Controversy Limits Number of ‘Dice’ Screens

Andrew Dice Clay’s concert film “Dice Rules” opened in only 40 theaters across the country on Friday, including six in Los Angeles County as questions about the controversial comedian and the contents of the NC-17 rated film, continue to dog it.

Several theater chains in the nation, including Loews Theaters, American Multi-Cinema, Famous Players and the Orange County-based Edwards Theaters have said they will not play the film. But such chains as United Arts, Cineplex Odeon and National Amusements have booked the movie.

James Edwards Jr. of Edwards Theaters said “Dice Rules” will not play on any of his 100-plus screens in Orange County because the film does not meet the “high artistic standard” he sets for films rated NC-17.

The 200-theater Loews theater chain also declined to book the Dice film, citing the comic’s heavily derogatory remarks about ethnic and national groups, women, gays and the disabled.

The small number of screens on which the film is being screened is generally regarded in the industry as the domain for “specialized” or art film releases, not the sort of scale associated with a popular artist. The Madonna concert documentary is playing in 400 theaters.