1 - E-Research

FATHER TOM CAREY goes over a script with Blackfriars'players. (NC Photos).Preaching .Power Of The StageBy Doris Revere Peters(NC News Service)NEW YORK—A pair ofpreaching friars concludedthe stage could be more effectivethan thepulpitin guidingsociety. It took somedaring and some years to dosomething about it—but theydid.Father Thomas Carey,O.P., and the late FatherUrban Nagle, O.P. in 1931obtained permission to foundthe Blackfriars' guild inWashington, D. C. Six yearslater Father Carey began theBlackfriars' Institute of DramaticArts at the CatholicUniversity of America —which now is theuniversity'swidely acclaimed speech anddrama department.In 1940 bothpriestscamehere to the heart of the theatricalworld, bent on establishingwhat now is consideredto be the only Catholicexperimental theater inthe world.In the ensuing 27 yearsmore than 60 original playshave been produced by theguild. The Blackfriars' stageat 320 West 57th St. is opento the efforts of any playwrightwhose work can meetthe guild's artistic andspiritual specifications. In the27 years there have beendiversified presentationsranging from farce throughcomedy, tragedy, musicalsand documentaries.The present attraction is"The Happy Faculty", acomedy and first play ofJoan and Phil Norse. Mrs.Norse is a theater critic whosesyndicated column appearsin a number of Catholicpapers.Although the Blackfriarsis devoted to producingoriginal plays of artisticmerit which reflect theHaunting Dream About'Persona'By JAMES W. ARNOLDAfter exposure to IngmarBergman's latest movie,"Persona," I tried to sleep,but I was haunted by a recurringdream in the shapeof a film:Black screen: Sound ofweeping, waves dashingagainst a shore.Out of focus: Little boy,bouncing a ball.Suddenly in focus: Helooks at the camera. (Theball rolls off, but we canhear it bouncing.) He reachesfor the lens as if to caressitFrom behind boy: We seehe is actually reaching for aSnickers bar, but on thepackage is a picture of hismother. She looks awful.Suddenly her lips begin tomove. She is saying somethingmelancholy in Swedish.The titles translate:"Meaningless. Nothing."Over and over. Cameramoves in on her lips.Screen goes white: Voicesays, "Ingmar is a fake."Second voice says, "Ingmaris searching." Third voicesays, "Who cares?" Allvoices together: "That's exactlywhat's wrong."Main titles: Interruptedoccasionally by quick cutsto a spider, a boy bouncinga ball, napalm victims inVietnam, a rape scene, aSnickers bar.Voice behind: "Last yearI was at Marienbad. Thisyear I am not certain."Closeup of first girl:"What was that you said?"Closeup of second girl:She smiles.Ten minutes closeup offirst girl: Tells story of herfirst affair. It was meaninglessṠecond girl: "We areverymuch alike."Their faces merge: In fact,we can't tell them apartQuickie Film ReviewClass A, FamilyTHROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE - The RoaringTwenties are spoofed camp-style in Ross Hunter'slatest and most lavish color production, Julie Andrewsand Mary Tyler Moore seek, careers andromance in New York with the help of handsomeJohn Gavin and debonair James Fox. The antics ofCarol Charming as a rich ex-chorus girl, and BeaLillie as a wacky white slaver keep the film moving.A dozen songs, old and new, help characterize theoutlandish period. George Roy Hill's direction freelycombines comic styles, often to good effect. An irreverentlark — with definitely something for everybody.Class A, Adults, Adol.TO SIR WITH LOVE - Sentimental dramaabout would-be engineer from British Guineaby wayof California who winds up teaching difficult "mods"in a London Cockney slum school; based on littleknownbut distinguished diary-novel by E. R. Braithwaite.As "Sir," Sidney Poitier dominates classroomand film itself with his extraordinary presence. Somepat