The following is a guest post by Jenny Paxson, an Administrative Assistant the Packard Campus.
Friday, February 5, 2016 (7:30pm)
Playhouse 90: Requiem for a Heavyweight (CBS, 1956)
If the Golden Age of Television can claim to have any gems in it, then surely this Rod Serling original is one of them. Originally aired October 11, 1956, and made at the height of the anthology drama era, “Requiem” is a still compelling human drama about an aging boxer facing an uncertain drama and negotiating the conflicting advice of his long-time manager versus that of a compassionate social worker. Jack Palance, Kim Hunter, Ed Wynn, and Keenan Wynn star in a production so well received it was remade for the big screen in 1962. Before the screening: A 1940 short film titled “Television.” Produced by RKO, it takes the viewer into the exciting, experimental world of “pictures through the air.” Could something like this really catch on?
Saturday, February 6 (2:00pm)
DOUBLE FEATURE: Bad Ronald (ABC, 1974) / Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark (ABC, 1973) Before they largely disappeared from network primetime, the made-for-TV movie was a respected genre all its own with its own menagerie of subgenres including these two psychological thrillers/horror films. In “Bad Ronald” (originally aired: 10/23/74), the new residents of an old house don’t know that they aren’t really alone. Scott Jacoby, Kim Hunter, Pippa Scott and Dabney Coleman star. Second: in “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark” (originally aired: 10/10/73), Kim Darby and Jim Hutton star as another set of new homeowners to whom some unexpected things begin to happen. Since their original broadcast, both these telefilms have developed devoted cult followings. The original “Don’t Be Afraid…” made such an impression on filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro that he remade it for the big screen in 2010; the new version featured Guy Pearce and Katie Holmes.
Saturday, February 6 (7:30pm)
Still Loving “Lucy” (CBS, 1952-1957)
Few sitcoms from 60 years ago (or, for that matter, 10 years ago) hold up as well as the iconic “I Love Lucy.” Fewer still can’t withstand modern-day binge watching practices as well as “Lucy” does. Among “I Love Lucy’s” incredible keys to success was its ability and willingness to gently reinvent itself each season during its small-screen lifespan. While keeping its focus always on its four main, core characters–of course anchored by the genius that was Lucille Ball–the series moved the group to different settings bringing with them new environs to act and react against. This evening’s screening will feature episodes from each of the series’s major incarnations: its NYC origins, its trip to Hollywood, its trip to Europe, and its eventual relocation to Connecticut. Four episodes will be screened: “Lucy Does a TV Commercial” (5/2/52); “LA at Last” (2/7/55), where Lucy has an interesting encounter with actor William Holden; “Lucy’s Italian Movie,” (4/16/56) where Lucy goes grape stomping; and “Lucy Does the Tango” (3/11/57).
For more information on our programs, please visit the website at: www.loc.gov/avconservation/theater/.