Supply the line The Sheik (Rudolph Valentino) has just said to Lady Diana (Agnes Ayres) – or vice versa! The best suggestion will be published here on the Melodrama Research Group website and will win a new copy of South Korean Golden Age Melodrama: Gender, Genre and National Cinema, edited by Kathleen McHugh and Nancy Abelmann.

Email your suggestions to sp458@kent.ac.uk by noon on Wednesday 6 February 2013 – and come see the film that evening when it is shown as part of the Melodrama Research Group fortnightly screenings and discussions this term, 5 – 7 pm in Jarman 7.

All are welcome to attend the second of this term’s melodrama discussion and screening sessions which will take place on the 6^th of February in Jarman 7, from 5pm to 7 pm.

We will be showing The Sheik (George Melford, 1921) 86 mins

This silent American classic broke attendance records at two major New York theatres in its first week and propelled its male lead, Rudolph Valentino, to stardom. The film’s action takes place in the Sahara Desert where English socialite Lady Diana (Agnes Ayres) is kidnapped by Sheik Ahmed Ben Hassan (Valentino). After reaching an understanding they are separated by bandits, compelling Sheik Ahmed to take matters into his own hands.

Do join us to experience all the melodramatic plot twists and turns, Valentino in his most famous role, and the interesting depiction of male/female relations.

All are welcome to attend this term’s first screening and discussion session on the 23rd January in Jarman 7, from 5pm to 7pm.

We will be showing The Narrow Margin (Richard Fleischer, 1952) 71 mins

Although hailed now as a taut film noir classic and B picture masterpiece, The Narrow Margin was announced by the New York Times on its first release as ‘a Suspense Melodrama’. The film follows the attempts of a determined Chicago policeman to get a witness to a trial in Los Angeles , and the mob’s equally determined attempts to stop him. The action takes place on the train for the majority of the film’s running time, and is just as breakneck and relentless as the intercity flyer.

This term the melodrama group will meet on a fortnightly basis for viewings and discussion sessions. In the even-numbered weeks of term, beginning in Week 14 (Weds 23 January), we will meet in Jarman 7 from 5pm to 7pm to watch and discuss films which have been associated with this contentious genre. All are welcome. More details will be posted here in due course.