Boxoffice-June.04.1979

Distributed 

JUNE 4, \9I\ 

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE EDITION 

Includina (Ke Stctional News Pages of All t-Mkni 

A NEW SPIRIT OF 

EXCITEMENT! 

They applaud it! 

They cheer it! 

And many 

can't resist 

calling 

FREE 

SPIRIT' 

The best 

movie since 

BORN free:" 

JOSEPH DRENNER 

"Delightful!" 

— Los Angeles Times 

"Exciting! 

Impressive! 

Picture 

of the 

Month!" 

-Seventeen Magazine 

"Excellent !" 

"Beautiful 

...A must see! 

A lesson on 

howtoliveon 

spaceship eartK' 

— Scholastic Magazine 

Porter jcrcnriYKemp BillTravcrs Rachel Roberts Heather Whgtit 

• • 

From the Director who gave you "Bom Free" james Hill 

ced by Sally Shuter A Julian Wintle Pioduction • • 

Todd-AO-35 

by Technicolor" 

• 

by Joseph Brenner Associates, Inc. 

PG PARENTAL GUIDANCE SUGGESTED -^^l 

M 

JOSEPH BRENNER ASSOCIA TES, INC. 

570 Seventh Avenue. New York. NY. 10018 • 212 354-6070

BOXOFFICE LEADS THE FIELD 

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ori all counts that count most 

—read and relied on by MORE Theatremen 

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THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY - WITH THE LOCAL TOUCH!

Court Hears Consent Decree Arguments 

By JOHN COCCHI 

NEW YORK — A preliminary hearing 

was held May 23 in U.S. District Court 

in New York on petitions filed by Loews 

Theatres Inc., Loews Corporation, RK.O- 

Stanley Warner Theatres Inc. and Mann 

Theatres Corporation of California, in 

which the circuits are jointly seeking relief 

from the constraints of the consent decrees 

—effectively divorcing exhibition from distribution—enacted 

by the Justice Department 

nearly three decades ago. Judge Edmund 

Palmieri is presiding over the case. 

Generally this session set forth the plaintiff's 

positions. A subsequent hearing is 

scheduled for June 12 to explore the issues 

in greater detaik 

Opening remarks were made by Stephen 

F. Sonnett, lawyer with the Office of the 

Assistant Attorney General, Antitrust Division, 

U. S. Department of Justice. He asked 

for a waiting period in order to sample the 

industry's opinions on the matter at hand. 

There is a move to deregulation, he observed, 

with the government getting out of the 

marketplace in other industries, as in airlines. 

He stated two main issues: the government 

has to oversee entry of exhibitors 

into the production market and, overshadowing 

that, there must be integration within 

the industry. He stated that the decrees 

should be vacated, inasmuch as they do 

permit entry into distribution if there is no 

restraint of trade. 

The shortage of product is not a factor, 

Sonnett emphasized, only a lack of top 

quality films. Exhibitor conduct should not 

be an issue, but safeguards may have to be 

added to a modification of the decrees so 

that exhibitors going into distribution do not 

Para's 'Grease' Is 

Now 

Rentals, Grosses Leader 

NEW YORK—Paramount Pictures' 

"Grease," originally released last summer, 

has now become both the film 

rentals leader as well as the highest 

grossing film in Paramount's hi.storv. 

The $4.5 million three-day gross from 

the weekend of May 19-20 saturation 

bookings pushed "Grease" above the 

$87 million mark in rentals from the 

U.S. and Canada. With these latest 

grosses, the film has surpassed "The 

Godfather," which had previously set 

a record with $86,276,000. 

Further rentals are expected when 

Paramount teams "Grease" with the 

PG-rated version of "Saturday Night 

Fever." The PG-rated double bill will 

play from the end of June through the 

fall. 

Published weekly, eicept one Issue «t year-end, by 

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alter the market substantially. Palmieri interrupted 

him when Sonnett brought up the 

matter of Mann Theatres and the judge 

stated that the decree was binding upon 

them and they had more or less accepted it. 

Sonneti mentioned that Ted Mann is planning 

a film to be released through 20th Century-Fox. 

Discussions in areas of interest 

are under way, Sonnett said. 

Stuart Rabinowitz, representing Warner 

Bros, and Universal, said there was concern 

that the petitioners—through their multiscreen 

theatres—could preempt a majority 

of screens. 

An entry into filmmaking needs only capital, 

Rabinowitz stated, using as an example 

realtor Mel Simon's emergence as the leading 

independent producer. The 400 films per 

year in other days included double-feature 

product of the kind which is now made for 

television. I he petitioners bear a heavy burden 

(of proof), said the lawyer. If theatre 

chains can make their own films, producers 

will find it more difficult to make pictures 

and distribution will be forced to enter into 

exhibition. In other words, Rabinowitz said 

that we would be back in the same situation 

which brought about the Paramount Decree. 

Martin Stein, representative for United 

Artists, MGM and 20th Century-Fox, said 

that their position was essentially the same 

as Warners' and that they have filed comments. 

The judge mentioned that he thought 

MGM was out of the filmmaking business 

and involved itself solely with running a 

hotel in Las Vegas. Palmieri also observed 

that distributors have a direct interest in 

See CONSENT on page 5 

Silent Film Queen Dead at 86 

HOLLYWOOD — Silent film star 

Mary Pickford, known affectionately as 

"America's Sweethe 

a r t" for her 

golden curls and 

many wholesome 

screen characters 

during an illustrious 

career spanning 

more than 

two decades, died 

May 29 at Santa 

Monica Hospital 

of an apparent ., „. , «• . 

f^^-^ P"^'^'"''* 

stroke. 

Miss Pickford's private secretary reported 

that the 86-year old film star had 

been in stable health until about three 

days before her death, when her husband, 

Buddy Rogers, found her in her 

bedroom in what was described as a "failing 

condition." She was nished to the 

hospital, where the condition worsened. 

"She fought for her life." the secretary 

said, "but her age was against her." Born 

April 8. 1893. in Toronto as Gladys 

Mary Smith, the queen of the silent 

screen appeared in more than 200 movies 

from 1909 to 1933 and reigned, with 

her first husband, Douglas Fairbanks, 

whom she married in 1920, as a monarch 

of the silent screen for 15 years. 

Miss Pickford's film career began in 

1909 in "Her First Biscuits." Over the 

years, she starred in countless films, including 

"Madame Butterfly" in 1915; 

"Rebecca of Sunnybrook" in 1917, "Pollyanna" 

in 1919; "Little Lord Fauntleroy" 

in 1921; and "Coquette" in 1928, 

for which she received an Oscar, in the 

second year of the awards, for best actress. 

She received a special Academy 

Award in 1976 "in recognition of her 

unique contribution to the film industry." 

In 1919 Miss Pickford joined forces 

with Fairbanks, Charles Chaplin and 

D.W. Griffith to form a distribution 

company. United Artists, which she sold 

in 1956. She was also one of the founders 

of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts 

and Sciences. 

Howard Koch, president of the Academy, 

viewed her death as "a great loss 

to Hollywood. She was the only living 

legend of what we're really all about." 

'Alien': $3.5 Million In Four-Day Opening 

HOLLYWOOD— •Alien.- 20th Century- 

Fox's science fiction horror feature, zoomed 

to a record-breaking gross of $3,522,518 in 

its four-day holiday opening in 91 theatres, 

shattering 51 house marks, according to 

Ashley Boone, senior vice president of marketing 

and distribution for 20th-Fox. 

Starting with the smashing gross of $761,- 

875 on Friday, the film lived up to its advance 

expectations by running up a 3-day 

take of $2,674,840. 

Adding to that was a Memorial Day total 

of $845,000. the third best total of the 

weekend. Friday's gross was probably affected 

by the round-the-clock screenings in 

2 theatres, with 38-hour continuous showings 

at the Egyptian Theatre in HolljTvood 

and at the Criterion in New York City. 

Saturday saw grosses climb to $937,622. 

Sunday's take was $975,343. 

New York City topped boxoffice totals 

with a four-day gross of $488,000 from six 

theatres. The Los Angeles branch, including 

parts of neighboring Orange County, 

grossed 418,500 from only four hardtops 

and two drive-ins, led by the Egyptian at 

$113,000. Chicago business was $257,647 

for the four-day period in seven houses. 

By June 8 at least 80 additional theatres 

will be playing "Alien." 

I BOXOFFICE :: Jl

THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY 

Published In Five Sectional Editions 

WILLIAM C. VANCE 

Publisher 

JOHN F. BERRY 

Assoc. Publisher/National Sales Manajer 

CHARLES F. ROUSE III 

Editor 

BEN SHLYEN Executive Editor 

MORRIS SCHLOZMAN Business Manager 

HARVEY SHARP Circulation Director 

GARY 8URCH Equipment Editor 

JONNA JEFFERIS Associate Editor 

STUART A. GOLDSTEIN Associate Editor 

JIMMY SUMMERS Associate Editor 

KEVIN KIOUS Associate Editor 

RALPH KAMINSKY West Coast Editor 

JAMES A. BOBBINS East Coast Editor 

ADMINISTRATIVE 

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B. JOHN ONEIL President 

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Executive 

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j^^°^5S^ ^-^ Mi^ TU^SUm^ 

SAm SONG, DIFFERENT VERSE 

CANCELLATION of the third annual 

In(iepen(ient Theatre Owners Association 

New Pro(3uct Seminar in New 

York recently serves as another disturbing 

reminder of the seemingly never-ending 

feud between exhibition and the 

major film companies. 

The two-day conclave scheduled for 

May 1-2 was called off at the eleventh 

hour by ITOA officials because of the 

general lack of cooperation and interest 

shown on the part of the major film companies, 

many of whom had allegedly 

pledged their support and intent to participate 

early on. 

According to ITOA executive director 

Robert Sunshine, it is unlikely that the 

event will be rescheduled this year, or 

perhaps ever. 

As described by the seminar planning 

committee, headed by Carl M. Levine, the 

objective or purpose of the meeting "is to 

present footage and features on upcoming 

product and to serve as a means of 

communication from supplier to their 

customers." The affair normally attracts 

a sizeable gathering of exhibitors from 

the Northeastern part of the country. 

In its formative stages, it appeared 

that this year's program would be on a 

par with if not better than previous 

years. In addition to representatives from 

eight prominent production-distribution 

companies, guest speakers were to include 

NATO president Alan Friedberg, 

Tom Patterson, president of NITE, and 

noted film critics Judith Crist and Kathleen 

Carroll. 

From there it was all uphill, or so it 

would seem. One by one the major film 

suppliers reportedly began sidestepping 

their original commitments. 

Columbia Pictures declined to participate 

in any manner. 20th Century-Fox 

consented to supply a film at the last 

minute, but was not going to send any 

representatives. Universal allegedly decided 

to cancel at the last moment, then 

agreed to send only three trailers. Paramount, 

although consenting to live up 

to its commitment to make a presentation, 

would not furnish a feature, yet 

reportedly had its own screening of 

"Meatballs" the week before in its New 

York screening room. Warner Brothei's 

also agreed to make a presentation but, 

according to the seminar planning committee, 

scheduled a special luncheon 

meeting of "Beyond the Poseidon Adve: 

ture" for the day after the seminar. Avi 

Embassy finally consented to last-minu 

requests for a film, but would not send 

representative. 

When all was said and done, only Uni 

ed Artists and Associated Films remains 

true to the cause, each holding to tl 

participatory line it had pledged at tt 

outset. 

An untold amount of time and ind 

vidual effort went into the planning 

i 

the ITOA seminar, not to mention tl 

expense. 

From our vantage point, the film con 

panies had everything to gain and virti 

ally nothmg to lose through participatio 

in the ITOA product seminar. 

But the ensuing indifference an 

dearth of support shown by the majors i 

response to the efforts of the ITOA spol< 

vehemently otherwise. 

The developments surrounding tl- 

ITOA affair are frightening, if not ou 

wardly disturbing, when considering tl: 

possible future implications. We hope a 

irreversible precedent has not been s( 

and that production and exhibition wi 

continue to recognize their reciproci 

role as the harbingers of each other's de 

tiny. As one goes, so goes the other . . . 

The motion pictm-e industiy is perhaj 

the only major business enterprise i 

v/hich the major suppliers— produce: 

distributors—are perpetually at war wit 

their retail customers—exhibitors. 

We wonder what the attitude of filn 

makers would be if they were more cogn 

zant that the mortality rate of theatrt 

would be much higher were it not fc 

concession sales and not necessarily tl 

product showing on the screen. 

A film's boxoffice success is determine 

not by the studio from which it com< 

or by whom it is distributed, but ratht 

by its playoff—and ultimate payoff— 

exhibitors. The sooner the film compi 

nies re-acquaint themselves with this ba 

ic postulate, the better off everyone wi 

be. 

It's been said before many times, bi 

bears repeating : Every arm of the indu 

try will be better served when produce 

distributor and exhibitor work togethi 

for the long haul instead of the "qui( 

buck."

CONSENT 

Continued fi 

pai;c 

this case and should not be excluded liom 

consideration. The only problems here arc 

procedural ones, he said. The justice asked 

Rabinowitz and Stein to file formal notices. 

Herbert Jacoby, speaking for Paramount, 

slated that its position was similar to thai 

proposed by Rabinowitz and that he would 

FTC Will Investigate 

Overseas Film Trade 

By RALPH KAMINSKY 

West Coast Editor 

HOLLYWOOD — Possible unfair practices 

that may make it difficult for independent 

film distributors to do business 

overseas will be investigated by the Federal 

Trade Commission, which has revealed it is 

investigating the Motion Picture Export 

Assn. of America and the way studios do 

business abroad. 

The investigation also will look into "joint 

venture" projects under which studios make 

motion pictures in an effort to determine 

whether such arrangements tend to "unduly 

lestrict competition." 

The investigation is being coordinated by 

Harvey L Saferstein, director of the FTC 

office in Los Angeles. He said the investigation 

at first will seek voluntary submission 

of documents and information. If this does 

not produce sufficient information formal 

hearings and issuance of subpoenas could 

follow. 

"The charges are false and the logic is 

bewildering," declared Jack Valenti, president 

of the MPEAA. 

Instead of being anti-competitive, Valenti 

said in a formal statement, "It is clear to 

everyone in our business that independent 

producers are not only able to distribute 

through MPEAA members but are currently 

turning increasingly to foreign distributors 

for the marketing of their films 

abroad." He claimed foreign distributors 

are "taking an enlarging share of the foreign 

market each year, thereby shrinking the 

U.S. distributors' 

share." 

Saferstein said there has been frequent 

complaints about the shortage of product 

and allegations that major companies have 

a stranglehold on distribution. He said the 

FTC is interested in determining whether 

actions of the MPEAA may be restricting 

the ability of independents to produce and 

distribute films overseas. 

Valenti asserted that the U.S. film and 

television industry is "one of the few bright 

assets on the U.S. export sales ledgers." accounting 

for a surplus balance of payments 

amounting to one-half billion dollars returned 

to this country each year. 

U. S. Captures Top Cannes Honors 

The Cannes Film Festival, often described 

as the European version of the Oscars, 

could easily have been mistaken lor the 

Academy Awards after American films 

captured the lop four honors bestowed by 

the festival's 10-member international panel 

the international Cannes jury for his performance 

as a nuclear-reactor technician in 

Columbia's highly acclaimed feature hil. 

Lord Delfont Is Elected 

Chief Executive at EMI 

LONDON—The board of EMI Limited 

announced that Lord Delfont has been appointed 

chief executive of the company. 

Sir John Read continues as chairman of 

the board. 

As already announced, Roger Brooke will 

be joining the EMI Group as managing director 

on June 4. It is the board's intention 

that he should succeed Lord Delfont in due 

course. 

Sir John Read said: 

"The new appointments of Lord Delfont 

and Mr. Roger Brooke will, I am sure, add 

greatly to our strength at this time." 

Commenting on his new appointment. 

Lord Delmont said: 

"I am delighted in the board's confidence 

in me expressed today. I am particularly 

pleased to continue my long association with 

Sir John Read, whose advice will be invaluable 

to me, and I look forward to working 

closely with Roger Brooke who, as already 

announced, is joining the company soon." 

"Ihe China Syndrome," a story about an 

accident at a nuclear power plant. 

The awaid lor best actress went to Sally 

Field lor her stirring performance in Twentieth 

Century-Fox's "Norma Rae," a film 

about attempts to unionize workers in an 

Alabama textile factory. 

American director Terrence Malick re- 

of judges. 

The 32nd annual film fair concluded re- 

also file a formal motion. Speaking lor 

Mann Theatres Corp. was Lee Loevinger, cently after two weeks of high-pitched excitement 

ceived the festival's acclaim as best director 

who essentially agreed with the governmenl. 

in the French city made famous lor "Days of Heaven," a dramatic story 

Loevinger said that Mann has given the Justice 

Department information for the past 

by the internationally renowned festival. 

Francis Ford Coppola's $30 million Vietnam 

about love and greed set in the wheat fields 

of Texas prior to World War I. 

war epic, "Apocalypse Now," which is It marked only the eighth time since 1946 

15 months and that it seeks relief regarding 

acquisition and disposition of theatres. 

that Cannes judges have chosen an American 

the 

entry as the best film of the year. 

Foiu' 

still not ready for commercial release, received 

the festival's top prize, the Golden 

Palm award, as best picture, an honor il of those films have been honored in the current 

shared with a West German entry, "The 

decade: "Mash" in 1970. "Scarecrow" 

Tin Drum," directed by Volker Schlondorff. in 1973, "The Conversation" in 1974 and 

This is Coppola's second best-picture awani "Taxi Drivei" in 1976. 

at Cannes. He won with "The Conversation" 

in 1974. 

Jack Lemmon was named best actor by 

Arkoff to Keep Title 

Despite AFs Merger 

NEW YORK—Samuel Z. Arkoff will retain 

his title of president and chief executive 

v/hen the pending merger of American International 

into Filmways takes place. 

Arkoff currently serves as board chairman 

of AI in 

addition to his other duties. He will 

reportedly earn an annual salary of $225,- 

000 with cost-of-living increases to be included. 

Arkoff's five-year contract includes a 

clause that will allow him to terminate the 

contract after two years and become an 

independent producer for the feature film 

subsidiary of Filmways. In this case, Arkoff 

would receive profit participations on pictures 

produced by him, in addition to his 

annual salary. 

If the merger goes through as expected, 

Arkoff will hold almost 10 percent of the 

Filmways voting stock. This will make him 

the firm's largest shareholder. 

Pending ratification by shareholders and 

necessary government approvals, each share 

of AI stock could be exchanged for either 

$12.50 worth of a Filmways 20-year debenture, 

or a combination package of both 

Filmways common and preferred stocks. 

|

WE GOT CAUGI 

WITH "H( 

We tried to sneak into towni 

but Miami Herald film critic John Hudi

i 

I 

RED-HANDED 

I STUFF"! 

! veek to pull a preview job. 

laght us with our hands in the popcorn, 

i 

COLUMBIA PICTURES Presents 

RASTAR-MORT ENGELBERG Production 

PLESHETTE • JERRY REED 

starring DOM DgLUISE SUZANNE ' 

i 

HOT STUFF Co-starring OSSIE DAVIS 

Music by PATRICK WILLIAMS Executive Producer PAUL MASLANSKY 

Written by MICHAEL KANE and DONALD E.WESTLAKE 

Produced by MORT ENGELBERG Directed by DOM DgLUISE 

I 

ENTAL GUIDANCE SUGGESTED ^B« 

rvices by RASTAR FILMS INC. 

FromRASmR

'Racquef Star Bert Convy Thinks 

Audiences Are After Just Good Fun 

By JIMMY SUMMERS 

^-^^^^^^^ 

P_^^^^^|p^^ 

Bert Convy 

Associale Editor 

KANSAS CITY — Bert Convy thinks 

Racquet" is the type of film today's audiences 

are wanting to 

see. "People want to 

laugh," he says. "And 

if they go, and do 

laugh, then the word 

spreads like crazy." 

To attract these au- 

diences, he and distributor 

Cal-Am are 

not emphasizing the 

fact that the film is a 

'f""'^ 

'^°"'^- ''"' 

'^f' 

It IS. m Convy s 

words, "an absolute, lightweight, not-to-betaken-seriously 

comedy, and just good fun." 

And as a comedy, Convy feels its chances 

far outweigh those of this summer's other 

tennis movie, "Players." 

"Players" is essentially a melodrama, and 

says Convy, "Forget about melodrama. 

Especially as a summer movie. I haven't 

seen it, but I think the prospects for it are 

mediocre." 

In town promoting "Racquet" as part of 

a multi-city tour, Convy had one more stop, 

Cincinnati, before returning home to Los 

Angeles. And although the tour involved the 

usual quick sweeps through radio stations, 

TV studios and newspaper offices, Convy 

said it hadn't yet become a blur. 

"So far," he said, "I've been able to remember 

names and faces." In addition, he'.s 

also getting a chance to learn the process of 

selling a movie. "I'm learning a whole new 

lexicon that I never knew before," he said. 

But despite the apparent educational ex- 

|5cricnce he's leceiving, Convy said he 

wouldn't be doing it if he didn't believe in 

the movie. "I worked so hard on it." he said, 

"cared so much about it, became so involved 

in the writing and casting, and got involved 

in the whole bloody thing. It's really a cause 

celebre for me." 

Knocked Out 'Champ' 

"Racquet." the story of a former Wimbledon 

champion turned tennis pro, was first 

tested in Phoenix, where it opened the same 

week as "The Champ." " 'The Champ,' " he 

said, "got very good reviews there, but wc 

beat it, handily. All that says to me is that 

people want to go and laugh, instead of 

cry." 

Convy's involvement with "Racquet" is 

more than just that of the star. When he 

was presented the first version of the scrip!, 

he recognized it as a "nice little script" that 

was in need of rewriting and developing. Bui 

then the subsequent, revised script they gave 

him, said Convy, "was just terrible." 

"It was not only R-rated." he said, "it 

was just trashy and terrible. And I said, 'No. 

no, fellas. Not me. And I'm sorry because 

you have a terrific chance to be the first 

tennis movie and to do some real comedy 

that could be wonderful." 

After several more unacceptable rewrites, 

the writers told Convy that because he had 

spent so much time with it, he could do the 

changes and make the suggestions that he 

v/anted. 

Two years and many more rewrite sessions 

later, the film was completed, with a 

budget of only $850,000. 

Convy is pleased with Cal-Am's promolion 

of the movie, and he thinks their enthusiasm 

stems from the feeling that it's 

(heir first chance to have a big success in 

m THE 

RECORD 

])on Knight, Southeast division St Petersburg 

Fla Farl Voelker, Northeast division 

Cheriy Hill NJ Bill Docren, West 

divisiuM, Los Angeles; anu Jules Landfield, 

national advertising coordinator, Los Angeles, 

have been promoted by American Multi 

Cinema to the position of vice president. 

Also, Al Boos, assistant to Ron Leslie, 

executive vice president, has been named 

assistant vice president. 

G. M. (Mike) Ridges and Wlllette Klaiisner 

have been appointed by Universal Pictures 

as vice presidents of marketing, with 

shared responsibilities for all marketing 

efforts of the film division. Ridges, in New 

York, will be the executive assistant to R. N. 

Wilkinson, executive vice president in 

charge of distribution. Klausner will retain 

her duties as vice president and director of 

marketing research. 

Claire Nichtern has been named to the 

newly created position of director of theatre 

projects for Warner Communications 

Inc. 

to seek out and develop theatrical projects. 

Larry Ackernian has been promoted to 

controller of Group I Films in charge of all 

financial activities of the company. 

Maryane Coury has been made director 

of media services for 20th Century-Fox 

Pictures. She had been national broadcast 

manager for the past three yeans. 

Blossom Kahn has rejoined Avco Embassy 

Pictures which she left six weeks ago for 

independent motion picture packaging. She 

iclurns as executive in charge of creative 

projects. 

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THEATRE 

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NAME 

ZIP CODE 

POSITION 

STATE 

the film business. He said they were "learning" 

with their previous movies, which included 

"Good-bye Franklin High." 

"They were feeling their way," he said, 

"and getting a chance to grow. And I think 

I hey feel they have a chance with this one." 

COMING SOON... 

A 

BIGGER 

and 

BETTER 

BOXOFFICE 

Titles 

& Takes 

"Love at First Bite" has grossed ,$18,621,- 

247 in 45 days in 725 theatres in the United 

States and Canada. Apparently unhampered 

by the gas shortage, the George Hamilton 

starrer took in $2,101,351 over "the May 18- 

20 weekend. 

"The Psychic" (Group I) grossed $224,- 

800 in one week during its first multiple 

lucak in 51 theatres in the greater Los Angeles 

area. 

"The Dark," Film Ventures International's 

science-fiction thriller, drew a gross ol 

$27.^,012 in its first weekend in showcase 

iheaties in the New York City area. 

"Van Niiys Blvd." (Crown International) 

grossed $.^10,000 in its first five days in 

47 theatres in metropolitan Los Angeles. 

"When the Screaming Stops," from Imle 

pendent Artists, brought in a three-day total 

of $23,54.1 in Kansas City and St. Louis 

despite rain. It was also the highest drive-in 

grosser in the Pittsburgh market with $4,681 

al the Peninsula Drive-In in Eric during Ihc 

weekend of May ')-l3. also in the rain. 

June 4. 1979

iV ^Jôliuwood nCeport M 

f 

FILM PROJECTS 

Ladyfingers, to be produced by Vincent 

O'Ncil and Paul Norbert, began filming June 

1 in Manila. Yvette Mimieux stars as the 

owner of a Philippine bordello who gets 

involved with Lee Majors. Majors is searching 

for a treasure of gold left behind by the 

Japanese in World War II. William Mercer 

wrote the screenplay, based on a story by 

Richard Tate and Vincent O'Neil. O'Ncil 

is also directing. 

Blake Edwards is scheduling a May 1980 

start on S.O.B., his third feature for Orion 

Pictures. Edwards will produce, write and 

direct the film, a story about contemporary 

Hollywood. Tony Adams is executive producer. 

Highpoint, a romantic thriller, will begin 

in lensing July 15 Toronto. Katharine Ross 

and Richard Harris star. Picture is being 

made by Highpoint Productions, formed by 

lawyer-distributor Daniel Fine. Highpoinl 

will be associated in the project with William 

Immerman. former senior vice president 

of 20th-Fox. Peter Carter will direct. 

Fine is producer. Immerman and Jerry Pam 

are set as executive producers. 

Warner Bros, began shooting May 21 in 

New York on Going in Style. The seriocomedy 

stars George Burns, Art Carney and 

Lee Strasberg as a trio of feisty senior citizens 

who spice up their twilight years by 

getting some extra cash. Martin Brest is directing 

from his own screenplay. Tony Bill 

and Fred T. Gallo are producing. Leonard 

Gaines is executive producer. 

Warner Bros, plans to begin shooting 

later this year on Crossings. The contemporary 

action-adventure film will star Richard 

Dreyfuss. Location filming is set for 

India, Europe and various cities in the Unilcd 

States. Alain Chammas will produce, 

with Dreyfuss and Carl Borack set as executive 

producers. Robert Mark Kamcn is 

writing the screenplay from his own story. 

Rastar Films shot for three days in Chicago 

on Somewhere in Time and then 

moved to Mackinac Island. Mich., for seven 

weeks of work. Christopher Reeve, Jane 

Seymour and Christopher Plummer star. 

BM Fimcorp I has set an August 27 starl 

in Banff, Alberta, Canada, on The First 

HeUo. Linda Purl and Timothy Bottoms, 

star. Harvey Hart is directing the screenplay, 

Bruce Mallen will produce and Gene Sloll 

is set as executive producer. 

Robert Kaufman will produce three films 

for distribution by American International. 

First to go before the cameras June 4 will 

be Nothing Personal. Donald Sutherland 

and Suzanne Somers star. George Bloomfield 

is directing, with budget set as $4.5 

million. Next project will be How the West 

Was Shrunk, with David Steinberg making 

his directorial bow as well as starring in 

the 

lilm. Starting date for this comedy is set f( 

Seplcmber 15. Christy, Kaufman's third fe 

tiMC. also will be a comedy. comec Tt is schedirK 

to roll next spring David Pcrlmultcr will be 

co-producer. 

FEATURE 

CASTING 

Five actors have been signed to create 

a dog food commercial in MGM's CapUiin 

Avenger. The scene will be shot in a replica 

of Sardi's in New York. Joseph Stern will 

be seen as an assistant director in the scene, 

Roger Shumaket as a dog trainer, Tyler 

Thron and Nancy Bleier as Broadway stage 

stars and Tracey Gold as an autograph seeker. 

Joe Theirmann, quarterback for the 

Washington Redskins, has been cast as a 

character named Jock in The Man With 

Bogart's Face. The Andrew J. Fenaday production 

is now filming at MGM for Melvin 

Simon Productions. 

Rhonda Fleming will star as a famous 

fashion designer in Universal's The Return 

of Maxwell Smart. Pamela Hensley will 

star 

as Agent 36, a fashion and textiles expert. 

Mike Conrad and William Russ have 

signed for roles in Cattle Annie & Little 

Britches. The Alan King-Rupert Hitzig feature 

is now shooting in Durango, Mexico. 

Vincent Price has been signed to narrate 

Days of Fury. Picturmedia Ltd. will distribute. 

Nan Martin will portray the mother of 

Jameson Parker in UA's A Small Circle of 

Friends. Shooting is under way in Los Angeles. 

New World Pictures, now shooting Lady 

in Red, has added the following to the cast: 

Chip Fields, Michael Cavanaugh, Arnie 

Moore, Mary Woronov. Terri Taylor, Ilene 

Kristen and Peter Miller. Louis Teague is 

directing. 

Tuesday Weld and Martin Mull have 

been signed to star in The Serial for Paramount. 

Based on Cyra McFadden's novel 

about life in trendy Marin County, Calif., 

the comedy began filming May 29. Locations 

include Los Angeles and the San Francisco 

Bay area. Sidney Beckerman is producing. 

Bill Persky is directing from a 

screenplay by Rich Eustic and Michael 

Elias. 

EMI has signed Angela Lansbury to play 

Miss Marple. the famous sleuth in Agatha 

Christie novels, and plans to begin shooting 

on The Mirror Crack'd after Lansbury completes 

her starring role on a Broadway musical. 

Paramount will distribute the film in 

the United States and Canada. 

Laurence Olivier will play Gen. Douglas 

MacArthur in Oh, Inchon! 

Stephanie Faracy and Maureen Teely 

have been signed for co-starring roles in 

Scavenger Hunt. The Melvin Simon production 

is now shooting on location in Pasadena. 

Child actors Willie Stern and J.R. Miller 

have been set for roles in Captain Avenger. 

Stern will portray a boy trapped in a tenement 

blaze and Miller will be seen as a hospitalized 

youngster who wins a visit from 

his movie idol. 

Gary Morgan has joined the cast of The 

Final Countdown. The picture is now shooting 

is Norfolk, Va. Don Daylor is directing 

with Peter Douglas set as producer. 

John Strand and Miriam Byrd Netherly 

have been cast in John and Mary Novak. 

Clu Galager is producing and directing. 

TECHNICAL 

ASSIGNMENTS 

Graphic designer Anthony GoldschmidI 

has been signed to create the title montage 

for Orion Pictures' 10. He also will design 

advertising and promotional material for the 

film. Blake Edwards is producer. 

Transvue Pictures Corp. has signed Robert 

de la Gatza to arrange music for the title 

song, "Don't Wake Me Up Tonight," in 

Summer Affair. Les Rannow and Ornella 

Muti star. 

Jack Brodsky has been named executive 

vice president of Michael Douglas' Big Stick 

Productions. He will work with Douglas in 

the acquisition, development and production 

of a slate of pictures. He will also produce, 

with Douglas acting as executive producer. 

ACQUISITIONS 

International Harmony Inc.: Cocaine 

Cowboys, starring Jack Palance, Andy Warhol 

and Tom Sullivan. Also Blank Generation 

with Carole Bouquet and Richard Hell. 

Dimension Pictures: Acquisition of Full 

Moon Pictures' feature. Screams of a Winter 

Night Film was directed by James L. 

Wilson. National release is set for July 13. 

DISTRIBUTION 

Salzburg Enterprises: Non-theatrical distribution 

rights to American Tickler. 

American International: The Stud, dealing 

with the world of power, sex and pleasure. 

Joan Collins and Robert Tobias star. 

American International has also acquired 

U.S. and Canadian distribution rights to 

Mad Max. Mel Gibson and Joanne Samuel 

star. 

Group I Films: Living Nightmare, suspense 

thriller directed by William Hawkins, 

acquired for distribution. Sirpa Lane, Carl 

Sisti. Robert Post and Christy Borg star. 

Test engagements will commence in June. 

with nationwide release slated for fall. 

Orangewood Films: Tangerine, to be 

opened in late summer. Mark Corby produced. 

Robert McCallum directed. 

BOXOFFICE :: June 4, 1979

BOXOFFICE 

BAROMETER 

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

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

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

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

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

I i i I i I I if i I 

n l| 1 

I . 

i 

mmuuuooz:MVi 

Bell Jar, The (Avco) 50 200 65 175 175 90 125 

Beyond the Door II (Film Ventures) 165 175 105 200 

Boulevard Nights (WB) 255 55 40 165 

Buck Rogers in the 25lh Century (Univ) 550 395 300 210 335 285 393 

Champ, The (MGM-UA) 300 200 225 750 280 350 235 200 215 240 75 200 

China Syndrome, The (Col) 130 450 650 380 325 

Circle of Iron (Avco) 150 115 265 

Dawn of the Dead (United)

WASHINGTON 

^his season's summer movies, playing in 

area theatres, may not be exactly boxoffice 

powerhouse, but the film critics' 

checkered reviews reveal a "certain charm." 

Tom Dowling of the Star said, " 'Dawn of 

the Dead' is a carnivore's dream. Behind 

the buckets of dripping carnage flung in the 

audience's face is a sound structural sense 

of film, a capacity to induce and build 

suspense and a rather waggish sense of humor." 

On another film, he said, " 'Alien' is 

the ultimate slick, expensive and ingenious 

sci-fi/ horror film. The sheer, two-hour-long 

consistency of 'Alien's" special effects wizardry 

is a technological maivel." 

Dowling reviewed "Voices" and wrote, 

"The scenes between Michael Ontkean's 

Drew and the formidable Amy Irving possess 

a chemical magic that is impossible to 

resist." And concerning "The Prisoner of 

Zenda": "Peter Sellers may be a sure-fire 

boxoffice commodity, but after word of 

mouth gets out, this picture is going to show 

exhibitors that their theatres can be empty." 

An X-rated film, "Love in Strange 

Places," was seized by police May 22 in 

an area theatre, the Carousel, located on 

Lee Highway in Northern Virginia. Owner 

John Allsbrook began showing the X-rated 

movies about a month ago to "drum up a 

little business." The sudden seizure was 

rare. The generally accepted policy for such 

films is 

to show the so-called "cool" version. 

Police usually handle the complaints informally 

by asking the theatre manager to 

pull the film. 

Marty Zeldman, Columbia Pictures 

branch manager, invited exhibitors and special 

guests to a tradescreening of "Nightwing" 

the evening of June 6 at the MPAA 

screening room. The Martin Ransohoff 

Filmways production was described by its 

publicity as "a story of nature's most horrifying 

creatures." 

Charles T. Jordan, Warner Bros, branch 

chief, invited exhibitors by way of mailgrams 

to a screening of his company's 

summer attraction. "The In-Laws," starring 

Peter Falk and Alan Arkin. It was screened 

in MPAA's screening room May 25. "The 

Main Event" was tradescreened there May 

30. 

Columbia's release of "The Ravagers" 

opened here June 1 in the Ontario and K-B 

Studio, as well as in area theatres. 

Considerable Disney product was screened 

at MPAA May 31. for which Jim Pierce, 

Buena Vista branch manager, was host. It 

included Walt Disney's animated classic 

"Lady and the Tramp"; "Footloose Fox," a 

live-action short, which can be programmed 

with "101 Dalmations." "The Apple 

Dumpling Gang Rides Again." or "The 

Fox and the Hound." There was also a 

product reel from "The Black Hole." 

David Garber, of the Philadelphia-based 

Associated Film Distribution, tradescreened 

"The Muppet Movie" at MPAA. Garber 

formerly was located here as salesman for 

Sunn Classic Pictures. 

Richard Dacey, former Allied Artists 

Eastern division manager, and Robert Rackensperger, 

former salesman for Wheeler 

Films, have formed Alliance Pictures, a 

full-partnership distribution, sales and collection 

agency for Allied Artists. They are 

maintaining AA's former office space and 

will handle its backlog of product. Alliance 

Pictures will also handle Joseph Brenner 

Films. In addition to the Washington exchange. 

Alliance's territory includes Pittsburgh 

and Charlotte. 

PHILADELPHIA 

J^nthony J. Talarico, a pioneer motion picture 

projectionist and former officer 

of stage attendants unions, died May 9 at 

Riverview Hospital in Red Bank. He was 

8L He retired seven years ago as a projectionist 

at the Airport Theatre in suburban 

Hazlet Township. He was also past president 

of Local 306 and a past business agent 

of Local 536 of lATSE. 

The Cinematheque Film Series, the popular 

film series started in 1974 at the Annenberg 

Center of the Performing Arts, recently 

received a grant from the Philadelphia 

F'oundation. 

"Dawn of the Dead" for Joe Baltake in 

the Daily News is "unfit for human consumption, 

(but) there is visual flair and 

great pacing, in spite of its nowhere script 

and deadening 125-minute running time." 

But Douglas J. Keating in the Inquirer 

called it a "gore-drenched Zombie movie," 

and "a foray into excessive violence." 

Baltake in the Daily News said "A Lillle 

Romance" is a "film valentine that has a 

picture-pretty sheen and the heart of a 

marshmallow." 

When Sylvester Stallone comes here June 

14 for the world premiere of his "Rocky 

II," he will present the Academy of Natural 

Sciences with a pair of turtles name "Cuff" 

and "Link," who are similar to the turtles 

used in the movie. The presentation will be 

made to the Academy's children's nature 

museum. 

Twentieth Century-Fox held an invitational 

screening for "Alien" at the midtown 

Duchess Theatre, a Sameric Theatres house, 

where it will have its local first run. 

To promote the return of "Grease" to 

Sameric's Duchess Theatre, the Philadelphia 

Daily News is giving away 50 soundtrack 

record albums of the movie in a random 

drawing among those sending in the newspaper 

coupon. 

Thomas S. Mihok, branch manager for 

American International here, brought Joey 

Travolta to town for two days of promotions 

in behalf of the June 1 opening of his 

"Sunnyside" at Budco's Goldman Theatre 

and other area Budco theatres. A steady 

stream of press and electronic media interviews 

was arranged by the Budco Theatres' 

advertising department. 

Three More Convicted 

In Bankruptcy Fraud 

NEW YORK—Three more persons have 

been convicted in New York Federal Court 

on charges of stock fraud, conspiracy to 

commit stock fraud and obstruction of justice 

in the long-running bankruptcy fraud 

trial involving the Westchester Premier 

Theatre in North Tarrytown, N.Y. 

Convicted were defendants Leonard Horwitz, 

a Warners Bros, publicist; Eliot Weisman. 

former president of the theatre, who 

later resigned that post but remained as entertainment 

buyer; and Salvatore J. Cannatclla. 

one of the theatre's shareholders. A 

fourth defendant. Murad Nersessian, also a 

shareholder, was acquited. 

Convictions came after two years of investigation 

and subsequent court proceedings. 

Four defendants pleaded guilty earlier 

to lesser charges as a result of plea bargaining, 

and charges were dismissed against 

two other defendants. 

The defendants will appear before Justice 

Robert E. Sweet on June 27 for sentencing. 

NEW YORK 

gARRY MANILOW. the 

pop singer whose 

most recent contact with movies was 

as vocalist on the Oscar-nominated song 

from "Foul Play," has announced that his 

company, Manilow Productions, will expand 

into film operations. The appointment of 

Michael Devereaux as the firm's first director 

of feature film development seals the 

new direction. 

Devereaux. a playwright and theatrical 

producer in New York and Los Angeles, 

will seek and develop properties and scripts 

for possible film projects. He will also serve 

as liaison between Manilow Productions and 

the major film studios and independent producers. 

Legal and business problems in the financing 

of nwtion pictures will be the focus 

of a workshop June 27-29 at the Sheraton 

Centre Hotel. The seminar, held by the 

Practising Law Institute, will examine, for 

example, the accounting problems connected 

with distributors' statements to profit participants. 

Supplemental methods of financing, 

including record company and music 

publishing, hooks, and network presales, will 

also be considered. The facidty will include 

Allen Gottlieb, executive director of contract 

accounting at Parauounl. 

A festival of rarely seen films from .Africa 

will take place June 23 and 24 and June 

27 and 28 at the Symphony Space Theatre. 

95th and Broadway. The theme of the festival, 

coordinated by Third World Newsreel. 

will be African images and the contemporary 

woman. Following the opening film. 

Sarah Maldoror's "Sambizanga." from Angola, 

will be films made in Senegal, Ghana. 

Zaire, 

Tunisia and Mali. 

