The San Francisco Examiner from San Francisco, California • 26

I REVIEW highlights "Th Bto PI." UntWTMl 'Imm of a Mm produced by Ctrl Borach and Atotiartf DrayluBa; dire led by Jerwny Paul Kagan; acrvenptay by Roflr L. Simon, from his novel, photography by Frank Stanley. With Richard Oreyfusi, Saan Anspach, Bonnie Bedelia, John Lithgow. Orelia Medina, FrtU Weaver. Nicholas Coster.

Murray Abraham. Haled Pd A fair, uneven mystery thriller about a rumpled private aye, amusingly played by Richard Oreyluss. whose Involvement In a political Imbroglio leads to murder. Evening admission $3 60. Al the Stage Door, Plsza and El Rancho Drive Ni.

i P9 EXAMINER Oct. 6, 1978 private eye with a novel look By Stanley Elchelbaum They set out to locate the source of the fliers; but having determined that the smear was not the work of the candidate's opponent, they realize that a more sinister plot is afoot. And just as Moses is rekindling his affection for his former Berkeley sweetheart and comrade in arms, he finds her dead in her apartment, shot throuch the head bv what is obviouslv a mnre I HE BIG FIX," which opens today at the Stage Door, Plaza and El Ranpho Drive-in, asks us to consider Moses Wine as the new private eye a successor to Philip Marlowe and Sam Spade, who won his points for cynicism in the Berkeley riots diabolical villain than he bargained for. Moses now has cause to clean the rust from his gun and put it in order. lie bites his up and goes after the killer.

If you can accept Dreyfuss In a role Inherited from Humphrey Bogart, you'll have no problem liking the film. To my mind, Dreyfuss is not a very convincing tough guy. But then, he doesn't really go that route. He sweats and quakes when he finally uses the gun. And there's a scene In which he bursts into tears watching a TV documentary recalling the old days of the Berkeley riots.

Considering the mess that's shown, his sentimen-' tal journey is laughable. Dreyfuss plunges into his role with the nervous energy we've come to expect from him. But he brings too much preciosity to his portrayal, and his overly cute mannerisms become abrasive, particularly in his scenes of warming up to Anspach. We haven't seen Anspach since "Five Easy Pieces" and "Blume in Love," and I wish 1 could cheer her return. But her role is so short-lived that she's gone in a flash, and what she does before departing isn't too of the '60s, and entered the gumshoe business as a law-scfiocJl dropout Richard Dreyfuss plays Moses, perhaps, the first recognizably Jewish detective, replete with guilt about his failed marriage, and so solicitous aftout his two small sons that he collects them from his ex-wife (Bbnriie Bedelia) and takes them along when he goes ort on a Joh in his battered Volkswagen.

36ispite what it owes to the Hollywood genre of '40s defective fiction, "The Big Fix," adapted by Roger L. Simon from his 1973 novel, has a fresh and original viewpoint. Moses is an amusingly updated private eye. He's a Les Angeles resident barely able to eke out a living and meet child-support payments in small-time jobs sujch as investigating supermarket thefts and serving diyorce papers. i He keeps a gun in the glove compartment of his cax, but it hasn't been loaded in so long that his kids regard it as a toy and stick crayons in the barrel.

Moses wouldn't be much good with a gun anyway. He wears a plaster cast on his right arm, and it's too unwieldy for Dfeyfuss to be faking it. The actor actually broke his wrist before shooting1 started, and decided in his double capacity as producer aifd star to go with the cast, figuring that a broken limb would fit in with Moses' character. The injury makes for a running gag did it in a bar fight with a John Bfrcher," and Dreyfuss carries the whole thing off th surprising elan. The story gets down to business when Moses is asjced to take a case involving an attempted fix of a political campaign.

