The San Francisco Examiner from San Francisco, California • 30

Movie Stars as Art Collectors LIVELY ARTS FILM THEATER MUSIC ART Page 30 Thursday, April 19, 1973 i j.i, HOLLYWOOD (AP) The sale of the late Edwarrl G. Robinson's art collection for $5.12 million demonstrated again the film colony's, status as a center of outstanding paintings and sculpture. The 88-piece collection, which includes works by such artists as Monet and Renoir, was purchased by a New York City gallery headed by Armand Hammer, board chairman of the Occidental Petroleum Corp. The money will go to trusts for the Robinson family. The Acting Makes Spy Film Exciting )k III pl: Robinson was Hollywood's "SCORPIO," a United Artists release; produced by Walter Mirisch; directed bv Michael Winner; screenplay by David W.

Rintels and Gerald Wilson. With Burt Lancaster, Alain Delon, Paul Scofield, John Colicos, Gayle Hunnicutt, J. D. Cannon. At the Royal and Empire.

Parental Guidance (PG). Alain Delon plays a free-lance assassin working for the CIA in "Scorpio' By Jeanne Miller "Scorpio," which opened yesterday at the Royal and Empire, is a better than average suspense thriller, primarily because of excellent performances by Burt ter, Alain Delon and Paul Scofield. But the muddled script is entirely unsuitable for a straightforward spy melodrama that tries to explore the ruthlessness and double-dealing implicit in professional espionage. The murder of an Arab official presumably triggers off the events of the story and sends Delon, who is being blackmailed by the CIA, on the trail of Lancaster, an American agent who supposedly turned traitor. Delon pursues his quarry from Washington to Paris and finally Vienna, where Lancaster meets Scofield, a Russian agent who tries to convince the hunted man to defect to Moscow and save his life.

Scofield is a bit of a philosopher, a cynical, tired man who is resigned to the fact that spying is a dirty game whether played by the East or the West. It is never satisfactorily established what part the Arab assassination plays in the complexities of the double agent game. Nor do we ever discover the ethical position of the principal characters, a deficiency that reduces the film to the level of a routine action adventure. Obviously, director Michael Winner was attempting a low-key examination of the vicious, corrupt nature of professional espio: nage, like Martin Ritt's powerful and gripping "The Spy Who Came in From the Cold." most famous collector, but there are many more. Valuable art is more of a status symbol smong movie celebrities than Bel-Air mansions and Rolls-Royces.

"1 encourage my clients to buy art, if they can afford to," says a Beverly Hills business manager. "With the way the art market is skyrocketing, the investment is bound to increase in value. Good paintings are a much better investment than diamonds or starlets." A couple of years ago, the Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles presented an exhibit of art owned by Hollywood figures. Among the contributors were Julie Andrews, Gregory Peck, Dinah Shore, J. L.

Warner, Richard Zan-uck, Eva Marie Saint, Ali MacGraw, Tony Curtis, George Cukor, Els a Lan-chester, Jack Lemmon, Mer-vyn Leroy, Vincent Price and Arte Johnson. "The exhibit had everything from old masters to recent moderns," recalls gallery director Wayne Long. "It was such a valua ble exhibit one insuranca company turned us down on insuring it." What attracts film people to buy art? Status no doubt plays a role; some view their purchases as an investment. But many acquire paintings and sculpture simply for their beauty. Robinson liked to refer to his art works as "my children." The great tragedy of his life came when he had to part with his children because of a divorce settlement with his first wife.

The first collection was magnificent, since he had started it before art prices inflated. "No one in Hollywood today can amass a collection like Robinson's first one," says Beverly Hills art dealer Frank Perls. "Tony Curtis has a couple of nice pictures, and Natalie Wood has a good Matisse sculpture which she bought from me. But fewer and fewer Holly-wbod personalities have what you can say is a good collection." the devastatingly handsome Delon is subtly sinister as his nemesis. Scofield's characterization is perhaps the most eloquent a man troubled and disillusioned about the state of the universe and helpless to make any constructive contribution.

