Outdoor
Screenings
Wednesdays
in August
(rain
or shine)
Paul
Newman – Behind Blue Eyes
Free
admission. Please bring chairs and blankets.
In
September of last year, the world lost icon and philanthropist
Paul Newman at the age of 83. Spanning over five decades, Newman’s
career began during the Golden Age of Television in series such
as The United States Steel Hour and Playhouse
90. He came to prominence in 1956 playing boxer Rocky Graziano
in Robert Wise’s Somebody Up There Likes Me. With his
last role as Doc Hudson in Disney/Pixar’s Cars, Newman
was introduced to the children and grandchildren of fans throughout
the generations. Nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including
Best Picture for Rachel, Rachel, he won Best Actor
for The Color of Money in 1987. Film @ IHouse honors
this legacy with four films that encompass his range as an actor
and see beyond that face.
Wednesday,
August 5 at 8pm
Cat
on a Hot Tin Roof
dir.
Richard Brooks, US, 1958, video, 108 mins, color
Although
Elizabeth Taylor (in all her negligee glory) chews the scenery
as Maggie the Cat, Newman’s Brick is the heart of Tennessee
Williams’ adaptation of his play. Confronted by the loss of
the glory days of football and the death of best friend Skipper,
Brick spends his days perpetually drunk in the Mississippi home
of Big Daddy (and big Mama). Brick and Maggie share more than
a few secrets about his relationship to Skipper (this is 1958)
and the state of Big Daddy’s health and wealth. In the end,
the truth will always set you free.
Nominated
for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor
(Newman), Best Actress (Taylor) and Best Director (Brooks).
Richard Brooks also directed
Newman in Sweet Bird of Youth.
Wednesday,
August 12 at 8pm
The
Hustler
dir.
Robert Rossen, US, 1961, video, 134 mins, b/w
The
Hustler is a film
of grit and greed and ultimately, redemption. Fast Eddie Felson
is essentially a good man who is good at one thing – pool. He
travels the road to challenge Minnesota Fats, portrayed by the
incomparable Jackie Gleason. Eddie does play Fats, but the tables
are turned by a bottle of whiskey and the appearance of professional
gambler Bert Gordon (George C Scott). With only $200 in his
pocket, he meets alcoholic Sarah (Piper Lauire). Apprehensive
at first, Sarah takes him in as he hustles for small stakes.
Bert backs Eddie in matches (which he looses as much as he wins),
eventually challenging Fats to a final showdown. Will Eddie
come out ahead with both body and soul intact after the game?
And will that be enough?
The
Hustler received
nine Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Director,
Best Actor in a Leading Role for Newman, Best Actress in a Leading
Role for Laurie, Best Actor in a Supporting Role for both Gleason
and Scott (Scott refused the nomination).
Wednesday,
August 19 at 8pm
Hud
dir.
Martin Ritt, US, 1963, video, 112 mins, b/w
Based
on Larry McMurty’s novel Horseman, Pass By, Hud
is the story of a brutal, amoral cowboy. In his third Oscar-nominated
performance, Newman’s Hud cannot see and does not care about
the misery and
havoc he’s inflicted upon those closest to him, including the
death of his only brother. Father Homer is
a principled man who considers his own son "not fit to
live with" and tries to keep grandson Lon from emulating
him. Housekeeper Alma keeps her distance – “I've done my time
with one cold-blooded bastard, I'm not looking for another."
Hud is a man with no conscience and we can’t look away.
Hud
won Academy Award’s
for Melvyn Douglas (Best Actor in a Supporting Role), Patricia
Neal (Best Actress in a Leading Role) and James Wong Howe (Best
Cinematography).
Wednesday,
August 26 at 8pm
The
Sting
dir.
George Roy Hill, US, 1973, video, 129 mins, color
Set
in the Great Depression, The Sting is a revenge comedy
with Paul Newman and Robert Redford at their 70’s best. When
grifter John Hooker’s (Redford) best friend and accomplice is
murdered by corrupt police and crime boss Doyle Lonnegan (Robert
Shaw), he seeks out retired con man Henry Gondorff (Newman)
to exact payback and make a tidy profit. They assemble an experienced
crew for the “long con” and try not to get killed in the process.
Nominated
for 10 Academy Awards (one for Redford, but not Newman), The
Sting won seven, including Best Picture, Director and
Original Score.
Free
admission.
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