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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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
BOXOFFICE :: May 21, 1979
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
BUILD ATTENDANCE with real Hawai
ian orchids. Few cents each. Write Flowers
of Hawaii, 670 S. Lafayette Place, Los
Angeles, Ca lif. 90005.
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
with Movie Guide Placemats. Uniq
effective program. Write
pl-
Syndicate, Suite 306,
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Charles Co Middletown,' N.Y. 10940.
JACK WINNINGHAM'S Cinema Concepts
Ifice is now open. Telephone has been
istalled. (815) 531-6545. Address: 3612
Blvd., City, :ames Kansas MO 64111
'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.
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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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co-production
ductions.
, Spain
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scripted
K J^olluwood r^eport h
^
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

1
knowledged
I
rock
I
I this
'
UFE.
I
foreign
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 I^ISSED AN OPENING"
ASK AROUND
cHinmnn KRicGCflj
(516)569-1990
BOXOFFICE :: May 21, 1979
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
B(>^tr
:n.l \\k
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
Richard Pryor—Live in Concert (SEE),
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
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (Univ).
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
J^ocky 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
BOXOFFICE :: May 21, 1979

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
J^orris 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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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
p^egarding "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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they're functioning stereotypes. But it's
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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. . . "Old
. . Toco
ATLANTA
. . .
J^arqiiee 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
ORDER FROM FILMACK
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THE NAME OF FILMACK
IS SYNONYMOUS WITH
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IN THE UNITED STATES.
DATE STRIPS,
CROSS PLUGS,
MERCHANT ADS,
SPECIAL AN-
NOUNCEMENTS
FILMACK STUDIOS, INC.
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
©
film"
Drive N.E.
800 S. Graham St.
Atlanta, Go. 30324
Charlotte, N.C. 28202 Blind Bid Law's Effect
(404) 876-0347
(704) 334-3616
Yello Surface in NX.
CHARLOTTE. N.C. — Although North
Carolina's new anti-blind bidding law may
704-333-9651 /^l f u Hi t C /
make a difference in available movies and
L^hanotte theatre ^uppli^
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-
Pic's Fabulous Bonus Offer:
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Complete line of theatre and concession
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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),
3 theatres, 1st wk 75
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
Love at First Bite (AI), 4 theatres,
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
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
(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
Same Time, Next Year (Univ),
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).
12 theatres, 1st wk 200
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
^^inter 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
YOU COULDN'T
FILL A
THIMBLE! _
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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
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (Univ).
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
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
(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
Get Out Your Handkerchiefs (PR).
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
Same Time, Next Year (Univ),
(Univ), Grant Park. 11th wk. . . .Average
Calgary
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
(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
Same Time, Next Year (Univ).
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
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (Univ).
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
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
(Univ). Somerset. 5th wk Good
The Champ (UA). Elgin,
4th wk
Very Good
The China Syndrome (Astral).
St. Laurent. 6th wk Very Good
The Deer Hunter (Univ), Elmdale,
7th wk
Very Good
Fast Break (Astral), Cinema 6,
3rd wk Good
Get Out Your Handkerchiefs (PR).
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
Same Time, Next Year (Univ).
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."
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
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
The China Syndrome (Astral).
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.
BOXOFFICE :: May 21, 1979
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
:^uebec filmmakers has attacked the third
nnual World Film Festival scheduled to
n here in late August.
^e 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/i^AMRBLE COAAPANY INC.
.Tennessee 37207
3lex 554303
RenJei's Service
C.iril
^g^K
^gj^
The MODERN THEATRE SECTION

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
Write No. 19 on Reader's Service Card
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.
The MODERN THEATRE SECTION

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.
For more information, enter 109 on the
Reader's Service card.
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.
For more information, enter 107 on the
Reader's Service card.
^
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
XRL
LENTICULAR
prevents cross reflection of Ught.
Cotton backing prevents bellying
on curved screens.
o MATTE
WHITE
heavy
ALSO THE FINEST IN DRIVE IN SCREEN PAINT
^^H^^^BI^^^B^H ^^^^^^^^A
nikOTE^
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
BOXOFFICE :: May 21, 1979
'\\.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
Write No. 24 on Reader's Service Card
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
The MODERN THEATRE SECTION

,
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.) *
The MODERN THEATRE SECTION
'

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 ^EATUkE 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.-^ohn 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.
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'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:
'u^i- 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.'**^
The^autilusTilm 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 I^ummus. 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. JlfwT^u^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

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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
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BOXOFFICE :: May 28, 1979

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.
BOXOFFICE :: May 28, 1979

yX ^J^^oiiuwood 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 ^i.^^
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
The China Syndrome (Col),
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
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
(Univ). 1 theatre, 6th wk
The Champ (MGM-UA), 3 theatres.
4th wk
The China Syndrome (Col),
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
Love at First Bite (AI), 3 theatres,
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
FILMACK STUDIOS, INC.
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
Richard Pryor—Live in Concert (SEE),
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 China Syndrome (Col),
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
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
(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
BOX 626. OMAHA, NE 68101 402 453-6160
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
BOXOFFICE :: May 28. 1979

