“There are a lot of great films that came out of the '50s; these are some of the most iconic, ones that people will recognize,” said Roman Baratiak, UCSB Arts & Lectures Associate Director, regarding the summer season viewing lineup at the County Courthouse Sunken Gardens. On offer are seven titles from the from Hollywood’s Golden Age, when stars such as Marilyn Monroe and James Dean captured moviegoers’ fascination and adulation. “I wanted to have some of the great directors represented [and] have different genres,” Baratiak said.
This year’s event kicks off with Roman Holiday, Audrey Hepburn’s Oscar-winning debut film. “Why start with Roman Holiday?” Baratiak asked rhetorically. “Well, it’s sort of vacation time and … we are in Santa Barbara, but we can still travel on our vacation to Rome via Roman Holiday.” Mysteries, a western, and comedies fill out the slate: North by Northwest, Rebel Without a Cause, Some Like it Hot, On the Waterfront, High Noon, and Sunset Boulevard. As for finishing with Sunset Boulevard, Baratiak said, “Sunset Boulevard, that’s an interesting film because it’s really kind of this silent-film-era diva who’s like unwilling to let go of the end of her career. It’s a good closer, actually.”
I recently spoke over the phone with Baratiak about his selection process, how the event has grown, and plans for the future.
