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Looking Back

February 1957

Step back in time to see what our movie palaces were presenting in February 1957. Also included is interesting history about other area movie theaters. Film titles are linked to the Internet Movie Database.

With Oscar nominations coming up on Feb. 18, Detroit Free Press Movie Critic Helen Bower wrote (on Feb. 17, 1957), "You can say it again and again that movies ARE better than ever, when there is a list of more than 15 pictures that could qualify for the coveted Golden Boy statues." Bower's Oscar contenders included films showing this month at the Redford, whose second run lineup was helped by the publicity for the Academy Awards.

Redford movies included War and Peace, which brought director King Vidor an Oscar nomination, and starred Bower's personal choice for Best Actor—Henry Fonda (who was not nominated). When the nominations were announced, the Redford was showing Lust for Life, with Best Actor contender Kirk Douglas. Next at the Redford was Baby Doll, with Best Actress nominee Carroll Baker. Also on screen was Tea and Sympathy (Deborah Kerr), on double bills with Everything But the Truth (Maureen O'Hara) and Julie (Doris Day)

At the Michigan, the highlight of the month was The Teahouse of the August Moon, starring Marlon Brando and Glenn Ford. This movie played for 10 days, with Bugs Bunny as an opening act (A Star is Bored). An Ann Arbor News ad for the Walt Disney movie Westward Ho the Wagons! (Fess Parker) and featurette Disneyland U.S.A. included this Note To Mothers: "This program is highly recommended for children of all ages. Let them attend the matinee after school. They'll enjoy this fine Disney treat and be home in time for dinner."

On the alternative film front, La Strada (which would win the 1956 Oscar for best foreign language film) entered its second month at the World and Studio in Detroit. The Krim showed Fantasia (1940) and noted the recent death of Humphrey Bogart with a double bill of Casablanca (1942) and The Treasure of Sierra Madre (1948).

Also in Detroit, the Dexter (Dexter and Burlingame) paired the French Les Lettres De Mon Moulin (1954) with the American The Naked City (1948). A Detroit Free Press ad for Papa, Mama, the Maid and I (1954, at the Coronet and Surf) asked, "l'amour, anyone?" Films at the Orpheum in Ann Arbor included Dance Little Lady (1955), Anthony Adverse (1936), and A Day to Remember (1953).

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