Before I get to the list of classic and repertory movies showing in the Buffalo area for August, I’d like to share info on the fourth annual Western New York Movie Expo and Memorabilia Show, a four-day event starting off the month with more than 100 movies and shorts from Hollywood’s Golden Age, along with vintage TV episodes.
The Expo is held from 10 a.m. to midnight Aug. 1 to 4 in the Buffalo Grand Hotel, 120 Church St. Tickets are $35 to $40 for the full event or $12 a day ($6 Sunday). There is a dealer’s room that is so big they call it a dealer’s emporium. Highlights include shorts and features from the greats of early comedy including W.C. Field, Charley Chase, Buster Keaton and Laurel and Hardy; silent movies and shorts with musical accompaniment by Jeff Rapsis including the 1929 film “Pandora’s Box”; a celebration of Rod Serling and the “Twilight Zone’s” 60th anniversary; and retro TV episodes from the series starring Donna Reed, Danny Thomas, Red Skeleton and more . For full info, visit wnymovieexpo.com.
Now on to the screenings, in alphabetical order.
“The Adventures of Robin Hood,” 8:30 p.m. Aug. 10 outside the Roycroft Print Shop, 21 South Grove St., East Aurora. Watch Errol Flynn and his merry band of outlaws in glorious Technicolor. Part of the Roycroft Film Society monthly film series. Rain date is 8:30 p.m. Aug. 11. Tickets: $6 members, $8 non-members.
“Basket Case,” 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Aug. 22 in the Dipson Amherst (3500 Main St.). Frank Henenlotter’s campy cult classic opens the new season of “Thursday Night Terrors.”
“Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blache.” 5 p.m. Aug. 7 and 10 at the Screening Room Cinema Cafe. Documentary about the first female filmmaker, Alice Guy-Blache. Narrated by Jodie Foster.
“Hello, Dolly!” 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11; noon and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14 in the Regal Elmwood and Transit theaters, plus 7 p.m. Aug. 14 in the Dipson Amherst. Happy 50th to this Barbra Streisand musical directed by Gene Kelly. Part of TCM Big Screen Classics.
“I Love Lucy: A Colorized Celebration,” 7 p.m. Aug. 6 in the Regal Transit. For her birthday, Fathom Events presents five uncut, full-length colorized episodes plus “RedHead Tales,” a “newly produced featurette on the colorization of Lucy.
“Pinocchio,” 7 p.m. Aug 27 at Dipson Amherst. Disney animated favorite opens the fall season of Buffalo Film Seminars. Remember to get there early for the pre-movie talk and stick around for the post-movie discussion by Bruce Jackson and Diane Christian.
“Popeye,” 11:30 a.m.. Aug. 3 and 4 at the North Park Theatre. Robin Williams stars in this live-action take on the iconic spinach-eating sailor.
“Rock ‘n’ Roll High School,” 7:30 p.m. Aug. 3, 7, 10 and 12 at the Screening Room Cinema Café (Boulevard Mall, Amherst). PJ Soles leads students who get back at their principal with the music of their favorite band, The Ramones. Screenings celebrate film’s 40th anniversary.
“Quadrophenia,” 7:30 p.m. Aug. 16, 17, 22 in the Screening Room Cinema Café. Drama loosely based on The Who’s 1973 rock opera about the alienation of the British working class gets 40th anniversary showings.
Subversive Movie Night with “Reefer Madness” and “Sex Madness,” 7 p.m. Aug. 8 at the Screening Room Cinema Cafe. Benefit for Subversive Theatre features comedy by the Francis Bacon Experiment and a performance by Out of the Box Burlesque. $20 at the door.
“Woodstock,” 7 p.m. Aug. 15 at Dipson Amherst and Regal Quaker and Galleria Mall. For the 50th anniversary of the historic musical weekend, this 3-plus hour Oscar-winning documentary returns to theaters for one day.
Special Events
“Phoenix, Arizona.” 7:30 p.m. Aug. 5 in the Screening Room Cinema Cafe. Buffalo premiere of movie about two friends who go through a mid-life “reinvention” by restoring a bowling alley and serving the world’s greatest pizza. Written and directed by Gary Lundgren. Followed by Q&A and party. $10.
Watching Forever 