Boxoffice-May.21.1979

1

HARRY

MAY 21. 1979

It took God to create woman . .

and these five men to conceive of

a beautiful 19-year old girl programmed

to accomplish the impossible.

ELLIOTT KASTN^„

and DANNY ^DONOVAN

in Association with

AVCO Embassy Pictures Corp.

A JOSEPH SARGEn/hLM

GOLDENGIRL"

JAMES COBUP

AJsoStan

LESLIE CARON

ROBERT GULP

GUARDING

CURTJURGENS

HNNEWCOMBE

C

and introducing

, ;,

-\StJSAN ANTON

TeenplaybyJOHNKOHN

'" vel by PETER LEAR

...usicbyBILLCONTI

^Lyrics by CAROL CONNORS

Produced by DANNY O'DONOVAN

Directed by JOSEPH SARGENT

"7 AN AVCO EMBASSY RELEASE

Opens June 15th

af^Theatres Everywhere

memo to advertisers

PAY YOUR IVPieY

ANDTAKPyoUR CHANCES

That's pretty much the way it is with some advertising media—

not even the proprietor really knows for sure what he is selling.

Most times unl

AI Film Rentals Dip

47 Percenl in 1978-79

BEVERLY HILLS — American Inlcinalional

Pictures reported revenues of $45.48

million and a net loss of $L521 million (63

cents per share) lor the fiscal year ended

March 3, 1979.

For the fiscal year ended February 25,

1978, revenues were $5L228 million and

net income including extraordinary income

of $1,485 million (60 cents per share) was

$3,301 million ($1.34 per share).

Chiefly responsible for the net loss was

the decline in theatrical film rentals. Domestic

and foreign theatrical film rentals

were down 47 percent and 39 percent respectively,

while nontheatrical and other

film rentals remained at the same level as

last

year.

Television revenues were up 118 percent

over last year aided by revenues realized

from licensing of television programming

aimed for exhibition during non-prime time

hours.

However, this record-setting performance

did not offset the reduction in theatrical

rentals.

Reflecting its continuing excellent performance

in television, the company reported

that it will begin the new year with

$24 million of television license agreements

and commitments. This figure is not reflected

in the financial statements because the

films involved are for future telecast.

AI will seek to expand its development of

non-prime time television programming.

This, coupled with the excellent audience

to reception the theatrical release of "Love

at First Bite" should result in a "positive

start for the new year," according to the

company.

Anti-Blind Bid Bill

Is Stalled in Texas

AUSTIN. Tex—Anti-blind bidding legislation

faces an uncertain future in Texas,

pending any action or nonaction, by the

House calendars committee, where the bill

appears to be stalled.

Anti-blind bid legislation passed the Texas

Senate, 26-0, on April 11 and the House

Committee, 9-0, on April 24. Many observers

feel that Texas is a crucial swing state,

as blind-bid legislation being passed or killed

here could affect

the future of such legislation

in other states.

The calendars committee schedules all

bills for debate on the House floor. If the

bill is not moved out of committee by the

end of this month, anti-blind hid legislation

will die in Texas.

Published weekly, acept one Issue »t year-end, by

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City, Ml.'ssourl 64124. Subscription rates: Sectional

Edition. $15.00 per year, forelen, $25.00. National

Executive Edition: $26.00, foreign. $30.00. Single

copy, T5c. Second class postage paid at Kansas City,

Mo. BOXOFFICB PubUcaUon No. (USPS 062-260).

BOXOFFICE :: May 21, 1979

Effects of California Gas Shortage

On Moviegoing Still Undetermined

By RALPH KAMINSKY

West Coast Editor

HOLLYWOOD — Gasoline shoitages

.Southern California are having a •crunch"

effect on theatre attendance.

One chain reports a 30 to 35 percent drop

in business, while one of the biggest operators

of drive-ins declared candidly, "We

definitely are hurting."

But, as even these spokesmen point out,

too early to push the panic button."

"It's

Two other factors complicate the gasshortage

picture:

A million people drove to the Los Angeles

County beaches Mother's Day, Sunday,

May 13. The holiday, coupled with the

sunny weather, had an adverse effect on

theatre-going.

A survey of key circuits in the Los Angeles

area produced a consensus that there

are too many variables to judge whether the

shortage is having a definite effect on theatre

attendance.

Bob Selig, speaking for Pacific Theatres,

asserted, "We haven't reached the point

where we are upset, but we definitely are

hurting."

'Business Generally Off

Selig could give no comparative figures

on the drop in attendance but said, "Business

is generally off" at both hardtops and

drive-ins. "Our managers are beginning to

show a pronounced sensitivity to the

crunch," he said,

Bruce C. Corwin, president of Metropolitan

Theatres, reported a 30 to 35 percent

reduction in business. He attributed a part

of the decrease to the "great hot weather"

that sent thousands to the beaches.

William Hertz, vice president of operations

for Mann Theatres, reported a lowering

in attendance but pointed out that the

month of May is "a normally low-grossing

period." Other circuit spokesmen also men-

be able to judge its effect really until a big

blockbuster opens across the country."

That, he said, would permit an analysis of

the difference in grosses, if any in areas

where the gasoline shortage is not as acute

as in California.

"All this may promote a spirit of togetherness,"

Hertz noted. People may begin sharring

rides and couples may begin double

dating, he said,

"We may exploit that aspect in theatre

advertising, if the shortage of fuel continues

and the impact becomes more evident." he

said.

in

Selig thought that Pacific I'hcalrcs might

consider mounting an advertising and promotion

campaign reminding the public that

movies are still the nearest entertainment

in your neighborhood." Car pooling, especially

for drive-ins, he said, also could be

emphasized.

Antitrust Suit Filed

By 7 Major Circuits

LOS ANGELES—A group of major exhibitors

has filed a federal antitrust suit

against the MPAA and seven major film

companies, alleging violations in trade practices

and discrimination in film ratings.

The suit was filed May 1 1 in Central District

of Calif. Federal Court in Los Angeles

by American Multi Cinema, Plitt Theatres,

Mann Theatres, United Artists Theatres,

Pacific Drive-In Theatres. Harry Mace Co.

and Sero Amusement. The suit charges that

the major distributors "in combination,

completely own, operate and control" the

distribution of motion pictures throughout

the United States.

Named as defendants in the action, besides

the MPAA, were Warner Bros., Paramount.

Universal, 20th Century-Fox, United

Artists, Buena Vista and Columbia.

The circuits are also bitter about the film

rating system, alleging that the defendants

"discriminate in favor of members of the

MPAA and independent producers who distribute

their pictures through members of

the MPAA by using a double rating standard

. . . rating such motion pictures to enhance

their boxoffice appeal and effectively

discriminating against the producers of

film product not distributed by the defendants."

The plaintiffs also charged the major distributors

tioned the May drop-off.

with deliberately manipulating the

Hertz and others pointed out that the ratings of blind-bid pictures, this creating

good pictures continued to draw big grosses a false impression and misleading exhibitors

while the lesser films suffered. Leammie into booking films that they otherwise

Theatres reported that "The Innocent" set

a record gross of $26,733 in its first week

might have agreed to rental terms on had a

•fair and objective" rating been issued.

at the Music Hall; "Manhattan" grosses were

"going into the stratosphere" and "A Little

Romance" was also breaking records.

"The gas crunch is an unknown quantity

at this time," Hertz observed. "We won't

Filmways Reports Seventh

Year of Higher Revenues

NEW YORK — Filmways Inc. reported

its seventh successive year of higher revenues

and net income. Revenues for the fiscal

year ended Feb. 28, 1979, were $153.-

412,000 compared with $140,566,000 in

1978. an increase of 9 percent. Net income

more than doubled to $7,842,000

from $3,524,000 last year, resulting in a

24 percent increase in income per common

share to $1.64 against $1.32 last year.

For the fourth quarter, revenues rose to

$37,686,000 from $37,275,000 last year,

while reported net income advanced by 38

percent to SI. 304.000.

. . . yes

. . the

THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY

Published In Fix Sectional Edition!

WILLIAM C. VANCE

Publisher

JOHN F. BERRY

Assoc. Publisher/National Sales Manager

CHARLES F. ROUSE III

Editor

BEN SHLYEN Executive Editor

MORRIS SCHLOZMAN Business Manaoer

HARVEY SHARP Circulation Director

GARY BURCH Equipment Editor

JONNA JEFFERIS Associate Editor

STUART A. GOLDSTEIN Associate Editor

RON SCHAUMBURG Associate Editor

JIMMY SUMMERS Associate Editor

KEVIN KIOUS Associate Editor

RALPH KAMINSKY West Coast Editor

JOHN COCCHI East Coast Editor

ADMINISTRATIVE

VANCE HERBERT A. Chairman

B. JOHN ONEIL President

J. JAMES STAUDT Vice-President

Executive

C. WILLIAM VANCE Vice-President

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OBI.

1 979

No. 7

llillB';^m> ^7^ Mi^ 7^>&ieSU^.

AN

SHAPING THE FUTURE TODAY

UNHERALDED SAGE once proffered

the following wisdom: "It's

all right to look forward to the future

as long as you don't trip over the past."

It's all part of growing up, as one might

say.

Since their federal enactment nearly

three decades hence, the motion picture

consent decrees have been the subject of

recurring scrutiny and debate by concerned

parties on both sides of the industry

fence.

This week in Southern District of N.Y.

Federal Court, the issue of consent decrees

and the various restraints invoked

therein — principally the divorcement of

the major theatre concerns from producer-distributor

affiliation and restrictions

on the future acquisition of theatre properties—will

again have its day in court.

Judge Edmund Palmieri will begin

hearing pre-trial testimony on Wednesday

on petitions filed by three eminent

exhibition circuits—RKO-Stanley Warner,

Mann and Loews -asking for I'elief

from various provisions as set forth in

the consent decrees formally enacted in

the late '40s and early '50s.

It is ironic, but not altogether surprising,

that the very premise on which the

consent decrees are based—to stimulate

competition and foster a healthy business

climate in all corners of the industry—is

the root of the challenge still being voiced

today, albeit this time by those operating

under the constraints ordered in the decrees.

The substance of the petitions being

brought before Judge Palmieri by RKO-

Stanley Warner, Mann and Loews is the

basic inequity that exists today within

exhibition as a result of the consent decrees

of circa 1950.

The complaints raised by the litigants

are common in origin. Each is either an

orphaned survivor or direct descendant

of one of the major companies for which

the decrees were intended.

Under the terms of the RKO decree of

June 1948, the first one to be formally

enacted by the courts, RKO-Stanley Warner

can produce and distribute films and

own theatres in which it has a direct interest,

but must gain the approval of the

courts before acquiring additional property.

The circuit currently operates 73

screens in 34 theatres.

Mann became party to the decrees

when, in 1973, it purchased 115 screens

in 50 locations from the then National

General circuit, a direct spin-off of ]

20th Century-Fox consent decree of Ji

1951. Mann owns approximately

screens nationwide.

Loews' growth is restricted by virtu

the decree entered against MGM-Lc

in February 1952. Loews presently bo.!

121 screens in 63 theatres. In additi

the circuit is prohibited from product

and distribution and must get court

mission to acquire new theatre pro]

ties.

Although the growth of the three

cuits in question has been held in eh

under the terms of the onerous, anc

many respects outdated, consent deer

other substantial exhibitor groups s

as General Cinema Theatres and Un;

Artists Theatres have been allowed

grow and prosper to their present ,

outside of the restrictive confines of

decrees. To put it in more graphic ter

General Cinema has more than

screens under its wing, and UATC che

in with close to 700. Add to that the 1

that both circuits are reported to h

their fingers in the production pie

well.

No one expects or wants to see a rati

to the conditions that existed in the {

consent era. But times have chan^

and likewise the conditions that pre

i

in the industry. Although the major

tributors have, for the most part, ret£

ed their "major" stature, their couni

parts in exhibition have not fared q\

'

as well, due in no small part to

hand-tying restraints placed on them

the sweeping provisions laid down by

. consent decrees.

The time is long overdue for these

equities to be brought to the attentior

the courts. Furthermore, the divoi

ment of theatres from producer-distri

tor affiliation has contributed greatly

recent years to the shortage of prod

hitherto unforeseen by those who oi

advocated this as a means of bring

much-needed relief to oppressed theatJ

Modification of the consent decrees co

allow this situation to reverse itself

preciably by opening the doors to

additional flow of product into the m

ketplace.

The future of exhibition in particii

and the industry in general rests in la

degree on the decisions made today. 1

case now before Judge Palmieri is of

small significance in the execution

that vital process.

Okla

N.

Columbia Reports Drop

In March Qtr. Income

NEW YORK—Columbia Pictures liiilus

tries has reported a 26.7 percent drop in

net income for the March quarter. Figures

released indicated net income of $11.8 million,

or $1.22 per share. This income was

down from $16.1 million, or $1.75 pei share

In the same quarter last year,

Francis T. Vincent Jr., president, al

tributes the decline to "the mix of theatrically

released products."

Operating income of filmed cnlerlainment

was $18.9 million, down 24 percenl.

Records and music weie off 83 percenl.

Amusement games rose 3 percent, while

broadcasting income was up 42 percenl.

Avco, UA Display Wares

At Cannes Film Festival

CANNES, FRANCE — Avco Embassy

Pictures and its product lineup were strongly

in evidence at this year's Cannes Film

Festival.

The company organized a comprehensive

marketing program for the annual film

event that included more than a dozen special

screenings, a luncheon conference and

personal appearances by singer-actress Susan

Anton, writer-film pioducer Joseph Wambaugh

and others celebrities.

"Winter Kills," "The Bell Jar." "Murder

by Decree," "Goldengirl," "Kiss in Attack

of the Phantoms," "A Very Big Withdrawal"

and "The Onion Field" were highlighted

in a week and a half of selective outof-competition

screenings.

Representing Avco at Cannes were William

E, Chaikin, president; Bob Rehmc,

executive vice president and chief operating

officer; and Herb Fletcher, vice president in

charge of international sales.

On May 16, Chaikin and the other Avco

representatives held a special luncheon for

international distributors at the Majestic Hotel

in Cannes. Particular emphasis was placed

on the worldwide release of Avco's new

"invested in" product. In addition, the company's

continuing efforts in other acquisions

and distribution arrangements such as the

ncwiy signed "The Onion Field" and the

recently filmed "The Fog" were discussed.

Highlights of other upcoming Avco projects

such as "Terry and the Pirates" and "Gusher"

were presented at the luncheon conference.

United Artists was represented at this

year's festival with three majoi 1979 releases.

Milos Forman's "Hair" opened the event

May 10, when it was shown out of competition.

This was "Hair's" first showing

outside the United States, where it is now in

national release. The European premiere

took place in Paris May 11.

On May 12, Woody Allen's "Manhattan,"

currently setting boxoffice records in theatres

across the United States and in Canada,

was shown, also out of competition.

Francis Coppola's "Apocalypse Now" was


presented May 19 as "in-compctition filmin-progress"

at the Palais des Festival Theatre.

Although United Artists will be distributing

the picture only in the United

States, Canada and Puerto Rico, the company

wanted the wide international exposure

the film received at Cannes.

MCA Reports Record

1st Quarter Earnings

NEW YORK—MCA Inc. reports ih.ii

first quarter net income rose to $63.9 million,

or $2.74 a share. These figures show

gains from last year's report, which indicated

$21.4 million,

or 92c per share.

Lew R. Wasserman. MCA chairman, reported

also that revenues reached a record

$2S3 million, up nearly 20 percent.

The report showed a 20 percent rise in

film entertainment, up to $32.7 million.

These figures reflects the results of "National

Lampoon's Animal House," and "The

Deer Hunter," Also included are foreign

revenues from "Jaws 2."

Chicago Survey Indicates

MPAA Code Often 'A Sham'

CHICAGO—According to a recent survey,

many exhibitors are not upholding the

MPAA rating code of G-PG-R-and X. Most

apparent, according to the report made by

WBBM-TV. is the lack of adherence to

R-rated films. According to the MPAA

code, films rated R are supposed to bar persons

under 17 who are not accompanied by

a parent or guardian. The report indicated

a

"slippage" figure of 75 percent.

The survey, conduced secretly by WBBM

film critic Gene Siskel and other members of

the station, included 24 area theatres here.

Siskel called the MPAA code "a sham"

with regards to the barring of minors to

R-rated films. Of the 24 theatres surveyed,

children, ages 12 and 13, were admitted at

18 of the theatres.

Jack Valenti, MPAA president, said he

COMING SOON...

A

BIGGER

and

BETTER

BOXOFFICE

would personally call the NATO president

and urge him to discuss the situation with

the negligent Chicago area theatres. Valcnti

also encouraged parents to call the theatres

and voice their own complaints.

AFI Given IBM Grant

BEVERLY HILLS—The American Film

Institute has received a $25,000 grant from

IBM for the general support of the AFI

Center for Advanced Film Studes in Beverly

Hills.

"This is an important grant for the American

Film Institute because it shows concerned

support for the Center for Advanced

Film Studies from a major private corporation

that is not in the film induslry," commented

Peter Wert, director of d.-velopment

for AFI.

CLEARING HOUSE

DRIVEIN THEATRE CONSTRUCTION

SCREEN TOWEHS INTEBNATIONAL: Ton

Day Screen Installation, screens resurfaced.

(817) 642-3591. Drawer P. Rogers,

Texas 76569^

DRIVE-IN THEATRE SCREENS paint»rl

and repaired in Tex Mex Ark.,

, , ,

and La. Gene Taylor. P O Box 3524, Shawnee,

Ks. 66203. (913) 631-9695.

THEATRE SCREEN RENOVATION to enhance

quality o! your picture. Renew old

screen with our process. New screens also

installed. Dazzling Construction, (516) 581-

4653.

THEATRE REMODELING

ASCO Auditorium Services Companv

Theatre refurbishing—designing—acoustical

wall covering— seat refurbishing^custom

seat covers-— screens, frames, main act

curtains, black masking conversion systems.

Materials and labor supplied. Coll

(617) 769-6680. Endicott St., Bldg 25, Norwood,

Mass. 02062.

SERVICES

INDOOR THEATRE MUSIC programming

for today's audiences, today's movies and

today's theatres. C & C Music Service.

(815) 397-9295.

BUSINESS STIMULATORS

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BINGO CARDS DIE CUT: 1-75, 1500 combinations

in color. PREMIUM PRODUCTS

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

(212) 246-4972.

daily/weekly boxoffice reports. ii

schedules, passes, labels, etc. Write

samples, prices. Dixie Lltho, Box 882,

lanta, GA 30301.

PROMOTE YOtJR FILMS In restaura

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'all or write lor brochures.

More Classified Listing

On Inside Back Cover

From Football to Film Isnt Easy,

But Joe Kapps Done It

Joe Kapp

By STU GOLDSTEIN

Associate Editor

KANSAS CITY—Joe Kapp has made ihe

transition from football hero to movie actor

;o associate producer

.1 smooth one. He's

made it a successful

one, too. going from

All-Pro quarterback

to a succession of acting

roles including

parts in "The Longest

Yard" and "Semi-

Tough," both with

Burt Reynolds. Now

Kapp has turned his

attention to the production

side of film. Thanks to a little prodding

from producer George Litto, Kapp is

associate producer of Orion's "Over the

Edge," being leleased through Warner Bros.

The husky athlete-turned-actor execulive

is eager to get his message out about "Over

the Edge." The message is that the picture

is

for everybody. "Adults and young people

will each get their own message from this

film," Kapp believes. For young people

(undoubtedly "Edge's" primary audience)

there is the "message" of seeing kids like

themselves on the screen, dealing with the

contemporary peer pressures that Kapp calls

"typical" for today's youth. For the adults,

especially the parents. Kapp believes "Edge"

is a "must-see" film that will allow them lo

understand what today's kids are experiencing.

A Typical Mixture

Not all the kids in the picture are bad

kids. The characters offer a rather typical

potpourri of average middle-class American

young people, Kapp believes. This "typical

mixture" includes both good and bad kid.s

youths that have already gone "over the

edge" and one who is still "on the edge."

"In fact, our working title was 'On Ihc

Edge.' " explained Kapp. A central plot line

in the film is the dilemma one character

must face in trying to decide between peer

pressure and parental guidance. He is, quite

literally, "on the edge."

There is a good deal of violence and drug

usage depicted, subjects that Kapp believes

arc rea.sons for parents to see the movie,

too. "Drug use is everywhere," insists Kapp.

"It's important for parents to realize this is

going on." The film doesn't condone drug

u.se, but in an attempt to relate to young

audiences, some ambiguous "inside" humor

has been included. "The humor in the picture

may pass by the adults," Kapp admiiud.

One such humorous incident concerns

a 14-year old drug dealer who tells

his customers (other teenagers) his prices

must go up "due to inflation." The dealer

in this case comes from a moderately affluent

family, has extra money and his

With 'Edge

mother is seemingly unaware of what hei

son's involved with.

"These are the kids today." says Kapp.

"They have money and this is what some

of them do with it. These incidents are based

on true occurrences." "Drug use is like

white collar crime." he went on to explain.

"It's there, but no one wants to talk about

it." Kapp believes the situations that are

depicted in the affluent suburban neighborhoods

of "Over the Edge" are totally realistic.

"Believe me, the picture is very much in

tune with what's going on."

No Violence Expected

The violent aspect of "Over the Edge" is

a big part of the film. Kapp, however, does

not expect any violent outbreaks like those

that occurred with "The Warriors" and

other gang pictures. "No one in this picture

is out to hurt another human being." Kapp

related. "The only violence is that against

property."

The young actors recruited for the picture,

are, for the most part, amateurs. One

young actor, Matt Dillon, who Kapp says

didn't change his name, reminds Kapp of

a young Marlon Brando with his tough-guy

mannerisms. Kapp credits director Jonathan

Kaplan with bringing out the "realistic"

acting styles as evidenced by Dillon and the

other stars including Pamela Ludwig, Tom

Fergus. Jeff Fleury and Vincent Spano, one

of the few "professional" actors in the

group.

One of the main "messages" in the film,

accoiding to Kapp, is the need for communication

within the family. The main

character in the movie, the one who's "on

the edge," finally gets through to his parents

when he gets into trouble. Then his

father, who up to then had only been interested

in furthering his career, finally

begins to understand some of the problems

his son has been facing.

Problems Are Real

"Many parents have related stories to me

about how their own kids are 'on the edge.'

Hopefully, this picture will scare them into

seeing how real these problems are." Kapp

also sa'd that

working with the young actors

has helped him to understand these problems

himself, especially the kinds of pressures

that could confront his own son, who

is 15. "Hopefully, everyone will see a little

bit of themselves in the picture."

The film was produced on a $.1 million

budget and was completed after 40 days

of principal photography. All lensing was

on location in Colorado, photographed by

Andy Davis. Major ad campaigns for the

picture includ; TV buys on youth-oriented

programs. "Over the Edge" opened May 18

in eight markets, with a soundtrack album

scheduled for June. When asked about future

projects, Kapp said there are other

projects in the works with George Litto, the

names of which will be announced in the

future.

Technicolor Reports

Record Third Quarter

LOS ANGELES — Technicolor Inc.

reported

net income for the quarter ended

March 31, 1979, of $2,133,000 or $.73 per

share, calculated on 2,932,877 average

shares outstanding. For the third consecutive

quarter, the company achieved its

highest quarterly earnings and- earnings per

share from operations. In the comparable

period of the prior year, the company reported

a net loss of $445,000 or $1.5 per

share on 2,926,459 overage shares. Sales

and other income were $40,737,000 as

compared to $34,387,000 in the prior year.

The net income increase was mainly due

to a non-recurring charge to earnings made

in the prior year of $1,786,000 or $.61

per share, improved operating results at the

company's professional film processing facility

in Rome, the acquisition of all of the

outstanding minority shares of The Vidtronics

Company Inc. and increased sales

activity at the company's North Hollywood

professional film processing facility.

Loews Reports 79 Percent

Income Rise for Quarter

NEW YORK—The Loews Corp. has

reported

its most profitable first quarter ever

with net income rising 79 percent to $51.8

million. Last yeai's report indicated $28.9

million. Revenues rose 12.5 percent to $916

million, up from $814 million during Ihe

same period in 1978.

These 1979 figures include investmeni

gains of $12.3 million, or $1.07 per share,

up from $3.1 million, or 26 cents per share.

a year earlier.

SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM

BOXOFHCE:

825 Van Brunt Blvd.

Kansas City, Mo. 64 124

Please enter my subscription to BOX-

OFFICE.

n 1 YEAR $15.00

n 2 YEARS $28.00

D Remittance Enclosed

n Sond Invoice

Outside U.S., Canada and Pan American

Union, $25.00 Per Year.

THEATRE

STREET

TOWN

NAME

ZIP CODE

POSITION

STATE

May 21, 1979

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FILM PROJEaS

Happy Birthday Gemini will begin shooting

June 18 in Toronto. The Canadian feature

will be produced by Alan King and

Rupert Hitzik. Ralph Benner will direct.

Madeline Kahn and Rita Moreno are already

signed to star.

The First Hello, to be produced by BM

Filmcorp 1. is set to shoot Aug. 27. Lensing

will take place in Banff, Alberta, with Harvey

Hart directing from a script by Bud

Townsend. Timothy Bottoms will star.

Bruce Mallen will produce with Gene Slott

set as executive producer.

Principal photography on The Man With

Bogart's Face commenced at MGM studios

May 14. Feature is being filmed on a

deal with Melvin Simon Pro-

Robert Day has been set to direct.

Lorimar Productions plans to begin loci.tion

shooting in the fall in Los Angeles

and New York on Saturday Night Knife and

Gun Club. The urban comedy will be produced

by Jerry Leider from a script by

Arnold Schulman.

Linton Productions plans to begin shooting

in July on Knocking on Heaven's Door.

Picture will be a $2 million project to be directed

by John Linton who also co-wrote the

screenplay with Stephen Aubery. The comedy

will deal with the adventures of senior

on The Threat. Dominique Sand will

star in the contemporary adventure story

by Fausto Canal.

Otto Preminger plans shooting on location

this summer on The Human Factor. Based

on the novel by Graham Greene, story concerns

British Secret Service activities in London

and South Africa. Tom Stoppard wrote

'the script. Already cast are Nicol Williamson,

Richard Attenborough, Robert Morley,

John Gielgud and New York model

Iman.

Charles Fries Productions plans to produce

Crash of '79. Picture will be based on

Paul Erdman's book to be adapted for the

screen by David Sherwin. Fries and Malcolm

Stuart will be executive producers.

Warner Bros, has set a Sept. 1 start on

location in the Southwest on Honeysuckle

Rose. Story concerns a married, middleaged

country-western singer who falls in

love with a young singer. Country-western

star Willie Nelson will make his starring

debut in the role. Gene Taft wlil produce,

lerry Schatzberg will direct. Nelson will

A'rite and sing the original music for the

film.

Hollywood Blvd., story of the last years

in the life of actress Barbara Peyton, will be

produced by Kevin Casselman. Screenplay

s by Ellis St. Joseph. Ray Ellis is writing

he score.

MAN International Productions plans to

begin shooting early next year on the first

of three films to be made during the next

three years. The films will have a total budget

of $22 million. First to go before the

cameras in Europe will be the $8 million

The Man Who Laugh.s. Other projects include

The Devil Came to Dublin and The

Yellow Bus.

Section Eight, comedy-drama, will be

made by Cy Chermak's Francy Productions.

Story concerns a man who tries to rig a

newspaper puzzle contest.

Where the Buffalo Roam will begin production

for Universal July 5. Peter Boyle

and Bill Murray star. Art Linson will produce

and direct from a screenplay by John

Kaye. Picture will be fictionally drawn from

events in the life of "Gonzo Journalist" Dr.

Hunter S. Thompson.

American Gigolo, starring Richard Gere

and Lauren Hutton, has completed principal

photography. Lensing took ten weeks in the

Los Angeles area. A late 1979 release is

scheduled.

FEATURE

CASTING

Richard Roundtree has a starring role in

Oh, Inchon. Story is a drama about the Ko-

citizens, their romances and eccentricities. rean War. Filming will commence May 28

Producer Jerry B. Wheeler is scheduling a in Korea. Terence Young is director.

start this summer in the U.S., France and Buck Taylor will play Dynamite Dick in

Cattle Annie and Little Britches. Picture is

now shooting in Durango, Mexico.

Franco Nero, Olivia Hussey, Victor

Buono and Herbert Lorn have been cast in

The Man With Bogart's Face. Shooting began

May 14.

13-year old newcomer, has

been chosen by producers Richard Zanuck

and David Brown to play Michael Caine's

son in The Island. Lensing began May 14.

Los Angeles newscaster Larry Attebery

has been cast as a TV newscaster in MGM's

Captain Avenger.

Jeffrey Frank,

Argentina Brunette, Ralph Manza and

Peggy Mondo will portray members of the

same family who gather for the funeral of

their young cousin in

Fatso.

Rhonda Fleming has been signed for a

featured role in Universal's The Return of

Maxwell Smart. She will play Edith Von

Secondburg, an ex-model. Sylvia Kristel will

play Agent 34 in the movie.

George Dzundza, fresh from his role in

"The Deer Hunter." has been signed to join

Robert Redford and Yaphet Kotto in Brubaker.

Harry Hamlin has signed for a role in

MGMs Clash of the Titans.

Rodeo champion Kenny Call will make

his film debut in Hemdale's Cattle Annie

and Little Britches.

TECHNICAL

ASSIGNMENTS

Bill Conli will compose the nuisieal score

lor Senator. Alan Alda stars for Universal.

Designer Jean-Pierre Dorlcac will do the

coslimies for Somewhere in Time and Blue

Lagoon.

Cathlecn Stimmers will serve as associate

producer for Wind River.

Joe Camp has signed Stan Frcberg to

develop the radio advertising campaign for

Mulberry Square's The Double McGuffin.

John G. Avildsen will direct Fu Manchu,

to be produced bu Zev Braun and Leland

Nolan for Orion Pictures, Peter Sellers will

play the dual role of Fu Manchu and Inspector

Nayland Smith.

Felton Jarvis, producer of all of Elvis

Presley's records since 1965, will produce

the vocal track for The King of Rock 'n

Roll.

John Ramos will wear two hats for Coal

Miner's Daughter, serving as assistant prop

master and playing a singing star who goes

berserk.

Francis Coppola's American Zoetrope

Company will supervise post-production on

MGM's Hide in Plain Sight. Release of the

film has been recheduled from its original

August date in order to complete post-production

chores.

Henry Mancini and Bob Wells will write

a third song for Orion Picture's 10. Mancini

and Wells have already written two

songs for the film.

ACQUISITIONS

Lou Reda Productions: Option picked up

on The Plot to Impeach William O. Douglas.

Story is a soon-to-be-published book

written by Chicago attorney-author Luis

Kutner.

Edward Shaw Productions; Obtained an

option on the life story of space pioneer

Wernher Von Braun, based on the biography

by Eiik Bergant. Shaw plans to produce

the film version, aiming for a spring

1980 start in Germany.

Steven North; Option taken on Bob Levinson's

novel. Presumed Living, a contemporary

black comedy.

DISTRIBUTION

Group I Films: Worldwide rights to

Clonus, PG-rated science fiction thriller starring

Peter Graves, Keenan Wynn and Dick

Sargent. Test marketing in July.

Cinema Shares Int'l; Agreement made

with Cal-Am .'\rtists to handle foreign representation

of Goodbye Franklin High and

One Man Jury.

Lestrig Trading Company; Italian Stallion,

starring Sylvestor Stallone, purchased from

Stallion Releasing for distribution in Australia,

New Zealand and Pacific Islands.

30X0FFICE May 1979

720

BOXOFFICE BAROMETER

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

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

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

relation to overage grosses os determined by the theatre managers. With 100 per cent os overage,

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

i^^^HT^^HH

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NEW

YORK

gOLTERS & ROSKIN Inc. has been retained

as public relations consultant in

the New Jersey Motion Picture and Television

Development Commission, it was announced

by Sidney Kingsley and Joseph

Friedman, chairman and executive director,

respectively, of the commission.

•

Charles

Green has been appoinlecl Easlcin

advertising manager for United Artists.

II lias been announced by Edward P. Seii^cnfeld.

vice president for advertising and

piihlicity. He had been serving as New York

advertising manager since July, 1977. and

had joined UA in May, 1974. as a member

ol the advertising department.

•

I he Spectacolor sign on the Times Tower

helped promote the National Theatre booking

of "Love at First Bite," it has been acby

American International. A

radio station in Babylon, Long Island,

WBAB, reports that its offer of T-shirts with

the "Love" logo resulted in its best promotional

response. Postcards for the T-shirts

came in from as far away as Connecticut.

The phenomenal film opens in more than

100 showcase theatres May 5.

tended business trip, the first stop being at

Cannes, where he stayed at the Hotel Majestic.

He then proceeds to Paris. Rome. Miiiiich.

Madrid and London to meet willi

officers of the various production and di.s-

Iribution companies represented here by

He is also engaged in the followup on

sales of "Kentucky Fried Movie."

which had extremely successful premiere cii-

gagements in Holland. Japan and the United

1

Kingdom.

•

In the magazines; May's Films in Review

is the Academy Award issue, with articles

on the 51st Academy Awards presentations,

the special Oscar given to the Museum ol

Modern Art and the career of actor Conrad

Nagel, who was one of the founders of the

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Other articles inchide the career ot

Barbara Hale and the television appearances

of Anne Baxter.

•

Continuing on showcase, both mini and

maxi, are "Dawn of the Dead," "The Sileiii

Partner." "Last Embrace." "The Deer Hunter."

"The Exorcist." "The Champ." "Coming

Home." "Manhattan." "Norma Rac."

"Hair" and "Love at First Bite." Avco Embassy's

"Winter KilLt" opened a 50-theatre

break May 18, including the Cinema II and

National.

•

In the magazines: Films in Review for

April features a career article on silent star

Billie Dove by DeWitt Bodeen, and an interview

on Abbott and Costello by their

biographer Bob Thomas, as conducted by

Jeffrey Elliot. William K. Everson's "Re-

discovery" section focuses on George Arliss'

career and his film "Old English"

(1930).

Bookers Luncheon Is Scene

Of Awards. Speeches, Plugs

By JOHN COCCHl

Eastern Editor

NEW YORK—The I

.Mb annual Academy

Award Sweepstakes Luncheon of the

Motion Picture Bookers Club was held April

24 at Rosoffs here, with veteran New Yoik

Post film reviewer Archer Winsten as guest

speaker and surprise appearances by Peter

Bogdanovich and Ben Gazzara. Master of

ceremonies Ralph Donnelly, who heads

Cinema 5, announced that the Sweepstakes

winners were Denise Dorsey of Gulf +

Western, first prize; Becky Schoenfeld, second

prize, and Walter Powell of Georgia,

third prize.

Donnelly introduced Bogdanovich and

Gazzara, director and star respectively of

the New World Pictures release "Saint

Jack." Gazzara thanked Donnelly for arranging

the booking at Cinema I and foi

the sendoff he expected that the film would

have. After saying that there had been a

tew problems with the film but that everything

had "turned out okay," Bogdanovich

emphasized that Donnelly's belief in the film

meant a great deal to him. He thanked Don-

•

Among the many executives attendinis nelly for his "intelligent courage" in putting

the film into Cinema I and then stated

year's is Cannes Film Festival Mimio

Podhorzer. president of United Film Enterprises.

he would keep a close relationship with

that

Inc. He departed May 8 for an ex-

exhibitors as a result of his experiences

with

the film.

Still plugging the film. Bogdanovich mentioned

that advance word on it was good

(later reviews included some very favorable

quotes). In parting, he quoted Howard

pital, was in Kansas City and would receive

the check on May 22.

BUFFALO

Last Embrace' is a solid B picture." said

reviewer Patricia Ward Bicderman of

the Courier-Express. But she added that the

movie "develops a mild case of the shakes

as it moves toward a climactic confrontation

at Niagara Falls." Of the three films shot on

location here last year, "Last Embrace" is

the first to actually appear on area screens.

"Hide in Plain Sight" is in post-production

limbo and "Search and Destroy," a Canadian

quickie about Vietnam vets, has disappeared

without a trace.

Jeff Simon of The News wrote of "Manhattan":

"This is Woody Allen's best movie

—not the funniest, although funny enough.

It can cause crowds to clap and cheer at the

end, happy to be alive and human."

Warner Bros, took full-page ads in The

News and Courier-Express to tell about

their "major Hollywood preview" of "A

Little Romance" May 4-5 at the Holiday 2

Theatre.

According to one report, wrote Doug

Smith in the Courier-Express, an audience

for "Old Boyfriends" stood and cheered the

end of the picture on opening day. It

wasn't

the picture they were cheering, according to

Smith, just the fact that it was over. He

adds that "for a specialized audience, it

would have some appeal."

New films on local screens: "The Last

Embrace," "Manhattan." "The Silent Partner,"

"Dawn of the Dead." "Tourist Trap"

and "Dreamer."

A mini-festival of films by Poland's lead-

Hawks' advice to him, "Just make pictures

ing director Andrzej Wajda was shown at

you'll never be unhappy."

Both Bogdanovich and Gazzara had the Lincoln Theatre May 4-5, including

that make money and

been attending all screenings of the film and "Man of Marble" and "The Promised

were making numerous appearances in connection

Land." The festival continued through May

with it. Donnelly pointed out. Then 19.

Mancuso was given a special "Oscar" for

his Sweepstakes efforts and said he had

postponed a trip to Kansas City for Show-A-

Rama to be there. Martin Newman, who

was to have been presented a check from

the club for the benefit of Will Rogers Hos-

Temporarily, Rules Judge,

Debbie Can Still Do Akron

AKRON. Ohio—Summit County Common

Pleas Judge John W. Reece dismissed

on April 30 the city of Akron's attempt to

ban the showing of "Debbie Does Dallas"

at the Art Theatre. The city sought an injunction

against showing of the film, and

asked that the print of the film be confiscated.

Judge Reece ruled that the same materials

are already involved in criminal charges

of pandering obscenity, and thus cannot be

brought before the court for civil action.

Akron police seized the film April 10. and

employees were charged with pandering obscenity,

the charges now pending in Municipal

Court.

DESIGN • ENGINEERING • CONSTRUCTION

WE NEVER IÎSSED AN OPENING"

ASK AROUND

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E-l

New York

(A\ci.is.' \SLvk!\ giosM^'s lollou Ihc.ilic)

An Almost Perfect (Para). Trans-Lux

East (8.500), 3rd wk 12.000

The American Game (World Northal).

Cinema II (6.000). 3rd wk 5.000

Fedora (UA). Cinema Studio I

(5.0001 4th wk 11.895

Get Out Your Handkerchiefs (New

Line). Paris (9.000). 21st wk. .. 8.000

A Little Romance (Orion-WB). Sutton

(9.000), 3rd wk 27,500

Love on the Run (New World). Coronet

(9.650). 5th wk 6.900

Manhattan (UA). 9 theatres.

3rd wk 354.570

Saint Jack (New World). Cinema I

(10.400). 3rd wk 32.545

The Silent Partner (EMC). 65 theatres.

1st wk 295,000

Teresa the Thief (World Northal).

Gemini I (7.500). 1st wk 1 1,350

Cleveland

The Champ (UA). 5 theatres. 5th wk. . . 145

The China Syndrome (Col). 5 theatres.

