Autumn Leaves

Introduced by Dan Callahan, author of The Art of American Screen Acting, 1912-1960

Dir. Robert Aldrich, 1956, 107 mins. DCP. With Joan Crawford, Cliff Robertson, Vera Miles, Lorne Greene. Dan Callahan, who has written books about Barbara Stanwyck and Vanessa Redgrave, is one of the most insightful writers on the craft of screen acting. His latest book, The Art of American Screen Acting, 1912-1960, explores the work of Hollywood’s greatest actors. Callahan will introduce this screening of his favorite film, Autumn Leaves. “In this rich and very unsettling melodrama directed by Robert Aldrich, Joan Crawford is cast rewardingly against type as Millicent Wetherby, a prim, middle-aged typist from New England who slowly lets her guard down and falls in love with the much younger Burt Hanson (Cliff Robertson),” writes Callahan. “Autumn Leaves is a bold exploration of emotional archetypes and incestuous longings based on the chemistry between Crawford and Robertson, two actors of different generations who bring out the best in each other.” The screening will be followed by a book signing in the Museum Store.

Tickets: $15 ($11 seniors and students / $9 youth (ages 3–17) / free for children under 3 and Museum members at the Film Lover and Kids Premium levels and above). Order tickets online. (Members may contact [email protected] with questions regarding online reservations.)

Ticket purchase includes same-day admission to the Museum (see gallery hours). View the Museum’s ticketing policy here. For more information on membership and to join online, visit our membership page.