There were only three slight
drops, and only one rise, "Invasion of the
Body Snatchers" from Very Good to Excellent.
Warner Bros. "Superman" is still flying
ahead of the pack, with "The Lord of
the Rings," "Invasion of the Body Snatchers"
and "California Suite" following a close
second.
Capitol Square 1—Force 10 From NaVorono
(AFD). 3rd wk Very Good
Capitol Square 2—King of the Gypsies (Para),
3rd wk Very Good
Capitol Square 3—Slow Dancing in the Big City
(UA), 3rd wk Very Good
Elgin—The Lord of the Rings (UA)
Srd wk. .
. Excelle
Elmdale—Moment by Moment (Un
3rd wk. . Good
Little Elgin— Oliver's Story (Para),
4th wk Good
Nelson—Superman (WB), 4th v/k .Excellent
Place de Ville 1—Every Which Way But Loose
(WB), 3rd wk Very Good
Place de Ville 2—Invasion of the Body Snatchers
(UA). 3rd wk Excellent
St Laurent 1—The Wiz (Univ), 3rd wk Good
St. Laurent 2—Poradise Alley (Univ),
3rd wk Good
Somerset—California Suite (Astral),
3rd wk Excellent
CALGARY
JJoIiday celebrations throughout our industry
were as varied as the people
working in it—big family dinners for both
Christmas and New Years, going home to
Grandma's house, skiing vacations, holidays
in Hawaii, going to the movies and
that old stand-by, working. This in one
business that keeps on toiling while others
are idle, which is a trait that is usually
associated only with the so-called "essential
services." Following the outstanding
example set by our local mayor and council
perhaps we should "reclassify" ourselves
into the "essential services" category
and give ourselves a raise in pay! The
only problem is that we would have to pay
it ourselves. Working on such holidays
does play havoc with family plans, but
most of us are used to that by now.
Absent from the local deep-freeze are
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kettner of the Theatre
Agencies, who are basking in the warm
sun and balmy breezes of Hawaii.
National Film Theatre in Edmonton had
some good films lined up for the first week
in 1979 with "Oliver!" (Great Britain, 1968)
j
starring Ron Moody, Shani Wallis, Mark
j
Lester and Oliver Reed, playing Jan 3-5.
On Jan. 7 a 1951 movie made in the U.S.,
"When I Grow Up" starring Bobby Driscoll,
Robert Preston and Martha Scott, was
shown.
Edmonton's Provincial Museum certainly
filled a void for anyone wanting to see
some unusual movies over the New Year's
weekend. The films are shown free of
charge and this must be a very welcome
source of entertainment to those in the low
and fixed income brackets. Dec. 30 the I
film was "Snoopy Come Home" followed
the next evening by another entry in the
romantic film series, "Romeo and Juliet"
(Continued on page K-4)
K-2 January 22, 1979

Call your FVI
Showman to book
availability in
your exchange.
Atlanta Jacksonville
WAYNE CHAPPELL
(404)432-3361
Charlotte
TOMMY LAMBERT
(704)882-1154
Dallas
J.C. McCRARY
(214)252-5573
Oklahoma City
HARRY McKENMA
(405) 232-4623
St. Louis Omaha
Des Moines Kansas City
PAUL RICE
(913)383-3880
Washington, D.C.
ROSS WHEELER
(202)244-1500
Philadelphia
SAM HELFMAN
(213)659-0545
Boston New Haven
JIM ENGLE
(617)482-9039
Denver
SHERM WOOD
(303)751-1464
Los Angeles San Francisco
Seattle Portland
FRED KGNKEL
(213)6590545
Pittsburgh
JOHN MAJDIAK
(412)391-0370
Milwaukee Chicago
DON BUHRMESTER
(312)782-0988
Detroit
DENNIS GLENN
(313)968-7770
Minneapolis
JIM PAYNE
(612)332-3303
Salt Lake City
DALLAS FARRIMOND
(801)521-9888
Cincinnati Indianapolis
JEFF RUFF
(513)921-8200
New Orleans
LEW OUBRE
(504)837-5200
Memphis
LARRY VINSON
(501)732-3665
Cleveland
MORRIE ZYRL
(216)461-9770
New York
MARVIN FRIEDLANDER
(212)354-5700
Albany Buffalo
JOHN WILHELM
(518)943-2285
Toronto
ORVAL FR(JITMAN
(416)486-5535
WARREN
S*^ tee
•e«ec..ve P-
.oL. ,G0 KANTOR ^- D ^^^^^^^,
A Super 79 Release from FVI.
Territorial T.V. Saturations
Being Set Now!
I^FVI FILM VENTURES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
310 North San Vicente Blvd.. Suite 200, Los Angeles, California 90048 • (213) 659-0545
EDWARD L. MONTORO, President • SAM HELFMAM, Director of Marketing
January

is;
CALGARy
(Continued from page K-2)
directed by Franco Zeffirelli. On New
Year's Day a comedy, "Monkey Business"
starring the Marx Brothers, was shown.
