The Letter

Bette Davis plays a murderess who tries to cover up her crime by pleading self-defense. Also starring Herbert Marshall, Sen Yung, Gale Sondergaard, Roland Got and Tetsu Komai. Directed by William Wyler.

At 8 p.m. April 4-5, and 3 and 5:30 p.m. April 5; $5. Reservations at 735-8771. (Unrated)

Theater: Movie Museum

Mr. Moto's Gamble and Shanghai Gesture

In Mr. Moto's Gamble, Mr. Moto investigates the death of a boxer and uncovers a crooked gambling racket. Charlie Chan's "Number One Son" makes a guest appearance in the movie. Directed by James Tinling.

Shanghai Gesture is a drama about Walter Huston discovering daughter Gene Tierney in an Oriental gambling setup.

At 1, 4:30 and 8 p.m. April 6; $5. Reservations at 735-8771. (Unrated)

Theater: Movie Museum

Charlie Chan on Broadway and Phantom of Chinatown (Star rating unavailable)

A 1937 Charlie Chan movie about a murder for a little black book containing names and misdeeds of some highly placed criminals.

Phil Roesn directs "Phantom of Chinatown." A melodrama about a disfigured composer who worships a young soprano. Hal Mohr and W. Howard Greene won an Oscar for the cinematography and art direction.

At 5:30 and 8 p.m. April 7; $5. Reservations at 735-8771. (Unrated)

Theater: Movie Museum

Charlie Chan at Treasure Island

Chan gets help from a magician in an attempt to prove that a phony psychic was behind the mysterious suicide of his friend. One of the best Sidney Toler entries.

At 8 p.m. April 10; $5. Reservations at 735-8771. (Unrated)

Theater: Movie Museum

Troublesome Creek: A Midwestern (Star rating unavailable)

Nominated for an Academy Award last year, this film is about a family struggling to save their 125 year-old family farm.

At 7:30 p.m. April 4 and 7, at 1 p.m. April 3 and at 4 p.m. April 6; $5. (Unrated)

Theater: Academy Theater

Flirt (Star rating unavailable)

Delightful romp directed by Hal Hartley about an incorrigible flirt who refuses commitment.

At 7:30 p.m. April 10 and 11, 1 p.m. April 10, and 4 p.m. April 13; $5. (Unrated)

Theater: Academy Theater

An Unforgettable Summer (Star rating unavailable)

Romanian Lucian Pintilie directs this morality tale about a promising young officer (Claudieu Bleont) who is reassigned to a rural outpost on the Romanian/Bulgarian border by a commanding officer who holds a grudge against him. Kristin Scott-Thomas of "The English Patient" plays Bleont's wife. In Romanian, French and Bulgarian with subtitles.

Cinematheque presents films in Room FA-214. At 3 p.m. April 7; free. (Unrated)

Theater: Leeward Community College

Fallen Angels (Star rating unavailable)

Follow-up to 1994 "Chungking Express." Wong Kar-Wai follows the love lives of two men. One is a disillusioned hitman (Leon Lai) who wants to quit the business; and the other is a mute and somewhat crazed extortionist (Takeshi Kaneshiro). In Cantonese with subtitles.

Cinematheque presents films in Room FA-214. At 3 p.m. April 9; free. (Unrated)

Theater: Leeward Community College

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CONTESTS

1997 Pacific Island Images Film Festival: Creative and artistic films/videos with excellent technical execution that contains information relevant to the Pacific Island cultures and communities are being accepted until May 30. The films/videos must have been produced and/or directed and/or written by a Pacific Islander (a descendant of the original peoples of Polynesia, Micronesia or Melanesia); be well-crafted and of any length in any genre; and preferably be a Hawaii Premier. Submit application forms and tapes to: 1997 Pacific Island Images, Film Festival Selection Committee, 1221 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 6A-4, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814. To have tape returned, include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Information at 591-0059, Web site http://planet-hawaii.com/pacislanders, or e-mail address piccom@aloha.net.

Adam Baran Honolulu Gay and Lesbian Film Festival: Accepting any length films/videos that have been produced and/or directed and/or written by or about lesbians and gay men. Preferably be a U.S., Hawaii or World Premier. Documentaries, experimentals, features, animations, rough cuts and works-in-progress accepted, however, they must be submitted in the required preview format. Deadline: May 30. Applications at 941-0424 ext. 11.

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MISCELLANEOUS

Pacific Islanders in Communications: Grants available for the 1997 Public Television Open Call for the creation of Pacific Islander-themed programs including documentaries, performances, children's and cultural affairs programming of the highest quality. Programs are intended to be used for national broadcast on public television. Projects should explore and capture the distinctive experiences of the indigenous Pacific Islanders; include indigenous Pacific Islanders in production roles that carry substantial artistic and editorial control; present innovative treatments of the subject matter; and target the national public TV audiences. To apply for a grant, call 591-0059. Proposals due: May 16.

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IN COMING WEEKS

Maybe ... Maybe Not (Star rating unavailable)

Comedy of errors focusing around Axel, a charming philanderer whose girlfriend throws him out. Axel moves in with shy, vulnerable Norbert, only to discover that Norbert is falling in love with him. Germany's highest grossing film is directed by Sonke Wortmann.

At 7:30 p.m. April 14 and 16; $5. (Unrated)

Theater: Academy Theater

Elvis--That's the Way It Is

Director Dennis Sanders looks at Elvis Presley offstage, and preparing a major nightclub act, culminating in an opening-night performance in Las Vegas.

At 1 p.m. April 17, 7:30 p.m. April 19, and 4 p.m. April 20; $5. (Unrated)

Theater: Academy Theater

The Prince and the Showgirl

First film from Marilyn Monroe's newly formed production company. Comedy about an American showgirl (Monroe) being romanced by Prince Regent of Carpathia (Laurence Olivier).

At 7:30 p.m. April 21-23, and 1 p.m. April 24; $5. (Unrated)

Theater: Academy Theater

Jailhouse Rock

Elvis learns to pick a guitar in the "Big House," and later becomes a rockstar.

At 7:30 p.m. April 25-26, and 4 p.m. April 27; $5. (Unrated)

Theater: Academy Theater

Insignificance

Funny, ironic film depicting a mythical confrontation between four superstars (Marilyn Monroe, Joe Dimaggio, Joseph McCarthy and Albert Einstein) as they discuss the price of fame.

At 7:30 p.m. April 28-30 and May 2, and 1 p.m. May 1; $5. (R)

Theater: Academy Theater

Shall We Dance? (Star rating unavailable)

Showcased in the annual New Directors/New Film series in New York City and played at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival. Directed by Masayuki Suo, this comedy is about a middle-aged businessman who pursues a beautiful, melancholy dance instructor. He becomes secretly obsessed with ballroom dancing and his passion touches the instructor and inspires her to rediscover they joy of dancing. Tickets at 528-0506.

At 7 p.m. April 29; $6 general plus $1 restoration charge; $4 Hawaii International Film Society members. (Unrated)

Theater: Hawaii Theatre