August 16th 2015. Pick of the Day.
New York City's premiere resource for classic film screenings in the metropolitan area. Offering reviews, recommendations, venues and a host of links keeping classic film and the silver screens alive.
Continuing series this day include the Ozu and Scorsese tribs, at IFC Center and MoMA respectively, See It Big: 70mm! at Museum of the Moving Image, and One-Film Wonders at Anthology Film Archives. The search for the rep film circuit's Big W be thus;
IFC Center
EARLY SPRING (1956) Dir; Yasujiro Ozu
Film Forum
THE NIGHT OF THE SHOOTING STARS (1982) Dirs; Paolo & Vittorio Taviani
Museum of the Moving Image
IT'S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD (1963) Dir; Stanley Kramer
TRON (1982) Dir; Steven Lisberger
MoMA
A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH (1946) Dirs; Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger
THE UPTURNED GLASS (1947) Dir; Lawrence Huntington
Anthology Film Archives
SPRING NIGHT, SUMMER NIGHT (1967) Dir; J. L. Anderson
THE NIGHT OF THE HUNTER (1955) Dir; Charles Laughton
Today's Pick? I'll cut to the chase, which is something Stanley Kramer believed in as well. I'm choosing one of the most unique comedies in the history of film, a project that began with intentions, and budget, modest: an opportunity for its auteur producer/director to unload the heaviness of mega-successful message movies like INHERIT THE WIND, ON THE BEACH and JUDGMENT AT NUREMBURG. A simple tale of strangers happening upon a prospect not entirely legal, but very very intoxicating, a suitcase full of money buried for 15 years in a state park, and the cryptic instructions regarding its exact whereabouts. The idea to snag some of the most popular comedians of the day turned into a mad dash by every funnyman to cram himself into the film if even in a small cameo, which turned out to be a pretty good metaphor for the film's actual plot. The idea to shoot in B&W turned to color, turned to widescreen turned to Cinerama. The notion of general release turned into the popular-at-the-time roadshow unveiling, a presentation heretofore afforded only the most prestige projects, like past Best Picture-snaggers AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS and LAWRENCE OF ARABIA. The film grew in length, requiring not only an intermission, but an orchestral overture and exit music. Of course it was a huge success, making millions for everyone invloved. Again, ironic for a film that condemned excess and greed.
And yet, while Kramer himself might've been looking to film a frivolity message-less, and while its many detractors lo the past 52 years might insist upon its sheer hollowness, I believe it might have contained Kramer's best message, amidst such provocative topics as race relations, the nuclear threat and church v. state, and perhaps also the explanation as to why it remains his best-remembered and best-loved. I don't mean the obvious surface message that human beings, when tempted to behave at their very worst, will gladly accept such a prospect provided the reward glistens brightly enough. No, I'm referring to the final message delivered by the film, as all its main characters lie in hospital in various states of disrepair; that while we may never be able to escape the worst parts of our nature, perhaps our only chance to do so lies in our ability to laugh at our worst circumstances, and even ourselves. So while it ostensibly resembles a slapstick mean-party devoted to the crueller tidbits of our hearts, it actually has something profoundly positive to say.
Stanley Kramer's majestic madcap magnum opus IT'S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD unspools in glorious 70mm as part of Museum of the Moving Image's spectacular series See It Big! If you have to ask who the hell Smiler Grogan is, you could fly out to Santa Rosita state park or just do yerself a favor and make the trip out to MoMI. Bring a shovel and a pick axe. And remember, it's every man for himself.
For more info on these and all NYC's rep film screenings in August '15 click on the interactive calendar on the upper right hand side of the page. For reviews of contemporary cinema and my streaming habits (keep it clean!) check out my Letterboxd page. And be sure to follow me on both Facebook, where I provide further info and esoterica on the rep film circuit and star birthdays, and Twitter, where I provide a daily feed for the day's screenings and other blathery. Back soon with new Picks 'n perks, til then safe, sound, make sure the next knucklehead is too!
P. S. The warmer, fiercer cuddle of the sun's sunnier disposition has reached its zenith, but believe it or not some of our fellow NY'ers have still yet to be made whole in the wake of the 2012 storm. Should you be feeling charitable please visit the folks at OccupySandy.net, follow their hammer-in-hand efforts to restore people's lives, and donate/volunteer if you have the inclination and availability. Be a collective mensch, Stockahz!
