The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • 98

Coa Angeles (Tunes 8 Part VI Thursday, July 30, 1981 'WOLFEN': ART IN PURSUIT OF VIOLENCE RODERICK MANN HE'S GOT MAKEUP AND WILL TRAVEL lmost everyone seems to agree that Derek Jaco- bi's performance as the resourceful Roman in "I Claudius" was a television landmark. contents are so strong. But it is fascinating even when its philosophical elements go blurry because its aspirations are so evident and so intriguing. Technically, the story proceeds as converging streams: hard reality, shown with documentary clarity and dealing with effect; and the Other Thing, the cause of the effects, suggested with all those eerie sights and sounds. The streams collide in a ghastly and fiery finale and, preposterous as it all is, it is hard not to be impressed by the sheer bravado of it The point of yiew is in the end more emotional than intellectual; it echoes a '60s disaffection with getting and spending and progress.

The vision of the simpler life has, however, been amended from the tranquil commune, so to speak, to man in subservience to a Nature seen to be fair but ruthless and avenging, and not to be mucked about with except at your periL It is a new kind of earth-wisdom: You not only can't take it with you, it's risky to have it while you're here. This is a message the viewer may want to tailor to his own ends, but "Wolfen" is in all events an engrossing experience for anyone interested in the film arts. e- to Is 1 V- Continued from First Page and his headlong technological rush has upset so many balances of nature, so many ecological chains and schemes, that he has become a self-endangered species, captive and victim of his success. In the particular parable of "Wolfen," wolves, demonstrating Darwin on the survival of the fittest, are surviving in the rabbled nooks and burnt-out crannies of the South Bronx, foraging on the weak and diseased cleansing the ground, as it were. The more specific the story gets, the more mystical it also gets sometimes quite magically in terms of the imagery.

Wadleigh's cameras lope at wolf s-eye level along curbs and through the alleys and grasslands of the city, the film's colors and textures deliberately degraded (as they say) into curiously menacing and hallucinatory hues, glaring whites, heat-shimmering reds, landscapes of hell The South Bronx needs little enhancing as a picture essay on man's desolating inhumanity to man, but Wadleigh's images make the area look not so much stricken as festering and purulent The story as story leaves enough loose ends to weave a poncho. The attempts to link the present with the past (the first and principal victim is the present head of one of the very old and superrich New York Dutch families) survive weakly from a longer and larger conception of the film, although the message is still clear that the first violence to American nature was wrought on the Indians and on the particular harmony they had achieved with their environment "Wolfen" works at a story level because its dramatic HIATUS FOR 'ONCE IN A WIFETIME' "Once in a Wifetime," an Ebony Theater comedy by Celeste Colson, will take a hiatus Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The show, now in its 11th month, will resume performances at 8:30 p.m. Aug. 7.

Today at 2:00 mi As much fun as seeing the circus for the first time!" mm. 1 i i lw fM i 1 1 1 1 tt i si tof ai III S. Robert Goodman. KABC III rnr-rru josepn rapp presents Barry Bostwick V-Pam Dawber J4 DC I I BUCKLEY 1 STARRING u.iy- ii Andy Gibb CliveRcvill Paxton Whitehead Aft, Eh And those who missed it will get another chance to see it at the end of August when it will screen on Channel 11. The more surprising, then, to learn that not until the other day when he was vacationing in Santa Barbara did Jacobi himself see the series.

Some friends had taped it, so he sat down and determinedly watched all 13 episodes. "I'd never seen it because I'm not good at watching myself on the screen." Jacobi said during a visit here. "And even five years after I did it I still found it difficult to watch. Some actors can learn from seeing themselves on the screen. I can't I hate what I see so much I just can't be objective." Jacobi, of course, is not the only actor to admit that watching himself is an embarrassing experience.

But he may be the most distinguished, for his array of credits is formidable, ranging from "Hamlet" to Chekhov's "Ivanov" to Christopher Fry's "The Lady's Not for Burning." Sir Laurence Olivier, who picked Jacobi as one of the eight founding members of Britain's National Theatre Company back in 1963, has always been a great one for the makeup and artificial noses. And so, it seems, is Jacobi. "Oh, yes, I found it much easier to watch myself as the old Claudius, with a huge stomach and makeup all over my face, than I did as the young emperor. That's because I looked like someone else. It's inverted vanity, I suppose." It was "I Claudius" which gave Americans their first close look at this classical actor.

And now that it is to be screened again, Jacobi will doubtless find his mailbox once again full of admiring letters. "Movies make you rich," he likes to say, "TV makes you known, but theater is what it's all about." "I really believe that," he said, "particularly the part about TV. When 'I Claudius' was shown, I got letters from all over the world. The only thing is they didn't seem to realize I'd done anything else." Since that time he has done a couple of films (one the ill-fated Preminger picture, "The Human appeared as Hamlet on television in "The Shakespeare Plays" and starred on Broadway his first time therein "The Suicide" by Soviet playwright Nikolai Erdman. And despite his eight years with Olivier at the National Theatre Company, the prospect of appearing before a New York audience so unnerved him that at the first preview he began hyperventilating.

