Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • 23

Chicago Tribune, Friday, May 27, 1977 Section 2 3 II! Ml 4 I i Mill 6 Theater would-be comedy is too leaden Rebels and robots battle the bad guys in an opening scene of "Star Wars," a science-fiction epic. Movies 'Star Wars' flashes with space wizardry K. TRIBUNE MINI-REVIEW A spact llllad Vt "STAR WARS" Wfltttn and directed by Grarg Luc; phologrephtd by Giltwt Taylor; dittd by Ptul Hlrech, Much Luc, and Richard Chtw; muie by John William; production datign by John Barry; apeclal attactt uparvlatd by John Dykatra and John Staara; produced by Gary Kurd: a 20111 Cantury-Fo releae at Ih Eaqulre, Edena, River Oau, and Yorktown theater. Rated PG. Roberta Packer (left), Vinny Guastaferro, and Deanna Deignan: Their "Scapino!" not a happy inaugural for Travel Light Theater Company's new home.

I'M SURE THE folks at 20th Century-Fox Here thrilled when Time magazine this week called "Star Wars" "the year's best movie." But that kind of outlandish remark can hurt the film. "Star Wars" is not a great movie in the sense that it describes the human condition. It simply is a fun picture that will appeal to those who enjoy Buck Rogers-style adventures. What places it a sizable cut above the routine is its spectacular visual effects, the best since Stanley Kubrick's "2001." That's all it has in common with the Kubrick film. There's no mysterious symbolism in "Star Wars," although calling it "the year's best movie" i might trigger image-searching.

THE CASE Luke Skywalker Mark Hamill C3PO Anthony Daniel Kenny Beher David Prowee Mayhew Han Solo Harrreon Ford R2-D2 Prlnceta L. Organa Carrie Fieher Oerth Verder Crend MoH Tarkln Pater Cuahing Chewbacca. Obi-Wan Kenobl Alec Gulnneee bombing mission that outdoes the famous "star-ride" sequence in "2001." "STAR WARS" has two other qualities that wilt appeal to more than the kiddie set. Some of Lucas' scriptwriting is clever, a hip updating of the stilted language of the old Flash Gordon serials. Also, the film is dotted with weird-looking creatures who might have stepped out of the pages of a Marvel comic book.

The film's funniest sequence is a trip to a dangerous bar where one alky monster is uglier than the next. On the debit side are the film's human performances. Save for Alec Guinness, the cast is unmemorable. Lucas apparently blew his entire $9.3 million budget on visuals. "Star Wars" is expected to be a big hit.

If that turns out to be the case, then coupled with the success of "Rocky," a message will have been sent by filmgoers to Hollywood: Give us old-fashioned, escapist movies with upbeat endings. FILM. NOTES: The three-screen Marina. City complex has been closed by its owners. United Artists Theater Circuit, because of a fight with our towns powerful projectionist union.

The theaters have been unprofitable lately, and the union's demands for three high-paid operators is considered AT SOME POINT during the preparation of "Scapino!" a farce freely adapted from Moliere, the Travel Light Theater Company put on lead overshoes. Blame for what occurred must fall first on Jim Dale and Frank Dunlop. two Englishmen who adapted Moliere's 1672 play for a production at London's Young Vic Theater in the early 1970s. Much of the language is atrocious, a literally unspeakable mixture of translationese and contemporary slang (although some of the latter may be Travel Light's responsibility, since a program note mentions that "additions and changes" were made). As for the former, a line like "His constant visits to that unhappy girl have made him more a lodger than a visitor" may not look that bad in print, but listening to someone recite it is not a pleasant experience, especially when the play is supposed to be amusing.

BUT EVEN IF Richard Wilbur-the brilliant translator of other Moliere comedies had produced a version of this one, it probably wouldn't have survived in Travel Light's hands. Under Joe Guastafer-ro's direction, cast members occasionally threw themselves about the stage with great gusto, but their sweat and strain had no more comedic impact than a gymnastics exhibition. It might be harsh to assume that all the knockabout business was designed to take our minds off the dialog, but that certainly was the effect created. The center of the play is Scapino. a Neapolitan sharpie who tries to untangle the romantic troubles of two young swains while duping their pompous fathers.

