(1929) United Artists, Produced by Joseph M. Schenck, Directed by Ernst Lubitsch, Scenario by Hans Kraly, Katharine Hilliker and H.H. Caldwell, based on the novel Der Koenig der Bernina by Jakob Christoph Heer, Music by Hugo Riesenfeld.

            with John Barrymore, Camilla Horn, Victor Varconi, Mona Rico, Hobart Bosworth, Evelyn Selbie, Bodil Rosing.

            In 1806, a small Swiss town is overrun by the invading French army.  When the villagers are forced to give up their firearms, one refuses (Barrymore), inciting rebellion and igniting souls on both sides.  Powerful emotions in this brooding romantic tale, with magnificent mountain scenery providing the dramatic setting.

            (1926) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer release of a UFA production, Produced by Erich Pommer, Directed by F.W. Murnau, Scenario by Hans Kyser, based on the play by Johann Wolfgang Goethe.

            with Emil Jannings, Gosta Ekman, Camilla Horn, William Dieterle, Yvette Guilbert, Eric Barcley.

            The Archangel of Heaven accedes to Mephistopheles’ petition to test the integrity of the elderly Faust.  Compelling, inventive, visually sumptuous film about the earthly conflict between good and evil, highlighted by impressive special effects and photography.  Included on the British Film Institute’s Film Treasures list.

Plus, the selected short subjects:

Zorro Rides Again (1937) Chapter 6  ~ “The Fatal Shot”

The Hazards Of Helen (1915) Chapter 26 ~ “The Wild Engine”

The Ropin’ Fool (1922) with Will Rogers

May 15

            (1951) Warner Bros., Produced by Raoul Walsh and Gerry Mitchell, Directed by Raoul Walsh, Scenario by Ivan Goff & Ben Roberts and Aeneas MacKenzie, from the adaptation of C.S. Forester of his novel, Music by Robert Farnon.

            with Gregory Peck, Virginia Mayo, Robert Beatty, James Robertson Justice, Denis O’Dea, Stanley Baker, Christopher Lee.

            A routine mission for Captain Hornblower (Peck) turns deadly midway, with the outbreak of the Napoleonic wars.  Based on the beloved novels about the valiant British naval hero, this is an exciting, well-produced sea epic in the best story book tradition.

            (1949) Associated British Pictures Corp. - Pathe, Produced by Anatole de Grunwald, Directed by Thorold Kickinson, Scenario by Rodney Ackland and Arthur Boys, from the story “Pikovaya dama” by Alexander Pushkin, Music by Georges Auric, Choreography by David Paltenghi.

            with Anton Walbrook, Edith Evans, Ronald Howard, Mary Jerrold, Yvonne Mitchell, Anthony Dawson, Miles Malleson, Gibb McLaughlin, Hay Petrie.

            An impoverished Russian officer (Walbrook) will do anything to learn the sinister secret of winning at cards, known only by an aging countess (Evans).  Rich performances in this splendidly atmospheric and imaginative chiller.

Plus, the selected short subjects:

Zorro Rides Again (1937) Chapter 7 ~ “Burning Embers”

Puddy Tat Twouble (1951) with Tweety and Sylvester

May 22

            Fifth in the series of great animated cartoon laugh-riot programs, as selected by the members of The Association Internationale du Film D’Animation, a panel of more than 1,000 film historians and animation professionals. 

            Tonight:  Otto Messmer’s Felix In Hollywood (1923) with Felix the Cat; Walt Disney’s first Silly Symphony Skeleton Dance (1929); Walter Lantz’ The Barber Of Seville (1944) with Woody Woodpecker; Robert Clampett’s Looney Tune Book Revue (1946); and Charles M. Jones’ Rabbit Seasoning (1952) with Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck. 

            (1930) United Artists, Produced by Arthur Hammerstein and Joseph M. Schenck, Directed by Paul L. Stein, Scenario by Howard Emmett Rogers, from the adaptation by Horace Jackson of the story by Herbert Stothart, Music by Rudolf Friml, Lyrics by J. Kiern Brennan.

            with Jeanette MacDonald, John Garrick, Joe E. Brown, ZaSu Pitts, Robert Chisholm, Joseph Macaulay.

            Complicated romantic maneuverings in Norway, about a tavern girl (MacDonald) who’s pledged as a lottery bride, though she is really in love with another man.  Enjoyable Friml operetta, given an impressive production and good comedy support from Brown and Pitts.

            (1931) Fox, Produced by William Sistrom, Directed by Hamilton MacFadden, Scenario by Barry Conners and Philip Klein, based on the novel by Earl Derr Biggers, Music by Samuel Kaylin.

            with Warner Oland, Sally Eilers, Bela Lugosi, Dorothy Revier, Victor Varconi, Murray Kinnell, Robert Young, Mary Gordon, Dwight Frye, C. Henry Gordon, Marjorie White.

            A baffling crime garners nationwide attention when a Hollywood star is murdered while filming a picture on location in Hawaii, the home turf of Inspector Charlie Chan (Oland) of the Honolulu Police Department.  An exceptional cast of suspects in this picturesque whodunit, one of the earliest and very best of the Chan movie mysteries.  It’s also something of a mystery genre landmark for it’s solution.

