The San Francisco Examiner from San Francisco, California • 71

Dec 25, 1973 71 THE ARTS loving th movie They'll con you into A XHrTTVTATTTVTn "rVa-tTTTTTft 'The Paper Chase' is a wonderful achievement, consistently interesting, richly exciting, warmly entertaining." RF F.D, SyndiCdlnd Columnist RvV Iilllilis1v I "THE STINQ," a Universal Picture release; produced bv Tony Bill. Michael and Julia Phillips: directed by George Rov Hill: written by David S. Ward. With Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Robert Shaw, Charles I Ray Walston, Pi een Brennan, Dana Elcar, Robert Earl Jones. At the Regency Parental Guidance (PG).

s. ''v': I I-1 Mkmmm IW.in,,,,,,ui,wi,WgxWMIIWIWI aoth (ram' Timothy Inclsiiyfogner 1 .3 Hi Pre-nt8 Bottoms John Houseman, 00 cuuxep. pci rH bv 7nr f-Miinint Exclusive San Francisco.Engagement $1.00 BARGAIN MATINEE everyday 'til 2:00 pm a hedfohd IfWSTaW- SYOttfcr POLUO tahtu VZz IpeT LAST DAY "The Paper Chase" a-WrO0ERT C. THOMPSON RODWCK PAUL i e.MwJAMf5 DWDGtS DWDGES JAY O5D0RN. Jl MuubyJOHN WILLIAMS Ml iapl flSii: MWVl filt tfi ---1y 'LTirimiiifanirr-rr Tiwm'iim lmrmrirrrrtiinirrirt l'tirnnrftir liwirnnnr-'-tfr-iir By Jeanne Miller Paul Newman and Robert Ttedford, who played the charismatic outlaws in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," are back together, this time as beguiling confidence men of the Depression era i "The Sting." The audience becomes a willing mark for the delightful pair who try to bilk a bigtime racketeer of half a million dollars.

Therefore, we cheerfully suspend reser-vations about plausibility and logic and settle down to watch the lightweight escapist film which provides liberal portions of comedy, suspense and action. George Roy Hill (who also directed "Butch and his screenwriter, David S. Ward, have designed the film (which opens today at the Regency I) fit the distinctive appeal of its stars who are much more lovable than they were as smiling frontier killers. Their saga begins with the plight of Redford, a small-time grifter who cons a mark out of $5000, not suspecting that his victim is a runner for a powerful numbers overlord, Robert Shaw. Bedford's partner, Robert Earl Jones, is knocked off by Shaw's henchmen and Redford goes on the run.

Since he lives by his wits and has no killer instinct, lie is terrified by the relentless 's top The top record album fTwANTTlUl' -nif. Shows-1 30 3- 5 45 8 00 10 srniiSAno AND ROBERT REDFORD turn slick ccn artists to gain revenge bookie joint where Newman is the manager and his grifter friends are the phony customers. man, Redford sets up Shaw by letting him win some relatively minor bets. But when Newman and Redford get ready to pull the "big con" the half milion dollar deal Shaw gets stung. Purists might say with justice that a great deal of the complicated plot is preposterous.

But it matters very little, since the film is filled with charm, not the least of which is Scott Joplin's lively ragtime score. 'Scrooge' quits at Cow Palace The arena production, "Scrooge: The Stingiest Man in Town," shut down after Sunday night's performance at the Cow Palace. The "Christmas Carol" musical was to have played another week, through Dec. 30. But the producers decided to cancel the rest of the run because of poor reviews and sparse attendance.

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM REDUCED PRICES TONIGHT AT 8:30 PM The Little Fox Theatre. 533 Pacific, San Francisco B.O. Phone 434-4738 Also Ticketron, Macy's leading agencies The Mills TOGETHER! SHOWS TODAY AT 2:00,4:00,6:00, i-ree narking hivi ana Mil uay iunaay 1 tiOjK THE UJAY "QUE Of THE BEST CRIME SYNDICATE FILMS SINCE the godfather: MTter poker game with him aboard the Twentieth Century Limited to Chicago. The sequence is priceless, as Newman poses as a drunken bookmaker and out- Rock Roll Revival itl Redwood City A "Rock n' Roll Revival" will be held at the Fox Theater in Redwood City for three days, beginning day and continuing through New Year's Eve. I The performers, from the rock 'n' roll era of tiie 50s and 60s, will include the Coasters, Big Joe Turner, Shirley and Lee, the Olympics, Joe Jones, Ron Holden, Bob and Earl, Bobby Day, Jessie Hill, Joe Huston and the Daily Bread.

