8
Monday, April 8, 1974
University Dally Kansan
Paperbacks
"THE HOSPITAL MAKERS" by Irwin Philip Sohn ($1.25) is about a metropolitan hospital and the physicians who set out to save the place from going under. There are three brilliant, dedicated young men who are determined to become doctors and join the staff of the hospital. The story focuses on them.
"THE ORIGINS AND LEGACIES OF WORLD WAR I (Crest, $1.25) by D. F. Fleming is a comprehensive survey of sources, acts and consequences—reasons for the failure of international peace between 1919 and 1989, relations with other nations, the second and considerations of the "balance of terror" that has existed since 1945.
"BUTTES LANDING" by Jean Rikhoff (Crest, $1.50) is a historical novel about the people of the Adronacks in early American history. Three generations of the population portrayed, from the late century on. The story culminates in the Civil War era.
"GREEN LIGHT, RED CATCH" by Francis Ryck (Crest, 46 cents) is an espionage story. A Russian scientist is nearing the end of his development of the "ultimate weapon," and British intelligence decides that Russia must not have the weapon. And so, at a Black Sea resort, the plot thickens.
What Have They Done to You, Perry White?
By DAN UYESA
Kanaan Reviewer
By DAN UYESATO
Some things never change, or so it seems. With the success of such efforts as "American Graffiti," "The Summer of '42" and Sha-na-na, it's no surprise that a number one Superman comic book goes for roughly $1,800.
But that doesn't mean that comic books are a thing of the past. Indeed, comics are more popular than ever, if you judge from the number of collectors and the diversity of their collections. However, unless you are a fan of certain genres, you may be disappointed at the fare you find.
Remember the 10-cent comic? It now costs 20 or 35 cents, if you're looking for new material; and the 35-cent variety, more often than not, contains the first part of a multi-part adventure with a reprint tacked onto the end.
You can't miss the inane advertisements directed at the high school dropout. Obviously anyone who had the good sense to buy such a publication must have the mental dexterity required to "earn big money" without even finishing high school". No doubt.
The present variety of comics is almost a wonder in itself, and a good number of comics are old favorites, fundamentally unchanged. Archie hasn't finished high school yet, Woody Woodpecker flies on and scratches Grosgirl still has his Number One time.
'Don't Look Now'Awes Thrills in Good Taste
The dedicated comic freak must watch carefully for reprints since the copyright date is often omitted, and the only positive method of detection is to know the artists. A
By KENN LOUDEN
Kansan Reviewer
Don't Look Now". a terribly neglected and underated film which is showing at the Varsity Theatre, proves that violence isn't always what it seems. The thriller, Unlike "The Exorcist", to which it can be compared, "Don't Look Now" is done with discretion and taste. It makes the viewers aware of their fears instead of creating a sensation of terror mixed with
"Nothing is what it seems" is the theme of "Don't Look Now." Director Nicolas Roeg successfully conveys this impression with the help of imagery and two fine performers, Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie.
In Venice Laura meets two psychics who
treat her that deceased daughter is trying
to kill her [p. 10].
Sutherland and Christie portray John and Laura Baxter. They are a happily married English couple who decide to go to Venice after their daughter drowns.
The use of detail in the film is excellent. Roag concentrates on the motifs of breaking
OMENS AND FLASHBACKS permeate the film. Imagery is fused with reality until neither of the main characters knows what is real. Unfortunately the viewers can't tell either, and this causes them to lose track of the story.
The broken glass creates a sensation of fear. Glass is dangerous and brittle, and nearly everyone has a fear of its breaking. Glass also presents a good illusion by being firm one moment and dangerous the next. Shattering of glass is like a shattering of reality.
The color red is immediately associated with death at the beginning of the film: The Baxters' daughter is wearing red when she drows. Red is also easily associated with pain, and creates suspense with this color and imagery without resorting to extreme violence.
Rog creates with his images a bizarre fear that William Friedkin abuses in "The
Exorcist" with his use of four-leter words and cruel perversions.
"DON'T LOOK NOW" contains a beautiful exploit love scene between Sutherland and Christie. This scene isn't in the least offensive.
The scene is sensual, not just sexual. The people are devoted and love each other. They express their feelings by making love. Underlying this love is the idea that perhaps they are trying to create a new life to take the place of the child who drowned.
