Festival favorite lives on
As a tribute to Mal Vincent, his summer film fest will continue at the Naro, starting Monday
Mal Vincent wondered for decades if he actually had a fan base. In 2004, the longtime Virginian-Pilot entertainment writer witnessed proof.
He saw hundreds of fans lined up around the block at Naro Expanded Cinema in Norfolk. They were there as much to see the movie critic as they were to see a classic film on the big screen.
From that year, Mal introduced a series of Monday night films that would run every summer, except for 2020 because of COVID-19.
The packed houses never ceased. Mal chose the lineups partly because he had personal stories to tell about the cast, such as holding hands with Audrey Hepburn or riding in a limo with Alfred Hitchcock.
But when he died on Nov. 28, the question arose: Would the Naro continue the series?
Naro managers say, “yes.” The Tribute to Mal series begins Monday.
“Kate and I, we talked to Mal all the time,” said Theresa Schindler, who co-manages the Naro with Kate Gooding. “We know for a fact he wanted this to carry on when he was gone.”
Gooding said, “He understood what a great resource the Naro was in the community and how much this brought people together every summer.” In an era that is fiscally harsh on independent theaters, Mal’s faithful fans helped keep the Ghent theater going.
“It is the most successful film festival we have,” said Thom Vourlas, a co-owner. Year after year, “it would be a real shot in the arm.”
For this summer, Vourlas, Schindler and Gooding crafted a schedule of seven Monday night
movies. They start with “East Side, West Side,” a 1949 drama with a star-studded cast including Barbara Stanwyck, James Mason and — a Mal favorite — Ava Gardner.
It’s a film lineup Mal would have loved, from “The Great
Escape,” which pits Steve McQueen against his Nazi captors, to “Sunset Boulevard,” a quintessential Hollywood tale of an actress clinging pathetically to her crumbling career.
Speakers will introduce each film, as Mal would have.
The hosts will be well-known community members who knew him.
Lots of his fans have told the Naro staff they will come even without their local rep who covered Tinseltown.
“We can’t replace Mal,” Schindler said. But she expects “people are going to enjoy a new take on these movies.”
Page Laws, Mal’s longtime close friend, will host “East Side, West Side.” She is an emerita professor of English and was the founding dean of the Robert C. Nusbaum Honors College at Norfolk State University. She also is a critic for the national film journal Cineaste, and reviews for The Pilot and Daily Press.
Gooding’s father, Mike Gooding, is a longtime military and political reporter for WVEC-13 News. He will introduce “Dr. Strangelove,” the 1964 nuclear/ military satire.
Dan Duke, one of Mal’s Pilot editors and a friend, will host “Sunset Boulevard.”
The final film, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” on Aug. 29, will be co-hosted by Laws with Danny Epperson, who produced Mal’s spot on WHRV-89.5 FM and his WHRO podcast, and became a close friend. After the film, the two hosts will stage Mal’s traditional “Oscars,” with audience members voting with their hands.
If so tagged, an attendee may dramatically dash to the podium, pretend to be the winning celebrity and give a speech.
If they copy Sally Field’s big moment in 1985, they would also be mirroring Mal’s true feeling in 2004: “I can’t deny the fact that you like me!”
IF YOU GO
When: Monday through Aug. 29 Where: Naro Expanded Cinema, 1507 Colley Ave., Norfolk Tickets: Start at $10; discounts available
Details: 757-625-6276, narocinema.com
THE SCHEDULE:
7 p.m. Mondays unless noted. Times for Tuesday matinees, without the hosts, will be announced.
July 18: “East Side, West Side.” Host: Page Laws.
July 25: “Dr. Strangelove.” Host:
Mike Gooding.
Aug. 1, 6:30 p.m.: “The Great Escape.” Host: Joe Flanagan, retired WVEC-13 News anchor and reporter.
Aug. 8: “Sunset Boulevard.” ,Host: Dan Duke.
Aug. 15: “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.” Host: Chris Palestrant, professor of music composition and theory at Elizabeth City State University.
Aug. 22: “Born Yesterday.” Host: Jim Newsom, a musician, retired banker and frequent pledge-drive host for WHRO.
Aug. 29: “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” Hosts: Danny Epperson, an Emmy award-winning director, writer, editor, actor and television host, with Page Laws.