Show imes will be at 3 and 8 p.m. each day and a special New Year's Eve show at 11:30 p.m. For details, call 369-0806. IN "THE STING' cheats the wily gangster who is determined to get re-' venge. Then it is Redford's turn to take over by luring the fu-- rious i hoodlum to a fake Mills Brothers due at Fairmoiit The Mills Brothers open three-week engagement Thursday in the Venetian Room of the Fairmont Hotel.

On New Year's Eve, dinner will be served in both the Venetian Room and'the Gold Room. The Mills Brother will perform in the Gold Room at 9:45 p.m. and in the Venetian Room at 11 p.m. Cody in benefit Commander Cody and His T.ost Planet Airmen, Papa Creach with Zulu, and v.lll perform ft benefit concerts for the legalization of marijuana Friday and Saturday, Jan. 4 and 5, at 8 p.m.

at the Village, 901 Columbus Aye. Fo3 Town 1 Billboard magazine; 1. Elton John "Goodbye Yellow Brick Rod," (MC.V. 2. Carpenters "The Single 3.

Steve Miller Band "The Joker" (Capitol). i 4. Neil Diamond "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" (Colum-i bia). 1 1. Jim Corce "You Don't Mess Around with Jim" (ABC).

C. Ringo Starr "Ringo" (Apple). 7. The Who "Quadrophema" (MCA). S.

Jim Croce Life Times" (ABC). -( Gladys Knight Pips "Imagination" 10. John Lennon "Mind Games (Apple). 11. Loggins Messina "Full Sail" (ColuimYa).

12. Jim Croce "I Got a Name" (ABC). 13. Charlie Rich "Behind Closed Daors" (Ep'c 14. Cheech Chong "Los Cochinos" (Ode).

15. Alice Cooper "Muscle of Love" (Warner Ero). 16. Bette Midler-(Atlantic). 17.

Stevie Wonder 'Inervisiom" Ilijl has elicited from Newman his most attractive portrayal in several years. And Redford's characterization likeable, lonely and naive is a perfect foil for Newman's cynicism. Shaw contributes a masterly characterization as the limping, stone-faced killer. Excellent performances are turned in as well by Charles Durning as a vicious policeman, Jones as the pair's friend and Eileen Brennan as Newman's floozy girl friend. SPECIAL HOLIDAY MATINEE Thursday 230 THE MOST MARVELOUS PARTY IN TOWN!" Time Magazine Words I Music by HQEt COWARD Sat.

2 304 830; 3 7 30 MARINES' MEMORIAL THEATRE Sultw 4 Mhou SlrMtt 7713858 GROUP SALES 771-3880 American Conservatory Theatre Brathers Wednesday.) OPENS WED. JAN. 2 THRU SUN. JAN. 6 con VPALACE 1 FOR GROUPS (25 or more) SCOUTS and SENIOR CITIZtN DISCOUNTS CALL (415t 922-8808 at 1 Jfimi-Time State- Zip- A 1 A- OF (ST.

i SPECIAL SHOWS TODAY 2:00 8. 6:00 BAY AREA'S BIGGEST, HAPPIEST HOLIDAY TREAT! A Spectacular New Musical Production! JOHN CARRADINE ROBERT MERRILL Frank Guarrera Barbara Williams Terence Monk and a singing, dancing cast of 80! 18. Fj-ank Sinatra "01 Blue Eyes Is Back' fFepri 19. Greg Allman "Laid Back" (Warner Bros 20. American Graffiti Soundtrack (MCA).

TOP SINGLE "Time in a Bottle" Jim Croce (ABC)i ANTHONY QUINN The Mills Brothers wax melodic in the Venetian Room December 27 through January 16. Shows at 9:30 and midnight. Superb cuisine and dancing to Ernie Heckscher's Big Band. Ill 11 IN The Stingiest Han in Slirrinf co-starring FREDERIC FORREST PAUL NEWMAN pursuit of the armed hitmen. He looks up his slain bud- dy's old friend, Newman, a tired, washed-out cardsharp who has virtually retired from the confidence "game and together they plan the financial ruin of Shaw, more for vengeance for the death of their friend than for gain.

They get a foot in the door when Newman arranges to meet Shaw and get into a albums of the week, as compiled bv GALA WORLD PREMIERE TOMORROW At 8:30 TheTrial of Janeg Wlistlcif! ON BROADWAY Theater 435 Broadway Tues. thru Fri. 8:30: Sat. 7 10 p.m.; Sun. 7:30.

