THE MUSIC MAN Offered On Reel 13 On Christmas Eve

Meredith Willson's ever popular story about the unlikely romance between a flashy con artist and a staid librarian, "The Music Man," featuring such favorites as "76 Trombones" and "Ya Got Trouble," will be the Christmas Eve presentation December 24 at 9 p.m. on Reel 13, THIRTEEN's weekly movie showcase for classic, short and independent films. Special guest Michael Feinstein will discuss the film with Richard Peña, Program Director of the Film Society of Lincoln Center.

James Stewart and Carole Lombard's "Made for Each Other" is the other classic film for December's Reel 13, which will feature a shortened roster of films because of special pledge and holiday programming.

Tom Tykwer's "Heaven" and Whit Stillman's "Metropolitan" are the complementary Indie offerings. Stillman will introduce and discuss the making of the film.

WNET is the parent company of THIRTEEN and WLIW21, New York's public television stations. For nearly 50 years, WNET has been producing and broadcasting national and local documentary and other programs to the New York community.

Every Saturday night beginning at 9 p.m., viewers can catch a Classic hosted by film historian Neal Gabler, followed by an Indie, hosted by Peña.

The evening concludes with a Short selected by visitors to Reel13.org who vote for their favorite of three shorts every week.

December 17

"Made for Each Other" (1939) Dir: John Cromwell
A couple (James Stewart and Carole Lombard) struggles to find happiness after a whirlwind romance.
"Metropolitan" (1990) Director Whit Stillman
An ode to the world of NYC prep society, the movie depicts the lives of young, upper-class New Yorkers during debutante ball season while they are home for winter break in their first year of college. It received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay. With Carolyn Farina, Edward Clements and Chris Eigeman

December 24

"The Music Man" (1962) Dir: Morton DaCosta
Meredith Willson's beloved Broadway musical about a librarian (Shirley Jones) who falls for a charming con artist (Robert Preston in his original stage role) as he convinces the Iowan townspeople to start a marching band.
"Heaven" (2002) Dir: Tom Tykwer
A woman (Cate Blanchett) takes the law into her own hands after police ignore her pleas to arrest the man responsible for her husband's death.

Reel 13 is funded by the Sy Syms Foundation, the Henry Nias Foundation, and the Rubin Museum of Art. This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

David Horn is executive producer. Bob Morris is senior producer. Colleen McHugh is associate producer. Kevin Alexander is production assistant.

Visit Reel 13 Online at http://www.thirteen.org/sites/reel13/ for additional information.

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