. . 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"
M^m^ l-Tia^ ^^
SALES & SERVICE
-Go MaJtrm . . . EfuipmnI, .Sufplia & 5rtT/«"
220n YOUNG STREET • DALLAS. TEXAS, 75201 • TELEPHONE 747-3191
PINKSTON SALES & SERVICE - MOTION PICTURE EQUIPMENT
Complete Sales Service or Bepoir
AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTORS FOR MANY MANUFACTURERS
Ed Cemosek
Friti
2017 Young St.
214-741-1637
Dallas, Tex. 75231 ©
Jim
or 741-1638
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.
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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
^^^^^^^ „ ^^ers 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."
BOXOFFICE :: May 28. 1979
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
CAPITAL CITY SUPPLY COMPANY, INC.
future."
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OUR 39th YSAR
2124 laclfflon Parkway. N.W. 713 Sudekvun Bldg.
Atlanta, Gaorgia 30318 Nashvaie. Tennsssee 37219
"
(404) 792-8424 (6
704-333-9651 /^l l> u Hi t C /
L^hanotte theatre ^uppCij
CIS
800 Lambert Drive N.E.
Atlanta, Go. 30324
(404) 876-0347
Full Line Theatre Supply House
eo©
es©.
229 S. Church street P.O. Box 1973- Charlotte, N.C. 28201
WIL=KII, Inc.
©
"Eyerytb'ing for your theatre— except film'
800 S. Graham St
Chorlotte, N.C. 28202
(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.
MIAMI
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Phone: (305) G8 1-2021
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.
FLORIDA THEATRE
EQUIPMENT
& SUPPLY CO., INC.
"IVIRYTHING VOU Nil D fOR YOUR THCATRI"
1966 N.E. 149th Si. • N. Miami, FU., 331S1
Tel: r3051 944-4470
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
Richard Pryor—Live in Concert (SEE),
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
Love at First Bite (AI), 7 theatres,
6th wk 225
Love on the Run (SR), Biograph,
5th wk 200
Manhattan (UA), 10 theatres,
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
Love at First Bite (AI), 6 theatres,
5th wk 145
Manhattan (UA), 3 theatres,
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
Same Time, Next Year (Univ),
Glenwood, 12th wk 100
Tourist Trap (SR). 5 theatres,
1st wk 95
KANSAS CITY
j^anhattan" 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
WHENEVER YOU NEED
SPECIAL FILMS
DATE STRIPS,
CROSS PLUGS,
MERCHANT ADS,
SPECIAL AN-
NOUNCEMENTS
FILMACK STUDIOS, INC.
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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BOXOFFICE :: May 28, 1979

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BOXOmCE
Ottawa

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
its dirt streets, board sidewalks and store
facades. At its peak, townsmen boasted thai
Barkerville was the largest city in Norlh
America west of Chicago.
For the purposes of the movie, it has been
renamed Dawson City, perhaps belter
known as a boom town.
Playing the author is Jeff East, 21, who
starred as the adolescent Superman in the
film of the same name. Also starring is
Academy Award-winning actor Rod Steiger.
Angle Dickinson has also been imported
for the movie, which the producers hope lo
market internationally. Also in the film arc
Lome Greene and George Pinsent. who
has appeared in many CBC-TV productions.
Also gone from her desk into retirement East, who is the same age as London billed with major movies. Local entertain- '
'
from our busy industry is Jessie Lynch of when the author made the journey, said he ers would fill out the stage show—the
Famous Players who had put in more years didn't agree with London's attitude at the Rockets were such a group. Mary says they
than Willy had. Jessie has been looking forward
to "doing nothing" for some time and
can't identify with London's adven-
including tunes with the likes of Edgar Ber-
time of the journey.
danced to whatever the bands would play,
"1
turing—just dropping everything and going,"
East said. "We put boundaries on oui-
Helen Morgan, Ginger Rogers (before she
gen and Charlie McCarthy, torch singer
is really enjoying herself.
In spite of unsettled weather the Canadian selves: it just seems as if we have more became a movie star), Blackstone the Magician,
Cab Calloway and other name bands
Picture Pioneers semi-annual meeting and responsibilities."
banquet on May 6 was very successful. Attendance—due
in part to the weather—was dog sled, but he says the knack came easily To launch the Paramount a bigshot em-
For the film. East had to learn to race a of the early swing era.
light but the affair was well organized and "because 1 can ski, and it's practically the cee, from Chicago, Charles Agnew, was
the banquet was one of the most delicious same, only with dogs."
called in. Gradually, however, the stage
in some time.
He says that "Klondike" is his first Canadian
film, although not his first work here;
Almost a
shows gave way to double features.
Riot
parts of "Superman" were filmed in Calgary.
"I like working with Canadians and the
people here are veiy considerate," he said.
"I've never gone on location for a period
piece where the local people fit right in."
Paramount's Heyday
Recalled in Twilight
From Midwest Edition
DES MOINES, Iowa — When Clark
Gable swore to Vivien Leigh, "Frankly, my
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 (life in the
1920s. Parents attended in the evening, kids
on Saturday.
Capitol Organ Club'
The Capitol had an organist, and for a
dime the ilittle 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. (Blank'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 i
school in 1932. Bigtime entertainers and
I
bands would come through town and be
Des Moines ahnost 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
and will
be coordinated by Jerry Harrah of
Pacific Theatre Supply, architect Bob Hatfield
and Bill Ackerman, San Franciscobased
general contractor.
Work has just been completed on the
$360,000 remodeling of the Americana 6
Cinemas in Panorama City.
K-2
BOXOFFICE :: May 28, 1979

