Winner of the best picture Oscar in 1951, "An American in Paris" is the glorious M-G-M musical starring Gene Kelly as the artist and the lovely Leslie Caron as the French girl. They fall in love and the ending is pure Hollywood, as the rich, older women in the film -- Nina Foch -- can only stand by, watch and fume.
The two dancing lovers have infectious grins and the Gershwin music keeps everything good-spirited. The songs include "I Got Rhythm," "Embraceable You" and "It's Wonderful." Georges Guetary, the entertainer who replaced Maurice Chevalier in the role of Caron's other suitor, sings a spiffy arrangement of "I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise."
As a sidebar, the quirky Oscar Levant thumps away happily on the piano. Kelly is the choreographer for the film -- note the ending ballet scene -- and Vincente Minnelli directed.
For the third time in 12 years, "An American in Paris" is being presented July 30 and Aug. 1-2 at the Victoria Theatre as part of the Michelob Ultra Cool Film Series. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m., except the Sunday show at 3 p.m. A 30-minute organ show precedes the actual movie. Tickets at the door are $4.75.
The following week on Aug. 7-9 the movie mood gets nostalgic and somber as the Victoria presents the 1962 film classic "To Kill a Mockingbird." Gregory Peck won the best actor Oscar for his heartfelt performance as Atticus Finch, the Alabama lawyer who defends a black man accused on rape.
Robert Mulligan directed this film based on the award-winning book by Harper Lee. The three kids are terrific. Mary Badham is Scout, Philip Alford is Jem and John Megna is Dill, the visitor from Mississippi. Look for Robert Duvall in his film debut as the mysterious Boo Radley.
This is the kind of film one can see over and over. The poignant ending gets to me every time I see it, which now numbers somewhere around 20.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Victoria hosts James Stewart
James Stewart, one of Hollywood's leading actors for more than four decades, is the featured star in the James Stewart Weekend at the Victoria Theatre in downtown Dayton.
The Michelob Ultra Cool Film Series presents "Vertigo" on Friday, July 24, "The Philadelphia Story" on Saturday, July 25, and "Harvey" on Sunday, July 26.
"Vertigo," a 1957 suspense classic, is slated Friday at 7:30 p.m. It focuses on Stewart as a San Francisco police detective who is assigned to trail the mysterious blonde played by Kim Novak. The Technicolor film uses many San Francisco locations as the film builds to its dramatic conclusion that wraps up the mystery. Barbara Bel Geddes plays Midge, Stewart's girlfriend, and Tom Helmore plays the husband of Novak. This film is rated by many critics as one of the top three Hitchcock films.
"The Philadelphia Story," a 1940 screwball comedy, is slated Saturday at 7:30 p.m. It features Stewart in his Academy Award winning performance as the man romancing Katharine Hepburn. Cary Grant is Hepburn's ex-husband. It's all played out in a Philadelphia estate.
The series wraps up on Sunday at 3 p.m. with a showing of "Harvey," the gentle comedy about a man whose best friend is a 6-foot-3 invisible rabbit named Harvey. It' a humorous look at a man named Elwood P. Dowd, who sees his rabbit even though no one else can. It's a change of pace for Stewart in this 1950 film.
Free popcorn and a soft drinks are available in the lobby before the show. A 30-minute organ concert precedes the film.
Tickets at the door are $4.75. Call 228-3630 for more information about the Victoria passbook that contains 10 tickets at a discount price.
The Michelob Ultra Cool Film Series presents "Vertigo" on Friday, July 24, "The Philadelphia Story" on Saturday, July 25, and "Harvey" on Sunday, July 26.
"Vertigo," a 1957 suspense classic, is slated Friday at 7:30 p.m. It focuses on Stewart as a San Francisco police detective who is assigned to trail the mysterious blonde played by Kim Novak. The Technicolor film uses many San Francisco locations as the film builds to its dramatic conclusion that wraps up the mystery. Barbara Bel Geddes plays Midge, Stewart's girlfriend, and Tom Helmore plays the husband of Novak. This film is rated by many critics as one of the top three Hitchcock films.
"The Philadelphia Story," a 1940 screwball comedy, is slated Saturday at 7:30 p.m. It features Stewart in his Academy Award winning performance as the man romancing Katharine Hepburn. Cary Grant is Hepburn's ex-husband. It's all played out in a Philadelphia estate.
The series wraps up on Sunday at 3 p.m. with a showing of "Harvey," the gentle comedy about a man whose best friend is a 6-foot-3 invisible rabbit named Harvey. It' a humorous look at a man named Elwood P. Dowd, who sees his rabbit even though no one else can. It's a change of pace for Stewart in this 1950 film.
Free popcorn and a soft drinks are available in the lobby before the show. A 30-minute organ concert precedes the film.
