The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • 121

Cos Anflelea Crimea Thursday, June 18, 1981 Part VI 3 "A BKAUTIFUL STORY, A FASCINATING PREMISE. Signorct shows again she's one of the finest actresses in the world." Cart I r.inkliii. HS IV "A BEAUTIFUL FILM, touching and sensitive, tender and memorable. Marvelous performances by Signoret and Rochefort." -(ii'iw Shalil. NIK'-IV around to face Lois as Superman, with no intervening phone booth, the moment pays off perfectly.

(A look around the audience at this moment found wish-fulfillment reflected on more than one rapt, upturned face. The other, balancing performance is Gene Hackman's unctuously marvelous Lex Luthor. Lex determines to align himself with the trio of villains on the sensible-enough theory that 3-to-l gives him winner's odds. Before, Hackman seemed a little stifled by the sheer elaborateness of the sets surrounding him. Now Lex's sang-froid, his ability to switch allegiances at the drop of a flag of truce is broad-scale, international chutzpah and in Hackman's hands it is a brilliantly orchestrated performance.

It's an odd film visually. It doesn't have cinematogra-pher Geoffrey Unsworth's serene, broad painterly landscapes that gave the first film its look of distinction. This is another of the posthumous releases Unsworth worked on which bears his name and some percentage of his work, but also the work of Bob Paynter. Most of the earth-based shenanigans of the Oilcloth Trio (or whatever the villains' costumes are patched with) look very peculiar, as though they were placed in front of projected action. Other sequences are quite handsome, Superman's icy retreat, and much of the Far North The final aerial battle among the four superpowers, including that too-long windstorm, is something of a ho-hum.

But it isn't where the action truly lies. At the heart of "Superman II" is the question of the invincibility of a god. OK, a pop god. Superman gives up his powers willingly in the name of the love he bears Lois, via a sort of crystal orgone box, like a tanning chamber mixed by the "Altered States" folks. But he's really not prepared for the physical consequences of his action.

Shortly afterward, in a confrontation with a bully and in front of Lois, Superman finds himself bloodied and decked. Being human is an awful descent, so Superman learns from the floor up. It is as humiliating for very small kids in the audience who seem to take it personally. So Superman's retaliation at the end has a curious message. The audience cheers it, in one breath, but it says to kidsi to best your opponents you really do have to be superhuman.

The acting is uniformly delightful. The only flaw is not enough Valerie Perrine, another actor blessed with drollness. To hear her, trotting behind Luthor as they inspect Superman's icy digs, echoing his "Genius," "Beautyful," with the rapt coos of a Beverly Hills real estate maven, is only one of the film's moments of special style. 'SUPERMAN II' Continued from First Page Niagara Falls sequence, et with careful attention to the human detail. "What a waste of a great writer," Lois says disgustedly, surveying the passionate pink honeymoon rooms at Niagara Falls.

It's an assignment she and Clark have been given investigating exploitation of honeymooners, but the outrageous setting actually serves as a background for Lois Lane's greatest scoop yet. (The rooms are grand; they seem to have wandered off the premises from the Madonna Inn, pink acrylic bear rug, heart-shaped pink satin bed and all.) You have the feeling that this role only hints at Kidder's range, something no American film has fully explored yet, but wide-eyed irony is only one of her talents. As a woman in love she is formidable. In his two roles, Reeve is even better than he was in the first film, boyish and mannish, torn between his love for Lois and his love and duty to mankind. (Has Reeve varied the Clark Kent role slightly? Is Kent more of a physical bungler this time? It feels that way.) His moment of revelation is directed like the old vaudeville turn, a change of character with the actor's back to you.

