YER JULY 2012 FILM SKED; MOVIES UNDER THE STARS, SUMMER WITH THE KELLYS, AND THE UNIVERSAL CENTURY!

WHASSAP STOCKERS?!?!?

Welcome to something very rare in my life; a second month of anything. So something must be working here, or I just have nothing better to do. You may decide which of the two is more reliable.

Response so far to our efforts has been pretty positive and some of you seem to be getting some use from the website and the Facebook updates, so I'm looking forward to posting further on the classic film skeds primed for your attendance unspooling in our great metropolis and just beyond. Be warned; there's a lot going on this month. This might take some time.

Should you simply want the month's rundown just scroll past the article and dig in to the listings.

Should you want an overview of what exactly the Hell those listings imply, read on MacDuff.

To begin;

Three major film fests are offered at three major film venues this month, two focusing on screen icons beyond compare; BAM's got Grace Kelly, the Walter Reade's got Gene Kelly. How do we get these two crazy kids to stop fighting and just fall in love already? Providing they're not related?

The MAJOR retrospective, and cinematic event of the month I argue, is the third film fest, going on all month and beyond at Film Forum; UNIVERSAL PICTURES: Celebrating 100 Years!

Where do I start?

The Forum's retro is about as comprehensive as you can cobble together, telling the story of one of the oldest Hollywood studios through it's output, one film at a time. I don't mean every film. That would take 100 years. Didn't you read the title?

Early Laemmle may be underrepresented, but beginning with Irving G. Thalberg's tenure as studio head, where amongst other laurels he may claim Lon Chaney's superstardom, the Forum's retro delivers choice examples of not merely the finest American films ever made but the importance of the studio from whence they came, the raison d'etre for Universal's existence past and continued. What's on display here? The classic horror cycle of the 30's, which saved the studio from Depression Era ruin, starting with Bela and DRACULA, fortified by Boris and FRANKENSTEIN, and then run amok gladly by werewolves, mummies and invisible men. And also a new sorta kinda prestige for a gutter cinema prospect; the sequel. These things were spun and spun again to the delight not only of contemporary audiences but of future geeks both filmmaker and audience. And hey, SON OF FRANKENSTEIN's a great flick! So nyeh!

The Abbott and Costello flicks may get short shrift here but one of the most important gets it's due; the beloved by all of the Aurora model kit generation ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN, which is perhaps the first perfect blend of horror and comedy seen in a Hollywood production. Lowbrow then, masterpiece now. Unimaginable without this? GHOSTBUSTERS. Debate me.

Hitchcock arguably discovered his new American identity under the Universal banner. His first effort for the studio was his first U.S. propaganda piece, and therefore first American flick with a capital A. SABOTEUR, which remains my favorite of Hitchcock's Hitchcock films, took the formula he'd perfected and trademarked in British cinema, and transplanted it to a form utmost of his newfound home in the once colonies. Indeed the can-do spirit of his ultimate hero, the mistaken identity, handcuffed-to-a-blonde fugitive, was always more suited to the American can-do sensibility than the British it's-just-not-done culture. This was it's first and I argue best manifestation, pure entertainment as only the master could provide.

There would follow an equal critique/love letter to his new home, the brilliant Thornton Wilder scripted SHADOW OF A DOUBT, with Joseph Cotten as one of the screen's most perfect and chilling villains. As morbid as Hitch was about murder, he would find equal acceptance in Hollywood for his other passion; justice.

Rock Hudson is represented by both Sirk and Doris Day. Jimmy Stewart is represented by westerns DESTRY and WINCHESTER '73. THE BANK DICK and THE DEER HUNTER, two noble pastimes, screen on the same Sunday. You will find some of the best of Dassin and Donen, of Kubrick and LaCava, of producers Hunter, Pakula and Coppolla, of DP's Edeson, Metty and Deakins, producers Wanger, Selznick, and this guy Zanuck Jr. who trusted a TV newbie to film a shark tale. Every era of film history is represented in the story of this one studio that staked a claim in a wilderness yet to be named Hollywood, and helped create the ultimate modern art form. Most films are scheduled to screen only once during the fest, so plan accordingly knuckleheads!

