EXHIBIT 99.1


Richard J. King
Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications
AMC Entertainment Inc.
(816) 221-4000



AMC Entertainment to Acquire GC Companies

KANSAS CITY, Mo.--Dec. 7, 2001--AMC Entertainment Inc. (AMEX: AEN)
announced today that it has signed a letter of intent to acquire GC
Companies, Inc. and its subsidiaries pursuant to a plan of
reorganization to be filed with the Bankruptcy Court in GC Companies'
case under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Key creditors in the
GC Companies' Chapter 11 case have executed support agreements in which
they have agreed to support AMC's bid and the plan of reorganization.

Under the letter of intent, AMC would pay creditors of GC Companies and
subsidiaries consideration with an estimated value between $175 million
and $195 million consisting of cash, AMC subordinated notes and AMC
common stock.  The types and amounts of consideration paid under the
plan of reorganization will depend upon the Bankruptcy Court's final
determination of allowed claim amounts and upon the elections of
certain creditors between types and amounts of consideration available
to those creditors.  As a result of the issuance of AMC's common stock,
this transaction will not materially change AMC's credit profile.
AMC's common stock, notes and cash will not be issued to creditors
until the Bankruptcy Court has confirmed a plan of reorganization and
the effective date of the plan occurs.

AMC's commitment is subject to regulatory approvals, resolution of
claims of lenders of certain subsidiaries, Bankruptcy Court approval
and other conditions.  The letter of intent contemplates that the
Bankruptcy Court will confirm the plan of reorganization by March 20,
2002.

GC Companies currently operates 73 theatres with 677 screens in the
United States and has a 50% interest in a joint venture that operates
17 theatres with 160 screens in South America.  Post bankruptcy, the
United States totals for GC Companies are expected to be 66 theatres
with 621 screens.

"The acquisition of the General Cinema circuit, if approved by the
Bankruptcy Court, would expand AMC's presence in important major
markets, particularly in the Northeast and upper Midwest," said AMC
Chairman and CEO Peter Brown.  "It would also be a great cultural fit.
Like AMC, GC is a company with a rich, 80-year history of innovation
and leadership in theatrical exhibition."

AMC Entertainment Inc. is a leader in the theatrical exhibition
industry.  Through its circuit of AMC Theatres, the Company operates
177 theatres with 2,836 screens in the United States, Canada, France,
Hong Kong, Japan, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.  Its Common Stock trades
on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol AEN.  The Company,
headquartered in Kansas City, MO, has a web site at
www.amctheatres.com.

Any forward-looking statements contained in this release, which reflect
management's best judgment based on factors currently known, involve
risks and uncertainties.  Actual results could differ materially from
those anticipated in the forward-looking statements included herein as
a result of a number of factors, including but not limited to the
Company's ability to enter into various financing programs, competition
from other companies, demographic changes, changes in political climate
(including the impact on attendance of any future terrorist actions),
economic climate, increase in demand for real estate, construction
delays, unforeseen changes in operating requirements, the ability to
achieve planned openings or closings of theatres and screens, changes
in real estate, zoning and tax laws, the performance of films licensed
by the Company and other risks and uncertainties.



