FREE Screenings Continuous From 8 PM
on the Second THURSDAY of Every Month!
This program is made possible through the generous support of theCinema Studies Program at the University of Pennsylvania.
Viewer discretion is advised.
FEBRUARY 14
Debussy: The Fall of the House of Usher [La Chute de la Maison Usher](2006 / 80 minutes)
Debussy’s unfinished Edgar Alan Poe opera is reconstructed and orchestrated by Robert Orledge and prepared with the short ballet, Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune; Jeux. From the Wiener Symphoniker at the Bregenzer Festspiele.
The Life and Works of Richard Wagner (1913 / 82 minutes)
In one of the first feature films, director Carl Fröhlich tells the story of the great German composer—from his childhood through his iconic triumphs in orchestral and operatic music.
MARCH 14
Applause [Applaus] (2009 / 85 minutes)
Director Martin Pieter Zandvliet’s harrowing drama about an acclaimed but alcoholic actress played by Paprika Steen seeking to regain custody of her children while performing in a production of Edward Albee’s play, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Applause (1973 / 100 minutes)
Videotaped in London for TV, Lauren Bacall stars in Betty Comden, Adolph Green and Charles Strouse’s musicalization of the cult movie All About Eve wherein an ingénue insinuates herself into the company of an established but aging actress. Co-staring Larry Hagman and Penny Fuller.
APRIL 11
No Way Home (1996 / 90 minutes)
Buddy Giovinazzo’s crime melodrama stars Tim Roth as a man recently released from prison who comes home to his troubled brother James Russo, and new sister-in-law Deborah Kara Unger.
The Man With Two Faces (1934 / 72 minutes)
Stage actress Mary Astor is under the influence of brother Edward G. Robinson in Archie Mayo’s mysterious thriller.
MAY 9
The Couch (1962 / 99 minutes)
A serial killer and his therapy sessions with a psychologist are juxtaposed with his murders by director Owen Crump in this movie written by Psycho author Robert Bloch.
All The Pretty Maids in a Row (1971 / 92 minutes)
Somebody is knocking off girls at the high school in Roger Vadim’s first American feature—a sex-comedy-thriller starring Rock Hudson as the football coach, Angie Dickinson as a substitute teacher, and Telly Savalas as the homicide detective on the case.
JUNE 13
Dusty and Sweets McGee (1971 / 89 minutes)
Floyd Mutrux’s unforgettable chronicle of rock ‘n roll fueled Los Angeles junkies.
Rings on Her Fingers (1942 / 86 minutes)
Director Rouben Mamoulian’s screwball comedy film starring Henry Fonda as a poor man who gets mistaken for a millionaire and who is swindled out of his life savings. Co-starring Gene Tierney.
JULY 11
A Double Life (1947 / 104 minutes)
In George Cukor’s drama, written by Ruth “Maude” Gordon and Garson Born Yesterday Kanin, Ronald Colman is an actor who is strongly influenced by the characters he plays—when he agrees to play ‘Othello’, the role overwhelms him with the Moor’s murderous jealousy.
Life Begins at Eight-Thirty (1942 / 85 minutes)
Ida Lupino lives in a small apartment with her father Monty Woolley who is a celebrated actor done in by drink. When things seem at their nadir, Woolley lands the apt role of “King Lear”. . .
AUGUST 8
Side Show (1981 / 98 minutes)
A teenage boy runs away from home and joins the circus. There, he witnesses a murder.
The Wagons Roll at Night (1941 / 84 minutes)
A lion escapes Humphrey Bogart’s carnival and is captured by grocery clerk Eddie Alert whom Bogart brings into the show and eventually makes chief lion tamer.
SEPTEMBER 12
West of Zanzibar (1928 / 65 minutes)
The ninth collaboration between Lon Chaney and director Tod Browning is a tale of revenge and debasement, wherein an evil English music hall magician is completely devoted to his wife who soon abandons him for an ivory trader.
Adventure In Iraq (1943 / 64 minutes)
Director D. Ross Lederman’s thriller where five Allied soldiers crash-land in Iraq. They are taken in by a local sheik, but soon begin to suspect that he may not be quite as friendly as he seems to be.
OCTOBER 10
The Monster (1925 / 86 minutes)
Roland West directs one of the first “mad scientist” films based on a play by Crane Wilbur. West’s movie freely mixes horror and comedy as Lon Chaney uses a “death chair” to transfer the soul of a woman into a man’s body.
The Eyes of The Mummy Ma (1918 / 57 minutes)
Director Ernst Lubitsch’s Egypt-set thriller about a young painter visiting the cursed tomb of a dead Queen.
NOVEMBER 14
Anna Nicole (2011 / 120 minutes)
Composer Mark-Anthony Turnage and librettist Richard Thomas’ opera about the busty Playboy playmate who married an octogenarian billionaire.
DECEMBER 12
Rope of Sand (1949 / 104 minutes)
William Dieterle directs Burt Lancaster, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains and Peter Lorre in a gritty drama about stolen diamonds and double crosses.
Jewel Robbery (1932 / 68 minutes)
William Dieterle directs the fifth of William Powell and Kay Francis’ seven movies together wherein a robber uses marijuana to make off with coveted jewels.
FREE Screenings Continuous From 8 PM
on the Second THURSDAY of Every Month!
This program is made possible through the generous support of theCinema Studies Program at the University of Pennsylvania.
Viewer discretion is advised.