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Show Tht Dcily Utsh Chrontete, Thursday, December 6, 1979 Pag Stvtn an VI at Varsity Bookstore apeciai etiects win be the mam star of "The Black Hole," a "s-""- 1 lamasy mai represents wait Disney s ttrst I venture into the forbidden realm of PG. ; Jf you've seen one Christmas flick By Douglas Hoff Chronicle Staff Writer In many ways the films competing in this year's race for Christmas bucks are amazingly similar. The themes of divorce and one-shaffairs dominate, taking the American the ride a on on soap opera express. Others just follow public molds sure to please in the traditional almost anyone somehow. All hope to be foremost in mind when the Oscars roll around, the major reason for releasing the best filmsat the end of the year. Kramer vs. Kramer, with Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep as the estranged couple is a straight dramatic story ot money-makin- g Clark Gable with a Western accent. Fonda is a television journalist who follows him after he steals a $12 million thoroughbred from the multimillion-dolla- r corporation he has signed with as a public relations image. His image is faltering as he become more and more drunk and less and less excited with big business. Redford's destination is a little place in southern Utah where he is going to return the horse to its natural surroundings. Redford and Fonda naturally fall in love after leaving such good company as Willie Nelson, another bigrbusiness cowboy. Although the relationship isn't so electric, Redford and Fonda put in good separate performances. Redford is appealing as always andends up being faithful to the real cowboy in him. The natural beauty will put St. George in the national limelight because the script makes it very evident where they are. Electric Horseman opens December 21 at the Regency. Hazards of celibacy Dick Van Dyke stars in the new Stanley Kramer film called The Runner Stumbles. A good dramatic presentation of the Broadwayi play gives Van Dyke and Kathleen Quinian a chance to show their serious sides. Quinian outperforms Van Dyke as the flippant and cheery nun who brings back a proper attitude of love for people and of God to the stale Catholic priest. Van Dyke sticks to stage acting in his portrayal of the priest who is accused of murdering Quinian. The Runner Stumbles portrays the emotional! strain of being excluded from other walks of life and messing up when the social order isn't what you like. Van Dyke's Rev; Rivard is a rebel within the Catholic Church and an outcast in the community with Sister Rita in his life. The love affair, a torment to Rivard and Rita, is handled very delicately. Maureen Stapleton gives an excellent dramatic performance as Rivard's housekeeper. The Runner Stumbles opens December 14 at the Trolley Theatres, 200 University St. Ojr Diamonds Are Never On SALE At Superior Diamond Investment, we sell exclusively at wholesale prices! Our diamonds are mined in Brazil, cut in New York, and then from our brokers direct to you. Quality diamonds for investment, engagement, or, gift of love. Guarantee certificates available on each diamond Call for an Wholesale Broker.-- , Superior Scott A Solomon Diamond appoint Gordon M Lund Investments ment. 363-848- 8 i "Star Wreck" A couple more films enter the sci-f- i film market that has been paved for smooth riding by the success of Star Wars. The Black Hole, a $20 million deep-spac- e adventur starring "The Runner Stumbles" stars Dick Van Dyke as a Catholic priest accused of murdering a nun with whom he has had an affair. following the road Burt Reynolds took in Starting Over. television script utilizing Starting Over was a doctored-uReynolds to the utmost. Reynolds' Woody cute, puppy-eyeAllen complex wasn't always realistic but always made us laugh. In Kramer, Hoffman, separated from his wife Ann for several years, knows the pain of divorce and the resulting p d victimization of his two children. He must deal in compassionately with one, a brat who knows how to shop off takes to dad. his Streep grocery stores better than New York to California to get her head straight, then returns to take custody of her kid. The court action is painful on both sides as the lawyers open all the taboo emotional doors. Kramer vs. Kramer is a snapshot of American divorce, magnificently portrayed by Hoffman, who is torn between being a good "mother" and a good provider as an advertising genius. The film's realism reduces its dramatic appeal and places a heavy burden on cast appeal and soap opera identity. It opens December 19 at the Cottonwood Mall. It happened one night entertainment that will come along this best the Probably Christmas is Electric Horseman, with Robert Redford and1 Jane Fonda. Anyone who has seen the Frank Capra Classic Happened One Night, will notice the resemblance. Redford, i WiihrrUift warH vpad Maximilian Schell, Anthony Perkins and other big names, puts Walt Disney people to work on a PG film,1 for once seeking the serious fan of fantasy and science fiction. Special effects will be one of the films' most attractive facets. The Black Hole opens December 21 at the Trolley Theatres. Star Trek The Motion Picture finally opens Friday at the Century Theatres (Trekkies hope). Post productionjwork has been frenzied in an attempt to ready the film for the Christmas season. The final touches on the music were just completed Sunday and more than 800 prints still have to be made before the nationwide opehing. But after 14 years of waiting, a few more days wouldn't matter. j : A star is dying One of the most eagerly awaited films to come out is The Rose with Bette Midler in her first starring role. She serves up a powerful performance as the fading rock star who resembles Janis Joplin and the rest who aren't with us anymore. The Rose opens December 21 at the Century Theatre. George Burns, Lee Strasburg and Art Carney get together as three conniving geriatric bank robbers in Going In Style. The grandpapas of acting are due for a lot of situation ' d approach to theft. " comedy laughter, in this Going in Style opens December 25 at the Trolley Theatres. The Jerk is Steve Martin's first starring vehicle, with the crazy clown playing a black sharecropper's son who never dreamed he was adopted. Carl Reiner. directs this1 rags-to- ; ' riches-tprag- s story . The Jerk opens. December 20 at tjhe Utah J light-hearte- : Stained glass tools, equipment supplies, classes. Creative Glass Many items available at substantial discount during our Grand Opening Sale 703 sirVITS |