Classic Film Festival in the Warner Bros. Theater

Classic Film Festival in the Warner Bros. Theater



WHAT: The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History kicks off a three-day film festival spotlighting the birth of motion-picture sound.
WHEN: Friday, July 13
5:30 p.m.: Interview opportunity
7:30 p.m.: Screening of Singin' in the Rain

WHERE: National Museum of American History
14th Street and Constitution Avenue
Note: Use the Constitution Avenue entrance

WHO: Dwight Blocker Bowers, curator, National Museum of American History
Patricia Ward Kelly, wife of Gene Kelly
Rita Moreno, singer, dancer and actor, Singin' in the Rain

The third film festival in the Classic Film Series at the Warner Bros. Theater highlights the birth of motion picture sound. A private screening of Singin' in the Rain--celebrating its 60th anniversary--will feature interviews with writer and public speaker Patricia Ward Kelly and actress Rita Moreno. Kelly is the wife of the late Gene Kelly, star, co-director and choreographer of Singin' in the Rain (1952). Moreno has several credits to her resume, including the role of Zelda Zanders in Singin' in the Rain and as supporting actor in film adaptations of The King and I (1956) and West Side Story (1961).

The evening of July 13 begins with a light reception with wellies and rain slickers encouraged. Participants can view a new display of objects related to these classic films and the history of Warner Bros. "You Must Remember This" includes costumes worn by Clint Eastwood, Bette Davis, Jeff Daniels and Martin Sheen along with the Singin' in the Rain score.

The public portion of the festival features The Jazz Singer, Saturday, July 14, at 1 p.m. and The Broadway Melody at 6 p.m. Don Juan will be shown Sunday, July 15, at 1 p.m. A discussion about the films and opportunity to view "You Must Remember This" precede each screening. The public festival schedule is available at http://americanhistory.si.edu/filmseries.

Note: Media must RSVP to cover this event. Event tickets are sold out; no seating in the theater is currently available. A photo op will take place before the reception begins. Interviews with Kelly and Moreno can be scheduled to take place earlier in the day. Email NMAHPublicAffairs@si.edu.

Media only: Laura Duff (202) 633-3129
Elizabeth Dowdle (202) 633-3129

Media website:http://newsdesk.si.edu

/PRNewswire-USNewswire -- July 11, 2012/

SOURCE Smithsonian's National Museum of American History

Smithsonian's National Museum of American History


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