Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 29

i i 1 Si I 5 I Ji. -rfi. 5 in-- a v. Pine Knob earns at ool: One More Film Melinda 7 1 the Sadistic Crowd For w1 Pursuing her murderer puts him on a bloody and murky path that goes back to big-time crime and eventually, of course, to Whitey. A more villainous and shamelessly exploitive movie than "Melinda" has vie been made.

Where will it end, 0 Hollywood? MELINDA A Jams Theater Frankie J. Parker Calvin Loekhart Terry Davis Rosalind Cash Welinda Voiiella McGeo Witch Paul Stevens lank Rockne Tarklnqton A Metro-Goldwvn-Waver release, oroduced by Pervis Atkins and dl-'ecled by Hugh A. Robertson; with screenplay by Lonne Elder III, based on a story by Raymond Cisthcrl, music bv Jerry Butler, hotoaraphy by Wllmer C. Butler. In Metrocolor, Rated R.

ANYONE who is still reading may want to know that there is a story, of sorts, somewhere in all the warped goings-on. The first girl, the one who gets slashed (as opposed to the one who gets hanged or the one who gets tortured with snakes), has attracted the eye of Calvin Loekhart, our hero. Loekhart is a deejay with a Muhammad Ali 1 x. iflriiin h'-i" fclWAl amm'i'A They are given to flashes of rare talent, but denied, lamentably, true genius. Chicago perfected their style and manj of their riffs long ago, and have never seen fit to change them.

What a pity. Their rave-fave hits "25 or Six To Four," "Free," "I'm a Man," and the latest, "Saturday in the Park," have the impolite, gutty feci that personifies their namesake city. But others "While the City Sleeps," "Introduction," "Song for Richard and His Friends," are almost polite and are far too manicured to be effective. As soloists, the band can be proud of pianist-composer-vocalist Robert Lamm and woodwind artist Walter Parazaider, who both manage some inspired, sensitive work. The others even trombonist Jim Pankow, the only member of the group who showed any signs of life onstage played competently, hut provided no life onstage.

There is more electricity on their albums than there was on the stage at Pine Knob on Tuesday. Things were not helped by the fact that Chicago chose to position themselves far upstage on Pine Knob's massive thrust, thereby further separating themselves from their audience. It was an evening ot cheap 'thrills. Instead of kicking out the jams, Chicago is content to putt them out a bitter disappointment to this critic if not to the audience. BY JOHN WLISMAN Free Prest Rock Critic The, impact' and following which Chicago, who ppened a five-night stand at Pine Knob Tuesday fevening, has in Detroit audiences cannot toe denied.

The rock septet is playing all week to sold-out houses and will probably gross Cjo'se to a quarter of a million dollars for this sojourn. But popularity and financial success is' little gauge of genius in these days. Despite the affectionate opening night crowd, and a more-than-adequate number of decently played material, Chicago is still, in the poet's words, "hog-butcher to the world." SOME HALF-decade ago, the group hit a certain musical stride which became a popu-larvand, successful format Chicago is better than other groups of its Ilk Blood, Sweat and Tears which it can play off the stage, and Lighthouse, too. And occasionally, one of the group's longer such as the suite entitled "Ballet For i Girl From Bufchartnpn" transcends the everyday quality their music has, and develops icto something' special. Despite the interior rhythmic changes, time-signature jumps and all that tight playing, Chicago has a clean, together sound of talented but pedestrian studio musicians.

Tonight at BRUNO MADERNA. conductor OETROITSYMPHaNY ORCHESTRA Jerome Hines, bass "Sit. Eml Wild, pitnist with which to satisfy popular taste. But sadism alone docs not suffice. Merely1 sadistic movies are a dime a dozen these days.

So add at least one juicy sex sequence, in which a naked cou-, pie express their passion on a fur rug by firelight, and every-' one in the audience can really relate to that scene. And then throw in several cheap asides about race relations, just to keep the haired alive on both sides. Finally, write lines for the protagonist and his highly cool cronies that require one four-. letter word a moment, because everyone knows that four-letter words are where it's at, man. 6 DAYS ONLY! AUG.

