OUTTAKES DEAREST

Has Cannon Films ever produced or distributed a quality movie? Hal Jepsen

Hal Jepsen Films

Malibu

Well, Hal, it’s a matter of opinion. A few Cannon pix have garnered mixed-to-good reviews--”Runaway Train” (a Golden Globe for Jon Voight last weekend), John Cassavetes’ “Love Streams,” Robert Altman’s “Fool for Love,” “That Championship Season,” “Maria’s Lovers.”

A rep for Cannon wanted to add “The Ultimate Solution of Grace Quigley” (with K. Hepburn and N. Nolte) and said the company has high hopes for “Duet for One” (with Julie Andrews) and Godard’s “King Lear.” Not to mention a just-announced Dustin Hoffman project, “La Brava,” based on the Elmore Leonard novel.

Also: Franco Zeffirelli’s upcoming “Otello,” Cannon must have a thing for the Bard. In 1982, the company boldly announced plans to distribute “Othello--The Black Commando,” which it called “a modern adaptation of William Shakespeare’s classic.” (But Cannon later pulled out of the deal.)

Of course, Cannon also has to account for--and who could forget?--pics like “Bolero,” “Sahara” (Brooke Shields), “Death Wish III,” “Last American Virgin,” “Hercules” (Lou Ferrigno) and “Hot Cruise” (with Sylvia Kristel, in case you missed it).