To the Point

Hollywood's Summer of Discontent

Hollywood's dismal box office has been widely reported this summer, but there's a vast range of differing explanations. Edward Jay Epstein's new book, The Big Picture, contains some stunning statistics. In 1948, 90 million Americas, or 65 percent of the population went to the movies. Last year, the number was down to 30 million or 10 percent. Whatever the reason, 73 percent of respondents in one poll said they'd rather watch movies at home. Is it home-entertainment centers, economic uncertainty and teens with too much to do, or are this year's movies just lousy? Is Hollywood in for a shakeup? Will future premiers be at WalMart? We hear from critics, producers and theater owners. Making News: Tony Blair Says the Rules Are Changing on Extremism A month after 56 Londoners died in bombings on buses and subways, and two weeks after a second attempt that failed, Prime Minister Tony Bair today announced that "the rules of the game have changed," and promised a crackdown on all foreign nationals preaching extremism. George Jones, Political Editor of London's daily Telegraph, says the Prime Minister has placed the rights of peaceful citizens above the rights of suicide bombers. Reporter's Notebook: Del McCoury's Bluegrass Bluegrass music developed after World War II, named for the Blue Grass Boys, a band led by Bill Monroe. When Del McCoury was growing up, everyone was listening to Elvis, but he was into bluegrass. Since the late 1960-s, McCoury-s had a band of his own. Still at it and with a brand new release, The Company We Keep, he thinks the bluegrass tradition will survive for generations to come.