Recuperating at home after surgery is
Ethel Kitchen of Victoria Film Services.
16mm division. Ethel's happy smile and
cheerful personality will be missed by hei
co-workers and we all hope she will be able
Sorry to say that one of the very nicest
people in our business. Susan Piotrowski of
Victoria Film Services, spent Christmas under
the weather with a type of flu that has
been making the rounds in town.
Old time filmman Louie Litchinsky. his
lovely wife and son were seen enjoying New
Year's Day dinner at the Westgate Hotel.
And here we go, full steam ahead into
the last year of the 70s. May it be a year
of peace, health and prosperity for each
and everyone.
TORONTO
The Canadian feature film industry certainly
starts off this new year on an
extremely optimistic note. Filmmakers here
find themselves supported by an increasing
number of private investors, as well as
being backed by a much regenerated Canadian
Film Development Corp. (CFDC).
Last year a thumping total of $68 million
was poured into the production of films
which not only did well in the domestic
market, but as well found acceptance in
international markets. This equalled the
combined budgets of all Canadian feature
films made in the past ten years. Of this
amount, the CFDC invested $7 million
(more than any other single year) in production
worth $42.6 million, and private
investors without CFDC involvement, financed
another $25 million on their own.
The CFDC has committed another $11
million in projects for '79.
Several barkers from Tent 28. the Variety
Club of Ontario, assisted CFTO's 24-
hour New Year's Eve telethon, which raised
$687,323 for the Canadian Special Olympics
for the mentally retarded.
And for Christmas Day, Wallace said he
was quite happy about sharing it with the
29 crew members aboard the V.W. Scully
anchored in Thunder Bay. "Fortunately,
the shipping company throws a wonderful
feast for the crew."
Sinking of Ore Freighter
to return to work before too long.
writer for the Detroit News, commented recently
on the progress of the Michigan Film
Is Subject of New Film
The National Film Board in Edmonton
TORONTO—Canadian filmmaker Ratch Commission. Her article is quoted below:
held a special event in the Citadel Theatre
Wallace is turning his cameras on a sea
Jan. 10 when it presented a showcase of
A bill seeking to make Michigan the
tragedy. Wallace, a former Great Lakes
Alberta-produced films as selected by the
Hollywood of the Midwest is getting mixed
Alberta Motion Picture Industry Assn. The
marine officer, is shooting background footage
for a 105-minute feature film on the
reviews from state officials worried about
program was open to the public at no
the $136,000-a-year price tag.
November, 1975, sinking of the Edmond
The Senate Education Committee held
charge.
Fitzgerald in which all 29 hands were lost.
a public hearing on the measure, which
The ore freighter was in about 275 meters
a seven-member film and TV
would set up In town for a quick, quick Christmas
were Mr. and Mrs. Vern Haraldson of of water 80 kilometers northwest of Sault
passed the House
advisory council. The bill
visit
Toronto. Vern is holding the fort in Toronto
for United Artists and hopes that on the nth month — November gales that
Ste. Marie when it fell prey to the curse of
on June 30.
The council, along with a three-member
their next trip here they will have more create mountainous waves. More than three
paid staff, would help producers cut through
time to get in touch with their many friends. years later, Wallace's five-member film
red tape and find suitable locations for filming.
crew was spending the Christmas holiday
The business generated by such a body
aboard the V.W. Scully, a bulk carrier
could pump at least $5 million a year into
which was carrying the markings of the
Michigan's economy, backers estimated.
doomed vessel
"Nobody is going to provide competition
Sailing between Thunder Bay and the
Georgian Bay community of Midland,
about 80 kilometers northwest of Orillia,
the V.W. Scully sported a nine-meter Christmas
tree in its smokestack. The lights were
turned off during filming.
"We have quite a bit of footage to acquire
and we're going to be shooting that
during the Christmas holiday," Wallace, 34,
said in a telephone interview in December
as the V.W. Scully headed towards the
Fitzgerald's resting place.
Wallace said this was the film crew's
second outing on the Great Lakes and some
storm footage had been shot, but he was
hoping for "even more stormy" weather
this time. He got his wish the next Sunday.
Wallace said winds were blowing at 50
knots and waves were about three meters
high.
"Just great," he said.
The filmmaker said he had not yet signed
an actor to play the role of the captain of
the ill-fated 219-meter Fitzgerald but that
negotiations were under way with a wellknown
actor.
He said the film, to be released in about
a year, is not full of drama and tension but
he hopes the movie "will give the world a
better view of the types of people who sail
these boats on these fascinating rivers and
lakes."
