October 25, 2011 (REVISED November 16, 2011) Library's November Film Festival Celebrates National Film Registry Month

What do the movies “Laura,” “Schindler’s List” and “2001: A Space Odyssey” have in common? They were all selected for preservation in the National Film Registry. The Library of Congress Packard Campus for Audio Visual Conservation’s film series will celebrate National Film Registry Month in November. The screenings in the plush state-of-the-art theater in Culpeper, Va. will include films by such notable directors as Otto Preminger, Steven Spielberg, William Wyler and Stanley Kubrick.

Under the terms of the National Film Preservation Act, each year the Librarian of Congress, James H. Billington, names 25 films to the National Film Registry that are “culturally, historically or aesthetically” significant, to be preserved for all time. November’s celebration will feature a special Wednesday-night showing of “These Amazing Shadows,” a feature-length documentary about the National Film Registry. 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

Wednesday, Nov. 2, 7:30 p.m.
“These Amazing Shadows” (IRC, 2011)
This documentary examines the National Film Registry and the power of movies. Featured are interviews with members of the Library of Congress staff, including the Librarian of Congress.

Thursday, Nov. 3, 7:30 p.m.
“Laura” (20th Century-Fox, 1944)
Otto Preminger directed this haunting film noir about a police detective who falls in love with the woman whose murder he is investigating. Starring Dana Andrews and Gene Tierney, this classic mystery was named to the National Film Registry in 1999.

Friday, Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m.
“Schindler’s List” (Universal, 1993)
Liam Neeson portrays German businessman Oskar Schindler, who increasingly becomes concerned for his Jewish workforce after witnessing their persecution by the Nazis. Steven Spielberg directed this historical war drama, which was added to the National Film Registry in 2004. The film is rated R for nudity, language, some sexuality and graphic violence.

Saturday, Nov. 5, 2 p.m.
“E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial” (Universal, 1982)
A young boy, played by Henry Thomas, and his siblings befriend an extraterrestrial, who is stranded on Earth, and try to help him return home. Steven Spielberg directed this family science-fiction adventure. The film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 1994.

Thursday, Nov. 10, 7:30 p.m.
“The Best Years of Our Lives” (Goldwyn, RKO, 1946)
Three servicemen try to piece their lives back together after coming home from World War II. Directed by William Wyler, this romantic drama was named to the National Film Registry in 1989. Fredric March, Dana Andrews, Harold Russell, Myrna Loy and Teresa Wright star in the film.

Thursday, Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m.
“2001: A Space Odyssey” (MGM, 1968)
Stanley Kubrick directed this sci-fi classic about astronauts who, while on a voyage to Jupiter, trace a signal emitted by a monolith found on the moon. The film, named to the National Film Registry in 1991, stars Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood and William Sylvester.

Friday, Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m.
“Singin’ in the Rain” (MGM, 1952)
Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds and Jean Hagen star in this musical comedy about the transition from silent films to talkies. Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen directed this National Film Registry selection, which was added to the registry in 1989, its inaugural year.

Saturday, Nov. 19, 7:30 p.m.
“Safety Last!” (Hal Roach, Pathé Exchange, 1923)
Harold Lloyd stars in this silent comedy classic as a small-town boy who gets a job as a clerk in the big city. His attempt to organize a publicity stunt forces him to climb the outside of a 12-story building. Andrew Simpson will accompany the film, named to the National Film Registry in 1994, on the Wurlitzer-style Walker Theater Organ.

Saturday, Nov. 26, 7:30 p.m.
“An Evening with Kevin Brownlow”
Academy Award-winner Kevin Brownlow--writer, film historian, documentarian--is best-known for his work documenting the history of the silent era. “An Evening with Kevin Brownlow” will present one of the nation’s most influential horror films, “The Cat and the Canary,” which was meticulously restored from original nitrate prints by Brownlow and Photoplay Productions’ Patrick Stanbury. This color-tinted edition of director Paul Leni’s “old dark house” classic will also feature a new orchestral score by Neil Brand, performed by members of The City of Prague Philharmonic. Brownlow and Stanbury will introduce the film, which stars Laura La Plante and Creighton Hale. Brownlow will take questions from the audience following the screening.