The following is a guest post by Jenny Paxson of the Packard Campus.
Thursday, June 20 (7:30 p.m.)
The Kids Are All Right (Focus Features, 2010 – rated R*)
Annette Bening and Julianne Moore star as Nic and Jules, an upper middle class, same-sex couple raising two teenaged children, Joni (Mia Wasikowska) and Laser (Josh Hutcherson), each conceived by the same anonymous sperm donor. The imperfect but stable home life of the family is thrown askew when the kids decide to seek out their birth father (Mark Ruffalo) and make him part of their lives. This critically acclaimed comedy/drama was co-written (with Stuart Blumberg) and directed by Lisa Cholodenko, based in part on some aspects of her life. The Kids Are All Right received numerous awards and nominations including four Oscar nominations: Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actress (Bening) and Best Actor (Ruffalo), and was listed on dozens of critics’ top ten lists. 106 min. * No one under the age of 17 will be admitted without a parent or guardian.
Friday, June 21 (7:30 p.m.)
King Creole (Paramount, 1958)
In what many (including the King himself) consider his best film, Elvis Presley plays rebellious teenager Danny Fisher who works before and after school to support his impoverished family in a tough New Orleans neighborhood. After Danny gets a job singing at a nightclub, he is eventually dragged into the criminal underworld. Michael Curtiz (Casablanca) directed this atypical “Elvis” movie in which the musical numbers make sense in the context of the story. Backed by his real-life guitarist Scotty Moore, Presley sings 12 songs including; Hard Headed Woman, Trouble‘ and the title number. Based on novel by Harold Robbins, the cast also includes Carolyn Jones, Dolores Hart, Walter Matthau, Dean Jagger and Vic Morrow. 35mm archival film print.116 min.
Saturday, June 22 (2 p.m.)
Muppet Treasure Island (Buena Vista, 1996)
Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale of a young orphan who becomes involved with pirate Long John Silver is given the Muppet treatment in this vibrant children’s musical. The film stays loyal to the original storyline but casts the well-known puppets in many of the supporting roles. Young Jim Hawkins remains human (portrayed by Kevin Bishop), as does Long John Silver, played by an amusingly exaggerated Tim Curry. However, Captain Smollet is played by Kermit the Frog; Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and Rizzo the Rat serve as roving narrators; and numerous other Muppets assume smaller roles. Muppet voices and puppetry are provided by regulars Frank Oz, Steve Whitmire and others. Rated G. 35mm archival film print. 99 min.
Saturday, June 22 (7:30 p.m.)
Beach Blanket Bingo (American International Pictures, 1965)
Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon star in the fifth (and perhaps best known) installment of a series of slapdash musical comedies set against a Malibu backdrop of surfing, sun worshipping and California teenagers that began with AIP’s Beach Party in 1963. The series’ popularity came from a formula of mixing pop acts (in this case The Hondells and Donna Loren) and guest star cameos (Don Rickles, Paul Lynde and the legendary silent comedian Buster Keaton in this feature) with the stars in a minimalist story spiked with goofy, lowbrow humor. Another key to the success of the Beach Party franchise was the theme of teenage freedom, as parental involvement was non-existent. In addition to Annette and Frankie, series regulars John Ashley and Jody McRae are on board along with Linda Evans and Deborah Walley. 35mm archival film print. 98 min.
For more information on our programs, please visit the website at: //www.loc.gov/avconservation/theater/