8
Mondav.March 25,1974
University Daily Kansan
Tolkien's Trilogy Takes a Beating
By CRAIG STOCK
Kanan Reviewer
**BOROUGH OF THE RIINGS** by BOGIESMATH AND HEYHEART (150 paces); SILKLANE and HEYHEART (160 paces).
J. R. R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy has been popular reading fare on college and high school campuses for about a decade. Tolkien's epic fairy tale is still selling well, and Tolkien and his character have been adored by a large cult-like fol-
Companies have capitalized on the trilogy's popularity by marketing posters, calendars and buttons which proclaim the wonders of Tolkien's Middle-earth inhabitants and its place in September, expressed amnoyance at the follow-up and the hysterical success of his work.
That cult is the real target of "Bored of the Rings," a delightful parody of the "Lord of the Rings." The parody was written by Doug Kearney and supported by staffers for the Harvard Lampon. Kenney and Beard have since left Harvard and begined the National Lampon. Anyone familiar with the National Lampon programme from the Frankenmeyer award, and, yes, they deliver.
such as this gem from Frank O'Prussia of the Dublin Gazette. One of the two or three
Beard and Kenney don't miss a trick—the cover of "Bored of the Rings" is a spoof of the paperback covers of the trilogy. Beard and Kenney even write their own reviews,
And then there's this "review" from Wilmot Proviso in the "Rocky Mountain Literary Round-Up": "A slightly more liberal reading of the leath-would keep books like this off the stands. I don't know how you'll fare, but my walks around supersite, bays at the moon has spooled every sofa cushion on the plaza."
"Bored of the Rings" contains a hilarious map of Lower Middle Earth—a parody of the map accompanying Tolkien's trilogy. Beard and Kenney change the names of Tolkien's characters, but the changes obviously weren't made to protect the incarnate. Bilbo and Gandalf become Dido and Frito courageous, become Dido and Frito disguising and disinvigilating boggies, in the parody. Sam Gamgee becomes Spam Groanegree, Gandalf, the wise, kind and powerful wizard, becomes Goodgulf, a bumbling charlatan. The evil Sauron becomes Sorbed. Even the bouncing creatures of the trilogy, the uncanny escape Beard and Kenney. The boggies of the Sty are the unwilling heroes of "Rored of the Rings."
The plot of "Bored of the Rings" roughly follows the story of the trilogy, although
Beard and Kenny slice off several of the trilogy's subplots. After all, the length of the trilogy is one of the targets of their criticism.
Eventually, the boggies and their escorts, a motley bunch including a dwarf named Gimlet and an elf named Legolam, succeed in their quest and destroy the power of Sorbed. At book's end, the boggies return to their boring home in the deprivit Stv.
"Bored of the Rings" might offend some fans of Tolkien's tripper—Beard and Ken
eyn pull no punches and ridicule "Lord of the Rings" pretty thoroughly—but this Tolkien nut laughed at the parody from cover to cover.
"Bored of the Rings?" is irreverent, but that seems to be Kenney's and Beard's point—nothing, not even the popular "Lord of the Rings," should be sacred.
And although I don't know whether Professor Tolken ever read the parody, I have a hunch he would have laughed right along with me.
Mood, Imagery in Concert
By JAN HYATT
Kansan Reviewer
good way to start the week
It was a good way to start the week. The Kansas City Philharmonic undertook the 1974 Festival of the Arts last night with a concert of varied mood and imagery.
Paperbacks
"THE UNDERGROUND CITIES CONTRACT" by Patricia Atlee (Gold Medal, 96 cents) is a new adventure of Joe Gall, who finds himself in all kinds of exotic places on special contract assignment. In this one Joe has to liberate three American agents who have been wronged for being good to be back in Istanbul, where we used to spend time with Eric Amber heroes.
THE YELLOW MUSIC KILL" by Walter J. Sheldon (Gold Medal, 75 cents) is a thriller set in the People's Republic of China. Matt Larkin, the hero, an ex-soldier and a member of the military, goes to go behind the "Bamboo Curtain," smuggling a small radio into China.
The program in Hoch Auditorium opened with Mendelssohn's "Fingal's Cave Overture," a work inspired by the sea. The orchestra was instructed to describe the waves at the mouth of a cave, and a lighter, more lyrical motif gave way to a final rush of strings suggesting rapid, gushing water. The overture was well suited for an orchestra it took its first bow of the evening.
"Enigma Variations," by the English Sir Edward Elgar, gave portraits of 13 of Elgar's friends and himself by drawing from a beautiful and melancholy opening theme. Though this piece was too complex to be easily called Mester back for another bow.
After intermission the orchestra played Mozart's "Adagio and Fugue in C minor," for which he was awarded a lifetime honor.
As it should be, the best was saved for last when the Philharmonic played "Music for Prague, 1688," a work depicting the Soviet invasion of the native city of the composer, Karel Husa. The dissonance of the second movement in the composition was effective in suggesting a threatened, confused city. The interlude opened with a percussion section of
xylophone, triangle, cymbals and snare drum creating a quiet tension. The conclusion used a Husseite war song of the fifteenth century, creating a strong mood of resistance.
The encore was the "Russian Sailors"
that brought Hilene Gillere, a modern
British captain.
Mester's conducting was graceful and precise, and a pleasure to watch.
The appearance of the Kansas City Philharmonic marks the first time a symphony orchestra has been part of the Festival of the Arts, which is now in its seventh year. Hoch Auditorium was not filled for the performance, but an applause led to filling out fourths of the seats. The decision by the festival directors to include classical music in the schedule appears to have been a good one.
