Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
When Worlds Collide got off to a late start due to the installation of 14 subwoofers to evoke Sensurround. Presented by sound designer Ben Burtt and visual effects artist Craig Barron,this George Pal-produced movie offers an intriguing science-fiction premise about the response when the star Bellus is discovered to be on a collision course with Earth. While the U.N. dismisses the idea, two rich men fund a plan to create rocketship “arks” so a select group chosen by lottery can inhabit the planet Zyra, which is in Bellus’ orbit. It’s a shame the writing and acting were given the same amount of attention the impressive special effects were.
Eddie Muller, who repeatedly made the point that a “classic movie” isn’t restricted to the ’30s and ’40s, hosted a conversation between Crossing Delancey co-stars Amy Irving and Peter Reigert a sweet love story not usually seen in movie theaters nowadays. Director Joan Micklin Silver had previously worked with Reigert on Chilly Scenes of Winter and liked the way Irving ate popcorn in a movie theater. Isabelle Grossman (Irving) works in a bookstore and sees herself belonging among the elites of literary circles. She is set up by her grandmother Ida (Sylvia Miles) with pickle vendor Sam Posner (Reigert). Initially, Isabelle won’t give Sam a chance, but it’s clear to see immediately a connection form and bloom.
Based on a radio play that starred Agnes Moorehead, the story was expanded into Sorry, Wrong Number, a thrilling crime drama starring Barbara Stanwyck as bedridden Leona Stevenson who believes she hears a murder plot discussed over cross phone lines. As the story plays out throughout, Leona is shown to be quite the character, faking medical conditions to control husband Henry (Burt Lancaster), whom she stole away from a college girlfriend. Henry is no angel either and gets himself in quite a mess. Leona tries to get someone to believe her regarding the plot, but will it be in time? Eddie Mueller and Lawrence Hilton Jacobs introduced the film. Hilton Jacobs had no connection other than being a fan of it.
Leonard Maltin and actor Doug Jones, well-known for burying himself in make-up and costumes, introduced The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the marvelous, silent film starring Lon Chaney. A restoration had been done from 16 mm sources. Based on Victor Hugo’s novel, Chaney brings such humanity to the role of the hunchback Quasimodo, whose outer appearance is monstrous. The real monsters are those in charge while Quasimodo sacrifices himself to save the life of the beautiful Gypsy girl, Esmerelda (Patsy Ruth Miller). Directed by Wallace Worsley, the film is a grand epic.
With time on my hands and curious about the turnout, I went into the TCL Chinese Theatre for the first and only time at this year’s festival to see how There’s Something About Mary fared. Granted I came in about halfway through, but the house was barely half full, so maybe using the biggest house wasn’t the best option. And yet the second half of the movie had a lot of funny gags as a few men (Ben Stiller, Matt Damon, etc.) compete for Mary’s hand in this Farrelly brothers comedy.
Xanadu filled the midnight movie slot and played before an enthusiastic crowd of devoted fans. It’s a wild, weird, wonderful musical starring Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly, who directed his . She’s a mythical muse to an artist who works at a record label and inspires him to open a dance club. The plot is ridiculous but it really just an excuse to move along to the next dance sequence, including one animated by Don Bluth animated. The soundtrack by ELO is a delight. There’s a special magic watching a movie with fans who love it. Many were singing along and if there had been room, would have danced in the aisles instead of their seats.
