Boxoffice-June.18.1979

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. . Coming
There's nothing better
than an obvious facelift.
BOXOFFICE proudly announces a very obvious facelift,
from logo to last page. Our new tabloid format will begin
July 2nd and offers excellent new benefits to both readers and
advertisers.
We've expanded the editorial content to cover news from
all regions of the country. The full-page Film Review section
will include reviews from a much broader range of critics,
complete with production photos from those films being
reviewed. The Barometer section has been converted to a
rating system based on first week boxoffice grosses. The
Feature Chart section will have more companies listed and additional
information on coming releases.
With our new design, the advertiser can get up to 80%
more space at no additional expense. Offset printing
eliminates costly and cumbersome platemaking, and allows
the same ad mechanical used in other publications to be used
in
BOXOFFICE.
You won't have to look hard to see our facelift, and we
think you'll like what you see. The Bigger and Better BOX-
OFFICE . July 2nd.
The Business Weekly for Motion Picture Exhibiton
^QlMMJMr MMMMlMMM l llMn

America's
Legendary Cowboy,
Howard E. Jameyson
Ex Commonwealth
Official,
84, Dead
KANSAS CITY—Howard E. Jameyson,
former president and chairman
of the board of Commonwealth Theatres
Inc., died June 13 at Trinity Lutheran
Hospital here. He was 84 years
old.
Jameyson, who lived in Meredith,
Colo., was president of Commonwealth
from 1948 to 1954 and served as chairman
of the board from 1955 to 1959.
He was a director of the company from
1939 to 1970.
Prior to joining Commonwealth,
Jameyson was a district manager for
Fox Midwest Theatres in Wichita.
Kan. He was a founding member of
Motion Picture Investors Inc.
John Wayne, Is Dead at 72
John Wayne, who was boxofficc gold lor
more than 25 of his 72 years and the biggest
bo.xoffice draw
ever, died June 1 1 at
the UCLA Medical
Center.
Wayne had lapsed
into a coma the day
before and never regained
consciousness.
His three sons were
with him when he
died.
His death came as
the end to his latest
•'»''"
^'•>'"«^
bout with cancer. He had been battling
cancer since he underwent surgery in 1964
for removal of a lung. In January he was
admitted to the medical center, where cancer
was discovered during a routine gall
bladder operation. That cancer had been
removed, but doctors announced last month
that more cancer cells had been found in
Wayne's intestines.
Wayne was born Marion Michael Morrison
in Winterset. Iowa on May 26, 1907.
His nickname, Duke, was acquired during
his childhood. Neighbors called him Little
Duke because he was usually seen with the
family's dog, Duke. The name followed him
throughout his career and his life.
The Duke was said to have made as many
as 217 movies; no one seemed sure how
may many, not even Wayne himself.
He began his career in 1926 as a .$35-awcck
pjop departmcnl hajul. His film acting
debut came in 1930 and he played roles in
many pictures throughout the '30s—most
of them forgettable or forgotten.
It was not until 1939 that he gained film
fame as the Ringo Kid in "Stagecoach."
From then on he was hot boxoffice property,
spending most of his time in westerns
and eventually creating a new American
image of the cowboy.
He became a screen legend and by 1948
was among the top 10 stars in terms of
boxoffice grosses. He held that po.sition
until 1974, except for one lapse in 1958.
By 1974, he had starred in 1 7 of the 100
highest-grossing films in film history. Gross
earnings from all Wayne films have been
estimated at more than $700 million.
However, Wayne didn't receive his first
Oscar until 1969, for his performance as
the indomitable Rooster Cogburn in "True
Grit."
Wayne chalked up other distinguishable
honors during his career. Recently Congress
approved the striking of a gold medal in
recognition of his distinguished career. Last
month Gov. Bill Clements made Wayne an
honorary member of the Texas Rangers, a
screen role Duke portrayed in the film "The
Searchers."
Clements said, "John Wayne has brought
enjoyment and entertainment to countless
Boxoffice to Introduce Bold New Look July 2
triot."
BOXOF-
Beginning with the July 2 issue,
FICE will unveil a totally new look, from
nameplate through to the back cover.
The changes are the result of an extensive
readership survey and collateral research
conducted by Marcom, the research services
division of Vance Publishing Corporation,
which acquired BOXOFFICE in January.
The most obvious difference will be a
change in size from an oversized magazine
format (9 by 12 inches, 3 columns) to full
tabloid size (11 by 14 inches. 4 columns).
The front page will become the lead news
page. Advertising space can still be purchased
on page one, but the ad's size will
be limited to one two-column-by-5-inch
Published weekly, excettt one Issue at year-end, by
Vance Publishing Corp.. 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas
City, Missouri 64124. Subscription rates: Sectional
Edition, JIS.OO per year, forelen, $25.00. National
Eheoutlve Bdltlon: $25.00. foreign, $30.00. Single
copy. 75c. Second class postage paid at Kansas fity,
Mo. BOXOFFICE PubllcaUon No. (USPS 062-260).
Publication Offices: 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas
City Mo. 64124. (816) 241-7777.
Western Offices: 1800 N. Highland. Suite 707. Hollywood.
Ca. 90028. (213) 465-1186.
Advertlslne sales: Clen Vernm
Eastern Offices: 133 B. 5Sth St., New Yurk, N.Y.
10022. (212) 7!;5-5400.
Advertising sales: Jim Young
BOXOFnCE :: June 18, 1979
ad per issue— perhaps as a teaser to an inside
spread or premium space on the inside
of the front or back cover.
In addition to the dramatic change in size
and makeup, the editorial content in the
publication will be greatly expanded, particularly
with regard to national and regional
news. Rather than publish a national
executive edition (with news from all the
regions plus national) and five separate regional
editions, all of the regional and national
news, plus the regular complement of
standing editorial features, will be consolidated
into one national issue that will go to
all
subscribers.
Several of the regular editorial feature
sections will also undergo a change in content
and design.
The weekly BOXOFFICE Barometer will
cover a larger market sample and the number
of films listed will be increased. Under
the new format, the Barometer will be altered
to reflect dollar grosses reported for
citizens throughout the world during his career.
He is a great American and real pa-
a particular feature film during the initial
week of its first-run engagement in 25 select
markets across the country, plus the
number of screens on which the picture appeared
in each of the respective markets.
This means of measurement will replace the
previous Barometer formula, which rated a
film in terms of percentage in relation to
average grosses, as determined by individual
theatre managers.
Commenting on the new reporting procedure.
BOXOFFICE editor Chip Rouse
.said. "We think that actual dollar grosses
will give exhibitors a more accurate gauge
by which to judge the relative success or
popularity of a given picture, at with
least
respect to its drawing power during the
opening week in a specific market."
Although the Barometer will record only
figures from a film's opening week, first run
reports, published in each of the five regional
sections, will chart a picture's earning
power on a week-by-week basis.
Based on the results of the BOXOFFICE
readership survey, feature resiews recorded
the highest readership frequenc\ of all the
regular sections appearing in the publication.
The film review section will be expanded
in the new format to a full page or more,
complete with production photos and a
(Continued on page 5)

HE
In Memorium: John Wayne, 1907-1979
WAS a huge part of Americana.
A living institution that
will remain forever enshrined in the
minds and hearts of millions the
w^orld over. He represented the
toughess and the tenderness that so
symbolized the land we live in. But
most of all he was a man, and men
must die.
John Wayne, who during his lifetime
managed to overcome most
every major obstacle that stood in
his way—both on and off the silver
screen—last week lost his final battle,
a gallant yet merciless fight
against a familiar adversary he
came to call "The Big C"—cancer.
Once before, in 1964, he had successfully
and publicly defeated the disease.
Deep down inside, everyone
had hope that the Duke, as he came
to be known by many, would pull
through again like always. Only this
time, the story had a sad ending.
It is ironic that in his last film,
"The Shootist," Wayne played the
role of an aging gunfighter dying of
cancer. "You told me I was strong
as an ox," Wayne said to Jimmy
Stewart in one of the memorable
lines from the movie. "Even oxen
die," Stewart replied.
Through most of his career Wayne
played a scrapping, bigger-thanlife,
no-nonsense cowboy that to millions
came to represent the rugged
virtues of America. He appeared in
more than 200 films over his 52-year
career, a figure Wayne himself was
even unsure of. His films are estimated
to have grossed more than
$700 million at the boxoffice, an astounding
figure that earned him the
claim as America's No. 1 boxoffice
attraction of all time.
THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY
Published In Five Sectional Editions
Wayne first appeared on the
BOXOFFICE All-American Screen
Favorites poll in 1949, finishing 12th
among the actors. He has been cited
as one of the 12 most popular actors
in 26 of the 30 years since. He was
voted the most popular actor in
1969, the year he appeared in the
Academy Award-winning role as
Rooster Cogburn in "True Grit."
Duke Wayne ... A Legend
Word of Wayne's death sent shock
waves throughout the inner sanctums
of the industry, inducing many
to offer personal eulogies reflecting
on their lengthy association with
the legendary hero:
William Kartozian, chairman of
the board, past president of the Association
of California Theatres
"John Wayne was a man as deep in
life as he was on the silver screen.
He made going to the movies an
American habit."
Max Laemmle, veteran showman
BEN SHLYEN Executive Editor
MORRIS SCHLOZMAN Advertising Manager
HARVEY SHARP Circulation Director
GARY BURCH Modern Theatre Editor
JONNA JEFFERIS Associate Editor
STUART A. GOLDSTEIN Associate Editor
JIMMY SUMMERS Associate Editor
KEVIN KIOUS Copy Cliief
RALPH KAMINSKY West Coast Editor
JAMES A. ROBBINS East Coast Editor
and operator of Laemmle Theatres
in Los Angeles— "What can you say
He was a grand old man loved by
everyone."
Ted Mann, president of Mann
Theatres— "He was an inspiration to
all Americans, and will be missed
by the entire world."
B. V. Sturdivant, chairman of
NATO's regional president's commitee
and president of the Foundation
of Motion Picture Pioneers—
"We have not lost John Wayne. His
strength and ideals will provide
powerful guidance for many generations
to come."
Sherrill Corwin, chairman of the
board of Metropolitan Theatres, cofounder
and first president of NATO
and past president of Variety Clubs
International— "John Wayne was a
personal friend of millions and millions
of people he had never met,
and they took his indomitable spirit
into their homes and their hearts."
William R. Forman, president of
Pacific Theatres—"John Wayne was
great for the moviegoers of the
world. He was very loyal to America,
his friend. We will all miss him."
Henry Plitt, president of Plitt
Theatres— "We've lost a citizen—
top boxoffice attraction, a Variety
Clubs humanitarian and a champ in
everything."
Harry Buxbaum, president of
RKO-Stanley Warner Theatres
"It is the loss of a great American."
He was "consistently a profitable entity
in our business."
His epitaph has been written, but
his many personal and public contributions
live on. The public won't
make John Wayne a legend. He's already
done that himself.
U N E
i^r #
I

Pros and Cons of Blind Bidding
New Look .
Debated in
By JIM ROBBINS
East Coast Editor
EDITOR'S NOTE: A New Jersey Senate
committee voted 5-0 on June 1 1 in favor of
a bill that would outlaw the practice requiring
exhibitors to bid on feature films
without the benefit of having seen them
beforehand. The legislation was forwarded
to the Calendars Committee to be scheduled
for a full hearing in the Senate.
PATERSON. N. J— Both sides of the
ongoing controversy over blind bidding were
represented by their biggest guns at a pubhe
hearing here June 8 before the Senate
Law and Public Safety Committee weighing
the merits of a bill to halt the distributors'
practice requiring exhibitors to bid on
new releases sight unseen.
MPAA president Jack Valenti said the
bill by Sen. Frank Graves, a Passaic County
Democrat, was "not in the long-term
best interests of New Jersey." When he had
his turn, NATO president A. Alan Friedberg
implored the legislators to stop "this
egregious rip-off."
Flurry of Charges
The six-hour meeting held in Paterson
City Hall featured a flurry of articulately
presented charges and countercharges, supported
by convincing but contradictory
statistics. Both sides said they had the
moviegoing public's best interests in mind.
"What you have before you," Valenti told
the panel as cameras from New Jersey news
organizations were aimed upon him, "is a
sordid fiscal quarrel between wholesalers
and retailers over how much money they're
going to make. All the public wants is to
see a good movie at a good price."
The MPAA president warned that erecting
barriers in
the marketplace would result
in rising production costs and a decrease in
the number of pictures produced.
A major charge of the exhibitors that testified
prior to Valenti was that the guarantees
collected by the distributors through
blind bidding were used in motion picture
production. Sen. John Dorsey. a Morris
County Republican, asked Harry Buxbaum,
president of RKO-Stanley Warner, if this
collection practice accounted for a "shift in
the mechanism" of raising movie money
from the producers to the exhibitors. "That's
correct," Buxbaum answered.
During his statement, in which he outlined
the "fragile" nature of moviemaking,
Valenti said the exhibitors' statement about
providing production money was simply
wrong. When he said that "all national
advertising is borne solely by the distributor,"
many exhibitors seated in several rows
behind him shook their heads and groaned
loudly. Unperturbed. Valenti repeated the
statement. He said "Star Wars" raised $4
million in guarantees, and had pre-advertising
production costs of $11 million.
The demand for tradescreenings underlined
the exhibitors' appeals.
"We're asking for an opportunity to make
BOXOFnCE :: June 18, 1979
NJ, Public Hearing
a rational judgment for better or for worse,"
Friedberg said when he took the stand well
into the afternoon and after the area news
camera crews had left the council chambers.
Friedberg admitted that seeing pictures
beforehand would not be a cure-all for exhibitors"
ills.
Value of Screenings
But in the case of "The Heretic," he said,
an advance screening would have saved
exhibitors a lot of money. He said all Warner
Bros, told him was that it was a sequel
to the hugely successful "The Exorcist." He
bid accordingly and suffered because the
sequel "didn't make 5 percent of the original."
"I'll put my money where my mouth is,"
Friedberg said. "I'll take my chances when
I can look at a film for better or for worse."
He said that if blind bidding were discontinued
he would suffer fewer losses and
thus have more money, enabling him to reduce
admissions at his 45-screen Sack circuit
in Massachusetts.
"I can reduce my prices," he said. "I can
still do better in terms of my responsibilities
to my stockholders."
Earlier, Valenti quoted figures on theatre
expansion and the healthy fiscal picture of
various exhibitor circuits. For example, he
said, General Cinema, which has 791 theatres,
experienced a net profit increase of 71
percent last year.
"When anyone tells you business is bad,
examine their books," Valenti said.
In response to the statistics. Friedberg
said that distributors exclusively collect
profits from television, cable TV and music
rights, and are in much better financial
shape than the exhibitors. He said that all
of the majors were in the top 10 of the
Fortune 500 businesses when one calculated
the ratio of profits to
high-risk capital.
"Valenti cries about high-risk capital
when we're blowing our brains out with
'Heretic' and 'Moment by Moment.' " Friedberg
said.
RKO-SW, Mann Withdraw
Consent Decree Petitions
NEW YORK—RKO Stanley Warner
Theatres Corporation of California has
withdrawn its petitions seeking relief from
the consent decrees barring entry into production
and distribution. Loews Theatres
remains the sole plaintiff in the action.
"I wouldn't even hazard a guess." said a
Loews official when asked if the circuit
would also back out of the motion.
RKO Stanley Warner canceled its motion
in a letter dated June 1. Mann announced
its intention to yield to the Justice Department
and the major distributors on June 8.
Mann, however, will continue to press for
permission to acquire existing theatres when
Judge Edmund Palmieri convenes another
hearing June 27 in U.S. District Court here.
(Continued from page 3)
more comprehensive analysis prepared by a
larger staff of knowledgeable film critics.
The weekly feature chart, which lists feature
attractions in current release as well as
those scheduled for release in coming
months, will be modified to be more functional
and of greater value to subscribers.
Major and independent film companies engaged
in distribution will be listed alphabetically.
Addresses will be listed under
each company, followed by separate categories
for current and future releases.
Pertinent
production and release data will accompany
each film listing.
The Modern Theatre section will continue
as a regular monthly feature within BOX-
OFFICE. In addition to special articles on
equipment and technological advances, the
editorial coverage in The Modem Theatre
section will be expanded to include more
informative, in-depth articles on a wide
range of topics affecting theatre management
and operation. Showmandiser, a section
containing news of film advertising
campaigns and merchandising ideas, will be
added as a regular montly feature in The
Modem Theatre.
In conjunction with the format change.
special supplementary feature sections are
being planned for the months ahead. In addition
to the new, expanded Boxoffice Buyer's
Directory (Aug. 6) and the annual Barometer
(Feb. "80), special sections are also
being planned on subjects such as Canadian
film production, independent film operation,
and salutes to individual theatre circuits and
exhibitor organizations.
The new management of BOXOFFICE
is excited about the change and is confident
that the readers will continue to look upon
BOXOFFICE—"Bigger and Better" than
ever—as the motion picture exhibitor's
"bible."
The Audience Etiquette Trailer
DOES THE JOB!
When was the last time you heard
grateful applause from theatre
patrons in response to your request
for courtesy cmd consideration during
the show. A tactful and thoughtfully
produced trailer. IT WORKS!
$16.95 EACH
SUMMER SPECIAL-BUY ONE-
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ULTRA-DATER FREE (OFFER
GOOD THROUGH JULY 30,1979).
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210 25th Avenue North
NashviUe. IN 37203
(615)327-4000

34 THEATRE
CHAINS SCORE
BIG PROFITS
WITH FIREFLY
LIGHTED
FOOTBALL
Redstone Theatres Corp. says,
"...sells faster than popcorn
and with much more profit!
We've sold approximately
10,000 in less than 6 months!"
The newest box office
sensation is the FIREFLY
LIGHTED FOOTBALL, the
"brightest" idea since the
creation of the Frisbee. °
This amazing football lights
up brilliantly using two AA
batteries and is unbreakable,
safe, and completely
water resistant ... perfect
for backyard, beach and
water games fun!
The cost to a theatre is a
special low $3.00 each prepaid
with a suggested retail
price of $5.99. A 43 second
colored promotion trailer
for showing before each
feature film is available for
$20.00. Send for a sample
kit today!
For full details on this novel
profit center write:
PICK POINT ENTERPRISES, INC.
P.O. Mirror Lake, N. H. 03853
Tel. -603-569-1338
(Min
order 24 units)
Missing Film Fooiage Will Delay 'Bigfoot'
By JIMMY SUMMERS
Associate Ediior
GLEASON. Wis.—-The Capture of Bigtoot,"
tile Bill Rebanc pioduction from
Sliidio Film Corp.. will be tielayed for an
Lir.known amount of time, clue to the recent
disappearance of 400 feet of film negative.
According to Rebane. the disappearance
if the lootage. out of which 200 feet was
lo be used in the actual movie, will delay
ihe m!d-Jiily openings previously scheduled
lor Arkansas and Memphis, along with the
advertising break scheduled for the end of
TOFCO Plans Praised
By President of ITOA
NEW YORK—The meeting of the Independent
Theatre Owners of America June
5 ended on a welcome note for Tom Patterson,
who presented the objectives and
membership plans for the Theatre Owners
Film Cooperative (TOFCO).
Patterson, president of the National Independent
Theatre Exhibitors (NITE), spent
an hour answering questions and outlining
his proposal to create a nonprofit, streamlined
system of providing product to exhibitors,
thereby easing dependence upon major
distributors. At the close of the meeting.
ITOA president Bcrnie Goldberg heartily
endorsed TOFCO.
"Thank God for the independent producers
and distributers in the last number of
weeks who enabled us to say no to a number
of major distributers." Goldberg said,
citing "Walk Proud" and "Battlestar Gallactica"
as "dubious products" with exhorbitant
lentals.
"It's incumbent on all of us to support
this program." he continued. "There'll be
some clinkers but some good films too. But
it gives us the flexibility which is more and
more important so we're not forced to sit
eight weeks with Columbia's latest monstrosity."
Blind Bid Bill Passes
Pennsylvania
Senate
HARRISBURG. Pa.—The state Senate
last week passed a bill that would force
motion picture companies to preview their
films for theatre owners in Pennsylvania
before demanding bids on their movies. The
measure, which would kill off the blindb'dding
system, was approved by a vote of
49-1 and sent to the lower House of Representatives
for final approval. Lobbyists for
the Motion Picture Association of America
bittcily opposed the bill as imnecessary government
intrusion into free enterprise.
Ralph Tivc. lobbyist for the state's theatre
owners association, said: "We're delighted
it passed. It was a lopsided vote; we did
a lot of work. But the opposition is not l'oins:
to lav back and pla\ dead."
How long that delay will be depends upon
the results of laboratory tests currently taking
place in Denver. Insurance adjustors
have made a duplicate negative from the
work print, and the results of the lab tests
will determine whether it is commercially
it feasible to use in place of the missing
footage.
If it is not feasible. Rebane, producer and
director of the film, and co-writer with
Ingrid Neumaycr, will be forced to reshoot
the scenes. And because both scenes involved
snow-covered areas, the production
crews will have to travel to Alaska or, if
the snow there has already melted, to Peru
or Argentina.
Such an occurrence could delay the film's
release by a month-and-a-half. But if it can
be done in the lab without involving reshooting,
the time taken should only be
two or three weeks.
Screenings scheduled to take place in
Europe this month have already been canceled,
and what to expect presently for the
remainder of the scheduled events will involve
a "wait-and-see" attitude from exhibitors
and those involved.
"But." says Rebane. "I don't want anyone
to get pessimistic and say. 'There goes
the project.' We'll still get this movie out."
20th-Fox Still Thrilled
By Reception of 'Alien'
NEW YORK— Although "Alien" will not
equal its record-breaking first week grosses
here, 20th Century-Fox is still thrilled by
filmgoer's reception to the gruesome sci-fi
tale about a monstrous organism terrorizing
a spaceship.
With five days of the second week reported,
boxoffice figures for the six-theatre
track in the metropolitan area showed
$409,610. To surpass the opening week tally
of $680,788. "Alien" would have to do almost
$150,000 for each day remaining in
the second week.
Nevertheless, the success of director Ridley
Scott's film was characterized as "spectacular"
by Leo Fisch, 20th-Fox's New
York branch manager. Last week, at the
Criterion Theatre, he said the film "set a
world's record" of $217,000, the largest
weekly gross of a conventional movie at a
conventional motion picture theatre. A
single admission at the theatre is $5.
Fisch said he would not describe "Alien"
it a blockbu.ster until brought in about
as
$20-25 million. Weighed against another
20th-Fox science fiction film, the opening
week figures of "Alien" are "nationally,
pretty comparable" to the opening week
totals for "Star Wars." he said.
Is anyone at 20th-Fox at this point guessing
whether the newer film will approach
the success of "Star Wars." the all-time
highest grosser "Not that I've heard."
Fisch said, indicating some skepticism.
"You're talking about a PG picture as apposeil
to an R picture."
BOXOmCE :: June 18. 1979

Redstone Sr. Answers
Inquiries About Son
EDITOR'S NOTK: Ihe following letter
was written to Joseph G. Alternian, execu-
] tive director and vice president of the National
Association of Theatre Owners, by
Mjchael Redstone, chairman of the board
of Northeast Theatre Corporation, in response
to the many inquiries made by
friends and people in the industry concerned
about the health condition of his
son, Sumner Redstone. The younger Redstone,
president of Northeast Theatre Corporation,
was severely burned March 29 in
a fire allegedly set by arsonists at the Copley
Plaza Hotel in Boston.
On the morning of March 29. as you
know, my son, Sumner, was trapped in an
intensity that Sumner was in no way able
to deal with the responses that he would
like to have made.
I think the time has now come for me,
on Sumner's behalf, to tell you what occurred,
and to tell you what his situation is,
in the hope that his friends in the industry
will have some understanding of the facts,
until such time as he can talk with them
individually.
Sumner had decided to stay in town on
March 28. For some reason he awoke in
the early morning. No alarm was sounded
in the hotel. Perhaps it was instinct— perhaps
something else—but he dragged himself
out of bed and saw smoke pouring into
the room from the corridor. Had he slept a
few seconds longer, his chances for survival
would have been much smaller. Exactly
what happened after that is unclear in his
mind.
Within seconds his room was an inferno,
and he was on fire, apparently trapped,
with no place to go. He attempted to get to
a window, and found that it did not open.
He was certain at that time that death was
at hand. He recalls his hand sliding over
to the next window and being able to turn
the latch, which resulted in his opening the
window. He climbed out and hung on from
the third story of the Copley Plaza Hotel,
with his body already afire and his right
arm inside the room, burning badly. Within
a few minutes, firefighters were able to get
a ladder to the room and he was brought
down.
He spent his first few days at Boston City
Hospital, a hospital to which he will
forever
be grateful for the emergency treatment
they gave him upon his arrival. Subsequently
BOXOmCE :: June 18, 1979
he was moved to the Massachusetts General
Hospiicil bum unit. Within hours, he was on
the operating table.
My recollection is that in seven days,
three major operations, totaling about 25
hours, were performed on Sumner.
He has had five operations. On the first
three operations, his condition turned, and
the results were successful. Those operations
also established that he would walk again,
and Sumnci is already walking the corridors
of the hospital.
It now seems clear that the tide has turned,
and within the not-too-distant future,
Sumner will be able to talk with his friends
in the industry, something he looks forward
to very much.
Sumner wants me, on his behalf, to thank
so many of you again. And even for those
few with whom he may seem to have had,
or actually had, an adversarial or even hostile
relationship in recent years, to you also
he extends his wishes for your health and
for your well being, and prays that none of
you shall ever be subject to the kind of
catastrophe he himself suffered.
Finally, I will indulge myself and speak
for one moment as a father. In the past,
many of you delegated great responsibility
in industry affairs to Sumner, believing not
only in his intelligence, but in his courage.
I have come to know my son better in the
past eight weeks than I have ever known
him. and I simply say that you did not misplace
your trust.
Michael Rcdslonc
COMING SOON.
BIGGER
and
BETTER
BOXOFFICE
MOTION PICTURES RATED
BY THE CODE & RATING
ADMINISTRATION
The Comeback
(Lone Star Pictures Intl. Inc.)
The Double McGuffin
(Mulberry Square Prods. Inc.)
Dracula (Universal Studios)
Golden Girl
(Avco Embassy Picluies Inc.)
Heart Beat (Orion)
Jack the Ripper
(Cineshowcase Releasing Inc.)
Joy of Flying (Manson International)
The Kids Are All Right
(New World Pictures Inc.)
The Rose
(Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corp.
Seven (Sidan Prods. Inc.)
(Production Co.)
Sunburn (Paramount)
Treasure of the Piranha
(Associated Film Dist. Corp.)
Viva Italia! (Cinema 5 Ltd.)
those of his friends and associates in the industry
who really cared, and to let them
know that it
inferno of fire which
now looks as if they will be
could have ended his
living with his controversial
life. Since he has
nature for years
been, and continues to be,
to come. There is no doubt that he will suffer
some permanent injury
hospitalized, while thousands of telegrams,
telephone
and that the next
calls, letters and other forms of
six months
inquiry
or a year will
have been
be occupied, to a
made with respect to his
large extent, with various kinds of
welfare,
physical
from within and without our industry.
Sumner has obviously been unable
therapy.
to deal with the response to these inquiries- Again, 1 repeat, he wanted all of you
Films Int'l. to Distribute
Frankly, for a period of time, some
who have had any interest to
question
existed
know what
occurred,
as to whether he would
and to understand why he did not Spanish Sub-Titled Films
survive.
And then
himself respond to
a question existed, if he
your calls. I cannot tell
did survive,
whether he would ever walk
HOLLYWOOD — Films International
you how much he looks forward to
again.
seeing president Shel Haims has announced that
The excruciating pain alone was of such
Films International Licensed Marketing
PG
11
PG
m
m m
m
.Service has expanded its worldwide operation
to include domestic distribution of films
sub-titled or dubbed into Spanish. These
films will be booked into 180 theatres
nationwide that screen only Spanish subtitled
or dubbed product.
Adding the features "Wonder Women"
and "Joyride to Nowhere" to their present
product. Films International now has a
of seven films available for this
type of distribution.
total
The Great Theatre Clean-Gp Trailer
DOES THE JOB!
A light-hearted appeal to the audience
to keep the theatre free of litter.
Fully animated in clear, clean
color. IT WORKS!
$16.95 EACH
BGY ONE—GET ONE $6.50
ULTRA-DATER FREE.
(OFFER GOOD THROUGH
JULY 30, 1979)
Cinema Concepts, Inc.
210 25th Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37203
(615)327-4000

OR THE
RECORD
gaiiford E. Rciseiibach has been appoiiilod
executive vice president in charge ol
worldwide advertising and publicity lor
Warner Bros. The appointment is effective
August 1. Reisenbach will assume the posi
vacated by Andrew Fogelson.
Andrew Fogelson will join Rastar as president
of the company. Announcement was
made by Ray Stark, who moves to chairman
of the board.
rector of national sales promotion for Paramount
Pictures. She will plan and implement
special promotions, including tie-ins.
She will also work with the merchandising
division on promotions of the company's li
censing agreements.
Tina D. Pasternak has joined Avco Em
bassy Pictures as counsel in the company's
legal department. She comes from Factors,
Etc. Inc., where she negotiated and drafted
license agreements.
John B. Tamoff has been elevated to
the post of vice president of motion picture
development for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Tarnoff previously served as executive in
charge of creative affairs, a position he assumed
in January.
S. Arthur Schimmel has been named as
the vice president and general manager of
ABC Pictures International. Schimmel was
most recently vice president, world wide
sales and distribution, for ABC Pictures International.
Prior to that he worked lor
ABC Entertainment as vice president of film
and program marketing services.
Titles & Takes
"Assault on Precinct 13," an Irwin Yablans
presentation, has taken in $11,748
at two encore engagements in San Anionio.
Texas, in seven days.
"Tourist Trap," suspense thriller released
by Compass International Pictures, has
grossed $37,691 at seven engagements in
Louisville, Ky. and Jacksonville, Fla.
"When the Screaming Stops," released by
Independent Artists Corp.. took in $19,551
in seven locations, including five drive-ins
and two indoor theatres in Cincinnati.
"Summer Camp," released by Seymour
Borde & Associates, grossed $435,700 in its
opening multiple runs in three markets. Picture
did $246,000 in the Los Angeles-San
Diego area; $64,700 in the Denver market
in three days; and $125,000 in Detroit's outlying
area in the first week.
Fogelson
Reisenbach
Tom Gray has joined the publicity department
of 20th Century-Fo.\ as director
of special projects. Prior to joining Fox,
Gray was unit publicist, recently having
completed chores on "Health."
Robert W. Dinsniore has been promoted
to the newly cieated position of director of
operations for ABC Pictures International.
Reporting to Dinsmore under the new expansion
of ABC Pictures are the business
and legal affairs, finance and planning and
sales services departments.
Willie Hunt has been named vice president
of motion picture development at
MGM, sharing responsibilities with John
Tarnogg, also serving in the same capacity.
Monte Wenner, for 13 years branch operations
manager for American International,
has been named branch operations manager
of Film Ventures International Pictures by
Edward L. Montoro, president and chief
executive officer.
Marvin Antonowsky, senior vice president
of Universal TV. has been named
senior vice president of Columbia Pictures
and assistant to the president, Frank Price.
David White has been named production
head for Martin Poll Productions, effective
July 2. He previously had worked with Poll
on a number of pictures including "The
Sailor Who Fell From Grace With the Sea,"
on which he was both production manager
and associate producer.
Lois D'Andre .Shafir has hi.
the newly created position ol
named to
cculive
tion.
di-
Schimmel
Samantha Dean has been named publicity-promotion
director for Martin Poll Productions.
She replaces Nat Weise, who left
the company last April. She is a former
newspaper feature writer and did unit publicity
work on Columbia's "All That Jazz."
Milt Levine has been appointed to the
home office staff of Pacific International
Pictures Inc. in Medford, Ore. Levin was
formerly associated with Avco Embassy.
United Artists and Warner Bros.
M.J. (Mike) Frankovich has been nametl
international charities committee chairman
of Variety Clubs International. Frankovich
is a past president and past chairman of the
board of the global show business organiza-
'Kids' Gets a PG Rating
NEW YORK — A PG rating has been
given to the film "The Kids Are All Right"
by the Classification and Rating Appeals
Board. The film had been previously rated
R.
In
an appeal brought by New World Pictures,
Inc., the appeals board heard a statement
on behalf of the film from Frank Marino
of New World Pictures.
The Classification and Rating Administration
was represented by Richard D. H.-ffner.
its chairman.
Michael Cimino's ''The Deer Hunter" has
tallied $2,698,500 since its mid-March debut
in Japan. The picture is currently playing
at 30 sites throughout Japan. The EMI
Films Presentation is also released by UA
in markets in Europe and Latin America.
Woody Allen's "Manhattan" hit a new
gross of $14,738,949 generated by 400-plus
prints over a period of from 19 to 35 days.
The New York regional gross of Milos
Forman's "Hair" has reached a total of $1,-
477.912. The receipts include the boxoffice
returns for
^m
the recently concluded 10-week
run at the Ziegfeld Theatre.
The All-Americon Concession
Clock Trailers
DO THE JOB!
The count-down is chock full of
nnouth-wQtering snock bar goodies
designed to get enn out of the cor
and into the concession area!
10 mm S249,95
5 mm S169.95
Omin $119.95
SUMMER SPECIAL 15% OFF ABOVE
PRICES (OFFER GOOD THROUGH
JULY 30, 1979).
Cinema Concepts, Inc.
210 25th Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37203
(615)327-4000
BOXOFnCE :: June 18, 1979

M ^J^oltuwood rCeport mi m
MAy PRODUCTION
of Kirk, is the producer and Richard St.
Johns is executive producer. Don Taylor is
directing from a script by David Ambrose
and Gerry Davis. Others in the cast are
Charles Durning, Don O'Neal, Soon Teck
Oh, Aviin Ing, James Lawrence and Victor
Mohica.
FENADY PRODUCTIONS
MELVIN SIMON PRODUCTIONS
The Man With Bogart's Face. Robert
Sacchi, the man with an incredible resemblance
to the late Humphrey Bogart, stars
in this story about a man who gets a face
lift to resemble the former star—and then
embarks upon a career as a private detective.
Starring with him are Franco Nero,
Michelle Phillips, Olivia Hussey, Victor
Buono and Herbert Lom. Filming began at
MGM studios May 14 with Andrew J. Fenaday
producing his own script and Robert
Day directing. Melvin Simon is executive
producer.
PARAMOUNT
The Serial. Filming began May 29 on
the screen version of Cyra McFadden's satirical
novel of life in trendy Marin County,
Calif. Tuesday Weld stars as a woman
caught up in a world where the citizens
eagerly embrace each new fad in their
search for the ultimate lifestyle. Martin
Mull stars as her husband. Sally Kellerman
also tops the cast. Writer Bill Persky is
making his debut as a director, working
from a screenplay by Rich Eustic and Michael
Ellas. Sidney Beckerman is produc-
STARTS
SCORPION PRODUCTIONS
Hoi 11 WOOD SiRANdi-R. Filming began
May 14 in Los Angeles on this feature recalling
the recent sensational murders of
girls whose bodies were later found in various
Hollywood areas. In the cast are James
Westmoreland, Ben Frank, Nicholas Worth,
Flo Gerrish, Denise Galik, Michael Asstle
and Paula Warner. Robert Hammer is di-
AVCO EMBASSY
Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas In
July. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer ;iiul
Frosty the Snowman try to save an impoverished
circus in this Ranlcin/Bass production
of an animated feature being made in
"Animagic." Filming began May 30 in New
recting and co-producing with Michael Castle,
with whom he co-wrote the script.
Yorlv with a cast consisting of Red Buttons,
20TH CENTURY-FOX
Ethel Merman, Mickey Rooney, Alan Sues,
Willie and Phil. Location
Jackie
shooting began
May 23 in
Vernon, Shelley Winters, Paul Frees,
and Rudolf and Frosty. Romeo
New York on this story starring
Michael Ontkean and
Muller
wrote
Ray Sharkey as
the screenplay.
two old buddies. One of the buddies is married
BRYNA CO./ASPEN PRODUCTIONS
to Margot Kidder, who switches her af-
The Final Countdown. Kirk Douglas,
fections to the other friend when her marriage
Martin Sheen,
breaks up.
Katharine Ross
Paul
and James
Farentino head
from his own script
the cast of this adventurethriller
on which shooting began May
with Tony Ray.
23
Mazursky
and is
is directing
co-producing
in Virginia. Later filming is set for Florida
UNIVERSAL
and on the U.S.S. NLmitz. The story deals
The Return of Maxwell with
Smart.
a nuclear Don
aircraft carrier in the South
.Adams stars as the
Pacific which
bumbling secret ageni,
disappears on December 7,
1979, and reappears in the vicinity of Pearl
Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Peter Douglas, son
in the television series.
Filming began May 7 in Los Angeles with
the role he created
Sylvia Kristei, Vittorion Gassman, Pamela
Hensley, Eugene Roche, Rhonda Fleming
and Andrea Howard heading the cast. Clive
Donner is directing from a script by Arnc
Sultan, Bill Dana and Max Shulman. Jennings
Lang is producing.
Somewhere in Time. Shooting began
May 23 in Chicago and Mackinac Island,
Mich., on this mystery-fantasy-love story.
The Rastar production stars Christopher
Reeve, Christopher Plummer and Jane Seymour.
Jeannot Szwarc is directing from
Richard Matheson's screenplay based on his
novel, "Bid Time Return." Stephen Deulsch
is producing.
WARNER BROS.
Going in Style. George Burns, Art Carney
and Lee Strasberg star as a trio of feisty
and lovable .senior citizens who find an offbeat
means of getting some extra cash in
their twilight years. Also in the cast are
Pamela Payton Wright and Charles Hallahan.
Filming began May 21 in New York
City, with shooting also scheduled for Las
Vegas. Martin Bres is directing from his
own screenplay.
Filming
Abroad
ALMA/CORA
Laura Moore. Filming began May N iii
I'rance on this feature starring Maud Adams,
Dawn Dunlap and James Mitchell. David
Hamilton is directing from Joe Morhaini's
screenplay. Alan Terzian is the producer.
EUSTON FILMS
Ciiari.ii; Muffin. David Hemniings ami
Sam Wanamaker star in this lealure on
which shooting began May 14 in England
with Jack Gold directing. Others in the cast
are Ralph Richardson, Jennie Linden, Lin
Richardson, Shane Rimmcr and Pinkas
Braun. Producers are Ted Childs and Nor-
UMi Knatchbull.
UNITED ARTISTS—
METRO-GOLDYN-MAYER
Clash of the Tmans. Filming oi this
Charles H. Schneer Productions feature began
May 14 with location shooting planned
for Spain, Italy, Malta and England. 1 he
epic adventure story blends live action and
special effects. It is being filmed in Dynarama,
a process developed by Ray Harryhausen
who is co-producing with Charles
H. Schneer. Topping the cast are Laurence
Olivier. Burgess Meredith and Maggie
Smith. Desmond Davis is directing from the
screenplay by Beverley Cross. Others in the
cast are Ursula Andress, Claire Bloom, Stan
Phillips, Harry Hamlin and Judy Bowker.
UNIVERSAL
The Island. Michael Caine stars as a
journalist on the track of one of the most
mysterious stories of our time in this Zanuck-Brown
production based on the novel
by Peter Benchley. Shooting began in Antigua
on May 14 with filming also set for
the Bahamas and Miami. Also starring are
David Warner, Angela Punch and Jeffrey
Frank. Michael Ritch is directing from
Bcnchley's screenplay.
WHEEL PRODUCTIONS
The Human Factor. Production has
been underway since May 16 on this feature
produced and directed by Otto Preminger
and starring Richard Attenborough,
John Gielgud and Nicol Williamson. Shooting
is planned for England and Kenya. Also
in the cast are Cyd Hayman, Iman. Derek
Jacobi, Robert Morley and Anne Todd.
NOSTALGIA
MOVIE POSTERS
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Cmema Concepts, Inc
210 25th Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37203
(615)327-4000
BOXOFFICE :: June 18, 1979

BOXOFFICE
BAROMETER
This chart records the performance of current attractions in the opening week of their first runs in
the 20 key cities checked. Pictures with fewer than five engagements are not listed. As new runs
are reported, ratings are added and averages revised. Computation is in terms of percentage in
relation to average grosses as determined by the theatre managers. With 100 per cent as average,
the figures show the gioss ratings obove or below that mark. (Asterisk * denotes combination bills.)
=
i Alien {20th-Fox)

. . Desmond
WASHINGTON
Qlaudia Ungar, Paramount branch manager,
invited exhibitors and special
guests to a screening of "Players" at the
K/B Fine Arts Theatre June 13. It had a
three-thcatie opening June 8. The Post's
Gary Arnold said the film "should clinch
Ali MacGraw's reputation as the most ridiculous
leading lady of the '70s."
John A. Wilson, councilman for
the District
of Columbia and chairman of the finance
and revenue committee, proposed a
bill to level a 5 percent admission tax on
movies, burlesque shows, circuses, sporting
events and other such commercial activities.
The proposed legislation, however, will not
set a retail sales tax on nonprofit cultural
performances. The tax will be opposed by
exhibitors as having a devastating impact on
viewers, when the bill goes before the full
council this summer.
"The Silent Clowns" festival at David
Levy's Key Theatre in Georgetown is presenting
the silent kings of comedy—Chaplin,
Keaton, Lloyd. Langdon, Turpin and
Laurel and Hardy—with live organ accompaniment.
Lee Irwin, chief organist over
the years for the silent classic film, is currently
touring the country with the presentation.
BOSTON
gen Cammack Jr.. Universal branch manager,
sent out invitations for a reception
honoring three employees who have
received promotions. Joan Corrado has been
promoted to the Boston sales department,
Peter Bonitaibus has been named head booker
and Tim Brolley, currently sales representative
in Boston, has been transferred to
the Buffalo offices as special sales representative.
Festivities started at 3 p.m. when
film district friends greeted old and new
friends. Among those present were Allan
Hockberg, Jim Engle, Joe Griffin, Sumner
Myerson and son Richard, Andy Blumberg.
Gasper Urban and many others from both
exhibition and distribution.
The Columbia Pictures building at 47
Church St.. vacated when Columbia moved
to the Statler Building this past winter, has
been sold to the Boston Seaman's Friendly
Society, which was formerly located in the
Park Square area.
DETROIT
I^astar/ Universal filming of "Somewhere
in Time" on Mackinac Island has
picked up some problems unfamiliar to most
locations.
The resort island in the straits linking
Lake Michigan and Lake Huron does not
permit automobiles on its streets. Because
the 77 in the crew are housed over a mile
away from the Grand Hotel where shooting
goes on. Universal had to buy 60 bicycles.
Ihc bikes will be donated to Daisy Day, a
charity fundraiser when shooting ends in
July.
Work on scenery and props is being done
in the Inn on Mackinac, originally a Moral
Rearmament college, where the crew lives
and where there are ample work facilities.
Much of it can be hauled to the Grand by
horse-drawn drays.
The Grand Hotel, scene of fantasy-time
slips, was built in 1887 and is the largest
wooden resort hotel in the world. The porch
overlooking the straits is 880 feet long and
three stories high.
One of the largest tasks the crew had to
face was converting the 250-foot-long dining
room to a 1912 decor without interrupting
service. This required moving in at 9:15
p.m. changing the room, shooting, changing
the room back again and getting out by
breakfast time. This had to be done on two
nights.
The only other time the Grand Hotel
was used for location was when "This Time
for Keeps," with Esther Williams, Jimmy
Durante and Lauritz Melchoir, was shot in
1946.
CLEVELAND
director Herbert Ross, in
town recently for
the Cleveland Film Festival, announced
that he is still looking for the right actor to
play the role of Father Ralph, the priest in
"The Thorn Birds." Ross said that Robert
Redford won't be doing the part and that
Michael Caine is too old. He asked guests
for ideas and has been asking people all
over the world who they'd like to see play
the
part.
Jerry Jorgensen, Columbia branch manager,
tradescreened "Nightwing" starring
Nick Mancuso, and Andy Silverman, Warners
branch manager, held a sneak for "Time
After Time" at the Great Lakes Mall Theatre
June 8.
BUFFALO
Jim Merck, city manager of the Como 8
Theatres in Como Mall, was named
"Showman, of the Year" for the Northeast
division of American Multi Cinema. The
award was based on the
performance of his
theatres against others in the Northeastbased
circuit.
" 'Alien' is a perfectly terrifying sciencefiction
piece, probably equal to parts of
The Thing' and 'Star Wars,' " said Bob
Groves in the Courier-Express. "It's not long
on characterization and the dialogue consists
largely of 'What the hell is it,' but it
pays off in
terror as advertised."
Using informants who since
have joined
the federal government's Witness Protection
Program, local law enforcement officials involved
in the latest "sting" operation reported
recovering $15,000 in sound equipment
stolen when the movie "Hide in Plain
Sight" was being filmed in Buffalo last
spring.
NEW
YORK
j^^NGRY RESIDENTS of a Brooklyn
neighborhood accused the production
crew of Warner Bros.' "Going in Style" of
damaging their park and forbidding youngsters
and the elderly to use the playground
and the benches.
McGoldrick Park in Greenpoint was a location
for the WB comedy starring Art Carney,
George Burns and Lee Strasberg.
Shooting lasted less than a week, but neighbors
were furious about "eyesores" caused
by the crew, who allegedly cut tree branches
and painted swings. One resident said the
crew "keeps moving us back and forth like
cattle and won't let the kids use the bathrooms."
The Brooklynites said the city had ignored
their pleas to rehabilitate the park on Nassau
Avenue and Russel Street. They added
that the usage fee Warner Bros, paid to the
city should be allocated for park repair.
Parks Commissioner Gordon Davis was
quoted as saying the movie companies have
generally been "extremely good" about preserving
and restoring the many New York
City environments used in shooting.
"Going in Style," produced by Tony Bill
and Fred T. Gallo, is 27-year-old director
Martin Brest's first assignment. Leonard
Gaines is executive producer.
PHILADELPHIA
pidley Scott, filmmaker and director, was
in town to meet the media byliners in
promoting his film "Alien" at Sameric's
Eric's Place and other Eric theatres in the
Desmond Ryan, in the Philadelphia Inquirer,
says that although Peter Sellers remains
"unexcelled" in "The Prisoner of Zenda."
the movie itself "never gets off the
ground and will be of interest mostly to the
large Peter Sellers market" . . . Joe Baltake,
in the Philadelphia Daily News, says that
even with the "goodies." the movie "leaves
us with only bits and pieces that are truly
delightful, it is not a total delight."
"Best of Philadelphia Filmmakers" contest
at the Walnut Street Theatre Film Center
brought winners' ribbons for .Ann Tegnell
and Susan Warner, Ron Kanter and
Andy Dittenfass, Gary Adlestein, David
Rosenberg. Warren Bass, Alan Bloom, Lorraine
Bubar and Mitch Yarmark. A showing
of the prize winners took a $2 admis-
Ernie Schier. in the Philadelphia Bulletin
finds "Baltlestar Galactica" to be "sleep inducing
... but makes enough of a racket
to wake the dead." Ryan, in
.
the Philadelphia Inquirer, finds the film "as
solemn as a Scandinavian funeral."
Comerford Drive-In at Dupont, Pa.,
makes use of its facility during the daylight
hours on Saturday and Sunday from 9 to 4
as a flea market.
BOXOFFICE ;: June 18, 1979
E-1

