June 27, 2012 “Toy Story,” “Working Girl” Featured at Packard Campus Theater

Romantic comedies and a countdown to the Olympics will take center stage in July’s film series at the Library of Congress Packard Campus theater in Culpeper, Va. Films about the race for gold include “Tokyo Olympiad,” bookended by the biopics “The Bob Mathias Story” and “Without Limits.” The film lineup also will showcase such notable actors and directors as Mia Farrow, Harrison Ford, Charlton Heston, Dean Martin, Vincente Minnelli, Mike Nichols and Roman Polanski.

In addition, acclaimed silent-film accompanist Stephen Horne will perform at two special silent-film screenings: the romantic comedy “Her Sister from Paris” on Sunday, July 8, and the Academy Award-winning “Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans”—a National Film Registry selection—on Tuesday, July 10. Based in London, the internationally celebrated accompanist has recorded music for DVD release as well as screenings and museum silent film installations. Although primarily a pianist, Horne often incorporates flute, accordion and keyboards into his performances, sometimes simultaneously.

Screenings are preceded by an informative slide presentation about the film, with music selected by the Library’s Recorded Sound Section. 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, 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.

Series Schedule

Thursday, July 5 (7:30 p.m.)
“Working Girl” (20th Century-Fox, 1988)
When her boss steals her idea, a secretary seizes an opportunity to steal it back with the help of an executive with whom she falls in love. Directed by Mike Nichols, this romantic comedy stars Melanie Griffith, Harrison Ford and Sigourney Weaver. The film is rated R.

Friday, July 6 (7:30 p.m.)
“The Clock” (MGM, 1945)
Robert Walker stars as a lonely G.I. who falls in love with an office worker during a two-day leave in New York City. Judy Garland costars in this romantic drama, directed by Vincente Minnelli.

Saturday, July 7 (7:30 p.m.)
“The Omega Man” (Warner Bros., 1971)
In this sci-fi thriller, directed by Boris Sagal, Charlton Heston portrays an army doctor struggling to develop a cure for the plague that wiped out most of the human race.

Sunday, July 8 (7:30 p.m.)
“Her Sister from Paris” (First National, 1925)
When a husband begins to lose interest in his wife, the arrival of her twin—a dancer and “woman of the world”—provides just the right impetus to reinvigorate their relationship. Constance Talmadge stars in a dual role with Ronald Colman as the confused spouse. Sidney Franklin directed this silent romantic comedy. Stephen Horne will provide live musical accompaniment.

Tuesday, July 10 (7:30 p.m.)
“Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans” (Fox, 1927)
In this silent romantic drama, a married farmer falls under the spell of a loose woman from the city, threatening to destroy his family. Selected for the National Film Registry in 1989—the registry’s inaugural year—the film was directed by F. W. Murnau and stars George O’Brien, Janet Gaynor and Margaret Livingston in the lead roles. Stephen Horne will provide live musical accompaniment.

Thursday, July 12 (7:30 p.m.)
“The Stooge” (Paramount, 1952)
Dean Martin plays an egotistical singer who learns the hard way just how important his stooge (partner Jerry Lewis) is to his success. Norman Taurog directed this musical comedy-drama.

Friday, July 13 (7:30 p.m.)
“Captain Blood” (Warner Bros., 1935)
After being unjustly sentenced to prison, a doctor (portrayed by Errol Flynn) escapes and becomes a notorious pirate. Michael Curtiz directed this romantic action-adventure, which also stars Olivia de Havilland, Lionel Atwill and Basil Rathbone.

Saturday, July 14 (7:30 p.m.)
“Rosemary’s Baby” (Paramount, 1968)
Roman Polanski directed this horror-mystery about a young woman who fears the baby she is carrying is the son of Satan. The cast includes Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes and Ruth Gordon.

Thursday, July 19 (7:30 p.m.)
“The Bob Mathias Story” (Allied Artists, 1954)
Bob Mathias, the first man to win two Olympic Gold Medals in the decathlon, plays himself in this film biography, directed by Francis D. Lyon.

Friday, July 20 (7:30 p.m.)
“Tokyo Olympiad” (Toho Company, 1965)
Kon Ichikawa directed this documentary about the 1964 Tokyo Olympics from opening to closing ceremonies. The film was produced in Japanese with English subtitles.

Saturday, July 21 (7:30 p.m.)
“Without Limits” (Warner Bros., 1998)
Billy Crudup stars in this screen biography of record-setting University of Oregon runner Steve Prefontaine, who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich before his death at age 24 in a car accident. Directed by Robert Towne, the film also stars Donald Sutherland as legendary coach Bill Bowerman.

Thursday, July 26 (7:30 p.m.)
“Block-Heads” (Hal Roach/MGM, 1938)
Twenty years after the Armistice, a doughboy continues guarding a trench in France because no one told him the war was over. After being rescued, his old army pal and his friend’s formidable wife take him in, where chaos ensues. Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy star in this John G. Blystone-directed comedy.

Friday, July 27 (7:30 p.m.)
“Loves of a Blonde” (Prominent Films, 1965)
Directed by Milos Forman, this romantic comedy-drama is a story about a teenaged working girl in a small Czech town who falls for a handsome piano player and follows him to Prague after he leaves her. Hana Brejchová and Vladimír Pucholt star in this Czech-language film with English subtitles.

Saturday, July 28 (2 p.m.)
“Toy Story” (Pixar, 1995)
In this animated family comedy directed by John Lasseter, a cowboy toy named Woody is profoundly threatened and jealous when a fancy spaceman figure supplants him as top toy in a boy's room. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen provide the voices for the lead characters in this film selected to the National Film Registry in 2005.