C UVERA91A IS IN SHOW
BlTSIiVESS Vi HAWAII TOO
WTien you come to Walkiki,
don't miss the famous Don Ho
Show ... at Clncruma's
Reef Towers HoteL
Krr.F • w.MKiKi TimT.R ()i" 1 in; ki
KtUFTOWtKS • KIK.KWAI
Price Tag May Slall
Mich. Film Commis'n
From Central Edition
LANSING — Susan Taylor Martin, a
for California," acknowledged Roland Sharette,
head of the ad hoc Committee foi
a Michigan Film and Television Council
"We just want to compete with some of the
states that are trying to make the film and
television industry pay off for them, such
as Ohio, Illinois and Georgia. I don't think
there is any attribute in those states that
couldn't be duplicated or exceeded in
Mich-;
igan."
Among the biggest boosters of the bill
New Detroit, Inc., a coalition of urbar
groups formed in the aftermath of the 196";
riots to improve the city's quality of life
Communications director Jack Wertz sai(
Detroit already has excellent filmmakini'
facilities, but is losing out to other area;-
that woo filmmakers more aggressively.
As a recent example, Wertz cited th<
television movie, "One in a Million," thi
biography of Detroit Tiger baseball playe
Ron LeFlore. Although the story was set i)
Michigan, most of the scenes were filmei
in Illinois and Ohio because film commis
sioners in those states contacted the pro
ducers and worked with them through thi
filming, Wertz said.
"The revenue generated by that flicl
was lost ... due to the fact we didn't hav
people out there pitching." he said. "Th
interest New Detroit has (in
a film council
is twofold. It can, by bringing more bust
ncss, establish a job market in film and T^
and the creative arts. It also helps give De
troit and Michigan visibility across the cour
try so that people will say, "Hey, that plac
isn't bad at all."
State officials, though, are skeptical o
pouring $136,000 a year into a film counci
especially since voters approved an anienc
ment limiting state spending.
BOXOFFICE :: January 197

BOXOFFiCE BOOKMNCUIDE
An interprBtivo analysis ol lay and tradepress leviaws. Running Smo Is in parentheses. The plus and
minus signs indicate degree of merit. Listings cover current reviews regularly. Symbol y denotes
BOXCFFICE Blue Ribbon Award. All lilms are in color except those indicated by (biSw) lor black & white,
Motior Picture Assn (MPAA) ratings: H—general audiences; PG—all ages admilled (parental
dance suggested); @1—restricted, with persons under 17 not admitted unless accompanied by pari
or adult guardian; ®—persons under 17 not admitted. National Catholic Oilice lor Motion Pictures
(NCOMP) ratings: Al—unobjectionable for general patronage; A2—unobjectionable lor adults or adolescents;
A3—unobjectionable lor adults; A4—morally unobjectionable for adults, with reservations;
B—objectionable in part for all; C—condemned. Broadcasting and Film Commission. National Council
of Churches (BFC). For listings by company, see FEATURE CHART.
I^EVIEW DIGEST
AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX
H Very Good; + Good; — Fair; — Poor; = Very Poor. H is rated 2 pluses, = as 2 minuses.
5033 All Things Bright and Beautiful
(94) C-D World Northal 6-5-78 13 +
Always for Pleasure
(58) Doc Les Blank 6- 5-78 ±
SWl Attack of the Killer Tomatoes (86)
Ho-CM ..Four Square Productions 11- 6-78 PG ±
5065 Autumn Sonata
(97) D New World 10- 9-78 PG A3 +f
5057 Avalanche (91)
9+
Ac-Sus New World 9-U-78 PG B -f
5045 Bad News Bears Go to Japan,
The (92) C
Para 7-24-78 PG A3 + ±
Bad Penny (80) Sex
C .... Chuck Vincent Productions 9-25-78 It
5080 Battiestar Gallactica
(125) SF-Ac Univ 12-11-78 PG +
5057 Beyond and Back
(91) Doc .
