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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 13, 1971)
'I 7z -trc- y 0 o 4 O i 3 it it V? i ; ' t. '. i During the past few seasons, NBC television has become enamored with the idea of putting several series into one time slot and then alternating segments of them each week (The Bold Ones, Four-In-One zn&Name of the Game are a few examples). This fall NBC came up with the same basic premise, but with a couple of variations. First, the alternating segments would run for 90 minutes rather than the usual 60 minutes; and all three segments have to deal with law-and-order, but in an off-beat fashion. NAMING this year's baby NBC Mystery Movie, and using big-name stars, such as Peter Falk, Dennis Weaver, Rock Hudson and Susan Saint James in the lead roles, it looks as if the network may have come up with some winners. The Columbo segment of the Mystery Movie stars Falk as bumbling Lt. Columbo, an inept appearing police detective whose rumpled exterior conceals a razor sharp mind. Based on two World Premier movies, Columbo is less of a mystery, whodunit-type show than a how-doesolumbb-catchum-type show. From the very beginning, the viewer knows who the murdered is (that's all Columbo seems to investigate). The trick is seeing how Columbo matches wits with the criminal and finally defeats him. WEARING a trench coat that looks as if it's been hung to dry inside a running shower, and smoking nickel cigars, Falk's Columbo is a complete joy. In fact, its Falk's acting that makes the plots of Columbo so believable and entertaining. In addition, the producers have not held back in the getting of talented guest villians. Jack Cassidy, Robert Culp, Eddie Albert and Ross Martin must be lauded for taking some difficult roles and making them credible. The humorous interplay between Falk and the guest villians is good and never seems pushy or contrived. THE SECOND segement, ' McCloud stars Weaver, and is the only remaining segment of last year's Four-In-One series on NBC. Playing a country-bumpkin sheriff (complete with drawl, cowboy hat and western clothes) assigned to New York City, Weaver comes across well. Like Columbo, McCloud puts on a hayseed attitude to hide his intelligence while outwitting his adversary, but his main weapon is plain-ole determination. Overall, McCloud hasn't been as good as Columbo. Weaver continues to give a good portrayal and is backed up by J.D. Cannon as chief of detectives, but it is in the guest stars and the scripts that the show has fallen down. THE LATEST McCloud segment to be aired, titled "Somebody's out to Get Jennie," was one of its best. Weaver gives a strong performance, while guest star Julie Sommars was extremely good as a psychotic who is being pushed to the breaking point by a murderer. One of the most pleasurable features of McCloud is the location photography of New York City. There's just no way to capture the aura of New York City except by location shooting. The final segment is called McMillian & Wife and stars Hudson as McMillian and Saint James as Wife (McMillian's that is). McMillian is a San Francisco police commissioner whose wife is constantly getting involved in his cases. THE APPROACH is lighthearted, with the comic bits of Saint James and Hudson being the primary business while the actual crimes become secondary . As a result the show comes off cutie-pieish at times, but usually the light touch is refreshing. After all, how many times do you see a police commissioner chasing a criminal while dressed in a pink Easter bunny costume? Evidently Hudson is supposed to bri fc in the women viewers and he does do a more than adequate acting job. But it is Saint James who really makes the show. Her kooky characterization is delightful. John Schuck as police Sergeant Enright gives the show a strong comic assist by playing McMillan's favorite bumbling right-hand man. CONSIDERING that they are law-and-order based shows, the amount of violence and preaching is at a minimum. Some form of humor plays a key role in all the segments. It is this mixture of humor and law-and-order that make the Mystery Movies enjoyable entertainment. a o Bill Szymanski. . .as Oberon, the King of Fair Land makes a proclamation to his following of gnomes, elves and spirits in NU Theater production, Touch of Magic, performing Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at Howell Theatre. Seals and Crofts versatile duo Review by Schadracque Bushido Before the Seals and Crofts concert in November most people in Lincoln had never heard of the musical duo. But lovers of good music will look forward to hearing more from them after hearing their first album on the Wamer Brothers label. Jim Seals and Dash Crofts form one of the most versatile pairs in modern music. They perform in a wide range of styles and do all of them well Their album is called Year of Sunday and that tune is the best on the album. It is a happy study of religion in sound which incorporates Judcao-Christian, Muslim and Baha'i faiths. Music on the album is baroque and very ornamental. The guitar is good with a noticible touch of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young influence. "When I Meet Them" is the most commercial thing on the record and has done well with the top forty stations, but its doubtful that the rest of the album will ever make it on the popular stations. It's probably a bit above the heads of the 14 year olds. There is some very good guitar work in "Cause You Love," backed by bass and percussion. "Antionette" begins with guitar and mandolin echoing between the speakers. The stereo enhances this echoing love chant and the voices show Simon and Celebrate the Holidays in Due to cancellations, there are now 8 vacancies for the Student Activities Interim Flight round trip Fare on a TWA Boeing 707: $183 Trip from Dec. 26 until Jan. 17 IMMEDIATE fXESEHVATIQNS AOE ESSENTIAL STUDENTS, FACULTY, & staff; & immediate families are eligible STUDENT ACTIVITIES OFFICE 340 UNION Garfunkel-like harmony. Crofts gives a stellar performance on the mandolin. It is easy to get caught up in the basa nova rhythm of "High on a Mountain". Another high point on the album is "Irish Linen", a song of lost love - in Russia. It is a very good song and the mandolin work sounds Russian. "Springfield Mill" slips from a blues and folk introduction into country and western complete with fiddles. Its a happy song and fun to listen to. There is excellent harmony and instrumentation on the cut "Ancient to the Old." The song is a complex mixing of styles and rhythms with rather esoteric lyrics. If it were good for nothing else the record would be good for the sheer variety. But, the quality of instrumentation, vocals and styles makes it a complete and joyful listening experience. nSnir vOLSTON'S 66 VW majorminor f re wbH balanc- A repairs V inn with purchase of V "N. l any VW snow tira. v 475-9703V-.27th & Orchard Conroy's TAKE HOME TH Ph. 432-9862 Westgate - Suite 2 201 Capitol Beach Blvd Lincoln, Nebraska HIT A MEDIUM BETWEEN DOOMS & APARTMENTS Try coed cooperative living, It's a new living experience! Vacancies available for 2nd semester at Cornhusker Co-op 705 N. 23rd. Call 475-6796. Ask for an officer for information MWUf&5f&!r DAILYAT-12:15, V : : 2:05. 3:55. 5:45. 7:35. 9:25 P.M. "i Vi', 'Pi V" x S. ' S i. .T RADLEY H. METZGER prent c . ". rtAw rrom SwEdtn... I? A LjfisuUJ ...ESSYPERSSON RATED X-NO ONE UNDER 18 ADMITTED PAGE 6 THE DAILY NEBRASKAN MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1971