Although Vin-ny Guastaferro, the director's younger brother, puts a lot of energy into the title role, he comes on more like a street punk than a man who lives by his wits. ON THE OTHER hand, Tom Mula who played Sylvestro. Scapino's supposedly less-bright comrade-in-mischief displayed such "SCAPINO!" Comedy In two act by Jim Dal and Frank Dunlop, adapted from Moliere' "Lee Fourberle de Scepln." Directed by Jo Guaiteferro, wrrh eat by Been Teucher, eoetume by Key Noflbuech, and light by Robert Shook. Presented by In Travel Light Theater on Wednooday, May 2J, 1977, with 1 cut Including: Scapino Vinny Questeferro Heedwarter Gen Schuldt Welter Rick Tlmm Waltree Marcla Breeelour CarloNura Marty Levy Ottevlo Gary Prendorgeat Sytveatro Tom Mula Glaclnta Deenna Deignan Argent Devkt Avcom Geronte David E. Chadderdon Leandro Randall Smith Zwbintta Roberta Packer Star, they crash into a desert-filled planet, where they are picked up by the scavenger Sand People, who sell the robots to a farm couple and their young helper Luke Skywalker, LUKE IS AN aimless lad until he learns of the princess' plight and learns from an old wise man (Alec Guinness) that his father was murdered by the galactic empire's ruling class.

Thus the battle is struck as Luke, old man, princess, and two machines join forces with a money-hungry sky pilot and his furry assistant to the Death Star. Whew! The film has two massive battle sequences, which are truly tacular if you like the sight of space ship dogfights and laser beams blowing things into smithereens. Following a recent preview screening of "Star Wars," the audience applauded the names of its special effects artists. The applause is deserved. Whenever the inanity of the entire enterprise begins to surface, director George Lucas pulls out a striking visual trick.

You'll see holographlike figures, a duel with sword blades seemingly made out of light, and a low-flying That would be unfortunate because us story is terribly simple. Set eons in the past, "Star Wars" is a battle between good and evil, between a band of freedom-loving rebels and a gaggle of rotten intergalactic leaders. The bad guys (led by Peter Cushing and an assistant who looks like a black vinyl-coated frog) control the universe with their dreaded Death Star, a huge, globe-shaped space station crammed with all manner of death-dealing equipment. THE PICTURE opens with a rebel princess (Carrie Fisher, Eddie's and Debbie's daughter) being hounded through the universe by Cushing and company. They think she has the blueprints of the Death Star, with which she could destroy the big bad bubble.

They're wrong. She gave the plans to a small robot friend named R2-D2. R2-D2, which looks like a silver fireplug, plays Oliver Hardy to another robot's Stan Laurel. R2-D2's lanky assistant is named C3PO. He looks like a gold-plated human and acts like an English butler.

These two machines are the most enjoyable characters in the film. When the robots escape the clutches of the Death a flair for farce that one couldn't help thinking the production would have been better off if he and Guastaferro had switched roles. Obviously this was not a happy inaugural for Travel Light in its new home, the Theater Building on West Belmont Avenue, which it shares with the Dinglefest Company. Travel Light's part of the structure is one of the most physically pleasant places to see a play in town, graced by comfortable seats purchased from a defunct Iowa movie house. During "Scapino!" though, they proved to be suitable only for squirming.

Larry Kart by management to be a crippling cost. Best revivals at neighborhood theaters include "The Sting" in many houses; "A Touch of Class" at the Davis Theater; and "Shampoo" at the 53 Drive-In. Gene Siskil Gene Siskel reviews the movie scene Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on Channel 2 News at and 10 p.m. AMUSEMENT AMUSEMENT AMUSEMENT AMUSEMENT AMUSEMENT AMUSEMENT AMUSEMENT Coming Musical 'Alio Aaventures 0 Sy Harry LeeRoge's Last SEE! THE AUTOMOTIVE WONDER OF THE WORLD! Performance Saturday June 4 1:00 P.M. DIRECT FROM HOLLYWOOD! B- si -f tH C' In ii if in 4i i $2.25 iSSJ! CHICAGO'S OWN.

