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B0X0FFICE/AUGUST13, 1979<br />

The Business Weekly for Motion Picture Exhibition Published by Vance Publishing Corporation/Vol 1 1 5, No. 20<br />

Two positions<br />

created to fill<br />

Ladd's vacancy<br />

HOLLYWOOD— In a move that has been anticipated for<br />

several weeks. Sandy Lieberson and Ashley Boone have been<br />

named to fill Alan Ladd's shoes as head of 20th Century-Fox's<br />

feature film division The formal announcement was made<br />

Aug. 8 by Dennis C. Slanfill. chairman of the board and chief<br />

executive officer of the parent corporation.<br />

Lieberson. 43. has been appointed president of 20th Fox<br />

productions, and Boone. 40, has been named president of<br />

20th Fox distribution and marketing. Both activities are newly<br />

created divisions of Fox. Both men will report directly to Stan<br />

Cross confrontation<br />

James Brolin and Margot Kidder, as George and Kathleen Lutz, confront violent and unknown forces with the symbol of<br />

their religion before fleeing in terror in American International's "The Amityville Horror." See review on page 18.<br />

'Horror' all too realfor Lutzes<br />

By JIM ROBBI.NS<br />

East Coast Editor<br />

NEW YORK— Kathleen Lutz. the wife and mother in the<br />

family that was reportedly victimized by demonic<br />

phenomena in their Long Island home, doesn't intend to see<br />

"The Amityville Horror" and neither will her three children,<br />

at least not while she has any<br />

say in the matter. And it's not<br />

only because the picture is rated<br />

R.<br />

Stenches, chills, horrid facial<br />

blotches, and more. Although<br />

the experiences are still too harrowing<br />

to relive in a darkened<br />

movie theatre, they don't stop<br />

her and her husband. George,<br />

from undertaking a nationwide<br />

round of interviews in connec<br />

lion with the American International<br />

Pictures release. The film<br />

opened July 27 to strong<br />

business on about 700<br />

screens.<br />

"I believe in the movie. " said Lutz. who added he had "a<br />

severe headache that didn't go away for three days" when he<br />

saw a rough cut of the Stuart Rosenburg film. "It captures<br />

the emotions of what Kathy and I went through exactly<br />

right on. exactly how they happened."<br />

°- £ w o<br />

5 E<br />

uj a.<br />

It is because he agrees with the force of "The Amityville<br />

Record grosses<br />

HOLLYWOOD—"The Amityville Horror,"<br />

starring James Brolin and Margot Kidder, set a<br />

record breaking gross of $21,350,000 in the first 1<br />

days of its release in 868 theatres in the United<br />

States and Canada. The gross is the highest open<br />

ing figure ever amassed by an AI picture in its<br />

25-year history, according to Eugene Tunick, vice<br />

president and general sales manager.<br />

In its first three days in Chicago, opening Aug. 3,<br />

the film grossed $555,683 at 32 theatres. For the<br />

same three days in New York City the take was<br />

$750,991 at 96 theatres. In Los Angeles the same<br />

three-day total was $595,932 in 65 theatres.<br />

Horror" that the Lutzes are conducting interviews, arranged<br />

by AI's West Coast publicity people. Before the couple Iwho<br />

now reside in Southern California! arrived in New York<br />

where Mrs. Lutz appeared on "Good Morning. America."<br />

Lutz talked to media in Atlanta. Miami, and St. Louis. The<br />

following leg of the tour took place in Cleveland. Denver.<br />

San Francisco, Los Angeles,<br />

and San Diego. More dates will<br />

follow, according to AI.<br />

As for the Lutzes' financial<br />

gain from the film. Lutz said<br />

that if the film was "a complete<br />

success." his family would<br />

receive "a certain amount." He<br />

refused to be more specific, and<br />

said. "It was a very hard time<br />

for us. and to be here at all we<br />

have to be satisfied with the<br />

film, period." Lutz said his<br />

financial reward wouldn't be<br />

any more or any less "if we did<br />

or didn't" give interviews.<br />

But why dredge up such horrible<br />

events, some of which were left out of the book by Jay<br />

Anson because they were personally humiliating'' Mrs. Lutz<br />

said she hoped their efforts would lead to more research of<br />

pyschic phenomena.<br />

"There's more existing than you can see or touch," she<br />

said.<br />

z<br />

v m<br />

o w<br />

< m<br />

33<br />

fill.<br />

LIEBERSON, WHO JOINED Fox in April 1977, was<br />

previously vice president of European production In his new<br />

position, he will have responsibility for the production of all<br />

new 20th Fox films. He has been responsible for British and<br />

European based productions for the film company, including<br />

the company's recent boxoffice success, "Alien." Before join<br />

ing Fox. Lieberson was an independent film producer.<br />

Boone will be responsible for the worldwide distribution and<br />

marketing of all 20th Fox feature films to theatres as well as<br />

licensing of pictures to all other markets and forms of distribution.<br />

In his previous position. Boone was senior vice president<br />

of domestic marketing and distribution. He joined Fox in 1 972<br />

in the company's domestic sales department and. in the ensu<br />

ing years, held several senior sales and marketing positions<br />

within the feature film operation.<br />

IN ANNOUNCING THE management changes. Stanfill<br />

also confirmed that Alan Ladd Jr.. incumbent president of<br />

20lh Fox's film division, and his two top aides. Jay Kanter,<br />

senior vice president of worldwide production, and Garelh<br />

Wigan. vice president of worldwide production, will be released<br />

from their 20th-Fox contracts effective Oct. I. Stanfill said<br />

that ihe three studio executives would work on special projects<br />

at an off-studio site until their contracts ended.<br />

The announcement of Lieberson's and Boone's promotions<br />

puts an end to the rumors that have been building ever since<br />

Ladd and his two chief associates announced plans not lo<br />

renew their existing contracts with the film company. On July<br />

4 the trio made public their plans to go into independent pro<br />

duction within Warner Bros. Ladd. Kanter and Wigan were<br />

ordered by Stanfill on July 25 to leave the studio on involuntary<br />

vacations and were told they would be advised within a<br />

week on when they should return.<br />

Commenting on the studio's change in top management.<br />

Stanfill said. "The appointments of Sandy Lieberson and<br />

Ashley Boone reflect the confidence we have in our existing<br />

feature film management team."<br />

r<br />

V<br />

inside<br />

Industry briefs 2<br />

Up front 4<br />

Barometer 6<br />

Hollywood report 7-8<br />

Titles & takes 8<br />

Canadian news 10<br />

Midwest news 11-12<br />

Southern news 12-13<br />

Western news 14<br />

Eastern news 15-17<br />

Feature reviews 18<br />

Review digest 19<br />

Feature chart 20-21,23<br />

*\


Rank promises U.S.<br />

four features a year<br />

B> RALPH KAMINSKY<br />

West Coast Editor<br />

HOLLYWOOD—The United Kingdoms<br />

Williams, head of Rank Film Productions Ltd.<br />

The Dutch import also reveals something<br />

about Rank's uninhibited attitude toward<br />

American distribution. The film is being<br />

released hv the relative!) young company. The<br />

International Picture Show Co.. based in<br />

Atlanta.<br />

"THE INTERNATIONAL PICTURE<br />

Show is a small compart) and it's hungry."<br />

Williams said when asked about the choice of<br />

a relatively untried distributor. "We like Don<br />

Hall's attitude." he said of the head of TIPS.<br />

"We knew thev would nurse the picture ter<br />

ritory bv territory, and the way the picture is<br />

doing is proving our choice is paying off."<br />

The Atlanta company is in line to handle<br />

further releases as well, but Rank also will be<br />

open minded for deals w ith major distributors.<br />

In fact, one film, a remake of "The Lady<br />

Vanishes." is earmarked for one of the majors<br />

"It will need specialized handling and we're<br />

talking to an American distributor at the mo<br />

menl." Williams said.<br />

BUT DISTRIBUTION IS in the hands of<br />

another Rank subsidiary. Williams said, ex<br />

plaining that his tunction was to get Rank<br />

Films into the production of films planned for<br />

international markets.<br />

"We can't slay in little production; we can't<br />

make impressive pictures on low budgets."<br />

Williams said "The bottom line has become so<br />

high thai we're force"d to work on a higher<br />

level." That leads to the conclusion that Rank<br />

must make films that are suitable for distribu<br />

tion around the world, he said.<br />

Dormant for many years, and having pro<br />

duction confined to little pictures with appeal<br />

chiefly in the United Kingdom. Rank had<br />

lived with a tradition of a "small program."<br />

Williams said. "But we decided we couldn't go<br />

on at that level," and the result was that "we<br />

began to make noises in Cannes two years<br />

ago."<br />

FOUR OUT OF SIX of the<br />

new pictures<br />

Rank currently has going have been totally<br />

financed by Rank money, and although that<br />

will be the pattern for future pictures as well.<br />

Williams says he will not be averse to taking in<br />

partners for co productions when such deals<br />

seem attractive.<br />

"We're aiming at four pictures a year, pro<br />

vided we get the right properties and all the<br />

elements are to our satisfaction." he said.<br />

Aside from the story— the first and crucial<br />

element— there is the need to round up artists<br />

with international identification to fit the<br />

roles, he said.<br />

"It's difficult to get the one that works in a<br />

Rank Organisation, once a titan as a motion specific picture." he said But he said the cast<br />

picture producer, is moving back into the in "must have an international appeal." Then<br />

lernationa^ scene with a program that pro comes the need for "a very special director<br />

mises at least four features a year for U.S. ex<br />

hibitors.<br />

who can do something special with the script."<br />

Aside from "Soldier of Orange," Rank has<br />

"Soldier of Orange," made by Rank's Dutch four other films nearing release preparedness.<br />

company, has been receiving critical praise THE REMAKE OF "The 39 Steps." the<br />

and earning hefty boxoffice receipts since its first project under Rank's expanded program<br />

release earlv in the summer.<br />

and a film for which Williams takes "total<br />

"SOLDIER" IS INDICATIVE of Ranks<br />

determination to regain its place in the inter<br />

responsibility." will go into release either this<br />

month or in September. The film stars Robert<br />

national film market, according to Tony Powell. David Warner and John Mills.<br />

"We're very hopeful for the film here in<br />

America." Williams said "It has done very<br />

• ±*<br />

well overseas." The film opened last year in<br />

Italy. France. Israel and South America.<br />

"Eagle's Wing." an "unusual western with a<br />

mythical, classic story." will be ready about<br />

September. Williams said The release is confined<br />

to a territorial basis before spreading out<br />

nationally. The film stars Stuart Whitman.<br />

Martin Sheen and Harvey Keitel in conflict<br />

with Sam Waterston, who plays an Indian battling<br />

for survival.<br />

"THE RIDDLE OF THE SAND," star<br />

ring Michael York and Jenny Agguter, is<br />

about two young Englishmen on a sailing holiday<br />

who suddenly stumble across a plot for an<br />

invasion of England. The film is based on Erskin<br />

Childers' 1 903 book. It was "the first spy<br />

story ever written." Williams said.<br />

"The Lady Vanishes" stars Elliott Gould,<br />

Cybill Shepherd, Angela Lansbury and<br />

Herbert Lorn in a remake that will concentrate<br />

on the original film's comedy-thriller aspects.<br />

"It's a very good story," Williams said, "and it<br />

will be a thoroughly entertaining picture."<br />

Two other films are in production. One has<br />

Nicholas Roeg directing a feature still without<br />

a final title. Art Garfunkel. Theresa Russell<br />

and Harvey Keitel star in the story about two<br />

young Americans in Vienna who are involved<br />

in an affair that turns destructive from its intense<br />

relationship.<br />

THE OTHER FILM IS "Silver Dream<br />

Racing." in which British pop music star<br />

David Essex plays an ordinary young man<br />

who inherits a motorcycle and begins to dream<br />

of becoming a major racer Christina Raines<br />

with whom he falls in<br />

plays the American girl<br />

love, and Beau Bridges plays the villainous<br />

American racer who serves as a catalyst.<br />

Williams says that because of Rank's<br />

resurgence in production he is in the heady<br />

position of leading a company that is part of a<br />

conglomerate providing all the facilities a pro<br />

ducer dreams about. Rank owns Pinewood<br />

Studios outside of London. Williams' head<br />

quarters. Rank also has its own laboratories; it<br />

has its own European distribution unit and<br />

runs a string of theatres in the United<br />

Kingdom.<br />

"It's a boom time for Britain's technicians<br />

and studios." he said, referring to location<br />

shooting made easy by the availability of<br />

British crews.<br />

BOXOFFICE/AUGUST 1 3, 1 97!


BOXOFFICE/AUGUST 13, 1979<br />

Kerkorian antitrust suit burning the midnight oil<br />

By RALPH KAMINSKY<br />

West Coast Editor<br />

LOS ANGELES— Kirk Kerkorian may<br />

have resigned from the MCjM board of direc<br />

lore and executive committee, but he still is a<br />

dominant figure in the company's operations,<br />

still draws an annual $50,000 salary as a consultant<br />

and attends the business meetings of<br />

the committee.<br />

MGM President Frank E Rosenfell<br />

brought out Kerkonan's current status while<br />

testifying in federal court here late at night<br />

Aug. 7 in the trial to determine whether the<br />

financier's 25 percent interest in Columbia<br />

Pictures Industries is a threat to competition.<br />

On the stand later, Kerkorian told of his<br />

activities with Columbia participating in<br />

discussions on the sale of the company's Ar<br />

Records division and the firm's program<br />

lista<br />

on film acquisition.<br />

Also testifying that night. Leo Greenfield.<br />

senior distribution vice president for MGM<br />

from 1<br />

975 '78. revealed his sharp disagree<br />

mem wiih United Artists' plans on the<br />

distribution of several MGM pictures. He also<br />

expressed ins opinion that MGM no longer is<br />

a major motion picture company Greenfield<br />

is now head of distribution for Associated<br />

Film Distribution<br />

Mil IIIRKF FILM company executives<br />

testified in an overtime session that ended at<br />

10 p. in at the order of Judge Andrew llauk.<br />

who declared he will keep the trial going every<br />

night, even until midnight, in an effort to<br />

bring it to a close bj Aug. 17.<br />

Rosenfell said he meets with Kerkorian at<br />

k-.isi mice ,i week to fill him m on all aspects "I<br />

MGM operations despite Kerkonan's new tics<br />

with Columbia. He also said Kerkorian 's<br />

strength as a major stockholder makes n<br />

"highly unlikely" that a new director could<br />

ever he elected it Kerkorian opposed the<br />

move<br />

Kerkorian spent W minutes on the stand.<br />

discussing occasions on which he met with<br />

t olumbia officials or engaged in phone calls<br />

about Columbia's tilm acquisitions<br />

Greenfield cued instances in which he had<br />

disagreed with UA distribution plans for<br />

MGM pictures He cued specifically I Vs<br />

plans to distribute "Uncle Joe Shannon," in<br />

which he saw a potential conflict because ol us<br />

similarity to MGM's "The Champ." Shannon<br />

deals wiih a down and out musician and a<br />

small boy, much like "I he Champ" involves a<br />

lalher and his young son<br />

GREENFIELD SAID he fell there were<br />

times DA signed up the heller theatres for us<br />

own product, leaving MGM pictures lor second<br />

and third choices in some cities.<br />

\s .in example he told of his experience<br />

with the handling of "Corvette Summer."<br />

which he wanted handled as a special film<br />

going out to a lew theatres initially Instead,<br />

he said. I A weni widespread with the picture,<br />

leading him to complain to MGM distribution<br />

executive Al Fitter thai "this is the way AIP<br />

and Crown International crappers are<br />

distributed."<br />

IN OTHER ACTION earlier in the week.<br />

Kerkonan's attorney revealed lhat Ihe finan<br />

cicr has promised never to vote his slock in an<br />

MGM Columbia merger. Among the early<br />

defense witnesses were Theodore Solomon.<br />

former NATO president and head of Gulf<br />

Theatres m New Orleans; Herbert Hur<br />

Stales<br />

witz, senior vice president of General Cinema<br />

( orp.; Charles J Weber, president of<br />

Lucasfilm Ltd., and Bernard E Goldberg, co<br />

owner of Golden Theatre Management Corp<br />

of New York.<br />

Each ol the early exhibitor witnesses<br />

expressed fears of possible cutbacks in com<br />

petition if Kerkorian continues holding his 25<br />

percent share of Columbia's slock But each<br />

conceded under cross examination lhat he has<br />

not seen any evidence of reduced competition<br />

nor any sign that it could eventually occur<br />

Last testimony entered in test of Ohio bid law<br />

By TONY RUTHERFORD<br />

Regional Correspondent<br />

In ending the witness portion of the legal<br />

challenge to Ohio's anti-blind bidding status,<br />

two exhibitors and an independent film consultant<br />

testified, and small portions of deposi<br />

tions from a number of film executives were<br />

read into the record.<br />

Called to testify July 23 was Paul<br />

Grossman, a booker/buyer for Cincinnatibased<br />

Mid States Theatres. Grossman said<br />

that blind bidding was no help in determining<br />

which films one should book because bid<br />

solicitation letters were often misleading or<br />

simply hype for a particular picture, thus forcing<br />

bookers to rely on a hunch or luck.<br />

VIEWING A FILM allows Grossman and<br />

others like him to use their acquired skills to<br />

determine which productions would be most<br />

suitable for screens in urban areas, rural situa<br />

tions. and even instances in which the<br />

audiences-on one side of town have different<br />

tastes from those on the other.<br />

Grossman said that bookers at a<br />

tradescreening could not always tell which<br />

films would be blockbusters but that the viewing<br />

at least alerted them to potential losers.<br />

He indicated that only one piclure—<br />

Universale "The Prisoner of<br />

Zenda"—had been delayed because of problems<br />

relating lo the holding of a tradescreen<br />

ing. "Zenda" opened nationwide on May 25,<br />

but Ohio exhibitors did not begin showing the<br />

production until June 15.<br />

CHARLES SUGARMAN, the Columbus,<br />

Ohio, operator of Cinema East, Cinema North<br />

1 & 2, and the temporarily closed Grove City<br />

Cinemas, followed Grossman to the stand<br />

Sugarman documented large losses suffered<br />

by himself under the blind bidding system,<br />

mainly unearned film rental from guarantees.<br />

Although exhibits illustrated his gains and<br />

losses—including the huge success of "Star<br />

Wars"— the amounts did not offset the debts<br />

caused by such pictures as "Nickelodeon," he<br />

said.<br />

Cross-examination of Sugarman attempted<br />

to prove that his theatre had played a substantial<br />

quantity of subsequent run product, which<br />

had also sustained losses. During later<br />

testimony. Sugarman established that those<br />

losses on second run product were not of nearly<br />

the scope or magnitude sustained on some<br />

first-run films.<br />

AT THE SAME TIME, further cross<br />

examination attempted to link a portion of<br />

Sugarman's losses not to the blind bidding<br />

system or product, but to a lack of customers<br />

at his theatres, his own business practices and<br />

even the locations of his cinemas in relation to<br />

his competitors.<br />

The final defense witness, Max Youngslein,<br />

a consultant from Beverly Hills who is involved<br />

in negotiations between independent producers<br />

and film distributors, discredited to an<br />

extent earlier testimony regarding the uncer<br />

tainty of a film's productive process.<br />

YOUNGSTE1N SAID the "majors" didn't<br />

just advance monies and then leave the pro<br />

ducer unchecked. Maintaining that there are<br />

sufficient controls both during filming and in<br />

post production to normally permit a<br />

tradescreening, Youngstein explained that early<br />

release dates were sometimes set to justify<br />

blind biddings—a process he says is unwarranted<br />

and is often used to sell bad films.<br />

Before closing its case, defense attorneys<br />

read excerpts of depositions recorded before<br />

the beginning of the trial, including those of<br />

Eugene Goodman. United Artists distribution;<br />

Burton Morrison, senior vice president of<br />

finance and administration for 20th Century-<br />

Fox Pictures; Herbert Robinson, vice<br />

president-general sales manager for Avco<br />

Embassy Pictures; and Sumner Redstone,<br />

president of Redstone Management and Northeast<br />

Theatre Corp., which has screens in<br />

Boston, Cincinnati and Toledo.<br />

GOODMAN SAID THAT United Artists<br />

already had a policy of tradescreening<br />

whenever possible. He detailed an experience<br />

with "The Champ," a film that was blind bid<br />

in other states but tradescreened in Ohio. Not<br />

only did the picture open in Ohio on the<br />

national date, but exhibitors there, after seeing<br />

the film, bid higher terms than those in other<br />

states.<br />

Goodman also explained his company's<br />

nationwide "open bid" policy in which bids are<br />

opened in branch offices, a procedure adopted<br />

before the enactment of the blind bidding<br />

statute.<br />

The selected portion of Morrison's deposition<br />

stated that 20th Century-Fox did not borrow<br />

capital on a per film basis, but rather as a<br />

general line of credit. He said the company<br />

had been so successful recently that credit had<br />

not been necessary.<br />

AVCO'S ROBINSON said that his company<br />

hardly blind bids pictures, holding<br />

tradescreenings whenever possible. However,<br />

he said, his concern was the requirement to rebid<br />

a picture until a successful bid was attained.<br />

Because Avco is a smaller company, Robinson<br />

questioned what could be done if no bids were<br />

received.<br />

Redstone's deposition contained an opinion<br />

that blind bidding artificially raised the price<br />

of films by not allowing exhibitors to exercise<br />

their own business judgements. Calling the upward<br />

pressure on ticket prices a direct result of<br />

blind bidding, he said the process led to high<br />

terms on pictures of which the commercial<br />

appeal could not be gauged.<br />

EARLIER, FEDERAL Judge Robert Duncan<br />

denied a motion by the State of Ohio for<br />

dismissal of the injunctive relief petition. At<br />

the culmination, Duncan said he would not<br />

hastily return with a decision, adding that a<br />

major portion of his deliberations would con<br />

sist of analyzing the mounds of conflicting<br />

testimony and deciding how much weigh!<br />

apportion to the testimony of respective<br />

witnesses<br />

September 13 was set as a deadline for sub<br />

mission of final briefs. C losing oral arguments<br />

will follow, probably either late in September<br />

or duing early October.<br />

to<br />

Although it is too difficult lo determine a<br />

date when a decision may be reached, a good<br />

estimate, according to one of the defense<br />

attorneys, is no earlier than November.<br />

THAT DECISION is most likely to be<br />

appealed no matter what side triumphs. In addi<br />

tion, the determination does not have to clear<br />

ly favor one side over the other. For instance,<br />

the ruling could retain portions of the statute<br />

while invalidating others.<br />

The appeal procedure would be to the Sixth<br />

Circuit Court in Cincinnati and then to the<br />

U.S. Supreme Court.<br />

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B0X0FFICE/AUGUST13, 1979<br />

We welcome your thoughts and comments on editorial issues and viewpoints expressed in<br />

BOXOEFICE, or on related subjects of your own choosing. ( orrespondencc should be<br />

addressed to: letter to the Kditor. BOXOFFICE, 825 Van Brunt Blvd.. Kansas City,<br />

Mo. 64I 24. Typewritten letters should be triple spaced and signed b> the addressor; job title<br />

or professional affiliation should be included, if applicable. Letters should be limited to<br />

500 words. We reserve the right to edit all material for length and clarity.<br />

Internal discord sounds sour notefor exhibitors<br />

There are those among us who cling credulously to the comforting belief that the ap<br />

parent differences between the National Association of Theatre Owners and its West<br />

Coast outgrowth, the Theatre Association of California, will be resolved sometime<br />

soon and unification returned once again to the ranks of exhibitors.<br />

What fervent hopes there were for such an amalgamation, however, were instantly<br />

reduced to a faint flicker a fortnight ago when Bruce Corwin tendered his resignation<br />

as a member of NATO's executive committee, reportedly because of his firm objection<br />

to NATO's dismissal of a paid lobbyist in Washington. Corwin is the president of<br />

Southern California's Metropolitan Theatres circuit, a company whose chairman,<br />

Sherrill C. Corwin, was one of the inspirational forces behind the realignment of the<br />

national exhibitor association when it adopted its present organizational name in 1 966.<br />

The younger Corwin is also president of TAC.<br />

CALIFORNIA EXHIBITORS HAVE long championed for a full-time, profes<br />

sional NATO president and relocation of the national organization's headquarters<br />

from New York City to Washington. The controversy and vocal debate that resulted<br />

over this issue and its ensuing rejection by NATO executives was the principal reason<br />

that a majority of California exhibitors voted in 1 977 to secede from NATO and form<br />

an independent organization, TAC.<br />

There was growing speculation this past spring that the two exhibitor organizations<br />

might be drawing ever closer to reconciling their disagreements when William Kartozian,<br />

chairman of TAC, submitted a budget proposal u NATO outlining a more<br />

specific plan of action for a paid president and for relocation to the nation's capital. At<br />

the time the proposal was issued, A. Alan Friedberg, president of NATO, expressed<br />

guarded skepticism about the feasibility of implementing such a plan. But he agreed to<br />

study the details of the proposal. "I was in favor of it when it was first considered and<br />

rejected," Friedberg said, adding that he still "favored the concept 6f a paid executive<br />

and an office elsewhere." Friedberg said that if it appeared the plan could be properly<br />

subsidized, it would be formally presented at the annual NATO convention to be held<br />

in late October in Los Angeles.<br />

REGARDLESS OF WHAT has transpired up until just two weeks ago between the<br />

two exhibitor organizations that might be termed encouraging, spurring many to conjure<br />

up designs on reconciliation and unity among the nation's exhibitor fraternity, it<br />

all seems academic now in view of developments surrounding Corwin's voluntary exodus<br />

as an executive member of the national organization's inner circle.<br />

The present feud between the country's two foremost exhibitor factions revolves<br />

around NATO's decision to dismiss Braun Communications Inc. as the organization's<br />

chief lobbyist on Capitol Hill.<br />

Braun was retained by NATO on April 20, primarily to<br />

serve as the exhibitor organization's influential voice among the nation's electorate and<br />

various governmental policymakers, against the passage of a new, higher federal<br />

minimum wage law.<br />

Corwin was particularly incensed because he personally—and TAC as a group—had<br />

strongly recommended that NATO adopt a serious lobbying effort at the federal level,<br />

and pushed Braun for the job. TAC reportedly contributed $5,000 of the $25,000 fee<br />