A middle-of-the-road candidate for governor is being smeared as a radical in a phony series of! fliers containing an endorsement by an underground fugitive, a certain Howard Eppis, who has a notorious record as a revolutionary. Impressive. fua i i Si i lie uiysiciy jjiui is su ueiise aim laueu uuwn wnu expository matter that the characters, with i the exception of Moses Wine, are barely touched upon. Simon's screermlav could have heen mnre selective A cop Is bemused to find Richard Dreyfuss' pistol loaded with crayons with social and political relevance, and not dragged in everything from a put-down of est, to corrupt Koreans, to violence against the farmworkers' union. It covers too much with the kind of shallowness that has the '60s revolutionary Howard Eppis (F.

Murray Abraham) turning up as an advertising executive who's struck it rich writing soap commercials. The film has its ups and downs, but it's been directed with a fair amount of suspense and briskness by Jeremy Paul Kagan, who's picked up skill since his faltering feature debut with "Heroes." The fliers have heen widely distributed, and the, candidate's campaign manager, John Lithgow, wants to expose them as fraudulent before the candidate's reputation is ruined. Moses accepts the challenge of finding the culprit who bad them printed up, and he's joined in the investigation by Susan Anspach, a campaign worker who was Moses' girl in his radical Berkeley days. ToTJTffHT PBEMKRC Of TMe -BEST Of LASCRKJM" MOW. CONTAINS lHt BEST SELECTIONS FROM LASERtUM I PLUS SEVEN AU.

NEW ROCK A. WWA IIISIMA I ITWIWI uil VIC JACKIE ROY "Often imitated but never equaled" Mec. Dinner mvd 6 pm-1 am Theater Guide DTI AT il ITTFTJ 1 A A 1 i-i npVmATirM, THE FANTASTICKS Amenca's most successful musical with 18 i menteVTi fj-stoH vem ntt Pcsrfxsrt THE WINTER'S TALE PREVIEW TOMORROW AT 2:30 7.00' Shtfcmpeore't mystical fairy tab a besustst1 olegory of th ttart and season BULLSHOT CRUMMOND FINAL WEEKS! Fourth Hlcnous Year1 Tues -Fri. S30Saf. 1 10 30Sun.

7 30 THE HIPPODROME THEATRE 412firoodwoy. 982-2343 MAGIC '79 ALL NEW MAGIC REVUE Jxm to dazzle the eye and boggfe the mnd Close Up magx before otter Wed. thru Sun. 8.30 1 10 30 doors open 7:30 Reservatiom-. 397-3700 PHOENIX THEATRE of Magic 430 Broadway, S.F entertoTrnerit for the entre family I ues-Fn eves 8 30; Sal eves 7 10.

Sun mats Sun. eves. 7 30. I ickets: Macys, BAbb Mcua Agencies. ANTHTHtCOUHritr sv Kst (tarrtnt ty i hit magic i CANNERY THEATER 2801 Leavenworth 441-680C PRf VJSWS BEGW OCTOBER 11' TisgensVs lyrical Russian ckKac tefc the blierovirT story of an aristocratic wife who OVER 6 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED IT! PERFORMED LIVE AT to ti love with her sons NO SEX, PLEASE WE'RE BRITISH Last 4 Shows! Oct 6, 7, 13, 14 Fridays, Saturdays 8 30 p.m.

OPEN THEATER 441 Clement 386-3086 THE GONDOLIERS! Iwdsome tutor. ENCOUNTERS WOMEN AND MEN Three one octs about relationships, "an auspicious start to the new season." Examiner Tburs. -Sot. 8 30; Sun 7.30 ONI ACT THEATRE CO. OF S.F.

SHOWCASE THEATRE 430 Mason at Geary 421-6162 Tiet tiformation Phone Charge GJbert Sufcvon's "rtoSan" comic opera GEARY THEATRE "The Funniest Live Show FnVSot. eves. Best seats now Oct 13, 27, Nov 3 ond 4 ot $6 75, students-seniors Geary 4 Moson Stv 673-6440 $3 75 vour local box office, or LAMP-LIGHTERS 777b5 10 30-5pm, Satv THE MORRISON PLANETARIUM. GOLDEN GATE PARK TICKETS AVAILABLE TONIGHT! 7:30, 0:00 4 10:30 P.M. Admission t3.2S.

