Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • 55

CHiicago QTrikne FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1970 15 Section 2 wm Engelbert) at Mill Run 1 xtfvt 4 SjimkA WELL, NOW WE KNOW what becomes of old Beatles fans and older Elvis Presley fans and even older Frank Sinatra fans. They turn into Engel- bert Humperdinck fans, 1 3 I 'if -KWKfc'si. mi mil m.j" -nm i iin.i ii mi i -JL 'k A TV pulsing and palpitating all over again, as they did for some earlier hero. They used to call it "swooning," in the days of Sinatra. Now the girls are a hardier and fresher breed.

They don't swoon. They exchange saucy banter with the singer and invite him to take his clothes off. His stock answer: "You first." Arnold that was his name before a genius of a manager changed it to the funny-sounding monicker of the original Engelbert Humperdinck, a classical composer who died in 1921 is Fight scene in first act of "Billy Budd" fills stage of Civic Opera House with excitement. Tonight: Stage premiere of 'Billy Budd' Engelbert TRIBUNE William Vendetta 1r singing and engaging in provocative repartee thru Sunday evening at the Mill Run Theater in Niles. Sorry, there are no tickets left, ladies.

Fully 75 per cent of his audience is of the distaff persuasion, and the girls have a ball during his 60 minutes on the revolving stage. They ask him to stop the rotating thing when it's facing them, while the girls on the other side of the arena holler: "No, over here!" They call out to him from the dark depths of the audience and Engelbert responds: "What did you say, darling?" And they repeat. And other girls interrupt. It sounds like four women yammering at once at a bridge table, and nobody enjoys it more than Engelbert Humperdinck, who obviously is pleased at appealing to women. It's fun, but there's more idle chatter than there is singing.

In a way, that's a shame, for this robust guy has a great voice and he knows how to swing it thru a wide arc of the vocal parade grounds. From rock to country and western, from sweet balladeering to a rousing version of a burlesque strip tease, he hits music on target with that hard, driving, modern-day thrust tempered with a little consideration of the listeners' eardrums. There's nothing intellectual about his material or his presentation, and yet it isn't overloaded with vulgar animalism. He drops one or two naughty lines that are in rotten taste, but the oldest and giggliest of the girls are the ones who seem to enjoy them most the ones who weren't Elvis or Sinatra fans in an earlier age, but probably fans of Nelson Eddy. The flash bulbs of hundreds of cameras pop away thruout the show, with the singer stopping now and then to pose for ladies who have moved down the aisle to be nearer the stage, telling them: "Take my picture." At the grand finale all the younger ladies are crowded in a tight circle around the stage.

Some of them get to touch the hero. One or two get a kiss. One even got to go up on stage during the show. Time certainly has marched on, since the evenings when a girl fainted if Sinatra's eyes just met hers for a moment. review of "Billy Budd" will appear Sunday in the news pages.

7 V. to i xS 1 "'5: Jt. -AT Newest crewman impressed aboard the II. M. S.

Indomitable is Billy Budd Thcodor Uppman, who rejoices over his chance to serve on a Interrogation of new seamen is handled by John Claggart Gcraint Evans, master-at-arms who questions Billy. xvsovxn REVIEW in 4 i ii 1 ft 4 'Scrooge ALL ANYONE SHOULD WANT for Christmas is the pleasure of seeing Albert Finney's masterful performance as the old skinflint in "Scrooge." Finney had a lot of things going against him for this role, not the least of which are his physical attributes. The previous six film versions of Charles Dickens' mm i i "A Christmas Carol" em- TRIBUNE MINI REVIEW ployed two actors to play Finney is superb Scrooge as an old and young Vz man- But to this version you "SCROOGE" wil1 be startled by the total ity of Finney's Scrooge's Produced by Robert H. Solo, dlricted bi Ronald Nianw, Knenpiay by utiit transformation. Credit must BrlcusM, music and lyric by Brlcuisa, uarpA kv Pinnnv and photographed by Oswald Morrli, Na- Be nrea Dy JJinney anu tlonal Otntral releaio at tha Michael GcOrCe Fl'OSt.

WllO did the Todd Thoaler. Rated 0. excellent makeup. thb cast The film begins weakly. Scrooqa Finney Warley'l Ghoit Aloe Guinnesl The introductory SCC11CS fire OMrtif Ean, flnd rf Chrlitmal Present charm.

The first SCene OUt-Nephew Mlchaol Medwln Feiiiwn Laurenc Naismim side the Scrooge and Marlcy finy office lacks the warmth, color and sights I expected. However, things begin moving when Edith Evans struts thru Scrooge's bedroom door as The Ghost of Christmas Past. Unfortunately, Leslie Bricussc's screenplay has Scrooge begin his change of heart too quickly. There's too liltlo humbug left In the old trian as soon as he revisits his youth. This sequence contains an outdoor scene in a snow covered wood.

It is a much needed bit of fresh There should have been more. The focus of the story has been shifted from Tiny Tim to Scrooge. As a result, "Scrooge" contains little of the sympathy and remorse wc felt for the hobbled lad. But I think this new version properly focuses on the man and his change of heart, and certainly the heart of Dickens' intentions. A titanic Kenneth More wearing a crown of holly festooned with icicles is a warm Ghost of Christmas Present.

Here, finally, is a scene crammed full of Christmas "spirit." Finney takes full control of the film as soon as the Ghost of A 'i Vs mmmmmm, 7 i Marley's ghost Alec Guinness begins Christmas Eve haunting of Scrooge Albert Finney. Christmas Yet to Come appears. His walk, his eyes. This is as exciting a performance as you will sec all year. "Scrooge" also features a lot of people flying thru the air.

The technique, used to excess, gives one especially the children a chance to sing that old movie refrain, "Look, you can see the wires." Alec Guinness as Marley's Ghost is a bit of a disappointment. I don't think he was sure if his campy portrayal would be understood, and a result, his performance is restrained. The film is billed as a musical, but' really seems to be more of a play with music. There arc a few production numbers. Bricusse Anthony Ncwley's composing partner has written a score that has few highs, but no lows, Scrooge singing "I Hale People" was my favorite.

It is hoped that "Scrooge" will bo popular enough with children to warrant releasing it each December, If so, National General Pictures has a gold mine; if not, they still have a 24-carat performance from Finney, Gene Siskel jtfMiife I I IIW tt Oil III I fTTH jlll Ull 11 IWH MacKty Adoring fans crowd the circular stage as Engcl- hand touching toward blocked exit at Mill Run bert Humperdinck makes his way kissing and Theater. He ends a sold-out run Sunday..