IT’S A DISASTER!!
This month we present some of the best films ever made that feature a catastrophe! On land, air or sea, Hollywood can always find a way to get itself into trouble, and audiences love it. Natural disasters, sinking ships (oops, spoiler alert!), or just bad guys messing things up, May is going to be a pleasant disaster!
Friday, May 5 @ 7:30pm
“Twister” (Warner Bros., 1996)
Nothing like a good tornado to bring an estranged couple back together. Bill Paxton is a weather man and Helen Hunt is his soon to be ex-wife, a storm chaser. Can they save Oklahoma and their marriage? (Color, 113 minutes)
Saturday, May 6 @ 2pm
“San Francisco” (MGM, 1936)
Chicago had Mrs. O’Leary’s cow, the City by the Bay had the worst earthquake to ever hit the always shaky State of California. The fire caused by the big rumble interrupts a love story between Clark Gable and Jeanette MacDonald. (Black & white, 115 minutes)
Saturday, May 6 @ 7:30pm
“The Poseidon Adventure” (20th Century-Fox, 1972)
An all-star cast is aboard the S.S. Poseidon on its final voyage… but disaster strikes and what happens next is exactly what we all wished would have happened in every episode of “The Love Boat.” Gene Hackman leads this group of 1970s superstars. (Color, 117 minutes)
Friday, May 12 @ 7:30pm
“Airport 1975” (Universal, 1974)
Somewhat of a sequel to “Airport” (1970), this film is about a midair collision and would become the basis for many parodies, even though they are oh, so serious in this film. One clue to staying free of air disasters…keep clear of George Kennedy. (Color, 107 minutes)
Saturday, May 13 @ 2pm
“The High and the Mighty” (Paramount, 1954)
One of John Wayne’s best performances and one of director William Wellman’s greatest efforts, too. Disaster isn’t in this one, thus giving us all the time to reflect on their lives. You’ll be whistling the theme song when you exit the theater. (Color, 147 minutes)
Saturday, May 13 @ 7:30pm
“Airplane!” (Paramount, 1980)
What can be said about a film that pays homage to past disaster films and also started a resurgence of, not only film parodies, but also of disaster films? (Color, 88 minutes)
Friday, May 19 @ 7:30pm
“The World, the Flesh and the Devil” (MGM, 1959)
More post-disaster than disaster is this film where a miner emerges from a cave-in (a disaster in itself) to discover that most of mankind has been destroyed by a nuclear holocaust. The talented Harry Belafonte, who shows he is more than just a singer, stars. (Black and white, 95 minutes)
Saturday, May 20 @ 2pm
“The Johnstown Flood” (Fox, 1926)
The print ad for the film says it all: “Eight towns destroyed, 12,000 lives sacrificed, scenes of terror and moments of inspiring heroism! Disaster sought to separate them but heroism reunited them, the thrilling romance of a boy and a girl who survived a terrifying experience.” (Silent, black and white, 60 minutes + short subjects; musical accompaniment by Ben Model; print courtesy of George Eastman Museum)
Saturday, May 20 @ 7:30pm
“Speed” (20th Century-Fox, 1994)
Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper and Sandra Bullock star in this iconic summer blockbuster about a bus wired to blow-up if it goes under 50mph! Hold onto your seat, this film moves! Although the real disaster is the film’s sequel. (Color, 116 minutes)
For more information on LC screenings, see this link.