Four of the Best of Oscar’s Best At The Loew’s Jersey Theatre

posted by Ross Melnick on March 1, 2005 at 5:20 am

JERSEY CITY, NJ — The following was sent in by the Loew’s Jersey Theatre:

“Fri., March 4, Sat., March 5 & Sun. March 7

On September 28, 1929, the landmark Loew’s Jersey Theatre opened its doors for the first time. Four and a half months before, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences awarded its first Oscar. Over the decades, some of the movies honored as “Best Picture” have lost some of their popularity and now seem oddly dated.

But others have claimed a permanent place in the public’s imagination and in the history of cinema. Now, to celebrate the Loew’s Jersey’s 75th Anniversary, we proudly present four of Oscar’s Most Enduring Best Pictures:

Friday, March 4
8 :00 PM
Casablanca

Starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains, Paul Henreid, Conrad Veidt, Peter Lorre, Sydney Greenstreet (1942, 102 mins., B&W)

Considered by many to be the best movie ever made, Casablanca is certainly one of the most taughtly written, best cast, best acted, and efficiently told stories ever to grace the silver screen. Set in a Morocco run by the Nazi puppet government of Vicci France, Casablanca tells the story of an ex-patriot American who runs Casablanca’s most popular night spot, and how he reluctantly finds his old love and is drawn into the cause against the Nazis.

It is a war story, suspense tale and romance, with a surprising bit of comedy, all rolled into a script that moves with such speed there is neither time not desire to think about some of its more improbable aspects. Bogart and Bergman create one of film’s most legendary couples, but the rest of the cast is never over-shadowed; indeed, it would be hard to name a better ensemble of supporting players.

Saturday, March 5

2 :30 PM
Rocky

Starring Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Burgess Meredith, Carl Weathers (Rated PG, 119 mins., 1975, Color)

Essentially a Cinderella story set in a boxing ring, Rocky is a deceptively simple story that became instantly popular and has stayed in the public’s imagination as the ultimate rags-to-riches story, holding out hope to all that everyone can get a second chance to go for the gold.

Rocky is a boxer who used to have a future, but has fallen on hard times until fate gives him an improbable chance to redeem himself. A romantic sub-plot makes the story all the more irresistible. Even the movie’s signature score has become an anthem for underdog success.

7 :30 PM
Ben Hur

Starring Charlton Heston, Stephen Boyd, Jack Hawkins, Haya Harareet, Hugh Griffith, Martha Scott (212 mins., 1959, Color)

The epic by which all other epics are measured, Ben Hur represented the zenith of Hollywood’s preoccupation with stories loosely based on the Bible. The film also mixed tried-and-true formulas of old Hollywood —– melodrama, colorful period costuming, action, sprawling scale and a cast of thousands —– with deft direction, extraordinary cinematography, a fine score and magnificent performances from most of its stars to produce an enduring masterpiece.

It was the most expensive film made by MGM up to that time, yet it was so successful, its box office literally saved the troubled studio from bankruptcy. If for no other reason than the magnificent chariot race scene, this film must be seen on the big screen.

Sunday, March 6
1:30 PM
Gone With The Wind

Starring Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Olivia de Havilland, Leslie Howard, Hattie McDaniel, Thomas Mitchell (222 mins., 1939, Color)

Gone With The Wind holds a unique place in the popular culture and public imagination as the grandest, if not greatest, movie ever made. The movie was based on one of the most wildly popular melodramatic novels of its day. Never before had the public waited with such bated breath for a movie adaptation.

Popular acclamation had decided that only “the King” of MGM in those days, Clark Gable, could be cast in the movie’s male lead long before Gable himself had decided he wanted it. The film’s female lead went to then- unknown Vivien Leigh after what was probably the most publicized and genuine) talent searches in all history.

Producer David O. Selznick spared no expense in building sets, designing period costumes and ensuring extraordinary cinematography, all rendered in dazzling Technicolor. If the movie’s hype of being THE story of the Civil War was overblown, because in fact the story centers on a spoiled southern belle’s hopeless love for a married man and uses the Civil War essentially as backdrop, the legend created by its early publicity has endured because of memorable performances by a great cast and extraordinary production values.

Admission for each screening is $6 for adults, $4 for seniors and children 12 years old and younger. Combo ticket of $10 Adult / $6 Senior & Child for 2 screenings or $20 / $12 for a super combo of all 4 screenings —– get a FREE popcorn with the purchase of each super combo ticket."

Theaters in this post

• Loew's Jersey Theatre