Tuesday, July 4 - 4:00 PM

An appetizer for this month’s Mods & Rockers Festival! Double-Feature with Technicolor 35mm Prints! A celebration of England’s Mid-Sixties Supremacy In Soccer & Pop!

GO-GO MANIA! 1965, 70 min. Dir. Fred Goode. This wild, candy-colored music revue features the cream of the British Invasion bands — including performances by The Beatles, The Animals, Spencer Davis Group, Peter & Gordon, Herman’s Hermits, the Nashville Teens, Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas and The Honeycombs!! Shot in mind-blowing widescreen Technicolor by the cinematographer who later filmed Kubrick's 2001 A SPACE ODYSSEY – GO-GO MANIA! is a priceless time capsule of Britain’s sixties rock ‘n’ roll royalty holding court in sets that are more kitsch than rich…

GOAL! WORLD CUP 1966, 1966, Sony Repertory, 107 min. Dir. Ross Devenish & Abidine Dino. Another curtain-raiser for this year’s Mods & Rockers is this ultra-rare British Academy Award-winning Technicolor movie documenting the 1966 soccer World Cup. The tournament was held in the summer of 1966 at the height of Swingin’ London as the Beatles’ Revolver was released. Though nominally a sports documentary (and an acclaimed one at that) the film also captured the fans and surrounding milieu – and therefore unwittingly documented the finest hours of mid-Sixties Britain. England eventually won the World Cup beating Germany in a nail-biting final. Which 40 years on gives the Brits something to celebrate on the 4^th of July! Followed by a veddy British 4^th of July English Tea Party! These films are being shown as part of the "InterFootball Day!" July 4^th English Tea Party – a special fund-raiser for the Cinematheque. Ticket prices: $40 General, $30 Seniors/Students and $25 Members. The ticket includes food, beer, live 60’s band featuring SPENCER DAVIS • DENNY LAINE • STEPHEN BISHOP • GORDON WALLER and more!Sponsored by Bass Pale Ale.

Thursday, July 13 – 7:30 PM

THE BED SITTING ROOM, 1969, Sony Repertory, 91 min. Dir. Richard Lester. An ultra-rare lost classic, this surreal dark satire anticipated and influenced Monty Python and blended DR. STRANGELOVE-style apocalyptic barbs with Salvador Dali-meets-FELLINI’S SATYRICON visual brilliance. Lester and British comedic guru/Goon Spike Milligan (who co-authored) concoct a post-nuclear-holocaust Britain as a device to savage every last sacred cow - utilizing absurd characters drawn from a who’s who of British comedy (Milligan, fellow Goon Harry Secombe, Marty Feldman, Roy Kinnear, Arthur Lowe, Peter Cook & Dudley Moore) and leading thespians (Ralph Richardson, Rita Tushingham, Michael Hordern, Mona Washbourne). The film defies capsule descriptions but is universally hailed as the Holy Grail of black comedy by those lucky enough to have seen it. Check out the raves on IMDB. File under "un-miss-able!" NOT ON DVD!

Friday, July 14 – 7:30 PM

Dennis Hopper/Peter Fonda Double Feature:

EASY RIDER, 1969, Sony Repertory, 94 min. Dennis Hopper’s directorial debut is a simultaneous celebration of and elegy to the counterculture. Two lone wolf bikers (Peter Fonda, Hopper) make a killing on a drug deal and, to commemorate their new financial independence, decide to roll cross-country on a southwestern tour of America. What they find are exhilarating open spaces, free love communes and people living off the land. But they also find bad acid trips and a mortally dangerous climate of prejudice. Jack Nicholson shot to stardom (as well as received numerous awards, including a Supporting Actor Oscar nomination) for his funny, irreverent turn as a misfit alcoholic lawyer in a small, Southern town. The collaborative script was by Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper & Terry Southern. With great music by Steppenwolf, Roger McGuinn, Jimi Hendrix and more!

