Will ‘Pat’ Play in Peoria for Disney? : Movies: Just as audiences struggle to determine the sex of the ‘Saturday Night Live’ character, the studio is wondering what audience this comedy will appeal to.

On television, “Pat” wasn’t ready for prime time. Now, the question on the minds of Walt Disney officials is whether the androgynous character of “Saturday Night Live” fame is ready for the big screen.

“It’s Pat,” a motion picture based on the gender-neutral character portrayed by comedian Julia Sweeney, opens Friday in three cities: Houston, Seattle and Spokane. By following this cautious approach, Disney officials say they can decide whether the movie will have wider appeal. It is scheduled to open in Los Angeles on Sept. 16.

To fuel interest in the comedy, Sweeney will barnstorm all three cities, making public appearances and conducting a battery of one-on-one TV, radio and newspaper interviews.

“It’s a test-market screening,” said a source close to the project. “They want to see if a TV concept can be pushed to the big screen.”

The character of Pat is not something “the suits” at Disney understand, the source added. “This is a college type or underground club type of film. The test marketing will see what direction it will take.

“Is it a film I would race to see?” the source added. “No, but I also don’t get all the jokes on ‘Saturday Night Live’ anymore because I’m too old.”

Just as audiences have a difficult time determining whether Pat is male or female, Disney executives are wondering what audience this comedy will appeal to.

Dick Cook, who heads distribution at Disney, said the decision to open in only three cities, with Sweeney making public appearances, is “taking a page out of the way movies were distributed years ago when they would have stars go out and go market by market.”

“We just thought (the cities) were diverse enough and would give us a good reading,” Cook explained. “Fortunately, we have a star in Julia Sweeney who is willing to go into each of these markets and really work them.”

Cook called the movie a “unique character piece” and said that by opening in only three cities “we are able to gauge the reaction in these markets to determine how we are to proceed.” He said only 30 prints have been ordered.

One source, who asked not to be identified, said the length of the movie--only 75 minutes--”gives some indication that it’s a stinker.”

The plot revolves around the enigmatic Pat, who goes through a series of jobs until meeting his/her perfect match--the equally androgynous Chris (played by David Foley)--and they make plans to marry. Meanwhile, Pat’s new neighbor develops an obsession for her (him?). Troubles ensue. Along the way, Pat gets picked up by a rock band.

Directed by Adam Bernstein, the Touchstone Pictures release is produced by Charles B. Wessler with screenplay credits going to Jim Emerson, Stephen Hibbert and Sweeney.

To market the movie, Disney has come up with print ads showing a nude Pat but with strategic body parts covered with a pink question mark. “The sex symbol of the ‘90s,” reads the ad. “ ‘It’s Pat: The Movie’ proves love is a many-gendered thing.” Disney also is putting out a press kit including a paper Pat doll with punch-out clothing.

Asked if moviegoers in Middle America are ready for “Pat,” Cook replied: “I hope so. We’re going to give it every opportunity.”