Classic Kanin Films Screen at SMC May 15-17

Santa Monica College will screen a series of classic films from the talented husband-and-wife writing teams of Garson Kanin and Ruth Gordon and Fay and Michael Kanin this weekend, May 15-17.  Films include “Teacher’s Pet” starring Clark Gable and Doris Day, “Adam’s Rib” with Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn, “Harold & Maude” starring Ruth Gordon, and “Friendly Fire,” starring Carol Burnett and Ned Beatty.

A Q&A session lead by Fay and Michael Kanin’s son, SMC Film Studies Prof. Josh Kanin, will follow each screening, joined by Political Science Prof. Alan Buckley, to offer personal insights into the life and works of the Kanin brothers and their writing-partner wives.

The Kanins began their writing careers in the late 1930s, providing content for Hollywood and Broadway for 50 years. The prolific storytellers won numerous Oscar and Emmy Awards for their feature films and TV dramas, and the themes of their works still resonate today. Fay Kanin was also president of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences.

The screenings are free, and will be held in Room 165 of the SMC Humanities & Social Science Bldg., 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. Seating is on a first-arrival basis.

The lineup:
May 15 at 1:30 p.m. – “Adam’s Rib,” the 1949 film written by Ruth Gordon and Garson Kanin, takes a look at marriage and the legal system. Directed by George Cukor, , the comedy depicts a husband and wife (Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn) who are opposing lawyers in a case involving a wife (Judy Holliday) who shot her husband.

May 15 at 6 p.m. – “Teacher’s Pet,” a 1958 romantic comedy written by Fay and Michael Kanin, delves into ethics in journalism. Directed by George Seaton and starring Clark Gable, Doris Day and Gig Young, the film is about a crusty newspaperman who scorns journalism schools, but after seeing one of the teachers, signs up for a journalism class.

May 16 at 6 p.m. – “Harold and Maude,” the quirky 1971 film about the relationship between a young man and a much older/wiser woman, focuses on living life to the fullest. Directed by Hal Ashby and starring Ruth Gordon, Bud Cort, and Vivian Pickles, the dark, provocative comedy explores ageism and social nonconformity.

May 17 at 5:30 p.m. – “Friendly Fire,” the 1979 award-winning made-for-TV movie written by Fay Kanin, takes a look at government corruption and war. Directed by David Greene and starring Carol Burnett, Ned Beatty and Sam Waterston, the film tells the story of a couple that tries to find out how their son died in Vietnam.

For additional information, call (310) 434-4588 or (310) 434-4510.