The following is a guest post by Jenny Paxson of the Packard Campus.
Thursday, August 10 (7:30 p.m.)
Bombardier (RKO, 1943)
Richard Wallace directed this WWII drama about the first training program for bombardiers of the United States Army Air Forces. Pat O’Brien and Randolph Scott star as the pilots in charge of training who clash over teaching methods. The supporting cast includes Eddie Albert and Robert Ryan as cadets and Anne Shirley as a civilian clerk. Bombardier was begun before the U.S. entered the war and underwent several revisions over the next few years, including a reference to Pearl Harbor, to accommodate the swiftly changing events of the world conflict. Authentic footage of bombardier training was shot on location at Kirtland Field in Albuquerque, New Mexico and many of the real-life cadets appeared as extras.
Friday, August 11 (7:30 p.m.)
Malta Story (United Artists, 1953)
Alec Guinness stars as RAF photographer Flight Lt. Peter Ross with Jack Hawkins as his commanding officer in this British drama based on the heroic air defense of Malta during the Siege of Malta (June 1940 – November 1942) during the Second World War. The idea for the production came from Britain’s Central Office of Information, who wished to exemplify the co-operation between the three branches of the armed services during the War. Director Brian Desmond Hurst shot much of the picture in Malta with aircraft used during the Siege that was still operational, some of which did not exist elsewhere. The incorporation of impressive stock footage also contributed to the authenticity of the film.
Saturday, August 12 (7:30 p.m.)
The Thin Red Line (20th Century Fox, 1998 – R-rated *)
Based on James Jones’ novel, his follow-up to From Here to Eternity: this epic war drama tells a semi-fictionalized version of the Battle of Mount Austen (December 1942-January 1943), which was part of the Guadalcanal Campaign in the Pacific Theater in World War II. Director Terrence Malick, who also wrote the screenplay, made his return to feature filmmaking after a 20-year absence with this production that was shot on location in Australia and the Solomon Islands. The ensemble cast includes Jim Caviezel, Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, Adrien Brody, George Clooney, John Cusack, Woody Harrelson, Elias Koteas, Jared Leto, John C. Reilly, and John Travolta. The Thin Red Line was nominated for seven Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. * No one under the age of 17 will be admitted without a parent or guardian.
For more information on our programs, please visit the website at: www.loc.gov/avconservation/theater/.