Morality takes on Monty Python “Monty Python: The Case Against,” by Robert Hewison, Grove Press, $9.95, 96 pages. By CHRISTINE CURCIO Daily Collegian Staff Writer • This is probably the most serious publi cation out about this famous and contro versial comedy team. The full title of this book is “Irrever ence, Scurrility, Profanity, Vilification and Licentious Abuse: Monty Python, The Case Against.” This is an accurate description of the variety of reactions Python has received since its beginning ten years ago. It is a case history of this group, and it spotlights the real issue of censorship. “The Case Against” shows how censorship works: the formal and infor mal pressures that a group suffers when they try something that is morally ques tionable. In Python’s beginnings, Monty Py thon’s Flying Circus first appeared as the replacement for a religious program. It received its first negative editorial “for bad taste” before it was even seen on the screen. Ten years later literally millions of people protested “Life of Brian” without ever actually going to the movie. Apart from being an overview of Py thon’s legal struggles, this book is filled Stapleton still is TV's Edith LOS ANGELES (AP) - Although she hasn’t played Edith Bunker in nearly two years, Jean Stapleton is still busy separating herself from her most famous characterization. Miss Stapleton quit “All in the Family” in 1980 because she wanted to do other things after nine years as Archie’s dingbat wife. In “Isabel’s Choice,” which CBS will broadcast tonight, she plays a middle-aged woman forced to choose between romance and a chance for a career as a business executive after years as a secretary. “The fact that she’s different from Edith entered into my decision to do this role,” says Miss Stapleton. “I want to put distance between us. Everything I’ve done since then has been different.” Toward that end, she also plays Eleanor Roosevelt in the later years of her life in the movie “First Lady of the World.” She will complete production on that film for CBS on Dec. 29, and it will be broadcast at a later date. with excerpts from many popular skits from the show, including “The Ministry of Silly Walks,” the lumberjacks, and sections from “The Holy Grail.” Also included is a hilarious discussion be tween Sarah and 'Solly from “Life of Brian” that was scratched. The film “Life of Brian" is the subject of the bulk of “The Case Against.” It caused such fervor because people thought that it was a mockery of the religious feelings of Christians and Jews. Actually, it says in the film that Brian was not the Messiah after all; that the people had just mistaken him for some one else. The book has numerous clippings from all over the world in protest of “Brian;” even religious pamphlets were pub lished. One pressure group against the film is quoted: “Your tax deductible gift of $lOOO, $5OO, $lOO, or even smaller amounts . . . whatever you feel God wants you to invest, will be used to research, to document, to keep our peo ple informed and to launch all-out Chris tian opposition against commercialized blasphemy. This is not a charity, but rather an honest effort by people of many faiths, joining together in a common goal. We earnestly need your help.” These campaigns work successfully when they convince people that the film Kiki's timing really is perfect KIKI DEE, “PERFECT TIMING,” RCA Records, AFLI-4180. British pop rock singer Kiki Dee is back with a new release that shows not only can the lady sing, but she can write, too. Kiki Dee was first pushed into the limelight in 1976 when her duet with Elton John, “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” hit No. 1 on the pop charts. On this lp Elton shows up for another duet, “Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever.” Their voices are unrestrained and free; one can easily visualize two friends getting together to cut a song and having a lot of fun in the process.' Most of her songs are soft-rock, love ballads. Sometimes the tempo drags, but it still fits the label of soft rock. Cuts like “Twenty Four Hours” and “There’s A Need” prove that Kiki is not only at home with sensitive ballads, but that she can rock with the best. “Perfect Timing,” the song for which the album is named, is one song that carries a deeper message than most of the other love songs. It becomes a statement of a belief that humanity is There is elocution in the air By DEBBIE KRIVOIf» Daily Collegian Staff Writer During the 1800 s on the East Coast, the art of social gathering was at its peak. In his leisure time, a person would either take part in a rather formal Chatawqua meeting, or attend a fashionable “pink tea” society meeting, where he would sit holding a teacup, his pinky up in the air, and listen to someone read a speech aloud. These group meetings were viewed as a cultural experience. The whole idea of elocution served as a thily significant