Abilene Reporter-News from Abilene, Texas • Page 101

THK ABILENE REPORTKR-NEWS i Sunday Morning, Septembtr INS Looking at Hollywood BEFORE BATTLIi-Robert Shaw as General Custer prepares lead his men into battle at the Little Big Horn in 'Custer of the West," which is scheduled to open Wednesday at the Park TRAPPED-Thc Bandldo (Gilbert Roland) and the Brawler (Edd Byrnes) must shoot first or eat dust in this scene from the battling western, "Any Gun Can Play," which opens Wednesday at the Paramount. City Cinemas Go West The sound of sixguns will roar through the theaters in only hvo runs opening here this week. Edd Byrnes and Gilbert Roland arc the big names in "Any Gun Can Play," which is scheduled to open Wednesday at the Paramount. Robert Shaw plays the famous Indian fighting cavalry officer in "Custer of the West," which is scheduled to open Wednesday at the Park Drive-In. There is a slight chance (hat the big British musical, "Half a 1 starring Tommy Steele, will replace "A Man and a Woman" at the Majestic, but wacky famous love story is morolTyler likely to hold over.

IT SEEMS even more certain (hat "Gene Wild the Wind" will continue to pert its old magic at the Wcslwood, drawing crowds right on through the week and pushing any possible replacement off the screen. There are some interesting returnees in I wind loo. "Planet ol (he Apes," one the best science fiction pictures in many years, will return to Town and Country along wilh the interesting "Film Flam Man' bsginning Wednesday. "Don't Just Stand There," a comedy Moore starring Mary rnd Robert Wagner, is scheduled lo play and along with 1 Jimmy Stewart melodrama of the Civil War, THIEVES fall out early and often in "Any Gun Can Play." Three strange companions shift their way into a million dollar gold cache and the action is sparked by greed and a prrepect of a woman who wants only Ihe winner. Edd Byrnes is the Brawler, a far cry from his famous Kookie role in "77 Sunset Strip." Gilbert Roland is Ihe Bandido.

Fas' guns finish first when the and makes off with a bank safe "CUSTEH of the West" star he brilliant English acto Hoberl Shaw as Cuslcr, Mar Ilardin Kiero lire, Robert Ryan, Ty Jeffrey Hunter and Moore. Action sequences arc filmed i Super i a a an Technicolor. They i 1 Custcr's fabled Civil Wa campaigns and Indian raids, terrifying ride in a runawa train, a speeding trip down twisting mountainside, a ragin slide Ihrough a swirling bggin chute, and of course, the Batl Bandido's gang attacks a Irainlof the Little Big Horn. Maggie Become Top Actress Despite Name, Braces, Face lias to be her real name. No budding actress seeking fame and fortune in show biz would voluntarily call herself "Maggie Smith." But her falner, pathologist Smith, and her mother gave the name Margaret to the squalling little red-haired girl born just after Christmas in Ilford, Essex, neat- London.

And when she tried to get a part in a play at the Oxford High School 'for Girls some years later, the headmistress wouldn't put her in the cast. Maybe it was the braces on her teeth. Her family urged her to take a 'typing course something she managed admirably without, in her latest picture. Not only is she difficult to locate in the phone book, hut there is even confusion among her biographers: one of them refers to her as green-eyed, while another calls her blue- eyed. LIFE FOR the Smith girl finally took a new and significant turn: after "standing in the wings for five years, longing for a chance to show what I could do," the faces smiled on her and she landed a job as student assistant stage manager at the Playhouse.

Although fame had already lightly touched her, fortune would have to wait, since 15 shillings a week isn't all that much. More like give or take a tuppence. Finally, she showed what she could do. Sir Laurence Olivier caught her at a West End run of "The Private Ear and the Public Eye," called her marvellous, took her lo dinner and told her she was capable of all kinds of things. Asked her to join the National Theatre and to play Silvia in "The Recruiting Officer" and a opposite him in "Otcllo." She did, after refusing at first and was called "magical outrageous beguiling wonderful enchanting, divine (Noel Coward) and superb (Ingrid Bergman)." But Maggie Smith isn' convinced.

"Look at my she says, grimacing. "Have you ever seen anything quite like it? It's a joke. Sort of bashed-in pinhead, all eyes and teeth." Having destroyed any vcstigi by Florabel Muir Hogon's Hero Sw oppcd for Mantle MAGGIE SMITH missed career as tvnist a "glamour-girl" image, she urns (o her talent and is imilarly scathing: "I've never eally believed anything I've dono is all that good. Other icople have told me so, hut I've lever accepted it." PETER USTINOV, who stars vith Maggie in MGM's "Hot Millions," not only believed the things he'd heard about her ut adds some comment of his )wn: "Quite seriously, I don't hink I would have accepted this if Maggie had not been ilaying opposite me. She is quite extraordinary, gifted." Maggie plays a 'roles" In "Hot singling all but one.

