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Page 7 The Panther April 11,1980 MOVIES "FOXES" “CRUISING" BY SHERRY JONES Panther Entertainment Editor “Cruising”, starring Al Pacino, Paul Sorvino and Karen Allen isa controversial movie based upon Gerald Walker’s 1970 novel of the same tile Cruising. Patterned after actual crimes, the movie is a murder mystery based on a series of brutal killings of homosexuals in New York City from 1962 to 1979. The movie was picketed by gay activists in New York during the filming last summer, they claimed that it only projects a "negative image of gay life.” The characters and events in "Cruising,’’however, were com piled trom the f ilesof the District Attorney’s office, the Homicide Division of the Police Department, the Medical Examiner and documented experiences from undercover police in New York City. The S & M heavy leather bars and sex clubs along the Waterfront of New York’s Cen tral Park and the West Village cru ising area known as the Ram bles are the scenes for the actual slayings and for the film. Released by United Artists, the Trans America Company clearly relates that “Cruising” is a world that exists far from the mainstream of gay life, and is experienced by only a few homosexuals and by almost none of the straight com munity.” A series of unsolved “Bag Murders” occurred from 1973 - 1979. Limbs and torsos, dismembered from the body (some of them mutilated, wrapped in black plastic bags) washed ashore near the Hudson River. During the 17 year period (1962 - 79) another series of un solved killings “crime of pas sion” occurred.The victims were mutilated or stabbed several times. After extensive investigation, both “Bag Murders” and "crime of passion” victims were dis covered to be homosexuals. This investigation, along with complaints that gays were being harrassed by two policemen, prompted the police department to send an officer undercover. Steve Burns (portrayed by Al Pacino) was selected by the Cap tain of the Major Case Squad to pose as a homosexual in the gay community of West Village. Bums quickly realized that he would have to change his appearance. Therefore, he bought a wardrobe of sneakers, black boots, tight pants, leather jacket and studded leather wristbands. Cruising the trucks and piers, he learned the lingo and cus toms. He also became friends to homosexuals who later allowed him to go into the subterranean leather bars. Once inside the bars, Burns trys to uncover the killer. In an attempt to do so, a gay is arrested and charged with the murders. The arrest results in the brutal beating of the suspect by a huge, muscular detective wearing only a jockstrap and a cowboy hat. The suspect was asked several questions. If he did not answer them the way the detectives wanted him to, the muscular detective wou Id enter and knock the suspect around the room. This scene, along with others depicting the police department’s brutal treatment and attitude toward gays, are one of the reasons for the con troversy over the movie. BY SHERRY JONES Panther Entertainment Editor A Casablanca Record and Filmworks production, released by United Artists, "Foxes”, is a story about four teenage girls struggling with the problems and pressures of growing up in today’s teen society. The girls find their relationship with each other more fulfilling than that of their own families. Their dream, as a result, is to es tablish their own family unit by getting their own apartment. Surrounded by the “plastic and neon” of Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley, the movie gives a compassionate, realistic look at the modern teenage girl growing up all too quickly. “Foxes” also shows the special caring and trust among the girls. Their tolerance and understan ding of each other makes their search for self-identify and maturity more endurable. The girls, while still struggling to find themselves, explore the development of friendships with boys. The “Foxes” of the movie are Kandice Stroh (Deidre), Marilyn Kagan (Madge), Jodie Foster (Jeanie) and Cherie Currie (An nie). The role of Jodie’s mother is portrayed by SaJly Kellerman. KeHerman (Mary in “Foxes”) is an attractive divorcee. She trys desperately to re-evaluate her own life, while at the same time, cope with the difficulties con fronting her teenage daughter. Scott Baio appears as Brad, the girls' friend. Brad’s loyalty to the girls and his expertise skateboarding leads him tomany adventures. A 29 year old business man, Randy Quaid is Jay, the older man in the life of Marilyn Kagan (Madge). Musical features in the movie included the sounds of Donna. Summer, Cher, Janice Ian and Angel. The music focuses upon the issues encountered by / today’s teenagers. “Foxes” was shot, in addition to the sites in San Fernando Valley, in the famous Shrine Auditorium, on top of Lookout Mountain and at the Inglewood Park Cemetery. Kandice Stroh, Marilyn Kagan, Jodie Foster and Chenie Currie in “Foxes” THEATRE IBILACIK IPIICTJUCC SUCH' BY SHERRY JONES Panther Entertainment Editor Theatrical viewers finding it impossible for them to get to the theatre for curtain call; along with viewers that are offended by partial nudity and "profane language," were advised against attending "Black Picture Show.” Bill Gunn's "Black Picture Show” presented by Proposition Theatre, was a profound and controversial play scheduled to start promptly at 8:00. No one would be allowed to enter after this time. Directed by Walter Dallas, the play was presented March 18 through March 29 at the Studio Theater of the Memorial Arts Center. “Black Picture Show,” however, did not start promptly at 8:00 on Thursday night, March 27. At 8:05 the lights in the rear of the theatre were dimmed, but at 8:10 people were continuously entering. True, it did not start on time, however, once the play got under way, time became a very unimportant factor. It was ap parent by the audience’s laughter and applauding, that the play was worth waiting for. The play is about a playwright- film maker named Alexander, who is forced to choose between commercialism, insanity and wealth, or his sanity, integrity and art. The playwright-film maker, while very much in debt, got a generous offer from a major movie studio to write a screen play. The movie would make him enough money to get out of debt and satisfy his wife, Rita’s desire for the finer things in life. However, Alexander sighted the movie as being tasteless and therefore would put his “artistic integrity at stake.” The highest point of excitement in the play happened when the film producer, Philipp (played by Ray Collins) and his wife, Jane (played by Rebecca Alworth) come to Alexander’s home to sign the contract and have dinner. Alexander, after dinner, signed the contract. In doing so, he signs his integrity and sanity over to the white producer. The producer and his wife, after having Alexander and Rita masked and roped to chairs, drew guns and killed them. Malik Purley and Barbara Stokes did an excellent job portraying Alexander and Rita. However, the best performer was Atiim Kweli as J.D. Kweli combined hisactingand dancing talents to create a sen sitive, humorous, but serious character. J. D. (Kweli), Alexander’s son, tried to save his father from the fate of pills, a loss of dignity, his (Alexander’s) insanity, and the producer. However, he failed to get through to him. The three musicians serving as the entertainment center in Alexander’s home, gave the play a great touch of creativity. “Black Picture Show” is not a play that the average person would take their mother to see. Yet, it is a very humorous, SHOC KING, and explosive play that will remain in the minds of its viewers.