Plus, the selected short subjects:

Zorro Rides Again (1937) Chapter 8 ~ “Plunge Of Peril”

A Bronx Morning (1931) A film by Jay Leyda

Foreign Friday May 23

            (1930) Aata-Film AG, Produced by Harry R. Sokal, Direction and Scenario by Dr. Arnold Fanck, Music by Paul Dessau.

            with Leni Riefenstahl, Sepp Rist, Ernst Udet, Friedrich Kayssler, Mathias Wieman, Alfred Beiefle, Ernst Petersen, Beni Fuhrer, David Zogg.

            When his lonely mountain-top weather station is battered by a ferocious snowstorm, a stranded scientist faces certain death unless he can descend the treacherous slopes.  This eerily romantic and atmospheric survival drama is considered the quintessential “mountain film.”  In German, with English subtitles.

            (1931) Paramount, Produced by Robert Kane and Marcel Pagnol, Directed by Alexander Korda, Scenario by Marcel Pagnol, based on his play, Music by Francis Gromon.

            with Raimu, Pierre Fresnay, Orane Demazis, Fernand Charpin, Alida Rouffe, Paul Dullac, Alexandre Mihalesco, Robert Vattier, Edouard Delmont.

            Life in a French provincial town, where the colorful Cesar (Raimu) grumbles behind the bar of his cafe.  His son Marius (Fresnay) is torn between love of family and desire to move away.  Marius is loved by shy Fanny (Demazis), but she doesn’t know how to hold him and keep him near.  Wonderful performances in this amusingly satirical and flavorsome production, set in Marseilles.  This is the first of the Fanny Trilogy; its sequel, FANNY (32) will be shown on June 20 with the conclusion, CESAR (36) shown on July 18.  Named to the British Film Institute’s Film Treasures list.  In French, with English subtitles.

Plus, the selected short subject:

Brumes D’Automne (1928) A film by Dimitri Kirsanoff

May 29

            (1957) United Artists, Produced and Directed by Stanley Kramer, Scenario by Edna and Edward Anhalt, based on the novel The Gun by C.S. Forester, Music by George Antheil, Choreography by Paco Reyes.

            with Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra, Sophia Loren, Theodore Bikel, John Wengraf, Jay Novello, Jose Nieto, Carlos Larranaga, Philip Van Zandt, Paco El Laberinto.

            Spain is on the brink of falling to Napoleon’s invading forces, but the onslaught might be quelled if a British officer (Grant) and a band of ragtag guerrillas (led by Sinatra) can capture a huge cannon.  Sultry Loren is the woman loved by both men.  Tense and suspenseful epic, with impressive spectacle and a love story; this film has something for everybody.

Plus, the selected short subject:

Zorro Rides Again (1937) Chapter 9 ~ “Tunnel Of Terror”

June 5

TBA 

Plus, the selected short subject:

Zorro Rides Again (1937) Chapter 10 ~ “Trapped”

June 12

            (1918) Paramount, Produced by Mary Pickford, Directed by Marshall Neilan, Scenario by Frances Marion, based on the story by Bret Harte.

            with Mary Pickford, Theodore Roberts, Tully Marshall, William Brown, Monte Blue, Charles Ogle, Thomas Meighan, Winifred Greenwood, Val Paul, John Burton.

            Delightful story about a deadshot frontier hellcat (Pickford), who isn’t interested in education until a handsome schoolmaster comes to her mining town of Red Gulch.  Bret Harte’s famous Western story is given a suitably eccentric and hilarious treatment.

            A bonus:  one of the players is a native of a neighboring village.  Find out who it is tonight.

            (1927) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Produced by Marion Davies, Directed by Sidney Franklin, Scenario by Albert Lewin, Hans Kraly, Marian Ainslee, and Ruth Cummings, from the adaptation by Hans Kraly and Albert Lewin, of the play by James. M. Barrie.

            with Marion Davies, Conrad Nagel, Helen Jerome Eddy, Flora Finch, Margaret Seddon, Kate Price.

            Whimsical comedy about an old maid (Davies) who masquerades as her niece, in order to win back the love of a youthful flame who hasn’t seen her in years. 

Plus, the selected short subjects:

Zorro Rides Again (1937) Chapter 11 ~ “Right Of Way”

Newsreel ~ D.W. Griffith’s funeral

Two Gun Gussie (1918) with Harold Lloyd

June 19

            (1941) Warner Bros., Produced by Hal B. Wallis, Directed by William Keighley, Scenario by Julius J. and Philip G. Epstein, based on the story by Kenneth Earl and M.M. Musselman, Music by Max Steiner.

            with James Cagney, Bette Davis, Stuart Erwin, Eugene Pallette, Jack Carson, George Tobias, Harry Davenport, William Frawley, Edward Brophy.

            Screwball romantic comedy about a charter pilot (Cagney) hired to abduct a runaway bride (Davis) and deliver to her irate father.  Fasten your seat belts... it’s going to be a funny flight.

