The Arts Page 10, The Retriever, October 21, 1974

Waters latest flick goggles mind

Female Trouble daughter (who turned Hari Krishna to piss Rickles seem like Gerald Ford. There's Directed by John Waters her off) and several, people in a nite club plenty of blue one-liners that hit quickly. ' Reviewed by Neal McGarity where she is debuting her trampoline act. Charles Roggero, Bob Maier, and Dave Reviewing a John Waters film is a lot She is apprehended and after trial, she is Insley, all from the screen arts depart­ like attending a smorgasboard hungry and sentenced to death in the electric chair. ment at UMBC, lent some fine assistance high--you just don't know where to start. Moments before her execution, in a last to Waters. Roggero, who--co-edited the What can you say about a man who can act of humanity, she signs autographs for film with John, helped the overall con­ assemble the greatest characters in her fellow cellmates. And that's not even tinuity of the film. Maier's sound and Baltimore and get a polished fillJ1 our of it? one-fiftieth of what happened. Insley's Lighting added to the As if you don't already know, the film is professionalism of the film. "Female Trouble", Waters' latest ef­ entirely tongue-in-cheek. This requires Despite all of its' good points, "Female fort, is every bit as mind-boggling as about an hour and a half at stylized acting, Trouble" is a hell of a hard movie to sit "Pink Flamingos". I have yet to decide which despite its slickness, can easily through. It's a film which stirs the evil side whether "Female Trouble" is a cinematic wear thin on a Waters' novice. For some, of us all which we try so hard to repress. experience, or only a vehicle with which to seeing 325 pound Divine portray a beauty I'm sure it can be linked to the evilness of journey into the depths of Waters' mind. queen could be a bit much for a 90 minute that "thing" your parents told you not to Filmed entirely in the Baltimore area, sitting. The characters throughout are play with. That's it! I think I have it the film will be released nationwide, in­ sleazy, gross, ridiculous, and. physically figured out! "Female Trouble" is the cluding a bona fide New York premiere apaIling. Bert Parks would really have a scariest non-movie I've ever seen. Even next month. U.S. movie freaks will get a hard time toughing this one out. (Hm­ Warhol won't psyche you out as much as ROD STEWART taste of Read Street, The Hotel Albion, m ... he might fare well with the theatre Waters. . .. a smiler Little Tavern Hamburgers, and oh yes, audiences. ) NEXT WEEK: John Waters Interview Divine-- probably the strangest person to The script is "Female Trouble's" ever walk the streets of Balto Town, Edgar strongest point. I am reasonably sure that Allen Poe and Spiro Agnew inclusive. this is not a film for the masses, but it Although Waters' "Pink Flamingos" could easily be a play for the masses, per Critic smiles at Stewart; stirred' some widespread attention, se. On paper, the characters -.aren't any complete recognition was hampered by its more offensive than the eccentrics of overall roughness. Bad sound, sloppy Vonnegut's "Happy Birthday, Wanda Newman artis'try continues editing, and a minute budget worked June". The script's power is intensified by against the film reaching its full potential. the corresponding visual grossness. "Female Trouble" is a much more Abundant in sharp social satire, the script "Smiler" Rod Stewart (Mercury) In campaign song that the controversial professional work, sporting a considerably boasts insults that would make Don these days of mediocrity, it's nice to see governor sang in the hopes of raiSing larger budget, a more competent crew, thatsomebody's given an extra effort. I morale and votes. and high-quality acting. for one never liked Rod Stewart, but The album is a big step towards shat­ The insights might flow a bit easier if I "Smiler" has at least made me more tering northern stereotypes of the attempt to relate the plot. "Female willing to listen to him. After listening to southerner. According to Newman, "The Trouble" is the story of Dawn Davenport this Ip, it's obvious that he's come a long North has no claim on virtue where black (played by the 300 lb.