VANCOUVER Members of 'Slithis Fan Club Await
pollowing the announcement of the completion
of "Klondike Fever," the office of
Justin Green, executive director of the Fihn
Dcvision of the B.C. Department of Tourism,
issued a new list of pictures that were
due to be started shortly. Most of these
were firm dates but the exact starting date.
cast and technical staff for some was still
not definite. The list is as follows:
"The Love Boat"—shooting in May-June.
Locations in Victoria, Vancouver and Prince
Rupert. Starring Rich Little, Donny Osmond,
Barbara Rush and Jane Wyman.
"Huckleberry Finn & His Friends"
shooting May-August. Locations in the Fraser
Valley area and the Panorama studios.
Starring Ian Tracey as Huck Finn. Budget is
$3 million.
"Up River"—shooting June-July at Bella
Coola and Lonesome Lake. Budget is $1.2
million.
"Flowers from Felix"—shooting June-
July in the Victoria area.
"Terror Train"—shooting August-October,
using the Royal Hudson train and
locations in Fort St. John area. Budget is
$5 million.
"Bethune"—shooting
September-October
im Northern B.C. Budget is $10 million.
"Never Cry Wolf"—shooting August-
September in Atlin, Dawson City and the
Yukon. Budget is $2 million.
"The Grey Fox"—shooting October-November.
Budget is $1.5 million.
Jack Tomik, who is in charge of publicity
for Famous Players in this territory,
overcame the continued lack of major newspaper
coverage by holding preview screenings
for "A Little Romance" at the Capitol
on May 4-5 in advance of the opening. A
very heavy radio campaign featuring pass
prizes was also carried out.
NITE/TOFCO Will Reduce
Film Rentcds, Scott Says
By ALLEN M. WIDEM
Regional Correspondent
From East Edition
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 of
New England, told the media that the promise
of the Canadian-based Theatre Owners
The Return of the Nuclear Monster
From Midwest Edition
DES MOINES—"Slithis" returns!
The slimy movie monster Slithis did not
rise from nuclear pollution so much as from
the deep pockets of Des Moines film entrepreneur
Richard L. Davis.
It was a low-budget monster flick, which
made the rounds once last year and soon
will be coming back to the theatres. Davis
bankrolled the lion's share of the production
but Stephen Traxler of California was the
brainchild of it.
Davis is distributing and promoting the
film, which has grossed about $1.8 million
from 1,500 dates at drive-ins and indoor
theatres across the country.
Davis undertook lengthy court actions for
the
right to operate adult or "triple X" theatres
in the state of Iowa that were eventually
decided in his favor. He then turned
over the operation of the adult houses to
his three sons and has pursued other ventures.
"Slithis" is one of them.
He says he has spent lots of money keeping
the slimy monster from going belly up
and is not worried about his investment,
that most of his outlay has been returned.
He is sole distributor of the movie and owns
all 1 89 prints of it, doling them out to movie
houses through a network of 22 sub-distributors
nationwide.
No one has claimed "Slithis" is art, especially
Davis, but he is convinced there is
always a place for a horror or monster picture,
and they always do a little business.
Milking the Movie
He is planning on milking the movie dry
and says after the second go-around this
season he will edit the film to change its
rating from PG to G in order to hit the
kiddie matinee and saturation markets. Remaining
to be exploited are foreign rights
as well as sales to local television stations.
Those negotiations are currently underway.
First-time-around rental fees ranged from
25 percent to 40 percent of each theatre's
gross. Now on the second time around
"Slithis" rents for far less, from $50 to $150
a week. Davis says that is not a lot of
money but an average of $75 for each of
1,000 dates isn't bad considering he doesn't
do any advertising for the subruns.
"This film is a gimmick film, and they
needed a gimmick to sell it," Davis says.
He decided to turn the monster into a hero
and didn't portray him as an eat-'em-up bad
guy, but as a product of our society. That
opened the door for T-shirts, fan clubs,
In addition audiences arc being advised
join the monster's fan club. Member-
to
ship is free if you sign up at a theatre or
it costs 25 cents by mail. So far over 22,000
people have sent in a quarter. In return
members get a photo of the slimy being
consorting with humanoids, a letter from
Slithis telling youngsters to mind Mom and
Dad, advising teens to stay off cigs, booze
and dope and admonishing adults to lead a
good life and make this a better world for
everyone.
Members can also purchase Slithis posters,
T-shirts and bumper stickers. Davis
also sends around the costume used in the
movie so a local six-footer can stomp
around and drum up business.
Bookers Luncheon Is Scene
Of Awards. Speeches, Plugs
By JOHN COCCHI
Eastern Editor
NEW YORK—The 13th annual Academy
Award Sweepstakes Luncheon of the
Motion Picture Bookers Club was held April
24 at Rosoff's here, with veteran New York
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 for
the sendoff he expected that the film would
have. After saying that there had been a
few 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 Donnelly
for his "intelligent courage" in putting
the film into Cinema I and then stated
that he would keep a close relationship with
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
Hawks' advice to him. "Just make pictures
that make money and you'll never be unhappy."
Film Cooperative to provide at least 75
Both Bogdanovich and Gazzara had
personal appearances and the "Slithis" Sur-
"top-quality, first-run features" during the
been attending all screenings of the film and
vival Kit.
Sunival Kit
were making numerous appearances in connection
next decade, serves to avoid many trade
practices that gall NITE membership, including
The kit is a small pamphlet distributed to
with it, Donnelly pointed out. Then
blind bidding.
moviegoers and says that the creature was Mancuso was given a special "Oscar" for
Scott also told the media: "Canada is "spawned from the waste of a nuclear his Sweepstakes efforts and said he had
really
grow. energy plant and wants you to survive." postponed a trip to Kansas City for Show-A-
trying to get film production to And right now the biggest advantage to producing
Patrons are advised to "Follow these in-
Rama to be there. Martin Newman, who
a film in Canada are tax breaks. structions!" which include detaching the was to have been presented a check from
While the United States has done away with
the club for the benefit of Will Rogers Hospital,
picture of the monster and keeping it on
a lot of its tax credits for filmmaking, Canada
your person at all times except when sleeping.
was in Kansas City and would receive
is still allowing big write-offs."
the check on May 22.
BOXOFFICE :: May 28, 1979
K-3

