SCREENING ROOM

The American Cinematheque continues its tradition of chasing the holiday blues away with its Screwball Comedies festival, tonight through New Year’s Day at the Aero Theatre. The festival begins with two classics, directed by Mitchell Leisen, not on DVD: 1939’s “Midnight,” penned by Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett and starring Claudette Colbert, Don Ameche and a scene-stealing John Barrymore, and 1937’s “Easy Living,” written by Preston Sturges and starring Jean Arthur and Ray Milland. A Frank Capra double bill is on tap for Friday -- the 1938 Oscar-winning best film, “You Can’t Take It With You,” based on the play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart and starring James Stewart, Jean Arthur and Lionel Barrymore, and the beloved 1936 “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town,” written by Robert Riskin and starring Gary Cooper (pictured above, seated). For the rest, see the Don’t Miss list. (americancinematheque.com) . . . Film noir great Edward Dmytryk helmed the underrated 1965 thriller “Mirage,” screening Sunday at the Silent Movie Theatre. Gregory Peck plays an accountant who loses his memory during a power outage. (silentmovietheatre.com).

-- Susan.King@latimes.com