Friday December 2 - 7:30 PM

EL CID, 1961, Elegant Films, 184 min. Of all the massive Hollywood costume films of the early 1960’s, we’ll pick this as our favorite: Charlton Heston (who else could play this role??) and Sophia Loren co-star as the legendary Spanish warrior and his wife, in director Anthony Mann’s epic masterpiece. "I’ll never forget how I woke up one morning and there was a misty fog over the whole of Valencia ... I yelled at Heston, ‘Look, I’ll never capture this again. Put on this armour and ride with a white horse across the sands ...’ And in ten minutes we got it." – Anthony Mann.

Saturday December 3 – 5:00 PM

THE AFRICAN QUEEN, 1951, Paramount, 105 min. Gin-soaked captain Humphrey Bogart decides to take pity on skinny, psalm-singing spinster Katharine Hepburn after her brother is killed in a German attack during WWI – and instead, winds up falling in love, and ferrying her downriver to launch a suicidal assault on a German warship! Brilliantly adapted from the C.S. Forester novel by director John Huston and James Agee (with uncredited help from Peter Viertel, whose novel White Hunter, Black Heart was inspired by his time in Africa during filming), and photographed by legendary British cinematographer Jack Cardiff. Discussion following with Jack Cardiff and color scientist, Dr. Richard Goldberg.

FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE, 1964, Elegant Films, 188min. Dir. Anthony Mann. Christopher Plummer and Stephen Boyd are former childhood friends who squabble over who will rule the Roman Empire (and get the lovely Sophia Loren) when the old emperor dies. Set against a vast canvas of history, the film is something like late-period Kurosawa: a masterful blend of formal action and pure, abstract color. With terrific supporting roles by Alec Guiness, James Mason, Omar Sharif and Mel Ferrer.

Sunday December 4 – 6:00 PM

MONDO CANE, 1962, 105 min. Were there ever two more controversial Italian filmmakers than Gualtiero Jacoppetti and Franco E. Prosperi? Both continued on as partners after losing Paolo Cavara (the third co-director on MONDO CANE and a critic of the pair later on), making shocking pseudo-documentaries on such subjects as African poverty, exploitation & anarchy (AFRICA ADDIO) and the history of colonialism and American racism in the New World (GOODBYE, UNCLE TOM). But for every aspect of their crusading personas, the filmmaking duo often also attracted poisonous vilification, accused of manipulating real-life events for the camera – accusations they vehemently denied and refuted in court. Who knows where the truth lies? The films speak for themselves as fascinating documents. The first - and some consider best - is a case in point, offering a colorful, bizarre catalogue of weird customs and rituals from all over the world. It also began a prolific, if brief, fad in the 1960s of ‘mondo’ movies by all variety of filmmakers (most nowhere near as talented). With a beautiful score and theme song by Riz Ortolani (both of which were nominated for 1964 Academy Awards).

Saturday December 10 – 5:00 PM

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS, 1956, Warner Bros., 183 min. Dir. Michael Anderson. This winner of five 1957 Academy Awards (one for Best Picture) adapts Jules Verne’s world-famous classic following turn-of-the-20^th-Century gentleman adventurer, Phileas Fogg (David Niven) and his manservant, Passpartout (Cantinflas) as they circle the globe in a hot air balloon. Complete with an astounding cast (some in blink-and-you-miss-‘em cameos) that includes Noel Coward, Charles Boyer, John Gielgud, Shirley MacLaine, Frank Sinatra, Ronald Colman, Buster Keaton, Marlene Dietrich, Robert Newton, Peter Lorre, George Raft, Gilbert Roland and more!

THE MUSIC MAN, 1962, Warner Bros., 151 min. Dir. Morton Da Costa. One of the most rousing musicals ever committed to celluloid in a rare screening! Fast-talking con-man, Professor Harold Hill (Robert Preston), blows into sleepy midwestern town, River City, intent on fleecing the citizens with a phony boys’ marching band scam. But meeting Marion (Shirley Jones), the town librarian and her kid brother, Winthrop, throws a monkey wrench into his scheme. A perfect balance of naivete and nostalgia as well as a gentle spoof of small-town small-mindedness, with a collection of great tunes, including "76 Trombones," "Sadder But Wiser Girl," "Goodnight, My Someone" and a sterling supporting cast made up of Buddy Hackett, Pert Kelton, Paul Ford, Hermione Gingold. Winner of the Academy Award for Best Music (Adaptation). With rare 4-track magnetic stereophonic sound.

ARCHIVE EXPERTS SEMINAR. Please join us for this fantastic opportunity to hear anecdotes and insights on Technicolor from some of the most prominent studio archivists in Los Angeles, including Schawn Belston of 20^th Century Fox, Bob O'Neil of Universal, Grover Crisp of Columbia Pictures (Sony), Dick May of Warner Bros and Barry Allen of Paramount.

Sunday December 11 – 6:00 PM

THE JOLSON STORY, 1946, Columbia (Sony), 128 min. Dir. Alfred E. Green. This smash hit from 1946, nominated for 6 Oscars (it won two, for Best Music Scoring and Best Sound Recording) is a terrific example of "Glorious Technicolor." Don't come to this expecting Jolson's "true" life story; this is Hollywood gloss all the way. It contains some of the best music of the first part from the 20^th century, including "Swanee," "California, Here I Come," "There's a Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder" and dozens of others. And the late, great, Larry Parks as Al Jolson shouldn't be missed! This film hasn't been seen in dye-transfer Technicolor on the Big Screen in decades. Don't miss this once-in-a -lifetime chance to see an original nitrate British Technicolor print!

COBRA WOMAN, 1944, Universal, 71min. Dir. Robert Siodmak. The mid-40s Universal kitsch quotient spills over-the-top in this gonzo saga of island maiden Maria Montez slugging it out with her newly-discovered evil twin sister!! With Jon Hall, Lon Chaney, Jr. and Sabu. Another nitrate Technicolor gem from the vaults. Discussion in between films with actress Betty Garrett (Larry Park’s widow).