29 -SEPT. 3 JOSE FELICIAMO For Information Call 873-4400 Msg 3 1 1 Urtietit downtown WINDSOR Block from TunntJ Exit First Time in Windsor hat wing Conada'i Stit ceuplt itrip act THE LOVE BIRDS Friday, at 8:30 PETE FOUNTAIN (Only lawn seals available) BY SUSAN STARK Free Press Film Critic Super-sick and super-slick sadism apparently sells well at the movies these days. If not, what possibly could be the reason for a purposelessly but doggedly gruesome work like "Melinda?" "Play Misty for Me" sold, so why not "Melinda," a movie with a black disc jockey caught up in even more atrociously violent events? Why not, indeed. Which one among us would riot revel in the sight of one girl slashed to ribbons, another girl hung from a door, a third caged with venomous reptiles? For fillers, one can regularly delight in watching the men in the crowd get shot or bashed until they double up, bloodied face bent to brutalized groin. according to formula worked out by the producer of "Melinda," is obviously the primary ingredient They'riyoimj TflMtri Inlovt Grmful Romantic OPEN IfjPkjMl 24 HBs.

tvf(rj7g 1 BLK. N. OF HSHfcR FWV. HSU your wit frftno KM- PARK FREE AT GULF STATION ALL NEW ADULT MOVIES NEW SHOrV EVERY WEjD. SAT.

PtuiSothir young modeb CONTINUOUS SHOWS a.m. a.m. Sun. 1 p.m. 1 557-1395 1 She's Young and Full Voice Li; rue mr mmusk mutt in eemoiT 963-3982 118 MONROE INTERNATIONAL RODEO ASS'N.

CHAMPIONSHIP FRANCE EN DEVON Top Hat STASi MPSM LEGGS HOLIDAY ARTHUR FIEDLER, (, OETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHIS, Rita Reichman, pianist Sunday at 6:30 LISA FRINCHIE Mi DIE TINA lack Havrs Comic Today Eteorted Vrtki Adm. There seems to be something sbout'the climate in Ivn. N.V.. that erows so manv rz-v Free Every Wed. Alr-Conditlonrd (f It 0 i J.

I lOMrWlMlOHITE TitkOs ot Hudion Gnnntll i "1 or Ftitivol Box Offtco for ticket information: 377-20 Mecdow Brook Oakland ONCPRICC I I 4 Mii'Hlil UtKV SMV 2 FIRST RUN A0ULT MOVI SS TX0TIC8 AUGUST 18,19,20 8 P.M. FRIDAY and SATURDAY 2 P.M. SUNDAY HILLSDALE, FAIRGROUND ALL MAJOR RODEO EVENTS INCLUDED Roping Brenc Riding-Steer Wrestling Barrel Racing Sponsored by Exchange Club FOOD FREE PARKING ADULTS $2. CHILDREN $1. girl-singers.

Many of them are good too, including Franeeerv Devon, row at the Top Hat in Windsor. Miss Devon is young and full of grace in deep alto voice and swaying hips. No spastic Surprises mar her audience in a "Those Were the Days" sing-along fell thudding to the Top Hat's new dance floor. MISS DEVON didn't seem too cogcerncd by the lack of response when she talked after the show. She said it is even worse when she takes a microphone out into the audience and hold i.

dumbly while a patron just sits and looks at it. She also said, when asked how come so many girls come singing out of Brooklyn, "because we are sent out into the streets at a very tender age to sell fruit and vegetables." Steve Drakich fronts the Bill Peterson Quartet with tambo ritza and guitar and introduces the youn lady to the people at the. tables. Franceen Devon will be at the Top Hat through August 19. MM SHOW HlWf ACES (VHY fRIOAT OPENINGS Detroit Symphony; Bruno Maderna, conductor; Jerome i bass 8:30 p.m., Meadow Brook.

