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Cinema Series

Computer History Museum and Cinequest Present
Desk Set

Sponsored by NETFLIX

Wed., August 25

The Computer History Museum and CINEQUEST, Northern California's premier motion picture institute, present the Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn classic, Desk Set (1957), part of the Computers In Film Cinema Series. This presentation of Desk Set is sponsored by NETFLIX.

Desk Set looks at amusing 1950s conceptions of a computerized world. The Series includes films, selected using criteria put forth by Cinequest, that highlight computer technology as a major technological or cultural force and also include-- but not limited to--a plot device, a character, a backdrop, a movement or a theme.

DATE AND TIME
Wednesday, August 25
Doors open at 6 p.m. for Museum tours
Screening begins at 7 p.m.
Hahn Auditorium of the Computer History Museum
1401 N. Shoreline Blvd., in Mountain View

REGISTRATION
Free. Suggested donation of $10.00 at the door from non-members.
The Computer History Museum wishes to thank NETFLIX for making this evening's feature free to Computer History Museum and CINEQUEST members.
Sign up online here

Call 650-810-1019 for information.

Admission includes the screening, popcorn and soft drinks, and entrance into the Museum's Visible Storage exhibit, where nearly 600 objects from the Museum's Collection are on display.

Desk Set (1957)--The legendary screen duo of Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn bring their keen comic timing and elegant, palpable chemistry to Walter Lang's Desk St. Hepburn is cast as Bunny Watson, an exceedingly feminine reference librarian in a longtime lukewarm relationship with TV executive Mike Cutler (Gig Young). Tracy plays Richard Sumner, a hardheaded computer whiz who has designed a system named Miss Emmy to replace Bunny and the rest of her staff. Bunny and Richard clash at first, but their fiery encounters soon begin to take on an unmistakably romantic glow. Lang's film features an excellent script by Henry and Phoebe Ephron, adapted from the play by William Marchant. The sharp, hilarious dialogue is delivered with flair by Tracy and Hepburn, who had played opposite each other seven times before filming began. Fine work from supporting actors Young and Joan Blondell, as well as some unintentionally amusing 1950s conceptions of a computerized world, round out Desk Set's overflowing collection of buoyant charms.

For more information about the Cinema Series, click here