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Posts in ‘An Auteurist History of Film’
May 1, 2012  |  An Auteurist History of Film
Samuel Fuller’s The Steel Helmet

The Steel Helmet. 1951. USA. Directed by Samuel Fuller

These notes accompany the screenings of Samuel Fuller’s The Steel Helmet on May 2, 3, and 4 in Theater 2.

After many years of ambivalence, I have decided to like Sam Fuller (1911–1997).

April 24, 2012  |  An Auteurist History of Film
Charles Chaplin’s Limelight

Limelight. 1951. USA. Directed by Charles Chaplin

These notes accompany the screenings of Charles Chaplin’s Limelight on April 25, 26, and 27 in Theater 3.

If Charles Chaplin‘s Modern Times is a poignantly graceful valediction to the silent cinema,

April 17, 2012  |  An Auteurist History of Film
Max Ophuls’s Le Plaisir

Le Plaisir. 1952. France. Directed by Max Ophuls

These notes accompany the screenings of Max Ophuls’s Le Plaisir on April 18, 19, and 20 in Theater 3.

Le Plaisir, like Charles Chaplin’s The Circus</a>, has suffered neglect over the years because it happens to be sandwiched in between two of its director’s most famous films.

April 10, 2012  |  An Auteurist History of Film
Jean Renoir’s The River

These notes accompany the screenings of Jean Renoir’s The River on April 11, 12, and 13 in Theater 3.

The River is the eighth Jean Renoir film I have shown in this series—more than any other director.

April 3, 2012  |  An Auteurist History of Film
Joseph Losey’s The Lawless

The Lawless. 1950. USA. Directed by Joseph Losey

These notes accompany the screenings of Joseph Losey’s </i>The Lawless</a> on April 4, 5, and 6 in Theater 3.</p>

September 27, 2011  |  An Auteurist History of Film
A Brief Auteurist History Hiatus

Duel in the Sun. 1946. USA. Directed by King Vidor

As you’ve probably noticed, it has been a few weeks since the last An Auteurist History of Film post. The column’s author, curator Charles Silver, is currently taking a brief hiatus, but his weekly musings on film history and auteur theory will resume shortly.

August 9, 2011  |  An Auteurist History of Film
Laurence Olivier’s Henry V
Henry V

Henry V. 1944. Great Britain. Directed by Laurence Olivier

These notes accompany the screenings of Laurence Olivier’s Henry V on August 10, 11, and 12 in Theater 3.

I can’t recall an image of an auteur in action that is as stirringly visceral, dynamic, and, frankly, sexy, as Laurence Olivier’s Prince Hal in tights, rousing his army at Agincourt. (Mom, I don’t want to be cowboy or a policeman. I want to grow up to be an auteur!)

August 2, 2011  |  An Auteurist History of Film
Jean Renoir’s The Southerner

The Southerner

The Southerner. 1945. USA. Directed by Jean Renoir

These notes accompany the screenings of Jean Renoir’s </i>The Southerner</a> on August 3, 4, and 5 in Theater 3.</p>

Jean Renoir (1894–1979) made six films during his American exile—all of them worthy projects—but the consensus is that The Southerner is the best.

July 26, 2011  |  An Auteurist History of Film
Vincente Minnelli’s Meet Me in St. Louis
July 19, 2011  |  An Auteurist History of Film
Otto Preminger’s Laura

Laura. 1944. USA. Directed by Otto Preminger

Laura. 1944. USA. Directed by Otto Preminger

These notes accompany the screenings of Otto Preminger’s </i>Laura</a> on July 20, 21, and 22 in Theater 2.</p>

Last week I mildly berated Andrew Sarris for pretty much ignoring Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger in his auteurist bible, The American Cinema. This week, with Laura by Otto Preminger (1905–1986), we have an example of just how influential Sarris was and is.