Cinema treasures visit Hawaii

The National Film Registry Tour of the Library of Congress comes to the Hawaii Theatre Feb. 20 through 23. The series, which includes Hawaii film treasures from the 1890s, was selected by Jeannette Paulson, founder of the Hawaii International Film Festival. Tickets for each screening are $4 general, $3 for seniors and students; series package is $20. Call 528-0506.

"Hawaii Film Treasures"

Footage from the 1890s to 1948, presented in coordination with DeSoto Brown and Bishop Museum. At 5:30 p.m. Friday. (Unrated)

Chinatown

Mysterious, sultry Faye Dunaway leads private eye Jack Nicholson into a bizarre case in 1930s Los Angeles.

Preceded by film tour's official opening, with footage from early Hawaii and the animated "What's Opera, Doc" with Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd. At 8 p.m. Friday. (R)

Theater: Hawaii Theatre

Dr. Strangelove

Peter Sellers plays the president, a British captain and a mad inventor in a brilliant black comedy about nuclear weapons.

Preceded by "Eaux D'Artifice," a visual fugue set to Vivaldi's music, from independent filmmaker Kenneth Anger. At 10 a.m. Sunday. (Unrated)

Theater: Hawaii Theatre

Gigi

Charming musical about a French girl (Leslie Caron) groomed to be a courtesan in 1890s Paris. At 4 p.m. Saturday. (Unrated)

The Great Train Robbery

(Star rating unavailable)

Silent 1903 film was the first to tell a story in nonlinear sequence.

Followed by "Big Business," with comedy team Laurel and Hardy; and the exquisite "Sunrise" with Janet Gaynor, about a farmer who plans his wife's murder. Organ accompaniment by John McCreary. At 4 p.m. Sunday. (Unrated)

I Am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang

During the Great Depression, innocent man Paul Muni is victimized by the criminal justice system. At 1 p.m. Saturday. (Unrated)

Letter From an Unknown Woman

Joan Fontaine has a lifelong infatuation with musician Louis Jourdan. At 5:30 p.m. today. (Unrated)

Ninotchka

Delightful comedy results when cold Russian agent Greta Garbo meets dashing Melvyn Douglas in Paris. At 1 p.m. Sunday. (Unrated)

On the Waterfront

Marlon Brando is a misfit in love with Eva Marie Saint in this unflinching account of union corruption on the New York docks. At 8 p.m. today. (Unrated)

Raging Bull

Vivid portrait of Jake LaMotta, a prizefighter whose leading opponent outside the ring was always himself. At 7 p.m. Saturday. (R)

Touch of Evil

Federal agent Charlton Heston and corrupt cop Orson Welles tangle over a murder. At 8 p.m. Sunday. (Unrated)

Yankee Doodle Dandy

James Cagney sings and shines in the dramatic story of playwright and composer George M. Cohan's life. At 10 a.m. Saturday. (Unrated)

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Film Societies

The Ballad of Narayama (Star rating unavailable)

A woman (Kinuyo Tanaka) prepares for death in a remote Japanese village where elders, upon reaching the age of 70, are by tradition left on a mountaintop. Affecting 1958 film precedes Shohei Imamura's explicit version. Subtitles. Cinematheque presents films in Room FA-214. At 3 p.m. Wednesday; free. (R)

Theater: Leeward Community College

Elevator to the Gallows

A woman (Jeanne Moreau) plots to murder her husband, but falls short of committing the perfect crime. Directed by Louis Malle, with a score improvised by Miles Davis. At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and at 1 and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27; $5. (Unrated)

Theater: Academy Theater

Manny and Lo (Star rating unavailable)

Two orphaned sisters - one of them pregnant - abduct a woman (Mary Kay Place) to help deliver the baby. Witty, original film from writer-director Lisa Krueger. Cinematheque presents films in Room FA-214. At 3 p.m. Monday; free. (R)

Theater: Leeward Community College

Sankofa (Star rating unavailable)

Title translates as "return to the past in order to go forward." Mona, a contemporary African American model, embarks on a spiritual journey and experiences slavery first-hand. Call Revolution Books at 944-3106 for details. At 7:30 p.m. Saturday; $5. (Unrated)

Theater: University of Hawaii Art Auditorium