Network Sunday Schmooze with Fred Craden

The Vic Skolnick Sunday Schmooze
Hosted by Fred Craden
Bagel Brunch at 10am / Film at 11am / Discussion at 1pm
Join Sunday Schmooze host Fred Craden for an exploration of the prophetic landmark movie from writer Paddy Chayefsky, director Sidney Lumet, starring Academy Award Winner Peter Finch, William Holden, Robert Duvall, and Faye Dunaway
I'M Mad As Hell, And I'M Not Going To Take It Anymore! When legendary screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky wrote those famous words over thirty-six years ago, his vision… Show more of network news devolving into celebrity-driven sensationalism led by a "Mad Prophet of the Airwaves" seemed totally fantastical. However, in the era of Trash TV and oracular media pundits (Beck, O'Reilly, etc), Network now seems like one of the most prophetic and essential films of the modern era. Thanks to Chayefsky's writing, Sidney Lumet's brilliant direction, and an amazing cast highlighted by Peter Finch, William Holden, Robert Duvall, Faye Dunaway, and Beatrice Straight (who is definitely the answer to the trivia question: what is the shortest-screen-time performances ever to win an Oscar), Network is also simply a great movie. The Ubs television network has decided to move their longtime news anchor, Howard Beale (Finch) aside, and replace him with someone younger. However, on his "final night" on the air, Beale eschews the standard polite goodbye, and instead delivers an angry political rant that inspires millions of Americans to open their windows and publically vent their rage. Network executive Max Schumacher (Holden), who is also Beale's best friend, can see that the news anchor is coming apart, and wants to take him off the air. However, the head of the network's entertainment division (Dunaway) convinces her bosses to let her take over the News division and build a new kind of "news" show, built around Beale's wild rants. Join Sunday Schmooze host Fred Craden for an exploration of this landmark movie, which manages to be at once hysterically funny, thought-provoking, and deeply moving. Dylan Skolnick (USA, 1976, 121 min., color, 35mm courtesy of MGM)

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