June 4, 1979 

E-1

New York 

(A\eragc v\eckl\ grosses tollow theatic) 

Alien (20th-Fo\), 3 theatres, 

nRST RUN REPORT 

3 days 221,932 

Battlestar Galactica (Univ). 

51 theatres, 2nd wk 237,062 

Beyond the Poseidon Adventure 

(WB), 88 theatres. 4 days 365,710 

Death of a Bureaucrat (Tricontinental). 

Cinema Studio II (3.700). 

2nd wk 7,200 

Fedora (UA). Cinema Studio 1 

Hartford 

Battlestar Galactica (Univ). Showcase 

I, 1st wk 350 

The Champ (MGM-UA), .Showcase IV, 

7th wk 65 

Circle of Iron (Avco), Cinema City 

III, 2nd wk 100 

The Deer Hunter (Univ), Showcase V, 

11th wk 135 

Firepower (AFD). 4 theatres, 1st wk. . .250 

Good Morning, Little School Girl 

(SR), Art Cinema. 1st wk . . .225 

Hanover Street (Col), 3 theatres, 

1st wk 225 

A Little Romance fWB), 3 theatres. 

Lo\e at First Bite (Ai), Showcase 

VI, 6th wk 120 

Manhattan (UA), Showcase II, 

3rd wk 300 

Norma Rae (20th-Fox), Cinema City 

II, 7th wk 80 

Richard Pryor—Live in Concert (SEE), 

Showcase III, 4th wk 160 

Think Dirtv (Quartet), Cinema City 

I. 1st wk 175 

Wifemistress (Quartet). Atheneum 

Cinema. 1st wk 150 

1st wk 145 

Love at First Bite (AI), 4 theatres, 

4th wk 130 

Manhattan (UA), 3 theatres. 2nd wk. . . 405 

Norma Rae (20th-Fox), Loew's Morse 

Road. 6th wk 100 

The Promise (Univ), Continent, 

7th wk 175 

Superman (WB), Town and Country 

Cinema, 23rd wk. 80 

Cleveland 

The Champ (UA). 5 theatres, 6th wk. . . 1 20 

The China Syndrome (Col), 5 theatres, 

lOlh wk. 80 

The La.st Embrace (UA). 2 theatres, 

2nd wk 70 

Love at First Bite (.M), 5 theatres, 

3rd wk 150 

Old Boyfriends (Avco), 4 theatres, 

1st wk 100 

Phantasm (Avco), 8 theatres, 

1st wk 310 

The Promise (Univ), 1 

theatre, 

^th wk 100 


4 theatres, 2nd wk 100 

Star Crash (SR), 3 theatres, 2nd wk. ... 85 

Superman (WB). 2 theatres, 22nd wk. . .115 

Buffalo 

I he Champ (UA), 3 theatres. 5th wk. . . 120 

I he China Syndrome (Col), 3 

theatres, 

9th wk 50 

Dawn of the Dead (SR), 2 theatres, 

2nd wk 100 

Dreamer (20th-Fox), 1 theatre, 

1st wk 80 

1 he Deer Hunter (Univ), 1 theatre, 

12th wk 175 

Firepower (AFD), 1 theatre, 2nd wk. . . 100 

The Last Embrace (UA), 4 theatres, 

2nd wk 85 


3rd wk 110 

Manhattan (UA), 3 theatres, 2nd wk. . .260 

(5,000), 6lh wk 7,514 

A Little Romance (Orion-WB), 

Sutton (9,000), 4th wk 22,917 

New Haven 

Battlestar Galactica (Univ). Showcase 

Manhattan (UA), 9 theatres, 

I. 1st wk 325 

5th wk 354,134 The Champ (MGM-UA), Showcase 11, Old Boyfriends (Avco), 2 theatres, 

The Prisoner of Zenda (Univ), 

7th wk 60 2nd wk 100 

9 theatres, 1st wk 11 6,686 The Deer Hunter (Univ), Showcase 

Silent Partner (SR), 1 theatre. 

Saint Jack (New World), Cinema I 

2nd wk 50 

III, 11th wk 120 

(10,400), 5th wk. 22,266 Hanover Street (Col), Milford II, 

Teresa the Thief (World Northal), 

York Square Cinema, 1st wk 235 

Gemini 1 (7,500), 3rd wk 11,000 A Little Romance (WB), Cinemart I, 

The Toy (Show Biz Co.), Paris 

Milford I, 1st wk 275 

BOSTON 

Theatre (9,000), 1st wk 8,01 

Cinemart II, 

Love at First Bite (AI), 

5th wk 100 twentieth Century-Fox's office here welcomed 

Cary Brokaw, the newly named 

Manhattan (UA), Showcase V, 

Cincinnati 

3rd wk 325 branch manager. Before coming to Boston, 

Brokaw was at Chicago and Los Ange- 

(Average is 100) 

The Silent Partner (EMC), Showcase 

A Little Romance (WB), 3 theatres, 

IV, 4th wk 135 les. 

1st wk 250 

Battlestar Galactica (Univ), 4 theatres, 

1st wk 600 

Wifemistress (Quartet), Lincoln, 

2nd wk 225 

Opening on local screens is the reissue of 

"Blazing Saddles" in 72 theatres. "Dawn of 

the Dead" at Cinema 57, "Old Boyfriends" 

The Champ (UA), 3 theatres. 7th wk. . .300 

at Pi Alley and "Players" at Cinema 57. 

The Deer Hunter (Univ). 3 theatres, 

Columbus 

Continuing runs include "Love on the Run" 

13th wk 275 A Little Romance (WB), 2 theatres. 

at Orson Welles. "A Little Romance" at 

Hair (UA), Showcase, 8th wk 100 1st wk 190 

Cheri, "Manhattan" at Paris (grossing $60.- 

Hanover Street (Col), 3 theatres, 1st wk. 150 Battlestar Galactica (Univ). 

The Innocent (Analysis). 

2 theatres. 1st wk 

000 in its first week) and "Hanover Street" 

at Alley. 

585 

Studio, 5th wk 50 The Champ (UA), 2 theatres, 

Pi 

Love at First Bite (AI), Showcase, 

7th wk 145 David Landau, well known thioughout 

6th wk 250 Dawn of the Dead (United), 

the film district, announced the establishment 

Raintree. 5th wk 80 

of new offices for his new distributing 

Manhattan (UA), Showcase, 2nd wk. . . 600 Old Boyfriends (Avco), 2 theatres, 

Hair (UA), Continent, 8th wk 100 company. The International Picture Show 

4th wk 75 Hanover Street (Col), 4 theatres, 

Company, at 31 St. James Ave., Room 

Over the Edge (Avco), 2 theatres, 

203B. TIPS will represent and distribute 

4th wk. 75 

film released by the Rank Organization 

Over the Edge (WB). Showcase, 1st wk. 225 

throughout New England, Albany and Buffalo. 

The Promise (Univ). 3 theatres, 6th wk. 200 

TIPS' home office is in Atlanta. Ga.. 

Same Time, Next Year (Univ), 

with branches presently established in Boston, 

Showcase, 15th wk 100 

Dallas, Los Angeles, Chicago and Des 

Superman (WB), Carousel. 22nd wk. Moines. 

Previous to joining TIPS, Landau was 

associated with Paramount as sales representative 

and branch manager in Connecticut, 

at AI in Boston as booker and sales 

representative, and was co-owner and founder 

of Regal Films in Boston. 

The Needham Transcript recently 

carried 

a front page story quoting State Representative 

Robert Larkin. who said he saw a good 

chance that by the summer, the bill recently 

passed by the House of Representatives 

outlawing blind bidding by theatre owners 

will become law. 

Robert Polidori, a New York City independent 

filmmaker, was in town May 10 

to screen and discuss his most recent work. 

E-2 June 4, 1979

IHH 

a silent color film titled "Erbalunga," at 

Media Study/ Buffalo. 

Holiday 2 brought in 'Superman" in 

70mm and six-track Dolby Sound May 11. 

Tourist Trap" opened ii multi-theatre on- 

>Mccment in Loews Teck indoor and three 

drive-ins May 9. "Dreamer." with Tim 

Matheson, opened May 11 at the Como 

Mall. 

New films: "A Little Romance" with 

Laurence Olivier opened May 18 in Boulevard 

Mall Cinema and May 25 in Holiday 

Theatre. "Battlestar Galactica" opened May 

IS in Colvin Theatre and Como Mall Cinema; 

"Hanover Street" opened in Boulevard 

and Thruway Mall Cinemas; and "Winter 

Kills" opened in Granada. Holiday and 

astern Hills Cinema. 

Under the heading "To "R" Is Human, Is 

U Needed'", entertainment editor Doug 

Smith in the Buffalo Courier-Express wrote: 

The 'R' rating is back in the hearts and 

minds of the moviemakers. Woody Allen is 

a little sore because his 'Manhattan' has one. 

The makers of two other movies, it's alleged, 

went out and 'stole' them. Some court 

actions have been threatened. 

"The 'R' rating is the second most strmgent 

in the alphabet of the Motion Picture 

Assn. of America. Its application means no 

person under 17 may be admitted to the 

n-iovie so rated unless accompanied by a 

parent or guardian.' You probably would 

be amazed at the number of 16-year-olds 

who find themselves 'guardians' of the opposite 

gender a couple years older. 

"When it gets this close, the theatre owners 

usually don't enforce the rule too rigidly, 

although all will insist that they do. But 

the MPAA ratings are not supported by any 

weight of law. You can't go to jail (or pay 

a fine or go on probation) for permitting 

underagers to go to 'R' movies unaccompanied. 

There can only be some censure movement 

from the MPAA itself. Seldom, il 

ever, does this occur. They're all in the 

same business." 

The charges involve Gerald Foster of 

niTTCDllD(Û 

Las Vegas Cinema; Richard Waggoner. ^ I I I O D KJ IWJ I ' 

Eastwood Theatre; Cynthia Ann Plunkett. 

Modern Cinema; and Thomas Merkle, Esquire 

Theatre (now closed). The four operators 

and Ken Hodge of the Westwood 

Theatre were arrested Oct. 5. 1978, under 

the city's amended ordinance dealing with 

pandering obscenity. 

CINCINNATI 

jy/Jrs. 

Lee Goldstein of Mid America Theatre 

Service Inc. took exception to an 

article penned by Cincinnati Enquirer film 

critic Tom McElfrcsh legarding his tonguein-cheek 

listing of "rules" for drive-in patrons. 

McElfresh suggested that patrons go 

in 

the daytime when there's peace and quiet, 

learn to lip read due to inaudible sound, take 

lots of money for the admission fee and the 

concession stand, and a special first-aid kit 

containing snacks, wine and a long novel for 

intermission. 

Mrs. Goldstein's rebuttal, which appeared 

as a letter to the editor in the Enquirer, 

complained that his "drive-in rules are . 

. . 

ridiculous. He has taken potshots from the 

sound and picture to the concession stands. 

If he hasn't been in a drive-in movie since 

1958 or 1963. he should give it a fair 

chance and not rely on memories of years 

past. He will in most cases find the sound 

improved, the movies rated so you know 

what to take the kids to and. as far as being 

a 'captive' for concession-stand prices, either 

_ -^ I r r\ ^ 

"Manhattan" "the best film of this and sev 

I {^ L t L/ i^ '^ral previous years 

pollowing the same action as that of Municipal 

Alice Judge Resnick a week 

earlier. Judge Charles Abood has granted 

motions to suppress evidence in the cases 

of four local theatre operators charged with 

pandering obscenity. In both courts, the 

judges found that affidavits used to obtain 

search warrants failed to satisfy minimum 

requirements necessary for issuing a valid 

search warrant. 

Judge Abood said that the affidavits 

should have stated whether the average person 

applying contemporary community 

standards would find the work in question 

taken as a whole appealing to the prurient 

interests, whether the work depicted or described 

in a patently offensive way sexual 

conduct specifically defined by the applicable 

state law and whether the work taken 

as a whole lacked serious literary, artistic, 

political, or scientific value. The affidavits 

supplied by police officers merely stated 

that the films depict certain sexual acts. 

BOXOFFICE :: June 4. 1979 

Tôrning and afternoon sessions will be 

held by NATO of Western Pennsylvania 

June 14 at Grenntrec's Marriott. 

1 here will be lunch and dinner service, election 

of officers and of members of the 

board. 

NATO's anti-blind bidding bill. S 702. 

from all indications will be enacted with 

practically no contest within the Keystone 

State's General Assembly. The fair trade 

practices measure is sponsored by Pennsylvania's 

young Sen. Michael Schaefer, who 

a decade ago was an amateur boxer for 

your correspondent's boxing club. He never 

lost 

a fight. 

eat before you go or 'pack your own chick- 

^^ 

Speaking of McElfresh, he bestowed his 

highest rating—seven stars— to Woody Allen's 

"Manhattan." Praising the "brilliant direction, 

provocative and perceptive writing, 

superbly felt and fully presented performances, 

and spectacular high-contrast black 

miM out on this tinta>tlc Bonus Oflsrl 

y reTev'ant''to°'t'ffe' mm's'^sa'rdonic emotional PJ^j'j F^JmiIOUS BOAUS OllCr' 

temperature." the Enquirer critic labeled 

You Buy 200 Packs* n*." »•'« $70.00 

The CurBanBry Cinemas 1 & 2 opened 

June 1 in Rainelle, W.Va. Operated by 

Curtis McCall, response has been exceptionally 

good as local residents are pleased 

with the new indoor entertainment complex. 

Buying and booking for the new cinemas is 

being done by Bennett and Lee Goldstein 

of Mid America Theatre Service Inc.. Cincinnati. 

Openings: George Roy Hill's "A Little 

Romance." the nostalgic war romance "Hanover 

Street." outer space excitement of "Battlestar 

Galactica." the bizarre thriller "Over 

the Edge" and the return of John and Olivia 

in "Grease." 

April Fool's "Harper Valley P.T.A." has 

grossed over $3 million in the first five 

weeks of re-release. In fact, individual 

glosses in some cases were comparable lo 

first-run product, including the first week 

of "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century." Phil 

Borack was executive producer of the tilm. 

*2 Large cwls per pacK. retail 35c 

You g«t FREE - 16 Packs . . .Fw.iiv.h. 5.60 

TottiiM.iivMS75.60 

Your Cost 200 Packs (21c each) .... .$42.00 

Your Profit $33.60 

Plus FREE 

Attractive Promotional Material/ 

E-3

II 

Spotlight on New England 

By ALLEN M. WIDEM 

Regional Correspondent 

The recent death of Ernest Emerling at 74 

brought down the curtain on yet another 

chapter of film industry promotion:il 

prowess. In his decades helming the advertising 

and public relations for Loews Theatres,"^ 

Emerling demonstrated a superlative 

grasp of the objectives, as well as the out- 

Fook. of motion picture theatre promotion. 

His sporadic issues of Loews Theatres' 

"Movie Memo," distributed to opinion-makers 

in print/ broadcast media, contained excellent 

material, constantly upgrade and constantly 

topical, for use in columns, features 

and commentary programming. 

Communication with Ernest Emerling 

meant one thing and one thing only: A definitive 

approach to quality, information, advice, 

whatever. He provided the best in film 

showmanship. 

RKO/ Stanley-Warner has severed its last 

operational ties to New Haven, with sale of 

the Roger Sherman Theatre Building, off 

Mart, to Redstone Theatres. 

At the peak of in-town first-run operations 

20 years ago, the Roger Sherman. 

Loews College (also on College Street), the 

Paramount and Loews Poll made up major 

outlets for top-rated domestic film product. 

In Greenfield, Mass., a strikingly sentimental 

salute to talking pictures' early era 

was held, with Robert Underwood of Western 

Massachusetts TTieatres Inc. hosting 

nine persons who had been "first nighters" 

at the opening of the Garden Theatre in 

1929. The nine, sharing memories at a 

WMT-sponsored luncheon, were treated lo 

a free afternoon screening of MGM's 1926 

silent classic, "Ben-Hur." complete with organ 

music by A.T. Purseglove. Some 400 

other people were admitted free, too. 

Luncheon guests also included John P. 

Lowe, now a district manager based in West 

Springfield for Redstone Theatres. Lowe 

managed the Garden for 12 years beginning 

in 1950. The Garden, Lowe recalled, was 

"the favorite" of the late exhibition 

pioneer. 

Col. Samuel Goldstein, who helmed the 

WMT interests with brother Nathan E. 

Goldstein, 

"It was the pride of Greenfield," Lowe 

said, "and of the community. It should stay 

that way." 

In Woodstock, veteran Connecticut exhibitor 

Wilbur D. Neumann Sr., 65, died at 

his home. He managed the former Putnam 

Theatre for more than 25 years and was a 

past president of the Woodstock Fair, among 

other activities. 

In Springfield one of the most ambitious 

cinema/ broadcast cooperative promotions in 

western Massachusetts in recent years was 

kicked off. The joint venture by Redstone 

Theatres' Showcase Cinemas 8, West Springfield, 

and WHYN-Radio is called "Reach 

for the Stars." Participants able to identify 

screen personalities by photo are eligible for 

thousands of dollars in prizes provided by 

Redstone, WHYN and area businesses/ merchants. 

In Rhode Island, Warner Bros.' release of 

Orion Pictures' "A Little Romance," costarring 

Sir Laurence Olivier and Sally Kellerman, 

was snaek previewed at the Redstone 

Theatres' Showcase Cinemas 6, Seekonk. 

"Remember My Name," Geraldine Chaplin 

starrer, got distinction of "Pick of the 

Week" by Providence Journal-Bulletin critic 

Michael Janusonis. with review remarks noting, 

"The film was originally scheduled to 

be released by Columbia Pictures, which 

couldn't sell the film in early Midwest engagements. 

'Remember My Name' has since 

been taken over by Mike Kaplan's Lagoon 

College Street, to M. Schiavone & Sons for 

$345,000. The Schiavone interests are keeping 

open the Roger Sherman Theatre, for 

film company, which is investing more care 

many years the flagship of the then Warner 

in the release. That's a good thing. For this 

Bros. Theatres, predecessor circuit to RKO/ 

is a wonderful film whose very grittiness 

Stanley-Warner. The latter circuit some 

reaches out and sucks you in its story of 

months ago turned over active operation of 

shattered dreams and forgotten promises 

the Cinemart Twin, Hamden Shopping 

BUFFALO 

^hc annual golf outing of Variety Club of 

Buffalo Tent 7 will be held at Ransom 

Oaks Country Club in East Amherst on 

June 25. Tee-off time will be 11 a.m. lo 

1 p.m., hors d'oeuvres 6-7 p.m. and dinner 

at 7:30 p.m. 

"Winter Kills," said Herman Trottci in 

The News, "is a film about power, greed, 

lust, mistrust, loyalty and disloyalty thai 

asks some wrenching questions about just 

who controls America, and how far the 

political parties, corporate monoliths, crime 

syndicates and other deeply vested interests 

will go in order to protect and increase their 

clout." 

"A little truth in marketing is needed." 

said Jeff Simon of the Buffalo News. "The 

first thing you ought to know about 'The 

5th Musketeer' (which opened May IS at 

the Eastern Hills and Thruway Mall cinemas) 

is that it bears no relation to Richard 

Lester's 'Three Musketeers' and "Four Musketeers' 

of just a few years ago—not even as 

kissing cousins." 

"Alien," the space spectacular, started 

May 25 in the Holiday Theatre. "The Prisoner 

of Zenda," with Peter Sellers in a 

triple role, opened May 25 at the Plaza 

North, as did "Racquet" at Holiday and 

Eastern Hills Mall, "Ravagers" al Boulevard 

Mall and Seneca Mall, and "Walk Proud" 

at Seneca Mall. 

CLEVELAND 

pirst-nin movies are coming to private 

homes in Seven Hills as Viacom Telerama 

expands it service beyond motels, 

hotels and apartment houses. Frank Nuessle, 

general manager, said that he expects to 

have installations in 30 homes shortly. Installation 

of Viacom Telerama SHOWTIME 

entertainment service, which is received via 

microwave signals, is part of a test market 

for private homes. Seven Hills was selected 

because of its geographic height. Subscribers 

have a choice of 20 different features and 

each feature will be shown from four to six 

times each month. 

Screened this past week was "Hot Stuff" 

from Columbia, starring Dom DeLuise, Suzanne 

Pleshette. Jerry Reed and Ossie Davis. 

On May 30, Bill Anderhalt, 20th Century- 

Fox branch manager, will screen "Breaking 

Away," starring Dennis Christopher, Dennis 

Quaid and Jackie Earl Haley. 

Herbert Ross, one of Hollywood's foremost 

film directors, appeared in Cleveland 

May 31 at the Cedar Lee Theatre for the 

Cleveland International Film Festival. He 

will be accompanied by his wife, Nora Kaye, 

who produced his award-winning film "The 

Turning Point." Also in town, to help celebrate 

the distinguished festival, was movie 

stuntman Loren Janes, who presented an 

exciting program of film clips entitled "Behind 

the Action." 

New on the Cleveland marquees: "Manhattan" 

exclusively at World East and World 

West theatres; Joey Travolta in "Sunnyside" 

at eleven theatres and drive-ins; "Winter 

Kills" at five theatres; "Voices" at five 

theatres; and "The Psychic" at seven theatres. 

Also again in Cleveland, "Blazing Saddles" 

at 13 theatres and drive-ins. 

Audience Reaction Is Port 

Of Daily News Film Page 

PHILADELPHIA—The Daily News is 

adding a feature to bring to its readers the 

reaction of opening week audiences at new 

films. 

Each Friday, CinemaScore will present 

the result of scientific polls of movie audiences. 

Between 500 and 1,000 people will 

be asked what brought them to a particular 

movie and how they felt about it immediately 

afterward. 

Conducted by a California-based survey 

research company, CinemaScore will provide 

overall ratings—A, excellent; B, good; 

C, average; D, fair; and F, poor; as well as 

ratings from specific sub-groups. 

For instance, "The Warriors," the newspaper 

explains, was given an overall grade 

of C by opening-week audiences, although 

only 16 per cent of those polled actually 

gave it a C. The movie was targeted for 

young men, and among those 17-24, it received 

a straight A rating. That group represents 

62 per cent of the audience. Men 

over 36 gave it an F. 

E-4 


(Avciag*: wcLkls giossLS lollow tiK.ilic) 

BaMlestar Galactica (Univ), 1st wk. 

Coliseum (7,400) 14.77S 

Geneva Drive-In (5,400) 2.692 

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century 

(Univ), UA Stonestown (4,040), 

8th wk 2,052 

The China Syndrome (Col), Coronet 

(14,900), 10th wk 12,320 

Dawn of the Dead (United Film) 2nd wk. 

Alexandria (4.100) 7.S67 

Serra (11.500) 7.1 IS 

Warticld (13.600) 8.942 

Geneva Drive-In (5.400) 7,807 

The Deer Hunter (Univ). Alexandria 

(10.800). 13th wk 10.694 

The 5th Musketeer (Col). 1st wk. 

Alexandria (4.500) 3.519 

New Mission (9.000) 2.729 

UA Stonestown (4.050) 2,754 

Hanover Street (Coi), Metro (10.200). 

1st wk 8.408 

Last Wave (World Northal). Bridge 

(4,200), 9th wk 6,080 

A Little Romance (WB) Ghirardelli 

(6,000), 2nd wk 12,028 

Love at First Bite (Al), Metro (2,700), 

6th wk 2,616 

Manhattan (UA), Regency (7.200). 

3rdwk 46.998 

Meetings With Remarkable Men 

(Libra). Surf (3.300). 4th wk 6.760 

Picnic at Hanging Rock (Atlantic), 

Lumicre (3.850), 5th wk 4,354 

Same Time, Next Year (Univ). Cinema 

21 (8.700). 15th wk 3,268 

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

23rd wk 16,036 

The Toy (Show Biz Co.). Clay (4.100). 

3rd wk 3.849 

Van Nuys Boulevard (Crown), 1st wk. 

Alhambra (5,250) 1,615 

Empire (1,850) 638 

Spruce Drive-In (4,000) 1.913 

Wifemistress (Quartet). Stage Door 

(4,600), 9th wk. 6.686 

Winter Kills (Avco). Regency (9.600). 

1st wk 7.648 

Superman (\V B) ( (.nUiry 21, 

22nd wk. 120 

. 

Winter Kills (Av.o) 3 ihcaties, 

Isl wk 1-^0 

Hollywood 

Happenings 

HMERICAN Cinema Editors has elected 

Bob Bring as president; Rita Roland, 

vice president; Grey Fox. secretary; and 

Ernest V. Milano, treasurer. Named as directors 

were Michael F. Anderson. Byron 

Buzz" Brandt and Michael S. McLean. 

Continuing as directors are David G. Blangstcd. 

Sheldon Cahn, Jerrold Ludwig and 

John W. Wheeler. 

• 

Warner Bros., which has acquired 23 

books for film production during the next 

two years, played host May 27 to 450 members 

of the American Bookseller Assn. in 

Los Angeles for their annual convention. 

Warners tossed a Western chili-and-brew 

barbecue on the Western Street set at its 

headquarters at the Burbank Studios, catered 

by Chasen's Restaurant. 

• 

Charles Ziman and Richard Murkey have 

been elevated to vice president spots of Variety 

Club Tent 25 .so they may work more 

closely on club activities. Ziman was in 

charge of all outside activities for the recenl 

telethon which raised more than $600,000 

and Murkey headed up security arrangements. 

* 

"Soldier of Orange," Dutch-made feature 

as a Rank Organization presentation, will 

open at Mann's Fine Arts Theatre June 8 

following a five-month run in Seattle where 

il began playing after screening at the Seallle 

Film Festival. The Rob Houwer production, 

based on Erik Hazelhofl's World War II ;ul 

venture story, was directed by Paul Verhoeven 

and stars Edward Fox, Rutger Hauer, 

Jeroen Krabbe, Belinda Meuldijk and Susan 

Penhaligon. The International Picture Show 

Co. is releasing '.Soldier of Orange" in the 

United States. 

* 

Robby Benson, .star of Universal Pictures' 

"Walk Proud," and producers Lawrence 

Turman and David Foster are on 

a 15-city publicity tour to promote the film's 

openings. Benson will be in Detroit, Philadelphia, 

Washington and New York. Turman 

will go to Seattle, Portland, Salt Lake 

City, Kansas City and St. Louis, and Foster 

will be in New Orleans, Charlotte, Bos- 

Ion. Cincinnati and Indianapolis. 

• 

Bong Soo Han. seventh Dan Karate who 

has roles in the soon-to-bc-released "Kill 

the Golden Goose" and "The Little Dragons." 

has been named to the Black Belt Hall 

of Fame. 

* 

The Permanent Charities Committee of 

the Entertainment Industries has allocated 

$483,500 to 18 Los Angeles charities. Included 

are the Crippled Children's Society, 

$9,500: American Heart Assn., $8,000; Kidney 

Foundation. $10,000; Lung Assn.. $20,- 

000; and American Red Cross, $15,000. 

• 

Compass International Pictures has signed 

a deal with Bantam Books for a paperback 

novelization of "Halloween," with publication 

planned for October, the first anniversary 

of the release of the film, which reportedly 

has grossed $30 million worldwide. 

• 

George Peppard will be the master of 

ceremonies for the annual Student Film 

Awards ceremonies June 3 at the Academy 

of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Celebrity 

officiates will include Peter Fonda. 

Quinn Cummings and film animator T. 

Hee. 

• 

The June 19 stage presentation of "Tribute." 

starring Jack Lemmon at the Huntington 

Hartford Theatre in Hollywood, will 

be a benefit for the diabetic unit of Cedars- 

Sinai Medical Center. A supper party will 

be held after the show at the Brown Derby, 

just across the street from the theatre. 

Denver 


Battlestar Galactica (Univ). Continental, 

1st wk 275 

The Champ (UA), 2 theatres, 7th wk. . . 

190 

The Deer Hunter (Univ), Colorado 4. 

13th wk 250 

Hanover Street (Col). 3 theatres. 

1st wk 135 

Hair (UA). Colorado 4, 8th wk I 60 

A Little Romance (WB), University 

Hills 3. 1st wk 400 

Manhattan (UA). 2 theatres, 3rd wk. . . 320 

Once in Paris (SR), University Hills 3. 

2nd wk 40 

Over the Edge (WB). 9 theatres. 

1st wk 100 

June 4. 1979

Al Approaching Its 

Renaissance 

As 25th Anniversary Rolls Around 

SALT LAKE CITY—The major 

Ihealrc 

circuits used to spurn American International 

Pictures. Now they seek the movies of 

the company that used to think art was a 

lour letter word. 

AI. which was founded on a $3,000 loaji 

to the then 35-year-old business man and 

former lawyer Samuel Z. Aikoff. is celebrating 

its 25th anniversary this year. 

The company started out with a picture 

titled "Fast and Furious," starring .John 

Ireland and Dorthy Malone. telling of a convict 

on the lam from a framed-up minder 

charge. 

The company went through "How to 

Stuff Wild Bikini," "I Was Teenage 

a a 

Werewolf," "Beach Blanket Bingo" and similarly 

titled 

films. 

Recalling that beginning today, Arkoff 

says: "We believed that moviegoers had 

many tastes. We believed the teenage market 

was not being e.\ploited nor was it being 

given films that would appeal. We came 

out with horror, sci-fi, motorcycle and beach 

epics and they clicked, especially at driveins." 

Fred Paloski, who has been handling AI 

product in the Salt Lake area almost since 

that company's first films were released, recalls 

the beginning of AI movies here: "The 

majors didn't want to play our pictures. 

Movies like the "Robe" were the rage then. 

We had little to offer. 

"Then Bob Benton, whose Sero Amusement 

Corp. ran the Highland Theatre Corp., 

booked in one of our pictures and Virg 

O'Dell of Caldwell booked one and they 

made money and we were off and running." 

He said that the company made money 

with bookings in drive-ins and theatres that 

needed double-bills. He said that from the 

first AI had made money each year and 

the theatres that snubbed AI started turning 

to the company for product, especially 

when it otherwise was thin. 

Arkoff said that his company's first films 

were made with budgets of $100,000 each. 

"We didn't have name writers or directors 

or actors," he recalled. He might have 

FILMACK IS 

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WITH 

SHOWMEN 

EVERYWHERE 

added they weren't known then, but they 

are now. For instance, the first role lor 

Michael Landon, who won fame on Bonanza 

and is now wiiter-director-star of 

"Little House on the Prairie," was in an 

AI production. 

Other performers in AI films have been 

Vincent Price, Charles Bronson. Ray Milland. 

Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre, Basil Rathbone, 

Woody Allen, Peter Fonda, Bruce 

Dern. Jack Nicholson. Susan Strasberg, 

Cher Bono, Barbara London, Shelley Winters. 

Rober DeNiro, David Carradine, Barbara 

Hershey, Warren Gates, Margot Kidder, 

Ingrid Bergman and Glenn Turman. 

"We couldn't get some of those stars now 

for what we paid for the entire picture in 

which they appeared 20 or 25 years ago." 

said Arkoff. 

About five years ago. American International 

Pictures took its first big step in the 

industry by acquiring Cinerama Produc- 

tions. 

Tom Philibin. veteran movie man from 

Cinerama and Universal Pictures, became 

manager of the Salt Lake Office of A I, 

and Paloski remained on as assistant. 

They are now being sought out by 

major circuits because of the success of their 

company's latest picture, "Love at First 

Bite," which is a satire on their horror successes. 

The major circuits also are bidding 

top terms for two of their ne.\t movies 

Amityville Horror, made from a best-selling 

book about an unusual haunted house, and 

"Meteor," starring Natalie Wood, Karl Maiden 

and Sean Connery in a story about I he 

day a meteor strikes New York. 

"Our 'Love at First Bite' is one of the 

most popular pictures now showing," said 

Paloski and Philibin, "and we are looking 

forward to some top business for the other 

two.' " 

A festival, or retrospective, of 38 AI 

movies will be shown July 26 to Aug. 28 

at the New York Museum of Modern An. 

Some of the films from Al's past will be 

shown at Salt Lake area theatres during the 

company's 25th anniversary celebration, bill 

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LOS ANGELES 

"alien," 20th Century-Fox suspense-thriller, 

opened at the Egyptian Theatre in 

Hollywood May 25 in a 38-hoiir continuous 

run as a kickoff of its Memorial Day weekend 

premiere. The first screening began at 

noon May 25 and performances continued 

non-stop until 2 a.m. Sunday May 27. The 

Egyptian reurned to its regular scheduling 

Lifter the showings. 

Warner Bros., playing "The Exorcist" in 

a re-release at the National Theatre, has 

expanded its Los Angeles engagement to a 

total of 44 area theatres. The re-release is 

in the form a special 70mm version with a 

new enhanced Dolby soundtrack. 

Azteca Films, distributors of Spanish 

language films, has announced completion 

of total the" redesign of a screening room 

facility at their La Brea Avenue headquarters. 

The Filbert Company, Southern California-based 

theatre design, conslruclion, 

equipment and interiors firm, handled the 

entire interior design project. 

For the third time, the Variety Club of 

Southern California Tent 25 has won the 

Club's International Heart Award. The honor 

was given to the group for "outstanding 

achievements" in 1979 in its numerous children's 

charitable projects, including a pledge 

of $2 million to the Vaiiety Club Health 

Center of UCLA Hospitals and Clinics. 

Keys io Los Angeles 

Slated for Film Star 

NEW YORK—Julio Iglesias. singer and 

star of "Todos Los Dias, Un Dia" (Every 

Day, One Day), which will be distributed 

in the United States by Columbia Pictures 

Spanish Theatrical Film division, will be 

honored with keys to the city from the 

mayor of Los Angeles when he arrives in 

that city on a personal appearance tour in 

conjunction with the release of his film. 

The film will open in Los Angeles on June 

11 after a special benefit premiere at the 

Million Dollar Theatre on June 7 for the 

Colegio de Arte Dramatico de Los Angeles, 

the only Spanish performing arts school in 

the United States. 

The announcement was made by Carlos 

Barba, vice president and general manager 

of Columbia Pictures' Spanish Theatrical 

Film division, which distributes films to the 

more than 450 U.S. theatres where Spanishlanguage 

product is exhibited. 

"Todos Los Dias, Un Dia," which opened 

in the New York metropolitan area in 

sixteen theatres on May 23, will also play 

in Chicago, Denver, and Miami. 

Produced by Alfred Fraile II of Promalfilm 

International Inc. (USA) and Coral 

Films (Spain), it was directed by the young 

Cuban director Orlando Jimenez. 

The international cast of "Todos Los 

Dias, Un Dia" includes Isa Lorenz, Carol 

Lynley, Emilio Guitierrez Caba, Antonio 

Gamero Caba, Pedro Armendariz Jr., Gigi 

Rua, Edward Penn, Silvia Manriquez, Alejandro 

Suarez, Omar Marchand. Patricia 

Rivera, Armando Silvestre, Hilda Aquirre, 

Las Trillizas and special guest star Tony 

Martin. It is a musical romance. 

Avco Adds Branch Office 

HOLLYWOOD — Avco Embassy Pictures, 

moving to increase sales services m 

the Florida area, has opened a branch office 

in Jacksonville with Randy Robins as 

branch manager. The office boosts Avco's 

domestic sales office strength to 20 

branches, including an affiliate in Toronto. 

Wendy Vestal has been brought into the 

Jacksonville branch as film booker. She 

formerly was with the Atlanta branch office 

which up to now had served the Florida 

area. 

Robins comes from Warner Bros." Chicago 

office where he had been sales manager. 

He was with Warner for three years, working 

also in the company's Los Angeles and 

Philadelphia branches as sales manager and 

as branch and office manager in Boston. 

Before joining Warners he was with Intercontinental 

rTistribution serving as western 

division sales manager. 

DENVER 

The last regular monthly luncheon of the 

Rocky Mountain Motion Picture Asso 

elation before the summer recess was held 

at hte Continental Broker restaurant. The 

guest speaker for the day was Sam Lusky, 

former city editor of the Rocky Mountain 

News, and now one of the area's leading advertising 

and publicity men. Bob Tankersley 

of'Wes'tern Sevrice and Supply Company 

gave a brief comparison between the Slui 

WesT and the Show-A-Rama meetings held 

earlier in the year. As it was Warner Bros. 

Day, branch manager Steve Felperin re^ 

viewed all of the upcoming Warner Bros, 

releases and presented all of his local staff 

who have helped so much in Warner opera 

lions in this area. 

Belatedly we report that Laura Hanghey 

has joined" Claren Batter a( Batter Booking 

Laura, who was formerly employed at Wolf^ 

berg Theatres, will be handling the booking 

and boxoffice statements. The Batter staff 

treated Clarence Batter to his birthday 

luncheon and Batter points out that he 

shares the same birthday as John Wayne 

but is, of course, much younger. 

Columbia branch manager Morrie Uini 

baum returned to Des Moines to clean up 

some loose ends in that branch before his 

having the movers situate him in his new 

quarters here in Denver . . . Sally and Marie 

Sawaya, Fox Theatre, Trinidad, Colo., were 

in town for a market week and managed to 

set datings during the trip . . . Neal Lloyd, 

Westland Theatres, Colorado Springs, was 

in 

setting the dates. 

The Statz family, which has taken over 

the Peerless Theatre in Tolyoke, Colo., will 

be a 100 percent family-type operation. 

Husband Ralph will do the managing and 

wife Linda will do the cashiering while son 

Chip will be the projectionist and daughters 

Robyn and Aalyn will handle the concession 

counter. 

Multi-Screen Theatre 

Part of New Complex 

From Southern Edition 

LAKELAND, Fla. — The first multiscreen 

indoor theatre here will be the initial 

phase of a themed shopping center/ office 

complex planned on South 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." 

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W-4

ATLANTA 

Schools participatiing in 

a portion of the revenue, a spokesman for 

Terry Walker, booker for Paramount, reports 

that the company is releasing two 

strong pictures in June to usher in the summer 

season. "Prophecy" will be released 

June 15 and "Escape From Alcatraz," starring 

Clint Eastwood, is due to debut June 

22. Other releases are as follows: "Players," 

starring Ali McGraw and Dean-Paul Martin; 

"Meatballs," July 13, starring Bill Murray; 

"Bloodline," Audrey Hepburn's new 

picture; and "North Dallas Forty," a pro 

football 

story starring Nick Nolte. 

Herb Legg's Atlanta Film Booking has 

added three clients to its books. They are the 

Civic Cinema in Centre, Ala., Crossroads 

Twin Cinemas in Perry, Ga., and the Civic 

Cinema in Swainsboro. Ga. 

American Multi Cinema is pleased to 

welcome the Arrowhead 3, Cinema 75 and 

Doraville Theatres to their growing network 

of entertainment. AMC is integrating the 

new locations into their Tower Place 6 advertising. 

prancis Gormley, branch manager for 20th 

Century-Fox, held a sneak preview of 

"Alien" May 18 at the Park Terrace Thea- 

Plitt Southern Theatres said. Films in the 

series were chosen from the Children's Film tre. Preceding the sneak, Gormley held a 

Library and the Motion Picture Association cocktail party for exhibitors, bookers, buyers 

and the media. "Alien" opened here 

of America. 

May 25. 

Joey Travolta, 26, has a second record 

album coming out soon and was in Charlotte 

recently to promote "Sunnyside," in 

which he plays a gang leader trying to keep 

his neighborhood safe from a rival gang. 

He has also written two scripts, one based 

on his years as a teacher. Travolta taught 

underprivileged, emotionally disturbed children 

and hopes eventually to return to that. 

The story, "Steal Away," has been bought 

by Paramount. He is trying to sell a second 

script, 

"The Friend You Leave Behind." 

The following exhibitors returned from 

the National Screen seminar in Dallas on 

May 15: Ronnie Goldstein and Dan Deaver, 

both of Eastern Federal Theatres; Jack 

Jordan, Southern Booking and Advertising; 

Eddie Marks, Stewart & Stewart Theatres; 

and Bob Corbett. Plitt Theatres. 

Mid-Carolina Corp. announces it is constructing 

a twin in Salisbury, N.C. The theatres 

will he known as ihc Rowan Twin 

Cinemas, which will open shortly and the 

booking and buying will be handled by 

R.T. Belcher, Twin States Booking. 

H summer series of motion pictures lor Georgia Easter Seal Society, who accepted 

children is scheduled at the two Plitt a wheelchair given to the society. A $50 Top grosses of the week: "Manhattan," 

theatres, Phipps Plaza and Stonemont. For bill was raffled off and Mary Brannon, Al "Battlestar Galactica." "Young Frankenstein" 

and "The Dark." 

ten weeks the movies will be shown each cashier, had the winning number. 

Screenings this week at Car-Mel: "Escape 

Tuesday morning at Phipps and each 

Echoes of Mobile: The Atlanta WOMPIs 

to 

Wednesday and Thursday at Stonemont. A 

Athena" (AFB), "In Laws" (Warner 

handled the reservations for the three-state 

Bros.), "The Main Event" (Warner Bros.), 

theatre spokesman said season tickets are 

(Alabama/ Georgia/Tennessee) convention 

"Hot Stuff" (Columbia). 

being sold for $3. Tickets to individual 

and they deserve credit for their labors. The 

shows will be 75 cents. The series opens 

team included the captain, Nell Castleberry, Samuel Blake has retired after 35 years 

June 12 at Phipps with "The Bashful Elephant." 

