New variety show in late slot

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32734, 11 October 1971, Page 4

New variety show in late slot

There was something quite fresh about the uninhibited enthusiasm of the Negro entertainer, Flip Wilson, who took the late slot on Saturday night with the first in a new series of variety shows. And the appearance of David Frost as a guest star at least ensured the success of the first programme. Over-all, I found Flip Wilson a welcome change from the syrup and cigarette smoke of “Love Somebody” Dean, the old rogue.

Maybe this was not the sort of programme on which viewers expect to see David Frost, but then as a two-way Atlantic commuter who no doubt has to satisfy the demands of the taxman on both sides of the ocean, it is inevitable that this talented young man should agree to be hired for the sort of entertainment that will achieve high ratings and put more money in his pocket. The highlight of the show forme was “Brother David’s” readings from the “Book of Hilton,” in which he took clever tilts at the international American hotel chain. . After prodigious efforts at creating soaring Hiltons in every conceivable comer of the globe, “on the seventh day he rested, but not for long,” said Frost, without mercy.

“And meanwhile, there was a great puking of piped music and a great charging of $l3O a day—not to mention the Tiltin’ Hilton in Pisa.”

It was all very Frost-ish with lots of “ice-ed water” in his inimitable style.

I found quite hilarious his interview, if it could be called such, with Geraldine—what a voice that gal has. She was a show in herself with her “Hullo Killer.”

I’m not quite sure about that Moppett character in the dustbin—maybe it would be an idea to suspend judgment for a few weeks. At least, it offers scope for all kinds of dialogue. And I like the way Flip rolls those eyes. 3e #

Saturday night’s movie, “Run a Crooked Mile,” proved to be intriguing and complex to the last. Mary Tyler Moore, familiar as wife in the Dick Van Dyke Show, was outstanding. On her performance as the wife of Tony Sutton, polo player and playboy, but in reality Richard Stewart, schoolteacher and mathematician, depended the whole credibility of this far-fetched story. There were times when I thought the film just wouldn’t make it, but attention to detail helped. There was he incident, for example, when Stewart drove flat out down to the local store to buy a newspaper with the story of his polo fall in it—to check on the copy he was given by Elizabeth. Maybe he was just too self-

assured and unflappable after the shattering experience of waking up to find himself wealthy, married to a beautiful woman, but knowing nothing of the identity he was supposed to be assuming. There were times when +he main character showed up as far too naive for a mathematics teacher. For example, can it be imagined that he would unhesitatingly nire that dubious private detective without question? And was it really necessary to have that "replay” at the end, just to make sure we got it? Incidentally, if ever there was an actor who looked the part it is Terence Alexander, who was seen recently on CHTV3 screens as the villainous Hawke in Nicholas Nickleby. fit « fit

Friday night’s viewing included the unique film of Swedish photographer Lennart Nilsson in the documentary, “The Beginning of Life.” This was done with fine artistic sensitivity. There was nothing in the spectacular series of photographs recording the growth of an unborn child that could possibly be construed as overstepping the bounds of good taste. Fascinating were the initial shots showing the primitive blood circulation and later “the weightless baby in the foetal waters like as astronaut in his capsule.” The documentary certainly made the incontestable point that life certainly does not begin with the actual birth of a child.