THE WALTER READE THEATER

THE JOHNSONS: NUNNALLY AND NORA

August 25 - 26, 2004


left: holy matrimony

A large number of important Hollywood films between the 30s and the 60s were written, produced, and sometimes directed by Nunnally Johnson. His body of work included every conceivable genre - socially important dramas, such as his screenplay adaptation of Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath; psychological dramas like The Three Faces of Eve, with a tour-de-force Oscar winning performance by Joanne Woodward; male dominated action films such as The Dirty Dozen; and delightful comedies, such as The World of Henry Orient, based on the autobiographical novel by his daughter, Nora Johnson. On the occasion of Simon and Schuster's publication of Coast to Coast, Nora Johnson's candid memoir of growing up privileged but rootless in Hollywood and New York, the Film Society pays tribute to father and daughter with a two-day retrospective of Nunnally Johnson films. Program organized by Joanna Ney.

Nora Johnson will introduce the screening of The World of Henry Orient and The Woman in the Window on August 25th. Merrie Spaeth, the actress who played the Nora character in The World of Henry Orient, will also appear in person. There will be a Q & A with Ms. Johnson and Ms. Spaeth in the theater, and a book signing will follow in the lobby.

THE MAN IN THE GREY FLANNEL SUIT
Nunnally Johnson, U.S., 1956; 156m New Print!
Scripted by Nunnally Johnson, this iconic 50s film is based on Sloan Wilson's popular novel of an ambitious Madison Avenue executive trying to get ahead in the advertising business while fighting to keep his integrity and his home life in order. Jennifer Jones is convincing as the neurotic, demanding wife, and Gregory Peck is perfect as the man with the briefcase and a deep secret. Frederick March, Lee J. Cobb and Keenan Wynn lend fine support. With a terrific Bernard Herrmann score.
Wed Aug 25: 1; Thurs Aug 26: 8:15

HOLY MATRIMONY
John M. Stahl, U.S., 1943; 87m
Monty Woolley is best known for playing the cantankerous radio celebrity in The Man Who Came to Dinner, but as the world-famous painter and recluse Priam Farll in Holy Matrimony, he has more charm and less bombast. Nunnally Johnson wrote and produced this sly comedy based on Arnold Bennett's novel, Buried Alive, set in 1905 England. The bearded comic actor is perfect as a celebrity whose art is prized and face virtually unknown due to the fact that he lives and paints on remote islands with only his faithful manservant Henry (Eric Blore) as companion. When the servant suddenly dies, the master capitalizes on a doctor's error and assumes the identity of his servant, who is ceremoniously buried in Westminister Abbey as Farll. Enter Gracie Fields, a charming widow who assumes Farll is the servant with whom she has been corresponding - object matrimony. Complications? Yes, indeed, but watch the confident Fields sort them out!
Wed Aug 25: 4; Thurs Aug 26: 6:15

THE WORLD OF HENRY ORIENT
George Roy Hill, U.S., 1964; 106m
This delightful comedy, written by Nunnally and Nora Johnson, is about two sophisticated teen girls who idolize an eccentric pianist and benignly stalk him in the Big Apple, with amusing results.The real-life model for the film, based on Nora Johnson's autobiographical novel, was none other than the marvelously bizarre Oscar Levant, noted as both pianist and wit. Peter Sellers is superb in this role, as are newcomers Tippi Walker and Merrie Spaeth as the adoring fans. Angela Lansbury stands out as Tippi's mom as does Phyllis Thaxter as Merrie.
Wed Aug 25: 6:15 (Intro, Q & A, book signing); Thurs Aug 26: 1:45

THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW
Fritz Lang, U.S., 1944; 99m
A first-rate noir, one of Lang's most exciting, produced and written by Nunnally Johnson, with Edward G. Robinson in thrall to a painting of alluring Joan Bennett. When he meets the subject of his obsession he suddenly becomes a murder suspect and witnesses his own investigation. An edge of the seat melodrama and thriller with stellar cast. See if you can spot the young Bobby (Robert) Blake. 40s bad guy Dan Duryea is always a man you love to watch.
Wed Aug 25: 9 (Intro); Thurs Aug 26: 4

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