Bye Bye Birdie on Saturday, August 3 Film Events July 5, 2024September 4, 2024 Classic Films Under the Stars Lively '60s Musical Spoofs the Cult of Celebrity Paul Lynde singing "What's the matter with kids today?" is as timely in 2024 as it was sixty years ago in Bye Bye Birdie, as the cult of celebrity becomes even more deeply ingrained within American pop culture. Based upon the 1960 Tony Award-winning musical, it also features familiar songs "Put on a Happy Face" and "A Lot of Livin' to Do." Shot in saturated Technicolor that rivals the look of last year's Barbie, the film elevated Ann-Margret's career to superstar status – she would next appear opposite Elvis Presley in Viva Las Vegas. The film also stars Janet Leigh and Dick Van Dyke [his screen debut], with Bobby Rydell and Jesse Pearson as Conrad Birdie – and of course Ed Sullivan. Bye Bye Birdie concludes our series of screenings under the stars, presented on the expansive lawn of the historic Doctors House in Brand Park. Admission is free. Gates will open at 5:30 to allow time for picnicking and socializing before the program begins at 7:00 PM. Please bring blankets, lawn or beach chairs for seating, and plenty of water or soft drinks. The series is a presentation of Alex Film Society, The Glendale Historical Society, the Northwest Glendale Homeowners Association, Brand Associates and G&C Properties, with generous support provided by the City of Glendale's Community Services & Parks. Archivist Marc Wanamaker Speaks Before Crime Wave Archivist Marc Wanamaker Relates the History of the Brand Estate and Brand Park Directions to Brand Park and The Doctors' House In Northwest Glendale, follow
Crime Wave on Saturday, July 13 Film Events June 4, 2024July 21, 2024 Classic Films Under the Stars Film Noir on the Streets of Los Angeles Our series of monthly screenings under the stars in Glendale's Brand Park continues on Saturday, July 13 with Warner Bros.' Crime Wave, starring Sterling Hayden, Gene Nelson, Phyllis Kirk and relative newcomer Charles Buchinsky (Charles Bronson), who had worked with director Andre de Toth previously, playing Igor in House of Wax. Filmed largely on location, in addition to being a riveting crime thriller, the film also serves as a travelogue of downtown Los Angeles and Glendale c. 1952, including shots inside City Hall, Chinatown, the pet hospital near Flower on San Fernando Road in Glendale [now the Angelus Pet Hospital], downtown Glendale along Brand Blvd., and a chase through Atwater Village and over the Hyperion Viaduct. The film is often compared to The Naked City, which is noted for it's Neo-realistic depiction of a murder investigation conducted largely on the streets of New York City c. 1947. In both cases , using actual locations adds a gritty immediacy to the already sensationalistic subject matter. Crime Wave will be presented on the expansive lawn of the historic Doctors House in Brand Park. Admission is free. Gates will open at 5:30 to allow time for picnicking and socializing before the program begins at 7:00 PM. Please bring blankets, lawn or beach chairs for seating. The series is a presentation of Alex Film Society, The Glendale Historical Society, the Northwest Glendale Homeowners Association, Brand Associates and G&C Properties, with generous support provided by the City of Glendale's Community Services &
Disney’s Pinocchio – 6/8/24 Film Events May 6, 2024July 3, 2024 Classic Films Under the Stars Disney's Pinocchio on Saturday, June 8 The second season of our Summer series of monthly screenings under the stars in Glendale's Brand Park commences Saturday, June 8th with Walt Disney's animated musical classic from 1940, Pinocchio. The second of Disney's animated features, coming three years after Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the film won two Academy Awards – Best Original Score and Best Original Song – "When You Wish Upon a Star," which remains an integral part of the Walt Disney Company's branding to this day. The story of a wooden marionette brought to life by the Blue Fairy and offered the chance to become a human boy if he demonstrates that he can be brave, truthful and selfless is a message that still resonates today. Glendale based animation producer/director and AFS Board Member Frank Gladstone will introduce this program with insights into the production and the artists that worked on the film, several of whom lived in Glendale. The series continues on Saturday, July 13 with film noir classic Crime Wave, featuring several scenes shot on the streets of 1954 Glendale, and concludes on August 3 with 1963's lively musical Bye Bye Birdie, featuring Dick Van Dyke, Janet Leigh and a radiant Ann-Margret – plus Ed Sullivan and Paul Lynde. These outdoor screenings will be presented on the expansive lawn of the historic Doctors House in Brand Park. Admission is free. Gates will open at 5:30 to allow time for picnicking and socializing before the program begins at 7:00 PM. Please bring blankets, lawn
Harold Lloyd in Safety Last – 10/22/23 Film Events September 16, 2023October 5, 2023 New Date: Harold Lloyd in Safety Last! – Sunday, October 22nd, 6:00 PM Our Summer series of monthly screenings under the stars in Glendale's Brand Park now concludes on a new date: Sunday, October 22nd with a 100th anniversary screening of Harold Lloyd's silent comedy masterpiece, Safety Last!, featuring live, original music by Retroformat Musical Director Cliff Retallick In the film, Harold moves to the big city to seek his fortune so that he can afford to marry his sweetheart. Finding work as a clerk in a department store, Harold soon learns that fortunes are hard to come by, but sends inflated descriptions of his progress back home. Reality sets in as his sweetheart arrives, and he must go to great lengths to create the illusion that he's as successful as he's claimed. In the final set piece, he climbs a 12-story building to win $1,000, resulting in the iconic image of Harold hanging from the hand of the clock with the street far below. Virtual Introduction and Harold Lloyd Home Movies Suzanne Lloyd, granddaughter of Harold Lloyd, will appear onscreen to introduce the film. In addition, she'll be providing "home movies" showing Harold relaxing with friends and family. 35mm Silent Movie Camera on Display Thanks to our friends at the History for Hire prop house, we'll have a Bell & Howell Model 2709 35mm movie camera on display - the same make and model that was used to film Harold Lloyd's silent comedies through Speedy in 1928. These outdoor screenings are being presented on the expansive lawn of the historic Doctors' House in Brand