solutions for real problems, and student transformationsseem over-swift, but fine supporting cast(with Suzy Kendall) show life, love and teenagersmuch the same in a British "blackboard jungle." Incolor, Directed by James Clavell.Class A, Morally unobjectionable for Adults.THE WAR GAME - Short (47 minutes) blackand white documentary feature designed to showeffect of nuclear warfare on the population of a countryand to encourage discussion of this chilling possibility.Features non-professionals in realisticallysimulated scenes, effectively photographed by-handheldcameras at British evacuation centers. Makesuse of TV techniques of interviews, narration andtitles. Written, produced and directed by young PeterWatkins for the British Broadcasting Corporationand British Film Institute. Theatrical showing alsoresult of public demand. NCOMP sanctions purposefulviewing by students and teachers as groups.Class B, Morally Objectionable In Part For All.AFRICA ADDIO - Cruelty, violence, blood, goreand human indignity in a two-and-a-half hour colordocumentary that claims to enlighten viewers concerningthe "birth pangs" of emerging African nations.One-sided theme features wholesale slaughterof human beings and animals. Offensive, revolting.Man with pipe: "Thetrouble is I already have themessage. How many wayscan you say life is miserable?It's not that miserable,even in Sweden." His pipebegins to blow soap bubbles.Night scene: First girlgoes to bed. Turns off light;screen is dark for five minutes.She switches on lightand phonograph with brokenrecord: "Forgive me but. . .Forgive me but . ." Shelooks tenderly at faded photograph,then turns to camera.Slowly, for fiveminutes,the screen goes dark. Wehear the sound of weeping.Scene, the seashore: Thetwo women are knitting andhumming.Voice behind: "Doris Daywears false freckles. . .1 goto the hills for the Sound ofMoney."Closeups: The women exchangeglances and grasphands, tightly. Camerapansover the random rocks andwaste of the shoreScene, night, interior:Women are drinking. Secondgirl smiles. First girlsays, "At last I've foundsomeone who listens to me"Later, bedroom, filledwith fog: Girls stand together,looking in mirror.Outside, ifs raining. Theonly sound is the drip-dripof a downspoutCloseup, man with cigar:"But will they like it in Topeka?"Scene in car, first girlalone, driving: A letter is onthe seat After five minutes,she stops car and begins toread. It says: "What do youknow about mercy?"On the radio, a song: "Mycup runneth over. . .withlove"Screen begins to split: Imageof spider, Christ's passion,slapstick comedy, Nazimassacre of Jewish children^Snickers bar.Forms out of focus, inslow motion: Gradually takethe shape of the two womenrunning along beach.First girl, desperately:"Talk to me; say something,anything."Second girl: Pacing, lightscigaret. (It is too long forher cigaret case) "I was,"she says, "a lousy mother."Night interior, girls attable: Ten minute closeup onsecond girl as first girl tellsher why she is cold, loveless,guilty. Scene is repeated withten minute closeup on firstgirl.Voice behind: "Now tellme which is the nurse, whichthe patient"First girl: "I'm not you!I'm me!" She takes a bushome On the beach, camerapans decaying statues, randomdesolate rocks.Scene, hospital room,girls in silhouette: "Repeatafter me," says first girl."Nothing." Second girl repeats,"Nothing." Screenfades to white, with drip-dripof faucet in background.Closeup, matron at PTAmeeting: "It's the sick sexthat brings them in."Voice behind: "Better tosearch with Ingmar than togo Boy Scout camping withDisney. I think."Far behind: Julie Andrewssings "A Spoonful ofSugar."Gloseup: First girl staresat camera and smiles.Boy is seen: With bouncingball. He lies down onwhat looks like a slab in amorgue Camera dollies into pick out, on the floor, thecrumpled wrapper of aSnickers bar.Sudden cut to black.National Shrine of theImmaculate ConceptionOur Nation's Tribute to MtsfWashington 17, D. Cautoeuropey y^Bli^^)® autotravel guide to1 § ^^%?