Don’t Miss These Hollywood Summer Nights Favorites
One of my favorite times of the year is upon us: Hollywood Summer Nights. For the uninitiated, every year we program a slew of classic and neo-classic films that are widely regarded in the canon of film. Some are fun and lighthearted, and some skew a bit more intense and dramatic — but all of the titles reflect a piece of film history from their era. I’ve just finished booking the titles at our four theaters, so I wanted to share some a few notes on some of the films that will be playing this summer. Titles vary at the different theaters so be sure to check out all our Previews flyers below.
The Maltese Falcon (1941)
75 years after its initial release, John Huston’s directorial debut is just as potent as ever. Arguably Humphrey Bogart’s finest depiction of a detective in his performance as Dashiell Hammett’s hard-boiled gumshoe Sam Spade. The Maltese Falcon is an early example of some of film noir’s most notorious characteristics: moody high contrast lighting, unique camera angles, a menacing and cynical plot, and loaded with nefarious double-crossers. The legacy of this film is insurmountable, not only lasting as the debut film from one of Hollywood’s most celebrated directors, nor because of the mysterious circumstances of the movies infamous prop and namesake, but because of its peerless impact on style, technique, and storytelling that can still be seen in film today. I have no doubt that people will still be screening this film and mimicking its techniques 75 years from now.
In the Heat of the Night (1967)
In the Heat of the Night was released in an era of American filmmaking that reflected a paradigm shift in narrative, filmmaking, and social consciousness. Just think about what else came out that year: The Graduate, Bonnie and Clyde, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, etc. These films were monumental achievements in documenting the social changes going on in the country. In the Heat of the Nightperfectly encapsulates this move towards social change through the character Tibbs, played by the undeniably talented Sidney Poitier. While the battle for civil rights was still raging on, Tibbs represented an intellectual force able to permeate the mentality of the Southern states that were still struggling with issues of bigotry and intolerance. The film was nominated for an impressive 7 Academy Awards and took home 5 including Best Picture.
Pretty in Pink (1986)
It’s hard to believe that this film is turning 30 this year! We’re not trying to make anyone feel old, we’re merely celebrating the landmark teen comedy from the seminal screenwriter John Hughes. Despite being 36 when he wrote this film, Hughes had an undeniable knack for dramatizing the issues and struggles of the American teenager. He was able to avoid cliche and melodrama, and gave us a litany of teen films that felt honest and visceral. Few writers have accomplished such a feat since. Let’s just admit it, we all want to be as cool as Andie and Duckie who embody that great (albeit dated) 80’s fashion and listen to the best 80’s music.
Sweet Smell of Success (1957)
A creative, non-traditional entry in the film noir canon. In its initial release, Sweet Smell of Success was met with less-than-favorable reviews when audiences were turned off by the typical nice-guy Tony Curtis being cast as the seedy, scheming Sidney Falco. Burt Lancaster apparently wasn’t too happy with the reaction either, reportedly threatening screenwriter Ernest Lehman (Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, North by Northwest, Sabrina, West Side Story) that he was going to “beat him up” for ruining the movie. Critics thought differently however, and it has since gone on to be considered a defining film for its cinematography and screenplay. This film was the first American production from director Alexander Mackendrick and arguably his highest achievement. Brilliant, complex, witty dialogue and a magnificent score from Elmer Bernstein set the tone for this moody classic.
Ace in the Hole (1951)
Set in the world of journalism, Ace in the Hole is one of auteur Billy Wilder’s darkest films. Kirk Douglas plays an ambitious reporter banished to a small town publication who seizes an opportunity to exploit a tragedy. A very dense, satirical film that was met with some confusion when it first came out, but has since become a celebrated film with many major admirers. The film has aged incredibly well — first time viewers are sure to experience the same feeling of shock and awe as when it first debuted. This is thanks to Wilder’s always astute writing and direction as well as Douglas’ intense portrayal of a wildly zealous anti-hero.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
From the hey-day of science fiction comes this fantastic piece of Cold War paranoia. A small-town doctor tries to warn the community that aliens are taking over the residents’ bodies and turning them into lifeless zombies. This is the perfect low-budget B-movie with a lot of brains from infamous sci-fi producer Walter Wagner. Without any violence, monsters, or deaths Invasion of the Body Snatchers is still an exciting, terrifying film due in part to the tension-building pacing, excellent acting, and ingenious script by Daniel Mainwaring, who also penned the classic Robert Mitchum noir Out of the Past.
Imitation of Life (1959)
Douglas Sirk’s influence can be seen in the films of countless directors such David Lynch, Quentin Tarantino, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Pedro Almodovar, and of course Todd Haynes whose award winning film Carol(2015) owes a lot of credit to Sirk’s filmography. Jean-Luc Godard once wrote of his work, “I am going to write a madly enthusiastic review of Douglas Sirk’s latest film, simply because it set my cheeks afire.” The director’s masterful use of color, lighting, and framing are exemplified in his final Hollywood film, Imitation of Life. A remake of the 1934 film based on Fannie Hurst’s novel, Sirk’s Imitation updates the story for 1950’s America and presents a brave, complex story about race, gender, and class.
Blue Velvet (1986)
Douglas Sirk’s influence on Lynch can be seen in droves in the 1986 bizzare-noir classic Blue Velvet. Celebrating its 30th Anniversary, this film is part cult-movie, part serious academic film, and helped to establish David Lynch as a major name in the world of cinema. Lynch’s lyrical, surreal, and sometimes terrifying depiction of 1980’s American culture is drenched with style and symbolism and would come to define what we now know as “Lynchian.” This film was also the triumphant return of Dennis Hopper who perfectly captures the lunacy and intensity of the unforgettable villain Frank Booth. A must-see on the big screen in a dark cinema.
The Public Enemy (1931)
Our oldest film in this year’s program is 1931’s gangster flick The Public Enemy. The Public Enemy (which was formerly titled Blood and Beer: Enemies of the Public) is an all-talking Pre-Code Hollywood production. What that means is that it was made during the early sound days before the Hays Code was introduced in 1934. This resulted in the production of gritty and often violent crime movies which we wouldn’t see in film for years to come. Obviously this violence is tame compared to what we’ve seen in films since, but it was pretty radical at the time. Cagney perfectly embodies the gangster in these early films — which, even decades later, still served as inspiration for directors like Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese.
Top Gun (1986)
Okay, so maybe Top Gun isn’t an award-winning, critically praised Hollywood masterpiece, but that doesn’t make it any less fun. Director Tony Scott, brother of Ridley, is known for over-the-top action/adventure movies that defined blockbuster films in the 80’s and 90’s and Top Gun is definitely his most iconic. Another 30th Anniversary, this film was celebrated for its astounding aerial photography which has profoundly influenced the way flight has been filmed ever since. Fast-paced editing, exciting flight sequences, and funny, famous dialogue — it’s no wonder Tom Cruise signed on for a sequel. We dare you not to smile when Goose and Maverick perform their rendition of “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling.”
We’ve got plenty of other titles lined up for the rest of the summer. Be sure to check our website for a complete schedule and pick up our Previews flyer during your next visit! Let us know what titles you’re looking forward to by commenting on this post or on social media. See you at the movies!
