DESPERATE MEASURES

The 1936 comedy “The Gay Desperado” is an early musical parody of Western and gangster dramas. Opera star Nino Martini plays a singer kidnapped by a “bandido” who wants to update his style after watching an American gangster movie. Tonight, 7 p.m., Barbes, 376 9th St. at Sixth Avenue, Park Slope, Brooklyn, 718-965-9177, free.

PARIS IN THE SPRINGTIME

Vincente Minnelli’s classic musical “An American in Paris” (1951) is screened tomorrow as part of a festival of films depicting Paris. Gene Kelly stars as a Yankee artist who catches the eye of a French heiress played by Leslie Caron. Sylvain Roumette’s short documentary “Contacts Doisneau” (1989) opens the screening. It is presented by the French Institute Alliance Francaise. Tomorrow, 12:30 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m., Florence Gould Hall, 55 E. 59th St., between Park and Madison avenues, 212-355-6160, $9 general, $7 students.

VERY WAGNER

The Wagner Society of New York celebrates the 87th birthday of opera singer Astrid Varnay with a screening of the documentary “Never Before.” Director Donald Collup introduces the screening, which focuses on Ms. Varnay’s career before 1956, including her tenure as a soprano at the Metropolitan Opera. A reception follows. Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Dahesh Museum of Art, 580 Madison Ave., between 56th and 57th streets, 212-759-0606, $10.

SHORT STUFF

The TriBeCa Underground Film Festival, which screens only short films, takes place during that other neighborhood movie fest. Wednesday through Saturday, daily, 7-9 p.m., Ice House building, 22-26 Ericsson Pl., at Varick and Beach streets, free. See www.tribecaundergroundfilmfestival.org for full schedule.

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