``Pinocchio'' opens strong: Germany first weekend $800,000
Australia $731,000 in two frames
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 8, 1996--``The Adventures of Pinocchio,'' the theatrical feature based on Carlo Collodi's
classic children's tale starring Martin Landau as puppet maker Geppetto and Jonathan Taylor Thomas as Pinocchio, has racked up big
numbers in openings in Australia and Germany, it was reported Tuesday by the Kushner-Locke Co., which is distributing the movie in
all foreign markets.
New Line Cinema distributes the movie domestically.
In Australia, ``Pinocchio,'' handled by Roadshow Distributors, premiered Sept. 19 in a platform release on 70 screens, with a first-week
total of AUS$244,327 (approximately US$175,900). The run expanded to 133 screens in the second week, accounting for AUS$771,079
(approximately US$555,200), almost three times the first week's take. The cumulative two-week box office is AUS$1,015,406
(approximately US$731,000).
``We are especially pleased with the film's exceptionally strong holding power,'' remarked Gregory Cascante, president and chief
executive officer of Kushner-Locke International, noting figures for Sunday, Sept. 29, of AUS$64,235; Monday, $120,413; Tuesday,
$175,130; and Wednesday, $165,574.
``The strong weekday figures are reflective of the excellent word of mouth the picture is receiving from young moviegoers, many of
whom have been on school holiday and have made this one of their must-see pictures.''
``Pinocchio'' is being distributed by CineVox/Alta Vista in Germany, where it opened to strong business on Thursday, Oct. 3, on 287
screens, taking in a four-day first-weekend gross of US$800,000, with most theaters playing the movie for matinee performances only.
CineVox/Alta Vista will expand to 312 screens on Thursday, Oct. 10.
The distributor is conservatively projecting a total box office of $6 million for Germany alone. Austria released on Oct. 4 with 30
prints and took in a three-day box-office gross of approximately US$80,000 and plans to add five more prints.
German-speaking Switzerland released the film on Oct. 4 as well with 21 prints, taking in approximately US$68,221, with plans to
increase to 40 prints. Total box-office gross for opening weekend in German-speaking countries is approximately US$950,000.
``These successful openings are a credit to the film and to our foreign distributors, who did a terrific job in positioning and promoting
the film in their country,'' stated Peter Locke, co-chairman of The Kushner-Locke Co.
``We also owe a big thanks to our stars, Martin Landau, Udo Kier and Jonathan Taylor Thomas, who supported the movie by traveling
and doing interviews,'' he continued.
``The Adventures of Pinocchio'' will open in the United Kingdom and France this month, and Spain, Italy and Japan at Christmas.
The Kushner-Locke Co. (NASDAQ/NNM:KLOC) is a leading independent entertainment company engaged in the development,
production and distribution of television programming and the development and production of feature films for theatrical release and
direct release to home video and cable.
CONTACT: The Kushner-Locke Co., Los Angeles
Donald Kushner, 310/445-1111 |
