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Movies Houstonians Love: — For Whom the Bell Tolls

The former mayor faces down the fascists

A A A Comments By Bob Ruggiero Thursday, Apr 23 2009

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“Let’s see — should I blow up a bridge or kiss you?” We’re sure Hemingway said it better, but that neatly sums up the dilemma Gary Cooper’s character has in For Whom the Bell Tolls. Set during the Spanish Civil War of the 1930s, it’s about an American (Gary Cooper) working against the fascists. He’s assigned to blow up a bridge, but one of the guerrillas he’s working with is blocking his efforts. Along with that, his love affair with a young Spanish woman (the very Swedish Ingrid Bergman) is distracting him from his duties, so the success of his mission is in real question. As part of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston’s Movies Houstonians Love program, former mayor Bob Lanier chose director Sam Wood’s 1943 movie, adapted from the Ernest Hemingway novel. The story is based on some of Hemingway’s own wartime experiences. Texas Monthly journalist and author Mimi Swartz will introduce Lanier and the film. 7 p.m. 1001 Bissonnet. For information, call 713-639-7515 or visit www.mfah.org. $6 to $7.
Mon., April 27, 7 p.m., 2009