The Times-Tribune from Scranton, Pennsylvania • 12

A' I 1 's i i ji i A rfc 9 fc i IB La ft iv vi, rV i 12-A- THEj SUNDAY TIMES, DECEMBER 21, 1975-SCRANTON. 'I Shaw's Flaws Not So Deadly ''Y 1 a Vf As Santa Claus, Lulu By JOHN J. OCONNOR 1975 N.Y. Times Newt Service NEW YORK Public Televisions Classic Theater series, imported from the British Broadcasting was brought to an appropriate conclusion Thursday with a quite respectable production of George Bernard Shaws Mrs. 1 Warrens Profession, The production was flawed, most glaringly in the casting of J-Coral Browne as Kitty War-, ren." Mrs.

Warren ideally should be petite, plump and rounded, getting somewhat heavy around the wrists. Miss vVy '-A- 4r sSiffi sr- rtf 1 Roman finds Rdy Clark in her bag. Both star in Hea Haw, syndicated TV entry. yy 'V Psychiatrist Says It's National Scandal U.S. Kids See 18,000 On TV During School on Channel 44 Saturday at 11:30 p.m.

will be Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker, per- formed by Ballet West of Salt Lake City. Thomas Young Outstanding as Judas Crowd Here Rocked Christ Superstar By JANE E. BRODY 9 1975 N.Y. Times Newt Service NEW YORK-By the time the average American child is graduated from high school, he has seen on television some 18,000 murders and countless highly-detailed incidents of robbery, arson, bombing, forgery, smuggling, beating and torture," according to a Seattle physician who wants the medical profession to protest televised violence. Calling the amount of violence depicted on television a national scandal, Dr.

Michael B. Rothenberg noted that 146 research articles based on 50 studies involving 10,000 children had all shown that viewing violence produced increased DINE AT aggressive behavior in the young. No study I could find in reviewing the entire literature on the subject showed that violence did not have such an ef- feet, said Dr. Rothenberg, who is a pediatrician and child psychiatrist at Childrens Orthopedic Hospital and Medical Center, Seattle. In an article in the Dec.

8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, Dr. Rothenberg said that one violent act was depicted every minute in television cartoons for children under age 10 and there was, on the average, six times more violence during one hour of childrens television than RESERVATIONS HONORED PHONE 75-1672 If toe modus operand! is to make Judas so important, it is vital to toe success of the rock opera that the portrayal be entrusted to a talented performer. Young, who is so good in this touring production, fills the bill admirably. He sings, dances and cavorts his way through the challenging role in superb fashion. When he received an ovation at the curtain call (Incidentally, attired in symbolic silver) it was well-deserved.

In contrast, there was something not entirely satisfying about toe portrayal of Jesus by Robert Corff. Except for his blondness, he looks the part physically. He also has a good voice. But the warm, almost spiritual quality that others have brought to toe role was missing. IN GOOD VOICE Prissy Lancaster was in good voice as Mary Magdalene.

Since shes entrusted with toe two top numbers in the Webber-Rice score, that was fortunate. She first brought the crowd to Browne is tall, thin and angular. Her Warren was a severe sort, militantly retaining traces of a Cockney accent. However jarring the conception, though. Miss Browne is unintelligent actress and her performance was consistently interesting.

The fact, as numerous commentators have noted unto academic tedium, is-that the play itself is seriously flawed. The conclusion of an act sensationally introduces the possibility that "Mrs. Warrens daughter, Vivie, and Frank Gardner," her irresponsible suitor, may have, in their blissful ignorance, entered into an incestuous affair. In the final act, toe explosive development is less resolved than ignored, and character motivations tend to get blurred in a way totally uncharacteristic of Shaw. STILL PROVOCATIVE But the bulk of the play, the central thesis that was attacked in its day as the limit of stage indecency, remained startlingly provocative.

Mrs. War- ah'oI nivf Accinn a ren's profession of prostitution is used cleverly and wickedly as a commentary on Capitalism. If virtue is its own reward in proper Capitalist society, Shaw argues, vice in infinitely more practical in terms of high finance, and prostitution is far better than any other employment for a poor girl. Directed by Herbert Wise, this BBC production had sever- al outstanding assets. Penelope Wiltons Vivie Was a model of directness and almost eccentric practicality.

Robert Powell, as Frank, was properly cheeky and, behind boyisn seductions, shrewdly calculating. And James Grout as Sir George Crofts," Derek Godfrey as Praed and Richard Pearson as Rev. Samuel Gardner formed an exceptionally fine supporting cast. Flaws and all, the play worked beautifully for television. Record Film Gross The Sunshine Boys at Radio City Music Hall, New York, rang up toe biggest one-day, single theater gross in the history of the motion picture industry with $93,959 on Dec.

