20 ARTS AND , .I • I Director feels working hard

leads to fame There are certain actors one selaom thinks about on the same screen, and when "No two directors are alike. Directors bring one does, one hypothesizes electricity, their fantasies, hopelessness and downright titans clashing. I waited several months for stubbornness to the screen," says the two-time the "Boys From Brazil," only to see Academy Award winning director Vincente Gregory Peck and Laurance Olivier glower Minnelli at a press conference at Nau's Televi­ at each other, and avoid bumping into sion Center on Jan. 23 . furniture and the multitudinous clones of Minnelli gave his advice to potential film directors. "It's very, very hard work. Not a Adolph Hitler. Then, for yet another plaything. Anyone who expects to go into it as a time in several months, I experienced dis­ plaything will be very disappointed. It takes all appointment at the cinema--Lily Tomlin the time in the world to direct a movie. My ad­ and John Travolta as empty as the sea shells vice to young directors is don't expect to have on the Malibu beach where "Moment by light work. It's a full-time job." Moment" dragged on and on. As for the future of movies, the ~year-old How do such combinations go astray? director said he sees paid television "looming Tomlin, who might have survived the wit­ up and growing mightier every day." ~e said audiences will not got out to see mov1es at a less script by Jane Wagner (who also directed) theater but will watch television. through the subterfuge of her comic imag­ Minnelli, considered to be one of the greatest ination, is terribly miscast as Trisha. It is a directors of musicals in history, predicts lifeless role that might better have been musicals are rapidly becoming a thing of the performed by an actress such as Olivia past. Newton-John. It is a waste, for Tomlin's "They're too expensive. "Gigi" (whicb he performances in "The Late Show" and directed in 1958 and won eight Academy Altman's "Nashville" indicate capacity Awards for> would cost about $39 million or $40 a million to produce today because it was filmed for drama as well as a talent for making us in France and had such a large cast," he said. laugh. I was almost convinced, watching Having directed 35 films, Minnelli said, "I her deadpan her way through this southern have a favorite in "Lust for Life." Also " The California love story, that Marlon Brando ·Bad and .the Beautiful," and "The Cobweb," was right when he said, "Acting is the ex­ because they aren't musicals." pression of a neurotic impulse." Minnelli Said he had no particular favorite actors or actresses who he has directed but John Travolta, who has the charisma of said, .. I get on very well with the actors. I try a Kennedy or Barrymore, is almost able to understand them." to charm his way out of the straitjacket One difficulty Minnelli had was with part prepared for him as "Strip" -- so nick­ Katharine Hepburn. Minnelli told a story about Daddy Troll, played by Teresa Taylor, named because that's where he has lived in working with Hepburn. Fairy tale opera· said last Thursday was the first time she Hollywood since he was 14. However, as sexy ·'There was a speech she particularly didn't and her friends had seen their costumes. as he is, when he goes to bed with Tomlin, like and we changed it for her. When she came excites children Tile newness of costumes and the approach­ one wonders whether he'd not just as soon go to do the thing. she did the speech the original ing time for costu_me -donning ad~ed _to to bed with himself; it is reminiscent of self­ way. So I said, 'Katie, I'm used to it the Trolls, beasts, gingerbread boys and girls their excitement as they respectively pointed centered Chevy Chase in "Foul Play." other way and it makes much more sense."' anxiously awaited their appearance in th~ out their disguises. For a film about love and love-making, " And she said, 'I got used to the old way. I "Hansel and Gretel" opera: Feb_._ l. "When we play leap-frog," said Kathleen sexual direction is peculiarly absent Tradi­ can get used to anything. I got used to you, In their dressing room, below Ardrey didn't I'!'" Landford, "my mask falls over my ey~." tional male/female parts are exchanged. Auditorium's orchestra pit, the trolls and Miimelli is involved in directing two movies, JC$sica Gaylord, playing Mother Troll, ·,Travolta says amazing things such as, "I've beasts found it difficult to control their one being a musical in which he will work with seemed concerned with her costume, "I'm had it with cheap sex." Sub-plots never moods and voices. his daughter, Liza. _ . a mother and I've got hairs coming out develop in "Moment by Moment," and Further from the sta~e the choru_.s of In modern movies, Minnelh said be notices of my mouth." amorphous, hermaphroditic romance fails very little change from older films. "They're gingerbread boys and girls displayed their One comment was generally agreed on to keep up audien'e interest. harder to understand now. You have to excitement with song, dance and playful by the young actors. It was great fun to be climatize yourself. But I many pictures I The love between a young man and older see laughter. in the opera, but it wasn't fair that they adore. I see no difference." woman has been the subject of many films, Directed by Kay Walker and Toni Berry­ couldn't see it. As a member of the movie audience, man, 32 Flagstaff junior high students such as "The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone" Minnelli has no preference as to the films he and "Youngblood Hawke." It could very had been rehearsing their roles -for this watches. well have worked again, with the interesting performance with the Texas Opera Theater. " It depends on the mood I'm in. Forei~ pic­ Arts calendar innovation of a young man of gentle, non­ After a month of preparation, stage­ NAU Jazz Festival tures are wonderful and once in a while sexist mien, and a mature woman interested American pictures are beautiful. But you see fright became a new concern for these young­ Saturday. Feb. 10 beauty everywhere," be said. sters. Learning songs and motions had 8 a .m. - 12 p.m . High school bands in a caring relationship; not castration or admission free the corruption of young flesh. The magic Minnelli's vis1t to NAU, co-sponsored by the been their previous worry, but opera night Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences introduced this age-old fear. 1:30 p.m. College concert free admission that sometimes happens in films is absent, 4:30p.m. NAU Collegians, guest soloist Dr. and the American Telephone and Telegraph Adding to their apprehension was onJy and I hope, as do many other viewers, Company, included seminars and an introduc- Walter Barr free admission I'm sure, that Tomlin and Travolta get one rehearsal with opera director David . f his film "Lust for Life." 7:30p.m. Outstanding groups concert $1 ad­ another chance in a few years, perhaps lion DIANA Gately on the day of the opera. mission ° ' L~NDIN while Jane Wagner is vacationing abroad. CARLOS VIDAL GRETH