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May 28, 1979

BOXOFFICE BOOKMNCUIDE
JONNA JEFFERIS, Bookinguide Editor
An interprolivo analysis ol lay and ttadepress reviews. Running time is in parenthese
BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Award. All lilms are in color except those indicated by (b&w) ior black &
white or (© and biw) lor color and black & while. Motion Picture Assn (MPAA) ratings: El — general
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Reviews assigned "N" page Dumbers will be found in the Notional (Iront) section ol BOXOFFICE.
H Very Good; + Good; ± Fair; -
The
I^EVIEW DIGEST
AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX

REVIEW DIGEST
AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX « Very Gaod;

hi
ill
m ssei
•ON
°I>H

The
II Alvrays Ready . . .
]
MISCELLANEOUS
ATLANTIC RELEASING
Max Havelaar (165) ..Hi-t
La Jument Vapeur
Picnic at Hangino Rock
(110) MyC
BACKSTREET^EEHIVE-
HOLLYWOOD INrL
Lust Flight 2000
(78) Sex C-D.
VIokl (Jlick. Pat Planning
FRED BAKER FILMS, LTD.
Just Crazy About Horses
(93) Ooc.Di
The Blacic Goddess Jan 79
BEEHIVE PRODUCTIONS
Carnal's Cutres
(76) Sex C .Apr 79
Pat Manning. J.-uiet Sands,
Frisco King, William Margold
Curves Ahead!
(78) Sex C. June 79
The Udy Wants a
Tramp Stx C. .July 79
Dirty
(74)
CAPRICAN THREE, INC
Vampire Hookers
(83) Sex C-l
Sex C. Oct 79
CARIBBEAN FILMS WEST
Gail Palmer's Candy Goes to
Hollywood Sex C. Dec 78
rarol ronnnr.i. John Leslie
CINEMA 5
Viva Italia! (87) C.Jul)
Vlttorlo Gassman. Vgn TognazzI
CINEMA SHARES
Jacob Two-Two Meets the
Hooded Fang
(SO)
F-C-D..Sept7S
Alex Karras. Stephen lioBenberg
Point the Finger of
Death
Ac..Feb79
Shaolin Death Sguad ...Ac. Feb 79
Fists of Bruce Lee
(99) Ac..Mar79
COUGAR RELEASING, LTD.
loe Panther (93) Ad.. Sept 78
lirlan Keith, Rlcardo Montalban
Legend of Sea Wolf
(90) Ad.. Sep
Chuck Connors, Barbara Badi
Astral Factor (93) . . . Sus. .Nov 78
Elke Rnmmrr, Robert Foxworth
Poopsle (95) C. Dec 78
Sophia I.rf)ren, Marcello Ma^rolannl
FIRST ARTISTS RELEASING
Stevie (102) B-D,.Sept78
Clenda Jackson, Mona Washboiime
FIRST INT'L PICTURES
Dracula Sucks
(108) Sex-Ho-C-D..Feb79
Jamie Rlllls, Annette Haven
G.G. COMMUNICATIONS
The Adventures of Pinocchio
(90) An.
Little Mermaid (71) An. Jan 79 NEW YORKER FILMS
HOLLYWOOD INT'L
Come Under My Spell
(84) Sex D.. Dec 78
. Stx C. Jan 79
Lusty Princess (82)
The New Erotic Adventures of
Casanova Part 2 ..Sex D.. Feb 79
Sex C ..Mar 79
INDEPENDENT ARTISTS
When the Screamino Stopi , „ _
(94) Ho-F..No»78
Blacl< The Six (90) . .Ac-D. .Apr 79
•Mean" Joe Greene. Carl Bller
INT'L HARMONY, INC.
Sliame of the Jungle
(89) An-C..Sept78
Voices: John Belushl. Johnny
The Night the Prowler
(90) ri'^:°v
eirv Walker, Ruth Cracknel
•• Men Forever (90) ..C.
INrt PICTURE SHOW
Land of No Return
(85) ' .Sept 78
Mel Torme, William Shat
Where Time Began
(90)
SF.. Sept 78
Kenneth More
They Went That-a-Way and Thata-Way
(100) C. Oct 78
Tim Conway, Chuck McCann
The Magic of Lassie
(100) C-DM..0ct78
lames Stewart. Mickey Booney,
Perrell Roberts, Stephanie ZImballst
(n-U)
JAGUAR-BEEHIVE
isco Dolls in Hot Skin
(95) Sex
KEY INT'L FILM
Sweet Creek County War
(98) W-C..Feb79
Richard Egan, Albert Salmi
ntree Way Weekend
