Hartford Courant from Hartford, Connecticut • 18

B2 THE HARTFORD COURANT: Wednesday, March 30, 1983 Chan' Probes Problems of Chinese Assimilation FILM REVIEW encounter as they cruise about the streets of Chinatown in search of the missing Chan, who has apparently taken off with. money intended to pay for a cab license. The plot line of "Chan Is Missing" such as it is takes the shape of a detective film. With Jo, played with understated humor and intelligence by the wrinkled yet ageless Wood Moy, providing the narration, the film has something of Philjp Marlowe about it. There are also echoes of "Dragnet" and of Jean-Luc Godard's "Alphaville." But with the older man and nephew as the sleuths, the obvious reference is to Charlie Chan (actually stated at one point).

As the self-styled No. 1 Son, Marc Hayashi provides a solid counterbalance to his quiet, wary uncle; his Steve talks not like a Chinese, but raps and jives, like a black hipster. The mystery of the film centers on whether Chan, an immigrant who never really adjusted to America, has gone back to the mainland. Also tied into the plot is the murder of a slightly younger, countryman by an 82-year-old. man, apparently because of a fight between Taiwanese and PRC supporters over a flag-wav-j ing incident at the annual China-j town parade.

Neither mystery is ever solved, but along the way Wang provides us with some striking documentary-style views of Chinatown, together with his reflections on life in Chinese America. 1 Rated this film is full of four-letter words, but is suitable for teenagers. and to the professorial Mr. Fong, who shows him an American apple pie, baked Chinese-style. The film's most provocative element concerns the split between the Taiwanese Chinese and the supporters of the mainland, referred to as the PRC.

Acronyms and verbal jokes sometimes fly thick (and confusingly). And although it is easy to understand the meaning of Jo being an ABC (American-Born Chinese), the fact that Won -Ton spelled backwards is Not Now is somewhat less meaningful, especially as it is articulated by the most puzzling character in the film, a sweet-and-sour pork specialist called Henry the Cook. Henry and Mr. Lee are two of the characters that Jo and Steve derscores the credits and the opening street scenes. The film's concern with problems of assimilation is immediately apparent.

As a seriocomic meditation on maintaining a Chinese identity in white America, "Chan Is Missing" is both intriguing and enigmatic. The contrast between its two central cab driver protagonists the middle-aged, short, philosophical and somewhat clannish Jo and the young, tall, hip and Americanized Steve provides the most telling illumination of the condition of the Chinese in the United States. But there are also informative views of other aspects of the identity vs. assimilation question, especially that illustrated in Jo's visits to the confident businessman Mr. Lee By MALCOLM L.

JOHNSON Courant Film Critic You don't have to come into the theater armed with the foreknowledge that Wayne Wang's "Chan Is Missing" was shot on a shoestring to recognize that this is a low-budget picture. The optical shot with which it begins is successfully handled: The white screen on which the titles have been displayed becomes the light-struck window of a cab prowling through San Francisco's Chinatown. But thereafter the. film takes on a home-movie feeling. Wang, who co-wrote, produced, directed and edited the film, overuses huge close-ups in his first dialogue scene, and his cutting has a ponderous feeling.

CHAN IS MISSING, Produced and directed by Wayne Wang; written by Wayne Wang, Isaac Cronin and Terrel Seltzer; cameraman, Michael Chin; editor, Wayne Wang; music, Sam Hui. Distributed by New Yorker Films; opening today at Cinestudio on the campus of Trinity College. Jo Wood Moy Steve Marc Hayashl Amy Laureen Chew Lawyer Judi Nihei Henry, the Cook Peter Wang Presco Presco Tabios Frankie Frankle Alarcon Mrs. Chan Ellen Yeung Jenny Emily Yamasaki George George Woo Jenny's Friend Virginia Cerenlo Mr. Lee Roy Chan Mr.

Fong Leung Pul Chee But "Chan" displays imagination and wit from the outset, in which a jangling Chinese version of "Rock Around the Clock" un An Exuberant 'Musketeers' Romps on Stamford Stage HARTFORD Art Cinema Irresistible (X) 1:15, 4:05, 6:40, 9:15 with Aunt Peg 2:35, 5:25, 8. Athaneum Cinema Women in Love 7:30 with The Music Lovers 9:30. Cinema City Spring Break (R) 7:20 Eating Raoul (R) 9:40. The Black Stallion Returns (PG) 7:30, 9:30. Max Dugan Returns (PG) 7, 9.

Blade Runner (R) 7:10 with Outiand (R) 9:10. Cinestudio Chan Is Missing 7:30 with The Third Man 9. Colonial Shadow Fist Hunter (R) with Black Belt Fury (R) from 1. Webster Talk Dirty to Me, Part 2 (X) with Star Maker (X) from noon. IN OTHER TOWNS AVON Park 1 4 2 The Verdict (R) 7, 9:15.