As scatter- jrained Pally Terwilliger, she's JAKSWBU porric CANINE GROUCH FACTOR GADfir Wfuljht quarttrlmcli'tfomiir "Hot Millions" director Eric Till paid Miss Smith a high compliment: "Perhaps Hie most comment 1 can make," he said, "aboul Maggie's performancs in this licturc is that I simply could nol envision anyone else in the roll of Patty. She has not simply delineated the character well she has become Patty to me and lo everyone else acquainted vith the story." MAGGIE SAID (hat although she likes comedy best, si wants lo do all kinds of things 'I musl still," she said "acquire a great deal tnowledge about acting. I feel still have lo reach a standard a an actress that is a long way ol left yet." With an attiludc like that variety ol Millions," jehind. She's also a meter maid. And a secretary.

She has a brie! stint as a theatre usherette, and makes an appearance concert flutist. But the job jeing a wife to lovable and alented Peler Ustinov, Smilh handles with skil obvious affection. "I suppose," Maggie says 'that in many ways an actress career is like a child's capacity for learning. Children fesi that there is almost nothing cannot do. Only when they gain experience do they realize tha everything is much more dif ficult lhan was first apparent.

I has been that way in my career When I first started I thought I could handle any role. know I couldn't. If nol tor tike Olivier telling me what I could do, probably I wouldn't drtam of attempting most! roles In Abilene Ihfetfrs a by the manaaers. The rail symbols are at follows: A Adult on AM Advil and malure young AYC Children Ituough adulls. MAJESTIC Now Playing A MAN AND A WOMAN stirring Arwk Alm-e and Jean-Lquls Trlnttgnanl, AMY.

Coming Seen HALF A SIXPENCE stirring Tommy Steelt, AYC. PARAMOUNT Sunday Tuesday SALT AND PEPPER starring Sammy Dawls Jr. and Peter Uwfwd. AYC. Beginning Wednesday AMY GUN CAN PLAY starring Edd Byrnes, Gllberl Roland and Georgi Ho I Ion.

AYC. WESTWOOD Sunday Jilutdty GONE I THE WIND sirring Clarl Gabfe, Vivien Leigh, Lejlle Howard Olivia AYC. PARK Sunday Tuesday TIME TO SING starring HanX William Shelley Fpbares and Ed Beqtev YC; plus YOUR CHEATIN' HEART YC. CUSTER OF' "THE WEST sUrriTM oderl Sltix, Robtrl RMn. Jerfrei Hunter, Ty Hardin, Robert Ryin, AYC.

Town Country Theater One South South Sunday Wsdntsday WHERE YOU WHEN THE LIGHT. 'EIJT OUT starring Doris Day, Robert Ao-'se and Terry Thomas, AMY; plus BIGGEST BUNDLE OF THEM ALL tarrlr-q Raquel and Robert Vagntr, AMY. BtglnnliK Thursday PLANET OF THE APES starring Charllon Haslon and Maurice EvanSi AYC: Btus FLIM FLAM MAN starring jeorge C. Swtt arxj Sue Lvon. Theater Two Nerlh Sunday WILL PENNY Jcsn Hjckfll and Charlltm AYC; plus BLUE starring Terence Slamo and Joanne Peltel.

Beginning Thunday ANGELS FROM HELL slarrlrq Tom Slim ind Arline MaMel, plu THE CONOUEROR WORM slarrlng Vincent Price and Ian iiailvy, AMY. HOLLYWOOD Hob Crane, rash hero of CBS-TV's hit omcdy scries, II a eroes," thinks maybe lie's lade il in television. A freckled-faced neighborhood id convinced him. i Nol long ago Ihe lad ap- roachcd Bob and requested an ulograph. As he presented a ubble-gum card of Col.

Hogan, Crane's role on TV, lo be signed, ic youngster said ingenously "Yesterday I traded Mickey lantle (one bubble-gum card of, 'iat is) for you cvcn-stevcn." "And that's when I really oicw I had made It on TV," quipped the handsome Irish actor. BUT CRANE Is not content, lis big goal--movie stardom ies ahead. And the million dollar rjuesiion lie's asklngi limself Ihcse days is: "Musi I give up TV to make it in the movies?" Statistically, it's difficult for a TV star to gel a movie career off Ihs ground these days unless he first volunlarily quits TV. "Dick Van Dyke and David Jansscn made the switch, bul they had give Up their TV series to do II," Bal explained "Only Dean Martin seems able 10 handle TV and movies simultaneously." But Bob isn't intimidated at all by Ihc odds. "I've done il before bet a fortune that I could make i million and won and I'll di 11 again if necessary," he lol ultimately even tmto the West (youngsters, Hubby, Dc-bby, and Coasl where KNX was looking for a strong morning radio personality.