5068 Big Fix, The
Sunn Classic 9-U-78 Bl A3 + -
(113) My-C-D Univ 10-23-78 PG A3
Wednesday (125) WB 8- 7-78 PG B
5050 Bio C-D
5067 Black Pearl, The
(96) Ad-D Diamond 10-23-78 PG A2
Blackout (90)
5058
Ac-Sus New World 9-11-78 B)
5066 Bloodbrothers WB 10- 9-78 E (116) D B
5063 Born Ajain (110) B-D Emb 10- 2-78 PG A3
5CS5 Bottom Line, The
(93) C Silverstein 1-8-79 11
5061 Boys From Brazil, The
(124) SF-Sus-D 20th-Fox 9-25-78 m A3
50S7 Brass Target (111) Sus-D ..MGM-UA 1-15-79 PG
5045 Bread and Chocolate
(111) C-D World Northal 7-24-78 B
5084 Brink's Job, The (118) Cr-C ...Univ 1- 1-79 PG
5038 Buddy Holly Story, The
(113) B-DM 6-13-78 PG A3
Col
(106) Ho-D 20th-Fox 6-12-78 [@ B -f -f -f
5058 Days of Heaven (95) D Para 9-11-78 PG A3 ++ 4+4-
1+1-
1+1-
5+3-
1+1-
1+2-
2+5-
8+1-
1+2-
5+1-
4+3-
4+4—
6+
Caddie (107)
D Australian Film Office 1- 8-79 +f +f
50S6 California Suite (103) C Col 1- 8-79 PG A3 -f +
5074 Caravans (123) Ad-D Univ 11-13-78 PG A3 + ±
5037 Cat From Outer Space, The
(104) CF BV 6-19-78 8a Al + +
5044 Cheap Detective, The
(92) C-My Col 7-17-78 PG A3 ++ ff
Chess Players, The
(135) D Creative Films 7-10-78 A2 # ±
508S Children of Sanchez, The
(115) D Lone Star 1-15-79 B) ± +
5070 Comes a Horseman (118) W-D ..UA 10-30-78 PG A3 ± ±
5069 Count Dracula and His
Vampire Bride (S7) Ho Dynamite 10-30-78 H + —
+
5035 Damien—Omen II
5035 Dear Inspector (Reviewed as "Dear Detective")
(105) My-R-C Cinema 5 6-12-78 PG A3 ff +
.M61 y Death on the Nile
(140) My Para 9-25-78 PG A3 + H ±
5080 Deer Hunter, The (183) D Univ 12-11-78 IB B ± ff ff
BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: Jan. 22. 1979

5074 Once in Paris . . .
REVIEW DIGEST
AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX ++ very Good;
I-
Good; ^ Fair; - Poor; = Very Poor. the summary H is rated 2 pluses.
I I!
g
50S5lce Casliss 1113) D Col 1- 8-79 PG
5052 I nteriors (99) D U 8-14-78 PG A4 + -tt
5046 International Velvet
(126) D MGM-UA 7-24-78 PG A2 ff ±
5CS3 Invasion ot the Body Snatchers
(114) SFSus UA 1- 1-79 PG
-H- -H
5046 Iphijenia (129) D Cinema 5 7-24-78 A3 -f +f
5079 It's Not the Size That Counts
(86) Sex C Brenner 12-11-78 m
H
H
H
H
±
±
.Para 12-18-78 H
Last Supper, Tilt
(110) Pol-D Tricontinental 6-19-78 + ± -f
5059 Last Survivor, The
(90) Sus-Ho-Ad Uniteil Producers 9-18-78 E ± —
5065 Last Wave, The
(106) My-D World Northal 10- 9-78 PG ± +
Like a Turtle on Its Back
(90) C-D Ne« Line 10-30-78 + H -f
5076 Lord of the Rings, The
(131) An-F-Ad UA 11-20-78 PG A2 + -f +^.
—M—
5075 Magic (106) Sus-D 20th-Fox 11-20-78 SI B -f + +
5049 Magic of Lassie, The
(100) C-DM ..Infl Picture Show 8- 7-78 S] Al -f ± -f
5054 Matter of Love, A
(88) Sex D ....William Mishkin 8-21-78 H +
Maya Deren
Retrospecli»«
(90) Doc-D Grove Press 6-19-78 -f
5073 Message From Space
(105) SF-Ac UA 11-13-78 PG ± + +
5047 Midnight Express
(120) D Col 7-31-78 C ± IB
5086 Moment by Moment (105) R-D ..Univ 1- 8-79 m
-f
- -
|t
-
5077 Movie, Movie (105) C
(© and b&w) WB 11-27-78 PG + _ ±
5043 National Lampoon's Animal House
5053 Nea (101) Sex C Libra 8-21-78 C -|- ± +
5062 No Time for Breakfast
(100) D Daniel Bouria 9-25-78 + +
5056 Norseman. The (90) Ac-Ad ... AlP 9- 4-78 PG A3 ± ± ±
5(»7 Oliver's Story (90) R-D Para 1-15-79 PG + + ±
5054 Oily Oily Oxen Free
+
5C88 0n the Yard (102) D .. Midwest 1-15-79® -f ± ±
(100) C-D Once in Paris Co. 11-13-78 -f 4+ -f
5063 Paradise Alley (110) D Univ 10- 2-78 PG A3 + -f ±
Perceval (137)
C-Ad Gaumont/New Yorker 10-30-78 A2 ± -|- ±
5052 Piranha (95)
Ho-Sus New World 8-14-78 m -f ± +
5078 Promise, The
(98) Melo Univ 11-27-78 PG -f + ±
Pussycat Ranch (96)
Sex-W-C Bunnco 1- 8-79 ±
2

ON
^

UN
ad*!
ON

June
. Hl-D.
