P«*e Arts & Entertainment _
James Stewart with Jean Arthur in “You Can’t Take It With You.”
Capra/Stewart magic
Film caught spirit of America
1 Screwball comedy and the power
of Americana dominated the silver
screen and stage throughout the
’30s. Many popular plays were trans
formed into perfection through the
magic of the big screen.
Two of the most popular play
wrights, George S. Kaufmann and
Moss Hart, had a score of their
plays made into films. The most
notable of these was “You Can’t
Take It With You.”
Twisting the arm of frugal Co
lumbia Pictures mogul Harry1 Cohn,
Frank Capra persuaded Cohn to
pay $200,000 for the Pulitzer Prize
winning play. “You Can’t Take It
With You” had been the sensation
on Broadway in 1936-37, and Capra
ensured Cohn that it was “a sure
thing.”
Again, Capra donned his power
of persuasion to convince Cohn to
borrow James Stewart from MGM.
Capra argued that no other actor
was suited for the lead role.
“1 had seen Jimmy Stewart play
a sensitive, heart-grabbing role in
MGM’s “Navy Blue and Gold”
(1937). I sensed the character and
rock-ribbed honesty of a Gary
Cooper, plus the breeding and in
telligence of an Ivy League ideal
ist,” Capra said.
In Capra’s vision of idealized
Americana, no other actor fit the
bill quite as nicely. Capra was right.
Capra and Stewart later collabo
rated for two of both Capra’s and
Stewart’s most popular and highly
acclaimed films, “Mr. Smith Goes
To Washington” in 1939 and “It’s
A Wonderful Life” in 1947.
In “You Can’t Take It With
You,” Capra cast his favorite ac
tress, Jean Arthur, queen of the
screwball comedy, as Alice Syca
more, one member of a zany fam
ily. Lionel Barrymore was cast in
the role of Arthur’s grandfather,
Martin Vanderhoff.
Barrymore, at the age of 60, was
so stricken by arthritis that he needed
crutches to move around on. Capra
and screenplay author, Robert
Riskin, worked around Barrymore’s
handicap by fitting him with a cast
and adding an explanation of
Grandpa Sycamore sliding down
the bannister in a fit of youth.
Of the entire Sycamore family,
Arthur is the only member to hold
a paying job, acting as secretary to
Kirby vice-president, Tony Kirby,
played by a spry 30-ycar-old James
Stewart. Naturally, the conflict arises
between the stuffiness of the work
ing-class Kirbys and the idyllic
existence of the Sycamores.
“You can’t take it with you! The
only thing you can take with you is
the love of your friends,” Barry
more sums up.
“You Can’t Take It With You”
captured the spirit of the ideal Amer
ica, providing the perfect escape
from the dreary brooding and
immediate threat of war in Europe.
The film drew large audiences and
critical attention, and gained seven
Oscar nominations. “You Can’t
Take It With You” garnered an
Oscar for best picture, as well as
earning Capra his third Oscar for
directing.
James Stewart’s popularity grew,
too, though only receiving his still
modest salary from MGM. And al
though MGM profited from their
loan-out, Stewart was the clear
winner. “You Can’t Take It With
You” was an integral step in the
definition of the inimitable charac
ter of James Stewart.
A critic for the “New States
man” summed up the character of
Stewart in their 1938 review of the
film’s release.
“No actor on the screen today
manages to appear more uncon
scious of script, camera and direc
tor than Mr. Stewart.”
After 21/2 years in Hollywood,
he starred in his 16th film at 30
years of age — not a bad place to
be for the young James Stewart.
Stock Is a junior English major and a
Dally Nebraskan Arts and Entertainment
staff reporter and columnist.
■————miwmin mi —
Lied audience savors
Preservation Hall jazz
Celebration of love,
life ignites listeners
to come marching in
By Michael Stock
Staff Reporter
Looking up at the collection of
men on stage, Lied audiences reveled
in a Preservation Hall Jazz Band cele
bration of life and jazz the old-fash
ioned way Wednesday night.
Humphrey Band rhythms ranged
from the delicate click of a late-night
walk in the French Quarter to the
brisk hop-skip pace set by a trio of 80
year-old men and their younger, fel
low bandmates.
