Phase 4 gambles on 'Poker House'

Film unit acquires rights to Petty pic

By DAVE MCNARY

Lori Petty's 'The Poker House' will go out in the U.S. through Phase 4.

Newly minted Phase 4 Films has acquired U.S. rights to "The Poker House," the directorial debut of thesp Lori Petty, and set a July 17 theatrical release.

"The Poker House," starring Selma Blair, David Alan Grier and Jennifer Lawrence, is a portrait of life in a poor small town in Iowa in 1976. Petty and Grier co-wrote the script.

Phase 4 is the theatrical, DVD and TV distribution company founded by former Peace Arch Home Entertainment prexy Berry Meyerowitz.

Pic premiered at last year's Los Angeles Film Festival, where Lawrence won the performance award.