August 27, 2009 September Film Series Announced at the Library’s Packard Campus Theater

Rock & Roll documentaries and classic films from the National Film Registry highlight September film screenings at the Library of Congress Packard Campus for Audio Visual Conservation in Culpeper, Va., starting Sept. 10. The Packard Campus Theater will be closed Labor Day weekend.

The five themes for the month are “It’s Only Rock & Roll, but I Like It, Part 3: A Rock & Roll Weekend,” a continuing series curated by the Library’s Recorded Sound section; “Friday Night Foreign,” highlighting interesting films from around the world; “Saturday Silents,” a silent-film presentation with live musical accompaniment; “From Page to Screen,” an ongoing look at how Hollywood has treated literary classics from the written page to the silver screen; 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.

Short subjects will be presented before select programs. Titles are subject to change without notice. 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, Sept. 10, 7:30 p.m.
“She Done Him Wrong” (Paramount, 1933)
A saloon singer fights off smugglers, an escaped con and a Salvation Army officer out to reform her.
Starring Mae West and Cary Grant, the film was directed by Lowell Sherman. It was added to the National Film Registry in 1996.

Friday, Sept. 11, 7:30 p.m.
“A Room with a View” (Merchant Ivory, 1985)
This is the story of a woman struggling with her individuality in the face of the restrictive Edwardian culture of turn-of-the century England and her love for a free-spirited young man. Based on the novel by E.M. Forster, the film was directed by James Ivory. It stars Helena Bonham Carter and Maggie Smith.

Saturday, Sept. 12, 7:30 p.m.
“Steamboat Bill, Jr.” (Buster Keaton Productions, 1928)
A proper young man just out of college tries to follow in his father's footsteps as a Mississippi steamboat captain while falling in love with the daughter of his father's business rival.
The silent film was preserved by the Library of Congress, stars Buster Keaton and was directed by Charles Reisner. Live musical accompaniment will be performed by Andrew Simpson.

Thursday, Sept. 17, 7:30 p.m.
“American Hot Wax” (Paramount, 1978)
This film follows the story of Cleveland, Ohio, disc jockey Alan Freed, who was instrumental in introducing and popularizing rock & roll in the 1950s.
Directed by Floyd Mutrux, “American Hot Wax” stars Tim McIntire, Fran Drescher and Jay Leno.

Friday, Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m.
“Ferry Cross the Mersey” (United Artists, 1965)
Gerry and the Pacemakers (Gerry and Fred Marsden, Les McGuire and Les "Chad" Chadwick) portray themselves in a romp through the early 1960s Liverpool Beat Scene.
This film was directed by Jeremy Summers.
Also on the program is “Rhythm ‘n’ Greens (1963): A musical short starring The Shadows.

Saturday, Sept. 19, 2 p.m.
“Let the Good Times Roll” (Columbia, 1973)
Rock & Roll stars of the 1950’s reunite 20 years later for a concert.
Directed by Robert Abel and Sidney Levin, the film stars Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Bo Diddley and many more.

Saturday, Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m.
“The Big T.N.T. Show” (American International, 1966)
This rock spectacular stars top American and British Invasion groups of the 60s.
Directed by Larry Peerce, the film includes performances by Ray Charles, Petula Clark, The Byrds, Ike and Tina Turner, Bo Diddley, James Brown, Roger Miller, The Ronettes and more.

Thursday, Sept. 24, 7:30 p.m.
“A Night at the Opera” (MGM, 1935)
The Marx Brothers turn an operatic performance into chaos in their efforts to promote their protégé’s romance with the leading lady.
Directed by Sam Wood, the film stars the Marx Brothers, Kitty Carlisle and Allan Jones. It was added to the National Film Registry in 1993.

Friday, Sept. 25, 7:30 p.m.
“Bob le Flambeur” (Mondial, 1956)
A retired bank robber is losing all his money due to a severe gambling problem, so he plans one last job—the heist of a casino. Soon he is betrayed both by his trusted friend and the woman he loves.
Directed by Jean-Pierre Melville, the film stars Roger Duchesne and Isabelle Corey.
French with English subtitles.

Saturday, Sept. 26, 2 p.m.
“Peter Pan” (Paramount, 1924)
The silent, live-action version of J.M. Barrie’s classic children’s story: Peter Pan enters the nursery of the Darling children and, with the help of fairy dust, leads them off to Never Never Land, where they meet the evil Captain Hook.
Directed by Herbert Brenon, the film stars Betty Bronson, Mary Brian and Anna May Wong. Live musical accompaniment will be performed by Andrew Simpson. It was also added to the National Film Registry in 2000.