I stumbled across the following numbers recently (from DAILY VARIETY).
They're an interesting gauge of the profitability of a film--measured in a
way that's often overlooked in favor of mere gross receipts.
 
BEST RETURN ON INVESTMENT
 
(in millions of US$)
 
                        Gross           Budget          Return/cost ratio
 
THE WEDDING BANQUET     23.6            1.0             23.6
JURASSIC PARK          868.8           63.0             13.79
ALADDIN                337.9           28.0             12.07
THE PIANO               65.9            7.0              9.41
MENACE II SOCIETY       27.7            3.5              9.23
 
WORST RETURN ON INVESTMENT
 
THE THING CALLED LOVE   1.0            14.0             .071
JOSH AND S.A.M.         1.5            18.0             .083
MONEY FOR NOTHING       1.0            11.0             .091
THE NUTCRACKER          2.0            19.0             .105
RICH IN LOVE            2.1            18.0             .117
 
See you at the bargain matinee...
 
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  Jeremy Butler                                [log in to unmask]
  SCREEN-L Coordinator                           [log in to unmask]
  Telecommunication & Film Dept. * University of Alabama * Tuscaloosa
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