University Daily Kansan, July 15, 1983
Page 3
Local theaters helped by popcorn-eaters
By PAT COONEY Staff Writer
Lawrence movie-goers consume about 800 pounds of popcorn in theaters each week, and if they didn't, the team would be losing money according to area theater managers.
The concession is crucial to whether a theater breaks even. Charles Flink, manager of the Cinema Twin Theatres in Lawrence, said recently.
'WE ARE ACTUALLY losing money the first couple weeks we play a movie.'
All eight theater screens in Lawrence, including the drive-in, are owned and operated by Commonwealth largest theater chain in the nation.
Rance Blann, Lawrence manager for Commonwealth and a 15-year veteran of the business, agreed that concessions were a large part of the industry.
"When I look at the year-end figures, what we made for the year is very close to what we sell in concessions," he said. Most of the money that剧院送的票, for demonstration goes back to the companies that made the movies, Blann said.
STUDIOS DO NOT GET a flat rate from the theaters, but instead are paid a percentage of each ticket sold, he said. The percentage is based on a sliding scale - high the first week then tapering off
"For the first week of 'Return of the Jedi,' the fee was 82 percent, the highest I've ever seen," Blann said. "That is why we have to raise the price."
"We pay an average fee of $33 to 54 percent over the course of a year."
During the first week of "Jedi" Blann said, the state received 15 cents a ticket for tax, Lucasfilms Ltd., which produced the film, received $3.57 and the theater received 78 cents out of the $4.50 ticket price.
THE FILMS THAT Lawrence is allowed to show are determined by the availability of prints and what the studio will be a good attendance, Blann said.
He said he also attended regular meetings at the Commonwealth home office.
"We get to see films in advance and make a determination on which ones are going to be big, which ones we need now and which ones can wait." Blann
but sometimes there are just so few
prints available that we have to wait."
"Lawrence is high on the priority list.
Sometimes there is no room for a picture at the theaters and they have to wait until another movie leaves town, he said. That is what happened to "Survivors," starring Walter Mathau and Robin Williams.
"SURVIVORS" LOST OUT to "Porky's II" and ended up at the drive-in, a less desirable location, Blann said.
"This situation only happens twice each year — once in the summer and at Christmas," he said. "The studios release their big pictures at the same times. We wish they would spread them out."
"Last summer was a record for us, but this summer is even better for consistency. The big films last summer were a great time, and we spent a 21-week run in Lawrence."
So far this summer Lawrence has had several big hits, Blann said, such as "Superman," "Trading Places," "Bulls," "Thunder," "Octopus" and "War Games."
"Blue Thunder" is the only one that has left town.
A FILM'S STAY in town is determined by how long it makes money.
Blann said, but usually runs a minimum of four weeks.
Although he would not give specific figures, Blann said that in the six weeks since the opening of "Return to the Land" the organization of Lawrence had seen the picture.
"Every Monday, I decide which pictures will be held over and which ones we will get rid of," he said. "Sometimes people call and ask what will be playing next week and I can't always tell them."
"Jedi" is being shown at the Granda Theatre downtown because it has the largest seating capacity and is one of two Lawrence theaters with a Dolby sound system, Blann said. The Varsity Theatre across the street has the other.
BUT TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS are not the only factors in deciding where a movie will be shown, Blann said.
Usually reating capacity matched with expected audience size is the desired value.
With coming films such as "Jaws 3-D," Stephen King's "Cujo," James Bond in "Never Say Never Again," and Steven Speiberg's sequel to "Raiders of the Lost Ark," Blann sees no slackening in theater audiences.
Oread parking lot to close for repair
The parking lot on Oread Avenue, across the street from the K.S. "Boots" Adams Alumni Center, will be closed from July 18 until about Aug. 13, Don Kearns, director of KU Parking Services said yesterday.
The lot, known as R or lot 58, will receive a new asphalt surface, new curbs and a new entrance but will permit parking only. Kearns said.
KU employees who use the lot can park in X zone, adjacent to Memorial Stadium, until the lot is reopened.
