The Pittsburgh Press du lieu suivant : Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 28

23 Pittsburgh Press, June 23, 1976 Voicing Views a Simon's xMurder By Death' Fine Farce About Super Sleuths PETER FALK, in a Humphrey Bo "The Harder They Fall," a Jamaican Mil Harvard Lampoon has awarded its Worst Movie of the Year Award to Stanley Kubrick's "Barry Lyndon." Ryan O'Neal, "Barry Lyndon's" star, won the Kirk Douglas Worst Actor Award (so named because Douglas won so often), By EDWARD L. BLANK Press Drama Editor The world's greatest detectives are gathered at the estate of an eccentric millionaire, who means to prove them unworthy of their reputations. At midnight, one among them will fciHj IT if I -v A Diana Ross won the equally unco-veted Natalie Wood Worst Actress Award for "Mahogany." Worst in support were Madeline Kahn Long Last and Burgess Meredith of the The late Jacqueline Susann was ungraciously named winner of the Ayn Rand Award for bad books which made worse movies in Miss Susann's case, "Once Is Not Enough." ALEC GUINNESS As blind butler. die. the host is convinced the survivors will not solve the crime.

I i -guing? Yup. But in Neil i n' "Murder bv a opening today at the Fiesta, the principal PETER SELLERS Master oi non sequiturs. MAGGIE SMITH Sophisticated sleuth. gart lisp, plays Sam Diamond (Sam Spade; Richard distrustful of all women, even wheelchair-ridden Es-tellc Winwood and loyal secretary Eileen Breenan. The late Margaret Rutherford played Agatha Christie's Jane Marple in four films.

Elsa Lanchester takes over the characterization here as Jessie Marbles, with a tongue sharper than Miss Christie intended. Peter Sellers is Sidney Wang (Charlie Chan), a biggie in the Chinese vegetable industry and leading practitioner of the non sequitur. Their host? Truman Capote, who is annoyed no end by Wang's habitual dropping of pronouns. Also on the premises, blind butler Alec Guinness, who threatens with an air of helpful efficiency to park the cars, and Nancy Walker, a deaf mute cook who neither reads nor writes English. SIMON WROTE "Murder by Death" directly for the screen.

It surpasses "Barefoot in the Park" and "The Odd Couple" to become his funniest film. In a screenplay calculated to be as absurd as possible, not all the gags work. A running gimmick involving identical rooms never amuses, and the picture ends in a fizzle of senseless surprises. (Don't bother trying to sort it out; Simon's inspiration obviously peter film with Jimmie Cliff, makes its local debut with performances in the University of Pittsburgh's Benedum Hall at 5, 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday.

It's about the life of a rock star from Kingston. SUMNER REDSTONE, who is opening his Showcase Cinemas quad in Wil-kins Twp. June 30, was in town for another look at the complex and to discuss its luxuries. He promises popcorn freshly popped on the premises and with butter rather than oil. Redstone says he expects the quad to play its share of exclusive first-run films, but adds that any kind of booking and scheduling will be possible.

He says he personally checked dozens of sites throughout the Pittsburgh area before concluding Rt, 22, Wilkins was the best. Performances of City Players in the Park's "Comedy of Errors" this summer will all be outdoors, including the 7 p.m. Friday shows. Bill Matthews is to produce all "in the park" shows, with Larry Carra as executive producer and Joyce Elliott as artistic director. ODDS AND ENDS: The Chatham, normally closed four afternoons a week, will run daily matinees for "The Omen," which opens Friday.

SIMON Besides "Lyndon" and "Enough," films rating a spot on the Worst 10 list were "At Long Last Love," "Other Side of the Mountain," "Hindenburg," "Day of the Locust," "Story of "Mahoga-ny," "Tommy" and "Shampoo." Most of it works, though, and what does is hilarious. The interaction of the detectives (all characterized at their logical extremes) is most entertaining, as they astonish each other with preposterous deductions only some of which are correct and then sometimes embarrassingly. Bits, of Simon's dialogue might be quoted to humorous effect out of context, but more often than not, his laughs spring from situations and behavior which set up the best lines. The cast is terrific, the direction by Robert Moore brisk, "Murder by Death" is a cinch to be a smash. contest is survival of the funniest.

