T ribb y At the MOVIES ON THE

Big Screen

Monday Night Musicals

7 P.M. in Connie Brown Hall • Also on SPTV Channel 12

MAN OF LA MANCHA (1972)

Monday, May 1

The scene is Spain at the time of the Inquisition when the writer/poet Cervantes (Peter O’Toole) and his servant Pancho (James Coco) find themselves imprisoned. Cervantes uses his manuscript and fellow prisoners to tell his tale of the Errant Knight Don Quixote, off to save the world, battling windmills in his quest for the Impossible Dream. Sophia Loren stars as Aldonza the barmaid whom our hero idolizes as the virginal Dulcinea. The film won Oscars for its music and for James Coco as supporting actor, and earned a nomination for Peter O’Toole.

THE BAND WAGON (1953)

Monday, May 15

Vincente Minnelli directed this MGM musical written by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Fred Astaire stars as aging movie star on the downward side of his career. His best friends, played by Nanette Fabray and Oscar Levant, write a Broadway musical to revive it. The narcissistic artistic director hires prima ballerina, played by Cyd Charisse, as his co-star. When all these egos collide, the film becomes a comedy with some memorable musical numbers, winning an Oscar for best original music.

A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (1977)

Monday, May 29

Stephen Sondheim’s 1973 Broadway musical becomes a film starring Elizabeth Taylor. In 1900, an aging actress finds herself at her country house, an awkward hostess surrounded by former and present loves and their families, plus her own mother and daughter. Len Cariou, Diana Rigg, Lesley-Anne Down, Laurence Guittard and Hermoine Gingold round out the cast as they “send in the clowns.”

BYE BYE BIRDIE (1963)

Monday, June 12

The actual draft of Elvis Presley in 1957 became the inspiration for this musical comedy directed by George Sidney. In this case, rock and roll star Conrad Birdie (Jesse Pearson) receives his draft notice, devastating his fans nationwide. Songwriter Albert Peterson (Dick Van Dyke) hoped to have his new song recorded by Birdie. As a publicity stunt, a lucky high school girl (Ann-Margret) is chosen to receive the idol’s farewell kiss on the Ed Sullivan show. Thus, the comedy ensues featuring songs by Johnny Green and Charles Strouse.

LOVE ME OR LEAVE ME (1955)

Monday, June 26

James Cagney took home an Oscar for his portrayal of Chicago gangster Martin Snyder. Doris Day as his wife, singer Ruth Etting, probably deserved one also as the pair show off their acting talents in their tempestuous relationship. Snyder discovered her and made her a star, but was obsessed, jealous and controlling. Etting, America’s Sweetheart of Song was the star of her time, the 1920s, and the film features 12 memorable standards sung by Doris Day. Notice the gorgeous costumes by Helen Rose.