Braun contracted intially for its services.<br />

CORWIN WAS ALSO UPSET because Braun had just<br />

barely embarked upon<br />

what he referred to as a "massive campaign" that was to have combined the support of<br />

numerous businesses, including motion picture exhibition, in behalf of a legislative<br />

amendment establishing a special "learner's rate" that would lower the federal standard<br />

for minimum wage, applicable to persons entering the job market for the first<br />

time.<br />

Corwin said he had received no warning that NATO was dropping Braun's services<br />

in Washington. He first learned of the action, he said, in a letter from Friedberg. Corwin<br />

said Friedberg explained in the letter that he envisioned only a "minimum<br />

likelihood of success and the lengthy time frame dictated the propriety of aborting the<br />

formal campaign (opposing the federal government's attempt to increase the miminum<br />

wage)."<br />

DESPITE HIS VISIBLE antipathy to NATO's actions in the matter of Braun in<br />

particular and the role of a federal lobbyist in general, Corwin asserted that he would<br />

continue in NATO. His circuit. Metropolitan Theatres, is one of the few in California<br />

still<br />

paying dues to the national organization.<br />

"And we will continue doing it," he said. "I strongly believe in a national organization,<br />

and l will continue working with it."<br />

In the meantime, TAC reportedly is looking into the possibility of picking up the ball<br />

on its own and rehiring Braun to continue the lobbying effort in Washington on behalf<br />

of exhibitors across the country. If TAC can come up with the necessary financing, exhibitors<br />

throughout the United States will get a "free ride from us," Corwin said.<br />

"Braun has worked with us before on many issues, and we have extreme confidence in<br />

their ability."<br />

There is no question that exhibition needs a strong representative voice in<br />

Washington and elsewhere, one that can be heard loud, clear and often on the many<br />

issues affecting the retail arm of our industry. Whether it be a full-time lobbyist or a<br />

professional, full-time president with national headquarters in the nation's capital,<br />

exhibition must establish its place and make its position known among the country's<br />

influential lawmakers and other effectual forces.<br />

BUT OF EVEN GREATER long-range concern, exhibitors need to overcome their<br />

internal discord—be it nationally, regionally or even locally—and band together in one<br />

harmonious effort totally committed to the common objective of serving! protecting<br />

and furthering the growth of motion picture exhibition as a viable and lucrative entertainment<br />

form.<br />

The dichotomy that exists between West Coast exhibitors and their NATO counter<br />

parts elsewhere in the country only impedes this effort.<br />

Two factions pulling in<br />

unequal or opposite directions cannot hope to achieve the<br />

same objectives. Perhaps the time has come for exhibition to begin refortifying its<br />

forces before mounting a charge.<br />

In the well known words of the late American statesman John Dickinson: "By<br />

uniting we stand; by dividing we fall."<br />

The Business Weekly for Motion Picture Exhibition/Published by Vance Publishing Corporation/Vol 1 15/No. 20<br />

Published weeklv in one edition, except semi weeklv the<br />

first week in August and the second week in February<br />

Published b> Vance Publishing Corporation, 825 Van<br />

Brum Boulevard. Kansas City, Missouri. Ml 24<br />

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Subscription rales US.. Canada and Mexico. $20 per<br />

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offices Publication No I SPS 062-2611<br />

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Ben Shlyen, Executive Editor<br />

Morris Schlo/man, Advertising Manager<br />

Harvej Sharp, Circulation Director<br />

Gary Hun h, Modern Theatre Editor<br />

.lonna Jefferis, Associate Editor<br />

Stu Goldstein, Associate Editor<br />

Kevin Kious, Copy Chief<br />

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Ralph kuininskv. West Coast Editor<br />

Jim Robbins, East Coast Editor<br />

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Tele. 17041 3330444.<br />

Chicago: trances B Clow. 175 V kcmlworth.<br />

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lele is I si 266-981 I<br />

Detroit: ( harles Thurston. 247 I Southlawn. Birm<br />

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WILLIAM C. VANCE<br />

Publisher<br />

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Assoc. Publisher/National Sales<br />

Manager<br />

CHARLES F. ROUSF III<br />

Editor<br />

ADMINISTRATIVE<br />

Herbert A. Vance, Chairman<br />

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CORRESPONDENTS<br />

Atlanta: Genevieve Camp. 166 Lindbergh Drive.<br />

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Baltimore: Kale Savage. 3607 Spnngdalc. 21216<br />

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Mass 02192. Tele |6I7| 444 1657.<br />

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R3( OBI<br />

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THE SEQUEL<br />

TO THE MOST<br />

EXCITING<br />

AND<br />

SUCCESSFUL FILM<br />

EVER MADE ON<br />

MOTORCYCLE SPORT!<br />

vf -if*<br />

wsm<br />

m»**:-<br />

f<br />

jfe5 ^<br />

i ., I<br />

«• • ".,11,<br />

X. TV-*<br />

\&&fr<br />

Producer Director: DONALD SHOEMAKER<br />

Executive Producers: DAVID M. WALDEN & JAMES LCAVANAUGH<br />

Host: LARRY HUFFMAN Consultont: BRUCE BROWN Written by SAM MOSES<br />

A 4-WAY MOTOR SPORTS PRODUCTION<br />

INTERNATIONAL & DOMESTIC SALES<br />

PLEASE CONTACT<br />

S. DOROTHY FOX • PATRICIA HERSKOVIC • MAX A. KELLER<br />

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(213) 278-4661 Telex 194182 Answerback: FILM BVHL Cable Address: BARRISTER<br />

© 4 WAY MOTOR SPORTS. I<br />

NC. 1979


BOXOFFICE/AUGUST 1 3, 1 979<br />

This chart records the performance of current attractions in the opening week of their first run<br />

engagements in the key cities listed. The most recent figures reflect <strong>Boxoffice</strong> Barometer's new<br />

reporting procedure and indicate the (olal number of theatre screens and the total gross, in<br />

TOP HITS OF THE WEEK ' T' 1 Marriage Do Us Part iFranklin Medial<br />

New York 1/47<br />

IntBi iduat runs, not an atera^e Listing, are 1 wiiin - The Amity ville Horror I All<br />

ed to openim; week figures on new releases otitv. Detroit 14/650<br />

Baltimore 3/68<br />

thousands of dollars, for each film (No. of screens/grossi t indicates that the gross covers a<br />

period less than seven days. J indicates more than seven days. All other figures are gross percenlages.<br />

based on average weekly theatre grosses, with 100 per cent reflecting an average gross.<br />

Kansas City 8/147 5. The Villain (Coll<br />

3. Why Not iNew Linel Denver 6/88<br />

New York 1/32<br />

4. Meatballs iParal 6 Breaking Away l20th Foxi<br />

Detroit 17/300 San Francisco 1/12<br />

CI<br />

" s =.<br />

Z _j rj<br />

2,<br />

*<br />

Alien i20th Foxl<br />

3/416 3/334 450<br />

790 6/113


BOXOFFICE/AUGUST 13, 1979<br />

hollywood<br />

film projects<br />

HAPPY BIRIHDAY. GEMINI, a com<br />

edy based on ihe cureem Broadway hn. is be<br />

ing filmed in Toronto lor release by Unned<br />

Artists. Heading the cast are Rita Moreno.<br />

Madeline Kahn. Robert Viharo. Sarah<br />

Holcomb. Alan Rosenberg and David Grant<br />

Rupert Hil/ig and Alan King will produce<br />

Maurice Silverstein and Durham Produc<br />

lions have set an October starting date for<br />

SHAH. Silverstein International will handle<br />

the worldwide sales.<br />

Lonmar Films has obtained screen rights to<br />

GOD PROTECT ME FROM \n<br />

TR11NDS, which will develop as a feature<br />

film to be produced by Terence F Deane Pro<br />

duction is tentatively scheduled for spring<br />

1 980.<br />

Joseph E<br />

Levine Presents. Inc. will go into<br />

production next on Paul Galhco's VERNA:<br />

L'SO GIRL. Pre production will start in<br />

September.<br />

SUM VII will be produced by Richard A.<br />

Roth for 20th Century-Fox. Marc Norman<br />

will write the screenplay.<br />

BURGERS, a comedy thriller set against<br />

the fast foods industry, will be produced by<br />

Lynmar Productions, with G. M. Cahill<br />

writing the screenplay.<br />

Joe Wizan and John Strachan have signed<br />

with Columbia for the production on THE<br />

JUGGLER AND THE JUDGE, a romantic<br />

comedy. The script is being tailored for<br />

Richard Gere.<br />

PARLOR GAMES, based on Robert<br />

Marasco's suspense novel, will be produced for<br />

Universal by Thurman Foster Co. Walon<br />

Green is writing the script for the<br />

psychological thriller about a secret love<br />

triangle. David Foster and Lawrence Turman<br />

will produce<br />

Orion Pictures plans to begin shooting in<br />

October I980 on SHARKEY'S MACHINE.<br />

Burt Reynolds will star. Plot concerns an<br />

Atlanta police defective trying to solve the attempted<br />

murder of a call girl who is linked to a<br />

Senator involved in a presidential campaign.<br />

Hank Moonjean will be the producer.<br />

Warner Bros, has concluded a deal with<br />

George Englund to produce ATLANTIC CI-<br />

TY. The picture will be adapted from Paul<br />

Erdman's forthcoming novel of the same<br />

name Principal photography is scheduled to<br />

begin in late 1 980.<br />

report ^i j<br />

I h e Dimension Pictures rel ea se<br />

SCREAMS OF A \M\IIR MGIII will<br />

open simultaneous!) in 80 theatres in the<br />

Charlotte, N.C.. area and 50 theatres in Mm<br />

neapolis and St. Paul on Aug. 10. The film will<br />

have more than 500 prints playing national!)<br />

in August<br />

LASER LADY, a science fiction comedy<br />

set in the 2 1st century, will be produced by Si<br />

Litvinoff and Harry N Blum, aiming at a<br />

Christmas 1 980 release.<br />

SEARCH FOR THE LOCH NESS<br />

MONSTER will be made by Stephen W.<br />

Sharmat's International Creative Finance<br />

Group and producer Peter Simons. Richard<br />

Chapman and Derek Tennant have written<br />

the screenplay, based on Dennis Meredith's<br />

book "Search at Loch Ness." Principal<br />

photography is scheduled to begin early next<br />

year in Tasmania. Australia, and second unit<br />

shooting is planned at Loch Ness. Scotland<br />

Kent Osborne's Starla Productions and Jeb<br />

Productions began filming July 23 on THE<br />

REBEL on locations at Hanford. Calif.<br />

Osborne will direct from his own screenplay:<br />

King Johnson is the producer.<br />

Principal photographv has begun on<br />

AIRPLANE!, a Howard W. Koch production<br />

for Paramount Pictures. A spoof on disaster<br />

movies, the film was written for the screen by<br />

Jerry and David Zucker and Jim Abrahams,<br />

who also serve as executive directors. Jon<br />

Davison is the producer: Abrahams N.<br />

Zuckers is directing.<br />

Principal photography on John Cassavettes"<br />

ONE SUMMER NIGHT began July<br />

23 in<br />

New York City. Written, produced and<br />

directed by Cassavettes for Columbia Pictures<br />

release, the film stars Gene Rowlands and<br />

marks the film debut of seven year-old Juan<br />

Adames. Also featured prominently in the cast<br />

are Buck Henry. Julie Carmen and Lupe Garnica.<br />

RUNNING SCARED, a chase film<br />

backgrounded in the I96l Bay of Pigs invasion<br />

attempt, began shooting Aug I as a<br />

Derek Powers production with Paul Glickler<br />

producing and directing and also writing the<br />

script with David O'Dell and Vicki Polon.<br />

John Saxon. Bradford Dillman and Pat Hmgle<br />

have been signed to star. Filming is set for<br />

eight weeks on locations in Miami and the<br />

Florida Everglades.<br />

Styron's new novel, will<br />

SOPHIE'S CHOICE, based on William<br />

be made into a motion<br />

picture by Marble Arch Productions,<br />

with president Martin Starger as executive<br />

producer. Alan J. Pakula will direct and will<br />

Norman Lloyd has been signed lo play a<br />

special tactical weapons man in Universal^<br />

III! Rl II RN 01 MAXWI I I SMART.<br />

Madolyn Smith will play John Travolta's<br />

wife and Dehra Winger will portray the<br />

wealthier of Travolta's Icvas love interests in<br />

Paramount s IRBW (OttBOY.<br />

began shooting July 2 in Houston<br />

Anthony Hopkins has signed lor the role of<br />

Dr Frederick Treves in Paramount's THE<br />

II EPHANT MAN, set to begin principal<br />

photography Oci 15. David Lynch is directing<br />

from the original screenplay by Christopher<br />

DeVors and Eric Bergren.<br />

Paul Lynde and Scott Baio will star in<br />

Rastars SKATETOWN. U.S.A., which<br />

began shooting July 16 in Los Angeles lor Col<br />

umbia Pictures Also featured are Ron Palillo.<br />

Maureen McCormick. Greg Bradford. Patrick<br />

Swayze. David Lansberg. Billy Barty. Denny<br />

Johnston. Bill Kirschenbauer. Harlene<br />

Winslon and Joe E Ross<br />

Sally Kellerman has signed for a starring<br />

role- in Time Life Productions' LOVING<br />

COUPLES, which began shooting July 30 on<br />

Southern California locations.<br />

Jim Bray, the amateur roller skating champ,<br />

has been signed to star as the male lead with<br />

Linda Blaire in Compass International's<br />

ROLLER BOOGIE, an Irwin Yablans pro<br />

duction of a Skaiekey picture.<br />

Beverly D'Angelo has signed for the female<br />

lead in HIGHPOINT, a romantic suspense<br />

story that began filming July 30 in Toronto.<br />

Rich Harris and Christopher Plummer are<br />

also starring in the film.<br />

Jack Kruschen has signed for PIRATES<br />

OF SANTA MARIA, to be produced by Sea<br />

Pines Productions on locations in the Caribbean.<br />

New York stage actress Pamela Payton-<br />

Wright has signed for a major role in Warner<br />

Bros GOING IN STYLE.<br />

Michael Monartv has a featured role in<br />

THE BURNING BOOK, a Silverscreen Internationa]<br />

production set to begin shooting in<br />

the fall in Montreal and Europe. Paul Almond<br />

will direct the drama set in England in the<br />

1520s. Roy Krost will produce and Robert<br />

Uecky is executive producer.<br />

Diane Lane will co-siar in the Rasiar pro<br />

duction of TO ELVIS WITH LOVE.<br />

Deborah Raffin stars in this true siory of a<br />

young girl's special relationship with Elvis<br />

Presley. Filming is sei to begin in Oct 16 in<br />

Banff. Alberta. Canada.<br />

Rene Auberjonois has been cast in the role<br />

of a stuffy political reporter in WHERE THE<br />

Bl HALO ROAM. Universal corned)<br />

ing produced and directed by<br />

Art Linson.<br />

Rue McClanahan has joined the casi of<br />

I II \ Is LIFE, being directed by Jerry Lewis<br />

in<br />

Florida<br />

Ma/urki has a cameo role in Melvin<br />

Simon Produ S \M M \RI \\ T, and<br />

will gel double exposure In way of a film clip<br />

from a 1444 RKO picture 'Murder My<br />

Sweet." in which Ma/urki played a role as<br />

Moose Malloy. opixisite Dick Powell as Philip<br />

Marlowe.<br />

II si s, [he unique new film produced by<br />

The Genesis Project, will be distributed by<br />

Warner Bros throughout most of the world, it<br />

was announced by Terry Semel. Warner's ex<br />

ecutive vice president and chief operating ol<br />

ficcr. and John Heyman. president of the<br />

Genesis Project The motion picture, the lirsi<br />

totally authentic story of Jesus to be brought<br />

to ihe motion picture screen, was hlmed en<br />

tirely on location in the Holy Land.<br />

assignments<br />

Broadway playwright David Mamet has<br />

been signed to write Ihe screenplay for<br />

Lonmar's THE POSTMAN ALWAYS<br />

RINGS rWICE Bob Rafelson will direct<br />

I red Carlin Productions has signed<br />

Cartoon A World, headed by Michael Allard<br />

and Jack Foster, to do the animation for BAR<br />

NAB\.<br />

James Barry will write the score lor TO<br />

ELVIS WITH LOVE for Rastar Films.<br />

Joe Ren/em will compose and conduct the<br />

musical score for FATSO.<br />

Michael Marguhes will be director of<br />

photography on Tony Bill's MY<br />

BODYGUARD, Melvin Simon production<br />

which began shooting in Chicago Aug. 3.<br />

Rudi Fehr has signed as film editor to super<br />

vise the foreign language version of Francis<br />

Coppola's APOCALYPSE NOW for his<br />

American Zoetrope Co.<br />

Carol Connors has written the lyrics for the<br />

song for THE ONION FIELD, soon to<br />

title<br />

be released by Avco Embassy Pictures.<br />

Don Perry Enterprises will handle the music<br />

production chores for THE FALL OF THE<br />

HOUSE OF USHER.<br />

Alex North has signed to score and conduct<br />

the music of CATTLE ANNIE & LITTLE<br />

BRITCHES, directed by Lamont Johnson<br />

and starring Burl Lancaster. John Savage and<br />

Rod Steiger in the King-Hitzig production.<br />

he<br />

(continued on page 8)<br />

Composer Fred Karlin is into various stages<br />

of development on three motion picture projects<br />

through his recently formed Fred Karlin<br />

Productions with which he hopes to turn out<br />

music -oriented films. LOCOMOTIVE, the<br />

first feature, will be a musical idea by Karlin<br />

and John Milligan. Next will be I CAN'T<br />

FORGET TOMORROW, and the third will<br />

be THAT MARVELOUS MUSIC<br />

MACHINE, for which Paul Gardner is<br />

writing the screenplay.<br />

Olivia Newton John will star in XANADU,<br />

an original musical fantasy for Universal Pic<br />

lures. The picture will be directed by Robert<br />

Greenwald from a screenplay by Richard<br />

Christian Danus and Marc Reid Rubel. Gordon<br />

will produce.<br />

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's FAME commenc<br />

ed principal photography in July in New York<br />

City under director Alan Parker. Alan Mar<br />

shall and David DeSilva are producing from<br />

an original screenplay by Christopher Gore.<br />

be co-producer with Keith Barish. Filming is<br />

planned for 1 980. Associated Film Distribution<br />

will release the film in the United Stales<br />

and Canada.<br />

casting<br />

Sunn Classic has signed Harvey Soline to a<br />

role in IN SEARCH OF HISTORICAL<br />

JESUS, now shooting.<br />

Denise Echhardt. 12. has been signed to<br />

round out the cast of five juvenile leads in<br />

Universale THE ISLAND, playing a role in<br />

which she is captured by renegades on a<br />

remote Caribbean Island.<br />

Mike Christy has been cast as an Army supply<br />

officer in OH, INCHON!, now shooting<br />

in Korea; Terence Young is directing.<br />

David Niven will co star with Burt<br />

Reynolds and Lesley-Anne Down in Paramount's<br />

ROUGH CUT. Don Siegel is direc<br />

ting and shooting began July 19 in London.<br />

|


BOXOFFICE/AUGUST 13, 1979<br />

HOLLYWOOD REPORT<br />

(continued from pace 7)<br />

acquisitions<br />

Bud >. orkm Productions has acquired THE<br />

FRANK ABAGNA1.E STORY, Abagnales<br />

book he wrote with Stan Redding. Stuart<br />

Rosenberg will write the comedy screenplay<br />

about real life escapades<br />

I nited Artists HAPP^ BIRTHDAY.<br />

GEMINI, now shooting in Toronto lor pro<br />

ducers Robert Hn/ig and Alan King, with<br />

Kuj Moreno. Madeleine Kahn and Robert<br />

Viharo starring and Richard Banner directing<br />

from his own screenplay.<br />

Robert Guenette Productions has optioned<br />

all media rights in IN I'Ol ( H, a book wril<br />

ten b> John Steinbeck about his experiences in<br />

\ leinam.<br />

Producer Mark L)a\ id Bisgeier, formei ex<br />

ecutive with Lorimar Productions, has ac<br />

quired film rights to YOUNG AR-<br />

CHIMEDES, Aldous Huxley's novel about<br />

the relationship between an Lnghshman and a<br />

young Italian peasant boy in the period bet<br />

ween the two world wars.<br />

Ping Pong Productions has acquired the<br />

rights to KIND \M\ Aldl SI. an original<br />

comedy screenplay written by Michael Carrazza.<br />

Producers lor Ping Pong Productions are T<br />

Castronova and Don Ciminelli. Shooting is<br />

J<br />

scheduled to start in late September Israel's<br />

winner of Best Cinematographer Award of<br />

1 978. Hanama Baer. has been set for Director<br />

of Photography<br />

Lorimar films has obtained screen rights to<br />

GOD PROTECT ME FROM \\\<br />

FRIENDS, to be produced by Terence F.<br />

Deane with a screenpaly by Philip Hersch,<br />

based on the novel by Gavin Maxwell. Filming<br />

is tentatively set for next spring on the<br />

story about a Sicilian peasant youth whose<br />

romantic ideas of injustice cause him to lead a<br />

Robin Hood type of life which ends tragically<br />

through treachery and betrayal<br />

Exclusive rights to the inside story of the<br />

SIO million robbery of Lufthansa Airlines<br />

have been obtained from sources at the New<br />

York Police Dept by Paul Burke and Stanley<br />

Kay's Media Productions. Under the title<br />

THE LUFTHANSA HEIST, the<br />

property<br />

has been sold by Martin Baum of Creative Artists<br />

Agency to Simon & Schuster and its auxiliary<br />

publisher. Dawd Obst Books, with the<br />

publishers paying Media an advance of<br />

SI 00.000.<br />

distribution<br />

Vvcol mbass) DEATH SHIP. S8.000.000<br />

Anglo Canadian suspense terror drama about<br />

a killer ship with no living persons aboard<br />

which appears on (he high seas, sinks a major<br />

cruise liner and then terrorizes the survivors<br />

Siarnng are George Kennedy. Richard Cren<br />

na, Nick Mancuso and Sally Ann Howes<br />

titles & takes<br />

Paraniount's MEATBM.I.S grossed<br />

SI 7.853. 1 82 in the first 1 7 days of its national<br />

release, based on reports from 853 theatres ol<br />

the 1.000 playing the film.<br />

SUMMER CAMP, released by Seymour<br />

Borde and Associates, grossed more lhan<br />

SI 25.000 in its first week in Minneapolis.<br />

THE TREE OF WOODEN CLOGS<br />

iGaumont/Sacis/New Yorkerl has grossed<br />

morethan S 1 1 0.000 in its first six weeks ol<br />

release at the 29u seat Cinema Studio I in New<br />

York.<br />

ROC'k. II, (he Roberl Charloff Irwin<br />

Winkler sequel (o "Rocky.'' has rung up a<br />

gross of S27.084.000 for more than 800<br />

iheaires 1 8 days, it was announced by Al<br />

in<br />

Fitter. United Artists senior vice president lor<br />

domestic sales.<br />

Warner Bros.' two current releases. THE<br />

MAIN EVENT and THE INLAWS have<br />

grossed a combined S5 1. 543.083. "Main<br />

Event" has taken in S30.970.860 in 886<br />

theatres and "In Laws" has grossed<br />

S20.572.223 in 583 theatres since opening<br />

June 1 5.<br />

Orangewood Films: NATIONAL LAM-<br />

POONS FRAI HOUSE, a Fraternal Pro<br />

ductions comedy slated for release in late<br />

August.<br />

Jad Films International. HARPER<br />

VALLEY PTA, for worldwide sales of the<br />

April Fools Productions feature. Jad previous<br />

ly had handled European sales of the film siar<br />

ring Barbara Eden<br />

IHL WANDERERS, an Orion Pictures<br />

release through Warner Bros., opened to very<br />

strong business in lirst wa\c engagements in<br />

five cities, where (he film posted a combined<br />

five-day boxoffice gross of S35I.767.<br />

Some of (he outstanding individual (heatre<br />

five-da) grosses for "The Wanderers' were.<br />

New York— Aslor Pla/.a, S48.I74; RKO<br />

86th Street. SI 9.037; Meadowbrook I. East<br />

Meadow. SI 5.487, and Cinema 46. Totowa.<br />

SI 3.373.<br />

Paramount s ESCAPE FROM<br />

ALCATRAZ grossed S27. 1 30.745 in the first<br />

38 days of its national release; 650 of the 750<br />

theatres playing the picture were reporting<br />

United Artists' MOONRAKER has grossed<br />

S3.3I3.IOO in its initial overseas releases in<br />

England. Holland and Soulh Africa. The film<br />

set a one-week record at London's Leicester<br />

Square Theatre with SI9I.I06 and hil<br />

S2.600.000 in four weeks at 1 1 houses in<br />

England. In South Africa the film grossed<br />

S733.600 in 43 theatres, a national record. In<br />

Holland. "Moonraker" grossed S979.500 in 40<br />

theatres in its opening week.<br />

ALIEN, from 20th Century -Fox. in its first<br />

— 4M4i<br />

1979 BUYER'S DIRECTORY<br />

The most complete buying directory<br />

available for the entire industry!<br />

Make sure you don't miss the 1979 Buyer's Directory-<br />

Order <strong>Boxoffice</strong> now through September 30 and receive this<br />

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National Association of Theatre Owners<br />

TEitcuclopedfa<br />

jQ<br />

WtL^<br />

A<br />

GOING TO PRESS N EXT IVIONTH<br />

RESERVE YOUR ADSPACj/^/<br />

IF YOU SELL TO THE MOTION PICTURE THEATRE INDUSTRY, DON'T MISS<br />

THIS IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY TO REACH YOUR MARKET!!!<br />

