Boxoffice-January.15.1979

THE ARAB PRINCE... 

THE JAPANESE DIPLOMAT. 

THE GREER TYCOON... 

THEC.I.A.BUREAUCHIEE.. 

• JAINUAKI 13, \yi^ 

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE EDITION 

Including the Sectional News Panes of All Editions 

THE 

SHOCKING 

^ SCANDAL OF 

'MADAME CLAUDE' 

...from the Best-Selling Book 

She created the Most Exquisite Women on Earth... 

For the pleasure of the World's Most Powerful Men! 

am SHACKLETON presents THE FRENCH WOMAN'a film by JUST JAECIflN director of 'EMMANUELLE' & 'THE STORY OF 0' 

s,ar.n, FRANCOISE FABIANMLE HADDONMUIM HEAD ©.mokabch |r|resTRICTED^ 

romina this Sorina from 1^|VlVÎ>Mr\v-n 

^S/i;i\ÎE«V?I:.JT^ 

Comirig this Springfrom^MON^ 

^ 

RClcasing corporation 

GERELIKGEN.SALES MGP,

Who reads Boxoffice? 

^ple you know... 

and want to reach 

Key people in Exhibition: 

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projectionists 

Key people in Distribution: 

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managers, bookers and publicity people 

Key people in Equipment: 

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Key people in Production: 

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Key People in the Media: 

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Recognize your sales prospect? 

You should because more key 

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BOXOFFICE for its complete and 

accurate information than any other 

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Take one small step today toward 

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OFFICE Reader: someone who is 

integral to the film industry . . 

someone who makes the big 

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)Onneone like you. 

• Audit lUircau ot Ci.(iilali..ns 

Publisher's Statement for 6 mos. ending June 30, 1978 

OXOfflCE 

.^^^'^ 

U I ^

' 

C. 

NATO Appoints 1979 

Commitiee Chairmen 

NEW YORK—The following men have 

» been named standing NATO commitiee 

chairmen for 1979: 

Advertising: Chairman, Don Baker, New 

York; vice-chairman. Jack Mitchell. Miami. 

Audience awards: Chairman. Paul A. Roth, 

Silver Spring. Md.; committee, Bruce C. 

Corwin, Los Angeles; Fredric Danz, Bellevue. 

Wash.; Louis Wolfson, Miami. Classification 

and rating: Chairman, Bernard D. 

Diamond, New York; co-chairman, Richard 

L. Kite, Milwaukee. 

1 Convention awards: Chairman, Sherrill 

Corwin, Los Angeles. Dues and associate 

membership: Co-chairmen, Richard A. 

Fox, Reading. Pa.; Arthur Stein jr., Des 

Moines. Finance: Chaiiman. John H, Stemi^ler 

sr.. Atlanta. Legal affairs: Chairman, 

Morris Goldschlager, New York. Membership: 

Chairman, Charles B. Trexler, Charlotte; 

vice-chairman, Ross Campbell, Sheridan, 

Wyo. 

President's advisory: Chairman, Nat D. 

Fellman, Los Angeles. Prints: Co-chairmen. 

Richard Durwood, Kansas City, and Douglass 

N. Amos. Boston. Regional presidents: 

Chairman, B. V. Sturdivant, Yuma, Ariz., 

vice-chairman, Herman A. Stone, Charlotte. 

Technical advisory: Chairman, Harmon Rifkin. 

Boston. 

Trade practices: Chairman, William F. 

Kavtozian, Walnut Creek, Calif.; vice-chairman, 

Joel Resnick, Kansas City. Special 

membership service: Chairman, Irwin R. 

Cohen, Baltimore; co-chairmen, Alex Castoldi, 

Boston, and Sam W. Craver, Charlotte. 

Paramount's 'Heaven' 

Is Named Best of '78 

NEW YORK—The Terrence Malick-directed 

"Days of Heaven" has been chosen 

as the best picture of 1978 by the National 

Board of Review of Motion Pictures, publisher 

of Films in Review. The board is the 

oldest continuous group in the business of 

selecting the ten best films of the year. The 

organization's list of 1978"s best Englishlanguage 

films: 1. "Days of Heaven." 2. 

"Coming Home." 3. "Interiors." 4. "Superman." 

5. "Movie, Movie." 6. "Midnight 

Express." 7. "An Unmarried Woman." 8. 

"Pretty Baby." 9. "Girl Friends." 10. 

"Comes a Horseman." 

The voting in the best actor category 

resulted in a tie between Laurence Olivier 

for his performance in "The Boys from 

Brazil" and Jon Voight for his role in 

"Coming Home." Ingrid Bergman was 

chosen as best actress for her performance 

in "Autumn Sonata." 

Published weekly, except one Isaie at ye.ir-en(i, by 

Vance Publishing Corp.. 825 Van Brunt Blvd.. Kans,ns 

I'itv. Missouri 84124. Subscription rates: Sectional 

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

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

copy, 75c. Second class postage paid at Kansas City, 

Mo. Publication No. 063260. 

BOXOFFICE :: January 15, 1979 

Barry Diller, 

Paramount Chairman, 

Named Ad Ages 'Adman of the Year 

By RON SCHAUMBURG 

NEW YORK — Barry Diller, chairman 

and chief executive officer of Paramount 

Pictures, has been named Adman of the 

Barry 

Diller 

Year by Advertising Age magazine. Among 

previous winners of the distinction are 

John A. Murphy, president and chief executive 

officer of Miller Brewing Co.; 

Donald R. Keough. president of Coca-Cola 

USA, and Rawleigh Warner jr., chairman 

and chief executive officer of Mobil Oil 

Corp. 

In an editorial. Ad Age cites Diller's impressive 

achievement in helping Paramount 

catapult to the No. 1 

position among major 

studios. "Paramount films don't just tiptoe 

into theatres, one town at a time," comments 

the editorial. "They explode into the 

public consciousness." 

Ad Age goes on to say: "Mr. Diller and 

his talented associates, followed by their 

counterparts at Warner Bros., 20th Century- 

Fox and Columbia Pictures, have transformed 

the movie industry with a blend of 

old-fashioned entrepreneurial instincts, 

energy, the cold controls of computer technology, 

marketing know-how, imagination 

and an abiding respect for the potential of 

advertising," 

Diller came to Paramount in late 1974 

after ten years at ABC-TV, where he was 

vice-president in charge of prime time programing. 

Under his leadership the studio 

has produced an unbroken string of successful 

films, including the blockbusters 

"Grease," "Saturday Night Fever" and 

"Heaven Can Wait." 

Paramount features accounted for a rise 

of 30 per cent in the industry's total revenues 

for fiscal 1978. 

Diller is also credited with refocusing 

Paramount's marketing efforts, shifting 

away from the gradual courting of influential 

critics on the coasts to the more dramatic 

technique of staging simultaneous nationwide 

premieres. The studio also has mobilized 

its local advertising agencies to develop 

tie-ins, and other promotional campaigns. 

Gulf and Western's leisure time group, 

which includes Paramount Pictures, Simon 

and Schuster and other activities, registered 

over $800 million in revenues for fiscal 

1978. Approximately 35 per cent of that 

figure came from theatrical films and their 

sales to television. 

When Frank Yablans, Paramount president, 

left the company in 1976, Diller assigned 

Michael Eisner, ABC-TV's senior 

vice-president of prime-time production and 

development, to the post. Since that time 

the company has released "King Kong," 

"Saturday Night Fever," and several other 

top-grossing productions. 

Slated for future release are several Dino 

de Laurentiis films including "Hurricane" 

and "Flash Gordon," as well as a Clint Eastwood 

vehicle, "Escape From Alcatraz," and 

"Bloodline," with Audrey Hepburn. "Star 

Trek— the Motion Picture" is in production 

with Robert Wise as director, and sequels 

to the hit "The Godfather," "Grease" and 

"Saturday Night Fever" are in the planning 

stages. 

"The name of the game is entertainment," 

said Eddie Kalish, spokesman for Paramount's 

publicity department. "Paramount 

is a very marketing-committed company. 

The only way one is successful in this business 

is by producing films that are entertaining 

and then backing them with successful 

marketing drives. The innovations for 

which Diller was cited are symptomatic of 

Paramount's commitment to its product." 

Kalish listed the company's upcoming releases, 

including "Hurricane," "Players," 

"The Warriors," "Bloodline," "Escape 

From Alcatraz" and "North Dallas 40," 

as examples of the trend toward a wide 

variety of fare, with themes that are "not 

quite as light in content" as 1978's releases. 

The popular elements of romance, adventure 

and action are being stressed, he said. 

Planned for Christmas release are "American 

Gigolo," starring John Travolta, who 

rocketed to superstar status in two Paramount 

features, "Grease" and "Saturday 

Night Fever," and "Star Trek—the Motion 

Picture," featuring members of the original 

television 

cast. 

Correction 

An article in the Dec. 18 issue of Boxoffice 

referred to a drive-in in Camden. 

N. J., as the "first ozoner in the country." 

A letter received from V. C. Smith in Vero 

Beach, Fla., informs us that "the first drivein 

in the world was built in 1933 on Admiral 

Wilson Blvd. in Camden, N. J., by 

Mr. W. W. Smith (my father.)" 

Smith goes on to say, "It did not prosper 

at this location because of the film distribution 

policies of those days and was relocated 

in Union, N. J., in 1936 or 1937. where 

it has done very well for many years."

Laughing out loud wil 

ARNOLD KOPELSON Presents 

A MELVIN FRANK Film 

GEORGE SEGAL GLENDA JACKSON 

LOST AND FOUND 

co-starring MAUREEN STAPLETON 

. HOLLIS McLAREN 

JOHN CUNNINGHAM 

- IR\UL SQRVINg 

• 

Execut. e Producer ARNOLD KOPELSON Written by MELVIN FRANK and JACK ROSE 

produced and Directed by MElVIN FRANK A Columbia Pictures Release ^1^ 

PGI 

PARENTAL GUIDANCE SUGGESTED i 

SOME MATERIAL MAY NOT BE SUffABl E FOR CHILDREN 

1979 COLUMBIA P

' 

THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY 

Published in Nine Sectional Editions 

BEN SHLYEN 

Executive Editor 

WILLIAM C. VANCE 

Publisher 

JOHN F. BERRY 

Assoc. Publisher/National Sales Manager 

RALPH M. DELMONT Manajino Editor 

MORRIS SCHL07.MAN Business Manager 

GARY BURCH Equiomcnt Editor 

JONNA JEFFERIS Associate Editor 

STU GOLDSTEIN Associate Editor 

RON SCHAUMBURG Associate Editor 

G. GREGORY TOBIN Associate Editor 

JIMMY SUMMERS Editorial Assistant 

RALPH KAMINSKI West Coast Editor 

JOHN COCCHI East Coast Editor 

ADMINISTRATIVE 

VANCE HERBERT A. Chairman 

JOHN O'NEIL President 

B. 

J. Vice-President 

JAMES STAUDT Executive 

WILLIAM C. VANCE Vice-President 

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Boston: Ernest Warren. 1 Colgate Road, Needham, 

Mass. 02192. Tele. (617) 444-1657. 

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

Tele. (716) 854-1555. 

Chicago: Frances B. How. 175 North Kenllworlh. 

Oak- Park. 111. 60302. Tele. (312) 383-8343. 

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IN 

CANADA 

Calvary: Maxinc McRean. 420 40lh SI,. SW F3C 

IWl Tele (403) 249-6039, 

Monlrral: Ti.m Cleary, Ass.iclaljnn

'Suite' Total $16 Million 

In First Eleven Days 

NEW YORK—Neil Simon's "California 

Suite" from Columbia Pictures 

and Rastar did a grand total of $16,- 

704,552 in the first eleven days of national 

release in 678 theatres. The fourday 

New Year's holiday gross was $7,- 

533,260 and the first week gross totalled 

$9,171,292. 

The Ray Stark production did tremendous 

business in New York in its 

first four days of its second week. In 

60 theatres on the Showcase run the 

total was $872,360. 

The Best Climate for 

Walk-In & Drive-ln 

THEATRE 

MANAGERS 

Is 

in Southern California with 

RACIFK 

THEATRES 

IF YOU: 

•Are at least 21 years old 

•Possess a high school education 

or equivalent 

• Have at least 3 years experience 

in a management position 

•Are ambitious and willing to 

work hard 

WE OFFER: 

•An excellent training program 

•Promotions from within 

• Life & Health insurance 

•Pension plan 

• Bonus programs and incentive 

awards 

If you are interested in what we have 

to offer, write our Personnel Office 

today for an application. 

PACIFK 

THEATRES 

An Equal Opportuni 

Tulsa Grand Jury Issues Indictments; 

Five Arrested in 

TULSA. OKLA.—FBI agents arrested 

five men Monday, Jan. 8 in New York 

and Ohio in connection with the sale of 

millions of dollars worth of illegal copies of 

major motion pictures. The arrests followed 

federal grand juiy indictments handed down 

here charging the five with violation of 

U.S. copyright laws. 

In a report from Paul Wenske (copyright 

1979, Oklahoma Publishing Co., from The 

Daily Oklahoman, Jan. 9), it was revealed 

that the probe was sparked by an FBI undercover 

investigation here. 

The FBI stated that one of its undercover 

agents here was contacted by one of the 

men who reportedly told him that he could 

get pirated films out of the country with no 

problems from customs. He also offered the 

agent a partnership in the operation. 

The FBI said the arrests "only scratched 

the surface" and revealed that the Tulsa 

probe was begun 14 months after agents 

made purchases of the unauthorized films 

and videotapes in Oklahoma. 

According to Wenske, investigators made 

their arrests just prior to "a large scale distribution 

overseas." 

Oliver B. Revell. FBI special agent in 

charge of Oklahoma, said the value of the 

items purchased and seized in the investigation 

represents "a potential loss of revenue 

to the motion picture industry of approximately 

$40 million," Wenske writes. 

The five men arrested were Richard John 

Bojarski, 43. Flushing, N.Y.; Saul Marrerro. 

52, New York City; Frank Rohr, 20, 

New York City: Monte Charles Clouse, 41, 

Bay Village, Ohio, and Richard Ravevink, 

Illegal Film Sales 

alleged unauthorized duplication and sale 

of copyrighted pictures on videotape, 16mm 

and 35mm film. 

The FBI also staged raids in Detroit, 

Cleveland and New York City and seized 

several thousand master videotapes, films 

and duplicating equipment. 

The movies the five are alleged to have 

duplicated and sold include "Star Wars," 

"Close Encounters of the Third Kind," 

"Rocky," "Fantasia," "Grease" and "Saturday 

Night Fever." 

"While legitimate videotapes for home 

use retail for about $50, black market salesmen 

have been obtaining up to $200 in 

Europe and $1,000 in the Middle East for 

pirated versions," according to Wenske. 

His story continues: "Most of the seized 

videotapes had not been released by the 

film industry for home use yet. Sales have 

been made to individuals, companies and 

some theatres. 

"Tf you know the right people, you 

can get "Superman," ' the undercover agent 

said. He said the quality of the films and 

videotapes vary 'from poor to extremely 

good.' 

"He said some of the duplicating equipment 

seized was worth as much as $200,- 

000. Some 400 videotape copies can be 

made from one pirated film. Some tapes 

were also made from cable television. 

"Officials said the films made their way 

to the black market through thefts by persons 

inside and outside the motion picture 

industry. 'A theatre projectionist can duplicate 

a film in two hours and no one would 

know the difference,' an agent said. 

36, Garfield Heights, Ohio. 

"Ewing Layhew, executive director of the 

The men will be arraigned here, Revell Film Security Office of the MPAA, said 

said. He added that several more indictments 

are expected in connection with the began in earnest in 1975." 

prosecutions of the black market industry 

How to buttef up an 

The Popcorn Train is the only popcorn 

earner that holds a popcorn bucket and 

a dnnk cup in one convenient package. 

So every sale is two sales. Colorful 

posters and mobiles available. 

For more infonmation about the 

money-making Popcorn Train 

contact Dixie/Marathon, 

2A5 American Lane, 

Greenv^/ich, CT 06830. 

[203)552-4183. 

DISCia/MaRaTHON 

January 15, 1979

IT MAY BE THE BEST 

MOVIE OF ITS KIND 

EVER MADE" 

^TlSl 

In\asion of the 

Bo Sâtchers 1 

Dr.. 

::o-:-ono! A Philip K.^ 

nd 

• Brooke Ada 

r-.-rr. Based oa the no 

H - : io • DnBct«i by^

[12 Days - 444 Theatres) 

- :|'{nvasion ot the Bod>- Snatchei^" 

• 

-InundNimoy Jeff Goldblum Veronica CarrRTight 

-.IHnatcher^" b\ Jack Finney 

^ ÛnftetJArtists

20th Century Fox Int'l Ends 

First Marketing Confab 

CARTAGFNA. COLOMBIA 

- Twentieih 

Ceniiiry-Fox International has concluded 

the first of a scries of three international 

marketing meetings here with key sales and 

publicity people throughout Latin America. 

The conclave included Emile Buyse, president. 

20th Century-Fox International, who 

conducted the meeting; Jean-Louis Rubin, 

vice-president, international sales manager; 

James Langsbard, vice-president, international 

operations and administration; Harold 

Mars, executive director, international 

operations; Joel H. Coler, director, international 

advertising and publicity, and Jerry 

Grice. new director of administration. 

A second meeting, to be attended by 

sales and publicity representatives from the 

Far East, Australia and New Zealand, will 

be held the week of February 4 in Manila, 

the Philippines. The final marketing meeting 

for key personnel in Europe and Africa 

will take place in May, the location of which 

is still undetermined. 

1978 Provides Second Best 

Year Yet for Warner Bros. 

BURBANK.—Warner Bios, closed out 

1978 as the year which provided the second 

highest billings in company history, exceeded 

only in 1974—the year of "The Exorcist," 

it was announced by Terry Semel, 

Warner's executive vice-president and chief 

operating officer. 

Rentals of $152 million for 1978 are 

topped only by $166 million recorded four 

years ago when "The Exorcist" craze swept 

the world. 

Principal contributors to this year's record 

rentals were "Goodbye Girl," with $41 million; 

"Oh, God!" and "Hooper," each with 

$31 million, and "Capricorn One," with 

$11.5 million. 

"Hooper" and "Capricorn One" are both 

to be re-released next May in national saturation 

bookings. 

Movie Advertising Big 

In Ad Spending Report 

CHICAGO — Motion pictures are big 

business advertising-wise, according to a recent 

broadcast advertising report which 

listed 

the leading local TV spenders for the 

third quarter of 1978. 

The survey, compiled in the Jan. 1 

issue of Advertising Age, named the top ten 

TV advertisers in selected cities based on 

the publication's daily and weekly monitorings 

of major U.S. advertising markets. 

In all situations listed, movies were among 

CLEARING 

FILMS FOR SALE 

16MM HARD XXX films, brand new. 

Posters and trailers available. $300-00 

50 titles. Boxolfice, 4187. 

1.00 each. 

A DIRTY CAH CHASE MOVIE, hardcore, 

hard driving PASSION PROCESSION 

5 35mm prints, 10 trailers, onesheets, press, 

$30,000 fakes all, plenty markets untouched. 

(408) 247-8340. 

WORLDWIDE EXPORTERS Mu 

16031 

Lebanon. 

NEW PRINTS now available from original 

negcttive of "BURNING QUESTION" 

or "REEFER MADNESS" you can show 

world wide. Cost per print $750.00. Deposit 

of half in advance and balance to be paid 

upon delivery. Don't call— write Albert 

Dezel, 18960 Hillcrest Blvd., Birmingham, 

Michigan 48009. 

16MM CLASSICS, illustrated catalog 

25c. Manbeck, 3621-B Wakonda Drive, Des 

Moines, Iowa 50321. 

MISCELLANEOUS 

CASH lor one-sheets, posters, lobby card 

sets, stills, pressbooks, trade magazines, 

coming attraction slides, annuals, trailers, 

etc., etc. (any quantity—older the belter)) 

Martinez, 7057 Lexington Ave., Los Angeles, 

CA 90038. 

the top ten TV advertisers. In the Los Angeles 

and New York markets, film advertising 

occupied the seventh and third-place 

slots, respectively. TV movie touting fared 

best in the Dallas-Fort Worth market, where 

it ranked second among advertisers, following 

restaurants/ drive-ins in top spending. 

Filmland advertising in other top cities 

also scored high marks, with San Francisco 

and Boston reports listing movies as the 

third and fourth-biggest spenders. Other 

categories which consistently appeared as 

top local spenders for the quarter were food 

stores and supermarkets, auto/ truck dealers 

and restaurants/ drive-ins, a category that 

ranked as No. 1 in most markets. 

HOUSE 

FILMS FOR RENT 

FILMS WANTED 

WANTED: 35mm traUers. 1930-1977, any 

quaniity. L. Brown, 6763 Hollywood Blvd., 

Hollywood, Calil. 90028. 

WANTED 35mm enlertainment feature 

films for Canadian market. Rights purchased 

or will distribute on a percentage 

basis. Send particulars to Boxolfice. 4139 

WANTED: 16mm film TV spots, 1978- 

1979 any quantity/tille. R. Emerian, 5824 

East HomUton, Fresno, California 93727. 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE CONSTRUCTION 

SCREEN TOWERS INTERNATIONAL: Ten 

Day Screen Installation, (817) 642-3591 

Drawer P. Rogers, Texas 76569. 

SERVICES 

INDOOR THEATRE ^4USIC programming 

lor today's audiences, today's movies and 

today's theatres. C & C Music Service. 

(815) 397-9295. 

More Classified Listings on inside Back Cover 

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Ip O Box 69414, L.A. CalH. 90069 U.S.A., 

Tel: (213) 659-9230/659-3384 

Cables: "SCREENIT" 

Telex: 696294 SCREENIT LSA 

BOXOFFICE :: January \^. 1979

'French Woman' to Debut 

Nationwide in Spring 

BEVERLY HILLS—Allan Shackkton. 

president of Monarch Releasing Corp., has 

announced the early spring premiere at 

theatres nationwide of "The French 

selected 

Woman," the provocative new film by Just 

Jaeckin, director of ""Emmanuelle" and 

"The Story of O." The film documents 

the career of Mme. Claude, the infamous 

Parisian madame implicated in a sex-andblackmail 

scandal that rocked the French 

government in 1975. 

Adapted from "The Memoirs of Madame 

Claude," the book by Jacques Quoirez 

which stayed at the top of the best-seller 

lists for a nearly year. "The French Woman" 

set boxoffice records throughout the 

world and catapulted a sextet of models 

featured in the film as Madame Claude's 

girls onto the covers of Europe's leading 

fashion magazines. 

Starring as Madame Claude, the mysterious 

woman whose international network of 

call girls catered to the world's most powerful 

politicians and financiers, is the distinguished 

French actress Francoise Fabian, 

perhaps best remembered for her performance 

in the Eric Rohmer classic "My Night 

at Maud's." Ms. Fabian's co-stars are Dayle 

Haddon, foimer ballet dancer and "Vogue 

cover girl; Murray Head, of "Sunday, 

Bloody Sunday" fame, and the veteran European 

actors Maurice Ronet and Klaus 

Kinski. 

Rated R. "The French Woman" will be 

leased in late February. 

NY Film Critics Say 

Bergman, Voight Best 

NEW YORK — The 43rd annual New 

York Film Critics' Circle awards have been 

announced here with Ingrid Bergman, 

chosen as best actress for her performance 

in "Autumn Sonata." and Jon Voight. best 

actor for "Coming Home," toplining the 

1978 list of accolades. 

The group's 26 voting members chose 

United Artist's "The Deer Hunter" as the 

best English-language film of 1978. The 

year's best foreign-language film, according 

to the group, was Italian import "Bread and 

Chocolate," distributed by World Northal. 

The New York Film Critics' Circle allows 

its voting members one vote each on the 

first ballot. If no candidate receives a majority, 

the members list their top three 

choices, allowing them one, two or three 

votes, respectively. Runners-up included 

"Days of Heaven" and "Autumn Sonata" 

in the best English and foreign film categories. 

Gary Busey and Jill Clayburgh 

scored second-place showings in the best 

actor and actress selections. Best supporting 

actor was Christopher Walken for "The 

Deer Hunter," while best supporting actress 

award went to Maureen Stapleton for her 

performance in "Interiors." 

AlanJ.Hirschiield 

Is WCI Consultant 

NEW ^ ORK.—V\arncr Communications 

Inc. announced that effective January 1. 

.'^.lan J. Hirschfield became a full-time consultant 

to WCI on an exclusive basis. 

Was Columbia Chief 

Hirschfield was president and chief executive 

officer of Columbia Pictures Industries 

from 1973 until 1978. His responsibilities 

for WCI will be broad, ranging 

throughout the company, and he will work 

directly in conjunction with Steven J. Ross, 

chief executive officer of WCI, and with 

Jay Emmett. Emanuel Gerard and David 

H. Horowitz, members of the office of the 

president. 

Ross stated, "WCI is tremendously pleased 

and excited to have acquired the services 

of a man with Alan Hirschfield's abilities 

and reputation. We eagerly look forward to 

using his many talents in all of the aspects 

of the business in which WCI is engaged." 

Hirschfield was credited, at the time that 

he left Columbia Pictures, with the dramatic 

improvement in the company under his 

stewardship. During those five years, Columbia 

Pictures' earnings went from a deficit 

to $68 million after taxes, its outstanding 

indebtedness declined by nearly $175 

million, and its shareholders equity increased 

more than 15 times to $139 million. 

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P|pa

RESULTS OF BOXOFFICE SURVEY 

EXHIBITION AND DISTRIBUTION 

SPEAK OUT ON BLIND BIDDING 

Film 

Bv RON SCHAUMBURG 

and G. GREGORY TOBIN 

BoxoFFicE Associate Editors 

distribution emerged as a force to 

be reckoned with in the very early days 

of motion pictures. The first exchange, 

which rented films at a quarter of the purchase 

cost, was established in San Francisco 

in 1902. By 1907 there were 125 such exchanges. 

The Motion Picture Patents Co., 

formed in 1908. made an attempt to control 

all aspects of filmmaking, from production 

to exhibition, and in 1910 established 

the General Film Co., which soon absorbed 

almost all independent exchanges. 

As a counter to MPPC's a monopoly, independent 

producers formed the Motion 

Picture Distribution and Sales Co. in 1910, 

which gave various nonaligned distributors 

the rights to market independent product 

in a specific state or territory. This was the 

origin of the "state's rights" system, still 

in common use today. 

As a result of antitrust suits, MPPC and 

the General Film Co. both were dissolved 

by 1918. 

When Paramount Pictures was formed in 

1914, it combined five independent regional 

distributors into one company and instigated 

a policy of "block booking." The policy required 

exhibitors (theatre owners) to book 

In the late 1910s and early 1920s, the 

major film companies began to take form. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer was formed by a 

merger of three companies; United Artists 

allied the talents of Charles Chaplin, Mary 

Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and D.W. 

Griffith; 

Columbia and Warner Bros, began 

as distribution outlets which started creating 

successful films. UA originally was formed 

for the sole purpose of handling the films 

of its founders in such a way as to allow 

them to koep distribution profits for themselves. 

Pickford's film "PoUyanna," for instance, 

was the first film to be rented with 

charges based not on flat fees, but on a 

theatre's gross. UA president Hiram 

Abrams also persuaded many exhibitors to 

advance money for productions by Pickford 

12 

and Fairbanks, money which later could be 

credited against the cost of film rentals. 

Other independent producers were invited 

to distribute their product through UA channels. 

The advent of sound dealt crippling blows 

to the industry. Filming methods had to be 

overhauled, as did thousands of theatres, to 

incorporate new sound reproduction equipment. 

Struggles ensued to capture rights to 

In lale summer 1978 BOXOFFICE 

began compiling a survey of key exhibition 

and distribution sources from 

across the nation. The subject: Blind 

bidding. Response from individuals 

and organized groups such as ISATO 

and the MPAA was overwhelming hecause 

both sides recognize the importance 

of frank, public discussion 

of the issue. 

The following article, prefaced by a 

brief history of the issue, is an attempt 

at an objective presentation of 

both points of view. The term ^^blind 

bidding-^ is used simply because it is 

the most convenient and does not imply 

support of one side or the other 

in this discussion. 

all of the company's releases in order to obtain 

any one of them, thus assuring a steady 

lucrative technological patents. To accomplish 

the changeover, studios were forced to 

flow of product. 

liquidate theatre holdings or borrow huge 

In the years following World War I, Paramount 

and the other major film companies 

sums of money. Studios fell more and more 

under the control of New York-based 

began to assume a "vertical" structure; that 

sources of financing. 

is, they no longer operated on one level but 

By 1929 there were eight major film companies: 

the "Big Five" (Warner Bros., RKO, 

became involved in exhibition as well as 

production and distribution. As a countermeasure, 

27 major exhibitors formed their 

Fox, Paramount and MGM) and the "Little 

Three" (Universal, Columbia and United 

own distribution channel, the First National 

Artists, which was not a film producer but 

Exhibitors Circuit. Paramount president 

a distributor exclusively). These companies 

Adolph Zukor attempted to absorb the 

began to invest their swelling profits in the 

channel through the purchase of its Chicago 

purchase of hundreds of theatres throughout 

the nation. The Depression, however, 

theatres but was stopped by court action. 

forced severe cutbacks. Attendance at theatres 

dropped and the studios were often 

compelled to sell or abandon their properties. 

William Fox of Fox Film Corp. made 

a huge purchase of Loews stock but found 

he had spread his resources too thin. He relinquished 

many of his companies, ultimately 

becoming bankrupt and precipitating a 

merger with 20th Century Pictures. Paramount 

began creating hundreds of "B" films 

to round out double bills in an effort to 

shore up sagging returns, but wound up 

heavily in debt. Universal, like Paramount, 

went into receivership for two years, during 

which time it sold its 66 theatres. 

MGM was the only major company 

which managed to remain solvent during 

the era. At this time MGM initiated a system 

whereby its top seven releases, as determined 

by the time of production and the 

talent involved, commanded 35 per cent of 

the boxoffice gross, the next seven 30 per 

cent and so on. The system was modified 

so that by the time "Gone With the Wind" 

was released, MGM received 70 per cent 

of the gross. 

In the late '30s the U.S. Justice Department 

began a lengthy investigation into allegations 

of trust violations that resulted in 

suits being filed against the major companies. 

Inquiry revealed that Paramount, 

Loews (MGM), 20th-Fox, Warners and 

RKO owned 70 per cent of the first-run 

theatres in cities over 100,000 in population 

and 60 per cent of those houses in cities 

with 25,000 to 100.000 in population. The 

majors were charged with conspiring to "restrain 

trade unreasonably" and with "monopolizing 

production, distribution and exhibition 

of motion pictures." The smaller 

companies were charged with conspiring 

with the others. In its suit, the government 

sought to eliminate the practice of blind 

selling, by which exhibitors were forced to 

book films without having seen them, and 

asked for a divorcement of production and 

distribution from exhibition as a means of 

solving the industry's 

massive problems. 

The suit resulted in a consent decree 

whereby the five majors, while not admitting 

to any violation of law, agreed to overhaul 

the system themselves. Block booking 

was limited to five pictures, blind selling 

was curtailed by requiring tradescreenings 

and the forced rental of short films as a 

condition of obtaining features was abolished. 

Acquisition of new theatres also was 

limited. 

In 1948 the U.S. District Court finally 

decided that distribution practices violated 

the provisions of the Sherman Act and enjoined 

the majors from forced block booking, 

cooperative theatre management and 

admission price fixing. To alleviate discrimination 

against independent theatres, the 

court ordered the competitive bidding system. 

Both sides were unhappy with the decision, 

however. As a result of an appeal, the 

court ordered the complete separation of 

production and distribution from exhibition. 

The five vertically integrated companies 

RKO, Paramount, Warners, 20th-Fox and 

MGM—signed a consent decree which divested 

them of theatre holdings. This took 

some time, because television was rapidly 

lowering the commercial appeal of some 

motion picture theatres, but by 1959 all five 

companies had acceded to the demand. 

In 1968 the Department of Justice once 

more became involved, again through an 

BOXOFFICE :: lanuary 15, 1979

agreement reached with the major distributors. 

The agreement stated that the "blind 

bidding" of films—that is, the buying and 

booking of a motion picture without the 

theatre owner first being afforded the opportunity 

to see it—was legal, but limited 

such practices to three features annually. 

There also was a provision stating that an 

exhibitor had the right to cancel within 48 

hours after he had the opportunity to view 

the film. The National Assn. of Theatre 

Owners, the largest exhibitors' organization 

in the U.S., was not pleased with the agreement. 

Then-president Jules S. Rifkin stated 

that he was grateful that blind bidding was 

limited, at least, but still felt it should not 

exist at all. A federal court judge gave his 

"unreserved approval" to the terms, though, 

and cleared the way for a two-year trial 

period for the plan. The matter was 

dropped quietly, however, after the trial 

period ended. 

Within the last five years, blind bidding 

has become more and more prevalent until 

by 1977 from 50 to 90 per cent of the films 

released by Columbia, Paramount, Universal 

and 20th Century-Fox were blind bid. 

(The latter figure is the result of a NATO 

survey; the former is the more conservative 

estimate of the Motion Picture Assn. 

of America, the trade organization which 

represents the major distributors.) 

Several state NATO chapters and other 

exhibitors' groups have lobbied for legislative 

action to curtail blind bidding in their 

states. Louisiana was the first state where 

such legislation was enacted, followed recently 

by 'Virginia, Alabama, South Carolina 

and Ohio. NATO, now headed by Boston 

exhibitor A. Alan Friedberg, plans to 

push for legislation in the remaining 45 

states during" 1979. 

Jack Valenti, MPAA president, expresses 

concern that such action will result in higher 

ticket prices, delayed film releases and 

a significant impact on boxoffice grosses. 

Exhibitors believe prices will drop and that 

theatre owners will no longer be saddled 

with the responsibility of financing poorly 

received films. Valenti plans court challenges 

and vows to fight legislative efforts 

by exhibition. 

Blind bidding is a hot issue, sharply divid- 

In one corner ... A. Alan Friedberg 

ing the motion picture industry and fostering 

arguments remarkable for their vehemence. 

The following is a statement of the respective 

positions of the two sides in the 

controversy as established in the recent Boxoffice 

survey. As a rule, the exhibitors' 

point of view is that as expressed by the National 

Assn. of Theatre Owners, and the distributors' 

spokesman is the Motion Picture 

Assn. of America. 

A Unique Process? 

Distribitlors: According to the MPAA, 

"while exhibitors commit money in advance 

through bids, they are not unique in the 

motion picture industry in having to do so." 

Producers, the MPAA points out, commit 

large sums of money in advance for the 

film rights to imwritten screenplays. Distributors 

commit millions to produce films 

relying solely on the idea and the reputations 

of the stars and directors involved. 

Most importantly, millions of filmgoers 

commit their dollars, in advance, to see a 

picture, relying solely on that picture's prior 

publicity and the reputations of those involved. 

Other industries engage in practices similar 

to blind bidding. The retail car dealer 

always must depend on the design judgment 

made in Detroit, without seeing them in 

advance or having any choice whether to 

accept them. The storekeeper who wants to 

rent space in a new shopping center commits 

himself to a lease long before the 

center 

is completed. The publisher puts up advances 

for books which he has not seen or 

which are as yet unwritten. 

Exhibitors: True, producers and distributors 

risk millions of dollars on films, but 

those millions are returned almost immediately 

through blind-bid guarantees paid 

by the exhibitor. "Close Encounters of the 

Third Kind" recouped its $19 million budget 

even before it appeared on a screen. 

Consequently, there is no real risk involved. 

And the exhibitor has no share in subsequent 

marketing of a film, even though it 

is the film's exposure in his theatre that 

gives it its popularity. Distributors benefit 

from the sale of soundtrack albums, T-shirts, 

puzzles and books—whereas the exhibitor 

sees not so much as a nickel from such sales. 

A patron may take a risk in buying a 

ticket, but he also has the benefit of exposure 

to reviews, coming attractions trailers 

and word of mouth. All an exhibitor has, 

most often, is a three-line description of the 

film, its stars and its producer, as is the 

case with "Moment by Moment," which was 

bid several months ago for Christmas release. 

The "other industries do it" argument 

does not stand up to inspection. A car dealer 

does not give money to Chevrolet to insure 

that new cars will be produced and delivered 

on time. A storekeeper signs a lease only 

when he knows his needs will be met by 

the space available. And a publisher does 

not extract advances from bookstores to 

finance production of the latest Harold Robbins 

novel. 

Release Dates 

Distributors: The film business is a seajack 

Volenti the other corner 

.tonal business, with three periods of peak 

attendance: Christmas, Easter and summer. 

Once a release date has been set for a picture, 

it iimst he met for a number of reasons: 

Advertising campaigns and promotions 

such as book tie-ins, network television 

spots. 

Interest costs would rise prohibitively if 

a picture were delayed for tradescreening. 

A vice president for one major distributor 

has stated: "Our company and its producers 

have invested huge sums in the production 

of the picture and no money is coming in 

while that picture is not in release. The interest 

factor, or cost of the money tied up 

in the millions of dollars of production expense, 

is a very significant factor to us in 

determining our releasing program for the 

picture." 

Pictures run in 

"fads" and "trends." If a 

"Star Wars," which has ridden the 

film like 

wave of public interest in science-fiction, 

were forced to delay its opening si.x months, 

the public's taste may switch and the market 

value of the picture will be diminished. 

The end result of a film's being delayed 

would be higher ticket prices, to make up 

for the losses by the distributor as passed 

along to the exhibitor. Thus the filmgoer 

pays the highest price if release dates are 

not met. 

Exhibitors: It is to everyone's advantage 

if films are indeed offered during holiday 

periods. But often an exhibitor is trapped 

by a one-way arrangement whereby he must 

commit his theatre to peak holiday playdates 

with no guarantee that the distributor's 

product will be delivered on time. 

Such was the case with "Superman," 

which was intended for summer 1978 release. 

Large, important theatres committed 

their playdates, only to be told that the film 

was to be held back until Christmas. The exhibitor 

then had to scramble to find suitable 

product to fill his screen. The exhibitor's 

summer business, therefore, was curtiled 

to some degree through no fault of 

his own. 

If distributors would wait until product 


13

was in the can, then tradescreenings could 

be arranged, theatres could be booked and 

promotional campaigns could be produced 

with no danger of last-minute delays or disastrous 

scheduling changes. 

The "interest costs" argument does not 

hold up. Through guarantees, studios are 

recovering their costs and can pay back 

loans even before a film is released. The 

e.vhibitor's money is tied up in these advances, 

for which he never earns any interest. 

The "fads and trends" argument is a decoy. 

Studios argue after the fact that a film 

capitalized on a trend when in reality a 

trend is often the result of a film. Work on 

"Star Wars," for instance, began years before 

its actual release. It is doubtful whether 

20th Century-Fox officials predicted with 

pinpoint accuracy that a science-fiction 

trend would occur in June 1977. The fact 

is, "Star Wars" did not ride a wave of interest 

in science-fiction; it created that 

"Anti-blind bidding legislation imposes a 

straightjacket on everyone." MPAA 

wave. And who can say with accuracy 

audiences interest would have been even 

greater six months later? 

The delay of a film will not result in 

higer ticket prices. Ticket costs for "Superman" 

will rise to $5 in some areas simply 

because Warner Bros, is demanding $2.10 

a head for every adult who sees the film. 

An exhibitor who might wish to charge only 

$2.00 per ticket thus would lose a dime on 

each customer. Threatened abolition of 

blind bidding had nothing to do with this 

increase. Warners is asking the price, and 

exhibitors, hungry for product, are forced 

to submit to the terms. 

How Blind? 

Distributors: In blind biddini> the exhibitor 

is not totally "blind." When an exhibitor 

is notified of the future availability of a 

film, the distributor provides him with all 

the information possible: the name of the 

film, a plot .nnopsis and the name of the 

stars and the director. 

In addition, most of the films made today 

are based on best-selling books, hit Broadway 

plays or previously produced classic 

films. In all such cases, the exhibitor can 

know exactly what the film is about. The 

distributor is in the same position as the 

exhibitor in that he often invests millions 

to make the film based upon the same 

amount of information. 

Exhibitors: The following is a quotation, 

reprinted in its entirety, from a bid offer 

sent to exhibitors in a Southeastern state: 

"The availability of 'Moment by Moment' 

is Friday, Dec. 22, 1978. 'Moment by Moment,' 

a Robert Stigwood production in 

Technicolor, is a drama about an affair between 

an older woman and a younger man 

and stars John Travolta, star of the highly 

successful 'Saturday Night Fever,' also a 

Robert Stigwood production, and Lily Tomlin." 

This hardly constitutes knowing "exactly 

what the film is 

about." 

"Exorcist II—The Heretic" was the sequel 

to a hit film, so theoretically exhibitors 

knew exactly what it was about. When it 

finally appeared, of course, it was laughed 

off the screen. 

The "risk" argument is a red herring. Besides 

having access to the ru.shes, the script 

and the talent involved, a distributor has 

many chances to regain his investment 

through marketing, TV sales, sales to airlines. 

Home Box Office and so on. The exhibitor 

relies soley on the film: If it fails, 

he loses money. 

Source of Product 

Distributors: Major distributors are not 

the only source of supply. There are over 

35 companies which actively distribute motion 

pictures today, many of which offer 

their films for tradescreening. Exhibitors, 

however, continue to seek out films that 

are blind bid. for the obvious reason that 

they prefer quality films from major companies 

with money-making reputations. This 

is not to say that exhibitors necessarily will 

lose money by licensing films from independent 

distributors. In 1977, for example, 

nine nonmajor companies released 22 films 

which grossed $1 million or more. The top 

grosser in this category was "In Search of 

Noah's Ark" from Sunn Classic Pictures, 

which grossed $23 million. 

Thus, exhibitors are not forced to blind 

bid. 

Exhibitors: True, major distributors are 

not the only source of product—but they 

account for 85 per cent of all money taken 

in at the boxoffice. It is pointless to say: 

"If the exhibitor doesn't like our deals, he 

can turn to other sources." No exhibitor 

can afford to reduce his income by 85 per 

cent: he must rely on the majors. In doing 

so he must submit to whichever terms they 

establish. No. an exhibitor is not forced to 

blind bid—unless he is prepared to enter 

some other business because of the failure 

of his 

theatre. 

Tradescreenings 

Distributors: No evidence exists to support 

the conclusion that tradescreenings determine 

.mccessfid bookings. Exhibition 

claims to have a better ability to predict a 

successful film than distribution has because 

exhibition is closer to the coitsumer. One 

example which disproves this thesis is that 

of "Black Sunday." which was tradescreened, 

approved by most of the industry 

and which turned out to be a bomb. Of the 

ten top gro.King films of 1977, two were 

tradescreened. Of the bottom ten grossing 

films of the same year, five were tradescreened 

and five were blind bid. 

How often do exhibitors attend tradescreenings 

when invited to do .m? Although 

the MPAA does not have complete records 

on the attendance of exhibitors at tradescreenings, 

their research indicates that in 

1976 and 1977 the average number of exhibitors 

who attended tradescreenings of one 

company. Columbia Pictures, was seven, 

when 150 invitations had been sent. 

Exhibitors: Even the most nearsighted 

theatre owner would have recognized "Exorcist 

11" as a bomb, if only he had been 

given the chance to see it. The least distributors 

can do is give the exhibitor a chance 

to exercise his judgment. Then, if a film 

fails or if he loses money (as was the case 

with "Black Sunday"), he has no one to 

blame for booking it but himself. 

Without further evidence it is not possible 

to discuss low attendance at tradescreenings 

intelligently. Perhaps the seven who 

responded out of 150 were an adequate 

cross-sampling or were representatives of 

the other 143. There is no way to tell. It is 

possible that their theatres already had been 

committed, and there was no need to attend. 

We simply do not know. Exhibitors must 

take the upper hand when a film is being 

tradescreened, it is true. If attendance is 

disproportionately low, it must be increased. 

Guarantees 

Distributors: Exhibitors charge that distributors 

demand big guarantees. This 

charge arises from the bid solicitation letters 

wherein the distributor proposes suggested 

minimum bids. Suggested minimums are included 

in the bid letters because exhibitors 

wanted guidance on what to bid. For a seller 

to provide guidance is not unusual in any 

bidding situation. At most auction galleries 

and on the stock market, for instance, the 

seller usually asks a price and then opens 

the bidding which may start above or below 

the asked price. 

Exhibitors frequently bid guarantees far 

in excess of the figures proposed by distributors. 

In case II— The 

the of "Exorcist 

Heretic." Warner Bros, suggested a $35,000 

guarantee. Exhibitors bid as much as $125,- 

000, or 350 per cent more. At the same 

time Warners suggested a guarantee of $25,- 

000 for "Oh. God!" yet accepted a bid of 

only $20,000. These ca.ves demonstrate that 

minimum bids are. in fact, only suggested 

and are not imposed by one side upon the 

other. 

Exhibitors: It is naive to believe that a 

suggested minimum is only a guideline. An 

exhibitor who depends on major studios for 

"The exhibitor wants a chance to say 

'no' to a bad motion picture."—NATO 

his bread and butter is not realistically in 

a position to ignore "hints" concerning how 

much he should bid against his competitors. 

If pictures were tradescreened, the exhibitor 

could propose his own terms, which could 

then be accepted or rejected by the distributor. 

Bidders at a real auction can see the 

item up for grabs and can decide for themselves 

whether the auctioneer's recommendation 

is 

a fair guideline. 

Major Markets, Large Circuits 

Distributors: Blind bidding applies to only 

a few major markets and the larger theatre 

circidts. In today's market a film commonly 

is distributed on a first-run basis in between 

150 and 250 geographic markets. During 

the commercial life of the picture, it is distributed 

in as many as two to three times 

that number of areas on a sub-run basis. 

In the top 50 markets the owner.Mp of firstrun 

theatres is .•significantly more concentrated 

than the distribution side of the market. 

Furthertnore. many large exhibitors deprive 

the distributors of a competitive market 

by engaging in splits of product and by 

combining for the licensing of films under 

a single buying and booking agent. 

14 

BOXOFFICE :; Januarv 15. 1979

To the extent that any exhibitor, large released annually, attendance was over 60 would cause woidd he disastrous delays in 

create enormous 

subsequent runs, 

a week simply because there were the availability of pictures, 

and 

million 

or sinall, plays films on 

he does not bid or negotiate for a picture 

until after the picture opens for first-run 

more films to choose from. A bookstore 

which only carries eight different titles a 

additional costs disrupt the entire industry 

to the detriment of the filmgoing 

year cannot legitimately claim that sales are public. 

and, accordingly, does not even 

exhibition 

engage in blind bidding. 

down. 

The basic premise of the free market system 

in which we operate is that when bus- 

Exhibitors: By adding together the pop- 

It is also deceiving to claim that money 

not easily available for reinvestment in iness problems arise, there is the flexibility 

is 

ulation of only the top 50 markets, the 

"few" to which blind bidding applies, one 

arrives at a figure of 100 million people. It 

verbal trickery to disguise the true impact 

is 

of the blind bidding policy: Almost half 

of the country is involved. And this is the 

half of the population more likely to be concerned 

with seeing a first-run film. From 

this predominately urban, cosmopolitan segment 

come most of the people who support 

the industry through regular patronage. 

Distributors: Is 

Shortage of Product? 

there a shortage of product, 

as exhibitors allege? The demand for 

product is not determined by the number of 

screens to be filled— which has increased 

dramatically in recent years— but by the 

number of patrons who wish to see a paritcular 

film— which has decreased. 

In 1948, 66 million Americans went to 

a motion picture once a week, representing 

20 per cent of the leisure dollar and 82 per 

cent of spectator amusement expenditure. 

Today, there are many more demands for 

the leisure dollar. Films, which 20 million 

per week attend, 

represent only 3 per cent 

of that dollar and 40 per cent of all spectator 

amusement expenditures. The decline 

in the number of motion pictures produced 

may well represent an economic response 

to the decline in demand. 

The average cost of an MPAA-member 

company production initially is committed 

in the form of an interest-bearing loan. The 

capacity to raise such money is. to a .ugnificant 

degree, dependent upon the concomitant 

ability to ensure guaranteed theatrical 

playdates in advance of production completion. 

Blind bidding ensures the investor that 

the speculative venture in which he is participating 

at least will be afforded the appropriate 

opportunity to penetrate the consumer 

market at peak display times. Such 

assurance is vital to stimulate the ready 

of sources capital necessary to maintain 

an adequate supply of film product. By 

insuring the immediate release of the finished 

picture, blind bidding reduces the interest 

cost factor and thus stimulates the 

production of new films. 

Exhibitors: It is nonsensical to claim that 

reduced demand for a particular film means 

that fewer films should be released. When a 

wider selection is available, people go to 

see more pictures as was the case in the 

earlier days of the industry. When "F.I.S.T." 

played its first-run engagements, it was 

locked into 13-week bookings. The audience 

for that film did not justify such a long run. 

