Petaluma Film Alliance - 2013 Spring Cinema Series

And the successful hunt for classic film screenings in Sonoma County and beyond continues! I've uncovered a few more to save to my Outlook calendar this year.

Some Googling and clicking brought me to an organization I didn't even realize existed and I am so happy to discover ... The Petaluma Film Alliance is a partnership between Santa Rosa Junior College, community businesses and private individuals dedicated to building community through the art of film.

It appears the Alliance is responsible for two major contributions to the local cinema landscape: a Wednesday Night Cinema Series (yay!) and the annual Film Fest Petaluma, which features the best new short films from around the world. I'll have to read more about it, but the organization also mentions on its web site that they seek to engage young people with a Youth in Film program, providing students with a historical framework for understanding film and teaching them production skills. Sounds pretty cool.

But I'm all about just getting the word out there about the films you can see, and where you can see them. After reviewing the Alliance's screening lineup, it's apparent they fill out their schedule with "real" classic films from decades ago along with current films that seem pretty certain of securing a "classic" status in the future.

Since the Wednesday/Spring Cinema Series began in January, they've screened Moonrise Kingdom (2012), Breathless (1960), and Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012, screening tonight).

Pre-film lectures examine each film’s production history, including the players that brought the picture together, and highlights the techniques that will be showcased in the film. To subscribe to the Alliance's mailing list and receive updates about Alliance events, email your name to: info@petalumafilmfest.org.

The films are screened at the Carole L. Ellis Auditorium, SRJC Petaluma Campus, 680 Sonoma Mountain Parkway on Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. Pre-film lectures are at 6 p.m., and a post-screening discussion is held after the film, as well, until 10 p.m. Admission is $5 general, $4 students and seniors, and FREE for Alliance members. You can buy a series pass for $40. The box office is open from 5:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday nights.

Mark your calendars for these films coming up at the Petaluma Film Alliance throughout the remainder of 2013:

February 27: Anna Karenina (2012)
March 6: Children of Men (2006)
March 13: It Happened One Night (1934) - This is one of my top five FAVORITE FILMS of all time. Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert have an adorable chemistry; this is definitely one of the best romantic comedies of all time. Don't miss the chance to see this one on the big screen.
March 27: Sons of Cuba (2009)
April 3: My Own Private Idaho (1991) - A chance to see River Phoenix in his greatest role before his sad and untimely death.
April 10: Run Lola Run (1998) - OK, I usually only comment on classic films, but this German movie is fricking fantastic and blew my mind the first time I saw it about 10 years ago. It will take your breath away and keep you entranced the entire time.
April 17: Blue Velvet (1986) - The quintessential creepy David Lynch movie. You'll never listen to Roy Orbison the same again after seeing this bizarro and brilliant flick.
April 24: Seeking Asian Female (2012)
May 1: Dancer In The Dark (2000) - Lars von Trier and Bjork!
May 8: The Triplets of Belleville (2003)
May 15: The Graduate (1967)

Sonoma's historic Sebastiani Theatre

Built in 1933, the Sebastiani Theatre in downtown Sonoma adds an art-deco, neon charm to the beautiful square. It continues to show first-run films such as "Silver Linings Playbook" and has a classic film series that often includes - of course, this is wine country - vino for sale by the glass.

You can read about the fascinating history of the theatre here.

Next up on the classic film itinerary is "Breakfast at Tiffany's," a chic romantic comedy from 1961 starring the adorable and fashionable and emotionally guarded Audrey Hepburn in her most famous role as the impoverished socialite Holly Golightly. Her love interest is played by the handsome George Peppard in this film loosely based on the Truman Capote novel. Featuring the beautiful "Moon River" written by composer Henry Mancini and lyricist Johnny Mercer, it's a fun, stylish film.

