SCIENCE ON SCREEN: A FISH CALLED WANDA
CHARLES CHRICHTON | UK, USA | 1988 | 108 MIN | R
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Tickets may be available at the door.
Gettin’ Schooled: Social Behavior in Fish
Fish are highly social animals, spending most of their time with groups of other fish. However, fish must choose their shoal-mates wisely, as the costs of swimming with the wrong group could be deadly. In this talk, Dr. Scott McRobert will discuss his research on shoaling behavior in fish and the factors that influence a fish’s choice of social group.
In this classic comedy, Wanda isn’t just the moniker of the titular fish; it’s also the name of a saucy criminal (Jamie Lee Curtis), whose powers of seduction are matched only by her wits. Kicking things off, a motley team of criminals including quick-witted Wanda, her trigger-happy “brother” Otto (Kevin Kline), and stuttering animal lover Ken (Michael Palin) assembles in London to pull off a daring jewel heist. After their leader lands in jail with the loot nowhere to be found, the schemers are thrown into a madcap melee of double-crossing and deceit. Wanda attempts to gain intel on whereabouts of the stolen jewels by bedding a sexually repressed barrister (John Cleese), but risks upsetting the jealous (and potentially insane) Otto. Combining some of the brightest comedic talents from boths sides of the pond, A FISH CALLED WANDA is both wickedly smart and absurdly silly. Just don’t call it stupid.
Cast: John Cleese, Kevin Kline, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Palin
About the Speaker:
Scott McRobert is a professor of biology at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. His research involves examination of the genetic, ecological, and evolutionary foundations of animal behavior. His Biodiversity Laboratory, which resembles a small zoo, houses hundreds of insects, fish, amphibians, and reptiles, and includes assurance colonies of rare and critically endangered species. Dr. McRobert has published over 75 research articles, and his work has been profiled on 60 Minutes and in the journals Science, Nature, and New Scientist.
The Science on Screen® program pairs screenings of classic, cult, science fiction, and documentary films with lively presentations by notable experts from the world of science and technology. Each film is used as a jumping-off point for a speaker to introduce current research or technological advances in a manner that engages audiences of all backgrounds.
Science on Screen is an initiative of the Coolidge Corner Theatre, with major support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.