'Jeepers' hit pushes MGM B.O. to high

Solid slate lifts studio; 'Wintalkers,' 'Bandits,' 'Land' to come

By JONATHAN BING

MGM/UA horror pic "Jeepers Creepers," which became the studio's fourth pic this year to open atop the box office chart, has pushed the studio to a new milestone.

MGM's total domestic box office for 2001 is now the highest in the studio's 77-year history, topping 1982's $370.5 million tally.

Despite the inflation of admission prices, MGM has struggled to claw its way past that record. Last year, the studio released just seven films.

MGM's slate has been much more solid this year. "Jeepers" took in $6.2 million last weekend, following its record-setting Labor-Day bow of $15.8 million.

"Jeepers" dropped 61% to take in just $6.2 last weekend. But the studio's final tally for 2001 will be boosted by Barry Levinson's "Bandits," John Woo's "Windtalkers" and Danis Tanovic's "No Man's Land," all due to open later this year.