Daily News from New York, New York • 183

Vhe sleuth and the ftoofr fc- Ya got a quick wit, Nikolais is (still) a wow and how! The Nikolais Dance Theater opened -its part of the tandem month-long marathon at the Beacon Theater on Broadway and its unique multimedia world absorbed the audience liks a Tolkien fantasy is one of the great fun nigyts now in New York. "Guignol" was the premiere. Subtitled "Dummy Dances," it explored the grotesque, hilarious world of humans and their relationships with store mannequins, puppets and masks. The opening "Sanctum" (1964), with its use of multi-layered projections and dancers enclosed in cloth, proved Nikolais was there when it all started. talents of Art Carney and Lily Tomlin take them from there, making both roles not only believable but irresistible as well.

Carney is wonderfully dignified and touching as the detective who stubbornly pursues a case that could easily kill him. And Tomlin is delectably dizzy asTiis client-turned-sidekick yet she also shows that there is a lonely, frightened woman underneath that breezy; wisecracking exterior. These two bring an affectionate glow to an otherwise tired take-off on the private-eye dramas of the '30s the kind that comes cluttered Tvith so many bloody corpses you completely lose track of just who-is-doing-what4o-whom. 'I'-True -to tradition, Benton has included a funny fat man (played effectively by Eugene Roche) and a simpering Mary Astor-type (Joanna Cassidy) but, alongside the odd couple on top of this case, they fade fast in memory. MoviesBy KATHLEEN CARROLL THE LATE SHOW ir ic Rated P6.

At the Sutton. A curious twosome, these characters from "The Late He, with the bleeding ulcer and Bogart manner, is a latter-day flatfoot. She, like countless other women who flock to Hollywood every year, is an aspiring actress with a spunky sense of humor miraculously intact after all that drifting about from one odd job to another. But if anything works in Robert Benton's gritty, offbeat is the relationship which ripens to respect and caring between this no-nonsense sleuth who still considers women "dollies" and this lovable kook who's so current she occasionally peddles marijuana. Writer-director Benton has fashioned two richly human characters, and the Directory PS CJ 02 i fa in ti QDGQ30IXXD in i Theater PCUTZER PRIZE FOR DIAM.4 J7 -WINNER OF TONY AWARDS ESPECIALLY AIEST MUSICAL IVt CHORUS LINE SHUBERT W.

44tH St. 541 Tickifl Tlcketron (112) 541-7141 TELE-CHARGE: M4-54I1. till til kr phont chtnt Is mi ior crtdit cards It A.M. 14 P.M. tt I P.M.

Mitt. Wtd. St. 1 PrtvUu Ptrft. Taiht mt8 Tom "wmtlAS OPENS NEXT WED.

at 4:45 P.M. robert duvall American buffalo A tow Pin DAVID MAJIET Also Stanijw KENNETH McMILLAN JOHN SAVAGE Directed bf ULU GROSBARD TELECBARGE: 246-63S9. Tlx by vAorc All mm. crtdH rmnU, 19 A.M.- P.M. ETHEL BARRY MORE THEATER 47ttl St.

W. B'way 344-434B TOX1CHT ml 1, WEESS OSLY: A PARTY WITH BETTY COHDEK 4 ADOLPH GREEN W4. Sat Mats, at Marosca J17 W. 45 144-4234 Chariit: 134-7177 TH7CE OS SISDA 2:30 A "TAKE THE "A TRAIN QUICK, TO A JOYOUS OCCASION!" Watt, Dtil) Xm "A SHOW TO CHEER! A MAELSTROM OF JIVING DELIGHT!" GUctr. tonU Prem BUBBLING BROWN SUGAR The Seu Smmgk Hil Maiicnl Revwe Sat.

2 4 1, Sun. 1:34 A FOB GROUP SALES OSLY: 7X-X14 CHARGTT: 2SS.7177I TICKETROS: Ul TOt PREVIEWS TONIGHT TOMW 2 A I Previews ttiro Fes. 23 Hot. Mat. Fat.

21 OPESS FEB. 2i LIMITED ESGAGEMEST REX ELIZABETH HARRISON' ASHLEY i. L'AESAR AND CLEOPATRA JJ GEORGE BERNARD SHAW CUARGIT: 239-71 77 TICKETROS: U1-72M FOR GROUP SALES OSLY: 354-HH7 PALACE B'wav A 47 PL 7-2424 Man. thru Sal. Eves.

Mats. Wea. I Sat. I mXTGHT at It: TYIW'H' it74 SI'S, at 3 "ONE OF THE YEAR'S TEN BEST. NEIL SIMON IS IN TOP COMIC FORM AND WHO CAN TOP THAT!" 7W Jfateiine CI KblL SIMON 3 AT.TFORNI A SUITE O'NEILL 234 W.