When Clark Kent finally drops all pretenses and turns SKilNORET I SENT LETTER TO LOVE A FILM BY MOSIIK MIZRAHI "I SKNT A I.KTTKH TO MY M)VK" STARRING SIMONKSHJNOKKT.JKAN HIXIIKKDHT EXCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENT MUSIC HALL A LAEMMLE THEATRE 9036 WILSHIRE BLVD at DOHENV 274-6869 BEVERLY HILLS Daily 2:003:506:008:0010:00 GG Win a 14 -day Club Universe Polynesian vacation lor two Imagine a South Seas island where all that's asked is that you relax and enjoy the simple pleasures of island life. You'll discover Tahiti and four neighboring islands if you're the contest winner. Contest details Sunday, July 12 MIDYEAR EDITION Times Classified Ads 6 lit iiim iff ppi iiifeirtiiiiLiS lipid 1 Hi! WESTWOOD VILLAGE HOLLYWOOD BLVD. NATIONAL70mm Dolby-6 Track Stereo CHINESE 70MM Dofcy.a, Tnck Stereo 10925 LkWxook MMKOfTM oWSFtywd. UBflHOf LOST WHIP I 208-4366 105T 12-30 464-8111 15-M0-1OX Sony, no puaee Sorry No Passes Validated Fret PkQ.

BMl So. Art mi i mr 5 prn wrth ptld Qeneral KMttlon only VILLAGE kcuw(i 961 Bfonon CHINESE 70mm Oofcy-6 TrKk Sto 208-5576 Today $2.50 TIM 3 pm e25 Wywd. OUTUUBdi 464-8111 BRUIN 70MM Dofby- Track SKrao VaMaM fm Pkg. M. So MoBtMui After 5 pm wrth paid garni dmtaton only 208-8998 iiiuror mc-Tun, CHINESE TW FOUI BASOtOIPOJ WESTWD.

MTS1MG lOOSf(R) eBSHhwd. WM6ayty 464-8111 Today 82.50 TM 3 pm 208-7664 VaMaM Fraa Pkg Bk So. Aftr Today S2.50 Ml 3 pm 5pm with paid general admtaalon only WESTWD. atiantk oty(r) HOLLYWOOD Ruiwmi) WSOSayHy 67a4lyd.N 208-7664 Today 82.50 IIH 3 pm 463-8371 Today 82.50 MM 3 pm WESTWD. (ajki.) VOBUE warn lootim tOSOGaytoy etTSWyod.

208-7664 Today 82:50 81 3pm 462-6621 nrnruT Today 82.50 3 pm REGENT TW FOUR SIASUKIPCI W45Broxton rllA Cheech 8 Chong a 208-3259 Today 82.50 TIH 3 pm KWHotywood IM tffAMS(l) 12:30 Sorry No Passes 463-2184 BEVERLY HILLS AREA TORRANCE FINE ARTS S556WsNn 652-1330 OLDTOWNE Federieo FeWnl's OTY Of WOMBI(a Today 82.50 tin 3 pm 0 H'thome. imh) tm uni 371-1221 AK(PO Free Prk. WOOSorry no Passes SANTA MONICA OLDTOWNE 19600 HThorne. A88(PG) 371-1221 Free Prk. Sorry No Passes WILSHIRE TUimcorY()6) ttuwUMre lOVBtS U4ti( 394-6386 Today 82 to 6 pm or capacity OLDTOWNE Sean Conner.

19900 Httarne. 0UTLANBIII (wn nnn WILSHIRE KM wiisMrt msirei bioo-mo 371-1221 Frae Prk. Today 82 68 6 pm 394-6386 Today 82 to 6pm or capacity OLD TOWNE OH'nomo. PASADENAGLENDALE ims is avK(PC) Today 82 tW 6 pm 371-1221 Free Prk. OLD TOWNE Chooch Ctnng's MANN 467 N.

Rosem'd 351-9641 Free INN OF TM KSniTIPG) Today 82 Till 6 pm H0 H'mona. NKI IfAMSJR) DREAMS 371-1221 Free Prk. 10:30 Today 82 TIN 6 pm Alan AMaCarol Burnett OLD TOWNE 19800 H'tnonn. OASR OF IK TITANS P6 MANN 467 N. ROMA 351-9641 Free Park.

