Classic Tuesdays

Two-time Best Actor Oscar winners Spencer Tracy and Fredric March face off in this gripping courtroom drama about one of the most famous trials of the 20th century. When a teacher is put on trial for teaching evolution, attorney Henry Drummond (Tracy) and fundamentalist leader Matthew Harrison Brady (March) engage in a fierce battle of opposing beliefs. As the town watches, sparks fly in this powerful clash over science, faith, and freedom.

Folks in Black Rock have their own way of welcoming mysterious, one-armed stranger John J. Macreedy. He's welcome to leave. Or they'll make sure he leaves in a pine box. Spencer Tracy plays World War II veteran Macreedy, who keeps his own counsel about why he's come to Black Rock and who keeps his wits about him when confronted with threats and violence. Director John Sturges ramps up the tension while revealing Macreedy's mission and the town's grim secret. "I'm half horse, half alligator," one says. They'll find Macreedy is even tougher stuff.

Arts patron Mrs. Claypool intends to pay pompous opera star Lasparri $1,000 per performance. Hey, maybe that's why they call it grand opera! This is grand comedy, too, as Groucho, Chico and Harpo cram a ship's stateroom and more with wall-to-wall gags, one-liners, musical riffs and two hard-boiled eggs - all while skewering Lasparri's schemes and helping two young hopefuls get a break. To save the opera, our heroes must first destroy it. They must also gain ocean passage as stowaways, pull the wool (if not the beards) over the eyes of city hall, shred legal mumbo-jumbo down to a sanity clause, pester dowager Claypool and unleash so much glee that many say this is the best Marx Brothers movie. Seeing is believing. 

Stalled in his company's pecking order, ad man David Howard (Albert Brooks) failed to land the Senior VP slot he wanted. He quits, convinces wife Linda (Julie Hagerty) to do the same, sells their house and stocks and buys a Winnebago to roam the USA. Though they feel they're easy riders, they're actually Born to Be Mild. With their $145,000 nest egg tucked reassuringly within reach, they make their first stop: Las Vegas. Goodbye, nest egg. Greetings, hilarity. Director/co-writer Brooks memorably bonds with Hagerty as a couple spinning along on wheels of misfortune. Their comic plight speaks to anyone who's ever dreamed of chucking it all.