9th wk 85

Halk>ween (SR). 2 theatres. 9th wk. ... 145

The Last Embrace (UA), 6 theatres,

1st wk 80

Love at First Bite (AD, 5 theatres,

2nd wk 225

Perfect Couple (20th-Fox). 5 theatres,

1st wk 40

Richard Pryor—Live in Concert (SEE),

4 theatres, 1st wk 400

Star Crash (SR). 3 theatres. 1st wk 170

Superman (WB). 3 theatres, 21st wk. . . 100

Columbus

The Champ (UA), 2 theatres. 5th wk. . .200

The China Syndrome (Col). 3 theatres,

8th wk 120

Dawn of the Dead (SR), Raintree,

3rd wk 300

The Deer Hunter (Univ). 2 theatres.

11th wk 195

The Glacier Fox (SR). Cinema North,

1st wk 75

Hurricane (Para), Raintree, 4th wk. . . . 150

Hair (UA), Continent, 6th wk 200

The Last Embrace (UA), Great Western,

1st wk 50

Love at First Bite (AI), 3 theatres,

2nd wk 240

Norma Rae (20th-Fox), 3 theatres,

4th wk 100

[SRIN I i PIO Wir"'

WINDOW CARDS /CAL IDARS /PROGRAMS

ADVERTISING CO

H0X626, OMAHA, NE 68101 •102 453-6160

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Richard Prjor—Live in Concert

125

(SEE), Continent, 250

I 1th wk

The Promise (Univ). 2 theatres. 5th wk. 180

Silent Partner (SR). Raintree. 6th wk. . .420

Superman (WB). 2 theatres. 21st wk. . . 50

Cincinnati

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (Univ).

3 theatres. 6th wk 225

The Champ (UA). 3 theatres. 5th wk. . .375

The China Syndrome (Col), 3 theatres,

8th wk 350

The Deer Hunter (Univ). 3 theatres.

nth wk 500

Dawn of the Dead (SR). Showcase.

3rd wk 375

Fast Break (Col). 3 theatres, 8th wk. . . 175

The Glacier Fox (SR), Showcase,

1st wk 150

Hair (UA), Showcase, 6th wk 200

Hurricane (Para), Showcase, 4th wk. . .400

The Innocent (SR). Studio. 3rd wk 100

Love at First Bite (AI), Showcase,

4th wk 450

Old Boyfriends (Avco). 2 theatres,

2nd wk 275

Norma Rae (20th-Fox), Showcase,

8th wk 200

The Promise (Univ). 4 theatres,

4th wk 300

Richard Pryor—Live in Concert (SEE).

2 theatres. 12th wk 1 50

Same Time, Next Year (Univ).

Showcase, 13th wk I 50

Superman (WB), 2 theatres, 20th wk. . .350

Buffalo

The Bell Jar (Avco). 1 theatre,

1st wk. 65

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century

(Univ). 1 theatre. 5th wk 100

7 th wk 100

The Deer Hunter (Univ). I theatre.

10th wk 250

Hair (UA). 1 theatre. 6th wk 75

Love at First Bite (AI), 3 theatres.

1st wk 230

Old Boyfriends (Avco), 2 theatres,

1st wk 200

A Perfect Couple (20th-Fox),

1 theatre. 2nd wk 65

The Promise (Univ). 2 theatres,

2nd wk

I 25

f AiViUSEMENTkCDRP.

BUFFALO, NY.

IV ond Pittsburgh

2 CRAIG CLARK


1 theatre, 9th wk 65

Superman (WB), 1 theatre, 20th wk. . . .200

Baltimore

The Champ (UA). Cinema II.

5th wk 90

The China Syndrome (Col),

Westview IV. 8th wk 80

The Deer Hunter (Univ)

Towson, 11 th wk 250

Patterson II. 5th wk 35

The Last Embrace (UA). Cinema 1.

1st wk 40

Love at First Bite (AI). Westview I.

Patterson I. 2nd wk 1 30

Manhattan (Univ). Westview II.

1st wk 150

Norma Rae (20th-Fox). Westview III,

7th wk 40

Old Boyfriends (Avco), Senator,

1st wk 35

New Haven

Beyond the Door #2 (Film Ventures).

Milford Twin Drive-In II. 1st wk. ... 165

Bread and Chocolate (World Northal).

Lincoln. 1 st wk 200


Milford II. 6th wk 75

The Champ (MGM-UA). Showcase V.

5th wk 75

The China Syndrome (Col), Milford I.

8th wk 150

The Deer Hunter (Univ), Showcase IV.

9th wk 175

Firepower (Associated Film), Milford

Twin Drive-In I. 1st wk 200

Love at First Bite (AI), Cinemart II.

3rd wk 135

Manhattan (UA). Showcase I. 1st wk. . .525

Norma Rae (20th-Fox). York Square

Cinema. 4th wk 1 85

The Promise (Univ), Showcase III,

2nd wk 125

The Silent Partner (EMC), Showcase

II. 1st wk 25(y

1

I

Hartford

Beyond the Door #2 (Film Ventures), "

3 theatres. 1st wk 175

The Champ (UA). 3 theatres.

The Champ (MGM-UA), Showcase VI,

3rd wk 150 5th wk 100

The China Syndrome (Col). 3 theatres. The China Syndrome (Col). 3 theatres.

." 8th wk. 175

The Deer Hunter (Univ). Showcase III.

9th wk 185

The Innocent (Analysis), 3 theatres,

1st wk 200

The Last Embrace (UA). Cinema City

III. Elm II. 1st wk 175

Love at First Bite (AI), Showcase V,

4th wk 125

Manhattan (UA), Showcase I,

1st wk 500

Norma Rae (20th-Fox), Cinema City I.

Elm I. 5th wk 135

Picnic at Hanging Rock (Atlantic).

.'\iheneum Cinema. 5th wk 100

The Promise (LIniv). 3 theatres.

2nd wk 75

Richard Pryoi^Live in Concert (SEE).

Showcase IV. 2nd wk 250

Ihe .Silent Partner (EMC), Showcase II.

Isl wk 275

BOXOFFICE Ma' M. 1979

WASHINGTON

a mong the pack of area boxoffice openings,

first runs and revivals is Warner Bros,

release of "A Little Romance," starring

Laurence Olivier, produced by Yves Rousset-Rouard

and Robert L. Crawford and directed

by George Roy Hill, and playing at

five theatres. Appearing at 15 theatres is

"Firepower," starring Sophia Loren and

James Coburn, which was filmed partly on

location in Washington by Michael Winner.

"Dawn of the Dead," appearing in two

theatres, has no rating from the MPAA.

but the national distributor. United Film,

and the local distributor, Wheeler Film,

have urged theatre owners to admit no one

under 17.

Tiercial engagement started the next day at

nine theatres.

M. David Levy, owner and operator of

wo Washington area theatres, the College

Park and the Key in Georgetown, has taken

5ver the Charles Theatre in Baltimore. The

urogram policy will be repertory, revival

.eries and pseudo-neglected American and

oreign language first

runs.

Roth Theatres had a Mother's Day matilee

promotion of $5 admission for the enire

family, regardless of size, provided the

nether of the family purchased the ticket at

he boxoffice.

The Post's Gary Arnold: "If the price

loesn't turn out to be exorbitant, (I hope)

me of the local revival houses will consisder

he Howard Hughes package recently acluired

by Universal. The eight titles

include

Hell's Angels,' 'Scarface,' 'The Outlaw,'

'reston Sturges' 'Mad Wednesday' and 'The

'reshman,' starring Harold Lloyd."

"The Evictors," another horror story, has

een booked into the Ontario Theatre.

PITTSBURGH

The genera] membership meeting of

ATO of West Pennsylvania will be held

the Marriott Inn, Greentree, June 14.

unch and dinner are being offered. There

)XOFFICE :: May 21, 1979

be election of officers and members of quirer, in reviewing "Boulevard Nights,"

it finds to be "a movie in which Hollywood

the board of directors. This is the original

and oldest service exhibitor organization,

now in its 73rd year.

CINCINNATI

TJniversal held a tradcsneak of Peter Sellers'

version of the adventure classic

"Prisoner of Zenda" on May 14 at the Valley

Cinema.

A number of reissues are now on view

Saddles," "Coming Home" and Oh, God!"

Saddles, "Coming Home" and "Oh, God!"

Drive-ins unveiled "The Warriors," Roman

Polanski's "Forbidden Dreams," "Every

Which Way But Loose" and "Richard Pryor

—Live in Concert."

Columbia held a gala premiere of "Hanover

Street" on May 17 to benefit the American

Roger

friends"

Grooms

in the Cincinnati

reviewing

Enquirier

"Old Boy-

said,

Red Cross, District of Columbia chap-

ter. Included in the $30-a-person ticket were

"Talia Shire

as a young

gives

clinical

a bravura performance

psychologist limping

3 wine and cheese party hosted by Neiman away from a shattered marriage . . . But

Marcus at Mazza Gallerie, the 8 p.m. dispite beautiful and risk-taking performances,

screening at General Cinema's Jennifer Cinand

innovative and thoughtful direction,

a provocative script, 'Old Boyfriends'

5ma, and an after-theatre supper at The

Magic Pan. "Hanover Street's" area com- remains a quizzical, almost-made-it film."

Mid States again held Friday and Satiuday

evening sneak previews of Orion's "A

Little Romance" with Laurence Olivier and

Sally Kellerman. This was a "holdover" for

the sneak, of sorts, since the week before

the Kenwood and Studio had held screenings.

Northgate hosted the latest unreeling.

Advertising proclaimed that the additional

preview was for "those who couldn't gel

in" previously.

Avco's new comedy "A Very Big Withdrawal,"

was also sneaked Friday at Kenwood

Mall.

The Palace, a former RKO film house

that was reopened last October after restoration

and polishing to feature major live entertainment,

has been leased to a trio of new

investors. They are Dino Santangelo, Jules

Balkin, and Larry Dolan, and they plan lo

continue featuring live

entertainment.

PHILADELPHIA

Toe Adcock in the Philadelphia Bulletin, in

reviewing "The 5th Musketeer," says:

"There's a lot of fun in this movie for two

sorts of people—those who like romantic

lots of action adventures with swordplay

bill

Juccess of the NATO anti-blind bidding

and those who like

in the seems assured Pennsylvania

fancy millinery." But

Desmond Ryan in the Philadelphia Inquirer

leneral Assembly. Reintroduced after it

felt it suffered from "the usual dimwitted

arrangements and stilted dialogue that afflict

as held in Senate committee and thus

iUed last year, the measure is now Senate

films made for the widest possible in-

ill 702 and has the signatures of 26 senaternational

audiences."

)rs as sponsors, being in itself assurance

Glassboro (N.J.) Borough Council approved

f passage. The House last year favored the

an ordinance which may bring cable

roposal nearly unanimously, thus no probm

is expected there.

television to the area as early as this summer.

CATV Associates of Woodbury (N.J.)

was awarded the franchise to install the system.

Desmond Ryan in the Philadelphia In-

has reduced Chicano to the merely chic."

And Joe Baltake of the Daily News says it

is "the best 1961 movie made in 1979 . . .

I he plot is imitative of 'West Side Story.'

but willioiil the benefit of entertainment

Variety Club Women's Evening Group is

planning a Disco Evening at Emerald City

in June. Maxinc Orloff is in charge of tickets

for the charity event.

Janet Margolin was in town to meet the

press for personality interviews in connection

with her co-starring role in "The Last

Embrace," which opened at Budco's Regency

Theatre.

Pic's Fabulous Bonus Offer:

Spotlight on New England

RHODE ISLAND

j^nother Plantation state underskycr is Lxing

phased out. Cranston mayor Edward

D. DiPrete disclosed that a niiilli-miliion

dollar shopping and commercial complex

will be developed on the site ol the

Cranston Drive-ln. CranWar Associates, the

developers, are readying plans for 100,300

square feet of buildings to house a home

improvement center, shops, a department

store, offices and a restaurant.

The Redslone Showcase Cinemas 6, Seekonk.

had a sneak preview of EMC Films"

"The Silent Partner."

Veteran film director Martin Ritt. talking

with the Rhode Island media aboaut 20th-

Fox's "Norma Rae." summed up his feelings:

"I'm interested in doing what I feel is

right for me to do and if I'm lucky enough

along the way to illuminate the human condition.

I feel I've done a good year's work."

SPRINGFIELD

pilm Ventures Intemationars "Beyond the

Door #2" had a saturation premiere

across western Massachusetts, backed by

large-scale advance and current newspaper

advertising.

J. Homer Flatten, 85, a former

treasurer of the Motion Picture Producers

and Distributors Assn. (predecessor organization

of the Motion Picture Assn. of

America), died May 5 at his home in Sheffield

after a long illness.

HARTFORD

{Richard J. Wilson, vice president, SBC

Management Corp., seems to have

free.

WORCESTER

Yhe Edgemere Drive-In, off Rte. 20, held

over a Paramount doublebill composed

of current release "Up in Smoke," and 1968

Jane Fonda film "Barbarella," for what was

advertised as a "a second record week." Admission

was $5 per carload.

NEW HAVEN

Qeneral Cinema Corp. had an unusual

sneak preview approach for Warner

Bros.' Orion Pictures release, "A Little Romance,"

starring Sir Laurence Olivier and

views are slated for one e\

tion.

VERMONT

Sally Kellerman. The PG-rated attraction

was previewed on two consecutive nights ta

Friday and Saturday) in auditorium one.

GCC's Milford Cinemas 2. Normally, prc-

[Jnited Artists slotted Vermont premiere of

Woody Allen's "Manhattan" into Merrill

Theatre Corp.'s Merrill's Showcase 3,

South Burlington. New World Pictures'

"Star Crash" premiered at the same circuit's

Essex Twin Cinema, Essex Junction.

iVEr BRITAIN

Yhe Berlin Drive-In Theatre scheduled the

1979 season's first six-feature program,

composed of half a dozen states-rights, X-

rated releases, for Memorial Day weekend.

The underskyer advertises "The Best in

XXX Adult Motion Picture Entertainment."

Discussion continues on conversion of

Perakos Theatres Associates' downtown

Palace to a community effort, accompanied

by name change to The Opera House. Kenneth

Larson of New Britain in a letter to

the editor of The Herald pointed up a strong

need for "a defined use with an economic

motive for its sponsors and investors, and

the financial, promotional and creative connections

with the theatrical industry."

NITE/TOFCO Will Reduce

Film Rentals. Scott Says

By ALLEN M. WIDEM

Regional Correspondent

WORCESTER, Mass.—Independent New

England exhibitor Phillip J. Scott believes

that the recently announced pact by the National

Independent Theatre Exhibitors

Assn. with a group of Canadian film

investors

may well spark film rental reduction

for exhibition.

Scott, current board chairman of NITE ol

New England, told the media that the promise

of the Canadian-based Theatre Owners

latched on to a markedly appealing gimmick

with umpteen weekend midnight screenings

of 20th-Fox's "The Rocky Horror Picture

Show" at the in-town Cinema City 4. The

Film

"top-quality,

Cooperative

first-run

to provide

features"

at

during

least 75

the

next decade, serves to avoid many trade

first 25 patrons in costume are admitted

practices that gall NITE membership, including

blind bidding.

Scott also hopes that the influx of Canadian

product will reduce the cost of film

for exhibitors. "It's the old story," he adds,

"of supply and demand."

Scott also told the media: "Canada is

really

trying to get film production to grow.

And right now the biggest advantage to producing

a film in Canada are tax breaks.

While the United States has done away with

a lot of its tax credits for filmmaking, Canada

is still allowing big write-offs."

He said that major filmmaking facilities

have been developed in Canada, with promise

of more to come.

Overall, Scott said, the NITE/TOFCO

plan provides a sound approach for exhibition

in these trying times. "We'll be getting

these films," he said, "at much lower rates

than what we could gel Ihcm ihrouL'h major

film companies."

MILWAUKEE

Chelmon Masce has taken a lease on the

long-standing Towne Theatre at Third

and Wisconsin Ave., and as of May 1 1 was

to operate it as a kung-fu-type, action-flick

house. He retains operation of the Strand

Theatre, which is located in a building on

Wisconsin Avenue that is to be razed sometime

during the summer to make room for

a project of an undisclosed nature. In the

weeks and months of operation that remain,

Masce told Boxoffice he stills hopes to feature

mostly vintage films such as those he

has screened in recent months: "The Wizard

of Oz," "South Pacific" and "The Sound of

Music." Shelmon also owns and operates the

Countryside Twins in Muskego only a few

miles from Milwaukee. Concessions Services

of Chicago will handle the concession operations

in all three houses.

Meanwhile the Christian Cinema Inc., for

whom Bryant Alexander had taken a lease

on the Towne Theatre last fall in order to

run religious movies aind live stage entertainment,

has decided to move its operations to

the Uptown Theatre at 49th and North

Ave.

Art Heling, local office manager for Al.

held a special tradescreening of "Sunnyside"

starring Joey Travolta at the Centre

Screening Room May 8. An action adventure

film, this one manages to mix a lew

moments of tender romance plus a G-raied

surprise birthday party for Mama with

some of the foulest language and wanton

killing episodes ever seen in an R-rated

flick. It comes off tougher than "The Warriors."

The 50th anniversary of the Avalon Theatre

was celebrated the evening of May 9

with a silent movie and a Wurlitzer pipe

organ show.

BALTIMORE

pilms starting April 27 were "Old Boyfriends"

at the Campus Hills, Liberty,

Northpoint Plaza and Senator: "Love at

First Bite" at Harford Mall. Jumpers. Mayfair,

Patterson, Rotunda, Timonium and

Westview, and "The Psychic" plus "Amuck"

at the Edmonson and Bengies drive-ins.

Allan Ripp of the News American staff,

in reviewing "Love at First Bite," had this

to say: "The name of the movie is 'Love at

First Bite,' but you'll have to wait until the

first laugh to fall for this thoroughly lovable

vampire flick . . . Everything about (it)

is

perfect."

"Boulevard Nights" started May 2 at the

New Theatre with an all-day preview of

"Circle of Iron."

Three shows are presently being presented

at The Town simultaneously. They are:

"Chinatown Kid." "Three the Hard Way"

and "Bruce Lee Fights Back From the

Grave."

E-4

BOXOFFICE M; 1979

mST RUN REPORT

Denver

(Avciage is 100)

Rogers in the 25th Century

S.i.m. I„.K

(Univ), 3 theatres, 5th wk 'SO

|The Chainp (MGM-UA), 2 theatres,

5th wk 200

ITie China Syndrome (Col), Contincnlal

"

8th wk

I 20

[The Deer Hunter (Univ), Colorado 4,

"

11th wk 250

tlHair (UA). Colorado 4, 6th wk .TfiO

Hurricane (Para). 3 theatres, 4th wk. . . 40

Last Embrace (UA), 4 theatres, 1st wk. 100

Manhattan (UA), 2 theatres, 1st wk. . .400

The Promise (Univ), 3 theatres, 5th wk. 55

Same Time, Next Year (Univ), Cooper

13th wk 70

Superman (WB), Century 21, 20th wk. 100

Hollywood

J)ON COSCARELLl, writer-director ol

Avco Embassy's "Phantasm." will go

on a tour of Europe to promote the science

fiction /fantasy feature set to open this

sprine in Germany, France and Britain.

•

Murray Pollack, 60, president of the

Screen Extras Guild, died of cancer May

10. He joined the guild in 1951 and remained

a member since then. He was first

elected to the SEG board of directors in

1957 and was vice president from September

1959 to December 1974 when he was elected

president.

•

Actress Jenny Agutter accepted the Ruby

Slipper Award of the American Center of

Films for Children on behalf of Henry

Geddes. executive producer of England's

Children's Film Foundation, and Patricia

Latham, writer of many CFF productions.

The presentation was made at the Ruby

Slipper Awards dinner May 12 at the Bever-

Wilshire Hotel.

ly

•

Avco Embassy's bank heist/ love story.

"A Man, A Woman and a Bank," has been

retitled "A Very Big Withdrawal." The

$4-million comedy-drama stars Donald

Sutherland. Brooke Adams and Paul Mazursky

and is scheduled for October release.

•

Michael Douglas has signed an exclusive

three-year contract to produce films for

Columbia Pictures. He plans to announce

his first project shortly.

•

Principal photography has been completed

on "Strong Together." produced and

written by Harry Hope and directed by

Dan Seeger.

Richard Fleishcr, director of such films

as "Fantastic Voyage," "Doctor Doolittle,"

"Tora! Tora! Tora!" "Soylent Green" and

"The New Centurians," conducted discussions

and seminars with film students al

the

University of Washington and members of

the Seattle Film Society May 7 and 8. The

seminars were part of the visiting artists

program of the Academy of Motion Picture

FILMACK IS

1st CHOICE

WITH

SHOWMEN

EVERYWHERE

Happenings

Arts and Sciences and the Academy Foundation.

•

Cast and crew of MGM's "Captain Avenger"

are shooting in New York on a loiuweek

location schedule during which sequences

will be filmed at such well-known

spots as Sardi's, Gaiety Delicatessen, Shiibert

Alley. Sheridan Square, Greenwich Village,

Park Avenue and City Hall.

Susan Anton, the Goldengirl of Avco Em

bassy's "Goldengirl" sports drama, is in

Cannes for a full round of promotional

activities in behalf of the picture, including

photo sessions for major European magazines,

television and radio. She also will

participate in three major screenings of Iho

picture.

Kenneth A. Doncourt. 36. son of comedian-producer

Ken Murray and Cleatus Caldwell,

died May 2 of cancer at St. Joseph's

Hospital in Burbank. At the time he was

stricken he was editing his father's forthcoming

film, "Ken Murray's Shooting

Stars." Doncourt had worked in ABC-TV

news for five years and won two Emmy

awards for editing documentaries, as editor

of "Rats" and assistant editor on "James

Wong Howe, the Man and His Movies" and

"The Unwanted."

•

Winners of the Sixth Annual Student Film

Awards competition will be announced Jime

3 at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts

and Sciences.

•

Cast and crew of United Artists' "A Small

Circle of Friends," having completed six

weeks of shooting on locations around Boston,

have come back to Hollywood lor

about a month of filming here.

*

Major league umpires, walking the picket

lines in their strike against organized baseball,

have won the support of the Screen

Actors Guild in an "expansion of solidarity

from one group of professionals to another."

Said executive secretary Chester L. Migden:

"Our recent experience on the picket line

ORDER FROM FILMACK

WHENEVER YOU NEED

SPECIAL FILMS

DATE STRIPS,

CROSS PLUGS,

MERCHANT ADS,

SPECIAL AN-

NOUNCEMENTS

FILMACK STUDIOS, INC.

during the commercials strike has increased

our awareness and sensitivity to the pliglil

of other striking workers."

SAN FRANCISCO

Jôcky Horror Picture Show" cultists can

now enjoy their passion in multimedia.

Double Feature, a performance group that

duplicates the entire cast of the film, performs

the music and dialogue in unison

with RHPS screenings at the Strand Theatre

each Saturday at midnight. Since they began

appearing four weeks ago. Saturday business

has been growing steadily.

George Romero and Richard Rubinstein,

director and producer respectively, were in

the area for several days promoting the ,

opening of their feature "Dawn of the

Dead." a United Film Distributors release.

|

Boxoffice and critical reaction have been

excellent.

Alice Faye is the next actress to appear

in the Warfield Theatre's series of tributes.

Clips from her work will be screened and

she will appear for an onstage interview

May 23.

Dustin Hoffman, Clint Eastwood and

Dennis Weaver, actors who have recently

appeared in films or television programs

about American Indians, were at press time

expected to attend the American Indian Film

Festival. The fourth annual program of

films by or about American Indians began

a three-day run May 17 at the Palace of

Fine Arts Theatre. The opening night feature

was the 1977 Academy Award nominee,

"The American Indian Exposition."

The festival concluded with the American

Indian Motion Picture Awards ceremony,

featuring awards for best picture, best documentary,

best direction and other achievements.

Also expected to attend the festival

were Chief Dan George, nominated for an

Oscar for "Little Big Man": Will Sampson,

co-star of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's

Nest," and other American Indian actors.

John P. McLucas, office manager of United

Artists' San Francisco branch, died May

6 at 63. McLucas had joined United Artists

in June 1957 and had previously been associated

with RKO Pictures for 11 years.

THEATRE

DRIVE-IN

SCREENS

'The Quality Tower that never

has had lo be replaced.^'

GENE TAYLOR

D & D Fabrication

and Erection

Co.

Post Office Box 3524

Shawnee, Kansas 66203

913-631-9695


TUCSON

Cneak previews: "Wanda Nevada" at ilic

Buena Vista 2: "A Little Romance" at

the Showcase.

Old Tucson Corp. has bought the lights

Elvis Presley's home movies from his

widow Priscilla. Rights to license the films

to other amusement parks are included in

the deal. According to Burt Sugarman, OTC

chairman, the footage, mostly shot by his

widow, will be edited into a one-hour film

and new scenes of Mrs. Presley introducing

and narrating the film will be added.

SEATTLE

Deter Tudor is the new manager of Tom

Moyer's Coliseum where "Battlestar

Galactica" opened in Sensurround May 18.

Jeff Craig assumed duties as manager of

the Admiral Theatre in Bremerton for the

Tom Moyer chain of theatres May 9.

Bud Dunwoody, western Washington

state division manager for Tom Moyer

Theatres, has his headquarters presently in

their Beilevue Crossroads Quad complex.

Donna Edgley is the new director of advertising

for Moyer, based in Portland headquarters.

She succeeds Dale Pearce who

is now director of operations.

Joe McCann, formerly with Fun magazine,

is now a full-time employee of Thunder

Media Inc., with offices in both Portland

and Seattle. Sincerest congratulations

and best wishes to this correspondent's

partner in his new field of endeavor. His

younger brother Jerry comes aboard Fun

as of this week.

Sally Kellerman, who stars in "A Little

Romance," made a persona! appearance in

conjunction with the film, which opened the

Moore Egyptian's fourth annual international

film festival May 10. The festival runs

through June 6 and its three directors,

Rajeeve Gupta, Dan Ireland and Darryl

MacDonald, have rounded up 83 feature

films and 33 shorts, including 13 American

premieres. Some 26 countries are represented.

Ms. Kellerman also made a number

of media appearances. The film was also

sneak previewed both Friday and Saturday,

May 11 and 12, at the Guild 45th Street

where it is the next attraction.

"A Hero Ain't Nothin' But a Sandwich '

went into the Town Theatre May 11.

"Voices" was sneak previewed at the Renton

Village, Seattle Aurora and Beilevue

to

Overlake Cinemas with "The Champ" May

11... "The Prisoner of Zenda" was sneak

pievicvved at the Beilevue Overlake Cinema

with "The Champ" May 16 ... "A Very

Large Withdrawal" was sneak previewed at

the Beilevue Theatre with "The China Syndrome"

May IL

The tradescreening for Walt Disney Productions'

"The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides

Again" was held May 17 at the Seven

Gables Theatre.

Benny Hannah of Northwest Diversilicd

Entertainment has closed the Jewel Box

screening room, but is definitely looking

for a new building to house a screening

room facility.

DENVER

Jôrris Birnbaum has taken over as branch

manager at Columbia, replacing Kenneth

Newbert who resigned. Birnbaum started

with Columbia in Cleveland and was

transferred to Los Angeles as a salesman.

He was then transferred to Des Moines as

branch manager prior to his moving to Denver.

Evergreen Theatres of Colorado is converting

the Prairie Theatre, Ogallala, Neb.,

into a twin. The remodeled facility will have

225 seats on one side and 175 on the other.

Construction should be completed by May

30.

Theatre Services and Management Inc..

headed by Richard C. Bateman, has taken

over the operation of the L and L Drive-In

at Louisville, Colo. The theatre will be renamed

the Star-Lite Drive-In and will operate

on a seven-day-a-week basis with a $3-

per-carload admission policy.

Mid America Releasing held a Friday

night screening of "The Silent Partner" at

the Target Theatre . . . Full page newspaper

advertisements were taken in local

newspapers to announce the screening of

PETERSON

THEATRE

455 Bearcat Drive

Times Square Park

SUPPLY

Salt Lake City, Utah 84115

801-466-7642

"A Little Romance" at the University Hills

Theatre.

Peggy Rea has left Bucna Vista Film

Distributing and returned to Batter Booking

and Buying where she will handle boxoffice

statements and disbursements.

Visiting Denver to set datings were David

Cory, Goodhand Theatre, Kimhall. Neb.,

and Neal Lloyd, Wcslhnul I heal res, Colorado

Springs.

Don't mits out on thli fantastic Bonu* Otfwl

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NIVERSAL THEATRE SUPPLY

- HOME OFFICE -

264 East 1st South, Salt Loke City, Utah 8411)

May 21, 1979

W-3

That happy face belongs to my friend Cecil Andrus' daughter Ti-acy

Lately people say there's something new about her smile. Something I understand better than

anyone. When I wasn't much older than Ti-acy, I beat cancer too.

Senator Frank Church

Almost 30 years sei)arate our victories.Years that brought major advances in. the

treatment of cancer. Wlien I was fighting for my life, Ti-acy's chances wouldn't have been good. Then

most people with Hodgkin's disease, people like Ti-acy, died within 5 years.

But yom- generosity helped change things. You funded research that developed new

treatments. Ti-eatments that saved Ti-ac/s life. Now she's leaving her job as a legislative assistant and

going back to om- home state of Idaho. Back to school. Back to a life that's much dearer for

nearly having lost it.

Ti-acy and I ai-en't unique. Almost 2 million Amencans have beaten cancer. But much still .

remains to be done. Thi-ough research, rehabilitation and education, the Amencan Cancer Society

is making yom- contributions count.

American Cdiicer Socictyi

CANCER CAN BE BEAT

Almost 2 million people are living proof your contributions count.

This space c-cmt ributed by thp publisher as a public service.

W-4 BOXOFFICE :: May 21, 1979

. Superman

.^. . . . . . ... .

....

I J ^

mST RUN

REPORT

Marie Berglund, first vice president; Eariinc

Dupuis, second vice president; Doris Stevens,

rccoiding secretary; Sandy Staub. corresponding

secretary; and Georgette Lcto,

treasurer. The installation banquet will be

held in

June.

PALM REACH

New Orleans

The Champ (MGM). Plaza. 4th wk. . . .225 ' r^t-l^* *^ '" -^ ^ ' '

The Deer Hunter (Univ), Robert E.

^'"'**' ^'^^^ "^^" ^'^^'' nianagemcnt and

Lee Plaza, 10th wk 340 H^'"''

Firepower (SR). Loews, 1st wk 275 operation of the Carefree Theatre April

Halloween (Compass). Loews, 2. The Carefree is a 900-seat theatre with

7th wk 250 admissions 99 cents at all times. According

Love at First Bite (AI), Lakeside, to Smith, the 99-ccnt ticket is attracting

Plaza, 1st wk 550 large audiences. Roy Allison, Carefree pro-

The Real Bruce Lee (SR), Orphcum, jectionist, celebrated his 30th year as pro-

2nd wk 500 jectionist at that moviehouse on May 8.

Same Time, Next Year (Univ),

..^^^^^ ^^ p.^^^ g.^^ ,. ^^^^ American In-

Lakeside 12thwk.

. .^ Cross

tcrnational, opened at Cinema 70,

The Silent Partner (EMC). Plaza.

^^^^^^^ g ^^^ ^^.^ ^.^^ ^-^^^^^ ^^ y^^^

•

1st wk. ^^^

. -

lg turnout is expected to see native

NEW ORLEANS

pêgarding "Wifemistress", critic Richard

Dodds said it is "a wry and original

comedy hailing from Italy. It is also a bit

lascivious. It is not for those who don't like

sexuality in their entertainment but its story

goes beyond this one aspect, creating a

stylish satire with a contemporary twist."

"Harper Valley P.T.A.," a big grosser last

summer, opened this week at various local

theatres and surrounding towns.

Gulf States Theatres has announced ihai

they have closed the theatre in Yazoo Cii\.

Miss., permanently.

^'^-

(WB) Lakeside 14.h wk. ... 150

^^^ ^J ^^^^.,^^^ j; ^.^ ^^^^^, ^.^^

^ Wifemistress (SR), Sena Mall,

^^^ "Firepower" opened for a multiple screening

on the same day at Cross County 8.

'^'

The Joy Theatre on Canal Street, recently

reopened, is now a Twin. Joy 1. which

is on the main floor, has 550 seats and Joy

2, which is upstairs, has 350 seats. Both

arc equipped with Dolby Sound as well as

conventional optical sound.

The first order of business conducted al

the WOMPI April meeting held April 24

was the election of officers for the 1979-80

term. Those elected to serve were: Anna

Clare Leggitt, second term as president;

DRIVE-IN

THEATRE

SCREENS

'The Quality Tower that never

has had to be replaced."

* • •

GENE TAYLOR

D & D Fabrication

and Erection

Co.

Post Office Box 3524

Shawnee, Kansas 66203

913-631-9695

Cinema 70 and Delray Square.

Palm Beach County has been selected

the setting for a movie that will begin filming

later this month starring Frank Converse

and Broderick Crawford. The feature,

"Dead in the Water." is based on a true

story and much of the filming will be done

at the Port of Palm Beach. According to

county commissioner Peggy Evatt, this

county was selected because Bob Helmi.

owner of Helmi Productions, lives in nearby

Manalapan. Producers originally had considered

filming in Fort Lauderdale.

MIAMI

John Huddy, Miami Herald entertainment

editor, tells his readers to prepare for

a new wave of science fiction films. Some

of the big science fiction movies coming up

are "Alie^n"; "The Black Hole," Walt Disney's

attempt to regain the 15-to-35 age

as

market; "Star Trek—The Motion Picture."

Paramount's picture with an $18 million

budget and climbing; "The Empire Strikes

Back." the "Star Wars" sequel with a

budget of more than $20 million, and

George Lucas directina; "Battlestar Galactica,"

due to open in Miami May 25; "Close

Encounters of the Third Kind," reworked

version of the 1977 movie of the same

name; and "The Day the World Ended,"

part science fiction, part disaster that is

scheduled for release in mid- 1980.

"A Little Romance" is playing in South

Florida to full theatres, with people waiting

outside to gel in. Full page advertisements

in local newspapers proclaimed the arrival

of the film, which has played to standingroom-only

screenings across the country.

"Boulevard Nights" has just opened a run

in a striing of South Florida theatres. The

controversial movie debuted in Los Angeles

and New York filmmaker Bill Bcrenson says

he started the movie as a documentary more

than two years ago. According to Miami

critics, the film is doing fair business in suburban

theatres, but is strong with Latins

living im the area. Berenson came to Miami

for the opening of the film. He says it's onethird

a gang movie; it was made in East Los

Angeles with a $2.5 million budget. Berenson

has said he researched the Chicano culture

for months before he started filming.

When he came to Miami he was taken on

a tour of the Latin areas of the city, and

he told reviewers he was astonished at Ihe

affluence and the success of the Cubans

who have moved to Miami.

DALLAS

TJniversal Film Exchanges held a national

sales meeting in New Orleans the first

week in May. Those attending from the

Dallas branch were: Bob Bowers. Dan

Snide. Ed Harris, Bob Lee. John Williams,

and John Trickett. Bob Wilkerson, formerly

fiom Dallas but now of the Los Angeles

executive offices, presided over the meeting.

Paramount Pictures had a sales meeting

in the Sheraton Inn at the Atlanta Airport

Hotel on May 10-11. Those from Dallas in

attendance were: Wayne Lewellen. Terry

Kierzek. Floyd Carter. Paul Rozenburg.

Ethel Hodge and Willard Cunningham.

James Prichard of New World Pictures

of Dallas reports "Halloween" is still doing

terrific business in Dallas and they are looking

forward to a very successful summer

business.

BOXOFFICE :: May S-1

'

Ir

HOUSTON

"The two day film festival. TEXPO 79.

which was postponed by the Rice Media

Center because of flooding and subsequent

power failure during a recent storm.

was rescheduled. The fifth annual festival

originally presented films by Texas filmmakers

and films of Texas but has been

enlarged to include films from the Southwest.

Arkansas and Louisiana.

Writers/ producers Kevin Hartigan and

David Garber were in Houston to scout locations

for "A Night at the Ballet." Other

cities where the film will be shot are New

Orleans, Washington and San Francisco. A

budget of between $3 million and $4 million

is set and is being financed by United

Artists. The Houston Ballet Co. may appear

in

the film.

Eric Gerber of the Houston Post reviewed

"Picnic at Hanging Rock" and slated

that on the basis of his recent success with

"The Last Wave," Australian director Peter

Weir's earlier film, "Picnic at Hanging

Rock" has now been released in America,

"It is a brilliant and exasperating work and

most assuredly one that any serious filmgoer

has to see" ... He wrote that "Phantasm"

is "long on gore and laughable short

on logic and pace. With no credible plot

and only the flattest of characters, there's

no suspense generated, just an awkwardly

spaced series of special effects for the Grand

Guigonol fans" . . . Gerber wrote that

after the "qualified disaster" of his last

outing, "Interiors," Woody Allen's "Manhattan"

comes as a "refreshing return to

comedy, though this film makes it abundantly

clear that the serious side of Allen

is growing in importance."

New film titles on indoor and OLildoor

theatres marquees include "The Silent Partner,"

"Ashanti," "Dawn of the Dead,"

"Dreamer," "Last Embrace," "Manhattan,"

"Old Boyfriends," "Picnic at Hanging

Rock," "Star Crash," "The Dark, "A Lhlle

Romance," "Wives," a double bill of "National

Lampoon's Animal House" and the

Marx Brothers' "Animal Crackers," "Here

Comes Mr. Jordan," the 1941 comedy recently

remade as "Heaven Can Wait," plus

"Down to Earth," "The Cycle," and Andy

Warhol's "Flesh and Women."

SAN ANTONIO

Organizers of the Fourth Annual Chicano

Film Festival, San Antonio CineFestival,

have begun soliciting entries. The festival

will accept film and video programs

produced by Hispanics or relating to (he

Hispanic community in the United Stales.

The deadline for receiving all entries is lulv

15. The dates for this year's festival are

Aug. 24-25. The two day festival has chosen

downtown locations for its film exhibition

and conferences. Daytime events will be in

the El Mercado Square and large evening

screenings at the Theatre for the Performing

Arts.

Estrellita Lopez, star of the film "Only

Once in a Lifetime," currently showing at

the Northwest Six and Century South Six,

appeared in the Northwest Six to sign autographs

for three hours.

Don Huff in his column Weeksworlli in

the Herald reviewed three films. He said

"Hurricane" was set in Pago Pago "where

their chief means of sustenence was breadfruit

but the chief commodity of this film

is a torrent of corn. But this film's idea of

south sea island adventure and romance is

largely as exciting as the bieadfruit, wilh

Mia Farrow as the improbable blond seductress

and Jason Robards as her father.

Not surprisingly, this story was adapted

from a work by Nordoff and Hall, the same

duo who wrote "Mutiny on the Bounty.' This

version has two Fletcher Christians, one

white and one brown, both anxious for the

blonde. Quite a meretricious, racist, Freudian

mix." . . . "Director Milos Foreman is

still quite the noble immigrant. His movie

version of the musical 'Hair' still has people

dancing in Central Park, even if the

choreography is by Thyla Tharp. The film

is neither enchanting, poignant, radical nor

nostalgic. It merely serves to mark the passage

of time. So will a calendar." . . ..

"Sally Field turns in an excellent perform-*

ance in 'Norma Rae.' which is an excellent

little film besides. She is the protagonist of

this slice of the textile workers union movement

in the deep South. Aside from Norniii

Rae, the majority of the characters aren't;

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teresting to see a film predicated on male

stereotypes for a change, and director Martin

Ritt provides an' -easy pace for everyone

to fulfill their obligations and still have the

movement to carry the film along. A well

intended, mostly successful yarn."

