Summer Classic Film Series Films Revealed

AUSTIN, TEXAS — Coinciding with the upcoming Valentine's Day observance, Paramount & Stateside Theaters officials on Tuesday unveiled the seven opening films of their 2019 Summer Classic Film Series.

The full lineup of more than 100 essential movies will be announced in May. The weekend’s films centered on the theme of “Crazy In Love” will kick off this year’s Film Series with legendary romances featured from May 23–26. Tickets went on sale at $12 for general admission and $7 for Film Fans. Click here to buy yours.

In related news, the Paramount Theater will present the special event Napoleon Dynamite: A Conversation with Jon Heder “Napoleon Dynamite,” Efren Ramirez “Pedro,” and Jon Gries “Uncle Rico” on July 13 at 7:30 p.m., bringing cast members of quotable comedy to the Paramount stage for a special reunion and screening of the film. Tickets go on sale Thursday, February 14 at 10 a.m. at austintheatre.org.

The annual Summer Classic Film Series, now in its 44th year, begins the season with what theater officials categorized as "...a love-crazed lineup of regal romance." And in SCFS tradition, it all starts with Bogey and Bergman. The iconic opening night film, “Casablanca,” will be screened on 35mm on Thursday, May 23, following an Opening Night Party for Film Fan Members at 6:30 p.m., officials announced.

Here's lookin' at you kid, indeed.

Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan will delight audiences with the 30th anniversary screening of beloved romantic comedy “When Harry Met Sally” on Friday, May 24. After that, film lovers can watch Cher and Nicholas Cage getting “Moonstruck” on 35mm. Saturday’s films include the 1934 Frank Capra road-trip classic “It Happened One Night,” which officials noted is one of only three films to sweep the Big Five Oscars. Quotable screwball comedy “His Girl Friday,” featuring stellar performances by Rosalind Russell and Cary Grant also will be screened. On Sunday, cinema fans will be treated to a 55th anniversary screening of “My Fair Lady” with Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison in this beloved stage-to-screen adaptation of the iconic musical.

SCFS Opening Weekend will also bring the kick-off of the Series’ Family Film Festival, which will begin on Saturday, May 25 with an 80th anniversary presentation of “The Wizard of Oz" in glorious 35mm. Family Film Festival tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for kids 12 and under. The remaining films in the Family Film Festival will be announced with the full film lineup in May. Fans can expect this year’s Summer Classic Film Series to present favorites from across a multitude of genres, from scary movies and roaring comedies to thrilling adventures and tear-jerking dramas, officials promised.

OPENING WEEKEND LINEUP

• CASABLANCA / THURSDAY, MAY 23, 7:30 p.m.

Directed by Michael Curtiz. Starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman as two lovers torn apart by war and surrounded by opportunistic scoundrels like Claude Rains and Sydney Greenstreet, this studio system masterpiece blends romance, intrigue, and humor to create an unforgettable cinematic experience. This breathtakingly romantic and riotously witty tale will once again be screened on 35mm. Film Fan Members will be treated to an Opening Night Party at 6:30 p.m. before the screening with free beer/wine/popcorn and free admission.

• WHEN HARRY MET SALLY / FRIDAY, MAY 24, 7 p.m.

Directed by Rob Reiner. Nora Ephron penned this beloved romantic comedy about two college graduates who share a road trip to New York, engage in a series of heated debates about life and love, and unwittingly begin a star-crossed friendship that seems destined to become something more. Featuring career-topping performances by Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan.

• MOONSTRUCK / FRIDAY, MAY 24, 8:55 p.m.

Directed by Norman Jewison. Cher deserved all the awards for this nuanced portrayal of a widow who hesitatingly accepts her boyfriend’s proposal of marriage. Hesitation turns into full-blown indecision when she falls madly in love with the boyfriend’s brother, played by the young, dreamy version of Nicolas Cage. Trust me: you’re going to want to buy a glass of wine before the movie starts.

• THE WIZARD OF OZ / SATURDAY, MAY 25, 1 p.m.

Directed by Victor Fleming. Most of us have already fallen in love with this timeless film, thanks to countless television broadcasts and home video releases. But the Yellow Brick Road and those ruby slippers have never shimmered as brightly as they do on the Paramount screen in glorious 35mm.

• IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT / SATURDAY, MAY 25, 3:15 p.m.

Directed by Frank Capra. Of all the road-trip movies, this is easily the swooniest. Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert come together like fire and water — she an heiress who has eloped against her father’s wishes and he a disgraced journalist who sees in her a career-saving scoop. Mutual benefit becomes romance in one of only three films to sweep the Big Five Oscars (Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, Screenplay).

• HIS GIRL FRIDAY / SATURDAY, MAY 25, 5:15 p.m.

Directed by Howard Hawks. Cary Grant plays an editor who learns that his ex-wife, a former star reporter (Rosalind Russell), is about to settle down and get married with a boring businessman. Determined to prevent this from happening, he tries to convince her to cover one last big scoop.

• MY FAIR LADY / SUNDAY, MAY 26, 2 p.m.

Legendary director George Cukor adapts Lerner and Loewe's iconic musical into one of Hollywood's most sumptuous stage-to-screen adaptations, thanks in large part to Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison as a seemingly incompatible duo who — slowly but surely — become accustomed to each other’s faces. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see a beloved classic on the big screen!

To purchase a movie ticket for Opening Weekend of the Summer Classic Film Series, go to austintheatre.org/film/classic-film-series/ or call 512-474-1221. Become a Paramount Film Fan and get reserved seating, discounted tickets, free popcorn and more. For more on how to become a Film Fan, visit www.austintheatre.org/filmfan. Follow Paramount Theatre on Facebook at www.facebook.com/paramounttheatre and on Twitter @ParamountAustin.

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