The Cincinnati Enquirer from Cincinnati, Ohio • Page 19

It's one crisis after another on the soaps. And this week was no exception. Miss a couple, did you? Lynda Hirsch has the info on all of them in "Daytime Dial." Page C-3. section Saturday, July 5, 1980 -if THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER dJ people places CandyBergen Taking Up Dixie Talk Y7E E8 THE TW SALES COIWONtUE BY LIZ SMITH New York Daily News The exquisite Candy Bergen is getting ready to film the updated remake of "Old Acquaintance" with co-star Jacqueline Bisset, who is also co-producer of the movie (the most gorgeous producer In the business). Candy and Jackie will be working this month in New York and next month in California, with Bob Mulligan directing for MGM.

The story, and you may remember Miriam Hopkins and Bette Davis In the original film, Is of two lifelong friends who became famous authors. Candy will have the Hopkins part and is studying a Georgian accent with a vocal coach. DeMala's view: "Maybe it's because the movie is such fun, such an adventure, or because the toys appeal to all ages-adults and children or possibly because the timing for the characters was Just right." Sullivan attributed part of the toy line's success to Saturday-morning television advertising. Once people know what is available from the advertisements and a few children get the toys, then parents and children begin talking about them. It's an effective type of advertising called word-of-mouth, Sullivan said.

In the case of the "Star Wars" toys, people discovered they were quality toys, so they told each other about them and the toys sold well, he said. "Star people have already begun purchasing the new 2-inch action figures, which Include a new version of hero Luke Skywalker, an Imperial snowtrooper, a weird bounty hunter drold and a greedy bounty hunter. The models of these beings from outer space are selling for $2 to $3 each. "THE ADDITIONAL figures have created a new enthusiasm for the other 21 'Star Wars' action figures," Hodge said. "People think the figures are going to be collector's items so they are buying them now." Other new "Star Wars" toys will Include a collector's case shaped In a three dimensional sculpture of Darth Vader's head; an Imperial attack base playset; Tauntaun, the snow creature that Han Solo and Luke ride on the ice planet; a snow speeder, the vehicle used by the rebel forces to defend their ice planet and a special Play-Doh set.

The "Star Wars" line has become a gold mine for Kenner, with retail sales exceeding $100 million in both 1978 and 1979, making Kenner second, only to Mattel, the top-selling toy manufacturer in the country. The "Star Wars" gold mine almost went undiscovered as re-presenatives of George Lucas, "Star Wars" creator, at first, unsuccessfully searched the country for a toy company that would manufacture the galactic characters. It was Bernie Loomis, former president of Kenner who Is now group vice president of the creative products division of General Mills, who saw the potential of the alien creatures as entertainment for adults and children and purchased the licensing rights to manufacture the toys. Kenner now possesses the rights to make toys for any or all of the possible seven more movies in the "Star Wars" saga. According to DeMala, a "Star Wars" movie is expected to come out every three years for the next 21 years which means, theoretially, Kenner could be manufacturing toys until the ultimate space age year 2001.

BY NANCI HELLMICH People Today Reporter He'll soon be Joining the figures of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, R2D2 and Chewbacca in the hearts and toy chests of children everywhere. i He represents the diminutive being of unearthly wisdom and patience who trains hero Luke Skywalker In the ways of "The Force" in "The Empire Strikes Back," the second movie of the "Star Wars" series. His name is Yoda, and his action figure, a 2-inch, plastic toy is scheduled to make Its debut In three or four weeks. The Yoda doll will Join 31 other "Star Wars" action figures manufactured by Cincinnati-based Kenner Products a division of General Mills. Some stores have already received the 10 new figures and a playset of the Hoth Ice planet, the setting of the opening scene of the movie.

The remaining 23 new toys from "The Empire Strikes Back" are scheduled to be out by September, says Dave DeMala, director of public relations for Kenner. Kenner officials predict that the company will sell 40 million "Star Wars" toys this year, the same number they sold both in 1978, the first year the toys were sold, and in 1979. BUT UNLIKE Kenner, some Greater Cincinnati toy retailers doubt the new "Star Wars" toys will sell as well as the toys have during the past two years. Kerry Sullivan, manager of Children's Palace of America, 8465 Coleraln Groesbeck, said that although he expects the new toys to sell, he doesn't think the second movie will have same Impact as the first one, and the sales will reflect this. "People are becoming a little more discriminating about what 'Star Wars' things they buy," he said.

Judy Hodge, a buyer for Johnny's Toy Shop, 3718 Decoursey Covington, said, "When the toys first came out, people would buy anything that had 'Star Wars' written on It, but now they are concerned about the quality and the play value of the toys they are buying. Plus, many kids already have 'Star Wars' toys, so they'll Just probably add a few new ones to their collection." Toy retailers and Kenner officials marvel at the success the toys have had for the past two years. "It's a phenomenon," said both Hodge and DeMala. HODGE EXPLAINED it like this: "Kids can identify with the characters. They feel like they can become Luke Skywalker living on a farm and all those things begin to happen to them.

They can Imagine being Princess Lela. They can imagine llt-tle robots following them around talking to them. These toys present Ideas that are very real and possible to them." If you felt a chill while Dick Cave tt was interviewing ballet star Peter Martins the other eve, you were right to put on a sweater. Martins, the mild-mannered man of ballet, is steaming at what his pals call "Cavett's brazen Ignorance of the state of ballet today." Martins' hostility on camera was palpable. In the meantime, Cavett and his wife, Carrie Nye, are denying that there Is or was any trouble In their marital bliss.