For snfomltlon can (4 15) TSI-42S4 or (416) T-C-L-E-TX. Oroup UIM CH 41) 42I-S407. In Town" AtWAYS TWO SIDES PHILADELPHIA HERE I COME By Brian Fuel Thu-Sun 8 pm $3.504 .50 or PAS JULIAN THEATRE 953DeHaroSF 647-8098 T0CA PANCAKE 2:30. PRESENTATION Theatre 2350 Turk St, doors open 7.30 pm. John Wasserman SF.

CHRONICLE. July 9. 1975 EVOLUTION OF THE BLUES S.F 's longest running musical ft its 5th smash year Starring George Turner Tues. thru Sat. 8:30, Sun.

7 30. ON BROADWAY THEATRE 435 Broadway 398-0800 Gulu Theatre to, fit. Sot, Sun, 8' 30 She performance space 664-7107 CURRAN THEATRE MS Geary. Son Francisco. CA W102 NOW PLAYING THRU NOV.

5th ROMEO JEANETTE A sahre on romantic love. Greeted bv Fred fHartman. Fri. Sat. at 8, $4, Sun.

Met. at 3, S.F. ACTORS ENSEMBLE 2940-16thSt. (nr. Msston)861-9015 THE MAGICIAN A new play by Alex Horn, LVected by Ob Award wemer, Sharon Ganstom.

Fu, Sot. Sun 8 30, dmers at 6. THEATRE Of ALL POSSIBILITIES 160 Golden Gate 441-4090 BACH BLANKET BABYLON GOES TO IN REVUE KV1NG IERUN tOtk MtTHDAY CfLt-IRATrON, Nightly exc. Wed. at 8.30 "Pure Fun!" iichetooum, S.F Exam.

CM CHI THEATRE CLUB 440 Broadway 392-6213 THE STARS! 5teWtver's new hit musical revue. Wed Thufc sis, Fri. 5. 8 4 10:30 cm, 5ur3 (inewn, welcome) 7 30 pm Tic ot Club Fuaoa, Mocys. BASS Rete' Factories).

Ticketron. other maior THE ELOCUTION OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN Stamng Gordon Cnater. Defrwtery NOT a hetoncal ptay. Last two weeks, "Best Play of the Year txamrm. Tues.

thru Frt. 8.30, Sat. Sun. 3 7:30 p.m. Look fa our poster the boy with the blue cigarette.

ALCAZAR THEATER 650Geory 775-7100 4th THREE FOR ONE Outrageous Fumy' Mission Players offer lonesco's "The "The Future Eggs," I Bolesteros' "The Slaves," J4, Fn, Sat, Sun, 8 30 MISSION PLAYERS 362 Capp St. (Mr 1 8th) 863-7576 a charge by phone 421-4222. LOLA! AS FORGET-ME-NOT OR, THE frOAN MAD. A Victorian Melodrama comedy stamng Lola Montez Opens Tonight1 Fri, Sot, Sun 8 30 BASS Box Otc THE SAVOY TIVOLI 1438 Grant Ave 652-6891 Hilarious CLUB FUGAZI Street 421-4222 Year! DINNER SERVED NIGHTLY FROM 8 00 Brown Sugar Credit Card Charges (415)673-4111 Box Office open daffy at Sua ot Noon I Group Soles Box Office cad tofl free (80Q) 223-7565 Hckeni avortaote of al nCKFTRON, MACVS. EMPORIUM.

