Film: Spiral Staircase (1946) starring Ethel Barrymore and Dorothy Malone Robert Siodmak's "The Spiral Staircase" was adapted from the book "Some Must Watch" by the prolific Ethel Lina White. Two of White's books had been made into films by Alfred Hitchcock. "The Wheel Spins" became "The Lady Vanishes", and "Before the Fact" became "Suspicion". "The Spiral Staircase" deals with a pretty creepy premise: An unknown killer has been murdering women with "afflictions". (One victim was disfigured, another feeble-minded, another lame). Helen, a young mute servant girl working in a gloomy old mansion, is the killer's next intended victim. The killer is in the house with her, but who is it? Siodmak, a master of film noir, holds your attention for approximately 85 minutes, and never lets go. All of the classic elements are here: Old gloomy house, thunderstorm, chiaroscuro lighting, eerie musical score, colorful performances. The sets, by the way, are leftovers from Orson Welles' "The Magnificent Ambersons", the music score by Roy Webb, who had composed other goose-pimplers such as "The Cat People", "I Walked With a Zombie", "The Body Snatcher" and Hitchcock's "Notorious". Dr. Samuel J. Hoffman on the Theremin is featured on this score, providing added goosebumps. And the cast! Pretty Dorothy McGuire is excellent as the endangered Helen, in a house peopled by the likes of the very grand Ethel Barrymore, the wooden George Brent, marvelous character actors Elsa Lanchester, Rhys Williams and Sara Allgood, handsome Kent Smith and Gordon Oliver, and lovely Rhonda Fleming. Ellen Corby is in the film too, in a bit part-watch for her! Robert Siodmak was an excellent "B" movie director, having made masterpieces on relatively small budgets. His other films include "The Killers", "Phantom Lady", "Son of Dracula", the camp classic "Cobra Woman", "Criss Cross", and the Burt Lancaster romp "The Crimson Pirate". So, in this age of over-inflated budgets, it's a wonder and honor to see these well-made films from an era of almost non-existent special effects, modest budgets, and great actors. Lubber Run Amphitheatre This outdoor facility, nestled in a beautiful park, features summer performances by a diverse group of local artists and arts organizations, popular bands, film, and visiting artists. The amphitheatre can seat up to 1,200, and patrons can take advantage of adjacent picnic areas. Arts al Fresco, sponsored by Arlington Cultural Affairs, presents free outdoor performances throughout Arlington from May through September each year. You may bring a picnic, but alcohol is prohibited in all Arlington parks. To show consideration for your fellow audience members, we ask that you do not smoke. No reservations or tickets are required for any outdoor concerts or events, wwww.arlingtonarts.org click on Arlington Cultural Affairs, then click on Arts al Fresco

When: Aug 1, 2008 7:30:00 PM
Where: Postal code 20007, United States in Washington,District of Columbia
Posted by:evdb

LH5 027

When: Aug 1, 2008 1:00:00 PM
Where: University of Maryland Baltimore County in Baltimore,Maryland
Posted by:evdb

Marilyn J. Praisner Branch Library

Enjoy a G-rated movie on the big screen. No prereg...

When: Aug 1, 2008 10:30:00 AM
Where: Marilyn J. Praisner Branch Library in Burtonsville,Maryland
Posted by:evdb

When: Aug 1, 2008 12:00:00 AM
Where: National Gallery of Art in Washington,District of Columbia
Posted by:evdb

COMMONS QUAD

When: Jul 31, 2008 7:30:00 PM
Where: University of Maryland Baltimore County in Baltimore,Maryland
Posted by:evdb

LH5 027

When: Jul 31, 2008 1:00:00 PM
Where: University of Maryland Baltimore County in Baltimore,Maryland
Posted by:evdb

When: Jul 31, 2008 11:00:00 AM to Jul 31, 2008 12:00:00 PM
Where: Capitol View Neighborhood Library in Washington,District of Columbia
Posted by:evdb

Olney Library

Films, songs, and stretches for ages 3-5.... ...

When: Jul 31, 2008 10:30:00 AM
Where: Olney Library in Olney,Maryland
Posted by:evdb

When: Jul 31, 2008 10:30:00 AM to Jul 31, 2008 11:30:00 AM
Where: Juanita E. Thornton/Shepherd Park Neighborhood Library in Washington,District of Columbia
Posted by:evdb

LH5 027

When: Jul 30, 2008 1:00:00 PM
Where: University of Maryland Baltimore County in Baltimore,Maryland
Posted by:evdb

Location:
National Museum of Women in the Arts
1250 New York Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20005-3970

Note:
In Euzhan Palcy's first feature, a boy and his grandmoher struggle to escape the shantytowns in Martinique. Call 202-783-7370 or email reservations@nmwa.org for more information.



When: Jul 30, 2008 7:00:00 AM
Where: NATIONAL MUSEUM of WOMEN in the ARTS Theater in Washington,District of Columbia
Posted by:evdb

Ashburn Library

Bring your pillows and blankets to get comfy and w...

