The San Francisco Examiner from San Francisco, California • 31

"TT" Thurs. May 22, 1975 31 Stars help Fonda celebrate his 7 Oth A fuelish country music comedy He. will portray Admiral Nimitz in the Universal film, then give his Darrow interpretation for 10 weeks in London. The birthday party attracted the largest assemblage of stars in recent times. Among the guests nor, with whom he made his first film, "The Farmer Takes a Wife," in 1935 Barbara Stanwyck Lady Eve," 1941) Lucille Ball Big Street," 1942) and Mine and Ours," 1968) Shirley Jones Cheyenne Social Club." 1970).

mnmmmmmmtmmmmtmmumimm we ip i mi -v W. AND THE DIXIE DANCEKINGS." 20th Century-Fox release: produced by Stanley S. Canter, directed by John 0. 'Avildsen; screenplay by Thomas Rickman; music by Dave Grusln; photogra- phy by Jim Crabe. With Burt Reynolds, Art Carney, Cotmy Van Dyke, Jerry Reed, James Hampton, Richard Hurst.

Don Williams, Mai TlUls," Sherman Lloyd. Rated PG (parental guidance advised). At the Golden Gate, Alhambra, Empire, Plaza, Mission Drive-In. f. 4 Vou'd think piat a come-.

set in NashvUle with Burt Reynolds and Art Carney embroiled with a group erf country musicians might be a corker, or at least good entertainment. The promise, sad to say, r' fizzles early in "W.W. andx the Dixie Dancekings," a-i mildly pleasant kettle of warmed-over mirth direct-l ed with a sloppy and me- chanical hand by John G. Avildsen and "Save the It opened i terday at the Golden Gate, Alhambra, Empire, Plaza and Mission Drive-in. Hailed' as the first major.

motion i picture shot in Nashville, it does little to I capture the atmosphere of the Country Music capital, beyond sneaking in a cou- pie of shots, of the Grand OleOpry. UFELINE-4 I 1 AV-' ART CARNEY AND BURT REYNOLDS IN "DIXIE Oil Company detective apprehends a station-robbing con man LOS ANGELES "I don't feel any different," said, actor Henry Fonda upon reaching his 70th year. He is proving it by a heavy work schedule. Fonda returned from a tour with his one-man show "Clarence Darrow" for a birthday party given by his wife Shirlee last weekend. mm anij.teAujaiaaUbl HIS held bythe assassin ho hunted.

He picks off outlets of the Southland Oil System (SOS), handing over part of his loot to the startled employe he's just held up. The robberies get sassier when W.W. attaches self to a country band, the Dixie Dancekings. They're Thomas Rickman's screenplay is too busy grinding out a mindless plot about a small-time con man (Reynolds) to bother much with Nashville or its music Reynolds', role of W.W. Arid hot jus were Fonda's leading ladies, including Janet Gay- i.v..r: SHOWS TOMORROW AT 7.00 and 9:30 PM Georgia rubes who pack up and go to Nashville, buying W.W.'s line that "we're gonna take the Music City by storm." Fame and fortune aren't exactly waiting, but the gas stations are.

And W.W. finances his band's debut by holding up SOS stations with a water pistol. 1 "MNCH0 0CUIXE." United Artists release produced by Elliott Kast-ner; directed by Frank Perry; screenplay by Thomas McGuane; photography by William A. Frak-er; music by Jimmy Buffett. With Jeff Bridges, Sam Waterston, Elizabeth Ashley, Charlene Dallas, Clifton James, Slim Pickens, Hurry Dean Stanton.