The Lords of Discipline (R) 7:15, 9:10. Twin 1 2 The Year of Living Dangerously PG) 7:15, 9:15. Veronlko Voss (R) 7:30, 9:30. BERLIN Cine 1 4 2 The Verdict (R) 7, 9:30. The Lords of Discipline (R) 7:10, 9:15.

Clno-Fox Theatre Downstairs, Upstairs (X) with Between the Sheets (X) from 11. BRISTOL Canter Mall 1 4 2 The Black Stallion Returns (PG) 7, 9. Spring Break (R) 7:05, 9:05. EAST HARTFORD Eastwood Pub 4 Cinema The Lords of Discipline (R) 7:15. Poor Richards Pub 4 Cinema The Lords of Discipline (R) 7:30, 9:30.

Showcase Cinemas The Outsiders (PG) 1:15, 7:25, 9:30. Bad Boys (R) 2, 7:15, 9:40. Table for Five (R) 1:45, 7:45, 10. Tootsie (PG) 1:05, 7:10, to Midnight (R) 1:35, 7:35, 9:50. The King of Comedy (PG) 1:45, 7:20, 9:30 Gandhi (R) 1, 8.

High Road to China (PG) 1:15, 9:55. ENFIELD Cine 1, Max Dugan Returns (PG) 7:40, 9:40. Spring Break (R) 7:10, 9:30. Tootsie (PG) 7:30, 9:50. High Road to China (PG) 7:45, 9:55.

The Out -Max Dugan Returns (PG) 1:15, 3:15, 5:15, WEST HARTFORD Elm 1 4 2 The Verdict (R) 2, 7, 9:20 The Lords of Discipline (R) 2:10, 7:10, 9:30 The Movies Max Dugan Returns (PG) 12, 1:55, 3:50, 5:40, 7:40, 9:40. Spring Break (R) 12, 1:55, 3:50, 5:40, 7:50, 9:50 The Black Stallion Returns (PG) 12, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10. WETHERSFIELD Paris 1 4 2 One Dark Night (PG) 7, 8:50 WILLIMANTIC Jillson Square Cinema Sophie's Choice (R) 4:50, 9:30 10 to Midnight (R) 7, 9:10 High Road to China (PG) 7, 9:15. Spring Break (R) 7:10, 9:10. WINDSOR Plaza The Lords of Discipline (R) 7:15.

IN MASSACHUSETTS AGAWAM 1 Twin Cinemas The Year of Living Dangerously (PG) 7:10. Frances (R) 7. i WEST SPRINGFIELD Palace Cinemas 1 4 2 Gandhi (PG) 1, 8 Max Dugan Returns (PG) 1:30, 7:30, 9:30. i Showcase Cinemas Spring Break (R 2, 9:50. The Black Stallion Returns (PG) 2, 7:40, 9:45.

Tootsie (PG) 2, 7:40, 9:50. The Outsiders (PG) 2, 7:50, 9:50 High Road to China (PG) 2, 7:40, 9:50 10 to Midnight (R) 2, 7:45, 9:55 Table for Five (R) 2, 7:30, 9:50. Bad Boys 2, 7:30, 9:50. DRIVE-INS Berlin Exhausted (X) 7, 11 with Prisoner of Paradise (X) 8:15 with Pizza Girls (X) 9:30. Hartford (Newlngton) Reopens Friday.

Pike (Newington) Reopens Friday. Southington Twin Spring Break (R) 7:30 with The Missionary (R) 9:15. 10 to Midnight (R) 7:30 with Incoming Freshman (R 9:05. (Schedules are published as received from the th4 attrs. The Courant is not responsible for last-minutd changes or incomplete listings.) I INTERSTATE B4 EXIT 58 ml Kp'-.

LANE EAST ARTFORO SHOWCASE CINEMAS HR. TELEPHONE 5SS -8B10 BARGAIN MATINEE DAILY FIRST SHOW ONLY S2.50 CONTINUOUS PERFORMANCES SATURDAY, SUNDAY AND HOLIDAYS SHOIVTIHES siders (PG) 7:20, 9:20 The Black Stallion Returns (PG) 7, 9:10. Enfield Cinema Tabu II (X) 2:45, 7, 9:30 with Sexual Heights (X) 1:30, 8:20. ESSEX Essex Junction Theater The Black Stallion Returns (PG)8. LITCHFIELD Cinema IV Coup de Torchon 8.

