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Page B Retriever 10 April 1978 Portfolio Woody A/len I ~Getting Even At Home By Kenny Trainor Whether it be from the academic A few years ago I read an outrageously community or the female population of funny book written by a man who was the world, Woody manages to portray ejected from NYU and New York City the image of America's most lovable College in his freshman year. Though loser. The same type of character the man co\,\ld hardly be termed a American flim viewers first fell in love scholar with those credentials, the book with fifty years ago as they flocked to see was a co~ection of articles originally Charlie Chaplin. Though America is printed in prestigious periodicals like known for its worship of the flawlessly New Yorker, a magazine that very rarely attractive suave debonaire Robert caters to the college drop-out crowd. Redford leading man, we are still a The title of the book illustrated how nation of common people who can the author felt about the academic identify strongly with the fumbling community that rejected him years antics of the perpetual loser. • before - it was called Getting Even. Its Like Chaplin, Woody's· screen rejec­ author - Woody Allen. Later on in his tions were also rejected by the Academy. career, Woody Allen turned·JUs talents Until this year, that is. For the first time towards acting, writing, and directing since Orson Welles was nominated for films. His humor has spanned the three awards for his work in Citizen spectrum from slapstick to Sartre, as Kane, Woody Allen was nominated for he's poked fun at Jewish tradition, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best existentialism, intellectualism, Califor­ Original Screenplay. As I prepared for nia living, politics, health food, Dracula, Hollywood's extravaganza last Monday love, death, and even the Creator of the night, I purchased a bottle of cheap Universe. champagne with the intent of popping His films, even his earlier less the cork the moment Woody won an polished works, enjoy a tremendous award. After Rocky came along last year Woody Allen following. Many of them being released to break the ice for outsiders, I was because such affairs make him nervous. and re-released over and over to large somewhat optimistic that I'd get the orations on his behalf, Woody's big Such fuss and fanfare over a poor audiences. Even Annie Hall, his most opportunity to toast at least one award. chance at getting even, the announce­ sexually frustrated comedian is more ment of his selection as Best Director recent motion picture, is already . Though I really 't hope to drink pidn than he felt he could cope with .. was followed by thunderous cheers from playing local theaters for the third time. for the Best Director categoty, it was the So instead of corny acceptance all the losers in America. And the joyful Two years ago I saw Love and Death one award I most wanted him to win. speeches, or well-wishing friends sound of one plastic champagne cork six times, and needless to say found the Comedians have been chosen for best running up to deliver even cornier popping in downtown Baltimore. picture very entertaining. But when actor many times, and a good deal of the Oscar time rolled around I was shocked winning screenplays came from out­ to discover that the film did not receive standing humorists - but Best Director one single nomination. Even after years denotes someone special. In fact, in As Long As Rzewski Performs of success with such films as Bananas, Europe films are known more by the Take the Money and Run, Play it Again director than by the stars. Sam, and Sleeper, Woody Allen was True to his shy image, Woody wasn't People Will Never Be Defeated treated as an outsider by his colleagues even on hand to receive his awards. Frederic Rzewski, internationally As a composer, Rzewski combines in Hollywood. Unlike many celebrities who avoid the known composer and pianist, will perform elements of folk and classical music, Fortunately, a good deal of Woody ceremonies for political or philosophical at 8 p.m. April 12 in the Fine Arts jazz and experimental techniques, often Allen's .humor is based on rejection. reasons, Woody stayed at home simply Recital Hall at UMBC. within the framework of texts expressing political content. Rzewski's UMBC con­ cert will feature his latest composition, Just Wait For The Price War! "The People United Will Never Be Defeated,'' among other works. The concert is one in a series of Radio Shack To Challenge Students' Lives events entitled "Progressions '78 '' ex­ ploring frontiers in the arts. Future By Steve Miller other companies are selling something your student government office. performances· include appearances by While your life may not have been now that will. The "something" is a The TRS-80 system Radio Shack sells videotape artist James Byrne and Mabou changed forever by your CB set, there's microcomputer you can put in your home has a basic price of $600, but a more Mines, an experimental theatre group. a chance that Radio Shack and a few o~ small business, or perhaps even in advanced configuration runs as high as Advance tickets for ''Progressions'' $3,800. In a few years, no doubt, used performances are $2 per event, $2.50 at systems will be available which will the door. permit anyone who wants one to have a -Rzewski, who has earned degrees computer in the home. at Harvard College and Princeton Uni­ To what end? Besides the rather versity, has received fellowships from obvious game-playing abilities, these the Fromm, Ford, Woodrow Wilson devices permit the small-time user to and Fulbright foundations that enabled emulate the large-scale users. Anything him to study and work in Europe. you need lists for, even footnoting for In 1966 he co-founded Musica El­ term papers, is an appropriate task. ettronica Viva (MEV), an experimental With print-out and Level IT Basic, most group that has performed more than statistics course and math applications 200 concerts throughout the world. become a snap. Need to see what your Rzewski has performed extensively with graph should look like when you're MEV and has appeared in almost all figuring up PV = nRT? Set up the of the major music festivals in Europe graphics display and you've got it. and America. While even the starting cost is a bit For more information, call455-2500. high for most college students, this ''Personal Computing System'' ap­ proach to the future is cheap at the price. Have something to buy Watch for Radio Shack to have competition soon from Commodore's or sell? PET. Texas Instruments is also supposedly moving into the field, and if Retriever classifieds they do a price war could make these computers as common as a good camera, get results. Call x2224 and for most people, a lot more useful. .
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