June 24, 2009 July Film Series Announced at the Library's Packard Campus Theater
Press Contact: Sheryl Cannady (202) 707-6456
The Library of Congress National Film Registry, films by John Hughes and the best of drive-in movies highlight next month’s film series at the Library of Congress Packard Campus for Audio Visual Conservation in Culpeper, Va., starting July 9.
The five themes for the month include: “The Cinema of John Hughes,” a look at the work of the American director responsible for some of the most successful comedy films of the 1980s and 1990s; “From Page to Screen,” an ongoing look at how Hollywood has treated literary classics from the written page to the silver screen; “Saturday Silents,” a silent film presentation with live musical accompaniment; “$5 Per Carload: The Best of Drive-in Movies,” a tribute to the creation of the drive-in theater and the popularity of low-budget B-movies; and “Culturally, Historically or Aesthetically Significant: Films from the Library of Congress National Film Registry,” showcasing important films that have been selected for preservation. For more information on the National Film Registry, visit www.loc.gov/film/filmnfr.html.
All Packard Campus programs are free and open to the public. For reservation information, call (540) 827-1079 extension 79994 or (202) 707-9994 during business hours beginning one week before any given screening. For further information on the theater and film series, visit www.loc.gov/avconservation/theater/.
The Library of Congress Packard Campus for Audio Visual Conservation is a state-of-the-art facility where the nation’s library acquires, preserves and provides access to the world’s largest and most comprehensive collection of films, television programs, radio broadcasts and sound recordings.
Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress is the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution. It seeks to spark imagination and creativity and to further human understanding and wisdom by providing access to knowledge through its magnificent collections, programs and exhibitions. Many of the Library’s rich resources can be accessed through its website at www.loc.gov and via interactive exhibitions on a new, personalized website at myLOC.gov.
Series Schedule
Thursday, July 9, 7:30 p.m.
“Key Largo” (Warner Bros., 1948)
An embittered war veteran travels to Key Largo to meet the widow of his deceased war buddy. He discovers that the rundown hotel operated by the widow’s father-in-law has been taken over by exiled gangster Johnny Rocco. Starring Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Edward G. Robinson and Claire Trevor, “Key Largo” was directed by John Huston and written by Richard Brooks.
Friday, July 10, 7:30 p.m.
“An American in Paris” (MGM, 1951)
An American artist finds love in Paris, but almost loses it to conflicting loyalties. Starring Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron, the film was directed by Vincente Minelli with music by George and Ira Gershwin. It was added to the National Film Registry in 1993.
Saturday, July 11, 7:30 p.m.
“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” (Paramount, 1986, PG-rated)
A perpetual slacker, high school student Ferris Bueller calls in sick, snags a Ferrari and embarks on a day-long party through the streets of Chicago. Starring Mathew Broderick and Jennifer Grey, it was directed by John Hughes.
Thursday, July 16, 7:30 p.m.
“Chinatown” (Paramount, 1974, R-rated)
A Los Angeles private eye unwittingly sets up an innocent man for murder and then joins his seductive widow to unearth the corruption behind the crime. Starring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway, the film was directed by Roman Polanski and produced by Robert Evans. It was added to the National Film Registry in 1991.
Friday, July 17, 7:30 p.m.
“The Breakfast Club” (Universal, 1985, R-rated)
This quintessential high-school drama features some of hottest young stars of the decade. Trapped in a day-long Saturday detention in a prison-like school library, five students discover that they share many common feelings and problems in spite of their initial differences. Starring Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez and Ally Sheedy, the film was directed and written by John Hughes.
Saturday, June 18, 2:00 p.m.
“Seventh Heaven” (Fox Film Corporation, 1927)
In this romance, a seventh-floor apartment represents heaven for a couple seeking to escape from time and the outside world. Starring Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell, this silent film was produced by William Fox and directed by Frank Borzage. Live musical accompaniment is by Donald Sosin.
Thursday, July 23, 7:30 p.m.
“Sixteen Candles” (Universal, 1985, R-rated)
A lonely girl turns sweet sixteen, but no one in her entire family remembers the momentous occasion. Starring Molly Ringwald, Michael Anthony Hall and John Cusack, the film was directed and written by John Hughes.
Friday, July 24, 7:30 p.m.
“Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb” (Columbia Pictures, 1964, PG-rated)
A mad U.S. general orders an air strike against Russia. Starring Peter Sellers, George C. Scott and Slim Pickens, the film was produced, directed and written by Stanley Kubrick. It was added to the National Film Registry in 1989.
Saturday, July 25, 7:30 p.m.
“Steamboat Bill, Jr.” (Buster Keaton Productions, 1928)
In this silent film, a student tries to win a rival captain's daughter after taking over his father's riverboat. Starring Buster Keaton, the film was produced by Joseph M. Schenck and directed by Charles Reisner. Live musical accompaniment is by Ben Model. “Steamboat Bill, Jr.” was preserved by the Library of Congress.
Thursday, July 30, 7:30 p.m.
“Under the Volcano” (Ithaca/Universal, 1984, R-rated)
A bizarre journey into the mystical Mexican underworld in 1939 set during the morbid holiday known as the Day of the Dead. A former British consul, there for the celebration, is drinking himself to death. Starring Albert Finney and Jacqueline Bisset, and directed by John Huston, the movie was based on the 1947 novel by Malcolm Lowry.
Friday, July 31, 7:30 p.m. (“Best of Drive-In Movies” double-feature)
“Mad Max” (Mad Max Films/AIP, 1979, R-rated)
A post-apocalyptic cop seeks revenge when his family is murdered.
“The Road Warrior” (Kennedy Miller/Warner Bros., 1981, R-rated)
In the post-apocalyptic Australian wasteland, a cynical drifter agrees to help a small, gasoline-rich community escape a band of bandits. Both films are directed by George Miller and star Mel Gibson.
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PR 09-130
2009-06-24
ISSN 0731-3527