May 11, 2014 Packard Campus June Film Schedule Salutes the Old West

The Western has been a staple of American cinema since the Edison Studios first started making flickers in West Orange, New Jersey in the 1890s. The Packard Campus Theatre will take a look at the genre across the decades, ranging from “A” to “B” features.

The earliest example is William S. Hart’s 1919 “Wagon Tracks”; the most recent film is “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” (2007), starring Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck. Between them are John Ford’s classic “Wagon Master,” which he considered among his personal favorites; director Budd Boetticher’s National Film Registry title “The Tall T” (1957); and an assortment of B Westerns from the 1930s and 1940s.

On June 6, filmmaker Leonard Kamerling will introduce a new print of the documentary “Uksuum Cauyai: The Drums of Winter,” which he co-produced and co-directed with Sarah Elder. The film was added to the National Film Registry in 2006. For more information on the National Film Registry, visit www.loc.gov/film.

“Live at the Packard Theatre” will return on June 28 with Jody Kerns and Sonya King presenting an evening of “Ladies of Comedy.”

Short subjects will be presented before select programs. Titles are subject to change without notice. Screenings at the Packard Campus are preceded by an informative slide presentation about the film, with music selected by the Library’s Recorded Sound Section.

All Packard Campus programs are free and open to the public, but children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. For general Packard Campus Theater information, call (540) 827-1079 ext. 79994 or (202) 707-9994 during regular business hours. For further information on the theater and film series, visit www.loc.gov/avconservation/theater/. In case of inclement weather, call the theater information line no more than three hours before showtime to confirm cancellations.

Seating at the Packard Campus Theater’s free screenings is on a first-come, first-serve basis. However, for a ticketing service charge, patrons can ensure admission to these shows by reserving tickets through the State Theatre website (www.culpepertheatre.org External) or by visiting the State Theatre ticket office at 305 S. Main Street in Culpeper, Va.

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 7 million collection items. It provides staff support for the Library of Congress National Film Preservation Board (www.loc.gov/film), the National Recording Preservation Board (www.loc.gov/rr/record/nrpb) 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, publications and exhibitions. Many of the Library’s rich resources can be accessed through its website at www.loc.gov.

Library of Congress Packard Campus Theater Schedule

Thursday, June 5 (7:30 p.m.)
Range Busters Double Feature
“The Range Busters” was a lucrative film series of 24 Westerns on the adventures of a trio of cowboys, produced by George W. Weeks and distributed by Monogram Pictures. Many of the movies were filmed at the Corriganville Movie Ranch. B-Western actor Ray “Crash” Corrigan came up with the idea and brought along his former co-stars from the “Three Mesquiteers” series at Republic Studios, ventriloquist Max “Alibi” Terhune and his dummy Elmer. The third member of the human trio was singing cowboy John “Dusty” King. S. Roy Luby directed both entries on this double bill.

“Saddle Mountain Roundup” (Monogram, 1941)
In this whodunit, the Range Busters commit themselves to solving the murder of an irascible rancher.

“Tonto Basin Outlaws” (Monogram, 1941)
Our heroes Ray “Crash” Corrigan, John “Dusty” King and Max “Alibi” Terhune try to uncover a gang of rustlers who’ve been terrorizing the countryside. A big-city reporter (Jan Wiley as Jane Blanchard) assigned to cover the rustling story for her paper throws a spur in their operations.

Friday, June 6 (7:30 p.m.)
“Uksuum Cauyai: The Drums of Winter” (Documentary Educational Resources, 1989)
“Uksuum Cauyai (pronounced “ook-sooom chow-yai”): The Drums of Winter” was shot in 1977 in a remote Alaskan Yup’ik village in a respectful, observational style. This award-winning ethnographic documentary looks into the suppression of indigenous drumming and dancing by missionaries and how the village of Emmonak managed to continue its traditions. Released in 1988 and produced and directed by Leonard Kamerling and Sarah Elder, “Uksuum Cauyai” was added to the National Film Registry in 2006. Leonard Kamerling, who also shot the film, will introduce the new preservation print produced by Colorlab, Chace Productions and Summit Day Media.

Saturday, June 7 (7:30 p.m.)
"The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean” (National General Pictures, 1973)
Paul Newman stars as Roy Bean, the legendary hanging judge of the Old West. Directed by John Huston, the film is a tongue-in-cheek take on the historic figure who acted as judge, jury and executioner for most crimes committed west of the Pecos River in the late 1800s. The vignettes cover different stages of Bean’s life, from his arrival in the town of Vinegaroon and his romance with a local Mexican girl to the destruction of the town in a devastating fire. The film also stars Jacqueline Bisset, Tab Hunter, Stacy Keach, Roddy McDowell, Anthony Perkins, Victoria Principal, Anthony Zerbe and Ava Gardner.

Thursday, June 12 (7:30 p.m.)
“Monte Walsh” (National General, 1970)
Acclaimed cinematographer William A. Faker made his directorial debut with this melancholy Western about a down-and-out ranch hand who finds himself part of a dying west. Lee Marvin stars as the title character with Jack Palance (in a rare good-guy role) and Mitch Ryan as his pals. Film critic Roger Ebert called it “as lovely a Western as I’ve seen in a long time.”

Friday, June 13 (7:30 p.m.)
Western Double Feature
“Wagon Master” (RKO, 1950)
A church elder charged with leading a caravan of Mormons across the country to the Utah territory recruits a pair of horse traders as wagon masters to help the group arrive safely. A series of mishaps threaten to derail the journey. Director John Ford counted this film as one of his favorites, saying, “‘Wagon Master’ came closest to being what I wanted to achieve.” This classic Western stars Ben Johnson, Joanne Dru, Harry Carey, Jr. and Ward Bond.