•
ANALYSIS FILM RELEASING
Indian Summer Nov
Charleston D«
APRIL FOOLS FILMS
Harper Valley PTA
(97)
ATLANTIC RELEASING
Madame Rosa (105) ....D. Apr 78
Bonjour Amour (90) ...D.. June 78
Max Havelaar Sept 78
Picnic at Hanginu Rock Oct 78
La Jumcnt Vaoeur
BACKSTREET-BEEHIVE-
HOLLYWOOD INT'L
Lust Flight 2000
(7S) S" C-
FRED BAKER FILMS, LTD.
Just Crazy About Horses
(93) Ooc.l
The Black Goddess
BEEHIVE PRODUCTIONS
Curves Ahead! (78) .Sex C- Mar 79
The Lady Wants a
Tramp Sex C July 79
JOSEPH BRENNER
The Devil's Rain/The Virgin Wit
(90/90) Mi
Autopsy/Carrie (UA)
(85/98) W" '8
It's Not the Size That Counts
(86) -.-- M»y78
Super Jocks (90) Mav 78
Restless (90) D.. May 78
liaquel Welch, lllchiirrt .lolinsnn
Eyeball (93) ,""''' Z!
Almost Human (90) ^""'H
The Naked Woman (91) ....June 78
David Hemmlncs, .\ndiea Ran
Submission (90) June 78
Franco Nero. Msn GastonI
Free Spirit (88) . . . . R-D .
78
Knrhel Rnherls, F.rl^ fnrler
CAL-AM ARTISTS
.. ^^
Toolbox Murders (93) ..Ac .Mar 78
Sunset Cove (87) Ac. Apr 78
Goodbye Franklin High
(93) D. May 78
Ijine Caudell. Ann Dnsenberry
One Man Jury
(103) ... .Cr-D Aug 78
Jack Palnnce,
CAPRICAN THREE, INC.
Death Force (96) Ac. Apr 78
Vampire Hookers
. . ,.
(83) Sex C-D. July 78
.Inhn Carradlne, Uriice Falrbalrn
CARIBBEAN FILMS WEST
Made
Up the Chastity Belt
So Sad Aiiout Gloria
Teenage Pony Girls .
Moonshine Girls .
Gail Palmer's Hot Surr
Candy (85) Sex C. May 78
Carol Connors, Cr-or'lna Spi'M
Gall Palmer's Candy Goes to
Hollywood Sex C. Dec 78
Ctn\ Connors. John Leslie
CINEMA 5
Dear Inspector
(105) My-R-C. .June78
Annie Olrardot. PhlllPiie Nolret
Viva Italia! (87) C. July 78
Vlltorlo Gassman, Ugo TognazzI
MISCELLANEOUS
Rel.
Date
EMC PRODUCTIONS
A'osi'V'"'. SexCD .May78
aSs or Tails (90) Sex C. Aug 78
e Wonderful Wizard ot
Ozz
f"'^
QUARTET FILMS
ARTISTS RELEASING
,|RST
c..„ip (102) B-D..Sepl7S Maliele [ichele Morean. Serge RegElanl
Glenda Jackson, Washtournc Wifemisti
Mona
FIRST INT'L PICTURES
TlOS) ^". ^ .Sex-Ho-C-D. .Feb 79
.lamle Oillls, Annette Haven.
Serena. John Hnlmes
FLORA RELEASING
Tlie Demon Lover (80j ""/ -
The Bandits (87) May 78
HOLLYWOOD INT'L
Come Under My Spell
(84) Sex D
Lusty Princess (82) ..Sex C.
The New Erotic Adventures of
Casanova Part 2 ..Sex 0.
I'm Always Ready Sex C.
INDEPENDENT ARTISTS
When the Screaming Stops
Jan 79
Feb 79
(94) Ho-F..Nov78
JAGUAR-BEEHIVE
Disco Dolls in Hot Skin
(95) Sex
Serena. Leslie Bovee
KEY INT'L FILM
Sweet Creek County
(98)
LIMA PRODUCTIONS
Erotic Adventures of Pinocchil
(75) Sex C.
Teenage Seductress
(87) Sex D
Little Miss Innocence
MUSTANG BEEHIVE
Carnal Encounters of the Barest
Kind (88) Sex-SF Apr79
NATIONAL AMERICAN
Coming Attractions C.. Sept 78
Hill Murray, Buddy Hackett,
Howard Hessenran
NEW LINE
Gizmo! (79)
Bronson Lee Champion (86)
Despair (1?0)
Like a Turtle on Its Back
(90) C-l
Bema

PLUS SERVICE
Listed herewith, alphabetically by companies, are all of the feature pictures
designed as a further convenience for Picture Guide users, the page numbers being the key to reviews kept
therein. Between quarters. Review Digest pages serve as a cumulative P. G. index for feature pictures.
P.G.
