Just some thoughts on this month’s happenings:

Classic film screenings from around the world this June include:

In New York City, New York, Film Forum is continuing until June 8 THE CITY: REAL AND IMAGINED, a series of films featuring New York City.

The programme reads:

“Over 60 feature films and special events, including SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS, THE NAKED CITY, REAR WINDOW, THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123, THE LANDLORD, KLUTE, TAXI DRIVER, DO THE RIGHT THING, A NEW LEAF, SHAFT, THE PANIC IN NEEDLE PARK, THE FRENCH CONNECTION, and many more.

Presented in association with the Museum of the City of New York’s centennial exhibition This Is New York: 100 Years of the City in Art and Pop Culture”

Also beginning this month is OZU 120: A complete retrospective of Yasujirō Ozu's extant work, commemorating the 120th anniversary of the director’s birth and the 60th anniversary of his death from Friday, June 9 – Thursday, June 29.

For more information on either of these series, click on the appropriate still above. For a complete calendar of all the films playing this month, click on the Film Forum banner.

In Melbourne, Australia The Astor Theatre is presenting a double bill of Inception (2010, a 35mm print) and Blade Runner [The Final Cut] (1982) Thursday, June 1, a double bill of Bottle Rocket (1996) and The Last Picture Show (1971) Tuesday, June 13, and Casablanca (1942, a 4k digital presentation) on Sunday, June 18.

Click on the appropriate image for more information on each screening. To see the rest of June’s schedule, click on The Astor Theatre banner above.

In Los Angeles, California The Beverly Cinema will present a double bill of Gun Crazy (1950, a 35mm print) and Cry of the Hunted (1953, a 35mm print) Thursday, June 1 and Friday, June 2, a double bill of Pillow Talk (1959, a 35mm print) and Man’s Favorite Sport? (1964, a 35mm print) Tuesday, June 27 and Wednesday, June 28, and Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977, a 35mm print) on Thursday, June 29 and Friday, June 30.

Click on the respective image for more information. To see the rest of June’s schedule, click on The Beverly Cinema banner above.

In Santa Monica (part of greater Los Angeles) California, The American Cinematheque Aero Theatre will present They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? (1969, a 35mm print, and a Q&A with actor Bruce Dern, moderated and introduced by film critic Katie Walsh) Thursday, June 1, a double bill of Come and See (1985, with an Introduction by filmmaker Karyn Kusama) and The Ascent (1977) Friday, June 2, a double bill of The Friends of Eddie Coyle (1973, a 50th Anniversary presentation, with an introduction by screenwriter Larry Karaszewski) and Fox and His Friends (1975, a 35mm print) on Sunday, June 4.

In Los Feliz (also part of greater Los Angeles) The American Cinematheque Los Feliz 3 Theatre will present Ace in the Hole (1951, a 35mm print, as part of their ‘Sunday Print Edition’) Sunday, June 11, and Bad Day at Black Rock (1955, a 35mm print) on Thursday, June 15.

For more information specifically on each of these programmes, click on the corresponding image. To see the entire month of June’s programming including other films showing at both the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica and The Los Feliz 3 Theatre in Los Feliz, click on the American Cinematheque banner.

In Valencia, Spain, Culturarts Generalitat IVAC – La Filmoteca at the Edificio Rialto will be presenting Blood on My Hands aka Un condé (1970, as part of their FRENCH FLEECE programme) Friday, June 2 and Tuesday, June 6, Wanda (1970) Saturday, June 3, The Red Circle aka Le cercle rouge (1970, as part of their FRENCH FLEECE programme) Saturday, June 10 and Sunday June 11, Police Story aka Flic Story (1975, as part of their FRENCH FLEECE programme) Saturday, June 17 and Sunday, June 18, and The Inheritor aka L'héritier (1973, a 35mm print, as part of their FRENCH FLEECE programme) on Tuesday, June 20 and Thursday, June 22.

Click on the respective film’s image for more information on each screening. To discover more of June’s programming including other films playing in Valencia Spain at the Edificio Rialto, in Alicante Spain at the Arniches Theatre and in Castelló Spain at the Raval Theater and the Paranimf of the Universitat Jaume I, click on the banner image above.