The rest Is dr.zzling hislory, even for Hollywood. Karen live in Tarzana in Ihe San Fernando valley. CRANE TURNED his back on a guaranteed a year ncome as a willy and nimble ongucd "morning man" ovci radio in Ixis Angeles somi our years ago to portray (hi tier future growth may be cvei more phenomena! than her pas triumphs. Among these are Shakes a a iramas with Restoration Old company, including opposite Olivier, and other slagej mpudent Col. Hogan in Bin; Crosby Productions' "Hogan' -Icrocs" a job thai mlgh lave lasted a fast 13 weeks i Jic scries had bombed.

But it didn't, and today wlia wilh the "piece" (percentage) Ihe show he owns and (he up BOH CRANK 'Old l-acc' next chullz," a Unilcd Artisls I I OF Southern California became addicted to! the irrcverenl fun-maker. They! laughed wilh him in Ihc at breakfast, and in Ihclr steel' traps inching over Ihe Uob kidded his listeners, his; sponsors, his guests, and himself In a wildly formated show that had lo be heard to be believed. This ivenl on for shows over a 10 year period. He tilled his verbal lance against some of Ihe glibbest show ku.slnc.ss minds in Hollywood and won. Sonic of Ihe TV producers who appeared )ii hk program began offers.

CRESCENMRTS SOUTH etvD OWIjIJI Alwuyi Adult Film AJm, $1.04 'OFFICE PARTY' 'GIRIS ON THE ROCKS' o-stars Elke Summer. le's "chalking Ihis one up to xperiencc." Pay-off experience. AISC-TV licked Crane to en-slar with continuing his In time accepted one jccanic Heed's next door neighbor on her TV scries tor seasons, all morning whilei radio B. 9:30 r. 5..

Program In EitJiar Hi, Sl.OO-Diic. 75c Ar 8.00/«p«at» I Hour Al 11:30 "Where Were YOU, When The Went Al KWH.p.ol, Hour Af 11:30 lONr ANTHONf-ln COIOR 'A STRANGER IN TOVW Si. 75, Al 1 Hour Al 11:45 lelen Hayes and (iish his Tall in its special production )f "Arsenic and Old Unco." Bob so impressed witli Ihc acting ompany lie's keeping latel) hat lor this show alone lie will be billed for (he firsl time as 'Robert Crane." IN HIS cllorts to achieve film stardom, Crane lias his own icrsonal history working ilm. "I'm a born winner," slates iclevision's Hot Shot Charlie. He grew up in Walcrbury, and made an early decision to drop all prosaic 1 pursuits end became a dance, drummer.

With the die cast, lie paradidtllsd his way through high school combos, small-lime dance bands, several name and linally the Connecticut Symphony Orchestra! In 1550 he set his slicks Rsidc, and lurned to radio, including fix at W'CC, Bridgeport, show. Movie offers came next. Ilel made Ills dchul in "llelinn to' Pcylon Place," and had a comedy sjiot in "Mantrap," Then "lioy.in's and bingo! BOB IS HAPPILY married His high school sweetheart, Antic, and they and Iheir three MUDUIL 2nd fEATURt-AT lOilS mo COIOR 'Ah son I Minded Professor TOWN COUNTRY Ph. 673-6461 2501 NORTH I Uff PI ft I UUnlKI THEATRE Ph. 673-6461 3501 NORTH MOCKINGBIRD METRO Sunday Monday SPEEDWAY itarring Elvl! Presley and Hancy Slnalra, AYC; plui AFRICA, TEXAS STYLE starring Hugh O'Brlan and John Hills.

AYC. Majr STAI, coming residual bonanza, he' obviously won his bet. "I'm a natural-born high-roller, an Irish Nick the Greek," he told mo wilh that blarney- slone twinkle in his eye. "Whatever talent I possess is my 'risk career gambling purposes." But Bob, who impresses me man whose (glib) tongue is convenient camouflage for calculating Medulla Oblongala, sn't aiming blindly. He know; ust the kind of a movie star he lopes to become.

