Charade opens series on May 30
By Barbara Goldman
Entering the 10th season of its Summer Classics Movie Series, the Kentucky Theater is eager to get started on Wednesday, May 30, with Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn gracing the screen together in Charade.
“Our audience is very diverse. The movies bring people back to the theater that used to come here when they were children, teenagers, or university students,” says Kentucky Theater General Manager Fred Mills. “We are very very lucky to have it here.
Mills, who has been with the theater since 1963, credits film series booker Larry Thomas with helping to once again make this film series a huge success.
“The booker has a lot of tough issues to overcome when finding us films. We seek out 35mm prints that are available and still in release,” says Mills. “Once we find those prints available the question is then raised as to what kind of condition the film is in.”
In addition, the theater receives film request from patrons throughout the year.
“People ask and offer suggestions, give us hand written notes at the ticket stand, email us. They send us hundreds of suggestions, all of which we suggest to the booker.”
The 2012 season
This season is getting kicked off in usual fashion with a rarely seen and rare studio print.
“Charade is one of the best ‘Hitchcock non Hitchcock’ films there is,” says Mills about the film. After finishing this film, Cary Grant was quoted as saying, “All I want for Christmas is to make another movie with Audrey Hepburn.”
Mills is excited to bring several films back to the series after they received such a response from the public.
“We showed The Wizard of Oz several years ago. It’s always a huge favorite. We are also very excited to be bringing back Casablanca for its 70th anniversary. A lot of folks have a very strong affection for the movie. It’s one of my favorites. It’s a feel-good movie and it’s always entertaining.”
This year’s movie variety will certainly offer something for everyone. Movies range from Woody Allen’s Oscar winning Annie Hall, to Mary Poppins, The White Heat, Pillow Talk, and It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World.
Classic film fans who don’t see their favorite flick listed need not be disappointed. For the second year in a row, the folks at Sqecial Media (located at 371 South Limestone) will help sponsor additional Wednesday movie nights, the selections for which are still to be decided.
“Last year the Sqecial Media stepped up and helped the series continue longer. It was a huge success. It exceeded expectations,” says Mills. “It really tapped into the University community and people who enjoy foreign films. This year instead of just sponsoring three, they wanted to do four!”
$5 per seat for all shows. Most films show twice on Wednesday, at 1:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m, with the exception of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, which will also play at 4 p.m. due to the Fourth of July Holiday. For more information on the series, including the schedule, go to www.kentuckytheatre.com
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