THE PRISONER (1967) SCREENING AND PANEL – A REVOLUTION IN SIXTIES BRITISH TELEVISION DESIGN

The Art Directors
Guild (ADG) Film Society and American
Cinematheque kick off the 2014 ADG Film Series with a special screening of
the celebrated British psychological thriller The Prisoner (1967),
designed by Jack Shampan, on Sunday, April 27 at 5:30 P.M. at the Egyptian
Theatre, sponsored by The
Hollywood Reporter.



It was in 1967 that Patrick McGoohan produced his masterpiece – The Prisoner.
He created, directed and starred in the unique story of a spy who resigns, but
is too dangerous to be set free – Ian Fleming meets Franz Kafka. The
Prisoner demanded a very special world, much of it found in the
otherworldly Portmeirion, a private city built of architectural relics on the
coast of Wales.



“It all began in 1960, with British TV's Dangerman – 30 minutes of
gritty film noir,” said Production Designer John Muto, Founder and Co-Chair of
the ADG Film Series. “More detective than spy adventure, the program starred
Patrick McGoohan, the charismatic actor who's said to have passed on the role of James Bond.” Dangerman,
(re-titled Secret Agent in America), ran most of the decade. Meanwhile
the first Bond feature, Dr. No, revolutionized the look of the spy film
– in chic high style – inspiring shows from The Avengers to The Man
From U.N.C.L.E. At the end of the spy cycle, McGoohan, like his character,
quit the espionage business and came roaring back - creating possibly the most
mind-bending of all miniseries.



The evening will begin with Actress Catherine McGoohan, daughter of Mr.
McGoohan, who will discuss her memories of Portmeirion and the making of The
Prisoner. The program will present two notable episodes: “Arrival"
(1968), setting the story and the world, and “The Schizoid Man” (1967) in which
McGoohan battles his doppelganger. Film clips tracing the decade of the sixties
in film and TV design will be discussed by Alex McDowell (Designer of Man of
Steel and Watchmen, and Director of the USC World Building Media
Lab) and Arnold Schwartzman, O.B.E. (Oscar®-winning Documentarian, Director,
and Graphic Designer). ADG Film Society Founder, Co-Chair and Production
Designer John Muto will moderate the program.



“The 2013 ADG Film Society/American Cinematheque Screening Series was a great
success,” said Muto. “In 2014, we've put together another – possibly even more
eclectic and challenging – slate of films, for everyone who loves and is
fascinated by great film design." For information about the 2014 ADG Film
Series: Art
Directors Guild Film Series 2014.



In addition to The Prisoner, the 2014 ADG Film
Screening Series includes:

• Sunday, May 18 - MONSIEUR VERDOUX (1947) at the Aero
Theatre, A Tribute to Designer John Gabriel Beckman

• Sunday, June 22 - DANTE’S INFERNO (1935) at the Egyptian
Theatre, spotlighting the descent into hell sequence with Art Directors Duncan
Cramer and David S. Hall

• Sunday, July 20 - THE DEVILS - US version (1971) at the Aero
Theatre, with a tribute to Designer Derek Jarman

• Sunday, August 24 - EL GAUCHO (1927) at the Egyptian Theatre,
spotlighting Supervising Art Director Carl Oscar Borg's vision of a timeless
Argentina



Representing the ADG are Film Society Co-Chairs John Muto and Thomas A. Walsh,
and Debbie Patton, ADG Manager, Awards and Events. Working with them are the
American Cinematheque’s Gwen Deglise, Margot Gerber, and Grant Moninger.
General admission: $11. American Cinematheque members: $7. Students/Seniors
with valid ID: $9. All screenings start at 5:30 P.M. 24-hour information is
available at 323-466-FILM (3456).