Who doesn’t love a good movie?
Starting this month and continuing into next year, the Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy is hosting the Oscar Laughs! series; a series in which participants get to view both Oscar-winning and nominated movies from the 1930s through 2020 in the museum’s private theatre. After each viewing, discuss with Museum Curator Mark Kratzner and director, Anne Pratt afterward.
Ready to watch? Here’s the schedule!
October 25th – Kickoff Event – The series kicks off with a discussion of why comedy films are often overlooked at Oscar time and a preview of each of the upcoming film
November 22nd – Ninotchka (1939) – A stern Soviet woman sent to Paris to supervise the sale of jewels seized from Russian nobles finds herself attracted to a man who represents everything she is supposed to detest. Nominated in the categories of Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Original Story, and Best Screenplay.
December 27th – The Egg and I (1947) – On their wedding night, Bob reveals to Betty that he has purchased an abandoned chicken farm. Betty struggles to adapt to their new rural lifestyle, especially when a glamorous neighbor seems to set her eyes on Bob. Nominated in the category of Best Supporting Actress.
January 24th – Roman Holiday (1953) – A bored and sheltered princess escapes her guardians and falls in love with an American newsman in Rome. Winner for Best Actress, Best Story, and Best Costume Design – Black & White.
February 28th – The Apartment (1960) – A Manhattan insurance clerk tries to rise in his company by letting its executives use his apartment for trysts, but complications and a romance of his own ensue. Winner for Best Motion Picture, and for Best Director.
March 28th – The Sunshine Boys (1975) – A vaudeville duo agrees to reunite for a television special, but it turns out that they can’t stand each other. Winner for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
April 26th – Victor/Victoria (1982) – A woman pretending to be a man impersonating a woman. Winner for Best ROginal Song Score and Its Adaptation or Adaptation Score.
May 23rd – As Good As It Gets (1997) – A single mother and waitress, a misanthropic author, and a gay artist form an unlikely friendship after the artist is assaulted in a robbery. Winner for Best Actor in a Leading Role, and Best Actress in a Leading Role.
June 27th – Sideways (2004) – Two men reaching middle age with not much to show but disappointment embark on a week-long road trip through California’s wine country, just as one is about to take a trip down the aisle. Winner for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay.
July 25th – Midnight in Paris (2011) – While on a trip to Paris with his fiancée’s family, a nostalgic screenwriter finds himself mysteriously going back to the 1920s every day at midnight. Winner for Best Writing, Original Screenplay.
August 22nd – Jo Jo Rabbit (2019) – A young German boy in the Hitler Youth whose hero and imaginary friend is the country’s dictator is shocked to discover that his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their home. Winner for Best Adapted Screenplay.
September 26th – Oscar Laughs Wrap-Up – A discussion and awards.