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:<br />

Public Relations Department<br />

National Association of Theatre Owners<br />

1500 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10036<br />

[212] 7307420<br />

INITIAL DISTRIBUTIONAT THE<br />

1979 NATIONAL NATO CONVENTION<br />

BONAVENTURE HOTEL, LOS ANGELES - OCTOBER 30 - NOVEMBER 1<br />

HAVE YOU MADE YOUR CONVENTION REGISTRATION/RESERVATIONS YET<br />

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:<br />

Reservations Department<br />

National Association of Theatre Owners<br />

1500 Broadway. New York. N.Y. 10036<br />

[212] 730-7420<br />

HAVE YOU RESERVED YOUR BOOTH SPACE FOR THE 1979 MOTION PICTURE<br />

THEATRE EQUIPMENT AND CONCESSION INDUSTRIES TRADE SHOW<br />

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:<br />

Theatre Equipment Association<br />

1600 Broadway. New York, N.Y. 10019<br />

National Association of Concessionaires<br />

35 East Wacker Driw. Chicago, III. 60601<br />

[212] 246-6460<br />

1312] 236-3858


10<br />

BOXOFFICE/AUGUST 1 3, 1 979<br />

CALGARY<br />

C algary's downtown lowne Cinema Twins<br />

changed both of us programs after vcr> sue<br />

cessful runs "| very Which Way Bui Loose"<br />

linished a 29 week engagement and is off the<br />

screen and "The Deer Hunter" after 1 8 weeks<br />

is moving into another house. Marlborough<br />

Towne Square 3.<br />

Included in the features opening in Calgary<br />

this past weekend are "The Apple Dumpling<br />

Ciang Rides Again" at the Chinook. "The<br />

Frisco Kid" at Towne Red. "The Promise" at<br />

Towne Blue and "The Villain" at Uptown 2<br />

and Weslbrook 3.<br />

Don Rowland, manager of the Jewel<br />

Theatre in Stealer, Alberta, has left his posi<br />

tion and is now in business for himself.<br />

Phyllis Berck, coordinator, has announced<br />

a summer workshop co sponsored by Access<br />

Alberta and the National Film Board of<br />

Canada. This will be the second summer for<br />

such a workshop and will be available for<br />

children from 10 to 13 years of age. The pro<br />

gram is designed to introduce children to the<br />

world of filmmaking. The registration fee is<br />

SIO and because of a limited course it is on a<br />

first -come first served basis. One result of a<br />

questionnaire sent to parents of last year's<br />

students produced the information that<br />

youngsters had gained a greater appreciation<br />

of the art involved in the making of films. The<br />

course lasts two weeks.<br />

Actor Jack Duffy has been doing some<br />

filmmaking here for the past few weeks. His<br />

appearance in the Calgary Stampede parade<br />

was brief and then he moved on to Edmonton<br />

to lake a similar part in the Klondike parade.<br />

Further scenes were shot at Fort Edmonton.<br />

which along with our Heritage Park is a film<br />

maker's dream for a shooting locale. Duffy<br />

had his first taste of "white water" at Rocky<br />

Mountain House when he shot the rapids in a<br />

canoe. All these efforts were filmed by Kicking<br />

Horse Productions Ltd. under contract to<br />

the provincial government to produce a promotion<br />

film for Alberta.<br />

The new manager at Calgary's Towne<br />

Cinema is Lawny Lmd. who transferred here<br />

from Edmonton.<br />

At the July ink, meeting of the St. Albert<br />

city council it was resolved that the council intends<br />

to pass a bylaw to classify the St. Albert<br />

Drive-In Theatre as a designated drive-in<br />

theatre subject to the regulations of the<br />

Amusement Aci of the province of Alberta.<br />

The showing of Restricted Adult films is illegal<br />

under certain provisions of the act. But<br />

before any such bylaw can be passed the<br />

owner of the theatre must be given an oppor<br />

tunitj to appeal before the council and plead<br />

his cause An im nation was sent to the owner<br />

to appear at the council meeting on Aug. 7.<br />

The location of the council in considering such<br />

a restrictive bylaw was brought about by a<br />

group of irate citizens from the area of the<br />

cinema They complained that the noise from<br />

the drive in kept them awake at night and that<br />

the position of the screen made it very difficult<br />

to monitor the viewing of children when<br />

undesirable films were being shown.<br />

budget is set at between SIO million and $12<br />

million and "superstars" contacted for leading<br />

roles include (lint Eastwood, Marlon Brando,<br />

Paul Newman and George C. Scott.<br />

"We're kwking only for top names." said<br />

MediaVision head Mark Frostad "First,<br />

because a movie of this magnitude warrants it.<br />

Second, because we've never had an interna<br />

tional superstar in a Canadian feature before."<br />

MediaVision's vice president. Mike Mivtlle.<br />

purchased Ludlum's novel (which already has<br />

sold more hardcover copies than "The God<br />

father"! in mid May. but only revealed the<br />

details now. Said Miville. "We're not ashamed<br />

of the fact we want to produce a big. slick<br />

Hollywood product. That's what we're aiming<br />

for. We want to go into 70mm and Dolby<br />

Sound, like 'Alien' and 'Hair.' But we are still a<br />

totally Canadian team, and we'll give as much<br />

work to as many Canadians as we can."<br />

All interior scenes will be shot in Toronto.<br />

The rest will be filmed in the same locations as<br />

the novel—sites extending from Rome to<br />

Massachusetts.<br />

Christopher Plummer is to co-star with<br />

Richard Harris in "Highpoint," a $5 million<br />

comedy, which will also have Toronto actress<br />

Beverly D'Angelo (seen in "Hair"! in a co<br />

starring role. Filming begins July 30 in Los<br />

Angeles, and then moves to this city where<br />

one scene will be a jump from the world's<br />

tallest lower, the CN. by parachutist Bill Cole.<br />

Famous Players Ltd. has purchased the old<br />

Holt Renfrew building near its present head<br />

office. A new head office will be located here<br />

and will have three small cinemas in the rear.<br />

This vicinity already has 1 1 first run screens<br />

within a three -block area.<br />

Former prime minister Pierre Trudeau has<br />

been asked to accept a cameo role in "The Kid<br />

napping of a President." based upon Charles<br />

Templeton's top selling novel. Filming is to<br />

commence here in October, and the budget is<br />

expected to be $3 million to $4 million.<br />

"Lo»e on the Run" opened July 1 3 at the<br />

Fine Arts here, and will be featured at both<br />

the Vancouver and Edmonton film festivals in<br />

conjunction with Canadian Odeon theatres<br />

before commencing its commercial release.<br />

"Meatballs," the comedy shot in northern<br />

Ontario, is on its way towards becoming the<br />

most successful Canadian film ever made In<br />

800 U. S. and Canadian theatres, it grossed $6<br />

million in 2'A weeks, according to figures<br />

released by the Canadian Film Development<br />

Corp. Paramount reported that it grossed $1.5<br />

million in its first week in the New York city<br />

area, said to be a record for any film it has<br />

distributed.<br />

first run report<br />

CALGARY<br />

Alien iHVI Dl, Grand I, North Hill<br />

. 4ih wk<br />

Bloodline iParai. Market Mall I<br />

2nd wk<br />

I hi- Dark ir ^w World). Weslbrook I,<br />

Isl Wk<br />

Escape From Alcatra/ il'arai Palace<br />

3rd vvk<br />

Incoming Freshman il'Ri. Wcstbruik !<br />

2ndwk<br />

Excellent<br />

l<br />

xcelleni<br />

. Fair<br />

Excellent<br />

Fair<br />

I hi- Inlaws (WBl. Market Mall 4 & 6.<br />

3rd vvk<br />

f£ x client<br />

Lost and Found (Astral). Brentwood,<br />

Uptown I. 3rd wk<br />

Fair<br />

the .Main hunt iWBi. Palhscr Square I.<br />

3rd «*<br />

Excellent<br />

Moonraker (UA). (. algarv Place 2.<br />

2nd wit<br />

Excellent<br />

Nightwing lAstrall. Weslbrook 3. Grand 2.<br />

- nd wk Fair<br />

Phantasm i \sirali. Marlboro Square 3.<br />

5lhwk<br />

Fair<br />

Prophecy iParai. Palliser Square 2.<br />

3rdwk<br />

Good<br />

Scalpel lAstrall. Marlboro Square 2.<br />

I s ' »k Poo,<br />

EDMONTON<br />

Alien iBVFDl. Odeon I. Meadow lark.<br />

4thwk<br />

Excellent<br />

Bloodline iParai. Westmount B.<br />

- ndttk<br />

Excellent<br />

rhi Champ (MOM UAl. Londonderrv B.<br />

'««*<br />

Good<br />

The Dark iNew World), Plaza I. 1st wk Fair<br />

Death Game lAstrall. Jasper Red. Isl vvk Poor<br />

Escape From Alealra/ iParai. Capitol<br />

Square 3. 3rd wk<br />

Excellent<br />

GoMengirl lAstrall. Odeon 2. 1st vvk Good<br />

Incoming Freshman il'Ri. Towne Cinema.<br />

lsIwk<br />

Poor<br />

I he In-Laws iWBi. t apnol Square I.<br />

4lhwk<br />

Excellent<br />

Lost and Found lAstrall. Capilano, Rialio 2.<br />

-,rdwk<br />

Good<br />

Ihe Main Event iWBi. Westmount A.<br />

-,rdwk<br />

Excellent<br />

Manhattan lUAl. Garneau. 8ih wk<br />

Good<br />

MoonrakerlUAl. Paramount. 2nd wk .Excellent<br />

Nightwing lAstrall. Pla/a 2. Rialto I.<br />

2ndwk<br />

Fajr<br />

Ihe North Avenue Irregulars |BV|. Roxv.<br />

Istwk<br />

f- alr<br />

Prophecy iParai. Capnol Square 4.<br />

*lhwk<br />

Very Good<br />

Rocky II it \i. Capitol Square 2.<br />

4,h * k<br />

Silenl One iNew World). Varscona.<br />

2ndwk<br />

MONTREAL<br />

Excellent<br />

pair<br />

Alien IBVFD). York. 5th wk<br />

. . Excellent<br />

Bloodline iParai. Claremont, Loews 2.<br />

- nd wk Very Good<br />

Dracula (Univl, Atwater. 2nd wk . . Good<br />

Escape From Alealra/ ll'aral. Palace,<br />

Jrdwk<br />

. . .VeryGood<br />

rhr In-Laws tWBl. Loews 5.6th wk Very Good<br />

--H-BRnfflS^i^ffll<br />

Ihe Main Funl iWBi. the C mema<br />

Mil wk<br />

Good<br />

Manhattan iLAi. Place Ville Marie<br />

'"•>«*<br />

Very Good<br />

Moooraker [UAl, Loews<br />

1 . 3rd wk Excellent<br />

rhe Muppit Movie IBVFD), Place du Canada<br />

p 2nd "k Good<br />

Prophecy lD (Para). Loews 4. 4ih wk<br />

Good<br />

Rocky II |UA), Loews 3, 6th wk Very Good<br />

The Villain iColl, Cinema de Paris. Istwk lair<br />

French Language Films<br />

Au Dela du Bien El du Mai l( 'ariml.<br />

Pansien 3, Isi wk Good<br />

La Cam- Au\ Folks (UAl. I'ansien 2.<br />

I7ih wk<br />

Very Good<br />

I.e Ciel Peul Attendre (Paral. Pansien 5<br />

2<br />

-<br />

ruwk Very<br />

,<br />

Good<br />

La f.rande Altauuc du I rain d'Or lUAl.<br />

Champlain, I si wk (- air<br />

I.e Litre de la Jungle IBVFD). Le Dauphin<br />

,<br />

:,,d " k<br />

Lis Requms du Desert iCarim), Pansien I<br />

La «"!n, Vie Deianl Soi il'Ri. Pansien 4<br />

Lxcelleni<br />

G


'<br />

"<br />

Br«.ikmu<br />

BOXOFFICE/AUGUST 1 3, 1 979<br />

11<br />

'<br />

:ipul movie houses. Ii opened April 23. 1 42 1.<br />

a n h Constance Talmadge in "Lessons of<br />

_ove." Stage shows were for a time part of the<br />

Roosevelt programming Because oi a rapidly,<br />

.'hanging population in the Loop area,<br />

theatres, restaurants and stores have had to<br />

face a series of handicaps The Roosevelt was<br />

no exception ken Blcvvclt has served as<br />

manager since 968<br />

1<br />

According to Harold Klein, executive vice<br />

president of the Pint nationwide theatre chain.<br />

the lease on the Roosevelt had live years to<br />

run<br />

In Chicago's current filming business boom.<br />

the city's elevated trains will be serving as<br />

something more than conveyances to lake<br />

workers to and fro. "The Hunter," starring<br />

Steve McQueen, will be filmed on the "L"<br />

tracks for eight days as part of the sites<br />

selected in Chicago "The Blues Brothers,"<br />

starring Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi. used<br />

j<br />

the "L" for one scene, and "M> Bodyguard''<br />

will he on the "L" for some of its scenes.<br />

Lour movies are being filmed in Chicago<br />

and Illinois, and it is estimated that both the<br />

i<br />

cilv and state will benefit from S7 million in<br />

i cash In addition, it means six months of<br />

i. steady work for local actors, actresses and film<br />

I crews, and it will generate S2I million in<br />

|<br />

economic activity. Besides "The Blues<br />

Brothers."' "The Hunter'' and 'My<br />

Bodvguard. " filming of "Ordinary People" will<br />

I lake place for 10 weeks.<br />

Credit for attracting this business to<br />

Chicago and other Illinois sites goes to Lucy<br />

Salenger. head of the state of Illinois Film Office,<br />

and to the Chicago Police Department,<br />

represented b> Li Dommick Frigo.<br />

Efforts are in motion to preserve the Egyp<br />

tian Theatre in Dekalb. III. It opened in 1 929<br />

with the movie "The Hottentots." and its<br />

30-by 70 stage was one of the theatre's top<br />

features. Special recognition has been given to<br />

the Egyptian for its unusual Art Deco ar<br />

chitecture. large siained glass windows and<br />

hugh pharaohs dominating the facade. At one<br />

time vaudeville acts were a big part of the<br />

entertainment, and more recently "Hair."<br />

"Company" and "Promises. Promises" were<br />

staged as specialties.<br />

Although the Egyptian closed for a lime in<br />

I977. it was later leased and used for a variety<br />

of civic entertainment programs, including<br />

children's theatre, fashion shows, western<br />

music and symphony concerts.<br />

In 1 978 the theatre was placed on the National<br />

Register of Historic Sites. However, ac<br />

cording to Barbara kummerfeldt.a member of<br />

Preservation of the Egyptian Theatre, there is<br />

doubt about the fate of this Dekalb landmark,<br />

kummerfeldl said. "We do receive financial<br />

aid in the form of grants and from other<br />

sources. But the theatre's roof is in a very bad<br />

slate, and unless we receive money lor repair.<br />

we cannot operate through this coming<br />

winter She " said that if financial support was<br />

not available, the thealre could be torn down.<br />

The title of Avco Embassy's "kiss in the At<br />

tack of the Phantoms" should be matching the<br />

popularity of a brand with a well known<br />

trademark, based on the promotional elTort<br />

which has been carried on during the past<br />

weeks. Ii1 a current campaign effort. Ralph<br />

Sullivan, manager of the Pint Cherry vale I.<br />

and Sharon Lemaire. assistant publicity director,<br />

are bringing the promotion to a close with<br />

a bunch of prizes lor a group ol children who<br />

will arrive in the theatre lobby in kiss<br />

costumes. Station WTVO will cover this ac<br />

liviiy, and the 'i Bird, the WYFE mascot, will<br />

serve as a judge Prizes include a phonograph,<br />

a selection of kiss albums, and necklaces and<br />

items that are identified with the kiss theme.<br />

The Nostromo space ship, the actual model<br />

used in "Alien." will be a special feature on<br />

display at the C hicago/Fest cinema segment.<br />

"Star Wars" returned to the news when<br />

Anthony Daniels, who plays C3PO. was in<br />

town Aug. 10 to help publicize the reissue of<br />

the attraction in Chicago theatres Aug. 17.<br />

And David Prowse. who plays Darth Vader, is<br />

coming in from London to add to the return<br />

engagement promotion. Boosting lor the<br />

reissue will continue in Minneapolis and Cm<br />

cinnati. At the same lime, plugging will stari<br />

lor "The Empire Strikes Back." the sequel to<br />

"Star Wars<br />

"The Muppet Movie" will open the doors in<br />

II of Pint's Chicago theatres at II am in<br />

stead of the normal time of 2 p.m.<br />

The Muppet promotion, which offers top<br />

prizes of lour trips to I isbon and four lo Lon<br />

don. represents the third major promotion tin<br />

ed up between Pint advertising/promotion<br />

director Jerry Bulger and Ron Burkhardl. who<br />

represented 1 05 Osco drug stores Past promotions<br />

have provided toys for needy children<br />

and lour trips to the Bahamas as pri/es to com<br />

penng moviegoers "The Muppet Movie." an<br />

Associated Film Distributors feature, is rated<br />

G.<br />

INDIANAPOLIS<br />

The Variety Club of Indianapolis Tent 10<br />

has donated a bus chassis to the Marion County<br />

Association for Retarded Citizens that will<br />

provide new life in future years of service for<br />

one of the association's buses. Although the<br />

bus has traveled almost 150.000 miles, inspection<br />

showed that the body of the bus was in<br />

good and serviceable condition and that only<br />

the chassis needed replacement. The Variety<br />

Club raised the funds to purchase a new<br />

chassis. The chassis cost S9.I00. which was<br />

SI 0.000 less than it would have cost to purchase<br />

a new bus. In the past the Variety CTub<br />

has purchased five buses and two vans lor the<br />

association.<br />

"Just You and Me, Kid," starring George<br />

Burns and Brooke Shields, played a second<br />

week of brisk business of an exclusive engage<br />

ment at the Georgetown and Carlyle theatres.<br />

George Burns' tremendous natural talent<br />

shines brightly as an ex-vaudevillian who<br />

teams up with young star Brooke Shields, as a<br />

runaway who seeks refuge in Burns' grand<br />

estate Audiences gave a warm reception to<br />

this enjoyable movie.<br />

Away," filmed at Indiana<br />

University. Bloomington. has been a tremendous<br />

success here in central Indiana. The<br />

heartwarming and joyous triumph of director<br />

Peter Yates has met with arousing approval<br />

from sold-oui hometown audiences. The<br />

movie transcends more than the mere conflict<br />

between college students and "lownies."<br />

rather it is an emotionally powerful film about<br />

the uncertainty of adolescence, and the need<br />

to believe in oneself. Yates warmly reminds us<br />

of the love and the pain, the pride and desolation,<br />

and the determination and frustration<br />

that are part of growing up.<br />

The audience, a mixture of l.U. students<br />

sporting T-shirts to let the world know it, area<br />

citizens curious about the film shot nearby,<br />

parents, alumni and young people alike stood<br />

anxiously in line. People came to "Breaking<br />

Away" for many reasons. "It got great<br />

reviews." said one couple. One proud father<br />

proclaimed. "My daughter goes to l.U." Many<br />

were curious to see the familiar landscape on<br />

the screen in a major motion picture and one<br />

girl simply stated. "I don't know." when asked<br />

her reason for attending.<br />

During the film frequent squeals and exclamations<br />

were uttered as the l.U. students<br />

saw one of their friends or a familiar landmark<br />

around campus. The audience watched atten<br />

lively and became more and more involved as<br />

the film progressed. At the conclusion of the<br />

culminating Little 500 bicycle race, the crowd<br />

errupted in a roar of applause, whistles, shouts<br />

and cheers.<br />

As they left the theatre, they were excitedly<br />

praising the unique and delightful film that<br />

captured for them forever their homeland and<br />

the memories of growing up.<br />

"North Dallas Forty," starring Nick Nolle.<br />

Bo Svenson and singer Mac Davis, in his film<br />

debut, opened Aug. 3 al Glendale. Loews<br />

Quad and Greenwood theatres.<br />

The Concorde— Airport '79 opened Aug. 3<br />

at Castleton Square. Eastgate and the Locus<br />

Ouad theatres.<br />

ST. LOUIS<br />

The ana is awakening from the midsummer<br />

doldrums with an influx of new films on the<br />

scene Nuk Nolle leads the parade in "North<br />

Dallas Forty." a football saga in which he<br />

plays a professional athlete adjusting to the<br />

end of his career. It is based on the best seller<br />

In I'eter Gent, a former split end with the<br />

Dallas Cowboy stunted author. It is on viewal<br />

IXs Peres 7, Jamestown Mall. Cypress<br />

Village. South Twin. Chesterfield and<br />

Nameoki in Granite City, III<br />

"The Cuncorde— Airport '79," which has a<br />

I'd rating, is Hying high ai Cross keys. Mark<br />

Twain. Northland and Cypress<br />

Aimed at the younger sit is United Artists'<br />

"Hair" in Dolby stereo al Ellisville. Cross<br />

keys. St. Andrews and Plaza Drive In.<br />

Also from United Artists, in an exclusive<br />

engagement at the Hi Pointe. is the unusual<br />

French film based on a stage play. "La Cage<br />

Aux Folles" (Birds of a Featherl<br />

\\ hat could be more bizarre than a Polish<br />

rabbi becoming a bible-toting cowboy in the<br />

wild West as portrayed by Gene Wilder in<br />

"The Frisco kid'.'" It is on the screens of 4<br />

Seasons. South County. Northland.<br />

Jamestown, South Twin and Hobday drive-ins<br />

and Nameoki, Granite City. III.<br />

More fun in the West is provided by "The<br />

Villain." which opened Aug. 3 at the Nor<br />

thwest. Chesterfield Mall. Halls Ferry 6.<br />

South Count) and Norlh Twin Drive In and<br />

66 Park In<br />

A special studio preview at Wehrenberg's<br />

Westport Cine listed only the stars. Alan Alda.<br />

Barbara Harris and Meryl Streep. and no title.<br />

probably because it might still be indefinite,<br />

having been filmed as "The Senator." changed<br />

to "Nothing Personal" and now "The Seduction<br />

of Joe Tynan." which still might not be<br />

final'<br />

first run report<br />

KANSAS CITY<br />

Alien l20th Foxl. Midland I. 1 0th wk S7.657<br />

The ViniiMillt Horror lAli. 8 screens.<br />

Isl wk I47.I9I<br />

Breaking Away |20lh-Foxl, 8 screens. Isl wk. 22.020<br />

The Brood iSRl. Midland. 3rd wk<br />

.<br />

I.I00<br />

Drduila lUnivl. 6 screens. 3rd wk 19.000<br />

Escape From Alcatraz iParal, 3 screens.<br />

6th wk 6.583<br />

The Frisco Kid (WBl, 7 screens<br />

3rd wk<br />

Game of Death (Col), 2nd wk<br />

31.323<br />

Empire 3.704<br />

Fairyland D.I .3.383<br />

The In-Laws (WBl. 4 screens. 7th wk 20.624<br />

The Innocent ISRl. 1st wk.<br />

Metcalf<br />

4J60<br />

Seville 8.250<br />

Journey Through Death's Door iSunn Classic).<br />

8 screens. Isl wk. |3 da.l 46.000<br />

Just You and Me, Kid (Coll. 3 screens.<br />

2nd wk 17,380<br />

The Main Event (WBl. Glenwood.<br />

6ih wk 17.490<br />

Meatballs IParal. 7 screens. 3rd wk 28.263<br />

Moonraker lU Al. 3 screens. 5th wk 1 7.063<br />

In the midst of all the new film offerings is<br />

the return Aug. 15 of "Star Wars" in an area<br />

saturation. Forty prints will be in service dur<br />

ing the run which ends Sept. 4.<br />

(continued on page 1 2)<br />

The Muppet Movie lAFDl. 6 screens.<br />

6th wk. .<br />

23.956<br />

Rocky II iL Al. 7ih wk.<br />

Blue Ridge 10.710<br />

Ranch Marl 11.120<br />

Sirvani and Mistress (SRi. Fine Arts.<br />

1st wk. (6 da.l 1.748<br />

Unidentified Flying Oddball |BV).<br />

8 screens. Isl wk 38.487<br />

Van Nuys Blvd. ISRl. 5 screens, Istwk 15.700<br />

The Villain iColl. 6 screens. 2nd wk 39.787<br />

CHICAGO<br />

Alien 1 201 h Fox I. 7 screens. lOthwk $108,396<br />

La Cage Aux Folles iSRl. Cinema.<br />

3rd wk<br />

1 3.060<br />

Escape From Alcatraz iParal. 8 screens.<br />

6th wk 79.469<br />

Theln-LawslWBl. lOscreens. 7ih wk 141.080<br />

Just You and Me, Kid IColl, 12 screens.<br />

2ndwk 80.000<br />

The Main Event iWBl. lOscreens.<br />

5th wk 112.970<br />

Moonraker lUAl. lOscreens. 4th wk 154.000<br />

Rocky II (LAI. lOscreens. 7th wk .... 161.000<br />

The Villain IColl. I 7 screens. 1st wk 205.000<br />

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For the best at less, contact John or Mike<br />

