4/26 - The Third Man
Tonight (Wednsday, 4/26) we’ll be screening The Third Man from 1949, written and directed by Carol Reed and staring Joseph Cotton.
Pulp novelist Holly Martins travels to shadowy, postwar Vienna, only to find himself investigating the mysterious death of an old friend, black-market opportunist Harry Lime—and thus begins this legendary tale of love, deception, and murder. - The Criterion Collection
Tonight’s film was selected by friend of the studio, James Menefee:
I've always thought The Third Man had it all. The black and white noir set in just-barely-post WWII Vienna utilized the best of noir's expressionist-inspired cinematography thanks to Robert Krasker's chiaroscuro framing. I don't know of a movie that uses shadows better. Graham Greene's screenplay showcases the desperation of a population trying to get by after having their lives upended by years of war. You have Orson Welles at the height of his power, just off of Citizen Kane, giving a monologue that is so Wellesian that it's impossible he didn't write it (and in fact extemporaneously added the famous final line). You have this strange little folk instrument, the zither, as the solo instrument for the entire soundtrack. The director Carol Reed heard it at a tavern in Vienna one night and was smart enough to get the performer, Anton Karas, to write the music for the film (something he had never done, being a bar musician who just played music for parties), and in a strange twist his Harry Lime Theme went on to become an international hit. I was always amazed that Joseph Cotton (the lead) is from Petersburg. He is buried in Petersburg's Blandford Cemetery in the most unprepossessing grave, belying his status as a one-time Hollywood A-List actor and star of The Third Man. And lastly you have the main star of The Third Man, the city of Vienna itself, the streets, the citizens, the sewars, in all its bombed-out glory, similar to Rosselini's use of Rome in "Open City."
The Third Man will be playing at Working Room TONIGHT Wednesday, April 26th. Doors will open at 7:30 PM and the movie will begin promptly at 8:00 PM! RSVP is not required but is always appreciated. Email me if you need the address!
Don’t forget your pillow / blanket if you want to watch from the floor! <3