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a 'It's aMad, Mad, Mad, Mad World' by Terry Dupuis Tomorrow' through Saturday, the Pen Theetre in Penetanguishene is running what is probably the biggest and best comedy blockbuster ever made - the 1963 film It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World. It's one of those favourite movies which I never miss an opportunity to see (so far, about 10 times, over a period of a dozen years). What makes Mad Mad World so special? To begin with, it has the largest cast of comedians ever assem- bled for one movie. The leading roles are played by Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Jonathan Winters, Mickey Rooney, Buddy Hackett, Phil Silvers, Ethel Merman and Terry-Thomas, among others. In smaller roles there are at least two dozen well- known personalities that turn up, including Buster Keaton, Carl Reiner, Andy Devine, Edward Everett Horton, Leo Gorcey, Peter Falk, Eddie "Rochester"' Anderson and the Three Stooges. There are also a few "'surprise" guest ap- pearances by celebrities who are not even listed in the cast credits, such as Jerry Lewis and the late Jack Benny. Last but far from least in adding to the fun is the presence of Spencer Tracy, an actor who was not usually associated with comedies. The second characteristic of It's A Mad Mad World is that it abounds with slap- stick, sight gags, car chases, wild stunts and special ef- fects. It contains more slapstick per reel than any film which has come out since the days of the silent Mack Sennett comedies. The third distinguishing feature of this movie is its original story by William Rose. It concerns a robbery and the crosses and doublecrosses that follow. A dying crook (Jimmy Durante) reveals to a number of passersby the location of a cache of loot which he has buried away. Book tells about secular church The bookworm by Shirley Whittington It appears that union between the Anglican and United Churches in Canada may never progress beyond an ecumenical pipe dream, but one failure to unite proved to be a spiritual springboard for All Saints' Anglican. Church in Toronto. In 1968, a proposal to unite the parish df All Saints' with that of St. Luke's United Church was voted down by the vestrymen of All Saints. Since then, the historic old church at the corner of Sherbourne and Dundas Streets in Toronto has been transformed into a com- munity resource centre which ministers literally and meaningfully to the dejected and despairing residents of one of the city's seediest districts. The story is told in My Parish is Revolting, by Norman Ellis pastor at All Saints. Parish history began in 1872. The present enormous Victoria building was erected in 1874 and great names -in the history of Toronto and Canada have been associated with All Saints. By 1964, when Ellis came to All Saints, the congregation had diminished in number. Members lived in the suburbs, came down to their church once a week, and struggled to keep the church alive, although they were totally out of touch with what was going on in the actual Dundas-Sherbourne parish. "So the world that always suspected that the church was phony is ultimately convinced that we really are," says Ellis. Several alternatives presented themselves. There was a proposal to tear down the building and build a high rise complex on the site, with the church on the ground floor. Then came the ill fated amalgamation proposal. Then an opportunity for All Saints' to use their buildings for community purposes arose. A men's club that had formerly met in a disused pub asked to use All Saints' Parish Hall. A clinic from the Queen Street Mental Health Centre moved into the gymnasium. Ellis points out that historically, the poor people do not go to church, because they do not belong to the cultural setting which the middle class church provides. The large, poor and unworking population of All Saints' parish tended to be suspicious of what they saw in churches. Ellis's answer was the dis- establishment of All Saints. Yards of pews were moved out. An eighty-seat worship centre was set up at the front of the church. The remainder of the space was covered with second hand carpet scrounged from' the Royal York Hotel, and furnished with black leather furniture, television and gaily draped coffee tables. Doors were painted bright gold and red. "All then was open, lovely, surrounded by bright stained glass windows...a barren waste had become a place of colour and joy and laughter.."' The secular church was soon humming with activity. There was a drop-in centre for women, a room registry service, the Open Door social Midtown opens new restaurant The unofficial opening of the Midtown Motel's new restaurant takes _ place