If, on the other hand, the film had run for 

five weeks and was then replaced by another 

major film, that audience might have 

returned to the theatre, thus generating 

more income. The demand to see more, different 

and better films would be fueled by 

an increase in 

product. 

In the 1940s, when over 400 films were 

film production. "Star Wars" resulted in 

over $160 million in film rental money 

flowing into 20th Century-Fox. Instead of 

reinvesting such income in production, studios 

and their parent corporations are pouring 

these funds into the purchase of golf 

courses, publishing houses and numerous 

other diversified industries. Studios have 

found it to their advantage to reduce the 

number of their films to create an artificially 

high demand for one or two blockbusters, 

while channeling money into other areas of 

business. This creates unfair pressure on exhibitors 

who must hope to fill their theatres 

with less and less quality product. 

In answer to the second part of this argument, 

it has been demonstrated that blind 

bidding does not insure the immediate release 

of a finished picture, as was the case 

with "Superman." 

Legislation and the Marketplace 

Distributors: The disruption of the marketplace 

and the distributors' 

business practices 

which anti-blind bidding legislation 

Status of Legislation 

Reported in Journal 

New York—A recent issue of the 

NATO Flash Bulletin included a section 

updating blind bidding activities 

around the country. 

The bulletin reported that 27 states 

are set to introduce blind bidding bills 

in their 1979 state legislatures. They 

are Arizona. Arkansas, Connecticut, 

Florida. Georgia. Kentucky, Mississippi, 

Utah. Massachusetts. Maine, 

Rhode Island, New Jersey, New Mexico, 

Oregon, North Carolina. Tennessee, 

Kansas, Missouri, Washington, 

West Virginia, Wisconsin, Texas, Idaho, 

Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania 

and New Hampshire. 

Oregon is also preparing a separate 

open bidding bill which will be introduced 

at another time. 

The five states that have an antiblind 

bidding bill have reported no serious 

adverse effects. In Louisiana the 

attorney general's office is 

investigating 

the possibility of anti-trust violations 

by some distributors if it can find proof 

that the state is being "punished" because 

of its blind bidding law. 

A separate article in the bulletin was 

a condensed reprint from the Dec. 2 

issue of The Real Paper entitled "On 

the Aisle of Dreams: Blind Bidding" by 

Sam Kaplan. The article comments on 

the state of blind bidding across the 

country and says that supporters of 

blind bidding bills arc "cautiously optimistic" 

of success. 

for someone to develop a new idea, test it 

in the real world and see if it provides a 

workable solution. In contrast, anti-blind 

bidding legislation imposes a straightjackel 

on everyone, declaring that the legislated 

solution shall be the only solution. 

One attempt within the industry to alleviate 

exhibitor problems with the current 

system of blind bidding is the 48-hour cancellation 

policy. If the exhibitor decides to 

cancel his bid. he must look hard and fast 

to find an available picture as a replacement. 

The distributor must find an available 

replacement theatre. The point is that 

a solution like the 48-hour cancelation policy 

is being tested. Legislative solutions proposed 

by exhibitors will stunt the growth of 

any alternatives and require that all adhere 

to statutory provisions, no matter how unworkable 

they prove to be in the real business 

world. 

Exhibitors: The filmgoing public does not 

benefit by blind bidding procedures. Prices 

are rising because exhibitors must compensate 

for the severe losses brought about by 

the failure of bad films at the boxoffice, 

films which they often had no chance to 

see in advance of booking. With rumors circulating 

that "Apocalypse Now" could 

reach a ticket price of $6, it might not be 

too long before major distributors price 

themselves out of the market. The abolition 

of blind bidding would result in wiser marketing 

of films? drawing on the experience 

of local exhibitors to generate the best impact 

for a 

certain picture. 

It is possible that legislation is not the 

ultimate solution, but exhibitors feel government 

must intervene at this point to prevent 

further destructive business relationships. 

Distributors, under the present system, 

have a good thing going and they want to 

keep it "that way." That is perfectly understandable. 

Without realizing it, however, 

they are alienating the real source of their 

power and income: The enterprising exhibitor, 

without whose efforts films would 

not be seen, would not become popular and 

would not generate millions of dollars in 

income. Alfthe exhibitor is asking is protection 

from coercion. He wants a chance 

to say "no" to a bad film, or to take the 

risk of running it under terms he feels are 

more advantageous to his theatre and his 

region. 

The end goal of everyone involved, from 

the biggest studio to the smallest theatre, is 

profit. When the risk of failure becomes too 

great, any intelligent exhibitor will abandon 

his position for one more secure. If enough 

exhibitors fold up their tents, however, then 

distributors will begin to see a marked decline 

in their income. It is to prevent this 

from occuring that opposition to blind bidding 

has developed. It is to everyone's benefit 

that current practices be reconsidered. 

BOXOFHCE :: January 15. 1979 

15

. Avco 

. . Joseph 

. . . Jimmie 

. Mary 

. . World 

. . 

. 

• 

^ ^Jstoiiuwood 

The month of December is traditionally 

a time when few productions get imder way, 

with everyone off for the holidays and such. 

The December 1978 production chart is no 

exception, as only five feature films began 

principal photography during the month, 

with not one from major studios. But this 

can be seen as neither a discouraging sign 

nor a warning that production is off, as just 

four pictures were started a year ago at this 

time, with the December 1977 production 

chart showing one film from the majors and 

three from independents. The number 

should increase dramatically with the January 

report as stars and production personnel 

return from hiatus. 

Of the films that were started last month, 

major stars signed for key roles include Lee 

Majors, Jenni"fer O'Neill. Robert Mitchum, 

George C. Scott and Melvyn Douglas. 

Needless to say. the number of December 

productions is down from the November 

lineup which saw 14 films begin lensing. 

Considering 1978 as a whole, the total number 

of production starts was down somewhat 

from 1977. With major studios and independents 

combined, a total of 203 films 

were started during 1978, as compared to 

224 during 1977. 

Alston-Zanitsch International Films 

Three Way Weekend. Shooting began 

Dec. 6 in Idyllwild, Calif, on this feature 

written and directed by Emmet A. Alson 

and produced by Jerome J. Zanitsch. The 

cast consists of Dan Diego, Jody Lee 01- 

hava. Blake Parrish. Jerry Zantisch, Richard Flicker will dire'ct from a script by Gloria 

Blye and Karen Stride. 

Katz and Willard Hucyk . . . Roger Gorman's 

New World Pictures will make 

American Cinema Productions 

"Deathsport II," with David Carradine repeating 

A Force of One. Six-time undefeated 

Compass Productions 

his starring role . . . 

world karate champion Chuck Norris and 

will begin filming this month in 

current champ Bill Wallace stage the climactic 

Toronto on "Double Negative," with 

karate fight in the final sequence George Bloomfield directing from the 

screenplay by Thomas Hedley. Geraldine 

suspense-action thriller involving a 

of this 

team of undercover narcotics agents who Fitzgerald heads a cast including Michael 

suddenly become murder victims. Filming Sarrazin, Susan Clark and Anthony Perkins 

began Dec. 11 on locations in San Diego. 

Embassy will embark on its first 

Also starring are Jennifer O'Neill as a member 

of the narcotics squad and Clu Galager gas on "Underworld: A Rock Musical," to 

musical film, shooting next fall in Las Ve- 

as chief of the squad. Others in the cast arc be directed by Elliot Silverstein . . . 

Studio 

Ron O'Neal. James Whitmore jr., Eric 

LaneuviUe. Lisa James. Clint Ritchie. Kevm 

Geer, Lou Tiano, Dan Mahar and Chu Chu 

Malave. Paul Aaron is directing from a 

screenplay by Ernest Tidyman. Alan Belkin 

is producing and Michael Leone is serving 

as executive producer. 

(Jolan-Globiis 

Productions 

Cioin' Steady. Principal photography 

got under way Dec. 26 on this sequel 

to Menahem Golan's and Yoram Globus' 

earlier "Lemon Popsicle." This effort is 

being directed again by Boaz Davidson, who 

wrote the screenplay based on his own experiences 

.)! growing up in Europe in the 

1950s. The cast is headed by Itshak Katzur. 

Jonathan Siegcl, Zachi Noy and Annat Atzmun. 

RSL Productions 

Agency. Shooting began in Montreal 

Dec. 4 on this suspense thriller about 

an advertising agency which is a front for 

international espionage. Robert Mitchum, 

Lee Majors and Valerie Perrine head a cast 

including Alexandra Stewart, Saul Rubinek, 

George ^Touliatos. Al Waxman, Michael 

Kirby. Gary Reinekc and Jonathan Welsh. 

Seattle and Vancouver. Peter Medak is directing 

from a screenplay by William Gray 

and Adrian Morrall. Joel B. Michaels and 

Garth H. Dabrinsky are producing. 

Cindy Williams to Topline 

T-wo Pictures for Universal 

Cindy Williams will star in two films to 

be made for Universal. The first, to be produced 

by Francis Coppola's American Zoetrope 

Co. and set to begin shooting in the 

spring, will be "Sex and Violence," a comedy 

based on an idea by Williams and Dennis 

Klein, who will write the screenplay and 

direct. Coppola will be the executive producer. 

The other, 

also to be made this year 

will be "Radio Land Murders." to be produced 

by George Lucas' Lucasfilms. Ted 

Film Corp., based in Gleason, Wise, began 

shooting on "The Capture of Bigfoot," Jan. 

8 in the Wisconsin northwoods. with a 

script by Bill Regane and Ingrid Neumayer 

. . Director Garry Weis reports signing a 

deal with 20th Century-Fox to direct 

"Poison Ivy." set in a summer camp, from 

a script by Bennet Tramcr, with Maurice 

Singer producing 

Lauren Hutton Is Set to Team 

With lohn Travolta in 'Gigolo' 

Lauren Hutton will star as John Travolta's 

romantic interest in Paul Schradcr's 

"American Gigolo," set by Paramount to 

begin shooting on location in Los Angeles 

during this month . 

Cortese, a 

young New York actor, has signed for his 

first major film role in "Corky," United 

Artists feature set to shoot Jan. 17 . 

Michael Pataki will portray a prosecuting 

attorney, and Lillian Randolph has joined 

the cast of Black Marble's "The Onion Field" 

Walker has a guest-star role and 

singer John Davidson will play a newscaster 

in Universal's "Airport '79 Concorde" 

. Michael Lerner has joined the cast of 

Avco Embassy's "Goldengirl" . . . 

Jason 

Robards will portray an ex-Nazi officer in 

the Hool-Joseph production of "Cabo Blanco." 

which began shooting Jan. 2 in Mexico 

.. . Ignatius Wofington has been cast 

as Hollywood agent Meyer Mishkin in the 

Columbia-Universal co-production "1941" 

Michel Martin will play the daughter 

of George C. Scott in "The Changeling" 

Francesca De Sapio will co-star opposite 

Giancarlo Giannini in Michelangelo An- 

Tiberius Productions 

The Changeling. George C. Scott, 

Trish Van Devere and Melvyn Douglas 

head the cast of this feature involving psychic 

"Suffer or Die." set to shoot Jan. 

powers in a house where a little girl tonioni's has died. Filming began in New York 15 in Rome 

. . . Israeli actresses 

Dec. 4 with shooting also planned for Steiner and Yvonne Michaels 

signed the Golan-Globus feature 

Rachel 

have 

"Goin' 

been 

for 

Steady" and Iris Kaner has also been cast in 

. . • 

this sequel to "Lemon Popsicle" Pro- 

: 

ducer Jennings Lang has signed Merced5S 

McCambridge. Charo. Martha Raye and 

David Warner to the cast of Universal's 

"Airport '79 Concorde." 

Allen's 'Day the World Ended' 

Will Star Jacqueline Bisset 

Jacqueline Bisset has signed for a starring 

role in Irwin Allen's "The Day the 

World Ended" set to begin production for 

Warner Bros, on the Kona Coast Feb. 

8 . . . Hector Elizondo and Nina Van Pal- 

landt have been signed for Paramount's 

"American Gigolo" to be directed by Paul 

Schrader from his own screenplay 

Kay Medford has been signed for a costarring 

role in United Artists' "Corky" 

Richard Herd has been added to the 

cast of Black Marble's "The Onion Field" 

Woronov Whitehead. Dick Mil- 

and Paul Bartel have been signed for 

co-starring 

ler 

roles in "Rock 'N' Roll High 

School" 

. . . Camilla Sparve has joined 

of the Hool-Joseph production of 

the cast 

"Cabo Blanco" Singer and daiicer 

Beverly Sanders has signed for a straight 

dramatic role as Al Pacino's secretary in 

And Justice for All" Columbia's ". . 

. . 

Patti Pivaar has joined the cast of Universal's 

"Airport '79 Concorde" Maggie 

. . . 

Sullivan will play the a wife of murdered 

policeman and Jessie Lawrence Ferguson 

portray a convict in Black Marble's 

will 

"The Onion Field" . . Basil Hoffman has 

. 

signed for a role in "The Electric Horseman" 

. . . Linda Evans has the female lead 

in "Horn." starring Steve McQueen and set 

to shoot Jan. 15 for Fred Weinlraub- 

Solar Productions champion 

. 

motorcyclists Roger DeCoster. Marty 

Smith. Mike Hallwood. Barry Sheene. Kenny 

Roberts. Steve Baker and Dcbby Evans 

have been signed for roles in Pierre LeRoy 

Productions "Take It to the Limit, a Motorcycle 

Odyssey" . . . George Burns and Art 

Carney have been signed for starring roles 

in Warner's serio-comedy "Stepping Out" 

scheduled to go before the cameras May 7 

on location in New York Martin Brest will 

direct from his own screenplay. 

16 

BOXOFFICE :; January 15, 19J79

. . . Forgettable 

. . . Two 

. . 

. . Both 

. . The 

. . The 

. . No 

• 

Diana Knocks-Out Sylvester Stallone 

In 

the Latest Boxoffice Sampling 

By STU GOLDSTEIN 

Respite a plentitude of mixed reviews from 

the critics, Universal's cinematic rendition 

of a journey to see the Wizard of 

Oz. aptly titled "The Wiz," was picked by 

the members of the National Screen Council 

to be the recipient of the November 1978 

Blue Ribbon Award. Reviews of this Broadway-brought-to-the-silver-screen 

adaptation 

have run the gamut from "dull and boring" 

to "best pic of the year." Likewise, the comments 

on the November ballots indicated a 

higher-than-usual amount of negativism, 

especially with regard to its lackluster quality 

and what some thought was unnecessary 

tampering with the stage version. 

Still, "The Wiz" came in strong in the 

vote department, overriding the six other 

nominees on what could probably be described 

as a weak ballot. "The Lord of the 

Rings." an animated feature from United 

Artists, came in with second place and 

nothing but raves from the NSC review 

committee. Another animated entry, Avco 

Embassy's "Watership Down" came in third 

place, with members giving praise to the 

sensitive treatment of the story and its "for 

the family" content. Also in third place (a 

tie) was Paramount's "Days of Heaven." 

Many considered this one of the very best 

of '78 and there were tons of comments to 

back this up. UA's "Comes a Horseman" 

wound up in fourth place, amid a 

steady stream of both pro and con remarks. 

Now for the losers. Universal's "Paradise 

Alley," starring the once ever-popular 

but now not-so-popular Sylvestor Stallone, 

bombed in this month's voting. Stallone 

seems to be having a hard time topping his 

original success in "Rocky," fizzing-out with 

"F.LS.T." earlier in '78, and now being 

punched out again with "Paradise." Speaking 

of knockouts, the bottom of the barrel this 

time was UA's "Slow Dancing in the Big 

City," getting just a trickle of votes, with 

even the people who voted for it not being 

especially excited. 

The December ballot, traditionally full of 

new award-worthy releases, will hopefully 

have something for most everyone. Look 

for action, animals, war, wealth, sweetness 

and tears, 

snatched bodies and super heroes. 

THE WIZ 

Best movie of '78: Best actress! Best supporting 

actress (Lena Home)! Best sets and 

costumes! Best city to make movies in! 

John Crittenden, film journalist. New York 

music, characters who 

change instantly with no development, make 

this a disappointment. Richard Pryor is underused. 

Diana Ross overdoes it.—Michael 

P. Clark. Jacksonville Journal, Jacksonville, 

Fla. ... It has to be "The Wiz" even 

though a lot of it isn't very good. The leads 

are mostly disappointing, but "Wiz" delivers 

anyway.—Gene Pack, KUER, Salt Lake 

City. 

THE LORD OF THE RINGS 

A favorite story comes to life. The production 

is the best since "Star Wars." 

Jerry Webb, WARI Radio, Abbeville, Ala. 

. . . Animation is aesthetically rewarding. 

Story is most charming. My only complaint 

is that it's too long.—Dennis Williams. 

Screen Actors Guild, Hollywood . . . 

One 

of the big grossers of the season.—John 

P. Recher, NATO, Baltimore, Md. . 

Excellent entertainment for all ages.—Gary 

Schillinger, Dubinsky Bros. Theatres, Sioux 

City, la. 

The epic story is a little awesome for 

many viewers but production values and 

sound quality exceed imagination, making 

"Lord of the Rings" a great box office 

power.—Justin Jacobsmeier, Dubinsky 

Bros. Theatres, Sioux City, la ... A winner 

all the way. Plenty of hoopla for "The 

Rings."—Art Pinansky, Portland, Me. . . . 

Artistic adaptation of Tolkien's works. 

Ronald Gottlieb, Tri-State Theatres, Philadelphia. 

Great animation. Along the lines of "Wizards."—Donald 

S. Palmquist, Minneapolis 

classics, "Rings," and "Watership," 

bound to be as high as Disney's 

"Snow White." Above all, both are a fantastic 

representation of a new kind of animation.—Andrea 

Stewart, The Kansan.Kansas 

City, Kan. 

îthout Fonda and the scenery to 

look at, "Comes a Horseman" was 

a pathetic waste of money. Poor 

screenplay, stupid casting.—Christine 

Castanada, New Yorker Magazine, 

New York. 

Sylvester Stallone is going punchy 

trying to get an encore for "Rocky." 

"Paradise Alley" ultimately kayos itself.—Douglas 

Erode, WIXT-TV, Syracuse. 

I fault any fibnmaker who lacks the 

courtesy of relating the film's title to 

the film's content, as with "Watership 

Down."—Doug Moore, University of 

Missouri, Kansas City. 

Richard Famsworth is nothing less 

than extraordinary in "Comes A 

Horseman".—Andrew Sarris, Village 

Voice, New York. 

"Days of Heaven" should certainly 

garner a plethora of Oscar nominations, 

particularly for superb cinematography. 

Dennis Schaefer, Millimeter Magazine, 

Beverly Hills, Calif. 

WATERSHIP DOWN 

Enchanting, charming and exciting: filled 

with warmth. The song "Bright Eyes" merits 

an Oscar nomination.—Joe Leydon, 

Shreveport Times, Shreveport, La. ... A 

remarkable animated feature that serves 

both as a window and a mirror.—Alvin 

Easter, Cinema Magazine, Minneapolis. 

Splendid. A family movie that will appeal 

to kids 6 to 80.—Harry M. Curl, 

NATO of Alabama, Birmingham . . 

Thought I'd have a problem taking talking 

bunny rabbits seriously, but "Watership" 

works brilliantly on all levels.—Stu Witmer, 

KRAB-FM, Seattle ... An adult film that 

can be appreciated by children. Deals with 

honor, friendship, politics, survival, and, 

most of all, cooperation, even if the viewer 

doesn't realize it's based on Nazism's threat 

to Europe three decades ago.—William J. 

Upton-Knittle jr. Columbia Magazine. Los 

Angeles. 

DAYS OF HEAVEN 

The picture's two leading characters are 

amoral, and the film pointedly glamorizes 

them. It is, however, about as beautifully 

photographed as any film ever made. 

—Ed Blank, Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, 

Pa. . . . Incredibly lovely photography; a 

classic story of love and retribution. 

Haunting period atmosphere.-—Earl J. Dias, 

The Standard-Times, New Bedford, Mass. 

I have been waiting four years for Terrence 

Malick to make another film equal to 

"Badlands," and I wasn't disappointed one 

bit. An almost perfect movie and a visual 

treat.—Terry Flynn, Mann Theatres, Amarillo. 

Tex. . most beautifully photographed 

movie of 1978!—Jack Ong. Weekend 

Magazine, Santa Monica, Calif. 

A must for film lovers.—James R- 

Hughes, lATSE, Laconia, N.H. ... One 

of the best films of the year.—Steve Kelly, 

Kansas City . 

most exciting film of 

the year.—John Hartl, Seattle Times . . . 

No contest. A billiant film. Let's hope 

Malick gets the recognition he deserves. 

Jim Shertzer, Journal. Winston-Salem, N.C. 

The 70mm presentation of this film recommends 

it for photography. The plot was 

skimpy, though, inhibiting whatever force 

the actors may have brought to their parts. 

—Joe A. Ortega. Seattle ... A film of 

delicacy and impact, "Heaven" is visually 

stunning and dramatically moving. If properly 

cast, Richard Gere could be a major 

star.—Philip Wuntch, Dallas Morning 

News. 

Most impressive this month; perhaps the 

best of all NSC award winners.—Don Leigh 

McCulty, W. Va. Theatre Services, Clarksburg, 

. 

W. Va. comparison. Despite 

it a simplistic is screenplay, clearly one of 

the beautiful fihns most ever made. A 

breathtaking wonder of cinematography. 

Joyce J. Persico. Trenton Times, Trenton, 

N.J. 

COMES A HORSEMAN 

Fonda and Robards were electrifying.— 

Vickie Street. KID-TV, Idaho Falls, Ida. 

Jane Fonda and James Caan do 

competent acting jobs.—Tom Leathers, The 

Squire, Leawood, Kas. ... It most likely 

won't win any plaudits.—W.E. Fletcher, 

Fletcher Theatres, Seward, Ak. ... 

Thoughtful, beautiful, and quietly profound.—Randy 

Weddington. The Grapevine, 

. . . Most successfully 

Fayetteville. Ark 

accomplished, if not as impressive as "Days 

of Heaven."—Allan Lobsenz. Paramount 

Pictures, New York. 


17

BOXOFFICE 

BAROMETER 

1,000 

1^^ 

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

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

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

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

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

I houses 

«, 

j 

I 

Houses 

' 

Herson 

Music Makers Circuit 

Australian Film Festival in New York 

Acquires Three Houses j^^f yj,;^/, Critical, Popular Acclaim 

LAKEWOOD. N. J.—Three more movie 

houses in central New Jersey's Monmouth 

County have been acquired by the locally 

based chain of Music Makers Theatres, Inc. 

/Plans call for extensive remodeling of the 

in a bid for a larger share of the 

ijN.J., and bringing up the chain to a total 

i;of 45 screens. While the terms of the pur- 

?i chase were not disclosed, the three twinij 

theatre complexes sold by Grant included 

J 'Movies I & II in the West End section of 

( 

iLong Branch, the Middlebrook I & II at the 

S jMiddlebrook Shopping Center in Ocean 

» 

[Township and Movies I & 11 in Red Bank. 

• |It is understood that Grant disposed of all 

Ihis theatre interests in this area so he can 

I 'locate in Florida where he plans to open 

I {more theatres. 

to be Remodeled 

said that Music Makers will 

jspend a total of $75,000 to remodel the 

jthree newly acquired theatres. The work 

Iwill be completed by next summer in time 

'for the regular summer resort season in 

this 

larea. The renovations will result in "a fresh 

'and clean concession area," with customer 

traffic patterns modified to increase exposure 

to the popcorn, soft drinks and other 

items which are a movie house's "bread and 

butter," Herson said. Because of the cost 

of renting first-rim films is so high, Herson 

explained, the theatres rely on the concession 

stands for more than half of its 10 per 

cent return on sales averages. 

Herson said the business at the concession 

stand has become increasingly important 

because cinema competition in New 

Jersey "is extremely keen," and that the 

Monmouth and Ocean counties resort area 

"is very overbuilt with theatres." Music 

Makers will also improve the projection 

equipment in the three new acquisitions, install 

in each new sound systems, and install 

"the biggest screens possible," Herson said. 

First-run films will continue to be the policy. 

Music Makers also owns theatre complexes 

in the area in Freehold, Eatontown, 

Howell Township and Hazlet Township. It 

just opened a new triplex theatre in the 

Stroud Shopping Mall at Stroudsburg, Pa., 

in the Pocono Mountains resort area there. 

According to Herson, Music Makers is negotiating 

to purchase a theatre chain in the 

Delaware-Maryland area. 

Music Makers also owns a sheet music 

publishing operation, the four-restaurant 

Golden Skippet chain in Monmouth and 

Ocean counties and a food subsidiary that 

services the theatres of Music Makers and 

other companies. Mitch Leigh, well-known 

music composer who lives in nearby Sea 

Bright, is majority stockholder and Herson 

holds the rest. 

NEW YORK—The recently concluded 

Australian Film Festival here has been 

called "tremendously successful" by Samuel 

W. Gelfman, president of the Australian 

Films Office, Inc., sponsor and organizer 

of the weeklong event held Nov. 27 

li lucrative concession business, said Milton 

ijHerson, president of the independent the- through Dec. 3 at the Library and 

Museum of the Performing Arts at Lincoln 

atre circuit. 

After two months of negotiations, the Center. 

(!i closely held Music Makers Theatres added "As a direct result of the festival, several 

i|six screens with the three houses, acquired of the films exhibited will have commercial 

ilfrom Edward Grant, of nearby Fair Haven, distribution in the U.S. and Canada this 

year," Gelfman said. "We expect one contract 

for a distribution deal to be signed 

within the next ten 

days." 

Drew Capacity Crowds 

Gelfman, a former independent producer 

and American studio executive, said the 

production centers in the world. 

"Australia is 

currently developing a strong 

cadre of talented young filmmakers who are 

producing motion pictures in the English 

language which are being enjoyed everywhere 

in the world," he noted. "Since 1970, 

the Australian film industry has produced 

more than 75 features. I expect that number 

to increase substantially in the next decade." 

The festival was sponsored and organized 

by the Australian Films Office, a Los Angeles-based 

company established seven months 

ago to bring Australian films to the American 

audience. It is an affiliate of the New 

South Wales Film Corp. in Sydney, the 

Capitol of Australian film production. 

The 13 features and one animated short 

subject shown at the festival represented a 

cross-section of Australia's rejuvenated motion 

picture industry over the past eight 

years as well as providing a sampling of 

classic Australian movies of the past. 

Opened With 'Sunday' 

The festival began Monday evening, 

Nov. 27, with the showing of the 1975 

Australian feature, "Sunday Too Far 

Away." It concluded Sunday evening, Dec. 

3. with an invitational screening of Phillip 

Noyce's internationally acclaimed "Newsfront" 

in the Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium 

at the United Nations. The special 

final-night screening was hosted by H. B. 

Anderson, permanent representative of Australia 

to the United Nations. 

To help promote the festival, 

the Australian 

Films Office brought several of the 

Down Under directors and film stars to the 

Big Apple for personal appearances and 

press interviews. Among those who came 

were Jack Thompson, probably Australia's 

biggest male film star who is in two of the 

festival pictures, "Sunday Too Far Away" 

and "Caddie"; Wendy Hughes, co-star of 

"Newsfront"; Chris Haywood, who is featured 

in two festival films, "Newsfront" 

and "In Search of Anna"; Phillip Noyce, 

director of "Newsfront," and Jim Sharman, 

the director of another festival entry, "The 

Night the Prowler." 

Publicity and promotion activities for 

the Australian Film Festival were coordinated 

by Nancy Seltzer, Les Schecter and 

Barbara Schwei in New York and by Arthur 

Canton and John Blowitz in Los Angeles. 

The print media campaign was executed 

by Charles Schlaifer & Co., New 

York. 

According to Gelfman, the festival was 

prompted by the tremendous interest gen- 

festival drew capacity crowds every night. erated by 13 Australian films exhibited at 

"The enthusiastic response of the American the recent Cannes Festival, including 

audiences to these Australian films was very "Newsfront," which this year became the 

gratifying," he added. "And we were especially 

first Australian film ever to participate in 

the New York Film Festival. 

satisfied with the warm reaction of 

American motion picture industry executives 

attendance." 

Films Screened at Fest 

in The films exhibited at the recent Australian 

It is Gelfman's belief that Australia soon 

Film Festival in New York City includ- 

will develop into one of the major 

film 

ed: 

"Sunday Too Far Away," a 1974 film 

starring Jack Thomp.son which offers a 

straight, hard look at the life of the Australian 

sheepshearer; "The Devil's Playground," 

a 1976 feature directed by Fred 

Schepisi which examines a young man's 

coming to terms with his sexuality while 

attending a Catholic seminary; "Storm 

Boy," a 1977 film directed by Henri Safran 

focusing on a little boy, his father and the 

boy's Aborigine friend who are living on a 

wildlife sanctuary; "The Night the Prowler," 

a 1978 production directed by Jim Sharman 

and written by Australian Nobel Prize-winning 

author Patrick White, which deals with 

a young girl's reactions to an apparent sexual 

attack, and "In Search of Anna," a 

1978 film produced and directed by Esben 

Storm, which focuses on a young ex-convict 

who goes in search of the woman he left 

behind befoie he began a six-year prison 

term. 

Also screened was "The F.J. Holden," 

produced and directed by Michael Thornhill 

in 1977, which is a contemporary story 

about the middle-class suburban youth culture 

in Australia; "The Getting of Wisdom," 

a 1977 film directed by Bruce Beresford, 

which is based on Miss Henry Handel Robertson's 

novel of 1910 examining the social 

values of turn-of-the-century Australian 

through the eyes of a poor girl attending an 

exclusive all-girls' school; "Caddie," a 1974 

feature directed by Donald Crombie which 

is based on an autobiography of a Sydney 

barmaid who leaves her philandering husband 

to start a new life for herself and her 

two childiên during the depression; "The 

Singer and the Dancer." a 51 -minute film 

(Continued on page E-8) 

JOXOmCE :: January 15, 1979 E-1

BRO ADW Ay 

QALIFORNIA SUITE." Neil Simon-s latest 

screen hit, from Columbia Pictures 

and Rastar. amassed a 17-day showcase total 

of $2,543,077 in 60 houses. The National 

Theatre on Broadway and the Tower 

East on the East Side were heavy contributors 

to that total. 

The all-star cast is headed by couples 

Michael Caine and Maggie Smith, Jane 

Fonda and .-Man Alda. Walter Matthau and 

Elaine May and Bill Cosby and Richard 

Pryor (the latter with Sheila Frazier and 

Gloria Gifford as their wives). Ray Stark 

produced and Herbert Ross directed from 

Simon's screen adaptation of his successful 

play. 

• 

Eastman Kodak Co. and March Five, 

Inc., a public relations firm here, offered 

members of the press an irresistible opportunity 

to view the King Tut exhibit at the 

Metropolitan Museum. The selected few 

gathered at the Eastman Kodak Building 

at 8:30 a.m. for a light breakfast and a very 

entertaining lecture on the exhibit and the 

boy king. Practically a show in himself was 

the speaker. Dr. Yitzhak Margowski. assistant 

curator of the department of Egyptian 

art at 

the museum. Limousines took the 

Directors of Trans-Lux Corp. declared 

Wednesday, Jan. 3 a cash dividend of 5 

cents per .share on the outstanding common 

slock, payable March 15 to stockholders of 

record at the close of business Feb. 7 

• 

Morton Dennis Wax & Associates has 

been retained to handle public relations for 

BCI Casting's East and West Coast operations. 

BCI is the leading coast-to-coast casting 

facility for commercials, TV and films. 

Wax's first BCI release states that Barbara 

Claman of the latter company is casting 

the female lead for "Wise Blood," which 

is to start filming in Macon, Ga. Monday, 

Jan. 15. John Huston is directing and 

Michael Fitzgerald producing the Flannery 

O'Connor story. Male leads are Ned Beatty, 

Brad Dourif and Harry Dean Stanton. 

• 

Openings: The late Luchino Visconti's 

last film, "The Innocent," arrived Friday. 

Jan. 12 at the UA Gemini Cinema. Giancarlo 

Giannini, Laura Antonelli and Jennifer 

O'Neill star in the tale of passion among 

the wealthy in I9th century Italy, based on 

the Gabriele d'Annunzio novel. Analysis 

Film Releasing Corp. is distributing here. 

"Max Havelaar." the Dutch Oscar entry 

for best foreign film by Holland's leading 

director. Fans Rademakers, begins Sunday, 

Jan. 21 at the Plaza. The most lavish Dutch 

film ever made, it is based on Holland's 

most popular literary classic, published in 

I860 and written by Eduard Douwes Dekker, 

a civil servant who was against the 

colonial system. 

"Go Ask Mama . . . Papa's Busy," comedy-drama 

from France, has its American 

premiere Jan. 28 at the Cinema Studio I. 

Marlene Jobert and Philippe Leotard star 

in the Francois Leterrier film, released by 

Gaumont/ New Yorker Films, 

• 

Films in Review has acquired Ronald 

Bowers as its new editor, upon the retirement 

of Charles Phillips Reilly. The January 

issue of the magazine features career 

articles on two leading ladies, Janet Leigh 

and the late Peggy Shannon, an interview 

with director Paul Williams and an examination 

of French silent serials, truly something 

for everyone. 

• 

Showcases for Wednesday, Jan. 10 included: 

"The Boys From Brazil" "The Wiz," 

"Superman," "Death on the Nile," "California 

Suite," "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," 

"Paradise Alley," "King of the Gypsies" 

(mini), "The Lord of the Rings," "Na- 

press to the museum, following the briefing. 

While Tut was an insignificant ruler, his 

artifacts are certainly making history. 

• 

tional Lampoon's Animal House," "Midnight 

Express," "Force 10 From Navarone," 

Gloria Leonard, star of "AH About Gloria 

Leonard," appeared at the World Theatre "Days of Heaven" (mini), "Magic," "Every 

Jan. 10. The X-rated feature is playing at Which Way But Loose," "The Brink's Job" 

both the World and the East World with (mini) and the X-er "The Untamed" (mini). 

two award-winning shorts, "Unclothed Encounters" 

and "Air Ball." Ads mention that 

both theatres have a video cassette center 

'Superman' Tops $5 Mil 

with over 100 X-rated titles in stock, surely 

an indication of things to come. 

In 

• 

New York Area 

New York— "Superman," the motion 

picture version of the popular comic 

book from Warner Bros., has passed 

the $5 million mark at theatre boxoffices 

in the New York metropolitan 

area. 

The film smash earned a phenomenal 

$5,005,664 in its first 19 days at 61 

theatres in the area. 

In its first week, beginning Friday, 

Dec. IS, the picture's ticket sales totaled 

$1,351,471. The second-week gross 

soared to $1,986,808 and in only five 

days of the third week (Dec. 29 

through Jan. 2), the picture amassed a 

mammoth $1,667,385. 

Marlon Brando and Gene Hackman 

head the cast of "Superman," in which 

Christopher Reeve stars in the title 

role. Also starring are Ned Beatty, 

Jackie Cooper, Glenn Ford, Trevor 

Howard, Margot Kidder, Valerie Perrine, 

Maria Schell, Terence Stamp, 

Phyllis Thaxter and Susannah York. 

An Alexander Salkind presentation 

of a Richard Donner film, "Superman" 

was directed by Richard Donner. 

'Autumn Sonata' Back 

On Top in Big Apple 

NEW YORK—A new year brings new 

winners. Prime among them is "Autumn 

Sonata," a 445 in its 13th exposure at the 

Baronet, revitalized due to the awards the 

film and star Ingrid Bergman have won. 

Second was the French import "Get Out 

Your Handkerchiefs." a close 435 in its 

third Paris outing. 

Confounding the critics. "Moment by 

Moment" was third with a 380 average in 

the third Coronet week. 

"Movie. Movie" came in fourth, earning 

a 280 for the seventh round at the Sutton. 

"Same Time, Next Year," in fifth, was a 

250 in the eighth stanza at Cinema I. Sixth 

place belonged to the Australian thriller 

"The Last Wave," averaging out at 220 for 

the third wave at the Beekman and Paramount. 

Showcase action came first from "Supern.an," 

enjoying another million dollar week, 

followed closely by "California Suite" and 

then by "Magic," "Invasion of the Body 

Snatchers," "The Wiz" and "Every Which 

Way But Loose." 

(Average Is 100) 

Baronet Autumn Sonata (New World), 

mh wit. 

mount The Lost Wave 

(World Northal), 3rd wk 

Cm — Some Time. Nejrt Year (Un 

E-2

an American dream with the stars of tomorrow. 

For your convenience screenings will beheld January 24,1979 in the following cities: 

City

' 

PHILADELPHIA 

More than 700 children, ten and under, 

entered the "Pinocchio Coloring Con- 

sponsored by the Allentown (Pa.) Calltest" 

Chronicle for the feature at the Plaza Theatre 

in Whitehall Mall there. The three top 

grand prize winner received two-foot Jmiiny 

Cricket dolls. The promotion was airanged 

by Lee Starkey, account executive 

at Elkman Advertising Co. here which represents 

Buena Vista in this market. 

PRISM. the locally based pay television 

movie and sports program service, has named 

John R. Calvetti as president to replace 

Lou Scheinfeld, who left to devote all his 

time to his overall position as senior vicepresident 

of Spectator, PRISM's parent 

corporation. 

Mrs. Harriet Milgram, former wife of 

William Milgram of the locally based Milgiam 

Theatres chain, and Stuart Kline will 

be married early this year. She is administrator 

of the Juvenile Law Center of Philadelphia. 

Cross Country Cable, Ltd., has been 

awarded a 15-year franchise to provide 

cable television service to Keyport, N.J. 

The Bound Brook, N.J., company was selected 

over three others for the franchise. 

John Wanamaker Store to promote her new 

book "By Myself." She also did a one-hour 

television interview on the Joel A. Spivak 

Show on WCAU-TV the local CBS affiliate. 

The Mall Cinema in Brick Town, Pa., is 

the only theatre in central New Jersey's 

Monmouth and Ocean counties to present 

"Superman" in four-track Dolby stereo 

sound. 

2 beats 1 

3 beats 2 

4 beats 3 

WE BEAT THEM 

ALL IN TWINNING 

TRIPLEXING AND 

QUADRUPLEXING! 

cHinmnn KmcGCft; 

. 

-mil 

55S CHESTNUT STREET • CEDABHUB-'.T • NEW YORK 1 151 

516 569-1990 

The Cardinal's Commission on Human 

Relations of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese 

of Philadelphia and the National Institute 

on the Holocaust sponsored a special 

^jô^jng ^f -xhe Hiding Place" at the suburban 

Lansdowne (Pa.) Theatre. Tickets sold 

for $2 in advance. 

When Movies Were Movies is the name 

of a film rental-distribution firm established 

by Samuel Daniels in suburban Yardley, 

Pa. . . . Lee Starkey, account executive at 

Elkman Advertising Co. heie handling the 

promotion and advertising for Walt Disney's 

"The North Avenue Irregulars," hosted an 

invitational screening for women community 

leaders at the Top of the Fox Screening 

Room. The feature opens in the area Feb. 

16. 

In a weekly drawing in a tie-in with Budco's 

Orleans 4 Theatre in the Northeast 

section of city, the the Northeast Jewish 

Times is giving 15 pairs of tickets for "The 

Wiz" in a random drawing among its read- 

The final lecture in The Image of Jews 

in Literature series at the center-city YM- 

YWHA will be devoted to a discussion of 

"Jews and the Movies." The lecture will be 

delivered by Dr. Jonathan Price, professor 

of English at California State University in 

Sacramento and a Fulbright lecturer. 

Lauren Bacall came to center-city for an _ — , 

„ _ 'TVA«^«nto 

. 

autograph party in the book shop of the A. Cohll AcqUlIGS MomentS 

For European Distribution 

NEW YORK— Moshe Mizrahi's new film 

"Moments" has been acquired for distribution 

by Arthur Cohn for release in Germany, 

Austria and Switzerland. Filmed in 

Israel, it was produced by Mizrahi and directed 

by Mizrahi and Michal Bat Adam, 

from the latter's screenplay. Bat Adam stars 

with Brigitte Catillon and Assi (Assaf) 

Dayan. 

Massis Signed Pact 

Alex Massis. president of ISRAM Motion 

Pictures Production Services here, 

signed the agrsemcnt with Cohen's company 

and has concluded a similar deal for the 

U. S. and Canada, where "Moments" will 

be presented by Dan Pomerantz and Franklin 

Media, Inc., and with Michael Lefakis, 

who will present the film in Greece and 

Cyprus. 

Post-Production in Paris 

Lab work and post-production on "Moments" 

are being done in Paris, for delivery 

in time for the Cannes Festival in May. 

Mizrahi was in Paris recently to view 

the dailies on the film, which is now shooting 

in Jerusalem, and to discuss his participation 

in the upcoming Cannes Film Festival. 

Bat Adam participated in four previous 

Mizrahi films: "I Love You Rosa" and 

"Daughters! Daughters!", which were nominated 

for Academy Awards, "Madame 

Rosa," which received the Academy Award 

in 1'>7S. and "The House on Shalos (or 

Chelouche) Street" 

BALTIMORE 

TJational Lampoon's Animal House" is now 

playing at the Eclair, Carrollwood, 

Edgewater,"Hollywood, Timonium, Cinema 

and Wsstview III . . . Eric Orner has been 

doing the advertising and publicity for Columbia 

Pictures' "And Justice For All," 

part of which was filmed here recently. During 

the shooting he, with other members 

of the crew, stayed at the Holiday Inn 

downtown. 

The Baltimore county council Monday 

Dec. 18 approved a rate increase from $7 

to $10 a month for cable television subscribers, 

but it refused to consider a bill that 

would have allowed deregulation of the b 

iness. Michail R. Amann, chairman of a 

year-old advisory panel on cable television 

in the county, presented a detailed report 

in which the panel recommended creation 

of a five-member regulatory body, appointed 

by the council, and with a paid staff to 

oversee the operations of the business as it 

expands. The county has authority to regulate 

the operation since it issues a franchise 

permitting the film to install the necessary 

cables. 

The Earle Theatre, leased by Leo Canaan, 

re-opened on Wednesday, Jan. 3. The new 

policy is to show two adult movies and 

doors open daily at 1 p.m. The theatre is 

located at 4845 Belair Rd. . . . Aaron Seidler 

spent the New Year's weekend in Glen 

Cove, Long Island. 

"Ireland" is the fourth program in the 

Round the World Adventures series sponsored 

by the Maryland Academy of Sciences. 

The film will be presented at the 

Lyric Theatre Thursday. Jan. 18 at 8:30 

p.m. and Friday, Jan. 19 at 5:30 and 8:30 

p.m. This travel film-lecture, produced and 

narrated by Chris Borden, explores all aspects 

of life in the Republic of Ireland. 

Dublin's bustling city life gives way to the 

serenity of the Wicklow hills, the great cathedral 

at the Rock of Cashel, the worldfamous 

Waterford Glass works, the port 

city of Cork and Blarney Castle with its 

celebrated Blarney tone. 

Charles Warner. Innovator 

And Showman, Died Dec. 30 

CLARKSBURG. W.VA.—Charles E. 

Warner, retired exhibitor, died D.-c. 30. 

He was in his early 70s. He had been 

hospitalized for several months. His popular 

show business wife Dale had died last 

February at their Bridgeport residence. 

The couple established a portable sound 

theatre circuit in the 1940s, taking a complete 

film show and their reproducing equipment 

into country stores, vacant storerooms, 

coal company town libraries and abandoned 

silent movie houses. They also were the nation's 

first spectacular drive-in owners and 

operators in the carlv Fifties with their Warner's 

Skyline Drive-ln in a high pasture 

land. 

The Warners counted numerous film fans 

as well as movie siars among their friends. 

BOXOFFICE :: January 15, 1979

Larry St. John Appointed 

Para Eastern Dist. Mgr 

NEW YORK—Larry St. John has been 

appointed Eastern district manager for 

Paramount Pictures, it was announced hy 

Frank G. Mancuso, senior vice-president 

lor domestic distribution for the motion picture 

division. 

A year ago, St. John had been appointed 

Washington branch manager for Paramount, 

having been Cincinnati branch manager 

for three years prior to that. Earher. 

he had been a salesman for Paramount in 

Cincinnati, Chicago and Milwaukee. 

With his new appointment, which is 

effective immediately, St. John will be based 

in Boston. He will report directly to Ed 

Bader, Eastern division manager. 

Columbia Pictures Leases 

For Theatre Bldg. Suite 

PHILADELPHIA — Columbia Pictures 

Industries of New York, has leased Suite 

710 in the Fox Building, where its present 

offices are maintained, for the distribution 

of motion pictures in this Delaware Valley 

area. Gross aggregate rental for the term 

is of the lease more than $127,000. Albert 

M. Greenfield & Co., local realtors, handled 

the leading arrangements. 

The Fox Building, which quarters Milgram's 

Fox Theatre, houses offices for all 

the major film distributors and its facilities 

include the private Top of the Fox Screening 

Room. 

Rochester City Manager 

Lines Up Promo for Fox 

ROCHESTER, N.Y.—Jim Doty, Loews 

Theatres city manager, lined up a once-in-a 

lifetime promotional pitch for a major attraction 

with a continuing tieup for 20th 

Century-Fox's "Magic" on WMJQ. betterknown 

to its listeners as Magic 92. 

The station management told Doty that 

if he could arrange an advance midnight 

showing, a $3,500 six-day spot announcement 

blitz would be assured. Doty, working 

through Loews Theatres home office in 

New York and 20th-Fox. got an advance 

print, which was shown to a packed house. 

Max Moskovitz Dies at 71 

PHILADELPHIA—Max Moskovitz, projectionist 

at the center-city Fox Theatre foi 

50 years, died Saturday, Dec. 16 at Graduate 

Hospital here at age 71. He retired 

from the theatre last March. Moskovitz was 

a member of the Philadelphia Motion Picture 

Operators Union and is survived by his 

wife, thiee sons, three sisters and seven 

grandchildren. 

BUFFALO 

^he Friends of the Buffalo Theatre board 

has named Kurt Mangell, a founder 

and former chairman of the Friends, acting 

executive director and appointed Sister 

Mary Charles, D.C. president of Sisters 

Hospital, chairman of the beard's five-person 

search committee for a new director. 

Former director Charles Chancey left the 

performing arts center Dec. 18 to become 

general manager in Buffalo for Montgomery 

Music, Inc., a Toronto-based music publishing 

firm. More than 20 applications from 

arts management specialists across the country 

already have been received, board chairman 

John S. Cullen said. The target date for 

naming a permanent director is March 1, 

1979. Mangell, who has supervised the renovation 

of the theatre, is among those under 

consideration for the post. 

"Ninotchka," directed by Ernst Lubitsch 

and starring Greta Garbo and Melvyn 

Douglas, was presented Jan. 4 and 5 at Albright-Knox 

Art Gallery . . . New Year's 

Eve there was a sneak preview of the new 

Disney movie "The North Avenue Irregulars" 

at the Eastern Hills and North Park 

theatres. Cloris Leachman and Barbara Harris 

are featured in this good-natured mystery 

which won't go into general release 

until mid-February. 

Funeral services were held Jan. 2 for Mrs. 

Mildred Wayne Meyer, better known as 

Millie "Wacky" Wayne, a former comedienne 

club entertainer and movie performer. 

Born in Buffalo, the former Mildred Manning 

began her career in show business at 

the age of three when she appeared in an 

amateur show. In 1941 she signed a contract 

with Republic Pictures and made several 

movies with such stars as Roy Rogers 

and Joe E. Brown. It was the famed comedian 

Bert Lahr who urged her to keep 

the nickname "Wacky." 

Facts and fiction of the vampire legend 

were explored at a workshop for Women of 

the Studio Arena Theatre Jan. 1 1 in the 

theatre. Coffee was served and a luncheon 

for members and their guests was held after 

the workshop. Dr. Heather J, Anderson, 

med'evalist, spoke and special guest was 

Betsy Palmei who stars in the world prcmere 

of "Countess Dracula," now through 

Feb. 3 in the theatre. Maria Brown was 

workshop chairman. 

A proposal for a major private development 

in the theatre district was put on hold 

Tuesday, Jan. 2 as Buffalo councilmen 

wrangled over proper piocedurcs for selling 

city-owned property in the area. The city's 

real e;tate division and the department of 

community development want to negotiate a 

private sale of a building at 650-652 Main 

Street, formerly Laube's Old Spain, in the 

Shea's Buffalo Theatre complex, to a development 

corporation which offered $20,- 

000 for the property. Some council members 

feel the price too low and that thi city 

should auction off the property to the highest 

bidder. 

A new documentary entitled "Lee Krasner: 

The Long View" was presented in the 

auditorium of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery 

Thursday, Jan. 11. The half-hour color 

film, written, produced and directed by art 

historian and critic Barbara Rose, deals with 

the life and work of this major American 

artist who studied with Hans Hofmann and 

worked on the WPA with Gorky and de 

Kooning. 