W
New York
(Avcuiuo wcokK glosses follow theatic)
Alien (20th-Fox). 6 theatres,
2nd wk $508,599
Death of a Bureaucrat (Tricontinental).
Cinema Studio II (3,700),
3rd wk .S.250
Down & Dirty (New Line),
HRST RUN REPORT
Paris
(9,000), 4 days 13,000
Escape to Atliena (AFD), 59 theatres,
3 days 1 93,000
La Cage Aux Folles (UA), 68th St.
Playhouse, 4th wk 25,674
Pic's Fabulous Bonus Offer:
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You g«t FREE - 16 Packs . . .rwiivio. 5.60
Tool RMII VMU. $75.60
Your Cost 200 Packs (21c each) $42.00
Your Profit $33.60
Plus FREE
Attractive Promotional Materials
\ I illli. Koiii.iiui On I
I'.i S
,
n
(9 ()(K)1 (>lh uk :-t (.10
Malicious (Para), Trans-Lux hasi,
2nd wk 20,053
Manhattan (UA), 9 theatres,
6th wk 275,706
Newsfront (New Yorker), Cinema II,
2nd wk 10,341
Players (Para). 4 days
Coronet 26,644
Loews State I 25,479
Phantasm (Avco), 101 theatres,
1st wk 1,050,300
Saint Jack (New World), Cinema I
(10.400), 6th wk 18,904
Sextette (SR), 9 theatres, 1st wk NA
Sunnyside (AD. Guild's Embassy 2,
1st wk 134,821
The Tree of Wooden Clogs
(New Yorker), Cinema Studio I 19,984
Cleveland
(Average weekly grosses)
Battlestar Galactica (Univ), 5 theatres.
3rd wk 9.138
A Little Romance (Orion-WB).
2 theatres. 3rd wk 7.685
Love at First Bite (AD, 2 theatres.
6th wk 4,724
Manhattan (UA), 2 theatres,
2nd wk 27,102
Phantasm (Avco), 2 theatres, 4th wk. 5,796
The Psychic (SR). 4 theatres. 2nd wk. 7.323
Richard Pryor—Live in Concert (SEE),
1 theatre, 4th wk 7.978
Sunnyside (AI), 2 theatres. 2nd wk. . .4,756
Winter Kills (Avco), 2 theatres,
2nd wk 2,620
Hartford
(Average is 100)
Alien (20th-Fox), Showcase I, 2nd wk. 425
Battlestar Galactica (20th-Fox),
Showcase II, 3rd wk 175
Dawn of the Dead (United Film).
Cinema City IV, UA East III,
2nd wk 200
The Deer Hunter (Univ), Showcase IV,
13th wk 130
The 5th Musketeer (Col), 3 theatres,
1st wk 135
A Little Romance (Orion-WB),
3 theatres, 3rd wk 120
Manhattan (UA), Showcase III. 5th wk. 225
Marianne Boquet (SR), Art Cinema.
2nd wk 150
Norma Rae (20th-Fox). Cinema City I.
9th wk 50
The Prisoner of Zenda (Univ).
Showcase VI, 2nd wk 1 50
f MM^m
505 P corr St. BUFFALO, N.Y.
Buyers ond Bookers, serving leading
exhibitors In Buffalo, Albany ond Pittsburgh
BILL HEBERT (716)854-6752 CRAIG CLARK
Remember My Name (Lagoon).
Cinema City III. 1st wk 225
Richard Pryor—Live in Concert (SEE).
Showcase V. 6th wk 145
Shame of the Jungle (SR),
Cinema City II, East Hartford D-I,
1st wk 235
Voices (MGM-UA), Elm I, 2nd wk. ... 135
Wifemistress (Quartet), Atheneum
Cinema. 3rd wk 85
Winter Kills (Avco). 3 theatres, 1st wk. 250
Buffalo
Alien (20th-Fox), 1 theatre, 1st wk. . . .800
Battlestar Galactica (Univ), 3 theatres.
2nd wk 75
The Champ (MGM-UA), 1 theatre,
7th wk 100
The China Syndrome (Col), 2 theatres,
1 1 th wk 50
Dawn of the Dead (SR), 1 theatre,
4th wk 100
The Deer Hunter (Univ), 1 theatre,
14th wk 150
Hanover Street (Col), 2 theatres.
2nd wk 60
A Little Romance (Orion-WB), 1 theatre.
2nd wk 75
Love at First Bite (AI). 2 theatres,
5 th wk 100
Love at First Bite (AI), 2 theatres,
5th wk 100
Manhattan (UA), 3 theatres, 4th wk. . .170
The Prisoner of Zenda (Univ).
2 theatres, 1st wk 1 50
Racquet (Cal-Am), 3 theatres, 1st wk. . . 150
Voices (MGM-UA), 1 theatre, 1st wk. . . 50
Walk Proud (Univ), 2 theatres, 1st wk. 100
Winter Kills (Avco), 4 theatres, 2nd wk. 100
New Haven
Alien (20th-Fox). Showcase I. 2nd wk. 400
Battlestar Galactica (Univ). Showcase II.
3rd wk 200
The Champ (MGM-UA), 9th wk 60
Dawn of the Dead (United Film),
Cinemart I, 2nd wk 175
The Deer Hunter (Univ), Showcase III,
13th wk 120
The 5th Musketeer (Col), Milford II,
York Square Cinema, 1st wk 150
A Little Romance (WB), Milford I,
3rd wk 90
Manhattan (UA), Showcase V, 5th wk. 250
Phantasm (Avco). Milford D-I I,
1 St wk 150
The Prisoner of Zenda (Univ),
Cinemart TI, 2nd wk 1 75
Wifemistress (Quartet), Lincoln,
4th wk 175
Columbus
Alien (20th-Fo\). 2 theatres. 2nd wk. . .925
Battlestar Galactica (Univ), 2 theatres,
3rd wk 160
The Champ (MGM-UA), 2 theatres,
9th wk 125
The I>cer Hunter (Univ), Northland
Mall. 15th wk 210
Hanover Street (Col). 2 theatres.
3rd wk 55
A Little Romance (Orion-WB).
2 theatres. 3rd wk. 220 ^
(ConlinLied on page E-4)
^H
E-2
BOXOFFICE :: June 18. 1979

J
Call Your FVI
Showman
to Book
Availability
in Your
Territory
Allanla-Jacksonuille
WAYNE CHAPPEL
14041 432 3361
Albany Bullalo
JOHN WILHELM
15181 943 2285
Boston New Haven
JIMENGLE
|6I7| 482-9039
ANOTHER SUPER SUMMER FVI RELEASE
Beyond the earth... Beyond the moon...
Beyond your wildest imoginotion!
HaWELLS'
Chicago IVIilwaul<
OON BUHRMEST
I3I2I 7820988
Cleveland
MORRIS 2YRL
12161 461 9770
Dallas
RANDY SLAUGHTER
1214) 368-8083
Denver
SHERM WOOD
13031 751 1464
Delroil
DENNIS GLENN
13131 968 7770
Los Angeles
LARRY COOPER
12131 659 0545
Kansas City SI Louis
Omaha-Oes Moines
PAUL RICE
19131 383 3880
Memphis
LARRY UlNSON
15011732 3665
Minneapolis
LARRY BIGELOW
|6I2| 546 2515
New Orleans
LEWOUBRE
15041 837 5200
Oklahoma City
HARRY McKENNA
1405) 232-4623
Philadelphia
ALAN STRULSON
1215)561-0800
Pillsburgh
JOHN MAJEIAK
14121391-0370
Salt Lake City
DALLAS FARRIMOND
IBOlj 521 9888
San Francisco
LYNNE FRANCIS
(4151 543-3485
Seatlle Portland
BOB PARNELL
I2D61 455-2632
H.G.WELLS"'THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME"
Sbrring JACK PALANCE CAROL LYNLEY- BARRY MORSE end JOHN IRELAND
•
with NICHOLAS CAMPBELL os Joson and EDDIE BENTON qs Kim
Executive Producer Horry AlonTowers
•
Directed by George McCowon
•
Produced by William Davidson
ACFI Inveslmenks presenblion ^G,"»';,"»«Pf||gj
A Film Ventures InternolionQl Release FVI 1979
Wide Television Saturations Now Being Set
AVAILABLE FOR RELEASE JUNE 27th
FILM VENTURES INTERNATIONAL INC.
EDWARD L. MONTORO, President LEON P. BLENDER, Exec Vice Presldem SAM HELFMAN. Director of Mnrkelinq
310 North San Vicente Blvd. Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90048 (213) 659-0545
BOXOFHCE :: June 18, 1979 E-3

(Continued from page E-2)
Love at First Bite (AI). 4 theatres,
6th wk 90
Manhattan (UA), 3 theatres, 4th wk. ... 160
Norma Rae (20th-Fox). 4 theatres,
8th wk 60
Racquet (Cal-Am). Continent.
2nd wk 65
Saint Jack (New World),
Cinema North, 1st wk 150
Superman (WB). Town & Country.
25th wk 70
Voices (MGM-UA). Cinema North.
2nd wk 100
Walk Proud (Univ), Raintree,
2nd wk 150
Baltimore
Cincinnati
Alien (20th-Fox). 2 theatres,
2nd wk 1,500
Battkstar Galactica (Univ), 4 theatres,
3rd wk 250
The Champ (UA), 3 theatres, 9th wk. . .275
Dawn of the Dead (United), Showcase,
7th wk 100
The Deer Hunter (Univ). 2 theatres,
15th wk 300
Hair (UA), Showcase, 10th wk 75
Hanover Street (Col), 2 theatres,
3rd wk 75
A Little Romance (Orion-WB),
3 theatres, 3rd wk 275
Love at First Bite (AI), Showcase,
8th wk 250
Manhattan (UA), Showcase, 4th wk. . .450
The Promise (Univ), 3 theatres, 8th wk. 175
Racquet (Cal-AC), Showcase, 2nd wk. 100
Same Time, Next Year (Univ).
Showcase, 17th wk 100
Voices (MGM-UA), 3 theatres,
2nd wk 150
Walk Proud (Univ), 3 theatres, 2nd wk. 175
NEW ENGLAND
California Dreaming (AD. Super- 170
Jn New Hampshire, Litchfield Drive-In
D-I. 1st wk
100
Theatre owner Therese Dufault sent a
Love at First Bite (Al), 7th wk.
theatre crew with bags to quickly clean up
of front of area homes, Patterson 30
1
piles litter in following
Westview IV 75
resident complaints that theatre pa-
Manhattan (UA), Westview II.
trons have tossed cans, bottles and other
from Mrs. Dufault, claiming
6th wk 70
debris cars.
Phantasm (Avco), 1st wk.
that she had ordered road clean-ups in the
Liberty I 70
past, told the media. "I don't think the road
Westview I 100
litter law
Players (Para), Senator, 1st wk 50
Voices (MGM-UA), 3rd wk.
is my responsibility." She urged
enforcement by the town itself.
Cinema I 80 In Vermont, Green Mountain state drivein
Mini-Fhck II 120
theatres are again booking programs well
Wifemistress (SR), Playhouse,
beyond the conventional double-feature content.
3rd wk 350
A recent weekend, for example, in
metropolitan Burlington, the Merrill G. Jarvis-operated
Burlington underskyer played a
four-feature show ("Buck Rogers in the 25th
Century," "Heroes," "The School That
Couldn't .Scream" and "Bobbie Jo and the
Outlaw").
Peter Gervais, formerly in management
capacities with the SBC and Redstone cinemas
in Connecticut, has joined Tirrell Associates,
West Hartford, as an account executive.
The advertising agency is helmed by
Bob Tirrell, who has handled distributor
ad/ promotion work in Connecticut for
many years. Tirrell worked for Lockwood
& Gordon Theatres, predecessor circuit to
SBC, some years ago.
The Center Theatre in Waterbury, Conn.,
formerly Warner Bros. State Theatre, a
three-story building containing 2,000 seals,
was ordered sold at an auction.
CINCINNATI
^Jid States Theatres held a picnic for their
employees and guests May 31 at the
Airy Forest Mapleridge Lodge. The fixin's
included food and beer, as well as games
and door prizes. Representatives from Mid
States home office and cinemas in Dayton
and Cincinnati attended. Pat Earlywine. office
manager, indicated this was the "best
one we've ver had."
Bert Convy, who is featured in "Racquet,"
made a round of newspaper, radio
and TV visits in the Queen City recently to
herald his new picture. Included on his
rounds was an appearance on the regionally
syndicated Bob Braun Show. He also signed
autographs and attended a Thursday evening
screening of the film at Showcase
Cinemas.
PITTSBURGH
JJATO's anti-blind bidding bill was approved
by the Pennsylvania Senate in a
49-1 vote. It is now in the House where last
year the lower body passed it nearly unanimously.
A special theatre night is being held June
18 at the Regent Square to benefit the
Edgewood Fourth of July Fair at Koenig
Field. The movie scheduled is "Love at First
Bite."
BALTIMORE
^e ever-popular "Ladies Day" was held
again June 12 at the Security Square
Mall with a free showing at 10 a.m. of
"Cabaret." starring Liza Minnelli. Also offered
were prizes and the choosing of a
"Queen for the Day."
The Hillendale, closed for remodeling,
has reopened recently as two theatres. Bob
Rappaport. who owns and operates the theatre,
said that the twinning did not create
the "bowling alley" effect, that the screens
are "very close" to the size of the single
screen the theatre had before and that both
auditoriums are "very roomy."
THAT'S WHY WE'RE NO. 1
IN MULTI-THEATRE
CONSTRUCTION
•WE NEVER MISSED AN OPENING'
ASK AROUND
CHinmnn KiiicGCR
(516) 569-1990
RING0LD
PROJECTION SERVICE
ENLIST^
TODAY! ©
IF YOUR THEATRE IS
WITHIN 70 MILES OF
COLUMBUS OHIO, WE
WOULD LIKE TO TALK
TO YOU ABOUT ENLIST-
ING IN RINGOLDS'
PROJECTION AND
SOUND SERVICE.
For more information
call your Ringold
Recruiting Officer.
(313)522-4650
E-4

ACFI
Call Your FVI
Showman
to Book
Availability
in Your
Territory
Allania Jacksonville
WAYNE CHAPPEL
14041 432 3361
Albany Bullalo
JOHN WILHELM
15181 943 2285
Boslon New Haven
JIM ENGLE
I6I7I 482-9039
ANOTHER SUPER SUMMER FVI RELEASE
Beyond Ihe earth... Beyond Ihe moon...
Beyond your wildest imoginotion!
KaWELLS'
Charlotte
TOMMY LAMBERT
17041 882 1154
Chicago Milwaukee
DON BUHRMESTER
13121 7820988
Clnclnnali'lndlanapolis
JEFF RUFF
15131921-8200
Cleveland
MORRIEZYRL
12161461-9770
Dallas
RANDY SLAUGHTER
12141 368-8083
Denver
SHERM WOOD
I3D3I7511464
Detroit
DENNIS GLENN
13131 968-7770
Kansas City St Lou
Omaha Oes Moines
PAUL RICE
19131 383 3880
Memphis
LARRY VINSON
15011732-3665
Minneapolis
LARRY 8IGEL0W
16121546-2515
New York
MARVIN FRIEOLANDER
12121 354 5700
Oklahoma City
HARRY McKENNA
14051 232-4623
Philadelphia
ALAN STRULSON
12151 561-0800
Pittsburgh
JOHN MAJEIAK
14121391-0370
Salt Lake City
DALLAS FARRIMOND
18011521 9888
San Francisco
LYNNE FRANCIS
14151 543-3485
Seattle Portland
BOB PARNELL
12061 455 2632
KG.WELLS'"THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME"
Sbrring JACK PALANCE CAROL LYNLEY- BARRY MORSE and JOHN IRELAND
•
with NICHOLAS CAMPBELL os Joson and EDDIE BENTON os Kim
Executive Producer Horry Abn Towers
•
Produced by Williom Dovidson
•
Directed by George McCowon Inveslmenls presenblion Pc.PHEmwMtpgj
A Film Ventures InternQlionQl Release FVI 1979
Wide Television Saturations Now Being Set
AVAILABLE FOR RELEASE JUNE 27th
Washington D C
ROSS WHEELER
12021 244 1500
FILM VENTURES INTERNATIONAL INC.
EDWARD L. MONTORO, President LEON P. BLENDER, Exec vice President SAM HELFMAN. Director of Marketing
310 North San Vicente Blvd. Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90048 (213) 659-0545
BOXOFFICE :: June 18, 1979 W-1

DRIVE-IN
THEATRE
SCREENS
'The Quality Tower that never
has had to be replaced."
GENE TAYLOR
D & D Fabrication
and Erection Co.
Post Office Box 3524
Shawnee, Kansas 66203
913-631-9695
Pk's Fabulous Bonus Offer:

J
FREEWAY FILMS PRESENTS
TWO OF THIS YEARS HOTTEST
EATURE FILMS AND CASSETTES!
BOXOFFICE :; June IS. 1979 W-3

FIRST RUN REPORT
^mm^^
Denver
(W.vklv grossc!,)

. . "Wanda
FIRST RUN
REPORT
New Orleans
(Average is 100)
Beyond the Poseidon Adventure (WB),
Plaza, 1st wk 350
The Dark (Film Ventures), Orpheiim,
1st wk 200
The Deer Hunter (Univ),
Robert E. Lee, 14th wk 200
Hanover Street (Col), Plaza. 2nd wk. . .\15
Love at First Bite (AI),
3 theatres. 5th wk. 300
Manhattan (UA). Sena Mall. 3rd wk. . .900
Phantasm (Avco). Loews. 2nd wk 400
Ravagers (SR), Loews, 1st wk 150
Superman (WB), Lakeside, 18th wk. ..150
Voices (MGM-UA), Plaza, 1st wk 150
Walk Proud (Univ), Loews, 1st wk. ... 150
JACKSONVILLE
marquees
JJew titles appearing on the local
are "C.H.O.M.P.S." (AI), "Players"
(Para), "Phantasm" (Avco) and "Alien"
(20th-Fo.\).
Jacksonville filmrow has again been saddened
by the death of a long-time film industry
employee. Mrs. Ed Novak (Ruby)
died at her home following a long illness.
She was an employee of Kent Theatres;
her last position being that of manager of
the Sunrise Theatre in Ft. Pierce, Fla.
Screenings in the preview theatres this
week included "Sunburn," "Players" and
"Alcatraz" from Paramount, "Nightwing"
from Columbia and "The Miippet Movie"
from AFD.
In town to publicize "Nocturna" was Nai
Bonet; top billing for female star goes
to Yvonne DeCarlo with Bonet in second
spot.
The premiere showing of the Paramount
feature, "Players," at the Expressway Mall
Theatre will benefit the N.E. Florida Tennis
Foundation. Star Steve Guttenberg is
scheduled to appear.
NEW ORLEANS
nruce Eggler, movie critic, writes. " 'Walk
ProLid" has become something of a victim
of events beyond its control. The main
event is that it has turned out to be the
third film in recent months concerned with
violence by teenage gangs. It is not a new
theme as 'The Wild One." West Side
Story' and many other movies of the '50s
and '60s prove, but one which suddenly
gained great notoriety earlier this year as
a result of actual violence and even murders
linked to showings of 'The Warriors,'
a story
about New York City gangs."
Woody Allen's
"Manhattan," playing ex-
cliisivcly at the Sena Mall Theatre, has been
held over for a fourth week. "Wifemistrcss,"
after an excellent run at the Sena Mall, has
moved over to the Plaza Theatre in Lake
Forest.
WOMPI's nevf slate of officers for 1979
KO: president, Anna Claire Leggett; first vict
president,
Marie Berglund; second vice pres
idcnt, Earline Dupuis; recording secretary
Doris Stevens; corresponding secretary
Sandra Staub; and treasurer. Georgette Leto
of activities within the motion picture industry.
Primarily, the company will distribute
35mm motion pictures on a national
basis. It will also be involved in production
and, in specialized cases, in nontheatrical release.
John Alan Simon has been appointed
president of Arc Film Enterprises by its
board of directors. Gary Goldman is vice
president. Other staff members include Kristen
Meadors.
CHARLOTTE
Jt's been a long time since we had standing
room only at the Car-Mel screenroom.
"The Muppet Movie" (Associated Film
Distribution) packed them in. After winning
ihc hearts of worldwide audiences via television,
Jim Henson's delightful Muppet
characters are now starring in their first
theatrical motion picture.
For the first time. Kermit the Frog, Miss
Piggy and most of their friends from "The
Muppet Show" are seen in a continuous
stjry on the big screen. The original musical
numbers are composed by Paul Williams
and Kenny Ascher.
Jimmy Murphy of Queen City Advertising
Co. will handle all the exploitation for
radio and TV with an extensive campaign.
Screenings at Car-Mcl: "Stark Raving
Mad" (Simpsons Distributing Co.)
Sneak previews— "Players" (Paramount
Pictures), starring Ali McGraw and Dean-
Paul Martin at Eastland Hall . . . "Time
After Time" (Warner Bros.), starring Malcolm
McDowell and David Warner at
Manor Theatre .
Nevada"
(United Artists Corp.), starring Peter Fonda
and child star Brooke Shields at Tryon
Arc Film Enterprises has recently opened
offices in New Orleans. Their locally based
Mall.
corporation will be engaged in a wide range
FILMACK IS
1st CHOICE
WITH
SHOWMEN
EVERYWHERE
Top grosses of the week: "Alien" (Park
Terrace), "Jaws" (Charlottetown Mall II
and Eastland Mall), "Manhattan" (Capri)
and "A Little Romance" (South Park II).
Gene Gregory, 49, United Artists, Charlotte,
N.C., sales manager, died at home in
his sleep on May 30. He had joined United
Artists in 1953, serving successively as
booker, head booker and sales manager of
the Charlotte exchange.
Gregory, who was born in Shelby, N.C.,
on July 30, 1929, is survived by his mother,
Mrs. Eva Gregory, and a brother, Gus,
both of Shelby.
MIAMI
J^n announcement has been made that
"Alien," $10 million shocker, blasted
away to more than $80,000 worth of business
its
in first five days in Dade and
Broward counties. In two theatres alone,
30,000 people are said to have stood in line
to see "Alien," Art Medlin, manager of the
Dadeland Twin theatre, says opening night
for "Alien" actually outgrossed the first
night of "Star Wars." "Alien's" first week
gross could pass the $150,000 mark.
ORDER FROM FILMACK
WHENEVER YOU NEED
SPECIAL FILMS
DATE STRIPS,
CROSS PLUGS,
MERCHANT ADS,
SPECIAL AN-
NOUNCEMENTS
FILMACK STUDIOS, INC.
/enue. Chicaqo.
800 Lambert Drive N.E
Atlanta, Go. 30324
(404) 876-0347
'Everything for your theatre— except film
800 S. Graham St.
Chorlotte, N.C. 28202
(704) 334-3616
BOXOFHCE :: June 18, 1979
S-1

Filmmakers Beginning fo Discover
Georgia Is
ATLANTA—Motion picture companies
are discovering Georgia.
Since the first of the year, seven films
have been made there. They are: "Gorp,"
made in Macon; "Satellite Kid," made in
Atlanta; and "Little Darling," "Orphan
Train" and "Carny," all made in Savannah.
Last July, a new company, Tri Star Pictures
Inc.. founded by Lang Elliott, fking
open the doors on their first production.
"The Prize Fighter." starring Tim Conway
and Don Knotts.
The other half of the production team is
Wanda Dell, a 34-year-old Atlantan who
joined Elliott
a year ago.
They think "The Prize Fighter" will become
the first motion picture made by a
Georgia corporation to net $50 million. To
do that it will have to gross between $200
million and $250 million, according to the
producers.
YOU COULDN'T
FILL A
THIMBLE! _
. . . with •
what we v^_
don't know
about
multi-theatre
construction.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE No. 1
DESIGN* ENGINEERING • CONSTRUCTION
WE NEVER MISSED AN OPENING"
ASK AROUND
cHinmnnoKRicGCR
(516) 569-1990
Waiting With Open Arms
"That's what the industry is projectmg tor
this one." says Elliott, who has two other
Conway films on his list of credentials:
"They Went That-A-Way and That-A-Way"
and "The Billion Dollar Hobo." Both were
made in Atlanta. "The Domestic film rental
on 'Hobo' will net about $15 million. They
Went That-A-Way' will bring in about $20
million."
Tri Star is the second major motion picture
company to be formed in Georgia. The
other is The International Picture Show.
Other companies based in California or New
York City have made numerous pictures
in Georgia. More than 100 theatrical films
and television specials have been made in
of Jimmy Carter.
"I think Georgia is open for any kind
movie," Elliott said. He said that one
of
reason the movie industry was breaking out
of California was the complicated system
of licensing permits and rigid control o(
unions.
the state since Georgia began to expand its
movie industry during the gubernatorial administration
Not only do the movie people want lo
be in Georgia, but Georgians also welcome
them with open arms. They delight in turning
out in droves to play parts as extras and
to just breathe the atmosphere of the movie
business.
The secret of success, says Ed Spivia,
the
state's motion picture coordinator, is to
make it as easy as possible for the producer
to make his movie.
"We act as a clearing house for him."
Spivia said. "We put them in touch with the
right people and be his friend while he is
here. We just make it easier for him to film
here."
Finding talent in Georgia is no problem.
Elliott said, noting that there are about 250
members of the Screen Actors Guild on the
rolls in Atlanta. That compares with thousands
in Los Angeles.
"When we have a two-day casting call,
we can quickly interview everybody we
need," Elliott said. "We also interview from
neighboring states."
Even though no new stars have been "discovered"
in Georgia in recent months, Elliott
said that would probably come about
with the passage of time because the movies
are just beginning to draw on the little theatre
groups.
He speaks highly of Robbin Clarke of Los
Angeles, and of Michael Laguardia, two
new actors who have parts in "The Prize
Fighter." Also, Fred Saxon, an Atlanta television-theatre
critic, plays the role of a radio
announcer in the film, which is set in the
1930s.
Elliott said that another reason so many
movies arc being made in Georgia is the
wide variety of locations available: from
Colonial Savannah and small towns to the
glittering glass and steel skyscrapers of At-
Fanta. Elliott said that the result probably
would be the same no matter whether his
movies were made in California or Georgia.
"But the big difference in Georgia is they
want you here," he said.
ATLANTA
AAurder in Coweta County," which will be
produced by Atlanta's own International
Picture Show, looks possible for filming
in September. This will be a big budget
ilcm. Cast assignments will be revealed later.
On June 25 Gov. Busbec will be traveling
to the West Coast to woo several of
the major film companies, it was revealed
last week at a luncheon sponsored by the
Harvard Business School Club of Atlanta.
Ed Spivia. director of the Georgia Film
Commission, announced that he and Gov.
Busbee would be spending "two or three
days in Los Angeles, talking to Warner
Brothers. Paramount, Fox. Metro-Goldwyn-
Mayer and Universal. We will also be talking
to several other producers who have
expressed an interest in Georgia locations."
Marquee changes: Bert Convy in "Racquet."
Akers Mill, Cobb Center 4. Loew's
Tara Twin. Perimeter Mall, Southlake and
.South DeKalb Mall Quad; "Alien." Old
Dixie Twin, Phipps Penthouse and Stonemont;
"Winter Kills." Lenox Square, Cobb
Center 4 and South DeKalb Mall Quad;
"C.H.O.M.P.S.." AMC Tower Place 6.
Greenbriar Mall Twin, Buford Highway
ORIVE-IN THEATRE SERVICE
Screens painted & repaired
Harold Johnson
4200 White St.
Ft. Worth, Tx. 76135
(817) 237-3306
D & D Theatre Repair Service
We'll be here tomorrow to back up what we do today!
THEATRE
DRIVE-IN
SCREENS
T/ie Quality Totcer that never
has had to be replaced."
* • *
GENE TAYLOR
D & D Fabrication
and Erection Co.
Post Office Box 3524
Shawnee, Kansas 66203
913-631-9695
S-2
June 18, 1979

Twin. Miracle Twin, South DcKulb Mall
Quad and Parkairc Mall Twin: "Wanda
Nevada," Roswell Brannon, Suburban
Plaza, Cobb Center, National Four, Tower
Place, Mableton, Parkaire. South DeKalb,
I.ocw's 12 Oaks and North Starlight, Marbro.
South Expressway and North East Expressway
drive-ins; and "Players," Akers
Mill, Northlake, AMC Arrowhead, Roswell
Village, Lenox Square Town & Country
Twin.
PALM BEACH
gattlestar Galactica" is doing "fabulously"
in its exclusive showing at the Plaza
Twin, according to Plitt Theatres area manager,
Steve Wiener. Beginning June 11, with
school out for the summer, the Plitt Dolphin
and Plaza began featuring matinees.
June 18 is the start of the summer program
at the Dolphin and Plaza. One of the programs
will be sponsored by the Parent
Teachers Association. The other series,
called "Summertime Fun Shows." will be
sponsored by local merchants. Between the
two theatres the programs attract approximately
5.000 children per week. Wiener is
looking forward to the arrival of "Main
Event," from Warner Bros., on June 22.
"Main Event" also will be shown at Cinema
70.
"The Empire Strikes Back," sequel to
"Star Wais," has been booked for the Plaza
Twin for June 6, 1980.
American Seating is just completing its
job of recovering 1,098 seats at United
Artists Cinema Mall. Betty Moore. Cinema
Mall fourplex manager, said the new black
seats are very striking with the red chair
frames. A sneak preview of "C.H.O.M.P.S.,"
from American International, was held at
1:15 p.m. June 2 as an attraction for children
in the Mall Cinema auditorium.
Dolby Stereo recently was installed in
four of the eight Cross County 8 theatres.
Dan Sansone, AMC Cross County 8 assistant
manager, said the Dolby sound installation
arrived just in time for the showing
of 20th Century-Fox's feature "Alien,"
which opened in two of the 266-seat auditoriums
June 8.
Al Woods Jr., Palm-Aire Cinema manager,
Pompano, will soon be returning to
work after having been hospitalized for
three weeks.
SAN ANTONIO
puneral services were held for George Watson,
73. former general manager for
ABC Interstate Theatres Inc., now Plitt
Southern Theatres, who died on May 31.
He is survived by his wife. Mrs. Louise
Watson, a daughter, a granddaughter and a
sister.
The "Summer Flics" film program at Our
Lady of the Lake University of San Antonio
will begin with the Hal Wallis production
'
of "Rooster Cogburn with John Wayne and
Katharine Hepburn. The showings are open
to the public and a small admission fee is
charged.
Big John Hamilton, local
restaurant owner
and a motion picture actor who has appeared
in a number of movies including
several with John Wayne, has said that Joe
Alves is planning on making a film in the
local area. The film by the director will be
tilled "Fangs" and will be about rattlesnakes.
Another film which may be produced
in the local area will be one dealing
with the strange moonlight mutiliation of
cattle that has been going on in the area
for a number of years.
Don Huff in his Films in Review in his
column Weeksworth in the Herald said,
" 'Dawn of the Dead' is George Romero's
wholesale remake of his cult classic "Night
of the Living Dead.' It's not for the
squeamish, it has no rating and if you don't
know what Mr. Romero's literal oxymoron
usage of living dead means, then perhaps
you had better disregard my endorsement."
Mrs. Margaret Overstreet, cashier at the
New Laurel Theatre, owned and operated by
Maurice Braha, is off for a week's vacation
to Houston, Texas, where she will visit with
her children and grandchildren.
Bob Polunsky in his movie reviews in the
San Antonio Light wrote, "it seems as if
any movie that starts out with a nude shot
of Candy Clark couldn't possibly be all
bad. But 'When You Comin' Back, Red
Ryder" comes close. It's the film version
of the stage play about the frustrations of
the "lost generation of the 1960"s.' In spite
of a good story idea, the writer, director and
cast members drain the heart and soul out
of the story,
action" .
leaving only bodies with reflex
. . Polunsky said ""the performers
of 'Hanover Street' don't have enough substance
of character to overcome the superficial
plot."
Among the new film titles this week are
"C.H.O.M.P.S.," a double bill of "La Cueva
de los Tiburones" and "En Esta Primavera,"
"Alien," "Dirt," a double bill of "The Outlaw
Josey Wales" and ""Boulevard Nights."
"La Muerte de un Gallero" plus "El Moro
de Cumpas." ""Same Time, Next Year," Walt
Disney's "101 Dalmations" plus "Footloose,"
""Players" and Bruce Lee in ""Game
of Death."
Ron White, film critic, wrote in the Express-News
that '"Peter Sellers is an international
treasure. He is an actor of such
versatility and comic skill that even his
mediocre films are inevitably interesting.
"The Prisoner of Zenda' is a good example
of Sellers' talents redeeming uninventive
writing and spotty direction."
San Antonio's only combination nostalgia/art
house held the local premiere of
"Get Out Your Handkerchiefs" on June 15.
The comedy won 197S's Academy Award
for best foreign film. On July 13 the winner
of the award this year. "Autumn Sonata,"
will be screened. Directed by Ingrid Bergman
and Liv Ullmann, "Autumn .Sonata"
has received high praise for its story of the
reunion after seven years between a famous
pianist and her daughter.
The San Antonio premiere of Lina Wertnuiller's
first Knglish language film, "The
End of the World in Our Usual Bed in a
Night Full of Rain," was June 1 and 2.
Gov. Bill Clements made John Wayne an
honorary Texas Ranger May 26, saying the
movie star exemplified what the Texas spirit
and the Texas Rangers arc all about.
Clements also set aside May 27 as "John
Wayne Day" in honor of the 72nd birthday
of Wayne.
Wayne portrayed a Texas Ranger in "The
Searchers," one of his many movie roles.
A certificate making Wayne an honorary
captain of the Texas Rangers was presented
to him. Clements said the unusual honor
had been bestowed on the movie star by
the State Public Safety Commission, the
policy board over the Texas Rangers.
"John Wayne has brought enjoyment and
entertainment to countless citizens throughout
the world during his career." Clements
said. "He is a great American and a real
patriot."
After ultra-wide screens and quadraphonic
sound, what can you do to make a motion
picture more exciting Make the whole theatre
move. That is exactly what happened
as Six Flags Over Texas, the family amusement
park in Dallas-Ft. Worth, introduced
the Sensational Sense Machine.
General manager Dan Howell said the
new ride was designed by Six Flags technicians,
and he called it "unique in the truest
sense of the word." The 50-seat theatre
was designed by Intamin A.G. of Zurich,
Switzerland, the same company which gave
Six Flags the Shock Wave double loop
roller coaster and the Texas Chute Out
parachute drop. The building sits atop a
complex hydraulic mechanism which is controlled
by computers. Movements of the
theatre are synchronized through the computer
with action on the ride's projection
screen.
Fred McClellan, city manager for Plitt's
Southern theatres, has named Lori Stewart
as manager of the circuit's Broadway Theatre.
Kim Civington was named the theatre's
assistant manager.
"La Muerte en Este Jardin" is the final
film in the '"El Mundo Mexicano de Luis
Bunuel" film festival. The festival is sponsored
by the National Autonomous University
of Mexico's cultural extension. Bunuel
is considered one of the best Spanish speaking
film directors.
The Kelly Drive-In Theatre, which has
been closed for some time, has been reopened
with two feature films: admission is $4
a carload. The theatre management is offering
free carload passes to all cars. The
opening features are ""Cuidado Con el Diablo,"
""Ratas de Asfalto"" and '"El Hijo de
Bruce Lee."
BOXOFHCE :: June 18, 1979 S-3

DALLAS
J^ssociated Film Distributors held a special
screening of "The Muppet Movie" June
5 at the UA Cine Theatre.
Biiena Vista's "101 Dalmations" opened
June 8 throughout the Texas, Oklahoma and
Louisiana territory.
Promotions at Columbia: Stuart Mc-
Whorler was made film salesman; Cherry
I.enore was moved to head booker.
James Prichard of New World Pictures
Dallas is e.xcited over the tremendous
of
business "Halloween" is doing. It is going
into its seventh week in Dallas and Arlington.
Prichard says it is the largest independent
film of the times.
Prichard just returned from Oklahoma
City where he participated in the Variety
Golf Tournament and came home with third
place honors in the Championship Flight.
Pacific International is opening with their
release "Elvis, the Movie—The King Lives
On" in San Antonio June 22 with a large
advertising campaign. It is a new revised
and re-edited edition for the big screens.
20th-Fox is elated over the reception of
"Alien." now playing at the Medallion, Dallas.
Promenade and Richardson, and they
report that the run in Fort Worth is almost
unbelievable.
United Artists has a new booking stenographer.
Yvonne Schell.
Universal reports they are happy to have
Eleanor McGuire in their cashier's department.
Eleanor has for the past 36 years been
with Allied Artists Pictures and has film
experience of more than 40 years.
A meeting of the retiring board and incoming
board of WOMPI met in
the office
of Texas Films Inc. on June 6 with current
president Claudia Patterson presiding. The
installation of new officers will be held at
the June 21 meeting at the Holiday Inn
Central. Mary Crump of Crump Distributors
will be the new president effective July
1.
HOUSTON
benefit
J^ premiere of "Players" was held
on Monday at the Galleria III sponsored
by the Houston Tennis Assn. Funds
raised by the premiere will be used for development
programs of HTA. a nonprofit
service organization. Pancho Gonzalez, for-
mer tennis star who plays a tennis coach in
the film, was on hand for the premiere.
The 11th annual Alley Summer Film Festival
began June 12 and will feature a number
of older American films. Film Festival
organizer is Bob Feingold, who said that
the reason for the booking of these type
films was that foreign films are being shown
by Greenway III and the River Oaks, a
lepertory theatre, and that the Rice Media
Center and Museum of Fine Arts offer
foreign, contemporary and specialty films.
The 12-week series will present three films
a week, one Tuesday and Wednesday, the
second Thursday and Friday and the third
Saturday and Sunday.
In his movie reviews in the Houston Post,
Eric Gerber wrote that "C.H.O.M.P.S." is
a "low budget film that could be characterized
as in the Disney tradition if it weren't
for a PG rating for a few language no-nos.
Ifs built around a nifty idea—the invention
of a computerized watchdog, a bionic 'Benji"
if you will—but just about everything
involved in enlarging that premise is disappointingly
second rate" . . . Gerber wrote
that "Perceval," is "a film for the whole
family— provided of course, the whole family
has Ph.D.s in medieval French literature.
Three nice things to say about 'Perceval':
Nestor Almendro's photography is drippingly
lavish; it may be a godsend to teachers
faced with explaining the concepts of chivalry
and courtly love; it's a terrific test to
separate the real intellectuals from the
pseudos.
Jneaire (JqulJbme/u (Oo.
Int'I Film Festival
1702 Rusk Avenue
(713) 654-1461 - Office Planned for Houston
Houston, Texas 77003
(713) 931-0748 -After Hrs. HOUSTON—The Festival of the
YOUR TOTAL THEATRE SUPPLY DEALER
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Bob Mortensen
Don Waggoner Aud.for.um & Lobby Equ.p.
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Jim Fritz
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2200 YOUNG STREET DALLAS, TEXAS, 75201 TELEPHONE • • 747-3191 the Americas and private citizens.
jiW^Stg%Hlrs. ®-
VICE
Efnifmtml, .Sufflia & StrrM"
Americas
has selected Houston as its headquarters
city for the 12th annual International
Film Festival competition. J. Hunter Todd.
festival president and executive director,
announcement. Todd, founder of
the 12-year old event, has won over 100
international awards for excellence from
other film festivals.
The Houston festival will include three
main divisions: the main competitive seclion,
the film market, and Photomax, a
Hade fair. Special emphasis will be placed
on the independent filmmaker, including
those who are involved with feature, short,
documentary and experimental films.
In contrast, theic will be a de-emphasis
on major Hollywood features that usually
do not want or need festival involvement.
Independent and foreign feature films that
deserve special attention will be spotlighted.
Todd stated, "We are going to put heavy
emphasis on the creative filmmakers who
have faithfully supported our festivals for
Ihc past 12 years— the smaller, independent
producer.
The Houston International Film Festival
is tentatively slated for November. It is
Houston Film
Society. Cinema .America, The Festival of
S-4 BOXOFHCE :: June I.S, 1979

Blind Bidding Bill
Introduced in N.J.
From East
Edition
TRENTON, N.J.—A bill thai would outlaw
the practice of blind bidding in the
motion picluie industry, introduced by
Son. 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 Piclure
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
Comnieice Committee.
Fonda's 'Wanda' Screened
For Kentucky NATO Party
From East Edition
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
CHICAGO
gincc last .lime, L. Robert Artoe, Chicago
attorney, has been arguing the case of
the Starview Theatre. A total win was
achieved on last May 29, when Judge Reginald
Holzer of the Chancery Division of
the Circuit Court of Cook County found
the 1970 outdoor movie licensing ordinance
of Cook County unconstitutional, invalid
and unenforceable. The Starview Drive-In
suit had been pending in the Circuit Court
of Cook County. The Starview is located in
Hanover Township, Cook County, in an
area just east of Elgin, III.
There is lime, to make reservations for
Chicago WOMPI's "Man of the Year" installation
luncheon to be held Tuesday, June
26, at 12:15 p.m., at the Ambassador West
Hotel. Tickets are $10 per person ($11 at
the door). Reservations with money are to
be sent by June 22 to Victoria Burns, c/o
Paramount Pictures, 111 E. Wacker Dr.,
Chicago, III., 60601. Also, if more information
is desired, call (312) 565-1990.
Robert Kelly was appointed manager of
the Adelphi Theatre. Kelly has been serving
as assistant manager at North Side movie
houses, where the Adelphi is located.
Donald P. Konny, vice president of Modern
Talking Pictures Service, reports that
ModernCinema 36 is now set with a series
of new free local short subjects for theatres.
All seven of the new shorts are national in
scope, and they represent what is considered
the greatest amount of titles being released.
For the convenience of theatre owners,
Konny provides details relating to the first
seven subjects:
"Salt—The Essence of Life" (Salt Institute),
12 minutes. The story of salt and its
value to man and animals.
"Lives" (North Atlantic Treaty Organization),
12'/2 minutes. A story about freedom,
the past, present and perhaps oiufuture.
American IntcrnationaLs top-grossing
"Love at First Bite" started a second goaround.
In addition to "The Amilyvillc Horror,"
AI is also readying "Defiance" for
opening Aug. 10. This film, described as a
"romantic drama in a rough New York
neighborhood," stars Jan-Michael Vincent
and Art Carney.
Albert (Buck) Kolkmeycr is now operating
the Addison Cinema. Addison, III., and
the Countryside Theatre in Yorkville, III.
He was formerly on the New World Piclures
staff.
Pat Turner was welcomed back at New
World Pictures as booker. She had been on
a leave of absence to await the arrival of her
daughter, Jennifer.
Encouraged by patron interest in the return
of "Fantasia," Buena Vista is making
arrangements for bringing "101 Dalmations"
back to select Chicago area theatres
June 22.
Mark and Scott Stern are spending vacation
time in assisting their father, Richard
Stern. Mark, who is studying business administration
at Northwestern University, is
serving as manager at the Devon, and Scott
joined the staff as usher.
Congratulations to Rachel Valdes, who
moved up to the post of assistant manager
and booker at Azteca Films.
With Spanish language theatres in Ihe
Chicagoland territory increasing in number,
the call for films to serve these movie houses
also increases. Now making the rounds are
two new Azteca films, "Sol Tequila," starring
India Maria, and "El Valiente Vive
Hasta Que el Cobarbe Quiere." Marquee
size hardly allows the showing of the full
"Celebration City" (Celebration City,
of nearly 100 to "laugh louder" to fill the
half-empty auditorium.
Tenn.), 14 minutes. Starring Tennessee
John litis Associates, which handles exploitation
His command, however, was not necessary
and opening activities for a
Ernie Ford
number
and the history of the Tennessee
Walking Horse.
of distributors, set up openings of "In
as the comedy, which co-stars Brooke
Praise of Older
Shields, proved to be a smash among the "Voyage
Women" for Avco Embassy,
of the Hummingbird" (Trinidad
and "Ravagers" for
NATO members.
Columbia Pictures.
& Tobago Tourism and Trade Center), 14
Paula
As the convention resumed
Jamrock of the litis organization is
the following minutes. The beauty of Trinidad and Tobago,
morning, concession profits was the topic
and the islands' true magic.
working with Frank Langella in late June
of intensive study as Alex Castoldi, general
manager for Redstone Theatres, outlined his
"The
Inc.), 13'
Amazing
2 minutes.
Mr.
The
Magic"
nationally
(Frito-Lay
famous
for the July opening of "Dracula." The film
is based on the retelling of the original
company's concession operations and explained
Mr. Magic performs engaging
Dracula story. Langella is widely recognized
tricks that
how the new
for the re-creation of his successful portrayal
circular design of Redstone's
will be of real interest to children and adults
of Dracula on Broadway.
alike.
stands can accommodate hundreds
of patrons with ease.
"Of All Places to Meet a Monster" (Anheuser-Busch),
12Vi minutes. Turn back the
Tom Loftus reports that "The Promise" is
Accenting Castoldi's presentation, Mary
responsible for lively business at his DuPage
McCreary, concession manager for Lexington's
Rupp Arena, gave tips on tightening Old Country," Busch Gardens at Williams-
clock, step back in time, and step into "The Theatre in suburban Lombard.
security and improving inventory control in burg, Va.
Best wishes to Jerrold Marks on his mariage
to Pamela Blatt. The couple went to
concession operations.
"Matter of Balance" (Monsanto Chemical),
12'/2 minutes. The crucial story of France for a honeymoon. Marks is affiliated
A product screening finished off the day
and made way for the evening banquet, held chemicals in use today.
with M & R Amusement Co., owners of a
at the Executive Inn. During the gathering, For further information call Don Konny string of shopping center theatres and
Paul Hollenback was initiated as the new in Chicago at (312) 337-3252. Because the
president. Gene Lutes was named honorary
chairman of the board and Jack Keiler was
drive-ins. The booking of first run films
M & R outdoor theatres continues with
in
films are available on a national basis, con
the
lact mav also be made bv calling in New
given the duties of acting chairman.
York at (516) 437-6300.
(Continued on page MW-4)
title, but the movie draws good sized audiences.
BOXOFFICE :: June 18, 1979
MW-1

nRST RUN REPORT
Kansas Cify
Alien (2Uih-Io\). Ind uk.
Midland 1 $32,121
Battlestar Galactica (Univ).
4 theatres, 3rd wk 9.539
The Champ (MGM-UA), 9th wk.
Blue Ridge 2.801
Metro North 1,642
Oak Park 2.492
The China Syndrome (Col). 12th wk.
Gladstone 1 .203
Dawn of the Dead (SR). 4th wk.
Empire 2.278
1 ^l U k . .
Good Gujs Wear Black (American
Cinema), 10 theatres. 2nd wk. .
Hanover Street (Col). 1st wk.
Independence Center
Metcalf
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H.G.WELLS' "THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME'
Sbrring JACK PALANCE
"
CAROL LYNLEY- BARRY MORSE and JOHN IRELAND
wiih NICHOLAS CAMPBELL os Joson end EDDIE BENTON qs Kim
Executive Producer Horry AlonTowers
•
Produced by Williom Dovidson
Directed by George McCowon ACFI Investments presenbtion ^^'-«^^.^mmm
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BOXOFnCE ;: June 18, 1979
MW-3