today, following extensive renovations. The motel has been rebuilt on part of the inside, with a liquor lounge and licensed dining room planned. The official opening of the lounge and licensed dining area awaits final approval from the Liquor Licence Board of Ontario, and is expected some time this month. The motel is owned by Wally Boyer, former hockey player with the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Win- nipeg Jets of the World Hockey Association. BUSINESSMEN * LUNCHES * 2 Specials Every Day PLUS SPECIAL EVERY EVENING BREAKFAST FROM 7:am Panorama San OPEN 12:00 - 1:00 (FULLY LICENSED) Hwy 27 and Balm Beach Rd. Midland 526-8483 Page 24, Wednesday, February 12, 1975 / } ¥v club, the Men's Club, a friendship centre. There is a special program for Canadian Indian children which emphasises their folklore and heritage. The Dundas Day-Care Centre is a half-way house for patients from the Queen Street Mental Health Centre. Legal aid counselling, Alcoholics Anonymous, children's groups, a community dress making group, a dental care plan a singles club and an overnight drop-in centre have all taken root at All Saints'. And what of religion? "When I think of 'religion', '" says Ellis, "I think of Synods and conferences... school prayers and compulsory church parades,... Bible punchers and Holy Rol- lers!.02 "When I think = of Christianity,.. I think of Christ and doing good and... the drunks on Sherbourne Street... whose friendship we have valued." There is Sunday worship at All Saints' and a weekly agape supper. There is also a_ great community commitment in this inner city church. The future is uncertain pending financial support. But, says Ellis, 'as long as we are ready to adapt, and also do no worry about who gets the credit for what we do, then we feel assured that we at All Saints' will have lots of fun." My Parish is Norman Ellis: 158 p.p. Revolting: Papejacks. This sets off a frantic chase for the money. A large amount of the credit fot the success of It's a Mad Mad World must go the snappy, knowledgeable direction of producer - director Stanley Kramer. Throughout his film one senses that his affection for the oldtime chase comedies is truly felt. In fact, it is amazing that such a hilarious comedy could be turned out by a movie-maker whose forte has always been rather heavy "message'"' dramas which have something important to say. Kramer's films include The Defiant Ones, On The Beach, Inherit the Wind, Judgement at Nuremberg and Ship of Fools. On the contrary, Kramer's Mad Mad World is pure escapism. If there is any "message" in this film, it's in showing the wild ex- tremes to which people will go when there is money at stake. However, Kramer's comedy needs no moralizing to justify itself; its' en- tertainment value is justification enough. PEN THEATRE Thurs. Fri. Sat. Feb. 13-14-15 "1T"S AMAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD" and HERBIE RIDES AGAIN Sat. Matinee -2:00 p.m! HERBIE RIDES AGAIN Sun. Mon. Tues. Feb. 16-17-18 BIG BAD MAMA AND FUGITIVE KILLER ADMITTANCE PERSO TO 1s YEARS OF AGE Of OEE GRIZZLY Pen Theatre = The True story of a man exiled in the wilderness and how he learns to survive Next -- Wed., Thurs., Feb. 19-20, 7:00 and 9:00 " p.m. Adults $2.00, Child RELEASED BY SUN CLASSIC PICTURES The Life and Times of |°! ADAMS Color by Deluxe* 75c, No Passes Please. "\\4 Recommended as| be ADULT ENTERTAINMENT KING ST. --- TONIGHT THRU SATURDAY 7:00 and 9:00 He sold his ODEON THEATRE MIDLAND -- soul for 526-5791 3rd ANNUAL VALENTINE LISTEN TO: FOR DETAILS CONTEST Statically-balanced S-shaped tubular tone- arm with skating force canceller, Lots of FREE parking, A great selection of the best names in Colour TV,: Stereo Consoles, Component Stereos and Quad. Largest and best equipped service shop in Huronia servicing all TV. makes, the largest selection' of CD4 records available is." 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ELECTROHOME VALUES OPENING SPECIAL Creston 26" Color Console e 100% solid-state C16X chassis e Black matrix picture tube e Electromatic controls for color, tint, fine tuning e Instavu for longer component life e Tone control and big 6" speaker e Mediterranean style cabinet on casters e Electrohome color TV warranty; 1 year free parts & labour, 6 year picture tube warranty plan Andorra Stereo with 8-track tape e Solid-state AM/FM stereo tuner e Built-in 8-track tape player e BSR record changer e Performance matched Cartridge with diamond stylus e Four high-efficiency speakers--two 9" oval, two 312' @ Headphone jack © Big 60" cabinet finished in Maestro Pecan e Electrohome warranty, 1 year free parts and labour " $499° When you know what you want...you want HLECTROHOME TED LIGHT'S 77 Main St. Penetang 549-7978