April 28, 2011 Elvis Presley and Sleeping Beauty Featured at the Packard Campus Theater in May

The Library of Congress Packard Campus for Audio Visual Conservation will spotlight social drama, silent movies, classic animation and the “King” of rock-and-roll at its film festival in May. Showcased in the Packard’s plush Art Deco theater with superlative sound and state-of-the-art film projection, this month’s screenings will include such cinematic stars as Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, Glenn Ford, Sidney Poitier, Harrison Ford and Lillian Gish.

In addition, the film series will feature movies from the Library of Congress National Film Registry. Films named to the registry have been selected for preservation because they are “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant. For more information on the National Film Registry, visit www.loc.gov/film/filmnfr.html.

Programs are preceded by an informative slide presentation about the film, with music selected by the Library’s Recorded Sound Section. Some screenings will also include short subjects before the main feature. Titles are subject to change without notice.

All Packard Campus programs are free and open to the public, but children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. For reservation information, call (540) 827-1079 ext. 79994 or (202) 707-9994 during business hours, beginning one week before any given screening. Reservations will be held until 10 minutes before showtime. In case of inclement weather, call the theater reservation line no more than three hours before showtime to confirm cancellations. The theater will be closed on May 27 and 28 for Memorial Day. 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 funded as a gift to the nation by the Packard Humanities Institute. The Packard Campus is the site where the nation’s library acquires, preserves and provides access to the world’s largest and most comprehensive collection of motion pictures, television programs, radio broadcasts and sound recordings (www.loc.gov/avconservation/). The Packard Campus is home to more than 6 million collection items, including nearly 3 million sound recordings. It provides staff support for the Library of Congress National Film Preservation Board, the National Recording Preservation Board, and the national registries for film and recorded sound.

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 personalized website at myLOC.gov .

Series Schedule

Thursday, May 5, 7:30 p.m.
“Babes in Arms” (MGM, 1939)
Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland put on a show in this Oscar-nominated musical directed by Busby Berkeley.

Friday, May 6, 7:30 p.m.
“Blade Runner”(Warner Bros., 1982)
In this science fiction thriller, an ex-cop comes out of retirement to hunt down androids that are being reproduced for the purpose of slavery. Named to the National Film Registry in 1993, the film was directed by Ridley Scott and stars Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer and Sean Young. It’s rated R.

Saturday, May 7, 2:00 p.m.
“Sleeping Beauty”(Walt Disney-Buena Vista, 1959)
Walt Disney’s animated classic is a fairy tale about an evil witch who places a curse on a princess and the three good fairies who spirit her away to protect her. Directed by Clyde Geronimi, the film features the voices of Mary Costa, Bill Shirley and Eleanor Audley.

Thursday, May 12, 7:30 p.m.
“Monty Python’s Flying Circus”(BBC, 1969-1974)
Featured are the best of the groundbreaking and surreal British comedy television series. Directed by Ian MacNaughton, the programs star John Cleese, Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Graham Chapman and Carol Cleveland.

Friday, May 13, 7:30 p.m.
“The Wind”(MGM, 1928)
Lillian Gish stars as Letty, a sheltered Virginia girl who moves to West Texas where she finds that life is harsh and the wind is always blowing. Directed by Victor Sjöström, this silent film stars Lars Hanson, Montagu Love and Dorothy Cumming. It was selected to the National Film Registry in 1993. Ben Model provides musical accompaniment.

Saturday, May 14, 2:00 p.m.
“So’s Your Old Man”(Paramount Pictures, 1926)
In this silent film, W.C. Fields plays an inventor who has trouble selling his amazingly good idea. Named to the National Film Registry in 2008, this silent comedy was directed by Gregory La Cava and stars Alice Joyce, Charles ‘Buddy’ Rogers and Kittens Reichert. Ben Model provides musical accompaniment.

Thursday, May 19, 7:30 p.m.
“Lonesome”(Universal, 1928)
Hungarian-born filmmaker and scientist Pál Fejös directed this romance about young lovers who become separated during the chaos of a thunderstorm at Coney Island. “Lonesome,” notable for its early use of dialogue and two-color Technicolor, stars Barbara Kent and Glenn Tryon. It was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2010.

Friday, May 20, 7:30 p.m.
“The Blackboard Jungle”(MGM, 1955)
Glenn Ford stars as an idealistic teacher who confronts the realities of juvenile delinquency. Richard Brooks directed this social drama, which features Sidney Poitier, Vic Morrow and Anne Francis.

Saturday, May 21, 7:30 p.m.
“Elvis: That’s the Way It Is”(MGM, 1970)
This film highlights concert and backstage footage of “The King” at the height of his Las Vegas phase. Elvis Presley is showcased in this feature documentary, directed by Denis Sanders.

Thursday, May 26, 7:30 p.m.
“The Red Badge of Courage”(MGM, 1951)
Audie Murphy and Bill Mauldin star in John Huston’s adaptation of Stephen Crane’s story about a boy coming of age during the Civil War. This film is part of the Packard Campus’ ongoing series commemorating “The Civil War @ 150.”