After reportedly spending nearly two decades in development,
George Lucas finally brought his Tuskegee Airmen movie Red Tails to 2,573 big
screens on January 20. His action/adventure film cost $58 M to produce. Lucas
has been quick to point out that it is the first action flick with a
predominantly African American cast, though it is not the first World War II
movie with a largely African American cast.
Red Tails cruised in with a very respectable $18.8 million box office gross at
second place. That is above comparable fighter pilot movies like Sky Captain
and the World of Tomorrow ($15.6 million) and Flyboys ($6 million). Some
theaters in Montgomery reported tickets sold out opening day. The audience
breakdown was 51 percent male and 66 percent 25 years and older. The movie
received an "A" CinemaScore, which improved to a fantastic
"A+" score for those below 18 and above 50. As of January 26, 2012,
it grossed $23,379,795.
Gov. Robert Bentley signs a proclamation honoring the Tuskegee Airmen during a ceremony in his Capitol office, Friday, Jan. 20, 2012. Gov. Bentley signed the proclamation the same day "Red Tails" a movie about the historic unit of black airmen during WWII was released. At Gov. Bentley's left is Tuskegee Airmen Oscar Gadson. (Governor's Office/Jamie Martin)
The length of time any film will play in any theater is based on the amount of business the film does, contractual obligations and time of the year. The more popular a film is with patrons, the longer it will play. There is no way to predict exactly how long a movie will play. However, Red Tails is scheduled to show in some area theaters at least through Feb 2.
Gov. Robert Bentley, center, poses for a photo in his Capitol Office with Tuskegee Airmen Lt. Col. Herbert Carter and Oscar Gadson after a Proclamation Signing Ceremony honoring the historic fliers, Friday, Jan. 20, 2012. Also pictured are, from left, Col. Roosevelt Lewis, Col. Palmer Sullins, Charles Anderson and Lt. Col. Will Sparrow, Alabama National Guard Squadron Commander, 187th Fighter Wing. (Governor's Office, Jamie Martin)
On opening day of the movie, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley held a signing ceremony honoring the Tuskegee Airmen with Tuskegee Airmen Lt. Col. Herbert Carter and Oscar Gadson proclaiming January 20, 2012, as The Tuskegee Airmen “Red Tails” Day.
Alabama, home of historic Tuskegee Airmen Moton Field is the only primary flight training facility for African America pilot candidates during World War II. On November 6, 1998, Congress recognized the contributions of these men and women by establishing the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site, which held a special “Red Tails” tour weekend. –B Meyer