SHORT TAKES : Over-40 Group Nudging Teens as Top Moviegoers in Record Year

Americans shelled out $5.03 billion at box offices across the country last year, making 1989 the most successful year in motion picture history, the industry’s chief spokesman reports.

Jack Valenti, president of the Motion Picture Assn. of America, recited the glowing figures in a speech to movie distributors, exhibitors and theater owners attending the annual ShoWest exposition.

Valenti said the 1989 box office take was up 83% from the 1980 figure of $2.74 billion. The number of admissions increased 10.9% during the decade, from 1.022 billion people in 1980 to 1.133 billion last year.

Teen-agers are no longer as significant a force in the industry as they once were, Valenti said, dropping from 42% of the market in 1980 to 30% last year. The over-40 crowd picked up the slack, accounting for 23% of all attendees last year, compared to 13% in 1980.

“Thank God, the over-40s are going to the movies now,” Valenti said.

The movie chief said many parts of the country may see $8 ticket prices “if inflation continues at 4% to 5% a year.” The average movie ticket price now is $4.44.