“Criminal Farces” Blunders its Way onto the Big Screen

COLDWATER – With excitable characters, bumbling gangsters and fast-paced nonstop comedy, the latest double feature from the Tibbits Classic Film Series showcases what happens when two film genres – the comedic farce & a crime story – are combined when Criminal Farces hits the big screen on Saturday April 1.

The first film showing at 4pm is the 1991 comedy “Oscar” directed by John Landis (Blues Brothers, Animal House). Prohibition era mob boss Angelo “Snaps” Provolone, played by Sylvester Stallone, is forced to swear to his dying father that he will go straight and give up his life of crime. His day spirals into a farcical mess and wildly funny mess as Snaps is forced to navigate around a hardnosed police lieutenant obsessed with taking him down, through the task of unexpectedly finding a husband for his young and now-pregnant daughter, and through the irritation of dealing with his well-meaning henchmen who are having trouble adjusting to their life on the straight and narrow.

At 6pm, “Blame it on the Bellboy” from 1992 will continue the night of Criminal Farces. A hitman, a corporate properties manager, and a gentleman attempting to utilize a local escort service converge at a hotel in Venice, Italy.  Bronson Pinchot plays the hotel bellboy whose bad English causes him to give each of the three men the wrong itinerary for the day. The bellboy’s innocent mix-up sets them up to clash against each other in a hilarious case of mistaken identities.

The theatre will open 30 minutes prior to the first film showing. Concessions, including popcorn and a cash bar, will be available for purchase at Tibbits’ Ghost Light Bar. There is no charge to view these films, though donations are accepted. The Classic Film Series ends its season May 20 with “The World at War.”

The entire Classic Film Series is generously sponsored by Dr. Matthew Christopher, DDS, PC. A proud supporter of Tibbits Opera House, Dr. Christopher is also a Tibbits Summer Theatre Popcorn Theatre sponsor and corporate member of the historic theatre. Dr. Christopher and his staff provide excellent quality dental care for the entire family. Conveniently located in Union City and Coldwater, they handle most treatments in office, saving patients time and money while crafting smiles to last a lifetime.

All showings will take place at the beautiful historic Tibbits Opera House, 14 S. Hanchett Street, in Coldwater. For more information or a complete listing of shows and events, please visit Tibbits.org.