Chemeketa Community College The Wednesday Evening Film Series Winter 2012 The Historic Elsinore Theatre, in partnership with the Chemeketa Community College Humanities Department and Film Studies Program, presents a program of classic and silent movies. The Historic Elsinore Theatre, in partnership with the Chemeketa Community College Humanities Department and Film Studies Program, presents a program of classic and silent movies. Our Classic program of eight sound-era movies begins January 4th with Singin’ in the Rain.  The program includes two acclaimed musicals, three madcap comedies, two eco-science fiction thrillers, and an action–adventure classic starring John Wayne.  Program notes offering commentary and relevant film history are provided at the Classic screenings. Our Silent program of five presentations–– celebrating the visual storytelling art of pioneering directors and stars––begins January 11th with Harold Lloyd’s 1924 comedy, Girl Shy.  The films are digitally restored from archival prints and presented with live accompaniment by Rick Parks at the “Mighty Wurlitzer Organ.” Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased at the Historic Elsinore Theatre, at www.elsinoretheatre.com and at all Tickets West locations.  Phone 503.375.3574 for information.  Box office and doors open at 6:00 pm, movies start at 7:00 pm.  Classic Series Coordinator: Robert Bibler, Chemeketa CC Film Studies. Silent Series Coordinator: Rick Parks. Sustaining Partner: Allied Video Productions     Series Sponsors:  John and Anne Bauer Keith and Madge Bauer The Aguilar Family February 1 7:00 pm  West Side Story  (Robert Wise, USA, 1961) When Maria (Natalie Wood) and Tony (Richard Beymer) meet at a dance, their blossoming young love is threatened by neighborhood rivalry, gang conflict, and racism in this unforgettable musical.  Set in New York’s side streets and alleys, and filmed in Technicolor and widescreen, West Side Story won ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture.   Based on the acclaimed Broadway production, with Leonard Bernstein’s powerful symphonic score, Stephen Sondheim’s heartfelt lyrics, and Jerome Robbins’ groundbreaking choreography.  With Russ Tamblyn, Rita Moreno, George Chakiris.  Color.  151 minutes. “Vivid film adaptation of the landmark Broadway musical updating Romeo and Juliet to late-1950s N.Y.C.”  ––Leonard Maltin February 8 7:00 pm  Harvey  (Henry Koster, USA, 1950) When Elwood P. Dowd’s close friendship with his drinking-buddy, Harvey––an imaginary 6’ rabbit––becomes too burdensome for his sister (Josephine Hull), she seeks to have Elwood (James Stewart) committed.  This charming, amusing, and disarmingly intelligent film is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway play that ponders the meanness of civil discourse, the loss of manners, and our impatience with eccentricity.  104 minutes. “ Stewart gives one of his best performances.  Hull won an Oscar as the distraught sister.”  ––Leonard Maltin “An amiably batty play with splendid lines is transferred visually to the screen and survives superbly….”  ––Halliwell’s Film Guide February 15 *SILENT* 7:00 pm   Steamboat Bill, Jr.  (Buster Keaton, USA, 1927) Effete college-boy Willie Canfield (Buster Keaton) comes home to a sleepy Mississippi River town, where he finds his estranged roughneck father, a sternwheeler captain, engaged in a riverboat rivalry.  Willie tries to fit in, but then falls for the daughter of the rival captain.  Keaton’s fearless agility as a comic athlete––performing all the amazing stunts himself–– is demonstrated when a cyclone rips through town.  As in The General, Keaton’s hero discovers his capabilities through conflict and action.  One of Keaton’s best films.  Pristine archival print.  70 minutes. “A marvelous comedy…. Hilarious, of course, with both delicately observed jokes and energetically athletic stuntwork coursing through the movie.  But what really delights is the detailed description of small town life…”  Time Out February 22 7:00 pm  The Birds  (Alfred Hitchcock, USA, 1963) After his horror classic, Psycho, the Master of Suspense turned to eco-science fiction, crafting this celebrated thriller about nature abused and out of control.  When Melanie Daniels (Tippi Hedren) travels to remote Bodega Bay on the California coast, she encounters swarms of seriously angry birds and experiences nature’s humbling power.  Based on a story by Daphne du Maurier.  With Rod Taylor, Jessica Tandy, Suzanne Pleshette, and a cast of thousands, mostly feathered.  Restored Technicolor, high definition, and widescreen.  Rated PG-13.  119 minutes. “Hitchcock’s classic…[is] a delight for those who are game.  Hold onto something and watch.”  ––Leonard Maltin “It’s fierce and Freudian and great cinematic fun,… this is Hitchcock at his best.”  ––Time Out “A curiously absorbing work, which begins as light comedy and ends as apocalyptic allegory.”  ––Halliwell’s Film Guide February 29 *SILENT* 7:00 pm  The Mark of Zorro  (Fred Niblo, USA, 1920) Douglas Fairbanks stars as the passive nobleman Don Diego Vega in old California, who turns against his own class to secretly become the masked champion of the people––Zorro.  Dressed in black, Zorro appears seemingly out of nowhere, and leaves the mark of his flashing sword as a scar in the faces of oppressors.  An action–adventure classic.  With Marguerite De La Motte.  Color tinted.  100 minutes. “Perhaps Doug’s best film––his first swashbuckler.  Nonstop fun.”   ––Leonard Maltin March 7 7:00 pm  Hatari!  (Howard Hawks, USA, 1962) In an African wildlife preserve, Sean Mercer (John Wayne) and his group of professional adventurers capture animals for zoos.  The group’s dangerous work is vividly filmed on location, with actors doing many of the stunts.  Director Hawks (Bringing Up Baby, Rio Bravo) enlivens the camaraderie back at camp with humor, baby elephants, and romantic conflict when an assertive female photographer (beautiful Elsa Martinelli) moves in.  A warm, relaxed adventure tale, accompanied by a justly famous, innovative Henry Mancini score.  Technicolor and widescreen.  159 minutes. “Marvelous lighthearted action film of wild-animal trappers in Africa, with just-right mixture of adventure and comedy.  Wayne is at his best… Filmed in Tanganyika.”  ––Leonard Maltin “Light, sunny, and effortlessly switching between action and comedy…  Superb footage of the actual capture of the wildlife, in which the danger and the excitement of the chase are beautifully, precisely evoked. …One of those rare films that genuinely constitute a ‘late masterpiece.’ ”  ––Time Out March 14 7:00 pm  The Road to Rio  (Norman Z. Mcleod, USA, 1947, 100 m) The Road to Rio is one of the best of the Bob Hope–Bing Crosby “Road” movies (inspiration for several Woody Allen films, numerous stand-up comics, and Ghostbusters).  The wisecracking duo, “Hot Lips” Barton (Hope) and “Scat” Sweeney (Crosby), are musicians who escape a carnival owner’s wrath by stowing away on board a luxury liner en route to Brazil.  A glamorous heiress (Dorothy Lamour), manipulated by a hypnotist, catches their roving eyes.  With Gale Sondergaard and the Andrews Sisters.  100 minutes. “Very funny outing in the series.”  ––Leonard Maltin “Top notch entry; fifth in the Road series.”  ––Videohound March 21 7:00 pm  Children of Men   (Alfonso Cuarón, USA/UK, 2006) Our second eco-science fiction movie is a fantastic British thrill-ride that opens in London in the year 2027, with nature out of balance and the world in crisis.  Women have become mysteriously infertile, and no children have been born for years.  Society is breaking down, terrorist acts and government oppression are spreading, and immigration is prohibited.  Theo (Clive Owen) just wants to buy a cup of coffee when explosive events trigger his journey into the underground, where a resistance movement––and perhaps hope––exists.  Spectacular action, filmed in long takes that keep it real and put you smack in the middle of it.  From the novel by mystery writer P.D. James.  With Julianne Moore, Michael Caine.  Color and widescreen.  Rated R.  109 minutes. “Riveting look at the year 2027.  Visceral action and chase scenes (incredibly shot by Emmanuel Lubezki) give us a real sense of being hunted, as Owen becomes an Everyman on the run.”   ––Leonard Maltin “This is as real and provocative as the future gets on screen.”   ––Time Out March 28  *SILENT* 7:00 pm  Little Lord Fauntleroy  (Alfred Green, Jack Pickford, USA, 1921) In the city slums of 1880s New York, young Cedric lives with his mother (Mary Pickford playing both roles, in seamless double exposure shots).  When Cedric learns he is an heir to a British fortune, mother and son travel to England to defend his claim, confronting the British aristocracy.  Based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett.  Cinematography by Charles Rosher (Sunrise), beautifully restored with original color tinting from the Mary Pickford Foundation 35mm archives.  112 minutes. *SILENT* denotes silent film with live organ accompaniment The Film Studies Program at Chemeketa Community College offers courses in film appreciation.  See the College Catalog, the quarterly Schedule of Classes, or contact Steve Slemenda at 503.399.6237 for further information. Historic Elsinore Theatre 170 High St SE, Salem OR 97301   503.375.3574  All films at the Historic Elsinore Theatre.  Box office and doors open at 6 pm, movies begin at 7 pm. Films subject to change.