KANSAS CITY
Qevond the Poseidon Adventure," starring
Michael Caine and Sally Field, opened
June 8 at the Empire, Independence, Metro
North. Oak Park, State, Watts Mill and 1-
70.
"Time After Time" was sneak previewed
at the Glenwood June 8. The publicity described
it
as a "razzle dazzle thriller."
"101 Dalmatians" (Buena Vista) opened
recently in eight theatres here. As the title
indicates, this a canine comedy, and should
appeal to children of all
ages.
Earl Douglass and Richard Ytell of Commonwealth
Theatres spent several days in
Minneapolis on business recently.
Effective June 12 the new offices in Kansas
City for Associated Film Distribution
have been located in permanent offices at
Penntower Building, 3100 Broadway, Suite
106, Kansas City, 64111. The new phone
number will be (816) 561-1555, 6, 7. Ralph
Leshansky, branch manager, will be working
with associates Linda Ryan, Susan Higgins
and Lurie Mulcahy. AFD is currently
preparing for the June 22 premiere of the
summer release, "The Muppet Movie."
"The Villain" (Columbia Pictures) was
tradescreened at the Midwest screening
room June 14. "The Villain" stars Kirk
Douglas, Ann-Margret and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Commonwealth district managers were in
town for a meeting that began June 12.
Ray McKitrick, former branch manager
of Universal's Kansas City exchange, was
seen visiting along filmrow June 6.
"Players," starring Ali McGraw and Dean-
Paul Martin, opened here June 8 at Truman
Corners, Metro North, Watts Mill, Blue
Ridge and the Plaza. It was screened in a
preview held the night before the opening.
"Alien," which opened May 25 as
an exclusive
at the Midland, is grossing very well.
CHICAGO
(Continued from page MW-1)
scheduled showings of United Artists'
"Rocky 11" and "Moonraker," Paramount's
"The Prophecy" and Columbia's "Nightwing."
United Artists' product, such as "Man
hattan" and "Last Embrace," has been in
the top bracket grosswise. And the arrival ol
"Moonraker" and "Rocky 11" in June has
been awaited by many Chicago area exhibitors.
.
Campaigns are already underway for the
opening Aug. 10 of "Americathon," starring
John Ritter, and "Wanda Nevada," which
"Wanda" stars Pclcr
opens August 1 1
Fonda and Brooke Shields.
Chicago Pix Booking Service, heatkil In
Leo Alta, has moved from 32 W. Ranilolph
St. in Chicago's Loop to 9575 W. Higgins
Road, Rosemont, III. 60018. The company's
new telephone number: (312) 692-
5890.
Richard Stern, a
long-time theatre owner,
has joined a sizeable number of exhibilors
in crediting "Dawn of the Dead" as one ol
the top money-makers during the spring
season. Stern said the movie did big business
continuously during its six-week showing al
his 3 Penny Cinema. As Stern talked aboiii
the dollar volume benefits, Rona Barrel!
talked up the merits of "Dawn of the Dead"
on ABC's "Good Morning America" show.
Stern and exhibitors generally, however,
were of the opinion that a streak of summery
weather slowed up business in movie
theatres, and especially over Memorial Day,
when greater attendance was anticipated.
Stern, along with a number of other Chicago
area theatre owners, has booked "The
Innocent." This Analysis film had very
strong sustaining power in its first exclusive
engagement at the Brotman Near North
Cinema. The Kerasotes Thunderbird in
downstate Champaign, 111., is the first theatre
outside of Chicago to book "The Innocent."
Sid Kaplan, head of S-K Films, who is
handling the bookings, said the first showing
outside of Milwaukee takes place at
the
Majestic in Madison. Kaplan expressed the
opinion that "The Innocent" holds particular
interest among people in college towns,
such as Champaign and Madision.
The Admiral Theatre is highlighting ils
film programs in June and July with personal
appearances by stars. Gloria Leonard
will talk from the stage about her movie,
"All About Gloria Leonard" in Jime, and
Leslie Murray, the star of "More Than Sisters,"
will spend four days here in July. And
Pat Riccardi, owner of the Admiral, now up
and about after recovering from a hear!
attack, has his eye on further improvements.
The lobby is currently being re-tiled.
Chicago Tribune movie critic Gene Siskel
gives a gentle reminder about a lack of appreciation
for some Chicago-made movies.
He specifically refers to "Towing," which
ran too briefly. Siskel notes that "Last Embrace,"
a film based on the novel "The Thirteenth
Man," is distinguished by the cinematography
of Tak Fuijimoto, who last year
filmed "Towing." Siskel, incidentally, is not
alone in recognizing "Towing" as a gootl
film despite an apparent lack of patron interest
when it opened here last year. There
is interest in reshowing the film.
N.J. to Consider Measure
That Bans In-Theatre Ads
From East
Edition
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 although
only a lew cinemas have started the practice
ot showing commeicials, "the evil practice
niiisl be nipped in the bud hetorc il heconvs
widospread.
"There is a new menace to the well-bemg
of the Ameiican public today—the invasion
of commercial advertising into the sanctuaries
of paid entertainment." said the
senator. "Moviegoers pay stiff admission
prices for quality entertainment free of commercials.
If they wanted commercials, they
would stay at home and watch television."
MINNEAPOLIS
story being told by United Artists branch
J^
manager Walt Badger involves exhibitor
Russ Hanover, who operates the Cina 2
Theatre in International Falls, Minn., and
the drugstore located across the street. Hanover's
current attraction is "The Champ,"
and when Badger asked Hanover how the
grosses were, the reply was: "Great! At both
places! 'The Champ' is such a tremendous
tearjerker that it's a big hit. And my Kleenex
sales are booming!"
The Scenic Theatre, Lisbon, N.D.. now
owned and operated by Randy and Connie
Gentzkow, is being bought-and-booked by
the Dalrymple Theatre Service. Also being
serviced by Dalrymple are Marty's Safari
Theatre and Marty's Sky Vu Drive-In. both
in Twin Valley, Minn., and Marty's Sky Vu
Drive-In, Valley City, N.D., all owned by
Lowell Martinson, Twin Valley, Minn.
"Voices" just couldn't get off the ground
in the Twin Cities. Critical feeling is that the
picture suffers from a blah title, has been
poorly marketed, has suffered from negative
publicity giving the film a bad image—but
still is a worthwhile, satisfying production.
Grosses in both Minneapolis and St. Paul
have been close to zilch.
The Rand Drive-In, Verndale. Minn., is
being dismantled by Quincers of Wadena
(Minn.). The drive-in's main claim to fame
is that it played "Deep Throat" in 1973.
igniting a sizzling local controversy.
P'orrie Myers, Paramount branch manager,
is purring over the grosses posted by
"Grease." with outstate dates included in
the glowing figures.
The 20th Century-Fox branch is enormously
pleased with the performance of
"Young Frankenstein" in its reissue dates.
It's understood that the picture hauled in
$150,000 at 64 theatres in three days (June
1-3). And in the great majority of situations,
the horror-comedy is holding over.
Carl Olson, United Artists division rn.inager.
was here from New York (May 29-
June 1) on regular branch business.
Dean Lutz, Avco Embassy branch boss,
is working on "Goldengirl," which has a
July 29 "go" date; "The Fog." a November
release done by John Carpenter, who also
did the hit sleeper, "Halloween"; and "A
Very Big Withdrawal," due for October. "A
Very Big Withdrawal" had been working
imder the title "A Man, a Woman and a
Bank," :md il may have yet another title
change. "Withdrawal." it's tell, has loo
strong a sexu;il implication.
MW-4 BOXOFFICE June 18. 1979

I
A surprise brief visil was paid lo Mimic or anything like that as being pornographic.
apolis by the stars and executives comieelcd
with the forthcoming Warner Bros, comedy,
He's thinking of the smut stores."
The state's high court ruled (4-0) that the
"The Frisco Kid." A "producer's sneak" 1978 statute was so broad it look away from
was held May 25 at the Mann Theaire the jury the discretion to determine just
what is obscene.
here. And on hand to check out aiidicncc
reaction were stars Gene Wilder and Harri
son Ford plus director Robert Aldrich and
Warner Bros, executives. The picture was
given a solid reception, but when Wilder
Canadian Trade Forum
took to the stage he was given a standing
ovation. The movie opens July 27 at ihe
Mann here and at the Har-Mar in Si. Paul.
"A Little Romance" is doing well in iIk-
Twin Cities, aided in no small way by two
sneak previews held in Minneapolis and
two held in St. Paul. In fact, that promotional
pattern was so effective that much
th; same approach will be used to promote
"The In-Laws," co-starring Peter Falk
and Alan Arkin. The picture was to open
June 15 at the Cooper, Southdale and
Northtown Theatres here, and at the Cina
and Roseville and The Movies at Maplewood
in St. Paul. Sneaks were set for June
9 at the Southdale, Northtown. Roseville
and The Movies at Maplewood.
R.I. Governor Requests
New Pornography Statute
From East Edition
By ALLEN M. WIDEM
Regional Correspondent
PROVIDENCE — Rhode Island Gov.
J. Joseph Garrahy has asked Attorney
General Dennis J. Roberts II to draw up a
new pornography law tor 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
the 1978 Rhode Island pornography law
used by police to conduct raids on cinemas
showing X-rated motion pictures, adult
bookstores and an art show called "Private
Parts."
Lorraine Silberthau, press secretary to
the governor, remarked that Garrahy favors
a state law to crack down on pornography
despite the state high court's ruling.
The governor, she continued, never intended
the 1978 law to be used against art
shows. "He feels it's right," Silberthau
said, "to wipe out pornography for profit.
He's not thinking in terms of art or culture
^O^pMl
DOE
Potts 3 and 5
Stack Platters
Planned for September
From Cana-iian Edition
TORONTO—The Festival of Festivals,
in cooperation with the Canadian Film Development
Corp. 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
Sti'.tes 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, executive director of
the Canadian Film Development Corp.
and Stephen Roth of RSL Films Limited,
executive producer of "In Praise of
Older Women" and "Agency," are the
chairmen of the forum.
"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 one-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.
n rEPRAD STEREO [Q
Christie Lamphouscs & Consoles
Ballantyne-Strong-Hanovia
Replacement Package Plan
= I
For the best at less, contact John or Mike.
Rinsold Cinema Equipment Co.
I
S^Sf^ 8421 Gravois Road'St. Louis, Mo 63123»Phone 314-352-2020
J
ST.
LOUIS
(Cimtinucd from page MW-2)
ler) began a regular run June 5 at I-.squire.
WoodsMill, Grandview and Sunset.
"Main Event." a comedy in which Ryan
O'Neal portrays a boxer with Barbra Streisand
as the love interest, opens June 22 at
Esquire, Crestwmid, Village and Nameoki
in Granite City, III.
Susan Anton, star of "Goldengirl," appeared
on the Newsbeat program (KSD-
TV) and recalled a previous appearance
here in 1977 when she was promoting Muriel
cigars. In speaking of her film debul
in "Goldengirl," in which she plays a 6-fool-
2-inch athlete trying to make the U.S.
Olympic's track team, she said she trained
for two-and-a-half months, and ran every
day. The film opens June 22 at St. Anns,
Halls Ferry 6, Ronnie's, Cinema 4 Center,
Ellisville and Granada.
The original "Jaws," with Richard Dreyfuss
and Roy Scheider heading the cast of
the suspense-thriller, begins a wide multiple
release June 22.
With "Superman" only recently retired
from local screens, Columbia Picture Industries
has available at local photo supply
stores an 8mm color sound version suitable
for viewing in one's living room, in 200 or
400-foot versions, with a silent film on the
way.
Two men, one armed, held up Ronnie's
Drive-In and took $850 after forcing the
manager to open a safe. They entered the
theatre office at 12:15 a.m. The manager,
Arthur Hayden, was struck on the head with
a pistol when he did not respond immediately
to the robber's demands. He was treated
at
a local medical center and released.
DESIGN • ENGINEERING • CONSTRUCTION
WE NEVER MISSED AN OPENING"
ASK AROUND
CHinmnn KmcGCA
(516) 569-1990
18, 1979
MW-5
,w.nin,imt>.«.».Tl»nr..T»irmn»I.»xm»»»rtTK»CTlCT

MILWAUKEE
J^ovies Nortliridge (UA) had a tie in with
radio station WOKY for an on-the-air
giveaway of 175 pairs of passes to the special
preview screening of "Rocky II," starring
Sylvester Stallone on Thursday. June
14, at 8 p.m. Listeners competed in contests
whereby the "eighth caller" and "15th caller"
and so on became winners dining
which time Northridge received lots of on
air publicity. Bill Hurwitz of WOKY loUl
BoxoFFiCE that an added feature for the
Mike Musarra, new branch manager for
United Artists Corp., held a tradescreening
of "Last Embrace" plus the seven-minute
"Pink Breakfast" recently at the Cenlic
Screening Room, 212 W. Wisconsin Ave.
"Last Embrace" opened in June at South
ridge. Mill Road, Skyway, 24 and Vicl.irv
drive-ins.
Mike also mailed invitations to film in
dustryites and the press media for the special
advance showing of "Alien" recently al
Mill Road Theatre on the city's northwest
side. The R-rated sci-fi thriller opened Iktl-
Jime S at Centre Twins. Mill Road and
Spring Mall.
special screening would be the appearance
of the WOKY Chicken, the station's mascot
When the only female
film department of the School
instructor in the
of Fine Ails
which is always present during home games
terminated
of the Milwaukee Brewers at County Stadium.
at the end of the current semester. 55
at UW-Milwaukee had her contract
students demonstrated near the Studcnl
Rated PG, "Rocky 11" was slated to open
first run June 15 at Northridge, Spring
Union. The students demanded that the instructor,
its
Bette Gordon, be rehired. G&rdon
Mall and Skyway theatres.
had developed and taught a course called
"Women's Film/ Film Making" which live
students said was the only feminist course
offered in the School of Fine Arts. Dean
Robert W. Corrigan acknowledged that
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First runs coming: Opening June 29 are
"Moonraker" with James Bond at Riverside,
Spring Mall, Capitol Court, Northridge
and Starlite 24 Drive-In. and "Nightwing"
(vampire bats on rampage) at Centre Twins,
Capitol Court, Northridge, and 24 Drive-
In.
When Towne Movie House in Algoma,
Wis., played "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century"
for a week in May, the managemeni
offered "one-half price admission to those
coming in space costume on Friday." . . .
Eagle Outdoor Theatre at Eagle River ohserved
an anniversary weekend during May
with a triple feature.
Norton's Cinema 1 in Chilton, Wis., has
"Super Summer Specials" as follows: every
Monday is "Popcorn Night" (all you can
cat for only 70 cents); every Tuesday is
Rootbeer Night" (all you can drink lor
only 65 cents); every Wednesday is two-forone
night (any two people admitted for $2);
and every Thursday is "Family Night" (the
entire family admitted for $5). Plus every
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Aggressive Canadian Filmmakers
Chalk Up Deals at Cannes Festival
From Canada Edition
TORONTO—Canadian tilmmakcrs made
some big deals at the Cannes Film Festival.
Typical of these, Harold Greenberg, the
Montreal co-producer of "A Man Called
Intrepid," managed to obtain the last link
in
a string of films worth $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.
Youth Comedy 'Crunch'
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. Gfeenberg
also plans to make "Mary and Joseph."
a religious feature with a $4 million to $5
Canadian Influence
Aside from these deals, the presence of
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
festival officials and Michael Mc-
Cabe, executive director of the Canadian
Film Development Corporation, and Bill
Marshall and Denis Heroux, representing
English-language and Quebec producers" associations.
"There are about 400 Canadians here
participating in the business of Cannes ami
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 Favie
Lebret) that we wanted a Canadian on the
jury as a matter of course, and we want
Canadian films in official selection."
But look at some figures so far. "Running,"
starring Michael Douglas and made
in Montreal and Toronto for $4 million,
has already recoided sales of $6.7 million.
Another Montreal effort, the $1.6 million
"Meatballs," was bought by Paramount for
$3.5 million for U.S. theatres. $350,000
for Canadian distribution rights and $800,-
000 for U.S. pay TV.
And the List Continues
The list goes on:
"City on Fire"—starring Barry Newman.
Susan Clark, Shelley Winters, Leslie Nielsen,
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 Mitchum.
Lee Majors and Valerie Perrine; $1.3 million
million budget, which is to be shot in Israel
and Canada. Grcenberg's partner in
by Time-Life Films for U.S. syndication
and pay TV; theatre sales abroad are
this project will be Lorimar, the American $1.6 million.
company that organized "A Man Called "Murder by Decree"—starring Christopher
Plummer, James Mason, Susan Clark,
Intrepid."
Greenberg said, "And Quebec is letting John Gielgud, Donald Sutherland and
us shoot 'Brainstorm,' a $5 million adventure,
in James Bay in August, and you Embassy Pictures for the U.S. distribution
Genevieve Bujold; $2.4 million by Avco
could not reproduce that location cheaply." and for the world rights; $4.5 million has
been made at U.S. boxoffices and $2 million
in Canada.
American International has bought into
Quadrant Films" "Nothing Personal." a
comedy set to be made here in mid-June.
Turnaround Is Recent
This deal naturally elated David Perlmutter,
And there are others:
president of Quadrant. The cast will be
According to Bruce Mallen, a marketing
headed by Suzanne Somers and Donald
consultant, university professor and specialist
in the movie business, the turnaround
Sutherland, and will have as its backdrop
this country's controversial seal hunt.
— 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
egislation to
start showing up on celluloid.
Subject to certain provisions, investors in
I corporate or private "certified feature production"'
can claim a 100 percenl capital
cost allowance.
A certified film has to be accepted by the
Secretary of State's office as an official coproduction
Ix'lween 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.
Mu.st Issue Prospectus
In the past year, secuiilies 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 are 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 that certain brokers are
specializing in film financing. In fact, Mallen
said, "the process has accelerated to the
point that I predict that, whereas producers
had troubles finding brokers, now there'll be
a lot of brokers bidding for the few good
producers that exist in this country."
m mmmm
Change From Old Days
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.
BOXOFHCE :: June 18. 1979
MW-7

I
Cancer is oftencuiable.
The fear ofcancer
is often f^tal.
Some people are so ' \
afraid of cancer they won't \^
go to the doctor when they
suspect something's wrong.
Or even for a routine checkup.
They're afraid the doctor
will "find something'.'
This fear can prevent them
^r^
9^
'
r^
from discovering cancer
in the early stages when it is
most often curable.
There are over
3,000,000 people alive today
who have had cancer.
If that surprises you, it shouldn't,
Cancer is highly curable.
:^
5 L American Cancer Society
THE PUBUSHER *S A HJBIJC StRllCt
MW-
BOXOFFICE ;: June IS. 1979

.Very
Calgary
Buck Rogers in the 25fh t entiiry
(Univ), Wcstbrook. 7th wk Good
The Champ (MGM-UA), Chinook,
6th wk Very Good
The China Syndrome (Astral). North
Hill, Westbrook. 8th wk Good
The Deer Hunter (Univ), Townc
Red, 9th wk. Excellent
Last Embrace (UA), Palliser Square,
2nd wk
Poor
A Little Romance (WB), Calgary
Place, 1st wk Good
mST RUN REPORT
6th wk Excclleni
The China Syndrome (Astral).
Meadowlaik. Sth wk Excellent
Dreamer (BVFD). Odeon. 1st wk Poor
Firepower (AFD). Paramount,
2nd wk Excellent
A Little Romance (WB), Capitol
Square, 1st wk Very Good
Love at First Bite (AFD), Capitol
Square, 3rd wk Excellent
The North Avenue Irregulars (BV).
Londonderry. Sth wk Fair
Same Time, Next Year (Univ).
Roxy, 2nd wk.
Fair
Montreal
The Champ (MGM-UA), Loews.
Sth wk
Ciood
The Deer Hunter (Univ). Place du
Canada, 1 1th wk Giuul
Fedora (UA). The Cinema. 1st wk. . .
.Fair
Hair (UA). York. Sth wk Very Good
A Little Romance (WB). Claremont,
2nd wk
Good
Love at First Bite (AFD). Loews.
Sth wk
Very Good
Manhattan (UA), Place Ville Marie,
3rd wk
Very Good
Walk Proud (Univ), Atwater.
(^'"^''''^
1st wk.
French Language Films
La Cage aux Folles (UA). Parisien.
9th wk
Very Good
La Cible Etoilee (UA). Parisien.
1st wk Fair
Le Ciel Peut Attendre (Para).
Parisien, 15th wk Very Good
I.I \iiiess di' M
\sll,lll
1 c Daiiphni. (kI wk, ... \.i\ (......
Mort d'un I'ourri (PE). Paiisicn.
1st wk Goo
Lin Moment d'Egarement (PR).
Parisien. 4th wk Ciim
Pair et Inpair (Astral). Berri.
2nd wk Exccllci
Voyage au Bout de I'Enfer (Univ).
Champlain. 2nd wk
.Excellent
Ottawa
.
The Champ (MGM-UA), Little
Love at First Bite (AFD), Calgary
Elgin. Cinema 6. 2nd wk (iood
Place. 3rd wk Excellent The China Syndrome (Astral). St.
Old Boyfriends (Astral), Uptown,
Laurent. Aladdin Drive-ln.
2nd wk
Poor 2nd wk
Good
Richard Pryor—Live in Concert (PR), The Deer Hunter (Univ). Elmdalc.
Market Mall, 4th wk Good 11th wk
Very Good
Same Time, Next Year (Univ).
Firepower (AFD). Place de Ville,
Odeon, 8th wk Good Airport Drive-In. 1st wk
Brentwood.
Good
Star Crash (New World).
Marlboro. 1st wk Good
Hanover Street (Astral). St. Laurent.
Auto-Sky Drive-In. 2nd wk Ciooil
Summer Camp (Danton). Uptown.
Love at First Bite (AFD). Capitol
2nd wk Good Square. Cinema 6. ."^th wk. Good
Manhattan (UA). Elgin.
Edmonton
2nd wk Excellent
Voices (UA). Capitol Square.
Good
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
(Univ), Capilano. Sth wk
Good
The Champ (MGM-UA). Westmounl.
1st wk
Wanda Nevada (UA). Rideau,
Britannia Drive-ln. 1st wk Good
BOXOFHCE :: June IS. 1979
Toronto
The Champ (MGM-UA). Plaza,
6th wk
Dreamer (BVFD), Imperial.
.Fair
1st wk. F'"!'
Fedora (UA). Hollywood. 2nd wk Fair
Firepower (AFD). Imperial. 2nd wk. .Fair
.
French Detective (PR). Uptown.
3rd wk Fair
Get Out Your Handkerchiefs (PR).
International. 13th wk. Fair
Hair (UA). University. 7th wk Good
A Little Romance (WB). Plaza.
1st wk Fair
Love at First Bite (AFD). Uptown.
5th wk
Excellent
Manhattan (UA), Uptown.
4th wk
Excellent
Norma Rae (BVFD), Hollywood,
10th wk
Fair
Superman (WB). Imperial, 22nd wk. .
.Fan
Winnipeg
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
(Univ). Kings. Sth wk Good
The Champ (MGM-UA), Metropolitan,
Sth wk C-ood
The China Svndrome (.Astral), Odeon.
." 7th wk. Good
The Deer Hunter (Univ). Garrick.
nth wk Good
The Sth Musketeer (Astral).
2nd wk
Avera.'ic
Love at First Bite (AFD). Colony,
4th wk Excellcni
Manhattan (UA). Norlhstar,
2nd wk
Excclleni
Norma Rae (BVFD). Northstar,
-Sth wk Very Good
I he Prisoner of Zenda (Univ).
Convention Centre. 1st wk. ..Excclleni
I he Promise (Univ). Grant Park,
3rd wk Good
Voices (MGM-UA), Polo Park.
1st wk Good
CALGARy
gy now the old Strand Iheatre in Edmonton
has been demolished. The site had
been purchased by First Northern Building
Corp. and Edmonton Properties Ltd. lor
redevelopment but it is now owned by Batoni-Bowlen
Enterprises Ltd. No announcement
on development of the site is expected
for some time,
say the new owners, but educated
guessing calls
for an office tower.
Bruce Lee's purportedly last film
"Game of Death"— is being shown at the
Plaza 2, Rialto 2 and Twin One Drive-ln in
Edmonton. On opening night. May 25, in
the Rialto 2 only, grandmaster of kung fu
Frank Lee was live on stage. He gave an
outstanding demonstration of the art of
kung fu for the patrons.
Brian Elko has had considerable renovations
carried out at his Tanco Drive-ln Theatre
in Whitecourt. Alberta. Tune-A-Movie
was installed this spring and. having no posts
or speakers, will be a real innovation for the
patrons. Other repairs include rewiring the
projection equipment to make operation
easier and resulting in a brighter, clearer
picture on the screen. All of the work was
carried out by Independent Theatre Supply
Ltd. of Edmonton.
One of Hollywood's all-time favorites was
screened on May 27 in Calgary's Pleiades
Theatre when "The Best Years of Our
Lives" was offered as a matinee.
The Depression-

CALGARY
(Continued from
K-1)
Calgarj's Glenbow Museum is going to
honor The Year of the Child with a Tuesday
series of films selected by the National
Film Board of Canada. The program will
run until June 26.
The longest running film in Calgary is
"Midnight Express,"" on the screen at Odeon
2 in its 28th week, and rating a "good""
at
the boxoffice.
"excellent"" rating in its 20th week now at
the Capitol Square 2.
Recent managerial changes in Ottawa theatres:
Kim Marleau, former manager of the
Nelson Theatre, has been appointed manager
of the Rideau Theatre, taking the place
of Svend Pedersen who has been transferred
to Famous Players" head office in Toronto.
Dennis Leroux, former assistant manager
at the Place de Ville Cinemas, has been
promoted to manager of Place de Ville, seiving
under a recently new manager to the
area, Ronald Brown. Brian Jones, manager
of the Qiteensway Drive-In, also has a new
assistant manager, Dave Smith, the former
assistant manager at the Somerset Theatre.
James Wiltze is the newly appointed assistant
manager at the Somerset Theatre.
Construction is well under way at Wilson
Century Theatres Ltd.'s Airport Drive-
In Theatre. The single theatre operation is
being converted into a triple operation. The
triple drive-in theatre complex will be
a first for the area. The two new thealrcs
are to hold 318 cars and 268 cars, respectively.
The existing drive-in has a capacity
of 560. The three drive-ins, which are scheduled
to open in mid-June, will have a (i>l;il
capacity of 1 146 cars.
TORONTO
Iain Baxter of Vancouver have won the Victor
Lynch-Staunton Awards of the Canada
Council. Worth up to $17,000 each to cover
living, travel and production expenses for
four to 12 months, the awards top a list of
146 winners of Canada Council grants made
on application for a competition that closed
Oct. 15.
"Going the Distance," the official 90-minute
National Film Board feature, goes into
general release following its premiere at the
Edmonton Jubilee Auditorium on May 2.^.
The feature was made at the request of the
Commonwealth Games Foimdation, and
will go into worldwide distribution and par
ticular showing in 48 Commowealth coimtries,
following its release in major cities
across Canada.
Dabara Films, which continually develops
its own advertising campaign especially for
this country, recently booked "Jacob the
Liar'" into the new Cineplex here. Dabara
last year distributed "Madame Rosa," the
most successful foreign film for 1978, and
has equal expectations for "Jacob the Liar,"
which was named best foreign film at the
Festival
of the Americas and was the Christropher
Award winner.
Dabara Films is also pleased that horroi
filmmaker George A. Romero will be coming
to this city after attending the Cannes
At the Towne Cinema Blue in downtown
Calgary, Warner's "Every Which Way But
Loose' is holding on to its "excellent" rat-
FiTm Festival, for the opening of his film
ing in its 20th week. In Edmonton "Superman"
is still drawing the patrons at the
"Martin"" locally at the International, Fox,
Kingsway and Richmond Hill theatres.
Londonderry "B"" with a "very good"" boxoffice
status in its 21st week. "Every
"Martin"" has already been running in New
York for more than 10 months, and on the
Which Way But Loose" is still garnering an
strength of a single soldout showing at the
Festival of Festivals here last fall, has already
been listed as one of the year's "twelve
best"' by Maclean's magazine. Romero and
actress Christine Forrest planned to make
themselves available for interviews while
here.
Montreal's World Film Festival sent
along advance information concerning two
important symposiums to be held at the festival,
which runs from Aug. 30 to Sept. 9.
The first of these will have as its theme
"Reaching the public with a film: means,
objectives and results," and participating
will be important marketing experts, producers,
distributors, directors and film critics.
The second symposium will be held on
-Sept. 6, and will have as its theme "National
cinema and the motion picture industry."
Many countries are experiencing the
problems of the so-called "national cinema.""
Experts will examine the strengths and
weaknesses of the national cinema as a viable
industry. At the conclusion of this debate,
it is possible that the foundations of
an "International Cinema Fund" will be
laid.
"The Brood," David Cronenberg's latest
horror film, was set for a general release in
Films/ Elgin
International.
The Toronto chapter of the Women of
the Motion Picture Industry held its 24th
annual installation dinner at the Westbury
Hotel on June 6.
The Cannes Film Festival has been (he
location for final plans to convert the Elgin
Theatre in Toronto, which has the longclosed
Winter Garden above it, into (he
first North American copy of London's la
mous and Brassy Top of the Town supper
club.
Some plans ol this were detailed here .i
short time ago, but at Cannes Famous Players
president George Destounis confirmed
it by stating that he was leaving for London
to complete the deal.
"We already have architect Mandel
Sprachman working on plans to submit to
the Ontario Municipal Board," Destounis
said. "And before anything is signed, we
have ordered escalators for the building because
the place couldn't work without
them." It is estimated that conversion ol
the building will cost between $5 million
and $7 million.
The agreement is expected to be signcil
between Famous Players and England's
Lord Bernard Delfont, and the move will
coincide with the 25th anniversary of London's
Talk of the Town this fall. The Winter
Garden has been closed since 1923.
Apathy Toward Film Shorts
Bemoaned by Film Board
From East Edition
By JAMES ROBBINS
East Ccxist
Editor
NEW YORK—Many of the filmmakers,
distributors and film librarians who helped
Ihe National Film Board of Canada celebrate
its 40th anniversary recently bemoaneil
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 Ihe 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
has produced more than 3,000 original films
since 1939.
Still, some of the celebrants who turned
out at the banquet rooms of the Canadian
Consulate, housed in the Exxon building on
the Avenue of the Americas, expressed disappointment
at exhibitor apathy in light of
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.
is Presently, the Paris the only major
Manhattan theatre offering a short. "Special
this area on June 1, and will have opening
dates across Canada by mid-August. Ihis
$L3 million film was written and directed
Delivery," a NFBC film which won this
by Cronenberg, and filmed in this city. Executive
producers are Pierre David and Vic-
year's Academy Award as best animation
shoit subject, is being shown with "The
pilmmaker Claude Jutra and composer tor Solnicki, and the producer is Claude
Toy."
Jacques Hetu of Montreal and painter Heroux. "The Brood" is a New World-Mutual
Pictures of Canada release from Mutual
The National Film Board was formed
to help make the Canadian nation better
known around the world, and to help fuse
Ihe scattered and varied population within
Ihe nation.
The anniversary of the NFBC, called Ihe
"eyes of Canada" by its first commissioner,
John Grierson, coincided with the 21st
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.
Julie Alter and Richard Kalk have been
ist in Black Marble's "The Onion Field."'
K-2
BOXOmCE :: June 18, 1979

Call Your FVI
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to Book
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WAYNE CHAPPEL
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12141 368-B083
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13031 751-1464
Detroit
DENNIS GLENN
13131968-7770
Los Angeles
LARRY COOPER
1213) 659-0545
Kansas City St Louis
Omaha Des Moines
PAUL RICE
I9I31 383 3880
Memphis
LARRY VINSON
(5011732-3665
Minneapolis
LARRY BIGELOW
(6121546-2515
New Orleans
LEW OUBRE
(504) 837-5200
New York
MARVIN FRIEDLANDER
(212) 354-5700
Oklahoma City
HARRY McKENNA
14051 232-4623
Philadelphia
ALAN STRULSON
1215] 561 0800
Pittsburgh
JOHN MAJEIAK
14121391-0370
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EDWARD L. MONTORO, President LEON P. BLENDER, Exec vice President SAM HELFMAN, Director o( Marketing
310 North San Vicente Blvd. Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90048 (213) 659-0545
BOXOFTICE :; June 18, 1979 K-3

Sell ... and Sell
Scores of busy little messages
go out every week to a tremendous
audience— and they get a tremendous
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Every exhibitor is
busy-buying,
selling, renting, hiring. All this is
made easier and more profitable
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BOXOFFICE :: June 18, 1979

THE
CinJ^RiC&fK. . SfU^tMe^ * CfMeddUtU •>ffuh&MMU
MODfiRN JUNE 18, 1979
THfiATRB
Theatre Computers:
The next Step
By DEAN ARNALL
"Recent developments in Ihe conipiiler
lield are bringing full scale data processing
power down to the small business price
range." Last August, that statement opened
my Modern Theatre article outlining some
possible exhibitor applications For miciocomputers.
The article also attempted lo
predict hardware trends that micro-compulei
manufacturers would be following.
Most of the response 1 received from that
article indicated that the experts in the field
felt it would take much longer than I indicated
for prices to drop, interest to grow,
and applications to be found for the microsystems.
It would, one expert assured me,
take at least five years for the general public
to even begin to feel at ease around microcomputers.
Well, the fact is we were all very wrong.
What's Happened
What has happened is that several companies
have entered the micro-computer fiekl
and most of them have more than one system
to offer. It would be impossible in an
article of this size to describe them all. What
I will do then, is pick one system and use
it as an example.
The reader should understand that there
are many different systems available besides
this one. If there is sufficient interest, a
future article
will explore some of the other
systems.
One system by one manufacturer has set
trends, surpassed even my predictions, and
will probably become the standard of comparison
for the other manufacturers for a
long time to come.
The company is Tandy (the Radio Shack
people) and the system is the TRS-80. Available,
over the counter, in thousands of Radio
Shack stores across the country, the TRS-
BOXOFTICE :: June 18, 1979
llieTRS-SOConir
80 is more than the answer to all of my predictions
of last summer.
In that article I wrote of a micro-computer
system and listed all of its parts and
capabilities. That particular system was on
price in the last year.
The other prediction was that many more
people would soon be buying micro-computers
and finding more uses for them. All
predictions were off again by even a greater
margin.
No one would have believed that in two
short years the TRS-80 would sell more units
to the general public than any other small
computer in the world, break total sales
records of even the companies with a six
year head start, and represent more than half
of all small computer sales made today.
That again is the record of the TRS-80.
Before we delve into the TRS-80 applications
available to exhibitors, let's take a
quick look at the TRS-80 system.
The TRS-80 system includes a 12 inch
video monitor, a 53 key professional keyboard
and a cassette recorder for storing
programs and data. The keyboard also
houses the memory and the chips that serve
as the central processing unit.
The real power of the system rests in the
expansion units that are available. Straight
out of the box, the TRS-80 has a memory
capacity of 4,096 "bytes." A byte is the
the market at $3,000, and was one of the
better buys at that time. Today, the TRS-80
package with the same components sells for
$1,900. Looking around, I can find very equivalent of one character and is made up
few things that have dropped that much in of eight electrical signals called "bits." The
system memory can be expanded to 16,384
bytes inside the keyboard and. with an expansion
interface, memory can be expanded
to 49,152 bytes.
Another expansion, found in most business
systems, is the disk (in the case of the
Contents
Theatre Computers
Names in the News
What's New
SMPTE In China
Per Capita Spending
Continued on next page

|

One of the greatest producers
inthe history of movies
has never even made a picture.
Not even a short subject. But
when it comes to producing the finest
equipment for movie theatres,
we've had hit after hit.
Like our Christie Xenolite" bulb.
The shining star of the industryguaranteed
to have an incredibly
long run.
Our Xenolite Lamphouses and
Consoles. Our Autowind" film handling
systems. All acclaimed by
theatre owners worldwide.
And Christie Dimension-4 Sound.
The most complete and lifelike
stereo sound system available today
Now, with the introduction of a
remarkable new film projector, a
long-awaited dream is fulfilled-the
total Christie projection booth.
As Christie Electric celebrates
its golden anniversary, we'd like to
extend our warmest thanks to all
who have supported us through
the years.
We may never make a blockbuster
movie, but being recognized
as the number one producer of
motion picture theatre equipment
is reward enough for us.
CHRISTIE AT FIFTY
Christie Electric Corp., 3410 West 67th Street. Los Angeles. California 90043. (213) 750-1151
Write No. 30 on Reader's Service Card
BOXOFnCE :: June 18, 1979

®
When you think xenon, think Xel
• The Most Complete Line of Xenon
Products Available . .
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Engineering Expertise
>i
Wiile No. 31 01) Rcadcf's Service Card
m
XeTRON
Division of CARBONS, Inc.
Theatre
Computers-
Continued from page 2
collection and audiling time from days to
hours. By placing TRS-80s in the field,
each local manager would collect the data
for his operation and the system would help
him along the way by checking his maihe
matics and entries.
The system would indicate missing data
and present the opportunity to correct errors.
This accurate data would then be
stored pending an after hours call from the
home office computer. After a coded "handshake"
exchange (so the system knows that
it is indeed the home office computer calling),
it transmits all of the day's figures.
This gathering of data, over standard
phone lines, allows partially audited, circuitwide
data on a night's operation to be available
before the start of the next business
day.
The previous night's data would be available
in the form of a "data base." That is
to say the whole information base would be
stored in such a way that various departments
would have real-time access to the
parts of the information that they were interested
in.
Sifting
Information
One of the many functions of a modern
theatre circuit data processing department
is the generation of reports. Since these
reports are usually designed to please eveiybody.
they often contain every possible piece
of information anyone would ever need.
Thus, computer generated reports tend to
be rather bulky printouts that must be
searched for the needed information.
This report generation is quite expensive
in terms of computer time, data processing
personnel and reams of paper. Another hidden
cost of these reports is the time wasted
.IS the user searches for the particular piece
o{ information that he needs.
But take your information, store it in a
magnetic disk memory device, install terminals
around the office that have access to
this information and you have a data base
system.
Now, if a booker wants the companywide
grosses for a particular picture (say, one that
has about a half million dollars of front
money riding on it), he goes to a terminal
and types in a question. Quick as a wink
he gets the grosses he needs and nothing
else. He doesn't have to read and discard
25 pages of other grosses for other pictures
or other playdates.
No wasted time or paper, just all the
desired information any time it is needed.
This data base then becomes a very powerful
tool for storing, manipulating and retrieving
data, thus increasing the link between
the end user and the computer. The
result of this increased user input into the
data base can only lead to a companywide
increase in the use and sharing of data. Not
abstract data, but important and timely information
about pictures, playdates, costs,
grosses and trends.
As more and more auditing controls are
built into the system, the data coming in
Continued on page 6
The MODERN THEATRE SECTION
I

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TIHE NIEW
IHUeilN 1€€
lENTIEIPTAIN/HIENT
SrSTE/H
Pcrlccl for movie llicaicrs, rodeos, aiiuiseiiient parks, go:
operation interested in making the most of your tieket are
All modular. Place the cash draw er out (if view — the
mounted to maximize customei
viewing — the keypad and
multiple printers can even be
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counter — or anywhere to
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efficient.
Reliable. The electronic
Hugin 100 Ticket Machine has
been in service for years throughout
the world — serving companies like \
Give us a call . be happy U
discuss your needs.
any
note display can be
BOXOFFICE :: June 18. 1979
HiigiiiCasliRcgislcrs. Uw.
Robin Hill Corporalc Park. Route
Patterson. New "lork 1256.^
(800)431-2002
ImJ HUGIN
Write No. 32 on Reader's Servic
lui;inCasliRcgi.stcrs, Ltd.
SO M liner .-Vvenuc
Scarborough. Ontario
MIS3P8
(416)292-8000

We cant guarantee you a full house But we can promise
you the best m automated high speed ticketing and the
most advanced motion picture screens And, we have over
fifty years ot experience to prove it
A Division ot Cemcorp
HURLEY SCREENS
A Subsidiary of Cemcorp
Write, wire or phone your
theatre supply dealer ®
1515 Melrose Lane
PO Box 105
Forest Hill. Md 21050
(301)838-0036
1610 Robin Circle
PO Box 217
Forest Hill, Md 21050
(301)836-9333
ARE YOU
PREPARED
Spring is here . . . NOW!
Now, before the big drive-in season begins, is
the time to prepctre. Check your equipment. Does
it need to be overhauled, rebuilt, refurbished or
renovated
Get it done ahead of time! Check your stock.
Do you have enough of those everyday necessities
like exciter lamps, oil and splicing tape
We stock over 70,000 different parts for your
EDW. H. WOLK, INC.
1241 South Wabash Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60605, U.S.A.
Cable "EDWOLK"
Phone: 312-939-2720
'rite No. 34 on Reader'
Theatre
projectors and arc lamps. Contact your local theatre
supply dealer for your requirements and remember
to specify "Wolk" when placinc, your orders.
Computers-
Continued jrom page 4
Irom the field will improve to the point
that validation by the auditing deparlmeni
will require very little human effort. This
means that more of the thcatre-by-theaire
accounting would be completed at the theatre
level.
This would not be more of a burden on
the local manager since he would have his
terminal to help him collect, check and
pre-audit his own data. The local manager
would finish his day by sitting down at his
terminal, after the boxoffice is closed, and
answering the questions printed on the
screen. Any entry errors would be caught
and re-entered.
When he was finished, he would only
have to set the device to accept the home
office computer call and go home. His bookkeeping
would be finished.
Some current forms would be streamlined
and others eliminated, and the computer
would add all the rows and columns and
check the balances. The manager would
have more time to run his theatre and promote
his pictures rather than spend valuable
time pondering why this number plus
that number does not equal that number
over there.
Inventory Control
Finally, there are the inventories. Most
theatres inventory their tickets on a regular
basis. Usually they inventory their concession
merchandi.se. maybe their janitor supplies
and sometimes, in the older operations,
they inventory their carbons. From time to
time most larger circuits inventory the
physical equipment in their theatres as well.
These inventories can be simplified to a
great degree by computerizing them on the
same local terminal.
By keeping the current ticket inventory on
a disk file, the system can use and update
this information every time a daily boxoffice
report is completed. This allows the system
to check opening and closing numbers as
they are entered to see that they are valid
ticket numbers.
The system can check against the last
time a particular ticket series was used to
spot missing tickets and, at the same time,
update the master record to show current
usage and balance on hand.
From time lo time, the system could
list print a of tickets that should be on
hand and this I'st can be checked against
the tickets in
storage.
This information could also be used by a
section of the daily boxoffice program that
would call attention to the fact that the
on-hand quantity of a certain ticket was
getting low. Perhaps, desired, it if could
even send a reorder notice lo the home olfice
computer along with the daily results.
Concession inventories, could be kept on
the TRS-80 as well. The system would work
much the same as (he ticket inventory, with
the system relieving the manager of adding
long columns of figures and calculating sold
quantities: syrup, popcorn and butter yields,
sales per patron and breakeven points.
If there is a central theme to this article
\
The lyiODERN THEATRE SECTION

it would be Ihal, even willi ;ill of lliese ide;is,
we have only scratched the surlace of possibilities.
Since the advent of computers, the
hang-up has always been that the people
who operate the computers have seldou)
managed a theatre, booked a picture oistocked
and inventoried a concession stand.
On the other side of the coin, the very
people who require processed, accurate and
timely data have seldom used a computer.
Now, with the introduction of simple-loprogram
and simple-lo-use computers, these
two areas of expertise move much closer together
with creative programming ideas popping
up from both sides.
This atmosphere of "make the machine
do it" can only result in lower accounting
and bookkeeping costs and faster, more accurate
data reduction available to decision
makers, as well as the day-to-day people who
carry out these decisions.
In times like these, when the success of a
business can very well depend on the quality
of these decisions, it seems that micro-computer
usage represents an idea who's time
has indeed arrived.
Dean Arnall is a field representative for the
purchasing department of Commonwealth
Theatres. In addition to 10 years of experience
with Commonwealth as an operator,
manager, city manager and projection
maintenance manager. Arnall worked eight
years as a missile electronics technician for
the U.S. Air Force. He was named the
1977 "Data Processing Student of the Year"
at New Mexico Junior College and can program
computers in three languages.
Made for each other. Each adds its special quality that drives people
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The original coconut oil bar for
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June 18, 1979

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Pacer's Cashfrronic CTX System
Is Designed for Flexibility
Pacer Corp. recently introduced a new
point of sale terminal to its present line of
Cashtronic products.
The new Cashtronic CTX Print-A-Ticket
is a self-contained terminal, cash drawer included,
that is able to print color-coded
tickets from blank stock. Each ticket is
printed in one second at the time of sale.
Pacer can provide individual ticket formating,
enabling the circuit owner to have the
information needed on the ticket. Every
ticket will have the current date, the time
the ticket was printed, and a sequential
serial number.
The unit is designed to use one ticket
is printer per screen. The cabinet expandable
to include as many printers as needed
and each printer can print up to six different
colors of ink. The color of ink will
visually indicate the ticket category, while
the colored paper stock will verify which
screen the ticket was purchased from.
The terminal allows a cashier to sell all
screens from any selling station. Inter-terminal
communication between each unit allows
the cashier to have current seating
capacity for every auditorium as tickets are
sold from any selling station. Also, each
unit can receive and transmit data to all
other terminals at the same location, providing
one complete boxoffice report for the
theatre.
The flexibility of the CTX allows boxoffice
and cashier reports to be printed in a
format that meets the specifications of each
theatre circuit. The final boxoffice report
can include general ledger entries to allow
input of all miscellaneous items required for
,\.l..
a complete daily boxoffice report.
Dimensions vary from a 24 x 20-inch two
printer terminal to 42 x 20-inch cabinet for
an eight printer terminal. It is counter flush,
with a stainless steel top. There are two displays;
one numeric display for the customer
and an alphanumeric display used by the
cashier and management. Battery back-up is
provided to guarantee a fail-safe operation
in the event of line voltage power failure.
The CTX will accept multiple level price
structures. Matinee, evening, and regular
prices can be programmed for all ticket
categories. Once programmed, the operator
can change from one level to another without
having to re-program each category, by
pushing one button. Also available is a feature
that allows the operator to pre-sell
tickets in any showing during the course of
the day with the transactions and housecount
recorded to the proper showtime and
screen.
The Cashtronic CTX has the ability to
expand, allowing optional features to be
added when needed. Data transfer from the
CTX terminal via teleprocessing to corporate
headquarters is an example of one
optional feature.
For more information, enter 110 on the
Reader's Service card.
canrad
Hnnouin
, ,^- Perfecting the true
*^ '>' high intensity point source
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Performance . after week.
ReprcspntedbvThe...,
EXPERTS
Western Service & Supply, Inc.
2100 Stout St. • Denver, CO 80201
(303)534-7611
« I')!') WcMcni Service & Supply, Inc.
38 on Reader's Service Card
The MODERN THEATRE SECTION

i
What makes a
Hanovia Xenon
bulb great
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THE
SOURCE
FOR
3 Dimensional
Plastic
Letters
6'to31"
\ flames in the Hems
Bevelite-Adler's Dick Strauss
Receives TEA's 'Teddy Award'
Dick Strauss, president of Bevelite-Adler,
received the "Teddy Award" designating
him as "Manufacturer of the Year" at the
recently concluded Theatre Equipment
Assn. meeting held in Monterey, Calif.
Strauss, of Gardena, Calif., received the
award from TEA vice president Jerry Harrah.
The award is presented annually by
the dealer division of the association.
Sydney Spiegel Is Honored
As NAC Lifetime Member
Sydney S. Spiegel of Super Puff! Popcorn
iJd. was recently installed as an honorary
lifetime member of the National Assn. of
Concessionaires' board of directors. Spiegel,
who has been active in the NAC for over
Iwo decades, was honored for his long and
The first word in
DURABILITY
DELIVERY
DESIGN
Rapid Change
Letter Co.
Affiliated with Sign Products
THE
SOURCE
FOR
Acrylic
Flat
Letters
r to 17
Self-spacing panels that are
EFFECTIVE
ECONOMICAL
EASY TO USE
Samples on request. For complete
information please call immediately.
213-747-6546
1319 West 12th Place Los Angeles, CA 90015
I

I
d^
•
WHY MAKE
A DECISION
COMPLEX
%it8kd|
IT Simplex
i
STANDARD PROJECTOR OR UNITIZED PROJECTOR/SOUNDHEAD
Simplex IS STILL THE BEST!
FROM HfS NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY
DIVISION OF NATIONAL SCREEN SERVICE CORP
Write No. 42 on Reader's Service Card
BOXOFnCE :: June 18, 1979

We specialize in manufacturing precision
engineered replacement parts
for
ASHCRAFT
ARC LAMPS, RECTIFIE RS ond WATER RECIRCULATORS
A.C. DC. Motors, gearing, positive contacts,
rectifier stacks, etc. etc.
All sizes B&L Silver and Cold reflectors
ALL THE PARTS YOU REQUIRE
IN STOCK FOR IMMEDIATE SHIPMENT
^
Rebuild — Exchange on
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rectifier transformers, water recirculators, etc.
Water cooled positive contacts rebuilt
ARCAL WATER CIRCULATORS
WITH STAINLESS STEEL TANKS
ITHEATRE
''^
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WITH OUR 4 SPECIALIZED THEATRE
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XR171
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pearlescenl surface
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ECH
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prevents cross reflection of light.
Cotton backing prevents bellying
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o MATTE
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ALSO THE FINEST IN DRIVE IN SCREEN PAINT
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PROFESSIONAL SCREENS OF SUPERIOR QUAUiY
63 Seabring Street, Brooklyn, N. Y. 1 1231 — (212)624-6429
Equipment Sup.
names in
the news-
Continued from page 10
CHRISTIE DIGS KS— I In- i hnstie
father and son team recently broke
ground for Christie Electric's new
100,000-square-foot facility in Torrence,
Calif. From left to right are
Dane Denick, director of marketing;
Tom Christie, president; S.L. Christie,
who founded the firm in 1929; Lynn
Shubert. vice president; and Fred Benjamin,
senior vice president. The consolidated
facility is expected to be completed
by late 1979.
Quad-Eight Appoints Hudson
Vice President of Operations
Quad-Eight, the North Hollywood-based
manufacturer of sound mi.\ing equipment,
recently appointed
Don Hudson to
the position of vice
president of operations.
With an M.B.A.
from California State
University. Hudson
brings to Quad-Eight
-— a total of 16 years inj^\
dustrial experience al
^f^, the executive and
Don Hudson
managerial levels. He
has served as director of operational planning
for the Altec Lansing Corp.
Liljestrand Named President
At Hugin Cash Registers
Sune Larsson. president of worldwide
operations tor Hugin Kassaregister AB of
Stockholm. recently
announced the appointment
of Bengt
Liljestrand as president
of Hugin Ca.sh
Registers Inc. in the
United States.
1 iljestrand. w h o
h IS served as Hugin's
^h. in man of the board
since 1976. now assumes
the addilioiiiil
role of chief executive
Unicc Willianison, who
Readers Service
Care
The MODERN THEATRE SECTION

. . self-contained
. . saves
QUAUTY-RELIABIUTY
..THE BIG DIFFERENCE... WE GIVE YOU BOTH
^ FILM ROLLER
CUE DETECTOR
Included with ATS-2
RC10 ATS REMOTE
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(Optional)
e t
ATS-2
02-0061-00 FAIL-SAFE
SPLIT FILM
CUE DETECTOR
(Optional)
LP-270-3 -*
(LP-270-4 available)
V
MAKE-UP TABLE
AUTOMATION FOR SINGLE PROJECTOR OPERATION
Controls projection room and auditorium
functions.
PLAHER SYSTEMS FOR INDOOR & DRIVE-IN THEATRES
Gives you 4V2 hours of uninterrupted programming.
Fast and easy to install . on manpower. Both 3
and 4-platter systems available. 70 m/m modification
kits available.
r: ::
FILM ROLLER
CUE DETECTOR
Included with DPA-1
PA -15
!
REMOTE MIKE
EMERGENCY PUBLIC ADDRESS AMPLIFIER
Keeps you in control during power
failures .
rechargeable batteries
always fully charged: just pick up the
mike and talk. Full 15 watts output, solid
state. A must wherever there's a crowd!