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ATLANTA

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Jârqiiee changes: M;ijoi Hollywood Previews

ushered in "A Little Romance."

The screenings were at the Akers Mill and

Southlake Theatres May 1 1 and 12. A similar

campaign was carried on for Avco

Embassy Pictures release of "Phantasm."

Boyfriends" is showing at the

Parkaire Mall Twin, Akers Mill. North De-

Kaih Twin and Southlake Rialto is

offering "Dawn of the Dead" . Hill

is (99 cents) showing "The Great Train Robbery."

Belton Clark, vice president of the .lacksonville-based

Clark firm, represented the

company at a cocktail party May 7 on the

second day of the Southeastern NATO convention.

Clark said the product reels were

first rate. Among the films shown was

"Reels of Willie Nelson's Fourth of July

Celebration." scheduled to open in Atlanta

soon.

International Picture Show, an Atlantabased

movie production and distribution

company, has reached an agreement to become

the sole United States and Canadian

distributor of a package of motion pictures

of Rank Film Distributors Ltd., whose parent

is one of Europe's oldest movie conglomerates.

The privately held local company,

which had sales of $12 million last year,

handles theatrical, nonlheatrical and television

distribution of films.

John H. Stenibler Jr. of Atlanta has been

elected president of the National Association

of Theatre Owners of Georgia. An

executive with the Atlanta-based Georgia

Theatre Co. since 1968, Stembler currently

serves as the company's operations and concessions

manager. Before his election at the

Clark Film Co. Inc. is moving their Atlanta

organization's annual meeting in Mobile,

NATO quartets effective May 15. Their new

was secretary of of

address is in the Northlake Quadrangle,

Ala., Stembler

Georgia.

Suite 382. 2200 Northlake Parkway. Atlanta,

Ga. 30084. The number is (404) 491- 'The Innocent," the final film from director

7766. Lewis Owens is the branch manager;

Luchino Visconti, will be given its

Tim Petree. booker: and a newcomer to the Atlanta premiere at Storey's Rhodes Theatre.

Bernice Clements.

A theatre spokesman says the diama

staff is

will be presented there after the current

engagement of director Marco Vicario's engagement

of "Wifemistress" ends.

CHARLOTTE

prom the desk of Eddie Marks of Stewart

and Everett Theatres: "California

Dreaming" has been booked by the circuit

and Marks suggests a free beach weekend

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for two as a tie-in with radio stations. They

could give away a weekend at one of the

coastal Carolina beach resorts. Most radio

stations have trade-out deals with beach

motels or can easily arrange the trade-out.

You can further sweeten the deal by promoting

free gas for the trip. Tie in with the

gas station to give the amount of gas necessary

to make the trip in return for advertising

as part of the promotion. Tie in with

stores to spell out the title "California

Dreaming" with sand on the carpet or floor

with beachweai window displays and use a

poster in

the window as a focal point.

Donald Shafer, assistant branch manager

for Sun Classic

Pictures Inc. of Atlanta, advises

that he has 16 features available for

sub-run and second features matinees. Some

of the pictures are: "Gulliver's Travels," "In

Search of Noah's Ark," "The Mysterious

Monsters." "The Life and Times of Grizzly

Adams," "The Bermuda Triangle" and

"Mountain Men."

Frank Jones and Allen Locke of Southern

Booking & Adv. Co. attended the NATO

of Georgia. Alabama and Tennessee meeting

at the Sheraton Hotel in Mobile. Ala.,

which began May 5. They were joined

by the executives of Fairlane/ Litchfield

Theatres. Easley, S.C. Mr. and Mrs. Sam

Cloninger represented Consolidated Theaties

of Charlotte, N.C

Screenings at Car-Mel: "Sunnyside"

(American International). "Wanda Nevada"

(United Artists).

Mr. and Mrs. Percy Osteen of Anderson

Theatres. Anderson, S.C. were in town to

see "Manhattan" (United Artists) and "Meatballs"

(Paramount).

Top grosses of the week: "Love at First

Bite," 'The Deer Hunter." "The Champ."

"The China Syndrome" and "Dawn of Ihe

Dead."

New pictures on the marquees: "Firepower."

"A Different Story." "Love at First

B;te" and "Get Out Your Handkerchiefs."

Max Rosenbiirg was in from New York

City conferring with Bill Simpson of Simpson

Dist. Co. on his new picture. "House of

Crazies," which promises to be a smash hit

at the boxoffice. It has a notable cast of

marquee value, starring Peter Gushing,

Richard Todd, Barbara Parkins. Herbert

Lom and Britt Ekland. The director is Roy

Baker, who with this film celebrates his

25th year as a director. The film was

screened at Car-Mel and was received enthusiasticallv.

"Everything for your theatre— except

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film"

Drive N.E.

800 S. Graham St.

Atlanta, Go. 30324

Charlotte, N.C. 28202 Blind Bid Law's Effect

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CHARLOTTE. N.C. — Although North

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their prices, distributors and exhibitors say

it is too early to tell.

Full Line Theatre Supply House

The law, which passed the General Assembly

229 S. Church Street

CIS

April 25 and takes effect July 1.

• P. O. Box 1973 Charlotte, N.C. 28201 prohibits movie distributors from renting

•

(Continued on page S-4)

May S-3

(Continued from page S-3)

movies to theaties before theatre owners

have had a chance to see them. A similar

law in South Carolina allegedly is responsible

for a slight delay in the opening of

first-run

movies.

"I don't think it's going to change anything

radically." says Charlie Hunsiick.

United Artists branch manager. "It may

delay the release shortly, but by the same

token, it may get the producers on the

ball." Hunsuck said he thought movies

might get to North Carolina a month or two

later than usual.

Opinions differ on whether you'll secmore

of fewer movies under the new law.

Herman Stone, president of NATO of

North and South Carolina, said he expected

more films.

"We should like to see more pictures in

the marketplace." Stone said. "But the boxoffice

is going to dictate a lot of play time,

which is the way it should be."

But Francis Gormley, branch manager

for 20th Century-Fox, said that fewer smiill

budget films, such as Fox's "Dreamer."

would be seen.

"It's little pictures that are going to suffer."

says Gormley. "They're going to go lo

commercial pictures that they know they

can get a return on. Maybe pictures like

'Dreamer' don't need to be made. But who

knows what may be shelved"

Theatre owners have said that the risk in

showing blind-bid films helped drive up

ticket prices.

"The legislature perceived what the problem

of the theatre owner was and that, in

fact, we are responsible to the general pub

lie," Stone says, "When we played a picture

that was offensive we always came back

with a reason: 'We didn't get to see the picture,'

The legislature understood this prob

lem,"

So you may be seeing cleaner pictiues.

but distributor Hunsuck doesn't think you

will be seeing better pictures.

"When the exhibitors screen them, the

don't know anything more about how ii"

going to gross than they blind bid them,

says Hunsuck. "If you're that smart \oi

don't need to be in the film business."

MEMPHIS

The Arkansas NATO convention was held

recently in Hot Springs, Ark., April 29-

May 2. More than 1 10 people from the industry

attended the 3-day event.

After niany years as a figure in our industry,

the National Theatre Supply closed

its Memphis office May 5 and will consolidate

with another one of National's

branches.

WOMPI officers for 1979-80 are Evelyn

Rusing. president; Juanita Hamblin, vice

president: Bonnie Steward, secretary; and

Lois Evans, treasurer. Installation will be

held Monday June 25 on the Memphis

Queen .1 showboat.

JACKSONVILLE

^he Expressway Mall Cinema, in a tie-in

with a local radio station, is having

triple midnight shows on Friday and Saturday

nights—all seats $1.97.

Paraniount's "Players," a love story filmed

at Wimbledon last year, will make one of

several premiere showings around the country

in Jacksonville on June 6.

NATO of Florida is getting into action

with a big advertising, concession and information

seminar for owners and managers

on May 24 at the Hyatt House in the

Orlando area, located off Interstate 4 and

192 East. Kissmmee, Fla. E.xhibitors will

paper, radio and television discussions and

new methods on concession sales.

Local WOMPI members sponsored a

see product reels of summer films, news-

bingo

party for the residents of Florida Christian

Health Center on May 12. WOMPI will

also serve refreshments to the handicapped

teenagers at a dance at the Woodstock Center

on May 24. During April the Council

of Volunteer Coordinators held meetings

honoring all Volunteer workers in Jacksonville.

The local WOMPI Club assisted with

this function by furnishing the popcorn used

as part of the refreshments.

In lionor of "Founders Day." the regular

monthly meeting for WOMPI will be held

May 29 at 5:30 p.m. The ladies at Universal

will provide drinks and dessert for every-


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S-4 May 21, 1979

Minneapolis

(Average Is 100)

California Dreaming (AI),

FIRST RUN REPORT

6 theatres,

1st wk SO

The Champ (MGM), 3 theatres,

5th wk 125

The China Syndrome (Col), Cooper,

Southdale, 8th wk 140

Dawn of the Dead (United Film),


The Deer Hunter (Univ), Mann,

14th wk 95

The Fifth Musketeer (Col). 4 theatres,

1st wk 55

Hair (UA), Skyway II, 6th wk 100

HaUoween (Compass), Brookdale East,

14th wk 45

Last Embrace (UA), Apache, The

Movies at Burnsville, 1st wk 40


3rd wk 135

A Matter of Love (AI), Studio 97,

2nd wk 80

Manhattan (UA), Skyway I, 1st wk. . .800

Norma Rae (20th-Fox), Edina I,

8th wk 95

Old Boyfriends (Avco), Park, 2nd wk. 85

The Promise (Univ). Cooper Cameo.

5th wk 90

Richard Pryor—Live in Concert (SEE).

Skyway I, 5th wk 150

Superman (WB), Brookdale, Southtown,

21st wk 100

Kansas Cify


(Univ). 3 theatres. 6th wk 85

The Champ (UA). 3 theatres. 5th wk. . . 125

The China Syndrome (Col). 3 theatres.

8th wk 115

The Dark (SR). 6 theatres. 1st wk 65

Cet Out Your Handkerchiefs (SR).

Fine Arts, 3rd wk 95

Hair (UA). Midland. Oak Park.

6th wk 25

Last Embrace (UA). 4 theatres.

1st wk 80

Love at First Bite (AI). 6 theatres,

4th wk 185

Manhattan (UA). 3 theatres. 1st wk. . . .510

Norma Rae (20th-Fo\). Plaza.

Sth wk 60

The North Avenue Irregulars (BV).

Ranchmart. I 2th wk 70

Old Boyfriends (Avco). 4 theatres.

1st wk. 70

Onct

Watts Mill. 2nd v\ k

85

Phantasm (Avco), 8 theatres,

3rd wk 110

The Promise (Univ), 4 theatres,

5th wk 95


Glenwood, 11th wk 1 10

The Silent Partner (SR). 10 theatres.

1st wk 85

Chicago

Boulevard Nights (WB). 10 theatres.

1st wk. 175

The Champ (Univ), 7 theatres. 5th wk. . 150

The China Syndrome (Col).

9 theatres. Sth wk 200

Dawn of the Dead (SR). 12 theatres.

1st wk 225

The Deer Hunter (Univ). Esquire,

9th wk 225

The Fifth Musketeer (Col).


CHICAGO

The Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove. 111.,

now owned by Willis Johnson, is another

suburban movie house profiting by

special community promotions. Manager

Ed Doherty said they customarily send out

flieis for each program change, and such

mailings and the placing of announcement

pamphlets in the local stores has been very

effective in increasing attendance. Doherty

said that handing out passes to schools and

area organizations ha helpful

cementing lunity relationships

The L & S Management Theatres organization

is now operating as Aries Theatres

Management. The location of the company's

headquarters remains the same: 6310

N. Lincoln, Chicago, III. 60669.

Irv Cohen was appointed manager of the

Aries Adelphi theatre.

Aries' Luna theatie has been doing some

lop business as a neighborhood theatre.

especially with "Warriors." And "Buck

Rogers in the 25th Century," according to

general manager Howard Schemcrhorn. took

over the top grossing spot at the Luna in

the first week's showing.

Diane Thomas, who heads the Gemini

Management theatre group, said the Patio

had a big week with "Halloween." She repoited,

"We were the only ones playing the

movie at the time, and even though people

were lured outside by milder weather, we

recorded fantastic business!"

Edythe Stein, president of the Women's

Variety Club, said the annual membership

luncheon will be held in conjunction with

the annual ad book on June 18 at the

Pump Room at the Ambassador East hotel.

This is a reminder to industry members who

are interested in participating in the group's

The Innocent (Avco), Cinema,

5th wk 250

Love at First Bite (AI). 7

ad book. Please make contact by calling

theatres,

5th wk 225

Love on the Run (SR), Biograph,

Edythe Stein at 262-7926.

4th wk 250 Apologies to American Multi Cinema's

O'd Boyfriends (Avco). 7 theatres.

2nd wk 200

Midwest division. Direct word from Larry

Gardner, supervisor of District 3, alerted us

Phantasm (Avco). 11 theatres, 1st wk. .225 to a correction relating to the opening of

Superman (WB), 3 theatres, 4th wk. ... 150 the Barrington Square Complex. The complex

will be owned and operated by Wifemistress (SR), Carnegie, 4th wk. . . 125

American

Multi Cinema, and will be known as

Barrington Square 6 Theatres. The location

is Hoffman Estates. Ill, and the proposed

opening date is September 28. as stated

previously. The other AMC complex in

the Chicago area is the Ogden 6 Theatres,

in suburban Naperville. which opened in

November 1976.

Oscar Brotman. head of the Brotman

Theatre Circuit and new president of the

Variety Club of Illinois. will be

top man May 7 at the Three Sheeters Entertainment

Club Rib 'n Roast Special. This

(Continued on page MW-2)

Marketing Services • Management Consultants

P.O. Box 222

Chilton, Wis. 53014

Theatre Specialists

H

James

P. Norton

President

414-849-9565

J. P. N. Productions, Inc.

BOXOFFICE :: May 21. 1979

MW-1

CHICAGO

(Continued from page MW-1)

event is X-rated and only men will be admitted.

For tickets at $20 per person, contact

Chic Schloss at 346-0471. Proceeds will

benefit the Three-Sheeters charity activities.

Things have been really looking up for

American International Pictures with "Love

at First Bite." The film is now set for a

first sub-run starting June 8. AI's "The

Evictors" (opened in Chicago May 18)

promises to add to the company's 1979 successes.

is currently playing very successful first run

engagements at O.scar Brotman's Near Noilh

Carnegie theatre, and at the Times theatre

in Milwaukee. Sid Kaplan has the responsibility

of setting up all other runs of this

high-grossing attraction. The next Chicago

release date is scheduled for mid-June.

idea that this was a TV feature primarily

for children. The illuminating promotion

m mmmm

has been creating an overwhelming response

from exhibitors, according to members ol

the company's Chicago office. Exhibitors

are now exclaiming that the movie is greal

entertainment for adults and children alike.

Because the opening date here is AugusI .^,

the advance promotion appears to be well

timed.

May 25 is >he dale for the Chicago opening

of Associated Film Distribution's "Es

cape From Athena."

Once again Lucy Salenger, managing director

of the Illinois Film Office, is undeistandably

being recognized for her staunch

efforts on behalf of bringing film production

to the Midwest. There is promise l

i &

KANSAS CITY Members of 'Slithis

Tnvin Allen, writer and director of "Beyond

the Poseidon Adventure," slipped qiiiclly

into town to see the sneak preview of his

picture at the Glenwood Theatre recently.

Unfortunately, someone smashed into his

limousine just as he arrived, putting an end

10 the secrecy.

Bob Shipp of Dallas was in town recently

to visit brothers John and David Shipp. Boh

will be lemembered as previously being in

ihe film shipping business here with his

brother Dave. He is now associated with

-.Starline" in Dallas.

Avco's "A Very Big Withdrawal" was

,neak previewed at the Plaza theatre May

II. It is a comedy starring Donald Sutherland.

Brooke Adams and Paul Mazursky.

"A Little Romance" was sneak previewed

May 1 1 at the Blue Ridge Theatre here to

iccommodate some of the people who didn'l

~cc it the first time.

Correction: In the May 7 issue of Boxjfficc

it was incorrectly reported that Glen

Dickinson, owner of Dickinson Theatres,

won $50 and that Richard Smith of Smith

Theatres won $50 in a benefit drawing. The

imounts won were $100 for Dickinson and

525 for Smith.

The Women of Variety held a general

nembership luncheon April 18 and selected

a nominating committee. The following

ifficers were nominated: president, Mary

1st Vlargaret Miller; vice president, Rulh

ST.

LOUIS

^înter Kills," the story of a presidential

assassination and the end of an era in

American history with Eli Wailach portraying

a Jack Ruby-type character, opened

May 18 at the Esquire, Crestwood, Village,

Woods Mill and the Nameoki in Granite

City. III. The all-star cast also includes Jeff

Bridges, Anthony Perkins, Sterling Hayden,

John Huston and Dorothy Malone.

Filmed entirely in the state of New Jersey.

"Voices," a contemporary love story

involving a singer and a deaf girl, opens

May 25 at Northwest, Sunset. Chesterfield

and the Petite in Collinsville, III. Michael

Onkean and Amy Irving are the co-stars of

the MGM film distributed by United

Artists.

Peter Sellers stars in a dual role in "The

Prisoner of Zenda." a comedy version of

the Anthony Hope classic novel which will

be on the screens of the Sunset. Westport

and Paddock beginning May 25. Elke Sommer

and Lionel Jeffries are featured in the

Mirisch production directed by Richard

Quine. Henry Mancini. who composed the

music for all of Sellers" "Pink Panther"

films, wrote the score for "Zenda."

With the drive-ins open on full-time basis,

horror films are again on the horizon. Currently

in a wide multiple in (the area arc

"Suspiria" coupled with "Eyeball."

Disney's "101 Dalmations" is scheduled

for re-release in June and the West County

Shopping Center was host to a troupe of

entertainers from that studio May 16. In

Disneyland character costumes, the group

sang and danced under the leadership of

emcee Fulton Burley, who told the story of

the production. While here, the performers

cut a promo spot for KDNL-TV. Channel

-^0, to be aired in early June. The station

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will be giving away 101 stuffed dalmalion

pups that month in connection with the

Buena Vista release.

The local Humane Society will sponsor a

benefit performance of "Fiec Spirit" May

24 at the Des Peres Theatre before the regular

run May 25 at the Des Peres. St. Ann

Cinema. Cross Keys. Ronnie's, Cinema 4

and South Twin Drive-In. The film, released

by Midwest Pictures involves the relationship

between a hunting dog and a fox. Real

animals are used throughout the production

which was entered in the Children's Film

Festival. It examines the risks of personal

relationships of domestic and wild animals.

It was chosen by Seventeen Magazine as its

"Movie of the Month" and Scholastic Magazine

in its review called it a "must see

movie."

Globe-Democrat entertainment editor

Frank Hunter gave Woody Allen's "Manhattan"

four stars, calling it an "acidulous

valentine to Allen's beloved city of New

York, capturing the feel of the city with

the zest of a 1930s romantic comedy. He

appreciated the employment of George

Gershwin's superb and vital music as a fitting

background and found Mariel Hemingway,

who portrays the 17-year-old schoolgirl,

bearing a startling resemblance to her

grandfather, Ernest Hemingway, when he

was her age." The film is enjoying what

promises to be a long run at the Varsity.

Ronnie's. Cypress Village and BAC Fair-

Hunter awarded three and a half stars lo

"Last Embrace." pioclaiming it an adventure

of an unusual sort. He found the ending

at Niagara Falls "exceptionally well done

although the scary stuff was created in the

studio," and enjoyed the interesting roles

played by such actors as Sam Levene and

Christopher Walken along with Roy Scheider

and Janet Margolin. The drama is on the

screens at Ellisville. Halls Ferry. Ronnie's

and Cinema IV.

Paramount's Heyday

Recalled in Twilight

DES MOINES, IOWA — "When

Clark

Gable swore to Vivien Leigh, "Frankly, my

dear, I don't give a damn," some of the

Des Moines audience feared the

strait-laced

Paramount Theatre might come tumbling

down.

They were right . . but years early. Des

.

Moines' Paramount Theatre's pinnacle was

the premiere of "Gone With the "Wind." It

was on an unforgettable day—Jan. 26,

1940. The cost of admissions was a fortune:

weekdays, 75 cents; evenings and weekends,

$1.12. It was two degrees below zero on

THEWTRE EQUIPMENT

"Everything for the Theatre"

No. CAPITOL AVE., INDIANAPOLIS, INO.

that opening day and line formed. an hour

before the 10 a.m. showing. Some brought

lunch and sat through the show twice.

Even the local newspaper The Register

gave the premiere a page one "top head."

Other rival theatres suffered while the

Paramount basked in the limelight, its customary

spot.

The Paramount began as the Capitol Theatre,

an afterthought to ,the eleven-story

building built for offices in 1923.

In the absence of TV, Little League and

other organized activities, theatres were

very much a part of the family liife in the

1920s. Parents attended in the evening, kids

on Saturday.

'Capitol Organ Club'

The Capitol had an organist, and for a

dime the i little kids could go to "Herbie's

Capitol Organ Club," named after Herbie

the organist who clowned around, and the

kids would get a funny hat and see very

bad silent one-reel comedies.

A. H. jBlank's organization bought the

Capitol in 1929 and launched its heyday as

the Paramount Theatre. Talkies were just

beginning after movies had shared the billing

for many years with live entertainment.

The movies were killing vaudeville and it

went down with a smile.

Mary Bernstein Rubin remembers it well,

since she was a member of the Paramount

Rockets after graduating from a local high

school in 1932. Bigtime entertainers and:

bands would come through town and be

billed with major movies. Local entertainers

would fill out the stage show—^the

Rockets were such a group. Mary says they

danced to whatever the bands would play,

including tunes with the likes

of Edgar Bergen

and Charlie McCarthy, torch singer

Helen Morgan, Ginger Rogers (before she

became a movie star), Blackstone the Magician,

Cab Calloway and other name bands

of the early swing era.

To launch the Paramount a bigshot emcee,

from Chicago, Charles Agnew, was

called in. Gradually, however, the stage

shows gave way to double features.

Almost a Riot

Des Moines almost had a riot in 1949

when "I Married a Nazi" played and two

fellows were hired to dress like Nazis and

stroll the streets to advertise it.

After the war and on into the '50s the

Paramount hung on pretty well. It was the

first theatre to advertise air conditioning in

the '30s and also offer free parking beginning

in 1957.

In 1956 "Rock Around the Clock" was

shown. It took three policemen and all the

ushers to keep peace inside. Outside a jukebox

blared rock music and dancers blocked

the street in front.

Paramount tried to live with television

as it came along, just as it had done with

vaudeville. Still later, dinner theatres and

live performers tried to keep the old theatre

alive, but her run was over.

The theatre will be torn down this month

but many many memories will be left standing.

The Paramount went dark as a movie

theatre in February 1973. Her last show was

"The Innocent Bystander."

Toronto

Ashanti (WB), Imperial, 2nd wk.

The Champ (UA), Plaza, 3rd wk

Every Which Way But Loose (WB),

Good

Good

Imperial, 1 8th wk Fair

The Evictors (AFD), Imperial, 3rd wk. Fair

Get Out Your Handkerchiefs (PR).

International, 10th wk Good

Hair (UA), University, 4th wk Good

Hurricane (Para), Imperial, 2nd wk. Good

Love at First Bile (AFD), Uptown,

2nd wk

Good

Manhattan (UA). Uptown, l&t wk. Excellenl

Norma Rae (BVFD), Hollywood,

7th wk Good

Richard Pryor—Live in Concert (PR),

Elgin. 5th wk Good

Superman (WB). Hollywood, Imperial,

19th wk Fair

Voices (UA), Uptown, 4th wk Fair

Vancouver


Coronet, 5th wk

Good

The Champ (UA). Vancouver Centre,

3rd wk Good

The China Syndrome (Astral), Odeon,

5th wk Good

The Deer Hunter (Univ), Vogue.

7th wk

Very Good

Firepower (PR). Downtown,

1st wk Average

Good Guys Wear Black (PR), Coronet,

1 St wk Above Average

The Great Train Robbery (UA), Capitol.

nth wk Fair

Hair (UA). Stanley. 4th wk Average

Hurricane (Para). Capitol. 3rd wk Fair

Love at First Bite (AFD). Capitol.

1st wk Average

Norma Rae (BVFD), Park.

2nd wk

Above Average

Superman (WB). Capitol. 19th wk. Average

The Warriors (Para). Capitol, 12th wk. Fair

Winnipeg


(Umiv). Kings, Park, 4th wk. Very Good

The Champ (MGM-UA), Metropolitan,

4th wk Excellent

The China Syndrome (Astral), Odeon.

3rd wk Excellent

The Deer Hunter (Univ). Garrick.

7th wk Excellent

Every Which Way But Loose (WB),

Northstar, 19th wk Good

Fast Break (Astral). Convention Centre.

7th wk

Very Good


Cinema 3. 1st wk Good

Hair (UA), Colony. 4th wk Average

Norma Rae (BVFD), Northstar.

1st wk Excellent

A Perfect Couple (BVFD). Garrick.

1st wk Fair


(Univ), Grant Park. 11th wk. . . .Average

Calgary


(Univ), 3 theatres, 3rd wk Excellent

The Champ (UA). Chinook.

2nd wk Excellent

The China Syndrome (Astral). North

Hill. Westbrook, 4th wk Excellent

The Deer Hunter (Univ).

Towne Red, 5th wk

Excellent

Fast Break (Astral), Grand,

5th wk

Excellent

The Fifth Musketeer (Astral).

Uptown, 1st wk Excellent

Good Guys Wear Black (PR). Marlboro

Square. Odeon. 4th wk. Excellent

Hair (UA). Palliser Square.

2nd wk Excellent

Hurricane (Para). Palace.

1st wk Excellent

Norma Rae (BVFD). Westbrook,

5th wk

Very Good


Uptown, 4th wk Excellent

Superman (WB). Calgary Place.

18th wk

Excellenl

Warriors (Para). Market Mall.

1 st wk Very Good

Edmonton

Ashanti (WB). Capitol Square.

1st wk Excellent


Capilano. Rialto. 4th wk .Excellent

The Champ (UA). Westmount.

2nd wk Excellent

The China Syndrome (Astral).

Meadowlark. Rialto. 4th wk. ..Excellent

The Deer Hunter (Univ), Towne

Cinema, 4th wk Excellent

Fast Break (Astral), Odeon,

4th wk

Excellent

The Fifth Musketeer (Astral),

Plaza. 1st wk Excellent

Good Guys Wear Black (PR). Avenue.

Jasper Red. 2nd wk.

Excellent

Hair (UA). Gaineau.

2nd wk Excellent

Hurricane (Para). Capitol Square.

1st wk Excellent

The North Avenue Irregulars (BV).

Londonderry. 4th wk Excellent

Superman (WB). Paramount.

18th wk

Excellent

Hurricane (Para), The Cinema,

1st wk Good

Love at First Bite (PR). Loews 2,

1 st wk. Excellent

Ircnch Language Films

Le Bonheur Renait (Univ).

Champlain, 3rd wk

Very Good

La Cage Aux Folles (UA),

Parisien, 5th wk Very Good

La Carapatte (PR), Parisien.

3rd wk

Very Good

Le Ciel Peul Attendre (Para).

Parisien. 1 1th wk Very Good

Doux, Dur et Dingue (WB).

Berri. 3rd wk Good

Marie Anne (PR), Parisien,

1 st wk Good

Sarah (UA), Parisien, 1st wk Good

Une Fille Cousue de Fil Blanc

(PR). Le Dauphin, 1st wk Fair

Ottawa

Ashanti (WB), Capitol Square,

3rd wk

Good


(Univ). Somerset. 5th wk Good

The Champ (UA). Elgin,

4th wk

Very Good


St. Laurent. 6th wk Very Good

The Deer Hunter (Univ), Elmdale,

7th wk

Very Good

Fast Break (Astral), Cinema 6,

3rd wk Good


Capitol Square. 3rd wk Good

Hair (UA). Nelson, 4th wk Good

Love at First Bite (AFD), Capitol

Square, Airport Drive-In,

1st wk Excellent

The Passage (UA), Place de Ville,

1st wk Good


St. Laurent, 10th wk Good

Filmmaker's Expectations

Tempered With Experience

CALGARY—Fil Fraser says he realistically

expects only one of the eight feature

films he's planning to make in Alberta to

turn into a big boxoffice success.

The movies represent an investment of

about $20 million during the next three

years and the Edmonton producer and director

naturally hopes they'll succeed financially

and artistically and will try to make each

a winner.

But previous experience indicates to him

that only one of eight is likely to become a

blockbuster. He says that one could do

"pretty well." the others might repay their

costs and one might be a total disaster.

Montreal

"But you know realistically that one

Ashanti (WB). I.oews 4. 3rd wk Good breakthrough will pay for the other seven."


Fraser says.

(Univ). Atwater. 1st wk Good Fraser Film Associates Ltd. of Edmonton

The Champ (UA). I.oews 1.

go into production in .August on

4th wk

Very Good

plans to

"The Falcon and the Ballerina." Jack Darcus's


love story about a young musician,

Bonaventurc. 6th wk Good jaded by years of success in a traveling

The Deer Hunter (Univ). Place du

band, and a beautiful ballerina, overwhelmed

Canada. 7th wk

Very Good

by a career that demands everything she

Hair (UA). York. 4th wk

Excellent has to give. The production has a $1.5

Halloween (Astral). Cinema de Paris.

million budget, mostly from local funding

11th wk

Good and the Canadian Film Development Corp.


K-1

VANCOUVER

"Qood Giijs \^car Black." which had just

completed s.iiiiraiion bookings in the

slate of Washington, moved across the

border. The first wave in British Cokimbia

embraced the Odeon Theatres' Coronet.

\ancoiivcr. Westminster Mall. Hyland. Dolphin

.md the Westminster Drivc-Iii.

TORONTO

plans are now well under way for this

year's fourth annual Festival of Festivals

here, with promises that the hassle of

lineups and overcrowding which marred last

year's event can be avoided this time.

"We expect to have 50 percent more

seats than last year," festival head Bill Marshall

said. "We're negotiating for theatres

with Famous Players, but they've got more

films backed up for that time than 1 a-

Guardia airport has planes."

The festival is set to run Sept. 6-15.

and already scheduled is a program of recent

Swedish films, at least 40 old and new horror

films, two gala screenings every night,

new Canadian productions, as well a series

of neglected films selected by Chicago critic

Roger Ebert.

Woody Allen's "Manhattan" set a new

house record in its opening at the Uptown

1 here, grossing $40,432 in three days.

Brothers Timothy and Joseph Bottoms are

to co-star as brothers in "Surfacing." a new

feature film to be made this summer in

Ontario's Algonquin Park. .'\lso in the cast

will be Canadian Beverly D'Angelo, who

was seen in "Hair." The producer will be

Beryl Fox. and Eric Till will direct. The

Festival patrons, who pay substantialls

more than the ordinary customers, will this

year have a star in the galaxy Andromeda

named for them and registered through an

arrangement with the Smithsonian Inslilule

and the Library of Congress in Washington.

S2.25 million budget will be put up by the

Canadian Film Development Corp.. the Canadian

Broadcasting Corporation. Famous

Players and private investors.

Moving into its third week of operation.

Cineplex is still "ironing out wrinkles" in

the operation of its 18 cinemas. These include

sound and projection difficulties, and

precautions against a possible breakdown in

the computerized ticket-selling system. Although

business has not been as first expected,

there is still great enthusiasm for

this unique theatre project. Biggest surprise

tc date has been the success of "The Rubber

Gun." a made-in-Montreal film that had

been neglected for two years because nobody

had any confidence in it. Response has been

so good to it that Cineplex moved ii into an

additional cinema for weekend business.

Backed by strong Montreal reviews, "Jacob

Two-Two Meets the Ho.ided Fang"

opened Ontario playdates. including five

theatres in the Toronto area. Based on the

children's cla.ssic b\ Mordecai Richler, this

Canadian film was produced by Harry Guilan

and John Flaxman was executive producer.

It is being distributed by Saguenay

Films.

The Toronto Sun will be a recipient of

Variety Clubs International's annual Communications

Media Awards. The Sun is being

honored for its publicizing of the Bikc-

.\-Thon sponsored by the Variety Club of

Ontario for the benefit of handicapped and

iniderprivileged children. The award will be

presented at the opening men's luncheon

of the 52nd .Annual Convention of Variety

Clubs International to be held May l'J-24

New Orleans.

in

Film Dist. Suit Filed

Against Allied Artsts

MONTREAL—Somerville House, a Canadian

film company, has filed a multipleaction

suit for an undisclosed amount

aaainst Allied Artists Industries of New

York.

Rosemary Christensen. head of Somerville.

said that the suit stems from an alleged

breach of contract and for failure to account

for and disburse distribution revenues lo

Somerville investors from two films. "The

Story of O" and "Zorro."

At the request of Somerville House, the

courts issued a seizure order against all

assets and properties of the distribution

company and its affiliated companies in

Quebec pending the outcome of the case.

"The Story of O" was released in 1 975

and "Zorro" a year later.

New Organization Formed

TORONTO A new organization, set up

along the lines of the .Academy of Motion

Picture Arts and Sciences, has been formed

to replace the annual Canadian Film

Awards, organizers said recently.

Paul Heffert. interim co-chairman of the

recently formed Academy of Canadian Cinema,

said that organizers recognized the

need to expand the film awards because of

the "explosive growth of the feature film indusstry

in this country."

Heffort. a composer, said that the awards

—for which the Etrogs are given—originally

had not been set up to handle feature

films and that nominating and judging procedures

had become difficult.

He said that film-feature production grew

to more than $60 million in 1977 from $5

million in 1977. It is expected to reach $100

million this year.

The awards in the past have been made

in the fall, often before many of the nominated

films had been released in the country.

For the past two decades, the awards

have been sponsored b> \arious industr\'

organizations.

Under the new academy, membership is

open to individuals with screen credit. Membership

will be divided into about 10 craft

categories such as actors, cinematographers.

composers, editors and directors.

'Halfback' Discounts

Aimed at the Boxoffice

By J. W. AGNEW

Toronio Correspondent

TORONTO— Beginning May I.

went into operation in Ontario.

Halfback, a plan devised by the

Halfback

province,

will enable holders of losing Wintario lottery

tickets to "cash them in," permitting them

to get discounts when buying records featuring

Canadian artist.s, or when buying theatre

tickets where Canadian feature films

are being shown.

"It's the best thing the Ontario government

has ever done for the movie business,"

said Bill Marshall, president of the Canadian

Association of Motion Picture Producers.

Halfback will be in operation over the

summer period until September 30. and Canadian

theatre owners and film distributors

have a five-month promotional campaign

laid out to take full advantage of this discount

scheme.

"The program is totally voluntary," stated

David Spence. director of Ontario's cultural

industries branch, administering the Hallback

plan. "Nobody's putting the hustle on

anybody. But we've got cooperation from

200 to 300 movie houses. We've even getting

movie houses in smaller towns that have

never booked a Canadian movie."

Two premieres have been arranged lo

coincide with the introduction of Halfback:

"The Shape of Things to Come." a futuristic

adventure featuring Jack Palance.

Carol Lynley and Barry Morse, and the

Ontario first showings of "Jacob Two-Two

Meets the Hooded Fang."

Later this summer, these other feature

films will be opening: "Meatballs," a youth

comedy produced by Ivan Reitman. with

Saturday Night Live's Bill Murray: "Fast

Company," a racing story with William

Smith: "The Brood," a thriller with Oliver

Reed and Samantha Eggar: "Wild Horse

Hank." a family story with Linda Blair and

Richard Crenna; and "City on Fire." a

disaster yarn starring Henry Fonda. ,Ava

Gardner and Shelley Winters.

Locally, the Park immediately booked a

double bill of "Why Shoot the Teacher"

and "Who Has Seen the Wind." and the

Elgin also brought in "Black Christmas"

along with "Death Weekend."

"I'm trying to bring back every Canadian

film I've got in the vaults, mostly for double

bills," said Len Herberman of Ambassador

Films. For theatre admissions, each losing

Wintario ticket can be redeemed for 50

cents off. or a maximum of four for each

admission. Most theatre admissions in this

province are now pegged at S3. 50. which

means that under this plan a patron could

pay as little as $1.50 for a theatre admission.

"The idea is good; You can't knock it."

one executive said. "But is it going to excite

sales in films that are not really commercial

Probably not. However, it will expose

Canadian pictures in smaller centres such

as Tweed and Peterborough, and that may

pave the wa\ for the fiUure."

K-2 BOXOFHCE :: May 21. 1979

'

World Film Festival Called

Injurious to Filmmaking

MONTREAL—A leading association ol

:ûebec filmmakers has attacked the third

nnual World Film Festival scheduled to

n here in late August.

ê Association des Reajisateurs de Films

'Quebec called the festival a useless and

enterprise that served "as an instruof

propaganda" that further contrib-

;o the loss of culture of Quebecers.

The World Film Festival, headed by

ierge Losique, shows top new international

ilms, some of them world premieres, and in

he past two years has attracted big-name

crecn stars to the two-week event.

Calling for an end to government support

'f the festival, the filmmakers accused the

esti\'al of contributing to the already prearious

economic condition of the Quebec

\4anager Trainees for TOI

Jndergo Seminar Sessions

BOZtMAN. MONT.—A junior

ilm industry.

The association proposed the creation of

new festival that would show Quebec

ilnis in addition to those from other coun-

e.xecuive

training seminar was recently held here

,ir manager trainees with Theatre Operators

nc.

The intensive two-day session covered all

spects of theatre management and acuainted

participants with general office per-

Dnnel and operating procedures.

The seminar was under the direction of

)an Klusmann. marketing director, who was

ssisted by Stephen Moser, company comtroller

and treasurer, and Ron Reid. city

lanager for TOI in Bozeman. Also particiating

were Doug Williams, president, and

im Warner of Warner Marketing Assolates

and a vice president in TOI.

Those attending were Dave Simpson.

shn Carpenter and Cathy Hamilton from

illings. Mont. Simpson manages the Rimock

4 while Hamilton is at the Crossroads

win. Carpenter is slated to manage the

ig Sky Drive-In under city manager Lanny

/agner.

Attending from Miles City was Jim Mcihatton.

presently managing the Park there.

IcElhatton will be in charge of the Sunset

'rive-In in Miles City. Attending from Hena

were Wayne Knudsvig. manager of the

aslight Cinemas: Joel Overton of the Skyigh

Drive-In and Steve McCauley, man-

:er of the Sunset Drive-In there.

The current assistant manager at the

laza Twin in Butte. Clay Brown, attended

did Sam Schmerbauch. manager of the

'orid Theatre in Missoula. Mont.

Attending from Bozeman were Larry

ones of the Campus Cinemas: Jerry Payne

the Rialto; and Tim Highfill of the Star-

!ht Drive-In. Also in attendance was a

anager-trainee. Karen Hewitt.

It is anticipated that the training seminar

ill become an annua] event.

Claude Binyon Jr. has been set as producm

manager for "Oil" and "River Horse."

Boom in

Canadian Film Production

Spurs Optimism From CFDC Head

.MONTREAL— Feature film production

in Canada, which reached record levels last

year, will continue to boom in 1979, Michael

McCabe, executive director of the Canadian

Film Development Corporation, said

recently.

The CFDC invested S6.3 million in 30

films produced last year— 18 English. 12

French—with combined budgets totaling

S50 million, a whopping increase from the

investments of SI. 6 million in 20 productions

with total budgets of S5.5 million in

1977.