General Cinema Corp.'s Boulevard Mall 

Cinema was held up by armed robbers 

Wednesday night, Jan. 3. Within a 20-minute 

span the Corner Store nearby was held 

up. Description of the robbers generally 

match both crimes. The theatre was playing 

"Superman," "California Suite" and "Oliver's 

It 

Story." was not determined how 

much was taken. 

'Superman' Has Philly Mark 

PHILADELPHIA—A record for a preholiday 

week was chalked up by "Superman" 

at the Fox Theatre, flagship of the 

Milgram Theatres circuit. Opened December 

12, "Superman" attracted more than 

$100,000 to the boxoffice. The record oneweek 

gross racked up by a feature movie 

in Philadelphia was also registered at the 

Fox Theatre. It goes to "The Godfather," 

which grossed $143,000 during the Easter 

holiday week in 1972. 

SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM 

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Paste this inside your medicine cabinet, 

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2. A sore that does not heal. 

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4. Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere. 

5. Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing. 

6. Obvious change in wart or mole. 

7. Nagging cough or hoarseness. 

If you have a warning signal, see your doctor 

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£.g BOXOFFICE :: January 15, 1979

WASHINGTON 

T airy St. John. Paramount branch manager 

here, has been advanced to district 

manager and will be based in Boston. Claudia 

Ungar who was branch manager in 

Cleveland was transferred here to fill the 

vacancy. Ungar tradescreened the Paramount 

release "Real ife" at the Motion Picture 

Ass'n of America Wednesday, Jan. 10. 

Albert Brooks and Charles Grodin have the 

starring 

roles. 

Doug Potash, United Artists branch 

chief, advised exhibitors of three screenings 

at MPAA in one invitational communication. 

They were Jan. 9. "The Great Train 

Robbery," starring Donald Sutherland; Jan. 

10, "Last Embrace," product reel, starring 

Roy Scheider and Janet Marolin, and Jan. 

12, "Voices," starring Michael Ontkean and 

Viveca Lindfors. 

"The Dead Are Not Silent," a 79-minute 

East German documentary was shown 

at the Pedas brothers West End Circle Theatre 

Saturday, Jan. 6 to benefit the Letelier 

-Moffitt Memorial Funds for Human 

Rights. Orlando Letelier, who had been Chilean 

Defense Minister under the Salvadore 

Allende government, was assassinated here 

in September 1976. A bomb, which had 

been hidden in his car, exploded, also killing 

co-worker and friend Ronni Karpen 

Moffiett. Tom Dowling, the Star's motion 

picture critic, said that "a neutral audience 

responds more readily to the dignified sorrow 

and anger of a human soul . . . than 

to a deluge of ranting political slogans." 

Letelier is considered a martyr by those opposed 

to the tyrannical Pinochet regime 

which overthrew Allende's legally elected 

government. 

Norma Connolly, chairman of the Screen 

Actors' Guild National Women's Conference 

committee, states in the Star her concern 

regarding actresses getting their faces 

surgically "lifted" in order to prolong their 

careers. They pay $2,500 to $3,500 for their 

new faces, she reports. Connolly also is disturbed 

about the state of underemployement 

of over-40 actresses. She and members of 

her SAGNWC committee have been meeting 

with studio executives, producers and 

TWIN IT!! 

Coll Harry Jones 

Drive-in Theatre Construction Since 1946 

• Steel 

• Painting 

Towers 

• Repairs 

Free Estimafes 

^ftUaABV^ 

casting directors concerning this vulnerable 

age bracket. She asks the question; "Why is 

it that men 'mature' and women 'age'?" 

Miami Film Festival's Gold Medal was 

awarded to Modern Cinema 35's 12-minutc 

short subject titled "About Cats." Area theatres 

are showing the short, on a free-loan 

bases, with their feature films. Narration is 

by the stage and screen star. Tammy 

Grimes, who seemed to set a "purrfect" 

mood. Requests for "About Cats" may be 

sent to Modern Talking Picture Service, 

2323 New Hyde Park Road, New Hyde 

Park, New Yoik, 11042. 

American Film Institute film programmer 

Michael Clark's current retrospective, "The 

War Years," at the API Theatre, consists 

of some "indispensible" features among the 

90 titles according to the Post's critic Gary 

Arnold. Noted are William Wyler's "Mrs. 

Miniver," "Memphis Belle," and "The Best 

Years of Our Lives"; John Ford's "Battle of 

Midway"; John Houston's "Report From 

the Aleutians" and "Battle of San Pietro." 

and three of the "indoctrination films" for 

American soldiers in the "Why We Fight" 

series produced by Frank Capra for the 

War Department. "Capra." added Arnold, 

"was probably the most influential Hollywood 

filmmaker who lent his services to the 

war effort. Significant documentary pictures 

also were shot or assembled by Ford, Wyler, 

Huston, George Stevens, Anatole Litvak 

and Garson Kanin." 

Roth Theatres patrons at houses showing 

of "Movie, Movie" have been provided 

with free Pepsi. Bob Mondello, the circuit's 

advertising director, offered Pepsi to promote 

attendance. 

PITTSBURGH 

Jûtumn Sonata" was the lone new film on 

view, playing at the Manor and Bank 

. . . Charles Edgar Warner, son of the late 

exhibitor of the same name, married Fran 

Wright, Marion Country official stenographer, 

Dec. 22. The younger Chuck Warner 

is one of West Virginia's most popular entertainers. 

He is a musician, band leader, 

theatrical agent, photographer and program 

director of Fairmont's WMMN Radio. 

The long-awaited Christmas film included 

two new stars in Eric Roberts of "King of 

the Gypsies" and Christopher Reeve as "Superman." 

Harrison Ford came through very 

well in another performance in "Force 10 

From Navarone ... It was wonderful during 

the holidays again to hear Cliff Edwards 

singing "When You Wish Upon a Star" in 

Walt Disney's "Pinocchio." 

The Manor, now twinned and re-opened, 

screened "Slow Dancing in the Big City" in 

both units until auditorium one joined five 

other neighborhood houses in showing "California 

Suite." "Slow Dancing was the first 

to fall, and "California Suite" was taken up 

in auditorium two . . . With all other drivein 

theatres closed, the dependable Dependable 

at Corapolis remained upon full-time 

with a John Holmes Film Festival. The 

Greater Pittsburgh and South Hill drive-ins 

are open on weekends. 

The Carlton House Hotel has a "dinnerama" 

tie-in with the nearby Chatham Cinema 

for dining, parking and a movie Monday 

through Thursday except on holidays. 

The tab is $7.95 per person . . . George Anderson, 

Post Gazette entertainment editor, 

continues to love movies but was disappointed 

by what he saw last year. He writes that 

1978 was the weakest movie year in this 

decade. 

First-run theatres were offering "King of 

the Gypsies," "Force 10 From Navarone," 

"Invasion of the Body Snatchers," "House 

of Sir," "Brass Target," "Magic," "Oliver's 

Story," "Every Which Way But Loose," 

"Double Threat," "Moment by Moment," 

"Lord of the Rings," "California Suite," 

"Superman" and the Disney reissue "Pinocchio." 

In general release were "National 

Lampoon's Animal House," "Close Embrace," 

-Th; Trouble With Young Stuff" 

and "The Boys From Brazil." 

Kings Court patrons on New Year's Eve 

seemed to have had the most outrageous 

fun. The rock group Euphoria played the 

music and fans on hand were dressed as 

characters from Cincmette Christmas films 

such as "Superman," "The Lord of the 

Rings" and "King of the Gypsies." Party 

hats and whistles were handed out at the 

door and everyone "sounded in" the New 

Year. Manager Herman Hartman saw to it 

that everyone patron had a piece of his 

"birthday cake" and he sponsored a special 

"baby contest" with a prize awarded to the 

person with the best "diaper." "The Lord 

of the Rings," the Kings Court feature, was 

screened. 

Samuel M. Hyman, 87, who was known 

as Sam Hyamovitz years ago when he 

owned theatres in New Kensington and elsewhere, 

died Dec. 31 at Miami Beach, Fla. 

He also was a noted realtor and philanthropist. 

He is survived by his wife and a large 

family including seven grandchildren and 

six 

great-grandchildren. 

S^ WATCH PROJECTION IMPROVE WITHVj 

Ô HILUX 

1$ METALLIC 

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WHITE S 

TECHNIKOTEcoRP 

63 Seabnng St., Brooklyn, NY 11231 1212)624 6429 


Old Whitman Theatre 

Is 'At End of the Road' 

PENNSAUK.EN. N.J.—Forced to close 

because of a lire being blamed on vandals, 

with little likelihood that poor business in 

lease when it expired at the end of 1978. 

Budd. who managed the theatre with the 

assistance of Joseph Strang, said he believed 

it would be too expensive to repair and reopen 

the theatre, especially since it was no 

longer profitable. Tannenblaum & Milask, 

the real estate firm in neighboring Cherry 

Hill. N.J. that owns the theatre, are seeking 

a new tenant and possibly will bring stage 

shows back. 

However, Bernard Steinberg, the agent 

who handles the property, said he was not 

sure the theatre will be reopened because 

of the fire 

a week before Christmas that destroyed 

the electrical system. Built in 1927. 

the Walt Whitman is one of the oldest 

movie houses in South Jersey. It seats 1.000 

persons and its interior features marble 

floor, walls and ceilings made of walnut and 

glass cases and chandeliers. 

Silent Films, Vaudeville 

For the first two years of its existence, 

silent films were shown along with lop-act 

vaudeville shows. In 1929, it became the 

first theatre in the area to feature "talkie" 

movies. The stage shows were discontinued 

in the early 1940s, but the theatre continued 

showing first-run movies, mostly of the 

"family" nature. At one time, the Walt 

Whitman was also the production site for a 

live radio show that featured organ music. 

Budd. who was formerly a theatrical 

Australian Film Festival 

Meets With Big Success 

(Continued from page H-1) 

directed by Gillian Armstrong in 1976 

which explores the relationship that develops 

between an eccentric old lady dominated 

by her daughter, and a young city 

girl trying to escape urban society: "Back- 

the record didn't jump 

groove back of the 

couldn't do it. he said. 

groove ahead or a 

a 

picture. One man 

Today, he said, automation permits the 

development of an operator-manager who 

alone can run four mall theatres at the 

same time. Bolton hasn't tried an automated 

job as yet. Only once, he recalls, did 

agent, leased the Walt Whitman six years 

ago, after it had begun to decline. He 

cleaned it up and for a few years, was able 

to operate it in the black. Since business 

had been very bad lately, Budd said, he 

decided to get out. Budd said he spent a 

lot of money trying to keep the house open, 

but the problem was that the families were 

not coming out anymore. 

The last straw was the pre-Christmas fire, 

which Budd said was touched off after vandals 

had started a fire behind the theatre, 

and it spread into the building through the 

wooden panels. 

For Strang, his assistant manager, the 

Walt Whitman had a strong emotional attachment. 

He was married last July in the 

theatre in a public ceremony that attracted 

a great deal of publicity and media attention 

for the Walt Whitman. It's a shame to sec 

her go down this way," he said. 

E-8 

story of the famous charge of the Australian 

Light Horsemen in the Sinai Desert during 

World War I. Also exhibited at the festival 

was an 18-minute animated short. 

"Australian History," produced and directed 

by Academy Award-winner Bruce Petty. 

The Australian Film Festival, the first of 

its kind in the U.S.. was so successful that 

the sponsors are considering the possibility 

of scheduling similar festivals in other 

.'\merican cities in 1979. 

"If these Australian films can attract 

large enthusiastic audiences in such other 

major American cities as Los Angeles, Chicago, 

Boston, Philadelphia. Washington, 

Miami, Atlanta, Denver and Seattle, then 

it will show once and for all that the United 

States is a viable marketplace for Australian 

films," said Gelfman. 

Projectionist Bill Bolton 

Marks 50th Year in Booth 

MOORESTOWN. N.J. — With the new 

year, it's the start of the second half of a 

century in the projection booth for 66-yearold 

Bill Bolton, the motion picture machine 

operator at the Eric Plaza Theatre in the 

Moorestown Mall here. Bolton learned to 

operate the projectors in 1928 at the Walt 

Whitman Theatre in nearby Pennsauken, 

N.J. With his father William and his brother 

Frank all of them electricians, he had wired 

^^^ ^^^^^_^ ^^ operate the theatre's projectors. 

During his first eight years as a projectionist, 

he married one of the usherettes at 

the Walt Whitman. And when he went into 

the Army, he pursued his movie career. 

While stationed in Africa and in Italy, he 

operated film projectors in part of the same 

unit as film star Burt Lancaster. 

In addition to his chores at the Eric Plaza 

here, Bolton puts in one day a week opcrating 

the booth at the Westmont (N.J.) 

Theatre nearby, a Milgram Theatres house. 

He recalls that when he first began, the 

projection booth demanded two men. In 

the early days of sound, he said, there would 

be a record the size of a large pizza between 

the two big projectors. The sound on the 

record and the picture on the film were 

driven by the same motor. The projectionist 

would have to watch that the needle on 

Time for Eye-Care Ads 

PHILADELPHIA — Although Sylvester 

"Rocky" Stallone recently turned down $50- 

000 to do a television commercial for a ce- 

in early December, he helped film a public 

service advertisement for the Scheie Eye 

Institute, renowned eye-care facility here 

named after Dr. Harold G. Scheie. 

According to Lewis & Gillman advertising 

agency here. Stallone volunteered his 

time during the hectic shooting and public 

appearance schedule as a favor to his friend, 

Joseph Letizia, the location coordinator for 

"Rocky II." Stallone had known Letizia for 

more than ten years. Letizia was interested 

in helping spread the cautionary word about 

glaucoma because he had the eye malady 

himself, and Dr. Scheie had operated successfully 

on his 

eyes. 

Letizia's daughter Jody, who played the 

part of Marie, the tough girl in the original 

"Rocky," and who has a much smaller part 

in the sequel appears with Stallone in the 

30-second filmed public service commercial. 

The announcements will be telecast in early 

February. Television time for the announcements 

will be donated by the stations involved. 

20th-Fox's 'Magic' Opens 

In 55 Big Apple Houses 

NEW YORK— "Magic." from 20th Century-Fox 

opened in 55 theatres on the Fox 

track in the metropolitan area Wednesday, 

December 20. 

The Joseph E. Levine production, which 

stars Anthony Hopkins as a tormented ventriloquist, 

is one of the year's top grossers. 

Also starring in "Magic" are Ann-Margret, 

Burgess Meredith and Ed Lauter. 

Richard Attenborough directed the 

thriller which was produced by Joseph E, 

Levine and Richard P. Levine from a 

screenplay by William Goldman, based upon 

his novel. Jerry Goldsmith composed the 

music. 

C1IVEKA1»L\ IS Vi SHOW 

BUSUVESS L\ HAWAII TOO, 

Wlicn you conic to Walkiki, 

don't miss Uic famous Don Ho 

Show ... at Cinerama's 

Reef Towers notel. f 

I 


'California Suite' Is 

Number 1 in Denver 

DHNVHR—•Calilornia Suite" look, over 

from "Superman" to claim the number 

1 spot this week. "Force 10 From Navarone" 

tied with the Man ol Steel at 400, 

while "Every Which Way But Loose" held 

onto third with 350. 

(Averagp h 100) 

Aladdm-The W.Z (Univ) 10th 'k U5 

Buckinaham W^stmnM-r— Magic (ÔhFoO 

tith ^k 

Century^ 

Ch n^ C, 

opening at the I.umiere. Specialty Films 

Inc. ol Seattle is the distributor. 

Bob Wilkens, host of TVs "Creature Features" 

for the past eight years, has announced 

his departure irom that program. 

The Chronicle's columnist John Stanley will 

take his place. Stanley is also director and 

co-producer of "Nightmare in Blood" which 

has had extensive distribution by Pacific 

Film Enterprises. 

C 1 

.:ii i 

3rd î 

Contm-nla 

(UA) 'r 

Flick— Vio 

Unu-i .1/ 

Un.v.rity 

3rd y.k 

3 theatre 

4 Ihe-^lrtb 

3rd VI 

3rd wk

j 

' 

Hollywood 

THE ARTISTS AGENCY is the new name 

of Brcsler. Wolff. Cota & Livingston, 

talent agency for motion pictures and television, 

headquartering in expanded Beverly 

Hills offices at 190 N. Canon Dr. 

* 

Producer Michael Klinger, back in his 

London offices after a worldwide trip that 

included Hollywood, is due to return here 

soon to begin setting up his Los Angeles 

offices and "to conclude his dealings on two 

Artists Managers Guild has changed its 

name to Assn. of Talent Agents, with headquarters 

at 9255 Sunset Blvd. 

Stuntman Chuck Roberson and stuntwoman 

Polly Burson will be honored by the 

Hollywood Stuntmen's Hall of Fame March 

19 at the group's second annual awards dinner 

at the Antelope Valley Inn in Lancaster. 

Each will receive the organization's "Dusty" 

statuette and will be inducted into the Hall 

of Fame. Roberson's "Dusty" will be presented 

by John Wayne for whom Roberson 

did stunts for 25 years. 

• 

James Stewart was presented with the 

Tuss McLaughry Award by the American 

Football Coaches Assn. at its annual convention 

Jan. 11 in San Francisco. The award 

plaque states: "The Highest of Distinction 

Happenings 

Ballantine Books has gone into an initial 

printing of 750,000 copies of the paperback 

novelization of Universal's "Moment by 

Moment," starring Lily Tomlin and John 

of his latest productions. "Blood Relatives" rected. 

• 

and "Tomorrow Never Comes." 

• 

American International completed shooting 

a week ahead of schedule on "The Ami- 

Judith Rheimer, information director of 

the Screen Actors Guild and editor of tyville Horror," starring James Brolin, Margot 

Kidder, Rod Steiger and Don Stroud 

Screen Actor Magazine, says she plans to 

leave her job to go into some other professional 

activity in the industry. She has 

• 

and directed by Stuart Rosenberg. 

not set a date for leaving because the Guild Norman Jewison has begun the Los Angeles 

filming of " . . . And Justice for All," 

is involved in the national strike against ad 

agencies and producers of TV commercials. at Culver City Studios, six days ahead of 

schedule. The film stars Al Pacino. 

• 

Joseph A. Adelman has submitted his resignation, 

effective at the end of January, as 

executive vice-president of the Ass'n of Motion 

Picture and Television Producers. He 

formerly was vice-president of business 

affairs for United Artists and assumed his 

position with the AMPTP in May 1977. 

• 

MGM directors have declared a 15-cent 

per share quarterly dividend, payable February 

9 to shareholders of record January 

9. The new quarterly dividend rate is 

equivalent to 30 cents per share on stock 

currently outstanding, compared with the 

271-2 cents a share paid during fiscal 1978. 

• 

Make-up Artists and Hair Stylists Local 

706, lATSE, has presented a check of $250 

to the Permanent Charities Committee of 

the Entertainment Industries, with a promise 

Is Service to Others." 

* 

that additional $250 checks will be for- 

Orion Pictures' "10" resumed production warded each quarter from now on. 

Los Angeles Jan. 8 after a holiday 

• 

in 

Director Robert Wise will be the principal 

hiatus, when producer-director Blake Edwards 

brought cast and crew home after 

Hollywood representative at the annual 

completing location filming in Las Hadas, Midwest Film Conference February 16-18 

Mexico. 

in Chicago. Other participants will be David 

FILMACK IS 

CHOICE 

1st 

WITH 

SHOWMEN 

EVERYWHERE 

W-2 

ORDER FROM FILMACK 

WHENEVER YOU NEED 

SPECIAL FILMS 

DATE STRIPr 

CROSS PLUGS, 

MERCHANT ADS, 

SPECIAL AN- 

NOUNCEMENTS 

Shepart, special projects officer of the Directors 

Guild of America; Robert Walker; 

critic John Simon; animator Bruno Bozzet, 

and filmmakers Co Hoedeman. George Romero, 

Teri McLuham, Perry Miller Adato 

and Saul Turell of the Janus Film Collec- 

Elena (Ellie) Vassar. long an assistant to 

Newman, vice-president of music at 

Travolta. Release of the 246-page book, including 

16 pages of photos from the picture, 

was timed with the opening of the film December 

Lionel 

20th 

after 

Century-Fox, 

33 years in the 

retired 

Fox music 

December 

department 

29 

22 in New York and in 950 the- 

January. Darcy 

where she began in 

Newman. 

1945 with the late Alfreatres 

across the country in 

O'Brien wrote the novelization based on the 

• 

screenplay by Jane Wagner, who also di- 

Carl Molica has been named national 

FILMACRSTUDIOSJNC. 

South Wabash A\ 

sales manager for Cinema Share International 

Distribution Corp., moving up from 

his current spot as Eastern district manager. 

• 

Regina Dantas has been promoted from 

director-international sales to vice-president 

of sales for Taft. Hanna-Barbera International, 

the foreign distribution unit for Hanna-Barbera 

Productions. 

• 

Larry Woolner's Dimension Pictures has 

picked up "Do You Take This Man?" and 

"Attack" for distribution in 1979-80. 

• 

Comedians Cheech Marin and Tommy 

Chong, whose "Up in Smoke" is one of 

Paramount's hits, have signed a worldwide 

licensing deal with Entertainment Licensing 

Corp. of Beverly Hills merchandising posters, 

T-shirts, heat transfers and silk screens. 

Donald Gillin Is New 

Tent 25 Chief Barker 

HOLLYWOOD—Donald T. Gillin, 

president 

of Producers Representatives, Inc., has 

been named president 

of Variety Club Tent 

25 io succeed Murray 

Propper whose twoyear 

term expired December 

3L 

Gillin has been 

president of Tent 25 

since 1973, when he I 

moved to Los Angeles 

from New York. He 

has been a member of 

Donald T. Gillin 

variety Club tents in 

New York, Minneapolis, Omaha, Denver, 

and Cleveland. 

Seattle 

is In addition, he a member of the board 

of Cedars Sinai Hospital and Vista del Mar 

and is the chairman of the entertainment 

division for the United Jewish Welfare 

Fund. 

He and his wife Dolly aie the parents of 

two sons, David and Jeff. 

CI1VERA91A IS VS SHOW 

BITSUVESS Vi HilWAlI TOO^ 

Wlien you conic to Wulkiki, 

don't miss tlic famous Don Ho 


Reef Towers Hotel. f

City 

ATLANTA 

BOSTON 

BUFFALO 

CHARLOTTE 

CHICAGO 

CINCINNATI 

CLEVELAND 

DALLAS 

DENVER 

DES MOINES 

DETROIT 

INDIANAPOLIS 

JACKSONVILLE 

KANSAS CITY 

LOS ANGELES 

For your convenience screenings will be held January 24,1979 in the following cities: 

Please Contact 

Tommy 

(704)8821154 

Jim Engle 

(617)482-9039 

John Wilhelm 

(518) 943-2285 

Tommy Lambed 

(7041882-1154 

Don Buhrmesler 

(312) 782 0988 

Jelf Ruff 

(513)921 8200 

MorneZyrl 

(216) 461-9770 

J C McCrary 

(214)252-5573 

Sherm Wood 

(303) 751-1464 

Paul Rice 

(913) 383-3880 

Dennis Glenn 

(313)968-7770 

Jeff Ruff 

(513)921-8200 

Tommy Lambefl 

(704)882 1154 

Paul Rice 

(913)383-3880 

Fred Kunkel 

(213)659-0545 

Screening Room 

Phtl 


Preview 


Brainerd 


Phtt 


The Screening 

Room 

Fridley 


Point of View 


Eastwood Theatre 

Regency Theatre 

Commonwealth 


Sludio 1 

10 00 a r 

2 00 pm 

2 00 p m 

10 00 a r 

2 00 p m 

8 00 p m 

2 00 p m 

2:00 p m 

1 30 pm 

1 15pm 

3 30 p m 

3:00 p m 

10 00 a r 

1 30 pm 

2 00 pm 

City 

MEMPHIS 

MILWAUKEE 

MINNEAPOLIS 

NEW ORLEANS 

NEW YORK 

OKLAHOMA CITY 

PHILADELPHIA 

PITTSBURGH 

PORTLAND 

ST 

LOUIS 

SALT LAKE CITY 

SAN FRANCISCO 

SEATTLE 

WASHINGTON. 

DC 


Larry Vinson 

(501)732-3665 


(312) 7820988 

Jim Payne 

(612) 332-3303 

Lew Oubre 

(504) 837-5200 

Marvin Friedlander 

(212)354-5700 

J C McCrary 

(214) 252-5573 

Sam Helfman 

(213) 6590545 

John Maidiak 

1412)391-0370 

Fred Kunkel 

(213)659-0545 

(8011 521-9888 

Fred Kunkel 

(213)659-0545 

Fred Kunkel 

(213)659-0545 

Ross Wheeler 

(202) 244- 1500 

Theatre 

Tri-Slale 


Marcus 


704 Screening 

Room 

Gulf States 


Magno 


Tower Theatre 

Top of Fox 


Cinemette 


Star 



Trolley Corners 

Theatre 

Jack Wodell 


Jewel Box 


Inner Circle 

Theatre 

from the producers of Macon County Line and Ode to Billy Joe. 

Film Ventures International Inc. fvm979 

310 N. San Vicente Blvd., Ste. 200, Los Angeles, California 90048 Phone: (213) 659-0545 

Edward L. Montoro, President Sam Helfman, Director of Marketing 

BOXOFFICE :: January 15, 1979 W-3

SEATTLE 

Tnto (he first week of the New Year, business 

continued to be exceptional 

throughout the greater Seattle area. Along 

with a two-week drought and cold spell 

where temperatures are below freezing 

U^^^ î 

SKATING ALONG — Lynn-Holly 

Johnson, skating star of Columbia's 

"lee Castles," chats with BOXOFFICE 

correspondent Stu Goldman about the 

film during her visit to Seattle to attend 

the film's premiere at the Music 

Box Theatre. Johnson gave a skating 

performance at the Highland Ice Arena 

and chatted with youngsters about the 

skating profession. She was a member 

of the Ice Capades before accepting the 

role in "Ice Castles."—Photo by Joe 

McCann. 

ber 20-21. Jack Scanlan of the Columbia 

Pictures publicity department in Burbank 

escorted Ms. Johnson, who was well-received 

by all of those who mot her. The 

Music Box is decorated majestically with 

PETERSON 

THEATRE 

SUPPLY 

455 Bearcot Drive 

Times Square Park 

Salt Lake City, Utah 84115 

801-466-7642 

pictures of Benson and Johnson atop the 

marquee in an embrace. It is a most striking 

sight for anyone walking or driving up 

downtown 5th Avenue. 

nocchio." It opens in the town Jan. 26. 

Screenings in the Jewel Box on Filmrow: 

"Hoppity Goes to Town" (Seattle-Portland 

I'ilm Exchange) Jan. 9; "Bruce Lee Fights 

liack From the Grave" (Seattle-Portland 

Film Exchange) Jan. 10. and "Agatha" 

(Warner Bros.) is scheduled for Jan. 22. 

United Artists ran its bid reel on "Last 

Embrace" Jan. 10. and Universal ran a 

product reel on "Buck Rogers" the next 

day. 

West Gallery Corp., the theatre owners. 

O'Connell's clients, he said, are Don Walls, 

Linda Toliver and James Piepenburg. Piepenburg. 

however, is no longer connected 

with the theatie company. An attempt to 

reach the owners drew only a tape recorded 

message urging callers to attend "positively 

Members of the cast of "The Changeling" 

are in the area shooting at various locations 

both downtown and on the campus of 

the last X-rated film festival." 

Congratulations are the order of the day. 

nightly, moviegoers are visiting the various 

the University of Washington. Featured in 

Keith Perry, vice-president of Universal 

theatres to see the wide selection of product. 

and Melvyn Douglas. The producers arc 

this forthcoming film are George C. Scott 

Theatre Supply and Boxoffice correspondent, 

has taken Miss Gale Cowan, a teacher 

"Ice Castles," which was premiered at Joel Michales and Garth Drabinsky. 

at one of our local high schools, as his 

.SRO's Music Box Dec. 21. has continued 

Scheduled to open Wednesday, Jan. 17, 

bride. The two were married Dec. 27 and 

to play to larger crowds as each day passes 

in numerous hardtops is "The Bermuda Triangle," 

from Sunn Classic Pictures, 

then went on a week-long honeymoon to 

by. Apparently the word of mouth on this 

destinations unknown. However, undisclosed 

sources inform us that one of their desti- 

fine film is doing the job. Lynn-Holly Johnson, 

who stars in the film opposite Robby First sneak preview of the new year was nations was Disneyland. We are all very 

Benson, made personal app;.'.i ranees Decern- Walt Disney Productions' "The Love Bug" happy for Keith and Gale. They make a 

at the Renton Village Cinema with "Pi- 

lovely couple. 


Qarl Handsaker of Universal Pictures and 

Ed Brinn, local independent film distributor, 

have journeyed to Ogden to inspect 

the new Mann four-plex and to make the 

official Filmrow seat count. Those desirous 

of this information should contact either of 

these individuals. 

United Motion Pictures and Distributors 

are to be well represented at the ShoWesT 

Convention in Las Vegas. Registration far 

exceeds previous years and far outreaches 

expectations. 

K.O. Lloyd and Ed Brinn were the two 

big winners of the New Year's bowl games. 

They are to be congratulated! 

A costly "vicious circle" of legal battles 

between Salt Lake City prosecutors and a 

theatre showing X-rated movies has come 

to an abrupt halt, lawyers for both sides 

announced. Gallery Twin theatres at 6th 

South and 6th West has agreed to close its 

doors permanently. In exchange, the city 

has agreed to drop scores of criminal 

charges following a six-month wait to be 

certain the theatre doesn't reopen under a 

new guise. 

"It has been a vicious circle for all concerned," 

said John O'Connell's attorney for 

Manila's Main Theatre 

Now a Ist-Run Cinema 

MANILA—^With the inauguration of the 

New Main Theatre as a first-run moviehouse 

on Quezon Boulevard Dec. 8, Golden 

Films announced its 1979 action blockbusters 

with superstar power casts: "Game 

for Vultures," with Richard Harris, Robert 

Mitchum and Richard Roundtree; "Enemy 

of the People," with Steve McQueen in the 

title role; "Zulu Dawn," toplined by Burt 

Lancaster, Peter O'Toole and Simon Ward; 

"Greenbeach," headlined by Kirk Douglas, 

Burt Lancaster, Al Pacino, Dustin Hoffman 

and Lee Marvin; "Eyes of the Tiger," starring 

the big ones Clint Eastwood, Charlton 

Heston, Roger Moore, Richard Harris and 

Richard Bunon; "Eagle in the Sky," with 

boxoffice stars Charles Bronson, Robert 

Redford, Charlton Heston and John Travolta; 

and "Yeti. the Abominable Snowman." 

Golden Films' all-actioner lineup for 

1979 promises to be a very busy and most 

progressive banner year for Valerio Chua's 

ever-growing independent movie distribution : 

outfit. "Valerio attended the MIFED in Milan. 

Italy last October where he concluded 

negotiations for most of his big picture acquisitions. 

"Greenbeach," "Eyes of the Ti-j 

ger" and "Eagle in the Sky" are Michael 

klinger's productions with multimillion-dol-l 

lar budgets. 

! 

The New Main was formerly a second-| 

run cinema house which exhibited double-, 

bill second-run pictures. It was closed and 

renovated for almost three months and reopened 

with "Tatak ng Tundo" ("Mark of 

Tundo"), starring local moviedom's great 

action superstars Fernando Poe Jr. and Joseph 

Estrada. Among its coming road at-: 

tiactions is "Force 10 From Navarone." 

Solt Lake • Boston • Dolloi • New York 

NIVERSAL THEATRE SUPPLY 

- HOME OFFICE - 

264 Easf 1st South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84)1 

uiarv 15. 1979

End of World Touted 

In Special News Page 

Lanny Wagner, left, city manager 

for TOI in Billings, is shown with Ross 

Campbell, chairman of the board, holding 

a special page issued recently by 

the Billings Gazette on the closing of 

the World Theatre there. 

BILLINGS, MONT.—The recent closing 

of the World Theatre here saw the issuance 

of a full page of articles in the Billings Gazette. 

Headlining the page with "The World 

Officially Comes To An End In 1978!", 

the articles went on to mention the fact 

that both Doug Williams, current TOI president, 

and Tim Warner, current TOI general 

manager, were former managers of this 

theatre. 

Pacific to Subdistribute 

For Motion Picture Mktng. 

MARINA DEL RAY—John L. Chambliss, 

president and general sales manager 

of Motion Picture Marketing, announced 

today that the feature film distribution company 

has contracted with Pacific Film Enterprises 

for subdistribution in the San 

Francisco exchange. 

"We have tremendous respect for Harper 

Paul Williams and his staff at Pacific Film," 

notes Chambliss. "We're looking forward 

to a long and mutually profitable relationship." 

Pacific Film Enterprises will represent 

MPM's entire five-picture release slate for 

1979, including "Forbidden Dreams," 

"Cemetery Girls." "Se.x Education," "Centerfold 

Spread" and "Stewardesses on the 

Loose." 

Patton Aide Denies Story 

Behind 'Brass Target' Film 

EL PASO, TEX.—A man who was with 

Gen. George S. Patton in the car accident 

in which Patton was killed, debunked the 

current film "Brass Target" as long on 

imagination and short on fact. 

Gay said that there is not a word of 

truth in it. Gay was Patton's chief of staff. 

Ballyhoo for AE's 'Murder by Decree 

Turns Up Band of Frisco Sherlockians 

By RALPH KAMINSKY 

HOLLYWOOD—When a film 

promotion 

director is ready to exploit Sherlock Holmes, 

he naturally looks around for a Sherlock 

Holmes Society as an obvious tie-in. 

But at Avco Embassy Pictures, Mel Richmond, 

director of promotion and exploitation, 

can claim to be more astute than that 

— if he doesn't want to admit more than his 

share of good luck, in the ballyhoo of "Murder 

by Decree," starring Christopher Plummer 

as Sherlock Holmes and James Mason 

as Dr. Watson. 

Looking around for his tie-in, Richmond 

doesn't mind saying that he opened up a 

bonanza of promotional angles unexpectedly 

in one lucky expedition to San Francisco. 

He expected merely to come up with a club/ 

movie relationship. But what he found was 

an exploitation man's dream. 

Since Sherlock's "birthday" was Jan. 6, 

San Francisco's Sherlockians were planning 

to celebrate the event in a style befitting 

their intense interest in the famed detective. 

And when Richmond discovered that the 

Holiday Inn in Union Square was making 

pans to open its brand new "s. Holmes Esq. 

Pub" at the hotel, he told Bob Rehme of 

In honor of the occasion, Ms. Christene 

Meyers, Gazette movie critic, was presented 

with a chair from the World Theatre, his research findings. Rehme. who is senior 

mounted on casters and inscribed with a vice-president for Avco, and Herman Kass, 

placque reading "The Most Critical Chair advertising director, jumped at all the possibilities. 

After all, what's more natural than 

in the World Presented to the World's 

Greatest Critic." 

to have a premiere screening of a Sherlock 

Holmes picture tied-in with and the opening 

of the pub destined to be the natural home 

of the Sherlockians? 

January 6 turned out to be a day for a 

gala press junket in which Avco flew upwards 

of 12 entertainment editors and writers 

to San Francisco to witness the first 

public screening of "Murder by Decree" 

and report on the event in publications 

across the country. Just to give the premiere 

screening a national flavor, Avco 

scheduled an almost duplicate event in New 

York where members of the Baker Street 

Irregulars joined in the festivities at the 

Grolier Club and went to their own screening 

of the film. 

At the New York screening members of 

the press were able to interview Christopher 

Plummer to get his observations on the job 

he did as Holmes, an interpretation that reveals 

a more humanistic Sherlock Holmes 

who gets upset over social injustice and the 

plottings of the ruling class—a change compared 

to the familiar coldly intellectual and 

logical Holmes of earlier interpreters. 

In San Francisco, the press and Sherlockians 

saw the film at the Stage Door Theatre 

after a reception that formally opened 

the S. Holmes Esq. Pub. The more than 

200 Sherlockians turned out in their full 

1880s i^galia for the event with typical 

dress consisting of deerslayer caps and 

Holmes capes. Many wore 1880s-style black 

tie and tails, and the women were resplendent 

in formal gowns authentic to the period. 

The S. Holmes Pub was a perfect setting 

introduce the movie—especially the completely 

to 

furnished drawing room 

complete 

in every detail with Victorian furniture, a 

wood burning fireplace and the major tools 

of the detective's trade. Just to hold to the 

British theme, the Sherlockians rode the 

two blocks to the theatre in a real London 

two-decker bus. The press and Avco officials 

were content with mundane linmusine 

transportation. 

Facing the press the next morning were 

director Bob Clark and Robert A. Goldston, 

who headed the Ambassador Films production 

made in cooperation with the Canadian 

Film Development Corp. and Famous Players, 

Ltd. Goldston admitted to exercising 

more-than-avcrage courage in throwing his 

film out for a premiere critique by an audience 

of experts. The Sherlockians, however, 

had shown during the screening that Avco's 

Sherlock Holmes' effort will get an approving 

reception from the Holmes buffs. The 

Sherlockians approved the Plummer-Mason 

interpretation of Holmes-Watson, laughing 

at just the right moments and catching every 

nuance as the story progressed. 

Clark declared that the Sherlockians "congratulated 

me on the picture." But, he said, 

the experts on the detective "caught me in 

one technicality. He explained that in the 

movie a comment is made that Dr. Watson 

once served with the British Army in India. 

The Sherlockians pointed out that "Really, 

my dear fellow. Dr. Watson served in Afghanistan," 

Clark said. 

Budgeted at 

$5,000,000 the movie strove 

for authenticity in sets and scenery, with 

massive construction work required at London's 

Shepperton and Elstree studios to 

create the squalid jungle of the Victorian 

slums and underworld. 

Included was the construction of a segment 

of the London docks of the 1880s, 

complete with a murky River Thames, plus 

tenements, shops, cobbled streets. White 

chapel with a view of St. Paul's Cathedral. 

In Clark's and Goldstein's story Holmes 

is involved with tracking down Jack the 

Ripper with the tale based on a "what if 

." 

. . theory that the British governing establishment 

had conspired to kill the Ripper 

victims to protect the British royal family 

from the results of an indescretion by the 

son of the Prince of Wales. 

Clark said their version is based on a 

10-part BBC TV series, "The Ripper File" 

which posed that story concept. Clark recalled 

that his reaction to the TV series 

was "What a great morality play this would 

make." 

Chances of a sequel for the Plummer- 

Mason team seem a certainty. "We're very 

interested in it," Clark said. "They work 

so very well together. And they've expressed 

an interest in it." Work on the sequel will 

have to wait until the two stars are available 

since each is committed to other projects, 

he added. 

BOXOFFICE :: January 15, 1979 W-5

STAR TOURS—British actor Edward 

Fox (left), one of the stars of 

American Internationars "Force 10 

From Navarone," is greeted by Larry 

Pilntaier. branch manager, in San Francisco. 

A press conference arranged by 

Pilmaier and Pete Latsis. AI's home office 

publicist, drew capacity attendance 

in the Bay City and resulted in extensive 

news coverage in northern California. 

'Sweet Creek County War' 

Set for Carolina Opening 

DENVER—Key International Films here 

has set its initial national release. "The 

Sweet Creek County War." to open in the 

Carolinas Jan. 19. A 27-theatre break has 

been set by Bill Simpson's Distributing 

Corp. in Charlotte, who is handling 

the picture in the Carolina area for Key 

International. 

"The Sweet Creek County War" was directed 

by J. Frank James, who also co-produced 

the film with Ken Byrnes. The executive 

producers were a husband-wife team. 

Ray and Marie Cardi. 

The film was shot in the Jackson Hole, 

Wyo. area and stars Richard Egan, Albert 

Salmi, Nita Talbot. Slim Pickens and Robert 

J. 

Wilkie. 

Key International is handling the complete 

distribution of the picture. 

THEATRE 

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GENE TAYLOR 

D & D Fabrication 

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Post Office Box 3524 

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913-631-9695 

Analysts Will Gather 

For Seminar in March 

By RALPH KAMINSKY 

HOLLYWOOD—Representatives f r o m 

major film studios will play host to the fifth 

annual Entertainment Industry Seminar 

March 25-30 for the nation's security analysts 

who will gather here for a round of 

discussions on the fiscal performances of 

the movie companies. 

The tentative agenda has the week-long 

event opening Sunday evening. March 25. 

with a dinner and a presentation by Marvin 

Joêphson Associates. 

MCA Inc. and MGM will host the March 

26 sessions at their respective studios, with 

MGM also scheduling screenings of "The 

Champ" and "Voices." in addition to the 

fiscal discussions. 

The ne.xt day Columbia Pictures Industries, 

which did not participate in the sessions 

last year, will host a morning presentation 

and a luncheon at its Burbank lot. That 

evening 20th Century-Fox will host a talk, 

dinner and a screening at the studio. 

Walt Disney Productions will take over 

on March 28 to provide a discussion of fiscal 

results and prospects for the year. A tour 

of the studio and a lunch at WED Enterprises 

is a part of the program. That evening 

Arista Records, subsidiary of Columbia 

Pictures Industries, will host the analysts at 

the Century Plaza Hotel. 

On March 29 United Artists. Warner 

Bros, and CBS Records are scheduled to 

make presentations. March .30 is left as an 

open date and it is expected that many of 

the participants will use it as a traveling 

day. 

The seminar is being planned by Hal Vogel 

of Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & 

Smith, and Lee Isgur of Paine Webber. They 

have emphasized that the seminar will be 

only for security analysts and will not be 

open to brokers or others in the business. 

TIPS' San Francisco Rep 

Irv Sochin Has Resigned 

SAN FRANCISCO— Irv Sochin has announced 

his resignation as San Francisco 

representative of The International Picture 

Show Company, Inc. (TIPS), an Atlantabased 

organization, 

Sochin will maintain offices at 988 Market 

Street, Suite 402 in San Francisco. He 

will be available for consulting work on a 

national and regional basis, representing independent 

producers and distributors. 

Prior to Sochin's affiliation with TIPS, 

he was division manager for 20th Century- 

Fox and with Gamma 3. Sochin has used 

San Francisco as his base of operation for 

the past ten years. 

Manila Film Festival 

Takes Place—Finally 

MANILA—The 1978 Metro Manila 

Film Festival, an uncertainty until recently, 

was held Dec, 25 to Jan. 3 under the supervision 

and management of the Philippine 

Motion Pictures Producers Assn. (PMPPA) 

in cooperation with the Cultural Center of 

the Philippines. 

This year's festival was significant in that 

the Greater Manila Theaters Assn. (GMT A) 

agreed to show only the best of Philippine 

Likewise, sources from the GMTA 

pictures. 

and the Motion Pictures Exports Assn. 

America (MPEA), composed of Americanowned 

companies, as well as the Independent 

Movie Producers-Importers-Distributors 

Assn. of the Philippines 

(IMPIDAP) and other allied organizations 

have agreed to extend their full cooperation 

and entire facilities here and abroad for the 

improvement and development of Filipino 

technical 

skills. 

Most significant indeed was the promise 

of the First Lady, Mrs. Imelda R. Marcos, 

to local producers to work for tax incentives 

for local productions and to push proper 

legislation in the National Assembly. Consequently, 

the producers told the First Lady 

that they are against the creation of the 

Commission on Motion Pictures and hope 

instead to create a self-regulatory body to 

police their own ranks. 

Comprising the executive committee for 

this year's festival were Mayor Joseph 

Estrada. PMPPA's prexy. as chairman; Miss 

Lucrecia Kasilag as vice-chairman, and director 

Gregorio S. Cendana, Brig. Ge 

Prospero Olivas. Eddie Romero, Esperidion 

Laxa, Lilia Andolong. Larry Santiago, Johnny 

Litton, Antonio Dulalia, Cesar Amurao 

and Rolfie Velasco.as members. 

The nine festival films chosen for the holiday 

season presentations were "Katawan" 

("The Body"). Agrix Films: "Kid Kaliwete" 

("Left-Handed Kid"), Associated Entertainment 

Corp.; "Salonga." MBM Productions; 

"Atsay" ("House Helper"), Ian Films; "Jess 

Lapid Story," Mirrick Productions; "Jack & 

Jill," RVQ Productions; "Rubia Servios," 

Sampaguita Pictures; "Lalake sa Balwarte" 

("Man From Balwarte"). and "Jai Alai 

King," VP Pictures. Except for "Kid Kaliwete," 

all entries come from PMPPA 

members. 

When you plan to install your Dolby system, 

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ASC 

- 

STAR TREATMENT SERVICE - 

January 15, 1979

Metropolitan to Have 

72 Screens in 1979 

LOS ANGELES— Metropolitan Theatres 

Corp. anticipates continued expansion during 

1979, tlie circuit's cbiairman. longtime 

industry leader Sherrill C. Corwin. told the 

company's theatre managers and other key 

personnel at the company's 55th annual 

Christmas party and year-end business review 

held December 21 at Metropolitan's 

home office in Los Angeles. 

The current number of Metropolitan 

screens is 60, compared to 54 in 1977, and 

will increase to 64 with the springtime 1979 

opening of the new Fiesta 4 in downtown 

Santa Barbara, Calif. Sites for a minimum 

of eight additional screens, bringing the circuit 

count to 72, will be announced early 

next year, according to Metropolitan president 

Bruce C. Corwin, who with his father 

co-hosted the meeting. 

Highlighting annual awards for outstanding 

achievement in various categories was 

the company's President's Award, going this 

year to Melvin Collins, manager of the 

Arcade Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. 

Together with a substantial cash prize goes 

an all-expense trip for Collins to ShoWesT 

'79 in February at the MGM Grand Hotel. 

Special recognition as "Best Managers 

for 1978" went to Edgard Santos, Roxie. 

Los Angeles; Pamela Chandler, Village 1 

and 2, Palm Springs; Fred Hanneman, 

State, Santa Barbara, and John Biazej, Simi 

Drive-In, Simi Valley. Raquel Borrego, 

manager of the Globe, Los Angeles, was 

named "Concessionaire of the Year." 

Metropolitan's 32-year veteran Emil Bocok. 

Palm Springs, won the company's annual 

"Hang in There" award. Also specially 

honored were Roberto Ruiz, Million Dollar 

Theatre; Roberto Miranda, Los Angeles 

Theatre; Hector Gaavina, the Panorama, 

Panorama City, and Sabino (Chickie) Miranda. 

Fox Riverside Theatre. Riverside, 

Calif. 

TUCSON 

Contest Touts Ms 'Count Dracula 

^f^mBf^M

John Brelz, 50-Year 

Industry Vet, Retires 

Betty and John Bretz talk to a former 

co-worker, Del Larlson, at Bretz's 

industry retirement party. 

SEATTLE—After more than 50 years in 

the motion picture business, John Bretz, 

manager of the Bellevue Crossroads Twin 

of the Tom Moyer Theatres circuit, decided 

to retire and do some of the things that he 

never had the opportunity to do before. 

Members of the motion picture industry 

took the opportunity to have a surprise 

luncheon for Bretz on a day that he thoLight 

he was going to have a quiet hinch with one 

of his sons and his wife. The surprise worked 

to perfection, and many of his countless 

friends in every facet of the motion picture 

business were there to wish him well. 

Bretz began his half-century career at 

the famous Egyptian Theatre in Seattle's 

University district in 1928 where he used 

to change the marquee. At the time that he 

began he was too young to be a doorman. 

His longest stint at any one theatre was 

nearly two decades as manager of the gorgeous 

5th Avenue in downtown Seattle. 

When queried as to the longest-running film 

during that time, without any hesitation he 

proudly stated, "The Sound of Music," 

which played for two and a half years. 

Everyone that ever visited the 5th Avenue 

or the Crossroads Twin will certainly miss 

the warm and wonderful smile and personality 

of John Bretz who was always at the 

entrance of his theatre to welcome his patrons. 

The entire local motion picture industry 

wishes him and his lovely wife Betty the 

very best. 

Linwood Chase Pens Script 

For 'Sanctuary for Evil' 

CHANNEL ISLAND HARBOR, 

CALIF.— "Sanctuary for Evil," under the 

production of Lawrence D. Foldes, producer/director 

of Star Cinema Productions, 

was written by Linwood Chase and is scheduled 

for an early spring release. 

Linwood. or Wcwdy as he prefers to be 

called, startc.J out with a great deal of ambition 

and a prcs'lgious degree from Harvard 

and added ti his experience by working 

in the 

' 

U.S. aj- abroad as film writer 

and producer. His 'rk has been published 

in major publicatior. and he has worked 

for a variety of film companies. He's written 

several screenplays, including "Jungle Babies." 

"Sanctuary for Evil" is a horror story 

about a terrible evil that luiks in Griffith 

Park. The film began production in November 

an dis scheduled for an early 1979 release. 

