6/22 HD Cinema Premiere Movies

[Sean Mota]

HD Cinema Classics (107):
Miss Sadie Thompson *** (1953, Drama)​

Sypnosis:
Life is dull for a squad of marines stationed on a sleepy south Pacific island, but their routine is turned upside-down with the arrival of Sadie Thompson (Rita Hayworth), a fun-loving gal who is stuck in Hawaii for a week as she waits for the ship that will take her to her new job as a nightclub singer. The rowdy fun she provokes quickly draws the attention of Alfred Davidson (Jose Ferrer), a pious missionary who suspects that Sadie has had a shady past. Davidson uses his influence to expel Sadie from the island, just as she and a friendly sergeant (Aldo Ray) have begun to fall in love. This act leads to a fiery emotional climax.

The fourth adaptation of a short story by Somerset Maugham, Hayworth's Sadie is certainly the brassiest and most sensual depiction that the character has received. For this reason, the film was banned in certain areas of the United States at the time of its original release. MISS SADIE THOMPSON was originally filmed in 3-D, and features lush scenery and several jazzy songs, including "The Heat is On" and "Blue Pacific Blues." Moreover, the film marks one of Hayworth's best all-time performances.

HD Cinema Epics (108):
Nutcracker **+ (1986) ​

Sypnosis:
Maurice Sendak's gorgeous sets and Tchaikovsky's timeless music are the real stars of this Pacific Northwest Ballet version of the classic Christmas story. Julie Harris supplies the sparse narration for this beloved tale--told through dance--of a young girl, Clara, who falls asleep on Christmas Eve and dreams of strange doings at her parents' holiday party. Her toy nutcracker turns into a prince, battles mice, and takes Clara to the Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Sendak created fantastical backdrops and colorfully costumed versions of Clara's toys come to life, which he also captured in the illustrations for his subsequent edition of E.T.A. Hoffman's book. Add Carroll Ballard's MTV-style quick cuts, and you've got a Nutcracker that will entertain toddlers as well as the traditional audience of older children, making for cozy family viewing. --Kimberly Heinrichs