Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico • Page 9

TV-ENTERTAINMENT Monday, May 19, 1986 Albuquerque Journal Page 9, Section A Two Monumental Films Add Up to One of a Kind Bobby fSfcfSi wolff fS2Sf joe Saltzman 3tiL Griffith's monumental "Birth of a Nation" was even a greater success when first created in 1915, but more than 70 years later, the full-length 158-minute film's blatant racial stereotypes are terribly offensive. The film's original and more accurate title was "The Clansman" and it was based on Thomas Dixon's racist novel that turns the vicious Klan into freedom-fighting heroes. The only way to enjoy the original epic is to understand that it is historically wrong and patently ridiculous in its portrayal of blacks. That understood, one can marvel at this landmark American film that painstakingly chronicles two fami lies, Northern and. Southern, before and during the Civil War and Reconstruction.

The complete film as Griffith first envisioned it is available from Blackhawk-Republic Home Video in a faithful restoration of the "Clunes" version that was first shown at Clunes Theater in 1915 (Beta or VHS, with the original color tones throughout and an orchestral score arranged by Fras-er MacDonald, under $50). A less offensive version, an hour shorter than the original, was personally recut by Griffith, who realized too late the mistakes he had made in the original. It's a remarkable revision made in 1933 that It may not be a coincidence that two of the most famous and successful films in history were monumental melodramas about the American Civil War: D.W. Griffith's "Birth of a Nation" in 1915 and "Gone With the Wind" in 1939. Both are available in special home video editions.

Each film is an original, a one-of-a-kind, larger-than-life epic that excels in storytelling and spectacle. And both have been surrounded by myth and controversy since their release. No one expected to own a legitimate copy of "Gone With the Wind." MGM had reissued it theatrically and on television throughout the years, each time making an enormous profit. There was no home video release in sight. But video pirates had responded to the demand for the film by.

flooding the market with illegal copies, so MGM UA Home Video finally responded with an official, pristine copy (222 minutes, VHS, Beta or laser video disc made from a mint-condition film negative). "Gone With the Wind" is easily one of the most popular films of all time, a Civil War soap opera based on the novel by Margaret Mitchell and produced with exquisite care by David Selznick. For years, it was the longest-running film released in the United States it is nearly four preserves Griffith's essential contributions. The print includes the original musical score for the movie, which was adapted by Griffith to the 24-frames-per-second running speed needed for sound. The musical direction is by Louis F.

Gottschalk. This shorter version runs 94 minutes and is available from Kartes Video (10 E. 106 Indianapolis, Ind. 46280; 800-582-2000). It ends with a flag photographed in color and "The Star-Spangled Banner," all emphasizing Griffith's grand theme of the "birth" of the federal republic.

Any film buff would want both editions. Since 1915, various versions of the silent film have been reissued, some with sound effects. Since the film is in the public domain, many companies have issued copies of the film. Budget Video's Hollywood Home Theater has one edition that runs 127 minutes and was produced in 1927. It, too, captures the sweep of Griffith's vision and includes color tint and sound track.

VIDTECH. They're here. And the ghosts of home video past must be laughing their heads off. First, the superior Beta format is regulated to the junk-heap as VHS grows more popular daily because hardware dealers want it that way and every neighbor in America seems to be recommending it to the next. Now, here comes the video-inferior 8mm.

There's really no reason for a new format, but Sony has decided it's the future and in 1986 the video writers, editors, and, alas, the dealers began to embrace the tiniest, incompatible home video format. The only drawback is the lack of prerecorded software: the movies. But that's about to change. Paramount Home Video, one of the innovators in software salesmanship, has decided, with Sony, to enter the 8mm video marketplace. It is releasing 15 of its best-selling titles in 8mm, including "Beverly Hills Cop," "Star Trek III," "Airplane" "Trading Places," "Witness," "Flashdance," "Harold Maude," "The Bad News Bears," "Footloose," and a half dozen others.

Other studios will follow Paramount's trailblazing tactics sooner or later. So the 8mm home video format will haunt our video future. Ah, well, they say once you've bought one VCR, the chances are that you will buy another one within three years. So make room for that 8mm machine. At least it's smaller than those half-inch units that will soon be gathering dust in your closets.

the nomination and plans to vote against it but added, "He is in no way blocking or delaying consideration of the nomination and he doesn't favor such a deiay." Ms. Landau replaced Mrs. Rockefeller as chairman a year and a half ago. A recent election ended in a tie between Ms. Landau and Harry O'Connor, so Ms.

