Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Etertai JAWS America Gc By Hungry BY DUNCAN J. MANSFIELD of The Gamecock staff By now it is a fargone conclusion that "Jaws" (both the film and novel) is a major hit. The Big Bad Fishy thriller has gripped the imagination of America. In terms of mass popularity, "Jaws" makes the fish stories of Melville and Hemmingway look like failures. The novel sold well in hardback, and currently tops The New York Times' paperback best seller list. Mrs. Winifred King, of the Campus Book Store, said, "I am continually ordering more copies. It has taken off like wildfire." " 'Jaws' is selling fantastically," remarked Bud Hutto, manager of the Capitol News Stand. Hutto expects "Jaws" to out-sell "The God father," the paperback record holder. There are already more than 6 million copies of "Jaws" in print. The success of "Jaws," the film, is nothing short of,phenomenal. In the first 3 weeks of national presentation, the movie grossed $37 million. This should be no surprise to the local movie-goer, who has had to contend with long lines and sell-outs at the box office. Although this has caused com plaints, most people come to the theatre fully prepared. Indeed, waiting in line to see "Jaws" is something of a social event: patrons bring their lounge chairs and dinners, and talk or play cards. Their conversation centers Three Plays Summer 4 BY BRENDA BELL Entertainment Editor USC's Summer Repertory Theatre continues this week with its productions of "Charley's Aunt," "Picnic" and "The Hot 1 Baltimore."~ Performances begin at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday with a 3 p.m. matinee on Sunday. This week's schedule includes "Charley's Aunt," (July 17, 18, 23) "Picnic" (July 19, 24) and "The Hot I Baltimore" (July 20, 22). All performances are in Drayton Hall on the USC campus. Reservations can be made by calling the box office at 777-2551 Monday through Saturday between noon and 5 p.m. "Charley's Aunt," an English comedy set at the turn of the century is full of gags, mistaken identities and laughs galore. Directed by James Patterson, the play involves two Oxford students who need a chaperone so they can spend the day with their sweethearts. When Charley's aunt fails to show up for the job, the two recruit a chum in full dress and wig to stand In for the aunt. In the course of events, one girl's urnont Pts Bitten Monster on one subject: their expectations of the film. Few come away disappointed. These are the people, you and I, who were manically snapping up the book at the rate of 30 copies a day at the Walden Bookstore alone, during the film's premier week in Columbia. So what makes "Jaws" so popular? At best, the film is second-rate Hitchcock. Replace the shark for seagulls and you have a semblance of "The Birds." If you strain the issue, a parallel can be made between the shark hunger (Robert Shaw) and Melville's Capt. Ahab. Add to this a pompous mayor, a naive school-boy oceanographer and a twit for a sheriff, who wins in the end--just like Dustin Hoffman in "Straw Dogs"--with a laugh. Of course there is also the shark, who can be seen as evil, nature or simply a dumb, man-eating fish. "Jaws" succeeds because it conveys probable reality. After all, you could be nibbled on the toe or gulped in half while romping in the water at the beach. Benchley's characters and dialogue, while stereotyped, are believable. Most importantly, through the course of the film and novel, you find yourself loathing this fish. After the finale, you do feel joy and relief; and possibly regret, if you think about it long enough. The majority of folks who have read and seen "Jaws," feel the book is superior to the film, but both are suspenseful. I Highlight )chedule guardian falls in love with the fake aunt until the real aunt shows up to give everything a happy ending. Steve Bordner makes a good, comic show as classmate turned widow. Harold Stockton as Charley and Paul Kersey portray the parts of ambitious and vivacious students. Barbara Wesner and Karen Williams are naturals as proper young ladies and Laura Lind steps in as the real aunt to bring the story around to a favorable outcome for all. "Picnic," the Pulitzer Prize winning play by William Inge, is a story of desires and dreams being sought and abandoned in a small Kansas town. Directed by Russell Green, the play has a classic setting for a small town-a group of women waiting for something to happen in their lives. What happens is a visit by a young "muscle man" who sets their minds stirring. Karen William as an embittered, daughter-pushing mother plays an excellent role. Laura Lind is3 typical of the desperate old maid E school teacher. Barbara Wesner is I good as the lovely, but fearful r Marge, while Miriam Taylor is the a tomboy sister. Alex Daniels as the t THE NOOKI BROS. ~W.V C BY BRENDA BELL Entertainment Editor July 17 - 7-0 and 9:30. Calcott 015. "Lady Sings The Blues," directed by Sidney Furie. Starring Diana Ross, Billy Dee Williams, Richard Pryor and Scatman Crothers. Diana Ross makes her film debut in the fictionalized biography of a dope-addicted blues singer, Billie Holliday. Her talent and beauty were exploited by white and black men; first her good looking gangster husband and last the friend who enticed her inte heroin use. Prison, withdrawal, reunion, then a triumphant comeback are handled by Ross with genuine emotion and daring interpretation. $1.00. July 20 - 8:00. Golden Spur. "The Wizard of Oz," directed by Victor Fleming. Starring Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger and Jack Haley. A cyclont A S 'oung muscle man looks and peaks his boastful part. Jim slanton does a superb job of his ole as a petty, whining hopkeeper. Paul Kersey is the ypical fraternity guy. N601, LOY'p~ 011j, 801 anos. amp us Film lifts Dorothy and her dog Toto out of Kansas and plops her on the cap of the Wicked Witch of the East. Wanting to get back home, Dorothy sets off for Emerald City to see the Wizard of Oz to ask his help. Ac companied by three lovable rascals, The Scarecrow (searching for brains), The Tin Woodman (wanting a heart) and the Cowardly Lion (desiring courage) they receive the help of the Wizard and each gets his wish. Free. July 21 - 8:00. Golden Spur. "A Place In The Sun," directed by George Stevens. Starring Mon tgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor and Shelley Winters. Fateful romance involving an ambitious factory worker, a glamorous, wealthy debutante who loves him and whom he wants to marry and an unattractive working girl who threatens to tie him to a drab future. Free. July 22 - 8:00. Golden Spur. ene From Hot I IBaltimno, "The Hot 1 Baltimore," directed by Russell Green, brings to light the hopes and tragedies that mark the existence of losers in this world. Set in the decaying Hotel Baltimore which is dooma da GenelHoo "Shall We Dance?," directed by Robert Alton. Starring Fred Astaire and Ginger ftogers. Some of the most original and memorable movie musicals of the 30's emanated from the RKO studios of the delightful starring duo of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Free. July 23, 24 - 7:00 and 9:30. Calcott 015. "The Great Gatsby," directed by Jack Clayton. Starring Robert Redford, Mia Farrow, Bruce Dern and Karen Black. It began with the May Day Riots of 1919 and ended with the stock market crash of 1929. Some called it the Roaring 20's--the Jazz Age. The time of bathtub gin, driving fast cars and flaunting morality. F. Scott Fitzgerald's expose of that age * is a look at the wealthy, sophisticated society of another time and at a one-sided love story. Robert Redford is Gatsby in love with the rich, spoiled, married Daisy (Mia Farrow). $1.00. Dane Edens destruction by progress, the play presents a montage of the lives of drifters, prostitutes, has-beens and "little people" who cherish the thoughts and memories of bygone days.