The other performers are less successful, particularly John Colicos as an obnoxious CIA boss and Gayle Hunnicutt as De-Ion's girl friend. But Winner fails to tie in his loose plot lines and contents himself instead with de-emphasizing loopholes in a flashy series of camera gimmicks that dazzle the eye and distract attention from the story. Despite its flaws, "Scorpio" is intermittently interesting and sometimes absorbing because the three protagonists are so exciting to watch. Lancaster brings a resigned, world weary charm to his role of the fugitive and A Record Masterpiece From Procol Harum San Francisco Civic Light Opera I IIIIAX TIIKATHK A73- I lOO LAST 3 WEEKS! CP Tiro1 Black Film Session Set Actor Mantan Moreland, director Gordon Parks film critic Clayton Riley and studio publicist Vincent Tubbs will appear at the third weekend session of a four-part program, "Black Film History: Appraisals and Projections," Saturday and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

in the Pacific Film Archive at the University Art Museum, 2621 Durant Berkeley. For details, call 642-1643. Art Institute Film Festival The third annual San Francisco Art Institute Film Festival will be held Fridays and Saturdays, April 20, 21, 27 and 28, at 8:30 p.m. in the institute's auditorium. The program includes films from art students across the country.

Filipino Dance A "Portrait of the Filipino" will be presented by a local troupe, the Sampaquita Philippine Folk Dancers, Saturday at 8 p.m. in the Chabot College Community Auditorium in Hayward. GENN.E44EN OF NERONk TONY N.Y. CRITICS' AWARDS "BEST MUSICAL-1972" SEATS AVAILABLE the acoustic guitars, banjo and calliope "Souvenir," a song about VD, and the use of other additional instruments and voices. All the arrangements except one are as perfect as you could hope for.

The questionable one is on "Fires (Which Burn Brightly)," on which Christianne LeGrand of the Swingle Singers has been brought in to sing a soprano part. She does so beautifully, and that is the problem. When Procol performed this song- live on their last tour, it came off as a haunting, powerful evocation of the aftermath of a futile and fruitless war. Christianne's jazzy prettiness diminishes the song's power. But you can always turn to Reid's lyrics, included in a beautifully printed booklet, and get the original idea.

Reid again concentrates on the dark side of life suicide, alcoholism, paranoia, gluttony, drug addition but he manages never to become obvious or boring. Though "Grand Hotel" has some gloomy corners and murky corridors, it is a fascinatingly grotesque place to spend 40 minutes with Procol Harum. Chicago Sun-Times By Al Rudis Procol Harura's "Live in Concert With the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra" records and tapes) was by a great measure the worst album they have ever recorded. Paradoxically, it was also their most popular, and in the end, it did this talented British band more good than harm. It sent their new fans scurrying after their older albums, which contain superior versions of the songs on the live album.

Now legions of Procol admirers are ready for "Grand Hotel" (Chrysalis records and tapes), a masterpiece to put next to such earlier triumphs as "A Salty Dog." "Home" and "Shine on Brightly" (all records and tapes). Except perhaps for "Roberts' Box," the album's eight songs all show Procol at the height of their art. The title song is the pace-setter. It's a tone poem in which Gary Brooker's music and arrangements and Keith Reid's lyrics describe a mixture of elegance and decadence. Along the way, Gary uses some orchestral augumenta- A Musical ON STAGE TON ITE AT 8:30 Happenings MUSIC Son Francisco Symphony Symphony Foundation members concert with Seiji Ozawa conducting, and five wind player winners of Foundation contest as soloists, Opera House.

(No more tickets available) 8:30 p.m. Chamber Music Peter Mark, viola; Thea Mus-grave, piano; and London Young, piano, in old and new music, of Community Music Center, 544 Capp. Supper Club The Supremes, in the Venetian Room, Fairmont Hotel, through May 9 9:30 p.m. and midnight. Rock-Folk Concert The Beach Boys, Jesse Col-rA in Young and Mauritz, at Winter-land, Post and Steiner Streets.