“Wagon Train” (RKO, 1940)
In his first of a series of B Westerns for RKO, young Tim Holt must not only carry on his father’s freight business but also hunt down his father’s murderer Carl Anderson while dealing with unscrupulous Pecos businessman Matt Gardner. The action-packed oater, directed by Edward Killy, co-stars Ray Whitley, Emmett Lynn and Martha O'Driscoll.

Saturday, June 14 (2 p.m.)
“The Sign of Zorro” (Disney, 1958)
In the Mission era of Spanish California, the wealthy and debonair Don Diego de la Vega returns home to the pueblo known as Reina de Los Angeles where he finds that the citizens are constantly threatened by cruel military tyrant Captain Monastario and his Lancers. Diego makes it his mission to put an end to the oppression by donning a mask and cloak to become the fearless freedom rider known as Zorro. Guy Williams stars in this action-adventure Western edited from eight episodes of the hit Disney TV series “Zorro,” which ran on ABC from 1957 to 1959.

Thursday, June 19 (7:30 p.m.)
“The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” (Warner Bros., 2007, R-rated*)
Robert Ford, an eager recruit into the notorious James-Younger Gang, comes to grow jealous of the famous outlaw Jesse James and, with the help of his brother Charley, plots to kill him. Brad Pitt stars as James and Casey Affleck was nominated for an Oscar for best supporting actor for his portrayal of Robert Ford. Andrew Dominik wrote and directed this adaptation of Ron Hansen’s 1983 novel of the same name. The Western also features Sam Shepard as Frank James and Sam Rockwell as Charley Ford. Roger Deakins’ cinematography also received an Academy Award nomination.
*No one under the age of 17 will be admitted without a parent or guardian.

Friday, June 20 (7:30 p.m.)
Budd Boetticher-Randolph Scott Western Double Feature
“The Tall T” (Columbia, 1957)
A ruthless bandit and his henchmen hold a group of stagecoach passengers hostage while ranch hand Randolph Scott negotiates to keep his fellow captives alive. The film also stars Richard Boone, Arthur Hunnicutt and Maureen O’Sullivan. Budd Boetticher directed this suspenseful Western based on a story by Elmore Leonard. The film was named to the National Film Registry in 2000.

“Ride Lonesome” (Columbia, 1959)
Randolph Scott stars as bounty hunter Ben Brigade, who captures wanted murderer Billy John and heads for Santa Cruz to turn him in. At a way station, two outlaws and the station master’s wife join Brigade on his ride. To reach town alive, they’ll have to evade Indians and Billy John’s vengeful brother. Budd Boetticher directed this portrayal of life in the desolate and lonesome Old West, which also stars James Best, Pernell Roberts, Lee Van Cleef, Karen Steele and James Coburn in his film debut.

Saturday, June 21 (7:30 p.m.)
“Wagon Tracks” (Famous Players-Lasky, 1919)
William S. Hart helped define the Western genre as early as 1914 and became one of its first great stars. His films were known for being authentic and realistic, and relied more on character development than action. In “Wagon Tracks,” he plays Buckskin Hamilton, a desert guide for a wagon train crossing the wasteland. While caring for the pioneers he escorts, Buckskin tries to solve the murder of his brother by one of the travelers. Directed by Lambert Hillyer and produced by Thomas Ince and Hart, the film also stars Robert McKim, Lloyd Bacon and Jane Novak. Andrew Simpson will provide live musical accompaniment.

Thursday, June 26 (7:30 p.m.)
B Western Double Feature
“The Utah Trail” (Grand National, 1938)
Tex Stewart (aka “The Pecos Kid”) and his sidekicks arrive to help out their friend, railroad owner Jeffers, only to find that he has been killed. They quickly run into trouble with an outlaw gang in their attempt to find a mysterious ghost train that supposedly runs on Jeffers’ line. Country-western singer and actor Tex Ritter stars and sings a few tunes in this low-budget B Western. ‘Snub’ Pollard and Dave O'Brien provide comedy relief.

“The Bandit Trail” (RKO, 1941)
Tim Holt stars as Steve Haggerty, the son of rancher Tom Haggerty who was killed trying to stop a gun battle between his hotheaded brother Red and the sheriff. Steve is then reluctantly persuaded by his Uncle Red to help rob the local bank that has been trying to repossess the Haggerty ranch. This action leads to a brief life of crime for Steve until he is elected marshal of nearby Remington and falls for the banker’s daughter in the town. Directed by Edward Killy, the action adventure also stars Morris Ankrum and Janet Waldo.

Friday, June 27 (7:30 p.m.)
“The Professionals” (Columbia, 1966)
Burt Lancaster, Lee Marvin, Robert Ryan and Woody Strode star as four soldiers-of-fortune who are hired by an arrogant Texas millionaire to rescue his kidnapped wife from a notorious Mexican bandit (Jack Palance). Richard Brooks received Oscar nominations for best director and best screenplay for this action-adventure Western, as did Conrad L. Hall for best cinematography. The film also stars Ralph Bellamy and Claudia Cardinale.

Saturday, June 28 (7:30 p.m.)
“Ladies of Comedy” (Live Event)
Get ready to laugh in this evening of live, original and outrageous stand-up comedy with Jody Kerns and Sonya King. Hailing from Richmond, Va., Jody Kerns is a Southern belle with a decisive edge. For over 25 years, she has been making them laugh all across the country, including on “The View” and at the Calgary Comedy Festival. Sonya King, originally from Alabama, is the queen of the deadpan. Having also appeared on “The View” and on “Good Morning America,” she mixes a subdued style with a quick wit that has entertained people coast-to-coast for over a decade.