(85) Sex C. Mar 79
Hon nlego, Jody Olhava
The Man Who Loved Bears
(90) Ac-DM..0ct79
Narr, : Henry Fonda
MUSTANG-BEEHIVE
Carnal Encounters of the Barest
Kind (88) Sex-SF. Apr79
NATIONAL AMERICAN
Coming Attractions C. Sept 78
BUI Murray. Buddy Hackett,
Misty Rowe. Howard Hesseman
NEW LINE
Gizmo! (79) Sept 78
Bronson Lee Champion (86) . Sept 78
Despair (120) Oct 78
Dirk Bogardi
Like a Turtle
(90)
C-D. Oct 78
Bemadette Lafont
live (81) Nov 78
Itotirrt Downey
Autumn in Germany (116) ...Nov 78
Revenoe of the Streetfighter
(90) Apr 79
Just Like at Home ..
(log) C-D.. May 79
Anna Karina
Peppermint Soda May 79
Newsfront (110)
, ,„
(© and b&w) Hi-D . . . . . .June 79
Bill Hunter, (iirard Kennedy
The Tree of Wooden Clogs
(175) Hi-D.. June 79
Woyieck July 79
Orchestra Rehearsal
(70) DM.. Aug 79
Against the Grain Sept 79
Don Gil
(D-U)
NMD FILM DISTRIBUTING CO.
Naughty School Girls (84) ...Mar 79
Rebecca Brooke, Sandra Gartner
The Carhops (S8) Apr 79
Kitty Karl, Lisa Farringer
The New Adventures of Snow
White (76) May 79
Marie LUjedahl, Ingrid Van Bergen
How to Score With Girls
(82) June 79
Ron Osborne, Larry Jacobs
Smokey and the Hotwire Gang
(85) June 79
James Keach, Stanley Liungston
OMNI PICTURES
Wolfman (101) .
The Devil's Clone
(JUARTET FILMS „
Wifemistress (101) D. Jan 79
Marcello Mastroianni, Laura
Antnnelll
The French Detective
(93) Ac-D.. Apr 79
Lino Ventura, Patrick Dewaere,
Dracula and Son
(88)
Christopher Reed
.Ho-C..May79
_
ROCHELLF FILMS. INC.
Thirsty Dead (96) Sept 78
Rock Fever (98) Apr 79
Wade Nichols. Jeanle Sanders
Dr. Jeckyll's Dungeon of Death
(91) Apr 79
A Saint ... a Woman . . .
, ._ a Devil (90) Apr 79
Sept 78 T|,5 oriller Killer (90) ...Apr 79
SANRIO FILM DISTRIBUTION
The Great Balloon Adventure
(89) C-Ad..Feh79
Katharine Hepburn
The Glacier Fox
. (90)
.Doc-D..Feb79
Winds of Change
(87)
.An.M-F..July79
Narr. : Peter Ustinov
(n-35S)
Nutcracker (100) . .An-H..No»79
SIX PICTURES
Sweet Taste of Joy
Secretaries Spread
Sex Freedom in
Marriage
STUDIO FILM CORP.
The Alpha Incident (85) Mar 78
Johnny Mar 79
Horst Bucbholi
The Capture of Bigfoot
(95) May 79
Richard Kennedy. Katherlne Hopkins,
Stafford MorgaJl, John Goff
The Maggots Aug 79
nils Young. John Goff,
Katherlne Hopkins
21st CENTURY
Three Fantastic Supermen . .June 78
The Obsessed One July 78
Male Panday, Tracy Parrlsh
The Tormented Aug 78
Stella Carnartna, Chris Avram
Snuff Box Connection ..Ac. Sept 78
Rung Fu Ae. Sept 78
COMING RELEASES
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL
Meteor
Sean Conney, Natalie Wood,
Henry Fonda, Trei'or Howard
Defiance 0.
Jan-Michael Vincent, Joseph
Camp,iiiella, Art Carney, Theresa
Saldana
The Humanoid
lUcliard Kiel, Barbara Bach
The Amityville Horror
James Brolin, Mariot Kidder,
Bod Steiger, Murray Hamilton
The Visitor
John Huston, Shelley Winters,
Glenn Ford
Gorp
I--
Michael Lembeck, Phillip Casnoff,
Dennis Quald, Richard Beauchamr
The Evictors
Vic Morrow, Michael Parks,
Jessica Harirer, Sue Ane Uingdon
AVCO EMBASSY
Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams
The Fog
H.nl Hnlbrook. Adrienne Barbeau,
Janet Leigh, Jamie Lee Curtis
BUENA VISTA
The Black Hole Dec 79
Maximilian Schell, Anthony
Perkins, Robert Forster
The Last Flight of Noah's Ark
