539. THE THIRD MAN

Peter Josyph

What developed into one of the most perfect films ever made began as a single sentence written by Graham Greene and grew into a screenplay over the course of several years. This was the sentence: "I had paid my last farewell to Harry a week ago, when his coffin was lowered into the frozen February ground, so that it was with incredulity that I saw him pass by, without a sign of recognition, among the host of strangers in the Strand." Shot on location in post-war Vienna, starring Orson Welles, Joseph Cotton, Trevor Howard, and Alida Valli, Carol Reed's 1949 masterpiece features a great story about friendship and betrayed loyalties with stunning black and white cinematography by Robert Krasker; haunting zither music by Anton Karas; one of the most striking first appearances by a character (Welles's Harry Lime); and one of the most daring final scenes in cinema history. A lively discussion will follow the film.

1:00 – 3:30 p.m.

1 Session

Thursday, March 26

Fee:  $50