Clarification
The Kpiad-nianufacliircd leclilicrs
appearing in the New Products seclioii
of the May 21 issue of The Modern
Theatre failed to mention that the list
prices include Eprad's Universal
I.amphousc in adtlition to the rectifiers.
The 2,000-watt rectifier with
lamphouse is $2,921: the 3,000-watt
rectifier with lamphouse is $3,346;
and the 4,000-watt rectifier with lamphouse
is $3,642.
If your screen tower is down
Call us up.
Selby is standing by 24 hours a day.
(Area Code 216 659-6631)
business to get you back in business We're in fast . . . without
costly delays. We've got the men, the materials, the equipment and
more than 30 years of experience. Over 700 Selby screen
tovrers are in service today. They're standing because we take pride
in the product we build. So if your screen tower has gone
UJhat's new
LaVezzi Catalog Describes
Precision Projector Parts
I.aVezzi Machine Works Inc. recently released
catalog L70-.^ that describes their line
of precision manufactured components used
in 3.5mm motion picture projectors.
The brochure reportedly provides a valuable
source of information for motion picture
theatre owners, managers and projectionists,
and for theatre service organizations
who repair and service projection equipment.
It can also be very informative for
persons who design and manufacture 35mm
projector and camera equipment, the firm
reports.
De-scribcd in the illustrated 16-page catalog
are components used in most American-
with the wind, get in touch soon. We know exactly what to do to
screen towers that are down and out.
Industries _
3920 Congress Parkway
Richfield, Ohio 44286
216-659-6631 (on 24-hour call)
Write No. 46 on Reader's Service Card
COMPLETE CHANGEABLE
lite-^«^cller
SNAP-LOK & SLOTTED LETTERS
SIZES FROM 4" TO 31"
FLAT LETTERS (PRONTO)
SOLID STROKE
OR 3 DIMENSIONAL
SIZES FROM 3" TO 24"
for information call toll free (800) 4211256
in California call collect (213) 321-5641
14824 S. Main St., Gordena, Co. 90248
(write for our free catalog today)
SUPPLIER
IDE
SMGinniNIC
manufactured motion picture projectors,
and ihe new LaVezzi VKF (very-kind-tofilm)
and Posi-Trol positive control sprockets.
Fully identified are repair and replacement
kits used in the intermittent movement
assemblies of Century and Simplex
projection equipment, and individual parts
such as aperture plates,
flywheel shaft gears,
bearings, cams, etc., and non-wearing parts
such as oil cups, fasteners, washers, gaskets,
etc.
A price list is included for all items
identified in the catalog.
LaVezzi Machine Works Inc., located in
Elmhurst, 111., is a manufacturer of precision
components for original equipment
manufacturers, and of replacement parts lor
projectors and camera equipment used in
the motion picture industry, film editors
Continued on /xjijc 16
TUNE-A-MOVIE REALLY WORKS !
ILocRad, 5707 Lady Lane, Tucson, Arizona
Inc
85704 * Telephone (602) 8880747
RADIO SOUND SYSTEMS FOR DRIVE IN THEATERS
4g on Reader's Service Card
The MODERN THEATRE SECTION

AdusUV
\V^e'
o^^e'
V^rsUO
A)ne
OS«^rnt*«-.„,„>e veUa' .bW^W
bec' ause
=^-re>:ss-r;o--rcS-^^^
quaUW
^^^'rrart^ong^^^
"i«si»r"-""'
M^!S ue*;l;
Sol^^ S^rP^-^tion
otOSBAM CorP
subsidiary
ite No. 49 on Reader's Service Card
JXOFFICE :: June 18, 1979

, , including
imp on
Portable 35mm
Ifir" UU Sound Projector
Professional
portable
equipment offering top
quality projection.
Ideally suited for standard,
mini-sized theaters
and screening rooms.
Many outstanding features
including Xenon
or incandescent lamphouse,
interlock. Base
price ,^3115 00.
ALAN GORDON ENTERPRISES INC.
50 on Readets Ser
UJhat's Heui-
Coniimied from page 14
and printers, film processors and sound
recorders. LaVezzi also manufactures components
for aerial surveillance cameras, lest
.ind recording systems, instrumentation
cameras, high speed and phenomenon cameras.
For more information, enter 114 on the
Reader's Service card.
New Lume-X Xenon Lamphouse
Now Available From Strong
Strong Electric Corp. recently introduced
its new Super Lume-X xenon lamphouse
systems. The Super Lume-X is the standardized
lamphouse that accepts 700, 1,000,
1.600, 2,000 or 2,500 watt .xenon bulbs for
MARBLE HELPS... With High Quality, Low Prices, and
Fast Delivery You'll make bigger profits.
Call Bill Alexander, collect, or contact your theatre supply dealer for:
Double Eagle Carbons • X-CEL Xenon Bulbs
theMmarble company inc.
Write No. 51 on Reader's Service Card
any size indoor theatre screen.
Features of the new units include a
hinged side door which opens the full side
of the lamphouse to allow room for easy
service and simplified bulb replacement, a
new AC-type igniter (Brute Force) that reportedly
produces a higher voltage for positive
ignition, and a combined ammeter/
voltmeter that reads the DC voltage at the
arc. allowing the computation of lamp power
while the unit is in operation. This feature
can also be used for troubleshooting
if necessary.
A simplified one-piece dowser can be
changed in the field for right or left hand
operation. A new piecision electroformed
deep-metal cold-coated reflector is designed
with a slower optical speed. According to
the firm, this results in more compatibility
with less expensive projection lenses to provide
more lumens on the screen.
For more information, enter 113 on the
Reader's Service card.
Boost boxoffice gross wtlhEPRADGAUVXY.
SOUNDSURROUNDSTEREOOPTIO^L SYSTEM
Model
2S425
... featuring exclusive
Sound Processor
Eprad Galaxy is unique in the world of
theatre sound. The first and only stereooptical
total system designed for brilliant
"sound surround" reproduction.
Eprad Galaxy System Shown Here is Yours
Complete with . .
•StarScope 4 multi-channel optical sound
processor module,
•Star 4 pov^/er amplifier module with four
power amplifiers,
•Monitor speaker module with VU loudness
indicator meter,
•DC exciter lamp supply module,
•Trim, compact rack
•Topedeck furnished by customer but
instolled by Eprad at the factory,
(tired StarScope sound processing modules
are available individually in a variety of
models to match sound reproduction needs
of any 'neatre,)
Eprad StarScope 4 heart -
of the systenn
is unsurpassed for producing the "new
-
sound" with vibrant, audience-pleasing excitennent,
Sound that literally moves with the
action on your screen, Sound so pure, crisp,
compelling and true to life it is keeping
patrons coming back for more in over 100
theatres nationwide.
The Eprad Galaxy System with StarScope
4 will play back all stereo and monaural
optical soundtracks ,
Dolby
processed and those with special surround
effects recorded on the soundtrack.
Galaxy is yours completely assembled,
wired and tested. To install, simply hook up inputsand
outputs, align spilt solar ceils in soundhead
and equalize auditorium speakers.
Doesn't Eprad Galaxy with StarScope
belong in your theatre Please write us or
call today for complete information. Or,
contact your Eprad dealer.
Sold and Leased Internationally
Thru Selected Theatre Supply Dealers
INCORPORATED
Box 4712 / Toledo, Ohio 43620
(419)243-8106 ©
m=m P3 Brj A -
The MODERN THEATRE SECTION

SMPTE DelegaHon to China
Encourages Imports/Exports
A three man delegation troni the Soeiely
of Motion Picture and Television Engineers
(SMPTE) visited the Peoples Republic of
China (PROO April 23 through May II.
The SMPTE delegation was invited by Ihe
Ministry of Culture of the PROC as pari
of a scientific and cultural exchange aiul
were guests of the government while in
China.
The official SMPTE delegation was made
up of SMPTE president Robert Smith, Du
Art Film Labs.; SMPTE past president William
Hedden, Calvin Communications; and
SMPTE vice president for television affairs
Frederick Remley. Uni\ersii\ ol Michigan.
Why
Wagner
SMPTE past piesideiu Bill Hedden looks
over a Chinee hiiill punlei with Sid Solon
(riaht) and Paul Yang (cenleij- Tn'o Chinese
technicians stand behind Hedden.
One of the major goals of their visit.
Smith said, was to encourage the PROC to
work within the SMPTE. the International
Standardization Organization (ISO) and the
International Electrotechnical Commission
(lEC). In seeking closci technical cooperation
with the United States and the Western
world. Smith said, thu PROC should
become part of these standardization
groups. By doing this they can accept products
manufactured from other countries
and can export products that can be used
by other nations. "This was one of Ihe major
themes of our visit." Smith said.
According to Hedden, the Chinese are
very involved with theatrical motion pictuies.
People line up to go to the movies
very much as they did in this country in
the 1930s and 1940s.
According to Smith, the purpose of the
visit was to exchange information on the
technology of motion pictures and television.
We believe your copy board should be
a helper, not a nuisance. So we design
Wagner letters and marquees any
unskilled employee can handle for you.
Guaranteed unbreakable.
New Wagner Super Plus
black letters are indestnjctable, and we
guarantee it. Color letters are virtually
unbreakable, too. Won't chip, scratch,
or fade. Choose from stainless steel
frame marquees with unbreakable
backgrounds or economical Enduronamel
panels.
let your
youngest
part-timer
answer that!
Fool-proof changes.
Wagner letters" exclusive slotted design
means no clips, no hooks, no possible
upside down or backward mounting.
And no freezing to the track—even
when it's zero,
A helping hand.
Wagner's mechanical hand works like
fingers that mount messages quickly,
conveniently up to 22 feet. No ladders.
Wagner.
Call your theatre supplier for immediate
delivery.
THEATRE EQUIPMENT
Complete ProlKtion tri
Sound Equipment
j^jj, vis„,| E,„ip„,nl
Acoustical Wall Covering Concession Equipment
and Carpetinj
^^^^^^ Reinforcement
Janilorial Supplies „ . ^ „ ,
and Equipment Service and Repair
3607-15 W. Fond du Lac Milwaukee, Wl 5321
(414) 442-5020
No. 54 on Reader's Service Card
National 3!!!
ELECTRICAL SIGN PRODUCTS
3100 Hirsch Street
Melrose Park, Illinois 60160
BOXOFFICE :: June 18, 1979

Per Capita Spending:
making Sense From
Cents Per Person
By GARY BURCH
"The average indoor motion picture tiieatre
generates 50 cents per person in refreshment
sales."
That's a quote from the National Assn.
of Concessionaires president Perry Lowe
from his speech titled "Partners in Profit."
But is 50 cents per person really the average
No one can prove that Lowe's figure
is
right or wrong because most theatre concessionaires
are reluctant to share this type
of information with anyone. They fear their
figures may be lower than their competitors.
They're certain the figures will fall into the
hands of distributors and possibly reveal
that there are leally 300 seats in the house
when only 275 were claimed. They suspect
new rental agreements will be written calling
for a larger chunk of concession profits
to be included in the 90/10 rental agreement.
Per Capita Curiosity
Yet all concessionaires are curious about
how their per capita averages stack up to
those of other ciicuits. Maybe they're doing
better than they originally thought. Perhaps
some of those concession promotions were
reallv worth all ihc time and trouble after
all.
In an effort lo establish some kind of
reasonable national per capita average.
The Modern Theatre contacted several
heads of concession departments in both
small and large circuits, asking them lo
"secretly" divulge their per capita figures.
The results arc shown on the accompanying
table.
The table would be more complete if
Indoor Theatres
HH

HiHHeiBiHIttfHIIIHil
Per capita figures arc used by most concessionaires
in many ways. The figures are
useful in making projections, setting .sales
goals for promotions, comparing a theatre's
performance to other theatres within the
circuit, and testing and planning promotions.
Most circuits also use their per eapila
figures to "red flag" a possible theft pioblem.
An unusually high per capita figure
may be signaling the resale of tickets. If
250 tickets were actually sold while only
200 were reported, the per capita would
shoot up because an excess of 50 patrons
were actually purchasing concession items.
In his speech, Lowe also contends that
only one out of every six patrons purchases
refreshments in the theatre. Based on this
contention and the national per capita average
of 62 cents, the average concession purchase
should amount to roughly $3.72. Of
course, this seems remarkably high. It may
be that more patrons are buying than we
realize or perhaps one patron will buy for
two or more persons. This is especially true
in drive-ins.
What About Drive-ins
Of the circuits responding to the survey.
five had a substantial number of drive-ins.
Their combined per capita average equaled
roughly 97 cents per person based on 216
screens and 185 units (refreshment stands).
Per capita trends across the nation by
region might also need to be adjusted due
to differences in item pricing, demographics,
varying costs of living and population
density.
In hardtops and drive-ins, Canada checked
in with the highest per capita figures for
both. The single Canadian respondent boasted
a whopping 79 cents per person at indoor
theatres and a phenomenal $1.60 at
ozoners.
While per capita figures supply a certain
amount of information, they are best used
when compared to unit sales. The varying
pricing structures of each individual circuit
and theatre reflect variations in sales philosophy.
One circuit may adhere to a "high
volume/ low profit" model while another
may seek low volume with high profits.
In addition, per cap'ta profits are affected
by economies of number and the
cost of raw goods. No two theatres or cir-
Conthmed on next page
Complete Concession
Centers
Butler-Proctor
Planned-Built-Equipped
proctor
ilifr
Installed
Call or Write
isfrihiitlnn c«.
Colo (303)934 5455
Cretors Diplomat
will nickel and
dime you to $60
an hour.
Hot Popcorn. 15C a box. Sell 400 in
an hour and you're doing the kind of business Cretors Diplomat is
made for. $60 an hour business.
Cretors Diplomat with an all steel 20 oz. kettle turns out 400
delicious bags of popcorn
every hour. And you can expect
that kind of consistent,
dependable service year after
profitable year.
Cretors Diplomat has unique,
stylized Popcorn decals, beautiful
extruded aluminum frame,
stainless steel interior, plastic
swing-away doors, drop shelf,
exhaust filtering system and
the famous Cretors Cornditioner
which keeps popped
corn hot and delicious.
Diplomat
D120FP
Capacity: 20-oz.
Dimensions: 36" wide
28" deep
70" high.
Voltage: 115/208
or 115/230
The base of the Diplomat has white Formica side panels
and a handsome wood grain front panel. The 20 oz. Diplomat
is also available as a counter model.
Cretors Diplomat is quite a machine when you think about
it. It's a $60 an hour opportunity. And it makes your concession
look like a million.
Cretors is also your headquartei^ for Popcorn
Warmers, Cotton Candy and Caramelcorn Machines
and Accessories.
Send for complete information about the
Cretors line and the name and address of your nearby
Cretors Distributor.
CRETORS
27 Popcorn Building
'Nashville, Tennessee 37202
Factory: Chicago, Illinois
Cretors is Popcorn
(and has been since 1885.)
No. 56
BOXOFFICE :: June 18, 1979

hoirc
NATIONAL
TICKET CO.
TICKET AVE., SHAMOKIN, PA.
"// it's a ticket, We make it."
• ROLL & STRIP • COUPON BOOKS
• RESERVED SEATS • MACHINE
N. Y. OFFICE: 1650 BROADWAY, N. Y. C.
Jack Conway, President
No. 58 on Reader's Sen
Per Capita Spending—
Conlinucd Ironi preceding juigc
cuits have the same break-even point.
One concessionaire warned that, if only
p;r capita figures are considered, it may
result in a theatre or circuit pricing itself
out of the patron's reach. "Not only may
such a patron refuse to buy your refieshments,
he may decide to never darken your
boxoffice with his shadow again," he said.
Whether or not per capita figures arc a
source of anguish or glee, they are extremely
helpful figures to keep. They provide a
somewhat accurate yardstick of concession
performance, can be used to set goals, offer
an accurate appraisal of the success of concession
promotions and may help prevent
employee theft.
Roach Buys Property Rights
For 'Ah'en' Heat Transfers
Roach Inc. has purchased merchandising
rights to the science fiction horror film
"Alien." released this summer by 20th Century-Fo.x.
Roach, one of the world's leading
T-shirt transfer manufacturers, will have
rights to the design and sale of iron-on transfers
based on the movie.
The firm's corporate and production
headquarters are at 2255 Westbelt Drive in
Columbus, Ohio, with sales and distribution
facilities in Sun Valley, Calif., and a showroom
in New York City.
Alphabetical Index
of Advertisers
Design your own food service setup with
Serv-0-Ramic^
New Manley Serv-0-Ramic
All metal 200 Series. All metal. Stainless steel on to
and front. Any piece of Manley equipment goes with i
Use moist heat or dry heat units. Or, a combination of boti
equipment is completely flexible.
You choose the exact combinations
to make your operation
most profitable.
You choose either colorful Formica or satin stainless
steel. You choose the exact combinations of
heat units and food warmers. And you can switch
them around.
You'll soon discover that the new line of Manley
Serv-0-Ramic equipment is so flexible that it fits
your operation to a T. And that means bigger sales
Arcol Theatre Products
Formica 300 Series. Beautiful, colorful Formica pattern
is mounted on heavy-dutv marine plywood. Any piece of
-
Manley equipment fit- Y"iir
units.
of food warmers, heat
...bigger profits.
For example, the Model 220 Heavy Duty Food
Warmer can be quickly, easily placed in either Vne
200 Series or 300 Series counters. The 220 Is
available with one, two or three compartments. Your
choice of food warmer and heat units combinations
is almost endless.
It you have ever dealt with Manley, you know that
this is top quality equipment. And, that you can't
match the broad spectrum of counsel and services
that Manley offers afteryour Serv-0-Ramic units are
installed. Everything we have learned in this
business, we pass on to you. Take a look at the three
profit-makers in this ad. Then, get in touch with us
soon for all the facts, all the figures, all the possible
combinations that Manley offers you. No obligation,
of course. But, don't put it off. Write, wire, or call
today.
Model 220 can be placed in
either 200 or 300 Series
counters. This heavy duty food warmer is all stainless
steel. Your choice of combinations: one, two, or three
compartments. Dry heat or moist heat. Large capacity.
Load from rear, serve from top.
Discover your profit Combination!
Get all the facts about Manley Serv-0-Ramic equipment.
TEAR OUT THIS AD NOW AS REMINDER...
THEN WRITE FOR COMPLETE DETAILS!
A Single Source For All Your Popcorn and Supply Needs
MANLEY, INC.
P.O. Box 1006, 1920 Wyandotte, Kansas City, Mo. 64141
PHONE: 816-421-6155

. . .20th-Fox
BOXOFFMCE BOOKINCUiDE
JONNA JEFFERIS, Bookinguide Editor
An interpretive onalysis o( lay and Iradepress reviews. Running time is in parentheses. The pi
minus signs indicate degree ol merit. Listings cover current reviews regularly. Symbol ^J
BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Award. All films are in color except those indicated by (bSw) ior I
white or (© and bSw) lor color and black 6 white. Motion Picture Ass'n (MPAA) ratings: (fij
—
audiences; PG— all ages admitted (parental guidance suggested); [r]— restricted, with persons
17 not admitted unless accompanied by parent or adult guardian; Q(}— persons under 17 not a*
Ravlevre assigned "N" pag* numbers will be found in the National (boat) section oi BOXOFFICE.
12eview digest
AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX
Vei7 Good; + Good; — Fair; — Poor; — Very Poor. ed 2 pluses, - OS 2 minuses
d, " .1 .1 ^ i
r I I I I li i
5092 Across the Great Divide (103)
OD-Ad PIE 2- 5-79 Bl
N8 Aaatha (104) D WB 2-19-79 PG
5122 Alien (117) SF-Sus 6-11-79 m
5113 All-Around Reduced Personality.
ff
The (98) D (b&w) Clara
Burckncr / Basis Film / ZDF 5-14-79
5111 Almost Perfect Affair, An
(93) R-C Para 5- 7-79 PG
5111 American Game, The (85)
Doc World Northal 5- 7-79 PG
5114 Animation for Live Action (25)
An ...British Film Institute 5-14-79
SlCBAshanti (117) Ac-Ad WB 4-23-79 m
5080 Battlestar Galactica
(125) SF-Ac Univ 12-11-78 PG
5113 Beautiful Borders (5S)
Doc Brazos 5-14-79
5101 Bell Jar, The (112) D ....Avco 4- 2-79 H
5099 Bermuda Triangle, The
(93) Doc Sunn Classic 3-19-79 S
5122 Beyond the Door II (90)
Ho-D Film Ventures 6-11-79 11
5120 Beyond the Poseidon Adventure
(114) Ad-Sus WB 6- 4-79 PG
5067 Black Pearl, The
(96) Ad-D Diamond 10-23-78 PG
5085 Bottom Line, The (93)
C Silverstein 1- 8-79 E
5103 Boulevard Nights (102)
Ac-D WB 4- 9-79 H
5087 Brass Target (111)
Sus-D MGM-UA 1-15-79 PG
5084 Brink's Job, The (118)
Cr-C Univ 1- 1-79 PG
5105 Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
(88) Ad-F Univ 416-79 PG
Caddie (107)
W
D Australian Film Office 1-8-79
5107 California Dreaming
(92) C-D Al 4-23-79 H ±
5086 California Suite (103) C ... Col 1- 8-79 PG +
5074 Caravans (123) Ad-D Univ 11-13-78 PG +
5108 Champ. The (121) D MGM-UA 4-23-79 PG ±
5088 Children of Sanchez, The (115)
D Lone Star 1-15-79 El ±
5100 y China Syndrome, The
H
(122) Sus-D Col 3-18-79 PG
5111 Chuquiago (87) D
(b&w) ..Ukamau Productions 5-7-79 +
5092 Circle of Iron
(102) F-Ac-Ad Avco 2- 5-79 B ++
5093 Class of Miss MacMichael
(92) C Brut 2-12-79 H ±
5070 Comes a Horseman
(118) W-D UA 10-30-78 PG ±
5097 Dark, The (92)
—D—
SF Film Ventures 3- 5-79 m +
5109 Dawn of the Dead
(127) Ho-D United 4-30-79 +
5118 Death of a Bureaucrat (S7) C
+
(b&w) Tricontinental 5-28-79
. 5080 Deer Hunter. The (183) D .Univ 12-U-78 El ±
BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: June 18, 1979

REVIEW DIGEST
AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX - Very Good; ^ Good, ^ Fair; - Po Dd2

I
1 if! p
'.I
5
sS
111
•sg
^5b
! ^11
.il -l^-l! 1^1
"lM:^lii
MJf
p|"if-l
Il - i.-

. Api
. Nov
.Ac-D.
Rel
How
Ron
. .Sex-Sus
Sex
.June
June
'.'.'.'.'.
Charleston Dec 78
The Innocent (119) D.. Jan 79
Giancarlo Giannlni, Laura Aiitonelll.
Jennifer
O'Neill
ASSOCIATED FILM
Firepower (104) . . . . Ac-D
.
7')
O.J. Simpson'. Ell Wallacli
Escape to Athena Ad .. May 71
Itnger Jliiorc. Telly S.ivaliis,
Daikl NIven. Steiibanle rower;:
The Munpel Movie June 79
(D-35S. 70)
Love and Bullets Ac-D. Aimi7'}
Charles Bronson. Jill Irclaml.
I.'od Sleij:er. Slmtlici- Marlln
Treasure of the
Piranha
Ad-D..nr.l79
Lee M;ijur.s. Maie.mx lleiiiiujiway.
ft'rahiaii Adventure' . . . Ad-D .
79
(hrisl'.lilior U'l. I'eler Ciisliini'
(n-35S)
Saturn 3 Sus-D. Teh 8n
Kar.ali ra«Telt-M:ij„is. Kirl,
Douglas. Harvey Keitcl
Raise the Titanic Adn
The Lone Ranoer
Disco Land: Where the Music
Never Stops
The Ja27 Sinoer
ATLANTIC RELEASING
Max Havelaar (165) HiD. Jan79
La Jument Vaoeur
Picnic at Nanjing Rock
(110) My-D Feb 79
BACKSTREET-BEEHIVE
HOLLYWOOD INT'L
Lust Flight 2000
(78) Sex C-O..N
Vlrkl i;il.k I'nl Matitllne
FRED BAKER FILMS, LTD.
Just Crazy About Horses
(931 Doc. Dec 78
The Black Goddess Ji
BEEHIVE PRODUCTIONS
Carnal's Cuties
(76) Sex C. June 79
Sinners Seven Sex D.. Dec 79
Curves Ahead!
(78) Sex C. .Feb SO
The Lady Wants a
Tramp Sex C. Apr
CINEMA SHARES
Point the Finger of
Death Ac. Feb 79
Shaolin Death Squad ...Ac. Feb 79
Fists of Bruce Lee
(99) Ac. Mar 79
Bruce 1.1
FIRi NT'L PICTURES
(98) Sex-Ho-C-D. .Junc79
G.G. COMMUNICATIONS
The Adventures of Pinocchio
(90) An.. Oct 78
The Little Mermaid (71) An.. Jan 79
Legend of the Northwest
(83) An .Apr79
Dunderklumpcn (96) ..An.. June 79
HOLLYWOOD INrL
Come Under My Spell
(84) Se
MISCELLANEOUS
Lusty Princess (82)
Carnal Highways
(81)
m Always Ready .'.
The New Erotic Advc
Casanova Part 2 .
. Dale
'
NDEPENDENT ARTISTS
Vhen the Screaming Stops
(94) Ho-F..Noy78
The Black Six (90) Apr 79
.
INT'L HARMONY, INC.
The Night the Prowler
(90) C-D..Mar79
:eirv • Walker. RiMh Cracknel
Men Forever (90) ..C. May 79
Datf
Feb 79 to Score With Girls
I
(82) June79
Apr 79 I Osborne. Lany Jacobs
July 79 Smokey and the Hotwire Gang
(85) June 79
Sept 79 James Keach, Stanley LIvln-ston
Lovul'"Lips "(Sweet Wet Lip's)
I'hil
Tangerine (SO) . . Scx-Sus . 79
Lipps & McCain
(87) Sex C. June 79
Supcrwoman (84) . C June 79
Love You to Death (62) . 79
Frathouse (82) July 79
Devil's Garden July 79
INT'L PICTURE SHOW
Pink Champagne , Sept 79
They Went That-a-Way and Thata-Way
(100) C. Oct 78
Tim Conuay. Chuck McCann
The Magic of Lassie
OUARTET FILMS
(100) CDM..0ct78
Wifemistress (101) D. Jan 79
James Stewart. Mickey Itnnney.
Marcellu .Mastroiaiuil. Laura
Pernell Roberts. Stephanie ZImball:
Vntnnelll
(D-U)
The French Detective
(93) Ac-D. Apr 79
Lino Ventura. Patrick Dewacre.
KEY INT'L FILM
Sweet Creek County War
(98) W-C..Feb79
Rk-hard Rsim, .Mbert Salmi
fhree Way Weekend
(85) Sex CM
Hon nteco. Jody nihavB
MUSTANG-BEEHIVE
Carnal Encounters of the Barest
Kind (92) Sex-SF..Dec79
.ike a Turtle on Its Back
(90) C-1
Mernadctte rjifiint
live (81)
Autumn in Germany (116) ...Nov 78
Revenge of the Streetfighter
(90) Apr 79
Sonny (Tilba
NEW YORKER FILMS
Just Like at Home
(108) C-D..
Anna Karlna
Peppermint Soda
Newsfront (110)
(0 and h&w) ...Hi-D..
RIM Hunter. Cr^ird Kennedy
The Tree of Wooden Clogs
(175) Hi-D..
Orchestra Rehearsal
(70)
Against the Grain .
Don Giovanni
(PC)
May 79
May 79
NMD FILM DISTRIBUTING CO
Naughty School Girls (84) ...Mar 7
Rebecca Hmnk- Sandra Gartner
The Carhops (88) Apr 79
Kitty Karl. Lha Farrlncer
The New Adventure of Snow
White (76) May 79
Marie LIDedahl. Incrld Van Bercen
OMNI PICTURES
Wolfman (101) . . . . Ho-Ac .Feb 79
The Devil's Clone
(96) Ac-Sus..Mar79
ORANGEWOOD PRODUCTIONS
All American Hustler (65)
How Sweet It Is
Ceremony-Ritual of Love (67)
Diary of My Secret Life (63)
Oh Fanny (55)
Dracula and Son
(88) Ho-C..May79
Chrlsiopher Reed
ROCHELLE FILMS, INC.
Rock Fever (98) Apr 79
Waile Nichols. Jeanle Sanders
Dr. JeckylTs 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..Feh79
Katharine Hepburn
The Glacier Fox
(90) Doc-O..Feb79
Winds of Change
(87) An-M-F..July79
Narr. : Peter Ustinov
(n-35S)
(100) ...An-H..N0T79
SPARROWHAWK PRODUCTIONS
Olympic Fever
(88) Sex C-D..0cl79
Serena. Paul Thoma.s.
Scka, William Margold
STUDIO FILM CORP.
Johnny
. Mar 79
Hnrst Buchholl
The Capture of Bigfoot
(95) May 79
llii-liard Kennedy. Katherlne Hupklns.
Cnfr
The Maggots
Aug 79
Otis Ynuni;. John Go.'f
[Catherine Hopkins
TRICONTINENTAL FILM
ChuQuiago (87) D Apr 79
Tallana Ar>oiita. navld Santalls
Death of a Bureaucrat
(87) b&w C. May 79
Salvador Wood. Silvia Planas
The Battle of Chile— Part III
(90) b&w Doc. Sept 79
2Is» CENTURY
Snuff Box Connection ..Ac. Sept 78
Kung Fu Ac. Sept 78
Fist of Futy Part 11 July 79
COMING RELEASES
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL
Defiance .
Jan-Mlchael Vincent. Jnscph
Campanella. Art Carney, Theresa
Saldana
Richard Kiel, Barbara Bach
The Visitor
John Huston, Shelley Winters,
Glenn Ford
Gorp C.
Michael Lembeck. rhlllin Casnoff.
Dennis Quald. Richard Dcauchamii
The Evictors
Vic Morrow. Michael Parks.
Jessica Harper, Sue Ane LanKdnii
AVCO EMBASSY
A Very Big Withdrawal
fiiinald Sutherland. Brooke ,\ilam:
Hal Holbrook. Adrlenne Barbeau,
Janet Leljh, Jamie Lee Curtis
BUENA VISTA
The Black Hole D
Maximilian Schell. .\nthony
Perkins. Robert Forster
(D-363, 70)
The Ust Flight of Noah's Ark .
Elliott Gould. Geneilcie Bujnli
Ricky Schroder, Tammy Lauren
COLUMBIA
. . . And Justice for All ..C. Oct 79
Al Paclnn. Jack Warden
The Electric Horseman Dec 79
Robert Redford. Jane Fonda.
Willie Nelson. Nicolas Coster
Kramer vs. Kramer Dec 79
Dust In Hoffman, Meryl Streep
Freestyle
Susan aark
The Thief of Bagdad
Terence Stamp, I'etcr Ustinov
Hot Stuff
nnm DeLulse, Suzanne PIcshette.
Jerry Reed
Madonna Red
Paul Newman
The First Deadly Sin
Marlon Brando
Wind River OD-Ad..
Charlton Heston. Stephen Macht.
Brian Keith, Victor Jory
CROWN INTERNATIONAL
Coach. Part II
The Malorettes
Holiday With the Pom Pom Girls
FILM VENTURES
The Cauldron of Deat
(90)
NEW WORLD
Car Wars
Battle Beyond the Stars . .
Tic 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
Grodin
Mali
Telly Saialas. Diana Muldaur.
Isahelle Adjanl
Popeye
Robin Williams
Star Trek—the Motion
Picture
SF-Ad.
William Shatner. Leonard NImoy.
De Forest Kellcy, James Doohan
Rough Cut
Reynolds. Jacqueline Btsset
Full
Joseph Bottoms
American Gigolo
Lauren Hutton, Richard Crtre
Starting Over
Burt Reynolds, JUl Claybiiigh.
Candlce Bergen, Charles Durning
The Hunter
Steve McQueen
Little Darlings
latum O'Neal, Krlsty McNIchol
20TH-FOX
Breaking Away C. Aug 79
Dennis Christopher, Dennis Quald
Luna D. .Oct 79
Jill Clayburgh
Nosferatu
SF-Ho..Oct79
Isabelle Adjanl, Klaus Klnskl.
Bruno Ganz
Health
C..Dec79
Glenda Jackson, Carol Burnett,
James Garner, Lauren Barall
Nine to Five C.
St. Petersburg Cannes Express
Julie Christie, Donald Sutherland
The Rose DM.
Rettf Midler, Alan Bates
(D-35S, 70)
Brubaker
Hubert Bedford, Yaphet Kolto
Fatso
Anne B.incroft, Dom DeLulse.
Candy Azzara. Ron Carey
The Empire Strikes Back . . SF.Ail.
Mark Hamlll. Harrison Fold.
Carrie Fisher
(D-35S, 70)
Willie & Phil
Mich.ncl Ontkean, Margot Kiililcr,
Ray Sharkey
Avalanche Express Sus-Ad .
Lee Mar\1n. Robert Shaw.
Linda Evans. Maximilian Schell
All That Jazz DM..
Rny Scbclder. Ben Vereen
UNITED ARTISTS
Apocalypse Now War D. Ann 79
Marlon Brando. Robert Duvall,
Martin Sheen. Dennis Hopper
(D-3BS. 70)
Rich Kids Sept 79
Kathrj-n Walker. John LIthgon.
David Selby. Terry KIser
Hide in Plain Sight (MGM)
James Caan. Jill Elkenberry
James and Jane
James Caan. Genevieve Bujold
Heaven's Gate
Kris Krlstofferson
The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh
Stockard Channing
Ladies of the Valley
Jodie Poster
UNIVERSAL
The Lonely Lady
in Blakely
The Senator
Alan Alda. Melvyn Douglas.
Barbara Harris
Little Miss Marker
Walter Matthiu. Julie Andrews,
Sara Stimson, Bob Newhart
Lejacy
Katharine Ross. Sam Elliott.
Rospr Daltrey
(D-U)
Resurrection
FHlen Biirstyn, Sam Shepard
Coal Miner's Daughter B-D
Sissy Spacek, Tommy Lee Jones
The Concorde—Airport '79
Robert Wagner, Alain Dolon,
Sus.in Blakely, George Kennedy
1941 C
Dan Aykroyd, John BelushI,
Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton
WARNER BROS.
10 Sept 79
Jullc Andrews, Bad Daly,
Dudley Moore, James Noble
Captain Grown Up
Diane Kcaton
Stepping Out
Genrgc Burns. Art Carney
The Squeeze Sus-C.
Stacy Keach. Lino Ventura
First Blood
SIssv Spacek. Nick Nolto
Just Tell Me What You Want ...C.
All MacGraw. Alan Ktof
The Day the World Ended .
Ad-Sus.
WIMI.im Holdcn. Jacnuellne BIsset.
Paul Newman. Edward Albert
Altered States
William Hurt. Blair Brown
BOXOFFICE BookinGuide ;: June IS. 1979

Opinions on Current Productions
Feature reviews
All lilms rovipwod bare are in color, unlass otherwise speciiied as black and white (b&w). For tlory Bynopsis on each pictur.
THE MVPPET MOVIE
m
Comedy with Mu
Associated Film Distribution 98 Min. Rel. June '79
Just to make sure it's absolutely clear, it should be said
that "The Muppet Movie" is not merely a kiddie film. It
is a famUy movie that will delight both childieu and
adults, and often times on different levels. It is also much
more than a big-screen version of the Muppets' TV series.
Muppet creator Jim Henson has taken his perfoimers out
of the studio and into a "realistic," continuous story line
that sends Kermit the Prog, Pozzie Bear and Miss Piggy
on a cross-country trek to Hollywood. The special effects
that enhance the on-location photography, including fullbody
shots of Kermit riding his bicycle and Pozzie driving
a 1951 Studebaker, are remarkable without being obtrusive.
The Muppets have more personality depth than
ever before, and we at last learn the true story behind
Kermit and Miss Piggy's one-sided love affair. Presented
as a movie-within-a-movie. with Kermit and Pozzie as a
wistful version of the Crosby and Hope teaming, the Sir
Lew Grade/Martin Starger presentation of a Jim Henson
production was written by Jerry Juhl and Jack Bums and
directed by James Prawley. Music and lyrics were wi-itten
by Paul Williams and Kenny Ascher. Miss Piggy's wardrobe
was designed exclusively by Calista Hendi'ickson.
Jimmy Summers.
Kermit the Fro: (Henson). Fozzie Bear (Frank Oz), Miss
Piggy (Oz), Charles Durning, Austin Pendleton.
Fast Charlie . . .
the Moonbeam Rider
^^
Universal 99 Minutes Rel. June '79
"Past Charlie" will get a quick playoff in di-ive-ins and
then it will deserve to disappear, hopefully never to be
heard from again. There's something rotten about a premise
that makes a hero out of one who deserted his fellow
soldiers in a battle dm-ing -World War I. To have
those same buddies accept the guy and work with him in
a transcontinental motorcycle race stretches credibility too
far. David Carradine, in the starring role, is a none-toosmai-t
con guy who shows no redeeming qualities as the
story progresses. Posing as a war hero with medals, Carradine
cons small-town yokels with a phony raffle
scheme. Brenda ^Vaccaro pretends to go along with his
gag and the two end up in an unlikely teaming: she
hopes to sell him the bike she conned out of him and
he hopes to keep the bike long enough to win the big
race. An attempt to set a light-hearted, clever tone
Act.onDrama
fails to jell. Instead there's an overall feeling of dull
routine to the entii-e project. The motorcycle race from
St. Louis to San Francisco is routine stuff, with a few
crashes that are less than spectacular. MGM Laboratories
did the color work, with prints by Technicolor.—Ralph
Kaminsky.
David Carradine, Brenda Vaccaro, L.Q. Jones, Jesse Vint,
R. G. Armstrong. Terry Kiser.
ESCAPE TO ATHEf^A
P^*" Co.edy.Drama
Associated Film Distribution 102 Minutes Rel. May '79
Roger Moore, who heads a star-heavy cast in this World
War II action picture presented by Sir Lew Grade, plays
a good-humored German stalag commander in occupied
Greece. His interests lie less in the fatherland than in
acquiring ancient Greek art and the affectioiis of an
enticing USO entertainer (Stefanie Powersi. A likeable
Nazi Don Juan who loves art isn't the only oddity iii the
Edward Anhalt-Richard Lochte screenplay, based on a
story by Lochte and director George Cosmatos. Vaudevillian
shenanigans mingle awkwardly with the violence and
suffering of a Nazi-occupied country. With an on-again,
off-again Greek accent. Telly Sevalas leads the resistance
movement. He rallies together the USO duo, local prostitutes
(including Claudia Cardinalei and prisoners of war
as well as commander Moore, to oust the Nazis and
destroy a missile launching site concealed in a nearby
monastery. The motivation of this motley team of liberators
is not patriotism, but a greedy lust after the monastery's
treasm-es. You don't know if director Cosmatos is
mocking these mercenary war efforts until he adds a
ludicrous epilogue of 1970s tom-ists roaming the village.
David Niven Jr. and Jack Wiener produced for ITC Entertainment.—Jim
Robbins.
Roger Moore, Telly Savalas, David Niven, Stefanie Powers,
Claudia Cardinale, Richard Roundtree, Sonny Bono.
PG
Sports Drama
PLAYERS
Paramount (1230) 120 Minutes Rel. June 79
"I can't believe we're having this conversation," snaps
wealthy, mysterious Ali MacGraw to itinerant tennis
hustler Dean-Paul Martin dming one of their lovers'
quarrels in this Robert Evans production, welded to the
background of professional tennis. And indeed neither
can the audience, because ridiculous dialogue is this
Paramount pictui'e's most serious problem. Another setback
is MacGraw, whose self-conscious, sm'tace actuig
raises shudders—and often more vocal audience reactions.
If it weren't for the honest treatment of the tennis back-
\ TH drop—highUghted by James Ci-abe's action photography
-'
—the film could win this summer's "Moment by Moment
boobv prize. The action, as directed by Evans, alternates
between the Wimbledon championship match between
Martin and real-life tennis pro Guillermo Vilas and the
adventm-es of Martin bmiuiiing ai-ound Mexico with
chUdhood pal Steve Guttenberg, falUng in love with Mac-
Graw and getting serious about tennis. The tennis conflict,
marked by the realistic depiction of the player s
training and cUmb to the top under coach Pancho Gonzales
also playing himself
I
i , is much more gripping than
the love confUct. The script by exec producer Arnold
Schulman includes a syrupy love scene.—Jim Robbins.
Ali MacGraw, Dean-Paul Martin, Maximilian Schell,
Pancho Gonzales, Steven Guttenberg, Melissa Prophet.
RACQIET D
'^"''
Cal-Am 89 Minutes Rel. June '79
Even with a good — script and good du-ection—and this
film has neither "Racquet" would have come off as an
amateur effort. It is marred by such poor photography and
lighting that the resulting flatness distracts from everything
else. Writers Steve Michaels and Earle Doud tried
to create temiis's answer to "Shampoo," but failed to include
any of that film's wit, irony or social statements.
Instead, we get a sketchily wi-itten story about how poor
Bert Convy must use his body to raise money for his
tennis club. And the hasty denouement in which Convy
sees the error of his ways is too imconvincing to serve as
an excuse for the rest of the movie. Convy does as well
as possible with the given material, but performances
are for the most part just embarrassing. -Watching veteran
comic Phil Silvers jmnp around in a turkey suit and
talk "dirty" to squeeze out a few laughs is as close to
unbearable as anything an audience would hope not to
sit through. "Racquet," produced by David 'Winters and
Alan Roberts, and directed by -Winters, is a Cal-Am production
made in association with Harlequin Productions.
There is sm-prisingly Uttle nudity, the R rating having
been assigned primarily for language and the general tone
of the movie.—Jimmy Summers.
Bert Convy, Edie Adams, Lynda Day George, Phil Silvers,
Bobby Rlggs, Bruce Kimmel, Dorothy Konrad.
AIL>
5c PE
Mvf
GLIMPSES . . . FOREIGN FILMS
Manly Times
'"'S'lh^Tme'^'"
Bulgaro-Film 100 Minutes Rel. May "79
Produced by the Haemus unit of the Bulgaro-
Pilm, in Sofia, tliis night remind some fibn buffs
of the overriding theme of MGM's "Seven Brides
for Seven Brothers" (Jane Powell-Howard Keel
1954 starrer!. At the crux of the screenplay by
Nikolai Haitov ifrom iiis collection of folk tales'
is a momitain man who apparently earns his keep
by kidnapping brides for clients. Enter romance
for the momitain man himself, in the person of a
kidnapped lady. Grigor Vanchkov handles the pivotal
pai-t with gi-eat good spirit, and Marianna
Dimitrova is the fetching female. Eduard Zakhariev
directed with some nice touches.—Allen Widem.
Grigor Vachkov, Marianna Dimitroya, Velko Kunev,
Pavel Popandov, Teofil Badelov, Georgi Georiev.
(Continued on following
page>
The reviews on these pages moy be filed for future reference In any of the following woys: (1) in any standard three-ring
loose-leof binder; (2) individually, by company. In ony standard 3x5 card Index file; or (3) In the BOXOFFICE PICTURE
GUIDE three-ring, pocket-size binder. The latter. Including o year's supply of booking ond de ily record sheets, may be
obtained from Vance Publishing Corp., 82S Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City, Mo, 64124 for $3.50.
BOXOmCE BookJnGuide :: June 18. 1979
5123

FEATURE REVIEWS Story Synopsis; Exploitips; Adiines for Newspapers and Programs
THE STORY:
"Escape to Athena" (AFD)
111 a World War n prison camp in occupied Greece,
inmates are forced to dig for long-buried relics to em-ich
the coffers of the Thii-d Reich. The reluctant archaeologists
include David Niven. Richard Roundtree and Sonny
Bono, all problem prisoners for German commander Roger
Moore. In a nearby village. Telly Savalas commands
Greek Resistance forces from a bordeUo inin by Claudia
Cardinale. She threatens to turn him in to the Germans
for the killing of a Nazi officer. As par-t of his plan to
prevent the executions of innocent villagers for liis crime,
Savalas helps the POWs take over the camp. Sti-anded
USO perfonners Stefanie Powers and Elliot Gould distract
the camp officers and soldiers. The coup is successful.
Moore is forced to help the enemy and the villagers
are saved. Savalas then tricks his co-conspirators into
going to the monastery for tlie treasui-es when in fact he
knows the monastery is a German outpost harboring a
powerful missile—and no treasure. The Allies succeed in
freeing the monks and destroying the outpost. A flashforward
tells the audience that the liberated village has
become a tourist trap.
EXPLOITIPS:
Pictui-e will do better overseas, but mention the stars
and the guaranteed action-adventm-e.
CATCHLINES:
The Pi-ofessor, the Patriot, the Comic and the Stripper
Were Fighting for What They Believed In—Getting Rich.
THE STORY:
"Players" (Para)
Dean-Paul Martin has been hustling on the tennis
courts with the help of childhood friend Steve Guttenberg
since the age of 10. WhUe traveling around Mexico in a
van, they see visibly distressed Ali MacGraw making a
phone call at a gas station. Later, MacGraw and Martin
become acquainted after he rescues her from her burning
sports car following an accident. They fall in love after
she helps him recuperate from an injuied right hand.
She takes him into her home and helps him condition
for legitimate tennis. Despite then- love, she leaves often
to visit a lover, wealthy international businessman Maximilian
ScheU. Because of her inexplicable partings, Martin
leaves and enlists the coaching aid of Pancho Gonzales,
one of the many actual teimis professionals who
show up in the film, either as opponents to up-and-coming
Martin or as spectators at Wimbledon. MacGraw reappears
but on the eve of the championsliip, flees once
again. In a hard-fought, neck-in-neck match with Guillermo
Vilas, Martin loses the championship. MacGraw returns
for the last time and wins Martin back.
EXPLOITIPS:
Tie in with U. S. Tennis Association benefits in certain
areas. No Nonsense fashions sweepstakes and the soundtrack
album by Academy Award winner Jerry Goldsmith.
Tennis enthusiasts will take to the iMcture.
CATCHLINES:
None.
GLIMPSES . . FOREIGN FILMS
El Super Cuban Comedy-Drama;
'^
English Titles
Max Mambru 90 Minutes Rel. May '79
If this film is not a definitive drama on Cubans
in American lifestyle, then the Manuel Arce-Leon
Ichaso adaptation of an original play by Ivan Acosta
can be likened to a slice of contemporary Americana.
It is not a "melting pot" kind of story as much
as it is a very telling tale of a 42-year-old Cuban
native who lives in New York and works as superintendent
of a tenement building, and who still looks
to a day of return to his homeland. The overall impact
is unlike similar films about immigrants.
Where traditional screen focus has been on sheer
melodramatic happenings, this is an unusual concoction
of satire and social commentary, and every
component of the story structiue works wonderfully.
The acting is impressive and the production values
are first-rate. Ichaso and Orlando Jimenez-Leal directed,
and Arce and Ichaso produced. Raymundo
Hidalgo-Gato provides an illuminating portrayal of
the superintendent.—Allen Widem.
Raymundo Hidalgo-Gato, Zully Montero, Reynaldo
Medina, Elizabeth Pena, Juan Granda.
THE STORY:
"The Muppet Movie" (AFD)
All the Muppets gather in the art deco screening room
of a Hollywood movie studio for the fu'st viewing of the
motion pictme that will tell their history. The film opens
with Kermit the Frog sitting in a Florida swamp, playing
his banjo and singing "The Rainbow Connection." A lost
Hollywood agent (Dom DeLuise) notices him and convinces
him to leave for Hollywood where he can make
people happy. Kermit wanders into James Cobui-n's El
Sleezo Cafe and meets Pozzie Bear, the club's unsuccessful
song-and-dance bear. Kermit is discovered by Charles
Dmiiing, owner of Doc Hopper's frog leg restam-ants, who
wants to use Kermit as spokesman for his chain. Kei-mit
refuses, and Dui-ning and sidekick Austin Pendleton set
out on a cross-counti-y chase. Kermit and Fozzie meet the
Great Gonzo, Camilla the Chicken and Miss Piggy, the
wimier of a county fair beauty contest. Piggy and Kermit
fall instantly in love. There is one last "High Noon"-style
showdown with Dummg. The Muppets aiTive in Hollywood
and convince movie mogul Lew Lord (Orson Welles)
to give them a movie. A finale unfolds on a soundstage,
with the Muppets making a movie about then- recent
adventm-es.
EXPLOITIPS:
Tie in with the TV series, records and Fischer-Price
toys.
CATCHLINES:
More Entertaining than Humanly Possible!
THE STORY: "Fast Charlie ." . . (Univ)
David Carradine works his way across the country on
his motorcycle, raising money by posing as a down-onhis-luck
World War I veteran and holding a raffle with
his bike as a prize after recruiting a local yokel to "win."
Can-adine then pays off liis shill with a couple of bucks,
retrieves his cycle and goes on to the next town. His
destination is St. Louis, where he intends to enter a transcontinental
motorcycle race. He meets R. G. Armstrong,
a war buddy who almost shoots him. Carradine, a muchhated
veteran who had deserted, is being hunted by his
war buddies. But Carradine entices Armstrong to be his
mechanic for the race. Waitress Brenda Vaccaro "wins"
the bike and forces CaiTadine to buy the cycle instead of
splitting the loot. She joins him, hoping to get her money
out of the race prize. Jesse Vint is the racing villain,
giving Carradine a hard time all the way to San Francisco.
But Carradine outwits him and wins the prize
money and a business alliance with Vint's former employer.
EXPLOITIPS:
The Carradine and Vaccaro names should attract patrons.
Stress the action.
CATCHLINES:
In One Desperate Race for Pi'ize and Glory. Charlie
and Grace Join the Human Race.
THE STORY: "Racquet" (Cal-Ani)
Former Wimbledon champion Bert Convy makes his
hving as a temiis pro at a Beverly Hills tennis club, where
he teaches the game to rich, sex-starved women. 'When
liis boss, Bobby Riggs, hires a younger pro, Convy thinks
his time at the club may be coming to an end. Not wishing
to become just a "faded jock," he decides to start his
own temiis club. He hopes to get the money from Edie
Adams in return for sexual favors. She pretends to accept
his business proposal, though she knows her rich
husband Phil Silvers will not lend her enough money.
Convy meets Lynda Day George, an old friend, and they
begin a new relationship. Tlie nonexistent deal with
Adams falls through, but Convy receives another offer
from wealthy widow Dorothy Koni-ad. Convy plays Bjorn
Borg in a charity match and loses. 'Wlien he discovers
Konrad has more on her mind than just business, he
returns to George and accepts her offer to finance his
club.
EXPLOITIPS:
Tie in with sports stores and the various sportswear
and equipment used in the film.
CATCHLINES:
The Well Stmng Comedy ... A Lo\'e Game . . .
Love
Is His Game. Now It's His Racquet
BOXOmCE BookinGuide :: June 18, 1979