Ringold Cinema Equipment Co.<br />

8421 Gravois Road* St Louis. Mo 6313«Phone 314-352-2020<br />

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. .<br />

. . Polunsk)<br />

. . The<br />

MILWAUKEE<br />

An armed robber) look place at the Poinl<br />

["riplex on the city's south side on a Sui<br />

night in mid July and an undisclosed amount<br />

of cash was taken The police are in<br />

vestigating.<br />

For the opening of the new movie<br />

"Dracula" at the Prospect Mall Cinemas on<br />

Milwaukee's east side, manager Jane Rehnger<br />

arranged to have a coffin placed on a piano<br />

doll) and then had it towed up and down the<br />

lakefront. Accompanying it were women<br />

"mourners" itheatre employees and their<br />

friendsi dressed in circa 1 800 costumes. Of<br />

course. Dracula was in the coffin and he<br />

would sit up now and then during the<br />

attention-commanding procession. A large<br />

poster, affixed to the coffin, invited the public<br />

to "come and see Dracula' at Prospect Mall."<br />

During its current run at the theatre, now in<br />

its third week, the coffin remains on display in<br />

the lobby where patrons are free to "try it out<br />

for size." The film has been doing good<br />

business.<br />

When comedian Stese Martin appeared for<br />

two evening stage shows at the Alpine Valley<br />

Music Theatre in East Troy, located about 30<br />

miles west of Milwaukee, he promoted his new<br />

film "The Jerk." It is scheduled to hit movie<br />

houses around Christmas. Movies are his top<br />

priority now. Martin told a local reporter, and<br />

he revealed that he and Carl Reiner have been<br />

kicking around a new movie idea for future<br />

production.<br />

New film due: Disney's "Unidentified Fly<br />

ing Oddball" at the Mill Road Fourplex on<br />

Aug. 4.<br />

Art Heling, local Al branch office manager,<br />

was sending out invitations to a special<br />

tradescreening in August of the R-rated<br />

"Seven" at the Centre Screening Room. 2I2<br />

W. Wisconsin Ave. Art tells BOXOFFICE that<br />

his new office assistant is Judie Gorman and<br />

that she was a former executive secretary for<br />

an executive vice president of another local industry.<br />

53 Auto Vu on Hiway 53 near Eagle River.<br />

Wis., had a contest for kids 1 4 and younger to<br />

count the spots on the dalmatians depicted in<br />

its newspaper display ad for Disney's "I0I<br />

Dalmatians." Contestants were to leave name,<br />

address and phone number along with the<br />

answer in a ballot box at the drive-in. First<br />

prize was a season pass. There were also second<br />

and third place prizes plus 25 other<br />

prizes. Paired with "I0I Dalmatians" was<br />

"The Love Bug."<br />

The Campus Theatre in Ripon. Wis., had a<br />

tie-in with Travel. Inc.. a local travel agency,<br />

in connection with the Saturday and Sunday<br />

matinee showings of Disney's "The Apple<br />

Dumpling Gang Rides Again." Given away<br />

were four tickets to Marriott's Great America.<br />

To be eligible, contestants were to register for<br />

the drawing at either the theatre or the travel<br />

agency. Four other prizes to be awarded were<br />

donated by Schultz's Family Store. The<br />

Disney film ran for a week, from July 27 to<br />

Aug. 2.<br />

Anne and Harlan Seaser donated use of the<br />

Walworth Theatre in Walworth for the<br />

screening of "I0I Dalmatians" and "The<br />

Champ" on Saturday afternoon Jul) 2 1 in<br />

behalf of the Delavan Community Fund.<br />

Tickets selling at S2 for adults and SI for<br />

children could be obtained at the theatre or on<br />

the special busses offering free rides from<br />

downtown Delavan. The rental of both films<br />

was also donated by the Seavers. An Afghan<br />

blanket was also awarded at the theatre as a<br />

"Sunshine Fair Grand Prize."<br />

The Starlite Outdoor Theatre at Sturgeon<br />

Ba) programmed a "tribute to John Wayne"<br />

with the screening of "Rooster Cogburn" and<br />

"The Shootist" on the final weekend in July.<br />

The theatre management donated 25 percent<br />

of the profits to the American Cancer Society<br />

Hi-Wa) lb Drive-In near Spuria. \\<br />

ar special offer for Jul) 4 and 5. The<br />

Gar) Muellers, who operate the ozoner. in<br />

vittd us patrons to then "first anniversary, in<br />

.-.<br />

business come help celebrate with us."<br />

John litis Associates, Chicago based<br />

publicity agency for Universal Pictures, issued<br />

a news release to Milwaukee contacts concern<br />

ing "The Concorde— Airport 79", a suspense<br />

drama at Northndge 5. Skyway I. Spring Mall<br />

3 and Starlite Outdoor I theatres.<br />

The Ford Theatre in Waterford. Wis., was<br />

closed July 6 -12 for vacation ... Donna<br />

Theatre at Sturgeon Bay. Wis. warned its<br />

patrons during the showing of "The Deer<br />

Hunter." that "due to the nature of this film,<br />

under 1 7 requires accompanying parent or<br />

adult guardian. There will be strict adherence<br />

to this policy."<br />

Sheboygan Press, a daily, continues us free<br />

movie pass promotion by inviting readers to<br />

"look for your name in the classified section."<br />

Currently the pass was good at Marc l & 2 for<br />

either "Rocky II" of "Just You and Me. Kid."<br />

Lucky readers claim the pass at the newspaper<br />

office.<br />

Writing that "Meatballs" is not a subtle<br />

movie, "but it has charm that leaves you with<br />

a chuckle as well as a bell) laugh." Journal<br />

film critic Damien Jacques sa)s that the film is<br />

being called the "Animal House of 979."<br />

1<br />

Although it's made b) the same director and<br />

same writers. Damien warns that "the same<br />

people who laughed at 'Animal House' ma)<br />

not do so at "Meatballs.' " "Animal House"<br />

came at its audiences with a sledgehammer,<br />

"thwacking viewers over the head with a<br />

steady stream of vulgarities and outrageous<br />

improbabilities." he pointed out. "Meatballs"<br />

is a "much softer film with some warmth and<br />

poignance slipped between the gags."<br />

ST. LOUIS<br />

(continued from page 1 1)<br />

Tom Simon, division manager of General<br />

Cinema Corp. and well known publicity director<br />

in this area, will be heading for the West<br />

Coast where he has been promoted to regional<br />

director for GCC and will have headquarters<br />

in Beverly Hills. Mike Bat) . a veteran at 30 of<br />

the GCC organization, will be the new division<br />

manager here. Formerl) at the Grandview<br />

Theatre where he started. Mike is<br />

presentl) manager of the Northwest Plaza. He<br />

began his association with the circuit 10 vears<br />

ago.<br />

KANSAS CITY<br />

Aug. 3 brought several new mosiestotown.<br />

Among them were "The Concorde— Airport<br />

'79." "More American Graffiti" and "Parts:<br />

The Clonus Horror."<br />

"North Dallas Fort)" was screened at the<br />

Fine Arts Theatre Aug. I. One moviegoer said<br />

that it was a good movie but that one should<br />

be prepared for locker room language.<br />

The board of Variety Club Women held the<br />

August board meeting at the Women's City<br />

Club Aug. I. The next board meeting will be<br />

in September and the date will be announced.<br />

Hal McClure, Commonwealth Theatres,<br />

was recentl) presented with a ruby ring in<br />

recognition of his 25th year with Com<br />

monweallh. Dale Stewart, president, made the<br />

presentation.<br />

Dick Hill, Western division manager for<br />

Warner Bros., visited the Commonwealth of<br />

fices Aug 2.<br />

Stese Durbin and Exhibitor's Services have<br />

been named as distributors of Key International<br />

product in the St. Louis Kansas City<br />

areas. The assignment was announced by Pat<br />

Halloran. president of Key International.<br />

Denver. Key International has "Sweet Creek<br />

County War" and "Three Wa> Weekend" in<br />

release. The compan) also is readying "The<br />

Man Who Loved Bears" for an October<br />

release.<br />

DALLAS<br />

R. S. Films, 6060 N. Central Expressway,<br />

Dallas, has now added the New Orleans area<br />

to their bojMng territory of Film Ventures<br />

Productions. The films will be shipped from<br />

New Orleans and only the booking and office<br />

work will be handled in Dallas. They have also<br />

taken over the distribution of American<br />

Cinema's "Force of One." Another of their<br />

new films ready for booking is "Good Guys<br />

Wear Black."<br />

Columbia is pleased with the exceptional!)<br />

good business all over the state with "The<br />

Villain."<br />

20th-Centur> Fox will have a three week<br />

saturation of the reissue of "Star Wars" open<br />

ing on Aug. 1 7. The picture w ill then be taken<br />

out of release indefinitely<br />

Paramount held a tradescreening Jul) 3 1 in<br />

the Plitt Screening room of their latest film,<br />

"North Dallas Forty," a comedy set in the pro<br />

football arena based on the best-selling novel.<br />

SAN ANTONIO<br />

The recentl) reopened Kelly Drive-In<br />

Theatre is being made use of during daytime<br />

hours as an aluminum recycling center. The<br />

drive-in is open seven days a week from 9 a.m.<br />

to 4 p.m. for the collection or aluminum cans<br />

which are purchased al 23 cents a pound.<br />

"About the only reason to see 'Just You and<br />

Me. Kid' is George Burns, which isn't bad as<br />

reasons go." wrote Ron White as the Spectator<br />

the Express-News. "Burns almost makes a<br />

in<br />

badh written, directed and acted movie into<br />

entertainment. If nothing else. 'Just You and<br />

Me. Kid' is a tribute to the power of a seasoned<br />

performer confident of his own talents even<br />

when the rest of the show is crumbling about<br />

him. The film's opening— the best part of the<br />

movie, ma) be because Burns is the only one<br />

on screen— pla)s with Burns' image of a<br />

vaudevillian unstuck in time. Once in a while<br />

we get to hear Burns sing an old ditty in that<br />

Brillo Pad voice of his that certainl) can't be<br />

called good but which is still entertaining. But<br />

there's not enough of Burns in the film. If only<br />

Just You and Me. Kid.' could have been Just<br />

'"<br />

Me .<br />

wrote. "Few folks might call the film a<br />

blockbuster, but that's literally what it is. It's a<br />

tightly written, well-acted, carefully-scripted<br />

character study about prison life. All it lacks is<br />

action, and 'action' in this case could have<br />

been another word for violence."<br />

Organizers of the San Antonio Cinelesmal<br />

hase been buss soliciting entries. The festival<br />

will accept 1 6mm<br />

and 35mm film, threefourths<br />

inch and one half inch \ideotape and<br />

slide programs produced b> Hispanics or<br />

BOXOFFICE/AUGUST 1 3, 1 979<br />

relating to the Hispanic community in the<br />

United States<br />

Persons submitting slide presentations<br />

must supply their own projection<br />

equipment and be present at the festival to<br />

present their programs. The deadline for<br />

receiving all entries was Jul) 1 5.<br />

The dates for this year's festival are Aug.<br />

24 25. There will be no entrance fee this year<br />

due to donations from several festival patrons.<br />

Cinelesmal is reputed to be the only one of its<br />

kind in the country and enjoys wide community<br />

support as an annual cultural and artistic<br />

event in San Antonio In the short three year<br />

histor). the festival has been attended by over<br />

16.000 people and has received more than 200<br />

film and video entries. For more information,<br />

contact Adam Medrano. Cinelesmal. Oblate<br />

College of the Southwest. 285 Oblate Dnse.<br />

San Antonio. Texas. 782 1 6. (512(736-1685.<br />

ATLANTA<br />

Are vou dismayed at the rising cost of motion<br />

pictures A writer for a special piece in<br />

the Journal-Constitution has come to your<br />

relief with a chance to see high quality pictures<br />

without paying a lot of money. It is suggested<br />

to first read the fine print on the movie<br />

ads. Many theatres have matinees and<br />

weeknight showings. Here are some other suggestions:<br />

George Ellis and his son. Michael, who<br />

. . For more unusual films<br />

operate the Film Forum Peachtree and the<br />

Film Forum Ansley. show mainl) foreign<br />

films and feature the "Rocks Horror Picture<br />

Show" at midnight. The main features at the<br />

Ansley and midnight shows are "60 percent<br />

foreign films with the remainder American<br />

classics." Both theatres charge S2.50 and discounts<br />

are available . Atlanta Public<br />

library is a free movie freak's paradise. The<br />

Central Library has three series and each<br />

branch has its own schedule for distributing<br />

the programs .<br />

check out IMAGES (Independent Media Artists<br />

of Georgia. Etc. Inc.l which sponsors<br />

Thursday and Frida) screenings of independent<br />

films.<br />

Harry and Esther Clark spent some time in<br />

Atlanta last week greeting a number of exhibitors<br />

and other film folk in their new Atlanta<br />

quarters at 382 Northlake Quadrangle<br />

Parkway. 30084. The new phone number is<br />

491-7766. TheClarks. of Jacksonville, manage<br />

to make it to Atlanta when it is "plasdate<br />

time" in the motion picture business, and<br />

things start stirring in Atlanta branch<br />

manager Lew is Owens' territor)<br />

Pete Howell of Ace Film Distributors Inc.<br />

screened "Up Your Ladder" at the Century<br />

Center Screening Room.<br />

Bob Polunsk) reviewed several films in the<br />

San Antonio Light and wrote that "The<br />

Amity ville Horror." "capitalizing on a real-life<br />

event that became a major news item. "opened<br />

at two theatres, the Northwest Six and Century<br />

South Six. "The film is based on a best<br />

seller about a New York famil) who found<br />

strange happenings in their new home. The<br />

movie version showcases the talents of Rod Atlanta from Salt Lake City suffering from a<br />

Steiger las the priestl. James Brolin and bad dose of jet lag. He proved that he was<br />

Margot Kidder. The) compete with the ghosts<br />

and some unusual special effects, but it makes<br />

read) when trainer Joe Hornok kept all of his<br />

a movie that fits the theme of horror on<br />

toda)'s screens." . wrote that<br />

"Just You and Me, Kid" is strict!) for George<br />

Burns fans. "He's got plenty of them, so that's<br />

OK. But anyone looking for a corned) film for<br />

any other reason will be disappointed." Concerning<br />

"Escape From Alcatraz." Polunsk)<br />

Hank, the canine star of •CHOMPS."<br />

prosed he was a trooper when he arrived in<br />

appointments. Hank is not spoiled. Hornok<br />

MAKE<br />

MONEY!<br />

Advertise<br />

in<br />

Yourself<br />

<strong>Boxoffice</strong>'s<br />

MARKETPLACE


Rov<br />

But<br />

BOXOFFICE/AUGUST 13, 1979<br />

13<br />

says Ifis diet consists ol food thai can be<br />

bough) anywhere. Hnrnok saved Hank from<br />

the dog pound jiiJ has owned him for seven<br />

vears<br />

Hunk worked in Georgia on "The Million<br />

Dollar Deliverance," in which his role con<br />

sistedol biting a soldier's leg, Homok also was<br />

represented in the movie b> two skunks<br />

"They're erne when they're descented," he<br />

says. Hank has roles in "The Long Goodbye,"<br />

starring Elliott Gould, and "Mr Ricco."<br />

Atlanta-based Fuuua Industries Inc.. which<br />

includes the Martin Theatre Circuit based in<br />

Columbus. Ga.. has reported second quarter<br />

earnings of SI 8.300.000 or SI. 4 1 cents per<br />

share, up from S8. 700.000 or 66 cents for the<br />

same period in 1 978. Quarterly ^i^ increased<br />

from $425 million last year to S547 million in<br />

the 1 979 period. For the first half, earnings<br />

were $28.5 million or S2.I8 per share com<br />

pared with SI 3 million or 98 cents per share<br />

for the 1 978 period. Sales rose from $771<br />

million to $1 billion for the half.<br />

JACKSONVILLE<br />

It looks like American International has<br />

another winner in "The Amityville Horror."<br />

Jim Dixon, local branch manager for Al. says<br />

the picture grossed S308.000 in its first three<br />

days of release on 4 1 screens in the Florida ter<br />

ritory. The picture received some fantastic<br />

publicity when the Florida Times Union<br />

featured a hall page article on the real<br />

"haunted house" in Amityville. The article<br />

states that the horror didn't end in 1976 when<br />

George and kaihy Lutz grabbed the kids and<br />

fled their Long Island dream house that supposedly<br />

had become a nightmare in just 28<br />

days. They left some spooks of their own<br />

behind to haunt the next owners, the notorie<br />

ty generated by the Jay Anson bestseller and<br />

the long anticipated film has attracted hordes<br />

of thrill seekers, vandals, psychics and assorted<br />

weirdos to the house. "The Amityville<br />

Horror" is packing them in at the Neptune 3.<br />

Orange Park 5. Midway Drive-In and Fox<br />

Drive-In theatres.<br />

The death of C.H<br />

"Buck" Robuck on July<br />

28 saddened his many friends Buck died of a<br />

heart attack at his home in Logan* ille. Ga..<br />

where he went to live upon retirement from<br />

United Artists 10 years ago. Buck, who was<br />

well known in both the Florida and Georgia<br />

territories, had a film career that spanned 40<br />

years. He worked for such companies as Eagle<br />

Lion. Selzmck. Columbia. PRC and United<br />

Artists. In 1951. he was transferred to<br />

Jacksonville to open up a one man office for<br />

United Artists.<br />

Harley Bellamy, manager of Kent's Plaza<br />

Tw in Theatre, reports he w ill be losing five of<br />

his employees who are leaving for college.<br />

One. David Speigle. his doorman-usher, has<br />

been accepted by New York University where<br />

he is taking up the cinema as his major.<br />

Bellamy further reports that during one of<br />

Jacksonville's recent afternoon storms, a freak<br />

thing happened at the Plaza when one of his<br />

front lobby glass windows blew out. landed on<br />

the sidewalk, but did not break. Wind pressure<br />

build-up from the lobby doors across from the<br />

"indestructible" window was blamed for the<br />

freak accident.<br />

VVOMP1 president, Mary Ellen Boyd, an<br />

nounces the following committee chairmen<br />

for the 1979-80 year: community service.<br />

Susan Howell, industry service. Julie<br />

Williams: finance. Sandy Easley: publicity.<br />

Fay Weaver; yearbook. Linda Vespi; Will<br />

Rogers. Phil Eckert; bylaws. Mary Hart; and<br />

sunshine. Sheila Temple.<br />

Susan Howell has returned to work part<br />

time at Clark Films after having been on<br />

maternity leave. Susan and Lenny became the<br />

proud parents of Matthew Leonard, born on<br />

June 16.<br />

Duval Teachers United sponsored an<br />

"Honor the Children Day" on Aug 3. and<br />

showed a free movie. "Huckleberry Finn." for<br />

all school-aged children and accompanying<br />

adults ,ii Plitt's Edgewood and Regency<br />

Theatres<br />

The WOMPls have made a<br />

$25 di<br />

to the Florida Lung Association to help thai<br />

organization raise funds to sponsot camper<br />

ships to "Sunshine Station." a camp for<br />

children with respirator) diseases<br />

Kent's St. Johns Twin Theatre has a new<br />

manager. John Kissane. who comes to then]<br />

after lour years with the Springs Theatre in<br />

Ocala. John started as an usher with Wometco<br />

and has progressed through the ranks<br />

Columbia Pictures held a sneak preview of<br />

its newest release. "Hot Stuff." at the Regency<br />

Twin Theatre on July 27 and reports that it<br />

was received with great gusto. "Hot Stuff<br />

opened Aug. 3 at the Regency Twin, Orange<br />

Park 5. Royal Palm, Northside and Fox<br />

Drive In theatres in Jacksonville and the<br />

Royal Park in Gainsville.<br />

In the Jacksonville Journal's "Lively." the<br />

magazine of entertainment, movie reviewer<br />

Mike Clark gave excellent reviews of 20th<br />

Fox's "Breaking Away" and Columbia's "The<br />

Villain." and Paramount's "North Dallas Forty."<br />

Clark describes "Breaking Away" as a<br />

"touching, humorous depiction of a real<br />

passage of life. It describes what happens as<br />

high school students must decide between col<br />

lege and blue collar work. There is practically<br />

no fault in this movie. You can tell by watching<br />

the audience." . . . "The Villain" is<br />

another entertaining family film by the master<br />

of the summer success, director Hal Needham.<br />

who directed "Smokey and the Bandit" and<br />

"Hooper." It's a loving take-off on Roadrun<br />

ner cartoons and has something for everyone.<br />

stales Clark.<br />

Pictures screened this week were "Swim<br />

Team" and "Lady in Red." New World Piclures;<br />

"The Great Santini." Warner Brothers;<br />

and "Shame on the Bixby Boys," New World<br />

Pictures.<br />

The WOMPI's wish to welcome a new<br />

member. Suzy Peacock, who is assistant<br />

cashier for Universal Films.<br />

Fave Lynn is the new booker at Avco Em<br />

bassy Pictures. She replaced Wendy Vestal,<br />

according to Randy Rovins. local branch<br />

manager for Embassy . ins also reports<br />

that he has "Kiss in the Attack of the Phantoms"<br />

booked to break in the Jacksonville<br />

market on Aug. 24 with a radio tie in and a big<br />

newspaper and television campaign. Embassy<br />

also screened "City on Fire" for local ex<br />

hibitors on July 19.<br />

Jacksonville area entertainment costs drop<br />

ped in June, giving the consumers a<br />

leisuretime break although inflation marched<br />

on in other sectors. These facts are according<br />

to a column apearing in the Florida Times<br />

Union. Leisure and recreation costs fell 0.1<br />

percent in June. Entertainment costs in the<br />

five county area of Duval. Baker. Clay.<br />

Nassau and St. Johns counties have increased<br />

by only 1.2 percent in the first six months of<br />

the year compared w ith the national rate of in<br />

crease of 6.6 percent. Two drops in local prices<br />

were instrumental in causing the moderation<br />

in recreation inflation. Prices of bicycles show<br />

ed a marked decline and area shops cut prices<br />

on some phonograph records. Other electronic<br />

items remained unchanged in price for several<br />

months.<br />

CHARLOTTE<br />

Notes from Filmrow: Jean Caudle is a new<br />

employee at Avco/Embassv . She was previous<br />

ly employed by Warner Bros, on the West<br />

Coast and by Galaxy Pictures.<br />

Ed McLaughlin, Columbia Pictures branch<br />

manager, has returned from the Wesi t oasi<br />

re nee,<br />

( ongratulations on his new<br />

position -is branch manager ol \vcol\ mbassj<br />

Orslej was a bookei at Paramouni r<br />

for the p.isi 10 years<br />

New pictures on the marquees; "The<br />

Amityville Horror" lAmencan International!<br />

al I'ryon Mall I and "Game of Death" IC ol<br />

umbiai al I'ryon Mall II.<br />

Catherine (lupin. Charlotte Observer<br />

movie critic, said of The Amityville Horror'<br />

"Because the screenplay of Sandor Stem's<br />

follows the book so closely, the action in<br />

Amityville' is told in slow paced diary fashion<br />

ion the third day the flies came ...on the<br />

fourth day. the toilets overflowed with black<br />

goo l"<br />

NEW ORLEANS<br />

Milton Aufdemorte, president of Gulf<br />

States Theatre Owners Service Inc.. has an<br />

nounced that he has purchased all outstanding<br />

shares of Gulf States Theatre Owners Service<br />

Inc.. and is new sole owner of the corporation.<br />

He has terminated the operation of his other<br />

company . Film Booking Service, as of Aug. I<br />

He has also announced acceptance of the<br />

resignations of Alice Baker and Carl Mabry as<br />

board directors and appointed Constance<br />

Aufdemorte vice president and Mildred Bin<br />

secretary treasurer, both to serve in the capaci<br />

ty<br />

of directors of the board.<br />

Columbia Pictures welcomes three addi<br />

lions to their office staff: Kim Barbot. contract<br />

clerk and biller: Rich Boynton. salesman; and<br />

Rory Bruer. booker for Memphis territory<br />

Universal trade-screened "Yanks" at the<br />

Robert E. Lee Theatre.<br />

Paramouni Pictures' "Sunburn." starring<br />

Farrah Fawcett Majors, is scheduled to open<br />

in the New Orleans area on Aug 17 at the<br />

Elm wood Cinema. Kenilworlh Cinema and<br />

Chalmette C inema<br />

The Women of the Motion Picture Industry<br />

had an outgoing officers party at the summer<br />

home of chairman Shirley Eagan in<br />

Mandeville. La.<br />

Richard Dodds in his review of<br />

"Nighivving" had this to say: " "Nightwing'<br />

could possibly have been trashy fun if it hadn't<br />

taken itself so seriously . the screenplay is<br />

filled with sanctimonious mumbo jumbo that<br />

drags in sacred American customs, oppor<br />

tunistic white men and even touches on the oil<br />

shortage ["here is abundant scenic<br />

photography, however, to lessen the tedium,<br />

plus some lilting melodies h\ Henry. M<br />

Reviewing "Breaking Away," Frank<br />

Gagnard remarks, "the film m.iv be the<br />

sentimental inspirational 'sleeper' ol the sum<br />

met li has the popular ingredients an appeal<br />

ing young cast, a coming ol age siory in which<br />

innocence and industry and homey virtues<br />

triumph, a superbly tooled production and<br />

laughs. No eye gouging or Russian<br />

roulette—not even a broken heart "<br />

MIAMI<br />

Col. Robert Pcntland Jr., who has been<br />

described by some as the most generous man<br />

in Florida, died July 29 in Miami. He was ihc<br />

man who donated more than SI million to<br />

Variety Children's Hospital, as well as giving<br />

S2.S million to the March of Dimes. S I million<br />

to the Umversiiv of Miami Children's Cardiac<br />

Hospital here and $400,000 to the Old Spanish<br />

Monastery in North Dade County.<br />

In 1 965. when Variety Children's Hospital,<br />

his favorite charity, needed money, he found<br />

ed Benefactor's C lub. The requirement for<br />

membership was a S50.000 donation to the<br />

hospital He was a lifetime chairman of Varie<br />

ty. a trustee of the University of Miami,<br />

founder of the Orange Bowl Committee and<br />

past chairman of the March of Dimes.<br />

Recently "Dawn of the Dead" was shown at<br />

the Parkway Theatre and in 10 other movie<br />

houses in Dade and Broward counties It did a<br />

pretty good business, and according to Bill<br />

Cosford of the Miami Herald scared children<br />

"witless."<br />

HOUSTON<br />

Dennis Quaid, a former Houstonian. is currently<br />

appearing in "Breaking Away" which is<br />

currently at the Bnargrove 3. Shamrock 6.<br />

Festival 6. Soulhmore 6. Northwood 6 and<br />

Southway 6.<br />

In his reviews, Eric Gerber of the Houston<br />

Post wrote that "Just You and Me. Kid" "is<br />

just oldster George Burns and youngster<br />

Brooke Shields and not much else. It is not a<br />

bad movie so much as not a movie at all.<br />

Rather, it is a talky . one set play let fleshed out<br />

w ith a few exterior scenes." ... "If somewhere<br />

it is decreed that every cinema season must<br />

have its sleeper, then this summer's surely<br />

must be Breaking Away.' " wrote Gerber<br />

"This virtually unheralded film from director<br />

Peter Yates and writer Steve Tesich is the<br />

most unquestionably satisfying 'small' film of<br />

its kind since Joan Silver's 'Between the<br />

Lines.'<br />

first run report<br />

CHARLOTTE<br />

Alien i20th-Fo\i. Park Terrace I.<br />

8th wk<br />

SI.U.973<br />

The \ppk Dumpling Gang Rides Again iBVi.<br />

2 theatres. 2nd wk 21.929<br />

Bloodline (Parai. C harlcoltetown Mall 3.<br />

3rdwk 28.184<br />

Escape from Alcalra/ iParai. Charlottetown<br />

Mali:. 4th wk 49.90S<br />

The In laws (WBl. Park Terrace 2.<br />

5th wk 48.357<br />

House of Crazies iSRi. Trvon Mall I<br />

Istwk 4.471<br />

Jus] Sou and Me. Kid iC oil. Souih Park 2.<br />

Bill Simpson of Simpsons Distributing Islvvk 7.084<br />

Corp. reports excellent grosses on "House of The Main Event iWBi. Sjouih Park I.<br />

Crazies" and "Fists of Fury Part I " and due to 4th wk 73.815<br />

good grosses in Charlotte, he received addi Meatballs iParai. Eastland Mall 3. Istwk 2U.47U<br />

nonal bookings in North and South Carolina.<br />

MoonrakiriL Ai. basiland Mall l.3rdwk 65.529<br />

Simpson also expects to break soon with<br />

"When the Screaming Stops."<br />

Pruphecv iParai. Trvon Mall I. 5lh wk 35.676<br />

Rocky II lUAl. Capri I.Slhwk 83.334<br />

NEW ORLEANS<br />

Alkni2UihFo\i. Loews 2.4th wk<br />

S6.62I<br />

A Little Romance (Orion WBl. Lakeside I.<br />

Istwk 4.749<br />

Dracula lUnivk 1st wk<br />

Plaza 3 9.030<br />

Sena Mall<br />

IU.804<br />

Hitler iSRi Loews I. Istwk 5.938<br />

Ihc In Laws iWBi. Lakeside 2. 5th wk 1 1.188<br />

The Innocent iSRi. Lakeside 3. 3rd wk 6.237<br />

Just \nu and Me. Kid iC oil. Pla/a 4.<br />

Istwk 7.113<br />

Mastir Killer iSRi.Orpheum. 5 days 4.710<br />

Pruphecv iPan. Loews 3. 5lhwk 6.833<br />

Rocky II iL Ai 3 screens. 5th wk 42.000<br />

PINKSTON SALES & SERVICE - MOTION PICTURE EQUIPMENT<br />

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14 BOXOFFICE/AUGUST 13, 1979<br />