The same film will be shown June 

United Artists cashier; Marjorie Roberson, with the candy department of Wil-Kin Theatre 

Supply. 

20th Century-Fox booker; Fran Almedia, 

13-14 at the Stonemont. "Dondi" will be 

Georgia Theatre Co. staffer; and Fentress 

shown June 19-21; "Jack and the Beanstalk" 

on June 26-28; "My Side of the 

Carr, New World Pictures of Atlanta booker. 

The traditional Basket of Cheer, with the 

Mountam" on July 3-5; "Jason the 

proceeds going to the Will Rogers Fund, 

Argonauts" on July 10-12; "Hills of Home" 

was won by Pauline Howell, Associated FIRST RUN 

on July 17-19; "The Invisible Boy" on July 

Films Inc. booker. 

24-26; "Captain Courageaus" on July 31- 

Aug. 2; "Gypsy Colt" on Aug. 7-9; and 

REPORT 

"Poco" on Aug. 14-16. The program at 

Phipps and Stonemont, an annual undertaking, 

is called "Enrichment Series. 1979." 

New Orleans 

CHARLOTTE 

the program receive 


and 

The Champ (MGM-UA), 2 theatres, 

6th wk 175 

The Deer Hunter (Univ), 2 theatres, 

12th wk 250 

Last Embrace (UA), Lakeside, 2nd wk. 150 


3rd wk 275 

Manhattan 1000 

(UA), Se.na Mall, 1st wk. . . 

Murder by Decree (Avco), Plaza, 

2nd wk 250 

Superman (WB), Lakeside, 16th wk. ..150 

NEW ORLEANS 

The Rebel Drive-In, Laurel, Miss., has been 

closed indefinitely because of execessive 

wind damage. 

The Robert E. Lee has scheduled a Children's 

Summer Movie Festival, sponsored 

by the Clarion Herald. The festival will run 

for eight weeks. 

"Mahattan," playing at an exclusive showing 

at the Sena Mall Theatre, opened at an 

excellent gross for the first week. 

Barron Godbee, vice president and general 

manager of the Pal Amusement Co., 

based in Vidalia, Ga., spent a couple of 

days in Atlanta last week touring the farflung 

branches of what's left of what was 

known as Filmrow. "At one time I could 

cover the territory in half a day without 

working up a sweat, but all of that has 

changed," he said. "Filmrow is no more. 

The last branch office left is Universal. The 

remainder have fled to the skyscrapers that 

puncture Atlanta's skyline. Truly, the old 

days have gone forever." 

The Atlanta Chapter of WOMPI celebrated 

Founders' Day (May 16) at the Nantucket 

Tavern. Present at the meeting was 

Jim Wallworth, associate director of the 

BOXOFFICE :: June 4, 1979 

704 

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S-1

PALM BEACH 

"^he Driftwood Inn is filled with stars now 

in the area for the shooting of "There 

Goes the Bride." a film adaptation of a 

London stage success. It stars Tommy 

Smothers as an advertising executive who 

is in a dazed state following a blow to the 

head. He hallucinates a 1920s flapper, 

played by former English model Twiggy, 

for an advertising campaign. Jim Backus 

plays the role of a pompous business executive 

to whom Smothers must sell his publicity 

ploy. 

Location for 'Klondike' 

Already Part of Past 

From Canadian Edition 

BARKERVILLE, British Columbia — If 

writer Jack London had arrived here this 

year, he would find little unusual about this 

central British Columbia community, a replica 

of the bustling Klondike communities of 

gold rush days. 

He would do a double take, though, when 

he spotted tons of photographic equipmenl 

and troupes of people performing odd tasks. 

The town, a tourist haven after government 

funds transformed it into the spitting 

image of its former glory, was recently the 

site of "Klondike Fever," a $4 million feature 

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 1 898. 

Barkerville is a good location because of 

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 to 

market internationally. Also in the film are 

time of the 

journey. 

"I can't identify with London's adventuring— 

just diopping everything and going," 

East said. "We put boundaries on ourselves; 

it just seems as if we have more 

responsibilities." 

For the film. East had to learn to race a 

dog sled, but he says the knack came easily 

"because I can ski, and it's practically the 

same, only with dogs." 

He says that "Klondike" is his first Canadian 

film, although not his first work here; 

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." 

Old Tucson Adopts a New 

Name: Now It's Westworld 

From West Edition 

LAS VEGAS—A change in the corporate 

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. 

SAN ANTONIO 

its dirt streets, board sidewalks and store 

fhe South Texas Regional Blood Bank had 

facades. At its peak, townsmen boasted thai 

their van parked on the parking 

was 

lot 

Barkerville the largest city in 

America west of Chicago. 

For the purposes of the movie, 

renamed Dawson City, 

it has 

perhaps 

been 

belter 

North 

of the Century South Six Theatre on May 

19. All blood donors visiting the van from 

3:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. were admitted free 

known as a boom town. 

to see 

Playing the author is Jeff East, 21. who 

also at 

Cinco. 

"Love at First Bite." The film is 

the Northwest Six and UA Cine 

Superman starred as the adolescent in the 

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Chicano Arts Theatre presented a special 

award May 26 to Sabino Garza, San Antonio 

playwright and film writer. The award 

honored Garza for his efforts within the 

Mexican-American arts. Garza has two 

films to his credit, including "Please Don't 



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Lome Greene and George Pinsent, who Bury Me Alive" and 'Amor Chicano no 

has appeared in many CBC-TV productions. Es Para Siempre." Both films were produced 

by Efrain Gutierrez of San Antonio. 

East, who is the same age as London 

when the author made the journey, said he 

Funeral services were held here for E. 

didn't agree with London's attitude at the 

Virginia Mudd Klimker, 85. who died on 

May 21. She was an actress and appeared 

with several different stock companies and 

had been connected with the Shamrock Motion 

Picture Co. in St. Louis, Mo. 

Centro de Artsanias is presenting a "Revolucion 

Mexicana de 1910" film festival at 

Mission Espada. The first film, shown May 

24, was titled "Epopeyas de la Revolucion 

Mexicana." Other films in the series will be 

"El Prosionero 13" on June 21. "El Compadre 

Mendoza" is scheduled on July 5 and 

the festival will conclude on July 19 with 

the screening of "Vamos Con Villa." 

The premiere showing of "Run Tecato 

Run" ("Rim Junkie Run"), which was 

filmed in west San Antonio, is scheduled 

to be shown June 8 at the Convention Center's 

Exhibit Hall No. 2. Efrain Gutierrez, 

producer of the film, said it examines the 

impact of drug addiction on the person, his 

family and community. 

Bob Polunsky in his movie review of 

"Hanover Street" in the San Antonio Light 

said the film opened with "two of Hollywood's 

brightest new stars. Harrison Ford 

(the mercenary pilot of "Star Wars') and 

Lesley-Anne Down (the beautiful accomplice 

to the 'Great Train Robbery') co-star 

in this war time romance similar to the 

teary-eyed 'Waterloo Bridge' of the 1940s. 

It has been a long time since the big screen 

has had so much sentimental romance to 

fascinate the audience. Instead of blunt realism 

and raw emotion, it has subtle romanticism, 

and that is a switch today." 

The first 200 patrons to purchase tickets 

to see the early Bruce Lee film found in 

the Chinese archives, "The Real Bruce Lee." 

at the Aztec-3 and U.A. Movies-4 were presented 

a big Bruce Lee poster. 

Ron White, reviewer for the Express- 

News, wrote that "in a bloodier vein than 

'Love at First Bite' is 'Dawn of the Dead,' a 

film that wouldn't be worth mentioning at 

all except that its writer and director. 

George A. Romero, has been touted of late 

as an underground, unrecognized film genius. 

Romero may be capitalizing on his newly 

discovered artisty. 'Dawn' lays on the 

gore in full-blown, butcher block fashion, 

truly not a film to see before sitting down 

to a bowl of menudo. Beyond sheer grossness. 

'Dawn' has nothing to offer." 

Fred McClellan, city manager for Plitt 

Southern Theatres, held a special screening 

at the Broadway Theatre of the film "The 

Mysterious House of Doctor O." Samuel 

Bronston, the film's producer, was present 

along with a select few from different local 

civic organizations. The Texas premiere of 

the film was held for two days. May 30 and 

May 31 at the Broadway. 

Films reviewed by Don Huff in his column 

Weeksworth in the Herald included 

"Hanover Street" which Huff said "makes 

adultery seem as tidy as a Harlequin ro- 

BOXOFFICE :: June 4. 1979

mancc. The love interest, the mont;igc between 

bed and bombing raids, the eoniic 

attempts, and the improbable meeting ot 

husband and adulterer are inspired to the 

point of vulgarity. The ad reads, 'Love hasn't 

been like this since 1943.' Very nice to know 

that this doesn't happen every day; who can 

we thank With Harrison Ford. Lesley- 

Anne Down and Christopher Pliimmcr." 

HOUSTON 

Qloria Leonard, publisher of High Society 

and the star of "All About Gloria Leonard," 

appeared in person at noon. 7 p.m. 

and 9:30 p.m. on May 23-24 at the Village 

Theatre for the premiere of her new movie. 

Mickey S. Michaels, set director, and 

Peter Albiez, in charge of special effects 

and production electronics for Marble Arch 

Productions, were in Houston attending the 

Offshore Technology Conference. They 

were here to find the proper equipment to 

be used in the filming of "Raise the Titanic." 

Michaels and Albiez have worked together 

building models of Boeing 747s and 

the Concorde for the four "Airport" movies 

and in designing the set for "The Andromeda 

Strain." 

New film titles appearing at local indoor 

and outdoor theatres include "Alien," "Beyond 

the Poseidon Adventure," "The Prisoner 

of Zenda," "Rain or Shine," "Jaws," 

"The Bell Jar," "Battlestar Galactica," "Dosier 

5L" "Hanover Street," "Voices," 

"Grease," "Winter Kills," "The Psychic," 

"Night Full of Rain," "Easter Parade" plus 

"Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," "Ivan 

the Terrible, Part 1," double bill of 

a 

"Hearts and Minds" and "Grande Illusion," 

"Erotic Adventures of Pinocchio" and 

"Alice in Wonderland." 

Special Adventures booked into the Museum 

of Fine Arts for showing in Brown 

Auditorium includes Alexander Kluge's 

"Strongman Ferdinand," "Edward Munch," 

Alain Tanner's "Middle of the World," "The 

Pre Raphealite Revolt" and "Dante's Inferno," 

a documentary by Ken Russell about 

Rossetti. 

being shown at the Almeda 9-East. Norlhwest-4, 

Northoaks, Norlhwood-6, Southmore-6, 

Southway-6, Town & Count ry-f>, 

Westchase-5 and Windsor. 

DALLAS 

^he Dallas Tennis Association will hold a 

special benefit screening of Paramount 

Pictures' "Players" on June 3. The premiere 

is one of about 200 being held around the 

country by the association during the first 

two weeks in June. Money raised from the 

benefit will go toward the development and 

availability of tennis for the Junior program, 

which provides equipment and instruction to 

the underprivileged, and to aid in the development 

of tennis programs for all ages. 

The National Association of Concessionaires 

will hold a regional conference in Dallas 

on June 5-6 at the Sheraton hotel. The 

theme of the meeting will be "Partners in 

Profits." To register contact the NAC at 

2251 Vantage St., Dallas, Texas 75207. 

At the annual Bosses Luncheon of 

WOMPI on May 17, Suzanne Mitchell, 

manager of the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders 

was the speaker and Larry Randall and 

his band were the entertainers. Mary Crump 

was program chairman and president Claudia 

Patterson presided. Through secret ballot 

the membership selected Lloyd Edwards, 

bracnh manager of 20th Century-Fox, as 

Boss of the Year, and Claudia Patterson, 

secretary to Clyde Rembert Jr. of Texas 

Films Inc., as WOMPI of the Year. A 

drawing was held for a .$50 money shirt 

and Shirley Feemster of BV wa.s the lucky 

winner. 

The Women of Variety held a fund-raising 

continental breakfast and style show at 

Lord and Taylors for the benefit of the 

Variety Club Telethon which proved to be 

a huge success. 

At the Women of Variety's last meeting 

officers for the 1979-80 term weic installed. 

Those elected are: Pat Rembert, president; 

Cappie Potts, vice president; Lida 

Baughn, recording secretary; Susan Beiersdorf, 

corresponding secietary; and Lea Curtis 

as treasurer. The beard members are: 

Charlotte Rives, Tennie Belle Boardman, 

Mary Darden, Robbie Skinner and Jean 

O'Donnell. 

Allen Dillon of D&D Film Distributors 

reports they are well pleased with the 

grosses on "Disco Dolls" and "Hot Skin," 

which in the first 10 days in San Antonio 

grossed more than $19,000. He also says he 

and Ed DcBerry have taken over distribution 

of United Producers product for Texoa//i//>es/er/i 

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Eric Gerber, reviewer for the Houston 

Post, said that "Voices" is "the latest in a 

parade of movies with heart (we have 

'Rocky' to thank for this) and it fares only 

slightly 

better than similar offerings such as 

'Slow Dancing in the Big City' and 'Ice Castles.' 

As it is, the movie spreads what emotional 

potential it has far too thin. There's 

just not enough drama to go around. Director 

Robert Markowitz (making his theatrical 

debut after impressive TV credentials) 

brings a nice touch to this predictable material 

about 'Love and Deaf (sorry), but 

'Voices' is finally too glib for its own good." 

Richard Condon was in Houston on a 

promotional tour in behalf of "Winter 

Kills," the movie based on his 1974 thriller 

modeled after the assassination of President 

John F. Kennedy. Five movies have been 

adapted from his 18 novels. The film is 

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BOXOFFICE June 1979

MIAMI 

gruce Connor, widely known lo the ait 

world for his dramatic and significant 

contributions to the experimental film 

movement in the United States, screened 

and discussed his works May 25 at the New 

World Center Auditorium of the Miami 

Dade Community College in downtown 

Miami, as part of the Avant Garde Film 

Screening Program series. Admission is $3. 

Two films for the teenage audience, "Forbidden 

Planet" and "Return of the Kiteman," 

were shown recently at a matinee at 

the South Dade Regional Library in the 

Cutler Ridge area. The South Miami Li- 

brary presented the film "Hello Dolly." 

rated for the whole family, in a recent matinee. 

Both programs were free. 

The program, an impressive contribution 

to the cultural community, is partially fimded 

by the Dade County council of Arts and 

Sciences, the Metropolitan Dade county 

Board of County Commissioners, the Fine 

Arts Council of Florida and the Miami-Dade 

Community College. 

Bill von Maurer, entertainment editor of 

the Miami News, says that a local boy keeps 

making good in a big way in Hollywood: 

Rocky Echeverria. Before leaving the Miami 

area he had great successes with the Ring 

Theatre of the University of Miami. The 22^ 

year-old Echeverria has a contract with Columbia 

pictures now, and in December he 

was given a major role in an episode of the 

"Rockford Files." Now the former Miamian 

has landed another important assignment, 

as Pvt. Ignacio Carmona in "From Here to 

Eternity" which is said to pick up where 

the recent mini-series "From Here to Eternity" 

left off. The new 13-episode series is 

being made by Columbia for ABC-TV. 

Echeverria's role as William Devane's orderly 

was tailored for him by Columbia, it 

".Stagecoach." "Farewell to Arms," Life 

With Father." and hundreds more. These 

are being sold by them uncut and fulllength. 

Famous Films boasts a mailing list 

of more than 2,000 and about 900 good, 

steady, faithful customers throughout the 

United States, Canada, Europe and Japan. 

Thye have become one of the top three mail 

order film dealers in the country. 

Art Edelstein has said that Famous Films 

has many feature films that are not public 

domain, but for which special licenses were 

given, such as "African Queen," many of 

Elvis Presley's musicals, a complete line of 

Sherlock Homes mysteries, the original 

19.^3 "King Kong" and many more. He says 

that many people who do not collect feature 

films in super-8 format still like the 20- 

minute digest prints, which are a collection 

of highlights of feature films under copyright 

such as "Wizard of Oz," "Taxi Driver," 

"Close Encounters of the Third Kind," 

"Star Wars," "An American in Paris," "Ben 

Hur," "Singing in the Rain" and more. 

The Edelstein's catalogue is full of rare 

cartoons, TV shows, previews-of-coming-attraction 

reels and many more films. Farnous 

Films now has also entered the video-tape 

field. 

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Colorful Counltr 

is said. Shooting is to begin June 1 and the 

release date is targeted for the fall. Echeverria 

drew local attention at the Ring for 

his roles in plays, including "Candide" and 

"Of Mice and Men." 

Local casting director Beverly McDeimott 

has been looking for two 9-year-old 

boys, one black and one white. The boys 

who get the parts will star in a 2-hour TV 

pilot for CBS called "Kings of the Hills." 

McDermott is looking for two boys with 

genuine Southern accents. 

John Huddy, entertainment editor of the 

Miami Herald, says of the movie "Hot 

Stuff," which was made locally, "it is delightful—a 

high energy, slapstick comedy 

with a cops-and-robbers plot that appeals 

to just about everybody." He calls it "the 

kind of comedy we used to 

laugh at as children, 

and yet isn't 

dated, or silly." 

Suzanne Pleshette was in Miami making 

the rounds and touting "Hot Stuff" as the 

movie most likely to break South Florida's 

hex on big-budget films. 

The producers intended to open the film 

in February 1980, but after viewing it they 

decided it is an ideal family movie for the 

summer trade, and so set a new target date 

of August. "Hot Stuff" is Dom DeLuisc's 

first 

film as a director. 

Famous Films Inc., organized by Art and 

Evelyn Edclstein in 1974 as a mail order 

super-8 sound-film dealer, was a small company 

indeed. It took some doing—and advertising—to 

get people to send to Famous 

Films for a catalogue of their films, which 

then consisted of cartoons, 20-minute comedies 

and 2()-minute digest prints of feature 

films. 

Now Famous Films has an office on Lincoln 

road, Miami Beach, and more films 

have become available in super-8 sound. Included 

are feature films that have become 

public domain, such as the ureat classics 

Belter Film Council 

Salules Filzgerald 

By BILL NICHOL 

Special Correspondent 

From Midwest Edition 

MILWAUKEE—Dean Fitzgeiald, 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 at the head table were Eunice 

Thessin, council president; Mary Stevens 

treasurer; Karia Koskinen, scholarship recipient; 

Marlene Cornelius, corresponding 

secretary; Irene Fink, vice president and 

program chairman; Fran Schmidtknecht, 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 tor 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 lo 

a Marquette student. 

Entertainment was furnished by The 

Choralaires from Wauwatosa East High 

.School. 


MILWAUKEE 

Tt seems that Shelmon Masce prefers reopening 

downtown theatres. Last year 

he took over the shuttered Strand Theatre 

on Wisconsin Avenue and began making 

renovations to tidy it up while announcing 

he would show vintage films. He appointed 

Bill Hansen as his manager. Bill had worked 

for Kohlberg Theatres in Glen Ellyn, III., 

before coming to Milwaukee. 

Shelmon found that the film classics were 

not always easy to obtain, although he did 

screen "Sound of Music." "Wizard of Oz." 

"South Pacific" and several more. It became 

the only movie house here that subscribes 

to the Ticketron theatre and sports ticket 

service. He changed the name of the theatre 

to Strand Showcase and announced he would 

never charge more than $2.50. 

Early in May, Shelmon took over the 

Towne Theatre, which had been closed for 

a year until temporarily leased by a religious 

group. Christian Cinema Inc., for the 

occasional weekend free-offering showing of 

G-rated films for children's matinees and 

live stage shows on Sunday evenings. After 

cleaning it up and installing all new lighting, 

Shelmon reopened the oldtime theatre 

landmark located at Third and Wisconsin 

streets May 11 with Hollywood-style hoopla, 

positioning a giant searchlight at the 

street curb before the entrance and having 

an usher armed with mike and a public 

address system to attract strollersby. For 

the present it will be used almost exclusively 

for the screening of kung-fu type adventure 

flicks. 

For the Strand Showcase, Shelmon has 

purchased a 16mm projector so that some of 

the old Busby Berkeley musicals can be 

shown. In keeping with the theme of a July 

4th parade on Wisconsin Avenue, the Strand 

has arranged for the screening of the circus 

classic; "Greatest Show on Earth." 

Last year, Masce acquired the Parkland 

Theatres 1 & 2 in nearby Muskegon and renamed 

them the Countryside Twins. Among 

his innovations was the return of the '30s 

"Country Store" night on Saturday night recently. 

He tells BoxoFFiCE he is now negotiating 

for the eventual addition of three 

more movie houses: one in Milwaukee, another 

down south in Georgia and the third 

in 

Florida. 

The annual spring luncheon of the Better 

Films & TV Council of the Milwaukee 

Area was held at the Wisconsin Club May 

9, and the event was marked with Dean 

Fitzgerald of Capitol Service Inc. being 

named Theatre Man of the Year. Council 

president Eunice Thessin introduced Richard 

Kite, president of Marcus Theatres 

Corp., who won the award last year, 

and he made the presentation. In his remarks 

Kite described a new code of ethics 

here in which PG-rated films are to be 

further evaluated with the addition of such 

letters as PG-L, PG-S and PG-V. These 

will inform the filmgoer whether the film 

is strong on "bad language," "sex," and oi 

"violence," respectively. The council was 

BOXOFTICE :: Jun 1979 

given credit by both Kite and Fitzgerald for 

pioneering in this innovation as its own film 

evaluation guide distributed monthly has 

been using this system for more than a 

year. 

Toni Dysterhuis, who has been the local 

office manager for the United Artists Corp. 

for the past two years, is moving in May 

to Oklahoma where she takes over as manager 

of the Oklahoma City branch office 

for UA. Taking her place here is Mike 

Musarra who has been with UA for ten 

years as of May 19. He started with the 

New York office, next moved to Los Angeles 

where he became head booker and then 

a salesman. 

Brown Port Theatre in Fox Point has 

been undergoing some improvements with 

the lobby getting a new suspended ceiling, 

lighting and wallpaper. A new sound system 

supplement has been supplied by Melcher 

Associates of Milwaukee. Manager Brad 

Porchetta tells Boxoffice that more remodeling 

is being planned for the remainder of 

the lobby as well as the theatre entrance. 

Downtown traffic had to be diverted 

from Wisconsin Avenue during the morning 

rush hour May 22 because of a threealarm 

fire that hit the building which houses 

the Strand Showcase Theatre, the City New 

Center bookstore, Ben-Mor bookstore and 

a restaurant, as well as second floor apartments. 

The blaze, reported at 6:41 a.m. and 

described as being "of suspicious origin," 

is believed to have started in a first floor 

electrical closet off the lobby of the theatre, 

according to batallion chief Bursynski. The 

blaze was considered suspicious because it 

"would not normally have been expected to 

spread as it did from the closet," a fire 

official explained. 

The seats and most of the movie house 

itself were not damaged but residents living 

in apartments over the theatre had to evacuate 

the building. The Strand Showcase is 

owned and operated by Shelmon Masce who 

also has the Countryside Twins in Muskegon, 

and only recently leased the Towne 

Theatre at Third and Wisconsin streets. 

WZUU-Radio took over Movies Northridge 

3 for an 8 p.m. "exclusive Milwaukee 

piemiere" of the film "Battlestar Galactica" 

May 17. The event was a "V.I. P. Invitation 

Party" for WZUU listeners and was done 

up in "Hollywood Style" with the ushers 

being togged in space-age attire. Lucky 

guests were also able to win special galactic 

prizes. Presented with Sensurround, the film 

began its regular first-run showing May 18 

at Northridge, Spring Mall, and 24 Drivein. 

Another first-tun science fiction thriller. 

"Alien," is due to start June 8 at Spring 

Mall, Centre Twins and Mill Road. 

Peter Yates, director of the new 20th-Fo\ 

release "Breaking Away," was in town in 

mid-May to show the film in the University 

of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Union Cinema. 

(A preview of the film at the Centre Screening 

Room, 212 W. Wisconsin Ave., had 

been held by Marge Ondrejka of the 

local 20th-Fox branch office earlier in May.) 

Appearing here with Yates was screenwriter 

Steve Tesich, who joined him in discussing 

the making of "Breaking Away," a 

comic drama about four teenagers who are 

keen about bicycle racing and who try to 

find the meaning of life at the university in 

Bloominglon, Ind. The appearance of Yates 

and Tesich was sponsored by 20th-Fox and 

the UW-M Department of Film. It was 

announced here that the film would be 

released nationally in July. 

Paula Jamrock of John litis Associates, 

Chicago-based publicity agency for Universal 

Pictures, mailed out invitations for a 

special sneak preview of "The Prisoner of 

Zenda," starring Peter Sellers, at the Brookfield 

Square Cinemas 2 in Brookfield, a 

Milwaukee suburb. May 16. A Walter 

Mirisch Production, the PG-rated film was 

slated to open May 22 at Mill Road, Southtown, 

Southgate and Starlite Drive-ln. 

Shelly Kliman, owner and operator of the 

Palace Theatre in Spooner in northern Wisconsin, 

annually donates the use of the 

movie house for a live stage variety show 

made up of local talent and presented in the 

interests of the Mental Health Association 

in Washburn County. And this year's show 

was a big success, as usual. 

MW-1

i!^''''4^'is

e opening here the end of June. 

Dick Hill, Western division manager of 

Warner Bros, from Los Angeles, was seen 

visiting at the Commonwealth Film and 

Booking Dept. recently. 

Theatre Owners of Illinois 

Continue Efforts on Bills 

CHICAGO—May has been an especially 

busy time tor members of the Theatre Owners 

of Illinois' efforts toward attaining hoped-for 

achievements. Blind bidding, the minimum 

wage and the obscenity bill, three 

major topics, are still pending, despite president 

Jack Clark's trips 

to Springfield. 

Blind Bidding Bill S. B. 995 was filed in 

the Senate this year, where it was dumped 

last year after passing the House of Representatives. 

Despite renewed vigor on behalf 

of the bill, Clark reports, "Again, in spite of 

our ground work in contacting various 

members of the Senate Insurance & Licensed 

Activities Committee, we were advised 

by the chairman that our blind bidding 

bill would be defeated. 

"Again. George Kerasotes of Kerasotes 

Theatres; Steve Colson of General Cinema; 

John Giachetto of Frisina Circuit; and your 

president, working with various circuit leaders 

back in Chicago, had spent three days 

ringing bells to no avail. The Motion Picture 

Assn. of America again had, with the 

help of powerful local leadership, defeated 

our attempt to beat blind bidding." 

Clark notes that a similar blind bidding 

bill was filed in the House of Representatives, 

with the result that while it was not 

defeated in committee, it was assigned to the 

Interstudy Committee. In effect, this means 

that it could be called up again either this 

fall or the first of next year. Clark does believe 

this has possibilities. 

Minimum Wage House Bill 799. which 

at the time of commitee hearing became a 

Committee Bill H. B. 2741. is no longer 

being sponsored by Rep. Thomas Hanahan. 

The Commerce & Labor Committee has 

now adopted the bill as its own. Clark reports 

that for this reason the hearing has 

been continued to a later date. Clark emphasizes 

that it is absolutely essential 

that exhibitors write or personally contact 

representatives with the specific request 

that ". . . at no time shall the minimum 

hourly wages established by this act exceed 

those specified under federal guidelines as 

provided by the Fair Labor Standards." 

As for the Obscenity Bill S.B. 777, sponsored 

by Senator M itchier— it has not yet 

been called for a committee hearing. This 

bill is directed to outdoor theatres. 

AFI Seminar Set for Aug. 

From Western Edition 

BEVERLY HILLS — Director of AFI 

West Robert F. Blumofe has annoimccd 

that the second Summer Institute for Film 

and Humanities will be held at the Cenkr 

for Advanced Film Studies here Aug. 5-11. 

The weeklong workshop, funded by the 

Rockefeller Foundation, is aimed al ac 

quainting university-level film ediicatois 

with the practical aspects of the motion 

picture 

industry. 

BOXOFFICE :: June 4. 1979 

CHICAGO 

prior to the late June opening of Uniled 

Artists' big spring season number. 

Moonraker," there will be some screenings. 

But a contest to be conducted in the Chicago 

area will highlight special promotions 

now being worked out by Ellen Davis and 

Dennis Kuczajda of the publicity and adver 

tising department. The contest will featiMe 

a trip to South America as a top prize. 

A screening of "The Muppet Movie" was 

staged to whet exhibitor appetites. This film, 

which features Jim Henson's TV Muppels, 

along with Bob Hope, Orson Welles, Mel 

Brooks and Steve Martin, may well be instrumental 

in launching the recently established 

Chicago offices of Associated Film 

Distribution Corp. 

Reports coming in on "Dawn ol the 

Dead" indicate that in some instances 

grosses in the four-week period were up 

over the prior period. Milwaukee area theatres 

playing the film in the second week 

have also experienced good business. 

Virgil Jones returned from Cincinnati 

and Detroit where he laid groundwork for 

"Soldier of Orange." Some exhibitors who 

have seen reels of this movie are of the 

opinion that it will hold strong interest for 

moviegoers. It deals primarily with the Holland 

resistance during critical times in World 

War II. 

Don Buhrmester & Associates was appointed 

to handle "The Dark" in the Milwaukee 

and Chicago territory. This suspense 

fihn, which features William Devane and 

Cathy Crosby in the top roles, has been set 

for screenings prior to opening in 

June. 

American International staffers are con 

centrating on "The Amityville Horror." a 

film based on a best seller by the same title. 

"Love at First Bite," meanwhile, has been 

showing strong holdover power. 

Oscar Brotman, president of Tent 26, will 

have a report to present following attendance 

at the Variety Club conference in 

New Orleans. 

Condolences to booker Delia Gallo on the 

death of her father, Dan Gallo. 

The popular gratis shorts, which were formerly 

distributed through Kaplan-Continental 

Film Distributing Co., are now being 

handled by Jerry Kuehnl and Pat Wheeler, 

bookers for the Greiver organization, 203 

N. Wabash, Chicago, III. 60601. telephone: 

(312) 236-2090. Many moviegoers have 

in indicated their interest these informative 

and educational shorts to the theatre in their 

area, and shortly there will be a new crop 

of these features. 

THEWTRE EQUIPMENT 

'Everything for the Theatre" 

J. CAPITOL AVE., INDIANAPOLIS, IND. 

Jerry Bulger, advertising director for 

I'litt 

Theatres Inc. was one of 107 people involved 

in theatre advertising and promotion 

who attended the National Screen Conference 

for advertising directors. The conference, 

held in Dallas, drew industry members 

from Canada and the United States to hear 

representatives from most major studios review 

the advertising and promotional aspects 

of their various products. Jerry said, 

"The important part of this conference was 

our chance to talk to top studio directors 

on a one-to-one basis. We had an opportunity 

to discuss ideas and complaints from 

exhibitors to 

attentive ears." 

The Woodfield 2 and 3 opened May 25, 

giving Woodfield 1 and 2 the much-needed 

room in one of the country's largest shopping 

centers. Live radio remote from 

WWMM-FM was a feature to attract people 

to the grand opening, and two trips to Acapulco 

which had been highlighted on 

WWMM were top prizes. A newspaper contest 

to serve as ongoing publicity for the 

opening of the Woodfield addition will find 

two more prize winners receiving trips to 

Acapulco. 

As the Ann and Jack Sparberg Electronic 

Limb Bank Laboratory at La Rabida celebrates 

a second anniversary, there is evidence 

that the center's goals are becoming 

well known. In 1978. ten amputee children 

were fitted with new battery-powered mechanical 

limbs. This is just one of many 

projects fostered by the Variety Club to help 

needy children. 

Barbara Gillespie was promoted to serve 

as assistant general manager of the L & S 

Theatre Corp. Bruce Anderson succeeds 

Gillespie as manager of the company's Tiffin 

theatre. 

An interesting observation by Gene Siskel. 

movie critic for the Chicago Tribune, 

concerns "A Little Romance," to which he 

awards three stars. He says. " "A Little Romance' 

is notable as the first film produced 

by Orion Pictures, a new production company 

operated by the key executives who 

recently left United Artists over a policy 

squabble with their conglomerate overlord. 

These men established a fine reputation as 

sincere moviemakers, winning a record three 

consecutive Oscars for Best Picture ("One 

Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest,' 'Rocky' and 

'.^nnie Hall'). Orion may soon come to 

stand for similar quality in the movie business." 

MW-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 yeai-s separate our victories. Years that brought major advances in the 

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

most people with Hodgkin's disease, people lilve Tl-acy, died within 5 years. 

But your gvnei'osit\' helped change things. You fimded research that developed iiew 

treatments. Ti-eatments that saved Ti-acy'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 deai-er for 

nearly having lost it. 

Ti-acy and I aren't unique. Almost 2 million Ameiicans have beaten cancer. But much still 

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

is making yoiu- contributions count. 

American CanCCr Socicty 

CANCER CAN BE BEAT 

Almost 2 million people are living proof yom- contributions count. 

This spaci' cDiUributed by the pubUsher as a public service. 

MW-4 BOXOFFICE :: June 4. 1979

Manhattan (UA), Uptown, 

2nd wk Excellenl 

Norma Rae (BVFD), Hollywood, 

8th wk Good 

Superman (WB), Imperial, 20th wk. . .Fair 

Calgary 

Ashanti (\VB), Palace, 1st wk. . .Very Good 

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (Univ), 

3 theatres. 5th wk Good 

The Champ (UA). Chinook, 

4th wk Excellent 

The China Syndrome (Astral), 

North Hill, Westbrook, 

6th wk 

Very Good 

The Deer Hunter (Univ), Towne Red, 


Dreamer (BVFD), Uptown, Westbrook, 

1st wk Poor 

Fast Break (Astral), Grand, 7th wk. . .Good 

Good Guys Wear Black (PR). Marlboro 

Square, 6th wk 

Fair 

Hair (UA), Palliser Square, 

4th wk 

Very Good 

Hurricane (Para), Market Mall, 

3rd wk Fair 

Love at First Bite (AFD), Calgary Place, 

1st wk Excellent 

Richard Pryor—Live in Concert (PR), 

Market Mall, 2nd wk Very Good 

Same Time, Next Year (Univ), Odeon, 

6th wk 

Good 

Edmonton 

. .Good 

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (Univ). 

Capilano, Rialto, 6th wk Very Good 

The Champ (UA), Westmount, 



Meadowlark, Rialto. 6th wk. . .Excellent 

The Deer Hunter (Univ), Towne 

Cinema, 6th wk Excellent 

Fast Break (Astral), Odeon, 6th wk. 

The 5th Musketeer (Astral), Plaza, 

3rd wk Fair 

Good Guys Wear Black (PR), Avenue, 

4th wk Fair 

Hair (UA), Garneau, 4th wk Good 

Hurricane (Para), Capitol Square, 

3rd wk Fair 

Lacemakers .Fair 

(PR), Varscona, 3rd wk. . 

Love at First Bite (AFD), Capitol 

Square, 1st wk Excellent 

The North Avenue Irregulars (BV), 

Londonderry, 6th wk Very Good 


Capitol Square, 2nd wk 

Excellent 

Summer Camp (PR), Jasper Red, 

1st wk Good 

Superman (WB), Paramount, 

20th wk 

Very Good 

Get Out Your Handkerchiefs (PR), 

Capitol Square, 5lh wk Fair 

Hair (U.'\), Nelson, Cinema, .F'air 

6th wk. . 

Last Embrace (UA), Place de Villc, 

2nd wk Fair 

A Little Romance (WB), Capitol Square, 

I St wk Good 

Love at First Bite (AFD), Capitol 

Square. Airport Drivc-In, 

3rd wk 

Very Good 

The Promise (Univ), St. Laurent, 

2nd wk 

Fair 

The Shape of Things to Come (PR), 

Place dc Ville, Britannia Drive-In, 

2nd wk 

Good 

. 

Montreal 

Ashanti (WB), Loews, 5th wk. .Very Good 


3rd wk Fair 

The Champ (MGM-UA), Loews, 

6th wk 

Very Good 

The Deer Hunter (Univ), Place du 

Canada, 9th wk Fair 

Hair (UA), York, 6th wk Very Good 

Last Embrace (UA), Claremont, 

2nd wk 

Good 

Love at First Bite (AFD), Loews, 

3rd wk 

Very Good 

Manhattan (UA), Place Ville Marie, 

1 st wk Excellent 

Old Boyfriends (Astral), Bonaventure. 

1st wk Fair 

Superman (WB), Loews, 21st wk Good 

Voices (UA), The Cinema, 

1 St wk Very Good 

French Language Films 

L' Argent de la Banque (PR), 

Parisicn, 1st wk Good 

La Cage aux Folles (UA), Parisien, 

7th wk 

Very Good 

La Carapate (PR), Parisien, 

5th wk 

Very Good 

Le Chauffeur a Gages (BVFD). 

2nd wk 

Good 

Le Ciel Peut Attendre (Para), 

Parisien, 13th wk. Very Good 

L'Express de Minuit (Col), 1st wk. . .Good 

Le Souffle de la Tern pete (UA), 

1st wk Fair 

Toronto 

Ashanti (WB), Imperial, 3rd wk Good 

The Champ (MGM-UA), 4th wk. ..Good 

Winnipeg 

Autumn Sonata (PR), Festival, 

2nd wk 

The BeD Jar (Astral), Garrick, 

Average 

1 st wk Average 


Kings, 6th wk 

Good 

The Champ (MGM-UA), Metropolitan, 


The China Syndrome (Col), Odeon, 


The Deer Hunter (Univ), Garrick, 


Fast Break (Col), Convention Centre, 

9th wk 

Very Good 


Cinema 3, 2nd wk Good 

A Little Romance (WB), Polo Park, 

1 st wk Average 

Love at First Bite (AFD), Colony, 

2nd wk 

Excellent 

Norma Rae (BVFD), Northstar, 

3rd wk Excellent 

The Promise (Univ), Grant Park, 

1 st wk Excellent 


Starlite Drive-In, 2nd wk Good 

Skip Tracer (PR), Northstar. 1st wk. . .Fair 

Yearlong 'Rocky' Exhibitor 

Has Discovered a Bonanza 

From East Edition 

BELMAR, N.J.— Between 50,000 and 

60,000 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 of 

the theatre which has hit a bonanza with (he 

cult movie, which shows every Friday and 

Saturday for two screenings at midnight and 

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

tion this Memorial Day to mark its first 

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 Picture 

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 ihe 

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, Belmar 

Cinema will occasionally add a Sundav 

2 p.m. matinee for "The Rocky Horror 

Ottawa 

Firepower (PR). Hollywood, Imperial, 

Picture Show" to accommodate the higli 

The Champ (MGM-UA), Elgin, 

school and college students largely attracted 

1 St wk Very Good 

6th wk Good Get Out Your Handkerchiefs (PR), 

to the film, who are unable to take the late 

K 

The China Syndrome (Col), St. Laurent, 

International, 11th wk Good night hours. 

8th wk Very Good Hair (UA), University, 5th wk Good Franz has a midnight following developing 

11 

as well on Sunday nights for another 

. 

Hunter (Univ), The Deer Elmdale. 

Hurricane (Para), Imperial, 3rd wk. .Good 

9th wk 

Very Good Last Embrace (UA), Uptown, 1st wk. Good cult cinema he started showing earlier this 

Fast Break (Col), Cinema 6, 5th wk. Good Love at First Bite (AFD). Eglinton. 

year. The Sunday midnight attraction is a 

The 5th Musketeer (Col), Somerset, 

Imperial. 2nd wk Good 

Good 

double bill of the feature "Eraserhead" and 

a 

1st wk Good Malibu High (PR). Imperial. 1st wk. film by "De Vo." 

i 


E-1

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 

T 

American Cancer 

I 

Society 

K-2 BOXOFHCE :: June 4, 1979

CALGARy 

Iflonoring Alberta's diamond jubilee year 

(1980), the Alberta Suite Celebration 

is Society making arrangements to produce 

a documentary film for theatrical as well as 

Iclcvision distribution. A projected budget 

M S500.000 has been designated at $382,- 

44(1 for production and $70,000 for marketing 

and distribution. If production is to proceed 

on schedule a minimum of $400,000 

is necessary. The society is soliciting contributions 

from the private sector of Alberta 

business which will be channeled through 

the Alberta Performing Arts Foundation. 

Gay Broderick. director of marketing and 

promotions for the society, says that five 

contributions of $10,000 each have been 

received to date. By the end of May the 

society expected to announce a decision as 

to whether the production will proceed on 

schedule. The members of the all-Alberta 

production crew include Nick Bakyta as line 

producer, James A. Long as director and 

writer, and Gayle S. Helfrick and Barry 

Freeman as writers. The planned date of 

release is Sept. 1. 1980. which is the province's 

75th birthday. 

On May 6 the First Evangelical Free 

Church presented a true-life feature film 

titled "The Hiding Place." It is a true story 

of the Dutch underground during the German 

occupation in World War II, the hiding 

of Jewish refugees and the agonies of 

the concentration camps. Free tickets were 

available on a first-come-first-served basis. 

