The following is a guest post by Jenny Paxson of the Packard Campus.
Thursday, July 19 (7:30 p.m.)
Destry Rides Again (Universal, 1939)
Directed by George Marshall and starring James Stewart and Marlene Dietrich, Destry Rides Again is set in Bottleneck, a lawless town run by corrupt saloon owner, Kent (Brian Donlevy), who finds himself at odds with the new pacifist deputy sheriff, Tom Destry, Jr. (James Stewart). Inspired by Max Brand’s novel of the same name, Destry Rides Again was Stewart’s first Western. Laced with comedy and musical numbers, it helped revive the career of Marlene Dietrich who sings three Frank Loesser- Friedrich Hollaender numbers including the much-imitated “See What the Boys in the Back Room Will Have.” First brought to the screen in 1932 with Tom Mix and ZaSu Pitts, George Marshall again remade the story in 1954 as Destry starring Audie Murphy and Mari Blanchard. Added to the National Film Registry in 1996. 95 min. 35mm archival print.
Friday, July 20 (7:30 p.m.)
Nicholas and Alexandra (Columbia, 1971)
Set against the backdrop of the 1917 Russian Revolution, this epic drama tells the story of the controversial monarch Nicholas Romanov (Michael Jayston). Insensitive to the needs of his people, he is overthrown and exiled to Siberia with his wife, Alexandra (Janet Suzman) and family. The story examines the private lives of the imperial couple and their daughters (including the much-talked-about Anastasia), the painful secret that bound them all to the mystical monk Rasputin (Tom Baker) and their ill-fated end. Also appearing in the film are Sir Laurence Olivier and Sir Michael Redgrave . the latter in his final screen performance. Produced by Sam Spiegel with directing credit going to Franklin J. Schaffner, Nicholas and Alexandra received mixed reviews from critics, but received six Oscar nominations including Best Picture, winning for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design. Rated PG, 183 min. 35mm archival print.
Saturday, July 21 (2 p.m.)
Oliver & Company (Disney, 1988)
In this Disney animated family feature inspired by the classic Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist, Oliver is a homeless kitten who joins a gang of dogs to survive in the streets. Among other changes, the setting of the film was relocated from 19th century London to modern-day New York City, Fagin’s gang is made up of dogs (one of which is Dodger), and Sykes is a loan shark. The voice actors include Joey Lawrence as Oliver, Billy Joel as Dodger and Dom DeLuise as Fagin, plus Cheech Marin, Bette Midler, Robert Loggia and Richard Mulligan. The soundtrack album, featuring performances by Joel and Midler along with Huey Lewis and Ruth Pointer, was Grammy nominated for Best Recording for Children. Rated G. 74 min. 35mm archival print.
For more information on our programs, please visit the website at: www.loc.gov/avconservation/theater/.