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University Daily Kansan
Friday, November 2, 1979
'Apocalypse'an ambitious failure
"Apolysele Now," *u* film produced and directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Written by John Mills and Coppola. Narration by Michael Herr. Released by United Artists. Starring Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall and Jennifer Garner. Directed by the Granada Theatre, 109 Massachusetts St.
By MARY JO HOWAR
Kansan Reviewer
“Apocalypse Now” is an ambitious failure. Coppoda should be commended for attempting such a massive project, but he fails in the end to give a clear sense of what
The movie has been eagerly awaited by those expecting either another "Deer Hunter" or The Hunters, and it is neither the latter nor the copilot adaptation of Joseph Conrad's novel, "Heart of Darkness," and the fact that it is in Vietnam seems merely incidental by comparison.
The plot deals with the journey of special forces officer Capt. Wilhelm (Sheen) up a mountain, while another soldier, Kurta (Brande) who has set up his own kingdom and is fighting the Vietnam War in his own way. Unfortunately, his methods are unacceptable to the army, and it has led to a war.
THE FIRST HALF of the movie is Sheen's journey through Vietnam and into Cambodia, via river, to find Kurtz. This part is superb.
If Coppa mastored the technique of displaying man's violence in "The Godfather," she has been known as "Now." The scenes are beautiful and powerful, but also an open display of a believer army (tribute music of Richard Wagner, to the unrealness of a Vietnamese boat family being gunned down).
It is in these scenes that Coppola almost succeeds in capturing the reality of Vietnamese war, dominated by the whims of commanding officers. Coppola's Vietnam is as much a political situation as it is commanding officers.
described, with entire villages be hit with napalm for no apparent reason other than an attack by a sniper. Napalm in the morning. Professional soldiers are expried contracted with boys in the desert.
THE SECOND HALF is the movie's downfall. Willard finds Kurtz and he wrestles with his conscience about killing a terrorist, a suspect in a scure, often resembling a Taran movie rather than a $40 million epic. The violence is not great, and seems to be violence for vicious sake.
Coppera deserts the reality of Vietnam here. He hits us over the head repeatedly as he leaves, but there's no need to make a clear point. Kurtz's mystical kingdom has no relation to Coppera's clearly visible landmark.
Brando's Kurtz is over-eccentric. He mumbles most of the time, but this time his famous mumble is ineffective, serving only to create confusion. The character of Kurtz should be a sympathetic protrayal of a man driven crazy by the frustrations of war. Instead, I found myself laughing at him, because he was such a man that it impossible to separate Brando from Kurtz.
SHEEN GIVES a sensitive performance throughout most of the film, but in the end his anguish about killing Kurtz is almost boring, instead of moving, as it should be.
Durall, as professional soldier Kijorge in the Air Cavalry, is the standout of his peers, a skilled performer as a man who stands when all around him are crouching to avoid the attack. He has been told by him he is a stereotype, but, paradoxically, he emerges as the most real character in the world.
"Apolypheal Now" is definitely worth seeing even with its flaws. But, unfortunately, most of the pre-pubuhas have intoeing expectantly more than they will get.
Arts and Entertainment
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Dancers mix ballet, modern dance
The Kaw Valley Dance Theater, a new, formed local dance troupe, will have its debut this weekend with a mixed program of eight ballet and modern dance works.
The program will begin at 8 p.m. tomorrow at Central Junior High School, 14th and Massachusetts streets, with a matinee at 8 p.m. Sunday.
The program will include ballet and modern works by Kristen Manley, artistic director; three ballet pieces choreographed by Carolyn Crawford, a member of the company; three dance pieces by Willie Lennor, both kd dance instructors. Clark is also a member of the troupe.
Included in the program are Manley's "After Five and Mellow," a solo modern work danced to a song by Billie Holiday; Crawford's "Pragolka," a humorous Russian folk dance; Crawford's "Paguarta," a musical for children; and Leiore's "Reflections of Shadows," by Clark; and Lenoir's "Corell Variations." danced to music by Arcangelo Corelli.
Manley said she organized the trope, which began rehearsals this summer, to give talented local dancers opportunities to perform.
"We're very lucky in this respect," she said, "because many of us have performed together before."
Several of the dancers also have performed professionally.
