Alrighy folks, you've read about the 16mm flicks I show in the backyard, and invite local geeks to partake of, well I'm doing it again, only this time, You are invited. The Smithsonian invited me to have my 'night' as part of their 6 CRITICS ON CINEMA series, and for months I've been fretting about what to do. I mean I will be on the same stage that George Lucas was on earlier this year, the stage that Fay Wray took while showing KING KONG. What on earth was I doing there.
I accepted, because I wanted to go up to D.C. and check out the STAR WARS exhibit, and I didn't have the money to go, so AWAY I GO. What I'm going to be doing is this. I'll be talking about where I come from as a 'critic' something I don't consider myself, I'm going to talk about vintage cinema as well as future cinema. And the real reason to come has got nothing to do with me, but rather, what I'm bringing to D.C.
GET YOUR TICKET INFO BY CALLING - (202) - 357-3030 and tell them you found out from AIN'T IT COOL NEWS for a special discount!!!!
What I'm Bringing:
1. EL SPECTRO ROJO (1898) the coolest 100 year old film I know of. Demons, pixies and magic. It's an immaculate hand tinted print that will blow you away.
2. COPS (1922) The AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE may have snubbed Buster Keaton, but I sure as hell won't. Here we have the great Stone-face in one of my favorites. It's not SHERLOCK JR or THE GENERAL, but hey you may not have seen this one!
3. CALLING ALL GIRLS!!! (1935) In glorius Black & White you will behold a bevy of Busby Berkeley Babes!!! This is a wonderful 24 minute short that you won't believe. Behind the scenes of 42ND STREET, GOLDDIGGERS OF 1933, FOOTLIGHT PARADE and WONDERBAR!!!
4. YOU OUGHT TO BE IN PICTURES (1940) Starring Leon Schlesinger, Porky Pig and Daffy Duck. Simply wonderful.
5. THE TELL TALE HEART (1953) This Academy Award Nominated Rarely Scene gem will shock you. Lightyears ahead of it's time, it will impress you as being one of the greatest cartoons ever made. Starring the voice of JAMES MASON and visuals designed to be in 3-D, but their budget was cut and... well it only was made in 2-D. Breathtaking!!!
6. PSYCHO trailer (1960) Gus Van Sant is daring to touch a masterpiece, and I wouldn't dare cut a clip out to feature, so I will show how a perfect trailer is constructed by showing this amazing trailer. Nobody did it better.
AND LASTLY I will show 2 pieces of Ray Harryhausen's brilliant work in the fantasy film genre, and talk about what is wrong with fantasy films today, why they never seem to work, and what 'magic' they are missing that Harryhausen had. Including a look into Harryhausen's own workroom, all in glorius 16mm. Featuring clips from much of his work!!!
Come join me at the Smithsonian as I bring some of my favorite friends in their celluloid form to screen. Buster Keaton, Daffy Duck, Lotsa Babes, James Mason, Alfred Hitchcock, James Cagney, Porky Pig, Todd Armstrong, Janet Leigh, a 100 year old red skeleton and many others. It's gonna be a blast, and I can't wait to see you there!!!!
