Summer Session Kansan
Thursday, June 14, 1979
Uptown
7
is ur is e ne d a a d e y e t a h al s on ic ind and y oe ist ee two set, th a a
Weak sequels gross big bucks
By LEONARD D. GROTTA
Kansan Reviewer
Film producers like to make money. This is not difficult to understand. Who doesn't like to make money? And in recent years we have seen that movies are a cinematic goldmine; the movie sequel.
In theory, the principle of the sequel is simple: if a movie succeeds at the box office, the best way to guarantee a quick, substantial return on a minimal investment is to immediately serve up more of the same.
This development, financially at least, has several advantages. If the original was a blockbuster, producers can be assured of an enthusiastic audience. The excitement and good will generated by the original can save millions of dollars in promotion costs. Plus, much of the footage filmed for the original production—that which hit the box office in both the United States and sequel. This results in additional savings on production costs.
In fact, some sequels have almost entirely been pieces together from unused footage of the original film. Screenwriters are shown the leftovers and instructed to produce a plot requiring as little new footage as possible to tie together what already exists.
There was even a rumor that producers were going to combine unused footage of two successful disaster films—"Earthquake" and "The Towering Inferno"—into a totally new film: "Shake and Bake."
Far-fetched, perhaps. But still. "sequilitis" is upon us. Who cannot forget such films as the Godfather II, "Jaws II," The Omen II, and "The Exorcist III." Not to mention, so much recent releases as "Beyond the Position Adventure" and "Rocky II?"
One would almost expect the movie sequel, as does syphilis, to develop into a tertiary phase, but it is doubtful that such an event will ever be the most without exception, sequels are "dogs."
But what will Hollywood producers do once the movie-going public realizes that sequels are warmed-up, re-hashed garments for movies and dawned on moviegoers is a source of amusement, but once the public has been silked by the surfeit of sequels slated for this summer, the one-guaranteed drawing of the sequel should be at ebite. What then?
A new crop of original, well-acted quality
films would be welcome. But alas, creating masterpieces—or even good films—is a risky financial proposition; even for film studios owned by oil companies (the latest trend for reinvesting "windfall profits"). Instead, the film industry will without doubt create original films. If sequels have proven so successful, why not create prequels?
With over 50 years of previous films upon which to draw—all with well-documented records of box office returns—the movie *Bird of Prey* has the sequel craze seem small potatoes indeed.
So, if this prediction is borne out, what type of films will we be able to look forward to?
The all-time cinema classics—meaning the "top grossers"—will be the first to be copied. Probably the most successful film of 1980 will be "Here Comes the War," a four-hour drama about an American stormy adolescence. "Toddler Kane" will be released soon after, and "Intern Zhivago," of course, should be nominated for several Academy Awards (which by this time would have been deleted). And who could possibly resisted the temptation to produce "All the Prince's
Ponies??" Especially if Prince Charles—by then a member in good standing of the Geritol-for-lunch-bunch—consents to play the lead?
By 1848, after the major production companies in Saudi Arabia have proven the financial viability of the cinematic prelude, we should soon see every production company in the world rushing to climb this profitable new cart, before the horse.
Will the public be able to resist the allure of such films as "Slowly, the Summer Bedtime Last" or such tepid sizzlers as "The Bad Moms," and with the accelerated pace of those modern times, "The Postman Only Rang Once" should do very well. And, by merit of nostalgia appeal, the "Tuppence Opera" big hit in the era of triple-digit inflation.
Of course, as happened to the sequel craze before it, the days of the film prelude will pass. All bad things must come to an end. Once we see "The Next-to-the-Last of the Mohicans" we'll know the days of the movie, and that's sure be new, different, and probably even worse cinema gimmicks just around the corner.
Movie flounders, plot unsalvagable
BY LEONARD D. GROTTA
Kansan Reviewer
"Beyond the Poseidon Adventure" is a film which carries suspension-of-diskelief and suspense. The sequel gives gives delivered delivery to dialogue so ludicrous it gives rise to rutilous thoughts in the pit of one's stomach, and Sally Faily, who changes from a flying to a nanking him.
Not even the talents of these two generally competent actors—nowhere evident in this film—can, artistically speaking, keep "Beyond the Poseidon Adventure" from being a complete disaster. It seems certain that the film was manufactured to separate spectacle from special effects, intense drama and spectacular special effects that made the original "Poseidon Adventure" such a good film—from their money.
Even those who could care less about the acting or story-line and plan to attend simply to see more of the firey, cataclysmic disaster that took place on the ocean liner, also are likely to be disappointed. The special effects in this sequel are far fewer and not nearly so spectacular as in the original. There are a few scenes where a character is wearing an original and re-inserted in an attempt to make the film更 moribund. And besides, anyone who's seen the 30-second television commercial promoting the film has already seen what the new spectacle the movie has to offer.