Foreign
Page or

Crown International
P.G. Page or
Rev. Dote
P.G. Page or
Rev. Date
Droculo's Dog 5022 Malibu Beach
Dimension
Great Smokey Roodblock
The 5037
Group 1
Last 4 Days, The
Independent-International
Team-Motes 5050
International Picture Show
Billion Dollar Hobo, The 5008 They Went That-a-Woy and
Magic of Lassie, The 5049 That-a-Way 5070
Where Time Began 5077
Lone Star
New World
ijl eight
Sonata 5065 Hero Ain't Nothin' But
Avalanche 5057 Sandwich, A
^fac^f-ovt 5058 Leopard in the Snow ..
E"'!- The 5019 Little Night Music, A
Piranha 5052
..5006
.5024
.5016
American Hot Wax
Bad News Bears Go to
Japan, The
Days of Heaven
Death on the Nile
Foul Play
Up
Paramount
Goin' South
Greose
.5045 Heaven Can Wait
5058 King of the Gypsies
.5061 One and Only, The
.5048 Pretty Baby
5060
5040
5041
5081
5006
5018
20th Century-Fox
Boys From Brazil, The ...

'.
Iwoukee,
'
: IMMEDIATE
:
onager
j
'
: and
ITES- 50c per word, minimum $5.00 CASH WITH COPY. Four conaecuUve '?«.«Jf °?^,, " P""
'^r« wni^ using a Boxoifice No. figure 2 additional words and mclude $1.00 addiUonol. to
',« c«l o1 h3ng repUes. Displc^ Qassified, $38.00 per Colunm Inch. No comnuss.on
owed CLOSlS^ DATE: Monday noon preceding pubHcalion dole. Send copY and
b"x Numbers to BOXOFFICE. 825 Van Brunt Blvd.. Kansas Cty. Mo. 64124.
ICLEflRlOG
HELP WANTED
;rHEATRE MANAGERS. We are conslant^
addinq new theatres to our circuit and
are looking ior qualified managers to
ow with us. Send complete resume salu
history and letter why you would like
: loin us Confidential. DO NOT call
-i e Bruce Olson, Vice President, Marcus
Jeatres Corp., 212 W. Wisconsin Ave
,
Wl 53203.
itJEED MORE MONEY? Sell screen ads
Irmrnt^ut'lTo^O^OO
[MMEDIATE OPENING
mager for General Cl:
,„ _. South Bend, Indi(
iary, excellent advanc
e^S la^^>e'u
expe rienced
Good starting
.lu, ui^AV'frin'ge 'benefits. Send coms
/confidential resume ,o Bernard Depa
100 West Ridge Road, Gary, Indiana
I4O8. Equal Opportunity employer.
IMANAGING DIRECTOR POSITION open
;- a responsible strong manager wnc
in handle a seven-plex cinema operain
with over 50 employees. This requ:
person thoroughly experienced
I
))le screen operation. No projecticm, book-
anaging and organization Free companytg
or advertising, just heavy, c^ompetent
'lid hospitalization, dental, life insurance
lid retirement. Only serious qualified per-
[ns may apply in compli ifidence by
photo to Redstone
P.O. Bi ,x 577, Rock Island,
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
TICKET MACHINES repaired. Fast service,
reasonable rates. Your old ticket
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 Woodslde Dr., Grafton,
Massachusetts. (617) 839-4058.
RADIO SOUND lor DRIVE-IN THEATRES
ncludes tronsmiller and backup unit. $1,-
95 00 Available from manufacturer. Ca\
HERTNER TRANSVERTER
50/100 complete with ball
're-uTarm",4i;^"-'^"w"°"^''^°^^ $350 00 Minni (612) 874-1303
597, Sa Fid. 33578
61201.
MANAGER/PROJECTIONIST — for Red
ulf, California. $800,00 per month plus
centives Immediate opening. Please send
sume to Al Mitchell, 373 East 4th Ave .
lico Calif. 95926, or telephone (916)
3-2461.
DRIVE-IN Theatre Mane
i. Washing
n D C. area. Send re
refe
iic'es to P. O. Box 678, Hyaltsvill
d. 20782.
lity, good benehts. (901) 458-1133, Mr
ilson.
'MANAGER needed, know or learn proclion,
lor 300 seat automated single 7C
iles from L.A. Will train right person
lone (213) 247-6550, or recent photo one
sume to P O. Box 5085, Glendale, CP
THEATRE CLOSED (all or part) Voice
of Theatre Altec H1005 speaker; Kelmai
AS7200 exciter supply; AA7000 Amplifier
Super Simplex bases; Strong specials;
94000-5 selenium rectifiers; Golde rewind;
house reels; Century "C" and SHIOOO
(solar) heads. CLEANl Make offer (213)
661-9322; Write: Projectors, 4041 Woking
Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027.
