ENTERTAINMENT
MUSIC GOALS-Singer Jazzie B of the London bated R&B group Soul I Soul
says the musicians were encouraged to pursue their goals In America. As lead
singer for the group responsible lor the hit album “Keep On Movin' ” Jazzie B says
that members were initially “9 to 5” employees before they realized it was time to
take charge.
Long Island Screenplay Writer
Says Murphy Stole Movie Material
UNIONDALE. NY. lAP-An
aspiring Long Island screenplay
writer filed a $35 million damage suit
last Tuesday against comedian-actor
Eddie Murphy, charging that Murphy
stole his material for the movie
•'Harlem Nights "
Michael Greene. 35. of Hempstead,
charged that "Harlem Nights"
contains material lifted from an
original screenplay he wrote for
Murphy in 1988, known as "A
Halloween to Remember
A lawyer for Paramount Pictures
denied the charges, saying the
similarities were common motifs
found in hundreds of movies
Greene submitted his copyrighted
script to Murphy in January 1989, and
was soon advised that it was rejected
“because he was not interested in it."
Greene said at a news conference
with his attorney. Steven Legum.
Greene said the script was never
returned to him
Greene filed suit in U.S. District
Court in Uniondale seeking at least
$35 million in compensation for
copyright infringement.
Named as defendants in the suit are
Murphy, Paramount Pictures Corp.,
the William Morris Agency anc
Steven Weiss.
“This is a case of copyrigh
infringement, not only of ideas but ol
the expression of those copyrighted
ideas." said Legum.
He pointed out that there were
some 100 similarities, both in story
ideas and dialogue, between “Harlem
Nights" and Greene’s screenplay.
Both scripts were about eight-yea
Both scripts were about eight-year -
old orphaned boys being raised by
underworld characters, both were
staged in the 1930s, both had a corrupt
Italian plainclothes cop—called Sgt.
Pallone in Greene’s version and Sgt.
Cantone in the movie, Greene noted.
ne said Dotn stones revolved
around a duffle bag of money and
both had Murphy fighting with one of
the elderly characters.
“If Eddie Murphy came up
independently with scores of
similarities I would find it mind
boggling," Legum said.
“I’m not going to tell you that he
took Michael’s screenplay and put it
up on the screen but he clearly edited
it, cut it and pasted it,” he said.
A lawyer for Paramount, Les
Fagen, denied the allegations,
saying, “We’ve reviewed Michael
Greene’s screenplay and the
screenplay for the motion picture
“Harlem Nights.” We find no
similarity which could form the basis
for a lawsuit... The similarities he
relies upon are shared by hundreds of
movies.”
“I used to consider Murphy a
hero,” said Greene. “Now I think he’s
an egomaniac. He’s out for himself.”
Greene has been writing scripts for
16 years but has not yet had any
published. He said that he had been
asked by the William Morris Agency
in 1988 to write the screenplay for
Murphy. He said that although his
passion is science fiction, he thought
if the movie script was accepted by
Murphy and was a hit it would help
launch his career.
Greene said that when he went to
the theater to see “Harlem Nights” in
November he was astounded by the
similarities.
But, he added, “My film was a lot
better than what was made ”
In January, a judge ruled that
Paramount Pictures had to pay
humorist Art Buchwald for a script
idea he claimed had been taken from
him and used as the basis for Eddie
Murphy’s hit 1988 movie “Coming to
America.” The amount of the
payment was not immediately
settlH.
Carowinds Theme Park
Opening 18th Season
CHARLOTTE—Carowinds theme
park will open to the public for its 18th
season on Saturday, March 17, at 10
This season, Carowinds will debut
$2.1 million in improvements which
include the park’s newest family
thrill ride, the Gauntlet, the new
Casey’s Grill restaurant, an all-new
show lineup and more.
The $1 million Gauntlet will provide
riders with the thrill ot 360” loops, a
pause for a panoramic view from 70
feet above the park and controlled
free-falls at 33 feet per second.
Construction on the Gauntlet is
complete and the ride is ready to take
on riders at the Oid World
Marketplace section of the park.
For 1990, Carowinds has
completely renovated the Blue Ridge
Dining Hall and transformed it into
Casey's Grill, an expanded seating
cafeteria-style restaurant located in
Blue Ridge Junction. Old World
Marketplace has a new, softer look
for 1990. Seat walls have been
constructed and planters have been
added to the area.
In addition, Carowinds will
introduce an all-new lineup of
Broadway-style shows on stages and
in theaters throughout the park.
Season pass holders wifi get a
sneak peek at the park's new
attractions on Friday, March 16,
from 5-10 p.m. at a special Sneak
Preview Night sponsored by Oldies 96
andWCNC-TV
The Sneak Preview Night is open
only to Season Pass holders. Season
passes will be on sale in the park that
evening. i
COMPANIONSHIP
Stand with anybody that stands
right and part with him when he goes
Appearing at the Sneak Preview
Night will be the Teenage Mutant
Ninja Turtle, Michaelangelo, the
Catalinas, and NBC star Benji
Gregory who plays Brian Tanner on
the hit program “Alf."
