Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Columbia in the 1930s: Recent Restorations at UCLA

There are some exciting programs on the UCLA schedule for the first quarter of 2014, including an extensive Anthony Mann series beginning January 31st.

I'll have more details on the Mann series in January. First up, though, is an 11-film series titled "Columbia in the 1930s: Recent Restorations." With one exception, the series is comprised entirely of films from the pre-Code era.

The series opens this Friday evening, January 3rd, with LET US LIVE (1937) starring Henry Fonda and Maureen O'Sullivan. The double bill also includes EAST OF FIFTH AVENUE (1933) with Wallace Ford.

January 4th features two Lee Tracy films, THE NIGHT MAYOR (1932) and WASHINGTON MERRY-GO-ROUND (1932).

Coming on January 6th: Pat O'Brien and Mae Clarke in THE FINAL EDITION (1932) paired with Edmund Lowe, Evelyn Brent, and Constance Cummings in ATTORNEY FOR THE DEFENSE (1932).

A single film will be shown on January 12th: Barbara Stanwyck in Frank Capra's THE BITTER TEA OF GENERAL YEN (1932).

January 17th the titles are THE CRIMINAL CODE (1931) with Walter Huston and BY WHOSE HAND? (1932) starring Ben Lyon.

The series wraps up in mid-February with a Valentine's Day screening of MEN IN HER LIFE (1931) starring Lois Moran and Charles Bickford, playing with LOVER COME BACK (1931), starring Constance Cummings.

All films in the Columbia series will be shown in 35mm.

There's also a series of films featuring Mexican actor Arturo de Cordova which begins at UCLA on January 10th. On January 11th I hope to see Joan Fontaine starring with de Cordova in FRENCHMAN'S CREEK (1944), which I missed when it was shown as part of the Mitchell Leisen series in the fall of 2012. The chance to see a 35mm film starring Fontaine, less than a month after her recent passing, is of course especially welcome.

FRENCHMAN'S CREEK will be shown with a 16mm print of ADVENTURES OF CASANOVA (1948), costarring Lucille Bremer. Bremer, best known for MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS (1944) and YOLANDA AND THE THIEF (1945), is a favorite of mine and only appeared in a handful of films, so this screening is a wonderful opportunity.

For more information please visit the UCLA Film & Television Archive website.

7 Comments:

Blogger Cliff Aliperti said...

Laura, highly recommend WASHINGTON MERRY-GO-ROUND, it has a very MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON feel to it ... only it's Lee Tracy and pre-Code!

Quite a few goodies on this list though. Enjoy!

11:57 AM  
Blogger Christy's Tales of Adventure... said...

Very nice review of Some Came Running.

12:06 PM  
Blogger Laura said...

Thanks very much for that tip, Cliff, I may try to get up there for that! Appreciate the feedback.

Thanks, Christy!

Best wishes,
Laura

6:07 PM  
Blogger Mary-Catherine said...

Please forgive a potentially foolish question, but, to the best of your knowledge, are any of the UCLA films ever subsequently slated for a not too distant DVD release?

3:15 PM  
Blogger Laura said...

Hello, thank you for stopping by! I haven't heard any word of plans for future DVD releases, but other UCLA restorations have been released on DVD so let's hope!

Best wishes,
Laura

3:51 PM  
Blogger Mary-Catherine said...

Dear Laura, thank you for replying, I'm so glad to hear that! I particularly hope Men in Her Life (1931) will be released sometime.

And I enjoy your 'musings' very much, they're such a pleasure to read:-)

Regards,
Mary

4:14 PM  
Blogger Laura said...

That's very nice of you to say so, Mary, I'm so happy to share my love of classic films and know this blog is enjoyed by others! Hope you'll continue to visit in the future.

Best wishes,
Laura

11:45 PM  

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