Daily Record from Morristown, New Jersey • Page 46

D4 Daily Record, Northwest N.J., Sunday, August 2, 1981 fieirftaSiniinriieiriit LID!) Stage Door You'll Get A Kick Out Of First-Class War-Soccer Film jtrKZ? I Michael Caine, seated, plays a British POW and Max von Sydow plays the Nazi propaganda official in By MICHELE HOWE Staff Writer "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" is being staged by Musi-com Productions at the Bell Barter Theater, Church and Wall streets, Rockaway, tonight and Aug. 7, 8 and 9. For ticket information, call 335-1327. "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum" is being staged tonight by the Morristown Recreation Department's Summer Theater Workshop at Frel-inghuysen Junior School, West Hanover Avenue, Morris Township. Curtain 8 p.m.

Tickets are available at the door. Neil Simon's most recent comedy, "I Ought To Be In Pictures," is being staged at the State Theatre, Main Street, Boonton. Performances are Wednesday through Friday at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 5 and 9 p.m., Sundays at 3 and 5 p.m. and Thursdays at 2 p.m. "A Life in the Theatre," David Mamet's two-character comedy, opens Aug.

5. For reservations and further information, call 263-1588. "Dames At Sea" is being staged through Aug. 22 at the Black River Playhouse, Grove Street, Chester. For more information, call Ann Schwab at 879-6842 or Eleanor Feehan at 543-4805.

"Tartuffe" opens Thursday at the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival, Drew University, Madison. The production joins "Romeo and Juliet" and "Cymbeline" in repertory through Sept. 20. Also on stage tomorrow night is a Monday Night Special performance of Jazz Impact, led by trumpeter Harold Lieberman. For tickets and complete schedule, call the box office at 377-4487.

The Country Theatre, Garris Center, Broad Street, Branchville, is staging a performance of "Little Mary Sunshine." The production will continue through Aug. 15. Curtain 8: 30 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling the box office at 579-1381. "Vanities," is on stage at Center Stage, Playhouse on the Mall, Paramus, now through Aug.

23. For more information, call 368-0037. Neil Simon's comedy hit "The Sunshine Boys" is being staged at Original Rudi's Dinner Theatre, Berkshire Valley Road, Oak Ridge. For tickets and further information, call 543-2060. By AL FRANK Staff Film Critic How do you make a film about soccer that might draw more than just jocks as its audience? In "Victory," John Huston, venerably regarded for such movies as "The Maltese Falcon," "The African Queen" and "The Man Who Would Be King," seems to have found the answer by wrapping a match around a war story.

And, just when you thought the Frank On Film summer film spectaculars were over, comes this knockout, which is successful because it combines old-fashioned schmaltz with the best elements of "The Great Es-'cape," "The Longest Yard" and even "Rocky." Michael Caine plays the leader of an ad-hoc soccer team inside a I Nazi camp for Allied POWs. One day a Red Cross inspection group tours the facility and along for the ride is Max von Sydow, who plays a Nazi major and ex-soccer star. He thinks it would be a good idea to have an all-star i TV News Shows Here are the scheduled guests for the Sunday television interview programs: "Issues and Answers," Channel 7, noon, Secretary of Defense Caspar W. Weinberger. "Face the Nation," Channel 2, 11: 30 a.m.

Senate Majority Leader Howard H. Baker R-Tenn. "Meet the Press," Channel 4, 12: 30 p.m., Attorney General William French Smith. Shortcuts it. MECCA OR MODERNS THE MANHATTAN TRANSFER Atlantic SD 16036 MECCA FOR MODERNS is an divided against itself.

On tone side, the Manhattan Transfer Iprove themselves the best jazz vocal group now operating, this decade's equivalent of the great Hendricks and Ross. On the other, they waste their talents on tunes and '60s revivals in an attempt to get themselves on the charts. They pull off two sterling examples of jazz vocalese (singing lyrics to classic jazz instrumental solos) with "Until I Met You" and "(The Word of) Confirmation." The latter is a Charlie Parker melody with words by Eddie Jefferson, the inventor of this style. It features Jon Hendricks himself on a brief guest scat solo. The wordless, Swingle Singers-style "Kafka" and a ravishing acappel-la version of "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" fill out the album's jazz side.

The flip might as well be by a different group altogether. NEW JERSEY'S 4 i. fcinl 'inn I "Hollywood and Broadway" being billed as a blend of some of the finest talent from the Los Angeles and New York areas, will be on stage at the Pax Amicus Castle Theeatre, Lake Shore Drive, Budd Lake, on Saturday, Aug. 15, at 7 and 9: 30 p.m. Host for the evening will be screen and TV actor Grant Wilson.

