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About The Georgia bulletin (Atlanta) 1963-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 19, 1989)
PAGE 9 — The Georgia Bulletin, January 19, 1989 Series Examines History, Impact, Strategies Of Nuclear Armaments BY HENRY HERX AND JUDITH TROJAN V NEW YORK (NC) — "The Challenge of Peace,” the U.S. bishops’ 1983 pastoral letter on the morality of nuclear armaments, urged individuals to look at the fact that * enough nuclear warheads exist to kill the human race many times over. GENETIC ENGINEERING — Smithsonian World explores the rapidly expanding field of genetic research and the ethical dilemmas it * raises on “Web of Life.” Dr. Nina Fedoroff (above), says, “We’ve been in the business of genetic engineering for as long as we’ve been • practicing agriculture.” The program airs Jan. 25 on WGTV, Channel 8. Helping people understand that situation is "War and Peace in the Nuclear Age.” a 13-part public television pro gram. The series shows viewers a history of the nuclear arms race, the evolution of military strategies for using these weapons and the political considerations in reducing the risk of nuclear war. The premiere episode, “Dawn,” airs Monday. Jan. 23. 8-9 p.m. EST on PBS. WPBA, Channel 30. “Dawn” reports that World War II’s atomic bomb was created out of fear that Nazi Germany would build one first. The supposition was based on the fact that before the war, German physicists had been trying to split the atom. But though Germany then lacked the technical capability to construct such a weapon, American scientists worked in a crash program that produced the first atomic explosion in July 1945! two months after Germany's surrender. The documentary offers several reasons why the bomb was used to destroy two Japanese cities several weeks later. Some argue it was needed to force Japan’s surrender, though others point out that at the time conventional bombs dropped in mass raids by U.S. planes were wiping out a Japanese city a day. The program also suggests another motive for the U.S. demonstration of the bomb’s power: to show the Soviet Union what it might expect if it did not honor postwar com mitments in Eastern Europe. In covering the birth of the nuclear age. the program notes that with the Soviet development of a comparable weapon, the United States and Soviet Union became Cold War adversaries and competing advocates for bigger and better nuclear weapons systems. The remainder of the series follows this fruitless quest for security based on the threat of mutual annihilation. "Dawn” succeeds in re-creating the context that made atomic weapons thinkable. The magnitude of the war’s violence and the fear of Nazi victory is soberingly depicted in grim newsreel footage and government films of the period, as well as in interviews with participants in the war. The program is dramatic and informative. But what makes it significant is seeing the birth of the nuclear age and the almost 50-year aftermath of a world held hostage by the threat of nuclear war. The series is being used by some colleges as a credit course, and there is a home viewer’s study guide among other materials available. Information about these can be obtained by calling 1-800-LEARNER. TV PROGRAMS OF NOTE Sunday, Jan. 22. 9-10 p.m. EST (PBS) WGTV, Channel 8. “All Passion Spent.” Dame Wendy Hiller stars in a three- part "Masterpiece Theatre” drama about a newly widowed 85-year-old who declares her independence from intrusive "The Accidental Tourist" Charts Universal Themes In Poignant Film * BY JUDITH TROJAN NEW YORK (NC) — Based on Anne Tyler’s best-selling novel about a travel writer struggling to cope with the death ‘ of his son and the disintegration of his marriage, “The Ac cidental Tourist” (Warner Bros.) is one of the most poig nant, whimsical films produced in recent memory. Macon Leary (William Hurt) writes travel books for * those who prefer the comfort of a living room armchair to a seat on a 747. Businessmen hunger for Macon’s travel tips to get them through another agonizing trip with minimal trauma. Macon is an expert at taking the risk out of travel' and life. When we first meet Macon, he’s so closed off from people and emotion that his wife Sarah (Kathleen Turner) leaves . him. Both are still agonizing over the death of their 12-year- old son, murdered a year before in a fast-food restaurant hold-up. No comfort to Sarah during their yearlong ordeal. Macon handles his wife’s departure like he handles all * trauma — he shuts down and numbly goes