# Europe in full colorall about motoring abroad, free extras & discounts' Write, visit or orione. .„ ^ „_AUTO EUROPE - 864-SJ5S69553 Harding Ave., Surfside, Fla. 33154spiritual nature of man andto find andtrainplaywrightswho can write with feelingand insight, it also affordsactors, directors and techniciansan opportunity topractice their artIn recent years, however,it has become much moredifficult to finance such anoperation as theguild. WhenBlackfriars started in NewYork in 1940, there wereonly ahalfdozen"offBroadway"theaters. Today, mereare more than 100 suchventures—all looking for atheater to call home. Thishas put a premium on littletheaters in the city. Buthardworkingand intense FatherCarey has held on to hisdream these 27 years despitemany obstacles.In an area when experimentaltheater isn't exactlyprospering he has managedto not only keep it goingbut to keep it one of thebuisest in New York— ableonly to present about 5%of its applicants.The modest priests whohas started many a star onhis way to the top, shiesaway from credit, bestowingit on his co-workers. WithFor Your ...FORMAL BALLSSPRING PROMSRECEPTIONSMEETINGSACCOMMODATIONSUP TO 1000"Fort Lauderdale'smost experienced host'for reservations callMrs. Gertrude Davis522-1441the exception of a small productionstaff, all work atBlackfriars is on avolunteerbasis."And wecouldn'tpossiblyget along without thesewonderful people who havedevoted countless hours ofhard work over manyyears," Father Carey said.Interviewed backstageFather Carey said: "Of themany contemporary forcesaffecting the minds andhearts of men none is morepowerful than the field ofentertainment. This includesmovies and television butabove all the theater whichis the parent of all the dramaticforms. Blackfriarsseeks to restore to the theaterthe spiritual perspectiveswhich are necessary to thehealth and vigor of a greatpopular art."SPECIALFor Voice Readers3 DAYS 2 JSIGHTSof FUN & FROLICAWAY FROM HOME at the"Social Center of the Keys"Arrive Any Evening . . .Leave 3 Days Later. Priceincludes 2 Breakfasts, 2Dinners and Green Fees perperson.""""'5 per dbl.person occ.MAKE RESERVATIONS NOWCall 373-7608 MiamiMarathon 743-5521 CollectThomas Hayes, Managing Director• Charter Boats « Tennis Courts• Rental Skiffs •> Shuffleboard• Ping Pong » Dockage Fa-• Cocktail cililiesLounge • Air Conditioning• Two Pools (Fresh and Salt Water)• Par 3 Golf Course and GolfPrivileges at nearby Country Club^ T GO-GO HAWAIIAN inJVIIAMI BEACH!!Hat the NEW\e RESORTMOTEL.OCEANFRONTAT 176 ST.Friendly - Casual - Informal 'J POOLS • OVER 500 OF PRIVATE BEACH SPECIAL RATESDANCING AND ENTERTAINMENT NIGHTLYTO OURFREE COCKTAIL PARTIES • BLACK (Ah'TILbSUPERVISED CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES FLORIDA FRIENDSKITCHENETTES AND SUITES AVAILABLE PHONE 949^2511fREE REFRIGERATOR IN ALL ROOMSjack Tweedle, M§s\FREE PARKING, TV.j St. Gregory ParishWrite for FREE Color Brochure & Rolts.OBLATE ASSOCIATES1967 PilgrimageEUROPEAN TOURJuly 20 f® August 6Tour under the Auspices of Colpitts Travel Agency %Personal Leadership ofRev. Francis G. Curley, O.M.I.Cardinal Newman High SchoolSEE, ItHlfill with stops atDUIUN,GALWAY, CORK, ATHLONE,ICiLLARNEY, MUL^HEY,mmw®m, WEXFORD, LOHTON,ROME (Papal Audience) L1SB01f lys- ®xpO67 .MONTREAL!PRICE from MSAMIonly $928.Included in price-air travel throughout Europe, motorcoach through cities, hotel rooms, most meals, entertainmentand some excursions.Please write or phone Rev. Frank G. Curley, O.M.I.512 Spencer Drive, W. Palm Beach 683-6280For Reservations or Brochureay 19, 1967 THE VOICE Miami, Florida Page 21