In London, United Kingdom The Prince Charles Cinema will present Goodfellas (1990, a 35mm print) Saturday, June 3, Love Streams (1984, a 35mm print, as part of their GENA & JOHN series) Monday, June 5, The Conversation (1974, a 35mm print) Wednesday, June 7, Bullitt (1968) Thursday, June 8, The King of Comedy (1982, a 4k presentation) Thursday, June 8, Wanda (1970) Friday, June 9, Faces (1968, a 35mm print, as part of their GENA & JOHN series) Friday, June 9, Hard Eight (1996, a 35mm print) Saturday, June 10, Come and See (1985) Sunday, June 11, Once Upon a Time in America [251 minute Extended Version] (1984, a 4k presentation) Monday, June 12, The Long Goodbye (1973, a 35mm print) Friday, June 16, Sunday, June 18 and Tuesday, June 27, A Woman Under the Influence (1974, a 35mm print, as part of their GENA & JOHN series) Friday, June 23, and Opening Night (1977, a 35mm print, as part of their GENA & JOHN series) on Friday, June 30.

* Note: Some of the above showtimes are matinees only.

Click on the film’s respective image for more information. To see June’s complete programming, click on The Prince Charles Cinema banner above.

In Vancouver, British Columbia, The Cinematheque will present Reconstruction aka Αναπαράσταση (1970, as part of their Greek Film Festival) Saturday, June 3.

For more information about this screening, click on the top image above. For other films scheduled this month at The Cinematheque, click on the theatre banner above.

In theatres across the U.S., Fathom Events is presenting Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) on Sunday, June 4 and Wednesday, June 7.

Click on the film’s poster image for more information. To see this month’s entire schedule, click on The Fathom Events banner above.

In Bergen, Norway The Cinemateket i Bergen will present Christiane F. (1981, a 35mm print) on Monday, June 5.

For more information on this film’s showing, click on the appropriate movie image above. For more information on the other films being presented at The Cinemateket, click on the banner image above.

Noir City will take place in Boston, Massachusetts from June 9 - 11. Highlights include He Walked by Night (1948, a 35mm print) Saturday, June 10, Hollow Triumph (1948, a 35mm print) Saturday, June 10, and Sorry, Wrong Number (1948, a 35mm print) on Sunday, June 11.

For more information including the complete schedule, click on the image above.

In Auckland, New Zealand Academy Cinemas is presenting The Naked City (1948) Monday, June 12, Woman in the Dunes (1964) Tuesday, June 20, Enter the Void [Director’s Cut] (2009) Saturday, June 24, Cleopatra (1963) Sunday, June 25, and Sweet Smell of Success (1957) on Monday, June 26.

To obtain more information specifically on each of these programmes, click on the corresponding image. To see the entire month of June’s programming, click on the Academy banner above.

In Los Angeles, California The Los Angeles Conservancy will present Vertigo (1958, a 35mm print, hosted by film critic and historian Leonard Maltin) on Saturday, June 17.

For more information, click on the image above.

In theatres across the U.S. Flashback Cinema is presenting Back to the Future (1985) on Sunday, June 18 and Wednesday, June 21.

Click on the poster image for more information. To see the entire month’s programming, click on The Flashback Cinema banner above.

Bob the Gambler aka Bob le flambeur / The Red Circle aka Le cercle rouge

In Los Angeles, California Secret Movie Club is presenting at the Secret Movie Club Theater a double bill of Bob the Gambler aka Bob le flambeur (1956, Part of their HEISTS, CAPERS & CONS Series) and The Red Circle aka Le cercle rouge (1970, a 35mm print, Part of their HEISTS, CAPERS & CONS Series) on Friday, June 23.

For more information on this presentation, click on the appropriate movie image. To discover other screenings organised by this group, click on the above theatre image.

In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra will present Jaws with live musical accompaniment featuring John Williams’ thrilling score on Friday, June 30 and Saturday, July 1.

Click on the above image for more information.

There are 17 recommended films to watch on Turner Classic Movies in the U.S. this month:

Although it aired just last month, TCM (perhaps by popular demand) is bringing back Bringing Up Baby (1938) previously recommended here. "Baby" will be brought back and up on TCM Thursday, June 1 at 5 pm PDT.

"And then I saw her - coming out of the sun. And I knew why Whit didn't care about that 40 grand."

Out of the Past (1947) is one of film noir's finest and most highly recommended here. She will arrive Friday, June 2 at 3:15 pm PDT.

