The Fresno Bee from Fresno, California • 31

'The Godfather7 Is Called Beautifully Crafted Engrossing Film Page B7 THE FRESNO BEE Friday March 24 1972 RE-RELEASE HOLLYWOOD Paramount studios is rere-lcasing the 1927 classic starring Clara Bow and Buddy Rogers and a newcomer to silent pictures Gary Cooper THI lOCnnil at Mmctwirw Gnome KTMnpuy by Mario Pun and Francis Ford Caeeela tram tna novol by Pun prodww Albert Ruddy director Cogpola photographer Cordon Willi production designer Doan Tavaularls editors Wit-Him Reynolds and Peter Zlnnsr music esmodsod by Nina Rota art dm Cly Warren Clymer sat decorator er gangsters most of them actors whose names are unfamiliar Only two examples of less than inspired casting come to mind They are James Caan who acts splendidly as the hot-tempered Sonny but is rather too much the all-America boy to suit the Italian image and Pacino's wife Diane Keaton Iter's is a somewhat blank characterization and her WASP heritage makes her stick out like a sore thumb But the thought occurs that as the outsider looking in she may represent us ened by another evocative score from Nino Rota of "Romeo and and "La Dolce fame Yes but what about the acting? Brando as everybody says is excellent as Corleone with his squat paunchy bulk his Cro-magnon profile aid his breathy rasping voice But then we've always found Brando impressive even in his second- and third-rate efforts BUT ONE OF the beauties of the film is the balanced characterizations Supercool Al Pacino is likewise chillingly believable and so are several oth the viewer that when he is set free to stumble forth it is the everyday surroundings which seem foreign SOME THINGS about are common knowledge among them is that it was what is termed a runaway best seller worth about half a million copies hi hardcov-" er and 10 million in paperback To be so successful of course a book could only be what some critcs sniffed at as sensationalism" The subject matter of Godfather" deals with the under world power structure political intrigues and corruption More deliciously It also revealed to us the private Mafioso his Italian love and loyalty to family and associates the primitive sense of honor and principle that colors everything about him and even somehow transcends his bust ness way of life murder and thievery covers all that depicting events over a few years following World War in settings mostly in New York The film opens with graying Don Corleone holding court for supplicants behind the scenes of OSCAR PROSPECTS SIGN HOLLYWOOD (UPI) Ann Margret and Ben Johnson both prospects for a best supporting Oscar signed to co-star with John Wayne In "The Train at Warner Bros ways the violence is juxtaposed with gentle everyday ritual the incongruity of it is shocking and unfailingly ironic COWRITERS PUZO and Francis Ford Coppola and Coppola as director have given the movie a straightforward narrative approach Their production has been assembled with such attention to detail such skillful interweaving of quiet and violence of glamour and domesticity that one never really notices the three-hour length of "The In the premiere showing the impression of immersing oneself in a novel was the greater for the lack of intermission interruption Typical of Coppola's sense of feeling is the way he differentiates between the dark side of the Mafioso conducting underworld business in darkened surroundings and his side in which things like purity and honor are equated with glaring sunlight TOO THE YOUNG Mafioso groom might be expected to display his affluence by presenting his bride with a huge diamond instead the simplicity of his regard is symbolised in a plain band Atmospheric detail is heightr a glorious Italian wedding reception It is an event which at once symbolizes the wealth and respect a-bilty of the don have wires from senators and a governor expressing their regret while permitting us a peek at the murderous business which earned it WE WITNESS domestic squabbles and ecstasies and we eavesdrop on hard-nosed business negotiations about equitable division of judges and drug profits And we are privy to a violent and bloody change from the regime of the don with his courtly mien to that of his son Al Pacino a newcomer to films portrays him as the new young breed of professional Mafioso war hero and college educated but cold and remote and even more dangerous because of the legitimate facade Certainly there is gore retribution in the underworld is shown as swift and abrupt and nearly always a surprise Sometimes it is by garrotting once in' a "Bonnie and hail of machine-gun bullets But killing is nothing personal just the business way and the implication is that it is no more brutal than ordinary capitalistic business practices Al On Tie Aisle Annual Central Valley IDURING EASTER WjEEKl A VOSEMiTE HWY 