The Courier-Journal from Louisville, Kentucky • Page 29

3 THE COURIER-JOURNAL, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1983 rmu MICHAEL JACKSON'S THRILLER' Until Christmas Special flr C.E. LEEZER ft" Customers Only No Charge For Service Calls 778-0275 ICM OVERNIGHT JUNKET Jet charter room all meals DECEMBER 14 15 From Louisville Lexington 502-425-8187 or 584-8874 Open 7 Days mm Colpaert's 10-minute work, "Agge-los," shows an ancient Greek torch carrier emerging from the Pacific ran mm HURRY QUANTITIES LIMITED! The Lowest Priced Deck With Electronic Tuning? INCLUDES A PAIR OF 6x9 SPEAKERS WITH 10 OZ. MAGNETS True INSTALLED INCLUDES American in-dash AMFM digital tuning. Black satingold 6x9 DUAL IN CONE CERAMIC 20 WATTS Is it rock video As a contender it is launching a By MICHAEL LONDON Tlx Lot AngtlM Tlmts HOLLYWOOD Each year dozens of short films that virtually nobody has heard of or seen vie for Academy Award recognition. But next year, in the competition for the '83 awards, there will be one contender that almost everyone in the music industry has heard of and millions have seen: "Thriller," a 13-minute extravaganza based on the title song from Michael Jackson's blockbuster album.

The short began a one-week Oscar-qualifying last week. "Thriller" then moved to the little screen on cable's MTV yesterday, and video-cassettes are next. Is "Thriller" really a short film? Or a rock video? Its muddled status is expected to create an uproar at this year's short-film competition, traditionally a showcase for small-scale projects by aspiring film mak-ers. For them, an influx of rock videos could be catastrophic. "We're on the edge of a possible revolution," said Bruce Davis, spe- cial-program administrator for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

"If this category gets crowded out by a lot of big-money music films, something would have to be done." 1 "Thriller" stars Jackson and was directed by John Landis, one of Hollywood's most prominent film makers. It was shot on 35-millimeter film (like many rock videos) and cost a purported $1 million. "When I saw the ad (for I thought, 'Wow, the big people are finally making said Ta-mar Simon Hoffs, whose 22-minute short, "The Haircut," was distributed by Universal Classics this year. "Then I realized, 'They're trampling our There are no rules prohibiting rock videos from competing as live- or a short film? for an Oscar, revolution Michael Jackson Rocking the industry action short films. The only requirements are that entries be less than 30 minutes in length and be screened theatrically before they run on television.

Unlike conventional short films, however, rock videos are commercial ventures, intended to help sell records. "They have nothing to do with film-making. It's just giving an extra dimension to music," said Carl Colpaert, an American Film Institute fellow with a short film up for this year's competition. Audio 8204 cassette deck. Fully-electronic Auto-stop.

High-power output: trim finish. SPEAKERS CONE AIR SUSPENSION BUILT TWEETER POWERFUL 1 0 OUNCE MAGNETS POWER RATING INSTALLATION 502-458-7424 OPEN WEEKDAYS 11-8, SAT. 10-5, BEAM KSK7 I i mm A. THEATER REVIEW WRAP UIP HOLIDAY Actors' spirited production of 'A Christmas Carol' sings a fanfare for holiday season SPIRITS AND ID (J ro a WINDSOR CANADIAN ono WW ,75 Liter S099 Ocean, encountering modern Los An geles and then walking back into the sea. It cost $2,700, he said.

Rock videos do not always mean trouble for makers of short films. They are providing new job opportU' nities. They are revitalizing the con cept of playing theatrical shorts before feature films. And, in some cases, they are making artistic waves. "Some of the most creative things are being done in that medium," said Shelley Levinson, a member of the academy's short-film selection com mittee and an Oscar winner for her 1981 short, "Violet." "But I'm sure glad they weren't around the year that I won.

Whether "Thriller" and other teen-oriented rock videos thrill the academy voters remains to be seen; many of the members of the selection committee are in their 60s and 70s. Paul Schneider, whose $34,000 short film, "Sweetwater," starring Diane Lane, is contending for an Oscar this year, said he isn't worried about competition from music videos. "The academy members are extremely conventional-minded," he said. "They're looking for stories that have emotional impact with a beginning, middle and end." Nevertheless, with "Thriller" immortalized as a short film, work is under way to turn another Jackson song, "Billie Jean," into a feature film. The project is being developed by Island Alive, a maverick company whose goal is to produce and distrib ute American independent films.

