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Monday, June 29, 2009
It’s almost time for the summer classic film series
This weekend brings us the Fourth of July, but my favorite attraction won’t be the fireworks.
No, it will be the Victoria Theatre’s Ultra Cool Films series, which brings classic movies to downtown Dayton every year between July and August. I see well over 100 movies a year in the theater, but without a doubt, Victoria is where I have the most fun. There’s simply nothing like seeing a classic on the big screen with a big crowd.
And as I have mentioned before in this space, the Victoria holds a special place in my heart, because that’s the first movie theater I can clearly remember going to, back when it was called the Victory and it played a little movie called Yellow Submarine, kick-starting my self-defining interests in both the Beatles and movies.
The films play at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. Passbooks containing 10 tickets are $24, and individual tickets are $4.75. Here are the offerings for this year, and my takes on the choices.
The Seven Year Itch, July 3-5: It’s not one of Billy Wilder’s greatest movies; the director himself thought it was something of a botch, since he didn’t get the lead he really wanted: a then-unknown actor named Walter Matthau. It’s rather dated, but there’s this girl named Marilyn in it, and there’s this one scene where she’s standing over a subway grate - and that alone is worth the price of admission.
White Christmas, July 10-12: OK, I get it, Christmas in July. That’s cute. But this is the one film in the roster that disappoints me a little. I know I’m in the minority, but I’ve always thought this film was overrated in the popular imagination. I would much rather have Victoria book the first version of the same story, the infinitely superior Holiday Inn. That’s where the song “White Christmas” really came from, and let’s face it. Danny Kaye was a lot of fun, but he simply wasn’t Fred Astaire.
The Sting, July 17-19: This makes for a nice tribute to the late, great Paul Newman. I saw this for the first time recently, and while it’s not as good as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, it’s still quite fun.
The following weekend has a different Jimmy Stewart film playing each day.
Vertigo - July 24: I already saw this film in a theater once this year when a megaplex in Columbus played it. Think that’s going to stop me from going again? Heck, no. It’s only my favorite film of all time.
The Philadelphia Story - July 25: Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn and Jimmy Stewart. Has there ever been a better trio of leads than that? No, there hasn’t.
Harvey - July 26: “Well, I’ve wrestled with reality for 35 years, Doctor, and I’m happy to state I finally won out over it.” Awesome. Just goes to show crazy people don’t know they’re crazy.
More after the jump …
An American in Paris, July 31 - August 2: It’s not my favorite MGM musical by a long shot, but that score is hard to beat, and the prints for MGM musicals almost always look gorgeous. If you haven’t seen it in a theater, do. And even if you have, go again anyway.
To Kill a Mockingbird, August 7-9: Tribute time again, this time for director Robert Mulligan, who died late last year. But for very good reason, this film is best remembered for Gregory Peck’s towering performance. Stand up, indeed.
Funny Girl, August 14-16: I’ve never quite understood the fascination with Barbra Streisand, but even this non-fan can see what a great vehicle this was for her talents.
American Graffiti, August 21-23: Yes, George Lucas is responsible for something good besides Star Wars. And he gets bonus points for having the most perfect use of an end credits song ever, with the Beach Boys’ “All Summer Long.”
The Phantom of the Opera Weekend: 1925 Silent Version with Lon Chaney - August 28, 1943 Claude Rains Version - August 29, 2004 Version of the Broadway Musical - August 30: The 1925 version still packs a punch, and it will play with live organ accompaniment, which is a moviegoing experience like no other. I can’t speak to the Claude Rains version, and I thought the 2004 version was a flat-out botch, save for Emmy Rossum’s Christine. Still, it’s a great idea for a themed weekend.
So, as usual, Victoria offers a very solid summer movie lineup. What do you think of it? What films will you be going to see?
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