13.05: The One with the Gardens, the Hunter, the Swimmer, and the Friends

It’s Susan’s birthday week (happy birthday, Susan!). She chose “Grey Gardens,” an episode of Documentary Now! (s1 e1 “Sandy Passage”), and “The Night of the Hunter.”

“Grey Gardens” is a documentary from 1975 about eccentric (to say the least!) mother and daughter (the Beales) reclusive cousins of Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis. They live in a ramshackle mansion with a dozen cats, raccoons, and opossums.

“Sandy Passage” is a mockumentary short based on “Grey Gardens” featuring Bill Hader and Fred Armisen. This episode of the comedic series “Documentary Now!” goes deeper into the Beale story with “found footage,” reminiscent of “The Blair Witch Project.”

“The Night of the Hunter” stars Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, and Lillian Gish. It is a murderous tale of a self-proclaimed “preacher” who preys on widows for their money.

Next week: We’re celebrating the 25th anniversary of The Summer of the Asteroids with “Deep Impact” and “Armageddon.”