Touch Of Evil film still

Each month, Melanie Friesen invites a distinguished guest to Vancity Theatre’s Cinema Salon, in order to present his/her favourite film. After the screening, both audience and speaker have the opportunity to engage over drinks and snacks in the Vancity lounge. This month’s film is Orson Welles’ 1958 film Touch of Evil.

Just in time for Christmas! December’s Cinema Salon brings Vancouver film lovers the noirest of the noir and the last extravaganza that Orson Welles directed for a Hollywood studio, Touch of Evil, considered one of Welles’ greatest films, and one he wrote, directed, and costarred in.

The story centers on grunting, wheezing detective Hank Quinlan (Welles), a man who is truly in hell. A tawdry Mexican-American border town with its nocturnal life of thieves, losers, cops and a shapely American blonde (Janet Leigh, in the role that led her to Psycho) forms the backdrop for those who slither in and out of the law. The concept of borders and “crossing the line” is essential to Touch of Evil as many taboo topics are addressed in this baroque nightmare of a south-of-the-border mystery.

Touch of Evil’s thick plot is well described in this Wiki. Worth a read before you head out to the screening.

Gregory Dreicer Gregory K. Dreicer is an interpretive strategist, curator, and historian known for explorations of cities, technology, and society. He’s currently serving as Director of Curatorial and Engagement at the Museum of Vancouver.

Dreicer has developed over 20 exhibitions, including Chicago Model City (2009), which featured a large-scale 3-D-printed model of Chicago’s downtown.

Dreicer received his Ph.D. from Cornell University’s Department of Science and Technology Studies, holds an M.S. in Historic Preservation, and a B.A. from Columbia University. Dreicer was a Senior Fellow at the Smithsonian, a Loeb Fellow at Harvard, and a fellow at the Center for Scholars and Writers at the New York Public Library.

Vancity Cinema Salon with Gregory K. Dreicer Presents Touch of Evil

Date: Tuesday, December 2, 7:30 pm
Venue: Vancity Theatre, 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $13.00; may be purchased online

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