Toasting Noel Coward At Lincoln Center

by Sandy Mandelberger, North American Editor

Theater and film bon vivant Noel Coward would have loved his gilt-edged tribute at the Film Society of Lincoln Center in New York this weekend. COWARD ON FILM, which ran May 11 to 13, will run in conjunction with the ongoing citywide festival STAR QUALITY: THE WORLD OF NOËL COWARD, honoring the British playwright, actor, director and composer. The series will trace the breadth of his film work, which ranges from British silent and sound adaptations of his early plays to the later prestige productions of his works made in Hollywood. “I’m not very keen on Hollywood”, the great wit once quipped. “I’d rather have a nice cup of cocoa.” Among the highlights of the series are his two masterworks: IN WHICH WE SERVE (1942), one of the greatest war films ever made, which was written, scored and co-directed (with David Lean) by Coward, who also starred in the film; and BRIEF ENCOUNTER (1946), one of the great screen romances. “Noël Coward’s enormous gifts were spread across an extraordinary range of activities and media–from theater to film to acting to composing to singing”, FSLC Program Director Richard Peña commented. “We’re delighted to be part of this long-deserved tribute to this “one-man Lincoln Center,” presenting the best of his cinematic achievements.” For a complete schedule of films and events, visit: www.filmlinc.com