The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • 114

MOVIE REVIEW 34 IV-fn. tfa lotngtUt gum COMMENTARY Gore Runneth Over in 'Sweet Alice' Filmex 78: Beyond the Numbers Bf KEVIN THOMAS i i "Alice. Sweet Alice" (citywide). originally called The Communion," is i foul movie about i scnei of murders lumed to be commuted by a psychotic 12-yfar-old, The film, which features child aetreai Brooke Shields at an early victim, was made before "lreuy Bdby" but is now being released preiunwbly to cash in on her current notar-ieiy. "Alice." which offers 105 minutes of atrociouinesi an4 blooJy homicides perpetrated upon children by other children and infirm adults, is an obscenity.

The violence is punctuated with sneering depictions of the Catholic Church and portrayals of women as unhinged, overbearing, repressed or victimized. Claustrophobically set in Paterson. NJ. in 19C1 in I lower-middle-class Catholic milieu, the film is directed in Crand Cuignol style by Alfred Sole, whose flair for mood, tension and characters doesn't redeem his excesses in sadistic gore. The warped screenplay by Sole and Rosemary Ritvo lacks taste and dignity-making fun of those who arc fat.

feeble or religious, hurling out random sexist insults as well as leering remarks. Just before she is to receive her first communion, a favored younger daughter (Brooke Shields) of a divorced mother is strangled and set on fire In the church by a masked figure thought to be her Insanely Jealous older sister (Paula Sheppard). who is the receptacle of her strident aunt's (Jane Lowry) and lecherous whalclike landlord's (Alphonso DeNoble) hatred. After Lowry is viciously stabbed, Sheppard is taken Into 'ALICE, SWEET ALICE A AHW4 AtltH IuM a mtflf Aitf4 tmi Win t.iif mM.4 I'm AWM O.MJ JHI M'tUKK MlMI.4 (HUM k. M.W..I.I MHSMI MXUVV A'WA TK k' HIW LWH W.IH I iwa tm HiAlfif Hm Iw MM.

i-m4 If 0tl tt MIWWUM tt MM MvM custody. Meanwhile, her fiiher (Niles McMaster) tries to clear her by tracking dun i clue to the real killer. Her pnrst (Rudolph Willnth) Bands by stupidly and his inter-fering housekeeper (Mildred Clinton) mumbles about children paying for the smj of their parents, (Yes. it's that kind of movie.) The performances, particularly those of the two leading children, are credible. Shields shows a mixture of vulnerability and smugnets and Sheppard is excellent as her very disturbed older suter.

Linda Miller plays the troubled mother with high -sprung conviction. Stephen Lawrence composed the edgy score. Rated for nauseating violence. "Alice, Sweet Alice." produced by Richard K. Rosenberg, is one film children should not be permuted lo sec andone which discerning adults should stay away from as well.

LINDA CROSS Bottazzi Will Give Recital Pianist Ana Mana Trench! de Bottazzi will appear In recital in Schocnberg Hall. UCLA. Saturday at 8:30 p.m. The program, sponsored by Design for Sharing, lists works by Beethoven. Chopin, Brahms and Liszt.

Thomo P. Pollock Gory Eert fl saw Jim mmi ynr PREVIEW TOMiOHT IJO TICKETS AVAILABLE S8 Previews Tonight 8 PM, Vtold Prtmlw. Opw May 18. Tfcfcat Intonmtlon 872 721 1. CTO TtiiTU 8727664.

MCHAaCRlSTOfWS With Filmex over at last after I 23 -day run, director Gary Essen and Thomai P. Pollock, chairman of in board of trustees, held a wrap-up prtsa conference Wednesday, The ession at the ABC Entertainment Center in Century City was attended by a flock cf decidedly weary movie reviewer! and festival itaffen What did they learn? In ium-mary, the 1378 Lo Angeles International Film Exposition had attracted an unprecedented 116.000 persons representing 180.000 in ticket sales during IU run which ended Sunday at the Pint Century Theater. In its 25-day span, Filmex managed to present something like 150 feature films, including a number of treasures from the Museum of Modern Art's collection of early American silcnu; and 240 shorts. Thirty-five countries were represented and 42 films received their American premiere during the course of the festival. In regard to the festival's financial status.