6. WOODLAND INN JERMYN, PA. FOR A INTIMATE YET ELEGANT NEW YEARS EVE DINNER Capacity By 'Jesus By SID BENJAMIN Sunday Times Drama Editor The timing couldnt have been better, when toe full production of Jesus Christ Super-star" finally reached Scranton and was greeted by a capacity crowd of 1,800 at toe Masonic Temple Wednesday night The throng, composed principally of young rock fans, had been waiting a long time to hail the precedent-setting rock opera by Andy Webber and Tim Rice. And those who respond to the religious significance of the Christmas season were warmed again by the re-telling of the ancient drama, even though done in pie rock idiom. If your first reaction to the Passion as a rock production was How can they do you would have been surprised at the way it works.

Theres no real reason, of course, why the greatest story ever told cant be recounted in what has become the language of today for millions. The key factor was what the approach would be. Despite what may have turned you off in the zeal of some anti-Establishment young people to ridicule what millions hold dear, the tone of Jesus Christ Superstar was serious, even coming close to reverence at times. And there were no four-letter words. PRESENTED AS MAN Webber and Rice are on record that they wanted to present Jesus as a man, from the viewpoint of Judas Iscariot.

They carefully avoid reference to Him as the Son of God, except when uttered in scorn by Pontius Pilate and King Herod. Yet there is nothing in the rock opera to argue against His deification. The two young Englishmen dont get into the Kesurrec: tion. But the stirring finale with Jesus on the cross, certainly leaves the door open to the interpretation which has inspired Christians for centuries. Murders Years there was in one hour of adult programming.

Although network tabulations for this fall's television season indicate a decline in violence during prime time program- ming, Dr. Rothenberg said that surveys by Action for Chil- drens Television had not shown any significant change. He added that reducing violence during family" viewing time between 7 and did nothing to protect children from the enormous amount of violence depicted between 3 and 7 p.m. and 13 million children are still watching television after 9 p.m. when there is heavy violence content," he said.

This year, a study conducted by CBS Inc. showed that chil- drens programs with pro- social content produced the desired positive effect among those who watched them. By toe same token. Dr. Rothenberg said, Children pick up antisocial messages from television.

Dr. George Gerbner, professor of communications at the University of Pennsylvania and long a student of television violence, said that his preliminary findings showed that violence content was up in 1974 so that a purported decrease this year is meaningless. Dr. Gerbners research has shown that heavy viewers of television are inordinately fearful They think the world is even more dangerous than it really is. Television violence, he said, creates victims.

It teaches people what they can get away with against other kinds of people. In order to ha ve social violence, its not enough to train people to be aggressive, you must also train people to be afraid, to act like victims. Arthur R. Taylor, president of CBS, acknowledged in a (Continued on Page A-1 3) NV s- T. LJ HJ 1 -i ,0 I V.

Vi-' fih in nc 'I Vs .1 Ht.H.sH,, a. life with "Everythings then won heavy applause with the shows top hit, a I Dont Know How To Love Him." Also excellent in the Voice De 7 partment was William whose booming bass was a plus for his portrayal of This can be said even though an over-amplified sound system had it thundering through the North Washington Ave. hall. Ironically, many complaints in the past from paying customers at the Masonic Temple have 7 been that they couldnt hear the performers. Wednesday night, 4, it was toe reverse.

The amplification not only traded from audience ment, but also had a harmful effect on the actors diction. When the concert version was seen in Wilkes-Barre, a rock band blared, from the stage. Fortunately, the accompani-" ment Wednesday night was by a full orchestra in the pit. It may-have saved our eardrums. incidentally, the composed partly of area musi- cians, did a good backup job.) (Continued on Page A-1 3 this tale of an independent' woman." She has two teen-aged daughters, Julie (Mackenzie Phillips) and Barbara (Valerie Bertinelli).

She is being courted by a plump baby-faced lawyer (Richard Masur), who is 28, several years younger than Ann. And she is being an- noyed by a leering hypermachoi superintendant (Pat Harrington). In the first episode. Ann was confronted with Julies" request to go on a camping trip that would include boys and sleeping bags with. zippers.

Ann said no, and Julie," an abrasively hysterical sort, decided to live with her father The superintendant, in fashionably frizzed hair and slimey mustache, arrived fora comedy routine. The young lawyer, with portable ear, arrived for a comi edy routine. "Julie" returned and most of it ended happily; with the studio audience howling and applauding unbelievably. The format is hardly fresh. Take on unattached adult (divorced or widowed, e.g., Fay.

Phyllis, Joe and Sons, Three for toe the upcoming Popi," and so forth), and add an assortment of children for plot machinations. But a lack of fresh formats has never bothered commercial television. The problem with One Day at a Time goes somewhat deeper, at least as far as the thin veneer beneath its thm veneer. The premieres plotting device simply was dishonest. An issue of some import was raised only to be resolved through tricks of illusion.

"Ann" berated herself for not sitting down and discussing the problem calmly with her daughter. -But when "Julie" returned, Ann quickly told her she could indeed go on the trip. Then Julie" is overheard telling her girl friend that she can not. after all, go because her mother objects. In true TV fashion, the problem was less solved than merely used.

