TARZANA, Calif., May 1 (UPI) -- Richard Graff, whose movie marketing insight led to the tradition of releasing blockbusters on Thanksgiving weekend, has died in California at 82.
It was in 1985 while at MGM/UA that Graff talked producer Jerry Weintraub into releasing "Rocky IV" on the day before Thanksgiving. The film's success led to the holiday weekend release tradition, Variety reported Tuesday.
Sumner Redstone, a friend and colleague, sent him a telegram, saying the marketing move was "one of the most brilliant coups that I have witnessed in my motion picture experience."
Graff, who started out as a film booker for Universal, held a string of top-level executive positions at National General Corp., American International Pictures, MGM/UA and Weintraub Entertainment Group. He then started his own film distribution consulting company. In 2002, he was inducted into the ShowEast Hall of Fame.
Graff, who died April 27 in Tarzana, Calif., is survived by his wife Gail, three daughters, three granddaughters and a great-granddaughter.