HOLLYWOOD<br />

Fay Kanin, newly elected president of the<br />

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science,<br />

spent the first week in August lecturing in<br />

Brussels at a six week seminar for Belgian film<br />

makers. She screened "Friendly Fire," for<br />

which she wrote the script and co produced<br />

with Marble Arch Productions.<br />

James Frawley, director of "The Muppet<br />

Movie," has formed his own motion picture<br />

company, Maya Films Ltd , and has begun<br />

reading scripts.<br />

Milos Forman has won the David di<br />

Donatello Award as best director of a foreign<br />

film for "Hair," and composer Gait MacDer<br />

mot was honored as best sound track com<br />

poser for adapting, arranging and conducting<br />

the musical score of the United Artists release.<br />

Publishing rights to historian Bruce Tor<br />

ranee's "Hollywood: The First 100 Years,"<br />

have been obtained by the Hollywood<br />

Chamber of Commerce and a release of the<br />

book has been set for November. The book<br />

will contain several hundred rare photos trac<br />

ing Hollywood's development from pioneer<br />

days to today.<br />

Australian stuntman Grant Page will set<br />

himself on fire in an effort to heat up interest<br />

in Avco Embassy's "City on Fire." He will be<br />

performing his "human torch" stunt on his<br />

lour to Chicago, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Buf<br />

falo and Washington, plus other cities as they<br />

are added to the junket. Page was stunt coor<br />

dinalor on the Sandy Howard/Astral Bellevue<br />

Pathe production.<br />

James Frawley, director of "The Muppet<br />

Movie," has been scheduled by Marble Arch<br />

Productions to go on a promotional tour for<br />

the movie to New York. Philadelphia,<br />

Chicago and Washington.<br />

For his performance in American Interna<br />

tional's "Love at First Bite," George Hamilton<br />

has been inducted into the Count Dracula<br />

Society's Hall of Fame. The formal induction<br />

took place Aug. 5 at the organization's annual<br />

meeting at the University Hilton Hotel.<br />

Hamilton interrupted his promotional tour for<br />

the picture to accept the honor.<br />

SAN FRANCISCO<br />

Alan Aaronson and Dana Augustine are the<br />

new bookers at Associated Film Distributors.<br />

Augustine was previously a booker at 20th<br />

Fox where he has not yet been replaced.<br />

Bob Coley, division manager for United Ar<br />

tists. visited the local branch and various ex<br />

hibitor accounts Aug. 2.<br />

. .<br />

"La Cage Au\ Folks" is a United Artists<br />

release about which Herb Caen wrote: "The<br />

film to see in town right now . . . earthy yet<br />

poignant humor . it should run for<br />

months." The film is now playing the 4 Star.<br />

Respective grosses for the first three weeks of<br />

the engagement are Sll.500, $15,422 and<br />

$17,921. which is a house record. As in Los<br />

Angeles and New York, the grosses have been<br />

building each week.<br />

"I Am My Films," a biographical film on<br />

Werner Herzog that includes film clips from<br />

his movies as well as an extended interview<br />

with the German director, played at the York<br />

Theater Aug. 3 along with his film "Slroszek."<br />

"Wacky double bills" submitted by<br />

customers in a contest at the U. C. Theatre.<br />

Berkeley, included: "The Poseidon<br />

Adventure'T'Watership Down." "All the<br />

President's Men'VA Thousand Clowns."<br />

"Elephant Walk'T'Rabbit. Run," "Who'll<br />

Stop the Rain^'T'The High and the Mighty,"<br />

"Beach Blanket BingoT'Woman in the<br />

Dunes." and "Cyrano de Bergerac'T'Pinocchio."<br />

"Bambi "/"The Deer Hunter" was the<br />

most frequently submitted program<br />

TUCSON<br />

"Mr. Tucson," Roy Drachman, tells of his<br />

early


IHMNM1<br />

BOXOFFICE/AUGUST 1 3, 1 979<br />

NEW YORK<br />

The bitter controversy over the shooting of<br />

"Cruisin'." the film in progress starring Al<br />

Pacino as a cop investigating murders in<br />

homosexual circles, has quieted down since<br />

the initial protest two weeks ago In the pro<br />

cess, director William Friedkin and producer<br />

Jerry Weintraub have captured enough free<br />

national publicity to earn a strong opening<br />

next year. That, some say, was their intent jn<br />

the first place, increased costs due to produc<br />

lion delays notwithstanding<br />

Gay rights demonstrators, who say the<br />

movie will create "inflammatory and ex<br />

plosive" reaction in their community, urged<br />

boycotts of the businesses used in the Green<br />

with Village location shooting, walked onto<br />

sets and disrupted shots, and marched<br />

1.000 strong chanting. "C'ruisin' must go" lJu<br />

ly 25. 26).<br />

All three New York dailies— the Times, the<br />

News and the Post— reported in-depth on the<br />

protests, and some commented on the<br />

arguments in editorials or columns One com<br />

ment came from Mayor Edward Koch who<br />

refused the gays' demand to revoke "Cruisin s"<br />

pemit to film. A forum was conducted in the<br />

pages of the Soho Weekly News and the<br />

Village Voice, which originally called attention<br />

to the film's subject matter via columns<br />

by gay affairs reporter Arthur Bell<br />

Stories are circulating that the "C'ruisin"<br />

filmmakers sent a page of the script to Bell,<br />

who. finding the depiction of gay life objectionable,<br />

urged nonviolent and violent disruption<br />

of the shooting. The attendant uproar, it<br />

is believed, would help add boxoffice dollars to<br />

the originally dim prospects of a film based on<br />

an unsuccessful book brought to the screen by<br />

a director and an actor who have not had a hit<br />

in several years.<br />

Also shooting in the Big Apple: "Fame."<br />

director Alan ("Midnight Express"! Parker's<br />

first film made in the United States, is under<br />

taking principal photography for the story set<br />

in Manhattan's High School for Performing<br />

Arts. It concerns the effects of eight<br />

youngsters trying to make it professionally in<br />

music, dance and drama.<br />

The MGM presentation (to be released in<br />

the United States by United Artistsi is produced<br />

by Alan Marshall and David DeSilva from<br />

an original screenplay by Christopher Gore.<br />

John Cassavetes' "One Summer Night"<br />

began location shooting at the end of July<br />

The Columbia film pairs Gena Rowlands as a<br />

former showgirl and gunman's moll who reluctantly<br />

befriends a boy (Juan Adamsl whose<br />

family dies in a gangland shooting.<br />

Credits include executive producer Sam<br />

Shaw and cmematographer Fred Shuler. and<br />

cast Buck Henry, Julie Carmen and Lupc Gar<br />

nica.<br />

International Harmony has announced thai<br />

"Rust Never Sleeps" will begin an exclusive<br />

engagement at the Palladium on E. 1 4th<br />

Street on Aug. 1 5. Featuring rock musician<br />

Neil Young in concert, the film will be screen<br />

ed 13 times during the five-day period. Tickets<br />

went on sale through Ticketron last week<br />

The distributors are aiming for an Aug. 29<br />

start for theatrical run in the metropolitan<br />

area. The Bernard Shakey film opened in Los<br />

Angeles and drew nearly $85,000 in us first<br />

week.<br />

Meanwhile, the album of the same name<br />

has entered the top 20 in all major national<br />

sales charts Young is reportedly remixing "In<br />

to the Black" for the singles market.<br />

Another film relying heavily on a rock<br />

act—"Rock n' Roll High School"—opened<br />

Aug. 3 at the 8th Street Playhouse. The New<br />

World release places American punk rock<br />

group I he Ramones in Vmce Lombardi High.<br />

a Southern California high school filled with<br />

students who hate to sludy<br />

There is a soundtrack album on Warner<br />

Bros.' Sire label, and various record stores in<br />

the Greenwich Village area near the 8th Street<br />

theatre have erected window displays linking<br />

the film and the LP. according to New World.<br />

The movie, which made $10,784 in the first<br />

weekend, is being aimed at the young rock 'n'<br />

roll audience<br />

the) must have wanted a T shirt very badly<br />

On a sticky and rainy afternoon, the kids<br />

began lining up at least two hours before the<br />

doors were scheduled to open Aug. 3 for<br />

United Artists Theatres' new fourplex in the<br />

Bronx. In honor of the recently completed<br />

renovations of the old 2,000-seat UA Inter<br />

boro. the Tremont Avenue theatre handed out<br />

free yellow shirts to the first patrons to enter.<br />

The facility is highlighted by the single pro<br />

jection room serving all four theatres and<br />

equipped with devices enabling one projectionist<br />

to unreel all four films at the same time.<br />

Joseph Kelly. UA vice president, who installed<br />

more than 400 theatres in his 20-year career,<br />

designed the projection room, which runs<br />

down the middle of the four piece, pie-shaped<br />

structure.<br />

The new theatre was hailed as an important<br />

step in the increased revitalization of the<br />

predominantly Irish Italian neighborhood ad<br />

jacant to the Throgs Neck Bridge Attending<br />

the ribbon^utting ceremony were Bronx<br />

borough officials including president Stanley<br />

Simon and ex-president and current Congressman<br />

Mario Biaggi. From UA Theatres in<br />

addition to Kelly: division manager Mel<br />

Stewart. Mill Daly, vice president and general<br />

manager. Daly's assistant . Saul Schreiber. and<br />

publicist Herb Pickman.<br />

Salah Hassanein, UATC president,<br />

reportedly stopped in to check on the opening<br />

day activity long before the guests arrived.<br />

Hassanein was one of the many exhibitors<br />

who look part in a trip to Europe furnished by<br />

Sir Lew Grade. Toward the end of July, the<br />

exhibs boarded the Queen Elizabeth II. and<br />

sailed lo London, where ihey spent a few days<br />

conferring with Grade, whose latest wellpublici/ed<br />

project is "Sophie's Choice." The<br />

guests were ihen flow n back via ihe Concorde.<br />

hrench director Coline Serreau was in New<br />

York Aug. 5-10 to meet the press in connection<br />

with her film, "Why Not!." entering its<br />

fourth week at the Pans. New Line Cinema<br />

hopes the Robert McNeil presentation will be<br />

opening there in the nexi six to eight weeks.<br />

American International Pictures sneak<br />

previewed "Something Short of Paradise"<br />

Aug. 2 before a full house at the Beekman<br />

Theatre. The contemporary romantic comedy<br />

links comedian David Steinberg, in his first<br />

leading role, with Susan Sarandon, who in re<br />

cent roles has portrayed a prostitute ("Pretty<br />

Bab>"( and a gypsy ("King of the Gypsies"!.<br />

Ihe catchline lor the James G Gutman<br />

Lester Berman production as it appeared in a<br />

daily newspaper ad was. "Love isn't<br />

blind. ..just a little nearsighted!" Al said the<br />

picture will open in an East Side art house in<br />

September or October.<br />

Directed by David Helpern Jr. and written<br />

by Fred Barron, the Samuel Z. Arkolf presen<br />

lation also stars Marilyn Sokol and Jean<br />

Pierre Aumoni.<br />

AFD's "Ihe Muppet Movie" recently<br />

hit<br />

(he nullion^lollar mark alter six weeks in the<br />

New York area. That covers three weeks in<br />

five theatres and then three weeks in eight<br />

theatres.<br />

WASHINGTON<br />

The Mlii'i- kt-ith Theatre's historic Beaux<br />

Arts, white sione facade of five fronts, located<br />

al 15th and G streets NW. across from the<br />

Treasury Department in the White House<br />

precinct, is about lo be razed, along with the<br />

1,900.seal theatre and the ornate white stone<br />

eight story building.<br />

A $60 million office shopping complex is to<br />

be constructed on the site by the Oliver T.<br />

Carr development company. The 68 yearold<br />

theatre was built for motion picture and<br />

vaudeville entertainment. The last efforts for<br />

showing motion pictures there were made a<br />

year ago by exhibitor Don King, president of<br />

the Town Theatre Group.<br />

An editorial in The Washington Post con<br />

cerning the theatre's demolition said, in part:<br />

"There is a value to preserving the city's<br />

history in sione. but there is also a value to<br />

providing for the city's economic future."<br />

Alexandria I able vision, the cable TV com<br />

pany that the city council of nearby Alexan<br />

dria. Va.. selected, expects to be operative by<br />

1981 The award was made after Alexandria<br />

Cablevision assured the council of its ability to<br />

fund the $6.5 million system and begin local<br />

programming and service to apartments and<br />

private residents in 18 months.<br />

Marty Zeidman, Columbia branch<br />

manager, tradescreened "When a Stranger<br />

Calls" July 31 and "American Success Com<br />

pany" Aug. 2 at the Motion Picture Associa<br />

lion of America's screening room. Both<br />

releases are for fall distribution. The stars in<br />

"When a Stranger Calls." named by Zeidman<br />

in his invitation are Charles Durning. Carol<br />

Kane and Colleen Dewhursl and starring in<br />

"American Success Company" are Jeff<br />

Bridges. Belinda Bauer and Ned Beatty.<br />

Don Ritchie has been named manager of<br />

Redstone Theatres' Queens Chapel Drive In.<br />

Ritchie formerly was manager of the Laurel<br />

Theatre al Laurel. Md., and also of the Elk<br />

Theatre at Elkton. Md. The Boston based cir<br />

cuil has two other drive-ins in this area, the<br />

Mount Vernon and the Lee Highway.<br />

R. Wade Pearson, president of NATO of<br />

Washington, is back al his duties as director of<br />

Neighborhood Theatres Northern Virginia<br />

division, after serving as chairman of the mid<br />

Atlantic regional NATO conference al<br />

Virginia Beach. Md.. July 15 17.<br />

Other NATO members in attendance from<br />

here were: Paul Roth, president of Rolh<br />

Theatres and a past president of NATO;<br />

R ichard Olson. The Washington Star; Thomas<br />

Camarda. The Washington Post; Roy<br />

Tompkins, Neighborhood Theatres. Northern<br />

Virginia division; Harman Martin, formerly of<br />

Alexandria Amusement Co.. and son Philip:<br />

Glen Norris. president of Glenoris Corp:<br />

Harley Davidson, president of Independent<br />

Theatres; Douglas Potash, United Artists<br />

branch manager; Ned Glaser. Roth Theatres;<br />

Samuel N Wheeler and son Ross. Wheeler<br />

Films; Bob Rackensberger. Alliance<br />

Distributing Co.; and Seth Hurwitz. manager<br />

of the Ontario Theatre.<br />

Ihe Ontario Theatre's screen is the largest<br />

in the city . Manager Seth Hurwitz told Boxoi-Fic t<br />

his triple admission feature programs at $2.50<br />

per person were doing "incredibly well."<br />

Grosses reached $9,300 the week the Ontario<br />

programmed "Dawn of the Dead." "Frankenstein"<br />

and "The Car."<br />

15<br />

"John Denver: Energy Conservation," a<br />

new 35mm sound and color short subject. 4 Vi<br />

minutes long, presented by the U.S. Depart<br />

ment of Energy, is available on free loan to<br />

theatres across the country. Requests should<br />

be sent to ModcrnC inema 35. 2323 New<br />

Hyde Park Road. New York 1 0042<br />

Dan O'Bannon, screenwriter of the horror<br />

movie "Alien." while here as a special guest of<br />

the science fiction convention, explained thai<br />

he had desired to create movie monsters on a<br />

new plateau, to put new demons into public<br />

consciousness and to speak directly to the un<br />

conscious—carnivorously— so the audience<br />

would have a feeling of primal evil. O'Bannon<br />

said he had written his script "unisex " Ridley<br />

Scotl. the director, and rewruers created male<br />

and female characters. They determined thai a<br />

woman, played by Sigourney Weaver, would<br />

be warrant officer Ripley and the last person<br />

lo face the monster, which. O'Bannon said,<br />

pleased him. "Alien." a 20th Century Fox<br />

release, is in its 1 1 th "smash hit" week, playing<br />

the Uptown and saven other area situations.<br />

Fredell Pogodin, Universal publicist based<br />

at the Cherry Hill. N.J.. office, accompanied<br />

star Sylvia Kristcl here to plug "Concorde—Airport<br />

79" on July 27 The feature<br />

opens Aug. 17<br />

Movie openings in this exchange area in<br />

eluded 20th Fox's "Breaking Away" and<br />

United Artists' "Wanda Nevada" on Aug. I.<br />

Other features, which unveiled later thai<br />

week, were: Warner Bros' "Beyond the<br />

Poseidon Adventure." Universale "More<br />

American Graffiti" and Paramount* "North<br />

Dallas Forty."<br />

®See Bud Orton or Joe Testa al<br />

The American International release "The<br />

Anutyville Horror." which debuted July 27 in<br />

12 area theatres, is a "Ho Hum Horror." and.<br />

wrote the Post's movie critic Gary Arnold.<br />

"Being presold, the film version should do a<br />

good business until the news about the lack of<br />

thrills gels around."<br />

"Apocalypse Now" is scheduled lo<br />

premiere in the Washington exchange area<br />

Oct. 5. Douglas Potach, United Artists branch<br />

manager, screened for exhibitors the "long<br />

awaited much bally hooed" film at the Motion<br />

Picture Association of America on Aug. 6.<br />

The 139-minute feature stars Marlon Brando.<br />

Robert Duvall. Martin Sheen and Denis Hop<br />

per. Duvall is a native of nearby Alexandria.<br />

Va.. where his parents still reside.<br />

"The Great Saniini." in which Duvall slurs.<br />

produced by Hollywood's Charles Pratt lor<br />

Bing Crosby Productions, was previewed<br />

recently at MPAA by Defense Department officials.<br />

Producer Pratt was here from the West<br />

Coast. Bernard Baruch. acting chief of the<br />

department's audiovisual division told Bovn<br />

Fit E that the department gave assistance in<br />

the picture's filming, such as ihe use of Marine<br />

installations at Parris Island. S.C.. and ihe use<br />

of air craft. Duvall's nexi picture will be<br />

"Angelo My Love." which he expects lo pro<br />

duce and direct from his original script.<br />

American International, which is<br />

celebraling us 25th year, sneaked "Something<br />

Shorl of Paradise" at General C mema's<br />

Jenifer II Aug 2. The feature's commercial<br />

release is scheduled for Oct. 26. Ira Miller.<br />

Al's branch manager, said his company's cur<br />

rent entry. "The Amityville Horror." is "the<br />

hu of the summer." "Meteor" will unreel Oct.<br />

19.<br />

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16 BOXOFFICE/AUGUST 1 3, 1 979<br />

PHILADELPHIA<br />

Rod -Singer was in town for media inter<br />

views to help promote the opening of "The<br />

AmityviUe Horror" at the Budco Regency<br />

Theatre and other area houses.<br />

Wayne Agnex. night manager ai the Budco<br />

Orleans 4 Theatres in the Northeast secuon of<br />

the cit> . was held up b> a man wearing a paper<br />

bag over his head and was robbed of SZiOO.<br />

He told the police he had been earning<br />

receipts to a bank across the street from the<br />

theatres when he was approached b> the man<br />

and robbed at gunpoint shortly after midmghL<br />

Dale Schneck, film cntic for the Calf<br />

Chronicle. Allentown. Pa_ says. This latest<br />

"Dracula' finally gives moviegoers something<br />

sink their teeth into." William<br />

they can really<br />

Wolf. Asbury Park iNJ I Press, is less<br />

enthusiastic, seeing it as "part adventure story<br />

part horror yarn, but it isn't very scary."<br />

Richard Slovak. Atlanta City iN J. t Press. says<br />

the movie "rests on a solid foundation: spien<br />

did acting and creepy sets"<br />

The New Jersey Motion Picture Comnus<br />

son was host for a special, preopenmg inula<br />

tional showing of "The ArmtyMDe Horror."<br />

which was filmed on location 01 nearby Toms<br />

River. N J., at the Essex Green Cinema 111 in<br />

West Orange. NJ State officials. Celeste<br />

Holm. 'AmityviUe* producers Roland Safand<br />

and Elliot (ieisingcr. and Sidney Kmgsky.<br />

commission chairman, were among the<br />

distinguished guests in attendance.<br />

General Cinema's Echelon Cinema in the<br />

Echelon Mall. Voorhees. NJ . rs offering a<br />

summer film festival, including free admission,<br />

every Tuesday morning at 10. sponsored by<br />

the mall merchants "That's Entertainment"<br />

starts off the festival, followed by "The Deep."<br />

Douglas k. Keating, Philadelphia Inquirer.<br />

sees George Burns as "the best pan of the<br />

movie"' in reviewing "Just You and Me. Kid."<br />

which he says has "little charm." . . . Joe<br />

Baltake. Philadelphia Daily News, calls 11<br />

"dull wined, fkai and unamusing TV-style<br />

humor " Bob Sokotsky. Philadelphia<br />

Bulletin, says it's not "a bad move, it's just<br />

that an awful lot of people have worked terribly<br />

hard to approach mediocrity ."... Bill<br />

Wine. Courier Post. Camden. N J_ says the<br />

movie's "problem stems from the lack of<br />

anything else of substance or quality besides<br />

iGeorgei Burns himself."<br />

Donna Baum. handling the pubuciiy and<br />

promotion for Paramount Pictures in the area,<br />

was hostess for the preview showing of "North<br />

Dallas Forty " at Budco Goldman I Theatre in<br />

center citv<br />

General Cinema's Quaker Bridge 4 Theatres<br />

m the Ouaker Bridge iN J.i Mall, provided free<br />

passes to see "Dracula" for all those donating a<br />

pint of blood to the Mercer County Regional<br />

Blood Center. He was pan of a community<br />

effort to spur blood donations to help ease a<br />

curreni blood shortage.<br />

The suburban Yeadon iPa 1 Movie Theatre<br />

rs widely known for its SI admission policy.<br />

free coffee, doughnuts, popcorn and 10-cent<br />

sodas But this week, for the showing of "The<br />

Champ." owner Ida Freidman lopped herself<br />

in treating the customers kindly. Brransf of<br />

the movie's sad ending, she's at the door hand<br />

ng patrons free tissues to w»r their eyes as<br />

they leave.<br />

Joe Baltake, Philadelphia Dairy News, finds<br />

"The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again" a<br />

"delightful comic valentine to the land of "but<br />

tons and bows.' ~ But BUI Wine. Couner Pom.<br />

Camden. N.J . sees it as "an ordinary.<br />

uninspired product >on like movie.*<br />

Philadelphia Daily News, in promotional<br />

deals arranged by Donna Baum. Paramount s<br />

publicity and promotion expert here, in a ran<br />

dom drawing for "Meatballs." is giving away<br />

25 albums of the movie score. 1 5 T-shirts and<br />

15 baseball caps. For "North Dallas Fony."<br />

40 winners wiU be selected at random to<br />

attend the preview of the movie at the Budco<br />

Goldman I Theatre<br />

Its 200-foot tower is almost finished and<br />

Monmouth Cablevision Associates, Wall<br />

Township. N.J., has promised area residents in<br />

West Belmar and East Belmar. NJ .<br />

will<br />

The company has<br />

have cable TV by early fall.<br />

also been granted the franchise to operate in<br />

Manalapan Township<br />

William Wolf, Asbury Park IN J.I Press,<br />

reviewing "The In Laws," said. "Although (he<br />

film keeps stretching credulity, 11 delivers ihe<br />

laughs again and again."<br />

t.ioo's Restaurants, locally based fasl (nod<br />

hamburger food chain, is sponsoring a sum<br />

mer film festival offering free admission for<br />

famines. Held by the Philadelphia Department<br />

of Recreation, screenings are at the various<br />

neighborhood playgrounds and recreation<br />

centers throughout the city, the 60 to<br />

90-minute shows are offered daily throughout<br />

August. Each film program includes ihree to<br />

five films, predominantly vintage comedies<br />

and snorts documentaries. The first week of<br />

the film festival featured selected short sub<br />

jects starring Abbott and Costello. great<br />

scenes from famous disaster movies, and<br />

animated canoons.<br />

WASHINGTON<br />

(continued from page 15)<br />

Samuel Z. Arkoff. AI board chairman and<br />

president, was here as the surviving member<br />

of the 1954 B-piclure duo. With his late part<br />

ner. James Nicholson. Arkoff explained dur<br />

mg interviews, they made pictures to please an<br />

audience— the youth market— that were not<br />

an. Nevertheless, the American Film Institute<br />

and the Museum of Modern Art in New York<br />

are showing an American International Picture<br />

Festival.<br />

The Star's critic Tom Dow ling had this to<br />

"When the AFI shows<br />

say about the festival:<br />

self avowed schlock I feel obliged 10 support<br />

the effort, if only because the program seemed<br />

an antidote to that institutions^ occasional<br />

tendency to pomposity . . Definitely not art<br />

Possibly not even entertainment. And. no. I<br />

can't teU you how any of them turn out. or<br />

even why they bothered to make them. Thai<br />

pan youll have to find out on your own.<br />

Anyway, for once the AFI has no where 10 go<br />

but upon the tacky commom touch from. I'm<br />

pulling for them."<br />

Among the film presentations are I Was a<br />

Teenaee Werewolf." "Bucket of Blood."<br />

"Beach Party." "What's Up Tiger Lily." "The<br />

Wild Angels." "Bloody Mama" and many.<br />

many more.<br />

Arkoff said that Nicholson was "great at<br />

lilies" and recalled "How to Stuff a Wild<br />

Bikini" as a "classic Nicholson title."<br />

Area summer film fare consists of a wide<br />

range of offerings Paramount's "North Dallas<br />

Forty" and another new release. 20th<br />

Century Fox's "Breaking Away." seem to<br />

have "revived that salutary form of screen<br />

writing in which every crucial conflict is ade<br />

qualely resolved and every conflicting view<br />

point is adequately—and sometimes elo<br />

quently—expressed," wrote the Posts film<br />

critic. Gary Arnold<br />

The Washington Star film critic. Tom<br />

Dowling. agrees that these two features are<br />

"superior" motion pictures and that Nick<br />

Nolle, star of "North Dallas Forty." is the<br />

"mast exciting" actor in the American film in<br />

dusirv.<br />

Dan Stern, who plays one of the 9 yearolds<br />

in "Breaking Away," was a recent visitor,<br />

granting interviews while visiting his family.<br />

Stern is a native of Chevy Chase, Md.. and<br />

graduated from Bcthesda Chevy Chase High<br />

School in 1975.<br />

L'niversal's "More American Graffiti," to<br />

quote critic Gary Arnold, "succeeds in making<br />

a blithe mockery of Hs predecessor, American<br />

Graffiti' 13 W. L. Norton, the young<br />

writer director, has contrived to be relentlessly<br />

commercial while showing off his film culture<br />

10 and flashing his old counterculture ID."<br />

Warner Bros.' "Beyond the Poseideon<br />

Adventure." Irwin Allen's sequel to his hit<br />

disaster drama, which he directed from a<br />

screenplay by Nelson Gidding. is the current<br />

attraction in eight situations<br />

A new Disney farce, "The Apple Dumpling<br />

Gang Rides Again.' stars Tim Conway and<br />

Don Knotts. "The sequel is content," Arnold<br />

wrote, "to deepen the ruts carved by us<br />

predecessor, a laborious, charmless exercise in<br />

juvenile comedy." It is a first run at nine<br />

peripheral houses.<br />

The new "Dracula," starring Frank<br />

Langella. released by Universal, had grosses<br />

for the first week in this exchange area, on 22<br />

screens, thai reached S277.2I6 and in<br />

Metropolitan Washington on eight screens.<br />

SI40.0I3. The second week, dropping slightly.<br />

the exchange area's grosses (22 screens!<br />

amounted to $227,218, whereas, in<br />

Metropolitan Washington leight screens),<br />

$110,199.<br />

BUFFALO<br />

first run report<br />

NEW YORK<br />

The AmityviUe Horror I<br />

AI p. 93 screens.<br />

1st wk $1,911,221<br />

Breaking Awav (20th Fox). 5 screens.<br />

3rd wk 114.598<br />

La Cage Au\ Folks |UA), 68lh St. Playhouse.<br />

12th wk 33.716<br />

Dracula lUnivi. 64 screens. 3rd wk 355,149<br />

Escape From Alcatraz iParal. 6 screens.<br />

I 10.017<br />

6ih wk.<br />

The Frisco Kid (WB). Cinema l.4ihwk. 17.761<br />

Meatballs iPara). 5S screens. 5th wk 159.463<br />

Moonraker lUAI. 29 screens.<br />

5th wk. 494.886<br />

The Muppet Movie lAf Dl, 8 screens<br />

6th wk I." 000<br />

Peppermint Soda iMew Yorker). 57th St. Playhouse,<br />

3rd wk. 38.035<br />

Rock) II lUA), 22 screens. 7th wk 384,335<br />

LI Super iNew Yorker!, Cinema Studio II.<br />

6ih wk 9.487<br />

fill Marriage Do Ls Pari iFranklin), Plaza.<br />

.<br />

2nd wk 39,002<br />

The Tree of Wooden Clogs INew Yorkerl.<br />

Cinema Sludio I. 9th wk.. 12.780<br />

\Nhv Noll INew Line). Paris. 2nd wk 35.011<br />

BUFFALO<br />

r<br />

from the marquee to the screen<br />

Alien (20th-Fox), I screen. 9ih wk $6,000<br />

Ihe Apple Dumpling Gang Kides \imim 1BV1.<br />

4 screens. Isl wk 13.400<br />

Bloodline IParal. 3 screens. 4lh wk 11.000<br />

Dracula lUniv), 3screens, 2nd wk 15.000<br />

Lscape From Alcalraz IParal. 2 screens,<br />

Slhwk 8.100<br />

The In Laws 1 2 screens. 5lh wk 1 5.200<br />

lust You and Me. Kid iColl, 2 screens.<br />

2ndwk 6.800<br />

The Main LvenllWBl. 2 screens, 5th wk . 12.100<br />

Meatballs iParal. 4 screens. 2nd wk 36.300<br />

Moonraker iLAI. I screen. 4ih wk 4.8UO<br />

and everything in between<br />

9S2 Otmo. N.W.<br />

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A Theatre Square at 665 Main St. was<br />

