The Theatre’s History and Restoration To Be Honored with Special Events, A Call for Silver Memories and Special $5 Screenings of Classic 1938 Films.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—Silver Spring, MD, September 4, 201–On Sunday, September 15, the AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring, MD will mark the 75th anniversary of the original Silver Theatre’s grand opening in 1938, re-creating the Theatre’s inaugural program – the big-screen debut of John Garfield in Warner Bros.’ FOUR DAUGHTERS along with period newsreels and cartoons. Continuing this special celebration over six days, AFI Silver will present a selection of some of that year’s most beloved films, including CAREFREE, THE LADY VANISHES, THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD and BRINGING UP BABY. Admission to three of these classic films will be $5 with AFI Silver members’ passes accepted. Admission to FOUR DAUGHTERS will be free, with tickets available at the Silver box office after Noon on Sunday, September 15. First come, first served.
At the inaugural event on September 15, WJLA-TV film critic and popular DC personality Arch Campbell will be Master of Ceremonies, with AFI Silver Director Ray Barry, Montgomery County Council President Nancy Navarro, Council member Valerie Ervin, Maryland State Senator Jamie Raskin and Maryland State Delegate Shelia Hixson all making brief remarks before the screening begins.
Various elected officials, AFI supporters past and present, as well as the group of community members responsible for re-opening the Theatre’s doors in 2003 will be in attendance at a special pre-screening reception.
In honor of the Theatre’s 75th, AFI Silver is encouraging Washington-area moviegoers to share their own memories of the original Silver Theatre. Whether it was the site of an awe-inspiring first movie, a special outing with friends or the scene of a first kiss – and it took place anytime from when the doors opened in 1938 to yesterday – AFI Silver wants to hear about those memories. People are encouraged to send their stories to [email protected] with their email address, name, phone number and date of the special memory. AFI Silver will be compiling a sample of the Silver Theatre audience memories from across the years to share with the larger community.
75th ANNIVERSARY SCREENINGS:
· CAREFREE
Fri, Sep 13, 3:15; Sat, Sep 14, 1:15; Sun, Sep 15, 12:00; Mon, Sep 16, 5:00
Ralph Bellamy needs help convincing his cold-footed girlfriend Ginger Rogers to marry him, so he persuades his psychiatrist friend Fred Astaire to take her on as a patient. The film is notable for featuring the first-ever kiss between Rogers and Astaire, following their dance to “I Used to Be Color Blind.” Nominated for Academy Awards® for Art Direction (Van Nest Polglase), Musical Score and Best Song (“Change Partners,” by Irving Berlin). 1938, b&w, 83 min. NOT RATED
· THE LADY VANISHES
Fri, Sep 13, 5:00; Sat, Sep 14, 3:10; Sun, Sep 15, 11:00 a.m., 7:00; Tue, Sep 17, 7:00
The greatest of Alfred Hitchcock’s British films and an influential film for all moviemaking. Brits Michael Redgrave and Margaret Lockwood become embroiled in a mystery aboard a transcontinental train after Lockwood witnesses the strange disappearance of fellow traveler Dame May Whitty. UK, 1938, b&w, 97 min. NOT RATED
· FOUR DAUGHTERS
Sun, Sep 15, 2:00
The lovely Lane Sisters are the top-billed stars in this small-town family dramedy, now better remembered as the impressive screen debut of John Garfield, in an Oscar®-nominated performance. A box-office hit in its day, the film was nominated for five Oscars®, including Best Picture. Director Michael Curtiz and screenwriter Julius J. Epstein, both nominated here, would later win Oscars® for their 1942 collaboration, CASABLANCA. US, 1938, b&w, 90 min. NOT RATED
· THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD
Sat, Sep 14, 11:00 a.m.; Sun, Sep 15, 4:45; Tue, Sep 17, 4:45; Wed, Sep 18, 4:45
For many, no screen Robin Hood has come close to Errol Flynn, and the bright, bold Technicolor brilliance of 1938’s THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD remains the definitive telling of the English medieval legend about the freedom-loving bandit who robbed from the rich and gave to the poor. Winner of three Oscars®, including for Carl Jules Weyl’s eye-popping art direction and Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s memorable score. US, 1938, color, 102 min. NOT RATED
· BRINGING UP BABY
Sat, Sep 14, 5:15; Sun, Sep 15, 9:00
Put-upon paleontologist Cary Grant is feeling the pressure: his brontosaurus skeleton is just one intercostal clavicle away from completion, he has an important meeting coming up with donor prospect May Robson, and his wedding to straitlaced Virginia Walker looms. Then he meets kooky free spirit Katharine Hepburn. 1938, b&w, 102 min. NOT RATED