"I hadn't even heard the word before that," he said. "And when I found myself gasping for breath after the curtain I thought I must be having a heart attack. They called a doctor but it was a little assistant stage manager who helped me. She brought in a small paper bag and told me to blow into it and then suck back the stale air. Apparently that's the cure.

Five minutes later I was fine. "I'm always nervous before going on stage but this was sheer terror brought on by the sense of occasion. After all, appearing on Broadway is a very heady experience." Jacobi enjoyed his first taste of the New York theater, though he does feel that London gives slow-starting plays a better chance. "A play like 'Nicholas Nickleby' could never have got going in New York," he said. "When it first opened in London the critics damned it with faint praise.

It was dying on its feet. Then Bernard Levin (a columnist of The Times of London) wrote a rave piece about it and Jo Anne Worley in (iilhttt Sullivan's The MUST CtOSB I TONIGHT AT 8:30 P.M. EVERT WED EVE. SPECIAL POST PERFORMANCE DISCUSSION WITH THE CAST penzance Derek Jacobi- ready for a good meaty film role. within days it began to pick up.

Now it's the hit of London, as it should be: a most wonderful thing." The play, which opens in New York later this year, is staged in two parts one lasting four hours, the other 4Vi hours. To see both will cost you $100. "I can't imagine how it will do on Broadway," said Jacobi. "It is terribly expensive." He likes America. While here in Los Angeles he has been doing some pick-up lines for Don Bluth Productions' full-length animated feature, "The Secret of NIMH," due to be released next year.

"I'm the voice of the leading rat," he said. "I enjoyed doing that." He has also done a film this year starring with Martin Sheen in "The Enigma," which was filmed in France. He liked that, it is clear, because of the role he got to play. "I'm the deputy head of the East German Security Police," he said. "I get done to death in an industrial washing machine.

The last you see of me I'm spinning round and round. Great fun. "But what I'd really like to get is a good meaty part in a film. The trouble is nobody quite knows how to cast me. It was the same after I did 'I Claudius'.

Even the BBC didn't use me for another two years. The feeling always seems to be how do you follow that?" 'OUTLAW CINEMA FESTIVAL' TO BEGIN TONIGHT AT NUART The first in a series of films by the industry's renegade directors will begin at the Nuart Theater tonight with the screening of John Water's "Desperate Living" and "Female Trouble." The series is entitled "The Outlaw Cinema Festival" and will present films by Andy Warhol, Russ Meyer, Herschell Gordon Lewis and Roman Polanski, among others. It continues through Oct. 1. Information: 478-6379 or 479-5269.

The Nuart Theater is at 11272 Santa Monica in West Los Angeles. NEW YORK SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL PRODUCTION FOR TICKETS CALL (213 851-9750 THEATRE REFORMATION (213) 462-6660 I Set "ON STAGE" Listini In Details. vhja iho.u,o ,2, 465-5100 MUSIC CENTER I (nit 460-6488 OAHMANS0N THFATRF TICKETRON STUDENT RUSH-1 PRICE WITH I.D. TICKETS AT BOX OFFICE. BT MAIL AND ALL MUTUAL A TICKETRON AGENCIES HUNTINGTON HARTFORD THEATRE WIS VINE STREET, HOLLYWOOD CA 0026 I Ml.

i if i' I 1.1 i ILOS Angeles Philharmonic Carlo Maria Giuhm. Music Director, fflT Tonight, 8:30 GIULINI AND VERDI Verdi: REQUIEM CARLO MARIA GIULINI conducting; LEONA MITCHELL, sonrano: FLORENCE QUIVAR. i www. nml iMZ mezzo-soprano; NICOLAI GEDDA, tenor; PAUL tajfl PLISHKA, bass; LOS ANGELES MASTER CHORALET3 nemo "xncw. vw.ww, w.wv, w.w, Tomorrow Saturday, 8:30 ZUBIN MEHTA CONDUCTS ALL-TIME "RIVETING" Joie Davidow, LA.

Weekly 1 TONIGHT at si i obcpvt Man TVvtTT ruADiC hnaus fx s. s- ml 1 rwwvn vncvi I watw imm. vnnnwi. I rtw I xinuoefTineQrre Century City (213) 5538101 FOR INFORMATION GROUP SALES CALL: (213) 553-9000 Sm "ON STAGE" directory (or compMM Momutlon. Si: IIM DHL IB MttUS, CL Ml TONIGHT AT 8:30 FAVORITES Wagner: Meistersinger Overture; Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto; Beethoven: Fifth Symphony ZUBIN MEHTA, conductor; KYUNG-WHA CHUNG, violin Remaining tickets: S7.50.