St. 144-4124 Greu. CHARGIT: MAJ. CRED. CARDS 12121 239-7177 HOLIDA MAT.

FEB. 21 at 1 P.M. BOX OFFICE OPES 7 DAYS A BTEK "'CHICAGO' IS A GOLD-NUGGET DANCE MUSICAL!" T. E. K.lrm.

Tina Mat- JERRY ORBACH CHICAGO The Mutleml Smain Hil Directed to BOB FOSSE 44th ST. tU W. 44 N.Y. H4-4CT Em at I P.M. Matt.

Wed. A Sat. at 2 P.M. CHARGIT: Mai Credit Card. 1212) MS-7177 Tiekeu at nttcetron: riu J4i-, Far Greuj Sgle Onl Call: (21!) 7X-3Q74 TOSIGHT at TOMW at 2 AS 1 Hal.

Pens. Fed. 21 at 1 A "BITTERLY FUNNY AND LUMP-IN-THE- THROAT. AMAZING." Liz Smita, Dmil, Seta (JOMEDIANS CHARGTT: All major credit ranfa: 239-T1TT FOR GROUP SALES ONLY PHONE: 221-7444 Evgs: Men. thru Sat.

alt-Mats: Wed. 1 Sat. MUSIC BOX 134 W. 45 St. 344-4434 "OUTLANDISHLY FUNNY." LtndMtram, SBC-TV D'lUM SlurrAKLlb mete Canted, IRTY LINEN NEW-FOUND-LAND at Mats.

Wed. 4 Sat. it 1 Craot Selei: (212) S41-7290 TELE-CHARGE: 2if-S7iO. Bu, til by pkane chareeUMal. Crei.

Cart, 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. wOLDN TncA.r 4MB St. W. B'way: 244-4741 HOLIDAY MAT.

FEB. 21 at 2 P.M. BEST PLAY 1475 EH.Y. Drama Critio and Tony Awards ANTHONY PERKINS ra QUUS rdortic (212) 239 7177 1 Gnma Sale 57S-S1W HELEN HAYES 114 W. 44 St.

344-43K llrketi at Ticket: (212) 541-729 Sat. 2: Sun. i HOLIDAY MAT. FEB. 21 at 3 P.M.

LIMITED ESGAGEMEST! BOX OFFICE OPES 7 DA YS A WEEK YOU HAVEN'T SEEN FIDDLER UNTIL YOU'VE SEEN ZERO ZERO MOSTEL in IDDLER ON THE ROOF A Mistical TELE-CHARGE US-4S7S. But tix kg fthtwe A rJierf te major credit A.M.-I P.M. Greiia Salei: lil-lOSZTlcketron: (212) iil-7290 WINTER GARDEN, 1434 B'war. 145-4474 TOSIGHT AT PM "A TOTALLY EXTRAORDINARY AND WON. DERFUL EVENING." Barnee, S.Y.

Timet JOSEPH PAPP areaento FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF to Shame directed at Or Scatt A New York Shakeuteare Fetticml Production Eves, at 4 P.M.TSat. Mat. at 1 P.M., Sun. Mat. at 3 P.M.

Orel). 51 1. Men. SI 1, 4 4, 7. Sat.

Eves, at a P.M. Orch. ill. Men. Ill, II, I.

Wed. Mat. at 2 P.M. Orch. s.

Men. SM, 7, 4. TELE-CHARGE 144-5141. Bat til at atone At tt major credit cerdt It A H. -6 P.M.

BOOTH 121 West 45th Street 144-5411 Gtuu nvcn-i stcn "WUjrElA-UNTIL YOU'VE SEEN IT ON BROADWAY! 8: Mate. Wed. Sat. 2: Son. 2 A 5:39 AMBASSADOR Ill W.

41th St. 145-1155 TELE-CHARGE: 2to-185S. Tii ot plume. i All JIaj. Cred.

Carda. 15 A H. -4 P-M. FOR GROUP DISCOUSTS: (212) 7S7-S2SS MUSICAL SBC A B'leap't Longeet Running Hit'. TICKETS ALSO AT TICKETRON: (111) 541-7140 I P.M.

Mais, sat. 11 sun. 3 tAST TIMES! T.nif kt at Tam'x 2 1 1: Sue. at UNMISTAKABLE SMASH HIT!" Hal Mamaaav Varfetf UYS AND DOLLS America Fmwitt MoMleml Stmfr Shaar TELE-CHARGE: CI 7-72W. Bat tix to aaaar care major er4it emrHt.