CAPWEU ANO ALL MAJOR OUTLETS i FT iiilil mJLl CAL presento. ot Berkelesy- 'I'nnmii-iiiin minim a-i iinnn-i "Give dreams to -And to adults restore faith in education" In English rr Phone charge licksts to Vtma 4V Mastarchaisjo. Tickets at Box Office. Leading Agencies and Hotels. i HIPPODROME THEATRE fcve a very special theatrical event at Sunday at 50 and $7.50 Friday at 8:30, 412 Broadway, (at Montgomery) San Francisco.

Convenient parking opposite theatre Saturday at 8:00 10 .30 $7 .50 $8 50 25 RAVES for- PBTACY KEACH and STEFANIE POWERS iv ternr- it lb if 4- Gordon Chafer in "THE ELOCUTION OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN" pn the Long Beach Theatre Festival production of "ONE OF THE BEST PLAYS IN YEARS Cyrano de bergerac "A TOUR DE FORCE YEdmond Itostand. jjitected by Rae Allen Wlnr, CHRONICLE! "BRILLIANT!" "MASTERPIECE!" Qlackln, Saeraimnio 0m McCarthy, A Harris, Th AtfracaM CTVTQArtDniKIAl7VI" baA I ITIVI Itaatril I Wynno, KPIX 'Sunday, Monday, Tuesday October 15. 16. 17 8 D.m. "EXCEPTIONAL!" iaraala, Tha Phoanlx JAPANESE THEATER FOR CHIUPREN musical shows with life-size, life-like dolls THE UGLY DUCKLING THE OLD MAN THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS "RIVETING LWr, Mtw West ftellerbach Auditorium, Eu.C Berkeley 6-39 general; S5-S8 studenf TA Bwrflice.

1U1 Zellerboch Hall. Berkeley "GREAT!" McLean, Bay Ana LUastylel "WOW!" Gon Nalton, KSFO "MEMORABLE!" Brooks, ProgrM "STUNNING!" Rotwrison, Sun Reporter BlBdn, San tAafo Timat "MESMERIZING!" Arthur, Marin Scop "WONDERFUL!" Gsrabsn, SJ MareuryNawB "SUPERB!" Marklmon, KKHI Orowar Salu, Author "IMPRESSIVE!" Sainton, Contr Cosfa Timat "POWERFUL!" iZifJO VJPK RAKr.millfifs onri most moor CHILDREN (UNDER 12) ADULTS Armtlrong, Aftar Dark 2.50 $4.50 KJQorcies fa a setyce charge Group rates available "MASTERFUL!" Topkln, S.A.A. Quthmann, Tha Santlnali "AMAZING!" vArcart, KOFD "OUTSTANDING!" Noon, Channat to Goodman, Dramalogua Drlvar, Tha Cruaadar 4 PERFORMANCES THIS WEEKEND JAPAN CENTER THEATER fW-Sl jSanf rrf-ifiscQ OCT. 20 FRI. 7:00 P.M.

OCT. 21 SAT. 1:00 P.M. 6:00 P.M. 22 SUN.

1:00 P.M. 6:00 P.M. CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS 255 Almaden Blvd. San Josb Ca. 95H3 OCT.

18 WED. 7 P.M. Tickets or. information: S.F. KAPPA-ZA OFFICE (415) 661-9929 TANlQUCHt MUSIC PRODUCTION 'fa Buchanan Ma Sun "Mils 91 utM SJ KAPPA-ZA OFFICE (408) 732-5391 TONIGHT AT 8:30 SAT.

AT 7:00 SUN. AT 3:00 7:30 Ben Hur could have found a Sidecar In the Cycle Column ol the Want Ad Supermarket. Phone 777-7777 to place your ad CHI CHI THEATRE CLUB Look lor our poster: tha boy with th blue cigarette. ALCAZAR THEATRE 650 Geary -775-7100 Tickats at Alcazar Box Offica MscyV BASS, Tickatron and all major agencies. All major credit cards accepted.

440 BROADWAY BOX "A DELIGHTFUL ROMP! 'Bernard Werner..