6.50. 5.50. 3.50. 2.00 Next Tuesday, August 4, 8:30 MEHTA MAHLER MAGNIFICENT! Mahler: Symphony No. 3 ZUBIN MEHTA, conductor; FLORENCE QUIVAR, mezzo-soprano; WOMEN OF THE LOS ANGELES MASTER CHORALE; CALIFORNIA BOYS' CHOIR Remaining tickets: $8.50, 6.50, 5.50, 4.50, 2.50, 1.00 Credit card phone orders 469-1981 10-5: Sun.

12-5): Park Ride Express Bus tickets $2 roundtrip, free parking. Tickets also at Bowl Box Office Mutual Agencies. Group sales, Dorothy Romanik, 972-7609. Information 87-MUSiC. CHARGE BY PHONE A C4 07CC (Noon 'til 9): tU I I JJ FEMALE U42 North Lm Pmm Am, HoMywooA CA MOM (Vi Mock smith Hollywood Blvd.) Cofivttilont phtrittofj w)scfit lo th ItieMre MUD ff WRESTLING EVERY THURSDAY HOLLYWOOD TONIGHT AT 8:30 TROPICANA NOW THRU AUG.

30th 1250 N. WESTERN AVE. bcvhpahrognee 208-5454 (213) 4M-1653 ii jr rv Keep 3ronr dough in tow. Read Your Money every Tuesday in YOU magazine. CosAtifletes (Times Stay on top of the world.

WESTWOOD PLAYHOUSE 10888 LConl Ave. in In ContmixWs1rood Center Convenient parking a OPEN 8 P.M. TIL 2 A.M. ii 2 SHOWS TODAY! 2:30 PM 8 PM GOOD SEAT8 AVAILABLE A8 LATE A8 SHOWTIME Tonight at 8:30 PM IAF: HER SONGS. HER LOVES Thurs.

at 8:30 P.M. Sun. at 6:00 P.M.: S12.50. Frl. Sal at 8:30 P.M.: $13.50.

I I A BEST HOME HEALTH EXPO COMING AUGUST 7, 8 9 LONG BEACH CONVENTION CENTER LOOK FOR OUR ADS IN NEXT WEEK'S TIMES RESERVATIONS ESSENTIAL: (213) 451-0621 Tickets at Box onice and an Mutual Agencies. ml gen." Ei Kmfmm. EVENING OUTLOOK LEMENSY for MARK TWAIN" A brend-spankln new muslcil comedy about that man, Mark Twain, whom you thought you knew so wed. Thurs. Frl.

8:00, S5.0D. Sat, 8:00. S7.50. Sun, 7:30, $7.50. Disc, lor Stud.

Teachers, Sr. Clt. Reservations necessary. 394-9779. Santa Monica Playhouse 1211 4rh Street.

SM. AIR CONDITIONED! and the renovated theatre Is lovely." Sonera Lowed, LA. TIMES A la carte restaurantSpecial dinner show prices' Licensed cocktail bars THE NEW MAYFAIR MUSICAL HA1.L 214 Santa Monica Santa Monica. CA TONIGHT AT I SO "TORRENTIAL FUN!" N.Y. Mag.

CRAMBLED FEET 8y John Driver and Jeffrey Haddon Tues. thru Frl. at Sat. at 7:00 10:00: Sun, at 2:30 4 7:30. FOR RESERVATIONS AN0 INFORMATION CALL: (213) 208-5454.

Group SalesRosalie Lazarus: (213) 966-2908. Tickets at 1961-1962 SEASON CENTER THEATRE GROUPAHMANS0N THE SHEAR LOOK AND SOUND OF THIS SHOW ABSOLUTELY DWARFS EVERYTHING THAT HAS COME BEFORE IT." S.tf.N.wT "ANGELA LANSBURY GIVES AN ASTONISHINGLY WARM AND FUNNY QUOTE A LYRIC Box Office and an Mutual WESTW0O0 PLAYHOUSE vStSEiSSl Sat 11am 8pm ptSrj vyry Sun. 4 8pm 10666 LeConte Avenue In the Contempo Westwood Canter 'GOD, SHE'S Din Sullivan, Los Angslss Timss "A STAGGERING PERFORMANCE BY GEORGE HEARN tlLIZABETH TAYLOR The Lillle Foul NATALIE WOOD Anastatic PLUS TWO OTHER EXCITING PLAYS For A Season Brochure Call: (213) 972-7349 (Mon. thru Frl. a.m.

to 5 p.m. 9f JackVlurtal, Htrald Examiner ANGELA LANSBURY GEORGE HEARN NOW PLAYING ANGELA LANSBURY GEORGE HEARN WEENEY TODD Tues. thru Thurs. at 6:30, $255021.50 215015008.00 Frl. 6 Sat.