TM FOW SEASONS PG Today 82 tH 6 pm 371-1221 Free Prk. Kh45Today 82 UN 6 pm DO BEACH CITIES MANN 467 N. Kosan'd. 351-9641 Free Pkg. XCAUBUR(R) Today 82 UM 6 pm MANN 6 Manhattan VW.

Seputadaat Rosecrans 640-1075 ACADEMY MB E. Colo. 796-3191 RAMRSOFTK 10ST ARK(PG) Sorry No Passes ADfltS OFT 10ST AMIP6 5: MM Sorry No Passes mm -Richard MAGAZINE STATE 770 E. Colo. 792-7139 Cheeclt 6 Ctwng's IM DMAMSli MANN 6 Manhattan VM.

Sepotveoa at Rosecrans 640-1075 ChMCh Chora NKI DRfAMSIl) Today 82 UN 6 pm ALEX 216 N. Brand 241-4194 IJUDBK0FTK IOST AMIPG 5: Sorry No Passes COVIN GLENDALE 122 S. Brand CttMCh ft Chonfl WXI DMAMSli) FOXCOVINA aASNOFTTTANSIPGJ 211N.Azua 332-0050 1015Today 82 UN 6 pm 241-4177 Today 82 to 6 pm or capacity FOXCOVINA RARKtSOFTRIUKT 211 N. Anna ARKIPG 332-0050 GLENDALE cum of tm muniK 122S.8rand 241-4177 Today 82 to 6pm or capacity Sorry No Passes (SAN FERNANDO VALLEY FOXCOVINA outiawiri 211 N. Anna 332-0050 MSOToday 82 tW 6 pm LA REINA 14626 Vent 788-8311 MMK0F LOST 10 15Sorry Ho Pastes BREALA HABRA STUDIO ni four susonsipg 12136 Vent BREA PLAZA 0rg.Fwleip.Hv UON Of TV MSatTP6j 769-4441 Today 82 to 6 pm or capacity 714529-5339 Today 82 UN 6 pm Free Pkg.

FOX BREA PLAZA Seen Conwy CAN06A PARK IKM Of BtSBtT(Pt)) 22940 Van 0we 883-4212 Today 82 lo 6 pm or capacity 0rFmrkee.Hy. OUTUNPIR) 7tt529-5 Free Pkg. Today 82 88 6 pm FOX BREA PLAZA Chwch 4 Cbono's Chooch 6 Chong's ma NfAMSIRI 1:15 RARAMOUNT RCTURES Presents A LUCASFILM LTD Production A STEVEN SPIELBERG Rim 714! CAN06A PARK MO DRfAMSR) 22940 Van Onn WOO 883-4212 Today 82 to 6 pm or capacity Today 82 OH 6 p.m. Free Pkg. BREA PLAZA Starring HARRISON FORD KAREN ALLEN PAUL FREEMAN RONALD LACEY JOHN RHYS-DAVIES DENHOLM ELLIOTT Execut Producers GEORGE LUCAS and HOWARD KAZANJIAN Screenplay by LAWRENCE KASDAN Story GEORGE LUCAS and PHILIP KAUFMAN THOUSAND OAKS CONEJO lABHtSOf TMIOSTAWIPSI Thous.

Oaks 0rg.Fvki. Hwy. RABBJ OF TM LOST 71452939 FreePka. 8M-1O20-Sorry No Panes Muse by JOHN WILLIAMS 805495-6760 Sorry No Passes rree wwng HmrsTBieo NDVELIZATION FROM BALLANTINE BOOKS GHGIMAL SOUNDTRACK ON COLUMBIA RECORDS STAPES FRANK MARSHALL Directed by STEVEN SPIELBERG Filmed in Panavison' kih UPLANDONTARIO MANN UouJitnorai4 U0N OF TM DfSERT(P6l TtliitMounUIn A PARAMOUNT PICTURE TM: Copyright- Lucaslilm Ltd ILFLI MCMLXXXI All flights Reserved CONEJO SeanComory Thous. Oaks OVTUJDjR) 805495-6760 FreePwttM Today 82 ri 6 pm PG I PARENTAL GUIDANCE SUGGESTED 714-962-7851 Today 82 TIN 6 on SOME MATERIAL MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN OXNARDVENTURA MANN MouttamgnoM OASN OF TM TITANS (PG) 7lh at Mountain 714-982-7851 KMIOToday 82 UN 6 pm NOW PLAYING ESPLANADE tam nts jm a MANN 805485-2707 ulVMMirs FreePka.