The Sneak Preview Night will
conclude with a fireworks display.
The public opening day at
Carowinds, March 17, will include the
excitement of the 15th annual
Carowinds Varsity Cheerleaders
Championship that will bring more
than 40 cheerleading squads and their
fans to the park to compete for
trophies and prizes
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Memorial Auditorium
Hosts City Follies
On March 24, in the newly
renovated Memorial Audiloriiini, the
curtain will open on a professionally
staged show in the tradition of a
Radio City Music Hall revue. The
Junior League of Raleigh chose this
venue to celebrate its (it) years of
service to the community because the
show will involve many league
members, their families and friends,
and because the Follies are an
excellent way to raise funds to return
to community projects the league
sponsors The Follies will also
provide an evening of entertainment
for those in the community who have
generously supported the league over
the years.
This diamond anniversary is
especially important to the Raleigh
Junior League because it marks the
year that the group is returning more
than $1 million in funds lor
community service projects
sponsored by the league, as well as
the fulfillment of more than one
million hours of volunteer service by
league members.
Follies are not new to the Raleigh
League; “Hooray for Raleighwood"
will be their fifth such performance.
Ten years ago. the league celebrated
its 50th anniversary with a show
called the “Gold Rush,” which was a
tremendous success II raised more
than $66,000 in funds to be used for the
betterment of the community., Since
the 1979-80 year was designated
"International Year of the Child," the
monies were earmarked for projects
relating to children's services.
Project Enlightenment —an
educational service foi* parents,
teachers, and children—was a
beneficiary, as were Wake Up for
Children, and Wake County Child
Abuse Prevention Services,
This year's performance, “Hooray
for Raleighwood.” will generate
funds for low-income services to be
specified by the Itaieigh Junior
league. Corporate donations have
been pouring in, signifying the
business community’s recognition of
IUI, as a worthwhile volunteer
organization.
The Itaieigh Junior league reaches
wd to women of all races, religions,
and national origins and seeks to
train them as qualified volunteers for
the services they choose to perform.
This emphasis on training provides
Ihe community with a skilled
volunteer-force that works
effectively within the community
framework for the betterment of all
residents.
The celebration of the Itaieigh
Junior league’s 60th anniversary has
been a year in the planning. Tickets
arc available through Junior l/eague
members, or call 787-7480 to order
yours. Show time is 8 p.m. at
Memorial Auditorium.
N. C. Central
Presents Play
About School
North Carolina Central Universi
ty’s Department of Dramatic Art will
present “Paint a Pretty Picture,” an
original musical play for the whole
family, written and directed by
Denise Barnes, choreographed by
Irving Truitt with musical direction
by James Deberry, Jr., April 4-6 at
8:15 p.m. and April 7-8 at 3:15 p.m. in
the University Theatre of the
Farrison-Ncwton Communications
Building on the corner of Fayetteville
and Lawson streets. Tickets can be
purchased in the ticket office of
McDougal Gymnasium weekdays
between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. For ticket
information call 560-5170.
“Paint a Pretty Picture,” directed
by a senior dramatic arts major and
choreographed by a graduate of the
Department of Dramatic Art,
continues the department’s 40th
anniversary season recognizing the
talents and contributions of NCCU
students and faculty, past and
present, and celebrating the
contributions of the department to the
university and community.
Black Woman Is
Crowned Miss
U.S.A. For *90
Carol Gist, Miss Michigan 1990, was
crowned Miss USA 1990 at the 1990
Miss USA Pageant broadcast Friday,
March 2, from Wichita, Kan., on the
CBS Television Network.
Ms. Gist, a 20-year-old marketing/
management major at the Northwood
Institute in Michigan, was crowned
by Gretchen Polhemus, Miss USA
1989. She will represent the United
States at the 1990 Miss Universe
Pageant, to be broadcast live on the
CBS Television Network later this
season.
Dick Clark and Leeza Gibbons
hosted the 1990 Miss USA Pageant.
TOP POP
ALBUMS
1. Forever Your Girl, Paula
Abdul, Virgin
2. Girt You Know It’s True.
MiUi Vanilli, Arista
3. Janet Jackson’s Rhythm
Nation 1814, Janet Jack
son, A&M
4. Cosmic Thing, The B
52's. Reprise
5. Dance!...Ya Know It!,
Bobby Brown, MCA
6. Storm Front, Billy Joel.
Columbia
7. ... But Seriously, Phil
Collins, Atlantic
8. Full Moon Fever, Tom
Petty, MCA
9. Pump. Aerosmith,
Gel len
10. Alannah Myles, Alan
nah Myles, Atlantic
ACTING PURSUITS-Talma Hopkins first gained attention as a slngar In the hit
group Tony Orlando and Dawn. Now she talks about her acting pursuits, which
have included roles In tlw TV hits “Roots I,” “Glmmle A Break" and “Family
Matters.” Recently she told Ebony Jet Showcase she devotes much of hor time to
various youth organizations lor disadvantaged children.