19 A.M. P.M. Tickets site at Ticketraa: (212) 541-7244 BROADWAY THea, Braadwar at S3rt St. CI 7-71M LAST TOSIGHT 9, SAT. 24 8, SCS.

tST I "DELIGHTFUL OBrln PI-TOMBI HARKNESS THEA. B'wav at 43 St. Stl-iOM TICKETROS: 54I-73M CHARGIT; 239-71 7T LAST 12 TIMESI Ends Sun. Mat. Fes.

14 4J.47S WEEKLY: SIS. A WED. "ONE OF THE FINEST MUSICALS THE WORLD HAS EVER SEEN!" Bmtt, Time MLERNER LOEWE'S FAIR LADY WORLD'S GREATEST MUSICAL! LUNT-FONTANNE, 44 St. W. at BY 544-553 Ts.

Sat. A Mats. Sun. Wad. I Sat.

1 CHARGIT: 77 TICKETROS: U1-72S TOS1GHT TOM-W 7 1:30, SIS. A 7, OJtfO.V, WED. FunnieU Sex Himewl! CALCUTTA! Credit Card Tix by Phone: 757-7144 CHARGIT: 239-7177 I TICKETROS: SI-7! EDISON 140 W. 47 St. 757-7144 HOLIDA MAT.

FES. 21 at J. "DEVASTATINGLY FUNNY!" Carrit. I Pi OT0J1 COURTEXAY THERWTSE ENGAGED at SIMON GRAY Birertrt 1, HAROLD PINTER Man. thru Sat.

at Mats. Wed. A Sat. tt 1 TELE-CHARGE 244-4154. 14 A.M.

tt 4 P.M. Ckii. Sain: I Ticketrwt: U1-T19 PLYMOUTH 114 W. 45 144-flSt HOLIDA MAT. FEB.

21 til P.M. Tom A Wed at 2 Sun at 3 Et oa at I PM 2 Hoi. Mom. Feb. 21 at 2 1 8 Motet MARCH 15tn to MISSKOFF THEA.

"ONE OF THE BEST MUSICAL STAGINGS. TO BE SEEN ON BROADWAY IN YEARS." flit Baroej. Timee pr The Great Maticat Hit I Wad. A Fri. Evts.

tt S14, It 11. 7. Sat. Evts. tt I P.M.

JIJ34, 14, 12, II, A Wed. Mats, at 1: 113, 11, it, 7, 4. Sat. Mat. at 1 A Sun.

Mat. at $15, 12, II, 1,7,4. TELE-CHARGE 345-2314. Bur tix trr than 4 charte ta mai. credit cards II A.M.

fa 4 P.M. Grow Sales 744-1074 Ticketran 541-7244 IMPERIAL THea 144 W. 43tH SL-CO 5-H14 "A LAUGH EVERY 44 SECONDS." Halter Arrr r. Timet SANDY TED DENNIS BESSELL AME TIME. 4e Corned, NEXf YEAR ftia BROOKS ATKINSON, 154 W.

47414 St. 145-MI Mats. Sat. Sun. 1 HOLIDA MAT.

FEB. 21 at 3 P.M. "SINGULARLY BEAUTIFUL-H alter Kerr, S. Y. Timet HENANDOAH 3RD SMASH YEAR! staninK WILLIAM CHAPMAN American Extrett Accepted For Grout Selet Onl, Call: (212) 744-374' ALVIN ISO W.

Slnd St. 757-444 Evts. At I P.M. Mats. Sat.

Sua. 1 Tickets alsa at TICKETRON (212) 541-7240 CHARGIT: Major Credit Cent (212) 239-J1T7 HOLIDAY MAT. FEB. 21 at 2 P.M. Bfeflje Riatou Comedy Smmtht Sly Groat 3S4-mt TUmttntn: ill .7291 Tun.

Sal. at Mats. Wed. 4 Sat. Sim.

I TELE-CHARGE Z47-M7Z. But tix at plume at charve to major eredit ctrdt It A.M.S P.M. BROAPHUBSf 135 W. 44 St. 147-4471 HE MUSICAL OF GREAT FUN!" Tf MAGIC SHOW A BreathtakimMsicall" CBS-TT But tixbl phone choree to maiar eredit ctrdt 19 A.

P.M. CORT THEATRE, 130 W. 4ln St. 441-4341 Wed.Sat. Evgs.

IX. Mats. Sat. Sun. 1 4 5 Xicketl at Tlcfcetroii: (212) Stl-7290 For Gnma Ditcountl: (212) 7S7-92SS LAST 4 PERFS! TOSIGHT ft SAT.

