University Daily Kansan Friday, December 1. 1872 9 Fantastic 'Lady Sings the Blues' Tells Story of Troubled Holiday By JOE ZANATTA Kansan Reviews Editor "I Lady Sings the Blues" is the story of Billy Holle, a singer in the 1930s who had to wait for a film to be screened; the film is also a screen debut for Diana Ross, another singer. The interesting story of Holiday combines with the singing and acting talent of Ross to produce a fantastic movie. The film plays with Holiday being booked at a New York jail on a narcotics charge. As her cold turkey begins, the film flashes back the story and the history of Billy Holiday begins. Holiday jumps through a series of jobs till finally she lands one as a singer in a dummy club. For a year she sings in the club and then goes on tour throughout the South. It is a special holiday that meets the two enemies that will plaque her entire life—racism and narcotics. THE REMAINER of the film deals with Holiday's battle against racism and her fight for life against narcotics. Her singing sings loudly to the front-stage battle she is waging. Diana Ross is Bille Holiday. Her film debut is going to be a much heralded one, "Lady Sings the Blues" gives her a chance to fall back on singing quite often, but it is an opportunity that is unneeded with the amount of acting talent Ross displays. The role of Billie Holiday is a demanding one and Ross handles it as a veteran. She has been a hard worker around her one moment and the next is as deadly experienced as you can get. Ross assumes the role so perfect that to the viewer she is Billie Holiday, who is the Diana Woods of audience. AND THEN THERE is the singing of Diana Ross. This is her bread and butter so the excellent performance she delivers is expected. Ross goes through about a dozen sounds that capture the spirit of Billie Holiday even though Ross used her own sweet voice, rather than a mellow copy of Holiday. Among the best songs of the film are "All of Me," "God Bless the Child" and "Strange Fruit." The scene surrounding "Strange Fruit" is one of the most bitter of the film, but also the most revealing look into the life of Billie Holiday. It's a triumphant film debut for Diana boss-acting and singing—and a doubt the main theme of this movie. Another excellent performance is turned in by Billy Dee Williams, who previously starred as Gale Sayers in the television production "Brian's Song." Williams is 'Rage' Theme Is Well-Intended But Falls Short One man against science and progress is a common theme, but one that requires a good deal of talent to be used successfully in an environment where almost produces a powerful film. Almost. George C. Scott, who seems to thrive on diverse roles, plays a modern-day Wyoming sheep rancher, whose son becomes the victim of a military experiment. The action starts when Scott wakes up one morning while camping out and finds his unconscious and bleeding from the nose. At the same time army officials discover an experimental nerve chemical had recently been released over a civilian area. Fearing public reaction, officials try to cover the incident. Scott is kept under sedation and told that his son is all right—until he finds out otherwise. He then escapes, filled with shock and sorrow, and seeks revenge. The strength of the movie comes from the acting by George C. Scott, who made his debut in *Annie*. Scott's *performance as a father who loses the one thing that means the most to him, his son, is excellent. The only criticism that he has is that he overacts in the sentimental scenes. The major weakness of "Rage" is a lack of credibility. Mistakes are always possible and the results could be catastrophic, but it is hard to prove this with a reaction such as displayed by the players. Although "Rage" displays an obviously well-intended theme of one man alone against the inhumanity of scientific progress and military disregard for life, it falls short of the powerhouse it could have been. There is a "1984" scare about "Rage," but it could have been a much more important and powerful film. MAGIC LANTERN MOVIES Presents Eugene O'Noll's THE LONG VOYAGE HOME A 1940 Film Classic Directed by JOHN FORD Tonight 8 p.m. Lawrence Public Library Auditorium 7th and Vermont Holiday's boyfriend and he turns in a sensitive performance similar to his role in the movie. ANOTHER PLEASING surprise of "Lady Yvette" is Holiday's tryst with Pryer, who plays Holiday's piano player. Pryor has gained some fame as a stand-up comedian, but finds himself perfectly suited for a screen role. When the film sinks into its depressing moments, it's Pryor who brings just the right touch of humor to the situation. Sid Melton turns in one of his better performances in "Lady Sings the Blues." He's cast as the owner, of the club at which he plays. Melton's unfamiliar role for Melton—it is identical to The only flaw in "Lady Sings the Blues"—and a very minor one—is the film's length. The majority of the film is depressing and a two and one-half hour presentation is a little too much. The film drags slightly at the end and due to the sheer exhaustion of the audience. the character he portrayed in the old Danny Thomas show "Make Room for Daddy." "Lady Sings the Blues" is a beautiful film about two of the ugly facts of the world—racism and narcotics. "Lady Sings the Blues" is also the music of Billie Holiday. If that were not enough to make it a winner, it has one of the most talented corps of actors that's around. "Lady Sings the Blues" is one movie you shouldn't miss. Movie Industry Cashes In On Religious Renaissance HOLLYWOOD (AP)—Movie audiences in 1973 will be able to view three new versions of the Jesus story that are far removed from their original "gigs" and "The Greatest Story Ever Told." The most eagerly anticipated of the new films is "Jesus christ Superstar," which is now finishing its shooting in Israel. It is, of course, the movie version of the rock opera that has proved a gold mine in theater and concert versions all over the world. MCA, which already has earned millions through the original cast album by its subsidiary Decca Records, said it hoped to make more movies through its Universal Pictures. Norman Jewison, who also directed "Fiddler on the Roof," began filming "Superstar" in mid-August. He chose 30 different locations in Israel. These were not the true locales of the Christ story but places that could double for 1st century Palestine. The film is scheduled for a June, 1973 release. Columbia has been filming "Godspill" that the musical based on the book of Matthew Patterson. "Godspell," most noted for its song "Day by day" has been filmed in a modern setting. The scheduled release for "Godspell" is Easter. 1973. An enterprising producer named Larry Buchan expects to beat both musicals to the nation's theaters with a dramatic film, "The Rebel Jesus." LATIN AMERICAN WEEK presented by THE LATIN AMERICAN STUDENTS ASSOCIATION with THE SUPPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL CLUB. Latin America: Reality and Tendencies PROGRAM: - EXHIBIT Mon., Dec. 4th till Wed., Dec. 6th MAYMAN ROOM - PANEL "OBSTACLES TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF LATIN AMERICA" Mon., Dec. 4th, 7:30 p.m. FORUM ROOM * LECTURE ON VALLEJOS POETRY (Latin American Literature) Wed., Dec. 4th, 7:30. Big Eight Room The invited speaker for this lecture is Prof. Escobar from the Spanish & Portuguese Dent - PILM ON THE STURGLEGE OF THE LATIN AMERICAN PEOLE Thurs., Dec. 7th, 7:30. Room Forum * MONOLOGUE BY ADELA AND WRAP UP SESSION "NOW WHERE WE GO" Fr. Dec. 9th, 12:00. Rooms - LECTURE ON LATIN AMERICAN, PALESTINE & VIET-NAM POLITICAL SITUATION BY GERALD CHALIAND, French Writer highly knowledgeable on the issues of Latin America, Palestine & Viet-Nam. Hiking Boots In smooth or sueded leathers. Cushioned insoles and linings. Vibram cleated soles. Narrow and wide widths. Sizes to 13. 2 for the price of on any Large Pizza Now through Sunday MIKE'S PIZZA FACTORY 842-5882
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