about his business. The film, as sensitively directed and co-written by Lawrence Kasdan (“The Big Chill”), charts the gradual ‘ unfolding of this withered, weary man with the help of his son’s adorably ill-tempered Welsh corgi. Edward, and the dog’s wacky trainer, divorcee Muriel Pritchett (Geena Davis). Although Muriel’s offbeat, open manner, her * mismatched clothing and seedy rowhouse stand in stark contrast to Macon's well-ordered, vapid upper-class de meanor, he s unable to shake pushy Muriel out of his life or heart. Thankfully Kasdan steers clear of the trendy music and glitz that worked so well in “The Big Chill” and focuses quietly on the key moments of human interaction that lead to Macon’s rebirth. There is a wonderfully charming look at Macon’s sib lings, all past 40 yet still living, together in their grandfather’s rambling Baltimore home. More than a tad eccentric, the Learys simply dismiss much of the outside world as extraneous. Macon’s ultimate catharsis comes as it should in Paris when he is forced by a back injury and his wife’s return to choose between his safe, highly structured cocoon of a mar riage and the uncharted territory of a life with Muriel. This is not, as it sounds, a typical male midlife crisis fan tasy, no doubt because it originated in the mind of a female novelist. It is instead a universal story of death and rebirth, endings and beginnings, aspects of life that all must face, assimilate and overcome if we are to move on in healthy, productive ways. Hurt gives a brilliant pinched performance as Macon and Miss Davis, Amy Wright and Bill Pullman are endearing and add much to this lovely snippet of life. Due to a discreetly filmed bedroom scene and implied cohabitation without benefit of marriage, the U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Pic ture Association of America rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. but well-meaning children by living on her own in a new residence. Sunday. Jan. 22. 9-11 p.m. EST (NBC) and Monday, Jan. 23. 9-11 p.m. EST (NBC) WXIA. Channel 11, “The Brotherhood of the Rose,” Parts 1 and 2. A four-hour spy adventure about two skilled CIA operatives (Peter Strauss and David Morse) who were raised as brothers and trained by their adoptive father, a top CIA genius (Robert Mitch- um) who eventually betrays them. The brothers plot revenge with another high-ranking international agent (Connie Sellecca). Looks like a complex but entertaining adult spy saga. Monday, Jan. 23, 9-10 p.m. EST (PBS) WGTV, Channel 8, “The Only Rule Is Win.” The first program in “Secret In telligence," a four-part series examining the development of America's domestic and foreign security agencies, begins with the 1920s' creation of the FBI and the World War II Office of Strategic Services, the predecessor of the CIA. Tuesday, Jan. 24, 9-10 p.m. EST (PBS) WGTV, Channel 8.“The Spy Who Broke the Code.” Assessing the damage to U.S. national security caused by the Walker spy ring is this “Frontline” documentary-report which includes an inter view with John Walker, convicted of selling military secrets to the Soviets for more than 17 years. Wednesday, Jan. 25, 8-9 p.m. EST (PBS) WGTV, Channel 8, “Web of Life.” Examining the scientific quest to under stand the genetic basis of life is this “Smithsonian World” program which looks at the ethical questions raised by the uncertain future of human efforts to control nature. Thursday, Jan. 26, 10-11:30 p.m. EST (PBS) WPBA, Channel 30, The Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Awards in Broadcast Journalism.” Veteran CBS newscaster Charles Kuralt is the master of ceremonies at the 46th annual presentation from Columbia University of awards for the best in radio and television journalism, excerpts of which will be aired during the course of the program. NUCLEAR AGE — Marines watch the mush room cloud of an atomic bomb during military exercises in the 1950s. “War and Peace in the Nuclear Age,” premieres Jan. 23. (NC photo from PBS, Culver Pictures Inc.) ( N Mass Televised SUNDAY, JANUARY 22 THE CATHOLIC MASS — The Mass will be tele vised at the following times: 8:30a.m. on WOR-TV (Channel Hon Prime Cable). 9 a.m. on WGN-TV (Channel 15 on Prime Cable). 10 a.m. on WVEU-TV (Channel 69). The Mass for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time will be celebrated by Father Martin Geraghty. The program is produced by Passionist Communications. To receive a missalette for the Mass, write Passionist Communications, Inc., The Sunday Mass, P.O. Box 440, Pelham, N.Y. 10803. I /
