10 a.m. Movie Festival cumes $6.4 mil

TOKYO -- The sponsors of the 10 a.m. Movie Festival, which comprises screenings of 50 classic pics at 10 a.m. at 50 venues across Japan, have declared the event a success.The screenings have cumed $6.4 million on 514,970 admissions since the kick-off on Feb. 2. This is a followup on a similar series of 50 classic pics shown on 25 screens last year. Among the participating exhibitors is Toho Cinemas, the country's biggest theater chain. The aim is to boost attendance at a slow time of day with pics that everyone knows and enjoys, but can seldom see now in theaters. The line-up, including "The Godfather," "The Sound of Music," "Roman Holiday" and "Shawshank Redemption," is suggested by fan ballot.The screenings were halted by the March 11 disasters, but by May all participating theaters were again showing the pics. The series will conclude on Jan. 20. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com