MOVIES - April 22, 1987

In addition to a Toronto screening already reported, Columbia president David Picker acknowledged Tuesday that his company’s $40-million-plus comedy, “Ishtar,” received two American test previews as well: one last week in Orange, Conn., and another Monday night in Paramus, N.J. Picker, who attended all three screenings, said he was “absolutely delighted” with the audience response. “I was fascinated to see the audiences react. They not only laughed, they paid attention,” Picker said, adding that the test audiences were “recruited” groups, representing a wide demographic swath, and not paying customers. “Warren wanted to see (the film) play to typical audiences. We didn’t skew” the test groups, Picker said.