THE TRIP, 1967, Sony Repertory, 85 min. Dir. Roger Corman. Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Bruce Dern and Susan Strasberg star in this Jack Nicholson-scripted story of a burned-out TV commercial director who takes the ultimate acid trip. American International Pictures changed the ending without Corman’s approval to suggest a more anti-drug stance; still, the film captures the Sunset Strip at the height of its lurid, frenzied glory. Music by The Electric Flag. Cinematographer Lazlo Kovacs (EASY RIDER) will speak between films.

Live Theatre Event! GREAT EXPLOITATIONS! An Audience With Martin Lewis. App. 60 min. Described as a "veteran hipster" (New York Press) humorist Martin Lewis’ critically-acclaimed one-man show sprinkles hilarious tales from his life in rock’s fast lane - working with The Beatles, The Who, Sex Pistols, Rutles, Monkees, Wham!, Sting, Townshend, Daltrey, McCartney, Clapton, Jeff Beck, Phil Collins, Bob Geldof, Eric Burdon, Donovan, George Michael, Bryan Ferry, Chrissie Hynde, Cat Stevens, Slash and other rock luminaries. "The ultra-high-energy Lewis... a machine-gun style delivery of sardonic observations sweetened by an irrepressible exuberance... the sort of wit I call unimpeachable." - L.A. Weekly • "A treat! Incites and inspires with his witticisms." - Village Voice • "A very captivating raconteur." - Los Angeles Magazine • "He reminds me of my mother..." – Slash. FREE ADMISSION!

Saturday, July 15 – 7:30 PM

Ultra-Rare! ‘It’s-A-Drag-Being-A-Rock-Star’ Double Feature:

Sunday, July 16 – 7:30 PM

Ultra-Rare Double Feature:

A MAN COULD GET KILLED, 1966, Universal, 97 min. Director Ronald Neame’s very engaging action comedy is filled with a wealth of sixties style and remains one of the most likeable (and most unseen) pure entertainments from that swinging decade. James Garner is a bewildered American businessman arriving at the Lisbon airport who is mistaken for a top British agent searching for missing diamonds. No sooner has he been introduced to the British Embassy’s Robert Coote, than his car is blown up. A gangster’s amorous widow (delicious Melina Mercouri), as well as Portuguese conman Tony Franciosa and innocent, young Sandra Dee enter the picture, and the stage is set for infectious, expertly-timed fun and intrigue. NOT ON DVD!

IB Technicolor Print! KISS THE GIRLS AND MAKE THEM DIE, 1966, Sony Repertory, 106 min. Dir. Henry Levin, Arduino Maiuri (uncredited). Producer Dino DeLaurentis made several similar tongue-in-cheek action movies in the mid-sixties (i.e. Mario Bava’s DANGER: DIABOLIK), and this is one of the most diverting. Secret agent Mike Connors (TV’s "Mannix") careens around gorgeous Rio locations tracking the henchmen of evil Mr. Ardonian (Raf Vallone), a tycoon hoping to introduce the world’s female population to an extreme form of birth control with his own sterility-inducing satellite! Helping and hindering Connors is affluent spy Dorothy Provine, chauffeured around by her assistant, Terry Thomas. Loads of eye-popping action as well as a stunning bevy of European and American starlets (Margaret Lee, Nicoletta Machiavelli, Marilu Tolo, Beverly Adams) in supporting roles. NOT ON DVD!

Friday, July 21 – 7:30 PM

Double Feature:

THE KNACK…AND HOW TO GET IT, 1965, Sony Repertory, 84 min. A How-to Manual in the art of Swinging Seduction -- from the enormously-talented director of A HARD DAY’S NIGHT and HELP!, Richard Lester. Michael Crawford and Ray Brooks star as teacher and student, learning the fine points of pursuing girls -- including TASTE OF HONEY star Rita Tushingham, Jacqueline Bisset and a young Charlotte Rampling. With music by John Barry.

Saturday, July 22 – 7:30 PM

Ultra-Rare Double Feature:

DUFFY, 1968, Sony Repertory, 101 min. Director Robert Parrish helmed this film of a screenplay by Donald Cammell (PERFORMANCE) about two spoiled, swinging brothers (James Fox, John Alderton) who enlist expatriate American bad boy, James Coburn, to help them relieve their super-rich father (James Mason) of his fortune. Spanish and Mediterranean locations highlight this hip, underrated and captivating caper comedy. NOT ON DVD

Sunday, July 23 – ENCHANTED TIKI LUAU NIGHT AND ELVIS!

