The Toronto Film Society, one of Canada’s oldest film appreciate groups, returns to the Carlton Cinema in July for the next Summer Series of programming. This summer’s series focuses on re-makes with each double bill showcasing one film and then a double take of the same film. Dubbed “Deja Views,” the series has been carefully curated to highlight films that are not exactly shot-by-shot remakes but rather a different take on the same story.
All films in the Summer Series 2013 will be presented at the Carlton Cinema, 20 Carlton Street. Each double-bill programme screens on a Monday evening in the summer at 7 pm. A complete list of films with specific screening dates are below.
Membership — Membership to all 14 films in the complete Summer Series is $85. Those interested in finding out more about Toronto Film Society may purchase a trial membership to any individual screening at the door for $15.
The Complete Summer Series 2013 “Deja Views” Programme
Programme 1 – July 8th
Bordertown 1934 (90 min.)
Dir. Archie Mayo
w. Paul Muni, Bette Davis, Eugene Pallette, Margaret Lindsay
Muni’s degenerate lawyer gets involved with more than he can handle when he tangles with the bored wife of a local businessman. A fair amount of mood and sexual tension here and the result is highly engrossing.
They Drive By Night 1940 (93 min.)
Dir. Raoul Walsh
w. George Raft, Ann Sheridan, Ida Lupino, Humphrey Bogart, Alan Hale
For its first half, this social drama is fast, hard, bitter and brilliantly realized but then melodrama takes over. And when she confesses, you will never forget what made Ida “do it”!
Programme 2 – July 15th
Ah, Wilderness! 1935 (101 min.)
Dir. Clarence Brown
w. Wallace Beery, Lionel Barrymore, Aline MacMahon, Eric Linden, Mickey Rooney
Eugene O’Neill’s poignant, warm play about a boy breaking through the shackles of adolescence in 1906 America receives an excellent screen treatment. Barrymore and Mickey Rooney shine.
Summer Holiday 1948 (92 min.)
Dir. Rouben Mamoulian
w. Mickey Rooney, Walter Huston, Frank Morgan, Agnes Moorehead
This musical version of O’Neill’s play follows the same storyline but adds some good songs and a stunning use of Technicolor. Underappreciated but much admired in some critical circles.
Programme 3 – July 22nd
The Front Page 1931 (103 min.)
Dir. Lewis Milestone
w. Adolphe Menjou, Pat O’Brien, Mary Brian, Edward Everett Horton
A film classic. Fast and furious action and dialogue, as reporter O’Brien and editor Menjou battle corruption—and each other. Fascinatingly filmed by director Milestone with a cast of stalwarts.
His Girl Friday 1940 (92 min.)
Dir. Howard Hawks
w. Cary Grant, Rosalind Russell, Ralph Bellamy, Helen Mack
Hawks made Front Page’s Hildy a woman and that made all the difference. He also developed a technique of overlapping the dialogue, to great effect. Grant as a physical actor has never been better put to the test, and Roz is more than his match.
Programme 4 – July 29th
The Invisible Man 1933 (71 min.)
Dir. James Whale
w. Claude Rains, Gloria Stuart, E.E. Clive, Una O’Connor
Rains is exceptional as the hero of H.G. Wells’ tale; a demented scientist who has successfully made himself transparent and now wants to rule the world. Despite its age, this horror classic still captures the imagination.
The Invisible Woman 1941 (72 min.)
Dir. Edward Sutherland
w. John Barrymore, Virginia Bruce, John Howard, Charlie Ruggles
A dandy but little-known sci-fi spoof about a daffy scientist with, what else—an invisibility formula! Barrymore headlines a top-drawer cast of character comedians with Ruggles superb as Howard’s long-suffering butler.
Programme 5 – August 12th
House of Strangers 1949 (101 min.)
Dir. Joseph L. Mankiewicz
w. Edward G. Robinson, Susan Hayward, Richard Conte, Debra Paget
A dynamic portrait of a ruthless financier (Robinson) and family conflicts, filled with hatred and revenge. Outstanding direction and solid performances all round.
Broken Lance 1954 (96 min.)
Dir. Edward Dmytryk
w. Spencer Tracy, Robert Wagner, Jean Peters, Richard Widmark, Katy Jurado
An excellent reworking, with Tracy superlative as the tyrannical papa riding hard on three rebellious sons, while the family fragments into warring factions. Philip Yordan’s Oscar-winning story has been worked into a tight-knit script.
Programme 6 – August 19th
Sweet Rosie O’Grady 1943 (76 min.)
Dir. Irving Cummings
w. Betty Grable, Robert Young, Adolphe Menjou, Reginald Gardiner
Legit star Madeleine Marlow (Betty) is threatened by an exposé in the police gazette as the former Burlesque Queen of Flugelman’s Brooklyn Beer Garden. Robert Young’s the lowlife reporter who exposes her corned beef and cabbage antecedents—all in luscious Technicolor.
That Wonderful Urge 1948 (82 min.)
Dir. Robert B. Sinclair
w. Tyrone Power, Gene Tierney, Lucile Watson, Reginald Gardiner
This time around it’s socialite Tierney who’s hounded by obnoxious reporter Power, and tries to play his game. Lots of fun here with two of Hollywood’s most glamorous stars—they really did have faces then, plus chemistry.
Programme 7 – August 26th
The Sea Wolf 1941 (90 min.)
Dir. Michael Curtiz
w. Edward G. Robinson, John Garfield, Ida Lupino, Alexander Knox
In this brutal and briny film version of Jack London’s noted novel, survivors of a ferry crash are picked up by a psychopathic freighter captain. A fine Warner’s action film and Robinson is the very model of a tough tyrant (again).
Barricade 1950 (75 min.)
Dir. Peter Godfrey
w. Dane Clark, Ruth Roman, Raymond Massey, Robert Douglas
A tough mine-owner who runs a camp miles from civilization meets his comeuppance when three strangers are forced to accept his hospitality. Clark and Massey are good adversaries.
** For more information, contact Toronto Film Society at (416) 785-0335 or email info@torontofilmsociety.com.**