Comedy Tonight

Villanova Cultural Film & Lecture Series Spring 2012

Connelly Center Cinema – Villanova University

For this semester’s films we do away with tragedy – and bring you a quirky mix of comic films.

Each film will be shown three times: Sundays at 3:30 & 7 pm and Mondays at 7 pm with guest speaker. Admission is free to all patrons. For more information, contact Dr. John O’Leary at john.o’leary@villanova.edu or by calling 610-519-4454

The Guard

February 5-6

directed by John Michael McDonagh, Ireland, 2011, 96 minutes

Speaker: Steve McWilliams

This is a unique thriller about an FBI agent who teams up with a local policeman to solve a complicated series of crimes on Ireland’s west coast.  One critic called it “a raucous comedy.”

Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands

February 12-13

directed by Bruno Barreto, Brazil, 1976, 110 minutes

Speaker: Satya Pattnayak is professor of sociology and political science and director of Latin American Studies at Villanova University. Dr. Pattnayak currently leads a university-wide effort to launch a Brazilian Studies and Portuguese language program in the College of Arts and Sciences. A frequent visitor to Brazil, Pattnayak has written on the Brazilian military-civilian relations.

This is the tale of the misfortune of a beautiful Brazilian woman who struggles to find “Mr. Right” and true happiness. Experience Dona Flora’s life struggles and see how her story unravels.

The Trip

February 19-20

directed by Michael Winterbottom, United Kingdom, 2010, 107 minutes

Speaker: John Paul Spiro is an Assistant Professor in Villanova’s Center for Liberal Education, where he teaches courses on ancient, medieval and renaissance thought. He is also an advisor to the Cultural Film Series.

The ‘characters’ in this beloved comedy, tour restaurants around Northern England acting as fictionalized versions of themselves. This award winning British film was edited from the BAFTA television sitcom series.

Hollywood Shuffle

February 26-27

directed by Robert Townsend, United States, 1987, 78 minutes

Speaker: to be announced

This satirical comedy focuses on African American stereotypes in television and film. The main character, Bobby Taylor aspires to become an actor and encounters many different setbacks. Robert Townsend is the director, co-writer and producer of this Hollywood Shuffle and his many different talents contributed much to this hysterically enjoyable film.

Diamond Arm

March 18-19

directed by Leonid Gaidai, Soviet Union, 1968, 100 minutes

Speaker: Boris Briker teaches all levels of Russian language, Russian literature, and Russian film at Villanova and is active in Russian Area Studies Concentration. He has co-written a collection of humorous stories in the former Soviet Union and in the West, which has been published as Sobach’e delo (The Dog’s Affair).

This 1968 Soviet comedy film contains many well-known actors and has gained extreme recognition with over 76,700,000 theatre admissions in the Soviet era. This Russian comedy will leave you crying with laughter!

My Night at Maude’s

March 25-26

directed by Eric Rohmer, France, 1969, 110 minutes

Speaker: Dan Jefferson, a graduate of Haverford College, is a lifelong cineaste. His love of film was nurtured by David Grossman who headed Temple University’s Center City Campus movie house and Philadelphia Film Forum. Susan Marcossin, who works in education, is a self-taught film enthusiast. Her cameo in M. Night Shyamalan’s Unbreakable was cut from the film but appears in the DVD version.

This film illustrates the conversation shared by three religious intellects: Jean- Louis, Marxist Vidal and Maud. Jean Louis’ views are semi controversial due to his love for a woman to whom he has yet to speak. Come join this captivating discussion!

Yoo-hoo, Mrs. Goldberg

April 1-2

directed by Aviva Kempner, United States, 2009, 90 minutes

Speaker: Elana Starr, who has been publicity director of the CFS for more than 21 years, has taught a variety of courses on film theory at Villanova, Rosemont College, and the University of the Arts. Her area of interest is the representations of outsiders, especially in mainstream cinema.

This film is a documentary of the beloved Gertrude Berg who served as a radio icon for almost two decades. Berg has received an Emmy for “Best Actress” and is notable in the film industry. This filmmaker, Aviva Kempner, also made The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg. This evening speaker will be serving deserts from Gertrude Berg’s cook book.

Chaplin and Keaton Shorts

April 22-23

various films directed by Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin, England, 1889-1977 and Joseph Frank “Buster” Keaton, United States, 1895-1966

Speaker: Joe Ansolabehere is an animation screen writer and producer who has written and produced many animated children’s television shows, including Rugrats, Duckman, Hey Arnold!, and Lloyd in Space. He is also the co-creator of the show Recess, and the feature film Recess: School’s Out. He is currently working on a new series, Pound Puppies.  Rick Worland is a professor in the division of Cinema-Television at Southern Methodist University where he teaches courses in film history, documentary, popular genres, and the films of Alfred Hitchcock. His work has been published in a variety of film journals, and his book, The Horror Film: An Introduction, came out in 2007.

The work of Charlie Chaplin and Joseph Keaton, two of the most renowned figures in the film industry, will be shown on the big screen. Come and enjoy the multi-faceted icons and the magic that they made during their long and successful careers.