To commemorate the birthday of beloved late movie star Van Johnson, born in Newport on Aug. 25, 1916, Discover Newport will host a free movie screening of the 1948 film, “State of the Union” starring Johnson and Katharine Hepburn on Saturday, August 25, at 11 a.m. at the Jane Pickens Theatre & Event Center, located at 49 Touro Street in Newport. Three hundred complimentary tickets to the movie will be available at the Newport Visitor Information Center, located at 23 America’s Cup Avenue, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily from August 6 through August 25, 2012 or while supplies last.
There is also a campaign to honor Van Johnson with a commemorative postage stamp. Among the celebrities who have given personal endorsements for a postage stamp bearing Johnson's likeness are Liza Minnelli, Debbie Reynolds and Lucie Arnaz. Supporters are encouraged to sign the Van Johnson stamp petition online at vanjohnsonstamp.org.
