Jewish Post, Indianapolis, Marion County, 20 March 1991 — Page 7

Obituaries Leon Berger, 87, was dentist

Leon Berger, 87, a dentist, died Monday, March 11. He was eulogized in services Tuesday, March 12, at Aaron-Ruben-Nelson Meridian Hlls Mortuary. Cantor Ray Edgar officiated at the burial in Beth-El Zedeck Cemetery North. Dr. Berger, bom in Blythedale. Pa., opened a dental office at 723 Main Street in Beech Grove in 1929 and practiced there until his retirement in j!976. He was a faculty member of the Indiana University School of Dentistry from 1945 to 1970 as a lecturer in dental practice administration. He was the founder and past president of the Indianapolis Dental Research Group and a past president of the American Prosthodontic Society. He was a former secretary

of Congregation Beth-El Zedeck and was president of its men's club in 1935. He also was a charter member of the American Dental Practice Administration and of the American Equilibration Society and a member of Monument Masonic Lodge No. 657. He was a fellow of the American College of Dentists and a member of American, Indiana and Indianapolis dental associations and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. Survivors include his wife. Dr. Evelyn Kroot Berger, D.D.S., a daughter, Jane B. (Mrs. Lloyd) Delman, a son. Dr. Richard L. Berger, D.D.S.; a brother Morley Berger of Miami Beach, a sister, Mrs. Clara Rosenbaum of Lorain, OH; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Stanley Karatz, was CPA, contractor

Stanley A. Karatz, 68, died March 2 in San Francisco. He was a former contractor and had been a practicing CPA for the past 22 years. Services for him were at Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco March 4. Mr. Karatz was bom in Minneapolis and later resided in Phoenix, AZ and for many years in San Francisco. Survivors include his wife, Frada Karatz and children, Amy Karatz Weisz and Martha Karatz, both of Indianapolis, Jeffrey Shore of San

Rafael, CA; Susan Welty of Lafayette, CA, and James Shore of Menlo Park, CA; brother, Robert H. Karatz of Scottsdale, AZ, and nephews Bruce Karatz of Los Angeles and Robert Karatz of Scottsdale, and seven grandchildren. He was the father-in-law of Peter Weisz, John R. Kistler, Cynthia Shore and Richard Welty. Memorial contributions may be made to Congregation Emanu-El Rabbi's Fund, 199 Arguello Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94118.

Mina Ross, 82, taken by death

Services were held Tuesday, March 20 at Aaron-Ruben-Nelson Meridian Hills Mortuary for Mina Ross, 82. She died Sunday, March 17. Burial was in Beth-El North Cemetery. Rabbi Dennis Sasso conducted the services. She was bom August 4, 1908 in Neiderflorstad, Germany. A refugee, she lived in Shanghai, China from 1939 until she moved to Indianapolis in 1947. Mrs. Ross was head cook at the Borinstein Home (now Hooverwood) from 1952 until her retirement in 1965.

CriticTCorner

‘King Ralph ’ lacks majesty

By CHARLES EPSTEIN The MCA Universal film "King Ralph" is a fantasy that stretches the imagination beyond the realm of the fantastic. Highbrows will enjoy the

She was a volunteer for Rita's Day Care Center. Mrs. Ross was a member of Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation, Congregation Beth-E! Zedeck, Hooverwood Guild, the Jewish Community Center, Hadassah and the Golden Age Club. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hooverwood Guild. Mrs. Ross was the widow of Alfred Ross. She is survived by her daughter, Mrs. Seigmar (Rita) Simon; a sister, Mrs. Julius (Selma) Gutman; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren.

intellectual values and intelligent humor while abhorring the lowbrow comedy and slapstick. Lowbrows will find the highbrow attractions boring while feasting on the absurd humor and broad comedy. Naturally there is no mix, no blend, just a hodgepodge of a plot. The time is the present. King Ralph has ascended to the throne of England after the entire royal family was electrocuted while having their official portrait taken by a negligent photographer. The funeral must have been an endless weeping parade. "Ralph" is actually a bad Las Vegas lounge piano player. He finds his life suddenly altered without warning. No longer can he wear Hawaiian shirts, eat junk food, say what he thinks and live a life of irresponsibility. Now he is plunged into official uniforms, state banquets and the demands of sover-

eignty.

John Goodman stars as "King Ralph." His crude character simply does not ring true. No one can be that stupid and ignorant of at least a little bit of protocol and common sense. But Goodman slops through this most gooey script written and directed by David S. Ward, who surprisingly was the Oscar winning screenwriter of "The Sting." "King Ralph" is a spoof, but it wants to have its ring of authenticity. The mixture does not work in this motion picture. The supportingcast of Peter O'Toole and John Hurt lend all the aid they can and do

their talents cannot help divert this catastrophe from its ultimate disaster. Goodman finally gets a love interest, the beautiful Camille Coduri. He also gets to be the "good guy" who is Shanghaied into the royal family. Obviously Ralph does not have the dignity nor the wherewithal to be the King of England. But shouldn't he try? Shouldn't he know what would be offensive and what would be accepted? While he is king he is still representing the United States, where he was bom. Why would he insist upon embarrassing himself, the royal family, England and the U.S. with his obnox-

ious behavior? If it weren't for the emaciated and immaculate performances by Peter O'Toole and John Hurt the redeeming values of this movie would be completely absent. "King Ralph" is a waste of effort, creativity and money. I fell into its trap but escaped to forewarn you. "King Ralph" should get the royal shaft. Jewish Trivia Question: What handsome Jewish actor was bom Ira Grossel? Answer to last week's question: Eddie Cantor suggested "The March of Dimes" to President Roosevelt.

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March 20,1991 Page Indiana 7

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