For this trio of wildly differing classics, composer Henry Mancini shows himself to be a true musical chameleon. Come and see what we mean.
Touch of Evil (Universal Pictures, 1959)
Friday, September 6 @ 7:30 PM
Orson Welles directs and stars in this stylish thriller about a corrupt detective who frames a Mexican youth as part of an intricate criminal plot. Mancini’s music, a mixture of rock and roll and Latin-jazz intended to capture the feeling and effect of a Mexican border town, was issued as his first movie soundtrack album. 1976 Preview Version. Black & white, 108 min. (35mm)
“Touch of Evil” is on the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry. To learn more about the film, see this link.
The Pink Panther (MGM, 1963)
Saturday, September 7 @ 2:00 PM
Bumbling inspector Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers) tries to prevent a notorious jewel thief known as The Phantom (David Niven) from stealing the priceless Pink Panther diamond. First pairing of Sellers and director Blake Edwards. The iconic theme song reached the Top 10 on the U.S. Billboard adult contemporary chart and won three Grammy Awards. Color, 113 min. (35mm)
“The Pink Panther” is on the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry.
This Island Earth (Universal Pictures, 1955)
Saturday, September 7 @ 7:30 PM
An atomic scientist takes part in a top-secret research experiment and quickly discovers he is really involved in an evil alien scheme to take over Earth. Herman Stein composed most of the score, with assistance from Mancini and Hans J. Salter, but all three were unaccredited. One of the most popular sci-fi films of all time, presented in an original Technicolor 35mm print. Color, 87 min.
For more information on LC screenings, see this link.