January Film Screenings at the Packard Campus Theater–NATIONAL FILM REGISTRY
The National Film Registry is a list of films deemed “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant” that are earmarked for preservation by the Library of Congress. These films are not selected as the “best” American films of all time, but rather as works of enduring importance to American culture. They reflect who we are as a people and as a nation. The Librarian of Congress makes the annual selections to the Registry after reviewing hundreds of titles nominated by the public and conferring with Library film curators and the distinguished members of the National Film Preservation Board.
The Packard Campus Theater will highlight some past selections and four newly added titles to the National Film Registry during the month of January.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 4 @ 7:30 p.m.
Pillow Talk (Universal, 1959)
Added to the National Film Registry in 2009
The first film to co-star Doris Day and Rock Hudson, this remains one of the screen’s most definitive, influential and timeless romantic comedies. Sweet and sophisticated, it is a time capsule of 1950s America. Two single New Yorkers develop an anonymous, antagonistic relationship by sharing a telephone “party line.” Both romance and complications ensue when they finally meet in person. The film is a perfect showcase for its two charismatic stars, especially the effervescent Day who demonstrates why she was both America’s Sweetheart and one of cinema’s finest comediennes. Color, 102 minutes.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 5 @ 7:30 p.m.
12 Years a Slave (Fox Searchlight, 2013)
***NEW TO THE REGISTRY***
One of the key films of the 2000s and winner of the Best Picture Oscar, “12 Years a Slave” offers a raw, visceral look at slavery on a Louisiana plantation. Directed by Steve McQueen, the film is based on the 1853 memoir of the same name by Solomon Northup, an African American free man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery for 12 years before regaining his freedom. In addition to the Best Picture Oscar, the film also won for Best Adapted Screenplay (John Ridley), and Best Supporting Actress (Lupita Nyong’o). Color, 134 minutes.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 11 @ 7:30 p.m.
Dinner at Eight (MGM, 1933)
***NEW TO THE REGISTRY***
Director George Cukor has many works on the National Film Registry and the racy, pre-Code comedy/drama “Dinner at Eight” illustrates why. Cukor knew how to adapt plays into film, removing their staginess in order to make them work well on film. This ensemble film about high society features an all-star cast, arguably one of the greatest ever assembled to that point in cinema history, and it became a major event in the early sound era. Frances Marion and Herman J. Mankiewicz adapted the George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber play for the screen. Black & white, 113 minutes. Plus a a selected short subject.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 12 @ 7:30 p.m.
Monterey Pop (Leacock-Pennebaker, 1968)
Added to the National Film Registry in 2018
This seminal music-festival film captures the culture of the time and performances from iconic musical talent. “Monterey Pop” also established the template for multi-camera documentary productions of this kind, highly influencing the later produced “Woodstock.” Performers include Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Otis Redding, The Who, and Jefferson Airplane. Pennebaker decided to shoot and record the film using five portable 16mm cameras equipped with synchronized sound recording devices, while producers Lou Adler and John Phillips (of the Mamas and Papas) sagely had the whole concert filmed and recorded, and further enhanced the sound by hiring Wally Heider and his state-of-the-art mobile recording studio. Color, 79 minutes. Plus selection from “Don’t Look “Back” (Leacock-Pennebaker, 1967) featuring Bob Dylan.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18 @ 7:30 p.m.
Fame (United Artists, 1980)
***NEW TO THE REGISTRY***
Alan Parker’s teen musical drama follows the lives of students at New York City’s High School of the Performing Arts as they tackle the demanding environment and the various issues that young students face. The musical numbers stylistically often resemble music videos in a pre-MTV world, and “Fame” influenced other classic 80’s musicals like “Footloose,” “Flashdance” and “Dirty Dancing.” Irene Cara belts out the rousing title song. The 1980s produced many classic movies on teen life, and “Fame” was a worthy prelude of great films to come. Color, 133 minutes.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 19 @ 7:30 p.m.
Apollo 13 (Universal, 1995)
***NEW TO THE REGISTRY***
The extreme challenges involved in space travel present compelling cinema storylines, and one cannot imagine a more harrowing scenario than the near tragic Apollo 13 space mission. Director Ron Howard’s retelling is equally meticulous and emotional, a master class in enveloping the audience into a complicated technological exercise in life-and-death problem-solving. The talented cast includes Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon, Gary Sinise, Ed Harris and Kathleen Quinlan. Color, 140 minutes.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 25 @ 7:30 p.m.
Out of the Past (RKO Radio, 1947)
Added to the National Film Registry in 1991
This classic example of 1940s film noir features some of the genre’s best dialog. Daniel Manwaring, under the pseudonym Geoffrey Homes, smartly adapted his novel “Build My Gallows High,” and stars Robert Mitchum and Jane Greer breathe life and larceny into his characters. Directed with supreme skill by Jacques Tourneur and brilliantly photographed by Nicholas Musuraca, this film introduced the famous Mitchum screen persona of sleepy-eyed cynic ready to toss out a line like “Baby, I don’t care” with nonchalant sex appeal. Jane Greer is equally effective, a combination of erotic fire and cool detachment. Black & White, 97 minutes. Plus a selected short subject.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 26 @ 7:30 p.m.
Sky High (Fox, 1922)
Added to the National Film Registry in 1998
Western star Tom Mix, dubbed King of the Cowboys, portrays a government agent named Newburry who discovers an illegal trade in the trafficking of Chinese immigrants. His pursuit eventually leads to a showdown in the Grand Canyon where many scenes in the film were shot. A romance with a character portrayed by Eva Novak dominates one of the subplots of the story written and directed by former newspaper reporter Lynn Reynolds. Mix, the antithesis of reigning Western hero William S. Hart, was a easygoing type, wore flashy gear and did his own stunts, a style that set a standard for cowboy stars that lasted decades. Black & White, 58 minutes . Plus a selected short subject. Live musical accompaniment by BEN MODEL.
Please note: Due to necessary electrical maintenance to the NAVCC facility, the film screening schedule for the next few months will be altered with screenings on Thursday and Friday nights only. Programs are free and the matinee show will be family friendly. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Seating at the screenings is on a first-come, first-served basis unless otherwise noted.
Patrons must go through an “airport style” security check upon entering and no large parcels, purses or backpacks are permitted.
Federal law (18 U.S.C. 930) prohibits the possession of any firearm or other dangerous weapons on this Federal facility. This includes in the parking lot, on all roads, trails, and grounds as well as inside the building. This also applies to off-duty law enforcement officers (LEO) and concealed-carry permit holders.
The Packard Campus is located at 19053 Mount Pony Road in Culpeper, Virginia. Access to the campus parking lot begins one hour before show time, entrance into the building begins 45 minutes before the show, and the theater opens for seating 30 minutes before the curtain. Please do not arrive early and queue at the gate.
The Library of Congress Packard Campus of the National Audio-Visual Conservation Center oversees one of the largest collections of motion pictures in the world. Acquired primarily through copyright deposit, exchange, gift and purchase, the collection spans the entire history of the cinema. Since 2008, the art deco theater located at the Packard Campus has shown films each week and screened more than 2,500 titles. The programs highlight the best in cinema, including silent films, Hollywood classics, kids’ cartoons and foreign films.
For more information on LC screenings, see this link.