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BY THE NUMBERS

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<i> Arts and entertainment reports from The Times, national and international news services and the nation's press</i>

Five top-grossing films of the 1980s (rentals only): “E.T. The Extra Terrestrial” (1982) $228,379,346

“Return of the Jedi” (1983) $168,002,414

“The Empire Strikes Back” (1980) $141,600,000

“Ghostbusters” (1982) $128,264,005

“Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981) $115,598,000

Five top-grossing films from the 1950s (rentals to date): “The Ten Commandments” (1956) $43,000,000

“Ben Hur” (1959) $36,650,000

“Lady and the Tramp” (1955) $36,200,000*

“Around the World in 80 Days” (1956) $23,120,000

(tie) “The Robe” (1953) and “South Pacific” (1958) $17,500,000

(* Unlike the others, this film has been re-released several times since its original release.)

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Average cost of a movie ticket in the U.S.: 1959 51 cents

1980 $2.79

Source: Variety

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