1G-35-70MM project und, scree
PA'S, ticketing, platters. Xenon:
used and rebuilt undei
log. Export
ed. We lake trade
aT'cS
norida 33137
NEW YEAR'S SPECIALS: Century H^ wa^
ter cooled projectors rebuilt, $1,695 00
Simplex soundheads SH 1000 or XL with
solar cells, $795.00; Xetron 2000 watt Xenon
and power supply, $1,995.00; Pair of Strong
900 watt Xenons (mint) $2,995 00; Cinemeccanica
X-900 Xenon and power supph
$1,495.00; projectors, soundheads, bases,
platters and more. International Cinema
Equipment Co. 6750 NE 4th Ct., Miami,
Fla 33137.
BURLAP WALL COVERING DRAPES. $1
>er yd., flame retardant. Quantity '
ounts Nurse & Co., MiUbury Rd., Ox
/lass 01540. Tel. (617) 832-4295.
BAUSCH & LOME 4"
C-Scope
lenses, $150 00 each,
n Serv'
^§SS
Co,, 3818 S Birch St.
92707.
COMPLETE drive-in theatre equipment
lor sale. Electric car heaters, projection
booth, complete sell-service concession
equipment, Manley 7-foot self-serve hot
food section, stainless steel grill steam
table deep fry with hood and exhaust
fan, (502) 692-2172.
HOUSE
THEATRES FOR SALE
WORLD'S LARGEST THEATRE 1:
JOE JOSEPH, Box 31405, Dallas 75231
DRIVE-IN THEATRES in Lemmon,
and Bowmc n. ND Show good net
h SD, (605) 642-4857
189, Spearli
DRIVE-IN THEATRE. Schuylkill
PA. Excellent location on busy R
acre commercial property, newl
ished screen, dual sound sysl'
t;r>eakers concession stand. Pro]
excellent' condition. Call C.M^ D
Inc. (717) 345-4475. Ask for Bern
THEATRE PLUS RENTALS We
retiring iwner Equipment included
;onditioned. No local competition "-
ecently developed mini
150,000 withii
approximately
population
Ande
FOR SALE: Thrf
lewly remodeled,
912) 272-5440
IGOO SPEAKER
oma City. Excel
1 Real EstcJIe
15672 or cal
D Ann, (405) 842-:
AUTOMATED indoor and- dnvi
in North Dakota. No competition, t;— =;p";
condition. Office rental income. Excellent
profit record (701) 77 6-6720,
INDOOR AND outdoor theatres in resort
ea town 220 crtr drive-in, new in 1978,
7"/2
;, best equipment, fencing, con-
.. .,..„... and marquee. Newly remodeled
indoor, with automatic projection, plus I
apartments, 2 b'
at $195,000.00, o
Real Estate AssocicJtes B
Aitkii
56431. (218) 927-3701
FOR SALE: Atmosphehnc Theatre seats
over 1200, classic interior. Coll Ben Fisher
(915) 573-4234, Jimmy Partin, Realtors, 3434
North 6th, Abileni "Tex
THEATRES FOR SALE OR LEASE
MODERN THEATRE 1720
Available lor Film or live
201.
COLLECTORS' ITEM: Western Electr:
Interested parties apply to
MANAGERS, incioor and drive-in, in talking pictures Turntable (reproduce
Wilkes-Barre, Pa., 18703^
ilinois and Iowa. Experienced atid respon- set), good condition. Reasonable offe;
Ible persons willing to relocate. No proction
work, just good management. Full
idcity drive-in theatre, year roun
will be acknowledged. Boxoffice, 4203. FOR RENT AND /OR SALE: 500
tmqe company-paid benefit program, Ap-
ition. U.S. Virgin Islands. Contae
:ly in confidence, Boxoffice, 4202,
EQUIPMENT WANTED
OPENING for experi
for Crown Cinema Corporc WE PAY good money lor
THEATRES WANTED
plex ojDeration in Jefferson City,
lent Texas Theatre Supply
ood starting salary, li
Send
lo San Antonio, Texas 7821
pmplete resume t
Hughes,
INDOOR THEATRES
rown Cinema Corp 406 West 34th, Kani
SOUNDHEADS, projectors, lamphouses, to lease in Mich., Oh
JsCity, Mo. 54111.
bases, lenses. Cinerama heads, speakers closed. Please send ir
xoffii
and portables. Turn surplus equipment into 4087.
MANAGERS and City Managers needee cash—call now!!!! International Cinema
ir small, growing Midwest circuit. Pro
(305) 756-0699, 6750 NE 4th Ct., Miami, Fla INDOOR THEATRES or drive-ins wanted
;-dton knowledge desired. We pay to]
to lease or buy in up-state New York
33137.
ollar for the right showman, Exceller
Please send information to: Edwin Collin
^mpcmy benefits. Reply Boxoffice, 4205. PAYING $10.00 to $14 00 per set posi
Jr., 47 Alexander St., Utile Falls, New
carbon silver contacts, any condition. Send York 13365.
