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1<br />
HARRY<br />
MAY 21. 1979<br />
It took God to create woman . .<br />
and these five men to conceive of<br />
a beautiful 19-year old girl programmed<br />
to accomplish the impossible.<br />
ELLIOTT KASTN^„<br />
and DANNY ^DONOVAN<br />
in Association with<br />
AVCO Embassy Pictures Corp.<br />
A JOSEPH SARGEn/hLM<br />
GOLDENGIRL"<br />
JAMES COBUP<br />
AJsoStan<br />
LESLIE CARON<br />
ROBERT GULP<br />
GUARDING<br />
CURTJURGENS<br />
HNNEWCOMBE<br />
C<br />
and introducing<br />
, ;,<br />
-\StJSAN ANTON<br />
TeenplaybyJOHNKOHN<br />
'" vel by PETER LEAR<br />
...usicbyBILLCONTI<br />
^Lyrics by CAROL CONNORS<br />
Produced by DANNY O'DONOVAN<br />
Directed by JOSEPH SARGENT<br />
"7 AN AVCO EMBASSY RELEASE<br />
Opens June 15th<br />
af^Theatres Everywhere
memo to advertisers<br />
PAY YOUR IVPieY<br />
ANDTAKPyoUR CHANCES<br />
That's pretty much the way it is with some advertising media—<br />
not even the proprietor really knows for sure what he is selling.<br />
Most times unl
AI Film Rentals Dip<br />
47 Percenl in 1978-79<br />
BEVERLY HILLS — American Inlcinalional<br />
Pictures reported revenues of $45.48<br />
million and a net loss of $L521 million (63<br />
cents per share) lor the fiscal year ended<br />
March 3, 1979.<br />
For the fiscal year ended February 25,<br />
1978, revenues were $5L228 million and<br />
net income including extraordinary income<br />
of $1,485 million (60 cents per share) was<br />
$3,301 million ($1.34 per share).<br />
Chiefly responsible for the net loss was<br />
the decline in theatrical film rentals. Domestic<br />
and foreign theatrical film rentals<br />
were down 47 percent and 39 percent respectively,<br />
while nontheatrical and other<br />
film rentals remained at the same level as<br />
last<br />
year.<br />
Television revenues were up 118 percent<br />
over last year aided by revenues realized<br />
from licensing of television programming<br />
aimed for exhibition during non-prime time<br />
hours.<br />
However, this record-setting performance<br />
did not offset the reduction in theatrical<br />
rentals.<br />
Reflecting its continuing excellent performance<br />
in television, the company reported<br />
that it will begin the new year with<br />
$24 million of television license agreements<br />
and commitments. This figure is not reflected<br />
in the financial statements because the<br />
films involved are for future telecast.<br />
AI will seek to expand its development of<br />
non-prime time television programming.<br />
This, coupled with the excellent audience<br />
to reception the theatrical release of "Love<br />
at First Bite" should result in a "positive<br />
start for the new year," according to the<br />
company.<br />
Anti-Blind Bid Bill<br />
Is Stalled in Texas<br />
AUSTIN. Tex—Anti-blind bidding legislation<br />
faces an uncertain future in Texas,<br />
pending any action or nonaction, by the<br />
House calendars committee, where the bill<br />
appears to be stalled.<br />
Anti-blind bid legislation passed the Texas<br />
Senate, 26-0, on April 11 and the House<br />
Committee, 9-0, on April 24. Many observers<br />
feel that Texas is a crucial swing state,<br />
as blind-bid legislation being passed or killed<br />
here could affect<br />
the future of such legislation<br />
in other states.<br />
The calendars committee schedules all<br />
bills for debate on the House floor. If the<br />
bill is not moved out of committee by the<br />
end of this month, anti-blind hid legislation<br />
will die in Texas.<br />
Published weekly, acept one Issue »t year-end, by<br />
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Mo. BOXOFFICB PubUcaUon No. (USPS 062-260).<br />
BOXOFFICE :: May 21, 1979<br />
Effects of California Gas Shortage<br />
On Moviegoing Still Undetermined<br />
By RALPH KAMINSKY<br />
West Coast Editor<br />
HOLLYWOOD — Gasoline shoitages<br />
.Southern California are having a •crunch"<br />
effect on theatre attendance.<br />
One chain reports a 30 to 35 percent drop<br />
in business, while one of the biggest operators<br />
of drive-ins declared candidly, "We<br />
definitely are hurting."<br />
But, as even these spokesmen point out,<br />
too early to push the panic button."<br />
"It's<br />
Two other factors complicate the gasshortage<br />
picture:<br />
A million people drove to the Los Angeles<br />
County beaches Mother's Day, Sunday,<br />
May 13. The holiday, coupled with the<br />
sunny weather, had an adverse effect on<br />
theatre-going.<br />
A survey of key circuits in the Los Angeles<br />
area produced a consensus that there<br />
are too many variables to judge whether the<br />
shortage is having a definite effect on theatre<br />
attendance.<br />
Bob Selig, speaking for Pacific Theatres,<br />
asserted, "We haven't reached the point<br />
where we are upset, but we definitely are<br />
hurting."<br />
'Business Generally Off<br />
Selig could give no comparative figures<br />
on the drop in attendance but said, "Business<br />
is generally off" at both hardtops and<br />
drive-ins. "Our managers are beginning to<br />
show a pronounced sensitivity to the<br />
crunch," he said,<br />
Bruce C. Corwin, president of Metropolitan<br />
Theatres, reported a 30 to 35 percent<br />
reduction in business. He attributed a part<br />
of the decrease to the "great hot weather"<br />
that sent thousands to the beaches.<br />
William Hertz, vice president of operations<br />
for Mann Theatres, reported a lowering<br />
in attendance but pointed out that the<br />
month of May is "a normally low-grossing<br />
period." Other circuit spokesmen also men-<br />
be able to judge its effect really until a big<br />
blockbuster opens across the country."<br />
That, he said, would permit an analysis of<br />
the difference in grosses, if any in areas<br />
where the gasoline shortage is not as acute<br />
as in California.<br />
"All this may promote a spirit of togetherness,"<br />
Hertz noted. People may begin sharring<br />
rides and couples may begin double<br />
dating, he said,<br />
"We may exploit that aspect in theatre<br />
advertising, if the shortage of fuel continues<br />
and the impact becomes more evident." he<br />
said.<br />
in<br />
Selig thought that Pacific I'hcalrcs might<br />
consider mounting an advertising and promotion<br />
campaign reminding the public that<br />
movies are still the nearest entertainment<br />
in your neighborhood." Car pooling, especially<br />
for drive-ins, he said, also could be<br />
emphasized.<br />
Antitrust Suit Filed<br />
By 7 Major Circuits<br />
LOS ANGELES—A group of major exhibitors<br />
has filed a federal antitrust suit<br />
against the MPAA and seven major film<br />
companies, alleging violations in trade practices<br />
and discrimination in film ratings.<br />
The suit was filed May 1 1 in Central District<br />
of Calif. Federal Court in Los Angeles<br />
by American Multi Cinema, Plitt Theatres,<br />
Mann Theatres, United Artists Theatres,<br />
Pacific Drive-In Theatres. Harry Mace Co.<br />
and Sero Amusement. The suit charges that<br />
the major distributors "in combination,<br />
completely own, operate and control" the<br />
distribution of motion pictures throughout<br />
the United States.<br />
Named as defendants in the action, besides<br />
the MPAA, were Warner Bros., Paramount.<br />
Universal, 20th Century-Fox, United<br />
Artists, Buena Vista and Columbia.<br />
The circuits are also bitter about the film<br />
rating system, alleging that the defendants<br />
"discriminate in favor of members of the<br />
MPAA and independent producers who distribute<br />
their pictures through members of<br />
the MPAA by using a double rating standard<br />
. . . rating such motion pictures to enhance<br />
their boxoffice appeal and effectively<br />
discriminating against the producers of<br />
film product not distributed by the defendants."<br />
The plaintiffs also charged the major distributors<br />
tioned the May drop-off.<br />
with deliberately manipulating the<br />
Hertz and others pointed out that the ratings of blind-bid pictures, this creating<br />
good pictures continued to draw big grosses a false impression and misleading exhibitors<br />
while the lesser films suffered. Leammie into booking films that they otherwise<br />
Theatres reported that "The Innocent" set<br />
a record gross of $26,733 in its first week<br />
might have agreed to rental terms on had a<br />
•fair and objective" rating been issued.<br />
at the Music Hall; "Manhattan" grosses were<br />
"going into the stratosphere" and "A Little<br />
Romance" was also breaking records.<br />
"The gas crunch is an unknown quantity<br />
at this time," Hertz observed. "We won't<br />
Filmways Reports Seventh<br />
Year of Higher Revenues<br />
NEW YORK — Filmways Inc. reported<br />
its seventh successive year of higher revenues<br />
and net income. Revenues for the fiscal<br />
year ended Feb. 28, 1979, were $153.-<br />
412,000 compared with $140,566,000 in<br />
1978. an increase of 9 percent. Net income<br />
more than doubled to $7,842,000<br />
from $3,524,000 last year, resulting in a<br />
24 percent increase in income per common<br />
share to $1.64 against $1.32 last year.<br />
For the fourth quarter, revenues rose to<br />
$37,686,000 from $37,275,000 last year,<br />
while reported net income advanced by 38<br />
percent to SI. 304.000.
. . . yes<br />
. . the<br />
THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY<br />
Published In Fix Sectional Edition!<br />
WILLIAM C. VANCE<br />
Publisher<br />
JOHN F. BERRY<br />
Assoc. Publisher/National Sales Manager<br />
CHARLES F. ROUSE III<br />
Editor<br />
BEN SHLYEN Executive Editor<br />
MORRIS SCHLOZMAN Business Manaoer<br />
HARVEY SHARP Circulation Director<br />
GARY BURCH Equipment Editor<br />
JONNA JEFFERIS Associate Editor<br />
STUART A. GOLDSTEIN Associate Editor<br />
RON SCHAUMBURG Associate Editor<br />
JIMMY SUMMERS Associate Editor<br />
KEVIN KIOUS Associate Editor<br />
RALPH KAMINSKY West Coast Editor<br />
JOHN COCCHI East Coast Editor<br />
ADMINISTRATIVE<br />
VANCE HERBERT A. Chairman<br />
B. JOHN ONEIL President<br />
J. JAMES STAUDT Vice-President<br />
Executive<br />
C. WILLIAM VANCE Vice-President<br />
Publication Oilices: S25 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas<br />
City Mo. 64124. (816) 241-7777.<br />
Western Offices: 1800 N. Ul»miuid, Suite 707. llolly-<br />
»ood, C^ 80028. (213) 466-1186.<br />
Advertising sales: tilen Vernon<br />
Eastern Offices: 133 B. 5Stb St., New York, N.Y.<br />
10022. (212) If5-54UU.<br />
Advertising sales: Jim Young<br />
TUG MOUBKN TUBATUG Section is included in<br />
one Issue eacb montta.<br />
Atlanta: tienevleve Camp, 166 Undbergb Drive, N.E.<br />
30305.<br />
Baltimore: lute Savage, 3607 Springdale, 21216.<br />
Boston: Ernest Warren, 1 Colgate lioad, Needliam,<br />
Mass. 02192. Tele. (617) 444-1657.<br />
Butralo: Bduard K. Meade, 760 Main St., 14202.<br />
Tele. (716) 864-1M8.<br />
Cliarlotte: Cbas. J. Uunard Sr., 319 Queens ltd.,<br />
28204. Tele. (704) 333-0444.<br />
ClUcago: Krauces B. Clow, 175 North Kenllttorlh,<br />
Oak Park, 111. 60302. Tele. (312) 383-8343.<br />
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Denver: Bruce MarsbaU, 2881 S. Cherry Way, 80222.<br />
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Tele. 266-9811.<br />
Ilarttord: AUen M. Wldem. 30 Pioneer Drive. W.<br />
Hartford 06117. Tele. 232-3101.<br />
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Tele. (317) 251-6070.<br />
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(901) 683-8182.<br />
Miami. Martha Lununus. 622 N E. 98 St. 33138.<br />
MUwaukee: Wally L. Meyer, 301 Heather Lane, t'redonla.<br />
Wis. 53021. Tele: (414) 692-2763.<br />
Minneapolis: BUI Uiehi, St. Paul Dispalch, 63 E.<br />
4tb St., St. Paul, Minn. 65101<br />
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Towne Place, 18130. Tele. (216) 667-4748.<br />
Pittsburgh: R. F. Kllngensmith, F16 Jeanette, Wilklnsburg<br />
15221. Tele. (412) 241-2809.<br />
i'ortiand. Ore.: Robt. Olds, 1120 N.E. 61sl. 87213.<br />
St. Louis: Fan It. Krause, 818A Longacre Drive,<br />
63132. Tele. (314) 991-4746.<br />
Salt Lake City: Keith I'erry, 264 E. 1st South. 84111.<br />
Tele. (801) 328-1641.<br />
Ban Antonio: Gladys Candy. 519 ClnclnnaU Ave. Tele.<br />
(612) 734-6527. 78201.<br />
San Francisco: David Van, UATC, 172 Golden Gate<br />
Ave., 84102. Tele: 828-3200.<br />
Seattle: SUi Goldman. Apt. 404, 101 N. 46th St.,<br />
88103. Tele. 782-5833.<br />
Toledo: Anna Kline, 4330 WUlys I'kwy., 43612.<br />
Tucson: Gib Clark, 433 N. Grande, Apt. 6, 86705.<br />
Washington: Virginia R. CoUler, 5112 Connecticut<br />
Ave.. N.W. 20008. Tele. (202) 362-0892.<br />
Calgary: Mailne McBean. 420 40th St.. S.W.. F3C<br />
IWl. Tele. (403) 249-6039.<br />
Montreal: Tom Cleary, Association des Proprletalres<br />
de Cinema du Quebec. 3720 Van Home, Suite 4-6.<br />
No. H3S 1118.<br />
Ottawa: Garfield "Willie- Wilson. 768 Ralnsford A>e..<br />
KJK 2K1. Tele. 746-6660.<br />
Toront/j: J. W. Agnew. 274 St. John's Rd.. M6P 1V5.<br />
Vancouver: Jimmy Uavle. 3246 W. 12. V6K 2R8.<br />
Winnipeg: Robert Hucal. 600-232 Portage Ave.. R3C<br />
OBI.<br />
1 979<br />
No. 7<br />
llillB';^m> ^7^ Mi^ 7^>&ieSU^.<br />
AN<br />
SHAPING THE FUTURE TODAY<br />
UNHERALDED SAGE once proffered<br />
the following wisdom: "It's<br />
all right to look forward to the future<br />
as long as you don't trip over the past."<br />
It's all part of growing up, as one might<br />
say.<br />
Since their federal enactment nearly<br />
three decades hence, the motion picture<br />
consent decrees have been the subject of<br />
recurring scrutiny and debate by concerned<br />
parties on both sides of the industry<br />
fence.<br />
This week in Southern District of N.Y.<br />
Federal Court, the issue of consent decrees<br />
and the various restraints invoked<br />
therein — principally the divorcement of<br />
the major theatre concerns from producer-distributor<br />
affiliation and restrictions<br />
on the future acquisition of theatre properties—will<br />
again have its day in court.<br />
Judge Edmund Palmieri will begin<br />
hearing pre-trial testimony on Wednesday<br />
on petitions filed by three eminent<br />
exhibition circuits—RKO-Stanley Warner,<br />
Mann and Loews -asking for I'elief<br />
from various provisions as set forth in<br />
the consent decrees formally enacted in<br />
the late '40s and early '50s.<br />
It is ironic, but not altogether surprising,<br />
that the very premise on which the<br />
consent decrees are based—to stimulate<br />
competition and foster a healthy business<br />
climate in all corners of the industry—is<br />
the root of the challenge still being voiced<br />
today, albeit this time by those operating<br />
under the constraints ordered in the decrees.<br />
The substance of the petitions being<br />
brought before Judge Palmieri by RKO-<br />
Stanley Warner, Mann and Loews is the<br />
basic inequity that exists today within<br />
exhibition as a result of the consent decrees<br />
of circa 1950.<br />
The complaints raised by the litigants<br />
are common in origin. Each is either an<br />
orphaned survivor or direct descendant<br />
of one of the major companies for which<br />
the decrees were intended.<br />
Under the terms of the RKO decree of<br />
June 1948, the first one to be formally<br />
enacted by the courts, RKO-Stanley Warner<br />
can produce and distribute films and<br />
own theatres in which it has a direct interest,<br />
but must gain the approval of the<br />
courts before acquiring additional property.<br />
The circuit currently operates 73<br />
screens in 34 theatres.<br />
Mann became party to the decrees<br />
when, in 1973, it purchased 115 screens<br />
in 50 locations from the then National<br />
General circuit, a direct spin-off of ]<br />
20th Century-Fox consent decree of Ji<br />
1951. Mann owns approximately<br />
screens nationwide.<br />
Loews' growth is restricted by virtu<br />
the decree entered against MGM-Lc<br />
in February 1952. Loews presently bo.!<br />
121 screens in 63 theatres. In additi<br />
the circuit is prohibited from product<br />
and distribution and must get court<br />
mission to acquire new theatre pro]<br />
ties.<br />
Although the growth of the three<br />
cuits in question has been held in eh<br />
under the terms of the onerous, anc<br />
many respects outdated, consent deer<br />
other substantial exhibitor groups s<br />
as General Cinema Theatres and Un;<br />
Artists Theatres have been allowed<br />
grow and prosper to their present ,<br />
outside of the restrictive confines of<br />
decrees. To put it in more graphic ter<br />
General Cinema has more than<br />
screens under its wing, and UATC che<br />
in with close to 700. Add to that the 1<br />
that both circuits are reported to h<br />
their fingers in the production pie<br />
well.<br />
No one expects or wants to see a rati<br />
to the conditions that existed in the {<br />
consent era. But times have chan^<br />
and likewise the conditions that pre<br />
i<br />
in the industry. Although the major<br />
tributors have, for the most part, ret£<br />
ed their "major" stature, their couni<br />
parts in exhibition have not fared q\<br />
'<br />
as well, due in no small part to<br />
hand-tying restraints placed on them<br />
the sweeping provisions laid down by<br />
. consent decrees.<br />
The time is long overdue for these<br />
equities to be brought to the attentior<br />
the courts. Furthermore, the divoi<br />
ment of theatres from producer-distri<br />
tor affiliation has contributed greatly<br />
recent years to the shortage of prod<br />
hitherto unforeseen by those who oi<br />
advocated this as a means of bring<br />
much-needed relief to oppressed theatJ<br />
Modification of the consent decrees co<br />
allow this situation to reverse itself<br />
preciably by opening the doors to<br />
additional flow of product into the m<br />
ketplace.<br />
The future of exhibition in particii<br />
and the industry in general rests in la<br />
degree on the decisions made today. 1<br />
case now before Judge Palmieri is of<br />
small significance in the execution<br />
that vital process.
Okla<br />
N.<br />
Columbia Reports Drop<br />
In March Qtr. Income<br />
NEW YORK—Columbia Pictures liiilus<br />
tries has reported a 26.7 percent drop in<br />
net income for the March quarter. Figures<br />
released indicated net income of $11.8 million,<br />
or $1.22 per share. This income was<br />
down from $16.1 million, or $1.75 pei share<br />
In the same quarter last year,<br />
Francis T. Vincent Jr., president, al<br />
tributes the decline to "the mix of theatrically<br />
released products."<br />
Operating income of filmed cnlerlainment<br />
was $18.9 million, down 24 percenl.<br />
Records and music weie off 83 percenl.<br />
Amusement games rose 3 percent, while<br />
broadcasting income was up 42 percenl.<br />
Avco, UA Display Wares<br />
At Cannes Film Festival<br />
CANNES, FRANCE — Avco Embassy<br />
Pictures and its product lineup were strongly<br />
in evidence at this year's Cannes Film<br />
Festival.<br />
The company organized a comprehensive<br />
marketing program for the annual film<br />
event that included more than a dozen special<br />
screenings, a luncheon conference and<br />
personal appearances by singer-actress Susan<br />
Anton, writer-film pioducer Joseph Wambaugh<br />
and others celebrities.<br />
"Winter Kills," "The Bell Jar." "Murder<br />
by Decree," "Goldengirl," "Kiss in Attack<br />
of the Phantoms," "A Very Big Withdrawal"<br />
and "The Onion Field" were highlighted<br />
in a week and a half of selective outof-competition<br />
screenings.<br />
Representing Avco at Cannes were William<br />
E, Chaikin, president; Bob Rehmc,<br />
executive vice president and chief operating<br />
officer; and Herb Fletcher, vice president in<br />
charge of international sales.<br />
On May 16, Chaikin and the other Avco<br />
representatives held a special luncheon for<br />
international distributors at the Majestic Hotel<br />
in Cannes. Particular emphasis was placed<br />
on the worldwide release of Avco's new<br />
"invested in" product. In addition, the company's<br />
continuing efforts in other acquisions<br />
and distribution arrangements such as the<br />
ncwiy signed "The Onion Field" and the<br />
recently filmed "The Fog" were discussed.<br />
Highlights of other upcoming Avco projects<br />
such as "Terry and the Pirates" and "Gusher"<br />
were presented at the luncheon conference.<br />
United Artists was represented at this<br />
year's festival with three majoi 1979 releases.<br />
Milos Forman's "Hair" opened the event<br />
May 10, when it was shown out of competition.<br />
This was "Hair's" first showing<br />
outside the United States, where it is now in<br />
national release. The European premiere<br />
took place in Paris May 11.<br />
On May 12, Woody Allen's "Manhattan,"<br />
currently setting boxoffice records in theatres<br />
across the United States and in Canada,<br />
was shown, also out of competition.<br />
Francis Coppola's "Apocalypse Now" was<br />
BOXOFFICE :: May 21, 1979<br />
presented May 19 as "in-compctition filmin-progress"<br />
at the Palais des Festival Theatre.<br />
Although United Artists will be distributing<br />
the picture only in the United<br />
States, Canada and Puerto Rico, the company<br />
wanted the wide international exposure<br />
the film received at Cannes.<br />
MCA Reports Record<br />
1st Quarter Earnings<br />
NEW YORK—MCA Inc. reports ih.ii<br />
first quarter net income rose to $63.9 million,<br />
or $2.74 a share. These figures show<br />
gains from last year's report, which indicated<br />
$21.4 million,<br />
or 92c per share.<br />
Lew R. Wasserman. MCA chairman, reported<br />
also that revenues reached a record<br />
$2S3 million, up nearly 20 percent.<br />
The report showed a 20 percent rise in<br />
film entertainment, up to $32.7 million.<br />
These figures reflects the results of "National<br />
Lampoon's Animal House," and "The<br />
Deer Hunter," Also included are foreign<br />
revenues from "Jaws 2."<br />
Chicago Survey Indicates<br />
MPAA Code Often 'A Sham'<br />
CHICAGO—According to a recent survey,<br />
many exhibitors are not upholding the<br />
MPAA rating code of G-PG-R-and X. Most<br />
apparent, according to the report made by<br />
WBBM-TV. is the lack of adherence to<br />
R-rated films. According to the MPAA<br />
code, films rated R are supposed to bar persons<br />
under 17 who are not accompanied by<br />
a parent or guardian. The report indicated<br />
a<br />
"slippage" figure of 75 percent.<br />
The survey, conduced secretly by WBBM<br />
film critic Gene Siskel and other members of<br />
the station, included 24 area theatres here.<br />
Siskel called the MPAA code "a sham"<br />
with regards to the barring of minors to<br />
R-rated films. Of the 24 theatres surveyed,<br />
children, ages 12 and 13, were admitted at<br />
18 of the theatres.<br />
Jack Valenti, MPAA president, said he<br />
COMING SOON...<br />
A<br />
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AFI Given IBM Grant<br />
BEVERLY HILLS—The American Film<br />
Institute has received a $25,000 grant from<br />
IBM for the general support of the AFI<br />
Center for Advanced Film Studes in Beverly<br />
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"This is an important grant for the American<br />
Film Institute because it shows concerned<br />
support for the Center for Advanced<br />
Film Studies from a major private corporation<br />
that is not in the film induslry," commented<br />
Peter Wert, director of d.-velopment<br />
for AFI.<br />
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JACK WINNINGHAM'S Cinema Concepts<br />
Ifice is now open. Telephone has been<br />
istalled. (815) 531-6545. Address: 3612<br />
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'all or write lor brochures.<br />
More Classified Listing<br />
On Inside Back Cover
From Football to Film Isnt Easy,<br />
But Joe Kapps Done It<br />
Joe Kapp<br />
By STU GOLDSTEIN<br />
Associate Editor<br />
KANSAS CITY—Joe Kapp has made ihe<br />
transition from football hero to movie actor<br />
;o associate producer<br />
.1 smooth one. He's<br />
made it a successful<br />
one, too. going from<br />
All-Pro quarterback<br />
to a succession of acting<br />
roles including<br />
parts in "The Longest<br />
Yard" and "Semi-<br />
Tough," both with<br />
Burt Reynolds. Now<br />
Kapp has turned his<br />
attention to the production<br />
side of film. Thanks to a little prodding<br />
from producer George Litto, Kapp is<br />
associate producer of Orion's "Over the<br />
Edge," being leleased through Warner Bros.<br />
The husky athlete-turned-actor execulive<br />
is eager to get his message out about "Over<br />
the Edge." The message is that the picture<br />
is<br />
for everybody. "Adults and young people<br />
will each get their own message from this<br />
film," Kapp believes. For young people<br />
(undoubtedly "Edge's" primary audience)<br />
there is the "message" of seeing kids like<br />
themselves on the screen, dealing with the<br />
contemporary peer pressures that Kapp calls<br />
"typical" for today's youth. For the adults,<br />
especially the parents. Kapp believes "Edge"<br />
is a "must-see" film that will allow them lo<br />
understand what today's kids are experiencing.<br />
A Typical Mixture<br />
Not all the kids in the picture are bad<br />
kids. The characters offer a rather typical<br />
potpourri of average middle-class American<br />
young people, Kapp believes. This "typical<br />
mixture" includes both good and bad kid.s<br />
youths that have already gone "over the<br />
edge" and one who is still "on the edge."<br />
"In fact, our working title was 'On Ihc<br />
Edge.' " explained Kapp. A central plot line<br />
in the film is the dilemma one character<br />
must face in trying to decide between peer<br />
pressure and parental guidance. He is, quite<br />
literally, "on the edge."<br />
There is a good deal of violence and drug<br />
usage depicted, subjects that Kapp believes<br />
arc rea.sons for parents to see the movie,<br />
too. "Drug use is everywhere," insists Kapp.<br />
"It's important for parents to realize this is<br />
going on." The film doesn't condone drug<br />
u.se, but in an attempt to relate to young<br />
audiences, some ambiguous "inside" humor<br />
has been included. "The humor in the picture<br />
may pass by the adults," Kapp admiiud.<br />
One such humorous incident concerns<br />
a 14-year old drug dealer who tells<br />
his customers (other teenagers) his prices<br />
must go up "due to inflation." The dealer<br />
in this case comes from a moderately affluent<br />
family, has extra money and his<br />
With 'Edge<br />
mother is seemingly unaware of what hei<br />
son's involved with.<br />
"These are the kids today." says Kapp.<br />
"They have money and this is what some<br />
of them do with it. These incidents are based<br />
on true occurrences." "Drug use is like<br />
white collar crime." he went on to explain.<br />
"It's there, but no one wants to talk about<br />
it." Kapp believes the situations that are<br />
depicted in the affluent suburban neighborhoods<br />
of "Over the Edge" are totally realistic.<br />
"Believe me, the picture is very much in<br />
tune with what's going on."<br />
No Violence Expected<br />
The violent aspect of "Over the Edge" is<br />
a big part of the film. Kapp, however, does<br />
not expect any violent outbreaks like those<br />
that occurred with "The Warriors" and<br />
other gang pictures. "No one in this picture<br />
is out to hurt another human being." Kapp<br />
related. "The only violence is that against<br />
property."<br />
The young actors recruited for the picture,<br />
are, for the most part, amateurs. One<br />
young actor, Matt Dillon, who Kapp says<br />
didn't change his name, reminds Kapp of<br />
a young Marlon Brando with his tough-guy<br />
mannerisms. Kapp credits director Jonathan<br />
Kaplan with bringing out the "realistic"<br />
acting styles as evidenced by Dillon and the<br />
other stars including Pamela Ludwig, Tom<br />
Fergus. Jeff Fleury and Vincent Spano, one<br />
of the few "professional" actors in the<br />
group.<br />
One of the main "messages" in the film,<br />
accoiding to Kapp, is the need for communication<br />
within the family. The main<br />
character in the movie, the one who's "on<br />
the edge," finally gets through to his parents<br />
when he gets into trouble. Then his<br />
father, who up to then had only been interested<br />
in furthering his career, finally<br />
begins to understand some of the problems<br />
his son has been facing.<br />
Problems Are Real<br />
"Many parents have related stories to me<br />
about how their own kids are 'on the edge.'<br />
Hopefully, this picture will scare them into<br />
seeing how real these problems are." Kapp<br />
also sa'd that<br />
working with the young actors<br />
has helped him to understand these problems<br />
himself, especially the kinds of pressures<br />
that could confront his own son, who<br />
is 15. "Hopefully, everyone will see a little<br />
bit of themselves in the picture."<br />
The film was produced on a $.1 million<br />
budget and was completed after 40 days<br />
of principal photography. All lensing was<br />
on location in Colorado, photographed by<br />
Andy Davis. Major ad campaigns for the<br />
picture includ; TV buys on youth-oriented<br />
programs. "Over the Edge" opened May 18<br />
in eight markets, with a soundtrack album<br />
scheduled for June. When asked about future<br />
projects, Kapp said there are other<br />
projects in the works with George Litto, the<br />
names of which will be announced in the<br />
future.<br />
Technicolor Reports<br />
Record Third Quarter<br />
LOS ANGELES — Technicolor Inc.<br />
reported<br />
net income for the quarter ended<br />
March 31, 1979, of $2,133,000 or $.73 per<br />
share, calculated on 2,932,877 average<br />
shares outstanding. For the third consecutive<br />
quarter, the company achieved its<br />
highest quarterly earnings and- earnings per<br />
share from operations. In the comparable<br />
period of the prior year, the company reported<br />
a net loss of $445,000 or $1.5 per<br />
share on 2,926,459 overage shares. Sales<br />
and other income were $40,737,000 as<br />
compared to $34,387,000 in the prior year.<br />
The net income increase was mainly due<br />
to a non-recurring charge to earnings made<br />
in the prior year of $1,786,000 or $.61<br />
per share, improved operating results at the<br />
company's professional film processing facility<br />
in Rome, the acquisition of all of the<br />
outstanding minority shares of The Vidtronics<br />
Company Inc. and increased sales<br />
activity at the company's North Hollywood<br />
professional film processing facility.<br />
Loews Reports 79 Percent<br />
Income Rise for Quarter<br />
NEW YORK—The Loews Corp. has<br />
reported<br />
its most profitable first quarter ever<br />
with net income rising 79 percent to $51.8<br />
million. Last yeai's report indicated $28.9<br />
million. Revenues rose 12.5 percent to $916<br />
million, up from $814 million during Ihe<br />
same period in 1978.<br />
These 1979 figures include investmeni<br />
gains of $12.3 million, or $1.07 per share,<br />
up from $3.1 million, or 26 cents per share.<br />
a year earlier.<br />
SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM<br />
BOXOFHCE:<br />
825 Van Brunt Blvd.<br />
Kansas City, Mo. 64 124<br />
Please enter my subscription to BOX-<br />
OFFICE.<br />
n 1 YEAR $15.00<br />
n 2 YEARS $28.00<br />
D Remittance Enclosed<br />
n Sond Invoice<br />
Outside U.S., Canada and Pan American<br />
Union, $25.00 Per Year.<br />
THEATRE<br />
STREET<br />
TOWN<br />
NAME<br />
ZIP CODE<br />
POSITION<br />
STATE<br />
May 21, 1979
(<br />
I !<br />
i<br />
co-production<br />
ductions.<br />
, Spain<br />
I<br />
I<br />
scripted<br />
K J^olluwood r^eport h<br />
^<br />
FILM PROJEaS<br />
Happy Birthday Gemini will begin shooting<br />
June 18 in Toronto. The Canadian feature<br />
will be produced by Alan King and<br />
Rupert Hitzik. Ralph Benner will direct.<br />
Madeline Kahn and Rita Moreno are already<br />
signed to star.<br />
The First Hello, to be produced by BM<br />
Filmcorp 1. is set to shoot Aug. 27. Lensing<br />
will take place in Banff, Alberta, with Harvey<br />
Hart directing from a script by Bud<br />
Townsend. Timothy Bottoms will star.<br />
Bruce Mallen will produce with Gene Slott<br />
set as executive producer.<br />
Principal photography on The Man With<br />
Bogart's Face commenced at MGM studios<br />
May 14. Feature is being filmed on a<br />
deal with Melvin Simon Pro-<br />
Robert Day has been set to direct.<br />
Lorimar Productions plans to begin loci.tion<br />
shooting in the fall in Los Angeles<br />
and New York on Saturday Night Knife and<br />
Gun Club. The urban comedy will be produced<br />
by Jerry Leider from a script by<br />
Arnold Schulman.<br />
Linton Productions plans to begin shooting<br />
in July on Knocking on Heaven's Door.<br />
Picture will be a $2 million project to be directed<br />
by John Linton who also co-wrote the<br />
screenplay with Stephen Aubery. The comedy<br />
will deal with the adventures of senior<br />
on The Threat. Dominique Sand will<br />
star in the contemporary adventure story<br />
by Fausto Canal.<br />
Otto Preminger plans shooting on location<br />
this summer on The Human Factor. Based<br />
on the novel by Graham Greene, story concerns<br />
British Secret Service activities in London<br />
and South Africa. Tom Stoppard wrote<br />
'the script. Already cast are Nicol Williamson,<br />
Richard Attenborough, Robert Morley,<br />
John Gielgud and New York model<br />
Iman.<br />
Charles Fries Productions plans to produce<br />
Crash of '79. Picture will be based on<br />
Paul Erdman's book to be adapted for the<br />
screen by David Sherwin. Fries and Malcolm<br />
Stuart will be executive producers.<br />
Warner Bros, has set a Sept. 1 start on<br />
location in the Southwest on Honeysuckle<br />
Rose. Story concerns a married, middleaged<br />
country-western singer who falls in<br />
love with a young singer. Country-western<br />
star Willie Nelson will make his starring<br />
debut in the role. Gene Taft wlil produce,<br />
lerry Schatzberg will direct. Nelson will<br />
A'rite and sing the original music for the<br />
film.<br />
Hollywood Blvd., story of the last years<br />
in the life of actress Barbara Peyton, will be<br />
produced by Kevin Casselman. Screenplay<br />
s by Ellis St. Joseph. Ray Ellis is writing<br />
he score.<br />
MAN International Productions plans to<br />
begin shooting early next year on the first<br />
of three films to be made during the next<br />
three years. The films will have a total budget<br />
of $22 million. First to go before the<br />
cameras in Europe will be the $8 million<br />
The Man Who Laugh.s. Other projects include<br />
The Devil Came to Dublin and The<br />
Yellow Bus.<br />
Section Eight, comedy-drama, will be<br />
made by Cy Chermak's Francy Productions.<br />
Story concerns a man who tries to rig a<br />
newspaper puzzle contest.<br />
Where the Buffalo Roam will begin production<br />
for Universal July 5. Peter Boyle<br />
and Bill Murray star. Art Linson will produce<br />
and direct from a screenplay by John<br />
Kaye. Picture will be fictionally drawn from<br />
events in the life of "Gonzo Journalist" Dr.<br />
Hunter S. Thompson.<br />
American Gigolo, starring Richard Gere<br />
and Lauren Hutton, has completed principal<br />
photography. Lensing took ten weeks in the<br />
Los Angeles area. A late 1979 release is<br />
scheduled.<br />
FEATURE<br />
CASTING<br />
Richard Roundtree has a starring role in<br />
Oh, Inchon. Story is a drama about the Ko-<br />
citizens, their romances and eccentricities. rean War. Filming will commence May 28<br />
Producer Jerry B. Wheeler is scheduling a in Korea. Terence Young is director.<br />
start this summer in the U.S., France and Buck Taylor will play Dynamite Dick in<br />
Cattle Annie and Little Britches. Picture is<br />
now shooting in Durango, Mexico.<br />
Franco Nero, Olivia Hussey, Victor<br />
Buono and Herbert Lorn have been cast in<br />
The Man With Bogart's Face. Shooting began<br />
May 14.<br />
13-year old newcomer, has<br />
been chosen by producers Richard Zanuck<br />
and David Brown to play Michael Caine's<br />
son in The Island. Lensing began May 14.<br />
Los Angeles newscaster Larry Attebery<br />
has been cast as a TV newscaster in MGM's<br />
Captain Avenger.<br />
Jeffrey Frank,<br />
Argentina Brunette, Ralph Manza and<br />
Peggy Mondo will portray members of the<br />
same family who gather for the funeral of<br />
their young cousin in<br />
Fatso.<br />
Rhonda Fleming has been signed for a<br />
featured role in Universal's The Return of<br />
Maxwell Smart. She will play Edith Von<br />
Secondburg, an ex-model. Sylvia Kristel will<br />
play Agent 34 in the movie.<br />
George Dzundza, fresh from his role in<br />
"The Deer Hunter." has been signed to join<br />
Robert Redford and Yaphet Kotto in Brubaker.<br />
Harry Hamlin has signed for a role in<br />
MGMs Clash of the Titans.<br />
Rodeo champion Kenny Call will make<br />
his film debut in Hemdale's Cattle Annie<br />
and Little Britches.<br />
TECHNICAL<br />
ASSIGNMENTS<br />
Bill Conli will compose the nuisieal score<br />
lor Senator. Alan Alda stars for Universal.<br />
Designer Jean-Pierre Dorlcac will do the<br />
coslimies for Somewhere in Time and Blue<br />
Lagoon.<br />
Cathlecn Stimmers will serve as associate<br />
producer for Wind River.<br />
Joe Camp has signed Stan Frcberg to<br />
develop the radio advertising campaign for<br />
Mulberry Square's The Double McGuffin.<br />
John G. Avildsen will direct Fu Manchu,<br />
to be produced bu Zev Braun and Leland<br />
Nolan for Orion Pictures, Peter Sellers will<br />
play the dual role of Fu Manchu and Inspector<br />
Nayland Smith.<br />
Felton Jarvis, producer of all of Elvis<br />
Presley's records since 1965, will produce<br />
the vocal track for The King of Rock 'n<br />
Roll.<br />
John Ramos will wear two hats for Coal<br />
Miner's Daughter, serving as assistant prop<br />
master and playing a singing star who goes<br />
berserk.<br />
Francis Coppola's American Zoetrope<br />
Company will supervise post-production on<br />
MGM's Hide in Plain Sight. Release of the<br />
film has been recheduled from its original<br />
August date in order to complete post-production<br />
chores.<br />
Henry Mancini and Bob Wells will write<br />
a third song for Orion Picture's 10. Mancini<br />
and Wells have already written two<br />
songs for the film.<br />
ACQUISITIONS<br />
Lou Reda Productions: Option picked up<br />
on The Plot to Impeach William O. Douglas.<br />
Story is a soon-to-be-published book<br />
written by Chicago attorney-author Luis<br />
Kutner.<br />
Edward Shaw Productions; Obtained an<br />
option on the life story of space pioneer<br />
Wernher Von Braun, based on the biography<br />
by Eiik Bergant. Shaw plans to produce<br />
the film version, aiming for a spring<br />
1980 start in Germany.<br />
Steven North; Option taken on Bob Levinson's<br />
novel. Presumed Living, a contemporary<br />
black comedy.<br />
DISTRIBUTION<br />
Group I Films: Worldwide rights to<br />
Clonus, PG-rated science fiction thriller starring<br />
Peter Graves, Keenan Wynn and Dick<br />
Sargent. Test marketing in July.<br />
Cinema Shares Int'l; Agreement made<br />
with Cal-Am .'\rtists to handle foreign representation<br />
of Goodbye Franklin High and<br />
One Man Jury.<br />
Lestrig Trading Company; Italian Stallion,<br />
starring Sylvestor Stallone, purchased from<br />
Stallion Releasing for distribution in Australia,<br />
New Zealand and Pacific Islands.<br />
30X0FFICE May 1979
720<br />
BOXOFFICE BAROMETER<br />
This chart records the performance o( current attractions in the opening week of their first runs in<br />
the 20 key cities checked. Pictures with fewer than five engagements are not listed. As new runs<br />
are reported, ratings ore added and averages revised. Computation is in terms of percentage in<br />
relation to overage grosses os determined by the theatre managers. With 100 per cent os overage,<br />
the figures show the gioss ratings above or below that mark. (Asterisk * denotes combination bills.)<br />
i^^^HT^^HH
1<br />
knowledged<br />
I<br />
rock<br />
I<br />
I this<br />
'<br />
UFE.<br />
I<br />
foreign<br />
NEW<br />
YORK<br />
gOLTERS & ROSKIN Inc. has been retained<br />
as public relations consultant in<br />
the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television<br />
Development Commission, it was announced<br />
by Sidney Kingsley and Joseph<br />
Friedman, chairman and executive director,<br />
respectively, of the commission.<br />
•<br />
Charles<br />
Green has been appoinlecl Easlcin<br />
advertising manager for United Artists.<br />
II lias been announced by Edward P. Seii^cnfeld.<br />
vice president for advertising and<br />
piihlicity. He had been serving as New York<br />
advertising manager since July, 1977. and<br />
had joined UA in May, 1974. as a member<br />
ol the advertising department.<br />
•<br />
I he Spectacolor sign on the Times Tower<br />
helped promote the National Theatre booking<br />
of "Love at First Bite," it has been acby<br />
American International. A<br />
radio station in Babylon, Long Island,<br />
WBAB, reports that its offer of T-shirts with<br />
the "Love" logo resulted in its best promotional<br />
response. Postcards for the T-shirts<br />
came in from as far away as Connecticut.<br />
The phenomenal film opens in more than<br />
100 showcase theatres May 5.<br />
tended business trip, the first stop being at<br />
Cannes, where he stayed at the Hotel Majestic.<br />
He then proceeds to Paris. Rome. Miiiiich.<br />
Madrid and London to meet willi<br />
officers of the various production and di.s-<br />
Iribution companies represented here by<br />
He is also engaged in the followup on<br />
sales of "Kentucky Fried Movie."<br />
which had extremely successful premiere cii-<br />
gagements in Holland. Japan and the United<br />
1<br />
Kingdom.<br />
•<br />
In the magazines; May's Films in Review<br />
is the Academy Award issue, with articles<br />
on the 51st Academy Awards presentations,<br />
the special Oscar given to the Museum ol<br />
Modern Art and the career of actor Conrad<br />
Nagel, who was one of the founders of the<br />
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.<br />
Other articles inchide the career ot<br />
Barbara Hale and the television appearances<br />
of Anne Baxter.<br />
•<br />
Continuing on showcase, both mini and<br />
maxi, are "Dawn of the Dead," "The Sileiii<br />
Partner." "Last Embrace." "The Deer Hunter."<br />
"The Exorcist." "The Champ." "Coming<br />
Home." "Manhattan." "Norma Rac."<br />
"Hair" and "Love at First Bite." Avco Embassy's<br />
"Winter KilLt" opened a 50-theatre<br />
break May 18, including the Cinema II and<br />
National.<br />
•<br />
In the magazines: Films in Review for<br />
April features a career article on silent star<br />
Billie Dove by DeWitt Bodeen, and an interview<br />
on Abbott and Costello by their<br />
biographer Bob Thomas, as conducted by<br />
Jeffrey Elliot. William K. Everson's "Re-<br />
discovery" section focuses on George Arliss'<br />
career and his film "Old English"<br />
(1930).<br />
Bookers Luncheon Is Scene<br />
Of Awards. Speeches, Plugs<br />
By JOHN COCCHl<br />
Eastern Editor<br />
NEW YORK—The I<br />
.Mb annual Academy<br />
Award Sweepstakes Luncheon of the<br />
Motion Picture Bookers Club was held April<br />
24 at Rosoffs here, with veteran New Yoik<br />
Post film reviewer Archer Winsten as guest<br />
speaker and surprise appearances by Peter<br />
Bogdanovich and Ben Gazzara. Master of<br />
ceremonies Ralph Donnelly, who heads<br />
Cinema 5, announced that the Sweepstakes<br />
winners were Denise Dorsey of Gulf +<br />
Western, first prize; Becky Schoenfeld, second<br />
prize, and Walter Powell of Georgia,<br />
third prize.<br />
Donnelly introduced Bogdanovich and<br />
Gazzara, director and star respectively of<br />
the New World Pictures release "Saint<br />
Jack." Gazzara thanked Donnelly for arranging<br />
the booking at Cinema I and foi<br />
the sendoff he expected that the film would<br />
have. After saying that there had been a<br />
tew problems with the film but that everything<br />
had "turned out okay," Bogdanovich<br />
emphasized that Donnelly's belief in the film<br />
meant a great deal to him. He thanked Don-<br />
•<br />
Among the many executives attendinis nelly for his "intelligent courage" in putting<br />
the film into Cinema I and then stated<br />
year's is Cannes Film Festival Mimio<br />
Podhorzer. president of United Film Enterprises.<br />
he would keep a close relationship with<br />
that<br />
Inc. He departed May 8 for an ex-<br />
exhibitors as a result of his experiences<br />
with<br />
the film.<br />
Still plugging the film. Bogdanovich mentioned<br />
that advance word on it was good<br />
(later reviews included some very favorable<br />
quotes). In parting, he quoted Howard<br />
pital, was in Kansas City and would receive<br />
the check on May 22.<br />
BUFFALO<br />
Last Embrace' is a solid B picture." said<br />
reviewer Patricia Ward Bicderman of<br />
the Courier-Express. But she added that the<br />
movie "develops a mild case of the shakes<br />
as it moves toward a climactic confrontation<br />
at Niagara Falls." Of the three films shot on<br />
location here last year, "Last Embrace" is<br />
the first to actually appear on area screens.<br />
"Hide in Plain Sight" is in post-production<br />
limbo and "Search and Destroy," a Canadian<br />
quickie about Vietnam vets, has disappeared<br />
without a trace.<br />
Jeff Simon of The News wrote of "Manhattan":<br />
"This is Woody Allen's best movie<br />
—not the funniest, although funny enough.<br />
It can cause crowds to clap and cheer at the<br />
end, happy to be alive and human."<br />
Warner Bros, took full-page ads in The<br />
News and Courier-Express to tell about<br />
their "major Hollywood preview" of "A<br />
Little Romance" May 4-5 at the Holiday 2<br />
Theatre.<br />
According to one report, wrote Doug<br />
Smith in the Courier-Express, an audience<br />
for "Old Boyfriends" stood and cheered the<br />
end of the picture on opening day. It<br />
wasn't<br />
the picture they were cheering, according to<br />
Smith, just the fact that it was over. He<br />
adds that "for a specialized audience, it<br />
would have some appeal."<br />
New films on local screens: "The Last<br />
Embrace," "Manhattan." "The Silent Partner,"<br />
"Dawn of the Dead." "Tourist Trap"<br />
and "Dreamer."<br />
A mini-festival of films by Poland's lead-<br />
Hawks' advice to him, "Just make pictures<br />
ing director Andrzej Wajda was shown at<br />
you'll never be unhappy."<br />
Both Bogdanovich and Gazzara had the Lincoln Theatre May 4-5, including<br />
that make money and<br />
been attending all screenings of the film and "Man of Marble" and "The Promised<br />
were making numerous appearances in connection<br />
Land." The festival continued through May<br />
with it. Donnelly pointed out. Then 19.<br />
Mancuso was given a special "Oscar" for<br />
his Sweepstakes efforts and said he had<br />
postponed a trip to Kansas City for Show-A-<br />
Rama to be there. Martin Newman, who<br />
was to have been presented a check from<br />
the club for the benefit of Will Rogers Hos-<br />
Temporarily, Rules Judge,<br />
Debbie Can Still Do Akron<br />
AKRON. Ohio—Summit County Common<br />
Pleas Judge John W. Reece dismissed<br />
on April 30 the city of Akron's attempt to<br />
ban the showing of "Debbie Does Dallas"<br />
at the Art Theatre. The city sought an injunction<br />
against showing of the film, and<br />
asked that the print of the film be confiscated.<br />
Judge Reece ruled that the same materials<br />
are already involved in criminal charges<br />
of pandering obscenity, and thus cannot be<br />
brought before the court for civil action.<br />
Akron police seized the film April 10. and<br />
employees were charged with pandering obscenity,<br />
the charges now pending in Municipal<br />
Court.<br />
DESIGN • ENGINEERING • CONSTRUCTION<br />
WE NEVER I^ISSED AN OPENING"<br />
ASK AROUND<br />
cHinmnn KRicGCflj<br />
(516)569-1990<br />
BOXOFFICE :: May 21, 1979<br />
E-l
New York<br />
(A\ci.is.' \SLvk!\ giosM^'s lollou Ihc.ilic)<br />
An Almost Perfect (Para). Trans-Lux<br />
East (8.500), 3rd wk 12.000<br />
The American Game (World Northal).<br />
Cinema II (6.000). 3rd wk 5.000<br />
Fedora (UA). Cinema Studio I<br />
(5.0001 4th wk 11.895<br />
Get Out Your Handkerchiefs (New<br />
Line). Paris (9.000). 21st wk. .. 8.000<br />
A Little Romance (Orion-WB). Sutton<br />
(9.000), 3rd wk 27,500<br />
Love on the Run (New World). Coronet<br />
(9.650). 5th wk 6.900<br />
Manhattan (UA). 9 theatres.<br />
3rd wk 354.570<br />
Saint Jack (New World). Cinema I<br />
(10.400). 3rd wk 32.545<br />
The Silent Partner (EMC). 65 theatres.<br />
1st wk 295,000<br />
Teresa the Thief (World Northal).<br />
Gemini I (7.500). 1st wk 1 1,350<br />
Cleveland<br />
The Champ (UA). 5 theatres. 5th wk. . . 145<br />
The China Syndrome (Col). 5 theatres.<br />
9th wk 85<br />
Halk>ween (SR). 2 theatres. 9th wk. ... 145<br />
The Last Embrace (UA), 6 theatres,<br />
1st wk 80<br />
Love at First Bite (AD, 5 theatres,<br />
2nd wk 225<br />
Perfect Couple (20th-Fox). 5 theatres,<br />
1st wk 40<br />
Richard Pryor—Live in Concert (SEE),<br />
4 theatres, 1st wk 400<br />
Star Crash (SR). 3 theatres. 1st wk 170<br />
Superman (WB). 3 theatres, 21st wk. . . 100<br />
Columbus<br />
The Champ (UA), 2 theatres. 5th wk. . .200<br />
The China Syndrome (Col). 3 theatres,<br />
8th wk 120<br />
Dawn of the Dead (SR), Raintree,<br />
3rd wk 300<br />
The Deer Hunter (Univ). 2 theatres.<br />
11th wk 195<br />
The Glacier Fox (SR). Cinema North,<br />
1st wk 75<br />
Hurricane (Para), Raintree, 4th wk. . . . 150<br />
Hair (UA), Continent, 6th wk 200<br />
The Last Embrace (UA), Great Western,<br />
1st wk 50<br />
Love at First Bite (AI), 3 theatres,<br />
2nd wk 240<br />
Norma Rae (20th-Fox), 3 theatres,<br />
4th wk 100<br />
[SRIN I i PIO Wir"'<br />
WINDOW CARDS /CAL IDARS /PROGRAMS<br />
ADVERTISING CO<br />
H0X626, OMAHA, NE 68101 •102 453-6160<br />
B(>^tr<br />
:n.l \\k<br />
Richard Prjor—Live in Concert<br />
125<br />
(SEE), Continent, 250<br />
I 1th wk<br />
The Promise (Univ). 2 theatres. 5th wk. 180<br />
Silent Partner (SR). Raintree. 6th wk. . .420<br />
Superman (WB). 2 theatres. 21st wk. . . 50<br />
Cincinnati<br />
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (Univ).<br />
3 theatres. 6th wk 225<br />
The Champ (UA). 3 theatres. 5th wk. . .375<br />
The China Syndrome (Col), 3 theatres,<br />
8th wk 350<br />
The Deer Hunter (Univ). 3 theatres.<br />
nth wk 500<br />
Dawn of the Dead (SR). Showcase.<br />
3rd wk 375<br />
Fast Break (Col). 3 theatres, 8th wk. . . 175<br />
The Glacier Fox (SR), Showcase,<br />
1st wk 150<br />
Hair (UA), Showcase, 6th wk 200<br />
Hurricane (Para), Showcase, 4th wk. . .400<br />
The Innocent (SR). Studio. 3rd wk 100<br />
Love at First Bite (AI), Showcase,<br />
4th wk 450<br />
Old Boyfriends (Avco). 2 theatres,<br />
2nd wk 275<br />
Norma Rae (20th-Fox), Showcase,<br />
8th wk 200<br />
The Promise (Univ). 4 theatres,<br />
4th wk 300<br />
Richard Pryor—Live in Concert (SEE).<br />
2 theatres. 12th wk 1 50<br />
Same Time, Next Year (Univ).<br />
Showcase, 13th wk I 50<br />
Superman (WB), 2 theatres, 20th wk. . .350<br />
Buffalo<br />
The Bell Jar (Avco). 1 theatre,<br />
1st wk. 65<br />
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century<br />
(Univ). 1 theatre. 5th wk 100<br />
7 th wk 100<br />
The Deer Hunter (Univ). I theatre.<br />
10th wk 250<br />
Hair (UA). 1 theatre. 6th wk 75<br />
Love at First Bite (AI), 3 theatres.<br />
1st wk 230<br />
Old Boyfriends (Avco), 2 theatres,<br />
1st wk 200<br />
A Perfect Couple (20th-Fox),<br />
1 theatre. 2nd wk 65<br />
The Promise (Univ). 2 theatres,<br />
2nd wk<br />
I 25<br />
f AiViUSEMENTkCDRP.<br />
BUFFALO, NY.<br />
IV ond Pittsburgh<br />
