UCI Course’s Movies Are All Mysteries

Monday nights traditionally are one of the slowest for movie theaters. But the Edwards University theater here has had no trouble filling its seats--even though people aren’t told the name of the movie until they’ve already paid for their tickets.

The trick? “Coming Attractions,” a UC Irvine Extension class. For six consecutive Mondays each fall, a surprise film is shown, before it is released to the public. Then, a surprise guest--a director, writer, actor or someone else involved with the film--speaks and takes questions from the audience. About to start its third year, it has been one of the Extension’s most popular courses.

In the past, it has been moderated by Charles Champlin, The Times’ arts editor emeritus. This year, he is on medical leave, but in the best show biz tradition, the class must go on. It starts Oct. 14 with Chantal Westerman, longtime Hollywood correspondent for “Good Morning America.”

“She’s a terrific interviewer, and I think she’ll be very amusing,” Champlin said by phone from his home in Los Angeles.

“Coming Attractions” is the brainchild of Fifi Booth, a Dana Point resident who is an entertainment consultant to UCI Extension and a longtime friend of Champlin’s. She knew of UCLA Extension’s popular “Sneak Preview” class, conducted by various film critics, and she believed Orange County needed a similar opportunity to see and discuss films--including independent films that might otherwise never make it to Orange County.

Films and guests in past years have included “The Santa Clause” with writers Steve Rudnick and Leo Benzenuti, “Bullets Over Broadway” with actor Joe Viterelli, “Three Wishes” with director Martha Coolidge, and “Cobb” with director Ron Sheldon.

Champlin remembers running into problems when he tried to convince some Hollywood types to cross the Orange Curtain. “I think some expected to see whitened skeletons along the freeway, like the Oregon Trail. But everybody who came down was very impressed by the audiences.

“I’ve found they are really very sophisticated and rather demanding. Oddly enough, one term the most popular [film] was an extremely downbeat documentary about [eccentric cartoonist] Robert Crumb and his family. The audience [was] less thrilled with some of the light stuff we were having. They’re very demanding and very sharp, and they ask terrific questions. I think Chantal will have her hands full and will be delighted.”

And how does Westerman feel about filling in for Champlin? “He’s my idol,” she answered. “Chuck is one of those people . . . You watch him interview someone and you are in awe. He creates a safe place for people to go and talk about their dreams, their projects, who they are and how they feel. A lot of people in this business--critics, interviewers, teachers--don’t know how to create a safe place. Those are very big shoes I’m stepping into.”

Asked for a hint as to what she has lined up for the current term, Westerman said, “We have a wonderful list of potentials, just some of the greatest films that have a great buzz about them. And wonderful, wonderful guests.”

* “Coming Attractions” starts Oct. 14 at the Edwards University theater, 4245 Campus Drive, Irvine. $140-$155 for six classes. Registration: (714) 824-5414.