KANSAN REVIEWS
FILMS: no bomb
By RICHARD GEARY
Assistant Arts & Reviews Editor
It is very easy these days for a film to exploit a story from the past for whatever parallels can be drawn between it and the present—particularly if the story has to do with violence and rebellion. The chaos of today can bear almost any interpretation and comparison. But those who go to "The Molly Maguires" dreading this kind of facile, smirky intellectualizing, will be pleasantly surprised. To be sure, the story has parallels to today, but there was no need to point them out or dwell upon them; though they are inherent to the action, they do not get in the way of it.
The Molly Maguires were a secret organization of Irish coal miners in Pennsylvania in the 1870's, dedicated to terror and violence in opposition to inhuman conditions and terrible pay. Into their midst comes a police informer, portrayed by Richard Harris; a clever fellow who gains their confidence, and even the friendship of the leader, played by Sean Connery. He slaves in the pits with them and accompanies them on bombing and assassination missions—possibly sympathizes with their cause, but testifies against them and sees them sentenced to death. In the end, Harris is a sad, pitiful figure, not because he has refused to align himself completely with either side but because he seems to have no side at all.
Director Martin Ritt has fashioned a very eloquent and moving picture with virtually no camera or cutting-room trickery, no striving for effect—just solid, intelligent perception and craftsmanship. The pace is deliberately slow, to emphasize the stifling atmosphere of the mining community, but never sluggish, due to Ritt's unerring eye for movement and drama.
BOOKS
THE FRENCHY
By United Press International THE FRENCHY
The Frenchy, by Sanche de Gramont Putnams, $7.95.
Here's an expose of Charles de Gaulle, Joan of Arc, peach Melba, Notre Dame and all that.
It is called "a portrait of people," the French, and the author says his authority is the fact he is of French origin and, to give him objectivity of sorts, has an American wife.
With anecdote and humor, he tells his history and outlines his national anatomy in terms of people and not too many pesky dates and theories. There is the great chef who killed himself at 86 in 1956 because no longer could his palate register the difference between a quenelle and an omellette. There are the patriotic hucksters of the 1870s dusting off the image of Joan of Arc, she wasn't really French, you see to rebuild national glory.
There is French philosophy—do what you want but pronounce it correctly. There is more on why French girls are like that. Why the French believe they are the chosen folk of planet Earth and, possibly why it might be so.
It is more informative on the French than the memoirs of Charles de Gaulle, those green-jacketed books U.S. tourists once bought or even Georges Simenon's Maigret stories. A four-star book.
May 1
1970 KANSAN 5
Harris, formerly of the shake-the-rafters school of British actors, here carries himself with charm and restraint; and Connery more than proves his skill now that he is out of James Bond mold.
Supporting performances add realism and depth to the story, particularly that of Frank Finlay as a cold, ruthless police chief.
"MOORE"BURGER
Primary credit, though, must go to the writer, Walter Bernstein, who wrote an original script of flawless construction and amazing penetration. A rare occurrence in films: the characters do and say things that seem completely natural and unforced but which reveal much more than ordinary words and actions ever could. The film's final scene, in which Harris visits Connery in his cell out of an unconscious desire for punishment, is a model of intelligent but unpretentious screenwriting.
"The Biggest Hamburger In Town"
VI 3-9588 1414 W.6th
It seems a bit unfair to hand out too much praise, but it is very difficult to find anything seriously wrong with "The Molly Maguires." The gritty nineteenth century American milieu is perfectly portrayed, and, for once, is necessary to the story. And the message for today, like it or not, is valuable: in a situation in which violence begets violence and neither side seems right, the individual, more than ever, needs to find a definite place to stand.
ROBERT R. HAMILTON AND CAROL M. AMIS—Hamilton will perform on the violin and Miss McAmis will perform on the piano in this program of violin-piano sonatas. (2:30 p.m. Sun. in the Big Eight Room of the Kansas Union.)
The Weekend Scene
"THE MOLLY MAGUREES"
(Varsity) -See review this page.
"BOB & CAROL & TED & ALICE (Hillcrest 2)—A suberb comedy. In its fifth week.
"RIVERRUN" (Hillestert 3) — John Korty's gentle, beautifully photographed testament to life. In its second week.
"MIDNIGHT COWBOY" (Hill- crest 1)-John Schlesinger's slick but ultimately moving portrait of New York City.
"THE COMMITTEE" (Popular Film)—A set of very funny sketches by a talented improvisational group. More like a TV show than a movie, but who cares? (7 and 9:30, Fri. and Sat., Woodruff Aud.)
"ANNE OF THE THOUSAND DAYS"(Granada)—A long, sluggish soap opera, brightened by Genevieve Bujold. Richard Burton shouts a lot.
010J no
"IN THE YEAR OF THE PIG"
One liners...
United Press International
HOLLYWOOD — Los Angeles Dodger outfielder Willie Davis will play a comedy role in Jerry Lewis' new movie, "Which Way to the Front?" at Warner Bros.
A documentary film by Emile de Antonio, covering the history of the Vietnam War.
"THE WAR GAME"—Peter
'Quantrill' examines Lawrence history
BEST PICTURE OF THE YEAR
Director Gerald Rabkin, professor of speech and drama, said the show is, "in the form of a vaudeville review to say something about violence in the past and present."
"Quantrill" is an original play written by Stephen Biddle, Kansas City graduate student, with the plot centering around Quantrill's raid on the city of Lawrence. The town was pillaged and 150 men, women and children slaughtered when he and his band of 450 men raided Lawrence on August 12, 1863.
"An entertainment for the benefit of war widows, cripples and friends of the Union" is opening at 8:20 p.m. Sunday on the Experimental Theatre stage.
It is not realistic, he said, but it is serious.
Eve. 7:00 & 9:15; Adults $1.50
Matinee Sat. & Sun. 2:00
ID's required
A rock band provides music for the show playing not only contemporary rock, but parodies of ballads and songs of the 1920's and 1950's.
"As funny and charming and, above all, as human as any comedy that has been made in the United States this decade!"—LIFE
Eve. 7:10 & 9:10
Mat. Sat. - Sun. 2:10
Adult $1.50
I.D.'s Requested
HILLCREST SHOPPING CENTER * 9TH AND IOWA
Watkins' harrowing vision of nuclear annihilation. (Both films shown at 3:30, 7, and 9:30, Fri. and Sat. in Hoch Aud.)
The plot is not only about the raid, but about the planning for it and some of the things that followed.
The set for the show includes drapings of the American flag and other red, white and blue material, this to give it the spirit of a patriotic review. Rabbin said.
There is lots of action, Rabkin said, with people moving in and out of character. For example, he said, women play men in parts of the play.
"There is a variety of style and we hope a continuity in the play," he said.
The play runs through May 10 with an 8:20 p.m. curtain and a 2:30 p.m. matinee May 10 besides the evening performance.
They Were REBELS They Were IRISH They Were CATHOLIC
RICHARD HARRISE SEAN CONNERY SAMANTHA EGGAR THE MOLLY MAGUIRES
PARAMOUNT PICTURES PRESENTS
ANVISION TERMICOLOR A PARAMOUNT PICTURE GP 4E5
Mat. Daily 2:30
Eve. 7:10 - 9:45
HELD OVER
Eve. 7:15 - 9:45
Mat. Sat., Sun. 2:30
Adults 1.50, Child .75