The Philadelphia Inquirer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page 86

4 Friday, April 6,: 1990 The'thilkdelpfiianquirer A homeless artist and a child, in silent, comic communion K0Y1E flEVlEW SIDEWALK STORIES Produced, written and directed by Charles Lane; photography by BJI Dill; music by Marc Marder; distributed by Island Pictures. Running time: 1 hour, 37 mins. The Lane The Child Nicole Alysia Young Woman Sandye Wilson Darnell Williams Mother- Trula Hoosier Parent's guide): (brief nudity, sex) Showing at: Roxy Screening Rooms '''p7 "Vfi tSSh if in 3- 7 i I Jr "rykj If VIv 'j if TMii.ai.mh""' i -4A Hlftlnin r-i i nmi By Carrie Rickey Inquirer Movte Critic Basic as a home movie and twice as touching Charles Lane's Sidewalk Stories is a black-and-white silent comedy that pays tribute both to Charles Chaplin's The Kid (1921) and to the urban homeless. Set in New York's Greenwich Village during the raw of winter, the film stars wide-eyed Lane (who, in the tradition of Chaplin, also produced, wrote and directed) as a homeless street artist who sketches likenesses of cash customers. The Artist (as his character is called) doesn't charge very much, but even if he did, he'd have to sell a passel of portraits to afford Manhattan rents.

For a studio apartment in the neighborhood, rents run $1,500 a month so the sign reads. Which is why The Artist lives rent-free in the basement of a condemned building where he enjoys pirated electricity and elbow room. Bantamweight Lane has the equipment of a silent clown: oversize eyes like a Keene child and a deadpan face like Buster Keaton and Woody Allen, the latter a quality that makes everyone around him seem more lively. But because Lane does not yet have the physical nimbleness that distinguished Chaplin and Keaton, his pratfalls and somersaults sometimes go kerplop. And so does his film after its charming opening scenes.

But it rebounds when enters The Child (Nicole Alysia), a toddler who has enough comic grace and timing for 20 films. The Artist meets The Child when her parents doting mother and gambler father bring her by to be sketched. Later he rescues her in a back alley where her father has just been stabbed to death by loan sharks. The Artist has no clue how to find The Child's mother, so he takes her to his makeshift home and tends to her. Lacking adequate clothing for his new charge.

The Artist shoplifts from a kiddie store where the proprietress (Sandye Wilson) has a crush on him, so she pretends not to notice the clothes hangers sticking out of his denim jacket Matter-of-factly rather than sentimentally, Lane chronicles the hardships of the Artist's abrupt surrogate fatherhood but also the emotional dividends of having around a tot for whom everything is an adventure. Including the homeless shelter to Charles Lane as The Artist with baby Nicole Alysia and Sandye Wilson as the friendly shopkeeper. day: the library, where they are soon kicked out by a librarian annoyed by the noise The Child makes. At movie's end, Lane breaks the magic spell of silence by having street people speak to the camera. It's an undeniably powerful moment when real life intrudes on reel life.

which they must go when The Artist's temporary digs are razed. There are several sprightly comic-nightmare passages, all animated by Marc Marder's imaginative musical score. The Artist imagines himself in a police lineup, a slight black in prison stripes surrounded by tall yuppies in business suits. The Artist, wearing his skimpy jacket, is abused by a posse of fur-coated moms who want him and his kid to leave their playground. The Artist takes The Child to the one public place where they can be warm and protected during the POVEI DIRECTORY ERIC TWIN HORSHAM ERNEST GOES TO JAIL (PG) TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (PG) S30-7 30-930 AMC WALNUT MALL 3 u' PRETTY WOMAN R) Fri.

(5:00 S3 THE HUNTFOR RED OCTOBER (PG) Fri. (4:30 S3.50)-7:I5-M:30 DRIVING MISS DAISY (PG) Fri. (4:45 S3.50)-7:00-9:55 ERIC TWIN BAEDERWOOD Rte 611 lo Fairway Rd. East, Jenkinlown C0NTINU0USSH0WSDA1Y DRIVING MISS DAISY IPG) THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER (PG) AMCCATEWAy3i.f?x?wF,T PRETTY WOMAN (R) Fri. (5:00 S3.50)-7:)5-9:30-l1:30 DRIVING MISS OAISY (PG) Fri.

