Anschutz Properties Become 5,949-screen Chain Regal, UA, Edwards Form Megacircuit DENVER — Top executives of the Regal Cinemas and United Artists Theatres chains confirmed in late January that parent company Anschutz Corp. will consolidate three recently acquired cinema circuits — Regal, UA and Edwards Theatres — into a 5,949-screen megachain overseen by Regal CEO Mike Campbell. UA CEO Kurt Hall is expected to head a new Anschutz company that Hall says will concentrate “on all the new businesses.” Those businesses are said to encompass the new circuit’s advertising, digital strategy and satellite network operations. “I think on the operating side this consolidation gives us the critical mass that hasn’t been seen before in the exhibition industry,” Campbell told The Hollywood Reporter. “On Kurt’s side it allows for an entity to focus on the ancillary revenue streams that have always been talked about but have never been implemented.” Both Campbell and Hall will have their own board of directors and will report to a holding company comprised of Anschutz, Oaktree Capital Management and several other investors. Campbell and Hall are also expected to share the title of co-vice chairman of the parent company. Greg Dunn, Regal chief operating officer, will serve in the same capacity for the new circuit. UA executive vice president Mike Pade will oversee the combined circuit’s Los Angeles-based film office. Regal’s Denise Gurin will be the head film buyer for the western half of the United States, while UA vet Ted Cooper will head film buying for the eastern half. Guest Services Cited Muvico Chain Receives ‘Best Practices’ Award FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Muvico was awarded in December the Human Resource Association of Broward County’s “Best Practices” award, which specifically cited Muvico’s “Guest Services Fanatic Program.” Muvico’s award-winning program gives immediate recognition to hourly employees who exceeed its standard of service. According to the circuit, overall guest satisfaction increased 30 percent in the 12 months following the 1999 launch of the program. “At Muvico Theaters, exemplary guest satisfaction is at the core of everything we are and do,” said Muvico president Hamid Hashemi. “Our Guest Services Fanatic Program gives our management the opportunity to instantly demonstrate to our crew members just how important exceeding our guests’ needs and wants is to the growth of us all.” Other recent honors bestowed on the Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.-based circuit include the Employment Management Association’s Merit Award for employee communications, the Florida East Coast Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors’ “Excellence in Development & Construction Award 2000,” and the City of Boca Raton Appearance Board’s special recognition award for “significant contributions to the beauty of Boca Raton.” The Muvico Palace 20 in Boca Raton was named the number-one movie theater in Palm Beach County, having posted the highest attendance of any site in the region. Muvico operates 233 screens at sites in Florida, Maryland and Tennessee.

Filmmakers Visit 14-Plex Idaho Falls Edwards Sees ‘Heaven’ Makers IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Edwards Theatres’ Idaho Falls, Idaho, 14-plex played host Jan. 18 to the screenwriter-director and producers of “The Other Side of Heaven.” John Groberg, the subject of the film and author of the book on which the film is based, was also in attendance. “Heaven” is an independently-distributed drama about a young Mormon from Idaho who spends three years as a missionary in the Western Polynesian kingdom of Tonga. To promote the film, Groberg, writer/director Mitch Davis and producers Gerald Molen (“Schindler’s List”) and John Garbett met moviegoers and signed autographs from 6 to 10 p.m. Patrons received signed movie posters for every three cans of food they brought in, to be donated to the Idaho Falls Community Food Bank. National Guard Units Go to the Movies Black Hawks Down At Edwards Multis NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. –Two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters descended Jan. 18, one each, on Edwards Theatres’ Long Beach, Calif., 26-plex and on Edwards’ Boise, Idaho 21-plex. They dropped in to promote the opening of the Sony war thriller “Black Hawk Down.” Moviegoers were treated to tours of the helicopters, a presentation by the Army National Guard color guard, giveaways, and posters related to the film. The events were dedicated to the men and women who serve in the armed forces and fire and police departments. The National Guard reps at both sites answered questions, handed out information about the organization, and set up field camps in the theatres’ lobbies. Recruiters for the National Guard were at both sites, while recruiters from the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the Long Beach Police Department were also in attendance at the Long Beach 26. The 1st Battalion of 183 Aviation of Idaho Army National Guard landed and handled the helicopter for the Boise 21, and the B/CO 1/140th Aviation Battalion of the California Army National Guard landed and attended to the helicopter for the Long Beach 26.