The Wheeling Film Society kicks off its seventh season of screening and discussing classic Hollywood films with a free screening of the celebrated comedic masterpiece “Bringing Up Baby.
It will be shown at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, at Oglebay Institute’s Towngate Theatre.
A conversation about the film, led by John Whitehead, professor of film studies at Wheeling Jesuit University, takes place at noon Tuesday, Sept. 18, at the Ohio County Public Library.
In the legendary comedy “Bringing Up Baby,” Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant exude all the charm and wit of Hollywood’s Golden Era. Grant stars as a straight-laced paleontologist, and Katharine Hepburn is a madcap heiress who unwittingly makes a fiasco of both their lives. Riding along for the fun are a dog named George, a leopard named Baby, a snooty society matron with a spare million, a caretaker on the sauce and a random assortment of kooky characters who can’t help but add to the confusion. Directed by Hollywood legend Howard Hawks, “Bringing Up Baby” is one of the finest screwball comedies ever made.
Dinner and a Movie!
With advance reservations, moviegoers can enjoy a buffet dinner at 6:30 p.m. in Towngate’s social room. After dinner, guests head upstairs for the free movie at 7:30 p.m. The cost for dinner is $20 and includes all food, soft drinks, coffee, tea, water and a box of popcorn to enjoy during the film. Beer and wine are available for purchase. Dinner guests also can reserve seats for the film prior to the screening.
Popular Wheeling eatery Ye Olde Alpha provides the food for the Sept. 14 dinner and a movie. The menu features glazed pork tenderloin, lemon chicken, roasted red potatoes, grilled vegetables, heirloom tomato and candy onion salad, mixed green salad and bread with honey butter. Reservations for the dinner must be made by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12.
Oglebay Institute, Wheeling Jesuit University and the Ohio County Public partnered to form the Wheeling Film Society. WFS events bring movie buffs together to watch and discuss classic films. All screenings and discussions are free and open to the public.
Other 2018-19 Screenings and Discussions:
“Dr. Strangelove”
Stanley Kubrick’s classic satire on warfare stars Peter Sellers in multiple roles and follows a group of paranoid, war-happy, ultra-nationalist generals who manage to initiate an “accidental” nuclear apocalypse. Screening at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, at Towngate. Conversation about the film takes place at noon Tuesday, Nov.13, at the Ohio County Public Library.
“The Wizard of Oz”
Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion return to the big screen to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the beloved musical “The Wizard of Oz.” Screening at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 8, at Towngate. Conversation about the film takes place at noon Tuesday, March 12, at the Ohio County Public Library.
“Rear Window”
“Rear Window,” Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic 1954 suspenseful thriller, stars James Stewart and Grace Kelly. Screening at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 12, at Towngate. Conversation about the film takes place at noon Tuesday, April 16, at the Ohio County Public Library.
For more information on Towngate Theatre, visit www.oionline.com or call 304-242-7700.