MANCHESTER Twin Fast Cars, Fast Women (X) with Naughty Network (X) from 11. Debbie Does Dallas Part 2 (X) with Skintight (X) from 11. UA Theaters East Max Dugan Returns (PG) 7:30, 9:30 Spring Break (R) 7:20, 9:20 The Black Stallion Returns (PG) 7:15, 9:15. MANSFIELD Trans-Lux College Twin High Road to China (PG) 7, 9:10. My Favorite Year (PG) 9:25 with The Stunt Man (R)7.

MERIDEN Merlden Twin Tootsie (PG) 7:05, 9:20 High Road to China (PG) 7:15, 9:30. NEWINGTON Cinema 1, 2 4 3 The Black Stallion Returns (PG) 1, 7:10, 9:30. Max Dugan Returns (PG) 1:15, 7:20, 9:40 Spring Break (R) 1:25, 7:30, 9:50. Newlngton Theater The Lords of Discipline (R) 7,9. SOUTHINGTON Queen Plaza The Lords of Discipline (R 7:15.

SUFFIELD Village Cinema The Lords of Discipline (R) 7. TORRINGTON Holiday Cinemas High Road to China (R) 7, 9:20. Gandhi (PG) 8. The Black Stallion Returns (PG) 7, 9 Spring Break (R) 7:15, 9:25 The Outsiders (PG) 7:15, 9:15. Tootsie (PG) 7, 9:20.

Parkade Cinema The Lords of Discipline (R) 7, 9. VERNON Cine 1 4 2 The Verdict (R) 7, 9:30. The Lords of Discipline (R) 7:10, 9:15. WATERBURY Cinema 1,2,3 4 4 10 to Midnight (R) 1:30, 3:30, 5:30, 7:30, 9:30 High Road to China (PG) 1:1. 3:20, 5:20, 7:30, 9:45.

The Outsiders (PG) 1:30, 3:15, 5, 7, EVER KNOW ABOUT? HI 1 PG ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS PKtiMtK BEST PICTURE DTJSTDf HOf'f'MAJf Tootsie "Go to 'HIGH TO CHINA" good entertaining Saturday I SILVER S4 "'BAD BOYS' is Sean fenn gives There's only believes Mick 9:40 They weren't I 1:15 an exciting, fast-moving thriller. a sensational performance. BERNARD tPN.Imrt NmMpm one person left who O'Brien can make Mick O'Brien. HAVE YOU WANTED TO WHAT ITS All B.H. Barry, second from left, directs the six sword fights in the Hartman Theatre 's production of 'The Three Mus--keteers.

With him, from left, are actors Jeffrey Reynolds, George Dvorsky, David Garrison and Clent Bowers. By MALCOLM L. JOHNSON Courant Theater Critic Director-librettist Mark Bramble's revision of Rudolf Friml's half-forgotten 1928 operetta "The Three Musketeers" is an undertaking of mind-boggling scale for regional theater. Considering the size of the spectacle and the age of the piece, it's amazing that it flies as high as it does. Buoyed by the exuberance of its large young cast, this sketchy but admirably musical version of the great Alexandre Dumas classic has been refitted into a bright, fast, elaborately designed and choreographed piece of lyric theater.

Kids will love it; and even jaundiced theater-goers may be taken with it. For Stamford's Hartman Theatre, it ought to be an enormous boon. Obviously, however, this "Musketeers" was not designed exclusively for the Hartman. No one is saying so officially, but this is a Broadway tryout. And by Broadway standards, this revival has a long way to go.

Its obvious inspiration is Jo- seph Papp's witty and vital rein-; terpretation of "The Pirates of Penzance." Two of the ideas most essential to the success of "Pirates" Wilford Leach's ener-: getic staging and William El-- liott's rocking synthesizer arrangements have been borrowed by Bramble and musical director Glen Roven for this production. Fight director B.H. Barry, who also staged the duels for the filmed "Pirates," has been drafted for "Musketeers," and his bristling, remarkably agile clashes with foils and poignards are the most thrilling aspect of the show. Working with Bramble and with choreographer Onna White, Barry has filled the stage with leaping, tumbling, swinging and slashing that should please diehard fanciers of any of the three best movies of "The Three the knockabout recent Richard Lester version, the Metro extravaganza starring Gene Kelly as D'Artagnan and the hyper-kenetic Douglas Fairbanks silent. Bramble's production is never less than wonderful to look at, even when its characters are not swashbuckling about.

The scenery by Nancy Winters, all catwalks and spiral staircases and platforms and bleachers of rough wood against a panoramic view of old Paris, provides a versatile playground for the actors to race about and caper over. (The source here is not "Pirates," but "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Freddy Wittop's costumes are multifarious and elaborate. Marilyn Rennagel's lighting, which boldly uses two follow spots positioned high above the stage, is flamboyant and theatrical. And the dances by White serve up zesty, stylized versions of the street life of 17th-century Paris that are reminiscent of both the mise en scene of Lester's film, INS HIE Hl-S looking fora fight. to belong.

