I showed this film

Back when this was released I worked as a projectionist for a major theater chain at their (then) flagship house in Cleveland. The film makers were pushing a deal where local churches would rent a theater and play the film with profits exceeding the cost of theater and film rental going to that church. It's called "four-walling" and it means the theater gets paid regardless. I assume the film company got paid up front as well. It played for 7 days and the first day two people came to the matinee. Even though it was Friday not a soul appeared for either evening shows. Same thing on Saturday and even Sunday was a no-show all day. All week the auditorium was empty. It got so we didn't even roll the film. Why waste the electricity? For the last show on Thursday night a single person bought a ticket. Needless to say the church that bankrolled this showing got hurt badly. I'm sure their congregation was heartily encouraged to support this picture but to no avail. Some say this movie preaches to the choir. In this case even the choir declined to be involved. When you hear how successful this thing was, bear in mind, it wasn't always so.