41 mt 1 The Cowboys Ml A BABY HAMA April 10-15 By David Hale DO THIS AND MUCH MQRE PM No Smith Cast Dsn Vito Cor) done Morton Brando Michael Certeene At Pacino Sonny Cor leone Janies Caan Ctomoraa Richard Castellano Tom Hagen Robert Duvall McGuskev Sterling Hayden Jack Walti John Martey Barllni Richard Conte Ray Adams Diane Keaton Sailor zo At Lettfart Johnny Fontana At Martina Mama Csrleana Morgana King Mao Graene Alex Races Heroine Vita Scottl Rated By David Hale TWO KINDS of extremes in movies make a reviewer feel almost superfluous One is the film that offers so little to divert that the less said about it the better The other kind has so much of what makes films sc universally appealing as entertainment that one wants merely to say go see for or some such nebulous thing To talk about it further js to risk diluting the impact "The Godfather" the already celebrated film from Mario novel On The Aisle about the feudal world of the Mafia is one such movie Others that come readily to mind are and the Russian and Peace" and another film starring Marlon Brando the Of those from the past couple of seasons only French so looms up Godfather" as a gangster picture is a slice of Americana exemplifying an epic quality common to all those movies: so beautifully is it crafted that somehow it conveys character color sense of time and place and immediacy in a way we could normally expect only in a great novel It is an invention yet so thoroughly engrossing that it becomes reality So enveloped is Square Round Dance Schedule I wish to ester the Anneal California Central Valleys Science Fair (Please check one) Junior Sectiea Seaiar SectioaD SAFARI (AienuD Central Kl! Ftnll AttactlMj fll IHCUI OVtA 0 AWIMAU WUtaWlwm HiiAi 1 04 OPt CVIV OAV ntU)44M Name: Acei Jefc Craft: Heme Address: City: (Zip Cede) Telephone Ne: Name ef Schoel: Phene Ne ef Scbeaf: the cowhands in the country are siphoned off by a gold strike THE KIDS range in age from about 9 to 15 with the smallest barely big enough to sit on a horse There are some nice sequences in which they learn about the hard knocks of cowboy life immediately auditioning on the resident bucking horse But before long the fuzzy faced 11 learn to ride rope and brand with a skill that would do justice to cowpokes with yean of experience The only other grownup in the group is Roscoe Lee Browne a black cook with an Oxford University gift for the language an independent spirit and exotic store is about red-turbaned Moon stealing bright and beautiful women and commandeering castles for a of Everything would doubtless have gone fine but for the intervention of that villainous jackal Bruce Dern and his gang who have murder and cattle rustling on their mind Wayne's rancher and his striplings would seem to be easy game but not by long shot Name ef Proposed Scieecc Fair Priject: THI COWBOYS UA Cl name end the Sunnyside Drtvo-ln produced end directed by Mark Rydell Scraenolay by Irving Revejrh and Harriet Frink Jr and William Dele Jetmlneb bued on novel by Jennings director of ohofog reeky Robert Surtees music by John Williams Cast Will Andep-sen John Wayne JebadMi Nlphtling-r Roscoe Lea Brewne lead outlaw Bruce Darn Kata Colleen Dswhlrst Slim Plckene preacher Lomy Chipmen Cimarron A Msrtlnez Slnging Fats Alfred Barker Jr Four Eyes Nicoles Benedict Stave Steve Benedict Slim Honeycutt Robert Car-redlne Jr Weedy Staohen Hudls Stuttering Boh Soon Kelly Annie An-dsrsen Sarah Cunningham and Ellen Price Jkllyn Aim Me Leri Rated PG A FEW YEARS ago Mark Rydell produced and directed a marvelous piece of nostalgia about a loss of innocence and changing times in the old South latest is an adventure of the old West which deals with much the same themes in a considerably more cruel and less compassionate manner It also stars John Wayne in a performance to equal his portrayal of the rock-ribbed courageous old Westerner in but without the parody based on a novel by William Dale Jennings begins with an idea that will appeal to any boy young or old who has ever loved playing cowboys and Indians: John Wayne plays an ag- ing rancher who is forced to hire school boys to man a cattle drive because all TDiejperfect finish for your Easter Vacation Description if Project: (Describe Accurately) Vacation Pak will sava your hometown news for you Your carrier will deliver your papers to you upon your return in a handy Vacation Pak at no additional charge (Check Oee) Are there living plants in your exhibit? Yes No Exhibit should be classified: Biolegical Physical Will electricity he reqaired? Yes Ne Exhibit will be en: Table Fleer If exhibit is less tbaa 41 leches wide Indicate width: Following are the meet-of square and round dance clubs scheduled in this area through next Thursday: TONIOHT Stoppers Stampers TWIN Gables Hall 4J1 Hughes Avo Clovis pm hoedown night