Star Cinema's previous production, 

'.Vlalibu High." distributed by Crown International 

Pictures, is slated for an early 

spring release. 

PORTLAND 

JS^ 

ruling by the Oregon Court of Appeals 

has moved Luxuiy Theatres one step 

closer in its attempts to build a drive-in near 

Beaverton. The theatre chain has been trying 

to get approval for the project for many 

years. The land is zoned for industrial use 

but marked for residential use by Washington 

County's comprehensive plan. County 

commissioners met in 1976 to lesolve the 

conflict, but two members abstained, claiming 

conflict of interest, and the resulting 

vote did not have the necessary three votes 

in favor for an issue to pass. The ruling was 

that the two abstaining commissioners were 

wrong in claiming conflict of interest, and 

that the matter should be considered again. 

The second issue of Luxury Theatres" inhouse 

newsletter "Show Biz" came out in 

December with Christmas greetings and 

many announcements. Kevin O'Keefe, who 

started with LT as a doorman at the Valley 

to 

in 1968, is new district manager 

herald its exclusive Los Angeles engagement 

at the Century Plaza. 

for east 

Portland. Kevin has worked as a drive-in 

field boy, a projectionist, an assistant manager 

and as manager of four houses. Other by authentic decor and live entertainment. 

The sell-out premiere was made unusual 

changes include new managers Dave Wood 

at the Eastgate, Holly Spencer at the Lake. 

Ken Miner at the Valley. Dave Routto at 

the Irvington, Gary Harkelroad at the Westgate, 

Jim Miner at the Jantzen Beach and 

MANILA 

Chuck Brooks at Cascade Park; new 

^dmund Goldman, chairman of the board 

maintenance man is Dave McNiven; new 

of Manson International, a world-wide 

director of security Charles Boening from 

sales distribution organization, with offices 

the San Francisco area, and Michelle Volk 

in Los Angeles, arrived here November 26 

of Washington Square cinemas is now working 

in the advertising department at the 

main office. The Olympia Tri-Plex opened 

Friday, Dec. 15 with Vickie Fine-Ward 

managing. A canned-food show for the 

needy was co-sponsored by Luxury Theatres 

and the Vancouver Columbian Dec. 

12, with showing of "Force Ten From 

a 

Navarone" at the Cascade Park Cinema. 

Thunder Media served as escort for a 

group of Pinocchio characters sent by Disney 

Studios to promote "Pinocchio," which 

opened in Portland Dec. 16. Visits for the 

group, which included Pinocchio, Jiminy 

Cricket, J. Worthington Fowlfellow, Geppetto 

and Gideon with actor Fulton Burlcy 

as emcee, included trips to local television 

studios for appearances on children's shows 

and to Shrincr's Hospital for Crippled Children. 

"A Force of One" began filming in San 

Diego December 11 as an American Cinema 

production with a screenplay by Ernest 

Tidyman with Chuck Norris. Ronny Cox 

and Jennifer O'Neill starring. 

'Caravans' Premiere 

Benefits LA College 

v 

mm^ 

Dancers, harem girls at "Caravans" 

premiere. 

LOS ANGELES—An unusual and colorful 

premiere was held Dec. 21 at the Plitt 

Century Plaza theatres in the ABC Entertainment 

Center, Century City. The movie 

was Universal's "Caravans," starring Anthony 

Quinn, Jennifer O'Neill and Michael 

Sarrazin. The premiere was held to benefit 

Los Angeles' Immaculate Heart College and 

with his wife for a joint pleasure-business 

trip. Goldman is no stranger in the Philippines, 

having been one-time resident manager 

of the branch office of Columbia Pictures 

in Manila from 1936-1951. He passed 

through Hong Kong, Singapore and other 

Far East countries before coming to Manila 

and left for Hawaii December 2 where 

he stayed for a few days before proceeding 

to his homebase in Los Angeles. 

According to him, when interviewed by 

this correspondent at his suite at the Peninsula 

Hotel, he and his wife very much 

enjoyed their Philippine visit, as they met 

and talked to old and new acquaintances. 

Business-wise. Goldman left aftei selling a 

half-dozen films to Manila film distributors. 

It was reported that Gloria Di.iz. the 

Philippines' beauty queen who won the 

1969 Miss Universe contest, will star in an 

American picture entitled "Up From the 

Depths," an underwater picture to be filmed 

here, with Gloria reportedly appearing 

in the nude. 

W-8 BOXOFFICE 1979

KANSAS CITY 

•There is a new face at Universal and it belongs 

to salesperson Sara Fletcher. 

Sara transferred from Universal's Des 

Moines office where she was head booker 

/office manager. Sara started at Universal 

Jan. 2. 

Bob Adkins, former owner of Davis Theatre 

and Hillcrest Drive-In in Higginsville, 

Mo., has been in town the past week visiting 

Filmrow friends. Bob now resides in Palm 

Springs, Calif. 

Columbia reports that Pat Doughtcry 

started her duties as secretary two weeks 

ago . . . Jay Pekoe spent Christmas and 

New Year's in California visiting his parents 

. . . and Ranae Youngblood is not 21 

as formerly reported, but 19. Apologies, 

Ranae! 

Blaine Houserman began his training as 

student booker at Paramount Jan. 2. Blaine 

is succeeding Leonard Abrams who retired 

last month. Blaine is new to the film industry, 

but always thought it would make an 

interesting 

profession. 

Bob Buscher, Lou Bartow and Ray Mc- 

Kitrick were in town Jan. 9 doing their 

booking and buying. While here Bob 

Buscher, president of B&B Booking and 

Buying in Tola, Kan., announced plans to 

take his entire staff to ShoWesT '79 in Las 

Vegas Feb. 20-22. They will be slaying at 

Frontier Hotel where Wayne Newton is 

the 

featured entertainer . . . Buscher also disclosed 

that plans with his contractors in Independence, 

Kan., for new cinemas is shaping 

up nicely. 

Todd White is the new owner of the 

Davis Theatre and Hillcrest Drive-In in 

Higginsville, Mo. Todd also owns the Mainstreet 

Theatre in Lexington, Mo. 

good idea unless you use your ice skates. 

Betty fell last week on the ice causing damage 

to her back and has been in pain ever !»• 

since. Any remedies to her problem will be 

welcomed. 

Screenings at Midwest: Monday (8), 

"Whose Child Am I?" (Brian Distributing), 

distributed by Mercury; Tuesday (9). "Wanda 

the Wicked Warden" (Bernie Jacon), distributed 

by Mercury; Wednesday (10), "The 

Bottom Line" (Silverstein). distributed by 

Mercury. 

Editor's note: Ralph Delmont, managing 

editor of Boxoffice, has been seriously ill 

and is recuperating at Independence Sanitarium, 

Independence, Mo. We join with his 

many friends in the industry in wishing him 

the speediest of recoveries. 

Century 21 Convention Is 

One for the Record Books 

LAS VEGAS — The Guiness 

Book of 

Records will have to open a couple of new 

categories as a result of the recent Century 

21 convention, produced by Fred A. Niles 

Communications Centers, Inc. Claims are 

being made that the get-together had the 

largest audience ever for a business meeting 

live show under one roof (13,700 people) 

and for the most people fed (7,200) 

within 

a one-hour period. 

The convention lasted three days and 

starred Bob Hope and Jack Klugman along 

with a cast of 20 and a 36-piece orchestra. 

Century 21 speakers were given visual 

support through super lumen slides and 

videotape projection. The production team 

for Niles included Suzanne James, producer; 

Jimmy Dexter, director; W. E. Harder 

Multi-Image supervisor, and Tom Sharkey, 

writer. 

Cindy Lowe, assistant manager of the 

Brotman Lincoln ViUagc, predicts the future 

in the theatre's lobby as part of a "King 

of the Gypsies" promotion. 

'Gypsies' Promo Lifts 

Grosses in Chicago 

CHICAGO—Especially high grosses are 

attributed to efforts extended to promote 

"King of the Gypsies," as a holiday feature 

at the Brotman Lincoln Village Theatre. 

The campaign, directed by manager Bill 

Rivkin, began in early November, when 

lines added to the marquee stated " 'King of 

the Gypsies' opens Dec. 20." Next, Rivkin 

had a gigantic billboard installed at the side 

of the theatre. A five-pointed star alleged 

to keep witches away, as well as a rnagic 

eye said to deter evil spirits, were painted 

on the windows by Shelly Lewin of the Lincoln 

Village staff. 

For several weeks prior to opening, a 

mannequin dressed as a gypsy fortune teller 

was part of the lobby display. During a private 

screening just prior to the official opening, 

assistant manager Cindy Lowe, dressed 

in a red sequined gown, told fortunes (see 

photo). Opening night a professional fortune 

teller with a crystal ball was brought in. 

In a surprise move, a number of authentic 

gypsies in 

traditional dress showed up opening 

night. This group helped to boost business 

by talking favorably about the film. 

Kathy McKeone, booker for National 

Screen Service, celebrated a birthday Jan. 

10. 

Andrew Howard, manager of Metro 

North theatres, and his wife have a new 

addition to their family. They are the proud 

parents of a baby girl. 

MID-CONTINENT 

Theatre Supply Corp 

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Phone (816) 221-0480 W. R. "Bill" Davis, Mgi 

PROMPT • EFFICIENT 

• COURTEOUS 

The WOMPI Club will hold its monthly 

meeting Tuesday, Jan. 23 at Sue Moyer 

Holly's home, 4010 McGee. The meeting 

will begin at 5:30 with dinner starting an 

hour later. A price for the meal will be announced 

later. 

Betty Rothschild, National Screen Service, 

has found that practicing figure 8's in 

the parking lot of her apartment is not a 

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lanuary 15, 1979 

C-l

CHICAGO 

\A7atership Down" was previewed at the 

M&R Amusement Co.'s Old Orchard, 

Evergreen and Norridge theatres prior to 

the formal opening in all three theatres in 

mid-January. This represents the first showing 

of "Watership Down" since it was introduced 

at the Chicago International Film 

Festival last November. Louis Marks of 

M&R announced that all three properties 

will be in on the initial openings of Columbia's 

"Ice Castles." 

Leo Frecdberg, head of the Tiffin Theatre 

Corp.. has added the Coronet and Montclare 

theatres to his operations. Other properties 

in Freedberg's chain are the Deerpath 

and Tiffin. Aaron Schlesman's Allied 

Theatres Film Buying and Booking handles 

bookings. 

Wni. Lange & Associates set up a fourwall 

break of "Beyond and Back" starting 

Jan. 19. This is a full-length documentary 

dealing with reincarnation. Brad Crandall is 

narrator. 

Milt Levins announced that he has closed 

down Randolph Film Distributors due to 

lack of product. Levins, one of the able 

veterans in distribution, said he is currently 

working on a new connection. 

Diane Thomas, owner of the Patio in 

Portage Park and the Skokie in suburban 

Skokie, reported that "Halloween" and 

"Death on the Nile" brought in a good 

showing of patrons despite the below-zero 

weather. 

Welcome to 

Sandie Rainondi who joined 

the New World Pictures of Chicago staff 

. . . David Levy and Buck Kolkmeyer of 

New World will be attending a meeting on 

the West Coast, to take a first look at new 

films to be released by New World during 

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• 

1979. "Autumn Sonata," meanwhile, is a 

very strong contender in the mid-winter 

openers. 

Russell Hutcheon, booker for Plitt Theatres, 

returned from a vacation Jan. 8. 

While Pat Riccardi was able to leave the 

hospital following a coronary, it appears it 

operations. 

Ray Russo, Doris Payne and Larry Dieckhaus 

will be leaving Jan. 14 for a 20th Century-Fox 

sales meeting on the West Coast. 

Activity will include showings of "Quintet." 

"Norma Rae." "Alien." "A Perfect Couple." 

"Butch and Sundance: the Early Days" and 

"Nosferatu." This latter film is based on a 

story about the original vampire character. 

Irene Salvo is 

being welcomed back from 

the West Coast. She returns to serve as secretary 

to Floyd Brethauer. division manager 

for Warner Bros. 

The retirement party for Florence Cohen 

is to be held at the Drake Hotel, Jan. 31. 

Ckiod luck to Sam Rosenfeld. Warner 

Bros, salesman, and his family in their new 

home. They have just located in a nice area 

at California and Foster, Chicago. 

Buena Vista staffers are working on reissue 

bookings of "The Love Bug." 

Jerome T. Bunce, who was a member of 

Local 1 10. died recently. 

In reporting that "Superman" and "Invasion 

of the Body Snatchers" are bringing in 

substantial business at the Golf Mill theatres, 

general manager Bene Stein said they 

are pleased to be among the first for showing 

"Fast Break." The movie opens at the 

Golf Mill March 2, and, according to Stein, 

it should rank as "picture of the year." 

The Film Center at the Art Institute will 

follow a January film festival with a February 

program featuring a week of appearances 

by independent filmmakers. Jonas 

Mekas a Lithuanian filmmaker, starts the 

program February 7. On February 8 and 9, 

George Kuchar and Mike Kuchar highlight 

the program. There will also be two premieres 

in February. The first on February 

14 and 15 is "We Are Arab Jews in Israel," 

a documentary. On February 16. 17, 21 and 

22. a first-run film by Werner Fassbinder 

will be shown. It's "Fox and His Friend," a 

German movie dealing with the topic of 

homosexuality. February 23 and 24 brings 

"Faces of Love." a Swiss film by Michel 

will be several more weeks before he can Soutter. here as a Chicago first. 

return to his usual active life at the Admiral 

Theatre. During his convalescence he has 

the support of Wanda Travis, Tony Spavonc 

and Al Kapiec in the theatre's management 

ST. LOUIS 

J^ll the drive-ins are closed but last year's 

popular films are still around and doing 

reasonably well, despite the fact that 

the younger set for the most part are back 

in 

the classroom. 

"Born Again." with 

Dean Jones portraying 

Charles Colson. former counsel to President 

Richard Nixon, who served a jail term 

following his revelations in the Watergate 

affair, opens Jan. 26 at Ronnie's 6 Cine, 

Halls Ferry. Cinema 4, South City and 

Lewis & Clark. The Avco-Embassy production 

is based on Colson's book. 

The canine star of "The Wiz." Toto, is a 

survivor of the pound like his counterpart 

Sandy in the Broadway hit "Annie." The 

movie performer was destined for the gas 

chamber as a stray but Leonard Brook, who 

operates a farm for unwanted domestic 

animals, found him and trained him for his 

role. "The Wiz" has been brightening the 

screens at the Stadium 2, Halls Ferry. Ronnie's 

6 and Cinema 4. 

The Tivoli Theatre in a double bill is 

presenting "Coming Home" with Jane Fonda 

and Jon Voight, and "Rules of the 

Game," a Jean Renoir production, Jan. 17 

and 18. "Zardoz" and "THX 1138" will be 

the sci-fi combination, Jan. 19 and 20, with 

"Captains Courageous" coupled with 

"Treasure Island" the attractions for Jan. 

21 and 22. Both films were directed by 

Victor Fleming. Liv Ullmann is the star of 

both "Face to Face" and "The Serpent's 

Egg" Jan. 23. 

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JOHN or MIKE 

Ringold Cinema Equipment Co. 

8421 Gravois Avenue St. Louis, Mo. 63123 

Phone 314-352-2020 

^„,^^ 

'^^^ WE SPECIALIZE IN ALL LEASING & FINANCING PLANS 

BOXOFFICE :: January \5. 1979

an American dream with tlie stars of tomorrow. 


City

Cable TV Firm Push 

Is On in Oak Park 

CHICAGO — Cablevision of Jericho, 

N.Y.. is once again venturing into Illinois 

territory, and suburban Oak Park seems to 

be a target as a test territory. In fact, not 

only wilfan attempt be made for permission 

to establish a non-exclusive franchise in the 

Village of Oak Park, but all areas in suburban 

Cook County are to be approached. 

Not since 1970 has an effort been made 

to promote cable TV in Oak Park. Now 

Daniel Sweeney, director of development 

for the New York-based firm, 

said here that 

a franchise would offer regular local programing, 

out-of-town stations, motion pictures 

and sporting events. If Cablevision of 

Jericho proceeds with plans to establish 

franchises in Cook County. 58 suburbs 

would be represented. 

Sweeney said. "Three packages would be 

offered to customers. Each would require 

a $25 installation fee. Depending on the service 

selected, the monthly fee would range 

from $7 to $17." 

Sweeney said the company would require 

at least a 30 per cent penetration to make 

the franchise profitable. Sweeney said further 

that his company is seeking a ten-year 

contract, with an option to renew for an 

additional five years if the village determines 

the company has fulfilled its responsibilities. 

While most of the village board 

membeis at this time appear to be interested. 

Clifford Osborn told village officials that 

Oak Park should investigate the topic completely 

before approving any franchise. He 

suggested the village investigate the possibility 

of assuming the franchise in the future 

and establishing a cable network with 

other communities. Board member Osborn 

expressed the opinion that the village should 

also negotiate with the firm on the number 

of 

access channels that would be provided. 

He reminded other board members that under 

FCC regulations, a cable franchise is 

required to make one channel available to 

any resident to communicate a message, and 

that the channel is made available on a firstcome, 

first-served basis. 

Osborn also urged that the village hold 

a public hearing on the subject. This suggestion 

had been opposed by several board 

TWIN 

IT!! 

Call Harry Jones 


• Pointing 

• Steel Towers 

Free Estimates 

^tfÂBl.^ 

members. It is, however, expected that there 

will be a hearing, on a date yet to be announced. 

It was recalled that the matter of 

cable TV in the village failed in the past; 

five proposals introduced were withdrawn 

because of "lack of interest." 

'1900' Poster Winner 

At Chicago Festival 

CHICAGO — The recent 14th Chicago 

International Film Festival, which ended a 

19-day engagement at four theatres this November, 

was highlighted by an international 

film poster competition. The exhibit, held 

in the Richard J. Daley Center, ran for one 

and one-half months and featured poster 

entries from ten countries. Festival director 

Michale J. Kutza jr. observed that interest 

in the free poster exhibit was so enthusiastic 

that next year's event will be held in two 

separate locations to accommodate the public. 

John Russell Taylor, art critic of the London 

Times, headed the film poster jury. 

Grand Prix of the festival—the Gold Hugo 

—was awarded to "1900" (Paramount), designed 

by Doug Johnson. 

Silver Hugo awards were shared by Poland 

and Czechoslovakia, the former for 

"Barroco." designed by Socha of Filmpolski. 

and the latter for "Harold Lloyd," designed 

by Vratislav HIavaty. 

The Earthwork Poster Collective earned 

a Silver Hugo for "Films of Black Australia," 

and Australian production, while "Apple 

Game," designed by Hser Czechoslovak 

Film, won a Bronze Hugo for the Czechoslovakian 

production. 

A gold plaque was awarded to "Lipstick," 

designed by Neugebauer of Filmpolski; silver 

plaques went to "Death on the Nile," 

designed by Richard Amsel for the U.S. 

production, and "A Room With a View of 

the Sea," designed by Krause and Sikora 

of Filmpolski. 

Deadline for the 1979 competition is 

September 30. Any poster produced in 

1978-1979 will be eligible. Duplicate posters 

must be submitted and should be one-sheet 

size, approximately 24 x 42 inches or 61 x 

107 cm. Each poster should be accompanied 

by a statement in English giving the 

title of the film depicted in the poster, year 

of poster production, name of designer and 

country and address of entrant. 

Please send materials to Michal J. Kutza 

jr., festival director. 15th Chicago International 

Film Festival. 415 N. Dearborn St., 

Chicago. 111. 60610. 

Starcrest Productions has acquired "Livi 

Little," 

a screenplay by Tony Crechacles 

CUVERAMA IS EV SHOW 

BITSUVESS VS HAWAII TOO^ 

Wlien you come to Walklki, 

don't miss the famous Don lio 


Reef Towers Hotel. f 

Snow Hurts Business 

In Kaycee Theatres 

KANSAS CITY — The blizzard which 

overtook Kansas City last weekend didn't 

stop filmgoers from seeing their favorites, 

"The Lord of the Rings" (408), "Every 

Which Way But Loose" (415). "Superman" 

(380) and "California Suite" (380). The remainder 

of the Christmas releases, however, 

performed in much the same way as the 

10 m.p.h. traffic on the freeways, slowing 

to percentages in the 100-range. 

(Average Is 

IQO) 

.. 

Embassy, Watts Mill—TTie Lord oi the Rings (UA) 

2nd wk —.480 

Empire, Glenwood-ûpermcni ._...380 

(WB), 3rd wk. 

Midland—The Wiz (Univ), 9th wk 50 

Oak Park—Paradise Alley (Univ). 8th wk. . 50 

Oak Park. Seville—Slow Dancmg in the Big City 

(UA) 2nd wk 50 

Trail Ridge—Up 60 

in Smoke (Para), 14th wk 

Watts Mill—Bread and Ctiocolate (SR), 2nd wk 125 

3 theatres— California Suite (Col), 2nd wk 380 

3 theatres—King ol the Gypsies (Para), 2nd wk. 110 

3 theatres—Moment by Moment (Univ), 2nd wk, 125 

4 theatres—Every Which Way But Loose (WB), 

4 theatres-Învasion oi the Body Snatchers (UA), 

2nd wk '50 

Story (Para), 3rd wk 15 

4 theatres—Oliver's 

5 theatres Brass Target (UA), 2nd wk 

6 theatres—Force 10 From Navarone (AIP), 

150 

2nd wk 120 

Snow Storm Can't Deter Chicago 

Filmgoers; 'Superman' Is No. 1 

CHICAGO — A crippling snow storm 

over the New Year's period was very damaging 

to all business throughout the Chicagoland 

area. And a complete la:k of effort 

to remove snow seemed certain to seriously 

affect movie attendance. Thus it was surprising 

when the week's grosses showed up 

pretty well. This was particularly true of 

"Superman." which grossed 600 per cent. 

"Invasion of the Body Snatchers" was also 

a winner, with 400 per cent. 

Biograph—Autumn Sonata (NW), 3rd wk 375 

State Lake—The Wij (Univ), 10th wk 350 

Six theatres-Brass Target (UA), 2nd wk, ,.200 

Six theatres—The Lord oi the Hings (UA), 6th wk, 225 

Nine theatres—Oliver's Story (Para), 3rd wk 175 

Nine Theatres Invasion of the Body Snatchers 

'>°'' 

(UA), 2nd wk 

Ten theatres King ol the Gypsies (Para) 

3rd wk. 

(WE 2nd 

Ten theatres Moment by Moment (Univ) 

Eleven Veatres—Every Which Way But Loos. 

Hesselbart & Mitten Will 

Produce Anaconda Meeting 

CHICAGO—A release erroneously indicated 

that Fred A. Niles Communications 

Centers. Inc., was producer of the Alsco 

Anaconda dealer meeting. Actual producer 

is Hesselbart & Mitten Inc.. a Fairlawn, 

Ohio-based advertising, sales promotion and 

public relations company which is the agency 

of record of Alsco Anaconda. 

Hesselbart & Mitten created all advertising 

and sales promotion materials for the 

show, the meeting theme ("Team Up With 

Alsco") and developed the format, wrote 

the audio-visual modules, and is arranging 

the travel logistics. 

The Niles organization has been subcontracted 

by Hesselbart & Mitten to carry out 

the travel logistics, 

BOXOFFICE ;: January 15, 1979

NATO of Texas Gears 

For Blind Bid Battle 

Dallas Picture 

Classification Board 

Challenges 'Body Snatchers 

Ruling 

DALLAS—The NATO of Texas legislative 

committee is preparing for the upcoming 

state legislative session, according to the Porter declined recently to rule on whether Artists and the city could receive a fair 

DALLAS— U.S. District Judge Robert Porter said he was confident United 

organization's Bulletin. President Al Reynolds 

said bills are already pre-filed in Auscation 

Board legally can declare a film too court. However, if the film producers are 

the City of Dallas Motion Picture Classifi- 

hearing on the constitutional issues in state 

tin and the NATO of Texas office is busy violent to be seen by children under age of not allowed to raise those points, then he 

monitoring every proposed statute coming 16 unaccompanied by their parents, according 

to Tom Belden of the Morning News court, he said. 

will consider a refiling of the case in his 

fiom the Texas Legislative Service. 

Reynolds added that the earliest bills reflect 

the impact brought on by California's Belden's story is quoted, in part, below: torney, said he would have to talk to offi- 

here. 

Dan McElroy. United Artists' Dallas at- 

Proposition 13. Among the first batch of However, the judge said United Artists, cials of the movie company before deciding 

bills, three propose to reduce the state sales Inc., had raised "very significant constitutional 

questions" about the ordinance in its McElroy said there arc no exact figures 

if the case would be pursued further. 

tax and two would eliminate the state, count\ 

and city ad valorem tax. 

challenge of the board's classifying "Invasion 

of the Body Snatchers"—a movie rated in Dallas if it carries the "not suitable for 

on how much revenue from a movie is lost 

The legislative committee is concerned 

about possible legislation affecting theatres PG by the movie industry—as "not suitable younger people" tag. but the impact is considered 

by filmmakers to be significant. 

and plans to defend against any proposed for young persons." 

change in the state's minimum wage law. 

It's a Perennial Problem 

Dallas and Chicago are the only cities in 

state penal code dealing with censorship or 

the nation with a motion picture classification 

board that views all PG pictures to be 

In a similar federal lawsuit last year, 

films or any new boxoffice or film rental U.S. District Judge William Taylor declared 

shown in the city and has the power to declare 

a movie cannot legally be seen by 

tax. 

unconstitutional the city's classification 

High on the committee's piiority list will standards on film violence. But that case, 

those under 16 unless accompanied by a 

be the sponsorship of a bill to outlaw blind involving the "The Late Show," was 

parent or legal guardian. 

bidding in Texas and possible co-sponsorship 

of an act to exempt Texas from 

dropped by both parties after the "not suitable" 

tag was removed. 

The Dallas film classification ordinance 

the 

federal Uniform Time Act which imposes The question of whether a movie is obscene 

because of violence, and not just its 

was rewritten in 1968 after the Supreme 

Court ruled an earlier version unconstitutional. 

In that case, U.S. District Judge 

daylight saving time. 

sexual explicitness, has never been ruled 

Sarah T. Hughes had declared that Dallas 

upon by the Supreme Court. 

'California Suite' Shown 

could restrict only sexually explicit movies. 

As another Dallas federal judge did recently 

in a suit over "Death on the Nile," 

At Ten Benefit Premieres 

DALLAS—Columbia's recent release Porter said he should abstain from ruling Evelyn K. Neeley Heads 

'California Suite" was slated lor ten special on the constitutionality of the ordinance 

New Distribution Firm 

benefit premieres in the Southwest region because the city filed suit against United 

DALLAS—Evelyn K. Neeley has announced 

she is heading up a newly orga- 

Dec. 21. The film began its regular run Artists in state court. 

Friday, Dec. 22. 

The city contended in its state court 

nized film distribu- 

The film bowed at the following Texas action that the moviemaker, by having filed ^^MMj^ tion corporation to be 

theatres: in Amarillo at the Western Plaza its federal suit, showed that it intended to 

^^^^^^k 

the New-'Vu 

for the Muscular Dystrophy Ass'n; in Austin 

at the Highland Mall for the Diabetes "not suitable" label to be displayed in ad- 

violate the ordinance, which requires the 

Film Co.. Inc.. with 

^^-^ -W offices at the Conti- 

Ass'n of Austin; in Corpus Christi at the vertisements and at theatre boxoffices. ^r ** fm ncntal Apartments. 

UA Cine Theatre for the Corpus Christi 

Judge Declines Ruling 

jA 1 1 1 Continental BlvA, 

"jî 

Drug Abuse Council; in Dallas at the Medallion 

for the Deaf Action Center; in San any arguments on the legal issues and facts HLjBT^ 75207. Telephone is 

The judge indicated that if he had heard ^S'Vjr Suite 417. Dallas 

Antonio at the UA Cinco for the Muscular presented by United Artists before the city 

Dystrophy Ass'n; in Houston at the Galleria 

for the Motion Picture Council of it was his duty to make a ruling on the con- 

said she has a nucleus 

sued in state court, he might have decided 

^H^Â Mr^. Neeley also 

^^^^^^"' 

Evelyn K. Neeley 

Houston, and in Wichita Falls at the Sikes 

^^ ^-^y^^ gf all categories 

to begin the operation with and she 

stitutional question. 

Senter for the Muscular Dystrophy Ass'n. However, Porter said state court is where 

The picture was screened in two Oklahoma 

localities: in Oklahoma City at the 

the constitutionality of the ordinance should will be adding to her film inventory periodically 

as new releases are availiable. 

be challenged. 

North Park Cinema for the YMCA Women's 

Resource Center and in Tulsa at the 

Southroads for Rainbow House, Inc. In Salt 

12/1-7/78 

$3,374.00 

Lake City a benefit premiere was held at 

12/8-14/78 $2,552.00 

the Regency for the Kiwanis Club of Salt 

12/15-21/78 $1,988.00 (Worse Playtime of the year) 

Lake City. 

Greater Houston Theatre 

Dallas, Ft. Worth & San Antonio 1/5-11/79 

WHEN 

Beaumont 8. Longview 1/5-11/79 

Group Has 1979 Officers 

XHF 

Tulso 

HOUSTON—The Greater Houston Motion 

Picture Theatre Organization has an- 

1/19-25/79 

Little Rock 8. All Arkansas 1/25-2/1/79 

STOPS 

- 1/12-18/79 

SCREAMING 

Austin - 

nounced the election of officers for 1979. 

Memphis 

The new officers are Al Zarzana, Texas 

1/19-25/79 - 

National Theatres, president; Margaret 

isStratton, Plitt Theatres, vice-president; Judy 

GRIMES FILM BOOKING 

h McMillan, Five Star Theatres, secretary, 

(214) 744-3165 339-5041 

- 

a and Bill Guggenheim, Bobal Theatres, treasurer. 

500 SOUTH ERVAY ST. - SUITE 603B DALLAS, TEXAS 75201 

BOXOFFICE :: January 15. 1979 

SW-1

.' 

. Pam 

. . 

. . The 

DALLAS 

a vco Embassy has a new emplo\ce. Karen 

Wayland. who is doing general office 

work Hamilton, former secretary 

. 

to Harold Brooks, is the happy mother of 

a girl born Dec. 31. She and husband Tommie 

named the young infant Shelly Dawn 

and all are doing well. 

Paramount is moving its branch office to 

8350 N. Central Expressway. Suite 900. The 

change is effective Monday, Jan. 15. The 

telephone number will be the same, 369- 

4600. The Central address is in the Campbell 

Center Gold Building. 

On Tuesday, Jan. 9 Paramount held a 

in tradescreening the Plitt Screening Room 

of "Real Life." an original and unconventional 

comedy about the "typical American 

family" by funnyman Albert Brooks. The 

film stars Albert Brooks and Charles Grodin. 

Marie Powers of Sunn Classics just returned 

from Salt Lake City where she was 

producing TV commercials for the new SC 

receptionist-secretary. Ken Menard is in the 

film payment department. And Benny Mc- 

Cormack is doing general office work. 

Funeral services were held here Jan. 4 for 

William W. Rohtt, longtime head shipper at 

the Universal film exchange before his retirement 

seven years ago. His wife Judith 

was head inspector at Universal before her 

retirement. Survivors include his wife, a 

brother and a sister, all Dallas residents. 

SAN ANTONIO 

fire Saturday, Jan. 6 gutted the historic 

J!^ 

Municipal Auditorium downtown, 

causing an estimated $10 million in damages. 

Exact cause of the pre-dawn fire was 

not pinpointed but arson was suspected. 

The inside of the 6.000-seat auditorium was 

destroyed, but the stone walls and roof remained 

intact despite extensive damage. The 

auditorium was opened in September 1926. 

It was built at a cost of $1.5 million then 

and is now insured at $4.7 million which 

will not cover the cost of replacing it. A 

A mini-series will premiere Feb. 8 on 

KLRN-TV. It will consist of 34 short films 

which have one thing in common: They all 

have either won or been nominated for an 

Academy Award. The show will be entitled 

"Academy Leaders" and will be telecast in 

ten parts. The films range from two and 

one-half minutes to 30 minutes and cover a 

span from the 1940s to the 1970s . . . 

The Opera Guild of the San Antonio Symphony 

Society will present Ingmar Bergman's 

"The Magic Flute" Jan. 14 at the 

Central Park Fox 3. starting at 7:30 p.m. 

A second casting call for "Resurrection" 

has been issued by casting director Elizabeth 

Keigley. The film will be made near 

San Antonio and will star Ellen Burstyn. Ms. 

Keigley said that this was a specialized call 

for children to portray the younger Ms. 

Burstyn as a child. Specific needs include 

females, ages four to 18, who closely resemble 

Ellen Burstyn, Women between 20 

and 26 years are also needed to portray 

Ms. Burstyn's mother at a young age and 

men between 20 and 25 are needed to portray 

Ms. Burstyn's brother. 

Robert Sampson is appearing with Dorothy 

Collins at the Fiesta Dinner Playhouse 

in "I Do, I Do." Following his appearance 

here, he is to leave for Hollywood to make 

a new film for Blake Edwards which will 

is feature Julie Andrews. It called "The 

survey is to be made to find out whether the 

structure will be repaired. 

Perfect 10," a comedy about a system for 

release "Bermuda Triangle." The film is 

set to open all over Texas Jan. 19 rating the perfect woman . 

downtown 

Texas Theatre which has been operated 

Julia Voltar, a young lady fiom England, Phyllis Diller, who has appeared in a 

number of movies, has been scheduled for 

by RG Theatres has been taken over 

new employee at Sunn Classics doing 

is a 

general office work. 

a personal appearance at the Club at Turtle and is being operated by Ashburn Theatres 

Creek Jan. 18 for two shows . . . Funeral with doors opening at 10:45 a.m. The house 

Despite the terrific ice storm Dallas. Ft. 

services were held in Devine, Tex. for Mrs. has a new double-feature policy. 

Worth and north-central Texas theatre business 

Gladys J. Sollock, 79. who died Jan. 2. 

has been fairly good. There were strong 

She was the mother of Herman Sollock. 

boxoffice attractions, and movie houses had 

associated with the Maurice Braha Theatres 

light and heat, making for a welcome place 

TECHNICAL SERVICES 

in San Antonio. Other survivors include another 

son, two daughters, nine grandchildren 

to spend a few hours away from the homes 

ASCCORPORATION 

where many were without heat or electricity. 

PO Box 5150 • Richdfdsc as 75080 

and eleven great grandchildren. Our condolences 

are extended to the family. 

TOTAL BOOTH SERVICE, SOUND, 

Texas Cinema Theatres has three new 

PROJECTION, PARTS, INSTALLATION 

AND MAI NTENANCE 

employees. Lynn Underwood is the new 

DQOOUnrSTEnEO"- 214-234-3270 

THEATRE to ui 

^^^^ TREATMENT SERvIcEl 

CUVERANA IS Vi SHOW 

BUSIIVESS m HAWAn TOOj 

WTien you come to Waiklkl, 

don't miss the famous Don Ho 



DRIVE-IN 

THEATRE 

SCREENS 

The Quality Tower that 

has had to be replaced. 

* • * 

GENE TAYLOR 

D & D Fabricafion 

and Erection Co. 


Shawnee, Kansas 66203 

913-631-9695 

SW-2 

BOXOFFICE :: January 15. 1979

Edward L Montoro cordially invites you to screen 

MAX BAER'S 

hilarious new nnotion picture

' 

Moment 

. . 

HOUSTON 

êtor James Drurj' attended a recent showing 

of California Suite" at Cinema I 

in the Galicria. He has just concluded a nat 

onal tour in the stage version in which he 

co-starred with Carolyn Jones. Also in the 

audience was actiess Annette OToole who 

may currently be seen in "King of the 

Gypsies." The premiere showing of "Cali- 

•'ornia Suite" was a benefit for the Houston 

Motion Picture Council which will use the 

profits of the showing to help promote 

Hcuslon as a site to make movies. 

Eric Gerber, Post film writer was in Dallas 

for an interview with Lily Tomlin and 

John Travolta following a showing of 

by Moment." The film did not, 

to say the least, receive favorable comments 

by film writers. 

While in Dallas, Gerber also interviewed 

Joseph E. Levine, producer of 494 films, 

including his latest "Magic." Although he 

does not have a particular favorite film. 

Levine does fondly remember "Lion in 

Winter," "The Graduate." "Carnal Knowledge." 

"Two Women" and "Hercules." The 

mogul said that he is involved in eight different 

proje;ts at the present time. 

The top films being exhibited in the city 

include "Autumn Sonata," "Brass Target." 

"California Suite," "Every Which Way But 

Loose." "Force 10 From Navarone," "Invasion 

of the Body Snatchers," "Magic," 

"Moment by Moment" and "The Wiz" . 

Walt Disney's "Pinocchio," with a new 

Disney short "The Small One." is at several 

theatres in town. 

KUHT-TV presented a special showing 

of "Red Shoes," with ballerina Moira Shearer, 

who portrays a young dancer torn between 

her passion for ballet and her love 

for her composer husband . . . "The Hitter" 

and "The Black Six" have opened an engagement 

at the Majestic Metro and the 

Majestic OST. Another film making its 

local bow is "Mystery of the Sacred 

Shroud" ... A futuristic fantasy for adults, 

"Cinderella 2000." and "The Boob Tube" 

opened at the Triple Drive-In. 

As a service to his readers Eric Gerber 

of the Post ran a miniature package con- 

taining a roundup of the blockbuster films 

Ross Vallone. 

appearing in Houston . . 

chief at the Woodlake Cinemas, said that 

theatre crowds were so large during the 

holidays, especially for the showing of 

"Superman." that he didn't leave the theatre 

for 12 days except to rush home and change 

clothes. In addition to being shown at the 

Woodlake 3, "Superman" was being shown 

at Baybrook Mall 4, Gulfgate 2, Meyerland 

3 and Northline 2. Special late shows have 

been scheduled for Friday, Saturday and 

Sunday. 

Max Ehrlich was a visitor here recently. 

The novelist and screenwriter gathered 

material during his visit to use in his next 

book . . . Virginia Mayo closed her engagement 

a week earlier than was scheduled at 

the Dean Goss Dinner Theatre. Tom Ewell 

is scheduled to come in to appear in a production 

at 

the dinner theatre. 

"Slave of Love," a Russian production set 

in the days of October Revolution as a 

second-rate movie crew tries to finish its 

latest work in the midst of the political turmoil, 

opened at the Grcenway III Theatre. 

OKLAHOMA CITY 

^^hat started out as super holiday business 

for this city and Tulsa was drastically 

inhibited by a series of ice, sleet and snow 

storms. At this writing the bad weather 

continues, much to the dismay of all area 

exhibitors. Even the much-touted blockbusters 

are not grossing up to expectations. 

FILMACK IS 

1st CHOICE 

WITH 

SHOWMEN 

EVERYWHERE 



SPECIAL FILMS 

CROSS PLUGS, 

MERCHANT ADS, 

SPECIAL AN- 

NOUNCEMENTS 

FILMACK STUDIOS, INC. 

/enue.Chicaqo, 

'iwes/ern Jhealre bmiJbme/i/iDo. 

Funeral services were held here Jan. 5 for 

Peggy Leisure, 46-year veteran of the theatrical 

end of the business. Our sincere condolences 

are extended to 

the survivors. 

David Behrman of the Times says of 

'Slow Dancing in the Big City" that it is 

"a warm, sentimental film . . . unadulterated 

and heart-warming, and the star, Paul Sorvino. 

is excellent as a big-city newsman." 

The passing of veteran western actor Chill 

Wills elicited these comments from the director 

of the Cowboy Hall of Fame here: 

"Chill was a very crusty sort of a guy, and 

he loved Oklahoma. In turn, the people 

here really responded to him." 

The annual United Theatre Owners of 

Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle convention 

will be held at the Hilton Inn. West 

here March 20-21. 

Frank McCabe, Video Independent Theatres, 

advises us that tentative plans are being 

made to hold the annual Variety Club 

golf tournament June 5. 

1702 Rusk Avenue 

Houston, Texas 77003 

(713) 654-1461 -Office 

(713) 931-0748 -After Mrs. 

Alan Belkin is producing "A Force of 

One." 

YOUR TOTAL THEATRE SUPPLY DEALER 

D L li . 

Projection & Sound Equip. ,. ., , , 

Bob Mortensen a '. . • 

o i ll r J"" Mustard 

Dan Waggoner Auditorium & Lobby Equip. 

j^„„„i^ g^„,,„^ 

Concession Equip. & Supplies 

SALES — SERVICE — INSTALLATIONS 

nn I 

DOLBY SYSTEM 

January 15, 1979

Georgia Theatre Exec 

Honored by the Masons 

ATLANTA—E.E. (Whit) Whitaker. retired 

Georgia Theatre Co. executive vicepresident 

and operations director, made a 

sentimental journey to Spartanburg, S.C, 

at ihe invitation of Spartan Lodge No. 70 

A. P.M., to receive his 50-year Membership 

Award. Brother T. Harry White, past master 

of Spartan Lodge and now Junior Grand 

Warden of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina, 

presented the coveted award to Whitaker. 

Praise Is Loud 

Brother White was loud in his praise of 

"Whit" because he (Whit) meant much to 

the history of Spartanburg and the motion 

picture industry. He added: 

"Not only did he operate the Rex, Strand 

and Montgomery theatres in 1928, he had 

an additional claim to fame for the installation 

of Movietone and Vitaphone in the 

Montgomery Theatre. He was a pioneer in 

bringing 'talking pictures' into the Southland." 

These first talking pictures were sensational 

and although few South Carolinians 

remember when Al Jolson spoke, many 

have enjoyed and revelled in the glory of 

the 

talking screen. 

"Vitaphone was a record tuned sinniltanesously 

with the film, while Movietone 

was coupled directly onto the film," Whitaker 

tions at Modern, commenting on the film's 

success said, "It's a film that conveys a 

recalls. "Many Movietone films were 

shown with musical accompaniment before 

talk became universal." 

message 

in a delightful 

about responsible 

and entertaining 

pet ownership 

way. For 

The Masonic Temple was the scene chosen 

reason we're not surprised that the film 

this 

is in 

for the ceremony where Whitaker was 

great demand and has been seen by 

admitted in 1928. There were 150 in attendance 

over a half-million people in the five months 

including wives of the members. The 

.t has been available. The awarding of the 

members prepared the meal which featured Qq|j Medal to 'About Cats' certainly conplate-size 

fj^^^j, steaks, baked potatoes and a spefj^^^j, 

0^,^ belief in the film's appeal." 

jj^g jj^Qft features original music, salad served in soup bowls. Parfaits 

cial pantom'me. 

were served as desert for the delightful 

special effects and youngsters play- 

affair. 

ing with their feline friends. Narration by 

None of the theatres operated in those actress Tammy Grimes sets the mood. 

days in Spartanburg are now open. They 

were units of the Paramount Publix circuit. 

Fifty-Year Pin 

BOXOmCE :: January 15, 1979 

and Jenkins, in Georgia; Wilby Theatres, 

Alabama and Tennessee; E.V. Richardson, 

a partner in New Orleans, and E.J. Sharp, 

in Florida. 

Lucas & Jenkins bought the 4,000-scat 

Fox Theatre when it went broke and eventually 

acquired the Roxy, Paramount and 

Capitol and Whitaker became the general 

manager of those properties. When the 

Lucas & Jenkins partnership was dissolved, 

William Jenkins organized the Georgia Theatre 

Co. and moved its headquarters into 

the Fox Theatre. Meanwhile Whitaker was 

promoted to district manager and vice-president 

in charge of operations and when he 

took his early retirement he was made executive 

vice-president. 

During World War II Whitaker was commissioned 

as a captain in charge of motion 

picture service in the South Pacific. It was 

his job to see that "product" was delivered 

Memphis Votes Kaiser 

Variety Chief Barker 

MEMPHIS— Evcrytimc there has been 

a party at the Memphis Vaiicty Club for 

the past 31 years you could be sure that F. 

J. Kaiser and his wife Evelyn had a part in 

planning, decoration and participation. 

They were as dependable as Old Faithful. 

No matter what the season or reason for Ihe 

party, they were the work horses that helped 

make it run smoothly, giving hundreds of 

hours to the club that has been called "the 

heart of show business." 

Along the way, both held every office 

in the club except one— that of chief barker, 

which F. J. Raiser took over on November 

21. The chief barker is the equivalent of 

club president. 

three times a week to the Army, the Air 

Started in South Dakota 

Corps, the Navy, Marines and all hospitals. Kaiser, who is as old as the century, has 

"It took a bit of doing, but we got the job 

been in show business 62 of those 78 years. 

done," Whit says proudly. 

"I started out in 1916 in the James River 

— Valley area of South Dakota. Some guy had 

Modern Cinema Short Film been hauling a projector around the area 

Wins Festival Gold Medal 

MIAMI—"About Cats," the 12-minute 

free-loan short subject, has just been awarded 

the Miami Film Festival's Gold Medal. 

The short is also being seen in motion picture 

theatres with outstanding feature films 

including "Grease." "Hooper," "Heaven 

Can Walt" and "Foul Play." 

Jim McPoland, vice-president of opera- 

Distribution of "About Cats" is being 

made through the libraries of ModernCinema 

35, the theatrical arm of Modern Talking 

Picture Service. 

showing pictures during the summer months, 

and one year he didn't come back. My dad 

suggested I do it. 

•\ hitched up a horse and buggy and 

bought a film packet from someone for 

$17.50. It had a comedy, a cartoon, and a 

short feature film. I drove around to the 

small towns, showing the pictures at Masonic 

temples and churches. I made more 

than a $1,000 a summer, which was good 

money in those days for youngsters or for 

grownups." 

He first joined Variety in Minneapolis in 

1938, belonged to the St. Louis tent in 1940 

and transferred to Memphis, arriving in 

1941. He retired from full-time work in 

1969 and now operates a shipping and booking 

agency for films. 

Recalls Greater Days 

He can recall greater days for the movie 

industry in the city. "In the 1940s, there 

were almost a dozen film exchanges here, 

each employing 15-20 persons. Now there 

are hardly any, and these are quite small. 

While the club was originally made up of 

movie people we now cover all fields of 

entertainment." 

The Variety Club was formed by a group 

In addition to the 50-year Masonic Lapel 

of showmen in Pittsburgh when one of them 

Pin, a gold certificate certifying that Egbert 

found a waif on his doorstep. The international 

organization has always been big 

Emory Whitaker, a member of Sparta 

Law Favoring Suburban 

Lodge 70, has been a Master Mason for Theatres Under Review 

on charity. The Memphis tent is sole sponsor 

of the Variety Heart Institute at Court 

50 years and has been raised to the Sublime RALEIGH, N.C.—An outdated North _. _ 

Degree, 

Carolina tax law, under study for possible and Manassas, and the Electro Limb Bank 

Before returning to Atlanta, Whit and change in the 1979 General Assembly, pro- in the Crippled Children's Hospital at Lamar 

his wife Vella journeyed to Asheville, N.C., vides a cheaper tax schedule for suburban and LaPaloma in Memphis, 

where they visited his sister Evelyn. 

film theatres than for downtown cinemas. Other officers for 1979 are Leon Rounalthough 

the downtowners are hurting and tree, first assistant chief barker; Bill Boven, 

In 1929 Whit was transferred to Charlotte 

as city manager of the Carolina, Imperial 

and Alhambra theatres. Two years thriving. 

property master; George Sammons, treas- 

shuttering while the suburbans are generally second assistant chief barker; W. G. Kirksy 

urer; Elton Holland, press guy; Bob Halfacre, 

welfare chairman; Johnny Gannon and 

monopolistic, which led to the sale of theatres 

to Southern circuits, including Lucas mittee is working on. 

•Key West Crossing." 

of a number of outdated statutes the 

later he was sent to Atlanta as city manager The revenue laws committee of the General 

Assembly is preparing a report that will 

of the Georgia (later the Roxy) and Paramount 

theatres in the heart of the city on recommend change. State revenue secretary Larry Vinson, co-chairman of membership 

Peachtree Street. 

Mark Lynch says the existing law, written committee, and Augustine Cianciola and 

Then came the depression and Paramount in the 1930s and reflecting different times Tim Bowles, fund raising co-chairmen. 

Publix, and other circuits were declared and economy, needs to be updated. It is one 

starring role in 

Stuart com- 

Whitman has 

SE-1

. . "Moment 

. . "King 

. . "Invasion 

. . 

"Every 

. . "Race 

. 

. 

. 

ATLANTA 

îth the football bowl season and holiday 

parties over, 

theatre managers breathed 

a sigh of relief. "Maybe the absentees will 

have the time to look at the papers and 

find out that they are overlooking an unusually 

good list of pictures," they say hopefully. 

Certainly when they find out the quality 

of the product is more than ordinary 

they will become film fans once more. Witness 

this lineup of marquee changes: 

"California Suite," Akers Mills. Northlake. 