Pollock, an entertainment industry attorney, stated that the 7-year-old festival had a JG2.000 accumulated deficit before Filmex opened April 13 with a splashy benefit premiere of "F.I.S.T." that raised $116,000. The true financial status of Filmex won't be clear until the fiscal year ends in July, explained Pollock, adding that for the past three years the festival has been nearly breaking even and expects to do so again this year. Pollock and Esscrt pointed out that by its very nature a film festival can never expect to go Into the black on the basis of ticket sales and must always be seeking ways of raising funds and obtaining grants. Although on the whole the quality of the films was certainly respectable. Filmex was beset by various and surely not insurmountable problems not entirely of its own making.

To begin with. Filmex was not able to obtain both Plitt Theaters this year. By the time the all-important starry opening-night attraction had been nailed down. "House Calls" had already been booked into one of the theaters, which meant the festival had to be stretched out to its unconscionable 25 days. (What's more, this year Filmex had to pay a 16.000 parking tab that previously had been picked up by Plitt Theaters and Century City.

Inc.) Filmex was a real ordeal for the press this year. Reportedly largely under pressure from the French Film Office, a prime source for festival films and notable guests, Filmex scheduled its press previews as close as possible to the public screenings so visiting film-makers could hold press conferences immediately after the previews of their films as well as conveniently appear at the festival. In theory it was a good idea, and at times it worked, but in practice it made for a grueling straight-through-the-weekends, four-movies-on-Sunday marathon for the press and ruled out coverage of special events. Essert. happily, has already been persuaded to return next year to the practice of beginning the press previews at least two weeks in advance of the opening of Filmex.

For those of us covering the festival, films began to run together after awhile and staying awake became a challenge even during some of the best films. Among those films that stand out in retrospect are Peter Weir's "The Last Wave" (Australia), a dazzling, apocalyptic allegory of the supernatural, and Krzysztof Zanus-si's "Camouflage" (Poland), an incisive study of a power struggle within the academic world. Jaime Chavarri's "To SOS STUN kua of mxcHi KM MOM tut Ticinsiim on) mm oil) hii II record-breaking II N.Y. and S.F. production, 1 Zephyr Theatre 74SH Mclrov an Unknown Cod" and Jose Lyls Borau'i "Black Brood" attest powerfully to an exciting renaissance of the cinema in post-franco Spain.

There were two delightful and not dissimilar films of self -discovery made by women. Diane Kurys' "Diabolo Mcnthe" (France) and Claudia "Girlfriends" (U.S.A.) Other notable films were Satyailt Ray "The Chess Playcrs" (India). Roberto RossellmH "The Messiah" (lia- ly). Robert Bresson's 'The Devil Probably" (France), Jean-Claude Tramont's "Focal Point" (France). Bcrtrand 1 Tavernicr's "Spoiled Children" (France).

Jan Trocll's "Bang!" (Sweden). Peter Adair's "Word Is Out" (U.S. A), Tomas Gutierrez Alca's "The Last Supper" (Cuba) and Alexander Alov and Naumov's "The Legend of Thyl" (U.S.S.R.). Among the many pictures reviewed by Linda Gross. Pierre Schocndoerffer's 'The Crab Drum" (France) and Kidlat Tahimik's "The Perfumed Nightmare" (Philip, pines) impressed her most In general the tone of the films was unsurpassingly bleak, which is characteristic of festival films, which tend to be serious, and reflective of the times in which we live.

(Indeed, the Filmex selection committees desperately sought out some comic relief; about the best they could come up with was the crass "Jambon d'Ardenne." Eventually Filmex, which is proud that several of this year's films have already been picked up for American distribution, hopes to establish a film market. Charles Lippin-cott, an associate of director George Lucas and a veteran selection committee member, feels that for Filmex to fulfill its purpose it must function as a marketplace and also help bring attention to various developing national cinemas, such as Australian's expanding film industry. Doubtlessly, Filmex will always have its problems, but after seven years it looks like it's here to stay. SEATS AVAILABLl MOW IHROUOH MAY 3- TONIGHT AT 6:00 P.M. IIXLD OVER! SCATS NOW AVA1ABU mm Mark Taper Forum Oortfeo DSMMon AHt OwCK A Cmm TnMt Oraup IAgc CnV coi ciiman Our 3rt) yssv ol "AUTHOR! AUTHORP AN EVENINO WITH SEOLCiM ALEICHEM grjP Civic Ji9U 0P PRESENTS A MUSICAL REVUE orioinai cr ahum AVAIlABLt AT THEATftf rm i oo pm.

