“Rashomon” is a classic noir film by Akiro Kurosawa that explores how different people can have different views of the same incident – in this case, a murder and assault in 12th century Japan.
“Noirvember” comes to the Orinda Theatre with a newly restored 1947 Tyrone Power thriller, a spectacular wide-screen fantasy with tales from the Brothers Grimm, a Japanese ghost story from that nation’s master story teller, Akira Kurosawa, and an Oscar-winning Bette Davis romantic drama.
The ongoing Disney Restorations Series also continues with “Nightmare Alley,” based on the book by William Lindsay Gresham.
From the thousands of films acquired by Disney when it purchased the film library of the 20th Century-Fox studio in 2019, this 1947 film was among the first that was scheduled for preservation and restoration, partially because of the 2021 remake – which stars Bradley Cooper.
The original film adaptation, now stunningly restored, stars Tyrone Power in a role like you’ve never seen. Playing against type, he is a thoroughly evil carnival mentalist. Joan Blondell and Coleen Gray also star. The film noir “Nightmare Alley” plays at the Orinda for one day only, Saturday, Nov. 7. Two showings are offered at 1 and 7 p.m.
The storybook world of the German Brothers Grimm come to life in the roadshow version of “The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm,” a delightful 1962 recreation of the colorful children’s stories with Laurence Harvey and Karl Böhm as the two brothers that pen the wondrous tales while they are supposed to be writing a family history of a local duke.
San Francisco’s own Barbra Eden is featured in the cast as well as Claire Bloom, Yvette Mimieux, Russ Tamblyn and Buddy Hackett. It’s directed by Henry Levin and George Pal, who oversaw all of the extensive visual effects. Winner for the best costume design Oscar, and four other Oscar nominations, this roadshow presentation with overture and entr’acte music is the monthly Wide Screen Roadshow Series event at the theater on Nov. 8 at 11 a.m.
Master Japanese director Akira Kurosawa’s first international hit in 1950 was an extraordinary psychological thriller which explores the mystery of what, exactly, is truth. “Rashomon,” Honorary Oscar winner for Best Foreign Film, is set in 12th century Japan.
It unravels the tale of the trial of a notorious bandit, played by the legendary Toshiro Mifune, accused of killing a samurai and assaulting his wife in a forest grove. Yet, the four witnesses who testify at the trial – who have seen the same events – tell entirely different stories of what happened. This penultimate film in the Cinema Craft Series will be shown on Sunday, Nov. 29 at 1 p.m.
Though appreciated by audiences that have attended, the Cinema Craft Series of art, foreign and unusual films did not generate enough support or sales in 2026 and, unfortunately, will not continue next year. The last feature in this series will be “The Country Girl” with Grace Kelly on Dec. 27.
Tuesday, Nov. 24 offers the monthly Orinda Classic Movie Matinee, presented with selected short subjects, exactly the way “Now Voyager” was shown when it was a new movie in 1942 and played the Orinda then. The screen program starts at 1 p.m.
Bette Davis stars with Paul Henreid and Claude Rains. The poignant story of self-discovery and romance, of a woman under a domineering mother’s thumb, is a melodrama for the ages, set to a haunting Oscar-winning score by Max Steiner.
Mark your calendars now for the last week of December: the Orinda turns 85 on Dec. 27, and Sony and Columbia Pictures are honoring the theatre by creating a brand new restoration of the movie that opened the theater, “Texas” with William Holden and Glenn Ford.
The Orinda will be the first to show it. Then, from Dec. 28-31, in celebration of 85 years, Walt Disney’s epic “Fantasia” will show for four days. Visit the theater website for more details.
The Orinda Theatre now has a weekly email newsletter with reminders and descriptions of each week’s shows and movies. You may enter your email to sign-up on the first page of the theater’s website. As ticket prices vary with so many different types of movie events and shows, it is best to visit orindamovies.com for more information and to purchase tickets in advance.