December 23rd 2013. Pick of the Day.
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It's down to a battle of the month's two mighty retrospectives; one screening downtown and one uptown; one dedicated to moxie, muscle and at times downright malevolence on the part of its protagonist, the other to unveiling otherwise unseen feminine quality in its female lead; both examples of near uncanny career longevity in an industry that depends on the new giving the old the unceremonial boot; and finally, one the example of a certain type of masculinity intensifying the sexuality of a legendary actress, one Barbara Stanwyck, while the more estrogenically inclined sensibilities of director George Cukor justly exalts him as one of the great "women's picture" helmers of all time. A conundrum, no doubt, so let's look at today's slim menu in full;
IFC Center
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946) Dir; Frank Capra
Film Forum
THE MAD MISS MANTON (1938) Dir; Leigh Jason
RED SALUTE (1935) Dir; Sidney Lanfield
Film Society of Lincoln Center
ROMEO AND JULIET (1936) Dir; George Cukor
DINNER AT EIGHT (1933) Dir; George Cukor
Today's Pick? CUKOR takes it! The two-fer at the Film Society of the way-too old-for-the-roles Leslie Howard and Norma Shearer as Shakespeare's most famously doomed lovers (ROMEO AND JULIET), paired with MGM's sophmore offering in its newly minted All-Star film genre (DINNER AT EIGHT), just outpaces the twin Stanwyck bill at the Forum. For those of you keeping score at home it's 3-all with mere days to go. Babz. Cukor. There can only be one.
For more info on these and all NYC's remaining classic screenings in 2013 click on the interactive calendar on the upper right hand side of the page. And be sure to follow me on Facebook and Twitter! Back tomorow with another brand new Pick, until then roast yer chestnuts over an open fire and advie the other revellers to do likewise. Two days til Santa! Whoo!
-Joe Walsh