with refreshments Dick Walbsl caller Lucky Squares Form Bureau Bldg Pina St and Rood Madera S-ll pm squares and rounds llotit refreshments Bob Moore caller Rldga Runners North Fork School gym no slum North Fork S-ll pjn regular dance light refreshments Scotty Lenglends colter Benefit Square Donee Community Corner 4lh and Locust Sts Rlpon pm proceeds go to Virginia Kin-doll (wlfo of recently deceased caller Al Kindall) all dancers welcome Ralph SIMus emcoe and visiting collars Clr-cla Merced Colony Grange HolL East Childs Avenue Merced I pm regular dance light refreshments Bill Patterson caller TOMORROW Swinging Store Mo-morlal Hall Front ana Magnolia Sts Farmeravlll preraunds 7:304 p-m with instructors Herb and Clare Mae Duguay square dancing pun (two rounds between tree) regular dance refreshments Cal Matthaws callar Lakeland TWtrtars Square Dance Bern North Otis and Rambo Sts Corcoran S-ll: 30 pm regular dance light refreshments Lou Cook caller Romp Stampers Boar Crook Grange Hill North Bear Crook Drive Merced pm Spring Fling theme rounds by Horace and Brenda Mills refreshments Roger Goad guest caller Bootjack Stampers Across tram Fslrg round in Mariposa S-11 pun graduation and party night with refreshments Bill Patterson collar Cores Twisters Walter White School Ceres pjn Spring especially Jubilee BURGIE SPECIAL 12ozCANS Signature of Entrant: Signature if Teacher: Signature ef One Parent: Senior Division entries should be mailed to Dr Barry Gump Science Fair Fresn State Cellege Freseo California 93710 ea ar before midnight Friday March 24th Junior Divisiiu entries should he mailed to: Stewart Brown Chairman Science Fair Junior Division Fresni County Dept of Edncatien 2314 Mariposa Fresia California 93721 na ar before midnight Friday March 24th yfYv-K'p The Fresno Bee SPONSORED BY THE FRESNO BEE KMJKMJ-TV FRESNO STATE COLLEGE FRESNO CITY I COUNTY SCHOOLS SAVE 15' '-t jsBmm nw-i ivwiuWoikfflT 'OPEN" MONOAYJHRU FRIDAY JlC 9 PWSAlUROAYB TO BSUNDAY came round! by Bettyo Welsh Gene and Ron Welsh celleri Squaranaderi Sylvan Gubhous North McHenry Rd Modoe to preroundi pun square dandng 1:30 pm (double rounds between tire) party nlgtit with refresb-fnente Ralph Sllvtui caller SUNDAY Smell Square! end Twlr-Rn Teem Twin Gobtre Hall aovls Instruction 7: Am regular dance 7:104 pun light refreshments adult hi- I pervteloni Jay Hendanen cellar Greta Buhach Pentaeaet Hell No Buhach Rd Merced 1 Am 13th Annual Barbecue party dance Bill Pattoraon emcee end visiting caller Sierra Swore Angola1 Hall Columbia State Perk prerounds 1:304 pun eouer dandng pun light refruhmantu Bunin Davie cellar MONDAY I Luy I Stepper round dance dub featuring equaFa dancer' and Intarmedieta routine Butler Perk Hell MTS Butler Ave dree 7:104 pun dub dance p-m light refreahmenti Dingle end Dorothy Wnoctar Instructor Mlll-A-Rounds Legion Hall Grand p-m orey and bitarmodtete routine party idgM with refrethmentii the Mills fai-etructore TUESDAY Fun Shop for experienced equere dancer Butler Park Hall Fresno pm workshop and current patterns Dick Wolbd collar WEDNESDAY Mlstte-To Topper a square dance dub tar slnote adults Butler Perk Hall Fresno pm regular done Hold refroshmonta Wayne Cues caller Whirlera A Twirl Twin Gabies Hall Gov Is -10: pm raoular dene light refreshments bob Biker caller Frame Roundere Done Room 7J Untmerkr St Dlnu-ba 0-1: pun aN tavote round dancing light refreshments Bill Locke instructor Round Dane Warshop-Monroe School Hanford 4 pun square dancers' id Intarmsdlata routines Bill and Kottiy Begley Instructor THURSDAY Pairs of 4 Twin Gables Hall Clovis 0-10 pun all singing calls nlgtit light refreshments Did Sears caller Trevelln' Pioneers Grange Hell Tnd and Pollasky Sts Ctovts pun workshop and regular dance light refreshments Jay Hen-Screen caller HP-61 0SS-610 FM STEREOFM-AM RECEIVER TUNES IN EVEN THE WEAKEST STATIONS DUAL PROFESSIONAL AUTOMANUAL TURNTABLE AND A PICKERING CARTRIDGE FOR PRECISION RECORD PLAYING POWERFUL AMPLIFIER GIVES ACCURATE SOUNDS FROM THUNDEROUS ORGAN WORKS TO HARD DRIVING ROCK A PAIR OF 3-WAY WIDE RANGE SPEAKERS COVER THE ENTIRE AUDIBLE SPECTRUM OF SOUNDS (23595 HPT 49 A COMPLETE FM STEREO FM-AM RECEIVER AND A STEREO CASSETTE RECORDER WHICH ENABLES YOU TO TAPE DIRECTLY FROM THE TUNER OR RECORD STEREO WITH OPTIONAL MICROPHONE OR TUNE IN THE WEAK AND DISTANT STATIONS INCLUDED ARE A PAIR OF 2-WAY SPEAKER SYSTEMS AND A DUST COVER FOR THE RECORD CHANGER SOUlSDJSERytCBilERf FREE GROCERIES 1 ittlUKU SPRIflGI BRING IN YOUR AMPLIFIER REGARDLESS OF MAKE OR AGE WE WILL TEST IT AND PLOT A PERFORMANCE CURVE TO SHOW CAPABILITY OF AMP THIS OFFER ON AMPLIFIERS ONLY FREE -AMPLIFIER CLINIC I FESTIVAL SATURDAY APRIL 1 COMING MAR 28 HE MOST MODERN IECHNICALlSKILLS IN FRESNOlRAOlO DISPATCH TRUCKS SERVING A 70 MILE RADIUSlCALLL486L1540fQR DAY AND AFTER 5 SERVICE.