Over the river and through the woods, BAM presents one of the most iconic blondes of the 50's that would only, arguably, be overshadowed in her time by Marilyn Monroe. Grace Kelly presented a postwar aristocratic, well, grace, that was embraced by American audiences as one of our own, a New World royal bereft only of title. She gave us class to combat the perceived snobbery of the Europeans we'd just gone to war with after decades of friction. All the more the rub that she would abandon our most American kingdom of Hollywood to marry the short dude who rules a European gambling monarchy. Oh well, no one took it harder than Hitchcock. If you don't know, you don't wanna know. Here, however, is a nearly perfect body of work, from her devoted, gritty wife in HIGH NOON to her last film THE SWAN, mirroring her real life marriage but substituting Alec Guinness, who was inarguably an upgrade. Her CV, short though it may be, is worthy of a retrospective viewing.

Back on our side of the river the Film Society Of Lincoln Center, or as I like to shorten it the Walter Reade theater, because I just can't type, is presenting as comprehensive but longer a retrospective of a Hollywood icon with the same last name. I want both theaters to answer for this. Gene Kelly has become both adjective and adverb, shorthand not merely for a type of movie star, but a type of film. This is because Gene Kelly eventually took the reins of his own career and made Gene Kelly type films. And they hold up to this day because no one could make Gene Kelly films like Gene Kelly. I'm going to drop this thing now.

Our Mister Kelly was a tough Irish punk from Pittsburgh who found a way out of the slag heaps through dance. Sound familiar? He worked his way up to the lead in the original production of Pal Joey and became an overnight stage star, with offers now aplenty from Hollywood. Quickly compared to Astaire and lambasted for not matching the master's grace, Kelly instead went full forward with his ideas of dance; "I don't believe in conformity to any school of dancing. I create what the drama and the music demand." His was a style more athletic, acrobatic, more stunt oriented. It encompassed the derring-do mentality of America as absorbed within it's microcosm of Hollywood. It contrasted with Astaire but matched him as well; America had a sophistication, and an underdog status. They played the role of twins in that regard, and seemed happy to do. ALL of Kelly's major films are on display at the Walter Reade this month.

All but one.

SINGIN' IN THE RAIN turns 60 this year. And along with a newly minted BluRay disc about to appear there is a 1-day screening this month at participating AMC theaters. In Manhattan this would be the AMC Empire on 42nd street, Thursday July 12th at 2Pm and 7pm. This I finally caught last year for the first time (I know, I'm an awful human being) and I immediately fell in love with it as all of the human race does whence viewing. So I'm going. Just so's ya know.

Museum Of The Moving Image continues it's SEE IT BIG! series, which kinda conforms to the soul of this whole site as it were. I want you to occasionally if not often leave your 95" LCDamsa TV to share a communal viewing of a visually beautiful classic. This month ya got Kubrick, Coppolla, Powell and Pressburger, and Hitchcock. Because there always has to be Hitchcock, right? RIGHT?!?!!! Alright, I'm calming down.

MOMA continues to dig through its vaults for its ongoing Auteurist History Of Film Series. On display this month are definitive works from Ozu, Mizoguchi, Ophuls, Hitchcock, Chaplin and Minelli. Fuck with that, I dare ya.

On the Outdoor movie circuit the big Papa Bear of park flicks, the Bryant Park Fest, settles in for a long hot summer. This month you can be aggravated by the towel adjacent to yours while enjoying the likes of Brando, Hepburn, Bogart and Dean. All for the price of yer dignity. I kid, I love Bryant Park when all's said and done. I just wish all would be said and done once I got there for the flick.

In other outdoor screening news, the awesome and usually not-too-uncomfortable-in-July Hudson River Park presents Richard Donner's original1978 SUPERMAN, which is the one word equivalent, even more than STAR WARS, of movie magic to me. My dad always said whenever he watched Errol Flynn's ROBIN HOOD he was instantly transformed into the ten year old kid who first saw that flick. That's what Donner's SUPERMAN means to me. Presented here free on the Hudson. Cape optional.

Brooklyn Bridge Park gives with the Atticus Finch, BMOC of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. America's voted-on fave movie dad. Prospect Park, ever competing for cool against it's rival parks, presents a sing-along screening of The Muppet Movie. Miss that, rescind all attachments to yer childhood sez me.

Last but absolutely not least, the Nitehawk cinema in Williamsburg is doing their part at both ends. As it were. Classic screenings at noon and midnight for cinephiles from the 5 boroughs. Plus, they'll give ya booze. During a screening. Trust me, Brooklyn is our new France. As proof, the Nitehawk's going everywhere from LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN to FORBIDDEN PLANET to THE RED SHOES. 'Nuff sed.

