Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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e, Ho1ida ABitM BY LEE TSIANTIS Entertainment Writer Those of us unfortunate enough to be stuck in Columbia during the break had a mediocre selection of films to view. But given that the major studios produced even fewer films this year than last, and that no less a studio than MGM folded (except for television production) to develop a multi-million dollar "Grand Hotel" in Las Vegas, most of the junk released in 1973 should come as no surprise. Sure, there were the summits of "Last Tango in Paris" and "Cries and Whispers," but try to think of others. Here are some of Columbia's currently playing films which helped turn a joyous season into ennui. "Westworld," playing at the Plaza III, is such mindless good fun that adverse words would be cruel. The premise of this science fiction film involves Delos, A Disneyland-type futuristic playground with three areas: Westworld, Romanworld and Medievalworld. Customers, for $1,000 a day, live in the world of their choosing and are free to do whatever they want; shoot, kill, maim, copulate, etc., for the inhabitants of the various worlds are robots and can be repaired. A few nagging details, however: Why concentrate on Westworld, which is surely the most unin teresting of the three? Michael Crichton, writer-director, devotes only three or four shots to Romanworld--after having clued us that "one can indulge in every whim" there. This may be the only fillm ever made in which a celebrated actor's performance is beyond reproach. Yul Brynner, so often castigated for wooden, robot IOSI BICY Quality European E Manufactured By: Paris-Sport, Falcon-) In Col CATE'S ( Box Cedar Terrace 6420 Sumtei P. 776 1:15 to 8p.mn. A Films ediocrE like portrayals in past films, here actually Is a robot, thus making adverse criticism of him super fluous. "The Sting" is an entertaining film, but nevertheless remains a mess. Claustrophobically lit, grossly overplotted and overlong it is desperately sustained by the same cutesie-poo relationship between Paul Newman and Robert Redford which got stale even in "Butch Cassidy." Redford the actor is in severe danger. With each film he is being pushed fur ther and Iiirther into the past, playing characters so dull that one can only despair, for he is a much greater talent than can be discerned from his past efforts. He looked out of place and old in the forties and fifties in one of the year's biggest turkeys, "The Way We Were." He looked confused in the thirties of "The Sting." Redford deserves better. Don't get me wrong; all these films will clean up at the box office and make everyone concerned very rich (the industry needs all the help it t"m get) but we'll just have to sustain ourselves on what we can get from these performer's vehicles which, woefully, isn't very much. "Papillon" is the year's most expensive production, but surely doesn't look it. Again, one fine talent is completely wasted (Dustin Hoffman) and one talent that never was fine thrashes about as best he can (Steve McQueen). If guillotinings and leprosy turn you on, by all means see "Papillon." "Magnum Force," surely one of the dumbest movies of the year car only be enjoyed by being treated .tongue-in-cheek. PEED CLES icycles From $95.00 Gitane, Bottecchia, M1aino, Cinelli, Colnago umbia See: ?OTT AGE 9342 Shopping Center rHwy. (29209) one: -1209 ,on. through Sat. " " Liz Schuette an Revised P Reopens; The USC Theatrenwill present a pre-competition performasnce of "Dancing Days," an original play by David Wesner, at 8:15 tonight in Drayton Hall. Admission is $1 for students, faculty and staff, and $2.50 for the public. "Dancing Days," which has since been revised, premiered last month. It will compete this weekend in the American Dance Wo7 The University Union Cultural Series Committee, with assistance from the South Carolina Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts in Washington, D.C., will present J:ames Cunningham and the Acme Dance Company this weekend. Its program consists of three workshops, held in the Campus Room, Capstone, on Sunday at 7 p.m., Monday at noon and 7 p.m. The' dance company will perform its repetoire Tuesday evening at 8:15 in the Campus Room. Par ticipants in the workshops are heartily encouraged, and all events are open and free to everyone. HEL 'WAa D AYS A NI Apply: 1211 College Street d Donnie Dyer In ' lay 'Dancq To Enter ( Theatre Festival Southeast Region at ther the University of Alabama. Judges there will be Brooks Atkinson, Arthur Miller and Vera Roberts. This competition is prel;iminary to the National American College Theatre Festival in Washington, D.C. in April. The play, written as a master's thesis at USC last year by Wesner, a Columbia -kshop Com4 According to Frank Siano, vice president of the Union, "The workshops are designed to free participants of inhibitions. They always have a vital and exciting impact on the students--but it always is a very beautiful one." Siano noted that Cunningham t thinks of the workshops as "sound C anid movement" workshops for dancers and non-dancers, and likes to work in large groups with at pertain amount of individual in %truction. There is little structure and the participants can do most anything they wish. "Flexibility" s the key word. Interestingly enough, the Min eapolis Tribune labeled this group 'P ITE D ) NIGH TS BURGER KING Dancing Days' ng Days' ontest College instructor, concerns the intimate agonies of a returning POW who has been mistreated by the North Vietnamese ands finds little solace at home. Director of the play is Roland Reed. Cast members are Virginia Caughman, Jill Dalton, Donnie Dyer, Michael Heck, Elizabeth Schuette, ng To USC the "Frank Zappa of modern dance." As for the performance, Tuesday ight, Siano said, "This is the type f dance Columbia has never seen, oing away from the con emporary interpretive and lassical dances to something xtravagant and wild. WEveryone ets involved whether par icipating or sitting in his seat." And no wonder. Nude dancing is art of the repetoire, although it ms been nixed for Columbia. 4evertheless, James Cunningham s noted for his unpredictability. t's a show worth seeing. CASUAL JEANS Male-A-St Smile Longjons Cotler Live-Ins Campus Screwdrivers Cordoroy Flannel Cotton Blends Gaberdine Wool Elastic Waist. -Bell Bottoms =1221 ain C+