            (1942) 20th Century-Fox, Produced by Darryl F. Zanuck, Directed by John Cromwell, Scenario by Philip Dunne, based on the novel Benjamin Blake by Edison Marshall, Music by Alfred Newman.

            with Tyrone Power, Gene Tierney, George Sanders, Frances Farmer, Roddy McDowall, Elsa Lanchester, Kay Johnson, John Carradine, Harry Davenport, Dudley Digges, Ethel Griffies, Mae Marsh, Cyril McLaglen.

            The tumultuous life of a rebellious young man (Power), born on the wrong side of the blanket, and his efforts to seek his fortune.  Thwarted love, dastardly villains, exotic island beauties in this exciting adventure saga spanning the globe from England to the South Seas.

Plus, the selected short subjects:

Zorro Rides Again (1937) Chapter 12 — “Retribution”

Porkey’s Pooch (1941) with Porky Pig

Foreign Friday, June 20

            (1932) Braunberger-Richebe, Produced by Marcel Pagnol and Roger Richebe, Directed by Marc Allegret, Scenario by Marcel Pagnol, based on his play, Music by Vincent Scotto.

            with Raimu, Pierre Fresnay, Orane Demazis, Fernand Charpin, Auguste Mouries, Robert Vattier, Marcel Maupi, Alida Rouffe.

            Charming sequel to MARIUS (shown on May 23) finds Fanny (Demazis) forced to deal with the consequences of the first film.  Grumpy Cesar (Raimu) feigns indifference as he plays Cupid.  More exquisite performances, refined dialogue, and surprises in the second film of the Fanny Trilogy.  The conclusion, CESAR (36), will be shown on July 18.  In French, with English subtitles.

            (1932) Gloria Film A/S, Produced by Carl Theodor Dreyer and Julian West, Directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer, Scenario by Christen Jul and Carl Theodore Dreyer, based on the story “In A Glass Darkly” by J. Sheridan LeFanu, Music by Wolfgang Zeller.

            with Julian West, Maurice Schutz, Rena Mandel, Sybille Schmitz, Jan Hieronimko, Henriette Gerard.

            Nightmarish terror tale about a traveler stopping at a mysterious country inn, where a young woman is wasting away from a mysterious disease.  Chilling, trancelike atmosphere— created by unique use of lighting and camera work— make this a disquieting and unforgettable movie.  Named to the British Film Institute’s Film Treasures list.  In German, with English subtitles.

Plus, the short subject:

Les Mysteries Du Chateau (1929) A film by Man Ray

June 26

            Sixth in the series of great animated cartoon laugh-riot programs, as selected by the members of The Association Internationale du Film D’Animation, a panel of more than 1,000 film historians and animation professionals. 

            Tonight:  Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy are the Clock Cleaners (1937) produced by Walt Disney; Porky Pig gets career advice from Daffy Duck in You Ought To Be In Pictures (1940); Bugs Bunny is the Rabbit Of Seville (1950); Charles M. Jones’ Feed The Kitty (1952); and Walt Disney’s Oscar-winning Toot Whistle Plunk And Boom (1953).

            (1938) Warner Bros., Produced by Bryan Foy, Directed by William Clemens, Scenario by Kenneth Gamet, based on the novel The Password To Larkspur Lane by Carolyn Keene, Music by Heinz Roemheld.

            with Bonita Granville, John Litel, James Stephenson, Frankie Thomas, Frank Orth, Helena Phillips Evans, Renie Reno, Dick Purcell, and the ever popular Mae Busch.

            When a wealthy woman disappears, an energetic girl detective is on the case.  The first of the Nancy Drew film series, and Granville is perfect casting as the brainy, feisty, and resourceful sleuth.

            (1940) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Produced by Hunt Stromberg, Directed by Robert Z. Leonard, Scenario by Aldous Huxley and Jane Murfin, from the play by Helen Jerome, based on the novel by Jane Austen, Music by Herbert Stothart, Choreography by Ernst Matray.

            with Greer Garson, Laurence Olivier, Mary Boland, Edna May Oliver, Maureen O’Sullivan, Ann Rutherford, Frieda Inescort, Edmund Gwenn, Karen Morley, Heather Angel, Melville Cooper, E.E. Clive, Marsha Hunt.

            Of the five husband-hunting Bennet sisters, the most spirited and opinionated is Elizabeth (Garson).  A new arrival at a neighboring estate is Mr. Darcy (Olivier), who sets maiden hearts aflutter.  When these two meet, it’s disdain at first sight, setting in motion an irresistible comedy of manners set in 19th-century England.  Still the best of the Jane Austen movie adaptations, this detailed production won an Oscar for its art direction.  It’s on the All-Time Best list of the Broadcast Information Bureau.

            Valued support from the Town of Perry makes the ACWC Film Series possible.

            Motion Picture Story was also made possible, in part, by funding from the New York Council on the Arts, the Wyoming County Board of Supervisors, and the membership of the Arts Council of Wyoming County.