Hollywood Studio Magazine (July 1972)

ON FILM FRENZY — The real Alfred Hitchcock stands up again, and it's high time! After a series of disappointing films ("Marnie/' "Torn Curtain," "Topaz" - which might have been considered adequate for lesser directors, but definitely weren't up to the master's pieces), Hitchcock is back in his best form. It's a welcome return of his old proven method of keeping the viewer in clenched suspense. The stylish comedy, perfect casting of supporting characters, choice of locations, almost choreographed dramatic sequences: they're all in great evidence. "Frenzy's" plot is simple enough. A rapist-murderer stalks London, looking for the right girl. He enjoys tying the knot. . . usually around her neck. Here again as in, say, "Psycho," Hitchcock shows only one actual murder. But, of course, one of his is more than enough, so it's unnecessary for him to repeat in order to make his point. The strangulation scene in his new work will be compared to Janet Leigh's shower scene in "Psycho." As the villain in "Frenzy," Barry Foster is very good, moving through his share of Hitchcock-styled human difficulties well enough. The director's "instant classic" sequence on back of a speeding vegetable truck once again confirms his respect for and ability to laugh at man's preserverance under the most dire circumstances; Foster shines in this terrific situation with little more than a load of potatoes and a stiff corpse. The closest thing to a good-guy-hero is Jon Finch, last seen in Roman Polanski's "Macbeth." As a down ex-RAF pilot accused of the crimes, Finch gets a chance to look concerned a lot of the time, but it's difficult to sympathize with him too much, which may be due to a faulty character study. Besides the tension level of the movie, another highlight is Vivien Merchant's comical performance as a tyro gourmet cook who nightly kills the appetite of her husband the chief police inspector. Miss Merchant serves up fish head soup, braised pigs feet and a tasty performance, all with equal flair. THE OTHER — Where suspense was played up in "Frenzy," author Thomas Tryon and director Robert Mulligan have focused on shock for their glossy, no less tense screen adaptation of Tryon's best-selling novel. A more successful writer than actor (remember "The Cardinal"?), Tryon also penned the screenplay for his story. Robert Surtees has beautifully photographed it, capturing, as he did so well in "The Last Picture Show" and "Summer of 42, "the feeling of a small, rural community. Only this little town is beset with a chain of macabre deaths. Stage actress Uta Hagen makes her screen debut in "The Other," as do the film's real stars, a set of alarmingly suitable young twins, Chris and Martin Udvarnoky. ON STAGE OLD TIMES — Verna Bloom, W. B. Brydon and Faye Dunaway talk their way through Harold Pinter's first full-length play since "The Homecoming." An evening with Pinter is usually talky and puzzling, not entertainment for everyone, but rather satisfying theatre nonetheless. The stars of this Center Theatre Group production carry it off well. Through July 9th at the Mark Taper Forum. GREEK THEATRE — This month's offerings in Griffith Park: the Ukrainian Dance Company July 4-16; the Vienna State Opera Ballet's "Swan Lake" on the 17th and "Giselle" on the 18th; a production of "The Barber of Seville" July 20-23; and pop group The 5th Dimension July 24-30. THE ROTHSCHILDS — Hal Linden repeats the role for which he won a Tony for Best Actor. Third of four Civic Light Opera musicals. . . current at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. THE VALLEY'S LARGEST MARINE DEALER Featuring a complete 1972 line of Johnson outboard motors,Sea Ray Boats, as well as water ski and boating accessories. The Valley's Center for Boat Sales & Service WnronufSJfcOG _ 1*1 Jk jfrjJSTE T GJElVTEr* 6036 Sepulveda Blvd.,Van Nuys California (213)787-7414 FURS sjCOLD STORAGE^ RENTALS (Appraisals, etc^ PICK-UP & DELIVERY WOODLAND HILLS FURRIERS PHONE 213/346-4083 u\$^^22896 Ventura Blvd. Woodland Hills