Événement

NOIR CITY 15: ONCE A THIEF / THE SICILIAN CLAN

Wednesday, January 25

The price of admission gets you into the double bill.

7:15
ONCE A THIEF
(USA, 1965. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (Warner Bros.). 107 min.)

Screenplay by Zekial Marko, from his novel
Produced by Jacques Bar (uncredited), Fred Engel, and Ralph Nelson. Directed by Ralph Nelson

French superstar Alain Delon's first leading role in an English-language film highlights this ultra-hip 1960s heist yarn, shot entirely on location in San Francisco. The debonair Delon plays an ex-con settled into domestic semi-bliss with wife Ann-Margret, but when dogged cop Van Heflin puts the finger on him for a job he didn't pull, Delon has no choice but to throw in with his brother Jack Palance (!!!) on an actual robbery. Based on a novel by local mystery man Zekial Marko, who also acts in the film and provides exceptional '60s-hipster dialogue. Presented digitally

9:25
THE SICILIAN CLAN (Le clan des Siciliens)
(France/Italy/USA, 1969. 20th Century-Fox. 122 min.)

Screenplay by Jose Giovanni, Pierre Pelegri, and Henri Verneuil, from a novel by Auguste Le Breton
Produced by Jacques-Eric Strauss and Henri Verneuil. Directed by Henri Verneuil

Double down on Delon, as the sexy star portrays an escaped fugitive taken in by a Sicilian crime boss (the great Jean Gabin). Delon offers the gang a plan he learned in prison for a daring diamond heist, which they set in motion despite the relentless pursuit of a dogged detective (Lino Ventura). The real pitfall, however, is Delon's play for the boss's sexy daughter-in-law. Gallic testosterone runs amok in this high-flying thriller, enhanced in no small measure by Ennio Morricone's evocative score. Presented digitally