Down With... Drapes!

or...

"The Curtains Made Me Do It!"


This week's film is directed by Vincente Minnelli, one of the great visionary directors of Hollywood's golden age.

Even if you do not immediately recognise Minnelli's name, you will probably be familiar with at least some of his work, which includes such iconic musicals as An American in Paris and The Band Wagon, as well as Lust for Life; Kirk Douglas' memorable turn as Vincent Van Gogh.



Minnelli was also married to Judy Garland and father of Liza. 

As I say, you probably know at least some of his work.

What you probably don't know is the film I plan to show on Thursday.

The Cobweb was released in 1955 and centres on the patients and staff of a private psychiatric clinic. It features a large (and highly distinguished) cast of actors including Richard Widmark, Gloria Graeme and Lauren Bacall (at the height of their careers) alongside Oscar Levant, Charles Boyer and Fay Wray (older, venerable names) and Lillian Gish (whose career dated back to the very earliest days of cinema itself).


The story concerns itself with the interpersonal relationships between these characters, all of whom, it becomes clear, carry their own baggage. Insecurities, grudges and simmering resentments eventually erupt into full-blown conflict, focussed on... drapes.


That's right. Most of the plot of this big-budget, all-star CinemaScope epic revolves around plans to replace the curtains in the common room of the Institute.

If you think that sounds a little unlikely, many film-goers of 1955 would have agreed with you. The Cobweb did not do well at the box office, and it remains one of the least remembered entries in Vincente Minnelli's long and distinguished career. But The Cobweb is a quiet masterpiece of psychological drama.


Filmed in breathtaking CinemaScope (a format usually associated with Biblical epics and war movies, not claustrophobic psychological studies in upholstery) The Cobweb is bursting with subtle detail and careful nuance. Scene by scene, it creates a portrait of each of these troubled characters and skilfully weaves them together in a complex "web" (or - dare I say - a curtain?) that threatens to engulf anyone and everyone in the narrative.

You will never take your curtains for granted ever again.

We will screen The Cobweb at 7.30pm on Thursday, the 6th of July, at the Victoria Park Baptist Church.

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