July 25, 2013 Packard Campus August Films Celebrate Westerns, Summer Fun

Six classic westerns from the National Film Registry will open the August Film Program when the Library of Congress Packard Campus for Audio Visual Conservation hosts The Film Foundation’s three-day innovative educational seminar for local middle-school teachers. The films—chosen for the National Film Registry for their cultural, historic or aesthetic significance—will be shown as part of the Foundation’s curriculum, “Story of Movies: The American West and Western Film Genre.” The seminar is designed to provide a deeper understanding of American cultural history and the mythology of the Western genre. For more information about the seminar, visit this site. The three matinees and three evening screenings also will be open to the public.

“Emperor Jones,” also on the National Film Registry, is this month’s selection for the year-long series showcasing films from 1933. Silent film accompanist Ben Model will return for a rare screening of Raymond Griffith’s comedy, “Paths to Paradise.” The month also pays tribute to summer camp and campy fun with such comedies as Bill Murray’s “Meatballs” and the 1998 Disney feature “The Parent Trap.”

Screenings are preceded by an informative slide presentation about each 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. The theater will be closed July 4-6. 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 nearly 7 million collection items. 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, Aug. 1 (2:30 p.m.)
“Hell’s Hinges” (Triangle, 1916)
William S. Hart portrays Blaze Tracey, a rough cowboy in a Wild West town who changes his ways as he falls for the good-hearted sister of a weak-willed parson. Hart co-directed this silent western morality tale of good versus evil. The film was added to the National Film Registry in 1994.

Thursday, Aug. 1 (7:30 p.m.)
“The Big Trail” (Fox, 1930)
John Wayne plays Breck Coleman, a scout who leads hundreds of settlers in covered wagons from the Mississippi River to their destiny out West. Selected to the National Film Registry in 2006, this western adventure was directed by Raoul Walsh. Marguerite Churchill and El Brendel are also in the cast.

Friday, Aug. 2 (2:30 p.m.)
“Stagecoach” (United Artists, 1939)
John Ford directed this story of redemption about a group of disparate passengers who battle personal demons and each other while racing through Indian country. The film made John Wayne a major star and it was nominated for seven Academy Awards, winning two: Best Supporting Actor (Thomas Mitchell) and Best Score (for its compilation of 17 American folk tunes of the 1880s). “Stagecoach” was selected for preservation to the National Film Registry in 1995. The print is courtesy of UCLA Film and Television Archive.

Friday, Aug. 2 (7:30 p.m.)
“My Darling Clementine” (20th Century-Fox, 1946)
Henry Fonda stars as Wyatt Earp in this depiction of the legendary gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Focusing on action and drama over historical reality, director John Ford tells a powerful story about community, honor, law and friendship. Linda Darnell, Victor Mature, Walter Brennan and Cathy Downs also star in the classic western, which was added to the National Film Registry in 1991. The print is courtesy of UCLA Film and Television Archive.

Saturday, Aug. 3 (2:30 p.m.)
“Red River” (United Artists, 1948)
Set just after the Civil War, a young cowhand (Montgomery Clift in his first film) rebels against his tyrannical guardian (John Wayne) during a crucial cattle drive of more than 1,000 miles from Texas to market in Missouri. Howard Hawks directed this epic adventure, which was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 1990.

Saturday, Aug. 3 (7:30 p.m.)
“Shane” (Paramount, 1953)
George Stevens directed this adaptation of Jack Schaefer’s novel in which Shane, a former gunfighter fighter (Alan Ladd), comes to the defense of homesteaders who are being terrorized by a cattle baron who wants their land. Van Heflin, Jean Arthur and Brandon de Wilde portray the Starrett family who befriends Shane. Loyal Griggs cinematography won an Academy Award for this western drama. “Shane” was tapped for preservation in the National Film Registry in 1993.

Thursday, Aug. 8 (7:30 p.m.)
“Emperor Jones” (United Artists, 1933)
In his first sound-era film role, Paul Robeson recreated his stage incarnation of a Pullman porter who escapes from a chain gang and improbably becomes king of a Caribbean island. This big screen adaptation of Eugene O'Neill’s play was included in the National Film Registry in 1999. The Library of Congress Film Preservation Lab used the best surviving elements to restore the film.

Friday, Aug. 9 (7:30 p.m.)
“Paths to Paradise” (Paramount, 1925)
Perhaps the most overlooked silent comedy classic of the 1920s, this clockwork-timed crook comedy presents Raymond Griffith in all his smarmy elegance with co-star Betty Compson as rival jewels thieves who form an alliance to steal a valuable necklace. Ben Model will provide live musical accompaniment.