Join us in the Egyptian Courtyard for a Royal Southern Californian-style Luau between a double feature of island adventures exotic musical entertainment from King Kukelele and his Friki Tikis There will also be Tiki vendors and other special surprises in the courtyard from 1:00 PM till we shut it down.

Separate ticket prices for the films. Or enjoy just the luau and the music, or buy a ticket which includes all the films and the luau. For movies, General: $12.00, Sr/Students: $10.00, AC Member: $9.00 *Luau Dinner Only: $15.00 or Movies & Luau: General: $25.00, Sr/Student: $23.00 and Member: $22.00. *A limited number of dinners will be sold at the door. To guarantee a dinner ticket please purchase in advance.

Thursday, July 27 – 7:30 PM

Double Feature:

HAVING A WILD WEEKEND (aka CATCH US IF YOU CAN), 1965, Warner Bros., 91 min. Hoping to cash in on the success of A HARD DAY’S NIGHT, producer David Deutsch hired first-timer John Boorman (who later directed POINT BLANK and DELIVERANCE) to bang out a quick pop confection starring Britain’s hugely-successful Dave Clark Five. Instead, Boorman delivered this provocative Anti-Pop Film about the pressures of Mod stardom – in which drummer Clark and model Barbara Ferris try to disappear for a few days, and find themselves pursued by a rabid caravan of press agents, managers, reporters and the rest. NOT ON DVD!

Friday, July 28 – 7:30 PM

Two Rock Comedies by Writing/Producing Team Dick Clement & Ian La Frenais:

STILL CRAZY, 1998, Sony Repertory, 97 min. Dir. Brian Gibson. A classic "film that got away" - adored by the cognoscenti. Writers/producers Dick Clement & Ian La Frenais reinvigorate the familiar scenario of ‘aging rockers struggling with past glories and demons to make comeback’ - turning it into a glorious, hilarious paean to rock ’n’ roll camaraderie and Seventies excess tempered with sweet poignancy. Think SPINAL TAP meets MY FAVORITE YEAR through THE FULL MONTY as British hard-rock has-beens, Strange Fruit - including Stephen Rea, Bruce Robinson and a magnificent Bill Nighy - etch realistic portraits of middle-age rockster revival. Billy Connolly ("Deadwood") plays the Greek chorus as the band’s fatalistic, wise-cracking roadie. Spot-on songs by Foreigner’s Mick Jones and Squeeze’s Chris Difford.

THE COMMITMENTS, 1991, 20^th Century Fox, 117 min. Director Alan Parker (MIDNIGHT EXPRESS and THE WALL) teamed with veteran writing/producing duo Dick Clement & Ian La Frenais to turn Roddy Doyle’s brisk novella into a rollicking saga of mishap and achingly funny defeats snatched from the jaws of victory. A young hustling Dubliner shapes a ragtag bunch of miscreant Irish kids into a full-blown rock ‘n’ soul revue despite their best endeavors to self-destruct. The raw talent of the Irish performers - including Andrea Corr of The Corrs - imbue Motown soul classics with Celtic heart. Their would-be manager explains the improbable collusion simply: "The Irish are the blacks of Europe. And Dubliners are the blacks of Ireland…" Discussion in between films with actor Bill Nighy.

Saturday, July 29 – 7:30 PM

Christopher Jones Double Feature:

Ultra-Rare! THREE IN THE ATTIC, 1968, Sony Repertory, 90 min. Dir. Richard Wilson. College lothario, Paxton Quigley (Christopher Jones) decides to settle down when he meets his match in the intelligent, vivacious Tobey (Yvette Mimieux). But he soon finds that his libido has a mind of its own, attracted first to foxy soul sister, Eulice (Judy Pace) and then hippie chick, Jan (Maggie Thrett). When the three girls find out about each other, they resolve to join together to teach their swinging, mutual boyfriend a lesson, caging him in the attic of their dormitory and overdosing him with their ample physical charms in non-stop lovemaking! NOT ON DVD.

