Wednesday, January 02, 1985

BOB THOMAS

Los Angeles CA -- BY BOB THOMAS LOS ANGELES (AP) - Now comes the season that movie lovers love: the first quarter of the year, when a wide variety of unheralded films can be seen.

It's like a nutritious health-food diet after the gluttony of holiday feasts. Film companies traditionally release their modest attractions during the first three months of the year, when cold weather limits attendance and young patrons are in school.

Many of the films are throwaways that looked good on paper but not on the screen, but discriminating filmgoers can also find occasional gems that revive their faith in cinema. Here are some of the more promising movies: The Falcon and the Snowman, with Timothy Hutton and Sean Penn in the roles of the real-life young spies.

Turk 182, with Hutton on the right side of the law as a crusader against civic corruption.

Baby, the third release by Touchstone, Disney's nature label, about a young couple who discover a young dinosaur in Africa.

Witness, Harrison Ford in a drama about a murder witness who hides out in an Amish community.

Purple Rose of Cairo, Mia Farrow and Jeff Daniels in a Woody Allen film in which he does not appear.

That's Dancing, Jack Haley Jr. covers film dance in the manner of That's Entertainment.

The Mean Season, Kurt Russell and Mariel Hemingway in a thriller about a reporter tracking a serial killer.

The Slugger's Wife, Neil Simon's script about a baseball player (Michael O'Keefe) at the beginning of the season.

Rustler's Rhapsody, a western spoof with Tom Beringer as hero and Andy Griffith as the gay villain.

Movers and Shakers (tentative title), chicanery in a movie studio written and produced by Charles Grodin and starring Walter Matthau, Grodin and Vincent Gardenia.

Ladyhawke, a supernatural adventure with Matthew Broderick as a medieval youth trying to break a curse.

Fast Forward, Sidney Poitier directing 10 newcomers in a New York dance contest.

The Aviator, Christopher Reeve flying again, this time with the aid of vintage aircraft.

As with movies of all seasons, the accent will be on youth. Among those with youthful appeal: Fandango, five college kids on a spree before facing the Vietnam War.

Vision Quest, Matthew Modine as an 18-year-old seeking his place in the sun as a wrestler.

Desperately Seeking Susan, comedy- fantasy with Rosanna Arquette and rock star Madonna.

Mischief, Doug McKeon (On Golden Pond) and three newcomers in a 1950s coming-of-age comedy.

Breakfast Club, dramatic comedy with Molly Ringwald and Judd Nelson.

Sylvester, Melissa Gilbert and Richard Farnsworth in a heartwarmer about a girl and her horse.

What would a movie season be without a Stephen King thriller? The latest is Cat's Eye with Drew Barrymore, Candy Clark, Robert Hays and Alan King.

John Landis has directed a thriller- comedy called Into the Night, with Jeff Goldblum.

Albert Brooks and Julie Hagerty motor across the country in Brooks' comedy Lost in America.

In the dramatic vein: Mask, Cher directed by Peter Bogdanovich; Martin's Day, Richard Harris, Lindsay Wagner and Justin Henry (Kramer vs. Kramer) in a tale of an escaped convict and his hostage.

Somewhere in the above titles may lurk achievements that will live beyond the first quarter. But the box-office hit of the season could well be Porky's Revenge, the third coming of the raunchy comedy.