Reviewing the corporation's just-concluded

1978-79 fiscal year, McCabe said the

CFDC also invested S900.000 in 56 projects

at the pre-production or development stages.

This also repiesents a dramatic increase

from the previous year when $400,000 was

invested in

40 projects.

In all. the CFDC last year invested S7.2

million in 86 projects, compared with only

S2 million invested in 60 projects in 1977.

"Many of the projects in the development

stage have now come to fruition and. while

the new production season is just getting

underway, we've already made tentative

commitments to invest some S7 million in

a wide variety of films." McCabe said.

"Of course, some films will fall by Ihc

wayside and other features will be added,

but I'm sure we'll have an even greater

volume of activity in 1979-80 than last year,

both in total budgets and number of productions.

"Tremendous growth of the industry

stems from many factors, not the least of

which are the CFDC's new investment, development

and promotion activities.

'Other factors include the emergence of

a group of strong, creative producers, the

development of new sources of financing

through public offerings by recognized

brokerage firms, lax incentives and the coproduction

treaties Canada has with Britain.

France, Italy. West German and Israel.

"Our new investment policies, are aimed

at stimulating production through investments

at the moment of greatest risk for

participate in more films each year.

"While our yearly investment budget is

only 54 million, much of this money was

returned to us quickly so that we virtually

doubled our investments during the past

year. We expect to do even better in the

new year."

The films in which the CFDC invested

last year ranged from high adventure to tender

love stories and comedy, and there was

even a disaster epic.

The emphasis, McCabe said, is on international

appeal.

"It is no longer feasible to make films

that will only be seen by a handful of

people," he said. "If it takes stories with

wide appeal and international stars to reach

screens around the world, then that's what

we'll invest in.

"This doesn't mean these films are less

Canadian. I believe that genuinely Canadian

themes have a future in the international

market.

"And where production budgets match Ihc

potential Canadian market, films can be

made that allow for local cultural expression

and give new talent the opportunity to

work and develop."

Although Canadian productions have attracted

international stars, they are also

helping to propel Canadians to

international

attention. "They have also brought home internationally

known Canadians Susan Clark

Donald Sutherland. Genevieve Bujold and

Christopher Plummer.

"The boom has given Canadian directors

living abroad, among them Steven Stern

and Alvin Rakoff. the opportunity to again

work in Canada," McCabe said.

"In addition, hundreds of technicians and

f)eople behind-the-scenes—set carpenters,

script assistants, makeup artists, costume designers,

grips, camera and sound crews and

the many people in the labs— -have been

busy this past year as a result of all the

film

activity.

""In fact, many technicians have enjoyed

the luxury, for the first time, of being able

to pick and choose jobs."

Circuit Awarded Right

To Exclude Revenue

'°MiLWAUKEE— In a ruling following a

lawsuit, a Wisconsin theatre circuit has won

the right to exclude student discount revenue

from grosses reponed to distributors.

TTie circuit. Marcus Theatres in Milwau-

the producer-— the initial stages of a project. kee, was held free of accountability for income

admissions from student discount

"The CFDC loans money for the development

of a project or to provide interim financing

so that the producers can proceed failed to sustain the claim in the suit filed

cards. Paramount and other distributors

with their films while awaiting funds from by them in Milwaukee County circuit court.

investors.

No ruling was handed down on the right

"These are short term, relatively modes! of distributors to include student discount

loans in comparison with the total budgets. card revenue in grosses. The decision rested

In return, we expect a profit and a quicker on a finding that the contracts with Marcus

turn-around of CFDC funds, allowing us to did not specifically provide for inclusion

of student discount admissions.

The court held that .Marcus never agreed

to include student card discounts, and that

distributor contract forms were ambiguous.

The suit was predicated upon an audit of

1965-70 grosses, resulting in a September

1971 charge that student discount receipu

should have been subject to payment by

Marcus.

Marcus began charging a fee for student

cards in 1970.

1

XOmCE :: Mav 21, 1979

K-3

Sell . . . and

Sell

Scores of busy little messages

go out every week to a tremendous

audience-and they get a tremendous

response!

Every exhibitor is

busy—buying,

selling, renting, hiring. All this is

made easier and more profitable

with the classified ads in Clearing

House each week.

READ • USE • PROFIT BY—

Classified

Ads

in

BOXOFFICE

Greatest Coverage in the Field—Most Readers for Your Money

Four Insertions for Price of

Three

BOXOmCE :: May 21, 1979

Cftvdtucimt, • SauuatHent • CfMSddiatU • AftitdittMMU

MAY 21, 1979

Foreign thealie sealing looks unique coinimied lo stiuulanl American designed (.Intu i' I iiteinational chairs

from Paris are used in these German theatres. Left is the "2001" theatre with 26.S piaizen isiatsi in the model

called, appropriately, "Robot." At right is the "Hollywood" theatre featuring 88 seats in the "Club 13" model. While

they may look nice, exhibitors will surely scoff at the price tag. Imported seals often cost more than $150 each.

Photos courtesy "Film-Echo/ Filmwoche."

featuring Theatre Seating

..I

r.itA .^.j-^- r,

-THl

I'DPIEM

TllAmB J

^ COnTEPTS 1^

|t was August of 1977 when Arthur

D. Little. Inc., a research and consulting

firm, issued a private report predicting

"a significant decline in the number of motion

picture theatres."

David Fishman, then a researcher with

the firm for nearly two years, was the author

of the report, having nearly 12 years experience

in motion picture production and

distribution. Fishman also predicted in his

report that moviegoing will be left to the

few who want to see "foreign language

films" and "minority oriented" films aimed

at selected audiences.

He also asserted that average Americans

will probably rent video cassettes through

lending libraries to ultimately be played at

home on big-screen TV sets. "I don't know

which it will be," he said, "video cassettes,

cable TV or discs, but they'll bring the movies

home."

Some of his predictions have been enforced

by recent events. Others have been

contradicted.

Fishman's prediction of a decline in the

number of theatres might be hotly contested

by theatre owners in Memphis or Little

Rock, just two areas where exhibitors are

concerned with the overbuilding of theatres.

If theatre admissions are any indication

of the need for increased theatre building,

the industry should delight in a recent report

by Theodore Nelson of the Office of

Consumer Goods and Services published in

the 1979 U.S. Industrial Outlook.

"It is estimated that boxoffice receipts

will reach $6.6 billion by 1983, reflecting

an average annual increase of ten percent

between 1978 and 1983," the report concludes.

Still, some recent events support Fishman's

conclusion. The opening of Cineplex

in Toronto— 18 screens on one site offering

foreign language, specialty and art films to

small audiences of 137 or less— is just one

example supporting his conclusions. United

Artists Eastern Theatre Circuit will open a

six-theatre complex this week which will

"book films catering to a variety of tastes

including "special art and classic productions

not commercially viable" in smaller

situations.

Another harbinger is the recent agreements

between both United Artists and

Paramount to distribute video cassettes of

major feature films to home markets

through a rental library firm called "Vid-

Amcrica."

While Fishman's prediction of gloom may

prove to be partially true, exhibitors needn't

be too concerned. The report ignores one

basic fact of human nature; people wanl and

need to get out of the house.

Film Technology on the Move 4

Ever wonder what's become of the polyester base film stock

Aside from a relatively small cost increase involved in using this

film, exhibitors seem receptive to it and even anxious to switch.

Film may further be improved by a new emulsion coating introduced

last week by the 3M Company.

Personnel Changes at Carbons

Affect Five in Management

The 1979 Annual Seating Review 8

The exhibitor's one-stop guide to the fine seating products offered

by the major manufacturers.

Cine-Fi Inventor Sekiguchi

Receives Technical Award

Cinelux-Ultra Lens Receives

Academy Scientific Citation

New Equipment and Developments 12

Eprad's New rectifier line; Giro's SPeif splicer; Bally Case &

Cooler enters pre-fah building markt 16mm test film

available.

What is the NAC 14

"During the last 15 years, the growth of the concession industry

has been phenomenal. Concession sales grossed $4 billion in

1978 with an annual growth rate of 10 to 12 percent."

GARY BURCH, Managing Editor

THE MODERN THEATRE is a bound-in section published eoch month in BOXOFFICE. Editorial

or general business correspondence should be addressed to Vance Publishing Corp.

825 Von Brunt Bird. Kansas City, Mo. 64124. Eostern Representative: James Young, 133

E. seth Street, Eleventh Floor, New York, N.Y., 10022, (212) 755-5400. Western Representotive:

Ralph Kominsky, 1800 N. Highland, Suite 707, Hollywood, Calif. 90028, (213) 465-

One of the greatest producers

inthe history of movies

has never even made a picture.

Not even a short subject. But

when it comes to producing the finest

equipment for movie theatres,

we've had hit after hit.

Like our Christie Xenolite" bulb.

The shining star of the industryguaranteed

to have an incredibly

long run.

Our Xenolite Lamphouses and

Consoles. Our Autowind" film handling

systems. All acclaimed by

theatre owners worldwide.

And Christie Dimension-4 Sound.

The most complete and lifelike

stereo sound system available today.

Now, with the introduction of a

remarkable new film projector, a

long-awaited dream is fulfilled—the

total Christie projection booth.

As Christie Electric celebrates

its golden anniversary, we'd like to

extend our warmest thanks to all

who have supported us through

the years.

We may never make a blockbuster

movie, but being recognized

as the number one producer of

motion picture theatre equipment

is reward enough for us.

m%

CHRISTIE AT FIFTY

Christie Electric Corp., 3410 West 67th Street, Los Angeles. California 90043 (213) 750-1151

Write Ho. 1 on Reader's Service Card

(BOXOmCE :: May 21, 1979

Film Technologv on the nioue

For Incandescent Systems

• Individually Adjustable High and

Low Brightness Levels

• Illuminated Push-Button Controls

• Separately Adjustable Bright /Dim

Rate — 1 Second to 30 Minutes

• Manual Overide Low Level

Adjustment

• Service Loads from 300 to 4200

Watts, 120V AC

• Adapts Easily to Automation

• Easily Installed— Guaranteed 1 Year

Ever wonder what's become of the pwlyester

base film stock

You may have had several opportunities

to test this remarkably strong film with the

1974 release of United Artists' "Bring Me

the Head of Alfredo Garcia" or UA's

"Brannigan."

The most recent test of polyester film

came with the 1977 release of Warner

Bros.' "Oh, God!" That film was part of a

test for the Eastman Kodak "Estar" film

stock. Some regions of the U.S. received

the complete film or portions of the film

printed on the Estar film. The test included

polyester/ acetate stock, polyester stock and

regular acetate stock.

Most exhibitors prefer the advantages of

polyester based film over acetate and are

currently using it as a long-lasting and dependable

leader film in their booths.

Changing Overnight

According to Tony Anthony Bruno of the

motion picture and audio-visual markets division

of Eastman Kodak, the Estar film

stock is readily available from Kodak but

the decision to use it rests in the hands of

production and distribution. Bruno notes

that the entire industry "can't be changed

overnight" to the improved film stock,

pointing out that there is "a premium" associated

with the use of the film.

"It is an awfully strong film but its application

really determines its advantages,"

he said. The cost increase of polyester based

film over conventional acetate film is

roughly 50 cents per 1,000 feet, a cost differential

described as "insignificant" by one

film lab technician.

Mike Palcher of Central Shipping and Inspection

Inc., Kansas City, recalls inspecting

"Brannigan" prints. "I remember that it

stood up very well compared to regular

stock. You could really tell the difference.

When it did scratch, it tended to scratch

deeper and harder, but there was no

sprocket damage. You could hold this film

in your hands and still not tear it."

Palcher also recalls rumors that United

Artists planned to release as much as 80

percent of its films on the durable stock

after apparently successful results on "Brannigan."

"Wunderfilm"

,

So why hasn't this "wunderfilm" caught

1

on

Aside from the relatively small cost increase

cited above, it could be that polyester

film is being held up by a lack ofi

tape splicers. Tape splicing is essential because

polyester base films cannot be spliced

with ordinary solvent-fusion methods. In

fact, some laboratories and other special

applications use sophisticated thermal weld

splicers for polyester based films.

Some concern has also been expressed

that the film is so strong that it may damage

projectors or film lab printing components

if they are not perfectly aligned. With ace-

the projector usually damages the film.

tate,

With polyester, the film can damage the

projector.

A check with Deluxe General and Technicolor

labs confirms that neither firm

knows of any current or near-future films

scheduled to use the unique stock. Aside

from using the polyester stock for a few

test reels on general releases, its primary

use remains in the making of 16mm films

for heavy use situations such as in-flight

motion pictures and repeating film cartridges

used in audio-visual markets. Some government

facilities, such as military bases, require

polyester prints for their own use.

Flexible

Glass

Regardless of if or when polyester film

comes into common usage, all film stock

may be further improved in the near future

Continued on page 6

Optional Remote Controls

• Fast-Bright Panic Control

• Individual Control of Multiple

Lighting Circuits (e.g screen

and house)

We cant guarantee you a full fiouse But we can promise

you tfie best in automated high speed ticketing and the

most advanced motion picture screens And, we have over

fifty years of experience to prove it.

JjjiffTTn/jf/rhfjf

XeTRON Products Division, Carbons. Inc.

10 Saddle Road, Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927

Phone (201)267 8200

A Division of Cemcorp

1515 Melrose Lane (301)838-0036

PO Box 105 (301)879-3027

Forest Hilt Md 21050

HURLEY SCREENS

A Subsidiary of Cemcorp

1610 Robin Circle (30i) 836-9333

PO Box 217 (301)879-6757

Foresi Hill, fvid 21050

Write, wire or phone your

theatre supply dealer

^fiT*^

^«»8^

Write No. 3 on Reader's Service Card

The IVIODERN THEATRE SECTION

is

SUPER

LUME-X

an exhibitor's dream.

flo moneif cIouia

25% trade-in cillouicince

5-i|e

7] Film Technology

SPECIALIST IN TWINNING, BUILDING

or

REMODELING THEATRES

We are "THE" specialist in the creation of a twin or multi-theatre from

your existing theatre. Complete turnkey job, plans, engineering,

.construction and finishing. Call or write:

Norman and Friddell. 94 Panorama Dr., Conroe, Tx. 77301

A/C 713-856-5297

Reader's Service Carl)

I

Selby:

Best performance ina

supporting role.

V

,

Personnel Changes at Carbons

Affect Five Managementol'

The appointment

Ben Biskowitz as

senior

vice-president

^^^^^^^^^^^_ announced

for Carbons, Inc., was

^^^^^^^H recently

hy

r ''^^' ^'^'^

^^B

Jersey based

H ^ mH nKiniil'acturer and im-

Ht^ *C^ aH porter of professional

^ theatres.

^H . v ^JH equipment for movie

B-^CfeW**.-

^P'^Mi' Wh Carbons since

T^gMJP; 1966, Biskowitz holds

jP^ responsibility in all

I

areas of the compa-

Bcn Biskowitz

^y^ operations including

international marketing and liaison.

Befoie being named a vice-president of

Carbons in 1973, he was general manager

for the company's Xetron products division.

Previously, Biskowitz was a technical

trouble-shooter in the television industry.

Pickrell also announced promotions from

within the company to fill two administrative

positions. Named in the promotions

was George A. Oravits, former manager of

Carbon's Xetron products division. Oravits

has been named general manager, a new

post,

for the firm.

In the new position. Oravits holds overall

responsibility for all company production,

procurements and order shipments.

Oravits joined Carbons in 1966 and has

held responsibilities in various production

operations since that time.

George Mackey

Teil Askew

experience in electronics and electro-mechanical

design. Mackey studied at the

Boise State College and has been an active

member of the SMPTE since 1973. Askew

studied electronics technology at Bloomfield

and Union Technical Schools, respectively.

HD Qfl

Portable 35mm 1

lfir"UU Sound Projector |

George Oravits

Jerry Van De Rydl

Named to replace Lester David as administrative

manager for the firm was Jerry

Van De Rydt. David retired during 1978.

With the company since 1975, Van De

Rydt previously was assistant administrative

manager. In his new position he holds responsibility

for all company finances and

accounting, as well as overall management

of the company's Lorraine Carbons division.

Pickrell also announced the naming of

George Mackey as chief engineer and Ted

Askew as staff engineer.

Formerly a staff engineer for the firm,

Mackey's career in the theatre industry

includes more than 20-years of experience.

Ten of these years were spent as a theatre

projectionist.

As chief engineer, his responsibilities include

new product and systems development,

testing and evaluation, and installations.

Ted Askew, with Carbons since 1975,

has been promoted to staff engineer. He

was previously a sales engineer with the

firm.

Both

Mackey and Askew have extensive

Si^

THE

SOURCE

FOR

3 Dimensional

Plastic

Letters

G'tosr

I Tfte /979 Annual Seating Review

Your patrons spend nearly all of their time in your theatre sitting in the auditorium

seats. If you've got a good quality picture, but your patron has to shift and

squirm during the time the show runs, then you're going to have a dissatisfied customer.

Probably the best tesi of a theatre seat for comfort is to actually sit through a

feature film showing. If you find it uncomfortable, so will your patrons. Make this test

on your present seating and perhaps you may decide to replace your furnishing.

||

The first word in

DURABILITY

DELIVERY

DESIGN

Rapid Change

Letter Co.

Affiliated with Sign Products

THE

SOURCE

FOR

Acrylic

Flat

Letters

4" to 17

GRIGG EQUIPMENT CO.

Griggs Equipment Co.. Belton, Tex.,

offers a wide range of styles and a

large selection of fabrics and finishes

to answer every use, design and budget

requirement. Shown above is the model

4200 Push-Back chair and below is the

model 4252 chair featuring a fullmoulded

five-inch polyurelhane cushion

and an extra high back with a threeinch

foam and Melamine plastic back

shell. The seat pan and uplift are made

of steel. Other features of the firm's

seats include no-sag positive seat stops;

19. 20. 21 and 22-inch seat and back

sizes; floor or riser mounted Permocast

aluminum standards; solid hardwood

or padded fabric-covered arms, and

lough, durable Cvcohic wood ^ruined

Mclaniiin- or sled seal

hacks.

IRWIN SEATING CO.

Irwin Seating Co., Grand Rapids,

Mich., combines luxury and comfort

in it's "Loge" line. The deep seats, thick

backs and wide arms of the Loge line

are available in the full line of upholstered

theatre chairs and have reportedly

gained wide acceptance since their

introduction. Irwin's PAC features an

acoustically engineered, padded, upholstered

rear and is a favorite for

performing arts centers and screening

rooms. Irwin Seating Co., with over

70 years experience, can reportedly

provide a complete package of quality

seating for the most discerning buyer.

Other sealing lines include the Citation,

Atlas-Hi-Back, Comet and Gladiator

chairs designed specifically for theatre

sealing. Irwin Sealing also provides a

complete sealing package for theatre

owners, including delivery and full

installation.

Self-spacing panels that are

EFFECTIVE

ECONOMICAL

EASY TO USE

Samples on request. For complete

information, pleyse call immediately.

213-747-6546

1319 West 12th Place Los Angeles, CA 90015

I

The MODERN THEATRE SECTION

MASSEY SEATING CO.

Two popular chair models that Massey

Seating Co., Nashville. Tenn.. offers

are, top to bottom, the Astro-Rocker

and Rocker-Lounger. The big, oversized

Astro-Rocker, and its companion

Astro-Lounger, feature three foampillar

back supports and a fidl-depth

foam cushion seat. The latter has the

same distinctive styling and construction

as the former, except that it

is stationary. A fool-proof rocking

mechanism, permitting an automatic

adjustment for the proper seat pitch,

has contributed to the Rocker-Lounger

becoming "the standard of comparison

in theatre seating." The Loge model

is available with the same features.

AMERICAN SEATING CO.

American Sealing Co.. Grand Rapids.

Mich., continues to be a leader and one

of the world's largest manufacturers of

public seating with its maintenancefree

35 M series, which reportedly exceeds

seating criteria in quality, comfort

and quiet operation. Within its 35

M series is the model 35M-FR found

in installations world wide. A large

section of upholstery fabrics, colors and

aisle treatments are available. Write No. 10 on Reader's Service Card

The New World Heavyweight

Champion

Irwin's new Louc line is a

kiidckout.

Wc began with our proven style

and durability. Then, we made

our seat eushion a lot deeper

(Hir armrests longer and witler

and we gave our baeks a lot

thieker padding.

/HARRY

MELCHER

THEATRE EQUIPMENT

Complete Projection and

and

Equipment

^^^^^

Concession

Sound

3607-15 W. Fond du Uc

(414) 442-5020

yiju,.

Equipmint

Reinforcement

Service and Repair

Wl 53216

Now we've got tiic most eomfortable

theatre chair available

anywhere. A chair that won't

go eiown tor the count.

So wh\ go with a pait'oka

"

when you can ha\e the Champ

Irwin Seating Drop us a note at the C'liamp's

Company training camp. We're proud of

'•^'•"" heavvweigiit. and we'd

rrlnli'Hj'lK

Mirh. 4!)'ioi reaHx hke to show you wh\

No. 12 on Reader's Service Cn

y

UPGRADE VOUR

BCN>IHAr

DOGGGNELOW

GOsrwrrH

EFRAD

I«L-MUr

HEYWOOD-WAKEFIELD

I

"Best friend a theatre man ever had" is

what you're likely to hear about DBL-MUT

from satisfied owners of the breed.

You sec, DBL-MUT (that's short

for double make-up table) is a universal

film handling unit that can save you time

and money three ways in preparing and

presenting shows.

For example: used as a stand alone

film transport system , DBL-MUT will turn

a small reel capacity into a large reel transport,

holding up to 4 '/2 hours of film. (48-inch

reels). Just roll it up to your projector, feed

film from one side reel to the projector and

back to the other reel. Put it in "run" mode

and your show is on screen when your

projector starts. Very nifty.

Or, use DBL-MUT as a rewind bench —

rewinding smoothly from any large reel

or studio reel. Speed is controlled by the

variable power supply.

DBL-MUT will also serve you as a

make-up bench for Eprad's Simple Platter

and most others. And give you backup

capability should a platter break down.

DBL-MUT is shipped complete, ready

(o plug into any 115 Vac 60 Hz outlet. No

time or money lost for installation or booth

equipment modification.

Get in touch with your Eprad dealer

and put a leash on a DBL-MUT soon.

You'll be doggone glad you did. Or, write

us for complete information.

Sold and Leased Internationally

Thru Selected Theatre Supply Dealers

INCORPORATED

Box 4712 / Toledo.Ohio 43620

®

/ (419) 243-8106

Heywood-Wakefield, M e n o in i n e e,

Mich., offers theatre chairs in stationary

models and seven rocking chairs,

above. Representative rocker model

TC-2104, below, has a spring base

mechanism, veneer back panel and

solid wood armrests. The spring-base

rocking innovation adjusts automatically

to all seating positions without

levers, buttons or gadgets. Padded

hacks and spring-filled backs are available

along with coil spring and arch

spring seat cushions. All metalwork,

available in a choice of standard and

custom colors, is steel. Seat cushion'

are available in widths from 19 to 24

in. and are fitted with wire drawstring

covers for easy replacement. Rocking

Models are available in mini-midi-maxi

sizes to accommodate various size seating

budgets.

NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY

Produced for National Theatre Supply

by American Desk Manufacturing Co.,

the company's chair line includes three

varieties. The Lounger model 2840,

above, is offered in two styles— the

King-Back, a deep plush style, and

the slimline Queen-Back. Both provide

the ultimate in comfort and convenience

with an unusual mechanism that

maintains a precise relationship between

back and seat in every angle of

recline. Model 2117-24F, below, is the

Marquis, which features a uniquely

contoured plastic back that is superbly

designed for ease, durability and freedom

of maintenance.

MARBLE HELPS... With High Quality, Low Prices, and

Fast Delivery You'll make bigger profits.

Call Bill Alexander, collect, or contact your theatre supply dealer for:

• Double Eagle Carbons • X-CEL Xenon Bulbs

• Sankor Lenses • Reflectors

THE/iÂMRBLE COAAPANY INC.

.Tennessee 37207

3lex 554303

RenJei's Service

C.iril

^g^K

^gj^


Cine-Fi inventor Sekiguchi

Receives Technical Award

Kiichi Sekiguchi, inventor of the Cine-Fi

drive-in radio sound system, recently received

a Technical Achievement Award

from the Assn. of Motion Picture Arts and

Sciences.

Kkintb

. for

i Reader's

^ 'm^

No. 18 on Reader's Service Card

The KNEISLEY Lamphouse to

Remember when Equipping Your Theatre,

— write for fne details—

NEW

LgJUUlJLfl-9-8-B-9-0-fl-9.BJ.e

Rubber feet stop EQUIPMENT

splicer from sliding.

I

Fits quickly onto ^g

= and =:

-n

any CIR-type splicer. |s g DEVELOPMENTS

CIRO

a o'oTnrBTTS "BTTBTnT SHI

o

D Eprad-Manufactured Rectifiers

O

EQUIPMENT CORPORATION Now Offered in Three Sizes

6820 Romaine Street, Hollywood, Eprad recently announced that it is now

California 90038. (213) 467-1296 marketing a new .xenon rectifier designed

and manufactured by the firm at their plant

in Toledo. The rectifier formerly offered by

xi^

rr

XENEX

• it's moderately priced, ruggedly constructed.

Clean styling. Complete rear Instrument panel.

Access to interior through full hinged doors.

Adjustable nose cone. Heavy duty igniter.

• Horizontal lamp ond 14 inch dichroic coated,

glass reflector provide greater light pickup ond

excellent screen coverage. Focusing and beom

controls provided.

• Accommodates 1000 through 4000 watt Xenon

Lamps for indoor and outdoor screens up to

125 feet wide.

• Magnetic arc stabilization properly positions

arc tail flame around anode, increasing lamp

life.

• Bl-ower cooled. Manual ignition and manual

douser ore standard. Automotic ignition optional.

THE KNEISLEY ELEQRIC COMPANY, P.O. BOX 4692, TOLEDO, OHIO 43620

the firm was reportedly designed several

years ago by a consultant and manufactured

for Eprad by another firm.

The new rectifier is reportedly the result


rgahver

CLOSES!

When you've got to get your

equipment rolling again, excuses are

inexcusable. Call the one source that

comes to your aid 24 hours a day, RCA,

Our coast-to-coast network of

technicians puts a specialist near you.

He's ready to deliver fast, professional

emergency service, routine preventive

maintenance, equipment installation,

booth modification, auditorium

equalization and a lot more . all

equipment Dolby-trained specialists.

Call on 40 years of experience.

Call RCA Any time you need us, or

even before you need us. Call us collect

at (609) 338-4157 for the 24-hour

service number in your area,

RCil

RCA Service Company, A Division of RCA

Technical Services. 204-2

Route «38, Cherry Hill. N, J, 08353

Service Card

of more than one year of intensive effort

and several months of exhaustive testing.

The new design emphasizes ease of operation.

dL-pciulability and economy of operation,

the firm reports.

A control knob on the top of the rectifier

cabinet provides a continuously variable

voltage capability. There are no taps to be

changed if a higher or lower operating

voltage is needed.

Components in the new rectifiers include

"avalanche" diodes to safeguard against

lightning. General Electric's new metal oxide

varistors to prevent spiking, and temperature

in detectors the diode bank which

shut the rectifier down in case of excessive

heat build up.

The rectifiers come in three sizes 2000

watts ($2921), .^000 watts ($3346), and

4000 watts ($3642).

For more information, enter 112 on the

Reader's Service card.

New products or services mentioned in

this

iiiai;azi'U' arc for infonuation purposes only.

Their appearance does not necessarily constitute

endorsement by Boxoffice or The

MoDF.RN Theatric.


Giro Equipment 'SPerf Splicer

Puts Tape Edges at Frameline

Ciro Equipment CoqD. recently introduced

an eight perfoiation splicer which covers

two 35mm frames so the tape's edges

New 16mm Test Film

Available From SMPTE

A new 16mm test film for use to evaluate

projector aligninent and screen image quality

is now available, it was announced by

.SMPTE engineering vice-president Roland

.1. Zavada. Eastman Kodak Co. The new

film, designated the 16PA-100, can be obtained

from the SMPTE test film dept., 862

Scarsdale Ave.. Scarsdale, N.Y. 10583 at a

cost of $41 each.

According to Zavada, the film is designed

to provide the same degree of performance

evaluation for professional 16mm projectors

that has been available for 35mm projectors

through SMPTE's well-known 35-PA and

35-IQ test films.

The film, supplied in 100-foot rolls in

black and white, is produced as a camera

original. The film is said to be an excellent

tool for permitting the quantitative measurement

of projector adjustments that affect a

projector's visual image. The 16PA-100 is

made in accordance with SMPTE recommended

practice RP82-1978.

SPECIALISTS

REBUILDING

CHAIRS

ip.

Reasonabl

pound. Sur

cs, $2.00. W.

----g Cor

I, Brooklyr

212-875-5433. (Re

Write No. 21 on Reader's Service Card-^

the frameline, instead of in the film

image area.

Like all Ciro splicers, the "SPerf" makes

its own perforations in the splicing tape and

trims the edges automatically.



Bally Case & Cooler Enters

Pre-Fob Building Morket

Entire buildings for boxoffice, information

centers, refreshment stands, supply and

equipment storage, and climate-controlled

motion picture film storage can now be assembled

of a single, pre-insulated, metal

panel system, according to Bally & Case

Cooler Inc.

jlly"s tour-inch-thick, metal clad panels

are available for walls, vertical corners,

roofs aind floors. They are said to have a

high insulating efficiency of R-34 and can

be clad with architectural color-coated

facades.



^

We'll light

op your life!

WITH OUR 4 SPECIALIZED THEATRE

SCREENS

XR171

ANTI-STATIC

non-yellowing

pearlescent surface

HILUX

silver surface

approved for 3D

ECH

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prevents cross reflection of Ught.

Cotton backing prevents bellying

on curved screens.

o MATTE

WHITE

heavy

ALSO THE FINEST IN DRIVE IN SCREEN PAINT

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PROFESSIONAL SCREENS OF SUPERIOR QUALIiY

1 Seabring Street, Brooklyn, N. Y. 1 1231 — (212) 624-6429

Sup

TUNE-A-MOVIE REALLY WORKS !

RADIO SOUND SYSTEMS FOR DRIVE IN THEATERS

5707 Lady Lane, Tucson, Arizona 85704 * Telephone (6021 888 0747


'\\.i No. 23 on Reader's Service Card

Complete Concession

Centers

Butler-Proctor

Planned-Built-Equipped

Installed

Call or Write

priKlor

fliiff IstriliMtiii*! cm.

Address all


correspondence to Dept. BMTS.

From theatres and fair grounds to ballparks

and airports, concession operations

everywhere are part of one of the fastest

growing segments in today's economy. Sharing

in the concession industry's upward

movement is its trade association. The National

Assn. of Concessionaires (NAC),

What Is the nflC

which is presently celebrating its 35th year

of service to the industry.

Founded in 1944, the NAC is the only

association covering the entire concession

industry. The present organization was preceded,

however, by three other associations

whose differing names and membership correspond

to the industry's development.

At its founding, the association was

named the National Assn. of Popcorn Manr

ufacturers and represented only the "general

interests of popcorn manufacturers . . .

throughout the U.S." In 1953, a name

change to the International Popcorn Assm.

heralded the organization's broadened

membership which now included processors,

theatre and concession operators, retail

shops, jobbers, equipment manufacturers

and suppliers and brokers.

Two years later, the association adopted

a less exclusive name, the Popcorn and Concession

Assn. Yet this still was not all-inclusive

enough and, in 1956, the name was

changed for the last time to the National

Assn. of Concessionaires. Since that time,

the association has been dedicated to serving

the entire concession industry.

Phenomenal Growth

During the last 15 years, the growth of

the concession industry has been phenomenal.

Concession sales grossed $4 billion in

1978 with an annual growth rate of 10 to

12 percent. In spite of inflation and rising

costs, concessions in many locations, particularly

in movie theatres, contribute almost

100 percent to the facilities' profit.

Concession operations can be found almost

anywhere, from historical sites to

swimming pools. Popcorn, soft drinks and

candy, although still staple concession items,

have been joined on many menus by pizza,

yogurt, granola bars and a host of other

food items. Some facilities have even begun

marketing non-food items such as artwork,

T-shirts and various souvenirs.

The service of such a fast-growing and

diverse industry requires a variety of farranging

programs. The N.A^C has attempted

to meet the needs of its members, who operate

over 25,000 concession facilities

throughout the U.S., Canada, Costa Rica

and Australia, with several programs and

-Write No. 25 on

Reader's Sen

[,1

\r/|r^"^

"The Concessionaire," a newsletter covering

current events in both the association,

and the concession industry, is published by

the NAC on a bi-monthly basis. Copies are

sent free of charge to all members. The

NAC also provides its membership withi

supplemental bulletins which explore in

detail issues of particular interest. Members

are encouraged to submit ideas to the NAC

publications, which maintain a continual

flow of communications between the association

and its membership.

Membership Package

A "Concessions Management and Operations

Guide," one of the most comprehensive

publications presently available on the

subject, is also sent to NAC members as

part of a membership package. The guide

was written by industry experts and includes

chapters on financial management, purchasing

management, personnel management

|

and equipment and facilities, as well as separate

sections on various types of concession

operations. Revision plans for the guide are

currently underway and a newly expanded

and updated version will soon be available.

Besides its many publications, the NAC

also stages a series of tradeshows. conventions

and other meetings for members of

the concession industry. Regional conventions,

held throughout the year, provide an

opportunity for delegates to exchange ideas,

view new products and equipment and listen

to industry specialists.

ShoWesT, hosted by members in 13 western

states, is the largest of the regional conventions,

drawing over 1,500 delegates this

year. NAC's national convention and tradeshow

is held annually in conjunction with

the National .'Vssn. of Theatre Owners and

the Theatre Equipment Assn.

Over 2,000 concession operators, theatre

owners, manufacturers, suppliers and distributors

attended last year's convention at

the Americana Hotel in New York. The

fradeshow had a total of 110 exhibition

booths. The 1979 national convention will

be held Oct. 30-Nov. 1 at the Bonaventure

Hotel in Los Angeles.

Education /Public Relations

During both the regional and the national

conventions, the NAC sponsors a series of

educational meetings for delegates. These

meetings usually feature industry experts

who hold seminars or conduct panel discussions

on new ideas and techniques in

concession operation and management.

The NAC also provides an on-going public

relations program as a general service

to the industry. Through news releases, media

contacts and its own publications, the


,

Metzger.

association continually strives lo establish

an accurate and positive public image for

the concession industry. This has been particularly

important in the wake of recent

criticism aimed at concession items. The association's

lespcinso to the "junk food" contro\crs\

has been to reiterate its recommen-

Jalioii ot moderation in all food purchases.

In addition to its current programs, the

NAC is constantly searching for ways to improve

its service to the industry and its

members. With several new projects already

being discussed, the association and the industry

are both anticipating even greater

growth and prosperity through the new decade

and beyond.

Popcorn Institute Officers

Are Elected for 1979

The Popcorn Institute, the Chicago-based

association of U.S. popcorn processors, has

elected officers for 1

979. Re-elected to serve

a second term as pres-

^^

ident is

^jjjj^l^

Herbert B.

^^^^^ ^S Gettelfinger, president

W a

°^ Gettelfinger Pop-

NAC President Lowe Appoints

Ten Regional Vice-Presidents

The appointment of ten regional vicepresidents

foi the National Assn. of Concessionaires

was recently announced by

NAC president Perry Lowe of Theatre

Management Services. Lowe said the vicepresidents,

four of whom are new associ

ation officers, will play a vital role in .is

sisting NAC to work effectively with all ol

its members.

As an example, Lowe called the association's

regional meetings, several of which

are held each year, an important aspect ol

the NAC's "grass roots" approach to

reaching

concessionaires. He also pointed to the

success of this year's ShoWesT convention,

hosted annually by members in 13 western

states, which attracted more than 2,000

delegates.

The ten regional vice-presidents and the

areas within their regions include:

Region No. 1: Fella Goldberg, Standard Box Co.,

Chelsea, Mass. (Connecticut, Dekrwaie, District of

Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New

Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania,

Puerto FUco, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and

West Virginia.)

Region No. 2;

Inc., Memphis,

, „,

-

Mississippi, North and South Carolina and Tennes-

Region No. 3: Paul Leikowitz, L & L Concession

Co., Troy, Mich. (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan

and Ohio.)

Region No. 4; Gerald Toohey, Nebraska Concession

Supply Inc., Omaha, Neb. (Colorado, Iowa, Kansas,

Missouri and Nebraska.)

Region No. 5: Frank G. Liberto, Liberto Specialty

Co., San Antonio, Tex. (Arkansas, Louisiana, New

Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.)

6: Region No. Chesler, Norman Theatre Candy

Distributing Co., Salt Lake City, Utah. (Arizona,

Cahlorma, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah.)

Goetze Appoints Jim Coyle

Assistant Sales Manager

Melvin Goetze, chairman of the board

and president of Goetzc's Candy Co., Inc.,

recently announced

Jim Coyle

the appointmemt of

lim Coyle as assistant

biiies manager. Coyle

will assist Spaulding

Goetze, vice-president

and sales manager for

the firm, with the

company's national

network of brokers.

Prior to Coyle's acceptance

of the managerial

position with

Goetze's, he was regional sales manager for

Y & S, now a division of Hershey Foods.

Coyle will reside in Baltimore, Md.

New Board Members Elected

To Theatre Equipment Assn.

Jeiry Sunshine, executive director of the

Theatre Equipment Assn., recently announced

the results of the annual board of

directors election.

Worth Baird was elected as a director to

the manufacturing division and John Burlinson

Jr. and Phil Judd were re-elected to

this

division for another term.

Paul Voudouris was elected as a director

to the dealer division and Jim Barry and

Dan Miller were re-elected to this division

J.

for another term.

The association extended its sincere

Region No. 7: Robert Bond, Sterling Recreation

Organization Co., Bellevue, Wash. (Alaska, Idaho,

Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming.) thanks to retiring board members Chuck

Lahti and Don Moore in the dealer division

Region No 8: Frederick Corrigan, Valley Fair

Entertainment Center, Shakopee, Minn. (Minnesota,

North and South Dakota and Wisconsin.)

and Glenn Berggren and Andy Marglin in

Super Puff't Popcorn

Region No. 9: Sydney Spiegel,

the manufacturing division.

Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. (Eastern

Ltd.,

Canada including the provinces; New Brunswick,

Newloundland, ScoUa, Ontario, Nova Prince Edward

Island and Quebec.)

"Is it wrong to shout 'Movie!' in a crowded

fire house"— Steve Martin, comedian,

Region No. 10; Jack Senior, Harlan Fairbanks Co.

Ltd., Vancouver, B.C., Canada. (Western Canada

including the provinces: Alberta, British Columbia,

from the album "Let's Get Small."

Manitoba and Saskatchewan.)

How to butter up an

"'^'''

The Popcorn Train Is the only popcorn

corner that holds a popcorn bucket and

Q dnnk cup in one convenient package.

So even/ sale is tv^/o soles. Colorful

posters and mobiles available,

For more information about the

money-making Popcorn Train

contact Dixie, Marathon,

f^^-^ 2A5 American Lane,

Greenwich, CT 06830.

(203) 552-4183.

DISCia/MaRaTHON

Reader's Service Card

MGM Sound Department Begins

Major Modernization Project

Work is now underway for the complete

modernization of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Studio sound facilities with an expected

completion date early this fall, it recently

was announced by Roger Mayer, MGM

vice-president of administration.