2 CRAIG CLARK<br />
Richard Pryor—Live in Concert (SEE),<br />
1 theatre, 9th wk 65<br />
Superman (WB), 1 theatre, 20th wk. . . .200<br />
Baltimore<br />
The Champ (UA). Cinema II.<br />
5th wk 90<br />
The China Syndrome (Col),<br />
Westview IV. 8th wk 80<br />
The Deer Hunter (Univ)<br />
Towson, 11 th wk 250<br />
Patterson II. 5th wk 35<br />
The Last Embrace (UA). Cinema 1.<br />
1st wk 40<br />
Love at First Bite (AI). Westview I.<br />
Patterson I. 2nd wk 1 30<br />
Manhattan (Univ). Westview II.<br />
1st wk 150<br />
Norma Rae (20th-Fox). Westview III,<br />
7th wk 40<br />
Old Boyfriends (Avco), Senator,<br />
1st wk 35<br />
New Haven<br />
Beyond the Door #2 (Film Ventures).<br />
Milford Twin Drive-In II. 1st wk. ... 165<br />
Bread and Chocolate (World Northal).<br />
Lincoln. 1 st wk 200<br />
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (Univ).<br />
Milford II. 6th wk 75<br />
The Champ (MGM-UA). Showcase V.<br />
5th wk 75<br />
The China Syndrome (Col), Milford I.<br />
8th wk 150<br />
The Deer Hunter (Univ), Showcase IV.<br />
9th wk 175<br />
Firepower (Associated Film), Milford<br />
Twin Drive-In I. 1st wk 200<br />
Love at First Bite (AI), Cinemart II.<br />
3rd wk 135<br />
Manhattan (UA). Showcase I. 1st wk. . .525<br />
Norma Rae (20th-Fox). York Square<br />
Cinema. 4th wk 1 85<br />
The Promise (Univ), Showcase III,<br />
2nd wk 125<br />
The Silent Partner (EMC), Showcase<br />
II. 1st wk 25(y<br />
1<br />
I<br />
Hartford<br />
Beyond the Door #2 (Film Ventures), "<br />
3 theatres. 1st wk 175<br />
The Champ (UA). 3 theatres.<br />
The Champ (MGM-UA), Showcase VI,<br />
3rd wk 150 5th wk 100<br />
The China Syndrome (Col). 3 theatres. The China Syndrome (Col). 3 theatres.<br />
." 8th wk. 175<br />
The Deer Hunter (Univ). Showcase III.<br />
9th wk 185<br />
The Innocent (Analysis), 3 theatres,<br />
1st wk 200<br />
The Last Embrace (UA). Cinema City<br />
III. Elm II. 1st wk 175<br />
Love at First Bite (AI), Showcase V,<br />
4th wk 125<br />
Manhattan (UA), Showcase I,<br />
1st wk 500<br />
Norma Rae (20th-Fox), Cinema City I.<br />
Elm I. 5th wk 135<br />
Picnic at Hanging Rock (Atlantic).<br />
.'\iheneum Cinema. 5th wk 100<br />
The Promise (LIniv). 3 theatres.<br />
2nd wk 75<br />
Richard Pryoi^Live in Concert (SEE).<br />
Showcase IV. 2nd wk 250<br />
Ihe .Silent Partner (EMC), Showcase II.<br />
Isl wk 275<br />
BOXOFFICE Ma' M. 1979
WASHINGTON<br />
a mong the pack of area boxoffice openings,<br />
first runs and revivals is Warner Bros,<br />
release of "A Little Romance," starring<br />
Laurence Olivier, produced by Yves Rousset-Rouard<br />
and Robert L. Crawford and directed<br />
by George Roy Hill, and playing at<br />
five theatres. Appearing at 15 theatres is<br />
"Firepower," starring Sophia Loren and<br />
James Coburn, which was filmed partly on<br />
location in Washington by Michael Winner.<br />
"Dawn of the Dead," appearing in two<br />
theatres, has no rating from the MPAA.<br />
but the national distributor. United Film,<br />
and the local distributor, Wheeler Film,<br />
have urged theatre owners to admit no one<br />
under 17.<br />
Tiercial engagement started the next day at<br />
nine theatres.<br />
M. David Levy, owner and operator of<br />
wo Washington area theatres, the College<br />
Park and the Key in Georgetown, has taken<br />
5ver the Charles Theatre in Baltimore. The<br />
urogram policy will be repertory, revival<br />
.eries and pseudo-neglected American and<br />
oreign language first<br />
runs.<br />
Roth Theatres had a Mother's Day matilee<br />
promotion of $5 admission for the enire<br />
family, regardless of size, provided the<br />
nether of the family purchased the ticket at<br />
he boxoffice.<br />
The Post's Gary Arnold: "If the price<br />
loesn't turn out to be exorbitant, (I hope)<br />
me of the local revival houses will consisder<br />
he Howard Hughes package recently acluired<br />
by Universal. The eight titles<br />
include<br />
Hell's Angels,' 'Scarface,' 'The Outlaw,'<br />
'reston Sturges' 'Mad Wednesday' and 'The<br />
'reshman,' starring Harold Lloyd."<br />
"The Evictors," another horror story, has<br />
een booked into the Ontario Theatre.<br />
PITTSBURGH<br />
The genera] membership meeting of<br />
ATO of West Pennsylvania will be held<br />
the Marriott Inn, Greentree, June 14.<br />
unch and dinner are being offered. There<br />
)XOFFICE :: May 21, 1979<br />
be election of officers and members of quirer, in reviewing "Boulevard Nights,"<br />
it finds to be "a movie in which Hollywood<br />
the board of directors. This is the original<br />
and oldest service exhibitor organization,<br />
now in its 73rd year.<br />
CINCINNATI<br />
TJniversal held a tradcsneak of Peter Sellers'<br />
version of the adventure classic<br />
"Prisoner of Zenda" on May 14 at the Valley<br />
Cinema.<br />
A number of reissues are now on view<br />
Saddles," "Coming Home" and Oh, God!"<br />
Saddles, "Coming Home" and "Oh, God!"<br />
Drive-ins unveiled "The Warriors," Roman<br />
Polanski's "Forbidden Dreams," "Every<br />
Which Way But Loose" and "Richard Pryor<br />
—Live in Concert."<br />
Columbia held a gala premiere of "Hanover<br />
Street" on May 17 to benefit the American<br />
Roger<br />
friends"<br />
Grooms<br />
in the Cincinnati<br />
reviewing<br />
Enquirier<br />
"Old Boy-<br />
said,<br />
Red Cross, District of Columbia chap-<br />
ter. Included in the $30-a-person ticket were<br />
"Talia Shire<br />
as a young<br />
gives<br />
clinical<br />
a bravura performance<br />
psychologist limping<br />
3 wine and cheese party hosted by Neiman away from a shattered marriage . . . But<br />
Marcus at Mazza Gallerie, the 8 p.m. dispite beautiful and risk-taking performances,<br />
screening at General Cinema's Jennifer Cinand<br />
innovative and thoughtful direction,<br />
a provocative script, 'Old Boyfriends'<br />
5ma, and an after-theatre supper at The<br />
Magic Pan. "Hanover Street's" area com- remains a quizzical, almost-made-it film."<br />
Mid States again held Friday and Satiuday<br />
evening sneak previews of Orion's "A<br />
Little Romance" with Laurence Olivier and<br />
Sally Kellerman. This was a "holdover" for<br />
the sneak, of sorts, since the week before<br />
the Kenwood and Studio had held screenings.<br />
Northgate hosted the latest unreeling.<br />
Advertising proclaimed that the additional<br />
preview was for "those who couldn't gel<br />
in" previously.<br />
Avco's new comedy "A Very Big Withdrawal,"<br />
was also sneaked Friday at Kenwood<br />
Mall.<br />
The Palace, a former RKO film house<br />
that was reopened last October after restoration<br />
and polishing to feature major live entertainment,<br />
has been leased to a trio of new<br />
investors. They are Dino Santangelo, Jules<br />
Balkin, and Larry Dolan, and they plan lo<br />
continue featuring live<br />
entertainment.<br />
PHILADELPHIA<br />
Toe Adcock in the Philadelphia Bulletin, in<br />
reviewing "The 5th Musketeer," says:<br />
"There's a lot of fun in this movie for two<br />
sorts of people—those who like romantic<br />
lots of action adventures with swordplay<br />
bill<br />
Juccess of the NATO anti-blind bidding<br />
and those who like<br />
in the seems assured Pennsylvania<br />
fancy millinery." But<br />
Desmond Ryan in the Philadelphia Inquirer<br />
leneral Assembly. Reintroduced after it<br />
felt it suffered from "the usual dimwitted<br />
arrangements and stilted dialogue that afflict<br />
as held in Senate committee and thus<br />
iUed last year, the measure is now Senate<br />
films made for the widest possible in-<br />
ill 702 and has the signatures of 26 senaternational<br />
audiences."<br />
)rs as sponsors, being in itself assurance<br />
Glassboro (N.J.) Borough Council approved<br />
f passage. The House last year favored the<br />
an ordinance which may bring cable<br />
roposal nearly unanimously, thus no probm<br />
is expected there.<br />
television to the area as early as this summer.<br />
CATV Associates of Woodbury (N.J.)<br />
was awarded the franchise to install the system.<br />
Desmond Ryan in the Philadelphia In-<br />
has reduced Chicano to the merely chic."<br />
And Joe Baltake of the Daily News says it<br />
is "the best 1961 movie made in 1979 . . .<br />
I he plot is imitative of 'West Side Story.'<br />
but willioiil the benefit of entertainment<br />
Variety Club Women's Evening Group is<br />
planning a Disco Evening at Emerald City<br />
in June. Maxinc Orloff is in charge of tickets<br />
for the charity event.<br />
Janet Margolin was in town to meet the<br />
press for personality interviews in connection<br />
with her co-starring role in "The Last<br />
Embrace," which opened at Budco's Regency<br />
Theatre.<br />
Pic's Fabulous Bonus Offer:
Spotlight on New England<br />
RHODE ISLAND<br />
j^nother Plantation state underskycr is Lxing<br />
phased out. Cranston mayor Edward<br />
D. DiPrete disclosed that a niiilli-miliion<br />
dollar shopping and commercial complex<br />
will be developed on the site ol the<br />
Cranston Drive-ln. CranWar Associates, the<br />
developers, are readying plans for 100,300<br />
square feet of buildings to house a home<br />
improvement center, shops, a department<br />
store, offices and a restaurant.<br />
The Redslone Showcase Cinemas 6, Seekonk.<br />
had a sneak preview of EMC Films"<br />
"The Silent Partner."<br />
Veteran film director Martin Ritt. talking<br />
with the Rhode Island media aboaut 20th-<br />
Fox's "Norma Rae." summed up his feelings:<br />
"I'm interested in doing what I feel is<br />
right for me to do and if I'm lucky enough<br />
along the way to illuminate the human condition.<br />
I feel I've done a good year's work."<br />
SPRINGFIELD<br />
pilm Ventures Intemationars "Beyond the<br />
Door #2" had a saturation premiere<br />
across western Massachusetts, backed by<br />
large-scale advance and current newspaper<br />
advertising.<br />
J. Homer Flatten, 85, a former<br />
treasurer of the Motion Picture Producers<br />
and Distributors Assn. (predecessor organization<br />
of the Motion Picture Assn. of<br />
America), died May 5 at his home in Sheffield<br />
after a long illness.<br />
HARTFORD<br />
{Richard J. Wilson, vice president, SBC<br />
Management Corp., seems to have<br />
free.<br />
WORCESTER<br />
Yhe Edgemere Drive-In, off Rte. 20, held<br />
over a Paramount doublebill composed<br />
of current release "Up in Smoke," and 1968<br />
Jane Fonda film "Barbarella," for what was<br />
advertised as a "a second record week." Admission<br />
was $5 per carload.<br />
NEW HAVEN<br />
Qeneral Cinema Corp. had an unusual<br />
sneak preview approach for Warner<br />
Bros.' Orion Pictures release, "A Little Romance,"<br />
starring Sir Laurence Olivier and<br />
views are slated for one e\<br />
tion.<br />
VERMONT<br />
Sally Kellerman. The PG-rated attraction<br />
was previewed on two consecutive nights ta<br />
Friday and Saturday) in auditorium one.<br />
GCC's Milford Cinemas 2. Normally, prc-<br />
[Jnited Artists slotted Vermont premiere of<br />
Woody Allen's "Manhattan" into Merrill<br />
Theatre Corp.'s Merrill's Showcase 3,<br />
South Burlington. New World Pictures'<br />
"Star Crash" premiered at the same circuit's<br />
Essex Twin Cinema, Essex Junction.<br />
iVEr BRITAIN<br />
Yhe Berlin Drive-In Theatre scheduled the<br />
1979 season's first six-feature program,<br />
composed of half a dozen states-rights, X-<br />
rated releases, for Memorial Day weekend.<br />
The underskyer advertises "The Best in<br />
XXX Adult Motion Picture Entertainment."<br />
Discussion continues on conversion of<br />
Perakos Theatres Associates' downtown<br />
Palace to a community effort, accompanied<br />
by name change to The Opera House. Kenneth<br />
Larson of New Britain in a letter to<br />
the editor of The Herald pointed up a strong<br />
need for "a defined use with an economic<br />
motive for its sponsors and investors, and<br />
the financial, promotional and creative connections<br />
with the theatrical industry."<br />
NITE/TOFCO Will Reduce<br />
Film Rentals. Scott Says<br />
By ALLEN M. WIDEM<br />
Regional Correspondent<br />
WORCESTER, Mass.—Independent New<br />
England exhibitor Phillip J. Scott believes<br />
that the recently announced pact by the National<br />
Independent Theatre Exhibitors<br />
Assn. with a group of Canadian film<br />
investors<br />
may well spark film rental reduction<br />
for exhibition.<br />
Scott, current board chairman of NITE ol<br />
New England, told the media that the promise<br />
of the Canadian-based Theatre Owners<br />
latched on to a markedly appealing gimmick<br />
with umpteen weekend midnight screenings<br />
of 20th-Fox's "The Rocky Horror Picture<br />
Show" at the in-town Cinema City 4. The<br />
Film<br />
"top-quality,<br />
Cooperative<br />
first-run<br />
to provide<br />
features"<br />
at<br />
during<br />
least 75<br />
the<br />
next decade, serves to avoid many trade<br />
first 25 patrons in costume are admitted<br />
practices that gall NITE membership, including<br />
blind bidding.<br />
Scott also hopes that the influx of Canadian<br />
product will reduce the cost of film<br />
for exhibitors. "It's the old story," he adds,<br />
"of supply and demand."<br />
Scott also told the media: "Canada is<br />
really<br />
trying to get film production to grow.<br />
And right now the biggest advantage to producing<br />
a film in Canada are tax breaks.<br />
While the United States has done away with<br />
a lot of its tax credits for filmmaking, Canada<br />
is still allowing big write-offs."<br />
He said that major filmmaking facilities<br />
have been developed in Canada, with promise<br />
of more to come.<br />
Overall, Scott said, the NITE/TOFCO<br />
plan provides a sound approach for exhibition<br />
in these trying times. "We'll be getting<br />
these films," he said, "at much lower rates<br />
than what we could gel Ihcm ihrouL'h major<br />
film companies."<br />
MILWAUKEE<br />
Chelmon Masce has taken a lease on the<br />
long-standing Towne Theatre at Third<br />
and Wisconsin Ave., and as of May 1 1 was<br />
to operate it as a kung-fu-type, action-flick<br />
house. He retains operation of the Strand<br />
Theatre, which is located in a building on<br />
Wisconsin Avenue that is to be razed sometime<br />
during the summer to make room for<br />
a project of an undisclosed nature. In the<br />
weeks and months of operation that remain,<br />
Masce told <strong>Boxoffice</strong> he stills hopes to feature<br />
mostly vintage films such as those he<br />
has screened in recent months: "The Wizard<br />
of Oz," "South Pacific" and "The Sound of<br />
Music." Shelmon also owns and operates the<br />
Countryside Twins in Muskego only a few<br />
miles from Milwaukee. Concessions Services<br />
of Chicago will handle the concession operations<br />
in all three houses.<br />
Meanwhile the Christian Cinema Inc., for<br />
whom Bryant Alexander had taken a lease<br />
on the Towne Theatre last fall in order to<br />
run religious movies aind live stage entertainment,<br />
has decided to move its operations to<br />
the Uptown Theatre at 49th and North<br />
Ave.<br />
Art Heling, local office manager for Al.<br />
held a special tradescreening of "Sunnyside"<br />
starring Joey Travolta at the Centre<br />
Screening Room May 8. An action adventure<br />
film, this one manages to mix a lew<br />
moments of tender romance plus a G-raied<br />
surprise birthday party for Mama with<br />
some of the foulest language and wanton<br />
killing episodes ever seen in an R-rated<br />
flick. It comes off tougher than "The Warriors."<br />
The 50th anniversary of the Avalon Theatre<br />
was celebrated the evening of May 9<br />
with a silent movie and a Wurlitzer pipe<br />
organ show.<br />
BALTIMORE<br />
pilms starting April 27 were "Old Boyfriends"<br />
at the Campus Hills, Liberty,<br />
Northpoint Plaza and Senator: "Love at<br />
First Bite" at Harford Mall. Jumpers. Mayfair,<br />
Patterson, Rotunda, Timonium and<br />
Westview, and "The Psychic" plus "Amuck"<br />
at the Edmonson and Bengies drive-ins.<br />
Allan Ripp of the News American staff,<br />
in reviewing "Love at First Bite," had this<br />
to say: "The name of the movie is 'Love at<br />
First Bite,' but you'll have to wait until the<br />
first laugh to fall for this thoroughly lovable<br />
vampire flick . . . Everything about (it)<br />
is<br />
perfect."<br />
"Boulevard Nights" started May 2 at the<br />
New Theatre with an all-day preview of<br />
"Circle of Iron."<br />
Three shows are presently being presented<br />
at The Town simultaneously. They are:<br />
"Chinatown Kid." "Three the Hard Way"<br />
and "Bruce Lee Fights Back From the<br />
Grave."<br />
E-4<br />
BOXOFFICE M; 1979
mST RUN REPORT<br />
Denver<br />
(Avciage is 100)<br />
Rogers in the 25th Century<br />
S.i.m. I„.K<br />
(Univ), 3 theatres, 5th wk 'SO<br />
|The Chainp (MGM-UA), 2 theatres,<br />
5th wk 200<br />
ITie China Syndrome (Col), Contincnlal<br />
"<br />
8th wk<br />
I 20<br />
[The Deer Hunter (Univ), Colorado 4,<br />
"<br />
11th wk 250<br />
tlHair (UA). Colorado 4, 6th wk .TfiO<br />
Hurricane (Para). 3 theatres, 4th wk. . . 40<br />
Last Embrace (UA), 4 theatres, 1st wk. 100<br />
Manhattan (UA), 2 theatres, 1st wk. . .400<br />
The Promise (Univ), 3 theatres, 5th wk. 55<br />
Same Time, Next Year (Univ), Cooper<br />
13th wk 70<br />
Superman (WB), Century 21, 20th wk. 100
Hollywood<br />
J)ON COSCARELLl, writer-director ol<br />
Avco Embassy's "Phantasm." will go<br />
on a tour of Europe to promote the science<br />
fiction /fantasy feature set to open this<br />
sprine in Germany, France and Britain.<br />
•<br />
Murray Pollack, 60, president of the<br />
Screen Extras Guild, died of cancer May<br />
10. He joined the guild in 1951 and remained<br />
a member since then. He was first<br />
elected to the SEG board of directors in<br />
1957 and was vice president from September<br />
1959 to December 1974 when he was elected<br />
president.<br />
•<br />
Actress Jenny Agutter accepted the Ruby<br />
Slipper Award of the American Center of<br />
Films for Children on behalf of Henry<br />
Geddes. executive producer of England's<br />
Children's Film Foundation, and Patricia<br />
Latham, writer of many CFF productions.<br />
The presentation was made at the Ruby<br />
Slipper Awards dinner May 12 at the Bever-<br />
Wilshire Hotel.<br />
ly<br />
•<br />
Avco Embassy's bank heist/ love story.<br />
"A Man, A Woman and a Bank," has been<br />
retitled "A Very Big Withdrawal." The<br />
$4-million comedy-drama stars Donald<br />
Sutherland. Brooke Adams and Paul Mazursky<br />
and is scheduled for October release.<br />
•<br />
Michael Douglas has signed an exclusive<br />
three-year contract to produce films for<br />
Columbia Pictures. He plans to announce<br />
his first project shortly.<br />
•<br />
Principal photography has been completed<br />
on "Strong Together." produced and<br />
written by Harry Hope and directed by<br />
Dan Seeger.<br />
Richard Fleishcr, director of such films<br />
as "Fantastic Voyage," "Doctor Doolittle,"<br />
"Tora! Tora! Tora!" "Soylent Green" and<br />
"The New Centurians," conducted discussions<br />
and seminars with film students al<br />
the<br />
University of Washington and members of<br />
the Seattle Film Society May 7 and 8. The<br />
seminars were part of the visiting artists<br />
program of the Academy of Motion Picture<br />
FILMACK IS<br />
1st CHOICE<br />
WITH<br />
SHOWMEN<br />
EVERYWHERE<br />
Happenings<br />
Arts and Sciences and the Academy Foundation.<br />
•<br />
Cast and crew of MGM's "Captain Avenger"<br />
are shooting in New York on a loiuweek<br />
location schedule during which sequences<br />
will be filmed at such well-known<br />
spots as Sardi's, Gaiety Delicatessen, Shiibert<br />
Alley. Sheridan Square, Greenwich Village,<br />
Park Avenue and City Hall.<br />
Susan Anton, the Goldengirl of Avco Em<br />
bassy's "Goldengirl" sports drama, is in<br />
Cannes for a full round of promotional<br />
activities in behalf of the picture, including<br />
photo sessions for major European magazines,<br />
television and radio. She also will<br />
participate in three major screenings of Iho<br />
picture.<br />
Kenneth A. Doncourt. 36. son of comedian-producer<br />
Ken Murray and Cleatus Caldwell,<br />
died May 2 of cancer at St. Joseph's<br />
Hospital in Burbank. At the time he was<br />
stricken he was editing his father's forthcoming<br />
film, "Ken Murray's Shooting<br />
Stars." Doncourt had worked in ABC-TV<br />
news for five years and won two Emmy<br />
awards for editing documentaries, as editor<br />
of "Rats" and assistant editor on "James<br />
Wong Howe, the Man and His Movies" and<br />
"The Unwanted."<br />
•<br />
Winners of the Sixth Annual Student Film<br />
Awards competition will be announced Jime<br />
3 at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts<br />
and Sciences.<br />
•<br />
Cast and crew of United Artists' "A Small<br />
Circle of Friends," having completed six<br />
weeks of shooting on locations around Boston,<br />
have come back to Hollywood lor<br />
about a month of filming here.<br />
*<br />
Major league umpires, walking the picket<br />
lines in their strike against organized baseball,<br />
have won the support of the Screen<br />
Actors Guild in an "expansion of solidarity<br />
from one group of professionals to another."<br />
Said executive secretary Chester L. Migden:<br />
"Our recent experience on the picket line<br />
ORDER FROM FILMACK<br />
WHENEVER YOU NEED<br />
SPECIAL FILMS<br />
DATE STRIPS,<br />
CROSS PLUGS,<br />
MERCHANT ADS,<br />
SPECIAL AN-<br />
NOUNCEMENTS<br />
FILMACK STUDIOS, INC.<br />
during the commercials strike has increased<br />
our awareness and sensitivity to the pliglil<br />
of other striking workers."<br />
SAN FRANCISCO<br />
J^ocky Horror Picture Show" cultists can<br />
now enjoy their passion in multimedia.<br />
Double Feature, a performance group that<br />
duplicates the entire cast of the film, performs<br />
the music and dialogue in unison<br />
with RHPS screenings at the Strand Theatre<br />
each Saturday at midnight. Since they began<br />
appearing four weeks ago. Saturday business<br />
has been growing steadily.<br />
George Romero and Richard Rubinstein,<br />
director and producer respectively, were in<br />
the area for several days promoting the ,<br />
opening of their feature "Dawn of the<br />
Dead." a United Film Distributors release.<br />
|<br />
<strong>Boxoffice</strong> and critical reaction have been<br />
excellent.<br />
Alice Faye is the next actress to appear<br />
in the Warfield Theatre's series of tributes.<br />
Clips from her work will be screened and<br />
she will appear for an onstage interview<br />
May 23.<br />
Dustin Hoffman, Clint Eastwood and<br />
Dennis Weaver, actors who have recently<br />
appeared in films or television programs<br />
about American Indians, were at press time<br />
expected to attend the American Indian Film<br />
Festival. The fourth annual program of<br />
films by or about American Indians began<br />
a three-day run May 17 at the Palace of<br />
Fine Arts Theatre. The opening night feature<br />
was the 1977 Academy Award nominee,<br />
"The American Indian Exposition."<br />
The festival concluded with the American<br />
Indian Motion Picture Awards ceremony,<br />
featuring awards for best picture, best documentary,<br />
best direction and other achievements.<br />
Also expected to attend the festival<br />
were Chief Dan George, nominated for an<br />
Oscar for "Little Big Man": Will Sampson,<br />
co-star of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's<br />
Nest," and other American Indian actors.<br />
John P. McLucas, office manager of United<br />
Artists' San Francisco branch, died May<br />
6 at 63. McLucas had joined United Artists<br />
in June 1957 and had previously been associated<br />
with RKO Pictures for 11 years.<br />
THEATRE<br />
DRIVE-IN<br />
SCREENS<br />
'The Quality Tower that never<br />
has had lo be replaced.^'<br />
GENE TAYLOR<br />
D & D Fabrication<br />
and Erection<br />
Co.<br />
Post Office Box 3524<br />
Shawnee, Kansas 66203<br />
913-631-9695<br />
BOXOFFICE :: May 21, 1979
TUCSON<br />
Cneak previews: "Wanda Nevada" at ilic<br />
Buena Vista 2: "A Little Romance" at<br />
the Showcase.<br />
Old Tucson Corp. has bought the lights<br />
Elvis Presley's home movies from his<br />
widow Priscilla. Rights to license the films<br />
to other amusement parks are included in<br />
the deal. According to Burt Sugarman, OTC<br />
chairman, the footage, mostly shot by his<br />
widow, will be edited into a one-hour film<br />
and new scenes of Mrs. Presley introducing<br />
and narrating the film will be added.<br />
SEATTLE<br />
Deter Tudor is the new manager of Tom<br />
Moyer's Coliseum where "Battlestar<br />
Galactica" opened in Sensurround May 18.<br />
Jeff Craig assumed duties as manager of<br />
the Admiral Theatre in Bremerton for the<br />
Tom Moyer chain of theatres May 9.<br />
Bud Dunwoody, western Washington<br />
state division manager for Tom Moyer<br />
Theatres, has his headquarters presently in<br />
their Beilevue Crossroads Quad complex.<br />
Donna Edgley is the new director of advertising<br />
for Moyer, based in Portland headquarters.<br />
She succeeds Dale Pearce who<br />
is now director of operations.<br />
Joe McCann, formerly with Fun magazine,<br />
is now a full-time employee of Thunder<br />
Media Inc., with offices in both Portland<br />
and Seattle. Sincerest congratulations<br />
and best wishes to this correspondent's<br />
partner in his new field of endeavor. His<br />
younger brother Jerry comes aboard Fun<br />
as of this week.<br />
Sally Kellerman, who stars in "A Little<br />
Romance," made a persona! appearance in<br />
conjunction with the film, which opened the<br />
Moore Egyptian's fourth annual international<br />
film festival May 10. The festival runs<br />
through June 6 and its three directors,<br />
Rajeeve Gupta, Dan Ireland and Darryl<br />
MacDonald, have rounded up 83 feature<br />
films and 33 shorts, including 13 American<br />
premieres. Some 26 countries are represented.<br />
Ms. Kellerman also made a number<br />
of media appearances. The film was also<br />
sneak previewed both Friday and Saturday,<br />
May 11 and 12, at the Guild 45th Street<br />
where it is the next attraction.<br />
"A Hero Ain't Nothin' But a Sandwich '<br />
went into the Town Theatre May 11.<br />
"Voices" was sneak previewed at the Renton<br />
Village, Seattle Aurora and Beilevue<br />
to<br />
Overlake Cinemas with "The Champ" May<br />
11... "The Prisoner of Zenda" was sneak<br />
pievicvved at the Beilevue Overlake Cinema<br />
with "The Champ" May 16 ... "A Very<br />
Large Withdrawal" was sneak previewed at<br />
the Beilevue Theatre with "The China Syndrome"<br />
May IL<br />
The tradescreening for Walt Disney Productions'<br />
"The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides<br />
Again" was held May 17 at the Seven<br />
Gables Theatre.<br />
Benny Hannah of Northwest Diversilicd<br />
Entertainment has closed the Jewel Box<br />
screening room, but is definitely looking<br />
for a new building to house a screening<br />
room facility.<br />
DENVER<br />
J^orris Birnbaum has taken over as branch<br />
manager at Columbia, replacing Kenneth<br />
Newbert who resigned. Birnbaum started<br />
with Columbia in Cleveland and was<br />
transferred to Los Angeles as a salesman.<br />
He was then transferred to Des Moines as<br />
branch manager prior to his moving to Denver.<br />
Evergreen Theatres of Colorado is converting<br />
the Prairie Theatre, Ogallala, Neb.,<br />
into a twin. The remodeled facility will have<br />
225 seats on one side and 175 on the other.<br />
Construction should be completed by May<br />
30.<br />
Theatre Services and Management Inc..<br />
headed by Richard C. Bateman, has taken<br />
over the operation of the L and L Drive-In<br />
at Louisville, Colo. The theatre will be renamed<br />
the Star-Lite Drive-In and will operate<br />
on a seven-day-a-week basis with a $3-<br />
per-carload admission policy.<br />
Mid America Releasing held a Friday<br />
night screening of "The Silent Partner" at<br />
the Target Theatre . . . Full page newspaper<br />
advertisements were taken in local<br />
newspapers to announce the screening of<br />
PETERSON<br />
THEATRE<br />
455 Bearcat Drive<br />
Times Square Park<br />
SUPPLY<br />
Salt Lake City, Utah 84115<br />
801-466-7642<br />
"A Little Romance" at the University Hills<br />
Theatre.<br />
Peggy Rea has left Bucna Vista Film<br />
Distributing and returned to Batter Booking<br />
and Buying where she will handle boxoffice<br />
statements and disbursements.<br />
Visiting Denver to set datings were David<br />
Cory, Goodhand Theatre, Kimhall. Neb.,<br />
and Neal Lloyd, Wcslhnul I heal res, Colorado<br />
Springs.<br />
Don't mits out on thli fantastic Bonu* Otfwl<br />
Pk's Fabulous Bonus Offer:<br />
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NIVERSAL THEATRE SUPPLY<br />
- HOME OFFICE -<br />
264 East 1st South, Salt Loke City, Utah 8411)<br />
May 21, 1979<br />
W-3
That happy face belongs to my friend Cecil Andrus' daughter Ti-acy<br />
Lately people say there's something new about her smile. Something I understand better than<br />
anyone. When I wasn't much older than Ti-acy, I beat cancer too.<br />
Senator Frank Church<br />
Almost 30 years sei)arate our victories.Years that brought major advances in. the<br />
treatment of cancer. Wlien I was fighting for my life, Ti-acy's chances wouldn't have been good. Then<br />
most people with Hodgkin's disease, people like Ti-acy, died within 5 years.<br />
But yom- generosity helped change things. You funded research that developed new<br />
treatments. Ti-eatments that saved Ti-ac/s life. Now she's leaving her job as a legislative assistant and<br />
going back to om- home state of Idaho. Back to school. Back to a life that's much dearer for<br />
nearly having lost it.<br />
Ti-acy and I ai-en't unique. Almost 2 million Amencans have beaten cancer. But much still .<br />
remains to be done. Thi-ough research, rehabilitation and education, the Amencan Cancer Society<br />
is making yom- contributions count.<br />
American Cdiicer Socictyi<br />
CANCER CAN BE BEAT<br />
Almost 2 million people are living proof your contributions count.<br />
This space c-cmt ributed by thp publisher as a public service.<br />
W-4 BOXOFFICE :: May 21, 1979
. Superman<br />
.^. . . . . . ... .<br />
....<br />
I J ^<br />
mST RUN<br />
REPORT<br />
Marie Berglund, first vice president; Eariinc<br />
Dupuis, second vice president; Doris Stevens,<br />
rccoiding secretary; Sandy Staub. corresponding<br />
secretary; and Georgette Lcto,<br />
treasurer. The installation banquet will be<br />
held in<br />
June.<br />
PALM REACH<br />
New Orleans<br />
The Champ (MGM). Plaza. 4th wk. . . .225 ' r^t-l^* *^ '" -^ ^ ' '<br />
The Deer Hunter (Univ), Robert E.<br />
^'"'**' ^'^^^ "^^" ^'^^'' nianagemcnt and<br />
Lee Plaza, 10th wk 340 H^'"''<br />
Firepower (SR). Loews, 1st wk 275 operation of the Carefree Theatre April<br />
Halloween (Compass). Loews, 2. The Carefree is a 900-seat theatre with<br />
7th wk 250 admissions 99 cents at all times. According<br />
Love at First Bite (AI), Lakeside, to Smith, the 99-ccnt ticket is attracting<br />
Plaza, 1st wk 550 large audiences. Roy Allison, Carefree pro-<br />
The Real Bruce Lee (SR), Orphcum, jectionist, celebrated his 30th year as pro-<br />
2nd wk 500 jectionist at that moviehouse on May 8.<br />
Same Time, Next Year (Univ),<br />
..^^^^^ ^^ p.^^^ g.^^ ,. ^^^^ American In-<br />
Lakeside 12thwk.<br />
. .^ Cross<br />
tcrnational, opened at Cinema 70,<br />
The Silent Partner (EMC). Plaza.<br />
^^^^^^^ g ^^^ ^^.^ ^.^^ ^-^^^^^ ^^ y^^^<br />
•<br />
1st wk. ^^^<br />
. -<br />
lg turnout is expected to see native<br />
NEW ORLEANS<br />
p^egarding "Wifemistress", critic Richard<br />
Dodds said it is "a wry and original<br />
comedy hailing from Italy. It is also a bit<br />
lascivious. It is not for those who don't like<br />
sexuality in their entertainment but its story<br />
goes beyond this one aspect, creating a<br />
stylish satire with a contemporary twist."<br />
"Harper Valley P.T.A.," a big grosser last<br />
summer, opened this week at various local<br />
theatres and surrounding towns.<br />
Gulf States Theatres has announced ihai<br />
they have closed the theatre in Yazoo Cii\.<br />
Miss., permanently.<br />
^'^-<br />
(WB) Lakeside 14.h wk. ... 150<br />
^^^ ^J ^^^^.,^^^ j; ^.^ ^^^^^, ^.^^<br />
^ Wifemistress (SR), Sena Mall,<br />
^^^ "Firepower" opened for a multiple screening<br />
on the same day at Cross County 8.<br />
'^'<br />
The Joy Theatre on Canal Street, recently<br />
reopened, is now a Twin. Joy 1. which<br />
is on the main floor, has 550 seats and Joy<br />
2, which is upstairs, has 350 seats. Both<br />
arc equipped with Dolby Sound as well as<br />
conventional optical sound.<br />
The first order of business conducted al<br />
the WOMPI April meeting held April 24<br />
was the election of officers for the 1979-80<br />
term. Those elected to serve were: Anna<br />
Clare Leggitt, second term as president;<br />
DRIVE-IN<br />
THEATRE<br />
SCREENS<br />
'The Quality Tower that never<br />
has had to be replaced."<br />
* • •<br />
GENE TAYLOR<br />
D & D Fabrication<br />
and Erection<br />
Co.<br />
Post Office Box 3524<br />
Shawnee, Kansas 66203<br />
913-631-9695<br />
Cinema 70 and Delray Square.<br />
Palm Beach County has been selected<br />
the setting for a movie that will begin filming<br />
later this month starring Frank Converse<br />
and Broderick Crawford. The feature,<br />
"Dead in the Water." is based on a true<br />
story and much of the filming will be done<br />
at the Port of Palm Beach. According to<br />
county commissioner Peggy Evatt, this<br />
county was selected because Bob Helmi.<br />
owner of Helmi Productions, lives in nearby<br />
Manalapan. Producers originally had considered<br />
filming in Fort Lauderdale.<br />
MIAMI<br />
John Huddy, Miami Herald entertainment<br />
editor, tells his readers to prepare for<br />
a new wave of science fiction films. Some<br />
of the big science fiction movies coming up<br />
are "Alie^n"; "The Black Hole," Walt Disney's<br />
attempt to regain the 15-to-35 age<br />
as<br />
market; "Star Trek—The Motion Picture."<br />
Paramount's picture with an $18 million<br />
budget and climbing; "The Empire Strikes<br />
Back." the "Star Wars" sequel with a<br />
budget of more than $20 million, and<br />
George Lucas directina; "Battlestar Galactica,"<br />
due to open in Miami May 25; "Close<br />
Encounters of the Third Kind," reworked<br />
version of the 1977 movie of the same<br />
name; and "The Day the World Ended,"<br />
part science fiction, part disaster that is<br />
scheduled for release in mid- 1980.<br />
"A Little Romance" is playing in South<br />
Florida to full theatres, with people waiting<br />
outside to gel in. Full page advertisements<br />
in local newspapers proclaimed the arrival<br />
of the film, which has played to standingroom-only<br />
screenings across the country.<br />
"Boulevard Nights" has just opened a run<br />
in a striing of South Florida theatres. The<br />
controversial movie debuted in Los Angeles<br />
and New York filmmaker Bill Bcrenson says<br />
he started the movie as a documentary more<br />
than two years ago. According to Miami<br />
critics, the film is doing fair business in suburban<br />
theatres, but is strong with Latins<br />
living im the area. Berenson came to Miami<br />
for the opening of the film. He says it's onethird<br />
a gang movie; it was made in East Los<br />
Angeles with a $2.5 million budget. Berenson<br />
has said he researched the Chicano culture<br />
for months before he started filming.<br />
When he came to Miami he was taken on<br />
a tour of the Latin areas of the city, and<br />
he told reviewers he was astonished at Ihe<br />
affluence and the success of the Cubans<br />
who have moved to Miami.<br />
DALLAS<br />
TJniversal Film Exchanges held a national<br />
sales meeting in New Orleans the first<br />
week in May. Those attending from the<br />
Dallas branch were: Bob Bowers. Dan<br />
Snide. Ed Harris, Bob Lee. John Williams,<br />
and John Trickett. Bob Wilkerson, formerly<br />
fiom Dallas but now of the Los Angeles<br />
executive offices, presided over the meeting.<br />
Paramount Pictures had a sales meeting<br />
in the Sheraton Inn at the Atlanta Airport<br />
Hotel on May 10-11. Those from Dallas in<br />
attendance were: Wayne Lewellen. Terry<br />
Kierzek. Floyd Carter. Paul Rozenburg.<br />
Ethel Hodge and Willard Cunningham.<br />
James Prichard of New World Pictures<br />
of Dallas reports "Halloween" is still doing<br />
terrific business in Dallas and they are looking<br />
forward to a very successful summer<br />
business.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: May S-1
'<br />
Ir<br />
HOUSTON<br />
"The two day film festival. TEXPO 79.<br />
which was postponed by the Rice Media<br />
Center because of flooding and subsequent<br />
power failure during a recent storm.<br />
was rescheduled. The fifth annual festival<br />
originally presented films by Texas filmmakers<br />
and films of Texas but has been<br />
enlarged to include films from the Southwest.<br />
Arkansas and Louisiana.<br />
Writers/ producers Kevin Hartigan and<br />
David Garber were in Houston to scout locations<br />
for "A Night at the Ballet." Other<br />
cities where the film will be shot are New<br />
Orleans, Washington and San Francisco. A<br />
budget of between $3 million and $4 million<br />
is set and is being financed by United<br />
Artists. The Houston Ballet Co. may appear<br />
in<br />
the film.<br />
Eric Gerber of the Houston Post reviewed<br />
"Picnic at Hanging Rock" and slated<br />
that on the basis of his recent success with<br />
"The Last Wave," Australian director Peter<br />
Weir's earlier film, "Picnic at Hanging<br />
Rock" has now been released in America,<br />
"It is a brilliant and exasperating work and<br />
most assuredly one that any serious filmgoer<br />
has to see" ... He wrote that "Phantasm"<br />
is "long on gore and laughable short<br />
on logic and pace. With no credible plot<br />
and only the flattest of characters, there's<br />
no suspense generated, just an awkwardly<br />
spaced series of special effects for the Grand<br />
Guigonol fans" . . . Gerber wrote that<br />
after the "qualified disaster" of his last<br />
outing, "Interiors," Woody Allen's "Manhattan"<br />
comes as a "refreshing return to<br />
comedy, though this film makes it abundantly<br />
clear that the serious side of Allen<br />
is growing in importance."<br />
New film titles on indoor and OLildoor<br />
theatres marquees include "The Silent Partner,"<br />
"Ashanti," "Dawn of the Dead,"<br />
"Dreamer," "Last Embrace," "Manhattan,"<br />
"Old Boyfriends," "Picnic at Hanging<br />
Rock," "Star Crash," "The Dark, "A Lhlle<br />
Romance," "Wives," a double bill of "National<br />
Lampoon's Animal House" and the<br />
Marx Brothers' "Animal Crackers," "Here<br />
Comes Mr. Jordan," the 1941 comedy recently<br />
remade as "Heaven Can Wait," plus<br />
"Down to Earth," "The Cycle," and Andy<br />
Warhol's "Flesh and Women."<br />
SAN ANTONIO<br />
Organizers of the Fourth Annual Chicano<br />
Film Festival, San Antonio CineFestival,<br />
have begun soliciting entries. The festival<br />
will accept film and video programs<br />
produced by Hispanics or relating to (he<br />
Hispanic community in the United Stales.<br />
The deadline for receiving all entries is lulv<br />
15. The dates for this year's festival are<br />
Aug. 24-25. The two day festival has chosen<br />
downtown locations for its film exhibition<br />
and conferences. Daytime events will be in<br />
the El Mercado Square and large evening<br />
screenings at the Theatre for the Performing<br />
Arts.<br />
Estrellita Lopez, star of the film "Only<br />
Once in a Lifetime," currently showing at<br />
the Northwest Six and Century South Six,<br />
appeared in the Northwest Six to sign autographs<br />
for three hours.<br />
Don Huff in his column Weeksworlli in<br />
the Herald reviewed three films. He said<br />
"Hurricane" was set in Pago Pago "where<br />
their chief means of sustenence was breadfruit<br />
but the chief commodity of this film<br />
is a torrent of corn. But this film's idea of<br />
south sea island adventure and romance is<br />
largely as exciting as the bieadfruit, wilh<br />
Mia Farrow as the improbable blond seductress<br />
and Jason Robards as her father.<br />
Not surprisingly, this story was adapted<br />
from a work by Nordoff and Hall, the same<br />
duo who wrote "Mutiny on the Bounty.' This<br />
version has two Fletcher Christians, one<br />
white and one brown, both anxious for the<br />
blonde. Quite a meretricious, racist, Freudian<br />
mix." . . . "Director Milos Foreman is<br />
still quite the noble immigrant. His movie<br />
version of the musical 'Hair' still has people<br />
dancing in Central Park, even if the<br />
choreography is by Thyla Tharp. The film<br />
is neither enchanting, poignant, radical nor<br />
nostalgic. It merely serves to mark the passage<br />
of time. So will a calendar." . . ..<br />
"Sally Field turns in an excellent perform-*<br />
ance in 'Norma Rae.' which is an excellent<br />
little film besides. She is the protagonist of<br />
this slice of the textile workers union movement<br />
in the deep South. Aside from Norniii<br />
Rae, the majority of the characters aren't;<br />
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. . . "Old<br />
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ATLANTA<br />
. . .<br />
J^arqiiee changes: M;ijoi Hollywood Previews<br />
ushered in "A Little Romance."<br />
The screenings were at the Akers Mill and<br />
Southlake Theatres May 1 1 and 12. A similar<br />
campaign was carried on for Avco<br />
Embassy Pictures release of "Phantasm."<br />
Boyfriends" is showing at the<br />
Parkaire Mall Twin, Akers Mill. North De-<br />
Kaih Twin and Southlake Rialto is<br />
offering "Dawn of the Dead" . Hill<br />
is (99 cents) showing "The Great Train Robbery."<br />
Belton Clark, vice president of the .lacksonville-based<br />
Clark firm, represented the<br />
company at a cocktail party May 7 on the<br />
second day of the Southeastern NATO convention.<br />
Clark said the product reels were<br />
first rate. Among the films shown was<br />
"Reels of Willie Nelson's Fourth of July<br />
Celebration." scheduled to open in Atlanta<br />
soon.<br />
International Picture Show, an Atlantabased<br />
movie production and distribution<br />
company, has reached an agreement to become<br />
the sole United States and Canadian<br />
distributor of a package of motion pictures<br />
of Rank Film Distributors Ltd., whose parent<br />
is one of Europe's oldest movie conglomerates.<br />
The privately held local company,<br />
which had sales of $12 million last year,<br />
handles theatrical, nonlheatrical and television<br />
distribution of films.<br />
John H. Stenibler Jr. of Atlanta has been<br />
elected president of the National Association<br />
of Theatre Owners of Georgia. An<br />
executive with the Atlanta-based Georgia<br />
Theatre Co. since 1968, Stembler currently<br />
serves as the company's operations and concessions<br />
manager. Before his election at the<br />
Clark Film Co. Inc. is moving their Atlanta<br />
organization's annual meeting in Mobile,<br />
NATO quartets effective May 15. Their new<br />
was secretary of of<br />
address is in the Northlake Quadrangle,<br />
Ala., Stembler<br />
Georgia.<br />
Suite 382. 2200 Northlake Parkway. Atlanta,<br />
Ga. 30084. The number is (404) 491- 'The Innocent," the final film from director<br />
7766. Lewis Owens is the branch manager;<br />
Luchino Visconti, will be given its<br />
Tim Petree. booker: and a newcomer to the Atlanta premiere at Storey's Rhodes Theatre.<br />
Bernice Clements.<br />
A theatre spokesman says the diama<br />
staff is<br />
will be presented there after the current<br />
engagement of director Marco Vicario's engagement<br />
of "Wifemistress" ends.<br />
CHARLOTTE<br />
prom the desk of Eddie Marks of Stewart<br />
and Everett Theatres: "California<br />
Dreaming" has been booked by the circuit<br />
and Marks suggests a free beach weekend<br />
ORDER FROM FILMACK<br />
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1st CHOICE HSPECIAL FILMS<br />
WITH<br />
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QUALITY, SERVICE AND<br />
PRESTIGE TO FILM USERS<br />
IN THE UNITED STATES.<br />
DATE STRIPS,<br />
CROSS PLUGS,<br />
MERCHANT ADS,<br />
SPECIAL AN-<br />
NOUNCEMENTS<br />
FILMACK STUDIOS, INC.<br />
for two as a tie-in with radio stations. They<br />
could give away a weekend at one of the<br />
coastal Carolina beach resorts. Most radio<br />
stations have trade-out deals with beach<br />
motels or can easily arrange the trade-out.<br />
You can further sweeten the deal by promoting<br />
free gas for the trip. Tie in with the<br />
gas station to give the amount of gas necessary<br />
to make the trip in return for advertising<br />
as part of the promotion. Tie in with<br />
stores to spell out the title "California<br />
Dreaming" with sand on the carpet or floor<br />
with beachweai window displays and use a<br />
poster in<br />
the window as a focal point.<br />
Donald Shafer, assistant branch manager<br />
for Sun Classic<br />
Pictures Inc. of Atlanta, advises<br />
that he has 16 features available for<br />
sub-run and second features matinees. Some<br />
of the pictures are: "Gulliver's Travels," "In<br />
Search of Noah's Ark," "The Mysterious<br />
Monsters." "The Life and Times of Grizzly<br />
Adams," "The Bermuda Triangle" and<br />
"Mountain Men."<br />
Frank Jones and Allen Locke of Southern<br />
Booking & Adv. Co. attended the NATO<br />
of Georgia. Alabama and Tennessee meeting<br />
at the Sheraton Hotel in Mobile. Ala.,<br />
which began May 5. They were joined<br />
by the executives of Fairlane/ Litchfield<br />
Theatres. Easley, S.C. Mr. and Mrs. Sam<br />
Cloninger represented Consolidated Theaties<br />
of Charlotte, N.C<br />
Screenings at Car-Mel: "Sunnyside"<br />
(American International). "Wanda Nevada"<br />
(United Artists).<br />
Mr. and Mrs. Percy Osteen of Anderson<br />
Theatres. Anderson, S.C. were in town to<br />
see "Manhattan" (United Artists) and "Meatballs"<br />
(Paramount).<br />
Top grosses of the week: "Love at First<br />
Bite," 'The Deer Hunter." "The Champ."<br />
"The China Syndrome" and "Dawn of Ihe<br />
Dead."<br />
New pictures on the marquees: "Firepower."<br />
"A Different Story." "Love at First<br />
B;te" and "Get Out Your Handkerchiefs."<br />
Max Rosenbiirg was in from New York<br />
City conferring with Bill Simpson of Simpson<br />
Dist. Co. on his new picture. "House of<br />
Crazies," which promises to be a smash hit<br />
at the boxoffice. It has a notable cast of<br />
marquee value, starring Peter Gushing,<br />
Richard Todd, Barbara Parkins. Herbert<br />
Lom and Britt Ekland. The director is Roy<br />
Baker, who with this film celebrates his<br />
25th year as a director. The film was<br />
screened at Car-Mel and was received enthusiasticallv.<br />
"Everything for your theatre— except<br />
©<br />
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Drive N.E.<br />
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Atlanta, Go. 30324<br />
Charlotte, N.C. 28202 Blind Bid Law's Effect<br />
(404) 876-0347<br />
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CHARLOTTE. N.C. — Although North<br />
Carolina's new anti-blind bidding law may<br />
704-333-9651 /^l f u Hi t C /<br />
make a difference in available movies and<br />
L^hanotte theatre ^uppli^<br />
their prices, distributors and exhibitors say<br />
it is too early to tell.<br />
Full Line Theatre Supply House<br />
The law, which passed the General Assembly<br />
229 S. Church Street<br />
CIS<br />
April 25 and takes effect July 1.<br />
• P. O. Box 1973 Charlotte, N.C. 28201 prohibits movie distributors from renting<br />
•<br />
(Continued on page S-4)<br />
May S-3
(Continued from page S-3)<br />
movies to theaties before theatre owners<br />
have had a chance to see them. A similar<br />
law in South Carolina allegedly is responsible<br />
for a slight delay in the opening of<br />
first-run<br />
movies.<br />
"I don't think it's going to change anything<br />
radically." says Charlie Hunsiick.<br />
United Artists branch manager. "It may<br />
delay the release shortly, but by the same<br />
token, it may get the producers on the<br />
ball." Hunsuck said he thought movies<br />
might get to North Carolina a month or two<br />
later than usual.<br />
Opinions differ on whether you'll secmore<br />
of fewer movies under the new law.<br />
Herman Stone, president of NATO of<br />
North and South Carolina, said he expected<br />
more films.<br />
"We should like to see more pictures in<br />
the marketplace." Stone said. "But the boxoffice<br />
is going to dictate a lot of play time,<br />
which is the way it should be."<br />
But Francis Gormley, branch manager<br />
for 20th Century-Fox, said that fewer smiill<br />
budget films, such as Fox's "Dreamer."<br />
would be seen.<br />
"It's little pictures that are going to suffer."<br />
says Gormley. "They're going to go lo<br />
commercial pictures that they know they<br />
can get a return on. Maybe pictures like<br />
'Dreamer' don't need to be made. But who<br />
knows what may be shelved"<br />
Theatre owners have said that the risk in<br />
showing blind-bid films helped drive up<br />
ticket prices.<br />
"The legislature perceived what the problem<br />
of the theatre owner was and that, in<br />
fact, we are responsible to the general pub<br />
lie," Stone says, "When we played a picture<br />
that was offensive we always came back<br />
with a reason: 'We didn't get to see the picture,'<br />
The legislature understood this prob<br />
lem,"<br />
So you may be seeing cleaner pictiues.<br />
but distributor Hunsuck doesn't think you<br />
will be seeing better pictures.<br />
"When the exhibitors screen them, the<br />
don't know anything more about how ii"<br />
going to gross than they blind bid them,<br />
says Hunsuck. "If you're that smart \oi<br />
don't need to be in the film business."<br />
MEMPHIS<br />
The Arkansas NATO convention was held<br />
recently in Hot Springs, Ark., April 29-<br />
May 2. More than 1 10 people from the industry<br />
attended the 3-day event.<br />
After niany years as a figure in our industry,<br />
the National Theatre Supply closed<br />
its Memphis office May 5 and will consolidate<br />
with another one of National's<br />
branches.<br />
WOMPI officers for 1979-80 are Evelyn<br />
Rusing. president; Juanita Hamblin, vice<br />
president: Bonnie Steward, secretary; and<br />
Lois Evans, treasurer. Installation will be<br />
held Monday June 25 on the Memphis<br />
Queen .1 showboat.<br />
JACKSONVILLE<br />
^he Expressway Mall Cinema, in a tie-in<br />
with a local radio station, is having<br />
triple midnight shows on Friday and Saturday<br />
nights—all seats $1.97.<br />
Paraniount's "Players," a love story filmed<br />
at Wimbledon last year, will make one of<br />
several premiere showings around the country<br />
in Jacksonville on June 6.<br />
NATO of Florida is getting into action<br />
with a big advertising, concession and information<br />
seminar for owners and managers<br />
on May 24 at the Hyatt House in the<br />
Orlando area, located off Interstate 4 and<br />
192 East. Kissmmee, Fla. E.xhibitors will<br />
paper, radio and television discussions and<br />
new methods on concession sales.<br />
Local WOMPI members sponsored a<br />
see product reels of summer films, news-<br />
bingo<br />
party for the residents of Florida Christian<br />
Health Center on May 12. WOMPI will<br />
also serve refreshments to the handicapped<br />
teenagers at a dance at the Woodstock Center<br />
on May 24. During April the Council<br />
of Volunteer Coordinators held meetings<br />
honoring all Volunteer workers in Jacksonville.<br />
The local WOMPI Club assisted with<br />
this function by furnishing the popcorn used<br />
as part of the refreshments.<br />
In lionor of "Founders Day." the regular<br />