Rated (under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult A( Golden Gate Royal, Serramonte, Empire and El Rancho Drive-in. Ls D. Ssnkowlch snd Jack Andanon "A Tour de Force; it certainly deserves a long runt i -Elchelbaum, Examiner "Don't miss itl" -Eason, KGO Playing Tuesdays thru Sundays Montgomery Playhouse 622 Broadway, San Francisco Box Office Phone 788-8282 Tickets also at all major agencies Group Rates: 776-7614 Student Rush BULLSHOT VI FOR 1 ST ib IT1) -ii-r. rr NNEDY VONETTA McGEE JACK CASSIDY A MALPASO COMPANY FILM tvAiVgrTiVMaacoprr.tTffT) RESTR1C1 tD SSi Shows Tomorrow Bt 'i 6:00,8:25 and 10:35 PM AND AT THEATRES ANO DRIVE-IMS THROUGHOUT THE BAY ARFAj- for humor, we have the attendant 'asking, "You want Ethyl?" and W.W. replying cutely, "Sure, ii she's workin' today." Then there's the getaway from a shotgun-toting attendant around an obstacle course of trucks that spill crates of chickens and ducks all over the The comedy is never more than conventional and the characters are straight out comic strips, particularly Art Carney's role of an oil company detective.

He's an SOS special investigator, as well as a fire-and-brimstone deacon whose sermons are accompanied by thunderclaps. Reynolds, however, tries to pump life into W.W., but it's a lost cause. The rest of the cast consists largely of country-music personalities, like Conny Van Dyke, who plays Dixie, and Jerry Reed and Don Williams, who are part of the band. Since their music is only incidental to the nonsensical story, the film has no authentic spirit and seems as tired as the early Elvis take-offs that" are dragged in for fifties nostalgia. Stanley ichelbaum HELD OYER! 6th Smash Year! SankowichCWIyn Vrmluciinnn fB9S Tonight at 8:30 pm The Little Fox Theatre.

533 Pacific, San Francisco B.O. Phone 434-4738 Also Ticketron, Macy's leading agencies Group Ralrs Call 776-7614 C13LrViVim you EL GRANDE DE COCA COLA BOX OFFICE (415) 982-2343, 412 Broadway, San Francisco ACADCfJIY AViARDSl an avco embassy film POl 1HLI0N1NW1NTR TODAY AT 7:00 1 9:30 Ho' 6 00. 1 55 Cow 7-35. 10 10 Bright is youn typical charming hustler; always a step ahead of the law. The year is 1957 a very trendy period, what with the success of "The Last Pic- ture Show" and American Graffiti." W.W.

likes to rob filling stations, Robin Hood style. JEFF BRIDGES Lusting and rustling ter use by severing much of the unnioitea sex, Dranaing, it Triple XXX and shipping it off to the nearest porno theater. Clifton James plays rancher John Brown, whose range is the chief hunting ground of the rustlers. His performance is too blustery to be convincing. Elizabeth Ashley, a Broadway and film actress with impressive credentials, is wasted in the role of the rancher's bored wife.

The dialog has its witty moments but lacks credibility on the range. The at- tempts at the big put-on include ho-hums: Gordon Crowt Prostnb I ThO Croatlvo World of Stan Kenton TOMORROW NIGHT stan i (cnion. era nil orctiesira in tit Today' Most EdUna Sound In Music PARAMOUNT THEATRE OAKLAND FRI-MAY 4 Tickes: Psrsmounl Bo OKice. 202S Bfoedwsy. Oskiand 04812 BASS Macys.

and ai otwr Isoding Agsncws PiCOT S650 S6SO.S4 50 1 "(tlowty. erotic. i 4 I i i- 4 Vf 1 fr- I A i 1 Biiin lilt iWrrf-1 iff ii iiiffif'i lifriin-trnf'iTii From the same troupe who brought 7 Group Rate Viiv tfi.L. TONIGHT AT 8.30 THE HIPPODROME V.THEATRE ti.l wiNNERId rflfc-. --w "Darling, are you ever sorry we got out of the beauty parlor business? I miss Schenectady some- times," says Cora as she gazes out over the magnificent scenery around the plush ranch house.

i "Aw, gee," says the till-then earthy-talking Bridges when he faces capture. The suspects must "have been Negroes," says a deputy. "I saw a redcap from Billings a while ago." i "Are you sure it wasn't Al Jolson?" replies rancher Brown. (According to the last census, there are only about 2,000 black inhabitants of the whole state of Montana). i There are some splendid performances, however, from Waterston, Slim Pick- ens as a doddering old st0ck detective, and Harrv Dean Stanton as a ranch hand, Curt.

