The 41st edition of the USA Film Festival will open with a tribute to Cary Grant and a screening of Nick Tomnay’s “The Perfect Host,” starring David Hyde Pierce. The Grant tribute will include a 55th Anniversary screening of “To Catch a Thief” and a book signing and conversation with Jennifer Grant, Grant’s daughter and author of “Good Stuff: A Reminiscence of My Father, Cary Grant.” Pierce will be in attendance for the presentation of “The Perfect Host.”
The Festival takes place April 27-May 1 at the Angelika Film Center in Dallas. The full schedule of events will become available April 13.
Below are full descriptions of the programs, courtesy of the USA Film Festival.
REMEMBERING CARY GRANT
AN EVENING WITH JENNIFER GRANT
On-stage conversation with Jennifer Grant, book-signing and 55th Anniversary screening of
TO CATCH A THIEF (1956)
Wednesday, April 27 7:00pm
How the sweeping vistas of the Riviera pale next to the sight of Cary Grant and Grace Kelly falling in love in this sprightly heist movie. Grant stars as reformed cat-burglar John Robie, who comes out of retirement when a new jewel thief goes to work using his signature style of thievery. Kelly plays Frances, a proper debutante who discovers that larceny is an aphrodisiac – a theme Hitchcock would pursue more explicitly in Marnie – and tests Robie’s resolve by throwing herself, and her priceless jewels, at him. With glorious costume design by Edith Head, a hilarious supporting turn by Jessie Royce Landis as Kelly’s mother (she would play Grant’s mother in Hitchcock’s “North by Northwest” four years later) and unforgettable fireworks (both literal and figurative), “To Catch a Thief” remains one of the most charming and exciting films from the Master of Suspense. 106 mins. The program will be hosted by historian and author Foster Hirsch.
“Good Stuff: A Reminiscence of My Father, Cary Grant”
“Good Stuff” is an enchanting portrait of the profound and loving relationship between a daughter and her father, who just happens to be one of America’s most iconic male movie stars. Jennifer Grant was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She graduated from Stanford University with a degree in history. Her first acting role was in Aaron Spelling’s “Beverly Hills, 90210,” and she later appeared in “Friends,” “Super Dave” and “CSI,” as well as several feature films. She lives with her son, Cary Benjamin, in Beverly Hills. Complimentary copies of Jennifer Grant’s book, “Good Stuff,” will be distributed (limited supply).
THE PERFECT HOST
Wednesday, April 27 7:30pm
Warwick Wilson (David Hyde Pierce) is the consummate host. He carefully prepares for a dinner party, the table impeccably set and the duck perfectly timed for 8:30pm. John Taylor (Clayne Crawford) is a career criminal. He’s just robbed a bank and needs to get off the streets. He finds himself on Warwick’s doorstep posing as a friend of a friend, new to Los Angeles, who’s been mugged and lost his luggage. As the wine flows and the evening progresses, we discover just how deceiving appearances can be. Co-writer/director Nick Tomnay’s dark-hearted comedy/drama is full of outrageous moments and suspenseful twists. Audiences may never look at David Hyde Pierce the same way again after seeing this slippery psychological thriller that reveals just how far we’re willing to go to satisfy our needs. Also featuring Nathaniel Parker, Helen Reddy, Megahn Perry, Joseph Will and Tyrees Allen. 93 mins. David Hyde Pierce in attendance.
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