For 50-years the Brattle Theatre has been a vibrant jewel in the midst of lives and the goings-on in Harvard Square, some years a little more sparkly than others. This year the Brattle Film Foundation (BFF) will celebrate its fiftieth anniversary of full-time film programming at the Brattle Theatre with a complete calendar of events in 2003. The festivities began in February, Imagine attended a lovely press event at Noir, a film friendly alcove bar in the Charles Hotel in Harvard Square, and are expected to continue through January of 2004. The schedule will include celebrity appearances, special series and screenings, parties and other events. This month presentations include such a variety of films as SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, CITIZEN KANE, JABBERWOCKY, AND NEVER GIVE A SUCKER AN EVEN BREAK, and the Brattles' 3rd Annual Oscar Party.

The Brattle Film Foundation is a new non-profit organization formed to take over programming and operation of the theatre. The Foundation celebrates film as art and promotes film preservation, distribution and exhibition through various efforts. BFF's directors both studied and continue to study film, and are involved in the "Indies." Ned Hinkle and Ivy Moylan brought a heightened sense of understanding to their newly formed non-profit as they both worked for the previous owners/operators Beacon Cinema Group, and knew exactly what the theatre would need from them, namely some well earned renovation. Thus an annual fund-drive, membership-drive and lots of other drive were required. They worked hard during their first year to make their mission a reality.
The Brattle Foundation plans to inaugurate two awards this year that honor achievement in cinema. The "Bogie," a name entrenched next door on the walls of Casablanca Restaurant, will be given to a performer whose body of work will make an indelible mark on the history of cinema. And the "Orson" award, to be given to a filmmaker or film artist whose contributions behind the screen prove them to be of truly independent spirit and und unique vision. At this time, this year's recipients are yet to me named.

Acclaimed documentarian and film festival panelist favorite, Albert Maysles, celebrating his 70th birthday this year, will receive a special 50th Anniversary Lifetime Achievement award. Mr. Maysles is an advisory board member to the Brattle Foundation and has served as cameraman or director to many significant documentaries over the last 40 years. His open and revealing portraits of a diverse range of celebrities, including The Rolling Stones, installation artist Christo, opera singer Jesseye Norman, Truman Copote, Marlon Brando, Martin Scorsese. The Beattles and Muhammad Ali have brought critical acclaim. Two of his best works, however, focus on people who exist in relative obscurity: SALESMAN and GREY GARDENS. The 50th Anniversary Lifetime Achievement award will be presented at a special event in May 2003.

The Bugs Bunny Film Festival officially kicked off the anniversary of the Brattle' Theatre's opening as a full-time cinema with a special matinee for only 80-cents, the Brattle's original ticket price. Now in it's eighth year, the annual festival of Warner Bros. Looney Tunes still has the young-at-heart lining up for Bugs Bunny and his gang. Some of the special cartoons were also celebrating their 50th year anniversary. Remember the Daffy Duck classics DUCK DODGERS IN THE 24 ½ CENTURY and DUCK AMUCK?

The Brattle Theatre was built in 1890 as a church, cum lecture hall and cultural center. Brattle Hall has seen many incarnations over the years, including use as a gymnasium and a playhouse. By 1953, those uses fell out of favor with the public and the theatre was slated to be sold. At that time a Harvard graduate, Cyrus Harvey, Jr. suggested to his friend and current owner Bryant Haliday that a fulltime art cinema, like the ones he admired in Europe, was needed in Cambridge.

Short on cash and space, a rear-screen projection system, such as those used on cruise ships was installed and the Backstage space was used as the projection booth. The house and balcony were left untouched and the Brattle Theatre was reborn. The Brattle took its position as a leading light of the art house circuit in the United States. Harvey and Haliday went on to form Janus Films, challenge Massachusetts' outmoded "blue laws" with screenings of "racy" films on Sundays and develop the "Bogie cult" with annual screenings of Humphrey Bogart films during Harvard exam week.

The 3rd annual Oscar Party again features the live telecast projected on the Brattle's big screen, with snacks, drinks, heckling, and fun abounding. The whole thing kicks off with the usual Red Carpet Revue at, 7 PM, the show at 8 PM, and will, no doubt, proceed 'til the wee hours when the last big award is doled out. They say, "Hey, it's the movie-lover's Super Bowl, right? Why not join the party?"

It's a fund-raiser (you need to make reservations) and an opportunity for you to contribute to the Brattle Film Foundation and help to preserve and nurture one of the oldest and most prestigious repertory movie houses in America.

Congratulations, Best Wishes, Celebrate, and Many Happy Returns!

Visit the Brattle Film Foundation website to learn about their schedules and how you can become a member at www.brattlefilm.org.