Sunday, July 30 – 7:30 PM

Wednesday, August 2 – 7:30 PM

EVERYONE STARES: THE POLICE INSIDE OUT, 2006, 75 min. Police drummer Stewart Copeland was an inveterate home-movie maker and rolled his Super-8 camera throughout the tumultuous rise and rise of the band as it toured and recorded its way to becoming the top band in the post-punk world. The footage captured intimacy and insights that only a band member could record. After all, Sting and Andy Summers knew that the filming was just for fun... Drawing on hours of priceless footage, director Copeland has created a memorable portrait from inside the eye of the hurricane that was the Police. His organic style is the antithesis of VH1’s formula "Inside The Music" docs. Exhilarating, funny and poignant. NOT ON DVD!

URGH! A MUSIC WAR, 1981, Warner Bros., 96 min. Dir. Derek Burbridge. Between them, Police manager/IRS Records founder Miles Copeland and his brother, the late Ian Copeland, who ran the fabled FBI music booking agency, represented and championed many of the most iconic acts in punk and the new wave. Including The Police (with their brother Stewart Copeland on drums), Joan Jett, Oingo Boingo, The Go-Go’s and The Dead Kennedys. Those acts and a slew more – including X, Devo, The Cramps, Chelsea, Echo and the Bunnymen, XTC, Gary Numan, OMD, Fleshtones, UB40 – were filmed in raw performance in London, L.A. and all points between for this Hellzapoppin’ snapshot of the 1980 music world at its rampaging best. Full of reckless energy and serrated-edged rock, punk, techno and reggae – this is a priceless, time-capsule of the last gasp before MTV hair-moussed the visual presentation of 80’s music into a gallery of vapid pretty pictures. NOT ON DVD! Discussion between films with Executive Producer (and Police manager) Miles Copeland and (subject to availability) Stewart Copeland. The evening is dedicated to the memory of their brother Ian Copeland – who died of melanoma at the age of 57 in May. Ian is featured in the Police documentary – and was a guiding light behind "Urgh! A Music War" - and many of the artists in the film.

Friday, August 4 – 7:30 PM

Lou Adler Tribute Double Feature:

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE FABULOUS STAINS, 1981, Paramount, 87 min. As the co-creator of the Monterey Pop Festival and the record producer behind the Mamas & Papas and Carole King among many others - Lou Adler was already a veteran when he directed this little-seen, but slyly knowing satirical drama of the excesses of the music industry. Diane Lane is brash teen, Corrinne "Third Degree" Burns, a gal on a mission to bring her all girl punk trio (including Laura Dern as Jessica "Dizzy Heights" McNeil) to fame. By hook or by crook, she gets the band on a tour opening for over-the-hill glam combo, The Metal Corpses (with Tubes singer, Fee Waybill) and punk rockers, The Looters (featuring Steve Jones & Paul Cook of The Sex Pistols and Paul Simonon of The Clash). Co-starring a great supporting cast, including Ray Winstone, Christine Lahti, David Clennon. Jonathan Demme and Nancy Dowd (SLAPSHOT) had a hand in the script which predicts it all: MTV vacuity, Madonna wannabes, Courtney Love’s rapid rise and swifter plunge… Every media-fueled celebrity suck ‘n’ slug fest of the past 25 years is anticipated in Adler’s keenly acid film. The studio gave it a very limited theatrical release, and it has never appeared on video. Don’t miss this ultra-rare screening of an underrated classic. NOT ON DVD!

UP IN SMOKE, 1978, Paramount, 86 min. Lou Adler produced Cheech & Chong’s string of drugged-out comedy albums that were de rigueur listening in the THC-fuelled early to mid-70’s and had produced acclaimed offbeat films, BREWSTER MCCLOUD and THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, so it was logical that he would distill his multiple talents into directing. His debut transformed the archetypal hippies into stoner-movie heroes. Short on plot and high (very high) on laughs – the film follows the clueless duo as they drive a vehicle made entirely of dope from Mexico to the US – blissed out and blissfully unaware that they are in a mobile stash. There’s a great soundtrack as well as a rock spoof sequence as the pair enter a battle of the bands at Hollywood club, The Roxy (which features several then-current L.A. groups, including The Dils!). Another stupendous supporting cast - look for the very funny Stacy Keach as narc, Sgt. Stedenko, as well as Tom Skerritt, June Fairchild and Val Avery. With Strother Martin and Edie Adams (!) as Tommy Chong’s rich parents. Adler delivers the best of the team’s six pictures.