24k 8: SUS. I 'SPARKLING MUSICAL!" Borne. Timee THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM The Sew Hit Musical TICKETROS: 541-7299 1 CHARGIT: 230-7177 BILTM0RE W. 47th St. 512-5140 "AN UP TRIP FULL OF DRAMA." run iiMurm, T1 JOHN CULLUM in 1 HE TRIP BACK DOWN Tlciietron (212) Smlet: 7-J74 TELE-CHARGE 249-5939.

But tix Of phone tt eha roe to major eredit cmrdt 19 A.M. to 9 P. M. LONGACRE 220 W. 44 St.

244-5434 HOLlDArjMr.FEB.Zlet?P..W. GOOD SEATS AVAILABLE TOST A WARDS mi-Beet Mutleml YV i (212) 541-7299 1 Grout Sola: 4894B8T Evts. 7:30. Mats. Wen.

A Sat. Sun.l TELE-CHARGE: 249-9739. Bum tix to oaone at charge to major eredit ctrdt. 10 A.M.-9 P.M. MAJESTIC 247 W.

44th St. 144-1710 LOW PRICE PREVIEW TONIGHT tt I thru FetL 22 ill, 14 4. Ooeni Wed. FetL 23 -Seats Now JfcKKY ZUHKA STILLER LAMPERT NEXPECTED GUESTS a new comedf to JORDAN CRITTENDEN Directed to L-tlAKLtS liKUUl- Tues. thru Sat.

tt Mats. Sat. Sun. 1 S41-7290 Chorgit: 233-7177 GROUP SALES: 3S4-1932 LITTLE 140 W. 44 St.

111-4425 Tuea. (Am St. el Sot. Mot. Sun.

3 4k 7 "AUDIENCES DANCE IN THE AISLES AND ON THE SEATS." Earl Wileon, Peat YOUR ARMS TOO SHORT TO BOX WITH GOD A Souring Celebration In Song Ticket rn (212) tl-7290Grwip Sulfa 334 t03i TELEHABGEJU 2-3897. Bun tix bm shone A Art Carney and Lily Tomlin: the odd couple on the case SILVER STREAK" Music mimr 20TH CENTURY-FOX fKOPMCTORS QUAD fcwRoocui GEW HAL CINEMAS WESTCHESTER MALL TRIPLEX CMEMA22 GENEtCWeS CENTRAL PLAZA 1 QNKS moms county IWnOlwwion. RW) SWMiY RKO STANLEY MARNLit TWIN 2 SOMERVULE OREU2i)inN 101 ylf jifj jiSyi lIUflllklElll-EllH a -J Q3S(2iniElI3330 OSIlVHi.iWi EDQ 1(1, I HIUIIS iiuiuiiih Ulllfl UilKIS EOlill SIEOISS JAillSnH HI IIIUIX IVIUUUUIinilisIsjttSmiui hdm tlM Bfflfl lit Ml WM bikii ii mil WUII iBWRI lilillS Imhl fa UIH3I IlllEI liillei (Ml SffiSS PG PARENTAL CUIDANCE SUGGESTED sowt Nmimw my hot sumiu to wtiiiMgw DAiE RKORKMAM TOPLEX ST 8b9-Q950 TRANS LUX EAST 3rd at at PL 9-2 262 KO MANT5 MANN'S I33SS39 AUBMDU 10EWS0NEKIM.Z RKOKHTHSTTIPlEX FUJSHINC CJTF CONTINENTAL fCESTHeU-5 BRANOi-S BOUtftMOZ JACKSON HGTS 1977 GOtDMWS MEffiKXMMX MAPKTO MOVIES 1 PT WASHINGTON RK0TWM2uwflENtx WANKS TOWN 0N COVE MANhTS TWW SOUTH HKSVtU CLINTON oboton WJDsannAZA2 LOEWS SnEiem MALL 3 freehold MALL I ancKiowN CINEMA 34 FOX woowwxg HXKumon HARMON COVE I SECAUCuS SEMKW Manns FOK PIAZA 2 newoorp TWANG1XS E2Z32II- MANN'S FOR STTAUKfT RKO TWIN 2 BAttaoN RK0TWIM2commack UA COLLEGE PLAZA 2 PBANO HAMPTON ARTS WST HAMPTON UA SMTTfiTOWN OUTDOOR aL NSCONSJ nKELEY2awvu MJN5MnCKSQ2 BRUNSMCX OAHDGi MOrf Claw COMMUMTY rWANCLTS MONROE MONBce CAT3 PLAZA 2 MKHXETOIAN CAfE'3 CEyfTTML PEAAL OTWEA OTE3 HUDSON PLAZA POuGMKEPS UA ROUTE Sf NANUEI lTCfttm1TWtfT 4U 2-Mf.