The Wheatland Drive-In Theatre in Rosetown, 

Saskatchewan, has just undergone 

renovations that were completed in time for 

i May 5 gala opening. A completely re- 

Tiodeled and enlarged snack bar. stocked 

tvith an improved line of food, was ready 

for patrons on opening night. A new Loc- 

Rad Tune-A-Movie sound system had also 

seen installed and met with instant approval 

Tom the audience. Many unseen repairs had 

5een undertaken as well, including the re- 

A'iring of the building. The renovated theatre 

is owned by Jim Smith who hopes to 

sring his family to Rosetown this summer, 

rhe new sound system and rewiring was 

done by Independent Theatre Supply of Ednonton. 

Studio 82 in Edmonton ran a German 

anguage double bill on May 6 and 7. The 

irst half of the program was "Enchanted 

Vienna" and "Lightning Over the Valley or 

he Stolen Sky" completing the screening. 

The Saskatchewan Film Classification 

krvices viewed a total of 30 features in 

\pril. None fell in to the General category: 

here were 12 rated as Adult, 5 as Restricted 

^dult and 13 as Special X. There were five 

varnings issued with 2 movies falling in to 

— .ach group "not suitable for children" is 

in "Evictors" and "Hair"; "language warnng" 

goes with "Love at First Bite" and 

'Old Boyfriends": "violence warning" is on 

"Ashanti" and "Dragon Lives": "scenes 

vaming" goes on "Game Show Models" and 

'Rolls Royce Baby": "scenes and language" 

:oes with "Roller Babies" and "Tapestry of 

Passion." Three features can 

not be exhibited 

at drive-in theatres; "Roller Babies," 

"Rolls Royce Baby" and "Tapestry of Passion." 

After the acquisition ot Disney product 

the local Paramount Films office ha.s increased 

its manpower—or maybe that 

should be personpower because they now 

have a full-time secretary as well as a 16mm 

booker. Ann McConncll is the full-time secretary 

and she has been with Paramount for 

two months, joining 35mm booker Susan 

Stevens as the distaff side of the office. Both 

are from Montreal. Newcomer to Paramount 

is 16mm booker Trevor Kniss, formerly 

of Canfilms here in Calgary. This now 

gives branch manager Don Popow a staff of 

three full-time employees compared with 

one full-time and one half-time employee 

before. 

The Edmonton Provincial Museum carried 

on with its two series with the Depression 

programs showing of "Sounder" 

(1972). starring Cicely Tyson and Paul Winfield 

on May 9. The Katharine Hepburn 

series continued on May 13 with "The Philadelphia 

Story" (1940). co-starring Cary 

Grant. Ruth Hussey and James Stewart. 

Both programs were free of admission 

charge. 

Unknown Snares Lead 

For Canadian Feature 

MONTREAL—Young Canadian actress 

Jennifer Dale's roles have warmed up considerably. 

She spent three years at the Stratford 

Shakespearian Festival where she says her 

baby face typecast her as one of the classical 

repertoire's young virgins. But last fall the 

23-year-old made her movie debut in a selfdesigned 

G-string as a stripper in the Canadian" 

shock thriller "Stone Cold Dead." 

Dale's next movie role is not only meatier, 

it's a virtual plum. She was chosen over 100 

actresses for the starring role in "Suzanne," 

a $1.5 million Canadian movie based on 

Quebec writer Ronald Sutherland's novel, 

"Snow Lark." It's the story of a beautiful 

French-Canadian girl's blossoming into 

womanhood in the 1950s amid east-end 

Montreal poverty and cultural confusion. 

The movie has the kind of sensual heroine 

role that in the 1950s would have gone to a 

young Elizabeth Taylor or Natalie Wood. 

"It's a very sexy story," Dale says. "It's 

the story of a girl who's very passionate, 

who loves to dance, who's so like me. 

"I know I don't have the background 

the poverty and being a French-Canadian 

but I'm sure I was picked for this role because 

I'm absolutely right for it." 

The movie's makers had wanted a French 

actress for the starring role, but say they 

were unable to find one whose English was 

good enough for the role of the perfectly 

bilingual Suzanne Macdonald. 

In the novel Suzanne has a French-Canadian 

mother, but her father is Scottish and 

the language spoken around the home is 

English. 

Another lequirement for the part wa.s 

that the actress be able to age convincingly 

from age 17 to 27. 

Brought up in the Toronto suburb of 

Etobicoke. Dale's patents are of Irish and 

Italian origin and her real name is Jennifer 

Ciurluini. 

"She has that archetypal Celtic-Latin 

face," says the movie's director, Robin Spry. 

"I wish I were more Italian looking," says 

Dale, who has the 

features and stormy dark 

eyes of a Natalie Wood but whose screen 

idol is Anna Magnani. "I know it's in me to 

bring the raw sensibility of the Suzanne 

character out." 

Shooting on the movie isn't scheduled to 

start until July, but already Dale is surrounded 

by a coterie of publicists and production 

people bent on promoting her as a 

star—a decidedly unusual undertaking in the 

Canadian film industry. 

The movie will be directed by Spry, Quebecer 

and particularly sensitive filmmaker, 

and is being produced by Robert Lantos and 

Stephen Roth, the aggressive duo behind the 

big soft-porn money-maker, "In Praise of 

Older Women." 

"We're trying to plant Jennifer's name 

and to arouse public interest," explained one 

publicist, "without doing the cheap, demeaning, 

starlet piece." 

WINNIPEG 

Qdeon-IMorton Theatres has announced 

immediate construction plans to convert 

the downtown Garrick Twin into Winnipeg's 

first quadruple auditorium cinema. 

General manager Jim Fustey announced the 

plans, which entail an addition to be constructed 

on the parking lot area adjacent lo 

the existing twins, and to be completed in 

November. The two auditoriums, which will 

be fully integrated with the existing theatres, 

including a common projection booth, will 

have about 300 seats each, added to the 

619-seat Garrick I and the 820-seat Garrick 

II. 

R. I. Obscenity Statute 

Ruled Unconstitutional 

From East Edilion 

PROVIDENCE—The Rhode Island State 

Supreme Court has ruled unconstitutional 

the state's obscenity statute, used in 1978 lo 

raid a "Private Parts" erotic art show. 

The ruling was issued in the matter ol 

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, 

ihc court commented. 

OXOFFICE June 4, 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 

K-4 BOXOmCE :: Jiine 4. 1979

BOXOFFiCE BOOKINCUEDE 

JONNA JEFFERIS, Bookinguide Editor 

slysis oi lay tradepress reviews. Running time n parentheses. The 

minus signs indicate degree of merit. Listings cover current rev 

BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Award. All films are in color except tho 

white or (0 and b&w) lor color end black & white. Motion Picture 

audiences; PG— all ages admitted {parental guidance suggested); 

17 not admitted unless accompanied by parent or adult guardian;

REVIEW DIGEST 

AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX +t Very Good, H Good;

id*i

--Il 

-iS-ll^'tlil 

ill - sll

. . Hi-D. 

Apr 

P.-iilI 

ANALYSIS FILM RELEASING 

Indian Summer Nov 78 

Charleston Dec 78 

The Innocent (U9) D. .Jan 79 

(Jiancarlo fiiaiininl, Laura Antonelli, 

Jennifer 

O'Neill 

O.J. Simpson. Ell Wiill.ii 

Escape to Athaia 

ItOBer Hloorc. Telly Savnl 

David Nivcii. steplianie I 

The Muppet Movie 

Love and Bullets ... Ac 

Charles Broiison, .lill Ire 

Itod Stoicer, Strotliei I\Ii 

Treasure of the 

(n-35S) 

Saturn 3 Sus-D 

Kurrall r'awcett-Majurs. Kirl 

Douglas. Harvey Keitcl 

Raise the Titanic 

The Lone Ranger 

Disco Land: Where the Music 

Never Stops 

The Jazz Singer 

ATLANTIC RELEASING 

Max Havelaar (165) ..Hi-[ 

La Jument Vapeur ..... 

Picnic at Hanging Rock 

(110) My-C 

BACKSTREET-BEEHIVE- 

HOLLYWOOD INT'L 

Lust Flight 2000 

(78) Sex C-D. 

Vlfkl Click. Pat Manning 

FRED BAKER FILMS, LTD. 

Just Crazy About Horses 

(93) Doc. Dec 78 

Tlie Blacic Goddess Jan 79 

BEEHIVE PRODUCTIONS 

Cart Cutis 

(76) Sex C 

Sinners Seven ,Sex D 

Curves Ahead! 

(78) Sex C. 

The Udy Wants • 

Tramp Sex C 

MISCELLANEOUS 


me Under My Spell 

Rel. 

Date 

(84) Sex D. .Dec 78 

Lusty Princess (82) .Sex C. .Feb 79 

Carnal Highways 

(81) Sex C. .Apr 79 

m Always Ready .Sex C-D.. July 79 

lie New Erotic Adventures of 

Casanova Part 2 .Sex D.. Sept 79 

INDEPENDENT ARTISTS 

When the Screaming Stop! 

(94) Ho-F..Nov78 

e Black Six (90) .Ac-D. . . 79 

Mean" Joe Greene. Carl Eller 

INT'L HARMONY, INC. 

Shame of the Jungle 

(89) An-C..Sept78 

The Night the Prowler 

(90) C-D. .Mar 79 

Keiry Walker, Ruth (âcknel 

J" Men Forever (90) ..C. May 79 

Phil Procter 

Rust Never Sleeps 

(100) M-Doc. .June79 

Nell Young 

JAGUAR-BEEHIVE 

Disco Dolls in Hot S 

(95) Sex C. Sept 78 

CINEMA SHARES 

Jacob Two-Two Meets the 

Hooded Fang 

(80) F-C-D..Sept78 MUSTANG BEEHIVE 

Alex Karras. Stephen Rosenberg Carnal Encounters of the Barest 

Point the Finger of 

Kind (92) Sex-SF..Dci 

. Death Ac. Feb 79 

Shaolin Death Spuad ...Ac. Feb 79 

Fists of Bruce Lee 

(99) Ac. Mar 79 NATIONAL AMERICAN 

Coming Attractions C. Sept 78 

COUGAR RELEASING, LTD. 

Legend of Sea Wolf 

(90) Ad Sept 78 

Astral Factor (93) .. Sus .Nov78 

Kike Summer. Robert Foxworth 

Poopsle (95) C. Dec 78 

Sophia I/>rcn. Marcello Mastrolannl 

FIRST INT'L PICTURES 

Dracula Sucks 

(98) SexHo-C-D.. 

Jamie mills. Annette Haven 

KEY INT'L FILM 

Sweet Creek County War 

(98) W-C..Feb79 

Itli-h.-ird Bean, Albert Salmi 

rhree Way Weekend 

(85) Sex C. .Mar 79 

Dlfgn. Jody Olhava 

The Man Who Loved Bears 

(90) Ac-Doc. Oct 79 

Narr. : Henry Fonda 

MASADA PRODUCTIONS, INC. 

Rel. 

Date 

The Tree of Wooden Clogs 

(175) Hi-D..Junc79 

Woyzeck July 79 

Orchestra Rehearsal 

(70) DM.. Aug 79 

Against the Grain Sept 79 

Don Giovanni Nov 79 

(D-U) 

NMD FILM DISTRIBUTING CO. 

Naughty School Girls (84) ...Mar 79 

liebecca Brooke, Sandra Gartner 

The Carhops (88) Apr 79 

Kitty Karl, Lisa Farringer 

The New Adventures of Snow 

White (76) May 79 

Marie Llliedalil. Ingrid Van Bergen 

How to Score With Girls 

(82) June 79 

Ron Osborne. Larry Jacobs 

Smokey and the Hotwire Gang 

(85) June 79 

ames Keach, Stanley Livingston 

OMNI PICTURES 

Wolfman (101) . . . . Ho-Ac 

The Devil's Clone 

(96) Ac-Sus. 

INT'L PICTURE SHOW 

Land of No Return 

QUARTET FILMS 

(85) Ad.. Sept 78 Wifcmistress (101) 0.. Jan 79 

Marcello Mastroiannl. Laura 

Where Time Began 

(90) SF. Sept 78 Antonelli 

They Went That-a-Way and Thata-Way 

(100) CO 

(93) Ac-D.. Apr 79 

The French Detective 

Tim Conway. Chuck SIcCann 

Lino Ventura, Patrick Dewaere, 

Victor Lanoux 

The Magic of Lassie 

(100) C-DM..0ct7S Dracula and Son 

James Stewart. Mickey Rooney. 

(88) Ho-C..May79 

Pernell Roberts, Stephanie Zlmballst Christopher Reed 

(D-H) 

BUI Murray, Buddy Hackett 

NEW LINE 

Gizmo! (79) Sept 78 

Bronson Lee Chamnion (86) . .Sept 78 

Despair (120) Oct 78 

lUrk I'.iig.-irde 

irtle 

Back 

...C-D Oct 78 

Remadette Lafont 

Jive (81) 

.Nov 78 

rtotuTt Downey 

Autumn in Germany (116) . 

Revonne of the Streetfighter 

(90) 

Sonny (!lilba 

. 

NEW YORKER FILMS 

G.G. COMMUNICATIONS 

Just Lilie at Home 

(108) C-D..May79 

The Adventures of Pinocchio 

(90) An.. Oct 78 

The Little Mermaid (71) An. Jan 79 Peppermint Soda May 79 

Legend of the Northwest 

Ncwsfront (110) 

(© and b&w) (83) An.. Apr 79 

June 79 

Dunderklumpen (96) ..An.. June 79 Bill Hunter, Gerard Kennedy 

ROCHELLE 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 

The Driller Killer (90) ...Apr 79 

SANRIO FILM DISTRIBUTION 

The Great Balloon Adventure 

(89) C-Ad..Feb79 

Katharine Hepburn 

The Glacier Fox 

(90) Doc-D..Feli79 

Winds of Change 

(87) An-M-F..July79 

Narr.: Peter Ustinov 

(D-35S) 

Nutcracker (100) . . . An-M . .Nov 79 

5PARR0WHAWK PRODUCTIONS 

Olympic Fever 

(88) Sex C-D., Oct 79 

Serena. Paul Thomas, 

Sella. William Margold 

STUDIO FILM CORP. 

Johnny Mar 79 

Mnrst Buchholl 

The Capture of Bigfoot 

(95) May 79 

Richard Kennedy. Katherinc Hopkins, 

Stafford Morgan, John Goft 

The Maggots Aug 79 

O'is Young, .lohn Co.T. 

Katherlne Hopkins 

TRICONTINENTAL FILM 

Chuouiago (87) D, Apr 79 

Tali:iiia Aponta. David Santalla 

Death of a Bureaucrat 

(87) b&w C. May 79 

-Part 

COMING RELEASES 

AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL 

Sean Coniiery. Natalie Wnnd, 

Henry Fonda, Trevor Howard 

Defiance 

D 

Jan-Mlchael Vincent, Joseph 

Campaiiella, Art Carney. Theresa 

Saldana 

The Humanoid 

Richard Kiel, Barbara Bach 

The Visitor 

John Huston, Shelley Winters, 

Glenn Ford 

Gorp C. 

Michael Lcmbeck, Phillip Casnoff, 

Dennis Quald. Richard Beauchamp 

The Evictors 

Vic Morrow, Michael Parks. 

Jessica Harper, Sue Ane Langdon 

AVCO EMBASSY 

A Man, a Woman and a Bank 

Donald Sutherland. Brooke A 

BUENA VISTA 

The Black Hole Dec 

Maximilian Schell, Anthony 

Perkins, Robert Forster 

(D-35S. 70) 

The Last Flight of Noah's Ark . . 

Elliott Gould, Genevieve Bujold. 

Ricky Schroder, Tammy Lauren 

COLUMBIA 

. . . And Justice for All ..C. Oct 79 

Al P.acino. Jack Warden 

The Electric Horseman D 

Robert Redford, Jane Fonda. 

Willie Nelson. Nicolas Coster 

Kramer vs. Kramer Dec 79 

Dustln Hoffman, Meryl Streep 

Freestyle 

Susan nark 

The Thief of Bagdad 

Terence Stamp. Peter Ustinov 

Hot Stuff 

Dom DeLulse, Suzanne Pleshette. 

Jeny Reed 

Madonna Red 

Newman 

The First Deadly Sin 

Clarion Brando 

Wind River OD-Ad 

Charlton Hestnn. Stephen Macht, 

Brian Keith, Victor Jory 

CROWN INTERNATIONAL 

Coach. Part II 

The Majorettes 

Holidav With the Pom Pom Girls 

FILM VENTURES 

The Cauldron of Deal 

(90) 

NEW WORLD 

Car Wars 

Battle Beyond the Stars . . 

Tie a Yellow Rihbon Round 

the Old Oak Tree 

PARAMOUNT 

North Dallas Forty Aug 79 

Nick Nolle, Mac Davis, 

Bo Svenson, Charles Durning 

Sunburn Aug 79 

Farrali Fawcett-Majors, Charles 

Grodin 

Mali 

Telly Savalas, Diana Muldaur. 

Priscilla Barnes 

Camille 

Tsabolle Adjani 

Rohin Williams 

Star Trek—the Motion 

Picture 

SF-Ad 

William Shiitner. Leareird Niuuiv. 

Do F.irest Kcllry, James Doohaii 

Rough Cut 

Hurl llcytuilils. Jacqueline Blsset 

Full Moon in August 

American Gigolo 

Lauren Ilutton, Richard Oere 

Starting Over 

Burt Reynolds, Jill Clayburgh, 

Candlce Bergen, Charles Dumlng 

The Hunter 

Steve McQueen 

Little Darlings 

Tatum O'Neal, Krlsty McNlchol 

20TH-FOX 

Breaking Away C. Aug 79 

Dennis Christopher, DcnnLs Quald 

Luna D. .Oct 79 

Jill Clayburgh 

Nosferatu 

SF-Ho..0ct79 

Isabelle Adjani, Klaus Khiski, 

Bruno Ganz 

Health 

C..Dec79 

Glcnda Jackson, Carol Burnett, 

James Garner, Lauren Bacall 

Nine to Five C. 

Jane Fonda 

t. Petersburg Cannes Express 

Julie Christie, Donald Sutherland 

The Rose DM.. 

Bette Midler, Alan Bates 

(D-35S. 70) 

Brubakir 

Robert Redford, Yaphet Kotto 

Fatso 

Anne Bancroft, Dom DeLulse, 

Candy Azzara, Ron Carey 

The Empire Strikes Back ...SF-Ad.. 

Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford. 

Carrie Fisher 

Willie & Phil 

el Ontkean, Margot Kidder, 

Ray Sharkey 

Hvalanche Express Sus-Ad 

Lee Manin, Robert Shaw. 

Linda Bvaas. Maximilian Schell 

All That Jazz DM. 

Roy Sclioider. 

Ben Vercen 

UNITED ARTISTS 

Apocalypse Now War D ., Aug 79 

Marlon Brando, Robert DuvaU. 

Martin Sheen. Dennis Hopper 

(D-35a. 70) 

Rich Kids Sept 79 

Kathryn Walker, John Llthgow, 

Darid Selby. Terry KIser 

Hide in Plain Sight (MGM) 

James Caan. Jill Elkenberry 

James and Jane 

James Caan, Genevieve Bujold 

Heaven's Gate 

Kris Kristofferson 

The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh 

Stockard Channlng 

Ladies of the Valley 

Jodie Foster 

UNIVERSAL 

The Lonely Lady D 

Susan Blakely 

The Senator 

Aliui Alda. Melvi-n Douglas, 

Barbara Harris 

Little Miss Marker 

Walter Matthau. Julie Andrews, 

Sara Stlmson, Bob Ncwhart 

Legacy 

Katharine Ross, S:im Elliott. 

Roger Daltrey 

(D-D) 

Resurrection 

Ellen Burstvn. Sam Shepard 

Coal Miner's Daughter B-0 

Sissv Spacek. Tomn>>' Lee Jones 

The Concorde—Airport '79 

Robert Wagner, Alain Delon, 

Susan Blakely. George Kennedy 

1941 C 

Dan Avkrovd. John Belushl. 

Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton 

WARNER BROS. 

10 Sept 79 

Julie Andrews. Had Daly. 

Dudley Moore, James Noble 

Captaiii Grown Up 

Diane Keaton 

Stepping Out 

George Burns, Art Carney 

The Squeeze Sus-C 

Stacy Keaeh, Lino Ventura 

First Blood 

Al Pacino 

Heart Beat 

Sissy Spacrk. Nick Nolle 

Just Tell Me What You Want . .C. 

. 

All MacGraw. Alan King 

The Day the World Ended . Ad-Sus. 

William Holden. Jacqueline Blsset. 

Paul Newman, Edward Albert 

Altered States 

William Hurt. Blair Brown 

BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: June 4, 1979

Opinions on Current Productions Feature reviews 

owod hers are in color, unless otherwise specilied as black and white (bSw). For story aynopsis on each pic 

WINTER KILLS H S"^"'""-""""^ 

Avco Embassy (7907) 97 Minutes Rel. May '79 ,, 

Director-screenwriter William Richert has turned Rich- Ox- 

, 

ard Condons novel about money, power and conspiracy 

1 

into a fascinating, complex motion picture that takes the 

viewer thi-ough a maze of clues and false leads. The shock 

ending solves the mystery for Jeff Bridges of who assassinated 

his brother, a U.S. president. Bridges does well 

as the son of multi-millionaire John Huston, whose 

wealth and power know no national or legal boundaries. 

Huston plays the role of a cruel, power-wielding tycoon 

to the hilt. Others involved in the intricate story are Anthony 

Perkins, Richard Boone, Eli Wallach, Sterling Hayden, 

Dorothy Malone and AustraUan actress BeUnda 

Bauer. Producer Fi'ed Caruso made the film on an awesome, 

lavish scale, with settings including a palatial resort 

complex, vast estates, oil tankers—all dramatizing 

the environment of super-rich, super-powerful men who 

toy with organized crime connections, governmental agencies, 

international coiporations, political parties and the 

destines of men. Elizabeth Taylor has an unbilled cameo 

as a Washington "hostess" who has mysterious ties to 

the syndicate. The devious, mtricate trail that Bridges 

travels in his search requires an alert audience; even 

those who pay close attention may be thrown off the 

track.—Ralph Kamlnsky. 

Jeff Bridges, John Huston, Anthony Perkins, EU Wallach, 

Sterling Hayden, Belinda Bauer, Dorothy Malone.

FEATURE REVIEWS Story Synopsis; Exploitips; Adiines for Newspapers and Program: 

THE STORY: 

"La Cage Aux FoUes" (IJA) 

The all-gay St. Ti-opez nightclub La Cage Aux PoUes 

is run by Ugo Tognazzi, who lives upstairs with Michel .uarsa 

Sen-ault. star of the show. Twenty years earlier, at about 

'"'''" 

the time Tognazzi and Serrault started their relationship, 

the former had a brief affair with Claire Maurier, which 

produced a son. The boy, Remi Lament, was raised 

by father Tognazzi and "auntie" Serrault, and now 

wants a normal marriage to Luisa Maneri. She's the 

pretty daughter of Michel Galabru, strict deputy of a 

society for moral uplift, and wife Carmen Scarpitta. Hurt 

by news of the death of the society's president in the 

arms of a prostitute, Galabm hopes to arrange his daughter's 

wedding as a means of overcoming the scandal. Since 

Mam-ier is a busy executive, Tognazzi asks her to make 

a point by coming to the dinner he is giving for Maneri 

and parents. When Maurier is delayed, Serrault—who is 

insanely jealous of her—di'esses up as Laurent's mother. 

Later, Galabru is forced to pose as a woman in order to 

avoid reporters. At the wedding, Serrault causes a scene 

when Mam-ier arrives. 

EXPLOITIPS: 

Mention the play's seventh year on the stage in Paris 

and the film's boxoffice smash in Europe. Serrault won 

a French Cesar for his performance. 

CATCHLIVES: 

The Comedy That Comes Out of the Closet . . . ''Wonderfully 

Zany'—New York Daily News.

, Inc., 

Ii 

ITES: 50c per word, minimum S5.00 CASH WITH COPY. Four consecutive inserlions tor price ol 

ben using a Boxollice No. ligur* 2 additional words and include $1.00 additional - - 

mdling replies. Display Classified, $38.00 per Column Inch. No 

allowed. CLOSING DATE: 

onday noon preceding publicatii— -^-'" Send *= copy and 

to Box Numbers to BOXOFFICE. 825 

311 in Brunt Blvd., Kansas Citv Mo. " 64124. NOTE: Bulky r 

Warded unless ( companietj by suiiicient postage. 

HELP WANTED 

fJCPERIENCED MANAGER/OPERATOR 

new twin theatres in New Jersey area, 

ilory commensurate with experience, 

iny benefits, including concession comssions. 

Send resume and references to: 

isic Makers Theatres, Inc., 1650 Oak 

"reel Lakewood, NI 08701. 

MANAGER—Immediate opening. $18,200 

r year. Concession percentage. Blue 

OSS-Blue Shield. Multiple theatre com- 

3X, oulstate Michigan. Retirement bene- 

3 available, as well as advancement 

.portunities, if work and attitude satisctory. 

Write: Boxoflice, 4262. 

MANAGERS/ASSISTANT MANAGERS for 

t-plex in Sayreville, New Jersey and 

illey Stream, New York. Good salary, 

mpany-poid benefits, major medical/ 

ntal Send resume and references to: 

Murray, Showcase Cinemas, P.O. Box 

Valley Stream, New York 11582. 

Mall Cinema in Phoenix 

We looking for a professional tc 

etiring professional 

;tart immediately. Salary, 

amissions, bonuses. We are most inter- 

;ed in hiring from in-person interviews 

'.y For interviews in Arizona call Keith 

:3c (602) 997-6363. In Colorado call GCC 

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

V. Mgr- also covers New Mexico, North- 

1 and Western Texas so interviews can 

conductecJ in those areas by appointiXCELLENT 

OPPORTUNITIES avcrilable 

experienced managers in the Houston, 

xas area. One of the nation's leading 

-aire circuits. Competitive salaries ofed 

Excellent fringe benefits. Send 

.ume or call: Elliott Brown, Division 

iice, General Cinema Theatres, 249 

jstwood Mall, Houston, TX 77074. (713) 

'0752. 

•REE INTERMISSION TIME CLOCKS, in- 

Drs and drive-ins. 3—10 minutes plus ONE 

'o of gross ($3,375.00 your share lor 5 

s) when you (or your managers) sell 

een ads in your community. We'll show 

J how and handle all details (ad makeiilm 

production, shipping, billing, 

). Write or call Theatre Time Clock 

P. O. Box 597, Sarasota, Fla. 

78. (813) 349-0331. 30 years in the bus- 

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE 

pressbooke, posters, etc. will not bo 

cueRine 

yd.. Hams retardant. Uuantity 

Nurse 6 Co., Millbury Rd., Oxford, 

Mass. C1540. 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. J.E.D 

Service Co., 10 Woodside Dr., Grafton, 

Massachusetts. (617) 839-4058. 

RADIO SOUND lor DRIVE-IN THEATRES 

includes transmitter and backup unit, 

$1,995 00. Available liom manufâcturer 

Call for further informalion. In Florida, 

(813) 748-1717; out of stole, (800) 237-9457 

SIMPLEX SUPERS and E7s, rebuilt, $750; 

RCA and Simplex soundheads, $800; Norelco 

and Cinemeccanica 35/70 machines. 

Xenons, carbons, lamphouses, lenses 

bases, parts you won't find elsewhere 

One year warranty. International Cinema 

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

FL 33133 (305) 756-0699 

35MM PORTABLE SALE — Norelco FP3, 

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

1995; Tokiwa T-60. $2,150. All in stock now 

International Cinema, (305) 756-0699. 

I6MM MINI THEATRE SPECIALS— 

rebuilt )AN projectors with separate 

bles*''bum°for''performance, ''$1,095. 

national Cinema, (305) 756-0699. 

XENON BONANZA— Slrong Lumex 2001 

li'-e watt factory rebuilt, new, $2,995 

Stiong 900 wait. 1600 wait, 2500 watl. Xe 

Iron 900 watt, 1600 wait and 2000 watt 

ORG 1000 watt and 1600 wait Many other: 

to choose from at tremendous savings 

Call International Cinema, (305) 756-0699 

PAIR 35MM Century CC, completely rebuilt, 

in first class condition, vrith 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. 

HOUSE 

EQUIPMENT WANTED 

WANTED: FILM BOOKER. "Film Buff" 

10 would like the challenge and train- 

I in booking with aggressive Mid-Atlanarea 

circuit. Resume. Boxoffice, 4260 

lOAD SHOWMEN 

well regarded, 

peccable repuyou 

need this. 

POSITIONS WANTED 

XPERIENCED 

1 1 swap meet manager. Age 37. Call 

) n A. Reichert, (213) 424-4526 or write: 

' 7 California Avenue, Long Beach, Cali- 

1 lia 90807. 

XHIBITION/DISTRIBUTION. Monagent, 

Marketing. 30 years experience. Age 

Boxoffice, 4266,

Who reads Boxoffice 

^p/e you know... 

and want to reach 

Key people in Exhibition: 

11,266* theatre owners and managers, circuit 

executives, film buyers, bookers and 

projectionists 

Key people in Distribution: 

1,198* distributors and sales executives, home office 

managers, bookers and publicity people 

Key people in Equipment; 

453* supply dealers, sales agents and executives 

Key people in Production: 

346* producers, directors, studio executives, 

cameramen, actors and writers 

Key People in the Media: 

262* newspaper, magazine editors and writers and 

radio-TV broadcasters 

Recognize your soles prospect 

You should because more key 

people in the film industry rely on 

BOXOFFICE for its complete and 

accurate information than any other 

film industry publication with ABC 

audited circulation.* 

Take one small step today toward 

big sales tomorrow . . . deliver your 

advertising message to the BOX- 

OFFICE Reader: someone who is 

integral to the film industry . . 

someone who makes the big 

^decisions . . 

someone like you. 

Audit liureau of C.irciil.ilicin-i 

Publisher's Statement for 6 inos. ending December 31, 1978 

(/ L ^

whefeltoU Began- JUNE 11. 1979 

SlarniQ 

BiaADLER 

, 

and Oi'ected 

•*"C""'«-» 

National PICTURES I 

c«c«.--—;^w..----r 

CVmHlAWOOD^^^^ _ ^^^^^^ 

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and 

MANSFIELD 

KEN 

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If 

( 

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Oângewood KLmsJiic. PRESENTS. 

THE BIGGEST FILM OF THE YEAR 1$ 

NOW READY! 

CALL, WIRE OR WRITE FOR DETAILS. 

This years "SWEETEST, JUICIEST, MOST SUCCULENT" array of films 

ever made available to discriminating audiences of erotic motion pictures. 

They'll Make Your Mouth Water!" 

And thats not all, watch for: 

"EUROPEAN LOVERS", "ALL AMERICAN HUSTLER" and "LOVIN LIPS" 

And in July: "NATURAL LAMPORN'S PRAT HOUSE" 

(onli.cl: IJKIIMJI) l)\AI(>\ ALDKK II 

lyOraiigewood Films, Inc. 

^V^^ / / 

1800 N. Highland Avenue, Suite 401, Hollywood, CA 90028 

•\ 

\f (213) 464-7297, or contact your local distributor 

»:>' 

I

' 

and 

The business weekly for motion picture exhibition 


Vice President/Publisher 

NOTICE TO BOXOFFICE SUBSCRIBERS: 

Effective July 2, 1979, Boxoffice will be published in just 

one National edition. We will no longer offer regional editions, 

because this one edition will carry the regional news. 

With this change, we will have a new subscription rate of 

$20.00 for U.S., Canada and Mexico. All subscribers who 

paid the full $25.00 rate will be given a 25% extension on their 

subscription term. 

Foreign rates will remain at $30.00 per year. 

We feel certain all subscribers will appreciate and enjoy the 

new, expanded National edition. 

uldo^ C 

William C. Vance 

(JnX_Q 

Vice President/Publisher 

BOXOFFICE 

825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. 64124 • 816-241-7777 

1 euipie 111 ro< 

"Pigskin Parade with Jack Oakie and Judy 

Garland. 

His last public appearance was April 9 

at the Academy Awards when he joined Ray 

Bolger. who played the Scarecrow in "The 

Wizard of Oz." to present an Oscar. 

Haley's death leaves Bolger as the only 

surviving member from the famous four 

who journeyed down the mythical yellow 

brick road to Oz in the ever-popular 

1939 film. Bert Lahr. who played the Cowardly 

Lion, died in 1967. and Judy Garland 

died two years later. 

^,„, Missouri 64124. SuhscrlpUon rates: Sectional 

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

Biceoutlve Edition: $25.00. foreign, $30.00. Single 

copy, T6c. Second class postage paid at Kansas Htr, 

Mo. BOXOFFICE PubUcatlon No. (USPS 062-280). 

BOXOFFICE :; June 11, 1979 

legislative struggle against blind bidding. 

In response to the action, NATO president 

A. Alan Friedberg addressed the following 

letter to TEA executive director Jerry 

Sunshine: 

"I want you to know that I am personally 

deeply appreciative of this magnanimous 

gesture of support for NATO specifically, 

and for exhibition generally. It is a statesmanlike 

gesture that will be applauded by 

exhibitors everywhre, and exemplifies the 

mutuality of interests that NATO shares 

with theatre equipment vendors and suppliers. 

"I know that you carry the ball in this 

matter and I thank you and your as.sociates 

who have made this generous gift to us at 

a time of extreme need." 

in New York Called 

I Rights by UA 

ting, he said simply, "We don't want them 

to do this." 

The legal official and Schein each affirmed 

that UA"s written warning had nothing 

to do with Paramount's recent antitrust 

suit against five first run exhibitor circuits 

in Knoxville. Tenn. In its petition. Paramount 

charged that the defendants last December 

"convcived a plan, scheme, design 

arrangement" to divide the film company's 

product. Since then, the theatre 

chains allegedly refused to bid on upcoming 

features. 

Burton Robbins Named 

Head of Variety Int'l 

NEW YORK.— Burton Robbins has been 

elected president of Variety Clubs International, 

the global 

show business charity 

organization. Robbins 

was named to the 

two-year term at the 

concluding session of 

the group's 52nd annual 

convention recently 

at the Fairmont 

Hotel in New Orleans. 

Sir James Carreras 

was named chairman 

Burton Robbins 

emeritus with Eric 

Morley succeeding to the post of board 

chaiiman. Eastern Hemisphere, and Monty 

Hall re-elected to the post of Western 

Hemisphere board chairman. 

Elected to the board of directors were 

the following: Samuel Z, Arkoff, Peter J, 

Barnett, Monty Berman, Trevor Chinn, 

Fred Danz. Nat D. Fellman. Salah M. 

Hassanein, Phil Isaacs, Ben Marcus, Bernard 

M. Myerson, Henry G. Plitt, Michael 

Samuelson, Sam Shopsowitz. Joseph Sinay 

and Zollie Volchok, 

Robbins, who has been an international 

vice president of Variety since 1972, is 

chairman and chief executive officer of the 

National Screen .Service. 

MCA Directors Are Elected 

CHICAGO— Lew R. Wasserman. chairman 

of the board and chief executive officer 

of MCA Inc., announced that the MCA 

stockholders have elected the following as 

directors for their respective terms expiring 

at the 1982 annual stockholders' meeting: 

Louis B. Lundborg, Sidney Jay Sheinberg 

and Lew R. Wasserman. 

The stockholders approved the amendment 

to the MCA Inc. certificate of incorporation 

to increase the authorized common 

stock to 60 million shares, and the appointment 

of Price Wateihouse & Co. as independent 

auditors for the fiscal year ending 

December .•!, 1979.

And thats not all, watch for: 

"EUROPEAN LOVERS", "ALL AMERICAN HUSTLER" and "LOVIN LIPS" 

And in July: "NATURAL LAMPORN'S FRAT HOUSE" 

Conlaci: KMIIVKI) l)\MO\ AI.DKK II 

1^ Orangewood Films, Inc. 

Vjj ;^, /' , 

1800 N. Highland Avenue, Suite 401, Hollywood, CA 90028 

\Vf (213) 464-7297, or contact your local distributor 

' 

\ 

" )''

Film Blind Bidding 

Continues in Texas 

DALLAS—A bill to outlaw blind bitUling 

ol motion pictures in Texas has been killed 

hv the state's House Calendars Committee. 

In a meeting held the evening of May 21, 

the vote for Senate Bill 820 was I'our in 

favor and two against, with chairman Tom 

Massey abstaining. In the nine-member Calendars 

Committee, a bill must have five 

affirmative votes to become eligible for a 

place on the House calendar. 

The bill had passed the Senate 26 to on 

April 11, and cleared the House Business 

and Industry Committee by a vote of 9 lo 

on April 24. It was then stalled in the 

House Calendars Committee until May 16, 

where, with voting held without a sufficient 

quorum, the measure failed. 

The bill was brought up under similar 

circumstances May 19, with the same results. 

This prompted NATO of Texas legislative 

consultant Joe Golman to appeal for 

a 

vote by the full Calendars Committee. But 

due to the unforeseen absences of several 

members, the necessary five affirmative 

votes were not cast, and the bill was killed. 

Supporters of the bill expressed disappointment 

and surprise at the failure of the 

bill to pass because they had been promised 

affirmative votes from 120 state representatives, 

and an expression of approval from 

Gov. William P. Clements. 

Tin Man' Jack Haley 

Dies in LA. at 79 

HOLLYWOOD— Actor Jack Haley, 79, 

best known for his role as the Tin Woodman 

in the 1939 film classic -The Wizard 

of Oz" died June 6 at UCLA Medical Center 

of a heart attack. 

Haley, who was admitted to the hospital 

on June 2 after suffering the attack, never 

recovered, lapsing into critical condition two 

days before he died. 

An actor and song-and-dance man, Haley 

starred in vaudeville, Broadway musicals 

and 50 films. He prospered at Twentieth 

Century-Fox, where he starred with Shirley 

Temple in "Poor Little Rich Girl" and in 

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

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


Product Splitting in New York Called 

'Violation of Legal Rights' by UA 

NEW YOKK — Two cases of exhibitor 

product splitting in the metropolitan area reportedly 

spurred a recent letter in which 

United Artists warned exhibitors that legal 

action would be taken to halt splitting. 

The May 25 letter stated that UA would 

look upon any splitting of product as "a 

violation of its legal rights." It cited the 

U.S. Justice Department's April 1, 1977, 

ruling against competing exhibitors who 

agree to divide or split first-run films to bypass 

the open bid situations preferred by 

the distributors to maximize film rentals, 

guarantees and advances. 

According to UA's New York branch 

manager Bob Schein. who sent the document 

to exhibitors, the letter was a formal 

method of letting it be known that "it was 

quite (to us) clear that splitting is going on. 

"It came to our attention there was splitting 

that we felt was illegal." 

Schein declined to name the two specific 

cases UA discovered. 

The letter also said that splitting would 

be challenged by "legal proceedings by UA 

to protect those (legal) rights." 

Schein, who said he doesn't expect a response 

from any of the exhibitors who were 

sent the letter, said, "Whether there'll be 

legal action remains to be seen," 

"Asked if the letter is a warning or a signal 

that legal action is 

in the early stages, Schein 

said, "That's not for me to comment on." 

A member of UA's legal department said 

court action would depend on "the severity 

of the infraction." The official, who said 

he "had a hand" in 

the writing of the letter, 

preferred not to be named. 

He termed the letter a "statement of our 

TEA Contribution to NATO 

A 'Statesmanlike Gesture' 

At its annual convention recently in Monterey, 

Calif., the Theatre Equipment Association 

board of directors awarded a $10,- 

000 contribution to the legal defense fund 

of the National Association of Theatre 

Owners to assist exhibition in its nationwide 

rights." Referring to exhibitors and splitting, 

he said simply, "We don't want them 

to do this." 

The legal official and Schein each affirmed 

that UA's written warning had nothing 

to do with Paramount's recent antitrust 

suit against five first run exhibitor circuits 

In Knoxville, Tenn. In its petition. Paramount 

charged that the defendants last December 

"convcived a plan, scheme, design 

and arrangement" to divide the film company's 

product. Since then, the theatre 

chains allegedly refused to bid on upcoming 

features. 

Burton Robbins Named 

Head of Variety Int'l 

NEW YORK— Burton 

Robbins has been 

elected president of Variety Clubs International, 

the global 

show business charity 

organization, Robbins 

was named to the 

two-year term at the 

concluding session of 

the group's 52nd annual 

convention recently 

at the Fairmont 

Hotel in New Orleans. 

Sir James Carreras 

was named chairman 

Burton Robbins 

emeritus with Eric 

Morley succeeding to the post of board 

chairman. Eastern Hemisphere, and Monty 

Hall re-elected to the post of Western 

Hemisphere board chairman. 

Elected to the board of directors were 

the following: Samuel Z. Arkoff, Peter J. 

Barnett, Monty Berman. Trevor Chinn, 

Fred Danz. Nat D. Fellman, Salah M. 

Hassanein, Phil Isaacs, Ben Marcus. Bernard 

M. Myerson. Henry G. Plitt, Michael 

Samuelson, Sam Shopsowitz, Joseph Sinay 

and Zollie Volchok. 

Robbins, who has been an international 

vice president of Variety since 1972, is 

chairman and chief executive officer of the 

National Screen Service, 

legislative 

•Pigskin Parade" with Jack Oakie and Judy 

struggle against blind bidding. 

