WRL’s Throwback Thursday Film Series

Now in its 20th year, the Throwback Thursday Film Series screens a variety of classic and contemporary movies for an adult audience. All films are shown in the Williamsburg Library Theatre.

January’s theme: Based on a True Story

January 5, 2:00-4:15 p.m.: Quiz Show (1994)
Ralph Fiennes plays suspected game show cheater Charles Van Doren in this critically acclaimed film about the quiz show scandals of the 1950s. Robert Redford directed, with John Turturro and Rob Morrow costarring. PG-13 2hr 13min

January 12, 2:00-3:25 p.m.: He Walked by Night (1948)
Richard Basehart plays a cunning and ruthless criminal being hunted by the police in this tense film noir. Based on an actual murder case, the film costars Scott Brady and Jack Webb, who copied the film’s documentary/police procedural style for his TV series Dragnet. NR 1hr 19min

January 19, 2:00-4:10 p.m.: Night and Day (1946)
This biopic (highly fictionalized) about the life of composer Cole Porter stars Cary Grant and Alexis Smith. Directed by the great Michael Curtiz, the film makes abundant use of Porter’s sophisticated song book. NR 2hr 8min

January 26, 2:00-3:55 p.m.: The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing (1955)
The notorious 1906 murder of architect Stanford White by millionaire Harry K. Shaw over showgirl Evelyn Nesbit is detailed in this colorful drama. Ray Milland, Joan Collins, and Farley Granger star under the direction of Richard Fleischer. NR 1hr 49min