Construction Comedies
The Dryden and its surrounding environment has undergone quite a bit of change over the past year. With the restoration and upgrading of the historic Colonnade, located behind the theater, and with the new Thomas Tischer Visitor Center just adjacent, the theater will have a new look from the outside, and new accessibility and egress on the inside. We take these projects very seriously, but now that they are nearly complete, we turn to Hollywood for some comedic relief. Through the years, the movies have brought us stories of people taking on the challenge of construction or remodeling—to mostly disastrous effect. It’s been said that comedy is tragedy plus time. We can laugh at these narratives now.
Events in this Series
The War of the Roses
Construction Comedies. Oliver (Michael Douglas) and Barbara (Kathleen Turner) Rose are a wealthy married couple, but any love they might have once felt for each other has now degenerated into bitter, mutual hatred and contempt. Douglas is quietly brilliant, as usual, in this macabre twist on the chemistry he shared with Turner in Romancing the Stone (1984) and The Jewel of the Nile (1985).
Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House
Construction Comedies. Jim and Muriel Blandings (Cary Grant and Myrna Loy) and their two daughters are feeling cramped in their New York City apartment. Instead of investing the money in modifications to the apartment, Jim enters into a questionable real estate deal in Connecticut.
The Money Pit
Construction Comedies. Significantly inspired by Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (screening Friday, August 21), this film takes the idea of the rural escape and transplants it to the materialistic 1980s.