Nearly all his characters are based on stars of fiction or familiar types. David Niven and Maggie Smith are Dick and Dora Charleston (Nick and Nora Charles), the sophisticates with the tackiness to say so. James Coco is Milo Perrier (Hcrcule Poirot), the oft-mistaken-for-French sleuth who protests, "I'm not a Frenchie, I'm a Belgie." West Virginia University Summer Theater belatedly announces its season in the Studio Theater of the Creative Arts Center on campus: "Blithe Spirit," July 1. 2, 6, 8, 14, 17 and 19; "The Mousetrap," July 3, 5, 9, 13, 15, 21 and 23; "Candida," July 7, 10, 12, 16, 20 and 24. All curtains are at 8:15 p.m; 'Bus Stop" on Lee Remick is doing the London stage.

ed out five minutes too soon Created by science -Powered by nuclear THE IflAN BEYOND BIONICS MAN REYflfJn RiflFJICS LAST 2 DAYS! Mel Brooks' TBURZING SADDLES from the people who gave you "The Jazz Singer" T.J... 'R-4S i uuar at jpjk I-M-8-10 35 indoor arfc.nfi Ivonlngi afior P.M. Sun. HoJldoys attar 1 R.M. Indoor Thoatro Intranco from Oaracj tod Lovoll STARTS FRI.

fWant Friends? Carefully arranged personal introductions for unmarried adulri. Confidential. Phone 2SI-3311 to get Hoots: except Wed. HELEN LEEDS I INTRODUCTION SERVICE 1 794 PARK BLOff PGH. The best of Glenda Jackson "A TOUCH OF CLASS" (PG) "WOMEN IN 10VE" (R) visitor I BARGAIN MATINEE TODAY S' TODAY AT 2:1 3, 4:00, VTjff i X- ff Jjf surnng CHEVY CHASE Rj 'tf BARGAIN MATINEE TODAY ALL SEATS UNTIL 6 P.M.

(sssrE)- TODAY AT 1 sOO, 2:30, 4:00, Jm -Rfi. 1 5:30,7:30,8:30, .471 FREE Think twice before you throw it away! Many items which you no longer use can be exchanged for cash through a low-cost ad in Classified. Imt "ONI HACK SHOt (PG) 7 0oy.l "FLEW GORDON "(R) 1 OMINS. PtOM POH. ON 1-79 i Th.

I TONIGHT I lAIADCUSMICC ADIZAIJA 1 IIHIVkllWWUli I I JM ihk. PE ARLI SJ "THE BIG NITE 1- tCO 1 HELD OVER! isir THE ALL NEW I POSTERS i TO THE lit SOI PATRONS II EACH THEATBE i BtNT MIU X-TV THAU Trie RPTURf. ELjlZlh'G David Bowie in Nicolas Roeg's film 'OF Trie THE ULTIMATE IN SCIENCE FICTION JOSEPH BRENNER presorts "INFRA-MAN" A SHAW BROTHERS Product Prodgced by RUNME SHAW Difctd by HU-SHAN Creatiyi SeryiCBS-E GLASS Color by MOVIE LAB Copyright Wi INPRA ASSOCIATES -MaKTaLL "BlPriD The man who fell to Earth Also starring Rip Torn Candy Clark Buck Henry from Cinema 5 WITH OHc YOVBLT pg mm. mm. suggested MNAVISION' STEREO-INFRA-SOUND joseph brenner associates, inc.

LacKSriOe Forest Hills ALL SEATS BARGAIN MATINEE TODAY UNTIL 6 PM. teitild. BARGAIN MATINEE TODAY ALL SEATS SI UNTIL 6 P.M. Vk NORTH SIDE DR IN MIRACLE MILE OR IN PENN HILLS REGENT SUNSET VIEW Oft IN TWIN HI WAY 01 IN insr NOW SHOWING AT THESE Penn Hills Liberty Natrona BETHEL CINEMA Bethel Park BRO0KSI0E OR IN Sewickley C010NIU 01 11.51, So. tlESI Donaldson's Ciossioais mmhm It I ItaPart NO ASMS Clifton ACCIPTU WOLANODK IN West Mifflin ATOMn.w mc iroMLfiu icuLH irnnN TODAY AT 1:30, 3:30, 5:40, 7:50, 10:00 P.RR.

TODAY AT 2: 1 5, 4:00, 10:00 P.M. AT THESE CINEMETTE THEATRES! CINEMA WORLD Rt. SI So. CINEMETTE EAST Monroevilte Mall CINEMETTE SOUTH Greentree Rd. McKNIGHT CINEMA McKntgfit Rd.

I 4 y. TWM mm it-1 IF TOU DON'T STOP IT TAXI DRIVER YOU'LL 00 HIND AlJOO.4 00 0O 80OS IOOOPM R) 5:45. 7 45 4 9:45 (HI i SSt I At 1:45.3 45 I wm iimh tuimiitusdiissiiMmtrft THE SAILOR WHO FELL FROM GRACE WITH THE SEA At 1:30. 3. JO.

5 30, 7:30 9:30 M. Il HO PSSB ACCEPTED MATINEE 411 SEATS SI UNTIL I M. THE SAItOP WHO FELL FAMILY PLOf FIOM GRACE WITH THE SEA Al 1:00, 3:15, 5.30, 7,45 i 9:45 P.M. (PO) "At 2 00. 4 00,6:00,8 004 (R 1.

