Sorry I’m posting this late. I was out of town for three days, with limited Internet access. And if it’s a bit short—well, I’m rushed.
A Century Ago: Films of 1909, Rafael, Sunday, 6:30. It’s great that the art of
cinema is now old enough for us to celebrate the centenary of particular films. This series, presented by the Academy (the Oscar folks), will screen several sot films (features were still a few years off) made as the art was maturing. They include an early Mary Pickford (she started working in film in 1909), comedies with Ben Turpin and Max Linder, and others. I caught a similar show—Mary Pickford films from 1909—in LA Tuesday night, and had a great time. Most of the prints are 35mm. Hosted by Randy Haberkamp, with piano accompaniment by Michael Mortilla.
B+ The Princess and the Pirate, Castro, Friday. Independent producer Samuel Goldwyn borrowed Bob Hope from Paramount and built a big, splashy, extravaganza around Hope’s onscreen persona. The result is one of Hope’s funniest movies. “And in Technicolor,” as Hope comments to the audience as he admires a bevy of beautiful women. Silly fun. On a double-bill with Guys and Dolls, the movie that answers the question: Why did Marlon Brando only make one musical? (Actually, this movie has what may be the worst lead casting in history. The stage play had two male leads, and only one of them requires a good singer. That part went to Brando. The non-singing role went to Frank Sinatra.) Part of the Castro’s Goldwyn series.
Bayflicks 