(5:00 S3 JOE VERSUS THE VOLCANO (PG) Fri. (530 S3 THE LITTLE MERMAID (G) Set Sun Only AMC THEATRES "There IsA Difference" MCfl (TWI-UTE) SHOW DAILY JO.JU Seniors Child Ai All Times SPECIAL ENGAGEMENTS Denotes NO PASSESCOUPONS ERIC 7 MONTGOMERYVILLE ui2 CONTiMUOUSSHOWSDAlLY I LOVE YOU TO DEATH (R) THE FIRSTPOWER (R) On Two Screens, Your ChoiceOf Times: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES(PG) HOUSE PARTY (Rl 9:30 OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS NUNS ON THE RUN (PG-13) LORD OF THE FLIES (R) 2.00-7:10-9:50 BAD INFLUENCE (R) 4 4 ERIC TWIN IVY RI0GEu7o lZLt (OTTO SHOWS DALY TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (PG) THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER (PG) ERIC TWIN BARCLAY SQUARE 528! AMC WQODRAYEN MALL 4 2u'm 1-95 at Woodhaven Road-Route 13 CRY-BABY (PG-13) -V THE FIRSTPOWER tR) Fri 11 Tftfrj; 1 Wi-7 AMC ORLEANS 8 3 DAY ADVANCE SALE TICKETS AVAILABLE AT BOX OFFICE. TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES IPG) Fri. IS tt.50H:45 DRIVING MISS DAISY (PG) Fri S3 THE FIRST POWER (R) Fri. S3.50)-7-10:IS PRETTY WOMAjl (R) Fri.

HOUSE PARTY TR) Fri. SO)-7 9:30 NUNS ON THE RUN I PG-13) Fri 2 S3 JOE VERSUS THE VOLCANO IPG) Fri. S3.50)-7:30-9:45 THE HUNT FORKED OCTOBER (PG) Fri. S3.50)-7flO-10l CHILDREN MUST BE 5 YRS. TO BE ADMITTED INTO THEATRE.

EXCEPT FOR (G) RATED FEATURES. AND TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (PG) iccnmwc muiHni mnjA TURTLES (PG) OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS (PG-13) JOE VERSUS THE VOLCANO (PG) ERIC KING QUEEN i Fri (4:45 U5O3O-Kr0O-lMO THE HUNTFOR RED OCTOBER (PG) Fri (4:15 S3 VALLfcY rOHGc SHOPPING CE NTE 1 Mi. of Schuylkill Exdwv. Oft Rl 302 IMP lUPflODI Rio Henry A. Aiflli ANUUKKA Free Park-42-ilJJ ERNEST GOES TO JAIL (PG) DRIVING MISS DAISY (PG) Fri CRY-BABY (PG-13) Fri PRETTY W0MAN (R) FrUMOfcU ERIC TWIN CHESTNUT HTLt I LOVE YOU TO DEATH (R) THE FIRST POWER (R) THE FIRST POWER (R) AMC GRANITE RUfl 8 Kp.

Located on Ballim're bet. Rts 352 452 JOE VERSUS THE VOLCANO (PG) Fri. S3.50)-7:)5-9:30-ll:45 DRIVING MISS DAISY IPG) Fri S3 PRETTY WOMAN (R) Fri. S3 CRY-BABY (PG-13) Fri. S3.50W:lS--J0-l)3e HOUSE PARTY W) Fri lttHSJO O.50)-7:4S-t0)-B:M ERNEST GOES TO JAIL (PG) Fri.

S3 TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (PG) Fri. S3.50)-?)-X THE LITTLE MERMAID (G) Set. -Tues. Only ALL DOGS 60 TO HEAVEN (G) Tues. Only 3:00 OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS (pg-13) CRY-BABY ERIC3PENNIERSEYLBlvdHwv- TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (PG) OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS! PG 13) NUNS ON THE RUN (PG-13) 20 nil 460-4495 IWLA Oft City Ave.

Smce 192? WOWICOWABANGA! EXCLUSIVELY SHOWING ONLY TEENAGE MUTANT NIN'A TURTLES ipg FRIDAY: SAT. SUN. ERIC TWIN CLIFTON HEIGHTS Raitimnri Oik a i AMC ANTHONY WAYNE 2 WW On Two Screens, Your Choice Of Time: LOVE YOU TO DEATHS) ERNEST OES TO JAM. (PG) xn-t OK- K70 PRETTY WOMAN (R) -r. 1 5:30 Mi 13 AMC PALACE JOE VERSUS THE VOLCANO IPG) Fri.

Thurs. S3.50) 73045 iTIR MY LEFT FOO ALL DOGS SO 13 Advance Tickets On Sale Everyday ERIC TWIN PLAZA I LOVE YOU TO DEATH (R) THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER (PG) TEENAGE MUTANT TURTLES (PG) NUNS ON THE RON (pg-13) HOUSE PARTY iri oo TO HEAVEN IG) Sl. Sun Onlv 15-3-15 ERIC 4 CONCORDVLUE ufi? I LOVE YOU TO DEATH (R) 5 30 7 40-9i0 OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS (PG-13) NUNS ON THE RUN (PG-13) THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER (PG) Special Kids Matinee Sat i Sun. Moyie, Fun, Games, Priies, Like Always "Raohaef' Person Set Sun 12 to Official Souvenirs Sold Before Each Show Plenty 01 Seats Always For Eyery Show Party Reservations Taken Now tor May AMC PREMIERE 2 Neshaminv Mall a4 Sears PRETTY WOMAN (R) Fri DRIVING MISS DAISY (PG) Fri (5:00 S3.50)-7-KH inner ni CRY-BABY (PG-13) DRIVING MISS DAISY (PG) now ERIC 3 ON CAMPUS CONTtNUOUSSHOWSDAlY I LOVE YOU TO DEATH IR) IN STEREO SURROUND SOUND TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (PG) HOUSE PARTY (R) AMC LEO KALI 2 Buslleion-Somerton 11M9 Buslleton ERNEST GOES TO JAIL (PG) Fri. (5:15 S3 TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (PG) Frl.

