The National Museum of American History presents a three-day film festival, spotlighting the birth of motion-picture sound, on Friday, July 13, 2012 – 5:30pm – Sunday, July 15, 2012 – 5:30pm.
The third film festival in the Classic Film Series at the Warner Bros. Theater highlights the birth of motion picture sound. A private screening of Singin in the Rain—celebrating its 60th anniversary—will feature interviews with writer and public speaker Patricia Ward Kelly and actress Rita Moreno. Kelly is the wife of the late Gene Kelly, star, co-director and choreographer of Singin’ in the Rain (1952). Moreno has several credits to her resume, including the role of Zelda Zanders in Singin’ in the Rain and as supporting actor in film adaptations of The King and I (1956) and West Side Story (1961).
The evening of July 13 begins with a light reception with wellies and rain slickers encouraged. Participants can view a new display of objects related to these classic films and the history of Warner Bros. “You Must Remember This” includes costumes worn by Clint Eastwood, Bette Davis, Jeff Daniels and Martin Sheen along with the Singin’ in the Rain score.
The public portion of the festival features The Jazz Singer, Saturday, July 14, at 1 p.m. and The Broadway Melody at 6 p.m. Don Juan will be shown Sunday, July 15, at 1 p.m. A discussion about the films and opportunity to view “You Must Remember This” precede each screening. The public festival schedule is available at http://americanhistory.si.edu/filmseries