The Wing Tips will perform tunes from the big Band Era and Jim Walton will present some of today's current hits. Tickets and further information can be obtained by calling 584-3900. The N.J. Public Theatre, 118 South Cranford, opened recently with "Dames At Sea." The production, on stage for a five- 1 week run, will play Friday and i Saturday evenings at 8: 30 p.m. and Sundays at 7: 30 p.m.

For reservations and information, call 272-5704. "Man of La Mancha," opened Friday at Artists Showcase The- atre, 121 Grand Trenton. The production runs weekends through Aug. 9. Call (609) 392-1704.

Seton Hall University's Theatre-in-the-Round's production of "Da" opens Aug. 6 and plays Aug. 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15. Curtain 8 p.m. For more information, call Mark Roger at 762-9000, Ext.

211. CAST CALLS: Worth-Tyrell Studios, 51 South Morristown, is searching for a real lamb to be used in their upcoming production of "Gypsy." The production will be staged during August. For information, call 538-6285. The Bell Barter Theatre, Church and Wall streets, Rockaway, is still holding auditions for its experimental workshop. Auditions are scheduled for Monday and Thursday nights, at 7 p.m., through Aug.

6. For further information, call 398-1798. Neil's New Yorker Dinner The- atre, Route 46, Mountain Lakes, will hold auditions Aug. 9 at 4 p.m. for their upcoming production of "Mame." All parts open except Gooch.

Come prepared to sing. An accompanist will be provided. Re-; hearsals being Aug. 29. For fur- ther information, call 334-0010.

i Actors Cafe Theatre, Bloom-field College, Bloomfield, will hold I auditions Aug. 4 at 7: 30 p.m. from Hugh Leonard's "Da." The pro- duction is scheduled for a six- week run, beginning Sept. 25. For more information, call 429-7662.

Theater 10 "Blow Out" (5:00 7:30, 9:55 Theater 11 "Raiders of The Lost Ark" 1 1 :45, 2:15, (5:00 $1 7:30, 9:55 Theater 12 "Superman II" 11:30, 2:00, (4:45 7:15, 9:45 SUCCASUNNA Cinema 10 Quad Cinema 1 "Eye of The Needle" 1:15, 3:20, 5:25, 7:30, 9:35 Cinema 2 "Victory" 1:15, 3:25, 5:35, 7:50, 10:00 Cinema 3 "Empire Strikes Back" 1:00, 3:10, 5:25, 7:40. 9:50 Cinema 4 "Fox The Hound" 1:00, 2:30, 4:00, 5:30, 7:00: "Endless Love" 8:30, 10:15 SUMMIT Strand Theater "Great Muppet Caper" 2:00, 3:50, 5:40, 7:30, 9:20 UNION Lost Picture Show "For Your Eyes Only" 1 2:45 $2.00, 2:55, 5:05, 7:15. 9:25 UPPER MONTCLAIR Bellevue Theater "Under The Rainbow" 2:00, 4:00, 6:00, 8:00 10:00 TRI-COUNTY THEATERS HUNTERDON COUNTY CLINTON Point Theater "Raiders of The Lost Ark" 7:00, 9:00 FLEMINGTON Hunterdon Theater "Superman II" 7:00, 9:15 FRENCHTOWN Barn Theater "Great Muppet Caper" 8:00 SUSSEX COUNTY NEWTON Drive-In "Cannonball Run" 8 40, 1 1 :40: "Private Eyes" 1 0:00 Twin Cinema Cinema 1 "Blow Out" 7:00, 9:00 Cinema 2 "Wolfen" 7:15. 9 15 SPARTA Twin Cinema Cinema 1 "Cannonball Run" 7:00, 9:00 Cinema 2 "Endless Love" 7:15, 9:15 WARREN COUNTY HACKETTSTOWN Mall Theater "Victory" 7 00 9:00 Strand Theater "Cheech Chongs Nice Dreams" 7:00, 9 00 WASHINGTON Twin Cinema Cinema 1 "For Your Eyes Only" 7:00, 9:15 Cinema 2 "Eye of the Needle 7:10, 9:10 Movie times are furnished by advertisers. The DAILY RECORD assumes no responsibility as to their accuracy.

Calling ahead is team of allied POWs play representatives of the Reich. One of the few faults of this movie is the brooding VonSydow's motivations and the undeveloped nature of Caine's character. It's not too clear whether the match is staged out of a desire to relieve the boredom of high command or prisoner life or as a way for Caine to treat his 13-member squad to some good meals. We know for certain Caine is not out to see them all escape. Moreover, the propaganda value the Nazis would get out of the encounter never occurs to him.

Acting as a kind of jongleur in the middle of all this is the character of Sylvester Stallone. The lone American in the camp his prisoner status is explained as a result of his having enlisted with the Canadians long before the United States entered the war he provides Caine and the other proper gentlemen who rule the roost with an excellent foil. While he wants to get into the game, it's only to take up time to implement his sure-fire escape plan. The joke is he can never get benched. The reason is that the camp's Allied commander wants him to solicit the French Resistance to plan the team's escape from the Paris stadium on game day.