COLUMBIA
Kramer vs. Kramer
Dtistln Hoffman, Meryl Streep
. . . And Justice for All C.
Al Paclno, Jack Warden
All That Jazz DM.
Roy Scheidcr. Ann Relrking
Freestyle
Sii.'ian Clark
The Thief of Bagdad
Terence Stamp. Peter Ustinov
The Electric Horseman
Robert Redford. Jane Fonda,
Willie Nelson, Nicholas Cosier
Hot Stuff
Dom DeLiilse, Suzanne Plcsliette,
Terry Reed
Madonna Red
Paul Newman
The First Deadly Sin
Marlon Brando
Wind River OD-Ad
Charlton Heston, Stephen Macht,
BrI.in Keith, Victor Jory
COMPASS INTERNATIONAL
Double Negative
r.craldine Fitzgerald. Michael
Sarrarfn, Susan Clark, Anthony
Perkins
DIMENSION
Stone Cold Dead
(90) D. .July 79
Richard Crenna, Paul Williann,
Linda Sorenson, Belinda Montgomery
NEW WORLD
The Lady in Red
(100)
raiiirla
Sue Mart
.Cr-D. .July 79
Disco High CM.
Car Wars Ac-C.
Battle Beyond the Stais SF.
Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round
the Old Oak Tree R-D.
SF-Ad.
Irfonard Nlmoy,
, .lames Doohan
Rough Cut
Burt Reynolds, Jacqueline BIsset
North Dallas Forty
Nick Nolte, Mac D»»l«,
Bo Svenson, (%arlea DumlllC
Full Moon in August
Joseph Bottoms
American Gigolo
Uuren Button, Richard Oere
Starting Over • • • •
Burt Reynolds, Jill CUjbur«b,
Candice Bergen, Charles Durnlng
Sunburn
Farrah Fawcetl-Majors, Cbarles
Grodln
The Hunter
Steve McQueen
Little Darlings
Tatura O'Neal, Kristy McNlchol
Nosfcratu
SF-Ho..0ct79
Isabelle AdjanI, Klaus Klnskl,
Bruno Ganz . _ „
Health C.. Dec 79
Glenda Jackson. Carol Burnett,
.lames Garner, Lauren Bacall
Nine to Five C.
J.me Fonda
"^t, Petersburg Cannes Express
Julie Cliristie, Donald Sutherland
The Rose D"--
Bette Midler, Alan Bates
{D-35S, 70)
Brubaker
•
Robert Bedford, Yaphet Kotto
Breaking Away .....C..
Dennis Christopher, Dennis Quald
Fatso
Anne Bancroft, Dom DeLuIse,
Candy Azzara, Rod Carey
UNITED ARTISTS
Hide in Plain Sight (MGM) June 79
James Caan. Jill Eikenbeny
Apocalypse Now War D.. Dec 79
Marlon Brando. Robert Duvall,
Martin Sheen. Dennis Hopper
(D-35S, 70)
James and Jane
James Caan, (Jenevieve Bujold
Heaven's Gate
Kiis Kristofferson
The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh ....
Stockard Channing
Rich Kids ••
Kathrvn Walker, John Uthgow,
David Selby. Terry Klser
Ladies of the Valley
Jodie Foster
UNIVERSAL
The Lonely Lady H
Susan Blakely
The Senator
Alan Alda, Melvyn Douglas,
Barbara Harris
Little Miss Marker
Walter Matthau, Julie Andrews,
Swa Stlmson, Bob Newhart
Katharine Ross, Sam Elliott,
Roger Daltrey
(D-U)
Resurrection
Ellen Biirstyn. Sam Shepard
Coal Miner's Daughter B-l
Sissv Spaeek, Tommy Lee Jones
The Concorde—Airport '79
Itobert Wagner. Alain Delon.
Susan Blakely, George Kennedy
1941
Dan Aykroyd, John Belushl,
Lorraine Gary, Murray "" '
WARNER BROS.
, , ,„
An Arabian Adventure July 79
Christopher Lee
(D-35S)
Beyond the Poseidon
Adventure Ad.. July 79
Michael Calne, Sally Field,
Telly Savalas, Peter Boyle
No Knife C-W.,Auii79
Gene Wilder, Harrison Ford
Captain Grown Up
Diane Keaton
Stepping Out
George Burns, Art Carney
The Squeeze Sus-C.
Stacy Keach, Lino Ventura
First Blood
Al Paclno
Heart Beat
Slssv Spaeek, Nick Nolte
Just Tell Me What You Want , C.
.
All MacGraw. Alan King
BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: May 28, 1979