For those who enjoy the best in creative romantic comedy, be sure to tune in for 1959’s Pillow Talk (reviewed here) Friday, June 2 at 10:15 pm PDT.

Raoul Walsh's Colorado Territory (1949) is the impassioned director's artistically superior western remake of his previous film noir High Sierra (1941). Readers can discover why I make this claim here, and for those familiar with the earlier Humphrey Bogart vehicle, decide for themselves when Colorado Territory is explored Monday, June 5 at 7 pm PDT.

MGM's 1952 musical Singin' in the Rain was not adapted from a theatrical production, though the film was later turned into one, being first presented on stage in 1983. Its abundant creativity, innovation and driving energy place this film at the top of all cinematic musicals ever produced. Singin' in the Rain has been reviewed as a past Blu-ray selection here and will joyously dance its way onto TCM Tuesday, June 6 at 5 pm PDT.

"Complaining about the far-fetched circumstances in films noir is like objecting to the lack of realism in a Picasso painting. What I mean is that lovers of these criminally rich cinematic delights oughtn’t to bother picking out the implausibilities, since they are practically a hallmark of noir's style."

I've written this before when introducing Split Second (1953), a film noir that presents some rather unlikely occurring, but fascinating situations. See for yourself Thursday, June 8 at 9:30 am PDT.

Ikiru (1952) is cinema's most deeply contemplative statement on the meaning of life and one of the Top Ten World Cinema Treasures. This odyssey of discovery is taken by actor Takashi Shimura vividly playing a Japanese Government bureaucrat after learning he has terminal cancer. Ikiru will be shown on Monday, June 12 at (early morning) 2:15 am PDT.

Don't miss Nicholas Ray's character study In a Lonely Place (1950) with Humphrey Bogart perfectly cast as Dixon Steele whose unpredictable explosions of anger make him a prime suspect for the killing of a young ingénue. This highly probative film noir was previously recommended here and will be investigated Tuesday, June 13 at 7 pm PDT.

TCM is showing Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967) on Thursday, June 15 at 5 pm PDT. This is a film I’ve been rather dismissive of in my brief review which can be read here. On the plus side, all of the able bodied cast members offer solid performances.

Next up is the remarkably understated, albeit compelling, racial drama Intruder in the Dust released in 1949. Still deserving of more critical acclaim, this filmed adaptation of literary giant William Faulkner’s novel will grace TCM Friday, June 16 at 12:15 pm PDT and is reviewed as a DVD recommendation here.

(From left) Juano Hernandez, Claude Jarman Jr.

“How does it feel to be a decent, respectable married man?”

Dick Powell’s Everyman faces a mid-life crisis, including a far more considerable threat to his well being in the form of Raymond Burr’s jealous contractor in Pitfall (1948), previously recommended here. Pitfall will occur Monday, June 19 at 12:30 pm PDT.

Preston Sturges' masterpiece Sullivan's Travels (1941) is a previous Blu-ray recommendation here. His comedic, albeit enlightening, adventures will begin Tuesday, June 20 at 5 pm PDT.

Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo (1958) is loaded with multi-faceted insights and hidden rumination on human relationships providing viewers with much to ponder long after this tale of romantic obsession ends. This cinematic treasure was previously opened here and will unveil its visual and aural riches Saturday, June 24 at 7 pm PDT.

I cannot think of any Alfred Hitchcock film as static in nature as 1948’s Rope, reviewed here and showing up on TCM Monday, June 26 at 7 pm PDT.

(From left) Farley Granger, James Stewart, John Dall

One of the first films to deal with homosexuality in a mature and sophisticated manner was the 1961 British suspense film Victim showing on TCM (updated) Wednesday, September 27 (2023) at 9 pm PDT.

Victim is also June’s Blu-ray recommendation reviewed at the conclusion of this column.

From 1947, director Michael Curtiz brings inspirationally to life the unsuspectedly stylish film noir The Unsuspected, previously reviewed here, Wednesday, June 28 at 5:30 am PDT.

Although starting out as quite the common man, circumstances will turn this rather nondescript accountant played by Edmond O'Brien, into a kind of noir superhero in D.O.A. (1950) previously recommended here. This "dead man running" will seek justice with a vengeance on TCM Wednesday, June 28 at 12 pm PDT.

