QUEER CINEMA CLUB presents THE CHILDREN'S HOUR

Every month at the Paradise Theatre, curator and host Peter Knegt is offering queers (and anyone who loves them) a classic queer film, special guests and performers, and some good old fashioned drinks and conversation in the Paradise’s stunning lobby bar. Each film is paired with a different local queer artist, who will design an original poster for the screening.

Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine as sapphic headmistresses at a girls’ boarding school in the first mainstream American film to *ever* feature a lesbian character in a leading role? What more could you possibly want?!?

Well if you do want more, we are pulling out a few stops for this screening, which will go down June 5th at 8pm and celebrate not only William Wyler’s 1961 film The Children’s Hour but the release of Julia Erhart’s book about the film for the fabulous McGill-Queens University Press series Queer Film Classics. Erhart will be joining us live via Zoom from Australia to talk about the film afterwards!

And then before, we will be graced by the majestic presence of Miss Juwanna Dewitt, one of the subjects of the latest season of the CBC Arts docuseries Canada’s a Drag and one of the oldest regularly performing drag queens in North America! All we’ll say is Juwanna will be serving 1961 lesbian in her perfomance and you will be living for it.
Erhart’s book will be for sale at the screening, as will this haunting original poster by the wonderful Tess Reid! This will also be the first of several screenings we have at the Paradise this June, so if 1961 lesbians aren’t your thing (which would honestly be kinda tragic for you), there’s more coming…

Catch up on previous seasons of Canada's a Drag on CBC's free streaming platform, CBC Gem.

This screening is a co-presentation with Queer Film Classics, with support from CBC.

(Courtesy of Park Circus Entertainment)

Wednesday June 5th, 8 PM

General Admission $15.00 + HST/eventbrite fees

Door tickets are available for purchase on the day of screening. Refunds can be requested up to 12 hours before the screening. All refunds must be requested and processed through eventbrite.

Looking for pre or post show snack or sip? Check out our amazing options right next door!

Osteria Rialto | Bar Biltmore | Blue Door Wine Shop | Café Paradise