May
1 FOG CITY MAVERICKS
DOUBLE FEATURE!!!
Tu 7p: Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Directed by Philip Kaufman; Cast: Donald Sutherland,
Brooke Adams, Jeff Goldblum, Veronica Cartwright,
Leonard Nimoy
1978, 115 mins
Don Siegel’s veiled Red Scare subtext of the
‘50s is re-imagined to poke fun at the psychological
and spiritual excesses of the late '70s. Kaufman gives
San Francisco itself a major role here, from shady
goings-on in the streets near Civic Center to a creepy
traffic accident on Nob Hill to an explosive climax
on Pier 33. Amidst all of the friends/lovers/neighbors
not being who they once were, look for Siegel in a
taxi-driving cameo.
Tu 9:15p: The Conversation
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola; Cast: Gene Hackman,
John Cazale, Allen Garfield, Frederic Forrest, Cindy
Williams
1974, 113 mins
Gene Hackman gives an exceptional performance as a
paranoid and secretive surveillance expert in a crisis
of conscience when he suspects that a couple he is
spying on will be murdered. Somewhat lost in the shadow
Coppola’s GODFATHER successes, this severe and
gripping masterpiece stands as one of the preeminent
films of the ‘70s. Filmed throughout the SF
area, and indispensably aided by Walter Murch’s
innovative sound design.
May
2
W 7:30p: FILM SOCIETY DIRECTING AWARD:
Spike Lee: When the Levees Broke, Acts II & III
Tribute to the Directing Award recipient, one of the
most important filmmakers of our generation, including
clips from Lee’s wide-ranging career, an onstage
interview by Wesley Morris of the Boston Globe followed
by a screening of Acts II and III of the much-lauded
HBO documentary.
When the Levees Broke, Act II & III
Spike Lee,
USA, 2006, 120 minutes
Lee’s documentary on the impact and aftermath
of Hurricane Katrina is a powerful elegy for an American
tragedy and a great work of investigative reporting. Special admission $25 general/$20
San Francisco Film Society members
May
3BIG GAY MOVIE
NIGHT
7p:
Steel Magnolias
Join Energy 92.7 and Fernando and Greg for Big Gay
Movie Night on Thursday, May 3 at the Castro Theatre.
We’ll be showing the gay favorite
STEEL MAGNOLIAS on the big screen.
Tickets are only $7 the night of the
show and a portion of the proceeds go to benefit the
LGBT Mental Health non-profit, New Leaf.
May
4
F 7:30p: PETER J. OWENS AWARD:
Robin Williams: The Fisher King
Tribute the recipient of the Peter J. Owens Award,
honoring an actor whose work exemplifies brilliance,
independence and integrity featuring career retrospective
film clips, an onstage interview by Armistad Maupin
and a screening of Terry Gilliam’s THE FISHER
KING, one of Williams’ best-loved films.
The Fisher King
Terry Gilliam, USA, 2006, 137 minutes
Williams was nominated for an Academy Award for best
actor for his role as a crazy homeless man in this
wonderfully eccentric, deeply moving and visually
stunning film that depicts a modern-day quest for
the Holy Grail. Special admission $25 general/$20
San Francisco Film Society members
May
5
Sa 8:30p: Notes to a Toon Underground
75 minutes
Featuring 15 animated films made between 1912 and
2005 by six different directors, and with 11 musicians
providing live accompaniment, it’s safe to file
this program under “This Will Never Happen Again.”
The lineup includes Marc Capelle, Devin Hoff (of GOOD
FOR COWS), Jason Lytle (of GRANDADDY) Ches Smith (of
GOOD FOR COWS, XIU XIU and CERAMIC DOG), Jamie Stewart
and Caralee McElroy (of XIU XIU), Carla Fabrizio (of
GAMELAN SEKAR JAYA), Tommy Guerrero, Monte Vallier
and Gadget (of JET BLACK CRAYON) and avant-garde legend
William Winant. These musicians will unveil world
premieres of newly composed scores to historic and
contemporary animated shorts. Special admission $20 general/$15
San Francisco Film Society members
May
6INDIANA JONES
TRIPLE FEATURE!!!
