Cape Fear

Directed by J. Lee Thompson, 1962
106 minutes

“A cold-blooded, calculated build-up of sadistic menace and shivering dread is accomplished with frightening adroitness in J. Lee Thompson's melodrama Cape Fear.” —Bosley Crowther, New York Times

In some ways a spiritual sequel to The Night of The Hunter, Cape Fear stars Robert Mitchum as Max Cady, a vengeful but colorful ex-con who terrorizes the family of the attorney who put him behind bars (Gregory Peck). With stark, black and white cinematography and an iconic Hitchcockian score by the great Bernard Herrmann (Psycho), this big-screen original inspired an Academy Award-nominated remake in 1991 and was recently adapted into a series by Apple TV. There’s a reason Hollywood keeps coming back to this gripping material!

The “My Favorite Films” series features tales of romance, humor, suspense, satire, and heroism with films since 1945. These films may hold special memories for you—no matter how many times you see them, they continue to draw you in once more. While many of these films are available through streaming, it's always more fun to see them in the theatre.

Trade the August heat for indoor thrills and chills with a set of suspenseful, twist-filled films! Cowtown Movie Classics host Ryan Bijan presents four thrillers that spotlight obsession, revenge, and all out danger, featuring gripping (and sometimes disturbing) performances by vintage Hollywood icons Gene Tierney, Robert Wagner, and Robert Mitchum.

Make a day of it at the Modern and include extra time to visit the galleries. Enjoy lunch in Café Modern and then settle in for an afternoon screening, or plan for a coffee break afterwards with fellow film enthusiasts.

Screenings are at 2 pm most Wednesdays in the auditorium. Tickets are $5 (free for Modern members) and are available at the Museum’s admission desk or online here.