TICKETS at -Macy's or On Broadway B.0. 098-0800) Group Rates Avail. imiiiiiiiMii i ii 'Hi wx i in 24 Hour. 7 Day Reservation Service Toll -800648 3773 "55 fes C3S jm JO pm." 1m iiaMag Before they (Fran Jeffries last times ANGEL TOMPKINS CHARLES CIOFFI Directed by RICHARD FLEISCHER Music by JERRY GOLDSMITH Screenplay by MARVIN H. ALBERT Associate Producer PAUL NATHAN Produced by HAL B.

WALLIS A UNIVERSAL PICTURE TECHNICOLOR A Full Orchestra Chorus 1 Corps de Ballet The Fairmont Reservations: 362-6109 Plus "HIGH PLAINS WlusClint Eastwood PlusPaul Newman I ORIFTERIains-in HIGH PLAINS in "WINNINGT, I Dally 'Don' 2:00. I 8:05 fcOOJOiOCWinninq I BaMatiSI.OOtil SyDon' at 3:45 8:00 PM Tickets: Cow Palace, Macy's, Ticketron, All Agencies 3.50 5.50 J6.50 334.4852 Children 12 under Hall Price All Perfs. The Christmas Theatre in the COW PALACE me LONG ARM ri of VENGEANCE WE HIT-WAS ON AND THERE WAS NO: PLACE TO HIDE I ROBERT FORSTER ALLETTIERI tag a MCAi i-lCv-, NEW ncisco Tr, NOW SHOWING MATINFES DAILY AT 11:30. I fjWVhliry MACK'J Bargain Matinees S1.00 until ff Meet iia rvREMRY IM A W1 IN A WILD HELD OVER BY POPULAR DEMAND CLEAN AND FUNNY Herb Caen THE MONTGOMERY PLAYHOUSE 622 BROADWAY, S.F. PHONE 788-8282 Also ticketron, Macy's leading ajencies CROUP SALES 387-6409 tm mi Harralis Hotels and Casinos 11 mm IS I CARTOON FEATURE UNITED FETUHE INC.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE: WED. JAN. 2 8:00 THU. JAN. 3 8:00 FRI.

JAN. 4 8:00 SAT. JAN. 5 8:00 SUN. JAN.

6 $1 OFF JRt. (16 yrs. under) and Fri. 8 p.m. Sat.

2 p.m. ind Sun 6 p.m. JeoYoap's Be "Count noun sneciar FIVE COURSE GOURMET DINNER Your choice of Seven Seas Lobster, Oyster Filet and Sweet Sour Pork or Roasted Strip Loin of Bee preceded by a medley of Chinese appetizers accompanied by a Half Bottle of Champagne for each person. FIVE LIVELY ENTERTAINERS The bright and brassy sounds of "SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN" playing everything from nostalgia to Latin Rock (show starts at 9 PM) 1 NINE PM to TWO AM DANCING and all this with a 1972 Price Tag The full tab for our "Count Down Special" $19.50 per person (dinner, champagne, favors, tax and tips included) FOR RESERVATIONS 415433-6600 If you join us-for the "Count Down we'll, also knock down the price of a double room for two from S32.50 to $24! (a sensible place to spend the night) eicjlTc immokcaLs RESTAURANT LOUNGE (Located on the Mezzanine) 2ixfiii Svwv FINANCIAL DISTRICT Kearny at Washington Parking Available i MM. PRICES: $4.50 INFORMATION: (415) 334-4852 TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT All tow Palace Box Offic All Mjcy'a Downtown Center Bo Office, S.f.

S.F. Ticket Center Nell Thremj Bo Olflce, Oak. San Bo Office MAIL ORDERS ACCEPTED NOW ORDER BEST SEATSTO AYjf MAIL TO: HOLIDAY ON ICE, COW PALACE P.O. Box 34206, San Francisco, Calif. 94134 Enclosed li Check Money Order Totaling fLT mSSEi PRonicii(s- ROBIN HOOD Ktleaitd VISTA DISTRIBUTION CO INC TFrHVlfni (U Will Qisnet Productions I IViLV8 PLUS WALT DISNEY'S LIVE ACTION FEATURETTE NATURE'S STRANGEST CREATURES, at Dite for Adult Tickets and or for Ptrformanc of Second Choicei fey-Name Strett Junior Tickets Fn rsivK vn a ben ns at 6 Bin tor 8: lf om show: 1 1 tm fnr City- PLF.A5E ENCLOSt SELF-ADDRESSED STAMPED ENVELOPE shn.Jihoe show times i ii ii.