REAL EDITING

When we heard that “Real Men” was opening Sept. 25 at 140 theaters in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma, we wondered if it was in real trouble.

The denials we got were real earnest.

“Are you kidding? I’m proud of this movie,” said writer-director Dennis Feldman of his pic about CIA man Jim Belushi and reluctant civilian sidekick John Ritter--who’ve got only five days to save the world. Added Feldman, “Before you start trying to tear this movie apart, you ought to talk to someone who was at the (sneak) preview last week.”

According to sources, it was the enthusiastic response at screenings that got one United Artists exec to declare, “Now we have a movie.”

This after re-editing supervised by producer Martin Bregman that brought the film from an R-rating to a PG-13. “And subtle changes that resulted in much clearer characters,” said one insider.

Cautioned Bregman, this is “nothing unusual. . . . Every movie goes through a molding, shaping process. How about (“The Seduction of) Joe Tynan’? Or ‘Dog Day Afternoon’? I’ve been involved in a lot of movies that had unsuccessful early screenings. So you rethink and reshape. And sometimes it works.”

As for opening the pic in the hinterlands: “Let’s face it, we don’t have two of the biggest stars in the world. We have two talented people, but I can’t tell you how big the audience is for Jim Belushi. Or for John Ritter.

“So, we find out. By testing the movie gingerly.”

Echoed Tony Thomopoulos, chairman/CEO of UA: “If you think we’re dumping the picture, you’re wrong. And if you want a list of movies that have opened regionally, like this, I assure you it’ll be a long one. With a lot of successful titles.”

As an example, he added, “Ever heard of ‘Porky’s’ ?”