1 Bridges is well on his way to learning his craft and Charlene Dallas, a good-looker in, her screen debut, is convincing enough in a role that wanders between a young innocent and Linda Lovelace. Frank Perry, who has some international renown as a director (if you forget "The sacrifices early exposition, for put-on and barely manages to wrap up the picture before time runs out. AMERICAN CONSERVATORY THEATRE Last Performance JUMPERS by Tom Stoppard -Directed by William Ball -SEATS AVAILABLE- TonightOnlyl THE RULING CLASS by Peter Barnes Directed by Allen Fletcher -May 27-31 at 8 30, June 1 at 3 OO Also In Repertory THE THREEPENNY OPERA May 23. 24 (mat) THE TAMING OF THE SHREW May 24' VGr Mason-673 6440 I ALBERT FINNEY "GUMSHOE" mionmt JrHmf bad. By Dick Alexander "Rancho Deluxe" is a coarse, head-em-off-at-the-i pass-with-a-helicopter west-I era with as much tongue in the cheek; as meat on the I hOOf.

j' Filmed in the high coun- try of Montana it opened yesterday at the Royal, i Golden Gate Serramonte, Empire and El Rancho Drive-in. i It stars Jeff Bridges and Sam Waterston as modern- day cattle rustlers who pick off their prey from a pickup truck with high-powered i buffalo "Rancho with all its good intentions 'of being a gigantic put-on, has more practice-breeding in the hay than cattle-breed- ing on the range. Jack McKee (Bridges), an Anglo, and Cecil Colson (Waterston), an Indian, are i the elusive and unknown "chain saw rustlers" who butcher their beef to pay the rent. They gain affluence on their inevitable way to an' engagement in the Montana State Penitentiary. The chain.

saw, have been put to bet- Filipino event A program of dance, music, art and drama, reflecting life in San Francis-' co's Filipino will be presented at 8 p.m. Friday, May 30, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 1, at SF State's Little Theater, 1600 Holloway. A donation of $1.50 is requested. Persons over 60 will be admitted free.

'k'k'k'k'k'k'k-k'k AFRICA USA 6 ALL NEW SHOWS jl PLUS 50 GREATS ATTRACTIONS Fathoms of Family Fun Daily bus services from F. OPEN EVERY DAY 9:30 to Dusk Minutes South of San Francisco Airport on tki Baysnora Fwy. (U.1101) For more information Dial l-P I TueianiuN "Orient" 6O0 9:45 "Gumshoe" 8:15 only 111 llw "Great Gateby at 7:15 only "Chinatown" at 9.45 only tKCUJIVt From th Susponseful International Best-Sellrl Plus Clint Eastwood'! "BREEZY OPEN WBBKOAYS 7: 0 rm 1 MUT3) 3 aM COLOR BY DE LUXE' Kwom BE5T ACTRESS KATHARINE HEPBURN joseraf icviNe P6TRO'TOOL6 KATHARIN6 H6PBURNI i I lu Cttctt i til GiLlfJVS TODAY AT 7:00 1 9:30 I WALTER RCAOE THCATRC BAY ARIA PREMIERE REVIVAL OSICINAl VSK)H UNSIIM IM THf ATIRS SINCf IMS 'ft 'j VP I fV I omx acmco nil iiaflm -a' i. A JOHt 4 FRANKETJHEMER FUJI co, FERNANDO REY Bernard fresson" poxw ROBERT ROSEN evsew JOHN FRATJKENHEIMER sc-esrcM ALEXATOER JACOBS xj ROBERT DILLON LAURIE DILLON msmm i 11 sr d. ROBERT DiaOf LAURIE DILLON o-e- eogrf, CLAUDE RENOIR by DON ELLIS NEW 3SMM PRINTS EXCLUSIVE SAH FRANCISCO ENGAGEMENT- I WINNER OF 6 ACADEMY AWARDS including BEST PICTURE mm Exclusive Engagement THeilHIDGe Today at 500 8.30 iTsiTft rtnko riviru A DAILY at 1:30.

3:35, 5:40. 7:50 THE SCARLET CLAWi 111 Hi. I.