While on the subject of ways to remember loved ones (see last post), here’s another way. Last night I went with some friends to see the Maltese Falcon, projected on the side of a building, sitting outside on the grass in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
I’d forgotten how great this film looks, and how many wonderful lines the film has. What a script! It was an excellent “performance” of the film, as the audience (hundreds of people sitting around on the grass) was very appreicative indeed, with lots of bursts of laughter here and there. It was almost like watching it for the first time.
You also get to wander around all the headstones and mauseleums -of varying degrees of elaborateness- of various of the great and good of Hollywood. Have a look at the website above for more information! (Some of it quite bizarre.)
The viewings are put on by Cinespia, and there are several more to come this season.
Next week: The Birds!
-cvj
May 7th, 2006 at 2:30 pm
Here in our city we get different silent films each weekend night (more often in the summer) projected on the huge white facade wall of the renovated Fox Theater. It is great to walk downtown and take some time to see Tom Mix or the Gish sisters looking marvelous and young. On some nights different local jazz and fusion bands will play at the club across the street while they watch the film, providing innovate soundtracks.
May 7th, 2006 at 4:07 pm
spyder which one is your city?
the hollywood forever venue is quite an exceptional place, i have to say. cinespia line says: “come to watch a movie above and under the stars”…quite unique!
May 7th, 2006 at 4:42 pm
You haven’t really ‘seen’ the Maltese Falcon until you’ve seen Beat the Devil. Why? Well, Beat the Devil was written by Truman Capote, directed by John Huston, starred Bogart, Gina Lollabrigida and Peter Lorre among others, and reprises the Maltese Falcon.
Need I say more? Now available on DVD.
May 8th, 2006 at 9:43 am
I am rather fond of the following film noir classics for their intensely dark plot lines as well as their brilliant use of lighting and shadows: “Laura”(1944), “Out of The Past”(1946), “The Night of The Hunter”(1955) and “Cape Fear”(1962).While Bogart is noted as one of the most skilled actors in film noir, Robert Mitchum is an absolute natural fit for this film style. While Lauren Bacall is one of the most famous femme fatale actresses in film noir, Gene Tierney performs this role with exceptional ease and grace. Just as “Cape Fear”(1991) is a masterful recreation of the original “Cape Fear”(1962), I challenge the film industry to take on the daunting task of remaking “The Night of The Hunter.” This extremely dark film represents a nice fusion of a typical theme emerging from a Flannery O’Connor short story expressed in the mood of film noir. Unfortunately, unlike “Cape Fear”(1991), Robert Mitchum will not be able to make a stunning cameo appearance.
May 8th, 2006 at 10:34 am
The Maltese Falcon is awesome, but my favorite Bogey movie is The Big Sleep (1946), which is based on a Raymond Chandler novel and features Bogey and Bacall at their best. The longer version is a little easier to understand than the shorter version.
May 8th, 2006 at 1:37 pm
NoJoy, I totally agree! Chandler’s novels are quite great, a must if you live in LA!
May 8th, 2006 at 2:30 pm
I had no idea that William Faulkner wrote the screenplay for “The Big Sleep”(1946). I would love to see this film! Being a Southerner, I have a great affinity for William Faulkner. Does anyone know a direct online way of viewing old classics beyond the tradition way of renting/purchasing DVDs?
May 8th, 2006 at 3:25 pm
im– i live in downtown Spokane, WA. At my end of the plateau are a few dozen, 120 years old mansions; at the other end is the “university district;” home to the campuses of Gonzaga, SIRTI, HQ of CCS, and the technology campuses of EWU and WSU. Between this, are two miles of old and new downtown buildings (something always in renovation) fronting up to the large parklands that embrace the Spokane River and Spokane Falls.
May 10th, 2006 at 12:17 pm
clifford, next time you’re at the arclight, after the show walk up Cahuenga 1.5 blocks and stop in at the Hotel Cafe. Best place for live music in LA in my opinion, and there’s a LOT of great places. I was there last night and didn’t hit arclight but an Ameoba+Chan Dara+Hotel Cafe evening re-convinced me that Sunset/Cahuenga corner is fantastic.
May 10th, 2006 at 12:24 pm
Jeff…Thanks! Will check it out. Either when I’m at Arclight, or Ameoba, or Cat and Fiddle…. there’s a whole nexus of excellent things around there…..
-cvj