The Art Directors Guild (ADG) Film Society and American Cinematheque will spotlight “Land of the Pharaohs” (1955), with a special screening and panel discussion on Sunday, October 23 at 5:30 p.m. at the Egyptian Theatre (6712 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood.) The epic drama in Cinemascope® tells the stories behind the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
The panel of Art Directors and Egyptologists will discuss the work of Oscar® Winning Production Designer Alexander Trauner.
“Land of the Pharaohs” was directed by Howard Hawks ((Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and written by William Faulkner (The Sound and The Fury) Legendary Production Designer Alexander Trauner headed the design team. He was awarded an Oscar® for “The Apartment” and also designed “The Man Who Would Be King”, The Children of Paradise and Irma La Douce. Jack Hawkins (“Ben Hur”, “Lawrence of Arabia”, “Bridge over the River Kwai”) and Joan Collins (“Dynasty”, “Star Trek”) star.
Before working in Hollywood, Trauner was the Production Designer of many of Marcel Carné’s classics of Poetic Realism: “Drole de Drame” (Bizarre Bizarre), and “Le quai des brumes” (Port of Shadows), Hôtel du Nord, He worked uncredited on “L’age D’or”, Carné’s “Le Jour se Leve” and Jean Grémillon’s “Lumière d’été.” Other notable films in his prolific international career include Jules Dassin’s “Rififi”, Billy Wilder’s “Kiss Me, Stupid”, Joseph Losey’s “La Truite” (The Trout) Bertrand Tavernier’s “Coup de Torchon” and “Round Midnight”
Land of the Pharaohs revises everything we think we know about the building of the pyramids. The film is a unique visual collaboration of art direction, set decoration, 
costume design, cinematography, Egyptian history and a cast of more than 10,000 extras. It is the last in this year’s ADG Film Society/American Cinematheque series highlighting the work of renowned Production Designers and their creative colleagues.
A panel discussion, moderated by Production Designers John Muto and Tom Walsh, will follow the film. The panel will discuss the unique artistic challenges of creating an epic spectacle about the building of the Great Pyramid of Giza. The panel will include Art Director and Set Designer Jim Hewitt, author of Egypt Visual Sourcebook: For Artists, Architects, and Designers, as well as other panelists.
“It’s high drama on the high Nile!” according to John Muto. “Sexy slave girl poisons the queen, seduces Pharaoh; and meanwhile slaves are building the most amazing art director’s structure of all time In Land of the Pharaohs, Pharaoh Jack Hawkins is obsessed with building an eternal monument to his glory, while nymph wife (Collins at her slinky, scheming best), tries to orchestrate his murder.”
“When I first saw it as a kid, Land of the Pharaohs became my favorite film.” – Martin Scorcese
This rewarding series runs annually between May and October.
For ticket information: http://www.americancinemathequecalendar.com/content/land-of-the-pharaohs-0
Representing the ADG are Guild President Tom Walsh and Muto. Working with them are the American Cinematheque’s Gwen Deglise 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).