Four classic films are finding their way back to the big screen at Hope College's Knickerbocker Theater for two weeks beginning Monday, June 26.
Four classic films are finding their way back to the big screen at Hope College's Knickerbocker Theater for two weeks beginning Monday, June 26.
Alfred Hitchcock's "Notorious" and Preston Sturges' comedy "Unfaithfully Yours" will both show from Monday, June 26 through Saturday, July 1. On Monday-Saturday, July 3-8, the theatre will present "Tales of Manhattan," and "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir." The films will run as double features, so audience members should plan to stay for two shows.
"Notorious" is hailed by many as Hitchcock's "most elegant expression" of the filmmaker's visual style. It stars Ingrid Bergman as a patriotic American, Alicia Huberman, whose father is a convicted Nazi spy. She is recruited by an agent named Devlin (Cary Grant) to fly to Rio and insinuate herself into a spy ring led by Alexander Sebastian (Claude Rains). Alicia agrees to the assignment out of love for agent Devlin, but must pretend to love Sebastian in order to infiltrate his household. Filled with subtle dialogue, elegant camera work, and all the ingredients of a heart-pounding thriller mixed with a classic romance, "Notorious" is a film noir classic. The film will show at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 26; Wednesday, June 28; and Friday, June 30. It will show at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, June 27; Thursday, June 29; and Saturday, July 1.
"Unfaithfully Yours" is a brilliant and stylish comedy. Rex Harrison stars as Sir Alfred de Carter, a symphony conductor who deeply loves his wife Daphne (Linda Darnell). A report by a private investigator, however, causes him to doubt her fidelity and fuels his jealousy. While conducting three separate pieces of music, Sir Alfred dreams of three very elaborate and detailed plans for revenge, but his attempts to carry them out degenerate into slapstick fiasco. "Unfaithfully Yours" will show at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 27; Thursday, June 29; and Saturday, July 1. It will show at 9 p.m. on Monday, June 26; Wednesday, June 28; and Friday, June 30.
"Tales of Manhattan" is a collection of five short vignettes tied together by a cursed tailcoat. The coat, which is originally made for Charles Boyer, witnesses his love triangle with Rita Hayworth and Thomas Mitchell. It is then part of a delightful comedic tale between Henry Fonda and Ginger Rogers. It also is part of a scene starring Paul Robeson and Ethel Waters as a poor southern couple who witness a miracle. Other tales include Charles Laughton as a poor-but-brilliant musician whose chances for fame are imperiled by wearing the jacket; and Edward G. Robinson as a down-and-out alcoholic who takes his last shot by attending his 25-year college reunion. The stories encompass life's highs and lows and create a film that is sweet and moving. "Tales of Manhattan" will show at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 3; Wednesday, July 5; and Friday, July 7. It will show at 9:15 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4; Thursday, July 6; and Saturday, July 8.
"The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" is a British classic that tells the tale of Mrs. Lucy Muir (Gene Tierney), a recent widow, who moves to a cottage on Whitecliff-by-the-Sea that is haunted by the ghost of its former owner, Captain Gregg (Rex Harrison). Gregg initially attempts to scare off the interlopers, but when he realizes that Lucy won't be moved they agree to coexist. When Lucy's lack of money threatens her ability to keep the cottage, Gregg suggests that she write his biography to raise the funds. As their relationship develops, an unusual love triangle begins to form between Muir, Gregg and a wily children's author, Miles Fairley. Fueled by the chemistry between Tierney and Harrison, "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" is a complex and endearing piece of film history. "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" will show at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4; Thursday, July 6; and Saturday, July 8. There will be 9:15 p.m. showings on Monday, July 3; Wednesday, July 5; and Friday, July 7.
All four films are unrated, and admission for each is $3. The Knickerbocker Theatre is located in downtown Holland at 86 E. Eighth St. Additional information may be obtained online at www.hope.edu/arts/knick.