| Tyrone Power: Everybody's
Darling Boy
Tyrone Power became
a popular headliner in 1936 with the film LLOYDS OF LONDON and remained
an international star until his death in Spain in 1958 on the set of SOLOMON AND
SHEBA. Fifty years later, the devastatingly handsome actor is still setting
hearts aflutter. Born into an acting dynasty, being known for his stunning looks was not
what Power had in mind when he signed his first Hollywood contract. However, he quickly
became immensely popular worldwide, and his brilliant smile and intense eyes had a lot to
do with it. Requests for his photos were so high that the studio could not print his
picture fast enough to meet demand. As author Barbara Cartland said, "We didn't
need sex. We had Tyrone Power." Most of Power's 22-year-career was spent at 20th
Century Fox, where he did every genre imaginable: drama, musical, comedy, fantasy, crime,
western, film noir, disaster film and finally, what he is most remembered for today –
swashbuckler and adventure films. Power was at his best as a boyish, lovable cad who
projected energy, confidence and athleticism. These qualities contributed to his great
success in films such as IN OLD CHICAGO, THE MARK OF ZORRO,
THE BLACK SWAN and BLOOD AND SAND. After serving with
the Marines in World War II, however, Power wanted to do deeper films and challenge
himself as an actor. One result of his efforts is the cult classic NIGHTMARE ALLEY,
which proved to critics at last that he was more than, as he once disparagingly put it,
"everybody's darling boy." Join us for this film, as well as his first film
after the war, THE RAZOR'S EDGE, and quintessential Power in THE
MARK OF ZORRO and LOVE IS NEWS, plus shorts and special guests! With a memorabilia display in the lobby, including
costumes, scripts and personal items.
Friday, November 14 - 7:30 PM
Tyrone Power Memorial Tribute
NIGHTMARE ALLEY, 1948, 20th Century Fox, 110 min.
Dir. Edmund Goulding (DARK VICTORY). An ambitious carnival barker (Tyrone Power) moves
from a mind-reading act with carny veteran Zeena (Joan Blondell) to performing the same
act in an upscale nightclub with his new, ex-carny wife (Coleen Gray). He consequently
becomes involved in scamming a wealthy man with the help of a duplicitous psychiatrist
(Helen Walker). Widely regarded today as a classic noir thriller, NIGHTMARE ALLEY was
Power's own project and gave the actor his best role. He was up to the task, delivering
the greatest performance of his career. Unfortunately, his boss, Darryl F. Zanuck,
panicked when he saw the leading man he had so carefully made into a superstar playing a
low-life. He gave the film no publicity, never pushed the film or actors for any awards
and quickly withdrew it from circulation. The film was ahead of its time – its grit
and cynicism are perfect for today's audience. Preceded by the short "Tyrone
Power: The Prince of Fox" (2008, 18 min.) Trailer | Review Discussion following with actress Coleen Gray.
Saturday, November 15 – 7:30 PM
Tyrone Power Memorial Tribute
THE RAZOR’S EDGE, 1946, 20th Century
Fox, 145 min. Dir. Edmund Goulding. A young man returns from World War I and searches for
the meaning of life while surrounded by his unhappy and more materialistic friends. Based
on the novel of the same name by W. Somerset Maugham, this was Tyrone Power's first film
after his return from WWII. It was to serve as a signal to him that the head of the
studio, Darryl F. Zanuck, was going to allow him to do more serious roles. The signal
proved false. Also starring Gene Tierney, Clifton Webb, John Payne and Anne Baxter (who
won a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award). THE RAZOR'S EDGE was the biggest grossing
film for 20th Century Fox in 1946 and nominated for three other Oscars, including Best
Picture. Preceded by the short, "My Dad, Tyrone Power" (2008,
12 min.). More
on this Film. Discussion preceding and
following the screening with Romina, Taryn and Tyrone Power Jr., plus Terry Moore, Jayne
Meadows, Coleen Gray, Piper Laurie and Robert Horton.
Sunday, November 16 – 6:30 PM
Tyrone Memorial Tribute – Double Feature:
LOVE IS NEWS, 1937, 20th Century Fox, 72 min. Dir.
Tay Garnett (THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE). A beautiful heiress (Loretta Young) turns
the publicity tables on an aggressive young reporter (Tyrone Power) by announcing their
engagement. Power and Young were a popular (and exceptionally beautiful) team in Hollywood
in the late 1930s and worked together several times in LADIES IN LOVE, LOVE IS NEWS, CAFE
METROPOLE, SECOND HONEYMOON and SUEZ. Also starring is another frequent Power co-star, Don
Ameche, who plays Power's apoplectic editor. Director Garnett directs this Howard
Hawks-like feature with a breezy hand. Review
THE MARK OF ZORRO, 1940, 20th
Century Fox, 94 min. Dir. Rouben Mamoulian (GOLDEN BOY). Tyrone Power is Don Diego de la
Vega, who returns home to California after education in Spain in 1820. He finds that his
father has been ousted from power in their village, and the new alcalde, Don Luis
(J. Edward Bromberg), is robbing the people. While giving the impression by day that he is
a bored, lazy fop, Diego by night becomes the masked avenger Zorro, stealing from Don Luis
and the tax collectors, handing over the bounty to his ally, the priest Fray Felipe
(Eugene Pallette), to redistribute to the poor. The beautiful Linda Darnell plays Power's
love interest, Lolita. The film also stars Basil Rathbone, whose duel with Power is
thought by many movie fans to be the finest swordfight in cinema. Rathbone later said of
Power, "He could fence Errol Flynn into a cocked hat." Made when Tyrone Power
was #2 at the box office, the film was a smashing success, and as a result, Power was
relegated to many swashbuckler adventures at 20th Century Fox. More on this Film.
First film preceded by "Ty and Loretta: Sweethearts of the Silver
Screen" (2008, 15 min.) Introduction to the screening
by Judy Lewis, Loretta Young’s daughter. |