Three fully renovated re-recording rooms

will feature custom-designed Quad/ Eight

consoles, Compumix processors, high-speed

Magnatech projection equipment, Dolby

four-channel stereo capabilities and all-new

support equipment.

Already in operation is the Dolbyequipped

six-track stereo dubbing facility in

the MGM Theatre, considered by many to

be the finest available in the industry. "The

Deer Hunter," which has won an Academy

Award nomination this year for best sound,

was one of the more recent films re-recorded

in this facility, which also has 70mm projection

capabilties.

MGM's Foley Stage and a top-flight

Foley crew, equipped with all necessary

props, are available to develop whatever

background sounds may be required.

MGM's scoring stage represents one of the

finest facilities acoustic available for music

recording in the industry. Sheffield Laboratories

has just completed construction of

their direct-to-disc record recording facility

which will utilize the MGM scoring stage.

MGM's fully modernized sound departmen

is supported by 17 projection rooms

with 16, 35 and 70mm capabilities as well

as 4 or 6-track stereo, and seating up to 387

persons. Surrounding the sound department

are 171 editorial rooms.

Alphabetical Index

of Advertisers

Automoticket

^

Ballantyne of Omaha *

Bally Case & Cooler >*

''

Bevelite-Adler

Big Three Theatre Group

Canrad Honovia, Ballantyne, Strong 5

Butler Fixture & Mfg '*

Canrad Hanovia ^

Cemcorp *

Christie Electric Corp *

Ciro Equipment Corp j*

Cretors, Inc. ]^

Dixie/Marathon

'»

Eprad, Inc. '°

.

Alan Gordon Enterprises '

Hurley Screen Corp *

Irwin Seating Co '

Kintek, Inc. '

Kneisley Electric Co '*

LocRod, Inc. '^

The Marble Co , Inc 10

Horry Melcher Enterprises '

National Theatre Supply

'

Norman & Friddell *

RCA Service Co )*

Seating Corp of New York 1*

Sclby Industries, Inc *

Sign

Products

(Rapid Change Letter Co) 8

Soundfold

International

Tcchnikotc Corp 1*

Western Service & Supply "

Xetron Products Div.

(Carbons, Inc.) *


'

BOXOFFiCE BOOKINCUIDE

JONNA JEFFERIS,

Bookinguide Editor

An interpretive analysis of lay and tradepress reviews. Running time is in patentheses. The plus and

minus signs indicate degree o! merit. Listings cover current reviews regularly. Symbol r.J denotes

BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Award. All films are in color except those indicated by (bSw) for black &

white or (© and b&w) for color and black

REVIEW DIGEST

AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX H Very Good, ^ Good, i Foir; - Poor; = Very Poor. 5d 2 pluses,

•s V . .

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Oct

. Feb

Apr

. . .War

ANALYSIS FILM RELEASING

Indian Summer Nov

Charleston

Dec

riie Innocent Jan

ATLANTIC RELEASING

Max Ha»elaar (165) . .Hi- .Jan 79

La Jument Vaoeur .....

Picnic at Hanoino Rock

. Ulm3

"Going

Opinions on Current Productions ÊATUkE REVIEWS

reviowod here aie in color, unUs. othorwUe specUiad « black and whil. (bSw). For slory aynopgU on .ach plctur

LAST EMBRACE

United Artists (79061) 102 Minutes

m

Suspen

Rel. May '79

Released through United Artists, this involved suspenser

is the first production from a pair of former U. A

executives, Michael Taylor and Dan Wigutow. At least

half of it is an extremely good thr-iller, the rest ranging

from bewildering to satisfactory. Roy Scheider and Janet

Margolin, while not powerhouse names, are both good

in their- assigmnents as a government agent marked for

death and a young woman who is not what she seems.

The titles by Pablo Perro drift all over the screen, as does

the plot until the twists and tui-ns become clear. Director

Jonathan Demme concentrates on technique in the fu-st

half and plot and characterization thereafter. Based on

Murray Teigh Bloom's novel, "The 13th Man," David

Shabei-'s screenplay contains some deliberately familiar

lines which any audience could anticipate, just to make

the surprises even more effective. There is good support

from Sam Levene, John Glover and cameo players Marcia

Rodd and Oscar winner ifor "The Deer Hunter") Christopher

Walken. The lush Panavision-Technicolor photography

of Tak Fujimoto around New York City and Niagi-a

Falls and the neat Miklos Rosza score help considerably.

The R rating is for a few topless scenes.—John

Cocchi.

Roy Scheider, Janet Margolin, John Glover, Sam Levene,

Charles Napier, Christopher Walken, Marcia Rodd.

ISEWSFRO^T PG "'1--'-=-

New Yorker Films 110 Minutes Rel. June '79

If Australia has made an indelible mark on the American

consciousness via its recent films, then "Newsfront"

should help to solidify that impression. Hailed at the

iy8 Cannes and New York Film Festivals, the New

Yorker Films release presents the history of the newsreel

in AustraUa from its heyday in 1948 until the waning

days of 1956, while reflecting the political and social

climate of the country dmlng those years. Done in equal

parts of color and black and white, the David Elfick production

is the initial theatrical featm-e of director PhilUp

Noyce, 28-year-old documentarian. His recreation of the

newsreel scene reflects a great feeling for the subject and

the country itself. Noyce's screenplay, based on an original

screenplay by Bob ElUs and a concept by Phillipe

Mora and Elfick, loses some of its impact in the latter

half when the characters become more concerned with

pm-suing their- personal relationships than with captm-ing

history on film. Female lead Wendy Hughes is

very good in a cast of polished ana natural-seeming players

A Village Roadshow and Palm Beach Pictui-es coproduction,

in association with New South Wales Fihn

Corp. and AustraUan FUm Commission.-ôhn Cocchi.

Bill Hunter, Wendy Hughes, Gerard Kennedy, Angela

Punch, Chris Haywood, John Ewart, John Dease.

WIISDS OF CHANGE

Sanrio

82 Minutes

PG

Comedy-Drama

Rel. July '79

It's thi-ee times and out for Sam'io's valiant effort to

bring Ovid's stories to the screen as an animated featm-e.

"Winds of Change" is a di-astic reworking of its predecessor,

"Metamorphoses," after it failed to click. This tmie

around the weaknesses are about the same. Overall, the

film fails to gi-ab the viewer. The disco beat, replacing the

former soundtrack of rock and folk music, is out of place

as backgiound for classic stories about the origins of the

world. This time animator Takashi's central character

is a cute boy named Wondermaker, who plays five different

characters in the series of five stories based on Ovid's

myths. But he lacks that certain something that pulls

the viewer into any kind of personal involvement. Peter

Ustinov reads a narration written by Norman Corwin, and

between the two of them a level of quality is achieved.

The effort to keep things light, however, stretches a bit

far at times, as Wondermaker is described at one point

as a "nogoodnik" and Ustinov later observes, "Pretty good

mountain climbing for a kid." For the most part, the proceedings

parallel Ustinov's description of a wUd boar's

ferocity; "a crashing bore." Casablanca Records has

tui-ned out the soundtrack album of the disco-rock score

by composer Alec R. Costandino. Pattie Brooks sings "Red

Hot River of Fire" and Ai-thui- Simms performs vocals on

four songs.—Ralph Kaminsky.

l_

nch

THE IKENCH DETECTIVE E„,i,sh itie

Quartet Films 93 Minutes Rel. Apr. '79

With an uninspired title as a handicap, this Fi-ench import,

a 1975 Em-opean release, should overcome any resistance

to its success here. Reviews have been extremely

good so far and the pic is filled with enough action, comedy

and incident to please action fans as well as regular patrons.

There are three good actors in the leads. sUrting

with popular Lino Ventui-a, a man of authority even in

i

repose, and backed up by Patrick Places') Dewaere

as a kooky cop and Victor Lanoux (male lead in

"Cousin Cousine") portraying a nasty politician. Credibility

is strained by the power which Lanoux, a city councilman,

wields and by his hold on that power even when

a member of his goon squad is revealed to be a cop killer.

Other than that, director Pierre Granier-Deferre never

lets the pace slacken long enough for the audience to determine

whether or not things add up. Francis Veber s

screenplay was based on the novel by Jean Laborde. Many

familiar faces dot the support, starting with Fi-ancoise

Brion as a madame with connections and including Valerie

Maii-esse ("One Sings, the Other Doesn't"). The Ba.sil

Film presentation was produced by Les Films Ariane and

Mondex Films, with Panavision equipment and color.

Music is by Philippe Sarde.—John Cocchi.

Lino Ventura, Patrick Dewaere, Victor Lanoux, Francoise

Brion, Julien Guiomar, Jacques Rispal, Claude Rich.

TERESA THE THIEF

En,nsh"T,tieTa,fd"%r=;.

World Northal 111 Minutes Rel. May '79

Biographical comedy-dr-ama with political and social

overtones is the most apt description of this show-case for

Monica Vitti. Deglamorized. disheveled and ultimately

old. the actress gives one of the best bittersweet performances

of her career. The Euro International Films presentation,

produced bv Giovamii Bertollucci. is the dii-ectorial

debut of longtii-ne cinematographer Carlo Di Palma.

who concentrates more on plot detail than pictorial composition.

It was based on Dacia Marami's best-seller,

"Memoirs of a Thief," telling of the career of Teresa

Numa, who assisted on the film. Screenplay by Age, Scarpelli

and Maraini is episodic, with many dramatic elements

and quite a bit of repetition as Vitti travels from

town to town and from job to jail. The star is at all times

the center of attention in spite of a large and energetic

cast a tribute to her characterization. One of the fewindulgent

scenes is a very funny bit introducing Michele

Placido as someone out of a cigarette commercial. Music

by Riz Ortolani is unobtrusive, while smooth Technicolor

cinematography is by Dario Di Palma. The import has

English titles and narration by Vitti. Although the emphasis

is on earthiness. there is much here about the human

spirit which is touching.—John Cocchi.

Monica Vitti, Stefano Satta Flores. Isa Danieli. Carlo

Delle Diane, Michele Placido, Valeriano Vallone.

Don't Let Your Subscription Lapse!

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The reviews n these pages moy be filed for future reference in any of the following ways: (1) >" °"y,^l°"^"^^*^',%%',\"l

let; (2) indlviduolly, by company, in ony standord 3x5 cord Index file; or (3) In the BOXOFFICE PICTURE

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Vonee Publishing Corp., 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. 64124 for $3.50.

BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: May 21. 1979 5115

. . Three

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

THE STORY: "The French Detective" (Quartet)

In Rouen. \'eteran police inspector Lino Ventura and

his youthful assistant Patrick Dewaere investigate an n;i

elderly man's death at madame Francoise Brion's estab- Soda

^"''

lishment. She tells them not to cause her any trouble

because she has very high connections. A goon squad working

for city councilman Victor Lanoux beats up campaign

workers for Lanoux's political opponent and a youth is

killed. One of the goons fatally shoots a police detective

who identifies his assailant before dying. Chief inspector

Julien Guiomar, under pressure from the powerful Lanoux.

transfers Ventm-a to a post in Montpellier after

Ventm-a allows Jean Cannet (father of the dead youth

to denounce Lanoux while holding hostages at City Hall.

To delay Ventui-a's transfer, the wild but dedicated Dewaere

frames a bribery charge by Brion. Ventura is able

to close ni on the killer, who has stolen Lanoux's secret

records, by using the killer's wife as a lure and withholding

news of her death. When Lanoux is taken hostage

and the killer asks to negotiate with Ventm-a, the latter

answers by saying he's left for Montpellier.

EXPLOITIPS:

The fibn opened in New York to very favorable reviews,

one critic calling it the first good film of '79.

CATCHLINES:

To Be a Good Cop, You Don't Have to Play Dii'ty—But

It Helps . Top French Stars in One of the Best

Thrillers in a Long Time.

;

Excellent

:

; nema

... , , J . a

:

'

lATES: 50c per word, minimum S5.0O CASH WITH COPY. Four con.

tor price of ttiree.

Vhen using a Boxoflice No. figure 2 additional words and include SI. 00 additional

londling replies. Display Classilied, $38.00 per Colur Inch. No

allowed. CLOSING DATE:

Monday noon preceding publication date. Send copy

Numbers to BOXOFFICE, 825

Ton Brunt Blvd., Kansas Citv, Mo. 64124. NOTE: Bu licy resumes, pressbooks, posters, etc. will not be

'orwaided unless accompanied by suiiicient postage.

HELP WANTED

NEED MOHE MONEY Sell screen ads

v;ur local banker, auto dealer, etc^

jrn miramum $200.00 each sale. We'll

-ov.' vou how and handle all details (ad

lake-up, tilm, billing, etc.). Write P. O.

ox 597, Salasola, Fla. 33578. 30 years in

THEATRE MANAGER wanted for twin

inema in Denver metropolitan area with

;eneral Cinema Corp. Salary, concession

ommission, theatre rental commission

nd many award programs including

onus Need manager immediately due to

'omolions For interviews call Dennis

lahaney at (303) 343-4200.

EXPERIENCED MANAGER wanted lor

.111 Circuit in the Chicago/suburban

Send resume and references to Box-

4256.

EXPERIENCED MANAGER / OPERATOR

.=

ed*d lor Downtown Theatre. Salary

^m-n»nsurate with experience. Good oportumly

for advancement. Send resume

nd r^lerences to: Mr. Dale Pearce, Luxry

Theatres, 919 S.W. Taylor Si, Suite

iQ Portland, OR 97205. (503) 221-0213.

EXPERIENCED MANAGER/ OPERATOR

- ni'w twin theatres in New Jersey area.

^lary commensurate with experience.

'any benefits, inclucling concession comssions

Send resume and references to:

'uî- Makers Theatres, Inc., 1650 Oak

tree-, Lakewood, NJ 08701.

MANAGER—Immediate opening. $18,200

•r yedr Concession percentage. Blue

ross-Blue Shield. Multiple theatre com-

;ex, oulslate Michigan. Retirement bene-

'available, as well as advancement

oportunities, work and attitude

is

--""

Wr 4262.

MANAGER for General Cinema Twin

in New Orleans Excellent oppor

Competitive salaty concession

on plus many other commission

insurance and re

aram=^

,, t „„.

G^'oup

p^„„„ n Mon Ofhce

MANAGERS/ ASSISTANT MANAGERS

paid benf-'if! maior medical/

1,

and references to

Send

ay

resume

Showcase Cinemas P O Boy

e-, St. -am. New York 11582

IMMEDIATE OPENING for experienced

, General Cinema's

in Phoenix,

professional tc

:.^: ,L^: :_t-:,' 4 ;. '-'essional manager.

u-lovmenl to start immediately. Salary,

'inmissions, bonuses. We are most interily.

For interviews in Arizona call Keith

aac (602) 997-6363. In Colorado call GCC

V. Mgr. Dennis Mohaney (303) 343-4200

V. Mgr. also covers New Mexico, North

,n and Western Texas so interviews cai

conducted in those areas by appoint

ent.

EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITIES availabl.

r experienced managers in the Houston

'•xas area. One of the notion's leadim

'-itrc circuits. Competitive salaries of

fringe benefits. Send

or call: Elliott Brovim, Div'

cuflRine HOUSE

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE EQUIPMENT WANTED THEATRES WANTED

BURLAP WALL COVERING DRAPES,

$1.10 per yd., flame retardant. Quantity

discounts. Nurse & Co., Millbury Rd., Oxlord,

Mass. 01540. Tel (617) 832-4295.

TICKET MACHINES repaired. Fast service,

reasonable rates. Your old ticket

machine worth money. We trade, buy and

sell ticket machines. Try us first. Ask

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

Service Co., 10 Woodside Dr., Grafton,

Massachusetts. (617) 839-4058.

RADIO SOUND for DRIVE-IN THEATRES

unit,

deludes transmitter and backup

1,99500. Available from manufacturer.

;all lor further information, in Florida,

813) 748-1717; out ol state, (BOO) 237-9457

SIMPLEX SUPERS and E7's, rebuilt, $750;

RCA and Simplex soundheads, $800; Norelco

and Cinemeccanica 35/70 machines,

Xenons, carbons, lamphouses, lenses

bases, ports you won't find elsewhere.

One year warranty. International Cinema

Equipment Co., 6750 N.E. 4th Ct Miami,

PL 33138 (305) 756-0699.

35MM PORTABLE SALE — Norelco FP3

$1,995; DeVry XD, $1,695; Holmes type 8,

$995; Tokiwa T-60. $2,150. All in stock now

International Cinema, (305) 756-0699.

16MM MINI THEATRE SPECIALS— Pai

rebuilt IAN projec ois with separate am

plifier, speaker, changeovers, lenses, ca

bles, built for performance, $1,095. Inter

national Cinema, (305) 756-0699.

XENON BONANZA—Strong Lumex 2000

watt factory rebuilt, like new, $2,995;

Strong 900 watt, 1600 watt, 2500 watt. Xetron

900 watt, 1600 watt and 2000 watt

ORG 1000 watt and 1600 watt Many others

chc

Call Cinema, (305) 756-1

SYNCHRONOUS MOTOR, 1/4 HP, 230V,

3-phase, 50/60 Hz, $200. MBC, Box 425,

Bayside, NY 13361.

COMPLETE THEATRE equipment one

seating package: Ballantyne Pro-35 pro

lector with complete sound and accessor)

package, 350 seats, screen, curtains, con

cession and ticket booth equipment. Ex

cellent condition. Full spec sheet avail

able on request. $15,000 or best offer takes

all. Phone: Steve Smith, (505) 765-5037.

PAIR 35MM Century CC, completely

first built, in class condition, with RCA

soundheads, bases, 5,000 magazines,

ft.

$4,850 00 F.O.B., L.A. Jack Lombardo,

Movie Projector Repair Shop. In Hollywood,

(213) 462-4609, 465-9236.

EPHAD DBL-MUT film transport

POSITIONS WANTED

CONTROLLER. Op

BOXOFFICE LEADS THE FIELD

with more exhibitor subscribers

because it publishes . . .

MORE

Local and National News

MORE Booking

Information

MORE Showmandising Ideas

MORE Projection

Information

MORE Equipment and Concession Tips

MORE Convention Coverage

MORE on all counts tfiat count most

—read and relied on by MORE Theatremen

than any other film trade paper in the world

THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY - WITH THE LOCAL TOUCH!

w^^

^^rj^j^

IF

I XO, IT/T

Ms.'**^

TheâutilusTilm Company

The

Current and forthcoming releases available

with Dolby Stereo sound-tracks include:

I

Ji

Gold Medal for Wayne

Called 'Appropriate'

WASHINGTON — Calling John Wayne

"ihc

quintessential American," Jack Valcnli

submitted a statement to a House siibonimittee

holding hearings May 21 on

,1 bill to authorize a specially struck $5,000

gold medal to be piesented to the actor by

the president in behalf of the Congress in

recognition of his distinguished career.

The president of the Motion Picture Associaiion

of America was at the Cannes film

festival and could not 'appear in person.

Rep. Barry M. Goldwater Jr. of California

introduced the bill which is similar to

one by his father, the senator from Arizona,

and which has already passed the Senale.

The hearing was before a subcommiltee

headed by Rep. Frank Annunzio of Illinois.

Valenti's statement said, in part:

'The resolution of the Congress to recommend

awarding to John Wayne a Gold

Medal may be one of the most appropriale

K solves ever taken by this Congress. Duke

\\a\ne is such an extraordinary legend that

one is tempted to enlarge the truth when

the truth is perfectly adequate for either

summit or sermon. If the sum of an American

artist is deemed to be the illuminated

expression of this nation, then Duke

Wayne's life and achievements fit the gauge.

For fifty years he has stalked outlaws, exlerminated

villainy, protected the innocent,

explored the wilderness, forded rivers,

driven cattle, and most of all, loved the land

and his country. Beyond a doubt, he is the

quintessential American and to the people in

the United States he is a biave, noble and

heroic man."

Anti-Blind Bid Legislation

Signed Into Law in Maine

Maine became the 14th slate to pass

anti-blind bidding legislation when Gov.

Joseph R Brennan signed the bill into

law on Maj 22. The anti-blind bid bill

passed the Maine House, 124-10, on

April 12. The Senate passed the bill

with a voice vote on May 10.

NATO officials said that Charles

Champine, district manager of SBC

Management Corp. in Boston, was instrumental

in both getting the bill introduced

in the state as well as serving

as a liaison.

Other states where blind bidding is a

hot issue include Texas, where the antiblind

bid legislation will die if it is not

moved out of the House calendars committee

by the end of this month. In

Ohio, the constitutionality of the law,

which that state passed in 1978, will

be tested at a trial slated for July 2.

Published weekly, except one Issue at year-end, by

Vance Publishing Corp., 825 Van Brunt Blvd.. Kansas

City, Missouri 64124. Subscription rates: Sectional

Edition. $15.00 per year, foreign. $25.00. National

Executive Edition: $25.00. rorelgn, $30.00. Single

copy. 75c. Second class postage paid at Kansas City.

Mo. BOXOFFICE Publication No. (USPS 062-260).

Creditors Committee Plans to Pull

Allied Artists

NEW YORK—Samuel Sherman says A

lied Artists should be peimitted to pull out

of its financial plunge,

"I'm opposed to all these pressure groups

trying to liquidate the company," he said.

"It will be a great loss to the industry,"

Sherman, president of Independent-Inleinational

Pictures, has been approved as the

head of the creditors' committee for the

television division of Allied Artists Indu.stries,

which filed for reorganization in federal

bankruptcy court last month.

The approval of his creditors' commillec

is the first important step in saving the

company, Sherman said. The commitlee,

which represents the creditors of Allied

Artists Television Corp., consists of Sherman

and producers Harold Rothbeig and

Monroe Rappaport. Daniel Kenis, chairman

of Independent-International, was elected

standby trustee.

Auditing First Step

The committee intends to reorganize Ihc

television division, make it viable and pay

off Allied Artists Industries' creditors. Sherman

said the division was being audited as a

preliminary step. He also said that the TV

division had the best chance to get back

on its feet because it had the smallest debt,

the smallest overhead and the highest cash

flow.

The company is being pulled under by

the losses of the theatrical division of the

company, Allied Artists Picture Corp., Sherman

said. He said that the television division

didn't belong in bankruptcy court because

it

has "very, very excellent TV sales."

Sherman said that liquidation of Allieil

Artists would have a ripple effect on the

industry, causing a loss of credibility. A

result would be the financial world waiting

to see which company would fail next, he

said.

Back to 1924

The liquidation of Allied Artists, he said,

would mark the first time in the history of

the industry that a major company had been

dissolved in such a way.

The history of Allied Artists dates lo

1924, when W. Ray Johnston formed Ray

Art Pictures to produce independent features

films. It did so until 1928 when it

became Syndicated Pictures.

The name changed in 1930 to Monogram

Pictures. It was an independent company

producing "B" pictures. The subsidiary's

name was Allied Artists Productions, whose

films were released by Monogram.

In 1953, Monogiam was dropped and the

name was changed to Allied Artists Picture

Corp. In 1968, Emanuel Wolf bought controlling

stock in the company and became

Back Toward Viability

its presid.'nt .ind the head of the pictures

division. In 1977. he merged the company

with his financial holdings and changed its

name to Allied Artists Industries.

Sherman contends that it is in the interest

of exhibitors to see that AA remains alive

because it could be respsonsibic for major

feature releases. He said that for $8

million the company could be made whole

again.

"The company should be allowed lo get

back on its feet," Sherman said.

Paramount Files Suil

Against Five Circuits

NEW YORK— Paramount has filed suit

against five theatre circuits.

Walter J. Josiah Jr.. vice president and

chief resident counsel of Paramount Pictures

Corporation, announced May 17 that Paramount

has commenced an antitrust action

in the United States District Court for the

Eastern District of Tennessee, Northern Division,

against AMC Film Management

Inc., Consolidated Theatres Inc., Georgia

Theatre Company, Plitt Southern Theatres

Inc., and Simpson Theatres Inc, The exhibitor-defendants

own or operate all

of the

first run theatres in Knoxville, Tenn.

Paramount has alleged that it believes

that sometime during December 1978 the

defendants agreed to divide or "split" first

run Paramount motion pictures in Knoxville

in order to avoid competitive bidding in

that market. Pursuant to that split, it is

further alleged that the exhibitor-defendants

have divided and still continue to divide

Paramount's pictures with the result that

film rentals, guarantees and advances that

otherwise would have been paid in a competitive

market could be avoided or substantially

reduced.

The complaint states that after the split

plan took effect, two of the exhibitor-defendants

canceled bids previously submitted

for "Star Trek." The complaint also alleges

that the defendants have met to discuss, implement

and enforce the terms of the Knoxville

split agreement and that this split arrangement

constitutes a per se violation of

United States laws.

ITOA Plans TOFCO Meeting

NEW YORK—Tom Patterson will ad-

with its own exchange setup. In 1935 the

company merged with Mascot and Consolidated

Film to form Republic Pictures Corp. dress a special meeting scheduled for June

5 by the Independent Theatre Owners of

In 1936, Johnston bought back Monogram,

which began producing independent films. America, an affiliate of the National Independent

Monogram formed a production subsidiary

in 1945 to move away from its image of

Theatre Exhibitors, in order to ex-

membership

plain the goals, objectives and

plans for TOFCO.

Invited to the meeting, in addition to the

membership of ITOA, is NATO of New

Jersey, NATO of New York and the Independent

Theatre Exhibitors of New Jersey.

The meeting will take place at 3 p.m. in the

Marquis Room of Rosoff restaurant here.

May 28, 1979

THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY

Published in Fi«e Sectional Editions

WILLIAM C. VANCE

Publisher

JOHN F. BERRY

Assoc. Publisher/National Sales Manaoer

CHARLES F. ROUSE III

Editor

BEN SHLYEN Executive Editor

MORRIS SCHLOZMAN Business Manager

HARVEY SHARP Circulation Director

GARY BURCH Equipment Editor

JONNA JEFFERIS AssKiate Editor

STUART A. GOLDSTEIN Associate Editor

JIMMY SUMMERS Associate Editor

KEVIN KIOUS Associate Editor

RALPH KAMINSKY West Coast Editor

JOHN COCCHI East Coast Editor

ADMINISTRATIVE

VANCE HERBERT A. Chairman

B. President

JOHN ONEIL

JAMES J. STAUDT Vice-President

Executive

WILLIAM C. VANCE Vice-President

Publication Offices: S25 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas

City Alo. 64124. (818) 241-77TZ.

Western Offices: 1800 N. Uighland, Suite 707. Uollyuood,

Ca. 80028. (213) 465-1186.

.\dieittiing sales: Glen Vernon

Eastern Offices: 133 E. 5StU St., New Vurli, N.V.

10022. (212) 7f5-5400.

Adverti:>iilg sales: Jitu Vuuag

TUB MOUEUN lllE.MKli Section Is Included In

une issue eucb montb.

Atlanta: tienevieve Cuuii), 100 Uiidbergli Drive, .N.E.

30305.

Baltimore: Rate Savage, 3007 Springdale, 21216.

Boston: Ernest Warren. 1 Colgate Uoad, Needliam,

Mass. 0211)2. Tele. (617) 444-1657.

Buffalo: Edward I'. Meade, 760 Main St., 14202.

Tele. (716) 854-16^5.

Charlotte: Chas. J. Leonard Sr., 319 Queens iid.,

28204. Tele. (704) 333-0444.

Chicago: Frances B. Clow. 175 North Kcnilivorlb,

Oak Park, Hi. 60302. Tele. (312) 383-8343.

Cincinnati: Tony B. Kuthcrfoid, Box 362, iluntingtoti,

W. v.. J5708. Tele. (304) 525-3837.

Cleveland: Blainn Fried, 3255 Grenviay ltd. 44122.

Tele. (216) 991-3797.

Uallas: Mahle Guinan, 5927 Wlnton, 7S206.

Uenver: Bruce MarshaU, 2881 S. Cherry Way, 80222.

Uea Moines: Cindy Vlers, 4024 E. Maple, 60317.

Tele. 206-9811.

Uartford: Allen M. WIdem, 30 Pioneer Drive. W.

Hartford 06117, Tele. 232-3101.

Indianapolis: Robert V. Jones, 6385 N. Park, iVziO.

Tele. (317) 251-6070.

Jacksonville; Joyce M.xlmborB. P.O. Bo.x 10066, 32207.

Louistille: Susan D. Todd, 8409 Old Boundary ltd.,

40281.

Memphis: Bill Minkus, 1188 Perkins Rd. 38117. Tele.

(901) 683-8182.

Miami. Martha Iûmmus. 622 N E. 98 St. 33138.

Milwaukee: Wally L. Meyer. 301 Heather Lane, Fredunla.

Wis. 53021. Tele: (414) 692-2763.

Muineapolhi: Bill Diehi, St. I'aul Dispatch, 63 E.

4th St.. St. Paul, Minn. 66101

New Orleans: Mary Greenbaum, 2303 Mendez St.

70122.

Oklaiioma City: Eddie L. Greggs, 410 South BIdg

2000 Classen Center, 73106.

I'alm Beach: Lois Baumoel, 2860 S. Ocean Blvd., No.

316, 33480, Tele. (305) 588-6786.

Philadelphia: Maurie U. Orodenker, 312 W. Park

Tovtne i'lace, 19130. Tele. (216) 567-4748.

Pittshurgli: R. F. Kiingensmith, F16 Jeanttte, Wilklnsburg

16221. Tele. (412) 241-2809.

I'ortland. Ore.: Itobt. Olds. 1120 N.E. 61st. 97213.

St. Louis: Kan It. Krause, 818A Longacre Drive,

03132. Tele. (314) 991-4746.

Salt Lake City: Keith Perry, 264 E. Isl South, 84111.

Tele. (801) 328-1641.

San Antonio: Gladys Candy, 510 Cincinnati Ave. Tele

(512) 734-!:527. 78201.

San Francisco: David Van. UATC. 172 Golden Gale

Ave., 94102. Tele: 928-3200.

Seattle: Stu Goldnian, Apt. 404, 101 N. 46th St

08103. Tele. 782-5833.

Toledo: Anna Kline, 4330 Willys Pkwy., 43612.

Tuiaon: Gib Clark, 433 N. Grande, Apt. 5, 85705

Wastilngton: Virginia H. Collier, 6112 Connecticut

Ave., N.W. 20008. Tele. (202) 362-0892.

IN CANADA

Calgary: Maxlne McBean, 420 40lh St., 8.W.. F3C

IWl. Tele. (403) 240-6039.

Montreal: Tom Cleary, Association des Proprletalres

de Cinema du Quebec, 3720 Van Home, Suite 4-5,

No. H38 1118.

Ottana: Garfield 'WUlio" Wilson. 768 Rahisford Ave.

KJK 2K1. Tele. 746-6660.

Toronto: J. W. Agnew, 274 St. John's ltd., M6P 1V5.

Vancouver: Jimmy Davie. .3245 W. 12. VOK 2118

Winnipeg: Robert llucal, 500-232 I'ortage Ave. lt3C

OBI.

MAY

Vol. 115

1979

No. 8

I^H';^^^ ^7^ M^ TM^JUa

W

OPEN DOOR POLICY

HAT IF they gave a movie and no

reviewers came

The theatre wouWn't get publicity for

its movie, the reviewers wouldn't be doing

their jobs and the public wouldn't receive

the critical opinions it wants and

needs.

Reviewers might stop coming to movies

at a theatre if they could gain admittance

only when they promised to say

good things about the movie. Theatres

could ensure good reviews by letting in

only reviewers who would write favorably

about the movie.

In Tucson recently TM Theatres exercised

its right to refuse admittance to

anyone by excluding a local newspaper

reviewer, Jacqi Tully. Early reports gave

the impression that Tully was being denied

admittance because she might say

bad things about the movie being shown,

"The Bell Jar." The theatre did nothing

to diminish that impression. The owners

of the theatre, Merton Weiner and son

Jeffrey, refused to comment on the situation.

TM's advertising manager said, "I

think her opinions are biased. They are

Jacqi TuUy's opinions; they are not to me

a reviewer's opinions—someone who

should be stating a quality of a film, good

or bad, on the basis of an impartial review."

To try to draw a distinction between

a person's opinions and a reviewer's opinions

is difficult, if not impossible, and capricious.

However, the film industry became

upset, on principle, at the idea of

a reviewer being denied admittance to a

theatre.

Lawrence Mark, a spokesman for Paramount,

said, "I have never heard of a

theatre chain barring a critic, and it's

really slightly outrageous. 'We use critics

when they like our films, and we should

manage to tolerate their dislike of whatever

films they happen to dislike."

Herman Kass, vice president of publicity

and promotion for Avco Embassy, distributor

of "The Bell Jar," said, "l" don't

have any background on this, but they

have no right barring anyone from our

film . . . It's poor judgment on their part,

and I'm going to look into this."

It was simply a matter of poor judgment

on the part of the theatre, but it became

more than a mistake when Tully

was not allowed to view films at TM theatres

in three related incidents. The barring

went on for a week and Tully 's

picture had been posted in the boxoffices

of TM theatres along with notices to employees

not to admit her.

In response to the barring, Tully

newspaper, the Arizona Daily Star, whit

had begun looking into possible leg

action, ran white space in place of one

TuUy's scheduled reviews, along with

note explaining why it was missing.

By that time the incident was creatii

a great deal of publicity for the film e

hibition arm of the industry. As a resu

20th Century-Fox offered to set up sp

cial screenings for any Fox films. T

offer was not surprisingly refused by tl

Star because part of the reviev/, audien

reaction, would be missing. Without tl

audience, the review would take place

a sterile environment.

After a week of outrage among indu

try members, the conflict was resolved

\

May 3 when Jeffrey Weiner ended tl

ban and ended his silence on the mattf

In an interview with a rival film crit:

Weiner said that TM's main reason f

barring Tiilly from any of its theatr

was an objection to her inference in pri

regarding TM's ticket and popco:

prices. Apparently the references to po

corn stemmed from a story co-author

by Tully and written a year ago.

Weiner said, "I have no quarrel wi

a movie critic's right to review films

our theatres, but I question a critic's u

of a review as a platform for malignii

the theatre."

Regardless of whether the theat

management disagreed with the conte

of Tully's reviews, barring a review

from a theatre implies a double sta

dard : reviewers are allowed in when thi

are good to the theatre and are turm

away when they are not. Use of a doub

standard diminishes the value and ii

pact of a review, and hints of a doub

standard would damage the review

value proportionately.

In addition, barring a reviewer fro

a theatre borders on restraint of tl

press, something no one would want ass

elated with their business. Although tl

review may contain references to sul

jects other than what is on the screei

the reviewer, who is a vital link to tf

moviegoing public, should not be turnc

away.

In Tully's case, the comments aboi

popcoi'n and ticket prices may have bee

out of line, but barring the reviewer

not the answer. It creates publicity f£

worse than the impact of the reviewer

column.

Regardless of whether the comment

are liked or disliked, reviewers should b

handled with an open door policy.

s««Vllum

reatest adventure storySeViBr fHme-

I.

t

•pensM a^^2r5 1 h) p ncfj mm

IRWIN ALLEN'S

production of

ci tAld^lJ

THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE

"BEYOND THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE"

HAEL CAINE • SALLY FIELD • TELLY SAVALAS • PETER BOYLE • JACK WARDEN • SHIRLEY KNIGHT • SLIM PICKENS • and S

' • RL MALDEN as "Wilbur" • Screenplay by NELSON GIDDING • Based upon a Novel by PAUL GALLICO .Produced and Directe

„, IRWIN ALLEN. Music by JERRY FIELDING Technicolor*- Panavision*

^"""'--"

Ipc l putiiTli CMMliyflttfCTn^fel

From Warner Bros. Q A Warner Communications Co. JlfwTû^niS

|

Turmans 'Walk Proud'

More Than

Just Anofher Gang Film Offering

By JOHN COCCHI

East Coast Editor

NEW YORK.—Producer Lawrence Turman

has high hopes for his latest, the Uni-

^^^^. ^ _ versa! release of

^B^^"- :^ 1| "Walk Proud" starring

f^^'^h^^ \ Robby Benson as a

TOTfc Chicano youth. Because

the film has a

I

gang background, the

release has been delay-

years and the story really focuses on a

young boy's coming of age rather than on

his street encounters.

Four years ago, Mike Medavoy—then

with United Artists—and Turman were

eager to do a film together. Medavoy

suggested a. remake of "Dead End." which

Turman loved but didn't feel was right for

today's market. Clearances couldn't be obtained

so the project was dropped.

Interested in L.A.

Turman was still interested in a story

about his native Los Angeles, relating to

street gangs and runaways. He and writer

Evan Hunter (known for "Blackboard

Jungle" and "Last Summer") evolved a

script from their interviews with police,

gangs and Chicanos. Venice. Calif., is

a melting pot where an Anglo-Chicano involvement

such as that depicted between

Benson and Sarah Holcomb in the film isn't

unusual.

In the past 15 years, the Venice area has

seen an influx of wealthy whites due to the

building of the Marina there. The Chicanos

are being squeezed out, although many are

still left in the area. Turman admits to a

few echoes of "Dead End" remaining in

"Walk Proud."

He had wanted to do the film with a

Chicano in the lead, as in all the Chicano

roles, but couldn't sell any studio on it.

Benson was an ideal choice because of his

skills and his current track record of hits.

It wasn't feasible for Turman to direct the

film as he had wanted, so Emmy Awardwinning

writer and director Robert Collins

was recruited from television to do his first

theatrical feature as a director.

Although the film is really a message

about growing up, Turman thinks ihal

Universal was "enlightened" in delaying the

film's release in troubled areas. It has violence

and street language, but not in excess

and there is no nudity or sex; "Walk

Proud" is rated PG rather than the R the

other pictures in this category have received.

In fact. Turman insists that the big gang

fight at film's end is never seen, not because

it was cut due to the reception afforded the

other pictures, but because it doesn't involve

the participation of Benson's character.

"Walk Proud" is being released beginning

the Memorial Day weekend, in conjunction

with a single from MCA Records featuring

Benson's rendition of "Adios. Yesterday."

written by Benson and father Jerry Segal.

After the film is launched. Turman—who

produced "The Graduate" and will always

be remembered for that among his many

other films—expects to start production

either on "Tribute" starring Jack Lemmon

ed in those areas

where trouble was encountered

during the

runs of "The Warriors"

for Paramount or a prehistoric comedy written

and "Boulevard

by Rudy De Luca and Carl Gottlieb, for

Lawrence Turmaii Night s." However, United Artists.

Turman points out that this isn't merely

another in the current cycle of gang pictures;

he's had the property for about four

Pryor, Davis Topline

Upcoming SEE Product

NEW YORK—Special Event Entertainment,

headed by Bill Sargent, has sent out

a brochure listing its forthcoming presentations

as "live super star entertainment made

bigger than life." The SEE Theatre Network

productions will be kicked off with "Richard

Pryor Part 11" (uncensored) with

"Lenny Bruce" as a companion feature, for

three weeks beginning Aug. 3. The Pryor

film is the sequel to the current hit "Richard

Pryor—Live in Concert," and contains

all new material at another live concert

appearance by the comedian.

Sammy in August

Sammy Davis Jr. in "Stop the World I

Want to Get Off," also called "Sammy

Stops the World," will be shown starting

Aug. 24 for two weeks only. "Knockout." a

new play starring Danny Aiello which was

filmed live on the stage of the Helen Hayes

Theatre, will be presented for three weeks as

of Sept. 7. while the play runs simultaneously.

For one week starting Sept. 28. the

offering is "Ballet Gayane," live from Riga.

Latvia, U.S.S.R. The final program in the

series will be "Pippin," for four weeks beginning

Oct. 5. also while running simultaneously

on Broadway.

