Spring film series : Desk Set
Date
5:45 PM | film begins
Location
Admission
RSVP required
About the Film
(Technicolor, 1 hour 43 minutes) This delightfully dated 1957 Rom-Com/love triangle (a man, a woman mainframe) is mostly set in the research library of the faux Rockefeller Center headquarters of a ‘fictional’ (NBC?) media network. It is late Fall and Spencer Tracy (as prototypical computer geek/inventor, Richard Sumner) has just arrived to install his beloved brand new mainframe computer – EMERAC an Electromagnetic MEmory and Research Arithmetical Calculator nicknamed “Emmy”.
Sumner, brought in by network brass to see just how the library ‘works’, is on a mission is to prep the library and its staff it for the installation of this massive new machine. Featuring reliably charming and wonderfully satisfying performances from Spencer Tracy and (his foil) chief librarian/researcher Katherine Hepburn (Bunny Watson), viewers will also enjoy the terrific supporting cast: Bunny’s suave/flirty commitment-phobe office romancer (Gig Young); the ever-saucy/stacked Joan Blondell in a superb comedic turn; the chilly- blonde-socialite-type, Dina Merrill; and new-comer, Sue Randall, as the shy early-career brunette (Boomer alert=Randall went on to play Beaver Cleaver’s -Leave it to Beaver- TV teacher Miss Landers).
And of course there’s the film most enduring ‘type’–the tightly buttoned-up, fussy, and inflexible guardian of “Emmy” (Neva Patterson), Miss Warriner. This early iteration of a male (machine) vs female (research librarians) combat trope is both wonderfully and humorously explored by screenwriters Phoebe and Henry Ephron (Nora and Delia’s parents). So dive in… love the clothes! Enjoy the Christmas Party! Have a drink!
Come early to gather in the lower level of the Club and grab a beverage at the legendary Wiggins Bar. Screenings will begin promptly afterwards in the Rockwell gallery.
Hungry?
After the film, we’ll move into the Club dining room for a delicious dinner and lively discussion. Ticketed attendees who would love to join us may make a reservation via our Reservations page and include the message “Film Series dinner”. On the day of the screening, those wishing to dine must place their orders prior to the start of the film.
About the Spring Film Series
Are you looking for fun things to do this season? Movie dates are always a go-to option! Brought to you by the Salmagundi Program Committee, Club members Barbara Genco and Michael Rosenfeld will be hosting a carefully curated film series. This series is a chance for film enthusiasts to come together at the start of the weekend for a shared cinematic experience. All are welcome to participate in a casual conversation covering a variety of viewpoints.
The selection of films have been carefully curated based on their renown as old favorites, good reception, and have remained a source of timeless interest.