The Party (1968)

Bay Theater, Seal Beach, Calif.
Peter Sellers in brown-face as a Bollywood actor at a swinging Hollywood party. There really is no plot, but the house is pretty great. And it ends in a foam party.

Robert Graham R.I.P.

Figurative sculptor, Venice, Calif.

My Man Godfrey (1936) + His Girl Friday (1940)

Aero Theater, Santa Monica, Calif.
Throughout the 1930s and '40s, William Powell was famous as detective Nick Charles in the light-hearted "Thin Man" series of films; here he plays a "forgotten man," a victim of the Depression, in a classic screwball comedy that was nominated for six Academy Awards (and won none). Part of the Aero Theatre's Screwball Comedy Holidays.

Santa Claus Conquers the Martians

Maverick Theater, Fullerton, Calif.
An entertaining play based on the dreadful 1964 movie of the same name (which featured Pia Zadora, age 10, as one of the Earth children). One of the worst movies ever made by some of the most foolish mortals in cinema, but a fun night at the theater.

A Man's A Man by Bertold Brecht

Odyssey Theater, West Los Angeles, Calif.

The Tale of Despereaux (2008)

Cinemark at the Pike, Long Beach, Calif.
The story meanders and drags, only eventually coming together; there's bit of "Ratatouille," a dollop of "Shrek," and a pinch of "The Secret of NIMH," but at least it's amazing to look at.

A Christmas Story (1983)

Aero Theater, Santa Monica, Calif.
Narrated and based on short stories by the great radio man Jean Shepherd.

Newspapers R.I.P.

Sam Zell has bankrupted the Tribune Co., the Christian Science Monitor is literally stopping the presses, going online only, and the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News are likely to do the same.