NoHo’s classical theater ensemble, Antaeus, offers a free symposium Oct. 30 on playwright Noël Coward (in conjunction with its current production of Coward’s World War II drama, “Peace In Our Time”), offering insights into his wartime activities and double-life as a spy. Call 818-506-1983 for info.
Speaking of Brit spies… it’s laughable that Alec Guinness got more attention for his role as Obi-Wan Kenobi in “Star Wars” than anything else he ever did, since it’s among the least of his accomplishments. Far more substantial in the latter part of his long career was John le Carré’s classic Cold War spy drama, “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” and its sequel,“Smiley’s People.” Acorn Media is re-releasing both BBC mini-series on DVD next week; bonuses include an exclusive interview with le Carré.
“The Music Lovers,” Ken Russell’s film about Peter Tchaikovsky, was a big deal when it came out in 1971. I didn’t hear much commotion when it came out last month on DVD as part of MGM's Limited Edition Collection, but this bio-pic, which stars Richard Chamberlain as Tchaikovsky and Glenda Jackson as his ill-matched lover, is worthy of some attention.
Other titles new to DVD in the MGM Collection include “Top Banana” (1954), which stars TV clown Phil Silvers (“Sgt. Bilko”) as a brash burlesque-trained comic in a color film adaptation of Silvers’ Broadway show. It co-stars Rose Marie (“The Dick Van Dyke Show”) and Jack Albertson (“Chico and the Man”), with Johnny Mercer songs...
“Rebel In Town” (1956) stars John Payne and Ruth Roman in a story about an ex-Confederate soldier who accidentally kills a boy after a bank robbery, then has his life saved by the boy's father... “Little Cigars” (1973), a wacky comedy about a gun moll on the lam who gets involved with a team of midget crooks, features Angel Tompkins, Jerry Maren (one of the Lollipop Kids in “The Wizard of Oz”), and Felix Silla (Cousin Itt on “The Addams Family”).
More from Jordan:
Halloween shows at Hunger Artists & Gallery leave you in… suspense
Audra McDonald, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy dazzle OC stages
Barclay screens National’s ‘Guvnors,’ Stages throws ‘Party’
Book celebrates Dick Van Dyke sitcom, ‘Anything Goes’ on DVD
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