She says that she has been busy here, there and everywhere working, including getting up in the Tallulah-llke role of the star in "The Man Who Came to Dinner." The Cavetts say that they have to deny their "Impending divorce" at least once a year, sometimes twice. TV land is still rocking from; Barbara Stanwyck scathing assessment of the Angels of Charlie because the girls arrived for the "Tony's Boys" shooting hours late and tossing their hair about like big stars. Meanwhile, Barbara was there ready with her lines and on time like the pro that she is. So she told the producers she had no Intention of ever waiting on or working with the Angels again. Bea Arthur and Gui Fisher are said to be getting downright serious Peter Falk and his new wife, Shera, are anxious to have a family, but her astrologer would Ilk their signs to be in perfect harmony first The actor who plays John Wayne must be 6-foot-4 and able to look 18, plus any age after.

TNI Casting is going wild looking. ft ft Do blondles have more fun? It looks as if the singing group's star, Deborah Harry, just may be about to. Her new album will be done by Italian pop music wiz, producer and composer, Giorgio Moroder. But first Giorgio has to vacation in Venice and then return to record Donna Summer's first disc for the new David Gef fen label. Moroder is king of the '80s sound.

He wrote the "American Gigolo" score, with Its hit "Call Me," and he won an Oscar for the "Midnight Ex press" music. He Is also planning to go Into movie production in con-Junction with John Travolta's for mer press aide, Michelle Cohen. Eventually, Giorgio wants to star Deborah in a picture of his own. Isn't the controversial Republican lieutenant governor of California, Mike Curb, about to move his recording company away from Warner's? There has been so much talk about "conflict of Interest" for the man who so often ran California while Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown was out of the state campaigning Keith Barish continues to wheel and deal as If moviemaking might go out of style.

He just bought another property the Rhea Cohan novel for Random House called Hand 'le Downs. Faithful Can Race Again To Caldron's Secret tomato puree and caramel color. He could not be prod inside 'Private person' doesn't want guests in her home when she's not there Dear Abby, Page C-2 Domestic court referee says fathers seek custody to satisfy their egos Single File, Page C-3 mm mm ded, coaxed, cajoled or bamboozled into confessing what cut of "beef" was used or what measures. SOME MEASUREMENTS derive from the Rube Goldberg School of Semi-Infallible Measures. For instance, Grandma insisted one had to consist of a single steel measureful plus a handful no other way.

"But Mom," Koenlg protested, "my hand Is twice as big as yours." "Okay," she eventually relented, "for you, half a handful." Now that fewer and fewer restaurants offer mock turtle, mock turtle soup fanciers stalk St. Rita's Festival like big game hunters, out to bag their quota of mock turtles. The canned stuff in supermarkets just can't compare. Festival-goers sip cupfuls at the booth in the steamiest weather or" carry off take-home Jars clutched to their breasts. Many freeze the soup in plastic containers for postponed bliss.

One aficionado resurrects his from deepfreeze, between Christmas and New Year's, like some sort of treat of treats. Every year the clan makes more soup, and every year they run out early, whereupon one hears much weeping and gnashing of teeth on the festival grounds. The lucky ones with a bellyful go lumbering off, smiling like turtles. They are the keepers of the secret. Their mock turtle rite has been handed down from generation to generation.

Every year at this season, the clan gathers to stir the secret bubbling broth. Clara Woebkenberg started It all, a half century ago. Known as the "Turtle Soup Lady," she died last December, at 90, cooking of course at her kitchen stove. Her fame as a mock turtle soup matriarch derived from the soup sold annually at the festival benefiting St. Rita's School for the Deaf.

In the early days, whole calves' heads were pitched Into the soup. Over the years, her soup became a festival "drawing card," an institution In Itself. Though a quiet, pleasant woman and mother of 10, Grandma Woebkenberg never left any doubt about who was in charge. Whenever daughter Ruth asked her to take it easy, Grandma snapped her standard question, "Who died and left you boss?" But a few years before her death, Clara bowed to the Inevitable and shared her secret recipe with a few chosen ones in the Woebkenberg clan, including grandson Michael and son-in-law Ben Koenlg. No oath of secrecy was sworn.

"SHE DIDN'T say not to divulge the secret," Koenlg laughed. "You just knew you shouldn't" This year, the clan made about 600 gallons, which required them to toil 10 steamy days in St Rita's kitchens In advance of the festival held today and Sunday. Batch after 12-gallon batch emerged from wide, stainless steel vats, and heaven help the clansman who left his post and failed to keep stirring. Or klutzily disturbed the "skin" forming on the sides of the pot and so precipitated unwelcome globs Into the precious brew. If the clan were to be paid for its labors, the soup priced at $8 a gallon, $4 a half-gallon and $2 a quart would wind up losing money for the school.

None in the family has ever been deaf, yet cheerfully, like some medieval craft guild, they carry on the annual St. Rita's tradition. Clara grew up on an Evendale farm, started helping out in St. Rita's kitchens 63 years ago, back when local farmers used to come over at spare moments and work the school's farm for the good fathers. Traditions like that can get Into a clan's blood, thick as mock turtle soup.

After a little grilling from me, Ben Koenlg smilingly confided the Ingredients, but without measurements: "beef" and beef hearts, ground hardboiled eggs, ground whole lemons (without seeds), lemon Juice, index ACTION LINE DEAR ABBY GAMESPUZZLES People Today Editor RON C-2 SINGLE FILE C-3 C-2 TV-RADIO C-3 C-2-3 YOUR HEALTH C-2 SCHOOLMEESTER 369-1011 i1.