LOS ANGELES COUNTY - News from Jan. 30, 1985

Embassy Pictures’ president of production, Raphael Etkes, 54, will not renew his contract, which is due to expire in mid-April, the company announced.

Etkes joined Embassy, a unit of Century City-based Embassy Communications, in April, 1983, after serving as a senior vice president of worldwide production at United Artists, which was later purchased by MGM.

Under Etkes, Embassy developed several projects but released only six films in 1984, the most notable of which was the rock music spoof “This Is Spinal Tap.” A movie version of the hit Broadway show “A Chorus Line” is under way.

Alan Horn, chairman and chief executive of Embassy Communications, said the company’s plans to replace Etkes are “unclear at this time” but that an announcement will be made in two to three weeks.

Etkes said the decision not to renew his contract was a “mutual one between myself and Embassy.” He said he will remain in his present position for another three weeks, before pursuing other opportunities.