TCM's current monthly schedule can be confirmed by clicking on any of the above TCM related images. For those who live in parts of the U.S. other than the western region, the time zone can be adjusted in the upper right-hand corner of TCM's programme.

This month's Happy Birthday shout-out goes to legendary film composer James Newton Howard who turns 72 on June 9th.

Some of his outstanding contributions to the art of film composing have occurred with The Package (1989), Flatliners (1990), The Man in the Moon (1991), Grand Canyon (1991), The Prince of Tides (1991), Glengarry Glen Ross (1992), Alive (1993), Falling Down (1993), Dave (1993), The Fugitive (1993), Wyatt Earp (1994), Outbreak (1995), Primal Fear (1996), The Devil’s Advocate (1997), A Perfect Murder (1998), The Sixth Sense (1999), Vertical Limit (2000), Signs (2002), Hidalgo (2004), Collateral (2004), King Kong (2005), Blood Diamond (2006), Michael Clayton (2007), I Am Legend (2007), The Dark Knight (2008, co-composer along with Hans Zimmer), Salt (2010), The Hunger Games (2012), The Bourne Legacy (2012), Red Sparrow (2018), News of the World (2020), and Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022).

The Soundtrack recommendation for the month is James Newton Howard's brooding score to the 1996 legal thriller Primal Fear.

This film has a captivating performance from Edward Norton, some fascinating courtroom theatrics including a bombshell of a twist. Where Primal Fear is primarily lacking is in fleshing out Richard Gere’s attorney. It is he who’s left to carry the dramatic weight of astonishment during the trial’s final moments but he’s been so thoroughly underwritten, nothing hardly matters. Secondarily, even Norton’s character suffers but that’s almost to be expected when surprise substitutes for understanding.

James Newton Howard’s score adds, as usual, an important but restrained ambiance keeping the more sensational aspects of the murder trial in check with subdued seriousness and judicious intensity.

La-La Land Records and Paramount Pictures are presenting a remastered and expanded version of the soundtrack with this limited edition CD (only 1000 units manufactured) available currently at a substantially reduced price. Click on the image for more information and ordering.

Mentioned above as a TCM recommendation is Victim (1961) which also happens to be my Blu-ray pick of the month.

Victim’s subject matter (criminalised acts of homosexuality in Great Britain and the subsequent blackmail some of its sufferers of oppression additionally endured) may not seem nearly as scandalous today as it was in 1961 at the time of the film’s release. What is shocking, in contemporary filmmaking terms, is how intelligent, forthright and mature this topic is handled and integrated into one of the U.K.’s most engrossing mystery/thrillers.

Both the story’s central character and the actor (Dirk Bogarde, himself a gay man) who decided to immerse himself in this part, epitomise bravery and defiance: formidable strengths that permeate Victim’s overall disposition. At the time, it was suggested by many U.K. legislators and censors alike that homosexuality was not only a choice, but one that somehow posed a threat to others… which of course had a tremendous negative influence on public perception. This unjust, hostile environment made the making of Victim extremely risky for the careers of those involved. And yet, aside from its courageous stance, this film offers a bountiful of estimable qualities. There is an impressive dialogue between non-stereotypical characters over the morality of criminalising same sex relationships. The filmmakers shrewdly balance a restrained approach to their controversial concerns without holding back on the emotional anguish felt by those having to cope with the inherent cruelty of their fellow man. Preachiness, cliches, false patronising and unearned sentiment are all thankfully absent. The evildoers are not stock characterisations either (actor Darren Nesbitt serves up some suitably sinister maliciousness). One senses a deep-rooted prejudice in these perpetrators of illegality which is in keeping with the film’s realistic introspective approach to thoughtful, multi-level storytelling.

Victim features at its centre, Dirk Bogarde’s searing performance as a successful barrister who, after suffering the loss of a loved one, must still face a gauntlet of bleak, life-changing proportions especially after deciding to fight his criminal adversaries. His supportive wife is played by Sylvia Syms with moving sincerity. In fact, the entire cast acquit themselves admirably in their appreciably authentic parts. Basil Dearden’s (Dead of Night, The Blue Lamp, The League of Gentlemen) direction is composed and assured from a penetrative original script by Janet Green and John McCormack. Otto Heller provided the richly textured black and white cinematography.

The Network Blu-ray (U.K. Region B) can be ordered from Amazon.com currently at a reduced price by clicking on the image below.

A.G.

The Cinema Cafe

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