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Film Review Music Review

By Michael Shannon
By Deborah Morrow
During this past summer,
The film is Chinatown. The the rock band Chicago released
era is the 1930's. The location its seventh album, "Chicago
is Los Angeles, a sleepy VII". Even though this record
conglomeration of small towns set has been with us now for .a
and suburbs just beginning to few months, it remains in the
take on the identity of a city. Lop 10 nationally, and deserves
It is summer, a typically recognition.
long and parched season Any one who is at all
indigenous to Southern Cal- familiar with the music of
ifornia. The beginnings are U,.iwgo can detect in this
elementary. Hollis Mulwray, newest release a change in the
water department head typical rip 'n 'roar sty le of
engineer, is embroiled in a brassy music found in their
controversial dam-building previous albums. "Happy Man"
project. The merest hint of by Peter Cetera is evidence of
scandal could ruin his credi- the group's mellowing sound.
bility and his professional Perhaps the most represen-
career. Unfortunately, Mul- tative tune of Chicago's "new
wray's wife suspects him of an sound" is a song about the end
extramarital affair and hires a of a love affair, "(I've Been)
detective who specializes in Searchin' So Long," by James
such delicate and seedy details Pankow.
to follow Mulwray. The new sound incorporates
The Laboratory Center is expected to be ready for partial a moog synthesizer, as well as
The detective traces Mul- occupancy within · three or four weeks. Complex includes large the stringed instruments of
wray and his travels about the lecture hall (see photo). Students are Dana McCune and Kathy Jimmie Haskell. The group's
city, and eventually down to Meusborn. newly acquired elghth mem-
the city reservoir, ·where ber, Laudir Oliveria!! adds an
Mulwray's corpse is recovered. plays the detective, an ex- LAB CENTER unusual flav or with his conga
From these simple begin- asperated and cynical man who rhythm.
I
nings the film takes on the was hired to find out if (Cont'd from Page 1) Chicago VII is also the first
complexity of a slowly spun Mulwray was cheating on his ceramics kiln, two shorthand Chicago album to feature guest
web as one mystery unfolds wife. Instead, he is faced with labs, two biology labs (with the artists. The Beach Boys are
into many. The plot is solving Mulwray's murder. possibility of a third later on) heard throughout "Wishing
extremely slow paced, almost Underneath Nicholson's ex- and a lab and classroom for You Were Here", a song so
as if it tires easily under the terior toughness is a man made electrqnics and drafting. typical of their style that
glare of summer heat. But it is vulnerable by his past, thus Special rooms for animal anyone else would not sound
this lethargic mood that draws adding to part of the mystery. observation and art storage, right singing it.
one into the very crux of the Ms. Dunaway adds an almost locker space for student The Pointer Sisters do
story to examine the extreme Garbo-like sense of aloofness to projects and adequate storage background vocals on Robert
complexity and intricate the film. Like Nicholson, she is space and preparation rooms Lamm's "Skinny Boy", a cut
design of both plot and also on the defense because of for faculty members are from his first solo LP. Even
characterization. some past hurt. Both are included. James Guercio, the group's
Director Roman Polanski. victims of circumstances out of Special instructional facili- producer, lends a few fine licks
seduces the audience with both their control. ties provided include weighing on the 12-string acoustic guitar
the slow mood of the film and Chinatown is a film that and instrument rooms for on "Happy Man".
an almost Hitchcock-like sense excells in many areas, and may chemistry, a math lab and a In essence, Chicago VII is
of the macabre that repells and become a classic. With its small museum. per haps t he finest album
yet draws our curiosity even combination of a challenging "In the past, the limited produced by the eight-man
deeper into the ever unfolding plot, superb directing and first amount of equipment re- band. Although it gives us a
chain of events. Near the end, rate acting, it is a film that is stricted the instructor to a new, more integrated sound, it
when the pace is suddenly sure to be long remembered. I relatively few experiments," is still unequivocally Chicago.
quickened, one realizes how highly recommend Chinatown, said Mouck. "In the new Lab Do take time to experience
completely Polanski has with one warning. It is not Center instructors will be able Chicago VII. It's something
created this mesmerization. easily forgotten. to conduct many additional new.
The only escape is an imminent experiments because of new
solution. equipment," he added. for instructors, Mouck said.
Another point in which VETERANS One of the principal features "In the past the only
Polanski excells is his use of a (Cont'd from Page 1) of the new building is a lecture prepar ation area was the
specific era. In many current checks to (1) Some veterans hall for 132 students. It is classroom itself," he said.
films, nostalgia is an accepted may not have filled out forms equipped with a large movie Heretofore, because of in-
technique that provides for properly; (2) Transcript prob- screen, remotely controlled sufficient classroom . and lab-
atmosphere and mood setting. lems resulting from transfers closed circuit television and oratory space, students were
Unfortunately, many directors from other schools, and (3) movable lecture and laboratory required to conduct several
believe in quantity instead of Ve terans Administration work tables to match the class. different science experiments
quality and one is literally bottlenecks. "Another fine feature of the in one class at one time. The
suffocated _in a sea of nostalgic Wells urged veterans with Lab Center is a dumb waiter new expanded facilities will
gluttony. payment (and all other service- which runs between storage change all this.
He gives the necessary related) problems to see him at rooms and all floors," remarked Subjects to be taught in the
essence of the 30's so that it COC's Veterans Affairs office. Mouck. "It will reduce much Lab Center include art,
adds texture to the film "If a veteran with problems wear and tear on instructors." biology, drafting, nursing,
without detrc!cting from plot doesn't take advantage of this Large planters on the zoology, chemistry, geology,
basics, and for this he is to be campus office, he can blame no second floor will be planted geography, shorthand, typing,
commended. one but himself," he said. and maintained by students literature, and possibly health
The films strongest bond- The Veterans Affairs office under the supervision of Jim education and social sciences.
ing, by far, comes from the is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Boy kin and Don Takeda, The first section of the Lab
extremely competent per- Mondays; from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. biology instructors. Center to open will be the first
formances of two very adept on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Preparation areas adjacent floor, including the much-
professionals, Jack Nicholson and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on to the laboratory rooms are a needed lecture hall. This is
and Faye Dunaway. Nicholson Thursdays and Fridays. particularly important addition expected to occur next month.