STARRING Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall with Martha Vickers
Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall sizzled in To Have and Have Not, and were promptly teamed again in this adaptation of Raymond Chandler’s 1939 novel. Private Investigator Philip Marlowe is hired by wealthy General Sternwood to unravel the intrigue around his youngest daughter Carmen. “With lighting as murky as its characters’ motivations, The Big Sleep is considered part of the cycle of urban thrillers known as film noir, yet the smoldering chemistry between the offscreen lovers results in something closer to screwball comedy. The plot is famously difficult to follow: the legend goes that Hawks phoned Chandler during the shoot to check who killed the Sternwood chauffeur, and even Chandler didn’t know” (BFI). You will revel in every turn, and not care.
DURATION: 1 hour 54 minutes
📽️ Doors open 5.30, for drinks, nibbles & classic cocktails.
📽️ Films start 6.30 with a brief introduction from the curators.
📽️ Entry is free with a yearly ticket, although we suggest a small donation of £5 per person to help keep the lights on. Yearly tickets can be purchased on the door (£7.50 adult / £6.00 concessions).
📽️ If you buy tickets and are subsequently unable to attend, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can give your seat(s) to someone else.