MAN EXPERIENCED in har
insured (refunded); Contact Salvaging
rive-in operations and some
DRIVE-IN
Box 4634, Redding, CA
OR INDOOR, by private pc
96001.
nowledge for supervisory pos
y Buy or lease. Southern and Weste
idependent Midwest circuit. $18
lates Fred Pavick, P. O. Box 1126
1^ salary. Send resume. Replie
'hoenix, AZ 85061. (602) 277-1610.
onfidence. Boxoffice, 4205.
POPCORN MACHINES
THEATRES and /or ins to lease or
buy, Kansas, Arkans Oklahoma. Into
expand, Box-
BRAND NEW COUNTER MODEL all
dependent exhibitor v
ELECTRIC Display Poppers from $447.00
office, 4200-
each. Krispy Korn, 120 S. Hoisted, Chi-
Westerr
POSITIONS WANTED
ion. Earl Sook-
Valsayn Park
WORKING General M.
inventional, drive-ins.
MARQUEES, SIGNS
TO BUY INDOOR c na in Florida or
2. Available, (213) 923-1
DESIGNED. ENGINEERED, BUILT Western states. Earl okrajh, 5 Woodk,
Trinidad, West
SEEK POSITION in operations, adv(
ig/publicity/promotions or booking with ERECTED. MAINTAINED on Lease or purchase
plan Bux Mont Electrical Adyertl
lands Road, Valsayn 1
leatre circuit or film distributor special
ing Systems, Horsham, (215) 675-1040
DRIVE-IN THEATRE CONSTRUaiON
SCREEN TOWERS INTERNATIONAL: Ten
Day Screen Installation, (817) '""='"
SERVICES
INDOOR THEATRE MUSIC progn
for today's audiences, today's mov
today's theatres. C & C Music I
(815) 397-9295.
THEATRE SEATING
TOPS IN THEATRE SEATING upholstering
anywhere— seal covers made to order
-fmest materials—low prices—we buy
and sell theatre chairs. Chicago Used
Mart, 2616 W. Grand Ave., Chicago,
Chair 60612. (312) 235-:
-SPECIALISTS IN THEATRE SEATING.
lew and rebuilt theatre chairs lor sole.
Ve buy and sell old chairs. Travel Irom
to oast coast. Seating Corporation ol
lew York 247 Water Street, Brooklyn,
I Y 11201. Tel. (212) 875-5433 (reverse
NEW-USED-REBUILT- 10,000 chairs in
lock seal covers— labncs— floor bolts
hair parts. Hayes Seating Co , 6600 Joy
:d E Syracuse, NY 13057 (315) 432-1901.
all makes. We buy
used seating. Seating, 80 Copeland
St., Quincy, -fef.
- -17) 298-
1
7070.
THEATRE SEATS.
Used, m excellent
7606, 255-7660.
APPROXIMATELY 800 used theatre seals,
disassembled, need cleaning and/or recovering
Accept best offer. Call (212) 761-
1087 or (212) 761-5289.
1250 HEYWOOD-WAKEFIELD all steel
like ne-w
seats, 8 months old,
$28 00 each, off floor,
theatre
Oklahoma. (816)
523-2699.
THEATRE REMODELING
lOrkets. Ten years experience as Cit-
[onager in major Southwest markets wit!
ecfvy emphasis on specialty booking, ad
ertising, media buying, publicity, promo
Dns nd miscelllneous revenue. Youn<
nd aggressive. Reply Boxoffice, 4204.
ASCO Auditorium Services Company,
Theatre refurbishing—designing—acoustical
wall covering—seat refurbishing—custom
seat covers—screens, frames, mam act
curtains, black masking conversion systems.
Materials and labor suPPlief- Call
(617) 769-6580. Endicott St., Bldg 25, Norwood.
Moss. 02062.
More Classified Listings
On Page 10
SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM
BOXOmCE:
825 Van Brunt Blvd.
Kansas City- Mo. 64124
Please enter my subscription to
BOXOmCE.
D
n
1 YEAR $15.00
2 YEARS $28.00
Remittance
D Send
Invoice
Enclosed
Outside U.S., Canoda and Pan
American Union, $25.00 Per Year.
TOWN
STATE..
OXOFFICE :: January 22, 1979

meino to advertisers
PAY YOUR flPiey
ANDTAI^yoUR CHANCES
That's pretty much the way it is with some advertising media—
not even the proprietor really knows for sure what he is selling.
Most times unknown, unmeasured, unaudited, and unnamed
circulation audiences are wisely unwanted— the odds just
don't favor the advertiser's dollar.
I
We believe you should have the facts before you buy. That's
why we have the Audit Bureau of Circulations verify our circulation
regularly-find and report the actual figures according
to their standards and based upon their auditors' inspections.
Above board circulation-be ABC-sure with
BOXOFFICE
THE ONLY FILM TRADE PAPER MEMBER OF ABC
(/ L ^
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o
The Audit Bureau of Circulations is a self-regulatory association of over 4,000 advertisers, advertising
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