The Film Society Of Lincoln Center will be paying homage to one of Hollywood's greatest directors, George Cukor. The program, entitled The Discreet Charm of George Cukor, will run from December 13 to January 7 and will feature 49 of Cukor's classics. With so many options, you may have trouble deciding which movies to put your hard-earned money toward. Hopefully we can make that choice a little easier for you, as we run down the five films that earned Cukor an Academy Award nomination for Best Director.
1) Little Women (1933)Cukor's adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's classic novel gained him a reputation as a "literary director". The well known story follows the four March sisters - Mary, Jo, Beth, and Amy - as they struggle to make ends meet during the American Civil War. This was the third adaptation of "Little Women", but was the first to be done in sound. Aside from earning Cukor a Best Director nomination, "Little Women" won Best Writing and was nominated for Best Picture. Katharine Hepburn stars as Jo in her second of many collaborations with the director. "Little Women" will be showing at Lincoln Center on December 21 at 1 and 6:10 PM. Run time: 115 min.
Perhaps the greatest of the early romantic comedies, "The Philadelphia Story" still holds up today. Not only is it terrific entertainment, but it's a showcase for fabulous performances from some of the best actors of the time. Katharine Hepburn stars as Tracy Lord, a socialite about to get married. On the eve of her wedding, humorous complications arise as her ex-husband C.K. Dexter Haven shows up to write about the ceremony for his tabloid magazine. Academy Award nominations included one for Hepburn who was nominated for Best Leading Actress, while co-star Ruth Hussey received a nod for Best Supporting Actress. The lovable James Stewart earned his only Oscar for his role as reporter Macaulay Connor. "The Philadelphia Story" also won Best Writing, and was nominated for Best Picture. "The Philadelphia Story" will be showing at Lincoln Center on December 28 at 8:30 PM, and again on December 29 at 1:20 PM. Run Time: 112 min.
3) A Double Life (1947)Method acting turns deadly in Cukor's "A Double Life". Ronald Colman stars as Anthony John, an actor that lets his roles affect his personal life way too much. His wife Brita, played by Signe Hasso, divorced him because living with him was a nightmare. When John takes the role of Othello, his intense commitment begins to rule his mind, and the murderous jealousy felt by the Shakespearean character becomes all too real. Colman won an Oscar for efforts, while "A Double Life" also earned the Best Music trophy. This was also the first of six collaborations between Cukor and screenwriters Ruth Gordon and Garson Kanin, each of whom earned nominations for the film. "A Double Life" will be showing at Lincoln Center on December 24 at 2 and 6:30 PM. Run Time: 104 min.
George Cukor earned his fourth Best Director nomination for the romantic comedy "Born Yesterday". Judy Holliday stars as Billie Dawn, an ex-showgirl that is the current mistress of unsavory tycoon Harry Brock (Broderick Crawford). Brock has come to Washington DC to get a few Congressmen in his pocket, and he brings Billie along for the ride. Knowing Billie isn't presentable enough to get by in the capital, Brock hires newspaperman Paul Verrall (William Holden) to teach her some manners. The lessons go a little too well, as the once oblivious Billie now knows too much about Brock's business, and falls in love with Paul in the process. In one of the most controversial wins ever, Judy Holliday beat Gloria Swanson and Bette Davis for the Best Actress Oscar. "Born Yesterday" also received nominations for Best Costume Design, Best Writing, and Best Picture. "Born Yesterday" will be showing at Lincoln Center on December 29 at 3:45 and 8:30 PM, and again on December 31 at 4:45 PM. Run Time: 103 min.
5) My Fair Lady (1964)After 31 years and four nominations, Cukor finally earned his first Best Director win for the dazzling musical "My Fair Lady". Cukor must have had a thing for the Hepburns, as this time he worked with Audrey in this adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's play. Hepburn plays the unrefined, Cockney Eliza Doolittle, who becomes the subject of an experiment of snooty Professor Henry Higgins (Rex Harrison) who takes it upon himself to transform the unpresentable Eliza into a proper lady. "My Fair Lady" cleaned up at the Academy Awards, winning eight statues including Best Cinematography, Best Actor (for Rex Harrison), and Best Picture. "My Fair Lady" will be showing at Lincoln Center on December 25 at 1 PM, and again on December 26 at 3:45 PM. Run Time: 170 min
Click here for more information about THE DISCREET CHARM OF GEORGE CUKOR, including how you can get tickets to this incredible program.