She said the troupe would be working to build its ballet and modern dance repertoire in the coming months.
The group rehearses at the Lawrence School of Ballet, 8th and Vermont streets where Manley is the director.
"We're also planning to start some lecture-demonstration programs at local
schools, and eventually tour the state with our concerts," she said.
Although the 11-member troupe was organized to perform, Manley said, the group is
still struggling to get on its feet financially.
"Like most artistic endeavors," she said,
"We're starting out with no money, but we should be able to raise it through ticket
sales, member support and, hopefully, grants."
The troupe will soon begin a membership drive.
Tom Haverre rehearses one of the dances to be performed at 8 p.m. bonjour and 2 p.m. in Sunday by the Kawai Valley Dance Center. The cost is $10.
Poised pause
BARB KINNEY/Kansan staff
sets streets. The 11-member dance troupe, directed by Kristen Munley, is making its debut with a program of ballet and music.
KU actors' talents showcased in 'Luv'
By KATE POUND
Staff Reporter
Talented KU actors don't limit themselves to the University Theatre, according to Bob Miller, director of the Showcase Dinner Theatre in Topeka.
relate to the true meanings of love or life," Miller said.
Two of the play's three characters are members of the campus community, Miller said. Miller is an employee of the Lawrence school district. Richard Renner, Wichita state, and John Wilson, an officer at the Center for Public Affairs, are appearing in "Lau," Murray Schistal's speech on existentialism, Miller said.
Margaret Rayburn, a Topake resident, joins these two on stage to satirize love and people who take themselves too seriously, Miller said.
"The play shows that many people can't
THE PLAY, which opened last week and runs Wednesday through Sunday every week until nov. 24, is about three people who fall in and out of love with each other.
"Harry's a character to be made fun of." Wilson said.
Renner, who plays businessman Milt Manville, described his character as a man who sorts self-assurance to hide all sorts of problems. Milt spends his time trying to make his wife Ellen fall in love with her, so that he can marry his secretary.
Wilson said his character, Harry Berlin, was the classic loser—an unemployed, unsuccessful man.
According to Wilson, Harry obliquely falls in love with and marries Ellen. But before the play ends, Ellen returns to her
first husband, and Harry is a loser once again.
WILSON, WHO has been active in the Lawrence Community Theatre since he came to the University of Kansas three years ago and working at the Showcase Dinner Theater.
"It's a good place to work, but what makes it really nice is that I'm working with three great people," he said.
Renner said, "The Showcase is an exciting, unpredictable place to work."
Renner, who he said had returned to acting after a three year break, was involved in community and college theater attending Friends University in Wichita.
Reservations for "Luv" can be made by calling the Showcase Dinner Theatre, 417 W. 37th st., in Topeka. The dinner buffet begins at 6 p.m., and the curtain goes up
Work of self-taught American folk artists on display in Art and Design Gallery
While he manned the pumps in the Oklahoma field, Earl Yemac enjoined his time by carving tiny wooden figures of a boy he thought characterized the Midwest.
"This art is indigenous—a naive and primitive type of art," said James Holmes.
Eyman's work and the work of two other self-trained American folk artists, comprises an exhibition opening tomorrow in Design Gallery in the Visual Arts Building.
After carving and painting hundreds of the sculptures, Eyman displayed the pine figures in his backyard mini-museum, which he named the Eyman Playhouse, until his death in 1962.
vice president of the Lawrence-based Kansas Grassroots Art Association, which is sponsoring the folk art exhibition.
Ernie Hansen, a blacksmith and machinist from McLouth, is the only one of the three artists still alive. Examples of his fur-ware include the crab knifes he created, as well as some machine tools he created.
Hansen's furniture was made of wood, walnut, cedar or any other material he could get his hands on and is characterized by "unman Craftsmanship." Holmes said.
The third artist in the show is a Georgia painter named Mozet. Holmes said very little was known about Mozet, including his entire name.
Mozet's paintings were done in our faces from cardboard to wood scraps, Holmes said.
The Kansas Grassroots Art Association, a preservation group with preserves folk art, was given some of the Mozet works for its collection three months ago. Mozet's work has been exhibited in the museum.
"These are all three totally different artists in different media, but they are all untaught, self-trained artists." Holmes said. "This makes them grassroots artists."