A lively spirit and memories of
youth flowed from the reed of clari
netist, David Griller, with rolling
clarinet solos of shivers and jigs. When
Frank Demond joined in on trom
bone, Lied audiences paid special
attention. Demond wandered around
the Lied stage hamming up the show
with glissandos, as the bent 86-year
old band leader and trumpeter, Percy
Humphrey blew high lofty solos.
Narvin Kimball’s banjo picks o’
plenty provided an accurate sense of
the period. Lars Edegran’s piano so
los and bits were heartfelt pieces of
old-time rag, capturing melodies and
providing traipsing rhythms.
The melodious tune of “This Is A
Lovely Way To Spend An Evening”
carried a bluesy roll with the thump
ing march of bass and rolled snare.
Griller’s clarinet solo had a rich, full
sound, even as the lilt of Demond’s
trombone sang sadly.
Trash-can cats and late-night types
all tapped their toes to the bassist
James Prevost’s bass solo and drum
mer Joe Lastie. Even Lied audiences
couldn’t repress the need to slap their
palms red by the end of the evening.
By the closing medley. Lied audi
ence members were so ignited that
they could swear that their roots re
ally were deep and sweet in the South.
The Humphrey Band’s rendition of
“When the Saints Go Marching In”
not only brought the audience to its
feet, but trombonist Demond, clari
netist Griller and a banjo-strumming
Kimball into the audience.
“C’mon, you’re tired of silting!”
Humphrey rasped.
And audience members proceeded
to head to the aisles and follow the
saintlike band members “marching
in” the Lied.
Japanese insect film
Cockroaches humanized
By Robert Richardson
Senior Reporter_
Cockroaches arc usually thought
of as disgusting, dirty bugs that have
no feelings—something that can live
through fire.
But Japanese producer, writer and
director Hiroaki Yoshida portrays
these human-faced bugs in a much
different light in “Twilight of the
Cockroaches.”
A cockroach colony has been liv
ing in peace for 36 months in the
home of Mr. Saito. For the past three
years, the bugs have been living like
queen bees, as Saito hasn’t minded
the bugs’ occupation of his home. He
welcomed their presence and kept
them fed on leftovers. They stayed
out of his way and he let them live.
But the bugs haven’t forgotten the
war, death arid destruction that plagued
their colony w hen Saito was married.
Many of the elder bugs tell the story
of their war-tom world to the young
ones that weren’t around.
Clear and evident in this movie
about survival of the fittest are the
emotions of the bugs. Their attitudes
arc happy and carefree. They live in
peace with humans and that’s all they
want.
Enter the strong, handsome and
mysterious roach Hans. He is from a
whole different world — one that is
currently experiencing a war with its
female house owner. As he tells his
tales of excitement, glory and adven
J ture, he wins the heart of Naomi. She
:'\ “Twilight of the
^Cockroaches”
^Starring:
Kaoru Kobayashi,
Setsuko
Karasumaru
Not Rated
Rating: 3
is 19 in bug years and is to be married
to Ichiro — another handsome bug.
The war at the Saito house heats up
when he becomes romantically in
volved with the female house owner.
She insists that he clean and begin to
rid his house of the pests.
The cockroaches are cartoon char
acters and the humans are real. But
the display of character rests solely
within the bugs’ daily sUuggle to
survive. Feeling sorry for the cute
pests is natural; the presentation of
the insects as humans with wings makes
them look less than disgusting.
“Twilight of the Cockroaches”
literally portrays a bug-eyed comical
perception of humans and their self
ish capabilities.
“Twilight of the Cockroaches” is
showing at the Sheldon Film Theater
Sunday at 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and
9 p.m. Admission is $5 and S3 for
UNL students with IDs.
$3.00 per day for 15 words on individual student
and student organization ads.
$3 75 per day for 15 words on commercial ads.
$.15 each additional word.
$.75 billing charge. Personal ads must be prepaid
Found ads may be submitted free of charge.
3 Bicycles For Sale
27* Raleigh Olymp.an 12-speed. $150 4 35-1263.