Janet Stops Audience
With “Nation” Tour
MIAMI, Fla. (AP)—Janet Jackson
turned Miami Arena into a “Rhythm
Nation” Thursday, kicking off her
first tour with a 90-minute concert
highlighted by choreography and
costumes.
The show marked the start of a
worldwide tour that will include more
than 109 performances over the next
nine months.
Jackson, 23, did not tour following
the release of her 1986 album,
“Control,” which nonetheless sold
more than five million copies. The
followup, “Rhythm Nation 1814,” has
sold more than three million copies
since its release last September.
The show featured a seven-piece
band, six dancers, choreography on
nine of the 16 songs and three
costume changes. The production
cost about $2 million to mount, and
the equipment will require eight
trucks to transport, said Jackson’s
manager and tour producer, Roger
Davies.
“Janet had never toured before,
there were high expectations and she
wanted to give people some value for
their money," Davies said in a pre
concert interview.
The show emphasized Jackson's
dancing even though she’s never had
a lesson.
"She’s not a trained dancer,"
choreographer Anthony Thomas
said. “It comes from her soul. She's a
natural. She’s unbelievable.”
Jackson’s mother attended the
performance, as did hitmakers
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who
produced “Control” and “Rhythm
Nation 1814.”
nation 1814.
“I’m a fan,” Jam said. “It’s fun
just to step back from it and watch
the live thing.”
The sellout crowd of 15,000
represented a cross-section of Miami,
from teeny-boppers to fans old
enough to be Jackson’s parents.
Fashions ranged from sequined
jumpsuits and double-breasted sport
coats to mini-skirts with stiletto
heeled boots and a leather
motorcycle jacket with pinstripes.
Some of the fans came just to see
Jackson dance.
“I love her moves!” said Teresa
Perez, 14. “It’s a great experience
seeing a person like her, as talented
as she is.”
Others were attracted by the social
messages of “Rhythm Nation 1814."
“It’s not just another sex-and-love
album," said Leah Patton, 35. “We’re
concert-goers, and we’ve never been
to a concert that addressed so many
social issues. A lot of them are
important to us in Miami."
The show has been in the planning
stages since November and was
rehearsed for two weeks at the
Pensacola Civic Center, where
Jackson's brother Michael rehearsed
prior to his "Bad" tour.
Walt Disney Debates
Michael Jackson Deal
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (AP)-The
Walt Disney Co. scoured Hollywood
last Wednesday for the source of a
tragus news release that claimed
moonwalking megastar Michael
Jackson had signed a five-year movie
Jeal with Disney.
Disney said it began an
nvestigation to find the author of the
release, used as the basis for a story
in a trade publication. Among other
things, the story said Jackson was
regoliating to leave CBS Records for
Disney's new Hollywood Records and
would design theme park rides for
Disney.
“We fully intend to take action
igainst the person or persons
‘esponsible," Walt Disney Studios
Chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg said in
i news release. “This company has a
■eputation for protecting its name
ind taking legal action when
lecessary."
The bogus information was
ncluded in a front-page article last
Wednesday in the Hollywood Rporter
which focused on a stock deal planned
>y Jackson's father. The paper ran a
ront-page article Wednesday saying
t had been the victim of a hoax.
Editor Teri Ritzer said the writer
who handled the story had been
lisciplined. She declined to say
whether he had been fired.
Disney said the news release, typed
»n company stationery, was sent to
wveral publications. Spokesman Ed
>ine said it appeared to havi beer
notivated by a personal "ndetL.
igainst a Disney employe* ••id th.v
he hoaxer hadn't been fv...ut. bu ■
•efused to discuss the matter. ur ther i
Separately Ed Shaw, a sp- ». ma>
for the newly formed' Jackson
Records set up by Joe Jackson,
Michael Jackson’s father, said the
elder Jackson had held preliminary
talks with several Wall Street
brokerages about a possible stock
offering for as much as $100 million.
Joe Jackson, who steered his
children to stardom as the Jackson 5
but no longer handles the affairs of
Michael or Janet Jackson, wants to
use the proceeds of the stock offering
chiefly to fund movies starring
Michael and Janet, Shaw said.
However, Michael Jackson’s
lawyer, John Branca, said neither he
nor his client knew anything about
the planned offering.
And Shaw acknowledged that
neither Michael Jackson nor his
sister had agreed to make records or
movies for Joe Jackson's company.
“I don’t think that any of the Wall
Street firms would be interested
without the participation of the two
megastars," he said.
The Initial Hollywood Reporter
story included a description of a
movie that Jackson supposedly would
make with the troika of Steven
Spielberg George Lucas and Francis
Ford < oppola. The outer-space
musical, tentatively titled “Project
M,’ was said to be budgeted between
$50 million and $60 million.
Jackson stars in the 3-D movie
"Captain EO" at Disneyland, which
opened in 1986 and was produced by
Lucas. Coppola and Jackson.
8H1P
After the ship has been sunk
< erybody knows how it might have
.ensaved.
Wanda Ford