Cinema Verité at 50: Robert Drew and Associates Transforms the Documentary

Screening Wednesdays and Sundays at 1:00 pm

FREE for Paley Center Members
Included with general admission 

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Robert Drew and his associates experimented with new forms of the observational documentary throughout the 1960s and beyond. He looked for decisive moments in all sorts of human endeavor, including the arts, sports, and the legal profession. We have worked with Robert Drew to select rarely seen masterworks from his development of his cinema verité.

SnagFIlms, the Paley Center's documentary partner, will also be making classic Bob Drew documentaries available on its website. 

Screenings

Screening Wednesday, October 6 and Sunday, October 10 at 1:00 pm

The Chair
Days before the execution is to take place, lawyers and leading players of a parole board hearing fight over the death penalty sentence of convicted murderer Paul Crump. Famed lawyer Louis Nizer argues to save Crump from the electric chair. Directed by Robert Drew. (1962; 58 minutes)

Storm Signal
An intense documentary study about a young married couple in love, and addicted to heroin. Storm Signal covers four months in which drugs totally subvert the couple’s aspirations. (1966; 53 minutes)

Screening Wednesday, October 13 and Sunday, October 17 at 1:00 pm

Susan Starr
The documentary follows nineteen-year old pianist Susan Starr as she prepares to compete in one of the most the world’s most prestigious piano competitions. (1962; 54 minutes)

Jane
The camera captures the young Jane Fonda rehearsing for her first starring role on Broadway. Her  play, The Fun Couple, opens to devastating critical notices. Directed by Hope Ryden and D A Pennebaker. (1962; 54 minutes)

Screening Wednesday, October 20 and Sunday, October 24 at 1:00 pm

On the Pole with Eddie Sachs
Race car driver Eddie Sachs, is captured before, during, and after qualifying for the pole position of the Indianapolis 500. This landmark sports film was broadcast on CBS. (1960; 53 minutes)

Mooney vs. Fowle
Director James Lipscomb depicts the days leading up to the football championship between Edison High School and Miami High School to determine the best team in the state of Florida. The documentary contrasts the teams' coaches, Mooney and Fowle, as one of them telegraphs defeat to his players and achieves it most painfully. (1961; 57 minutes)

Screening Wednesday, October 27 and Sunday, October 31 at 1:00 pm

Man Who Dances
From six months in the life of a premier ballet dancer Edward Villella. After overwork in nonstop dancing for major productions at the New York City Ballet, Villella struggles to maintain his strength on a day where he must perform multiple times. (1968; 54 minutes)

Kathy’s Dance
Dancer and choreographer Kathy Posin composes a new dance. She also explores her philosophy of dance as she takes her troop on a tour to premier her new work. (1977; 28 minutes)