(Rob Reiner, US 1987, 98 min., 35mm)
This fairy tale with several modern twists has become a classic in the 20 years since its release. The all-star cast includes Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Wallace Shawn, Christopher Guest, Billy Crystal, Peter Falk, and Andre the Giant in the romantic story of a young rogue’s pursuit of his true love. There are also elaborate revenge subplots, pirates, and rodents of unusual size. Treat your-self for Valentine’s Day and see The Princess Bride on the big screen.
(Victor Fleming, US 1935, 91 min., 35mm)
This Janet Gaynor feature should be of enormous interest to Rochesterians, because it prominently features a trip up the Erie Canal to Rochester in a 19th-century setting. Henry Fonda makes his big-screen debut as Dan Harrow, a farmer who sees railroads as the way of the future and who has an unpleasant encounter with Molly Larkins (Gaynor), a cook on a barge with a passion for the Canal. Both, however, feel an irresistible attraction toward each other.
(LA DEMOISELLE D’HONNEUR, Claude Chabrol, France 2004, 111 min., French with subtitles, 35mm)
It’s love at first sight when bridesmaid Senta (Laura Smet) falls into the life of handsome, young Philippe (Benoît Magimel) at the wedding of his younger sister. Soon after their passionate affair has begun, Philippe discovers that Senta’s life is shrouded in mystery and her stories surrounding her past are anything but believable. When one day she asks Philippe for a terrible proof of his love, Philippe must come to terms with whom his lover might really be. Legendary nouvelle vague filmmaker Chabrol lives up to his reputation as the Hitchcock of France in this suspenseful and creepy adaptation of a novel by Ruth Rendell, the writer who also provided the basis for Chabrol’s masterful La Ceremonie.
(Hal Ashby, US 1972, 90 min., 35mm)
Harold (Bud Cort) is a wealthy but depressed 20-year-old man obsessed with death who plans elaborate, fake suicides. Maude (Ruth Gordon) is a vibrant 79-year-old woman who refuses to give in to life’s darkness and tragedies. In the ultimate May-December romance, these two meet at a funeral and fall in love. This combination of charming romance and dysfunctional comedy appealed to a larger audience than anyone ever expected, and Harold and Maude has become a personal favorite of filmgoers around the world. The unforgettable songs are by Cat Stevens.
(Alfred Hitchcock, US 1946, 101 min.)
In Hitchcock’s great postwar spy thriller, G-man T. R. Devlin (Cary Grant) convinces Alicia Huberman (Ingrid Bergman) to infiltrate a group of Nazis living in South America. Devlin, despite his obvious romantic feelings for Alicia, pushes her into marriage with the group’s leader, Alex Sebastian (Claude Rains). This screening will be preceded by a special Valentine’s brunch. Admission for brunch and film is $27.50. Regular admission prices for film only. For more information, call (585) 271-3361 ext. 290 or e-mail EHCouncil@aol.com. Sponsored by the Eastman House Council.
