AUTHOR: CHARLES SILVER

Spencer Tracy and Jean Simmons in The Actress. 1953. USA. Directed by George Cukor

These notes accompany screenings of George Cukor’s The Actress on March 6, 7, and 8 in Theater 3.

George Cukor (1899–1983), a graduate of DeWitt Clinton High School, was barely out of his teens when he began working on Broadway. Read more

Tony Curtis and Sidney Poitier in The Defiant Ones. 1958. USA. Directed by Stanley Kramer

These notes accompany screenings of Stanley Kramer’s The Defiant Ones on February 20, 21, and 22 in Theater 3.

I don’t think Stanley Kramer (1913–2001) would be too indignant about being labeled more a producer than a director. Read more

The Lovers. 1958. France. Directed by Louis Malle

These notes accompany screenings of Louis Malle’s The Lovers on February 13, 14, and 15.

Louis Malle (1932–1995) is generally included in the remarkable group of French Nouvelle Vague directors who came along at the end of the 1950s. Read more

Casque d’or. 1952. France. Directed by Jacques Becker

These notes accompany screenings of Jacques Becker’s Casque d’or on February 6, 7, and 8 in Theater 3.

Jacques Becker (1906–1960), for those of you into kismet or astrology, was born on Jean Renoir’s 12th birthday Read more

Witness for the Prosecution. 1957. USA. Directed by Billy Wilder

These notes accompany screenings of Billy Wilder’s Witness for the Prosecution on January 30, 31, and February 1 in Theater 3.

Samuel (Billy) Wilder (1906–2002) once expressed a wish that he could spend his 100th birthday at The Museum of Modern Art Read more

The Tarnished Angels. 1958. USA. Directed by Douglas Sirk

These notes accompany screenings of Douglas Sirk’s The Tarnished Angels on January 23, 24, and 25 in Theater 3.

I’ve always considered Douglas Sirk (1900–1987) a bit problematic. Read more

Smultronstallet (Wild Strawberries). 1957. Sweden. Written and directed by Ingmar Bergman

These notes accompany screenings of Ingmar Bergman’s Wild Strawberries on January 16, 17, and 18 in Theater 3.

Once upon a time (May 5, 1995), a critic for our most distinguished newspaper wrote an article that has stuck in my craw for nearly two decades. Read more

The Brothers Rico. 1957. USA. Directed by Phil Karlson

These notes accompany screenings of Phil Karlson’s The Brothers Rico on January 9, 10, and 11 in Theater 2.

Phil Karlson (1908–1985) struggled against what Andrew Sarris called “cosmopolitan genre prejudices.” Read more

East of Eden. 1955. USA. Directed by Elia Kazan

These notes accompany screenings of Elia Kazan’s East of Eden on January 2, 3, and 4 in Theater 3.

From a technical standpoint, East of Eden marked a new departure for Elia Kazan (1909–2003) Read more