COUNTRY Hill 1300 Morgan Highway A'uui jo uu uOU UU LHJ Li 'inni-innnni-imvinniinnrii' New TV Series Superficial 'One Day at Time' Branded Dishonest TODAY FROM 2:00 P.M. SSXEA tlMERS Christmas season treat -TONIGHT CHRISTMAS IS A MIRACLE, drama presented by -Grace Reformed Episcopal Church Bible School at church, Scranton, 7 p.m. Public invited without charge but offering will be taken. JAN. 9 "DONT BOTHER ME.

I CANT COPE, Broadway hit drama presented by touring professional cast as Broadway T1 'heater of Northeastern Pennsylvania 1975-76 season continues. Masonic Temple, Scranton, 8:30 p.m. (Also Jan. 10 Jan. 11 at 7).

Admission limited to season suberibers. Record Set Here A record high gross for one of a legitimate stage attraction in Scranton is believed to have been set when Jesus Christ Superstar completed its booking at toe Masonic Temple Thursday night Some 1,900 payees jammed toe N. Washington Ave. hall. Almost 100 additional seats were placed on a temporary basis.

The permanent capacity is 1,822. The seats sold for up to $8.50 apiece. When the previous record was set for the booking of the late Betty Grable in Hello Dolly in 1970, the top price asked was $7. i Officials of Superstar Productions, out-of-town firm which brought the rock opera here, could not be contacted for exact figures. Children Target Of Sales Pilches BOSTON According to two studies of childrens programming on network and independent stations which were commissioned by Action for Childrens Television (ACT), commercial messages interrupt programs directed to the under-12 viewing audience on an average of once every 2.9 minutes.

An analysis of advertising practices revealed that almost ha half of all commercial announcements were for cereals, candies, and sweets. Jerry Lewis Due Jerry Lewis will take over center stage at the Sahara Tahoe in Nevade Jan. 30 and Feb. 1. Boqdanovic Wins GENEVA.

Switzerland (API The Geneva Competition this year awarded only one first prize, its guitar section, to Dusan Bogdanovic of Yugoslavia. Parton Starred Dollyanewrausicvariety half-hour starring Parton, will be produced by Show Biz, Inc. for the start of the 1976-77 television season next September. Is for QIAIJA lo-g S'eevs -c ka Dot QSp.ash and Solids. 1 ScKrtr XfrOPW i STRAND phone J-l 2M TODAY AT 9:39 (R) CENTER i PHONE 341Jl The The True Story Of Late, Great JIMI HENDRIX Help the crQOu TODAY AT 9:03.

mnt. WEST SIDE ik. THE ONE AND ONLY! i 0 'A J. fc Diana Ross Mahogany By JOHN J. OCONNOR N.Y.

TIMES NEWS SERVICE NEW YORK -This months new Norman Lear situation comedy was "One Day at a Time Tuesday night on CBS. Like any Lear product, it is slick in terms of thoroughly professional production values. Like any ordinary TV sit-com, though, it is also irritatingly superficial and labored. Ann Romano (Bonnie Franklin) is a divorced Avon lady, obviously destined for inore demanding work roles in mn They Look Like Rocks-Have No tyes And Eat Make Fire-And They Kill! Give I til i THE 5AVAQE LOOJE STH WEEK! 10:10 BIRNEY CINEMA HONC 961 X90 2K3 KIT 33 61:09 THE WILD COmPAXERCS SAVAfit AT CINEMA NORTH: AT 1 9:09 A Working Min Whos Kid liMHirti A jcoMERFORoj gQyj IJ With potter of late Harry Houdini in background. Magician Doug Henning performs Iloudini't famous Water Torture Escape trick in World of Magic ABC-7T Dec.

26 at 8 p.m. on Mlit TROUSER OUTLET 109 E. Drinker Dunmore JTc Don't Meet Prices XYc Dcot Them 99 i ally In-Car Heaters prPf7 C- AND 4- -4 Betty Furness, one of the nation's most effective champions of consumer causes, is on-camera reporter in Citing and Getting the Charity Business, news special to be colorcast on SBC Television Setwork Dec. 22 at 10 p.m. Program explores S25 billion charity industry in -this country.

Furness reports on where charity dollars are going, whether they are being used LEISURESUITS 1 gcc. sen iir2 ISLGOjS In-Cir Kiatsrs tfOLLY and I Awirvsjonv LEISU11E SHIRTS MEN'S DRESS GLOVES 90 Qrl V1 I pen For Lunch Only Wsd, Dec. Closed Christmas Cay All Cay FrL, Dec. Fcr Business SaU Cec. 27th Ccne For D.nner For Dancing By EGO and STRASSI roosevelt Tonito (DOUBLE XX) TrC Ccntirucii KlUIy Frcn BLACK IlEIGllB0nSand THE BIG THII1G Adults! 5120 1 35335353 155 3 23 S3 WI355 JS1SS 4.