This is eventually twisted to provide the film with its not totally surprising ending. Pele's involvement comes about because he just happens to be standing on the fringes of the field as the others practice. Since Caine doesn't seem to be a racist sort, it's odd that Pele's talents wouldn't have been discovered beforehand. Pele also was the film's technical consultant, having de- "(Wanted) Dead or Alive," a calypso number about deposed dictators, and "Spies in the Night," a James Bond spoof, are both throwaway novelties. "Smile Again," with music by the composers of Earth, Wind and Fire's "After the Love Has Gone," is uncomfortably close to that song.

Worse, it gets a soulless solo vocal from Alan Paul. None of the four singers sounds as good alone as they do together. Because of the hit "Boy from New York City," an update of the Ad Libs' 1965 song enlivened by virtuostic vocal embellishments, MECCA FOR MODERNS will reach a much wider audience than a straight jazz vocal album would have. But the price of its success is unnecessary triviality. POSITIVE TOUCH THE UNDERTONES Harvest ST-12159 The Undertones have grown up quite a bit since their last album.

On their first two discs this quintet from Derry, Northern Ireland, stroked their guitars with Ra-mones-like fervor and sang lyrics about "teen-age kicks" appropriate, since they were still in their teens at the time. POSITIVE TOUCH is much more sophisticated. The guitar playing is fairly subtle, trumpet and saxophone brighten up several cuts and some of the songs (notably "Julie have an air of mystery that's completely new to this band. Lead singer Feargal Sharkey, whose good-natured vo- OLDEST FINEST Of G.S Plw. to 287 to exit 400 ft to Birchwood anoi.

ADMISSION S3 WITH AD Ski ovio Times Sunday, August 2, 1981 m-MOi- Mil-ill Never have I felt more elation than in the final minutes of "Victory," when the crowd of Parisians encourages the team plagued by the other side's dirty play and biased Nazi officials by chants and singing their national anthem. The sequence is successfully edited so the theater's crowd becomes one with the stadium's. The struggle isn't one of an Allied soccer team over the Nazis but of good over evil, virtue over foul play. And in these days, when moral victories are so hard to come by, it's a refreshing feeling. By Jim Bohen Metheny's Missouri upbringing.

The other side, with four shorter compositions, is like a run-through of Metheny's strengths. One is that he's a good accompanist: his acoustic guitar frequently forms the backdrop to Mays's piano and synthesizer lines. Metheny's electric guitar solos are notable for the way they drift out of the mix and insinuate themselves into your consciousness. It isn't exactly jazz, but we already knew Metheny could play jazz. What's amazing is how many other things he can do as well.

WHA'PPEN? THE ENGLISH BEAT Sire SRK 3567 The English Beat play the Jamaican beat, reggae, better than just about any band not from the island itself. Their second album, though not as dance-crazed as their first, I JUST CAN'T STOP IT, lives up to the standards of the debut. Rhythm is what the English Beat are all about. Drummer Everett Martin thumps his bass drum where you'd least expect it and scatters rim shots all around the beat. The guitars and bass are used rhythmically too, with such sophistication you forget the musicians are mostly in their early 20s.

Instrumental color is provded by Saxa, the band's 50-year-old Jamaican saxophonist, whose cool stylings are the band's signature. Their other trademark is the dual lead vocals of Dave Wakeling and Ranking Roger. The singing is atmospheric, but tends to garble the lyrics, which on inspection turn out to be militantly political. "I Am Your Flag" is a bitter indictment of nationalism, "All Out to Get You" is about paranoia, and "Get-a-Job" savages industrial capitalism. No "get up and boogie" here.

In England, where they're known simply as the Beat, these guys have had six hit singles; here they're practically unknown. It's too bad: despite its heavy social message, the Beat's music is delicious summer listening. Every Monday Is Party Night This Monday Is NEW YEAR'S EVE IN AUGUST Hats Noisemakers Champagne Toast Plus Much More CHAKRAS Buffet 7-9 vised (and starred in) the plays used in the climactic encounter. The fluff this film indulges in is abundant and thus the reference to the other films mentioned earlier is easy to see. But it's Huston's genius that makes it all come together so well.

We have a grand soccer film spiked with a little romance (between Stallone and Carole Laure) all lent a little edge by the escape plan. The historical roots of the story are never explained. But with the all-star cast, the thundering music and the positively gripping game sequence it doesn't much matter. cals are still the band's chief distinguishing characteristic, now finds himself with material of considerably greater substance and variety than before and handles it admirably. Not that the Undertones have become arty bores.

