Cool Off with “Speakeasy Cinema” Classic Mob Noir Film Series at The Mob Museum this Summer
For the first time, The Mob Museum, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, will host “Speakeasy Cinema,” a summertime after-work film series featuring classic mobster noir movies accompanied by one free alcoholic beverage and complimentary popcorn in the Museum’s historic courtroom.
The movies will take place on July 1, July 8, July 15 and July 22 at 6:30 p.m. and the program is made possible by a grant from Nevada Humanities.
Space is limited to 100 at each screening, which will be preceded by a short presentation providing historical context and surprising, behind-the-scenes facts about the film. Wine, beer and other snacks will be available for purchase.
“One aspect of Mob history we explore at the Museum is the cinematic portrayal of organized crime and law enforcement,” explains Geoff Schumacher, director of content, The Mob Museum. “Midcentury Mob films often reflected actual current events, and they provide insights into the public’s evolving understanding of organized crime and its impact on society.”
The schedule follows:
- Wednesday, July 8: “Dark City” (1950, Olive Films/Paramount); starring Charlton Heston, Jack Webb, Lizabeth Scott, Ed Begley, Sr., Harry Morgan. Gamblers who conned an out-of-town sucker in a fixed poker game find themselves the targets of underworld vengeance. “Dark City” features Heston in his first Hollywood starring role.
- Wednesday, July 15: “711 Ocean Drive” (1950, Columbia Pictures); starting Edmond O’Brien, Otto Kruger, Joanne Dru. An ordinary telephone repairman uses his technical know-how to help a bookie set up a betting operation. When the bookie is murdered, the repairman takes over the business and soon finds himself at the top of the local organized crime syndicate. Matters grow complicated, however, when mobsters from the East Coast arrive on the scene wanting a share in the take.
- Wednesday, July 22: “The Lady Gambles” (1949, Universal); starring Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Preston, Stephen McNally and Edith Barrett. During a visit to Las Vegas, mild-mannered Joan Boothe (Stanwyck) gets hooked on gambling, beginning a downward spiral that destroys her marriage and ends with her being pummeled in an alley by thugs who catch her cheating with loaded dice. Stanwyck’s superb acting is complemented by great on-location scenes of Las Vegas and Hoover Dam. In one of his first movie roles, a young Tony Curtis appears briefly as a bellhop.
Each movie at “Speakeasy Cinema” is FREE with the purchase of Museum admission and FREE for Museum Members. Each film includes one alcoholic beverage and popcorn. For more information, go to www.TheMobMuseum.org or call (702) 229-2734.