They're Back

By JBFC Marketing Volunteer Dotty Battel

Beginning this month, we will be screening some oldies but goodies, great films that have endured the test of time, in our new ongoing series Retro Revivals. So get ready to travel back in film history with us each month and be reacquainted with some marvelous classics in their gloriously restored or remastered version. As the old joke goes, nostalgia ain’t what it used to be! Here’s what you can look forward to seeing this summer:

It Happened One Night: Opening Night with Reception
Thursday, June 23, 7:30
Tickets
“As buoyant and elegant as bubbles in a glass of champagne…” (Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian). This timeless 1934 Frank Capra comedy was the first film to sweep all 5 top Academy Awards. In fact, with this film, Capra is credited with inventing the opposites attract/romantic screwball comedy genre. Audiences loved it at the time and still do today for good reason, actually 2 good reasons, Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert. “Every Line of dialogue is calculated bliss, the chemistry between the leads is magnificent.” (David Jenkins, TimeOut New York). So don’t miss the chance to either see it for the first time or to see it again in all its glory followed by wine and Hors d’oeuvres in the Jane Peck Gallery. But before you do, watch this heartfelt salute to Capra by Claudette Colbert in 1982.

Ran
Wednesday, July 27, 2:00 & 7:00
Tickets
“One of  the supreme cinematic achievements of the last quarter-century.” (Philadelphia Inquirer). Directed by Akira Kurosawa (Seven Samurai; Ikiru), arguably the most celebrated Japanese filmmaker of all time, Ran (which means “Chaos”) is an inspired reworking of King Lear set in 16^th century Japan. In short, it’s a story of greed, a lust for power, and ultimate revenge. Majestic in scope and stunningly restore, “much like Kurosawa at this point, “Ran,” a masterpiece, stands outside time. (Vincent Canby, New York Times)

I Knew Her Well
Thursday, August 18, 2:00 & 7:30
Tickets
This restored beauty is the last completed film of acclaimed Italian director Antonio Pietrangeli (The Visit). It’s a compelling character study, by turns funny and tragic, of a beautiful country girl, played by Stefania Sandrelli (Divorce Italian Style), who chases her dreams of becoming a star in the Rome of “La dolce vita.” We are treated to delicious locations, beautiful people, and great music popular in Italy during the 1960s, while at the same time witnessing the downside of the culture of celebrity and the pitfalls of the sexual revolution. Watch this interesting clip of Stefania Sandrelli describing what it was like working on this film (when she was only 19):

This series is sponsored by Wine Enthusiast.