dedicated Aug. 3 as a start of the Theatre<br />

District's first "summer season." Mayor Grif<br />

fin and other government officials and civic<br />

leaders turned out for the ribboncuttmg<br />

ceremony The Theatre District Association<br />

arranged for entertainment and sidewalk sales<br />

from 1 1 a.m. to I p.m. each Friday.<br />

"Punks at war with themselves, with<br />

adolescence and with society is old hat.<br />

especially when combined with rock 'n' roll."<br />

said Bob Groves in reviewing "The<br />

Wanderers" in the Courier Express.<br />

"The Kids Are Alright," featuring The<br />

Who. opened July 27 at the Boulevard and<br />

Thruway Mall cinemas. "The Grapes of<br />

Wrath" (1940) and "In Old Chicago" (1937)<br />

wrapped up the 24 film 20th Century Fox<br />

festival at the Rivoli Theatre on the same day<br />

Doug Smith in the Courier Express wrote:<br />

*'<br />

The Muppel Movie' is just that, a witty,<br />

amiable pairing of the Cloth Menagerie" with<br />

the whole spectrum of humanity. Goodness<br />

and right prevail in one of the cleanest movies<br />

to appeal to all ages within memory."<br />

The Muppet Movie lAFDl. 3 screens,<br />

2nd wk 42.000<br />

Rockv II lUAI. 2 screens. 6th wk 9.200<br />

[lie Villain (Col). 2 screens. 1st wk .13.800<br />

PITTSBURGH<br />

Alien I20lh Fox). 3 screens. 9ih wk .<br />

$18,400<br />

Ihe Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Aguin 1BV1.<br />

Manor l.Istwk. ...2.900<br />

Bloodline (Paral. 4th wk.<br />

Bank I 4.700<br />

Showcase Wesi .1 4.500<br />

Dracula lUnivi, Isl wk.<br />

Kings Couri 15.000<br />

Showcase Wesi 13.000<br />

Lscape From Akalraz iParal. 5ih wk<br />

l-uhon 1 .5.700<br />

Showcase 5.9O0<br />

Easi I<br />

The In Laws 1WB1, Bank I, 6lh wk.<br />

Bank 2 3.800<br />

Manor 2 6.200<br />

Just You and Me, Kid (Col), Squirrel Hill,<br />

Isl wk 5.700<br />

Ihe Vlain Lvent 1WB1. 3 screens. 5th wk. 24.400<br />

Moonraker iL Ai. 3 screens. 4th wk 24.500<br />

Rocky II (LAI, 6ih wk.<br />

Chaiham 14.750<br />

Showcase Las! 14,000<br />

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BOXOFFICE/AUGUST 1 3, 1 979<br />

spotlight<br />

By ALLEN M. WIDEM<br />

Regional Correspondent<br />

Moving into the final weeks of the summer<br />

of 197°, exhibitors across the six slate New<br />

England region have more or less adjusted to<br />

the energy crunch, and no markedly drastic<br />

fluctuations in attendance caused strictly by<br />

the gasoline shortage in any given area have<br />

appeared. The shortages may have had some<br />

impact, tertainly, in the initial weeks, but, by<br />

and large. New England exhibition has<br />

emphasized bargain pricing and other trade<br />

building gimmickry designed to remind a<br />

potential patron thai Iheatregoing can still be<br />

a bargain<br />

Vlelvin Simon Productions' "The Runner<br />

Stumbles," starring Dick Van Dyke and<br />

Kathleen Quinlan, had sneak previews across<br />

the territory before regular openings Good<br />

sized advance advertising was accorded, too,<br />

for lilies such as Al's "The Amity vil!e<br />

Horror." Paramounfs "Meatballs," Warner<br />

Bros.' "The Frisco Kid." Associated Film<br />

Disiributing's "The Muppet Movie," Film<br />

Ventures' "The Dark" and Buena Vista's "The<br />

Apple Dumpling Ciang Rides Again."<br />

Interstate Theatres of New England<br />

redesigned daily newspaper ad logos for its<br />

Ihree soulh central Connecticut units, the<br />

Say brook and Madison Cinemas and ihe Clinton<br />

underskyers. An artist's sketch has been<br />

substituted for previously used conventional<br />

typeface.<br />

The region's film critics had varying<br />

response to new product. Bob Eimicke. New<br />

Haven Register, reviewing Universale<br />

"Dracula." said. "The latest movie incarnation<br />

of Dracula. which has John Badham directing<br />

Frank Langella as the blood thirsty Count, is a<br />

bold misrepresentation of ihe power of<br />

folklore and spectacle."<br />

Reviewing New World Pictures' "Saint<br />

Jack." Richard Freedman. Newhouse News<br />

Service, said. "If 'Saint Jack' at least had some<br />

poetic atmosphere us lack of a plot might not<br />

matter, but it is as devoid of cinematic poetry<br />

as it is even of comic strip action."<br />

20th-Fox rereleased "Young Frankenstein,"<br />

the Mel Brooks farce, across the territory and<br />

backed it with teaser television spot advertising.<br />

Summertime promotion: John Baranski got<br />

a good media play with an innovative stunt at<br />

the Village Cinema in Suffield. Conn. The<br />

theatre, marking its first successful year with a<br />

99 cents admission at all times policy, had a<br />

promotion involving a giveaway of 52 free<br />

passes. Area press broke with photos of the<br />

proud exhibitor and a recipient.<br />

Perakos Theatres Associates' Plainville<br />

Drive In ad copy carries the line. "Minutes<br />

on new england<br />

From Your Doorstop— I 84, Exit 34," on a<br />

daib basis.<br />

Air-Line Drive-In, Chicopee, Mass., which<br />

has a dusk-to-dawn Friday and Saturday show<br />

(consisting Of "Jaws." "The Brink's Job,"<br />

"Heroes" and "Paradise Alley") came up with<br />

an ad line that's increasingly rare: "Special for<br />

the Kids I irsi al 8:45: Cartoon Festival!"<br />

Merrill G. Jarvis, wbo heads the northern<br />

Vermont Merrill Iheatre Corp. circuit,<br />

brought back 20th Fox's "The Rocky Horror<br />

Picture Show" for I 1:30 p.m. showings on a<br />

recent Friday and Saturday at the Flynn<br />

Theatre, Burlington Separate admission was<br />

charged "Late late" shows are commonplace<br />

in much larger population centers Jarvis,<br />

innovator that he is, went along with local<br />

scheduling because, he decided, Burlington is<br />

Vermont's largest municipality and contains a<br />

good sized college age crowd. Only through<br />

experimental scheduling, he reasons, can a<br />

modern-day exhibitor develop tomorrow's<br />

young adult audience.<br />

The Springfield (Mass. I City Council has<br />

rejected a proposal by Michael Kalsounakis<br />

and William O'Connell to convert the Grand<br />

Theatre in the Indian Orchard district to a<br />

discotheque. The governing body voted<br />

unanimously to table indefinitely the application<br />

for the special use permit.<br />

Wallace Plumb, who owns the cinema<br />

building, told a council session that motion<br />

pictures with disco music, such as<br />

Paramount's "Saturday Night Fever," had<br />

failed to spark complaints from churches or<br />

businesses in the immediate vicinity. Attorney<br />

Thomas J. O'Connor, himself a former<br />

Springfield mayor, coordinated testimony of<br />

the si/able oppostion bloc, arguing, in effect,<br />

that the site, which is near two major<br />

churches, would prove a bad choice for a<br />

disco.<br />

Nearby Ware, Mass., once home for four<br />

motion picture theatres, may become a film<br />

outlet again. The long-shuttered. 450-seat<br />

Casino Theatre, owned by Western<br />

Massachusetts Theatres Inc., is to be remodeled<br />

as a prelude to reopening, according to Betty<br />

Wheeler, an officer of WMT. The Casino was<br />

closed down several years ago after a fire.<br />

John Tavone has indicated he will be shift<br />

ing operational policy of the Palace Theatre.<br />

West Warwick, R.I., from a combination<br />

film/burlesqueon stage policy to something<br />

unusual for a building essentially a cinema<br />

outlet: Rock 'n' roll, country and western concerts.<br />

The theatre has a seating capacity of<br />

900.<br />

Joseph Summo, assistant manager al Loews<br />

Paradise Triplex. Bronx. NY. has been promoted<br />

to manager of Loews New Rochelle<br />

Twin<br />

Houses under construction<br />

for Berkley County Theatres<br />

By VIRGINIA R.COLLIER<br />

Washington Correspondent<br />

WASHINGTON. DC-Robert Goklhammer.<br />

owner-operator of the Berkely County<br />

Theatre Corp.. a fast growing motion picture<br />

circuit in this exchange territory, has taken<br />

over the food concession from Ogden Foods,<br />

the Philadelphia based company. Further<br />

more, indicating an economic upswing of<br />

great significance. Goldhammer's circuit of<br />

theatres has under construction a triplex and<br />

two new twin complexes, as well as twinning<br />

the Plaza hardtop, a 750seater. in Win<br />

Chester. Va.<br />

The new triplex in Frostburg. Md.. is near<br />

completion. Cinema I will seal 350 persons.<br />

Cinema 2. 200. and C inema 3. 100 A Sept. 21<br />

opening is planned<br />

A newly constructed twin iheatre. Plaza I<br />

& 2 in Charleslown. W. Va.. is scheduled for<br />

an Oct 19 debut. Each auditorium will have<br />

275 seats.<br />

The twin complex in Oakland. Md.. Cinema<br />

I and Cinema 2. will have a seating capacity<br />

for 275 viewers in each theatre. Dec. 21 is the<br />

target dale for the gala Christmas premiere.<br />

Cinema Technology of Norrislown. N.J.. is<br />

supplying and installing the equipment for the<br />

Berkely circuit's new multi theatre complexes.<br />

The theatres are located in middle to upper<br />

middle income suburbs, and will be showing<br />

product released by the majors and also by<br />

independenl companies.<br />

Film Playhouse<br />

in Princeton<br />

draws crowds<br />

PRINCTON, N.J. -Nearly SOU film<br />

buffs<br />

crowded the Princeton Playhouse here on a re<br />

cent Thursdav night for a gala reopening of<br />

the theatre as an alternative cinema in<br />

Princeton Officials of Princeton University,<br />

which owns the Playhouse, billed the reopen<br />

ing as a lest of local interest in other lhan first<br />

run Hollywood-type movies<br />

The fans paid a one lime nostalgic 40 cents<br />

apiece to see "The Awful Truth," the C ar><br />

Grant comedy that christened the theatre's<br />

original opening on Dec. 9. 1937. Among<br />

those in attendance were Freddie Fox, the<br />

former movie critic of The Daily Princelonian.<br />

Ihe university student publication, who<br />

reviewed "The Awful Truth" in 1937. and<br />

Mmnella Birch, the young woman who sold<br />

tickets on the theatre's opening night.<br />

William W. Lockwood Jr., a veteran<br />

organizer of the summer and winier film series<br />

presented at McCarter Theatre here, has been<br />

engaged by the university to run ihe<br />

Playhouse as an alternative cinema.<br />

Lockwood plans a mixture of domestic and<br />

foreign films, revival of modern and vintage<br />

classics.<br />

The second run films will lake up ihe entire<br />

schedule until mid September while<br />

Lockwood lines up the "alternative" films and<br />

awaits the return of moviegoing university<br />

students After the showing of the PG rated<br />

version of "Saturday Night Fever," Lockwood<br />

will buy some well known double features to<br />

lure summer crowds. Admission will be $2.50;<br />

the 40 cents was a one time playback<br />

Current plans call for the 1,240 seat<br />

Playhouse lo be demolished as part of a SI0<br />

million expansion project in center city's<br />

Palmer Square sponsored by Princeton<br />

University. The alternative cinema would con<br />

tinue until the iheatre is knocked down.<br />

PITTSBURGH<br />

George Tice, president of NATO of<br />

Western Pennsylvania, and several board<br />

members attended the public hearing on Penn<br />

sylvania's anti-blind bidding bill (SB 7021<br />

before the Commonwealth's House Committee<br />

on Business and Commerce Aug. 8.<br />

Eastern Pennsylvania NATO was also<br />

represented.<br />

The world premiere of U As "The Fish That<br />

Saved Pittsburgh" will be a major event Nov.<br />

I at the Gateway Theatre.<br />

"Rocky II" and "Moonraker" are the<br />

runaway boxoffice leaders hereabouts, and<br />

coming on strong is "Dracula."<br />

The progressive Manos Theatres circuit,<br />

which has headquarters in Greensburg, Pa..<br />

will open a five screen cinema at the Indiana<br />

Mall, which is about a mile and a half from<br />

downtown Indiana. Pa. The pioneer exhibi<br />

lion company owns and operates the Manos<br />

and Indiana theatres in Indiana, and also has<br />

the Super 422 Drive-In.<br />

A lease was signed with the Zamias Con<br />

struction Company, which is building the en<br />

tire Indiana Mall. Don Woodward, general<br />

manager for the Manos circuit, says that the<br />

new five screens and their modern<br />

auditoriums and equipment will be opened by<br />

Christmas.<br />

Cinema l-ll-lll at the Warren Mall, a<br />

Manos circuit operation, will be opened Aug<br />

29 in Warren Pa. Ted Manos. president of the<br />

Manos companies, said that construction<br />

work has progressed, equipment is at hand and<br />

that the opening dale will be met.<br />

" "The Amity title Horror' makes you want<br />

to scream, less from fear lhan from annoyance."<br />

said Ed Blank in the Press. "It isn't<br />

scary, just dumb."<br />

17<br />

Redstone Management Showcase Cinemas,<br />

which has headquarters in Boston and is<br />

presently expanding operations through an additional<br />

50 screens, has given more specifica<br />

lions regarding its new eight screen project in<br />

McCandlcss here on ihe 32 acre site of the<br />

former Twin Oaks Golf Course.<br />

There will be parking for 1.800 cars. 4.000<br />

seals will be divided among eight<br />

auditoriums— two lo be equipped with Dolby<br />

sound and one with 70mm projection<br />

facilities; all projection will be automated. In<br />

memory ol the populai golf course, one hole<br />

will be kept as a pari of the extensive land<br />

scape.<br />

Construction of Showcase North, added to<br />

Redstone's established five screens al both<br />

Churchill and Robinson, will give the corpora<br />

lion 18 screens here by the end of 1979.<br />

Redstone's outlets are located throughout<br />

Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut,<br />

Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio and Illinois.<br />

CLEVELAND<br />

Sheldon Wigod, who had to close his New<br />

Mayfield Repertory Cinema in Little Italy lasl<br />

winier because of lack of funds, reports that<br />

business this summer has been better than<br />

ever. "We've had lines on many weekends."<br />

Wigod said. "We turned people away from the<br />

old 1930s pictures like 'Grand Hotel' because<br />

we've been so crowded. When ii comes to old<br />

movies, the 1930s and ihe 1940s are in; the<br />

1950s are out."<br />

Wigod is planning his fall and winter series<br />

now. He said he just wishes business can be<br />

good when the North winds blow.<br />

Thirteen Greater Cleveland performers<br />

have been signed to appear in the $5 million<br />

film "Those Lips, Those Eyes." the United<br />

Artists film to be shot here starting Aug. 14.<br />

All were recruited by Cleveland's David Lee<br />

Talent Management Agency. Talent was audi<br />

tioned on tape and sent to the studio's casting<br />

director.<br />

Frank Langella. star of the film, is looking<br />

for a house in the country here with a swim<br />

ming pool to rent for his slay in Cleveland. It<br />

is rumored that he is ready to part with up to<br />

$3,500 per month for it.<br />

In town for the screening of United Artists<br />

"La Cage Aux Folles" Aug. I were Randall<br />

Hemming, manager of the Akron Civic<br />

Theatre, and his administrative assistant. Bob<br />

Corbit. They were looking over the film as a<br />

possibility for the mini foreign film festival<br />

which the center will present Sept. 6.<br />

Hemming said that their moviegoing<br />

audience loves double features and that they<br />

show (hem one night only and some are<br />

preceeded by old time vaudeville acts, an old<br />

lime organist and even bank night. All are extremely<br />

popular and are drawing crowds al the<br />

Civic Center. The audiences like suspense<br />

movies and comedy; only family type films are<br />

not well-accepted.<br />

Also screened recently was "American Sue<br />

cess Company" from Columbia, and two critic<br />

screenings by Bruce Stern of "Beyond the<br />

Poseidon Adventure" and "North Dallas Forty."<br />

Tony Mastroianni, critic for the Cleveland<br />

Press, wrote of "Dracula." "When Frank<br />

Langella played the title role in Dracula' on<br />

Broadway recently, he emerged as a matinee<br />

idol of the old school .<br />

now stars in<br />

a new and big budgeted version of the old tale.<br />

He exudes that same sense of a prince of evil<br />

with romantic and sensuous overtones. Bui<br />

the results are not quite the same. This is a<br />

Dracula' that tries to be all things . . roman<br />

tic. sophisticated, horrifying, suspensful and<br />

mysterious. It is not so much filled with effects<br />

as it is stuffed with them."<br />

New on the marquees this week: "The<br />

Villain" at 10 theatres. "Beyond the Poseidon<br />

Adventure" al seven theatres. "Dracula" at<br />

five theatres and "North Dallas Forty" at six<br />

theatres. Special screenings at theatres were<br />

"The Concorde— Airport 79" and "Breaking<br />

Away" on Friday evening. "The Muppet<br />

Movie" also opened this week at five theatres.


475<br />

18 BOXOFFICE/AUGUST 1 3, 1 979<br />

THE AMITYVILLE HORROR<br />

( \S[<br />

George Lutz<br />

James Brolm<br />

Kathleen Lutz<br />

Margot Kidder<br />

lather Delaney<br />

Rod Steiger<br />

Father Bolen<br />

Don Siroud<br />

b'otlwr Ryan<br />

Murray Hamilton<br />

Amy Natasha Ryan<br />

CREDITS<br />

L xecuth e /'milliter Samuel Z. Arkoff<br />

Producers Ronald Saland. Elliot Geisinger<br />

Director Sluart Rosenberg<br />

Screenpla)<br />

Sandor Stern<br />

Based on the book b)<br />

.Jay Anson<br />

An American International release, rated R.<br />

Murrnr Suspense, II7 min., mm in release. Aspect<br />

ratio, I.X5. Movielab Color. Release *7«04.<br />

Margot Kidder, as Kathleen Lutz, is a bit<br />

shaken by the thought of a mass muder in the<br />

lovely old home she and her husband James<br />

Brolm are about to buy. To console her. Brolm<br />

says. "Houses don't have memories."<br />

"The Amity ville Horror." based on a supposedly<br />

true story, is ripe with all the special<br />

effects of a good, of fashioned haunted house<br />

story. And a house thai blows icy draughts<br />

and foul smells, and makes members of the<br />

clergy dizzily nausealed. must have plenty of<br />

memories—bad memories.<br />

turns out, the house's original owner<br />

As it<br />

had connections with Ihe Salem wiich trials<br />

and executions. And then in 1 974. a young<br />

man killed his parents and four brothers and<br />

sisters in the house. (The R rating is traceable<br />

more to ihe bloody recreation of the shotgun<br />

murders than to the gentle lovemaking scene<br />

between Brolm and Kidder.<br />

In 1<br />

the Lutzes move into the serene<br />

looking Dutch-style house in an affluent long<br />

island village near the water Within 2S days.<br />

the live member family lied with only ihe<br />

clothes on then hacks and a pel dog. Thej had<br />

about all they could stand, what with swarms<br />

of flies that came and went, doors and win<br />

dows with minds ol then own and a black red<br />

slime that seeped from the walls and sums<br />

The film's subplot revolves around the ef<br />

Ions ol Rod Steiger as a priest who tries to<br />

alert his skeptical colleagues of the cloth (Mur<br />

ray Hamilton. Don Siroud and John Larchl ol<br />

the devil's presence at the bouse Everj lime<br />

he tries to call the Lutzes. the phone hums his<br />

hand and the line fills with sialic.<br />

Aside from Steiger, who is struck blind<br />

presumably bv the force. Brolm is the most<br />

devasiaied by the horror. His temper shortens,<br />

he slops bathing and he becomes obsessed<br />

with keeping his ax perfectly sharpened<br />

Brolm and Kidder are quite convincing in<br />

their parts, although Sleiger could have lurried<br />

in a less overwrought performance. Michael<br />

Sacks and Helen Shaver are very good as the<br />

Lutzes' friends, and Shaver is an asset to a<br />

bone-chilling scene near ihe end when they<br />

uncover the horror in ihe basement.<br />

It's nol really imporlanl whether audiences<br />

will lurn out because of the house ol -horrors<br />

thrills or because they read Jay Anson's best<br />

selling book The point is. "Horror" opened<br />

stronger than Al's previous hit "Love at First<br />

Bite." and it stands a good chance of drawing<br />

steady business from summer fright<br />

fans—Jim Robbins.<br />

Rod Steiger plays Father Delaney, a Catholic priest who tries to help the deviled Lutz family, in<br />

"The Amitwille Horror."<br />

MORE AMERICAN GRAFFITI<br />

CAST<br />

A Universal release, rated PC Comedy- Drama, 1 1<br />

min., mm in release. Aspic! ratio, 1.85. 35mm<br />

Dolby stereo with Surround. Panavision,<br />

Technicolor, Release #7913.<br />

%<br />

If audiences can grasp the structure of<br />

"More American Graffiti." they should enjoy<br />

it. But whether they are willing to make the effort<br />

is<br />

Steve Bolander<br />

Ron Howard<br />

another question, because they<br />

Laurie Bolander<br />

Cindy Williams<br />

customarily prefer movies that have ordinary<br />

John Milner<br />

Paul Le Mat beginnings, middles and ends. This should be<br />

especially true for audiences expecting a normal<br />

sequel to the simple, universal "American<br />

Debbie Dunham<br />

Candy Clark<br />

Terry the Toad Charles Martin Smith<br />

Graffiti."<br />

CarolRainbow Mackenzie Phillips<br />

Little Joe<br />

Bo Hopkins<br />

CREDITS<br />

"More American Graffiti" intercuts among<br />

Producer<br />

Howard Kazanjian<br />

four stories that take place on successive New<br />

Director B. W. L Norton<br />

Year's Eves from 1964 to 1967. It begins with<br />

Screenplay B. W. L. Norton about five minutes of Paul Le Mat's story in<br />

1964. As John Milner. he is still racing hot<br />

rods, but he's now competing on professional<br />

dragstrips intead of Main Street.<br />

The film then skips ahead one year to<br />

Charles Martin Smith's story. Terry the Toad<br />

Terry (Charles Martin Smith) and Debbie (Candy Clark) laugh it up before he leaves for Vietnam<br />

in "More American Graffiti."<br />

is now in Vietnam trying desperately to find a<br />

way to get home, even if it involves a selfinflicted<br />

wound. After several minutes it is obvious<br />

that he's the same bumbler as before, if a<br />

little wiser, and we skip ahead to the next<br />

story which is unfolding on New Year's Eve<br />

1966.<br />

In (his story Candy Clark, as Debbie, is involved<br />

with the hippie culture of San Francisco.<br />

She is making a living as a topless dancer<br />

to support her boyfriend, a loser of a rock<br />

musician.<br />

The fourth story, which takes place on New<br />

Year's Eve 1967. involves the domestic quarrels<br />

of Steve and Laurie, played by Ron<br />

Howard and Cindy Williams. They are having<br />

the same arguments they had in high school,<br />

but now the arguments involve their marriage,<br />

home, children and careers. After a few<br />

minutes with Steve and Laurie, the story<br />

jumps back lo 1964 for a few minutes with<br />

John Milner on Ihe drag strips.<br />

It is at this poinl thai the confusion sets in.<br />

and audiences will probably start scratching<br />

their heads and wondering who mixed up the<br />

reels. The confusion is heightened by the appearance<br />

in the 1964 story of Cindy Williams,<br />

who is pregnant with the twins we had just<br />

seen as 3-year-olds in the preceding scene, and<br />

Charles Martin Smith, who talks about leaving<br />

for Vietnam, where we had just seen him<br />

three scenes before.<br />

A few minutes later ihe story changes to<br />

Vietnam and then to Candy Clark in San<br />

Francisco, and so on. It finally becomes ap<br />

parent that the rest of the film is going to be<br />

like this and lhal one might as well give in.<br />

On top of all that, there are constant<br />

references to occurrences that have happened<br />

in ihe past when considered in ihe context of<br />

each particular story, bul haven't happened<br />

yet within the actual movie. And each story<br />

filmed in the style (hat is appropriate for its<br />

setting, just as the original "American<br />

Graffiti" was filmed in the style of a low<br />

budget American International drive-in<br />

feature.<br />

is<br />

For example, the Vietnam segmenis are<br />

filmed in a grainy, television documentary<br />

style and presented on a square. TV-shaped<br />

screen. And the San Francisco scenes are<br />

presented in split-screen and multiple images<br />

that move back and forth and around the<br />

screen, a frantic, experimental approach (hat<br />

was popular for a time in the late '60s.<br />

But it's still a good, enjoyable movie, once<br />

the shock of realizing it's nol going to be nor<br />

mal wears off. It's just as funny and<br />

understated as the original film, and it's not as<br />

depressing as the closing biographical sketches<br />

from the original movie would lead one to expect.<br />

Throughout the film, the character lhat<br />

shows the most growth is Terry. Charles Martin<br />

Smuh plays (he boy who has gone from (he<br />

wimpy, perpetual follower to a cynical leader,<br />

of sorts. We see. through him. the disillusion<br />

mem of a nation faced with what many considered<br />

a "greal adventure" that wasn't really<br />

so great after all. and certainly wasn't an<br />

adventure.<br />

Bui if (he movie belongs lo anyone, i('s probably<br />

Cindy Williams, who demonsira(es a<br />

fine comic talent by merely reacting to whal<br />

goes on around her. Her portrayal of the conservative<br />

housewife, whose low-key panic<br />

grows as she accidentally becomes involved in<br />

her younger brother's college riot, could<br />

almost be a complete movie of its own Bui<br />

ihen lhat's probably also true of at least iwo of<br />

the other stories.<br />

All ihe major characters are back, including<br />

Mackenzie Phillips. Bo Hopkins and Harrison<br />

Ford, who returns in an uncrediied. brief per<br />

formance as Bud Falfa. now a traffic cop in<br />

San Francisco. Everyone is present except<br />

Richard Dreyfuss. who is dismissed with a<br />

quick "He's in Canada" from Ron Howard.<br />

It's a very funny, enjoyable movie that even<br />

manages lo be optimistic despite its subject<br />

matter. But whether the chances taken with<br />

the format will be worthwhile remains to be<br />

seen. It all depends upon the audiences' patience<br />

and willingness to accept something out<br />

of the ordinary.—Jimmy Summers.


