North Carolina Newspapers

The Dfy Tar Heet Bruce Brooks Piccol tragedy makes for unjaded sentiment Tuesday. September 5, 1972 As a judgment on "Brian's Song" after its spring telecast on ABC, sportscaster Howard Cosell nasaled dramatically "I wept unabashedly, unabashedly." Well, this film deserves a good deal more than tears, even Howard's unabashed ones, for its excellence cannot be appreciated in terms of sadness. It is sentimental Cinema with a hard edge of skill and style that makes it one of the least jerky of tear-jerkers, avoiding as it does the sob-oriented single-mindedness that is the first step towards banality in so many overdone melodramas. "Brian's Song" is adapted from professional football player Gale Sayers' book MI Am Third", the true story of his friendship with fellow-rookie Brian Bruce Mann 6 imoi ay lam During one of those capricious game shows a la "Truth or Consequences" a decade ago as I recall, it came just after Bill Cullen's "The Price is Right" -contestants were enveloped in an overgrown grocery sack and given one minute flat to punch their way out of the bag. Few succeeded. The problem and its solution seemed so simple. But the odds were continually against them. Somehow the gods gave the odds to simple Simon, alias Neil Simon, Broadway's most successful current playwright and Often called the laughing doc of the entire nation. Most of his plays have but one setting. His characters are few and not complex. His domain is merely the middle class. His allusions and images stem from un-eclectic sources such as television and old movies. But Simon, a former writer for Sid Caesar, has been around a good while. He likes to back himself into as tight a corner as he can and then like the Missouri Mauler, bound off the ropes into the center of the ring. He's determined to box himself out of the big sack into the big time with smooth, simon-pure humor. The result is not art. It's kitsch to conceal kitsch. Simon says laugh. That's the doc's prescription and panacea for our ills. Middle class America has responded by becoming addicted to his plays ("Plaza Suite" "Barefoot in the Park". "Last of the Red Hot Lovers"). For those who haven't made an appointment to see him yet, the Village Dinner Theatre is dispensing a new and good production of Simon's most popular trifle, "The Odd Couple." Here's a generous get-acquainted offer. "The Odd Couple," voted most popular comedy by local patrons, returns after a three year absence. It is, to say the least, dinner theatre caviar. The characters are black and white and ltl(fltltlllllllltlltlllllllllllllllllll9IVtlllttllllll mu mm ennmon FULL SERVICE OAUO TMQ COUPOU AUD 00T soc opf Youn nexT cam'ach GOOD EXCEPT FRI.& SAT. UNTIL SEPT. 15, 1972 ONE COUPON PER CARWASH. CANNOT BE USED WITH GAS PURCHASE DISCOUNT PLAN. Crossword Puzzle ACROSS 4 Separate 5 Frequently 6 Possessive pronoun 7 Compass point 8 Anything rubbed out (Pi.) - 9 American bird 10 Emmet 11 Chinese pagoda 16 Grain (pi.) 18 European capital 20 In bed 21 Vapor 22 Taut 24 Growing out of 25 Beneath 26 Portion 23 Eluding 1 Sunburn 4 Balance 9 Large tub 12 Mohammedan name 13 Later 14 Girl's name 15 Expels from country 17 Chief artery 19 Top of head 20 The caama 21 Let it stand 23 Vague 27 Brief 29 Roman tyrant 30 A state (abbr.) 31 Abstract being 32 Shovel 34 Room In harem 35 Conjunction 36 Command to cat 37 Stage extra (colloq.) 39 Settled by intervention 42 French for "father" 43 Knocks 44 Winglike 46 Trumpeter bird 48 Foretell 51 Republican party (init) 52 Birds' homes 54 Sailor (colloq.) 55 Dutch town 56 Ground grain 57 Organ of sight DOWN 1 Youngster 1 2 Bevarase I 3 Pincers DUtr by Piccolo beginning in 1965. The relationship lasts less than two years, for Piccolo died of cancer in 1967. The movie is split along the lines of the two extremes of emotional tone that are natural to these situations: the rollicking good-times of easy-going intimacy, and the sickly pallor of personal tragedy. Though the split makes for a slightly fractured effect relative to the tragedy, it allows the early half of the movie to survive in all its happy brilliance, as free as possible from the necessary heaviness of the decline toward Brian's death. The presentation of the friendship is one of the most unashamedly warm bits of screen camaraderie I have seen since "Jules and Jim," comparable to familiar as can be Felix the neatnik and Oscar the slob. The situation is stock -Felix separates from his wife and spouse-less Oscar welcomes him in as a roommate, that is, until Felix turns their relationship into a chain-linked marriage itself. (Felix sports a fetish for thrift, sanitation and efficiency. Sportswriter Oscar is a