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Tuesdays in June
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Tuesday, June 18th--Swing Shift
During World War II, a young woman (Goldie Hawn) takes a Rosie-the-Riveter–type job on a factory assembly line while her husband (Kurt Russell) is away fighting the war. This is the movie that began Russell and Hawn’s longtime real-life relationship. The all-star cast includes Charles Napier, Christine Lahti, Ed Harris, and Holly Hunter. Directed by Jonathan Demme. Out of print. 1984; 100 minutes.
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Tuesday, June 25th--Courage Under Fire
Lt. Col. Nathaniel Serling (Denzel Washington) heads an investigation of the wartime activities of chopper pilot Capt. Karen Walden (Meg Ryan) to verify that she is posthumously worthy of the Congressional Medal of Honor from her service in the Gulf War. Serling meets with several soldiers who were under Walden’s command, including Ilario (Matt Damon) and Monfriez (Lou Diamond Phillips). But the men give conflicting accounts, so it is up to Serling to uncover the truth. Directed by Edward Zwick. 1996; 117 minutes.
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Focus on Film June Theme
During June, Focus on Film explores the many ways women can serve a war effort.
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Tuesday, July 2nd--The Producers (1968)
Set in the late 1960s, the film is about a theatrical producer (Mostel) and an accountant (Wilder) who set out to produce a sure-fire Broadway flop, only to see their plan go awry when the show turns out to be a hit. This is the original film, which became a Broadway hit and another hit movie, all involving Mel Brooks. 1968; 88 minutes.
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Tuesday, July 9th--The Twelve Chairs
Set in 1920s Russia, this comedy classic is the tale of a former aristocrat (Ron Moody) who is a Russian clerk under the Soviet regime. When he learns that his dying mother-in-law sewed a fortune of family jewels into one of the twelve dining room chairs, he sets off across Russia to find it, with an opportunist (Frank Langella), a priest (Dom DeLuise), and his former servant (Mel Brooks) in equal pursuit. 1970; 94 minutes.
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Tuesday, July 16th--Blazing Saddles
To ruin a western town, a corrupt political boss (Mel Brooks) appoints a black sheriff (Cleavon Little), who promptly becomes his most formidable adversary in this satirical western comedy film. Also stars Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn, and Slim Pickins. The movie was nominated for three Academy Awards and is ranked No. 6 on the American Film Institute’s 100 Years . . . 100 Laughs list.1974; 93 minutes.
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Tuesday, July 23rd--Young Frankenstein
After years of living down the family’s reputation, Dr. Frankenstein’s grandson (Gene Wilder) inherits granddad’s castle and repeats the experiments. The film is an affectionate parody of the classical horror film genre, particularly the various film adaptations of Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein. Also stars Marty Feldman as bug-eyed assistant Igor, Madeline Kahn as Frankenstein’s frosty fiancée, and Peter Boyle as the zipper-necked monster. 1974; 102 minutes.
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Tuesday, July 30th--Spaceballs
“The farce is with you” in this laugh-out-loud funny sci-fi spoof. The fearless––and clueless––Lone Starr (Bill Pullman) and his half-man/half-dog sidekick (John Candy) race against time to free a princess (Daphne Zuniga) from the evil clutches of Dark Helmet (Rick Moranis). Along the way, they meet the wise Yogurt (Mel Brooks), who teaches them the mystical power of “The Schwartz” in order to bring peace––and merchandising rights––to the galaxy! 1987; 96 minutes.
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Focus on Film July Theme
The Funniest of Mel Brooks
Laugh your way through July by enjoying this retrospective that features five of the most side-splitting films directed by Mel Brooks, spanning two decades of his work.
