John DiLeo's 'other' film series starts Jan. 17
MILFORD — John DiLeo is a busy film critic this winter. He'll be dispensing his wit and wisdom about classic films at two local series, one to be held at the TriVersity Center and the other at the Hotel Fauchere, both in Milford.
For more about the TriVersity series, which is free, see "TriVersity plans Winter Classic Film Series hosted by John DiLeo" at pikecountycourier.com and in the Dec. 21 edition of the Courier.
The Fauchere series, which is not free — but comes with food! — will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on the following Thursdays: Jan. 17 and 24, Feb. 7 and 21, March 7 and 21 (snow date is March 28).
Each dinner will provide a choice of appetizers, entrees and desserts. Email reservations@hotelfauchere.com, call 570-409-1212 to reserve your seat, or arrange for a discounted multi-dinner subscription.
The packages are as follows:
One film and dinner — $60
Three films and dinner — $150
All six films and dinner — $250
Beverages, tax, and gratuity are not included.
About John DiLeoDiLeo is the author of six books about classic movies: "And You Thought You Knew Classic Movies," "100 Great Film Performances You Should Remember — But Probably Don’t," "Screen Savers: 40 Remarkable Movies Awaiting Rediscovery," "Tennessee Williams and Company: His Essential Screen Actors," "Screen Savers II: My Grab Bag of Classic Movies," and, most recently, "Ten Movies at a Time: A 350-Film Journey Through Hollywood and America 1930-1970."
He has been an annual participant in the Black Bear Film Festival, conducting onstage interviews with Farley Granger (2005), Arlene Dahl (2006), Marge Champion (2010), Keir Dullea (2013), Jane Powell (2015), Rex Reed (2016), Tab Hunter (2017), Lorna Luft (2018), and Jane Alexander (2018).
The lineup "His Girl Friday" (1940) on Jan. 17
Based on the legendary Broadway hit "The Front Page," this highly revered screwball comedy stars Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell in their only film together. Directed by the great Howard Hawks, it’s known for having the fastest-spoken dialogue in movie history.
"The Lady Vanishes" (1938) on Jan. 24
One of Alfred Hitchcock’s pre-Hollywood gems, it expertly combines mayhem with comedy and romance, while also being one of the finest of all train thrillers. Starring debonair Michael Redgrave and beautiful Margaret Lockwood, it brought Hitchcock the kind of international attention that solidified him as the Master of Suspense.
"Royal Wedding" (1951) on Feb. 7
Fred Astaire and Jane Powell star as a renowned brother-and-sister song-and-dance team who bring their magic to London. Loosely inspired by Astaire’s real-life partnership with his sister Adele, it’s the musical in which he memorably dances on the ceiling! Ms. Powell stayed at the Hotel Fauchère when she was the Black Bear Film Festival’s honored guest in 2015.
"My Man Godfrey" (1936) on Feb. 21
Another marvelous example of screwball comedy, it tells an irresistible Depression-era tale of a wacky heiress (Carole Lombard) and her infatuation with the new butler (William Powell). Divorced in real life, Lombard and Powell make a terrific team, both netting Oscar nominations. Lombard was married to Clark Gable when she died at 33.
"A Farewell to Arms" (1932) on March 7
Ernest Hemingway’s celebrated novel became a critically acclaimed and extremely popular movie, a superb drama about a romance both created and threatened by World War I. The stars are Gary Cooper (in the role that proved he was more than a pretty face) and Helen Hayes (a stage actress who wowed movie audiences in the early 1930s).
"Charade" (1963) on March 21 Nearly a quarter century after "His Girl Friday," Cary Grant was still one of Hollywood’s top leading men. In this deft romantic-comic thriller directed by Stanley Donen, Grant’s leading lady is divine Audrey Hepburn, a match made in screen heaven.