Man in The Gray Flannel Suit screening Mar 18 at 2:00pm

WCI will screen the film The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit at Westport Town Hall in March 2012.

Step back into the 50’s, when the (m)ad-men of Westport caught the train at Saugatuck Station inbound to Grand Central, and became men about town. Westport Cinema Initiative and the Westport Historical Society present a Sunday March 18th screening of the classic The Man in The Gray Flannel Suit. Sloan Wilson’s 1955 novel, set and later partially filmed in Westport, stars Gregory Peck as a rail commuter as well as Jennifer Jones, Fredric March, Lee J. Cobb, and Keenan Wynn. A fictional look at conformity in the executive suite, the book and film provoked national discussion about the nation’s business community.

At 2:00pm there will be a pre-screening reception at the Westport Historical Society. Your film ticket will entitle you to a martini or lemonade, served up with nibbles from the café at Wave Hill Bread. Martinis will be shaken and poured by the expert mixologists from LUXE, the new establishment on upper Main serving modern wine and cocktails. You can also tour the WHS’s current exhibit Next Stop: Westport! The Inspiration for 1950′s TV & Film Writers with references that include I Love Lucy, The Man in The Gray Flannel Suit, The Twilight Zone and Rally ’Round the Flag Boys – “all of which made small-town Westport and its commuter lifestyle a national TV and film sensation.”

At 3:15 the screening will begin across the street at Town Hall. Following the screening; there will be a panel discussion focusing on the filming of this classic here in Westport, with participation from local residents past and present who were participants in the film or observed the shooting, as well as a discussion of the 50’s lifestyle depicted in the film. You may purchase tickets ($10) in advance at westportcinema.org or on the day of the screening at the Westport Historical Society, or at the door at Town Hall.

2 Enlightened Replies

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  1. Joanne Chesler Kagan says:

    I am from Toronto Canada and we are a first run city. I MISS my ability to see early and often new films.
    Connecticut should be a cutting edge theater town. Put them out . run them slowly and engage our community. T-H-I-S- is A GREAT MEDIUM. And beyoond this it is an appropriate place with a great future.
    I would be very glad to enteract with this . We could become a first run city.
    Having lived there I must tell you that this is G-R-E-A-T-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Perfect location. Artsy people and what we think is REALLY important.
    Let’s go for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Joanne Chesler Kagan says:

      Is this an opportunity to share with you what I think of film and artistic endevour?????
      My early years were encompassed by great stars. My father owened Seven Arts and our lives were imbuded with all that is stunning and enchanting.
      My early years were spent with Sammy Davis and Dick Martin. Elizabeth Taylor and Eddie Fisher.
      Douglas fairbancks JR. Jinx and Tex Machrerea . Sammmy Davis ( I have a picture on Daddys boat.)
      There is so much more but it is all so cautious .
      I have Great memories .

      Douglas Faairebanks Jr was family .
      Burt Parks!!!!!!!

      I feel that n-o-w- is a time !!!!!!!!!!!! B-U-T- what shall we do.
      Greta history. Great memories!.How to keep that which is valuable?????????????????

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