good-time Charlie. "Getting a clear picture on Channel 2 is not my idea of whoopee," he tells Felix who sees TV as economy entertainment.) But it's a perpetual "laugh-riot," instigated by masses of one-liners each and every one tuned to fit the moment. I'm told that "The Odd Couple" is the subject of at least two Ph.D. dissertations. Whatever else the grad students wring from the script, they should certainly tabulate Simon's debt to TV and movies. Oscar says he can't stand being "cooped up with Mary Poppins 24 hours a day." The card-dolphins who gather for Oscar's Friday night poker game describe Felix as a fellow who "wears a seatbelt at the drive-in movie." And Bill Hartigan, owner of the Village Theatre, keeps a running tally of Simon's references to 'The Wizard of Oz." W.C. Fields must have been on Simon's mind when he composed the scene with the "coo-coo" Pigeon Sisters. Oscar, feeling himself , the last of the red hot lovers, engages these frizzy haired flibbertigibbets for an embarrassing dinner date. "I'll have a double drambuie over crushed ice," says Gwendolyn with a knowing wink to Oscar. "That is, unless you don't have the crushed ice," she adds giggling. Raising his eyebrows and swaggering slightly, Oscar replies, "I've been up all night with the sledgehammer." There's more. Felix happens to write the news for CBS. One of the 426 E. MAIN ST. Midway Chapel f Hilt Carrboro 8-5:30 p.m. Daily Except Sunday Answer to Yesterday's Puzzle PJR poHSMSP 33 Strokes 34 Manage 36 Country of Asia 38 Javanese tree 40 Arrange in folds 41 Arrows 45 For fear that 46 Mature 47 Deity 48 Greek letter 49 Merry 50 Before 53 Teutonic deity I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 75 C$9 13 TT" 16 T7 IS 20 """ 21 22 "24 23 26 27 28 " " 31 g 32 33 """""34 35 36 H37"38 " T 39 40 41 42 " s. 46 47 48 49 50 55 g0 56 j& 57 I' .... kxm i i : United Featurt Syndicate, Inc. j I "Borsalino" in many ways. The acting was largely responsible for the natural effects of the witnessed affection: Billy Dee Williams as Gale Sayers and especially James Caan as Brian Piccolo were superb. Another factor in the success of this aspect is that director Buzz Kulick resisted the Great American Football Ethic and treated the sport simply as another piece of life rather than The Game of Life. The result is the characterization of two men who happen to be football players, instead of two football players who are ex officio super men. There are blessedly few spectres of Knute Rockne or Ronald Reagan hanging around banging lockers or waving star-spangled jockstraps, but on the other bird-brained sophisticates asks, to crack the conversation ice, "Where do you get your ideas from?" And there's yet another TV allusion when Gwendolyn can't remember Felix's name - Cecily purrs, "Felix like-the-cat." Director Michael Davidson's cast is credible and creditable. On opening night the initial act trembled a bit from shaky linesl But the cast rescued the rest. They play Simon straight. If Jack Darcy doesn't steal the show as meticulous Felix, he at least takes out a long term loan. Felix's most embarrassing moment is Darcy's most effective. When Felix would best be at a loss for words with the Pigeon Sisters, he forthrightly delivers a flaccid 'They say it might rain on Friday," a line which lies dead in the water and anchors the evening date in a swamp of discomfort. Sloppy Oscar is Tony Preston, looking a bit young for the part but still quite convincing. Both leads should deliver lines with more decisiveness. The Pigeon Sisters (Bruella Brunsworthy and Maxine Bernstein) ooze and slither and tee-hee through their cliche roles. A tad British, they delight and tickle our fancies. These odd couples receive support from the crew of poker players (Bernard Tato, Arthur Taxier, David Freeman), whose ensemble, timing will soon even out. In screwball comedy people and things fly madly. In the curious genre of Neil Simon's oddball comedy the people stand still and the lines dart about. 