Perimeter Mall. Phipps Plaza and 

"The Wiz." Atlanta. Cinema 

Four and AMC Tower Place 

Southlake . . . 

75. National 

6 . . . "Days of Heaven" (exclusive engagement). 

. 

Lenox Square of the 

Body Snatchers." Arrowhead, North De- 

Kalb Twin and Phipps Penthouse . . . 

"Pinocchio" 

and "The Small One," Akers Mill, 

Cobb Center 4, Greenbriar Mall Twin. 

Northlake. Old Dixie Twin. Perimeter Mall 

and South DeKalb Quad 

Lampoon's Animal House" (99 cents) Toco 

Hill "The Lord of the Rings." Lenox 

. . . 

Square by Moment," Cobb 

. 

Center 4, Perimeter Mall, National Four. 

Phipps Plaza and Stonemont . 

for 

Your Life, Charlie Brown!" (special children's 

matinees, 99 cents), Parkaire Mall 

Twin, Suburban Plaza Twin, Belmont, Village 

Twin and Westgate Triple "Force 

. . . 

id From Navarone," Cobb Center Four, 

Roswell Village Twin, AMC Tower Place 

6 and Westgale Triple Which 

. 

Way But Loose." Akers Mill. North De- 

Kalb Twin. South DeKalb Mall Quad. Town 

& Country. Southlake and Weis Doralville 

. "Oliver's Story." Arrowhead, Cinema 

75, Loew's Tara Twin. Brandon Square 

Twin. Greenbriar Mall Twin. South DeKalb 

Mall Quad . 

of the Gypsies." 

Brannon Square. Cinema 75. Loew's Tara. 

Southlake. Northlake. Westgate Triple . . . 

"Superman." Akers Mill. Buford Highway 

Twin. National Four and Stonemont . . 

"Watership Down." Arrowhead, Loew's 12 

Oaks Twin. Miracle Twin, Rhodes . 

"Brass Target," South DeKalb and Cobb 

Center. 

The Phipps Plaza theatres are now hiring 

800 Lambert Drive N.E. 

Atlanta, Ga. 30324 

(404) 876-0347 

^ 

students for part-time employment. Positions 

available are ushers, cashiers, doormen 

and concessions workers. The Phipps Plaza 

Theatre is an equal opportunity employer. 

Andre Previn and two other maestros of 

"movie music" will open the third season 

of "Previn and the Pittsburgh on PBS" 

in April. The show will not be from Previn's 

usual classical menu. Before turning 

to the masters, Previn scored more than 40 

films—winning four Oscars along the way 

—and he will conduct from several of them. 

With him will be John Williams, who scored 

"Jaws." "Star Wars," "Close Encounters" 

and "Superman," and Miklos Rozsa, 

theme creator for "Julius Caesar." "Ben 

Hur" and "Quo Vadis." 

Scott Cain, the Journal's entertainment 

editor, was surprised when "all of a sudden 

there was a flurry of mail complaining 

about the Journal's unfavorable review of 

Coin' Coconuts.' " the Donny and Marie 

Osmond picture. A complainant wrote; "1 

am 18 years old and have liked the Osmonds 

for seven years. I looked forward 

to first movie very much and really thought 

'Goin' Coconuts' was a super cute movie." 

Omni Pictures Corp., Atlanta-based film 

distributing company, reports that "Wolfman," 

in its world premiere at the Roger 

Theatre, in Shelby, N.C., broke a longstanding 

house record for a pre-Christmas 

weekend. The horror thriller, which stars 

Earl Owensby, appeared headed for a $5,- 

000 first week during a normally slow playing 

time. With the sole exception of "Superman," 

"Wolfman" bettered the gross of all 

competition in the area. Produced by the 

® 

E. O, Corp., "Wolfman" is being released 

internationally 

"Everything for your theatre— except film 

by Omni Pictures Corp. 

Twelve of the master of suspense's greatest 

films have been selected for a two-week 

festival honoring director Alfred Hitchcock 

starting Sunday, February 4 and running 

800 S. Grohom St. 

Charlotte, N.C. 28202 

CAPITAL CITY SUPPLY COMPANY, INC. 

COMPLETE THEATRE EQUIPMENT AND CONCESSION SUPPLIES 

OUR 39th YIAR 

2124 lackBon Parkway, N.W. 

713 Sudokum Bldg. 

Atlanta, Gsocgia 30318 

NaahTills. Tenneaaeo 37219 

(404) 792-8424 

(615) 256-0347 

(704) 334-3616 

®Q© 

through February 17 at the Silver Screen. 

Included are "Strangers on a Train," "The 

Wrong Man," "Foreign Correspondent," 

"The Lady Vanishes," "Suspicion," "Psycho," 

"The Birds." "Dial M for Murder." 

"Stage Fright," "Notorious" and "Spellbound." 

The Screening Room has booked 

Autumn Sonata." a Lew Grade and Martin 

Starger presentation, a film by Ingmar 

Bergman with Ingrid Bergman and Liv Ullmann. 

This film will follow "The Last 

Waltz." a Martin Scorsese film, featuring 

Bob Dylan. Neil Young. Eric Clapton. Neil 

Diamond, Van Morrison, Ringo .Starr and 

many others. 

(Continued on page SE-8) 

The Original Sunshine 

Boys Plan to Appeal 

ATLANTA—Edward Wallace of Stockbridge, 

Ga., and Milton Harry (Ace) Richman 

of Marietta, Ga., vowed that they 

were going to appeal U.S. District Court 

Judge Albert Henderson's directed verdict 

against them. They sought $4,500,000 from 

playwright Neil Simon and MGM for producing 

the motion picture titled "The Sunshine 

Boys." The two plaintiffs maintained 

that the movie improperly portrayed them, 

used their name and caused them to suffer 

"injury to their personal feelings by being 

humiliated, annoyed and exposed to public 

contempt and ridicule." 

Shortly before his decision. Judge Henderson 

noted that nothing in the presentation 

of their case proved that Wallace or 

Richman suffered because of the movie. 

There was no evidence, he said, that firmly 

established any lost profits, any instances of 

ridicule or justification for the amount of 

damages they sought. 

Richman and Wallace gave primarily a 

history of their entertainment careers, said 

the judge, reviewing the two-day trial. "But, 

beyond that point, what do we have?" 

The plaintiffs' case consisted of testimony 

by both men as to their years making movies, 

records and personal appearances as the 

country-western gospel group known as 

"The Sunshine Boys." 

Following their testimony, a witness identified 

as a marketing expert. Dr. Edward 

Cundiff, testified that he thought the damages 

should be assessed at the $4,500,000 

figure. Under cross-examination, however, 

when attorneys for the defense asked Cundiff 

if he had ever had any professional 

dealings with entertainers' accounts before, 

he replied he had not. He admitted he was 

being paid $90 per hour for his 15 hours of 

service on the case. 

He said he never saw any of the group's 

Grade B Westerns or the Simon movie "The 

Sunshine Boys." Attorney Mark Kaufman 

asked Cundiff if he didn't really think his 

"expert testimony" was "a hobglob of information 

based on a lot of speculation." 

Kaufman later moved for a directed verdict 

from the judge against the Sunshine 

Boys based on the fact that "there is no evidence 

for a jury to consider in returning a 

verdict, no damages established, no show of 

intent" and no show of suffering. 

He also noted that Cundiff admitted his 

clients are in a totally different area of entertainment 

than the ethnic, vaudevillian 

heroes of Simon's movie. 

Judge Henderson agreed that just "suing 

somebody's name alone is not enough" and 

he directed a verdict against Wallace and 

Richman. 


I 

generously 

I 

I 

from 

J'Ville WOMPIs Kept 

Busy During December 

JACKSONVILLE — WOMPl members 

posted one of the most active Decembers in 

their history this year. Community service 

chairman Julie WilHams has announced 

that 13 community service projects were 

completed before Christmas, with a total of 

167 hours contributed by numerous 

WOMPI members. 

T-Shirts a Check 

Kicking off the busy schedule was the 

sending of movie T-shirts and a check for 

$25 to adopted Korean daughter An Sun 

Ok. To their adopted daughter Wanda Enos. 

an Apache Navajo Indian girl who is a 

student at Arizona State University, they 

sent a package with gifts and money from 

several WOMPI members. 

For the second year in a row. WOMPI 

assisted local Marines with their Toys for 

Tots campaign. Local Filmrow people really 

gave a boost to this worthy project by 

having a benefit premiere of "Force 10 

From Navarone" and a sneak preview of 

Invasion of the Body Snatchers." WOMPI 

members were on hand at both events to 

sell tickets and collect toys for the Marine 

Corps and a total of 71 hours were compiled. 

Bingo Party Held 

Every month, WOMPI hosts a bingo party 

at the Florida Christian Health Center 

and this December was no exception. The 

party was done on a larger scale than usual. 

Calling bingo December 16 was jolly ol" 

Santa (portrayed by Nell Haack of Plitt 

Theatres, who had to do a lot of stuffing to 

be convincing in her role) along with Joyce 

Malmborg. Susan Howell and Mary Ellen 

Boyd who were Santa's elves and handed 

out prizes and refreshments to everyone. 

The afternoon ended with Evelyn Hallick 

playing the piano and leading the residents 

in singing all the old and well-loved Christmas 

carols. 

WOMPI Is Honored 

In conjunction with Florida Christian 

Health Center. WOMPI and other local 

oiganizations 

were honored at a luncheon. 

held in the River Room of the Center, in 

recognition of their time and love given so 

during the past year. Attending 

on behalf of WOMPI were members Doris 

Humphreys and Evelyn Hallick. 

With Christmas only a few days away 

there was still a lot to be done. Members 

Fox, Universal, Warner Bros., Paramount, 

General Cinema and AMC com- 

^Bîiiî; 

ny-13'/A14"ouMe 

16"-I6'/j"'diameter 

$50.00 

$81.50 

bined their efforts to answer over 500 letters 

to Santa from children as far away as 

Arizona. This is a delightful project and 

one WOMPI has participated in for the 

past few years. While many were writing 

Santa letters. Mary Hart and Joyce Malmborg 

were busy stuffing 50 stockings for 

needy children. The stockings were distributed 

by the Salvation Army and contained 

toys and candy. 

Assist in Gift Wrapping 

Last but not least were 23 hours spent 

in area shopping malls wrapping gifts for 

the American Cancer Society, the collection 

of toiletry items, clothes, etc. for the Mental 

Health's annual "Pioject Cheer," and 

25 gifts wrapped and delivered to Sunny 

Acres Home for their gala Christmas party 

for mentally and physically handicapped 

persons. 

By Friday, December 22, Santa's little 

helpers were tired but happy and by 4:30 

p.m. all of Filmrow was quiet! Not a creature 

was Stirling ... not even a WOMPI! 

PALM BEACH 

Royal Palm Dinner Theatre, Boca Raton, 

is celebrating its first anniversary presenting 

the ever-popular "Carousel." Two gala 

nights of celebrating for media, first nighters 

and friends of the theatre took place 

December 20 and 21. Actress-producer Jan 

McArt introduced the evenings with champagne 

toasts and a huge birthday cake was 

rolled onto the stage. The cast includes 

David Christopher Dannehl, Linda Peters, 

Turhanne Cook, Warren J. Brown, Ted 

Kowal and Willis Knickerbocker. Knickerbocker 

recently completed a cameo part in 

"The Pilot." 

Actress Lama Turner will appear in "Murder 

Among Friends" at the Poinciana Playhouse 

March 5-10. Ms. Turner is scheduled 

to make her Broadway appearance in this 

play either in late spring or early fall. The 

Playhouse opens Monday (8) with "Jolsbn." 

based on the life of Al Jolson during the 

years 1926-1936. "Jolson" features the music 

and lyrics of Academy-Award winners 

Irwin Levine and L. Russell Brown in this 

pre-Broadway musical 

TWIN 

IT!! 


Drive-in Theotre Construction Since 1946 


• Painting • Repairs 


'i$A^M8l.'^' 

JACKSONVILLE 

^heatre patrons here flocked to area theatres 

when the long-awaited Christmas 

releases finally arrived. Although most 

films met with mixed reactions from local 

critics, several pictures did top business at 

the boxoffice, 

including "Superman," "California 

Suite," "The Lord of the Rings," 

"Invasion of the Body Snatchers" and Clint 

Eastwood's comedy "Every Which Way But 

Loose." These were followed by "Magic," 

"Oliver's Story," "Moment by Moment," 

"King of the Gypsies" and "Force 10 From 

Navarone." 

Reopening its doors just in time for the 

Christmas rush was Kent Theatres' Neptune 

Theatre in Neptime Beach. Formerly a 

single auditorium, the Neptune is now a 

deluxe triple theatre with 300 seats per 

side. The local Kent Office also announced 

that the Palms Theatre, Melbourne, Fla., 

shuttered since early September, has reopened 

as a five-plex with multiple seats 

on each side. The expansion of these two 

theatres now brings to 36 the number of 

screens Kent Theatres operates in 

the Florida 

territory. 

Local WOMPI finance chairman Marsha 

Weaver advises that the recent Gator Bowl 

concession project was a financial success 

despite bad weather and the unusual working 

conditions. As always, Marsha was able 

to recruit many co-WOMPI and Filmrow 

friends to assist members in this annual 

project. However, the money turned in from 

the concession stand was a little different 

than in past years as the University of 

Clemson fans brought almost nothing but 

$2 bills with them to Jacksonville. Stamped 

on each bill was the well known "Clemson 

Tiger Paw." The approximate profit of 


2 beats 1 

3 beats 2 

4 beats 3 

we beat them 

all in twinning 

Triplexing and 

quadruplexing! 

Ol cHimminoKnicGcn 

Foimetir WOOOatV CONSTKUCTION CORP 

555 CHESTNUT STREET CEDARHURST 

• NEW lORK 1 I5i 

516 569-1990 

BOXOFFICE ;; January 15, 1979

. . Bobby 

CHAR LOTTE 

assistant general sales manager for 

MGM. returned to Fort Lauderdale after a 

three-week trip here with his brother Joe 

sr.. a retiree from American International, 

and his nephew Joe jr., a salesman with 

Columbia Pictures. While here he remi- 

Things have quieted down after Christmas 

and New Year's on Filmrow and all 

Bill Simpson (Simpson Distributing 

Corp.) has acquired the rights to "The Mellon 

Affair," first date at the Bijou, Greenville, 

S. C. opening Christmas day. He 

also has "The Seven Brothers Meet Dracu- 

CfS 

(ConlinuL-d on page SE-8) 

BOXOFFICE :; January 15, 1979

1 30 p r 

BOSTON 

BUFFALO 

CHARLOTTE 

CHICAGO 

CINCINNATI 

CLEVELAND 

DALLAS 

DENVER 

DES MOINES 

DETROIT 

INDIANAPOLIS 

JACKSONVILLE 

KANSAS CITY 

LOS ANGELES 

American dream with ttie stars of tomorrow. 

Tommy Lambert 

(704) 882-1154 

Jim Engle 

(617) 482-9039 

John Wilhelm 

(518) 943-2285 

Tommy Lambert 

(704)882-1154 


(312) 782-0988 

Jeff Ruff 

(513)921-8200 

Morne Zyrl 

(216) 461-9770 

J C. t^cCrary 

(214) 252-5573 

Sfierm Wood 

(303) 751-1464 

Paul Rice 

(913)383-3880 

Dennis Glenn 

(313)968-7770 

Jeff Ruff 

(513)921-8200 

Tommy Lambert 

(704)882-1154 

Paul Rice 

(913)383-3880 

Fred Kunkel 

(213)659-0545 


Park Square 


Maple Forest 

Ttieatre 




Ttie Screening 

Room 

Fridley 


Point ol View 


Eastwood Tfieatre 

Regency Ttieatre 

Commonwealtti 


Studio 1 

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be held January 24,1979 in the following cities: 

Oily 

MEMPHIS 

MILWAUKEE 

NEW ORLEANS 

OKLAHOMA CITY 

PHILADELPHIA 


SAN FRANCISCO 

WASHINGTON. 


Don Butirmester 

(312) 782-0988 

Jim Payne 

(612)332-3303 

Lew Oubre 

(504) 837-5200 

Man/in Friedlander 

(212) 354-5700 

J C McCrary 

(214) 252-5573 

Sam Helfman 

(213) 659-0545 

John Matdiak 

(412) 391-0370 

Fred Kunkel 

(213)659-0545 

Paul Rice 

(913)383-3880 

Dallas Farrimond 

(801)521-9888 

Fred Kunkel 

(213)659-0545 

Fred Kunkel 

(213)659-0545 

Ross Wheeler 

(202)244-1500 

Theatre 

Tri-State 


Marcus 


704 Screening 

Room 

Gulf States 


Magno 


Tower Theatre 


Star 




Theatre 

Jack Wodell 


Jewel Box 


Circle 

Theatre 


Film Ventures International lnc.:fVM979 


Edward L. Montoro, President 

1:30 prr 

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2 00pr 

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Sam Helfman, Director of Marketing 

BOXOmCE ;: January 15, 1979 

SE-5

JACKSONVILLE 

(Continued frcm page SE-3) 

S325 will be used toward the 1979 convention 

which the local WOMPI club will 

ho-.t in Sjptember. 

VVOMPl ir.embers have bean busy since 

November gathering gifts for both of 

their adopted daughters. Wanda Enos, a 

at junior Ariozna State University, has been 

receiving monetary assistance from the local 

club for the past three years as well as a 

package from Santa in December. An Sun 

Ok. our Korean Foster Child, who is now 

18 years old. received a unique gift from 

the VVOMPl members this year as Marsha 

Weaver had gathered T-shirts from various 

film companies on their top movies and sent 

t3 An Sun Ok. 

Piaza Theatre cashier Sandra Jackson has 

been promoted to assistant manager-cashier 

taking the place of Tom Robinson who 

moved over to the St. Johns Twin Theatre 

as house manager. 

PBS station WJCT, Channel 7, and Stereo 

90 announce "Broadcast Park" at Gator 

Bowl Center. Jacksonville's exciting new 

center for education, art, music and family 

recreation. Broadcast Park is a totally 

unique, three-phase program to be developed 

over the next ten years by WJCT. The 

foundations have already been laid for 

Phase 1. the new offices, classroom TV and 

technical center for Channel 7 and Stereo 

90 and construction will begin after the first 

of the year. Phase 11. the River Studio and 

Festival Deck, Big Bird Park and Family 

Activity Center, should be under construction 

by late 1979. Phase III will be the 

South's first broadcast Amphitheatre and 

is the most ambitious portion of Broadcast 

Park's master plan. It will provide a major 

new industry bringing tourists and nationwide 

network promotion to Jacksonville. 

Kathy Peterson, Universal booker, received 

an early surprise Christmas present 

when steady boyfriend Donnie Wilson gave 

her a beautiful diamond engagement ring. 

Kathy and Donnie are planning an August 

wedding. 

Mickey Mouse's 50th Birthday Party 

NATIONAL 

Changeable 

Letters 

lO-in. S2.40 

12-in $3.10 

17-in S5.30 /^j, 1)^ I 

I 24-ln $8.00 l W\ 

Other sizes 

proportionately 

low 

Hard baked enamel on lA" Mafionite/hardboard 

resists /leather and abuse. Clamp hooks with bronie 

spring L !'i letter lo any track (describe when ordering). 

Lei -s stay put, are easy to change, easy 

to read, available in a choice of colors. Available at 

your theatre supply dealer. Sample on request. Ask 

for 

literature. 

Prices subject o change. 

NATIONAL DEVICES CO. 

NATIONAL CHANGEABLE LETTERS DIV. 

1535 16th St. DenYer, Colora

Dorothy Hornung, president of the Vaj 

riety 

I 

' 

for 

Deborah Kerr is in Florida to appear in 

The Last of Mrs. Cheyney," which is playing 

the Parker Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale. 

Columnist John Huddy of the Miami 

Herald described business at the theatres 

where "Superman" is playing as "sensational." 

He states that at the Kendale theatre 

alone it attracted just under 9,500 filmoQcrs 

during its first four days, and stated 

t^hat if the remaining seven theatres in South 

Florida do that kind of business, "Superman's" 

first week's attendance here could 

skyrocket past the 100,000 mark. Huddy 

continues in his column with his opinion of 

the best movie performance of the holiday 

season, which he thinks is Anthony Hopkins, 

the English actor who plays the comedian-ventriloquist 

Corky in "Magic." 

The motion picture "The Dead Duck," 

starring Zero Mostel, was honored December 

it" at the Friars Club in Beverly Hills 

for its excellence in quality entertainment. 

The award, presented by the Film Advisory 

Board, was accepted by Hal J. Webb for 

the Raymond J. Bishop presentation. Release 

of this picture. Zero's last, is scheduled 

for early February. The film, first reviewed 

by an audience at the recent Miami 

Film Festival, received excellent reviews 

from the Miami newspapers. The audience 

laughed throughout the showing and there 

were moments of spontaneous applause. 

Bishop says, "This film will quack you 

up." 

Women's Committee, turned over a 

$40,000 check for her group to Edward 

Melniker, a member of the hospital's board 

of directors. The hospital is the welfare of 

the 

local "Variety Club tent. 

A recent visitor to the Miami area was 

Hugh O'Brian of film fame, who flew in to 

attend the tenth anniversary celebration of 

the Jockey Club and also to attend the 

Greater Miami International Film Festival's 

awards dinner held recently at the Konover 

Hotel. 

Dade County Council of Arts and Sciences 

has paid tribute to director Marcel 

Carne, the French director known for his 

films of poetic realism. The week-long tribute 

was known as "Eighty Years of Cinema 

in Homage to Marcel Carne" and featured 

12 of his films which were shown at 

the University of Miami's Beaumont Cinema. 

Carne could not attend the shows, as 

originally planned, because of a severe ear 

: I infection. 

i| Raymond T. Toemmes, 69, who worked 

Wometco Theatres for 46 years before 

retiring in 1977, died November 25 of cancer 

at his home. A native of Minonk, 111., 

Toemmes started as an usher in the Plaza 

Theatre on Miami Beach. He went to the 

Tower Theatre as assistant manager. He 

also worked at the Parkway, Miracle, Carib 

and Miami theatres. While manager at the 

Towers, he contributed use of the building 

for masses for four years while Saints Peter 

and Paul church was being built. 

II 

' 

BOXOFFICE :: January 15. 1979 

Dana Andrews 

Battle With Alcohol 

Lends Credence to Role in 

Dana Andrews, at work on the set 

of "The Pilot," inspects the wing of a 

DC 8 following its bout with clear-air 

turbulance. 

BY LOIS BAUMOEL 

PALM BEACH—Dana Andrews is 

someone almost everyone recognizes. In the 

elevator there were knowing glances as we 

rode down to the lobby of the Ramada Inn. 

As we sat, talking in the lobby, the elbow 

nudging continued. However there is something 

in 

the actor's conservative manner 

that discourages the boldest of autograph 

seekers. Andrews celebrated his 70th birthday 

Jan. 1. Everything about him makes 

you think he is a man at least 20 years 

younger. He is athletic-looking, tall, trim 

and erect and unfaltering in speech. 

Andrews has been in and out of Miami 

and Palm Beach for the shooting of "The 

Pilot," produced by C. Gregory Earls. He 

plays the role of an unbending head of an 

airline in a story that deals with a pilot 

who has a drinking problem. In real-life 

Andrews is anything but unbending, especially 

on the subject of alcoholics. 

The small-town Mississippi-born actor, 

son of a Baptist minister, played two small 

parts in theatrical productions while enrolled 

in Sam Houston College in Texas. 

But it was not until he had finished college 

and had established himself in a business 

position that he contemplated a career in 

acting. He hoped to get started as a singer 

or screen performer. He began his acting 

career at the Pasadena Playhouse. 

In 1938 one of Samuel Goldwyn's talent 

scouts signed him to a contract. His first 

role for Goldwyn was a niinor one in "The 

Westerner," starring Gary Cooper. Andrews 

was one of very few stars working for two 

CUVERAMA IS CV SHOW 

BIISUVESS IX HAWAII TOO^ 

When you come to Walklkl, 




Vilot' 

large film companies. In 1940 arrangements 

were made for 20th Century-Fox to share 

his contract and within the next five years 

Andrews was featured in 15 films including 

"Tobacco Road," "Belle Starr," "Up 

in Arms," "Purple Heart" and "A Wing 

and a Prayer." 

His big break came in 1944 in "Laura," 

which established him as a star of magnitude. 

Following that he appeared in many 

important motion pictures such as Academy 

Award-winning "The Best Years of Our 

Lives," "Elephant Walk" with Elizabeth 

Taylor, and "State Fair," in which he asked 

that his singing voice be dubbed, rather 

than risk being type-cast as a singer in future 

roles. is His all-time favorite "The 

Ox-Bow Incident," which starred Henry 

Fonda. 

Andrews made Broadway 

In 1958 his 

debut replacing Henry Fonda in "Two for 

the Seesaw" opposite Anne Bancroft. Andrews 

laughingly recalled that soon after 

Ms. Bancroft's marriage she was asked if 

she planned on having a family. Her 

answer: "Would you have kids with Mel 

Brooks?" 

Andrews' best exposure on TV came 

from a one-minute spot announcement he 

made for the Department of Transportation, 

bringing the problems of drunken 

drivers to public attention. It was an admission 

that Andrews is an alcoholic. The 

purpose for the spot was to try to get 

drunken drivers off the road. It also is the 

reason why the actor is able to empathize 

with the central character in the picture. 

Cliff Robertson, an alcoholic pilot. 

Andrews said he wishes that the public 

would accept alcoholism for what it is, a 

disease, and that society must learn to treat 

it 

as such. 

"I never drink," the actor admitted. "You 

cannot drink if you've been an alcoholic. 

However, most doctors dealing in the field 

will concur that it is bad to quit cold turkey. 

Approximately 10 per cent of those attempting 

it end in death. It weakens the 

heart and kidneys. Medical advice should 

be sought. At least 50 per cent can over- 


DRIVE-IN 

THEATRE 

SCREENS 

Tfte Quality Tower that never 


• • • 

GENE TAYLOR 


and Erection 

Co. 


Shawnee, Kansas 66203 

913-631-9695 

SE-7

Andrews' Battle with 

Bottle Assists Role 

(Continued from page SE-7) 

come it with the aid of a physician," 

the 

actor said. 

Andrews also had high praise for the 

AA. "a most effective group." "Alcohohsm 

is ainong the number one killers," he added. 

Dana' was a widower with a four-yearold 

son when he met and married actress 

Mary Todd, a marriage that has lasted 40 

vears and has produced three children. The 

Andrews make their home in the Toluca 

Lake district of California, "within five 

miles of the last landslide," Andrews added. 

A man who knows his way around, literally 

and figuratively. Andrews knew all of 

the short-cuts from the hotel to 

a hangar at 

the Miami airport. This was learned, a short 

while later, while the actor was a passenger 

in this reporter's car. His voice commands 

such authority that one does not challenge 

his directions or check his facts. Somehow, 

you know that when this former president 

of the Screen Actors Guild and now owner 

of a successful Holiday Inn franchise in 

Reno says "Turn right"—right it is! 

Wometco Bard Inspired 

By 'Supemian' Arrival 

GAINESVILLE, FLA.—David C. Rockey, 

manager of Wometco's Plaza Theatre 

here, composed an appropriate piece of 

light verse to mark the opening of "Superman" 

at his theatre. It is worth reprinting: 

'Twas some weeks before opening and all 

through our town 

Hundreds of people are now shopping to 

heat last minute crowds. 

The students are dreading their final e.xams. 

And sure will be glad to say '•Finished. I 

am!" 

So I took on the task to stir up some cornmotion; 

And happened to come up with a fantastic 

promotion. 

Imagine if you can, the city's largest mall. 

Willing to promote this year's best picture 

of them', all. 

Our idea was a contest to look like a star; 

We got all contestants together and here 

they all are. 

A look-alike contest of Superman was our 

goal; 

And all contestants were dressed up complete 

from head to toe. 

First place was a Walt Disney World trip; 

Second place was a $25 gift certificate. 

Now back at the theatre our employees are 

all busy 

Getting ready for this theatres largest 

crowds in history. 

Behind our doorman and greeting all patrons 

the same 

Is a mild-mannered man. Clark Kent is his 

name. 

All of the sudden I heard such a clatter; 

I rose from my desk to see what's the mal- 

It's 

December 15 and the crowds 

here 

SE-8 

Jo fiive ihcir hero Superman an opening 

cheer. 

So the ingredients are all present to produce 

a great crowd: 

Good product, good promotion and good 

sound of which we are proud. 

Once again we have come to the end of 

another good year; 

So from the theatre to you, a happy holiday 

cheer! 

John R. Lomax. Long-Time 

RCA Service Man, Dies 

MIAMI—John R. Lomax died Jan. 3 in 

Miami. He was 72 years of age. 

Born in Abbeville, S.C, he joined RCA 

Service Corp. in Atlanta May 7, 1942. 

When RCA took on the servicing of sound 

and projection equipment for Wometco The- 

in Miami and the Theatres of Nassau. 

atres 

Ltd., Lomax was assigned exclusively to 

this responsibility which he held until his 

retirement from RCA May 1, 1971. 

He practiced his hobby of amateur radio 

with distinction for more than 45 years, 

holding the call sign of W4DEX. He was 

also a member of the Elks, Variety Clubs 

International and was an associate member 

of the Wometco Old Guard organization, 

the latter an honor accorded him for his 

many years of service to Wometco. 

He is survived by his sister Laura Lomax 

Raytkwich, a son Bob and three grandchildren. 

Messages may be sent to Mrs. Raytkwich 

at 1316-C., South Perry St., Montgomery, 

Ala. 36104. 

c H aYlo tte 


co-hosted by the Big Four, Locke, Jones, 

Vanderhorst and 'Smilin' Jack Jordan. A 

smorgasbord _ „ was served along with 

tasty 

hors d'oeuvres and of course liquid refreshments. 

"The Three Debs" from Southern 

Booking, Trish, Sylvia and Cindy and their 

pulchritude added a touch of personality 

and congeniality and their feminine touch 

really made the evening for the invited 

guests. 

Homer Lynch (Southern Booking) had a 

tie-up with Burger King for the Mission 

Valley and Imperial, Raleigh, N.C., for his 

holiday children's matinees. The Raleigh 

area Burger King stores distributed special 

coupons which would admit kiddies for 

50 cents. Burger was also running big 

ads and had a pretty girl, in Burger King 

uniform, at the theatre giving away special 

coupons which entitle bearer to free french 

fries with sandwich. Sounds like a roundrobin 

tie-up which could keep the young 

ones going back and forth for their coupons. 

Deepest sympathy to Phil Nance (Mission 

Valley Theatres, Raleigh, N.C.) and family 

on the death of his father. 

Happy birthday greetings Jan. 5 to Bob 

Schrader, Piedmont Theatres. Boxoffice extends 

birthday wishes to its Charlotte corall 

respondent Charlie Leonard. Many happy 

returns. Charlie! 

ATLANTA 


Jane Fonda and Robert Redford, the 

troubled newlyweds of "Barefoot in the 

Park," are currently being reunited in a 

Sydney Pollack-directed film, "The Electric 

Horseman." The film also reunites Pollack 

and Redford. who worked together on "The 

Way We Were" and "Jeremiah Johnson." 

Betty Hudson, promotion director for 

WSB-TV, local NBC outlet, has been 

named as vice-president of special projects 

for the national NBC network. In that newly 

created position, said to be a pet project 

of the new NBC board chairman Jane Pfeiffer. 

Miss Hudson will be in charge of the 

network's relations wtih special interest 

groups with specific complaints about TV, 

such as action for Children's Television. 

December potpourri: On December 7, 

Universal Pictures and WZGC sponsored 

an invitational screening of "The Wiz," with 

Diana Ross, at the Rhodes Theatre . . . 

Tuesday, December 12 WPLO-AM, "Every 

Which Way But Loose," with Clint Eastwood. 

North DeKalb Theatre . . . 

Same 

day Walt Disney's "Bedknobs and Broomsticks," 

at the Preview Center . . . 

December 

14 Buford Highway Twin. "Superman" . . . 

December 17 Avco Embassy Pictures invitational, 

"Watership Down," Films Incorporated 

Preview Center . . . Universal Pictures 

invitational Monday, December 18, 

"Moment by Moment" with Lily Tomlin 

and John Travolta, Preview Center : 

Paramount Pictures invitational, December 

19, "Days of Heaven," starring Richard 

Gere, Brooke Adams, Sam Shepard and 

Lina Manz, Lenox Square II . . 

December 

. 

21 Dino de Laurentiis presents a Frank 

Pierson film, "King of the Gypsies," starring 

Sterling Hayden, Shelley Winters, 

Brooke Shields, and introducing Eric Roberts, 

Loew's Tara II . . . Courtesy of 94Q- 

FM, Phipps Penthouse and United Artists, ; 

December 21 "Invasion of the Body Snatchers." 

"Eddie Macon's Run," a James McLendon 

film, will be brought to the screen by 

MGM with Frank P. Rosenberg producing 

a screenplay by Spencer Eastman. The 

book, concerning a Texas prison escape. 

has also been purchased by New American 

Library. 

The Storer Broadcasting Co., based in 

Miami, whose stations include WAGA-TV. 

the CBS local outlet, has announced that 

the network is divesting itself of its radio 

division in order to concentrate its development 

in television broadcasting and cable 

TV. The companv recently sold its two radio 

stations in Los Angeles, but still owns 

stations in Miami, New York, Toledo and 

Chicago. In addition to Atlanta, the firm 

owns and operates stations in Detroit, 

Cleveland, Milwaukee, Boston, Toledo and 

San Diego and SO cable TV systems in ninc 

states. 


. . The 

Dululh Arena Reports M I L W A U K E E 

Record Income Figures 

DULUTH. MINN.—The i: 

the Diiliith Arena-Auditorium 

th year of 

again 

sur- 

passed all others in serving this city and its 

citizens. Attendance figures for 1978 show 

that Arena-Auditorium patronage exceeded 

650.000 and the direct economic impact 

realized by the city of Duluth exceeded $12 

million for the first time in any single year. 

"Two big milestones were achieved in 

to 1978," according Duluth Arena- Auditorium 

manager, Joseph Sturckler, CPE. 

•First, more than 100,000 visitors attended 

Arena-Auditorium events in April 1978. 

setting a record for the largest number of 

visitors during a month in the arena's 12- 

year history," he said. "The largest previous 

single-month attendance was in June 1974, 

when 93,241 visitors were recorded." 

"And secondly," Sturckler said, "the seven 

million mark in attendance for the first 12 

years of operations was passed this year. 

We have entertained more than 7.1 million 

people in our 12 years, or over 71 times the 

since our grand open- 

population of the city 

ing in 1966." 

Generates $10 Million Annually 

Economically, the local impact has 

-hawn that for the $12 million invested in 

th; complex over the 12-year period, a relu 

11 of approximately $10 million a year 

has been returned to the citizens of Duludi. 

"We are proud to be a part of the visitor 

industry which now ranks as the third 

largest source of basic income for Duluth," 

Stin-ckler beamed. "Duluth Convention and 

Visitors Bureau figures show that during 

1978 Dukith experienced a record breaking 

year as 790,000 visitors and 53,000 convention 

delegates produced $50 million for our 

economy." 

Sturckler said convention solicitation has 

been a joint venture between the arena staff 

and the Convention and Visitor Bureau. He 

said both staffs have worked closely together 

with Duluth hotels, motels, and the 

Spirit Mountain Recreation Area in promoting 

Duluth as a major convention center. 

"I truly believe that Duluth, Minn., is 

God's country— it's the resort city of mid- 

America, gateway to the northern lakes and 

wilderness country—a world seaport and 

cosmopolitan city," said Sturckler. "With 

the mountain, the sea and the city, Duluth 

- jBOXOFFICE :: January 15, 1979 

fhe Better Films & TV Council of Milwaukee 

had its annual Christmas luncheon 

at Manning's Restaurant with nearly 200 in 

attendance. Special entertainment was provided 

by 30 young musicians who comprised 

the Longfellow Junior High School 

orchestra under the direction of Mrs. Mohr. 

BoxoFFicE correspondent Wally L. Meyer, 

as he does each year, led the audience in a 

bit of community singing. Father Gene Jakubek 

who is on TV every Sunday and is a 

popular speaker on the national circuit, delivered 

the invocation. The Jesuit priest was 

ovei whelmed with the generosity of the 

ladies present who filled "the hat" with contributions 

for his project called H.E.L.P. 

(Happiness for the Elderly, Lonely and 

Poor) which takes care of several thousand 

persons. 

Drawings for door prizes were made during 

the program that followed the meal. 

New film ratings on the council's latest 

evaluation list which was circulated at the 

luncheon-meeting included Family; "Across 

the Great Divide." excellent. Adults and 

Young People: "Paradise Alley," "Watership 

Down," "They Went That-A-Way and 

That-A-Way," "Heaven Can Wait." very 

good; "Message From Space," "The Big 

Fix," "The One and Only," good. Adults 

and Mature Young People: "Force 10 From 

Navarone," "Midnight Express." very good: 

auditorium has seating capacity for slightly 

more than 300, two screenings had to be 

scheduled. Before the screening of "100 

Men and a Girl" (1937), Kuntz delighted 

the audience by reading a letter from the 

singer who now lives in seclusion in a village 

outside of Paris. Signing herself Deanna 

Durbin David, she revealed that she was still 

•a ham at heart," and that the news of the 

success of the Milwaukee showings were to 

her most flattering. 

At least two of the films shown in the 

recent series. "It's a Date" and "Spring 

Parade," according to Kuntz, have never 

been televised. Universal Pictures, the original 

producer, sold the films to MGM in the 

early 1940s. 

"The Rocky Horror Picture 

Show" celebrated 

its first anniversary at the Oriental 

Landmark Theatre on Saturday midnight 

during the New Year weekend . . . "The 

Wiz," with Diana Ross, promoted as "the 

big new hit in town" was playing at Movies 

Northridge, Centre Twin and Southtown 

Cinema at the same time that "The Wizard 

of Oz," starring Judy Garland, began playing 

at the Strand where the billing stated: 

"Still the standard ... see the real thing." 

Slated to follow at the Strand was "The 

Sound of Music" in 70mm and six-channel 

stereo. 

"Magic," "The Wild Geese" (very violent). Before the Chilton Cinema announced it 

good: "Halloween," fair: "Mean Dog Blues." would be closing for remodeling, from Dec. 

it poor. Adults: Inheritance," fair; 3 to Christmas, "The "Can presented a free show 

I Do It Til I Need Glasses?" poor. A mem- sponsored by the Chilton Chamber of Combership 

followed on Jan. 8 at the Mayfair merce for the area youngster on Saturday, 

Theatre. There also was a special screening Dec. 2. The program consisted of "At the 

at 

9:30 a.m. 

Shelmon Masce who took over the shuttered 

Strand Theatre in downtown Milwaukee 

several months ago, is now also the 

owner and operator of Parkland 1 & 2 in 

Muskego. He plans to change the name to 

Countryside Twins, Shelmon told Boxoffice, 

and will soon add a new feature, a 

country store 

night with prizes. 

It's been more than 30 years since Deanna 

Durbin stopped making movies, but Milwaukeeans 

have rediscovered her and are 

creating overflow crowds for the Milwaukee 

Art CeTiter. As the result of two consecutively 

filled winters of Film Classics with 

eight films in 1977, and eight more in 1978, 

Deanna Durbin has emerged as the most 

popular screen personality in the history of 

Earth's Core" and featured Santa Claus in 

person. The theatre management promised 

"see a movie soon in our newly remodeled 

and redecorated theatre featuring comfortable 

spacious seating with modern decor, 

yet retaining the original architecture. We're 

doing all this for you, because 'At the Cinema 

1 . . . you're second to none.' " The 

house reopened Wednesday. Dec, 27. 

The Isle Theatre in Cumberland, Wis., 

was also closed Dec. 20-24 but arranged a 

free Christmas show matinee on the Saturday 

before Community Betterment 

. 

Ass'n sponsored a children's yule party at 

Gilman Theatre in Gilman on a Saturday 

afternoon with Santa passing out bags of 

treats . . . Towne Theatre in Algoma had a 

merchant-sponsored free show including 

offers the best of all worlds. Last year alone, 

two matinees—offering "The Little Prince" 

I traveled more than 75,000 miles preaching 

the year-round wonderment of Duluth 

the Milwaukee Art Center. Dale Kuntz. 

and cartoons. 

president of a local club for film buffs 

and its friendly people," he said. "I know called "Followers of Old Films" and who is The Mosinee Theatre in cooperation with 

that once we get the visitor here to experience 

all of Duluth's resources, we'll have 

a coordinator in the Art Center's community 

program department, said that all 16 special kiddie matinees Dec. 16 and 17. In 

the local Chamber of Commerce featured 

them returning time and time again." 

films have been on loan from a private collection, 

and that some were not in the best there were gifts from the merchants in a 

addition to special treats for each youngster 

An excellent example of Sturckler's philosophy 

can be found in the love affair between 

Duluth and the renowned Ice Ca- 

condition. Despite the presence of a poor "Fun for All" prize contest. Free tickets 

soundtrack here and there, local moviegoers 

have been expressing their delight on places. 

were available at all Mosinee business 

pades company of Hollywood, Calif. 

For 13 consecutive years, throughout the 

seeing them again with both applause and 

The Sparta area Chamber of Commerce 

history of the Duluth Arena, Ice Capades 

cheers. 

staged a free movie show for children at 

has conducted a month-long rehearsal pe- 

"Three Smart Girls" (1937) drew an overflow 

house of nearly 600 fans and since the 

(Continued on page 

(Continued on following page) 

NC-4) 

NC-1

MINNEAPOLIS 

Weteran exhibitor Mike DeFea. longtime 

owner-operator of the DeFea Theatre. 

Milbank. S.D.. died Dec. 22 of a heart attack 

at the age of 85. DeFea entered the 

theatre business in 1921 in Wheaton. Minn. 

In 1934 his show house burned down. That 

same year, he purchased the Milbank Theatre 

from exhibitor Bonnie Benfield and renamed 

it the DeFea, operating it until his 

retirement in 1972. The theatre continues 

to be run by members of his family. 

The Hollywood Theatre, Tracy, Minn., 

previously operated by John Glaser but 

closed for the past six months, opened Jan. 

17. Now running the Hollywood is Ron 

Jacobson, who also has the Lincoln Drivein 

in Tyler. Minn., not far from Tracy. 

Dean Schaff, buyer-booker for Midwest 

Entertainment, Inc.. scooted down to Chicago 

for some holidaying in the Windy City 

. . . Al Bergman, Bay Theatre, Ashland, 

Wis., braved the cold and ice and snow to 

visit Filmrow on business. 

For Columbia branch manager Jack Ignatowicz, 

it's a case of "how 'suite' it is!" 

"California Suite" has taken off in a big 

way—and Ignatowicz is as happy as the 

abundant audiences . . . Meanwhile, Warner 

Bros, branch chief Dick Malek is popping 

his vest buttons at those "Every Which 

Way But Loose" grosses. " 'Superman" is 

super, of course," beams Malek at the season's 

giant. "But look at that Clint Eastwood 

action. The picture is a big winner in 

all its territory dates." Malek reports 

"Movie, Movie" bows in this area Jan. 26, 

opening in Minneapolis at the Hopkins and 

World theatres. 

David and Mary Horton hosted and 

toasted the Don Palmquists and the Jack 

Kelvies during the two couples' recent visit 

to Milwaukee. Palmquist is office manager 

at the 20th Century-Fox branch, and Kelvie 

is with Northwest Theatre Service and Viking 

Films. Mary is Jack's daughter. 

The St. Paul Dispatch ran an eight-column 

ad four inches deep Dec. 28 asking 

readers: "Are you tired of TV? Why not 

go out to a movie? Check the ads for the 

fine entertainment waiting for you on the 

big screens of your favorite local theatres." 

The newspaper's blurb caused much favorable 

comment among local theatremen. 

Duluth Arena-Auditorium 

A Boon to the Communily 

riod in 

(Continued from preceding page) 

Duluth as well as the premiere of its 

national show. Estimates have indicated that 

Ice Capades generates revenue for the Duluth 

area economy close to $750,000 during 

their stay. 

More than 131,000 individuals have taken 

advantage of the one-year-old Northwest 

Passage system, according to Sturckler. "We 

are extremely pleased that so many people 

are taking advantage of this climate-controlled 

concourse, which reaches from the 

upper level of Pioneer Hall at the Arena to 

a "T" terminal over the intersection of 

Third Avenue West and Michigan Street, 

providing a much needed connection to the 

revitalized downtown business district." 

Many Services Provided 

Also recently implemented is the arena 

shuttle service. This bus service is provided 

for downtown workers who park in the uncongested 

arena parking lot and wish 

transportation to downtown areas. 

As a convenience for Arena-Auditorium 

patrons, the facility began accepting major 

credit cards for advance ticket sales in 1978. 

"We had a number of requests about the 

purchasing of event tickets via major credit 

cards," Sturckler explained. "And, with the 

number of credit card transactions we have 

received, this new service has been favorably 

accepted by our patrons." 

Playing host to numerous events in 1978, 

including 8,000 Midwest Shriners and their 

families; the legendary Bob Hope; several 

international rock acts; sports and trade 

shows: both ice and roller skating; the Duluth-Superior 

Symphony, and more, the 

Arena-Auditorium has kept up with its hectic 

pace, striving to give the Duluth public 

more of the top notch entertainment it has 

come to expect. 

"As more and more people attend conventions 

in the Duluth Arena-Auditorium, 

the 'good word' is spreading and Duluth is 

quickly becoming recognized as a location 

that has something for everyone," Sturckler 

said. This year's goal is 

to continue to bring 

the public more of the diversified and exciting 

entertainment it has received in the 

past, and to continue to get the 'good word' 

out to a great many more people— to let 

them know that Duluth is indeed a unique 

and diverse city with plenty to offer." 

The Man of Steel Pulls 

'Em in at Minneapolis 

MINNEAPOLIS—The new year got off 

to a rip-roaring start with the holiday attractions 

finally finding those elusive audiences. 

It was a holdover menu from top to bottom 

—and fans came streaming into theatres 

like 

starving hordes. 

"Superman," which had bowed with a 

hefty 775, lived up to its name and in a 

second week in a dual run bounded to a 

gigantic 1,100. "The Lord of the Rings," in 

a seventh loop at the Edina I Theatre, came 

in with a ringing 580. 

"Every Which Way But Loose" reaffirmed 

the popularity of Clint Eastwood 

with lofty 565 on three screens in a second 

frame. 

For the time being at least, 1979 has 

turned out to be a very happy new year 

indeed. 


Academy—Brass Target (I4GM), 2nd wk . 100 

Brookdale, Southtown—Superman (WB), 

3rd wk UOO 

Brookdale East, Southdale—Moment by Moment 

(Umv), 2nd wk 210 

Cooper—Invasion of the Body Snatchers (UA), 

2nd wk .435 

Cooper Cameo—Magic COlh-Fox), 7th wk 275 

Edina I—The Lord ot the Rings (UA), 

7th wk 

Edma II—Autumn Sonata (New World) 

580 

2nd wk 300 

Mann—The Wiz (Univ), 9th wk 

Movies at Burnsville—Paradise 

115 

Alley (Univ), 

8th wk 45 

Shelard Park, Yorktown—Watership Down 

(Avco Embassy), 8th wk 125 

Skyway 1—Ice Castles (Col), 3:d -.v.; 310 

Skyway 11—National Lampoon's Animal House 

(Univ), 21st wk 285 

3 theatres—Calilomia Suite (Col), 2nd wk 520 

3 theatres- Every Which Way But Loose 

(WB), 2.--.i v.-k 565 

3 theatres—King oi the Gypsies (Para), 

2nd- wk 155 

3 theatres Oliver's Story (Para), 3rd wk 140 

4 theatres ^Force 10 From Navaione (AIP), 

2nd wk 95 

CIIVERAMA IS WS SHOW 

BITSIIVESS m HAWAII TOOi 

When you come to Waiklki, 

don't miss the famous Don Ho ^|T' 

Show ... at Cinenuna's 

Reef Towers HoteL 

» ^ 

Modern High Qualify Sound 

for Your Theatre—Under $1 ,000 

^tlO 

c irv gjVta 

P.O. Box 16036 

Minneapolis, Minn. 55416 

(612) 920-2910 

NC-2 BOXOFFICE :: January 15. 1979



City

. . Sympathy 

. 

. 

MILWAUKEE 

(Continued from page NC-1) 

community activities and will be spending 

a lot of time there, he said. 