Saturday, August 5 – 6.00 PM [Spielberg Theatre]

Free Spoken-Word Event by Acclaimed Writer Michael Walker!

LAUREL CANYON: Rock ‘n’ Roll’s Legendary Neighborhood, 45 min. In the sixties and seventies, an impromptu collection of musicians colonized a eucalyptus-scented canyon deep in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles and melded folk, rock, and savvy American pop into a sound that conquered the world as thoroughly as the songs of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. In his special talk Laurel Canyon – adapted from his new book of the same name - writer Michael Walker tells the inside story of this rock ‘n’ roll neighborhood, the unprecedented gathering of stars - including Joni Mitchell; Jim Morrison; Crosby, Stills & Nash; John Mayall; the Mamas and the Papas; Carole King; the Eagles; and Frank Zappa - and the indelible swath of popular culture created in a leafy canyon just ten minutes from the Egyptian Theatre…Michael Walker has written extensively about popular culture for The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, and other publications. He lives in Laurel Canyon…

Saturday, August 5 – 7:30 PM

Surf And Sand Double Feature:

THE GIRLS ON THE BEACH, 1965, Paramount, 80 min. Dir. William Witney. "The jet action surf-set hits the beaches and captures a love-load of bikini beauties!" The girls from Alpha Beta need to raise a staggering amount to save their sorority house, so they plan a beauty contest and other fundraising activities. When three guys appear claiming to know The Beatles, the girls decide a benefit concert with the moptops would be the best bet at saving their sinking fortunes. Little do they know these bragging boys are full of hot air. Who will step in to save the day? Why, The Beach Boys (singing "Little Honda" and "Lonely Sea"), Leslie Gore and the post-Buddy Holly Crickets. Starring Martin West (LORD LOVE-A-DUCK), Noreen Corcoran, Ahna Capri (PAYDAY), Mary Mitchel (SPIDER BABY, DEMENTIA 13), Lana Wood (Natalie’s sister) and Dick Miller as a grouchy bartender! NOT ON DVD!

BEACH PARTY, 1963, MGM Repertory, 101 min. Dir. William Asher. The film responsible (some might say "guilty") of starting the whole beach movie cycle had this bizarre tagline: "The perfect summer when the urge meets the surge!" We suppose they had in mind the ocean waves as "the surge," but whatever could they have meant by "the urge?" Answering that question are hot-to-trot sand-and-surf-loving teens, Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, John Ashley, Jody McCrea. Reluctantly saddled with chaperoning the lovable kids are traumatized grown-ups Bob Cummings, Dorothy Malone and Morey Amsterdam ("The Dick Van Dyke Show"). With Harvey Lembeck in his first appearance as madman biker, Eric Von Zipper. Dick Dale and The Del Tones supply the music!

Sunday, August 6 – 7:30 PM

Ski And Surf Double Feature:

SKI PARTY, 1965, MGM Repertory, 90 min. Dir. Alan Rafkin. It seemed only natural that strange mutations would evolve as the beach pictures continued in popularity at the drive-ins, and here we have the kids hitting the snowy slopes for their summer fun. Hard-up teen guys, Frankie Avalon and Dwayne Hickman (TV’s "Dobie Gillis"), fearing they will continue to strike out with the objects of their affections, follow heartthrobs, Deborah Walley (GIDGET GOES HAWAIIAN) and Yvonne Craig (Batgirl from TV’s original "Batman") when they depart on a ski trip. A bizarre subplot has Frankie and Dwayne taking a page from SOME LIKE IT HOT as they dress up in drag to spy on their girls. In the meantime James Brown and His Famous Flames (!) perform mega-hit, "I Feel Good" and Leslie Gore sings her ever-popular perennial, "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows."