Unlike Bernardo Bertolucci in “In Last Tango in Paris,” Roeg doesn’t stress cruel, perverted sex that is used as a weapon against another person. He stresses the part of sex that is natural and beautiful and gives it a place in the chain of being.
THE PERFORMANCES by Suberland and Christie are adequate. Both are convincing, Christie is, as always, striking. She has a magnificent stage presence which almost undercuts her abilities as an actress, but the woman can definitely act.
"Don't Look Now!" has one basic flaw. The camera dominates both the script and the performances. Camals shrouded with mist and faint montage often distract from
Reeg seems to be so intent upon making his film beautiful that he forgets about the sesame seeds.
THE EERINESS of the atmosphere is emphasized to the extent that the film's development is stunted. "Nothing's what it seems" may be the theme of the film, but this shouldn't allow Roe to sarcastic enjoyment and coherence for artistic pretensions.
Although flawed, "Don't Look Now" probably is the most thrilling movie of the season. The motifs are effective; the theme is heartwarming; and the ending is totally unexpected.
great many new comics proliferate through reprints, most of them derived from Saturday morning cartoons. If you like Punky Phantom, you'll be all set. "The Funky Phantom," you'll see.
curred. Comics indicate an era's Zeitgeist, and the change of attitude toward police in the United States is reflected in the comics. Superman comics generally portrayed the policeman as the friend of the citizen and basically continue to do so. However, Marvel comics, most notably the DC comics, portray policemen as corrupt tools of politicians, who are policemen because they aren't smart enough to do anything else.
Super heroes, on the other hand, have changed since "Superman" came on the scene almost two generations ago. Superman is still Clark Kent, but Perry White and the Daily Planet have been replaced by Morgan Edge and WGBS. There are too many Superman offshoots to list. One of them is "Supergirl." There is even a comic with the son of Superman working with the son of Batman. You can guess the title.
Both D. C, and Marvel have strong political views and aren't afraid to express them. In a recent D. C, comic, a supervillain, who looked—surprisingly enough—like Spiro Agnew, was in cahoots with a preocious little girl who looked like Richardixon. Fortunately, they were not a threat to the world. Four heroes must battle Nixon to save the country from aliens. Even Batman battles greedy oil company officials.
One prominent change is a result of the inevitable social changes which have oc-
Jimmy Olsen is no longer a naive cub report, but a black belt karae expert, a time traveler back to previous lives—one of the most important repertories of Legion of Super-Heroes. "Reprints also abound here, and in my opinion they are the best of the lot. Judging from D. C. Comics' success in selling collections of reprisms at 100 pages I am not alone in this feeling.
But there is a new genre of comics, a kind that has grave implications to the fantasy world of comics; horror comics. Not only do they have unsettling characters, but often die horrible, unjustified deaths. The
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violence with which they are killed and with
which they kill is persecute, and crope.
812 Mass.
People are decapitated, tortured and die every terrible death known to man. Issue of "The House of Secrets," a struggling actor is hired to play the role of Dracula in a small town's monthly passion play. In the climax of the play, the townpeople drive a wooden stake through his head and then plan the next month's gala affair.
But don't let this discourage you. Most newstands will let you peruse through their comic sections, and you can get a good idea of what you're buying.
In the current issue of "The Curse of
Dracula," the daughter of Dracula
Love is told that she was born in 1284.
proceeds to drain the girl's father of all his blood, a killing with no retribution.
Remember, it costs $3 to see some movies and a nickel candy bar now costs 15 cents. If you want to spend the money on mentional dollar and remember when you waited eagerly for Saturday to come in order to blow your entire wad on comics, that could be the thing to do next Saturday morning.
To say "Gracias" for a terrific 1973, Taco Tico is having a month-long Winter Festa! That means those tasty Taco Tacos are only 24c.
At Taco Tico. It's easy and economical for your taste-buds to travel south for the winter.
For the Month of April
Taco Tico ... where the food's always in season and seasoned to please!
Selling your bike? Advertise it in the Kansan. Call 864-4358.
JIMMIE SPHEERIS
back by request!
friday, april 12 8 & 10 p.m.
$3.50
$3.00 advance
KIEF'S
Advanced tickets at KL and BETTER DAYS in Lawrence, EARTHSHINE in Topeka, GARB-AGE. CAPERS CORNER RECORDS and BARRY'S RECORD RACK in Kansas City brought to you by the music people