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Show The Salt Lake Tribune Billy Crystals having a marvelous year Asked whether he would consider a role (in the mold of the late Peter Sellers) for his next By Scoff Rivers Tribune Staff Writer Billy Crystal's mahvelous" mimicry is on a roll, with a successful tour, a new movie and a cable television special all in the works. Its a storybook year for me," the comedian said in a telephone interview from Los Angeles. He is currently hot, following his 1984-8season as a regular on NBCs Saturday Night Live. The late night program introduced millions of viewers to Crystal's outrageous repertoire of characters and celebrity send-upincluding Fernando, Sammy Davis Jr. and Billy Young some of whom will be along for his performance Thursday at 8 p.m. in Symphony Hall. (Tickets are $15 and $17.50 and available at the Capitol Theatre and all Datatix outlets.) Overnight Success Crystal refers to himself as a overnight success." His career began in 1970, and five years later he was scheduled to make his television debut on the premiere of Saturday but it didnt turn out Night Live that way. I was bumped, Crystal recalled. Thp time was cut and I was out. It was sad, because I was originally part of the shows concept. Making the phone calls to the relatives Whew! That was hard. Between stand-u- p gigs, Crystal made guest appearances on Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell and All in the Family before landing the role of Jodie Dallas, televisions first gay character, in the 1977-8- 0 ABC sitcom Soap. Short-Live- d Series In 1982, he starred in the shortlived NBC series The Billy Crystal Comedy Hour, where he introduced Fernando, the suave Latin matinee idoltalk show host. However, it would be a few years until Fernandos You look mahvelous became a national catch-phrasThere were many appearances on Late Night with David Letterman, followed by tw- - successful HBO specials and at last the 1984 return to Saturday Night Live. Along with the talents of Martin multi-charact- film project, Crystal replied, "I would have to put those types of elements into a character where hes not pushy, and there's a reason for him to use various disguises. I do bits of it in Running Scared, where there are certain characters that I portray vocally throughout, but no physical changes like 1 did in the video. 5 (SCTV) and Christopher Guest, Crystal was thrust into the comic spotlight. His work on SNL earned him an Emmy nomination. Program Highlights Crystals favorite SNL highlights include: a duet (as Sammy Davis Jr.) with Ringo Starr, the Joe Franklin sketches; Fernando with Mr. T and Hulk Hogan; a pair of monologues with Ricky, the unbelievable bowler, and a Peter Pan sketch Written for Ed Asner and Mary Gross. He also teamed with Guest to cre- ate some memorable characters, the two elderly black baseball players most notably and the physical of Frankie and Willie (I hate when that happens). The origin of Frankie and Willie, said Crystal (who writes his own material), came out of desperation at 2 a m., the night before the Jesse Jack-so- n show. We couldnt find a live bit to do so I said to Chris, Why dont we write a sketch using these characters and do it? We smarted improvising, typed it up and handed it in. The pieces were carefully written. As a self-tortu- re Billy Crystal Plays Symphony Hall matter of fact, they got to be a problem to write after a while because we were running out of implements and parts of our bodies that we could hurt." Great Feeling summed Crystal up the "SNL experience by adding, It was the best time I ever had in my life. The comeback 10 years later to the same show I got bumped from was a great feel- mg. it , There were plans for continuing a second season, until the original SNL producer, Lome Michaels, returned to the fold. Michaels, at the time, stated he would begin the 1985-8- 6 season with an entirely new cast. In retrospect, walking away after the one season gave me everything I possibly could have wanted, said Crystal. The record (Mahvelous") was a big hit it's up for a Grammy and doing very well. For me, it worked out for the best since Running Scared' was offered to me at the time. Major Film Role Running Scared, slated for June release, marks Billy Crystals first major film role. He had previously starred in a comedy, Rabbit Test, directed and by comedienne Joan Rivers. The movie was a commerical flop and, in Crystals words, a big disaster. His cameo as a talking mime in director Rob Reiners 1984 heavy metal This Is Spinal mockumentary, Tap, was a considerable improvement. low-budg- et Running Scared, directed by Peter