Friday, January 6, 2023 @ 7:30pm
Now, Voyager (Warner Bros., 1942)
A classic Bette Davis film that also features Paul Henreid and Claude Rains. Davis, through the help of therapy, grows from a spinster to a strong independent woman. B&W, 117 minutes.
“Now, Voyager” was added to the NFR in 2007. To learn more about the film, please see this essay.
Saturday, January 7, 2023 @ 2pm
All Things Being Equal 3: An Afternoon of Short Films from the National Film Registry
The National Film Registry does not “grade on a curve.” Hence, no film is any more on the NFR than any other film. Since its founding over 30 years ago, the NFR has welcomed to its ranks a wide variety of films that though far less known–and much shorter–than some of the other films being shown this month, nevertheless are vitally important to the history of motion pictures and to the history of the United States. At this curated program, 15 or so films, none longer than 10 minutes and ranging from 1898 to 1984 and covering a wide spectrum of genres, will be screened. The silent “Something Good” (left), the Burns and Allen short “Lambchops” and the avant garde “Meshes of the Afternoon” will be among those shown.
Saturday, January 7, 2023 @ 7:30pm
Saturday Night Fever (Paramount, 1977)
John Travolta’s breakout film that also helped create the Disco Era. The Bee Gees provided most of the music for the film and the success of the movie’s soundtrack reinvigorated their career. Travolta’s famous white suit has often been parodied. Color, 119 minutes. Added to the NFR in 2010.
Friday, January 13, 2023 @ 7:30pm
Shaft (MGM, 1970)
Gordon Parks directed this often violent detective film starring Richard Roundtree. The success of the film led to a series of action films with African-American leads, a genre that became known as “Blacksploitation”… including a number of Shaft sequels. Isaac Hayes sets the mood with the Oscar winning theme song which happens to be on the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry. Color, 100 minutes. Rated R.
Add to the Registry in 2000.
Saturday, January 14, 2023 @ 2pm
The Little Mermaid (Disney, 1989)
The story of mermaid Ariel who, against her father’s wishes, makes contact with humans. This film led to a resurgence in the popularity of Disney feature cartoons, due in part to the great musical score and songs by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. Color, 83 minutes.
JUST ADDED to the National Film Registry. There is nothing quite like going “under the sea” on the big screen!
Saturday, January 14, 2023 @ 7:30pm
The Sting (Universal, 1973)
Robert Redford and Paul Newman team up for a second (and regrettably final time) with results equal to their first pairing in Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid. A couple of conmen seek to outdo mobster Robert Shaw. Marvin Hamlisch provided the score that tapped into ragtime music and made Scott Joplin a star again. Color, 129 minutes.
Added to the NFR in 2005.
Friday, January 20, 2023 @ 7:30pm
Wings (Paramount, 1927)
Carla Bow and Charles “Buddy” Rogers star in a love story set during the Great War. Director William Wellman, who flew in WWI, expertly balanced the love story and the action sequences. The film won the first Oscar for Best Picture. B&W, 111 minutes. Silent with musical accompaniment by Ben Model.
The film was added to the NFR in 1997. To learn more about this film, see this link.
Saturday, January 21, 2023 @ 2pm
Goonies (Warner Bros., 1985)
Inspired by the success of treasure seeking films such as Raiders of the Lost Ark, and featuring some of the same talent as the Indy Jones films. This time it is a group of kids that have many adventures following a treasure map. The Goonies are good enough…for the National Film Registry. Color, 114 minutes.
Added to the Nation Film Registry in 2017.
Saturday, January 21, 2023 @ 7:30pm
Iron Man (Paramount, 2008)
Iron Man not only brought Robert Downey, Jr.’s career back to life but also started the frenzy of Marvel Comic based films. Famed comic book author Stan Lee co-created the character. Color, 126 minutes.
JUST ADDED to the National Film Registry. To learn more about the National Film Registry, see this link.
Friday, January 27, 2023 @ 7:30pm
Cyrano De Bergerc (United Artists, 1950)
The often humorous but ultimately tragic story of the secret love that Cyrano de Bergerac has for the lovely Roxanne. Jose Ferrer in one of his greatest roles portrays the swordsman with the big nose. B&W, 113 minutes.
JUST ADDED to the National Film Registry.
Saturday, January 28, 2023 @ 2pm
Dances with Wolves (Orion, 1990)
Kevin Costner directed and stars in this tale of a Union Army officer that gains a mutual respect with a tribe of Sioux. The film was generally well received by native Americans, in no small part to the use of actual Indian languages (Lakota, Pawnee) that are utilized in the film. Dances became first western to win the Best Picture Oscar since 1931. Color, 181 minutes.
Added to the National Film Registry in 2007. To learn more about this film, see this link.
Saturday, January 28, 2023 @ 7:30pm
Raiders of the Lost Ark (Paramount, 1981)
George Lucas’ homage to movie serials of the 1940s. Throw in his buddy Steven Spielberg to direct and his Star Wars star Harrison Ford to play the central character and you end up with a great adventure film. Led to a number of sequels including the forthcoming Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Color, 115 minutes.
Added to the NFR in 1999.
More Info: //www.loc.gov/programs/audio-visual-conservation/events-and-screenings/screenings/