American Cinematheque and The Art Directors Guild Tribute Art Director Richard MacDonald with a screening of 'Day of the Locust' September 23 at The Egyptian Theater September 23, 2007

The American Cinematheque and the Art Directors Guild will continue its year-long monthly screening series, heralding the work of the Art Directors Guild Hall of Fame’s legendary Production Designers and Art Directors with Day of the Locust (1975) September 23 at 5:30 PM at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, honoring the work of Art Director Richard MacDonald. Following the film there will be a discussion with Richard MacDonald’s widow, Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth Myers.
Art director Richard MacDonald studied at the Royal College Art and worked briefly as a theatrical set designer before starting his film career in 1954. He worked on many films with acclaimed American expatriate director Joseph Losey, including These are the Damned (1963), The Servant (1963), Modesty Blaise (1966), Boom! (1968) and Secret Ceremony (1968). He also worked on such popular movies as Jesus Christ Superstar (1973), Marathon Man (1976), The Addams Family (1991) and The Firm (1993), and classics such as Far from the Madding Ground (1967).
Day of the Locust, 1975, Paramount, 144 min. John Schlesinger (Midnight Cowboy) directed this epic adaptation of writer Nathaniel West’s apocalyptic take on 1930’s Hollywood as a soul-destroying Gomorrah, a false paradise of intangible dreams that hides degradation, greed and vitriolic hypocrisy behind its glitzy façade. Aspiring movie art director Tod (William Atherton) becomes obsessed with neighbor Faye (Karen Black), a starlet who has a strange platonic relationship with lonely and awkward accountant Homer (Donald Sutherland). With a stunning ensemble cast, including Burgess Meredith as Faye’s has-been vaudevillian father, Geraldine Page as evangelist Big Sister, plus Bo Hopkins, Richard Dysart, Lelia Goldoni and Billy Barty. Richard MacDonald outdid himself with the stunningly authentic art direction. The Oscar-nominated camerawork is by Conrad Hall.
General Admission is $10; $7 Cinematheque; $9 Seniors (65+ years) and students with valid ID card. For 24-Hour ticket information please call 323.466.FILM.