‘Party’ Time

New Line Cinema’s $2.5-million “House Party,” the raucous teen comedy infused with black hip-hop culture, pulled in a snappy $13.4 million in its first 17 days of release, but has failed its test as a potential “crossover” film with white audiences.

That’s the conclusion of Michael Harpster, New Line’s marketing co-president, who says the company increased its print total from 540 to about 700 last weekend, widening the film’s release to Boston, Seattle, Phoenix, Portland, Denver and other key cities without sizable black audiences.

Ticket sales for the picture, which has been drawing primarily black crowds, were off their initial hot pace, though “still respectable,” Harpster says. But: “It never hit with a (broad) white teen audience.”

With the film now in every major city, Harpster anticipates a final gross of $20 million-plus, which would make the first feature from filmmakers Warrington and Reginald Hudlin a solid success.

A sequel is under serious discussion, Harpster adds.