In response to the action, NATO president 

A. Alan Friedberg addressed the fol- 

Garland. 

His last public appearance was April 9 

MCA Directors Are Elected 

at the Academy Awards when he joined Ray lowing letter to TEA executive director Jerry 

Sunshine: 

man of the board and chief executive offi- 

CHICAGO—Lew R, Wasserman, chair- 

Bolger. who played the Scarecrow in "The 

"I want you to know that I am personally 

Wizard of Oz," to present an Oscar. 

cer of MCA Inc.. announced that the MCA 

Haley's death leaves Bolger as the only deeply appreciative of this magnanimous 

stockholders have elected the following as 

surviving member from the famous four gesture of support for NATO specifically, 

directors for their respective terms expiring 

who journeyed down the mythical yellow and for exhibition generally. It is a statesmanlike 

gesture that will be applauded by 

at the 1982 annual stockholders' meeting: 

brick road to Oz in the ever-popular 

Louis B. Lundborg, Sidney Jay Sheinberg 

1939 film. Bert Lahr. who played the Cowardly 

Lion, died in 1967, and Judy Garland mutuality of interests that NATO shares 

exhibitors everywhre, and exemplifies the 

and Lew R, Wasserman. 

The stockholders approved the amendment 

to the MCA Inc. certificate of incor- 

with theatre equipment vendors and suppliers. 

died two years later. 

poration to increase the authorized common 

Publlslied weekly, except one Issue at sear-end, by 

"I know that you carry the ball in this 

stock to 60 million shares, and the appointment 

of Price Waterhouse & Co. as inde- 

Vance Publlstilng Corp., 825 Van Brunt Blvd. Kansas matter and I thank you and your associates 

City, Missouri 64124. Subscription rates: Sectlona 

EMtlon. $15.00 per year, torelgn, $25^00 NaUonal who have made this generous gift to us at 

pendent auditors for the fiscal year ending 

Executive Edition: $25.00. foreign, $30.00. Stngle 

a time of extreme need," 

December 31, 1979.

' 

THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY 

Five Sectional Editions 


JOHN F. BERRY 

Assoc. Publisher/National Sales Manaotr 

CHARLES F. ROUSE III 

Editor 

BEN SHLYEN Executive Editor 

MORRIS SCHLOZMAN Advertisinj Mananer 

HARVEY SHARP Circulation Director 

GARY BURCH EQuipment Editor 

JONNA JEFFERIS Associate Editor 

STUART A. GOLDSTEIN Associate Editor 

JIMMY SUMMERS Associate Editor 

KEVIN KIOUS Associate Editor 

RALPH KAMINSKY West Coast Editor 

JAMES A. ROBBINS East Coast Editor 

ADMINISTRATIVE 

HERBERT A. VANCE Chairman 

JOHN B. ONEIL President 

J. JAMES STAUDT Vice-President 

Executive 

C. WILLIAM VANCE Vice-President 

Publication Offices: 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas 

aij Mo. 64124. (816) 241-7777. 

Western Offices: 1800 N. UlgUtuid, SulU 707, Ilollynood, 

Ca. 80028. (213) 465-1186. 

Advertising sales: Ulen Vernon 

Eastern Offices; 133 B. 6Sth St., New York, N.Y. 

10022. (212) 755-5400. 

Advertbing sales: Jim Young 

TUE MOUEKN TUEATUE SecUon Is Included In 

one l^sue each montb. 

Atlanta: Genevieve Camp, 166 Undbergli Drive, N.E. 

30305. 

Biiltimure: Kate Savage, 3607 Sprlngdale, 21216. 

tiosUiu: Ernest Warren. 1 Colgate lload, Needtaam. 

Mass. 021142. Tele. (617) 444-1657. 

Burfalo: Edward F. Meade, 760 Main St., 14202. 

Tele. (716) 854-1555. 

Cbarlutte: Chas. J. Leonard Sr., 319 Queens ltd., 

28204. Tele. (704) 333-0444. 

Chicago: Frances B. Clow, 175 North Kenllworlh, 

Uak Park, 111. 60302. Tele. (312) 383-8343. 

CinchlnaU: Tony B. Kutberloid, Boi 362, Huntington, 

W. Vs. 35708. Tele. (304) 525-3837. 

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Tele. (216) 991-3797. 

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Tele. 266-9811. 

Hartford: Allen M. Wldem. 30 Pioneer Drive. W. 

Hartford 06117, Tele. 232-3101. 

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Tele. (317) 251-5070. 

JacksonvUle: Joyce Malmborg, P.O. Box 10066, 32207. 

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(901) 683-8182. 

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Philadelphia: Maurle H. Orodenker, 312 W. Park 

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Tele. (801) 328-1641. 

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

IN CANADA 

Calgary: Maxine McBean, 420 40th St.. S.W.. F3C 

IWl. Tele. (403) 249-6039. 

Montreal: Tom Cleary. Association des Proprletalres 

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

No. H3S 1U8. 

Ottawa: Garfield "Willie" WUson. 768 Ralnsford Ave.. 

KJK 2K1. Tele. 746-6660. 

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

Vancouver: Jimmy Davie. 3245 W. 12. V6K 2R8. 

Wl:;nlpi-g: llobert lineal. 600-232 Portage Ave., I13C 

OBI. 

JUNE 

Vol. 115 

i:Busirw^b 

1 979 

No. 10 

mBa'mm^. eîk Mâ^ mu^ Suî 

SUPERSTARS NEVER DIE . 

pHE SILVER SCREEN has given birth to many 

celluloid stars through the years, but the 

prestigious role of superstar is reserved for only 

a select few. Mary Pickford, the queen of the 

silent screen and on into the revolutionary sound 

or "talkie" era, was the quintessence of such 

superstardoni. 

We share with those in the motion picture industry 

and a loyal and loving public, both domestic 

and abroad, in the grief and sadness associated 

with Miss Pickford's death. 

Over the years, she came to be known affectionately 

by the oft-heard sobriquet "America's 

Sweetheart," principally for the many screen roles 

in which she invariably played a sweet, wholesome 

young girl with beautiful golden curls. She 

possessed an irresistible charismatic charm that, 

when coupled with her radiant photogenic beauty 

and .superlative performing talent, touched the 

heart of just about everyone who saw her 

perform. These remarkable attributes are unrivaled 

by any female actress since. She was truly 

a master at her art. 

Bom Gladys Mary Smith to a lower-middleclass 

family in Toronto, Canada, on April 8, 

1893, Miss Pickford made her acting debut in a 

melodrama, "The Silver King," at the local 

opera house. Her mother at first refused her permission 

to accept the part, believing that women 

in 

the theatre were scandalous and unladylike. 

In 1906, Miss Pickford joined with David Belasco, 

then considered Broadway's most successful 

impresario, who, incidentally, didn't like the 

name Gladys Smith and christened her Mary 

Pickford (after her middle name and her grandmother's 

name). 

On tour in Chicago for Belasco's "The Warrens 

of Virginia," Miss Pickford witnessed her 

first motion picture and was not the least impressed. 

The "flickers," as some called them, 

were shown in makeshift theatres called nickelodeons, 

and to perform in one was not considered 

worthy by serious practitioners of the theatrical 

arts. 

Nevertheless, having fallen upon lean times, 

she took the fateful plunge from .stage to screen in 

1909, signing with D. W. Griffith and the Biograph 

Company in New York. Her first film was 

"Her First Biscuits," a split-reel, seven-minute 

piece of work that took less than a day to shoot. 

Miss Pickford and motion pictures shared 

something in common: They were both adolescents 

and each was ready for the other. 

She left Griffith for a short time to work with 

Carl Laemnile's Independent Motion Picture Co. 

before returning to Biograph, where she was a 

leading actress . . . but not yet a star. She was 

known as "Little Mary" and "The Girl with the 

Curls." There were no stars then. Filmmakers 

felt that revealing the names of the stars would 

lead to instant fame and uncontrollable fortuneseeking 

on the part of other performers. When 

the name Mary Pickford subtly appeared in the 

. 

credits in one of her films as having played n 

leading role, their worst fears were confirmed 

It marked a first in motion picture annals i 

a major change in the life of the world's h 

publicly acknowledged "star." At that point in s 

career, it was reported that Miss Pickford n 

making in excess of $100,000 a year as Ho 

wood's leading lady. 

America's sweetheart was more, though, tli 

just a talented performer with a pretty face; i 

was an accomplished businesswoman as wl 

causing one Hollywood observer to remark: ^!. 

was a walking motion picture company." She I 

ways had an acute interest in the profits 

work would earn. This keen business sense pla; 

an instrumental role in the formation of Uni 

Artists, the film distributing company she hel| 

found along with industry giants Griffith, Dou| 

Fairbanks and Charles Chaplin. 

By 1920 it was difficult to imagine that IV 

Pickford's popularity could climb to even grea 

heights. But her marriage to Fairbanks beca 

the most celebrated event in the world. A m 

riage made for Hollywood—the king and qu« 

of motion pictures. It was a golden time, and tl 

were the golden people. 

She helped form the Academy of Motion P 

ture Arts and Sciences in 1927 and a year la 

made her first talkie, "Coquette," for which < 

was awarded an Oscar for best actress. 

Miss Pickford's career continued to pros] 

in the early '30s, but her storybook marriage 

Fairbanks unfortunately was headed in a deci 

ly downward direction, finally culminating 

divorce in 1935. 

She remained at Pickfair, the palatial moi 

taintop estate overlooking Los Angeles nil 

famous by her all-American marriage to Fi 

banks, and. in 1937, married Buddy Rogers, 

bandleader from Kansas 11 years her junior. 

As the years passed. Miss Pickford was si 

less and less frequently in public, becoming a 

cluse of Pickfair. More recently she began dec 

ing all face-to-face interviews. Because of fail 

health, she rarely left the estate except to ti 

short rides, often in the evenings, around Ho 

wood and Beverly Hills. 

Shortly before her death, she insisted on all 

ing her will to provide for destruction of ab 

200,000 feet of her silent film upon her des 

She feared they wouldn't stand the test of tii 

and didn't want them compared with c 

temporary movies. At the frantic urging of 

husband and close friends, however, she was jj 

suaded to rescind her request and allow the fil 

to be preserved. 

A poor girl from a broken Canadian hoi 

Gladys Smith went on to amass between $30 i 

lion and $50 million in personal wealth ove 

long and illustrious career that included the m 

ing of more than 200 films spanning two decat 

"Little Mary" is gone, but she leaves behin 

legacy that will endure and be emulated by m: 

for centuries to come.

Golan-Globus& Cannon 

Team Up; 8 Films Done 

NEW YORK—Menahcm Golan and Yoram 

Globus of Golan-Globus Productions 

have joined forces with The Cannon Group 

Inc., a national production and distribution 

company based here. 

Cannon, with its library of 80 feature 

films including "Joe," starring Peter Boyle 

and directed by John Avildsen, "The Happy 

Hooker." with Lynn Redgrave, and "The 

Happy Hooker Goes to Washington," with 

Joey Heatherton, now will have the potential 

to grow into a new and major production 

and distribution company, Golan stated. 

Golan and Globus, together with Dennis 

Friedland, who has steered Cannon during 

bus will 

incorporate into Cannon their entire 

foreign sales organization. 

The new Golan-Globus films are: 

"The Magician of Lublin," starring Alan 

Arkin, Louise Fletcher. Valerie Perrine, 

Shelley Winters and Lou Jacobi, budgeted 

at $6 million. 

"Going Steady," budgeted at $L5 million, 

it is the sequel to "Lemon Popsicle," 

the highest-grossing independently produced 

film in Europe and Japan this year. 

"My Mother the General," the first war 

comedy about peace with a peace contract 

signed by an Israeli mother and an Egyptian 

counterpart, budgeted at $2 million. 

"Killer Behind the Mask," a David Paulsen 

suspense thriller shot in New York City. 

'"Operation Thunderbolt," budgeted at 

$2.5 million, it won a best foreign film 

Oscar nomination in 1978. 

"The Uranium Conspiracy." a $2 million 

action adventure starring Italian idol Fabio 

Tcsti and Assi Dayan. 

"Kid Vengeance" a $2 million action 

western starring pop idol Leif Garrett, Lee 

Van Cleef, Jim Brown, Jack Palance and 

Glynis O'Connor. 

"God's Gun," a $2 million action adventure 

starring Lee Van Cleef, Richard Boone 

and Jack Palance. 

All films are completed and ready for 

distribution through Cannon. 

cent and productions for employee relations 

received 20 percent. 

The survey also indicates that 83 percent 

of the respondents still prefer to produce 

in 1 6mm film. However, according to the 

producers, the use of video is on the rise: 

38 percent of the respondents indicate that 

it's the preferred medium of distribution to 

internal audiences. This is equal to the percentage 

that chose film. 

James Robbins Named 

Boxof fice Eastern Editor 

NEW YORK—James Robbins has been 

named the new East Coast editor of Boxoffice, 

replacing John Cocchi. 

Robbins brings to the job a working 

knowledge of the motion picture arts as well 

the past 13 years, will jointly manage the as educational and vocational experience in 

new company, in which Golan and Globus piint journalism. He has a bachelor's degree 

in mass communication from Rutgers 

have taken a substantial stock interest. 

Golan-Globus will bring to Cannon eight College and a master's degree in cinema 

of its newly completed films now ready studies from New York University. He was 

tor distribution by Cannon and Golan-Glo- 

employed as a copy editor and part-time 

news and entertainment writer for The 

Post-Standard in Syracuse in 1974-76, and 

most recently worked as general assistant to 

a biographer-novelist while working toward 

his graduate degree at N.Y.U. 

Summer Ad Efforts 

Subject of Conference 

DALLAS— The advertising campaigns 

lor movies being released this summer by 

Warner Bros., Paramount, Universal, AI, 

UA and AFD were discussed with executives 

representing the major exhibitor chains 

at a movie marketing conference sponsored 

by National Screen Service in 

ly- 

Co-op Ad Preview 

Dallas recent- 

The conference, which is the only scheduled 

seminar of its kind, also provided 

exhibitors with a general advance look at coop 

advertising, promotion and exploitation 

plans by the distributors. Arthur Manson, 

president of Cinemax and consultant to 

NSS, moderated the conference. 

One barometer of the conference's importance 

was a survey revealing that less 

than 5 percent of the advertising/ publicity 

and theatre agency representatives had attended 

either Show-A-Rama or ShoWesT 

film trade shows. 

Wrap Party Celebrates End of 


West Coost Editor 

HOLLYWOOD— Members of the Hollywood 

press corps., and the casts and crews 

of seven Paramount pictures headed the 

guest list of more than 1,500 industry members 

who turned out June 2 for "Hollywood's 

Greatest Wrap Party," celebrating 

the end of photography on some films. 

Taking over New York Street on Paramount's 

backlot, the festivities were kept at 

disco fever-pitch with a live orchestra, a 

disco fance floor and a stage where comic 

Richard Pryor emceed a live entertainment 

show. 

Television cameras recorded the lavish 

festivities for Paramount's customary system 

of turning a party event into a syndicated 

television show—a motion picture exploitation 

technique already honed to a fine 

edge with "Grease," "Saturday Night 

Burton Robbins. chairman of NSS, announced 

that the dates for the next conference 

will be announced shortly. 

Para. Filming 

Fever," "Foul Play" and "King of the Gypsies." 

"Hollywood's Greatest Wrap Party" became 

available for airing on TV stations in 

more than 100 cities beginning June 9. Previous 

specials had been taped at parties on 

sound stages or at indoor locations. This 

one, however will give TV viewers a close 

look at the backlot sets, including two theatre 

marquees advertising the names of the 

seven new pictures that have gone into preparation 

for release. 

Calling the forthcoming release slate "one 

of its most ambitious summer release programs," 

Paramount staged the celebration 

for "Players," "Prophecy," "Escape from 

Alcatraz" and "Sidney Sheldon's Bloodline." 

set for June release. "Meatballs" set for 

July, and "North Dallas Forty" and "Sunburn" 

set for August. 

44 Percent of Filmmakers 

Expect Economic Upswing 

NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y.— In a recent 

suivcy of motion picture prodcucrs around 

the country, conducted by Modern Talking 

Picture Service, 44 percent of the respondents 

indicated they expect an upswing 

of the economy during 1979. An additional 

42 percent forecast that film production will 

remain stable. 

In describing the areas in which they sec 

growth, a total of 96 percent responded 

that the greatest growth will be in industrial 

television: sales/ training productions drew 

'*'B 54 percent, internal television drew 22 per- 

|

fOR THE 

RECORD 

QLerald S. Paonessa, United Artists vice 

president for production, West Coast, 

will be leaving that post to re-enter independent 

production. He will continue to be 

associated with UA on a non-exclusive basis. 

Paramount Pictures has named Carol Pokuta 

as manager of West Coast marketing. 

Her responsibilities will be to coordinate 

financial and business affairs in the studio's 

publicity department. She previously was 

business affairs assistant for publicity. 

Robert J. Wunsch has been named United 

Artists vice president for production. West 

Coast. Wunsch joined UA on June 4. 

Oshry was branch manager for UA over the 

past sixteen years. 

Ned Tanen, president of Universal Pictures, 

has announced the appointments of 

G.M. (Mike) Ridges and Willette Klausner 

as vice presidents. Ridges will function as an 

executive assistant to R.N. Wilkinson. 

Klausner, currently vice president, director 

of marketing research, will retain that position 

in addition to her new responsibilities. 

Andrew Susskind has been appointed as 

director of comedy development for Time- 

Life Films. He will oversee the development 

of new comedy films for TV and theatrical 

release. Mary Lazar has been named 

director of motion picture development and 

will package properties for theatrical release. 

Larry A. Owens, business manager of 

KCOP-TV in Los Angeles, has been named 

studio controller for Paramount Pictures. 

Before going to KCOP he had been assistant 

director of financial planning at KTLA-TV. 

Titles & Takes 

Woody Allen's "Manhattan" continues 

its high-grossing pace with with $9,220,687 

for approximately 400 theatres over a period 

of 10 to 26 days. Examples of current 

situations: New York, nine theatres, 26 

days: $1.3 million; Los Angeles, 12 theatres, 

26 days: $771,577; Chicago, 10 theatres, 10 

days: $354,046. 

United Film Distribution's "Dawn of the 

Dead" has grossed $5,100,000 in its first 

four weeks of release. It also has grossed 

$2.5 million in Japan and Italy where it is 

playing under the title of "Zombie." 

"La Cage Aux Folles," ("Birds of a Feather") 

rang up a gross of $27,844 during 

its first eight days at the 68th Street Playhouse 

in New York. Picture is a United 

Artists release. 

\\ imsth 

Publicist Maurice Segal has been named 

vice president in charge of special services 

for Max E. Youngstein Enterprises. His 

agreement permits him to continue operating 

his own publicity company and to service 

other accounts in addition to Yoimgstein's. 

James W. Whiteside has been appointed 

administrator of branch operations for 

American International. He was previously 

associated with the company in 

sales duties. 

Sam Oshry has been appointed Detroit 

branch manager for American International. 

Bronson Will Receive 

Plitt 'Goldstar Award' 

DALLAS—Charles Bronson has been 

named the recipient of the 1979 "Gold Star 

Award," by Joe Jackson, executive vice 

president of Plitt Southern Theatres Inc., 

Dallas-based theatre circuit. 

Past winners of the annual award include 

Paul Newman, Orson Welles, Robert Redford, 

Barbra Streisand and Frank Sinatra. 

Bronson was cited for the award. Jackson 

stated, for "his outstanding contributions to 

the motion picture art which is matched by 

his remarkable success at the boxoffices of 

motion picture theatres in the United States 

and foreign markets. Through his 60 motion 

pictures. Charles Bronson has justly earned 

recognition from motion picture audiences 

worldwide as the film industry's number 

one international star." 

"The Adventures of the Wilderness Family" 

had a first week's gross of $325,000 in 

41 houses in New Zealand, with second 

week grosses in the same houses exceeding 

the first week's by 17 percent. 

New 'Main Event' Package 

NEW YORK—Round 3 of "The Main 

Event" is the latest mailing by Warner Bros, 

promoting their summer release of Ihe ro 

niantic comedy starring Barbra Slreisaiul 

and Ryan O'Neal. The package consists of 

a caricature of the stars by the famed 

Hirschfield, with a pensive O'Neal conlempkiting 

a casual Streisand. Streisand plays 

Ihe manager of O'Neal, a prizefighter. 

"The Main Event" is a First Artists Pres 

entation for Warner Bros, of a Jon Peters 

Production of a Barwood Film. It was produced 

by Peters and Streisand, directed by 

Howard Zieff and written by Gail Parent 

and .Andrew Smith. 

COMING SOON... 

A 

BIGGER 

and 

BETTER 

BOXOFFICE 

Leo Jaffc, chairman of the board of Columbia Pictures Industries Inc., has 

been cited by the New York Easter Seal Society for his support of the recent 

Easter Seal "Ice Castles" Skate-A-Thon drive which benefited handicapped children 

and adults throughout the United States. Jaffe was presented with a plaque 

by Jack l>, Oliver, executive director of the New York Easter Seal Society, and 

Belle Sarantitis, representing the Metropolitan Area division. 

BOXOFFICE :: June 11. 1979

'Poseidon' Promotion 

Intended as Booster 

HOLLYWOOD — Warner Bros, has 

launched a gigantic "Beyond the Poseidon 

Adventure" Sweepstakes—with an American 

Motors Spirit as its grand prize 

to give a major nationwide promotional 

boost to the Irwin Allen pioduction. now 

playing its first wave of national bookings. 

The contest will be heralded throughout 

the country, not only in theatres but in a 

wide spectrum of retail outlets as well. 

Prominently displayed in motion piciiue 

houses playing the spectacular movie will 

be special door panels and one-sheet posters 

heralding the contest. Also promoting the 

give-away will be 60-second theatrical trailers 

and special recoidings to be aired over 

lobby public address systems. 

On the retail side, the sweepstakes will 

receive a major push in more than 600 

American Motors dealerships where special 

posters will tout the contest and its AMC 

Spirit grand prize, noting that it is "like the 

actual American Motors car submerged 

fathoms below in the hull of the superliner 

S.S. Poseidon." 

An extensive network of other retail outlets, 

merchandising the runner-up prizes, 

will also prominently display the contest 

posters nationally. Participating in 

this phase 

of the promotion is a wide range of stores 

selling such diverse products as Quasar televisions. 

Admiral freezers, Epiphone guitais. 

Olympus cameras, Scubapro snorkel outfits 

and Spcrry deck shoes. 

Lorimar Opens European 

Office; Mittweg at Helm 

LOS ANGELES—In a major step. Lorimar 

Distribution International has opened 

a European office in London. Named as 

served as manager in Chile, Argentina. Japan 

and Italy. 

Robert Meyers, president of Lorimar Distribution 

International, said, "Mittweg's several 

years of experience in major company 

distribution in various markets of the world 

and his fluency in several European languages 

will help us extend to the independent 

distribution field a high degree oi 

professionalism. This will help us work 

closer with independent distributors and. at 

the same time, better serve the interests of 

our producers and creative talent." 

'Girlfriends' a Winner 

NEW YORK — Warner Bros.' "Girlfriends," 

directed by Claudia Weill, won the 

Opera Prize as Best Picture at the recently 

concluded Cartagena Film Festival in Spain. 

Also competing in the festival was Warner 

Bros." "The End of the World in Our 

Usual Bed in a Nightful of Rain." directed 

by Lina Wertmuller. 

AFD's $8.8 Million 'Muppet Movie 

Topped by Huge Promotional Push 

By 

RALPH KAMINSKY 


HOLLYWOOD— Even as the pressures 

begin lo mount in their first massive film 

exploitation campaign, 

Kerm.t the Frog 

there is a feeling of 

euphoria at Associated 

Film Distribution 

headquarters. The top 

brass likes to quip, 

"We"ie an instant major," 

as they contemplate 

a slate of six 

motion pictures due 

lo go into release by 

November—with an 

,,,,^n,^,|„iye price tag 

of almost $.'>0 million. 

Topping the list for the new distributors 

will be their pride, joy and prestige item: 

"The Muppet Movie" starring Kermit the 

Frog and the rest of the Muppet clan. The 

picture cost $8 million to make and will 

get a $6 million explortation boost to kick 

it off June 22 in major markets: New York, 

Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston and Toronto. 

"The Muppet Movie" will be the third 

feature the AFD team will have put on the 

screen. Already in release is the $8 million 

"Firepower," which bowed in April and 

grossed more than $2 million within the 

three weeks. 

first 

Mapping the distribution strategy for 

AFD are key executives Martin Starger, 

president 

of Marble Arch Productions; veteran 

distribution expert Leo Greenfield, 

senior vice president, who left his MGM 

spot as senior vice president of worldwide 

distribution to join the team; Fred Mound, 

vice president and general sales manager, 

who left his spot as vice president and as- 

vice president, UK and European Operations, 

sistant 

is Rolf Mittweg. Most recently Latin 

American sales supervisor for C.I.C. Mittweg 

general sales manager at United 

weeks before AFD was formed; 

Artists just 

has also served as C.I.C. homeoffice 

Barry Lorie, vice president heading up the 

publicity department who left similar chores 

representative based in Germany. Before 

where 

at Columbia Pictures; and Don Barrett, director 

that, he was with United Artists he 

of 

marketing. 

BOXOFHCE June 11, 1979 

$40 Million Plan 

They head up an operation created last 

November by two British brothers. Lord 

Lew Grade and Lord Bernard Delfont who 

promised to "fight each other all over the 

world" as they have in the past but to join 

hands in their $40 million distribution plan 

in America. 

AFD began to "Muppetize America" a 

month before "The Muppet Movie" will hit 

the screens in 60 theatres June 22. After 

that major opening push, the plan is 

to shift 

gears into an even bigger thrust on July 27 

when a nationwide release pattern will send 

out 600 prints by the end of August. "Thai 

might even go to 700," Mound commented. 

By the time the movie is released, AFD 

will have committed $5 million in its promotional 

and media spending and another 

million ju.st to create the exploitation material. 

On top of that will be another $1..'^ 

million to be spent by Cieneral Mills which 

by June will send out 20 million boxes of 

its Cheerios cereal, each containing trading 

cards keyed to the movie. 

As far as AFD staffers arc concerned 

the Muppets campaign began with a nationwide 

television special May 16, "The Muppets 

Go Hollywood." "It's a one-houi commercial 

for the movie—that's what it is," 

said Lorric. 

Going through the television mill: Key 

Muppet Kermit was a guest host of "The 

Tonight Show," Muppet personalities were 

on "NBC's Saturday Night Live" show 

and of course, the Muppet .Show it.sclf is a 

dynamite sales pitch for the movie. 

TV Market Roadblock 

Hollywood "The Muppet Movie" will 

In 

premiere June 21 at Pacific Theatres" Cinerama 

Dome as a benefit for educational 

television station KCET. "The Muppets 

came out of educational television where 

they gained their high visibility. So it was 

natural for us to think about KCET for the 

benefit," 

Mound explained. 

"We'll roadblock all the major television 

markets nationwide for the opening," Lorrie 

declared. "We'll roadblock the 10 and 

1 1 o'clock newscasts. No matter where you 

are in the United States you'll see a Muppets 

commercial—and it'll all be done as a 

local 

television buy. 

In Europe "The Muppet Movie" premiered 

May 31 with Princess Anne attending 

the screening at the Leicester Square 

Theatre as a benefit for The Princess Anne 

Charities. 

Market research results on the Muppets 

"are so good that its frightening," Lorrie 

asserted. "Ninety percent of the people in 

the surveys said they know the Muppets." 

'Main Event' Premiere 

In L.A. to be Gasless 

HOLLYWOOD—"The Main 

Event" will 

take a unique route to ring center in Los 

Angeles June 20, via the first gasless premiere 

in Hollywood history. Barbra Streisand 

and Ryan O'Neal will head a host of 

1,500 entertainment industry celebrities attending 

the gala affair at Mann's Chinese 

Theatre for the benefit of Sugar Ray's 

Youth Foundation. 

The premiere's celebrated guests will be 

asked to leave the relative security of their 

modest mansions in such outlying districts 

as Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood and 

Marina Del Rey and, in formal attire, 

venture forth by any ga.sless means, including 

roller skates, bicycles, and golf 

carts, to be personally greeted upon arrival 

by a master of ceremonies in 

the center 

of a boxing ring strategically placed in the 

famed forecourt of the historic movie palace. 

Appropriate prizes will be awarded for 

the most innovative means of gasless travel 

used.

i< ^Jôiiuwood lêiJoA M 

FILM PROJECTS 

Warren Beatty and Diane Keaton will 

star in Paramount's Reds. Beatty will produce 

and direct the adaptation of John 

Reed's "Ten Days That Shook the World." 

Beatty and Trevor Griffith co-wrote the 

screenplay. 

Alan J. Pakula will direct Sophie's 

Choice, based on the new novel by William 

Styron. Pakula and New York financier 

Keith Barish will co-produce. 

Filming was completed May 29 on 20th- 

Fox's Fatso. Anne Bancroft directed. 

Filming plans are under way for a Casablanca 

Filmworks production, The Beckoning. 

The fantasy-adventure story be will 

scripted by James Both. Principal photography 

is scheduled to start late this year. 

Otto Preminger will begin shooting early 

this month on locations in Africa and England 

on Graham Greene's The Human Factor. 

Heading the cast are John Gielgiid, 

Richard Attenborough, Nicol Williamson, 

Ann Todd and Derek Jacobi. Also in the 

cast are Tom Chatto, Richard Vernon, Martin 

Benson, Paul Curran, Fiona Fullerton 

and Adrienne Corri. Script is by Greene. 

Filming began May 24 on location in 

New York City on Willie and Phil. The Paul 

Mazursky film for 20th-Fox stars Michael 

Ontkean, Ray Sharkey and Margot Kidder. 

Mazursky is producing in association with 

Tony Ray. He is also directing from his own 

original 

screenplay. 

Filming will begin August 27 on Beyond 

Evil, starring John Saxon in the gory gothic 

horror story for Independent Films International/Scope 

III. Picture will be the first 

of three features to be made and distributed 

by the company. Herb Freed will direct. 

The second feature. Red Team— Blue 

Team, a comedy, will shoot in September 

with William Engle directing. Third feature. 

Maya, an action adventure story, will begin 

lensing in Januaiy. 

Producer Robert Stigwood plans to begin 

shooting in September in New York City 

on The Fan. Lauren Bacall will star in the 

suspense yarn based on the novel by Bob 

Randall. Norman Wcxler has adapted for 

the screen. Waris Hussein has signed lo 

direct. 

Gene Taft has signed with Warner Briis. 

to produce The Palace as the first of two 

projects. Co-producer of the political mystery 

will be Judith Balaban Quine. Quine's 

original story will be the basis for the 

screenplay by Joe Flaherty. 

Gerald S. Paonessa, who has left his post 

as vice president of production on the West 

Coast for United Artists to go into independent 

production, will produce a yet untitled 

screenplay by James Kirkwood. Picture will 

be his first project fo UA. 

Hollywood Blvd.. story of the last years 

in the life of actress Barbara Peyton, will 

bs a new film project for Kevin Casselman. 

Screenplay is by Ellis St. Joseph. Ray Ellis 

is scoring the picture. 

FEATURE 

CASTING 

Sally Kellerman will star with Martin 

Mull and Tuesday Weld in The Serial for 

Paramount. Kellerman will play the role of 

a much-married woman in the satirical comery. 

Picture will be based on Cyra McFadden's 

novel about life in trendy Marin County, 

Calif. 

Sir John Gielgud has signed to co-star 

opposite Anthony Quinn in Omar Mukhtar 

—Lion of the Desert. Picture is now in its 

seventh week of filming in Libya for producer-director 

Moustapha Akkad. Gielgud 

will play Quinn's boyhood friend who sides 

with Musolini's invaders during the Bedouin 

uprising of the 1930s. 

Andrea Howard has been signed to round 

out the trio of sexy secret agents in Universals 

The Return of Maxwell Smart. 

Martin Kosleck. Greg Palmer, Victor Sen 

Young and Dick Bakalyan have roles in The 

Man with Bogart's Face. Picture was written 

and produced by Andrew J. Fenady for 

Mel Simon Productions. 

Craig Richard Nelson has been cast in 

United Artists' A Small Circle of Friends. 

Rob Cohen is directing. 

Valerie Perrine has signed for a starring 

role in Allan Carr's $10 million Discoland 

. . . Where the Music Never Ends. Bruce 

Jenner will make his film debut in the picture. 

Shooting is slated to begin August 20 

in New York for EMI Films. Nancy Walker 

will 

direct the comedy-musical that also features 

the Village People. 

Christopher Lee, Bill Macy and Peter 

Bonerz have been signed for The Serial. 

Filming began May 28 in Los Angeles. Sidney 

Beckerman is producing with Bill Dersky 

directing. 

Jacqueline Bisset, Ben Gazzara and David 

Janssen have been signed for Oh, Inchon. 

The Korean War film is budgeted at .$18 

million. Japanese industrialist Mitsiharu Ishii 

is producing. 

ACQUISITIONS 

Robert Guenetle Productions: Rights obtained 

to Running Dog, a new novel by Don 

DeLillo. 

Davis Productions: Rights pui chased lo 

The Flesh Twi.stcrs. Filming will begin 

DISTRIBUTION 

United Producers Distributing Organization: 

United States and Canadian rights to 

The Fishmen. Barbara Bach, Joseph Cotton 

and Richard Johnson star. Test marketing 

dates are set for early August. National release 

will be Sept. 28. 

Group I Films: Sex and Violence, suspense-terror 

film directed by Leopold 

Pomes. Laurence St. Marks and Richaid 

Manners star. Test engagements are scheduled 

for July with national release in August. 

TECHNICAL 

ASSIGNMENTS 

Carol Connors will write the music and 

lyrics for the title song of Wilderness Family 

III for Pacific International. 

Finos Film Studios of Athens, Greece, has 

signed Richard Jefferies to write and direct 

Manshark. The suspense-thriller will be 

filmed on location in Greece and the Aegean 

Sea later this year. 

Underwood Productions International has 

signed writer-director Thom Keith to develop 

a screenplay, Sugarfoot Rag. Picture 

will be based on the life of Nashville picker 

Hank Garland. Principal photography is set 

to start in the fall in Nashville. 

Writer-director John Carpenter has been 

set to compose and conduct the music for 

his own production. The Fog. The modernday 

ghost story will be an Avco Embassy 

release. 

Martin Films' Lineup 

Includes 'Rhinestone' 

HOLLYWOOD — Quinn Martin, longtime 

television producer who sold his QM 

Productions to Taft Broadcasting Co. early 

this year, has announced a $42 million program 

under which his newly formed Quinn 

Martin Films will produce seven motion 

pictures. 

First of the projects will be "Six Against 

the Rock," with Cliff Gould writing the 

screenplay based on Clark Howard's novel 

about an actual prison break from Alcatraz. 

Martin's second feature will be "These 

Lonely Victories," based on Elliot Wcsl's 

novel dealing with counterespionage backgrounded 

in Berlin. Elliott Baker is writing 

the screenplay. 

Rounding out the program will be two 

original screenplays and three others based 

on movels. The originals will be Mori Fine's 

"Rhinestone Cowboy," based on the song 

written by Larry Weiss, and "So Long Maggielove." 

a 

love story by Gerald DiPego. 

The three others will be "Many Me," 

basid on John Updike's novel, "The Sundial" 

by .Shirley Jackson and "Sleeping 

Dogs" by Frank Ross.

THE PROMOTION AND MERCHANDISING GUIDE 

Send news of adyertising campaigns and publkity to STU GOLDSTEIN. MERCHANDISING EDITOR 

1940s Style Promotion 

Used for 

Hanover Street 

Taking her cue from the period when the 

movie story was set. Linda Goldenberg, 

regional promotion and publicity director 

for Columbia Pictures, converted Sameric's 

Duchess Theatre to a 1940s temple for the 

premiere of "Hanover Street." The opening 

had the feeling of a •40s-style Hollywood 

premiere with kl'eg lights and red carpet 

along with a "Big Band." 

Many celebrities arrived at the Duchess 

Theatre in vintage limousines and were 

gieeted and interviewed by Eddie Greves, 

KYW-TV personality. Inside the theatre, the 

hosts were radio WIP personalities Bill Neil 

and Bill Webber. Some of the well known 

guests included sports celebrities of the 

'40s, including Del Ennis (Phillies baseball); 

George Senesky, Matt Guakes Sr. and 

Ed Gottlieb (Warriors basketball); and Mike 

Jarmoluk (Eagles football). 

Also on hand were Purple Heart, Silver 

Star and Bronze Star decorated heroes of 

World War II in attendance with one of the 

most decorated heroes of the Vietnam War. 

Major V. R. Burlingame. Following the 

screening, a wine and hors d'oeuvres reception 

was held at a nearby restaurant for the 

special 

guests. 

Karate Weekend Highlights 

'Good Guys' at Showtown 

For his showing of "Good Guys Wear 

Black," manager Michael M. Fortunato 

sponsored a Karate weekend at Cobb Theaties' 

Showtown USA in Pensacola, Fla. To 

arrange for the promotion. Fortunato contacted 

a karate center and planned three 

days of live 

demonstrations with the center's 

chief instructor. The two agreed on an arrangement 

whereby the instructor would 

perform at inteimission for three nights. 

The karate center also agreed to give away 

a year of free karate lessons and a free uniform 

for those who enrolled in martial arts 

classes after seeing the demonstrations. 

Pizzas were also given away as prizes, 

courtesy of a local eatery, in addition to 

Hai Karate aftershave products as "extra" 

gifts. A local paper carried the story of the 

promotion, and a Pensacola radio station offered 

a tie-in via a trivia quiz. 

|_jjyg 

COIlteSt fOr TrOmiSC' 

The Oaks 6 Theatres in Gainesville. Fla., 

used a "contest for lovers" to promote their 

recent engagement of "The Promise." The 

contest, co-sponsored with radio station 

-WIN- 

WPRIZE 

2W PRIZE 

i-ui PRIZE 

WGGG, requiied the contestants to make 

a promise of love to their lover in 25 words 

or less. The station provided free air time 

for 

the contest. 

In exchange for mentioning their name 

in the theatre's radio and print advertising. 

merchants donated a variety of prizes. The 

prizes, in addition to free passes to the Oaks 

6 Theatres, included dinner at a local restaurant, 

gift certificates from a jewelry 

store, a dozen red roses from a Gainesville 

llorisl and a bottle of wine from a cheese 

and wine shop. 

A heart-shaped "contest for lovers" logo 

was used in the boxoffice display as well as 

on entry blanks and in newspaper advertising. 

The winning entries were then posted 

in the theatre lobby during the entire run. 

'Live' Interview From Casket 

Exploits 'Dawn of the Dead' 

Manager Leonard Layman pulled a 

"Casket Capei" for his opening of "Dawn 

of the Dead" at the Plaza Theatre in Birmingham. 

WSGN, local top forty radio station, 

aired requests for young women 17 

years and older to call in if they would like 

to have their own "private" showing prior 

10 the regular opening the next day. If they 

agreed to lee "Dawn of the Dead" while 

lying in a casket starting at midnight the 

young lady would be given $50. 

The radio station ran the contest for 

seven days and had 54 young women call 

in 

to volunteer. A drawing was then held to 

select the winner. Prior to the beginning of 

the special showing, the winner was interviewed 

"live" from the casket. 

SHOWMASSUir n IW'FRS—Thc M.vf/i uninial A ir, n, ,iti \fiilli Cinema 'Success 

through Showmanship" coiuest winners i;a!hcr,', I in Kaii^.is City to he honored 

for their high performance records. Pictured are (left to right) Ron D. Leslie, e.xecutive 

vice president: managers Troy Willingham. Gary Sherman. Phil Singleton. 

Jim Merck, and Randy Mills; and Al Boos, assistant vice president. A four-day 

vacation at Tan-Tar-A resort capped the awards. 

BOXOFFICE Showmandiser :: June 11 1979

BOXOFFICE 

BAROMETER 

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

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

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

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

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

^^mI

. . 

WASHINGTON 

J^n editorial on Mary Pickford in the 

Washington Post read, in part: "Not 

for nothing was Mary Pickford called 

"America's Sweetheart.' a high and holy designation 

in a country built on romance . 

Most of all she knew what America wanted 

in a woman—a sweetheart making millions." 

Charles T. Jordan, Warner Bros, branch 

manager, had his company's tradescreening 

of "Time After Time" at the Jenifer Cinema 

June 8. Jordan advised exhibitors that 

Nicholas Mayer directed and that the starring 

roles are performed by Malcom Mc- 

Dowell, David Warner and Mary Steenburgen. 

Marty Zeidman, Columbia branch chief, 

will screen "TTie Villain" for exhibitors and 

special guests at the Motion Picture Assn. 

of America June 12. Zeldman's invitation 

is stated that the film a comedy-western 

starring Kirk Douglas. Ann-Margret. Arnold 

Schwarzenegger and Paul Lynde. The 

Mort Engelberg production was directed by 

Hal Needham of "Hooper" fame. 

Steve Turner, Universal branch boss, 

tradescreen "Dracula" in 

will 

the MPAA screening 

room June 12. The film will have an 

area multiple opening July 13. 

