January 11–18, 2001

critic pick

Lauren Bacall

In To Have and Have Not and The Big Sleep (1944 and 1946, respectively), Lauren Bacall defined screen cool, and if she never equalled those films, the fact that their images still endure a half-century later is tribute enough. A prototypical tough girl (even if she was thoroughly molded by Howard Hawks), Bacall set the stage for generations to come. Her screen appearances are all too rare these days, which makes the chance to catch her in person even more of a treat.

—Sam Adams

Part of the Unique Lives & Experiences series, Tue., Jan. 16, 7:30 p.m., the Playhouse Theatre, Wilmington, 1-800-338-0881, www.playhousetheatre.com.