Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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WHODUP BY SAM L. IRVIN JR. Of The Gamecock staff It is very difficult to find good scripts for all-star casts. Each star wants to have a "meaty" role, so to get the stars they want, the producers have to get a script with a dozen eccentric characters. This is dangerous because suddenly you are dealing with a dozen little individual subplots, and if the main plot is not dynamic enough, it will drown. This is what happens in your typical disaster films. There is no SEAN CONNERY thec PHOE 952 H GIT 'Orient Express' point in relating all those little "soap operas" during an ear thquake, fire or airplane calamity. The only reason they are there is because the producers had to offer the stars something "meaty." It is not impossible to have a script of good quality with a dozen or more juicy roles. The key is to have all your characters related directly to an overall plot. A good example of this is "The Three Musketeers." All the characters had fascinating eccentricities, yet everything they did was relevant to the main plot. The most recent example of this is the superb "Murder on the Orient Express" which boasts the most distinguished cast to come along in quite some time: Albert Finney, Lauren Bacall, Martin Balsam, Ingrid Bergman, Jacqueline Bisset, Jean Pierre Cassel, Sean Connery, John Gielgud, Wendy Hiller, Anthony Perkins, Vanessa Redgrave, Rachel Roberts, Richard Widmark and Michael York. Agatha Christie's mystery "Murder on the Orient Express," or "Murder on the Calais Coach" K is pleased tc iddition of twc NIXACCe~ KELTY Pd he IArdnTrtfhAI~EKaam lassy British mystei as it was titled for its American release, was considered her best work. For years producers have tried to buy the film rights to the book from her, but she would not allow it to be sold. She wanted her best work to be given the proper treatment. Finally, last year Nat Cohen in England persuaded her to sell the rights, but she demanded several things in return besides money. She had to approve of the cast, director, music composer, sets, costumes and, of course, the script before the film could be made. Everything was handled to please her, and the film is a masterpiece. It is a whodunit, so to tell you anything about the plot would ruin the fun for you. It is all a glorious, mind-teasing game produced with regal style. Every member of the stellar cast delivers excellent performances, particularly Finney as the investigator trying to solve the mystery. The music is by Richard Rodney Bennett, who did the highly ac claimed scores to "Lady Caroline Lamb," "Nicholas and Alexan announce new lines. K~S AND SSORIE~S LCBS entert dra," and many others. It is remarkable to say the least, ranging.from delightful waltzes to sinister murder tunes. The costumes are especially stunning; the, one Jacqualine Bisset wears first is a knock-out. The photography and sets are heavily atmospheric, sharply setting the mood for mystery. A dash of British humor is added to the brew, and the result is delicious. It also gets one's appetite up for more films of .his nature. The film is now the most successful British financed motion picture of all time. The producers are already preparing to film "Murder on the Nile" based on another Agatha Christie whodunit. "Murder on the Orient Express" is such great fun; do not miss it. 777-6573 BE CARE Know Where V With Your Coll Counseling Bt Developme Pendlei ('hoose y'our diamond. . Tell us hou- you u-ant it diamond you select in ti Your engagement ring u %a eerut 1423 MAIN ST. DOW) PHONE Localuv Ow (MElT TO J. C. PU ainmnent INGRID BERGMAN 777-6573 ER WISE 'ou Are Going ege Education )reau/Career hnt Center on 209 SALE OF TU VDIA MONDS .(Choosevyour mounting! set. 14e u-ill mount the ie mounting you choose. ill really be vou! 125" 250" 'OWN COwUMBI. 154o37 ne &= r ate