Tickets at the door are $4.75. Call 228-3630 for more information about the Victoria passbook that contains 10 tickets at a discount price.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Annie at LaComedia
"Annie" at LaComedia
"Annie" created a sensational Broadway hit in 1978. The popular comic strip was made into a two-act musical that is still just as popular today, with the right cast.
LaComedia Dinner Theatre offers, for the greater part, a most pleasing cast in its current version of the show about the 1933 orphan waif who charms a New York billionaire businessman and is adopted by him.
The role of Annie is shared by Madison Kilgore, 10, and Cara Severson, 11, a talented tandem that play the role on alternate performances. The role of Daddy Warbucks is nicely played by Eric Johnson, who is also directing his 19th LaComedia production. He cuts a commanding figure in his first LaComedia stage appearance.
The orphan kids at Miss Hannigan's rundown facility are all cute and plucky and Janet Brucken, a LaComedia veteran, is just fine as the put-upon Miss Hannigan. Special kudos to Charlie Goetz, another LaComedia veteran with more than 50 stage credits, who gives a charming portrayal as FDR.
Mike Dale as Rooster and Megan Wean take us for fun romp down "Easy Street" with a high-kicking Brucken adding to the fun song. Ashley Mills plays Grace, the assistant to Daddy Warbucks, Ernie Rowland is Drake, the head of the house staff, and Chris Beiser is Bert Healy, the radio voice.
Aside from a few quirks in scene changes, "Annie" is a brisk and energetic production that is a real crowd pleaser. As you may have guessed, it's a family show quite suitable for the younger set.
For ticket information, call LaComedia at 1-800-677-9505.
"Annie" created a sensational Broadway hit in 1978. The popular comic strip was made into a two-act musical that is still just as popular today, with the right cast.
LaComedia Dinner Theatre offers, for the greater part, a most pleasing cast in its current version of the show about the 1933 orphan waif who charms a New York billionaire businessman and is adopted by him.
The role of Annie is shared by Madison Kilgore, 10, and Cara Severson, 11, a talented tandem that play the role on alternate performances. The role of Daddy Warbucks is nicely played by Eric Johnson, who is also directing his 19th LaComedia production. He cuts a commanding figure in his first LaComedia stage appearance.
The orphan kids at Miss Hannigan's rundown facility are all cute and plucky and Janet Brucken, a LaComedia veteran, is just fine as the put-upon Miss Hannigan. Special kudos to Charlie Goetz, another LaComedia veteran with more than 50 stage credits, who gives a charming portrayal as FDR.
Mike Dale as Rooster and Megan Wean take us for fun romp down "Easy Street" with a high-kicking Brucken adding to the fun song. Ashley Mills plays Grace, the assistant to Daddy Warbucks, Ernie Rowland is Drake, the head of the house staff, and Chris Beiser is Bert Healy, the radio voice.
Aside from a few quirks in scene changes, "Annie" is a brisk and energetic production that is a real crowd pleaser. As you may have guessed, it's a family show quite suitable for the younger set.
For ticket information, call LaComedia at 1-800-677-9505.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
White Christmas
"White Christmas" is nearly here right in the middle of sumer.
The popular 1954 film features the famous Irving Berlin musical score and four Hollywood favoritesat the top of their games. The two-hour movie filmed in VistaVision stars Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye as two Army buddies who team up with Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen as a performing quartet in a rundown ski lodge in order to help their beloved Army general.
Short on plot but long on great songs, the film is scheduled July 10-12 at the Victoria Theatre in downtown Dayton. In addition to the title tune, one of the most famous songs in the movie is "Count Your Blessings."
"White Christmas" is presented as the second of 11 films in the Michelob Ultra Cool Summer Film Series at the Victoria. The series runs each weekend throughout the summer, which concludes Aug. 28-30 with three versions of "The Phantom of the Opera."
An organ concert is held one-half hour before showtime. The film begins at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets at the door are $4.75/ A 10-ticket passbook for $24 can be used in any combination.
The popular 1954 film features the famous Irving Berlin musical score and four Hollywood favoritesat the top of their games. The two-hour movie filmed in VistaVision stars Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye as two Army buddies who team up with Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen as a performing quartet in a rundown ski lodge in order to help their beloved Army general.
Short on plot but long on great songs, the film is scheduled July 10-12 at the Victoria Theatre in downtown Dayton. In addition to the title tune, one of the most famous songs in the movie is "Count Your Blessings."
"White Christmas" is presented as the second of 11 films in the Michelob Ultra Cool Summer Film Series at the Victoria. The series runs each weekend throughout the summer, which concludes Aug. 28-30 with three versions of "The Phantom of the Opera."
An organ concert is held one-half hour before showtime. The film begins at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets at the door are $4.75/ A 10-ticket passbook for $24 can be used in any combination.
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