Today 82 tW 6 pm MANN NATIONAL MANN CHINESE Westwood 208-4366 Hollywood 464-8111 Daily 12 30 3 00 Daily 12 00 3 30 5 30 8 00 10 30 5 lb 8 00 10 30 Fri Sal Sun 10 00 AM Fn Sat Sun 9 30 AM Fn Sal Lite Snow 12 30 Fri Sal Late Show 12 45 MANN SOUTH COAST CINEDOME Cosia Mesa Orange (7141549-3352 (714) 634-2553 Daily 1230 3 00630 t2 30 3 00 530 8 00 10 20 1 00 10 20 fri Sal Late Show 12 20 ESPLANADE AtaAidaCaraieurMtt MANN FOUR 805485-2707 Free Pea. Today 82 6 pm 70mm Six-Track 1 1 IIdolby ESPLANADE MANN 805485-2707 FreePka, UOM OF THI Bf SBrTfPO Today 82 tM 6 pm FOOTHILL DRIVE-IN Ridllo (714 875 2545 LA HABRA DRIVE-IN La HaOra 714) 671-1862 SKV VIEW DRIVE-IN Oxnarfl (8051 486 1212 MANN I Oceanside (7141439-7008 Daily 30 3 00 30 8 00 10 70 EDWARDS SADDLEBACK El Toro (714(891-3935 FOX OAS8 Of Tf TTTANS(P6) Omard 805483-6030 Free Parting Today 82 1) 6 pm or capacity MANN I Manhatlan Beach 640-1075 daily t2 30 3H)530 8 00 10 30 PACIFIC SOUTH COAST Laguna Beach (714)494-1514 Daily 2 15 4 30 7 00 9 15 PACIFIC LA MIRADA PACIFIC LAKEWOOD CENTER SOUTH Long Beach 634-9281 Screen 5 Daily 12 30 2 45 5 15 7 45 10 00 Screen 6 Daily 1 30 3 45 6 15 8 45 tl 00 MANN ACADEMY Pasadena 796-3191 MANN SeanConnery Mantansren4 OUTLANDItj 7matMnmM 714-962-7651 Today 82 88 6 pm MANN Mowtalngresn POUTIIPS) 701 at Mountain 714-982-7651 Today 82 TIN 6 pel VALENCIA 3 MANN 6 IAJDBS OF TM LOST 2341S Chan Or. AR8IPSI VALENCIA 805255-3966 Sorry No Peeees MANNS QASN OF TM 23415 Clnom Or. TTTAB(P) VAUNCW 15-936 605255-3966 Today 82 ON 6 pm MANN 6 Cheech 6 Wong's 234CtaM0r. NW DWAMSjl) VALENCIA 805255-3968 Today 82 UN 6 pm MANN 6 AM" AMaCarol Burnett ZMfiCtoaneOr.

