Cambridge Film Festival 2019 Brochure

Calamity Jane
(Singalong) U
USA, 1953, 101 Mins.
DIRECTOR
WITH
David Butler
Doris Day, Howard Keel
Arguably Doris Day’s fi nest hour, with many
memorable songs, from an energising The
Deadwood Stage to the wonderful Secret Love,
Calamity Jane is a fi lm that is well known even to
those who have never seen it. Paying little attention
to the truth of the relationship between Jane and
Wild Bill Hickok, it’s a musical after all, it is cracking
entertainment with action, songs, romance and
a classic western tale. Can you watch without
singing along?
Print source ICO/BFI
SAT
15.00
MON
15.00
SUN
20.30
19 LIGHT
21
APH
20
LIGHT
First A Girl
UK, 1935, 98 mins.
DIRECTOR
WITH
CFF PG
Victor Saville
Jessie Matthews, Sonnie Hale,
Griff ith Jones
This highly successful remake of German fi lm Viktor
und Viktoria stars Jessie Matthews as an aspiring
showgirl who gets her big break by standing in
for a male drag artist stricken with laryngitis.
Audiences are astounded by her convincing
female ‘impersonation’, but she has to keep up
the deception off-stage as well … This genderbending
extravaganza features gorgeous costumes,
glamorous locations, Busby Berkeley-style numbers
and an irresistible performance from Matthews, the
best-loved star of British 30s musicals.
Print source ICO/BFI
GUYS AND DOLLS
USA, 1956, 149 MINS.
DIRECTOR
WITH
U
Joseph L Mankiewicz
Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons,
Frank Sinatra, Stubby Kaye
Based on the Damon Runyon short stories of
Broadway, the musical Guys and Dolls plays out on
a stunning studio set that extends the artifice of the
stories. From a simple story - a ganster takes a bet
that he can win the heart of a Salvation Army lady
– and a pyrotechnic opening sequence – it is clear
the fi lm is unlike any other with its all-star cast,
frenzied choreography, witty lyrical dialogue and
memorable songs. What more could you want from
a musical? Exceptional Hollywood.
Print source ICO/BFI
Screening as part of BFI Musicals! The Greatest Show on Screen, a UK-wide fi lm season
supported by National Lottery, BFI Film Audience Network and ICO. bfimusicals.co.uk
PAKEEZAH
INDIA, 1972, 154 MINS.
DIRECTOR
WITH
CFF PG
Kamal Amrohi
Ashok Kumar, Meena Kumari,
Raaj Kumar
One of the most extraordinary musical melodramas
ever made and a cult classic, Pakeezah is much
beloved by audiences for Meena Kumari’s
breathtakingly tragic turn as the doomed
Sahibjaan, who is born in a graveyard to a dying
mother who was once a famed courtesan. Taken in
by her aunt, she follows in her mother’s footsteps,
but a chance encounter leads to her falling in love
with a man she cannot marry. Forbidden love,
homo-social women’s space, glittering fountains,
rainbows of silk and gold fi ligree as far as the eye
can see - and even some rampaging elephants:
Pakeezah has it all!.
Print source ICO/BFI
SUN
20
15.30
APH
SINGING LOVEBIRDS
Oshidori utagassen
Japan, 1939, 69 MINS.
DIRECTOR
WITH
CFF PG
Masahiro Makino
Chiezo Kataoka, Takashi Shimura,
Haruyo Ichikawa
Rarely screened in the UK, the 1939 Japanese
musical comedy Singing Lovebirds is an effortlessly
delightful viewing experience: breezy, lighthearted,
full of verve, charm and invention. Daughter of a
former rōnin (masterless samurai), Oharu is in love
with Reisaburō Asai, another rōnin who lives next
door. But she faces steep romantic competition
from two other local admirers – and matters are
complicated further when her father, fi nding
himself deeply in debt to the local lord, fears he
might have to sell her to pay it off…
Print source ICO/BFI
SAT
19
20.00
APH
Singin’ in the Rain
Friday screening introduced by Neil Brand.
USA, 1952, 102 MINS.
DIRECTORS Gene Kelly & Stanley Donen
WITH
U
Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds,
Donald O’Connor, Cyd Charisse
One of the most enjoyable musicals with great
songs, dance and performances. Set during the
transition from silent fi lms to the talkies when a star
can only survive if her voice is dubbed - but is she
worth it? Star Don Lockwood is not convinced. Shot
in Technicolor, it looks stunning; in a vivid green
outfit, Cyd Charisse almost steals
the film without saying a word.
Nearly 70 years on, it is still as
fresh and fun as
ever.
Print source BFI
FRI
18
20.30
EMMA
TUE
22
15.45
LIGHT
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