Word: plotting
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Dates: during 1960-1969
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...Advocate begins its first issue with a dandy little story by Keith Lowe. New Day, as it is called, tells of the first day of Guinean independence as recorded by a semi-literate citizen who becomes a temporary constable to prevent riots during the country's first election. The plot is ingenious and very funny, but the great virtue of the piece lies in its marvelous prose. The narrator's naivete permits him to speak in wild, enthusiastic language, which sounds neither maudlin nor contrived: They crying no more blackman sweat to sweeten whiteman tea, no more for coolie...
Moussorgsky left the orchestration of this work even less complete than that of Boris, and the plot is far more complicated and considerably less powerful than that of his earlier chef d'oeuvre. A production of it is therefore obliged, musically and dramatically, to take the utmost care to clear up the murk caused by its incompleteness and intricacy...
Because we don't quite know on sight who is who, we soon begin to lose the threads of the sloppily woven plot. Briefly stated, the opera tells of the rivalry between the princes Khovansky and Golitzin and their attempt to usurp the throne...
...other sub-plot, which is partially justified by some noble writing for the bass-baritone, tells of Father Dossifey and his attempt to win peace and prosperity for his flock. In the end, the Czarina--at least, I think it's the Czarina--has him killed for reasons best known to herself...
...production is slick, the songs are good-notably one in which Crooner Frankie Vaughan says with fervor, in effect, never mind good lyrics, "give me a song that sells"-and the plot no thinner than most. The supporting actors are expert, especially Tony Randall, who plays Montand's pressagent with an accurate blend of servility and fresh-faced eagerness. One reason why the film, although consistently pleasant, is only fitfully funny may be a plague now widespread in Hollywood movies. Milton Berle, Gene Kelly and Bing Crosby appear in brief "cameo" parts as themselves (they are supposed...