Événement

NOIR CITY 14: THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL / THE BIG KNIFE

Friday, January 29: ART? IN HOLLYWOOD?

The price of admission gets you into the evening double bill.

7:15
THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL
(1952, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer [;;;Warner Bros.];;;. 116 min.)

Scr. Charles Schnee, based on a story by George Bradshaw
Dir. Vincente Minnelli

Using a story structure borrowed from Citizen Kane, we learn the history of producer Jonathan Shields (Kirk Douglas) through the recollections of an actress (Lana Turner), a director (Walter Pidgeon), and a writer (Dick Powell) -- all of whom are being wheedled by Shields into making another film together. The script artfully weaves true Hollywood stories into a seamless and stormy melodrama that, thanks to the vision of Vincente Minnelli and the performances of an extraordinary cast, becomes the ultimate "Hollywood" movie.

9:40
THE BIG KNIFE
(1955, United Artists [;;;Park Circus];;;. 111 min.)

Scr. James Poe, based on the stage play by Clifford Odets
Dir. Robert Aldrich

Charlie Castle (Jack Palance) is a Hollywood star fed up with every aspect of his life being orchestrated by agents, managers, and studio bosses. Unfortunately, all these forces besiege his Beverly Hills home over a two-day period, attempting to strong-arm Charlie into signing a new seven-year studio contract. Compounding matters, Charlie's wife, Marion (Ida Lupino), threatens to leave him if he surrenders his last shred of dignity. Unfortunately, Charlie has skeletons in his closet that make it hard for him to say No.