force upon the aristocratic society that was flourishing throughout the country. Soon however, these elocutionists fell into disfavor. With the onset of the Industrial Revolution, the entire country underwent some rather critical cultural changes. There was suddenly an emphasis on the common man. The notions of aristocracy and formalities were phased out of existence. In addition, other modes of communication were rapidly bejng integrated into society. Small town theatres were thriving, and with the boom of the talking movies, the idea of oral interpreta tion as a means of interpersonal communication as well as entertainment was no longer important. The University Readers, under the direction of Dr. Tony M. Lentz, assistant professor in the department of speech communications, are devoted to revitalizing the precious phenomena of oral interpretation. “My particular interest right now is promoting litera ture. I think that’s the most important thing we can do,” Lentz said. Lentz explained that television and films are killing off people’s imaginations. “So many people are watching so much of it that they’re not using their own imaginations,” he said. Lentz also commented that people are not reading. “One important thing about good literature is that it encourages you, if you’re really going to get into it, to picture the story itself to hear the sounds, and see what the character looks.” Students today are apparently having trouble doing this. Lentz said that he has looked at several studies which reveal that ki<|s today can identify words and can memorize and repeat key sentences, yet they’re having a difficult time interpreting what words mean beyond the surface. Thus Lentz sees the University Readers serving as a catalyst for creative thinking. “I compare it (reader’s theatre) to old-time radio,” said Lentz. “It involves the individual’s imagination, , and that’s the thing that amazes people the most.” Lentz said that when he performs “A Christmas Carol” he has people walk up to him with “this amazed look on their face,” as if to say “How did you do that? That was unbelievable!” “But they’re not describing me,” Lentz said, is shocking before they have a chance to see it, and it is true most of the objectors to “Life of Brian” were going on dis torted truths. One rumor had it that a child was mutilated in the film. When “Brian” was actually released, it caused incredibly violent reactions, especially in the United States’s so-called Bible Belt. People picketed in front of theatres showing the film. In England’s East Devon, the district council banned the film without seeing it, on the grounds that, according to one councilor, “You don’t have to see a pigsty to know that it stinks.” The film was banned by Sweden, Den mark and Norway, but a local comedy group in Norway, called Press, recently caused an uproar with a cookery sketch on how to feed 0 5000 people with five loaves and two fishes. Nevertheless, “Brian” was the first comedy ( that Norwegian censors ever banned. In a postscript, “Life of Brian” sur vived commercially throughout the storm of incredible criticisin, and Monty Python is still around. Terry Gilliam, according to the author, “sums the whole issue up. He told Play boy, ‘We’ve got to maintain a certain level of offense; otherwise, we’re just entertainers. It’s one way of proving to ourselves that we’re not just in it for the money.’ ” following a plan: “This was no mere random selection/ It was something (you know what I believe)/ We are moving by design/ And it was/ It was perfect tim ing.” The Kiki Dee Band is here with a dynamic album, ready to show that they are not just a one-hit wonder. THE DELLS, “WHATEVER TURNS YOU ON,” 20th Century Fox, T-633. • Once is definitely enough if you’re listening to this new release by The Dells, a five-member, uh, soul group. Soul is the only musical classification this group even comes close to with their latest album, obviously a low-budget endeavor from cover design to music. A small snapshot of the group looks like it was a last minute idea to add to the back of the cover. One can see the tiny words, “Kodak Safety Film” in the cor ners of the photo clearly an unintentio nal mistake. No big deal, but very unprofessional. The front cover is oddly suggestive: a toucan bird as large as the bed on which it’s perched, with high heeis and ladies’ underclothes strewn about the floor. The University Readers tell the stories “They’re not describing my performance, they’re de scribing the things their imaginations did, based on my performance.” Lentz feels that this idea of rekindling the creative and imaginative fire within us can be accomplished through maintaining and nourishing the field of oral interpretation. “There’s a real opportunity out there, if the field is not afraid to get back into performance,” said Lentz. “And there’s a real need for it to sharpen kids’ imagina tions, and