June 21, 2011 Newly Released “These Amazing Shadows” Headlines July Film Series

The National Film Registry gets top billing at the Library of Congress Packard Campus for Audio Visual Conservation’s July film festival. In the recent theatrically released documentary “These Amazing Shadows,” directors Paul Mariano and Kurt Norton celebrate the nation’s cinematic heritage and the importance of the registry in preserving motion pictures. The Packard Campus will show a special screening of the film in its plush Art Deco theater with superlative sound and state-of-the-art film projection.

In addition, the film series will once again feature movies from the Library of Congress National Film Registry. These films 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 during the month 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. 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, July 7, 7:30 p.m.
“Louisiana Story” (Lopert Films, 1948)
This docudrama about a Louisiana boy who gets involved in an oil-well drilling was filmed on location in the Louisiana bayou with local residents used as actors. Directed by Robert Flaherty, “Louisiana Story” was named to the National Film Registry in 1994.

Friday, July 8, 7:30 p.m.
“Bad Company” (Paramount, 1972)
Part of the Library’s “Civil War @150” series, this film is a drama about Civil War draft-dodgers who head West to build new lives as outlaws. Directed by Robert Benton, “Bad Company” stars Jeff Bridges, Barry Brown and Jim Davis.

Saturday, July 9, 7:30 p.m.
“Wolf Song” (Paramount, 1929)
Gary Cooper stars as fur trapper Sam Lash who finds love with a tempestuous Mexican woman, but finds it difficult to settle down. Victor Fleming directed this silent Western adventure, which also stars Lupe Velez and Louis Wolheim. Musical accompaniment will be provided by Stephen Horne.

Thursday, July 14, 7:30 p.m.
“These Amazing Shadows”(IRC, 2011)
This documentary about the National Film Registry and the power of films features interviews with Library of Congress staff. Sequences were shot at the Packard Campus in Culpeper, Va. and at the Library’s historic Jefferson Building in Washington, D.C. Paul Mariano and Kurt Norton directed this recent theatrical release. Also on the program is “The Best of Vitaphone,” Warner Bros. short subjects from 1926-1929. In addition, Andrew Simpson will entertain the audience with a pre-show organ concert beginning at approximately 7:00 p.m.

Friday, July 15, 7:30 p.m.
“Children of the Whirlwind” (Arrow Pictures, 1925)
Lionel Barrymore stars in this melodrama about a recently paroled prisoner who attempts to go straight, but is threatened by three of his old gang members. Earlier this year, the Library of Congress film lab preserved this rarely seen silent movie. Directed by Whitman Bennett, the film also features Johnnie Walker and Marguerite De La Motte. Phil Carli will provide musical accompaniment.

Saturday, July 16, 7:30 p.m.
“The Cardboard Lover” (MGM, 1928)
In this romantic comedy, Marion Davies stars as Sally, a flighty American tourist in Europe who falls for a French tennis champion who already has a girlfriend. Directed by Robert Z. Leonard, this silent film also features Nils Asther and Jetta Goudal in supporting roles. Ben Model will provide musical accompaniment.

Thursday, July 21, 7:30 p.m.
“The Killers” (Universal, 1946)
Burt Lancaster and Ava Gardner star in this film noir classic about an insurance investigator who uncovers a string of crimes when he tries to find a murdered boxer's beneficiary. Directed by Robert Siodmak, the movie was selected in 2008 for preservation to the National Film Registry.

Friday, July 22, 7:30 p.m.
“Star Trek IV” (Universal, 1986)
Leonard Nimoy directed and stars in this science fiction adventure in which Captain Kirk and his crew go back in time to save Earth from an alien probe. The cast also includes William Shatner and DeForest Kelley.

Saturday, July 23, 2:00 p.m.
“Flight of the Navigator” (Walt Disney, Buena Vista, 1986)
In this science fiction adventure, a 12-year-old boy travels eight years into the future, finding that he possesses an amazing ability to navigate an alien spacecraft. Directed by Randal Kleise, this family film stars Joey Cramer, Veronica Cartwright and Sarah Jessica Parker.

Thursday, July 28, 7:30 p.m.
“Imitation of Life” (Universal, 1934)
Claudette Colbert and Louise Beavers portray a widow and her housekeeper who go into business together and become wealthy, but their relationship with their daughters becomes strained over the years. Directed by John M. Stahl, this first adaptation of Fannie Hurst’s dramatic novel was named to the National Film Registry in 2005.

Friday, July 29, 7:30 p.m.
“Ran”(Orion, 1985)
Akira Kurosawa's last samurai epic concerns an aging lord’s decision to retire, bringing out the worst in his sons. Produced in Japanese with English subtitles, this historical war drama stars Tatsuya Nakadai, Akira Terao and Jinpachi Nezu.

Saturday, July 30, 7:30 p.m.
“Goldfinger” (United Artists, 1964)
Sean Connery as secret agent James Bond uncovers a plot to contaminate the Fort Knox gold reserve. Directed by Guy Hamiltion, this spy thriller also stars Honor Blackman and Gert Fröbe.