European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - September 19, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse A Bunny and a Prince steal the summer movie scene coming to am Mac we in i Hao grossed torn $110 minion. By John Horn associated press the last temptation of Christ Gol the headlines but it was a pair of comedies featuring a cartoon Bunny and a Prince in search of a Bride that Ted the Way As this year s summer movies Box office records. While critics debated the alleged evils of last temptation and rambo Iii moviegoers plunked Down approximately $1.7 billion for tickets and Sal Down in front of the big screen with their Popcorn and sodas More frequently than Ever before. That beats the previous summer record of $1.59 billion set in 1987. People am movie minded and they re going said Bob Salig president of the National association of theater owners in California. People Are ust not going to stay at Home every night regardless of what they have videocassettes and Cable television though increasingly popular did t keep lans away from who framed Roger Rabbit and coming to America Bolh of which grossed More than $110 million. The 1988 summer movie season which began in late May and concluded on labor Day was not dominated by any one movie As Beverly Hills cop ii and top gun had done in 1987 and 1986, respectively. Indeed four separate movies led this summer s Box office tally. Disney s Roger Rabbit an unusual comedy merging animation and live action was the season s no. 1 hit. Followed closely by Paramount s Corning to America featuring Eddie Murphy As an african Prince in search of an american Bride. Not far behind was Paramount s Crocodile Dundee ii the fish out of water adventure Story which look in More than $100 million and big 20th Century Fox s comic look Al a child trapped in a Man s body which is close to passing the s100 million Mark. To have Lour movies Over $100 million is unusual. I believe it s Only happened once before said Barry London president of marketing and distribution Lor Paramount pictures. London said the Quantity of Good movies this past summer created an environment Lor movie audiences. The Public s having a Good time with Ona movie makes Thorn want to come Bach he said. It s been a Good diverse product mix said Peter Farwell vice president of corporate relations for general Cinema the country s fourth largest theater Chain. It seems we be had movies Hal appear to All segments of the population. There s been something for film reviewers apparently had Little say in which movies became hits. Coining to America met with mixed reviews and Mem s Willow and Disney s cocktail both raked Over the coals by the critics still brought in More than 150 million apiece. At the same time the controversies surrounding the last temptation of Chris and rambo lit appeared to have Little to do with their performance Al the Box office. The last temptation of Christ which probably would t have been a Box office hit under any circumstances collected More than $2 million after being blasted by conservative christians Lor us depiction of a Jesus with human weaknesses. The violent. Soviet bashing Flambo Iii which had the unfortunate Luck of opening the same week the soviets began leaving Afghanistan grabbed Only $55 million in Domestic Heaters Down sharply from the $150 million Success of Flambo firs stood part f in 1985. Summer lops included the big Blue. Big top pee wee Mac & my the Rescue and Monkey shines. Fall films emphasize social issues by gob Thomas associated Pressw Ith youngsters Back in school satiated by the usual overflow of mindless summer entertainment the Fali movie season traditionally turns to More adult fare particularly High Caliper dramas destined for Academy award consideration. This season social comment which has not been in Strong Supply in recent years makes a return to the screen with such subjects As armed hate groups infanticide political protest fugitives As Well As another look at the Vietnam War. Already playing in America s Heaters is betrayed a drama starring Debra Winger and Tom Berenger about the right Wing underground in the Midwest. At the other end of the political spectrum is Sidney Lumet s running on empty with Christine Lahlia Judd Hirsch and River Phoenix. The movie concerns a family of 1960s radicals who Hava been living underground and on the run for 15 years. Bat 21, with Gene Hackman and Danny Glover takes another hard look at the Vietnam War. The american movies of the 1930s and 1940s made a big Impact on me because of their social Content says Cosla Gavras the greek French director of betrayed and other political films including z and missing. I deplore the Lack that Hollywood retreated into a dream world in the last few decades. But i see Hope for the future. There Are too Many Young and talented filmmakers who want to comment on the world s social commentary won t be the Only significance of the autumnal movie season. Following a record summer at the nation s Box Ollices. Hollywood anticipates a rousing fourth Quarter finish to what May be its biggest Box office year. The 22-week Hollywood writers strike apparently will not affect the Supply of films to the world s Heaters. There is an abundant Supply of product said Herb Steinberg spokesman for the Alliance of motion picture and television producers. Tha Christmas pictures Are in the can and films now in production will carry into next year. And there Are plenty of scripts ready to be Here s what ele is on tap Lor the fall season having Little Success in comedies whoops Goldberg returns to drama with Clara s heart directed by Robert Mulligan to kill a mockingbird. Meryl Streep is accused of murdering her baby at an australian court trial in guilty by suspicion. Diane Keaton returns to drama in the Good Mother directed by Leonard Nimoy. Criminal Law stars Kevin Bacon in a Story about a serial Kilter. Jeremy Irons plays twins in dead ringers Wilh Genevieve Bujold. Burl Lancaster plays a Grandfather whose family visits him in rocket Gibraltar. Clint Eastwood directed his homage to Charlie Parker in Bird with Forest Whitaker As the legendary sax Man. Imagine John Lennon traces the Lato Beetle s Stormy life in rare footage from his estate. Hard to believe but the musical will make a comeback sort of. Gregory Hines will appear As a dancer seeking help from old timer Sammy Davis or. In tap. David Keith and tuesday Weld Star in Heartbreak hotel listed As a musical drama. Animation fans will be Able to see two new features this fall Disney s Oliver and company a reworking of Oliver twist with the voices of Belle Midler Billy Joel and Huey Lewis and the land before tone a prehistoric family adventure from eleven Spielberg and Don blu1h, who combined on an american tale. Since comedy is Stilt King there will be plenty of laugh seekers. Peter o Toole Steve Gutenburg and Darryl Hannah appear in a comedy fantasy about a haunted English mansion. Sweet heart s dance a comedy drama about family life in a new England town Marks Don Johnson s emergence in feature films. He stars with Susan Sarandon and Jeff Daniels. The accidental tourist reunites the Crew of Soufy heat William Hurt Kathleen Turner and writer director Lawrence Kasdan in a comedy about a travel writer and a dog Trainer. Rebecca Demornay plays an Fri trainee who goofs up in feds. Sally Field and Tom Hanks Are would be standup comics in punchline. Michael Caine and Ben Kingsley play Sherlock Holmes and or. Watson for laughs in without a clue. In Moon Over Paradox Richard Dreyfuss appears As an actor who impersonates a Caribbean dictator. Want Tome adventure gorillas in the Mist features Sigourney Weaver As the ill fated student of ape behaviour. Dian Fossey. And Don Ameche and friends Are Back in cocoon the return. In the action line Mel Gibson Michelle Pfeiffer and Kurt Russell appear in 1he drug War to kill a Sunrise. Jason Patrick stars in the beast which concerns a soviet Lank Crew in Afghanistan to last rites Tom Berenger portrays a Catholic priest who protects a girl marked for death by the mafia. Monday september 19,1986 the stars and stripes Page 17
