The Films of My Life
at the Outremont

Roland Smith rolls out a second classic film series

By Byron Toben

Roland Smith

Roland Smith, Mr. Movie Man of Montreal, can’t relax.

Upon leaving the running of the cosy Cinema du parc in 2013 when Cinema Beaubien owner Mario Fortin took it over and merged the programming of the two selectively curated movie houses, Smith recently set up a late summer series at theatre Outremont.

Called The Films of My Life (also the name of his distribution company), this celebratory collection of 47 great films ran from August 3 to September 3.

Now he’s back with a second selection of 30 more, spread out from September 16 to December 1, again at the Théâtre Outremont, which he once owned (1973 to 1987). Current owner Raymond Cloutier seems pleased with this deal. Will there be a third edition come Christmas?

Although most Westmounters can follow films in French, for those who might prefer some in the original English, I have noted 11 selections:

September 24 at 4 pm
The Shop Around the Corner – 1949
Starring Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan
Director Ernst Lubitsch

October 1 at 6 pm
Victor Victoria – 1982
Starring Julie Andrews and James Garner
Director Blake Edwards

October 8 at 5:15 pm
Dangerous Liaisons – 1988
Starring Glen Close and John Malkovich
Director Stephen Frears

Victor Victoria

October 8 at 7:45 pm
Barry Lyndon – 1975
Starring Ryan O’Neal and Marissa Berenson
Director Stanley Kubrick

November 12 at 3 pm
Imitation of Life – 1959
Starring Lana turner and John Gavin
Director Douglas Sirk

November 19 at 8:30 pm and November 22 at 6pm
Blow Up – 1966
Starring David Hennings and Vanessa Redgrave
Director Michelangelo Antonioni

November 23 at 6:15 pm
12 Angry Men – 1957
Starring Henry Fonda and Martin Balsam
Director Sidney Lumet

November 24 at 6:15 pm
The Party – 1968
Starring Peter Sellers
Director Blake Edwards

Dangerous Liaisons

November 28 at 8:30 pm
Eyes Wide Shut -1999
Starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman
Director Stanley Kubrick

December 7 at 6 pm and December 10 at 3 pm
The Fearless Vampire Killers – 1967
Starring Roman Polanski and Sharon Tate
Director Roman Polanski

December 10 at 5:30 pm
Pretty Baby -1978
Starring Brooke Shields and Keith Carradine
Director Louis Malle

Tickets are $9 or 5 for $40
Theatre Outremont is at 1248 Bernard W
514 495-9944 #1
theatreoutremont.ca

Feature image: scene from The Shop Around the Corner

Read also: Montreal World Film Festival wrap-up

Byron Toben is the immediate past-president of the Montreal Press Club.