Boxoffice-May.21.1979

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