Boxoffice-May.21.1979

(Continued from page S-3)
movies to theaties before theatre owners
have had a chance to see them. A similar
law in South Carolina allegedly is responsible
for a slight delay in the opening of
first-run
movies.
"I don't think it's going to change anything
radically." says Charlie Hunsiick.
United Artists branch manager. "It may
delay the release shortly, but by the same
token, it may get the producers on the
ball." Hunsuck said he thought movies
might get to North Carolina a month or two
later than usual.
Opinions differ on whether you'll secmore
of fewer movies under the new law.
Herman Stone, president of NATO of
North and South Carolina, said he expected
more films.
"We should like to see more pictures in
the marketplace." Stone said. "But the boxoffice
is going to dictate a lot of play time,
which is the way it should be."
But Francis Gormley, branch manager
for 20th Century-Fox, said that fewer smiill
budget films, such as Fox's "Dreamer."
would be seen.
"It's little pictures that are going to suffer."
says Gormley. "They're going to go lo
commercial pictures that they know they
can get a return on. Maybe pictures like
'Dreamer' don't need to be made. But who
knows what may be shelved"
Theatre owners have said that the risk in
showing blind-bid films helped drive up
ticket prices.
"The legislature perceived what the problem
of the theatre owner was and that, in
fact, we are responsible to the general pub
lie," Stone says, "When we played a picture
that was offensive we always came back
with a reason: 'We didn't get to see the picture,'
The legislature understood this prob
lem,"
So you may be seeing cleaner pictiues.
but distributor Hunsuck doesn't think you
will be seeing better pictures.
"When the exhibitors screen them, the
don't know anything more about how ii"
going to gross than they blind bid them,
says Hunsuck. "If you're that smart \oi
don't need to be in the film business."
MEMPHIS
The Arkansas NATO convention was held
recently in Hot Springs, Ark., April 29-
May 2. More than 1 10 people from the industry
attended the 3-day event.
After niany years as a figure in our industry,
the National Theatre Supply closed
its Memphis office May 5 and will consolidate
with another one of National's
branches.
WOMPI officers for 1979-80 are Evelyn
Rusing. president; Juanita Hamblin, vice
president: Bonnie Steward, secretary; and
Lois Evans, treasurer. Installation will be
held Monday June 25 on the Memphis
Queen .1 showboat.
JACKSONVILLE
^he Expressway Mall Cinema, in a tie-in
with a local radio station, is having
triple midnight shows on Friday and Saturday
nights—all seats $1.97.
Paraniount's "Players," a love story filmed
at Wimbledon last year, will make one of
several premiere showings around the country
in Jacksonville on June 6.
NATO of Florida is getting into action
with a big advertising, concession and information
seminar for owners and managers
on May 24 at the Hyatt House in the
Orlando area, located off Interstate 4 and
192 East. Kissmmee, Fla. E.xhibitors will
paper, radio and television discussions and
new methods on concession sales.
Local WOMPI members sponsored a
see product reels of summer films, news-
bingo
party for the residents of Florida Christian
Health Center on May 12. WOMPI will
also serve refreshments to the handicapped
teenagers at a dance at the Woodstock Center
on May 24. During April the Council
of Volunteer Coordinators held meetings
honoring all Volunteer workers in Jacksonville.
The local WOMPI Club assisted with
this function by furnishing the popcorn used
as part of the refreshments.
In lionor of "Founders Day." the regular
monthly meeting for WOMPI will be held
May 29 at 5:30 p.m. The ladies at Universal
will provide drinks and dessert for every-
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S-4 May 21, 1979