-SAT. 7 JO a 1000 PM. SUN. 7 JO MT Ml IM IN BIT II. UaVT10M KCOSUT -ENCHANTING OUTSTANDING EVERY MT.

100 a 10:00 SUE 7 naA I V'MtIV AHM Ify (MM MrH tiy f'trtMMt At PhiMifiifr Auildoriiim Chmmiiir Lemon, Fullrrton Weekends May 19 June 3rd Two Sun. Matinees Added Performance Thursday Evening June 1 Tick OMic J18W Commonlth (714) All Sai Hwsvixl R7Q-171? S3 60 SG 00 Mod ft. 10 Am. ii.iii Csi Ci TONIGHT AT 8:30 "YOU mSl SEE THIS snflHUsr Wt lUtlNW 10! MCllli Till Mais Sun Eva. Tu.

Fn 8PMSal. 7PMX)PMSun r-KOTIEESMT GOOD SEATS AVAILABLE I ticlielt.lSuOil by nwil A all Mutual aqenc tn Chirp b) photK to Vim jnkAmetkjid or Masterchaice: 462-7449 FOR INFORMATION PHONE 46? 666b GROUP SALES JIM ABBOTT9J39141 SCmSAT. MAT 14 TONIGHT AT 8:00 P.M. Phone Reservations 477-2424 WESTWOOO PLAYHOUSE HWWH I Cunt Avenue in ihrCntifempn Wntwond Onlr TonvfriK'nt parking wit In (hentrp- IV) MUSICAL fOKiVlKfOM mam tun tkith uui mun nWim I Tlcttwa lawoti iii i i T.cktn it Roi oi'ice. all Mutuii and ang I L2-aia SluOfNI ush mou" ationl cunttm suenct tovnBuit, Tichetron aoenciei ntaa-cftiri.

a Shuberr Theatre CcnturvCitv 'II tMMH jf ill St M0 an fan all malar cittit carta 9S1-II01 loi. MUMMf stusuiivwaM man I Marilyn Home soprano Miss Home was wonderful. There is nothing her voice seems unable to do." QMornarigSiaiProauttiom IATU) WITH Till a. a am a. 'l 'ITI 'II tl I'llllMttTK Original Cut album an Arista Racordt and Taps fill wtstnts LAST 3 WEEKST.

I Its Richard Kileu New York Times A Pacific Terrace Production's Special Presentation GjiafW JowiA Starring in Neil Simon's DANCE COMPANY NATIONAL BALI.KT Ol SprcialCitr 3W ii mm Am Lowhtome rH VALfcKTlT ANNIVERSARY TOI GALINA Tknt Performi net! SCOTTISH RITE AUDITORIUM PANOV 4:157 Wihhirr BM. Rt-M-rvethS 1 5.00. 1 2.50. 88.50 IICKiriS AT TIOKKTRON: Patilk-Mnm. Si.

Hill I anrl all Tlu.aln. atwnrir: Tall MAY 13 8:00 pm TIIK MYTHICAL lirVFERS ABANDONKD PR.AYFB BrVILXDV78 also starring throi run s.i '4S HAB(iK LINK: 629-32631 rrPCM-3b Harvev MKJlnskv May 9-21 Center Theater. Long Beach Convention Center CELEBRITY RECITAL This Sunday, 2:30 (Please note change ol timet Songs by Schumann Mahler, arias by Vivaldi Rossini and a group of folk songs with Martin Katz, piano. Good seats now! Credit card orders, (213) 972-7622 10-5). Tickets also at Philharmonic Box Office and Mutual agencies.

Information, call (213) 972-7211. MUSIC CENTER OMMH11IM1 i it PAVILION ('The Imposaible Dream" Muilcal) IT 'Richard Kiley and Emily Yancy take Saturday Matinees eff and 'Man of La Mancha' still It's a Secure, Big-Scale Performance. If you can't get tickets to Kiley's 'La this isn't a bad second-best, with prices reduced to $14, $10 and $6." -Dan Sullivan -LA. Times Good Seats Available for all Saturday Matinees at 2 P.M. through May 27 (Starring Chev Rodgers) at Box Office.

