CO-SPONSORED EVENT | Film Series: We Can Do It! Trailblazing Women of Hollywood’s Golden Age: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Michigan Theater Screening Room, 603 E Liberty Street, Ann Arbor, MI
Film Series: We Can Do It! Trailblazing Women of Hollywood’s Golden Age
CEW+ is sponsoring a series of classic films at the Michigan Theater by some of Hollywood’s most influential women. This series aims to feature women who broke down barriers to diversity and equity in early Hollywood, clearing the path for those who followed.
During Hollywood’s Golden Age of Film female actors, directors, and production staff had to fight against mainstream traditional gender roles while working within the studio system. Women in Hollywood had to tread carefully to be able to advocate for their rights while avoiding being branded “difficult”, a moniker that could end a career. While often imperfect, each movie in this series has something interesting to say about gender, race, and sexuality.
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1956) 1 hr 48 min
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is based on the Tennesse Williams play of the same name. It was nominated for 6 Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Elizabeth Taylor. The story follows a fractured family as they navigate alcoholism and illness. The film explores the burdensome expectations of masculinity and femininity but does not include the critique of homophobia which is embedded in the original play.
Elizabeth Taylor was a leader in the effort against AIDS and used her stardom to promote acceptance of those living with AIDS. She organized fundraisers and testified before Congress in support of emergency aid for those living with HIV/AIDS.
Full Film Series Schedule:
- His Girl Friday (1940) – Starring Rosalind Russell – Monday, March 4th
- Dance, Girl, Dance (1940) – Dir. Dorothy Arzner, starring Lucille Ball – Monday, March 11th
- Adam’s Rib (1949) – Starring Katherine Hepburn – Monday, March 18th
- All About Eve (1950) – Starring Bette Davis/Anne Baxter/Marilyn Monroe – Monday, April 1st
- The Hitch-Hiker (1953) – Dir. Ida Lupino – Monday, April 8th
- Carmen Jones (1954) – Starring Dorothy Dandridge – Monday, April 15th
- Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1956) – Starring Liz Taylor – Monday, April 22nd