film series
Celebrating the Oscars at the Nation’s Library
Each film will be introduced by a short presentation on the featured composer's collection in the Library of Congress. Curated by James Wintle, Music Division
Wedensday evenings at 7:00 pm – Mary Pickford Theater,
3rd Floor, James Madison Building.
No tickets or reservations needed. Limited seating begins at 6:30pm.
Programs subject to change without notice.
March 9
The Heiress (1949) directed by William Wyler (116 minutes)
Best Dramatic Score: Aaron Copland. Winner of 4 Oscars. Nominated for Best Picture.
This classic film, based on a novel by Henry James set in 1840s New York, tells the story of a shy, awkward woman from a wealthy family (Olivia de Havilland – Best Actress) who falls in love with a handsome but penniless suitor (Montgomery Cliff).
March 16
On the Waterfront (1954) directed by Elia Kazan (108 minutes)
Nominated for Best Dramatic Score: Leonard Bernstein. Winner of 8 Oscars.
This heart-wrenching drama of an ex-fighter turned longshoreman is number eight on AFI’s list of top 100 movies of all time. Oscar-winning direction by Elia Kazan and performances by Marlon Brando for Best Actor and Eva Marie Saint for Best Supporting Actress.
March 23
The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) directed by Michael Curtiz and William Keighley
(102 minutes) Best Original Score: Erich Korngold. Winner of 3 Oscars.
A merry romp through Sherwood Forest, starring Erroll Flynn in the title role and Olivia de Havilland as Lady Marian, and featuring one of the greatest sword fights in film history between Robin Hood and the deliciously evil Sir Guy of Gisbourne played by Basil Rathbone.
March 30
Elmer Gantry (1960) directed by Richard Brooks (147 minutes)
Nominated for Dramatic Score: André Previn. Winner of 3 Oscars.
Based on the controversial novel by Sinclair Lewis, the story of a traveling salesman-turned-preacher. Burt Lancaster gives an Oscar-winning performance (Best Actor) as the fast-talking Gantry, who joins Sister Sharon Falconer, a revival preacher portrayed by Jean Simmons.
Jazz in the Spring at the Nation's Library
Curated by Larry Appelbaum, Music Division
Monday evenings at 7:00 pm – Mary Pickford Theater, 3rd Floor, James Madison Building. No tickets or reservations needed.Limited seating begins at 6:30pm. Programs subject to change without notice. For details or further information: lapp@loc.gov (202) 707-1848
April 4
The Anatomy of Vince Guaraldi (2010) Directed by Andrew Thomas (116 mins)
In 1963, Vince Guaraldi and Ralph J. Gleason (co-founder of Rolling Stone magazine and the Monterey Jazz Festival) collaborated on a film that offered a unique perspective on how Vince’s classic song “Cast Your Fate To The Wind” crossed over from the jazz world to the pop charts. This rare footage, unavailable for more than 40 years, has been restored in high definition and fully expanded to continue Vince’s story through the 1960s and 70s – from his well known scores for the Charlie Brown animated TV specials, to the groundbreaking Jazz Mass at Grace Cathedral, and his legendary appearances at the Hungry i, the Trident, El Matador and the Monterey Jazz Festival. Featuring previously unknown Guaraldi filmed performances (recently discovered from private collectors) plus rare, unpublished studio recordings from Vince’s personal library; The Anatomy of Vince Guaraldi also includes intimate comments and original performances from Dave Brubeck, Dick Gregory, George Winston, Jon Hendricks and others.
April 18
El Trombone de Bomba, William Cepeda’s Jazz (2002) Directed by Louise Ernst (65 mins)
Trombonist, composer and educator William Cepeda is a cultural icon of Puerto Rico, who in the early 1990s began to blend world music and modern jazz, with traditional Afro-Puerto Rican roots music and dance. This documentary follows Cepeda back and forth between New York and his home town of Loiza to focus on his experiments in bomba jazz and the role his music plays in his two communities. Cepeda’s band is shown in the studio and features stars of both salsa and jazz, including soloists Yomo Toro, Miguel Zenón and Donny McCaslin. Special guest William Cepeda will introduce the film and take questions following the screening.
April 25
David Amram: The First 80 Years (2011) Directed by Lawrence Kraman (90 mins)
The subject of Lawrence Kraman’s documentary (seen here as a sneak preview/work-in-progress) is composer and multi-instrumentalist David Amram, who at age 80 continues to be break ground in the worlds of jazz, classical, and world music. As a jazz French horn player, Amram worked with Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Miles Davis and many others. In the classical work he has composed more than 100 orchestral and chamber music works and has written many scores for theater and film, including the original The Manchurian Candidate, Splendor in the Grass, and the legendary beat generation film Pull My Daisy. Special guests David Amram and Lawrence Kraman will introduce the film and take questions following the screening.
PAST EVENTS:
Sir Paul McCartney Film Fest at the Nation’s Library
In honor of his receipt of the 2010 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.
Curated by Norman Middleton, Music Division
Monday evenings at 7:00 pm – Mary Pickford Theater, 3rd Floor, James Madison Building. No tickets or reservations needed. Limited seating begins at 6:30pm. Programs subject to change without notice.
November 22
YELLOW SUBMARINE (1968) Directed by George Dunsing (90 minutes)
Animated film set to Beatles music (several songs from Sgt. Pepper) loaded with surreal visuals and typical Beatles humor. Story revolves around the guys’ attempts to save Pepperland from the Blue Meanies.
November 29
LET IT BE (1970) Directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg (81 minutes)
Featuring Yoko Ono, George Martin, Mal Evans, Derek Taylor, Linda McCartney, and Heather McCartney. This Beatles documentary contains the group’s last concert on the roof of their Apple studio.
December 6 - Double Bill
THREE ANIMATED SHORTS WITH MUSIC BY SIR PAUL
Tropic Island Hum / Tuesday / Rupert and the Frog Song
GIVE MY REGARDS TO BROAD STREET (1984) Directed by Peter Webber (108 minutes)
Sir Paul plays a middle-aged rock star in this atypical motion picture that showcases some of the Beatles hits and songs he recorded during his solo career. Ringo Starr and Linda McCartney co-star.
December 13
PAUL MCCARTNEY LIVE IN RED SQUARE (2003) Directed by Mark Haefeli (90 minutes)
This Emmy-winning documentary includes footage from Sir Paul’s concerts in Moscow’s Red Square and the Palace Square in St. Petersburg. Songs from Beatles, Wings and solo albums are performed, and each song is interspersed with interviews regarding the Beatles' banning in the Soviet Union in the 1960s.
December 20
THE LAST WALTZ (1978) Directed by Martin Scorsese. (117 minutes)
The Band, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Ringo Starr, Muddy Waters, Dr. John, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, Emmylou Harris, Paul Butterfield, The Staples, Ronnie Hawkins, Ron Wood, and others. Documentary about The Band's farewell concert at San Francisco’s Winterland Ballroom on Thanksgiving Day 1976.