Energy: Hollywood Finds a Plot

Time: the end of World War II. Berlin is burning. The Nazi high command sends one of its generals to negotiate an equitable peace with the Allies. His sole bargaining chip is the top-secret formula that produces synthetic fuel which has powered the German fighting machine throughout the war. On route to his rendezvous, the Nazi is captured by an American patrol. Then, in a classic scene of capitalist connivance, an American major takes the formula from him, shakes the Nazi's hand and says: "General, from now on, the world is going to be one big happy corporation."

That is the beginning of The Formula, an MGM film that opens nationally this week and stars George C. Scott and Marlon Brando. The movie panders to the many who believe that the energy crisis is all just a plot by Big Oil. In this case the energy companies have a formula for cheap fuel, but they are keeping it a secret in order to maintain high prices and gouge the public.

Oil companies are naturally unhappy about once again being cast in the role of the heavy. Mobil Oil lawyers have met privately with MGM officials to object. Says a Mobil spokesman: "This is not even a good piece of fiction." The clear winner from the film is Marlon Brando, who received a reported $250,000 a day for ten days' work. That is a real formula for making money.