monthly meeting for WOMPI will be held<br />
May 29 at 5:30 p.m. The ladies at Universal<br />
will provide drinks and dessert for every-<br />
Pic's Fabulous Bonus Offer:<br />
TRI-STATE THEATRE SUPPLY CO.<br />
Serving the Tri-State area for over 35 years.<br />
Complete line of theatre and concession<br />
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TouiiM.iiv.iu. $75.60<br />
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S-4 May 21, 1979
Minneapolis<br />
(Average Is 100)<br />
California Dreaming (AI),<br />
FIRST RUN REPORT<br />
6 theatres,<br />
1st wk SO<br />
The Champ (MGM), 3 theatres,<br />
5th wk 125<br />
The China Syndrome (Col), Cooper,<br />
Southdale, 8th wk 140<br />
Dawn of the Dead (United Film),<br />
3 theatres, 1st wk 75<br />
The Deer Hunter (Univ), Mann,<br />
14th wk 95<br />
The Fifth Musketeer (Col). 4 theatres,<br />
1st wk 55<br />
Hair (UA), Skyway II, 6th wk 100<br />
HaUoween (Compass), Brookdale East,<br />
14th wk 45<br />
Last Embrace (UA), Apache, The<br />
Movies at Burnsville, 1st wk 40<br />
Love at First Bite (AI), 4 theatres,<br />
3rd wk 135<br />
A Matter of Love (AI), Studio 97,<br />
2nd wk 80<br />
Manhattan (UA), Skyway I, 1st wk. . .800<br />
Norma Rae (20th-Fox), Edina I,<br />
8th wk 95<br />
Old Boyfriends (Avco), Park, 2nd wk. 85<br />
The Promise (Univ). Cooper Cameo.<br />
5th wk 90<br />
Richard Pryor—Live in Concert (SEE).<br />
Skyway I, 5th wk 150<br />
Superman (WB), Brookdale, Southtown,<br />
21st wk 100<br />
Kansas Cify<br />
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century<br />
(Univ). 3 theatres. 6th wk 85<br />
The Champ (UA). 3 theatres. 5th wk. . . 125<br />
The China Syndrome (Col). 3 theatres.<br />
8th wk 115<br />
The Dark (SR). 6 theatres. 1st wk 65<br />
Cet Out Your Handkerchiefs (SR).<br />
Fine Arts, 3rd wk 95<br />
Hair (UA). Midland. Oak Park.<br />
6th wk 25<br />
Last Embrace (UA). 4 theatres.<br />
1st wk 80<br />
Love at First Bite (AI). 6 theatres,<br />
4th wk 185<br />
Manhattan (UA). 3 theatres. 1st wk. . . .510<br />
Norma Rae (20th-Fo\). Plaza.<br />
Sth wk 60<br />
The North Avenue Irregulars (BV).<br />
Ranchmart. I 2th wk 70<br />
Old Boyfriends (Avco). 4 theatres.<br />
1st wk. 70<br />
Onct<br />
Watts Mill. 2nd v\ k<br />
85<br />
Phantasm (Avco), 8 theatres,<br />
3rd wk 110<br />
The Promise (Univ), 4 theatres,<br />
5th wk 95<br />
Same Time, Next Year (Univ),<br />
Glenwood, 11th wk 1 10<br />
The Silent Partner (SR). 10 theatres.<br />
1st wk 85<br />
Chicago<br />
Boulevard Nights (WB). 10 theatres.<br />
1st wk. 175<br />
The Champ (Univ), 7 theatres. 5th wk. . 150<br />
The China Syndrome (Col).<br />
9 theatres. Sth wk 200<br />
Dawn of the Dead (SR). 12 theatres.<br />
1st wk 225<br />
The Deer Hunter (Univ). Esquire,<br />
9th wk 225<br />
The Fifth Musketeer (Col).<br />
12 theatres, 1st wk 200<br />
CHICAGO<br />
The Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove. 111.,<br />
now owned by Willis Johnson, is another<br />
suburban movie house profiting by<br />
special community promotions. Manager<br />
Ed Doherty said they customarily send out<br />
flieis for each program change, and such<br />
mailings and the placing of announcement<br />
pamphlets in the local stores has been very<br />
effective in increasing attendance. Doherty<br />
said that handing out passes to schools and<br />
area organizations ha helpful<br />
cementing lunity relationships<br />
The L & S Management Theatres organization<br />
is now operating as Aries Theatres<br />
Management. The location of the company's<br />
headquarters remains the same: 6310<br />
N. Lincoln, Chicago, III. 60669.<br />
Irv Cohen was appointed manager of the<br />
Aries Adelphi theatre.<br />
Aries' Luna theatie has been doing some<br />
lop business as a neighborhood theatre.<br />
especially with "Warriors." And "Buck<br />
Rogers in the 25th Century," according to<br />
general manager Howard Schemcrhorn. took<br />
over the top grossing spot at the Luna in<br />
the first week's showing.<br />
Diane Thomas, who heads the Gemini<br />
Management theatre group, said the Patio<br />
had a big week with "Halloween." She repoited,<br />
"We were the only ones playing the<br />
movie at the time, and even though people<br />
were lured outside by milder weather, we<br />
recorded fantastic business!"<br />
Edythe Stein, president of the Women's<br />
Variety Club, said the annual membership<br />
luncheon will be held in conjunction with<br />
the annual ad book on June 18 at the<br />
Pump Room at the Ambassador East hotel.<br />
This is a reminder to industry members who<br />
are interested in participating in the group's<br />
The Innocent (Avco), Cinema,<br />
5th wk 250<br />
Love at First Bite (AI). 7<br />
ad book. Please make contact by calling<br />
theatres,<br />
5th wk 225<br />
Love on the Run (SR), Biograph,<br />
Edythe Stein at 262-7926.<br />
4th wk 250 Apologies to American Multi Cinema's<br />
O'd Boyfriends (Avco). 7 theatres.<br />
2nd wk 200<br />
Midwest division. Direct word from Larry<br />
Gardner, supervisor of District 3, alerted us<br />
Phantasm (Avco). 11 theatres, 1st wk. .225 to a correction relating to the opening of<br />
Superman (WB), 3 theatres, 4th wk. ... 150 the Barrington Square Complex. The complex<br />
will be owned and operated by Wifemistress (SR), Carnegie, 4th wk. . . 125<br />
American<br />
Multi Cinema, and will be known as<br />
Barrington Square 6 Theatres. The location<br />
is Hoffman Estates. Ill, and the proposed<br />
opening date is September 28. as stated<br />
previously. The other AMC complex in<br />
the Chicago area is the Ogden 6 Theatres,<br />
in suburban Naperville. which opened in<br />
November 1976.<br />
Oscar Brotman. head of the Brotman<br />
Theatre Circuit and new president of the<br />
Variety Club of Illinois. will be<br />
top man May 7 at the Three Sheeters Entertainment<br />
Club Rib 'n Roast Special. This<br />
(Continued on page MW-2)<br />
Marketing Services • Management Consultants<br />
P.O. Box 222<br />
Chilton, Wis. 53014<br />
Theatre Specialists<br />
H<br />
James<br />
P. Norton<br />
President<br />
414-849-9565<br />
J. P. N. Productions, Inc.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: May 21. 1979<br />
MW-1
CHICAGO<br />
(Continued from page MW-1)<br />
event is X-rated and only men will be admitted.<br />
For tickets at $20 per person, contact<br />
Chic Schloss at 346-0471. Proceeds will<br />
benefit the Three-Sheeters charity activities.<br />
Things have been really looking up for<br />
American International Pictures with "Love<br />
at First Bite." The film is now set for a<br />
first sub-run starting June 8. AI's "The<br />
Evictors" (opened in Chicago May 18)<br />
promises to add to the company's 1979 successes.<br />
is currently playing very successful first run<br />
engagements at O.scar Brotman's Near Noilh<br />
Carnegie theatre, and at the Times theatre<br />
in Milwaukee. Sid Kaplan has the responsibility<br />
of setting up all other runs of this<br />
high-grossing attraction. The next Chicago<br />
release date is scheduled for mid-June.<br />
idea that this was a TV feature primarily<br />
for children. The illuminating promotion<br />
m mmmm<br />
has been creating an overwhelming response<br />
from exhibitors, according to members ol<br />
the company's Chicago office. Exhibitors<br />
are now exclaiming that the movie is greal<br />
entertainment for adults and children alike.<br />
Because the opening date here is AugusI .^,<br />
the advance promotion appears to be well<br />
timed.<br />
May 25 is >he dale for the Chicago opening<br />
of Associated Film Distribution's "Es<br />
cape From Athena."<br />
Once again Lucy Salenger, managing director<br />
of the Illinois Film Office, is undeistandably<br />
being recognized for her staunch<br />
efforts on behalf of bringing film production<br />
to the Midwest. There is promise l
i &<br />
KANSAS CITY Members of 'Slithis<br />
Tnvin Allen, writer and director of "Beyond<br />
the Poseidon Adventure," slipped qiiiclly<br />
into town to see the sneak preview of his<br />
picture at the Glenwood Theatre recently.<br />
Unfortunately, someone smashed into his<br />
limousine just as he arrived, putting an end<br />
10 the secrecy.<br />
Bob Shipp of Dallas was in town recently<br />
to visit brothers John and David Shipp. Boh<br />
will be lemembered as previously being in<br />
ihe film shipping business here with his<br />
brother Dave. He is now associated with<br />
-.Starline" in Dallas.<br />
Avco's "A Very Big Withdrawal" was<br />
,neak previewed at the Plaza theatre May<br />
II. It is a comedy starring Donald Sutherland.<br />
Brooke Adams and Paul Mazursky.<br />
"A Little Romance" was sneak previewed<br />
May 1 1 at the Blue Ridge Theatre here to<br />
iccommodate some of the people who didn'l<br />
~cc it the first time.<br />
Correction: In the May 7 issue of Boxjfficc<br />
it was incorrectly reported that Glen<br />
Dickinson, owner of Dickinson Theatres,<br />
won $50 and that Richard Smith of Smith<br />
Theatres won $50 in a benefit drawing. The<br />
imounts won were $100 for Dickinson and<br />
525 for Smith.<br />
The Women of Variety held a general<br />
nembership luncheon April 18 and selected<br />
a nominating committee. The following<br />
ifficers were nominated: president, Mary<br />
1st Vlargaret Miller; vice president, Rulh<br />
ST.<br />
LOUIS<br />
^^inter Kills," the story of a presidential<br />
assassination and the end of an era in<br />
American history with Eli Wailach portraying<br />
a Jack Ruby-type character, opened<br />
May 18 at the Esquire, Crestwood, Village,<br />
Woods Mill and the Nameoki in Granite<br />
City. III. The all-star cast also includes Jeff<br />
Bridges, Anthony Perkins, Sterling Hayden,<br />
John Huston and Dorothy Malone.<br />
Filmed entirely in the state of New Jersey.<br />
"Voices," a contemporary love story<br />
involving a singer and a deaf girl, opens<br />
May 25 at Northwest, Sunset. Chesterfield<br />
and the Petite in Collinsville, III. Michael<br />
Onkean and Amy Irving are the co-stars of<br />
the MGM film distributed by United<br />
Artists.<br />
Peter Sellers stars in a dual role in "The<br />
Prisoner of Zenda." a comedy version of<br />
the Anthony Hope classic novel which will<br />
be on the screens of the Sunset. Westport<br />
and Paddock beginning May 25. Elke Sommer<br />
and Lionel Jeffries are featured in the<br />
Mirisch production directed by Richard<br />
Quine. Henry Mancini. who composed the<br />
music for all of Sellers" "Pink Panther"<br />
films, wrote the score for "Zenda."<br />
With the drive-ins open on full-time basis,<br />
horror films are again on the horizon. Currently<br />
in a wide multiple in (the area arc<br />
"Suspiria" coupled with "Eyeball."<br />
Disney's "101 Dalmations" is scheduled<br />
for re-release in June and the West County<br />
Shopping Center was host to a troupe of<br />
entertainers from that studio May 16. In<br />
Disneyland character costumes, the group<br />
sang and danced under the leadership of<br />
emcee Fulton Burley, who told the story of<br />
the production. While here, the performers<br />
cut a promo spot for KDNL-TV. Channel<br />
-^0, to be aired in early June. The station<br />
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DESIGN* ENGINEERING • CONSTRUCTION<br />
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will be giving away 101 stuffed dalmalion<br />
pups that month in connection with the<br />
Buena Vista release.<br />
The local Humane Society will sponsor a<br />
benefit performance of "Fiec Spirit" May<br />
24 at the Des Peres Theatre before the regular<br />
run May 25 at the Des Peres. St. Ann<br />
Cinema. Cross Keys. Ronnie's, Cinema 4<br />
and South Twin Drive-In. The film, released<br />
by Midwest Pictures involves the relationship<br />
between a hunting dog and a fox. Real<br />
animals are used throughout the production<br />
which was entered in the Children's Film<br />
Festival. It examines the risks of personal<br />
relationships of domestic and wild animals.<br />
It was chosen by Seventeen Magazine as its<br />
"Movie of the Month" and Scholastic Magazine<br />
in its review called it a "must see<br />
movie."<br />
Globe-Democrat entertainment editor<br />
Frank Hunter gave Woody Allen's "Manhattan"<br />
four stars, calling it an "acidulous<br />
valentine to Allen's beloved city of New<br />
York, capturing the feel of the city with<br />
the zest of a 1930s romantic comedy. He<br />
appreciated the employment of George<br />
Gershwin's superb and vital music as a fitting<br />
background and found Mariel Hemingway,<br />
who portrays the 17-year-old schoolgirl,<br />
bearing a startling resemblance to her<br />
grandfather, Ernest Hemingway, when he<br />
was her age." The film is enjoying what<br />
promises to be a long run at the Varsity.<br />
Ronnie's. Cypress Village and BAC Fair-<br />
Hunter awarded three and a half stars lo<br />
"Last Embrace." pioclaiming it an adventure<br />
of an unusual sort. He found the ending<br />
at Niagara Falls "exceptionally well done<br />
although the scary stuff was created in the<br />
studio," and enjoyed the interesting roles<br />
played by such actors as Sam Levene and<br />
Christopher Walken along with Roy Scheider<br />
and Janet Margolin. The drama is on the<br />
screens at Ellisville. Halls Ferry. Ronnie's<br />
and Cinema IV.<br />
Paramount's Heyday<br />
Recalled in Twilight<br />
DES MOINES, IOWA — "When<br />
Clark<br />
Gable swore to Vivien Leigh, "Frankly, my<br />
dear, I don't give a damn," some of the<br />
Des Moines audience feared the<br />
strait-laced<br />
Paramount Theatre might come tumbling<br />
down.<br />
They were right . . but years early. Des<br />
.<br />
Moines' Paramount Theatre's pinnacle was<br />
the premiere of "Gone With the "Wind." It<br />
was on an unforgettable day—Jan. 26,<br />
1940. The cost of admissions was a fortune:<br />
weekdays, 75 cents; evenings and weekends,<br />
$1.12. It was two degrees below zero on<br />
THEWTRE EQUIPMENT<br />
"Everything for the Theatre"<br />
No. CAPITOL AVE., INDIANAPOLIS, INO.<br />
that opening day and line formed. an hour<br />
before the 10 a.m. showing. Some brought<br />
lunch and sat through the show twice.<br />
Even the local newspaper The Register<br />
gave the premiere a page one "top head."<br />
Other rival theatres suffered while the<br />
Paramount basked in the limelight, its customary<br />
spot.<br />
The Paramount began as the Capitol Theatre,<br />
an afterthought to ,the eleven-story<br />
building built for offices in 1923.<br />
In the absence of TV, Little League and<br />
other organized activities, theatres were<br />
very much a part of the family liife in the<br />
1920s. Parents attended in the evening, kids<br />
on Saturday.<br />
'Capitol Organ Club'<br />
The Capitol had an organist, and for a<br />
dime the i little kids could go to "Herbie's<br />
Capitol Organ Club," named after Herbie<br />
the organist who clowned around, and the<br />
kids would get a funny hat and see very<br />
bad silent one-reel comedies.<br />
A. H. jBlank's organization bought the<br />
Capitol in 1929 and launched its heyday as<br />
the Paramount Theatre. Talkies were just<br />
beginning after movies had shared the billing<br />
for many years with live entertainment.<br />
The movies were killing vaudeville and it<br />
went down with a smile.<br />
Mary Bernstein Rubin remembers it well,<br />
since she was a member of the Paramount<br />
Rockets after graduating from a local high<br />
school in 1932. Bigtime entertainers and:<br />
bands would come through town and be<br />
billed with major movies. Local entertainers<br />
would fill out the stage show—^the<br />
Rockets were such a group. Mary says they<br />
danced to whatever the bands would play,<br />
including tunes with the likes<br />
of Edgar Bergen<br />
and Charlie McCarthy, torch singer<br />
Helen Morgan, Ginger Rogers (before she<br />
became a movie star), Blackstone the Magician,<br />
Cab Calloway and other name bands<br />
of the early swing era.<br />
To launch the Paramount a bigshot emcee,<br />
from Chicago, Charles Agnew, was<br />
called in. Gradually, however, the stage<br />
shows gave way to double features.<br />
Almost a Riot<br />
Des Moines almost had a riot in 1949<br />
when "I Married a Nazi" played and two<br />
fellows were hired to dress like Nazis and<br />
stroll the streets to advertise it.<br />
After the war and on into the '50s the<br />
Paramount hung on pretty well. It was the<br />
first theatre to advertise air conditioning in<br />
the '30s and also offer free parking beginning<br />
in 1957.<br />
In 1956 "Rock Around the Clock" was<br />
shown. It took three policemen and all the<br />
ushers to keep peace inside. Outside a jukebox<br />
blared rock music and dancers blocked<br />
the street in front.<br />
Paramount tried to live with television<br />
as it came along, just as it had done with<br />
vaudeville. Still later, dinner theatres and<br />
live performers tried to keep the old theatre<br />
alive, but her run was over.<br />
The theatre will be torn down this month<br />
but many many memories will be left standing.<br />
The Paramount went dark as a movie<br />
theatre in February 1973. Her last show was<br />
"The Innocent Bystander."
Toronto<br />
Ashanti (WB), Imperial, 2nd wk.<br />
The Champ (UA), Plaza, 3rd wk<br />
Every Which Way But Loose (WB),<br />
Good<br />
Good<br />
Imperial, 1 8th wk Fair<br />
The Evictors (AFD), Imperial, 3rd wk. Fair<br />
Get Out Your Handkerchiefs (PR).<br />
International, 10th wk Good<br />
Hair (UA), University, 4th wk Good<br />
Hurricane (Para), Imperial, 2nd wk. Good<br />
Love at First Bile (AFD), Uptown,<br />
2nd wk<br />
Good<br />
Manhattan (UA). Uptown, l&t wk. Excellenl<br />
Norma Rae (BVFD), Hollywood,<br />
7th wk Good<br />
Richard Pryor—Live in Concert (PR),<br />
Elgin. 5th wk Good<br />
Superman (WB). Hollywood, Imperial,<br />
19th wk Fair<br />
Voices (UA), Uptown, 4th wk Fair<br />
Vancouver<br />
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (Univ).<br />
Coronet, 5th wk<br />
Good<br />
The Champ (UA). Vancouver Centre,<br />
3rd wk Good<br />
The China Syndrome (Astral), Odeon,<br />
5th wk Good<br />
The Deer Hunter (Univ), Vogue.<br />
7th wk<br />
Very Good<br />
Firepower (PR). Downtown,<br />
1st wk Average<br />
Good Guys Wear Black (PR), Coronet,<br />
1 St wk Above Average<br />
The Great Train Robbery (UA), Capitol.<br />
nth wk Fair<br />
Hair (UA). Stanley. 4th wk Average<br />
Hurricane (Para). Capitol. 3rd wk Fair<br />
Love at First Bite (AFD). Capitol.<br />
1st wk Average<br />
Norma Rae (BVFD), Park.<br />
2nd wk<br />
Above Average<br />
Superman (WB). Capitol. 19th wk. Average<br />
The Warriors (Para). Capitol, 12th wk. Fair<br />
Winnipeg<br />
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century<br />
(Umiv). Kings, Park, 4th wk. Very Good<br />
The Champ (MGM-UA), Metropolitan,<br />
4th wk Excellent<br />
The China Syndrome (Astral), Odeon.<br />
3rd wk Excellent<br />
The Deer Hunter (Univ). Garrick.<br />
7th wk Excellent<br />
Every Which Way But Loose (WB),<br />
Northstar, 19th wk Good<br />
Fast Break (Astral). Convention Centre.<br />
7th wk<br />
Very Good<br />
Get Out Your Handkerchiefs (PR).<br />
Cinema 3. 1st wk Good<br />
Hair (UA), Colony. 4th wk Average<br />
Norma Rae (BVFD), Northstar.<br />
1st wk Excellent<br />
A Perfect Couple (BVFD). Garrick.<br />
1st wk Fair<br />
Same Time, Next Year (Univ),<br />
(Univ), Grant Park. 11th wk. . . .Average<br />
Calgary<br />
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century<br />
(Univ), 3 theatres, 3rd wk Excellent<br />
The Champ (UA). Chinook.<br />
2nd wk Excellent<br />
The China Syndrome (Astral). North<br />
Hill. Westbrook, 4th wk Excellent<br />
The Deer Hunter (Univ).<br />
Towne Red, 5th wk<br />
Excellent<br />
Fast Break (Astral), Grand,<br />
5th wk<br />
Excellent<br />
The Fifth Musketeer (Astral).<br />
Uptown, 1st wk Excellent<br />
Good Guys Wear Black (PR). Marlboro<br />
Square. Odeon. 4th wk. Excellent<br />
Hair (UA). Palliser Square.<br />
2nd wk Excellent<br />
Hurricane (Para). Palace.<br />
1st wk Excellent<br />
Norma Rae (BVFD). Westbrook,<br />
5th wk<br />
Very Good<br />
Same Time, Next Year (Univ).<br />
Uptown, 4th wk Excellent<br />
Superman (WB). Calgary Place.<br />
18th wk<br />
Excellenl<br />
Warriors (Para). Market Mall.<br />
1 st wk Very Good<br />
Edmonton<br />
Ashanti (WB). Capitol Square.<br />
1st wk Excellent<br />
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (Univ).<br />
Capilano. Rialto. 4th wk .Excellent<br />
The Champ (UA). Westmount.<br />
2nd wk Excellent<br />
The China Syndrome (Astral).<br />
Meadowlark. Rialto. 4th wk. ..Excellent<br />
The Deer Hunter (Univ), Towne<br />
Cinema, 4th wk Excellent<br />
Fast Break (Astral), Odeon,<br />
4th wk<br />
Excellent<br />
The Fifth Musketeer (Astral),<br />
Plaza. 1st wk Excellent<br />
Good Guys Wear Black (PR). Avenue.<br />
Jasper Red. 2nd wk.<br />
Excellent<br />
Hair (UA). Gaineau.<br />
2nd wk Excellent<br />
Hurricane (Para). Capitol Square.<br />
1st wk Excellent<br />
The North Avenue Irregulars (BV).<br />
Londonderry. 4th wk Excellent<br />
Superman (WB). Paramount.<br />
18th wk<br />
Excellent<br />
Hurricane (Para), The Cinema,<br />
1st wk Good<br />
Love at First Bite (PR). Loews 2,<br />
1 st wk. Excellent<br />
Ircnch Language Films<br />
Le Bonheur Renait (Univ).<br />
Champlain, 3rd wk<br />
Very Good<br />
La Cage Aux Folles (UA),<br />
Parisien, 5th wk Very Good<br />
La Carapatte (PR), Parisien.<br />
3rd wk<br />
Very Good<br />
Le Ciel Peul Attendre (Para).<br />
Parisien. 1 1th wk Very Good<br />
Doux, Dur et Dingue (WB).<br />
Berri. 3rd wk Good<br />
Marie Anne (PR), Parisien,<br />
1 st wk Good<br />
Sarah (UA), Parisien, 1st wk Good<br />
Une Fille Cousue de Fil Blanc<br />
(PR). Le Dauphin, 1st wk Fair<br />
Ottawa<br />
Ashanti (WB), Capitol Square,<br />
3rd wk<br />
Good<br />
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century<br />
(Univ). Somerset. 5th wk Good<br />
The Champ (UA). Elgin,<br />
4th wk<br />
Very Good<br />
The China Syndrome (Astral).<br />
St. Laurent. 6th wk Very Good<br />
The Deer Hunter (Univ), Elmdale,<br />
7th wk<br />
Very Good<br />
Fast Break (Astral), Cinema 6,<br />
3rd wk Good<br />
Get Out Your Handkerchiefs (PR).<br />
Capitol Square. 3rd wk Good<br />
Hair (UA). Nelson, 4th wk Good<br />
Love at First Bite (AFD), Capitol<br />
Square, Airport Drive-In,<br />
1st wk Excellent<br />
The Passage (UA), Place de Ville,<br />
1st wk Good<br />
Same Time, Next Year (Univ).<br />
St. Laurent, 10th wk Good<br />
Filmmaker's Expectations<br />
Tempered With Experience<br />
CALGARY—Fil Fraser says he realistically<br />
expects only one of the eight feature<br />
films he's planning to make in Alberta to<br />
turn into a big boxoffice success.<br />
The movies represent an investment of<br />
about $20 million during the next three<br />
years and the Edmonton producer and director<br />
naturally hopes they'll succeed financially<br />
and artistically and will try to make each<br />
a winner.<br />
But previous experience indicates to him<br />
that only one of eight is likely to become a<br />
blockbuster. He says that one could do<br />
"pretty well." the others might repay their<br />
costs and one might be a total disaster.<br />
Montreal<br />
"But you know realistically that one<br />
Ashanti (WB). I.oews 4. 3rd wk Good breakthrough will pay for the other seven."<br />
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century<br />
Fraser says.<br />
(Univ). Atwater. 1st wk Good Fraser Film Associates Ltd. of Edmonton<br />
The Champ (UA). I.oews 1.<br />
go into production in .August on<br />
4th wk<br />
Very Good<br />
plans to<br />
"The Falcon and the Ballerina." Jack Darcus's<br />
The China Syndrome (Astral).<br />
love story about a young musician,<br />
Bonaventurc. 6th wk Good jaded by years of success in a traveling<br />
The Deer Hunter (Univ). Place du<br />
band, and a beautiful ballerina, overwhelmed<br />
Canada. 7th wk<br />
Very Good<br />
by a career that demands everything she<br />
Hair (UA). York. 4th wk<br />
Excellent has to give. The production has a $1.5<br />
Halloween (Astral). Cinema de Paris.<br />
million budget, mostly from local funding<br />
11th wk<br />
Good and the Canadian Film Development Corp.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: May 21, 1979<br />
K-1
VANCOUVER<br />
"Qood Giijs \^car Black." which had just<br />
completed s.iiiiraiion bookings in the<br />
slate of Washington, moved across the<br />
border. The first wave in British Cokimbia<br />
embraced the Odeon Theatres' Coronet.<br />
\ancoiivcr. Westminster Mall. Hyland. Dolphin<br />
.md the Westminster Drivc-Iii.<br />
TORONTO<br />
plans are now well under way for this<br />
year's fourth annual Festival of Festivals<br />
here, with promises that the hassle of<br />
lineups and overcrowding which marred last<br />
year's event can be avoided this time.<br />
"We expect to have 50 percent more<br />
seats than last year," festival head Bill Marshall<br />
said. "We're negotiating for theatres<br />
with Famous Players, but they've got more<br />
films backed up for that time than 1 a-<br />
Guardia airport has planes."<br />
The festival is set to run Sept. 6-15.<br />
and already scheduled is a program of recent<br />
Swedish films, at least 40 old and new horror<br />
films, two gala screenings every night,<br />
new Canadian productions, as well a series<br />
of neglected films selected by Chicago critic<br />
Roger Ebert.<br />
Woody Allen's "Manhattan" set a new<br />
house record in its opening at the Uptown<br />
1 here, grossing $40,432 in three days.<br />
Brothers Timothy and Joseph Bottoms are<br />
to co-star as brothers in "Surfacing." a new<br />
feature film to be made this summer in<br />
Ontario's Algonquin Park. .'\lso in the cast<br />
will be Canadian Beverly D'Angelo, who<br />
was seen in "Hair." The producer will be<br />
Beryl Fox. and Eric Till will direct. The<br />
Festival patrons, who pay substantialls<br />
more than the ordinary customers, will this<br />
year have a star in the galaxy Andromeda<br />
named for them and registered through an<br />
arrangement with the Smithsonian Inslilule<br />
and the Library of Congress in Washington.<br />
S2.25 million budget will be put up by the<br />
Canadian Film Development Corp.. the Canadian<br />
Broadcasting Corporation. Famous<br />
Players and private investors.<br />
Moving into its third week of operation.<br />
Cineplex is still "ironing out wrinkles" in<br />
the operation of its 18 cinemas. These include<br />
sound and projection difficulties, and<br />
precautions against a possible breakdown in<br />
the computerized ticket-selling system. Although<br />
business has not been as first expected,<br />
there is still great enthusiasm for<br />
this unique theatre project. Biggest surprise<br />
tc date has been the success of "The Rubber<br />
Gun." a made-in-Montreal film that had<br />
been neglected for two years because nobody<br />
had any confidence in it. Response has been<br />
so good to it that Cineplex moved ii into an<br />
additional cinema for weekend business.<br />
Backed by strong Montreal reviews, "Jacob<br />
Two-Two Meets the Ho.ided Fang"<br />
opened Ontario playdates. including five<br />
theatres in the Toronto area. Based on the<br />
children's cla.ssic b\ Mordecai Richler, this<br />
Canadian film was produced by Harry Guilan<br />
and John Flaxman was executive producer.<br />
It is being distributed by Saguenay<br />
Films.<br />
The Toronto Sun will be a recipient of<br />
Variety Clubs International's annual Communications<br />
Media Awards. The Sun is being<br />
honored for its publicizing of the Bikc-<br />
.\-Thon sponsored by the Variety Club of<br />
Ontario for the benefit of handicapped and<br />
iniderprivileged children. The award will be<br />
presented at the opening men's luncheon<br />
of the 52nd .Annual Convention of Variety<br />
Clubs International to be held May l'J-24<br />
New Orleans.<br />
in<br />
Film Dist. Suit Filed<br />
Against Allied Artsts<br />
MONTREAL—Somerville House, a Canadian<br />
film company, has filed a multipleaction<br />
suit for an undisclosed amount<br />
aaainst Allied Artists Industries of New<br />
York.<br />
Rosemary Christensen. head of Somerville.<br />
said that the suit stems from an alleged<br />
breach of contract and for failure to account<br />
for and disburse distribution revenues lo<br />
Somerville investors from two films. "The<br />
Story of O" and "Zorro."<br />
At the request of Somerville House, the<br />
courts issued a seizure order against all<br />
assets and properties of the distribution<br />
company and its affiliated companies in<br />
Quebec pending the outcome of the case.<br />
"The Story of O" was released in 1 975<br />
and "Zorro" a year later.<br />
New Organization Formed<br />
TORONTO A new organization, set up<br />
along the lines of the .Academy of Motion<br />
Picture Arts and Sciences, has been formed<br />
to replace the annual Canadian Film<br />
Awards, organizers said recently.<br />
Paul Heffert. interim co-chairman of the<br />
recently formed Academy of Canadian Cinema,<br />
said that organizers recognized the<br />
need to expand the film awards because of<br />
the "explosive growth of the feature film indusstry<br />
in this country."<br />
Heffort. a composer, said that the awards<br />
—for which the Etrogs are given—originally<br />
had not been set up to handle feature<br />
films and that nominating and judging procedures<br />
had become difficult.<br />
He said that film-feature production grew<br />
to more than $60 million in 1977 from $5<br />
million in 1977. It is expected to reach $100<br />
million this year.<br />
The awards in the past have been made<br />
in the fall, often before many of the nominated<br />
films had been released in the country.<br />
For the past two decades, the awards<br />
have been sponsored b> \arious industr\'<br />
organizations.<br />
Under the new academy, membership is<br />
open to individuals with screen credit. Membership<br />
will be divided into about 10 craft<br />
categories such as actors, cinematographers.<br />
composers, editors and directors.<br />
'Halfback' Discounts<br />
Aimed at the <strong>Boxoffice</strong><br />
By J. W. AGNEW<br />
Toronio Correspondent<br />
TORONTO— Beginning May I.<br />
went into operation in Ontario.<br />
Halfback, a plan devised by the<br />
Halfback<br />
province,<br />
will enable holders of losing Wintario lottery<br />
tickets to "cash them in," permitting them<br />
to get discounts when buying records featuring<br />
Canadian artist.s, or when buying theatre<br />
tickets where Canadian feature films<br />
are being shown.<br />
"It's the best thing the Ontario government<br />
has ever done for the movie business,"<br />
said Bill Marshall, president of the Canadian<br />
Association of Motion Picture Producers.<br />
Halfback will be in operation over the<br />
summer period until September 30. and Canadian<br />
theatre owners and film distributors<br />
have a five-month promotional campaign<br />
laid out to take full advantage of this discount<br />
scheme.<br />
"The program is totally voluntary," stated<br />
David Spence. director of Ontario's cultural<br />
industries branch, administering the Hallback<br />
plan. "Nobody's putting the hustle on<br />
anybody. But we've got cooperation from<br />
200 to 300 movie houses. We've even getting<br />
movie houses in smaller towns that have<br />
never booked a Canadian movie."<br />
Two premieres have been arranged lo<br />
coincide with the introduction of Halfback:<br />
"The Shape of Things to Come." a futuristic<br />
adventure featuring Jack Palance.<br />
Carol Lynley and Barry Morse, and the<br />
Ontario first showings of "Jacob Two-Two<br />
Meets the Hooded Fang."<br />
Later this summer, these other feature<br />
films will be opening: "Meatballs," a youth<br />
comedy produced by Ivan Reitman. with<br />
Saturday Night Live's Bill Murray: "Fast<br />
Company," a racing story with William<br />
Smith: "The Brood," a thriller with Oliver<br />
Reed and Samantha Eggar: "Wild Horse<br />
Hank." a family story with Linda Blair and<br />
Richard Crenna; and "City on Fire." a<br />
disaster yarn starring Henry Fonda. ,Ava<br />
Gardner and Shelley Winters.<br />
Locally, the Park immediately booked a<br />
double bill of "Why Shoot the Teacher"<br />
and "Who Has Seen the Wind." and the<br />
Elgin also brought in "Black Christmas"<br />
along with "Death Weekend."<br />
"I'm trying to bring back every Canadian<br />
film I've got in the vaults, mostly for double<br />
bills," said Len Herberman of Ambassador<br />
Films. For theatre admissions, each losing<br />
Wintario ticket can be redeemed for 50<br />
cents off. or a maximum of four for each<br />
admission. Most theatre admissions in this<br />
province are now pegged at S3. 50. which<br />
means that under this plan a patron could<br />
pay as little as $1.50 for a theatre admission.<br />
"The idea is good; You can't knock it."<br />
one executive said. "But is it going to excite<br />
sales in films that are not really commercial<br />
Probably not. However, it will expose<br />
Canadian pictures in smaller centres such<br />
as Tweed and Peterborough, and that may<br />
pave the wa\ for the fiUure."<br />
K-2 BOXOFHCE :: May 21. 1979
'<br />
World Film Festival Called<br />
Injurious to Filmmaking<br />
MONTREAL—A leading association ol<br />
:^uebec filmmakers has attacked the third<br />
nnual World Film Festival scheduled to<br />
n here in late August.<br />
^e Association des Reajisateurs de Films<br />
'Quebec called the festival a useless and<br />
enterprise that served "as an instruof<br />
propaganda" that further contrib-<br />
;o the loss of culture of Quebecers.<br />
The World Film Festival, headed by<br />
ierge Losique, shows top new international<br />
ilms, some of them world premieres, and in<br />
he past two years has attracted big-name<br />
crecn stars to the two-week event.<br />
Calling for an end to government support<br />
'f the festival, the filmmakers accused the<br />
esti\'al of contributing to the already prearious<br />
economic condition of the Quebec<br />
\4anager Trainees for TOI<br />
Jndergo Seminar Sessions<br />
BOZtMAN. MONT.—A junior<br />
ilm industry.<br />
The association proposed the creation of<br />
new festival that would show Quebec<br />
ilnis in addition to those from other coun-<br />
e.xecuive<br />
training seminar was recently held here<br />
,ir manager trainees with Theatre Operators<br />
nc.<br />
The intensive two-day session covered all<br />
spects of theatre management and acuainted<br />
participants with general office per-<br />
Dnnel and operating procedures.<br />
The seminar was under the direction of<br />
)an Klusmann. marketing director, who was<br />
ssisted by Stephen Moser, company comtroller<br />
and treasurer, and Ron Reid. city<br />
lanager for TOI in Bozeman. Also particiating<br />
were Doug Williams, president, and<br />
im Warner of Warner Marketing Assolates<br />
and a vice president in TOI.<br />
Those attending were Dave Simpson.<br />
shn Carpenter and Cathy Hamilton from<br />
illings. Mont. Simpson manages the Rimock<br />
4 while Hamilton is at the Crossroads<br />
win. Carpenter is slated to manage the<br />
ig Sky Drive-In under city manager Lanny<br />
/agner.<br />
Attending from Miles City was Jim Mcihatton.<br />
presently managing the Park there.<br />
IcElhatton will be in charge of the Sunset<br />
'rive-In in Miles City. Attending from Hena<br />
were Wayne Knudsvig. manager of the<br />
aslight Cinemas: Joel Overton of the Skyigh<br />
Drive-In and Steve McCauley, man-<br />
:er of the Sunset Drive-In there.<br />
The current assistant manager at the<br />
laza Twin in Butte. Clay Brown, attended<br />
did Sam Schmerbauch. manager of the<br />
'orid Theatre in Missoula. Mont.<br />
Attending from Bozeman were Larry<br />
ones of the Campus Cinemas: Jerry Payne<br />
the Rialto; and Tim Highfill of the Star-<br />
!ht Drive-In. Also in attendance was a<br />
anager-trainee. Karen Hewitt.<br />
It is anticipated that the training seminar<br />
ill become an annua] event.<br />
Claude Binyon Jr. has been set as producm<br />
manager for "Oil" and "River Horse."<br />
Boom in<br />
Canadian Film Production<br />
Spurs Optimism From CFDC Head<br />
.MONTREAL— Feature film production<br />
in Canada, which reached record levels last<br />
year, will continue to boom in 1979, Michael<br />
McCabe, executive director of the Canadian<br />
Film Development Corporation, said<br />
recently.<br />
The CFDC invested S6.3 million in 30<br />
films produced last year— 18 English. 12<br />
French—with combined budgets totaling<br />
S50 million, a whopping increase from the<br />
investments of SI. 6 million in 20 productions<br />
with total budgets of S5.5 million in<br />
1977.<br />
Reviewing the corporation's just-concluded<br />
1978-79 fiscal year, McCabe said the<br />
CFDC also invested S900.000 in 56 projects<br />
at the pre-production or development stages.<br />
This also repiesents a dramatic increase<br />
from the previous year when $400,000 was<br />
invested in<br />
40 projects.<br />
In all. the CFDC last year invested S7.2<br />
million in 86 projects, compared with only<br />
S2 million invested in 60 projects in 1977.<br />
"Many of the projects in the development<br />
stage have now come to fruition and. while<br />
the new production season is just getting<br />
underway, we've already made tentative<br />
commitments to invest some S7 million in<br />
a wide variety of films." McCabe said.<br />
"Of course, some films will fall by Ihc<br />
wayside and other features will be added,<br />
but I'm sure we'll have an even greater<br />
volume of activity in 1979-80 than last year,<br />
both in total budgets and number of productions.<br />
"Tremendous growth of the industry<br />
stems from many factors, not the least of<br />
which are the CFDC's new investment, development<br />
and promotion activities.<br />
'Other factors include the emergence of<br />
a group of strong, creative producers, the<br />
development of new sources of financing<br />
through public offerings by recognized<br />
brokerage firms, lax incentives and the coproduction<br />
treaties Canada has with Britain.<br />
France, Italy. West German and Israel.<br />
"Our new investment policies, are aimed<br />
at stimulating production through investments<br />
at the moment of greatest risk for<br />
participate in more films each year.<br />
"While our yearly investment budget is<br />
only 54 million, much of this money was<br />
returned to us quickly so that we virtually<br />
doubled our investments during the past<br />
year. We expect to do even better in the<br />
new year."<br />
The films in which the CFDC invested<br />
last year ranged from high adventure to tender<br />
love stories and comedy, and there was<br />
even a disaster epic.<br />
The emphasis, McCabe said, is on international<br />
appeal.<br />
"It is no longer feasible to make films<br />
that will only be seen by a handful of<br />
people," he said. "If it takes stories with<br />
wide appeal and international stars to reach<br />
screens around the world, then that's what<br />
we'll invest in.<br />
"This doesn't mean these films are less<br />
Canadian. I believe that genuinely Canadian<br />
themes have a future in the international<br />
market.<br />
"And where production budgets match Ihc<br />
potential Canadian market, films can be<br />
made that allow for local cultural expression<br />
and give new talent the opportunity to<br />
work and develop."<br />
Although Canadian productions have attracted<br />
international stars, they are also<br />
helping to propel Canadians to<br />
international<br />
attention. "They have also brought home internationally<br />
known Canadians Susan Clark<br />
Donald Sutherland. Genevieve Bujold and<br />
Christopher Plummer.<br />
"The boom has given Canadian directors<br />
living abroad, among them Steven Stern<br />
and Alvin Rakoff. the opportunity to again<br />
work in Canada," McCabe said.<br />
"In addition, hundreds of technicians and<br />
f)eople behind-the-scenes—set carpenters,<br />
script assistants, makeup artists, costume designers,<br />
grips, camera and sound crews and<br />
the many people in the labs— -have been<br />
busy this past year as a result of all the<br />
film<br />
activity.<br />
""In fact, many technicians have enjoyed<br />
the luxury, for the first time, of being able<br />
to pick and choose jobs."<br />
Circuit Awarded Right<br />
To Exclude Revenue<br />
'°MiLWAUKEE— In a ruling following a<br />
lawsuit, a Wisconsin theatre circuit has won<br />
the right to exclude student discount revenue<br />
from grosses reponed to distributors.<br />
TTie circuit. Marcus Theatres in Milwau-<br />
the producer-— the initial stages of a project. kee, was held free of accountability for income<br />
admissions from student discount<br />
"The CFDC loans money for the development<br />
of a project or to provide interim financing<br />
so that the producers can proceed failed to sustain the claim in the suit filed<br />
cards. Paramount and other distributors<br />
with their films while awaiting funds from by them in Milwaukee County circuit court.<br />
investors.<br />
No ruling was handed down on the right<br />
"These are short term, relatively modes! of distributors to include student discount<br />
loans in comparison with the total budgets. card revenue in grosses. The decision rested<br />
In return, we expect a profit and a quicker on a finding that the contracts with Marcus<br />
turn-around of CFDC funds, allowing us to did not specifically provide for inclusion<br />
of student discount admissions.<br />
The court held that .Marcus never agreed<br />
to include student card discounts, and that<br />
distributor contract forms were ambiguous.<br />
The suit was predicated upon an audit of<br />
1965-70 grosses, resulting in a September<br />
1971 charge that student discount receipu<br />
should have been subject to payment by<br />
Marcus.<br />
Marcus began charging a fee for student<br />
cards in 1970.<br />
1<br />
XOmCE :: Mav 21, 1979<br />
K-3
Sell . . . and<br />
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Scores of busy little messages<br />
go out every week to a tremendous<br />
audience-and they get a tremendous<br />
response!<br />
Every exhibitor is<br />
busy—buying,<br />
selling, renting, hiring. All this is<br />
made easier and more profitable<br />
with the classified ads in Clearing<br />
House each week.<br />
READ • USE • PROFIT BY—<br />
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BOXOmCE :: May 21, 1979
Cftvdtucimt, • SauuatHent • CfMSddiatU • AftitdittMMU<br />
MAY 21, 1979<br />
Foreign thealie sealing looks unique coinimied lo stiuulanl American designed (.Intu i' I iiteinational chairs<br />
from Paris are used in these German theatres. Left is the "2001" theatre with 26.S piaizen isiatsi in the model<br />
called, appropriately, "Robot." At right is the "Hollywood" theatre featuring 88 seats in the "Club 13" model. While<br />
they may look nice, exhibitors will surely scoff at the price tag. Imported seals often cost more than $150 each.<br />
Photos courtesy "Film-Echo/ Filmwoche."<br />
featuring Theatre Seating
..I<br />
r.itA .^.j-^- r,<br />
-THl<br />
I'DPIEM<br />
TllAmB J<br />
^ COnTEPTS 1^<br />
|t was August of 1977 when Arthur<br />
D. Little. Inc., a research and consulting<br />
firm, issued a private report predicting<br />
"a significant decline in the number of motion<br />
picture theatres."<br />
David Fishman, then a researcher with<br />
the firm for nearly two years, was the author<br />
of the report, having nearly 12 years experience<br />
in motion picture production and<br />
distribution. Fishman also predicted in his<br />
report that moviegoing will be left to the<br />
few who want to see "foreign language<br />
films" and "minority oriented" films aimed<br />
at selected audiences.<br />
He also asserted that average Americans<br />
will probably rent video cassettes through<br />
lending libraries to ultimately be played at<br />
home on big-screen TV sets. "I don't know<br />
which it will be," he said, "video cassettes,<br />
cable TV or discs, but they'll bring the movies<br />
home."<br />
Some of his predictions have been enforced<br />
by recent events. Others have been<br />
contradicted.<br />
Fishman's prediction of a decline in the<br />
number of theatres might be hotly contested<br />
by theatre owners in Memphis or Little<br />
Rock, just two areas where exhibitors are<br />
concerned with the overbuilding of theatres.<br />
If theatre admissions are any indication<br />
of the need for increased theatre building,<br />
the industry should delight in a recent report<br />
by Theodore Nelson of the Office of<br />
Consumer Goods and Services published in<br />
the 1979 U.S. Industrial Outlook.<br />
"It is estimated that boxoffice receipts<br />
will reach $6.6 billion by 1983, reflecting<br />
an average annual increase of ten percent<br />
between 1978 and 1983," the report concludes.<br />
Still, some recent events support Fishman's<br />
conclusion. The opening of Cineplex<br />
in Toronto— 18 screens on one site offering<br />
foreign language, specialty and art films to<br />
small audiences of 137 or less— is just one<br />
example supporting his conclusions. United<br />
Artists Eastern Theatre Circuit will open a<br />
six-theatre complex this week which will<br />
"book films catering to a variety of tastes<br />
including "special art and classic productions<br />
not commercially viable" in smaller<br />
situations.<br />
Another harbinger is the recent agreements<br />
between both United Artists and<br />
Paramount to distribute video cassettes of<br />
major feature films to home markets<br />
through a rental library firm called "Vid-<br />
Amcrica."<br />
While Fishman's prediction of gloom may<br />
prove to be partially true, exhibitors needn't<br />
be too concerned. The report ignores one<br />
basic fact of human nature; people wanl and<br />
need to get out of the house.<br />
Film Technology on the Move 4<br />
Ever wonder what's become of the polyester base film stock<br />
Aside from a relatively small cost increase involved in using this<br />
film, exhibitors seem receptive to it and even anxious to switch.<br />
Film may further be improved by a new emulsion coating introduced<br />
last week by the 3M Company.<br />
Personnel Changes at Carbons<br />
Affect Five in Management<br />
The 1979 Annual Seating Review 8<br />
The exhibitor's one-stop guide to the fine seating products offered<br />
by the major manufacturers.<br />
Cine-Fi Inventor Sekiguchi<br />
Receives Technical Award<br />
Cinelux-Ultra Lens Receives<br />
Academy Scientific Citation<br />
New Equipment and Developments 12<br />
Eprad's New rectifier line; Giro's SPeif splicer; Bally Case &<br />
Cooler enters pre-fah building markt 16mm test film<br />
available.<br />
What is the NAC 14<br />
"During the last 15 years, the growth of the concession industry<br />
has been phenomenal. Concession sales grossed $4 billion in<br />
1978 with an annual growth rate of 10 to 12 percent."<br />
GARY BURCH, Managing Editor<br />
THE MODERN THEATRE is a bound-in section published eoch month in BOXOFFICE. Editorial<br />
or general business correspondence should be addressed to Vance Publishing Corp.<br />
825 Von Brunt Bird. Kansas City, Mo. 64124. Eostern Representative: James Young, 133<br />
E. seth Street, Eleventh Floor, New York, N.Y., 10022, (212) 755-5400. Western Representotive:<br />
Ralph Kominsky, 1800 N. Highland, Suite 707, Hollywood, Calif. 90028, (213) 465-
One of the greatest producers<br />
inthe history of movies<br />
has never even made a picture.<br />
Not even a short subject. But<br />
when it comes to producing the finest<br />
equipment for movie theatres,<br />
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Like our Christie Xenolite" bulb.<br />
The shining star of the industryguaranteed<br />
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Now, with the introduction of a<br />
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As Christie Electric celebrates<br />
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We may never make a blockbuster<br />
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CHRISTIE AT FIFTY<br />
Christie Electric Corp., 3410 West 67th Street, Los Angeles. California 90043 (213) 750-1151<br />
Write Ho. 1 on Reader's Service Card<br />
(BOXOmCE :: May 21, 1979
Film Technologv on the nioue<br />
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Ever wonder what's become of the pwlyester<br />
base film stock<br />
You may have had several opportunities<br />
to test this remarkably strong film with the<br />
1974 release of United Artists' "Bring Me<br />
the Head of Alfredo Garcia" or UA's<br />
"Brannigan."<br />
The most recent test of polyester film<br />
came with the 1977 release of Warner<br />
Bros.' "Oh, God!" That film was part of a<br />
test for the Eastman Kodak "Estar" film<br />
stock. Some regions of the U.S. received<br />
the complete film or portions of the film<br />
printed on the Estar film. The test included<br />
polyester/ acetate stock, polyester stock and<br />
regular acetate stock.<br />
Most exhibitors prefer the advantages of<br />
polyester based film over acetate and are<br />
currently using it as a long-lasting and dependable<br />
leader film in their booths.<br />
Changing Overnight<br />
According to Tony Anthony Bruno of the<br />
motion picture and audio-visual markets division<br />
of Eastman Kodak, the Estar film<br />
stock is readily available from Kodak but<br />
the decision to use it rests in the hands of<br />
production and distribution. Bruno notes<br />
that the entire industry "can't be changed<br />
overnight" to the improved film stock,<br />
pointing out that there is "a premium" associated<br />
with the use of the film.<br />
"It is an awfully strong film but its application<br />
really determines its advantages,"<br />
he said. The cost increase of polyester based<br />
film over conventional acetate film is<br />
roughly 50 cents per 1,000 feet, a cost differential<br />
described as "insignificant" by one<br />
film lab technician.<br />
Mike Palcher of Central Shipping and Inspection<br />
Inc., Kansas City, recalls inspecting<br />
"Brannigan" prints. "I remember that it<br />
stood up very well compared to regular<br />
stock. You could really tell the difference.<br />
When it did scratch, it tended to scratch<br />
deeper and harder, but there was no<br />
sprocket damage. You could hold this film<br />
in your hands and still not tear it."<br />
Palcher also recalls rumors that United<br />
Artists planned to release as much as 80<br />
percent of its films on the durable stock<br />
after apparently successful results on "Brannigan."<br />
"Wunderfilm"<br />
,<br />
So why hasn't this "wunderfilm" caught<br />
1<br />
on<br />
Aside from the relatively small cost increase<br />
cited above, it could be that polyester<br />
film is being held up by a lack ofi<br />
tape splicers. Tape splicing is essential because<br />
polyester base films cannot be spliced<br />
with ordinary solvent-fusion methods. In<br />
fact, some laboratories and other special<br />
applications use sophisticated thermal weld<br />
splicers for polyester based films.<br />
Some concern has also been expressed<br />
that the film is so strong that it may damage<br />
projectors or film lab printing components<br />
if they are not perfectly aligned. With ace-<br />
the projector usually damages the film.<br />
tate,<br />
With polyester, the film can damage the<br />
projector.<br />
A check with Deluxe General and Technicolor<br />
labs confirms that neither firm<br />
knows of any current or near-future films<br />
scheduled to use the unique stock. Aside<br />
from using the polyester stock for a few<br />
test reels on general releases, its primary<br />
use remains in the making of 16mm films<br />
for heavy use situations such as in-flight<br />
motion pictures and repeating film cartridges<br />
used in audio-visual markets. Some government<br />
facilities, such as military bases, require<br />
