“The Picture of Dorain Gray” shows at the Orinda Theatre Oct 29 at 1 p.m.
In the spirit of Hallowe’en, this month’s Orinda Classic Movie Matinee is the exquisitely made 1945 MGM prestige feature, “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” which stars George Sanders, Donna Reed, Hurd Hatfield, Peter Lawford and Angela Lansbury, who was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance.
This single screening is on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 1 p.m.
The feature is accompanied by a newsreel at the start of the show, a Betty Boop cartoon and “prevues” of coming attractions actually coming to the monthly matinee series, recreating the Orinda matinee experience of 1945 when the movie was released.
Directed by the aesthetically minded Albert Lewin – who adapted Oscar Wilde’s strange and unusual novel – with a rich score by Herbert Stothart and stunning black and white photography by Harry Stradling (who won an Oscar for cinematography), this film is richly designed by Cedric Gibbons and Hans Peters to the smallest detail.
The lavish Victorian world of young Dorian Gray who wishes to remain eternally young, whilst his portrait ages for him, is recreated to perfection. Noted artist Henrique Medina created the portrait of young Dorian. Ivan Le Lorraine Albright painted the aged and debauched monstrosity Dorian becomes.
Stylish, supernatural and wickedly witty, “The Picture of Dorian Gray” is best seen on the giant screen of the Orinda’s original 1941 auditorium. Do you have a picture of yourself hidden in a closet? Dorian does … do you dare see it? Admission is $10, available at the door or orindamovies.com.
Matías Bombal can be reached at Writermabhollywood@gmail.com
