HOLLYWOOD (UPI) _ Harrison Ford is not nominated for an Oscar this year, nor was he aboard the ``Titanic'' money-making machine.

But he apparently is the favorite actor in America, and maybe the world.

The rugged star of the ``Star Wars'' and ``Indiana Jones'' films is No. 1 at the box office, a distinction surpassing the Oscar regarding salary negotiations, choice scripts and meaty roles.

In the Quigley Publications 1997 Top Ten box-office poll, released this month, Ford was the winner, acclaimed by a source that indisputably measures a performer's popularity.

Quigley annually polls the circuit of exhibitors and independent theater owners in the United States.

These men and women count admission tickets and bank the money. They know!

Based on box-office receipts, theater owners would rather see Harrison Ford's name on their marquees than any other.

This is Ford's first appearance as No. 1. He was No. 8 in the 1996 poll.

No. 2 on this year's list is Julia Roberts, who didn't make the 1996 poll.

Ford's popularity was based on his roles in ``Air Force One'' and ``The Devil's Own.'' Roberts made her mark with ``My Best Friend's Wedding.''

Last year's No. 1 was a tie between Tom Cruise and Mel Gibson. Cruise was No. 5 in 1997 but Gibson didn't make the list.

Quigley's Top Ten for 1997:

1. Harrison Ford
2. Julia Roberts
3. Leonardo DiCaprio
4. Will Smith
5. Tom Cruise
6. Jack Nicholson
7 Jim Carrey
8 John Travolta
9. Robin Williams
10. Tommy Lee Jones

Roberts was the only actress in the Top Ten. Last year two actresses made the grade, Sandra Bullock (6) and Michelle Pfeiffer (10)

Three '96 winners starred in major bombs in 1997 thereby eliminating them from the Top 10: Bullock in ``Speed 2: Cruise Control,'' Kevin Costner in ``The Postman'' and Pfeiffer in ``A Thousand Acres.''

One may expect to see Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in the Top Ten for 1998, based on ``Titanic's'' ability to make money faster than the U.S. Mint.

Usually theater owners take into account whether patrons pay to see a star as opposed to a runaway special effects hit.

Sentiment is not a factor with theater owners whose axiom is ``What have you done for us at the box office lately?''

It is the ordinary ticket-buyer who determines the Top 10. And filmgoers aren't as loyal to their favorites as they used to be.

Clint Eastwood was No. 1 in 1993, 1984 and 1983. But he is nowhere to be seen in the last four years...

When love stories and musicals faded, so did films starring women. Male action films have been the dominant theme for movies the past 50 years.

That might account for John Wayne's record number of appearances in the Top 10, 19 times from 1949 to 1974 _ three as No. 1...