What Skills Do Americans Need in the 21st Century? 'Speaking in Tongues' Tackles This Topic

Sunday afternoon, the American Cinematheque at the Aero Theatre presents a new documentary on bi-lingual education. Following the film there will be a panel discussion with the following guest speakers:

• Lori Orum, Principal, Edison Elementary School, Santa Monica Malibu School District

• Toby Bornstein, Executive Director, Multicultural Learning Center, Los Angeles Unified School District

• Shelly Spiegel-Coleman, Executive Director, Californians Together

• Marcia Jarmel & Ken Schneider, Filmmakers, Speaking in Tongues
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Details:

Sunday, September 12 – 3:00 PM at the Aero Theatre

SPEAKING IN TONGUES, 2009, Patchworks Productions, 60 min. Four Kids, Four Languages, One City, One World. Marcia Jarmel and Ken Schneider's fascinating documentary follows four kids from diverse backgrounds on a bold journey to becoming bilingual despite a troubled school system. At a time when 31 states have passed "English-only" laws, a few pioneering families have put their children in public schools where, from the first day of kindergarten, their teachers speak mostly Chinese or Spanish. This charming story will challenge you to rethink the skills that Americans need in the 21st century.Winner of the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the San Francisco International Film Festival.

View a trailer on the official Speaking in Tongues website.

Fox Celebrates 75th Anniversary with 'Valley of the Dolls' Double Feature

Fox Studios celebrates its 75th anniversary with 'HOMETOWN HOLLYWOOD,' a nationwide celebration. The Los Angeles event is a double feature of Jacqueline Susann's "VALLEY OF THE DOLLS" & Russ Meyer's BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS at the Egyptian Theatre tonight!

Discussion and meet-and-greet with actors Dolly Read, John Lazar and Harrison Page between films! Hosted by Jackie Beat!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010 - 7:30 PM
Fox 75th Anniversary Double Feature:
New Digitally Restored 35mm Print!
VALLEY OF THE DOLLS, 1967, 20th Century Fox, 123 min. Dir. Mark Robson. "You know it's bad to take liquor with those pills," warns small town girl-turned-supermodel Anne (Barbara Parkins) to Broadway diva/train wreck Neely (Patty Duke). Neely's answer: "They work faster." If you want to see the great, bitchy, booze-angst-sex-drugs-fueled godmother to the "Real Housewives" franchise, you've come to the right place! Based on Jacqueline Susann's runaway bestseller - which practically created a cottage industry in glossy, sex-drenched soap operas on page and screen - VALLEY also co-stars the tragically beautiful Sharon Tate as B-movie queen Jennifer. Enormous thanks to our friends at 20th Century Fox for striking a new print of this 1960s classic!

The Carrie Nations in Russ Meyer's Beyond the Valley of the Dolls

Pristine 35mm Archive Print! BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS,1970, 20th Century Fox/Criterion, 109 min. Dir. Russ Meyer. Girl-group madness from the director of FASTER, PUSSYCAT! KILL! KILL! Dolly Reed, Marcia McBroom and Cynthia Myers journey from hicksville to Hollywood, hoping to make it with their rock trio, The Carrie Nations. They fall prey to the "business" as well as their own inflated ambitions, in what is arguably Meyer's most purely entertaining, pop-culture sex-fest (co-written by film critic Roger Ebert). With additional tunes by The Strawberry Alarm Clock. This is not a sequel the trailer assures, "You've never seen anything like it." Check out this studio trailer prepping the audience for the genius of Russ Meyer! Trailer | Clip. Discussion and meet-and-greet with actors Dolly Read, John Lazar and Harrison Page between films.

This event is part of the 75th Anniversary celebration of 20th Century Fox. As part of this nationwide celebration, Fox is presenting "Hometown Hollywood" events in 15 cities, featuring films being shown in the cities in which they were shot and by which they were inspired.

Portrait of Jackie Beat by Peter Pallandino.

The evening will be emceed by the incomparable Jackie Beat who played Helen Lawson in the off Broadway NYC production.

You are encouraged to glam up when you come out to this fabulous celebration of bouffant hair, gold culottes, booze and pills in an assortment of pretty colors and every girl's desire to be a buxom rock starlet.

View this event on the Cinematheque's website.

The American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theatre is proud to celebrate Twentieth Century Fox’s 75th anniversary by bringing two of its most beloved films back to the big screen, Valley of the Dolls and Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.

Tonight’s screening is just one aspect of a year-long celebration to commemorate and promote Fox’s library and legacy.

The Egyptian Theatre has been chosen as a historic “Hometown Hollywood” location for its contribution to the revitalization of the City of Hollywood. The Egyptian held the first-ever Hollywood premiere when it opened in 1922, and twelve years ago this major Hollywood landmark was renovated by American Cinematheque.

Tonight’s seat dedication at the Egyptian on behalf of Fox’s 75th anniversary pays tribute to the movies of yesterday that continue to inspire people today.

The Agony and the Ecstasy of Phil Spector Comes to LA

A few years ago you couldn't turn on a TV, or open a browser without hearing about the Phil Spector trial. In England, a director wanted to make a documentary for the BBC. He suggested that he try to interview Spector. Everyone dismissed this as even a remote possibility. Spector didn't grant interviews. But, Vikram Jayanti sent him a letter anyone and to everyone's surprise Spector said yes. Jayanti made it inside the castle and he spoke one-on-one with the man many in the music industry call genius and many more call murderer. Decide for yourself this week when you see THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY OF PHIL SPECTOR, an apt title for a look at the life of the out-of-control guru of pop music who began his career with a hit he penned called "To Know Him Is To Love Him" - inspired by the epitaph on his dead-by- suicide, father's tombstone. - and who ended it, jailed for murder. Director Vikram Jayanti will appear for discussion following the film on Opening Night (8/19) and again on 8/20. From Spector's very early days, is two-time Oscar nominee, singer/songwriter Carol Connors who will introduce the 8/20, 7:30 PM show. Carol was the voice of The Teddy Bears, Spector's teen band. She sang "To Know Him Is To Love Him" and as a result, met and dated Elvis Presley. Carol will discuss Phil Spector, Before the Wall of Sound in her introductory remarks.

THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY OF PHIL SPECTOR Screens August 19 - 25 at the Egyptian Theatre in an exclusive Los Angeles Engagement at multiple showtimes. For details and showtimes click here.


KPCC Interview with Vikram Jayanti by John Rabe:


LA Weekly Story by Karina Longworth:


LA Times review by Kenneth Turan: