Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 15

POST-GAZETTE: June 22. 1977-15 'The Heretic' Is No 'Exorcist1 Theater Clock "''r iiinTiaA'iWnriiii-ai loragta 5,1 50 Child $1.00 "fUN WITH DKK I JAM" PG) 6 00-955 On Stage Tonight Only Jl.50 ChiW 11 00 "THE GUMIAU DAllV" (PG) APPLf HILL PLAYHOUSE: GATEWAY: Dirk Bogaide atto James Caan in "A Bridge Too Far" al 2, 5:15 and 1:30. GUILD: Man Brothers In "At the Circus" at 4 and "Tho Big store" at and 10:30. KINGS COURT: "Bal Ami" at 2:30, 4:20, 4, I and 10. By GEORGE ANDERSON Post-Gazette Drama Critic "Exorcist II: The Heretic" is not just a sequel, it's a travesty.

The new Warner Bros, release should be repossessed for nonpayment of thrills. It has little of the shock value that made "The Exorcist" one of the most commercially successful films ever made. Only "The French Connection" and "French Connection II" can be compared with "The Exorcist" and its sequel for two related films that are so different in approach. The new film could be credited for striking out in a new direction, except that it is so ludicrous that even imitation would be more welcome. "Exorcist II: The Heretic" attempts to intellectu-alize its subject, a tactical error because it merely points up the essential silliness of it all.

"The Exorcist" was fundamentally foolish, too, but director William Friedkin loaded the film with such On Screen BANK CINEMAS: No. 1: Diane Keatott and Woody Allen in "Annie Hall" at 1, 4. 4, 8 and 10. No. 2: Michael Sarrann in "Gumball Rally" at 3 45, 5:45, 1:45 and 9:45.

BUHL PLANETARIUM: "Tht Loneliness Factor" at 1:15. CHATHAM CINEMA: "Silver Streak" at 3:10, 4:25 and 9:45. "Play It Again Sam" at 1:45, 5, 1:20. "THI OKP" (TO) Robert (Jaws) Shaw-Jacqueline Billet 7:309:55 INo Poises) "FOR THC lOVt Of HNjr (G) "AIRPORT 77" (PG) Jock Lemmon Beit Picture ol Yeor Held Over! Stollone (PG) 7:3510:00 SHOWCASE CINEMAS: No. Matk Hamill and Alec Guinntst in "Star Wars" at 2, 4:30, 7:15 ana no.

ueorg in "Rollarcojistffr" at to Sven 7:2 Bo 7:45 and 10:15. No. 3: ENCORE FORUM: George C. Scott in "Islands In the Stream at and 9:45, Daemon). "The Miracle worker." TMv at 5 and 1EN GROSS: Rt.

SO, Irwin, "rockett and Barbara Live." Tonight at :30. HEINZ HALL: John Davidson and Norm Crosby Show. To-mht I. LITTLE LAKE DINNER THEATER: Canontburg. The Sun-him Boye." Tonight at 1:40.

LOOKING GLASS THEATER: Canontburg. "Follow the Yellow Brick." Today at 1. MOUNTAIN PLAYHOUSE: Jen. nerttqwn. 'Take My Wile." Tonigm at 0.

ST. JOHN STUDIO THEATER: Clearfield: "The Fantastickt." fontght at I. ST. VINCENT SUMMER THEATER: Larrobe. "The Good Doctor." Tonight at 1:10.

WHITE BARN THEATER: N. Huntingdon. "Everybody Lovee Opal." Tonight at 1:40. CUM ion in "Final Chapttr Walking Tail" at 1:15, 3:15, 5:15, and 9:30, No. 4: Mario-Franct Pinor and John Beck in "Tht Othar Sidt of Mtdmght" at 1, 4, 7 and SQUIRREL HILL: Diana KM-ton and Woody Allen In "Annie Hall" al 3:15, 4:15, 4, and 10.

Held Oer 2nd Big Weslil Stollone (PG All Sears 81-00 "FUN WITH DKK I JANt" (PG) Jane Fondo-George Segal 7:309.30 Adm. $1. 50 Child $1.00 FIESTA: Peter Falk and John Cassavetes in "Mikey and Nicky" at 1:30, 3:30, 5:30, 7:45 and 10. ea FULTON: Marie-France Pisier and John Beck In "The Other Side ol Midnight" at 2:15, 5:15 and 8:30. "Crou! iron" i H'l L'J America's Moil Huggable Horo! nsSnSSSsS'h 1 "fOR THE tOVf OF BENJI" (G) riWI IgHlfrX- :45 and :50.

cinematic pyrotechnics that he effectively disguised its superficiality. JOHN BOORMAN, who directed the sequel, has taken a less flashy approach, although he tries to suffuse much of the story with nightmarish imagery like a feverish dream. The strategy misfires because his fantasy sequences look so preposterous. A cliffside temple in what seems to be Africa looks like a leftover set from "Gunga Din." At times, particularly when we are placed on the back of a giant locust and flown about the countryside, the film recalls Boorman's absurd science-fiction exercise "Zardoz," a film that "Exorcist II" resembles more closely than it does the original "Exorcist." William Goodhart's script sets up a rather elementary conflict between science and religion, employing brief quotations from the philosophy of Jesuit priest Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. Thus, the film presents us with a priest who in a hypnotic state shares in the visions of Regan MacNeil, the girl who was possessed in the first film.

APPLE-CHEEKED LINDA Blair returns in the jole of Regan, now being treated by a psychiatrist (Louise Fletcher) and bothered by recurrent bad dreams. A priest (Richard Burton, in a role that finally tops "The Klansman" and "Bluebeard" for unworthi-ness) is sent to investigate the circumstances of the death of Father Merrin (Max von Sydow). This permits use of a few flashbacks from the conclusion of the first film, as well as several bizarre early scenes of a younger von Sydow. THINGS MOVE along rather sluggishly until the explosive ending when the story returns to that house in Georgetown, where we find Burton grappling on a rocking and rolling bed with a diabolical Miss Blair, while a locust horde buzzes around and the Misses Fletcher and Winn come crashing into the front of the house in a flaming taxi cab. All that's lacking is Victor Mature pulling down the pillars.

Ennio Morricone contributes one of the loudest and least musical stores of the year, a hymn to confusion and, therefore, entirely appropriate. (The film is rated mainly for its generally disturbing tone, although it contains none of the obscenities of the first film.) WARNER Richard Burton Linda Blair and in "Eiorcist II: at 3:20, 5:40, I FULTON MINI: "Bel Ami" at 2, 4, and 10. Amenca't Moil Huggable Hero! "FOR THE LOVE OF BENJI" (G) i ne Heretic and 10:15. America's Moil Huggable Hei I "FOR THE 10VE OF BENJI" 7,009,00 Adm. $1.50 Chi Back By Popular Oemondl "ROCKV'-Sylveiter Stallone (PG) Bert Picture of Yeor Best Picture at the Year! "ROCKY" Sylvester Stallone (PG) All Seats S1.00 cmsi n.

if Zt. i 9 "THE EAGLE HAS LANDED" (PG) Michael Coine-eAlt Seats $1.00 2 Kuna Fu Hits-Starring Bruce Lee "EXIT THE DRAGON. ENTER THE TIGER" (R) 4 W-WtMiSr "THE HAMMER Of COP" (R) 930 Michael Sorrann in "THE GUMBAll RALLY" (PG) 7:309:30 Our Hugoobte Herel FOR THE LOVE OF BENJI (C) Rid It In SenlwrRHimtl "ROUERCOAfTER" (PC) Srobro Streisand in "A STAR IS BORN" (R) lUBJi tvartm Is Anything Worth The Terror Of "THC DEEP" (PG) 1 (No Pae.) Corn9k-mtllonThcatrc Company presents The Beavep Coat PREVIEW PERFORMANCE TONIGHT! (All Tickets at th lew pric of $4.00) SEASON OPENING TOMORROW, JUNE 23 in Hm WKtodiliswei1 KRESGE THEATRE (Mil Compjis BOX OFFICE: 621-1326 i ll iT Ends Thurc. James Mason-James Coburn CROSS Of IRON (R) Rid In Senurrrounctl "ROUMCOA STSR" (PC) A WILLIAM F'RII'DKIN FILM TMI-STATK DRIVE- THEATRES ASS I JTA j. 1.

'Kit Woody Allen 4 Diane Kelloa Together "ANNIE HALL" (PG) "LOVE AND DEATH" (PG) S6.tm HOY SCIILIDLK HRUNO HI Ml I KAN( IS( KAUAI AMI1MH I RAMON HII Rl Production Drsiqn JOHN ROX St rrrnpU' WAI ON (iKI I Assiii mtr Priirium Hill) SMI I II Original Muic lAN(il RINK DRI AM Hdsfd tin iIip novi'l Ihp ol I bv di'tititi's Ainriud Dirrc-ird and Prnducrd bv Wll I.IAM I RII OKIN pgPMNTM GUIDtNC! A Pdnimtmnt-l lniversril Ri'lcrisf UNU niOH Uiimj hi nm ,111 inwi.ii, COeraiOHTtSlHCHLIlVII IIIU mOPENTIII INtfflNMIONAl NV ALL HIQMtl etllflVID i i I 1 ABC Highway 65 at Boden 869-7271 Dl IIC HCI I Tlwy Koe Wlul They Were CrK AbtMl! f.LrDEFy:,. "THE CHEERLEADERS" (R) rn-m. "REVENGE OF THE CHEERLEADERS" (R) STARTS FRIDAY BARGAIN MATINEE MON. THRU SAT. AIL SEATS $1.50 UNTIL 2:30 P.M.

iflp uniiwsai Picruflts Prtsenls BROOKSIDE run with dick jane" pb "IK.Midw.y JM.FM,d,-GrgeStg.l werf'd Sewidrley. 935-2401 "OBSESSION" Cliff Robertson (PG) 3 Hour! nil PARKING Ienlngs and Sunday Participating Indoor Garnqni Downtoern THE GUMBALL RALLY" (PG)-M. Sarrazln CAMP HORNE totween Rt. 19 Ohio River Blvd. 364-4127 "FREEBIE 8 THE BEAN" (R) Jamet Caan-Alan Arkin COLONIAL "THE GUMBALL RALLY" (PG)-M.

Sarrazin Rt. si, s.ih "FREEBIE THE BEAN" (R) Jirnei Cain Alaii Arkln "FRENCH TEENS" (X) "ERICA'S HOT SUMMER" (X) "WHAT'S LIP DOC'-Bartr. StrelMnd IPG) DEPENDABLE 5 Min. horn Gtr. Pgh.

264-701 1 no passes 1 They Knew What They Were entering About! "THE CHEERLEADERS" (R) "REVENGE OF THE CHEERLEADERS" (R) ECHO Rt. 51 tit Usrtje 3M-7S10 I EAB TUiC CURtftCUCMI "Two years ago I said Benji was the most entertaining family picture of our time. Maybe of all time. I was wrong. This one is betteiT LIZ SMITH COSMOPOLITAN "THE GUMBALL RALLY" (PG) lot St THE CAR starring JAMES BROLIN, KATHLEEN LLOYD, JOHN MARLEY, ELIZABETH THOMPSON and RONNY COX Screenplay by OENMIS SHRYACK MIDHAEL BUTLER and LANE SLATE Story by DENNIS SHHVACK MICHAEL BUTLER Music by LEONARD ROSENMAN Directed by ELLIOT SHWBSTEIN Produced by MARVIN BIRD! and ELLIOT SILVERSTEIN A IMIRSAI PICIuAt ItCHHICDLOS PNVISIO MOUC IIWOTotI NOW AT THESE THEATRES Lliii.iiliBM EL RANCHO Intersection 50 79, 221-4790 micuei MrTRZw-mormann Dintw "FIGHTING MAD" Peter Fondo (R) CHLSWICK 7:30, 9:55 P.M.

CINEMA WORLD AT 2:00, 5:00, 7:30. :45 P.M. EASTLANO-McKNIQHT CINEMA-MONROE-VILLAOC AT 1:00, 5:30. 7:45, 10:00 P.M. "THE CAR" James Brolin (PG) "THE SENTINEL" (R) Chrli Snrandon-Cristina Rainet FAIR GROUND Browntviit Nov) to So.

Park Fairground, 561-0552 GATEWAY "THE Ml" James Brolin (PG) logon. Rd. "THE SENTINEL" (R) New Kensington, 335-1 1 1 1 Cnrti Sarandon-Crhtina Flainei FAIRGROUND DR IN South nart GATEWAY OR IN New Kensington GREATER PGH DR IN Rt 30 GREENTREE DR IN Graentrte Hie MONROEVILLE OR IN Mmotvie SOUTH HILLS DR IN Rt 51, So. STARLIGHT DR IN Wsiford WOODLAND OR IN W. Mifflin GREATER PGH "TE CAR" James Brolin (PG) Rt.

30, Mile Cost of West- "THE SENTINEL" (R) ingnease Bridge, R24-5590 (lirli Sarandon-Criitlna tUinw MAPLE DR IN Rt 30 THE GUMBALL RALLY" (PG)-M. Sarrazin GREATER PGH FREEBIE I THE BEAN" (R) Rt. 30, la Mile tost of Weft-ingneoso Itidge, R24-5211 Jumef Caan-Alan Arkln "THE CAR" James Brolin (PG) "THE SENTINEL" (R) Chrti Sarandott-Cristlna Rainft GREENTREE NobtMtown Botwton Crafton A Cornogio, 921-2049 ml "ft "THE CAR'VJames Brolin (PG) "THE SENTINEL" (R) dirts Sarrandon-CYi'itiiia Ralntf KANE ROAD Beaver Valley Exprou l.rl 151, 378-1970 Irl VMIUIIUB Bl Picture Of The Year! ii Botwoen McK Stallone (PG) tofH. "1-0577 "BURNT OFFERINGS" K. Black (PG) aT jsT JV 1 El "THE Brolin (PG) "THE SENTINEL" (R) Chris Sarrandoo-Crfrtlina Rain MAPLE Rt.

30 Next to Nerwin Shopping Or R64-0344 MIRACLE MILE "THE GUMBALL Sarrazin (PG) tost M.n,oe.i. "FREEBIE THE BEAN" (R) en Rt 22, 327-5557 James Caan-Alan Arkln MONROEVILLE Northern Pike Before Weet-ingheuso Nuc. Cntr. 563-3955 "THE CAR" James Brolin (PG) "THE "BAWDY ADVENTfRKS OF TOM JONES" IR) MT. LEBANON Rt.

19, Donaldsons "THE GUMBALL RALLY" (PG)-M. Sarrazin "FREEBIE THE BEAN" (R) Jimfi Caan-Alan Arkin 745-7543 UT I rDJIUAll Thev Knew What Tbey Were feerinR Aboit! "THE CHEERLEADERS" (R) 745-7543 "REVENGE OF THE CHEERLEADERS" (R) NORTH SIDE' EXIT THE DRAGON-ENTER THE TIGER" (R Spring warden Ave. siss. uniiuuii wist, HHnil ml Brought ll(Yjk Sy WRANGLER CM X. CURB 3 JHtEl 1 IILSiJPi; OCT.

27 29 TlHCl lam PhW MARCH 2 4 1 mm. I (jiclel I JSll tffiyt's. I 'vHumperdinck MAR. 30 APR.1 I Wmsk trice dec. 1, 2 3 r.ii.iriur Jr Uo iciih! i.Bttiotihrtiis.1 open bvPuccm, by Rossini'' I SMimt7 JAN.

19 21 APRIL 20 22 I '1 luliin Patrick William Justus Katan Atmstronj Josiprta Gayci I I WxTtfTltlP TTAiLiff I StU Nadler Gwenlynn LUHe Antonio Barasorda, Arthur I I LF'lW'iHS itlKla! i 1 Graham, Ue Cass Hilda Hams' Elizabeth Hynts, Julia May I I jW 1 tlWf'itV, Andrea Vein' Maria Pelltgrint, Harry Thayard William I I Parker Matianna Chrmos, Evtlyn Mandac' John Ala I I 1 ander Oommic Coisa Are Berbetian, Gilda Out- i Romo' Etmanno Mauro, Marveilee Cariega. Ratdar llS Anderson, Arnold Voketailis. Craig Nim, Alan Titus' I I I iff Patricia Wise, Jon Gatnson' and Spiro Males, plus the I I I I'S Piltsburgh Opera Chorus and the Pittsburgh I I I Syrnrvnony Orchestre 'MetrcMlitan Open 1 fl Conductors Slaoe Oireclotl If Anton Guidagno JametdeBiesii II fw EyanWhallon Barbara Karp ClW X. Steven Thomas fSy Barbate Karp Artistic Oirector I i All operas begin at 8 00 ffTkl fa, Xv tot information call sir lil'rl I4121 2B1-OD12 jji aaDD CR ksjw IIL-, BBBB ELf 0 Mail to it- ccAcnn TiriTDBircc "VAKHZA'-Rohen Mltrham (Rl Geyor Rd 322-1203 "FUN WITH DICK I JANE" (PG) Jim Fonda-George Segal "NICKELODEON" Burt Reynolds (PG) PENN LINCOLN Rt. 22, 30 Weil at Imperial i.rt, 605-7218 A family film RANALD'S Rt Between Etno A BaAentown, 443-9853 "AIRPORT 77" (PG) Jack Lemtn on-Lee Grant-Brenda Vaccaro "i-MINUTE Heston (R) oyjoecamp DnilTC 1 A SvpnMM1 Butord Paster In Tsioth "FINAL CHAPTER-WALKING TALL" (R) 2254.20 "TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN" IR) "There aren't enough superlatives to describe this sensational new film! Benji's acting performance is even better than in his first film." anita summer-family weekly SOUTH HILLS "THE CAR" -James Brolin (PG) "THE SENTINEL" (Rl Rt 51 So.