1 color,
Opinions on Current Productions
^JATURE REVIEWS
uhUes otherwise specilied < vbile (b&w). For story synopsis oa each picture.
I tit, lUl '^
Enolish Titles
The Show Biz Co. 90 Minutes Rei. Jan. '79
A man is a txjy in this engaging French import from
1976, going- into slow release in this couiitry. It was written
and directed by Francis Veber under its translated
title, "Le Jouet." Pierre Richard colors his comedy portrayal
of the leading role with a fine dramatic side which
is quite affecting. Eleven-year-old Fabrice Greco, as the
spoiled rich boy who "buys" him, manages to win sympathy
after being introduced as a demanding and destructive
type. It's obvious that the boy has all the material
comforts but lacks real love from his father (.Michel Bouquet)
and substitutes his "toy" for that purpose. Comic
Richard is both clown and actor here. His disgust at being
in such a dehumanizing situation gives way to arrogance
at the sheer nerve of a man who can buy anything and
a son who adopts that policy. Also good are Suzy Dyson,
the cold stepmother; Jacques Francois, harried managing
editor; and Charles Gerard in a typical characterization
as an easygoing photographer. In Eastman Color, with
music by Vladimir Cosma, the FideUne Films/ EFVE
Films/ Remi Pi-oductions/Andi-ea Films co-production is
being presented bv Byron Lasky and Lee Weisel. It can
be sold as an offbeat comedy and an indictment of the
wealthy class.—John Cocchi.
Pierre Richard, Michel Bouquet, Fabrice Greco, Charles
Gerard, Jacques Francois, Michel Aumont.
Tricoutinental 87 Minutes Rel. May '79
Made in Castro's Cuba in 1966, this very funny look at
bm-eaucracy has been withheld from release here because
it was felt to be too critical of the then-prevailing conditions
to be fully miderstood or appreciated. Now that the
climate has changed, the black and white Spanish dialog
film can be seen. Dii-ector Tomas Gutierrez Alea made
not only a poUtical satire but also a tribute to the masters
of cinema, chief among them being Luis Bunuel. The sm--
realism of Bunuel, particularly from "The Andalusian
Dog" (1929), is evident in the di-eam sequences and the
influence of Lam-el and Hardy's classic "Big Business"
(1929) can be seen in the car smashing scene. Screenplay
by Alea, Alfredo del Cueto and Ramon F. Suarez— the
latter doubling as cinematographer—concerns the monumental
red tape involved in burying a deceased worker.
Salvador Wood portrays the harried nephew, gohi^
through numerous adventm-es to give his uncle a decent
laying to rest. He and the others in the cast do their
energetic best to keep the comedy up, although the
last reel seems to be a letdown considering what went
before it. Pi-oduced by the Cuban Film Institute, "Bureaucrat"
should have a strong although somewhat limited
appeal in the foreign language houses.-^ohn Cocchi.
Salvador Wood, Silvia Planas, Manuel Estanillo, Gaspar
de SanteUces, Carlos Ruiz de la Tejera, Omar Alfonso.
WALK PROUD
PG
Universal (7906) 102 Minutes Rel. June '79
It Ukes a while to get used to the idea of Robby Benson
as a Chicano. The makeup helps. The accent doesn't.
The original title, "Gang!", would have been better than
the hokey "Walk Proud," which conjurs up memories of
the "Walking Tall" series. Though Benson remains unconvincing
as a tough gang member with his soft-spoken
style and boyish grin, it's evident he's given it an honest
try. Even though the makeup is laid on thick, Benson
still looks Uke a fraternity kid with a suntan, especially
while strolling with his Anglo girlfriend, Sarah Holcomb.
Much less convincing than Benson is the Evan Hunter
story, du-ected by Robert CoUins. Tl-ie tough Chicano
gangs need only musical accompaniment to be the clones
of the Puerto Rican tough guys in "West Side Story.'
And if Benson's tough-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside
personality doesn't mimic Tony Manero's in "Saturday
Night Fever," then this isn't 1979. With regard to love
interest Holcomb, the best compliment is that she's pretty.
She manages to remain sU-angely emotionless in even
the most di-amatic scenes. If there was a meatier pm-pose
to this Lawrence Tm-man production beyond giving Chicanos
their turn on their screen. "Walk Pi-oud" just
doesn't hack it.—Stu Goldstein.
Robby Benson, Sarah Holcomb, Henry Darrow, Pepe
Sema, Trinidad Silva, Ji-Tu Cumbuka.
SAINT JACK S
"""'^
New World 112 Minutes Rel.
Once upon a time, Peter Bogdanovich made three of
the Seventies' biggest hits in a row; then he made thi-ee
of the decade's biggest flops. Now he's trying again with
a Ben Gazzara starrer about a pimp in Singapore. As it
usuaUy is with prostitutes, he has a heart of gold and
doesn't let anything trouble him for too long. Bogdanovich,
who du-ected and co-authored the original screenplay
with Howard Sackler and Paul Theroux, has garnered
a good deal of press coverage; whether or not he
has a hit remains to be seen. The story is uneven, tending
'"=1, to amble rather than move at a fast clip. Acting is quite
'•l'
impressive thi-oughout, with Gazzara and Denholm Elliott
taking top honors as two decent types from decidedly different
worlds. The characters give the story spice and interest.
There is a lot of nudity by both sexes, but virtually
no sex. Lisa Lu, who was also the assistant producer, and
George Lazenby, a one-time James Bond, have supporting
roles, along with Bogdanovich as an operator who
becomes involved with Gazzara. With Hugh M. Hefner
and Edward L. Rissien as executive producers, the Playboy-Shoals
Ci-eek-Copa de Oro picture was produced on
location by Roger Corman. Both Bogdanovich and Gazzara
have been quoted as saying that the film represents
their best work.—John Cocchi.
Ben Gazzara, Denholm Elliott, James Villiers, Joss
Ackland, Peter Bogdanovich, Lisa Lu.
EVERY WEEK
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The reviews on these pages moy be filed for future reference in ony of the foilow.ng ways: (1) '» ""^ '""i'"'' 'J "''SI
loose-leof binder; (2) indlviduolly, by compony, in ony stondord 3x5 cord Index file; or (3) in the BOXOFFICE PICTURE
GUIDE three-ring, poeket-sixe binder. The letter. Including o year's supply of booking ond doily record sheets, moy be
obtained from Vance Publishing Corp., 825 Von Brunt Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. 64124 for $3.50.
BOXOFTICE BookinGuide :: Mav 28, 1979 5117

