September 2024: Music of Mancini
The Library of Congress highlights the musical career of Henry Mancini (1924-1994). Often cited as one of the greatest composers in film history, he created many memorable scores and instantly recognizable melodies over the course of five decades. This month, the Packard Campus Theater is proud to present a mix of greatest hits and rarely screened gems from Mancini’s extensive and varied filmography.
Touch of Evil (Universal Pictures, 1959)
Friday, September 6 @ 7:30 PM
Orson Welles directs and stars in this stylish thriller about a corrupt detective who frames a Mexican youth as part of an intricate criminal plot. Mancini’s music, a mixture of rock and roll and Latin-jazz intended to capture the feeling and effect of a Mexican border town, was issued as his first movie soundtrack album. 1976 Preview Version. Black & white, 108 min. (35mm)
The Pink Panther (MGM, 1963)
Saturday, September 7 @ 2:00 PM
Bumbling inspector Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers) tries to prevent a notorious jewel thief known as The Phantom (David Niven) from stealing the priceless Pink Panther diamond. First pairing of Sellers and director Blake Edwards. The iconic theme song reached the Top 10 on the U.S. Billboard adult contemporary chart and won three Grammy Awards. Color, 113 min. (35mm)
This Island Earth (Universal Pictures, 1955)
Saturday, September 7 @ 7:30 PM
An atomic scientist takes part in a top-secret research experiment and quickly discovers he is really involved in an evil alien scheme to take over Earth. Herman Stein composed most of the score, with assistance from Mancini and Hans J. Salter, but all three were unaccredited. One of the most popular sci-fi films of all time, presented in an original Technicolor 35mm print. Color, 87 min.
Days of Wine and Roses (Warner Bros., 1962)
Friday, September 13 @ 7:30 PM
A hard-drinking PR executive (Jack Lemmon) marries a young secretary (Lee Remick), whom he systematically addicts to booze so they can share his “passion” together. Soon, both struggle to break their addiction and save their marriage. The theme song won Mancini an Oscar and a Grammy. Black & white, 117 min. (Digital)
The Great Mouse Detective (Walt Disney Pictures, 1986)
Saturday, September 14 @ 2:00 PM
Giving Sherlock Holmes a run for his money, Basil is a brilliant mouse detective who unravels a dastardly plot by the sinister Ratigan (Vincent Price). Set in Victorian London, this Disney classic captivates with its action-packed story, endearing characters, and captivating animation. Features Mancini’s first complete score for an animated feature. Color, 80 min. (35mm)
The Great Waldo Pepper (Universal Pictures, 1975)
Saturday, September 14 @ 7:30 PM
He’s no chauffeur, and he’s no mailman. He’s an aviator! Robert Redford stars as a former WWI pilot turned stunt flyer in this story of aerial hi-jinks set in the late 1920s. Mancini’s score includes a number of rousing marches in the vein of John Philip Sousa, as well as waltzes, rags, and music for player pianos in the classic style of silent films. Color, 107 min. (Digital)
Victor/Victoria (Warner Bros., 1982)
Friday, September 20 @ 7:30 PM
A down-on-her-luck singer (Julie Andrews) is convinced by a gay impresario (Robert Preston) to masquerade as a female impersonator, becoming a huge success in Paris nightclubs and attracting the attentions of a Chicago gangster (James Garner). The catchy tunes from Mancini and lyricist Leslie Bricusse include “Le Jazz Hot,” “The Shady Dame from Seville,” and “Crazy World.” Color, 133 min. (Digital)
The Creature from the Black Lagoon (Universal Pictures, 1954)
Saturday, September 21 @ 2:00 PM
Universal’s classic monster movie tells the mythical story of a dangerous half-human, half-fish creature lurking in the depths of the Amazon. Part of its success stems from the score, a hybrid arrangement by Mancini, Hans J. Salter, and Herman Stein, with all three being unaccredited. Careful listening reveals a distinct inspiration for John Williams’ groundbreaking theme for Jaws. Black & white, 79 min. (Digital)
Charade (Universal Pictures, 1963)
Saturday, September 21 @ 7:30 PM
After her husband’s murder, Regina Lampert (Audrey Hepburn) finds herself entangled in a web of deception and danger. She seeks help from a charming stranger (Cary Grant) but soon questions his true intentions as identities shift and secrets unravel. The gripping plot allows Mancini’s musical creativity to flourish, resulting in a seamless integration of music and visuals. Color, 113 min. (35mm)
“Wait Until Dark” (1967)
Wait Until Dark (Warner Bros., 1967)
Friday, September 27 @ 7:30 PM
A blind woman (Audrey Hepburn) is terrorized by a trio of thugs as they search for a heroin-stuffed doll they believe is in her apartment. One of the screen’s most memorable thrillers, based on Frederick Knott’s play. The score is notable for Mancini’s use of two pianos, tuned a quarter-tone apart, with the “wrong” notes echoing the “right” ones to add to the eerie effect. Color, 108 min. (Digital)
Hatari! (Paramount Pictures, 1962)
Saturday, September 28 @ 2:00 PM
Director Howard Hawks reteams with John Wayne, who leads a daring team of animal wranglers in the African wilderness. Fresh off his double Oscar win for Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Mancini adds a sparkling score highlighted by the incredibly goofy “Baby Elephant Walk,” which subsequently became musical shorthand for kookiness of any stripe. Get this tune in your head and it sticks! Color, 159 min. (35mm)
Lifeforce (MGM, 1986)
Saturday, September 28 @ 7:30 PM
A race of space vampires arrives in London and infects the populace, beginning an apocalyptic descent into chaos. Director Tobe Hooper (Poltergeist) specifically sought out Mancini, who contributes a provocative, dramatic, and dynamic orchestral score—which mostly fell victim to the cutting room floor during post-production. Michael Kamen was tapped at the last minute to compose additional cues. Color, 101 min. (35mm)
PLEASE NOTE:
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 Packard Campus 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.
Titles and formats subject to change