FALL 2025 SEASON SCHEDULE

Programs begin at 7:00 PM   

 

NOTE:  Some of our opening short subjects are announced in the listings, but others will be unannounced surprises!  

 

9/8    LADY FOR A DAY (1933).  Cast: Warren William, May Robson, Guy Kibbee, Jean Parker, Glenda Farrell, Ned Sparks, Nat Pendleton, Walter Connolly. Director: Frank Capra.  Our season begins with this classic comedy-drama from Columbia, based on a story by Damon Runyon.   A ragged apple vendor (Robson) must be quickly transformed into a refined lady before her grown daughter visits from abroad.  It’s up to a slick gambler (William) and his gang of cohorts to make the transformation happen and be believable.  Capra remade this story years later as POCKETFUL OF MIRACLES, but this 1933 original is generally considered to be the far superior version.  A wonderful movie that brought Columbia Pictures its first Academy Award nomination for Best Picture…and we’ll be screening the complete version that restores 4 1/2 minutes of previously “lost” footage that had been missing for years!

 

 

9/15  THE MARK OF ZORRO (1940).  Cast: Tyrone Power, Linda Darnell, Basil Rathbone, Gale Sondergaard, Eugene Pallette, J. Edward Bromberg, Montagu Love.  Director: Rouben Mamoulian. 20^th Century-Fox’s classic swashbuckling adventure of a young man in the 1800s (Power) who alternately appears as a foppish swell and a fearless masked avenger of evil.  Includes an exciting swordfight between Power and Rathbone.

 

 

9/22  THREE LITTLE WORDS (1950).  In TECHNICOLOR. Cast: Fred Astaire, Red Skelton, Vera-Ellen, Arlene Dahl, Keenan Wynn, Gloria DeHaven, Debbie Reynolds, Carleton Carpenter, Phil Regan. Director: Richard Thorpe.  MGM’s musical biography of the famous songwriting team of Bert Kalmar (Astaire) and Harry Ruby (Skelton).  Many great tunes including “Who’s Sorry Now?”, “Thinking of You”, “Nevertheless I’m in Love With You”, “Three Little Words” and “I Wanna Be Loved By You”.  Wonderful songs, a talented cast and an interesting story…Very entertaining and enjoyable.

 

 

9/29  THE CRIME OF THE CENTURY (1933).  Cast: Jean Hersholt, Stuart Erwin, Frances Dee, Wynne Gibson, Robert Elliott, David Landau. Director: William Beaudine.  A man has been hypnotized and commanded to rob a bank, but that’s only the beginning of the various (and deadly) crimes in this mystery gem from Paramount.  A terrific whodunit filled with interesting characters and unusual touches, including a unique opportunity for our audience!

PLUS  Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy in their 1930 short THE LAUREL & HARDY MURDER CASE. 

 

 

10/6  HARD TO HANDLE (1933).  Cast: James Cagney, Mary Brian, Ruth Donnelly, Allen Jenkins, Emma Dunn, Claire Dodd, Robert McWade. Director: Mervyn LeRoy. This lively Warner Brothers comedy has Cagney playing a slick, fast-talking operator who has one wild get-rich-quick scheme after another. Great fun!

PLUS  Thelma Todd and Patsy Kelly in their 1934 comedy short  I’LL BE SUING YOU.

 

 

10/13  ALL I DESIRE (1953).  Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Richard Carlson, Maureen O’Sullivan, Richard Long, Lyle Bettger, Lori Nelson. Director: Douglas Sirk. Engrossing drama about a wife and mother (Stanwyck) who deserted her family to tour as an entertainer.  When she suddenly returns ten years later it’s quite a shake-up for the family and the small town they live in. Stanwyck’s performance is wonderful and the other cast members are excellent as well.

PLUS  George O’Hanlon in the 1947 “Joe McDoakes” comedy short  SO YOU WANT TO HOLD YOUR WIFE. 