I swap
Oh.
ES- 50c per word, minimum $5.00 CASH WITH COPY. Four consecutive inaertons »or pnce of
,n usLg'^a Toxol IcTno. ligur. 2 additional words and include S .00 additional '»"";_=,_„
Jling replies. Display ClassUied, $38.00 per Column Inch. No commission allowed. CLOSING pATF:
day noon preceding publication date. Send copy and answers to Box Numbe BOXOFFICE. 825
Brunt Blvd., l^onsas v^-iiv. i^io. otit.'*. wwii-. i
aided unless accomponied by suiiicient postage.
HELP WANTED
lEE INTERMISSION TIME CLOCKS, ir
:s and dnve-ins, 3—10 minutes plu
oi gross ($3,375.00 your share
)
how and hancile all details (ad makelilm
production, shipping, billing,
Write or call Theatre Time Clock
Inc., P. O. Box 597, Sarasota, Fla.
8. (813) in 349-0331. 30 years the bus-
ANAGER lor Southern Louisiana. Gen-
Cinema Theatres. Excellent opporty,
benelits. (901) 458-1133, good Mr
take charge ol all
Hard work with
igement lunctions.
pay. aood Send resume and refers
Write: Boxoflice, 4267.
WANTED: FILM BOOKER who v
to meet the challenge of X-
s for nationwide distribution. S
J. Send Boxoffic
POSITIONS WANTED
XPERIENCED conventional, drive-in
meet manager. Age 37. Call
n A. Reichert, (213) 424-4526 or write
7 California Avenue, Long Beach, Cab
XHIBITION/DISTKIBUTION, Managent.
Marketing. 30 years experience. Age
Boxoffice, 4266.
YOUR AD
WILL GET
RESULTS
HERE
Need a manager for your theatre
Got some theatre equipment
you want to sell
Looking
for a new position BOXOFFICE
Classified Ads may be just the
ticket. Whether you have products
or services to offer, or are
in need of products or services,
classified advertising gets results.
Don't wait. Call in your
ad today. Call Cindy, BOXOFFICE
Classified Advertising Manager
at 816-241-7777.
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
BURLAP WALL COVERING DRAPES,
$1.10 per yd.. Home retardant. Quantity
discounts. Nurse & Co., Millbury Rd., Oxlord,
Mass. 01540. Tel (617) 832-4295.
TICKET MACHINES repaired. Fast serce,
reasonable rates. Your old ticket
achine worth money. We trade, buy and
ticket machines. Try us first. Ask
30ut our rebuilts. Save money. J.E.D
Service Co., 10 Woodslde Dr., Grafton.
;achusetts. (617) 839-4058.
RADIO SOUND lor DRIVE-IN THEATRES
eludes transmitter unit,
and backup
$1,995,00. Available from manufacturer.
Call lor further inlormalion. In Florida,
(813) 748-1717; out of state, (800) 237-9457.
COMPLETE CENTURY projection room,
!ar new Kelmar sound, Christie vertical
900W 200 hrs. Techniroma, 166 W. 21st,
NY 10011. (516) 727-6307 mornings.
I6MM PACKAGE: 2 good used RCA
500 16MM projectors, changeover unit, 2
lenses, splicer. Cinemascope Only 5 sets
Cost new over $2000, only
projectors, new and used.
$750. 16MM
5000
1600 wait Xenon 'lamphouse, power supply,
base, current pnce new over $16,0(10
XENON SUPER SALE . . . Pair ORC 1000
$3,250 Pair Strong X60B with power supplies
and bulbs. 4000-6000 watt, $6,750
Pair ORC 1600 watt with power supplies,
$3,500. Strong X-16 with 2500 watt bulb,
$1,700, X-16 with 900 watt $1,450, X-16 with
1600 watt, $1,550. Pair Strong Lumex, lactory
rebuilt—like new, $5,500. Much More.
International Cinema. 6750 N.E. 4th Ct.,
Miami, FLA. 33138.
FOR SALE—Drive In Mig. heaters s
in original cases, 1000 watts. List pri
$35. we will sell them for $18 ea. C
Cinema Technology Marketing, Inc., 3rd
& Mill Sts,, Bridgeport, PA (215) 279-'^"'^-
EQUIPMENT WANTED
WE PAY good money for used equiplent.
Texas Theatre Supply, 915 S. AlalO,
San Antonio, Texas 78205.
CUflRinG HOUSE
THEATRES FOR SALE
WORLD'S LARGEST THEATRE broker
ICE JOSEPH. Box 31406, Dallas 75231. (214j
363-2724.
Illinois
(217) 452-3311. 300 seat the-
;w screen, top shape equipment,
apartment and 2-4 rental units.
ADULT THEATRES, Albuquerque, NM
Opportunity of a lifetime. Excellent terms
lor a qualified buyer. (505) 255-7660,
266-7606.
CALIFORNIA, Park TheaUe, Selma. 550
seats. Refrigeration. American and Mexican
films. Only theatre. Land, building
and equipment, $150,000. (209) 485-1227.
OIL SHALE COUNTRY, U.S.A.-
growing area of Western Colora
est competition 25 miles. 540 :
equipment, plus 2 bedroom a
Contact Rifle Realtv. 142 West
Rifle, CO., 81650. (303) 625-1681.
1200 SEAT PLUS, clossic interior, atmospheric
theatre. Call Gene Prewit, (915)
673-4234, J. Partin Realtors, 3434 North 6th
St., Abilene, Texas 79603.
THEATRES WANTED
THEATRE SEATING
TOPS IN THEATRE SEATING upholstering
anywhere—seat covers made to o.-d-
— finest materials—low prices—we buy
and sell theatre chairs. Chicago Use-.
Chair Mart, 2616 W. Grand Ave., Chicago,
111. 60612, (312) 235-1111.
SPECIALISTS IN THEATRE SEATING.
New and rebuilt theatre choirs lor sale.
We buy and sell old chairs. Travel from
to coast coast. Sealing Corporation c:
New York, 247 Water Street, Brooklyn,
N. Y. Tel. 11201. (212) 375-5433 (leve-.,
charges).
RECONDITIONED used chairi On-logering.
Se.... — _.. _
buy used seating. Frost Secrting, 80 Cope
land St., Quincy, Mass. 02170. Tel. (61"
298-7070.
FILMS FOR RENT
I6MM XXX FILMS lor any area
world. Our trailers and posters an
'Our service made us the best.'
i216) 779-7136.
FILMS FOR SALE
16MM CLASSICS. Illustrated catalog
50c. Manbeck Pictures, 3621-B Wakonda
Only" $'6,500^ea^ch.' International (305) 756
0599. 6750 N.E. 4th Ct., Miami, FLA. 33138 INDOOR THEATRES or drive-ins wanted Drive, Des Moines, Iowa 50321.
to lease in Mich , and Ind. Open or
closed. Please send inionnaUon. Boioliice. OVER 300 I6MM XXa iilms. A.. r.= v.
70MM SUCCESSFUL AGAIN .
4087.
prints available for sale. Send fo- list
ready to show all those great blockbusters
Stan Evans, 5115 Industrial Road, Suite
in 70MM and stereo sound. We have a
409 Las Vegas, Nevada 89118, (7021 73=
good supply of 35/70MM and stereo CHAD) IS SEEKING motion picture theatres
lor sale, lease or rem In ma)or cities
sound. We have a good supply ol 35/
70MM projectors. Delivery now. Choose Please send information to Boxollice, 4208
'
om Century, Norelco, Cinemeccanica,
nd others. Splicers, reels, lenses, sound
ystems, and speakers. We've got em all. INDOOR THEATRES wantd to buy or
FILMS WANTED
Trade in your regular 35MM machines lease in Maine, New Hampshire and 'Vermont.
P. O. Box 830, Concord, NH 03301. WANTED 35mm entertainment feature
now and save big while the supply lasts.
Call for instant quotes. Steve Kroms, International
Cinema (305) 756-0699 or write
chased or will distribute on a percentage
(603) 224-2751 (after 6:00 p.m.).
ms lor Canadian market. Rights pur-
lor our descriptive brochures, 6750 N.E.
basis. Send particulars to Boxollice, 4139.
4th Ct., Miami, FLA. 33138.
SERVICES
INDOOR •niEATHE MUSIC programming
tor today's audiences, today's movies and
today's theatres. C & C Music Service,
(815) 397-9295.
DRIVE-IN THEATRE CONSTRUCTION
SCREEN TOWERS INTERNATIONAL: Ten
)ay Screen Installation, screens moved,
esurlaced. (817) 642-3591. Drawer P.
logers, Texas 76569.
and repairea in lex., ^-^itia., iv. mex., /uk..,
and La. Gene Taylor, P.O. Box 3524, Shawnee,
Ks. 66203. (913) 631-9695.
THEATRE REMODELING
ASCO Auditorium Services Compan.
Theatre refurbishing—designing—acoustical
wall covering—seat relurbishing—custom
seat covers—screens, Irames, main act
curtains, black masking conversion systems.
Materials and labor supplied. Coll
(617) 769-6680. Endicolt St., Bldg 25, Norwood,
Mass. 02062.
BUSINESS STIMULATORS
BUILD ATTENDANCE with real Hawaiian
orchids. Few cents each. Write Flowers
ol Hawaii, 670 S. Lalayette Place, Los
Angeles, CalU. 90005.
BINGO CARDS DIE CUT: 1-75, 1500 combinations
in color. PREMIUM PRODUCTS
339 West 44th St., New York, N.Y. 10036
(212) 246-4972.
daily/weekly boxollice reports, time
schedules, passes, labels, etc. Write lor
samples, prices. Dixie Lltho, Box 882, Atlanta,
GA 30301.
MISCELLANEOUS
CASH PAID lor one sheets, 22c each;
lobbies, 35c per set,- stills, 7c each. Poster
Studio ol Nyack, Box 838, 1 Terrace Drive,
Nyack, NY 10960. (914) 358-5406.
MINIATURE BnLBOARDS, 2 colors. Attractive,
heavy molded plastic insert
holder. Theatrical Advertising Co., 1529
Aberdeen Place, Bloomlield Hills, Mich.
48013, (313)
SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM
BOXOFFICE
825 Van Brunt Blvd.
Kansos City, Mo. 64124
Please enter tny subscription to BOX-
OFFICE.
n
1 YEAR $15.00
D 2 YEARS $28.00
Outside U.S., Conada and Pan
American Union, $25.00 per year
OXOFFICE :; June 18, 1979

It's immoral, iUegal and just
plain funny...and now
\ VER^ »«l^ WITHDRAWAL"
is Variety's
'Comedy Pie of The Season!"
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smartly '^''•'^U lack Cardiff
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JUNE 25, 1979
I
's
AS*'""--'
CRO\M« *

There's nothing better
than an obvious facelift.
BOXOFFICE proudly announces a very obvious facelift,
from logo to last page. Our new tabloid format will begin
July 2nd and offers excellent new benefits to both readers and
advertisers.
all
We've expanded the editorial content to cover news from
regions of the country. The full-page Film Review section
will include reviews from a much broader range of critics,
complete with production photos from those films being
reviewed. The Barometer section has been converted to a
rating system based on first week boxoffice grosses. The
Feature Chart section will have more companies listed and additional
information on coming releases.
With our new design, the advertiser can get up to 80%
more space at no additional expense. Offset printing
eliminates costly and cumbersome platemaking, and allows
the same ad mechanical used in other publications to be used
in BOXOFFICE.
You won't have to look hard to see our facelift, and we
think you'll like what you see. The Bigger and Better BOX-
Coming July 2nd.
OFFICE
The Business Weekly for Motion Picture Exhibiton

Volenti Calls FTC Invesfigation an Ambush
By RALPH KAMINSKY
West Coast Editor
HOLLYWOOD—The American film industry
is being "ambushed at home" by the
Federal Trade Commission's decision to investigate
foreign distribution by major companies
and the operations of the Motion
Picture Export Assn. of America.
That charge was leveled last week by
Jack Valenti. president of the Assn. of Motion
Picture Producers and the MPEAA. in
a speech before the Entertainment Indus-
trade market."
American independent distributors did a
"snappy business" at the recently concluded
Cannes Film Festival, Valenti said.
"Never in the history of this business h,is
there been such spacious opportunity for
independent American producers to find a
market for their product abroad."
Overseas film sales have generated
$600 million annually in surplus balance of
trade, he said. "This nation is bleedmg
from trade deficits which last year rose
to $30 billion." Last April's figures "are
equally melancholy: $2.15 billion deficit in
one 30-day period," he said.
Instead of restricted film distribution in
foreign countries, Valenti said, "the hard
truth is that in many important foreign markets
more American-made or American-linanced
films have been distributed in recent
years by foreign distributors than by American
distributors."
The threat to American producers and
distributors really comes from the increased
activity of foreign distributors operating in
their own national territories. In 25 of the
largest foreign markets, he said, there
are 650 importers and distributors not
connected with American companies.
American distributors in the long run may
face a loss of overseas business not from
the actions of the export association Valenti
said, but from the conduct of
foreign. $30.00, Single
paid at Kansas fitj-. J
(I'SPS 062-260).
American producers who have learned
how
to sell off foreign territorial distribution
rights to raise up-front production funds.
As a result of the FTC investigation, Valenti
said, "we will now have to spend hundreds
of thousands of dollars in legal fees
. . not to mention thousands of hours ol
executives' time sitting for depositions, explaining,
clarifying, educating the FTC lawyers
in our business."
"Why is it we are suddenly ambushed at
home" Valenti asked, "as we fight all over
as "the mattress spring industry or fan bell
manufacturers," Valenti said with sarcasm.
Valenti also took note of investigations
being conducted by Los Angeles County
District Attorney John Van de Kamp, whose
enterlainmenl industry task force came up
with only four film industry criminal cases.
The results: One plea of "no contest" resulting
in a fine and a probation sentence,
one awaiting trial, a third a fugitive and the
fourth still under investigation.
Only four cases and only three arrests, he
said, compared to the 3,254 white collar
crime arrests during the past two years
try Conference of the California Certified
Foundation for Education
the world ... to protect the American film
foreign
Public Accountants
accountants met
from being restricted to death by
and Research. The governments."
in the entire state of California. "A tiny
June 18 at the Century Plaza Hotel in a
The glamor of the film industry entices ethical wart on the nose of the movie industry
daylong session covering various aspects
governmental groups to investigate the
becomes magified in the press to be
of the business of making motion pictures.
movies rather than such prosaic operations a gigantic tumor." he observed.
Valenti took the opportunity to lay out
FTC investigation and the
his attack on the
failure of government officials to make clear
who or what prompted the investigation. Loews Corp. Continues to Seek Freedom
The FTC action will have two dire results,
Velenti said, first jeopardizing Ihc
favorable balance of trade record set by ihe From Consent Decree; Position Unchanged
film industry, and second, encouraging
By JIM ROBBIN.S
thinking about quitting— in light of the re-
East Coast Editor
NEW YORK — Loews Theatres and
foreign governments to tighten their restriction
"on the free competitive movement" of
American film. "If your own government is
continue to pursue freedom
Loews Corp. will
from the 1952 consent decree which
going
why
to
in hell shouldn't we"
restrict you, say these governments,
Valenti said.
bars the multi-billion company from entering
case. A week later, it was reported that
from
"I can certify to you that the FTC's hand
Mann dropped all parts of its petition except
production-distribution and
into
the one requesting acquisition of exist-
on your throat will seriously hurt us in our
expanding theatre holdings.
already frustrating
American
struggle to keep the
Seymour Smith, vice president and attorney
for Loews, ruled out recent tradepress "Our position remains the same."
ing theatres.
film unhobbled in the foreign
Smith
BOXOmCE :: June 25, 1979
reports that suggested Loews was in the
process of revising its
petition—and indeed,
Oregon Is 15th Slate
To End Blind Bidding
PORTLAND, Ore. — Gov. Vic Atiyeh
of Oregon signed into law June 18 a bill
abolishing blind bidding, making the state
the 15th to do so.
That culminates six months of intensive
work on the part of NATO officials in Oregon.
It has been about "26 or 27 months"
since the bill was first introduced in the
state, according to Larry Levin, president of
NATO-Oregon.
The Oregon House passed the bill 47-2
on March 20. The Senate vote of approval,
on May 28. was 25-1. It was reported
that the long wait between the Senate passage
and the governor's signing was caused
by a printing delay. Gov. Atiyeh never saw
a published copy of the final bill until the
day he signed it.
Contacted by phone in Portland, Levin,
who is also general manager of Moyer Theatres,
said the action is "absolutely fantastic.
We think it's wonderful." He added that
Larry Moyer. the president of the Portland
theatre group, played a major part in the
success of the anti-blind bidding law.
Although a definite date was unavailable,
it is reportedly "more than likely" that the
law will take effect in 90 days.
cent departures of RKO-Stanley Warner
Theatres and Mann Theatres.
RKO-SW notified N. Y. Federal Court
on June 1 that it was withdrawing from the
said. "We think we have a strong case and
a good chance of vacating the decrees."
The case next comes before U. S. Federal
Judge Edmund Palmieri, who has presided
over the decrees since their beginning
in 1947.
Smith said the withdrawal of the other
two plaintiffs will make no difference in
their case, which has attracted the disapproving
attentions of the Justice Department
and the major motion picture companies.
He said he believed the ex-plaintiffs
had their reasons for backing off "based on
considerations other than legal ones." He
declined to speculate on those reasons.
When asked why RKO-SW canceled its
petition, attorney George Raftery said he
had no comment and that "the action
speaks for itself." He also declined to discuss
the considerations behind the withdrawal.
"No considerations. The (court)
papers speak for themselves," he repeated.
Raftery did indicate he will be watching
the "ultimate decision" on the decrees, particularly
the subplot involving Mann's freedom
to acquire theatres.
NOTICE!
(See LOEWS, on page 9)
Because of the 4th of July
holiday the
advertising and material due date for the
July 9 issue of BOXOFFICF. has been
moved up to June 29. Editorial deadlines
for correspondents' material will be a
day eariier than the normal practice.

THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY
Publisheil in Fivt SKtIonal Editions
WILLIAM C. VANCE
Publisher
JOHN F. BERRY
Assoc. Publisher/National Sales Manaoer
CHARLES F. ROUSE III
Editor
BEN SHLYEN Executive Editor
MORRIS SCHLOZMAN Advertising Manager
HARVEY SHARP Circulation Director
GARY BURCH Modern Theatre Editor
JONNA JEFFERIS Associate Editor
STUART A. GOLDSTEIN Associate Editor
JIMMY SUMMERS Associate Editor
KEVIN KIOUS Copy Chief
RALPH KAMINSKY West Coast Editor
JAMES A. RDBBINS East Coast Editor
ADMINISTRATIVE
VANCE HERBERT A. Chairman
B. President
JOHN ONEIL
J. Vice-President
JAMES STAUDT Executive
WILLIAM C. VANCE Vice-President
Publication Offices: 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas
aty Jlo. 64124. (816) 241-7777.
Western Offices: 1800 N. Uigtilaud, Suite 707, Uollywood,
Ca. 9U028. (213) 466-1186.
Advcrilsiuj sales: Glen Vernon
Eastern Offices: 13.3 E SStli St., New York, N.Y.
10U22. (212) 7!!5-540O.
Advertising sales: Jim Young
TUB StOUERN TUBATliE Section Is Included In
one Issue eacb montb.
Allanta: Geneiiete Cam]), 166 Undbergb Drive, N.E.
30305.
Ballimore: Kate Savage, 3607 Springdale, 21216.
Boston: Ernest Warren. 1 Colgate Itoad, Needham.
Mass. 02192. Tele. (617) 444-1657.
Buffalo: Edward F. Meade, 760 Main St., 14202.
Tele. (716) 854-1M6.
Charlotie: Clias. J. Leonard Sr., 319 Queens Rd.,
28204. Tele. (704) 333-0444.
Chicago: Frances B. Clow, 175 Noilb Keniluorlh,
Oak 1-ark, 111. 60302. Tele. (312) 383-8343.
Cincinnati: Tony B. KuUierlord, Box 362, Huntington,
W. V«. J5708. Tele. (304) 625-3837.
Cleveland: Blain* Fried, 3255 Grenway ltd. 44122.
Tele. (216) 991-3797.
DaUas: Mable Gulnan, 5927 VVinlon, 76206.
Denver: Bruce Marshall, 2881 S. (Jjerry Way, 80222.
Des Mohies: Cindy Vlers, 4024 E. Maple, 50317.
Tele. 266-9811.
Hartford: AUen M. Wldem. 30 Pioneer Drive. W.
Hartford 06117, Tele. 232-3)01.
Indianapolis: Itobert V. Jones, 6385 N. Park, 4Bzi0.
Tele. (317) 251-5070.
Jacksonville: Joyce Malmburg, P.O. Bos 10066, 32207.
Louisville: Susan D. Todd, 8409 Old Boundary lid..
402«1.
Memphis: BUI Minkus, 1188 Perkins Rd. 38117. Tele
(901) 683-8182.
Miami. Martha Lumraus. 622 N E. 98 St. 33138.
MUwaukee: Wally L. Meyer, 301 Heather Lane, Fredunia.
Wis. 53021. Tele: (114) 692-2753.
MinntaiJulls: Bill Iliehl. St. Paul Dispatch 63 E
4Ui St.. St. Paul. Mhin. 55101
New Orleans: Maiy Greenbaum, 2303 Mendez St.
70122.
Oklahoma City: Eddie L. Greggs, 410 South BIdg..
2O00 Classen Center, 73106.
fatal Beach: Lois Baumoel, 2860 S. Ocean Blvd No
316, 33480, Tele. (305) 588-6786.
I'hlladelphla: Maurle H. Orodenker, 312 W. Park
Tuwne Place, 10130. Tele. (215) 567-4T48.
PItlsburgli: K. F. KUngensmltb, f!16 Jeanette, WUklnsburg
15221. Tele. (412) 241-2809.
Portland, Ore.: Uoht. Olds. 1120 N.E. 61st, 97213.
St. Louis: Fan II. Krause, 818.\ Longacre Drive.
63132. Tele. (314) 991-4746.
Salt Uke City: Kellh Perry, 264 E. 1st South. 84111.
Tele. (801) 328-1641.
San AntoiUo: Gladys Candy, 619 Clncbinatl Ave Tele
(512) 731-5527. 78201.
Ban Francisco: David Van, UATC, 172 Golden Gate
Ave., 94102. Tele: 028-3200.
Seattle: Stu Goldman, Apt. 404, 101 N. 46th St.,
98103. Tele. 782-5833.
Toledo: Anna KItae, 4330 WUlys Pkwy., 43612
Tucson: Gib Clark, 433 N. Grande, Apt. 5, 85705.
Washliigtun: Virginia li. Collier, 6112 Connecticut
Ave., N.W. 20008. Tele. (202) 362-0892.
IN CANADA
Calgary: Maxlne McBcan, 420 40th St.. S.W., F3C
IH'l. Tele. (403) 249-6039.
Montreal: Tom Cleary, Association des Proprletalres
de Cbiema du Quebec, 3720 Van Home. Suite 4-5.
No. II3S 1R8.
Ottawa: Garfield "Willie" WUson, 768 Ilalnsford Ave.,
KJK 2K1. Tele. 746-6660.
Toronto: J. W. Agnew, 274 St. John's ltd., MOP 1V5.
Vancouver: Jimmy Davie, 3245 W. 12, V6K 2K8.
Winnipeg: linljert Hiical, 600-2.32 Portage Ave., R3C
OBI.
Mffl';^5e^ efi^ /H^^on.T

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R[PFSTRICTtD'^^'i
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FILM FINANCE GROUP LTD Presents
A MARTIN RANSOHOFF PRODUCTION OF
A PHILIP KAUFMAN FILM
THE WANDERERS
• •
Starring KEN WAHL JOHN FRIEDRICH KAREN ALLEN
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Produced By MARTIN RANSOHOFF • Directed By PHILIP KAUFMAN • Executive Producer RICHARD R.ST JOHNS
Screenplay By ROSE KAUFMAN and PHILIP KAUFMAN • Based Uponlhe Novel By RICHARD PRICE technicolor'
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FILM FINANCE GROUP LTD Presents
A MARTIN RANSOHOFF PRODUCTION
A PHILIP KAUFMAN FILM
THE WANDERERS
• • Starring KEN WAHL JOHN FRIEDRICH KAREN ALLEN
• TONI KALEM
Produced By MARTIN RANSOHOFF • Directed By PHILIP KAUFMAN
• Executive Producer RICHARD R ST JOHNS
Screenplay By ROSh KAUFMAN and PHILIP KAUFMAN • Based Upon The Novel By RICHARD PRICE
U:CHNIC0L0R'
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ITS 1963, MEET THE FORDHAM BALDIES...
and be the first in your neighborhood to answer the question:
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FILM FINANCE GROUP LTD Pfesenis
A MARTIN RANSOHOFF PRODUCTION
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THE WANDERERS
Starring KEN WAHL JOHN • •
FRIEDRICH KAREN ALLEN • TON! KALEM
Produced By MARTIN RANSOHOFF • Directed By PHILIP KAUFMAN .Executive ^[0^^,^6151^
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FILM FINANCE GROUP, LTD Presents
A MARTIN RANSOHOFF PRODUCTION
A PHILIP KAUFMAN FILM
THE WANDERERS
• • •
Starring KEN WAHL JOHN FRIEDRICH KAREN ALLEN TONI KALEM
Produced By MARTIN RANSOHOFF • •
Directed By PHILIP KAUFMAN Executive Producer RICHARD R.ST JOHNS
Screenplay By ROSE KAUFMAN and PHILIP KAUFMAN • Based Upon The Novel By RICHARD PRICE
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C FNS NEW YORK JULY 13TH
ANDTHROU^ 'OUT THE COUNTRY JULY/AUGUST

Melvin Simon to
For Kramer s
HOLLYWOOD—Melvin Simon Productions
has decided to handle its own distrihiilion
of Stanley Kramer's "The Runner
Stumbles," a picture that holds the seeds of
a potentially highly controversial story.
Setting a "proper marketing strategy" is
essential for the film, according to Milton
Goldstein, executive vice president and chief
operating officer.
After its black tie world premiere Sept.
28 in Seattle, the film will be released in
several selected situations. It will open in
Los Angeles in October to qualify it for
Academy Award consideration. Other target
markets will be New Orleans, Cincinnati,
Rochester and Montreal.
"We do not intend that Melvin Simon
Productions become distributors," Goldstein
said. But when the situation warrants it, he
said, "we are prepared to support the marketing
of our films with a carefully devel-
.iped initial release campaign to demonstrate
3 picture's commercial potential.
MSP says that "The Runner Stumbles"
has "the ingredients to become an artistic
and popular success." Goldstein said.
Kramer made his film on location in the
Seattle area, where he now resides. Starring
are Dick Van Dyke as a priest who falls in
ove with a nun (played by Kathleen Quinlan).
Their association leads to a tragic fire
in which the nun is killed, and in the aftermath
the priest leaves the priesthood.
"It's a dream for an independent producer
to be handled in this manner," Kramer
Bealty and Towne Lose
In 'Shampoo' Verdict
HOLLYWOOD — Warren Beatty and
screenwriter Robert Towne, collaborators in
writing the script for "Shampoo," lost a
$185,000 verdict in Los Angeles Superior
Court to a West Los Angeles woman who
had charged that her screenplay had been
plagiarized by the two. Columbia Pictures
also was held liable in the suit.
Bernice Mann said in her suit she had
submitted her script to Columbia, based on
her experiences in a beauty salon where she
worked as a manicurist. The script, titled
"Women Plus," had been registered
with the Writers' Guild, she had testified.
During the 14-day trial her attorney had
drawn comparisons between her screenplay
and the script for "Shampoo." Beatty had
starred in the picture as the central male
character.
The attorney argued that the male and
the central female characters were similar
in both scripts and that other leading characters
were similar.
Beatty and Towne had denied ever seeing
Mann's script and denied that they had
plagiarized it. Columbia had no record of
ever having received the script, the defense
attorney said.
Handle Distribution
The Runner Stumbles
said. "Ihcrc isn't a major company in the
industry that would take the challenge ol
marketing a film with such total care and
commitment," he said.
Jonas Rosenfield, vice president of worldwide
marketing, is assembling a team of
marketing experts to give the film the sendoff
of a major release. He has signed Arthur
Manson of Cinemax to help develop the
advertising and marketing strategy. ICPR
will handle the national publicity and promotion,
and market research will be conducted
by Joseph Farrell of CSR.
The Seattle premiere has already been
sold out and is expected to raise more than
$100,000 for Seattle's Children's Orthopedic
Hospital and Medical Center and Camp
Brotherhood. The premiere will be held in
the 3,000-seat Seattle Center Opera House,
which has been equipped with special projection
and screen equipment for the occasion.
Public Relations Counselor
Receives Publicity Award
PITTSBURGH—The News Analysis Insitute
has announced that Atlanta public
relations counselor Charles Henderson has
been selected to receive a public relations
award for his work on behalf of the motion
picture "The Prize Fighter," starring Tim
Conway and Don Knotts and scheduled lo
premiere this summer.
The institute is awarding Henderson
membership into the "Over-100 Club," a
national honor given each year to the few
public relations counselors who manage to
successfully place over 100 newspaper and
magazine stories about a single publicity
event.
Almost 150 articles appeared nationally
in newspapers and magazines about Ihe
filming of the world boxing championship
match for the movie "The Prize Fighter."
More than 1,000 extras turned out at the
Atlanta Municipal Auditorium to appear
with Tim Conway and Don Knotts during
a day of Saturday filming.
Appeals Board Sustains
H' Rating For 'Survival'
NEW YORK CITY—The Classification
and Rating Appeals Board has sustained the
R rating given to the film "Survival Run."
The Appeals Board, after a hearing June
19, voted to uphold the original rating decision
of the Classification and Rating Administration.
In an appeal brought by Speigel—Bergman
Productions, Inc.. the Appeals Board
heard a statement on behalf of "Survival
Run" from Larry Speigel. director of the
film.
The Classification and Rating Administration
was represented by Richard D. Heffner,
its chairman.
MOTION PICTURES RATED
BY THE CODE & RATING
ADMINISTRATION
Dracula SSSucks (M R Productions) [r]
Frisco Kid (Warner Bros. Inc.) PG
The Life of Brian (Orion Pictures
Company & Warner Bros. Inc.) g]
The Onion Field (Avco Embassy
Pictures Corp.
\r\
The Shape of Things to Come (Film
Ventures International Inc.) PG
Squeeze Play (Canyon Films
Distribution)
PG
Survival Run (Film Ventures
International)
Up Your Ladder (Lima Productions)
LOEWS
(Continued from page 3)
\r\
[r]
RKO-SW president Harry Buxbaum, saying
he would consider commenting on the
case in a week or two, refused to talk when
contacted after the notice of withdrawal was
filed.
After the Justice Department and the
major distribs bared their teeth following
Loews' and Mann's initial attempts to reenter
film production, RKO-SW apparently
saw little reason to spend the time and
money needed to fight its case in court.
The movie industry took greatest note of
Loews' efforts to be released from the Feb.
6, 1952, decree which enjoins the company
from reintegrating its exhibition and distribution
branches. In a 42-page statement.
Smith charged that a Hollywood "oligopoly"
flourished under the decrees and prevented
new blood that a "deregulated" industry
would bring about. Smith also described
the major changes the decrees have
made on exhibition.
LIKE
QUALITY
AND
LOW MAINTENANCE
The Potts 5 disk
platter has 158 ball
bearings and 5
roller beorings. The
3 disk has 79 ball bearings
and 3 roller bearings.
-QUALITY-

. . Assumes
. . . Keaton
. . Mariel
. .
United Artists
'Manhattan'
Wins NSC Blue RibJDon Award
By STU GOLDSTEIN
Members of the National Screen Council narrowed the Blue Ribbon list of eligible
pictures down to three big ones. At the top of the heap this month was "A Little
Romance." from Warners. "Love at First Bite." released by American International.
and "Manhattan." from United Artists. It was a fairly close contest, but Manhattan
still managed to come up the winner by a sizeable margin. The Woody Allen picture
which again teams up the adorable Allen with Diane Keaton. is the April recipient of
the BOXOFFICE-sponsored Blue Ribbon citation.
NSC voters, like many moviegoers
across the country, had plenty of praise
for this latest Allen effort. Words such as
•genius" and "masterpiece" came up often.
Indeed, "Manhattan" is a boxoffice smash.
and now a BOXOFFICE smash.
Here's a sampling of what the council
had to say about this month's winner:
Absolutely no contest. This is a warm
and wise comedy in the "Annie Hall" tra-
dition, blessedly free of the pretensions
which afflicted "Interiors." Joe Leydon.
SIneveporl Times .
the stature
of a It masterpiece. may be Woody Allen's
most enduring movie, likely to earn him a
third consecutive Oscar nomination.—
Bruce Weslbrook. The Daily Oklahomaii
. Before and behind the scenes. Woody
Allen touches so many bases so deftly,
succinctly, "Manhattan" becomes breathtaking
cinema.— £(/ Blank. Pitishi(ri;h
Press.
There's an ease in the seriousness and a
kindness to the humor that testifies to Allen's
growth as a filmmaker. Susan Stark.
Detroit News ... A blend of comedy and
drama that is unforgettable. It may just
be the best American movie of the year.^
Jim Shertzer. The Journal. Win.iton-Salem.
N.C. ... I never get enough of Woody
Allen. The man is simply the most intelligent
and creative mind in the American
cinema. Terry Flynn. Mann Theatres.
Ainarillo, Texas.
"Manhattan" was marvelous. Every rave
was deserved. It was without a flaw.
Tony dc Haro. KMBC-TV. Kansas City
... A good film, but not a great one. He
could do better in the future.^ Jerry Fitzgerald.
TV-Star Inc.. Tyler. Texas . . . Very
fine fWm.— Ronald Gottlieb. Tri-Stale Theatres.
Philadelphia . . . One viewing and
"Ma-hattan" jumps aboard my personal
"top ten of all Unv.:" list. Brian Hiiii^'ins.
WSMW-TV, Worrrster. Mass. ... A
blockbuster, and V-. rody is magnificent.
'.
Art Pinansky. Porti Maine.
Style, wit, sophisti mi and Woody and
'
.
haiti. Ala. . . .
Diane together again ,10 could ask for
Cinema.
more Merwyn Grate. .:ndalia
Vandalia. Mo. . . Woo lien at his best.
A pivotal film of and .1 it the '70s.
Ronald Bowers, Films in ,'^eview. New
York . . Allen's genius cannot be denied.
.
—Keith Williams. WBRC IV. Birmini,--
Both lyrica' ,ind satirical.
"Manhattan" is nut only this month's clear
winner, but will pi^ !' hly turn out to be
so
ilni of the
year. Richard Freedman, Newhoiisc
NewsiHipers. New York.
Allen is at his usual greatness. Superb
story and great acting. We can only hope
that is won't he too long until we see Alnext.—
/)
Miiincapoll.'
Wf'^T^^
'i
is consistently extraordinary.
Janice J. Shevalla. Shenandoah. Pa. . . .
Good blend of comedy and serious intent.
— Earl J. Dias. Standard-Times. New Bedlord.
Ma.ss. . . . Never has a black-andwhite
film provided such a kaleidoscope of
image and beauty. Martin Meredith. Dal-
"
las.
CAST
Isaac Davis WOODY ALLEN
Mary Wilke
DIANE KEATON
Yale
MICHAEL MURPHY
Tracy
MARIEL HEMINGWAY
Jill
MERYL STREEP
Emily
ANNE BYRNE
CREDITS
Directed by WOODY ALLEN
Written by WOODY ALLEN and
MARSHALL BRICKMAN
Produced by CHARLES H. JOFFE
Executive Producer
ROBERT
GREENHUT
Released through UNITED ARTISTS
Woody Allen and his three cohorts
couldn't be better! Sumner Rand. Sentinel
Star. Orlando. Fla. . . . Allen may capture
another Oscar for this serio-comic
look at the inhabitants of New York's most
pretentious borough. Wendeslaus Schtdz.
Star Theatre, New Orleans ... It sure reflects
the New York world accurately, but,
personally, I'd rather fantasize away from
reality. Christine Castenada. The New
Yorker .
Hemingway looks like
. . . May be Woody Allen's most
enduring movie.—Bruce Westbrook,
The Doily Oklohoman
a sure bet for stardom. So gorgeous, so talented!—
Ge/K' Pack. KUER, Salt Lake
City ... .A master stroke in every way. The
R rating is a minor point. Don Leigh
McCulty. Clarksburg, W.Va.
Gershwin fans will love listening and
watching.^ Joseph E. House. Detroit Motion
Picture Council . . . This masterful
film is Woody Allen's best. Randy Weddini;ron.
The Grapevine. Fayetteville. Ark.
. . . Let's — hear it for this month's number
one film "Manhattan." Guy H. Giampapa,
WXNE-TV, Needham, Mass. .
Overpraised, but with enough substance to
edge out "A Little Romance." Don Braiinuiicl.
Pontiac. Mich. . . . I'll take Manhattan.
Alvin Easter, Cinema Magazine,
Minneapolis.
Ill take "Manhattan" and so will the audience.
Gary Arlen. VideoNews. Washiil^'ion.
. . .
D.C. Classic artistry coupled
with a timeless theme, and beautifully set
in Manhattan.— Df-nn/i- Schaefer. Millimeter.
. . .
Hills. Calif. Beverly Woody
Allen's "Manhattan" is -the Great American
Film of the '70s. A marvel of wit, intel-
and insight. Diane Keaton's first
ligence
entrance made my spine tingle. Andrew
Saiiis.
. . .
Village Voice. New York
Should be a front-runner for a shower of
Oscar nominations. William D. Kerns,
Lubbock A valanche-Journal.
Diane and Woody-
'consislently
extraordii
BOXOFHCE :: June
2.'i, 1979

Judge Instructs Jury
In Antitrust Case
BULLETIN—The jury in the Ronald
Lesser vs. 20th Centnry-Fox antitrust suit
has found in favor of Lesser with damages
worth $60,933. Under law that amount is
tripled. Fox will file a motion to set aside
the verdict, with the judge expected to rule
on the motion in two weeks. If he rules
against the distributor. Fox can appeal to
the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, a
move that could take several months to a
year to complete.
NEW YORK—The federal
judge presiding
over the antitrust suit brought against
20th Century-Fox by theatre executive Ronald
Lesser of Westchester County gave his
instructions to the jury June 19.
Judge William Conner instructed the
jury, which acts as fact finders in the dis-
ser alleges.
Fox has countered that it refuses to deal
with Lesser because he is responsible for a
$7,700 debt incurred in 1974 when the
Mountain Theatre Co., of which Lesser was
the film purchaser and one-third owner,
went out of business. Lesser says Fox played
favorites with GCC even before the
Mountain debt.
On June 11. Judge Conner denied a motion
by 20th-Fox's attorneys Guy Quinlan
and Peter Dugre to dismiss via summary
judgment. The judge ruled that although
Fox proved the issue of the bad debt, it
failed to show there was not antitrust issue.
"Plaintiffs (Lesser) have come forward
with evidence which, viewed most favorably
to them," Connor wrote June 1, "permits an
inference of conspiracy." The judge added
that the movie company's charge that Lesser
and GCC engaged in product splitting conflicted
with Lesser's allegation that he was
denied Fox business, necessitating a trial.
Fiscal Future of AAI
Subject of Hearing
NEW YORK—The fiscal future of Allied
Artists Industries is again the subject of a
hearing in Federal Bankruptcy Court June
25. It will be the first hearing with Judge
Stanley Lesser. AAI and the debtor's 10 largest
creditors.
Parent company AAI, along with subsidiaries
Allied Artists Pictures, Allied Artists
TV and Kaltman pharmaceuticals, filed for
protection under Chapter XI reorganization
proceedings April 4. The latest hearing, according
to court clerk Rosetta Davis, will
consider arguments on AAl's eligibility for
neces-
the Chapter XI umbrella and on the
sity of filing an indemnity bond.
Stockholders to Vote on Acquisition
Of American Int'l by Filmsure Corp.
HOLLYWOOD—Stockholders of American
International and Filmways Inc. will
meet July 12 to vote on the proposed acquisition
of Al by Filmsure Corporation, a
wholly owned subsidiary of Filmways, according
to a joint proxy statement issued
to stockholders of the film companies.
AI and Filmways shareholders will meet
at the same time at separate locations here
to vote on the matter. AI stockholders will
meet at 9 a.m. at the Beverly Hilton. Filmways
will hold its stockholders" meeting at
the Beverly Wilshire.
The boards of directors of Filmways.
Filmsure and AI in March approved an
agreement and plan of leorganization, clearing
the way for the merger of AI and Film-
tributor-e.xhibitor battle, to apply the facts sure. The proposed merger is now subject
heard in the case to the government antitrust to the approvals of the stockholders of AI
law to see whether a violation has occurred. and Filmways.
Lesser, who owns four theatre corporations,
charges that Fox treated General initial announcement of the sale, AI presi-
In a statement made concurrent with the
Cinema Corp. more favorably by offering dent Samuel Z. Arkoff, who will continue
product at terms not available to him. GCC in that capacity once the merger is officially
also received special rental adjustments, Les-
consummated, said that AI was making the
move because "it needed more capital because
of the higher cost of pictures and the
higher cost of merchandising."
BOXOmCE :: June 25, 1979
Licensed Marketing Adds
Two Films to Slate
HOLLYWOOD—Films International l.icensed
Marketing Service, expanding its
portfolio of English-language films, either
dubbed or sub-titled in Spanish, has added
two action features, "Joyride to Nowhere"
and "Wonder Women" to its distribution
list.
Shel Haims, president of Films Interna
lional, said the additions bring to seven Ihe
number of films his film will distribute lo
the estimated 180 theatres which screen
Spanish language films in the United States.
"Joyride to Nowhere" is an action car
chase film involving gangsters bent upon
revenge, and "Wonder Women," stars Nancy
Kwan and Ross Hagen with a group of
women experts in the martial arts.
Board Sustains X Ratings
For 'Nights' and 'Tales'
NEW YORK CITY—The Classification
and Rating Appeals Board has sustained the
X ratings given to the films "Canterbury
Tales" and "Arabian Nights."
The appeals board, after a hearing Juno
13. voted to uphold the original rating decisions
of the Classification and Rating Administration.
In an appeal brought by United Artists
Classics, the appeals board heard a statement
on behalf of "Canterbury Tales" and
"Arabian Nights" from R. Tilley, National
Sales Manager for United Artists Classics,
and Susan Fisher and William Wolf.
The Classification and Rating Administration
was represented by Richard D. Heflner,
its chairman.
In a financial report filed
with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, A I reported
that its net investment per motion picture
had nearly doubled from the fiscal year
that ended last March over the previous 12-
month period. AI reported an average negative
cost of $1.6 million for the 1978 fiscal
year, compared with $876,000 the year before.
In the current fiscal year, AI estimates
that total production cost on its 10 features
will be about $38 million, of which AI will
be responsible for about $21 million, or 55
percent, an average of approximately $2.1
million
per film.
'Rebel' Director Ray
Dead of Cancer at 67
NEW YORK—Nicholas Ray, the director
of "Rebel Without a Cause" and 20 other
pictures that reflected his dark vision of the
world, died June 16 at the Sloan Kettering
Institute for Cancer. He was 67 and had
been battling lung cancer for 12 years.
His latest work in the industry was as the
stone-faced general in "Hair." He directed
his last picture. "55 Days at Peking," in
1962. In recent years, he conducted seminars
in film at New York University.
"They Live by Night," his first movie
(1947), attracted many favorable reviews.
From then on. Ray's career was punctuated
by triumphs and periods of depression.
One of his three wives was Gloria Grahame,
whom he directed opposite Humphrey
Bogart in 1950's "In a Lonely Place."
The Audience Etiquette Trailer
DOES THE JOB!
When wcis the last time you heard
grateful applause from theatre
patrons in response to your request
for courtesy emd consideration during
the show. A tactful and thoughtfully
produced trailer. IT WORKS!
$16.95 EACH
SUMMER SPECIAL-BUY ONE-
GET ONE $6.50
ULTRA-DATER FREE. (OFFER
GOOD THROUGH JULY 30.1979).
Cinema Concepts, Inc.
210 25th Avenue North
NashviUe, IN 37203
(615)327-4000

CD
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FILM PROJECTS
The Frisco Kid is the new title for the upcoming
Warner Bros, picture previously
titled "No Knife." Gene Wilder and Harrison
Ford star in the comedy. Premiere engagements
begin July 27.
Walt Disney Productions" AU Night
Treasure Hunt will be produced by David
Wechter. Patricia Alice Albrecht has signed
ry concerns mysticism and heroism and is
set in the Dark Ages. Hobert H. Solo is producing.
Dirty Laudry, suspense drama about a
news reporter who becomes involved in
murder and a $20 million bank theft, will
be produced by Leonard Goldberg and Jerry
Weintraub for Universal Pictures. Michael
Mann will direct from Pete Hamill's
screenplay based upon his own novel.
Rastar Films" production of Neil Simon's
Chapter Two for Columbia release will go
into principal photography July 23. James
Caan, Marsha Mason, Valerie Harper and
Joe Bologna star. Location shooting will begin
in Bermuda and then switch to New
York. Robert Moore is directing.
Universal is planning Cheech and Chong:
The Next Movie as its major summer release
for 1980. The comedy team of Cheech
Marin and Tommy Chong will begin filming
on the project in late August or early
September. .Subjects include the drug culture
and outer space. Chong will "direct
from a script he and Marin are currently
preparing. Howard Brown, the team's manager,
will produce with Cheech and Chong's
new company, C.C. Brown Productions.
Producer Paul Rapp plans to begin principal
photography early next year in Paris
on The Game of Love, to be produced in
association with Jacques Films. Maray
Ayrcs is set to star. Film will be based on a
play by the late Arthur .Schnitzlcr.
I.orimar Films will produce Partners, a
love story set against the contemporary music
and dance scene. Peter Fettcrman will
produce from an original screenplay by
Alan Sawyer.
Dan Tana Productions and Centar Films
has begun shooting in Belgrade and later in
Titograd on Days of Dreams. Vtlako Gillie
is directing from his original story and
screenplay.
Lorimar Productions plans a new version
of The Postman Always Rings Twice, based
on James M. Cain's novel about murder and
adultery. Jack Nicholson will star. Bob Rafelson
will direct with Andrew Braunsberg
producing.
Filming is planned to begin in the late
fall in London and Paris on The London
Strangler. The spy and adventure yarn will
be produced by Robert James and his James
Productions Ltd. Marline Beswicke will
to co-star. Michael Nankin will direct.
star.
Death Ship began shooting the week of
Video Cinema Productions,
June 5 in Quebec
based in
City with George Kennedy
starring. The
Alaska, has begun principal photography
$4.2 million feature is being
on
its first theatrical feature,
produced by Derek Gibson and
Cowboys
Harold
and Indians.
The
Greenberg.
comedy-western
Alvin Rakoff
has a cast
is directing, with
made
up entirely of children
Sandy Howard 5 to 12
set as executive
years old.
producer.
Robert Benbow is
Filming
producing.
is also scheduled to take place
Director
aboard
Gregory Tallas is
ship in the Gulf of Mexico.
preparing to
produce Systeme Zaharoff. Picture will be
The Knight, an EMI-SoioFilm production,
will begin shooting early next year in
based on the life of Basil Zaharoff, international
munitions merchant. Tallas is working
on the script written by Alden Nash.
England, Ireland and France. Ridley Scott.
director of "Alien," will direct the original
Barry and Enright Films plans to begin
story and screenplay by Derek Marlow. Sto-
shooting Oct. 15 on Philly, based on The
novel and screenplay by Dan Greenburg.
Story is a romnatic comedy-thriller about
an affair between a teenage boy and his
family"s mature housekeeper.
William Friedkin will direct his own
screenplay of Cruising, set to begin shooting
July 2 in New York City as a Lorimar Films
project. Al Pacino will star and Jerry Weintraub
will produce the story about a police
hunt for a killer whose target is homosexuals.
Picture will be based on the book by
Gerald Walker.
FEATURE
CASTING
Clint Ginn, Dani Dembrosky and Bill
Bartman have been cast as members of a
carnival,
the background for Lorimar's Carny.
Picture is now shooting on location in
Savannah. Robert Kaylorx is directing.
Bill Dana, who co-wrote Universal's The
Return of Maxwell Smart, will play Jonathan
Levinson Siegle, a fashion designer, in
the picture.
Charles Durning and Ron O'Neal have
signed for roles in Final Countdown. The
$10 million science fiction thriller is being
produced by Bryna Co.-Aspen Productions'.
Sally Kellerman has been signed to star
with Martin Mull and Tuesday Weld in The
Serial. Kellerman will play the role of the
much-married Martha.
Frank Langella has been cast in Those
Lips, Those Eyes. Michael Pressman will direct
for United Artists beginning in mid-August.
Herb Jaffe will serve as executive producer.
William Daniels and Leo McKern have
been cast in principal roles in Columbia's
The Blue Lagoon. Shooting will begin June
18 in the Fiji Islands with Randal Kleiser
directing.
Jack Palance, Werner Klemperer, Eddie
Albert and Nancy Kwan have been cast in
Ladyfingers. Principal photography will begin
later this month in the Philippines. Robert
Vincent O'Neil is director.
Bill Erwin has a feature role in Somewhere
in Time. The Rastar-Universal feature
is now shooting on Mackinac Island,
Mich.
Jane Alexander has been engaged by executive
producer Ted Mann and producer Ron
Silverman to co-star with Robert Redford
in Brubaker.
Clint Ginn, Dani Dembrosky and Bill
Bartman have been cast in Lorimar Films'
Carny. Gary Busey, Jodie Foster and Robbie
Robertson star.
Jason Laskay is in the cast of United Artists'
A Small Circle of Friends. Shooting is
under way in Los Angeles.
Stuntmen Freddie Hice, Buddy Joe Hooker,
Steve Boyum and Steve Davidson have
been signed for Carny.
TECHNICAL
ASSIGNMENTS
John Frankenhemier has been signed to
produce and direct Lorimar Film's theatrical
adaptation of Destinies. Novel was coauthored
by Lorimar Films president Peter
Bart and screenwriter Denne Bart Pepitclerc.
Anthony Goldschmidt will design special
titles for 10. A unique title montage is also
being made by Goldschmidt. Picture will be
an Orion release.
Chuck Murray has been signed as production
manager on Orion Pictures" The
Ferret. Filming on the comedy is set to 'begin
in Europe in September.
Jerry Paris has been set by executive pidducer
Ron Howard to direct Leo and Lorec
for Major H Productions. Picture will be
the company's first theatrical feature.
John Williams, winner of an Academy
Award for his musical score for "Star
Wars," has been signed to compose and conduct
the score for The Empire Strikes Back,
the Lucasfilm continuation of the 20th-Fox
hit. Release is slated for the summer of 1980.
DISTRIBUTION
Orangcwood Films Inc.: Worldwide rights
to Tangerine. Mark Coryb is producer. Cece
Malone and Milt Ingersoll star.
Salzburg Enterprises: Rights acquired for
Halloween, for governmental distribution
and exhibition. Also governmental distribution
rights to a package of ten pictures, including
All Things Bright and Beautiful,
Bread and Chocolate and The Last Wave.
14
BOXOFnCE :: June 25, 1979