Despite my love of almost anything "classic," I must admit I have mixed feelings about this particular film, mostly because of the annoying and embarrassingly stereotyped Asian landlord played by Mickey Rooney. Every time he comes on screen, I cringe with shame for the filmmakers, and for Rooney. If there were a way to edit out those scenes, the film would be great. On the positive side, maybe this portrayal will stimulate some intelligent discussions by movie-goers regarding stereotypes in film.

With that caveat in mind, I recommend seeing it if you haven't and, like all classic films, I recommend seeing it on the big screen whenever the rare opportunity comes your way. Audrey's New York 1960s fashion style is over the top and a blast to see, and her beauty and quirkiness will win you over.

Check out this trailer for the film from 1961:

"Breakfast at Tiffany's" will be shown at the Sebastiani Theatre, 476 First Street East in Sonoma, on Monday, February 18, at 7 p.m. and again on Wednesday, February 20, at 1 p.m. Admission is $8.

Silent Winter 2013

The San Francisco Silent Film Festival organization is featuring Silent Winter 2013 on February 16. This is a one-day event featuring great silent films with live musical accompaniment at the historic Castro Theatre in San Francisco. The Castro shows classic films on a regular basis, but this one day is devoted to this particular event.

Tickets are just $15 per person per film; you can purchase tickets in advance for all, one or some of the following fantastic films:

10 a.m. "Snow White" from 1917, featuring Marguerite Clark. Walt Disney was 16 years old when he saw this film in Kansas City, and it inspired him to pursue a life in feature film-making.

Noon: "Think Slow, Act Fast: Buster Keaton Shorts" - Buster Keaton is my favorite silent film comedian of all time. A total genius!

2:30 p.m. "The Thief of Bagdad" starring the swashbuckling and gorgeous Douglas Fairbanks (pictured above if you don't believe me!). Filmed in 1924, this film stands the test of time with great acting and lavish sets.

7:00 p.m. "My Best Girl" starring Mary Pickford, known as "America's Sweetheart" in her last silent film (she was in a few talkies later on). When this film was made in 1927, Mary was married to the swashbuckling handsome fella in the above film, Mr. Douglas Fairbanks. They were Hollywood's power couple - the Brangelina of the silent era - and famous around the world for decades.

9:00 p.m. "Faust" directed by F.W. Murnau in 1926. An expressive telling of the old European legend. Starring Emil Jannings, a great star of the silent era.

Hope to see you at the movies on February 16! Buy your tickets here.

Tonight only: "Saturday Night Fever" in Mountain View!

Just a quick post to let you know that you can see John Travolta in all of his white-dancing-suit glory on the big screen today at 2 p.m. or tonight at 7 p.m. in Mountain View, California, at the Century Cinema 16! Click here for info about this classic 1977 film, and let me know if you catch the 'fever' tonight! I'd love to hear all about it.

"Casablanca" and more at Oakland's Paramount

Built in 1931, the Paramount Theatre in Oakland is an overwhelming, gorgeous example of the grandiose art-deco style of theatre built in the 1920s and 1930s. These "movie palaces" were an attempt to attract more distinguished audiences to the then-new art form of movie-making.

I've visited many historic one-screen theatres from that era all over the United States, and while each and every one is a fantastic movie-going experience, the Paramount is the only theatre that took my breath away before I even walked inside the incredible neon entrance - which makes all of Broadway in downtown Oakland glow in a glamorous blue flash. In the past year, I've seen "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" and "Vertigo" - two very different films starring the affable Jimmy Stewart - at the Paramount, as well as having the experience of a lifetime last year: Abel Gance's Napoleon, which was the most incredible film experience of my life, and will be the focus of another post another day.

The Paramount's over-the-top and beautiful, and as you wander from one elegant space to another, it makes you feel like you should be in your finest flapper attire with a debonair dandy on your arm. From the grand center staircase and the theatre attendants with their helpful seat-finding flashlights to the straight-out-of-the-movies powder room with little chairs and mirrors adjacent to the ladies room and the tri-level bars serving beer and wine, the entire experience is more than worth every penny of the $5 ticket to see one of the rare classic films they show - usually once a month, athough the schedule seems to change periodically.