TM FOUR SIASONS(PO) VALENCIA 805255-3966 Today 82 UN 6 pm nrtciJL Dr. UOROFTMHSatTIPSl VALENCIA 805256-39M Today 82 UN 6 on FOX MANN OLD TOWNE Torrance 371-1221 ft Daily 12 00 2 30 5 00 7 30 10 00 Sal Sun 9 30AM tl Daily 12 30 3 00 5 30 1 00 10 30 MANN IA NEINA Sherman Oaks 788-8311 Daily12 30 3 00 5 30 (00 10 15 PACIFIC TOPANGA Woodland Hills 883-3300 Daily 1 00 3 30 6 00 30 10 45 OUTtANBIRI EDWARDS ALHAMBRA AlhamDra 289-3861 Daily I 00 3 30 6 00 8 30 10 45 MANN FOX Covina 332-0050 Daily 12 30 2 50 5 10 7 35 10 00 UA MOVIES Long Beach 596-2751 Daily 1 00 3 25 5 50 8 15 10 40 MANN ALEX Glendale 241-4194 Mon-Fn 5 10 1 35 10 00 Sal-Sun Only 12 30 2 50 5 1 1 35 10 00 MANN I Valencia (805)255-3966 Daily 12 30 2 50 5 10 7 35 10 00 MANN CONEJO Thousand Oaks (805)495-6760 2 45 5 15 7 45 10 00 MANN FREMONT San Luis Obispo (805)543-1121 Mon Fn 7 00 9 15 Sal Sun 2 00 30 7 00 9 15 UA MOVIES Sanla Maria (805)922-0361 Daily 1 30 4 15 7 00 9 15 805644-7778 Shows Start Al Dusk VAN NUTS DRIVE-IN Van Nuys 786 7510, STARLITE DRIVE-IN F.I Monte 286-0443 ROSECRAN ORIVE-IN Paramount 634-4151 VERMONT DRIVE-IN Gaidena 323-4055 LINCOLN ORIVE-IN Buena Park (714)821-4070 LAKEWOOD DRIVE-IN Long Beach 595-8388 ReekoTorayopnjjroacny La Mirada (714(994 2400 Daily 17 311 I (III Ill 15 in 4'i NO PASSES ACCEPTED FOR THIS ENGAGEMENT ORANGE COUNTY Daily 00 3 30 0 00 8 30 10 45 EDWARDS CINEMA WEST Westminister (714(891-3935 Daily 1 00 3 30 6 00 8 30 10 45 SRO MONTCLAIR Montclair (714)624-9696 Daily 1 15 3 30 5 45 8 00 10 15 Mon Fn 5 10 7 35 10 00 Sat Sun Only 12 30 2 50 5 10 7 35 10 00 AMC PUENTE HILLS WEST Puenle Hills 912-5394 Daily 12 15 2 4b 5 30 8 00 10 30 SO. COAST I ADOS Of TM LOST MANN BREA PIAZA Brea (714(529-5339 Daily 17 30 I nn 8 00 10 3410 Bristol MIPS) 714546-2711 FreeParMmj Sorry No Pasaes SO. COAST lAsets of urn 3410 arM M(PS) 714546-2711 FreeParkkii Sorry No SIMI DRIVE-IN Simi (805) 526-6824 LANCASTER DRIVE-IN Lancaster (805) 948-2915 CREST DRIVE-IN Norco(714) 735-2140 KAY DONNA DRIVE-IN indio (714) 347-5973 MT. BALDY DRIVE-IN Laverne 593 0343 VALLEY DRIVE-IN Oceanside (714) 757-5556 NILE Bakerslield (805) 323-7118 ARLINGTON Santa Barbara (805) 966-9382 IMPERIAL VALLEY PLAZA MOVIES VENTURA El Ceniro (714) 353-2213 EscondidO (714) 747-8075 Viclorville (714) 245-0233 Ventura (805) 643-3333 CANYON CREST HEMET CREST San Bernardino MAGIC LANTERN Riverside (714) 682-6900 Hemel (714) 652-5951 (714) 888 6826 Goleta (805) 968 3636 CAMELOT Palm Springs (714) 327-1273 SO.

COAST 714549-3352 CTTT OF WONWjlJ ATLANTIC anil) Today 82 6 pes MANN 6 S-nConrwy 234U Omm Or. CmAjj VALENCIA 805256-3986 Today 82 UN 6 pre, I I Frit faVattlf I.