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Dayton’s 2008 classic film series
Since I was unable to review any of today’s new movies, it’s time instead to talk about yesterday’s old movies - and by that I mean this year’s Ultra Cool Films Series at Dayton’s Victoria Theatre.
Those modern-day blockbusters are fun and all (sometimes, anyway), but my favorite summer movies are the classics Victoria plays each year.
All of the films in this year’s lineup are readily available on DVD. In fact, that’s true most years, but I say, so what? People can pop in a DVD anytime, but there’s nothing like seeing these movies on the big screen, with the very appreciative crowd Victoria usually draws. I strongly recommend catching at least one of these films.
In most cases, each movie plays at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday. Here is your preview of coming attractions:
June 27-29 - The King and I: As great as Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musicals are, they didn’t always translate into great movies, but this is one of the better efforts, thanks in no small part to Yul Brynner’s indelible, Oscar-winning portrayal of the king. That’s Audrey Hepburn, uh, I mean Natalie Wood, no, I mean Marni Nixon doing Deborah Kerr’s vocals.
July 4-6 - Lawrence of Arabia: If you can make it to only one of the movies at Victoria this year, make it this one. Because if you haven’t seen this in a theater, you haven’t really seen it at all, hi-def or no hi-def. You can commemorate director David Lean’s 100th birthday to boot.
July 11-13 - Gentlemen Prefer Blondes: It’s no Some Like It Hot or even The Seven-Year Itch, but this remains one of Marilyn Monroe’s most vibrant movies. For extra grins and giggles, have fun when the movie mentions a town called Dayton. Fun fact: Marni Nixon dubbed some of Marilyn’s high notes.
July 18-20 - Cool Hand Luke: Say it with me now: “What we got he-ah is, fail-yuh to communicate.” And what I also have is a failure to see this movie. I will rectify that this July.
July 25-27: Little Women: This is the 1949 movie of the Louisa May Alcott classic starring June Allyson, Elizabeth Taylor and Janet Leigh. I would have preferred to see the excellent 1933 George Cukor film with Kate Hepburn, but I haven’t seen this one, so I’ll give it a chance.
Aug. 1-3 - Doctor Zhivago: More David Lean. It’s hip these days to say this film hasn’t held up very well over the years, but Laura’s theme and that gorgeous photography still work for me, so call me square.
Aug. 8 - Sabrina: Here’s where the pattern varies a bit. This week is Audrey Hepburn week, with a different film playing each day. This one is a wonderful gem directed by Billy Wilder, and co-starring Humphrey Bogart and William Holden. Maybe Bogie wasn’t so happy about the movie, but Audrey will make you forget that, if you’re aware of it at all.
Aug. 9 - Charade: It’s not very imaginative to call this the best Hitchcock film Hitch never made, but that’s still the best description of this terrific thriller nonetheless. Stanley Donen directed Audrey and Cary Grant. Check out the very cool title sequence, designed by Maurice Binder, who would go on to do the James Bond movies.
Aug. 10 - Roman Holiday: It introduced Audrey to the world and won her an Oscar. What else do you need?
Aug. 15-17 - Hello, Dolly! - This film came from the period when movie musicals were huge and elephantine and out of style. In fairness, I haven’t seen this yet, so I’m hoping it’s closer to Funny Girl than, say, Camelot.
Aug. 22-24 - A Hard Day’s Night: The selection of this film brings back major pangs of nostalgia for me; Victoria (or Victory, as it was called in the 70s) was the first place I can remember seeing a movie. OK, the movie I saw then was Yellow Submarine, but this one’s even better.
A refrain you will commonly hear at this series is, “They don’t make ‘em like that anymore.” Maybe not, but they do show ‘em.
Passbooks containing 10 tickets usable in any combination are $24; individual tickets are $4.75. Details on how to get them are here. Get a lot out of life. Go out to a classic movie. I’ll see you there.
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment | Categories: Coming Attractions
Comments
By Eric Brockman
April 28, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
Hello film buffs: You spoke - we listened! We were able to find a copy of the 1933 version of “Little Women” with Katharine Hepburn, which we will be showing this summer. Be sure to stop by www.victoriatheatre.com/michelob.php for the latest info on our film series, including video clips, a new blog, and some cool trivia contests we will be starting next month. - Eric Brockman, Victoria Theatre AssociationBy SRCputt
April 19, 2008 5:50 AM | Link to this
Kim, you are correct. I believe the Hepburn and Ryder starrers are classics. One positive not yet mentioned here is the organ concerts before the film. Arriving early is definitely reccommended.By Sir Critic
April 18, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this
Good question, Rich. I don’t know if any work has been done on the sound system or not. I hear what you mean by it being lo-fi, though not distractingly so - maybe that’s because I always sit close to the front. I saw ASIB there too, and didn’t notice any problem, other than it didn’t appear to be in stereo. Not sure if Victoria is set up that way.By Rich
April 18, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this
It’s probably a tie between “Hello Dolly” and the 1949 version of “Little Women” for the weakest entry on the latest Cool Films schedule — but all of them are well worth seeing. Question for “Sir Critic” — has the Victoria Theater sound system been upgraded in recent years? I remember several years ago, I think when 1954’s “A Star is Born” was shown, that the inferior, low-fidelity sound system distracted from enjoying that great musical to the maximum.By Kim
April 18, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
Oh cool! This is way exciting! I too still need to see Lawrence of Arabia - one of those I listed on the “classics you are embarrassed to admit you haven’t seen” list that we did - and this will definitely be the way to see it! I want to see Charade too - and Cool Hand Luke - sweet! SRC - so which two versions of Little Women do you think are wonderful? I’m guessing the versions with Hepburn (I would have rather it been that one too) and with Wynonna Ryder? I like all 3 of them truthfully. The one that they are showing is a typically cheesy, saccharine version that era of movies was famous for, but I still love it - I mean - just look at that cast!By ME
April 18, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this
I can personally tell you it’s great seeing an old movie great on the screen - like our parents or grandparents did. It’s a whole experience and I urge parents to get your children interested in the classics - this is a great affordable way to do it. Thanks SirCritic … as you introduced us to the Ohio in columbus … One of these days we’ll get to the Victoria! I’ve seen all these movies above … but not on the big screen Hmmm which one should it be? Roman Holiday or Charade maybe …By Allie D.
April 18, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this
Oh wow! I think I’ll try to plan my Ohio trip to coincide with the screening of Lawrence of Arabia, since I haven’t even seen it yet! It would be great to see it for the first time on the big screen! Oh and I think you’ll enjoy Cool Hand Luke. One of my favorites.By SRCputt
April 18, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this
Mostly a great list, but I will note there are two great versions of Little Women, and this list contains neither of them.