Boxoffice-September.10.1979

10
ST. LOUIS
(continued from page 9i
"Americathon" was rated at l Vi stars by
Frank Hunter, Globe Democrat entertain
ment editor. He found the film manic but
unamusing in its satire about a flat broke
futuristic America depending on a fund
raising telethon for a bail-out. "It's like they're
paying an endless visit in their worst clothe-..''
he said.
"The Villain" rated only one star. Hunter
describing it as a "witless Western spoof
reminiscent of the 'Road Runner' cartoons
that has Kirk Douglas proving he has about as
much flair for comedy as a CPA." He said that
the talents of Paul Lynde and Ann Margrel
were wasted.
Don Evans has joined the staff at United
Artists as salesman, replacing Tony Bcninati
who retired in August. Don was formerly
booker in UA's Jacksonville, Fla., office. His
wife and two sons will be joining him here
shortly.
Bill Lustig of National Screen Service, Kan
sas City, was in town recently, calling on area
accounts and found time to lunch with Jerry
Banta of Thomas & Shipp
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MIAMI
Actor Michael Caine has been a recent
visitor to the Miami area. He has been here for
the shooting of "The Island." some of the
scenes from which were shot in the Tamiami
Gun Shop. The Universal Pictures suspense
movie, directed by Michael Ritchie, is based
on Peter Benchley's latest novel. Other scenes
are being shoi at the Miami International Air
port, a local marina and at several office
buildings. The cast is just back from several
months in Antigua, where the Coast Guard
cutter Dauntless was used for several se
quences.
Upon completion of the Miami scenes the
group will move on to Abaco in the Bahamas
An article in the The Miami Herald by John
Huddy headlined "For Jerry Lewis, Dream
Turns to Nightmare." points out that for
This fall, for the first time, the public is
invited to attend the film series at St. Louis
University. The World Cinema film series will
include movies from Spain, Germany, Algeria
and other countries as well as the United
States. Screenings will be in Kelley
Auditorium, 25 1 1 Laclede Ave., Tuesdays
and Wednesdays at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Admission
to the public is $1.50, to students with SLU
IDs. $1 The Student Government Associa
tion sponsors the series.
KANSAS CITY
Women of the Motion Picture Industry
held their August dinner meeting at the
Hereford House The board met before the
regular meeting. The September meeting will
be held at Fasone's Supper Club, 5648 State,
Kansas City, Kan., on Sept. 25.
Screenings at Commonwealth recently
included "The Stud" and "Avalanche
Express." The Commonwealth screening
room has recently had new seats installed
Mary Margaret Miller, president of Variety
Club Women, received a write up in The Kan
sas City Times in recognition of the work she
has done for Variety Club International Tent
8 and children's charities.
director Lewis, and Joseph Ford Proctor, the
behind the scenes newcomer, a promising
comeback has at least temporarily turned sour
others.
ATLANTA
and brought two multi-million dollar movies
to a halt
Don Hall, president ol The International
Huddy says that there are conflicting versions
of what has occurred but that another
bold dream to create a South Florida movie
studio has turned into a nightmare. "Hardly
Working." the first film under Procior's highly
touted Gold Coast Studios, is said to be un
finished, and "That's Life." the second movie
in a supposedly $10 million three picture
package of movies directed by Lewis, is only
10 percent complete, according to the article
by John Huddy.
Lewis and Proctor each blame the other, n
is said. Apparently (here were all kinds of pro
blems. but mostly financial ones.
In the crowd ol 600 attending the recenl
premiere of (he made in Miami movie. "Hot
Stuff." at Miami's Byron theatre, was Para
mount Pictures advertising account executive
Tad Distler. as well as many other dignilanes
and celebrities.
It has been announced that a new genre of
pornographic movie has come to Miami
Beach—strong plots, good acting and profes
sional photography, which distinguishes these
films from some of their predecessors. The
question is: are these films pornographic
Residents and businessmen in the Arthur
Godfrey Road area near the Roosevelt
Theatre, where the films are being shown, are
concerned about the welfare of their children
who attend schools across the street from the
theatre.
A recorded voice al (he (heatre tells callers
to the theatre that the movie house offers
"first quality mature films rated XXX to
adults over 21." Police say the movies are of
high quality, and so does the Dade state attorney's
office. The concern has prompted a
seven week investigation by Miami Beach
Police, and the confiscalion of three of the
movies. Art Carter, assistant state attorney,
has filed charges of possession of obscene
material against the Roosevelt theatre and
Picture Show, reports that Ins Atlanta-based
company has acquired the domestic and Canadian
theatrical distribution rights to "The
Visitor."' a dramatic feature starring Mel Ferrer.
Glenn Ford. John Huston and Shelley
Winters. Hall said (he agreement was made
with his company and Ovidio Assonides.
Italian producer of the film One of the leading
pans is played by a new discovery. Paige Conner
of Atlanta, who makes her screen debut
In addition io introducing the young Allan
tan. large segments of I he picture were shol in
Atlanta.
This fall, when "The Visitor" goes into
release. TIPS will have nine movies indistribu
lion, including "Soldier of Orange." which
already is receiving critical acclaim.
From Calhoun, (ia., comes word that things
are going swimmingly on "I ongnders." the
outlaw movie being made there. David. Keith
and Robert Carradine portray the Younger
Brothers in the film; James and Stacy Keach
appear as the James boys; and Randy and
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NEW ORLEANS
W. R. "Randy" Slaughter of R S. Films
Inc.. Dallas, advises that the company is now
handling the New Orleans territory for Film
Ventures International. For ihe time being,
they will be handling business out of the
Dallas office but will be traveling to New
Orleans al leasi twice a month. I- VI presently
has in release the following pictures: "The
Shape of Things to tome,'' "Beyond the Door
Part II." "The Dark." "Hometown U.S.A."
and "The Dragon Lives."
Blue Ribbon Pictures screened Sanno's
"Nutcracker Fantasy" Aug. 2 1 at the Lakeside
Theatre, followed by a luncheon al Augie's
Restaurant. "Nutcracker Fantasy" is schedul
ed for a Christmas release.
Ron Pabst, Blue Ribbon Pictures. New
Orleans, and Belton Clark, Clark Films,
Jacksonville. Fla.. visited with Bill Minkus.
representing Clark Blue Ribbon Piciures in
Memphis. Ihe past week. While [here, they
met with Malco Theatres and Larry Vinson of
Tri State Theatres.
CHARLOTTE
"Star Wars" returns: Harold Hall,
manager of the Manor Theatre, has them
standing in line to see "Star Wars" again. Its
weekend grosses are comparable to first run
pictures and it is likely Ihe film will be playing
an extended run.
Screenings at Car-Mel: "Squeeze Play"
(Variety Pictures), "Sex & Violence" and "Ter
ror" (Tar Heel Filmsl.
Phil Nance, presidenl of Nance Enterprises
of Raleigh, N.C.. is having a special screening
of "Hot Stuff," set for TV, radio and news
media. Nance contacted Jerry Reed, one of
the stars who will fly to Raleigh to serve as
host for ihe show
From the desk of Smilin' Jack Jordan,
advertising executive for Southern Booking &
Advertising: Norm Whisnant. of the Carolina
Mall Cinemas in Concord N.C., made the
front page of the Concord paper with a
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