<<< May 15 - 17, 2009 >>>

Although Warner Bros. now own the rights to many of his films, Victor Fleming was one of MGM’s iconic, larger than life directors during the studio’s Golden Age heyday. Not only did he work uncredited behind the scenes on many other filmmakers’ movies, he was the credited director on two of the most hallowed motion picture classics of all time – GONE WITH THE WIND and THE WIZARD OF OZ. Fleming’s DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE with Spencer Tracy and Ingrid Bergman and his epic JOAN OF ARC with Bergman remain criminally underrated to this day. Fleming tragically and suddenly died in 1949 at the relatively early age of 59. Join author/film critic Michael Sragow, who’ll be signing his biography Victor Fleming: An American Movie Master published by Pantheon and introducing screenings of some of director Fleming’s finest films (most of which are surprisingly not yet on DVD). We’ll be screening CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS, THE FARMER TAKES A WIFE (35mm preservation by UCLA), A GUY NAMED JOE, TEST PILOT and the sensational, sizzling Jean Harlow Pre-Code double feature BOMBSHELL and RED DUST.

Friday, May 15 – 7:30 PM

Double Feature:

CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS, 1937, Warner Bros., 115 min. Director Victor Fleming adapts Rudyard Kipling’s novel to stirring effect, with Freddie Bartholomew as a spoiled rich brat who falls off a cruise ship and is rescued by simple Portuguese fisherman Spencer Tracy (who won Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal). With his imperious ways not tolerated by the salty crew, Bartholomew grows up while on board crusty captain Lionel Barrymore’s vessel and comes to see Tracy’s character, with his gentle, quietly philosophical ways, as a father figure. With Mickey Rooney, John Carradine. Nominated for three other Oscars, including Best Picture. "Well-directed, well-acted coming-of-age tale that may have the most hard-bitten viewer in tears by the end." – Dan Jardine, All Movie Guide Trailer

Rare! THE FARMER TAKES A WIFE, 1935, 20th Century Fox, 91 min. In his screen debut, Henry Fonda is a mid-19th century farmer working on the Erie Canal to save money to buy land. He becomes smitten when he meets vivacious canal boat worker Janet Gaynor. But the prospect of farm living is no match for the excitement of her wanderer’s life. Director Victor Fleming took a brief vacation from MGM to helm this charming love story. 35mm film preservation by UCLA Film and Television Archive. A hard-to-see movie that was never released on video. With Charles Bickford, Andy Devine. NOT ON DVD Preceded at 6:30 by film critic/author Michael Sragow signing copies of his new biography Victor Fleming: An American Movie Master.

Saturday, May 16 – 7:30 PM

Double Feature:

A GUY NAMED JOE, 1943, Warner Bros., 120 min. Director Victor Fleming brings his uniquely Hollywoodized, but no less transcendental, cosmology to bear in this poignant fantasy of WWII fighter pilot Spencer Tracy returning from Heaven as a ghost to look after younger pilot Van Johnson. The catch is Johnson has begun a tentative romance with Tracy’s grieving girlfriend Irene Dunne. Co-starring Ward Bond, James Gleason, Lionel Barrymore, Esther Williams. Remade by Steven Spielberg in 1989 as ALWAYS. NOT ON DVD Trailer

TEST PILOT, 1938, Warner Bros.,118 min. Clark Gable is a daredevil test pilot trying out dangerous new aircraft, Spencer Tracy is Gable’s mechanic best friend and Myrna Loy is the woman in their lives in this crowd-pleasing and fiery romantic comedy-drama. With another star-studded MGM cast that includes Lionel Barrymore, Marjorie Main and Gloria Holden. Co-written by Howard Hawks. NOT ON DVD Preceded at 6:30 by film critic/author Michael Sragow signing copies of his new biography Victor Fleming: An American Movie Master. Trailer

Sunday, May 17 – 7:30 PM

Jean Harlow Pre-Code Double Feature:

BOMBSHELL, 1933, Warner Bros., 96 min. Victor Fleming’s positively breakneck-paced satire of Hollywood. Jean Harlow is at her peak as harried Lola Burns, a movie matinee idol being driven crazy by relentless press agent Lee Tracy (who also has the hots for her). The movie she’s shooting with director heartthrob Pat O’Brien is modeled after RED DUST. Naughty double entendres fly fast and furious in this razor-sharp and unabashedly shameless screwball comedy. Co-starring Franchot Tone as a rich potential beau and Una Merkel. "An essential inside Hollywood comedy." – Classic Film Guide NOT ON DVD Trailer

RED DUST, 1932, Warner Bros., 83 min. Dir. Victor Fleming. Hot-blooded he-man Clark Gable, the manager of a Malaysian rubber plantation, falls hard for Jean Harlow, a wayfaring sexpot of questionable morals (to say the least – it’s implied she’s a prostitute) in this steamy, tropical soap opera. Mary Astor is the other lady in competition for Gable’s charms. MGM bosses were stepping way over the line with suggestive innuendoes and off-color hijinks in this big box office hit. NOT ON DVD Preceded at 6:30 by film critic/author Michael Sragow signing copies of his new biography Victor Fleming: An American Movie Master. Trailer