10 a.m. and 2 p.m., offering "Alakazam" Jôrrie Bimbaum, Columbia branch manager, 

spent Christmas week in the Ba- 

plus cartoons. Santa passed out popcorn 

balls . . . The Geneva Theatre had two hamas with his wife is extended 

to Don Horton and his family. He 

. 

showings of free movies provided by the 

Lake Geneva Citizens National Bank as suffered a heart attack Dec. 25 and is convalescing 

at his hom.e. 

part of a community Christmas parade 

which was "the biggest ever staged here" 

-Race For Your Life, Charlie Brown" Jean Watkins, Universal branch secreiaiy. 

was the feature film for two shows presented 

free to kids at the Portage Theatre as brother's wedding in Cedar Falls . . . 

took a week off recently to attend her 

Fred 

sponsored by the Portage Daily Register Meyer was in town not too long ago to buy 

"The Wonderful World of Those Crazy and book for his Humota at Humboldt. 

Cuckoo Animals" plus two comic cartoons 

(total 87 minutes) was shown free to youngsters 

at the Elkhorn Theatre as provided by 

the Elkhorn Jaycees. Santa was on hand to 

greet the children. 

Mort Bachman, a New York City native 

who moved to Racine County in Wisconsin 

almost ten years ago, has announced his 

plans to build a new modern theatre in 

Burlington this winter. Burlington is a town 

of about 8,000 population, located 35 miles 

southwest of Milwaukee. The modern sized 

200-seat theatre will have the latest automated 

sound and projection equipment, a 

large screen with proper sight elevation, a 

lobby and concession area and will be of 

modern style and design. 

Working with Bachman in the development 

of the house has been Don Mathers 

of the Theatre Development Corp. of Delray 

Beach, Calif. Burlington was selected 

following a several month study which 

showed a "real need" for the theatre here. 

Factors in the selection included the growth 

of the area, population and central location. 

Theatre Development has developed 226 

theatres in 30 states, and is presently working 

on 75 more, Mathere said. The company 

which does everything from the marketing 

research to the architectural and engineering 

design, also provides a film booking 

service. 

Bachman and his wife Caroline, a Racine 

school teacher, have two children. The theatre 

is Bachman's first big enterprise. He 

expects to become involved in Burlington 

PES MOINES 

A special showing of Warner Bros.' "Superman" 

was held Dec. 14 at the River Hills 

Theatre. The film opened Dec. 22 at the 

same theatre. It stars Christopher Reeve. 

Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Valeric 

Perrine, Jeff East, Phyllis Thaxter and 

Glenn Ford. 

Dubinsky Bros. Theatres put out an attractive 

holiday movie guide for patrons at 

area houses. Reaching approximately 120,- 

000 homes, the guide included a full-page 

advertisement of each Christmastime attraction 

with a coupon for a drawing for ten 

season passes for 1979. Credit for the idea 

should go to Dick Glenn who. with Tim 

West, designed the booklet. 

Central States notes: Dorman Handling 

was in from Newton recently visiting the 

home office ... A Christmas dinner for the 

accounting department was graced by the 

presence of retirees Cleora Coates and Pauline 

Mosier ... At Burlington Jim Maus 

sold 37 mall merchants on sponsoring a 

free show. 

A Christmas party for children of Maytag 

employees was held at the Capitol Theatre 

in Newton . . . Dick Smith and fellow 

Kearney merchants who participated in 

the 

"stage wedding" at the World Theatre received 

an acknowledgment run in the local 

paper by the couple who were married . 

At Grinnell the Chamber of Commerce 

sponsored a special holiday show for which 

the admission was canned food or toys to 

be aiven to needy families. 

Iowa Variety Club Holds 

A Together Time' Party 

DES MOINES—The Variety Club of 

Iowa sponsored a "Together Time" party 

Dec. 16, with over 300 handicapped and 

underprivileged children in attendance. The 

club celebrated both Christmas and Hanukkah 

at the event. 

The children gathered at the Riviera Theatre 

to view a number of cartoons and 

"Snow Queen," a full-length animated feature 

provided by Universal Pictures. Dan 

Burkey appeared as Santa Claus, with Mel 

Vance and Variety Club Women member 

Lynne Stamus as Pluto and the Cowardly 

Lion, respectively. Costumes were provided 

by Sue Glasnapp and Judy Tatz. 

Ronald McDonald made a surprise appearance 

and helped Santa pass out candy 

donated by Village Supply and Steve Blank. 

Pepsi also was served. 

Riviera Theatre manager Bruce Anderson, 

projectionist Fred Bohemann and staffers 

Marge Miller, Debbie Dunshee, Linda 

Coellner" and Nancy Woods managed the 

films and assisted in 

seating and distributing 

treats. 

Other Variety Club volunteers who were 

present were Ray Marshall, Tom Conway, 

Dave Christensen. Guy Fowley. Al Barcheski, 

Mike Anderson. Stan Reynolds, Mike 

Reilly, Stever Walker, Mike Canney and 

Brad Becksfort. 

NBA Selects Variety Clubs 

For Public Service Spot 

From Eastern Edition 

NEW YORK — Variety Clubs International 

has again been selected by the National 

Basketball Ass'n to participate in the 

NBA's public service announcements during 

the league's 1978-79 season. 

Several different 30-second spots on behalf 

of Variety Clubs will be utilized, two 

of them alieady produced. 

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Also 

Cincy Houses Crowded 

In Posl-Xmas Flurry 

CINCINNATI—T'wLis the week aftjr 

Christmas and people flocked to the movies 

in bunches and droves. And all through the 

city cinemas were crowded, especially those 

showing the exploits of the famed caped 

crusader, the adventures of Middle Earth 

and an opus concerning an ex-gunslinger 

star his ape. and "Superman's" third week 

held firm at the remarkable 1.500 reported 

week. Catapulting wildly up the scale 

last 

was the Clint Eastwood starrer "Every 

Which Way But Loose" with 1.000. Other 

speCoa,;ular grosses were achieved by "The 

Lord of the Rings" (900). "California 

Suite" (850). "Oliver's (650), Story" "Moment 

by Moment" (650). "Pinocchio" 

(600). and "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" 

(575). Moreover, every first run film including 

the extended holdovers recorded dramatic 

increases. 


Princeton. Skywalk—In PraUe of Older Women 

(Avco), 2nd wk. 450 

. ^ 

Showcase cinemas—National Lampoons flmmal 

House (Univ), 23rd v.-k 

550 

Showcase cinemas—The Wiz (Llruv) 'Mn v.-k oOO 

Showcase cinemas—Up in Smoke (Piiya), 

14th wk 300 

_, 

Showcase Cinemas—Invasion of the Body 

Snotchors (UA), 2nd wk. 575 

Showcase cinemas—Brass Target (UA), 

2nd wk 300 

Showcase cinemas—King of the Gypsies 

(Para), 2nd wk 325 

Showcase cinemas-Force 10 From Navarone 

(AI), 2nd wk 350 

Studio. Tri-County—The Lord of the Rings 

(UA) 2nd wk "00 

Valley-^Midnight 400 

Express (Col), lOth wk 

3 theatres—Moment by Moment (Univ), 

2nd wk. 650 

, 

^-^ 

3 theatres— Oliver's Story (Para), 3rd wk .650 

3 theatres—Superman (WB), 3rd wk 1,500 

3 theatres—Watership Down (Emb), 

7th 

450 

4 theatres—Calilomia Suite (Col), 2nd wk 850 

5 theatres—Every Which Way But Loose 

(WB), 2nd wk 1.000 

'Superman' Soars; "Every Which' 

A Distant Second in Cleveland 

CLEVELAND — "Superman" grosses 

soared even higher in the second week with 

a sky-high 1,270 per cent. "Every Which 

Way But Loose" came in second with 565 

and was followed by "California Suite" with 

a 545. 

2 theatres—Slow Dancing in the Big City 

(UA), 1st wk .50 

3 theatres—Invasion of the Body Snatchers 

. 

(UA), 1st wk -325 

4 theatres— Oliver's Story (Paia), '.^nd wk .150 

5 Ihealres—King of the Gypsies (Pa: a), 

5 theolres—The Lord of the Rings (UA) 

Is, „i( 350 

5 Iheatres—Moment by Moment (Uiir/) 

CLEVELAND 

Cyd Friedman is moving his booking agency 

from the Leader Building to larger 

quarters in the CAC Building. 

The Cleveland International Film Festival 

announces the appointment to its board ol 

trustees of Fred Griffith, George Gund III, 

Elaine G. Hadden, Herb Kamm and Peter 

R. Musselman. This spring will mark the 

third annual Cleveland International Film 

Festival, which will run May 4-13 at the 

Cedar Lee Theatre in Cleveland Heights. It 

will present the finest in foreign films. In 

addition, during these same ten days, the 

First Children's International Film Festival 

will feature award-winning animated films, 

current international films, documentaries 

and classic American films—all with children 

in mind. 

A Canadian film company is making discreet 

inquiries here about survivors of the 

men who went down with the ore boat 

Edmur.d Fitzgerald Nov. 10, 1975. All 29 

men aboard died when the 729-foot ship 

sank during a storm on Lake Superior near 

Whitefish Bay. It is rumored the company 

already has started shooting a film about 

the tragedy. Among relatives in this area 

is the daughter of the ship's captain, Ernest 

McSorley." She lives in Avon Lake. The 

tragedy inspired folk singer Gordon Lightfoof 

s popular ballad, "The Wreck of the 

Edmund Fitzgerald." 

Jim Levitt, Loew's East projectionist, just 

received his gold caid which entitles him 

to life-long membership in the union free 

dues. It is awarded in appreciation of 

of 

dedicated service to the union Gene 

. . 

Murphy, secretary-treasurer of the Union 

local is 160, at recuperating Lutheran Medical 

from a bout with pneumonia. 

Leslie Nells called to report that the 

Andover Cinema will reopen in March and 

plans to show family movies. 

Leonard Nimoy, who achieved international 

recognition for his role of Mr. Spock 

in the TV series Star Trek, will perform 

his one-man show "Vincent" at the Cleveland 

Play House. Critics have proclaimed 

it a must-see and it will play for seven performances 

March 21-25. He can currently 

be seen in "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" 

with Donald Sutherland . 

on the 

Play House's future program is "Equus" 

with guest artist Robert Rhys, who makes 

his film debut in "The Passage" with Anthony 

Quinn and James Mason . . . 

February 

21 through March 24, "The Last of 

the Marx Brothers' Writers" comes to the 

Play House women's committee is 

. 

also presenting a star-studded program. Next 

is Lauren Bacall. Dorothy Fuldheim of 

Channel 5 will interview Ms. Bacall after 

a review of her fascinating autobiography 

"By Myself." 

Columnist Is Bitter About 

Prices of Theatre Sweets 

DETROIT—A show business column in 

the Detroit News complained bitterly about 

the high cost of satisfying the sweet tooth 

at theatre concession counters. The wry 

article is reprinted below: 

There was great gnashing of sweet teeth 

when Hershey Foods Corp. recently raised 

the price of its famed Hershey Bar from 

20 cents to a quarter. But was it all that 

outrageous? It depends on where you've 

been getting your cavities lately. It's a downright 

bargain compared to the four bits or 

more you'll pay at your local movie house. 

If the prices of popcorn, candy, ice cream 

and that sweet fizz water they pass off as 

soda go any higher, theatre owners are going 

to have to install loan offices at the 

concession stands. The only economical way 

to slake your thirst during a movie these 

days is to smuggle in your own libations 

and those pop tops will give you away every 

time. 

The reason we're being held up at the 

concession stand, theatre owners tell us. is 

that's 

the only place they can make a profit 

today. They themselves are being held up by 

film distributors who are being held up by 

film producers who are being held up by 

actors. 

Ultimately, we have to pay a buck for a 

box of stale popcorn because somebody else 

paid three million of them to Marlon Brando 

for some stale acting. 

Warner Bros, has acquired rights to "The 

World According to Garp," a novel by 

John Irving. 

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BOXOFTICE :: January 15, 1979

CINCINNATI 

pjalloween," a topical terror entiy in which of October 

She 

from complications 

Mid 

following 

a psychotic killer stalks three teen-age surgeiy. had been a States employee 

for at least ten years, having worked 

babysitters, has grossed $20,000 in the first 

week of an engagement which began Dec. 

writer for the Detroit News, commented recently 

in various capacities from cashier assistant 

manager 

to 

22 at Dayton's Ron-Tiki. According to a 

on the progress of the 

to manager 

Michigan Film 

at the Capitol 

spokesman for Myco Films Inc.. sub-dis- 

and 

Commission. 

Paramount 

Her article is quoted 

theatres 

below: 

in that city, as 

well as the Mid Town. 

A bill seeking to make Michigan the 

Hollywood of the Midwest is getting mixed 

Several area theatres scheduled special reviews from state officials worried about 

tributors for the picture in the Cincinnati 

and Indianapolis territories, a gross of $22.- 

500 was achieved during the first four days 

of the .second week. The film, which, incidentally, 

just concluded a successful four 

week first-run in Cincinnati at Redstone's 

Showcase, was held over for nightly midnight 

showings during peak Christmas playing 

time at the Showcase facility. 

It's that lime of year when newspaper 

critics insist on divulging their agonies and 

ecstacies of the just-completed year. Louisville 

Courier-Journal's William Mootz is no 

exception. His list of favorites (in the order 

which they played Louisville) follows: "La 

Grande Bourgcoise," "Dersu Uzala," "A 

Special Day," "1900," "Coming Home," 

"Pardon Mon Affaire," "Madame Rosa," 

"Pretty Baby," "A Wedding" and "Invasion 

of the Body Snatchers." 

"Night Full of Rain" and the Russianmade 

"A Slave of Love" were recent oneweek 

attractions at the Mt. Adams . . . 

"Showboat" with Irene Dunn, Helen Morgan 

and Allen Jones was brought back by 

the Emery. 

Ashland, Ky.'s, Mid Town cinemas staged 

their annual fundraiser for the Ramey 

Children's Home Nov. 26-27. Admission to 

an early morning screening of "H.R. Puffenstuf" 

was simply a can of food. However, 

according to Frank Cox, manager, 

many people donated more than the requirement; 

a few brought their contributions 

and opted not to stay for the film. 

Cox said it was "unbelievable how much 

people helped," adding that in toto two 

large cases of food were collected. The 

manager credited all the area radio stations 

for giving excellent coverage of the benefit 

through public service announcements. 

Also from Ashland, a sad bit of news. 

Mrs. Ada Harris, former manager of the 

Mid Town Cinemas, died toward the end 

HADDENZS 

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advertised screenings of Walt Disney Production's 

"The North Avenue li regulars" 

on New Year's Eve. The comedy featuring 

Barbara Harris. Karen Valentine. Cloris 

Leachman and Ruth Buzzi goes out on 

regular release come February. 

Christmas season hysterics agreed well 

with most exhibitors in the city as all grosses 

were up. Mid States in particular reports a 

"fantastic season." 

News items for this column should be 

sent to: Tony Rutherford. Box 362, Huntington, 

W.Va. 25708. Phone: (304) 525- 

3837. 

Effort to Revive Theatre 

Is Praised by Columnist 

CINCINNATI — Columnist Lonnie 

Wheeler of the Cincinnati Enquirer recently 

lauded the efforts of John Strader, his wife 

and members of the American Theatre Organ 

Society in revitalizing the Emery Theatre. 

Built in 1906 to house the Cincinnati 

Symphony, the Emery's curtain was drawn 

closed long ago, having not been regularly 

occupied since the children's theatre departed 

25 years ago. 

The current project, according to Wheeler, 

is to "reshape the Emery until it is an oldtime 

organ theatre. With Strader money. 

ATOS know-how and University of Cincinnati 

consent (proprietor of the land), it 

is eminently, if not, imminently, attainable." 

The colossal organ from the former Albee 

Theatre will provide the introductory and 

intermission music tor the nostalgic classics 

which illuminate the Emery's screen. 

Prominent organists will occasionally perform, 

too. 

Wheeler, in reviewing a concert by Dennis 

James, Ohio Theatre resident organist, 

said, "When attended by a musician of 

James' capacity, the organ is an orchestra 

unto itself. He doesn't play it; he conducts 

it." 

Quite appropriately, Wheeler's article concluded 

by adding, "They don't make 'em like 

they used to, but at the Emery they show 

'em that way." 

CUVERA91A IS Vt SHOW 

BITSUVESS W HAWAII T(M>, 

Wlicn you conic to W'aikiki, 

don't miss the famous I )oii I lo 


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Price Tag May Stall 

Mich. Film Commis'n 

LANSING — Susan Taylor Martin, a 

the $136,000-a-year price tag. 

The Senate Education Committee held 

a public hearing on the measure, which 

would set up a seven-member film and TV 

advisory council. The bill passed the House 

on June 30. 

The council, along with a three-member 

paid staff, would help producers cut through 

red tape and find suitable locations for filming. 

The business generated by such a body 

could pump at least $5 million a year into 

Michigan's economy, backers estimated. 

More than 30 other states already have 

film advisory councils, giving them an edge 

over Michigan when it comes to luring filmmakers, 

supporters of the bill say. 

"Nobody is going to provide competition 

for California," acknowledged Roland Sharette, 

head of the ad hoc Committee for 

a Michigan Film and Television Council. 

"We just want to compete with some of the 

states that are trying to make the film and 

television industry pay off for them, such 

as Ohio, Illinois and Georgia. I don't think 

there is any attribute in those states that 

couldn't be duplicated or exceeded in Michigan." 

Among the biggest boosters of the bill is 

New Detroit, Inc., a coalition of urban 

groups formed in the aftermath of the 1967 

riots to improve the city's quality of life. 

Communications director Jack Wertz said 

Detroit already has excellent filmmaking 

facilities, but is losing out to other areas 

that woo filmmakers more aggressively. 

As a recent example, Wertz cited the 

television movie, "One in a Million," the 

biography of Detroit Tiger baseball player 

Ron LeFlore. Although the story was set in 

Michigan, most of the scenes were filmed 

in Illinois and Ohio because film commissioners 

in those states contacted the producers 

and worked with them through the 

filming, Wertz said. 

"The revenue generated by that flick 

was lost . . due to the fact we didn't have 

. 

people out there pitching," he said. "The 

interest New Detroit has (in 

a film council) 

is twofold. It can, by bringing more business, 

establish a job market in film and TV 

and the creative arts. It also helps give Detroit 

and Michigan visibility across the country 

so that people will say. "Hey, that place 

isn't bad at all." 

State officials, though, are skeptical of 

pouring $136,000 a year into a film council, 

especially since voters recently approved 

a constitutional amendment limiting state 

spending. The council, which would be part 

of the Department of Commerce, would 

have a paid director, deputy director and 

secretary and an annual advertisine budget 

of $20,000. 


1 30 p r 

City 

ATLANTA 

BOSTON 

BUFFALO 

CHARLOTTE 

CHICAGO 

CINCINNATI 

CLEVELAND 

DALLAS 

DENVER 

DES MOINES 

DETROIT 

INDIANAPOLIS 

JACKSONVILLE 

KANSAS CITY 

LOS ANGELES 

For your convenience screenings will beheld January 24,1979 in the following cities: 


Tommy Lambert 

(704) 882-1154 

Jim Engle 

(617)482-9039 

John Wilhelm 

(518) 943-2285 

Tommy Lambert 

(704)882-1154 

Don Buhrmester 

(312)782-0988 

Jeff Ruff 

(513)921 8200 

Ivlorrie ZyrI 

(216) 461-9770 

J C t^cCrary 

(214) 252-5573 

Sfierm Wood 

(303) 751-1464 

Paul Rice 

(913)383 3880 

Dennis Glenn 

(313)968-7770 

Jeff Ruff 

(513)921 8200 

Tommy Lambert 

(704)882-1154 

Paul Rice 

(313) 383-3880 

Fred Kunkel 

(213)659-0545 

Theatre 

Cmevision 


Park Square 


tvlaple Forest 

Theatre 

Screening Roon 

Preview 

Screening Roon 

Bramerd 


The Screenmg 

Regency Theatre 

Commonwealth 

Screenmg Room 

Studio 1 

City 

10 00 a 

tVlEtVIPHIS 

2 00 pn 

MIL\A/AUKEE 

2 00 p.n MINNEAPOLIS 

10:00 a NEW ORLEANS 

2 00pn NEW YORK 

8 00 pr OKLAHOMA CITY 

2 00 p r PHILADELPHIA 

2 00 p PITTSBURGH 

r 

1 30p.r PORTLAND 

1 15pr 

ST LOUIS 

3 30 p SALT LAKE CITY 

r 

3:00 p SAN FRANCISCO 

r 

10 00 a SEATTLE 

2 00 p r 


Larry Vmson 

(501) 732-3665 

Don Buhrmester 

(312)782-0988 

Jim Payne 

(612)332-3303 

Lew Oubre 

(504) 837-5200 

Man/m Friedlander 

(212) 354-5700 

J C McCrary 

(214)252-5573 

Sam Helfman 

(213)659-0545 

John Ma)diak 

(412)391-0370 

Fred Kunkel 

(213)659 0545 

Paul Rice 

(913)383-3880 

Dallas Farrimond 

(801)521-9888 

Fred Kunkel 

(213)659-0545 

Fred Kunkel 

(213)659-0545 

Ross Wheeler 

(202) 244-1500 

Theatre 

Tri-State 

Screenmg Room 

Marcus 


704 Screening 

Room 

Gulf Stales 


Magno 


Tower Theatre 

Top of Fox 



Mid-America 



Theatre 

Jack Wodell 


Jewel Box 



Theatr 

Time 

1:30 pn 

2 00pn 

1 30 p n 

3:00 pn 

2 30 p n 

2 00 p n 

2:00 p n 

8:00 pr 

1 30pr 

1:30 p. 

1 30 p r 

1 30 pr 

2:00 p r 

Film Ventures International Inc. m 1979 


Edward L. Montoro, President Sam Helfnnan, Director of fvlarketing 

BOXOFFICE :: January 15, 1979 ME-3

Film Writers, Critics Are Polled 

In Search of Magic 'Hit' Formula 

By TONY RUTHERFORD 

CINCINNATI—This series of articles 

analyzing the elements of a hit film has 

included a survey of exhibitors and film 

executives alike. However, one valuable 

variable in the hit machinery has not been 

discussed. That variable is the oft-times 

controversial opinion of film critics, 

reviewers 

and writers. 

Writers for the Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati 

Post, Columbus Ditpatch, Lexington 

Herald and Louisville Courier-Journal mentioned 

that such factors as timing, story line 

and production values all contribute toward 

a "smash" success. But Jerry Stein, Cincinnati 

Post critic, perhaps showed the most 

insight when he stated that artistic ability 

and talent must combine into a "workable, 

functional piece of entertainment." 

Apart from artistic factors. Stein termed 

"consciousness of the market at the time 

the film is in production" as major con- 

a 

tributor to a movie's success or failure. 

Although William Mootz of the Louisville 

Courier-Journal did not specifically 

site artistic merits as a prime necessity, he 

did emphasize the importance of a plot with 

the "narrative thrust" to sustain one's inter- 

Four Factors 

Listed 

Moolz also listed four unique factors 

which can have extreme influence in determining 

a film's impact: (I) an "incredible, 

charismatic presence on screen" (like Burt 

Reynolds); (2) the genius and skill of a 

great director like Alfred Hitchcock whose 

own devious ways carry through into the 

story; (3) a superb cameraman who, through 

his own unbelievably beautiful photography, 

casts a spell upon the viewers, or (4) 

a director with a "kookie concept of American 

life" (i-e. Robert Altman). 

Ideally, though, Mootz continued, a mixture 

of all these elements should occur. 

Lexington Herald critic Wood Simpson 

reaffirmed the importance of timeliness, 

citing Clint Eastwood's "Every Which Way 

But Loose" as an example of how attitudes 

have changed since the '60s and early '70s. 

TWIN 

IT!! 



I 

• Steel 

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Towers 


Theatre Construction Co. 

fairfitU Di

: ond 

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WB), 

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'Superman' Muscles 

Out Rest of Hartford 

HARTFORD—Over and beyond a 13- 

theatre slotting of Pacific Intemationars 

"Superman' Has Legs in New Haven; 

'Body Snatcher,' 'California' Hold 

NEW HAVEN—A ten-theatre booking 

of Pacific International's "Wilderness Fam- 

Part 2" was backed by large-scale print 

ily, 

(Univ), 2nd wk -,y^- 

, 

Showcase I The Lord of the Hings (UA), 

2nd wk. ...- - ; 

Showcase II—Oliver's Story (Pad), 3rd wk 

Showcase III—Superman (WB), 3rd wk, .-.--.. 

Showcase IV lavasion oi Body Snatchers (UA), 

Showcase V—Eveiy Which Way But Loose 

(WB), 2nd wk - _ - 

of Whitney King the Gypsies (Para), 

2nd 

York Square Cinema Autumn Sonata 

wk 275 

(New World), 2nd - ^-,^. 

theatres—Wilderness Part (PIE), 

10 Family. 2 

1st wk 2Z5 

Philip M. Stein, Industry 

Veteran, Dead at Age 77 

BOSTON—Philip M. Stein, 77, of Billerica, 

died at his Crest Road home recently. 

Before his retirement he was owner of 

the Film Transportation Co. of Boston. He 

was involved in the film industry for 61 

years. 

He also was one of the founders of the 

Variety Club and he helped sponsor the 

Jimmy Fund. 

BOXOFTICE ;: January 15, 1979 

HARTFORD 

Qscar winner Teresa Wright, best supporting 

actress 1941 for "Mrs. Miniver," 

was back in town to participate in the perennially 

popular Sundays-at-Six panel discussions 

hosted by the Hartford Stage Com- 

closed. We want to see if here's something 

we can do to get more local people to use 

the theatre. The theatre is very important 

and we'd like to see it continue to operate." 

The Courant front-paged the news that 

adult tickets went up in price, from $3.50 

to $4, at the United Artists Eastern Theatres' 

Westfarms Movie 3 and Manchester 

Shopping Parkade Theatres 3. The Redstone 

Showcase Cinemas 6 raised its adult tab 

from $3.50 to $3.75. Children's admission, 

the newspaper added, would stay the same 

—$1.50— at all three houses. At the same 

time, the Courant said that the Showcase 

and broadcast media advertising. The attraction 

rang up a brisk 225. Everything 

else in town was in a holding pattern, with 

nary a one below the 100 figure. Pacesetters 

included Warner Bros.' "Superman," with 

650 in its third week at the Redstone Showcase 

5. 

student price was going up from $3 to 

Cinemart I, Milford I—Caliioroia Suite (Col), 

$3.25. Inflation wwas cited as prime reason 

2nd ..-. .,.- 

for the boost. The newspaper noted that the 

Cinemart II, Milford II—Moment by Moment 

metropolitan area's other two major complexes, 

the in-town SBC Cinema City 4 and 

General Cinema Corp.'s >'ewington Cinemas 

3, would not be hiking prices. $3.50 is 

the going tab at Cinema City, while Newington 

3 alternates between $3 and $3.50. 

Terry Dotson, speaking for Redstone, was 

quoted as saying, "The price of business is 

going up everywhere. Look at the price of 

baseball or legitimate theatre tickets." 

Joseph Edward LeDoux, 57, member of 

Local 84 of the International Alliance of 

Theatrical Stage Employes and Moving Picture 

Machine Operators, died at Hartford 

Hospital. Survivors include his wife, a son, 

a brother, three sisters and two grandchildren. 

A cartoon and magic program, "Mickey 

Mouse Magic Festival," free for Newington 

children under 12. was hosted at the Kounaris 

Newington. Newington, by the Society 

for the Evolution of Non-Smoking Entertainment. 

We dropped by at the Perakos Theatres' 

newly twinned Elm in the Elmwood section 

« 

-. 

( 

:: 

- 

-.. 

advertised "Wilderness Family, Part 

heavily 

2" (whose television ad budget was one of 

months) 

of West Hartford and found a very inviting 

pany, the downtown professional repertory 

situation. What Sperie P. Perakos, president 

attractions in 

largest for screen 

theatre. Comments centered on Hollywood 

and booking of the X-rated, "Liz" into the 

and chief executive officer, and fellow circuit 

executives have done is come up with a 

and the studio system. Also speaking was 

Ernest A. Grecula Art Cinema, the first-run 

George Bowe, retired vice-president of 

bloc was in a continuing upbeat pattern. 

twinning that is at once trim and topical. 

WTIC-AM/FM/TV. who worked in Hollywood 

in the 1920s and 1930s. And, to 

Boxoffice figures were hundreds of points 

Most impressive, too, is the use of "mini" 

above the average 100. The PIE release zipped 

along with 275, and "Liz" generated 

the entrances to both auditoriums, off the 

marquees (plastic letters, not lighted) above 

cap off the program, film buff Gerald Haber 

provided a showing of film clips and 

lobby. 

250. 

Warner Bros.' "Superman" (also accorded 

ad budget) chalked up a 

previews from the Depression years. 

We also went through Middlctown recently 

Theatres Associates reopened the 

the low 20s, but the 

a heavy television (temperature in 

Perakos 

hefty 700 for its third week at the Redstone Mall Cinema, Bloomfield, with the media sun was shining) and were saddened to see 

sixplex. United Artists' "Invasion of the reporting a meeting at which town assessor 

the longtime Adorno Theatres' Capitol now 

Body Snatchers," same plex, hit 600, sec- Peter Marsele, town manager Clifford R. converted to a retail sales outlet for liquor 

week. 

Vermilya and circuit representatives talked and the nextdoor Adorno Palace's marquee 


of the possibilities of a tax break, among bearing the words, "For Sale." A third 

wk Art Cinema—Liz (SR), 1st 

other business-helping efforts. Marsele disclosed 

Adorno situation, the Middlesex, was shut 

250 

Atheneum Cinema Autumn Sonata 

'75 

that the tax break was not provided, down many years ago. In its era, the Mid- 

' 

(New World). 2nd wk 

Cinema Cily I, 1 Elm 

3rd" wk:'":::'- 

. 

CalUomia Suite (Col), 

- 

::::700 

but the theatre's fair market value was reduced 

dlesex was one of the finest vaudeville theatres 

1—Superman 

Showcase Il-Oliver's Story because of decreased income. "Right 

in the Middlesex Valley. 

(Para) 3rd wk 400 

now," Marsele told the press, "we can't put 

our finger on why they're not going. We're Columbia slotted the southeastern Connecticut 

premiere of "California Suite" day- 

not in the business. It's hard for us to tell 

- Showcase III Moment by Moment (Univ), 

2nd 

Sho -The Lord of the Rings (UA 

2nd wk. 

Showcase V—Every Which Way But Loo 

(WB), 2nd wk ... If we don't get the patronage, we'll be and-date into the United Artists Eastern 

,_ 

Showcase VI—Invasion oi the Body Snalche 

losing the theatre. It would not be good for Theatres' UA Theatres 2. Groton, and Liberty 

wk 600 

Theatre, Midway Shopping Center, 

theatres 

(UA), 2nd 

Wilderness 

„ 

Part 

, 

2 

the town to have no theatre at all. It's the 

13 Family, 

(PIE), 1st 

only one we've ever had. I'd hate to see it Uncasville. The latter dropped its senior discount 

wk ^" 

theatres—Bross 3 Target (MGM-UA) 

policy for Saturday nights. 

2nd wk ''^ 

3 theatres—Werteiship Down (Emb), 

Bucna Vista's "That Darn Cat." 1965 

2nd wk - ^'^ 

3 theatres—^g of the Gypsies (Para), 

2nd wk - - 

release co-starring Haley Mills and Dean 

•225 

Jones, was shown under sponsorship of a 

junior high youth group at Rocky Hill's 

Congregational Church. Donation was $1. 

Popcorn and punch were sold. 

VERMONT 

H flock of holiday season attractions 

opened to brisk boxoffice trade across 

the Green Mountain State, with titles including 

United Artists' "The Lord of the 

Rings" plus "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," 

Warner Bros.' "Every Which Way But 

Loose" and 20th Century-Fox's "Magic." 

The holdover roster included Warner 

Bros.' "Superman" and Paramount's "Oliver's 

Story." 

Richard J. Wilson, SBC Management 

the kidn of showman who'll readily 

Corp., is 

concede when a mistake's been made. 

With Warner Bros.' "Girl Friends," in Vermont 

premiere at the Burlington Plaza Cinemas 

2. the circuit thought limited appeal 

would eliminate the booking after a week. 

Burlington Free Press film critic Susan 

Green praised the attraction, literally to the 

skies, and SBC, in turn, held over the film, 

with ads asserting, "We goofed. We thought 

that 'Girl Friends' had a limited audience 

and could only play Burlington for a week. 

Susan Green showed us that we were wrong! 

Because of unprecedented popular demand 

NE-1

. . "The 

SPRINGFIELD 

J^ 

flock of year-end openings included 

MGM-UA's "Brass Target," Avco Embassy's 

"Watership Down." Warner Bros.' 

"Every Which Way But Loose," United 

Artists' "The Lord of the Rings" plus "Invasion 

of the Body Snatchers," Paramount's 

"King of the Gypsies," Universal's "Moment 

by Moment" and Columbia's "California 

Suite." The holdover roster included 

Warner Bros." "Superman" and Paramount's 

"Oliver's Story." 

Making for fascinating reading the other 

day was an excellent piece of nostalgia 

about Northampton's earlier era of gaudy 

cinema showplaces. The story was authored 

by John Morrison, who operates the Pleasant 

Street Theatre, and appeared in the 

Daily Hampshire Gazette's weekly entertainment 

supplement. "On a single night," 

Morrison wrote, "at the Calvin there were 

two managers, eight to 10 ushers, three janitors 

(two stoking the coal furnace during 

the winter), one stagehand, two projectionists, 

and two cashiers— all there for the convenience 

of the patrons. 

"Strangely enough, during those grandiose 

days of the movie theatre," Morrison 

continued, "there was no popcorn or other 

food concession—but almost always a candy 

or ice cream store would open next door 

and have lines just as long as the ticket 

booth had. The lobby of the Calvin was all 

brass and marble, with marble steps leading 

up to the balcony. A huge chandelier hung 

in the outer lobby flanked by marble columns 

with Corinthian toppings, and the 

ticket booth was a free-standing octagonal 

box. Ticket prices ran from a dime to a 

whole dollar in 1940 for 'Gone With the 

Wind.' " 

Universal's "Smokey and the Bandit" 

played reprise booking, day-and-date, at the 

Cinema X, in-town Springfield, and the 

Grand, Indian Orchard, with a one-dollar 

admission in effect at all times, both cinemas. 

Warner Bros.' 1927 classic, "The Jazz 

Singer," which starred Al Jolson and sparked 

the screen's sound era, was shown as a 

free attraction at the University of Massachusetts 

Amherst campus . Seventh 

.Seal." Ingmar Bergman's effort of some 

years back, was screened at Mt. Holyokc 

College in South Hadley . . . Cinema' 5's 

"Outrageous!" was shown at Amherst College. 

E.M. Loew's Riverdale Drive-In, West 

Springfield, triple-billed the R-rated "Swinging 

Teacher," "Female Fever" and "Together," 

charging $5 per carload, regardless 

of number of passengers. 

RHODE ISLAND 

{Regional premieres included United Artists" 

"The Lord of the Rings" plus "The 

Invasion of the Body Snatchers," MGM- 

UA's "Brass Target," New World Pictures' 

"Autumn Sonata," Warner Bros.' "Every 

Which Way But Loose," Paramount's "King 

of the Gypsies," Universal's "Moment by 

Moment," Avco Embassy's "Watership 

Down" and a passle of X product including 

"Skin Flick Madness," "Affair in the Air," 

"The First Time," "Coming Attractions" 

and "Blond Velvet." 

The holdover bloc was equally impressive, 

titles including Warner Bros.' "Superman," 

Paramount's "Oliver's Story," Universal's 

"National Lampoon's Animal 

House," Columbia's "Midnight Express" 

and 20th Century-Fox's "Magic." 

The in-town Avon Cinema, Providence, 

double-billed Allied Artists' "Cabaret" and 

United Artists' "New York, New York," 

both of which star Liza Minnelli . . . The 

SBC Castle 2, Providence, is charging $1.50 

admission all matinees and Monday through 

Thursday nights, with the tab 50 cents 

higher Friday through Sunday nights . . . 

Providence's Cable Car Cinema captioned 

ads for the move-over booking of United 

Artists' "Interiors," with these intriguing 

words: "Woody Aliens' most majestic work 

to date." 

'Slap Shot' With Newman 

ORONO. ME.—"Slap Shot," Universal 

1977 release starring Paul Newman, was 

screened at the University of Maine Orono 

campus. 

BOSTON 

Qver at Paramount, Rita. Evelyn and Etta 

officially retired Friday. Dec. 29. 

All spent more than 45 years in 

the business 

with Paramount. They were feted by the 

office and tears really flowed. Effective 

Tuesday, Jan. 2, the office staff welcomed 

other changes, as Debbie Lynch took 

over as secretary to branch manager Joe 

Rathgeb. Wendy Baynard and Mary Dempsey 

were placed in charge of contracts and 

Linda Abuzzees was assigned the gross file. 

Joe Foley, 20th Century-Fox sales 

representative, 

returned to his desk after a tenday 

vacation trip to North Africa where he 

visited Casablanca, Rabat and other selected 

areas of Morocco. 

Lauren Bacall was in Boston recently to 

promote the sale of her autobiography, "By 

Myself." She appeared on a TV morning 

show and then went over to Cambridge to 

the Harvard Co-op Book Store, autographing 

copies of her book as they were purchased 

by patrons. 

The film district is losing another film 

exchange. Columbia Pictures is moving to 

the Statler Office Building on the ninth 

floor. 

Joe Rathgeb. Paramount branch manager, 

sent out invitations for the tradescreening 

of "Real Life," Friday, Jan. 12 

at 10:30 a.m. 

Bud Orion and Greg Mele, Orton CinemaService 

and Supply Co., spent a week in 

Poughkeepsie, N.Y. while installing ORG 

Lamp Houses and Kelmar Sound Systems 

in the newly twinned Juliet Cinema. In addition, 

they also set up new drapes throughout 

the entire auditorium and installed complete 

new seating. 

€LVEKAMA IS MX SHOW 

BITSL\ESS IX HAWAII TOO, 

When you come to Waikikl, 



Reef Towers Hotel f 

FILMACK IS 

1st CHOICE 

WITH 

SHOWMEN 

EVERYWHERE 



SPECIAL FILMS 

DATE STRIPS, 

CROSS PLUGS, 

MERCHANT ADS, 

SPECIAL AN- 

NOUNCEMENTS 

FILAMCR STUDIOS, INC. 

1327 South Waba?i!».Avenue. Chicago. Illinois 60605 312-427-3395 

TWIN 

IT!! 




• Painting • Repairs 

Free Estimaies 

i 

Theatre Construction Co 

Fairfield Drive-In Theatre 

Fairfield, III. 62S37 

Phone A/C 618-847-7636 

mtU&MS^'^' 

NE-2 January 15, 1979



City

t 

NEW BEDFORD 

JJew titles on soulheastern Massachusetts 

marquees: Universal's •'Moment by 

Moment." Warner Bros.' "Every Which 

Wav But Loose." Columbia's California 

Suite." United Artists' "Invasion of the 

Bodv Snatchers" a'-d state's lights X product. 

"The Girls in the Band." with the 

latter advertised as a "world premiere" at 

the in-town Center Theatre. 

The year-end found the Lockwood & 

Friedman Cinema 140 Twin in an innovative 

pitch for more patrons. The plex sold 

what it billed as "VIP Discount Gift Books," 

containing six admission tickets, a $9 value, 

gift." 

for only ^$6.50. The teaser newspaper advertising 

was captioned. "The perfect holiday 

Major remodeling was completed at the 

Center Twin Cinema in Fall River . . . 

General Cinema Corp. dropped pass list 

and eliminated "bargain" matinee prices for 

ongoing engagement of Warner Bros.' "Supermar^" 

a"t the North Dartmouth Mall 

Cinemas 4. 

Holdover titles included Warner Bros." 

"Superman," Paramount's "Oliver's Story" 

and MGM-UA's "Brass Target." 

One of the most extensive teaser ad campaigns 

in recent months started up for 

UA's "The Lord of the Rings" at the Lockwood 

& Friedman Cinema 140 Twin. A 

ad-line below regular newspaper ads 

typical 

reads. "Coming in February" . . . 

Weber 

and Alice Torres, management of the Oxford 

Cinema, extended holiday greetings 

to patrons in newspaper ads. The theatre 

was closed for Christmas week. 

Playing the exclusive premiere of "Brass 

Target," the in-town State Cinema is advertising 

"bargain matinee prices daily to 

2 beats 1 

3 beats 2 

4 beats 3 

WE BEAT THEM 




WOOi. :ir CONSTRUCTION CORP- 

TNUT STREET • CEDAtr . 

• NEW VORK 1151 

516 569-1990 

2 p.m. with adults. $l..'iO. and children. $1. 

In addition, the theatre has "Ladies' Day" 

Monday and "Men's Day" Wednesday, with 

lady patrons charged $1 to 5 p.m. and 

$1.25 after that hour on Mondays, and male 

patrons accomodated in the same way on 

Wednesdays. While essentially modest, the 

concept is indeed a conversation piece. 

NEW HAVEN 

The Redstone Milford Drive-In closed out 

its popular Sunday flea market for the 

winter months, planning to resume the policy 

once warm weather rolls around again. 

The market has followed an 8 a.m.-4 p.m. 

schedule, with $8 charge for sellers, 99 cents 

per carload for buyers and 50 cents for 

walk-in admission. The underskyer's snack 

bar is open all day. 

The RKO-Stanley Warner Cincmart 

Twin. Hamden Shopping Center, is advertising 

"bargain" matinees for 2 p.m. on 

weekends, charging $1.50, general admission, 

and 99 cents for senior citizens . . . 

George Christ brought back 20th Century- 

Fox's" "Damien—Omen 11" and "Damnation 

Alley" on a double bill, charging 99 

cents for all seats . . . Sam Hadelman had 

his Chesire in Chesire closed down in the 

days immediately before Christmas. He reopened 

December 26. 

South-central Connecticut exhibition was 

saddened to hear of the death of L. Anthony 

Maturo. 86, longtime projectionist at 

the onetime Warner Bros. Capitol in Ansonia. 

He had retired from booth work in 

1967. One of the original projectionist in 

the country (he started in 1908), Maturo 

was among founder of the Warner Bros. 

Club, an international club for projectionists. 

He was also a longtime member of the 

Moving Picture Machine Operators Union. 

He leaves three daughters, seven grandchildren 

and six great-grandchildren. 

A Bill Bixby (not related to 

the actor, but 

nevertheless, a former film studies major at 

Yale's Art .School) is assembling a 40-minute 

motion picture designed to be seen by 

Yale alumni. 

United Artists' "Rebecca" (1940 release 

co-starring Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine, 

and directed by Alfred Hitchcock) 

was shown was as a free attraction at the 

North Haven Public Library. 

The area press reported that Redstone 

Theatres had boosted adult price at the 

Showcase Cinemas 5 from $3.50 to $3.75, 

with student price moving up from $3 to 

$3.25, children, and normally charged 

$1.50, admitted for $2 to see "Superman." 

An unidentified circuit spokesman was quoted 

as saying that the price increase was due 

to inflation and the higher prices being paid 

"to get movies." He said this is the first 

time, 

the press added, the cinema has raised 

its prices since 1972. "Every major chain 

has done it or is contemplating it," he 

added. 

NEW HAMPSHIRE 

Diehard J. Wilson, SBC Management Corp. 

vice-pi=esident, reported excellent response, 

to the point of showings at 9 and 

9:30 a.m. during Christmas vacation week, 

for Warner Bros.' "Superman" and Buena 

Vista's "Pinocchio" at the circuit's Cines 

4, Newington Mall. Such early starting 

times are rare for Granite State exhibition. 

"Superman" commanded top prices, too. 

Adults were charged $3 and children admitted 

for $2. MGM-UA's "Brass Target" 

and UA's "The Lord of the Rings" complete 

the current four-screen lineup at the 

Newington Mall. (The plex carries the ad 

catch-line, "A new dimension in cinema 

luxury!") 

20th Century-Fox's "The Sound of Music." 

1965 release co-starring Julie Andrews 

and Christopher Plummer, had its umpteenth 

reprise, this time around at the loka 

Theatre in Exeter. 

Columbia's "California Suite" and Warner 

Bros.' "Every Which Way But Loose" 

were other strong openings. 

Publisher Richard Jacobs announced a 

realignment in staff of Spotlight, the New 

Hampshire arts and entertainment magazine 

published in Manchester, with Joyce Wiatroski 

and Lois Friedland assuming titles as 

co-editors. Miss Wiatroski is supervising 

sales, while Miss Friedland is in charge of 

editorial 

content. 

The New Hampshire Advertising 

readying plans for its annual Graniteers | 

Awards evening, slated for May 2 at the ( 

Sheraton Wayfarer in Bedford. Citations 

will be presented in 29 categories to the best 

of New Hampshire advertising work including 

print, radio, television and film. Cut-off 

dale for entries is Feb. 12. Interested 

persons are asked to contact Colleen Geary 

at Weston Associates, Bedford 03102. 

MAINE 

Mew titles on Maine marquees: Warner 

"Every Which Way But Loose," 

Bros.' 

Paramount's "Oliver's Story" and Buena 

Visita's "Pinocchio" (originally released in 

1940. 

Lance Crocker, president of Skowhegan's 

78-year-old Lakewood Summer Theatre (the 

oldest operating straw-hat theatre in the 

U.S.), indicates that unless the 1979 season 

provides sufficiently profitable response, 

the theatre may be shut down . . . 

Warner 

Bros.' "The End of the World in Our Usual 

Bed in a Night Full of Rain," which costars 

Candice Bergen and Giancarlo Giannini, 

was shown at the Performing Arts Center 

in 

Bath. 

RKO's Tloberta' Screened 

CAMBRIDGE. MASS. — "Roberta," 

RKO 1935 release toplining Fred Astaire 

and Ginger Rogers, was screened free at 

the Central Square Branch Library. 


VANCOUVER Director of Film Development Corp. 

. . . 

por years here the most frequently played 

Christmas carol has been "The 12 i7 

leave it 

Days of Christmas." But to Jack MONTREAL—The next 12 months will 

Cullen, veteran host of CKNW's "Owl 

see Canadian films in the international spotlight 

Prowl," to top it. Beginning on Boxing Day 

as the result of the boom in production 

he turned his program over to a 

of movies aimed at world markets, according 

massive 

promotion of "The 17 Nights of 'Superman.' 

Development 

" As one wag remarked, "How does 

to the Canadian Film 

Corp. Spurring the boom are the new investment 

he get a Family rating for a late night 

policies of the corporation, which 

show?" Cullen's pal Frank Marshall, 

last year made commitments to invest in 30 

films with aggregate totalling budgets more 

long-time supervisor of Odeon's mainland 

drive-ins, is heartbroken. The top attentiongrabbing 

marquee double bill of all time, 

" -Superman" Repels 'Invasion of the Body 

Snatchers," " will play the opposition Famous 

Player's ozoners. 

Will has a home on Prince Edward Island, 

and will soon have a condominium in Toronto 

to serve as a base during filmmaking 

. . . Nipsy Russell was a guest at the Bayshore 

while shooting a TV comedy at 

BCTV. 

While two and a half months have passed 

since the start of the Vancouver newspaper 

strike, the impact has yet to be felt in the 

theatres. Jack Tomick. advertising man of 

Famous Players, reports that "Superman" 

has broken house records in both the Capitol 

6 and Guildford theatres, the latter by 

a wide margin. "Every Which Way But 

Loose" had the largest gross in the Downtown, 

save for "Up in Smoke," which broke 

the house record. "Pinocchio," playing a 

multiple of the downtown Fine Arts, Paramount 

New Westminster, Park Royal and 

Richmond Square, seemed to be playing to 

more admissions in each theatre than it did 

during its initial release 39 years ago. The 

Odeon houses are also doing well. "California 

Suite," restricted to radio and TV 

advance, is playing to full houses in the 

local Odeon, West Vancouver, Hyland, 

Westminster Mall and Dunbar. 

The long runs are also not suffering from 

the strike. "In Praise of Older Women" in 

its sixth week at the Capitol 6 has outdrawn 

and outlasted "Duddy Kravitz" as the top 

Canadian film locally. "Midnight Express." 

which did not draw favorable reviews from 

the media, has nevertheless become a solid 

word-of-mouth hit with the audience. After 

seven weeks in the Vogue it moved into the 

suburban Park, where it was again held 

over. The boxoffice champ, however, is 

"National Lampoon's Animal House," 

which by December 29 had played 1 8 weeks 

in the downtown Coronet and 13 weeks in 

general release. 

(Continued on page K-3) 

1^ 

AiminO for Worlcl MOVle MOrketS 

than $53.5 million. 

Twenty-four of the films, with budgets 

totalling more than $42.6 million, are currently 

in various stages of production, while 

the six other features are slated to go before 

"Tremendous growth of the industry 

stems from many factors," McCabe said, 

"not the least of which are the CFDC's new 

investment, script development and promotion 

activities. Other factors include the 

emergence of a group of strong, creative 

producers, the development of new sources 

of financing through public offerings by 

recognized brokerage firms, tax incentives 

and the co-production treaties Canada has 

with Britain, France, Italy, West Germany 

and Israel." 