THE GLASS MENAGERIE' DIRECTED BY GEORGE KEATHLEY NOW THRU JUNE 19 TWO JEFF NOMINATIONS "An in the round production gives oH its own quiet kind ot incandescence 0W.M Par! Corcry ot Ocaj. 1 Jf C.s;:.-!$ 30 9 ALIOTTA. HAYNES, JEREMIAH Presenting LOOP(FM 98) DAYS, Kay 28-30 Hear "Lake Shore other hits Sat Sun: 5:30 8 PM. Mem Day 2 4 PM Let's Boogie! caiv oarages avai'abie 298-2333 Sydney J. Harris, Daily News Maureen Stapleton at home as Amanda and George Keathley directing the kind ol poetic Williams naturalism with which both made their reputations." Linda Winer, Tribune Glass Menaqerie still finds its way to your heart a lovely evening in the theater.

You owe yourself a trip to Lincolnshire Dick Saunders, Sun-Times DISCO DATE NIGHT Sat June A WMETS Captain Whammo picks the winners oi a Disco Dance Contest Prizes! FIFTIES NIGHT Sat June 1 1 Connie Szerszen of WIND calls the records Fonzie look-alike contest Twist contest Sock Hop and more Prizes! ROCKETS! LASER BEAMS! FLAME THROWERS! THE BATMOBILE HAS IT ALL! SEE IT ON DISPLAY IN ITS OWN BATCAVE! WITH THE BATCYCLE! LAST 2 PERFORMANCES! Tonight Tomorrow ot 1:30 "Whitmore storms the StSQe" Winer, 9 Chicago Tribune umci s'0i roue sue fttm JAMES WHITMORE MJ UV 0UR SPECTACULAR $3,000,000 COLLECTION OF HOLLYWOOD L0Jt) MOVIE-TV CARS OF THE STARS AND RARF ANTIOIIF AIMH I 8 30 PM $6.50 $14.50 Dinner Wed Thuts Friday 9 00 FM 4t I 7 75 16 50 Dmner 7 75 16 50 Dinner 6 50 14 50 Dinner 6.50 13:75 Brunch Saturday 6.00 9 30 PM Sunday Evening 7:30 PM Sunday Matinee 3 00 PM FREE DISCO LESSONS Our disco instructors show you all the newest steps Every day we're open Music fills the air at Adventureland. BULLY OPEN MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND! I AN Ain-KNTVRK WITH TKDDY HOOSKVKLT (No Sat Matinee) COUPON ftnnn UAV 97.11 a in iot- 1 1 COUPON GOOD MAY 27-MAY 30, 1977 1 1 w- 1 191 1 PEZB AND ROCKS Coming Sat Sun, June 18 19 Hear "Baby it's cold other cuts from their new album Bang your main squeeze and enjoy! FQEO BATMOBILE FBI-in ELTON JOHN HIS Wed Mavnees 2 00 PM 5 00 Lunch Aval. Nulf: Miitim'cs May un t.H, THEATRE PARTIES DiMiMints fur a few a tmiplrs or full hiuise! I.il'fr.il ilsn fur lund raising. Call group AQtriott5 incoln5hirf Theatre LINCOLNSHIRE. ILLINOIS 60015 BOX-OFFICE 634-0200, OR TICKETRON Chaige by Phone ticket Information: (312)431-0660 I ltd 9' I I VALUE 11 STAR GOLF CART PHOTO! $2.00 I MODEL WITH EACH FAMILY ADMISSION ti AA I TO ANTIQUE AUTO MUSEUM (LIMIT ONE) I $UW UJE WITH EACH I FAMILY ADMISSION TO I tsjtttJ PUTT-0 AUTO GOLF (LIMIT ONE) ts27ttj TICKETS ON SAL, at BOX OFFICE, II TICKETRON OUTLETS BLACKSTONE THEATRE tot Bilbo Chicago lllinon tOOS EASY TO REACH: We at on Roul 21 iM THE WORLD'S MOST EXCITING, CHALLENGING, ZANIEST wauee Ave mt south ot route 22 2 rrmes I BAY no'tn ol Dee'eia Rd.

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