christmas in may

it's my favorite time of year again. another may means another summer classics film series at the paramount theatre.

they haven't officially released the schedule yet, but if you would like a sneak peek here you go. between now and september you can see over eighty classic films on the big screen. jesse trussell, paramount film programmer extraordinaire, has dug up some real gems this time around. there will be a lot of new prints, some restorations of landmark foreign films and a week of 70mm epics. peter bogdanovich will be there discussing film history at the casablanca (1942) screening. other highlights for me include orson welles' f for fake (1973), charlie chaplin's modern times (1936), nicholas ray's they live by night (1949), a new, restored print (!) of luchino visconti's the leopard (1963), one of my all-time favorites - robert altman's mccabe & mrs. miller (1971), kaneto shindō's kuroneko (1968) and every single thing in the world cinema classics block in august. for all the double features (and practically every show is) you get both films for the price of one ticket. if you'd like to get even better deals, and support the crown jewel of congress avenue in the process, you can join the paramount's film fan club. the benefits vary according to donation level but no matter which one you choose if you go to these on a regular basis the memberships pay for themselves and the proceeds support the ongoing presentation of film at the greatest venue in town.

it's shaping up to be a fine summer. let me know which films you are looking forward to and i will see you in row q.