!["Casablanca" dir. by Michael Curtiz](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/41/03/410384dca7cecad76b466485db8688bd.jpeg?itok=vRb46MgQ ""Casablanca" dir. by Michael Curtiz")
Don't know what to do for your Valentine date night? Want to see some good movies? Have nothing to do on Thursday?
Make your way to American Cinematheque in Hollywood and Santa Monica as well as the Billy Wilder theater run by the UCLA Film and Television Archive for some of Hollywood's most romantic films of all time. And what better day to attend than Valentine's Day?
At the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (1961) will be showing on heart day. Audrey Hepburn plays a socialite girl-about-town with a non-committal, high society lifestyle until she meets a nice guy with his feet firmly planted in the ground played by Paul Varjak. As they begin to spend time together, miss socialite begins to rethink the way she's living and her lavish lifestyle. "Breakfast at Tiffany's" is loosely based off of Truman Capote's famous novel and is directed by the legendary Blake Edwards.
In Santa Monica, The Aero Theater is screening Hollywood's most well known romantic film, "Casablanca" (1942). No-nonsense club owner Rick, played by Humphrey Bogart faces the tension and conflict of running the bar in Nazi-occupied Morrocco, where Nazis, their sympathizers, resistance members, and all in between go to "relax". Rick soon confronts the love of his life after losing her in freshly occupied Paris. Their love is rekindled but we all know what happens in the end. Even if you're not one for sentimental flicks or legendary films, go to see Claude Rains' performance as Captain Louis Renault. His complex character, well-timed and beautifully delivered lines are a gift to see and really make the film for those who appreciate a strong supporting actor. "Here's looking at you, kid."
The UCLA Film and Television Archive is presenting a Borzage double feature at The Billy Wilder Theater. The Archive notes a comment on Frank Borzage's films by Kent Jones, “In Borzage, there is no higher purpose than love—nothing exists beyond love, everything else is ephemeral” (UCLA). First is "History is Made At Night" (1937), a nearly farcical tale of true love conquering all, even impossible and out of the blue plot twists. Second on the bill is "Secrets" (1933). A couple is starstruck and immediately fall in love with each other. They elope to California for a life on their own in a state of dream-like happiness. Once the excitement is over and the newlyweds face their own life together, they experience the raw realism of the frontier and the west. "Borzage strikes a number of registers as he explores the perseverance of love from first bloom to old age" (UCLA).
This Thursday, make sure to make a date or just treat yourself to great cinema. For more information on theaters, tickets, and performance times, please visit the following websites:
American Cinematheque
"Breakfast at Tiffany's" screening at the Egyptian Theater, Thursday, Feb. 14 @ 7:30 PM
"Casablanca" screening at the Aero Theater, Thursday, Feb. 14 @ 7:30 PM
UCLA Film and Television Archives
Sources: American Cinematheque, UCLA Film and Television Archive, IMDb.com
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