| Special One Night Events &
Limited Engagements, Sneak Previews in June:
http://www.myspace.com/americancinematheque
Thursday, June 4 - 7:30 PM
Tribute to Writer Horton Foote:
Double Feature:
TOMORROW, 1972, Castle Hill Productions, 103 min. Dir.
Joseph Anthony. Robert Duvall stars as a Mississippi farmer who, despite his own
independent predisposition, falls in love with a pregnant woman who has been abandoned by
her husband. Based on a story by William Faulkner, this drama was adapted by Horton Foote
(TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD) from his play and is understated, touching and romantic.
TENDER MERCIES, 1983, Universal, 100 min. In
another Horton Foote-Robert Duvall collaboration, Duvall (in an Oscar-winning performance)
plays a fallen-from-grace Texas country singer who gets a second chance at life with an
attractive widow (Tess Harper) and her son. A purely character-driven collection of
episodes rather than a conventional story, TENDER MERCIES represents Foote at his
observational best, with expert direction by Bruce Beresford and fine performances by
Betty Buckley, Ellen Barkin and Wilford Brimley. Trailer
Monday, June 8 - 7:30 PM
Sneak Preview! THE TAKING
OF PELHAM 1 2 3, 2009, Columbia Pictures, 121 min. Dir. Tony Scott. In The Taking
of Pelham 1 2 3, Denzel Washington stars as New York City subway dispatcher Walter Garber,
whose ordinary day is thrown into chaos by an audacious crime: the hijacking of a subway
train. John Travolta stars as Ryder, the criminal mastermind who, as leader of a
highly-armed gang of four, threatens to execute the train’s passengers unless a large
ransom is paid within one hour. As the tension mounts beneath his feet, Garber employs his
vast knowledge of the subway system in a battle to outwit Ryder and save the hostages. But
there’s one riddle Garber can't solve: even if the thieves get the money, how can
they possibly escape? Guests to be announced. Trailer
Thursday, June 11 - 7:30 PM
New Restored 35mm Print! Irving Brecher
Tribute! BYE BYE BIRDIE, 1963,
Columbia, 112 min. Dir. George Sidney. A famous, Elvis-like rock star is drafted
and, as a public relations stunt, decides to give a public farewell kiss to the small town
girl chosen as his most zealous fan. Adapted from the original Broadway hit, this
hellzapoppin musical comedy stars Dick Van Dyke as a stressed-out press agent, Janet
Leigh as his longsuffering girlfriend, Ann-Margret as the ultimate in sweet,
sexy teenagers and Paul Lynde (!) as her justifiably anxious dad. Hank
Rosenfeld, author of the book on Irving Brecher, "The Wicked Wit of the West: The
Last Great Golden Age Screenwriter" will introduce the screening. More | Trailer
Friday, June 12 - 7:30 PM
Double Feature:
AIRPLANE! 1980, Paramount, 88 min. Dir. Jim Abrahams, David
Zucker, Jerry Zucker. After the whole airplane crew becomes ill, the survival of
everyone on board depends on ex Navy pilot Ted Stryker (Robert Hays). Will he be able to
safely land the plane? The quintessential movie spoof that spawned an entire genre of
parody films, the original still holds up as one of the brightest comedic gems of the
1980s. Trailer
TOP SECRET!, 1984,
Paramount. 90 min. Dir. Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker.Val Kilmer stars
as an American rock star who gets sucked into the world of European espionage in the
Zucker/Abrahams/Zucker team’s follow-up to their smash hit AIRPLANE! Taking shots at
everything from Elvis movies to WWII action epics, this parody has more laughs per minute
than just about any other film of the 1980s. Discussion in between films with directors David Zucker &
Jim Abrahams and other guests to be announced. Trailer
Saturday, June 13 - 7:30 PM
Double Feature:
ROCKY, 1976, MGM Repertory, 119 min. Sylvester Stallone
wrote and starred in the title role of this inspirational underdog story, the classic tale
of a struggling working stiff from Philadelphia who gets a shot at the world heavyweight
title. More than just a boxing story, in the hands of Stallone and director John
Avildsen this becomes a moving romance (with Talia Shire as Rocky Balboa’s
girlfriend) and a sociological document of working class Philadelphia in the 1970s. Burt
Young, Carl Weathers, and Burgess Meredith provide knockout supporting
performances. Winner of 3 Oscars, including Best Picture. Trailer
ROCKY II, 1979, MGM
Repertory, 119 min. Sylvester Stallone moves into the director’s chair for the
second and most character-driven of the ROCKY films. The story follows Rocky as he takes
another shot at the title, but the sports drama is only a starting point for what really
interests writer-director Stallone: digressions regarding Rocky’s personal life,
including his marriage to sweetheart Adrian (Talia Shire). A rare sequel that
deepens and develops its series’ themes instead of simply repeating them. Trailer
Sunday, June
14 - 4:00 PM
Errol Flynn Centennial
Double Feature:
THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD, 1938, Warner
Bros., 102 min. Dirs. Michael Curtiz and William Keighley. In what is
commonly acknowledged as one of the most beautiful, spectacular early Technicolor films,
swashbuckling Errol Flynn ("Welcome to Sherwood!") rescues lovely Olivia
de Havilland from the evil clutches of Claude Rains and Basil Rathbone in a rousing
adventure for the ages. Trailer
CAPTAIN BLOOD, 1935, Warner Bros., 119 min. Director
Michael Curtiz directs one of the best swashbucklers ever made, and the film that
made Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland stars. Dr. Peter Blood (Flynn), a
man unjustly convicted of treason, is exiled to Port Royal, sold into slavery and bought
by the lovely Lady Arabella (de Havilland). He and fellow convicts manage to escape, take
over a Spanish galleon, and pirate Captain Blood is born! Lionel Atwill and
villainous Basil Rathbone are standouts in the exceptional supporting cast. Starting
the program Robert Goodwin and his team will do a demonstration of both historic and
Hollywood sword styles. Robert Goodwin
has 45 years experience in Asian fighting styles, is a European sword master for film, and
has trained Ron Perlman, Kristanna Loken, Eric Roberts and others for on camera duels.
Join us at Every Picture Tells A
Story across the street at 3:00 PM, for a free Pirate Story Hour. Trailer
Sunday, June 28 – 5:30 PM
Art Director Series Designing for Adventure:
THE ISLAND
AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD, 1974, Walt Disney, 93 min. Dir. Robert Stevenson.
A Victorian gentleman hopes to find his long-lost son, who vanished while searching for a
mysterious Viking community in a volcanic valley in uncharted Arctic regions. Explorers
embark on an airship expedition to go on the search, but when they reach their destination
they must escape from Viking descendants who will kill to keep their existence a secret.
With David Hartman, Donald Sinden. Designed by Peter Ellenshaw, the film was
nominated for an Academy AwardŽ for Best Art Direction. Power point presentation prior to the screening and
discussion following with guests to be announced, moderated by John Muto. Trailer |
