The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • 94

lotf 3nttflf JLimtt August 26. 1977 Pt IV 23 iipii a i) A WALLOP OF A MUSICAL DRAMA. Stunning performances by De Niro and Minnelli. That's siaf. nbc-tv 111 V3 7 -s.

A Jessica Harper Joan Bennett M0V1K REVIEW 'Suspiria': Highly Stylized Horror BY KEVIN THOMAS Tlmtj Staff Wriftr "Suspiria" (citywide) is best left to diehard horror fans and also to film buffs intrigued by the undeniable if uneven cinematic flair of Italian writer-director Dario Ar-gento, best known for the highly effective "Bird With the Crystal Plumage." In this new film the Grand Guignol effects Argcnto likes to indulge in are fairly obviously fake, so it lends to be more grisly than it is scary. Nevertheless, it's definitely not for youngsters or the easily upset. Jessica Harper, who costarred in "The Phantom of the Paradise" and "Inserts' is cast as an American girl who enrolls in a renowned dance academy in Freiburg, West Germany. She arrives at night in the midst of a heavy. 'SUSPIRIA' A 20th Century-Fox release ol an International Classics presentation of a Salvatore Argento production produced by Claudlo Argento for SEDA Spet-tacoll A.

(Roma). Writer-director Darlo Argento. Camera Luciano Tovoll. Music by 'The Goblins" with the collaboration of Darlo Argento. Featuring Jessica Harper, Stefania Caslnl, Allda Valll, Joan Bennett, Flavlo Buccl, Miguel Bose, Barbara Magnolfl, Susanna Javlcoll, Exva Axen, Rudolf Schundler, Udo Kier.

Running time: I hr. 33 mln. MPA A-rated: (persons under 17 must be accompanied by parent or adult guardian). downpour just as a terrified young woman runs out the front entrance of the academy's immense blood-red Byzantine-style building. Both the runaway and a friend nearby who gives her refuge are soon murdered in gruesome fashion.

Meanwhile, Miss Harper joins the academy, presided over by a gracious, regal Joan Bennett and her key assistant Alida Valli, a strict, blunt dancing teacher in mannish attire. Awful things, of course, are in store for Miss Harper as she begins probing into the increasingly eerie goings-on at the academy. After his impressive debut with "The Bird With the Crystal Plumage," Argento, a former film critic, began to neglect plot and characterization for bravura stylistic flourishes and morbid shock effects. This time out he has been able to project so vividly a scary fantasy world that he forestalls questions as to why Miss Harper and the other girls stay on in such a macabre atmosphere. "Suspiria" iff vy is a stylized nightmare and proceeds by its own logic; it exists quite apart from everyday reality.

Although marred by stilted, poorly dubbed English dialogue that invites occasional derisive laughter, "Suspiria" is an intense, almost abstract visual and aural experience, with Argento's striking imagery counterpointed by a score incorporating weird, wailing voices. The settings for "Suspiria," its key element, are spectacularly bizarre Art Nouveau-cum-Deco. The academy has a vast circular lobby hung with crushed royal blue velvet and elaborate sconces, and there's an enormous agoraphobia-inducing swimming pool worthy of San Simeon. Argento has been more spine-tingling in the past than he is here and, as always, overdoes graphic gore. However, "Suspiria" is consistently suspenseful and diverting.

Still, it's strictly for aficionados. Sherwood Oaks College Opens Three -Day Music Conference Sherwood Oaks Experimental College opens its first Music Conference today, continuing through Sunday. Sessions will cover various aspects of the music field, including producing, songwriting, performing, engineering, practical aspects of music (centering on management and representation), demos and music publishing. Participants will include Phil Spector, Allan Carr, Neville Johnson, Ben Bernstein, Verdine White (of Earth, Wind and Fire), Jeff Barry and Keith Carradine. Information: 465-2005.

LIZA MINNELLI ROBERT DE NIRO A CI IAUTOFF IKWIN WINKI.KK Producer, A MARTIN SCOKSI SI Film LIZA MINNELLI -ROBERT DE NIRO "NEW YORK, NEW YORK" Sciwnplay F.ARI. MAC RAUCH and MARDIK MARTIN Story by EARL MAC RAUC'I I Directed by MARTIN SCORSF-SF. Produced by IRWIN WINKLER and ROBI.R CHAR TOFF Original Songs by JOI IN KANDER and I RED EBB Musical Supervisor and Conductor-RALPH BURNS Production Designed by Boris I Director ol Photography I -aslo Kov.us. A NIVERSAL STUDIOS TOUR AN MCA COMPANY OPEN 800 AM-LAST TOUR BOO PM "IT'S ALL IN GESTE." FG MRENTAl GUIDANCE SUGGESTED oniGiNAioridwpcTuBr score ai bum and tape avahabu on'uwitcd nrx6nos (JP UflltBtJ AltlStS Hffll A Tfansamenca Company -Ruth Batchelor, LA. FREE PRESS HELD OVER! 2nd ENTERTAINING WEEK NO.

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