Free films are shown in the Helen Hayes Gallery during summer months, through the generosity of the Clark-Winchcole Foundation. Performances are at 6:30 on Monday evenings in the Helen Hayes Gallery at the National. Admission is free, on a first-come, first-seated basis. The series was inaugurated in 1985. Program Schedules can be secured by sending a Self-Addressed, Stamped Envelope to "Cinema," National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20004. Recorded program information is available at 202-783-3372.
IN 1997 WE PRESENTED
WOODY ALLEN
In this semi-autobiographical portrait of the amorous partnership between Allen and co-star Diane Keaton, Allen finally comes into his own as an accomplished film maker. By allowing us to glimpse this portion of his personal life, he has given us a polished look at a "nervous romance" in these modern times.
Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Tony Roberts.
(Color; Rated PG; 93 minutes; 1977)
Bananas ~ July 14
Fielding Mellish (a consumer products tester) becomes infatuated with Nancy (a political activist). He attends demonstrations and tries in other ways to convince her that he is worthy of her love, but Nancy wants someone with greater leadership potential. Fielding runs off to San Marcos where he joins the rebels and eventually becomes President of the country. While on a trip to the states, he meets Nancy again and she falls for him now that he is a political leader.
Woody Allen, Louise Lasser, Carlos Montalban.
(Color; Rated PG-13; 82 minutes; 1971)
Broadway Danny Rose ~ July 21
Danny Rose is a manager of artists, and although he's not very successful, he nevertheless goes out of his way to help his acts. So when Lou Canova, a singer who has a chance of making a come-back, asks Danny to help him with a problem, Danny helps. The problem is Lou's mistress Tina. Lou wants Tina to attend his concerts - otherwise he can't perform - but he's married, so Danny has to take her along as if she was his girlfriend. Danny, however, gets more than he has bargained for when two mobsters come looking for the guy who has hurt their brother by stealing the heart of Tina, the girl he loves.
Woody Allen, Mia Farrow, Nick Apollo Forte.
(B&W; Rated PG; 84 minutes; 1984)
Crimes and Misdemeanors ~ July 28
Ophthalmologist Judah Rosenthal has had an affair with Dolores for several years, and now she threatens to ruin his life if he doesn't marry her. When his brother Jack suggests that he have Dolores murdered, Judah is faced with a big moral dilemma: destruction of his life or murder. Meanwhile, documentary film maker Clifford Stern is trying to make a film of a philosophy professor, but instead he's commissioned to make a portrait of successful TV producer and brother-in-law Lester, who represents to Clifford, everything that Clifford despises.
Woody Allen, Anjelica Huston, Mia Farrow.
(Color; Rated PG-13; 107 minutes; 1989)
Hannah and Her Sisters ~ August 4
During a Thanksgiving Day party we meet a numerous and problematic family. The leading characters are three sisters: Lee, the woman of Frederick, an old misanthrope painter; Holly, who dreams of becoming a writer, or an actress, or who knows what...; Hannah, famous actress, beautiful, intelligent, good mother, good wife, good sister, in short perfect, the pivot of the family. The balance begins to shift when Hannah's husband, Elliot, falls in love with Lee, who leaves Frederick. Holly goes through a deep crisis and meets Mickey, the former husband of Hannah, a hypochondriac TV producer. The affairs evolve and at the last Thanksgiving...
Woody Allen, Mia Farrow, Barbara Hershey.
(Color; Rated PG-13; 107 minutes; 1986)
Manhattan ~ August 11
Manhattan is at once a delightful comedy and a passionate and gentle love song to New York City and its inhabitants. Filtering his unique wit through the impeccable black-and-white cinematography of Gordon Willis, Woody Allen tells the story of his search for the ideal relationship, a search that involves an ex-wife who has left him for another woman, a neurotic intellectual and a 17-year-old high school student.
Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Mariel Hemingway.
(B&W; Rated R; 96 minutes; 1979)
A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy ~ August 18
Centered around a weekend party at the home of inventor Andrew Hoobs and his wife Adrian, attended by randy doctor Maxwell Jordan, his nurse Darcey, renowned philosopher Dr. Leopold Strugis and his fiancee, this is a light comedy concerning their various emotional, intellectual and sexual entanglements. Loosely based on Ingmar Bergman's 'Smiles of a Summer Night'.
Woody Allen, Mia Farrow, Jose Ferrer.
(Color; Rated PG; 88 minutes; 1982)
Sleeper ~ August 25
A saxophone player who also runs a health food store is frozen and brought back in the future by anti-government radicals in order to assist them in their attempts to overthrow an oppressive government. When he goes off on his own, he begins to explore this brave new world that has Orgasmatron booths to replace sex, and confessional robots.
Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, John Beck.