'' 'Allen' grosses are outgrossing 'Star 

Wars,' " according to Charlie Costolo. general 

manager for the Pedas Circle Theatres. 

the circuit which operates the Uptown Theatre, 

where "Alien" is showing. ("Star Wars" 

also opened at the Uptown.) "Alien" broke 

the 1 1 ,000-seat Uptown's records for every 

Friday (opening May 25. $14,637), Saturday 

(May 26, $20,451). Sunday (May 27, 

$20,073), Monday (May 28. $17,813), Tuesday 

(May 29. $7,900) and Wednesday (May 

30, $8,253). "Alien's" expanded showings 

start June 22, when it will open in seven 

more situations. 

The Star's film critic. Tom Dowling, 

said. " "Alien's' inteigalactic ore barge. 

the Nostromo, may be more realistic— in 

absolute terms, more persuasive—than the 

spaceship underbellies in 'Star Wars," "Battlestar 

Galactica' and "Star Crash.' " 

Gary Arnold, the Post's critic, and Dowling 

the 1978 Rhode Island pornography law 

relate most favorably to the real Albert used by police to conduct raids on cinemas 

Brooks, comic, and his Paramount release. showing X-rated motion pictures, adult 

"Real Life," now playing at the K/B Cerberus 

and K/B Baronet West theatres. Arnold 

wrote: "Albert Brooks (31) may be the 

bookstores and an art show called "Private 

Parts." 

Mrs. Lorraine Silberthau, press secretary 

Woody Allen of the 1980s. His extraordinary 

to the governor, remarked that Garrahy faphy 

first feature, "Real Life." demonstrates vors a state law to crack down on pornogra- 

despite the state high court's ruling. 

a potential genius for movie comedy and 

The governor, she continued, never intended 

is animated by a peculiarly fertile and 

subtle imagination." Critic Dowling wrote: 

the 1978 law to be used against art 

shows. ""He feels it's right," Mrs. Silberthau 

" 'Real Life' is the best thing done on journalism 

since "Front Page.' and it's a lot 

tougher than the Hecht-McArthur play to 

boot. "Real Life' gave me more laughs, by 

a carload, than any other movie I've seen 

this year, or last year for that matter." 

Among the movie openings are: "Blood 

Type Blue." the American premiere of a 

new science fiction thriller by Japan's Kihachi 

Okamolo, at the Biograph Theatre; 

Thj Ravagers," a futuristic melodrama 

concerning the barbaric survivors of a nucleai- 

holocaust, at 16 situations; and "'The 

Toy." a new French comedy starring Pierre 

Richard as a journalist assigned to his boss' 

young son, at the OLiter Circle I. 

Blind Bidding Bill 

Introduced in N.J. 

TRENTON, N.J.—A bill that would outlaw 

the practice of blind bidding in the 

motion pictuie industry, introduced by 

Sen. Frank Graves, Democrat of Passaic 

County, will be considered at public hearing 

June 8 which is expected to be attended 

by movie producers. William Kohn, a 

lobbyist for the Motion Picture Assn. of 

America, testified against the bill ealier before 

the Senate Law and Public Safety 

Committee. 

Sen. Graves said he introduced the measure 

at the behest of several northern New 

Jersey theatre owners who objected to the 

motion picture distribution system in the 

state. The hearing will be held in North 

Jersey in Paterson. 

In bordering Pennsylvania, a similar bill 

was introduced in the state legislature in 

that state and was immediately attacked by 

Simon Barksy. counsel for the Motion Picture 

Assn. The bill's sponsor is Sen. Michael 

P. Schaefer. Democrat of Allegheny 

County (Pittsburgh). A public hearing on 

the bill was scheduled for June 5 in Harrisburg. 

Pa., before the Senate Business and 

Commeice Committee. 

R.I. Governor Requests 

New Pornography Statute 

By ALLEN M. WIDEM 

Regional Correspondent 

PROVIDENCE — Rhode Island Governor 

J. Joseph Garrahy has asked Attorney 

General Dennis J. Roberts II to draw up a 

new pornography law for submission to the 

1980 state legislative session. 

The governor's request follows a ruling 

by the State Supreme Court to the effect 

that the existing state statute is unconstitutional. 

The state's high court struck down 

said, ""to wipe out pornography for profit. 

He's not thinking in terms of art or culture 

or anything like that as being pornographic. 

He's thinking of the smut stores." 

The state's high court ruled (4-0) that the 

1978 statute was so broad it look away from 

the jury the discretion to determine just 

what is obscene. 

NEW 

YORK 

JÎRECTOR PAUL MAZURSKY has repeatedly 

demonstrated a taste for New 

York settings as a backdrop for his contemporary 

comedy-dramas. Continuing this 

preference shown in ""Next Stop Greenwich 

Village" and ""An Unmarried Woman," he 

lecently began principal photography in 

New York City for his current outing, ""Willie 

and Phil." 

The film, which will also be shot in Los 

Angeles, Kentucky, Hawaii and India, 

boasts the expertise of Swedish cincmatographer 

Sven Nykvist. The Mazursky script 

tells the oft-told story of two men (Michael 

Ontkcan and Ray Sharkey) who fall in love 

with the same woman (Margot Kidder). 

""Willie and Phil" takes a compassionate 

look at the love triangle, but it also satirizes 

American lifestyles in the 1970s, according 

the Tony Ray-Mazursky production. 

to 20th Century-Fox, which is set to release 

Quashing recent tradepress reports, United 

Artists has confirmed its intention to continue 

working with the Diener/Hauser/ 

Bates advertising agency. Edward Seigenfeld. 

UA 's vice president for advertising and 

publicity, responded to erroneous news 

stories suggesting a possible shift to the 

Compton Advertising Agency. He said UA's 

only link to the agency came during a special 

prim advertising campaign for the forthcoming 

re-release of "Fiddler on the Roof," 

in Dolby stereo. 

Discussing UA's "firm commitment" to 

Diener/Hauser, Seigenfeld added that the 

agency has long been "a keystone to our 

advertising operation." 

The Fourth Festival of Italian Theatre 

Films was conducted at Columbia University 

last week. The 10 movies shown date 

from 1914 to 1977 and chosen were to depict 

the development of the Italian cinema. 

Bowling is the latest entry in the summer 

sports film competition as "Dreamer" opened 

June 8 in the metropolitan area. 

The 20th Century-Fox romantic drama .stars 

Tim Matheson ("National Lampoon's Animal 

House") Susan Blakely and Jack Warden. 

Produced by Michael Lobell and directed 

by Noel Nosseck, the film also features 

sportscaster Chris Schenkel and Dick Weber, 

a four-time winner of the U. S. National 

Open Bowling Championship during the 

mid-1960s. The noted recording artist Pablo 

Cruise performs the movie song "Reach for 

the Top." 

• 

Rose De Luise, age 51. wife of Joseph 

De Luise, manager of the United .'Artists 

domestic co-op advertising dept.. died May 

24 after a long illness. She had been a patient 

at the John F. Kennedy Hospital. Edison, 

N.J., and had resided in Old Bridge. 

N.J. Other survivois are sons Joseph Jr. 

and Alfred, and a daughter Diane. 

BOXOFHCE :: June II, 1979 

E-1

J 

New York 

(Average weekly grosses follow theatre) 

Alien (20lh-Fox). 3 theatres. 

FIRST RUN REPORT 

1st wk. $416,169 

Battlestar Galactica (Univ). 30 theatres. 

2nd wk 255.740 

Beyond the Poseidon Adventure (WB), 

89 theatres, 1st wk 421.079 

Deatli of a Bureaucrat (Tricontinental). 

Cinema Studio II (3.700) 2nd wk. 8.500 

La Cage Aux Folles (UA). 68th St. 

Playhouse. 3rd wk 28,068 

A Little Romance (Orion-WB), Sutton 

(9.000). 5th wk 31.035 

Malicious (Para), Trans-Lux East. 

1st wk 29,610 

Manhattan (UA). 9 theatres, 

6th wk 226.858 

Newsfront (New Yorker). Cinema II. 

1st wk 29,610 

Phantasm (Avco), 3 days, 

101 theatres 703,437 

The Prisoner of Zenda (Univ). 

9 theatres. 1st wk 130.353 

Saint Jack (New World), Cinema I 

(10,400), 6th wk 14,212 

Teresa the Thief (World Northal). 

Gemini 1 (7,500), 4th wk 8,900 

The Toy (Show Biz Co.), Paris Theatre 

(9,000), 2nd wk 10.399 


(New Yorker), Cinema Studio I, 

4 days 13,491 

Cincinnat-i 


Alien (20th-Fox), 2 theatres, 

'st wk 2,000 




2nd wk 500 

The Champ (MGM-UA), 3 theatres 

8th wk .. 325 

Dawn of the Dead (United), 



14th wk 350 

Hair (UA), Showcase, 9th wk 150 

WOULD LIKE TO 

SEE ALL MY OLD FRIENDS 

Soles 

MEL DAVIS 

Representative 


2nd wk 125 

Love at First Bite (AI), Showcase, 

7th wk 275 

Manhattan (UA), Showcase, 

3rd wk 675 

The Promise (Univ), 3 theatres, 

7th wk 200 

Racquet (Cal-Am), Showcase, 

1st wk 225 

Same Time, Next Year (Univ), 


Voices (MGM-UA), 3 theatres, 

1st wk 150 

Walk Proud (Univ), 3 theatres. 

1st wk 250 

Cleveland 

8th wk !....305 

Hanover Street (Col). 6 theatres, 

2nd wk 110 



Psychic (SR), 5 theaties, 1st wk 210 

Richard Pryor—Live in Concert 

(SEE), 4 theatres, 3rd wk 195 

Sunnyside (AI). 7 theatres, 1st wk 105 

Voices (MGM-UA), 5 theatres, 1st wk. 50 

Winter Kills (Avco), 5 theatres, 

1st wk no 

Firepower (AFD), Cinema City I, 

2nd wk 125 

Hanover Street (Col), Cinema III, 

2nd wk 120 

A Little Romance (WB), 3 theaties, 

2nd wk 150 

Manhattan (UA), Showcase IV, 4th wk. 250 

Marianne Boquet (SR), Art Cinema, 

1st wk 175 

Norma Rae (20th-Fox), Cinema City II, 

,' 

8th wk 

Old Boyfriends (Avco), UA East I. 

Weslfarms II, 1st wk 135 


Showcase III, 1st wk 200 


Showcase V, 5th wk 150 

Voices (MGM-UA), Cinema I, Elm I, 

1st wk 225 

Wifemistress (Quartet), Atheneum 

Cinema, 2nd wk 115 

New Haven 

Alien (20th-Fox), Showcase I, 1st wk. . 

65 

.550 


Battlestar Galactica (Univ), Showcase II, 

2nd wk 295 2nd wk 235 

The Champ (MGM-UA), 1 theatre, 

The Champ (MGM-UA), Showcase V, 

Buffalo 

Battlestar Galactica (Univ), 3 

theatres, 

1st wk '. 

The Champ (MGM-UA), 1 

theatre, 

. 125 

6th wk 120 


lOlh wk 50 

Dawn of the Dead (United Film), 

2 theatres, 3rd wk 100 

The Deer Hunter (Univ), 1 theatre, 

13th wk 175 

Firepower (AFD), 1 theatre, 3rd wk. . . 1 00 

Hanover Street (Col). 2 theatres. 

1st wk 75 


2 theatres, 1st wk 75 

Last Embrace (UA), 1 theatre, 

3rd wk 75 

Love at First Bite (AI), 2 theatres 

4th wk 

I 10 

Manhattan (UA), 3 theatres, 

8th wk 60 

Dawn of the Dead (United Film), 

Cinemart II, 1st wk 275 

The Deer Hunter (Univ), Showcase IV. 

12th wk 120 

Hanover Street (Col), Milford II, York 

Square Cinema, 2nd wk 115 

A Little Romance (WB), Milford I, 

2nd wk 135 

Manhattan (UA), Showcase III, 

4th wk 285 


Cinemart I, I st wk ]90 

Wifemistress (Quartet). Lincoln, 

3rd wk 200 

Baltimore 

6th wk. 

Westview I 90 

Love at First Bite (AI), 

Patterson I ,S0 

Manhattan (UA), Westview II, 

-"^th wk 100 

The Ravagers (Col), Liberty II, 

Patterson II, 1st wk 20 

St. Jack (NW), 2nd wk. 

Westview IV 60 

Towson 

1 00 

Sunnyside (AI), Pulaski Drive-In, 

2nd wk 50 

Voices (MGM-UA), 2nd wk. 

Cinema II 30 

Mini-Flick 

80 

.'..'.'.'..'. 

II 

Wifemistress (SR), Playhouse, 2nd wk. 300 

TOLEDO 

3rd wk 200 

Winter Kills (Avco), 4 theaties, 

1st wk 130 

— - ~- for the 27th year, drive-in church services 

... ''"" ''^'^'l'''''^-- this 

,-„ , ^ 

summer 

, c*]!'^ . 

at the Jesse 

Alien(20th-Fox). Showcase I, 1st wk. ..500 James Drive-In Theatre on Reynolds 

MUZI FORD CITY 

557 Highlond A»c 

Route 128 Exit 56 W., 

Needham Heights, Mass, 

Phone: 444 5300 

Battlestar Galactica (Univ), Showcase II. Road, Toledo. During the entire period, 

'2'li wk 135 conducted from ihc concession stand. 

BOXOFFICE :: June

A: JJ-2 70/35mm Projection System (shown with optional

. . Ernie 

. . 

heroines" 

. Schier, in the Philadelphia 

Bulletin, says it has "some small redeeming 

value, even in its outrageous romanticism." 

Although the local premiere for "Players" 

was held Jime 8 at Budco's Regency Theatre 

in center city, the film attracted its greatest 

attention at the Suburban Theatre in subluban 

Ardmore, Pa. A special preview was 

marked there with the personal appearance 

of Ali MacGraw, who will also stay in town 

long enough to help promote her movie. For 

the special preview, admission called for a 

$25 ticket as a benefit for the Philadelphia 

Tennis Patrons Assn. Segments of the film 

were shot at the showplace home in Ciieinavaca, 

Mexico, of localites Jack and Muriel 

Wolgin. 

One of the sports heroes of the 1940s—Eddie Gottlieb, coach of the Warriors 

pro basketball team—arrives in a 1940 limousine at Philadelphia's Duchess Theatre 

for the gala premiere of "Hanover Street." Linda Goldenberg, regional promotion 

and publicity director for Columbia Pictures, had a number of sports celebrities of 

the "40s, along with decorated heroes of World War II, arrive in the old limousines 

at the theatre where they were greeted by klieg lights, red carpet and big band 

music. Radio and TV personalities were also on hand to interview the celebrities of 

the '40s—the period in keeping with the spirit of the movie. A wine and hors 

d'oeuvres reception at a nearby restaurant followed the screening. 

PHILADELPHIA 

Judy Clark, formerly with the Biidco Theatres 

chain and Paramount Pictures 

here, has joined Cokimbia Pictures as an 

administrative assistant to Linda Goldenberg. 

regional promotion and publicity director. 

Donna Baum, handling the publicity and 

promotion for Paramount Pictures here, 

Cable Television of Woodbury (N.J.) 

has 

received a 10-year franchise enabling it to 

hook up homes in Clayten, N.J., to cable 

television. 

Ernie Schier, film critic for the Philadelphia 

Bulletin, says of "Winter Kills" thai 

although the film "may seem tasteless, and 

the film is often gross in action and language, 

the most damning criticism of the 

woeful satire is that it is rarely funny" . . 

. 

Desmond Ryan, in the Philadelphia Inquirer, 

calls it "a conspiracy against intelligence." 

Milgram's Fox Theatre staged a "Continuous 

Around the Clock" for 24 hours, starling 

at midnight, for the preview of "Game 

of Death," heralded as a world premiere 

for the Bruce Lee film. Free Lee posters 

went to the first 500 patrons attending the 

opening midnight show. 

Desmond Ryan, reviewing "Hanover 

Street" in the Philadelphia Inquirer, sees il 

as "the year's funniest film in which the 

unbearably precious is so smoothly married 

to the merely awful" . . . Ernest Schier in 

the Philadelphia Bulletin, calls it "one ol' 

the year's more inept films . . . with paper 

characters and wooden actors ... the kind 

of film that can only give World War II a 

had name." 

held a preview screening for media representatives 

for "Players" at the Top of the Hunt's Casino Theatre, Wildwood, N.J., 

Fox Screening Room, and does a repeat at reopened for the summer season with "Baltlestar 

Galactica" and theatre manager Guy 

the same location June 14 for "Prophecy," 

which opens the next day at Sameric's Duke Armstrong has chief projectionist^ Harold 

Theatre. "Players" has its local premiere :il 

Sherwood hook up monster speakers around 

Budco's Regency Thaetre. 

the theatre—some measuring eight feet in 

height and almost twice as long—to create 

the Sensurround sound. 

Robby Benson was in town to help promote 

his latest movie. "Walk Proud," which 

will be opening June 15 at the SamEric 

Theatre and other area Eric theatres. 

A contest introduced by The Patriot, Harrisburg. 

Pa., provides over $15,000 in cash 

prizes in a "Who Is 'X' Contest," a photo 

contest in which readers must identify 

movie stars whose faces are partially hidden 

by an "X" symbol. 

Variety Club Women will hold their closing 

luncheon June 19 at the Warwick 

Hotel with Mae Sostman handling arrangements 

and Gcrt Satinsky the guest speakei. 

Joe Baltake, in the Philadelphia Daily 

News, says that "Voices is head-and-shoiilders 

(even with its flaws) above olhei' icccni 

love stories that have involved handicapped 

An ambitious Summer Film Festival, offering 

81 nights of International Cinema, 

will be presented from June 12 through 

Sept. 3 by the TUCC Cinematheque and 

Film Society of the Temple University Center 

City Campus. 

Local filmmaker Susan Seidelman screened 

her new film, "Menage a Trois," at the 

Walnut Street Theatre Film Center. 

William Wolf, reviewing "A Little Romance" 

in the Asbury Park Press, finds the 

film is "geared as much for adults as it is 

for young viewers, and while making its 

points, does so with high spirits and good 

humor, never sinking to gushy sentimentality." 

Desmond Ryan in the Inquirer desciibcd 

"Firepower" as a "singularly obtuse dud." 

CINCINNATI 

J^stounding is perhaps the only way to describe 

the response to "Alien," which 

began showing May 25 at the Florence and 

Carousel Cinemas in 70mm and Dolby 

Stereo. Don Wirtz of Mid States indicated 

he has "never seen anything like it," referring 

both to the well-done production and 

the lines at the respective theatres. Dale 

Stevens, Cincinnati Post film critic, noted 

"Alien" combines "2001: A Space Odyssey" 

and the shock effect of "The Exorcist." 

Screenings: Warner's "The In-Laws" 

sneaked Jime 1 at Showcase Springdale . 

Media screening of "Bloodline" starring Audrey 

Hepburn, Ben Gazzara, James Mason 

and Omar Sharif set for June 28, 7:30 p.m. 

at Studio Cinema. "Escape From Alcatraz," 

the new Clint Eastwood opus, to be held 

June 19, 7:30 p.m. at that same theatre. 

Emery Theatre presented a double-feature 

of classic John Wayne Republic features, 

including "Flying Tigers" (1942) and 

"Sands of I wo Jima" (1949). Live performances 

on the Wurlitzer organ preceed every 

performance. 

Weekend midnight presentations of "The 

Rocky Horror Show" a Ithe downtown Skywalk 

are now in their 35(h week. 

BOXOFHCE June 11, 1979

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BOXOFHCE :: June 11, 1979 E-5

NORTH JERSEY 

ôonraker," the latest James Bond thriller, 

will open exclusive area engagements 

June 29 at Century's Paramus Twin In Parnmus, 

GCC's Menlo Park in Menio P;irk, 

UA's Bellevue in Upper Montclair, and 

UA's Middlctown in Middletown. 

General Cinema's Essex Green Twin in 

West Orange is slaled to reopen June 15 as 

a triplex. Cinema 1. which seats about 1,- 

000. remained open during the past six 

weeks of construction, while Cinema 2. 

which seated 650. has now been converted 

into Cinemas 2 and 3. seating approximately 

350 each. In addition to the extra theatre, 

the front lobby and auditorium areas have 

been renovated and redecorated, and Ihc 

Dolby sound system has been installed in 

Cinema I. according to manager John 

Monsporl. The Essex Green was originally 

opened in 1966, and became a twin in 1972. 

George Depew has been mamed manager 

of Theatre Management's All wood Twin in 

Clifton, succeeding Donald Freidemann, 

who is on an extended leave of absence. 

Depew had been relief manager at the theatre 

for the past few months, and prior lo 

that had been in charge of maintenance foithe 

house since 1969. Freidemann had been 

at the Allwood for the past 11 years, the 

last 10 of which he served as manager. 

policy of presenting "name" rock entertainers 

on stage on weekends, with X-rated films 

during the week. In a very short time, the 

Capitol began attracting huge crowds for 

the rock shows, and has since become 

known as the "Fillmore of the East." 

BALTIMORE 

gteve Turner, Universal branch manager in 

Washington, D.C., and salesman Don 

Powell visited exhibitors in Baltimore June 

1. 

The monthly meeting of the Variety Club 

Women Tent 19 was held at Stewart's 

Reisterstown Plaza June 6. 

Veteran manager Leo Goldman, who has 

been in charge of RKO's Branford Quad in 

Newark for the past seven years, is currently 

on extended sick leave. Prior to the Branford. 

Goldman had managed RKO's Fabian 

in Palerson for a year, and had been asso- 

The Charles Theatre celebrated its reopening 

at 1711 North Charles St. May 31, 

with a reception at 7:30 and the Baltimoie 

premiere of Claudia Weill's "Girl Friends" 

at 9. Admission, which was $5, was for the 

benefit of the Baltimore Film Forum. 


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ciated with Stanley Warner Theatres lor 

many years before that. 

Larry Borkowski has been appointed assistant 

manager of UA's Cinema 46 Triplex 

in Totowa. Borkawski had served as a relief 

manager at the Totowa house for the past 

two years. Succeding him as relief manager 

is Carl Winter, who had been a doorman 

at UA's Hyway in Fair Lawn for the past 

six years. Bob Bateson is manager of Cinema 

46. 

The Plaza in Paterson^ a long-time city 

landmark, has been reopened by Roberto 

Sharpe, who acquired it from Harold Hechl 

over a month ago. The theatre had been 

closed for about a month, while undergoing 

lenovations. Roberto said that in addition 

to films, live shows will be presented at the 

Plaza. Also, both Spanish as well as English 

films will be offered. The Plaza had been 

operated by Hecht Enterprises for moie 

than 25 years. 

Reports by James Shoop, a Passaic city 

councilman, that the Capitol Theatre there 

was up for sale, have been denied by the 

Capitol's owner, John Scher. Scher admitted 

that a local realty firm had approached him 

and told him that a major national chain 

store was interested in locating in Passaic, 

and would be interested in buying the Capitol 

Theatre property. However, Scher added, 

there were few discussions on the mattci 

and he (Scher) has heard nothing more for 

the past three months. He stated that he 

was not "actively" looking to sell the 3,000- 

seat 

theatre. 

Scher took over the Capitol in 1970, after 

it had been closed by Stanley Warner three 

years earlier. Shortly thereafter, he began a 

R. H. Gardner, critic for the Morning 

Sun. wrote. ". . . 'The Prisoner of Zenda' 

adds up to the kind of free-wheeling, lighthearted 

entertainment particularly suited to 

Robert L. Roberts recently acquired the 

300-seat Ramapo Cinema in Oakland from 

Greg Diaz, who had operated the theatre the summer months when the burden of 

for the past two-and-a-half years. The Ramapo 

heat is enough to make one want to avoid 

was originally opened about five years the added burden of thought." 

ago as the New Breed Cinema. Roberts also 

operates the 

Special late-night 

Oakland Twin in Oakland and 

previews of "Phantasm" 

the Colonial in Pompton were held 

Lakes. 

recently at the Northpoini 

Plaza, Church Lane Cinema, Hippodrome, 

Liberty and Carrollwood. 

On June 1 "The Ravagers" opened at the 

Jumpers, Carrollwood. Town, Harford Mall, 

Liberty, Hillendale, Patterson and the 

Northpoint, Timonium, Edmondson and 

Governor Ritchie drive-ins. 

Fritz Goldschmidt, Ave o-Embassy's 

branch manager in Washington, D.C., v'sited 

exhibitors in the Baltimore area May 

30. On June 1 Ira Miller, AI manager from 

the nation's capital, also visited here to see 

the trade, having just returned from his 

honeymoon. 

N.J. to Consider Measure 

That Bans In-Theatre Ads 

TRENTON, N.J.—A bill that would ban 

the showing of commercials in motion picture 

theatres in connection with the showing 

of feature films and previews, will be 

introduced in the state legislature by Senate 

President Joseph Merlino, Democrat of 

Trenton. Sen. Merlino said that while only 

a few cinemas have started the practice of 

showing commercials, "the evil practice 

must be nipped in the bud before it becomes 

widespread. 

"There is a new menace to the well-being 

of the American public today—the invasion 

of commercial advertising into the sanctuaries 

of paid entertainment," said the 

senator. "Movie goers pay stiff admission 

prices for quality entertainment free of commercials. 

If they wanted commercials, they 

would stay at home and watch television." 

BOXOmCE :: June 11, 1979

Fonda's 'Wanda' Screened 

For Kentucky NATO Party 

LOUISVILLE. Ky.—A special appearance 

by actor Peter Fonda and a screening 

of his new film, "Wanda Nevada," highlighted 

the annual meeting of Kentucky's 

NATO chapter, held in Louisville May 15 

and 16. 

At a wine and cheese party held by the 

Showcase Cinemas, outgoing president Jack 

Keiler presented Fonda with a membership 

certificate to the Honorable Order of the 

Kentucky Colonels. While accepting the 

scroll, Fonda took the opportunity to introduce 

his picture and instructed the crowd 

of nearly 100 to "laugh louder" to fill the 

half-empty auditorium. 

His command, however, was not necessary 

as the comedy, which co-stars Brooke 

Shields, proved to be a smash among the 

NATO members. 

As the convention resumed the following 

morning, concession profits was the topic 

of intensive study as Alex Castoldi, general 

manager for Redstone Theatres, outlined his 

company's concession operations and explained 

how the new circular design of Redstone's 

stands can accommodate hundreds 

of patrons with ease, and thus increase efficiency 

during peak periods. 

Accenting Castoldi's presentation. Mary 

McCreary, concession manager for Lexington's 

Rupp Arena, gave tips on tightening 

security and improving inventory control 

concession operations. 

A product-screening finished off the day 

and made way for the evening banquet, held 

at the Executive Inn. During the gathering, 

Paul Hollenback was initiated as the new 

president, Gene Lutes was named honorary 

chairman of the board, and Jack Keiler was 

given the duties of acting chairman. 

Other officers include Bob Perkins III. 

vice president; Jack Frazee. treasurer; and 

Cliff Buetchell, 

secretary. 

CLEVELAND 

gcreenings this week kept everyone occupied. 

United Artists screened "Rocky 

II" in the Great Lakes Cinema complex; 

Andy Silverman. Warner branch manager, 

screened "Main Event" starring Barbra 

Streisand and Ryan O'Neal; and on the 

in 

following 

day Silverman held a screening of 

"In-Laws," the fast-moving caper starring 

Peter Falk and Alan Arkin. "In-Laws" was 

also screened as a sneak preview the next 

night at the Parmatown Cinema. And finally, 

Bill Anderhalt, 20th Century-Fox. tradescreened 

"Breaking Away" at the Brainard 

screening room. 

Donna Chernin, Plain Dealer film critic, 

wrote of "Manhattan": "It is all Woody 

Allen, and like it or not, 'Manhattan' is. 

well, a masterpiece." Of "Voices" she wrote, 

" 'Voices' is a simple, sensitive movie. Exceedingly 

well-acted, the film moves with a 

slow pace that is deliberate and delicate. 

'Voices' is 

a small success." 

Emerson Batdorff, Plain Dealer entertainment 

editor, reviewed "Psychic" and wrote. 

BOXOFHCE :: June 11, 1979 

"1 can only say that in spite of a slow start, 

a limping middle and a ragtag ending, the 

picture manages to become involving in 

spite of itseir." 

New this week: "It's Not the Size That 

Counts" at five theatres and "Dirt" at 12 

theatres and drive-ins. 

Lou Ratener. Fairlawn Drive-In, reports 

that a luncheon was given for General Theatre 

manager Mike Dennis, of the East 

Drive-In. in honor of his marriage. It was 

held at the Rosemont Country Club in Akron 

and attended by Akron exhibitors and 

theatrical people, as well as General Theatre 

owners Leonard Mishkind and Norman 

Barr, and their managers. 

Of "Phantasm," Emerson Batdorff of the 

Plain Dealer writes: "A man would hope, 

after he stuck it out to the bitter end of a 

movie, that he would be able to figure out 

what it was about, but with 'Phantasm' this 

man hoped in vain." 

"Richard Pryor— Live in Concert" has 

been showing at the Vogue Theatre (Stanley 

Warner) with outstanding grosses. 

BOSTON 

^he New England premiere of the new 

movie "Players," starring Ali Mac- 

Graw and Dean Paul Martin, took place 

June 4 at Boston's Sack Cinema 57. The 

evening was a benefit for the Youth Tennis 

Foundation and glamour was added to the 

occasion by the personal appearance of Ali 

MacGraw and tennis addict and comedian 

Bill Cosby. Radio station WBZ sponsored 

a pre-premeire tennis sports party on 

Charles Street. 

There was also a premiere champagne 

reception at Jordan Marsh department store 

for ticket holders for the Youth Tennis 

Foundation benefit, with both Ali MacGraw 

and Bill Cosby also being present. 

Boston's Variety Club announced its 

25th Annual Golf Tournament and Outing, 

being held June 1 1 at the Spring Valley 

Country Club. Sharon, Mass., with the usual 

prizes for all special events, including best 

round. Guests were being given a 

(Continued on following page) 

choice ol 

FILMACK IS 

1st CHOICE 

WITH " 

SHOWMEN 

EVERYWHERE 

BUFFALO 

^^hut tonstlliitcs hardcore pornography in 

Bultalo could be defined soon by a 

City Court jury. It was just a year ago this 

month that the Buffalo Police Department's 

one-man salacious literature unit seized the 

film "Behind the Green Door," leaturing 

the former Ivory Soap model mother, from 

the Village Cinema in Cential Park Plaza. 

The lawyers have finally finished with all 

of their motions and a trial date has been 

set. "What that jury decides," said acting 

detective John T. Dugan Jr.. "will set the 

precedent for what is or is not hardcore 

pornography for Buffalo, according to the 

most recent Supreme Court rulings." 

The Courier-Express headlined its review 

of "Winter Kills": "could have remained 

in morgue." Referring to the $6 million 

film which was almost a financial disaster, 

reviewer Patricia Ward Biederman wrote: 

• 'Winter Kills' lurched back from cinematic 

oblivion 

undead." 

with the dogged vigor of the 

Marquee changes: "Alien." "Voices," 

"Walk Proud," "Racquet," "Prisoner of 

Zcnda" and "Blazing Saddles." 

"As an adult science fiction horror movie, 

'Alien,' in the words of its own script, is 'a 

perfect organism,' " said Bob Gorves, Courier-Express 

critic. "Actors and story take a 

back seat to technique and suspense, which 

works to 'Alien's' advantage in showing how 

human courage is at odds with technology 

and the universe." 

" 'Hanover Street' is an icky poo romance 

with dialogue right off the cob—and probably 

will shoot down a lot of undiscriminating 

hearts." wrote Charlotte Johnson in the 

Courier-Express. 

" 'A Little Romance' is a charmer. " 

said 

Doug Smith, awarding it "four chairs" in 

the Courier-Express. "The movie is deficient 

in a couple of caricatures and director 

George Roy Hill overplays his hand in the 

matter of the good guys and the bad guys. 

On balance, though, it's a heart-warming 

two hours for 14-year-olds of all ages." 

It seemed inevitable that the widespread 

(Continued on following page) 



SPECIAL FILMS 

DATE STRIPS, 

CROSS PLUGS, 

MERCHANT ADS, 

SPECIAL AN- 

NOUNCEMENTS 


10IS 60605 312-427-339J

. . 

. "What's 

' 

. . The 

. . New 

I 

Spotlight on New England 

Jy ALLEN M. WIDEM 

donation of $25 were invited to a pre-theatre 

reception at nearby Valle's Steak 

House. Guests were to include Pancho Gonzalez, 

who is featured in the Robert Evans 

production. 

New Haven Register film critic Bob Eimicke 

nominated Universal's "The Promise" 

as "a prime candidate for the 'Trash King 

Movie of the Year." " 

In New Haven, World Northal's "The 

Last Wave," Richard Chamberlain starrer, 

was sneak previewed at the Sampson & Spodick 

Lincoln Theatre, and Warner Bros.' 

"The In-laws," co-starring Peter Faik and 

Alan Arkin. was sneak previewed at General 

Cinema Corp.'s Milford Cinemas 2. 

Western Massachusetts premieres included 

Universal's "The Prisoner of Zenda," 

20th-Fox's "Alien," MGM-UA's "Voices," 

United Film Distributing's "Dawn of the 

Dead" and Avco Embassy's "Old Boyfriends," 

among others Airline 

. 

Drive-In, Chicopee, ran a "Dusk to . . . 

Dawn" show, composed of four United Artists 

reruns, "Corvette Summer," "Coming 

Home," "F.LS.T." and "Convoy." 

In Worcester, the umpteenth reprise 

showing of Universal's "Smokey and the 

Bandit" in mid-Massachusetts, at the General 

Cinema Corp.'s Worcester Center Gal- 

face," "Debbie Does Dallas," "Skin Flick," 

Broadcast" and "Dutch Girls." 

The Watertown Drive-In has been redesigned 

to accommodate three screens. 

The West Boyiston Drive-In reopened for 

the season with a double-feature Paramount 

rerun program composed of "Grease" and 

"Foul Play." 

In "Vermont, Merrill G. Jarvis scheduled 

the metropolitan Burlington premiere of 

Warner Bros.' "Movie Movie," the George 

C. Scott starrer, into the Merrill Theatre 

Corp.'s Essex Twin Cinema, Essex Junction 

in a name" department: Name 

of the leading lady in a states-rights X-rated 

release, "Dutch Treat," playing at the Malletts 

Bay underskyer, was listed as Carrah 

Major-Minor. 

E-8 

In Rhode Island, United Film Distributing's 

Regiona] Correspondent 

"Dawn of the Dead" had a Friday 

Tn Hartford, SBC Management Corp. 

scheduled a benefit showing June 7 ol 

at the Redstone Theatres' 

World Pictures' 

night sneak preview 

Showcase 6 . Paramount's "Players" at the Cinema City "Love on the Run," latest Francois Truffaut 

4 as part of a "World Premiere Week" promotion, 

import, got distinction of "Pick of the 

with the Youth Tennis Foundation Week" selection by Michael Janusonis, 

of New England designated as recipient of Providence Journal-Bulletin 

"Truffaut," the 

Newspapers 

comment- 

proceeds. Persons making a tax-deductible film critic. critic 

ed, "has a very effective way of looking at 

love with a smile that is tempered with wistfulness." 

In New Hampshire, the General Cinema 

Corp.'s Bedford Mall Cinemas 3 are charging 

$1.50, all seats, first shows, on a daily 

basis. 

In Northampton, John Morrison, Pleasant 

Street Theatre, takes a lot of pride in his 

monthly program mailings. Aware of the 

human factor, he inserted this note in the 

latest mailing: "Our patrons should be aware 

of the obvious problems in putting out a 

schedule of films for the entire month. To 

ensure the correct film is playing on the 

date indicated and to confirm times, please 

call our telephone recording for up-to-date 

information. We cannot be responsible for 

title or time changes." 

In Hamden, the Bernard Diana Strand is 

back on a subsequent-run policy, charging 

99 cents, all times, Mondays through Thursdays. 

In 'Vermont, Merrill G. Jarvis slotted 

the Green Mountain state premiere of United 

Artists' "Manhattan," Woody Allen starrer, 

into the Merrill's Showcase 3, South 

Burlington, with "bargain matinees" scheduled 

at 1:30 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays. 

(Continued from previous page) 

golf or tennis and dinner, all starting 

Barbara Warren, co-op advertising manager 

at General Cinema Corp., was back 

from a 10-day vacation over to England, 

loaded with pictures and appropriate stories 

of all that she saw and did during her visil. 

Paramount branch manager Joe Rathgcb 

hosted a large number of exhibitors for llic 

screening of their new relaese "Sunburn" al 

the conference room. Park Square Bldg., 

June 1. 

Ben Commock Jr., Universal branch manager, 

in cooperation with Sack Theatres sei 

up a sneak preview for their new release 

"Dracula," starring Frank Langella, who 

starred in the stage play, in New York. 

A sneak showing was held June 8 at the 

Sack Cheri Complex, with the Boston run 

starting Friday, June 9. 

BUFFALO 

(Continued from previous page) 

interest in dinner theatres throughout the 

Niagara Frontier would eventually result in 

a similar offeiing linking a good meal with 

interesting films. And now, Mastrantonio's 

Restaurant has done it. The new dinnercinema 

series got under way May 27 with 

Carlos Saura's "Cria" starring Geraldine 

Chaplin. Other films will be "Stella Dallas," 

"Suddenly, Last Summer," "Queen of the 

Stardust Ballroom." "Hamlet," "The Taming 

of the Shrew," "Henry V," "King Lear" 

and "Romeo and Juliet." 

Apathy Toward Film Shorts 

Bemoaned by Film Board 

By JAMES ROBBINS 

East Coast Editor 

NEW YORK—Many of the filmmakers, 

distributors and film librarians who helped 

Ihe National Film Board of Canada celebrate 

its 40th anniversary recently bemoaned 

the general disinterest in short films on 

the theatrical exhibition level. 

Animation and documentary shorts are 

the staple of the prestigious film board. 

John Boundy of NFBC at Ottawa agreed 

that the commercial realities of the theatre 

owners dictate that the 10 or so minutes of 

a short film is time better spent moving 

audiences in and out for the feature. 

"It's hard to change a tradition that's been 

going on for centuries and centuries," 

Boundy said jokingly. Boundy is a former 

New York area director of the board, which 

leria 3, featured a $1.25 admission in effect In Hartford, two central Connecticut 

has produced more than 3,000 original fihns 

at all times. Normally, the triplex charges United Artists Eastern Theatres complexes 

since 1939. 

$1.25 to 2 p.m., then boosts price to $2.50 held Friday night sneak previews of United 

Still, some of the celebrants who turned 

for remainder of the day. 

Film Distributing's "Dawn of the Dead." 

out at the banquet rooms of the Canadian 

Both the Westfamis 3 and the Manchester 

Consulate, housed in the Exxon building on 

Central Connecticut's first five-feature 

Parkade East 3 ran the special showings at 

the Avenue of the Americas, expressed disappointment 

at exhibitor apathy in light of 

drive-in program for 1979 was scheduled 

11:45 p.m. 

over a recent weekend at the Berlin underskyer. 

The "Dusk to . . . Dawn" program, 

screened Friday, Saturday and Sunday, was 

composed of states-rights, X-rated "Baby- 

BOSTON 

Ihe quality of short films. NFBC films have 

received over 1,600 prizes and awards over 

Ihe years, including 50 Academy Award 

nominations and five Oscars. 

Presently, the Paris is the only major 

Manhattan theatre offering a short. "Special 

Delivery." a NFBC film which won this 

year's Academy Award as best animation 

is short subject, being shown with "The 

Toy." 

The National Film Board was formed 

to help make the Canadian nation better 

known around the world, and to help fuse 

the scattered and varied population within 

the nation. 

The anniversary of the NFBC, called the 

"eyes of Canada" by its first commissioner, 

John Grierson, coincided with the 21sl 

American Film Festival, the largest nontheatrical 

event. Blue and red ribbons were 

awarded June 1 in several categories, including 

humor and satire, family life, sports, 

lifestyles, and nature and wildlife. 

BOXOmCE :: June 11. 1979

. 

Alien (20th-Fox), 3 

Los Angeles 

(Weekly grosses) 

theatres, 

1st wk $334,448 

An Almost Perfect Affair (Para). Crest, 

5th wk 4,200 

Battlestar Galactica (Univ), 8 theatres. 

2nd wk 75,300 

The Champ (MGM-UA), 8 theatres, 

8th wk 64,300 


11th wk 103,000 


8th wk 79,700 

Hair (UA), Cinerama Dome, 

nth wk 30.000 

Hanover Street (Col), 1 1 theatres, 

2nd wk 62,400 

The Innocent (Analysis), Music Hall, 

4th wk 20,900 

Last Embrace (UA). Pickwood. 

1st wk 5,000 

The Last Wave (World Northal), Royal, 

2nd wk 22,700 

A Little Romance (WB), 5 theatres, 

3rd wk 71.500 


5th wk 170,700 

Manhattan (UA), 10 theatres. 

