The greatest adventure a man ever lived…with a woman!
The penultimate film on our Bogie Fest series sees everybody’s favorite Hollywood tough guy taking on his greatest opponent ever…Katharine Hepburn! It’s John Huston’s The African Queen, the movie that finally landed Mr. Bogart his first and only Oscar!
Set against the chaos of World War I in East Africa, the film pairs two people who, on paper, should never work. Humphrey Bogart is Charlie Allnut, a scruffy, gin-soaked riverboat captain whose loyalties extend about as far as his next drink. Katharine Hepburn is Rose Sayer, a prim, devout missionary whose world has been defined by order, restraint, and moral certainty. Then…their world collapses. What begins as survival quickly becomes something else: a borderline absurd plan to take the boat downriver and attack a German warship.
Huston leans into the physicality of it all: the mud, the insects, the heat, the relentless push of the river. It’s not the ideal romantic backdrop, but with talent like Bogart and Hepburn on screen, they somehow make it all work.
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We’re trading in trench coats for tuxedos with the charming romantic classic Sabrina, doing double duty for our Classic Movie Nights series as well as Bogie Fest!
Sabrina Fairchild (Audrey Hepburn) has long pined for the carefree playboy David Larrabee (William Holden), but after a transformative trip to Paris, she returns as a poised and captivating young woman who suddenly turns heads, including David’s. Concerned that his brother’s romantic entanglement could jeopardize a major business deal, the stern and work-obsessed Linus Larrabee (Humphrey Bogart) steps in to distract Sabrina…only to find himself unexpectedly falling for her.
Directed by Billy Wilder with his signature mix of wit and romantic tension, Sabrina earned multiple Academy Awards nominations and won for Best Costume Design, thanks in part to its iconic Parisian-inspired wardrobe. The film remains a high point of classic Hollywood romance, elevated by Hepburn’s radiant performance and the unlikely but compelling pairing of Bogart and Holden.
Make sure to get to the screening early, as our Marketing Director Bekah will be doing a very informative and entertaining presentation on the film before it starts!
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We’re cranking up the jukebox and continuing to celebrate the irresistible rebel spirit of John Waters with a double dose of his 1980s rock and roll flicks: Hairspray and Cry-Baby!
Hairspray: In 1960s Baltimore, Tracy Turnblad lands a spot on a popular local dance show. As she rises to fame, she uses her newfound platform to challenge racial segregation on the program, clashing with snobby rivals and narrow-minded authority figures along the way. With the support of her friends and family, Tracy proves that change can start on the dance floor!
Cry-Baby: In a stylized 1950s Baltimore, tensions run high between the clean-cut “Squares” and the rebellious “Drapes.” When straight-laced Allison falls for Wade “Cry-Baby” Walker, a motorcycle-riding outsider with a reputation for trouble, their romance sparks outrage on both sides. As rivalries escalate and loyalties are tested, the two must decide whether love is worth defying the rules of their divided world.
Packed with catchy songs and Waters’ signature ability to mix satire and sincerity, these two films prove that the weirdos will always have the last dance.
There will be a 10 minute intermission between the films. One ticket gets you access to both!
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Our first Volunteer Of The Month pick for April comes courtesy of Laisha, as she has chosen the Cher-Winona Ryder-Christina Ricci starrer Mermaids from 1990!
Fifteen-year-old Charlotte Flax is tired of her wacky mom moving their family to a different town any time she feels it is necessary. When they move to a small Massachusetts town and Mrs. Flax begins dating a shopkeeper, Charlotte and her 9-year-old sister, Kate, hope that they can finally settle down. But when Charlotte’s attraction to an older man gets in the way, the family must learn to accept each other for who they truly are.
Over time, Mermaids has gained a cult following, remembered for its bittersweet tone and affectionate portrait of unconventional family life in early-1960s America that captures the complicated love between parents and children. Come see this underrated gem on the big screen!
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Just added: this final encore of Dead Lover will be presented in scratch-and-sniff Stink-O-Vision!
Love conquers death in director Grace Glowicki’s deliriously dark new film Dead Lover, opening up for a special two night run at The Frida Cinema on April 3rd!