polyester prints for their own use.<br />
Flexible<br />
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Regardless of if or when polyester film<br />
comes into common usage, all film stock<br />
may be further improved in the near future<br />
Continued on page 6<br />
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XeTRON Products Division, Carbons. Inc.<br />
10 Saddle Road, Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927<br />
Phone (201)267 8200<br />
A Division of Cemcorp<br />
1515 Melrose Lane (301)838-0036<br />
PO Box 105 (301)879-3027<br />
Forest Hilt Md 21050<br />
HURLEY SCREENS<br />
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1610 Robin Circle (30i) 836-9333<br />
PO Box 217 (301)879-6757<br />
Foresi Hill, fvid 21050<br />
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Personnel Changes at Carbons<br />
Affect Five Managementol'<br />
The appointment<br />
Ben Biskowitz as<br />
senior<br />
vice-president<br />
^^^^^^^^^^^_ announced<br />
for Carbons, Inc., was<br />
^^^^^^^H recently<br />
hy<br />
r ''^^' ^'^'^<br />
^^B<br />
Jersey based<br />
H ^ mH nKiniil'acturer and im-<br />
Ht^ *C^ aH porter of professional<br />
^ theatres.<br />
^H . v ^JH equipment for movie<br />
B-^CfeW**.-<br />
^P'^Mi' Wh Carbons since<br />
T^gMJP; 1966, Biskowitz holds<br />
jP^ responsibility in all<br />
I<br />
areas of the compa-<br />
Bcn Biskowitz<br />
^y^ operations including<br />
international marketing and liaison.<br />
Befoie being named a vice-president of<br />
Carbons in 1973, he was general manager<br />
for the company's Xetron products division.<br />
Previously, Biskowitz was a technical<br />
trouble-shooter in the television industry.<br />
Pickrell also announced promotions from<br />
within the company to fill two administrative<br />
positions. Named in the promotions<br />
was George A. Oravits, former manager of<br />
Carbon's Xetron products division. Oravits<br />
has been named general manager, a new<br />
post,<br />
for the firm.<br />
In the new position. Oravits holds overall<br />
responsibility for all company production,<br />
procurements and order shipments.<br />
Oravits joined Carbons in 1966 and has<br />
held responsibilities in various production<br />
operations since that time.<br />
George Mackey<br />
Teil Askew<br />
experience in electronics and electro-mechanical<br />
design. Mackey studied at the<br />
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member of the SMPTE since 1973. Askew<br />
studied electronics technology at Bloomfield<br />
and Union Technical Schools, respectively.<br />
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George Oravits<br />
Jerry Van De Rydl<br />
Named to replace Lester David as administrative<br />
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Van De Rydt. David retired during 1978.<br />
With the company since 1975, Van De<br />
Rydt previously was assistant administrative<br />
manager. In his new position he holds responsibility<br />
for all company finances and<br />
accounting, as well as overall management<br />
of the company's Lorraine Carbons division.<br />
Pickrell also announced the naming of<br />
George Mackey as chief engineer and Ted<br />
Askew as staff engineer.<br />
Formerly a staff engineer for the firm,<br />
Mackey's career in the theatre industry<br />
includes more than 20-years of experience.<br />
Ten of these years were spent as a theatre<br />
projectionist.<br />
As chief engineer, his responsibilities include<br />
new product and systems development,<br />
testing and evaluation, and installations.<br />
Ted Askew, with Carbons since 1975,<br />
has been promoted to staff engineer. He<br />
was previously a sales engineer with the<br />
firm.<br />
Both<br />
Mackey and Askew have extensive
Si^<br />
THE<br />
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FOR<br />
3 Dimensional<br />
Plastic<br />
Letters<br />
G'tosr<br />
I Tfte /979 Annual Seating Review<br />
Your patrons spend nearly all of their time in your theatre sitting in the auditorium<br />
seats. If you've got a good quality picture, but your patron has to shift and<br />
squirm during the time the show runs, then you're going to have a dissatisfied customer.<br />
Probably the best tesi of a theatre seat for comfort is to actually sit through a<br />
feature film showing. If you find it uncomfortable, so will your patrons. Make this test<br />
on your present seating and perhaps you may decide to replace your furnishing.<br />
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SOURCE<br />
FOR<br />
Acrylic<br />
Flat<br />
Letters<br />
4" to 17<br />
GRIGG EQUIPMENT CO.<br />
Griggs Equipment Co.. Belton, Tex.,<br />
offers a wide range of styles and a<br />
large selection of fabrics and finishes<br />
to answer every use, design and budget<br />
requirement. Shown above is the model<br />
4200 Push-Back chair and below is the<br />
model 4252 chair featuring a fullmoulded<br />
five-inch polyurelhane cushion<br />
and an extra high back with a threeinch<br />
foam and Melamine plastic back<br />
shell. The seat pan and uplift are made<br />
of steel. Other features of the firm's<br />
seats include no-sag positive seat stops;<br />
19. 20. 21 and 22-inch seat and back<br />
sizes; floor or riser mounted Permocast<br />
aluminum standards; solid hardwood<br />
or padded fabric-covered arms, and<br />
lough, durable Cvcohic wood ^ruined<br />
Mclaniiin- or sled seal<br />
hacks.<br />
IRWIN SEATING CO.<br />
Irwin Seating Co., Grand Rapids,<br />
Mich., combines luxury and comfort<br />
in it's "Loge" line. The deep seats, thick<br />
backs and wide arms of the Loge line<br />
are available in the full line of upholstered<br />
theatre chairs and have reportedly<br />
gained wide acceptance since their<br />
introduction. Irwin's PAC features an<br />
acoustically engineered, padded, upholstered<br />
rear and is a favorite for<br />
performing arts centers and screening<br />
rooms. Irwin Seating Co., with over<br />
70 years experience, can reportedly<br />
provide a complete package of quality<br />
seating for the most discerning buyer.<br />
Other sealing lines include the Citation,<br />
Atlas-Hi-Back, Comet and Gladiator<br />
chairs designed specifically for theatre<br />
sealing. Irwin Sealing also provides a<br />
complete sealing package for theatre<br />
owners, including delivery and full<br />
installation.<br />
Self-spacing panels that are<br />
EFFECTIVE<br />
ECONOMICAL<br />
EASY TO USE<br />
Samples on request. For complete<br />
information, pleyse call immediately.<br />
213-747-6546<br />
1319 West 12th Place Los Angeles, CA 90015<br />
I<br />
The MODERN THEATRE SECTION
MASSEY SEATING CO.<br />
Two popular chair models that Massey<br />
Seating Co., Nashville. Tenn.. offers<br />
are, top to bottom, the Astro-Rocker<br />
and Rocker-Lounger. The big, oversized<br />
Astro-Rocker, and its companion<br />
Astro-Lounger, feature three foampillar<br />
back supports and a fidl-depth<br />
foam cushion seat. The latter has the<br />
same distinctive styling and construction<br />
as the former, except that it<br />
is stationary. A fool-proof rocking<br />
mechanism, permitting an automatic<br />
adjustment for the proper seat pitch,<br />
has contributed to the Rocker-Lounger<br />
becoming "the standard of comparison<br />
in theatre seating." The Loge model<br />
is available with the same features.<br />
AMERICAN SEATING CO.<br />
American Sealing Co.. Grand Rapids.<br />
Mich., continues to be a leader and one<br />
of the world's largest manufacturers of<br />
public seating with its maintenancefree<br />
35 M series, which reportedly exceeds<br />
seating criteria in quality, comfort<br />
and quiet operation. Within its 35<br />
M series is the model 35M-FR found<br />
in installations world wide. A large<br />
section of upholstery fabrics, colors and<br />
aisle treatments are available. Write No. 10 on Reader's Service Card<br />
The New World Heavyweight<br />
Champion<br />
Irwin's new Louc line is a<br />
kiidckout.<br />
Wc began with our proven style<br />
and durability. Then, we made<br />
our seat eushion a lot deeper<br />
(Hir armrests longer and witler<br />
and we gave our baeks a lot<br />
thieker padding.<br />
/HARRY<br />
MELCHER<br />
THEATRE EQUIPMENT<br />
Complete Projection and<br />
and<br />
Equipment<br />
^^^^^<br />
Concession<br />
Sound<br />
3607-15 W. Fond du Uc<br />
(414) 442-5020<br />
yiju,.<br />
Equipmint<br />
Reinforcement<br />
Service and Repair<br />
Wl 53216<br />
Now we've got tiic most eomfortable<br />
theatre chair available<br />
anywhere. A chair that won't<br />
go eiown tor the count.<br />
So wh\ go with a pait'oka<br />
"<br />
when you can ha\e the Champ<br />
Irwin Seating Drop us a note at the C'liamp's<br />
Company training camp. We're proud of<br />
'•^'•"" heavvweigiit. and we'd<br />
rrlnli'Hj'lK<br />
Mirh. 4!)'ioi reaHx hke to show you wh\<br />
No. 12 on Reader's Service Cn<br />
y
UPGRADE VOUR<br />
BCN>IHAr<br />
DOGGGNELOW<br />
GOsrwrrH<br />
EFRAD<br />
I«L-MUr<br />
HEYWOOD-WAKEFIELD<br />
I<br />
"Best friend a theatre man ever had" is<br />
what you're likely to hear about DBL-MUT<br />
from satisfied owners of the breed.<br />
You sec, DBL-MUT (that's short<br />
for double make-up table) is a universal<br />
film handling unit that can save you time<br />
and money three ways in preparing and<br />
presenting shows.<br />
For example: used as a stand alone<br />
film transport system , DBL-MUT will turn<br />
a small reel capacity into a large reel transport,<br />
holding up to 4 '/2 hours of film. (48-inch<br />
reels). Just roll it up to your projector, feed<br />
film from one side reel to the projector and<br />
back to the other reel. Put it in "run" mode<br />
and your show is on screen when your<br />
projector starts. Very nifty.<br />
Or, use DBL-MUT as a rewind bench —<br />
rewinding smoothly from any large reel<br />
or studio reel. Speed is controlled by the<br />
variable power supply.<br />
DBL-MUT will also serve you as a<br />
make-up bench for Eprad's Simple Platter<br />
and most others. And give you backup<br />
capability should a platter break down.<br />
DBL-MUT is shipped complete, ready<br />
(o plug into any 115 Vac 60 Hz outlet. No<br />
time or money lost for installation or booth<br />
equipment modification.<br />
Get in touch with your Eprad dealer<br />
and put a leash on a DBL-MUT soon.<br />
You'll be doggone glad you did. Or, write<br />
us for complete information.<br />
Sold and Leased Internationally<br />
Thru Selected Theatre Supply Dealers<br />
INCORPORATED<br />
Box 4712 / Toledo.Ohio 43620<br />
®<br />
/ (419) 243-8106<br />
Heywood-Wakefield, M e n o in i n e e,<br />
Mich., offers theatre chairs in stationary<br />
models and seven rocking chairs,<br />
above. Representative rocker model<br />
TC-2104, below, has a spring base<br />
mechanism, veneer back panel and<br />
solid wood armrests. The spring-base<br />
rocking innovation adjusts automatically<br />
to all seating positions without<br />
levers, buttons or gadgets. Padded<br />
hacks and spring-filled backs are available<br />
along with coil spring and arch<br />
spring seat cushions. All metalwork,<br />
available in a choice of standard and<br />
custom colors, is steel. Seat cushion'<br />
are available in widths from 19 to 24<br />
in. and are fitted with wire drawstring<br />
covers for easy replacement. Rocking<br />
Models are available in mini-midi-maxi<br />
sizes to accommodate various size seating<br />
budgets.<br />
NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY<br />
Produced for National Theatre Supply<br />
by American Desk Manufacturing Co.,<br />
the company's chair line includes three<br />
varieties. The Lounger model 2840,<br />
above, is offered in two styles— the<br />
King-Back, a deep plush style, and<br />
the slimline Queen-Back. Both provide<br />
the ultimate in comfort and convenience<br />
with an unusual mechanism that<br />
maintains a precise relationship between<br />
back and seat in every angle of<br />
recline. Model 2117-24F, below, is the<br />
Marquis, which features a uniquely<br />
contoured plastic back that is superbly<br />
designed for ease, durability and freedom<br />
of maintenance.<br />
MARBLE HELPS... With High Quality, Low Prices, and<br />
Fast Delivery You'll make bigger profits.<br />
Call Bill Alexander, collect, or contact your theatre supply dealer for:<br />
• Double Eagle Carbons • X-CEL Xenon Bulbs<br />
• Sankor Lenses • Reflectors<br />
THE/i^AMRBLE COAAPANY INC.<br />
.Tennessee 37207<br />
3lex 554303<br />
RenJei's Service<br />
C.iril<br />
^g^K<br />
^gj^<br />
The MODERN THEATRE SECTION
Cine-Fi inventor Sekiguchi<br />
Receives Technical Award<br />
Kiichi Sekiguchi, inventor of the Cine-Fi<br />
drive-in radio sound system, recently received<br />
a Technical Achievement Award<br />
from the Assn. of Motion Picture Arts and<br />
Sciences.<br />
Kkintb
. for<br />
i Reader's<br />
^ 'm^<br />
No. 18 on Reader's Service Card<br />
The KNEISLEY Lamphouse to<br />
Remember when Equipping Your Theatre,<br />
— write for fne details—<br />
NEW<br />
LgJUUlJLfl-9-8-B-9-0-fl-9.BJ.e<br />
Rubber feet stop EQUIPMENT<br />
splicer from sliding.<br />
I<br />
Fits quickly onto ^g<br />
= and =:<br />
-n<br />
any CIR-type splicer. |s g DEVELOPMENTS<br />
CIRO<br />
a o'oTnrBTTS "BTTBTnT SHI<br />
o<br />
D Eprad-Manufactured Rectifiers<br />
O<br />
EQUIPMENT CORPORATION Now Offered in Three Sizes<br />
6820 Romaine Street, Hollywood, Eprad recently announced that it is now<br />
California 90038. (213) 467-1296 marketing a new .xenon rectifier designed<br />
and manufactured by the firm at their plant<br />
in Toledo. The rectifier formerly offered by<br />
xi^<br />
rr<br />
XENEX<br />
• it's moderately priced, ruggedly constructed.<br />
Clean styling. Complete rear Instrument panel.<br />
Access to interior through full hinged doors.<br />
Adjustable nose cone. Heavy duty igniter.<br />
• Horizontal lamp ond 14 inch dichroic coated,<br />
glass reflector provide greater light pickup ond<br />
excellent screen coverage. Focusing and beom<br />
controls provided.<br />
• Accommodates 1000 through 4000 watt Xenon<br />
Lamps for indoor and outdoor screens up to<br />
125 feet wide.<br />
• Magnetic arc stabilization properly positions<br />
arc tail flame around anode, increasing lamp<br />
life.<br />
• Bl-ower cooled. Manual ignition and manual<br />
douser ore standard. Automotic ignition optional.<br />
THE KNEISLEY ELEQRIC COMPANY, P.O. BOX 4692, TOLEDO, OHIO 43620<br />
the firm was reportedly designed several<br />
years ago by a consultant and manufactured<br />
for Eprad by another firm.<br />
The new rectifier is reportedly the result<br />
Write No. 19 on Reader's Service Card<br />
rgahver<br />
CLOSES!<br />
When you've got to get your<br />
equipment rolling again, excuses are<br />
inexcusable. Call the one source that<br />
comes to your aid 24 hours a day, RCA,<br />
Our coast-to-coast network of<br />
technicians puts a specialist near you.<br />
He's ready to deliver fast, professional<br />
emergency service, routine preventive<br />
maintenance, equipment installation,<br />
booth modification, auditorium<br />
equalization and a lot more . all<br />
equipment Dolby-trained specialists.<br />
Call on 40 years of experience.<br />
Call RCA Any time you need us, or<br />
even before you need us. Call us collect<br />
at (609) 338-4157 for the 24-hour<br />
service number in your area,<br />
RCil<br />
RCA Service Company, A Division of RCA<br />
Technical Services. 204-2<br />
Route «38, Cherry Hill. N, J, 08353<br />
Service Card<br />
of more than one year of intensive effort<br />
and several months of exhaustive testing.<br />
The new design emphasizes ease of operation.<br />
dL-pciulability and economy of operation,<br />
the firm reports.<br />
A control knob on the top of the rectifier<br />
cabinet provides a continuously variable<br />
voltage capability. There are no taps to be<br />
changed if a higher or lower operating<br />
voltage is needed.<br />
Components in the new rectifiers include<br />
"avalanche" diodes to safeguard against<br />
lightning. General Electric's new metal oxide<br />
varistors to prevent spiking, and temperature<br />
in detectors the diode bank which<br />
shut the rectifier down in case of excessive<br />
heat build up.<br />
The rectifiers come in three sizes 2000<br />
watts ($2921), .^000 watts ($3346), and<br />
4000 watts ($3642).<br />
For more information, enter 112 on the<br />
Reader's Service card.<br />
New products or services mentioned in<br />
this<br />
iiiai;azi'U' arc for infonuation purposes only.<br />
Their appearance does not necessarily constitute<br />
endorsement by <strong>Boxoffice</strong> or The<br />
MoDF.RN Theatric.<br />
The MODERN THEATRE SECTION
Giro Equipment 'SPerf Splicer<br />
Puts Tape Edges at Frameline<br />
Ciro Equipment CoqD. recently introduced<br />
an eight perfoiation splicer which covers<br />
two 35mm frames so the tape's edges<br />
New 16mm Test Film<br />
Available From SMPTE<br />
A new 16mm test film for use to evaluate<br />
projector aligninent and screen image quality<br />
is now available, it was announced by<br />
.SMPTE engineering vice-president Roland<br />
.1. Zavada. Eastman Kodak Co. The new<br />
film, designated the 16PA-100, can be obtained<br />
from the SMPTE test film dept., 862<br />
Scarsdale Ave.. Scarsdale, N.Y. 10583 at a<br />
cost of $41 each.<br />
According to Zavada, the film is designed<br />
to provide the same degree of performance<br />
evaluation for professional 16mm projectors<br />
that has been available for 35mm projectors<br />
through SMPTE's well-known 35-PA and<br />
35-IQ test films.<br />
The film, supplied in 100-foot rolls in<br />
black and white, is produced as a camera<br />
original. The film is said to be an excellent<br />
tool for permitting the quantitative measurement<br />
of projector adjustments that affect a<br />
projector's visual image. The 16PA-100 is<br />
made in accordance with SMPTE recommended<br />
practice RP82-1978.<br />
SPECIALISTS<br />
REBUILDING<br />
CHAIRS<br />
ip.<br />
Reasonabl<br />
pound. Sur<br />
cs, $2.00. W.<br />
----g Cor<br />
I, Brooklyr<br />
212-875-5433. (Re<br />
Write No. 21 on Reader's Service Card-^<br />
the frameline, instead of in the film<br />
image area.<br />
Like all Ciro splicers, the "SPerf" makes<br />
its own perforations in the splicing tape and<br />
trims the edges automatically.<br />
For more information, enter 109 on the<br />
Reader's Service card.<br />
Bally Case & Cooler Enters<br />
Pre-Fob Building Morket<br />
Entire buildings for boxoffice, information<br />
centers, refreshment stands, supply and<br />
equipment storage, and climate-controlled<br />
motion picture film storage can now be assembled<br />
of a single, pre-insulated, metal<br />
panel system, according to Bally & Case<br />
Cooler Inc.<br />
jlly"s tour-inch-thick, metal clad panels<br />
are available for walls, vertical corners,<br />
roofs aind floors. They are said to have a<br />
high insulating efficiency of R-34 and can<br />
be clad with architectural color-coated<br />
facades.<br />
For more information, enter 107 on the<br />
Reader's Service card.<br />
^<br />
We'll light<br />
op your life!<br />
WITH OUR 4 SPECIALIZED THEATRE<br />
SCREENS<br />
XR171<br />
ANTI-STATIC<br />
non-yellowing<br />
pearlescent surface<br />
HILUX<br />
silver surface<br />
approved for 3D<br />
ECH<br />
XRL<br />
LENTICULAR<br />
prevents cross reflection of Ught.<br />
Cotton backing prevents bellying<br />
on curved screens.<br />
o MATTE<br />
WHITE<br />
heavy<br />
ALSO THE FINEST IN DRIVE IN SCREEN PAINT<br />
^^H^^^BI^^^B^H ^^^^^^^^A<br />
nikOTE^<br />
PROFESSIONAL SCREENS OF SUPERIOR QUALIiY<br />
1 Seabring Street, Brooklyn, N. Y. 1 1231 — (212) 624-6429<br />
Sup<br />
TUNE-A-MOVIE REALLY WORKS !<br />
RADIO SOUND SYSTEMS FOR DRIVE IN THEATERS<br />
5707 Lady Lane, Tucson, Arizona 85704 * Telephone (6021 888 0747<br />
BOXOFFICE :: May 21, 1979<br />
'\\.i No. 23 on Reader's Service Card
Complete Concession<br />
Centers<br />
Butler-Proctor<br />
Planned-Built-Equipped<br />
Installed<br />
Call or Write<br />
priKlor<br />
fliiff IstriliMtiii*! cm.<br />
Address all<br />
Write No. 24 on Reader's Service Card<br />
correspondence to Dept. BMTS.<br />
From theatres and fair grounds to ballparks<br />
and airports, concession operations<br />
everywhere are part of one of the fastest<br />
growing segments in today's economy. Sharing<br />
in the concession industry's upward<br />
movement is its trade association. The National<br />
Assn. of Concessionaires (NAC),<br />
What Is the nflC<br />
which is presently celebrating its 35th year<br />
of service to the industry.<br />
Founded in 1944, the NAC is the only<br />
association covering the entire concession<br />
industry. The present organization was preceded,<br />
however, by three other associations<br />
whose differing names and membership correspond<br />
to the industry's development.<br />
At its founding, the association was<br />
named the National Assn. of Popcorn Manr<br />
ufacturers and represented only the "general<br />
interests of popcorn manufacturers . . .<br />
throughout the U.S." In 1953, a name<br />
change to the International Popcorn Assm.<br />
heralded the organization's broadened<br />
membership which now included processors,<br />
theatre and concession operators, retail<br />
shops, jobbers, equipment manufacturers<br />
and suppliers and brokers.<br />
Two years later, the association adopted<br />
a less exclusive name, the Popcorn and Concession<br />
Assn. Yet this still was not all-inclusive<br />
enough and, in 1956, the name was<br />
changed for the last time to the National<br />
Assn. of Concessionaires. Since that time,<br />
the association has been dedicated to serving<br />
the entire concession industry.<br />
Phenomenal Growth<br />
During the last 15 years, the growth of<br />
the concession industry has been phenomenal.<br />
Concession sales grossed $4 billion in<br />
1978 with an annual growth rate of 10 to<br />
12 percent. In spite of inflation and rising<br />
costs, concessions in many locations, particularly<br />
in movie theatres, contribute almost<br />
100 percent to the facilities' profit.<br />
Concession operations can be found almost<br />
anywhere, from historical sites to<br />
swimming pools. Popcorn, soft drinks and<br />
candy, although still staple concession items,<br />
have been joined on many menus by pizza,<br />
yogurt, granola bars and a host of other<br />
food items. Some facilities have even begun<br />
marketing non-food items such as artwork,<br />
T-shirts and various souvenirs.<br />
The service of such a fast-growing and<br />
diverse industry requires a variety of farranging<br />
programs. The N.A^C has attempted<br />
to meet the needs of its members, who operate<br />
over 25,000 concession facilities<br />
throughout the U.S., Canada, Costa Rica<br />
and Australia, with several programs and<br />
-Write No. 25 on<br />
Reader's Sen<br />
[,1<br />
\r/|r^"^<br />
"The Concessionaire," a newsletter covering<br />
current events in both the association,<br />
and the concession industry, is published by<br />
the NAC on a bi-monthly basis. Copies are<br />
sent free of charge to all members. The<br />
NAC also provides its membership withi<br />
supplemental bulletins which explore in<br />
detail issues of particular interest. Members<br />
are encouraged to submit ideas to the NAC<br />
publications, which maintain a continual<br />
flow of communications between the association<br />
and its membership.<br />
Membership Package<br />
A "Concessions Management and Operations<br />
Guide," one of the most comprehensive<br />
publications presently available on the<br />
subject, is also sent to NAC members as<br />
part of a membership package. The guide<br />
was written by industry experts and includes<br />
chapters on financial management, purchasing<br />
management, personnel management<br />
|<br />
and equipment and facilities, as well as separate<br />
sections on various types of concession<br />
operations. Revision plans for the guide are<br />
currently underway and a newly expanded<br />
and updated version will soon be available.<br />
Besides its many publications, the NAC<br />
also stages a series of tradeshows. conventions<br />
and other meetings for members of<br />
the concession industry. Regional conventions,<br />
held throughout the year, provide an<br />
opportunity for delegates to exchange ideas,<br />
view new products and equipment and listen<br />
to industry specialists.<br />
ShoWesT, hosted by members in 13 western<br />
states, is the largest of the regional conventions,<br />
drawing over 1,500 delegates this<br />
year. NAC's national convention and tradeshow<br />
is held annually in conjunction with<br />
the National .'Vssn. of Theatre Owners and<br />
the Theatre Equipment Assn.<br />
Over 2,000 concession operators, theatre<br />
owners, manufacturers, suppliers and distributors<br />
attended last year's convention at<br />
the Americana Hotel in New York. The<br />
fradeshow had a total of 110 exhibition<br />
booths. The 1979 national convention will<br />
be held Oct. 30-Nov. 1 at the Bonaventure<br />
Hotel in Los Angeles.<br />
Education /Public Relations<br />
During both the regional and the national<br />
conventions, the NAC sponsors a series of<br />
educational meetings for delegates. These<br />
meetings usually feature industry experts<br />
who hold seminars or conduct panel discussions<br />
on new ideas and techniques in<br />
concession operation and management.<br />
The NAC also provides an on-going public<br />
relations program as a general service<br />
to the industry. Through news releases, media<br />
contacts and its own publications, the<br />
The MODERN THEATRE SECTION
,<br />
Metzger.<br />
association continually strives lo establish<br />
an accurate and positive public image for<br />
the concession industry. This has been particularly<br />
important in the wake of recent<br />
criticism aimed at concession items. The association's<br />
lespcinso to the "junk food" contro\crs\<br />
has been to reiterate its recommen-<br />
Jalioii ot moderation in all food purchases.<br />
In addition to its current programs, the<br />
NAC is constantly searching for ways to improve<br />
its service to the industry and its<br />
members. With several new projects already<br />
being discussed, the association and the industry<br />
are both anticipating even greater<br />
growth and prosperity through the new decade<br />
and beyond.<br />
Popcorn Institute Officers<br />
Are Elected for 1979<br />
The Popcorn Institute, the Chicago-based<br />
association of U.S. popcorn processors, has<br />
elected officers for 1<br />
979. Re-elected to serve<br />
a second term as pres-<br />
^^<br />
ident is<br />
^jjjj^l^<br />
Herbert B.<br />
^^^^^ ^S Gettelfinger, president<br />
W a<br />
°^ Gettelfinger Pop-<br />
NAC President Lowe Appoints<br />
Ten Regional Vice-Presidents<br />
The appointment of ten regional vicepresidents<br />
foi the National Assn. of Concessionaires<br />
was recently announced by<br />
NAC president Perry Lowe of Theatre<br />
Management Services. Lowe said the vicepresidents,<br />
four of whom are new associ<br />
ation officers, will play a vital role in .is<br />
sisting NAC to work effectively with all ol<br />
its members.<br />
As an example, Lowe called the association's<br />
regional meetings, several of which<br />
are held each year, an important aspect ol<br />
the NAC's "grass roots" approach to<br />
reaching<br />
concessionaires. He also pointed to the<br />
success of this year's ShoWesT convention,<br />
hosted annually by members in 13 western<br />
states, which attracted more than 2,000<br />
delegates.<br />
The ten regional vice-presidents and the<br />
areas within their regions include:<br />
Region No. 1: Fella Goldberg, Standard Box Co.,<br />
Chelsea, Mass. (Connecticut, Dekrwaie, District of<br />
Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New<br />
Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania,<br />
Puerto FUco, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and<br />
West Virginia.)<br />
Region No. 2;<br />
Inc., Memphis,<br />
, „,<br />
-<br />
Mississippi, North and South Carolina and Tennes-<br />
Region No. 3: Paul Leikowitz, L & L Concession<br />
Co., Troy, Mich. (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan<br />
and Ohio.)<br />
Region No. 4; Gerald Toohey, Nebraska Concession<br />
Supply Inc., Omaha, Neb. (Colorado, Iowa, Kansas,<br />
Missouri and Nebraska.)<br />
Region No. 5: Frank G. Liberto, Liberto Specialty<br />
Co., San Antonio, Tex. (Arkansas, Louisiana, New<br />
Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.)<br />
6: Region No. Chesler, Norman Theatre Candy<br />
Distributing Co., Salt Lake City, Utah. (Arizona,<br />
Cahlorma, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah.)<br />
Goetze Appoints Jim Coyle<br />
Assistant Sales Manager<br />
Melvin Goetze, chairman of the board<br />
and president of Goetzc's Candy Co., Inc.,<br />
recently announced<br />
Jim Coyle<br />
the appointmemt of<br />
lim Coyle as assistant<br />
biiies manager. Coyle<br />
will assist Spaulding<br />
Goetze, vice-president<br />
and sales manager for<br />
the firm, with the<br />
company's national<br />
network of brokers.<br />
Prior to Coyle's acceptance<br />
of the managerial<br />
position with<br />
Goetze's, he was regional sales manager for<br />
Y & S, now a division of Hershey Foods.<br />
Coyle will reside in Baltimore, Md.<br />
New Board Members Elected<br />
To Theatre Equipment Assn.<br />
Jeiry Sunshine, executive director of the<br />
Theatre Equipment Assn., recently announced<br />
the results of the annual board of<br />
directors election.<br />
Worth Baird was elected as a director to<br />
the manufacturing division and John Burlinson<br />
Jr. and Phil Judd were re-elected to<br />
this<br />
division for another term.<br />
Paul Voudouris was elected as a director<br />
to the dealer division and Jim Barry and<br />
Dan Miller were re-elected to this division<br />
J.<br />
for another term.<br />
The association extended its sincere<br />
Region No. 7: Robert Bond, Sterling Recreation<br />
Organization Co., Bellevue, Wash. (Alaska, Idaho,<br />
Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming.) thanks to retiring board members Chuck<br />
Lahti and Don Moore in the dealer division<br />
Region No 8: Frederick Corrigan, Valley Fair<br />
Entertainment Center, Shakopee, Minn. (Minnesota,<br />
North and South Dakota and Wisconsin.)<br />
and Glenn Berggren and Andy Marglin in<br />
Super Puff't Popcorn<br />
Region No. 9: Sydney Spiegel,<br />
the manufacturing division.<br />
Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. (Eastern<br />
Ltd.,<br />
Canada including the provinces; New Brunswick,<br />
Newloundland, ScoUa, Ontario, Nova Prince Edward<br />
Island and Quebec.)<br />
"Is it wrong to shout 'Movie!' in a crowded<br />
fire house"— Steve Martin, comedian,<br />
Region No. 10; Jack Senior, Harlan Fairbanks Co.<br />
Ltd., Vancouver, B.C., Canada. (Western Canada<br />
including the provinces: Alberta, British Columbia,<br />
from the album "Let's Get Small."<br />
Manitoba and Saskatchewan.)<br />
How to butter up an<br />
"'^'''<br />
The Popcorn Train Is the only popcorn<br />
corner that holds a popcorn bucket and<br />
Q dnnk cup in one convenient package.<br />
So even/ sale is tv^/o soles. Colorful<br />
posters and mobiles available,<br />
For more information about the<br />
money-making Popcorn Train<br />
contact Dixie, Marathon,<br />
f^^-^ 2A5 American Lane,<br />
Greenwich, CT 06830.<br />
(203) 552-4183.<br />
DISCia/MaRaTHON<br />
Reader's Service Card<br />
MGM Sound Department Begins<br />
Major Modernization Project<br />
Work is now underway for the complete<br />
modernization of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer<br />
Studio sound facilities with an expected<br />
completion date early this fall, it recently<br />
was announced by Roger Mayer, MGM<br />
vice-president of administration.<br />
Three fully renovated re-recording rooms<br />
will feature custom-designed Quad/ Eight<br />
consoles, Compumix processors, high-speed<br />
Magnatech projection equipment, Dolby<br />
four-channel stereo capabilities and all-new<br />
support equipment.<br />
Already in operation is the Dolbyequipped<br />
six-track stereo dubbing facility in<br />
the MGM Theatre, considered by many to<br />
be the finest available in the industry. "The<br />
Deer Hunter," which has won an Academy<br />
Award nomination this year for best sound,<br />
was one of the more recent films re-recorded<br />
in this facility, which also has 70mm projection<br />
capabilties.<br />
MGM's Foley Stage and a top-flight<br />
Foley crew, equipped with all necessary<br />
props, are available to develop whatever<br />
background sounds may be required.<br />
MGM's scoring stage represents one of the<br />
finest facilities acoustic available for music<br />
recording in the industry. Sheffield Laboratories<br />
has just completed construction of<br />
their direct-to-disc record recording facility<br />
which will utilize the MGM scoring stage.<br />
MGM's fully modernized sound departmen<br />
is supported by 17 projection rooms<br />
with 16, 35 and 70mm capabilities as well<br />
as 4 or 6-track stereo, and seating up to 387<br />
persons. Surrounding the sound department<br />
are 171 editorial rooms.<br />
Alphabetical Index<br />
of Advertisers<br />
Automoticket<br />
^<br />
Ballantyne of Omaha *<br />
Bally Case & Cooler >*<br />
''<br />
Bevelite-Adler<br />
Big Three Theatre Group<br />
Canrad Honovia, Ballantyne, Strong 5<br />
Butler Fixture & Mfg '*<br />
Canrad Hanovia ^<br />
Cemcorp *<br />
Christie Electric Corp *<br />
Ciro Equipment Corp j*<br />
Cretors, Inc. ]^<br />
Dixie/Marathon<br />
'»<br />
Eprad, Inc. '°<br />
.<br />
Alan Gordon Enterprises '<br />
Hurley Screen Corp *<br />
Irwin Seating Co '<br />
Kintek, Inc. '<br />
Kneisley Electric Co '*<br />
LocRod, Inc. '^<br />
The Marble Co , Inc 10<br />
Horry Melcher Enterprises '<br />
National Theatre Supply<br />
'<br />
Norman & Friddell *<br />
RCA Service Co )*<br />
Seating Corp of New York 1*<br />
Sclby Industries, Inc *<br />
Sign<br />
Products<br />
(Rapid Change Letter Co) 8<br />
Soundfold<br />
International<br />
Tcchnikotc Corp 1*<br />
Western Service & Supply "<br />
Xetron Products Div.<br />
(Carbons, Inc.) *<br />
The MODERN THEATRE SECTION<br />
'
BOXOFFiCE BOOKINCUIDE<br />
JONNA JEFFERIS,<br />
Bookinguide Editor<br />
An interpretive analysis of lay and tradepress reviews. Running time is in patentheses. The plus and<br />
minus signs indicate degree o! merit. Listings cover current reviews regularly. Symbol r.J denotes<br />
BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Award. All films are in color except those indicated by (bSw) for black &<br />
white or (© and b&w) for color and black
REVIEW DIGEST<br />
AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX H Very Good, ^ Good, i Foir; - Poor; = Very Poor. 5d 2 pluses,
•s V . .<br />
; S<br />
itiim<br />
lit I :i<br />
ilil^silr<br />
i. I I<br />
il<br />
I<br />
HO<br />
'<br />
ill<br />
ii|l|:is<br />
° SB<br />
5f<br />
l"_<br />
ii!il<br />
in K „ M<br />
S E = ;<br />
B^<br />
-'I<br />
I -s -<br />
"•si T-3c<br />
filillll<br />
=|g^Jl|lii<br />
III<br />
off<br />
6 b:<br />
g g.<br />
i<br />
MP<br />
.9 : :u-S<br />
i|J<br />
|I|I1||S||<br />
§11<br />
ill<br />
k
Oct<br />
. Feb<br />
Apr<br />
. . .War<br />
ANALYSIS FILM RELEASING<br />
Indian Summer Nov<br />
Charleston<br />
Dec<br />
riie Innocent Jan<br />
ATLANTIC RELEASING<br />
Max Ha»elaar (165) . .Hi- .Jan 79<br />
La Jument Vaoeur .....<br />
Picnic at Hanoino Rock<br />
. Ulm3<br />
"Going<br />
Opinions on Current Productions ^EATUkE REVIEWS<br />
reviowod here aie in color, unUs. othorwUe specUiad « black and whil. (bSw). For slory aynopgU on .ach plctur<br />
LAST EMBRACE<br />
United Artists (79061) 102 Minutes<br />
m<br />
Suspen<br />
Rel. May '79<br />
Released through United Artists, this involved suspenser<br />
is the first production from a pair of former U. A<br />
executives, Michael Taylor and Dan Wigutow. At least<br />
half of it is an extremely good thr-iller, the rest ranging<br />
from bewildering to satisfactory. Roy Scheider and Janet<br />
Margolin, while not powerhouse names, are both good<br />
in their- assigmnents as a government agent marked for<br />
death and a young woman who is not what she seems.<br />
The titles by Pablo Perro drift all over the screen, as does<br />
the plot until the twists and tui-ns become clear. Director<br />
Jonathan Demme concentrates on technique in the fu-st<br />
half and plot and characterization thereafter. Based on<br />
Murray Teigh Bloom's novel, "The 13th Man," David<br />
Shabei-'s screenplay contains some deliberately familiar<br />
lines which any audience could anticipate, just to make<br />
the surprises even more effective. There is good support<br />
from Sam Levene, John Glover and cameo players Marcia<br />
Rodd and Oscar winner ifor "The Deer Hunter") Christopher<br />
Walken. The lush Panavision-Technicolor photography<br />
of Tak Fujimoto around New York City and Niagi-a<br />
Falls and the neat Miklos Rosza score help considerably.<br />
The R rating is for a few topless scenes.—John<br />
Cocchi.<br />
Roy Scheider, Janet Margolin, John Glover, Sam Levene,<br />
Charles Napier, Christopher Walken, Marcia Rodd.<br />
ISEWSFRO^T PG "'1--'-=-<br />
New Yorker Films 110 Minutes Rel. June '79<br />
If Australia has made an indelible mark on the American<br />
consciousness via its recent films, then "Newsfront"<br />
should help to solidify that impression. Hailed at the<br />
iy8 Cannes and New York Film Festivals, the New<br />
Yorker Films release presents the history of the newsreel<br />
in AustraUa from its heyday in 1948 until the waning<br />
days of 1956, while reflecting the political and social<br />
climate of the country dmlng those years. Done in equal<br />
parts of color and black and white, the David Elfick production<br />
is the initial theatrical featm-e of director PhilUp<br />
Noyce, 28-year-old documentarian. His recreation of the<br />
newsreel scene reflects a great feeling for the subject and<br />
the country itself. Noyce's screenplay, based on an original<br />
screenplay by Bob ElUs and a concept by Phillipe<br />
Mora and Elfick, loses some of its impact in the latter<br />
half when the characters become more concerned with<br />
pm-suing their- personal relationships than with captm-ing<br />
history on film. Female lead Wendy Hughes is<br />
very good in a cast of polished ana natural-seeming players<br />
A Village Roadshow and Palm Beach Pictui-es coproduction,<br />
in association with New South Wales Fihn<br />
Corp. and AustraUan FUm Commission.-^ohn Cocchi.<br />
Bill Hunter, Wendy Hughes, Gerard Kennedy, Angela<br />
Punch, Chris Haywood, John Ewart, John Dease.<br />
WIISDS OF CHANGE<br />
Sanrio<br />
82 Minutes<br />
PG<br />
Comedy-Drama<br />
Rel. July '79<br />
It's thi-ee times and out for Sam'io's valiant effort to<br />
bring Ovid's stories to the screen as an animated featm-e.<br />
"Winds of Change" is a di-astic reworking of its predecessor,<br />
"Metamorphoses," after it failed to click. This tmie<br />
around the weaknesses are about the same. Overall, the<br />
film fails to gi-ab the viewer. The disco beat, replacing the<br />
former soundtrack of rock and folk music, is out of place<br />
as backgiound for classic stories about the origins of the<br />
world. This time animator Takashi's central character<br />
is a cute boy named Wondermaker, who plays five different<br />
characters in the series of five stories based on Ovid's<br />
myths. But he lacks that certain something that pulls<br />
the viewer into any kind of personal involvement. Peter<br />
Ustinov reads a narration written by Norman Corwin, and<br />
between the two of them a level of quality is achieved.<br />
The effort to keep things light, however, stretches a bit<br />
far at times, as Wondermaker is described at one point<br />
as a "nogoodnik" and Ustinov later observes, "Pretty good<br />
mountain climbing for a kid." For the most part, the proceedings<br />
parallel Ustinov's description of a wUd boar's<br />
ferocity; "a crashing bore." Casablanca Records has<br />
tui-ned out the soundtrack album of the disco-rock score<br />
by composer Alec R. Costandino. Pattie Brooks sings "Red<br />
Hot River of Fire" and Ai-thui- Simms performs vocals on<br />
four songs.—Ralph Kaminsky.<br />
l_<br />
nch<br />
THE IKENCH DETECTIVE E„,i,sh itie<br />
Quartet Films 93 Minutes Rel. Apr. '79<br />
With an uninspired title as a handicap, this Fi-ench import,<br />
a 1975 Em-opean release, should overcome any resistance<br />
to its success here. Reviews have been extremely<br />
good so far and the pic is filled with enough action, comedy<br />
and incident to please action fans as well as regular patrons.<br />
There are three good actors in the leads. sUrting<br />
with popular Lino Ventui-a, a man of authority even in<br />
i<br />
repose, and backed up by Patrick Places') Dewaere<br />
as a kooky cop and Victor Lanoux (male lead in<br />
"Cousin Cousine") portraying a nasty politician. Credibility<br />
is strained by the power which Lanoux, a city councilman,<br />
wields and by his hold on that power even when<br />
a member of his goon squad is revealed to be a cop killer.<br />
Other than that, director Pierre Granier-Deferre never<br />
lets the pace slacken long enough for the audience to determine<br />
whether or not things add up. Francis Veber s<br />
screenplay was based on the novel by Jean Laborde. Many<br />
familiar faces dot the support, starting with Fi-ancoise<br />
Brion as a madame with connections and including Valerie<br />
Maii-esse ("One Sings, the Other Doesn't"). The Ba.sil<br />
Film presentation was produced by Les Films Ariane and<br />
Mondex Films, with Panavision equipment and color.<br />
Music is by Philippe Sarde.—John Cocchi.<br />
Lino Ventura, Patrick Dewaere, Victor Lanoux, Francoise<br />
Brion, Julien Guiomar, Jacques Rispal, Claude Rich.<br />
TERESA THE THIEF<br />
En,nsh"T,tieTa,fd"%r=;.<br />
World Northal 111 Minutes Rel. May '79<br />
Biographical comedy-dr-ama with political and social<br />
overtones is the most apt description of this show-case for<br />
Monica Vitti. Deglamorized. disheveled and ultimately<br />
old. the actress gives one of the best bittersweet performances<br />
of her career. The Euro International Films presentation,<br />
produced bv Giovamii Bertollucci. is the dii-ectorial<br />
debut of longtii-ne cinematographer Carlo Di Palma.<br />
who concentrates more on plot detail than pictorial composition.<br />
It was based on Dacia Marami's best-seller,<br />
"Memoirs of a Thief," telling of the career of Teresa<br />
Numa, who assisted on the film. Screenplay by Age, Scarpelli<br />
and Maraini is episodic, with many dramatic elements<br />
and quite a bit of repetition as Vitti travels from<br />
town to town and from job to jail. The star is at all times<br />
the center of attention in spite of a large and energetic<br />
cast a tribute to her characterization. One of the fewindulgent<br />
scenes is a very funny bit introducing Michele<br />
Placido as someone out of a cigarette commercial. Music<br />
by Riz Ortolani is unobtrusive, while smooth Technicolor<br />
cinematography is by Dario Di Palma. The import has<br />
English titles and narration by Vitti. Although the emphasis<br />
is on earthiness. there is much here about the human<br />
spirit which is touching.—John Cocchi.<br />
Monica Vitti, Stefano Satta Flores. Isa Danieli. Carlo<br />
Delle Diane, Michele Placido, Valeriano Vallone.<br />
Don't Let Your Subscription Lapse!<br />
Keep It Coming Every Week.<br />
Use the Handy Subscription Form on<br />
the Reverse Side<br />
The reviews n these pages moy be filed for future reference in any of the following ways: (1) >" °"y,^l°"^"^^*^',%%',\"l<br />
let; (2) indlviduolly, by company, in ony standord 3x5 cord Index file; or (3) In the BOXOFFICE PICTURE<br />
ing, pocket-siie binder. The latter, including a ycor's supply of booking and doily record sheets, moy be<br />
Vonee Publishing Corp., 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. 64124 for $3.50.<br />
BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: May 21. 1979 5115
. . Three<br />
FEATURE REVIEWS Story Synopsis; Exploitips; Adiines for Newspapers and Programs<br />
THE STORY: "The French Detective" (Quartet)<br />
In Rouen. \'eteran police inspector Lino Ventura and<br />
his youthful assistant Patrick Dewaere investigate an n;i<br />
elderly man's death at madame Francoise Brion's estab- Soda<br />
^"''<br />
lishment. She tells them not to cause her any trouble<br />
because she has very high connections. A goon squad working<br />
for city councilman Victor Lanoux beats up campaign<br />
workers for Lanoux's political opponent and a youth is<br />
killed. One of the goons fatally shoots a police detective<br />
who identifies his assailant before dying. Chief inspector<br />
Julien Guiomar, under pressure from the powerful Lanoux.<br />
transfers Ventm-a to a post in Montpellier after<br />
Ventm-a allows Jean Cannet (father of the dead youth<br />
to denounce Lanoux while holding hostages at City Hall.<br />
To delay Ventui-a's transfer, the wild but dedicated Dewaere<br />
frames a bribery charge by Brion. Ventura is able<br />
to close ni on the killer, who has stolen Lanoux's secret<br />
records, by using the killer's wife as a lure and withholding<br />
news of her death. When Lanoux is taken hostage<br />
and the killer asks to negotiate with Ventm-a, the latter<br />
answers by saying he's left for Montpellier.<br />
EXPLOITIPS:<br />
The fibn opened in New York to very favorable reviews,<br />
one critic calling it the first good film of '79.<br />
CATCHLINES:<br />
To Be a Good Cop, You Don't Have to Play Dii'ty—But<br />
It Helps . Top French Stars in One of the Best<br />
Thrillers in a Long Time.
;<br />
Excellent<br />
:<br />
; nema<br />
... , , J . a<br />
:<br />
'<br />
lATES: 50c per word, minimum S5.0O CASH WITH COPY. Four con.<br />
tor price of ttiree.<br />
Vhen using a Boxoflice No. figure 2 additional words and include SI. 00 additional<br />
londling replies. Display Classilied, $38.00 per Colur Inch. No<br />
allowed. CLOSING DATE:<br />
Monday noon preceding publication date. Send copy<br />
Numbers to BOXOFFICE, 825<br />
Ton Brunt Blvd., Kansas Citv, Mo. 64124. NOTE: Bu licy resumes, pressbooks, posters, etc. will not be<br />
'orwaided unless accompanied by suiiicient postage.<br />
HELP WANTED<br />
NEED MOHE MONEY Sell screen ads<br />
v;ur local banker, auto dealer, etc^<br />
jrn miramum $200.00 each sale. We'll<br />
-ov.' vou how and handle all details (ad<br />
lake-up, tilm, billing, etc.). Write P. O.<br />
ox 597, Salasola, Fla. 33578. 30 years in<br />
THEATRE MANAGER wanted for twin<br />
inema in Denver metropolitan area with<br />
;eneral Cinema Corp. Salary, concession<br />
ommission, theatre rental commission<br />
nd many award programs including<br />
onus Need manager immediately due to<br />
'omolions For interviews call Dennis<br />
lahaney at (303) 343-4200.<br />
EXPERIENCED MANAGER wanted lor<br />
.111 Circuit in the Chicago/suburban<br />
Send resume and references to Box-<br />
4256.<br />
EXPERIENCED MANAGER / OPERATOR<br />
.=<br />
ed*d lor Downtown Theatre. Salary<br />
^m-n»nsurate with experience. Good oportumly<br />
for advancement. Send resume<br />
nd r^lerences to: Mr. Dale Pearce, Luxry<br />
Theatres, 919 S.W. Taylor Si, Suite<br />
iQ Portland, OR 97205. (503) 221-0213.<br />
EXPERIENCED MANAGER/ OPERATOR<br />
- ni'w twin theatres in New Jersey area.<br />
^lary commensurate with experience.<br />
'any benefits, inclucling concession comssions<br />
Send resume and references to:<br />
'u^i- Makers Theatres, Inc., 1650 Oak<br />
tree-, Lakewood, NJ 08701.<br />
MANAGER—Immediate opening. $18,200<br />
•r yedr Concession percentage. Blue<br />
ross-Blue Shield. Multiple theatre com-<br />
;ex, oulslate Michigan. Retirement bene-<br />
'available, as well as advancement<br />
oportunities, work and attitude<br />
is<br />
--""<br />
Wr 4262.<br />
MANAGER for General Cinema Twin<br />
in New Orleans Excellent oppor<br />
Competitive salaty concession<br />
on plus many other commission<br />
insurance and re<br />
aram=^<br />
,, t „„.<br />
G^'oup<br />
p^„„„ n Mon Ofhce<br />
MANAGERS/ ASSISTANT MANAGERS<br />
paid benf-'if! maior medical/<br />
1,<br />
and references to<br />
Send<br />
ay<br />
resume<br />
Showcase Cinemas P O Boy<br />
e-, St. -am. New York 11582<br />
IMMEDIATE OPENING for experienced<br />
, General Cinema's<br />
in Phoenix,<br />
professional tc<br />
:.^: ,L^: :_t-:,' 4 ;. '-'essional manager.<br />
u-lovmenl to start immediately. Salary,<br />
'inmissions, bonuses. We are most interily.<br />
For interviews in Arizona call Keith<br />
aac (602) 997-6363. In Colorado call GCC<br />
V. Mgr. Dennis Mohaney (303) 343-4200<br />
V. Mgr. also covers New Mexico, North<br />
,n and Western Texas so interviews cai<br />
conducted in those areas by appoint<br />
ent.<br />
EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITIES availabl.<br />
r experienced managers in the Houston<br />
'•xas area. One of the notion's leadim<br />
'-itrc circuits. Competitive salaries of<br />
fringe benefits. Send<br />
or call: Elliott Brovim, Div'<br />
cuflRine HOUSE<br />
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE EQUIPMENT WANTED THEATRES WANTED<br />
BURLAP WALL COVERING DRAPES,<br />
$1.10 per yd., flame retardant. Quantity<br />
discounts. Nurse & Co., Millbury Rd., Oxlord,<br />
Mass. 01540. Tel (617) 832-4295.<br />
TICKET MACHINES repaired. Fast service,<br />
reasonable rates. Your old ticket<br />
machine worth money. We trade, buy and<br />
sell ticket machines. Try us first. Ask<br />
about our rebuilts. Save money. I.E.D<br />
Service Co., 10 Woodside Dr., Grafton,<br />
Massachusetts. (617) 839-4058.<br />
RADIO SOUND for DRIVE-IN THEATRES<br />
unit,<br />
deludes transmitter and backup<br />
1,99500. Available from manufacturer.<br />
;all lor further information, in Florida,<br />
813) 748-1717; out ol state, (BOO) 237-9457<br />
SIMPLEX SUPERS and E7's, rebuilt, $750;<br />
RCA and Simplex soundheads, $800; Norelco<br />
and Cinemeccanica 35/70 machines,<br />
Xenons, carbons, lamphouses, lenses<br />
bases, ports you won't find elsewhere.<br />
One year warranty. International Cinema<br />
Equipment Co., 6750 N.E. 4th Ct Miami,<br />
PL 33138 (305) 756-0699.<br />
35MM PORTABLE SALE — Norelco FP3<br />
$1,995; DeVry XD, $1,695; Holmes type 8,<br />
$995; Tokiwa T-60. $2,150. All in stock now<br />
International Cinema, (305) 756-0699.<br />
16MM MINI THEATRE SPECIALS— Pai<br />
rebuilt IAN projec ois with separate am<br />
plifier, speaker, changeovers, lenses, ca<br />
bles, built for performance, $1,095. Inter<br />
national Cinema, (305) 756-0699.<br />
XENON BONANZA—Strong Lumex 2000<br />
watt factory rebuilt, like new, $2,995;<br />
Strong 900 watt, 1600 watt, 2500 watt. Xetron<br />
900 watt, 1600 watt and 2000 watt<br />
ORG 1000 watt and 1600 watt Many others<br />
chc<br />
Call Cinema, (305) 756-1<br />
SYNCHRONOUS MOTOR, 1/4 HP, 230V,<br />
3-phase, 50/60 Hz, $200. MBC, Box 425,<br />
Bayside, NY 13361.<br />
COMPLETE THEATRE equipment one<br />
seating package: Ballantyne Pro-35 pro<br />
lector with complete sound and accessor)<br />
package, 350 seats, screen, curtains, con<br />
cession and ticket booth equipment. Ex<br />
cellent condition. Full spec sheet avail<br />
able on request. $15,000 or best offer takes<br />
all. Phone: Steve Smith, (505) 765-5037.<br />
PAIR 35MM Century CC, completely<br />
first built, in class condition, with RCA<br />
soundheads, bases, 5,000 magazines,<br />
ft.<br />
$4,850 00 F.O.B., L.A. Jack Lombardo,<br />
Movie Projector Repair Shop. In Hollywood,<br />
(213) 462-4609, 465-9236.<br />
EPHAD DBL-MUT film transport<br />
POSITIONS WANTED<br />
CONTROLLER. Op
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THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY - WITH THE LOCAL TOUCH!
