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Now Playing at the Packard Campus Theater (March 12-14, 2015)

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The following is a guest post by Jenny Paxson, an Administrative Assistant at the Packard Campus.

Thursday, March 12 (7:30 p.m.)
The Girl Next Door (20th Century-Fox, 1953)
When widowed cartoonist Bill Carter (Dan Dailey) falls in love with his beautiful new neighbor, Broadway star Jeannie Laird (June Haver), it causes a rift with his 10-year-old son, Joe (Billy Gray). Threatened by a new woman in his father’s life, Joe refuses to accept Jeannie and begins a mischievous campaign to keep her away. This lighthearted Technicolor musical, directed by Richard Sale, features an extended animated cartoon sequence and 10 songs by Josef Myrow and Mack Gordon. The film also stars popular singer-comedian Dennis Day.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High (Universal, 1982)

Friday, March 13 (7:30 p.m.)
Fast Times at Ridgemont High (Universal, 1982, R-rated *)
Among the best teen comedies, this 1980s cultural icon combines a sympathetic treatment of adolescence with hilarious performances. Directed by Amy Heckerling, the film was based on a script by 22-year old Rolling Stone magazine writer (and later film director) Cameron Crowe, who spent nine months undercover as a high student. The cast contains an appealing mix of soon-to-be-famous young talent (Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold) confronting their raging hormones as they hang out at the mall and endure jobs in fast-food restaurants. Most memorable in the cast is Sean Penn as the spaced-out surfer dude Jeff Spicoli. The film also stars Robert Romanus, Brian Backer, Phoebe Cates and Ray Walston. Fast Times at Ridgemont High was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2005. * No one under the age of 17 will be admitted without a parent or guardian.

The Grapes of Wrath (20th Century-Fox, 1940)

Saturday, March 14 (2:00 p.m.)
The Grapes of Wrath (20th Century-Fox, 1940)
The Joad family of impoverished farmers from the Dust Bowl of Oklahoma makes a harrowing journey to the promised land of California, only to find the good life they have hoped for is out of their reach. John Ford won an Academy Award as best director for this uncompromising adaptation of John Steinbeck’s novel. The film was nominated for an additional six Oscars, including best picture. Jane Darwell won for best supporting actress. After viewing the film, Steinbeck said Henry Fonda’s performance as Tom Joad made him “believe my own words.” The ensemble cast includes John Carradine, Charley Grapewin, Russell Simpson and John Qualen. The film was one of the first added to the National Film Registry in its inaugural year of 1989.

For more information on our programs, please visit the web site at www.loc.gov/avconservation/theater/.

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