$10 General / $7 Kids & Seniors
Su 2p, 9p: Raiders
of the Lost Ark
Directed by Steven Spielberg; Screenplay by Lawrence
Kasdan, story by George Lucas and Philip Kaufman;
Cast: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, John
Rhys-Davies, Ronald Lacey, Denholm Elliott; 1981,
115 mins, ‘SCOPE
4:10p: Indiana Jones
and the Temple of Doom
Directed by Steven Spielberg; Cast: Harrison Ford,
Kate Capshaw, Jonathan Ke Quan, Amrish Puri, Roshan
Seth, Philip Stone;1984, 118 mins, ‘SCOPE
6:30p: Indiana Jones
and the Last Crusade
Directed by Steven Spielberg; Cast: Harrison Ford,
Sean Connery, Denholm Elliott, Alison Doody, John
Rhys-Davies, Julian Glover, River Phoenix; 1989, 127
mins, ‘SCOPE
May 7
M 8p: Brand Upon the Brain!
Guy Maddin, USA/Canada, 2006, 95 minutes
SFIFF favorite Maddin’s faux-autobiographical
masterwork mines the rich territories of his youth
and spins them into a fantasy of familial discontent.
The film’s original score will be performed
live by a 13-piece ensemble, with foley artists,
a benshi-like narrator and a “castrato”
adding to the fun. Special admission $20 general/$15
San Francisco Film Society members
May
8THEATRE CLOSED
May 9 W 7p: Join us
for an exciting night as the next generation of
talent is recognized for their excellence. Featuring
infectious work from students on the verge of graduating
from one of the nation’s top art and design
schools, in the following categories: short narrative,
documentary, commercial, music video, experimental,
and animation. An Honorary Doctorate will be awarded
to a member of the entertainment industry who has
made a significant contribution to the business. Complimentary tickets available
day of the event, courtesy of Academy of Art University,
on a first come, first serve basis.
May
10CLOSING NIGHT
Th 7p: La Vie en Rose
Olivier Dahan, France, 2006, 140 minutes
The indomitable spirit of legendary chanteuse Edith
Piaf is celebrated in this French feast of a biopic,
featuring a stunning performance by Marion Cotillard
as the “little sparrow” who lived, loved
and sang with no regrets.
10p: Closing Night Party at Mezzanine,
San Francisco’s sleekest nightspot, located
at 444 Jessie Street between Fifth and Sixth Streets.
Partygoers will enjoy exotic drinks, delicious food
and hot music. Special admission film & party
$75 general/$60 San Francisco Film Society members/VIP
$125; film only $20 general/$15 SFFS members
PFA
at the Castro SHOHEI IMAMURA’S JAPAN
The Castro presents five features from the Pacific
Film Archive’s retrospective of this Japanese
master, famous for his films’ controversial
subject matter and raw energy. At once sensuous
and structured, outrageous and analytical, they
are “obviously the work of a supremely assured
artist, and one who is at home with his (and our)
most basic instincts.”—N.Y. Times
The
Castro Theatre acknowledges The Japan Foundation,
Tokyo; The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles; BAMCinematek,
Brooklyn; and the Pacific Film Archive in the organization
of this series. For details of the complete Shohei
Imamura retrospective screening at PFA May 25 through
June 30 visit: bampfa.berkeley.edu. Program notes: Pacific Film Archive
May 11
F 8p: Vengeance Is Mine (Fukushu
suru wa ware ni ari) Directed by Shohei Imamura; Cast: Ken Ogata,
Rentaro Mikuni, Mitsuko Baisho; 1979, 140 mins; NEW
35MM PRINT! In Japanese with English subtitles
In Imamura’s retelling of the
true case of Japan’s “King of Criminals,”
who seduced and murdered his way through the autumn
of 1963, Ken Ogata plays the killer in Clark Kent
glasses who poses now as a university professor, now
as a lawyer, to insinuate himself into others’
beds and lives with intentions of murder. Imamura’s
searching camera investigates its subject in a pastiche
in which the past runs like a train through the present.