Danny Thomas and Lee Dresser Shows at 9:15, 11:45 p.m. Detroit time, Elm-wood Casino, Windsor. Franceen Devon: calm. There's something In 22900 Michigan Ave. nr.

Outer Drive Res. Suggested 278-6900 Now AepMrm frl Sot. the Brooklyn These Days" bringing in an up-tempo second chorus with the behind-beat going toward Then siv turned right back around to sing "I Don't Know How to Love Him" from "Jesus Christ, Superstar." Evii BESS BONNIER, Jaii Duo fiitunra, HD Urn 1 fb tl enrectiw Sn IARUUGH luncheons Dinners Cocktails Once slvi got past her opening number, a hello song that announces, "I've got a song, let Me Sing It to You," she settled down for ballads such as "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life" and moved afield to Buffy Sainte Marie's "Until It's Time for You to Go." Changing the mood and dropping back a century or so, 1-75 AT SASHABAW ROAD For the finest in dining, in an informal atmosphere. OnM-lSlnMillinglon, 12 miles east of Frsikinmuth -MODIRATt PRICES Vcur Hcii CAROl 4 CHARLES MIROS ood WXYZMW present An attempt to involve the' Th. REDWOOD LOUfJGE New Metro-Area nite spot presents TIM HAZEL BRUSH CREEK WEDNESDAY thru SUNDAY 28121 Plymouth Livonia No Cover Miss Devon sang "Some of rtADULTft MOVIES ALL NEW, I NEW kl TODAY AT 2.00 IS P.M.

CAIKCONDITIONiD COMFORT! WINNER OF 3 SUNDAY, AUGUST 20 at 7:30 p.m. JUDY COLLINS Si, SA (rnrvt d), $3.00 (wnrtitrved lawn) MONDAY, AUGUST 21 at 8:00 p.m. RANDY NEWMAN with SPECIAL GUEST JM CROCE All ticUli $4.00 WARNING: Attention Hhtntt modt orrongwwnft Son Froncrico'i bl product 0 ADtAT MOWS 10 luppV our AU COLOR prograrml NOW THRU AUGUST 26 BiHI ACADEMY AWARDS Anions offended i complete hankness should HOURS OF IHE FEATURES C281 sot view fhest FEATUXETTB films optniAw COffllWOUS AUIAT Added Attraction LEE DRESSER AUG. 22 thru AUG. 26 at 8:30 p.m.

i i nwHTi'i 'ti -vsi TT. COVER CHARGE: Mon. thru Fri, perton, Sat. 47 per person OR FOR COMPLETE EVENING! 1 50 Includes coyor charge, dinner, tax IX Per Person and gratuity. (Except Sat.) i-WEL 1 S7.

iS frottrvod), $3.00 (unroiorvtd lawn) Advanca tickets now on aala at all Grinnall atorea (Assures aaating In the Silver Horseshoe Section) DIRECT PHONE FOR ENTERTAINMENT 965-6876" WINNER 1972 CANNES FILM FESTIVAL JURY PRIZE AWARD Only Amtrkin Film to io Honored RESERVED SEATS ON SALE NOW AT BOX OFFICE OR BY MAll! BOX 01 flCt OPtN NOON 10 3 00 PM Northland PHONE 559-91 1 1 Tickets available at; AUG. JIM BAILEY DETROIT'S NEWEST FREB PARKING Am "7A iti'tiM 11 HONTHlANt tlHIIH FISHER THEATRE BOX OFFICE i Or By Mall Mail check or money order with stamped sell-addressed envelope' to Fisher Theatre Box Orlice. (name ot attraction), Fisher Building. He survived the deadliest day on earth to enjoy the sexiest night in outer space! Detroit, Michigan 48202. Be sure to specify day, date and attraction; Make checks payable to Pine Knob Music Theatre.

'a 1. DAILY" SUNDAY" 3 BIG ADULT HITS! THE VERY BEST IN FILMS OPEN MS A.M. 1ST RUN OfTJIOfT 1. "STICKY 2. "PERPETUAL MOTION" 3.

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