Classic Film Festivals at Denver's Mayan Theatre

The Denver Mayan Theatre shakes up what's stirring at the summer box-office with the James Bond Film Festival. The Bond films carry a torch lit by the Mayan in their ongoing classic film festivals held every month. With the past 3 festivals, a triad of thematic similarities became apparent in the programmed films beyond just being classic cinema.

The festivals included Sergio Leone's "Man With No Name" Trilogy, a Francis Ford Coppola Festival and the Bond Film Festival in August. What do these pillars of classic cinema have in common? Aside from tough guy mythologies of Cowboys, Gangsters and Secret Agents, they all have instantly recognizable theme songs, catch phrases and drinks to pair upon viewing.

Theme Songs

In Sergio Leone's "Dollars Trilogy," Ennio Morricone's riveting 2-note motif immediately penetrates cultural recognition of the Spaghetti Western. Whether it's a whistle, a flute or a yodel, those 2 notes forever ingrained Clint Eastwood into cinema. Just as John Williams' 2 note score for "Jaws" forever proclaimed shark attack in any pool, Morricone's 2 notes prompt a high noon showdown any time of day. The Mayan screen all 3 films: "A Fistful of Dollars," "For A Few Dollars More," and "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly."

With the Francis Ford Coppola Film Festival, the Mayan screened "The Godfather" and "The Godfather II" additional to other Coppola classics. Nino Rota's "Godfather" film scores trigger instant cinematic pathos in the crime family saga. Whether it's the haunting singular trumpet of the main theme or the shimmering mandolin fueled love theme, Rota's music can awaken a Brando impression in anyone.

Then of course the legendary "James Bond Theme" is heard in every Bond movie since the first 1962 film, "Dr. No." At the first Bond Festival screening of "Dr. No" at the Mayan, Chella Negro and the 007s played a live cover of the theme in true surf rock form. Monty Norman composed the original theme, but John Barry's frequent arrangements have stapled it to pop culture.

Catch Phrases

"The Dollars Trilogy" certainly gave "The Man with No Name" plenty of memorable lines, but not necessarily catch phrases. The catch phrase is in the titles, as "A Fistful of Dollars" was reference to fistful of anything from advertising to clever book titles. "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" was also interchangeable to any labeled generalization of humanity.

Coppola's "Godfather" films gave us an irrefutable catch phrase with, "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse." With the Bond movies, it didn't matter if it was Connery, Moore or Brosnan; we are reminded that his name is "Bond, James Bond." Yet, another Bond catch phrase pours into the third thematic similarity, "Shaken, not stirred."

Alcoholic Beverages

It's certainly fitting that the Landmark Mayan Theatre has a full service bar on hand to accommodate. With "The Dollars Trilogy," whiskey can be the only drink of choice. As for the "Godfather," a more refined glass of red wine or brandy serves the palate of a Mafioso. Secret Agents sip in the fast lane and Bond's instructions of "Shaken, not stirred" are of course for the Vodka Martini.

Originally published on www.milehighcinema.com