BOXOFFICE/AUGUST 13, 1979 19<br />

An interpretive analysts of lav and tradepress rei'iewi Listing* coiw<br />

current re\iens regular/) Motion Picture Ass'll tMPAAi ratings<br />

G—general audiences; PG—alt ages admitted (parental guidance atg<br />

gesied); R—restricted, with persons under 17 not admitted unless at<br />

compacted by parent • >r adult guardkin. X—persons under 1 7 not admitted<br />

See Feature Chart tor iftvj t\pe Ke\<br />

s


I Re<br />

Marring<br />

(ODi<br />

starring<br />

90<br />

starring<br />

I Am<br />

20 BOXOFFICE/AUGUST 13, 1979<br />

i< Action, Adventure, tAni<br />

The ke\ to letters and combinations thereof indicating story type<br />

Animated. tBi Biography: 'C > Comedy, (CM) Comedy<br />

I i (Ad)<br />

with Music: (Crf Crime: tD) Drama. tDM) Drama<br />

with Mush. {Doc) Documentary: (F) Fantasy: fFCt Filmed Concert: fFPi Filmed Play, tfin Historical: (Hoi<br />

Horror. tMi Mu\ual: (Me/ol Melodrama, (My My stery Outdoor. tPol) > . Political. il Romantic: (S)<br />

Spectacle: tSexJ Sex: (S) (Science I iction, (Spy)Spy Drama. (Sus) Suspense, tit t Western: (War) It ar Drama<br />

Current releases are listed in this section for only three months Number in parenthesis following film title is<br />

studio production number Symbol '-• denotes Bo\()l I Kl Blue Ribbon Award All films listed are in it 'lor<br />

unless otherwise noted as h&w (black and white). * (asterisk) denotes combination bills, Dolln stereo format<br />

abbreviations (D-35) 35mm Stereo, tD7U) 70mm stereo: (D-35S) i>mm stereo with Surround: tD I )<br />

unknown Dolby format.<br />

AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL<br />

90.13 Wilshire Bl»d.<br />

Beverlv Hills. (alif. 94)211<br />

..'i : SMIS-Mim '<br />

l.-l II<br />

Now in Release<br />

May<br />

Sunnwdt, Ac D 17908 1. 100 mm. Marring Joe> Travolta.<br />

John Lansing. Stacv Pickrcn. Taha Balsam. Andv Rubin.<br />

Joan Darling<br />

June<br />

CH.O.M.P-S., AcG )7903i. 89 mm., starring Wesley Eur*.<br />

Conrad Bain. Lam Bishop. Valeric Bertmelli. Chuck Mc<br />

Cann. Red Buttons. Hcrmionc Baddefcv. Jim Backus<br />

July<br />

The Amiivville Horror, Sus (79041. starring James Brolm.<br />

Margot Kidder. Rod Steiger. Don Stroud. Murray<br />

Hamilton<br />

August<br />

l)i Tumi. Ac R 179061. starring Jan Michael Vincent.<br />

Theresa Saldana. Art Carney. Dannv Aiello. Fernando<br />

Lope^<br />

Coming Releases<br />

October<br />

Mcttor, Ac D starring Sean Connerv. Natalie Wood. Karl<br />

M.i Men Martin Landau. Brian Keith<br />

Something Short of Paradise, CD |79I h. starring<br />

Susan Sarandon. David Steinberg.<br />

Corp, C (79 1 7), starring Michael Lembeck. Phillip Casnoff.<br />

Dennis (J/uaid. David Huddleston.<br />

ASSOCIATED FILM<br />

12711 Ventura Blvd.<br />

Studio Chy, Calif. 91604<br />

(2131 760 J02K<br />

Now in Release<br />

May<br />

L scape to Athena, War C Ad. \02 mm starring Roger<br />

Moore. Tellv Savalas. David Niven. Stephanie Powers<br />

June<br />

The Muppel Movie, CM. 98 mm. starring Jim Henson's<br />

Mupneis (D35S. 70)<br />

August<br />

Love and Bullets, Ac D. starring Charles Branson. Jill<br />

Ireland. Rod Steiger. Stroiher Martin<br />

Coming Releases<br />

October<br />

Treasure of the Piranha, Ad D. starring Lee Majors.<br />

Margauv. Hemingway. James Franciscus. Karen Black<br />

November<br />

Arabian Adventure. Ad D. starring C hnstopher Lee. Peter<br />

Cushing iD 35S|<br />

The Muppet Movie, CM. 95 mm., starring Jim Henson's<br />

Muppets iRc release. D-35S. 70l<br />

ATLANTIC RELEASING<br />

8500 Wilshire Blvd.<br />

Reu-rlv Hills, Calif. 90211<br />

(213)659.7210<br />

Now in Release<br />

May<br />

Picnic al Hanging Rock. M\ D, 100 min . Rachel<br />

Roberts, Anne Lambert<br />

June<br />

Dark Star. SI 85 mm starring Brian Narelle. Dre Pahich<br />

release)<br />

Coming Releases<br />

September<br />

Nickel Street, Marring Ralph Waiie. Donald Moffal<br />

October<br />

Boardwalk, starring Lee Sirashcrg. Ruth Gordon.<br />

I a Jumenl \ apeur, Marring Carole Laure<br />

AVCO EMBASSY<br />

66(11 Romaine St.<br />

los Angeles, < alif. 9(H) mi<br />

(213)462 7211<br />

Now in Release<br />

May<br />

W inter Kills. Sus D (7907). 97 mip Marring Jell Bridges.<br />

John Huston, ton) IVrkms. Sterling Havden, Eli Wallach.<br />

Dnrolhv Malonc<br />

June<br />

Goldengirl, D (7908). 119 mm. starring James (. ohum.<br />

Susan Anton. Robert Clllp. Leslie Caron, Curl Jurgens.<br />

Harrv Ciuardmo. ID 35S)<br />

Rudolph and Lroslv's Christmas in Julv, An. 97 mm . with<br />

voices bv Red Buttons. Ethel Merman. Mickev Roonev.<br />

Alan Scus. Jackie Vernon. Shellev Winters. Paul Frees<br />

August<br />

City on Fire, Sus D (791 1 1. 106 mm . siarring Henr> Fonda.<br />

Ava Gardner. James Franciscus. Barrv Newman. Susan<br />

Clark. Shellc) Winters. Leslie Nielsen<br />

Coming Releases<br />

September<br />

A \ t 1 \ Bit W itluii.iM.il. 1 1 mm.,<br />

starring Donald<br />

Sutherland. Brooke Adams. Paul Ma/ursky.<br />

The Onion Field, D, 126 min.. starring John Savage. James<br />

Woods. Franklin Seals. Ronnie Cox.<br />

JOSEPH BRENNER<br />

570 Seventh Aw.<br />

Nen York. N.V. I00IH<br />

(212)354-6070<br />

Now in Release<br />

July<br />

.Mannequin. Sex D. 98 mm., starring Nadine Perles. Elton<br />

Frame. Alain Schwartz. Albane Reeves iRe releasei<br />

Submission. Sex D. 108 mm . starring Franco Nero. Lisa<br />

Gastom.<br />

Infra Man, SF. 90 mm iRe release)<br />

Coming Releases<br />

September<br />

Almost Human, Ho, 91 mm .<br />

Milian. Anita Strindberg<br />

Henr> Silva. Tomas<br />

Free Spirit, starring Eric Porter. Jeremy Kemp. Bill<br />

Travers. Rachel Roberts. Heather Wright.<br />

Autopsv, starring Mimsy Farmer. Barry Primus. Ray<br />

Lovelock. IRe release)<br />

BUENA VISTA<br />

500 S. Buena Vista Drive<br />

Burbank. Calif. 91505<br />

(213)841-1000<br />

Now in Release<br />

June<br />

* 1 1 Dalmatians, An ( (56). 74 mm (Reissue)<br />

'Footloose Fox, OD [392), 29 mm<br />

August<br />

The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again. C W (1971. 89<br />