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^^rj^j^<br />
IF<br />
I XO, IT/T<br />
Ms.'**^<br />
The^autilusTilm Company<br />
The
Current and forthcoming releases available<br />
with Dolby Stereo sound-tracks include:
I<br />
Ji<br />
Gold Medal for Wayne<br />
Called 'Appropriate'<br />
WASHINGTON — Calling John Wayne<br />
"ihc<br />
quintessential American," Jack Valcnli<br />
submitted a statement to a House siibonimittee<br />
holding hearings May 21 on<br />
,1 bill to authorize a specially struck $5,000<br />
gold medal to be piesented to the actor by<br />
the president in behalf of the Congress in<br />
recognition of his distinguished career.<br />
The president of the Motion Picture Associaiion<br />
of America was at the Cannes film<br />
festival and could not 'appear in person.<br />
Rep. Barry M. Goldwater Jr. of California<br />
introduced the bill which is similar to<br />
one by his father, the senator from Arizona,<br />
and which has already passed the Senale.<br />
The hearing was before a subcommiltee<br />
headed by Rep. Frank Annunzio of Illinois.<br />
Valenti's statement said, in part:<br />
'The resolution of the Congress to recommend<br />
awarding to John Wayne a Gold<br />
Medal may be one of the most appropriale<br />
K solves ever taken by this Congress. Duke<br />
\\a\ne is such an extraordinary legend that<br />
one is tempted to enlarge the truth when<br />
the truth is perfectly adequate for either<br />
summit or sermon. If the sum of an American<br />
artist is deemed to be the illuminated<br />
expression of this nation, then Duke<br />
Wayne's life and achievements fit the gauge.<br />
For fifty years he has stalked outlaws, exlerminated<br />
villainy, protected the innocent,<br />
explored the wilderness, forded rivers,<br />
driven cattle, and most of all, loved the land<br />
and his country. Beyond a doubt, he is the<br />
quintessential American and to the people in<br />
the United States he is a biave, noble and<br />
heroic man."<br />
Anti-Blind Bid Legislation<br />
Signed Into Law in Maine<br />
Maine became the 14th slate to pass<br />
anti-blind bidding legislation when Gov.<br />
Joseph R Brennan signed the bill into<br />
law on Maj 22. The anti-blind bid bill<br />
passed the Maine House, 124-10, on<br />
April 12. The Senate passed the bill<br />
with a voice vote on May 10.<br />
NATO officials said that Charles<br />
Champine, district manager of SBC<br />
Management Corp. in Boston, was instrumental<br />
in both getting the bill introduced<br />
in the state as well as serving<br />
as a liaison.<br />
Other states where blind bidding is a<br />
hot issue include Texas, where the antiblind<br />
bid legislation will die if it is not<br />
moved out of the House calendars committee<br />
by the end of this month. In<br />
Ohio, the constitutionality of the law,<br />
which that state passed in 1978, will<br />
be tested at a trial slated for July 2.<br />
Published weekly, except one Issue at year-end, by<br />
Vance Publishing Corp., 825 Van Brunt Blvd.. Kansas<br />
City, Missouri 64124. Subscription rates: Sectional<br />
Edition. $15.00 per year, foreign. $25.00. National<br />
Executive Edition: $25.00. rorelgn, $30.00. Single<br />
copy. 75c. Second class postage paid at Kansas City.<br />
Mo. BOXOFFICE Publication No. (USPS 062-260).<br />
Creditors Committee Plans to Pull<br />
Allied Artists<br />
NEW YORK—Samuel Sherman says A<br />
lied Artists should be peimitted to pull out<br />
of its financial plunge,<br />
"I'm opposed to all these pressure groups<br />
trying to liquidate the company," he said.<br />
"It will be a great loss to the industry,"<br />
Sherman, president of Independent-Inleinational<br />
Pictures, has been approved as the<br />
head of the creditors' committee for the<br />
television division of Allied Artists Indu.stries,<br />
which filed for reorganization in federal<br />
bankruptcy court last month.<br />
The approval of his creditors' commillec<br />
is the first important step in saving the<br />
company, Sherman said. The commitlee,<br />
which represents the creditors of Allied<br />
Artists Television Corp., consists of Sherman<br />
and producers Harold Rothbeig and<br />
Monroe Rappaport. Daniel Kenis, chairman<br />
of Independent-International, was elected<br />
standby trustee.<br />
Auditing First Step<br />
The committee intends to reorganize Ihc<br />
television division, make it viable and pay<br />
off Allied Artists Industries' creditors. Sherman<br />
said the division was being audited as a<br />
preliminary step. He also said that the TV<br />
division had the best chance to get back<br />
on its feet because it had the smallest debt,<br />
the smallest overhead and the highest cash<br />
flow.<br />
The company is being pulled under by<br />
the losses of the theatrical division of the<br />
company, Allied Artists Picture Corp., Sherman<br />
said. He said that the television division<br />
didn't belong in bankruptcy court because<br />
it<br />
has "very, very excellent TV sales."<br />
Sherman said that liquidation of Allieil<br />
Artists would have a ripple effect on the<br />
industry, causing a loss of credibility. A<br />
result would be the financial world waiting<br />
to see which company would fail next, he<br />
said.<br />
Back to 1924<br />
The liquidation of Allied Artists, he said,<br />
would mark the first time in the history of<br />
the industry that a major company had been<br />
dissolved in such a way.<br />
The history of Allied Artists dates lo<br />
1924, when W. Ray Johnston formed Ray<br />
Art Pictures to produce independent features<br />
films. It did so until 1928 when it<br />
became Syndicated Pictures.<br />
The name changed in 1930 to Monogram<br />
Pictures. It was an independent company<br />
producing "B" pictures. The subsidiary's<br />
name was Allied Artists Productions, whose<br />
films were released by Monogram.<br />
In 1953, Monogiam was dropped and the<br />
name was changed to Allied Artists Picture<br />
Corp. In 1968, Emanuel Wolf bought controlling<br />
stock in the company and became<br />
Back Toward Viability<br />
its presid.'nt .ind the head of the pictures<br />
division. In 1977. he merged the company<br />
with his financial holdings and changed its<br />
name to Allied Artists Industries.<br />
Sherman contends that it is in the interest<br />
of exhibitors to see that AA remains alive<br />
because it could be respsonsibic for major<br />
feature releases. He said that for $8<br />
million the company could be made whole<br />
again.<br />
"The company should be allowed lo get<br />
back on its feet," Sherman said.<br />
Paramount Files Suil<br />
Against Five Circuits<br />
NEW YORK— Paramount has filed suit<br />
against five theatre circuits.<br />
Walter J. Josiah Jr.. vice president and<br />
chief resident counsel of Paramount Pictures<br />
Corporation, announced May 17 that Paramount<br />
has commenced an antitrust action<br />
in the United States District Court for the<br />
Eastern District of Tennessee, Northern Division,<br />
against AMC Film Management<br />
Inc., Consolidated Theatres Inc., Georgia<br />
Theatre Company, Plitt Southern Theatres<br />
Inc., and Simpson Theatres Inc, The exhibitor-defendants<br />
own or operate all<br />
of the<br />
first run theatres in Knoxville, Tenn.<br />
Paramount has alleged that it believes<br />
that sometime during December 1978 the<br />
defendants agreed to divide or "split" first<br />
run Paramount motion pictures in Knoxville<br />
in order to avoid competitive bidding in<br />
that market. Pursuant to that split, it is<br />
further alleged that the exhibitor-defendants<br />
have divided and still continue to divide<br />
Paramount's pictures with the result that<br />
film rentals, guarantees and advances that<br />
otherwise would have been paid in a competitive<br />
market could be avoided or substantially<br />
reduced.<br />
The complaint states that after the split<br />
plan took effect, two of the exhibitor-defendants<br />
canceled bids previously submitted<br />
for "Star Trek." The complaint also alleges<br />
that the defendants have met to discuss, implement<br />
and enforce the terms of the Knoxville<br />
split agreement and that this split arrangement<br />
constitutes a per se violation of<br />
United States laws.<br />
ITOA Plans TOFCO Meeting<br />
NEW YORK—Tom Patterson will ad-<br />
with its own exchange setup. In 1935 the<br />
company merged with Mascot and Consolidated<br />
Film to form Republic Pictures Corp. dress a special meeting scheduled for June<br />
5 by the Independent Theatre Owners of<br />
In 1936, Johnston bought back Monogram,<br />
which began producing independent films. America, an affiliate of the National Independent<br />
Monogram formed a production subsidiary<br />
in 1945 to move away from its image of<br />
Theatre Exhibitors, in order to ex-<br />
membership<br />
plain the goals, objectives and<br />
plans for TOFCO.<br />
Invited to the meeting, in addition to the<br />
membership of ITOA, is NATO of New<br />
Jersey, NATO of New York and the Independent<br />
Theatre Exhibitors of New Jersey.<br />
The meeting will take place at 3 p.m. in the<br />
Marquis Room of Rosoff restaurant here.<br />
May 28, 1979
THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY<br />
Published in Fi«e Sectional Editions<br />
WILLIAM C. VANCE<br />
Publisher<br />
JOHN F. BERRY<br />
Assoc. Publisher/National Sales Manaoer<br />
CHARLES F. ROUSE III<br />
Editor<br />
BEN SHLYEN Executive Editor<br />
MORRIS SCHLOZMAN Business Manager<br />
HARVEY SHARP Circulation Director<br />
GARY BURCH Equipment Editor<br />
JONNA JEFFERIS AssKiate Editor<br />
STUART A. GOLDSTEIN Associate Editor<br />
JIMMY SUMMERS Associate Editor<br />
KEVIN KIOUS Associate Editor<br />
RALPH KAMINSKY West Coast Editor<br />
JOHN COCCHI East Coast Editor<br />
ADMINISTRATIVE<br />
VANCE HERBERT A. Chairman<br />
B. President<br />
JOHN ONEIL<br />
JAMES J. STAUDT Vice-President<br />
Executive<br />
WILLIAM C. VANCE Vice-President<br />
Publication Offices: S25 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas<br />
City Alo. 64124. (818) 241-77TZ.<br />
Western Offices: 1800 N. Uighland, Suite 707. Uollyuood,<br />
Ca. 80028. (213) 465-1186.<br />
.\dieittiing sales: Glen Vernon<br />
Eastern Offices: 133 E. 5StU St., New Vurli, N.V.<br />
10022. (212) 7f5-5400.<br />
Adverti:>iilg sales: Jitu Vuuag<br />
TUB MOUEUN lllE.MKli Section Is Included In<br />
une issue eucb montb.<br />
Atlanta: tienevieve Cuuii), 100 Uiidbergli Drive, .N.E.<br />
30305.<br />
Baltimore: Rate Savage, 3007 Springdale, 21216.<br />
Boston: Ernest Warren. 1 Colgate Uoad, Needliam,<br />
Mass. 0211)2. Tele. (617) 444-1657.<br />
Buffalo: Edward I'. Meade, 760 Main St., 14202.<br />
Tele. (716) 854-16^5.<br />
Charlotte: Chas. J. Leonard Sr., 319 Queens iid.,<br />
28204. Tele. (704) 333-0444.<br />
Chicago: Frances B. Clow. 175 North Kcnilivorlb,<br />
Oak Park, Hi. 60302. Tele. (312) 383-8343.<br />
Cincinnati: Tony B. Kuthcrfoid, Box 362, iluntingtoti,<br />
W. v.. J5708. Tele. (304) 525-3837.<br />
Cleveland: Blainn Fried, 3255 Grenviay ltd. 44122.<br />
Tele. (216) 991-3797.<br />
Uallas: Mahle Guinan, 5927 Wlnton, 7S206.<br />
Uenver: Bruce MarshaU, 2881 S. Cherry Way, 80222.<br />
Uea Moines: Cindy Vlers, 4024 E. Maple, 60317.<br />
Tele. 206-9811.<br />
Uartford: Allen M. WIdem, 30 Pioneer Drive. W.<br />
Hartford 06117, Tele. 232-3101.<br />
Indianapolis: Robert V. Jones, 6385 N. Park, iVziO.<br />
Tele. (317) 251-6070.<br />
Jacksonville; Joyce M.xlmborB. P.O. Bo.x 10066, 32207.<br />
Louistille: Susan D. Todd, 8409 Old Boundary ltd.,<br />
40281.<br />
Memphis: Bill Minkus, 1188 Perkins Rd. 38117. Tele.<br />
(901) 683-8182.<br />
Miami. Martha I^ummus. 622 N E. 98 St. 33138.<br />
Milwaukee: Wally L. Meyer. 301 Heather Lane, Fredunla.<br />
Wis. 53021. Tele: (414) 692-2763.<br />
Muineapolhi: Bill Diehi, St. I'aul Dispatch, 63 E.<br />
4th St.. St. Paul, Minn. 66101<br />
New Orleans: Mary Greenbaum, 2303 Mendez St.<br />
70122.<br />
Oklaiioma City: Eddie L. Greggs, 410 South BIdg<br />
2000 Classen Center, 73106.<br />
I'alm Beach: Lois Baumoel, 2860 S. Ocean Blvd., No.<br />
316, 33480, Tele. (305) 588-6786.<br />
Philadelphia: Maurie U. Orodenker, 312 W. Park<br />
Tovtne i'lace, 19130. Tele. (216) 567-4748.<br />
Pittshurgli: R. F. Kiingensmith, F16 Jeanttte, Wilklnsburg<br />
16221. Tele. (412) 241-2809.<br />
I'ortland. Ore.: Itobt. Olds. 1120 N.E. 61st. 97213.<br />
St. Louis: Kan It. Krause, 818A Longacre Drive,<br />
03132. Tele. (314) 991-4746.<br />
Salt Lake City: Keith Perry, 264 E. Isl South, 84111.<br />
Tele. (801) 328-1641.<br />
San Antonio: Gladys Candy, 510 Cincinnati Ave. Tele<br />
(512) 734-!:527. 78201.<br />
San Francisco: David Van. UATC. 172 Golden Gale<br />
Ave., 94102. Tele: 928-3200.<br />
Seattle: Stu Goldnian, Apt. 404, 101 N. 46th St<br />
08103. Tele. 782-5833.<br />
Toledo: Anna Kline, 4330 Willys Pkwy., 43612.<br />
Tuiaon: Gib Clark, 433 N. Grande, Apt. 5, 85705<br />
Wastilngton: Virginia H. Collier, 6112 Connecticut<br />
Ave., N.W. 20008. Tele. (202) 362-0892.<br />
IN CANADA<br />
Calgary: Maxlne McBean, 420 40lh St., 8.W.. F3C<br />
IWl. Tele. (403) 240-6039.<br />
Montreal: Tom Cleary, Association des Proprletalres<br />
de Cinema du Quebec, 3720 Van Home, Suite 4-5,<br />
No. H38 1118.<br />
Ottana: Garfield 'WUlio" Wilson. 768 Rahisford Ave.<br />
KJK 2K1. Tele. 746-6660.<br />
Toronto: J. W. Agnew, 274 St. John's ltd., M6P 1V5.<br />
Vancouver: Jimmy Davie. .3245 W. 12. VOK 2118<br />
Winnipeg: Robert llucal, 500-232 I'ortage Ave. lt3C<br />
OBI.<br />
MAY<br />
Vol. 115<br />
1979<br />
No. 8<br />
I^H';^^^ ^7^ M^ TM^JUa<br />
W<br />
OPEN DOOR POLICY<br />
HAT IF they gave a movie and no<br />
reviewers came<br />
The theatre wouWn't get publicity for<br />
its movie, the reviewers wouldn't be doing<br />
their jobs and the public wouldn't receive<br />
the critical opinions it wants and<br />
needs.<br />
Reviewers might stop coming to movies<br />
at a theatre if they could gain admittance<br />
only when they promised to say<br />
good things about the movie. Theatres<br />
could ensure good reviews by letting in<br />
only reviewers who would write favorably<br />
about the movie.<br />
In Tucson recently TM Theatres exercised<br />
its right to refuse admittance to<br />
anyone by excluding a local newspaper<br />
reviewer, Jacqi Tully. Early reports gave<br />
the impression that Tully was being denied<br />
admittance because she might say<br />
bad things about the movie being shown,<br />
"The Bell Jar." The theatre did nothing<br />
to diminish that impression. The owners<br />
of the theatre, Merton Weiner and son<br />
Jeffrey, refused to comment on the situation.<br />
TM's advertising manager said, "I<br />
think her opinions are biased. They are<br />
Jacqi TuUy's opinions; they are not to me<br />
a reviewer's opinions—someone who<br />
should be stating a quality of a film, good<br />
or bad, on the basis of an impartial review."<br />
To try to draw a distinction between<br />
a person's opinions and a reviewer's opinions<br />
is difficult, if not impossible, and capricious.<br />
However, the film industry became<br />
upset, on principle, at the idea of<br />
a reviewer being denied admittance to a<br />
theatre.<br />
Lawrence Mark, a spokesman for Paramount,<br />
said, "I have never heard of a<br />
theatre chain barring a critic, and it's<br />
really slightly outrageous. 'We use critics<br />
when they like our films, and we should<br />
manage to tolerate their dislike of whatever<br />
films they happen to dislike."<br />
Herman Kass, vice president of publicity<br />
and promotion for Avco Embassy, distributor<br />
of "The Bell Jar," said, "l" don't<br />
have any background on this, but they<br />
have no right barring anyone from our<br />
film . . . It's poor judgment on their part,<br />
and I'm going to look into this."<br />
It was simply a matter of poor judgment<br />
on the part of the theatre, but it became<br />
more than a mistake when Tully<br />
was not allowed to view films at TM theatres<br />
in three related incidents. The barring<br />
went on for a week and Tully 's<br />
picture had been posted in the boxoffices<br />
of TM theatres along with notices to employees<br />
not to admit her.<br />
In response to the barring, Tully<br />
newspaper, the Arizona Daily Star, whit<br />
had begun looking into possible leg<br />
action, ran white space in place of one<br />
TuUy's scheduled reviews, along with<br />
note explaining why it was missing.<br />
By that time the incident was creatii<br />
a great deal of publicity for the film e<br />
hibition arm of the industry. As a resu<br />
20th Century-Fox offered to set up sp<br />
cial screenings for any Fox films. T<br />
offer was not surprisingly refused by tl<br />
Star because part of the reviev/, audien<br />
reaction, would be missing. Without tl<br />
audience, the review would take place<br />
a sterile environment.<br />
After a week of outrage among indu<br />
try members, the conflict was resolved<br />
\<br />
May 3 when Jeffrey Weiner ended tl<br />
ban and ended his silence on the mattf<br />
In an interview with a rival film crit:<br />
Weiner said that TM's main reason f<br />
barring Tiilly from any of its theatr<br />
was an objection to her inference in pri<br />
regarding TM's ticket and popco:<br />
prices. Apparently the references to po<br />
corn stemmed from a story co-author<br />
by Tully and written a year ago.<br />
Weiner said, "I have no quarrel wi<br />
a movie critic's right to review films<br />
our theatres, but I question a critic's u<br />
of a review as a platform for malignii<br />
the theatre."<br />
Regardless of whether the theat<br />
management disagreed with the conte<br />
of Tully's reviews, barring a review<br />
from a theatre implies a double sta<br />
dard : reviewers are allowed in when thi<br />
are good to the theatre and are turm<br />
away when they are not. Use of a doub<br />
standard diminishes the value and ii<br />
pact of a review, and hints of a doub<br />
standard would damage the review<br />
value proportionately.<br />
In addition, barring a reviewer fro<br />
a theatre borders on restraint of tl<br />
press, something no one would want ass<br />
elated with their business. Although tl<br />
review may contain references to sul<br />
jects other than what is on the screei<br />
the reviewer, who is a vital link to tf<br />
moviegoing public, should not be turnc<br />
away.<br />
In Tully's case, the comments aboi<br />
popcoi'n and ticket prices may have bee<br />
out of line, but barring the reviewer<br />
not the answer. It creates publicity f£<br />
worse than the impact of the reviewer<br />
column.<br />
Regardless of whether the comment<br />
are liked or disliked, reviewers should b<br />
handled with an open door policy.
s««Vllum<br />
reatest adventure storySeViBr fHme-<br />
I.<br />
t<br />
•pensM a^^2r5 1 h) p ncfj mm<br />
IRWIN ALLEN'S<br />
production of<br />
ci tAld^lJ<br />
THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE<br />
"BEYOND THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE"<br />
HAEL CAINE • SALLY FIELD • TELLY SAVALAS • PETER BOYLE • JACK WARDEN • SHIRLEY KNIGHT • SLIM PICKENS • and S<br />
' • RL MALDEN as "Wilbur" • Screenplay by NELSON GIDDING • Based upon a Novel by PAUL GALLICO .Produced and Directe<br />
„, IRWIN ALLEN. Music by JERRY FIELDING Technicolor*- Panavision*<br />
^"""'--"<br />
Ipc l putiiTli CMMliyflttfCTn^fel<br />
From Warner Bros. Q A Warner Communications Co. JlfwT^u^niS<br />
|
Turmans 'Walk Proud'<br />
More Than<br />
Just Anofher Gang Film Offering<br />
By JOHN COCCHI<br />
East Coast Editor<br />
NEW YORK.—Producer Lawrence Turman<br />
has high hopes for his latest, the Uni-<br />
^^^^. ^ _ versa! release of<br />
^B^^"- :^ 1| "Walk Proud" starring<br />
f^^'^h^^ \ Robby Benson as a<br />
TOTfc Chicano youth. Because<br />
the film has a<br />
I<br />
gang background, the<br />
release has been delay-<br />
years and the story really focuses on a<br />
young boy's coming of age rather than on<br />
his street encounters.<br />
Four years ago, Mike Medavoy—then<br />
with United Artists—and Turman were<br />
eager to do a film together. Medavoy<br />
suggested a. remake of "Dead End." which<br />
Turman loved but didn't feel was right for<br />
today's market. Clearances couldn't be obtained<br />
so the project was dropped.<br />
Interested in L.A.<br />
Turman was still interested in a story<br />
about his native Los Angeles, relating to<br />
street gangs and runaways. He and writer<br />
Evan Hunter (known for "Blackboard<br />
Jungle" and "Last Summer") evolved a<br />
script from their interviews with police,<br />
gangs and Chicanos. Venice. Calif., is<br />
a melting pot where an Anglo-Chicano involvement<br />
such as that depicted between<br />
Benson and Sarah Holcomb in the film isn't<br />
unusual.<br />
In the past 15 years, the Venice area has<br />
seen an influx of wealthy whites due to the<br />
building of the Marina there. The Chicanos<br />
are being squeezed out, although many are<br />
still left in the area. Turman admits to a<br />
few echoes of "Dead End" remaining in<br />
"Walk Proud."<br />
He had wanted to do the film with a<br />
Chicano in the lead, as in all the Chicano<br />
roles, but couldn't sell any studio on it.<br />
Benson was an ideal choice because of his<br />
skills and his current track record of hits.<br />
It wasn't feasible for Turman to direct the<br />
film as he had wanted, so Emmy Awardwinning<br />
writer and director Robert Collins<br />
was recruited from television to do his first<br />
theatrical feature as a director.<br />
Although the film is really a message<br />
about growing up, Turman thinks ihal<br />
Universal was "enlightened" in delaying the<br />
film's release in troubled areas. It has violence<br />
and street language, but not in excess<br />
and there is no nudity or sex; "Walk<br />
Proud" is rated PG rather than the R the<br />
other pictures in this category have received.<br />
In fact. Turman insists that the big gang<br />
fight at film's end is never seen, not because<br />
it was cut due to the reception afforded the<br />
other pictures, but because it doesn't involve<br />
the participation of Benson's character.<br />
"Walk Proud" is being released beginning<br />
the Memorial Day weekend, in conjunction<br />
with a single from MCA Records featuring<br />
Benson's rendition of "Adios. Yesterday."<br />
written by Benson and father Jerry Segal.<br />
After the film is launched. Turman—who<br />
produced "The Graduate" and will always<br />
be remembered for that among his many<br />
other films—expects to start production<br />
either on "Tribute" starring Jack Lemmon<br />
ed in those areas<br />
where trouble was encountered<br />
during the<br />
runs of "The Warriors"<br />
for Paramount or a prehistoric comedy written<br />
and "Boulevard<br />
by Rudy De Luca and Carl Gottlieb, for<br />
Lawrence Turmaii Night s." However, United Artists.<br />
Turman points out that this isn't merely<br />
another in the current cycle of gang pictures;<br />
he's had the property for about four<br />
Pryor, Davis Topline<br />
Upcoming SEE Product<br />
NEW YORK—Special Event Entertainment,<br />
headed by Bill Sargent, has sent out<br />
a brochure listing its forthcoming presentations<br />
as "live super star entertainment made<br />
bigger than life." The SEE Theatre Network<br />
productions will be kicked off with "Richard<br />
Pryor Part 11" (uncensored) with<br />
"Lenny Bruce" as a companion feature, for<br />
three weeks beginning Aug. 3. The Pryor<br />
film is the sequel to the current hit "Richard<br />
Pryor—Live in Concert," and contains<br />
all new material at another live concert<br />
appearance by the comedian.<br />
Sammy in August<br />
Sammy Davis Jr. in "Stop the World I<br />
Want to Get Off," also called "Sammy<br />
Stops the World," will be shown starting<br />
Aug. 24 for two weeks only. "Knockout." a<br />
new play starring Danny Aiello which was<br />
filmed live on the stage of the Helen Hayes<br />
Theatre, will be presented for three weeks as<br />
of Sept. 7. while the play runs simultaneously.<br />
For one week starting Sept. 28. the<br />
offering is "Ballet Gayane," live from Riga.<br />
Latvia, U.S.S.R. The final program in the<br />
series will be "Pippin," for four weeks beginning<br />
Oct. 5. also while running simultaneously<br />
on Broadway.<br />
Stan Freberg, Saul Bass<br />
Part of Push for 'McGuffin'<br />
HOLLYWOOD — Joe Camp has<br />
signed<br />
Stan Freberg to develop the radio advertising<br />
campaign for "The Double McGuffin,"<br />
to be released this summer by Mulberry<br />
Square. The film will premiere in Dallas<br />
June 7.<br />
Freberg will work with graphic designer<br />
Saul Bass amd Orson Welles in a promotional<br />
campaign which Camp said he plans to<br />
make "the test and most expensive ever<br />
moLMilcd by Mulberry Square for any pic-<br />
Paramount Announces<br />
Summer Release Slate<br />
NEW YORK—Embarking on one ot its<br />
most ambitious summer release schedules.<br />
Paramount Pictures will have a slate of<br />
seven mot'on pictures opening in the<br />
United States and Canada during the three<br />
month period between Ji'ne and August.<br />
Four of the summer releases will be issued<br />
in June "Players," "Prophecy." "Escape<br />
from Alcatraz" and "Sidney Sheldon's<br />
Bloodline." "Meatballs" will debut during<br />
July, while August will mark the premieres<br />
of "North Dallas Forty" and "Sunburn."<br />
Launching the June quartet of releases<br />
will be "Players," starring Ali MacGraw<br />
and Dean-Paul Martin. The film will open<br />
on June 8 in 600 situations across the<br />
country and Canada.<br />
"Prophecy." a monster movie starring<br />
Talia Shire and Robert Foxworth. will begin<br />
its domestic engagements on June 15<br />
in 850 theatres.<br />
On June 22 the Clint Eastwood starrer,<br />
"Escape From Alcatraz," will debiii<br />
in 900 theatres in the United States and<br />
Canada.<br />
On June 29 "Sidney Sheldon's Bloodline."<br />
with Audrey Hepburn toplining an<br />
all-star cast, will premiere in 600 theatres.<br />
"Meatballs." starring Bill Murray, will be<br />
opening between July 11 and July 13<br />
in 500 theatres.<br />
"North Dallas Forty." the first of Paramount's<br />
two August entries, will open in<br />
800 theatres on Aug. 3.<br />
On August 10. "Sunburn" will open in<br />
500 theatres in the United States and Canada.<br />
"Players." "Prophecy." "Escape from<br />
Al:atraz," "Sidney -Sheldon's Bloodline"<br />
and "North Dallas Forty" are distributed<br />
in the United States and Canada by Paramount<br />
Pictures Corp. and throughout the<br />
rest of the world by Cinema International<br />
Corp. "Meatballs" and "Sunburn" are distributed<br />
by Paramount Pictures.<br />
Benji Reaches Phenomenon<br />
Status in Australia, Japan<br />
DALLAS— Benji. America's canine superstar,<br />
has reached phenomenon status in<br />
the United States, Australia and Japan.<br />
"But it didn't happen accidentally or automatically,"<br />
says Mulberry Square Productions'<br />
president Joe Camp. "In each case,<br />
little the properties of this phenomenal dog<br />
were backed with strong, enthusiastic distribution<br />
and marketing programs.<br />
Mulberry Square has embarked upon a<br />
new program that will send a marketing and<br />
promotional team anywhere in the world to<br />
share the expeiience and knowledge gained<br />
from making Benji a superstar in the States.<br />
"Our goal is to make him a superstar in<br />
every country of the world," says Camp.<br />
"And it's not easy at first. Benji is a delicate<br />
sales proposition and takes a lot of effort,<br />
but it's well worth it in the long run." The<br />
grosses from Benji's first two motion pictures<br />
bear out Camp's enthusiasm, having<br />
reached a total in excess of $66 million.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: Mav 28, 1979
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UAjVideo Corp. Deal Includes 20<br />
Pictures for Home Videocasettes<br />
NEW YORK—Two landmark agreemenis<br />
have been signed in the past four weeks by<br />
Video Corp. of America (Video Corp.). One<br />
with United Artists gives Video Corp. the<br />
exclusive license of 20 films for rental distribution<br />
in the home video market. The<br />
other, with Sony Corp. of America, involves<br />
the distribution by Video Corp. of these<br />
features and others on prerecorded videocassettes<br />
as a premium to 50,000 new Sony<br />
Betamax purch;isers.<br />
On March 5. United Artists Corp.<br />
and Video Corp. of America jointly announced<br />
an e.xclusive agreement to license<br />
20 major motion pictures for rental distribution<br />
to the home video market. The agreement<br />
marks the first nationwide rental release<br />
of prime motion pictures on videocassettes<br />
by one of the major motion picture<br />
distributors. Video Corp. plans national<br />
distribution to begin in May/June 1979.<br />
'Combining Our Knowledge'<br />
Gerald F. Phillips, vice president of<br />
United Artists said, "We believe the home<br />
video market will be an important source<br />
of revenue to United Artists Corp. UA will<br />
work closely with Video Corp., endeavoring<br />
to combine our knowledge of film distribution<br />
with Video Corp.'s expertise in the<br />
home video market."<br />
The agreement represents a 3'/i year<br />
license for the rental to the home video<br />
market of a group of major United Artists<br />
features, some of which have never appeared<br />
on national television. They will be<br />
released on videocassettes in their original,<br />
uncut, theatrical versions and will rent from<br />
$9 to $14 for a seven day viewing period in<br />
the home. Video Corp. will distribute cassettes<br />
that are compatible with all major<br />
formats of home video tape cassette players.<br />
UA anticipates its royalty revenues from<br />
Video Corp.'s cassette rentals will exceed<br />
$1,000,0000 during the ne.xt 3l2 years.<br />
'Higli Potential Industry'<br />
The UA pictures are exclusive to Video<br />
Corp. in the consumer videocassette rental<br />
market, and will be distributed together vvilh<br />
a comprehensive library of other major features<br />
and specials in the classics, adiili,<br />
sports, and children's categories.<br />
"In my opinion, UA's entrance into llic<br />
home video market constitutes a most sig<br />
nificant event in this growing, high potential<br />
industry," George Gould, chairman oi<br />
the board of Video Corp., said. "It represents<br />
a carefully researched decision by<br />
UA that the rental concept of pay-for-play<br />
distribution, which is consistent with ihe<br />
historical exhibition pattern of the movie<br />
industry, is the most viable way to participate<br />
in the consumer video market. The<br />
long-term values of UA's extensive and<br />
impressive library will be fully preserved<br />
by our licensing to the consumer only Ihe<br />
light to view a picture for a limited period.<br />
Ownership of the property is never transferred,"<br />
Gould added. "This extends the<br />
theatrical exhibition principle unchanged into<br />
the emerging home video market and<br />
should be seriously considered by all producers<br />
and distributors planning to enter the<br />
market place."<br />
MOTION PICTURES RATED<br />
BY THE CODE & RATING<br />
ADMINISTRATION<br />
American Nitro<br />
(Cannon Releasing Corp.)<br />
Arabian Nights (UA)<br />
The Brood (Mutual/Elgin)<br />
Canterbury Tales (UA)<br />
Chorus Call (Entertainment Ventures)<br />
Count the Ways (Eudution)<br />
Escape from Alcatraz (Para)<br />
Escape to Athena<br />
(Associated Film Dist.)<br />
Feelings (Entertainment Ventures)<br />
Felicia (Mature Pictures Corp.)<br />
H.O.T.S. (Derio Prods.)<br />
Human Experiments (Essex Dist.)<br />
Just You and Me. Kid (Col)<br />
Mad Max (AI)<br />
Meatballs (Para)<br />
Night of the Bloody Transplants<br />
(Owl Prods.)<br />
Rocky II (UA)<br />
The Senator (Univ)<br />
When a Stranger Calls (Col)<br />
History Convention Set<br />
NOTRE DAME, Ind.—The Theatre<br />
Historical Society, dedicated to the study of<br />
American theatre buildings, will hold its<br />
annual convention July 13-16 in Los Angeles.<br />
The emphasis this year will be on theatres<br />
in the Los Angeles area. Highlights will be<br />
visits and tours of the leading cinema<br />
houses.<br />
COMING SOON...<br />
A<br />
BIGGER<br />
and<br />
BETTER<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
Australian Wines Add<br />
Sparkle to Cannes<br />
ANBERRA, AUSTRALIA—Over 60<br />
Australian filmmakers, including producers,<br />
directors,<br />
actors and leading crew members,<br />
will attended the 1979 Film Festival at<br />
Cannes.<br />
As part of the Australian promotion,<br />
"1979, A Vintage Year for Australian<br />
Films," they brought 1,500 bottles of Australian<br />
wine and various Australian cheeses<br />
for audiences watching the 16 feature films<br />
presented this year.<br />
The racks of special wines provided by<br />
the Australian Wine Board for Cannes had<br />
labels carrying the slogan and the AFC<br />
lyrebird logo.<br />
Three prominent directors who have been<br />
making news on the international scene<br />
Peter Weir. Fred Schepisi and Phil Noyce<br />
were not be represented at Cannes this year.<br />
(Left to right) Ken Watts, chairman<br />
of the Australian Film Commission,<br />
publicist Rea Francis and wine expert<br />
Len Evans accompanied the Australian<br />
contingent to the Cannes festival.<br />
Weir, whose films "Picnic at Hanging<br />
Rock" and "The Last Wave" hit the recent<br />
Variety lists of the 50 top grossing films in<br />
the United States, was preparing his next<br />
movie, dealing with the Australian assault<br />
at Gallipoli in World War I.<br />
Fred Schepisi ("Devil's Playground" and<br />
"The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith") was<br />
also preparing his next movie.<br />
Phil Noyce, whose film "Newsfront" was<br />
acclaimed at last year's festival and which<br />
has recently been a boxoffice successs in<br />
Ix)ndon. was directing his new film "King<br />
Hit."<br />
Hopes were high for the 16 Australian<br />
films screened at the festival. A $320,000<br />
(Australian) campaign to promote the $10,-<br />
000,000 investment recently got underway.<br />
Among the films shown were "Dawn,"<br />
"Blue Fin," "Dimboola," "The Money Movers,"<br />
and "The Last of the Knucklemen."<br />
12-Minute Cinderella<br />
Short Gains Approval<br />
NEW YORK—A I2-minute short on the<br />
Cinderella theme stars a colt and is turning<br />
out to be a winner around the country. Association/35,<br />
theatrical arm of Association<br />
Films, reports that acceptance of the film<br />
"Cinderella Trotter" is running 35% higher<br />
than average.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: Mav 28. 1979
fOR THE<br />
RECORD<br />
R,.— ... . I<br />
Deter C. Kells has been appointed vice president<br />
of administration for Columbia<br />
Pictures, responsible for financial planning<br />
and analysis.<br />
Sharon P. Gottefeld has been named associate<br />
production counsel for 20th Century-<br />
Fox.<br />
Tom Mihok has been named branch manager<br />
for American International in Philadelphia.<br />
Mihok has been in<br />
the film business<br />
since 1975 when he joined United Artists.<br />
He was most recently the UA branch manager<br />
in Cleveland.<br />
Allan Nathan was named manager of field<br />
activities for Columbia Pictures.<br />
Seymour Kaplan has been designated National<br />
Screen Service's general sales manager,<br />
following the resignation of Harvey M.<br />
Baren.<br />
William C. Goldberg has been named vice<br />
president of financial affairs for Joseph E.<br />
Levine Presents Inc.<br />
Warren Lieberfarb has been named senior<br />
vice president of the Lorimar parent company.<br />
I.orimar Productions.<br />
Goldberg<br />
Lieberfarb<br />
E. A. Bowen has been promoted from<br />
vice president to senior vice president of finance<br />
and administration at 20th Century-<br />
Fox Film Corp. He has been with 20th-Fox<br />
since 1972.<br />
Dennis A. Brown has been promoted lo<br />
senior production executive at EMI Films.<br />
Ralph Silver has been named vice president<br />
of U. S. operations for Dennis Davidson<br />
Associates. I.ondon-based public relations<br />
firm.<br />
Sandra Shaw has been promoted Ui vice<br />
president of advertising and publicity for<br />
American Cinema Releasing and advertising<br />
and publicity director for the parent<br />
company, American Communications Industries.<br />
Joel H. Resnick and Ron D. Leslie of<br />
American Multi Cinema have been promoted<br />
to executive vice presidents. Resnick is<br />
head of film buying and development and<br />
Leslie has responsibility for financial oper-<br />
Leslie<br />
Jeffrey Snetiker has been<br />
named director<br />
of production finance for Paramount Pictures<br />
Corp., replacing Frank Bodo.<br />
Dennis A. Brown has been appointed<br />
senior production executive for EMI Films.<br />
Marilyn Harbord was named business<br />
manager for the advertising and publicity<br />
departments of Columbia Pictures. Rick<br />
Tiancgo has been appointed foreign accounting<br />
manager for Avco Embassy Piclures.<br />
James R. Velde has been named senior<br />
vice president in charge of distribution for<br />
Rastar Films Inc.<br />
Bonnie Rothbard has been named manager<br />
of the motion picture research library<br />
at<br />
MGM.<br />
John Foley will replace Morris Bimbaum,<br />
Columbia branch manager in Des Moines.<br />
Birnbaum has been named to supervise Ihe<br />
Denver and Salt Lake City branches.<br />
Fred Kunkel has been named Western<br />
division manager of Film Ventures International.<br />
Titles & Takes<br />
"The Adventures of the Wilderness Family"<br />
(Pacific International) grossed $.325,000<br />
in its first week in 41 houses in New Zealand.<br />
Fourteen of the theatres broke house<br />
records. The outdoor adventure has grossed<br />
nearly $60,000,000 to d.ite. worldwide.<br />
"Invasion of the Body Snatcbers" has<br />
earned $52,000 on 109 prints throughout<br />
the United Kingdom since March 22.<br />
"The Innocent" (Analysis)<br />
has passed the<br />
$1.5 million mark after 18 weeks in 32 theatres<br />
across the country.<br />
"Halloween," Compass International Pictures'<br />
all-time independent boxoffice champion,<br />
has grossed $30 million worldwide,<br />
and $14 million in domestic boxoffice receipts,<br />
as of April 27.<br />
Trans-Lux Theatres reports the largest<br />
two-day, midnight show gross in history for<br />
"The Rocky Horror Picture Show." The<br />
record was set Friday and Saturday, March<br />
30 and March 31, at the Trans-Lux Ridgeway<br />
Theatre in Stamford, Conn., with a reported<br />
gross of $6,765,<br />
Billy Wildcr's "Fedora" continues its record-breaking<br />
run at the 300-seat Cinema<br />
Studio I with a first-week gross of $22,749.<br />
Woody Allen's "Manhattan" raked in $3,-<br />
512,892 in 13 days in 283 theatres. Select<br />
gro£ses include $685,157 in seven New<br />
York theatres, $474,934 in 12 Los Angeles<br />
theatres, and $55,198 at the Paris Theatre<br />
in<br />
Boston for six days.<br />
"The Tin Drum" (UA) opened in Germany<br />
with a three-day total of $265,000 in<br />
45 sites, including the Gloria Theatre in<br />
Berlin where the gross was $26,478 and the<br />
Streithaus Theatre in Hamburg where earnings<br />
topped $17,500.<br />
Evotion Enterprises' "Sweet Savage," X-<br />
rater starring Aldo Ray, picked up $11,290<br />
in its first week at the Cinema West in<br />
Houston.<br />
"Heaven Can Walt" (Para) earned another<br />
$9,300,000 in its 650-theatre post-<br />
Oscar run. Previous release earned the picture<br />
$72,600,000.<br />
Jack Winningham, branch manager and<br />
regional sales manager of National .Screen<br />
Service for 3 1 years, has accepted the assignment<br />
of Midwest division manager of<br />
Cinema Concepts Inc., a Nashville-based<br />
special trailer production company.<br />
Michael Williams-Jones has been named<br />
vice president of United Artists' Europe and<br />
Middle East division.<br />
Arthur L. Ventrone has been elected vice<br />
president of corporate accounting for 20th<br />
Century-Fox.<br />
Bea Holloway has been named Plitt film<br />
buyer for the West Coast division.<br />
|
Rifkin's TEA Speech 'Robin Is Big Break for Young Monica<br />
Urges 'Super Dealers'<br />
MONTEREY. Calif.—Harmon (Bud) Rifkin.<br />
chairman of the NATO technical advisory<br />
committee, outhned some common<br />
goals in his speech to the TEA convention<br />
here. Rifkin told his audience that equipment<br />
dealers, on the whole, were in "big<br />
trouble." The trouble stems from the dealers<br />
looking for traditional profit margins,<br />
and ignoring the fact that their customers<br />
have changed.<br />
Rifkin explained that there is a "grcal<br />
consolidation of theatre companies going<br />
on. "The big chains are getting bigger<br />
through acquisition, but especially through<br />
tlieir own fast-paced construction programs,"<br />
he added. Since 75 to 85 perceni<br />
of new theatres are being built by four or<br />
five national circuits, small companies do<br />
not have the clout or finances compcle.<br />
to<br />
rhus, the "small guy's" grosses are slowly<br />
being eroded. Rifkin related.<br />
"With this consolidation and cenlralizcil<br />
power, each surviving theatre "super-chain'<br />
will be developing its own theatre expertise,"<br />
he believes. Rifkin then told his audience<br />
that the "new" theatres still need Iheir<br />
equipment dealers, but in a new way. "You<br />
must keep pace with the super-chains; you<br />
and your associates must follow the same<br />
steps as your customers. You must become<br />
'super dealers.' "<br />
To accomplish this new outlook for I In:<br />
new breed of customers. Rifkin urged equij)<br />
ment dealers to follow these strategies: FirsI,<br />
consolidate, and work on pooling interests;<br />
secondly, abandon the service business as<br />
you presently know it and hire "Irouble<br />
shooters" to fill the gaps; and thirdly, develop<br />
a system for shipping supplies from<br />
regional warehouses directly to the theatres.<br />
A computerized master inventory would be<br />
a valuable asset here, Rifkin said.<br />
Tidwell, a New Beginning for Aldrich<br />
By JOHN COCCHI<br />
East Coast Editor<br />
NEW YORK— Billed as the first feature<br />
to be made entirely in Maryland is the<br />
melodrama "Robin," a film by Hank<br />
Aldrich which stars Monica Tidwell. An<br />
opening is planned for May 30 at Durkee's<br />
Parole Center in Annapolis, with festivities<br />
to include an appearance by Gov. Hughes.<br />
For young Tidwell, the film is her first title<br />
role in a brief but budding screen career.<br />
The veteran Aldrich, who wrote, produced<br />
and directed "Robin" for release through<br />
his own Starbeam Film Co., is functioning<br />
in these capacities for the first time on a<br />
theatrical feature.<br />
Monica Tidwell—star of 'Robin'<br />
inherent softness in<br />
the character and making<br />
her an "unhardened" hooker. Physically,<br />
she had to contend with a plaster mold on<br />
her face for some 30 minutes for the scene<br />
in which she's the model for a face mask.<br />
She admits being frightened by the experience,<br />
in which she used straws to breathe<br />
through her nostrils. Her face and hair had<br />
to be covered with oil before the plaster<br />
was applied (Aldrich's hand can be seen<br />
pouring the mold, the actual mask having<br />
been made by an art teacher). The emulsion<br />
hardened in one piece and Monica intends<br />
to use the maks as a plant holder in her<br />
apartment.<br />
Began in TV<br />
The colorful Hank Aldrich was a Merchant<br />
Seaman in World War II and began<br />
his show business career doing TV commercials,<br />
both live and on kinescope, in 1947<br />
in New York. A self-taught painter, he was<br />
a<br />
designer, mural painter and model builder<br />
in those free-lancing days.<br />
Through his architectural designs of<br />
cocktail bars in Maryland, Aldrich had<br />
made many friends in the state and they<br />
assisted him in finding locales for "Robin."<br />
Although he takes no credit for it, a film<br />
commission has been formed to bring more<br />
filmmakers to Maryland as a result of<br />
Aldrich's project. "This is not an ego<br />
trip," emphasizes Aldrich, "because you<br />
don't use your own money for that. Anyonj<br />
who knows the business and has money<br />
can make a film. There is talent all over."<br />
His budget was so low that he can afford<br />
to distribute "Robin" himself and this is<br />
what Hank Aldrich is letting the whole industry<br />
know about.<br />
Rifkin told the dealers that they can "become<br />
stronger and prosper or weaken and<br />
perish. The secret of growth is to recognize<br />
the future needs of your customers and then<br />
contour your organizations to satisfy those<br />
needs."<br />
AI's 'Chomps' Is Slated<br />
For Wide Break in June<br />
BEVERLY HILL.S<br />
— "C.H.O.M.P..S.,"<br />
American International's fun-filled comedy<br />
dealing with the adventures of the world's<br />
first computerized dog, will open in June<br />
in theatres and drive-ins in key cities around<br />
the country.<br />
Valerie Bertinelli, young star of CB.S-TV's<br />
"One Day at a Time," makes her motion<br />
picture debut in the film which also stars<br />
Wesley Eurc, Conrad Bain, Chuck McCann,<br />
Red Buttons, Hermione Baddeley and Jim<br />
Backus.<br />
The scene stealer of the film is a cute<br />
mutt named Rascal and his electronic<br />
counterpart. Euro, as a young electronics<br />
genius, invents a computerized watchdog,<br />
modeled in the image of his own pet.<br />
The story concerns a young prostitute on<br />
the run, posing for an art class while becoming<br />
involved with an older married man<br />
and trying to avoid other entaglements,<br />
particularly with the vicious pimp who<br />
wants her back. Lee Dorsey and Ronald<br />
Hibbard portray lover and louse, respectively.<br />
Maryland locations include Waldorf,<br />
where Starbeam is situated, Cedarville State<br />
Park (between Waldorf and Cedarville),<br />
Chestertown, Galesville and La Plata, lovely<br />
areas with future filmic potential. Aldrich<br />
spent much time in keeping within the<br />
budget and maintaining a PC' level. Although<br />
"Robin" is unrated, ads proclaim it<br />
as "a motion picture for the family" with<br />
the disclaimer that "Some material may not<br />
be suitable for pre-teenagers."<br />
Monica's mother was a singer and magician's<br />
assistant and her father was a drummer<br />
with the Charlie Barnet band. She was<br />
born in Shreveport, La., where her parents<br />
were on tour, and lived in Waycross, Ga..<br />
which she considers her hometown. .At age<br />
4 she began performing in community theatres<br />
in Georgia.<br />
Of her role as Robin. Monica feels thai<br />
the most difficult aspect was finding the<br />
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BOXOFFICE :: May 28, 1979
THE PROMOTION AND MERCHANDISING<br />
GUIDE<br />
Send news of adyertising campaigns and pubUcity io STU GOLDSTEIN, MERCHANDISING EDITOR<br />
Trivia Contest Tops<br />
'Champ' Exploitation<br />
For the promotion of "The Champ."<br />
Gary Goldstein of Northeast Theatre Corp.<br />
initiated campaigns in two markets. In<br />
Providence, WPRO-FM ran their "Champ"<br />
contest with hourly ticket giveaways to see<br />
the film at the Showcase Cinema in Seekonk,<br />
Ma. There was one promo at the top<br />
of the giveaway hour. Later, listeners were<br />
told that "The Champ" is the touching story<br />
of a father-son relationship and that they<br />
can win tickets to see the film by answering<br />
a trivia question about famous fathers<br />
and sons . . ." An additional "Champ" promo<br />
was run with the answer. Also, four<br />
"Champ" teaser promos ran throughout<br />
each giveaway day. Total spot value<br />
$1450.^<br />
Hockey Sponsor Tie-In<br />
In New Haven, Conn.. WAVZ ran a<br />
ticket giveaway from 9 a.m. to noon. As the<br />
station sponsors of the local New Haven<br />
Nighthawks Hockey Games. WAVZ asked<br />
listeners to call in and say "The Nighthawks<br />
are "the Champs" of New Haven" to win<br />
two tickets to see "The Champ" at the<br />
Showcase Cinema in Orange, Conn. In addition<br />
to a teaser promo and two promos with<br />
each actual giveaway, WAVZ ran ten additional<br />
plugs. Total each value was $1400.<br />
1960s Revisited in Pittsburgh<br />
TIME STANDS STILL—Suddenly it was the 1960s all over again in Pittsburgh as<br />
the Kings Court Theatre enlisted a group of local actors to call attention to "Hair."<br />
Remember the 60s Kings Court Theatre<br />
manager Herman Hartman remembered the<br />
decade well at his Pittsburgh opening of<br />
"Hair."<br />
One week before the opening, the manager<br />
enlisted a group of local actors to dress<br />
in the style of the late 'bQs and stage a "protest<br />
march" in front of the theatre. They<br />
carried signs saying, " 'Haiir': opens soon at<br />
Ihe Kings Court."<br />
The Saturday preceding the opening in<br />
eluded a local actor dressed as a king passing<br />
out leaflets in the downtown area. Radio<br />
station WPEZ assisted in the premiere. Hartman<br />
also decorated the lobby with daisies<br />
and peace signs popular to the era. A group<br />
of actresses and actors dressed in the costumes<br />
of the '60s sat in the lobby to greet<br />
Ihe guests and a guitarist played the music<br />
popular to the period.<br />
TAKE DOWN"<br />
GUESTS—Nassau<br />
Corp.'s Joy Theatre in New Orleans<br />
added extra punch to their engagement<br />
of Buena Vista's "Take Down" with<br />
the city's Brother Martin High school<br />
wrestlim; team invited as guests.<br />
Free 'Battlestar' Tickets<br />
Hidden in Salt Lake City<br />
As an annual event, the Salt Lake City<br />
Parks Commission sponsors a big Easter<br />
Egg Hunt in Liberty Park. Co-sponsor this<br />
year was the Z.C.M.I. Merchants Association,<br />
which provided the bulk of the prizes<br />
and goodies offered in the event which<br />
drew an estimated 10,000 persons to the<br />
park.<br />
One of the elements in the event which<br />
received heavy promotion via the Parks<br />
Commission, Z. C. M. I. Center and KSL<br />
Radio was a free showing of Universal's<br />
"Battlestar Galactica" for 700 children who<br />
had won free tickets.<br />
A massive coloring contest was launched<br />
advertising the Easter Egg Hunt and "Battlestar<br />
Galactica." A line drawing of the<br />
theatrical poster was created and printed<br />
on 20.000 flyers which went into Salt Lake<br />
City public schools as well as the SO stores<br />
in<br />
the Z.C.M.I. Center.<br />
The first 350 entrants in the contest received<br />
tickets. The other 350 tickets were<br />
hidden in<br />
easier eggs for the big hunt.<br />
19 Fully Dressed Draculas<br />
Give Bite to AI's 'Love'<br />
April 26th was a strange day at Brookfield<br />
Square Shopping Center in Milwaukee.<br />
It was WQFM's special premiere<br />
screening of "Love at First Bite." That in<br />
itself wasn't strange, but the 19 people who<br />
showed up in Dracula costumes did shake<br />
Lip a few mall patrons. It was WQFM's contest<br />
tie-in to find the best Dracula. The winner<br />
became the proud recipient of a $900<br />
stereo system, 6 albums a month for a year,<br />
and a night on the town including dinner<br />
and tickets to an Alpine Valley Concert. No<br />
one expected 19 fully dressed Draculas. and<br />
judging was next to impossible. Everyone<br />
who entered received an album 6 pack from<br />
the station.<br />
BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :: May 28, 1979 II
. . . Any<br />
. .<br />
. . One<br />
. . An<br />
. .<br />
'China Syndrome<br />
Captures<br />
Blue Ribbon Award Honors<br />
By STU GOLDSTEIN<br />
'£be nationwide membership of the National Screen Council had no difficulty in selecting<br />
its latest Blue Ribbon Award picture. By an overwhelming margin, Columbia's<br />
new household word, 'The China Syndrome" got the word from the NSC, too. "Syndrome"<br />
even beat out the immensely successful "Superman" by nabbing more votes<br />
than any other picture of the past two years! The picture also clobbered the other<br />
March competition, with "The Champ" and "Hair" trailing behind with second and<br />
third-place status.<br />
ycnl, and most of all, extremely enlertain-<br />
.<br />
"China Syndrome" has received so much ing. William D. Kerns, Avalanche-Journal,<br />
Lubbock, Texas.<br />
publicity and comment that it is now the<br />
most talked-about motion picture in<br />
An explosive film of social and dramatic<br />
months. The timeliness of the picture did fission. Charles Oestreich, The Argus.<br />
not go unnoticed by the BoxoFFiCE-sponsored<br />
Council, as practically all members month. Jane Fonda and "The China Syn-<br />
Rock Island, III. ... No contest this<br />
to this had something say about winning drome" are the undisputed winners. Guy<br />
H. Giampapa, WXNE-TV, Needham.<br />
thriller:<br />
The very presence of Jane Fonda made Mass. ... A bit overrated, but still an<br />
engrossing and suspenseful thriller.^ Joe<br />
this an even more suspenseful picture.<br />
Doug Smith, Courier-Express. Buffalo, Leydon, Shreveport (La.) Times<br />
NY .<br />
. . Solid characters made a credible<br />
and tense tale work, even before it became<br />
"soothsaying cinema." William Beamon.<br />
Evening Independent, St. Petersburg, Fla.<br />
picture this well prepared has<br />
got to be socko. A.B. Covey, NATO.<br />
Montgomery, Ala. . . . One of the finest<br />
thrillers to come along since Hitchcock<br />
