Schindler's List is not yet in State College. No arrival date has been formally set, and local merchant Greg Gabbard is not happy about it.

Gabbard, the owner of City Lights Records, 316 E. College Ave., decided to take action, putting up a poster in City Lights urging public support of the film. The poster reads, "Did you know that Schindler's List, possibly the best film of the year, is not scheduled to play in State College? Ask questions."

But Cinema World Inc. President Jeff Lewine said last night that the Steven Spielberg film will come to State College when a print becomes available.

"The picture is not open in lots of major cities," he said.

Janet Jackson, senior film buyer for Cinema World, said last night that Universal Pictures released the film on a limited basis, making it difficult to acquire.

Jackson said the film will be opening as soon as a print is available, probably around Jan. 28 or Feb. 4.

"It's one of the most important films of the year," Jackson said.

But earlier yesterday, Carol Lamaide of Cinema World's main office in Pittsburgh said she was not at liberty to say whether or not the movie would be coming. She later said it was not being released to the State College area at this time but said it was not the company's decision.

"Schindler's List is not going to your area -- not because it is three hours long, but because at this time, it is not available (from Universal Pictures)," she said.

Lamaide added that while the film will be released next week in the Pittsburgh area, there are no current plans for a release to State College in the near future.

Gabbard said he thinks he has a different answer for why the movie hasn't been shown in State College.

He contends that Cinema World, the owner of all three movie theaters in State College, has chosen not to bring the movie here because of its long playing time.

"I have friends that are very interested in the film," Gabbard said. "They called Cinema World's office in Pittsburgh and employees there said that they weren't bringing it because it was too long and couldn't be shown enough times in one night to make enough money."

But Cinema World has shown lengthy pieces such as Malcolm X and JFK here in the past.

Gabbard said he is feeling artistically stifled.

"I'm tired of living in a place where I have to give up my love of the arts because a lot of 'suits' take economic considerations over artistic considerations," he said.

Jackson contends that Gabbard's claims are "a complete lie."

Merle Baker, manager of State Theatre, 128 W. College Ave., declined comment on Gabbard's poster but said he had not received any complaints.

Yet Gabbard is not alone. Others share his anger that a film dealing with the horrors of the Holocaust, one that has been nominated for six Golden Globe awards --including Best Supporting Actor, Best Actor, Best Director and Best Picture -- is not playing in State College. One of these people is Thomas E. Keiter, assistant professor of film and video.

"Frankly, that's unbelievable," Keiter said. "I heard good things about it. I'm amazed and disappointed. I'll probably try to contact Cinema World tomorrow."

Hillel President Jared Kaufman was somewhat ambivalent about the issue.

"I don't want to jump to conclusions if this is religious prejudice or what," Kaufman said. "It's upsetting because I'd really like to see it, but I really don't have much to say about it."

Cinema World is no stranger to controversy. In May of 1991, Kevin Costner's Dances With Wolves was finally brought to State College after weeks of argument over the company's decision not to bring the movie to the area.

Collegian Staff Writer Scott Dodd contributed to this story.