May 12
Sa 8p: The Pornographers (Jinruigaku
nyumon) Directed by Shohei Imamura
Cast: Shoichi Ozawa, Sumiko Sakamoto, Keiko Sagawa
1966, 128 mins; In Japanese with English subtitles
The film’s full title, THE PORNOGRAPHERS:
AN INTRODUCTION TO ANTHROPOLOGY, only hints at Imamura’s
incomparable wit and appreciation of the perverse.
But it does not indicate the extent of his compassion
for his protagonist, a small-time pornographic filmmaker
who feels it is his duty to restore to mankind some
of the harmless pleasures that civilization denies
it. THE PORNOGRAPHERS is a technical tour-de-force
in which the camera constantly takes on the role
of voyeur.
May 13
Su 8p: Intentions of Murder (Akai
satsui)
Directed by Shohei Imamura; Cast: Masumi Harukawa,
Shigeru Tsuyuguchi, Ko Nishimura
1964, 150 mins; In Japanese with English subtitles
Sadako was raised as a maid in the household of
her husband, who continues to treat her as a serf.
While the husband is away, Sadako is raped—an
act that jars loose an indomitable instinct for
survival. A bizarre relationship develops between
the rapist, who continues to stalk the frightened
woman with both tender and violent professions of
love, and Sadako, whose intentions to murder him
lead to a remarkable denouement.
May
14THEATRE CLOSED
May
15
Tu 8p: Vengeance Is Mine (Fukushu
suru wa ware ni ari)Directed by Shohei Imamura;
Cast: Ken Ogata, Rentaro Mikuni, Mitsuko Baisho; 1979,
140 mins; NEW 35MM PRINT!
In Japanese with English subtitles
In Imamura’s retelling of the
true case of Japan’s “King of Criminals,”
who seduced and murdered his way through the autumn
of 1963, Ken Ogata plays the killer in Clark Kent
glasses who poses now as a university professor,
now as a lawyer, to insinuate himself into others’
beds and lives with intentions of murder. Imamura’s
searching camera investigates its subject in a pastiche
in which the past runs like a train through the
present.
May
16
W 8p: Pigs and Battleships (Buta
to gunkan) Directed by Shohei Imamura
Cast: Hiroyuki Nagato, Jitsuko Yoshimura, Yoko Minamida
1961, 108 mins; In Japanese with English subtitles
PIGS AND BATTLESHIPS is set in the
harbor town of Yokosuka, host to a U.S. naval base,
along narrow streets with prostitutes, pimps, and
assorted yakuza all lurking for the Yankee dollar.
Kinta is a young street punk who joins a small-time
gang in an ambitious black-market scheme, only to
find himself the fall guy for those he trusted. Allegory
is too kind a word for Imamura’s brilliant protest
against the American military presence in Japan.
May 17
Th 8p: The Insect Woman (Nippon
konchuki)
Directed by Shohei Imamura Cast: Sachiko Hidari,
Kazuo Kitamura, Jitsuko Yoshimura 1963, 123 mins;
In Japanese with English subtitles
THE INSECT WOMAN follows the trail of a rural
woman who survives the war years and the difficult
postwar reconstruction period by primordial instinct.
Tome (Sachiko Hidari in a spellbinding performance)
migrates from the tall grasses of her native village
to the city and takes up a life of prostitution,
eventually becoming a tyrannical madam. Shooting
entirely on location using natural sound gives this
film’s rigorous structure the illusion of
spontaneity.
May
18-24 Killer of Sheep F, M, Tu, Th: 7p, 9p
Sa, Su, W: (1p), 3p, 5p, 7p, 9p
Directed by Charles Burnett
Cast: Henry Gayle Sanders, Kaycee Moore, Charles Bracy,
Angela Burnett, Eugene Cherry, Jack Drummond 1977,
83 mins NEW 35MM
PRINT! 30TH ANNIVERSARY!
