While I have sang National Building Museum’s praises (almost) as often as I have been pictured with a glass on this site (it is all about balance), every time I get a new chance, I jump at it like a hungry wolf in a Duran Duran video (???)
Anyhoo, this week’s reason is actually better than most: for the next 3 weeks, NBM will be showing a film series entitled
Bachelors! Secretaries! Spies!: Mid-century Style in American Film which allows you to check out some interesting interpretations of “modern” on the big screen, while you picnic in the grand hall (which, as the picture below clearly declares, is VERY GRAND)
Sadly, it is not free (the Museum under normal circumstances is) but it is very reasonably priced for the stuff you get
(which is undying coolness):
$5 Members; $5 Students; $10 Public. Member special: $10 for all 3 films! Prepaid registration required. Walk-in registration based on availability.
here is what is in store:
(note: Ann Hornaday, Washington Post film critic, and Deborah Sorensen, curatorial associate at the Museum will introduce the films. )
February 6 (tomorrow!)
“The Moon is Blue”
Directed by Otto Preminger (1953, NR, 99 min.) Starring William Holden, David Niven, and Maggie McNamara
This urbane comedy defied Hollywood’s Production Code (all the way to the Supreme Court) and set a new bar for frank discussions of adult sexuality. This film will be shown in VHS format.
February 13 (perfect pre-Valentine’s-power date)
“The Best of Everything”
Directed by Jean Negulesco (1959, NR, 121 min.) Starring Joan Crawford, Hope Lange, Suzy Parker, and Robert Evans
Joan Crawford tears up the secretary pool in this melodrama about working girls in the big city. Set in the newly completed Seagram Building (Mies van der Rohe, 1954–58). This film will be shown in DVD
format.
February 20
“In Like Flint”
Directed by Gordon Douglas (1967, NR, 114 min.) Starring James Coburn and Lee J. Cobb.
Ultimate spy spoof fantasies, the Flint films are extravaganzas of over-the-top Sixties style. This film will be shown in DVD format.
(we also recommend checking out the other “Flint” movies, as well as the super stylish and ridiculous “Modesty Blaise” which we would have edited in here too)