to show them how to get into a story.” The performers in the company, who are students from Lentz’s oral interpretation classes, offer their own individual interpretations through effective intonation, facial expressions and gestures much in the tradition of the old elocutionists. Each of the little symbols that they send along with the literature helps the audience build colors, smells and the intensity of the events. Suicide story makes good novel “Perhaps I’ll Dream of Darkness,” by Mary Sheldon, Random House Publications, $11.50.180 pages. By CINDY DESKINS Daily Collegian Staff Writer Have you ever felt at the end of your world? There’s nothing left, no one left, no reason to keep going in a life that’s been full of disappointments and disillusions. The end can come painlessly, some say, from a Colt .45. At lpast it did for 14-year-old Effie, and for a worn-out, drugged-out rock musician whom! Effie worshipped for more than a year. They met once, on the day the rock star, David Angel, killed himself and on the day that Effie found out her father was remarrying after she had wished for what would make her the happiest person in the world the reunion of her parents. ,Effie and her older sister, Susan the narrator of the first half of the book lived with their mother after the divorce and were a close-knit pair. Susan loved Effie and could not understand her sister’s suicide. She tries to explain by starting a diary soon after Effie’s death. Susan writes everything she can remember about Effie in the diary, trying to come across some clue that would lead to a reason for the suicide. Effie is a sensitive child, scared silly of certain paintings and ideas, but bold and determined to get her way once she’s tried and liked something Effie’s life, like that of most teenage girls, was filled with crushes on her father, on the mailman, on the' sexual implications of the cover have nothing in common with any of the 10 songs on the lp. The lyrics remind one of a soul version of the Partridge. Family (and you thought they were gone forever). The message of the album is best described in “Happy Song:” “We’ve got the power to make this world a better place/ We love everybody/ Shake a hand, make a friend/ Peace and love, happy song.” All of the songs express these ideas of brotherhood, peace, and love a nice theme for a mellow soul album. It’s too bad The Dells didn’t carry through this quality from idea to reality in their lyrics and music. The lyrics went nowhere just repetition, repetition, repetition like a broken record. And just when I thought they were going to try something tricky in “Heaven’s Just A Step Away” a key change maybe? No, just a falsetto groan to finish the song. The album is indeed a happy album, filled with happy songs, and simple hap py lyrics. If you have a chance to trade some beads or rocks for a copy, go ahead, but don’t lay out any big bucks for it. by Jean Wykoff “To perform for a group of students and see their eyes light up is a great experience,” said Lentz. The Readers began to see that last fall, when appreciative crowds showed up for their performances. Their fall term > offerings included “Renewal” by Andrew Ward; “Met ropolitan Life;” a collection of works by Dorothy Parker titled “One of You is Lyirig;” some Thurber fables; and a children’s piece titled “The Little Prince.” Eventually Lentz and the Readers would like to have g a regular performance schedule like that of URTC or Colloquy. “I’d like to see compilations of poetry being done, or perhaps a good short story by a contemporary author,” said Lentz. A variety of offerings would then enable people to become interested in literature, and ultimate ly strengthen their imaginations. . Now, however, the group’s main concern is building its audience. And just as most any theatre group has to offer a few musicals before it can bombard the public with heavy drama, the Readers most recently pre sented a light and hilariously funny piece titled “A Bald Eagle In A Plum Tree” at Kern Graduate Common’s “Un-Common Snowflake Buffet” lasl Friday evening. The reading was a contemporary take-off on the traditional “Twelve Days of Christmas” tale a story about Melissa (played by Mary Mino, a speech commu nications student) who is receiving all of these “gifts” from Neiman-Marcus; gifts which are paid for by her boyfriend Harold. Mino began reading a series of letters, starting off with “Oh how romantic, Harold, it was realty lovely you to send the tree,” slowly building to “Why a bird, Harold?” Eventually she ends up with a herd of cattle, milkmaids, as well as a repertory of lords-a-leaping which are taking up three apartments, having demo lished one of the finest apartment complexes in the city. One of the most interesting things about Mino’s piece, and about oral interpretation in general, is that she f! presented her own personal criticism of the piece; therein lies the