Little-Seen Films Seek New Life

LOS ANGELES (AP) â€” Some movies that died early at the box office, including ``Almost Famous,'' ``Nurse Betty'' and ``Wonder Boys,'' are hoping their Golden Globe awards will give

Tuesday, January 23rd 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

LOS ANGELES (AP) â€” Some movies that died early at the box office, including ``Almost Famous,'' ``Nurse Betty'' and ``Wonder Boys,'' are hoping their Golden Globe awards will give them new life.

DreamWorks SKG, for example, said Monday it may reissue ``Almost Famous'' in U.S. theaters because of its two Golden Globe wins Sunday and honors from smaller organizations. USA Films said it plans a theatrical re-release for ``Nurse Betty,'' which won a best comedic actress Globe for Renee Zellweger.

Those movies are already out of theaters but have yet to come out on video. ``Right now, it's not too late at all,'' said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box office tracker Exhibitor Relations.

One film that might benefit most from its award â€” because it debuted only in December and is still expanding to more theaters â€” is ``O Brother, Where Art Thou?,'' which won best actor in a comedy for George Clooney.

The same goes for the narcotics-trade drama ``Traffic,'' which claimed best supporting actor for Benicio Del Toro and best screenplay for Stephen Gaghan.

The Roman blockbuster ``Gladiator,'' which won Golden Globes for best dramatic movie and original score, probably won't benefit much from the added exposure, Dergarabedian said. It already has grossed more than $200 million domestically, which means that most people who were interested already saw it.

``But for 'Almost Famous' or 'Nurse Betty,' the awards can make people who missed them sit up and take notice,'' he said.

Studios will also most likely use the awards to plug video releases or add prestige to Oscar campaigns.

``Almost Famous,'' which won best comedy and supporting actress for Kate Hudson, grossed only about half of its reported $60 million budget. Its scheduled video debut is March 13 â€” just a couple of weeks before the Academy Awards.

The Golden Globes also could help the movie when it is released oversees, said Terry Press, DreamWorks' marketing chief.

``Nurse Betty'' earned about $26 million before leaving theaters.

Some analysts remain doubtful that most film honors affect a movie's earnings potential at all.

``The only awards that really have an effect are best film winners, and Oscar nominees. That's about it,'' said Robert Bucksbaum of Reel Source Inc., which tracks the box office.

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On the Net:

http://www.goldenglobes.org/