Now if the directors could just get someone to proofread the printed programs before handing them out at the door, they might not need to explain how Mendelsohn was able to live 138 years, and how Elgar was born in 1957, presented "Enigma Variations" in a concert in 1899 and died in 1934.
Your Future...
The Aerospace Team
A USAF Officer Selection Team will be on campus the 27th & 28th of March. The "Team" will be located in the Union lobby.
Sergeant "Mac" McDonald, the Air Force Representative for Lawrence, indicated interested individuals may stop by and inquire about all available Air Force programs. Air Force programs which may interest students are: pilot, navigator, helicopter pilot, medical nurse, medical specialist, guaranteed jobs for both men and women and many more.
For first hand information about the Air Force and the opportunities, see this team.
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
Patronize Kansan Advertisers
TACO TICO Introduces Another First... Giant Taco Burger
A delicious and filling combination meat, bean, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and more on a very large seeded bun. It's the biggest sandwich. On Special 59c with Coupon (Regularly 79c)
TACO TICO 2340 Iowa (Hwy.59)
Acting Saves 'Cinderella'
Despite the credit that is given to movie directors today, sometimes a movie appears that would have no redeeming features were it not for the actors. "Conderella Liberty," now playing at the Hillcrest II, is such a movie.
By KENN LOUDEN
Kansan Reviewer
the script of "Cinderella Liberty" is full of clichés. The clichies include the lonely wife, the griefed father, the service-man falling-in love with the whore and the death-of-the-newborn-baby. With material like that, one wonders why the actors even bothered to make the film.
Mark Rydell, the director of "Cinderella Liberty," doesn't try to avoid cliches; he emphasizes them. He lacks originality and he seeks out sloppy sentimentalism. Yet despite a lack of good direction and a lack of humor, "Cinderella Liberty" is a good movie.
THE PLOT IS SIMPLE: A sailor falls in love with a whore who has an illegitimate son. The son is a 12-year-old black activist, the girl is a 14-year-old white victim of the racial barrier and become good friends.
Marsha Mason, as the whore, rises far above material that would stifle most actresses. She avoids the old whore-with-a-heart-of-gold theme and plays her role with the strength and independence of a woman who marks hard but who knows how to enjoy life.
Mason can express emotions without becoming overly sentimental. Her gestures and expressions make one forget the poor weather she was in. And on Mason's personal anguish or happiness,
This is Mason's first major screen role, and, judging by her acting ability, she will be a rising star.
BY WAY OF APOLOGY TO THE AGGRIEVED CLASS (MALES)
SEE STABLES AD FOR DETAILS
STABLES
hoped she will be given parts more worthy of her talents.
Kirk Calloway, as her son, acts like a professional. He is so good that he makes it look like a hero. Raquel Welch tryng to play Ophelia to Lawrence Oliver's Hamlet. His perseverance has paid off.
CAAN, AS THE SAILOR, gives what I consider his finest performance. As the man alone in the unfriendly he is condescending manages to avoid sloppy sentimentality.
He can is no stranger to sentimentalism. He tacen it once in "Brian's Song," but he had a sense of humor about it.
good script and excellent director. In Cinderella he has her mother, but he is also a great reader.
In addition to the main characters, there are some good supporting performances. Mistletoe is convincing as a sassy social secretary, while Alan Arbus are amusing as navy buddies.
SUA Popular Films
SUA FILMS SUA FILMS SUA FILMS SUA FILMS SUA
The cast makes the movie worth watching. It also shows that there is more to a good movie than just a director; the value of the performers should not be underrated. Auteurists - critics who determine a movie on the reputation of its director -should take notice. Rydell is not a good director; "Cinderella Liberty" is a good movie.
THE EFFECTS
OF GAMMA RAYS ON MAN-IN-THE-MOON
MARIGOLDS
starring Joanne Woodward director Paul Newman
Saturday, March 30
7:00-9:30
4 shows only
Sc Kansas Union
Friday, March 29
7:00-9:30
Miscellaneous Films
BETWEEN TIME
AND TIMBUCKTU
Kurt Vennegut.
Monday, March 25
7:30
Children's Films
75c Kansas Union
PEPE
Horror Films
HUSH HUSH
SWEET CHARLOTTE
starring Betty Davis
Tuesday, March 26
75c Kansas Union
Classical Films
Nominated for 7 Academy Awards
LE GRANDE ILLUSION
Wednesday, March 27
Sunday, March 31
75c Kansas Union
Film Society
ISABEL
Thursday, March 28
SUA FILMS SUA FILMS SUA FILMS SUA FILMS SUA
75c
Welcome to the International Festival
1:00-7:00 p.m.
p. p.in. Big 8 and Jayhawk Rooms, Kansas
EXHIBITION
On exhibit will be arts, handcrafts,
photographic displays, etc., from various nations.
BANQUET OF NATIONS
A whole appetizing array of gourmet dishes from various nations
5:30-7:30 p.m. on Saturday, in Bloor, Kansas Union
$3.00
Member
$2.50
Tickets will be available from the Kansas Union, Dealer of Foreign Students' Office, 228 Strong, and the door on that day.
PERFORMANCES
7:30-9:30 p.m.
Folk dances, songs and many other cultural programs from various nations.
7:30 9:30 p.m.
Ballroom, Kansas Union.
African Nations, Arab Nations, China, Folk Dance Club, Formosan Club, India, Iran, Japan, Latin American
Nations, North American Students' Assn., Pakistan and Thailand.
PARTICIPATING GROUPS
Sponsored by the K.U. International Club
BARE TRAPS
are catching on at . . .
Arensberg's 819
= Shoes 0 Mass.