Milestone Films and Steven
Soderbergh present one of the most famous and acclaimed
films by an African- American filmmaker. KILLER OF
SHEEP was one of the first 50 films to be selected
for the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry
and was chosen by the National Society of Film Critics
as one of the 100 Essential Films.
Sanders is a Watts family
man employed at a slaughter- house who suffers from
the emotional side effects of his occupation to such
a degree that his entire life unhinges.
Rarely screened, and then
only in ragged 16mm prints, this is a dazzling 35mm
restoration of Burnett’s landmark first feature.
His focus on everyday life in black communities unfolds
in a manner unseen in American cinema, combining incredibly
lyrical elements with a starkly neo-realist approach.
May
25 “MiDNiTES
FOR MANiACS” presents
“VERTICALLY CHALLENGED MONSTERS” TRIPLE
FEATURE! Hosted By Jesse Hawthorne
Ficks ALL THREE FILMS for only $10.00!
F 7:30p: Gremlins Directed by Joe Dante;
Containing: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Corey Feldman,
Dick Miller, Howie Mandel as Gizmo’s voice &
Frank Welker as Stripe’s voice; 1984, 106mins
Our
night of “Vertically Challenged Monsters”
kicks off with one of the best Ancient Chinese secrets
of the 1980s. It all begins innocently when Billy
receives his very own Mogwai, the most adorable pet
in the world. (This is pre-Furby folks!) But Billy
needs to keep his Mogwai away from bright lights,
spilling water on him and especially, never feeding
him after midnite. Sadly for Billy (but fortunately
for us) the rules get broken and some of the most
terrifying PG-13 monsters are set free to wreck havoc
on the world. Experience this cute-critter classic
with a whole new batch of 80s trailers preceeding
the film. (Gizmo’s little purring song is worth
the admission alone!)
F 9:45p: Howard
The Duck Directed by Willard Huyck; Containing:
Lea Thompson, Tim Robbins, Jeffrey Jones, & 8
actors inhabiting the $2M Howard the Duck costume!;
1986, 111mins
So
here it is folks… the Holy Grail of dismissed
films from the 80s. This could be that “once-in-a-lifetime”
chance to give George Lucas a happy-hug for his brave
and misunderstood comic book adaptation. Follow Howard,
an obscene, wise- cracking, cigar smoking duck who
spouts out pop-culture references left and right,
as he attempts to save the world from The Dark Overlord
of the Universe. This 80s time capsule is chock-full
of priceless goodies: Duck-boobies, a hyper-freaked-out
scientist played by Tim Robbins and a New Wave punk’d-up
Lea Thompson performing in an all grrrl glam-band.
Screening for the first time in over 20 years, I hope
that someday Sir George Lucas (and his ILM special
effects team) will come to terms and embrace this
misunderstood DUCK FLICK as much as we’re going
to tonite! Preceeded by a few choice 80’s trailers.
Extremely RARE
print. Never released on DVD!
F 11:59p (midnite):Troll 2 Directed by Claudio Fragasso;
1990, 95mins
Finally after 17
years, this infamous and irrelevant sequel to Troll,
will grace the big screen for the very first time!
Originally made for the video shelf, Troll 2 has become
one of the most disrespected horror films in recent
history. But more remarkable is how so many people
from all over the world have fallen in love with this
genuine failure (See www.bestworstfilm.com) without
any prompting… until now. Be prepared to help
protect our 14yr old hero, Joshua as he battles a
gaggle of goblins, vicious vegetarians and a wickedly-wacked
witch. (Curiously, there are no trolls in Troll 2.)
This freeky fairytale sports some of the most memorable
Method actors of our time. Preceeded by a handful
of “Vertically Challenged Monster” trailers,
plus a special Goblin cookie (while supplies last).
Miss this and cry.