An opening for the exhibition will be tomorrow from 8 to 9 p.m. The show will be open until November 16.
Book charts author's adolescence
Staff Reporter
Bv JENNIFER HOLT
Most people probably remember their adolescent years as a struggle to develop an identity among their peers.
A local author, Rovert Sligipni, in his search to find where he find, in discovered places, friends who are personal friendships, which could overcome such emotional setbacks as mental stress.
"Mental illness is frightening. I never knew what hell was—and you won't either—until you've been there," says Sipilag, 21 in his book, "6'16," which describes, in dairy form, his Lawrence High School days when he fell into and recovery from mental illness.
The title of the book came from one of his track efforts while injured when he ran the mile in a slow and embarrassing time of 6:16.
SILIPGNI, WHO holds a degree in psychology from the University of Kansas, said his book gave him the momentum to keep going in life. After recovering from his illness, he was, he said, very nervous and friends told him that he would calm him down. He finished the book in 1977.
He said that he had been a very emotional child, that after the strain of moving to Kansas from another state after his parents' divorce, he went on to participate in cross country and track during high school, but developed a pinch nerve in his right arm that stemmed from an injury.
"I THOUGHT it was possible to break through the fence and run to a beaver camp of the 1973 cross country team. I knew I had the guts and determination for it. That was the peak of my career."
"I had set a goal for me to run the two-mile in 10:40 or 10:50," he said in an interview, Wednesday, his face full of changing emotions as he beinised.
"I have accomplished a lot during my life," he said, "but keeping a straight face in
But his contentment did not last long, he said. He ran poorly that school year and was left with a bruise after back surgery and a poor recovery, he went through several frightening and challenging years.
Robert Silipigni
public during 1971 was the greatest challenge I ever faced."
Silipigina said that in high school, he kept going by laughing at anything that he could.
"Laughter was the only thing I had which enabled me to function as best as I could in society," he said.
"That Saturday evening was a real 'chee thrill' as Rinki would have put it. He came over here at about 9 p.m. and went to the local student union to shoot pool. Once we were done, he checked in and usual thing by checking the coin return slots on the pay phones. Then Rinki did his wish—he opens the small slot and spits a horrible hawk in them. Then he neatly wiped the louse off outside with his tip. When he did it at his Junior High all year—cute."
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 1971, he wrote in his diary, "We didn't have school today, so it was a drag. No fantastic laughs for the day."
"During the spring of 1973, I realized need to make some adjustments in my lifestyle. There was a need from within, beckoning me to visit elderly people in convalescent homes. I'm really glad I did it. I learned so much from the close with Lee Recruiter."
One of Siipilung's best friends during his senior year was a "funnny, grout and crusade" 15-year sophomore nicknamed Rinki. His fascination with spades was described in Siipilung's book:
MUCH OF his book is filled with adolescent humor, but Silipinx said he experienced many serious adjustments in his life too.
"I never forgot my friend, Lee, who died in the fall of 1974 at age 72," he said. "Nor will I ever forget his quote, "I think everyone has made mistakes." But I never did believe in being a matter."
Silipincia said Beuerman was a dwarf who couldn't walk, hear or see. Yet, he lived life to the fullest.
SLIAPIGNI SAID we saw in Beauermann what his psychologist had been explaining to him for more than a year—that people need involvement and activities with others.
He said his drive for life was at a peak during his early high school years while running cross country and receiving the approval of his peers.
"Through my peer group interactions" "Through my peer group interactions" "With as well as low-the good times are twice as good, and the bad times are only half as bad. Life is very lonely when you can't give and receive.
Galleries
ART AND DESIGN GALLERY Visual Arts Building
The works of three folk artists, sponsored by the Kansas Grassroots Art Association, through Nov. 16. Open 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday and Friday from 1:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday.
THE GALLERY
745 New Hampshire St.
Pottery by Pal Wright and weaving by Ann Johnson, through Nov. 30. Open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
LANDIS GALLERY
918 Massachusetts St.
Watercolors by Betty Atwood, through Nov. 30, Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
918 Massachusetts St.
Paintings by Dennis Helm and photog-
raphy by Mia Tenzelot, two TCEA artists
and the late Kyle Schoenberg,
through Nov. 17. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Ninth and Vermont streets
LAWRENCE ARTS CENTER
Watercolors by Lynn Metzger, through Nov. 30. Open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
PEN AND INC. GALLERY
623 Vermont St.
ROY'S CREATIVE FRAMING AND GAL-LERY
Prints by Dahlart Windberg and limited edition Indian art prints, through Nov. 30.