The company was launched in May by Chris Blackwell of Island Records and Shep Gordon of Alive Enterprises, a music management and film production company. TV and Radio Critic Tom Dor-sey Is on vacation. His column will resume when he returns. and Vaughn McBride) are perched on movable platforms, materializing and drifting about in an aura of eerie wonderment. Kauffmann's towering apparition draped in white and covered with lights is particularly arresting.

Bravos to costume designers Marcia Dixcy and Kurt Wilhelm. Without exception, the acting is top-flight Fry, of course, carries the main burden of the show. Defying tradition, he actually makes Scrooge a sympathetic character, even in the play's early going. Fry refuses to turn him into a caricature. Yes, yes, Scrooge is positively rotten to clerk Cratchit and he "Bah, Humbugs!" love and Christmas, but Fry also imbues him with reflective aspects.

By softening his voice and manner at key moments, he bolsters the comic effect It's a virtuoso demonstration. Most of the cast appear in double or triple roles. While they're all terrific, Bob Burrus' Jacob Marley, Katherine Borowitz's Belle and Adale O'Brien's Mrs. Cratchit deserve to be singled out. And Dierk Torsek in the "straight" role of Charles Dickens is a clarion narrator.

Performances of "A Christmas Carol" run through Jan. 1. For ticket information, phone (502) 584-1205. 11 p.m. Late Night Classics: Rudolf Serkin solos in Brahms' Piano Concerto No.

2 in Flat. WFPK-FM (91.9). 11:30 p.m. Big Band Stand: A salute to Rosemary Clooney. WUOL-FM (90.5).

Midnight Larry King Show: The 1983 professional football season will be reviewed with Bobby Beath-ard, general manager of the Washington Redskins; Ernie Accorsi, general manager of the Baltimore Colts, and Eddie LeBaron, executive vice president of the Atlanta Falcons. WAVG (970). of Jean Donovan the lay missionary who was murdered in El Salvador attended a screening of "Choices of the Heart," the Dec. 5 ABC movie based on their daughter's life. They were so moved and impressed by the sensitive, moving manner in which Melissa Gilbert handles the title role they've given her the cross Ms.

Donovan once wore. Says Melissa of that priceless gift, "It's more important to me than any review, award or honor." THE CASTING CORNER: Jose Ferrer has been tagged to join Victor Mature and young Australian actors Antony Hamilton and Belinda Bauer in the ABC-TV movie version of "Samson and Delilah," which is currently shooting in Durango, Mexico. The Catalina-Comworld production will have Ferrer playing the high priest of Gaza, who conspires to cut off Samson's hair. Tribunt Company Syndlcttt ITTW VUI II A mm sark MM! 9 86 1.75 Liter $-jyo9 GORDON'S VODKA 80 1.75 Liter jl Gordon's 'IVMHAX 1 mmWmgttr pi tended, and many squealed with pleasure as the visual and aural magic unfolded. And if some of their adult escorts squealed along with them well, that's part of the fun of this "Christmas Carol." Paul Owen's stunning set was reason enough to shout.

For the current season, Owen has designed an entirely new production that takes excellent advantage of ATL's elaborate technical resources. The Pamela Brown stage has been transformed into a wintry street, behind which stands a row of buildings with snow-covered roofs and brightly lit windows. Ingeniously, two outer walls of one house are retracted to reveal a space that serves as several locales. Before we know it, we're in Scrooge's office, or his bedroom, or Bob Cratchit's home, or a half-dozen other places. ATL's special effects don't stop with the set.

The ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come (Christian Kauffmann, Andy Backer CASTILLO OUR BASIC SUN. 1-6 80 1.75 Liter -mm IF booths: LONDON DRY GIN, 90 1.75 Liter S4A69 SOUTHERN COMFORT 86 1.75 Liter $12" CELLA ASTI SPUMANTE 750ml $5 59 DeKUYPER PEPPERMINT SCHNAPPS 750ml SL19 MILLER LITE Loose Pack 2 24-12 oz. can 0 cans 9 AM TO MIDNIGHT 5 l5 US- IP mi -'Vi I i 1 1 Ml I -v-Ji. '1111 If.T 1 0 RUM, WHITE GOLD 80 1.75 Liter $g69 9 69 CELLA LAMBRUSCO, BIANCO ROSATO 1.5 Liter 3 99 in en I i 4131 RADIO HIGHLIGHTS Cella (1 ir ChristiapBrothcrs CHRISTIAN BROTHERS BRANDY 80 1.75 Liter S-J489 VriL 7 p.m. BBC Concert Hall: Edward Downes conducts the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra in Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No.