Hyams (2010), is a $21 million action-comed- y which centers on two cops frightened Chicago under-cov(played by Crystal and Gregory Hines) who decide to retire while theyre still young. With 30 days left on the force, Crystal and Hines must solve the murder of a fellow officer and stay alive at the same time. er Terrific Part Its a terrific part, and a very fun- ny film. It was very demanding and I did my own stunts, said Crystal. "Most of it was shot in the deep freeze of Chicago and it took us Wz months from 5 a.m. of work, until whatever hour we would wrap. Tina Turner, Prince, Grace Jones and Sammy Davis Jr. For the time being, Crystal is looking forward to his first Salt Lake performance. "Its really nice when an auditorium is filled and you can do your act as if you're in a living room. Those shows are always very satisfying to me. I work very hard on stage and love being out there. There's a lot of audience participation. I walk through . the audience and bring people into Fernandos Hideaway" with me. It's a very informal show. There are favorite routines people want to see that I still enjoy doing. Wurlitzer theater pipe organ. It is the way these films were meant to be seen, says Hunter Hale, one of the series organizers. The films will be shown on the second Thursday of February, March, April and May. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. The Organ Loft is offering a series ticket for $15. Individual tickets will be $5. Buster Keaton in Seven Chances will kick off the series Thursday. The rarely seen film puts Keaton in a tough situation: He has the chance to inherit $7 million if he can get married in 10 hours. Problem is, his girlfriend isnt speaking to him. Blane Gale will be playing the Wurlitzer on Thursday. The first film to be named "Best Picture by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences "Wings will be shown March 13. Made in the film is renowned for its combat flying sequences. Clara Bow stars as the love interest of two men who go off to war, played by Buddy Rogers and Richard Arlen. Gary Cooper makes a brief appearance. Mike Ohman will perform his original score for Wings. On April 10, Cecil B. DeMilles morality epic King of Kings will be featured. Hailed as one of the best films ever made when released in 1927, the films subtitles have been 1927, Best Actress Comedy Not Simple Explaining the process of developing comedy material, however, is not as simple. I really dont know how to describe a lot of what I do. My favorite moments are when Im wild and free and relating to whatever is happening at the time. I use my own experience thats the best approach for me. I think thats why I loved Bill Cosby when I was a kid, because I thought he was talking directly to me. He talked about family members, so its easily relatable, Crystal said. A STEVEN SPIELBERG Along with Cosby, another comedian whom he admired while growing up was Ernie Kovacs. Kovacs was one of the great innovators of comedy. He had a great visual sense and created credible characters. He really used television. Kovacs always was daring you to come with him. There was no audience. You felt like you were inside the studio you just heard the crew laughing. It became infectious and you knew you were part of something very special. Current Tour will lead into a third HBO special, which is scheduled for July. The comedian hopes it will evolve into a Broadway show. On March 29, Crystal will join fellow performers Robin Williams and Whoopi Goldberg for a three-hou- r live telecast on HBO titled Comedy Relief,, which he describes as a comedians version of Live Aid. We will be raising money for the homeless in America, he explained, which is becoming an incredibly large problem in our cities. We are going to try to supply medical and food aid to these unfortunate people Who right now cant help themselves. Im very excited about the three of us Director DANNY GLOVER WARNER BROS. Presents a STEVEN SPIELBERG Rim THE COLOR PURPLE ca. ADOLPH CAESAR MARGARET AVERY RAE DAWN CHONG and introducing WHOOPI GOLDBERG of Photography ALLEN DAVIAU Production Designer J. MICHAEL RIVA Film Editor MICHAEL KAHN, A.C.E. Music QUINCY JONES Based upon the novel by ALICE WALKER Screenplay by MENNO MEYJES Executive Producers JON PETERS and PETER GUBER Produced by STEVEN SPIELBERG KATHLEEN KENNEDY FRANK MARSHALL QUINCY JONES Directed by STEVEN SPIELBERG cunu uiDKicB Hurts djji iw DAILY IN DOLBY STEREO AT 12:45, 3 MRS m Of iouth toshe PARKING MAMNTH8ATNM MANN 6 HOAD W m Persons under Un-rate- d 18 not admitted Adults Only Persons under 18 not admitted Picture neither rated by Motion Picture Council nor evhibitnr A! AT is i: Held. Over P EDgSt-a- 4:45, 7:00, 9:15, m a TODAY AT 5 10. 