Stan Freberg, Saul Bass

Part of Push for 'McGuffin'

HOLLYWOOD — Joe Camp has

signed

Stan Freberg to develop the radio advertising

campaign for "The Double McGuffin,"

to be released this summer by Mulberry

Square. The film will premiere in Dallas

June 7.

Freberg will work with graphic designer

Saul Bass amd Orson Welles in a promotional

campaign which Camp said he plans to

make "the test and most expensive ever

moLMilcd by Mulberry Square for any pic-

Paramount Announces

Summer Release Slate

NEW YORK—Embarking on one ot its

most ambitious summer release schedules.

Paramount Pictures will have a slate of

seven mot'on pictures opening in the

United States and Canada during the three

month period between Ji'ne and August.

Four of the summer releases will be issued

in June "Players," "Prophecy." "Escape

from Alcatraz" and "Sidney Sheldon's

Bloodline." "Meatballs" will debut during

July, while August will mark the premieres

of "North Dallas Forty" and "Sunburn."

Launching the June quartet of releases

will be "Players," starring Ali MacGraw

and Dean-Paul Martin. The film will open

on June 8 in 600 situations across the

country and Canada.

"Prophecy." a monster movie starring

Talia Shire and Robert Foxworth. will begin

its domestic engagements on June 15

in 850 theatres.

On June 22 the Clint Eastwood starrer,

"Escape From Alcatraz," will debiii

in 900 theatres in the United States and

Canada.

On June 29 "Sidney Sheldon's Bloodline."

with Audrey Hepburn toplining an

all-star cast, will premiere in 600 theatres.

"Meatballs." starring Bill Murray, will be

opening between July 11 and July 13

in 500 theatres.

"North Dallas Forty." the first of Paramount's

two August entries, will open in

800 theatres on Aug. 3.

On August 10. "Sunburn" will open in

500 theatres in the United States and Canada.

"Players." "Prophecy." "Escape from

Al:atraz," "Sidney -Sheldon's Bloodline"

and "North Dallas Forty" are distributed

in the United States and Canada by Paramount

Pictures Corp. and throughout the

rest of the world by Cinema International

Corp. "Meatballs" and "Sunburn" are distributed

by Paramount Pictures.

Benji Reaches Phenomenon

Status in Australia, Japan

DALLAS— Benji. America's canine superstar,

has reached phenomenon status in

the United States, Australia and Japan.

"But it didn't happen accidentally or automatically,"

says Mulberry Square Productions'

president Joe Camp. "In each case,

little the properties of this phenomenal dog

were backed with strong, enthusiastic distribution

and marketing programs.

Mulberry Square has embarked upon a

new program that will send a marketing and

promotional team anywhere in the world to

share the expeiience and knowledge gained

from making Benji a superstar in the States.

"Our goal is to make him a superstar in

every country of the world," says Camp.

"And it's not easy at first. Benji is a delicate

sales proposition and takes a lot of effort,

but it's well worth it in the long run." The

grosses from Benji's first two motion pictures

bear out Camp's enthusiasm, having

reached a total in excess of $66 million.

BOXOFFICE :: Mav 28, 1979

IlTesêvn union ^_ France

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people and ^^ ê et, ^^^ ^

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UAjVideo Corp. Deal Includes 20

Pictures for Home Videocasettes

NEW YORK—Two landmark agreemenis

have been signed in the past four weeks by

Video Corp. of America (Video Corp.). One

with United Artists gives Video Corp. the

exclusive license of 20 films for rental distribution

in the home video market. The

other, with Sony Corp. of America, involves

the distribution by Video Corp. of these

features and others on prerecorded videocassettes

as a premium to 50,000 new Sony

Betamax purch;isers.

On March 5. United Artists Corp.

and Video Corp. of America jointly announced

an e.xclusive agreement to license

20 major motion pictures for rental distribution

to the home video market. The agreement

marks the first nationwide rental release

of prime motion pictures on videocassettes

by one of the major motion picture

distributors. Video Corp. plans national

distribution to begin in May/June 1979.

'Combining Our Knowledge'

Gerald F. Phillips, vice president of

United Artists said, "We believe the home

video market will be an important source

of revenue to United Artists Corp. UA will

work closely with Video Corp., endeavoring

to combine our knowledge of film distribution

with Video Corp.'s expertise in the

home video market."

The agreement represents a 3'/i year

license for the rental to the home video

market of a group of major United Artists

features, some of which have never appeared

on national television. They will be

released on videocassettes in their original,

uncut, theatrical versions and will rent from

$9 to $14 for a seven day viewing period in

the home. Video Corp. will distribute cassettes

that are compatible with all major

formats of home video tape cassette players.

UA anticipates its royalty revenues from

Video Corp.'s cassette rentals will exceed

$1,000,0000 during the ne.xt 3l2 years.

'Higli Potential Industry'

The UA pictures are exclusive to Video

Corp. in the consumer videocassette rental

market, and will be distributed together vvilh

a comprehensive library of other major features

and specials in the classics, adiili,

sports, and children's categories.

"In my opinion, UA's entrance into llic

home video market constitutes a most sig

nificant event in this growing, high potential

industry," George Gould, chairman oi

the board of Video Corp., said. "It represents

a carefully researched decision by

UA that the rental concept of pay-for-play

distribution, which is consistent with ihe

historical exhibition pattern of the movie

industry, is the most viable way to participate

in the consumer video market. The

long-term values of UA's extensive and

impressive library will be fully preserved

by our licensing to the consumer only Ihe

light to view a picture for a limited period.

Ownership of the property is never transferred,"

Gould added. "This extends the

theatrical exhibition principle unchanged into

the emerging home video market and

should be seriously considered by all producers

and distributors planning to enter the

market place."

MOTION PICTURES RATED

BY THE CODE & RATING

ADMINISTRATION

American Nitro

(Cannon Releasing Corp.)

Arabian Nights (UA)

The Brood (Mutual/Elgin)

Canterbury Tales (UA)

Chorus Call (Entertainment Ventures)

Count the Ways (Eudution)

Escape from Alcatraz (Para)

Escape to Athena

(Associated Film Dist.)

Feelings (Entertainment Ventures)

Felicia (Mature Pictures Corp.)

H.O.T.S. (Derio Prods.)

Human Experiments (Essex Dist.)

Just You and Me. Kid (Col)

Mad Max (AI)

Meatballs (Para)

Night of the Bloody Transplants

(Owl Prods.)

Rocky II (UA)

The Senator (Univ)

When a Stranger Calls (Col)

History Convention Set

NOTRE DAME, Ind.—The Theatre

Historical Society, dedicated to the study of

American theatre buildings, will hold its

annual convention July 13-16 in Los Angeles.

The emphasis this year will be on theatres

in the Los Angeles area. Highlights will be

visits and tours of the leading cinema

houses.

COMING SOON...

A

BIGGER

and

BETTER

BOXOFFICE

Australian Wines Add

Sparkle to Cannes

ANBERRA, AUSTRALIA—Over 60

Australian filmmakers, including producers,

directors,

actors and leading crew members,

will attended the 1979 Film Festival at

Cannes.

As part of the Australian promotion,

"1979, A Vintage Year for Australian

Films," they brought 1,500 bottles of Australian

wine and various Australian cheeses

for audiences watching the 16 feature films

presented this year.

The racks of special wines provided by

the Australian Wine Board for Cannes had

labels carrying the slogan and the AFC

lyrebird logo.

Three prominent directors who have been

making news on the international scene

Peter Weir. Fred Schepisi and Phil Noyce

were not be represented at Cannes this year.

(Left to right) Ken Watts, chairman

of the Australian Film Commission,

publicist Rea Francis and wine expert

Len Evans accompanied the Australian

contingent to the Cannes festival.

Weir, whose films "Picnic at Hanging

Rock" and "The Last Wave" hit the recent

Variety lists of the 50 top grossing films in

the United States, was preparing his next

movie, dealing with the Australian assault

at Gallipoli in World War I.

Fred Schepisi ("Devil's Playground" and

"The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith") was

also preparing his next movie.

Phil Noyce, whose film "Newsfront" was

acclaimed at last year's festival and which

has recently been a boxoffice successs in

Ix)ndon. was directing his new film "King

Hit."

Hopes were high for the 16 Australian

films screened at the festival. A $320,000

(Australian) campaign to promote the $10,-

000,000 investment recently got underway.

Among the films shown were "Dawn,"

"Blue Fin," "Dimboola," "The Money Movers,"

and "The Last of the Knucklemen."

12-Minute Cinderella

Short Gains Approval

NEW YORK—A I2-minute short on the

Cinderella theme stars a colt and is turning

out to be a winner around the country. Association/35,

theatrical arm of Association

Films, reports that acceptance of the film

"Cinderella Trotter" is running 35% higher

than average.

BOXOFFICE :: Mav 28. 1979

fOR THE

RECORD

R,.— ... . I

Deter C. Kells has been appointed vice president

of administration for Columbia

Pictures, responsible for financial planning

and analysis.

Sharon P. Gottefeld has been named associate

production counsel for 20th Century-

Fox.

Tom Mihok has been named branch manager

for American International in Philadelphia.

Mihok has been in

the film business

since 1975 when he joined United Artists.

He was most recently the UA branch manager

in Cleveland.

Allan Nathan was named manager of field

activities for Columbia Pictures.

Seymour Kaplan has been designated National

Screen Service's general sales manager,

following the resignation of Harvey M.

Baren.

William C. Goldberg has been named vice

president of financial affairs for Joseph E.

Levine Presents Inc.

Warren Lieberfarb has been named senior

vice president of the Lorimar parent company.

I.orimar Productions.

Goldberg

Lieberfarb

E. A. Bowen has been promoted from

vice president to senior vice president of finance

and administration at 20th Century-

Fox Film Corp. He has been with 20th-Fox

since 1972.

Dennis A. Brown has been promoted lo

senior production executive at EMI Films.

Ralph Silver has been named vice president

of U. S. operations for Dennis Davidson

Associates. I.ondon-based public relations

firm.

Sandra Shaw has been promoted Ui vice

president of advertising and publicity for

American Cinema Releasing and advertising

and publicity director for the parent

company, American Communications Industries.

Joel H. Resnick and Ron D. Leslie of

American Multi Cinema have been promoted

to executive vice presidents. Resnick is

head of film buying and development and

Leslie has responsibility for financial oper-

Leslie

Jeffrey Snetiker has been

named director

of production finance for Paramount Pictures

Corp., replacing Frank Bodo.

Dennis A. Brown has been appointed

senior production executive for EMI Films.

Marilyn Harbord was named business

manager for the advertising and publicity

departments of Columbia Pictures. Rick

Tiancgo has been appointed foreign accounting

manager for Avco Embassy Piclures.

James R. Velde has been named senior

vice president in charge of distribution for

Rastar Films Inc.

Bonnie Rothbard has been named manager

of the motion picture research library

at

MGM.

John Foley will replace Morris Bimbaum,

Columbia branch manager in Des Moines.

Birnbaum has been named to supervise Ihe

Denver and Salt Lake City branches.

Fred Kunkel has been named Western

division manager of Film Ventures International.

Titles & Takes

"The Adventures of the Wilderness Family"

(Pacific International) grossed $.325,000

in its first week in 41 houses in New Zealand.

Fourteen of the theatres broke house

records. The outdoor adventure has grossed

nearly $60,000,000 to d.ite. worldwide.

"Invasion of the Body Snatcbers" has

earned $52,000 on 109 prints throughout

the United Kingdom since March 22.

"The Innocent" (Analysis)

has passed the

$1.5 million mark after 18 weeks in 32 theatres

across the country.

"Halloween," Compass International Pictures'

all-time independent boxoffice champion,

has grossed $30 million worldwide,

and $14 million in domestic boxoffice receipts,

as of April 27.

Trans-Lux Theatres reports the largest

two-day, midnight show gross in history for

"The Rocky Horror Picture Show." The

record was set Friday and Saturday, March

30 and March 31, at the Trans-Lux Ridgeway

Theatre in Stamford, Conn., with a reported

gross of $6,765,

Billy Wildcr's "Fedora" continues its record-breaking

run at the 300-seat Cinema

Studio I with a first-week gross of $22,749.

Woody Allen's "Manhattan" raked in $3,-

512,892 in 13 days in 283 theatres. Select

gro£ses include $685,157 in seven New

York theatres, $474,934 in 12 Los Angeles

theatres, and $55,198 at the Paris Theatre

in

Boston for six days.

"The Tin Drum" (UA) opened in Germany

with a three-day total of $265,000 in

45 sites, including the Gloria Theatre in

Berlin where the gross was $26,478 and the

Streithaus Theatre in Hamburg where earnings

topped $17,500.

Evotion Enterprises' "Sweet Savage," X-

rater starring Aldo Ray, picked up $11,290

in its first week at the Cinema West in

Houston.

"Heaven Can Walt" (Para) earned another

$9,300,000 in its 650-theatre post-

Oscar run. Previous release earned the picture

$72,600,000.

Jack Winningham, branch manager and

regional sales manager of National .Screen

Service for 3 1 years, has accepted the assignment

of Midwest division manager of

Cinema Concepts Inc., a Nashville-based

special trailer production company.

Michael Williams-Jones has been named

vice president of United Artists' Europe and

Middle East division.

Arthur L. Ventrone has been elected vice

president of corporate accounting for 20th

Century-Fox.

Bea Holloway has been named Plitt film

buyer for the West Coast division.

|

Rifkin's TEA Speech 'Robin Is Big Break for Young Monica

Urges 'Super Dealers'

MONTEREY. Calif.—Harmon (Bud) Rifkin.

chairman of the NATO technical advisory

committee, outhned some common

goals in his speech to the TEA convention

here. Rifkin told his audience that equipment

dealers, on the whole, were in "big

trouble." The trouble stems from the dealers

looking for traditional profit margins,

and ignoring the fact that their customers

have changed.

Rifkin explained that there is a "grcal

consolidation of theatre companies going

on. "The big chains are getting bigger

through acquisition, but especially through

tlieir own fast-paced construction programs,"

he added. Since 75 to 85 perceni

of new theatres are being built by four or

five national circuits, small companies do

not have the clout or finances compcle.

to

rhus, the "small guy's" grosses are slowly

being eroded. Rifkin related.

"With this consolidation and cenlralizcil

power, each surviving theatre "super-chain'

will be developing its own theatre expertise,"

he believes. Rifkin then told his audience

that the "new" theatres still need Iheir

equipment dealers, but in a new way. "You

must keep pace with the super-chains; you

and your associates must follow the same

steps as your customers. You must become

'super dealers.' "

To accomplish this new outlook for I In:

new breed of customers. Rifkin urged equij)

ment dealers to follow these strategies: FirsI,

consolidate, and work on pooling interests;

secondly, abandon the service business as

you presently know it and hire "Irouble

shooters" to fill the gaps; and thirdly, develop

a system for shipping supplies from

regional warehouses directly to the theatres.

A computerized master inventory would be

a valuable asset here, Rifkin said.

Tidwell, a New Beginning for Aldrich

By JOHN COCCHI

East Coast Editor

NEW YORK— Billed as the first feature

to be made entirely in Maryland is the

melodrama "Robin," a film by Hank

Aldrich which stars Monica Tidwell. An

opening is planned for May 30 at Durkee's

Parole Center in Annapolis, with festivities

to include an appearance by Gov. Hughes.

For young Tidwell, the film is her first title

role in a brief but budding screen career.

The veteran Aldrich, who wrote, produced

and directed "Robin" for release through

his own Starbeam Film Co., is functioning

in these capacities for the first time on a

theatrical feature.

Monica Tidwell—star of 'Robin'

inherent softness in

the character and making

her an "unhardened" hooker. Physically,

she had to contend with a plaster mold on

her face for some 30 minutes for the scene

in which she's the model for a face mask.

She admits being frightened by the experience,

in which she used straws to breathe

through her nostrils. Her face and hair had

to be covered with oil before the plaster

was applied (Aldrich's hand can be seen

pouring the mold, the actual mask having

been made by an art teacher). The emulsion

hardened in one piece and Monica intends

to use the maks as a plant holder in her

apartment.

Began in TV

The colorful Hank Aldrich was a Merchant

Seaman in World War II and began

his show business career doing TV commercials,

both live and on kinescope, in 1947

in New York. A self-taught painter, he was

a

designer, mural painter and model builder

in those free-lancing days.

Through his architectural designs of

cocktail bars in Maryland, Aldrich had

made many friends in the state and they

assisted him in finding locales for "Robin."

Although he takes no credit for it, a film

commission has been formed to bring more

filmmakers to Maryland as a result of

Aldrich's project. "This is not an ego

trip," emphasizes Aldrich, "because you

don't use your own money for that. Anyonj

who knows the business and has money

can make a film. There is talent all over."

His budget was so low that he can afford

to distribute "Robin" himself and this is

what Hank Aldrich is letting the whole industry

know about.

Rifkin told the dealers that they can "become

stronger and prosper or weaken and

perish. The secret of growth is to recognize

the future needs of your customers and then

contour your organizations to satisfy those

needs."

AI's 'Chomps' Is Slated

For Wide Break in June

BEVERLY HILL.S

— "C.H.O.M.P..S.,"

American International's fun-filled comedy

dealing with the adventures of the world's

first computerized dog, will open in June

in theatres and drive-ins in key cities around

the country.

Valerie Bertinelli, young star of CB.S-TV's

"One Day at a Time," makes her motion

picture debut in the film which also stars

Wesley Eurc, Conrad Bain, Chuck McCann,

Red Buttons, Hermione Baddeley and Jim

Backus.

The scene stealer of the film is a cute

mutt named Rascal and his electronic

counterpart. Euro, as a young electronics

genius, invents a computerized watchdog,

modeled in the image of his own pet.

The story concerns a young prostitute on

the run, posing for an art class while becoming

involved with an older married man

and trying to avoid other entaglements,

particularly with the vicious pimp who

wants her back. Lee Dorsey and Ronald

Hibbard portray lover and louse, respectively.

Maryland locations include Waldorf,

where Starbeam is situated, Cedarville State

Park (between Waldorf and Cedarville),

Chestertown, Galesville and La Plata, lovely

areas with future filmic potential. Aldrich

spent much time in keeping within the

budget and maintaining a PC' level. Although

"Robin" is unrated, ads proclaim it

as "a motion picture for the family" with

the disclaimer that "Some material may not

be suitable for pre-teenagers."

Monica's mother was a singer and magician's

assistant and her father was a drummer

with the Charlie Barnet band. She was

born in Shreveport, La., where her parents

were on tour, and lived in Waycross, Ga..

which she considers her hometown. .At age

4 she began performing in community theatres

in Georgia.

Of her role as Robin. Monica feels thai

the most difficult aspect was finding the

SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM

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THE PROMOTION AND MERCHANDISING

GUIDE

Send news of adyertising campaigns and pubUcity io STU GOLDSTEIN, MERCHANDISING EDITOR

Trivia Contest Tops

'Champ' Exploitation

For the promotion of "The Champ."

Gary Goldstein of Northeast Theatre Corp.

initiated campaigns in two markets. In

Providence, WPRO-FM ran their "Champ"

contest with hourly ticket giveaways to see

the film at the Showcase Cinema in Seekonk,

Ma. There was one promo at the top

of the giveaway hour. Later, listeners were

told that "The Champ" is the touching story

of a father-son relationship and that they

can win tickets to see the film by answering

a trivia question about famous fathers

and sons . . ." An additional "Champ" promo

was run with the answer. Also, four

"Champ" teaser promos ran throughout

each giveaway day. Total spot value

$1450.^

Hockey Sponsor Tie-In

In New Haven, Conn.. WAVZ ran a

ticket giveaway from 9 a.m. to noon. As the

station sponsors of the local New Haven

Nighthawks Hockey Games. WAVZ asked

listeners to call in and say "The Nighthawks

are "the Champs" of New Haven" to win

two tickets to see "The Champ" at the

Showcase Cinema in Orange, Conn. In addition

to a teaser promo and two promos with

each actual giveaway, WAVZ ran ten additional

plugs. Total each value was $1400.

1960s Revisited in Pittsburgh

TIME STANDS STILL—Suddenly it was the 1960s all over again in Pittsburgh as

the Kings Court Theatre enlisted a group of local actors to call attention to "Hair."

Remember the 60s Kings Court Theatre

manager Herman Hartman remembered the

decade well at his Pittsburgh opening of

"Hair."

One week before the opening, the manager

enlisted a group of local actors to dress

in the style of the late 'bQs and stage a "protest

march" in front of the theatre. They

carried signs saying, " 'Haiir': opens soon at

Ihe Kings Court."

The Saturday preceding the opening in

eluded a local actor dressed as a king passing

out leaflets in the downtown area. Radio

station WPEZ assisted in the premiere. Hartman

also decorated the lobby with daisies

and peace signs popular to the era. A group

of actresses and actors dressed in the costumes

of the '60s sat in the lobby to greet

Ihe guests and a guitarist played the music

popular to the period.

TAKE DOWN"

GUESTS—Nassau

Corp.'s Joy Theatre in New Orleans

added extra punch to their engagement

of Buena Vista's "Take Down" with

the city's Brother Martin High school

wrestlim; team invited as guests.

Free 'Battlestar' Tickets

Hidden in Salt Lake City

As an annual event, the Salt Lake City

Parks Commission sponsors a big Easter

Egg Hunt in Liberty Park. Co-sponsor this

year was the Z.C.M.I. Merchants Association,

which provided the bulk of the prizes

and goodies offered in the event which

drew an estimated 10,000 persons to the

park.

One of the elements in the event which

received heavy promotion via the Parks

Commission, Z. C. M. I. Center and KSL

Radio was a free showing of Universal's

"Battlestar Galactica" for 700 children who

had won free tickets.

A massive coloring contest was launched

advertising the Easter Egg Hunt and "Battlestar

Galactica." A line drawing of the

theatrical poster was created and printed

on 20.000 flyers which went into Salt Lake

City public schools as well as the SO stores

in

the Z.C.M.I. Center.

The first 350 entrants in the contest received

tickets. The other 350 tickets were

hidden in

easier eggs for the big hunt.

19 Fully Dressed Draculas

Give Bite to AI's 'Love'

April 26th was a strange day at Brookfield

Square Shopping Center in Milwaukee.

It was WQFM's special premiere

screening of "Love at First Bite." That in

itself wasn't strange, but the 19 people who

showed up in Dracula costumes did shake

Lip a few mall patrons. It was WQFM's contest

tie-in to find the best Dracula. The winner

became the proud recipient of a $900

stereo system, 6 albums a month for a year,

and a night on the town including dinner

and tickets to an Alpine Valley Concert. No

one expected 19 fully dressed Draculas. and

judging was next to impossible. Everyone

who entered received an album 6 pack from

the station.

BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :: May 28, 1979 II

. . . Any

. .

. . One

. . An

. .

'China Syndrome

Captures

Blue Ribbon Award Honors

By STU GOLDSTEIN

'£be nationwide membership of the National Screen Council had no difficulty in selecting

its latest Blue Ribbon Award picture. By an overwhelming margin, Columbia's

new household word, 'The China Syndrome" got the word from the NSC, too. "Syndrome"

even beat out the immensely successful "Superman" by nabbing more votes

than any other picture of the past two years! The picture also clobbered the other

March competition, with "The Champ" and "Hair" trailing behind with second and

third-place status.

ycnl, and most of all, extremely enlertain-

.

"China Syndrome" has received so much ing. William D. Kerns, Avalanche-Journal,

Lubbock, Texas.

publicity and comment that it is now the

most talked-about motion picture in

An explosive film of social and dramatic

months. The timeliness of the picture did fission. Charles Oestreich, The Argus.

not go unnoticed by the BoxoFFiCE-sponsored

Council, as practically all members month. Jane Fonda and "The China Syn-

Rock Island, III. ... No contest this

to this had something say about winning drome" are the undisputed winners. Guy

H. Giampapa, WXNE-TV, Needham.

thriller:

The very presence of Jane Fonda made Mass. ... A bit overrated, but still an

engrossing and suspenseful thriller.^ Joe

this an even more suspenseful picture.

Doug Smith, Courier-Express. Buffalo, Leydon, Shreveport (La.) Times

NY .

. . Solid characters made a credible

and tense tale work, even before it became

"soothsaying cinema." William Beamon.

Evening Independent, St. Petersburg, Fla.

picture this well prepared has

got to be socko. A.B. Covey, NATO.

Montgomery, Ala. . . . One of the finest

thrillers to come along since Hitchcock

was in his prime. Michael W. Maxo.

WVWR-FM, Roanoke, Va.

Frighteningly relevant.^ Earl J. Dias.

Standard-Times, New Bedford, Mass. . . .

Whatever side of the nuclear power problem

you're on, this one is a must! Jeanne

Mannshardt, Oakland. Calif. ... A fiction

that is our reality! Douglas Ditonio, Los

Angeles . . . White-knuckle champ of the

year, and the most accurate portrayal of

the TV news business ever on the screen.

—Steve Dawson, KCMO-TV, Kansas City.

Exceptionally tight with bright, clearly

drawn characters. Fallout from Three Mile

Island is surely a big plus for the boxoffice

coffers.^ Elias Savada, Motion Picture

Info. Service .

. . Thoughtful piece on the

abuses of power. Frighteningly pertinent

and prophetic. Lemmon is better than

he has been in years. Gene Pack, KUER,

Salt Lake City . . . Gripping, timely and

extremely well designed and acted.

James L. Limhacher, Dearborn, Mich.

. .

Kimberly Wells JANE FONDA

Timely subject given top priority in its Jack Godell

JACK LEMMON

too. Jerry Fitzgerald, TV-Star, Tyler,

. . Texas . One in a million, Gary D.

Richard Adams

Herman DeYoung

Don Braunagel, Pontiac,

Bill Gibson

MICHAEL DOUGLAS

SCOTT BRADY

JAMES HAMPTON

these excellent actors.

Lincoln, Neb. . . . Couldn't

Schillinger, Dubinsky

Sioux City, Iowa .

ful, well-written

presentation by

Bros. Theatres,

Marvelous, suspense-

CM. Stewart,

production. Tonv de

be more timely . . .

Mich. . . . llaro. KMBC-TV, Kansas City.

Don Jacovich PETER DONAT

the word "timely." Allan C. Lohsenz,

An exciting, edge-of-lhe-seater that kept

Added new dimension a to

Paramount Pictures, New York

CREDITS

Ol

. . . nie riveted to the screen. Joyce J. Persico.

Trenton Times, Trenton, N.J. The

. interest to everyone. Cecil Ormond, San

Michael Douglas has Produced by MICHAEL DOUGLAS coincidence of "Syndrome"

.

with

.

Three

Anselmo, Calif. . . .

done it again. He has a knack for packing Directed by

JAMES BRIDGES Mile Island altered public opinion significantly.

It's

a winner. This picture gets my "Big E" Written by MIKE GRAY, a spine-tingler.

T.S. COOK

George Bell,

Salem, Ore. .

award. It's entertaining, exciting and educational.

Paul Hatch, Hatch Theatres, Executive Producer BRUCE GILBERT

and JAMES BRIDGES

overdue acting treat

from Jack Lemmon. Bruce Westhrook,

The Daily Oklahoman, Oklahoma City . . .

Wolfeboro, N.H. . . . Courageous, intelli-

Released through COLUMBIA Teaches us about survival. Dr. Robert

Blockbuster of the season. Ronald Bowers.

Films in Review. New York . . . Great

000^ i..

CAST

I

00 c

cast!—/«/;« P. Recher, NATO, Baltimore,

Md.

Even without the Harrisburg incident to

spark interest, "China Syndrome" would

be one of the best films of the year.

Merwyn Grote, Vandalia Cinema, Vandalia,

Mo. . . . Jack Lemmon's best work

in years. Crisp, well-paced. Bob Wisehart,

The Charlotte News, Charlotte, N.C.

. . . Jane Fonda is a nuclear power in her

own right. Andrew Sarris, Village Voice,

New York . . . Timely, interesting and provocative.

Catherine L. York, Overland

Park, Kansas . . . Taut thriller! Superb

. . . The most' accurate portrayal

of the TV news business ever on

the screen. — Steve Dawson,

KCMO-TV, Kansas City.

performances. Sumner Rand, Sentinel

Star, Orlando, Fla.

Since we've heard that "art should imitate

life," I can't think of a better situation

than the luck Columbia Pictures had with

Its release of "The China Syndrome" and

the Three Mile Island incident. Al Shea,

Guide Newspapers, New Orleans . . .

Powerful! Joe M. Seery, Sutler Theatre,

Yuba City, Calif. . . . Thoroughly wellcratted.

Edward L. Blank, Pittsburgh

Sensational performances by

I i-inmon and Fonda. Jim Shertzer. Winslon-Salcm

(N.C.) Journal.

Lemmon creates a perfectly composite

"ever>man" character. Martin Meredith.

Dallas . of the "finest movies of the

[last few years. Tom Leathers, The

\i/iuie, Leawood, Kansas . . . Although

I he viewer shouldn't have to pay $3 to support

Jane Fonda's leftist anti-energy views,

the film kept me on the edge of my seat.

— Doug Moore. Universitv of Mo., Kansas

C,t^

Excellent picture! 1 thought promoting

it

.

over the evening news was a nice touch,

too. Don Dorsey, Caribou, Maine

Nail-biting thriller that could garner Fonda

and Lemmon Oscars. Wendeslaus

Schidz. Star Theatre, New Orleans . . .

A big, prestige picture that's well made,

Steele. lioMon I -iiiversiiy.


yX ^J^ôiiuwood IKeport

^

1

Aiircira Productions and Scotti Brother

Micrliiinnicnt will make the life story ot

"^V the late Emmctt Kelly, entitled Clown.

/^ Shooting is scheduled to begin in 1980 with

Tony Scotti producing.

^^^^

FILM PROJECTS

Mad has been added to Warner Bros.'

production schedule. Picture will be based

on the zany treatment of today's lifestyle

as depicted in Mad magazine. Rudy DeLuca

has been signed to write the script. Fred

Weintraub will produce with Daniel Grodnick

and Robert Sharp set as executive producers.

Altered States began location filming

May 15 in Creel, in the State of Chiquaqua,

Mexico. The company traveled to New

York on May 25 for five days of location

filming at the Payne Whitney Clinc, Columbia

University and the Bronx Zoo. Ken

Russell is directing.

Clash of the Titans began production

May 14 with Desmond Davis directing. Cast

includes Laurence Olivier. Burgess Meredith,

Maggie Smith and Ursula Andress.

Picture will be filmed in Dynarama, special

effects process developed by co-producer

Ray Harryhausen, and will take almost two

years to complete.

North Dallas Forty, a Frank Yablans

Production for Paramount, has completed

ten weeks of location shooting in Los Angeles.

Ted Kotcheff directed the contemporary

comedy-drama. Nick Nolte stars.

Tuesday Weld and Martin Mull will star

in The Serial for Paramount. Based on Cyra

McFadden's best-selling, satirical novel of

life in trendy Marin County. Calif., the film

comedy will begin shooting May 29 on locations

in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Sidney Beckerman is producing. Bill Persky

is directing from a screenplay by Rich Eustis.

Principal photography on the new Jerry

Lewis film, Hardly Working, has been completed.

Joseph Ford Proctor is producer.

United Artists' Raging Bull has begun

production in Los Angeles as a Chartoff-

Winkler production. Robert DeNiro stars

as Jake La Motta, former middleweight boxing

champ. Martin Scorsese is directing

from a script by Paul Schrader and Mardik

Martin.

Producer Earl Owensby has set a six-week

shooting schedule on A Day of Judgement,

set to begin principal photography at EO

Studios in North Carolina. C.D.H. Reynolds

will direct from the original screenplay by

Tom Mclntyre.

Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde is planned for

production by Larry Buchanan Productions,

with a female playing both roles in the Robert

Louis Stevenson classic. Buchanan is

producing and directing from a screenplay

he wrote with Lynn Shubert.

Universal will begin production July 5

on Where the Buffalo Roam, fictional version

of events from the life of "Gonzo Jolminalist"

Dr. Hunter S. Thompson. Bill Murray

and Peter Boyle will star.

Sudden Turns will be produced by Frank

Marshall and Neil Canton for United Ail

ists. with Blythe Danner signed to star. Robert

Markowitz will direct the script by W.D.

Richter.

Marble Arch Productions will make The

Lone Ranger, with Walter Coblenz developing

and producing the project. Martin Starger

will be executive producer of the feature.

Sir Lew Grade and Jack Wrathcr will

finance.

ITC Entertainment plans to begin shooting

later this year on Green Ice. Picture will

be based on Gerald A. Browne's novel about

emerald smuggling in Colombia. Jack Weiner

will produce.

The Silence of the North, starring Ellen

Biustyn, will be the first feature film to be

made by Universal Productions Canada Inc.

Allan King will direct.

Production is set to begin in the fall on

Worldbeater. Bernard Schwartz and screenwriter

Thomas Rickman will produce for

Orion Pictures. Rickman wlil direct from

his own screenplay, a comedy based on the

rise, fall and rise again of an American sliper

salesman.

One Way Productions plans to begin

shooting May 28 on Korean locations on

Oh, Inchon! Picture is an $18 million project

based on the Douglas MacArthur landing

at Inchon during the Korean War.

FEATURE

CASTING

Sylvia Kristel has been signed to star with

Don Adams in the Jennings Lang Production,

The Return of Maxwell Smart. The

Dutch-bom actress will play Agent 34. Vittorio

Grassman will play a dual role in the

film, as Maxwell Smart's two biggest KAOS

adversaries.

Leonard Harris will portray the mayor

of New York City in MGM's Captain Avenger.

Nomi Mitty, Jordan Cael and Woodrow

Parfrey will be members of a traveling carnival

family in UA's Carny.

Ann-Margret will end her half-year sabbatical

a month early to star opposite Bruce

Dern in Middle Age Crazy. She will play

Dern's wife in the comic drama about the

apprehensions and crises faced by an American

couple when the husband turns 40.

Judi Bowker has won the starring role

of Andromeda in MGM's Clash of the Titans.

Desmond Davis will direct.

Harry Caesar has been signed for a major

role in A Small Circle of Friends. Picture

is currently before the cameras in Boston.

Sal Viscuso, who plays Father Tim in

TV's "Soap," has signed for a role in 20th-

Fox's Fatso. Anne Bancroft is directing.

John Glover and Inga Swenson have

joined the cast of Wind River. Richard Lang

is directing. Charlton Heston stars.

TECHNICAL

ASSIGNMENTS

Carl Foreman has signed a long-term contract

with Warner Bros, under which he will

develop up to four pictures in five years.

Under a non-exclusive clause in the deal,

Foreman will be able to complete projects

he now has under way with Universal.

Warner Bros, has signed Jay Weston Productions

to a non-exclusive deal to develop

two pictures. Tales of the City, about a

country girl's bizarre encounters in San

Francisco, and WASPS, the story of women

flyers who ferried combat planes to Europe

during World War II.

Academy Award-winner John G. Avildsen

has been signed to direct Fu Manchu.

The adventure comedy stars Peter Sellers

in both the title role and that of Inspector

Nayland Smith of Scotland Yard, Fu Manchu's

longtime nemesis.

ACQUISITIONS

Marty Fink. Spencer Young and Norman

Rudman: Rock Justice, fantasy with rock

music written by Jefferson Starship's Marty

Balin and Bob Heyman, acquired for feature

filmzation. An October start date is

planned.

Hollywood & Vine Productions: Film

rights acquired to the Joe Pursch Story.

Story deals with the Navy captain and doctor

who operate the Navy's Alchohislm Program

at Long Beach Naval Hospital. This

is the center where Betty Ford, Billy Carter

and Herman Talmadge were treated for alcholism.

James Komack: Rights acquired to Solomon's

Ark. The contemporary comedy will

be Lomack's first project under his threepicture

deal with Warner Bros.

DISTRIBUTION

Picturemedia Ltd.: Worldwide distribution

set for Moongas! Production will begin

in July.

Tenaha Timpson Releasing: Worldwide

distribution rights to Superwoman. Deseree

Costeau stars in the comedy-spoof directed

by Joe Sherman.

Pacific International: Distribution rights

obtained to Elvis the Movie, the King Lives

On. A summer release is scheduled.

Viacom: Worldwide syndication rights for

Lyman Dayton's The Rivals.

New Line Cinema: U.S. and English

Canadian distribution rights for The Last

Romantic Lover. U.S. premiere is scheduled

for late summer in New York.

BOXOFTICE :: May 28, 1979

13

BOXOFFICE

BAROMETER

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

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

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

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

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

i .

I Agatha (WB)

'

WASHINGTON

Woody Allen's "Manhattan," a United

Artists' release, brought record-breaking

grosses to the Pedas Circle Theatres'

Avalon in its first week. The 708-scat

twin theatre grossed $49,617 during llupreiniere

week. Moviegoers' attendance,

furthermore, broke the house record foi a

single Saturday with a take of $12,045. Ilie

film had a four-theatre unveiling May 2.

George Romero's "Dawn of the Dead." ;i

Wheeler Film release playing at two Pcd:is

Circle theatres, Dupont and Tenley, is ilo

ing "exceedingly good business," accoiiling

to Charlie Costolo, district manager for llie

circuit's eight houses and 12 screens.

Marty Zeidman, Columbia's branch manager,

screened "Hot Stuff" for cxhibilois

and special guests at the Motion Piclinc

Assn. of America screening room May 24.

The stars are Dom DeLuise, Suzanne I'leshette,

Jerry Reed and Ossie Davis.

William Zoetis. 20th Century-Fox brantli

manager, arranged a press screening of "Al

ien" at the Pedas Uptown, in Dolby, May

24. The sci-fi horror film opened at Ihc

Uptown the following day.

Fritz Goldschmidt, Avco Embassy branch

chief, sneaked "Skyline" at Neighborhood

Theatres' State Theatre in McLean, Va.,

May 11. The film will not go into general

release until early fall, according to head

booker Mary Ellen Romich. Avco Embas

sy's "Phantasm" will unreel in 95 thealres

in this exchange June 8. Reports of the

film's performance throughout the country

have been "phantastical."

The Variety

Club and WOMPI of Wash

ington will co-host a dinner dance al (lie

Bethesda Officers Club July 3. Chief barker

John Broumas is back at his Showcase

Thealres after attending the Variety Club

Internationa! convention in New Orleans

May 19-25.

Price Enterprises, headquartered at Vii

ginia Beach. Va.. announced its takeover o\

the Hampton Drive-In at Hampton. Va..

effective May 9.

John Obert, a 25-year veteran of the

'' Clark Service, ded recently. Obert bad retired

as manager of the film shipping com

pany. which has been renamed Molileli

r-'ilm

Service.

Edward W. Cockrell Jr. has been nameil

program planner for the American Film

Institute Theatre. Cockrell fills the vacancy

made by Michael Clark, who resigned to

accept the position as film critic for the

Detroit Free Press.

Recent movie openings include: Peler

Bogdanovich's "Saint Jack," in one theatre;

"Game of Death." Bruce Lee's last film, in

area theatres: and United Artists' release

"Voices" in West End Circle and area

thealres.

Janet Margolin, a recent visitor here to

promote United Artists' "Last Embrace." in

which she plays femme fatale opposite Roy

Scheider. said she likes the job she did in

the film. Uniquely primed at the age of .V5.

it has been 17 years since Frank and Eleanor

Perry cast Margolin as Lisa in "David

and Lisa." Jomathan Demme directed the

new romantic murder thriller, which was

his first feature since "Citizens Band."

