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Film Maker Looks AheadA survey of the 1972 product indicates other trends:Play it Cagey in 1972the unemployment lines. The frontier—will be virtually none- French Connection” point theBy BOB THOMASHollywood lt;ap —“The pictures I’m mak-ing will have only one message: entertainment.”That statement from Paramount production chief • Robert Evans reflects thethinking of the men who have planned America's movies for 1972, The accent is on adventure, comedy, and romance, with a degree of sex and violence though perhaps not as much as in 1971.Says a veteran film observer: “Except for a picture like ‘Carnal Knowledge/ which concerned sexual attitudes, explicit sex isn’t necessary in films today. In fact, it can hurt a film by giving it an R or X rating and thus limiting the audience.“Violence may be on the downswing, too. Not yet, but soon. It should happen as the public reacts to the excessive brutality of current films like ‘Straw Dogs’ and ‘A Clockwork Orange/”1. More films aimed at the black market.With such 1971 hits as “Shaft” and “Sweet Sweet-back,” the film industry realized the value of appealing directly to the big city Negro audience. The new year will bring a sequel to “Shaft” called “The Big Bamboo.” Also a replay of the Godfrey Cam-bridge-Raymond St. Jacques teaming in “Cotton Comes to Harlem. ’ The new one: “Come Back, Charleston Blue.”There will be a black Western, “Buck and the Preacher,” starring Harry Belafonte and Sidney Poitier, who also directed, Also a frontier story, “Man and Boy,” with Bill Cosby. And even a Negro horror film, “Blacula.”2. More no-name casts.The success of “Summer of ’42” and “Willard” further impressed producers that big names are not necessary in today’s market. That doesn’t mean that stars will be hitting1972 product will feature such in-demand names as John Wayne, Steve McQueen, Clint Eastwood, Paul Newman, Barbra Streisand and Robert Red-ford.3. A paucity of musicals.Only two major musicals,“1776” and “Cabaret,” starring Liza Minnelli and Joel Gray, are ready for 1972. Another is filming—-“Man of La Mancha,” starring Peter O’Toole and Sophia Loren,“Unfortunately, musicals art* too expensive,” explains Gordon Stulberg, president of 20th Century-Fox. “There is also a big problem in the foreign market; a lot of countries simply don’t like musicals. Foreign sales amount to half our income, so a musical is a heavy risk,”4. Absence of the spectacle.From “Birth of a Nation” to'Nicholas and Alexandra,” the “big” picture has been a movie staple. Not this year. The usual kind of spectacle—Biblical epic, war pageant, conquest of thexistent.“The spectacle is gone,” says Stulberg. “No company can afford to spend many millions on a single picture any more. There will be no more spectacles—unless the film economy changes by adding new markets.”Westerns will continue, of course. But they will be small Westerns, rather than those with huge cattle drives and covered wagon panoramas.5, Fewer films dealing with today’s problems.The “Easy Rider” success syndrome produced a spate of films dealing with dope, youth rebellion, antiwar protest and other contemporary issues. Millions were lost on such efforts.Most producers are following Robert Evans’ “no message” policy.6. Accent on action-adven-twre.The film business continues to play follow the leader. Such big moneymakers as “Diamonds Are Forever” and “Theway to more such capers.No-name casts, few musicals, no spectacles—does that make it sound like a drab year at the nation’s theaters? Not necessarily. In times of stress, film makers often try harder. Many an unheralded gem may be awaiting release in 1972.As to the more heralded films here are some that hold promise:“The Godfather.” The best seller about the Mafia has a ready audience, and there is great expectation about Marion Brando’s performance in the title role,“What’s Up, Doc?” starring Miss Streisand and Ryan O’Neal. The film world will be waiting to see how director Peter Bogdanovich fares in his first film after “The Last Picture Show.”“Portnoy’s Complaint.” The answer will soon be known to “how on earth can they make a movie out of THAT book?”
Newspaper Details
Pacific Stars and Stripes
Tokyo, Tôkyô, JP
Tue, Feb 15, 1972
Page 8
Full Page
Clipped by
Cheryl R.
TX, USA 10 Jan 2020
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