IOU: Hot Enough for June (1964)

Person I Owe: Kate Gabrielle of Scathingly Brilliant and Discovering Dirk Bogarde. It's no secret that Kate Gabrielle is a huge Dirk Bogarde fan. She really wants to get as many people on the Dirk Bogarde bandwagon because she believes in him that much. She sent me a burnt copy of Hot Enough for June (1964) a long time ago in hopes that I would watch it even if I were to throw it away later. I watched it and I am keeping it. Thanks Kate!

Review: Dirk Bogarde plays Nicholas Whistler, an unemployed writer who has just been placed in a job at a glass manufacturing company. But this company is not really what it seems to be. In fact, it's really a spy agency. They hired Nicholas solely on the fact that he speaks some Czech and they need a decoy to pick up a secret message in Czechoslovakia. Nicholas, reluctant to take the job but happy for the pay, gets sent on a business trip to Czechoslovakia (hey this is 1964 remember!). He has to use the code phrase "Hot Enough for June" and await a certain reply in order to find the person who was to pick up the message. Nicholas meets Vlasta Simoneva (Sylva Koscina) who pretends to be his driver but happens to be a Czech spy. Nicholas gets into deep, deep trouble when he falls in love with Vlasta and tries to escape the country with that important message.

At first the film started out a bit slow. I thought, oh geez, is this going to be a boring British film about a writer making ends meet. But when the spy element of the story started, which was pretty early in the film, and they introduced the lovable Robert Morley, I knew this was the film for me. Hot Enough for June (aka Agent 8-3/4) is a wonderful British spy caper that keeps audiences at the edge of their seats.

"It is nice to know that we are not all going to be murdered in our beds." - Colonel Cunliffe

They make a gorgeous couple don't they?

1960s films are full of shots like these. Gratuitously sexual. I laughed out loud when I saw this!

IOU

I owe you. No really, I do. Chances are you have either lent me a movie, given me a movie or suggested a movie to me and I've neglected your advice and help. So, you know what? Now is the time to make up for that. Next week is IOU week. Each day I'll review a film I owe someone a viewing of. That's seven IOUs. It won't make up for everything but at least it's a start.

Summer of Classic Films in Boston - June 2011

Boston, Massachusetts is a haven for classic film lovers. We have so many wonderful repertory theatres that showcase classic films on the big screens. Summer is usually when it gets hopping, with lots of films to chose from. So even if you are not a local, the Summer is a great time to come visit Boston! I decided to highlight some of the classic film goings-on in the Boston area month by month this summer. Let's start with June which is already jam-packed with wonderful offerings.

Update: Laura of Laura's Miscellaneous Musings posted some LA classic film screening highlights on her blog. Here is the list.

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Paramount Theater - Boston


The Paramount Theater, a gorgeous Art Deco theater in the heart of Boston's theatre district, opened in 1932 but closed in 1976. My graduate alma mater, Emerson College, renovated the building (while I was attending) and the theater had a grand reopening in 2010. They are showcasing a Noir Nights festival with screenings of rare Noirs (some unavailable on DVD) in their Bright Family Screening Room. It's not the theater proper but it is a good excuse to get out to the city to watch some rare Noirs!

Tickets are $10, $7.50 for Members and Seniors and $5 for Students. You can also get a festival pass for $30 which gets you in for 4 of the films. There is a membership package for Arts at Emerson which is $60 and gets you 8 free tickets to lots of shows, plus discounted tickets, discounted parking, etc. Sweet deals all around.

The Dark Mirror (1946)
June 9th (Thursday) - 6pm
June 12th (Sunday) - 7:15 pm

Cry of the City (1948)
June 9th (Thursday) - 7:45 pm

So Evil My Love (1948)
June 10th (Friday) - 7:00 pm

Alias Nick Beal (1949)
June 10th (Friday) - 9:00 pm

Tight Spot (1955)
June 11th (Saturday) - 7:00 pm

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (1956)
June 11th (Saturday) - 9:00 pm
June 12th (Sunday) - 5:30 pm

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Brattle Theater - Cambridge

Tickets are $9.75, Matinees before 5 pm are $7.75. Students $7.75 with ID. Seniors $6.75. Children under 12 $6.75. You can also purchase one of many different membership packages.

Treasure of Sierra Madre (1948)
June 18th (Saturday) - 12:30 pm
June 19th (Sunday) - 12:30 pm

DOUBLE FEATURE! Two movies for the price of one.
The Maltese Falcon (1941)
June 19th (Sunday) 3:00 pm

The Asphalt Jungle (1950)
June 19th (Sunday) - 5:00 pm


Restored Print!
The African Queen (1951)
June 24 (Friday) - 5 pm, 7:15 pm
June 25th (Saturday) - 12:30 pm, 2:45 pm, 5 pm, 7:15 pm
June 26th (Sunday) - 12:30 pm, 2:45 pm, 5 pm, 7:15 pm
June 27th (Monday) through June 30th (Thursday) - 5 pm, 7:15 pm each day

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Harvard Film Archive - Cambridge

Tickets are $9, $7 for Students and Senior Citizens. Some screenings are $12 or even free (check the website)! Cash only folks. Don't bring the credit card. And you can buy in advance so show up early.

(this is only a sampling)

Luis Buñuel Series

Viridiana (1961)
June 18th (Saturday) - 7pm

Land Without Bread (Las Hurdes: Tierra SIn Pan) (1933)
June 19th (Saturday) - 7pm

Belle de Jour (1967)
June 25th (Saturday) - 7pm

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Coolidge Corner Theater - Brookline

Fiddler on the Roof (1971)
June 20th (Monday) - 7 pm

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 Somerville Theater - Somerville

The Somerville Theater is hosting a Classic Film Series from June through August. Here are the June selections!

Captains Courageous (1937)
June 19th (Sunday) 11 am
June 20th (Monday) 5pm and 8pm

Double Indemnity (1944)
June 26th (Sunday) 11 am
June 27th (Monday) 5pm and 8pm