Page 26 Winter 1988 - 89
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The
Renegade segment is rough, funky and strange, just like the real
thing. We see the best and worst in convention entertainment: the joke
police carting off the Butterfly Man; an ethereal section with one
ball reggae contrasted by bowling ball macho; Fritz Brehm's exotic
three umbrellas; a yo-yo; Ms. Tilly on spoons. Anything can happen,
and does.
Then
comes joggling, where we flash back to Owen Morse beating Albert Lucas
at the wire with an 11.9-second 100-meter world record effort.
Ryder Schwartz may have been the most delightful fresh discovery of the convention. His cartoon-like character animates a loveable bit with top hat, cane and ball. After some zaniness with an airplane orbiting his head, Schwartz applies his unique character to a slick club routine.
The Public Show sequence spotlights some thoroughly professional work. The Gizmo
Guys, Allan Jacobs and Barrett Felker, take five balls between them
and present a seminar on movement. Charlie Brown wails away on
boxes. Elroy Bondo does a crazy plate spinning audience
participation bit. Ken Marrin, California's skateboard champ, shows
his chops.
In
the riskiest event of the convention, Waldo trades his usual puppet
for Robert Nelson,
and takes aim with his knife throwing act! Another highlight is
Peter Davison, shown doing his smooth three and five ball acts. His
graceful style and movement recall the elegance of Bobby May on a
cabaret stage.
Next come the winners. The Raspyni Brothers comedy shows us why Carson keeps bringing them back. Daniel Holzman's solid overhand throws with both hands to partner Barry Friedman leaves no doubt as to their technical expertise. Jeff Mason, the IJA Individual Championships winner, shows some outstanding cigar box work, as well as a beautifully lyrical diabolo routine.
The
final bit, an Easter Seals benefit show, is shot in the Rocky
Mountains above Denver. Laura Green casts a touching spell on the
audience of handicapped kids.
Criticism?
We would have enjoyed a whiz-bang finish, perhaps going back through
some favorite scenes while the credits rolled. The camera is focused
on convention stages almost all the time, and more general gymnasium
and tent footage would have made the film a more complete look at the
convention. And where was a workshops section? Perhaps in future
productions, the new video team can produce some "how-to"
tapes. Also, at 68 minutes, it was too short. We want more!
Overall,
the production includes excellent footage, and the pace never lags.
Jugglers should be happy with the professionalism of their art as
presented in "Convention '88 The Video." Why juggle? Don't
bother to explain. Just slip "Convention '88 The Video" into
your VCR and let it answer the question for you! -
Bill Giduz |