Deer Hunter/ 'Manhattan Lead
By STU GOLDSTEIN
Associate Editor
Twenty-one production-distribution eomanies
listed on the BOXOFFICE feature
List of Hits
hart, combined with 13 independent
ompanics. released a total of 98 new films
3 exhibition during the spring quarter. This
uarter, covering a period from March
irough May, recorded a substantial inrease
from the winter quarter, which had
9 new pictures available.
Of the 98 pictures scheduled for release
luring this reporting period, 28 made it to
)arometer, indicating these productions had
it least five playdates during the quarter.
)f the 28 that earned Barometer inclusion,
line came up with Barometer scores of 250
)r better, qualifying as "top hits." The quarer's
leader in top hits, as well as number of
eleases, is United Artists. Three of UA's
;pring releases are BOXOFFICE hits. Five
Jther companies also contributed hit prodjct
this period.
Barometer ratings are exhibitor's averages
or opening week engagements of first run
sroduct. The leading Barometer score this
quarter was attained by Universal, whose
"The Deer Hunter" closed its opening week
average with a 557. This picture, originally
released during the winter quarter, completed
the five playdate requirement this
period, and is the season's top hit.
Next in line is United Artists' "Manhattan,"
which has tallied a 522 reading. One
picture hit the 400 category: "Richard Pryor
—Live in Concert" came in with a 440. It
was released through Special Event Entertainment.
Also among the top hits, but in
the 300 category: "Buck Rogers in the 25th
Century," a winner with a 393, released
through Universal; Analysis Film's "The Innocent,"
370; and the much-discussed "The
China Syndrome," from Columbia, tallying
a 336.
The box scores with the percentages available
for the three month period, March
through May, follow by company. These
scores" do not include previously released
pictures; they chart the companies' relative
success for product released during the
last
three months. Companies are listed in order
of the highest number of hits. The "required
number of playdates" column refers to how
many pictures made Barometer during the
quarter. The "top hits" column indicates
the number of releases that scored 250 or
better on Barometer.
Req. No. Top
Company Releases Playdates Hits
United Artists
Universal
Buena Vista
American Int'l
Columbia
Avco Embassy
Compass Int'l
9 5 3
5 3 2
2 2 1
*The Deer Hunter
Manhattan (UA)
for Spring Quarter
Hifs of fhe Spring Quarter
(Univ)
•Richard Pryor—Live in Concert (SEE)
Buck Rogers in the 25lh Century (Univ)
*The Innocent (Analysis)
The China Syndrome (Col)
Hair
(UA)
Good Guys Wear Black (American Cinema)
Love at First Bite (AI)
•Agatha (WB)
•Norma Rae (20lh-Fox)
•Wifemistress
(Quartet)
The North Avenue Irregulars (BV)
The Champ (UA)
Same Time, Next Year (Univ)
•Previous release
(MoTcb Through May 1979)

Warner Bros. Int'l
Breaks Record
For Foreign Film Rentals in
Warner Bros. Internationa! has eclipsed
industry records for foreign film rentals in
a
single quarter and for a six-month period,
according to figures released by WBI president
Myron Karlin.
Riding the heels of the huge boxoffice
success of "Superman." WBI reported foreign
billings of S4i.6 million in the second
quarter, ending May 30. During the sixmonth
period, ending at the same time, film
rentals abroad netted $79.2 million.
The previous industry high for a quarter
was $43.2 million, recorded by United Artists
in the first quaretr of 1978. 20th Century-Fox
held the six-month mark, reporting
$78.9 million in the first six months of
19'78.
foreign rentals this year. During the sixmonth
period, "Superman" accounted for
$26.6 million, or 34 percent of the total.
If foreign billings continue at the present
rate for the remainder of the fiscal year,
there is
a possibility that WBI could exceed
20th Century-Fox's record of $154 million
in foreign rentals during a 52-week period.
In addition, if domestic rentals for June are
up, WB has a chance to eclipse its own industry
high for a quarter. The existing mark
is $110.8 million, established in the first 14
weeks of this year.
The Great Theatre Clean-Up Trailer
DOES THE JOB!
A light-hearted appeal to the audience
to keep the theatre free of litter.
Fully animated in clear, clean
color IT WORKS!
$16.95 EACH
BUY ONE—GET ONE $6.50
ULTRA-DATERFREE.
(OFFER GOOD THROUGH
JULY 30. 1979)
Cinema Concepts, Inc.
210 25th Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37203
(615)327-4000
Quarter
WB's foreign film division, like most film
companies, operates on a fiscal year that
runs from Dec. 1 through Nov. 30. Domestic
film rentals, however, most generally are
computed on the basis of a normal calendar
year.
"Towering Inferno" is WB's all-time leader
in terms of annual foreign rentals, accounting
for $52.9 million in business in
1975,
Industry Leaders Gather
At Tribute to Leo Jaffe
LOS ANGELES—The board of directors
of Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.
held a dinner dance June 13 at the Bev-
WBI's previous quarterly high was $31.5 erly Hills Hotel in honor of Leo Jaffe,
chairman of the board, who marks his 50th
million, during the second quarter of 1975.
The film company's previous best for a sixmonth
period, $62 million, was also recorded
year with the company.
More than 200 leaders in the motion pic-
in 1975, billed during the second and ture industry, representing all major pro-
third quarters.
duction companies, attended to pay tribute
Company officials report that "Superman"
to Jaffe.
was responsible for more than $17.5
Jaffe's rise to leadership in the affairs of
the motion picture industry has led to
million, or 70 percent, of the first-quarter
numerous civic and philanthropic honors
topped by the Academy of Motion Picture
Arts and Sciences naming him recipient
of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian
Award this year.
Jaffe, whose entire career has been devoted
to Columbia Pictures, joined the
company after graduating from New York
University. He progressed through the diverse
aspects of Columbia's operations, serving
in various offices and then was named
first vice president and treasurer of Columbia
Pictures Corporation in 1959. Three
years later he became its executive vice
president and was named president in 1967.
When Columbia Pictures and Screen
merged to form Columbia Pictures Industries
Inc. in December 1968, Jaffe was
elected president of the Columbia Pictures
Division.
In December 1969, he was elected president
of the parent company's communications
and entertainment complex, and was
named chief executive officer in March
1973.
He assumed the post of chairman of the
board in July 1973.
Named
George Stevens Jr.
Co-Chairman of AFI Board
WASHINGTON—The American Film
Institute's director, George Stevens Jr.. was
elected co-chairman of the AFI Board of
Trustees at the June 6 board meeting. This
action came in response to a proposal by
Stevens, who has been director of AFI since
its founding in 1967. that the board appoint
a new director to assume management
of the institute. Stevens cited his desire for
more time to work on long-range AFI programs,
as well as to engage In outside proj-
Motion Picture TV Ads
Show 33 Percent Rise
LOS ANGELES—Motion picture advertising
investments during 1978 were nothing
less than spectacular, according to statistics
released by the Television Bureau of Advertising,
based on Broadcast Advertisers
Reports (BAR) data.
During the past five years, television investments
Increased more than 200 percent
to $130.8 million and, in the past year alone,
showed a gain of close to 33 percent.
"Filmmakers are now utilizing their onetime
arch enemy, television, to sell their
own product," said Arthur Trudeau Jr., vice
president, Northwest sales for the Television
Bureau of Advertising. "They are successfully
following the lead of packagegoods
advertisers and have come to rely on
television to keep movie theatre sales and
profits at their highest.
"Movie companies," Trudeau continued,
"are essentially selling a new product with
every movie they produce and trying to
generate consumer acceptance for that product
the fastest way possible. And fast acceptance
is of paramount Importance!"
'Amityville' to Open
Museum Salute to AI
NEW YORK—"The Amityville Horror"
open New York's Museum of Modern
will
Art's restrospective showing of American
International films with a special invitational
premiere on July 24.
Showing of the film, which stars James
Brolln, Margot Kidder and Rod Steiger, will
be followed by a gala champagne supper In
the museum's Sculpture Garden.
The Museum's retrospective, a salute to
AI on its 25th anniversary, will officially
begin July 26 and continue through August
28. It will feature 38 films selected by the
staff of Adrienne Mancia. curator of the
museum's film department. Those selected
for showing were chosen from more than
500 released by American International
since its founding in 1954.
Polish Financing Is Set
For 'Survivor' Sequence
HOLLYWOOD—Film Polskl, the Polish
government-operated film arm, has guaranteed
up to $8 million for the costs of Stafford
Productions' "The Survivor," based on
the experiences of New York textile magnate
Jack Eisner who participated in the
.April 1943 Warsaw Ghetto uprising against
the Nazi occupation forces.
Eisner owns Stafford Productions and
will be executive producer of the film with
producer Victor Stoloff. Stanley Kramer
will direct from Abby Mann's script, adapted
from Eisner's autobiography.
Stoloff and Eisner negotiated for two
weeks in Warsaw to complete the deal under
which the Polish financing will be limited
to Ihe sequences to be filmed in Poland.
BOXOmCE :: June 25, 1979

fOR THE
RECORD
mmmatm.
.,
, . iiiB
Larry A. Owens has been appointed sludio
controller for Paramount Pictures
Corp. Owens most recently had been
business manager of KCOP-TV in Los
Angeles.
John Tarnoff has been promoted to vice
president for motion picture development
for the motion picture division of Metro-
Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. Tarnoff previously
charge of cre-
served MGM as executive in
ative affairs, a position he assumed in January.
Willie Hunt has also been named a
vice president for motion picture development.
Edith Yoeli has been promoted to head
of Film and Television Distributors, a sub
sidiary of Martin Poll Productions.
David White has been appointed production
head of Martin Poll Productions. White
will assume his new position July 2. Among
his initial responsibilities, he will serve as
production manager on the forthcoming picture,
"China Hand," to be produced by Poll
from an original screenplay by James Gold
Peter Bart is leaving his position as president
of Lorimar Films. Bart has been in
that post for the past year. Bart asked to be
relieved of his responsibilities at Lorimar to
be able to fulfill certain writing commitments
and also to follow through on the
production of "Destinies," which John
Frankenheimer will produce and direct for
Lorimar.
Harvey M. Baren has been appointed vice
president-general sales manager for the Cannon
companies. Baren comes to Cannon
from National Screen Service, where he
served as general sales manager. Previously,
Baren was assistant general sales manager
for Allied Artists Pictures.
Marvin Antonowsky will join Columbia
Pictures as a senior vice president and assistant
to the president. Antonowsky moves
to Columbia from Universal TV, where he
had been a senior vice president.
Marlene Goland has been named to the
newly created position of director of development
for Robert Guenette Productions.
She will work with agents and publishers to
acquire new material for the company.
Paul N. Lazarus III has been named motion
picture vice president for Marble Arch
Productions. He will work on all feature
projects, reporting directly to president
Martin Starger. Most recently Lazarus was
producer of Columbia Pictures' "Hanover
Street." He has been executive vice president
of Palomar Pictures International and
is a former vice president of creative affairs
at ABC Pictures Corp.
Susan Rogers has been named West Coast
story editor for United Artists, moving up
from her position, since October 1978, ol
executive assistant to David M. Field, one
of two senior vice presidents of production.
She previously had been assistant to the
marketing director of American Zoetrope,
working on "Apocalypse Now" and "1 be
Black Stallion."
Titles & Takes
Wan Nuys Blvd.," Crown International's
feature, had a three-day gross of $49,-
560 in 14 hard-top theatres in Canada, including
Toronto, Hamilton, St. Catherines,
Ottawa and Vancouver.
"Love at First Bite," American International's
top grossing comedy, has grossed
$25,687,355 in its first 66 days in the
United States and Canada. In New York
City the George Hamilton feature took in
$3,845,424 in the first 59 days of its continuing
run.
Walt Disney Productions' third re-release
of "101 Dalmations" hit an opening day
gross of $576,234 in 57 cities. Irving Ludwig,
president of Buena Vista Distribution
said 600 prints of "Dalmations" will cover
the country this summer.
Avco Embassy's 'Thantasm" grossed $1,-
050,300 in its first full week's run in New
York City, where it opened June 1 in 101
theatres. In Cincinnati, the picture, playing
in 95 houses, hit $235,226 in its opening
weekend. Other first weekend grosses included
$214,598 in 90 theatres in Jackson-
Lois d'Andre Shafir has been appointed
executive director, national sales promotion, ville. Fla., and $357,423 in 94 theatres in
for the motion picture division of Paramount
Washington, D. C.
Pictures. In the newly created posi-
"The Brood" has grossed $685,000 in its
planning
tion, Shafir is responsible for the
and implementation of special promotions first 10 days of release in the Chicago
for Paramount motion pictures.
Toronto areas. "The Brood" is a Mutual
and
Pictures/Elgin International released
production
in Canada by New World-Mulual
Pictures of Canada and Mutual Films, and
in the United States by New World Pictures.
"La Cage Aux Folles," a United Artists
release, has grossed $76,902 during its first
three weeks and one day. The film is in ils
fourth week.
Milos Forman's "Hair" has grossed $1,-
120,000 in 30 selected first-run dates in
France, Italy, Belgium, Denmark and
Switzerland, reports Artists. United The
film opened in Paris, Geneva and Copenhagen
on May 1 1, one day after it launched
the Cannes International Film Festival.
"Game of Death," from Columbia Pictures,
grossed more than half a million dollars
in the first three days of its engagements
out of the Los Angeles branch territory.
The total was $519,167 in 96 theatres,
led by the Hollywood Paramount with a
gross of $35,911 in the first three days.
Variety Club Charters
Granted in Ariz., Colo.
Steven Mark Rubenstein has joined Avco
Embassy Pictures as a counsel in the legal
department. In addition to his legal background,
Rubenstein has worked in various al has granted charters for Variety Clubs in
NEW YORK—Variety Clubs Internation-
production capacities at Walt Disney Productions,
Roy Huggins' Public Arts Produc-
Burton Robbins, international president of
Arizona and Colorado, it was announced by
tions at Universal, assistant director for the global show business organization.
Dauntless Productions at Hollywood General
Studios, and, most recently, for National- quarters in Phoenix, will be known as Tent
The Variety Club of Arizona, with head-
American Entertainment Corp. of Beverly 59, and the Variety Club of Colorado, headquartered
in Denver, as Tent 37.
Hills.
Organizational meetings were held in
Scottsdale and Denver recently and were attended
by outgoing president Eric Morley,
past presidents Ralph Pries and John Rowley
and executive director Morton Sunshine.
Variety Clubs International now has 44
TL-nts in 10 countries.
LA and London Are Sites
Of Variety Conventions
NEW YORK — Variety Clubs Int'l.
has
chosen Los Angeles and London as the sites
for the 1980 and 1981 annual conventions,
respectively, of Variety Clubs. The announcement
was made by Burton Robbins,
president of the global show business charity
organization. Robbins was elected to the
1979-81 term at last month's conclave in
New Orleans.
International vice president Joseph Sinay
will be the chairman of the Los Angeles
meeting, which will be held from April 20-
24 at the Century Plaza in Beverly Hills.
The London convention will take place
April 26 to May 1 at Grosvenor House.
Rostar and Kenneth Hyman
Sign Joint Venture Pact
HOLLYWOOD — Rastar Films has
signed a joint venture agreement with Kenneth
Hyman's Inter-Hemisphere Productions
for feature film projects. Hyman will
be based in London as head of Rastar's
European office.
Hyman was vice president of Seven Arts
Productions, the company formed by Ray
Stark and Eliot Hyman. He became executive
vice president of worldwide production
when Seven Arts merged with Warner Bros,
to form Warner Bros. -Seven Arts.
Among his production credits are "Whatever
Happened to Baby Jane," "The Hill."
"The Dirty Dozen" and "Emperor of the
North."
BOXOFTICE :: June 25, 1979 17

BOXOFFICE BAROMETER
This chart records the performance of current ottroctions in the opening week of their first runs in
the 20 key cities checked. Pictures with fewer than fiye engagements ore not listed. As new runs
are reported, ratings are odded and averages revised. Computation is in terms of percentage in
relation to overage grosses as determined by the theotre managers. With 100 per cent as o^erag^the
figures show the gross ratings above or below that mark. (Asterisk * denotes combination bills.)
BwW^i ^^B / illi

shortage Not Stopping
!7 New CCC Screens
NEW YORR^Hvcn in the lace ol in-
1 triplex. Also scheduled are a fourplex in
he Auburn Mall, Auburn, N. Y., a sevenilex
in the Utica Mall in New Hartford,

•
'^
' ' ' ^^
*^5>5*;. -Mmmif m. Ji^x«s^m^s^^
mST RUN KEPORT
New York
(Average weekly grosses)
Alien (20th-Fox). 6 theatres,
3rd wk $409,791
Death of a Bureaucrat (Tricontinental),
Cinema Studio II, 4th wk 8,000
Down & Dirty (New Line), Paris,
Isl wk 18,615
Escape to Athena (AFD), 58 theatres.
1st wk 260,000
La Cage Aux Folles (UA), 68th Si.
Playhouse, 5th wk 23,814
A Little Romance (Orion-WB), Sutton,
7th wk 23,367
Malicious (Para). Trans-Lu.x East,
3rd wk 13,487
Newsfront (New Yorker), Cinema II,
3rd wk 7.400
Players (Para), 1st wk.
Coronet 36,467
Phantasm (Avco). 65 theatres.
2nd wk 586,444
Saint Jack (New World), Cinema I,
7th wk 15,828
Sextette (Crown), 9 theatres,
1st wk 89,358
The Tree of Wooden Clogs
(New Yorker), Cinema Studio I,
2nd wk
1 8,965
Hartford
(Average is 100)
Alien (20th-Fox), Showcase I, 3rd wk. 350
Battlestar Galactica (Univ), Showcase V,
4th wk
1 50
Dawn of the Dead (United Film).
Cinema City III, UA East III,
3rd wk
I 85
The Deer Hunter (Univ), Showcase II.
14th wk 125
Laura's Desires (SR), Art Cinema,
1st wk 235
A Little Romance (Orion-WB),
3 theatres, 4th wk
1 00
Manhattan (UA), Showcase IV, 6th wk. 190
Players (Para), Cinema City IV, Elm I.
1st wk 200
The Prisoner of Zenda (Univ), Showcase
VI, 3rd wk 120
Remember My Name (Lagoon), Cinema
City I, 2nd wk
1 85
Richard Pryor—Live in Concert (SEE),
Showcase III, 7th wk 135
Wifemistress (Quartet), Atheneum
Cinema, 4th wk 75
Winter Kills (Avco), 3 theatres, 2nd wk. 135
Buffalo
' '-'-. n), 1 theatre, 2nd wk. . . .600
;;i
2 theatres. 12i. 50
The Deer Hunter (L !.v} .
theatre
wk l-^'h '....105
Hanover Street (Col), 2 thc:U'^,o
J^^alt
WASHINGTON
Disney Productions' newest comedy,
Unidentified Flying Oddball," was
sneaked at Neighborhood's Northern Vir-
8'"'^ Jefferson . 'r..^ D Theatre ... ,.,„>
in Falls Church,
A Little Romance (Onon-WB), Va.. on June 22. Jim Pierce, Buena Vista
- 75 branch manager, i,ssued to
Love at First Bite (AI), ,„i„n, ^^ ^^^ ^^^^-^^
exhibitors
j^^^
inviunveiling
of
^ theatres 6th wk
"Unidentified Flying Oddball" in
J'J"
Washing-
Manhattan (UA).3 theatres, 5th wk. . . 100 ,on area theatres is set for Aug. 8, and in
The Prisoner of Zenda (Univ), Baltimore Aug 15
2 theatres. 2nd wk 80
Racquet (Cal-Am), 2 theatres, Buena Vista's former booker. Phil Jenk-
2nd wk 100 ins, resigned to become a sales trainee at
Voices (MGM-UA). 1 theatre, the 20th Century-Fox branch office.
Walk Proud (Univ),' 2 theatres
^'""'** •'"'''^°' ^^'"^' ^^«^- ''^'^"'^'^
->nj ^1- gQ manager, screened for exhibitors "The
Winter '^'^
Kills (Avco)
^^^^ screening room
' 2'theatres 'i^""''^''"^^'
3rd wk 75
"^ "'• ^^^ "^* release is director Phil
Kaufman's first film since "Invasion of the
— . . ^.
Cincinnafi
Body Snatchers."
AUen (20th-Fox). 2 theatres, Universal's "Walk Proud," which has a
3rd wk 1,200 gang war theme, is currently showing at
Battlestar Galactica (Univ), area theatres. The Star's movie critic, Tom
4 theatres, 4th wk 100 Dowling, wrote: "'Walk Proud,' Holly-
The Champ (MGM-UA), 3 theatres, wood's third gang picture of the year, limps
10th wk 275 into area theatres suffering from a bad case
Dawn of the Dead (United), of blisters of the plot and general dehydra-
Showcase, 8th wk 150 tion of moral purpose."
The Deer Hunter (Univ), „ ..... .r.
^Twentieth Century-Fox s sequel to "Star
2 theatres, 16th wk 275
Firepower (AFD), 3 theatres
Isi wk 250 ^PP^rently set a new movie blind-bidding
Hair (UA).' Showcase.' 1 It'h wk.' ." '^^°''^- "^'"^
100 " '"'^''^'^
A Little Romance (Orion-WB) ^^!
^''^' 8'^^" ^ y^^"" '" advance.
^^'^ scheduled for May 25,
'^
^'""'' "^^^ ^"'P'""^' ^"''^^^ ^^'^'^•" ^as
^^^ announced here that the K/B
3 theatres, 4th wk 275
Love at First Bite (AI)
circuit has acquired the exclusive first-run
Showcase 9th wk 300
'
Manhattan (UA), Showcase "
'
'^°'' '*^ Cinema Theatre. According to the
''°'''' ^'""'^ ^'"°'''- ^^^ f'''" ''^"ght in
guaranteed
5,h wk 475
advances of about $28 million.
Phantasm (Avco),' 2' theatre's
'.
1st wk 400
Players (Para), Showcase, 1st wk. ... 400 Twentieth Century-Fox's "Alien" grossed
The Promise (Univ), Florence, a record-breaking $98,128 during its first
theoretically putting it in the black while
"'' '"" '" production.
^'h wk 150 week at the Pedas' Uptown Theatre. The
Same Time, Next Year (Univ), film outgrossed "Star Wars," which took in
Showcase, 18th wk 150 $96,834 at the same theatre two summers
Walk Proud(Univ). 3 theatres, ago. "Alien's" second week gross dropped
^'d wk. 125 to $73,1 17, whereas the "Star Wars" decrease
amounted to $90,432. Nevertheless
New Haven the Uptown's boxoffice receipts of "Alien"
Alien (20th-Fox), Showcase I, and "Star Wars" are not exactly campar-
3rd wk 300 able. "Alien" benefitted by 150 additional
Battlestar Galactica (Univ), theatre seats and an inflationary increase in
Showcase V. 4th wk 175 ticket prices. Also, children's admissions for
The Champ (MGM-UA), "Alien" accounted for merely 2 or 3 per-
.Showcase IV, 10th wk 60 cent of total ticket sales, while children for
Dawn of the Dead (United Film), "Star Wars" constituted a third to a half of
Cinemart I. 3rd wk 150 all admissions.
Firepower (AFD). Whalley, 1st wk. ... 135 , ,,, u- . n . •, u
'^
The ^ashington
Last
Post article
Wave (Worid Northal). „/" about John
Lincoln
^ay^e- Larry
1st wk
McMurty,
->()()
who wrote "The
A Little Romance
1;''"'
(Orion-WB) '" ^'^'T' ^^°Z" ^^"^- '"^"'^ ^^""'^ ^^^
'''''
Millord
^ogdanovich
I 4th wk
and I
75
wrote an end-of-
Manhatlan
the-Wcst
(UA)
Western meant for
Showcase
Wayne and at
lil
*'"'^'^ ' (S(h wk 200 discovered his reluctance to have any-
Thc Prisoner'of Zenda °"^
(Univ)
P'^P^'^ ^^^" ''' symbolic period for his
"''"'''
Cinemart
' II 3rd wk 115
°'' ^ syiibolic period for the Old
Voices (MGM-UA), Showcase
^^"' ^''^*^'"
• • " "'« involvement with Westl^t
wk 135
'll
^^^^ made for a happy union of actor, sub-
Winter Kills (Avco'),'
'^"^ ""'' ^^'""'
'°°'''"8
Mi'lford ^ "">'" ^'"'y-
"li,
York Square Cinema, 1st wk 225 (Continued on page E-4)
E-2
BOXOFTICE :: June 25, 1979

^
THIS SUMMER . . .
MAKE ROOM FOR THE "KING"
THE NATION'S NO. 1
ZANY FRATHOUSE SEX!
MORE RAUNCHYTHAN 'ANIMAL HOUSE'
COLLEGE COMEDY!
SENSATIONAL OPENING WEEK
TEST RUNS JUNE 6-12
CINEMA PORTLAND, MAINE
1st WEEK-KING FRAT S7,112.
1st WEEK-MANHATTAN S4,615.
1st WEEK-UP IN SMOKE S3,181.
FOUR SEASONS CINEMA (HOLDING)
PROVIDENCE, R.I. $6,412.
BEST GROSS IN 3 YEARS
LONSDALE DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
PROVIDENCE, R.l. $7,448.
BEST OUT OF SEASON GROSS EVER
RAYNHAM DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
TAUNTON, MASS. $5,418.
SAME WEEK BLAZING SADDLES $2,710.
RIVERVIEW DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
HAVERHILL, MASS. $10,210.
BEST GROSS EVER
TYNGSBORO DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
LOWELL, MASS. $8,015.
BEST GROSS EVER
PARKWAY DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
SPRINGFIELD, MASS. S8,255.
BEST GROSS THIS YEAR
HI WAY DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
SALISBURY, MASS. $4,815.
BEST GROSS THIS YEAR
DEERFIELD DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
DEERFIELD, MASS. $4,115.
BEST GROSS THIS YEAR
CRANSTON DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
PROVIDENCE, R. I. $7,028.
BEST GROSS THIS YEAR
MAD MAKERS ,_ '»»
"KING^#@l!i^FRAT
,
n ... YOU'LL RIPA ZIPPER LAUGHING /
Z'
V
V
CONTACT >
MAD MAKERS, INC.
46 Church Street. Boston, MA 02116
Area Code 617
482-7805 J
BELLINGHAM DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
BELIINGHAM, MASS. $3,460.
BEST GROSS THIS YEAR
NEWPORT DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
NEWPORT, R. 1. $3,038.
BEST GROSS THIS YEAR
495 DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
TEWKSBURY, MASS. $6,018.
BEST GROSS IN 2 YEARS
OXOFTICE :; June 25, 1979 E-3

.
Carey
WASHINGTON
(Continued trom page E-2)
and behaving a ccilain way, he helped lo
fulfill America's passionate love for its own
past."
An editorial on Wayne in the Star read,
in part: "In the end. John Wayne was transformed
by myth; even as he grew older and
weaker, he carried with him those qualities
of laconic toughness and sweetness that
seemed to leap from the movie screen."
Selh Hurw'itz. booker-manager of the Ontario
Theatre, a former K/ B first-run house,
announced that the Warners release of Bruce
Lee"s "Enter the Dragon." had a weekly
gross of $6,000. It was screened on a triple
bill along with ".Sword of Death" and
"Black Belt Jones." It is the only theatre
with a triple-feature program in the city.
The operation of the Ontario has been taken
over by Sam THommedien, who also
operates the Warner Theatre, a live theatrical
showcase.
The American Film Institute Theatre's
summer program, titled "Adventure," also
incorporates "Enter the Dragon" as a sampling
of martial arts, as the series of classics
"pays tribute to all the heroes and
heroines whose exotic voyages, decisive battles,
and daring exploits serve to satisfy the
appetite for adventure in all of us."
Michael Webb, API director of national
film programming, returned from Madrid
where he selected new Spanish films for
1980. Adam Reilly, supervisor of the API
Theatre, visited Stockholm as part of the
Swedish cultural exchange program and also
travelled to Oslo. Norway, to arrange a
Norwegian film series.
The American Film Institute presented
a screening of vintage clips from Marx
Brothers movies, including an old promotion
trailer for "Monkey Business." June 5
in
the API Theatre. The film screening preceded
a cocktail-buffet at the Organization
of American States, given by OAS Secretary
General Alejandro Orfila, honoring members
of the Marx family.
"The Muppet Movie" is scheduled to open
here Aug. 3. Muppet mogul Jim Henson,
the creative force behind the Muppet empire
along with Prank Oz, was a graduate of
this area's Northwestern High School in the
mid-1950s.
Among other major openings are Paramount's
release of "Prophecy," United Artists'
"Rocky 11" and Universal's "Walk
Proud."
New York State Sets Up
Film Development Office
ALBANY. N. Y.—A state Office for
Motion Picture and Tek'ision Development
has been created to prom< te film production
in New York. Gov. '
Hui-h recently
announced.
"The motion picture -' 'Revision iiuliis
tions in New York," Carey said. "The new
office will work closely with the Motion
Picture and Television Advisory Board,
chaired by John Dyson, and with the
try has vast potential I. \: coiUribu-
legislative
committees, to convince entertainment
industry producers that New York has ev
erything they need, and that we will do all
we can to help them produce top quality
film and television entertainment."
New York City will be the location for
the new office, which is supported by a
$250,000 allocation approved this year by
the legislature.
Carey also announced a study of the cost
and feasibility of modernizing the Astoria
film studios in Queens to handle additional
film production. The study will be completed
by the new office and the Urban Development
Corp.
A manual for film and TV producers,
covering the variety of potential locations
throughout New York, will be released this
summer, Carey said. Developed by the Department
of Commerce, the guide will be a
basic tool in the promotion work of the
new office.
"Last year more than 80 motion pictures
and television feature films, including 'Hair'
and 'The Wiz,' were produced in New York
by major production companies," Carey
said. "Through the actions I am announcing
today, we hope there will be even more this
year, as we work to attract producers to
New York, where we have everything from
sound stages and urban streets, to pastoral
backdrops and wilderness vistas."
Theodora K. Sklover of New York City
has been named executive director of the
new office. She founded and served as
executive director of Open Channel Inc., a
national nonprofit organization to promote
development of cable television for educational,
government and public access use.
Most recently, she was director of communications
for the New York State Division
for Youth.
Leona Johnpoll, former Commerce Department
liaison with the Pilm Advisory
Board, will be associate director.
Showmen to Be Sentenced
For Pornography in Queens
NEW YORK— Five theatre operators in
Queens face up to a year in jail and/or a
fine of $1,000 after their arrests June 13
tor showing pornographic movies.
District Attorney John Santucci said the
arrests of the theatres' corporate officers
stemmed from a six-month probe conducted
as part of a crackdown on operations and
basine.sses that "contribute to the destahilization
of neighborhoods."
The grand jury charged the five after
viewing nine motion pictures ordered seized
by several Queens Criminal Court judges
who aKso saw the films and ruld Ihcni
pornographic.
"Porno profiteers were content to take
fines as part of the cost of doing business."
.Santucci said, "but individuals now arc going
to find that the jail terms cannot be
written off."
The defendants, who siurendered to the
district attorney's office, were charged at
Forest Hills with

Spoflight on New England
II Hartford, the Connccliciil l.cgisLiUirc
hus sidelined a proposed measure thai
/ould have exempted exhibitors from the
tate's 7 percent sales tax on film rentals,
"he House of Representatives sent the bill
lack to committee on a 72-65 vote.
Rep. Pauline Kezer (R-Plainville) conended
that the proposal should have been
liscussed on the floor of the House, espelially
after a 26-3 favorable report by the
egislative finance and bonding committee.
if which she is a member.
A 500,000-square-foot shopping mall,
)lanned for Rocky Hill, Conn., may conain
several cinemas, with a spokesman for
iaber Development Corp.. New York, iniicating
that negotiations were under way
or such plans with several unidentified
:inema circuits.
New Hampshire drive-in theatres have
oined the number of underskyers across the
^ew England states occasionally screening
our and five-feature programs this season.
3oth the Sky Ray Drive-In, Hookset. and
he Bedford Grove Drive-In, Bedford, mainained
a regular policy of $5 per carload.
In Providence, the Hilltop Drive-In has
;liminated its speaker system and is now
.ising radio sound.
The downtown Springfield Julia Sanderson
Theatre (formerly known as the ParaiTiount
and still owned by Western Massa-
:husetts Theatres Inc.) has been named to
the National Register of Historic Places,
list the country's official of properties and
sites considered important in American culture,
history and architecture.
A K mart shopping plaza is being built on
the former Memorial Drive-In Theatre 24-
acre tract in West Springfield.
The West Hartford Town Plan and Zoning
Commission denied independent exhibitors
Leonard Paul and Tom DcLisa three
of four changes requested for the Grand
Central Disco at their Central Theatre. The
duo sought permission to allow smoking in
a designated portion, to install electronic
games, to increase the number of persons
in the cinema while the disco is operating
and to change operational hours. The commission
only went along with hour shifts.
Vermont premiere of United Film Distributors"
"Dawn of the Dead" was booked
into the downtown Flynn Theatre. Burlington,
part of Merrill G. Jarvis" northern Vermont
cinema interests.
In a first for western Massachusetts exhibition
for 1979. a sub run booking of
20th-Fox's "Norma Rae" in metropolitan
Springfield was advertised a with 50-cent
admission. The going chagre in that immediate
area is considerably more than half a
dollar.
A McDonald's fast-food outlet has opened
on the former site of the Clinton Thca-
irc. Sole cinema outlet here now is the
Interstate Theatres of New Fngland's Clinton
Drive-ln.
The Danbury Drive-In, holding a Sundas
flea market (10 a.m. -5 p.m.) each week,
ran an "Early Bird" coupon a newspaper
in
ad, entitling to
bearer free parking and
free admission on one particular Sunday
from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The imderskyer
charges 99 cents per carload; 50 cents walkin;
and $12 per display space.
Joan Tewkesbury, director of current
Avco Embassy release "Old Boyfriends."
told the Rhode Island media in an interview
that she would like to someday direct
a Western. "I keep turning down scripts
that are "women's films." "' she said. "Producers
don't seem to think women can
handle dust or cattle."
20th-Fox's "Alien" was called "the finest
science fiction horror film since last year's
"Invasion of the Body Snatchers' " by Richard
Freedman. Newhouse News Service, in
a dispatch to The Springfield Morning Union.
Sigourney Weaver, talking with the area
press about her role in 20th-Fox's "Alien."
remarked: "I didn't play a hero, man-like
woman or anything. 1 didn't think of the
feminist angle at all. I've always had trouble
with people dividing attributes and character
traits as either male or female. I think
there's as much Hamlet in any of us regardless
of our sex."
Leonard Paul and Max Javit at BoxoF-
FiCE presstime offered to donate the Burnside
Cinemas 2. East Hartford, to the town,
provided the town authorizes Paul/Javit as
developers of a 120-unit apartment complex
for the elderly, at projected cost of $3.5
million on a tract to the rear of the twinplex.
The donation would be contingent on the
Department of Housing and Urban Development
approving a federal rent subsidy
program so that renters would pay no more
than 25 percent of their income for rent.
In Poughkeepsie, N.'V., a fall completion
is targeted for a four-screen complex being
FILMACK IS
CHOICE
1st
WITH
SHOWMEN
EVERYWHERE
developed for SBC Management Corp. of
Boston. The project brings SBC into the region
for the first time; the independent circuit's
other cinemas are in upstate New
York and in the six-state New England re-
PITTSBURGH
Qcorge Ball, retiring after 52 years in the
film industry here, will be honored
during a luncheon Wednesday. July 11, at
noon in the Gateway Center Club, Gateway
Building No. 3. 24th floor. For half a century
George was employed by Fox and 20th-
Fox. His company closed its local office a
few weeks ago. with all business transferred
to Philadelphia. Reservations for the luncheon
may be made through July 2 via the
NATO office in the Fulton building.
Redstone circuit's Showcase North, imder
construction with eight screens, is expected
to be ready for opening by Christmas and
will feature a first-run film policy. Showcase
Cinemas East and West each have five
screens.
Ken Kurtzman, Cinemette booker currently
hospitalized at Shadyside. has been
replaced temporarily by Marlene DeRubis
of Ebensburg. formerly here with UA . . .
Bud Gilliam, involved for years here in exhibition
and film distribution, but absent for
some time, has joined Cinemette as a house
manager.
Official pubHshed vote in the Commonwealth
Senate on the act of the General
Assembly that outlaws blind bidding is 48-
2. Originally the vote had been reported as
49-1.
Ken Burns, manager of the Penn Hills
Theatre in the Penn Hills Shopping Centei,
had a problem when "Dawn of the Dead"
was booked: The movie was mostly produced
in the competitive Monroeville Mall.
Thinking he would have some fun. Burns
played with the words and a star. ""Munro.""
was born, with the marquee reading "Munro
Vilmahl in "Dawn of the Dead.' "'
produc-
Art Linson and Don Phillips arc
ing Melvin and Howard."
ORDER FROM FILMACK
WHENEVER YOU NEED
SPECIAL FILMS
DATE STRIPS.
CROSS PLUGS,
MERCHANT ADS,
SPECIAL AN-
NOUNCEMENTS
FILMACK STUDIOS. INC.
BOXOFHCE :: June 25, 1979
E-5

'
•
'-Live
•]
C L E V E L AND
Those Lips, Those Eyes," a
nostalgic movie
about a Midwestern summer theatre in
the 1950s, will start shooting about Aug. 14
in Cain Park in Cleveland Heights. United
Artists is making it on a $5 million budget
with Frank Langella heading the cast. Michael
Pressman will direct and co-produce
with Stephen-Charles Jaffe. The film will be
released next year.
Cain Park is where the film's author.
David Shaber. dreamed of a play-and filmwriting
career while he worked on the stage
crew at the park in the 1950s. Shaber recently
wrote the screenplay of "Last Embrace"
and collaborated on "The Warriors."
It was a bonanza week in the screening
room this week. Jerry Jorgensen. Columbia,
screened "The Villain," a Rastar-Mort Engelberg
production starring Kirk Douglas,
Ann-Margret. Arnold Schwarzenegger and
Paul Lynde. Morrie Ayrl. Selected Theatres
and Distributing, screened "Saint Jack" and
"The Shape of Things to Come." Andy Silverman
of Warners was host to a screening
of "The Wanderers" and "Time After
Time." Gorden Bugie. Avco-Embassy
branch manager, screened Susan Anton in
"Goldengirl."
Bill Pickering, union projectionist,
manned the booth at Brainard screening
room every day until late Friday when we
welcomed back veteran projectionist George
Hann, who is semi-retired.
Special screenings in theatres this week
were "Dracula" at Loews Village Theatre
and "Prophecy" at Loews East Theatre.
Martin Polster, longtime manager of the
Richmond Theatre, is doing just great after
a heart attack, but is still at home relaxing.
Douglas Buckley, new branch manager at
United Artists, is extremely pleased with
boxoffice figures for "Manhattan." Doug
says that he hopes to hold it indefinitely.
This week UA opens "Rocky 11" here in
seven theatres.
Sheldon Wigod of the New Mayfield Cinema
Theatre has booked an MGM festival
of sure winners, including several films that
have played to packed New Mayfield houses
before. Wigod has found that his attendance
is larger during the summer between Memorial
Day and Labor Day. The New Mayfield
is in the center of Little Italy and surrounded
by wonderful Italian restaurants at which
to dine before a movie.
Review excerpts by Donna Chernin of
n-e Plain Dealer: "Richard Pryor has been
' -ng them in to see his new movie 'Richin
Concert' at the Vogue
movie has properly been rated
'ence or sex, but solely for
raw :
racy material. Be forewarned,
'-c discouraged. It's worth
.seeing."
" 'Rocky ir ,.; i ciiche iheme told within
a fairy tale fran.i" ork. But if you accept
these conditions, the movie works. Although
Rocky ir lacks the punch of its Oscar-holding
predecessor, it wins more rounds than
it
looses."
" 'The In-Laws" keeps you in the air, continually
guessing and sometimes laughing.
With a light stroke, it also shows that there
is a little bit of larceny and looniness in the
best of us."
And finally. Chernin said that "Prophecy"
is a movie that "begins by trying hard to be
credible and scientific but winds up thoroughly
farfetched."
Marquee changes this week: "Butch and
Sundance: The Early Days." "Prophecy,"
"Rocky II," "The Prisoner of Zenda" and
"The In-Laws."
Donna Chernin of the Cleveland Plain
Dealer said, "('It's Not the Size That
Counts') could actually be clever if it
weren't so badly bungled."
Opening last week were "Hometown
U.S.A.," "Players," "C.H.O.M.P.S.," "Walk
Proud" and "Dawn of the Dead."
A special screening of "Players" was held
June 7 at Loew's East Theatre. It opened
the next day in multiple houses.
Screenings held for critics last week were
"Prophecy," starring Talia Shire, and "The
In-Laws," starring Peter Falk and Alan Arkin.
Both screenings were held at Motion
Picture Sound in downtown Cleveland. "The
In-Laws" was also presented as a sneak preview
in three theatres, including the Mallet
Mall in Canton, Ohio.
Howard Loberfeld, United Artists booker,
reports that "Rocky 11" appeared on seven
screens in Cleveland on June 15 and 21.
"Moonraker" is scheduled to open the end
of
June.
From John litis Associates, publicists
locally for Universal, comes word that "The
Prisoner of Zenda" was to open in Cleveland
June 15 in four theatres.
CINCINNATI
T asl week's openings include Paramount's
"Players," a wide saturation release of
Avco's "Phantasm," Sir Lew Grade's "Firepower"
which stars Sophia Loren, James
Coburn and O.J. Simpson, and a Disney
reissue of "Bedknobs and Broomsticks."
Enquirer's Roger Groom's "Alien" review
noted that the film richly deserves its R-
rated designation, warning "do not take the
tykes and don't take yourself if your personal
digestion is a tad queasy. Parents expecting
some sort of 'Star Wars' experience
are in for a rude surprise." However,
Grooms added that the picture is "brilliantly
directed, fortified by a pulsing, nerve-frying
score," and the set decoration is "Academy
Award-caliber."
Kreedniun Advertising in conjunction with
radio station WKRQ and Showcase Cinem;.s
held a champagne party and invitational
premiere of Paramount's "Players" at the
Springdale seven-screen facility June 7. A
fashion show by The Limited, a local retail
outlet, was part of the evening's festivities.
BOSTON
^ Alan Friedberg, president of Sack Theatres
of Boston, scheduled a standout
preview for the opening of "Rocky II,"
which stars Sylvester Stallone. Sack Theatres
advertising director Susan Frame and
director of publicity Christine Lamonte
worked out a program with radio station
WITS for a street stage show on Tremont
Street with the area in front of the Music.
Hall blocked off from 4:30 p.m. until the
opening at 8. Many sports celebrities including
Don Cherry, coach for the Bruins
hockey team, Mike Andrews, Red Sox great,
and Dr. Hebab, national director of Si.
Jude's Research Hospital, spoke to Ihe
gathering.
The 8 p.m. show was a sell-out with ov4;r
4,000 admissions at a minimum of $15 per
person, resulting in a total of over $60,000.
During the evening it was announced thai
the Memorial Day Telethons that were held
in Washington, New York, Pittsburgh and
Boston were all very successful. Music Hall
general manager Tom Kaycheck and his
staff received compliments for the quick
seating and completion of the program.
Taffy Landry, Orton Cinema Supply office
manager, was off on a trip to the West
Coast to attend the Conrad-Ballantyne-
Strong suppliers convention at Monterey,
Calif.
Boston screen openings included "Alien"
at Charles. "Walk Proild" at Cinema 57.
"The In-Laws" at Cheri, "Love on the
Run" at the Orson Welles, "Butch and Sundance:
The Early Days" at the Charles.
"Saint Jack" at Exeter Street, "Rocky 11"
at Pi Alley and "Prophecy" at Beacon Hill.
Local Universal branch manager Ben
Commack Jr.. in cooperation with A. Alan
Friedberg. president of Sack Theatres,
staged an elaborate and outstanding preview
of "the Universal film "Dracula" on Saturday
evening June 9 at the Sack Cheri Cinema.
Advertised in advance with a two-page
spread in local newspapers, along with TV
and radio plugs, the 8 p.m. showing was
sold out by noon on Saturday and a second
showing at 10 was added. Universal executives
from New York and Hollywood were
present, as were a large number of film personalities
from the Boston area.
Among those present were Ned Tancn.
president" of Universal Pictures, Phil Sherman,
Norman Gluck. Phil Scott, Charles
Powell, Buddy Young, Kevin Genther, John
Bedham, the film's director, and Marvin and
Walter Mirisch, the film's producers.
Local film people present included Arthur
Freidman, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Lockwood.
George Mansour, Mr. and Mrs.
Roger Wedge", Mr. and Mrs. Mel Davis, and
Dick Waite and family. Everyone present
E-6
BOXOmCE :: June 25, 1979

was pleasantly surprised to see Dick, who
had been confined by illness to his home on
the South Shore for some time. Details during
the evening were supervised by house
manager Richard Fenner and assistant managers
Robert Riordan and Jay Klicn.
Redstone Theatres announced that construction
has started on an eight-screen
complex in Long Island, N.Y., and new
six-screen complexes in Perth Amboy,
N.Y., and in a shopping center on the north
side of Philadelphia.
Speare Christo, sales manager for Avco-
Embassy, reports that Avco scheduled a
1 10-theatre, multiple booking of "Phantasm,"
which opened June 13 in the New
England area.
Herb Baker, branch manager for Avco-
Embassy, ran a heavy newspaper spread
for Avco's lew "Goldengirl." Star of the
film, Susan .-^nton. met with the media at a
Ritz-Carlton luncheon June 10.
PHILADELPHIA
J^lien," according to Desmond R\.iii
in the Philadelphia Inquirer, is 'llubest
horror film since 'The Omen' " and a
"landmark science fiction film." Joe Baltake
of the Philadelphia Daily News called
it "a top-notch thriller ... the purest .sci-li
space opera to come along in a long time."
A film series of six documentaries, presented
under the auspices of The Real to
Reel Festival, is offered on Sunday afternoons
and evenings at the International
House with a 50-cent admission. "The
Flashettes," about a black girls' track team
in Brooklyn. N.Y., opens the series.
Sharon Johnson of the Harrisburg Patriot
said of "Firepower" that "a lot of
talented performers are wasted in this latest
bit of wretched trash from Sir Lew
Grade."
the i>elaware Tennis Association was tin.
host for the Delaware premiere of "Players'
at Cinema 141 in Wilmington. The $15 admission
ticket included a wine and cheesi
lasting party at Centerville Inn across fron
ih^'
theatre.
Susan Anton, bedded down with the llu
had to cancel her plans to tour our town to
promote her upcoming Avco-Embassy re
lease,
"Goldengirl."
Lawrence Toppman, reviewing "Hanovei
Street" in the Atlantic City (N.J.) Press,
(Continued on following page)
Appearing on Boston screens are "Walk
Proud" at Cheri, "Firepower" at Saxon,
"Saint Jack" at Exeter Street, "Hair" at
Cheri,
Welles,
"Love
"Richard
on the Run"
Pryor—Live
at
in
the Orson
Concert"
at the Charles, "Prisoner of Zenda" at
Cheri, "Dawn of the Dead" at Cinema 57,
"Players" at Pi Alley, "Battlestar Galactica"
at the Circle, "The Exorcist" on 45 screens
and "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" on
20 screens.
BUFFALO
^Uen," from 20th Century-Fox, is leading
all contenders at the boxoffice, racking
up a resounding 800 percent in its first
week of an exclusive showing at the Holiday
2 Theatre.
" 'Players' is a soggy lob into the net of
romance," said Doug Smith in the Courier-
Express. He also said that stars Ali Mac-
Graw and Dean-Paul Martin "appeared to
have left their charismatic rackets in their
lockers."
Marquee changes: "Good Guys Wear
Black," "Prophecy." "The In-Laws," "Star
Crash," "Rocky 11" and "The Ravagers"
"The In-Laws" was given a sneak preview
at the Eastern Hills Mall Cinema and
Holiday 6 Theatres June 9.
"Butch And Sundance: The Early Days"
was booked into the Eastern Hills Cinema,
Truway Mall Cinema and the East Twin
Drive-In Theatre beginning June 15.
An Easter scene coloring contest for children
was conducted by the Como Mall Merchants
Association. Each establishment, including
the Como 8 Theatres, gave a stuffed
Easter bunny as a prize.
The 30-housc Music Makers circuit based
in Lakewood, N.J., gave suburban Hamilton
Township two more movie houses last week
with the opening of Cinemas I and II. Situated
in the Kings Fairground Mall, the twin
cinemas have a 99-cent ticket pricing policy
which is characteristic of the Music Makers
operation. Only second-run fare will be
shown, starting with "Every Which Way
But Loose" and "Invasion of the Body
Snatchers."
The twins contain 320 seats each and will
be open for two shows every evening, with
matinee and evening performances set for
weekends. Music Makers also owns the East
Windsor Cinemas I and II in the nearby
Jamesway shopping center. The Music Makers
houses are all located in central and
southern New Jersey and in Delaware.
A 10-week series of midnight shows featuring
classic films has been introduced for
the summer season at the Walnut Mall
Cinema by its manager, Richard J. Rafferty.
The triplex is linked with the General
Cinema Corp. The weekly screenings will be
promoted by radio station WMMR. one of
the city's leading rock stations. Because the
station is located at 93.3 on the FM radio
dial, Rafferty has set the admission price at
$1.93.
Ruth E. Levikoff, an independent filmmaker,
has produced and directed a documentary
film profile titled "Another
Worker," which concerns two women emplayed
in nontraditional jobs.
TLA Cinema, the city's main repertory
movie house, is planning to present live rock
music concerts on Thursday nights during
the summer. House manager Ray Murray is
handling the bookings for the 400-seat
house.
Joe Adcock in the Bulletin, reviewing
"The Psychic," finds that "as a fashion
show, it isn't half bad—especially strong in
the earring department." But the movie on
a whole, with a plot that is "unfathomable,
The 1979 version of the annual Academy
Awards contest at the Como 8 Theatres was
turned into a broad-scale promotion. Patakes
fashion much more seriously than plot
(Continued on following page)
and character."
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BOXOmCE :: June 25, 1979 E-7

