Classic Comedies, THE HARD WAY at the American Cinematheque
by Andre Soares
Between July 5-9, the American Cinematheque’s Aero Theater in Santa Monica will screen a series of cult/classic comedies, including Stanley Kubrick’s still (and unfortunately) quite relevant military satire Dr. Strangelove (Wednesday, July 5 - 7:30 PM), and two Frank Capra classics, Arsenic and Old Lace and You Can’t Take It with You (Sunday, July 9 - 7:30 PM). The former is too stagy and is marred by Cary Grant’s overripe performance (the supporting cast, however, is superb); the latter belongs to the Capra-Corn school of filmmaking, but it has some pretty funny moments, and apart from a dull James Stewart, the madcap cast shines.
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On Tuesday, August 8, at 7:30pm, the American Cinematheque in Los Angeles will honor director Vincent Sherman, who died this past June 18, with a screening of the 1943 Warner Bros. melodrama The Hard Way.
The Hard Way follows two sisters, played by Warner contractees Ida Lupino and Joan Leslie, in their (oh-so-hard) path to professional success and personal ruin. Ida Lupino won a Best Actress Award from the New York Film Critics for her role as the ambitious "stage sister," but in my view the film belongs to Joan Leslie - a talented performer wasted by the Hollywood studio system. Also in the cast, Jack Carson and Dennis Morgan. Screenplay by Daniel Fuchs and Peter Viertel.
The screening will be preceded by "rare interview clips" with director Sherman.
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I like “The Hard Way” very much, I think it is almost the first dramatic role Jack Carson had, and he is excellent in it. I have built a website about him as I think he is been almost forgotten in recent years, and it’s about time he was given a second look.