was in his prime. Michael W. Maxo.<br />
WVWR-FM, Roanoke, Va.<br />
Frighteningly relevant.^ Earl J. Dias.<br />
Standard-Times, New Bedford, Mass. . . .<br />
Whatever side of the nuclear power problem<br />
you're on, this one is a must! Jeanne<br />
Mannshardt, Oakland. Calif. ... A fiction<br />
that is our reality! Douglas Ditonio, Los<br />
Angeles . . . White-knuckle champ of the<br />
year, and the most accurate portrayal of<br />
the TV news business ever on the screen.<br />
—Steve Dawson, KCMO-TV, Kansas City.<br />
Exceptionally tight with bright, clearly<br />
drawn characters. Fallout from Three Mile<br />
Island is surely a big plus for the boxoffice<br />
coffers.^ Elias Savada, Motion Picture<br />
Info. Service .<br />
. . Thoughtful piece on the<br />
abuses of power. Frighteningly pertinent<br />
and prophetic. Lemmon is better than<br />
he has been in years. Gene Pack, KUER,<br />
Salt Lake City . . . Gripping, timely and<br />
extremely well designed and acted.<br />
James L. Limhacher, Dearborn, Mich.<br />
. .<br />
Kimberly Wells JANE FONDA<br />
Timely subject given top priority in its Jack Godell<br />
JACK LEMMON<br />
too. Jerry Fitzgerald, TV-Star, Tyler,<br />
. . Texas . One in a million, Gary D.<br />
Richard Adams<br />
Herman DeYoung<br />
Don Braunagel, Pontiac,<br />
Bill Gibson<br />
MICHAEL DOUGLAS<br />
SCOTT BRADY<br />
JAMES HAMPTON<br />
these excellent actors.<br />
Lincoln, Neb. . . . Couldn't<br />
Schillinger, Dubinsky<br />
Sioux City, Iowa .<br />
ful, well-written<br />
presentation by<br />
Bros. Theatres,<br />
Marvelous, suspense-<br />
CM. Stewart,<br />
production. Tonv de<br />
be more timely . . .<br />
Mich. . . . llaro. KMBC-TV, Kansas City.<br />
Don Jacovich PETER DONAT<br />
the word "timely." Allan C. Lohsenz,<br />
An exciting, edge-of-lhe-seater that kept<br />
Added new dimension a to<br />
Paramount Pictures, New York<br />
CREDITS<br />
Ol<br />
. . . nie riveted to the screen. Joyce J. Persico.<br />
Trenton Times, Trenton, N.J. The<br />
. interest to everyone. Cecil Ormond, San<br />
Michael Douglas has Produced by MICHAEL DOUGLAS coincidence of "Syndrome"<br />
.<br />
with<br />
.<br />
Three<br />
Anselmo, Calif. . . .<br />
done it again. He has a knack for packing Directed by<br />
JAMES BRIDGES Mile Island altered public opinion significantly.<br />
It's<br />
a winner. This picture gets my "Big E" Written by MIKE GRAY, a spine-tingler.<br />
T.S. COOK<br />
George Bell,<br />
Salem, Ore. .<br />
award. It's entertaining, exciting and educational.<br />
Paul Hatch, Hatch Theatres, Executive Producer BRUCE GILBERT<br />
and JAMES BRIDGES<br />
overdue acting treat<br />
from Jack Lemmon. Bruce Westhrook,<br />
The Daily Oklahoman, Oklahoma City . . .<br />
Wolfeboro, N.H. . . . Courageous, intelli-<br />
Released through COLUMBIA Teaches us about survival. Dr. Robert<br />
Blockbuster of the season. Ronald Bowers.<br />
Films in Review. New York . . . Great<br />
000^ i..<br />
CAST<br />
I<br />
00 c<br />
cast!—/«/;« P. Recher, NATO, Baltimore,<br />
Md.<br />
Even without the Harrisburg incident to<br />
spark interest, "China Syndrome" would<br />
be one of the best films of the year.<br />
Merwyn Grote, Vandalia Cinema, Vandalia,<br />
Mo. . . . Jack Lemmon's best work<br />
in years. Crisp, well-paced. Bob Wisehart,<br />
The Charlotte News, Charlotte, N.C.<br />
. . . Jane Fonda is a nuclear power in her<br />
own right. Andrew Sarris, Village Voice,<br />
New York . . . Timely, interesting and provocative.<br />
Catherine L. York, Overland<br />
Park, Kansas . . . Taut thriller! Superb<br />
. . . The most' accurate portrayal<br />
of the TV news business ever on<br />
the screen. — Steve Dawson,<br />
KCMO-TV, Kansas City.<br />
performances. Sumner Rand, Sentinel<br />
Star, Orlando, Fla.<br />
Since we've heard that "art should imitate<br />
life," I can't think of a better situation<br />
than the luck Columbia Pictures had with<br />
Its release of "The China Syndrome" and<br />
the Three Mile Island incident. Al Shea,<br />
Guide Newspapers, New Orleans . . .<br />
Powerful! Joe M. Seery, Sutler Theatre,<br />
Yuba City, Calif. . . . Thoroughly wellcratted.<br />
Edward L. Blank, Pittsburgh<br />
Sensational performances by<br />
I i-inmon and Fonda. Jim Shertzer. Winslon-Salcm<br />
(N.C.) Journal.<br />
Lemmon creates a perfectly composite<br />
"ever>man" character. Martin Meredith.<br />
Dallas . of the "finest movies of the<br />
[last few years. Tom Leathers, The<br />
\i/iuie, Leawood, Kansas . . . Although<br />
I he viewer shouldn't have to pay $3 to support<br />
Jane Fonda's leftist anti-energy views,<br />
the film kept me on the edge of my seat.<br />
— Doug Moore. Universitv of Mo., Kansas<br />
C,t^<br />
Excellent picture! 1 thought promoting<br />
it<br />
.<br />
over the evening news was a nice touch,<br />
too. Don Dorsey, Caribou, Maine<br />
Nail-biting thriller that could garner Fonda<br />
and Lemmon Oscars. Wendeslaus<br />
Schidz. Star Theatre, New Orleans . . .<br />
A big, prestige picture that's well made,<br />
Steele. lioMon I -iiiversiiy.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: May 28, 1979
yX ^J^^oiiuwood IKeport<br />
^<br />
1<br />
Aiircira Productions and Scotti Brother<br />
Micrliiinnicnt will make the life story ot<br />
"^V the late Emmctt Kelly, entitled Clown.<br />
/^ Shooting is scheduled to begin in 1980 with<br />
Tony Scotti producing.<br />
^^^^<br />
FILM PROJECTS<br />
Mad has been added to Warner Bros.'<br />
production schedule. Picture will be based<br />
on the zany treatment of today's lifestyle<br />
as depicted in Mad magazine. Rudy DeLuca<br />
has been signed to write the script. Fred<br />
Weintraub will produce with Daniel Grodnick<br />
and Robert Sharp set as executive producers.<br />
Altered States began location filming<br />
May 15 in Creel, in the State of Chiquaqua,<br />
Mexico. The company traveled to New<br />
York on May 25 for five days of location<br />
filming at the Payne Whitney Clinc, Columbia<br />
University and the Bronx Zoo. Ken<br />
Russell is directing.<br />
Clash of the Titans began production<br />
May 14 with Desmond Davis directing. Cast<br />
includes Laurence Olivier. Burgess Meredith,<br />
Maggie Smith and Ursula Andress.<br />
Picture will be filmed in Dynarama, special<br />
effects process developed by co-producer<br />
Ray Harryhausen, and will take almost two<br />
years to complete.<br />
North Dallas Forty, a Frank Yablans<br />
Production for Paramount, has completed<br />
ten weeks of location shooting in Los Angeles.<br />
Ted Kotcheff directed the contemporary<br />
comedy-drama. Nick Nolte stars.<br />
Tuesday Weld and Martin Mull will star<br />
in The Serial for Paramount. Based on Cyra<br />
McFadden's best-selling, satirical novel of<br />
life in trendy Marin County. Calif., the film<br />
comedy will begin shooting May 29 on locations<br />
in Los Angeles and San Francisco.<br />
Sidney Beckerman is producing. Bill Persky<br />
is directing from a screenplay by Rich Eustis.<br />
Principal photography on the new Jerry<br />
Lewis film, Hardly Working, has been completed.<br />
Joseph Ford Proctor is producer.<br />
United Artists' Raging Bull has begun<br />
production in Los Angeles as a Chartoff-<br />
Winkler production. Robert DeNiro stars<br />
as Jake La Motta, former middleweight boxing<br />
champ. Martin Scorsese is directing<br />
from a script by Paul Schrader and Mardik<br />
Martin.<br />
Producer Earl Owensby has set a six-week<br />
shooting schedule on A Day of Judgement,<br />
set to begin principal photography at EO<br />
Studios in North Carolina. C.D.H. Reynolds<br />
will direct from the original screenplay by<br />
Tom Mclntyre.<br />
Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde is planned for<br />
production by Larry Buchanan Productions,<br />
with a female playing both roles in the Robert<br />
Louis Stevenson classic. Buchanan is<br />
producing and directing from a screenplay<br />
he wrote with Lynn Shubert.<br />
Universal will begin production July 5<br />
on Where the Buffalo Roam, fictional version<br />
of events from the life of "Gonzo Jolminalist"<br />
Dr. Hunter S. Thompson. Bill Murray<br />
and Peter Boyle will star.<br />
Sudden Turns will be produced by Frank<br />
Marshall and Neil Canton for United Ail<br />
ists. with Blythe Danner signed to star. Robert<br />
Markowitz will direct the script by W.D.<br />
Richter.<br />
Marble Arch Productions will make The<br />
Lone Ranger, with Walter Coblenz developing<br />
and producing the project. Martin Starger<br />
will be executive producer of the feature.<br />
Sir Lew Grade and Jack Wrathcr will<br />
finance.<br />
ITC Entertainment plans to begin shooting<br />
later this year on Green Ice. Picture will<br />
be based on Gerald A. Browne's novel about<br />
emerald smuggling in Colombia. Jack Weiner<br />
will produce.<br />
The Silence of the North, starring Ellen<br />
Biustyn, will be the first feature film to be<br />
made by Universal Productions Canada Inc.<br />
Allan King will direct.<br />
Production is set to begin in the fall on<br />
Worldbeater. Bernard Schwartz and screenwriter<br />
Thomas Rickman will produce for<br />
Orion Pictures. Rickman wlil direct from<br />
his own screenplay, a comedy based on the<br />
rise, fall and rise again of an American sliper<br />
salesman.<br />
One Way Productions plans to begin<br />
shooting May 28 on Korean locations on<br />
Oh, Inchon! Picture is an $18 million project<br />
based on the Douglas MacArthur landing<br />
at Inchon during the Korean War.<br />
FEATURE<br />
CASTING<br />
Sylvia Kristel has been signed to star with<br />
Don Adams in the Jennings Lang Production,<br />
The Return of Maxwell Smart. The<br />
Dutch-bom actress will play Agent 34. Vittorio<br />
Grassman will play a dual role in the<br />
film, as Maxwell Smart's two biggest KAOS<br />
adversaries.<br />
Leonard Harris will portray the mayor<br />
of New York City in MGM's Captain Avenger.<br />
Nomi Mitty, Jordan Cael and Woodrow<br />
Parfrey will be members of a traveling carnival<br />
family in UA's Carny.<br />
Ann-Margret will end her half-year sabbatical<br />
a month early to star opposite Bruce<br />
Dern in Middle Age Crazy. She will play<br />
Dern's wife in the comic drama about the<br />
apprehensions and crises faced by an American<br />
couple when the husband turns 40.<br />
Judi Bowker has won the starring role<br />
of Andromeda in MGM's Clash of the Titans.<br />
Desmond Davis will direct.<br />
Harry Caesar has been signed for a major<br />
role in A Small Circle of Friends. Picture<br />
is currently before the cameras in Boston.<br />
Sal Viscuso, who plays Father Tim in<br />
TV's "Soap," has signed for a role in 20th-<br />
Fox's Fatso. Anne Bancroft is directing.<br />
John Glover and Inga Swenson have<br />
joined the cast of Wind River. Richard Lang<br />
is directing. Charlton Heston stars.<br />
TECHNICAL<br />
ASSIGNMENTS<br />
Carl Foreman has signed a long-term contract<br />
with Warner Bros, under which he will<br />
develop up to four pictures in five years.<br />
Under a non-exclusive clause in the deal,<br />
Foreman will be able to complete projects<br />
he now has under way with Universal.<br />
Warner Bros, has signed Jay Weston Productions<br />
to a non-exclusive deal to develop<br />
two pictures. Tales of the City, about a<br />
country girl's bizarre encounters in San<br />
Francisco, and WASPS, the story of women<br />
flyers who ferried combat planes to Europe<br />
during World War II.<br />
Academy Award-winner John G. Avildsen<br />
has been signed to direct Fu Manchu.<br />
The adventure comedy stars Peter Sellers<br />
in both the title role and that of Inspector<br />
Nayland Smith of Scotland Yard, Fu Manchu's<br />
longtime nemesis.<br />
ACQUISITIONS<br />
Marty Fink. Spencer Young and Norman<br />
Rudman: Rock Justice, fantasy with rock<br />
music written by Jefferson Starship's Marty<br />
Balin and Bob Heyman, acquired for feature<br />
filmzation. An October start date is<br />
planned.<br />
Hollywood & Vine Productions: Film<br />
rights acquired to the Joe Pursch Story.<br />
Story deals with the Navy captain and doctor<br />
who operate the Navy's Alchohislm Program<br />
at Long Beach Naval Hospital. This<br />
is the center where Betty Ford, Billy Carter<br />
and Herman Talmadge were treated for alcholism.<br />
James Komack: Rights acquired to Solomon's<br />
Ark. The contemporary comedy will<br />
be Lomack's first project under his threepicture<br />
deal with Warner Bros.<br />
DISTRIBUTION<br />
Picturemedia Ltd.: Worldwide distribution<br />
set for Moongas! Production will begin<br />
in July.<br />
Tenaha Timpson Releasing: Worldwide<br />
distribution rights to Superwoman. Deseree<br />
Costeau stars in the comedy-spoof directed<br />
by Joe Sherman.<br />
Pacific International: Distribution rights<br />
obtained to Elvis the Movie, the King Lives<br />
On. A summer release is scheduled.<br />
Viacom: Worldwide syndication rights for<br />
Lyman Dayton's The Rivals.<br />
New Line Cinema: U.S. and English<br />
Canadian distribution rights for The Last<br />
Romantic Lover. U.S. premiere is scheduled<br />
for late summer in New York.<br />
BOXOFTICE :: May 28, 1979<br />
13
BOXOFFICE<br />
BAROMETER<br />
This chart records the performance of current attractions In the opening week of their first runs in<br />
the 20 key cities checked. Pictures with fewer than five engagements are not listed. As new runs<br />
are reported, ratings are added and averages revised. Computation is in terms of percentage in<br />
relation to average grosses as determined by the theatre managers. With 100 per cent as overage,<br />
the figures show the gioss ratings above or below thot mark. (Asterisk * denotes combination bills.)<br />
i .<br />
I Agatha (WB)
'<br />
WASHINGTON<br />
Woody Allen's "Manhattan," a United<br />
Artists' release, brought record-breaking<br />
grosses to the Pedas Circle Theatres'<br />
Avalon in its first week. The 708-scat<br />
twin theatre grossed $49,617 during llupreiniere<br />
week. Moviegoers' attendance,<br />
furthermore, broke the house record foi a<br />
single Saturday with a take of $12,045. Ilie<br />
film had a four-theatre unveiling May 2.<br />
George Romero's "Dawn of the Dead." ;i<br />
Wheeler Film release playing at two Pcd:is<br />
Circle theatres, Dupont and Tenley, is ilo<br />
ing "exceedingly good business," accoiiling<br />
to Charlie Costolo, district manager for llie<br />
circuit's eight houses and 12 screens.<br />
Marty Zeidman, Columbia's branch manager,<br />
screened "Hot Stuff" for cxhibilois<br />
and special guests at the Motion Piclinc<br />
Assn. of America screening room May 24.<br />
The stars are Dom DeLuise, Suzanne I'leshette,<br />
Jerry Reed and Ossie Davis.<br />
William Zoetis. 20th Century-Fox brantli<br />
manager, arranged a press screening of "Al<br />
ien" at the Pedas Uptown, in Dolby, May<br />
24. The sci-fi horror film opened at Ihc<br />
Uptown the following day.<br />
Fritz Goldschmidt, Avco Embassy branch<br />
chief, sneaked "Skyline" at Neighborhood<br />
Theatres' State Theatre in McLean, Va.,<br />
May 11. The film will not go into general<br />
release until early fall, according to head<br />
booker Mary Ellen Romich. Avco Embas<br />
sy's "Phantasm" will unreel in 95 thealres<br />
in this exchange June 8. Reports of the<br />
film's performance throughout the country<br />
have been "phantastical."<br />
The Variety<br />
Club and WOMPI of Wash<br />
ington will co-host a dinner dance al (lie<br />
Bethesda Officers Club July 3. Chief barker<br />
John Broumas is back at his Showcase<br />
Thealres after attending the Variety Club<br />
Internationa! convention in New Orleans<br />
May 19-25.<br />
Price Enterprises, headquartered at Vii<br />
ginia Beach. Va.. announced its takeover o\<br />
the Hampton Drive-In at Hampton. Va..<br />
effective May 9.<br />
John Obert, a 25-year veteran of the<br />
'' Clark Service, ded recently. Obert bad retired<br />
as manager of the film shipping com<br />
pany. which has been renamed Molileli<br />
r-'ilm<br />
Service.<br />
Edward W. Cockrell Jr. has been nameil<br />
program planner for the American Film<br />
Institute Theatre. Cockrell fills the vacancy<br />
made by Michael Clark, who resigned to<br />
accept the position as film critic for the<br />
Detroit Free Press.<br />
Recent movie openings include: Peler<br />
Bogdanovich's "Saint Jack," in one theatre;<br />
"Game of Death." Bruce Lee's last film, in<br />
area theatres: and United Artists' release<br />
"Voices" in West End Circle and area<br />
thealres.<br />
Janet Margolin, a recent visitor here to<br />
promote United Artists' "Last Embrace." in<br />
which she plays femme fatale opposite Roy<br />
Scheider. said she likes the job she did in<br />
the film. Uniquely primed at the age of .V5.<br />
it has been 17 years since Frank and Eleanor<br />
Perry cast Margolin as Lisa in "David<br />
and Lisa." Jomathan Demme directed the<br />
new romantic murder thriller, which was<br />
his first feature since "Citizens Band."<br />
R. I. Obscenity Statute<br />
Ruled Unconstiluional<br />
PROVIDENCE— I he Rhode Island Stale<br />
Supreme Couit has ruled unconstitutional<br />
the state's obscenity statute, used in 1978 to<br />
raid a "Private Parts" erotic art show.<br />
The ruling was issued in the matter of<br />
challenge brought by D & J Enterprises<br />
Inc.. owner/ operator of stores selling books,<br />
magazines and films containing sexual<br />
themes.<br />
The suit's defendants were the state attorney<br />
general and the police chiefs of Providence<br />
and West Warwick.<br />
The high court said that the state legislature<br />
had included in its definition of "patently<br />
offensive sexual conduct" behavior<br />
which a jury might not find patently offensive.<br />
The statute, therefore, is too broad,<br />
the court commented.<br />
Yearlong 'Rocky' Exhibitor<br />
Has Discovered a Bonanza<br />
BELMAR. N.J.— Between 50.000 and<br />
(lO.OOO people have seen "The Rocky Horror<br />
Picture Show" at the Belmar Cinema<br />
here since it opened last Memorial Day,<br />
according to William Franz, co-owner ol<br />
the theatre which has hit a bonanza with the<br />
cult movie, which shows every Friday and<br />
Saturday for two screenings at midnight and<br />
2 a.m. But instead of waiting for a celebra<br />
lion this Memorial Day to mark its firs!<br />
anniversary, Franz arranged an early celebration<br />
by bringing in an acting troupe from<br />
the Exeter Theatre in Boston to present a<br />
live version of "The Rocky Horror Picliire<br />
Show."<br />
Not only is the $3 admission a boon lo<br />
the boxoffice, but Franz finds the cult movie<br />
brings in a lot of plusses. Mementos of the<br />
film are for sale in the theatre's lobby and<br />
selling briskly are such items as "Rocky<br />
Horror" mirrors, T-shirts, posters, buttons,<br />
songbooks and candy "Rocky Horror" lips<br />
made out of marzipan.<br />
In addition to the after-dark show, Bel<br />
mar Cinema will occasionally add a Sunday<br />
2 p.m. matinee for "The Rocky Horror<br />
Picture Show" to accommodate the high<br />
school and college students largely attracted<br />
lo the film, who arc unable to take the lale<br />
night hours.<br />
Franz has a midnight following developing<br />
as well on Sunday nights for another<br />
cult cinema he started showing earlier this<br />
year. The Sunday midnight attraction is a<br />
double bill of the feature "Eraserhead" and<br />
a film by "De Vo." During regular hours,<br />
the Belmar Cinema operates with first-run<br />
product, currently presenting the exclusive<br />
area showing of "Superman." The theatre i<<br />
located in<br />
the Belmar Mall.<br />
NEW<br />
YORK<br />
pHE WILL ROGERS New York kick-off<br />
rally will be held June 12 at Will<br />
Rogers Institute in White Plains. A screening<br />
of the 1979 Will Rogers trailer starring<br />
Reggie Jackson of the New York Yankees<br />
will be followed by cocktails and a garden<br />
kmcheon. At 1:30, the Variety Club of New<br />
York (Tent 35) will dedicate a plaque to<br />
commemorate the establishment of a Limb<br />
Bank for children at the Burke Rehabilitation<br />
Center, under the direction of Dr. Peter<br />
Stern. Plaques will also be dedicated in<br />
memory of Ned E. Depinet and Russell<br />
Downing.<br />
From 2 to 4 p.m.. there will be a<br />
discussion on "Asthma-Bronchitis-Emphysema"<br />
by Lester B. Mayers. MD. supervisor<br />
of the pulmonary rehabilitation unit at<br />
the Burke Day Hospital; Charles E. Bredin,<br />
MD. director of the pulmonary medicine<br />
department at Burke Inpatient Hospital; and<br />
Renee Schlesinger. director of physical therapy<br />
at the Day Hospital.<br />
•<br />
The Ritillo Theatre film house on 42nd<br />
Street and Broadway will become a 499-<br />
it seat legitimate theatre, was announced by<br />
Brandt Enterprises. The Lyric Theatre on<br />
42 nd Street is also due for a restoration lo<br />
legitimate enterprises,<br />
both houses expected<br />
to he operating under their new formats in<br />
the fall.<br />
•<br />
Irwin Allen's all-star "Beyond the Poseidon<br />
Adventure" opened May 25 at Flagship<br />
Theatres throughout the metropolitan area.<br />
Manhattan houses participating in the showcase<br />
are Cinerama I. Beekman, Murray Hill<br />
and RKO 86th Street. Allen produced and<br />
directed the Warner Bros, release from Nelson<br />
Gidding's screenplay, based on a novel<br />
by the late<br />
Paul Gallico.<br />
•<br />
Showcases include "The Prisoner of Zenda."<br />
a Universal release of a Walter Miriscli<br />
Production, starring Peter Sellers, which<br />
opened May 25. Also. "Manhattan." "The<br />
Dark." "The Champ." "The Exorcist." "The<br />
Deer Hunter." "Love at First Bite." "Hair."<br />
"The Silent Partner." "Hanover Street."<br />
'Battlestar Gulactica." "Dawn of the Dead"<br />
and "Winter Kills."<br />
FOR SALE:<br />
DRIVE-IN THEATRE SCREEN<br />
WITH TOWER<br />
SURFACE DIMENSION 120' x 60'<br />
INTERLOCKING STEEL PANELS<br />
CAN BE LAID DOWN IN WINDSTORM<br />
CONTACT: Mr. Michael Mittleman<br />
Harborside Park<br />
711 Branch Avenue<br />
Providence, Rl 02940<br />
Tel: (401) 272-8000 Ext. 135<br />
BOXOFFICE :; May 28. 1979<br />
E-1
4;^Jsmm-''^^.-^^'%:r^\ii:,sm:^m:^^ -^<br />
New York<br />
(Average weekly grosses follow theaire)<br />
,.^3sw\s ^i.^^<br />
All Almost Perfect Affair (Para),<br />
Trans-Lux East (8,500).<br />
4th wk 1 2.000<br />
Battlestar Galactica (Univ), 50 theatres.<br />
1st wk 300.000<br />
La Cage Aux FoUes (UA). 68th<br />
Playhouse St. (5.200). 1st wk. .. 22,000<br />
Death of a Bureaucrat (Tricontinental),<br />
Cinema Studio II (3,700),<br />
1st wk 8,000<br />
Fedora (UA). Cinema Studio 1 (5,000),<br />
5th wk 9,000<br />
Get Out Your Handkerchiefs<br />
(New Line), Paris (9,000),<br />
22nd wk 8,000<br />
.\ Little Romance (Orion-WB), Sutton<br />
(9,000), 4th wk 21,800<br />
Manhattan (UA), 9 theatres,<br />
4th wk 340.000<br />
Saint Jack (New World). Cinema 1<br />
(10.400). 4th wk 19.900<br />
Teresa the Thief (World Northal).<br />
Gemini 1 (7.500). 2nd wk 1 1.000<br />
Winter Kills (Avco). 47 theatres.<br />
1st wk 250,000<br />
New Haven<br />
The Champ (MGM-UA), Showcase<br />
III, 6th wk 70<br />
The China Syndrome (Col), Millord<br />
II, 9th wk 80<br />
The Deer Hunter (Univ), Showcase<br />
V, 10th wk 125<br />
House of Shame (,SR), Milford Twin<br />
D-I. 1st wk 150<br />
Love at First Bite (Al), Cinemart II,<br />
4th wk 115<br />
Manhattan (UA). Showcase I.<br />
2nd wk 350<br />
Murder by Decree (Avco). York<br />
Square Cinema. 1st wk 200<br />
The Promise (Univ). Showcase II.<br />
3rd wk 70<br />
The Silent Partner (EMC). Showcase<br />
IV. 3rd wk. 145<br />
Tourist Trap (Compass), Milford<br />
Twin D-I. Screen Two, 1st wk 175<br />
FILMACK IS<br />
1st CHOICE<br />
WITH<br />
SHOWMEN<br />
EVERYWHERE<br />
F/RST RUN REPORT<br />
Uitemistiess (Qua<br />
1st wk<br />
I). I MKoln.<br />
Baltimore<br />
The Champ (MGM-UA), Cinema II,<br />
6th wk<br />
The China Syndrome (Col),<br />
Westview IV, 9th wk<br />
The Deer Hunter (Univ), Towson,<br />
12th wk<br />
The Last Embrace (UA), Cinema I,<br />
2nd wk<br />
Love at First Bite (AI), Westview I,<br />
Patterson I, 3rd wk<br />
Manhattan (UA). Westview II,<br />
2nd wk<br />
Buffalo<br />
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century<br />
(Univ). 1 theatre, 6th wk<br />
The Champ (MGM-UA), 3 theatres.<br />
4th wk<br />
The China Syndrome (Col),<br />
3 theatres. 8th wk<br />
Coming Home (UA). 2 theatres.<br />
6th wk<br />
Dawn of the Dead (SR), 2 theatres.<br />
1st wk<br />
The Deer Hunter (Univ). 1 theatre,<br />
11th wk<br />
Firepower (SR), 5 theatres, 1st wk. .<br />
The Last Embrace (UA), 4 theatres.<br />
1st wk<br />
Love at First Bite (AI), 3 theatres,<br />
2nd wk<br />
Manhattan (UA), 3 theatres, 1st wk.<br />
Old Boyfriends (Avco), 2 theatres,<br />
2nd wk<br />
Silent Partner (SR), 2 theatres,<br />
1st wk<br />
Tourist Trap (SR), 4 theatres, Isl wk.<br />
Hartford<br />
The Champ (MGM-UA), Showcase<br />
VI, 6th wk<br />
The China Syndrome (Col), Cinema I,<br />
UA Westfarms 3. 9th wk<br />
200<br />
90<br />
. 1 50<br />
.200<br />
ORDER FROM FILMACK<br />
WHENEVER YOU NEED<br />
SPECIAL FILMS<br />
DATE STRIP5<br />
CROSS PLUGS,<br />
MERCHANT ADS,<br />
SPECIAL AN-<br />
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FILMACK STUDIOS, INC.<br />
1 bash Avenue nois 60605 312-427-339J<br />
Circle of Iron (Avco), Cinema City<br />
IV, Cine Enfield I, 1st wk 150<br />
The Deer Hunter (Univ), Showcase IV,<br />
10th wk 135<br />
Here Comes the Bride (SR), Art Cinema,<br />
2nd wk 175<br />
The Innocent (Analysis), 3 theatres,<br />
2nd wk 165<br />
The Last Embrace (UA), Cinema City<br />
II, Elm I. 2nd wk 135<br />
Love at First Bite (AI), Showcase<br />
II, 5th wk 120<br />
Manhattan (UA), Showcase I,<br />
2nd wk 375<br />
Norma Rae (20th-Fox), Cinema Cily<br />
III, Elm II, 6th wk KM)<br />
The Promise (Univ), UA East III.<br />
3rd wk 50<br />
Richard Pryor—Live in Concert (SEE),<br />
Showcase III. 3rd wk 175<br />
The Silent Partner (EMC), Showcase<br />
V, 2nd wk 200<br />
Take Down (BV), 3 theatres, Isi wk. . . 100<br />
Tourist Trap (Compass), Manchester.<br />
Pike D-Is. 1st wk 200<br />
Your Turn, My Turn (New Yorker).<br />
Atheneum. 1st wk. 90<br />
PHILADELPHIA<br />
pete Ciccotta, Universal branch manager in<br />
this area, arranged an invitational sneak<br />
preview of "The Prisoner of Zenda" at the<br />
SamEric Theatre in advance of its May 25<br />
opening at Ihat theatre.<br />
For "Dreamer," Bob Sokolsky in the Philadelphia<br />
Bulletin, finds: "The performances<br />
and direction of this bowling film are more<br />
wooden than the pins, turning the entire<br />
movie into one long, wide gutter ball."<br />
Russell A. Miles is the new owner of the<br />
Waverly Theatre in suburban Drexel Hill.<br />
Desmond Ryan in the Inquirer sees<br />
Woody Allen as "an imposing filmmaker"<br />
in "Manhattan." stating that Allen has<br />
"solved problems on the use of humor that<br />
directors in the lower reaches of screen<br />
comedy hardly know exist."<br />
Charlie Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy<br />
films and the like make up the programs<br />
for the "Old Time Motion Picture Show"<br />
at The Old Schoolhouse in Medford. N..T..<br />
complete with hot popcorn, lemonade, penny<br />
candy, and even a light-heailed 25 cenls<br />
for admission.<br />
Samuel Rudofker, president of After Six<br />
Formal Wear, and Continental Bank president<br />
Roy T. Peraino are serving as co-chairmen<br />
for the world premiere of "Rocky 11"<br />
here, followed by a $100 gala reception and<br />
dance at the Philadelphia Museum of Art to<br />
benefit the Police Athletic League. Originally<br />
scheduled lor June 8 at Budco's Midlown<br />
Thcatie. the premiere has been postponed<br />
10 Jinie 14 due to "technical reasons" involving<br />
the soundtrack.<br />
Black Films and Filmmakers, a traveling<br />
film series, makes its Philadelphia debut at<br />
the Afro-American Historical &. Cultural<br />
Museum, running consecutive Sundays at<br />
3 p.nr throuyh Jinie 17. The four-part series<br />
E-2 BOXOFFICE May 28. 1979
,<br />
Place,<br />
. . . Asked<br />
I<br />
,<br />
I<br />
presents award-winning films from among<br />
top national and international black filmmakers<br />
as well as special lectures by the<br />
filmmakers.<br />
In order to dramatize its sympathy with<br />
the nationwide union-led boycott of I.P.<br />
Stevens products, one of the largest nonunion<br />
companies in the United States, the<br />
Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers<br />
Union here took over the 584-seat Eric's<br />
a center-city Sameric theatre, for an<br />
evening screening of "Norma Rae," the<br />
theatre's current film attraction. Union officials<br />
hailed the popular reception of "Norma<br />
Rae" as an authentic and inspiring rendering<br />
of the union's real-life struggle to<br />
unionize the Stevens plant in Roanoke<br />
Rapids, N. C.<br />
Lee Starkey, account executive at Elkman<br />
Advertising, which handles the advertising<br />
and publicity for Buena Vista held a preview<br />
at the Top of the Fox Screening Room<br />
for "The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides<br />
Again."<br />
Desmond Ryan, reviewing "Last Embrace"<br />
in the Inquirer, says it "abounds in<br />
flashes of technique that are entertaining<br />
and impressive in themselves, but contrived<br />
impediments to the progress of the movie."<br />
PITTSBURGH<br />
^he Senate Business and Commerce Comi<br />
mittee unanimously passed NAIO's<br />
anli-blind bidding bill May 21 and sent il lo<br />
the full Pennsylvania Senate. The eighi<br />
members all gave approval lo the measuie<br />
following a hearing wilh George Tice. pies<br />
ident of NATO of Western Pennsylvania<br />
Senate Bill 702 is sponsored by 26 Keystone<br />
State senators, more than enough for iinal<br />
approval. Tice will discuss this subject and<br />
other important trade topics at the general<br />
membership meeting of the exhibitor association<br />
at the Marriott in Greentree, June 11.<br />
This is the final week for 20th-Fox'.'.<br />
branch office here, wilh all business for this<br />
film territory to be handled out of Philadelphia.<br />
The Fulton Building office goes oul of<br />
business Jime 8. George Ball remains for a<br />
few weeks to handle account bookings, elc,<br />
Ihen he retires after<br />
here.<br />
.'>2 years in the induslry<br />
George Anderson writes in his review:<br />
"Adolescents have been portrayed as demonic<br />
or debauched in most recent films.<br />
Now along comes a "A Little Romance' lo<br />
make innocence believable again."<br />
Release dates for films opening hereabouls<br />
include .June 1 for the return of "Semi-<br />
Tough"; June 8 for "Players" and a reissue<br />
of "Bedknobs and Broomsticks"; June 15<br />
for "The In-Laws," "Butch and Sundance:<br />
the Early Years," "The i'rophecy" aiul<br />
"C.H.O.M.P.S."; June 22 for "Lost aiul<br />
Found," "The Main Event" and "Escape<br />
From Alcatraz"; and June 29 for "Bknidline."<br />
"Moonraker" and a reissue of "101<br />
Dalmations "<br />
BOXOmCE :: May 28, 1979<br />
Spotlight on New England<br />
By ALLEN M. WIDEM<br />
Re0onal Correspondent<br />
JJow much emphasis is being accordeil ratings<br />
on a daily advertising level by exhibition<br />
in the si.x-state New England region<br />
To a man—and a woman—exhibition cannot<br />
be faulted for ever seeking to ignore,<br />
sidestep or downgrade the careful calculations<br />
of the Motion Picture Assn. of Ameiica.<br />
Monitoring the press across the si,x-stalo<br />
area finds excellent compliance as far as<br />
incorporating ratings with advertised films.<br />
The Edmond Town Hall Theatre, in Connecticut's<br />
downstatc Fairfield county, has a<br />
continuing, exemplary policy manifested by<br />
manager Dave Brown. Newtown is home<br />
base and audience draw is regional.<br />
Playing sub-nm booking of 20th-Fox's<br />
"The Boys From Brazil." Dave adverlisiil:<br />
"R—Under 17 not admitted without parent<br />
present at boxofficc." And the question before<br />
the house is: How many more cinemas<br />
adhere to such wordage when playing R<br />
product in an atmosphere encompassing a<br />
sizable "family" turnout regularly<br />
In Vermont Merrill G. Jarvis, presidenl<br />
of South Burlington-based Merrill Theatre<br />
Corp., had a drive-in theatre first for 1979,<br />
hosting "Buck Night" at the Burlington ami<br />
Mt. View underskyers. Admission was $1-<br />
per-person. with children under age 5 admitted<br />
free.<br />
In Rhode Island, regional drive-in ihca<br />
tres resumed full-time operations for ihe<br />
The Warham Drive-In, now<br />
season . . .<br />
helmed by Randy Ellis (formerly with TMS<br />
interests at the Brockton Sky-Vue Drive-<br />
In), has installed radio sound for paticns<br />
by The NewsPaper if he has ever<br />
worked in films he later regretted taking ou.<br />
Gene Hackman said, "No. I have done woik<br />
in films that turned out to be less than expected<br />
or did less than well at the boxoffice,<br />
but that was beyond my control. It alwa\s<br />
is. It is a fact of life about film that an<br />
actor lives with. Now a director has con<br />
trol."<br />
Around Worcester, $5 a carload seems to<br />
be the prevailing "bargain price" figure in<br />
effect at the bulk of drive-in theatres providing<br />
such a policy this season.<br />
General Cinema Corp.'s Worcester Ceiilei<br />
Cinemas 3, normally on a price policy ol<br />
$1.25 to 2 p.m.. with the admission going lo<br />
$2.50 for remainder of afternoon and evening,<br />
maintained a $1.25 price for two auditorium<br />
showings of Compass International's<br />
"Halloween."<br />
In Hartford, Independent exhibitors Leon<br />
aid Paul and associates, operating a weekend<br />
teenage disco policy at the Central<br />
Theatre, West Hartford, re-applied for pro<br />
posed building changes to the town's Plan<br />
and Zoning Commission after the laller<br />
voiced feeling that the original application<br />
was not specific enough. The Paul group<br />
wants to allow smoking in the lobby, install<br />
electronic games in the disco, increase Ihe<br />
number of persons permitted in the ihealre<br />
and change the hours of operation for disco.<br />
In New Haven, Inteistate Theatres ol<br />
New England's Clinton Drive-In has expanded<br />
the flea market concept, wilh an<br />
aulomobilc flea market operational Saturdays<br />
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The plan is lo<br />
bring mobile buyer and seller together. The<br />
underskyer continues its regular flea market<br />
Sundays, starting at 8 a.m., in a plan similar<br />
to that in effect at the Redstone Milford<br />
Drive-In. Dealer space Sunday costs $8 at<br />
Clinton, carloads are admitted for 99 cents<br />
and walk-ins for 50 cents. The same Sunday<br />
money policy is in effect at Milford. The<br />
auto flea market has no admission charge<br />
for buyers; sellers are charged a "nominal<br />
fee."<br />
In Enosburg Falls, Vt., the first new drivein<br />
theatre construction project in Ihe sixstate<br />
New England region to date in 1979<br />
has been disclosed. Lise and Lindsey Gales<br />
have proposed construction at the Dairy<br />
Center in North Enosburg.<br />
Agawani, Mass., a<br />
major Springfield sub<br />
urb, will not be getting another multipleauditorium<br />
cinema complex. Real estate developers<br />
John J. Beltrandi and Leon Charkoudian.<br />
who some months ago announced<br />
plans for a $50,000,000 self-contained "village"<br />
in Feeding Hills district decided to<br />
withdraw their petition hours before a Town<br />
Council vote on the project. "We just can't<br />
get the 12 votes we need in the council,"<br />
Beltrandi conceded. "We can't even get ten.<br />
The more we talked about it, the more we<br />
decided that we just couldn't get the vote."<br />
The complex would have been part of the<br />
large-scale commercial/ residential development.<br />
TOLEDO<br />
Pecause a search warrant used to confiscate<br />
a film last October at the Westwood<br />
Theatre in West Toledo was not specific.<br />
Municipal Judge Alice Resneck has ruled<br />
that the seized film could not be used as<br />
evidence. Ken Hodge. 25, was arrested last<br />
Oct. 5, along with operators of four other<br />
film houses in the city, and charged wilh<br />
pandering obscenity. The arrests were ihe<br />
first since the city council amended its<br />
ordinance dealing wilh sueh misdemeanors<br />
The Ohio Theatre in Columbus will receive<br />
$25,000 as a grant from Ihe U.S<br />
Heritage Conservation and Recreation Serv<br />
(Continued on following page)<br />
MOVIE PROGRAMS<br />
USE MOVIE HERALDS AND PROGRAMS<br />
Vt*'"'' s^ ,' I 10« OH ON (I8SI 0>D!l -<br />
\l. ' .a''X- I' YOU MINTION IMIS "'" " '<br />
^^^<br />
A.-^ -^ Pu.llC.lToN »N0 DMt ,h, ....0. .<br />
, I I<br />
h„r^^<br />
IIHiJlJ.UllilKitilBl
occupying Suite 358<br />
21.<br />
Qoger K. Hill, Warner Bros, branch manager,<br />
has died at the Massachusetts triple movie house and lacquetball spoils<br />
Ground was broken recently for a new<br />
General Hospital, about two months after complex adjacent to Kings Shopping Center<br />
he was critically burned in the March 29 on Camden Street, Rockland, Maine. The<br />
fire at the Copley Plaza Hotel. He had suffered<br />
severe second and third degree burns Roger Wedge, president of Cinema IV<br />
new venture was jointly announced by<br />
over more than half of his body. The early Corp. of Massachuseits, and Claude Broutin,<br />
Maine restaurateur and developer. The<br />
morning fire at the Copley and the nearby<br />
Sheraton-Boston Hotel forced into the streets movie operation will include three cinemas.<br />
about 1,200 guests, of which 68 were injured.<br />
A formei busboy, 18, has been charged<br />
with murder and arson in connection with<br />
CINCINNATI<br />
the fire.<br />
Dave Titleman, district manager of Associated<br />
Film Distributors, has announced<br />
J)oug Buckley is in from Chicago lo take<br />
over the branch manager helm at<br />
United Artists. Also at UA, Howard Loberfeld<br />
reported that Woody Allen's "Manhattan"<br />
was to open exclusively at the World<br />
East and World West theatres. "Rocky II"<br />
is scheduled for a June opening.<br />
Clevelanders have been privilaged to see.<br />
meet and talk with major figures in the film<br />
industry this month as the Cleveland International<br />
Film Festival continues. In town<br />
for the festival this past week were Linwood<br />
Dunn. Academy Award-winning cinematographer<br />
and president of Film Effects of<br />
Hollywood, and director Frank Capra, who<br />
appeared after a showing of his "It's a Wonderful<br />
Life," which he requested for the<br />
Irwin<br />
Loren Janes and Herbert Ross.<br />
"Butch and Sundance: the Early Days"<br />
will open in this territory June 15.<br />
CLEVELAND<br />
Tack Kaufman of Cinepix reports that<br />
Pic's Fabulous Bonus Offer: "When the Screaming Stops" will open<br />
soon in the Akron-Canton area and "Bread<br />
You Buy 200 Packs* rmii v.iu. $70.00<br />
'2 Large coils per pack, retail 35c<br />
and Chocolate" will open exclusively at the<br />
You get FREE - 16 Packs . . .mh v.iu. 5.60 Westgate Cinema June 1.<br />
TMal RMII Valia $75.60 Gordon Bugie, Avco Embassy branch<br />
Your Cost 200 Packs (21c each) .... .$42.00 manager, screened "A Very Big Withdrawal"<br />
at Loews Village Theatre May 12 to a<br />
Your Profit $33.60 capacity ciowd.<br />
Raphael D. Silver was in town recently<br />
BOSTON<br />
Plus FREE<br />
night of his visit. Also scheduled for appearances<br />
are producers Robert Chartoff<br />
that Associated is in<br />
to introduce his movie "On the Yard" al<br />
the<br />
the<br />
and<br />
Park<br />
film festival in the Cedar<br />
Winkler,<br />
Square<br />
Lee Theairc.<br />
Frederick<br />
Building,<br />
Wiseman,<br />
effective May<br />
Attractive Promotional Material
Son Francisco<br />
(Average weekly grosses follow theatre)<br />
FIRST RUN REPORT<br />
liu- I'n.iiust irniM, I A SlnncshuMi 1<br />
.<br />
. .<br />
Denver<br />
(4 O^D) (ilh wk<br />
\\<br />
(<br />
Same lime, Next Year (Univ),<br />
The Champ (UA), 2 Iheiilics, 6lli wk. .210<br />
Cinema 21 (8,700), 14th wk<br />
The China Syndrome (Col),<br />
The Silent Partner (Pacific Film).<br />
Continental, 9th wk 100<br />
The Deer Hnnter (Univ), Colorado 4,<br />
wk 200<br />
Alexandria 2 (4,500), 2nd wk. ...<br />
Superman (WB), Northpoint (11,800).<br />
12th 22nd wk<br />
Hair (UA), Colorado 4, 7lh wk 150<br />
The Toy (Show Bi-Co.). Clay (4,100),<br />
30<br />
1<br />
Hurricane (Para), 3 theatres, 5lh wk.<br />
2nd wk<br />
Last Embrace (UA), 4 theatres,<br />
2nd wk 70<br />
Wifemistress (Quartet), Stage Door<br />
(4,600). ISth wk<br />
Manhattan (UA), 2 theatres, 2nd wk. . .320<br />
Once in Paris (SR), University Hills 3.<br />
1st wk 90<br />
The Promise (Univ), 2 theatres,<br />
6th wk<br />
Hollywood Happenings<br />
50<br />
Same Time, Next Year (Univ), Cooper,<br />
14th wk 60 QICELY lYSON was honored with the<br />
Superman (WB), Cenlmy 21, 2 1 si wk. 100 National Fellowship award, presented<br />
May 24 in Philadelphia by Mercei D. Tate,<br />
president of the Fellowship Commission.<br />
The award will take note of her work in<br />
Beyond the Door No. 2<br />
(Film Ventures), 1st wk.<br />
Empire 2 (1,850) 290<br />
St. Francis 2 (5,200) 5,019<br />
Geneva Drive-In (5,400) 4,356<br />
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century<br />
(Univ), UA Stonestown I (4.()4()),<br />
Picnic at Hanging Rock (Atlantic),<br />
Lumiere (3,850), 4th wk 2,820<br />
TNEATRE—<br />
ItRINTINGil'-<br />
WINDOW CARDS /calendars /programs<br />
ADVERTISING CO<br />
BOX 626. OMAHA, NE 68101 402 453-6160<br />
creating an image for human rights wiihin<br />
the black community.<br />
•<br />
The nation's top ranking women golfers<br />
will participate May 29 in a Pro-Am Golf<br />
Tournament, a part of the Women's Professional<br />
Golf Tour at the Calabasas Country<br />
Club as a benefit for the Motion Picture<br />
and Television Fund. Professional golfeis<br />
the 1.800 guests in one area of the huge<br />
Pima Air Museum neat Tucson International<br />
Airport.<br />
"Hanover Street" in Dolby soiuid opened<br />
May 18 at the Catalina . . . "Fedora"<br />
donned May 18 at Cine El Dorado.<br />
"Main Event" will be premiered June 21<br />
at Cine El Dorado in a special fund-raising<br />
showing for benefit of the American Cancer<br />
Society.<br />
Brotke Shields was in town recently to<br />
attend a sneak preview of her film "Wanda<br />
Nevada" al Bucna Vista 2.<br />
Starters: Last hnibraie," May 3 at De-<br />
Aiiza Drive-in, Cinewoild and Oracle View<br />
King of Hearts," May 4 at New<br />
4 . . .<br />
"Beyond the Door," May 2 ai<br />
Coronado and Tucson 5. First Tucson showing:<br />
"Manhattan" ar.d "House Calls" at<br />
DeAnza Drive-In.<br />
SALT LAKE CITY<br />
Linton Productions, a film company basetl<br />
here held auditions for parts in "Knocking<br />
at Heavens Door." the company's lalt'sl<br />
movie project.<br />
Herb Schoenhardt of Universal Theatre<br />
Supply has just returned from the Theatre<br />
Equipment Assn. Convention in Monterey.<br />
Calif. He also took care of some other<br />
business while he was there. Universal<br />
Theatre Supply was looking forward to the<br />
opening of the new Trolley Carriage Square<br />
Theatres in Taylorsville. Herb Schoenhardt<br />
and Clayton Stauffer have been working<br />
very hard to make sure everything is ready<br />
and properly installed for the big opening.<br />
AMCSixplex Slated<br />
For Sunnyvale Mall<br />
LOS ANGELES—The latest project announced<br />
for the $60-million Sunnyvale<br />
Town Center shopping development is to<br />
be Sunnyvale's largest multi-plex cinema.<br />
Total cost will be in excess of $550,000.<br />
Construction of the cinema begins this<br />
month and is scheduled to coordinate with<br />
Ihe fall 1979 opening of the major regional<br />
center.<br />
The cinema, to be operated by .American<br />
Multi Cinema of Kansas City, will be a<br />
1,468-seat sixplex facility.<br />
AMC currently owns and operates 60<br />
screens in California and American Mulli<br />
Cinema is currently planning several additional<br />
projects with the Hahn Co.<br />
Old Tucson Adopts a New<br />
Name: Now It's Westworld<br />
l.AS VEGAS—A change in the corporalc<br />
name of Old Tucson Corp. to Westworld<br />
Inc. became effective May 14.<br />
The company operates the western theme<br />
park and movie location. Old Tucson, near<br />
Tucson. Ariz., and recently acquired all of<br />
the outstanding stock of Old West Corp.,<br />
the operator of a western theme park and<br />
gaming casino in the Las Vegas area.<br />
In announcing its intention to change its<br />
name, Burt Sugarman. chairman and chief<br />
executive officer, told shareholders on .April<br />
24. that Westworld Inc. was more reflective<br />
of the scope and nature o( its bus<br />
May 28. 1979<br />
W-1
SAN FRANCISCO<br />
Tack Naify, who had been a salesman for<br />
Warner Bros, in New Orleans, has<br />
joined the film payables staff in UATC's<br />
booking department.<br />
Melania Steele has left her position with<br />
Pacific Film Enterprises and is now employed<br />
at<br />
Jack Wodell Associates.<br />
C. F. "Mike'' Powers was honored with<br />
a belated birthday luncheon as WOMPI<br />
Man of the Year" at the Civic Center Holiday<br />
Inn May 17.<br />
A complete retrospective of the films ol<br />
Luchino Visconti is scheduled to begin with<br />
a special screening of "The Innocent" at<br />
the<br />
Castro Theatre May 31 prior to its regular<br />
engagement at the Caly Theatre June 8.<br />
The Castro presentation is in association<br />
with the Italian Institute of Culture. His<br />
other works will be shown at the Pacific<br />
Film Archive and at the University of<br />
Southern California-Berkley.<br />
Mrs. Jerry Collins wishes to thank everyone<br />
for the love and support shown to her<br />
and her family after her husband's death.<br />
LOS ANGELES<br />
]y[ann Theatres had sold the Fairfax Theatre<br />
to Jamiel Chetin, operator of the<br />
Picfair and 4 Star theatres.<br />
AFI Seminar Set for Aug.<br />
BEVERLY HILLS — Director of AFI-<br />
West Robert F. Blumofe has annoimccti<br />
that the second Summer Institute for Film<br />
and Humanities will be held at the CenUi<br />
for Advanced Film Studies here Aug. 5-11.<br />
The weeklong workshop, funded by the<br />
Rockefeller Foundation, is aimed al acquainting<br />
university-level film educators<br />
with the practical aspects of the molicni<br />
picture industry. The institute will be nuul<br />
erated by Dr. Sam Grogg, director of I Ik<br />
AFI National Education Services.<br />
United Artists Plans 2nd<br />
Sixplex for Santa Rosa<br />
SANTA ROSA. Calif. — The United<br />
Artists Theatre Circuit has announced plans<br />
Century projectors and Chiistie transport<br />
systems will be installed; American will<br />
provide the seats.<br />
DENVER<br />
Leonard Steele has broken ground for a<br />
new fourplex theatre to be erected in<br />
Spearfish, S.D. The new facility will be a<br />
part of a mew shopping center complex and<br />
will be equipped with on automated booth<br />
and the newest equipment available. The<br />
target date for opening is Labor Day. Steele<br />
also operates the Campus and Cine Theatres<br />
in Spearfish as well as theatres in Gillclti.',<br />
Wyo., and Gunnison, Colo.<br />
Chad and Kay DeCastro have sold the<br />
Peerless Theatre in Holyoke, Colo., to Ralph<br />
and Linda Stats. The DeCastros will continue<br />
to operate the Chaka Theatre in nearby<br />
Julesburg, Colo.<br />
The Box families have been coming and<br />
going. Bob Box, who is the branch manager<br />
for Paramount, traveled to Los Angeles for<br />
meetings. Jack Box, the branch manager for<br />
Universal, along with Mrs. Box, traveled to<br />
Oklahoma City on a vacation. Kathy Box,<br />
who is employed in the local Columbia<br />
Branch, joined her parents for the trip to<br />
Oklahoma City.<br />
Albert Johnson Returns<br />
To San Francisco Fest<br />
SAN FRANCISCO—Claude Jarman,<br />
director<br />
of the San Francisco International<br />
Film Festival, has announced that film<br />
tc build a second si.xplex in this northern<br />
California community.<br />
scholar and lecturer Albert Johnson will return<br />
to the staff of the festival this year to<br />
Construction of the complex, to be named<br />
Movies 6, is slated for early June. Seating<br />
will be similar to UA's other Santa Rosa<br />
be in charge of tributes.<br />
He will also coordinate a special afternoon<br />
program in conjunction with the Uni-<br />
theatres, the Cinema 6.<br />
versity Art Muscimi's Pacific Film Archive.<br />
Johnson last worked for the festival in<br />
1972.<br />
Filbert Company<br />
Theatre Systems<br />
The 23rd Annual San Francisco Film<br />
Festival will run Oct. 10-21 at the Palace<br />
of Fine Arts Theatre and the Castro Theatre.<br />
The festival will be accepting entries<br />
this summer through Aug. 1.<br />
COMING SOON...<br />
A<br />
BIGGER<br />
and<br />
BETTER<br />
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ALSO: DRIVE-IN EQUIPMENT.<br />
W-2 BOXOFFICE :: Mav 2S, 1979
Apartment Beneath Drive-In Screen<br />
Leads to Career in<br />
SALT LAKE CITY—How docs a<br />
political<br />
science major turn into a motion picture<br />
exhibitor entrepreneur<br />
One way is to get involved in the movie<br />
business while attending college, as did<br />
Jerry Mike Place, executive vice president<br />
and secretary-treasurer of Trolley Theatres<br />
Inc.<br />
Mike and his wife lived in an apartment<br />
beneath the screen of a Bountiful drive-in<br />
theatre for two years while he pursued a<br />
political science major at the University of<br />
Utah. Operating the theatre was Mike's<br />
source of income.<br />
On May 23, Trolley opened a twin theatre<br />
at Carriage Square which will bring the<br />
firm's total screens to 16.<br />
"The political science major was really<br />
incidental; a degree in liberal aits was important,"<br />
said Mike. "It didn't take long to<br />
realize my love was in sales and especially<br />
management.<br />
Trolley<br />
Beginnings<br />
"I quickly learned that success hinges<br />
upon securing a group of loyal, hardworking,<br />
dedicated people, which we have at<br />
Trolley."<br />
Trolley thrives on a family atmosphere.<br />
The business is a family venture and the theatres<br />
are family-centered.<br />
Mike was introduced to the theatre by his<br />
EVERY<br />
Film Exhibition<br />
wife, Kathy. whose grandfather was a theatre<br />
pioneer in Tooele.<br />
Kathy's father. Sam Gillette, coined the<br />
term "motor-vu" and wound up with a<br />
string of drive-in theatres from Bellingham.<br />
Wash., through Arizona to California.<br />
The family bought the financially plagued<br />
Bountiful, figuring the property alone was<br />
worth the investment. Mike, who had been<br />
holding down two jobs, figured it was easier<br />
to try to stay solvent by running the theatre.<br />
Upon graduation, Mike was elected the<br />
full-time operating officer.<br />
Hinge of Success<br />
The Trolley venture began in 1971 after<br />
Mike's acquaintance with Wally Wright,<br />
developer of Trolley Square. Mike describes<br />
Wright as "a man of great vision."<br />
The fourple.x theatre at Trolley Square<br />
encountered immediate success. Next, the<br />
firm acquired a twin theatre in Bountiful<br />
which became Trolley North.<br />
The old Rialto Theatre, completely renovated<br />
as much as possible to its original<br />
motif, became Trolley Midtown. Then came<br />
another fourplex in the Family Center at<br />
7200 S. 7th East.<br />
A business combine between Trolley and<br />
Boyer Brothers Co. gave birth to a threetheatre<br />
complex at Trolley Corners.<br />
"Our philosophy is to use big graphics<br />
WEEK<br />
Opportunity<br />
in<br />
Knocks<br />
to generate excitement in the moviegoer the<br />
niornenl he or she drives into the parking<br />
lot oi- enters our lobbies," said Mike. "The<br />
minute they see a life-sized picture of John<br />
Wayne, for example, we want them to immediately<br />
enter our world through a |)leasant<br />
past.<br />
"We always go lor top-quality films. We<br />
have misfires, but we try to schedule films<br />
that are a feeding ground for wholesome<br />
family entertainment.<br />
BOXOFFICE<br />
• CLEARING HOUSE for Classified Ads<br />
• SHOWMANDISER for Promotion ideas<br />
Key.stone<br />
Cops<br />
"We try to make moviegoing a pleasant<br />
experience—one that will remind the viewer<br />
of a good time—one of the reasons for our<br />
Trolley keystone cop outfits."<br />
The question of future expansion brings<br />
into focus a recent vigorous campaign on<br />
Capitol Hill for passage of SB 90. which<br />
eliminated blind bidding by Utah movie<br />
exhibitors. It was one of the heaviest lobbying<br />
bills of the 43rd Legislature.<br />
As president of the Motion Picture Ehibitors<br />
Assn. of Utah, Mike was one of the lop<br />
lobbyists.<br />
However, Mike sees a bright future for<br />
the industry. He said economic rebirth began<br />
with multiple screens where one crewcan<br />
operate more than one picture.<br />
"If one is a flop, you have a chance lo<br />
recoup on another. People are going lo<br />
movies in greater numbers to escape from<br />
household interferences. In the movie house,<br />
they can focus their attention on one direction.<br />
To many, movies install great hope and<br />
a great insight into society."<br />
• FEATURE REVIEWS for Opinions on Current Films<br />
• REVIEW DIGEST for Analysis of Reviews<br />
Don't miss<br />
any issue.<br />
BOXOFFICE ;; May 2S, 1979 W-3<br />
b!
