The Kokomo Tribune from Kokomo, Indiana • Page 56

6 KOKOMO (Ind.) TRIBUNE Sunday, Feb. 4, 1973 Indiana Artist To Have Show at Kokomo Library "Indiana Woodland Artist" Joe Shell of Hillsdale will greet Kokomo residents from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the opening of his two-week show in the Kokomo Public Library. Instructions from three contemporaries, plus the development of his own style, changed a hobby into a profession. Much of the inspiration for Shell's work comes from the old mills, bridges, barns and woodlands near his home in Vermillion County.

Many of his oils are framed in natural weathered barn siding to carry out the rustic, rural theme. Shell's composition, "County Green," won both Merit and Purchase awards in the 1972 Hoosier Salon Show. One of his paintings, "West-Central Indiana Summertime," is part of the permanent collection at the Kokomo Public Library. It was a purchase prize at the 1972 Hoosier Salon Show. Shell, who has been painting since 1963, is a familiar figure in Nashville, where he opened a gallery in March of last year.

He has a patio at the "Big Red House." Members of the Kokomo Art Association will sponsor a reception for Schell Sunday in the library. 'West-Central Indiana Summertime' 'Follies' Coming To Television Shell HOLLYWOOD (KFS) "If Flo Ziegfeld were around, I think this is what he would be doing today," said Bob Wynn, producer of "NBC Kollies." A pilot variety hour with Sammy Davis Andy Griffith, Connie Stevens, John Davidson and Mickey Rooney, it is about to be tested Thursday night following the Bob Hope Special. Perhaps it's wishful thinking on Wynn's part to believe the flamboyant Broadway impressario would gear his old format of slapstick comedy, beautiful girls and gaudy production numbers for the tube, but the producer and the network feel the time is ripe for a clas- 'Robin' of 'Batman' Series To Be in Kokomo Next Week Burt Ward, "Robin" in the "Batman" television series, will speak to school children about safety Feb. 16, 17 and 18 in Kokomo. Sammy Davis Jr.

Set To Star in Comedy Series Next Season Sammy Davis Jr. will have a network series next season. This hasn't been announced yet, although NBC has stated it will star Sammy in a movie-for-TV called "Poor Devil." Actually, "Poor Devil" is a pilot-without-being-called-a-pilot. The real story is this: Arne Sultan and Earl Barret, who do Sandy Duncan's show; came up with an idea for a comedy series, about the Devil's representative on Earth and the problems he gels into in recruiting for his boss. Simultaneously, as often happens, Davis came up with roughly the same idea and took it to NBC.

The network happily brought them all together and "Poor Devil" resulted. Sammy wouldn't do a pilot. NBC wouldn't commit themselves without seeing a pilot. So they compromised on the 90-minute film and then NBC bought it even before the film went before the camera. GRADUAL CHANGE Under new producer Tony Spinner, NBC's "Search" is undergoing a gradual change.

The emphasis will be more on the whodunit aspect of the mystery, less on the gadgetry. On Feb. 16, he will visit Kokomo elementary schools with Police Chief Earle Howard. They will then travel to Indianapolis, where they will be guests on "The Jim Gerard Show" at 12:30 p.m. Ward will greet local residents at the Kokomo Mall at 3 p.m.

and 7:45 p.m. and at Burger Chef at 4:15 p.m. radio program at 6:15 p.m.. Ward will be in the Kokomo Mall Feb. 17 at 11 a.m.

and 4 p.m.and at 1 p.m. at Burger Chef. On Feb. 18, he will be in the mall at 12:30 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.

and at Burger Chef at 2:15 p.m. As "Robin," Ward made 120 television shows and two movies. Before he was accepted for the role, he had never auditioned for a professional or nonprofessional part. At the age of two, he was the world's youngest professional ice skaler. He became a licensed real estate salesman at 19.

Ward became acquainted with Saul David, producer of "Von Ryan's Express," "Fantastic Voyage" and "Our Man Flint." David suggested an agent, who, in turn, had Ward audition for the role of "Robin." Since ihe series ended, he has made personal appearances throughout the country, speaking in shopping centers, amusement parks and other business places. Ward has toured the country performing plays in such theaters as Pheasant Run Playhouse in St. Charles 111 Houghton Lake Playhouse in Prudenville, and Bucks County Playhouse, New Hope, Pa. He appears on numerous television game shows and has made commercials. sy, fast-moving, updated vaudeville show family entertainment.

So it'spie-in-the-face time once again. Sammy Davis Jr. and Mickey Rooney dredge up classic slapstick acts spiced with current dialogue, telegraphing their jokes in the old tradition. John Davidson sings current hits to leggy chorus girls; Connie Stevens cuts loose, backed by dancing sailors; and audiences join in when Andy Griffith pulls out his guitar. The "Follies" formula remains intact 60 per cent physical comedy, 40 per cent music and girls.

Pace is the key. TV's customary host has been eliminated along with familiar introductions. One act leads into the other minus fanfare. "If audiences hang on for the first eight minutes," said Wynn, "they will remain hooked for the distance," The "Folljes" project is NBC's idea of counter-programming re-establishing a simple, easy-to-take family hour that has been neglected lately. If the pilot sells, Wynn tells of signing the likes of Danny Kaye, Ann-Margret, Mitzi Gaynor, Phil Silvers, Zero Mostel, Li- brace; and he will import the talents of a Tommy Steele, a Sacha Distel.

An admirer of Mickey Rooney's theatricality, Wynn intends to use Mickey as a continuing performer, but maintains "Follies" will not be known as "The Mickey Rooney Show." Though variety shows have been on the skids all season, Wynn sees favorable omens for his marriage of the old with the new. "My 19-year-old daughter wants to dress up and go out," said Wynn. "Romance is coming back, and so are melodies in music. The popularity of acid rock has fallen off. Show business is having an uptrend.

So our thinking is to give people a night out in their living room." Asked to explain why "Folies" might succeed while standard variety hours go down the sink, Wynn said he believed the current product no longer entertains. "You hear irrelevant monologues about social problems according to the comedian's ideology, and they're not fun. I think everybody js a little overburdened with the world's problems. We don't have any message on Our guidelines are simple: Is it physical, and is it funny?" In keeping with the old formula, the ignores the fashionable electronic gimmicks popularized on present variety hours, and cameras will concentrate on the performers, bypassing the tricky angles used by directors hunting for a different look. Producer Wynn sees "Follies" as an eight or nine p.m.

series, but he won't fault his late evening debut following Bob Hope that's the best in his opinion. NBC is obviously counting on 'Follies' to follow in the tradition of the old "Colgate Comedy Hour" and "Your Show of Shows," and at this point the property appears to be a shoo-in for the 73 September schedule. Sammy Davis Jr. and Friends.