"It's Going to Happen" is as catchy a pop tune as anyone would want to hear, and "His Goodlooking Girlfriend" shows they haven't abandoned teen-age subjects. But with the 14 songs on POSITIVE TOUCH these guys have leaped to a new level in the rock hierarchy. AS FALLS WICHITA, SO FALLS ICHITA FALLS PAT METHENY AND LYLE MAYS ECM ECM-1-1190 One thing you have to give Pat Metheny he never makes the same album twice. In the last two years the guitarist has released a folk-flavored one-man-band album (NEW CHATAUQUA), a rocking fusion quartet effort (AMERICAN GARAGE), a straightforward jazz album rem iniscent of a late-'50s blowing session (8081) and this new disc, an unusual collaboration with his regular keyboardist, Lyle Mays, and Brazilian percussionist Nana Vasconcelos. The title track is a side-long impressionistic piece full of over-dubbed guitar and keyboard layers.

Sound effects dot the track and exotic percussion instruments churn underneath. It isn't entirely successful, but it does capture the wide open country landscape of MMteurant CfctaM towng 199 LmtvMai ParWMtanf aam tf trtwli iwmtnt -giWy BASKING RIDGE Ridge Cinema "Four Seasons" 7:30, 9:30 CHATHAM Chatham Cinema "The Fox and The Hound" 2:00. 3:45, 5:20, 7:00, 8:40, 10:15 CHESTER Twin Cinema Cinema 1 "Cannonball Run 7:30, 9:15 Cinema 2 "Eye of The Needle" 7:30, 9:30 LEDGEWOOD Drive-In "Empire Strikes Back" "3 Stooges Comedy" 8:40, 1 1 :00 MADISON Madison Theater "For Your Eyes Only" 2:00 $2.00, 4:30, 7:00, 9:30 MONTCLAIR Welmont Theater "Wolfen" 2:00, 4:00, 6:00, 8:00, 10:00 MORRIS COUNTY MALL Cinema 1 II" 2: 1 5, 4:45, 7:15, 9:35 Cinema 2 "Zorro The Gay Blade" 2:00. 3:50, 5:40, 7:30, 9:30 MORRISTOWN Community Theater "Wolfen" 2:30, 4:20. 6:10, 8:00, 9:50 'Bargain Matinee $2.00 Morristown Triplex Theater Theater 1 "Popeye" 1:50: "Blow Out" 3:50, 5:50, 7:50, 9:50 Theater 2 "Raiders of the Lost Ark" 1 :30, 3:30, 5:30, 7:30, 9:40 Theater 3 4:00.

6:00, "Stripes" 2:00, 8:00, 10:00 PARSIPPANY Loew's 1 "Superman II' 4:55, 7:20, 9:50 Loew's 2 "Blow Out" 2:30. 2:00, SMOW SAILIE THE HISTORIC MEADOWBROOK SHOW MOW BEING HELD AT THE MAGNIFICENT BIKCIIWOOD WOK I 1 1 NORTH JEFFERSON ROAD WHIPPAMY. M.J. (Near Morristown) 4:00. 6:00, 8:00.

10:00 Morris Hills Cinema 1 "Raiders of the Lost Ark" 2:00, 4:00, 6:00, 8:00, 10:00 Morris Hills Cinema 2 Endless Love" 1 :30, 3:30, 5:30, 7:30, 9:30 RANDOLPH -Cinema "History of The World Pt. 2:30, 4:05. 5:40. 7:30, 9:30 ALL SEATS $1 50 ROCKAWAY TO WNSQU ARE MALL Rockaway 12 Theaters Theater 1 "Victory" 2:00. (4:45 7:15, 9:55 Theater 2 "Eye of The Needle" 2:00, (5:15 7:30, 9:55 Theater 3 "Four Seasons" 2:15, (5:00 8:00, 10:15 Theater 4 "Zorro.

The Gay Blade" 2:00, (5:00 $1 7:30, 9:45 Theater 5 "Endless Love" 2:15. (5:15 7:45, 10:15 Theater 6 "Wolfen" 2:15. (5:15 8:00. 10:15 Theater 7 "Stripes" 2:15, (5:15 7:45, 10:15 Theater 8 "Empire Strikes Back" 1 1 :30, 1 2:00, 1 :45. 2:30 (4:45 7:15.

9:45. 10:30 Theater 0 "Great Muppet Caper" 1 1 :45, 2:00, (5:1 5 $1 8:00 JIXY 31, AflJG.l, 2 FRI. SAT. 12 10 PM SUN. 12 7 PM 150 SIl'EIUI EXIIIIHTOKS LXPERT CLOCK GLASS REPAIR CLINICS DIRtCTIONS: Roult 80 or 4b to 287 (o exit 36A.

Turn Irft to N. Rd Route 78. MJ Tpke. J6. Turn nqht to N.

Jeflerjon Rd then A.JMKSHOW (201)627927!.