(4:45 S3 50)-7: AMI BAKU 1 lWiws DvKtwa.Ritll TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES IPG) Fri. (4:30 PRETTY WOMAN (R) Fri. (500( S3 ERNEST GOES TO MIL IPG) THE HUNTFOR RED OCTOBER (PG) Fri DRIVING MISS DAISY (PG) JOE VERSUS THE VOLCANO (PG) Fri. Only 7 30 PIDITII S2Ab. GR 3-2255 UrllAl Gard CONT.12NOON EXCLUSIVE IT'S ALIVE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES AMC SPRINCriELB 2 THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER (PG) Fri.

(4:00 S3 THE FIRSTPOWER (R) ERIC 3 FAIRLESS HILLS wm Levittown Pkwy, i Olds Blvd. I LOVE YOU TO DEATH (R) 7: 10-9 JO TUC UIMIT cut na-n DRIVING MISS DAISY PG) CHRISTIAN CINEMA SSST1 FORMER "AMBLER THEATRE" FREE PARK -FREE ADM. ALL THE KINGS HORSES 7:45 AMC M'DTOWN 2 Tirad of tfw routiiM? Set a great adventure at a movie tonight. i Free Prmo 1 1 525-262 ERIC TWIN WEST GOSHEN THE FIRST POWER (R) TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (PG) ERNEST GOES TO JAIL (PG) Fri. Thurs.

S3.50) Ullun LevKh 333-4400 Lancasler Pike ol Bryn Mewr Ave. HARD TO KILL (R) loweBAD INFLUENCE iri Fri. Thurs. S3.50) Wall Tltr llrrir urniiiin 430 ERIC4FEASTERV1UE f.M. CONTINUOUSSHOWSDAiY I LOVE YOU TO DEATH iR) OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS ipg-13) ll7ll0lM0- ERIC WYNNEWOQO ke.ISa THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER (PG) DtsnevslW Ul III ItitHiiiMil) IG) ONLY Mai Daily All Week Starting Tomorrow PRETTY WOMAN (R) DRIVING MISS DAISY (PG) iMcomnE2 THE FIRST POWER IRI Fri.

(5:00 S3.50)-7JO-10:00 ERNEST GOES TO JAIL (PG) AMC 303 CINEMAS XZ N. End ot 309 Expwv, Montgomeryville 3 DAY ADVANCE SALE TICKETS AVAILABLE AT BOX OFFICE. ERNEST GOES TO JAIL (PG) Fri. (SflO S3 CRY-BABY (PG-13) Fri. 15:15 S3 50)-7: THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER (PG) NOW ONJ SCREENS! PRETTY WOMAN (R) NOWON2SCREENS Fri fSOOfg S3 DRIVING MISS DAISY IPG) Fri JOE VERSUS THE VOLCANO (PG) Fri MV LEFT FOOT (R) THE LITTLE MERMAID (G) Sal.

Sun. Only ALL DOGS GO TO HE AVEN (G) Sal. Sun. Only 11:00 ERIC LINCOLN PLAZA AMC OLDE CITY 2 Stnsom SI. Walkway ERIC THEATRES ERIC THEATRES (Eacludtng Center City) WK-S4T STiOWSSTARTINGBEOCEHOPM SUNOAVSHOWiSTaKTmGBEFOJIE 3PK SENIOR CITUKS4CKIL0Rlt AT Alt TIMES THE FIRST POWER (R)0 (Center City) $3.50 OCrt'Fhl Show Oily Daily Senior Cilmsa.CM AI AHTime Bet, Fronl 2nd ADVANCE TICKET SALES CASH OR CREDIT CREDIT PHONE SALES ONLY 627 4134 PRETTY WOMAN (R) Fri.

Sun. S3.501 DRIVING MISS DAISY (PG) Fri. Sun. S3i0) tPvLtHJ ERIC TWIN FRA7FR AMC EXTCM 2 rOToo PRETTY WOMAN (R) Fri (4-45S3 CRY-BABY (PG-13) Fri. TURTLES (PG) ERIC TWIN ARDKORE uZl I LOVE YOU TO DEATH (R) NUNS ON THE RUN (PG-13) W-MO rti, 4voi raiaini no, OPPORTUNITY KNOCKSIPG13) ERIC'S PLACE THE FIRSTPOWER (Rl (K) ToTREDOCTOBERPG.