'The Odd Couple" is close to Simon's best. An auspicious start for the dinner, theatre's fall season. They'll follow this act with "Fiddler on the Roof" Oct. 3, a "Cactus Flower," and another Neil Simon script "Come Blow Your Horn" will round out the year. YOU'D BETTER GET YOUR BOTTOMS IN 103 EAST! And Your Tops, Too Tank Tops, Skinny Ribs, Jeans. All Nice And Affordable. tops'n bottoms center for him n her 103 E. Franklin St. (Upstairs) hand the natural athletic personality of the men is not hidden behind a facade of liberal in telle ctualism. The most important reason that the depiction of the friends succeeds is the sense of clipped sentimentality and dry affection perceptively effected by the script and the editing. The script is always one step ahead of the coldest of viewers: when Sayers, in close-up, delivers an undeniably sincere expression of affection and loyalty, Piccolo mutters "Yeh" and turns to something practical, without frigidity but with an arid acceptance that nips in the bud our unconscious twitch of discomfort at the necessary sentimental words. In the same way, the editing is done with a brilliant f, ---- ci mam m . w m 4 f f - At last, an all too rare triumph of nature over progress. This ancient oak tree nestles into the angle of the new Hamilton Hall, and thanks to some enlightened souls on Jfie staff, of .the University Physical Plant was not swept ; away during construction. Although several pipelines and cables had to be installed through the tree's root system, an ingenious v. Guess the number of Swingline Tot staples in the jar. The jar is approximately square -3" x 3" x 438". Look for the clue about "Tot" capacity. The "Tot 50s" is uncondition ally guaranteed. It staples, tacks, mends and costs only 98$ sug gested retail price at Stationery, Variety and College Bookstores with 1,000 staples and vinyl pouch. Swingline Cub Desk and Hand Staplers for $1 .98 each. Fill in coupon or send postcard. No purchase required. Entries must be postmarked by Nov. 30. 1972 and re ceived by Dec. 8. 1972. Final decision by an independent judging organization. In case of tie, a drawing determines a winner. Offer subject to all laws and void in Fla.. Mo.. Wash., Minn. & Idaho. IMPORTANT: Write your guess outside the envelope, lower letthand corner. 1Ss V Clue: (You could between 200 and 300 Tots with the Staples in the jar.) Swingline Honda P.O. Box 1 New York. N.Y. 10016 THERE ARE STAPLES IN THE JAR Name. I Address, j Cty I State. .Zip. I 1 Telephone No. I I 37-00 Slullman Ae. Lo0 lsd C' N.Y. 1HQ1 1 mm. Q J Sit " : i i h , - I I 1 it lit ii ll ; S sense of a shot's limited efficacy. The cuts are such that the shots are. always crisp and sharp together, avoiding any extended visual mushiness. The transition between this clipped style and the heaviness of the death contemplation is all the more difficult because the early style was not compromised by loaded foreshadowing of the latter. This is unfortunate for the tragic depth of the second half, for it is hard for the viewer to catch up to the sadness until well into the dying. The effect is not helped any by a poorly-cast, poorly-directed, and inanely-acted bubblehead of a beauty-full wife for Brian, played by the sweet Shelley Fabares. She damn near ruins a very good el - -"r Ecological progress McCleery Imports brings you savings on t . cameras, lenses, watches, and binoculars. McCleery imports, E-9 Croasdalls, Durham, N.C. 27705, Eves. 383-1066. Roommate wanted to share 2 bedroom apt. at Royal Park. Air cond., carpet, and pooL Rent $70 plus utilities. If Interested call Steve at 942-7366. Stereos: Ripped off by stereo prices? Buy almost all brands components and systems at lowest discount prices; all price ranges; full warranties; agent for large distributor; call Ann 942-7172. Sony TC366 reel stereoc order with SOS, SWS, Echo, three heads, four tracks, two filters and clamped VU meters. New $273. Used one year. Now $175. Call 967-5723. TVs FOR RENT new portables, free delivery $10.00 per month. Campus Electronics, 209 E. Main Street, Carrboro. 967-6356. WANTED Girls for barmaids and cocktail waitresses. Apply in person to the Electric Co. Nite Club, East gate Shopping Center, Chapel Hill. Call Barbara Kurlan between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. No experience necessary will train. For Sale '72 Yamaha 250 Enduro, ex. cond., including fork brace, MX fender, other extras. $550. Call 732-3389 Hillsborough. 1970 VW Fa st back. Blue with sunroof, radio, cassette stereo, console, four good tires. Call 929-6777 after 5. Oldsmobile '69 Cutlass, 4 door, air conditioning, etc Low mileage, excellent condition, $1875. 929-5031. MUST SELL. BMW R-60! Matrimony wins over motorcycle. 1971. Excellent condition. $1050. Call 933-1073. Part-time sales opportunity for UNC student only. NORTHWESTERN, your ABC-TV Olympic sponsor, famous for quality and low cost -in its product. Car and 7 hours per week required. Apply personally 404 NML Bldg., 123 W. Franklin St, Chapel HilL THE COUNTRY CRAFT SHOP teaches pottery, weaving, macrame. natural and dye and sells craft books and craft supplies. Come out and see us. Jones Ferry Road, Chapel HilL 967-5450. 