On the record
A CAGE AND a ferret named "Cindy," valued at $80, were stolen from a locked car parked at the Travelodge Motel, 801 Iowa St., Wednesday morning, police said. Thieves entered through windows left partially open by the owner to allow air circulation.
THE MANAGER OF Green's Party Supply, 808 W. 23rd St., reported Wednesday afternoon the theft of a keg of beer and a carbon dioxide canister, worth $250, police said. The manager told police that a man had rented the
keg and canister by paying with a check from a closed account.
Police said they had given the check to the district attorney's office.
A TOPEKA WOMAN was released on a $2,000 bail bond Wednesday night after being arrested for the theft of three maternity dresses, valued at a total of $122. From Lady Mademia Maternity Boutique, 18 Eth. St., police said.
According to police, four women entered the store and one of them removed the dresses from a rack.
THE AUXILIARY'S supervisor,
Leroy Farmer, the group met once a month for two-hour training sessions
"Some of the training includes
The volunteers are not paid Johnson said, but the county provides uniforms and training for them.
He said that although the auxiliary was used mainly to direct traffic during high school and KU football and basketball games, members were trained to perform the same duties as police officers.
FARMER SAID SOME of the best training came from riding with a deputy, which the volunteers do once a month.
"It teaches them how to get along with people in law enforcement situations," he said.
The auxiliary, he said, is composed of qualified people from all walks of life.
Farmer said, however, he would like to see the auxiliary have even more training in case the county police are trained law enforcement officers.
Farmer said the screening process for members had been successful.
After about 100 hours of training, an individual is ready to be assigned to duties. Farmer said.
During a disaster, he said, the group can help to administer emergency care to injured people, to transport them and to search for missing persons.
KATY'S CELLAR SHOPPE
NEXT-TO-NEW
CLOTHING FOR WOMEN
745 NEW HAMPSHIRE
THE MARKETPLACE
(BEIND THE HARVEST)
842-7456
Townhouse 10:30 to 4:30
"WE HAVEN'T HAD anyone go through training and on to become a member of the reserve who has seen what I said." I think that smokes for itself!
Farmer said that last year the volunteers had about 1,200 hours of on-the-job performance, not including classroom work.
Without the auxiliary, he said, the county would have to call back off-duty police officers and deputies to report any cases as the county and atlantic events
"WE WATCH FOR people who only want the badge so they can wear a gun. We have to be very cautious of that."
Police found the women preparing to enter a truck. When an officer asked the women for identification, one of them replied that she had no identification but that she needed to go to the bathroom. Police let the woman go into a bathroom at Sunflower International Casbah, 803 Massachusetts St., but when she returned they noticed that her purse was no longer bulging, they said. Police then entered the bathroom and found the dresses.
He estimated that the auxiliary saved Douglas County taxpayers $12,000 to $15,000 a year.
842-7456
Open Tues. thru Sat. 10:30 to 4:30
first aid, CPR, traffic control and firearm training." he said.
Selling something? Place a want ad. Call 864-4358.
"Applicants for the group are screened very carefully," Johnson said.
phone: 843-1151
Sheriff's auxiliary helps take pressure off deputies
VARSITY DOWNTOWN TELEPHONE REALISED
By CYNTHIA PISTILLI Staff Welter
THE CASTLE
TEA ROOM
Today, the Douglas County Sheriff's Auxiliary, a group of 13 men and one woman, saves Douglas County thousands of dollars each year by volunteering time to help pay for her law enforcement-related duties.
The auxiliary is endorsed by and receives money from Douglas County, and according to Douglas County Sheriff Rex Johnson, there is no need to worry about hostile vistantes.
Staff Writer
Legal Services for Students
Did you know that your student activity fee funds a law office for students? Most services are available at NO CHARGE!
In the early 1970s, a time of civil strife for college towns throughout the country, many Lawrence residents thought that if a volunteer was carried out, it would become an out-of-control group of armed vigilantes.
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841-3268
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