59 cm Torpado, Campy, Columbus 435-2322, 44k for
Bob Or 423 9441. Paul._
64 Bianchi San Remo, good shape. 18 spd., (300 obo.
Call Dave at 436 7741.
CANNONDALE road bike, blue/yellow Shimono 105
components. Ca'eye Computer. Scott/Lemond clip-ons,
excellent condition. $500.476-2843.
Cannondale Racing Bfce. team competition. Profile
handlebars. LOOK pedals, just tuned and taped up. $450
obo. Call 423 4720
1990 Trek 1200.4 month old racing bike. $425 obo 477
7854. leave message
For sale: Panasonic 500 10-speed. Best offer. 436 0836
Ike new. Centurion Ironman 12 speed touring bike. Call
Doug, 421-6451.
Lincoln Police Department notice of sale of abandoned
bicycles and miscellaneous property April 6, 1991, 10
a.m., Lincolnland Towing, 410 West P Sheet. No checks
accepted.
Must sell 1990 woman s Sterling street bike. Like new tor
$200. Call 476-9786._
Schwinn Supei Letour Excellent condition. Lots of ex
tras $250, obo 466-0697. leave message
5 Clothing For Sale
Beautiful bridal gown purchased at J.P. Originals in
Omaha. Never worn. Size 12. Call 474-3939. leave
message
6 Computers For Sale
Apple UGS, 612k, 2 drives. ROB Monitor, mint condition.
Call 438-2546. ___
MACINTOSH PLUS COMPUTER 20 Meg Hard Drive.
Also carrying case. $1000. 436-6046.
7 Jewelry
Men's 14 carat gold ring. Size 8 3/4. Appraised at $250.
taking best offer. 436-8181.
One carat diamond cluster ring with 14 carat gold thick
band, in perfect condition. Chre. 421-7364. leave mes
sage
8 Furniture For Sale
Dorm tolls lor sale. Delivered and installed. $94.23. Call
food. 475 0654
Love seal. sola, table and chair. Mutt seel Best offer. Call
Mike 436 8268 Leave mM88Q6,
Sola and loveseat. real good condition. $150. Full size
dryer, $50 Call Dan. 470-3824
White French Provincial dresser Six drawers, large mir
ror, excellent condition, best otter. Call Kristi, 483-0054
10 Mi&c. For Sale
14' color IV with i emote control, 3 year* old. SSOOooo
Peugot ten speed $150 786-2216
Color TV near new, excellent condition. $85; VCR. 2
years old, remote. 466 8520
Contemporary couch, clean, new. $165; electronic hu
midifier. $36; living room lamp. $15, obo 474-7601.
GAPS complete MCAT test preparation Kit. 477-6453.
Just Roses
$8.99
a dozen and up. Tuxedo delivery. 3031 0 St., 435-1118.
Kyosho Burns R/C Car. Capable ol 60mph. Complete
and ready to run. Chris, 436 8478
12 Musical Instruments
For Sale: Fender Baseman 50 amp, Peavey StudioPro
40 amp, and B.C Rich guitar. 488-7884
For Sale. Peavey wireless microphone with rack mount
receiver Excellent condition. $350 Call Jett, 436-8863.
Ibanez J-Bass; Fender Tele; Crate COW Bass Amp; 2
Monitors Dave, 483 5085.
Randell 100 wan amp . $150. Call 476-8873.
Roland S550 digital sampler. Vox Jaguar Organ. Cheap.
438-2552.
Yamaha console piano, excellent oondltion. $2000obo
469 7884
13 Pets__
CFA registered Siamese Kittens. 435-6586 leave mas
»«9* _
Purebred Dachshunds for sale Male and Female. 3
months to 2 1/2 years. Call 476-7560
14 Photo Equipment
blympus SCToOernensTpTus'ioom lens and flash, (all
435-5576.
16 Sporting Goods
Soloflex with all attachments One year oU, new S1.200
asking $600 obo. Call 477-7553.
18 Stereos/TVs For Sale
Aipine 2 Way Crossover-Si 50. Majestic arrpllfier-S 100.
80 watts/per channel. 476 0326, ask for Jason.