October 5, 8, 9 & 12, 2011

“Sidney Lumet was one of the most consistently intelligent and productive directors of his time. His credits are an honor roll of good films, many of them with a conscience.” - Roger Ebert

As a young man, Sidney Lumet (1924 -2011) learned his craft as an actor and director in theatre before jumping to TV. During the golden age of live television, Lumet directed hundreds of hours of acclaimed programs and developed his crisp, clear visual style and efficient method of working. That efficiency would serve him well when he made the jump to the movies and directed more than 50 films, many of them masterpieces. Lumet was one of the most diverse craftsmen in the history of cinema, with examples of virtually every genre on his resume, from institutional satire (NETWORK) to musical (THE WIZ) to suspense (MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS). He was best known for excelling at a very specific kind of urban law-and-order drama, often featuring underdog characters fighting against insurmountable forces, represented by the complex ethical examinations and gritty realism of SERPICO, THE VERDICT, DOG DAY AFTERNOON, THE PAWNBROKER and 12 ANGRY MEN.

Join us for a retrospective of Sidney Lumet’s greatest films!

Series compiled by Grant Moninger. Program notes by Jim Hemphill, with additions by Beth Hanna.