"I want lo be another Jack Lcmmon," he states with Gallic candor. COL. HOGAN, an American flier hilariously and heroically a i i a "kommandanl" of Stalag 13 in World War II Germany, is an ideal showcase role for Crane's film ambitions. The colonel is hop, flip, and Conn. The station wasn't the biggest, but Bob's spread even unto Nsw York City, and DON'T JUST STAND THERE Reberl Wagner and Mary Tyler Moore, AYO plus 5HEHAN00AK starring Jamej Slewarl, Doug Wayne, AYC.

McClura and Palrlck Oloinsky to Write HOLLYWOOD Olainsky will wrile I screenplay for "Knockover," Irving Pincus Production Columbia i suspense-melodrama will based on the new novel Newton Thornburg. cocky. He's smart, impish, cool up beat, impudent, dedicated, dorninaling, a gambler, blarney stoned and compuler-tongucd and blessed wilh a IwinMc nol only in his eyes but in his brain as well. "Basically, in Hogan's, I play myself," is the way Bob sums ii all up. Crane has already appeared in several movies, none particular ly memorable.

His latest is "The Wicked Dreams Paula SHOW OPENS 1:00 P.M. ElVIS PRESIEY "SPEEDWAY" "AFRICA STYLE" "GOOD SHOW FOR THE KIDS" ADM. 25c 50c 7Jc SCREEN BOTH FEATURES IN COLOlf Show Starts al Duilc-Complele Show lots at 10:15 DORIS DAY 81.20 A CAK LOAD B01H A IN COIOR COWflETE SHOW IATE AS 10:10 Ctofifon PARK DRIVE-IN FIRST I ABILENE I Mil. i Slu. 75c (SHOWINGI Children free OPEN 7:15 SHOWS AT 10:00 William Holdcn Cliff Robertson "DEVILS BRIGADE' Burt Lancaster Shelly Winters AT 8:00 11:45 "YOUR CHEATIN' HEART" Wilh Gioi9 Hamilton roles.

On appeared screen, she'sil "The V.I.P.'s,"' "The Pumpkin Eater," "Young Cassidy," "Othello," "The! 1 Honeypol" and "The Prime Miss Jean Bnxlie." Starts Wednesday "CVSTER OF THK WEST" OPEN 1:30 Adults $1.50 Mili. Stu. I.D. $1.25 Children 50c PARAMOUN FAITHFUL TO THE END See JUMBLE, Pg. 2B TODAY'S SOLUTION JiUffl H3QH EOOEQB 1 mflQR CROSSWORD, Pg.

3B English Director i Signed for Shaw Al Houston Alley HOUSTON English Director: diehael Meacham has been iigned as guest director for the new Alley theater's second roduction of the Inaugural; eason George Bernard Shaw's 'Saint JOR.I," scheduled to open January 9th. Meacham is directing "The Prime of Miss Brodie," Ihe play which rocketed Australian r.ctress Zoe Caldwell Broadway fame, at the Edinburgh Festival, in Scotland. 65,000 daily means about 195,000 readers of The Reporter- News in the Big Country. GRAND ME OPRY COUNTRY WESTERN SPECTACUIAR IN PERSON TUES, IORETTA IYNN Jaylee Webb-George Kenl Others Abilene High School Auditorium Auspices Abilene Fireman's Auxiliary TICKETS ON SAU: GIBSONS DISCOUNT CENTERS OAKWOOD BSOOXHOLUOW SUPER DUPER FOOD PINE ST. CURK'S DISCOUNT CENTIX Xil SOUTH )lln RADIO STATION XCAD AdurhVJS Child 50c Advance Starts Wednesday SEE IT WITH YOU LOVE! A I BEAUTIFULI THRILLINGI A MAN ANd A WOMAN GUM CAM COD GIUtHT CEO HCt 01 early at 5:30 at lott at 7:45 lo SnaaV and "SAll J.

FEF. WR" NEW! PRE-fNELEASE! Plus Regular Feature JM--1 SAMMY IAY1SJE flfl COLOR UnMArMx uwrm PETKT WtSTWOO 2ND BIG WEEK 10 PERFORMANCES SAT. UORNINS YOUTH SHOW Hclderi of I.D. Cr.Lldrcn Urdir 11 Sl.U t.X A.M. PRICES: Evtairw Saivraay ll.fio All Diy A EVENING PERFORMANCES AT tOi P.M.

MATINEES WEDNESDAY. SATURDAYS SUNDAYS AT M. Wttnniir SHOW ENGAGEMENT PASS USF SUSPENDt-P In nrnsmcn most nugniikcul pirturf nrr! GONE WITH THE WIND I.1SUE1K)\VAUD.