McCabe, who was appointed executive 

director of the CFDC last June, said he was 

backing up the new policies through the 

engagement of experienced personnel to 

help the corporation carry out its mandate 

to promote the growth of the Canadian 

feature film industry. Among these appointments 

was the hiring of a full-time motion 

picture lawyer, Samuel Freeman, as deputy 

director and general counsel, and the engagement 

of Sydney Newman, one of the 

country's foremost figures in film and television 

production, as chief story consultant 

for English production. 

Active New Chairman 

McCabe also pointed out that Montreal 

lawyer Michel Vennat, who took over as 

chairman of the crown corporation early 

last year, has been especially active in formulating 

"our new investment policies, 

which are aimed at stimulating production 

through investments at the moment of greatest 

risk for the producer—the initial stages 

of a 

project. 

"The CFDC loans money for the development 

of a project or to provide interim 

financing so that the producers can proceed 

with their films while awaiting funds from 

investors. These are short term, relatively 

modest loans in comparison with the total 

budgets," McCabe explained. "In return, 

we expect a profit and a quicker turnaround 

of CFDC funds, allowing us to participate 

in more films each year." 

Investments of $7 Million 

"While our investment budget is only $4 

million, much of this money was returned 

to us quickly so that we could reinvest. I 

would say our total investments this year 

will reach $7 million." McCabe said that 

this policy also allowed the CFDC to invest 

in many projects at the development stage. 

dy, to even a disaster epic. Some of the films 

will be released by early spring, while most 

should be in distribution by the end of 1979. 

Emphasis, McCabe said, is on international 

appeal. "It is no longer feasible to 

make films that will only be seen by a handful 

of people. If it takes stories with wide 

appeal and international stars to reach 

screens around the world, then that's what 

we'll 

invest in." 

International Stars Attracted 

Canadian productions have attracted international 

stars of the magnitude of David 

Niven, Michael Douglas, Valerie Perrine, 

Ava Gardner, Shelley Winters. Robert 

Mitchum. Henry Fonda, Vanessa Redgrave, 

Richard Widmark, Michael York. Angle 

Dickinson. Lino Ventura. Linda Blair and 

Tony Curtis. 

They have also brought home such internationally 

known Canadians as Susan Clark. 

Donald Sutherland, Genevieve Bujold and 

Christopher Plummer, while helping to propel 

Canadians such as Helen Shaver, Jonathan 

Welsh, Al Waxman. Paul Harding, 

Lawrence Dane, Chuck Shamata, Hollis 

McLaren, Art Hindle, Nicholas Campbell 

and Ken James to international attention. 

"In addition." said McCabe. "hundreds 

of technicians and people behind the scenes, 

from set carpenters, script assistants and 

costume designers up to cameramen and 

directors, have been busy this past year as 

a result of all the film activity. In fact, 

many technicians have enjoyed the luxury, 

for the first time, of being able to pick and 

choose jobs." 

Martin Jurow and his Management West 

have acquired rights to John Serlock's novel. 

"The Lines of Power." 


Coldest Weather in Years Can't Stop 

Superman, Eastwood or the Hobbits 

VANCOUVER—The coldest weather in 

years, which set in at the end of Christmas 

week and continued into the new year, softened 

grosses on some pictures considerably, 

but did not affect "Superman," third week 

at the Capitol, well in the lead: "Every 

Which Way But Loose," second week at the 

Downtown, or "California Suite." second 

week Odeon. 

Capi:ol—Brass Target iUA), 2nd wk Good 

Capitol—^Force 10 From Nayarone (AFD), 

2nd wk ,- G°°a 

Capitol—In Praise ol Older Women (Astral), 

_ Good 

5,1, ^,,1; 

Ccpitol—Invasion oi the Body Snatchers (UA). 

2nd wk ...Very Good 

Capitol—King oi the Gypsies (Para). 

2nd wk ...Very Good 

Capitol—Superman (WB), 3rd wk Excellent 

Centre—Oliver's Story (Para), 3rd wk ...Average 

Coronet—National Lampoons Animal House 

(Uoiv). 19th wk Very Good 

Coronet—Halloween (Astral), 2nd wk Average 

Down'.own—Every Which Way But Loose (WB), 

2nd wk. Excellent 

Odeon—Calilomia Suite (Astral), 2nd wk. Excellent 

Stanley—Caravan (AFD), 2nd wk Average 

Vancouver—The Lord of the Rings (UA) 

7th 

Excellent 

Above Average 

perman" and "California Suite" leading the 

way. Also excellent were "The Boys From 

Brazil" and "Invasion of the Body Snatchers." 

"The Magic of Lassie" was a not too 

magical Good, while the disappointment of 

the season locally was "The Wiz," barely 

generating average returns. 

Capitol— Invasion oi the Body Snatchers (UA), 

1st wk - Excellent 

Convention Centre-The Magic oi Lassie (PR), 

Garrick 1—The Wiz (Univ), 1st wk Average 

Garrick 11—Caliiornia Suite (Astral), 

Grant Park—Moment by Moment (Univ), 

1st wk Good 

Metropolitan—Superman (WB), 2nd wk Excellent 

Northstar 1— Every Which Way but Loose (WB), 

1st wk Very Good 

Northstar II— Brass Target (MGM-UA), 

1st wk Very Good 

Odeon—The Boys From Brazil (BVFD), 

CALGARY 

"Oliver' Mourns Excellently 

In a Good Week in Montreal 

MONTREAL — The only two films to 

debut this week were the only films gaining 

Excellent responses, "Oliver's Story" with 

Ryan O'Neal making a second go at driving 

the audience to tears and the French language 

film "Les Dents de la Mer 2." But 

the holdovers weren't doing so badly either, 

with no film having a lower rating than 

Good. 

Avenue—Who Is KilUng the Great Cheis oi 

^-- j 

Europe? 

enture—Wild Geese 

a—Slow Dancing i

naMJ 

ijmesl I 

Don took his initial training in the theatre 

business here and then moved to Medicine 

Hat. In 1974 he joined Landmark Cinemas 

and was transferred to Grande Prairie, Alberta, 

where he lived until his move to Calgary. 

Don's interest in show business goes 

back to the time he helped his father, the 

manager of the Tofield Community Theatre. 

We welcome Don and his wife back to 

Calgary and hope they will be with us for 

a 

long time. 

A W. C. Fields Film, "The Old Fashioned 

Way," was shown in Edmonton's Provincial 

Museum Dec. 26. 

A special Christinas Eve matinee was 

shown in Calgary's Towne Cinema with 

"Judgement of an Assassin," a kung fu 

feature. This Restricted Adult feature was 

in 

Chinese with English subtitles. 

Dec. 21 the Calgary Film Society showed 

"Mother Kusters Goes to Heaven" for its 

members in the Jubilee Auditorium. This 

film was made in Germany in 1975 under 

the direction of Rainer Fassbinder. 

And may all our readers have a most 

prosperous and peaceful New Year! 

VANCOUVER 

(Continued from page K-1) 

George C. Scott is already into the second 

month of filming on "The Changeling." 

Joy Metcalfe, public relations director for 

the prestigious Bayshore Hotel, confirms 

that Maureen Stapleton and Art Carney 

have reservations for Jan. 17, when 

they are due to start an as yet untitled film 

. . . Also announced by the Bayshore is a 

massive ocean-going yacht basin which will 

be located west of the hotel. This should 

give more space for the on-shore boats now 

clogging the Coal Harbor marina and make 

a berthing facility for the big boats comparable 

to the facility behind the Ilakai in 

Honolulu and the morning basin just west 

of the Tower Bridge in London. 

Tommy Chong of Cheech and Chong 

spent a couple of weeks in his old stomping 

grounds in Gastown where he was interviewed 

over CKVU by Pia Shandel, while 

he scouted locations for a picture he intends 

to make about a rock 'n roll star who retires 

here. 

dl Predictions for Increases 

In Film Production Made 

VANCOUVER—No less than $50 million 

in film production will be started in 

1979, predicted Grayce McCarthy just before 

leaving her post as Minister of Tourism. 

This acceleration, she said, follows a 

year in which film production had maintained 

a constant pace. 

During her press conference she also said 

that the increase in tourism, 14 per cent 

1977's over record-breaking year, was due 

largely to the success of the bicentennial 

celebration of Captain Cook's explorations 

of the Vancouver Island and mainland 

coasts, and that the Whistler Mountain ski 

and sports complex would go ahead immediately 

as planned. 

A special film trailer similar to the one 

that played last year is already extolling 

the virtues of British Columbia as a vacation 

wonderland and is getting prime-time 

broadcast over U.S. radio and TV. Winter 

guests, interviewed by the "roving mike" 

on CKNW, are constantly referring to the 

trailer as the reason for deciding to vacation 

in 

B.C. 

Canadian 'Oscar' Academy 

May Soon Be Organized 

TORONTO — A Canadian Academy of 

Motion Picture Arts and Sciences may be 

organized soon as a system similar to the 

American Oscar awards to bestow film 

awards to Canadian motion pictures. Andara 

Sheffer, managing director of the Festival 

of Festivals, said that the festival is 

coordinating the effort. 

A board of directors has been chosen 

which includes director Alan King, actor 

Al Waxman, producer Henk Van der Kolk 

and Richard Leiterman. 

Miss Sheffer said the method the academy 

is considering is much like the one the 

American academy uses in that the winners 

are chosen by members voting in 

their technical 

categories. 

Francophones Attack Cuts 

As Unjust. Discriminatory 

MONTREAL—Budget cuts to National 

Film Board programs in Ontario and westem 

Canada are "unjust and discriminatory" 

toward French-speaking Canadians, the 

president of the Federation of Francophones 

Outside Quebec believes. 

Paul Comeau added that the cuts "negate 

the right of expression of francophones." 

Comeau and a delegation of young filmmakers, 

appearing before the board's administrative 

council Friday, told the council 

the budget of the English-language regiomalization" 

program has been cut by only 

$50,000. while $350,000 for francophone 

film production centres in Toronto and St. 

Boniface, Man., has been slashed from the 

budget. 

Comeau criticized board administrators 

for "parachuting Montreal 'professionals' 

into French-speaking areas outside Quebec 

to film us like anthropoligists searching for 

a 

disappearing species." 

Since the regionalization program was begun 

in 1974 to find and train young filmmakers, 

about 80 documentaries and fictional 

films have been produced by francophones 

in the Maritimes. Ontario and the 

West, Comeau said. The budget cuts would 

hurt freelancers. 

Because the films produced in Toronto 

and St. Boniface were effective tools in 

building community spirit among francophone 

minorities, "a better means of delivering 

a death blow to French life (outside 

Quebec) couldn't be found." 

Comeau presented a brief to Commissioner 

Andre Lamy. outlining objections to 

the 

budget cuts. 

Film Board Chairman 

Promotes Canadianism 

OTTAWA— James de Beaujeu Domville, 

appointed National Film Board chairman 

last month, wants the government-funded 

agency "to promote Canadianism." not political 

propaganda. 

'Interpret 

Canadian Life' 

"Our mandate is to make films to interpret 

Canadian life," de Beaujeu Domville 

said in an interview from his Montreal 

office. 

"We do not intend to promote a political 

party," he said a few moments after Prime 

Minister Trudeau announced the veteran of 

the theatrical and film scene would replace 

Andre Lamy as film board chairman and 

government film commissioner Jan. 8. 

Since the election Nov. 15, 1976 of the 

Parti Quebecois, some members of the government 

have suggested such state cultural 

agencies as the Canadian Broadcasting 

Corp. and the National Film Board should 

be done more for national unity. Only a 

few minutes before Trudeau announced de 

Beaujeu Domville's appointment, Jean- 

Robert Gauthier (L—Ottawa Vanier) attempted 

to force debate in the Commons 

on the film board's decision to end a program 

allowing French-Canadian minority 

groups in Ontario ard Western Canada to 

make their own films. 

Program of 

Restraint 

The program was cut by the film board 

after the government decreased the agency's 

budget this summer as part of a general 

proaram of restraint. The 1979-80 budget 

wilfbe $5.7 million less than the $34 million 

of this fiscal year. 

Government spending restraint, 

especially 

in the cultural field, may be one of the biggest 

headaches de Beaujeu Domville inherits 

from Lamy. who becomes a CBC vicepresident. 

Given the government's mood of austerity, 

the film board will not become involved 

in new major films in the short-term, de 

Beaujeu Domville said. 

'Rich Kids' Lensing Ends; 

United Artists to Release 

From Eastern Edition 

NEW YORK—"Rich Kids," a contemporary 

story about the impact of their parrents' 

divorce on two 12-year-olds, a boy 

and a girl, has completed principal photography 

here. Robert Atlman is the executive 

producer and Robert M. Young directed 

the Lion's Gate Films production to be released 

by United Artists. 

The film introduces Trini Alvarado and 

Jeremy Levy as the two youngsters. The 

cast also toplines Kathryn Walker, John 

Lithgow, David Selby. Roberta Maxwell, 

Terry Kiser and Paul Dooley. Irene Worth 

has a cameo role. 

The film was written by Judith Ross and 

produced by George W. George and Michael 

Houseman. Ralph Bode ("Rocky." 

"Saturday Night Fever") was the cinematographer. 

BOXOFTICE :: January 15, 1979 

K-3

Paste this inside your medicine cabinet. 

Cancer's seven 

warning signals 

1. Change in bowel or bladder habits. 

2. A sore that does not heal. 

3. Unusual bleeding or discharge. 

4. Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere. 

5. Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing. 

6. Obvious change in wart or mole. 

7. Nagging cough or hoarseness. 

If you have a warning signal, see your doctor 

American Cancer Society 

I 

K-4 BOXOFFICE :; January 1?. 1979

CettjiÊuo&fK, • Sm^fMe^ • CoftceMtatU • 4f«iudeKa4iM JANUARY 15. 1979 

Some lypical scenes from the process of theatre construction and renovation include 

the traditional ground breaking ceremony (top left), this one celebrating the beginning 

of Sack Theatre's addition of two screens to its Natick Twin Cinema complex. Top right 

photo presages a conversion job being performed by Chinman-Krieger Construction 

Corp. of Cedarhurst. N.Y. The lower photo shows the architect's rendering of the completed 

Natick Twin Cinema conversion. More details on theatre construction and renovation 

begin on page 4. 

featuring Theatre Construction 

and Renovation

I MDDSRM 

i TllMHB 

i^ 

conienTS ^ 

llising fuel costs 

and the threat 

of energy shortages has prompted theatre 

owners to make use of insulation, heat 

pumps and low ceiling designs in the constniction 

and renovation of their theatres. 

Exhibitors show a healthy amount of optimism 

in the future of the motion picture 

industry by continuing to add screens to 

existing structures and finance the building 

of entirely new theatre complexes. Four of 

the leading construction and renovation 

firms located in the U.S. were interviewed 

for our feature article which begins on page 

4. They generally concur that multi-screen 

complexes are the rising trend and that 

energy considerations and automation are 

popular means of cutting costs. 

• 

Dickinson's Eastgate Theatre in Joplin, 

Mo., aptly reflects the recent history of theatre 

construction. The cinema originally 

opened with two screens in 1971; a third 

screen was added in 

1974, and 1979 will see 

the addition of two more scieens. This article 

appears on page 10. 

• 

Perry Lowe, newly elected president of 

the National Ass'n of Concessionaires, 

makes some predictions about the future 

for diversified concessionaires beginning on 

page 18. Among the aieas he sees as containing 

is financial opportunity the motion 

picture industry. "Despite continued losses 

in the drive-in theatre segment of the 

market," Lowe explains, "the motion picture 

industry's growth will be led by the 

double digit rate set by multiple auditorium 

cinema complexes is regional shopping 

malls." 

• 

Other articles include an announcement 

of two StarScope seminars scheduled for 

1979; the results of a seminar recently held 

by Christie Electric Corp. in Culver City, 

Calif.; activities during a recent open house 

at Carbon's Xetron division in Cedar 

Knolls, N.J., and the addition of some new 

equipment to the Preview Center in Atlanta, 

Ga. 

Construction and Renovation Trends 

Continue to Focus on Multi-Cinemas 4 

"The twinning of a theatre is becoming obsolete in the Midwest. Now 

the theatre owners are opting for four or five screens in both new 

construction and renovation." 

Industry Building Trend Exemplified 

In Dickinson's Eastgate Expansion 10 

The Eastgate originally opened as a twin theatre in 1971. Dickinson 

acquired the operation in 1974 when the addition of a third auditorium 

was in progress and now has plans to add two more screens to 

the complex, bringing the total number of screens to five. 

Xetron Division of Carbons Hosts 

Open House for Equipment Dealers 12 

Theatre equipment supply dealers and their guests participated in a 

series of "hands on" equipment seminars at Carbon's open house 

celebration in Cedar Knolls. N.J. 

Christie Projection Seminar 

Held in Culver City, Calif 13 

Eprad Schedules Two Seminars 

On StarScope Sound System 13 

Atlanta Preview Center Celebrates 

First Birthday with New Equipment 14 

In celebration of the one-year mark. Howard Hopwood. the "Theatre 

Doctor" and manager/ operator of the room, announced a sizeable 

expenditure for improvements in the screening room. 

Two LP270 Film Transport Systems 

Offered by Drive-ln Theatre Mfg 15 

More than 1,000 LP270 platter systems manufactured by Drive-ln 

Theatre Mfg. are now in use in the U.S.. Canada. Australia and other 

countries throughout the world. 

NAC President Perry Lowe Predicts 

Growth in 1979 Theatre Concessions By Perry Lowe 18 

"The motion picture industry will continue to grow at a faster rate 

than the overall economy, as major motion picture conglomerates 

reinvest record profits into new films to be produced and distributed 

during 1979 and 1980." 

New products include the LP270 film 

transport system from Drive-ln Theatre 

Mfg.; a sprocket catalog from LaVezzi Machine 

Works; a cue detector/ failsafe device 

being offered by the Xetron division of Carbons; 

an unusual type of auditorium seating; 

a new line of 16mm film equipment 

from Eiki, and a "Funny Friend" popcorn 

tub from Dixie/ Marathon. 

• 

Next month's issue of The Modern 

Theatre will feature drive-in operation. 

DEPARTMENTS: 

Construction & Renovation .... 4 

New Products & Developments 16 

GARY BURCH, 

Refreshment Service 

About People & Product 

EdHor 

The MODERN THEATRE is a bound-in section published eoch month in BOXOFFICE, Editorial 

or general business correspondence should be addressed to Vonce Publishing Corp. 

825 Van Brunt Blvd. Kansas City, Mo. 64124. Eastern Representotive: Jomes Young, 

1270 Sixth Ave. Rockefeller Center, New York, N. Y. 10020; Western Representative: 

Ralph Kaminsky, 6425 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, Colif. 90028.

Los 

CHRISTIE ELECTRIC 

Presents 

The saga ofseven men from Christie 

and their quest to bring the finest 

in iight, sound and service to the 

motion picture scree/i/ 

•••• "These guys really know what they're doing ... I'd recommend Christie to any theatre owner." 

Ed Plitt, putt Ttieatres, Century City, California 

"We've always had great success using Christie products. I have found Christie to be one of the most 

reliable manufacturers in the business!' 

Jolin McKinley Martin Ttieatres. Columbus. Georgia 

"Christie did a remarkable job of equipping each theatre in our new complex-all four of them!" 

Cat Tyler, El Dorado Theatres, San Diego, California 

Lynn 

Shubert 

He's the creative force 

behind it all. VP of 

Christie's Tlieatre Products 

Division, The man who 

spearheads the advertising, 

the promotion, the 

customer service, the general 

sales, A successful 

writer of screen plays in 

the off hours, A dynamic 

administrator on the job. 

Dane 

Denick 

To the trade he's Christie's 

Director of fVlarketing, but 

his close associates know 

him as the "business 

man" of the company. An 

aspiring actor who commands 

a keen grasp of the 

market and its needs. His 

goal: to keep America's 

theatres equipped with the 

best in the business. 

Jack 

Johnston 

Former captain in the US 

Army Airborne Special 

Forces. Johnston takes on 

the crucial task of coordinating 

Customer Service 

Share in the suspense as 

he processes each order, 

follows up on shipments 

and lends back-up support 

to the gallant Christie 

sales force. 

Sanders 

Moved by his passion to 

please, undaunted by his 

competition, Sanders 

convinces the South of 

the superior quality of 

Christie products And 

backs up each sale with 

exceptional service and 

follow-through. His story 

is one you will unquestionably 

profit by 

Glenn 

Terrell 

Terrell's lerritory anywhere 

north of the 

Mason-Dixon Line and 

east of the Rockies His 

specialty sales, technical 

advice and field service 

A direct link to Christie 

dealers He likes people, 

he likes traveling, he likes 

the lob he does so well 

For nine years, Christie 

has depended on Red's 

experience to tackle the 

vast Northeast First as 

field representative, now 

as special consultant 

Your contact at trade conventions, 

he'll fill you in 

on the latest in Christie 

products. 

Stan 

Larsen 

He's Christie's West Coast 

man But he's made installations 

as far as Australia, 

Guam and lêxico, A 28- 

year veteran of the organization, 

A key factor in the 

development of Christie 

Autowind" film handling 

systems, A good man to 

know 

;i 

BOXOF7ICE :: January 15, 1979 

CHRISTIE ELECTRIC CORP. 3410 W, 67th St , 

Angeles, CA 90043 (213) 750-1151

Construction and Renovation Trends 

Continue to Focus on Multi-Cinemas 

Theatre construction and renovation 

trends continue to focus on the addition of 

auditoriums to existing structures and the 

planning of multi-screen complexes for new 

construction. However, some believe the old 

standard of the twin screen theatre is becoming 

a thing of the past. According to Robert 

L. Beacher, president of Forest Bay Construction 

Corp. of East Rockaway, N.Y., 

"The twinning of a theatre is becoming obsolete 

in the Midwest. Now the theatre owners 

are opting for four or five screens in 

both new construction and renovation." 

Beacher explains that the trend of twinning 

existing auditoriums began in the Midwest. 

"Ohio—especially Cleveland—was the 

trend-setter where General Cinema, National 

Theatre Corp. and Loews paved the 

way " He maintains that the twinning craze 

leached the Midwest and West Coast in 

>ears past but is just now beginning to be 

felt m the North and Northeast. "There's 

hardly a theatre in New York that isn't a 

single screen theatre." 

Cash Incentive 

No matter how an exhibitor increases the 

number of screens in his theatre, the important 

incentive is money. Glenn Norman 

ot Norman and Friddell in Conroe, Tex., 

explains that each additional screen "gives 

the theatre owner the equivalent of an extra 

theatre. It doesn't increase overhead expenses 

and it puts the business on the black 

side of the ledger. 

"The only real increases are in the cost 

of utilities and payroll," Norman asserted. 

Beacher's firm strongly recommends a theatre 

owner consider installing total automation 

capability and xenon lighting to help 

offset any increased costs in payroll and 

also recommends that both new construction 

and renovation make use of insulation 

for two reasons. "Insulation is very big in 

use four to six inches of foil-lined fiberglass 

batts wherever we need to for thermal 

and acoustic control." Beacher said. "On 

existing structures, we'll have fiberglass insulation 

blown into the side walls and ceiling 

to help cut utility costs and improve 

acoustics. So many of these older structures 

have plaster walls and ceilings and they really 

need this added benefit." 

Maxwell Krieger of Chinman-Krieger 

Construction Corp. in Cedarhurst, N.Y., 

uses a product called Tectum board on auditorium 

side walls. Krieger explains that the 

board is a fire-proofed, inexpensive material 

with both sound deadening and insulating 

properties. He also notes that many theatre 

owners are using heat pumps to cool and 

heat their auditoriums in anticipation of 

much higher fuel costs in the next three to 

five years. 

Workers install a sound-proofed ceiling in 

this conversion to United Artist's Marlboro 

Theatre, being done by Chinman-Krieger 

Construction Corp. Note the tolls of insulation 

piled on the floor. 

Many energy saving devices are made 

more attractive to the theatre owner through 

tax deduction incentives from federal, state 

and local governments, not to mention the 

out-of-pocket savings on utility bills. 

Renovation is still the most common type 

theatre construction right now. It saves on of theatre expansion. How does an exhibitor 

heating and air conditioning bills and impioves 

the acoustics of a theatre. We always candidate for expansion? "You have to 

determine if his existing theatre is a good 

look 

at your grosses, you have to consider geographic 

and demographic trends within your 

area, you need to analyze the type of theatre 

you are and could be, and you need to 

consider product availability," Beacher advises. 

"You also have to look at the physical 

SPECIALIST IN TWINNING, BUILDING 

or 

REMODELING THEATRES 

We are "THE" specialist in the creation of a twin or multi-theatre from 

your existing theatre. Complete turnkey job, plans, engineering, 

construction and finishing. Call or write: 

Norman and Friddell. 94 Panorama Dr., Conroe, Tx. 77301 

A/C 713-856-5297 

The MODERN THEATRE SECTION

Why 

Wagner? 

1 hese photos show the "before" and "after" 

look of the Caiuelot Theatre in Huntington 

W. Va. This piggy-back conversion was 

performed by Norman & Friddell of Conroe, 

Tex. Note the added projection port at 

left in lower photo. 

capability of the existing structure." he 

warns. "Some of these theatres just can't be 

split in any fashion. The only alternative is 

to add on, if possible, or go to a new location." 

The cost of new theatre construction may 

be prohibitive to many theatre owners. Norman 

was in the business of building new 

theatres until 1973 when he limited his work 

exclusively to existing construction. He estimates 

the cost for new construction at between 

$38 and $40 per square foot. Beacher 

cites the figure as high as $45 in some parts 

of the country. 

Two Conversion Methods 

In existing construction, two methods are 

prevalent: the split— adding acoustically 

tight walls down the length of the auditorium 

to create two or more auditoriums of 

smaller size; and the piggyback— converting 

balconies into upper level auditorium.s. In 

very large and older auditoriums with balconies, 

both methods can be used. Other 

than these most common methods, a new 

structure can be added to the existing, or it 

may be possible to devise an alternative conversion 

method depending on the building's 

existing structure. 

Where new construction is concerned, 

free standing buildings are a rarity. "Most 

of your new construction will be found in 

shopping malls, and the auditoriums will be 

small with low ceilings. The size of these 

theatres is another method for controlling 

utility costs," Beacher said. 

While the seating capacity of both new 

and renovated theatres varies greatly, Beacher 

recommends an auditorium seating capacity 

of 350 as "a good goal." Norman, 

Continued on following page 

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jClCilii BOXOFFICE :: January 15, 1979

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I his iheiilie was split by Foiesl Buy Constniclion 

Corp. The wall at the right of the 

photo is added and acoustically treated with 

sound absorbent cloth. 

"Their theatre manager told me that their 

concession sales increased by 304 per cent 

since the conversion." 

A new six-plex design which Glatz believes 

is unique in many respects contains 

a very liberal lobby and what his firm calls 

a semi-island snack bar. This semi-island 

concession area holds in excess of 60 feet 

of counter space. "This bar is easily accessible 

from all auditoriums with access for a 

substantial holdout area in the lobby. So 

far as we are concerned," Glatz asserted, 

"it has been proven that this type of concession 

stand, coupled with liberal lengths 

of counter space, can produce 15 to 20 per 

cent more sales per person." 

Glatz goes on to explain that "the auditorium 

arrangement, while a little excessive 

in use of square footage for the seating 

capacities, is also geared to promote concession 

sales because there are only four 

seats from the aisle to the wall and only 

eight seats in the center section. We have 

found this to be very conducive to additional 

sales as compared with, say, 14 seats in 

a row. It probably results in 100 per cent 

better sales than with what is termed the 

wide, continental seating where there are 

30 or more seats per row. 

"The latter generally cuts concession sales 

by 40 to 50 per cent from normal because 

most people are somewhat shy about getting 

up in the middle of the auditorium to go 

out for something at the snack bar. High 

illumination in the auditorium at intermissions, 

for instance, will cut traffic to the 

snack bar by approximately 50 per cent as 

compared with a fairly dimly lit auditorium." 

In the projection booth, most consultants 

and builders recommend that projectors for 

all auditoriums be contained in a single 

common booth. This allows one projectionist 

to handle all auditoriums and also allows 

a single feature film to be interlocked into 

Continued on following page 

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One common method of splitting a theatre 

is by erecting an acoustically opaque partition 

down the ceiuer of the auditorium. It is 

sometimes necessary to change seating 

angles. 

BOXOFHCE :: January 15, 1979

Theatre Construction- 

Conlinued from preceding page 

two or more auditoriums. Using this method, 

a boxoffice hit can be screened in any 

combination of auditoriums to reach the 

maximum potential audience. It also allows 

two double 

the exhibitor to purchase one 

;ad of indiautomation 

platter systems it 

vidual units. 

Another trend that is slowly gaining popularity 

in new construction and renovation is 

the game room, a separate room adjacent 

to the theatre which houses pinball machines 

and video games. 

'Game rooms are coming in 

to be a very 

big thing in both new construction and alterations," 

explains Krieger, noting that out 

of evei7 25 new or added screens, roughly 

9 to 12 game rooms are built. The Famous 

Players circuit in Canada has made extensive 

use of game rooms in many of its new 

facilities. According to Gerry Dillon of Theatre 

Confections. Ltd., the company responsible 

for many of the Famous Player's game 

rooms, "Our firm has found game rooms to 

be extremely profitable and we intend to 

extend the concept nationally where possible." 

Another aspect of theatre structure that 

has been receiving attention is the design 

of facilities. handicapped Krieger recommends 

at least one barrier-free handicapped-equipped 

bathroom on a main floor and 

incline ramps in lieu of stairs throughout 

the theatre complex. While national building 

codes include some "equipped-for-thehandicapped" 

rules, he suggests that local 

codes be consulted as "each area has their 

When we say, 

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When someone else says, 

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The idea of a game room in a theatre complex in slowly gainini; popularity. Game room 

pa:rons generally range in age from eight to twenty-years-old, with about 90 per cent 

of the patrons being males. Slanted, overhanging mirrors increase the excitement of 

the game's flashing lights and fast-moving steel balls. 

nearly 700 theatres in the last 12 years, restroom and concession locations, traffic 

agrees wholeheartedly. "It costs less in the 

long run to employ the seivices of a qualified 

consultant and builder. No one else can 

provide the services that we can render, and 

we use tested and time-proven methods," 

he explained. "When you build a theatre, 

you're building a highly specialized, unique 

building. Seating arrangement, body space, 

patterns, etc., are all very critical to the 

proper functioning of a successful theatre." 

Is the cinema complex a cyclical trend 

which will someday return to single screen 

theatres of huge size? "I can't see where 

they would go back to that," insists Glenn 

Norman. "Cinema complexes make money 

and that's the important part."

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Open House for 

Motion picture theatre equipment dealers 

from various parts of the U.S. and Canada 

were entertained for three days by the 

Xetron products division of Carbons, Inc. 

The business and social program was conducted 

in conjunction with the firm's participation 

in the recent National Ass'n of 

Theatre Owners convention and tradeshow 

held in New York City. 

Carbons, a manufacturer and importer of 

professional motion picture theatre equipment, 

displayed their line of products at an 

open house celebration at their Cedar 

Knolls, N.J., facilities. In addition to product 

presentations, which included projectors, 

automation, xenon systems, film transports, 

sound and theatre lighting controls, 

a series of training and marketing seminars 

were held to offer dealers "hands on" experience 

with many of the firm's newer 

products. 

New & Old Products Featured 

Special emphasis was placed on the company's 

new line of xenon bulbs which are 

manufactured by Philips, a firm that reportedly 

is internationally known for its 

leadership and excellence in advanced 

xenon technology. Xetron's two new fully 

automated consoles for 16 and 35mm projection 

were also featured along with the 

company's new Xetron power amplifier 

systems, the C-200D and the C-400D, which 

have been designed for use with Dolby 

sound. 

Entertainment Provided Too! 

In addition to the full round of product 

orientation programs, dealers and their 

guests were treated to a variety of social 

functions hosted by several company personnel. 

Included in the program was a dinner 

party and company-sponsored golf 

tournament held at the Great Gorge Playboy 

Club. Culminating the three day weekend 

at his mountain home near Delaware 

Water Gap, Carbon's president Manford 

E. Pickrell jr. hosted dealers and their 

guests at a special dinner before attending 

an evening performance at a Broadway 

show with the group. 

of Carbons Hosts 

Equipment Dealers 

Iheatte equipment supply dealers and their 

quests participated in a series of "haitds on" 

equipment seminars at Xetron products division. 

Carbons. Inc. From left to right: 

Ben Biskowilz of Carbons; Tom Hutchinson 

of Independent Theatre Supply. Alberta. 

Canada: Larry Phillips of Charlotte Theatre 

Supply: M. E. Pickrell jr.. Carbon's president: 

Mrs. J.C. Tipton: Tommy Melton of 

Charlotte and Mrs. Ivan Claret. 

I\a>i Cla\et. Ringold Theatre Equipment; 

Jeir\ Van de Rydt. administrative manager 

fot Carbons, and Jim Ezell. Carbon's midwest 

sales engineer, pause for a photo during 

Xetron products division's open house 

during the NATO Convention and Tradeshow. 

Self-spacing panels that are 

EFFECTIVE 

ECONOMICAL 

EASY TO USE 

Samples on request. For complete 

information, please call immediately. 

213-7^-6546 

1319 West 12th Place Us Angeles, CA 90015 

I 

I 

THEATRE EQUIPMENT 

Complete Projection mnd 

Audio Visual Equipme 

Sound Equipment 

Acoustical Wall Covering 

Concession Equipment 

and Carpelinj 

Janitorial Supplies 

and Equipment 

and Repair 

3607-15 W. Fond du Lac 

ilwaul(ee, Wl 53216 

Clcorge A/

I 3 

' 

I 

Christie 

f 

) BOXOFFICE 

Christie Electric Corp.'s technical seminar 

had everyone in good humor. Left to right 

are: Jack Hessick of Theatre Service & 

Supply: Jack Johnston, Christie's customer 

service coordinator: John Currie. also of 

Theatre Service & Supply, and Lynn Shubert. 

Christie vice-president. 

Christie Projectian Seminar 

Held in Culver Cify, Calif. 

Nearly 75 projectionists recently attended 

a technical seminar held in Culver City, 

Calif., by the Christie Electric Corp. and 

were afforded the opportunity to work with 

some of the newest Christie products. 

On display were the Christie Autowind 

with make-up table, units that feature 

four-and-a-half hours of continuous programming 

with no rewinding; the 2000 watt 

"Combo" consoles, offering an 

audio amplifier system, automation programmer 

and power distribution panel; the 

Christie film cleaner, a labor-saving device, 

and Christie Xenolite bulbs. 

Representing Christie were Lynn Shubert, 

vice-president of theatre products: Stan Larsen, 

field engineer, and Jack Johnston, customer 

service coordinator. 

The all-day session was held at the Pacifica 

Hotel for projectionists in the Southem 

California area and is part of a series 

. 

of seminars held by Christie Electric Corp. 

nationwide. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION 

about products and services described 

in this issue of Modern Theatre. 

please refer to the handy postage-paid 

Reader's Service Bureau card on 

pages 21 and 22. 

Eprad Schedules Two Seminars 

On StarScope Sound System 

John Burlinson jr., president of Eprad, 

Inc., recently announced that two StarScope 

seminars have been scheduled for 1979. 

The first seminar will be held on Friday 

and Saturday. January 19 and 20. The 

second seminar is scheduled for Friday and 

Saturday, March 16 and 17. Both seminars 

will be held at Eprad's Toledo, Ohio, headquarters. 

A minimum of four additional seminars 

will be scheduled for the remainder of the 

year, Burlinson sad. Exhibitore interested 

in attending the 36 hour seminars should 

contact John Burlinson jr. or Gary Spreeman 

at Eprad, Inc.. 123 W. Woodruff, P.O. 

Box 4712, Toledo, Ohio 43620, or call 

(419) 243-8106 for more details. 

Burlinson also announced that the sixth 

and final StarScope seminar for 1978 was 

recently concluded. "A total of 88 theatre 

equipment specialists have attended these 

seminars in Toledo during the past nine 

months" Burlinson said, "and the reaction 

has been most favorable. 

"Frankly, some people seem to feel that 

Eprad is a small hole-in-the-wall operation 

until they visit us," he continued. "Certainly 

we aren"t a giant corporation, but we do 

have some excellent personnel and equipment 

lesources. I think that exhibitors who 

plan to visit us during 1979 will leave Toledo 

with an extensive knowledge of our 

stereo-optical equipment." 

ShoWesT '79 Representatives 

Announced by Robert Selig 

ShoWcsT '79, scheduled for February 

20 and 21 of 1979, will be held at 

19, 

the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. Robert 

W. Selig, ShoWesT general chairman, 

and Jerry Ireland, tradi show chairman, 

recently predicted that the convention will 

have the largest trade show in its five-year 

history. 

"We now can provde up to 150 separate 

booths and are setting our sights on a 

sellout, 

not only based on the success of all 

our previous trade shows, but espjcially 

the 1978 event," .Selig said. Last year's convention, 

held in the Hotel del Coronado at 

Coronado, Calif., saw 78 booths crowded 

into the convention site where many concessionaires 

and equipment people were 

turned away because of space limitations. 

"We don't want that to happen again," 

Selig added. 

Based on an actual ShoWesT '78 registration 

of 879, Selig also predicted ShoWesT 

'79 attendance would be between 1,200 

and 1,500. The estimate reportedly reflects, 

in part, a sharp increase in nation-wide and 

Canadian registration which occurred in 

1978. 

Selig's co-chairman Al Lapidus, Los Angeles, 

will represent the National Ass'n of 

Concessionaires; Spero L. Kontos, the Filbert 

Co. of Los Angeles, will represent the 

Theatre Equipment Ass'n, and Ross Campbell 

of Sheridan, Wyo., will represent exhibitors. 

The KNEISLEY Lamphouse to 

Remember when Equipping Your Theatre, 

—write for tree details— 

\^ n 

XENEX 

• It's moderately priced, ruggedly constructed 

Clean styling. Complete rear instrument panel. 

Access to interior through full hinged doors. 

Adjustable nose cone. Heavy duty igniter. 

• Horizontal lamp and 14 inch dichroic coated, 

glass reflector provide greater light pickup and 

excellent screen coverage. Focusing and beom 

controls provided. 

• Accommodates 1000 through 4000 watt Xenon 

Lamps for indoor and outdoor screens up to 

125 feet wide. 

• Magnetic arc stabilization properly positions 

arc foil flame around anode, increasing lamp 

life. 

• Blower cooled. Monual ignition and manual 

douser ore standard. Automatic ignition optional. 

THE KNEISLEY ELECTRIC COMPANY, P.O. BOX 4692, TOLEDO, OHIO 43620 

TUNE-A-MOVIE REALLY WORKS ! 

RADIO SOUND SYSTEMS FOR DRIVE IN THEATERS 

\ 

J^ôcRad, Inc. 

:: January 15, 1979 

5707 Lady Lane. Tucson. Arizona 85704 

' Telephone (602) 8880747

1 

For Incandescent Systems 

• Individually Adjustable High and 

Low Brightness Levels 

• Illuminated Push-Button Controls 

• Separately Adjustable Bright/Dim 

Rate - 1 Second to 30 Minutes 

• Manual Overide Low Level 

Adjustment 

• Service Loads from 300 to 4200 

Watts, 120V AC 

• Adapts Easily to Automation 

• Easily Installed— Guaranteed 1 Year 

Optional Remote Controls 

• Fast-Bright Panic Control 

• Individual Control of Multiple 

Lighting Circuits (eg screen 

and house) 

XeTRON Products Division, Carbons. Inc 

10 Saddle Road, Cedar Knolls. NJ 07927 

Phone (201)267 8200 

TRON

I A 

! 

platter 

Two LP270 Film 

\Offered by Drive-ln 

The Electronic division of Drive-ln The 

itre Mfg. Co. recently announced the intro- 

Jiiction of the LP270-3 three platter film 

[ransport system and the LP270-4 four platter 

film transport system. The all-electric 

LP270 series leportedly was engineered and 

Jcsigned for strength and uninterrupted 

operation of up to four-and-a-half hours of 

.ontinuous programming with no rewinding. 

The systems incorporate platters made of 

reinforced steel, welded to the outer edge, 

and seated on strong bearings to assure even 

turning. The vertical post is constructed of 

rigid 4 x 4-inch steel, and the horizontal 

arms are of 2 x 4-inch steel. 

Each system is factory pre-wired, assembled, 

adjusted and film-tested for eight 

hours prior to shipment. Installation is quick 

and easy, and both systems include magazine 

modification kits consisting of upper 

and lower magazine brackets and "L" 

brackets with rollers. 

The system's 120 volt A.C. supply is 

wired into its vertical post and a main fuse, 

conveniently located for fast and easy access, 

is incorporated. Both systems are 

equipped with failsafe devices. 

I 

separately fused work table, with a 

brake control switch, is included. 

This table plugs into the vertical post supply 

and may be removed when not in use. 

The high torque, D.C. Bodine motors on 

the platters also use dynamic braking during 

program tear-down. These motors assure 

reduced wear and longer life. The slow 

start on all drive motors prevents jerking of 

the film. 

Transport Systems 

Theatre Mfg. 

A speed control for the payout platter 

gives positive control with minimal tension 

to the film, while a speed control on the 

take-up platter assures smooth, positive 

winding of film with minimal tension and 

without swinging arms. Injection molded 

rollers assure long, trouble-free life. 

Each platter has permanent control 

switches which are lighted and color coded 

for ease in selecting mode of operation. 

Operation lights under each platter illuminate 

payout control panels at all times. 

In the four platter LP270-4, any platter 

can be used for make-up, take-up or teardown 

without mechanical shifting of motors. 

In addition, no component for one pair 

of platters is common to those of the other 

pair, preventing the failure of one screen 

from disturbing the other screen. 

Either system will operate with any make 

of 35mm projection equipment. More than 

1,000 LP270 platter systems manufactured 

by Drive-ln Theatre Mfg. are now in use in 

the U.S., Canada. Australia and other countries 

throughout the world. 

In addition to the LP270 series, Drive-ln 

Theatre Mfg. manufactures make-up tables, 

dual and single projection automation systems, 

boxoffice security systems, emergency 

public address systems and numerous additional 

products for the indoor and drive- 

The LP270-4 is primarily intended for two 

screen operations having a common booth. 

Each set of platters operates independently 

of the other, preventing the failure of one 

set from disturbing the other. 

in theatre market. For more information, 

use the Reader's Service card on pages 21 

and 22. 

|^S^\^3^!^^S^>S^^^>ffi^\»S%^^ 

The LP270-3 features three platters with 

lighted and color coded programmer 

switches to prevent selection error. 

TM 

Wall Drapery | 

System g 

TME ACOUSTDCM WD 5 DOTE[K=CIHlANC:EAifl.E PLEMDMS €UK 

MODEL A. STANDARD PLEATING CLIP. 

MODEL B. COLUMN PLEATING CLIP: SOFT, 

CURVED PLEATING GIVES AUDITORIUM 

WALLS A FLOWING. ELEGANT LOOK. 

MODEL 0. PILLAR PLEATING CLIP: LOOK OF 

FREE HANGING DRAPERIES, PLUS EASE OF 

COtOR COORDINATION. 

WITH ECONO-PLEAT EACH AUDITORIUM 

HAS ITS OWN DISTINCTIVE LOOK, WHILE FUL- 

FILLING THE ACOUSTICAL NEEDS. 

PATENTED ECONCPLEAT BRACKET AND 

PLEATING CLIPS ARE DESIGNED WITH THE 

FUTURE IN MIND, AS THE CLIPS ARE INTER- 

CHANGEABLE AND CAN BE MIXED RE- 

PLACED WITH A DIFFERENT PATTERN WITH- 

OUT REPLACING THE BRACKET. 

ECONO-PLEAT OFFERS YOU MORE)® 

EASTWEST CARPfiT CO, INC., 2644 S. LA CIBNEGA, O... CALIf. 90034

NEW 

oooooooooooopooooooOOOBBfl SLSLSLS^ 

I 

-OS 

EQUIPMENT 

— and = 

DEVELOPMENTS 

00 ^TB-g-jnrrTTnnnnnnrinsTr BTnn 

New LaVezzi Sprocket Catalog 

Is Available for Exhibitors 

LaVezzi Machine Works, Inc., recently 

released catalog L70-2 which describes their 

line of standard sprockets for persons interested 

in the precise control of film according 

to American National Standards 

Institute 

specifications. 

The 20-page catalog illustrates over 65 

standard sprockets and provides information 

on custom-manufactured sprockets. 

Media supportmg parts, i.e. rollers and 

roller assemblies, studs and pad rollers, are 

also included. A drawing of each part provides 

detailed dimensional information 

necessary to design the part into any system. 

Manufactured in a wide variety of designs, 

the sprockets are categorized as 8mm, 

Super 8mm. 16mm, 35mm and 70mm. The 

sprockets are pitched at .150, .1667, .1870, 

.234, .300 and .333-inches. Diameters 

range between .378 and 3.80-inches. Sprocket 

teeth vary from 8 to 72-tooth configurations. 

Materials include magnetic and nonmagnetic 

stainless steel, alloyed steels, 

aluminum and engineered thermoplastics 

such as Delrin and Acetal. 

Special emphasis is given to the LaVezzi 

Posi-Trol positive control 35mm sprockets 

which are used to precisely control lateral 

film 

design. 

movement and can simplify equipment 

The brochure reportedly will 

prove to be 

of particular interest to design engineers, 

systems and control engineers, purchasing 

people and others who are involved in the 

design and specifications of still and motion 

picture cameras and projectors, film 

processors, editors, viewers, printing and 

recording applications, synchronizers and 

measuring equipment. The sprockets are 

also used to maintain the precise control of 

numerical display tapes, belts, and other 

flexible media perforated according to 

ANSI standards. 

Information 

& Prices 

The brochure provides valuable information 

for motion picture theatre owners, 

managers and projectionists, and for theatre 

service organizations who order replacement 

parts for projection equipment. 

A price list is included for all standard 

sprockets and parts illustrated in the catalog. 

LaVezzi Machine Works, Inc., located 

in Elmhurst, III., is a manufacturer of precision 

sprockets for perforated film, tape 

and charts. They also manufacture custom 

components for the motion picture industry, 

aerospace, graphic arts and scientific 

applications, and for applications where 

high degree of precision and reliability are 

necessary for the performance of the equipment. 

For further information, use the Reader's 

Service card on pages 21 and 22. 

Cue Detector/Failsafe Device 

Is Offered by Xetron Products 

A new cue detector for use with professional 

35 and 70mm motion picture projection 

systems recently was announced by the 

Xetron Products Div. of Carbons. Inc. 

Called the Universal Cue Detector, the device 

is designed for use with most fully and 

semi-automated systems. 

The dual-purpose detector also serves as 

a failsafe device, shutting down the complete 

projection system when damaged or 

broken film is detected. The built-in sensing 

mechanisms are the split type which 

allows film defects and cue marks to be 

automatically detected from either edge of 

the film. 

Features of the Universal Cue Detector 

include steel film rollers with ball bearings 

on an anodized aluminum mounting bracket 

and self-contained circuitry and power leads 

which allow the new device to be readily 

mounted on most projection systems currently 

in use. 

The detector is available from stock and 

a standard component on all Xetron automation 

is 

systems. Type A cue tape is also 

being offered with the new cue detector. 

For more information, use the Reader's 

Service card on pages 21 and 22. 

New products or services mentioned in this 

column are for information purposes only. 

Their appearance does not necessarily constitute 

endorsement by Boxoffice or The 

Modern Theatre. // further information 

about any of these products is desired, 

simply fill in the Reader's Service card on 

pages 21 and 22. 


. 

. 

New Vertebra Seating System 

Responds to Movement of Body 

Vertebra seating is an ergonomically conceived 

seating system which reportedly responds 

automatically to body movement. It 

is sa'd to provide gentle but firm support 

in all seating positions to maximize blood 

circulation, alleviate fatigue and promote 

long-term seating comfort for greater relaxation. 

A recent installation was made in the 

audio-visual training center at Bellin Hospital, 

Green Bay, Wis. Here they share a 

common mounting beam with folding tablet/arm 

rests. Adaptations with arms are 

available for theatres. 

The unique design concept of Vertebra 

seating reacts to body movement without 

manipulation of controls or manual adjustments. 

Mechanisms permit the backrest to 

tilt back while the seat slides forward together 

or independently. This also permits 

Vertebra to accommodate a wide variety 

of anatomies. The firm reports that the 

mechanisms have been extensively tested, 

are foolproof, and are concealed by bellows. 

Operational, managerial and executive 

models are available. For more information, 

use the Reader's Service card on pages 21 

and 22. 