8:00 p.m. Jazz Singer Ann Weldon, at El Matador; 492 Broadwuy, through April 28 9:30 p.m. Rock-Dance Bad Water Bridge, at the Peppermint Tree, 660 Broadway, through Sunday 8:30 p.m. Bluei The Hi Tide Harris Blues Band, at the Sand Dunes, 3599 Taraval St 9:30 p.m. Dance-Rock The Craig Strode Three, at Pierc Street Annex, 3138 Fillmore through Sunday 9:30 p.m.

Rock-Jazz-Dance Is, at the Orphanage, 807 Montgomery St. through Saturday 9:30 p.m. Folk Jim Post, at Mother Lode, 2001 Union St. 9:00 p.m. Bluegrasi The Hired Hands, at Paul's Saloon, 3251 Scott St.

9:00 p.m. Jozz Tony Lewis Trio, at the Reunion, 1969 Union through Sunday 9:00 p.m. Country-Folk Concert Kris Kristofferson and Rita 0 0 I i dg at Berkeley Community Theater 8:00 p.m. Rock-Dance Joy of Cooking, at Keystone Berkeley, 2119 University Ave. 9:00 p.m.

Bluegrass-Rock Old and In The Way, and the Rowan Brothers, at the Lion's Share, 60 Red Hill San Anselmo, through Saturday. George Edwards Duo replaces the Rowans tomorrow and Saturday. 9:00 p.m. Rock Bitter Sweet, tonight at the Old Mill Tavern, 106 Throckmorton, Mill Valley. 9:00 p.m.

Jazz The Jean Hoffman Trio, at Gatsby'i, 39 Caledonia, Sausalito, through Sunday. 9:30 p.m. Rock Sal Valentino, ot the Bodega Club, 30 South Central, Bodega. 9:30 p.m. Rock Synergy and E'vis Duck, at Inn of the Beginning, Cotati 9:30 p.m.

DANCE Dance Spectrum "The Journey," "The Way," "Orfeus," "The Awakening," opening two-weekend run in The Wabe theater, Lone Mountain Ccllege. 8:30 p.m. Modern Dancers University Danct Theater, opening two-weekend run of sophisticated, novel productions, in UC Berkeley's Zel- lerbach Playhouse 8:00 p.m. STAGE Poetry Reading Poets Lennart Bruce, Ora Wil liams, David Sayles and Katy Akin, at the Old Spaghetti Factory, 478 Green St 8:00 p.m. I FILM SPECIALS Film Series a Cinematheque presents "The Beautiful Color of Black and White," a study of the tone and texture of black and white film, at the San Francisco Art Institute, 800 Chestnut St 8:30 I Surfing Film Hal Jensen's "A Sea for Your- self," at the Palact of Fine Arts, Marina Blvd.

and Baker Street 8:30 p.m. Pacific Film Archive Bo Widerberg's "Raven's End" (1964, Sweden), at the University tion and a symphonic choir, as well as an instrumental interlude that salutes everyone from Chopin to "Doctor Zhivago." Everything works beautifully, and the result is a haunting mini-symphony. Despite the failings of the live album, Procol is a group ideally suited for or-chestral arrangements. Even without additional instruments, they produce a thick, textured sound that is as close as rock gets to symphonic music. (They'll be at Winterland Thursday, May 24.) Sometimes the group sounds a little ponderous, such as on "T.V.

Caesar," but usually Reid's lyrics can bear the full weight of Brooker's piano and Chris Copping's organ, over which new member Mick Grabham plays stinging guitar lines. Underneath, Barrie Wilson is as hard-driving a rock drummer as you'll find, yet with flexibility for sudden shifts, military rolls and del-, icate cymbal playing. Matching his fluidity and power is bassist Alan Cart-wright. When this gang takes off faster numbers like "Toujours l'Amour" or "Bringing Home the' Bacon," it's as if a steamroller is running you down, and yet they can be light and even good humored on numbers like "A a 1 and "Souvenir of London." Brooker and probably producer Chris Thomas are responsible for things like 0SMASH MONTH! ADVANCE PHONE RESERVATIONS: 771-4858 TUESJhru FRI. 8:30, SAT.

