Dog Day Afternoon

(1975; screens Friday at 2 p.m.)

Al Pacino serves up his wildest and funniest performance ever as Sonny, a would-be bank robber who turns a disastrous caper into a desperate grandstanding show, complete with hostages and cops and an adoring crowd of spectators. The picture is shockingly ugly, but director Sidney Lumet gives each of the performers (they include John Cazale, Charles Durning, Chris Sarandon, Carol Kane, Penny Allen, James Broderick, Judith Malina, and Susan Peretz) a chance to shine.