When: Jul 30, 2008 12:00:00 AM to Jul 30, 2008 12:00:00 AM
Where: Ashburn Library in Ashburn,Virginia
Posted by:evdb

LH5 027

When: Jul 29, 2008 1:00:00 PM
Where: University of Maryland Baltimore County in Baltimore,Maryland
Posted by:evdb

When: Jul 29, 2008 10:30:00 AM to Jul 29, 2008 11:30:00 AM
Where: Francis A. Gregory Branch Library in Washington,District of Columbia
Posted by:evdb

When: Jul 29, 2008 12:00:00 AM
Where: National Gallery of Art in Washington,District of Columbia
Posted by:evdb

All About Bette The Films of Bette Davis Mondays at 6:30 pm * FREE ADMISSION * Tickets required: first come-first seated. Tickets distributed 1/2 hour prior to screening. Food and drink are not allowed. The National Theatre * 1321 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC Information: (202) 783-3372 July 28 - All About Eve From the moment she glimpses her idol at the stage door, the seemingly innocuous Eve Harrington worms her way into the life of the legendary actress Margo Channing. Eve soon makes herself indispensable to Margo?s circle of friends, eventually becoming her understudy on stage as well as in life. Only the acerbic theatre critic Addison DeWitt sees through Eve?s manipulative pattern of deceit. But the cunning Eve will only settle for her ultimate goal?to eclipse Margo as the greatest star on Broadway. Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, George Sanders, Celeste Holm, Gary Merrill, Thelma Ritter, Hugh Marlowe, Marilyn Monroe. Twentieth Century Fox; written and directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. Not rated, 138 minutes, B&W, 1950. Nominated for 14 Academy Awards including Best Actress; received the Oscar for Best Picture.

When: Jul 28, 2008 6:00:00 PM
Where: Postal code 20004, United States in Washington,District of Columbia
Posted by:evdb

Screen on the Green returns to Washington, DC again this year. Bring a blanket to the National Mall on a summer night and watch a classic film on a gigantic movie screen. Film begins at dusk, around 8:30-9:00 p. m. People start to claim their spots on the lawn as early as 5 p.m. Movies play except in extreme weather and there are no rain days. Location: National Mall between 4th and 7th Streets, Washington DC July 28 - Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) Frank Capra delivers a great film adaptation of Joseph Kesselring's Broadway hit, "Arsenic and Old Lace". Originally filmed in 1941 just prior to WWII, but not released until 1944 because of the contract agreement to allow the play to complete its Broadway run. (The play ran for 1,444 performances.) Cary Grant in the leading role as nephew, Mortimer Brewster is at his comedic best in this black comedy of wine, family & insanity. His 2 fabulous Aunts played by Josephine Hull & Jean Adair were encored to the screen and are perfect in their roles. Boris Karloff's obligations prevented him from doing the movie and was replaced by Raymond Massey in the movie version as Grant madcap brother. The great ensemble cast also included Peter Lorre, Edward Everett Horton, Priscilla Lane & John Alexander as a delightful zany crazy, thinking he is President "Teddy Roosevelt". Summary: It is Halloween, Mortimers wedding day & his life is about to change forever. Visiting his 2 Aunts (Hull & Adair) with his wife (Lane - Ministers daughter!) on their way to their honeymoon to Niagara Falls discovers a body in the window seat. Thinking his crazy cousin, (Alexander) has committed the crime approaches his Aunts. They not only know about the body, but they know who he was & how he died. Their elderberry wine laced with a mixture of arsenic. Oh by the way, he is the 12th to be buried in the cellar. What is Mortimer to do & is his entire family insane? We began a very entertaining & hilarious journey to answering these & many more questions.

When: Jul 28, 2008 6:00:00 PM
Where: Postal code 20007, United States in Washington,District of Columbia
Posted by:evdb

LH5 027

When: Jul 28, 2008 1:00:00 PM
Where: University of Maryland Baltimore County in Baltimore,Maryland
Posted by:evdb

Location:
National Museum of Women in the Arts, 1250 New York Ave., NW, Washington, DC

Note:
NMWA is pleased to participate in the third annual Washington African Diaspora Film Series, co-sponsored
with TransAfrica Forum’s Arthur R. Ashe, Jr. Foreign Policy Library and ArtMattan Productions. ArtMattan
celebrates the annual New York African Diaspora Film Festival every November/December, and brings to
Washington the best of films by and about women from the festival. $9 per program.
Additional sponsorship by the Embassy of Australia, the Embassy of Peru, and the Embassy of Switzerland. For info. call 202.223.1960 ext 137 or 202.783.5000



When: Jul 27, 2008 11:00:00 AM
Where: NATIONAL MUSEUM of WOMEN in the ARTS Theater in Washington,District of Columbia
Posted by:evdb

Live standup comedy show Laugh Riot at the Hyatt 5 local comics $25 cash prize joke contest for non-com audience members after the show Every Saturday night 8 to 10 pm $10 Cash Admission Hyatt Regency Bethesda Hotel One Bethesda Metro Center 7400 Wisconsin Ave Bethesda, MD 20814 301-657-1234 www.Bethesda.Hyatt.com www.StandupComedyToGo.com

When: Jul 26, 2008 8:00:00 PM
Where: Hyatt Regency Bethesda in Bethesda,Maryland
Cost: $10 cash at door--ATM located in hotel lobby
Posted by:CurtS1