Saturday, Aug. 10 (7:30 p.m.)
“Meatballs” (Paramount, 1979)
A lonely kid (Chris Makepeace) is sent to the cut-rate Camp North Star, which is under the misdirection of wacky head counselor Tripper Harrison and the counselors-in-training. Ivan Reitman directed the blockbuster comedy, starring Bill Murray in his first film after “Saturday Night Live” became a cult hit.

Thursday, Aug. 15 (7:30 p.m.)
“Marjorie Morningstar” (Warner Bros., 1958)
While working as a counselor at a summer camp, college student Marjorie Morgenstern (Natalie Wood) falls for 32-year-old Noel Airman (Gene Kelly), a would-be dramatist working at a nearby summer theater. Marjorie’s desire to follow an unconventional path—instead of the traditional models of social and religious behavior expected by New York Jewish families in the 1950s—is explored in this romantic drama, directed by Irving Rapper.

Friday, Aug. 16 (7:30 p.m.)
SCIENCE FICTION DOUBLE FEATURE
“Space Amoeba” (Toho, 1970)
Giant mutant monsters created by aliens from outer space attacked a photographer and his entourage who land on a remote Pacific Island for a photo shoot. Directed by Ishirô Honda, this sci-fi and fantasy horror stars Akira Kubo, Atsuko Takahashi and Yukiko Kobayashi. Also known as “Yog: Monster from Space,” the film was produced in Japanese with English subtitles.

“Kingdom of the Spiders” (Dimensions, 1977)
William Shatner stars as veterinarian Dr. Robert Hansen who discovers while investigating the mysterious deaths of a number of farm animals that his town lies in the path of hoards of migrating tarantulas. Killer spiders soon overrun the streets, trapping townfolks in a remote hotel. John ‘Bud’ Cardos directed this sci-fi horror film, which also features Tiffany Bolling and Woody Strode.

Saturday, Aug 17 (2 p. m.)
“The Parent Trap” (Disney, 1998)
Lindsay Lohan plays identical twins separated at birth, with each raised by one of their biological parents. They discover each other for the first time at summer camp and make plans to bring their wayward parents back together. Nancy Meyers directed this family comedy-drama, which also stars Dennis Quaid and Natasha Richardson.

Thursday, Aug. 22 (7:30 p.m.)
“Phantom of the Paradise” (20th Century-Fox, 1974)
Brian De Palma wrote and directed this comedy-drama fantasy about a disfigured composer who sells his soul for the woman he loves so she will perform his music. However, an evil record tycoon betrays him and steals his music to open a rock palace. William Finley, Paul Williams and Jessica Harper star in the film.

Friday, Aug. 23 (7:30 p.m.)
“Swept Away” (Cinema 5, 1974, R-rated*)
Lina Wertmüller’s comedy-drama is the story of a rich, spoiled wife and a poor underclass deckhand sailor who drift away from their yacht while on a Mediterranean vacation cruise. When they become stranded on a deserted island, their roles become reversed. Produced in Italian with English subtitles, the film stars Mariangela Melato and Giancarlo Giannini. “Swept Away” is winner of the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures Award for Top Foreign Film. *No one under the age of 17 will be admitted without a parent or guardian.

Saturday, Aug. 24 (7:30 p.m.)
DOUBLE FEATURE
“Cry Baby” (Universal, 1990)
John Waters wrote and directed this satirical musical comedy set in 1950s Baltimore about a group of high school delinquents. A bad boy with a heart of gold, Cry Baby (Johnny Depp) wins the love of a good girl whose boyfriend sets out for revenge. Featured in the cast are Amy Locane, Susan Tyrrell, Polly Bergen, Iggy Pop, Ricki Lake and Traci Lords.

“Johnny Dangerously” (20th Century-Fox, 1984)
In this gangster comedy set in the 1930's, an honest, goodhearted man is forced to turn to a life of crime to finance his neurotic mother’s skyrocketing medical bills. Directed by Amy Heckerling, the film’s cast includes Michael Keaton, Joe Piscopo and Marilu Henner.

Thursday, Aug. 29 (7:30 p.m.)
“Hudson Hawk” (TriStar, 1991, R-rated*)
Bruce Willis stars as the title character, a cat burglar who plans to go straight after serving a 10-year stint in prison. His friend Tommy (Danny Aiello), however, is in trouble and will be killed unless he steals some paintings by Leonardo da Vinci. Michael Lehmann directed this action comedy, which also features Andie MacDowell, James Coburn, Richard E. Grant and Sandra Bernhard in the cast. *No one under the age of 17 will be admitted without a parent or guardian.