Open 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday
711 W.23rd St.
7E7GALLERY
7 E. Seventh St.
Ceramics by Roger Shimomura, through Nov. 28. Open noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
UNION GALLERY Kansas Union
Exhibition observing the International
Year of the Child, through Nov. 20, Open
9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Spare Time
2112-A W. 25th St.
VALLEY WEST GALLERIES
Warm oils by Judy Mackey, acrylics by Marie Buchfink, graphic drawings by Dean Lauderdale, stoneware by five potters and miniature wildlife bronze sculptures. Through Nov. 18, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, through Saturday.
HELEN FORESMAN SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART
Prints of Anders Zorn, through Nov. 18.
Second View: A Rephotograph Survey,
with images from the National Gallery
through Dec. 9. "They Knew Where to
Stand: The Rephotograph Survey Projec-
tory" by Mark Klett, photographer and
Sunday in the Museum Auditorium. "William
Buchanan and Early 19th Century Art
in the National Gallery of Scotland at 8 p.m.
monday in Room 211. Open 9 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and
Monday.
1047 Massachussets St.
WATKINS COMMUNITY MUSEUM
1047 Mongoose Store St
On the Banks of the Kaw. The History of Lawrence, Part IV, through Nov. 18. Openings 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Opens 1 and 1:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Music
Moffet-Beers Band, tonight and tomon
right. Music starts at 10
Swarthout Recital Hall
806 W.24th St.
Concert Chorale, 8 p.m. tonight.
G.P. LOYDS WEST
BULLWINKLE'S
906 HW 84th St.
G. P. LOYDS WEST Ninth and Iowa streets
Treat, tonight and tomorrow night.
642 Massachusetts St.
KANSAS UNION
Woodruff Auditorium
LAWRENCE OPERA HOUSE
$8 Mornsburgh St
Luc Romann, French folksinger, 3:30 p.m. Thursday.
Billy Spears reunion, tomorrow night,
The Police, Sunday night. Charlie
Musselwhite, Wednesday night. Doors
open at 8 a.m. music begins at 9.
MEMORIAL CAMPANILE
Albert Gerken, University carillonneur,
3 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Wednesday.
OFF-THE-WALL-HALL
727 New Hamshire St
Used Parts, tonight. The Leoparda tomorrow night. Doors open at 8, music begins at 9.
PAUL GRAY'S JAZZ PLACE 928 Massachusetts St.
PENTIMENTO COFFEEHOUSE AND CAFE
Carol Corner and "Calico," tonight and tomorrow night. Deors open at 8, music begins at 9.
611 Vermont St
Elliot Nose, 8 t.m. choreo; Pherd, 10 tonight;
Bryan Liddle, 8 b.m. tomorrow; Susan Ekla-
n Bylades, 8 b.m. tomorrow; Susan Ekla-
n p.m. to-morrow. Patchen, 8 p.m.
Sun. to Browning, 10 p.m. Sunday,
ST IGETTUCH, 8 p.m.
KU Tuba Quartet, 8 p.m. Monday,
Swarthout Recital Hall. Ruth Baei, viols,
p.m. Wednesday, Swarthout Recital Hall.
Tim Smith, orgin, 8 p.m. Wednesday,
Swarthout Recital Hall. 92% Venue
St. KU Jazz Ensemble, 8 p.m. Thursday,
Swarthout Recital Hall.
VISITING ARTIST'S SERIES
Swarthout Reitel Hall
Tania Achot, piano, 8 p.m. Tuesday
Theatre
INGE THEATRE SERIES
Murnhy Hall
"The Ink Smeared Lady" and "Scapin,
8 tonight and tomorrow night.
LAWRENCE ARTS CENTER
Ninth and Vermont streets
"Froggie Went a Courtin'" and "The Adventures by Nyfm the Sprite," by Them-ToBe-Players Theatre For Young People, 1.30 p.m. tomorrow.