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'aidPrexy,Relocalion Annual JnderSfudybyNATO 'Stars of the Year' Banquet
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By RALPH KAMiNSKY ^-Ops bucccsstul Stiow-A-Roma Week
West Coast Edilo:
HOLLYWOOD—NATO piesidcnl A.
kin Fricdbcrg is studying a budgel pro-
)sal that might point the way for the cx-
group to hire a fulitime, professional
I~ibitor resident and move its headquarters lo
Vashington, D.C.
But an early "scanning" of the biidgL-l
lans submitted by Wilham Kartozian, chairlan
of the Theatre Assn. of California, in^
icates that "it may not be entirely realist ic,"
riedberg said.
"He makes certain assumptions thai have
3 be looked into. It can be very premature
t this time to talk about it," Friedberg said.
Kartozian refused to respond to Boxofrce
eries on his budget proposal. Frequent
fforts to reach him by telephone auki\
/ith his secretary saying that "he said he
as no comment to make on the subject."
Friedberg expressed a "complete willingess
to explore the possibilities." The idea
or a paid president and the proposal lo
nove the NATO headquarters out of New
"ork City to the nation's capital was pro-
•osed more than three years ago by Call
ornia members of NATO, but was re~
And in 1977 NATO of California
ithdrew from the organization.
T was in favor of it when it was consid
red and i ejected," Friedberg said, poiniiii;;
ut that at that time he was not a menihcr
f the administrative team of NATO.
"I still favor the concept of a paid execu-
(Continued on page 6)
North Carolina 13th State
To Pass Blind Bid Ruling
North Carolina is the latest state to
pa.ss anti-blind bid legislation, becoming
effective July 1. The bill passed the
House on April 3, 102-6, and the Senate,
47-0, on April 25.
The margin of victory in North
Carolina is reported to be the largest
in any state where a bill of this type
has passed.
Herman A. Stone, president of
NATO of North and South Carolina.
Inc. expressed appreciation to attorney
William W. Staton of Sanford, N.C.
and to W. Sanford Jordan of Martin
Theatres, Raleigh, N.C. for their efforts
in working for passage of the bill.
North Carolina is the 13th state to
pass anti-blind bidding legislation. Gov.
Bill Clinton vetoed the blind-bidding
bill in Arkansas April 23. In Ohio,
Judge Robert Duncan has set July 2 as
trial date for the test case of the constitutionality
of the law in that state.
I>ublUbed weeklj-, eicept one ksue at year-end, by
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at
Mo. BOXOFFICE Publication No. (USPS 062-260)
OXOFFICE :: May 7, 1979
KANSA.S CriY — .Show-A-R;
wound up four days of equipment i
product screenings and technical s
exhibits,
ieminais
Banquet
April 26 with a celebrity-filled
With the Stars.
The prime rib feast was the climax of
convention activities that included both major
and independent film companies, along
with some of Hollywood's biggest stars, convening
to take pride in past accomplishments
and preview the future. In addition
to the convention's standard array of activities,
delegates were treated to such surprises
as a giant six-foot cigar awarded to Entertainer
of the Century George Burns and the
appearance of a real "electric horseman" to
plug Columbia's upcoming release.
The black-tie banquet Thursday evening
was attended by over 1,000 exhibitors and
industry personnel.
Cannon
Following the introduction of celebrities
seated at the head table. Paramount was
honored as Film Company of the Year for
releasing more product than any other distributor,
Frank Mancuso, senior vice-president
in charge of domestic distribution,
accepted the citation.
After the meal, Terrence Malick, director
of "Days of Heaven," and Alan Carr, producer
of "Grease," accepted their Director
of the Year and Producer of the Year
awards, respectively. Carr told guests about
his new film, "Discoland," with the Village
People.
Christopher Reeve was honored as
International
Star of the Year. In his brief speech,
Reeve sa'd he was grateful for the reaction
shown to him here in the Midwest, since
his acting travels had kept him on the
coasts.
Dyan Cannon, Academy Award nominee
for her role in "Heaven Can Wait," received
the Female Star of the Year award. Earlier
shj made a truly Hollywood entrance
through the crowd, smiling and waving as
the diners applauded and flashbulbs popped.
Ms. Cannon observed that "the exhibitor
is really the one that does as much creating
as the creator. They're the ones who are out
in the front line selling it."
She observed that movie stars should
.someday throw a party for theatre owners
in recognition of their support.
The Male Star of the Year award was
presented to Alan Alda, whose appearance
ai the convention was uncertain three davs
nelorc Ihc convention began. Alda. whose
Mini roles include "Paper Lion," "Jenny,"
"California Suite" and "Same Time, Next
Year," is most famous as Hawkeyc
CBS-TVs "M-- A*S*H."
on
The actor announced the August release
of his
Universal film ".Senator," the story of
a successful politician and his difficulties in
maintaining a happy private life. "You can't
buy a politician these days," he quipped,
•But you can rent them."
During the Wednesday luncheon sponsored
by Crown International and Thomas and
Shipp, Mark Tenser of Crown leceived an
award honoring his organization's 20th anniversary
as an independent film company.
In presenting the award to Tenser, NATO
president A. Alan Friedberg thanked him
for the "continuity of product . . . that has
left us with more dollars than some of the
epics."
Need for Support
Friedberg said that exhibitors "have a
selfish interest in supporting independent
distribution. If we don't support them, we
can't cut off the evils (blind bidding) we
deal with."
Tenser thanked the convention for the
plaque and added, "You need to support
us. You don't know what the market's going
to be next year. But we'll still be in the
business."
Following a screening of tradereels from
Crown's 1979 product. Chip Rouse, editor
of BoxoFFicE, presented the Honored Showman
awards to Ed Myers, manager of the
Frontier Theatre in Lima, Ohio, Arnold
Simmons of the Huron Theatre in Pontiac,
Mich., and Tony Bruguiere of the Santa
Rosa Cinema in Florida,
Dreams Come True
Avco Embassy hosted the Thursday morning
breakfast, during which moderator Darrell
Manes introduced Show-A-Rama's Female
Star of Tomorrow, Susan Anton. Portions
of Avco's "Goldengirl," starring Miss
Anton, were screened, in addition to clips
from other Avco products. The star compared
her current experiences in the entertainment
industry to those of Cinderella, exclaiming.
"All of my dreams are coming
true."
The Thursday luncheon, hosted by Warner
Bros., included a surprise appearance by
"Superman" star Christopher Reeve. After
an introduction of Warner VIPs. the focus
shifted to Martin Stone, head of Mid-America
Cinema, who awarded Show-A-Rama's
Male Star of Tomorrow citation to Mark
Harmon. Harmon, the son of football legend
Tom Harmon, will be seen in Warner's
"Beyond the Poseidon Adventure,"
The crowd was so thick at one point during
the convention that one exhibitor was
overheard to remark, "A pickpocket would
have a field day here." "What can he steal
from our wallet" replied one conventionweary
delegate. "We've been here a week."