1963 Pontiac New tires. Good transportation. $275. Call 967-4936. $400 meal ticket for sale: any 2 meals, 5 days a week. Good till Dec 21. Cost $300, Call 933-5261. ROOMMATE WANTED to share 2 BR apt. Contact Bob Davis, L-12 Royal Park, Carrboro. After 7-.30 p.rru, 929-4039; 9-5, 832-8824 (Raleigh), leave message. For sale: Zenith portable stereo. New $200.00. Now $100.00, Excellent condition, goo" sound. Call 942-7571. Needed: 1 or 2 roommates for 3 bedroom, lVt bath, air-conditioned apt. Rent $155mo split 2 or 3 ways. Call: 929-2719. Wanted Part time help between 5 p.m. and 12 p.m. Apply in person at the Chapel Hill Dairy Bar, 203 E. Franklin St, Male Roommate Wanted to share 1 bedroom apartment $65 a month. 2D Yum Yum Apts. or 933-7313. Senior or grad preferred. RIDE TO BOONE: any weekend. Will help with expenses. Also need riders some weekends. Can leave any time Friday. Call 933-7002. ".-'JtUif.' .-.'Wi. :rvC -t 't 5.. CLASS and moving death-scene by Caan and Williams by throwing herself stiffly upon her wretched husband and spurting I love you, Brian" through her lipstick as if she were begging for minks from a Sugar-Daddy. But, her part is graciously small, and by the end of the film the strength of the friendship's tone carries us well through the weakened emotional effect of the dying. The movie, finally, should not be regarded as a part of the Football Film genre, or even the Cancer Killing genre, or classified in any literary way beyond its being "sentimental". Buzz Kulik worked hard to avoid the pitfalls of these jaded stereotypes, and his product is admirable and immensely enjoyable. arrangement of gravel beds, and soil drainage channels was devised to allow the proper nutrients and moisture to reach the roots. In fact, preservation of this tree was an integral part V7 of eplanningand cwsfructron ; of the building, and It's C preservation Is uaranteeo for many years to come. IFIEDS I Stereo: Dynaco stereo 120 power amp and PAT4 preamp, best over $200. Norelco 202 turntable, B&O Sp 12 cartridge $95. 929-8870 after 5:30 weekdays, anytime weekends. Keep trying. Female roommate wanted for apt. in residential area wln walking distance to campus. $5a00month. Call Barb 929-6858. People who have never been licensed to drive are needed as subjects for a vlsinon and driving study conducted by the Highway Safety Research Center $2.90 per hr. Subjects must be female, 18-21 yr., and have normal uncorrected vision. Please call 933-2202 and mention the vision and driving study. Need axtra money? Roy Rogers' Restaurant Is now hiring for the fall semester. We have openings available immediately for full or part-time, day or night Apply In person Roy Rogers' Family Restaurant, 106 Mallette Street, Chapel Hill. WANTED: Used five or ten speed bike Call Philip Price, 933-0421 Granville South. Male & Female Help Wanted. Full & part time Apply In person, Burger Chef, 337 W. Rosemary, between 1 & 5 p.m. Wanted: Babysitter. Wife will work from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. for 1 wk., from 3 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. the next Would like somone to keep baby (1 yr. 10 mos.) accordingly in Chapel Hill area. If interested in either set of hours or both, please call collect In Raleigh after 5:30 p.m. 876-3952. Motorcyclists. Do you want to help your sport and earn money too? If you are a male 18 or older and have a motorcycle call the Highway Safety Research Center at 933-2202. Please mention you are calling for the motorcycle study. DRUMMER needs work: 15 years experience in clubs, shows, jazz, rock. Also double on piano and voice. Can read anything. 967-4491. FOR RENT: 1 large room with half bath and one small room near high school. 967-4491. Flight Instruction: Learn to fly this year with UNC student Gus Gray. Individual instruction from beginning through private through commercial licenses. For information on types of aircraft programs, costs, requirements, and scheduling, call 929-3601 after 6 p.m. or 967-6304 during day. HONDAS: Three bikes for sale: '71 CL & SL 35 as. Both immaculate. 66 305 Scrambler, mechanically sound. Yard sale Saturday, 119 Pine St Carrboro. Clothes, furniture, etc 967-5617. - Hundreds of oldie but goodie 45's for sal. 1955 to 1964. Also some old albums. Mono Sony TC-95 Portable Cassette Player-Recorder for sale. 942-6635. , - Refrigerator for rent 7 cu. f t Call 942-8666. HELP! Cute kittens will have to be put to sleep if not given away. Litter trained, have shots. 942-1830. Roommate Wanted: Graduate Female. Furnished two bedroom apartment in Carrboro. Call 967-7596 after 5:0a Room Available: Third roommate needed for mobile home. Private room, kitchen privileges, etc Call 942-8125. Roommate Wanted to share two bdrm. trailer 5 minute drive from campus. Call 933-8733, 1971 Honda 350 SL Less than year old, low mileage, must sell. $550. Call Mike 929-2502.