May 14, 2008

 

 

Fifteen classic films make up the Summer Classics Series roster at the Michigan Theater. The 1926 Technicolor silent swashbuckler, The Black Pirate, starring Douglas Fairbanks, kicks off the series on June 1 and 3. Steven Ball will create the live musical soundtrack on the vintage Barton Theatre Organ.

The Black Pirate defines action movies and action heroes for all time. The incredible Douglas Fairbanks did all his own stunts with amazing athleticism and grace. He could act, too. Any so-called lack of a spoken sound track is blown away by the non-stop action sequences. What a man and what a movie! It's a near-ideal film to continue the celebration of the Michigan Theater's 80th anniversary year. See it to know what a wuss Bruce Willis really is.

Every film in the summer-long series will be shown twice - on Sunday afternoon and again the following Tuesday evening - with the exception of Casablanca, shown on Labor Day only - so there's no need to fret that you'll miss one.

The complete series will include:
June 1, 3: The Black Pirate (silent). 1926. 94 minutes. Not rated.
June 8, 10: Rebel without a Cause. 1955. 111 minutes. Rated PG-13.
June 15, 17: High Noon. 1952. 85 minutes. Rated PG.
June 22, 24: Roman Holiday. 1953. 118 minutes. Rated Approved.
June 29, July 1: Muppets Take Manhattan. 1984. 94 minutes. Rated G.
July 6, 8: Jailhouse Rock. 1957. 96 minutes. Rated PG.
July 13, 15: Fritz Lang’s M. 1931. 99 minutes. Not rated.
July 20, 22: After the Thin Man. 1936. 112 minutes. Rated PG.
July 27, 29: 5 Easy Pieces. 1970. 98 minutes. Rated R.
Aug 3, 5: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. 2000. 120 minutes. Rated PG-13. Mandarin with subtitles.
Aug 10, 12: Dial M for Murder in 3-D. 1954. 105 minutes. Rated PG.
Aug 17, 19: Easy Rider. 1969. 95 minutes. Rated R.
Aug 24, 26: Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid. 1982. 88 minutes. Rated PG.
Aug 31, Sept 2: Battleship Potemkin (silent with Steven Ball on the Barton Theatre Organ).1925. 66 minutes. Not rated. (Eisenstein: Bronenosets Potyomkin.)
Sept 1: Casablanca. 1942. 102 minutes. Rated PG. FREE for students.

The series is presented by Plum Market with support from the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs, and The Ann Arbor News.

Please visit the Michigan Theater web site for more information and a complete schedule with show times: http://michtheater.org/summer_classics.php

Admission is $8.50, $6.75 for students, seniors and US veterans, $6.00 for Michigan Theater members. All shows take place at the historic Michigan Theater, 603 E. Liberty Street, across from Borders Books and Music in downtown Ann Arbor.