Naughty Gems

Pre-code film series continue to pop up on rep schedules around the country. This January and February, Pittsburgh Filmmakers is showing a Sunday night series featuring some of the better-known films of the period, including "Tarzan and His Mate" and "Blonde Venus" (soon to be released on DVD).

And in February in San Francisco, the Mechanics' Institute CinemaLit film series will shine the spotlight on Pre-Code Hollywood on Friday nights. Curator Michael Fox presents "Baby Face" (Feb. 3rd), "Design for Living" (Feb. 10th), "Downstairs" (February 17th, with former Roxie programmer Elliot Lavine as special guest) and "I Am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang" (Feb. 24th).

Speaking of the Roxie (or should I say, the Roxie Film Center), SF Weekly had a good piece about the changes taking place at the theater in order to the cinema from closing its doors forever.