Museum of The Moving Image Welcomes Larry Cohen 11/3

On the very same night that Clint Eastwood's eagerly awaited film J. Edgar premieres in Los Angeles, Larry Cohen's piercingly intelligent and entertaining 1977 biopic The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover will be screened at Museum of the Moving Image, with Cohen in person. The screening at the Museum will take place on Thursday, November 3, at 7:00 p.m.

Cohen's rarely screened independent film remains what Robin Wood and other critics consider to be one of the sharpest Hollywood films about American politics. Starring Broderick Crawford in the title role, The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover chronicles forty years of Hoover's controversial life, from the time of Prohibition through the 1960s. The special screening of The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover at the Museum will be followed by a Pinewood Dialogue with Larry Cohen, whose varied credits include It's Alive (1974), God Told Me To (1976), and Phone Booth (2002). Tickets for the screening and discussion are $10 public / $5 Museum members (Free for Silver Screen members and above). Order tickets online at http://movingimage.us or by calling 718 777 6800.

One of the best-respected independent filmmakers, Larry Cohen is also well-known as a screenwriter. After working in television for several years, he wrote and directed his first film Bone (1972), which developed a cult following. He continued to work in the low-budget, independent realm for his next several films, preferring to stay away from the major studios in order to maintain his perpetually satirical and free-spirited approach. Cohen avoids falling into generic patterns, and his screenplays are rich with his distinctive sense of humor and psychological nuance.

Cohen researched material for The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover for two years, traveling around the country to interview former FBI agents and those closest to J. Edgar Hoover. He filmed several scenes at Hoover's home at Rock Creek Park and at the home of Clyde Tolson, Hoover's lifelong partner. He also researched some of the places Hoover frequented and shot several scenes on those locations. By casting Broderick Crawford to play Hoover, Cohen was drawing on an actor who had extensive experience acting for FBI films, and who even met J. Edgar Hoover twice. Broderick recalled that the first time was before he had established a name for himself as an actor, and so had been shocked to discover later that Hoover both remembered him as well as minor details about the party where they had met. This helped Crawford in his development of the character and gave him a sense of awe that resulted in a human and respectful portrayal of Hoover.

This event is part of the Museum's After Hours weeknight series, which brings dialogues with important directors and actors as well as preview screenings to the Museum after the galleries are closed.

MUSEUM INFORMATION
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday, 10:30 to 8:00 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Holiday hours: The Museum will be open on Mondays from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on December 26 and January 2. On Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) and New Year's Eve (Dec. 31), the galleries will close at 5:00 p.m. The Museum is closed on Thanksgiving (Nov. 24) and Christmas Day (Dec. 25).
Film Screenings: Friday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays, and as scheduled.
Museum Admission: $12.00 for adults; $9.00 for persons over 65 and for students with ID; $6.00 for children ages 3-18. Children under 3 and Museum members are admitted free. Admission to the galleries is free on Fridays, 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tickets for special screenings and events may be purchased in advance by phone at 718 777 6800 or online.
Location: 36-01 35 Avenue (at 37 Street) in Astoria.
Subway: M (weekdays only) or R to Steinway Street. Q (weekdays only) or N to 36 Avenue.
Program Information: Telephone: 718 777 6888; Website: movingimage.us

The Museum is housed in a building owned by the City of New York and its operations are made possible in part by public funds provided through the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, the New York City Economic Development Corporation, the New York State Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Natural Heritage Trust (administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation). The Museum also receives generous support from numerous corporations, foundations, and individuals. For more information, please visit movingimage.us.

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