The Pride of Lexington
Is Close to Being No More
LEXINGTON. KY. — The Strand Theatre,
for decades the pride of this Biuegrass
city, is coming down.
Beginning its career as a theatre in 1915,
the .Strand had the largest screen in town,
as well as 70mm equipment and stereophonic
sound, according to one of its formei
managers, Fred Mills, who now manages
the Kentucky and Cinema theatres on Main
Street.
When the Strand opened with "Island ol
Regeneration." starring Edith Storey, admission
prices were 10 cents for adults and 5
cents for children.
During its entire history as a film house,
in 1946 and again from 1958-1961, said.
"It was kind of sad. like when they tore the
Ben AH Theatre down."
Businessman and former politician Joe
Graves, who owns the building jointly with
his sister, said demolition began in April
and will be completed by the end of June.
Graves said after buying the theatre he
received letters from the Lexington-Fayette
County Historic Commission and the Blue
Grass Trust for Historic Preservation asking
if the Strand could be preserved.
He offered to sell the structure for what
he paid for it to anyone who would promise
to preserve it. In fact, ways were investigated
for preserving the facade which sports
four lion's heads. However, that proved too
expensive.
The prime factor which prevented salvation
of the building, according to Graves,
was that the previous owners had "let il
go" and a leaking roof had caused considerable
damage.
Now, after 64 years the movie house al
153 E. Main St. will be a memory. Instead,
a parking lot will fill the space, that is until
such time when Graves "hopes" of constructing
a new building on the location are
realized.
BUFFALO
(Continued from previous page)
trons at the theatre voted for nominees in
nine Oscar categories, with the winner being
high school student Tammy Rideswell.
who picked eight out of nine winners correctly.
Como 8 joined with Holiday Theatres,
Dipscn Theatres and radio station QFM-97
-0 ;prr.«or Academy Awards Night at Mulligan's
Restaurant. It was a benefit for Ihe
Children's Hospital Intensive Care Nursery,
with admission charge of $2.50. Each person
who bought a ticket received a guest
ticket to one of the theatres in return.
The telecast was c -r-c" live at the theatre
and via four 7-i ns silting al
strategic points in the restaurant. Manage
Jim Merck and his assistant Gary Haak at
tended ihe restaurant proceedings attired i
tuxedos.
MILWAUKEE
Qapitol Court Cinema Twin had a tie-in
with the Capitol Court Merchants
Assn. for a special performance of "The
Champ" for senior citizens and ladies on
the morning of May 1. Following the showing,
moviegoers received free flowering
geraniums from the association. Admission
was only 50 cents with the presentation of
a discount coupon available at all Capitol
Court stores.
the projectionist was Bob Erd. He started
unreeling shows at the Strand at the tender Art Heling, branch office manager here
age of 15 and died shortly after the theatre for Al, hosted a special tradescreening of
closed in March 1973. after exhibiting "just
one of those exploitation movies." said former
manager Mills.
"C.H.O.M.P.S."
Screening Room.
April 26 at the Centre
George Pugh, who managed the Strand Marge Ondrejka, local branch manager
for 20th-Fox, also
facility for a special
comedy/ love story
Friday evening April
used the same film
tradeshowing of the
•'Breaking Away" on
27. A low-key comedy
about bicycle racing:. this PG rater was
warmly received by the preview audience,
It stars Dennis Ch ristopher and Dennis
Quaid.
Toni Dyksterhuis, office manager for the
UA Corp. in Milwaukee, mailed out invites
to a special tradeshowing of "Fiddler on the
Roof." now in Dolby sound.
Last of the area outdoor theatres to open
for the summer season was the Slinger
Drive-In at Slinger the last weekend in
April. Double bill offering was "Up in
Smoke" and "Reefer Madness." Thirteen
ozoners are now operating in the Milwaukee
area.
When the film "Cloud Dancer" is released
in the near future, Milwaukee folks will
be interested in spotting the spectacular flying
done by a 32-year-old local flyer, Tom
Poberezny, who was the 1973 American
champion acrobat. He is also executive vice
president of the Experimental Aircraft Museum
at Franklin, a Milwaukee suburb. Costarring
in the film about acrobatic pilots
are David Carradine and Joseph Bottoms.
The annual Performing Art Center's Summer
Cinema Series this year will feature
actors and actresses in Oscar-winning films.
Set to start June 1, the series will run
Wednesdays through Sundays until Aug.
30 with admission at $1.50. The single exception
will be opening night when the cost
will be $3, with "Cabaret" as the movie
attraction. A total of 55 Oscar winners will
be shown. Movie critic Dominique Paul
Noth has commented on the series: "Time
has devalued some of the acting judgments
made by the Academy of Motion Picture
Arts and Sciences, but the films still reflect
some of the strongest performances and performers
of the Hollywood screen."
PHILADELPHIA
(Continued from previous page)
says 'this clap-trap wouldn't have passed
muster with war-weary GI's stranded on a
tioop ship in the Pacific."
Belmare Cinema celebrated the first anniversary
of the showing of "The Rocky
Horror Picture Show" with a costume party,
complete with prizes, at the Friday, Saturday
and Sunday midnight showings.
More than 20 placard-carrying Polish-
Americans staged a peaceful demonstration
outside the Duke Theatre in center-city for
five hours, calling for an end to the showing
of "The End." They said the Burt
Reynolds movie, in its second run at the
Sameric Theatres' house, insulted Americans
of Polish descent, and they critized the
theatre for showing the picture during Pope
John Paul II's visit to Poland. The demonstration
was prompted by the Congress of
Polish-Americans.
Princeton, N.J., may soon get a second
movie house featuring festival-type films if
Palmer Square Inc., which operates the
shopping square, can find someone to take
over the Princeton Playhouse. The Philadelphia-based
Sameric Theatres Corp.,
which featured first-run movies at the Playhouse,
walked out of the theatre two months
ago, culminating a five-year controversy
with Princeton University, which owns the
square.
Palmer Square wants someone to operate
the theatre with a policy of weeklong festivals
and specialized films for which movie
buffs in this area now travel to Philadelphia
or New York to see. Only the Montgomery
Center Theatre in nearby Rocky
Hill, N.J., offers anything of that type in
the area.
Sameric officials charged that the university
wanted to keep them hanging with
month-to-month leases because the Playhouse
was scheduled for eventual demolition
as part of Princeton's planned $10 million
expansion plan for Palmer Square.
Sameiic still operates the Garden Theatre
here.
DETROIT
Qoncert promoter Chris Jazczak couldn't
play the rent after 20 months so he lost
his lease at the Punch and Judy in Suburban
Grosse Pointe. The house, owned by Bob
Edgar and Dick Crawford, will rini movies
that didn't do too well first time aroiuui.
such as the opener, "The Great Train Robbery."
Larry Lyman books.
Harry Smith, whose family opened the
Vassar Theatre in Vassar, Mich., has closed
il after 41 years. The building has been sold
to a
private investor.
Dr. Jack Feldman, owner of the building
housing the Kingswood Theatre in Bloomfield
Hills, has taken over management of
Ihc
ihealrc.
E-8
BOXOmCE June 25. 1979

Denver
(Weekly grosses)
4 Force Of One (Independent),
11 theatres. 3rd week $55,328
Alien (20th-Fox), Cooper,
3rd week 64.574
Battlestar Galactica (Univ).
Continental, 4th week 11.558
Hills, 4th week 9.580
Beyond the Poseidon Adventure
(WB). 8 theatres. 1st week 60,516
rhe Champ (MGM-UA). 2 theatres,
1 0th week 1 0,089
Hair (UA), Colorado 4,
11th week 5,287
Hanover Street (Col), 2 theatres,
4th week 4,370
\ Little Romance (Orion-WB).
University Hills, 4th week 9,580
Manhattan (UA). 2 theatres,
6th week 22.473
Old Boyfriends (Avco). 2 theatres,
1st week 4,889
Players (Para). Century 21,
l"st week 16,217
rhe Prisoner of Zenda (Univ),
5 theatres. 3rd week 17.241
Racquet (Independent), Cooper
Cameo, 3rd week 1,548
Los Angeles
Alien (20th-Fox), 12 theatres,
3rd wk $439,200
rhe Brood (New World).
21 theatres. 1st wk 67.700
Butch and Sundance: the Early
Days (20th-Fox), 9 theatres.
3 days 24.100
rhe Champ (MGM-UA).
8 theatres. 10th wk 38.100
rhe China Syndrome (Col).
8 theatres. 13th wk 33,800
rhe Deer Hunter (Univ).
6 theatres. 10th wk 23.900
Escape to Athena (AFD).
20 theatres. 2nd wk 79.800
Game of Death (Col).
26 theatres 269.200
Hair (UA), Cinerama Dome,
13th wk 18,000
Hanover Street (Col), 2 theatres,
4th wk 3,800
The In-Laws (WB), 12 theatres,
3 days 81,900
The Innocent (Analysis), Music
Hall, 6th wk 10,200
The Last Wave (World Northal).
Royal, 4th wk 13,600
Love at First Bite (AD,
18 theatres, 7th wk 82,200
Manhattan (UA), 8 theatres.
7th wk 79.600
Players (Para), 1 5 theatres.
1st wk 169.500
The Prisoner of Zenda (Univ).
10 theatres, 3rd wk 39,200
Prophecy (Para), 9 theatres.
3 days 107,300
Rocky II (UA), 8 theatres,
3 days I21,()()0
Winter Kills (Avco), Bruin,
4th wk 9,500
San
Francisco
(Average weekly grosses follow theatre)
Alien (20th-Fox), Northpoint
(11.800). 3rd wk $84,309
Battlestar Galactica (Univ).
Coliseum. 4th wk 2,880
The China Syndrome (Col),
Coronet. 13th wk 7,556
The Dark (Film Ventures),
Geneva DI 2. (9 da.), 2nd wk. ... 1,840
Dawn of the Dead (United Film),
5th wk. (9 da.)
Alexandria 3 2,754
Geneva DI 3 3,591
The Deer Hunter (Univ), Alexandria
1 (10,800) 16th wk 7,771
Escape to Athena (AFD). 3 theatres.
Isl wk. (9 da.) 6.761
French Detective (Quartet). Lumiere
(3,850), 3rd wk 3,550
Game of Death (Col), 6 theatres,
1st wk 69.534
The Innocent (Analysis) Clay,
1st wk 17,783
A Little Romance (Orion-WB),
Ghirardelli, 5th wk 8,143
Love at First Bite (AI), Metro 2,
9th wk 1,910
Meetings With Remarkable Men
(Libra) Surf (3.300), 7th wk 3,541
Patrick (Pacific Film), 1st wk.
St. Francis 1 (9 da.) 5,991
Spruce DI 2 (9 da.) 2,772
Players (Para). Regency II,
1st wk 18,542
The Prisoner of Zenda (Univ), Cinema 21,
3rd wk 4,083
Your Turn, My Turn (New Yorker),
Bridge, 2nd wk 4.180
Wifemistress (Quartet). Stage Door.
12th wk 6,321
DENVER
paramount held a screening of "Prophecy"
at the Center Theatre and Paramount
screened "Escape From Alcatraz" at the
Colorado 4 Theatre. Columbia screened
"The Villain" at the Century Screening
Room and Warner Bros, also used the
Century Screening room to view "The
Wanderers."
Boyd Scott, Allen Theatres. Farmington,
N.M.. was here to visit the film exchanges
and to confer with Sam Dunevitz. bu\erbooker
for Allen Theatres. Sam reached his
71st birthday during Scott's visit and the
two celebrated the event.
Leiand Goolsby has taken over the operation
of the Star Theatre. Guernsey. Wyo.,
from Mrs. H. I.. Boner. Goolsby will open
the theatre on a two-change-a-week basis
and Batter Booking will handle the datings.
In town to set datings was R. L. Stangcr.
Lake Estes Drive-In, Estes Park, Colo.
Consolidated Theatres has opened a new
twin complex. 1 he Olympus Hills Cinemas
#1 and #2 in .Salt Lake City. Consolidated
is also erecting a new fourplex to be called
the South Village Mall with an opening
targeted for mid-November, The theatre
will have 440 scats on one side and 300 in
the companion auditorium.
Columbia branch manager Morrie Birnbaum
and salesman Ralph Albi traveled to
Salt Lake City to work with the Utah-Montana
accounts.
Navigare Inc., headquartered in Utah, has
taken over the operation of the Holiday
Twin Drive-In, Fort Collins, Colo. Navigare
operates drive-in theatres in Salt Lake City,
Provo and Ogdcn, Utah, and the buying
and booking will be handled by David Sharp
of Film Service in Salt Lake.
Paramount held a Thursday night invitational
screening of "Players" at the Century
21 Theatre and Columbia screened "Nightwing"
at the Esquire Theatre. Warner
Bros, had a sneak screening of "The In-
Laws" at the Westminster 6. Buckingham
Square 5 and Brentwood 4 Theatres.
Paramount took full page newspaper advertisements
to announce the opening of
"Players" in the Century 21 Theatre and
Universal also used a full page advertisement
to announce that "Dracula" will be
opening in Denver on Friday. July 1 3th. on
a
multiple run basis.
T.C. Costin, former vice president of
Western Service and Supply, has been promoted
to senior vice president; Steve
Tankersley, former director and sales representative,
has been promoted to assistant
vice president.
Theatre Operators Inc., headquartered in
Bozeman. Mont., held the grand opening
of their new World West Theatre in the
Rimrock Mall shopping area of Billings.
Mont. The new twin facility has 470 seats
on one side and 350 seats on the other, and
features the latest in theatre design and patron
comfort.
Col-Am Announces Winner
SHERM.^N OAKS. Calif.—Cal-Am Artists
releasing has announced the winner of
its recently completed Summer Weekend
Cruise contest.
Gene Irwin of Midwest Films in Kansas
City has been awarded top prize, which
includes round trip airfare for two to Marina
Del Rey, and a weekend cruise aboard
the luxury yacht. King's Point.
Irwin was awarded first prize for securing
the highest total of initial bookings for
Cal-Am's recently released comedy, "Racquet."
The film stars Bert Convy. Edie Adams.
Lynda Day George and Phil Silvers. It was
produced by David Winters and Alan Roberts,
and directed bv David Winters.
BOXOmCE :: June 25, 1979 W-1

Hollywood
jy/JAX H. YOUNGSTEIN Enterprises has
been named consultant to Robert Cooper
and Ronald I. Cohen, producers of "Running,"
Universal release starring Michael
Douglas and Susan Anspach.
*
Producers Blake Edwards and Toii>
Adams have moved up the starting dale lor
"The Ferret" to Aug. 20 from the original
Sept. 3 schedule. Chuck Murray has been
named production manager for Ihe Orion
Pictures release.
•
Carl Foreman, executive producer, and
Gary Mehlman, producer of "The Yellow
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Happenings
Jersey" for Universal have gone to France
to set locations for the film and to film
France's annual bicycle race, the "Tour dc
France" to use as background for the film.
•
ShoWest '80, the convention-trade show
of Far West exhibitors will be held Feb. 1
to Feb. 14 at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las
Vegas. The dates were set by convention
executive co-chairmen Bruce C. Corwin for
exhibition. Spero L. Kontos, equipment, and
Al Lapidus. concessions.
Last year's general chairman Robert W.
Selig has been named to the executive council
which includes Ross Campbell, Sherrill
C. Corwin. 1-redcnck A. Danz, Nat D. Fellman,
Jerome Forman. William F. Kartozian.
Henry Plitt. B. V. Sturdivant and Roy
Roper, new chairman of the 12-state Theatres
West.
•
Actors and Others for Animals will hold
its celebrity fair July 22 at The Burbank
Studios, according to president Earl Holliman.
Jodie Mann is producer of the fair, Ihe
organization's prime fund-raising event. Kit
Haralson and Chet Dowling are co-chairmen.
•
Irwin J. Kaplan, director of development
lor the Permanent Charities Committee was
presented with the California State Man-olthe-Year
award from the Jewish War Veterans,
who cited him for his 21 years of
"outstanding and continuous service" to the
state and national organization. The award
was presented at the organization's state
convention in San Diego.
•
.lorge Camara has been re-elected president
of Ihe Hollywood Foreign Press Assn.
Others elected were Syd Cassyd, vice president;
Yani Begakis, re-elected secretary, and
Hilda Ulloa. re-elected treasurer. Sven Rye
was named chairman of the board. Other
board members are Marianne Ruiith. Belil
Unger and Helmut Voss. Maria Snoeys was
designated an alternate board member.
*
Folonovel Publications has just published
the latest two paperbacks in its 1979 line
of photo novelizations of major film releases.
American International's "Love at
First Bite," a Melvin Simon production,
and United Artists' release of Fantasy Films'
"Lord of the Rings." Each fotonovel recreates
the film, using color frames taken out
of the movie and using the dialogue lo lell
Ihe story. Fotonovel's biggest seller so far
is "Grease," which has sold 2.500.500
copies worldwide.
*
"The Seduction of Joe Tynan" is Universal's
new title for "Senator," set for national
openings in mid-August, with Alan Alda,
Barbara Harris, Meryl Sireep. Rip Torn and
Melvyn Douglas starring.
•
California Child, a supply company specializing
in providing fine art reproduclions
lor use as props in movies and television,
has signed a long-term lease with Television
Center for 6,000 square feet of office, display
and storage space.
•
Film and TV aclor Dennis Weaver has
formed his own record label. Just Good
Records, and has signed singer-songwrilcis
Randy Boone and Alan Wayne lo exclusive
contracts.
•
The Hollywood boaid of Ihe Screen Actors
Guild has named Marie Windsor, Jerry
Fogel, Whit Bissell, David Westberg and
alternate Norma Connolly as a nominating
committee for national officers (president,
recording secretary and treasurer). Named
as a committee to nominate a slate for the
Hollywood board are Jerry Fogel. Marie
Windsor, Whit Bissell. David Westberg. allernate.
Lynn Wood. John Russell, Sandra
de Bruin, Julia Adams and Brian Robert
Taylor, and alternates Nancy Kulp and Laurence
Kulp.
RSO Records will release the soundtrack
album of Lucasfilm's "The Empire Strikes
Back." the sequel lo "Star Wars," under Ihe
long-term agreement for worldwide distribulio
of Music-for-Films signed by Robert
Stigwood's Stigwood International and the
George Lucas company. The soundtrack
will go out in 1980, on the same day that
the film is released, in a global one-two sales
and promotion plan.
W-2 BOXOFFICE :: June 25, 1979

THIS SUMMER . . .
MAKE ROOM FOR THE "KING"
THE NATION'S NO. 1
ZANY FRATHOUSE SEX!
MORE RAUNCHYTHArANIMUJISE:
HIGHER THAN
COLLEGE COMEDY!
SENSATIONAL OPENING WEEK
TEST RUNS JUNE 6-12
CINEMA PORTLAND, MAINE
1st WEEK-KING FRAT S7,112.
1st WEEK-MANHATTAN S4,615.
1st WEEK-UP IN SMOKE S3,181.
FOUR SEASONS CINEMA (HOLDING)
PROVIDENCE, R.I. S6,412.
BEST GROSS IN 3 YEARS
LONSDALE DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
PROVIDENCE, R.I. S7,448.
BEST OUT OF SEASON GROSS EVER
RAYNHAM DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
TAUNTON, MASS. 55,418.
SAME WEEK BLAZING SADDLES $2,710.
RIVERVIEW DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
HAVERHILL, MASS. 510,210.
BEST GROSS EVER
TYNGSBORO DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
LOWELL, MASS. 58,015.
BEST GROSS EVER
PARKWAY DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
SPRINGFIELD, MASS. 58,255.
BEST GROSS THIS YEAR
HI WAY DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
SALISBURY, MASS. 54,815.
BEST GROSS THIS YEAR
DEERFIELD DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
DEERFIELD, MASS. 54,115.
BEST GROSS THIS YEAR
MAD MAKER'S ^„
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CRANSTON DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
PROVIDENCE, R. I. 57,028.
BEST GROSS THIS YEAR
BELLINGHAM DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
BELLINGHAM, MASS. 53,460.
BEST GROSS THIS YEAR
NEWPORT DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
NEWPORT, R. I. 53.038.
BEST GROSS THIS YEAR
495 DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
TEWKSBURY, MASS. S6,018.
BEST GROSS IN 2 YEARS
June 25, 1979

SALT LAKE CITY
V. Coalson, president of American National
Enterprises Inc., announced
JJ
recently
that ANE has undertaken the production
of six feature length motion pictures
for distribution in the worldwide television
and nontheatrical media. Each of the pictures
will be underwater action adventures
in keeping with .ANE's history of producing
;ind distributing G-rated outdoor adven-
Georgc Gale, who heads ANE's Hollywood
office, is presently completing filming
of "Anne of the Seven Seas" in Southern
California and will begin post-production by
mid June. Tommy Vig will supply the music
lor the piclurc which was based on a story/
script by Barry Clark and stars underwater
experts Ann long and William Richard
Long.
United Arti-sts Theatres has announced
starting construction on a new sixplcx
that it
theatre in the American Plaza at Second
South and West Temple streets in Salt Lake
City. Opening has been targeted for May
1980 for the sixplex. which will have seating
capacities of 600, 450, 275, 250 and
225 in each of the auditoriums.
SAN FRANCISCO
Qarol Berganiine announces the opening of
a new buying and booking service: California
Booking. P.O. Box 2015, Agoura,
Calif. 91301, (213) 99-6149. As of June 22
she is handling the buying and booking for
Westland Theatres. General Theatrical, the
Midway Drive-ln, Dinuba, Cinema 7, Salinas,
and the Soledad Theatre, Soledad.
John Old.s, Buena Vista district manager,
called on ihc local branch and exhibilors
June 14-15.
Harper Paul Williams of Pacific Film Enterprises
announced the following additions
to his staff: Antoinette Flores. secretary.
Joe Weathersbee, cashier department, and
Timothy Sullivan, assistant shipper.
Sam Oetinger with American Cinema Releasing
was here recently setting dates for
"Force of One" slated for August 22.
PETERSON
THEATRE
SUPPLY
455 Bearcat Drive
Times Square Park
ScH Lake City, Utah 84115
60-466-7642
Columbia Pictures, Ted Shugrue et
a I. moved its offices to the new high rise
at 495 Market Street. 13th floor, on July
13.
"Onion Field," an Avco-Embassy October
release, was sneak previewed at the UA
Pruncyard Cinema June 8.
Ridley Scott and Anthony Harvey, directors
of "Alien" and "Players" respectively,
were in town recently promoting their pictures.
Gerald Nachman, Conrad Silvert and
Judy Stone are the new line-up of fiislstring
movie/drama critics at the Chronicle.
The Strand Theatre revised its daily
change form at the week of June 3 and played
"The Egyptian" and "Cleopatra" together
for seven days, coinciding with the opening
of a four-month run of the "Treasures of
Tutankhamun" exhibition at the de Young
Museum.
SEATTLE
\X7amer Bros, sneak previewed "Time After
Time" at the John Danz theatre June 8
with "Blazing Saddles," and the following
night they sneaked "The In-Laws" at both
the Lake City and Lewis & Clark theatres
in Seattle and at the Everett Tri-Cinema in
Everett.
American International screened a product
reel on "The Amittyville Horror" and
their new release "Defiance" at the Uptown
Theatre June 12.
Universal screened their forthcoming release
of "Dracula" at the Crest 70 June 15.
"Rocky II" had its first unveiling in a
tie-in with a radio station at the Varsity
theatre on June 14 and opened exclusively
the next day at the same theatre.
New on the local scene were: "Game of
Death" at the Admiral Twin, Lynn Four,
Crossroads Quad, Lewis & Clark 3 and at
the Sno-King, Duwamish and Thunderbird
drive-ins; "Halloween" in the Southcenter,
Northgate and Belvue theatres; and "Escape
to Athena" at the Seattle Aurora, Bellevuc
Overlake. Renton Village Cinemas and at
Ihc Kcnmore and Valley 3 drive-ins.
"Picnic at Hanging Rock" started June 8
at the Moore Egyptian following their successful
monthlong film festival.
TUCSON
gtarting June 15 at the Coronado was
"Butch and Simdancc: the Early Days."
following Radio KGUN"s Family Night Special
showing of the film at 8 p.m. June 14.
Four family tickets were given free to every
third and fifth caller to the station whose
DJs appeared on stage as welcomers and
explaining KGUN's functions . . . June 15
also initialed "Rocky 11" at Tucson 5 Drivein
and Park Mall 4. as it did "Prophecy"
TM's new El Con will fall short of the
targeted June opening, but the big showhouse
is still going up.
'Amilyville' lo
Open
July 28 on 600 Screens
HOLLYWOOD—American
Internationafs
"The Amityville Horror" will open July
27 in approximately 600 situations in the
United States and Canada, according to
Eugene Tunick, vice president and general
sales manager.
Based on Jay Anson's book, "The Amityville
Horror" stars James Brolin and Margot
Kidder who portray George and Kathleen
Lutz, who with their family, were tormented
by a series of inexplicable events
that convinced them that their "dream
house" was possessed by something terribly
evil.
Also starring is Academy Award-winning
actor Rod Steiger.
The screenplay, written by Sandor Slern,
and directed by the award-winning Stuarl
Rosenberg, describes the 28-day ordeal suffered
by the Lutzes before they fled their
house in Amityville, Long Island, leaving
most of their possessions behind.
Paramount Attaches Trailer
On Drug Abuse to 'Sunburn'
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—Paramount Pictures
will attach the Will Rogers Institute's
health education message "Drug Abuse
Don't Be a Victim," starring Elizabeth Taylor,
to their new feature "Sunburn."
The film,
starring Farrah Fawcett-Majors
is scheduled for August release and will
carry attached to the front of the feature
the Will Rogers message about misuse of
drugs in
the United States.
Capri Cinema in Alaska
Closes in Duke's Memory
ANCHORAGE. Alaska—The Capri Cinema,
here, closed June 12 following the announcement
of the death of actor John
Wayne.
W. R. Thornslay, general manager lor
Capri-Alaska Theatres, announced that the
theatre would be closed following news of
the actor's death.
"The Duke may be gone," Thornslay said,
"but he will be remembered forever, and his
name will still shine on theatre marquees as
it does on our's tonight in announcing our
closing in his memory."
The Capri is Anchorage's only independent
theatre operation; it continued normal
programing on Wednesday with "Raintree
County" and "Murder. She Said."
Thornslay announced in the Anchorage
Times Tuesday morning the closure and the
possibility for a special John Wayne program
to be featured in his honor.
Mark Metcalf, Griffin Dunne and Amy
Robinson are producing "Chilly Scenes of
Winter."
W-4
BOXOFTICE :: June 25, 1979

THIS SUMMER . . .
MAKE ROOM FOR THE "KING"
THE NATION'S NO. 1
ZANY FRATHOUSE SEX!
MORE RAUNCHYTHAN 'ANIMAL
HIGHER THAN
COLLEGE COMEDY!
SENSATIONAL OPENING WEEK
TEST RUNS JUNE 6-12
CINEMA PORTLAND, MAINE
1st WEEK-KING FRAT $7,112.
1st WEEK-MANHATTAN 54,615.
1st WEEK-UP IN SMOKE 53,181.
FOUR SEASONS CINEMA (HOLDING)
PROVIDENCE, R.I. 56,412.
BEST GROSS IN 3 YEARS
LONSDALE DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
PROVIDENCE, R.I. 57,448.
BEST OUT OF SEASON GROSS EVER
RAYNHAM DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
TAUNTON, MASS. $5,418.
SAME WEEK BLAZING SADDLES 52,710.
RIVERVIEW DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
HAVERHILL, MASS. 510,210.
BEST GROSS EVER
TYNGSBORO DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
LOWELL, MASS. 58,015.
BEST GROSS EVER
PARKWAY DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
SPRINGFIELD, MASS. 58,255.
BEST GROSS THIS YEAR
HI WAY DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
SALISBURY, MASS. 54,815.
BEST GROSS THIS YEAR
DEERFIELD DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
DEERFIELD, MASS. 54,115.
BEST GROSS THIS YEAR
MAD MAKERS
'»»
"KING

CHARLOTTE
Specially Designed for Drive-In Theatres
HARMLESS • PLEASANT
Jimmy Murphy of Queen City Advertising
& Promotional Co. has returned after
a harried trip to the West Coast on a business
deal. Murphy will handle all the exploitation
for TV and radio for "The Muppet
Movie" in this area.
From the desk of -Smilin" Jack Jordan of
.Southern Booking Service: Don "Boy" Watson
opened the Royal II in Spartanbiu-g.
S.C, recently. He is very excited about having
the screen open ahead of schedule.
Buddy Burney (Starlite Drive In, Whileville.
N.C.) has purchased the Rowe Theatre,
Elizabethtown, N.C. He will remodel
and change the name to The Cinema.
cuuC^otfUW
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.
NOW WITH
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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) G81-2021
An astute showman, J. P. Davis of the
Southgate, Thomasvillc, N.C, reports that
he recently placed on sale his season tickets
for the Summer Children Scries. Before the
sun set, he had sold 140.
The Visulie theatre, which just two weeks
ago abandoned its 18-month policy struggle
to survive as Charlotte's only arts theatre,
closed its doors as of June 15. The management
attributed the closing to compel!
tion from newer shopping centers and the
lack of permanent audiences.
New pictures on the marquees around
town: "C.H.O.M.P.S." (Capri 1). "The 5th
Musketeer" (SouthPark II), "Players" (Eastland
Mall II), "Wanda Nevada" (Tryon Mall
II). Sneak Previews: "In Laws" (Park Terrace"),
"Walk Proud" (Village Theatre),
"Time After Time" (Manor Theatie).
Screenings at Car-Mel: "Three Wa\
Weekend" & "Stark Raving Mad" (Simpson
Distributing Co.) "Up Your Ladder"
(Variety Films), "Defiance" (American International),
"Goldengirl" (Avco/ Embassy),
"The Villain" (Columbia Pictures).
Top grosses of the week: "Alien" (Park
Terrace 1), "Players" (Eastlard Mall II). "A
Little Romance" (SouthPark 1 ) and "Manhattan"
(Capri 1 ).
Welcome back to "Filmrow" Ed Mc-
Laughlin (Columbia Pictures) after an ah
scence of health and now fully recuperated.
CAPITAL CITY SUPPLY COMPANY, INC.
COMPLETE THEATRE EQUIPMENT AND CONCESSION SUPPLIES
OUR
^
39th YEAR
2124 Jackson Parkway N.W. 7,3 Sudekum Bldg.
Nashville. T9nnessee^37219
Ma4, (404) ImIT/"
792-8424
(6,5) 256-0347
Members ol: Theatre EquipmenI
Nolional Associatic
1 of Concessionair
©Q©
Atlanta,
b^.
(404) 876-03^ ©
WIL=KIE Inc,
'Everything for your theatre— except film"
800
S. Graham Si
Chorlotte, N.C. 28202
(704) 334-3616
Peter Fonda was in town on a promotional
tour of new movie "Wanda Nevada," now
playing here.
Hank, the dog, plays in "C.H.O.M.P.S."
and was in town with his trainer Joe Hornok
appearing on TV. radio and newspapers,
and at the film's openina at the Capri and
Villasje Theatres.
FLORIDA THEATRE
EQUIPMENT
& SUPPLY CO.JNC.
'EVERYTHING VOU NEED FOR YOUR THEATRE"
1966 N.E. 149th St. • N. Miami, Fla., 33181
Tel: (3051 944-4470
S-2

FREEWAY FILMS PRESENTS
TWO OF THIS YEARS HOHEST
EATURE FILMS AND CASSEHES!
"SHE'S GOT THE HOTTEST^

JACKSONVILLE
n vco Embassy has opened a new office in
Jacksonville. Randy Rovins is branch
manager and Wendy Vestal is booker. Their
office^ is located at 103 Century 21 Dr..
Suite 11.^. Jacksonville .'(2216. Telephone:
(904) 721-S.^6.'5.
Filmtow was saddened by the sudden
death of Carroll Ogburn. retired branch
manager of Warr.jr Brothers. Carroll died
at his home on Jime 7.
Al United Artists, Helen Gillespie moved
up as secretary to Joe Kennedy. Welcome
[>on't miM out
Pic's Fabulous Bonus Offer:
You Buy 200 Packs* rm.ii v.im $70.00
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Your Cost 200 Packs (21c each) $42.00
Your Profit $33.60
Plus FREE
Attractive Promotional Material
to Luanne Clements who recently jomed the
United Artists staff.
Congratulations to Kitty Dowell, AMC
Film Management Inc.. on her recent promotion
to booker. Betty Poston moved over
as secretary to vice president E.A. Jacobs.
Congratulations to the following of 20th
Century-Fox: Thelma Claxton promoted to
head booker, Marsha Weaver promoted to
second booker. Sandy Easley promoted to
secretary to the district manager. Charles
Jones. John Millci- has been promoted m
sales
manager.
A little late, but belter laic than never.
Let's welcome Jim Divon. Al branch manager
who transferred from Atlanta to replace
Richard Lewis who moved over to
AMC. New booker trainee at Al is Robert
Heffner, formerly associated with Plitt Theatres
out of Augusta, Ga. He is the son of
Bob Heffner, Warner Brothers branch manager.
Cheers to the new intra-filmrow bowling
team that began on June 13. Thirty people
have signed up to participate.
Screenings for the week included "J.D.
and Salt Flat Kid" (Jack Vaughn). "Shape
of Things to Come" (Chap), "Rocky H"
(UA), "Defiance" (Al), "Vistor" (IPS).
"101 Dalmations" (BV): "Screams of Winter
Night" (Chap); and "Dracula" (Univ).
PALM BEACH
June 8 was a big date for many local openings—
"Wanda Nevada," from United
Artists, opened at Cross County 8 and Delray
Square; "Alien," from 20th-Fox, started
its exclusive run at Cross County 8; Avco
Fmhass\\ "Phantasm" bowed in with a
multiple opening at Cinema 70, Cross County
8, Beach and Delray; "Dracula and Son"
started at the Village Green and Cinema
70; "A Force of One" was introduced at
Budco Twin, Cross County 8 and Delray
Square; and "Players" also began its exclusive
run at Cross County 8.
Plitt Theatres is offering savings of $1
to $1.50 per ticket available at all East Florida
American Automobile Assn. offices.
The Norton Gallery began its summer
film festival with the showing of "There
Was an Old Couple." Other films in the 8:30
p.m. series include: "A Hard Day's Night,"
June 29; "To Die in Madrid. July 6; "Little
Women." July 13; "The Baker's Wife." July
20; "Open City." July 27; and "Father's Dilemma"
on Aug. 3.
Texas Cinema Corp. will now be handling
all booking, buying and bidding for the following
theatres: Park Plaza 4 and Cenro
Cinema 4. both located in Port Arthur, and
Orange Cinema 4. in Orange, Texas. Texas
Cinema Corp.'s offices are located at 10300
North Central Expressway. Suite 202-IV.
Dallas.
HOUSTON
JS^ppearing on local
marquess are such titles
as "C.H.O.M.P.S.," "Perceval," "Escape
to Athena." "Faces of Love," "Sweet
Bird of Youth," plus "Who's Afraid of Virginia
Woolf," a dual bill of "Sympathy for
the Devil" and "Journey Through the Past,"
"A Special Day" plus "Two Women" and
a dual bill of "Harold and Maude" and
"Smile."
MIAMI
^embers of Variety Children's Hospital
Women's Committee are already making
plans for their Golden Harvest Luncheon
at the Fontainebleau on Nov. 20, an
occasion which benefits the hospital here
and always attracts more than 1,000 guests.
Couturier Mister Wyatt is designing a special
collection of fashions to be shown at
the luncheon.
OKLAHOMA CITY
^wo former veteran exhibitors died
"Go Modern...For All Your Theatre Needs"
recently:
They were Ray Hughes in Florida
and Mrs. Florence Leonard in Chandler.
Our sincere condolences to the survivors.
Bill Slepka, retired veteran Okemah exhibitor
is in the hospital in Oklahoma City for
knee surgery.
''^
SALES & SERVICE
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AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTORS FOR MANY MANUFACTURERS
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S-4 BOXOmCE :: June 25, 1979

7. LOUIS CHICAGO
)ger Moore as British Secret Service
agent James Bond will again encounk-i
iws." the man-mountain villain portrayeil
Richard Kiel, when "Moonraker," the
3st escapade of 007, opens June 29 ai
quire 2. Lewis & Clark, Westport, Sladi-
1, Ronnie's 6, and in Illinois at EaslgMlf
East Alton and Ritz in Belleville.
tion KADI will be giving away 100 paback
editions of the novel on a call-in
iis with a grand-prize winner to be seted
by drawing from the numbers in the
3ks on opening day. The winner will be
itled to a $500 shopping spree at Saks in
iza Frontenac.
Latest in their programs of classic art
ns at the Shady Oak, the Wehrenberg
cuit is presenting Francois Truffaut's
ove on the Run," the fifth film of Anne
Doinel's saga of a young man's emonal
development. Starring in the romantic
nedy/drama are Jean-Piene Leaud and
is irie-France Pisier. The film in French
th English subtitles.
The Webster Groves Cinema, a landmark
that suburban community for 55 years.
II close July 31. After extensive remodel-
: it will become a school for the training
physicians and dental assistants, having
;n purchased by the Bryan Institute of
ichita, Kan., which operates schools in
'eral cities. Ha:ry Dickerson. president
the institute, said the interior of the theawould
be altered to adapt the property
school purposes while the exterior would
practically unchanged.
The theatre, originally known as the
;ark, opened in 1924 and was of terra
tta construction with an airdome for
Dwing films on adjoining property during
; summer months. This property was
er converted into a parking lot. Over the
ars the theatre was twice renovated, in
49 and in 1970, when it was completely
ridernized and reopened as the Webster
-oves Cinema by A'.thur Ent.'rpri^c-.
mes Arthur, president of that company,
id motion pictures will be shown :\[ Ihe
2atre through July.
Another landmark patronized by mcmrs
of the industry when filmrow occupied
veral blocks in midtown St. Louis. Garalli's
Buffet, was shuttered June 15. Many
film deal was consummated in a booth
ere and friends met for lunch daily. It
is opened in 1912, when a plate lunch
St 20 cents. A new corporation is scheded
to reopen the operation after complete
novation as the Grand Buffet sometime in
jgust with prices ranging between $4.50
id $6.50.
)XOFnCE :: June 25, 1979
J^obert Taylor has taken over the operation
of the Lake Theatre in suburban Oak
Park. The Lake has been a part of Essancss
Theatres Corp. chain for many years. The
shift involves a lease carrying three options.
After one year Taylor can withdraw from
the deal if it proves to be unsuccessful, he
can add 10 years to his lease or he can buy
the building.
Taylor already owns two theatres on Chicago's
'Bloodline," based on Sidney Sheldon's
Near North side, and he is a partner
Harvey. He
;t seller, will be on the screens of Jamesm.
South County, Chesterfield, 1-70 and
iliday drive-ins and the Bel Air in Mitch
in a theatre in suburban indicated
he might buy the building eventually
beginning June 29. Starring are Audand
twin the Lake.
In mentioning that
III.,
he will book nearly
Hepburn. Ben Gazzara. James Mason
all second run films into the Lake, Taylor
Giancarlo Giannini.
i
said that heavy competition from nearby
a promotion prior to the opening, rad-o
run movie houses, plus major financial
In
first
risks in the first run film business, are primary
reasons for his decision to go into
second run programming. He added that
with a second run an exhibitor knows what's
a hit. He plans early showings of "The
China Syndrome," "The Deer Hunter" and
"Love at First Bite."
Recently a group of East Indians look
over the Larmar. another theatre which Essaness
had operated in Oak Park. Essancss
has been adding theatres in the growing
number of shopping centers. According to
Jack Belasco. vice president and general
manager, they will continue to build theatres
as shopping malls go up in the subiirbs.
At this time, Essaness has eight new theatres
on the drawing boards.
said. "We believe this film is, because of
gasoline problems, a timely one. It seems
that even though people are annoyed by gasoline
shortages, they see the humor in the
happenings in "Gas Pump Girls.' "
Art Rosenthal, who was a booker in this
territory for many years prior to moving to
Florida, was in town for visits with old
friends.
Twentieth Century-Fox booker Bob Rosteiman
is back from a vacation on the West
Coast.
Adam Beckett, a local contemporary animator,
was killed in a fire in his home. The
29-year-old filmmaker is credited with a
number of films, including "Sausage City"
and "Flesh Flows."
It appears that Chicago is not on the list
when Barbra Streisand tours on behalf of
her movies. She declined to include Chicago
at the time "A Star Is Born" was premiering.
Now. it is reported, she will again bypass
this city for openings of "The Main
Event." This new Warner Bros, film was
scheduled to open at the Plitt Near North
Esquire June 22.
According to reports, the Chicago Censor
Board ruled that "In Praise of Older Women"
could not be seen by moviegoers under
18. But. through the legal effort of Jenncr
& Bloch. the decision was appealed and the
ca>-e was won in favor of Avco Embassy.
Susan Anton had to cancel her visit here
on behalf of "Goldengirl." Illness was given
as the reason.
Two Universal successes returned to Chicago
area theatres and drive-ins June 15
"Caravan" and "The Brinks Job."
Extensive newspaper ads and a plentiful
number of radio and TV spots are alerting
moviegoers to new arrivals in the Chicago
area. Included are Universal's "Dracula"
and "The Concorde—Airport '79": Columbia's
"Lost and Found" and "Nightwing";
Paramount's "Prophecy." "Escape From
Alcatraz" and "Bloodline"; New World
"Gas Pump Girls," a new Cannon Films'
comedy, is emerging as a very popular
movie in Peoria and Rockford. Ill, driveins.
John Lange of Wm. Lange & Associ-
a laige number of downstate theatres; Unit-
Pictures' "Star Crash," which is also set for
ates, who is handling the film in this area, ed Artists' "Moonraker" and "Rocky 11";
and Avco Embassy's "Goldengirl."
^|-
Itiw"^^"^ lyi^^l^
1st
WITH
SHOWMEN
EVERYWHERE
Michael Schechter, who had served as
Indianapolis branch manager for Paramount
Pictures, has left this post. His successor
will
be announced shortly.
Wm. Lange & Associates, which has been
appointed to handle Crown International
Pictures' new film "Terror." is setting up
a campaign to publicize the July 13 opening
via newspaper ads as well as radio and TV
spots.
^H ORDER FROM FILMACK
1^ '^ ^^B WHENEVER YOU NEED
CHOICE ^SPECIAL FILMS
DATE STRIPS,
CROSS PLUGS.
MERCHANT ADS,
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FILMACR STUDIOS, INC.
;hicaao. Illinois 60605 312-
MW-1

HRST RUN REPORT
"mim!^ '

THIS SUMMER . . .
MAKE ROOM FOR THE "KING"
THE NATION'S NO. 1
ZANY FRATHOUSE SEX!
MORE raunchythaitanimalhojise:
HIGHER THAN
COLLEGE COMEDY!
SENSATIONAL OPENING WEEK
TEST RUNS JUNE 6-12
CINEMA PORTLAND, MAINE
1st WEEK-KING FRAT $7,112.
1st WEEK-MANHATTAN $4,615.
1st WEEK-UP IN SMOKE $3,181.
FOUR SEASONS CINEMA (HOLDING)
PROVIDENCE, R.I. $6,412.
BEST GROSS IN 3 YEARS
LONSDALE DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
PROVIDENCE, R.I. $7,448.
BEST OUT OF SEASON GROSS EVER
RAYNHAM DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
TAUNTON, MASS. $5,418.
SAME WEEK BLAZING SADDLES $2,710.
RIVERVIEW DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
HAVERHILU MASS. $10,210.
BEST GROSS EVER
TYNGSBORO DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
LOWELL, MASS. $8,015.
BEST GROSS EVER
PARKWAY DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
SPRINGFIELD, MASS. $8,255.
BEST GROSS THIS YEAR
HI WAY DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
SALISBURY, MASS. $4,815.
BEST GROSS THIS YEAR
DEERFIELD DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
DEERFIELD, MASS. $4,115.
BEST GROSS THIS YEAR
MAD MAKER'S ^^ .
^'W
"KING

