Chosen by special guest Doug W. Jacobs (San Diego Repertory Theatre), Sweet Smell of Success was directed by Alexander Mackendrick and stars Tony Curtis and Burt Lancaster. Set in the seedy world of New York's entertainment industry, Sweet Smell of Success follows the climb to fortune and glory of one slippery press agent Sidney Falco (Curtis), and the dirty work he performs for his sometimes boss, sometimes ally, and sometimes enemy, "The Eyes of Broadway" J.J. Hunsecker (Lancaster). Will Falco succeed in his schemes, or will he and Hunsecker both fall prey to the folly of their pride and ambitions? A student of the film's director, Alex Mackendrick, at CalArts, special guest Jacobs was able to share with The Collective insight he had gained into the film directly from the source. He shares with The Collective the special ways Mackendrick would think of action, story, and character. In this episode, The Collective relished the opportunity to quote lines from a film known for being endlessly quotable. Matt and David also busted out some of their best Burt Lancaster impressions.
The Criterion Collective
Join poets and film lovers, Jeanne Marie Spicuzza (Night Rain), Matt Sedillo (Mowing Leaves of Grass), and David A. Romero (My Name Is Romero) as they meet each week, to form The Criterion Collective, discussing some of their favorite classic/foreign/art films. These are the films they connect with most deeply, the films that move and inspire them. They hope to inspire a new generation of cinephiles and cinéastes!
The Criterion Collective is a special production by the dA Center for the Arts in Pomona, CA. https://www.dacenter.org/
Intro and outro music, "Exploring the Inferno," by Myuu. https://www.thedarkpiano.com/