tent pole
n.β Β«Mr. Mancuso describes “Beverly Hills Cop II” as a “tent pole” movie. Each year Paramount makes several high-budget films “that because of content, star value or storyline have immediate want-to-see and are strong enough to support your entire schedule,” he said. “Ishtar” had none of the strengths of a tent pole.Β» ββFiguring Out The Fates of βCop IIβ and βIshtarβ” by Aljean Harmetz in Hollywood June 4, 1987. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)