7 25. 9 40 SATURDAY MATINEES AT 12 45. 3 00 5 10, 7 25 9 40 MANN 6 (OPOADaj 05, Plus WITNESS 12 20, 4.50, 9 20 54 th DAILY M. 1 south AT 00 3 05. 5 20. 7 35. 9 50 I IconoMvoooMl 1, 8001 HGttANP 0ft DAILY AT 1 W 271-47- 11 12 45, 2:55, 5:05, 7.20, 9:35 IHIavent you ever done something in your life you wish you could do over again... and this time do it right? ROBIN WILLIAMS KURT RUSSELL MHVI A Comedy about life, hope, and getting even. cumstats) & TROLLEY CORNERS KINGS ROAD AT A UNIVERSAL Release .uwi.RRCm,not mnnurnnri TODAY AT 5 30 7 40 9 50 SATURDAY MATINEES AT 1 10 3 20 5 30. 7 40 9 50 THRU SUNDAY 12 15 2 30 5 00. 7 15 9 30 TODAY J4 81M, 5:10, 7:20, 9:30, srs PG-13- 1 I f HO IaIT UNO KXTM Centuryw; EWtAyT i 1 TODAY AT 2 35, 7 AMILYiCENTE MtoROLLEYlli MANN THEATRES 12:45, 3:00, 5:10, 7:25, 9:40 12:45, 2:55, 5 05, 7:15, 27M71I H 0MAN MSHUM djWMBMjji 12.45, iSHLSB 2nd Big Week! 1:00, 3:10, 5:20, 7:30, 9:40 DOLBY AT 3:45,6 45,9 45 - Murphys Romance 3 IN STEREO A comes along. PG-1- Gl 7.00, 10.00 44 1H SOUTH DAILY COTTONWOOCl 00,4 00, 1 RICHARD GERE, JULIE CHRISTIE, GENE HACKMAN in youve found the right guy, someone even worse THIS tmt SEAL In ads indicates the film was submitted and approved under the Motion Picture Code of Self Regulation PG13 WltM VAUDATiON DAILY IN DOLBY STEREO UIDWOOO Just when you think These ratings apply to films released after March I, t7? AT 12:45 3:45, 6 45, 9:45 3.45, 6 45, 9.45 translated into 23 languages, and it is estimated that over half a billion people have seen the film. Mike Ohman will accompany the film on the Wurlitzer. The film festival wraps up May 8 with a showing of My Best Girl with Mary Pickford and Buddy Rogers. My Best Girl is Pickfords last silent film. Jo Ann Harmon will be at the organ. Contact the Organ Loft for ticket information. The Loft is located at 3331 Edison St. (140 East). Michael Wilmington, LOS ANGELES TIMES MOVIE AUDIENCE GUIDE TODAY IN DOLBY STEREO Y Sally Field... gives what is undoubtedly the sexiest performance of her career. Tribune does not accept advertisements of films legally adiudged or legally cited as porno pornographic with graphic in formal complaint Consistent Tribune The accepts no adver this policy tismg matter in which the exhibitor himself proclaims a film "pornographic" by specific description, double entendre, suggestive illustration or any other device PG W 8181 The Salt Lake FILM Pulitztr Prize Winning Story Alice Utalkers JAMES GARNER FOR BEST ACTOR distributed Whoopi Goldberg Purple Crystals current tour including Tribune Advertising Policy audiences Suggested for MATURE AH (parental guidance suggested) admitted ages Parents are strongly cautioned to give special guidance for attendance of children under U Some material may be inappropriate tor young children RESTRICTED - Persons under l?no admitted unless accompanied bv par ent or adult guardian of first sions Jpe NOMINATED FOR 2 iSSE The Salt Lake Tribune's basic advertising policy is to accept the non deceptive, tasteful advertising of all lawful services, and of ail products that are legally manufactured and Suggested for GENERAL audiences All ages admitted Dallas, televigay character, on Soap. His regular appearances on Saturday Night Live last season shifted his career into high, gear. His first major film role Is in the works, as is a special for cable television. in The today features Billy Crystal, who will perform Thursday at 8 p.m. in Symphony Hall. In his interview with The Tribunes Scott Rivers on this page, the comedian describes his career as a overnight success. He gained national attention Best Picture Organ Loft presents silent films The Organ Loft is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a series of silent films accompanied by the lofts On todays Weekend cover Weekend cover the role Jodie with as many pergetting together to do formers as we can attract show." this three-hou- r Shortly before the interview ended, Crystal thought a moment before he offered a few words of advice for aspiring young comics: Dont be afraid to bomb and take chances. Just hang in there." Music Video Success y video he reThe fers to was last summers "You Look Marvelous (featured on the Mahvelous album, written by Crystal and Paul Shaffer of "David Letterman fame), an elaborate $150,000 production. Set to a disco beat, Crystal not only appeared as Fernando but also (with the help of superb makeup) as ar Short M3 musical-comed- s, e. 7, 1986 Friday, February LAAl tITY TN4ATA4 'l J TODAY AT 5 50, 8 00, 10 00 & DAILY AT Pt HURRA V (700 So tftf MM ST A ( 1 30, 3 45, 6 00, 7.55,9 55 me |