Wednesday, August 9 – 7:30 PM

Double Feature:

PULP, 1972, MGM Repertory, 95 min. Dir. Mike Hodges. "I wondered who he was, the poor dead bastard," muses hack novelist Michael Caine (author of classics like The Organ-Grinder and My Gun Is Long), in Hodges’ wonderfully eccentric black comedy -- his follow-up to GET CARTER (and about as different as two films can be). Caine stars as Chester King a.k.a. Guy Strange, a pulp fiction writer happily stranded in Majorca -- until he’s hired by ex-Hollywood mobster Mickey Rooney to ghostwrite his autobiography. Littered with sight gags and random corpses (and co-starring the legendary Lizabeth Scott in her last screen appearance to date!), PULP is a rare and strange pleasure -- sip it like a dry martini. Also starring the great Lionel Stander (CUL-DE-SAC) and Al Lettieri (THE GETAWAY). With a score by Beatles producer Sir George Martin. NOT ON DVD!

SOME GIRLS DO, 1969, MGM Repertory, 88 min. Dir. Ralph Thomas. Suave Richard Johnson (THE HAUNTING) returns as the super-spy re-incarnation of Bulldog Drummond in this never-released-in-the-USA sequel to his previous outing in DEADLIER THAN THE MALE. Once more Drummond faces an onslaught of gorgeous women (Daliah Lavi, Beba Loncar, Sydne Rome, Yutte Stensgard) as he goes up against old arch-enemy, Carl Peterson (James Villiers), a wealthy lunatic bent on destroying Britain’s new supersonic plane with the aid of his all-female robots. Robert Morley is a standout as an oddball teacher of gourmet cooking. With swingin’ sixties score by WHAT’S NEW PUSSYCAT Musical Director Charles Blackwell. NOT ON DVD!

Thursday, August 10 – 7:30 PM

Elvis Double Feature:

G.I. BLUES, 1960, Paramount, 104 min. Dir. Norman Taurog. Elvis Presley is Tulsa McLean, a G.I. stationed in Germany who becomes involved in a scheme with his buddies to melt the icy exterior of cabaret singer, Lili. But in the process our hero falls for the feisty chanteuse. Charismatic and sexy Juliet Prowse is the perfect match for Elvis in this early vehicle for the King before the movie formula became irreversibly set in stone. Elvis sings a lot of songs, including "Blue Suede Shoes," "G.I. Blues" and more. Co-starring Leticia Roman, Arch Johnson, Mickey Knox, Jeremy Slate.

ELVIS AND JUNE: A LOVE STORY, 2002, BCI Eclipse, 46 min. Elvis had many loves including some of Hollywood’s hottest stars. But in the beginning he was just a young Southern boy looking for fun and romance. He found both in 1955/56 in June Juanico, a 17-year-old beauty queen from Biloxi with whom he couldn’t help falling in love while on the cusp of the stardom that eventually broke up their relationship. Before the break-up – June got Elvis "All Shook Up" to the point of pledging his undying troth. Director Stuart Goldman’s charming documentary tells the whole story and features the earliest home movie footage of Elvis. On vacation in Biloxi with his latest flame - June in the faraway summer of 1956… Just before "Hound Dog" broke Elvis’ career and (at the same time) June’s dreams of marital bliss…

Friday, August 11 – 7:30 PM

Elvis Double Feature:

FLAMING STAR, 1960, 20^th Century Fox, 91 min. Elvis Presley is a halfbreed son to white father, Sam (John McIntire) and Kiowa mother, Neddy (the beautiful Dolores del Rio) on their isolated homestead. When hostilities break out with the Kiowas, the King is caught in the middle. Don Siegel (DIRTY HARRY) directs what many believe to be the King’s best picture, with certainly his best-ever performance. Steve Forrest is Elvis’ half-brother and Barbara Eden the girl who loves him (in a role originally earmarked for Barbara Steele!). With Karl Swenson, Richard Jaeckel, L.Q. Jones. Songs include "Flaming Star."