FOR YOUR
EYES ONLY: CLASSIC OO7
Join Bay Area Film Events on Memorial Day Weekend
for a 007 Weekend to Thrill! Celebrate 2-007 with
James Bond on the big screen where these films were
meant to be seen.
Three days of action and excitement as only Bond
and BAFE can provide. Featuring our biggest guest
ever, 7’ tall Richard Kiel (www.richardkiel.com),
Jaws from THE SPY WHO LOVED ME and MOONRAKER! Plus
vendors, prizes and much, much more!
And of course, new prints of classic Bond films,
plus rare shorts and trailers.
May 26DOUBLE
FEATURE SPECIAL GUEST RICHARD KIEL (“JAWS”)
IN PERSON!
Evening show features live music by APOCALYPSO NOW
+ live stunt show!
Sa 12:30p, 7p: Dr. No,
1962, 110 mins
Sa 2:30p, 9:10p: Goldfinger,
1964, 112 mins
May 27DOUBLE
FEATURE SPECIAL GUEST: RICHARD KIEL (“JAWS”)
IN PERSON! Su 2:30p, 9p: From Russia
with Love 1963, 110 mins
Su 12:30, 6:30p: The Spy Who
Loved Me 1977, 125 mins,
‘SCOPE
May 28DOUBLE
FEATURE M 12p, 6:30p: Thunderball,
1965, 130 mins, ‘SCOPE
M 2:30p, 9p: On Her Majesty’s
Secret Service 1969, 140 mins, ‘SCOPE
Forget the Hollywood blockbusters, they’ll
be around all summer. There’s only one chance
to catch Bond, James Bond and that’s at the
Castro May 26-28, 2/007! We guarantee a weekend
shaken, not stirred. Richard Kiel is courtesy of
Antiquities at Pier 39 (www.antiquities-sf.com).
Tickets for the James Bond Double Features are
$10 General / $7 Kids & Seniors. For up to date
information on guests and other developments, keep
an eye on www.bayareafilmevents.com
May
29DOUBLE FEATURE
Tu 7p: The Beguiled
Directed by Don Siegel; Cast: Clint Eastwood, Geraldine
Page, Elizabeth Hartman; 1971, 105 mins
Clint has never been more animated as a badly wounded
Union soldier nursed back to health by the women
of a Confederate girls’ boarding school. In
recovery, he starts to manipulate the teachers and
pupils alike, turning the school into a hotbed of
sexual jealousies. This Gothic melodrama was completely
ignored in 1971; it’s now regarded as one
of Siegel/Eastwood’s finest.
9:05p:
The Outlaw Josey Wales
Directed by Clint Eastwood; Cast: Clint Eastwood,
Chief Dan George, Sondra Locke, Bill McKinney, John
Vernon; 1976, 136 mins, ‘SCOPE
Clint portrays a Missouri farmer turned stone-cold
killer when he joins a Confederate guerilla unit
and winds up on the run from the Union vigilantes
who murdered his family. On the short list of the
greatest Westerns of all time, it was added to the
National Film Registry in 1996.
May
30 DOUBLE FEATURE
W 2:50p, 7p: Dirty Harry Directed by Don Siegel; Cast: Clint Eastwood,
Andy Robinson, Harry Guardino, Reni Santoni, John
Vernon; 1971, 102 mins, ‘SCOPE For renegade homicide inspector Harry Callahan,
due process is thrown out the window when it stands
in the way of capturing a psychotic killer on the
rampage in SF. By taking the overdrawn situations
and characters of the Western and transplanting
them directly to a contemporary urban environment,
this highly controversial film took on issues most
others didn’t dare touch.
4:50p, 9p: Escape From Alcatraz
Directed by Don Siegel; Cast: Clint Eastwood, Patrick
McGoohan, Roberts Blossom, Fred Ward, Jack Thibeau;
1979, 112 mins
The final Siegel/Eastwood collaboration finds them
perfecting their lean, clean, and harsh style. Clint
is another kind of rebellious loner, in a charismatic
and idiosyncratic performance, as the keen and brilliant
mastermind Frank Morris. Shot on location, this
is a cunningly claustrophobic, uncompromising depiction
of one of the most famous prison escapes in history.
