The Stanford‘s new schedule is up, and the theme is Frank Capra. Of the 26 films they’ve announced, 18 are Capra’s.
Actually, they’re starting off Saturday night with a Billy Wilder double bill–Sunset Boulevard and Some Like It Hot. Great movies, but obvious choices that any cinephile has seen countless times. Still, if it’s been awhile since you’ve seen them on the big screen, here’s your chance. They play through next Tuesday.
The Capra begins November 2nd with the silent Power of the Press, Chris Elliott accompanying on the Stanford’s Wurlitzer organ. Then for four days it’s a double bill of Lady for a Day and Ladies of Leisure.
That sets the pattern for the next six weeks. Friday night we get a one-night-stand, either a Capra silent with organ accompaniment, or a non-Capra double bill of what appear to be obscure pre-codes. Then Saturday through Tuesday we get a Capra double bill. (The Stanford will be dark Wednesday through Friday.)
The Capra shows include all the classics–Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, Lost Horizon, and so on. (It’s a Wonderful Life gets its own one-night stand Christmas Eve.) But the series contains plenty of rarities we seldom get to see, like The Miracle Woman and The Younger Generation. And, of course, the silents.
The schedule promises one more silent Capra, to be named later. I have my hopes. The Strong Man, a 1926 Harry Langdon comedy that marked Capra’s first feature as a director, deserves to be seen. I’m not even sure that a print is available.
Good times.
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