So that's yer month. And it's packed like pickles in a jar with classic film screenings. We continue in our efforts to bring you the interactive calendar of your deepest desires. In the mean time please make use of our weekly updates, and for daily updates join our Facebook group. I promise to give my best efforts to keep you informed about the best. finest, most UNmissable screenings these five boroughs have to offer. Excelsior, knucklehedz!

FILM FORUM

Universal Pictures: Celebrating 100 Years

Frankenstein Fri 7/13 1pm, 4pm, 8:50pm
Dracula Fri 7/13 2:30pm, 5:30pm, 10:20pm
The Phantom Of The Opera (1925) Fri 7/13 7pm (live musical accompaniment)
Touch Of Evil Sat 7/14 1:30pm, 3:30pm, 730pm, 9:30pm
Cape Fear Sat Sat 7/14 5:30pm
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Sun 7/151pm
Shadow Of A Doubt Sun 7/15 3:15pm, 7:15pm Mon 7/16 1:15pm, 5:15pm
Saboteur Sun 7/15 5:15pm, 9:15pm Mon 7/16 3:15pm
BRAZIL Mon 7/16 9:15pm
Imitation Of Life Tue 7/17 3:30pm, 7:35pm
Magnificent Obsession Tue 7/17 1:30pm, 5:35pm
The Incredible Shrinking Man Tue 9:45pm
Sugarland Express Wed 7/18 1pm, 5:10pm, 9:20pm
Play Misty For Me Wed 718 3:05pm, 7:20pm
The Killers Thu 7/19 2:40pm, 6:20pm, 10pm
Criss Cross Thu 7/19 1pm, 4:40pm, 8:20pm
My Man Godfrey Fri 7/20 4pm, 8pm
Show Boat Fri 7/20 1:50pm, 5:50pm
The Birds Fri 7/20 9:50pm
Winchester '73 Sat 7/21 1pm, 4:40pm
Destry Rides Again Sat 7/21 7pm
Spartacus Sat 7/21 6:30pm
Jaws Sat 7/21 9:50pm
The Bank Dick Sun 7/22 2:35pm
Abbott And Costello Meet Frankenstein Sun 7/22 1pm
The Deer Hunter Sun 7/22 4:15pm
Scarlett Street Sun 7/22 7:40pm, Mon 7/23 2:50pm
The Big Clock Sun 7/22 9:40pm, Mon 7/23 1pm, 4:50pm
The Thing Mon 7/23 9:15pm
The Man Who Laughs Tue 7/24 3:50pm, 9:55pm
Broadway Tues 7/24 1:30pm, 6pm
The Goose Woman Tue 7/24 8:20pm
Imitation Of Life (1959) Wed 7/25 3pm, 7:05pm
All That Heaven Allows Wed 7/25 1:15pm, 5:20pm, 9:45pm
Phantom Lady Thu 7/26 2:40pm, 6pm, 9:20pm
The Suspect Thu 7/26 1pm,4:20pm, 7:40pm
The Bride Of Frankenstein Fri 7/27 1pm, 4:05pm, 7:10pm
The Black Cat Fri 7/27 2:30pm, 5:25pm, 8:40pm
It Came From Outer Space Fri 7/27 10:20pm in glorious 3D!!!
To Kill A Mockingbird Sat 7/28 3:10pm
American Graffiti Sat 7/28 1pm, 5:35pm
Charley Varrick Sat 7/28 7:45pm
The Big Lebowski Sat 7/28 9:50pm
The Wolf Man Sun 7/29 1pm, 5:25pm, 9:50pm Mon 1pm, 5:25pm, 9pm
The Invisible Man Sun 7/29 2:25pm, 6:50pm Mon 2:25pm
The Mummy Sun 7/29 3:50pm, 8:15pm Mon 3:50pm, 10:25pm
The Good Fairy Tue 7/31 1pm, 4:25pm, 9:35pm
Counsellor At Law Tue 7/31 2:50pm, 8pm
The Shakedown Tue 7/31 6:30pm

Also at Film Forum

The Battle Of Algiers Fri 7/6 thru Thu 7/12 2pm, 4:30pm, 7Pm, 9:30pm

The Von Stroheim Experience

The Merry Widow Mon 7/2 7:10pm
The Wedding March Mon 7/9 7pm
Blind Husbands Mon 7/16 7:15pm
Foolish Wives Mon 7/23 7pm
Merry-Go-Round Mon 7/30 6:50

BAM

Grace Kelly Retrospective

Rear Window Fri 7/13 thru Thu 7/19 check BAM for times
High Society Fri 7/20 2pm, 4:30pm, 6:50pm, 9:15pm
High Noon Sat 7/21 2pm, 4:30pm, 650pm, 9:15pm
To Catch A Thief Sun 7/22 2pm, 4:30pm, 6:50pm, 9:15pm
Fourteen Hours Mon 7/23 6:50pm, 9:15pm
Mogambo Tue 7/24 6:50pm, 9:15pm
The Swan Wed 7/25 6:50pm, 9:15pm
The Country Girl thu 7/26 6:50pm, 9:15pm

WALTER READE

Gene Kelly @ 100!

