Boxoffice-May.21.1979

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|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
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