Outsiders STARTS TOMORROW i am em aw ''5 is 7:25 lady de Winter with a voice that growls, arches and caresses. The first version of this song, more classically rendered midway through Act I by Kim Criswell's zaftig and regal Queen Anne, is also strongly sung, but from a too lofty position, high up on the stage. But in general, what happens before the intermission is more vibrant than what occurs afterward despite the splendors of Wittop's final costume show at the climactic royal ball. Throughout, David Garrison makes an appealing, eager and boundlessly energetic D'Artagnan, who sings easily and expressively in a clear, if somewhat reedy tenor. He is also quite funny, but needs to be a trifle more dashing (a little Gascon makeup, please).

As his love interest, Constance, Donalyn Petrucch sings prettily and moves well, but should project more personality. Clent Bowers's portly Porthos is the lone musketeer with pizazz. After a rather shaky beginning, Ken Jennings makes a droll little Planchet, whose singing of "Ladies' Man" has a fine lilt and bounce. Patrick Quinn's tall, imperious Richelieu and Kevin Mar-cum's perplexed but likable King Louis XIII set out the political elements of Dumas as well as Bramble's updating of the original book allows. But then, this is an operetta, and it's nice that Constance doesn't have to die at the end.

Accidents structs you to administer the liquid. Keep the telephone numbers of your pediatrician, family doctor and local poison control center or hospital near the phone. Have the poisonous container in hand when you call, so you can describe what the child has ingested. Be sure baby sitters understand the danger of poisoning and how to react. It's better to be safe than sorry.

If you think a child has ingested something harmful, get medical help immediately. STAGE REVIEW THE THREE MUSKETEERS, Directed and written by Mark Bramble; music by Rudolf Friml; original play by William Anthony Mc-Guire; lyrics by P.O. Wodehouse and Clifford Grey; choreography, Onna White; fight director, B.H. Barry; scenery, Nancy Winters; costumes, Freddy Wittop; lighting, Marilyn Rennagel; music direction, vocal and incidental arrangements. Glen Roven.

At the Stamford Center for the Arts, 307 Atlantic Stamford, through April 10. Planchet Ken Jennings D'Artagnan David Garrison The Compte de fa Rochefort Jake Turner Milady de Winter Lynne Clifton Allen Athos George Dvorsky Porthos Clent Bowers Aramis Jeffrey Reynolds Constance Donalyn Petruccl Captain Treville Mark McGrath The Duke of Buckingham John Wesley Shipp Queen Anne Kim Crlswell King Louis XIII Kevin Marcum Cardinal Richelieu Patrick Quinn and of White's own choreography for the movie "Oliver." Musically, things are more uneven; although Roven's schooling of the principals and chorus sometimes produces a nice strong sound, the miking of the stage is appalling and the sound from the pit is thin and out-of-balance. The score itself is the sort that was parodied so tellingly in "Little Mary Sunshine," but "March of the Musketeers" still comes across rousingly, and "The Actor's Life" is sung with wit and bravura and neatly staged as well. The show-stopper is the bluesy reprise of "L'Amour-Toujours-L' Amour" in Act II by Lynne Clifton Allen, a sexy and elegant Mi lishing agents, solvents and paints. Store products in their original containers, not in cups, bowls, bottles or other objects associated with food.

Teach children that poisons can hurt. Explain that poisons can look like food or treats. Let them know that medicine is used for serious business and is not candy. Buy medicines with childproof safety caps. Keep syrup of ipecac at home for poison emergencies.

Use it when there has been a poisoning and your physician or the nearest poison control center in ROAD for a escape-art matinee kind of movie. "HAIL THE KING OF COMEDY'! ROBERT DeNIRO JERRY LEWIS iftaJl COMEDY i React Quickly to Poison BESS ARMSTRONG rrTsYi ire a 1:45 7:20 PG 1:05 7:10 Tom Selleck in top form? CBS-TV. MORNING NEWS 11 ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS BESTPicTURE GANDHI I 1:00 8:00 I High IPG Tahlfi forpjwp 1 1:35 7:35 a TOM SELLECK 1:15 Road To China I I I i a I Technicolor Technovision XrtBNFH COMMUrtO'lOS COMPN- MWaiii II 7:40 9:55 9:501 L-l "DON'T MISS TABLE FOR By BETSY LAMMERDING Knight-Ridder Newspapers Many household items can be harmful if ingested, warn officials of the National Safety Council. More than half of all reported poisonings involve children 5 years of age or younger. The council recommends the following tips to safeguard children against accidental poisonings: Put all hazardous substances and medicines out of the reach of Lock up household chemicals such as cleansers, po Jon Voights marvelous portrait turns this 'Table' into a feast" JonVbightin Spt.en Schoeter.

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