An American In Paris Sun 7/15 6:15pm, Tue 7/17 3:45pm
Anchors Aweigh Sat 7/14 6pm, Wed 7/25 3:15pm
Brigadoon Sat 21 2:15pm, Tue 24 3:30pm
Cover Girl Fri 7/13 4pm, Sat 7/14 8:45pm
The Cross Of Lorraine Thu 7/19 8:30pm
For Me And My Gal Sun 7/15 1:30pm, Wed 7/18 3:15pm
Gigot Wed 7/25 6:15pm
A Guide For The Married Man Wed 7/25 8:30pm
Hello Dolly! Sun 7/22 2:30pm
Inherit The Wind Thu 7/26 6pm
Invitation To The Dance Sat 7/14 4pm, Fri 7/20 4:30pm
It's Always Fair Weather Fri 7/13 8:30pm
Les Girls Mon 7/16 8:30pm
Marjorie Morningstar Mon 7/23 6pm
On the Town Fri 7/13 6:15pm, Mon 7/16 4pm
The Pirate Sun 7/15 8:30pm
Summer Stock Sun 7/22 6pm
Take Me Out To The Ballgame Sat 7/21 4:30pm
Thousands Cheer Sun 7/15 3:45pm
The Three Musketeers Sat 7/14 1:30pm
What a Way To Go! Mon 7/23 8:30pm
Xanadu Sat 7/21 9pm
The Young Girls Of Rochefort Sun 7/22 8:15pm, Thu 7/26 8:30pm

Also at Walter Reade

The Wanderers Mon 7/16 6pm

AMC EMPIRE 25

Singin' In The Rain Thu 7/12 2pm and 7pm

BRYANT PARK

The Wizard Of Oz 7/2
On The Waterfront 7/9
Roman Holiday 7/16
The Maltese Falcon 7/23
Rebel Without a Cause 7/30

All films start at sunset.

MOMA
The Steel Helmet Thu 7/5 7:30pm
The Band Wagon Wed 7/4, Thu 7/5/, Fri 7/6 all showtimes 1:30pm
Roman Holiday Fri 7/6 6pm
I Vitelloni Sat 7/7 5pm
The Earrings Of Madame De... Sun 7/8 2pm
Ugetsu Mon 7/9 4pm
Tokyo Story Wed 7/11. Thu 7/12, Fri 7/13 all showtimes 1pm
The Big Heat Wed 7/11 4pm
M. Hulot's Holiday Wed 7/25, Thu 7/26, Fri 7/27 all showtimes 1:30pm

MOMI

2001: A Space Odyssey Fri 7/6 7pm, Sat 7/7 2pm & 6pm, Sun 7/8 2pm & 6pm
Apocalypse Now Redux Fri 7/13 7pm, Sat 7/14 6pm, Sun 7/15 6pm
One From The Heart Sat 7/14 3pm, Sun 7/15 3pm
Cabaret Fri 7/20 7pm
The Red Shoes Sat 7/21 3pm, Sun 7/22 3pm
The Life And Death Of Colonel Blimp Sat 7/21 6pm, Sun 7/22 6pm
To Catch a Thief Sat 7/28 3pm, Sun 7/29 3pm
Vertigo Sat 7/28 6pm, Sun 7/29 6pm

NITEHAWK CINEMA

Taxi Driver Fri 7/6 & Sat 7/7 at Midnight
Leave Her To Heaven Sat 7/7 & Sun 7/8 at Noon
48 Hours Fri 7/13 & Sat 7/14 at Midnight
Forbidden Planet Sat 7/14 & Sun 7/15 at 12:20pm
Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? Sat 7/21 & Sun 7/22 at Noon
The Red Shoes Sat 7/28 & Sun 7/29 at Noon

BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK

To Kill A Mockingbird Thu 7/12 showtimes at sunset

HUDSON RIVER PARK

Superman: The Movie Fri 7/20 showtime at sunset

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