Thursday, November 1

Lavender Lounge

Folks channel surfing in the early 90’s may remember stumbling upon a show called Lavender Lounge. It was a wild, raw and totally hilarious drag queen variety show created, produced and hosted by Mark Kliem. In production from 1991 through 1995 the show was a compendium of music and comedy acts featuring some of San Francisco’s most talented underground and drag performers–and even some surprise nationally known celebrities! Kleim has assembled a "Best of" show with tons of great material included. You won’t believe it! And get ready for some of the special guests who’ll be on hand to make the evening one you won’t soon forget! Two complete shows Thurs, at 7:30 & 9:30.

Friday, November 2

Rare Noir!

Violence

A beautiful undercover reporter is about to break the story on a group of murderous right-wing extremists preying on returning servicemen when an accident renders her an amnesiac! A curious blend of B-movie thrills and sharply drawn social commentary. Starring Michael O’Shea, Nancy Coleman, Sheldon Leonard. Directed by Jack Bernhard. B&W. 16mm. 72 mins. 1947. Fri at 6:00, 9:00.

Street of Chance

An amnesia victim desperately tries to figure out whether or not he’s been involved in murder! A seldom seen noir jewel based on a story by macabre master Cornell Woolrich. Starring Burgess Meredith, Claire Trevor, Sheldon Leonard. Directed by Jack Hively. B&W. 16mm . 74 mins. 1942. Fri at 7:30, 10:30.

Saturday, November 3

Two unforgettable films from the poison pen of David Goodis!

Nightfall

From the brilliant director of Out of the Past, I Walked With A Zombie and The Leopard Man comes one of the 50’s most stylish noir dramas. An innocent man is hounded by the cops as well as a pair of vicious killers–all of whom think he knows the whereabouts of a fortune in stolen money! Based on Goodis’ popular crime novel, Nightfall is a stunning and exciting film. Starring Aldo Ray, Ann Bancroft, Brian Keith. Directed by Jacques Tourneur. B&W. 35mm. 78 mins. 1957. Sat at (2:00), 5:10, 8:30.

Shoot the Piano Player

Goodis was always more popular in France than here in his native country, so it was only fitting that his novel (Down There) was chosen by Truffaut as the source for his impassioned homage to the American B-Movie. In typical Goodis fashion, the story follows a tortured concert pianist who has retreated from life to play in seedy little cafes. This film (along with Godard’s Breathless and several others) helped launch the French New Wave. Starring Charles Aznavour, Nicole Berger, Marie Dubois. Directed by Francois Truffaut. B&W. 35mm. 80 mins. 1960. In French, with English subtitles. Sat at 3:30, 6:45, 10:00.

Sunday & Monday, November 4 & 5

Enthralled by dot-com fever and dreams of instant wealth, the nation largely ignored the disastrous housing crunch that gripped San Francisco during the internet years. Now the bubble has popped and most of the startups are gone, but the tidal wave of gentrification that came with the new industry has changed the city and its political landscape forever. Local videoactivist group Whispered Media has produced this sprawling and ambitious documentary that asks the question: Who benefitted? The movie delves into the ironies and contradictions of the New Economy and delivers a potent blend of radical politics, impressionistic meditations, and moving personal stories. Features interviews with dot-com workers, real estate developers, and Mayor Willie Brown as well as those who challenged the new economic order with community organizing, direct action, and progressive movement building. Music by Mushroom, Aztlan Underground, and Michael Franti and Spearhead. 100 mins. DV. Color. Sun at 2:00, 4:30, 7:00, 9:30; Mon at 7:00, 9:30. Videographers & speakers in person. For more info, log onto Whispered Media.