5th wk 166,600 

TheRavagers (Col), 14 theatres, 

1st wk 40,800 

The Silent Partner (EMC), Pickwood, 

1st wk 52,300 

Superman (WB), 8 theatres, 

24th wk 52,300 

Van Nuys Blvd (Crown Int'l), 3 theatres, 

3rd wk 13,296 

Winter Kills (Avco), 6 theatres, 

2nd wk 43,300 

Denver 


A Force of One (SR). 1 1 theatres. 

1st wk 390 

Alien (20th-Fox). Cooper. 1st wk 400 

Battlestar Galactica (Univ), 

Continental, 2nd wk 

Beyond the Door II (Film Ventures), 

8 theatres. 1st wk 

The Champ (MGM-UA). 2 theatres. 

8 th wk 

Escape to Athens (AFD). 4 theatres. 

1st wk 

Hair (UA). Colorado 4. 9th wk 


2nd wk 

A Little Romance (WB), 

University Hills 3. 2nd wk 

Manhattan (UA). 2 theatres, 4th wk. . 

The Prisoner of Zenda (Univ), 5 theatre 

1st wk 

Racquet (Cal-Am), Cooper Cameo, 

1st wk 

Superman (WB), Century 21, 

23rd wk 

Voices (UA), Colorado 4. 1st wk 

Winter Kills (Avco). 3 theatres. 

2nd wk 

DENVER 

^âmer Brothers screened the new Peter 

Falk and Alan Arkin picture "The In- 

Laws" at the Colorado 4 Theatre. Columbia 

Rich- 

screened "The Ravagers." which stars 

ard Harris and Art Carney, at the Esquire 

Theatre and Paramount screened the new 

Farrah Fawcett-Majors picture "Simburn" 

at 

the Esquire. 

Warner Marketing Associates have taken 

over the buying and booking for the Cedar 

Cinema Twin theatre and the Highland 

Drive-In theatre in Cedar City. Utah. The 

theatres are owned by Jack Sawyers. 

the 830 seat theatre; a new marquee and 

front are to be completed shortly. 

Headlines on reviews in the Denver Post 

on recent opening pictures were "Hanover 

Street' Gives Escapist Fare" and "As Satire, 

'Racquet' serves few laughs." "Racquet" is 

playing at the Cooper Cameo Theatre and 

"Hanover Street" is playing at the Cherry 

Creek, Westland and Westminister. 

Bob and Dolly Heyl, Wyoming Theatre, 

Torrington, Wyo.. traveled to Jackson, 

Wyo., to attend a .seminar on supporting the 

arts. Various means of encouraging young 

artists were discussed as was ways and 

means of bringing art into the smaller communities. 

The Heyls stopped off in Denver 


Plitt Theatres has announced the opening 

of the Egyptian Theatre in Boise. Idaho. 

Formerly known as the Ada. the theatre has 

been renovated and equipped with new Dolby 

stereo sound and has been re-seated with 

rocker type chairs. Work is continuing on 

to set datings before returning to Torrington. 

Filbert Company 

Theatre Systems 

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

Hollywood 

Happenings 

Julie Andrews and William Demaiest 

head a list of six entertainment personalities 

whose names will be placed in the Hollywood 

Walk of Fame during the first half of 

the 1979-80 fiscal year. Others will be recording 

stars Irving Berlin. Quincy Jones 

and The Beach Boys. 

• 

Women in Film will present its first annual 

Norma Zarky Special Award to Gareth 

Wigan. vice president of worldwide production 

for 20th Century-Fox. The award is in 

memory of the late Norma Zarky. a former 

partner in the law firm of Mitchell, Silberberg 

and Knupp. and long active in entertainment 

law. She was a member of the 

WIF board of trustees until her death in 

1977. Also to be honored at the June 8 

luncheon will be Lillian Gish, to be presented 

the WIF Chrystal Award by director 

Robert Altman who directed her in his "A 

Wedding." 

TUCSON 

Plitt personnelities: Resigning as manager 

of Cine El Dorado, Richard Ravicchio has 

been replaced by Paul Martin, who is moving 

to Tucson from Plitt California situations; 

Tom McCann moves from Coronado 

manager to Catalina manager; Jana Noxon 

takes over Coronado managership; James 

McArthur is a new doorman at Cine El 

Dorado; Karen Laurence moves to concessions; 

Pearl Neri and Carol Greenberg 

move from concessions to cashiers; Vicki 

Acuna moves up from cashier to student 

manager. 

Starting June 1 at Cine El Dorado was 

"The Lord of the Rings"; held over was 

Beginning June 

. . . "Battlestar Galactica" 

1 at Cineworld was "Old Boyfriends" . . . 

The first Tucson drive-in showing of "The 

North Avenue Irregulars" screened at the 

DeAnza Drive-in June 1. 

PETERSON 

THEATRE 

SUPPLY 

455 Bearcat Drive 

Times Square Park 

Salt Lake City, Utah 84115 

801-466-7642 

NATO of Arizona elected the following 

new officers at a recent annual meeting: 

John V. Louis, president; B.V. Sturdivant. 

chairman of the board; Jim Snelson, vice 

president; and Bill Maples, treasurer. The 

new address of NATO of Arizona is: c/o 

The Harry Nace Co., P. O. Bo.x 7308. 

Phoeni.x, Ariz. 85011. The telephone number 

is (602) 264-9981. 

LOS ANGELES 

£|zra E. Stern, member of the board of directors 

of the Foundation of the Motion 

Picture Pioneers, has been named by 

president B. V. Sturdivant as official parlimentarian 

for the charitable organization. 

Stern, a Los Angeles lawyer, for many years 

has been associated with various phases of 

the motion picture industry. He is also 

known nationally because of his leadership 

roles in Variety Club programs. 

HONOLULU 

^wo recent visitors in Waikiki. one for his 

initial look at a tropical paradise and 

the other for his umpteenth time, were 

Ken Peregrina from United Artists and 

Robert Kaufman of American International. 

Peregrina. drum-beater for UA, West 

Coast and Hawaii, was here to set up advance 

promotional work for two forthcoming 

United Artists releases, the James Bond 

"Moonraker" and Sylvester Stallone's 

"Rocky 2." "Moonraker" will open soon 

at the Consolidated Waikiki Theatre and 

"Rocky 2" is slated for a June 27th opening 

date at the Royal in Waikiki. 

Kaufman, who says he dreamed up the 

Dracula comedy while in his hotel room in 

Waikiki, was in Honolulu just in time for 

the opening of "Love at First Bite," now 

at the Royal in Waikiki, Co-executive producer, 

producer and screenplay writer for 

the George Hamilton comedy, Kaufman 

hinted he'll be back many more times. 

Walt Disney's "The Last Flight of Noah's 

Aik" has been shooting scenes off the world 

famous Kuhio Beach coastline, and then 

moved back to Kauai Island for extensive 

lensing. Publicity was extensive for the picture 

starring Elliot Gould. Genevieve Bujold 

and Ricky Schroder; it was covered by 

newspaper feature stories, column items and 

television 

reports. 

Paul LeMat, Jason Robards, Mary Steen 

burgen and Michael J. Pollard star in "Mel 

vin and Howard." 

Stars of Yesteryear 

Honored at NFS Meet 



HOLLYWOOD—Nostalgia ran rampant 

at the Beverly Hilton Hotel the night of 

May 27 as more than 700 film buffs and 

members of the National Film Society paid 

annual tribute to the great stars of yesteryear. 

A variety of awards went to 18 celebrities 

who had nourished the movies over 

past generations. 

The annual artistry in cinema awards dinner 

concluded the three-day NFS convention 

which attracted members from 29 states 

and seven countries. Gathered for the conclave 

were exhibitors, — film historians, 

scholars and fans "people who live you 

and who live movies in America," declared 

Randolph Neil of Kansas City, president of 

the 5,000 member society, 

proceedings. 

as he opened the 

During the three days the conventioneers 

viewed numerous motion pictures and participated 

in seminars and panel discussions 

that attracted stars from those films. They 

also managed to browse through exhibition 

booths offering a vast array of motion picture 

memorabilia. 

Kicking off the awards ceremonies was 

co-host Mel Torme, singer, author and one 

of the most knowledgeable film buffs in 

America. First to be honored was makeup 

artist William Tuttle, receiving the NFS 

special achievement award from actress 

Yvonne DeCarlo. 

The other awards included: 

American Classic Screen Awards to Vivian 

Blaine, Jack Haley Sr., Victory Jory, 

Joan Leslie, Una Merkel and Henry Wilcoxon. 

Presenters were Dick Hayms, Fritz 

Feld, Rosemary De Camp, Henry Brandon, 

Gordon Jump and Carol Bruce. 

The 1979 Artistry in Cinema Awards to 

Robert Cummings, Glenn Ford, Kathryn 

Grayson, Janet Leigh, Ida Lupino and 

George Raft. Presenters were Gloria Jean, 

Arthur Knight, Franco Nero, Jamie Leigh 

Curtis, Earl Holiman and Michele Phillips. 

The National Film Book Award went to 

Robert Osborne, author of "Fifty Golden 

Years of Oscar," presented by Louise 

Fletcher. 

The Humanitarian Award went to Anne 

Jeffreys, presented by Loretta Spang; the 

National Screen Heritage Award was presented 

to King Vidor by John Phillip Law. 

George Pal received the Achievement in 

Cinema Award, presented by Michel Nichols 

Ȧ special memorial award honoring the 

memory of Bing Crosby was presented by 

Randolph Neil. 

Solt Loke • Boston • Dallas • New York 

NIVERSAL THEATRE SUPPLY 

- HOME OFFICE - 

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

BOXOFFICE :; June 1

BOXOFnCE :: June 11, 1979 

r 

A: JJ-2 70/35mm Projection System (shown with optional C: SA & R3 35mm "All-in-One" Projector/ 

JTR-1100 Preamp System, lamphouse and pedestal.) 

Reproducer Combo. 

B: SHOW-PAK 35mm Console (shown with optional reels D: R-33 35mm 4-Track Magnetic Penthouse. 

and lamphouse.) E: SHOWMASTER Automation System. 

F: C-5 Deluxe 26" 35mm Magazines. 

G: C-10 Deluxe Reel Arms. 

H: JTS-1900 Optical Sound System. 

Western Theatrical Equipment Co. 

187 Golden Gate Avenue 

Son Fnincisco, California 94102 

Phone: (415) 861-7571 

Western Service & Supply, 

2100 Strout Street 

Denver, Colorado 80205 

Phone:

Who reads Boxoffice 

^ple you know... 

and want fo reach 

Key people in Exhibition: 

11,266* theatre owners and managers, circuit 

executives, film buyers, bookers and 

projectionists 

Key people in Distribution: 

1,198* distributors and sales executives, home office 

managers, bookers and publicity people 

Key people in Equipment: 

453* supply dealers, sales agents and executives 

Key people in Production: 

346* producers, directors, studio executives, 

cameramen, actors and writers 

Key People in the Media: 

262* newspaper, magazine editors and writers and 

radio-TV broadcasters 

Recognize your sales prospect 

You should because more key 

people in the film industry rely on 

BOXOFFICE for its complete and 

accurate information than any other 

film industry publication with ABC 

audited circulation.* 

Take one small step today toward 

big sales tomorrow . . . deliver your 

advertising message to the BOX- 

OFFICE Reader: someone who is 

integral to the film industry . . 

someone who makes the big 

^decisions . . 

)omeone like 

• Audit Bureau of Circulations 

you. 

Publisher's Statement for 6 mos. ending December 31, 1978 

:« 

c/ L ^ 

BOXOFnCE :; June 11, 1979

and Dom DeLuise, at Wometco's Dadcland 

rinCT D/ikl Twin Theatre in Miami on May 1«. 

wk 150 ''on for this year's event is $45 per person. 

3r(j 

Phantasm (Avco), Loews, 1st wk 600 Further information may be obtained by 

Slave of the Cannibal God (SR), writing Marsha Weaver at P.O. Box 8699, 

Loews, 1st wk 150 Jacksonville, Fla. 32211. 

Superman (WB). Lakeside, 17th wk. ..150 ,.. ^, • 

Tornado Fist (SR), Loews. 1st wk 125 The Jacksonville Filmrow Duffers Classic 

was held May 28 at the Dunes Golf Course. 

According to Nick Lewis of AMC Film 

f A ^ i^ ^^\Ki\i 1 1 I C 

Management and chairman of this annual 

J A\k^ l\^\Jiyi V I LLC affair, total registration was 48. Local 

WOMPIs assisted at the event by distribul- 

A fond farewell to 

Debbie Perkins, secretary 

to United Artists division manager Joe 

Kennedy. She has decided to further her 

modeling career with a move to Dallas. 

And a big welcome to Scott Kennedy, Joe's 

son, who has joined the Jacksonville branch 

of UA as a sales trainee. 

Everyone on filmrow was saddened by 

the death of Roger Hill, former local branch 

manager of Warner Brothers. Hill and his 

wife, Becky, were transferred to the Boston 

branch of Warner Bros, last year. She has 

requested that memorials be made to ihc 

Eye Association in lieu of flowers. 

Columbia's branch manager, Terry 

Tharpe, attended a special sneak preview 

of "Hot Stuff," starring Suzanne Pleshetle 

jfe 

Pmployees at Warner Brothers seem to be '"§ refreshments around the course and by 

playing musical chairs after so many 

'^='"'^'"8 °"' P"^' 

changes in local personnel. Dan Hoffman WOMPI's installation of officers will be 

will be leaving his head booker's job in 

h.'ld June 16 at the Garden of Tiki Restaurant. 

Jacksonville to take over duties as salesman 

Judson Moses will be the master of 

New Orleans. Taking over as head booker 

ceremonies for the evening and guests will 

in 

will be Ron MacPhee: Sandra Waddcll 

moving second booker 

be entertained by Hawaiian dancers. Con- 

will be into the spol. 

tact any WOMPI for advance tickets at 

$7.50 per person. New officers to be installed 

are Mary Ellen Boyd, president; Nell 

Haack, first vice president; Sandy Easley, 

second vice president; Fay Weaver, recording 

secretary; Sheila Temple, corresponding 

secretary; and Edwina Johnston, treasurer. 

DALLAS 

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

£Jffective June 1, the offices of Cinema rk 

Corp. and Texas Cinema Corp. will 

at 10300 N. Central Expressway, Suite 202. 

Bldg. IV, Dallas, Texas 75231. Their telephone 

numbers will be: advertising, (214) 

363-1 150; booking (214) 696-2696; and general 

office and accounting, (214) 696-2676. 

SALES & SERVICE 

'Go Modtn . . . Eîfmiml, .Sxpflia & StrrM" 

220n YOUNG STREET • DALLAS, TEXAS, 75201 • TELEPHONE 747-3191 

be 

United Artists Theatre Circuit Inc. has 

changed the name of its new theatre from 

UA Cinema 6, as previously announced, to 

UA Skillman 6. The ihealre had its official 

opening May 25. 

A million-dollar motel/ restaurant/ theatre 

DCD^DT complex is planned on two acres at the 

nCMWnl ::; junction of 1-295 and Blanding Boulevard. 

Permits have been granted by Clay County 

On June 3 a premiere screening of Paramount's 

"Players" was held at the North- 

to La Quinta Motor Inns Inc. of San An- 

New Orleans tonio for construction of a two-story, Spanpark 

III & IV, preceded by a celebrity cocktail 

party with producer Robert Evans as 

(Average is 100) jsh colonial motel with 122 rooms, a new 

Beyond the Door II (Film Ventures), Denny's restaurant, and a seven-screen, 

special guest. 

Orpheum, 1st wk 300 1,976-scats theatre to be built by the United 

The Deer Hunter (Univ). Robert E. 

Artists Theatre Corp. 

On May 30 Paramount held a iradescreening 

of "Sunburn" at the Plitt Screen- 

Weaver, convention chairman 

Manhattan (UA), Sena Mall, 2nd wk. . .900 are Sept. 6-9 and will be headquartered at Shields. 

Murder by Decree (Avco). Plaza, 'he Hilton Hotel in Jacksonville. Registra- 

Lee. I3th wk 

Hanover Street (Col), Plaza, 1st wk. 

200 

.225 Marsha J. 

. . 

Last Embrace (UA), Lakeside, for 'he 1979 International Convention of ing Room. The film stars Farrah Fawcetl- 

3rd wk 1 50 WOMPI, announced that the theme for the Majors, Charles Grodin, Art Carney and 

Love at First Bite (AI), 3 theatres, 26th annual convention will be "Holiday Joan Collins. Also screened was "Wanda 

'h^ Florida Sun." Convention dates Nevada," starring Peter Fonda and Brooke 

4th vvk 250 ^'-'^ in 

Don't mlu out on thit 

in-car Mosquito RgpellenI Coils 

i nwsquitoes. sand flias, and gnats 

Safe/Eflective. 


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PINKSTON SALES & SERVICE - MOTION PICTURE EQUIPMENT 

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AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTORS FOR MANY MANUFACTURERS 

Ed Ceroosek 

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BOXOFFICE :: June 11, 1979 S-1

and 

Al Approaching Its 

Renaissance 

As 25th Anniversary Rolls Around 

From West Edition 

that needed double bills. He said that from 

SALT LAKE CITY—The major llic;iirc 

the first AI had made money each year and 

circuits used to spurn American International 

that the theatres that snubbed AI started 

Pictures. Now they seek the movies ol' 

the company that used to think art was a 

turning to the company for product, especially 

when it otherwise was thin. 

lour letter word. 

Arkoff said that his company's first films 

AI. which was founded on a $3,000 loan 

were made with budgets of $100,000 each. 

to the then 35-year-old business man and 

former lawyer Samuel Z. Arkoff, is cele- 

"We didn't have name writers or directors 

brating its 25th anniversary this year. 

The company started out with a picture 

titled "Fast and Furious," starring John 

Ireland and Dorthy Malone, telling of a convict 

on the lam from a framed-up niurdeicharge. 

The company went through "How to 

Stuff a Wild Bikini," "I Was Teenage 

a 

Werewolf," "Beach Blanket Bingo" and similarly 

titled films. 

Recalling that beginning today, Arkoff 

says: "We believed that moviegoers had 

many tastes. We believed the teenage market 

was not being exploited nor was it being 

given films that would appeal. We came 

out with horror, sci-fi, motorcycle and beach 

epics and they clicked, especially at driveins." 

Fred Paloski. who has been handling Al 

product in the Salt Lake area almost since 

that company's first films were released, recalls 

the beginning of AI movies here: "The 

majors didn't want to play our pictures. 

Movies like the 'Robe' were the rage then. 

We had little to offer. 

"Then Bob Benton, whose Sero Amusement 

Corp. ran the Highland Theatre Corp.. 

booked in one of our pictures and Virg 

O'Dell of Caldwell booked one and they 

made money, and we were off and running." 

Paloski said that the company made money 

with bookings in drive-ins and theatres 

800 Lambert Drive N.E. 

Atlanta, Go. 30324 

(404) 876-0347 

© 

S. 

"Everytbing for your theatre— except film" 

704 - 333-9651 (^kanotte Ukeatife Jûpplu 

CIS 

S-2 

© 

Full Line Theatre Supply House 

or actors," he recalled. He might have 

added they weren't known then, but they 

are now. For instance, the first role for 

Michael Landon, who won fame on "Bonanza" 

and is now writer-director-star of 

"Little House on the Prairie," was in an 

Al production. 

Other performers in AI films have been 

Vincent Price, Charles Bronson, Ray Milland, 

Boris Karloff. Peter Lorre, Basil Rathbone, 

Woody Allen, Peter Fonda, Bruce 

Dern, Jack Nicholson, Susan Strasberg, 

Cher Bono, Barbara London, Shelley Winters, 

Rober DcNiro. David Carradine, Barbara 

Hershey, Warren Dates, Margot Kidder, 

Ingrid Bergman and Glenn Turman. 

"We couldn't get some of those stars now 

for what we paid for the entire picture in 

which they appeared 20 or 25 years ago," 

said Arkoff. 

About five years ago, American International 

Pictures took its first big step in the 

industry by acquiring Cinerama Productions. 

Tom Philibin, veteran movie man from 

Cinerama and Universal Pictures, became 

manager of the Salt Lake Office of AI, 

and Paloski remained on as assistant. 

They are now being sought out by Ihc 

major circuits because of the success of thcir 

company's latest picture, "Love at First 

Bite," which is a satire on their horror suc- 

Graham Sr. 

Chorlotte, N.C. 28202 

(704) 334-3616 

229 S. Church Street • P. O. Box 1973 • 

Charlotte, N.C. 28201 

CAPITAL CITY SUPPLY COMPANY, INC. 

COAAPLETE THEATRE EQUIPMENT AND CONCESSION SUPPLIES 

OUk 39th YEAR 

2124 lackjon Parkway. N.W. 713 Sudelram Bldg. 

Atlanta, Georgia 30318 Nashville. Tennesseo 37219 

(404) 792-8424 (615) 256-0347 

©^© 

cesses. The major circuits also are bidding 

top terms for two of their next movies 

"The Amityville Horror," made from a bestselling 

book about an unusual haunted 

house, and "Meteor," starring Natalie 

Wood, Karl Maiden and Sean Connery in 

a story about the day a meteor strikes New 

York. 

"Our 'Love at First Bite' is one of the 

most popular pictures now showing," said 

Paloski and Philibin, "and we are looking 

forward to some top business for the other 

two.' " 

A festival, or retrospective, of 38 AI 

movies will be shown July 26 to Aug. 28 

at the New York Museum of Modern Art. 

Some of the films from AI's past will bo 

shown at Salt Lake area theatres during the 

company's 25th anniversary celebration, but 

some won't be available, according to Paloski. 

However, some movies in the festival also 

will be shown here during the anniversary. 

These could include "Master of the World," 

starring 'Vincent Price and Charles Bronson: 

"Comedy of Terrors," starring Vincent 

Price, Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff, Basil 

Rathbone and Joe E. Brown; "Dillinger," 

starring Christopher Jones, Shelley Winters, 

and Hal Holbrook: "Cooley High" starring 

Glen Turman; "Island of Dr. Moreau," starring 

Burt Lancaster; "Rolling Thunder," 

with William DeVane and Tommy Lee 

Jones; and "What's Up, Tiger Lily" starring 

Woody Allen. 

Concerning the new status of his company, 

Arkoff said, "I'm not sure I like this 

new respectability. I'm inclined to be a 

negative character. I automatically say no 

when someone says yes." 

CHARLOTTE 

John S. Nau of American Cinema Releasing 

announces that the new Southern regional 

office will be at 2600 Century Parkway. 

Suite 218, Atlanta, Ga. 30345. The 

telephone number is (404) 329-9003. American 

Cinema also has offices in Charlotte 

and in Jacksonville, Fla. Nau was in Charlotte 

and screened "Force of One" and received 

favorable comments form buyers and 

bookers. 

Screenings this week at Car-Mel: "Force 

of One" (American Cinema Releasing), 

"Richer or Poorer" (Lee Collins), "Lady 

and the Tramp" (Buena Vista), "Nightwing" 

(Columbia Pictures), "Sunburn" (Paralures) 

and "Rocky 11" (United Artists). 

Teresa King Dover of Charlotte Theatre 

Supply at 229 S. Church St., Charlotte, N.C. 

28202, (704) 333-9651, has announced that 

the company has a new listing of exchanges 

and booking agencies in the area. She will 

mail out copies; contact her at the above 

address. 

New pictures on the marquees: "Alien" 

(Park Terrace), "Beyond the Poseidon Adventure" 

(Park Terrace), "Prisoner of Zenda" 

(Charlottelown Mall) and "Voices" 

(Manor). 

Top grosses: "Alien," "Manhattan," 

" 

"Jaws. "Bevond the I'oseidon Adven- 

BOXOFnCE :: June

.—»-_.^»„„f,MV». 

A: JJ-2 70/35mm Projection System (shown with optional 


B: SHOW-PAK 35mm Console (shown with optional reels 

and lamphouse.) 

C: SA & R3 35mm "All-in-One" Proiector/ 


D: R-33 35mm 4-Track Magnetic Penthouse. 

E: SHOWMASTER Automation System. 




Standard Theatre Supply Co. 

125 Higgins St. 

Greensboro, North Carolina 27420 

(919) 272-6165 

Joe Hornstein Inc. 

759 West Flogler St. 

Miami, Flo. 33130 

(1305) 545-5842 

Standard Theatre Supply Co. 

1529 St, Thomos 

New Orleans, La. 70150 

Phone: (504) 523-6863 

Trans-World Theatre Supply, Inc 

2711 Virginia Avenue 

Kenner, La. 70062 

Phone: (504) 729-8433 

1624 W. Independence Blvd. 

Charlotte, North Carolina 2820S 

(704) 375-6008 

Capital City Supply Co. 

713 Sudekiun Building 

Nashville, Tenn. 37219 

Phone: (615) 256-0347 

Tri-State Theatre Supply Co 

151 Vonce Avenue 

Memphis, Tenn. 38103 

Phone: (901) 525-8249 

Wil-Kin Theatre Supply, Inc 

800 Lambert Dr., H.L 

AHonta, Go. 30324 

(404) 876-0347 

Oklahoma Theatre Supply Co. 

628 West Sheridan Ave. 

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102 

Modern Sales & Service, 

2200 Young Street 

Dallas, Texos 75201 

Phone: (214) 747-3191 

Inc. 

Southwestern Theatre Equipment Co. 

1702 Rusk 

Houston, Texas 77003 

Phone: (713) 654-1461

MIAMI 

plans are beginning to be announced tor 

the 

second Greater Miami International 

Film Festival. The tentative date for Ihe 

next festival is mid-January, during Ihc 

height of the tourist season in South Florida, 

instead of in November, the origin;il 

date. 

Named to succeed J. Hunter Todd, who 

was executive director for the first venture 

and who has now gone to Houston to direct 

a smaller festival, will be John Baratte, who 

holds the title 

of festival executive vice president. 

William R. Burdette is serving as financial 

director of the reorganized festival, and 

Judie Williamson, a Miami-based documentary 

filmmaker, is administrative manager. 

The festival is struggling under a debt ol 

more that $100,000 created by the initial 

festival attempt and has sent a detailed proposal 

to the Dade County Council of Arts 

and Sciences, outlining the following things: 

—Seeks $100,000 from the county's new 

hotel bed-tax fund. 

—Cost of the festival will be $350,000, 

plus $25,000 in debt-service funds to pay 

off the 1978 debt, with none of the debt 

service money coming from public funds. 

—Instead of 

109 feature films entered in 

Ihc first festival, there will be about half 

that number, and in addition to the 10-day 

period in January, other events will be 

scheduled throughout the year making the 

festival a year-round activity. 

"Film as an Art Form" was the title of a 

presentation of selected works of Bruce 

Connor, painter, sculptor and filmmaker. 

Connor screened and discussed some of his 

works at the recent program at the New 

World Center Auditorium of the Miami- 

Dade Community College in downtown Miami 

as part of the Avant Garde film screening 

series. Among the films were "Monogold," 

"Valse Triste," "Breakaway," "Permian 

Strata," "Crossroads" and "Take 5:10 

to Dreamland." Admission was $3. 

Specially Designed for Drive-In Theatres 

The Florida Motion Picture and Television 

Advisory Council has voted to establish 

an internship program to give college 

students in film and television on-the-job 

experience in professional productions. The 

program is said to have the blessing of 

Sidney Levin, secretary of state, who will 

contact film producers to help the students 

get jobs. 

ÔSQUITOE| 

.HARMLESS • PIEMSANT 

effecrm 

OUTDOORS 

NOW WITH 

BIG NEW 

IMPROVEMENTS 

Bill von Maurer, entertainment editor of 

the Miami News, has said the following 

about "Alien": "The producers of 'Alien' 

have taken the horror movie, the suspense 

film and the sci-fi drama, placed them 

aboard a spaceship and hurled them into 

outer space to give moviegoers the scariest, 

most fascinating movie of the year." 

Nat Chediak of the Cinematheque in 

Coial Gables has planned a summer devoted 

heavily to the work of Francois Truffaut. 

June began with "400 Blows" and continues 

with "Antoine and Collette," "Stolen Kisses" 

and "Bed and Board" on June 29. Chediak 

will introduce "Love on the Run," Trulfaut's 

20th movie and the fifth in the Antoine 

Doinel series. Doinel is Truffaut's autobiographical 

screen character in all five 

films. 

CARACOL MOSQUITO COILS ARE No. 1 

OVER 50 MILLION SOLD YEARLY - WHY 

1. Lowest cost—Highest profit margin. 

2. Only one with Aluminum Coil Holder. 

3. Only one with separated, individual coils. This means no customer 

breakage. 

4. Small size available at a price so inexpensive that it can be used as 

a give away. 

5. Free Freight on orders over $200. 

WHY LET MOSQUITOES HURT YOUR BUSINESS 

ORDER CARACOL NOW 

MABEN, INC. 

1980 N.W. 139th St., Opa Locka, Fla. 33054 

Phone: (305) 681-2021 

Hollywood Theatre Equipment Inc. opened 

for business May 1. The company will 

handle a complete line of theatre equipment, 

supplies and parts, and says it will place 

great emphasis on service. The address is 

2832-N, Stirling Road, Hollywood, Fla. 

33020. The telephone number is (305) 920- 

2832. 

Avco Adds Branch Office 

From Wesl Edition 

HOLLYWOOD — Avco Embassy Pictures, 

moving to increase sales services in 

the Florida area, has opened a branch office 

in Jacksonville with Randy Robins as 

branch manager. The office boosts Avco's 

domestic sales office strength to 20 

branches, including an affiliate in Toronto. 

FLORIDA THEATRE 

EQUIPMENT 

& SUPPLY CO., INC. 

EVIRVTHINC VOU NEID FOR VOUR THIATRE 

1966 N.E. 149th St. • N. Miami, Fla., 33181 

Tel: f3051 944^70 

BOXOFHCE 1979

CHICAGO 

Lucy Salenger, managing director ol the 

Illinois Film Office, worked with the 

mayor's office and the Chicago Police Department 

for locations suitable for the 

shooting of scenes for "Somewhere in 

Time." Christopher Reeve, the star, appears 

to have established some strong relationships 

with Chicagoans when he spent a week 

here. Director of the film is Jeannot Szwarc, 

and Steve Deutsch is producer. Salenger 

said, "Although the movie worked in our 

area only a short time, the production company 

drew heavily on Chicago talent, casting 

35 roles out of Chicago to work both 

here and at the primary location, the Grand 

Hotel, Mackinac Island, Mich." 

Ben Gazzara and Peter Bogdanovich were 

given a big welcome by some citizens' 

groups while they were in town on behalf 

of "Saint Jack," which opened exclusively 

at the Biograph Theatre. Gazzara and Bogdanovich 

are ne.xt working on "They All 

Laughed," called a romantic sex comedy. 

Lucy Salenger, who heads up the Illinois 

Film Office, is hoping to convince them to 

film here instead of New York. 

Chicago Tribune movie critic Gene Siskel, 

who gives "Saint Jack" three stars, 

says. 

in part, ". . .'Saint Jack' doesn't hit you over 

the head ... the film is laced with the 

truth of a documentary. Contributing to 

the 

film's reality is Gazzara, who manages to 

turn in a nicely subdued performance for a 

leading role. Subdued, quiet, effective 

that's 'Saint Jack." " 

There continues to be reports on gang 

incidents during and after the showing of 

"The Warriors." In Chicago, there are reports 

of some violence that occurred mainly 

in the Latino community. Police now estimate 

that 5,000 "gangbangers," as gang 

members reportedly call themselves, make 

up at least 150 active street gangs in the 

Chicago area. The police report notes that 

although most of these are Hispanics. they 

represent only a small fraction of the city's 

Latino youth. 

Dave Schatz reports that his Chicago 

Used Chair Mart furnished the chairs for 

Sally's Stage 2 in Lomgard, III. Joe Bortz 

is general manager of this new entertainment 

spot. The Chicago Used Chair Mart 

crew is now upholstering chairs in the Lyric 

Theatre in Blue Island, operated by William 

Geftman. 

Members of the Women's Variety Club 

of Illinois were happily surprised about receiving 

third place in the Incentive Scheme 

Award event at the Variety Clubs International 

Convention in New Orleans. Edythe 

Stein, the club's president, accepted the 

award. 

John Bischof, general manager for the 

Kohlberg Theatre Circuit, said the company's 

triplex, the 41-1, 2 and 3 in Hammond, 

Ind., will definitely be ready for the 

scheduled grand opening July 1. Edward 

Jamiga is manager of the 41 property. 

(Continued on page MW-4) 

When a lascr-c>ed Cylon warrior was in town to help launch (he opening of 

Universal's "Battlestar Galactica," he included a day's visit to Children's Memorial 

Hospital and La Rabida Sanitarium. He presented each child with "Battlestar Galactica" 

mementos .such as soundtrack albums, picture books, etc. He is shown 

entertaining one of the children during a bath. 

KANSAS CITY 

phe In-Laws" was sneak previewed at the 

Glenwood June 1. Newspaper advertising 

described this picture as "The First Certified 

Crazy Person's Comedy." and many 

who have seen it will agree. 

"Escape to Athena" opened recently at 

the Brywood. Chouteau, Empire. Independence, 

Watts Mill, and Lake Park and 

North drive-ins. 

"Rocky 11" is opening at the Ranch Mart 

June 15. Some say that it is a better picture 

than "Rocky I," which is unusual for a sequel, 

and that it is very exciting. The picture 

will be in Dolby stereo. 

"Moonraker" will be opening at the end 

of June. Another new opening at that time 

will be Paramount's "Escape From .Mcatraz." 

FILMACK IS 

1st CHOICE 

WITH 

SHOWMEN 

EVERYWHERE 

The new face in film and booking at 

Commonwealth Amusement Corp. is Darci 

Magneson. Darci is new to the film business, 

and will be replacing Dian Brethour 

who is resigning. Dian will be missed by her 

co-workers. 

"The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides 

Again" will be shown at the Valley View 

beginning June 29. 

Carla Wilson has returned to work at 

American International. 

Installation of officers for WOMPI will 

take place June 26 at the Gold Buffet, 503 

E. 18th Ave. in North Kansas City. Cocktails 

will be at 6:30 p.m. Dinner will be at 

7:30 p.m. Hostesses will be from Commonwealth, 

The WOMPIs have welcomed four new 

members recently. They include Jackie Dixon. 

Darla Knisely. Wilma Martin and Debra 

Richeson. The local club is in second place 

in their international membership drive. Atlanta 

is 

first. 



SPECIAL FILMS 

DATE STRIPS. 

CROSS PLUGfa, 

MERCHANT ADS, 

SPECIAL AN- 

NOUNCEMENTS 


)0605 312-427-339; 

BOXOFnCE 

MW-1

1W^rr^ 

.' 

'i^'î The Promise (Univ). 8 theatres, 

1*' 

npcT 

^k 250 

rtnJ Diiu 

M nUtw The Redeemer, Son of the Satan, (SR), 

Chicago, 2nd wk 125 

Sainit 

ffFPnPT 

Jack 

I (NW), Biograph, 1st wk. . . .250 

nE^rwng ^ Vokes (MGM-UA), 5 theatres, 1st wk. 150 

"•,f

A; JJ-2 70/35mm Projection System (stiown with optional 




C:SA&R3 35mm"AI 


D: R-33 35mm 4-Track Magnetic Penthouse, 

E: SHOWMASTER Automation System 




Ringold Cinema Equipment, Inc. 

8421 Gravois Avenue 

St. Louis, Missouri 63123 

(314) 352-2020 

Des Moines Theatre Supply Co. 

1100 High St. 

Des Moines, Iowa 50309 

Phone: (515) 243-6520 

Hadden Theatre Supply 

7117 Covered Bridge Rd. 

Prospect, Kentucity 40059 

(Louisville) 

hone: (502) 896-9578 

Minneapolis Theatre Supply Co. 

51 Glenwood Ave. 

Minneopolis, Minnesota 55403 

Phone: (612) 335-1166 

Mid-Continent Theatre Supply Corp 

1800 Wyandotte Street 

Kansas City, Missouri 64108 

Phone: (816) 221-0480 

Harry Melcher Enterprises 

3607-15 West Fond Du Lac Ave 

P.O. Box 16528 

Milwaukee, Wiseonsm 53216 

Phone: (414) 422-5020

ST. 

LOUIS 

niien," in an exclusive engagement at 

Creve Coeur Cine, received an accolade 

from reviewer Darrell Shoiilts of the 

Clayton Citizen. He called it "one of the 

finest shockers combining science fiction 

with the classic horror tale," with "astounding 

special effects." He states "persons expecting 

another 'Star Wars' should know 

in advance that "Alien" more closely approximates 

'The Exorcist' than any of the space 

swashbucklers, with the tension kept at a 

piercing level making it a truly frightening 

sci-fi 

horror film." 

Assisted by promo spots from KDNL- 

TV, channel 30, Disney's re-release of "101 

Dalmations" begins a wide multiple release 

June 15. It will be coupled with the 29-minute 

short subject featuring live animals, also 

from Buena Vista, entitled "'Footloose Fox." 

General Cinema's Grandview and Northland 

are repeating on June 16 their successful 

special program of June 2 aimed at the 

younger set. Featuring a tie-in with the Vess 

Bottling Company, the price of admission 

at 1 1 the a.m. showing of youth-oriented 

attractions is two empty bottles of any Vess 

beverage. 

Jerry Banta, of Thomas-Shipp, and his 

wife, Fran, spent a brief vacation the Memorial 

Day weekend in Des Moines, Iowa, 

visiting relatives and friends and enjoying 

some outdoor recreation. 

CHICAGO 

(Continued from page MW-1) 

Dave Gold, who has been on leave of absence, 

was welcomed back as manager of 

the McVickers Theatre. 

Buena Vista staffers have been finalizing 

plans for the return of "Fantasia" to the 

M & R Norridge, Old Orchard and Evergreen 

Park theatres, and also the Plitt Esquire 

Theatre. "Fantasia" was presented for 

the first time in 1940. The updated version 

is being shown in 35mm and Dolby Stereo. 

"Get Out 'Vour Handkercliiefs" is set for 

a return engagement at the Near North Carnegie 

Theatre, where it played exclusively 

and very successfully a few months ago. 

After the first week, grosses for "Alien" 

showed up bigger than they did for "Star 

Wars" in the same period. Both films 

opened over the Memorial holiday period. 

However, because "Star Wars" opened in 

only four theatres and "Alien" debuted in 

seven, it is not possible to quote comparative 

dollar or percentage figures. 

Bob Silver is back at the Brotman Portage 

Theatre as manager. He had left this post 

10 complete his college studies. 

Twentieth Century-Fox publicist Larry 

Dieckhaus greeted a group of "Alien" principals 

for some special promotion activities 

and press interviews. In the group were Sigourney 

Weaver, who had her first movie 

role in "Alien"; Tom Skerritt, who has been 

seen in "M*A*S*H" and "The Turning 

Point"; director Ridley Scott; and Veronica 

Cartwiight. Japhet Kotto was expected but 

he was in Columbus, Ohio, for the shooting 

of "Brubaker." Fox brought in members ol 

the press from all areas of the Midwest for 

the visit of "Alien" stars. 

MILWAUKEE 

(Continued from page MW-2) 

Performing Arts Center Theatre School this 

summer as the result of a $5,000 grant from 

the Wisconsin Arts Board. Geniusz, who 

will join the PAC staff for 10 weeks, will 

incorporate film animation into live productions 

of fairly tales and fables for young 

pupils, first through sixth grade; film a story 

with seventh and eighth grade students: and 

create another with high school students. In 

addition, he will combine live action and 

animation to produce a film that is to be 

shown to senior citizens in senior citizen 

residence homes. Classes begin June 25. 

Audience Reaction Is Part 

Of Daily News Film Page 

From East Edition 

PHILADELPHIA—The Daily News is 

adding a feature to bring to its readers the 

reaction of opening week audiences at new 

films. 

Each Friday, CinemaScore will present 

the result of scientific polls of movie audiences. 

Between 500 and 1,000 people will 

be asked what brought them to a particular 

movie and how they felt about it immediately 

afterward. 

Conducted by a California-based survey 

research company, CinemaScore will provide 

overall ratings—A, excellent; B, good; 

C, average; D, fair; and F, poor; as well as 

ratings from specific sub-groups. 

For instance, "The Warriors," the newspaper 

explains, was given an overall grade 

of C by opening-week audiences, although 

only 16 percent of those polled actually 

gave it a C. The movie was targeted for 

\oung men, and among those 17-24. it re- 

>.eived a straight A rating. That group rcpiLsents 

62 percent of the audience. 

WESTWARD 

DOUGH! 

OR 

howDOyou 

COVERA 

Wagon 

The wild, wild West. Land of 

hope and opportunity to thousands 

of courageous settlers. But, if it 

weren't for the dollars of thousands 

more Americans taking stock in their 

country, there might never have 

been a West to go west to. 

You see, money raised from the 

sale of government securities 

helped us purchase the Louisiana 

Territory from the French. Other 

securities helped buy the states of 

California, Nevada, Utah, western 

Colorado and most of New Mexico 

and Arizona from Mexico. Even 

settlement of the Oregon Territory 

was made possible through the 

issuance of United States securities. 

Today, you can still take stock 

in your country's growth by buying 

U. S. Savings Bonds. 

Just sign up for the Payroll 

Savings Plan where you work. 

There's no easier, safer way to save 

or help your country. After all, 

U. S. Savings Bonds are still a great 

way for you to go West. Or East, 

North and South. 

