<<< May 2006 >>>

Restored 35 mm Print! GILDA, 1946, Sony Repertory, 110 min. Dir. Charles Vidor. Glenn Ford had made over a dozen films already, but GILDA really put him on the map as one of the most unique leading men of his generation. It was also the movie that defined Rita Hayworth’s onscreen image more than any other, and helped elevate her to Hollywood superstardom in the 1940’s. Rita stars as the sultry, torch-singing wife of a South American casino owner (George Macready), who finds herself in serious hot water when she re-connects with former flame, Ford. Plus: A rare short subject showcasing Ford’s first on-screen appearance. Special pre-screening appearance by Glenn Ford. Discussion following with Glenn’s son, Peter Ford. Also scheduled to attend, special guests Debbie Reynolds, Martin Landau, Angie Dickinson, Shirley Jones, Rip Taylor, Ernest Borgnine, Jamie Farr, Paul Mazursky, Michelle Phillips, followed by a birthday cake reception sponsored by Moet & Chandon champagne and Chopin Vodka.

LOS ANGELES PLAYS ITSELF, 2003, 169 min. Dir. Thom Andersen. A must see for Los Angeles history buffs and cinema enthusiasts who will marvel at the hundreds of archival and film clips revealing an almost secret history of the City of Angels! "This cinematic essay focuses on the discrepancy between the lived-in urban reality of Los Angeles and its various century-deep cinematic mythologies, the movie is about more than just what the movies get wrong. It’s about the way the imaginary space of cinema intrudes upon the actual space of our lives, so that the L.A. of the movies becomes a kind of separate urban reality unto itself." -- Toronto Star. Voted the Best Documentary of 2004 by the Village Voice and on LA Times Critic Kenneth Turan’s top 10 films of the year (2005).

Don't miss this rare chance to see a program of the nominated and winning documentary short films for this year's Academy Awards. Always a magnificent look into the talent working in this often overlooked format. Approx. total running time: 130 min.

Steven Okazaki’s "The Mushroom Club" (35 min). In this examination of the terrible personal toll that followed the bombing of Hiroshima sixty years ago, ten people whose lives were marked by the explosion are profiled. Kimberlee Acquaro & Stacy Sherman’s "God Sleeps in Rwanda" (30 min). The genocide that devastated Rwanda in 1994 also left in its wake a population that was suddenly seventy percent female. Five courageous women struggle to rebuild their lives in a society still reeling from its bloody recent history. Corinne Marrinan & Eric Simonson’s "A Note of Triumph: The Golden Age of Norman Corwin (40 min). This exploration of the lasting impact of radio broadcasting legend Norman Corwin’s work focuses on his landmark 1945 piece, "On a Note of Triumph," which aired on the evening of VE day. Dan Krauss’ "The Death of Kevin Carter: Casualty of the Bang Bang Club" (27 min). After shooting an award-winning photograph that captured the full horror of starvation in the Sudan, South African photojournalist Kevin Carter found himself tormented by doubts about the ethical implications of his work.

Special Mother's Day Tour. Buy one adult ticket at the regular price and Mom's ticket is free! (Two-for-One offer valid at the box office only).

COMEDY SHORTS

Join us for rounds of laughter as we bring you some of the funniest shorts from the recent festival circuit, with several of the filmmakers in person to answer questions about their inspiration, choices, stories from the set, how they raised their budgets and what they are up to next. Ticket buyers can sign up for a raffle to win a very "funny" prize. Travis Davis’ "Boy Next Door" (USA, 15 min.) This twisted, hilarious tale stars Richard Moll ("Night Court") as the "boy next door’s" worst nightmare. Angus Oblong’s "Deliriously Jen" (USA, 13 min.) Jen tries on a lot of identities and lifestyles and crosses every line of appropriate behavior as she declares herself a hag fag! John Viener’s "Lighten Up" (USA, 8 min.) A man deals with becoming a father…and a confidante in this Sundance 2006 selection. Bob Odenkirk’s "The Pity Card" (USA, 12 min.) Is the best place for a first date really the Holocaust Museum? Iris Bahr’s "The Unchosen Ones: Lost in the Holy Land" (USA/Israel, 17 min.) Iris Bahr plays all the female characters in this side-splitting short shot in Jerusalem. Mike Blum’s "The Zit" (USA, 5 min.) This animated charmer concerns a boy who discovers his first pimple on the way to his school dance. Sit back, laugh and squirm! Join us for a discussion following the screening with Travis Davis ("Boy Next Door"), Angus Oblong & Jennifer Manley ("Deliriously Jen"), John Viener ("Lighten Up"), Iris Bahr ("The Unchosen Ones:…") & Mike Blum ("The Zit").

AN IN PERSON TRIBUTE TO ART GILMORE, VOICE OF THE TRAILERS

From the sublime to the ridiculous, from GILDA and VERTIGO to THE BLOB and WEREWOLF IN A GIRL’S DORMITORY, Art Gilmore narrated over three thousand movie trailers. His vocal and dramatic gifts made him the first choice for every major director in Hollywood, including Ford, Wyler, Vidor, Stevens, DeMille, Wilder, Sirk, Kubrick, and Hitchcock. Tonight will be a once-in-a lifetime chance to meet the man who brought romance, humor and terror to over four generations of moviegoers. As one of Hollywood’s most beloved yet infrequently seen men, Art Gilmore has never before been honored for his contribution to motion pictures. Come join us for this very special night. The program is in two parts:

PART ONE: FROM ALIENS TO ELVIS – THE VOICE OF ART GILMORE. Approx. 75 min. A day at the drive-in theater, featuring the best (and a few of the worst) sci-fi classics, and some notable rock ‘n’ roll and juvenile delinquency treasures of the era.

PART TWO: GILMORE AND THE CLASSICS. Approx. 75 min. Trailers for some of the best movies made from the late thirties to the late sixties, often considered Hollywood’s Golden Age. Most of these haven’t been seen theatrically since their initial release. Also included will be rare Gilmore TV and movie appearances, and an audio clip from "This is Stereophonic Sound,"the first stereo demonstration record. A trip through movie history with Art Gilmore, seen through its most dazzling trailers, hosted by enthusiast and film historian, Leonard Maltin.