Films: Old, Classic & Unknown on Saturdays

is the local classics film society which exhibits on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month* at 

2648 North Hackett Avenue 

starting at 7 p.m.

.

 

May 26: A "MEXICAN HAYRIDE" DOUBLE FEATURE FROM FOCUS!

As we have said in the past, the B pictures produced by RKO in the 1940s, especially their mysteries, were often much better than other studios' A pictures.  And THE FALCON IN MEXICO is no exception.  Suave and dapper Tom Conway plays the elegant amateur sleuth who winds up south of the border in order to find out the secret that lies behind a mysterious painting.  Winning performances by a good cast, a witty script, fine direction and a charming music score are some of the delights of this nice little picture.

Starring Tom Conway, Mona Maris and Nestor Paiva. Sscreenplay by George Worthing Yates, from the story by Michael Arlen.  Photographed by Frank Redman.  Original music by Leigh Harline (with additional library music by Bernard Herrmann, Franz Waxman and Roy Webb).  Produced by Maurice Geraghty.  Directed by William Berke.  From RKO Radio. 

 

And, as a co-feature, we present the very first three-strip Technicolor film ever made, 

LA CUCURACHA (1934)
After years of experimentation the Technicolor corporation perfected their famous process, and to test it out Pioneer Pictures and RKO Radio collaborated on this short subject, as a showcase for the new process.  And the colors just drip off the screen.  Dazzling color effects of a richness that hasn't been seen since the sad demise of this superb process.  The FOCUS Film Society has secured a completely restored three-strip imbibition Technicolor print of this famous short subject which we will present prior to THE FALCON IN MEXICO.  Enjoy!
Starring Steffi Duna, Don Alvarado, Paul Porcasi, Chris-Pin Martin with Edwardo Durant and his Rhumba Band.  Photographed by Ray Rennahan.  Technicolor Consultant Natalie Kalmus.  Production Designed by Robert Edmond Jones. Written and Directed by Lloyd Corrigan.  An RKO Radio Picture. 

 

*We skip the 4th Saturday showing in December.

" ... classic American films,

distinguished foreign films,

films you've missed,

films you want to see again,

and films

you may never have had the opportunity to see."

 

The role of a film society has several elements:

to offer a large part of the literature of film;

to provide a venue for film study and discussion;

to educate; 

to revive well-known but little-seen classics;

to provide some historical background related to motion pictures;

to introduce a new audience to films that are little-known to most followers of films;