The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, October 08, 1984, Page Page 9, Image 9
School days
Sensitive subject of educ
By Robert O'Connor
Since when is the sensitive issue of education a humorous
matter?
Writer W.R. McKinney and a surprising cast of likable performers
seem to think it is, but "Teachers" is more of a controversial
farce.
"Teachers" is directed by Arthur Miller and centers aroud
the topical issues plaguing modern education and its recipients.
However, it never rises above the appalling rubbish
McKinney has hastily sewn together.
JFK HIGH School certainly has its share of problems ?
ranging from the exagerated to the ridiculous. Realism would
never permit such an institution of learning. The characters
alluded to in the title surround the main ideas of this film in
desperation for a veritable meaning.
Alex (Nick Nolle) is tlie obvious star 01 "leacners as ne
reacts to an illiterate's lawsuit against the institution that
educated him so poorly. Nohe's character is an interesting one
and is a mere shadow of the former, idealistic instructor he
was in the past. Though perhaps a bit too vengeful and
"teacher with a cause" towards 1 he film's end, Alex is certainly
a likeable hero.
The entire cast is affected by the threatening lawsuit, but
only Alex and a former student-turned hopeful attorney
CPU brings award-w
By Marisa Porto Mapcs made
Keep your eyes on the watch. Slowly, you clinical work i
leel your eyes becoming heavier and heavier. stage show.
You will respond to my every command. Guiding Light,
Now. for Tomorrow
Hypnosis will be the subject of one of the 1-2-3," "Sistei
most interesting Ideas and Issues programs dor," and "T;
put on by CPU October 18. guest appeara
James Mapes, described as a futurist in "PM Magazii
hypnotism, is comfortable on the stage, the Network Nev
lecture podium, or the television studio. He shows,
is a master in the human potential movement "I've never
and will be holding a lecture, show on hyp- supposed to b<
notism at 8 p.m. at the Russell House to have a teas
Ballroom. that same day
said Michelle
APPROXIMATELY A decade ago, Issues.
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(JoBcth Williams) fight to erase the apathethy at JFK.
Naturally, a cliehed romance is created, which further tends to
emphasize the tiresome script of "Teachers."
A typical day includes a variety of contrived happenings.
One teacher (Roval Dano) dies un-notieed while teaching a
class, and another teacher is taunted for his apparent
weakness and is attacked by a mentally unstable student for
absolutely no reason. What is incredible about this particular
situation is that the student is not punished and the teacher
(Allan Garfield) continues to accept the mistreatment from his
pupils.
AIM) TO this an illiterate troublemaker with a sensitive
nature (Ralph Macchio), a physical education instructor who
impregnates three students, and a mental outpatient (Richard
Mulligan) who poses as a substitute teacher. In continuation
of McKinney's terrible plot. Mulligan's character turns out to
teach his student's in a more effective manner than any of the
credited teachers. Is this really supposed to cause uncontrollable
hysteria?
" it m/^r.> rli^nroi.tinn linn iVMiwvlii" Flllv; film
I tl V. I I V. I 1.1 I I IV/1 v. vaj/iv. Ill 115 1 1 v\/!iivv?iv. ......
points towards a plausible direction, but it fails to delve into
the dilemmas of education realisticly. The fact that illiteracy
among high school graduates increases yearly is a miserable
problem to capitalize on.
inning hypnotist to F
a decision to abandon his "He's done other shows su
ind use his hypnotism into a many people showed up to
His credits include, "The haven't had a hypnotist here i
"Edge of Night," "Search so we decided to ask him," sh
"The Taking of Pelham
rs," "Three Days of the Con- MAPES, WINNER of I
ixi Driver." He has also made Entertainer of the Year Award
nces on "Hour Magazine," highest ratings at over 800
ie," "CNN," "Independent universities according to
ys," and many local talks magazine.
seen this man before but he's His two main shows are
; really quite good. He's going Journey into the Imagii
er on the Russell House patio "Imagination and Self-Awart
. It will be a fun type thing," Napes' credits also include
Kersey, director of Ideas and stage hypnotist ever requ
Association to Advance Ethii
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aillc to us about*
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"your partner in education"
Hours ? M-F ? 8:30-5:00
S - 9:00 1:00
i comedy, 'Teachers'
The cast of "Teachers" is an astonishing ensemble of fine
actors, une seriously wonaers wny any 01 mesc periormers
would dare be involved in such an embarassingly bad film.
Nolte is powerful as Alex, a teacher who struggles against a
bitter school system and his own disillusionment. Nolte is excellent
and salvages "Teachers" from ccrtain death.
The likeable Williams has nothing to pour her proven
talents into. Her role as an attorney disgusted with modern
developments in education could have been a powerful one.
With the same problem are Judd Hirsch and l.ee Grant.
N/liillinnti anrl N/1 i#-? cii \/#? tlrnno timnnrtino nprt'nrmancp";
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ALSO AFFLICTING "Teachcrs" arc the boring direction
techniques from Hiller and frail script by McKinney. Neither
men seem to have connected in the production of this film,
and the result is dangerously close to disaster.
In what will probably be one of the biggest sellers of 1984,
the soundtrack of "Teachers" offers the extremely bland .38
Special, Night Ranger and Freddie Mercury among others.
The music is commercially viable but it neither fits the film nor
adds a special element.
"Teachers" is sure to apply for box office success, but its i
unrealistic presentation of serious issues would fail any ^
critic's examination.
iussell House
|
ch as this and give the main presentation at their national
see him. We convention.
n a long time, "WE HOPE to get three to four hundred
>e said. people at the program, but we can't be sure.
He's going to hypnotize those in the audience
:he "Campus and take them back into their childhood. It
I," has had the should be pretty neat if you've never seen it
colleges and before," Kersey said.
Programming 441 think it will be very interesting for
students. It's something new and unexplored.
It's like a sleep but you are concious
entitled, "A of the things you do," Kersey said.
lation," and The program will be held 8 p.m.Thursday,
;ness." October 18 in the Russell House. Tickets will
being the only be $1.50 for studets and $2 for non-students,
ested by the Snap. You can wake up now. There, it
;al Hypnosis to wasn't so bad, was it?
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