Chapter 32: That Shoddy Movie

The film Police Academy faced harsh criticisms from Hollywood professionals. They scoffed at the movie, questioning how anyone could whip up a film in just over a month. This lack of respect for audiences set the film up for a reputation as a poorly made production. The rumors swirling around were not entirely from the major studios. Everyone wondered about its box office performance and production quality. Hollywood bigwigs were keenly aware of this. Buyers tried to drive the price down, as is typical. But the young wealthy folks felt insulted and decided to retaliate. Who would dare offend such a youthful tycoon? It was like asking for trouble for their companies. As the buzz reached a fever pitch, the premiere of Police Academy kicked off. The event was quite unique. Hollywood stars were sparse; the guests mostly included political figures, business leaders showing support, and some old-timers from film schools. They had to show up since their students made such a splash. Ignoring it would have been downright foolish. What's most important in a comedy? Laughter is the only benchmark. If you can't make the audience happy, you should consider switching to art films. If a comedy makes you feel down, then an art film would surely be a perfect fit for you. Within the first five minutes of the film, many viewers were already laughing out loud. Even if the film's quality wasn't high, it was simply hilarious. Who were Eddie Murphy and Rowan Atkinson? They were the comedy stars destined for the next twenty years of fame. Each could carry a movie alone, but appearing in the same one was definitely overkill. ... At the same time, over five hundred theaters across the nation showcased this scene. Not to say it was a sea of joy, but the continuous laughter was undeniable. It was certain that this film would be a box office hit, and theater owners were thrilled. Not only did they get a piece of the ticket sales, but today's additional revenue was also mind-blowing. The popcorn machines couldn't keep up. Such a situation hadn't happened in years, and the profits were unimaginable. With over five hundred theaters showing it, that was just a small slice of the pie. Other chains couldn't help but feel misery; it was too late to jump on board, and they had to wait for a second run. Although they might lose some box office revenue, William White didn't care. This week, they wouldn't have to worry. Those who chose to support him now had to see some benefits in return. With the theaters packed to the brim, critics were cautious about their reviews. They didn't want to anger too many viewers. NBC's random interviews showed clear responses from the audience. "What? Not classy enough, a bit crude." "Get lost, don't ruin our movie-watching experience. We're just regular folks. If you're so classy, why not go watch an opera?" In just three days of its opening weekend, the film made over twenty million dollars on just a thousand screens. The following week, quite a few theaters joined in, nearly doubling the number of screens. ... Without a doubt, this film received both critical and box office acclaim. If no significant blockbuster emerged this year, Police Academy would likely be the box office champion of 1979. For Hollywood's giants, their egos had already taken a hit, and this was just another bruise. It caused uproar across America! Many tabloids blared this headline, while mainstream newspapers took a more reserved approach but still gave substantial coverage to the film. It became a phenomenon, and attempts to smear it were futile. The movie had too many labels attached to it. Countercultural groups treated it as a benchmark. Young people took notice, and campus viral marketing proved to be quite effective. The resources used for this movie were astounding, and the impact was immediate. Two weeks of booming box office results pinned others to the wall in disgrace. To think they thought they could buy the annual box office champion for two million dollars -- were they clueless? No wonder they felt insulted; their actions were over the top. Being publicly humiliated like that was mortifying. Viewers weren't avoiding movies; they were skipping the poor ones. Hollywood was not in a crisis; it was the old-timers who had grown stale. A perfectly fine summer season got upended by this one film. Audiences preferred to see it multiple times rather than check out other so-called big budget films. The losses incurred were unimaginable. The summer season was the most crucial in America, and such releases were typically from so-called big productions. They hadn't even dared to look at the box office data, for fear of a heart attack from the shock of the contrast. Unless they pulled out a blockbuster like Star Wars, there was nothing they could do. Superman and 007 might not even cut it. At the current pace, crossing a hundred million in North America was just around the corner. Given the last teaser, it was clear they planned a sequel. Those in the industry were savvy enough to catch these hints. Considering the early bids they received, it was no wonder they'd blow their tops. How much commercial value could be hidden there? Just thinking about it could make one drool. If they had offered 30% back then, they might have struck a deal. ... William White remained focused on the release schedule and the number of screens. He was certain they could give up some profits but would never accept humiliation. "Boss, you feeling good now?" "Thanks, let's organize a big party." "Ha, just how big?" "Don't try to save me money; I've been making so much lately I feel like I'm gonna burst." "Man, can't you tone it down a bit? I'll go arrange things right away." High school parties were wild as it was, and college scenes were even wilder. It was hard to fathom how this generation helped make America strong. ... Hollywood was quick to learn. The big players might have hesitations, but the smaller companies wouldn't care. The plot of the film was plainly cliche, filled with various jabs and critiques aimed at the current system. What was remarkable was how the story came back around, wrapping up with a positive message. Bringing it back wasn't tough; there was no awkwardness -- that was a serious skill. Remembering the writer's other identity loosened them up; after all, he was a bestselling author with an impressive grasp of language. These setups were clearly intentional, not just the actors' improvisations. As for the actors, Eddie Murphy was now a superstar, and he was practically jumping out of his skin with excitement. Finally, he didn't have to sell shoes anymore; his debut in this film ensured people would remember him. Rowan Atkinson seemed calm on the outside, but inside, he was ecstatic. After all, this was Hollywood, the dream stage for all actors. Starting out with such a performance guaranteed a bright future ahead. ***** https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.