Sabini brings lesser-known films to discuss

The titles Citizen Kane and Gone with the Wind carry an aura of cinema's golden age recognizable to most who have never even watched these films. Jamaica Inn and Air Mail, on the other hand, might cause even the biggest film aficionados to scratch their heads, despite the fact that the revered Alfred Hitchcock and John Ford, respectively, directed them. Friday, April 23 from 2 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, April 24 from 10 to 4 p.m., the Vassar Filmmakers will hold screenings of lesser-known classic-era films by respected directors, accompanied by a discussion with noted film historian Lou Sabini. Sabini will showcase three underrated films each day, describing their background and production process.
All of the movies will be in their original format on 16mm film and will come from Sabini's private collection of over 1,000 titles. Sabini said of the films in the screening, "They may not be the most representative works of these directors."

But such is the purpose of the screenings. When deciding which films to screen, Vassar Filmmakers President Kyle Porter '10 initially proposed showing films even more obscure than the ones currently planned. Sabini, on the other hand, recommended veering slightly more mainstream for Vassar students. "I didn't think it was a good idea," he explained, "because many young people have not been exposed enough to black and white films in the first place," which, Sabini laments, is a shame, and something he is trying to turn around with his lectures.

The films Sabini plans to screen will include Steam Boat Bill, Jr. with actor Buster Keaton, of which Sabini said, "It was pretty much his [Keaton's] film. He told the director what he wanted." Sabini will also show The Lady Vanishes by Hitchcock. He explained, "Rather than Psycho or The Birds, we'll show one of his British films—before he came to the United States and entered Hollywood film. Those brought him to the United States." Other films include Platinum Blonde with Jean Harlow, Hail the Conquering Hero, Dodsworth and Frisco Jenny.

An oft-asked question in film history is why certain movies, such as Casablanca and Citizen Kane, are praised today far more than at their debut, while other films fall into obscurity forever regardless of critical success. Sabini attempts an answer by acknowledging that much has to do with changes in society. "Some films are timeless because of content," he said. "In many ways history repeats itself. Films of the Depression and World War II seem timely today." he added, alluding to the economic crisis and Iraq war, "But just a few decades ago, many thought World War II movies were jingoistic propaganda. Today we think they hold some truth." Using Avatar as an example, Sabini predicts that today's hits may very well be reviled in a few decades.

Sabini commends modern classics such as The Godfather ("a masterpiece") and The Graduate ("groundbreaking"), as well as lesser-known films such as Paul Newman's The Verdict. However, he explained, "My interests tend to lie from the silent era up to 1950." He says that this classic era of Hollywood is prime study material for aspiring filmmakers. "Today's classic directors' work comes from those golden age directors. Martin Scorsese learned his craft from [British '40s, '50s director] Michael Powell."

Although Sabini's passion for movies lies with Hollywood's classic era, he waves away any nostalgic "they don't make films like they used to" outlook. When asked why he thinks the older movies were better, he answered, "I'm not sure they were." He continued, "You have to remember, back then each studio made over 50 films a year. And there were lots of studios, including B-movie studios." He confessed, "Altogether, movies are probably better today. There was a lot of garbage back then." Yet the wide array of films, Sabini asserts, meant there were also far more winners than there are today.

Whether black and white films are losing or gaining attention is arguable, yet Sabini falls on the more pessimistic side. "I think the status of classic films is beginning to slack off incredibly. Now there is only one TV station, AMC, that plays these films. It's very sad." Sabini wants his screenings and discussions to change this development. He said, "I hope people come just to be exposed to these great movies. They're pretty much time capsules for a bygone era. Students might find some parts corny or hokey, but overall they will enjoy these films a lot."