However, in what can only be seen as an altruistic attempt to give the picture some socially redeeming significance, there is a "moral" to the story. Here goes:
Tugboat captain Mike Turner (Michael Caine), his crew-of-one Wilbur Hubbard
(Karl Malden), and an aquatic hitchhiker Celeste Whitman (Sally Field) somehow manage to weather the storm and tidal wave which proved to be the Poseidon's undoing. However, in the process their ship was hit by a powerful bolt. Without the earnings the cargo would have provided, Mike's tugboat will be repossessed when he returns to port.
But salvation suddenly appears on the horizon in the form of the keel of the overturned Poseidon, Captain Mike decides—as the first to arrive on the scene of the overturned vessel-to exercise his rights of salvage, board the foundering ship, plunder the treasure, retrieve, cure, furry, furs and other assorted valuables—thus saving his beloved, dilapidated tidabag too.
A second boat, headed by Dr. Stefano Svevo (Telly Savas), arrives at the scene
within seconds of our erstwilde opportunists, ostensibly to offer medical aid to any survivors, but in reality to retrieve the bodies of people being boarding parties enter the ship, are almost immediately trapped inside, and making the best of the situation, go their separate way.
But ultimately, the sanctity of human life has once more prevailed against the sanctity of money and personal gain. Unaware that it is true, she confronts the same foe—"don't fear as well, as I am."
So, forewarned, please save both time and money for something more worthwhile. But not seeing "Beyond the Poseidon Adventure" 150 times, it is possible to finance a trip to Long Beach, Calif., and see the Queen Mary—after which the sets for the Poseidon were modeled. She, at least, still knows which end is up.
Galleries
745 New Hampshire
THE GALLERY—
Now showing through June 29, Eulala Lewis, fibre art, Judy Ginger-Paley, stained glass and Bette Kelley, stained glass.
NELSON-ATKINS ART GALLERIES Kansas City, Mo.
Now through July 1, Women in American Architecture, a historic and contemporary perspective. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Through Saturday and 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Movies
Coming up this week:
COMING TOMORROW:
HILLCREST I:
HILLCRESTI:
Rocky II: (PG) If at first you don't succeed in learning the technique to ring the trone once after a short-lived career as a porse star. Show times: 7:20 and 9:40
p.m. Weekend matinees: 1:45 p.m.
HILLCREST II:
The In-Laws: (PG) Would you let your daughter marry the son of a used CIA
agent? Peter Fauk and alinj
Arkin in non-stop, hilarious hajins
Show times: 7:40 and 9:45 p.m. Week-
end matines: 2:00 p.m.
HILLCREST III:
Players: (PG) About love, tennis and the sporting life. A young woman is torn between an old man's millions and a young athlete's body. So what's the racket? Show times: 7:30 and 9:45 p.m.
Weekend mathematic: 1:50 p.m.
VARSITY:
Jaws: PG. Another movie proving that to make a film, you need a peeled-y white snout. About a shark that makes Moby Dick seem like Bambi. Show times: 7:15 and 9:40
p. m. Weekend matinees: 2:30 p.m.
101 Dalmatians: (G) A return of a Walt Disney animation classic. Entertaining doggerel for the young–take the rug Show times: 1:45, 7:25 and 9:45 p.m.
CINEMA TWIN:
CINEMA TWIN:
Propherey: (PG) Is to recombination DNA research what "The China Syndrome" is to nuclear power plants. This adorable little man-made mouston will make your wildest nightmare come true. Showtime: 7/30/2014 9:40AM
true. Show times: 7:40 and 9:45 p.m.
GRANADA;
Beyond the Poseidon Adventure: (PG)
The worst disaster yet. Not the ship,
the movie; (see the review, this page).
Show times: 7:40 a.m to 9:45 p.m.
Museums
SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART
Sun, June 17 A 7 Away for Astronomy:
Music, Films Workshops to 10:13 p.m.
Wed, 20 Children's Workshop 9:30
Wed, 20 Children's Workshop 9:30
Tour Gallery with Dole Brookling 1.9 p.
Tonight Rocketts (a Chris Fritz Produ-
tion). June 15 June 8 Blue Riduum
Band. June 16 Henry Paul Band.
Friday June 17 George Fries
Friday, June 19 Bluegrass Triple
Concerts
LAWRENCE OPERA HOUSE
31 Massachusetts
642 Massachusetts St.
LAWRENCE COMMUNITY AND MUSICIANS CONCERT BAND
USICIANS CONCERT BAND
Wed. June 20 South Park 13th and
Massachusetts Streets, 8 p.m.
(617) 534-5720
ROWN BAG CONCERTS
Today. First National Bank Building or Watkins Park, 10th and Massachusetts Streets, noon.