eves, at 8:30. $27.5023 50 16.0010 00. Wed. mats, at 2:00, $2200 16.50 12.006.00. Sat.

mats, at 2:00, Sun. mats, begin 913 at 2:00, $24.0019.0013.007.00. Tickets available at the box office, all Tlcketron and Mutural outlets and Chargeline: (213) 620-6010 For group sales: luclle, (213) 464-7521. TODAY AT JO 'U "I've never seen a more exciting show." EOot SvIIivm, LA Timt VITA The hlernatiotiel Uvtical Hit! Tues. thru Sat.

eves, at 6:30: Sun. eves at Sat. 6 Sun. mats, at 2:30 Box Office Hours: Mon. thru Sal.

10AM to 9PMSun. 10AM to 6PM. Charge tickets by phone with makx credit cards: S53-6101 (9 A.M. 'Till Midnight). For Information a group sales call: S53-9000.

Tickets available by mall, at box office and all Mutual and Tick etron agencies. SHUBERT THEATRE 2020 Ave. of The Stars Los Angeles, Calif. 90067 DOROTHY CHANDLER PAVILLI0N 13S N. Grand Ave.

mm twT TT 4 i Tomthi 1 10 BETTY BUCKLEY I Starring In SOHAYIU BARRY BOSTWICK PAM DAWBER ANDY GIBB CLIVE REVILL PAXTON WHITEHEAD JOANNE WORLEY la Gilhen i 1 HE PIRATES OK PENZANCE Mon. thru Thurs. at 6:30: $25 0021.00 15.008 00 Fri.a Sat. eves at 8:30: $27.0023 0016 0010 00 Thurs mat at 2:00: $20 0016 00 12 006:00 Sat. mat.

at 2:00: $24 00 19.00 13 00700 Tickets available st the box office, all TICKETRON and Mutual outlets ami Chargeline: (213 520-8010 For group sales: Lucille. (213 464-7521 INFO a PHONE CHARGE: (213) 465-5100 SAME PRICE ALL 3 LOCATIONS All Seats Reserved I SAVE S2 ON KIDS S5.00.S8.00.S7JJO.S8.50 tW.Xapt..v To included I also sats. ham ON SALE NOW: Box offices, all Mutual Agencies (main office 655 So. Hill, LA) and all Sears, Wards and Tower Record Stores. I'M GETTING MY ACT TOGETHER iir WINNER! 8 TONY AWARDS INCLUDING BEST MUSICAL 1979 AND TAKING IT ON THE ROAD Tues.

thru 8:30: Set. 2:30 6 6:30: Sim. 2:30 7:30. FOR TICKETS CALL (213) 851-9750. VisaMaster Charge-GROUP SALES: Theetre Inlormatlon (213) 462-6666.

Tlckete at Box Office 6 all Mutual I Tlcketron Agencies. HUNTINGTON HARTFORD THEATRE 1615 Vine Hollywood. CA TONIGHT AT 8:30 The Ahmanson theatre 135 N. Grand Ave. ITS EASYI CALL AND CHARGE TICKETS Use Master Charge or Visa.

Open 10am-6pm FORUM: (213) 674-4700 ANAHEIM: (714) 535-3151 LONO BEACH: (213) 435-3061 "An exquisite concert of performances." LA. Turn Low-Prrced Previews Aug. 45: OPENS THURS. AUG 6th SW.S0 0, COWARD! Tickets st TICKETRON and Mutual Outlets, the box office ft. Charge-line (213) 520-8010.

Group Sales Lucille (213) 464-7521 ITJTfl I MUSIC CENTER 121 31 460a44l 1 I iGk DOROTHY CHANDLER. 1 Vticketron Thur. at 6:30 Sun. at 6:00: 112.50; Frl. at 6:30 6 Sat.

at 7:45 6 10:16: 613.50: Sun. Mat. at 3:00: 811.00. RESERVATIONS ESSENTIAL: Tickets at In OfAoe 4 Mum Aoenclee. A oane reeuwnm'SpoW dinner show prlceerLfcoMod cottM bars.

THE NEW MAYFAIR MUSIC HALL 114 Santa Monica Santa Monica, CA 1 HURSDAVS GIRLS Weda. thru Frl. at 6:30. Sat. at 7:00 and 930.

Sun. at 3:00 and 7:30. Tickets S12.W EvmIWOO Matinee. CALL 676-3096 A 6763436 air conoToonad CORONET THEATRE on Restaurant Row 366 N. La Chmega Blvd.

TUES, THUR. FBI. AT 2:30 5 6pm SATS. A 6pm SUNS. 5 6pm I Put a Unit weekend in vour week.

See "ON STAGE" for details. LOSANOEUS CIVIC LiaHT0PERA.