Saturday
Werner Herzog’s answer to the severe lack of good Holocaust movie roles for muscle men in Hollywood is “Invincible.” The film is based on the true story of Zishe Breitbart, a Jewish strongman who becomes a famous cabaret act in 1930s Berlin. Mousy Tim Roth plays the cabaret owner to Jouko Ahola’s Zishe, a mighty real-life Samson. The film opens this week.
$8.50 (general), $6.50 (students), $5.50 (seniors and children under 12), $5.50 (matinee). Laemmle Fairfax, 7907 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. For more information, call (323) 655-4010. Laemmle Town Center 5, 17200 Ventura Blvd., Encino. For more information, call (818) 981-9811.
Sunday
Today’s autumnal equinox should inspire a little goddess worship in you. Our suggestion: A road trip to the Santa Barbara Museum of Art for their exhibit titled, “Ruth Harriet Louise and the Hollywood Glamour Photography.” Now showing are 80 vintage silver prints of 1920s MGM “stable” actresses, including Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford and Marion Davies. All of the photos were taken by Ruth Harriet Louise, a 22-year-old rabbi’s daughter who was also the only woman working in the field at the time.
Runs through Oct. 6. Noon-5 p.m. (Sundays), 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (Tuesday-Saturday), 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (Fridays). Free (members, children 5 and under, and on Thursdays and the first Sunday of the month), $6 (adults), $4 (seniors), $3 (students and children ages 6-17). 1130 State St., Santa Barbara. For more information, call (805) 963-4364.
Monday
Just a ways down from the lowrider jeans and retro stilettos of Melrose Avenue, elbow-patched corduroy jackets and cardigan sweaters mingle as bibliophiles and antiquarians ogle the fancy books they likely can’t afford. What is this place they’ve come to? A gallery called Roth, Horowitz, Ferrini and Biondi. Located on Melrose Place, the gallery presents “The Tony Bill Collection of Twentieth Century American Literature” this month. The collection includes almost 1,000 volumes of some of the best of the last century’s American fiction and poetry in their original dust jackets. It includes works by Saul Bellow, Philip Roth, J.D. Salinger and Edith Wharton.
Runs through Oct. 22. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (Monday-Saturday). 8446 Melrose Place, Los Angeles. For more information, call (323) 782-4950.
Tuesday
Jerry Offsay and Sheila Nevins have substantially impacted the world of film by portraying positive images of Jews. They’ve also executive produced projects like the sexy thriller “Diabolique” and the HBO original program “Taxicab Confessions.” The National Foundation for Jewish Culture’s Entertainment Industry Council will honor them at the Jewish Image Awards. Show up and thank them yourself for their more racy contributions.
6:30 p.m. (cocktail buffet), 7:30 p.m. (ceremony). $200. Four Seasons Hotel, 300 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills. For more information, call (310) 559-9334 ext. 162
Wednesday
Esquire magazine dubs one of the images from the book “Shekhina: Photographs by Leonard Nimoy,” the “Best Jewish Themed Erotic Photograph by a Former ‘Star Trek’ Cast Member.” Substantial praise indeed. Sit in on a conversation with activist and author Nimoy as he discusses this latest book, or just come check out some of the images now on display at the Skirball.
7:30 p.m. $10 (general), $5 (students), free (members). 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. For more information, call (310) 440-4500.
Thursday
Personally, we’re tired of sexist stereotypes à la “Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus.” And we’re hoping that “I’m Here Because of My Wife,” the newly-translated-from-Hebrew play, has more to offer than its title would indicate. We’re guessing it might, based on the Israeli acclaim it has already received. But if we’re wrong, blame it on our spouses.
Runs through Oct. 27. 8 p.m. (Thursday-Saturday), 2 p.m. (Sundays). $20. Tamarind Theater, 5919 Franklin Ave., Hollywood. For tickets, call (323) 655-8587.
Friday
Three one-acts take the stage tonight to benefit Theatre Of Hope, a nonprofit that produces plays and educational arts programs. See “Shiva Warriors,” “The Fifty Year Game of Gin Rummy” and “Kaddish” tonight. You can do your good deed for the week sitting down. And besides, isn’t “Shiva Warriors” just a great title?
8 p.m. $15. Bitter Truth Playhouse, 11050 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood. For reservations, call (818) 766-9702.
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