LOVE ME TENDER, 1956, 20^th Century Fox, 89 min. Dir. Robert D. Webb. In his debut film, Elvis plays the youngest of the four Reno Brothers, the elder three of which (Richard Egan, James Drury, William Campbell) go off to fight for the Confederacy when the Civil War breaks out. The King stays at home to look after the farm as well as Ma Reno (Mildred Dunnock). When brother Richard Egan is reported killed, his former heartthrob, Debra Paget, marries our hero. But the brothers, including Egan, return after the war, embittered outlaws complicating things for those wishing to live in peace. More great support from Bruce Bennett, Neville Brand and Robert Middleton. Elvis sings "Love Me Tender," "Poor Boy" and more.

Saturday, August 12 – 4:00 PM

Special Screening of Acclaimed 2005 Mini-Series

ELVIS, 2005, CBS, 178 min. Dir. James Steven Sadwith. This highly acclaimed (6 Emmy nominations) mini-series was hailed by Presley insiders as being the best yet of the Presley TV dramas that have flooded the airwaves in the 29 years since the passing of Elvis. It’s only aired once and is not yet on DVD. Jonathan Rhys Meyers stars as Elvis and projects the complex fusion of sexuality and naïve country-boy vulnerability to great effect – and a Golden Globe. Randy Quaid captured the canny manipulations of ex-carny "Colonel" Tom Parker whose svengali puppeteering engineered the rise of Elvis – yet also led indirectly to his tragic demise. Camryn Manheim and Robert Patrick flesh out poignant portrayals of the parents who cannot fathom the heights or depths their son will scale and sink to - yet love him unconditionally. The story takes us from the earliest days to the triumphant resurrection of his 1968 NBC comeback special. A great place to help us remember Elvis that way. A remarkably powerful evocation of the legend. NOT ON DVD! Note: This TV mini-series will be shown in 2 sections. Part One: 4:00pm-5:30pm. Part Two: 5:45pm-7:15pm. Followed by a Q&A with Executive Producer Ilene Kahn-Power and (subject to availability) key cast and crew. Suggested donation $9.00.

Saturday, August 12 – 8:30 PM

Elvis Double Feature:

JAILHOUSE ROCK, 1957, Warner Bros., 96 min. Dir. Richard Thorpe. Wow, the Colonel would never have let Elvis play a role like this later in his career. In his third film, Elvis is Vince Everett, a guy serving a term for manslaughter. His cellmate, Hunk Houghton (yikes!) played by Mickey Shaughnessy is a former country star who introduces him to the record business. Once the King is released from stir, he quickly rises to the top as a rock ‘n’ roll singer. But will he remember the folks who got him there? Another of Elvis’ best, it features slambang Leiber-Stoller songs, plus there’s that jawdroppingly good "Jailhouse Rock" production number. Tragically, female lead and love interest, Judy Tyler died in a car accident just before the film was released. Elvis belts out the title tune as well as "Baby, I Don’t Care" and more!

KING CREOLE, 1958, Paramount, 116 min. Director Michael Curtiz (CASABLANCA) directs yet one more of The King’s better films. Although the studio and The Colonel toned things down a bit, this adaptation of Harold Robbins’ bestseller A Stone For Danny Fisher remains surprisingly good. Young New Orleans punk and high school dropout, Danny (Elvis) quits his busboy job and wrangles his way into performing a song in front of duly-stunned patrons. Before long, he is in demand and being pressured by mobster club owner, Maxie Fields (Walter Matthau) to sign an exclusive contract. Elvis once again receives grand support from such pros as Carolyn Jones, Dolores Hart (his leading lady in LOVING YOU and a future real-life nun!), Dean Jagger, Vic Morrow and Paul Stewart. Songs include the title ditty as well as "Hard Headed Woman", "Trouble" and more!

Sunday, August 13 – 7:30 PM

Elvis Double Feature:

FOLLOW THAT DREAM, 1962, MGM Repertory, 109 min. Country folk, Elvis and pa, Arthur O’Connell, are travelling in the Florida boondocks with their poor family in tow when they run out of gas. Short on funds, the clan stake a claim to what seems to be unused land, but soon have corrupt state officials harassing them as well as gangsters scouting acreage for a casino. Pro director Gordon Douglas keeps things appropriately light-hearted and brings a charming tone to one of Elvis’ fluffier early films. Co-starring Simon Oakland, Anne Helm, Jack Kruschen. Songs include: "Follow That Dream," "I’m Not The Marryin’ Kind" and more.

