INDIANAPOLIS — Film historian Eric Grayson will screen the 1932 film, The Match King, starring Warren William and Lilli Damita, at Garfield Park Arts Center on January 14 at 7 p.m. A cynical con man, Paul Kroll (William), lies his way to the top of the business world in pre-World War One Europe. He’s not above stealing or murder, either. His obsession with business eats into his love life. His fiancée (Damita) is constantly waiting for one more deal to finish before he can spend time with her.
The film is based very closely on the real-life adventures of Swedish match king Ivar Kreuger who unsuccessfully wooed Greta Garbo. According to Grayson, “This is one of the great unseen pre-Code Hollywood movies, with William playing such a complete slime that the audience is waiting impatiently for his comeuppance.”
The film, the first of the 2017 monthly Vintage Movie Nights at Garfield, will be preceded by a short. Both films will be introduced by Grayson. A Q&A session will follow.
Admission is $5. For more information, visit www.gpacarts.org or call 317-327-7135. For more information on Grayson, visit www.drfilm.net/blog; his website, www.filmeric.com; and follow him on Facebook at www.drfilm.net/facebook.
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