R. I. Obscenity Statute

Ruled Unconstiluional

PROVIDENCE— I he Rhode Island Stale

Supreme Couit has ruled unconstitutional

the state's obscenity statute, used in 1978 to

raid a "Private Parts" erotic art show.

The ruling was issued in the matter of

challenge brought by D & J Enterprises

Inc.. owner/ operator of stores selling books,

magazines and films containing sexual

themes.

The suit's defendants were the state attorney

general and the police chiefs of Providence

and West Warwick.

The high court said that the state legislature

had included in its definition of "patently

offensive sexual conduct" behavior

which a jury might not find patently offensive.

The statute, therefore, is too broad,

the court commented.

Yearlong 'Rocky' Exhibitor

Has Discovered a Bonanza

BELMAR. N.J.— Between 50.000 and

(lO.OOO people have seen "The Rocky Horror

Picture Show" at the Belmar Cinema

here since it opened last Memorial Day,

according to William Franz, co-owner ol

the theatre which has hit a bonanza with the

cult movie, which shows every Friday and

Saturday for two screenings at midnight and

2 a.m. But instead of waiting for a celebra

lion this Memorial Day to mark its firs!

anniversary, Franz arranged an early celebration

by bringing in an acting troupe from

the Exeter Theatre in Boston to present a

live version of "The Rocky Horror Picliire

Show."

Not only is the $3 admission a boon lo

the boxoffice, but Franz finds the cult movie

brings in a lot of plusses. Mementos of the

film are for sale in the theatre's lobby and

selling briskly are such items as "Rocky

Horror" mirrors, T-shirts, posters, buttons,

songbooks and candy "Rocky Horror" lips

made out of marzipan.

In addition to the after-dark show, Bel

mar Cinema will occasionally add a Sunday

2 p.m. matinee for "The Rocky Horror

Picture Show" to accommodate the high

school and college students largely attracted

lo the film, who arc unable to take the lale

night hours.

Franz has a midnight following developing

as well on Sunday nights for another

cult cinema he started showing earlier this

year. The Sunday midnight attraction is a

double bill of the feature "Eraserhead" and

a film by "De Vo." During regular hours,

the Belmar Cinema operates with first-run

product, currently presenting the exclusive

area showing of "Superman." The theatre i<

located in

the Belmar Mall.

NEW

YORK

pHE WILL ROGERS New York kick-off

rally will be held June 12 at Will

Rogers Institute in White Plains. A screening

of the 1979 Will Rogers trailer starring

Reggie Jackson of the New York Yankees

will be followed by cocktails and a garden

kmcheon. At 1:30, the Variety Club of New

York (Tent 35) will dedicate a plaque to

commemorate the establishment of a Limb

Bank for children at the Burke Rehabilitation

Center, under the direction of Dr. Peter

Stern. Plaques will also be dedicated in

memory of Ned E. Depinet and Russell

Downing.

From 2 to 4 p.m.. there will be a

discussion on "Asthma-Bronchitis-Emphysema"

by Lester B. Mayers. MD. supervisor

of the pulmonary rehabilitation unit at

the Burke Day Hospital; Charles E. Bredin,

MD. director of the pulmonary medicine

department at Burke Inpatient Hospital; and

Renee Schlesinger. director of physical therapy

at the Day Hospital.

•

The Ritillo Theatre film house on 42nd

Street and Broadway will become a 499-

it seat legitimate theatre, was announced by

Brandt Enterprises. The Lyric Theatre on

42 nd Street is also due for a restoration lo

legitimate enterprises,

both houses expected

to he operating under their new formats in

the fall.

•

Irwin Allen's all-star "Beyond the Poseidon

Adventure" opened May 25 at Flagship

Theatres throughout the metropolitan area.

Manhattan houses participating in the showcase

are Cinerama I. Beekman, Murray Hill

and RKO 86th Street. Allen produced and

directed the Warner Bros, release from Nelson

Gidding's screenplay, based on a novel

by the late

Paul Gallico.

•

Showcases include "The Prisoner of Zenda."

a Universal release of a Walter Miriscli

Production, starring Peter Sellers, which

opened May 25. Also. "Manhattan." "The

Dark." "The Champ." "The Exorcist." "The

Deer Hunter." "Love at First Bite." "Hair."

"The Silent Partner." "Hanover Street."

'Battlestar Gulactica." "Dawn of the Dead"

and "Winter Kills."

FOR SALE:

DRIVE-IN THEATRE SCREEN

WITH TOWER

SURFACE DIMENSION 120' x 60'

INTERLOCKING STEEL PANELS

CAN BE LAID DOWN IN WINDSTORM

CONTACT: Mr. Michael Mittleman

Harborside Park

711 Branch Avenue

Providence, Rl 02940

Tel: (401) 272-8000 Ext. 135

BOXOFFICE :; May 28. 1979

E-1

4;^Jsmm-''^^.-^^'%:r^\ii:,sm:^m:^^ -^

New York

(Average weekly grosses follow theaire)

,.^3sw\s î.^^

All Almost Perfect Affair (Para),

Trans-Lux East (8,500).

4th wk 1 2.000

Battlestar Galactica (Univ), 50 theatres.

1st wk 300.000

La Cage Aux FoUes (UA). 68th

Playhouse St. (5.200). 1st wk. .. 22,000

Death of a Bureaucrat (Tricontinental),

Cinema Studio II (3,700),

1st wk 8,000

Fedora (UA). Cinema Studio 1 (5,000),

5th wk 9,000

Get Out Your Handkerchiefs

(New Line), Paris (9,000),

22nd wk 8,000

.\ Little Romance (Orion-WB), Sutton

(9,000), 4th wk 21,800

Manhattan (UA), 9 theatres,

4th wk 340.000

Saint Jack (New World). Cinema 1

(10.400). 4th wk 19.900

Teresa the Thief (World Northal).

Gemini 1 (7.500). 2nd wk 1 1.000

Winter Kills (Avco). 47 theatres.

1st wk 250,000

New Haven

The Champ (MGM-UA), Showcase

III, 6th wk 70

The China Syndrome (Col), Millord

II, 9th wk 80

The Deer Hunter (Univ), Showcase

V, 10th wk 125

House of Shame (,SR), Milford Twin

D-I. 1st wk 150

Love at First Bite (Al), Cinemart II,

4th wk 115

Manhattan (UA). Showcase I.

2nd wk 350

Murder by Decree (Avco). York

Square Cinema. 1st wk 200

The Promise (Univ). Showcase II.

3rd wk 70

The Silent Partner (EMC). Showcase

IV. 3rd wk. 145

Tourist Trap (Compass), Milford

Twin D-I. Screen Two, 1st wk 175

FILMACK IS

1st CHOICE

WITH

SHOWMEN

EVERYWHERE

F/RST RUN REPORT

Uitemistiess (Qua

1st wk

I). I MKoln.

Baltimore

The Champ (MGM-UA), Cinema II,

6th wk


Westview IV, 9th wk

The Deer Hunter (Univ), Towson,

12th wk

The Last Embrace (UA), Cinema I,

2nd wk

Love at First Bite (AI), Westview I,

Patterson I, 3rd wk

Manhattan (UA). Westview II,

2nd wk

Buffalo


(Univ). 1 theatre, 6th wk

The Champ (MGM-UA), 3 theatres.

4th wk


3 theatres. 8th wk

Coming Home (UA). 2 theatres.

6th wk

Dawn of the Dead (SR), 2 theatres.

1st wk

The Deer Hunter (Univ). 1 theatre,

11th wk

Firepower (SR), 5 theatres, 1st wk. .

The Last Embrace (UA), 4 theatres.

1st wk


2nd wk

Manhattan (UA), 3 theatres, 1st wk.

Old Boyfriends (Avco), 2 theatres,

2nd wk

Silent Partner (SR), 2 theatres,

1st wk

Tourist Trap (SR), 4 theatres, Isl wk.

Hartford

The Champ (MGM-UA), Showcase

VI, 6th wk

The China Syndrome (Col), Cinema I,

UA Westfarms 3. 9th wk

200

90

. 1 50

.200

ORDER FROM FILMACK

WHENEVER YOU NEED

SPECIAL FILMS

DATE STRIP5

CROSS PLUGS,

MERCHANT ADS,

SPECIAL AN-

NOUNCEMENTS


1 bash Avenue nois 60605 312-427-339J

Circle of Iron (Avco), Cinema City

IV, Cine Enfield I, 1st wk 150

The Deer Hunter (Univ), Showcase IV,

10th wk 135

Here Comes the Bride (SR), Art Cinema,

2nd wk 175

The Innocent (Analysis), 3 theatres,

2nd wk 165

The Last Embrace (UA), Cinema City

II, Elm I. 2nd wk 135

Love at First Bite (AI), Showcase

II, 5th wk 120

Manhattan (UA), Showcase I,

2nd wk 375

Norma Rae (20th-Fox), Cinema Cily

III, Elm II, 6th wk KM)

The Promise (Univ), UA East III.

3rd wk 50


Showcase III. 3rd wk 175

The Silent Partner (EMC), Showcase

V, 2nd wk 200

Take Down (BV), 3 theatres, Isi wk. . . 100

Tourist Trap (Compass), Manchester.

Pike D-Is. 1st wk 200

Your Turn, My Turn (New Yorker).

Atheneum. 1st wk. 90

PHILADELPHIA

pete Ciccotta, Universal branch manager in

this area, arranged an invitational sneak

preview of "The Prisoner of Zenda" at the

SamEric Theatre in advance of its May 25

opening at Ihat theatre.

For "Dreamer," Bob Sokolsky in the Philadelphia

Bulletin, finds: "The performances

and direction of this bowling film are more

wooden than the pins, turning the entire

movie into one long, wide gutter ball."

Russell A. Miles is the new owner of the

Waverly Theatre in suburban Drexel Hill.

Desmond Ryan in the Inquirer sees

Woody Allen as "an imposing filmmaker"

in "Manhattan." stating that Allen has

"solved problems on the use of humor that

directors in the lower reaches of screen

comedy hardly know exist."

Charlie Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy

films and the like make up the programs

for the "Old Time Motion Picture Show"

at The Old Schoolhouse in Medford. N..T..

complete with hot popcorn, lemonade, penny

candy, and even a light-heailed 25 cenls

for admission.

Samuel Rudofker, president of After Six

Formal Wear, and Continental Bank president

Roy T. Peraino are serving as co-chairmen

for the world premiere of "Rocky 11"

here, followed by a $100 gala reception and

dance at the Philadelphia Museum of Art to

benefit the Police Athletic League. Originally

scheduled lor June 8 at Budco's Midlown

Thcatie. the premiere has been postponed

10 Jinie 14 due to "technical reasons" involving

the soundtrack.

Black Films and Filmmakers, a traveling

film series, makes its Philadelphia debut at

the Afro-American Historical &. Cultural

Museum, running consecutive Sundays at

3 p.nr throuyh Jinie 17. The four-part series

E-2 BOXOFFICE May 28. 1979

,

Place,

. . . Asked

I

,

I

presents award-winning films from among

top national and international black filmmakers

as well as special lectures by the

filmmakers.

In order to dramatize its sympathy with

the nationwide union-led boycott of I.P.

Stevens products, one of the largest nonunion

companies in the United States, the

Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers

Union here took over the 584-seat Eric's

a center-city Sameric theatre, for an

evening screening of "Norma Rae," the

theatre's current film attraction. Union officials

hailed the popular reception of "Norma

Rae" as an authentic and inspiring rendering

of the union's real-life struggle to

unionize the Stevens plant in Roanoke

Rapids, N. C.

Lee Starkey, account executive at Elkman

Advertising, which handles the advertising

and publicity for Buena Vista held a preview

at the Top of the Fox Screening Room

for "The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides

Again."

Desmond Ryan, reviewing "Last Embrace"

in the Inquirer, says it "abounds in

flashes of technique that are entertaining

and impressive in themselves, but contrived

impediments to the progress of the movie."

PITTSBURGH

^he Senate Business and Commerce Comi

mittee unanimously passed NAIO's

anli-blind bidding bill May 21 and sent il lo

the full Pennsylvania Senate. The eighi

members all gave approval lo the measuie

following a hearing wilh George Tice. pies

ident of NATO of Western Pennsylvania

Senate Bill 702 is sponsored by 26 Keystone

State senators, more than enough for iinal

approval. Tice will discuss this subject and

other important trade topics at the general

membership meeting of the exhibitor association

at the Marriott in Greentree, June 11.

This is the final week for 20th-Fox'.'.

branch office here, wilh all business for this

film territory to be handled out of Philadelphia.

The Fulton Building office goes oul of

business Jime 8. George Ball remains for a

few weeks to handle account bookings, elc,

Ihen he retires after

here.

.'>2 years in the induslry

George Anderson writes in his review:

"Adolescents have been portrayed as demonic

or debauched in most recent films.

Now along comes a "A Little Romance' lo

make innocence believable again."

Release dates for films opening hereabouls

include .June 1 for the return of "Semi-

Tough"; June 8 for "Players" and a reissue

of "Bedknobs and Broomsticks"; June 15

for "The In-Laws," "Butch and Sundance:

the Early Years," "The i'rophecy" aiul

"C.H.O.M.P.S."; June 22 for "Lost aiul

Found," "The Main Event" and "Escape

From Alcatraz"; and June 29 for "Bknidline."

"Moonraker" and a reissue of "101

Dalmations "

BOXOmCE :: May 28, 1979

Spotlight on New England

By ALLEN M. WIDEM

Re0onal Correspondent

JJow much emphasis is being accordeil ratings

on a daily advertising level by exhibition

in the si.x-state New England region

To a man—and a woman—exhibition cannot

be faulted for ever seeking to ignore,

sidestep or downgrade the careful calculations

of the Motion Picture Assn. of Ameiica.

Monitoring the press across the si,x-stalo

area finds excellent compliance as far as

incorporating ratings with advertised films.

The Edmond Town Hall Theatre, in Connecticut's

downstatc Fairfield county, has a

continuing, exemplary policy manifested by

manager Dave Brown. Newtown is home

base and audience draw is regional.

Playing sub-nm booking of 20th-Fox's

"The Boys From Brazil." Dave adverlisiil:

"R—Under 17 not admitted without parent

present at boxofficc." And the question before

the house is: How many more cinemas

adhere to such wordage when playing R

product in an atmosphere encompassing a

sizable "family" turnout regularly

In Vermont Merrill G. Jarvis, presidenl

of South Burlington-based Merrill Theatre

Corp., had a drive-in theatre first for 1979,

hosting "Buck Night" at the Burlington ami

Mt. View underskyers. Admission was $1-

per-person. with children under age 5 admitted

free.

In Rhode Island, regional drive-in ihca

tres resumed full-time operations for ihe

The Warham Drive-In, now

season . . .

helmed by Randy Ellis (formerly with TMS

interests at the Brockton Sky-Vue Drive-

In), has installed radio sound for paticns

by The NewsPaper if he has ever

worked in films he later regretted taking ou.

Gene Hackman said, "No. I have done woik

in films that turned out to be less than expected

or did less than well at the boxoffice,

but that was beyond my control. It alwa\s

is. It is a fact of life about film that an

actor lives with. Now a director has con

trol."

Around Worcester, $5 a carload seems to

be the prevailing "bargain price" figure in

effect at the bulk of drive-in theatres providing

such a policy this season.

General Cinema Corp.'s Worcester Ceiilei

Cinemas 3, normally on a price policy ol

$1.25 to 2 p.m.. with the admission going lo

$2.50 for remainder of afternoon and evening,

maintained a $1.25 price for two auditorium

showings of Compass International's

"Halloween."

In Hartford, Independent exhibitors Leon

aid Paul and associates, operating a weekend

teenage disco policy at the Central

Theatre, West Hartford, re-applied for pro

posed building changes to the town's Plan

and Zoning Commission after the laller

voiced feeling that the original application

was not specific enough. The Paul group

wants to allow smoking in the lobby, install

electronic games in the disco, increase Ihe

number of persons permitted in the ihealre

and change the hours of operation for disco.

In New Haven, Inteistate Theatres ol

New England's Clinton Drive-In has expanded

the flea market concept, wilh an

aulomobilc flea market operational Saturdays

from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The plan is lo

bring mobile buyer and seller together. The

underskyer continues its regular flea market

Sundays, starting at 8 a.m., in a plan similar

to that in effect at the Redstone Milford

Drive-In. Dealer space Sunday costs $8 at

Clinton, carloads are admitted for 99 cents

and walk-ins for 50 cents. The same Sunday

money policy is in effect at Milford. The

auto flea market has no admission charge

for buyers; sellers are charged a "nominal

fee."

In Enosburg Falls, Vt., the first new drivein

theatre construction project in Ihe sixstate

New England region to date in 1979

has been disclosed. Lise and Lindsey Gales

have proposed construction at the Dairy

Center in North Enosburg.

Agawani, Mass., a

major Springfield sub

urb, will not be getting another multipleauditorium

cinema complex. Real estate developers

John J. Beltrandi and Leon Charkoudian.

who some months ago announced

plans for a $50,000,000 self-contained "village"

in Feeding Hills district decided to

withdraw their petition hours before a Town

Council vote on the project. "We just can't

get the 12 votes we need in the council,"

Beltrandi conceded. "We can't even get ten.

The more we talked about it, the more we

decided that we just couldn't get the vote."

The complex would have been part of the

large-scale commercial/ residential development.

TOLEDO

Pecause a search warrant used to confiscate

a film last October at the Westwood

Theatre in West Toledo was not specific.

Municipal Judge Alice Resneck has ruled

that the seized film could not be used as

evidence. Ken Hodge. 25, was arrested last

Oct. 5, along with operators of four other

film houses in the city, and charged wilh

pandering obscenity. The arrests were ihe

first since the city council amended its

ordinance dealing wilh sueh misdemeanors

The Ohio Theatre in Columbus will receive

$25,000 as a grant from Ihe U.S

Heritage Conservation and Recreation Serv

(Continued on following page)

MOVIE PROGRAMS

USE MOVIE HERALDS AND PROGRAMS

Vt*'"'' s^ ,' I 10« OH ON (I8SI 0>D!l -

\l. ' .a''X- I' YOU MINTION IMIS "'" " '

^^^

A.-^ -^ Pu.llC.lToN »N0 DMt ,h, ....0. .

, I I

h„r^^

IIHiJlJ.UllilKitilBl

occupying Suite 358

21.

Qoger K. Hill, Warner Bros, branch manager,

has died at the Massachusetts triple movie house and lacquetball spoils

Ground was broken recently for a new

General Hospital, about two months after complex adjacent to Kings Shopping Center

he was critically burned in the March 29 on Camden Street, Rockland, Maine. The

fire at the Copley Plaza Hotel. He had suffered

severe second and third degree burns Roger Wedge, president of Cinema IV

new venture was jointly announced by

over more than half of his body. The early Corp. of Massachuseits, and Claude Broutin,

Maine restaurateur and developer. The

morning fire at the Copley and the nearby

Sheraton-Boston Hotel forced into the streets movie operation will include three cinemas.

about 1,200 guests, of which 68 were injured.

A formei busboy, 18, has been charged

with murder and arson in connection with

CINCINNATI

the fire.

Dave Titleman, district manager of Associated

Film Distributors, has announced

J)oug Buckley is in from Chicago lo take

over the branch manager helm at

United Artists. Also at UA, Howard Loberfeld

reported that Woody Allen's "Manhattan"

was to open exclusively at the World

East and World West theatres. "Rocky II"

is scheduled for a June opening.

Clevelanders have been privilaged to see.

meet and talk with major figures in the film

industry this month as the Cleveland International

Film Festival continues. In town

for the festival this past week were Linwood

Dunn. Academy Award-winning cinematographer

and president of Film Effects of

Hollywood, and director Frank Capra, who

appeared after a showing of his "It's a Wonderful

Life," which he requested for the

Irwin

Loren Janes and Herbert Ross.

"Butch and Sundance: the Early Days"

will open in this territory June 15.

CLEVELAND

Tack Kaufman of Cinepix reports that

Pic's Fabulous Bonus Offer: "When the Screaming Stops" will open

soon in the Akron-Canton area and "Bread

You Buy 200 Packs* rmii v.iu. $70.00

'2 Large coils per pack, retail 35c

and Chocolate" will open exclusively at the

You get FREE - 16 Packs . . .mh v.iu. 5.60 Westgate Cinema June 1.

TMal RMII Valia $75.60 Gordon Bugie, Avco Embassy branch

Your Cost 200 Packs (21c each) .... .$42.00 manager, screened "A Very Big Withdrawal"

at Loews Village Theatre May 12 to a

Your Profit $33.60 capacity ciowd.

Raphael D. Silver was in town recently

BOSTON

Plus FREE

night of his visit. Also scheduled for appearances

are producers Robert Chartoff

that Associated is in

to introduce his movie "On the Yard" al

the

the

and

Park

film festival in the Cedar

Winkler,

Square

Lee Theairc.

Frederick

Building,

Wiseman,

effective May

Attractive Promotional Material

Son Francisco

(Average weekly grosses follow theatre)

FIRST RUN REPORT

liu- I'n.iiust irniM, I A SlnncshuMi 1

.

. .

Denver

(4 O^D) (ilh wk

\\

(

Same lime, Next Year (Univ),

The Champ (UA), 2 Iheiilics, 6lli wk. .210

Cinema 21 (8,700), 14th wk


The Silent Partner (Pacific Film).

Continental, 9th wk 100

The Deer Hnnter (Univ), Colorado 4,

wk 200

Alexandria 2 (4,500), 2nd wk. ...

Superman (WB), Northpoint (11,800).

12th 22nd wk

Hair (UA), Colorado 4, 7lh wk 150

The Toy (Show Bi-Co.). Clay (4,100),

30

1

Hurricane (Para), 3 theatres, 5lh wk.

2nd wk

Last Embrace (UA), 4 theatres,

2nd wk 70

Wifemistress (Quartet), Stage Door

(4,600). ISth wk

Manhattan (UA), 2 theatres, 2nd wk. . .320

Once in Paris (SR), University Hills 3.

1st wk 90

The Promise (Univ), 2 theatres,

6th wk

Hollywood Happenings

50

Same Time, Next Year (Univ), Cooper,

14th wk 60 QICELY lYSON was honored with the

Superman (WB), Cenlmy 21, 2 1 si wk. 100 National Fellowship award, presented

May 24 in Philadelphia by Mercei D. Tate,

president of the Fellowship Commission.

The award will take note of her work in

Beyond the Door No. 2

(Film Ventures), 1st wk.

Empire 2 (1,850) 290

St. Francis 2 (5,200) 5,019

Geneva Drive-In (5,400) 4,356


(Univ), UA Stonestown I (4.()4()),

Picnic at Hanging Rock (Atlantic),

Lumiere (3,850), 4th wk 2,820

TNEATRE—

ItRINTINGil'-

WINDOW CARDS /calendars /programs

ADVERTISING CO

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creating an image for human rights wiihin

the black community.

•

The nation's top ranking women golfers

will participate May 29 in a Pro-Am Golf

Tournament, a part of the Women's Professional

Golf Tour at the Calabasas Country

Club as a benefit for the Motion Picture

and Television Fund. Professional golfeis

the 1.800 guests in one area of the huge

Pima Air Museum neat Tucson International

Airport.

"Hanover Street" in Dolby soiuid opened

May 18 at the Catalina . . . "Fedora"

donned May 18 at Cine El Dorado.

"Main Event" will be premiered June 21

at Cine El Dorado in a special fund-raising

showing for benefit of the American Cancer

Society.

Brotke Shields was in town recently to

attend a sneak preview of her film "Wanda

Nevada" al Bucna Vista 2.

Starters: Last hnibraie," May 3 at De-

Aiiza Drive-in, Cinewoild and Oracle View

King of Hearts," May 4 at New

4 . . .

"Beyond the Door," May 2 ai

Coronado and Tucson 5. First Tucson showing:

"Manhattan" ar.d "House Calls" at

DeAnza Drive-In.

SALT LAKE CITY

Linton Productions, a film company basetl

here held auditions for parts in "Knocking

at Heavens Door." the company's lalt'sl

movie project.

Herb Schoenhardt of Universal Theatre

Supply has just returned from the Theatre

Equipment Assn. Convention in Monterey.

Calif. He also took care of some other

business while he was there. Universal

Theatre Supply was looking forward to the

opening of the new Trolley Carriage Square

Theatres in Taylorsville. Herb Schoenhardt

and Clayton Stauffer have been working

very hard to make sure everything is ready

and properly installed for the big opening.

AMCSixplex Slated

For Sunnyvale Mall

LOS ANGELES—The latest project announced

for the $60-million Sunnyvale

Town Center shopping development is to

be Sunnyvale's largest multi-plex cinema.

Total cost will be in excess of $550,000.

Construction of the cinema begins this

month and is scheduled to coordinate with

Ihe fall 1979 opening of the major regional

center.

The cinema, to be operated by .American

Multi Cinema of Kansas City, will be a

1,468-seat sixplex facility.

AMC currently owns and operates 60

screens in California and American Mulli

Cinema is currently planning several additional

projects with the Hahn Co.

Old Tucson Adopts a New

Name: Now It's Westworld

l.AS VEGAS—A change in the corporalc

name of Old Tucson Corp. to Westworld

Inc. became effective May 14.

The company operates the western theme

park and movie location. Old Tucson, near

Tucson. Ariz., and recently acquired all of

the outstanding stock of Old West Corp.,

the operator of a western theme park and

gaming casino in the Las Vegas area.

In announcing its intention to change its

name, Burt Sugarman. chairman and chief

executive officer, told shareholders on .April

24. that Westworld Inc. was more reflective

of the scope and nature o( its bus

May 28. 1979

W-1

SAN FRANCISCO

Tack Naify, who had been a salesman for

Warner Bros, in New Orleans, has

joined the film payables staff in UATC's

booking department.

Melania Steele has left her position with

Pacific Film Enterprises and is now employed

at

Jack Wodell Associates.

C. F. "Mike'' Powers was honored with

a belated birthday luncheon as WOMPI

Man of the Year" at the Civic Center Holiday

Inn May 17.

A complete retrospective of the films ol

Luchino Visconti is scheduled to begin with

a special screening of "The Innocent" at

the

Castro Theatre May 31 prior to its regular

engagement at the Caly Theatre June 8.

The Castro presentation is in association

with the Italian Institute of Culture. His

other works will be shown at the Pacific

Film Archive and at the University of

Southern California-Berkley.

Mrs. Jerry Collins wishes to thank everyone

for the love and support shown to her

and her family after her husband's death.

LOS ANGELES

]y[ann Theatres had sold the Fairfax Theatre

to Jamiel Chetin, operator of the

Picfair and 4 Star theatres.

AFI Seminar Set for Aug.

BEVERLY HILLS — Director of AFI-

West Robert F. Blumofe has annoimccti

that the second Summer Institute for Film

and Humanities will be held at the CenUi

for Advanced Film Studies here Aug. 5-11.

The weeklong workshop, funded by the

Rockefeller Foundation, is aimed al acquainting

university-level film educators

with the practical aspects of the molicni

picture industry. The institute will be nuul

erated by Dr. Sam Grogg, director of I Ik

AFI National Education Services.

United Artists Plans 2nd

Sixplex for Santa Rosa

SANTA ROSA. Calif. — The United

Artists Theatre Circuit has announced plans

Century projectors and Chiistie transport

systems will be installed; American will

provide the seats.

DENVER

Leonard Steele has broken ground for a

new fourplex theatre to be erected in

Spearfish, S.D. The new facility will be a

part of a mew shopping center complex and

will be equipped with on automated booth

and the newest equipment available. The

target date for opening is Labor Day. Steele

also operates the Campus and Cine Theatres

in Spearfish as well as theatres in Gillclti.',

Wyo., and Gunnison, Colo.

Chad and Kay DeCastro have sold the

Peerless Theatre in Holyoke, Colo., to Ralph

and Linda Stats. The DeCastros will continue

to operate the Chaka Theatre in nearby

Julesburg, Colo.

The Box families have been coming and

going. Bob Box, who is the branch manager

for Paramount, traveled to Los Angeles for

meetings. Jack Box, the branch manager for

Universal, along with Mrs. Box, traveled to

Oklahoma City on a vacation. Kathy Box,

who is employed in the local Columbia

Branch, joined her parents for the trip to

Oklahoma City.

Albert Johnson Returns

To San Francisco Fest

SAN FRANCISCO—Claude Jarman,

director

of the San Francisco International

Film Festival, has announced that film

tc build a second si.xplex in this northern

California community.

scholar and lecturer Albert Johnson will return

to the staff of the festival this year to

Construction of the complex, to be named

Movies 6, is slated for early June. Seating

will be similar to UA's other Santa Rosa

be in charge of tributes.

He will also coordinate a special afternoon

program in conjunction with the Uni-

theatres, the Cinema 6.

versity Art Muscimi's Pacific Film Archive.

Johnson last worked for the festival in

1972.

Filbert Company

Theatre Systems

The 23rd Annual San Francisco Film

Festival will run Oct. 10-21 at the Palace

of Fine Arts Theatre and the Castro Theatre.

The festival will be accepting entries

this summer through Aug. 1.

COMING SOON...

A

BIGGER

and

BETTER

BOXOFFICE

PETERSON

THEATRE

455 Bearcat Drive

Times Square Park

SUPPLY

Salt Lake City, Utah 84115

801-466-7642

ENTERTAINMENT FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT^

Design Construction Equipment Interiors

Filbert Company IIOO Flower St., Glendale, Calif., 91201 (213) 247-6550

Filbert Northwest 2503-152nd Ave, N.E., Redmond, Wa., 98052 (206)885-0200

Solt Lake • Boston • Dollos • New York

NIVERSAL THEATRE SUPPLY

- HOME OFFICE -

264 East 1st South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111

ALSO: DRIVE-IN EQUIPMENT.

W-2 BOXOFFICE :: Mav 2S, 1979

Apartment Beneath Drive-In Screen

Leads to Career in

SALT LAKE CITY—How docs a

political

science major turn into a motion picture

exhibitor entrepreneur

One way is to get involved in the movie

business while attending college, as did

Jerry Mike Place, executive vice president

and secretary-treasurer of Trolley Theatres

Inc.

Mike and his wife lived in an apartment

beneath the screen of a Bountiful drive-in

theatre for two years while he pursued a

political science major at the University of

Utah. Operating the theatre was Mike's

source of income.

On May 23, Trolley opened a twin theatre

at Carriage Square which will bring the

firm's total screens to 16.

"The political science major was really

incidental; a degree in liberal aits was important,"

said Mike. "It didn't take long to

realize my love was in sales and especially

management.

Trolley

Beginnings

"I quickly learned that success hinges

upon securing a group of loyal, hardworking,

dedicated people, which we have at

Trolley."

Trolley thrives on a family atmosphere.

The business is a family venture and the theatres

are family-centered.

Mike was introduced to the theatre by his

EVERY

Film Exhibition

wife, Kathy. whose grandfather was a theatre

pioneer in Tooele.

Kathy's father. Sam Gillette, coined the

term "motor-vu" and wound up with a

string of drive-in theatres from Bellingham.

Wash., through Arizona to California.

The family bought the financially plagued

Bountiful, figuring the property alone was

worth the investment. Mike, who had been

holding down two jobs, figured it was easier

to try to stay solvent by running the theatre.

Upon graduation, Mike was elected the

full-time operating officer.

Hinge of Success

The Trolley venture began in 1971 after

Mike's acquaintance with Wally Wright,

developer of Trolley Square. Mike describes

Wright as "a man of great vision."

The fourple.x theatre at Trolley Square

encountered immediate success. Next, the

firm acquired a twin theatre in Bountiful

which became Trolley North.

The old Rialto Theatre, completely renovated

as much as possible to its original

motif, became Trolley Midtown. Then came

another fourplex in the Family Center at

7200 S. 7th East.

A business combine between Trolley and

Boyer Brothers Co. gave birth to a threetheatre

complex at Trolley Corners.

"Our philosophy is to use big graphics

WEEK

Opportunity

in

Knocks

to generate excitement in the moviegoer the

niornenl he or she drives into the parking

lot oi- enters our lobbies," said Mike. "The

minute they see a life-sized picture of John

Wayne, for example, we want them to immediately

enter our world through a |)leasant

past.

"We always go lor top-quality films. We

have misfires, but we try to schedule films

that are a feeding ground for wholesome

family entertainment.

BOXOFFICE

• CLEARING HOUSE for Classified Ads

• SHOWMANDISER for Promotion ideas

Key.stone

Cops

"We try to make moviegoing a pleasant

experience—one that will remind the viewer

of a good time—one of the reasons for our

Trolley keystone cop outfits."

The question of future expansion brings

into focus a recent vigorous campaign on

Capitol Hill for passage of SB 90. which

eliminated blind bidding by Utah movie

exhibitors. It was one of the heaviest lobbying

bills of the 43rd Legislature.

As president of the Motion Picture Ehibitors

Assn. of Utah, Mike was one of the lop

lobbyists.

However, Mike sees a bright future for

the industry. He said economic rebirth began

with multiple screens where one crewcan

operate more than one picture.

"If one is a flop, you have a chance lo

recoup on another. People are going lo

movies in greater numbers to escape from

household interferences. In the movie house,

they can focus their attention on one direction.

To many, movies install great hope and

a great insight into society."

• FEATURE REVIEWS for Opinions on Current Films

• REVIEW DIGEST for Analysis of Reviews

Don't miss

any issue.

BOXOFFICE ;; May 2S, 1979 W-3

b!

Paste this inside your medicine cabinet.

Cancer's seven

warning signals

1. Change in bowel or bladder habits.

2. A sore that does not heal.

3. Unusual bleeding or discharge.

4. Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere.

5. Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing.

6. Obvious change in wart or mole.

7. Nagging cough or hoarseness.

If you have a warning signal, see your doctor

American Cancer Society

J


. . There's

I II I UyESl

SAN ANTONIO

•pie South Texas Regional Blood Bank

parked their van in the parking lot ol'

the Northwest Six one Saturday recently.

All those donating blood were admitted

free to the showing of "Love at First Bile."

In addition to showing at the Northwest

Six, the film is showing at the Century

South Six and the UA Cine Cinco.

Estrellita Lopez, star of the film 'Only

Once in a Lifetime," appeared at the Century

South to sign autographs for fans on

a recent Friday from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. and

the following day appeared at the Northwest

Six from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Richard Pryor is being seen on a number

of local indoor and outdoor screens in

several of his films. They include "Silver

Streak" at the UA Cine Cinco, UA Movies

4, UA Ingram 4. Westwood Twin, Judson

4 and San Pedro; and "Richard Pryor—Live

in Concert" at the San Pedro, Mission Twin

and Town Twin.

A triple terror midnight show was booked

into the Mission Twin and Varsity Outdoor

Theatres for showing on a recent

weekend with a $3 per person admission.

The trio consisted of "Blood Feast." "2,000

Maniacs" and "Body Shop."

W. R. Burns and R. W. Ashby. co owners

of Ashburn Theatres that operates the

downtown Texas, report that there is a

growing interest in the old theatre. The loss

of the city auditorium is one factor, bul

promoters and groups are more plea,sed with

the excellent acoustics the theatre offers.

Concert fans are in love with the theaire

and the unobstructed view of the stage from

any seat in the house as well as the ornale

decor of the lobbies and auditorium.

New film titles appearing on marquees in

dude "Hanover Street," "The Dark" on a

double bill with "The People Thai Time

Forgot," "Midnight Express," "Wizards,"

"Harold and Maude," "The Warriors,"

"Grease," "Assault on Precinct 13." and

a double bill of "El Cortado" anti "La

Criada Bien Criada."

Bob Polunsky in his reviews of local

movies said, "Isn't it funny how some

movies can get away with sin, sex and sensationalism,

while others can't These days

just about all movies have their share, but

only a few are 'suitable for general audiences.'

One that is suitable is 'Harper Valley

PTA,' the comedy that has returned to

a variety of drive-in theatres and the Westwood

indoor theatre. It probably has moic

'sin, sex and sensationalism' than most 'adult

movies,' but it also has a sense of humor.

That is the difference in a nutshell ... the

audience could watch with a relaxed grin

instead of tension. It is amazing what a little

corn can do to season old fashioned melodramatic

themes, and 'Harper Valley PTA"

is a good example . a lot of fun

to be had watching 'Buck Rogers in the 25ih

Century' at the Century and Northwest

Theatres. But it's not original nor does it

offer any reason to forget 'Star Wars" much

less 'Battlestar Galactica.' If anything, it

just continues the same special effects and

storyline techniques that popularized those

films. The film is filled with double meaning

lines and noteworthy special effects. Yet

the attitude of the performers isn't in tune

with their comments. To recite lines that

may go over a kid's head (while making

adults snicker) takes a special sort of delivery."

The Express-News Weekender, the Friday

supplement which contains the weekend

entertainment guide, has a new feature

for moviegoers called CinemaScope which

will tell readers what other people think

about the movies that open every weekend

in San Antonio. The feature brings a way of

knowing what large numbers of the moviegoing

peers think of each significant new

release. When the film opens, thousands ol

the paying public are polled about their impressions

of the film, reasons for attending,

personal tastes and much more. Then with

the aid of a computer, grades are calculated

to show which categories of people liked

the film and which did not. The categories

are broken down into classes such as age,

sex, those who have read the book, etc.

CinemaScore gives a brief description of

the film, its vital statistics (time, director,

etc.) and a breakdown of what each category

thought about the film. The first two

films reviewed were "Manhattam" and

"Love at First Bite."

Among the new film titles appearing on

local marquees of outdoor and indoor theatres

are "Dreamer," the double bill of "The

Dragon Lives" and "The Bod Squad." "Old

Boyfriends." "Atoka," "The Psychic," "Last

Embrace," "Silver Streak," "The Exorcist."

'Hot Skin" in 3-D, "A Little Romance," a

double bill of "The Warriors" and "Breaking

Point" and "Atacan los Karatecas" plus

"La Agonia De Ser Madre."

HOUSTON

^

musical score for a filmed documentary

about the 1927-28 tour through South

America by famed ballerina Anna Pavlova

is being prepared by pianist Dr. Charles

Magnan of Houston. Magnan was Pavlova's

pianist on that trip and will re-create

the music he played for her. The film is

being shot by England's Gaumont Pictuies.

The Museum of Fine Arts, which sponsors

four film series each week, has opened

its Summer 1979 Film Series with a showing

of "Double or Nothing," a 1937 comedy

with Bing Crosby. Martha Raye. Andy

Devine and William Frawley.

New film titles appearing on local marquees

include "Battlestar Galactica," "The

Bell Jar," "Dossier." "Hanover Street,"

"Voices." "Winter Kills," "A Little Romance,"

"The Silent Partner," "Silver

Streak." "Every Which Way But Loose,"

"The Dark." "PoKce Python .357." a triple

bill of "Up in Smoke, ' "Reefer Madness"

and "Cocaine Fiends," a double bill of "A

Dream of Passion" and "Iphigenia," "Waiting

for Godot" and "Night Full of Rain."

DALLAS

[Jniversal Pictures held a tradescreening

May 14 at the Northpark Cinema of

"Prisoner of Zenda." 20th Century-Fox had

a Southwest invitational premiere of "Alien"

on May 18 at the Medallion Theatre.

Bennie Lynch of Grimes Film Booking

is well pleased with the g:osses coming in

from Oklahoma City where "When the

Screaming Stops" opened recently in four

theatres.

Dick and Dorothy Britt of Comfort, Texas,

report that although their marquee read

"The Great Train Robbeiy," the Comfort

Bank across the street had a "great bank

robbery." Both were great successes, if one

could call a bank robbery a success. The

robbers made their getaway with the money.

