Historically, there are only a handful of Golden Age Hollywood stars who combined massive box-office success with profound acting talent. Among the most obvious were Paul Muni, Henry Fonda, and Katharine Hepburn. Edward G. Robinson should sit atop that list. For “Manny” was both a first-rate actor and a box-office champion. Far from being the stereotypical cigar-chomping gangster he was, onscreen, he was also a sparkling comedian, overpowering tragedian father and uncle, and world-class collector of art. Let’s spend 8 weeks getting to know the man born Emmanuel Goldenberg and watch a wide range of his films . . . both the well-known and the unknown. You just might develop a greater love of the man’s overwhelming talent. Titles are subject to change.
LECTURES:
1. Little Caesar (1931): The film that turned Manny into an overnight star. Costarring Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. 79 min.
2. The Whole Town’s Talking (1935): A milquetoast clerk is mistaken for public enemy # 1. Directed by John Ford. 95 min.
3. Dr. Ehrlich’s Magic Bullet (1940) Based on the true story of the doctor who discovers a cure for syphilis. Screenplay by John Huston. 103 min.
4. The Sea Wolf (1941): Based on the novel by Jack London. Costarring the very young John Garfield. 100 min.
5. Larceny, Inc. (1942) A comedy in which 3 ex-cons buy a luggage shop in order to tunnel into the bank vault next door. With Jane Wyman and Broderick Crawford. 95 min.
6. Our Vines Have Tender Grapes (1945): A Norwegian famer raises his daughter on a farm in rural World War II-era Wisconsin. Costarring Margaret O’Brien. 105 min.
7. The Stranger (1946): An investigator from the War Crimes Commission seeks to find an infamous Nazi; costarring and directed by Orsen Welles. 95 min.
8. The Cincinnati Kid (1965): An up-and-coming poker player takes on the master of the game. Costarring Steven McQueen, from a screenplay by the blacklisted Ring Lardner, Jr. 102 min.
Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after the live lecture.