mm., starring Tim Conway. Don Knotts. Tim Matheson.<br />

Kenneth Mars. Elyssa Davalos. Jack Elam.<br />

Unidentified Flying Oddball. C (198). 93 mm., starring Den<br />

nis Dugan. Jim Dale, Ron Moody. Kenneth More<br />

Coming Releases<br />

October<br />

Snowball Express, C (254). 93 min., starring Dean Jones.<br />

Nancy Olson. Harry Morgan. Keenan Wynn. (Reissue)<br />

December<br />

The Black Hole 1199), starring Maximilian Schell. Anthonj<br />

Perkins. Robert Forster. Joseph Bottoms, YvettC Minneuv.<br />

Ernest Borgnme (D-35S. 70i<br />

CARIBBEAN FILMS WEST<br />

6315 Hollywood Blvd.<br />

Hollywood, ( alif. 90028<br />

Now in Release<br />

July<br />

fhv Erotic<br />

\dunturis of Candv.<br />

Candv Goes to llollvnund.<br />

Coming Releases<br />

November<br />

Fantasy w orld.<br />

December<br />

tropic of Desire.<br />

CINESHOWCASE<br />

2211 Broadoai. Ste. 5t<br />

V» ^nrk. N.V. 10024<br />

1212)580-7662<br />

Now in Release<br />

June<br />

Jack iht Kipptr. Sus D<br />

COLUMBIA<br />

^11 I ilth W.<br />

V« York. N.Y. 10022<br />

(212)751-4400<br />

Now m Release<br />

May<br />

Hanoi er street. R War-D (79015). 109 min. starring<br />

Christopher Plummet Harrison Ford. Leslie Anne Down<br />

tD 35S. 70i<br />

June<br />

Nightwing, M\ Ho 1HOOOI1, 106 min., starring Stephen<br />

Macht. Nick MartCUSO, David Warner. Kathrvn Harrold<br />

July<br />

Lost and found, I D 179019), 116 mm, starring George<br />

Segal Glenda Jackson. Maureen Stapleton<br />

Just Vou and Me, Kid, C (80003), starring George Burns.<br />

Brooke Shields.<br />

Game of Death, Ac, 10 mm starring Bruce Lee. Gig<br />

Young.<br />

The Villain, C W (80004), 93 mm .<br />

Ann Margret. Arnold Schwarzenegger<br />

August<br />

Kirk Douglas.<br />

Hoi Stuff. C (800071. 103 mm., siarring Dom DeLuise.<br />

Suzanne Pleshctte. Jerr> Reed. Louis Avalof. Ossic Davis<br />

Coming Releases<br />

October<br />

. . . And Justice for All, C D. starring Al Pacmo. Jack<br />

Warden I ee Strasbtrg. John Forsvthe<br />

November<br />

Kramer vs. Kramer, C D. starring Dustin Hoffman, Mer>l<br />

Streep. Jane Alexander. Howard Duff<br />

December<br />

The lliiint Horseman, CD. starring Robert Redford.<br />

Jane Fonda, Willie Nelson. Valerie Perrine.<br />

COMPASS INTERNATIONAL<br />

9229 Sunset BM„ Ste. 818<br />

Los Angeles, Calif. 90069<br />

(213)273 9125<br />

Now m Release<br />

July<br />

Noclurna, Ho-CM. 83 mm. starring Yvonne De Carlo.<br />

John Carradme. Nai Bonet.<br />

August<br />

Tourist Trap, Ho D. 85 mm., starring Chuck Connors.<br />

Jocelvn Jones.<br />

Fyre, D. 87 mm. starring Lvnn Theel. Allen Goorwitz.<br />

Assault on Precinct 13, Cr-D. 91 mm., starring Austin<br />

Stoker. Darwin Josten. Laurie Zimmer. Martin West. (Re<br />

release)<br />

Coming Releases<br />

October<br />

Roller Boogie, starring<br />

Linda Blair<br />

Halloween, HoSus. 93 mm., starring Donald Pleasence.<br />

Jamie Lee Curtis (Re releasei<br />

CROWN INTERNATIONAL<br />

292 S. La Cienega Blul.. Ste. 306<br />

Beverlv Hills, Calif. 9021<br />

(213)657-6700<br />

Now in Release<br />

May<br />

Malibu High, v <<br />

Ta>k>r. Katie Johnson. Tammv Ta>k>r<br />

July<br />

mm, starring Jill Lansing. Stuart<br />

Van Nuys Blvd., Ac-C. 93 mm., starring Bill Adler. Cynthia<br />

Wood. Melissa Prophet. David Havward. Dennis Bowen.<br />

Dana Gladstone<br />

Terror, Ho. 86 mm., starring Caroline Courage. John<br />

Nolan. Sarah Keller.<br />

August<br />

Satan's Slave, starring Michael Cough. Martin Potter. Can<br />

dace Glendennmg.<br />

Coming Releases<br />

October<br />

Sextette, CM. 9| mm. starring Mae West. Timothy<br />

Dalton. Dom DeLuise, Ringo Starr, George Hamilton.<br />

Alice Cooper.<br />

'The Pom Pom Girls/The Van Malibu Beach.C (Combination<br />

Re release)<br />

'Dracula's Dog Crater Lake Monster Land of the<br />

Minotaur. Ho F (Combination Re release)<br />

DIMENSION<br />

9000 Sunset Blvd.<br />

Los Angeles. C alif. 90069<br />

(213)278-6844<br />

Now in Release<br />

July<br />

Naked Paradise, Sex starring Laura Gemser, Annie Belle,<br />

Al C liver. Susan Scott<br />

Swap Meet, Sex C. 86 mm, starring Ruth Cox. Jonathan<br />

< pries, Dehi Richter. Dan SpectOf, Cheryl Rixon<br />

Scteams of a Winter Night, Ho. 92 min,, starring Gil<br />

Glasgow, Patrick Bvers. Robert Bradlev. Man ( ox<br />

Coming Releases<br />

September<br />

Mck Carter In Prague, \«l 98 min., starring Josef Lepvmia.<br />

Olga Schoberovo<br />

October<br />

Stone Cold Dead, D, y (' mm. starring Richard C renna.<br />

Paul Williams. Linda Sorenson. Belinda Montgomer)<br />

EMC FILM<br />

1125 \.F. 125 St.<br />

Miami. Fla. 33161<br />

(305)895 5511<br />

Now m Release<br />

May<br />

The Last Straw. War D. 103 min.. starring Philippe Noiret.<br />

Rorm Schneider<br />

At Last. Al Last, Sen C. 103 mm., starring Fdwige Fenech.<br />

Carroll Baker tRc release)<br />

June<br />

The Silent Partner, Ac D. 103 min . starring Elliot Gould.<br />

Christopher Plummer. Susannah York, Celine Lorne^<br />

Black (libra. Sex D. starring Laura Gemser. Jack Palance<br />

Convention Girls. Melo. 97 mm., starring Nancv Lawson.<br />

Anne Seward iRe release)<br />

Naked Rider, Ac. 96 mm iRercleasci<br />

The Melon Affair. Sex C .<br />

July<br />

Love Clinic, Sex C<br />

FILM VENTURES<br />

310 V San Vicente Blvd.. Ste. 200<br />

Los Angeles, Calif. 90048<br />

(213(6594545<br />

Now in Release<br />

July<br />

103 mm. iRe release)<br />

H.G. W>uV The Shape of Things to Come. SF Ad. 90 mm.<br />

starring Jack Palance. Carol L>nle>. Barry Morse.<br />

Coming Releases<br />

October<br />

Cardiac Arrest,<br />

November<br />

Sus. 90 mm., starring Max Gail.<br />

Klondike Fever, Ad. starring Rod Steiger.<br />

Lome Greene. Angie Dickinson. Jeff East<br />

G. G. COMMUNICATIONS<br />

820 Statler Bldg.<br />

Boston, Mass. 02116<br />

(617)542-9633<br />

Now in Release<br />

August<br />

Summerdog, D. 90 min.. starring James Congdon.<br />

Elizabeth Eisenman<br />

Coming Releases<br />

September<br />

Legend of the Northwest, D. 83 mm<br />

October<br />

The Adventures of Pinocchk>, An. 90 min.<br />

The Little Mermaid, An. 71 min<br />

Going Coconuts, 93 mm., starring Donn> Osmond. Mane<br />

Osmond.<br />

Dunderklumpen, An. 96 mm<br />

GROUP 1<br />

9200 Sunset Blvd.<br />

Los Angeles, Calif. 90069<br />

(213)550-8767<br />

Now m Release<br />

August<br />

Parts—the Clonus Horror, SF. 100 mm., starring Peter<br />

Graves. Keenan W>nn. Dick Sargent. Tim Donnelly iTest<br />

Datesi<br />

Sev and Violence, SF. 100 min . starring Maria Lanener.<br />

John Allen. Cvnihia O'Neill. Susan Grev (Test Datesi<br />

L'FOs Are Real. Doc D. 97 mm<br />

Take All of Me, R-D. 91 mm., starring Richard Johnson.<br />

Pamela Vincent. Maria Bell. Leonard John (Re release)<br />

Living Nightmare, D. 90 mm., starring Alice Trent. Anne<br />

Carter. Jeff Lmder. Gregg Short<br />

Coming Releases<br />

September<br />

Day of Fear, D. 98 min.. starring Cynthia Moss, Amy Mar<br />

im Ginny Gregson. Vince Albert (Test Dates)<br />

Red Neck County, D. 92 nun . starring Shelley Winters<br />

I eslie I ggams. Michael Christian. Dub Taylor.<br />

November<br />

Snapshot, Sus-D. 90 min.. starring M.ir\ [\aiiv Anne<br />

Mason. David Michaels<br />

HOLLYWOOD INTERNATIONAL<br />

1044 S. Hill Si.<br />

Los Angeles. Calif. W0I5<br />

12 1.II 749-2067<br />

Now in Release<br />

August<br />

Always Read*. 85 nun . starring John Holmes, Joyoc<br />

Rolh<br />

INDEPENDENT ARTISTS<br />

5 1 1. nid, in Ave.<br />

Haddonlkld. NJ. 0S0J3<br />

(6091 795-6000<br />

Coming Releases<br />

October<br />

\\ hen Iht- ScrtaminE Stops. Ho K 94 mm


8U<br />

starting<br />

starring<br />

\2<br />

10<br />

starring<br />

starring<br />

starring<br />

I<br />

Starring<br />

starring<br />

I<br />

""<br />

V<br />

BOXOFFICE/AUGUST 1 3, 1 979<br />

INDEPENDENT-INTERNATIONAL<br />

22> Route Either*<br />

fast Brunswick. NJ. liKXIr.<br />

12011 uvuix:<br />

Now in Release<br />

May<br />

fbr Grant ReaM,Sei t 83 min starrtngSue I onghurst<br />

JXe-rekMsel<br />

July<br />

Dirts BihiV Mure. Sen I S4 mill Marring Shai<br />

( mdmllj 2IHMJ, si 89 •> starring<br />

iRc refeasd<br />

I hi Bin, b lube, Scvt K.' nun .<br />

ickuci<br />

Coming Releases<br />

September<br />

i itherinc I rtuidl<br />

Jo) Wilson 'K.'<br />

rccMKE Models, ses I) 'Jii nun starring Rjc Sperling<br />

October<br />

I hi Bonk lube Strikes \|Min. Scs l 86 mm. slatting<br />

Maiun OsllCX<br />

In Search of Uraemia. Sus SS min starring t hrislophci<br />

Lev<br />

(Re release!<br />

INTERNATIONAL HARMONY<br />

630 Ninth Ave.<br />

New Volt, M.Y. 10036<br />

(212I5K29I33<br />

Now in Release<br />

July<br />

"J" Men Fomcr, C. 90 min . starring Phil Procter.<br />

kusi Never sleeps. M FC. 100 min.. Marring Neil Young.<br />

Coming Releases<br />

September<br />

Cocaine ( nwbms. Sus D. 90 mm. starring Jack Pa la nee.<br />

Tom Sullivan. Andy Warhol<br />

KEY INTERNATIONAL<br />

8000 I. Girard An-, Me. 412<br />

Doner, Cob. MZ3I<br />

(3031 755-7666<br />

Now m Release<br />

July<br />

Three W ay W erfcend. Sex C . mm. starring Dan Diego.<br />

Jody Lee Olhava. Blake Parnsh<br />

Willie V-konS 4th ill Jul> Celebration, M FC. 90 mm..<br />

starring Willie Nelson. Way Ion Jennings<br />

Coming Releases<br />

October<br />

The Man W h- Lowd Bean.. Ac-Dot. 90 mm. narrated by<br />

Henry Fonda<br />

The Sweet Creek Coat) War, ^ [> 87 mm., starring<br />

Richard tgan. Albert Salmi. Nua Talhoi. Slim Pickens<br />

LONE STAR<br />

6515 Sunset Blvd.. Ste. 203<br />

Hofh-wood. Calif. 90028<br />

)2 1 31 463 3175<br />

Now m Release<br />

May<br />

Secrets, D. 86 mm .<br />

starring Jacqueline Bissct. Robert<br />

Powell. Shirle> Knight. Per Oscarvson iRc releasei<br />

The Bandits, Ac D. 90 mm . btarnng Robert Conrad. Jan<br />

Michael Vincent.<br />

August<br />

The ( omebaci,, Sus Ho D. 100 mm, starring Jack Jones.<br />

Pamela Stevenson. David Do>le<br />

Kill ihi (.olden Goose. V I) B9 mm.. Marring hd Parker.<br />

Bong Soo Han.<br />

Commg Releases<br />

September<br />

The I hinda Connection, Ac D. 88 min., starring Dan<br />

Pastonni. June Wilkinson<br />

October<br />

The Great Monkey Rip-OfT. C. 91 1 min .<br />

I<br />

Alan Hale<br />

Fee. l.o*e, D. 90 mm., starring Man Greene. Nona Jane<br />

1 mi. Steven Nicholson<br />

November<br />

My Bo>s Are Good Boss. C D. 94 mm., starring Ralph<br />

Meeker. Ida Lupino. David Doyle<br />

Gum That Loters Play, ^i<br />

min.. starring Joanna Lumle>.<br />

Jcrem> Lloyd. Penny Brahms.<br />

MARTIN FILMS<br />

405 Park Ate.<br />

New *ork. N.Y. 104)19<br />

(2121 581-801<br />

Now in Release<br />

July<br />

She's 17 and Anxious, Sex D. 84 mm . starring Ann Kuster.<br />

Nadja Tiller. Cal Voglcr<br />

Read>. Willing & Able, Sex C. 83 min. starring Ingnd<br />

Steeger. Chris Shubert. Monica Rohde<br />

High Rolling in a Hot Corvette, Ad-C. 8> min.. starring<br />

Joseph Bottoms. Greg Ta>lor. Jud> Davis<br />

MONARCH<br />

8500 WiMnn Blvd. St« 5M<br />

Betcrl) HilK. ( alif. W2I<br />

[21 I] 652-9900<br />

Now in Release<br />

May<br />

Boys "i tin slums. l> starring Rita rushingham<br />

June<br />

i iiLiiiinlle in iVnwrica, Sex D. starring I aura Gcmsei<br />

Mtitcfeathers, 4 starring \^*n Knott*, Ron ( alhoun<br />

July<br />

King id Kong Island, starring Brad II. mis Man l awrence<br />

Coming Releases<br />

September<br />

Degradation ol ERtaauelle, (tarring<br />

October<br />

1<br />

I<br />

aura Gcmsei<br />

lodgli Gn; (Perils oi Pau l.ingi, starring ^ illie ( hu. One<br />

Hung Lo<br />

NEW LINE<br />

853 Kruadwas<br />

Vh York, N.N. looot<br />

(2121674 7460<br />

Now in Release<br />

May<br />

Slave of (he t annibal God. Ac Ad. 85 mm .<br />

•\ndress<br />

June<br />

Down H Dirts. C . I 1 5 nun ,<br />

Ursula<br />

Nino Manlrcdi.<br />

July<br />

Whs Not! (Porquoi Pas). R C. 93 mm. starring Sam\ Frcy.<br />

August<br />

The Last Romantic Tout, RC. 92 mm. starring Dayle<br />

Haddon<br />

Coming Releases<br />

September<br />

Like a Turtle on Its Back. R D. 95 mm., starring Bernadctic<br />

La font<br />

October<br />

Sta) as > mi Are, R-D. 100 nun .<br />

NEW WORLD<br />

1 1600 San Vicente Blvd.<br />

Los Angeles. C alif. 90049<br />

(213)820*733<br />

Now m Release<br />

May<br />

mm .<br />

Natassja Kinski.<br />

Saint Jack. D. I starring Ben Gazzara Denholm<br />

Elliott. Peter Bogdanovich. George La/enby<br />

June<br />

Lp from the Depths. Ho Sus (195l, 95 mm., starring Sam<br />

Bottoms. Susanne Reed. Virgil Frye.<br />

The Brood. Ho 1 1 9 1 1. Starring Oliver Reed. Samantha Eg<br />

gar. Art Hindle<br />

I he Kids Are Alright. M FC. 106 mm., color and b&w.<br />

starring The Who. Steve Martin. Ringo Starr. ID 35Si<br />

July<br />

The Lady in Red, Or D. 100 mm . starring Pamela Sue Mar<br />

tin Robert Conrad. Louise Fletcher<br />

Coming Releases<br />

October<br />

The Green Room, D. 94 mm, starring Francois Truffaut.<br />

Nathalie Baye<br />

NEW YORKER<br />

16 W.6lst St.<br />

New York, N.N. 10023<br />

(212)247-6110<br />

Now in Release<br />

May<br />

Newsfront, Hi D. I min . color and hicw. starring Bill<br />

Hunter. Gerard Kennedy<br />

.lust Like at Home. C D. 108 min.. starring Anna Karma<br />

June<br />

I I Super, t I). 90 mm.<br />

The Tree of Wooden Clogs, Hi D. 185 mm<br />

July<br />

Peppermint Soda. ( I) 97 mm<br />

August<br />

Woy/eck. D. 82 nun<br />

'Orchestra Rehearsal. D. 7: mm<br />

* Ihe Making of Don Gioianni. Doc. 27 mm.<br />

Coming Releases<br />

September<br />

\gainsl the Grain. I)<br />

October<br />

Ihe Marriage of Maria Braun. D. 120 mm<br />

November<br />

Don Giovanni, DM. 180 mm d)l ><br />

NMD<br />

25U « . 5th SI.<br />

Sin >nrk. S.\. 1001")<br />

(212)581-8011<br />

Now m Release<br />

May<br />

The Carhops, C. 88 min . starring kirn Karl, Livi I an<br />

inger.<br />

1 in. \d.i mint s oi Smw w hiie. I 7f> min ,<br />

1 iijL-u.iiii Ingrid ^ an Bergen<br />

June<br />

Mane<br />

Smoke) and the Holwin (.ang. v l» ^ min i la<br />

James Keach, Stanley l ivingsion<br />

July<br />

IIom to Sore w nh t.iris. s.'v t 82 i starring Ron<br />

Osborne I arr) lacobs<br />

OMNI PICTURES<br />

2h''> ( umhcrlantl l'ark»a>. StC. \<br />

\llanla (.a. »"1<br />

Now in Release<br />

May<br />

\\ iillnian. Ho. ill mm. starring I all OwCftfby. Knstina<br />

Reynolds. I ii I inad> Sni Rancer. Maggie Laulerei<br />

Julian Motion, HcletK<br />

1 1. -I<br />

ORANGEWOOD PROD.<br />

I Kill) N. Highland, Ste. 414<br />

HollvHood. Calif. 91H)28<br />

1213)464 7297<br />

Now in Release<br />

June<br />

I angerine. Sex Sus. 80 nun<br />

July<br />

rrathouse. S2 mm<br />

Devil's (.arden.<br />

Coming Releases<br />

September<br />

Pink Champagne, Sex Sus<br />

PARAMOUNT<br />

Gulf & Western Pla/a<br />

New Yofk, N.V. 10023<br />

1212)3334647<br />

Now in Release<br />

May<br />

Real Life. ( 1 1 287i. 99 mm . starring Albert Brooks. Charles<br />

Gnxlin<br />

June<br />

Players, R AcD 1 1 230k 120 mm. starring Ah MacGra*.<br />

IX-an Paul Marun<br />

Prophetv, Ho-Sus (Il82i. 102 mm., starring Talia Shire.<br />

Robert Foxworth |D-35S|<br />

Escape From Alcatra/, Sus Ad Il256(. 112 mm . starring<br />

Clint Eastwood.<br />

Bloodline, My-Sus il 170). 1 16 mm., starring Audrev Hep<br />

burn. Ben Gazzara. James Mason. Claudia Mori.<br />

July<br />

Meatballs, C . starring Bill Murrav<br />

August<br />

North Dallas Fort}, C D 18773). starring Nick Nolle. Mac-<br />

Davis. Bo Svenson. Charles Duming<br />

Sunburn. Sus^ (1318). 102 mm., starring Farrah Fawcetl<br />

Majors. Charles G rod in. Art Carney.<br />

Coming Releases<br />

October<br />

Starting Over 112391. starring Bun Reynolds. Jill<br />

Clay burgh. Candicc Bergen. Charles Duming. Ausnn<br />

Pendleton. Mary Kay Place<br />

French Postcards<br />

December<br />

(1235). starring Mane France Pisier<br />

Sijr Irek—the Motion Picture, SI Ad. starring William<br />

Shatner. Leonard Nimoy. De Forest Kellev. James I>x)han.<br />

Cicorge Takei. Nichollc Nichols<br />

American Gigolo. D. starring<br />

ton<br />

Nijinskv, starring<br />

Browne.<br />

QUARTET<br />

60 1.42 St.. Ste. 3301<br />

New York, N.\. 10017<br />

(2121867-9780<br />

Now in Release<br />

July<br />

Richard Gere. Lauren Hui<br />

Alan Bates. George De La Pena. Leslie<br />

Dracula and Son, Ho-C, 87 min.. starring Christopher Lee.<br />

Coming Releases<br />

October<br />

Rape of Lose, l><br />

November<br />

\ Simpk Story.<br />

December<br />

Whv Shoot the leacher<br />

ROCHELLE<br />

16300 W . Nine Mile Rd„ Ste. 1 10<br />

Southfield. Mich. 48075<br />

(313) 557-5024<br />

Now in Release<br />

May<br />

Dr. JeckvU's Dungeon of Death. Ho Mclo. siarring James<br />

Mathers<br />

July<br />

Rock Few, Cr-D. 98 nun .<br />

Sanders<br />

A Saint . . . a W oman ... a Devil, 90 mm .<br />

Fields. Pam Serpc.<br />

w jdc Nichols. Jcanie<br />

starring Joanna<br />

i<br />

DniUt Killer, Ho 90 min.. starring JimmieLairo<br />

Man l.j\r.i l)j\<br />

Coming Releases<br />

December<br />

21<br />

irolyi<br />

Ihe Divine Mr. J, CM B5 min starring Bette Midler<br />

SANRIO<br />

1930 ( eniurv Park Weal, Ste. 402<br />

I<br />

os \ogeles. ( Jhl 90067<br />

ttlJl 5524T525<br />

Now in Release<br />

August<br />

Winds id ( hange. Xn M I<br />

i stinot 'i I<br />

S<br />

Coming Releases<br />

September<br />

nun ii.irfjii.il bj Petei<br />

Ihe Great Balloon Adventure. ( Ad. 84 mm. starring<br />

Katharine Hepburn<br />

October<br />

Ihe Glacier Fox. Doc D, 92 nun .<br />

iRc releasei<br />

November<br />

narrated by Arthur Hill<br />

Nutcracker Fantasy, Puppet An M. SI min.. wnh VOWCS bv<br />

Michelle Lee, Melissa Gilbert. Lurlcnc Tuttle, Christopher<br />

Lee. JoAnne Worlcj Dick Van Patten. AvaGabor, Ritddy<br />

McDowall<br />

STUDIO FILM<br />

t.liason. Wise. 544.15<br />

(7ISI S73 .l0«Jh<br />

Now in Release<br />

June<br />

[Be Alpha Inddinl. SI 0, 1> nun .<br />

Marring Ralph Meeker.<br />

Stattord Morgan. John Cjoff. Ocorgc "Buck" f- lower. C arol<br />

Nc»ell<br />

July<br />

I'hi- ( aplurt- of Bigfoot, f\C Ad. ^2 min.. '.tarring Richard<br />

Kennedy . Kathcrinc Hopkins. SlalTord Morgan. John Gofl<br />

TENAHA TIMPSON<br />

Iniiii S lliuhland. Sic. 414<br />

M..llM>....d. i ihl ''""><br />

(2IJl46472 l «7<br />

Now in Release<br />

June<br />

l.tpps & McCain, Sex C. 87 mm<br />

Vou to Death. 62 mm.<br />

August<br />

I lira Vt oman, Sc* C. 81 mm iRc Releasei<br />

TRICONTINENTAL<br />

333 Avenue nt the Americas<br />

Se» York. S.\. IltUM<br />

12121989-3330<br />

P.O. Bin 443U<br />

Berkeles.t alii. 94704<br />

(415154)13204<br />

Now in Release<br />

May<br />

Death ot a Bureaucrat. (- . 87 min.. b&u. siarring Salvador<br />

Wood. Silvia Planas<br />

Coming Releases<br />

September<br />

Ihe Battle of Chile-Part III.<br />

20TH CENTURY-FOX<br />

Bus. 900<br />

Beurls Mills, C alii. 90213<br />

(213)2772211<br />

Now in Release<br />

May<br />

OAEen, SI Sus (033371. 1 17 min .<br />

Doc. 90 min.. hiv.<br />

starring lom Skerritt.<br />

SigourrW) Weaver. Veronica Cartwrighl. Vaphet Kollo<br />

ID-3SS. 7(ii<br />

Dreamer. I) 105362). ^0 nun. siarring Jim Malheson.<br />

Susan Blakely. Jack Warden. Richard B Shull<br />

June<br />

Butch and Sundance: the farl> l)a>s, C W \dl0S339l<br />

I<br />

mm .<br />

August<br />

starring lorn Berenger. W ilium kail<br />

III<br />

Breaking A»as, CD 1053641. 100 nun .<br />

siarring Uenms<br />

Christopher. Dennis Quaid, Jackie Larlc Haley. Dan Sicm,<br />

Rohvn Douglass. Han Bochner<br />

Coming Releases<br />

October<br />

I una, D. siarring Jill t layburgh.<br />

Asalanche Express, Sus Ad. starring Lee Mars in. Robert<br />

Shaw Linda I vans. Mavimihan Schell. Horsi Buchol/.<br />

Mike c onnors. Joe Namath<br />

Susferatu Ihe Vampire, Sr Ho 1053431. 106 min.. starring<br />

Klaus Kinski. Isabelle Adjani. Bruno Cian/. Jacques<br />

Dufilho<br />

December<br />

Health, t I) starring Glenda Jackson. Carol Burnett. James<br />

Garner Lauren Bacall. Paul Dooley. Donald Moffal.<br />

Henrv Gibson.<br />

The Rose. DM. Marring Belle Midler. Alan Bales. Frederick<br />

Forrest. (D 35S. 701<br />

All That Ja/r, DM. siarring Rov Scheidcr. Ben Vereen<br />

\nn Reinking<br />

(continued tin page 2}


Kansas<br />

22<br />

BOXOFFICEMUGUST 13, 1979<br />

RATES: 50 c per word minimum S5 00 CASH WITH COPY Four consecutive insertions lor price of<br />

ihree When using a Boxollice No figure 2 additional words and nctude Si 00 additional to cover cost<br />

ot handling replies Display Classified. S38 00 per Column Inch No commission allowed CLOSING<br />

DATE Monday noon preceding publication date Send copy and answers to Box Numbers to BOXOF<br />

FICE 825 Van Brunt Blvd diy Mo 64124 NOTE Bulky resumes pressbook posters etc<br />

.<br />

will not be forwarded unless accompanied by sufficient postage<br />

HELP WANTED<br />

THEATRE DISTRICT MANAGER lor growing Calitomia<br />

motion picture chain Musi have complete knowledge ot<br />

all phases ot exhibition Local relerences required<br />

employee benefits Please send complete resume and<br />

relerences to BoxoMce 4278 All replies w


Re<br />

I<br />

BOXOFFICE/AUGUST 13, 1979 23<br />

on the move<br />

Phyllis Bagdadi has been named story<br />

editor for Melvin Simon Productions. She has<br />

been director of development lor Mona Moore<br />

& Associates, a motion picture and television<br />

development company.<br />

William iYlahan has been named to the new<br />

ly created position of vice president and chief<br />

financial officer of the Wrather Corp. Most<br />

recently he was vice president and controller<br />

of American Investment Co. of Si<br />

Louis.<br />

Kelly Welles has been named executive<br />

director of creative advertising for Paramount<br />

Pictures motion picture division, a newly<br />

formed unit of the company Completing the<br />

unit's staffing are Don La Fontaine, executive<br />

director of visual services, and Sid Eisenberg,<br />

national director of advertising. Welles<br />

previously was vice president, creative directoi<br />

with Gordon & Shorn Advertising<br />

Robert Wong has been appointed to the<br />

new position of director of finance and plann<br />

ing for ABC Pictures International Inc.. it was<br />

announced by Robert Dinsmore. director of<br />

operations. ABC Pictures International, to<br />

whom he reports.<br />

Gill Champion has been named West Coast<br />

director for new projects development for the<br />

Producer Circle Co. Before joining the company<br />

in 1976 he was a principal in a New<br />

York casting company.<br />

Dawn Steel has been named vice president,<br />

merchandising and licensing for Paramount<br />

Pictures, it was announced by Michael D.<br />

Eisner, president and chief operating officer.<br />

Reene Sehisgal has been appointed Last<br />

Coast story editor for Warner Bros . n u.is an<br />

nounced by Diane Sokolow, Warner's vice<br />

president. Last Coasi production. Lor the past<br />

six years. Schisgal has been storv editor lor<br />

Dustm Hoffman's SweetWall Productions.<br />

Herb Jellinek has been promoted to vice<br />

presideni of production for ABC Entertainment<br />

and ABC Motion Pictures He had been<br />

vice president of production for AB( I<br />

since July 1977.<br />

Marilyn Lisberg has left her position with<br />

Lilmways Motion Pictures to become the new<br />

director ol development of feature films and<br />

television movies for Ron Samuels Productions.<br />

J. C. Scott has been named director of<br />

creative affairs for the Edward S. Feldman Co.<br />

to coordinate various motion picture and<br />

television development activities. She formerly<br />

was assistant to the head of the literary depart<br />

ment of International Creative Management.<br />

Before that she was production coordinator<br />

for George Stevens Jr. on the American Film<br />

Institute's "America at the Movies."<br />

Ronald L Stein has been named director of<br />

audio visual services at the Burbank Studios.<br />

Paul Birmingham has been named ex<br />

ecutive vice president of the nontheatrical and<br />

educational distribution division of Para<br />

mount Pictures, moving over from his post as<br />

senior vice president of studio administration.<br />

Worth Keeter has been promoted to assis<br />

taut to the president of the E 0. Motion Pic<br />

lure Company Inc. Kceter's promotion, which<br />

becomes effective immediately, was announc<br />

ed by company president Earl Owensby.<br />

Buena Vista Distribution has named Irene<br />

Robinson branch manager in Denver. She<br />

began with Buena Vista in 1958 as a cashier<br />

and moved through various sales department<br />

|H)sinons to become assistant manager in<br />

1976.<br />

Preston Fischer has been named to the new<br />

ly created position of vice president of<br />

theatrical and TV film production for Dick<br />

Cla k Cinema Productions. He was with<br />

Trans Atlantic for the last three years, and<br />

was involved in the production of six motion<br />

picture features.<br />

Robert Molson has been appointed as a<br />

regional film buyer for General Cinema Corp.<br />

Theatres. Molson, who assumed his new<br />

duties July 27, was head film buyer for Roth<br />

Theatres in Washington. DC, for the past 1<br />

years. He is headquartered at GCC's Los<br />

Angeles office.<br />

Lewis Goldstein named<br />

Eastern sales manager<br />

NEW YORK— Lewis Goldstein, 31, has<br />

been named Eastern regional sales<br />

manager for Boxon-ICE He succeeds Jim<br />

Young, who retired in July<br />

A native of Brooklyn, NY., Goldstein<br />

resides in Manhattan and will headquarter<br />

in the Vance publication offices at 133<br />

East 58th St.<br />

His territory will include New York,<br />

New England, Pennsylvania, Delaware,<br />

Maryland and Eastern Canada<br />

Goldstein joins BOXOFFK t from B.M.T.<br />

Publications, New York, where he was<br />

director of advertising sales. He holds a<br />

B.A. degree in business administration<br />

from New York University.<br />

(ill C hampion has been named West Coast<br />

director for new project development for Producer<br />

Circle Co. He joined the company in<br />

1976.<br />

C. Joseph La Bonte has been named presi<br />

dent of 20th Century-Fox Enterprises, it was<br />

announced by Dennis C. Stanfill. In this<br />

newly-created position. La Bonte will be<br />

responsible for the supervision of Aspen Skiing<br />

Corp., Pebble Beach Corp. and Coca-Cola<br />

Bottling Midwest.<br />

Arthur Leese has joined Columbia Pictures<br />

Corp. Ltd. in London as company secretary.<br />

Leese joins Columbia from United Artists.<br />

FEATURE CHART<br />

(continued from page 21)<br />

21 ST CENTURY<br />

1650 Broadway Sle. 1003<br />

Vh York, N.Y. 10019<br />

(212)541-4722<br />

Coming Releases<br />

September<br />

Fist of Fun Part II, Ac. 92 mm., starring Bruce Li. Lo<br />

Leih. Tt Fung.<br />

October<br />

The Obsessed One, Ac. 78 mm., starring Male Panda>.<br />

Trac> Parnsh. Sally Savalas.<br />

November<br />

The Three Faniaslic Supermen, Ac, 95 min ,<br />

Kendall. Brad Harris. Nick Jordan.<br />

December<br />

starring Tonv<br />

The Tormented, Ac. 86 min.. starring Stella Carnauna.<br />

Chris As ram. Lucretia Love<br />

UNITED ARTISTS<br />

729 Seventh A*e.<br />

New York, N.Y. 10019<br />

(2121 575-3000<br />

Now m Release<br />

May<br />

La Cage Au\ Folks, C. 99 mm,, starring<br />

Michel Serrault<br />

Ligo Tognazzi.<br />

•j Manhattan, C (79087). 93 mm., b&w. starring Woody<br />

Allen. Diane Keaton. Michael Murph>. Manel Hem<br />

mgway<br />

Wanda Nevada, Ad -CD. starring Peter Fonda. Brooke<br />

Shields<br />

Last Fmbrace. Sus-D i7906li. 102 mm. siarnng Ro><br />

Scheider, Janet Margolin. Marcia Rodd. Christopher<br />

Walken.<br />

June<br />

Moonraker, Spy Ac (79129), 126 mm. starring Roger<br />

Moore. Lois Chiles. Richard Kiel. Michel Lonsdale. Cor<br />

mne Clcrj (D-35S. 70)<br />

Rocky II.D(79I37). 1 19 mm., starring Sylvesler Stallone.<br />

Talia Shire. Bun Young. Burgess Meredith. Carl Weathers<br />

[D-3SSI<br />

August<br />

Americathon, C. starring Peter Riegert. Harvey Korman.<br />

Fred Willard. Zane Bu/by. Nancy Morgan. John Rittcr<br />

Apocalypse Now, War D l77l3h. 139 min.. starring<br />

Marlon Brando. Robert Duval. Manm Sheen. Dennis Hop<br />

per<br />

Coming Releases<br />

September<br />

Rich Kids, starring Kathryn Walker. John Lithgow. David<br />

Setby. Terry<br />

October<br />

Kiser.<br />

Hamster of Happiness,<br />

Fo\es>, starring Jodie Foster. Sally<br />

November<br />

Kellerman<br />

The Fish That Sated Pittsburgh, starring Stockard Chann<br />

ing. Meadowlark Lemon. Julius Irving<br />

.<br />

Sarah Holcomb<br />

July<br />

102 mm., starring Robby Benson,<br />

Dracula. Ho D (7914). starring Frank Langella. Laurence<br />

Olivier. Donald Pleasence, (D-35S)<br />

August<br />

More American Graffiti, CD (7913). starring Paul Le Mat.<br />

Ron Howard. Cindy Williams. Candy Clark. Charlie Mar<br />

tin Smith<br />

The Concorde— Airport "79, Sus |79I5). starring Alain<br />

Delon. Susan Blakely, Robert Wagner. George Kennedy<br />

The Seduction ol Joe Tynan (79161. 107 min.. siarnng<br />

Alan Alda. Meryl Streep. Barbara Harris. Rip Tom.<br />

Mehyn Douglas<br />

Coming Releases<br />

September<br />

Legacs. |79I7|. 100 min.. starring Katharine Ross. Sam<br />

Elliott' iDU)<br />

National Lampoon's Animal House, C |78I7), 109 mm..<br />

starring John Belushi. Tim Matheson. Donald Sutherland.<br />

Johm Vernon iRe releasei<br />

November<br />

Running i7919i. 103 mm. starring Michael Douglas. Susan<br />

Anspach.<br />

Yanks (79181. 120 mm., starring Richard Gere. Vanessa<br />

Redgrave. William Devane.<br />

December<br />

1941. C. starring John Belushi. Dan Aykroyd. Lorraine<br />

Gary. Murray Hamilton.<br />

The Jerk. C, starring Steve Martin. Bcrnadetie Peters.<br />

VALIANT INTERNATIONAL<br />

4774 Melrose A»e.<br />

HollvMood, Calif. 90029<br />

1213)665-5257<br />

Now in Release<br />

May<br />

Lips of Land Blue, Sex D. 105 mm .<br />

starring Senu Bergei<br />

June<br />

One Way at a Time, Sex C, 75 mm., starring Lauren<br />

Doniinque. Rocky Racoon.<br />

Cissy's Hot Summer, Sex D. 90 mm., starring Candice<br />

Royalle. John C Holmes.<br />

Star of the Orient, Sex Sus D, S7 mm., starring Suzi Wong.<br />

Billy D. Williams<br />

Midnight Passion, Sex Sus. 85 min.<br />

July<br />

The Child, Ac Sus. 90 mm. starring Laurel Barnett. Rosalie<br />

Cole iRe release)<br />

August<br />

Brides' Initiation, Sex D. 80 min<br />

Lo*e Secrets, Sex D. 80 min.<br />

Coming Releases<br />

September<br />

Lrica's Hoi Summer, Sex Sus. 64 mm (Reissue)<br />

Behind Locked Doors. Sus. 80 mm.<br />

October<br />

Young Swingers, Sex C, 80 mm<br />

November<br />

\ oung and W ild. Ac-Sus, 90 mm<br />

December<br />

Fmanuelle in Hollywood, Sex C<br />

Fmanuelle in L.S.A., Sex C,<br />

WARNER BROS.<br />

75 Rockefeller Plaja<br />

Ne» York, N.Y. 1U0IM<br />

(2121 484-«(M)«<br />

Now in Release<br />

May<br />

A Lillle Romance lOnonl. C (798011. 108 min.. starring<br />

Laurence Olivier, Sally Kellerman.<br />

Hooper, Ac< D 17871 ll. 97 mm. starring Burt Reynolds<br />

IRe release!<br />

Beyond (he Poseidon Adienlure, Ad Sus 1798041. I 14 nun<br />

siarnng Michael Came. Sally Field. Telly Savalas. Pelcr<br />

Boyle. Jack Warden, Shirley<br />

Jones. Karl Maiden.<br />

June<br />

Knighl. Slim Pickens. Shirley<br />

The In-Laws, A.C-C 1798 161. 103 rain., siarnng Peler Falk.<br />

Alan Arkin. Nancy Dussaull. Paul Lawrence Smuh. Fran<br />

Drescher<br />

The Main Eraat, C D.|79806|. I 12 mm. starring Barbra<br />

Streisand. Ryan O'Neal. Paul Sand. Patti O'Arbanvillc.<br />

Knstine DeBell<br />

July<br />

The Wanderers lOnonl. D (798071<br />

The Frisco Kid. I' W |7980S|. 122 mm., siarnng Gene<br />

Wilder. Harrison Ford. Paul Lawrence Smith. Val Btsoglio.<br />

Coming Releases<br />

September<br />

JeMis 1798201<br />

October<br />

The Great Sann'ni 1798081. starring Robcn Duvall. Blylhc<br />

Danner<br />

10 lOnonl. R<br />

Now in Release<br />

July<br />

Imaders From Mars. SF, 82 mm., starring Helena ( ancr.<br />

Arihur Iran/. Leif fcrickson. Jimm> Hunt (Reissue!<br />

Crawling K>e. SF. 81 mm., b&w. starring Forrest Tucker.<br />

Janet Munroe. Jennifer Jaync iReissuel<br />

Helter Skelter Murders, Ho. 83 mm., b&w. starring<br />

Charles Manson. Debbie Duff. Garry Donovan (Reissuei<br />

August<br />

Hideous Sun Demon, 74 mm., starring Robert Clarke. Nan<br />

Petersen<br />

(Reissue!<br />

Kronos. Destroyer of the Universe, SF. b&w. starring Jeff<br />

Morrows. Barbara Lawrence. John Emery (Reissuei<br />

WORLD NORTHAL<br />

Dag Hammarskjold Pla/a<br />

New York, N.Y. 10017<br />

(212)223-8181<br />

Now in Release<br />

May<br />

Garden ol Beauty. 92 min,. starring Florence Carrol.<br />

Marion Game. Jenny Arasse<br />

June<br />

My Main Man From Sioney Island, DM. 90 mm, starring<br />

Richard Davis. Edward Stoney Robinson. George Englund.<br />

Gene Barge<br />

July<br />

.<br />

Teresa (he Thief, CD. 1 1 1 min starring Monica Villi,<br />

Carlo Dellc Diane. Stefano Sana Flores. Isa Danieli.<br />

The Master Killer. Ac D. starring Lui Chia Hui.<br />

August<br />

Friday the I3fh, siarnng Peggy Feury<br />

The Orphan, starring Joanna Miles. Stanley Church. Donn<br />

Whythe, Mark Owens.<br />

I<br />

Lo»e You Bruce Lee,<br />

Coming Releases<br />

September<br />

The 5 Deadly Poisons.<br />

Go Mamma Go.<br />

October<br />

No Time for Breakfast, D. 100 mm . starring Annie Girar<br />

dot. Jean Pierre Cassel. Francois Perner. Isabelle Huppert<br />

(Re releasei<br />

The American Game, Doc. 85 mm.<br />

November<br />

The Mighty Peking Man.


REPUBLIC<br />

- PICTURE<br />

A DIVISION OF REPUBLIC INDUSTRIES<br />

44<br />

GHOST OF THE RED WITCH"<br />

Now in Pre-Production

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