excitement. She thoroughly captivated the audience through care fully executed facial gestures and a broad vocal range. Next on the Readers’ agenda is Lentz’s presentation of the Charles Dickens classic “A Christmas Carol” tonight and tomorrow in 112 Kern Building. /,- “I like the story a lot,” said Lentz of the piece. “The first time I saw it, it helped me get into the Christmas spirit. I look at it as my Christmas gift to the campus.” The process is slow, but Lentz earnestly .believes that there is a definite place for oral interpretation at the University. “I figure that somebody eventually has to turn the tides and start showing people what interpretation can do,” he said. “Plant a seed somewhere where it hasn’t been for a while, and see who can get it to blossom into something really exotic.” grocery clerk, but most importantly on David Angel. Through her father’s generosity more commonly de scribed as the divorced parent who showers the children with presents to make up for not being around anymore Effie gets tickets to the first David Angel concert. And she continues to get tickets to eight more of his concerts across the country, fooling her mother and Susan into thinking the concerts are subdued and drug-free. Effie follows her hero tirelessly, relentlessly, and when she’s home, she’s the founder and president of the local chapter of the David Angel fan club. Every two weeks, Effie gets the manila envelope that contains the latest facts and figures and initmate tidbits about her idol. The details are marvelous, and the reader gets the picture of the star-struck, livt-for-him, breathe-for-him, eat-for-him teenager who thinks she knows everything there is to know about David Angel. But in the second half of the book, Sheldon turns to David Angel, and through finely tuned flash-backs, illustrates his entire life through to the last few hours. Interspersed with each of Angel’s last actions, last pill? poppings, last attempts to return to the good ol’ days of the band, Sheldon plants interviews with the people closest to David Angel (born Joey Danzig). The only major problem with the book is Effie’s mother, a woman, who in spite of all the detail that Sheldon includes about her, remains unimaginable. She’s de scribed so many different ways by Susan, and is given so many different moods, that she comes across as being the filler character the one person in the story who can be implanted into the scene whenever needed. The Daily Collegian Wednesday, Dec. 16 Kiki Dee U.S. anti-Cuban plans WASHINGTON (AP) - Undersecre tary of Defense Fred C. Ikle confirmed yesterday that plans are being prepared for U.S. military action against Cuba, but he suggested that they would only be carried out if Cuba uses armed force. ' Ikle gave no details on the plans during a hearing of the Senate western hemi sphere subcommittee, but said that a primary concern in any military opera tion would be that it be successful. His testimony came after Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C., asked “why is the De fense Department so reluctant to talk about military action against (Cuban President Fidel) Casfro?” “The Defense Department is not reluc tant to talk about military action or any reasonable contingencies that may be necessary,” Ikle replied. But he continued: “We also want to be cautious sure that our military actions succeed, that —you referred to Vietnam that one doesn’t go into a conflict to vj lose it, but to win it. “And therefore planning for military University student chosen .Block grant committee gets A University Masters degree candi date has been chosen by the State College Municipal staff as the coordinator/direc tor for the municipal council’s Commu nity Development Block Grant Committee. Henry Lawler, who is working on. a masters degree in urban and regional planning, was selected from a field of 250 applicants to fill the newly created posi tion. Lawler will coordinate the efforts of municipal officials in deciding how to use it, the estimated $2.3 million in federal funds. State College will receive the ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ * Arena I Nightly 7:30,9:45* J MERYL STREEP * * * * Arena II Nightly - 7:00,8:30,10:00 ★ * WOMAN IN LOVE ★ ★ Matinee Sat.-1:30, Sun.