FEATURE REVIEWS Story Synopsis; Exploitips; Adiines for Newspapers and Programs
THE STORY:
"Walk Proud" (Univ)
Robby Benson is a young CWcano who lives with liis
mother in a Los Angeles barrio. She is unaware that her ^son
son is a menrber of a gang called the Azteca, to which "iiO)
Benson belongs primarily because it reinforces his Chicano
heritage. He does not approve of many of the group's
activities. Benson meets and falls in love with schoobnate
Sarah Holcomb, whose parents object to the relationship.
Holcomb does not know about Benson's gang activities
mitil police question him about a bm-glary. At his grandmother's
fmieral, Benson meets his father, who is white,
for the first time. This causes him to reconsider his
standing as an Azteca. When a rival gang crosses out the
"Azteca" name on a wall, tensions begin to build. Later,
the rival gang beats up one of the Aztecas. The Azteca
leader pledges to kill members of the other gang. Benson
announces his intentions to not go on the killing spree,
knowing that he wiU be banished from the group. In the
banishment ritual, Benson must submit to being hit by
each member. Having sm-vived this, Benson realizes he
can be proud of his heritage without being an Azteca.
EXPLOITIPS:
"Adios, Yesterday," sung by Robby Benson, will be released
as a single by MCA Records. Tie in with the Bantam
paperback.
CATCHLINES:
He Was Tough Enough for the Streets—Was He Tough
Enough to Leave Them

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