Phoenixville's August Classic Films: Smokey and the Bandit, Defending Your Life, More

Phoenixville, PA -- Phoenixville's Colonial Theatre has released its list of classic films which will be shown during the month of August.

Sunday, August 7, 2016 @ 2PM - The Band Wagon

Vincente Minelli’s 1953 musical comedy stars Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse. He’s a Hollywood actor moving to the Great White Way, she’s a renowned ballerina who matches him step-for-step. In reverse. Not rated. 112 min. Glorious digital presentation.

Sunday, August 14, 2016 @ 2PM - Smokey and the Bandit

Hal Needham’s 1977 down-home comedy was a real cultural phenomenon: only Star Wars made more money that year, and sales of Bandit’s Pontiac Trans Am doubled. Burt Reynolds and Jackie Gleason (as Smokey) are perfect enemies. And all the stunts are real, folks. Rated PG. 96 min. Pristine digital presentation.

Sunday, August 21, 2016 @ 2PM - A Double Life

The Colonial celebrates the quadricentennial of William Shakespeare’s death with a series of films that directly and indirectly touch on the Bard’s work. In George Cukor’s 1947 psychological mood piece, Ronald Colman (Best Actor) plays a Shakespearian actor who becomes increasingly unhinged and identifies with the characters he plays—to disastrous results. A top-notch screenplay by spouses Garson Kanin and Ruth Gordon. Not rated. 104 min. Natural 35mm screening. More Shakespeare screenings are coming in September.

Sunday, August 28, 2016 @ 2PM - Defending Your Life

Albert Brooks writes, directs, and stars in this 1991 romantic comedy. He’s a self-absorbed yuppie who dies and goes to a pleasant afterlife—only to face judgement for his deeds while alive. He meets Meryl Streep, “the love of his death,” with whom he hopes to spend eternity. Rip Torn defends Brooks, Lee Grant prosecutes. Witty, charming, and thought-provoking. Most importantly, a lot of fun. Rated PG. 112 min. Heavenly 35mm presentation.