1 and Shostakovich's Symphony No. 1 in Minor. WFPK-FM (91.9). 8 p.m. Philadelphia Orchestra: Raymond Leppard conducts Mozart's Symphony No.

40, Liadov's "The Enchanted Lake" and Borodin's Symphony No. 2. WFPK-FM (91.9). 8 p.m. Bruce Williams: "Money." WAVG (970).

10 p.m. Jazz Feature Album: "Oregon." WFPL-FM (89.3). (TV jm GALLO PREMIUM (J TABLE WINES If 1 l-k. CHABLIS BLANC, If 1 1 A VIN ROSE, II 1 IrmJ I HEARTY BURGUNDY, A QGALLO PREMIUM TABLE WINES PHARI Ifi RI AWr VIN ROSE. HEARTY BURGUNDY, By ANDREW ADLER Couri.r-Journ.l Critic Forget the tree.

Never mind about the wreath. Leave the lights in the box. The real symbol of a Louisville Christmas is Actors Theatre of Louisville's annual production of "A Christmas Carol," which enjoyed a festive 1983 opening last night. Adding to the merriment was the return after a two-year hiatus of Ray Fry as cranky old Ebenezer Scrooge. He's an irascible joy, and his talents are matched by nearly everyone else in the large cast.

Aided by Frazier Marsh's finely tuned direction, the ensemble whisks us through an evening that offers one delight after another. This is the eighth season ATL has nresenterl Rnrhara Field's nrtnnta. tion of Charles Dickens' tale. Last night's opening was a benefit for Louisville's Ronald McDonald iiuuovi uiiu tut; (vein uluj iv Aiiic.li the Pamela Brown auditorium. Lots of happy-looking children at 1 p.m.

Afternoon Classics: Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3, Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 5, Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 1 and Khachaturian's Violin Concerto. WUOL-FM (90.5).

2:15 p.m. Miniconcert: Bob Seger. WIEL (1400). 6 p.m. Sally Jesse Raphael: "Parent Problems." WAVG (970).

7 p.m. Quadraphonic Classics: Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 3, Vivaldi's Violin Concerto in and Copland's Dance Symphony. WUOL-FM (90.5). Andrew Stevens i getting married f.

but only on 'Emerald Point HOLLYWOOD Andrew Ste-' vens will be eloping with Dennis Weaver's daughter Monday night on "Emerald Point N.A.S." As followers of the CBS prime- iiiuc suap iuiuw, aieveus lias already had more than his share of action in recent weeks. As Lt. Matthews, he's been found guilty of voluntary manslaughter in the death of a civilian, been sentenced and drummed out of the service, and has split with the fian- cee who caused all bis troubles. And now: the surprise wedding to RHINE, PINK CHABLIS RED ROSE 3 Liter PINK CHABLIS RED ROSE 3Liter 1 $L59 Si 01 fcQl I HFMIL'II WINES I ANDRE CHAMPAGNE WHITE, PINK I a cm nurif 1 750ml PABST Loose Pack 24-12 oz. cans $99 $Q9 MARILYN BECK STROH'S Loose Pack 24-12 $J29 oz.

Rear Admiral Thomas Mallory's middle daughter, Kay (as played by Stephanie Dunnam). Stevens reports that, at the moment his romantic involvements are limited to those the "Emerald" scripters are inventing although he does claim there is one real-life woman who is giving him aggravation: his ex-wife Kate Jackson. He claims she's using her successful "Scarecrow and Mrs. King" series as "a public forum to make jibes and throw barbs at me and our past relationship." And though he admits he did make a pointed comment or two about her on a recent "Merv Griffin Show," to hear him tell it, "I only responded to some questions Merv asked about comments Kate had made about me. As far as I'm concerned, it's a part of our past that is over And I'd like to keep it that way." FROM SOMEONE SPECIAL FOR SOMEONE SPECIAL: The family 7 DAY SALE.

Dec. 1 thru Dec; 7. THE FIRST EXIT ACROSS THE KENNE0Y OR SEC0N0 STREET BRIDGES ON COURT AVENUE IN JEFFERSONVIUE. INDIANA. DIAL A SSn? NEW STORE HOURS EFFECTIVE DEC.

8 THRU 31, 1983. IAX 9 AM TO 1 1 PM, FRI. SAT. WELCOME R.V.I..