Tichetron Mutual Locations. Into, or Phone Charge: 462-3104 or Charge-Line: 629-3262 CLIFTOM withXSrWrWcMrC MAY 14, 3:00 7:00 pm STKP by wmi HAYDN -niK MYTHICAL III ntmw iirvmm -ASIWIMI rilHOK.II Till- I ITI -TIIBIW CI! THE CXTl -nil Tues -Sat. 8:30 p.m. 7:30 GROUP DISCOUNT TICKETS (213) 972-7350 Aud. Box Office UM)1 SKATS STII.I.

AVAII.AHI.K! I P.M.-Sun. Open 6 P.M., Sat CREDIT CARD CALL TICKETS ON SALE AT: Ahmanson Theatre Box Office 135 No. Grand LA. (10 AM ro 9 PM, 135 Mutual Agencies STUDENT RUSH Tickets or $2.50 on sole hour before curtain for oil performances. (Subject to availability).

Full time student I. D. required. Mats. Sat.

and Sun. 2:30 p.m. Tickets Available at Mutual Agencies and Box Office. 300 E. Ocean Blvd.

Fof Credit Card Reservations Call: 436-3661 N33 HOtLfWOOD fAVO ssraPJM AMPLE PARKING IAf VMtll A90078 (213) 972-7654 MUSIC CENTER OAHMANSON THEATRE Los Angelas Valley Collage Community Services, Los Angeles Community College Office for New Dimensions, and the Associated Student Body AVAILABLE ADJACENT TO THEATRE. A Organization mmr: present' 'CHICAGO' DUMAMDSTO BE SEEN" John Simon, New York Magazine "Open House Festival" with The Garden Thealre Festival OIOH NOW MING FREE Admission FREE Orange Juice This Weekend! All Weekend! Today 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday 12 noon to 11 p.m. Sunday 12 noon to 8 p.m.

EXCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENT ONE NIGHT ONLY FRIDAY, MAY 12 $3.50 PER PERSON joining Room Open Call tor RastmraHonaDlnimr Not Included. The three stars of the original production brought together again for this Civic Light Opera presentation only. OWEN VCKDON JERKf Or6ACH CfllTAllVEKA live performances in dance, music, theatre and much more. Fun tor the entire family (bring a picnic lunch friends) at Lot Angeles Valley College 5800 Fulton Van Nuys in flliJl al K2EEi7v HIJ! AMUSIOlCOMfWIIII MiOVWIWO MAKT McCAKTT A. ft bi- mr i 53 fit notxoD ooioii win MflMIN KOTO JOXmnflfMilMNNoTHN 600JN HUVC6T lJCSV fWDEbbbOb Ob JOHN KHNDEK fWD Ebb DIMCIfD AHD CBOMOOmmiD bObfOM May 9 through June 24, 1978 TICKETS ON SALE AT: Pavilion of the Music Center 135 No.

Grand LA. Information 972-7211 (10 AM to 9 PM, Mon-Sot) 135 Mutual Agencies Call (213) 627-1248 for nearest Agency Mon. thru Thurs Eve $15 00. 11.75. 7.75.

4.25. Fri.Eves: S15 75. 1275. 875 500 Sor Eves: i1575, 8 75. 5 00.

Sun. Eves: 69-1 1 75. 7 75. 4 25. (Firsr two Sundays only).

Wed. Mars: $1 1.75 9 00 6 50 3 00. Sor. Mors: i14 00. 11.00.

7.50. 4 00. STUDENT RUSH Tickers at S2. 50 on sole V2 hour before curroin for oil performonces. (Subject ro availability.) Full rime student ID.

required. HI-L-UIU OTOil-SSIiEMLlitsS 1:00 pm 10:00 pm (May 17 closes at 9:00 pm) i.n. tonuEHTion ctr. uonKomencoro-viso-MasTer UHjrge KAi inr rTKrrrn CMDIT CARD PHONE (210) 972-7622 'rVriS 12-17 i LOS ANGELES CIVIC UGKT OPERA PAVILION nir- Union Label Service Trades Dept. AFL-CIO.