6 4 9, SUN. 3:00, WED. 2:30 Group Theatre Party Information: 771-3880 SrSrrZx MARINES' MEMORIAL THEATRE 111 11 1KIWBM Sutter end Mason Sts. Mail 94102 A RICH AND ID I JMMiaa immi ii an nweiwiei mm "Made the Wabe Theater audience cheer!" Fried, 5. F.

ExamiiMt Carlos Carvajal'i DANCE SPECTRUM presents THE JOURNEY (a danc trilogy) APRIL 19, 20, 21,26, 27,28 WABE THEATER ST 2800 Turk (nr. Masonic) Info. 4 824 0609 I i MEMORABLE SEASON Drew Nancy NOW in repertory: San Francisco Examiner One Way Productions Preeentt SHADOWFAX In Concert at THE GREAT AMERICAN MUSIC HALL 859 O'FarrellSt. S.F. APRIL 20 21, 8:30 P.M.

Liquor Served Minors Welcome CYRANO DE BERCERAC by Edmund Rostand A DOLL'S HOUSE by Ibsen (Translated by Allen Fletcher) YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU by Kaufman Hart THE CRUCIBLE by Arthur Miller THAT CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON by Jason Miller (Winner of the 1973 Tony Award for Best Play) TONITE APR. 19 8:30 SEASON APR. 20 8:30 CAN'T SAT. APR. 21 2:30 CAN'T SAT.

APR. 21 8:30 CAN'T MON. APR. 23 8:30 DOLL'S TUES. APR.

24 8:30 SEASON "The Amazing Nancy Drew," a musical adaptation of the Nancy Drew mystery series, will be performed Friday and Saturday, at midnight in the Palace Theater, Columbus and Powell Streets. Several former members of the Cockettes are in the high-camp production. Roman Polanski's "The Fearless Vampire Killers" will be shown after the Catch onto Harrah's if) Art Museum, 2621 Durant Berke- ley Also, Jan Troell's "Here Is Your Life" 7:30 p.m. SEASON EXTENDED BY POPULAR DEMAND Tickets On Sale Now Thru May 12 Only! ('966, Sweden) 9:30 Film Series "Jennv Lamour" (1947 Frnnrol p.m. GEARY THEATRE Geary and Mason St.

group sales-77 i-388o PHONE 673-6440 and "The Gambler" 1 958, France), at the Me rritt Cafeteria, 1 2500 Campus Oakland. Admission free 7:00 p.m. I ART Fusion of Eastern and Western Vision Paintings by Anna I Wu Weakland, Wells Fargo Bank headquarters, 420 Montgomery, to May 11. San Francisco and Osaka Children Exhibit of their drawings at Bank of Tokyo, Japan Center, to April 28 Photos of Japan Exhibit by Mak Takohashi, at Franklin juvinya una uoan, (viarKet at tighth, to May 1 8. 8 tji Jsjatf I xknY I 4th Smash Year! Barbara EJART EDEM ISx(B "I DREAM OF JEANNIE" Coming May 7 MARTY ROBBINS RESERVATIONS PHONE TOLL-FREE ANYTIME 800-648-1177 and catch a star.

BALL0ffe 20TH bENTUHT La Tonight at :30 pm The Supremes turn the Venetian Room upside-down April 19 through May 9. Shows at 9:30 and midnight Also dancing to Ernie Heckscher's Big Band. Closed Mondays. For reservations call 362-6109. At the Fairmont.

Where else? Harrah's 24-story Reno Hotel and the new, luxurious Tahoe Hotel (opening soon) put you on top of a non-stop whirl of action and excitement. Harrah's, Reno and Tahoe, has it all. world's greatest entertainers seven fabulous restaurants recreational activities. scenic attractions. In Reno, there's Harrah's famous Automobile Collection.

It's the time of your life. Anytime. Catch on? OPERA HOUSE APRIL 23-29 The Little Fox Theatre. 533 Pacific San Francisco B.O. Phone 434-473S Also Tickctron, Macy's Harralis Hotels and Casinos Reno and Lake Tahoe SEATS N(5w ALL AGENCIES St leading agencies For reservation Information dial toll Ires Reno 800-648-3773, Tahoe 800-648-3311.

-Student Tickets $2.50 Cell m-TUi -J.