Tararua Cinematheque Presents : High Noon (1952)

This month, Tararua Cinematheque presents the fast-paced, pulse-pounding smash hit western from 1952 - Fred Zinnemann’s "High Noon."

Gary Cooper, in an Oscar-winning role, plays former Sheriff Will Kane, who gives up his star to get married and leave the town he served for years. After the wedding ceremony, word comes in that stone-cold killer Frank Miller has been released from prison. He’s coming to town on the noonday train, and his sites are dead set on killing Kane.

Cue one of the most exciting, suspenseful, and well-made masterpieces of the mid 20th century. Dimitri Tiomkin’s soundtrack is unforgettable, the photography is gorgeous, and the themes are as relevant as ever. As a fun note, the film (unintentionally) takes place in real time. At 85 minutes and with every clock in Hollywood used as set dressing, there’s a constant reminder of how much time is left in the show!

Grace Kelly, in her first major role, plays Kane’s newly wedded wife. The film also stars the great Lloyd Bridges (not as a funny man), Katy Jurado, character actor Thomas Mitchell, and old Angel Eyes himself - Lee Van Cleef in his big screen debut.

This movie has so much to unpack, so the intro and talkback at the end will be as good as ever. We’ve got stories of John Wayne rage, commies knocking at the door, plastic surgery refusal, Hollywood blacklists, The Wolfman, and much more.

Bring a friend or five, and join us on the 26th for one of the all-time greats. The movie begins at a NEW showtime, 6pm.