A lonely gravedigger who stinks of corpses finally meets her dream man, but their whirlwind affair is cut short when he tragically drowns at sea. Grief-stricken, she goes to morbid lengths to resurrect him through madcap scientific experiments, resulting in grave consequences and unlikely love.
A love story unlike any other, Dead Lover is a mix of Mario Bava, John Waters, and Guy Maddin, promising one of the goriest and smelliest movie experiences of the year!
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Love finds a way…even in the middle of a war.
The third film in our four film Starring Natalie Wood tribute is West Side Story, where she shines as Maria alongside other screen icons Rita Moreno, Russ Tamblyn, and George Chakiris!
In Manhattan’s Upper West Side, rival gangs of Polish-Americans and newly arrived Puerto Ricans clash for control of the neighborhood, even as two young members from opposite sides fall dangerously in love. Featuring unforgettable songs by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, this landmark musical remains one of cinema’s most vibrant expressions of youthful hope and heartbreak.
This Summer, we are celebrating the unforgettable star power of Natalie Wood with a quartet of films that showcase the unique blend of charisma and emotional intensity that made her one of Hollywood’s most beloved screen icons. This series is co-presented by the amazing folks over at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center in Fullerton as part of their exhibit More Than Love: The Life & Art of Natalie Wood!
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The second film in our Starring Natalie Wood series is Splendor In The Grass, co-starring Warren Beatty in his screen debut! Wood’s performance garnered her the second Oscar nomination of her career, this time Best Actress!
The story follows a small-town Kansas teenager whose passionate romance collides with the strict social expectations of the late 1920s. As heartbreak begins to take its toll, she’s forced to confront the fragile line between desire and despair.
This Summer, we are celebrating the unforgettable star power of Natalie Wood with a quartet of films that showcase the unique blend of charisma and emotional intensity that made her one of Hollywood’s most beloved screen icons. This series is co-presented by the amazing folks over at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center in Fullerton as part of their exhibit More Than Love: The Life & Art of Natalie Wood!
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Pillion, the highly-anticipated new movie from filmmaker Harry Lighton, starring Alexander Skasgard and Harry Melling, is coming to The Frida Cinema!
The story follows Colin, a timid gay man, is swept off his feet when Ray, an enigmatic and impossibly handsome biker, takes him on as his submissive in a crazy and erotic BDSM-focused relationship.
The film premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival and won accolades for its screenplay and overall standout reception. It also earned multiple British Independent Film Awards, including Best British Independent Film.
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What A Cast!…What A Past!…What A Show!…
Our Staff Pick for the month of March comes from Bekah, our Marketing Director, as she has chosen the Shirley MacLaine starrer What A Way To Go!
A four-time widow discusses her four marriages, in which all of her husbands became incredibly rich and died prematurely because of their drive to be rich.
What a Way to Go! is an outrageous 1960s comedy full of campy satire. It’s a sparkling showcase of Hollywood excess and MacLaine’s fearless comedic charm. And did we mention…Paul Newman? Any takers!?
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A Fantasy, A Musical, A Place Where Dreams Come True.
Cinematic Void is back at The Frida Cinema for their Musical March series, and they’ve chosen to highlight Robert Greenwald’s critical-flop-turned-cult-classic Xanadu! And make sure to get there on time as actor and fitness instructor Angie Shriner will be doing a special introduction before the screening!
Xanadu is infamous for being one of Hollywood’s most beloved “so-bad-it’s-good” musicals. Upon release, it was widely panned by critics for its thin story, over-the-top performances, and bizarre combination of roller disco, Greek mythology, and Olivia Newton-John–led pop numbers. Yet its reputation has softened over time. Audiences now celebrate it as a campy, glitter-drenched delight, and the soundtrack, particularly hits from Electric Light Orchestra, remains on repeat in The Frida’s lobby.
And did we mention…Gene Kelly? Need we say more? Grab your friends and get ready to have some fun at the theater!
This event is co-presented by both Cinematic Void and The American Cinematheque!
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