C.C. Reader
Ronstadt tries for
the Blondie image
Campus Digest News Service
With each album, it seems there is a new
image: the sultry, scorned love goddess...the
permed roller-skating queen...the punk rock
roustabout.
Linda Ronstadt changes, in her own way, as
noticeably as Bob Dylan. The new hairstyles
and clothes and musical avenues may be more
cosmetic and superficial than profound but, at
33, this extraordinary singer refuses to stay in
one place any longer than Jerry Brown.
To make it interesting and fun and challenging
she is constantly expanding her repetoire, drif
ing further away from her folk-country roots,
and with "Mad Love" embracing the punchy
rhythms of new-wave rock.
Move over Blondie and Deborah Harry,
here comes Linda, equipped with a litany of
Elvis Costell-type tunes that tingle with as
much energy as a telephone wire. Coinciden
tally, she is pictured in a phone booth on the
cover.
Costello has supplied Ronstadt with three
songs on this album-" Party Girl," "Girls
Talk" and "Talking in the Dark."
None is as affecting as his tasteful ballad,
"Allison," which Ronstadt included in her
1978 release, "Living in the USA."
But Ronstadt is determined, in this package,
A look at what's coming to the big screen
Campus Digest News Service
It's often difficult to look at an upcoming
movie season and predict success or failure.
Some of the expected winners will undoubted
ly turn out to be duds and other low-budget
sleepers will turn out to be pleasant surprises.
Last year, for example, the barrage of
Christmas films looked like the best in years
but by the time January rolled around, we
knew the truth; that they were little better than
average.
Nevertheless, 1980 has just over three mon
ths before it ends and after looking at the
movies ahead, I can't see how this sudden
rush of cimena will be anything less than
great.
This year's hot days of June, July and
August were made even more uncomfortable
with the disappointing movies that were releas
ed. All focused on visual entertainment to the
point where we were starving for real
characters who talk and laugh and cry and
hurt.
Sit patiently, people. Movies are coming
and they include ones that star Woody Allen,
Jane Fonda, Robert DeNiro, Marlon Brando,
Anne Bancroft, Jack Lemmon, Jill Clayburgh,
Sir Laurence Olivier, Walther Mathhau,
Goldie Hawn, Lily Tomlin, Shirley MacLaine,
Alan Alda, Carol Burnett, Clint Eastwood,
and George C. Scott.
Here, then, is a rundown of some of the
promising movies that will head our way dur
ing the final three months of 1980:
A CHANGE OF SEASONS- Shirley
MacLaine accompanies sex-symbol Bo Derek
in this light comedy about sexual liberation.
THE ELEPHANT MAN- The critically ac
claimed play about the life of deformed John
Merick comes to the screen starring Anthony
Hopkins, John Hurt and Anne Bancroft.
EYEWITNESS- The last time Director Peter
Yates and Writer Steve Tesich got together,
they turned out 'Breaking Away.' This,
hoivever, is not a soft, gentle tale but a
change-of7PMthriller,
~.
to project a Blondielike toughness, guided
deftly, as usual, by the production of Peter
Asher.
Her lone concession to mellow is Neil
Young's "Look Out for My Love," in which
she succeeds in sounding like Nicolette Lar
son, a close friend.
There is much more commitment in her
remake of the Little Anthony hit of 15 years
ago, "Hurt So Bad," and "How Do I Make
You," the jumpy single that has crashed the
top 15.
Clearly, this is not a pop album or even
mainstream rock. The theme is spontaneous
and simple, in the punk-cum-new-wave spirit.
What it does is make more palatable to the
adult audience the qualities, however suspect
they may be, of this genre. In short, Ronstadt
is such an unusual talent she can get away with
virtually anything.
"It was like turning a corner," she said of
the new album, "but everything felt so
natural."
It sounds that way, too-even without the
consummate band with which she worked for
the last several years.
Gone are guitarist Waddy Wachtel, bassist
Kenny Edwards and pianist Don Grolnick,
having formed a band of their own.
THE FORMULA- George C. Scott and
Marlon Brando highlight this fast-paced Nazi
thriller. Will these two super-stars create good
excitement or will their distinct acting styles
conflict? Only time will tell.
THE FOUR SEASON- Alan Alda and Carol
Burnett star in this examination of the growing
cases of divorce in this country. Will it be bet
ter than 'The Last Married Couple in
America'? Isn't everything?
HEAVEN'S GATE- Michael Cimino's first
film since The Deer Hunter' is the story of a
Montana Range war and it stars Kris Kristof
ferson.
IT'S MY TURN- Claudia Weill, who made
the well-meaning 'Girlfriends', directs this
story about a weekend in a young woman's
life. Starring is Jill Clayburgh.
THE JAZZ SINGER- Early reports on this
Christmas picture are superb. Sir Laurence
Olivier and Neil Diamond star in the remake
of the Al Jolson movie. Look for this one to
be a hit!
NINE TO FIVE- Director Collin Higgins must
of had an interesting job directing--get this--
Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton.
They play three office workers in this slick
comedy with an unusual cast.
OH GOD! OH GOD!- You'll never guess who
George Burns plays.
ORDINARY PEOPLE- Robert Redford
makes his directing debut in this emotional
study of a troubled family from a wealthy
suburb near Chicago. Newsweek and Time
have already given the picture rave reviews as
well as heavy praises for stars Donald
Sutherland and Mary Tyler Moore. Stay tuned
to this column for an in-depth look at the
movie and how it was made.
POPEYE- Some say Robert Altman will
return as one of the sparkling directors in
America after `Popeye', the musical version of
the comic-strip Hercules. Robin Williams is
the man who likes spinach and Shelly Duvall
is Olive Oil.
Thursday, October 9, 1980
Comp Papetback 15wibidkts
1. Sophie's Choice, by William Styron. (Bantam, $3.50.)
Star-crossed lovers and the nature of evil: fiction.
2. The Dead Zone, by Stephen King. (NAL/Signet, $3.50.)
Terror tale of man who sees into future: fiction.
3. A Woman of Substance, by Barbara Taylor Bradford
(Avon, $2.95.) Successful woman & her children: fiction.
4. Class Reunion, by Rpna Jaffe. (Dell, $2.75.) Four Rad
cliffe grads and how they fared: fiction.
5. The Number of the Beast, by Robert A. Heinlein. (Faw
cett, $6.95.) Space journey to other universes: fiction.
9. Petals on the Wind, by V. C. Andrews. (Pocket, $2.75.)
Children take revenge in horror sequel: fiction.
Still Life with Woodpecker, by Tom Robbins. (Bantam,
$6.95.) A sort of a love story.
Shibumi, by Trevanian. (Ballantine, $2.95.) Intrigues of
the perfect assassin and perfect lover: fiction.
9. The Great Shark Hunt, by Hunter S. Thompson. (Popu
lar Library, $3.50.) Roasting of America's seamy side.
10. What Color is Your Parachute? ,by Richard N. Bolles
(Ten Speed Press, $5.95.) Career and job guidebook.
Compiled by The Chronicle of Higher Education from information
supplied by college stores throughout the country. October 6, 1980.
New & Reommenciecl
Seen in the Storm too Long, by Leon F. Litwack. (Vintage
$7.95.) Meaning of freedom to emancipated Southern blacks.
Cannibals and Missionaries, by Mary McCarthy. (Avon
$2.75.) Insights on terrorism aboard hijacked airplane.
Double, Double, Oil and 'Rouble, by Emma Latham. (Pock
et, $2.50.) New York banker-detective foils oil caper.
Association of American Publishers