CRUISING: CULT FILMS & CONVERSATION

A weekly cinema social that pairs cult, curious and classic cinema with friendly film chat in the Theatreship bar.

• CRUISING #03: LIFEBOAT
• Director: Alfred Hitchcock (1944 / USA / English / 97mins)
• Stars: Tallulah Bankhead, John Hodiak, Walter Slezak
• Event: Doors 5:00pm / Intro + film 6pm / Intermission / Bar social / Adults 18+ only
• Survivors of a torpedoed WWII merchant ship find themselves in the same lifeboat with a crew member of the U-Boat that sank them.

LIFEBOAT is a claustrophobic survival thriller that sees a microcosm of humanity struggle to deal with a common threat. Expertly shot in its single water-borne setting, Alfred Hitchcock’s WWII allegory is a masterclass in staging and (mis)direction. Tallulah Bankhead gives her all as the waspish masthead of the beleaguered crew.

LIFEBOAT caused controversy on its release for portraying the German enemy as something more complex than monochrome monsters (criticism Bankhead characteristically dismissed as “moronic”). Hitchcock’s film was intended as a cautionary call to arms, exploring how unprepared the Allies were for war, and reflecting the moral challenges and consequences of unified action.

Clamber aboard LIFEBOAT in the unique setting of Theatreship. All survivors are invited to join Token Homo in the bar afterwards to celebrate the legacy of Hitchcock’s limited location thrillers (LIFEBOAT, REAR WINDOW, ROPE, DIAL M FOR MURDER).

Queer-led, CRUISING promotes inclusion through accessible programming, vibrant hosting, radical film histories, and a diverse lineup of guests with their own distinctive voices. All films are served with intros, intermissions, and post-screening conversations. For adults aged 18+ only.