Here's a brief history of the theatre summarized from its own web site:

"Oakland's Paramount Theatre is one of the finest remaining examples of Art Deco design in the United States. Designed by renowned San Francisco architect Timothy L. Pflueger and completed in late 1931, it was one of the first Depression-era buildings to incorporate and integrate the work of numerous creative artists into its architecture and is particularly noteworthy for its successful orchestration of the various artistic disciplines into an original and harmonious whole.

After its initial brief blaze of "movie palace" glory in the 1930's, this remarkable auditorium suffered three decades of neglect and decline until its rescue by the Oakland Symphony, the City of Oakland and numerous private donors. The building was purchased by the Board of Directors of the Oakland Symphony Orchestra Association in 1972. A painstaking and authentic restoration was completed in 1973 and the theatre was entered in the National Register of Historic Places on August 14th of that year.

In 1975 the City of Oakland, the present owner, assumed ownership from the Oakland Symphony Orchestra Association. The Paramount Theatre became a California Registered Historic Landmark in 1976, and on May 5, 1977, was declared a National Historic Landmark.

Restored to its original splendor, meticulously maintained, and fully upgraded to modern technical standards, the Paramount now serves all the arts. The Paramount Theatre is the home of the Oakland East Bay Symphony and, as one of the San Francisco Bay Area's premiere performing arts facilities, hosts a year-round schedule of popular music concerts, variety shows, theatre, and - of course - movies."

The Paramount's Winter Classics 2013 film series began in January with "Singin' in the Rain" and continues on Friday, February 15, with "Casablanca" at 6 p.m. The theatre is located at 2025 Broadway in Oakland.

Movie Classic Nights feature a 35mm film print, a newsreel, a cartoon, previews of classic films, and prizes. Box office opens at 6 p.m. (recommended that you arrive at this time - have a glass of wine and walk around to absorb the beauty and history of this amazing building). A live Mighty Wurlitzer organ serenade (super cool and fun!) begins at 7:30 p.m., the curtain rises at 8 p.m., and the feature film begins at 8:30 p.m.

Other films coming up this winter/spring include: "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" on March 8 and "The Maltese Falcon" on April 26.

TIP: Bring cash for the wine and concession stands. And the 3,040-seat theatre was about half full when I saw Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, but it was completely sold out and difficult to find a seat during the screening of Hitchcock's "Vertigo," so I guess it depends on the film if it's crowded or not.

TIP: Official tours of the Paramount Theatre are given on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month. Read all the details here.http://www.paramounttheatre.com/tour.html

Classic Movies Shot in Sonoma County - Series Starts Tonight!

Celebrate the area Peanuts-creator Charles Schulz called home with the "First Friday Film Series" at the Charles M. Schulz Museum, featuring classic movies shot in Sonoma County. The series begins tonight at 7 p.m. with Alfred Hitchcock's creepy and possibly incest-themed "The Birds," filmed in 1963 on location in Bodega Bay.

Next on the list is 1992's "Forever Young" on March 1, featuring scenes of Jenner and the Russian River. On April 5, the film will be 1963's "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" featuring scenes filmed at the Sonoma County Airport. And, saving the best for last, 1973's "American Graffiti" will be shown on May 3. Starring a very young Harrison Ford, this film was filmed on location in Petaluma.

Cost is free to museum members and $5 for the general public. Enjoy the films on a theatre screen with complimentary popcorn and candy, which is pretty nice of the museum to provide.

The Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center was designed to reflect the modest, low key, and comfortable personality and style of an internationally-famous cartoonist.The Museum is located at 2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa, California, across the street from Snoopy’s Home Ice, and near Schulz’s drawing studio.

The film series event is sponsored by Craig Schulz, a pilot and son of the famous cartoonist.