From the time the Britts bought the theatre

years ago they have made every effort

to keep up with the times, bringing whatever

entertainment was necessary to their

theatre to keep people "Comfort" minded.

They run movies on Fridays and Sundays

with a live show. The Hill Country Opry.

on Saturdays. When school is out th's summer

they will have disco dancing on Thursday

nights. They have enlarged their snack

bar and added an outdoor patio for more

service to the public.

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

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Mj BOXOFnCE Ma\ 1979 S-1

Boom in

Canadian Film Production

Spurs Optimism From CFDC Head

MONTREAL— Feature film production

in Canada, which reached record levels last

year, will continue to boom in 1979, Michael

McCabe, executive director of the Canadian

Film Development Corporation, said

recently.

The CFDC invested $6.3 million in 30

films produced last year-— 18 English, 12

French—with combined budgets totaling

$50 million, a whopping increase from the

investments of $1.6 million in 20 productions

with total budgets of $5.5 million in

1977.

Reviewing the

corporation's just-conclud-

Oon't mlu out on this lantaitlc Bonus Otfcrl


You Buy 200 Packs' rmii v.iu. $70.00

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You get FREE - 16 Packs . . .im.ii v.iu. 5.60

Tottl RMII V.IU. $75.60

Your Cost 200 Packs (21c each) $42.00

Your Profit $33.60

Plus FREE

Attractive Promotional Material/;

ed 1978-79 fiscal year, McCabe said ihc

CFDC also invested $900,000 in 56 projects

at the pre-production or development stages.

This also represents a dramatic increase

from the previous year when $400,000 was

invested in 40 projects.

In all, the CFDC last year invested $7.2

million in 86 projects, compared with only

$2 million invested in 60 projects in 1977.

"Many of the projects in the development

stage have now come to fruition and, while

the new production season is just getting

underway, we've already made tentative

commitments to invest some $7 million in

a wide variety of films," McCabe said.

"Of course, some films will fall by the

wayside and other features will be added,

but I'm sure we'll have an even greater

volume of activity in 1979-80 than last year.

both in total budgets and number of productions.

"Tremendous growth of the industry

stems from many factors, not the least of

which are the CFDC's new investment, development

and promotion activities.

"Other factors include the emergence of

a group of strong, creative producers, the

development of new sources of financing

through public offerings by recognized

brokerage firms, tax incentives and the coproduction

treaties Canada has with Britain.

France, Italy, West Germany and Israel.

"Our new investment policies are aimed

at stimulating production through investments

at the moment of greatest risk for

the producer— the initial stages of a project.

"The CFDC loans money for the development

of a project or to provide interim financing

so that the producers can proceed

with their films while awaiting funds from

investors.

"These are short term, relatively modest

loans in comparison with the total budgets.

In return, we expect a profit and a quicker

turn-around of CFDC funds, allowing us to

participate in

more films each year.

"While our yearly investment budget is

only $4 million, much of this money was

returned to us quickly so that we virtually

doubled our investments during the past

year. We expect to do even better in Ihc

new year."

The films in which the CFDC invested

last year ranged from high adventure to tender

love stories and comedy, and there was

even a disaster epic.

The emphasis, McCabe said, is on international

appeal.

"It is no longer feasible to make films

that will only be seen by a hand'ul of

people." he said. "If it takes stories with

wide appeal and international stars to reach

screens around the world, then that's what

we'll

invest in.

"This doesn't mean these films are less

Canadian. I believe that genuinely Canadian

ihemes have a future in the internalioiKii

market.

"And where pioduction budgets match the

potential Canadian market, films can be

made that allow for local cultural expression

and give new talent the opportunity to

work and develop."

Although Canadian productions have attracted

international stars, they arc also

helping to propel Canadians to international

attention. They have also brought home internationally

known Canadians Susan Clark,

Donald Sutherland, Genevieve Bujold and

Christopher Plummer.

"The boom has given Canadian director.s

'

living abroad, among them Steven Stern

t

and Alvin Rakoff, the opportunity to again

work in Canada." McCabe said.

"In addition, hundreds of technicians and

people behind-the-scenes—set carpenters,

script assistants, makeup artists, costume designers,

grips, camera and sound crews and

the many people in the labs—have been

busy this past year as a result of all the

film

activity.

"Tn fact, many technicians have enjoyed

the luxury, for the first time, of being able

to pick and choose jobs."

Multi-Screen Theatre

Part of New Complex

LAKELAND. FLA.—The first multiscreen

indoor theatre here will be the initial

phase of a themed shopping center/office

complex planned on S. Florida Ave.

Harold Spears, president of Floyd Theatres

Inc., which owns the 16-acre tract now

occupied by the Lakeland Drive-In Theatre,

said the new facility would have four to six

screens and at least 1,000 seating capacity.

Floyd Theatres is one of the largest drivein

theatre organizations in the Southeast

with both indoor and outdoor screens in

Florida and south Georgia.

Floyd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of

Burnup & Sims Inc., a publicly held firm

headquartered in Plantation, Fla.. with interests

in telecommunications, electrical

service, community antenna installations,

utilities and soft drink bottling.

"We feel confident there is a good market

in South Lakeland for a modern multiscreen

theatre." Spears said, "and we are

fortunate to own a large, prime piece of

property in that area."

The complete development is slill in the

planning stages, but Spears said he expects

construction of the new theatre to begin in

the next few months. Plans for continuation

of the Lakeland Drive-In Theatre are undecided,

but the Silver Moon Drive-In Theatre

may be converted to a twin-screen facility

to continue three drive-in screens in

Lakeland.

Floyd owns and operates all three drivein

theatres in Lakeland, along with triple

screen indoor, twin screen indoor, single

screen indoor and drive-in properties at

Winter Haven, a twin indoor and drive-in

at Haines City, a drive-in at Auburndale and

twin screen indoor and drive-in units at Lake

Wales.

S-2

BOXOFFICE Mc 1979

\i

with

i

I

(1 movie

. . and

.

FIRST RUN

REPORT

^mrn-m Screenings at Cai-Mcl; "Winlcr Kills"

(Avco) and "The Ravagers" (Columbia).

Charlie Hunsuck, United Artists branch

manager, screened "Manhattan" before enthusiastic

patrons at the Car-Mel screening

rcom.

. Terri McCoy, model and aspiring aetiess,

Urieans

jj,

^^^ employed by Car-Mel studio to learn

New

(Average is 100)

more about all techniques and formats of

Ihe Champ (MGM-UA), 2 theatres. the film business under the guidance and

5th wk 175 tutelage of "Erv" Mellon.

The Deer Hunter (Univ), 2 theatres,

Firepower (AFD) Loews. 2nd wk

The Last Embrace (UA), 2 theatres,

1st wk

\M)

150

/\IlJ\NTA

Love at First Bite (AD. 3 theatres,

Franklin, whose work m the enter-

D"^'**

2nd wk 275 tainmcnt law Held includes such clients

The Real Bruce Lee (SR), Oipheum. as Roberta Flack and Richard Pryor, is go-

3rd wk 300 ing to enter the filmmaking arena in June.

Superman (WB). Lakeside, 15th wk. . . . 150 He will become executive producer of Uni-

Wifemistress (Quartet), Sena Mall. versal Studios' "Family Dream."

2nd wk 225 Marquee changes: "Hanover Street," Akers

Mill, Northlake. Loew's Tara Twin,

^\l/§ A I l^\ hM A ^tT\/ ^'uth DeKalb Mall Quad and Southlake:

\J1\L/\ri\Jlwl/\ \ml I I "Battlestar Galactica." Arrowhead. Cinema

^

75. Northlake. Perimeter Mall. Phipps

T.

• r» 1 1 u II •. .^ A,..;,. Plaza and South E.xpressway Drive-ln:

oni Dyksterhuis, new United Artists

. „ .,,_ „ ^ _, ,, . ,

-^

„ , ' • , r X..-I Manhattan, AMC Tower Place, National

Corp. sales manager, arriyed from Mil-

^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^.^. ..^ , j,,,^.

waukee to manage the local office. She was

^^^^^^^ „ ^êrs Mill. Phipps Penthouse

welcomed with a cocktail luncheon for local

^^^ Southlake; "Last Embrace." Cobb Ca^

ochibitors and circuit buyers.

l^^ Parkaire Mall Twin, AMC Tower Place

"Breaking Away" (20th Centurv-Fox) and South DcKalb Mall Quad; and "Over

was tradescreened at the Continental.' the Edge," Atlanta, Arrowhead, Mableton

Walt Von Hauffe, publicity coordinator. ^Veis Doraville.

Triple, AMC Omni, AMC Tower Place and

was in from New York to work on UA's ..,.-, ,. .. ,

• A on lulu

upcoming ^ ^

..-ru x« 1

The Moonraker. ...,

statewide

, .,

meeting

. ,

o

the

,u

re ol

. i

South was lake

lilm and video in the to

''Wanda Nevada" (UA) opened May 25 place at the IMAGE screening room May

on a saturation booking throughout this 26. The meeting was co-sponsored by the

trade territory. Georgia Council for the Aits and Humani

CHARLOTTE

Mew pictures on the marquees: "The Dark"

(Charlottetown Mall). "Firepower"

(South Park). "Manhattan" (Capri).

Sneak previews this week: "Encoiinlei

Disaster." "A Little Romance" ami

"A Very Big Withdrawal."

Catherine Chapin, Charlotte Observer

critic, said of "Firepower": "I| gels

its name from James Coburn's favorite

covert technique— fire. He burns people oul

of their homes, creates firey infernos of

jeeps and generally throws his flame around

wherever he goes. The movie is a suspense

thriller early on. With the movie set in

Antigua and Curacao, the scenery is tropic

and therefore lovely. With fire enveloping

everything you'd expect some excellent sliini

work . there is. But I am getting

tired of Sophia Loren movies where the only

thing asked of her is a seductive smile aiul

a low cut dress. She's wasted here, and from

her performance, it looks as if she knows

Top grosses of the week": "MaiilKi

"Love at First Bite," "Young Frankeiv

"The Deer Hunter" and "The Dark."


ties. Independent Media Artists of Georgia.

Etc. (IMAGE), and the Coalition of Soulhern

Media Organizations.

^

'Halfback' Discounts

Aimed at the Boxoifice

By J. W. AGNEW

To.onio Correspond!

From Canada Edition

TORONTO— Beginning May 1.

went into operation in Ontario.

Halfback, a plan

Halfback

devised by the province,

will enable holdcis of losing Wintario lottery

tickets to "cash them in," permitting them

to get discounts when buying records featuring

Canadian artists, or when buying theatre

tickets where Canadian feature films

are being shown.

"It's the best thing the Ontario government

has ever done for the movie business,"

said Bill Marshall, president of the Canadian

Association of Motion Picture Producers.

Halfback will be in operation over the

summer period until September 30, and Canadian

theatre owners and film distributors

have a five-month promotional campaign

laid out to take full advantage of this discount

scheme.

"I'm trying to bring back every Canadian

film I've got in the vaults, mostly for double

bills," said Len Herberman of Ambassador

Films. For theatre admissions, each losing

Wintario ticket can be redeemed for 50

cents off. or a maximum of four for each

admission. Most theatre admissions in this

province are now pegged at $3.50. which

means that under this plan a patron could

pay as little as $1.50 for a theatre admission.

"The idea is good; You can't knock it."

one executive said. "But is it going to excite

sales in films that are not really commercial

Probably not. However, it will expose

Canadian pictures in smaller centres such

as Tweed and Peterborough, and that may

pave the way for the

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(704) 334-3616

PALM BEACH

Patrick O'Neal arrived hcic M;i> 16 hi direct

the filming of "Dead in the Water."

Some of the locations (hat are pari of

(he lO-to-12-hoiir daily shooting schedule

include the Port of Palm Beach. Lakeside

Marina. Hypoluxo and Point Manalapan.

Ihey will be filming here through May 2').

According fo Joe Berger, manager of

Village Green, the reissue of "The Exoicist"

had a sold-out house when it opened

May 11 at the Village Green Movies, and

the Saturday matinee on May 12 also was

sold out. "Manhattan" picked up momentum

May 12, the day after its opening and

has been attracting crowds ever since.

"Hanover Street," from Columbia i'iclures,

opened at Cinema 70 and the Mall

Cinemas May 18. On the same day "Batllestar

Galactica" opened its exclusive run al

the Plaza Twin. "Beyond the Poseidon Adventure"

opened the other side of the Pla/a

Twin on May 26.

Danny Lamp, Century Cinema manager,

is looking forward to the summer release

of "Blood Line" and "A Little Romance,"

which are due to be shown at the Budco

Theatres.

Jerry Lewis plans to start a second movie

here beginning July 2. Following the completion

of his film "Hardly Working" he

expressed pleasure at the cooperation he

has received from the area. Lewis intends

to retain the same film crew for his new

movie, "That's Life." The planned $.1 million

comedy, dealing with a retirement community,

will be co-produced by Joseph

Proctor and Igo Cantor. Lewis will direct

but not star in the film. Ruth Gordon and

Red Buttons reportedly are confirmed cast

members. A seven-week shooting schedule

is planned. Lewis was recognized by both

the mayor of Pompano Beach and the Pompano

Beach Chamber of Commerce for

contribution to the area's economy.

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fhc Miami Affair," filmed in ihe giealer

Miami area, is currently playing al two

Miami movie houses. Havana-born Sergio

Fiallo is the writer, director and producer of

the film, a low-budget production. John

Huddy, entertainment editor of the Miami

Herald, was critical of the movie, rating it

just above "Firepower," which jusl openeil

at Miami theatres and which was parlly

lilmed in

the area last year.

Steplien Quade of the Miami Film Pest

and Harry Gurwitch of the EMC Film

Corp. are in France for the Cannes Film

Festival. They will shop around for additional

films for the American market. Their

goal is to invite some of the top names of

the European film industry to the second

annual Greater Miami International Film

Festival.

"The Rocky Horror Picture Show" will

have been playing for two years next month

at the Grove Cinema. The occasion will be

marked on June 23 by a "Rocky Horror"

birthday party, a sort of mixed-media evening-of-the-bizarre

that will include music,

disco roller skating, food and drink, door

prizes and a showing of the film. Tradition

(established at last year's birthday celebration)

calls for outlandish costumes among

the audience. Persons must be 18 or oMer,

and tickets covering admittance, food and

drink cost $20.

Wometco Enterprises has announced a

big summer concession contest for assistant

managers with three first prizes of $100

each, three second prizes of $75 each anil

three third prizes of $50 each. The oiilstanding

concession employee in each theatre

selected by the manager at the end of

the summer will receive a day off with pay

and lunch with the manager and district

manager.

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S-4 BOXOFFICE Ma 28. 1979

.

Minneapolis

(.\\cr.igc Is 100)

The Champ (MGM-UA), 3

theatres.

6th wk 95

The China Syndrome (Col). Cooper.

Soiithdale. 9th wk 110

Dawn of the Dead (United Film).

3 theatres, 2nd wk ."SO

The Deer Hunter (Univ), Mann,

15th wk 65

Dreamer (20th-Fox), 3 theatres,

1st wk 35

Hair (UA), Skyway II, 7th wk 90

Last Embrace (UA), The Movies at

Burnsville, 2nd wk 30

Love at First Bite (AI). 4 theatres.

4th wk 115

A Matter of Love (AI). Studio 97.

3rd wk 55

The Magic of Lassie (Int'l Picture

Show Co.). 4 theatres, 1st wk 25

Manhattan (UA), Skyway I, 2nd .610

wk. .

Norma Rae (20th-Fox), Edina I,

9th wk 100

Old Boyfriends (Avco), Park, 3rd wk. . . 70

Phantasm (Avco), 11 theatres, 1st wk. . . 100

The Promise (Univ), Cooper Cameo,

6th wk 80


Skyway III. 6th wk 1 30

Superman (WB). Brookdale,

Southtown, 22nd wk 90

Chicago

Boulevard Nights (WB), 6 theatres,

2nd wk 1 50

The Champ (Univ), 7 theatres,

6th wk 1 50

The China Syndrome (Col), 9 theatres,

9th wk 225

The Class of Miss MacMichael (SR).

1 1 theatres, 1 st wk 250

Dawn of the Dead (SR), 10 theatres,

2nd wk 225

The Deerhunter (Univ), Esquire,

10th wk 225

The Great American Chase (SR),

6 theatres, 1 st wk 350

The Innocent (AE), Cinema, 6th wk. . . .250

A Little Romance (WB), 7 theatres,

1st wk 300


6th wk 225

Love on the Run (SR), Biograph,

5th wk 200


1st wk 450

Phantasm (AE), 11 theatres, 2nd wk. . .200

Wifemistress (SR), Carnegie, 5th wk. . . 125

Kansas City

Boulevard Nights (WB). 4 theatres.

1st wk 65

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (Univ),

Metro North, Watts Mill, 7th wk. . . 85

California Dreaming (UA). 11 theatres.

1st wk 95

The Champ (UA). 3 theatres, 6th wk. ..110

Dawn of the Di'iid (Sk) 4 ihealiLS.

1st wk. 130

Get Out Your Handkerchiefs (SR),

Fine Arts, 4th wk 125

Last Embrace (UA), 3 theatres,

2nd wk 50


5th wk 145


2nd wk 485

Norma Rae (20th-Fox), Plaza,

9th wk 55

The North Avenue Irregulars (BV),

Ranchmart, 13th wk 90

Old Boyfriends (Avco), Plaza,

2nd wk 95

Phantasm (Avco), 3 theatres. 4th wk. . . 75

The Promise (Univ), 3 theatres.

6th wk 90


Glenwood, 12th wk 100

Tourist Trap (SR). 5 theatres,

1st wk 95

KANSAS CITY

jânhattan" is still playing at the .Seville,

Ranchmart and Brywood, and doing

very well at the bo.xoffice.

Jack Winningham, former branch manager

of National Screen Service in Kansas

City, now works for Cinema Concepts Inc.

His new address is: Jack Winningham, Cinema

Concepts Inc., 3612 Karnes Blvd., Kansas

City, Mo. 64111. Jack handles special

trailers and stock daters and would appreciate

hearing from you.

"The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides

Again" was screened at the Commonwealth

Screening Room recently. Doug Finley of

Buena Vista and some of his staff were

present for this screening. Disney Productions

has announced its largest and most

impressive advertising program ever to merchandise

"The Black Hole."

FILMACK IS

1st CHOICE

WITH

SHOWMEN

EVERYWHERE

TOI Head Speaks Out

On Minimum Wages

CHICAGO—As Theatre Owners of Illinois

begins to take solid form. Jack Clark,

who heads up the organization, spoke out

and declared: "It seems for the past 20

years, each time the Congress of the HHnois

Legislature convenes, we, as theatre men,

are hit with a new minimum wage bill.

"Each year I try to point out the fact that

we as businessmen are subject to the provisions

of two distinct minimum wage acts

the Federal and the State of Illinois. In

many respects the provisions of the acts are

identical; however, each still contains a few

major differences than the other. We as exhibitors,

like all businessmen, arc bound by

the most stringent requirements of both

acts.

"To be more specific. Rep. Thomas Hanahan.

the perennial sponsor of labor bills in

the Illinois House, has recently filed his

House Bill 799 amending the current Illinois

Labor Act in such a way that although

it agrees with the current Federal Wage Act

on hourly scales and dates of annual increases,

it differs substantially from the

federal act in its application to student

ages. Hanahan's amendment provides that

student rates apply only to those students

under the age of 18, whereas the Federal

Act provides for student rates for all bona

fide students through the college years.

"Secondly, it should be noted that whereas

time-and-a-half for non-union employees

commences after 45 hours in motion picture

theatres through a previous agreement

with our exhibitor association, this shall be

phased out as follows: (quote from the

amendment) on and '. after the effective

. .

date of this amendatory act of 1979 such

employees shall receive compensation of not

less than one-and-a-half times the regular

rate after 44 hours in a work week, and

on and after Jan. 1. 1980, such employees

shall receive compensation on not less than

one-and-a-half times the regular rate after

.'

40 hours in a work week .

"For your additional information, it

should be noted that restaurant and hotel

employees have been treated similarily on

hours and tips."

ORDER FROM FILMACK

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DATE STRIPS,

CROSS PLUGS,

MERCHANT ADS,

SPECIAL AN-

NOUNCEMENTS


BOXOFFICE :: May 28, 1979 MW-1

CHICAGO

gene Stein, general manager of the Golf

Mill Theatres organization, reported

that "Manhattan" drew strong patron response

in the opening week.

The Golf Mill complex will be among

the first in the Chicago area to open with

"Alien." a new 20th Century-Fox film, May

25. The 70mm Dolby system has been installed

for this showing. Manager Stein said,

"Then we will be set also for the May, 1980.

opening of 'The Empire Strikes Back,' the

sequel to "Star Wars." "

Some rather elaborate plans for launching

"Alien" had to be canceled because of the


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Corporation (201) 678-7:

National Restaurant Assn. convention. A

bevy of news media people throughout the

Midwest had been invited for a special

screening. Arrangements for the 70mm

showing had been firmly set well in advance,

so date changes were out of the question.

But by happenstance, every hotel room in

Chicago had been allocated to the restaurant

people. Result: All invitations had to

be canceled and "Alien" opens withoiil

planned fanfare.

Vicchi Bums, Indianapolis booker toi

Paramount Pictures, walked the full 20 miles

in the Muscular Dystrophy Walkathon. She

admits to a sunburn, but no blisters or aching

muscles.

M & R Amusement Co. is doing excellent

business with "Dawn of the Dead" and "The

China Syndrome."

A full contingent of Paramount Picliircs

staffers met here for a discussion relating

to computer problems and new techniques.

Recently. Paramount had the accounting

department computerized and a partial installation

had been set up in the booking

division.

Universal's "The Prisoner of Zenda"

starts a first run Chicago engagement Mav

25 at 12 area theatres.

Universal's "The Prisoner of Zenda"

Galactica" opened May 18. At the same

time, a laser-eyed Cylon warrior, encased

in gleaming chrome, paid a visit to Chicago.

As a part of the exploitation activities, the

subhuman outer space creature visited with

children at area hospitals, including LaRa

bida and Children's Memorial hospitals, two

primary Variety Club projects. The children

were presented with Battlestar Galactica

mementos such as soundtrack albums and

picture books.

The Davis Theatre is now a repertory

theatre. Phil Stuttman and Don Markus.

who reopened the Davis, had been finding

business was good with second-run films.

Now Tom Bruggeman. booker for the Davis,

has arranged for something different

the showing of 38 20th Century-Fox classics

to launch a six-week debut program. Changing

the programs three times a week. Ihe

Davis will be presenting such features as

"The Seven Year Itch." "The Grapes of

Wrath." "How Green Was My Valley." "In

Old Chicago." "The Mark of Zorro." "The

Day the Earth Stood Still" and "13 Rue

Madeleine."

Industry veteran Saul Goldman, for many

years head of Allied Theaties Film Buying

and Booking, died recently.

The success of return engagements is once

again evidenced by the showings of "Ihe

Hxorcist" and "Blazing Saddles." During the

past two weeks, both films have been breaking

records in Milwaukee and Chicago area

theatres.

Paramount Pictures held an advance

screening of "Prophecy." and there will be

plans made eventually for special exploitation.

The premiere of "Perceval. " Eric Rohmer's

newest film, takes place June 13 at the

Film Center of the Art Institute. Along with

Handke's "The Lefthanded Woman," premiered

at the Film Center last Januaiy,

"Perceval" received the most acclaim at last

fall's New York Film Festival.

With rock 'n' roll still going strong, there

are rather high expectations for a New

World Pictures' film, "Rock 'n' Roll High

School." It is the story of Vince Lombardi

High School and its collection of so-called

music crazy kids. The leader is an aspiring

songwriter who idolizes the rock group the

Ramones, and is eager to bring music lo

every hour of high school life. With several

songs and appearances by the Ramones,

"Rock 'n" Roll High School" also features

the music of Paul McCartney and Wings,

Fleetwood Mac, Alice Cooper and others.

The 93-minLite film is rated PG.

"Breaking Away" started a first exclusive

showing at the Biograph Theatre.

One of Warner Bros.' main events in June

is the opening of "Main Event." Barbra

Streisand and Ryan O'Neal hold the starring

roles. Another Warner June highlight:

"The In-Laws." starring Peter Falk and Alan

Arkin.

"Moonraker" will be the opening film

when the Kohlberg Theatre Circuit's thiril

screen at the 41 Drive-In, Hammond, Ind.,

starts operating. Edward Janiga is manager

of the triplex. Jeff Kohlberg said business

at their drive-ins has increased immeasureably

since the advent of first-run

bookings.

A forthcoming Chicago WOMPl project

has a completely new angle. In July there

will be a garage sale to benefit animal shelters

and care units. Linnea Johnson is

chairman.

Midwest Fox publicist Larry Dieckhaiis

accompanied Robert Redford to Columbus

for the preliminaries involved in the filming

of "Biubaker." This was to be Redford's

first press conference in some time, and

"Brubaker" will be his first film in many

months. It is scheduled for release in spring

1980.

Lucy Salenger, head of the State of Illinois

Film Services, is making final arrangements

for Robert Redford's production

company's October start in Lake Forest of

"Ordinary People." This will mark Redford's

debut as a director. Salenger reports that

she is also busy with plans for "Blues

Brothers." with John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd.

Shooting will begin in June.

According to a conversation Redford had

with Chicago Tribune columnist Maggie

Daly, he doesn't plan to be an actor much

longer. He told Maggie. "I'm very grateful

for the public's attention but it's time to

move on to other things." In response to a

question as to whether he wanted to be a

politician. Redford told Daly. "No. I never

could get anywhere on time. And if I were

a politician. I couldn't criticize the system!"

MW-2 Mav 28, 1979

MINNEAPOLIS

grosses here took a

onc-lwo punch across

the key weekend period that saw moviegoing

badly bruised by the combination ol

Mother's Day and the Minnesota fishiny

opener.

Quite a contingent flew out of the 1 win

Cities headed for the Variety Clubs Inlernational

convention in New Orleans May

19-25. Among them were Mr. and Mrs.

Rodney Grubb, Mr. and Mrs. Don Palmquist,

Mr. and Mrs. Mel Goldstein, Mr. and

Mrs. Arnold Kramer, Mr. and Mrs. Mike

Winer, Mrs. Fritzie Haskell, Robert Klesath,

and Dr. Harold Lucas, who is head of

the Pediatrics Department at the Varicly

Heart Hospital here.

Frank Jtanotti, Universal branch manager,

is having some fun with two upcoming pictures.

They're "Yanks." set for the Skyway

III Theatre Nov. 2, and "The Jerk," the

Steve Martin comedy opening Dec. 21.

Zanotti says some have maintained Ihey

must be pictures about dentists! (Actually.

"Yanks" is a Vanessa Redgrave film dealing

with GIs in England in 1943 during World

War II.)

Four members of the

Paramoimt braiicli

offices here flew to Chicago May 16-18 for

a seminar on a variety of subjects. Making

the trek were branch boss Forrie Myers;

Joe Rosen, salesman; Bonnie Lynch, head

booker; and Gloria Voss, cashier.

Veteran exhibitor John Rohr has sold

his Marlow Theatre. Pine River, Minn.,

after 40 years. The new owmer is Gary M.

Cook. Buying and booking will be done by

the Jim Wilson Theatre Service . . . And

the Sky Blue Drive-In, Garrison, Minn.,

owned and operated by Don Wilcox, also

has joined the Wilson booking-buying ros-

"Manhattan," reported United Arlisis

branch manager Walt Badger, held firm

here in its second week. In St. Paul, after a

glowing review was printed there, the picture

actually pushed upward in Its second week

at the Cina Theatre and UA's The Movies

at Maplewood. At the same time. "Coming

Home." obviously profiting from its Oscars.

continued a prime liot-lickel ileni oiiV

and around the tcrrilory. with middle

smaller-market exhibitors ringing B;kI:

phone off the hook for dates.

Film Disi. Suit Filed

Against Allied Artsts

Canada Edition

From

MONTREAL— Somerville House, a Canadian

film company, has filed a multipleaction

suit for an undisclosed amount

against Allied Artists Industries of New

York.

Rosemary Christensen, head of Somerville,

said that the sitit stems from an alleged

breach of contract and for failure to account

for and disburse distribution revenues to

Somerville investors from two films, "The

Story of O" and "Zorro."

At the request of Somerville House, the

courts issued a seizure order against all

assets and properties of the distribution

company and its affiliated companies in

Quebec pending the outcome of the case.

"The Story of O" was released in 1975

and "Zorro" a year later.

New Organization Formed

From Canada Edilion

TORONTO—A mew organization, set up

Jack Ignatowicz, Columbia branch chief.

landed a total of seven key houses for

"Game of Death," which had a May along the lines of the Academy of Motion

2.'i

opening. There are five dates here and two Picture Arts and Sciences, has been formed

in St. Paul. This is noteworthy because kung to replace the annual Canadian Film

fu films usually land only a single actionhouse

date in each

Awards, organizers said recently.

Paul Heffert, interim co-chairman of the

city.

recently formed Academy of Canadian Cinema,

said that organizers recognized the

need to expand the film awards because of

the "explosive growth of the feature film industry

in this country."

Heffort, a composer, said that the awards

—for which the Etrogs are given—originally

had not been set up to handle feature

films and that nomimating and judging procedures

had become difficult.

He said that film-feature production grew

to more than $60 million in 1977 from $5

million in 1977. It is expected to reach $100

million this year.

The awards in the past have been made

in the fall, often before many of the nominated

films had been released imi the country.

For the past two decades, the awards

were sponsored by industry organizations.

Better Film Council

Salutes Fitzgerald

By BILL NICHOl.

Special

Correspondent

MILWAUKEE—Dean Filzgeiald. president

of Capitol Service Inc.. representing a

chain of theatres in the Milwaukee and

Madison areas, was the recipient of the

Man of the Year Award at the Better Films

and TV Council of Milwaukee Area's annual

luncheon May 9 at the Wisconsin

Club.

Seated al the head table were Eunice

Thessin. council president; Mary Stevens

treasurer; Karla Koskinen, scholarship recipient;

Mailene Cornelius, corresponding

secretary; Irene Fink, vice president and

program chairman; Fran Schmidtknccht, advisor

and a past president; Dean Alfred Solkonicki.

School of Speech, Marquette University;

Anastasia Essmann, recording secretary

and decorations chairman; and Richaid

Kite, president. Marcus Theatres Corp.

and guest speaker.

Fitzgerald was honored for his "outstanding

and continued support of the counsel."

Guest speaker Richard Kite commented

favorably on the MPAA's efforts to "protect

moviegoers" through its rating system.

"You people of the council are doing a

wonderful job in telling the public about

films, and I hope you can continue for

many years to come," he added.

Alfred Solkonicki. dean of Marquette

University School of Speech, complimented

the council for awarding the scholarship to

a Marquette student.

Entertainment was furnished by The

Choralaires from Wauwatosa East High

School.

The council's next meeting is scheduled

for June 4.

Theatres Sold in Hill City

HILL CITY, KAN.—Lawrence Delaney

has purchased the Midway Theatre and the

Riverside Drive-In from the Welty family

here. He took over the operation April I

Recent attractions were "Grease" at the

Midway and a double bill of "The Warriors"

and "Pretty Baby" at the ozoner.

When Buying or Selling in Wisconsin . . . Call Norton

149 School St.

Chilton, Wis. 53014

H

James

P. Norton

Theatre Broker

414-849-9718

J. P. Norton Real Estate, Inc.

BOXOFFICE :: May 28, MW-3

I

ST.

LOUIS

JJanover Street," Columbia's romantic drama

of the World War II era. opened

May 18 at Northwest, Grandview, Chesterfield.

South County and Esquire.

The Shady Oak, continuing its policy of

featuring art and classic foreign films, is

showing the Italian comedy-drama "'BicikI

and Chocolate."

With additional revenues from the driveins,

two blockbusters are returning in territorywide

multiple showings: "Superman" is

again flying across the screens and the sleeper

of the year. "Halloween," horror-drama

of a boy possessed by evil, opens May 30.

"Young Frankenstein," the zany comedy

starring Marty Feldman and Gene Wilder,

will begin a multiple re-release showing June

Suzanne Gordon, appearing in the current

Woody Allen classic "Manhattan" and soon

to be seen in Robert Altman's latest release

"Rich Kids." is in the cast of "Forever

Vaudeville!" at the Crystal Palace Showroom

in downtown St. Louis.

Marlene Mueller, formerly assistant manager

at Wehrenberg's Hall Ferry 6 is now

manager of their Cross Keys Cine at Lindbergh

and New Halls Ferry Roads. John

Shipp of Thomas-Shipp was in town briefly

to make the rounds with local rep Jerry

Banta.

World Film Festival Called

Injurious to Filmmaking

From Canada Edition

MONTREAL—A leading association of

Quebec filmmakers has attacked the third

annual World Film Festival scheduled to

begin here in late August.

The Association des Realisateurs de Films

du Quebec called the festival a useless and

costly enterprise that served "as an instrument

of propaganda" that further contributes

to the loss of culture of Quebecers.

The World Film Festival, headed by

Serge Losique, shows top new international

films, some of them world premieres, and in

the past two years has attracted big-name

screen stars to the two-week event.

Calling for an end to government support

of the festival, the filmmakers accused the

festival of contributing to the already precarious

economic condition of the Quebec

film industry.

The association proposed the creation of

a new festival that would show Quebec

in films addition to those from other countries.

ShoWesT Will Return

To MGM Grand Hotel

From West Edition

HOLLYWOOD—ShoWesT has been set

for a return engagement in the MGM Grand

Hotel in Las Vegas.

Planners of the annual event are preparing

to accommodate up to 2,500 registrations

in augmented facilities for ShoWesT

'80.

The annual convention of exhibitors from

1 2 Western states will be held in February,

Filmmaker's Expectations

Tempered With Experience

From Canada Edition

CALGARY—Fil Fraser says he realistically

expects only one of the eight feature

films he's planning to make in Alberta to

turn into a big boxoffice success.

The movies represent an investment of

about $20 million during the next three

years and the Edmonton producer and director

naturally hopes they'll succeed financially

and artistically and will try to make each

a winner.

But previous experience indicates to him

that only one of eight is likely to become a

blockbuster. He says that one could do

"pretty well," the others might repay their

costs and one might be a total disaster.

"But you know realistically that one

breakthrough will pay for the other seven,"

Fraser says.

Fraser Film Associates Ltd. of Edmonton

plans to go into production in August on

"The Falcon and the Ballerina."

Blind Bid Law's Effect

Yet to Surface in NX.

From South Edition

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Although North

Carolina's new anti-blind bidding law may

make a difference in available movies and

their prices, distributors and exhibitors say

it is too early to tell.

The law, which passed the General Assembly

April 25 and takes effect July 1,

prohibits movie distributors from renting

movies to theatres before theatre owners

have had a chance to see them. A similar

law in South Carolina allegedly is responsible

for a slight delay in the opening of

first-run

movies.

"I don't think it's going to change anything

radically," says Charlie Hunsuck,

United Artists branch manager. "It may

delay the release shortly, but by the same

token, it may get the producers on the

but the exact dates are still to be fixed.

Robert Selig, general chairman of Sho- ball." Hunsuck said he thought movies

WesT '79. has reported that a record-breaking

might get to North Carolina a month or two

1,484 registered for that convention. later than usual.

Nearly 3,000 attended distributor-sponsored Opinions differ on whether you'll sec

functions and the tradeshow sponsored by more or fewer movies under the new law.

the National Assn. of Concessionaires and Herman Stone, president of NATO of

the North American Theatre Equipment North and South Carolina, said he expected

Assn.

more films.

"We should like to see more pictures in

the marketplace," Stone said. "But the boxoffice

is going to dictate a lot of play time,

which is the way it should be."

But Francis Gormley, branch manager

for 20th Century-Fox, said that fewer small

budget films, such as Fox's "Dreamer,"

would be seen.

ticket -prices.

'Swap Meet' Sets Openings

OMAHA—Steve Krantz's "Swap Meet"

has been set by Dimension Pictures to open

June 20 in 29 theatres and drive-ins in the

Omaha area. Film stars Ruth Cox, Jonathan

Gries, Debi Richter, Dan Spector and

Cheryl Rixon. World premiere of the feature

v/as set for San Francisco May 23.

"It's little pictures that are going to suf-

says Gormley. "They're going to go to

fer,"

commercial pictures that they know they

can get a return on. Maybe pictures like

•Dreamer' don't need to be made. But who

knows what may be shelved"

Theatre owners have said that the risk in

showing blind-bid films helped drive up

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CALGARY

Pdmonton's Belmont Drive-In opened for

the season May 3 with a "Restricted

Adult" movie. "Woodstock," on the

Away to conquer greener fields in

screen.

the private

sector of Calgary's business world is

Willy Swarthfigure, formerly in booking at

Bellevue Films. Willy, who has been in the

business for over 20 years, is well known

in this territory and will be missed by those

who know him.

The Alberta Censor Board put in a busy

month during April when it viewed and

classified 40 features. There were eight

films rate as "Family." ten as "Adult." seven

as "Adult Not Suitable for Children" and

the remaining 15 were "Restricted Adult."

Of those films there were 13 Chinese language

features and other movies coming

from Australia, India. Britain and Germany.

Three of the pictures must carry warnings:

"A Perfect Couple" and "Picnic at Hanging

Rock" both have "May not be suitable for

younger children"; "The Five Venoms" has

"violence thoughout"; "Saturday Night Fever"

was submitted by Paramount in a reconstructed

version and is rated as "Adult." dear, don't give a damn," some of the

I as it came along, just as it had done with

Livince Investments Ltd. was the biggest

Des Moines audience feared the

strait-laced

vaudeville. Still later, dinner theatiies and

contributor with a total of eight pictures Paramount Theatre might come tumbling performers tried to keep the old theatre

live

submitted to the board.

down.

but her run was over.

alive,

The theatre will be torn down this month

They were right . . . but years early. Des

Location for 'Klondike'

Moines' Paramount Theatre's pinnacle was but many many memories will be left standing.

the premiere of "Gone With the Wind." It

was on an unforgettable day—Jan. 26, The Paramount went dark as a movie

1940. The cost of admissions was a fortune: theatre in February 1973. Her last show was

Already Part of Past

weekdays, 75 cents; evenings and weekends, "The Innocent Bystander."

BARKER VILLE. British Columbia — II $1.12. It was two degrees below zero on

that opening day and a line formed an hour

writer Jack London had arrived here this

before the 10 a.m. showing. Some brought

lunch and sat through the show twice. Lippert Remodeling

year, he would find little unusual about this

central British Columbia community, a replica

of the bustling Klondike communities of Even the local newspaper The Register

gold rush days.

gave the premiere a page one "top head."

He would do a double take, though, when Other rival theatres suffered while the

Has $1 Million Tag

he spotted tons of photographic cquipmeni Paramount basked in the limelight, its customary

spot.

SAN FRANCISCO — Robert L. Lipperl

From Wesl Edition

and troups of people performing odd tasks.

The town, a tourist haven after government

The Paramount began as the Capitol The-

president of Robert L. Lippert Theatres,

Jr.,

funds transformed it into the spitting

has announced a million-dollar, circuitwide

atre, an afterthought to ,the eleven-story

image of its former glory, was recently the

remodeling project.

The project will include every theatre

site of "Klondike Fever," a $4 million fea-

complex in the circuit built before 1975

ture that its Canadian producers hope will

net them $100 million.

The movie is a tale of London's journey

from San Francisco to the Klondike during

the get-rich-on-gold dream days of 1898.

Barkerville is a good location because of

Boxoffice-May.21.1979

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