The 1942 version of the Rudyard Kipling perennial The Jungle Book is playing at 7pm at the Starz Film Center on Saturday, February 6th. Here are 4 reasons you should be there:
1. London Films
Alexander Korda’s London Films is responsible for most of the classics of British cinema in the late thirties and early forties (all of the rest are Rank Productions, see: my Oliver Twist review from back in January). Classics The Private Life of Henry VIII, The Lion Has Wings, The Thief of Baghdad, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, A Matter of Life and Death, The Third Man, Seven Days to Noon, Hobson’s Choice, and Richard III are all London Films productions. The production company gave starts to the illustrious careers of Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger, Charles Laughton, Carol Reed, David Lean, and Laurence Oliver. Okay, so technically The Jungle Book is not a London Films production, but rather an “Alexander Korda Films Inc.” production, as it was made during the 2 or so years that Korda hightailed it out of England during the early days of World Ward II, preferring the sunny safety of Hollywood to air raids in London. But it’s the same mogul, with the same knack for producing great movies. Who’s counting?
2. Sabu
One of Alexander Korda’s great finds, Sabu is the actor responsible for creating the archetypical rascally, lovable “Aladdin” character so popular in 20th century cinema. Sabu is a movie natural, and anyone who’s seen his performances understands that his is one of the more magical presences to ever grace the screen. Sabu was a favorite actor and friend of Michael Powell, and the fun they obviously had filming The Thief of Baghdad and Black Narcissus together is infectious. Sabu as Mowgli the jungle boy is casting made in movie heaven.
3. Zoltan Korda
Jungle Book director Zoltan Korda – Alexander’s brother – is one of the (many) directors responsible for the great Thief of Baghdad. What I didn’t realize until I was researching for this article, however, is that Zoltan also directed the Humphrey Bogart starring 100% certified badass WWII North Africa front classic, Sahara. I had the pleasure of seeing a 35mm print of Sahara on the big screen in Austin a couple years ago. That movie more than any other I’ve seen highlights the unique, extraordinary experience of seeing a movie on real film (as opposed to digital transfer or tape). There is something about the way a filmstrip is a real, tangible object that is communicated even when projected. It’s not entirely unlike seeing a Picasso or a Monet in person vs. seeing a printed reproduction. Despite what early 20th century theorist Walter Benjamin predicted, real film has developed the ‘aura’ of a ‘ritual art object’ in its own right.
Woah. Sorry, I completely derailed there. Zoltan Korda, yeah.
4. It’s free.
That’s right, totally 100% free. The Jungle Book is this month’s installment of the Tattered Cover Free Classic series, hosted by Colorado NPR critic Howie Movshovitz. WWII era British movies seem to be Movshovitz’s ‘home turf’ so expect some interesting trivia before and after the movie. Did I mention it was free? Due to the freeness of this event, plan to show up an hour early. I am not joking. If you show up any later than 6:15, I promise you will be sitting in the front row (if you get in at all). Its free, what did you expect?
Wow, between The Jungle Book and District B13, this is not a bad weekend to hang out at Starz. Next week, however, is better by a long shot, so stay tuned!