losonl Hills 466-7112 OirU Sarandon-Crlillna Ralnei AIITU DBDIf Best Pfctgre of the Year! Rt M-itW rid. Stallone (PG) 135-7737 "FROM NOON TILL THREE" Bronson (PO) SUNSET VIEW "THE GUMBALL RALLY" (PG)-M. Sarrazin Rt "FREEBIE THE BEAN" (R) Heightt, 205-0731 Jamei Caan-Alan Arkln 9.IIPFD 71 80 SveDMD Buford Puuer Im If I. mi s. "FINAL CHAPTER-WALKING TALL" (Rl "TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN" (R) "I am not a fan of rated movies but I loved this picture.

Everything about it was superb and I'm looking forward to seeing it again." PETE OPPEL DALLAS MORNING NEWS "Benji is a throw-back to the great stars of the silents like Keaton and Chaplin There should be a lot of sunshine and smiles wherever FOR THE LOVE OF BENJI plays this sum- mer EDWIN HOWARD MEMPHIS PRESS-SCIMITAR 4 MUI fefnnv SOnAHe MXllHH MIX, TNIMIA Vfjer.iil rjii.0 fl) Nil Sir a mw ri, fin, slni, rjy Hill v.nt,HN Ifll I IMP tUMllDllV fl, lOt I MI hy HI Kit IIHI SIINSHINI SMU IS mrl I IKI I fIVI Mi'iq f.Hlhi i fifl.H inuil.s, 1 IPIf, RK flnfli "THE CAR" James Brolin (PG) SUPER 71 Rl 51 So te Rt 201 So. 020-7040 "THE SENTINEL" (R) Chrht Sai andon-OrtiUna Rainet TWIN HI-WAY "THE CMBALL RALLY" (PG)-M. Sarrazin Rl. 60, 2 Miles West of TnttUlc THE BEAN" (Rl bienton, t.i-ii Jameti Caan-Alan Arkin IP "THE CAR" -James Brolin (PG) "THE SENTINEC'(R) Chrli Sarandon-CrtiUna Ralnei WEXFORD STARLITE Rente 19, I Miles from Weil View, 935-2731 GENERAL AUDIENCES HI ArJmittK Deed the netting new paperback novel (torn Bintim Books. WOODLAND Homosteod-Duquoino Rd Neot Old Airport, 462-4334 "THE CAR" James Brolin (PG) "THE SENTINEL" (R) Chrhi Snranrlon-Criitlna Ralnei June 12, Simple effective and it works! Post-Gazette Classified Dial 263-1201 to place our ad rntsnurgn upera tnc Grand Tier SfM.OO MamFloo, PA '5222 A thru 72 00 I Please send me ticket! thru GG MOO "I Drew Circle 72.00 Bat each lor the Jhuririav Family Circle 42 00 Gallery Can let 30 00 Sor Saturday production.

Gallery, Right and Lett 27.00 Name Phone (Oayl I 1 Uty State QD-iaDaaoaaaaaaaaa xaP HAMPTON PtAU Ill, MM MANM iwnm Ml OUVfl kwwi NORTH HUS MCKMCM oaks omwt HOW SHOWING AT THESE THEATRES KllOK Mm GHESWICK Ctoml CINEMA Hmmm OKWDimi II 5). St DENIS Ml Mniwi HSfUN EMM Kvi a ride te work through a Post-Gazetfe Classified Ad. Dial SHARE pa(wv mm Mb.