.
. . and
MILWAUKEE
^orthtown Cinemas had a tie-in with Le
Chib. a local sports facility, to promote
"Players," currently showing here. From
June 8 through 17 moviegoers were invited
Still another Al Thomas creation is a
yard-long poster depicting Dracula, which
is positioned on the wall in the main boxoffice.
This poster calls attention to the
film's opening on Friday. July 13.
The Universal Pictures R-rated film.
"Dracula." has been getting some very early
promotion in Beertown. A full page ad in
the local daily appeared June 8 and the
text included the suggestion: "Read the
Jove book." A Dracula poster has been on
display at Northridge Si.xplex for several
weeks. It is also slated to open (on Friday.
In.
July 13) at .Southtown Cinemas, Prospect
Mall C'nemas and Giant 24 Twins Drivc-
Michael Musarra, branch manager in Milwaukee
for UA Corp.. held a tradescreening
at the Centre .Screening Room June 8
for "Wanda Nevada," starring Brooke
Shields and Peter Fonda. The PG-rated film
was preceded by a seven-minute short called
"Pink and .Shovel." Mike used the same facility
June 12 for the tradescreening of
"Rocky II," starring Sylvester Stallone and
Talia Shire. The film was also preceded by
a seven-minute short, entitled "Pink Breakfast."
THE»rRE EQUIPMENT
Even-thing for the Theatre"
J39 No. CAPITOL AVI., INDIANAPOLIS. IND.
g.ldlJI.JJkW-g
TRAILERS
^
riuilerettes- 1 :t:.>
COlO!—BLAC A VHITE
PARROT
P.O. BOX 541 . D^
MERCHANT ADS-SPEr.AL
.Art Heling, local branch manager foi
W. held a special tradescreening of "Defiance"
starring Jan-Michael Vincent ami
.'\rt Carney June 12 at the Centre screening
room. A special two-minute rough cut trail
er of "Amityville Horror" was shown before
"Defiance."
to register at the theatre "if you want to be
and
Starting in mid-June, Milwaukee area
a player win one of these prizes: two
79-'80 memberships (Le Club), two hours
kiddies have been getting their choice of
children's movie features at two separate
tennis court time, two private tennis lessons,
theatres on two afternoons each week. One
two Adidas warm-ups, two cans of
the Oriental Landmark Theatre. 2230 N.
is
tennis balls and two tennis racquets." In
Farwell Ave., on the city's east side, where
addition to Northtown. "Players" is also
a 10-week children's film festival began
playing at Movies .Souihridge and Prospect
Mall cinemas.
June 20 with "Seven Faces of Dr. Lao" and
"Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying
Machines." It winds up Aug. 29 with "Charlotte's
Web" and a Woody Woodpecker film
Retired arJist Al Thomas continues to
turn out lobby displays for the Northridge
Sixple.x and his current eye-catcher is one festival. Admission is $1 for the twin biller
devoted to the movie "Moonraker." slated beginning at 1 p.m.
is The second theatre the University of
to open June 29. Prominent in the frontcenter
on the
of the display
painted
is a
backdrop
large rocket, and
filled with stars
Wisconsin-Milwaukee Union Cinema which
has its UWM Kinder Cinema series on
and planets several astronauts can be seen
gliding
Mondays with two showings. 12:30 and
card
in outer
reads:
space.
"007
Te.xt
has
on the
conquered
display
outer
2:30 p.m. Admission is 75 cents. This series
began June 18 with "A Boy Named Charlie
space."
Brown" and winds up Aug. 8 with "The
Pied Piper of Hamlin."
MINNEAPOLIS
fourth theatre will J^ open in late July in
the Plitt Skyway complex here. The
Skyway 4 Theatre will seat 300 patrons.
Already a well-established and highly successful
operation, the Skyway I seats 965.
the Skyway 2 holds 713, and the Skyway
3 accommodates 300. The Skyway complex
is owned and operated by Plitt of North
Central States circuit. In recent times, the
Skyways have been the most successful situations
on the downtown Minneapolis scene.
Monday, June 11, was a day to hand
Universal branch manager Frank Zanotti a
contract to sign. He had forgotten his
glasses and, he moaned: "I have to hold
everything down by my toes to see anything!"
That was stretching a bit, but
it
that was why Zanotti went through the day
squinting. Meanwhile, despite hot competition
from rival first-run product for screens,
he bowed the original "Jaws" June 15 with
nearly 40 prints working across the territory.
Warner Brothers' "Time After Time"
starring Malcolm McDowell of "Clockwork
Orange" fame—was sneaked June 8 at the
Terrace Theatic here. And 75 percent of the
reaction cards rated the picture "excellent."
It was a test sneak—and no release date has
been set for the attraction.
Jack Ignatowicz, Columbia branch boss.
set a June 22 bow for "Lost and Found" at
the .Southdale, Brookdale East and Hopkins
theatres here and at the Roseville in St. Paul.
And the sub run of ""The China Syndrome"
Filmrow
will explode here June 29
visitor: Rod Jacobson, Hollywood Theatre,
I racy, Minn., and Lincoln Drive-In. Tyler.
Minn.
Minneapolis Filmrow
Honors Pioneer Myers
MINNEAPOLIS—Forrie Myers, manager
of the Paramount Pictures branch here,
was honored June 6 for 50 years of continuous
service to the film company.
A sell-out prime-rib d'nner. attended by
200 friends and fellow filmworkers,
was held atop the 50-story IDS Center in
the Alumni Room. The height of the
building
was a happy coincidence tying in neatly
with Myers' long service.
A full contingent of filmrowiies, fellow
branch managers and exhibitors plus other
associates included 90-year-old Tom Burke,
longtime head of distribution here for various
movie companies and retired head of
his own booking company.
Also on hand were Marty Kutner, Paramount
vice president and general sales manager.
New 'Vork City; Geno Campagnola.
Paramount vice president. New York City;
and Herb Gillis, Chicago. Paramount Midwestern
division manager, who acted as
tcastmaster and who added much to the
evening's merriment.
Other pioneers present included retired
exhibitor Eddie Ruben, whose career dates
back to 1916. and John Branton. retired
head buyer for the old Publix Theatres and
Minnesota Amusement Co. circuits.
Speakers included Rodney Grubb. chief
barker for Tent No. 12. Variety of the
Northwest, who presented Myers a plaque
commemorating his 30 years of membership
and 16 years as chairman of the tent's
annual golf tournament.
Exhibitor Jerry Carisch of the Carisch
circuit and president of NATO of North
Central States (representing Minnesota), presented
h'm with a $1,000 bond on behalf of
exhibitors and friends. Carisch saluted Myers
as "a soft-spoken, persuasive gentleman
who knows how to sell a movie." "Who,"
Carisch demanded in all sincerity, "can say
"no' to Forrie Myers" Mrs. Meyers, also
seated at the head table, broke up the assemblage
when she said: "I do!"
Bill Diehl. motion picture editor of the
St. Paul Dispatch and Pioneer Press and
local BOXOFFICE correspondent, .saluted
Myers in show-biz terms.
Harry Greene, vice president of Midcontinent
Theatres, was chairman of the
committee which arranged the enormously
successful testimonial dinner (at which it
was stressed Myers is not retiring). The
event was co-sponsored by NATO of North
Central States and Variety Club of the
Northwest. Tent 12.
Myeis. who entered the business when
65 percent of the product he sold was silent
pictures, received an array of gifts including
golf balls, fishing gear and a Sony
Betamax video recorder. Said the 67-yearold,
putting the perfect finishing touch on
the evening: "What can I say Thanks to
everyone of you
,
find someplace lo cry."
now I'll think I'll
BOXOFTICE :: June 1979

.
.
.Very
I
Toronto
Vlicn (BVFD) L ni\.iMi\ I
riie Champ (MGM-L \). I'Ui/.i
FIRST RUN REPORT
a 1
Sth v.k
:;et Out Your llaiulkcrchicfs (PR),
client
Ciood
Palk. 15lh wlv (Ji
\ Little Romance (Orion-WB). Plaza.
3rd wk
Fair
Love at First Bite (AFD). Uptown.
Fi'i''
7th wk
Manhattan (UA). Uptown,
5th wk Excellent
Norma Rae (BVFD), Hollywood,
12th wk Good
Sunnyside (AFD), Imperial. 1st wk. .
.Good
Wanda Nevada (UA). Imperial,
1st wk Good
Ottawa
The Champ (MGM-UA). Littk
Elgin, Cinema 6. 3rd wk. .
The China Syndrome (Astral),
St. Laurent 2, 3rd wk
.Good
.Good
The Deer Hunter (Univ),
Elmdalc. Auto-Sky Drive-In.
12th wk Very Good
Firepower (AFD), Place de Villi
2nd wk.
.Good
Love at First Bite (AFD),
Capitol Square 1. Cinema 6,
6th wk Very Good
Manhattan (UA), Elgin.
3rd wk
Excellent
The Prisoner of Zenda (Univ).
St. Laurent 1. 1st wk Excellent
Wanda Nevada (UA). Capitol
Square 3, 1st wk Fair
Calgary
The Champ (MGM-UA),
Chinook, 7th wk
Very Good
The China Syndrome (Astral),
Westbrook 2, 9th wk Very Good
The Deer Hunter (Univ), Towne
Red, 10th wk Excellent
Hanover Street (Astral), North
Hill, Westbrook 1, 1st wk. Good
.
A Little Romance (Orion-WB).
.
Calgary Place 1, 2nd wk
Good
Manhattan (UA), Calgary Place :
1st wk.
.Excellent
Richard Pryor—Live in Concert
(PR). Market Mall 2. Sth wk .Fair
.
Same Time, Next Year (Univ),
Odeon 1, 9th wk. Very Good
Voices (MGM-UA), Market Mall
4. 1st wk P'^or
Edmonton
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
(Univ), Capilano. 9th wk Fair
The Champ (MGM-UA).
Westmount A. 7th wk Excellent
The China Syndrome (Astral),
Meadowlark, 9th wk Good
The Deer Hunter (Univ),
Towne Cinema, 9th wk. Excellent
BOXOFHCE :: June 1979
Firepower (AFD), Paramount.
3rd wk
Very Good
Love at First Bite (AFD),
Capitol Square 3. 4th wk H.xcellent
Manhattan (UA), Garneau,
1st wk H.xcellent
Same Time, Next Year (Univ),
Roxy. 3rd wk
Fair
Voices (MGM-UA). Londonderry
B, 1st wk Good
Winnipeg
The Deer Hunter (Univ),
appointed assistant to the director of French
production, responsible lor fiction, documentary
and regional productions.
«i NFB Nets Top Honors
In U.S. Film Festival
MONTREAL—The National Film
Hoard
of Canada took top honors at the 21 si Annual
American Film Festival just concluded
in New York by winning seven awards.
Among the three NFB Blue Ribbon films
was this year's Oscar winning "Special Delivery."
directed by John Weldon and Eunice
Macaulay. This animated short took
top prize in the humor and satire category.
Other Blue Ribbons awards went to "Sami
Herders." directed by Hubert Shuurman in
Garrick II. 12th wk
the anthropology and ethnology category
Firepower (AFD), Odeon,
and "Why Me," directed by lanet Pcrlman
1st wk. Very Good and Derek Lamb in the mental health cate
Love at First Bite (AFD).
gory. "Sami Herders" is a co-production ol
Colony. Sth wk
Very Good the NFB and the Northern Social Research
Manhattan (UA). Northstar I.
Division, Department of Indian Affairs and
3rd wk. Excellent Northern Development.
Norma Rac (BVFD).
Director Bill Mason's "Song of the Pad
Northstar II, 6th wk Very Good die" tied with another NFB production.
The Prisoner of Zenda (Univ),
"Nature's Food Chain," directed by Marie-
Convention Centre, 2nd wk. . .
.Excellent Paule Hcnot for a Red Ribbon award in the
The Promise (Univ), Grant Park,
nature and wildlife competition. A Red Rib
4th wk Good bon also went to "Patricia's Moving Picture."
directed by Bonnie Sherr Klein in the
Richard Pryor—Live in Concert
(PR), Kings, 1st wk Good life styles category.
Walk Proud (Univ),
An honorable mention was awarded lo
Garrick L 1st wk Very Good the NFB production "I Wasn't Scared" directed
by Gilles Walker.
Wanda Nevada (UA), Metropolitan,
1st wk Good
iiii /-> M T D c 4 / Int'l Fil Festival
Planned for Houston
^^^J^^^.
Reta Kilpatrick has been named assislani * «%**»"w%-
government
commissioner
From South Edition
HOUSTON—The Festival of the Americas
planning, policy has selected Houston as its headquar-
external affairs for the
and
National Film Board of Canada. She will
ters city for the 12th annual International
also be responsible for the board's equal
Film Festival competition. J. Hunter Todd.
opportunity program.
and executive director,
Kilpatrick joined the NFB in 194S and
held various positions until 1964. when she
festival president
made the announcement. Todd, founder of
12-year old event, has won over 100
the
became executive assistant to the government
international awards for excellence from
film commissioner. In 1971, she was
appointed secretary to the board of governors,
a role for which she will still be responsible
in her new position.
Before her most recent appointment
Kilpatrick held the office of acting deputy
film commissioner, a post lo which she was
named in January 1979.
lional Film Board.
On joining the NFB in 1966 as a lilni
director. Garand, a professor, had alrcadv
had many years of experience in the field of
audio-visual instruction. At the NFB he held
the offices of coordinator of educational
.Tean-Marc Garand has bee 1 named ili
for the Narector
of French production
films and head of communication research
services and was responsible for special projects
before becoming the head of French
media services, distribution branch.
In 1971, he joined French production as
unit head and executive producer. He held
that position until 1977. That year, he was
other film festivals.
The Houston festival will include three
main divisions: the main competitive section,
the film market, and Photomax. a
trade fair. Special emphasis will be placed
on the independent filmmaker, including
those who are involved with feature, short,
documentary and experimental films.
In contrast, there will be a de-emphasis
on major Hollywood features that usually
do not want or need festival involvement.
Independent and foreign feature films that
deserve special attention will be spotlighted.
Todd stated. "We are going to put heavy
emphasis on the creative filmmakers who
have faithfullv supported our festivals for
the past 12 years—the smaller, independent
producer. .
The Houston International Film Festival
is tentatively slated for November. It is
sponsored and funded by the Houston Film
Society, Cinema .America. The Festival of
the .^mericas and private citizens.
K-1

Canadian
TORONTO
J^s
a windup report, it is generally iigrccJ
thai this was Canada's year at the
Cannes International Film Festival. The
"Canada Can and Does" pi emotion campaign
planned by the Canadian Film Development
Corp. is said to have been very
much in evidence; foreign sales for Canadian
feature films amounted to more than
$10 million.
"We did fantastically, phenomenally bel
ter than the last several years all put together."
stated Michael McCabc, executive
director of the CFDC.
"We even had sales for a IlO-minute
theatrical version of CBC's three-hour
Riel." " reported CFDC distributor head
Armand Cournoyer. "The re-edited version
will strip away the historical angle and go
more for the action."
A local link with the past has been broken
with the death of Mary Pickford. Although
known always as "America's Sweetheart."
her birthplace was in this city, where
the massive Hospital for Sick Children now
stands. Her Canadian citizenship was renewed
just a year ago, because, as a spokesman
for Secretary of State John Roberts
told the press here, "she was born a Canadian
and wished to die as a Canadian."
The Variety Club of Ontario (Tent 28)
bestowed its highest honor upon barker
Fraser Neal at its annual Heart Award
luncheon June 14. Fraser has been described
as "that tireless worker and great friend
to the kids." Tent 28 plans to have iis lillh
Brood" in more than 60 theatres, beginning
June 1.
"The Brood" was purposely not shown at
Cannes because it already been booked in
virtually every country around the globe.
Harbourfront, the federal government's
recreational development launch
in this city,
ed the screening of a series of Canadian
feature films. This series, titled "Tribute to
Canadian Cinema," marked the opening of
Harbourf rent's new $100,000 190-seal
Studio Theatre, actually the renovation of
the old York Quay building. This series was
closely allied with another series honoring
'I'lonto documentary filmmaker Harrv
Th
: industry really is growing.
,d Harbourfroni's film coordinator,
Han-;.h Fisher. "So I wanted to do
something poMtiv-. I want people to see
Canadian films and give an opportunity to
the audiences to meet Canadian directors
and producers."
Director Allan King was present June 4
to talk about "One Night Stand" and his
othei films. King said he thinks "there's a
fascinating process going on" in the Canadian
film industry. "One Night Stand" had
been promised a theatrical run locally, but
it never materialized.
Filming has begun in this city on "Nothing
Personal," a $5 million romantic comedy
starring Donald Sutherland and Suzanne
Somers. and with Larry Dane, Patricia Collins
and Catherine O'Hara. The director is
George Bloomfield. and the producer is
David Mann.
Also, beginning June 20, the cameras will
roll on "Happy Birthday. Gemini." a United
Artists-financed comedy; Rita Moreno,
Madeleine Kahn, Robert Vilharo and Sara
Holcomb head the cast.
After another full year of good deeds and
service to others, the Toronto chapter of the
Women of the Motion Picture Industry held
their 24th Annual Installation Dinner on
June 6 at the Westbury Hotel here. As on
all past occasions, the chapter presented an
enjoyable opportunity for friends in several
branches of the industry to meet and be well
entertained.
WOMPI May F.evandusky took on a new
role as mistress of ceremonies this year, ami
the invocation was spoken by Olive Copleston.
Mary Sinclair received this year's
Community Service Award, which was presented
by Florence Long. She also inducted
the new officers for the coming year.
annual golf tournament on July 12.
I.inda Szorady will serve as president,
Mary Sinclair as first vice president. Denise
"The Brood" has been given one of the James as second vice president, Judy Reid
largest releases ever for a Canadian feature as treasurer. Lois Phillips as recording secretary
and Elly Weinhold as corresponding
film. It has been sold in more than 30 countries,
and its American distributor. New secretary.
World Pictures, had a mammoth Memorial
Day weekend release for it in 200 Midwest
theatres, and in 200 more theatres the following
week. In Canada. New CALGARY
World-Mutual
Pictures of Canada opened "The
fhe National Film Theatre in Edmonton is
celebrating Canada Week from June 24
to June 31 in the Citadel Theatre. Following
last year's format, two Canadian films will
be .screened that week—one English and
one French production. Robin Spry's "One
Man" has been chosen as the English film.
The French movie will be Marie-Claire
Poirier's "Mourir A Tue-Tete" or "Cordelia."
"Mourir A Tue-Tete" was an official
entry in the Cannes Film Festival this year.
The National Film Board and Edmonton's
Canada Week Committee will co-sponsor
the event. It will be presented to the general
public at no charge. More details will be released
later.
.loc Pcrrault of the Midway Theatre in
St. Brieux is continuing with remodeling,
including enlargement of the theatre lobby.
The snack bar will be in the center with the
ticket booth at one side. A new solid state
sound system has been installed and patrons
have made many pleasing comments. Perraiilt
is pleased to report that business at the
boxol'fice continues to be satisfactory. The
new sound installation was done by Independent
Theatre Supply Ltd. of Edmonton.
The Provincial Museum in Edmonton
end.'d its Depiession series on May 30 with
the screening of Peter Bogdanovich's "Paper
Moon" starring Ryan O'Neal and Tatinu
O'Neal.
Calgary was invaded on June 4 by a crew
from Walt Disney Productions that will
spend a lew days in our town promoting
upcoming product.
Paramount Films had a production screening
on June 4 at Calgary Place to acquainl
business colleagues with its summer lineirp
of product.
Mr. and Mrs. Art Mehle have sold the
Lane Theatre in Trochu, Alberta, and are
moving to neighboring British Columbia.
Branch manager Blain Covert of Warner
Bros, and his staff must be busy people
these days—out of 34 screens in Edmonton
and 32 in Calgary, Warner Bros, has nine
features playing in each city.
Ihe Colonial Room in Calgary's Palliser
Hotel was the scene June 1 of the National
Film Board meeting followed by the annual
Manager's and Booker's Banquet. The banquet
is held by the film board.
American International
To Hold Mini-Convention
American International will hold a "miniconvention"
in London beginning approximately
July 30, according to Jules Stein,
senior vice-president of American International
Pictures Export Corporation.
Deals for overseas distribution of American
International features, begun at the
Cannes Film Festival, will be consummated
in London. Distributors from Italy. France.
England, Spain and the Scandinavian countries
will attend.
"The Amityville Horro r,"
"C.H.O.M.P.S.." "Defiance," "The Eviclors,"
"Something Short of Paradise" and
"Sunnyside" will be made available, along
with any other product AI may obtain for
loreign
distribution.
Queen and Prince Phillip
Attend Royal Premiere
LONDON—Her Majesty the Queen and
his Royal Highness Prince Phillip, Duke of
Edinburgh, will attend the royal premiere
of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's "The Champ"
at the Empiie Theatre Leicester Square
in
on July 9.
The gala event will be sponsored by Variety
Clubs International and will benefit
the Leonard Cheshire Foundation.
"The Champ" begins its regular engagement
in 70mm and six-track stereophonic
sound the following day, July 10. at the
Empire and other select theatres in the London
area. Cinema International Corporation
will release the MGM presentation
throughout the world, exclusive of the United
States and Canada, where it is distributed
by United Artists.
K-2
BOXOFnCE :: June 25, 1979

THIS SUMMER . . .
MAKE ROOM FOR THE "KING"
THE NATION'S NO. 1
ZANY FRATHOUSE SEX!
'-MORE RAUNCHYTHAN 'ANIMAL HOUSE'
HIGHER THAN
COLLEGE COMEDY!
SENSATIONAL OPENING WEEK
TEST RUNS JUNE 6-12
CINEMA PORTLAND, MAINE
1st WEEK-KING FRAT S7,112.
1st WEEK-MANHATTAN 54,615.
1st WEEK-UP IN SMOKE S3,181.
FOUR SEASONS CINEMA (HOLDING)
PROVIDENCE, R.I. S6,412.
BEST GROSS IN 3 YEARS
LONSDALE DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
PROVIDENCE, R.I. $7,448.
BEST OUT OF SEASON GROSS EVER
RAYNHAM DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
TAUNTON, MASS. 55,418.
SAME WEEK BLAZING SADDLES 52,710.
RIVERVIEW DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
HAVERHILL, MASS. 510,210.
BEST GROSS EVER
TYNGSBORO DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
LOWELL, MASS. 58,015.
BEST GROSS EVER
PARKWAY DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
SPRINGFIELD, MASS. 58,255.
BEST GROSS THIS YEAR
HI WAY DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
SALISBURY, MASS. 54,815.
BEST GROSS THIS YEAR
DEERFIELD DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
DEERFIELD, MASS. 54,115.
BEST GROSS THIS YEAR
VIAD MAKER'S ^^ w
"KING^#@!!i^FRAT ,
Ri ... YOITLL RIPA ZIPPER LAUGHING /
CONTACT
MAD MAKERS, INC.
46 Church Street. Boston. MA 02116
Area Code 617
482-7805
CRANSTON DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
PROVIDENCE, R. I. 57,028.
BEST GROSS THIS YEAR
BELLINGHAM DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
BELLINGHAM, MASS. 53,460.
BEST GROSS THIS YEAR
NEWPORT DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
NEWPORT, R. I. 53.038.
BEST GROSS THIS YEAR
495 DRIVE IN (HOLDING)
TEWKSBURY, MASS. 56,018.
BEST GROSS IN 2 YEARS
XOFHCE :: June 25, 1979

Who reads Boxoffice
^ple 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 sales prospect
You should because more key
people in the film industry rely on
BOXOFFICE ior 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 . .
OXOfflCE
^tEO
)omeone like
you.
* Audit Bureau of Circulations
Publisher's Statement for 6 mos. ending December 31, 1978
K-4 BOXOmCE :: June 25, 1979

as
BOXOFFiCE BOOKiNCUiDE
JONNA JEFFERIS, Bookinguide Editor
An interpretive analysis of lay and Iradcpress reviews. Running time is in paicnthesos. The plus and
minus signs indicate degree ol merit. Li .lings cover cuireni reviews regularly. Symbol denotes
BOXOFFICE Blue Ribbon Award. All films are in color except those indicaled by (biw) for black &
white or (0 and bdw) for color and black & white. Motion Picture Ass'n (MPAA) ratings: IG — general
audiences; PG all ages admitted (parental guidance suggested); [r; — restricted, with persons under
17 not admitted unless accompanied by parent or adult guardian; X—persons under 17 not admitted.
Reviews assigned "N- page numbers will be found in the National (front) section of BOXOFFICE.
/Review dicest
AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX
Very Good; + Good; — Fair; Poor; — Very Poor, is rated 2 pluses
-
2 minuses.
5092 Across tlie Great Divide (103)
OD-Ad PIE 2- 5-79 SI
N8 Agatha (104) D WB 2-19-79 PG
5122 Alien (117) SF-Sus ....20th-Fox 6-11-79 CR]
5113 All-Around Reduced Personality.
The (98) D (b&w) Clara
Burckner / Basis Film / ZDF 5-14-79
5111 Almost Perfect Affair, An
(93) R-C Para 5- 7-79 PG
5111 American Game, The (85)
Doc World Northal 5- 7-79 PG
5114 Animation for Live Action (25)
An ...British Film Institute 5-14-79
51CgAshanti (117) Ac-Ad WB 4-23-79 H
5080 Battlestar Galactica

, UA
L-VIEW DIGEST
aND alphabetical index tt Very Good; h Good; ± Fair; - Poor; = Very Poor the summary ++ is rated 2 pluses, = as 2 minuses.
^ P I I 5 li I
5090 Innocent, The (119)
Analysis 1-29-79 U
5083 Invasion of the Body Snatchers

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102)
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.Hi-D.
. May
Apr
Nnv
Ac-D.
ANALYSIS FILM RELEASING
Indian Summer Nov 78
Charleston Dec 78
The Innocent (119) D.. Jan 79
ASSOCIATED FILM
Firepower (104)
. . . .Ac-D. .
Sophia Urcn, .lunics Cobnnv
O.J. Simpson, Ell Walliicli
Escape to Athena
(102) War-C-Ad .
linger Monrc. Telly S:ivaliLs.
Uavlil Nivcn. Sleiiluniie I'onrrs
79
79
Tlie Muppet Movie „ . ,
(98) CM..June79
(D-35S. 70) . ^„
Love and Bullets Ac-D .
.
Aim Ti
Charles Bronson, Jill Ireliuid,
l!od Steicer, Slrothcr Marllii
Treasure of the
Piranha
A(l-D..0cl79
Lee Major.-!, Margans llcmlin!"")'.
James Franclsais. Ivaren lllafli
Arabian Adventure . , .Ad-D. - 79
(Tirlstopher l*e, I'eler Ciislihii;
(D-35S)
Saturn 3 Sus-D..Feh8n
Farrali Knivcett-Majors. Kirk
Douglas, Harvey Keltcl
Raise the Titanic Ail-D
The Lone Ranoer
Disco Land: Where the Music
Never Stops
The Jazz Singer
ATLANTIC RELEASING
Max Havelaar (165) . Jan 79
La Jumenl Vapeur
Picnic at Hanoino Rock
(HO)
My-0..Feh79
BACKSTREET-BEEHIVE-
HOLLYWOOD INT'L
Lust Flight 2000
(78) Sex C-I
VIcH Click. Pat Manning
FRED BAKER FILMS, LTD.
Just Crazy About Horses
(93) Doc.D
The Black Goddess Jan 79
BEEHIVE PRODUCTIONS
Carnal's Cuties
(76) Sex C. June 79
Sinners Seven Sex D.. Dec 79
Curves Ahead!
(78) Sex C.Feb
The Udy Wants a
Tramp Sex C. .Apr
CINEMA SHARES
Point the Finger of
Death Ac. Feb 79
Shaolin Death Squad ...Ac. Feb 79
Fists of Bruce Lee
(99) Ac. Mar 79
COUGAR RELEASING, LTD.
Astral Factor (93) . . . .Sus. .Nov 78
Elkc Snmmi-r, Robert FoxworUi
Poopsie (95) C. Dec 78
Sophia Ixiren. Marcello MastnilannI
FIRST INT'L PICTURES
Dracula Sucks
(98) Sex-Ho-C-D..
limit Ontis, Annette Haven
07,0. COMMl/MICATIONS
I'r Adventures of Pl-occhio
_ t*^^ An. Oct 78
The Lit'.' Mermaid (71) An. . Jan 79
Legend of Ihe Northwest
(83) An .A
Dunderklumpen v9€) ..An. .Iune79
HOLLYWOOD INrL
Come Under My Spell
'84) Sex D.
MISCELLANEOUS
Lusty Princess (82) ..Sex C..Fcb/y
arra^^Hiohways
^^^ ^ ^^^ ^^
m Always Ready .Sex C-D..July79
The New Erotic Adventures of
Casanova Part 2 ..Sex 0. Sent 79
INDEPENDENT ARTISTS
When the Screaming Stopi , „ ^
(94) Ho-F..No»78
The Black Apr 79
Six (90)
Mean" Joe Greene, Carl Bller
INT'L HARMONY, INC.
The NioM the Prowler „ „ „ _
(90) C-D..Mar79
Keiry Walker. Ruth Cracknel
J" Men Forever (90) ..C May 79
I'hll
INrL PICTURI SHOW
They Went That-a-Way and Thata-Way
(100) C. Oct 78
Tim Connay, Chuck McCann
The Magic of Lassie
(100) C-DM..0ct78
James Stewart, Mickey Rooney.
Pemell Roberts, Stephanie Zlmballst
(D-C)
KEY INT'L FILM
Sweet Creek County War
(98) W-C..Feb79
Richard Bgan, Albert Salmi
rhree Way Weekend
_ .. ,„
(85) Sex C. Mar 79
Pen niego. Jody Olhava
The Man Who Loved Bears
(90) Ac-Doc. .Oct 79
Narr. : Henry Fonda
MUSTANG-BEEHIVE
Carnal Encounters of the Barest
Kind (92) Scx-SF..Dec79
NEW LINE
Despair (120) Oct 78
Dirk Bogarde
Like a Turtle on Its Back
(90) C-D..0ct78
Bernadette l,afont
Jive (SI) Nov 78
Robert Downey
Autumn in Germany (116) ...Nov 78
Revenge of the Strectfighter
(90) Apr 79
Sotmy Chlba
Rel.
Date
How to Score With Girls
(82) June 79
Ron Osborne, Larry Jacobs
Smokey and the Hotwire Gang
(S5) June 79
James Ke.ich, Stanley Livingston
OMNI PICTURES
ilfman (101) . . . . Ho-Ac. Feb 79
e Devil's Clone
(96) AcSus. .Mar79
0RAN6EW00D PRODUCTIONS
All American Hustler (65)
Ceremony-Ritual of Love (67)
Diary of My Secret Life (63)
Oh Fanny (55)
European Lovers
Lovin' Lips (Sweet Wet Lips)
Tangerine (SO) . . Sex-Sus. .June79
Lipps & McCain
, „ , ,„
(S7) Sex C.. June 79
Superwoman (84) .. .Sex C. .June 79
Love You to Death (62) June 79
Frathousc (S2) July 79
Devil's Garden July 79
Pink Champagne .. .Sex-Sus. .Sept 79
QUARTET FILMS
Wifemistress (101) D. Jan 79
Marcello Mastrolannl. Laura
AntonelU
The French Detective
(93) Ac-D. Apr 79
Lino Ventura, Patrick Dcwaerc,
Dracula and Son
(88)
Christopher Reed
.Ho-C..May79
STUDIO FILM CORP.
Johnny Mar 79
llnrst
NEW YORKER FILMS
Buchholi
The Capture of Bigfoot
Just Like at Home _
(108) C-D..May79 (95) May 79
Richard Kennedy, Katherlne Hopkins,
Anna Karlna
Peppermint Soda May 79 Stafford Morgan, John Goff
The Maggots Aug 79
Ncwsfront (110)
nils
(© and b&w) I. .June 79
Young, John Go.'f.
Hunter. Gerard Kennedy
Katherlne Hopkins
The Tree of Wooden Clogs
(175) Hi-D..Ju
Woyzeck July 79
Orchestra Rehearsal
(70) DM. Aug 79 TRICONTINENTAL FILM
Against the Grain Sept 79 Chuquiago (87) D. Apr 79
Don Giovanni Nov 79 Tatiaim Ai)f)nla. David SantaJla
Death of a Bureaucrat
(D-U)
(87) b&w C. May 79
Salvador Wood. Silvia I'Innas
The Battle of Chile— Part III
(90) b&w Doc. Sept 79
NMD FILM DISTRIBUTING CO.
Naughty School Girls (84) ...Mar 79
Rebecca Brooke. Sandra Garlnei
The Carhops (88) Apr 79
*'tv Karl. LLsa Farrlngcr
';!» Adventures of Snow
t (76) May 79
V'filahl. Innrld Van Berccn
ROCHELLE FILMS, INC.
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
SANRtO 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. .Ho»79
SPARROWHAWK PRODUCTIONS
Olympic Fever
(88) Sex C-D..0ct79
Serena. Paul Thomas,
Sika, William Margold
21st CENTURY
Snuff Box Connection Ac. Sept 78
Kung Fu Ac. . Sept 78
Fist of Fury Part 11 July 79
COMING RELEASES
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL
Meteor
Sean Connery, Natalie Wood,
Henry Fonda, Trevor Howard
Defiance 0.
Jan-Mlchael Vincent, Joseph
Campanella, 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 ftuald, Richard Beauchamp
The Evictors
Vic Morrow, Michael Parks,
Jessica Harper, Sue Ane Langdon
AVCO EMBASSY
A Very Big Withdrawal
Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams
The Fog
Hal Holbrook, Adrlenne Barbeau,
Janet Leigh, Jamie Lee Oirtls
BUENA VISTA
The Black Hole Dec
Maximilian Schcll, Anthony
Perkins, Robert Forster
(D-3BS. 70)
The Ust Flight of Noah's Ark . .
Elliott (SoMld. Genevieve Biijold.
Ricky Schroder, Tammy Lauren
COLUMBIA
... And Justice for All ..CO
Al Pacino, Jack Warden
The Electric Horseman Dec 79
Robert Redford. Jane Fonda,
Willie Nelson, Nicnlas Coster
Kramer vs. Kramer Dec 79
Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep
Freestyle
Susan Clark
The Thief of Bagdad
Terence Stamp, Peter Ustinov
Hot Stuff
Dom DeLulse, Suzanne Pleshette,
Jerry Reed
Madonna Red
Paul Newman
The First Deadly Sin
Marlon Brando
Wind River OD-Ad
Charlton Heston. Stephen Macht,
Brian Keith, Victor Jory
CROWN INTERNATIONAL
Coach. Part II
The Malorettes
Holiday With the Pom Pom Girls
FILM VENTURES
The Cauldron ol Death
(90) Ho-Ac.
NEW WORLD
Disco High CM.
Car Wars Ac-C.
Battle Beyond the Stars SF.
Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round
the Old Oak Tree RD
PARAMOUNT
North Dallas Forty Aug 79
Niik Nolle, Mac Davis,
Bu Svenson. Charles Durnlng
Sunburn Aug 79
Farrah Fawcett-Majors, Charles
Grodin
Mail
Tell
Diana Muldaur,
Pris
Is.abelle AdJanI
Popcye
Robin Williams
Star Trek—the Motion
Picture
SF-Ad.
William Shatner. Leonard NImoy,
lie Forest Kelley, James Doohan
Rough Cut
Riirt Reynolds, Jacqueline Bisset
Full Moon in August
Joseph Bottoms
American Gigolo
Lauren Hiition, Richard Gere
Starting Over
Burt Reynolds, JUl Clayburgh.
Candlce Bergen, Charles Durnlng
The Hunter
e McQueen
Little Darlings
Tatum O'Neal. Krlsty McNIchol
20TH-FOX
Breaking Away C.Aug
Dennis Christopher, Dennis Qnald
D . . Oct 79
Jill Clayburgh
Nosferatu
SF-Ho..0ct79
Isabelle Adjani, Klaus KtoskI,
Bruno Ganz
Health
C..Dec79
(aenda Jackson, Carol Burnett,
James Garner, Lauren Bacall
Nine to Five C
Jane Fonda
St. Petersburg Cannes Express
Julie Christie, Donald Sutherland
The Rose DM..
Bette Midler. Alan Bates
(D-35S. 70)
Brubaker
Robert Redford, Yaphet Kotto
Fatso
Anne Bancroft, Dom DeLulse,
Candy Azzara, Ron Carey
The Empire Strikes Back ,..SF-Ad.
Mark HaralU. Harrison Ford,
Carrie Fisher
(D-35S, 70)
lA/illic & Phil
Michael Ontkean, Margot Kidder.
Ray Sharkey
Avalanche Express Sus-Ad
.
Lee Marrin, Robert Shaw,
Linda Evans, Maximilian Schell
All That Jazz DM..
Roy Schelder, Ben Vercen
UNITED ARTISTS
Apocalypse Now War D., Aug 79
Marlon Brando. Robert Duvall,
Martin Sheen. Dennis Hopper
(D-35S. 70)
Rich Kids Sept 79
Kathryn Walker, John Lithgow.
T)av1d Selby. Terry Kiscr
Hide in Plain Sight (MGM)
James Caan. Jill Eikenberry
James and Jane
James Caan, Genevieve Bujold
Heaven's Gate
Kris Kristofferson
The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh ....
Slockard Channing
Ladies of the Valley
Jodie Foster
UNIVERSAL
The Lonely Udy
Sn.san Blakely
The Senator
Alan Alda. Melvyn Douglas,
Barbara Harris
Little Miss Marker
Walter Matthau, Julie Andrews,
Sara Stimson, Bob Newhart
Legacy
K.alharlne Ross, Sam Elliott,
Rnper Daltrey
(D-U)
Resurrection
I511cn Burstyn, Sam Shepard
Coal Miner's Daughter B-D
Slssv Spacek. Tommy Lee Jones
The Concorde—Airport '79
Hubert Wagner. Alahi Delon,
Susan Blakely, George Kennedy
1941 C
Dan Aykroyd, John BelushI,
Lnrralne Gary, Murray Hamilton
WARNER BROS.
10 Sept 79
Jiillc Andrews, Rad Daly,
Dudley Moore, James Noble
Captain Grown Up
Diane Keaton
Stepping Out
flenree Rnrns, Art Carney
The Squeeze Sus-C.
Stacy Keach, Lino Ventura
First Blood
Al Pacino
Heart Beat
Slssv Spacek, Nick Nolte
Just Tell Me What You Want ,
. C.
All MacOraw. Alan Kin*
The Day the World Ended .
.Ad-Sus.
William lloldon. Jacqueline Blsset.
Paul Newman. Edward Albert
Altered States
William Hurt. Rlalr Brown
BOXOmCE BookinGuide :: June 25, 1979

Opinions on Current Productions Feature reviews
owod here are in color, unless otherwua speciiied as block and white (b&w). For story synopsis on each picture, see teTerse dde.
THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT V('
''°%Zfl°Trl''''''
New World 106 Minutes Rel. June
The "79
Who's durability. The Wlio's artistry and the joy
and hardships of rock music all shine through in this
exemplary chronicle of the 15-year career of one of the
greatest bands ever. They are no longer kids; if anything,
the film shows Pete Townsend, Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle
and Keith Moon aging with little grace. But the
band's reputation is certainly "alright" and air-tight. In
this Roger Gorman presentation, writer-director Jeff
Stein has distilled miles of TV and film footage of Who
concerts and interviews into a featui-e docuinentary rivaling
"The Last Waltz" in sheer exhilaration. Editor Ed
Rothkowitz, who is also as.sociate producer with Stein, intercuts
the old and the new Who. The grainy, black and
white films of early Who performances recorded in bra.sh
monam-al sound clash with the lucid, color footage ol
later Who concerts, rendered in Dolby Stereo. The film
earned several biu-sts of applause from a recent preview
audience. The humorous appearances of Ringo Starr.
Steve Martin, Keith Richard and Tom Smothers widen
the film's appeal. The PG rating is for a film clip in
which drummer Keith Moon, bound and masked, conducts
an interview while a scantily clad woman lashes
him. Tony Klinger and Bill Curbishley produced.—Jim
Robbins.
Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle, Keith Moon, Peter
Townsend, Tommy Smothers, Ringo Starr.
THE PRISOISER OF ZEJSDA VC
comedy Ad,.nture
Universal (7910) 108 Minutes Rel. May '79
Though not particularly objectionable, "The Prisoner of
Zenda" is never really fmmy enough to be a good comedy,
exciting enough to be a straight adventure or memorable
enough for the audience to recall anything about it
two houi-s after leaving the theatre. Apparently the project
was approached with too much reverence for the
original film and story, and thus never lets loose with
enough outrageousness to be on par with the Mel Brookstype
parodies that audiences are accustomed to. Peter
Sellers moves effortlessly through the dual role of the
king, a vain twit with a speech impediment, and a London
cabby, a role Sellers plays, for the most part, straight.
As the cabby. Sellers is given the opportunity to play the
romantic and, at times, sentimental lead, which allows
him a departure from "Pink Panther" slapstick. But it's
not really the Peter Sellers that audiences want to see.
Most of the comedy, except that which concerns Elke
Soinmer's anatomy, involves Gregory Sierra's pm-suit of
the king and seems lifted from a "Road Runner" cartoon.
The Walter Mirisch production was written by Dick
Clement and Ian La Frenais, and dii'ected by Richard
Quine. Hem-y Mancini's score, if at times obtrusive, is
the most exciting part of the film.—Jimmy Summers.
Peter Sellers, Lynne Frederick, Lionel Jeffries, Elke Sommer,
Gregory Sierra, Jeremy Kemp, Catherine Schell.
GAME OF DEATH
Columbia
102 Minutes
Dran
Rel. July "79
It would have been better if Raymond Chow had decided
to let the dead Bi-uce Lee rest in peace instead of trying
to squeeze the last theatre ticket out of what the
colorful martial arts sensation left behind. Producer Chow
gathered film shot just before Lee died and Jan Spears
hoked up a feeble story to tie in with the available footage.
In some scenes it is obvious that a stand-in is being
filmed, as his face is often obscm-ed by shadow. The fight
scenes are good but made slightly laughable by overuse
of the squeals and grunts that Lee had made his trademark.
Dean Jagger has an embarrassing assignment as
the leader of the bad guys and Gig Young is not impressive
as a newspaperman and friend of Lee. Hugh O'Brian
overcomes a corny role as Jagger's top lieutenant and
comes off as a suave meany. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has
little to say and grunts his way through a fight sequence.
Colleen Camp adds little to the action as Lee's girlfriend.
Editor Alan Pattillo did an excellent job in blending Lee's
old shots into the new material, but this, of coui-se, cannot
cany the pictm-e. Robert Clouse directed. Filmed in Panavision
with color by Technicolor.—Ralph Kaminsky.
Bruce Lee, Gig Young, Dean Jagger, Colleen Camp, Hugh
O'Brian, Chuck Norris, Mel Novak, Roy Chaio.
LOST AM) FOlliSD PG Comedy-I
Columbia (79019) 116 Minutes Rel. July '79
Perhaps this film's most troublesome problem is that it
tries to accomplish too much. It reunites the acting team,
the diiector and the authors of "A Touch of Class," then
mixes in a dash of slapstick, some wit and a pinch of
drama. The resulting combination, however, is a confection
with too many contrasting flavors. The script by
Jack Rose and producer-director Melvin Fi-ank has Glenda
Jackson jealous of husband George Segal's time, spent
competing for a college faculty tenure spot. Jackson, who
is as adept at firing off a line of crackling wit as Katharine
Hepbuin, seems di'earily domestic and out of place
when she is made to battle a rebellious washing machine.
Professor Segal delivers a nicely understated blast at a
puffy literary critic, but then the .scene's power is defused
when he is made to recite not one, but two obscene
limericks. As Segal's best friend, John Cunningham has
the precision and focus Segal's character cries for. Even
Mauieen Stapleton, whose vivid presence breathed life
I
literally) into "Interiors," is confined to a one-set, oneidea
character bit as Segal's radical-minded mother. If
"Lost and Found" had lost some of its excess weight, it
might have found greater clarity, sharper focus—and a
larger audience.—Ron Schaumburg.
Glenda Jackson, George Segal, Maureen Stapleton, Hollis
McLaren, John Cunningham, Paul Sorvino.
SUISNYSIDE
American International 100 Minutes Rel. May '79
It's the same old story about a good guy trying to get
out of a lousy environment, and his bad-guy brother who
wants to help but is tragically enmeshed in gang connections
and is doomed to die in a hail of gunfire. Joey Ti-avolta
adds nothing new to the cliche of the tough gang
leader. Timothy Galfas' script and direction simply do not
give him the depth of characterization to allow a firstrate
performance. Ti-avolta and his gang membere strut
and swagger whenever they move down a street, a tiresome,
repetitious expression of "toughness." Ti-avolta
yearns for a better life. He even finds an apartment in
another part of town: a lush, rich pad that a punk gang
kid could never afford. Ti-avolta hopes to "do some good"
for his conmiunity by organizing a raid on a carnival that
has been cheating the customers. This involves his gang
in an uneasy partnership with a rival gang and leads to
a giurfight in which bodies fall all over the place. John
Lansing is acceptable as the "good" brother, but he never
gets a chance to demonstrate more than a routine, predictable
performance. Jeff King teamed with Galfas on
the script for this Robert Schaffel production.—Ralph
Kaminsky.
Joey Travolta, John Lansing, Stacey Pickren, Andrew
Rubin, Talia Balsam, Joan Darling.
GLIMPSES . . . FOREIGN FILMS
The Second Awakening
Enolis
of Christa Klages
New Line Cinema 88 Minutes Rel. June '79
This West Gemian import is unique in that a
woman functioned in dual capacity of director and
writer i
latter in collaboration with Louisa Franciai.
Margarethe von Ti-otta, who has worked both before
and behind the cameras, shows a distinctive dramatic
flail- in her story of a woman driven to crime
out of desperation rather than gi-eed. Tina Engel.
seeking to keep her day-care center viable, sets out
—to rob a bairk. In a final touch of irony, the center's
colleagues steadfastly refuse to accept the purloined
loot. Acting values are strong.
Colonel Delmiro Gouveia
PortuBuese Drama:
English Titles
Geraldo Sarno Films 90 Minut«s Rel. May '79
The legend of Brazilian tm-n-of-the-century industrialist
Colonel Delmuo Gouveia has been transferred
to the screen with an imposing over\-iew of
the emerging Brazilian 20th Centm-y economy. The
screenplay by producer-director i
Geraldo Sarno the
script was a collaboration with Orlando Senna > is
Impressive with its simplistic yet significant tempo.
m
The reviews on these pages moy be filed for future reference n ony of the following woys: (1) In any standord three-ring
(oose-leaf binder; (2) indivlduolty, by company, in any stand o d 3x5 cord Index file; or (3) in the BOXOFFICE PICTURE
GUIDE three-ring, pocket-size binder. The latter, including o year's supply of booking ond daily record sheets, may be
obtolned from once Publishing Corp., 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Ko SOS City, Mo. 64124 for $3.50.
BOXOFnCE BookinGuide :: June 2.^. 1979 5125

EATURE REVIEWS Story Synopsis; Exploitips; Adiines for Newspapers and Programs
THE STORY:
"Lost and Found" (Col)
Divorcee Glenda Jackson and widower George Segal
coUide en route to a ski lodge. In hospital confinement,
•
their hostility tui-ns to love. They marry and retuin to
America, where he is a professor of English. He and ins
best friend, John Cunningham, are competing for a single
tenui-e spot on the faculty and begin a campaign to curry
the dean's favor. Jackson, frustrated at not being allowed
to share this part of Segal's life, demands to have a hand
in critical decisions. She grows suspicious of liim at a
faculty party where he meets his shapely former graduate
assistant. Segal fails time after time to impress the dean.
Jackson, meanwhile, fioistrated at liis failme to complete
his manuscript, hassled by home Ufe and jealous of her
husband's foi-mer flings, embarasses him at a dinner with
a prestigious film critic. Segal goes to a ski lodge to finish
his manuscript, but when Jackson finds him drunk, she
leaves him. He stages a suicide attempt but is rescued by
Jackson and chatty cab di-iver Paul Sorvino. He goes to
work on his manuscript in earnest while Jackson reconciles
with his mother, Mam-een Stapleton.
EXPLOITIPS:
Emphasize that this film is from the writers, director
and stars of "A Touch of Class."
CATCHLINES:
WARNING: Love Can Be Hazardous to Your- Health!
THE STORY:
"Sunnyside" (AI)
Gang member Joey Travolta wants to move out of the
mean Sunnyside section of Queens. N.Y. But he feels that
he must aid his community, which is badgered by a rival
gang. The 'Warlocks, led by Andrew Rubin. Travolta's
brother, John Lansing, an aspiring artist who seems ready
to move on to better things, urges Travolta to get out
of the rotten environment. But Travolta makes an uneasy
alliance with The Warlocks to clean up a dishonest
carnival operation. The two gangs raid the carnival, split
lucrative booty and go their separate ways. Travolta urges
his brother to continue with his art work, and Lansing >"»
sees an opportunity develop for a job as an illustrator. |_
Travolta, also seeking a way out of the area, takes his
mother to inspect a lush apartment he has found in Manhattan.
But before he can move into his new home. The
Warlocks challenge Travolta's gang. In the ensuing warfare,
Travolta's gang blows up The Warlocks' hideout. In
revenge The Warlocks kill one of Tiavolta's friends. In the
final showdown, Rubin and Travolta are killed.
EXPLOITIPS:
Play up the Ti-avolta name. Soundtrack album is available
from Casablanca Records and Tapes.
CATCHLINES:
New York City 1979 . . . Every Jungle Needs a King.
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