By Ray Pride Pride@moviecitynews.com
Ebert and Laura in Madison: it's the locales that got smaller
As a couple of Madison’s movie palaces may be breathing their last, Rob Thomas of the Madison Capital Times reports on Roger Ebert and David Bordwell‘s presentation of Otto Preminger’s 1944 Laura Friday night at the Wisconsin Film Festival. “If you wanted to see the world’s most famous movie critic present one of the most famous (and strangest) film noirs in history…you had to be quick… [It was a] newly restored print direct from 20th Century Fox’s vaults. UW film Professor Emeritus David Bordwell told the audience at the tiny 180-seat Cinematheque screening room that the studio only allowed the festival to borrow the print under the condition that they not splice the reels… That meant that only a select few were able to watch “Laura” with Roger. Dozens more lined up outside in the hopes of securing last-minute “rush” tickets. “We can’t cut up the print, ergo, we’re here,” Bordwell said. ”
You can explain that to your disgruntled friends and lord it over them at the same time.” … [When Ebert was at the 2003 event, the films were shown at the 1,700-seat Orpheum Theatre.] “It’s an exercise in style,” Ebert said to one skeptical audience member. But, another asked, when should a filmmaker allow style to supersede story? “Whenever he can get away with it,” Ebert quipped.” As for the theaters: Madison’s Hilldale and University Square may be shuttering. “The Madison Plan Commission approved plans to raze the University Square shopping center for a mixed-used development. Hilldale Theatre is closing later this year as part of the new Hilldale Shopping Center redevelopment, which will include a 6-screen Sundance Cinemas.”