The Davis Odd Fellows Lodge “Classic Film Festival” returns in February with three classics of the science fiction genre. The featured films will be shown on three successive Sunday evenings – February 5, 12 and 19. The selected classics are Things to Come, The Man in the White Suit, and Invasion of the Body Snatchers. All films are shown on the large screen projection system at the Odd Fellows Lodge Hall, 415 2nd Street, Downtown Davis. Doors open at 6:29 p.m. and showtime is at 7:01 p.m. The public is cordially invited and there is no admissions charge. Before each film is played noted film reviewer Derrick Bang will give the audience the back-story of the film, the actors and director. After the showing, Derrick Bang will be available to answer audience questions.
Things to Come is a 1936 British black-and-white film written by H.G. Wells and starring Raymond Massey. The film sets out a future history from 1940 to 2054. It turned out to be a very popular film at the British box office in 1935-36. A science fiction historian has stated, “Things to Come qualifies as the first true masterpiece of science fiction cinema.” The film was influential in later films such as 2001: A Space Odyssey. Things to Come will be the first film in the series, showing on February 5.
The Man in the White Suit is a quirky 1951 science fiction satirical comedy, starring Alec Guinness. It explores the theme of the common man against the establishment. Alec Guinness portrays a young chemist who develops and invents a cloth with special qualities – resulting in both expected and unintended consequences. The Man in the Whit Suit will be shown on February 12.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a 1956 American science fiction horror film. Part of it is shot in “film noir” style. Starring Kevin McCarthy, the film is about an alien invasion of earth. Extraterrestrial space spores have fallen to earth and develop pods, each one capable of developing a duplicate human being. The film is preserved in the national film registry as “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.” Invasion of the Body Snatchers appears on many lists of the “best science fiction”, as well as the “best horror” films of all time. This film will be shown on February 19.
“We are delighted to bring back these classic films for the enjoyment of the public,” said Classic Film Festival Chair Dave Rosenberg. “Classic Science Fiction is an especially engaging genre because here we are in the present showing past films that are all about the future. It results in an existential and delightful journey for the audience. We welcome the community to our Lodge to enjoy these classic bonbons.”
The Davis Odd Fellows began their Classic Film series in the Spring of 2014, showing three classic films of a certain genre during each series. The series has been repeated every Spring and every Winter since 2014. The series this February featuring Classic Science Fiction will be the 7th chapter of the series. The six previous chapters featured: Academy Award Best Picture Films, Classic Westerns, Classic Courtroom Dramas, Classic Film Noir, Classic Screwball Comedies, and Classic Comedies.
In addition to the screening of these classic films, the Odd Fellows provide free popcorn to patrons. A no-host bar is also available before and during the screenings featuring wine, beer on tap, soft drinks and water, and a full array of mixed drinks.
The Davis Odd Fellows Lodge has been a fixture in Davis since it was instituted in 1870. The Lodge has resided at its present location on 2nd Street for the past 62 years. The Davis Odd Fellows is a fraternal association of men and women, currently with 259 members. It is the largest Odd Fellows Lodge in California. The Lodge engages in many activities supporting the community in addition to the Classic Film Festival. Some of those activities include the Davis Chocolate Festival, A Taste of Davis, Breakfast with Santa, Breakfast with the Bunny, the Picnic Day Pancake Breakfast, the Texas Hold ’em Poker Tournament, monthly second Sunday Bingo for the community, and “Thursday Live!” monthly musical entertainment at the Lodge, among others. More information on the Davis Odd Fellows can be obtained at www.davislodge.org.