Hollywood Studio Magazine (1976)

JACK ONG ON FILM THE SUNSHINE BOYS—A technically uneven movie with thoroughly enjoyable performances by Walter Matthau and George Burns as two old vaudevillians who stubbornly attempt to (or not to!) do one more routine together. Both men want to act again, but not with the other. It isn’t surprising that two pros with these stars’ sense of timing and comedic ability are superbly able to carry off Neil Simon’s long dialogue of unending one-liners; Richard Benjamin’s the surprise! Benjamin has shaken his sad case of screen apathy, and for once wins your sympathy as Matthau’s newphew/agent who has the massive chore of running interference between the two feuding senior citizens. Although director Herbert Ross has managed his actors well, it is difficult to overlook his inattention to such things as unimaginative (even some clumsy) photography, Matthau’s terrible make-up, and poor lighting. The opening credits, though, are nice. MAN FRIDAY—A._ new point of view of the old Robinson Crusoe tale, with PeterO’Toole as Crusoe and Richard Roundtree as Friday. O’Toole is almost back to his effective form after the disastrous ‘“‘Rosebud,”’ and Roundtree, although rather removed from his acting element, is okay. The Puerto Vallarta locales are beautiful. THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR—A rapid, well-filmed and nicely acted suspense thriller. Robert Redford is the man on the run, Faye Dunaway is his accomplice, Max Von Sydow is frightening as the hit man. MAHOGANY-—The schmaltzy script is laughable, the story line is strained. But “Mahogany” has Diana Ross, gloss, fantasy, great costumes, and lines around the theater block going for it. ON STAGE THE DUCHESS OF MALFI—After an artistically successful go at repertory (“Too Much Johnson” and an original, “The Shadow Box”), Center Theatre Group offers this John Webster play, a Jacobean tragedy, as directed by Howard Sackler. Opening on the 22nd at the Mark Taper Forum. THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA— Another hit revival by Center Theatre Group, with Richard Chamberlain, Raymond Massey, Dorothy McGuire and Eleanor Parker starring in Tennessee Williams’ drama. Through the 31st at the Ahmanson. Remember Child Star Today—Child Star Gigie Perreau Gigi Perreau, the famed child actress from 25 years ago, continues her career by bringing free theater to Los Angeles residents. Rehearsing in the deserted Columbia Studios in Hollywood, Gigi and 10 other actors and actresses polish their two act skits performed for senior citizens, school children and other audiences. The acting team has put together a touring road show with improvised props. They do two different productions “The Clown Story,” and “Doctor in Spite of Himself” and are preparing a third routine called ‘“‘“Grab Bag” which will be shown after the new year. Although Columbia’s environment may seem dreary and depressing to many Hollywood lovers, Gigi says she adores the environment because of its nostalgia. “Since we’ve (The Theater Arts Program of Los Angeles) been together, this is the best place we’ve had to rehearse,” she says. “Sure it’s a big empty sad studio. But now that Hollywood is so spread out there is nothing here but us and some rock groups who come to practice.” Gigi got her start in motion pictures playing Eve, the daughter of Madame Curie, in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s “Madame Curie.” She played co-starring roles as a child actress in nearly two dozen Hollywood spectacles including ‘Green Dolphin Street,” “Girls Town,” “God is My Co-Pilot,” and “The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit.” More recently Gigi has made guest appearances on television’s Brady Bunch, Iron Horse, Perry Mason, Gun smoke and other weekly series. She also co-starred in ABC’s “Follow the Sun” and did a feature role for one year on ““The Betty Hutton Show.” Gigi reached a milestone in her career in 1950 when she was nominated to have one of the first stars put on Hollywood Boulevard. “It was really a treat for me. I was invited to the groundbreaking and even now occasionally visit the spot to see my star.” Now the mother of four children and living with her production manager husband Gene de Ruelle in Studio City, Gigi said she only has time for occasional guest appearances on television. She speaks excitedly about the TAPLA program calling it “an embryo which is constantly getting bigger.” She is hopeful the program will expand making room for writers and a central location where Angelenos can enjoy free theater permanently. “Right now we’re doing mostly senior citizens, churches, rec centers and schools,” Gigi said. “I’d like to start doing hospitals and places where people are shut in and can’t get out to see theater.” She said she believes little theater would be enhanced by bringing free theater to the city. She points out the purpose of the federal program funding is for the performers to stimulate the depressed theatrical industry. “I think it’s working because now people who never got to see theater are seeing it for the first time and enjoying it.”A JETAGE SPANISH $2 500 WORDS IN 5 MINUTES NAME ADDRESS CITY & STATE ZIP Send to: JET AGE SPANISH c/o SFValley Magazine, P. O. Box M Sherman Oaks, Calif. 91413