WED MATIHEE 411 SEATS Si UNTIL P.M. WO. Mil SEATS SI UNTIE 4 P.M NO PASSES if Ti fc ONE FLEW OVE THE CUCKOO'S NEST IF TOU DON'T STOP IT TOU GO UIND At 30, 5 00, 7 30 1 9,45 (l rAt 45 3 45 5 45 00 4 9 45 1R) WEE) MATINEE All SEATSSI EINTH 4P.M. WED. M1IIIIH HI SEATS SI mill 4 P.M.

If TOU DON'T STOP IT TAXI DRIVER TOtt'LL OO ILINO rt 2:00 4:00 O0, 8:00 4 10:00 1 00 2.45. 4:30, 4:00, 8 00 4 9:45 P.M. (R) WED MATINEE AIL SEATS 51 UNTIL M. WED MA1INEE ALL SEALS 51 UNTIIAP ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST THE SAILOR WHO PELL OM GRACE WITH THE SEA 1:45. 3 45, 5:45.

7 45 4 9:45 IRI WED. MAT. SEATS UNTIL 4 RL NO PASSES At 1 30 500, 7 30 4 9.45PM.IRt WED MATINEE ALL SEATS ST UNTIL i3Fmi ri fill 1 1 1 1 41 i "1 I WINNtK 01 5 ALAUtMr B- I' num.) RMTMMWMe MlM)A)jl'' IF TOU DON'T STOP IT TOU UOOR4.IN0 Al 730 4 9:30 P.M. (R ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST AI71549 41PM Iftl THE ADVENTURES Of SHERLOCK Robert 0Niro 4 Cyfotll Shohfd TAXI DRIVER At 7 5 4 9-a15PM Iff) HOMES YOUNGER BROTHER At 7-45 4 9 30 PM THIS INGICWINTONLI ALL SEATS SI WINNL8 Of 5 ACAiMY AWARDS! PETER PAN At I 00 3 00. 5 00, 7 00 4 9:00 PM IG1 ONI PLIW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST Al 7 30 A 9 45 PM () WED.

MATINEE ALL SEATS SI .75 UNTII 4 THE SAILOR WHO FELL 'M IRI FROM GRACE WITH THE SEA i. Tlw Ultimate In Scwncc Ficlwt INFRA-MAN At 7 45 4 9:45 PM. (PG) rAt 2 00 4 00 6 00 8 00 4 10-00 WTO MAT SEATS II UNTIL P.M. NO PASSES Unnrv 5 The Man fteyond BKtntcl INFRA-MAN At 715, 4 00 6 00, 7:45 4 9 30 IPGI PETER PAN At I 00 3 OO, 5,00, OO 4 do (Oi WED MATINEE All SEATS tl 75 UNTIL PJL I k'i' THE SAILOR WHO FELL ROBIN A MARIAN At 7:30 4 P.M. IPG) AU TIMES All SEATS $1 PROM GRACE WITH THE SEA At 2 15.

4 00, 6 00, 8 00 4 10 00 IRI WID MAT. SEATS SI UNTII 1 PASSES COLUMBIA PICTURES prems A RAY STARK Production oi NEIL SIMON'S "MURDER BY DEATH" EILEEN BRENNAN TRUMAN CAPOTE JAMES COCO PETER FALK ALEC GUINNESS ELSA LANCHESTER DAVID NIVEN PETER SELLERS MAGGIE SMITH NANCY WALKER ESTELLE WINWOOD Mi, sir hv Production Deipner Written ftv Producer) hy i('-fi'wltiV DAVE GRUSIN STEPHEN GRIMES NEIL SIMON RAY STARK ROBERT MOORE RASTAR Wul' Duney i Robert LNito Cybilt SMphtrd TAXI DRIVER IR) PETER PAN At 1 30 330,530 7:30 4 9 30P IGI WH). MATINEE ALL SEATS 51.75 UNTIL P.M. gji r-dm HIIlM-riTOirl -i ftKrVii A ilff -r Hart' afelfeA Mi Aiirilii Ttff ft i PG pr tmm SUBJECT MATTER MAY BE TOO INTENSE FOR CHILDREN. NO PASSU ACCEPTED t.

BARGAIN MATINEE TODAY UNTIL 6 P.M. TOOAYAT 12:00,2:00,4:00, 6:00,8:00, 10:00 P.M. Thp Mot tyonti Bion-ti INFRA-MAN At 9 45PM (PG) PETER PAN At 1 00. 3 00, 5.00 7 00 4 9 00 '01 WED MATINEI AIL SEATS S) IWTII 4 P.M nvvi rrj ttt starts Mm4kxm Friday I All SEATS .00 INFRA-MAN At2 15 5 4549 I5P.M IPG) WONDER WOMAN 4 1 5 4 7 30'PGi.