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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 8, 1976)
Review: ‘Dog Day Afternoon’ “Dog Day Afternoon” is a film about an attempted bank robbery and a film about human beings. Just as the robbery is filled with complications and unexpected problems, so goes life. The film is a study in human responses to By JENIFER BLUM BERG unusual situations, and it captures these situations realistically and honestly. Al Pacino is, as usual, superb, and he...(I am tempted to say he “steals the show, but has many accomplices,” but the pun seems out of place in a serious review of a serious movie. But then I recall that the movie also had its moments—the audience does a lot of laughing before the pathos and the tension take over.) So that's what he did. And the supporting cast is, without exception, excellent. John Cazale, who plays Pacino's partner in the robbery, is particularly outstanding, because you don't easily forget someone who breaks your heart. Possibly one reason the acting is so good is that it must have come so naturally. The film, adapted from a magazine article and based on a true story, contained nothing that was unbelievable. The actions and reactions always seemed very real, from bank tellers' giggling at a slip-up in the bank manager s vocabulary to the Chief of Police's not wanting the FBI to interfere with “his" bank robbery. In fact, the authenticity of the film was proved right there in the theatre itself. For the first half of the movie there is no indication that the part played by Pacino, Sonny, is that of a homosexual. When it is discovered that Sonny is gay, the crowd around the bank, which was formerly sympathetic to Sonny, turns a bit hostile—a bank robber putting the police in their place is one thing, but a "queer” bank robber doing the same thing is apparently something different entirely. Unfortunately that also seemed to be the feeling of some of the members of the audience at the showing I attended. There was a notable feeling of discomfort on the part of the audience when Sonny's wife—a man—was introduced. The one or two that absolutely could not handle it walked out, others decided laughter was in order. The scenes on the screen involving the couple were handled with compassion and understanding; too bad the theatre crowd was not as free from hang-ups and the influence of sexual myths. But audience reactions aside, the movie itself is enjoyable, funny, moving, and not easily forgotten. One never gets an opportunity to doubt the authenticity of what is happening on the screen, never a chance to relax. But the tension is exciting rather than uncomfortable, for the timing in the film, along with the acting, is perfect. TODAY Thur Only 1* BANANA SPLIT SALE Buy one at the regular price, get the second for Dairtj Queen cflLenDAR of evems jfln. 8-14 Thursday Concert-dance featuring Wheatfield. $2. 9 p.m.-midnight. EMU Ballroom. Secolo Barocpo, chamber music. $1.50 students, $3 general 8 p.m. Beall Concert Hall, School of Music. The "American Dream" and "Zoo Story." $3.50, $2.50, half price for students. 8 p.m. Arena Theatre. fridaq Charles Chaplin as "Monsieur Verdoux."$1.25. 7&9:30p.m. 150 Science. "A Thousand Clowns." $1. 7 & 9:30 p.m. 177 Lawrence. The "American Dream" and Zoo Story." $3.50, $2.50, half price for students. 8 p.m Arena Theatre. Salurdaq Maija, farewell concert. $1.50. 8:30 p.m. Community Center for the Performing Arts, 8th & Lincoln. "American Dream and Zoo Story." S3.50, $2.50, half price for students. 8 p.m. Arena Theatre. #2NBHAND BOOK MAN Fine selection of used books ■t one-boll tbe original price. Top prices paid for your Quality Used Books New & Used ioi w. 72 • M-z-zooz. Sundaq "Fearless Vampire Killers." $1. 7 & 9:30 p.m 180 PLC. rDondaq University Woodwind Quintet. Free 8 p.m. Beall Concert Hall. Bob Bailey, noon gig. Noon-1 p.m. EMU East Lobby. Tuesday Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers. Limited number of tree student tickets available at EMU Mam Desk. Student spouse tickets S1 8:30 p.m. McArthur Court Mithrandir, Fishbowl Follies. Free 8:30-10:30 'p.m EMU Fishbowl. Wednesday Jazz Minors, Follies Jazz Free 9-10 p.m. EMU Fishbowl. Dan Sachs recital Free 8 p.m Beall Concert Hall. Continuing Three Oregon Sculptors: Betty Feves, Mel Schuler, Mike E Walsh. University Art Museum. Through Feb 1. Photographs by Steve Greenstone Brumier Gallery, UO Library Audiovisual Media Center. Through Jan. 25. Drawings-Paintings by Edwin B. Koch and Walter D. Stevens Maude Kerns Art Center. Through Jan. 25. All events to be listed in the Calendar of Events must be submitted to the Emerald office, 301 EMU, no later than 5 p.m. the Monday before publication. Description, time, date, place, admission fee and name and phone number of sponsoring party or organization must be included. GRAND OPENING ALL PIZZAS 112 PRICE FRIDAY JAN. 9, 1976 Free Sts-Wf —Thurs thru Sat. the gatehouse pizza Open every day 11:00 a.m.—2:00 a.m. 726-1646 3270 Gateway Street next to the Rodeway
