European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 20, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Sidelight seeking the spirit of Christmas or at least of Hoffa by Caryn James the new York times two years ago the big movie that opened on Christmas Day in the states was a cheerful extravaganza the godfather part if. Well it was about a family. And the Corleone Are always sitting around eating a lot so maybe it Wasny to such an Odd Holiday Choice except for the Back stabbing and shooting. Last years Holiday season brought that lovable gangster in bugs. And the tradition goes on. This year stateside audiences get Jimmy Hoffa for Christmas. Coming up Are movies filled with bloodshed betrayal and music a something for everyone. What a a soft hearted viewer to do Why not put your own Holiday spin on the Story of a presumably dead teamster Here Are some viewing tips ways to turn this years Christmas films into Holiday  opening Christmas Day think of Jack Nicholson a Jimmy Hoffa As Santa bringing cheer to thousands of Little teamsters. Done task about his mob connections. Instead focus on Danny Devito As Hoffa a helpful Elf and sidekick Bobby always ready to do Santa a bidding a sending threatening messages lending Santa his gun. Off season Santa and Bobby up to the joint instead of the North pole but that a just  opening Christmas Day this Story of an inner City gang and corrupt firemen is such a perfect Holiday movie that it was actually saved for Christmas. Originally called the looters it was scheduled to open Over the summer but that seemed like an incendiary idea after the los Angeles riots. Then it was pushed ahead to february 1993, before someone recognized its Holiday spirit. The rappers ice cube and acct Star As gang members in East St. Louis Iii. When two firemen from ice to Arkansas arrive in search of hidden Gold think frankincense and myrrh toothed Cross the gang members and Are trapped in a burned out factory. Press material for the film Calls it a a contemporary retelling of Many Sage old quest for  Well who Hasni to thought at one time or another a Christmas is about loot just make sure to lock up the presents before you head for the  opening wednesday this almost became the first Christmas movie rated nc-17 no one under 17 admitted which would have made it Tough to think of As an Outing for the tots. The director Louis Malle trimmed a few steamy seconds to qualify for an r rating but there is still plenty of family activity on screen As Jeremy Irons Falls into an obsessive sexual relationship with his songs  opening thursday Here is a family Story much like damage but from the momus Point of View and with guerrilla insurrection thrown in for Good measure. Against the backdrop of French colonial Indochina Catherine de Nueve and her adopted daughter fall in love with the same Man. When its time to sit Down to the Christmas Goose Indochina might Lead to one of those sentimental dinner time discussions every family loves what were the French doing in Indochina has Deneuve had a Facelift Jimmy Stewart rebounds into the arms of Donna Reed and the adds in the 1946 film it s a wonderful life behind the screen of the Holiday hit a wonderful life by Bob Thomas the associated press except for the mistake of a film company lawyer it s a wonderful life might not have become the most popular movie of the Holiday season. The reason the Frank Capra movie turns up on so Many television screens this time of year is that the stations pay no Royalty. The copyright for its a wonderful life lapsed in 1973, 27 years after it was issued because the owner Nta failed to apply for a renewal. These and other facts about this Holiday Evergreen have been compiled in a new Book by Hollywood producer Jimmy Hawkins who appeared in the film and actor Paul Peterson who played the son on the Donna Reed show Reed co starred with Jimmy Stewart in its a wonderful life. A Hawkins was Only 4 years old when he worked in the movie. A i remember being wakened by my mom while it was still dark outside and going on streetcars and buses to Culver City a he recalled in a recent interview. A i remember the stages then and How they smelled it was a great odor something like  Hawkins a 52-year-old producer Evel Knievel the Satchel Paige Story was already a Veteran of More than 20 films when he appeared As the younger son of Stewart and Donna Reed. To research the a its a wonderful life trivia Book Peterson and Hawkins perused the Rio studio archives and talked to All the survivors of the film they could find. They Learned a Stewart did his own stunt but Reed who  swim had a double in the scene where a gymnasium floor opens up and they fall into a Pool. A Alan Hale jr., who went on to be the skipper on Gilligan a Island worked on the film for about two weeks though his part was apparently Cut before the film was released. Its a wonderful quiz los Angeles a a sampling of quiz questions from the ttys a wonderful life a trivia Book 1. What was Donna Reeds name before she married George 2. A familiar Young actor Veteran of our gang wants to dance with Mary Hatch. His name 3. The movies cop went on to Star in a hit to series. His name and the series 4. What actor played the Angel and what was the Angelus first name 5. Who was once considered for the George Bailey role 6. Who turned Down the role Donna Reed played 7. Where was the gymnasium swimming Pool scene filmed 8. Where was most of the movie shot 9. What Are the names of the Bailey children 10. What is the movies theme As expressed by the Angel answers 1. Mary Hatch 2. Alfalfa Switzer. 3. Ward Bond Wagon train. 4. Henry travers Clarence. 5. Cary Grant. 6. Jean Arthur. 7. Beverly Hills High school. 8. At the Rio ranch in the West san Fernando Valley. 9. Peter Janie Zuzu and Tommy. 10. A each Many a life touches so Many other lives and when he Isnit around he leaves an awful  Hawkins said another bit of evidence interested him. A i came across a list of the fees for the kids a he said. A Larry Simms who played my older brother got $100 a Day. The two girls who were the Sisters got $75 a Day and i got $50 a Day. Of course in 1946, $50 was a lot of  its a wonderful life Mil air on Christmas Eva at 9 . On tv2 at naval station Rota spam and 11 . Get on an and seb. Page 6 a sunday december 20, 1992