KID GALAHAD, 1962, MGM Repertory, 95 min. Although it doesn’t pack the same punch as the original starring Edward G. Robinson and Humphrey Bogart, Elvis Presley is well-cast as the naïve boy pushed into the boxing ring to enrich the pockets of his less-than-honest mentor manager Gig Young. Director Phil Karlson, like FOLLOW THAT DREAM helmer Douglas, was a tough guy director who cut his teeth on noir pictures (and went on to make the original WALKING TALL), but he obviously has his work cut out for him with the behind-the-scenes presence of the Colonel shaping the King’s image. Karlson keeps things moving and surrounds Elvis with a great cast, including Lola Albright, Charles Bronson, Joan Blackman, Ned Glass and Robert Emhardt. Songs include: "I Got Lucky," "King Of The Whole Wide World" and more.

Wednesday, August 16 – 7:30 PM

Elvis Memorial Anniversary:

VIVA LAS VEGAS, 1964, Warner Bros, 84 min. George Sidney (PAL JOEY, BYE BYE BIRDIE) directs what is certifiably one of Elvis’ better middle-period pictures. A great deal of the credit for it’s exhilirating verve can also be laid at the feet of fiery leading lady, Ann-Margret, who is more than up to the challenge of going head-to-head with The King. Elvis arrives in Vegas trying to get his car ready for The Las Vegas Grand Prix. In the meantime, he does some courting of his distinctly hard-to-get co-star. Formula and fluff are the order of the day, but whenever these two are together, you don’t mind. They are that good as a pair, especially at the knock-out finale where they perform the title tune, Elvis singing and Ann-Margret shimmying for all she’s worth. The closest Elvis got to really rockin’ in mid-sixties cinema. Elvis also sings Ray Charles’ "What’d I Say," "Come On Everybody" and more. Ann-Margret smokes on the smoldering "Appreciation."

ALTERED BY ELVIS, 2006, 54 min. An acclaimed documentary exploration of lives deeply and permanently affected by Elvis Presley. It follows those who have been impacted, mesmerized or fulfilled by Elvis - and even one childhood friend who claims to have been destroyed by the King of rock ‘n’ roll. Among the subjects is Larry Geller who fulfilled a dual role in the court of the King. He was Elvis’ longtime hairdresser – and also the man who Elvis credits with being his spiritual advisor. (One of the more unusual hyphenates in Hollywood.) His devotion extended to styling Elvis’ hair for his funeral… Husband & wife directing team Jayce & Tiffany Bartok use their film to illuminate both the phenomenon of worldwide Elvis obsession – and the broader topic of the impact of celebrity culture on ordinary people. Discussion in between films with ALTERED BY ELVIS directors Jayce Bartok & Tiffany Bartok – and with Larry Geller - Hairdresser/Spiritual Advisor to Elvis Presley.

Thursday, August 17 – 7:30 PM

Only Surviving 35mm Print!

BABY SNAKES, 1979, Intercontinental Absurdities, 164 min. Dir. Frank Zappa. In 1977, Frank Zappa gave a major concert in New York that gave full rein to the astonishing range of his talents. As a composer, musician, bandleader, conductor, satirist and ringmaster. Orchestrating the band, the event and the audience – the concert was a triumphant celebration of the breadth of his uniquely idiosyncratic vision. Zappa filmed the concert and spent the next two years editing, polishing and adding sequences to the film, including ground-breaking claymation. As usual, Zappa was far ahead of his time – and the film did not enjoy wide distribution on release. Frank Zappa’s widow Gail is currently restoring the entire Zappa film and video archive and this screening is just a flavor of what is planned for a full-scale Zappa film retrospective in next year’s Mods & Rockers Festival. Discussion with Gail Zappa following the screening.

>> Also playing at the Aero, August 31.