 

10/20  SON OF PALEFACE (1952).  In TECHNICOLOR. Cast: Bob Hope, Jane Russell, Roy Rogers, Trigger, Douglass Dumbrille, Harry Von Zell, Bill Williams, Iron Eyes Cody. Director: Frank Tashlin.  Paramount’s follow-up to Hope’s 1948 hit THE PALEFACE is made even funnier than the original largely due to the wild gags and direction by Tashlin. Hope plays Junior Potter, the Harvard educated son of his character in the first film.  When Junior arrives in his late father’s town to claim his inheritance he encounters numerous (and dangerous) Wild West situations.  A lively good time!

 

 

10/27  THE BODY SNATCHER (1945).  Cast: Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, Henry Daniell, Edith Atwater, Russell Wade, Rita Corday. Director: Robert Wise. Val Lewton produced this excellent adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale.  A respected doctor (Daniell) is forced to deal with a creepy individual (Karloff) in order to obtain cadavers needed for experiments.  An eerie and atmospheric drama that’s perfect for the Halloween season. We will be screening a recent restoration that presents this popular feature at its best.

PLUS  The Three Stooges in their 1945 spooky comedy short  THREE PESTS IN A MESS.

 

 

11/3  THE BIG CLOCK (1948).  Cast: Ray Milland, Charles Laughton, Maureen O’Sullivan, George Macready, Rita Johnson, Dan Tobin, Elsa Lanchester, Harry Morgan. Director: John Farrow.  The ruthless publisher of a crime magazine (Laughton) commits murder.  The magazine’s editor (Milland) tries to solve the case but soon realizes that he’s become the prime suspect!  An excellent thriller that’s loaded with twists and turns.  

 

11/10  WHEN WILLIE COMES MARCHING HOME (1950). Cast: Dan Dailey, Corinne Calvet, William Demarest, Colleen Townsend, Mae Marsh, James Lydon. Director: John Ford. This is Ford’s comedy-drama salute to those in the military who may not receive big accolades and parades, but they serve their country by unselfishly doing their job well. This is the story of such a soldier during WWII (Dailey).  A human story that many veterans can relate to.

 

11/17  CORONER CREEK (1948). In color. Cast: Randolph Scott, Marguerite Chapman, George Macready, Edgar Buchanan, Forrest Tucker, Sally Eilers, Barbara Reed, Wallace Ford. Director: Ray Enright. Powerful Western about a man (Scott) seeking revenge for the wrongful death of his fiancee.  Based on the novel by famed Western author Luke Short, this one really packs a punch and is highly recommended.

 

11/24  STAND-IN (1937). Cast: Leslie Howard, Joan Blondell, Humphrey Bogart, Alan Mowbray, Jack Carson, Maria Shelton, C. Henry Gordon. Director: Tay Garnett.  A biting but fun spoof of Hollywood as a stuffy bank accountant (Howard) is sent to examine the financial situation of a failing movie studio. He finds himself dealing with such interesting characters as a former child star who is now working as a stand-in (Blondell), an erratic producer (Bogart), a brash publicist (Carson) and many others. We’re pleased to be presenting an excellent restoration of this fine comedy…It hasn’t looked this good in years!

 

 

12/1  THE BISHOP’S WIFE (1947). Cast: Cary Grant, Loretta Young, David Niven, Monty Woolley, James Gleason, Gladys Cooper, Elsa Lanchester, Karolyn Grimes, Bobby Anderson. Director: Henry Koster. Our season finale and holiday show is this wonderful fantasy tale of an angel (Cary Grant) who comes to earth to help a bishop (Niven) and his wife (Young) raise money for a new cathedral…but things become quite complicated as the story develops.  An enjoyable movie that’s a beloved holiday season classic.

 

Please join us for dinner before the show. 

It is suggested you arrive for dinner no later than 6:00 PM so you can complete your meal prior to showtime at 7:00 PM.

 

 

 

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