Now E Bonds pay 6% interest when held 

to maturity of 5 years (4H% the first 

year). Interest is not subject to state or 

local income taxes, and federal tax may be 

deferred until redemption. 

Take . 

stock 

in^êrica. 

THEWTRE EQUIPMENT 

Erervihing tor the Theiitre" 

33» No. CAPITOL AVE., INDIANAPOLIS, IND, 

BOXOmCE :; June 11, 1979

A: JJ-2 70/35mm Projection System (shown with optional 




C; SA & R3 35mm "All-in-One" Projector/ 







Best Theatre Supply 

1590 Ert Avenue 

Mont Royal 

Montreal, P.Q. H2J 1Z2 

Phone (514) 526-7719 

BOXOFHCE :: June 11, 1979

.Very 

Toronto 

Ashaiiti (WB), Imperial. 4rh wk Fair 

The Champ (MGM-UA). Plaza, 

5th wk Good 

Fedora (UA). Hollywood. 1st wk Fair 

Firepower (PR). Imperial, 2nd wk. .Good 

. 


mST RUN REPORT 

International. 12th wk Fan- 

Hair (UA). University. 6th wk Good 

Last Embrace (UA). Uptown, 2nd wk. Fair 

Love at First Bite (Astral), Uptown, 


Manhattan (UA), Uptown, Eglinton, 

3rd wk Excellent 


Imperial, 1st wk Very Good 

Superman (WB), Imperial, 21st wk. . . .Fair 

Montreal 

Ashanti (WB), Loews, 6th wk Good 

The Champ (MGM-UA), 7th wk. ..Good 

The Deer Hunter (Univ). Place dii 

Canada. lOth wk Good 

Hair (UA). York, 7th wk Very Good 

Hanover Street (Col), Atwater. 

1st wk Good 

Love at First Bite (Astral), Loews, 

4th wk 

Very Good 

A Little Romance (WB), Claremont, 

1st wk Very Good 

Manhattan (UA), Place Ville Marie, 

2nd wk 

Excellent 

Summer Camp (PR), Cinema de Paris. 

1st wk Fair 

Voices (UA), The Cinema. 2nd wk. . 

.Good 

French Language Films 

Brillantine (PR). Parisien. 1st wk. . . 

.Good 

La Cage Aux Folles (UA). Parisien, 

8th wk Very Good 

La Carapate (PR), Parisien, 6th wk. . .Good 

Le Ciel Pent Attendre (Para), Parisien, 

14th wk Good 

L'Express de Minuit (Col), Le Dauphin, 

2nd wk Good 

Un Moment d'Egarement (PR), 

Parisien, 3rd wk Very Good 

Pair Et Impair (Astral), 

Berri, 


Voyage au Bout de I'Enfer (Univ), 

Champlain, 1st wk Very Good 

i.^^^"^-'^ '^.' 

The Shape of Things to Come (PR). 

Place de Ville, 3rd wk Fan 

Voices (UA), Place de Ville, 1st wk Fan 

Edmonton 

Abba the Movie (WB), Garneau, 

1st wk Good 

Beyond the Door II (Astral), Plaza, 

1st wk Fair 


Capilano, 7th wk 

Very Good 

The Champ (MGM-UA), Westmount, 



Meadowlark, 7th wk Excellent 

The Deer Hunter (Univ), Towne 

Cinema, 7th wk Excellent 

Firepower (PR), Paramount, 


Last Embrace (UA), Capitol Square, 

1st wk Good 

Love at First Bite (Astral), Capitol 

Square, 2nd wk Excellent 

The North Avenue Irregulars (BV), 

Londonderry, 7th wk Very Good 

Old Boyfriends (Astral), Odeon, Plaza, 

1st wk Good 

Same Time, Next Year (Univ). Roxy, 

1st wk Fair 

Calgary 


Westbrook, 6th wk 

Very Good 

The Champ (MGM-UA), Chinook. 


The China Syndrome (Astral), North 

Hill, Westbrook, 7th wk Excellent 

The Deer Hunter (Univ), Towne Red, 


The Evictors (Astral). Palace, 1st wk. . .Fair 

Last Embrace (UA). Palliser, 1st wk. Good 

Love at First Bite (Astral), Calgary 

Place, 2nd wk Excellent 

Old Boyfriends (Astral), Marlboro 

Square. Uptown. 1st wk Poor 


Market Mall, 3rd wk Very Good 

Same Time, Next Year (Univ), Odeon, 

7th wk Good 

Summer Camp (PR). Uptown, 


. 

Winnipeg 

Ottawa 

Agatha (WB), Park, 1st wk Very Good 

The Champ (MGM-UA). Little Elgin, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (Univ), 

Cinema 6, 1st wk Good Kings, 7th wk Good 

The China Syndrome (Col), St. Laurent, The Champ (MGM-UA), Metropolitan, 

wk Excellent 

1st wk Good 7th 

The Deer Hunter (Univ), Elmdale, 

The China Syndrome (Col), Odeon. 

10th wk 

Very Good 6th wk Very Good 

Hanover Street (Col), St. Laurent, 

The Deer Hunter (Univ). Garrick, 

Auto-.Sky Drivc-ln, 1st wk. Good 10th wk Excellent 

A Little Romance (WB). Capitol Square. Fast Break (Col), Convention Centre. 

2nd wk 

Good 10th wk Average 

Love at First Bite (Astral). Capitol 

The 5th Musketeer (Col). Garrick. 

Square. Airport Drive-ln. 

1st wk Very Good 

4th wk 

Very Good Get Out Your Handkerchiefs (PR), 

Manhattan (UA). Elgin. 1st wk. Excellent Cinema 3, 3rd wk Good 

A Little Romance (WB), Polo Park, 

2nd wk 

Good 

Love at First Bite (Astral), Colony. 

3rd wk Good 

Manhattan (UA), Northstar, 


CALGARy 

^he Belmont Drive-In Theatre located in 

Edmonton's Claireview district has been 

given a new lease on life by Don Superstein. 

In operation for 25 years and more 

recently leased by Odeon Theatres, the 

drive-in was slated for demolition when 

Superstein decided to take over the operation. 

During the past four years city sprawl 

has almost enveloped the theatre with residential 

areas now on three sides of it. 

Superstein, whose family owns the Belmont, 

admits that this may be the last year 

for the cinema because redevelopment is 

possible next year for the area. The theatre 

can hold 550 cars and has one of the largest 

drive-in screens in Canada. It also had the 

first curved screen in the country. Operation 

of the theatre gives employment to 

about 20 people, most of whom come from 

the immediate area. If the Belmont does 

close next year. Superstein, who has always 

been an avid movie fan, would like to move 

the equipment out into the country and start 

another operation. 

Superstein says, "In recent years, the types 

of pictures shown at the drive-in were soft 

core sex and violence pictures. I am after 

five-star rated movies—good movies you 

won't see on TV. Maybe we won't have 

them at the same time they're shown downtown 

but we hope to get them soon afterward." 

He is also thinking of holding jazz 

and rock concerts as well as a flea market 

on Sundays. 

The Princess Theatre in Edmonton is offering 

memberships in the theatre in an 

attempt to boost attendance. And it is a 

good deal—a year's membership for a student 

is only $5 and this gives him a reduction 

of 50 cents for each movie. Family 

memberships run at $12. Adults memberships 

cost $7.50 with the same 50-cent saving 

on each movie. 

The Memorial Day weekend saw all of 

the drive-in theatres in both cities screening 

dusk-to-dawn programs, but in Calgary 

the busiest theatre had to be the Towne 

Cinema. Regular programs of "The Deer 

Hunter" and "Every Which Way But 

Loose" are both drawing waiting-in-longlines 

crowds and there were two other 

special programs. Saturday and Sunday, 

May 19-20, saw midnight movies with "The 

Rocky Horror Picture Show" on the screen 

and Sunday afternoon there was a Chinese 

language double bill of "Murder on the 

Wedding Night" and "Executions From 

Shaolin." 

Please note a new address for Independent 

Theatre Supply of Edmonton; they 

now in new premises at 10992 106 

are 

St. and their new postal code is TLH 

2T6. 

K-2 

BOXOFHCE :; June 11, 1979

55 

430 

415 

10244 

A:_ JJ-2 70/35mm Projection System (stiown with optional 



and lamphouse ) 

C: SA & R3 35mm "All-in-One" Projector/ 







9 HALIFAX 

W^SAINTJOHN 

Tom «ddicon. Br»ncl> V Mgr. 1571 1579 Barnnglon __ .^ Si. . , 

. Dislnd Mgr , 

Bentliy Sl. 

9 MONTREAL W WINNIPEG 

GENERAL SOUND AND THEATRE EQUIPMENT LIMITED 

Gflorg* Litorre. Oislrid Mgr, 160 6lt«s Rd 

^TORONTO 

Jim Zagol. Disl Mgt Theatre Oept 

irsi Bergar. Dili Mgi Cdmmumca 

9Wirdl Tulloch, Oinncl Mgi . Ktnsingmn Si 

CALGARY 

Barnr Blaclcburn. Oulricl Mgi . (D«i *> S.E. 

W EDMONTON 

9OariM Carphm Branch Mji 

. 

VANCOUVER 

lOVd Si. 

U Malulii, BiHicli Mr. 2112 W. I2lk *v«. 

BOXOFHCE :: June 11, 1979

Aggressive Canadian Filmmakers 

Chalk Up Deals at Cannes Festival 

TORONTO—Canadian filmmakers have 

made some b'g deals at the Cannes Film 

Festival. 

Typical of thess. Harold Greenberg, the 

Montreal co-prcducer of "A Man Called 

Intrepid," managed to obtain the last link 

in a string of films woith $26.4 million this 

year. This will be "Death Ship," a $4 million 

film concerning a ghost ship. It will be 

directed by Alvin Rakoff, who also directed 

"City on Fire" for Greenberg. Unfortunately, 

the latter was given a disappointing 

reception at Cannes. 

At the same time that "Death Ship" is 

being shot, Greenberg will also have under 

way "Crunch," a $2.5 million youth comedy 

which is to be made in Montreal. G'reenberg 

also plans to make "Mary and Joseph," 

a religious feature with a $4 million to $5 

million budget, which is to be shot in Israel 

and Canada. Greenberg's partner in 

this project will be Lorimar, the American 

company that organized "A Man Called 

Intrepid." 

Greenberg said, "And Quebec is letting 

us shoot 'Brainstorm,' a $5 million adventure, 

in James Bay in August, and you 

could not reproduce that location cheaply." 

American International has bought into 

Quadrant Films" "Nothing Personal." a 

comedy set to be made here in mid-June. 

This deal naturally elated David Perlmutter, 

president of Quadrant. The cast will be 

headed by Suzanne Somers and Donald 

Sutherland, and will have as its backdrop 

this country's controversial seal hunt. 

Canadian Influence 

Aside from these deals, the presence ol 

Canadians at Cannes is beginning to have 

influence. Next year, Cannes officials promise 

to have a Canadian jury member for the 

first time and to give serious consideration 

to Canadian films in official competition. 

This agreement followed a meeting between 

officials and Michael McCabe, executive 

director of the Canadian Film Development 

Corporation, and Bill Marshall 

and Denis Heroux, representing Englishlanguage 

and Quebec producers' associations. 

"There are about 400 Canadians here 

participating in the business of Cannes and 

we came with $36 million worth of sales," 

McCabe said. "Last year, we had a couple 

of million and that was double the year before. 

We told them (festival chief Gilles 

Jacob and its once powerful boss Favre 

Lebret) that we wanted a Canadian on the 

jury as a matter of course, and we want 

Canadian films in official selection." 

This is quite a change from the old days 

when most Canadian producers would not 

necessarily have bet there was going to be 

a next year. 

But look at some figures so far. "Running." 

starring Michael Douglas and made 

in Montreal and Toronto for $4 million, 

has already recorded sales ,4 S6.7 million. 

Another Montreal effort, the $1.6 million 

"Meatballs," was bought by Paramount lor 

$3.5 million for U.S. theatres. $350,000 

for Canadian distribution rights and $8()().- 

000 for U.S. pay TV. 

The list goes on: 

"City on Fire"—starring Barry Newman, 

Susan Clark, Shelley Winters, Leslie NicL 

sen. Henry Fonda and Ava Gardner; $2.65 

million from CBS for television rights and 

$1.5 million for theatres around the world: 

theatrical distribution in the United States 

has yet to be negotiated. 

"Agency"—starring Robert Mitchirm. 

Lee Majors and Valerie Perrine; $1.3 million 

by Time-Life Films for U.S. syndication 

and pay TV; theatre sales abroad are 

$1.6 million. 

"Murder by Decree"—starring Christopher 

Plummer, James Mason, Susan Clark, 

John Gielgud, Donald Sutherland and 

Genevieve Bujold; $2.4 million by Avco 

Embassy Pictures for the U.S. distribution 

and for the world rights; $4.5 million has 

been made at U.S. boxoffices and $2 million 

in Canada. 

Turnaround Is Recent 

And there are others: 

According to Bruce Mallen, a marketing 

consultant, university professor and specialist 

in the movie business, the turnaround 

—the beginning of a genuine film industry 

in Canada—has come only in the past year 

or so. It has taken that long, he said, for 

the effects of 1976 changes in the tax law 

and more recent adjustments in securities 

legislation to start showing up on celluloid. 

Subject to certain provisions, investors in 

a corporate or private "certified feature production" 

can claim a 100 percent capital 

cost allowance. 

A certified film has to be accepted by the 

Secretary of State's office as an official coproduction 

between Canadian interests and 

another country with which Canada has a 

treaty. At the present, only Israel, France, 

West Germany, Italy and Britain are eligible. 

A film or tape also qualifies if it is 

Canadian, with 75 percent of the film's cost 

spent in Canada. A U.S. -Canadian effort 

could qualify, for example, if the money 

were put up half by Canadians, half by a 

U.S. studio and the film were made mainly 

in Canada. 

In the past year, securities commissions 

across Canada decided filmmakers could no 

longer go after public money without issuing 

a full prospectus. Before that, most 

commissions had granted exemptions on the 

reasoning that film investors arc a fairly 

sophisticated lot who know what they are 

getting into. But the commissions decided a 

unit in a film was similar to a share and 

had to meet the same requirements. The 

prospectus rule, initially annoying, has 

meant producers can now go after much 

larger 

amounts. 

It has also meant Ihat certain brokers are 

specializing in film linancing. In fact, Mai- 

len said, "the process has accelerated to the 

point that I predict that, whereas producers 

had troubles finding brokers, now there'll be 

II lot of brokers bidding for the few good 

producers that exist in this country." 

Canadian Trade Forum 

Planned for September 

TORONTO—The Festival of Festivals, 

in cooperation with the Canadian Film Development 

Corporation and the Canadian 

Association of Motion Picture Producers, 

is planning Trade Forum, a showcase for 

every aspect of Canadian filmmaking, from 

the typewriter to the tail credits. The forum 

will be held from Sept. 7 to 11. The festival's 

dates are Sept. 6 to 15. 

Key distributors, sales agents, packagers 

and talent agents from Canada, the United 

States and Europe have been invited to Toronto 

to meet with, and see the work of. 

Canadian actors, directors and screenwriters. 

Forums are being organized on film 

financing in Canada and technical facilities 

—studios, 

laboratories and locations—available 

for film production in this country. 

Michael McCabe, e.xecutive director of 

the Canadian Film Development Corporation 

and Stephen Roth of RSL Films Limited, 

executive producer of "In Praise of 

Older Women" and "Agency," are the 

chairmen of the forum. The forum is made 

possible by funding from the CFDC and 

the Ontario Ministry of Industry and Tourism. 

"International 

filmmakers, executives and 

agents have expressed strong interest in 

what we have to offer in this country," says 

Roth. "We are a source of business for 

them. The forum will provide those working 

in the Canadian film industry with a 

creative atmosphere within which to showcase 

their talents." 

"The Trade Forum will be structured to 

provide ample time for attendees and guests 

to meet on a orc-to-one basis," says Mc- 

Cabe. "This is a perfect opportunity for 

Canadians to make some important contacts." 

The forum will provide such services as 

film and video screening facilities, office 

space for private meetings, appointment 

scheduling, a message center, a general resource 

and information center, and a hospitality 

suite exclusively for registered 

forum participants. The forum will be held 

in the Park Plaza Hotel. 

Registration at the forum is reserved for 

professionals working in the film community 

and the financial community. 

OTTAWA 

Jl^s part of a $61,575 grant from the Canada 

Council and the Department of 

External Affairs to 25 organizations. Peter 

Watkins. filmmaker has been invited to 

Carleton University. Ottawa, to teach a 

course in doeumentarv film. 

K-4 BOXOmCE :: June 11, 1979

BOXOFFICE BOOKtNCUIDE 

JONNA JEFFERIS, 

An interpretive analysis of lay and tradepress levi 

minus signs indicate degiee ot merit. Listings cc 

BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Award. All films are in 

white or (© and biw) lor color and black & whitt 

audiences; PG— all ages admitted (parental guida 

H Very Good; + Good; ± Fair; - 

Bookinguide Editor 

leses. The plus and 

urrent reviews regularly. Symbol %j denotes 

except those indicated by (b&w) lor black & 

,on Picture Ass'n (MPAA) ratings: SI—general 

jggested); [R]— restricted. with persons under 

ider 17 not admitted. 

BOXOFFICE. 

iÊVIEW DIGEST 

AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX

REVIEW DIGEST 

AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX h Very Good, 

Good;

|3a

^î 

ii ;i il 

II 

^c«>i=o

il 

iM as 

5S 

III I 

til 

t 5 " »" 

|©|g

Ann 

Nn» 

.Apr 

.Ad-Sus. 

Rel. Date 

ANALYSIS FILM RELEASING 

Indian Summer Nov 78 

Charleston Dec 78 

The Innocent (119) D.. Jan 79 

Giancarlo Giannlnl, Lanra Antonelli. 

Jennifer 

O'Neill 

ASSOCIATED FILM 

Firepower (104) Ac-D..A|ir79 

SopUa Loren, Janire Ciiliirru 

O.J. Simpson. Ell Wallacli 

Escape to Athetia Ail. May 79 

Uoger Moore, Telly Saviihis. 

Itevid Niveii, Steiilianie I'mviis 

The Muopet Movie June 79 

(D-35S, 70) 

Love and Bullets . . . . Ac-D. . 79 

Charles Bronson, Jill Irclanil. 

llod Steiger. Strotliei Mavlln 

Treasure of the 

Piranha Ail-D .0i:l79 

Lee Majors, Marganx lleniiiigway. 

.lames Prancisais, Karen Ulacic 

Arabian Adventure . . .Ad-D. 

. 79 

Chrisloplier U'C. I'etcr Cnsliini; 

(D-35S) 

Saturn 3 Sus-D. .Fell 80 

Farrab Ifaweett-Mnjors. Kirli 

Douglas. Harvey Keitel 

Raise the Titanic Ail-D 

The Lone Ranrjer 

Disco Land: Where the Music 

Never Stops 

The Jazz Sinjer 

BACKSTREET-BEEHIVE- 


Lust Flight 2000 

(78) Sex CI 

Vickl Gllrk. Pat Manning 

FRED BAKER FILMS, LTD. 

Just Crazy About Horses 

(93) Ooc.l 

The Black Goddess 

BEEHIVE PRODUCTIONS 

Carnal's Cuties 

(76) Sex C. June 7 

Sinners Seven Sex D.Dcc; 

Curves Ahead! 

(78) Sex C. .Feb8 

The Lady Wants > 

Tramp Sex C. .Apr 5 

MISCELLANEOUS 

m Always Ready .Sex C-D..July79 

The New Erotic Adventures of 

Casanova Part 2 ..Sex D.. Sept 79 

INDEPENDENT ARTISTS 

When the Screaming Stops 

(94) Ho-F..No»78 

The Black Six (90) . . Ac-D . 79 

"Mean" Joe Greene, Carl Eller 

INT'L HARMONY, INC. 

Shame of the Jungle 

(89) An-C..Sept78 

The Night the Prowler 

(90) C-D..M: 

Kerry Walker, Ruth Cracknel 

"J" Men Forever (90) ..C. May 79 

Phil Procter 

.M-Doc. .Jul 

CINEMA SHARES 

Jacob Two-Two Meets the 

Hooded Fang 

(SO) 

F-CD..Sept7S MUSTANG-BEEHIVE 

Alex Karras. Stephen Rosenberg Carnal Encounters of the Barest 

Point the Finger of 

Kind (92) Sex-SF..Dei 

Death Ac. Feb 79 

Shaolin Death Squad ...Ac. Feb 79 

Fists of Bruce Lee 

(99) Ac. Mar 79 NATIONAL AMERICAN 

COUGAR RELEASING, LTD. 

Legend of Sea Wolf 

(90) Ad.. Sept 78 

Astral Factor (93) . . . .Sus. . Nov 78 

ElSe Rommer. Robert Foiworth 

Poop'le (95) CD 

Soplila Ixtren. Marcello Ma^rolaiml 

FIRST INT'L PICTURES 

Dracula Sucks 

(98) Sex-Ho-C-D..June 79 

G.G. COMMUNICATIONS 

Tbe Adventures of Pinocchio 

(90) An.. Oct 78 

The Little Mermaid (71) An. Jan 79 

Legend of the Northwest 

(83) An..Apr79 

(96) ..An.. June 79 

INT'L PiCTORI SHOW 

Land of No Return 

QUARTET FILMS 

I 

(85) .Sept 78 Wifemistress (101) 

Jan 79 

Where Time Began 

Marcello Mastrolannl. Laura 

(90) SF. Sept 78 Antonelli 

They Went That-a-Way and That The French Detective 

a-Way (100) C. Oct 78 (93) Ac-D. Apr 79 

Tim Conway, Chuck McCann 

Lino Ventura. Patrick Dewaere, 

The Magic of Lassie 

Victor Lanous 

(100) C-DM..0ct78 Dracula and Son 

James Stewart. Mickey Rooney 

(88) Ho-C..May79 

Pernell Roberts, 

Zlmbalist Christopher Reed 

(D-U) 

Richard Bgan. Albert Salmi 

rtiree Way Weekend 

(85) Sex C. .Mar 79 

rion niesn. Jody Olhava 

The Man Who Loved Bears 

(90) Ac-Doc. .Oct 79 

Narr.: Henry Fonda 

MASADA PRODUCTIONS, INC. 

BUI Murray, Buddy HacVett 

NEW LINE 

Gizmo! (79) Sept 78 

Bronson Lee Champion (86) . Sept 78 

Despair (120) Oct 78 

lllrk Bogarde 

Like a Turtle on Its Back 

(90) C-D.OclTS 

Bemadette Lafont 

Jive (81) Nov 78 

Itobort Downey 

Autumn in Germany (116) . . . N 

Revenge of the Streetfighter 

(90) Apr 79 

Sonny Ctilba 

NEW YORKER FILMS 

Just Like at Home 

(108) C 

Anna Karlna 

Rel. 

Date 


(175) Hi-D..June79 

Woyzeck July 79 

Orchestra Rehearsal 

(70) DM.. Aug 79 

Against the Grain Sept 79 

ion Giovanni Nov 79 

(D-U) 

NMD FILM DISTRIBUTING CO. 

Naughty School Girls (84) ...Mar 79 

Kebecca Brooke. Sandra Gartner 

The Carhops (88) Apr 79 

Kitty Karl. Lisa Farringer 

The New Adventures of Snow 

White (76) May 79 

M.irie Llljedahl. Ingrld 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 Livingston 

OMNI PICTURES 

Wolfman (101) . 

The Devil's Clone 

(96) 

ROCHELLE FILMS, INC. 

Thirsty Dead (96) Sept 78 

JAGUAR-BEEHIVE 

Rock Fever (98) Apr 79 

Disco Dolls in Hot Skin 

Wade Nichols, Jeanle Sanders 

(95) Sex 

Dr. Jeckyll's Dungeon of Death 

(91) Apr 79 

A Saint ... a Woman . . . 

a Devil (90) Apr 79 

The Driller Killer (90) Apr 79 

KEY INT'L FILM 

Sweet Creek County War 

(98) W-C.Feb/y 

Newsfront (110) 

(0 and b&w) .. Hi-D. 

nili Hunter, Gerard Kennedy 

May 79 

May 79 

June 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 

SPARROWHAWK PRODUCTIONS 

Olympic Fever 

(88) Sex C-D. 0ct79 

Serena, Paul Thomas. 

Scka. William Margold 

STUDIO FILM CORP. 

Johnny Mar 79 

llorst Buchholi 

The Capture of Bigfoot 

(95) May 79 

Richard Kennedy. Katherlne Hopkins. 

Stafford Morgan, John Goff 

The Maggots Aug 79 

Otis Young, John Go.'f, 

Katherlne Hopkins 

TRICONTINENTAL FILM 

Chuquiago (87) D. Apr 79 

Tatiiuia Aimnta, David Santalla 

Death of a Bureaucrat 

(87) b&w C. May 79 

Salvailnr Wood, Silvia Planas 

The Battle of Chile—Part III 

(90) b&w Doc. Sept 79 

21st CENTURY 

Snuff Box Connection 

Kung 

Fu 

COMING RELEASES 

AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL 

Meteor 

Span ronner.v, Natalie Wood. 

Henry Fonda, Trevor Howard 

Defiance D. 

Jan-Michael Vincent, Joseph 

Carapanella. Art Carney, Theresa 

Saldana 

The Humanoid 

Richard Kiel, Barbara Bach 

The Visitor 

John Huston, Shelley Winters, 

Glenn Ford 

Gorp C. 

Michael Lembeck, Phillip Casnoff. 

Dennis Quald. Richard Beauchamp 

Tbe Evictors 

Vic Morrow. Michael Parks. 

Jessica Harper, Sue Ane Langdon 

AVCO EMBASSY 

A Man, a Woman and a Bank 

Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams 

The Fog 

Hal Holbrook, Adrienne Barbeau, 

Janet Leigh, Jamie Lee Oirtls 

BUENA VISTA 

The Black Hole Dec 79 

M,-Lximllian Schell, Anthony 

Perkins. Robert Forster 

(D-36S. 70) 

The Last Flight of Noah's Ark 

Elliott Gould. Genevieve Bnjold. 

Ricky Schroder. Tammy Lauren 

COLUMBIA 

... And Justice for All ..C. .Oct 79 

AI Paciiio. Jack Warden 

The Electric Horseman Dec 79 

Robert Redford. Jane Fonda, 

Willie Nelson. Nicolas Coster 

Kramer vs. Kramer Dec 79 

Dustln Hoffman, Meryl Streep 

Freestyle 

Susan Clark 

The Thief of Bagdad 

Terence Stamp, Peter Ustinov 

Hot Stuff 

Dom DeLnlse. Suzanne Pleshette, 

Jerry Reed 

Madonna Red 

Paul Newman 

The First Deadly Sin 

Marlon Brando 

Wind River OD-Ad. 

Charlton Heston. Stephen Macht, 

Brian Kdth, Victor Jory 

CROWN INTERNATIONAL 

Coach, Part II 

The Malorettes 

Holiday With the Pom Pom Girl 

FILM VENTURES 

The Cauldron of Death 

(90) 

NEW WORLD 

Car Wars 

Battle Beyond the Stars 

Tie a Yellow Rihbon Roui 

the Old Oak Tree 

PARAMOUNT 

North Dallas Forty Aug 79 

Nick Nolle, Mac Davis, 

Bo Svenson. Charles Durnlng 

Sunburn Auj 79 

Farrah Fawcett-Majors, Charles 

Grodin 

Mali 

Tellv S;nalas, Diana Muldaur, 

I'riscilla Harncs 

Camille 

Isabelle AdJanl 

Popeyc 

Rnliln Williams 

Star Trek—the Motion 

Picture 

SF-Ad. 

William Stiatiier. Leonard NInioy. 

Dc Forest Kelley, James Doohan 

Roimh Cut 

niirt Reynolds, Jacqueline Blsset 

Full Moon in August 

American Gigolo 

Lauren Hutton, Richard (Jcre 

Starting Over 

Burt Reynolds, JIU Clayburgh. 

Candlce Bergen, CJiarles Durnlng 

The Hunter 

: .McQueen 

Little Darlings 

Tatum O'Neal, Kristy McNIchol 

20TH-FOX 

Breaking Away C. Aug 79 

Dennis Christopher, Dennis Quald 

una D. .Oct 79 

Jill (nayburgh 

Nosferatu 

SF-Ho..Oct79 

Isabelle AdjanI, Klaus Klnski, 

Bruno Ganz 

Health 

C..Dec79 

CJlenda Jackson. Carol Burnett, 

.lames Garner, Lauren Bacall 

line to Five C. 

Jane Fonda 

t. Petersburg Cannes Express 

Julie Christie, Donald Sutherland 

The Rose DM.. 

Bette Midler. Alan Bates 

(D-35S, 70) 

Brubaker 

Robert Bedford. Yaphet Kotto 

Fatso 

Anne Bancroft, Dom DcLulse, 

Candy Azzara. Ron Carey 

The Empire Strikes Back ...SF-Ari.. 

Mark Hamlll. Harrison Ford. 

Carrie Fisher 

70) 

Willie & 

Michael Ontkean, Margot Kidder. 

Ray Sharkey 

Avalanche Express Sus-Ad. 

Lee Marnn. Robert Shaw. 

Linda Bians. Maximilian Schell 

All That Jazz DM. 

Roy Schelder. Ben Vereen 

UNITED ARTISTS 

Apocalypse Now War D.. Aug 79 

Marlon Brando. Robert Duvali, 

Martin Sheen, Dennis Hopper 

(D-35S. 70) 

Rich Kids Sept 79 

Kathrs'n Walker. John Lithgow. 

David Selby. Terry Klser 

Hide in Plain Sight (MGM) 

James Caan. Jill Elkenberry 

James and Jane 

James Caan, Genevieve Bujold 

Heaven's Gatfe 

Kris Krlstofferson 

The Fish Thai Saved Pittsburgh 

Stockard (banning 

Ladies of the Valley 

Jodie Foster 

UNIVERSAL 

The Lonely Lady D.. 

Susan Blakely 

The Senator 

Alan Alda. Melvyn Douglas. 

Barbara Harris 

Little Miss Marker 

Walter Matthiu, Julie Andrews, 

Sara Stimson, Bob Newhart 

Legacy 

Katharine Ross, Sam Elliott. 

Roger Daltrey 

(D-U) 

Resurrection 

raien Burstyn. Sam Shepard 

Coal Miner's Daughter B-D . 

Sissy Spacek. Tommy Lee Jones 

The Concorde—Airport '79 

Robert Wagner, Alain Delon, 

Susan Blakely. George Kennedy 

1941 C. 

Dan Aykroyd, John Belushl. 

Lorraine Gary, Murray Hnmilton 

WARNER BROS. 

10 Sept 79 

Julie Andrews, Rad Daly. 

Dudley Moore, James Noble 

Captain Grown Up 

Diane Keaton 

Stepping Out 

Genrce Burns, Art Carney 

The Squeeze Sus-C. . 

Stacy ICeach, Lino Ventura 

First Blood 

Al Pacino 

Heart Beat 

SIssv Spacek. Nick Nolte 

Just Tell Me What You Want ...C. 

All MacGraw. Alan King 

The Day the World Ended . . 

William Ilnlden. Jacqueline Blsset. 

Paul Newman. F/dward Albert 

Altered States 

Blair Br. 

BOXOFHCE BookinGuide :: June 11, 1979

All Ulma tevicwod here are in color, unless otherwise speciiied as black and white (bSw). For slory synopsis on each picture, see i 

Opinions on Current Productions Feature reviews 

20th Century-Fox (05337) 117 Min. Rel. May '79 

This one will scare the living daylights out of anyone • 36, 

who has the nerve to buy a ticket. The Dan O'Bamion 

script has five men and two women, the entii-e crew of 

a huge space cargo ship, homeward bound w^hen they receive 

orders to check out a mysterious signal from another 

planet. What they pick up, against their will and 

to their terror, is a galactic monster, and what happens 

next will become a new measuring stick for motion picture 

horror stories. The entire cast does a good job, 

though the emotional range is limited to reacting in terror 

to the monster. Tom Skerritt is the commanding 

officer and Sigourney Weaver, in her film debut, is second 

in command. She is sure to earn futm-e roles from 

her perfoi-mance. John Hui-t is the first to go in a sequence 

that, for most, will live as their favorite movie 

horror scene of all time. Gordon Carroll, David Giler and 

Walter Hill produced, and Roger Christian and Les Dilley, 

Oscar winners for "Star Wars," were the art directors. 

Michael Seymour was the production designer. "Alien" is 

director Ridley Scott's second featm-e and he shows he 

can handle suspense and shock like an old pro. Filmed 

in Panavision with Eastman color prints by DeLuxe. In 

Dolby Stereo.—Ralph Kaminsky. 

Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver, Veronica Cartwright, 

Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, Ian Hohn.

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

THE STORY: "Ravagers" (Col) 

Richard Harris and liis wife Alana Hamilton are spotted 

by a marauding band of ravagers. Hamilton is killed 

and HaiTis flees. Seeking revenge, he kills one of the ravagers 

and then is chased across the barren, sterile countryside. 

Han-is searches for some sign that the planet will 

once again bear life. He encounters Art Carney, a slightly 

balmy sergeant who joins Harris in his seaixh. They come 

upon a group of "flockers," living precariously in a huge 

cavern, who have no interest or expectation of a better 

life. Ann Tm-kel joins the two. As they leave, one of the 

flockers hands Harris a few apples—evidence that a living 

thing has been able to bear fruit. Harris and his friends 

reach the sea where two men show him some fish, further 

evidence of life. The trio joins the men aboard a 

well-stocked ship i-uled by Ernest Borgnine. The ravagers 

attack. The ship is blown up and a handful of sm-vivors 

retui-n to land with Harris and Turkel. Although their 

store of food is gone, the survivors face the future with 

hopeful optimism. 

EXPLOITIPS: 

Tie in with Robert Edmond Alter's novel, "Path to Savagery." 

The post-holocaust theme should interest many. 

CATCHLINES: 

1991: Civilization Is Dead. Violence, Hunger and Honor 

Are Rampant. There Is No Law. All That Is Left Are 

Dens of Ravagers. 

THE STORY: "Hanover Street" (Col) 

In London in November 1943, American bomber pilot 

Harrison Ford meets British nurse Lesley-Anne Down 

when they both miss a bus on Hanover Street. Instantly 

attracted to one another, they have tea and then huddle 

together following an air raid. Two weeks later they meet 

again and a serious love affair begins. She is married to 

British Intelligence officer Chiistopher Plummer and has 

a young daughter. Ford is later assigned to fly Plummer 

to German-occupied Lyons to retrieve leaked lists of 

British double agents from Gestapo headquarters. Ford 

and Plummer's plane is hit, but the two men parachute 

out. They do not realize that they are in love with the 

same woman. Ford is shocked when Plummer sliows him 

a picture of Down. The Gennans catch up with them 

and. dui-ing the pm-suit. Plummer is seriously wounded. 

Having come to admire Plummer's courage. Ford makes 

the painful desision to help Plummer survive so that the 

latter may return to Down. 

EXPLOITIPS: 

Sponsor a quiz of great war-time romances in films. 

Tie in with department stores and restaurants that featm-e 

1940s fashions and decor. 

CATCHLINES: 

Love Hasn't Been Like This Since 1943 ... It Was a 

Time of Courage and Honor—of Passion and Sacrifice. 

This Is the Story of Two People Swept Up in That Time 

—Who Met^—and Fell in Love. 

THE STORY: "Tourist Trap" (Compass Int'l) 

Keith McDei-mott and Robin Sherwood have a flat tire 

while driving through the desert. A second car filled with 

their friends stops at Slausen's Lost Oasis, a run-down 

roadside mu.seum. Chuck Connors is the proprietor and 

bemoans the fact that the new highway bypassed his 

place. He tells them not to go to the large house next door 

because his brother, Davey, is a recluse there. One by one 

the young people disregard this warning and go to the 

house, only to become victims of mannequins, which are 

operated psychokinetically by Davey. He imprisons some 

of the visitors and kills others. Davey, who says he hates 

Connors, wears a mannequin face. Jocelyn Jones is terrified 

to find some corpses and a severed head. She fires 

a gun at Davey. He is not injui'ed but falls to the ground, 

shattering his mask to reveal Connors. Connors confesses 

that he killed Davey because the latter had an affau- with 

Connors' girlfriend. He has kept them "alive" by making 

wax mannequins in their images. Jones kills Connors with 

an axe. She then drives off with her four friends—all wax 

mannequins. 

EXPLOITIPS: 

Display mannequins in the lobby. Use TV and radio 

spot ads. 

CATCHLINES: 

Every Year Young People Disappear 

THE STORY: 

"AUen" (20th-Fox) 

The five-man and two-woman crew of the space cargo 

, ship Nostromo are heading back to earth with a load of 

Sei minerals. They receive orders from home to investigate 

•N a mysterious space signal. Commander Tom Skerritt and 

his assistant John Hui-t shuttle down to a strange planet 

and discover a mysterious creatm-e. Warrant officer Sigoui-ney 

Weaver decrees that the two must stay in a decontamination 

chamber, but scientist Ian Holm disobeys 

the order. Hm-t becomes ill and his chest suddenly erupts 

and a horrifying ci'eatui-e springs out of him. When the 

monster is momentarily trapped, it emits an acid-like substance 

that biU7is thi-ough the metal floor of the space 

craft. The monster victimizes Yaphet Kotto and Harry 

Dean Stanton. Ian Hohn is ripped apart and the crew 

discovers that he was a robot. Skerritt is then mangled 

horribly and later navigator Veronica Cartwright becomes 

a victim. Alone. Weaver races desperately to board the 

shuttle craft. She blasts the creatm-e out into space by 

unleashing a huge volmne of steam at it. She heads her 

craft toward Earth, seemingly safe with only the ship's 

cat for company. 

EXPLOITIPS: 

A paperback book and many merchandising items will 

be available. 

CATCHLINES: 

In Space No One Can Hear You Scream. 

THE STORY: 

"Over the Edge" (WB) 

Michael Ki-amer is a teenager living with his parents in 

a new subm-ban housing development. Kramer is bored 

with his existence and keeps getting into trouble with his 

friends, especially pal Matt Dillon. His parents shrug off 

the minor incidents and ignore the reasons behind the 

youth's problems. Kramer is consistently in a state of 

confusion, caught between the influence of his friends 

and that of his parents. A frequent escape is Ustening to 

rock music thi'ough stereo headphones. Other escapes for 

many of his peers include di'Ug parties. After Dillon is 

shot and kUled in an incident with police, the conununity 

recreation center, a primary youth hangout, is closed, 

irath While the teenagers' parents hold a community meeting 

..* at school to discuss the youth problem, the teenagers go 

on a rampage of destruction, bm-ning and destroying the 

school and its interior. After the damage is done, police 

arrive at the scene. Many of the kids involved in the incident 

are sent to refoi-m school. Some of the teenagers involved, 

especially Ki-amer's friends, run away before the 

police come and watch as Kramer is bused off to his punishment. 

CATCHLINES: 

Hear the Music of Cheap Trick, the Cars, Van Halen, 

Little Feat, the Ramones and Jimi Hendi-ix! 

EXPLOITIPS: 

Tie in with the Grove paperback and the soundtrack 

album available on Warner Bros. Records and Tapes. 

THE STORY: "Beyond the Door II" (Film Ventures) 

Newlyweds Daria Nicolodi and John Steiner and Nicolodi's 

son, David Colin Jr., move into the house where 

Nicolodi's fu-st husband conmiitted suicide. Strange things 

begin to occm-. A swing moves by itself and Nicolodi sustains 

many accidental injm-ies. David tells her, "I have to 

kill you." Steiner tries to reassm-e Nicolodi that her nervous 

breakdown is a thing of the past and that she overreacts 

to everything. David puts a cm-se on pilot Steiner's 

plane and almost causes a plane crash by using voodoo on 

the swing, but Nicolodi innocently stops the swing, which 

saves her husband's plane. It is revealed that she spent 

six months in a hospital and that her former husband 

was a drug addict. She wonders if he now uses David to 

communicate with her. Sterner tells her that she killed 

her first husband after he had injected her with drugs. 

Steiner buried the body in the wall to protect her. Nicolodi 

then kills Steiner with a pick. David uses his powers 

to make her cut her own throat. This leaves David alone 

with his father's ghost. 

EXPLOITIPS: 

Play up the supernatm-al theme of the film. Use TV and 

radio spot ads. 

CATCHLINES: 

The Cvcle of Terror Is About to Occur Again in the ALL 

NEW -Beyond the Door II.' 

BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: June 11, 1979

Oh. 

BATES: 50c p«r word, minimum S5.0O CASH WITH COPY. Four consecutiTs insertiona

LEARN 

[^m m Uu 

SUCCESSFUL SHOWMEN 

MERCHANDISE PICTURES, 

BOOST THEIR THEATRES, 

PROMOTE GOOD WILL, 

BUILD 

ATTENDANCE, 

AND INCREASE PROFITS 

IN 

CHOCKFUL OF BUSINESS BUILDING IDEAS 

In All Ways FIRST with the MOST of the BEST

Boxoffice-June.04.1979

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