Theatre
STARLIGHT THEATRE (一)
Kansas City, Mo.
June 18-24 "My Fair Lady" Adapted from George Bernard Shaw's "Pygmalion." "My Fair Lady" is the story of a confirmed bachelor, Professor Henry Higgins, and his frustrating efforts to secure the love of a girl who speaks and behaves as a proper English woman. The show stars David Birney and Anita Gillette.
Photo by MARY BRUMBACH
Fancy fiddler
Claude "Fiddier" Williams is just one of many jazz greats who make guess appearances at Paul Gray's Jazz Place, 928 Massachusetts St. Williams, a Kansas City, Mo., resident, has toured the jazz circuit for years, playing with artists such as Count Basie, Roy Milton, Paul Gunther and Jay McShannon.
Jazz keeps Lawrence on the summer upbeat
Guest Write
Jazz knows no reason
Bv MARY BRUMBACK
What might be considered as the home of jazz in Lawrence is Paul Gray's Jazz Place, 135 W. 47th St.
Although the pace of Lawrence slows noticeably with the onset of summer, two area residents, Paul Gray and Dick Wright, that the beat of jazz keeps right on movin'
Starting tonight, jazz lovers will have an opportunity to hear live music at the Jazz Center. Jazz musicians jam session from 9 p.m. to 12 midnight, and the sessions will be held every Thursday night throughout the summer. Any musician can participate in his instrument and participate in the sessions.
Gray, a trumpet player himself and leader of a dixieland band known as The Grey Spectacle, was playing the day night this summer from 9 p. to 12 midnight. Gray has been operating the Jazz Place for five years and has hosted jazz festivals in Chicago and McChaun, Phil Woods and Carol Corner.
One frequent and favorite guest is Claude "Fiddler" Williams, the legendary 71-year-old fiddle player who always brings the house down with his foot-stomping rendition of "San Antonio Rose." Williams will appear at the Jazz Place, June 23.
Other area musicians who play regularly at the Jazz Place and around Lawrence are Tommy Johnson, Jim Stringer, Chuck Berg, and Eric Shimwell. Moore are members of the Gaullah Gang,
and another group, The Nairobis Trio, which will play from 5 to 7 p.m., July 1 in South Africa.
For those who hear more than love jazz, KANU-FM, broadcasts several jazz concerts. (Jazz at the Jazz Center.)
"Jazz fans, like country and western fans, love their music and will do anything to bear it," said Wright, assistant director for KANU.
Through KANU formats, Wright has done everything he can to make it possible for enthusiasts to tune in to jazz seven days a week.
Every Saturday, from 10:10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wright is on the air playing jazz favorites and taking song requests. Saturday nights, from 8 to 10, Wright hosts a program called "Nostalgia Ballroom," which features into the big band era. Still later Saturdays, from 10:10 p.m. to 1 p.m. NIU features a program called "Blackness In."
On Sundays, jazz can be heard from 10:30
n.m. to 2 a.m.
KANU also features a jazz format Monday through Friday from 1 to p.m. and Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m.
Starting tomorrow night from 9 p.m. to midnight, Wright will be at the Jazz Place playing records from his album collection and talking with the audience. Gray said the evening format would be similar to Wright's Saturday morning KAUN show.
So jazz乐者, take heart. For, as Wright said, "as long as there is that certain feeling and expression of love—whether it be happy or sad . . . jazz lives."
926 Mass. Upstairs
--is now open for the summer
JAZZ Paul Gray's Jazz Place
Tonite Jam Session no cover
includes Free Beer, peanuts, popcorn, soft drinks
Friday Dick Wright-nationally acclaimed Jazz Disc Jockey playing and talking about Jazz records.
Admission $3.00 ea -- $5.00 couple
Saturday The Gaslite Gang Dixieland Band
Admission $5.00 ea — $8.00 couple
includes Free Beer, Peanuts, Popcorn, Selt drinks!
Bring this贴床 Jan 4.00 (14:00-7:00) Saturday only
CALL 843-9244 AT
Call 843-2644 for reservations.
---
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. • On Level Two
FOR DAD'S SPECIAL DAY
SUNDAY BRUNCH BUFFET
- Some of Our Specialities You Will Enjoy -
Fried Chicken
Fresh baked rolls and desserts
Roast Beef au jus
Kitchen Fried Potatoes
Green Bean Caserole
Reservations invited
Reservations Invited
864-4590 Prairie Room
Adults $4.00—Children $3.00 (plus tax)
Salad Bar with Fresh Fruits
Mon, thru Fri. 9:30 to 2:30 p.m./
Sunday after 9:30 a.m.
HE
XINSAS
JUNION
'OOD SERVICE'