-plus Divine) a way from being a cheap Joe Cocker people are concerned. There's nothing l:eheiiious teenage girl whose vainn~ss imitation. much worse down south than there is in causes her to get fed up with writing "I "Smiler" displays Rod's voice in its best Chicago or Detroit or Cleveland or Den­ must not eat in class' on the homerrom light. Though he seemed to push and strain ver." blackboard. She beats up lier parents on his voice on other efforts, Rod uses his Newman's lyrics are so good at times Christmas day, and runs away from homE voice a bit more smooth and subdued on that you can inadvertently ignore his fine searching for the fast life of the big city. this effort. The winning factor for this music. On this album he gets assistance Along the way she gets knucked up by a fat album is definitely his choice of material from Ry Cooder, Jim Keltner, and Eagles welder named Earl (also played by and personnel. Elton John wrote one for Glenn Frey and Don Henley. Newman's Divine). "Smiler" as well as lending a hand on handling of the piano is of it's usual smooth Months later, she gives birth to a girl on piano and vocals. The big surprise is the testure. For those of you who haven't the stairs of The Hotel Albion. She sup­ appearance of Paul McCartney, who wrote heard Randy, he doesn't play boogie down ports herself by working The Block, and a new one for Rod, ("Mine For Me") and rockn' roll-his music is low keyed, and keeps her child occupied by locking her at he chimes in on the tune. Competent help geared to lull you into a particular mood. home with ~ jumprope. She falls in love is also provided by The Faces, and the On "Rednecks" Newman snappily with a hairdresser who works at The Memphis Horns. defends his Louisiana heritage. "We're Lipstick Beauty Salon and speaks heavy Stewart's choice of material is a bit Rednecks, Rednecks ... And we don't know Baltimorese. The marriage eventually more interesting than on past albums. our ass from a hole in the ground ... We're breaks up because of her husband's ec­ Church 'Berry's "Sweet Little Rockn' too dumb to make it in no northern town, centric Aunt (Edith Massey) who insists Roller" is given a high-powered treat­ ment. Rod sets a mellow mood with a Sam A~d we're keepin' the niggers down" that her nephew become a fag so she can Cooke medley, and the Carole King There's even a song about Tricky Dick be proud of him. standard, "You Make Me Feel Like A called "Mr. President (have pity on the Downed out and depressed, Dawn meets Natural Man." Dylan's "Girl From the working man)". Newman's smooth, raspy Donna and Donald Dasher, two fascist North County" flows like a country vocals ease through "Birmingham" and beauticians who brainwash her into morning. _ Louisiana 1972" like a mint julep down a believing that true beauty and crime go DIVINE All in all , it's a pretty decent album, dry throat. hand in hand, Eventually she kills her . . . female trouble probably the best Stewart has ever d()ne . With "Good Old Boys" Newman has If he doesn't return to the screamin' days firmly established something that was of "Maggie May", he could mature into a becoming clear with his "Sail Away" In an effort to quash the "notbing top-notch vocalist. album--that he is one of the most con­ ever happens in Baltimore" syndrome, scientious ~ong-writers we have~ ' "Good Entertainment Concept. has announced Old Boys" is definitely a "Concept" the following concerts: "Good Old Boys" Randy Newman album, the best we've had in many a year. Despite the overall flowlessness of , the (Reprise) This is the only rock album inspired by Lester Maddox. If you're album, -I'l(still take bets that he doesn't 101 20 Black Oak Arkansasl Foghat/ Golden Baltimore Civic Center 7PM get the recognition he deserves. It's just Earring familiar with Randy Newman, you know that he doesn't write about everyday something about his name--it almost hurts 11 / :~ Hare Earth/ Graham Central Baltimore Civic Center 7:30PM to say it. Sta tionl Mercury things. Though his songs have been recorded by everyone from Linda Ron­ --NEAL McGARITY 111 ~2 Beach Boys Baltimore Civic Center 8PM stadt to Harry Nilsson, Newman is 121 1 Genesis Baltimore Lyric Theater 7PM nowhere near being a household word. 12/ 1 Johnny Winter Baltimore Civic Center 7:30pm He's the greatest composer in the U.S. 121 H Earth. Wind & Fire Baltimore Civic Center 7:30PM today that nobody knows about. 121 12 Yes Baltimore Civic Center 7:30PM 11 / :3 \'an Morrison "Good Old Boys" gives a better picture University of Maryland, Baltimore 8PM of the southern United States than "Gone County Campus, Gym II With the Wind". It captures the 'mood and 11 /:W Gordon Lightfoot University of Maryland, Baltimore 8PM feel of the portion of .our population who is County Campus. Gym II most misunderstood. The album even tOl ~Il ('hirago University of Maryland, Cole Field 8PM sports a song written by former governore House of Louisiana, Huey P. Long. Entitled "Every Man A King" it's an idealistic