Throwback Thursday Film Series

Now in its 21st year, the Throwback Thursday Film Series screens a variety of classic movies for an adult audience.

April’s Theme:April Fools

April 4:Some Like It Hot (1959) NR

A pair of musicians (Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon) disguise themselves as women and join an all-girl band to hide out from the Chicago mobsters who are searching for them. Marilyn Monroe and Joe E. Brown costar under the direction of Billy Wilder. This excellent comedy is rated No. 1 on the AFI list of funniest films of all time. 2hrs 1min 

April 11: Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) PG

Stanley Kubrick directed this superb black comedy about government and military officials frantically trying to contain the damage when a deranged General launches a nuclear attack on the Soviet Union. Peter Sellers plays three different roles alongside costars George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden, and Slim Pickens. 1hr 35min 

April 18:  Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) NR

In this campy musical, Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell are voluptuous delights as gold diggers prowling for wealthy husbands on a cruise ship bound for France. This film, from director Howard Hawks, features Marilyn’s signature number, “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend.” 1hr 40min 

April 25: The General (1926) NR  Silent Film

During the Civil War, a Confederate engineer (Buster Keaton) concocts a plan to rescue his girlfriend and beloved train, The General, when both are captured by Union spies. This acclaimed silent movie is No. 18 on the AFI list of funniest films of all time. 1hr 18min 

May’s Theme:MAY I Have This Dance

May 2: Footlight Parade (1933) NR 

A Broadway producer (James Cagney) struggles to put on simultaneous dance performances in this famous pre-code musical. The real attractions here are the three legendary musical numbers choreographed by the great Busby Berkeley. Joan Blondell and Ruby Keeler costar under the direction of Lloyd Bacon. 1hr 44min 

May 9: Top Hat (1935) NR 

A case of mistaken identity foils the efforts of a dancer to woo a lovely lady, but who cares about the plot. It’s Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing “Cheek to Cheek” to the lovely music of Irving Berlin. Top hat indeed! 1hr 41min 

May 16: Grease (1978) PG 

Can the greaser (John Travolta) and the good girl (Olivia Newton-John) find love at Rydell High in 1958? This popular musical, based on the stage play, is rife with fun songs and high-energy dancing. Randal Kleiser directed with Stockard Channing, Jeff Conaway, and Eve Arden costarring. 1hr 50min 

May 23: All That Jazz (1979) R 

Bob Fosse wrote and directed this phantasmagorical musical about a compulsively ambitious dancer/director working on a Broadway production as his health and personal life fall apart. Roy Scheider plays the Fosse surrogate with Ann Reinking and Jessica Lange costarring. 2hrs 3min 

May 30: Chicago (2002) PG-13 

In 1920s Chicago, two women (Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones) on death row for killing their lovers become rivals as they compete for the public attention they hope will win them a reprieve. Rob Marshall directed this sharp musical that won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. 1hr 53min