Spencer Tracy Festival at UCLA Opens Saturday

A major exhibition of Spencer Tracy films begins at UCLA's Billy Wilder Theater this Saturday night, January 7th. The 27-film series runs through March 30th.

I'll be attending Saturday's screening of INHERIT THE WIND (1960).

Author James Curtis will be on hand Saturday to sign copies of his highly regarded new biography of Tracy. The book has received excellent reviews from Leonard Maltin, Susan King of the L.A. Times, John McElwee of Greenbriar Picture Shows, and Raquelle at Out of the Past.

Actress Donna Anderson, who appeared in INHERIT THE WIND, is also scheduled to attend on Saturday.

I'd love to see Tracy and Loretta Young in Frank Borzage's MAN'S CASTLE (1933) on January 14th, but I may have a schedule conflict.

I'm very much hoping to attend the double bill of SAN FRANCISCO (1936) and LIBELED LADY (1936) on January 22nd. I haven't seen SAN FRANCISCO in years, and I'd love to see it in 35mm; it also stars Clark Gable and Jeanette MacDonald. LIBELED LADY is one of my favorite comedies, which also stars Jean Harlow, William Powell, and Myrna Loy.

FATHER OF THE BRIDE (1950) and THE ACTRESS (1953) is another appealing double bill. Those films will be shown on March 16th.

Actor Darryl Hickman, who appeared in KEEPER OF THE FLAME (1942), will attend the screening on March 11th. ADAM'S RIB (1949) will also be shown that evening. Both films costar Katharine Hepburn.

Other films being shown over the next three months include UP THE RIVER (1930), FURY (1936), CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS (1937), BOYS TOWN (1938), DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE (1941), BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK (1955), THE LAST HURRAH (1958), GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER? (1967), and many more.

Most of the films will be screened in 35mm prints. A handful, including LIBELED LADY, will be shown in 16mm.

Consult the schedule for a complete list of titles.

Saturday Update: Susan King has interviewed UCLA Archive programmer Shannon Kelley about the series in the Los Angeles Times.

Update: My review of INHERIT THE WIND (1960) has been posted.

Update: Here are two more reviews from the Tracy Festival, SAN FRANCISCO (1936) and LIBELED LADY (1936).