Thirty-three years after it bowed in US Cinemas and described by Rob Lowe in his official biography as ‘The Date Movie of The Summer’. Joel Schumacher’s ST. ELMO’S FIRE is getting a rare 35mm screening at the Genesis Cinema in East London, as part of a season celebrating the veteran director, courtesy of The Celluloid Sorceress, on March 22nd, 2018, titled SCHUMACH-ATAK!!
The film formed the spine of the ‘Brat Pack’ series of films – a phrase coined by an ambitious journalist who, according to Lowe in his same biography, had allegedly freeloaded on the drink and food provided with the desire to secure some infamy for himself. Films like THE BREAKFAST CLUB, PRETTY IN PINK, SIXTEEN CANDLES and THE OUTSIDERS have become fondly loved by fans who have described them as the true rites-of-passage and ST. ELMO’S FIRE took the genre into a more mature and adult environment.
ST. ELMO’S FIRE, co-written by Schumacher with Carl Kurlander, focuses on the lives of seven DC Graduates, aspiring Lawyer Kirby (Emilio Estevez), Party Animal Billy (Rob Lowe), now married with a young child, Credit-mad Merchant Banker and Socialite Jules (Demi Moore), cynical Journalist Kevin (Andrew McCarthy), conflicted Politician Alec (Judd Nelson), Architect Leslie (Ally Sheedy) and Social Worker Wendy (Mare Winningham), facing new challenges, but seeking solace at the local St. Elmo’s Bar, where they hang-out and reflect.
Before long however, their friendships and careers are tested above and beyond their needs as the hard realities of life kick in……
The film spawned a Number 1 US hit by John Parr and a well-loved Main Theme by composer David Foster. The Cinematography was by Stephen H Burum, who went on to lense Brian De Palma’s classic 1987 gangster epic adaptation THE UNTOUCHABLES, based on the classic TV series. It was produced by Lauren Shuler-Donner, who went on to produce the likes of some of the X-MEN films for Twentieth Century Fox.
The Celluloid Sorceress is putting together rare and classic films, preferably on 35mm. Recent screenings have included THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD in 35mm at the Cinema Museum in London, plus upcoming screenings include a chance to see the Anthony Hopkins / Mel Gibson version of THE BOUNTY from 1984, with a Q and A editor Tony Lawson, who cut Sam Peckinpah’s original version of STRAW DOGS in 1971.
Tickets for ST ELMO’S FIRE are available now and can be bought and ordered here.
