Through This Lens: THE LETTER

THROUGH THIS LENS: FOCUS ON BETTE DAVIS True West turns its lens on the influential career of trailblazing Hollywood icon Bette Davis with a five film retrospective spanning four decades. Never one to shy away from complicated and morally-compromised characters, Davis paved the way for a new screen heroine with her intense and combative style and radical physical transformations. Beginning with her breakthrough role in Michael Curtiz’ The Cabin in the Cotton (1932) and ending with Robert Aldrich’s Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962), we’ll trace her evolution into the grande dame of Hollywood and the highest paid woman in America. Join Board President Hillary Kambour and Artistic Director Mike Traina as we do a deep dive into Davis’ life in front of and behind the camera as well as the changes that took place in the Hollywood studio system and American cinematic storytelling. Additional titles include William Wyler’s noir masterpiece The Letter (1940), John Huston & Raoul Walsh’s pulpy melodrama In This Our Life (1942), and Joseph Mankiewicz’s Oscar-winning showbiz satire All About Eve (1950). Location: True West Film Center - Screening Room - 373 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, Ca Time: 5:30pm Doors, 6:00pm Intro Presentation, 6:30pm Film begins, Discussion to follow the film. Price: $20 per screening, $80 for a series pass for all 5. Capacity: 45 Concessions available for purchase - Popcorn, soda, candy, wine + beer. HOT TIP: Bring dinner with you! THE LETTER William Wyler, 1940, USA When Leslie Crosby (Bette Davis) is accused of killing a well regarded member of the community on a British rubber plantation in Malaya, island politics are thrown into disarray. Based on a story by W. Somerset Maugham and expertly directed by William Wyler, the film portends the rise of film noir as well as the deadly femme fatale. Nominated for seven Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress for Davis. 95 minutes.