Landau kept the top job. O'Connor's term has also expired. In his report to the board, Rubenstein repeated an appeal to commercial broadcasters to help pay for public broadcasting. "We compliment each other, each with a responsibility toward each other," he said. "I believe we fulfill our responsibilities toward the commercial sector, by providing programming they don't provide.

It's time they fulfill their part of the bargain." hours long. MGMUA has done a bang-up job of packaging this classic. The clarity and colors of this video release are exceptional. (If the colors are erratic on your copy, it is defective; return it.) Vivien Leigh won an Academy Award for playing Scarlett O'Hara. So did Hattie McDaniel, the picture, director Victor Fleming, adaptor Sidney Howard, cine-matographers Ernest Haller and Ray Rennahan while Clark Gable, Leslie Howard and Olivia De Havil-land made indelible impressions and Max Steiner's music is unforgettable.

(One of the bonuses of the video release is the inclusion of the overture, intermission and musical encore. About 29,000 videocassettes had to be destroyed because they opened with 45 seconds of the wrong music. As one official said later the error was like "putting a mustache on the Mona Another $1 million will be spent to encourage listeners to tune in local public radio stations. After adjusting the spending plan, the CPB board approved a budget of $219.7 million. The bulk of CPB money comes from Congress and the majority of it is distributed to public radio and TV stations to fund their local operations.

The new budget includes a 21 percent increase in money for chil-dren's and educational programming, from $7.2 million to $8.7 million. General audience programming will get $22.1 million, a 12 percent increase. Money for the new initiatives came from small reductions in several other budget items. The budget meeting had been postponed for a month because membership on the board dropped CPB Budget To Help Local Public TV Stations The $3 million fund for station production would go into a $24 million pool to make sure public television does not go into another new without major new programming. the Commerce Committee.

Ira Shapiro, the senator's chief of staff said Rockefeller is opposed to from 10 to five because a number of terms expired and replacements had not been approved. The board has operated without a chairman since March, when the term of Sonia Landau expired. The board selected Richard Brookhiser to preside over the meeting but voted to continue operating between meetings without a chairman. President Reagan has announced he will renominate her and former vice-chairman Kenneth Towery, whose term also expired in March, but hearings on their nominations have not been scheduled by the Senate Commerce Committee. Ms.

Landau said in a hallway during the meeting that she believes the husband of board member Sharon Percy Rockefeller, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, is blocking her confirmation. Sen. Rockefeller is a member of For complete By Bill McCloskey ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER WASHINGTON The Corpora-tion for Public Broadcasting on Friday juggled its budget figures to come up with $3 million to help local public TV stations develop major new shows for national audiences. The corporation also approved spending $1 million to publicize public television programming.

Calling public broadcasting one of the nation's best kept secrets, CPB president Martin Rubenstein said, "It is time to reveal the secret and let people know about the high quality programs which the system makes available to this nation." Rubenstein said the $3 million fund for station production would go into a $24 million pool to make sure public television does not go into another new season without major new programming. TV MONDAY. NORTH 519-A 97 A6 10 8 3 KJ 10 9 7 6 WEST EAST 10 8 6 4 3 2 V10 7 VQ J95 3 J954 7 43 AQ2 SOUTH AK 5 VK8 4 2 A 6 2 85 Vulnerable: Both. Dealer: South. The bidding: South West North East 1 NT Pass 3 NT All pass Opening lead: Spade six Sometimes a defender should win his tricks as soon as possible; other times, he must put things off.

It pays to be able to see which approach is right. South won the first spade with his king since he feared a heart shift and ran the club eight to East's queen. East led back a spade, which South ducked, and a third spade cleared the suit. Another club knocked out East's ace but South was safe no matter what East led. Even if East had held a fourth spade, South would have had nine tricks (he actually won 10).

It would have been a different matter had East refused the first club. South's club eight would win and another club would go to East's queen. With only one sure entry to dummy, South could establish the clubs but he could not run them. And instead of winning 10 tricks, South would win only 7. How should East know it's time to duck in clubs? One reason is that dummy's clubs are most likely to be the primary threat.

Another reason is that West's spades are not likely to be strong enough to beat the game quickly since South's opening promises between 16 and 18 HCP. LEAD WITH THE ACES 5-19-B South holds: 9 5 3 VA6 3 4Q 10 8 7 2 East South West North 1 1 2 Pass 2 NT Pass 3 NT All pass ANSWER: Club seven. Lead from your hidden suit, hoping to strike oil. Send bridge questions to The Aces, P.O. Box 12363, Dallas, Texas 75225, with self-addressed, stamped envelope for reply.

Copyright, 1986, United Feature Syndicate Walt Disney Pictures Planning Business Program KNIGHT-RIDDEA NEWSPAPERS Walt Disney Pictures is stretching far from its usual fare with a new syndicated series now in planning for the fall. Called "Business Day," the show is a daily half-hour business news report. Consuelo Mack, an anchor on FNN (Financial News Network), and Business Week editor William Wolman already have been signed as on-air talent. AM Albuquerque KABQ KAMX KOAZ KDEF KKIM KLTN KOB KQEO KRKE KRZY KXAK KXKS KZ1A (1350) (1520) (730 (1150) (1000) (1240) (770) (920) (610) (1450) (1310) (1190) (1580) Spanish Album Rock Contemporary Christian Contemporary Nostalgia Chnstian Tal1, Spanish Adult Contemporary Oldies Contemporary Hits Country Chnstian Spanish News Talk FM Albuquerque KANW KFLQ KFMG KHFM KKHJ KKJY KLVT KMGA KOB KUNM KRKE KRST KZIA (89.1) (91.5) (1079) (963) (98.5) (100 3) (88.3) (99.5) (93 31 (90.1) (94.1) (92.3) (101.7) Education Chnstian Music Album Rock Classical Adult Contemporary Easy Listening Christian Rock Contemporary Easy Pop'Adult Contemporary National Public Radio Album Rock Country News Talk AM Santa Fe KAFE (810) Country KTRC (1400) Easy Listening KVSF (1260) Rock FM Santa Fe KIVA (105.1) Adult Contemporary KKSS (97.3) Contemporary Hit KLSK (104.1) Eclectic KNMQ (105.9) Contemporary Hit KNYN (95.5j Country descriptive listings, check the Journal's Entertainer magazine Friday. KNMZ (3 KOB KNME 0 KOAT CD KCHF CO KGGM CD KGSW 1 K48AM GD WGN WTBS CD ESPN USA CD TMC Gt) HBO IND NBC PBS ABC IND CBS IND SIN IND IND Cable Cable Cable Cable Santa Fe Albuquefque Albuquerque Albuquerque Santa Fe Albuquerque Albuquerque San Antonio Chicago Atlanta Sports Sports Movie Channel Movie Channel snta Fe 2 4 5 7 11 13 12 3 17 12 8 6 25 24E lo, Alamos 2 4 5 7 11 13 22 9 11 16 10 3E 'Espanoa 2 4 5 7 11 13 8 10 3 12 27 26 18 17 Lascruces 6J 11 11 12 I 22 31 26 23 7' 00 Fat Albert Today OWL TV Good Morning Rob Carmen CBS Morning Vottron Mundo Latino Bozo Hazel SportsCenter Calliope Movie: "Skyhigh" America News Cont'd Cont'd Cont'd "Father Of The Cont'd 30 Underdog Mister Rogers Jimmy Cont'd He-Man HoyMismo Beverly I Love Lucy PGA Golf Bride" Mom's On Swaogart HillbiHies United Cont'd Strike 8' 00 Terrytoons Sesame Street 700 Club $25,000 ScoobyDoo Walton Movie: Hospitals Make Me Movte: Pyramid "Jumping Classic Laugh "Leave 'Em 30 Romper Room Card Sharks Jetsons Jacks" Gong, Show Laughing" FraggleRock 900 Dark Shadows Wheel Of Sesame Street Lifestyles Jimmy Donahue 700 Club CuandoLos Big Valley That Girt Movie: Fortune Swaggart Hijos Sevan "Barry 30 I Dream Of Scrabble New Love Light-A-Tbon SportsLook Mr.

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