May 31DOUBLE
FEATURE: HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLINT!
Th 7p: Play Misty For Me
Directed by Clint Eastwood; Cast: Clint Eastwood,
Jessica Walter, Donna Mills; 1971, 102 mins
Eastwood invades Hitchcock territory with this,
his directorial debut, about a late night DJ stalked
by a female listener. Set in seaside Carmel, Eastwood
is already employing a sharp economy in his style,
making this modest thriller more effective than
a thousand electric shocks. Jessica Walter is insanely
great as the stalker and Don Siegel has a small
role as Murphy the bartender.
Th 4:45p, 9p: Thunderbolt and
Lightfoot
Directed by Michael Cimino; Cast: Clint Eastwood,
Jeff Bridges, George Kennedy, Geoffrey Lewis; 1974,
115 mins,‘SCOPE
After an impressive re-write of the MAGMUM FORCE
script, Eastwood gave Cimino his first shot behind
the camera. Fusing the early ‘70s stylings
of road movie, buddy picture, and heist action-thriller,
it’s a mere masquerade for this poetic, character-based
comedy. The performances are beautifully understated
and Bridges nabbed his second Oscar nomination as
Clint’s irreverent young sidekick.
Reminder - Parking is very limited
around the Castro District. Street parking is available
along with two small parking lots. Please leave yourself
extra travel time for parking for prompt arrival at
the theatre. San Francisco city residents are advised
to use public transportation available from all points
of the city to the Castro District.
Copyright
2005-2007 The Castro Theatre - All Rights Reserved
May
3
7p:
May
6
PFA
at the Castro 
The
Castro Theatre acknowledges The Japan Foundation,
Tokyo; The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles; BAMCinematek,
Brooklyn; and the Pacific Film Archive in the organization
of this series. For details of the complete Shohei
Imamura retrospective screening at PFA May 25 through
June 30 visit: 
Our
night of “Vertically Challenged Monsters”
kicks off with one of the best Ancient Chinese secrets
of the 1980s. It all begins innocently when Billy
receives his very own Mogwai, the most adorable pet
in the world. (This is pre-Furby folks!) But Billy
needs to keep his Mogwai away from bright lights,
spilling water on him and especially, never feeding
him after midnite. Sadly for Billy (but fortunately
for us) the rules get broken and some of the most
terrifying PG-13 monsters are set free to wreck havoc
on the world. Experience this cute-critter classic
with a whole new batch of 80s trailers preceeding
the film. (Gizmo’s little purring song is worth
the admission alone!) 
So
here it is folks… the Holy Grail of dismissed
films from the 80s. This could be that “once-in-a-lifetime”
chance to give George Lucas a happy-hug for his brave
and misunderstood comic book adaptation. Follow Howard,
an obscene, wise- cracking, cigar smoking duck who
spouts out pop-culture references left and right,
as he attempts to save the world from The Dark Overlord
of the Universe. This 80s time capsule is chock-full
of priceless goodies: Duck-boobies, a hyper-freaked-out
scientist played by Tim Robbins and a New Wave punk’d-up
Lea Thompson performing in an all grrrl glam-band.
Screening for the first time in over 20 years, I hope
that someday Sir George Lucas (and his ILM special
effects team) will come to terms and embrace this
misunderstood DUCK FLICK as much as we’re going
to tonite! Preceeded by a few choice 80’s trailers.
May
29
9:05p:
May
30 
After an impressive re-write of the MAGMUM FORCE
script, Eastwood gave Cimino his first shot behind
the camera. Fusing the early ‘70s stylings
of road movie, buddy picture, and heist action-thriller,
it’s a mere masquerade for this poetic, character-based
comedy. The performances are beautifully understated
and Bridges nabbed his second Oscar nomination as
Clint’s irreverent young sidekick.