Retro Revival Presents: What a Glorious Feeling: The Films of Stanley Donen
May 28–June 9, 2019
When he was nine years old, the great director Stanley Donen (1924–2019) recalled, “I saw Fred Astaire in Flying Down to Rio, and it changed my life…. The joy of dancing to music! And Fred was so amazing, and Ginger Rogers—oh God! Ginger!” Before long, Donen was a 16-year-old dancer on Broadway, where he met Gene Kelly. “And I went on to direct him and Fred Astaire, too,” said Donen. “That’s a gift nobody else got.” And the gifts the exuberant filmmaker gave us? There are dozens—musicals, romantic comedies, spy films, and more—including Singin’ in the Rain, Charade, On the Town, and other shining examples of the golden age of Hollywood and beyond.
Programmed by Andrew Jupin
Sponsored by Wine Enthusiast
On the Town
May 30, 2019
“Delightful, athletic stuff with some unusual—but wonderful—location shooting. New York never looked better.” (Empire Magazine) Three sailors—Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra,…
Two for the Road
May 31, 2019
“A Hollywood-style romance between beautiful people, and an honest story about recognizable human beings.” (Roger Ebert) This witty, rueful romance…
Funny Face
June 2, 2019
“A timeless musical treat and the most fun you can have with really elegant clothes on.” (Empire Magazine) You’ll smile…
Damn Yankees
June 3, 2019
“Miss Verdon has the sort of fine, fresh talent that the screen badly needs these days. But lest she seem…
Indiscreet
June 4, 2019
“A fine light comedy, with unexpected passages of seriousness, marked by the Donen touch in its adventurous visuals and vivacious…
Arabesque
June 6, 2019
“About ten minutes after Arabesque gets under way, you’ll lose track of its plot completely, and that’s as it should…
Singin’ in the Rain
June 7, 2019
“This one’s the Taj Mahal, Armstrong’s footprint on the moon, the 2001 Arizona–New York World Series, the Clash’s London Calling,…
Royal Wedding
June 8, 2019
This delightful film stars Fred Astaire and Jane Powell as a brother-and-sister performing duo. With tons of song-and-dance acts, including…
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
June 9, 2019
“A happy, hand-clapping, foot-stomping country type of musical with all the slickness of a Broadway show.” (Variety) Donen knew how…
Charade
June 8, 2023
35mm Screening
In this Stanley Donen flick, romance and suspense ensue in Paris as a woman (Audrey Hepburn) is pursued by several…
It's Always Fair Weather
Mar. 10, 2024
Cinema Studies lecture from Jeff Hughes
After the success of On the Town, writers Comden and Green thought of making a sequel that would reunite Gene…
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