-3:00 ★ ★ ★★★★★★★★★★★■★★★ ★ An umbrella, a f risbee, or both. Before you start your day, check the Collegian weather forecast. i' ! .i I Free ! mushrooms! i ■ Free mushrooms on any 5 large, 16" pizza I Value: $1.25 ■% | One coupon per pizza | Expires: 12/31/81 I ! Fast, Free Delivery 234-5655 ■ 421 Rear E. Beaver Ave. I Coupon i 9 stated value oH gross price I including any applicable sales tax. * i action, which is the responsibility of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has to be done in a very serious manner to be sure ... it is successful,” he said. Later Helms asked if “the Navy and Army have even the beginning of a contingency plan to blockade Cuba?” “We indeed have to have a range of contingency plans for military action for a number of contingencies, whether that be an outbreak of war overseas or some new action by Cuban armed forces or whatever it may be,” Ikle replied. Assistant Secretary of State Thomas 0. Enders told the panel Monday that blueprints for military action against Cuba and Nicaragua are only contin gency plans and have not been approved as U.S. policy. Ikle said Cuba, armed by the Soviet Union, is a military threat to the United. States and during a war, would be a threat to ships that carry half of NATO’s 'Petroleum and other supplies from U.S. ports in the Gulf of Mexico. “It would be a grave mistake if we money over a 3-year period as a result of being designated a Standard Metropol itan Area in the 1980 census. Municipal Manager Carl B. Fairbanks said Lawler was chosen because “he seemed to be the most qualified to do the work here.” He is chief of community development in Largo, Fla., and was responsible for starting and administering the block grant funding there, Fairbanks said. Lawler has a degree in real estate appraisal and urban planning from the REDS R MON-THURS 8:00, FRI 8:30 SAT 1:00,4:45,8:30 SUN 2:00 & 8:00 TIME BANDITS PG THURS 7:45 & 9:45 FRI 7:30 & 9:30 ; SAT & SUN 1:30,3:30,5:30,7:30,9:30 STEWARDESSES X NIGHTLY 7:00,8:30,10:00 SAT & SUN 2:30,4:00,5:30,7:00,8:30, RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK PG ' NIGHTLY 7:00 & 9:15 SAT & SUN 2:00,4:15,7:00,9:15 BUDDY BUDDY PG NIGHTLY 7:30,9:30 SAT & SUN 1:30,3:30,5:30,7:30,9:30 129 S. Athfton 337-1112 confirmed ignored the direct military threat that this Soviet-Cuban arsenal represents, some 90 miles to the south of Florida. This Soviet military outpost supports a massive intelligence collection center and sits astride critical sea lines of communication," he said. Ikle said Cuba is also a threat to Central American governments by arm ing and training revolutionaries. “We would be remiss if we failed to advise you that we are developing the necessary contingency plans to respond as required and appropriate to further military acts and aggression,” Ikle said in his prepared opening statement. Ikle also said Soviet and East Euro pean advisers are building Nicaragua’s Sandinista military force to 250,000 from its present strength of 60,000. He said the administration is partic ularly concerned that about 70 Nicara guans are being trained in Bulgaria as pilots and that incoming MiG-21 crates in Cuba indicate MiGs may be sent to Nicaragua. coordinator College of Technology in Dublin, Ireland, Fairbanks said. “He’s a nice young man who is highly regarded by his bosses and peers,” he said. Fairbanks said 25 of the applicants were really right for the job and he hopes the staff chose the applicant who will do the best job. Lawler will begin his new job on Jan. 8 the date of the next Community Devel opment Block Grant Committee meet ing. He was unavailable for comment. by Margaret Ann Walsh .«« '• ; - Vf 4'- - > " * * lk . Robert Kolker, 12, of Levittown got a surprise visit from the Phillie Phanatic yesterday. Kolker, who was hit by a car, will spend the holidays in the hospital. - **3 /X 1 « mRq #IC7 '* , SV ■ ■*(& *%*% , '':><£ •,ss*?. •*•■. *•&&■■■ " <a s|j' - • •*<?■■> -a - (g ... ‘ . ,» <? !'U j : i j H it ' j - I . f "In I ' Happy Holidays with a Penn State Tradition for only $10.95 2?enn State t, This Christmas, my little elves and I are busy with millions of requests for the best way to stay in touch with Penn State. This year, our job is easy! We found The Weekly Collegian. The Weekly Collegian is a gift for all seasons. From football games in September to gradua tion in May, The Weekly Collegian is the perfect way to celebrate the holidays. In keeping with the holiday spirit, The Weekly Collegian will cost only $10.95. 1 know when you’ve been bad or good. And so does The Weekly Collegian. Put a smile on someone’s face this Christmas. Send a subscription of The Weekly Collegian to a friend, parent, alumni or buy one for yourself. You’ll be touching their hearts almost every week of the year. And The Weekly Collegian delivers subscrip tions almost as far as the North Pole! Its second-class mailing permit insures first-class delivery across the country. Make this Christmas special for a Penn Stater. Send them a Weekly. It’s a gift they’ll open all year long. hePAlliQniSn Bringing people closer to weekly II HCI 11 Penn State. Once a Weekly CollegianSSr" Subscribe today! Please enclose $10.95 for one year ($20.95 for two years) Make checks payable to: Collegian Inc. Mail to: 126 Carnegie Building Univ. Park, PA 16802 (offer expires 12-31-81) SC The Daily Collegian Wednesday, Dec. 16,1981—17 Happy Holidays, Santa 1 , name i address j term year graduated j □ New Subscription □ Renewal i l AP Laserphoto state zip I
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