The Puzzle Within the Castro Theater's September 2014 Calendar

As frequently happens, one person introduces another to an activity and to paraphrase Darth Vader, "the student becomes the master."

The person who sits next to me at work has become more adept at identifying the individuals in the Castro Theater calendar than I have.  I initially told him about the puzzle in the calendar and more often than not, I provide him with a hard copy of the calendar.  Now, he identifies the individuals and asks me if I have solved the puzzle.

September 8 - Peter O'Toole.  I didn't recognize O'Toole.  In the photo, he looks nothing like he did in Lawrence of Arabia.  My coworker correctly identified O'Toole in the photo and even the film (Goodbye, Mr. Chips).

September 15 - Eve Arden.  I originally thought this was Lucille Ball, but once again my coworker trumped me.  He partially identified her as "Eve something from that television show."  We quickly surmised it was Eve Arden and the photo is from Our Miss Brooks.

September 22 - Ray Walston.  I immediately recognized Walston and even recognized the photo as being taken from his portrayal of Mr. Hand from Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

September 29 - Anne Bancroft.  I didn't recognize her but my coworker misidentified her after some time.  He thought the photo was of Patty Duke from her role as Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker.  Suspicious because Duke is a blonde, I confirmed the photo is of Anne Bancroft from her role as Anne Sullivan, Keller's teacher.

It doesn't take a genius to figure out the photos of are actors portraying teachers and that September is traditionally back-to-school month.  Actually, it doesn't appear to be that way anymore.  I recall not going back to school until after Labor Day but most school districts in the Bay Area started classroom instruction in August this year.

If the clues are pointing to specific films on the program, it is perhaps If.... and The Chocolate War on September 10.

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As for the Castro's calendar, I cannot recall a month where I have previously seen more films on the schedule than this month.  I've seen at least 26 films listed on the September calendar (which includes the first four days in October).

Among the highlights for me:

September 6 - two Bob Fosse films; Sweet Charity paired with All That Jazz.  I saw the former five years ago and loved it.

September 19 - Midnites for Maniacs' double feature of Inside Llewyn Davis and Coal Miner's Daughter.  I missed Llewyn Davis when it was in the theaters earlier this year and it's been many years since I saw Coal Miner's Daughter.

September 20 - the Silent Autumn program from the San Francisco Silent Film Festival.

A grab bag of other films which I hope to see - If...., Petulia, Los Angeles Plays Itself and Sam Fuller's favorite among his own films, Park Row.

Castro Theater Calendar - September 2014