Paste this inside your medicine cabinet.<br />
Cancer's seven<br />
warning signals<br />
1. Change in bowel or bladder habits.<br />
2. A sore that does not heal.<br />
3. Unusual bleeding or discharge.<br />
4. Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere.<br />
5. Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing.<br />
6. Obvious change in wart or mole.<br />
7. Nagging cough or hoarseness.<br />
If you have a warning signal, see your doctor<br />
American Cancer Society<br />
J<br />
BOXOFFICE :: May 28. 1979
. . There's<br />
I II I UyESl<br />
SAN ANTONIO<br />
•pie South Texas Regional Blood Bank<br />
parked their van in the parking lot ol'<br />
the Northwest Six one Saturday recently.<br />
All those donating blood were admitted<br />
free to the showing of "Love at First Bile."<br />
In addition to showing at the Northwest<br />
Six, the film is showing at the Century<br />
South Six and the UA Cine Cinco.<br />
Estrellita Lopez, star of the film 'Only<br />
Once in a Lifetime," appeared at the Century<br />
South to sign autographs for fans on<br />
a recent Friday from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. and<br />
the following day appeared at the Northwest<br />
Six from 5:30 to 8 p.m.<br />
Richard Pryor is being seen on a number<br />
of local indoor and outdoor screens in<br />
several of his films. They include "Silver<br />
Streak" at the UA Cine Cinco, UA Movies<br />
4, UA Ingram 4. Westwood Twin, Judson<br />
4 and San Pedro; and "Richard Pryor—Live<br />
in Concert" at the San Pedro, Mission Twin<br />
and Town Twin.<br />
A triple terror midnight show was booked<br />
into the Mission Twin and Varsity Outdoor<br />
Theatres for showing on a recent<br />
weekend with a $3 per person admission.<br />
The trio consisted of "Blood Feast." "2,000<br />
Maniacs" and "Body Shop."<br />
W. R. Burns and R. W. Ashby. co owners<br />
of Ashburn Theatres that operates the<br />
downtown Texas, report that there is a<br />
growing interest in the old theatre. The loss<br />
of the city auditorium is one factor, bul<br />
promoters and groups are more plea,sed with<br />
the excellent acoustics the theatre offers.<br />
Concert fans are in love with the theaire<br />
and the unobstructed view of the stage from<br />
any seat in the house as well as the ornale<br />
decor of the lobbies and auditorium.<br />
New film titles appearing on marquees in<br />
dude "Hanover Street," "The Dark" on a<br />
double bill with "The People Thai Time<br />
Forgot," "Midnight Express," "Wizards,"<br />
"Harold and Maude," "The Warriors,"<br />
"Grease," "Assault on Precinct 13." and<br />
a double bill of "El Cortado" anti "La<br />
Criada Bien Criada."<br />
Bob Polunsky in his reviews of local<br />
movies said, "Isn't it funny how some<br />
movies can get away with sin, sex and sensationalism,<br />
while others can't These days<br />
just about all movies have their share, but<br />
only a few are 'suitable for general audiences.'<br />
One that is suitable is 'Harper Valley<br />
PTA,' the comedy that has returned to<br />
a variety of drive-in theatres and the Westwood<br />
indoor theatre. It probably has moic<br />
'sin, sex and sensationalism' than most 'adult<br />
movies,' but it also has a sense of humor.<br />
That is the difference in a nutshell ... the<br />
audience could watch with a relaxed grin<br />
instead of tension. It is amazing what a little<br />
corn can do to season old fashioned melodramatic<br />
themes, and 'Harper Valley PTA"<br />
is a good example . a lot of fun<br />
to be had watching 'Buck Rogers in the 25ih<br />
Century' at the Century and Northwest<br />
Theatres. But it's not original nor does it<br />
offer any reason to forget 'Star Wars" much<br />
less 'Battlestar Galactica.' If anything, it<br />
just continues the same special effects and<br />
storyline techniques that popularized those<br />
films. The film is filled with double meaning<br />
lines and noteworthy special effects. Yet<br />
the attitude of the performers isn't in tune<br />
with their comments. To recite lines that<br />
may go over a kid's head (while making<br />
adults snicker) takes a special sort of delivery."<br />
The Express-News Weekender, the Friday<br />
supplement which contains the weekend<br />
entertainment guide, has a new feature<br />
for moviegoers called CinemaScope which<br />
will tell readers what other people think<br />
about the movies that open every weekend<br />
in San Antonio. The feature brings a way of<br />
knowing what large numbers of the moviegoing<br />
peers think of each significant new<br />
release. When the film opens, thousands ol<br />
the paying public are polled about their impressions<br />
of the film, reasons for attending,<br />
personal tastes and much more. Then with<br />
the aid of a computer, grades are calculated<br />
to show which categories of people liked<br />
the film and which did not. The categories<br />
are broken down into classes such as age,<br />
sex, those who have read the book, etc.<br />
CinemaScore gives a brief description of<br />
the film, its vital statistics (time, director,<br />
etc.) and a breakdown of what each category<br />
thought about the film. The first two<br />
films reviewed were "Manhattam" and<br />
"Love at First Bite."<br />
Among the new film titles appearing on<br />
local marquees of outdoor and indoor theatres<br />
are "Dreamer," the double bill of "The<br />
Dragon Lives" and "The Bod Squad." "Old<br />
Boyfriends." "Atoka," "The Psychic," "Last<br />
Embrace," "Silver Streak," "The Exorcist."<br />
'Hot Skin" in 3-D, "A Little Romance," a<br />
double bill of "The Warriors" and "Breaking<br />
Point" and "Atacan los Karatecas" plus<br />
"La Agonia De Ser Madre."<br />
HOUSTON<br />
^<br />
musical score for a filmed documentary<br />
about the 1927-28 tour through South<br />
America by famed ballerina Anna Pavlova<br />
is being prepared by pianist Dr. Charles<br />
Magnan of Houston. Magnan was Pavlova's<br />
pianist on that trip and will re-create<br />
the music he played for her. The film is<br />
being shot by England's Gaumont Pictuies.<br />
The Museum of Fine Arts, which sponsors<br />
four film series each week, has opened<br />
its Summer 1979 Film Series with a showing<br />
of "Double or Nothing," a 1937 comedy<br />
with Bing Crosby. Martha Raye. Andy<br />
Devine and William Frawley.<br />
New film titles appearing on local marquees<br />
include "Battlestar Galactica," "The<br />
Bell Jar," "Dossier." "Hanover Street,"<br />
"Voices." "Winter Kills," "A Little Romance,"<br />
"The Silent Partner," "Silver<br />
Streak." "Every Which Way But Loose,"<br />
"The Dark." "PoKce Python .357." a triple<br />
bill of "Up in Smoke, ' "Reefer Madness"<br />
and "Cocaine Fiends," a double bill of "A<br />
Dream of Passion" and "Iphigenia," "Waiting<br />
for Godot" and "Night Full of Rain."<br />
DALLAS<br />
[Jniversal Pictures held a tradescreening<br />
May 14 at the Northpark Cinema of<br />
"Prisoner of Zenda." 20th Century-Fox had<br />
a Southwest invitational premiere of "Alien"<br />
on May 18 at the Medallion Theatre.<br />
Bennie Lynch of Grimes Film Booking<br />
is well pleased with the g:osses coming in<br />
from Oklahoma City where "When the<br />
Screaming Stops" opened recently in four<br />
theatres.<br />
Dick and Dorothy Britt of Comfort, Texas,<br />
report that although their marquee read<br />
"The Great Train Robbeiy," the Comfort<br />
Bank across the street had a "great bank<br />
robbery." Both were great successes, if one<br />
could call a bank robbery a success. The<br />
robbers made their getaway with the money.<br />
From the time the Britts bought the theatre<br />
years ago they have made every effort<br />
to keep up with the times, bringing whatever<br />
entertainment was necessary to their<br />
theatre to keep people "Comfort" minded.<br />
They run movies on Fridays and Sundays<br />
with a live show. The Hill Country Opry.<br />
on Saturdays. When school is out th's summer<br />
they will have disco dancing on Thursday<br />
nights. They have enlarged their snack<br />
bar and added an outdoor patio for more<br />
service to the public.<br />
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Mj BOXOFnCE Ma\ 1979 S-1
Boom in<br />
Canadian Film Production<br />
Spurs Optimism From CFDC Head<br />
MONTREAL— Feature film production<br />
in Canada, which reached record levels last<br />
year, will continue to boom in 1979, Michael<br />
McCabe, executive director of the Canadian<br />
Film Development Corporation, said<br />
recently.<br />
The CFDC invested $6.3 million in 30<br />
films produced last year-— 18 English, 12<br />
French—with combined budgets totaling<br />
$50 million, a whopping increase from the<br />
investments of $1.6 million in 20 productions<br />
with total budgets of $5.5 million in<br />
1977.<br />
Reviewing the<br />
corporation's just-conclud-<br />
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ed 1978-79 fiscal year, McCabe said ihc<br />
CFDC also invested $900,000 in 56 projects<br />
at the pre-production or development stages.<br />
This also represents a dramatic increase<br />
from the previous year when $400,000 was<br />
invested in 40 projects.<br />
In all, the CFDC last year invested $7.2<br />
million in 86 projects, compared with only<br />
$2 million invested in 60 projects in 1977.<br />
"Many of the projects in the development<br />
stage have now come to fruition and, while<br />
the new production season is just getting<br />
underway, we've already made tentative<br />
commitments to invest some $7 million in<br />
a wide variety of films," McCabe said.<br />
"Of course, some films will fall by the<br />
wayside and other features will be added,<br />
but I'm sure we'll have an even greater<br />
volume of activity in 1979-80 than last year.<br />
both in total budgets and number of productions.<br />
"Tremendous growth of the industry<br />
stems from many factors, not the least of<br />
which are the CFDC's new investment, development<br />
and promotion activities.<br />
"Other factors include the emergence of<br />
a group of strong, creative producers, the<br />
development of new sources of financing<br />
through public offerings by recognized<br />
brokerage firms, tax incentives and the coproduction<br />
treaties Canada has with Britain.<br />
France, Italy, West Germany and Israel.<br />
"Our new investment policies are aimed<br />
at stimulating production through investments<br />
at the moment of greatest risk for<br />
the producer— the initial stages of a project.<br />
"The CFDC loans money for the development<br />
of a project or to provide interim financing<br />
so that the producers can proceed<br />
with their films while awaiting funds from<br />
investors.<br />
"These are short term, relatively modest<br />
loans in comparison with the total budgets.<br />
In return, we expect a profit and a quicker<br />
turn-around of CFDC funds, allowing us to<br />
participate in<br />
more films each year.<br />
"While our yearly investment budget is<br />
only $4 million, much of this money was<br />
returned to us quickly so that we virtually<br />
doubled our investments during the past<br />
year. We expect to do even better in Ihc<br />
new year."<br />
The films in which the CFDC invested<br />
last year ranged from high adventure to tender<br />
love stories and comedy, and there was<br />
even a disaster epic.<br />
The emphasis, McCabe said, is on international<br />
appeal.<br />
"It is no longer feasible to make films<br />
that will only be seen by a hand'ul of<br />
people." he said. "If it takes stories with<br />
wide appeal and international stars to reach<br />
screens around the world, then that's what<br />
we'll<br />
invest in.<br />
"This doesn't mean these films are less<br />
Canadian. I believe that genuinely Canadian<br />
ihemes have a future in the internalioiKii<br />
market.<br />
"And where pioduction budgets match the<br />
potential Canadian market, films can be<br />
made that allow for local cultural expression<br />
and give new talent the opportunity to<br />
work and develop."<br />
Although Canadian productions have attracted<br />
international stars, they arc also<br />
helping to propel Canadians to international<br />
attention. They have also brought home internationally<br />
known Canadians Susan Clark,<br />
Donald Sutherland, Genevieve Bujold and<br />
Christopher Plummer.<br />
"The boom has given Canadian director.s<br />
'<br />
living abroad, among them Steven Stern<br />
t<br />
and Alvin Rakoff, the opportunity to again<br />
work in Canada." McCabe said.<br />
"In addition, hundreds of technicians and<br />
people behind-the-scenes—set carpenters,<br />
script assistants, makeup artists, costume designers,<br />
grips, camera and sound crews and<br />
the many people in the labs—have been<br />
busy this past year as a result of all the<br />
film<br />
activity.<br />
"Tn fact, many technicians have enjoyed<br />
the luxury, for the first time, of being able<br />
to pick and choose jobs."<br />
Multi-Screen Theatre<br />
Part of New Complex<br />
LAKELAND. FLA.—The first multiscreen<br />
indoor theatre here will be the initial<br />
phase of a themed shopping center/office<br />
complex planned on S. Florida Ave.<br />
Harold Spears, president of Floyd Theatres<br />
Inc., which owns the 16-acre tract now<br />
occupied by the Lakeland Drive-In Theatre,<br />
said the new facility would have four to six<br />
screens and at least 1,000 seating capacity.<br />
Floyd Theatres is one of the largest drivein<br />
theatre organizations in the Southeast<br />
with both indoor and outdoor screens in<br />
Florida and south Georgia.<br />
Floyd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of<br />
Burnup & Sims Inc., a publicly held firm<br />
headquartered in Plantation, Fla.. with interests<br />
in telecommunications, electrical<br />
service, community antenna installations,<br />
utilities and soft drink bottling.<br />
"We feel confident there is a good market<br />
in South Lakeland for a modern multiscreen<br />
theatre." Spears said, "and we are<br />
fortunate to own a large, prime piece of<br />
property in that area."<br />
The complete development is slill in the<br />
planning stages, but Spears said he expects<br />
construction of the new theatre to begin in<br />
the next few months. Plans for continuation<br />
of the Lakeland Drive-In Theatre are undecided,<br />
but the Silver Moon Drive-In Theatre<br />
may be converted to a twin-screen facility<br />
to continue three drive-in screens in<br />
Lakeland.<br />
Floyd owns and operates all three drivein<br />
theatres in Lakeland, along with triple<br />
screen indoor, twin screen indoor, single<br />
screen indoor and drive-in properties at<br />
Winter Haven, a twin indoor and drive-in<br />
at Haines City, a drive-in at Auburndale and<br />
twin screen indoor and drive-in units at Lake<br />
Wales.<br />
S-2<br />
BOXOFFICE Mc 1979
\i<br />
with<br />
i<br />
I<br />
(1 movie<br />
. . and<br />
.<br />
FIRST RUN<br />
REPORT<br />
^mrn-m Screenings at Cai-Mcl; "Winlcr Kills"<br />
(Avco) and "The Ravagers" (Columbia).<br />
Charlie Hunsuck, United Artists branch<br />
manager, screened "Manhattan" before enthusiastic<br />
patrons at the Car-Mel screening<br />
rcom.<br />
. Terri McCoy, model and aspiring aetiess,<br />
Urieans<br />
jj,<br />
^^^ employed by Car-Mel studio to learn<br />
New<br />
(Average is 100)<br />
more about all techniques and formats of<br />
Ihe Champ (MGM-UA), 2 theatres. the film business under the guidance and<br />
5th wk 175 tutelage of "Erv" Mellon.<br />
The Deer Hunter (Univ), 2 theatres,<br />
Firepower (AFD) Loews. 2nd wk<br />
The Last Embrace (UA), 2 theatres,<br />
1st wk<br />
\M)<br />
150<br />
/\IlJ\NTA<br />
Love at First Bite (AD. 3 theatres,<br />
Franklin, whose work m the enter-<br />
D"^'**<br />
2nd wk 275 tainmcnt law Held includes such clients<br />
The Real Bruce Lee (SR), Oipheum. as Roberta Flack and Richard Pryor, is go-<br />
3rd wk 300 ing to enter the filmmaking arena in June.<br />
Superman (WB). Lakeside, 15th wk. . . . 150 He will become executive producer of Uni-<br />
Wifemistress (Quartet), Sena Mall. versal Studios' "Family Dream."<br />
2nd wk 225 Marquee changes: "Hanover Street," Akers<br />
Mill, Northlake. Loew's Tara Twin,<br />
^\l/§ A I l^\ hM A ^tT\/ ^'uth DeKalb Mall Quad and Southlake:<br />
\J1\L/\ri\Jlwl/\ \ml I I "Battlestar Galactica." Arrowhead. Cinema<br />
^<br />
75. Northlake. Perimeter Mall. Phipps<br />
T.<br />
• r» 1 1 u II •. .^ A,..;,. Plaza and South E.xpressway Drive-ln:<br />
oni Dyksterhuis, new United Artists<br />
. „ .,,_ „ ^ _, ,, . ,<br />
-^<br />
„ , ' • , r X..-I Manhattan, AMC Tower Place, National<br />
Corp. sales manager, arriyed from Mil-<br />
^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^.^. ..^ , j,,,^.<br />
waukee to manage the local office. She was<br />
^^^^^^^ „ ^^ers Mill. Phipps Penthouse<br />
welcomed with a cocktail luncheon for local<br />
^^^ Southlake; "Last Embrace." Cobb Ca^<br />
ochibitors and circuit buyers.<br />
l^^ Parkaire Mall Twin, AMC Tower Place<br />
"Breaking Away" (20th Centurv-Fox) and South DcKalb Mall Quad; and "Over<br />
was tradescreened at the Continental.' the Edge," Atlanta, Arrowhead, Mableton<br />
Walt Von Hauffe, publicity coordinator. ^Veis Doraville.<br />
Triple, AMC Omni, AMC Tower Place and<br />
was in from New York to work on UA's ..,.-, ,. .. ,<br />
• A on lulu<br />
upcoming ^ ^<br />
..-ru x« 1<br />
The Moonraker. ...,<br />
statewide<br />
, .,<br />
meeting<br />
. ,<br />
o<br />
the<br />
,u<br />
re ol<br />
. i<br />
South was lake<br />
lilm and video in the to<br />
''Wanda Nevada" (UA) opened May 25 place at the IMAGE screening room May<br />
on a saturation booking throughout this 26. The meeting was co-sponsored by the<br />
trade territory. Georgia Council for the Aits and Humani<br />
CHARLOTTE<br />
Mew pictures on the marquees: "The Dark"<br />
(Charlottetown Mall). "Firepower"<br />
(South Park). "Manhattan" (Capri).<br />
Sneak previews this week: "Encoiinlei<br />
Disaster." "A Little Romance" ami<br />
"A Very Big Withdrawal."<br />
Catherine Chapin, Charlotte Observer<br />
critic, said of "Firepower": "I| gels<br />
its name from James Coburn's favorite<br />
covert technique— fire. He burns people oul<br />
of their homes, creates firey infernos of<br />
jeeps and generally throws his flame around<br />
wherever he goes. The movie is a suspense<br />
thriller early on. With the movie set in<br />
Antigua and Curacao, the scenery is tropic<br />
and therefore lovely. With fire enveloping<br />
everything you'd expect some excellent sliini<br />
work . there is. But I am getting<br />
tired of Sophia Loren movies where the only<br />
thing asked of her is a seductive smile aiul<br />
a low cut dress. She's wasted here, and from<br />
her performance, it looks as if she knows<br />
Top grosses of the week": "MaiilKi<br />
"Love at First Bite," "Young Frankeiv<br />
"The Deer Hunter" and "The Dark."<br />
BOXOFFICE :: May 28. 1979<br />
ties. Independent Media Artists of Georgia.<br />
Etc. (IMAGE), and the Coalition of Soulhern<br />
Media Organizations.<br />
^<br />
'Halfback' Discounts<br />
Aimed at the Boxoifice<br />
By J. W. AGNEW<br />
To.onio Correspond!<br />
From Canada Edition<br />
TORONTO— Beginning May 1.<br />
went into operation in Ontario.<br />
Halfback, a plan<br />
Halfback<br />
devised by the province,<br />
will enable holdcis of losing Wintario lottery<br />
tickets to "cash them in," permitting them<br />
to get discounts when buying records featuring<br />
Canadian artists, or when buying theatre<br />
tickets where Canadian feature films<br />
are being shown.<br />
"It's the best thing the Ontario government<br />
has ever done for the movie business,"<br />
said Bill Marshall, president of the Canadian<br />
Association of Motion Picture Producers.<br />
Halfback will be in operation over the<br />
summer period until September 30, and Canadian<br />
theatre owners and film distributors<br />
have a five-month promotional campaign<br />
laid out to take full advantage of this discount<br />
scheme.<br />
"I'm trying to bring back every Canadian<br />
film I've got in the vaults, mostly for double<br />
bills," said Len Herberman of Ambassador<br />
Films. For theatre admissions, each losing<br />
Wintario ticket can be redeemed for 50<br />
cents off. or a maximum of four for each<br />
admission. Most theatre admissions in this<br />
province are now pegged at $3.50. which<br />
means that under this plan a patron could<br />
pay as little as $1.50 for a theatre admission.<br />
"The idea is good; You can't knock it."<br />
one executive said. "But is it going to excite<br />
sales in films that are not really commercial<br />
Probably not. However, it will expose<br />
Canadian pictures in smaller centres such<br />
as Tweed and Peterborough, and that may<br />
pave the way for the<br />
CAPITAL CITY SUPPLY COMPANY, INC.<br />
future."<br />
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OUR 39th YSAR<br />
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eo©<br />
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229 S. Church street P.O. Box 1973- Charlotte, N.C. 28201<br />
WIL=KII, Inc.<br />
©<br />
"Eyerytb'ing for your theatre— except film'<br />
800 S. Graham St<br />
Chorlotte, N.C. 28202<br />
(704) 334-3616
PALM BEACH<br />
Patrick O'Neal arrived hcic M;i> 16 hi direct<br />
the filming of "Dead in the Water."<br />
Some of the locations (hat are pari of<br />
(he lO-to-12-hoiir daily shooting schedule<br />
include the Port of Palm Beach. Lakeside<br />
Marina. Hypoluxo and Point Manalapan.<br />
Ihey will be filming here through May 2').<br />
According fo Joe Berger, manager of<br />
Village Green, the reissue of "The Exoicist"<br />
had a sold-out house when it opened<br />
May 11 at the Village Green Movies, and<br />
the Saturday matinee on May 12 also was<br />
sold out. "Manhattan" picked up momentum<br />
May 12, the day after its opening and<br />
has been attracting crowds ever since.<br />
"Hanover Street," from Columbia i'iclures,<br />
opened at Cinema 70 and the Mall<br />
Cinemas May 18. On the same day "Batllestar<br />
Galactica" opened its exclusive run al<br />
the Plaza Twin. "Beyond the Poseidon Adventure"<br />
opened the other side of the Pla/a<br />
Twin on May 26.<br />
Danny Lamp, Century Cinema manager,<br />
is looking forward to the summer release<br />
of "Blood Line" and "A Little Romance,"<br />
which are due to be shown at the Budco<br />
Theatres.<br />
Jerry Lewis plans to start a second movie<br />
here beginning July 2. Following the completion<br />
of his film "Hardly Working" he<br />
expressed pleasure at the cooperation he<br />
has received from the area. Lewis intends<br />
to retain the same film crew for his new<br />
movie, "That's Life." The planned $.1 million<br />
comedy, dealing with a retirement community,<br />
will be co-produced by Joseph<br />
Proctor and Igo Cantor. Lewis will direct<br />
but not star in the film. Ruth Gordon and<br />
Red Buttons reportedly are confirmed cast<br />
members. A seven-week shooting schedule<br />
is planned. Lewis was recognized by both<br />
the mayor of Pompano Beach and the Pompano<br />
Beach Chamber of Commerce for<br />
contribution to the area's economy.<br />
MIAMI<br />
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fhc Miami Affair," filmed in ihe giealer<br />
Miami area, is currently playing al two<br />
Miami movie houses. Havana-born Sergio<br />
Fiallo is the writer, director and producer of<br />
the film, a low-budget production. John<br />
Huddy, entertainment editor of the Miami<br />
Herald, was critical of the movie, rating it<br />
just above "Firepower," which jusl openeil<br />
at Miami theatres and which was parlly<br />
lilmed in<br />
the area last year.<br />
Steplien Quade of the Miami Film Pest<br />
and Harry Gurwitch of the EMC Film<br />
Corp. are in France for the Cannes Film<br />
Festival. They will shop around for additional<br />
films for the American market. Their<br />
goal is to invite some of the top names of<br />
the European film industry to the second<br />
annual Greater Miami International Film<br />
Festival.<br />
"The Rocky Horror Picture Show" will<br />
have been playing for two years next month<br />
at the Grove Cinema. The occasion will be<br />
marked on June 23 by a "Rocky Horror"<br />
birthday party, a sort of mixed-media evening-of-the-bizarre<br />
that will include music,<br />
disco roller skating, food and drink, door<br />
prizes and a showing of the film. Tradition<br />
(established at last year's birthday celebration)<br />
calls for outlandish costumes among<br />
the audience. Persons must be 18 or oMer,<br />
and tickets covering admittance, food and<br />
drink cost $20.<br />
Wometco Enterprises has announced a<br />
big summer concession contest for assistant<br />
managers with three first prizes of $100<br />
each, three second prizes of $75 each anil<br />
three third prizes of $50 each. The oiilstanding<br />
concession employee in each theatre<br />
selected by the manager at the end of<br />
the summer will receive a day off with pay<br />
and lunch with the manager and district<br />
manager.<br />
FLORIDA THEATRE<br />
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S-4 BOXOFFICE Ma 28. 1979
.<br />
Minneapolis<br />
(.\\cr.igc Is 100)<br />
The Champ (MGM-UA), 3<br />
theatres.<br />
6th wk 95<br />
The China Syndrome (Col). Cooper.<br />
Soiithdale. 9th wk 110<br />
Dawn of the Dead (United Film).<br />
3 theatres, 2nd wk ."SO<br />
The Deer Hunter (Univ), Mann,<br />
15th wk 65<br />
Dreamer (20th-Fox), 3 theatres,<br />
1st wk 35<br />
Hair (UA), Skyway II, 7th wk 90<br />
Last Embrace (UA), The Movies at<br />
Burnsville, 2nd wk 30<br />
Love at First Bite (AI). 4 theatres.<br />
4th wk 115<br />
A Matter of Love (AI). Studio 97.<br />
3rd wk 55<br />
The Magic of Lassie (Int'l Picture<br />
Show Co.). 4 theatres, 1st wk 25<br />
Manhattan (UA), Skyway I, 2nd .610<br />
wk. .<br />
Norma Rae (20th-Fox), Edina I,<br />
9th wk 100<br />
Old Boyfriends (Avco), Park, 3rd wk. . . 70<br />
Phantasm (Avco), 11 theatres, 1st wk. . . 100<br />
The Promise (Univ), Cooper Cameo,<br />
6th wk 80<br />
Richard Pryor—Live in Concert (SEE),<br />
Skyway III. 6th wk 1 30<br />
Superman (WB). Brookdale,<br />
Southtown, 22nd wk 90<br />
Chicago<br />
Boulevard Nights (WB), 6 theatres,<br />
2nd wk 1 50<br />
The Champ (Univ), 7 theatres,<br />
6th wk 1 50<br />
The China Syndrome (Col), 9 theatres,<br />
9th wk 225<br />
The Class of Miss MacMichael (SR).<br />
1 1 theatres, 1 st wk 250<br />
Dawn of the Dead (SR), 10 theatres,<br />
2nd wk 225<br />
The Deerhunter (Univ), Esquire,<br />
10th wk 225<br />
The Great American Chase (SR),<br />
6 theatres, 1 st wk 350<br />
The Innocent (AE), Cinema, 6th wk. . . .250<br />
A Little Romance (WB), 7 theatres,<br />
1st wk 300<br />
Love at First Bite (AI), 7 theatres,<br />
6th wk 225<br />
Love on the Run (SR), Biograph,<br />
5th wk 200<br />
Manhattan (UA), 10 theatres,<br />
1st wk 450<br />
Phantasm (AE), 11 theatres, 2nd wk. . .200<br />
Wifemistress (SR), Carnegie, 5th wk. . . 125<br />
Kansas City<br />
Boulevard Nights (WB). 4 theatres.<br />
1st wk 65<br />
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (Univ),<br />
Metro North, Watts Mill, 7th wk. . . 85<br />
California Dreaming (UA). 11 theatres.<br />
1st wk 95<br />
The Champ (UA). 3 theatres, 6th wk. ..110<br />
Dawn of the Di'iid (Sk) 4 ihealiLS.<br />
1st wk. 130<br />
Get Out Your Handkerchiefs (SR),<br />
Fine Arts, 4th wk 125<br />
Last Embrace (UA), 3 theatres,<br />
2nd wk 50<br />
Love at First Bite (AI), 6 theatres,<br />
5th wk 145<br />
Manhattan (UA), 3 theatres,<br />
2nd wk 485<br />
Norma Rae (20th-Fox), Plaza,<br />
9th wk 55<br />
The North Avenue Irregulars (BV),<br />
Ranchmart, 13th wk 90<br />
Old Boyfriends (Avco), Plaza,<br />
2nd wk 95<br />
Phantasm (Avco), 3 theatres. 4th wk. . . 75<br />
The Promise (Univ), 3 theatres.<br />
6th wk 90<br />
Same Time, Next Year (Univ),<br />
Glenwood, 12th wk 100<br />
Tourist Trap (SR). 5 theatres,<br />
1st wk 95<br />
KANSAS CITY<br />
j^anhattan" is still playing at the .Seville,<br />
Ranchmart and Brywood, and doing<br />
very well at the bo.xoffice.<br />
Jack Winningham, former branch manager<br />
of National Screen Service in Kansas<br />
City, now works for Cinema Concepts Inc.<br />
His new address is: Jack Winningham, Cinema<br />
Concepts Inc., 3612 Karnes Blvd., Kansas<br />
City, Mo. 64111. Jack handles special<br />
trailers and stock daters and would appreciate<br />
hearing from you.<br />
"The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides<br />
Again" was screened at the Commonwealth<br />
Screening Room recently. Doug Finley of<br />
Buena Vista and some of his staff were<br />
present for this screening. Disney Productions<br />
has announced its largest and most<br />
impressive advertising program ever to merchandise<br />
"The Black Hole."<br />
FILMACK IS<br />
1st CHOICE<br />
WITH<br />
SHOWMEN<br />
EVERYWHERE<br />
TOI Head Speaks Out<br />
On Minimum Wages<br />
CHICAGO—As Theatre Owners of Illinois<br />
begins to take solid form. Jack Clark,<br />
who heads up the organization, spoke out<br />
and declared: "It seems for the past 20<br />
years, each time the Congress of the HHnois<br />
Legislature convenes, we, as theatre men,<br />
are hit with a new minimum wage bill.<br />
"Each year I try to point out the fact that<br />
we as businessmen are subject to the provisions<br />
of two distinct minimum wage acts<br />
the Federal and the State of Illinois. In<br />
many respects the provisions of the acts are<br />
identical; however, each still contains a few<br />
major differences than the other. We as exhibitors,<br />
like all businessmen, arc bound by<br />
the most stringent requirements of both<br />
acts.<br />
"To be more specific. Rep. Thomas Hanahan.<br />
the perennial sponsor of labor bills in<br />
the Illinois House, has recently filed his<br />
House Bill 799 amending the current Illinois<br />
Labor Act in such a way that although<br />
it agrees with the current Federal Wage Act<br />
on hourly scales and dates of annual increases,<br />
it differs substantially from the<br />
federal act in its application to student<br />
ages. Hanahan's amendment provides that<br />
student rates apply only to those students<br />
under the age of 18, whereas the Federal<br />
Act provides for student rates for all bona<br />
fide students through the college years.<br />
"Secondly, it should be noted that whereas<br />
time-and-a-half for non-union employees<br />
commences after 45 hours in motion picture<br />
theatres through a previous agreement<br />
with our exhibitor association, this shall be<br />
phased out as follows: (quote from the<br />
amendment) on and '. after the effective<br />
. .<br />
date of this amendatory act of 1979 such<br />
employees shall receive compensation of not<br />
less than one-and-a-half times the regular<br />
rate after 44 hours in a work week, and<br />
on and after Jan. 1. 1980, such employees<br />
shall receive compensation on not less than<br />
one-and-a-half times the regular rate after<br />
.'<br />
40 hours in a work week .<br />
"For your additional information, it<br />
should be noted that restaurant and hotel<br />
employees have been treated similarily on<br />
hours and tips."<br />
ORDER FROM FILMACK<br />
WHENEVER YOU NEED<br />
SPECIAL FILMS<br />
DATE STRIPS,<br />
CROSS PLUGS,<br />
MERCHANT ADS,<br />
SPECIAL AN-<br />
NOUNCEMENTS<br />
FILMACK STUDIOS, INC.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: May 28, 1979 MW-1
CHICAGO<br />
gene Stein, general manager of the Golf<br />
Mill Theatres organization, reported<br />
that "Manhattan" drew strong patron response<br />
in the opening week.<br />
The Golf Mill complex will be among<br />
the first in the Chicago area to open with<br />
"Alien." a new 20th Century-Fox film, May<br />
25. The 70mm Dolby system has been installed<br />
for this showing. Manager Stein said,<br />
"Then we will be set also for the May, 1980.<br />
opening of 'The Empire Strikes Back,' the<br />
sequel to "Star Wars." "<br />
Some rather elaborate plans for launching<br />
"Alien" had to be canceled because of the<br />
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Corporation (201) 678-7:<br />
National Restaurant Assn. convention. A<br />
bevy of news media people throughout the<br />
Midwest had been invited for a special<br />
screening. Arrangements for the 70mm<br />
showing had been firmly set well in advance,<br />
so date changes were out of the question.<br />
But by happenstance, every hotel room in<br />
Chicago had been allocated to the restaurant<br />
people. Result: All invitations had to<br />
be canceled and "Alien" opens withoiil<br />
planned fanfare.<br />
Vicchi Bums, Indianapolis booker toi<br />
Paramount Pictures, walked the full 20 miles<br />
in the Muscular Dystrophy Walkathon. She<br />
admits to a sunburn, but no blisters or aching<br />
muscles.<br />
M & R Amusement Co. is doing excellent<br />
business with "Dawn of the Dead" and "The<br />
China Syndrome."<br />
A full contingent of Paramount Picliircs<br />
staffers met here for a discussion relating<br />
to computer problems and new techniques.<br />
Recently. Paramount had the accounting<br />
department computerized and a partial installation<br />
had been set up in the booking<br />
division.<br />
Universal's "The Prisoner of Zenda"<br />
starts a first run Chicago engagement Mav<br />
25 at 12 area theatres.<br />
Universal's "The Prisoner of Zenda"<br />
Galactica" opened May 18. At the same<br />
time, a laser-eyed Cylon warrior, encased<br />
in gleaming chrome, paid a visit to Chicago.<br />
As a part of the exploitation activities, the<br />
subhuman outer space creature visited with<br />
children at area hospitals, including LaRa<br />
bida and Children's Memorial hospitals, two<br />
primary Variety Club projects. The children<br />
were presented with Battlestar Galactica<br />
mementos such as soundtrack albums and<br />
picture books.<br />
The Davis Theatre is now a repertory<br />
theatre. Phil Stuttman and Don Markus.<br />
who reopened the Davis, had been finding<br />
business was good with second-run films.<br />
Now Tom Bruggeman. booker for the Davis,<br />
has arranged for something different<br />
the showing of 38 20th Century-Fox classics<br />
to launch a six-week debut program. Changing<br />
the programs three times a week. Ihe<br />
Davis will be presenting such features as<br />
"The Seven Year Itch." "The Grapes of<br />
Wrath." "How Green Was My Valley." "In<br />
Old Chicago." "The Mark of Zorro." "The<br />
Day the Earth Stood Still" and "13 Rue<br />
Madeleine."<br />
Industry veteran Saul Goldman, for many<br />
years head of Allied Theaties Film Buying<br />
and Booking, died recently.<br />
The success of return engagements is once<br />
again evidenced by the showings of "Ihe<br />
Hxorcist" and "Blazing Saddles." During the<br />
past two weeks, both films have been breaking<br />
records in Milwaukee and Chicago area<br />
theatres.<br />
Paramount Pictures held an advance<br />
screening of "Prophecy." and there will be<br />
plans made eventually for special exploitation.<br />
The premiere of "Perceval. " Eric Rohmer's<br />
newest film, takes place June 13 at the<br />
Film Center of the Art Institute. Along with<br />
Handke's "The Lefthanded Woman," premiered<br />
at the Film Center last Januaiy,<br />
"Perceval" received the most acclaim at last<br />
fall's New York Film Festival.<br />
With rock 'n' roll still going strong, there<br />
are rather high expectations for a New<br />
World Pictures' film, "Rock 'n' Roll High<br />
School." It is the story of Vince Lombardi<br />
High School and its collection of so-called<br />
music crazy kids. The leader is an aspiring<br />
songwriter who idolizes the rock group the<br />
Ramones, and is eager to bring music lo<br />
every hour of high school life. With several<br />
songs and appearances by the Ramones,<br />
"Rock 'n" Roll High School" also features<br />
the music of Paul McCartney and Wings,<br />
Fleetwood Mac, Alice Cooper and others.<br />
The 93-minLite film is rated PG.<br />
"Breaking Away" started a first exclusive<br />
showing at the Biograph Theatre.<br />
One of Warner Bros.' main events in June<br />
is the opening of "Main Event." Barbra<br />
Streisand and Ryan O'Neal hold the starring<br />
roles. Another Warner June highlight:<br />
"The In-Laws." starring Peter Falk and Alan<br />
Arkin.<br />
"Moonraker" will be the opening film<br />
when the Kohlberg Theatre Circuit's thiril<br />
screen at the 41 Drive-In, Hammond, Ind.,<br />
starts operating. Edward Janiga is manager<br />
of the triplex. Jeff Kohlberg said business<br />
at their drive-ins has increased immeasureably<br />
since the advent of first-run<br />
bookings.<br />
A forthcoming Chicago WOMPl project<br />
has a completely new angle. In July there<br />
will be a garage sale to benefit animal shelters<br />
and care units. Linnea Johnson is<br />
chairman.<br />
Midwest Fox publicist Larry Dieckhaiis<br />
accompanied Robert Redford to Columbus<br />
for the preliminaries involved in the filming<br />
of "Biubaker." This was to be Redford's<br />
first press conference in some time, and<br />
"Brubaker" will be his first film in many<br />
months. It is scheduled for release in spring<br />
1980.<br />
Lucy Salenger, head of the State of Illinois<br />
Film Services, is making final arrangements<br />
for Robert Redford's production<br />
company's October start in Lake Forest of<br />
"Ordinary People." This will mark Redford's<br />
debut as a director. Salenger reports that<br />
she is also busy with plans for "Blues<br />
Brothers." with John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd.<br />
Shooting will begin in June.<br />
According to a conversation Redford had<br />
with Chicago Tribune columnist Maggie<br />
Daly, he doesn't plan to be an actor much<br />
longer. He told Maggie. "I'm very grateful<br />
for the public's attention but it's time to<br />
move on to other things." In response to a<br />
question as to whether he wanted to be a<br />
politician. Redford told Daly. "No. I never<br />
could get anywhere on time. And if I were<br />
a politician. I couldn't criticize the system!"<br />
MW-2 Mav 28, 1979
MINNEAPOLIS<br />
grosses here took a<br />
onc-lwo punch across<br />
the key weekend period that saw moviegoing<br />
badly bruised by the combination ol<br />
Mother's Day and the Minnesota fishiny<br />
opener.<br />
Quite a contingent flew out of the 1 win<br />
Cities headed for the Variety Clubs Inlernational<br />
convention in New Orleans May<br />
19-25. Among them were Mr. and Mrs.<br />
Rodney Grubb, Mr. and Mrs. Don Palmquist,<br />
Mr. and Mrs. Mel Goldstein, Mr. and<br />
Mrs. Arnold Kramer, Mr. and Mrs. Mike<br />
Winer, Mrs. Fritzie Haskell, Robert Klesath,<br />
and Dr. Harold Lucas, who is head of<br />
the Pediatrics Department at the Varicly<br />
Heart Hospital here.<br />
Frank Jtanotti, Universal branch manager,<br />
is having some fun with two upcoming pictures.<br />
They're "Yanks." set for the Skyway<br />
III Theatre Nov. 2, and "The Jerk," the<br />
Steve Martin comedy opening Dec. 21.<br />
Zanotti says some have maintained Ihey<br />
must be pictures about dentists! (Actually.<br />
"Yanks" is a Vanessa Redgrave film dealing<br />
with GIs in England in 1943 during World<br />
War II.)<br />
Four members of the<br />
Paramoimt braiicli<br />
offices here flew to Chicago May 16-18 for<br />
a seminar on a variety of subjects. Making<br />
the trek were branch boss Forrie Myers;<br />
Joe Rosen, salesman; Bonnie Lynch, head<br />
booker; and Gloria Voss, cashier.<br />
Veteran exhibitor John Rohr has sold<br />
his Marlow Theatre. Pine River, Minn.,<br />
after 40 years. The new owmer is Gary M.<br />
Cook. Buying and booking will be done by<br />
the Jim Wilson Theatre Service . . . And<br />
the Sky Blue Drive-In, Garrison, Minn.,<br />
owned and operated by Don Wilcox, also<br />
has joined the Wilson booking-buying ros-<br />
"Manhattan," reported United Arlisis<br />
branch manager Walt Badger, held firm<br />
here in its second week. In St. Paul, after a<br />
glowing review was printed there, the picture<br />
actually pushed upward in Its second week<br />
at the Cina Theatre and UA's The Movies<br />
at Maplewood. At the same time. "Coming<br />
Home." obviously profiting from its Oscars.<br />
continued a prime liot-lickel ileni oiiV<br />
and around the tcrrilory. with middle<br />
smaller-market exhibitors ringing B;kI:<br />
phone off the hook for dates.<br />
Film Disi. Suit Filed<br />
Against Allied Artsts<br />
Canada Edition<br />
From<br />
MONTREAL— Somerville House, a Canadian<br />
film company, has filed a multipleaction<br />
suit for an undisclosed amount<br />
against Allied Artists Industries of New<br />
York.<br />
Rosemary Christensen, head of Somerville,<br />
said that the sitit stems from an alleged<br />
breach of contract and for failure to account<br />
for and disburse distribution revenues to<br />
Somerville investors from two films, "The<br />
Story of O" and "Zorro."<br />
At the request of Somerville House, the<br />
courts issued a seizure order against all<br />
assets and properties of the distribution<br />
company and its affiliated companies in<br />
Quebec pending the outcome of the case.<br />
"The Story of O" was released in 1975<br />
and "Zorro" a year later.<br />
New Organization Formed<br />
From Canada Edilion<br />
TORONTO—A mew organization, set up<br />
Jack Ignatowicz, Columbia branch chief.<br />
landed a total of seven key houses for<br />
"Game of Death," which had a May along the lines of the Academy of Motion<br />
2.'i<br />
opening. There are five dates here and two Picture Arts and Sciences, has been formed<br />
in St. Paul. This is noteworthy because kung to replace the annual Canadian Film<br />
fu films usually land only a single actionhouse<br />
date in each<br />
Awards, organizers said recently.<br />
Paul Heffert, interim co-chairman of the<br />
city.<br />
recently formed Academy of Canadian Cinema,<br />
said that organizers recognized the<br />
need to expand the film awards because of<br />
the "explosive growth of the feature film industry<br />
in this country."<br />
Heffort, a composer, said that the awards<br />
—for which the Etrogs are given—originally<br />
had not been set up to handle feature<br />
films and that nomimating and judging procedures<br />
had become difficult.<br />
He said that film-feature production grew<br />
to more than $60 million in 1977 from $5<br />
million in 1977. It is expected to reach $100<br />
million this year.<br />
The awards in the past have been made<br />
in the fall, often before many of the nominated<br />
films had been released imi the country.<br />
For the past two decades, the awards<br />
were sponsored by industry organizations.<br />
Better Film Council<br />
Salutes Fitzgerald<br />
By BILL NICHOl.<br />
Special<br />
Correspondent<br />
MILWAUKEE—Dean Filzgeiald. president<br />
of Capitol Service Inc.. representing a<br />
chain of theatres in the Milwaukee and<br />
Madison areas, was the recipient of the<br />
Man of the Year Award at the Better Films<br />
and TV Council of Milwaukee Area's annual<br />
luncheon May 9 at the Wisconsin<br />
Club.<br />
Seated al the head table were Eunice<br />
Thessin. council president; Mary Stevens<br />
treasurer; Karla Koskinen, scholarship recipient;<br />
Mailene Cornelius, corresponding<br />
secretary; Irene Fink, vice president and<br />
program chairman; Fran Schmidtknccht, advisor<br />
and a past president; Dean Alfred Solkonicki.<br />
School of Speech, Marquette University;<br />
Anastasia Essmann, recording secretary<br />
and decorations chairman; and Richaid<br />
Kite, president. Marcus Theatres Corp.<br />
and guest speaker.<br />
Fitzgerald was honored for his "outstanding<br />
and continued support of the counsel."<br />
Guest speaker Richard Kite commented<br />
favorably on the MPAA's efforts to "protect<br />
moviegoers" through its rating system.<br />
"You people of the council are doing a<br />
wonderful job in telling the public about<br />
films, and I hope you can continue for<br />
many years to come," he added.<br />
Alfred Solkonicki. dean of Marquette<br />
University School of Speech, complimented<br />
the council for awarding the scholarship to<br />
a Marquette student.<br />
Entertainment was furnished by The<br />
Choralaires from Wauwatosa East High<br />
School.<br />
The council's next meeting is scheduled<br />
for June 4.<br />
Theatres Sold in Hill City<br />
HILL CITY, KAN.—Lawrence Delaney<br />
has purchased the Midway Theatre and the<br />
Riverside Drive-In from the Welty family<br />
here. He took over the operation April I<br />
Recent attractions were "Grease" at the<br />
Midway and a double bill of "The Warriors"<br />
and "Pretty Baby" at the ozoner.<br />
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BOXOFFICE :: May 28, MW-3
I<br />
ST.<br />
LOUIS<br />
JJanover Street," Columbia's romantic drama<br />
of the World War II era. opened<br />
May 18 at Northwest, Grandview, Chesterfield.<br />
South County and Esquire.<br />
The Shady Oak, continuing its policy of<br />
featuring art and classic foreign films, is<br />
showing the Italian comedy-drama "'BicikI<br />
and Chocolate."<br />
With additional revenues from the driveins,<br />