Xenon Bulb Survives Tornado, 

Lives Additionol 4,000 Hours 

Remember the old TV commercials where 

John Cameron Swayze puts a Timex watch 

through a variety of tortures and it still 

comes up ticking? In a similar fashionâlthough 

certainly not to be featured on TV 

—one of Christie Electric's family of products 

was subjected to one of the most severe 

and powerful forces of nature: a tornado. 

And, just like the Timex, the Christie 

Xenolite bulb continued to be the bright 

light in the Tulsa theatre for another 4,000 

hours after the tornado was long gone with 

the wind. 

The story of the storm and the bulb was 

brought to Christie's attention by Gene 

Joines. chief projectionist and service engineer 

for Family Theatres, Inc., which operates 

1 1 screens in Oklahoma. 

Joines. a projectionist since 1941 and a 

Family Theatre's employee for the past 16 

years, said the destructive forces faced by 

the Christie CXL-20 bulb were "a test of 

BOXOFHCE ;: January 15, 1979 

durability and dependability if I ever heard 

of one." 

He said that when a tornado hit Tulsa, 

in its path was the Family Theatre Plaza 3, 

a triplex constructed in a fan-like configuration. 

One of the theatres was completely 

destroyed, with the walls and the roof of 

the projection room collapsing. 

"Debris aid water was everywhere," he 

explained. "Several months later, we rebuilt 

the theatre and, after minor restorations, 

used the same equipment. Water marks and 

mud covered the CXL-20 bulb and the 

HFD-20 lamphouse beyond a thinkable 

use." 

According to Joines. the bulb had some 

2,000 hours of service behind it at the time 

of the tornado. But. instead of discarding 

it, the bulb was cleaned and put back into 

service. To his pleasure and amazement, 

Joines stated. "We finally changed that bulb 

a couple of months ago and it had a little 

over 6,000 hours on it." 

Not bad. John Cameron Swayze! 

16mm Projector Line Expanded 

For Eiki's 25th Anniversary 

Eiki International, Inc., is celebrating its 

twentv-fifth anniversary in 1979 with the 

introduction of many new products to its 

line of 16mm film projectors and accessories, 

according to Bob Gaskins, vice-president 

and general manager. 

These new products include the Super 

Slot Load model SL 16mm projector, the 

EX 350 projector, the EX 2000 projector 

and the re-introduction of the EX 9000 projector. 

Also being offered is the EX 4000 

16mm projector which features a xenon 

light source for long projection throws 

(above), and a Long Play Pedestal (below) 

which offers a reel capacity of 6,000 feet, 

or nearly 

three hours of continuous projection. 

The pedestal is designed as a separate 

accessory for use with any 16mm projector. 

It features full take-up and rewind capabil- 

an independent torque motor and a selfcontained 

ity, 

nature which reportedly 

makes 

set-up, take-down and storage of the pedestal 

a simple matter. This unit sits behind 

the 16mm projector with a single pedestal 

supporting both supply and take-up reels. 

For more information on the new line 

Eiki 16mm projectors and accessories, use 

the Reader's Service card on pages 21 and 

An intermittent sprocket using a star-wheel 

and pin design is commonly called a "Geneva 

movement." The name and idea for 

this remarkable device was borrowed from 

the stop-mechanisms of Swiss music-boxes 

and watches made in the famous city of 

Geneva. 

oMgwitavt^ presents 

THE TOTALLY NEW INTEGRATED 

SOUND SYSTEM FOR DRIVE-IN THEATRES 

NO SPEAKERS 'NO POLES 

NO FIELD MAINTENANCE 

VANDAUSM FREE 

Audio sharpness equal to indoor 

theatre sound is transmitted on an assigned 

frequency for car or transistor 

radio reception. Uses less energy over 

a 5-hour period than one auto start! 

Fmd out more from The . 

^/' 

EXPERTS 

Western Service & Supply, Inc. 

2100 Stout Street., Denver, CO 80201 

(303)534-7611 

of

NAC President Perry Lowe Predicts 

Growth in 1979 Theatre Concessions 

By PERRY LOWE 

Watch out diversified food service operators, 

here comes big, bad 1979! How can 

1979 look so badly, 

especially when viewed 

from the comfortable, 

profitable womb 

Lowe 

Is it the curse of 

inflation, 

the threat of 

of 1978, where record 

incomes and profits 

were tallied throughout 

the year? 

price controls, the 

record-high borrowing 

costs, or the impending 

gas/ energy crisis? Actually, despite 

the spectre of economic gloom for 

979. the forecast for the diversified food 

service operator is fair and warmer, not 

bleak and colder. 

Why is the future of the food service 

operator so bright, especially since the outlook 

for so many other industries is so 

gloomy? For example, the auto industry 

continues to shut down plants, the housing 

industry has come to a screeching halt, the screen cinemas offering a broader range of 

lending institutions are out of money and entertainment to an increasingly affluent 

Cleveland (as a precurser of other munici- 

and away-from-home society. 

palities) is in default. What have these billion 

dollar groups done wrong or. put more 

positively, what has the concessionaire done 

right? The answer is a single word: diversificciiion. 

The successful food service operator of 

today is no longer in one single industry, 

or one single geography, or in business for 

one single season. The diversified concessionaire 

of 1979 has a balanced portfolio. 

LAMOLITE* 

ILLUMINATED PRICE ADMISSION SIGNS 

Our enloiged plont facilities assure OVERNIGHT 

service from coo:t to coast. 

Plastic Signs Engraved for the Entire Theotre 

Send tor Folder 'Pot pend. 

DURA ENGRAVING CORP. 

designed to support the overhead and field 

support services of a year-round, multi-industiy. 

high profit operation. 

The diversified concessionaire of 1979 

reads emerging leisure-time trends quickly 

and reacts immediately to achieve major 

market shares and profits. The diversified 

concessionaire of 1979 will report record 

profits again next year, despite a down 

economy, because he will increase his penetration 

in five key recreational areas: 1) the 

motion picture industry. 2) the ski industry. 

3) stadiums and arenas, 4) theme parks 

and 5) new and re-emerging sports. 

The motion picture industry will continue 

to grow at a faster rate than the overall 

economy, as major motion picture conglomerates 

reinvest record profits into new films 

to be produced and distributed during 1979 

and 1980. Despite continued losses in the 

drive-in theatre segment of the market, the 

motion picture industry's growth will be led 

by the double digit rate set by multiple auditorium 

cinema complexes in regional shopping 

malls. Single and twin screen theatres 

will be replaced by four, six and eight 

Other Areas Expanding 

The ski industry will continue to out-perform 

all other winter sports groups during 

the late 1970s and early 1980s. Although 

downhill skiing will continue to grow, cross 

country skiing will emerge as the fastest 

growing segment in the skiing market. Cross 

country skiing will attract a broader range 

of customers than downhill skiing and 

should significantly increase the overall 

popularity of ski resorts that offer a full 

complement of trails. Add to this the increased 

use of alpine slides in the summer, 

supported by the four-season potential from 

condominium and second home sites, and 

skiing may well be the number one growth 

opportunity for concessionaires during the 

1980s. 

Stadiums and arenas will continue their 

strong growth trend of the '70s. More concerts, 

sporting events and cultural opportunities 

will find their way into the larger 

and more modern facilities and this predictable 

growth rate will be further accelerated 

by the emergence of worldwide soccer in 

the U.S. 

Soccer may he destined to be the fastest 

growing spectator sport of the 1980s. 

Ihcme parks, despite their enormous cap- 


; 

willingness 

I 

! ney's 

' 

iial requirements, will continue to grow in 

popularity during the 1980s. The successful 

tc^t of investment spending in super-attraciions. 

like the roller coaster revolution at 

ihcme parks during 1978, will spur a new 

amongst park owners to try new, 

bioader appealing ideas in the 1980s. Dis- 

"Experimental Commimity" in Orlando 

and the Detroit area's "Space World" 

project are two examples of how theme 

parks will mature and evolve in scope, purpose 

and popularity during the 1980s. 

Other new or re-emerging spectator sports 

will also provide new opportunities for diversified 

concessionaires during 1979 and 

beyond. Skateboard parks will blossoin outside 

of California and the Sun Belt to become 

a national, rather than regional, phenomena. 

In addition, look for a re-emergence 

of roller skating rinks to become the 

comeback sport of the 1980s. 

For the food service operator who can 

identify the opportunities of the 1980s and 

react quickly, inflation, gas rationing, minimum 

wage increases and interest rates will 

be only minor inconveniences along the road 

to riches. 

Philip M. ( Perry} Lowe is the newly 

elected president of the National Ass'n of 

Concessionaires. He was educated at Deerfield 

Academy '62. Harvard College '66. 

and Columbia Business School '68. His 

work experience includes marketing positions 

at General Foods, the Gillette Co.. 

Gray Advertising Agency, and director of 

marketing for Estee Lauder Cosmetics. 

New Funny Friend Popcorn Tub 

Is Offered by Dixie/Marathon 

Moviegoers, and children in particular, 

reportedly will be delighted with Dixie/ 

Mar-athon's new 170-ounce popcorn tub. Introduction 

of the tub by the division of 

American Can Co. is in line with the trend 

Cretors Counter 

Windsor will 

nickel and 

dime you to 

^ $45 an hour 

^"ti 

Counter Windsor 

WN16CP (Also available 

without seasoning pump 

or in floor model.) 

Capacity: 16-oz. 

Dimensions: 30" wide X 

24" deep X 41" high 

Voltage: 115 

^°* Popcorn. 15C a box. Sell 320 boxes in 

'-^--^ an hour and you're doing the kind of high-volume 

business Cretors Counter Windsor was made for. $45 

an hour business. 

Cretors Counter Windsor with an all steel 16 oz. kettle 

turns out 320 bags of delicious popcorn every hour. 

And you can expect that kind of consistent, dependable 

service year after profitable year. 

The handsome Counter Windsor has a four blade agitator to insure 

uniform popping. Spring loaded dumping action. Exhaust blower system with 

washable filter. Forced hot air conditioner system. An automatic seasoning 

pump with heavy duty cast aluminum heating element that cannot be 

damaged by forcing into a pail of hard coconut oil. And all switches are 

conveniently mounted at eye level in the top of the machine. 

Cretors Counter Windsor is ideal for any high-traffic, heavy-volume 

toward larger, more profitable sizes, according 

to Norm Turner, market development 

manager. 

Turner noted that, with the addition of 

the new size, Dixie/ Marathon offers the 

theatre and concessions industries a full 

line of popcorn sizes varying from 1 8 ounces 

up. 

The 170-ounce tub is available as item 

number 390 in the Funny Friends design, 

a series that features humorous illustrations 

of animals. The illustrations 

are intended to 

delight children, and posters are available 

to promote the series. 

situation that demands portability. It's quite a machine when you think . 

about it. It's a $45 an hour opportunity. And it makes your concession look 

like a million. 

Cretors is also your headquarters for Popcorn 

Warmers, Cotton Candy and Caramelcom Machines 

and Accessories. 

Send for complete information about the Cretors 

line and the name and address of your nearby 

Cretors Distributor. 

CRETORS 

27 Popcorn Building 

Nashville, Tennessee 37202 

Factory: Chicago, Illinois 

Cretors is Popcorn 

(and has been since 1885.) 

BOXOFHCE :: January 15, 1979

E. Robert Scott, president of Firth Carj 

about PEOPLE j and PBODUCT 

Dixie/Morafhon Appointments 

Include New Sales Directors 

Six recent appointments in the Dixie/ 

Marathon division of American Can Co. 

include the naming of two new directors to 

head the field sales organization. The 

changes came about as a result of the appointment 

of Robert E. Slotter. formerly 

vice-president of sales, to vice-president of 

ort-T.ilions. 

The two new sales directors for Dixie/ 

Marathon are James T. Fish and John B. 

(Bud) Jones. Fish, formerly Philadelphia 

regional manager, is now director of sales 

for the New York. Philadelphia and Atlantic 

regions as well as director of national 

accounts-east. Jones, formerly market development 

manager, is now director of sales 

for the Chicago. Dallas and San Francisco 

regions as well as national accounts-west. 

Other appointments made were those of 

Michael J. Hourican. formerly business 

manager of tissue products, to director of 

business management for Marathon Products; 

Lawrence L. MacCormack. formerly 

business manager of plastics, to director of 

business management for Dixie paper and 

plastic products, and Gary R. Simons, formerly 

business manager of Dixie paper 

products, to Philadelphia regional sales 

manager. 

CONDENSED INDEX OF PRODUCTS 

AMPLIFICATION SYSTEMS 

Christie Electric Corp 3 

National Theatre Supply 17 

BOXOFFICE EQUIPMENT 

Automoticket 16 

Dura Engraving Corp 18 

CARBONS 

The Marble Co., Inc 14 

Xetron (Carbons, Inc.) 6, 14 

CONCESSION SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT 

Cretors, Inc 19 

Bally Case & Cooler, Inc 18 

CONSOLES 


CONSULTANTS & BUILDERS 

Forest Bay Construction Corp 9 

Norman & Friddell 4 

DRIVE-IN THEATRE EQUIPMENT 

LocRad, Inc 13 

Selby Industries 4 

Western Service & Supply 17 

FILM SUPPLIES, REPAIRING 

Ciro 

Equipment Corp. 


LAMPHOUSES 


Kneisley Electric Co 13 

Strong Electric Co 10, 11 


LIGHTING CONTROLS 


MARQUEES & LETTERS 

Bevelite-Adler Mfg. Co 6 

Dura Engraving Corp 18 

Sign Products 

(Rapid Change Letter Co.) 12 

Wagner Sign Services 

(3M Notional) 5 

PROJECTOR LENSES 

The Marble Co 14 

Schneider Corp. of America 

(Isco/Schneider) 7 

PROJECTOR SYSTEMS 

Ballantyne of Omaha, Inc 10, 11 

Alan Gordon Enterprises 7 

National Theatre Supply 

(Simplex) 17 


REFLECTORS 

The Kneisley Electric Co 13 


SCREENS & TOWERS 

Hurley Screen Corp 16 

Selby Industries, Inc 4 

THEATRE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES 

Horry Melcher Enterprises 12 


WALL COVERINGS 

Econo Pleat 15 

Soundfold International 8 

XENON BULBS 

Conrad Honovio, Inc 10, 11 



Strong Electric Co., Inc 10, 11 



Quad Theatre Expansion Plans 

Include Four New Auditoriums 

Construction recently began for an additional 

four theatres at the Quad Theatre in 

Saginaw. Mich., according to Quad owner 

Robert Goodrich. The new construction being 

added to the existing cinemas should be 

completed by June, 1979 at an estimated 

cost of $650,000. 

Goodrich said the four original theatres 

had a seating capacity of 1,500 and the expansion 

to eight individual auditoriums will 

bring the seating capacity to nearly 2.500. 

Robert E. Hicks is the architect and Gregory 

Construction is the general contractor 

of the new theatres. John Harrison and Russell 

Potts will be co-managers of Quad 8, 

as the expanded theatre will be called. 

Two Theatre Addition Planned 

For Sack's Natick Twin Cinema 

Sack Theatres recently began ground 

breaking for the addition of two theatres 

to their Natick Twin Cinema complex in 

Natick, Mass. 

"The two new houses will allow a more 

varied fare and a broader spectrum of entertainment." 

said A. Alan Friedberg, president 

of the Sack circuit. "This expansion 

will reinforce the existing position of the 

Natick-Framingham area as one of New 

England's premier suburban entertainment 

centers. We have great confidence in the 

town of Natick and the South Middlesex 

area as major contributors to our success." 

Sack Theatres also is planning further expansion 

of its downtown Boston holdings. 

Forest Bay Construction Corp. 

Moves to Larger Facilities 

Forest Bay Construction Corp. has moved 

to new facilities, according to Robert L. 

Beacher. president. The new address is 2 

Lawson Ave.. East Rockaway, New York 

11518. The new phone number is area code 

516-599-0070. 

New Telephone Number Posted 

For Ciro Equipment Corp. 

Ciro Equipment Corp., the manufacturer 

of self-perforating frame-line tape splicers 

and tape, has a new phone number. The 

firm can be reached by phone at area code 

213-467-1296. Their address of 6820 Romaine 

St., Hollywood, Calif. 90038 remains 

the same. 

Shawnee East Corp. Appointed 

Distributor for Firth Carpet 

pet, recently announced that Shawnee East I 

Corp. will assume sales and distribution 

' 

services of Firth products presently offered 

by the Allison Erwin Co. of Charlotte. N.C. 

The transition expands Shawnee East services 

to retailers in South Carolina and portions 

of North Carolina. Georgia. Kentucky. 

Tennessee and Virginia. 

F. Douglas Fonte, president of Shawnee 

East, assures Firth accounts the optimum 

efficicncv and service their valued business 


BOXOFFMCE BOOKMNCUMDE 

An interpretiTe analysis oi lay and tradepresa reviews. Bunnlng lima Is in parentheses. The plus and 

minus signs indicate degree oi merit. Listings cover current reviews regularly. Symbol ij denotes 

BOXCFFICE Blue Ribbon Award. All fiUns are in color except those indicated by (b&w) for black & white. 

Motior Picture Ass'n (MPAA) ratings: gS—general audiences; PG—all ages admilled (parental g\iidance 

suggested); [gl—restricted, with persons under 17 not admitted unless accompanied by parent 

or adult guardian; (X>— persons under 17 not admitted. National Catholic Oiiice for Motion Pictures 

(NCOMP) ratings: Al—unobjectionable ior general patronage; A2—unobjectionable ior adults or adolescents; 

A3— unobjectionable (or adults; A4—morally unobjectionable for adults, with reservations; 

B objectionable in part for all; C—condemned. Broadcasting and Film Commission, National Council 

oi Churches (BFC). For Uslings by company, see FEATURE CHART. 

++ Very Good; + Good; - Foir; - Poor; = Very Poor. the summary H is rated 2 pluses. 

l2iVIEW DIGEST 

AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX 

11 

5033 Air Things Bright and Beautiful 

(94) CD World Northal 6- 5-78 Bl 

Always for Pleasure 

(5S) Doc Les Blank 6- 5-78 

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes (S6) 

S071 

Ho-CM ..Four Sguare Productions 11- 6-78 PG 

5065 Autumn Sonata 

(97) D New World 10- 9-78 PG A3 

5057 Avalancht (91) 

Ac-Sus New World 9-11-78 PG B 

5045 Bad News Bears Ga to Japan, 

The (92) C 

Bad Penny (SO) Sex 

C Chuck Vincent Productions 9-25-78 

5080 Battlestar Gallactica 

(125) SF-Ac Univ 12-11-78 PG 

5057 Beyond and Back 

Para 7-24-78 PG A3 + ± + 

(91) Doc Sunn Classic 9-U-78 @ A3 

5068 Big Fix, The 

(113) My-C-D Univ 10-23-78 PG A3 

5050 Bio Wednesday (125) C-D WB 8- 7-78 PG B 

Black Indians of New Orleans, The 

(33) Doc ..Maurice M. Martinez 6- 5-78 

5067 Black Pearl, The 

(96) Ad-D Diamond 10-23-78 PG A2 

5058 Blackout (90) 

Ac-Sus New World 9-11-78 H 

5066 Bloodbrothers (116) D WB 10- 9-78 H B 

5063 Born Again (110) B-D Emb 10- 2-78 PG A3 

5C8S Bottom Line, The 

(93) C Silverstein 1- 8-79 H 

5061 Boys From Brazil, The 

(124) SF-Sus-D 20th-Fox 9-25-78 E A3 

5045 Bread and Chocolate 

(111) C-D World Northal 7-24-78 B 

5084 Brink's Job, The (118) Cr-C ...Univ 1- 1-79 PG 

5038 Buddy Holly Story, The 

(113) B-DM Col 6-19-78 PG A3 

8.79 

1- 8-79 PG A3 

11-13-78 PG A3 

6-19-78 Bl Al 

7-17-78 PG A3 

5035 I 

(106) Ho-D 20th-Fox 6- 12-78 H B + 

5C5S Days of Heaven (95) D Para 9-11-78 PG A3 W 

5035 Dear Inspector (Reviewed as "Dear Detective") 

(105) My-R-C Cinema 5 6-12-78 PG A3 4+ 

5061 ODeath on the Nile 

(140) My Para 9-25-78 PG A3 -f 

5080 Deer Hunter, The (183) D Univ 12-11-78 E B ± 

BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: January 15, 1979

REVIEW DIGEST 

AND ALPHABETICAL INDEX ++ Very Good, 

^ 

- = ill I-: 

If... 

11 

(^ 

Good; ± Fair; - Poor; = Very Poor H is rated 2 pluses, = as 2 minuses.

•ON

TIN 

JC1

.Sex C, . 

June 

. May 

The 

. Hl-D. 

• 

• 

Date 

Rtl. 

ANALYSIS FILM RELEASING 

Indian Summei Nov 78 

Charleston Dec ;8 

The Innocent Jan /y 

APRIL FOOLS FILMS 

Harper Valley PTA 

„ .. - 

(97) C. May 78 

ATLANTIC RELEASING 

Madame Rosa (105) .. . .D. Agr 78 

Bonjour Amour (90) ...D. June 78 

Max Havelaar Sept 78 

La Jument Vapeiir 

BACKSTREET-BEEHIVE- 

HOLLYWOOD INT'L 

Lust Flight 2000 

(78) Sex CD. 

FRED BAKER FILMS, LTD. 

Just Crazy About Horses 

(93) Doc. 

The Black Goddess 

BEEHIVE PRODUCTIONS 

Curves Ahead! (78) . 

The Lady Wants a 

JOSEPH BRENNER 

The Devil's Rain/The Viroin Wi 

(90/90) M 

Autopsy/Carrie (UA) 

(85/98) Mar 78 

It's Not the Size That Counts 

(86) M 

. 

Super Jocks (90) May 78 

Restless (90) 0. May 78 

Itaquel Welch. Richard Johnson 

Eyeball (93) May 78 

Almost Human (90) June 78 

The Naked Woman (91) June 78 

David Hemmlngs, .Vndrea Ran 

Submission (90) June 78 

Franco Nero. Lisa GastonI 

Free Snirit (88) . . . .R-D . 

78 

CAL-AM ARTISTS 

Toolbox Murders (93) ..Ac. Mar 78 

Sunset Cove (87) Ac ..Apr 78 

Goodbye Franklin High 

(93) D . 78 

I,ane Caudell. Ann Dusenberry 

One Man Jury 

(103) Cr-D ..Auo78 

J.nck Palance. Oirls Mltchum 

CAPRICAN THREE, INC. 

Death Force (96) Ac. 

Vampire Hookers 

(83) Stx C-D,.July78 

John Carradlne, Bruce Falrbalm 

CARIBBEAN FILMS WEST 

Made 

Up the Chastity Belt 

Fred 

So Sad About Gloria 

Teenage Pony Gir' 

Moonship Girls 

City 

Redneck County 

Gail Palmer's Ne 

Adventures of 

Candy (85) . ....Sex C. Hay 78 

(Jeorpina Spelvln 

Gall Palmer's Ca ndy Goes to 

....Sex C. Dec 78 

Carol Connors. John Leslie 

MISCELLANEOUS 

EMC PRODUCTIONS 

Naked Rider (93) ..Sex 

Convention Girls 

(92) Sex C 

At Last, Al Last 

(103) Sex C May 78 

Tails (90) Sex C. Aug 78 

Wonderlul Wizard ot 

FIRST ARTISTS RELEASING 

tevie (102) B-B..Sept7S 

(Jlenda Jackson, Muna Washbourne 

FIRST INT'L PICTURES 

Dracula Sucks 

108) Sex-Ho-C-D. 

FLORA RELEASING 

The Demon Lover (80j 

The Bandits (87) . . 

.usty Princess (82) 

. .Sex C. 

he New Erotic Adventures of 

Casanova Part 2 . .Sex D. 

•m Always Ready . . . Sex C. 

INDEPENDENT ARTISTS 

When the Streamlnj Stops 

(94) Ho-F. 

JAGUAR-BEEHIVE 

Disco Dolls in Hot St 

! 

(95) 

LIMA PRODUCTIONS 

Erotic Adventures of Pinocchio 

(75) Sex C Mar 78 

Teenage Seductress 

(87) Sex D. Mar 78 

Little M 

MONARCH RELEASING 

Emanuelle in 

Bangkok Sex Melo. Apr 78 

MUSTANG-BEEHIVE 

Carnal Encounters of the Barest 

Kind (88) Sex-SF.Apr 79 

NATIONAL AMERICAN 

Coming Attractions C. Sept 78 

Rill Murray, Buddy Hackett, 

y\hty Rowe, Howard Hessoman 

OMNI PICTURES 

Wolfman (101) ...Ho-Ac. 

The Devil's Clone 

(96) Ac-Sus. 

QUARTET FILMS 

Think Dirty (94) C. .May 78 

M.irty Feldman. Shelley Bennan 

D.Jui 

Lawn 

Hustlers 

lake 

CB (85) C. June 78 

Tlftanv Jones, John Alderman 

Fiona (82) C-D..July 78 

riona Richmond. Anthony Steele, 

Victor Splnetll 

Thirsty Dead (96) Sept 78 

Fever Rock (98) Oct 78 

Dr. Jackyll's Ounoeon of 

Death (91) Nmi 78 

SANRIO FILM DISTRIBUTION 

Metamorphoses (87) .An-F..May78 

Oily Oily Oxen Free 

(89) C-Ad..Au«78 

Katharine Hepburn 

Where the Northern Fox Goes 

(90) OD-Doc Oct 78 

Nutcracker Suite 

_ 

(100) An-M .Dec78 

SIX 

PICTURES 

Computer Game . . 

Maid 

My Swedish Cousins 

Service 

e Thy Neighbor . 

asure Cruise . . . 

Girls Prison 

The Pro Shop 

Street Walker 

furned-On Girl 

Sweet Taste of Joy 

Secretaries Spread 

< Freedom in 

Marriage 

.Melo. Apr 78 

.Sex. .June 78 

Sex. .June 78 

.Sex. June 78 

Sex. .June 78 

Sex. .June 78 

Sex. .June 78 

.Sex.. July 78 

.Sex. .July 78 

Sex. .July 78 

. . Sex . . July 78 

SJ. INTERNATIONAL 

Sex and the Call Girl 

(90) Sex D.. Apr 78 

24 Hours of Terror— Kidnap 

Syndicate (90) Ac. Apr 78 

Come Home and Meet My Wife 

(90) Sex C. Apr 78 

A Slightly Pregnant Man C. Apr 78 

The Girl Who Came From 

Tomorrow (90) . . R-SF. .May 78 

Rachel's Man (105) . .Hay 78 

Leonard Whiting, RIU Tushlngham 

Lunatics and Lo»er» C. Hay 78 

Marcello Mastrolinnl. Claudia Mori 

The Bananas Boat C. Hay 78 

llavlpv MRls, none McClure 

Eagles Attack at Davm Ac. June 78 

Rick Jason 

The Suspects Ae-D..June78 

NEW LINE 

21st CENTURY 

_ , ^ Three Fantastic 

^'"115 

_ 

78 

78 

Supermen .June 

Gizmo! (79) The Obsessed One Joly 

Male Panday, Tracy Bronson Lee Champion (85) Sept 78 

CINEMA 5 

Parrlsh 

(120) Oct 78 

Despair The Tormented Aug 78 

Dear Inspector 

Bogard. 

Stella C«naclna, Chris Avram 

liirk 

(1051 My-R-C. JuneTB 

Bach 

Like a Turtle 

Annie Olrardot, Phlllpiie Nolrct 

(90) C-D. Oct78 

VIvs Italia! (87) C.Jul: 

Vlttorlo Oassman, Ugo Topiazzl 

Jive (81) Nov 78 

Dmvney 

Roht-rl 

Autumn in Germany (116) ...Nov 78 

COUGAR RELEASING, LTD 

Adventures of Starbird 

WORLD NORTHAL 

Chocolate 

_ 

78 

Revenge of the Streetfighter 

(90) Apr 79 

Bread and C-D. July 

Anna Karlna 

(90) Ad..J»n78 Sonny Clilba 

Nino Manfred!. 

and Joe Panther (93) Ad.. Sept 78 

All Things Bright Beautiful 

llrlan Keith, Rlcardn Montalban 

Legend ot Sea Wolf 

(90) Ad.. Sept 78 

Chuck Connors, Barbara Bach 

Astral Factor (93) ....Sus..N 

(88) June 78 Richard Chamberlain 

loos 

Bike Sommcr, Robert Foxworth 

- - ~- 

Teresa the Thief New Adventures of Snow White 

""c"'bec 78 Pooosle (95) 

Ropbla U irccllo Mastrotannl (76) July 78 Monica Vlltl 

(94) 

.Mm 

C-0..July78 

Blakely 

Colin 

NMD FILM DISTRIBUTING CO. 

Aldcrtnn. 

The Last Wave 

Hy-D..0ct78 

.„,.,_ 

School Girls (84) (106) May 78 

COMING RELEASES 

AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL 

Meteor June 79 

Sean Connery, Natalie Wood, 

Henry Fonda. Trevor Howard 

Defiance 

Jan-Michael Vincent, Joseph 

Campanella, Art Carney, Tliciesa 

Saldana 

California Dreamin' 

Glynnls O'Connor. James Van Patten, 

Seymour (3issel. Dorothj' Tristan 

C.H.O.M.P.S 

Valerie Bertlnelli, Wesley Eure, 

Cunr.ad Bain 

Richard Kiel, Bartiara Bach 

The Amityvilie Horror 

James Brolin. Margot Kidder, 

Rod Steiger, Murray Hamilton 

The Visiter 

Jotin Huston. Shelley Winters, 

Glenn Ford 

AVCO EMBASSY 

The Bell Jar 

Marlljn Hassett 

Leslie Caron, Robert Culp 

Winter Kills 

Elizabeth Taylor, Jeff Bridges, 

John Huston, Anthony Perkins 

BUENA VISTA 

The Apple Dumpling Gang 

Rides Again 

Tim Conwav. Don Knotts 

The Black Hole 

Maximilian Scliell, .\nth( 

Perkins, Robert Forster 

COLUMBIA 

The 

.Vnnle Girardot, Jacques Dutrtml 

Paradise 

Paul Newman 

Hardcore 0. 

George C. Scott. Bobby Kosser 

All That Jazz DM. 

Roy Schelder. Ann Relnklnc 

Freestyle 

aisan Clark 

Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon. 

Michael nouglas 

Just You and Me, Kid C. 

George Bums. Brooke Shields 

Nightwing 

Stephen Macht. Nkk Mancuso 

Ashanti 

Michael Calne, Peter Ustinov. 

William Holdcn. Rex Harrison 

The Thief of Bagdad 

Terence Stamp. Peter Ustinov 

CROWN INTERNATIONAL 

Burnout Mar 79 

Mark Schneider. Robert Louden 

The Pom Pom Girls, Part II ... 

Coach, Part II 

Gym Teacher 

The Majorettes 

Lovely But Deadly 

Stuart Taylor. Jill Lansing 

DIMENSION 

Seven Inch Wilderness July 79 

Tigers Claw 

Little Hood and Robin John 

Sweet Mama/Brown Sugar . 

Disco Dolls 

Solitary Confinement 

NEW WORLD 

Disco High 

Car Wars 

The Lady in Red 

Battle Beyond the Stars 

Tie a Yellow Ribbon Roui 

the Old Oak Tree . . . 

PARAMOUNT 

Rough Cut Apr 79 

Burt Iteynolds. Jacqueline BIsset 

Escape From Alcatraz June' 

Clint Eastwood. Patrick McGiiohnn 

Norma 

Rac 

Beau 

Brldue^J 

e to Five 6. 

ne Fonda 

Petersbum Cannes Express 

ille Christie, lionald Sutherland 

, D... DM. 

Betle Midler. Alan Bates 

UNITED ARTISTJ 

Apocalypse Now .War D Dec 79 

. . . 

Marlon Brando, Robert nuvMl, 

Martin Sheen, Dennis Hopper 

James and Jane 

James Caan, Genevieve Bujold 

Wanda Nevada 

„i:V, 

Peter Fonda. Brooke Shields 

Last Embrace ;;•"„ 

Roy Schelder, Janet Margolin, 

North Dallas Forty 

Nick Nolle 

Full Moon in August 

Joseph Bottoms 

Fraternity Ro». (101) 

Peter Foi, Gregory Harriaco 

Seven Nights in Japan 

Michael York 

American Gigolo 

John Travolta 

Prophecy 

Talla Shire, Robert Foxworth 

The HurrlV.r°''. 

SF.Ho..May79 

Tom Skerrltt, Yaphet Kotto 

Dreamer 

',•'""' '^ 

W,', 

Tim Mathcson, Susan Blakely 

Nosferatu SF-Ho. . 

Klaus KlnsH. Bruno Gam 

Marcla Rodd, Christopher Walken 

Moonraker 

Roger Moore, Uis Chiles, 

Michel Irfinsdale. Richard Kiel 

Manhattan 

••- 

Wnodv Allen, Diane Keaton, 

Michael Murphy Marlel Hemingway 

Rocky II—Redemption 

Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, 

Burt Young. Burgess Mereditli 

'"**'; 

Apr 79 

jy Benson, Sarah Holcomb 

Battlestar . 

Gallactica 

SF-Ac..Maiy79 

Lome Greene, Ray MlUand, Richard 

Hatch, Diik Benedict 

The Incredible Shrinking 

Woman 

SF-C..Dec79 

Lily Tomlln 

The Lonely Udy " 

Susan Blakely 

Fast Charlie . . . 

Rider , 

David Carradlne. Brenda Vacarro 

• 

The Senator 

Alan Alda, Melvyn Douglas, 

Barbara Harris 

Little Miss Marker 

Walter Matthau 

Katharine' Ross',' Sam Elliott, 

Roser Daltrey 

WARNER BROS. 

A Little Romance Apr 7» 

Uurenc* Olivier. Sally Kellerman 

Beyond the Poseidon 

Adventure ,V 

Michael Calne. SaJly Field, 

Telly Savalas. Peter Boyle 

'''''' ^' 

Main Event 

A:^^"'^ 

Barbra StreLsand, Ne&l, 

Ryan 

Tlr\X^ 

Ac-C..Aug79 

Peter Palk, Alan Arkln, Nancy 

|iiiss.nult, Arlene Golonka 

. 

The Squeeze Su«-C 

Staccy Keach, Lino Ventura 

First Blood 

Heart Beat 

Stssy Spaeek, Nick Nolle 

Just Tell Me What You Want 

Ml MacGraw 

BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: January \5, 1979

and 

Opinions on Current Productions Feature reviews 

are in color, unless otherwise specilied as black 

and white (bfiw). For story synopsis on each picture, see reverse side. 

O^ THE YARD d 

'"''"" """" 

Midwest Films 102 Minutes Rel. Jan. '79 

Pi-ison films have long been out of vogue and the few 

made in recent years were able to include a realistic approach 

not possible in the Thirties and Forties. The main 

concern of previous movie mugs was breaking out; today, 

getting along on the inside is stressed. Based on the novel 

by Malcolm Braly, who also scripted, the Midwest Films 

presentation has the advantage of coming from the 

souixe: Braly sei-ved time at San Quentin. His protagonist, 

Thomas Waites, is a young hardened criminal who 

rules the prisoners and clashes with sensitive and intelligent 

John Heard, a wife mm-derer who obviously doesn't 

belong in the same atmosphere. Mui-der, brutality and 

sadism are featm-ed, but never dwelled upon for long; 

surprisingly, almost nothing is made of the strong homosexual 

tendencies of men in jail. Dii-ector Raphael D. 

Silver (in his debut i producer and wife Joan Micklin 

Silver shot entirely on location at the State Correctional 

Facility at Rockview, Pa., with inmates and personnel in 

the cast. The only woman in the entire 102 minutes is 

Peg French, seen briefly as a parole board member. An 

escape by balloon is played for laughs, while Heard and 

Mike Kellin give outstanding characterizations. Filmed 

in Technicolor. 

John Heard, Thomas Waites, Mike Kellin, Richard 

Bright, Lane Smith, Joe Grifasi, Hector Troy. 

THE CHILDREN OF SANCHEZ H 

"""•= 

Lone Star Releasing (7810) 126 Minutes Rel. Nov. '78 

Adapted from the book by sociologist Oscar Lewis, this 

true stoi-y follows the painful lives of a Mexican family 

struggling to find stability and happiness in Mexico City. 

The camera focuses mostly on Anthony Quinn as the 

stolid, violent father who works 16 houi-s a day to support 

his many offspring, both legitimate and illegitimate. 

Their lives intertwine and unravel, sometime confusingly, 

as the need for freedom and independence conflicts with 

the desire for love and togetherness. Delores Del Rio does 

nicely as the grandmother who tries to help Quinn's children. 

While we learn very little about three of the children, 

we come to know Consuelo iLupita Ferrer) quite 

well as she successfully pm'sues her dream to become a 

stewardess and make a life for herself. Producer-director 

Hall Bartlett's script, co-written by Cesare Zavattini, is 

riddled with simple cliches, which somehow seem not inappropriate 

when spoken among these simple, elemental 

people. Trumpeter Chuck Mangione's melodic, rhythmic 

score gives the film a needed lift in some of the slower 

spots and should be a big selling point. The R rating 

seems unnecessarily harsh, judging from the restraint 

shown in the sex scenes. Filmed in Panavision and De- 

Luxe Color. 

Anthony Quinn, Lupita Ferrer, Delores Del Rio, Stathis 

GiaUelis, Lucia Mendez, Duncan Quinn, Katy Jiu-ado. 

WIFEMISTRESS 

'agnsh". 

Quartet Films 101 Minutes Rel. Jan. '79 

In its native Italy, this import has been called an important 

contribution to the feminist movement. Set in 

the early 1900s, the Robert A. McNeil presentation offers 

some pungent comments on a woman who liberates herself 

by setting out on a path of sensual pleasm-e to match 

her missing husband's previous lifestyle. Since the husband 

is hiding nearby, he can witness her gradual transformation 

while he suffers physically and emotionally. 

Although the tone is serious, there are many amusing 

twists to heighten the interest; even the ending isn't 

totally predictable, since events could easily produce a 

different climax. With Laura Antonelli and Marcello 

Mastroianni as the leads, the film can anticipate a good 

response. Whether or not American audiences and critics 

will see this as a contribution to the cause or merely a 

very involving movie is open to question, but that can 

certainly be used to advantage in promotion. Antonelli 

is excellent in her assignment and Mastroianni as the 

unsympathetic mate has less to do but is always convincing. 

Dii-ector Marco Vicario and producer Franco Cristaldi 

keep the backgrounds attractive but unobtrusive. 

Vicario adapted Rodolfo Sonego's story and screenplay. 

Filmed in Technicolor, with English titles. 

MarceUo Mastroianni, Laura Antonelli, Annie Belle, 

Gastone Moschin, Leonard Mann, Olga Karlatos. 

BRASS TARGET 

PG 

Suspensi 

MGM-United Artists 111 Minutes Rel. Dec. '78 

Gen. George S. Patton's death was not an accident, 

according to "The Algonquin Project," Pi'ederick Nolan's 

novel, upon which this Alvin Boretz screenplay is based. 

However, this is speculation and can probably never be 

proved. As Patton, George Kennedy is authoritative in his 

limited footage, confined to the begiiming and end of the 

MGM presentation. In between. John Cassavetes takes 

over as an O.S.S. operative concerned with the disappearance 

of a large cache of gold and a suspected assassination 

plot. Robert Vaughn makes a cool conspirator, 

while top-billed Sophia Loren is mostly decoration. Patrick 

McGoohan has a ridiculous role which he plays that 

way, while the always-excellent Max von Sydow does the 

best job as a cold killer and his almost likeable alter ego. 

John Hough directed on German and Swiss locations, in 

Panavision and Metrocolor. The plot twists, some expected 

and others not, are essential to the story, which 

isn't very long on suspense but does keep moving. With 

the good names to sell, the Berle Adams-Ai-thur Lewis 

production, produced by Lewis, should do all right in the 

action market. Laui-ence Rosenthal's score makes the film 

seem more exciting than it really is and Tony Imi's photography 

rates praise as well. 

Sophia Loren, John Cassavetes, George Kennedy, Max 

von Sydow, Robert Vaughn, Bruce Davison. 

OLIVER'S STORY 

PG 

Paramount (1178) 90 Minutes Rel. Dec. '78 

"Love Story" was 1970 and this sequel is much too late 

to enjoy the same kind of impact. It does, however, have 

Ryan O'Neal picking up exactly where he left off—with 

his wife's funeral—and Candice Bergen looking quite 

stunning. Director John Korty, who wrote the screenplay 

with Erich Segal from Segal's novel, gave it a handsome 

production, locations ranging from Hong Kong and Boston 

to New York City. Bergen's exuberance offsets 

O'Neal's natm'ally moody character and they make a 

handsome couple. The best scenes are at the opening as 

some comedy creeps in wath mutual friends Charles Haid 

and Swoosie Kui-tz trying to get O'Neal and Nicola Pagett 

together. The latter, an English actress, is very good as 

she comically displays interest, restraint and disappointment 

while O'Neal chatters on about her accomplishments. 

Ray Milland, repeating his role as O'Neal's father, 

makes his character more hiunan than before and 

Edward Binns substitutes briefly for John Marley as the 

father-in-law. The ending, whUe logical, will leave viewers 

with the feeling that yet another installment is forthcoming. 

David V. Picker produced and Francis Lai did 

the music, using the famed original theme just once. 

Panaflex lenses by Panavision and color by Movielab. 

Ryan O'Neal, Candice Bergen, Ray Milland, Nicola Pagett, 

Edward Binns, Benson Fong, Meg Mundy. 

Wilderness Family Part 2 m °'"TrJ.'"°" 

Pacific Infl Enterprises 105 Minutes Rel. Nov. '78 

"What worked before wiU do so again" appears to be the 

motto of the producers of outdoor family-type adventures. 

This sequel to the 1975 hit is so much like its predecessor 

that it seems to be a remake rather than a sequel. Four of 

the leads repeat their roles, with young Heather Rattray 

taking over for Hollye Holmes as the daughter. PIE head 

Ai-thur R. Dubs again produced, this time also providing 

the script. Frank Zuniga dii-ected and Douglas Lackey, 

Gene Kauer and Dennis Bachmann did the songs, which 

Barry Williams perfonns off-screen. Young character 

actor George "Buck" Flower reprises his role as the prospector 

and family friend, giving an air of familiarity to 

many of the situations. The ending is a variation on the 

original screenplay, which had a bear attacking the cabin 

as star Robert Logan went for a doctor to tend his sick 

daughter. Family audiences may overlook all this, since 

the players continue to be highly personable and the 

scenery—Îi-win Lodge in Crested Butte, Colo.—overwhebns 

the dramatics. Logan's refusal to kill animals 

iEA'k even wolves—except for food is laudable and a plus for 

^^ anti-violence groups. CFI Color photogi-aphy by John 

Hora is excellent. The pictm-e should perform well. 

Robert Logan, Susan Damante Shaw, Heather Rattray, 

Ham Larsen, George "Buck" Flower, Brian Cutler. 

The reviews on these poges may be filed for futur* reference In ony of the following ways: (1) In ony stondord three-ring 

loose-lcof binder; (2) individually, by eompony. In any stondord 3x5 cord index file; or (3) in the BOXOFFICE PICTURE 

GUIDE three-ring, pocket-size binder. The latter, including o year's supply of booking ond doily record sheets, may be 

obtoined from Associated Publications, 825 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. 64124 for $3.50. 

BOXOFFICE BookinGuide :: January 15, 1979

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

THE STORY: "Brass Target" (MGM-UA) 

In 1945 a German gold shipment worth $250 million is 

iiijacked and 59 GIs are poisoned. Gen. George S. Patton 

(George Kemiedy) vows to recover the gold, miaware that 

SHAPE colonels Robert Vaughn and Edward Herrmann 

are guilty. Fearing exposm-e, the two have collaborating 

colonel Patrick McGoohan contact an assassin, Max von 

Sydow, to eliminate Patton. McGoohan is then killed. The 

latter's friend. O.S.S. major John Cassavetes, has been 

brought into the case by colonel Bruce Davison. Cassavetes' 

old sweetheart, Sophia Loren, had been the flamboyant 

McGoohan's mistress and also that of von Sydow, 

who is known in his guise as head of the World Refugee 

Committee. Von Sydow kills Patton's aide colonel Ed 

Bishop and his mistress Birgit Bergen, leaving evidence 

incriminating writer Bernard Horsfall. On von Sydow's 

trail via a tip from jailed Lucky Luciano (Lee Montague), 

Cassavetes arrives too late to save Horsfall, but he and 

Davison kill Vaughn and Heirmann. Although Loren 

spots von Sydow, Cassavetes is unable to prevent Patton's 

death. Loren helps Cassavetes, who exterminates von 

Sydow. The gold is never found. 

EXPLOITIPS: 

Target in on tie-ins: Jove/HBJ paperback and the 

soundtrack album on Varese-Sarabande Records. 

CATCHLINES: 

Suspense That Reaches the Highest Rank.

1 handle 

ATES: 50c per word, minimum S5.00 CASH WITH COPY. Four consecutive insertions lor price 

three. When using a Boxofficb No. figure 2 additional words and include $1.00 additional, to 

iver cost of handling replies. Display Classified, S38.00 per Column Inch. No commission 

lowed. CLOSING DATE: Monday noon preceding publication date. Send copy and answers 

Box Numbers to BOXOFFICE, 825 Van Brunt Blvd.. Kansas City, Mo. 64124. 

CLffiRine 

HELP WANTED 

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE 

Housf 

.rHEATRE MANAGERS. We are constant^ 

adding new theatres to our circuit and 

? are looking lor qualified managers to 

DW with us. Send complete resume, sal- 

history and letter why you would like 

V 

join us. Conlidential. DO NOT call 

rite Bruce Olson, Vice President, Marcus 

(••eatres Corp., 212 W. Wisconsin Ave., 

'Iwoukee, WI 53203. 

yEED MORE MONEY? Sell screen ads 

your local banker, auto dealer, etc. 

rn minimum $200 00 each sale. We'll 

.Jw you how and handle all details (ad 

ike-up, lilm, billing, etc.) Write P.O 

X 597, Sarasota, Flo. 33578 and include 

IHIVE-IN Theatre Mt 

D. C. area. Send 

3 to P. O. Box 6' 

20782. 

Washing- 

TICKET MACHINES repaired. Fast service, 

reasonable rates. Your old ticket 

machine worth money. We trade, buy and 

sell ticket machines. Try us first. Ask 

about our rebuilts. Save money. I.E.D 

Service Co., 10 Woodslde Dr., Grafton 

Massachusetts. (617) 839-4058. 

RADIO SOUND tor DRIVE-IN THEATRES 

includes transmitter and backup unit, $1, 

995.00. Available from manufacturer. Ca! 

for further informcftion. (904) 376-4000. 

HERTNER TRANSVERTEH Arc Ge 

50/100 complete with ballast and o 

$350 00. Minneapolis (6!2) 874-1303 

THEATRE CLOSED (all or part) Voice 

of Theatre Altec H1005 speaker; Kelmar 

AS7200 exciter supply; AA7000 Amplifier; 

Super Simplex bases; Strong specials; 

94000-5 selenium rectifiers; Golde rewind; 

house reels; Century "C" and SHIOOO 

(solar) heads. CLEAN) Make offer. (213) 

66;-9322; Write: Projectors, 4041 Woking 

n South Bend, Indiana. Good starting Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027. 

: ary, excellent advancement opporiity, 

many fringe benefits. Send com- IG-35-70MM projection, sound, screen, 

'[e confidential resume to Bernard Depa, PA'S, ticketing, platters. Xenons and much 

10 West Ridge Road, Gary, Indiana more. New, used and rebuilt—all undei 

08 Equal Opportunity employer. one roof. Free catalog. Export inquiries 

invited. We take trades. International Cinema, 

6750 NE 4th Ct., Miami, Floricki 33137 

MANAGING DraECTOR POSITION open 

a responsible strong manager who (305) 755-0699. 

a seven-plex cinema opera- 

-1 with over 50 employees. This requires NEW YEAR'S SPECIALS: Century H wa 

1 person thoroughly experienced in mul- ter cooled prelectors rebuilt, $1.695 00 

(le screen operation. No projection, book- I 

Simplex soundheads EH 1000 or XL with 

(I or advertising, just heavy, competent solar cells, $795,00; Xetron 2000 watt Xenon 

BOXOFFICE LEADS THE FIELD 

with more exhibitor subscribers 

because it publishes . . . 

MORE 

Local and National News 

MORE Booking 

Information 

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Information 

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MORE on all counts that count most 

I^^^H —read and relied on by MORE Theatremen 

( BIllWIIHllH than any other film trade paper in the world 

THE NATIONAL FILM WEEKLY - WITH THE LOCAL TOUCH!

Boxoffice-January.15.1979

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