Il Cinema Ritrovato 2026: Easy Living with Mitchell Leisen

Mitchell Leisen showing Ray Milland how to kiss Jean Arthur. Publicity set photo from Easy Living (1937)

Easy Living with Mitchell Leisen

Il Cinema Ritrovao XL retrospective

In a light, sophisticated no-man’s-land (yes, largely inhabited by women) between romantic comedy, screwball, and pure Paramount aestheticism, the cinema of Mitchell Leisen comes to life. A former silent-era costume and set designer, Leisen became renowned for classics such as Easy Living, Hold Back the Dawn, and Midnight, and was the only Hollywood director to sign his name in his films’ credits. No auteur theory was needed to recognise his unmistakable qualities: an effortless narrative flow, impeccable design, and sparkling, innuendo-laced dialogue – sometimes written by Preston Sturges, Billy Wilder, or Charles Brackett – alongside heroines as charming as they were uncompromising. In his films, Carole Lombard, Claudette Colbert, Barbara Stanwyck, and Jean Arthur radiated wit, grace, and razor-sharp comic timing. They twisted conventions as their encounters with men – often played by Ray Milland or Fred MacMurray – spiralled from mishap to romantic resolution. This Il Cinema Ritrovato tribute presents a selection of Leisen’s classics in restored versions (courtesy of Universal), alongside rarely screened archival prints.

The selection:

CRADLE SONG 1933 35mm [extremely rare]

DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY 1934 35mm

MURDER AT THE VANITIES 1934 35mm

HANDS ACROSS THE TABLE 1935 35mm

EASY LIVING 1937 35mm

SWING HIGH, SWING LOW 1937 35mm [rare print]

MIDNIGHT 1939 Restored in 4K in 2024 by Universal

HOLD BACK THE DAWN 1941 Restored in 2025 by Universal [world premiere]

NO TIME FOR LOVE 1943 35mm

LADY IN THE DARK 1944 35mm [rare BFI print -- Technicolor!]

PRACTICALLY YOURS 1944 35mm

NO MAN OF HER OWN 1950 35mm

DARLING, HOW COULD YOU! 1951 Restored in 4K in 2020 by Paramount Pictures

YOUNG MAN WITH IDEAS 1952 35mm [rare print]

THE SIXTEEN-MILLIMETER SHRINE 1959 DCP

[Originally posted on 21/3/26. The initial retrospective title was Songs of Surrender. This was changed on 25/3/26 to Easy Living with Mitchell Leisen. On 9/5/26 title selection was added.]