WTTW Channel 11 - Sneak Previews - "Snatchers / Which Way / Suite" (Complete Broadcast, 1/6/1979) 📺

Here's another edition of Sneak Previews as aired over WTTW Channel 11, hosted by Gene Siskel of the Tribune and WBBM Channel 2, and Roger Ebert of the Sun-Times. This is mostly complete save for the animated 'From WTTW Chicago' open.

Includes:

Opening titles and preview clip from "California Suite," followed by hosts introducing themselves, and then reviewing the following:

"Every Which Way But Loose" with Clint Eastwood - "Too loose" as Roger starts his review (and thinks Eastwood is better in violent dramas than stabs at comedy), while Gene thinks the actors who played the gang members look more like they belong in a bowling alley (both NO's)

"Invasion of the Body Snatchers" - Gene considers it a "decent remake" of the 1956 film of the same name and thinks the best moments are at the beginning, while Roger asks why they ever remade it in the first place (both YES's)

Neil Simon's "California Suite" - Roger considers the scene with Alan Alda and Jane Fonda as "one of the most touching moments," and cites a "sly scene" with Maggie Smith and Michael Caine and another scene with Walter Matthau and Elaine May, yet still considers it uneven; Gene is less enamored of the whole picture and insists you can hear Simon more than the actors (Gene - NO, Roger - YES)

"Uncle Joe Shannon" - Gene brands it one of the worst of the year, and notes the film "takes the easy way out"; Roger doesn't like it either but thinks it has a heart (both NO's)

"Pinocchio," re-released yet again - Roger considers the animation better than (then-)current standards and the film itself one of Walt Disney's best animation features; Gene praises the full animation (and Roger notices Gene's nose didn't grow when saying it) (both YES's)

They end the show with a preview of the next edition - a look at the films of 1978 including "Jaws 2," "Grease," "National Lampoon's Animal House" and "Heaven Can Wait" - oh, and as Spot the wonder dog reminds them, the very worst of the year (see here:    • WTTW Channel 11 - Sneak Previews - "B...   )

Ending credits:

Sneak Previews with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert
Producer - Thea Flaum
Associate Producer - Ray Solley
Scenic Designer - Michael Loewenstein
Assistant Director - Judy Cole
Director - Patterson Denny
A Production of WTTW / Chicago
(C) 1978 Chicago Educational Television Association

Funding notice (voiceover by Marty Robinson)

Animated 1971-84 PBS ID bumper

"...a tear-jerker - well, a tear-yanker would be more accurate..."

This aired on local Chicago TV on Saturday, January 6th 1979 during the 6:30pm to 7:00pm timeframe (episode re-run on Thursday, January 11th 1979 from 7pm to 7:30pm)

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