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PEOPLE & ARTS Thursday 19 March 2020
Cinemas close nationwide, Disney postpones 'Black Widow'

By JAKE COYLE an "Intermission" card up on
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. mov- its website.
ie theaters have closed na- "This news – this situation – is
tionwide due to the coro- devastating," the 41-the-
navirus pandemic, turning ater circuit based in Aus-
dark nearly all of the coun- tin, Texas, wrote. "When we
try's 40,000-plus screens in re-open after this unprec-
an unprecedented shut- edented and indefinite hi-
down. atus, it will be in a dramati-
With most of Hollywood's cally altered world, and
March and April releases in an industry that's been
already postponed, the shaken to its core."
Walt Disney Co. on Tuesday Over the weekend, ticket
also cleared out its May re- sales plunged to their low-
leases as well, including est levels in at least 20
Marvel's "Black Widow." years at U.S. and Cana-
The largest chains had tried dian theaters. Not since a
to remain open even as quiet September weekend
Hollywood postponed its in 2000 has weekend box-
upcoming release plans office revenue been so
and guidelines for social low, according to data firm
distancing steadily dimin- Comscore.
ished the recommended Universal's move could be
size of crowds. But after The Varsity Theater, home to concerts, used the marquee to address the need for washing hands seen as either a watershed
due to the coronavirus, the disease that is caused by the new coronavirus, Monday, March 16,
President Donald Trump 2020 near the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. moment for Hollywood or
on Monday urged against Associated Press an aberration due to ex-
gatherings of more than 10 treme circumstances. With
people, AMC Theaters, the rental as early as Friday. It America's shutdown came including the Alamo Draft- few exceptions, the major
nation's largest chain, said also said that "Trolls World gradually. On Sunday, the house, Landmark Theatres, studios have guarded the
Tuesday its theaters would Tour," one of the only ma- mayors of New York and Showcase Cinemas and 90-day exclusivity window
close altogether. jor releases left on the April Los Angeles ordered their Bow Tie Cinemas have even as digital newcom-
AMC said the latest guide- calendar, will debut in the- cities' theaters closed. Gov- closed. ers like Netflix and Amazon
lines made movie theater aters and on-demand ser- ernments in Massachusetts New York's Film Forum mar- have challenged it. For the
operations "essentially im- vices simultaneously. A 48- and Quebec also closed quee, usually adorned with studios, box office still is the
possible." It said it would hour rental will cost $19.99. theaters. titles, instead bore a para- primary revenue generator.
close all locations in the U.S. Most of Europe's cinemas Cinemark, the nation's phrased Franklin Roosevelt Last week, the Motion Pic-
for at least six to 12 weeks. have already shut down, third-largest chain, also an- quotation: "We have noth- ture Association said world-
Regal, the second largest as have those in China, In- nounced its theaters would ing to fear but fear itself." wide ticket sales reached
chain, said Monday that its dia and elsewhere. North shutter Wednesday. Chains The Alamo Drafthouse put $42.2 billion last year.q
theaters would close until
further notice.
The Walt Disney Co. also in- Maggie Griffin, impish mother
definitely postponed "Black
Widow," which had been
set to open May 1. Mar-
vel movies have for years of comedian Kathy, dies at 99
been the regular kickoff
to the summer movie go-
ing season. The company LOS ANGELES (AP) — The "I'm so grateful you guys
also put off the releases of mother of comedian Kathy got to be part of her life.
"David Copperfield (May Griffin, who inspired many You knew her. You loved
8) and "The Woman in the of the jokes in her famous her. She knew it.
Window" (May 15). daughter's standup rou- "Oh, and OF COURSE she
With movie theaters locked tines, has died. Maggie went on St Patrick's Day,"
down for the foreseeable Griffin was 99. Griffin went on, followed by
future, some studios took "My Mom, the one and three broken-heart emojis.
the extraordinary step of only, Maggie Griffin, passed Griffin revealed on Twitter
funneling new or recently away" Tuesday, Kathy Grif- in January 2019 that her
released films onto home fin tweeted. "I am gutted. mother had "rapidly fallen
viewing platforms. Univer- My best friend. I'm shaking. into the throes of demen-
sal Pictures said Monday I won't ever be prepared." tia."
it will make its current and The sweet, impish and "This is never easy for any
upcoming films available quick-tongued Maggie child, I know this is a reality
for on-demand rental, be- Griffin was a frequent pres- that millions of people deal
coming the first major stu- ence in her daughter's real- with every year," the co-
dio to break the traditional ity show, "Kathy Griffin: My median wrote. "But when
theatrical window of 90 Life on the D-List," in the it comes to my mom this is
days due to the pandemic. early 2000s. More often particularly hard because
The studio said it will put than not, she was holding a her sharp mind was every- In this Aug. 29, 2010 file photo, Kathy Griffin and her mother
movies currently in the- glass of wine. thing." Kathy Griffin's father Maggie Griffin arrive at the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards in Los
aters — "Invisible Man," Addressing her fans, the co- and Maggie's husband, Angeles.
"The Hunt," "Emma"— up for Associated Press
median said in her tweet: John, died in 2007.q