two blockbusters are returning in territorywide<br />
multiple showings: "Superman" is<br />
again flying across the screens and the sleeper<br />
of the year. "Halloween," horror-drama<br />
of a boy possessed by evil, opens May 30.<br />
"Young Frankenstein," the zany comedy<br />
starring Marty Feldman and Gene Wilder,<br />
will begin a multiple re-release showing June<br />
Suzanne Gordon, appearing in the current<br />
Woody Allen classic "Manhattan" and soon<br />
to be seen in Robert Altman's latest release<br />
"Rich Kids." is in the cast of "Forever<br />
Vaudeville!" at the Crystal Palace Showroom<br />
in downtown St. Louis.<br />
Marlene Mueller, formerly assistant manager<br />
at Wehrenberg's Hall Ferry 6 is now<br />
manager of their Cross Keys Cine at Lindbergh<br />
and New Halls Ferry Roads. John<br />
Shipp of Thomas-Shipp was in town briefly<br />
to make the rounds with local rep Jerry<br />
Banta.<br />
World Film Festival Called<br />
Injurious to Filmmaking<br />
From Canada Edition<br />
MONTREAL—A leading association of<br />
Quebec filmmakers has attacked the third<br />
annual World Film Festival scheduled to<br />
begin here in late August.<br />
The Association des Realisateurs de Films<br />
du Quebec called the festival a useless and<br />
costly enterprise that served "as an instrument<br />
of propaganda" that further contributes<br />
to the loss of culture of Quebecers.<br />
The World Film Festival, headed by<br />
Serge Losique, shows top new international<br />
films, some of them world premieres, and in<br />
the past two years has attracted big-name<br />
screen stars to the two-week event.<br />
Calling for an end to government support<br />
of the festival, the filmmakers accused the<br />
festival of contributing to the already precarious<br />
economic condition of the Quebec<br />
film industry.<br />
The association proposed the creation of<br />
a new festival that would show Quebec<br />
in films addition to those from other countries.<br />
ShoWesT Will Return<br />
To MGM Grand Hotel<br />
From West Edition<br />
HOLLYWOOD—ShoWesT has been set<br />
for a return engagement in the MGM Grand<br />
Hotel in Las Vegas.<br />
Planners of the annual event are preparing<br />
to accommodate up to 2,500 registrations<br />
in augmented facilities for ShoWesT<br />
'80.<br />
The annual convention of exhibitors from<br />
1 2 Western states will be held in February,<br />
Filmmaker's Expectations<br />
Tempered With Experience<br />
From Canada Edition<br />
CALGARY—Fil Fraser says he realistically<br />
expects only one of the eight feature<br />
films he's planning to make in Alberta to<br />
turn into a big boxoffice success.<br />
The movies represent an investment of<br />
about $20 million during the next three<br />
years and the Edmonton producer and director<br />
naturally hopes they'll succeed financially<br />
and artistically and will try to make each<br />
a winner.<br />
But previous experience indicates to him<br />
that only one of eight is likely to become a<br />
blockbuster. He says that one could do<br />
"pretty well," the others might repay their<br />
costs and one might be a total disaster.<br />
"But you know realistically that one<br />
breakthrough will pay for the other seven,"<br />
Fraser says.<br />
Fraser Film Associates Ltd. of Edmonton<br />
plans to go into production in August on<br />
"The Falcon and the Ballerina."<br />
Blind Bid Law's Effect<br />
Yet to Surface in NX.<br />
From South Edition<br />
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Although North<br />
Carolina's new anti-blind bidding law may<br />
make a difference in available movies and<br />
their prices, distributors and exhibitors say<br />
it is too early to tell.<br />
The law, which passed the General Assembly<br />
April 25 and takes effect July 1,<br />
prohibits movie distributors from renting<br />
movies to theatres before theatre owners<br />
have had a chance to see them. A similar<br />
law in South Carolina allegedly is responsible<br />
for a slight delay in the opening of<br />
first-run<br />
movies.<br />
"I don't think it's going to change anything<br />
radically," says Charlie Hunsuck,<br />
United Artists branch manager. "It may<br />
delay the release shortly, but by the same<br />
token, it may get the producers on the<br />
but the exact dates are still to be fixed.<br />
Robert Selig, general chairman of Sho- ball." Hunsuck said he thought movies<br />
WesT '79. has reported that a record-breaking<br />
might get to North Carolina a month or two<br />
1,484 registered for that convention. later than usual.<br />
Nearly 3,000 attended distributor-sponsored Opinions differ on whether you'll sec<br />
functions and the tradeshow sponsored by more or fewer movies under the new law.<br />
the National Assn. of Concessionaires and Herman Stone, president of NATO of<br />
the North American Theatre Equipment North and South Carolina, said he expected<br />
Assn.<br />
more films.<br />
"We should like to see more pictures in<br />
the marketplace," Stone said. "But the boxoffice<br />
is going to dictate a lot of play time,<br />
which is the way it should be."<br />
But Francis Gormley, branch manager<br />
for 20th Century-Fox, said that fewer small<br />
budget films, such as Fox's "Dreamer,"<br />
would be seen.<br />
ticket -prices.<br />
'Swap Meet' Sets Openings<br />
OMAHA—Steve Krantz's "Swap Meet"<br />
has been set by Dimension Pictures to open<br />
June 20 in 29 theatres and drive-ins in the<br />
Omaha area. Film stars Ruth Cox, Jonathan<br />
Gries, Debi Richter, Dan Spector and<br />
Cheryl Rixon. World premiere of the feature<br />
v/as set for San Francisco May 23.<br />
"It's little pictures that are going to suf-<br />
says Gormley. "They're going to go to<br />
fer,"<br />
commercial pictures that they know they<br />
can get a return on. Maybe pictures like<br />
•Dreamer' don't need to be made. But who<br />
knows what may be shelved"<br />
Theatre owners have said that the risk in<br />
showing blind-bid films helped drive up<br />
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BOXOFFICE :: May 28, 1979
M<br />
;<br />
Meadowlark.<br />
I<br />
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Cinema,<br />
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1<br />
The<br />
,<br />
BOXOmCE<br />
Ottawa<br />
CALGARY<br />
Pdmonton's Belmont Drive-In opened for<br />
the season May 3 with a "Restricted<br />
Adult" movie. "Woodstock," on the<br />
Away to conquer greener fields in<br />
screen.<br />
the private<br />
sector of Calgary's business world is<br />
Willy Swarthfigure, formerly in booking at<br />
Bellevue Films. Willy, who has been in the<br />
business for over 20 years, is well known<br />
in this territory and will be missed by those<br />
who know him.<br />
The Alberta Censor Board put in a busy<br />
month during April when it viewed and<br />
classified 40 features. There were eight<br />
films rate as "Family." ten as "Adult." seven<br />
as "Adult Not Suitable for Children" and<br />
the remaining 15 were "Restricted Adult."<br />
Of those films there were 13 Chinese language<br />
features and other movies coming<br />
from Australia, India. Britain and Germany.<br />
Three of the pictures must carry warnings:<br />
"A Perfect Couple" and "Picnic at Hanging<br />
Rock" both have "May not be suitable for<br />
younger children"; "The Five Venoms" has<br />
"violence thoughout"; "Saturday Night Fever"<br />
was submitted by Paramount in a reconstructed<br />
version and is rated as "Adult." dear, don't give a damn," some of the<br />
I as it came along, just as it had done with<br />
Livince Investments Ltd. was the biggest<br />
Des Moines audience feared the<br />
strait-laced<br />
vaudeville. Still later, dinner theatiies and<br />
contributor with a total of eight pictures Paramount Theatre might come tumbling performers tried to keep the old theatre<br />
live<br />
submitted to the board.<br />
down.<br />
but her run was over.<br />
alive,<br />
The theatre will be torn down this month<br />
They were right . . . but years early. Des<br />
Location for 'Klondike'<br />
Moines' Paramount Theatre's pinnacle was but many many memories will be left standing.<br />
the premiere of "Gone With the Wind." It<br />
was on an unforgettable day—Jan. 26, The Paramount went dark as a movie<br />
1940. The cost of admissions was a fortune: theatre in February 1973. Her last show was<br />
Already Part of Past<br />
weekdays, 75 cents; evenings and weekends, "The Innocent Bystander."<br />
BARKER VILLE. British Columbia — II $1.12. It was two degrees below zero on<br />
that opening day and a line formed an hour<br />
writer Jack London had arrived here this<br />
before the 10 a.m. showing. Some brought<br />
lunch and sat through the show twice. Lippert Remodeling<br />
year, he would find little unusual about this<br />
central British Columbia community, a replica<br />
of the bustling Klondike communities of Even the local newspaper The Register<br />
gold rush days.<br />
gave the premiere a page one "top head."<br />
He would do a double take, though, when Other rival theatres suffered while the<br />
Has $1 Million Tag<br />
he spotted tons of photographic cquipmeni Paramount basked in the limelight, its customary<br />
spot.<br />
SAN FRANCISCO — Robert L. Lipperl<br />
From Wesl Edition<br />
and troups of people performing odd tasks.<br />
The town, a tourist haven after government<br />
The Paramount began as the Capitol The-<br />
president of Robert L. Lippert Theatres,<br />
Jr.,<br />
funds transformed it into the spitting<br />
has announced a million-dollar, circuitwide<br />
atre, an afterthought to ,the eleven-story<br />
image of its former glory, was recently the<br />
remodeling project.<br />
The project will include every theatre<br />
site of "Klondike Fever," a $4 million fea-<br />
complex in the circuit built before 1975<br />
ture that its Canadian producers hope will<br />
net them $100 million.<br />
The movie is a tale of London's journey<br />
from San Francisco to the Klondike during<br />
the get-rich-on-gold dream days of 1898.<br />
Barkerville is a good location because of<br />
its dirt streets, board sidewalks and store<br />
facades. At its peak, townsmen boasted thai<br />
Barkerville was the largest city in Norlh<br />
America west of Chicago.<br />
For the purposes of the movie, it has been<br />
renamed Dawson City, perhaps belter<br />
known as a boom town.<br />
Playing the author is Jeff East, 21, who<br />
starred as the adolescent Superman in the<br />
film of the same name. Also starring is<br />
Academy Award-winning actor Rod Steiger.<br />
Angle Dickinson has also been imported<br />
for the movie, which the producers hope lo<br />
market internationally. Also in the film arc<br />
Lome Greene and George Pinsent. who<br />
has appeared in many CBC-TV productions.<br />
Also gone from her desk into retirement East, who is the same age as London billed with major movies. Local entertain- '<br />
'<br />
from our busy industry is Jessie Lynch of when the author made the journey, said he ers would fill out the stage show—the<br />
Famous Players who had put in more years didn't agree with London's attitude at the Rockets were such a group. Mary says they<br />
than Willy had. Jessie has been looking forward<br />
to "doing nothing" for some time and<br />
can't identify with London's adven-<br />
including tunes with the likes of Edgar Ber-<br />
time of the journey.<br />
danced to whatever the bands would play,<br />
"1<br />
turing—just dropping everything and going,"<br />
East said. "We put boundaries on oui-<br />
Helen Morgan, Ginger Rogers (before she<br />
gen and Charlie McCarthy, torch singer<br />
is really enjoying herself.<br />
In spite of unsettled weather the Canadian selves: it just seems as if we have more became a movie star), Blackstone the Magician,<br />
Cab Calloway and other name bands<br />
Picture Pioneers semi-annual meeting and responsibilities."<br />
banquet on May 6 was very successful. Attendance—due<br />
in part to the weather—was dog sled, but he says the knack came easily To launch the Paramount a bigshot em-<br />
For the film. East had to learn to race a of the early swing era.<br />
light but the affair was well organized and "because 1 can ski, and it's practically the cee, from Chicago, Charles Agnew, was<br />
the banquet was one of the most delicious same, only with dogs."<br />
called in. Gradually, however, the stage<br />
in some time.<br />
He says that "Klondike" is his first Canadian<br />
film, although not his first work here;<br />
Almost a<br />
shows gave way to double features.<br />
Riot<br />
parts of "Superman" were filmed in Calgary.<br />
"I like working with Canadians and the<br />
people here are veiy considerate," he said.<br />
"I've never gone on location for a period<br />
piece where the local people fit right in."<br />
Paramount's Heyday<br />
Recalled in Twilight<br />
From Midwest Edition<br />
DES MOINES, Iowa — When Clark<br />
Gable swore to Vivien Leigh, "Frankly, my<br />
building built for offices in 1923.<br />
In the absence of TV, Little League and<br />
other organized activities, theatres were<br />
very much a part of the family (life in the<br />
1920s. Parents attended in the evening, kids<br />
on Saturday.<br />
Capitol Organ Club'<br />
The Capitol had an organist, and for a<br />
dime the ilittle kids could go to "Herbie's<br />
Capitol Organ Club," named after Herbie<br />
the organist who clowned around, and the<br />
kids would get a funny hat and see very<br />
bad silent one-reel comedies.<br />
A. H. (Blank's organization bought the<br />
Capitol in 1929 and launched its heyday as<br />
the Paramount Theatre. Talkies were just<br />
beginning after movies had shared the billing<br />
for many years with live entertainment.<br />
The movies were killing vaudeville and it<br />
went down with a smile.<br />
Mary Bernstein Rubin remembers it well,<br />
since she was a member of the Paramount<br />
Rockets after graduating from a local high i<br />
school in 1932. Bigtime entertainers and<br />
I<br />
bands would come through town and be<br />
Des Moines ahnost had a riot in 1949<br />
when "I Married a Nazi" played and two<br />
fellows were hired to dress like Nazis and<br />
stroll the streets to advertise it.<br />
After the war and on into the '50s the<br />
Paramount hung on pretty well. It was the<br />
first theatre to advertise air conditioning in<br />
the '30s and also offer free parking beginning<br />
in 1957.<br />
In 1956 "Rock Around the Clock" was<br />
shown. It took three policemen and all the<br />
ushers to keep peace inside. Outside a jukebox<br />
blared rock music and dancers blocked<br />
the street in front.<br />
Paramount tried to live with television<br />
and will<br />
be coordinated by Jerry Harrah of<br />
Pacific Theatre Supply, architect Bob Hatfield<br />
and Bill Ackerman, San Franciscobased<br />
general contractor.<br />
Work has just been completed on the<br />
$360,000 remodeling of the Americana 6<br />
Cinemas in Panorama City.<br />
K-2<br />
BOXOFFICE :: May 28, 1979
VANCOUVER Members of 'Slithis Fan Club Await<br />
pollowing the announcement of the completion<br />
of "Klondike Fever," the office of<br />
Justin Green, executive director of the Fihn<br />
Dcvision of the B.C. Department of Tourism,<br />
issued a new list of pictures that were<br />
due to be started shortly. Most of these<br />
were firm dates but the exact starting date.<br />
cast and technical staff for some was still<br />
not definite. The list is as follows:<br />
"The Love Boat"—shooting in May-June.<br />
Locations in Victoria, Vancouver and Prince<br />
Rupert. Starring Rich Little, Donny Osmond,<br />
Barbara Rush and Jane Wyman.<br />
"Huckleberry Finn & His Friends"<br />
shooting May-August. Locations in the Fraser<br />
Valley area and the Panorama studios.<br />
Starring Ian Tracey as Huck Finn. Budget is<br />
$3 million.<br />
"Up River"—shooting June-July at Bella<br />
Coola and Lonesome Lake. Budget is $1.2<br />
million.<br />
"Flowers from Felix"—shooting June-<br />
July in the Victoria area.<br />
"Terror Train"—shooting August-October,<br />
using the Royal Hudson train and<br />
locations in Fort St. John area. Budget is<br />
$5 million.<br />
"Bethune"—shooting<br />
September-October<br />
im Northern B.C. Budget is $10 million.<br />
"Never Cry Wolf"—shooting August-<br />
September in Atlin, Dawson City and the<br />
Yukon. Budget is $2 million.<br />
"The Grey Fox"—shooting October-November.<br />
Budget is $1.5 million.<br />
Jack Tomik, who is in charge of publicity<br />
for Famous Players in this territory,<br />
overcame the continued lack of major newspaper<br />
coverage by holding preview screenings<br />
for "A Little Romance" at the Capitol<br />
on May 4-5 in advance of the opening. A<br />
very heavy radio campaign featuring pass<br />
prizes was also carried out.<br />
NITE/TOFCO Will Reduce<br />
Film Rentcds, Scott Says<br />
By ALLEN M. WIDEM<br />
Regional Correspondent<br />
From East Edition<br />
WORCESTER, Mass.— Independent New<br />
England exhibitor Phillip J. .Scott believes<br />
that the recently announced pact by the National<br />
Independent Theatre Exhibitors<br />
Assn. with a group of Canadian film investors<br />
may well spark film rental reduction<br />
for exhibition.<br />
Scott, current board chairman of NITE of<br />
New England, told the media that the promise<br />
of the Canadian-based Theatre Owners<br />
The Return of the Nuclear Monster<br />
From Midwest Edition<br />
DES MOINES—"Slithis" returns!<br />
The slimy movie monster Slithis did not<br />
rise from nuclear pollution so much as from<br />
the deep pockets of Des Moines film entrepreneur<br />
Richard L. Davis.<br />
It was a low-budget monster flick, which<br />
made the rounds once last year and soon<br />
will be coming back to the theatres. Davis<br />
bankrolled the lion's share of the production<br />
but Stephen Traxler of California was the<br />
brainchild of it.<br />
Davis is distributing and promoting the<br />
film, which has grossed about $1.8 million<br />
from 1,500 dates at drive-ins and indoor<br />
theatres across the country.<br />
Davis undertook lengthy court actions for<br />
the<br />
right to operate adult or "triple X" theatres<br />
in the state of Iowa that were eventually<br />
decided in his favor. He then turned<br />
over the operation of the adult houses to<br />
his three sons and has pursued other ventures.<br />
"Slithis" is one of them.<br />
He says he has spent lots of money keeping<br />
the slimy monster from going belly up<br />
and is not worried about his investment,<br />
that most of his outlay has been returned.<br />
He is sole distributor of the movie and owns<br />
all 1 89 prints of it, doling them out to movie<br />
houses through a network of 22 sub-distributors<br />
nationwide.<br />
No one has claimed "Slithis" is art, especially<br />
Davis, but he is convinced there is<br />
always a place for a horror or monster picture,<br />
and they always do a little business.<br />
Milking the Movie<br />
He is planning on milking the movie dry<br />
and says after the second go-around this<br />
season he will edit the film to change its<br />
rating from PG to G in order to hit the<br />
kiddie matinee and saturation markets. Remaining<br />
to be exploited are foreign rights<br />
as well as sales to local television stations.<br />
Those negotiations are currently underway.<br />
First-time-around rental fees ranged from<br />
25 percent to 40 percent of each theatre's<br />
gross. Now on the second time around<br />
"Slithis" rents for far less, from $50 to $150<br />
a week. Davis says that is not a lot of<br />
money but an average of $75 for each of<br />
1,000 dates isn't bad considering he doesn't<br />
do any advertising for the subruns.<br />
"This film is a gimmick film, and they<br />
needed a gimmick to sell it," Davis says.<br />
He decided to turn the monster into a hero<br />
and didn't portray him as an eat-'em-up bad<br />
guy, but as a product of our society. That<br />
opened the door for T-shirts, fan clubs,<br />
In addition audiences arc being advised<br />
join the monster's fan club. Member-<br />
to<br />
ship is free if you sign up at a theatre or<br />
it costs 25 cents by mail. So far over 22,000<br />
people have sent in a quarter. In return<br />
members get a photo of the slimy being<br />
consorting with humanoids, a letter from<br />
Slithis telling youngsters to mind Mom and<br />
Dad, advising teens to stay off cigs, booze<br />
and dope and admonishing adults to lead a<br />
good life and make this a better world for<br />
everyone.<br />
Members can also purchase Slithis posters,<br />
T-shirts and bumper stickers. Davis<br />
also sends around the costume used in the<br />
movie so a local six-footer can stomp<br />
around and drum up business.<br />
Bookers Luncheon Is Scene<br />
Of Awards. Speeches, Plugs<br />
By JOHN COCCHI<br />
Eastern Editor<br />
NEW YORK—The 13th annual Academy<br />
Award Sweepstakes Luncheon of the<br />
Motion Picture Bookers Club was held April<br />
24 at Rosoff's here, with veteran New York<br />
Post film reviewer Archer Winsten as guest<br />
speaker and surprise appearances by Peter<br />
Bogdanovich and Ben Gazzara. Master of<br />
ceremonies Ralph Donnelly, who heads<br />
Cinema 5, announced that the Sweepstakes<br />
winners were Denise Dorsey of Gulf +<br />
Western, first prize; Becky Schoenfeld, second<br />
prize, and Walter Powell of Georgia,<br />
third prize.<br />
Donnelly introduced Bogdanovich and<br />
Gazzara, director and star respectively of<br />
the New World Pictures release "Saint<br />
Jack." Gazzara thanked Donnelly for arranging<br />
the booking at Cinema I and for<br />
the sendoff he expected that the film would<br />
have. After saying that there had been a<br />
few problems with the film but that everything<br />
had "turned out okay," Bogdanovich<br />
emphasized that Donnelly's belief in the film<br />
meant a great deal to him. He thanked Donnelly<br />
for his "intelligent courage" in putting<br />
the film into Cinema I and then stated<br />
that he would keep a close relationship with<br />
exhibitors as a result of his experiences with<br />
the film.<br />
Still plugging the film, Bogdanovich mentioned<br />
that advance word on it was good<br />
(later reviews included some very favorable<br />
quotes). In parting, he quoted Howard<br />
Hawks' advice to him. "Just make pictures<br />
that make money and you'll never be unhappy."<br />
Film Cooperative to provide at least 75<br />
Both Bogdanovich and Gazzara had<br />
personal appearances and the "Slithis" Sur-<br />
"top-quality, first-run features" during the<br />
been attending all screenings of the film and<br />
vival Kit.<br />
Sunival Kit<br />
were making numerous appearances in connection<br />
next decade, serves to avoid many trade<br />
practices that gall NITE membership, including<br />
The kit is a small pamphlet distributed to<br />
with it, Donnelly pointed out. Then<br />
blind bidding.<br />
moviegoers and says that the creature was Mancuso was given a special "Oscar" for<br />
Scott also told the media: "Canada is "spawned from the waste of a nuclear his Sweepstakes efforts and said he had<br />
really<br />
grow. energy plant and wants you to survive." postponed a trip to Kansas City for Show-A-<br />
trying to get film production to And right now the biggest advantage to producing<br />
Patrons are advised to "Follow these in-<br />
Rama to be there. Martin Newman, who<br />
a film in Canada are tax breaks. structions!" which include detaching the was to have been presented a check from<br />
While the United States has done away with<br />
the club for the benefit of Will Rogers Hospital,<br />
picture of the monster and keeping it on<br />
a lot of its tax credits for filmmaking, Canada<br />
your person at all times except when sleeping.<br />
was in Kansas City and would receive<br />
is still allowing big write-offs."<br />
the check on May 22.<br />
BOXOFFICE :: May 28, 1979<br />
K-3
Who reads <strong>Boxoffice</strong><br />
eople you know...<br />
and want to reach<br />
Key people in Exhibition:<br />
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1,198* distributors and sales executives, home office<br />
managers, bookers and publicity people<br />
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453* supply dealers, sales agents and executives<br />
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Recognize your sales prospect<br />
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o L<br />
^<br />
K-4<br />
May 28, 1979
BOXOFFICE BOOKMNCUIDE<br />
JONNA JEFFERIS, Bookinguide Editor<br />
An interprolivo analysis ol lay and ttadepress reviews. Running time is in parenthese<br />
BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Award. All lilms are in color except those indicated by (b&w) ior black &<br />
white or (© and biw) lor color and black & while. Motion Picture Assn (MPAA) ratings: El — general<br />
audiences; PG—all ages admitted (parental guidance suggested); LSI— restricted, with persons under<br />
17 not admitted unless accompanied by parent or adult guardian; OC'— persons under 17 not admitted.<br />
Reviews assigned "N" page Dumbers will be found in the Notional (Iront) section ol BOXOFFICE.<br />
H Very Good; + Good; ± Fair; -<br />
The<br />
I^EVIEW DIGEST<br />
AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX
REVIEW DIGEST<br />
AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX « Very Gaod;
hi<br />
ill<br />
m ssei<br />
•ON<br />
°I>H
The<br />
II Alvrays Ready . . .<br />
]<br />
MISCELLANEOUS<br />
ATLANTIC RELEASING<br />
Max Havelaar (165) ..Hi-t<br />
La Jument Vapeur<br />
Picnic at Hangino Rock<br />
(110) MyC<br />
BACKSTREET^EEHIVE-<br />
HOLLYWOOD INrL<br />
Lust Flight 2000<br />
(78) Sex C-D.<br />
VIokl (Jlick. Pat Planning<br />
FRED BAKER FILMS, LTD.<br />
Just Crazy About Horses<br />
(93) Ooc.Di<br />
The Blacic Goddess Jan 79<br />
BEEHIVE PRODUCTIONS<br />
Carnal's Cutres<br />
(76) Sex C .Apr 79<br />
Pat Manning. J.-uiet Sands,<br />
Frisco King, William Margold<br />
Curves Ahead!<br />
(78) Sex C. June 79<br />
The Udy Wants a<br />
Tramp Stx C. .July 79<br />
Dirty<br />
(74)<br />
CAPRICAN THREE, INC<br />
Vampire Hookers<br />
(83) Sex C-l<br />
Sex C. Oct 79<br />
CARIBBEAN FILMS WEST<br />
Gail Palmer's Candy Goes to<br />
Hollywood Sex C. Dec 78<br />
rarol ronnnr.i. John Leslie<br />
CINEMA 5<br />
Viva Italia! (87) C.Jul)<br />
Vlttorlo Gassman. Vgn TognazzI<br />
CINEMA SHARES<br />
Jacob Two-Two Meets the<br />
Hooded Fang<br />
(SO)<br />
F-C-D..Sept7S<br />
Alex Karras. Stephen lioBenberg<br />
Point the Finger of<br />
Death<br />
Ac..Feb79<br />
Shaolin Death Sguad ...Ac. Feb 79<br />
Fists of Bruce Lee<br />
(99) Ac..Mar79<br />
COUGAR RELEASING, LTD.<br />
loe Panther (93) Ad.. Sept 78<br />
lirlan Keith, Rlcardo Montalban<br />
Legend of Sea Wolf<br />
(90) Ad.. Sep<br />
Chuck Connors, Barbara Badi<br />
Astral Factor (93) . . . Sus. .Nov 78<br />
Elke Rnmmrr, Robert Foxworth<br />
Poopsle (95) C. Dec 78<br />
Sophia I.rf)ren, Marcello Ma^rolannl<br />
FIRST ARTISTS RELEASING<br />
Stevie (102) B-D,.Sept78<br />
Clenda Jackson, Mona Washboiime<br />
FIRST INT'L PICTURES<br />
Dracula Sucks<br />
(108) Sex-Ho-C-D..Feb79<br />
Jamie Rlllls, Annette Haven<br />
G.G. COMMUNICATIONS<br />
The Adventures of Pinocchio<br />
(90) An.<br />
Little Mermaid (71) An. Jan 79 NEW YORKER FILMS<br />
HOLLYWOOD INT'L<br />
Come Under My Spell<br />
(84) Sex D.. Dec 78<br />
. Stx C. Jan 79<br />
Lusty Princess (82)<br />
The New Erotic Adventures of<br />
Casanova Part 2 ..Sex D.. Feb 79<br />
Sex C ..Mar 79<br />
INDEPENDENT ARTISTS<br />
When the Screamino Stopi , „ _<br />
(94) Ho-F..No»78<br />
Blacl< The Six (90) . .Ac-D. .Apr 79<br />
•Mean" Joe Greene. Carl Bller<br />
INT'L HARMONY, INC.<br />
Sliame of the Jungle<br />
(89) An-C..Sept78<br />
Voices: John Belushl. Johnny<br />
The Night the Prowler<br />
(90) ri'^:°v<br />
eirv Walker, Ruth Cracknel<br />
•• Men Forever (90) ..C.<br />
INrt PICTURE SHOW<br />
Land of No Return<br />
(85) ' .Sept 78<br />
Mel Torme, William Shat<br />
Where Time Began<br />
(90)<br />
SF.. Sept 78<br />
Kenneth More<br />
They Went That-a-Way and Thata-Way<br />
(100) C. Oct 78<br />
Tim Conway, Chuck McCann<br />
The Magic of Lassie<br />
(100) C-DM..0ct78<br />
lames Stewart. Mickey Booney,<br />
Perrell Roberts, Stephanie ZImballst<br />
(n-U)<br />
JAGUAR-BEEHIVE<br />
isco Dolls in Hot Skin<br />
(95) Sex<br />
KEY INT'L FILM<br />
Sweet Creek County War<br />
(98) W-C..Feb79<br />
Richard Egan, Albert Salmi<br />
ntree Way Weekend<br />
(85) Sex C. Mar 79<br />
Hon nlego, Jody Olhava<br />
The Man Who Loved Bears<br />
(90) Ac-DM..0ct79<br />
Narr, : Henry Fonda<br />
MUSTANG-BEEHIVE<br />
Carnal Encounters of the Barest<br />
Kind (88) Sex-SF. Apr79<br />
NATIONAL AMERICAN<br />
Coming Attractions C. Sept 78<br />
BUI Murray. Buddy Hackett,<br />
Misty Rowe. Howard Hesseman<br />
NEW LINE<br />
Gizmo! (79) Sept 78<br />
Bronson Lee Champion (86) . Sept 78<br />
Despair (120) Oct 78<br />
Dirk Bogardi<br />
Like a Turtle<br />
(90)<br />
C-D. Oct 78<br />
Bemadette Lafont<br />
live (81) Nov 78<br />
Itotirrt Downey<br />
Autumn in Germany (116) ...Nov 78<br />
Revenoe of the Streetfighter<br />
(90) Apr 79<br />
Just Like at Home ..<br />
(log) C-D.. May 79<br />
Anna Karina<br />
Peppermint Soda May 79<br />
Newsfront (110)<br />
, ,„<br />
(© and b&w) Hi-D . . . . . .June 79<br />
Bill Hunter, (iirard Kennedy<br />
The Tree of Wooden Clogs<br />
(175) Hi-D.. June 79<br />
Woyieck July 79<br />
Orchestra Rehearsal<br />
(70) DM.. Aug 79<br />
Against the Grain Sept 79<br />
Don Gil<br />
(D-U)<br />
NMD FILM DISTRIBUTING CO.<br />
Naughty School Girls (84) ...Mar 79<br />
Rebecca Brooke, Sandra Gartner<br />
The Carhops (S8) Apr 79<br />
Kitty Karl, Lisa Farringer<br />
The New Adventures of Snow<br />
White (76) May 79<br />
Marie LUjedahl, Ingrid Van Bergen<br />
How to Score With Girls<br />
(82) June 79<br />
Ron Osborne, Larry Jacobs<br />
Smokey and the Hotwire Gang<br />
(85) June 79<br />
James Keach, Stanley Liungston<br />
OMNI PICTURES<br />
Wolfman (101) .<br />
The Devil's Clone<br />
(JUARTET FILMS „<br />
Wifemistress (101) D. Jan 79<br />
Marcello Mastroianni, Laura<br />
Antnnelll<br />
The French Detective<br />
(93) Ac-D.. Apr 79<br />
Lino Ventura, Patrick Dewaere,<br />
Dracula and Son<br />
(88)<br />
Christopher Reed<br />
.Ho-C..May79<br />
_<br />
ROCHELLF FILMS. INC.<br />
Thirsty Dead (96) Sept 78<br />
Rock Fever (98) Apr 79<br />
Wade Nichols. Jeanle Sanders<br />
Dr. Jeckyll's Dungeon of Death<br />
(91) Apr 79<br />
A Saint ... a Woman . . .<br />
, ._ a Devil (90) Apr 79<br />
Sept 78 T|,5 oriller Killer (90) ...Apr 79<br />
SANRIO FILM DISTRIBUTION<br />
The Great Balloon Adventure<br />
(89) C-Ad..Feh79<br />
Katharine Hepburn<br />
The Glacier Fox<br />
. (90)<br />
.Doc-D..Feb79<br />
Winds of Change<br />
(87)<br />
.An.M-F..July79<br />
Narr. : Peter Ustinov<br />
(n-35S)<br />
Nutcracker (100) . .An-H..No»79<br />
SIX PICTURES<br />
Sweet Taste of Joy<br />
Secretaries Spread<br />
Sex Freedom in<br />
Marriage<br />
STUDIO FILM CORP.<br />
The Alpha Incident (85) Mar 78<br />
Johnny Mar 79<br />
Horst Bucbholi<br />
The Capture of Bigfoot<br />
(95) May 79<br />
Richard Kennedy. Katherlne Hopkins,<br />
Stafford MorgaJl, John Goff<br />
The Maggots Aug 79<br />
nils Young. John Goff,<br />
Katherlne Hopkins<br />
21st CENTURY<br />
Three Fantastic Supermen . .June 78<br />
The Obsessed One July 78<br />
Male Panday, Tracy Parrlsh<br />
The Tormented Aug 78<br />
Stella Carnartna, Chris Avram<br />
Snuff Box Connection ..Ac. Sept 78<br />
Rung Fu Ae. Sept 78<br />
COMING RELEASES<br />
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL<br />
Meteor<br />
Sean Conney, Natalie Wood,<br />
Henry Fonda, Trei'or Howard<br />
Defiance 0.<br />
Jan-Michael Vincent, Joseph<br />
Camp,iiiella, Art Carney, Theresa<br />
Saldana<br />
The Humanoid<br />
lUcliard Kiel, Barbara Bach<br />
The Amityville Horror<br />
James Brolin, Mariot Kidder,<br />
Bod Steiger, Murray Hamilton<br />
The Visitor<br />
John Huston, Shelley Winters,<br />
Glenn Ford<br />
Gorp<br />
I--<br />
Michael Lembeck, Phillip Casnoff,<br />
Dennis Quald, Richard Beauchamr<br />
The Evictors<br />
Vic Morrow, Michael Parks,<br />
Jessica Harirer, Sue Ane Uingdon<br />
AVCO EMBASSY<br />
Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams<br />
The Fog<br />
H.nl Hnlbrook. Adrienne Barbeau,<br />
Janet Leigh, Jamie Lee Curtis<br />
BUENA VISTA<br />
The Black Hole Dec 79<br />
Maximilian Schell, Anthony<br />
Perkins, Robert Forster<br />
The Last Flight of Noah's Ark<br />
COLUMBIA<br />
Kramer vs. Kramer<br />
Dtistln Hoffman, Meryl Streep<br />
. . . And Justice for All C.<br />
Al Paclno, Jack Warden<br />
All That Jazz DM.<br />
Roy Scheidcr. Ann Relrking<br />
Freestyle<br />
Sii.'ian Clark<br />
The Thief of Bagdad<br />
Terence Stamp. Peter Ustinov<br />
The Electric Horseman<br />
Robert Redford. Jane Fonda,<br />
Willie Nelson, Nicholas Cosier<br />
Hot Stuff<br />
Dom DeLiilse, Suzanne Plcsliette,<br />
Terry Reed<br />
Madonna Red<br />
Paul Newman<br />
The First Deadly Sin<br />
Marlon Brando<br />
Wind River OD-Ad<br />
Charlton Heston, Stephen Macht,<br />
BrI.in Keith, Victor Jory<br />
COMPASS INTERNATIONAL<br />
Double Negative<br />
r.craldine Fitzgerald. Michael<br />
Sarrarfn, Susan Clark, Anthony<br />
Perkins<br />
DIMENSION<br />
Stone Cold Dead<br />
(90) D. .July 79<br />
Richard Crenna, Paul Williann,<br />
Linda Sorenson, Belinda Montgomery<br />
NEW WORLD<br />
The Lady in Red<br />
(100)<br />
raiiirla<br />
Sue Mart<br />
.Cr-D. .July 79<br />
Disco High CM.<br />
Car Wars Ac-C.<br />
Battle Beyond the Stais SF.<br />
Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round<br />
the Old Oak Tree R-D.<br />
SF-Ad.<br />
Irfonard Nlmoy,<br />
, .lames Doohan<br />
Rough Cut<br />
Burt Reynolds, Jacqueline BIsset<br />
North Dallas Forty<br />
Nick Nolte, Mac D»»l«,<br />
Bo Svenson, (%arlea DumlllC<br />
Full Moon in August<br />
Joseph Bottoms<br />
American Gigolo<br />
Uuren Button, Richard Oere<br />
Starting Over • • • •<br />
Burt Reynolds, Jill CUjbur«b,<br />
Candice Bergen, Charles Durnlng<br />
Sunburn<br />
Farrah Fawcetl-Majors, Cbarles<br />
Grodln<br />
The Hunter<br />
Steve McQueen<br />
Little Darlings<br />
Tatura O'Neal, Kristy McNlchol<br />
Nosfcratu<br />
SF-Ho..0ct79<br />
Isabelle AdjanI, Klaus Klnskl,<br />
Bruno Ganz . _ „<br />
Health C.. Dec 79<br />
Glenda Jackson. Carol Burnett,<br />
.lames Garner, Lauren Bacall<br />
Nine to Five C.<br />
J.me Fonda<br />
"^t, Petersburg Cannes Express<br />
Julie Cliristie, Donald Sutherland<br />
The Rose D"--<br />
Bette Midler, Alan Bates<br />
{D-35S, 70)<br />
Brubaker<br />
•<br />
Robert Bedford, Yaphet Kotto<br />
Breaking Away .....C..<br />
Dennis Christopher, Dennis Quald<br />
Fatso<br />
Anne Bancroft, Dom DeLuIse,<br />
Candy Azzara, Rod Carey<br />
UNITED ARTISTS<br />
Hide in Plain Sight (MGM) June 79<br />
James Caan. Jill Eikenbeny<br />
Apocalypse Now War D.. Dec 79<br />
Marlon Brando. Robert Duvall,<br />
Martin Sheen. Dennis Hopper<br />
(D-35S, 70)<br />
James and Jane<br />
James Caan, (Jenevieve Bujold<br />
Heaven's Gate<br />
Kiis Kristofferson<br />
The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh ....<br />
Stockard Channing<br />
Rich Kids ••<br />
Kathrvn Walker, John Uthgow,<br />
David Selby. Terry Klser<br />
Ladies of the Valley<br />
Jodie Foster<br />
UNIVERSAL<br />
The Lonely Lady H<br />
Susan Blakely<br />
The Senator<br />
Alan Alda, Melvyn Douglas,<br />
Barbara Harris<br />
Little Miss Marker<br />
Walter Matthau, Julie Andrews,<br />
Swa Stlmson, Bob Newhart<br />
Katharine Ross, Sam Elliott,<br />
Roger Daltrey<br />
(D-U)<br />
Resurrection<br />
Ellen Biirstyn. Sam Shepard<br />
Coal Miner's Daughter B-l<br />
Sissv Spaeek, Tommy Lee Jones<br />
The Concorde—Airport '79<br />
Itobert Wagner. Alain Delon.<br />
Susan Blakely, George Kennedy<br />
1941<br />
Dan Aykroyd, John Belushl,<br />
Lorraine Gary, Murray "" '<br />
WARNER BROS.<br />
, , ,„<br />
An Arabian Adventure July 79<br />
Christopher Lee<br />
(D-35S)<br />
Beyond the Poseidon<br />
Adventure Ad.. July 79<br />
Michael Calne, Sally Field,<br />
Telly Savalas, Peter Boyle<br />
No Knife C-W.,Auii79<br />
Gene Wilder, Harrison Ford<br />
Captain Grown Up<br />
Diane Keaton<br />
Stepping Out<br />
George Burns, Art Carney<br />
The Squeeze Sus-C.<br />
Stacy Keach, Lino Ventura<br />
First Blood<br />
Al Paclno<br />
Heart Beat<br />
Slssv Spaeek, Nick Nolte<br />
Just Tell Me What You Want , C.<br />
.<br />
All MacGraw. Alan King<br />
BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: May 28, 1979
1 color,<br />
Opinions on Current Productions<br />
^JATURE REVIEWS<br />
uhUes otherwise specilied < vbile (b&w). For story synopsis oa each picture.<br />
I tit, lUl '^<br />
Enolish Titles<br />
The Show Biz Co. 90 Minutes Rei. Jan. '79<br />
A man is a txjy in this engaging French import from<br />
1976, going- into slow release in this couiitry. It was written<br />
and directed by Francis Veber under its translated<br />
title, "Le Jouet." Pierre Richard colors his comedy portrayal<br />
of the leading role with a fine dramatic side which<br />
is quite affecting. Eleven-year-old Fabrice Greco, as the<br />
spoiled rich boy who "buys" him, manages to win sympathy<br />
after being introduced as a demanding and destructive<br />
type. It's obvious that the boy has all the material<br />
comforts but lacks real love from his father (.Michel Bouquet)<br />
and substitutes his "toy" for that purpose. Comic<br />
Richard is both clown and actor here. His disgust at being<br />
in such a dehumanizing situation gives way to arrogance<br />
at the sheer nerve of a man who can buy anything and<br />
a son who adopts that policy. Also good are Suzy Dyson,<br />
the cold stepmother; Jacques Francois, harried managing<br />
editor; and Charles Gerard in a typical characterization<br />
as an easygoing photographer. In Eastman Color, with<br />
music by Vladimir Cosma, the FideUne Films/ EFVE<br />
Films/ Remi Pi-oductions/Andi-ea Films co-production is<br />
being presented bv Byron Lasky and Lee Weisel. It can<br />
be sold as an offbeat comedy and an indictment of the<br />
wealthy class.—John Cocchi.<br />
Pierre Richard, Michel Bouquet, Fabrice Greco, Charles<br />
Gerard, Jacques Francois, Michel Aumont.<br />
Tricoutinental 87 Minutes Rel. May '79<br />
Made in Castro's Cuba in 1966, this very funny look at<br />
bm-eaucracy has been withheld from release here because<br />
it was felt to be too critical of the then-prevailing conditions<br />
to be fully miderstood or appreciated. Now that the<br />
climate has changed, the black and white Spanish dialog<br />
film can be seen. Dii-ector Tomas Gutierrez Alea made<br />
not only a poUtical satire but also a tribute to the masters<br />
of cinema, chief among them being Luis Bunuel. The sm--<br />
realism of Bunuel, particularly from "The Andalusian<br />
Dog" (1929), is evident in the di-eam sequences and the<br />
influence of Lam-el and Hardy's classic "Big Business"<br />
(1929) can be seen in the car smashing scene. Screenplay<br />
by Alea, Alfredo del Cueto and Ramon F. Suarez— the<br />
latter doubling as cinematographer—concerns the monumental<br />
red tape involved in burying a deceased worker.<br />
Salvador Wood portrays the harried nephew, gohi^<br />
through numerous adventm-es to give his uncle a decent<br />
laying to rest. He and the others in the cast do their<br />
energetic best to keep the comedy up, although the<br />
last reel seems to be a letdown considering what went<br />
before it. Pi-oduced by the Cuban Film Institute, "Bureaucrat"<br />
should have a strong although somewhat limited<br />
appeal in the foreign language houses.-^ohn Cocchi.<br />
Salvador Wood, Silvia Planas, Manuel Estanillo, Gaspar<br />
de SanteUces, Carlos Ruiz de la Tejera, Omar Alfonso.<br />
WALK PROUD<br />
PG<br />
Universal (7906) 102 Minutes Rel. June '79<br />
It Ukes a while to get used to the idea of Robby Benson<br />
as a Chicano. The makeup helps. The accent doesn't.<br />
The original title, "Gang!", would have been better than<br />
the hokey "Walk Proud," which conjurs up memories of<br />
the "Walking Tall" series. Though Benson remains unconvincing<br />
as a tough gang member with his soft-spoken<br />
style and boyish grin, it's evident he's given it an honest<br />
try. Even though the makeup is laid on thick, Benson<br />
still looks Uke a fraternity kid with a suntan, especially<br />
while strolling with his Anglo girlfriend, Sarah Holcomb.<br />
Much less convincing than Benson is the Evan Hunter<br />
story, du-ected by Robert CoUins. Tl-ie tough Chicano<br />
gangs need only musical accompaniment to be the clones<br />
of the Puerto Rican tough guys in "West Side Story.'<br />
And if Benson's tough-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside<br />
personality doesn't mimic Tony Manero's in "Saturday<br />
Night Fever," then this isn't 1979. With regard to love<br />
interest Holcomb, the best compliment is that she's pretty.<br />
She manages to remain sU-angely emotionless in even<br />
the most di-amatic scenes. If there was a meatier pm-pose<br />
to this Lawrence Tm-man production beyond giving Chicanos<br />
their turn on their screen. "Walk Pi-oud" just<br />
doesn't hack it.—Stu Goldstein.<br />
Robby Benson, Sarah Holcomb, Henry Darrow, Pepe<br />
Sema, Trinidad Silva, Ji-Tu Cumbuka.<br />
SAINT JACK S<br />
"""'^<br />
New World 112 Minutes Rel.<br />
Once upon a time, Peter Bogdanovich made three of<br />
the Seventies' biggest hits in a row; then he made thi-ee<br />
of the decade's biggest flops. Now he's trying again with<br />
a Ben Gazzara starrer about a pimp in Singapore. As it<br />
usuaUy is with prostitutes, he has a heart of gold and<br />
doesn't let anything trouble him for too long. Bogdanovich,<br />
who du-ected and co-authored the original screenplay<br />
with Howard Sackler and Paul Theroux, has garnered<br />
a good deal of press coverage; whether or not he<br />
has a hit remains to be seen. The story is uneven, tending<br />
'"=1, to amble rather than move at a fast clip. Acting is quite<br />
'•l'<br />
impressive thi-oughout, with Gazzara and Denholm Elliott<br />
taking top honors as two decent types from decidedly different<br />
worlds. The characters give the story spice and interest.<br />
There is a lot of nudity by both sexes, but virtually<br />
no sex. Lisa Lu, who was also the assistant producer, and<br />
George Lazenby, a one-time James Bond, have supporting<br />
roles, along with Bogdanovich as an operator who<br />
becomes involved with Gazzara. With Hugh M. Hefner<br />
and Edward L. Rissien as executive producers, the Playboy-Shoals<br />
Ci-eek-Copa de Oro picture was produced on<br />
location by Roger Corman. Both Bogdanovich and Gazzara<br />
have been quoted as saying that the film represents<br />
their best work.—John Cocchi.<br />
Ben Gazzara, Denholm Elliott, James Villiers, Joss<br />
Ackland, Peter Bogdanovich, Lisa Lu.<br />
EVERY WEEK<br />
Don't Let Your Subscription Lapse!<br />
Opportunity<br />
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Keep It<br />
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the Reverse Side<br />
The reviews on these pages moy be filed for future reference in ony of the foilow.ng ways: (1) '» ""^ '""i'"'' 'J "''SI<br />
loose-leof binder; (2) indlviduolly, by compony, in ony stondord 3x5 cord Index file; or (3) in the BOXOFFICE PICTURE<br />
GUIDE three-ring, poeket-sixe binder. The letter. Including o year's supply of booking ond doily record sheets, moy be<br />
obtained from Vance Publishing Corp., 825 Von Brunt Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. 64124 for $3.50.<br />
BOXOFTICE BookinGuide :: Mav 28, 1979 5117
FEATURE REVIEWS Story Synopsis; Exploitips; Adiines for Newspapers and Programs<br />
THE STORY:<br />
"Walk Proud" (Univ)<br />
Robby Benson is a young CWcano who lives with liis<br />
mother in a Los Angeles barrio. She is unaware that her ^son<br />
son is a menrber of a gang called the Azteca, to which "iiO)<br />
Benson belongs primarily because it reinforces his Chicano<br />
heritage. He does not approve of many of the group's<br />
activities. Benson meets and falls in love with schoobnate<br />
Sarah Holcomb, whose parents object to the relationship.<br />
Holcomb does not know about Benson's gang activities<br />
mitil police question him about a bm-glary. At his grandmother's<br />
fmieral, Benson meets his father, who is white,<br />
for the first time. This causes him to reconsider his<br />
standing as an Azteca. When a rival gang crosses out the<br />
"Azteca" name on a wall, tensions begin to build. Later,<br />
the rival gang beats up one of the Aztecas. The Azteca<br />
leader pledges to kill members of the other gang. Benson<br />
announces his intentions to not go on the killing spree,<br />
knowing that he wiU be banished from the group. In the<br />
banishment ritual, Benson must submit to being hit by<br />
each member. Having sm-vived this, Benson realizes he<br />
can be proud of his heritage without being an Azteca.<br />
EXPLOITIPS:<br />
"Adios, Yesterday," sung by Robby Benson, will be released<br />
as a single by MCA Records. Tie in with the Bantam<br />
paperback.<br />
CATCHLINES:<br />
He Was Tough Enough for the Streets—Was He Tough<br />
Enough to Leave Them
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