Classic Movie Valentines Played Large

"Dirty Dancing" and other hug-laden hits fill out ArcLight's February schedule.

There was a day, a few decades ago, when seeing a film you particularly loved in the theater meant you might never see it on the big screen again. Oh sure, you knew, while walking up the aisle, that it might play on broadcast television, eventually, but another cinema run was a giant question mark.

"How things have changed" would be the next appropriate thing to say here. Practically anything put to celluloid is instantly summonable via our TVs these days, and seeing classics played large, in a cinema? Not such a rare thing, after all, at least around the HQ of Movielandia, Hollywood.

And when February comes along, the silver screen's most cuddlesome classics have their happy-ending heyday around town. ArcLight Presents... is hosting a series called "Fall in Love," and we'd bet a dozen roses and a heart-shaped box of chocolates that you've seen at least one of 'em.

But seen on the big screen? Maybe not "How to Marry a Millionaire," "The Philadelphia Story," or "Laura," three vintage bon bons from the wayback files. Those shall all unspool during the series's Feb. 6 through 13 run, as will more recent heart-bursters, like "Dirty Dancing" and "Before Sunrise" and "Before Sunset."

Oh yeah. And "Breakfast at Tiffany's" is on the list, too. If you've seen recent critical-acclaimee "Inside Llewyn Davis," you likely flashed back to "Tiffany's." Both feature New York-based orange tabby cats that weave into the story with feline grace.

Much is made over the death of the modern romantic comedy, but perhaps it is just going through an epic change. "Millionaire" and several flicks on the ArcLight Presents... list are well over a half century along, meaning that hugs in the rain and hopeless flirting are likely mainstays in our movies.

Call the "Fall in Love" series a master class in romantic stories told well.

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