Thursday. September 9.1976
University Daily Kansan
Scorsese's early films show a director's growth
CHUCKS:
Daviawar
By CHUCK SACK
With the success of "Alice Doesn't Live Here Here More" and "Taxi Driver" to his credit, director Martin Scorsese has no trouble finding producers these days. But tonight and this weekend SUA will be back to a bleaker period in his career.
Sorseese's talent is unquestionably evident in both "Who's That Knocking at My Door" and "Mean Streets." However, while both films are variations on an original theme there is a striking difference in the technical sophistication of the two productions.
"WHOS THAT Knocking on My Door?" (1968) began as a student project, and took three years to complete. Shot in black and white, the movie stars Harvey Kellet as R., a much Italian whose affair with a woman named undone by his contradictory personal code.
The movie has an experimental flavor, with Scorsese juggling flashbacks to tell the story. Although the film opens with J.R. in a disturbed mood, the source of his discomfort isn't revealed until the last third of the film.
In between, J.R.'s strict Catholic background and claustrophobic existence are examined at leisure. Much of this section is slow, as if Scorsece is cautiously exploring his craft. There are 360 degree pans, still shots, high angle shots and jump
cuts that seem arbitrary, even though the exuberance makes many of them work.
AS THE STORY approaches its climax, all of these techniques have been mastered. The confrontation between J.R. and his wronged girlfriend is properly tense, and
Review
"Who's That Knocking at My Door" has a "very tight entention sequenced" reedemaes
There are no mistakes in the other film being shown this weekend. Like "Who's That Knocking," "Mean Streets" (1973) is set in New York's Little Star and its city, Keitel, but it is the work of a polished professional confidently using the medium.
THE WORLD OF CHARlie (Keite) and his friends explodes on the screen with a camera that can zoom in to 10,000 pixels.
Made after Scorcese had worked as an editor ("Woodstock" and others) and had directed the miscalled "Boxcar Bertha" for Roger Corman, "Mean Streets" is a mature effort. This doesn't mean that Scorcese has written books about "Taxi Driver" and "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" demonstrate, Scorcese is one of the most kinetic of modern directors.
motion shots and wild sounds tumble over each other in scene after scene, but the effects are deliberate and never seem gratuitous. There is an almost sensuous quality to the night world of dimly lit bars that Scorsese creates.
Scorse's handling of the entire cast is excellent, but it is DeNiro's performance that best displays the director's penchant for improvisation. The manic violence of DeNiro's portrayal counterpoints the emotions of Scorse's technique, so that both the actors and the director take chances without ever seeming garish.
The combination of improvisational realism and cinematic pyrrotechnics has become Scorsez's trademark, and will probably be very much in evidence when his new film is released. 'New York, New York,' he wrote, 'is a movie that DeNiro and Liam Minelli, is in production now and probably won't be ready until next summer.'
FRIDAY & SATURDAY SEPT.10&11 Chicago's own Son Seals Blues Band
balance his mortality and his pragmatic livelihood by getting his reckless cousin out of trouble, Johnny Boy (Robert DNeirio), owes another Charlie's friends $3,000.
RAPID PANS, exciting whirls, slow
Showtime 8:30 p.m.
$^{15}$ advance and
at the door
KU bus riders keep increasing
Off the Wall
Hall
The daily average of riders on the KU on Wheels buses has increased from 8,000 last spring to 10,050 this fall, Steve McMurray, committee chairman, said yesterday.
McMurray said the buses are operating a
day, five days a week. Every hour of bus
service costs the Scaled.
McMurray said he expected sales to continue steadily a few more weeks.
During the 1975 fall semester, 3,125 passes were sold.
Bus pass sales have reached 3,245, and
LAWRENCE ICE CO.
616 Vt. 843-0350
10% off cups, ice and snacks with purchase of Keg
KEG BEER SALE
Every Evening. at 7:45 only
Matinees Sat.-Sun. at 1:30
Hillcrest
We can use your help!
PUBLIC RELATIONS
No One Who Was There Will Ever Be the same.
SUA Public Relations is seeking volunteers to help in the following areas:
Post-football game receptions Residence Hall Communications Madrigal Dinner Publications
Sign up in the SUA Office in the Student Union by 12 noon, Sept. 13
Place a Kansan want ad Call 864-4358
kansas union BOOKSTORE
To Introduce Our New Sundrie Dept:
Kodacolor
Film SPECIAL
Eve
TO:
graduat
on F
exch
school
Roorm
Bu pres grow mout succ
La $2.50 accu a rex