Playhouse Square's Annual 'Cinema at the Square' Begins This Weekend

This week marks the beginning of what has become an enduring tradition for Playhouse Square, as they launch their annual "Cinema at the Square." For the next two weeks, fifteen classic films will be revived on the second biggest screen in the Cleveland area (the local Imax is bigger but, by the same token, they aren't going to be running "Gone With the Wind" anytime soon) at Playhouse Square's Palace Theatre. Fifteen dollars will get you six tickets to the films of your choice, or you can pay five dollars at the door to films that are guaranteed memories in the making.

Once at the theatre, you'll get all the sugar-rush and popcorn dreams that you would get at any movie theatre, but instead of annoying trailers and grating commercials, before the films you will be entertained by the melodies of a honest-to-goodness organist and then get to watch several classic Warner Brothers cartoons before the feature begins.

What movies are there to choose from, you ask? Well, instead of dryly listing them below, BroadwayWorld spoke with Playhouse Square's Marketing Coordinator Tom Sarago about the films and why they were chosen.

Was "Young Frankenstein" chosen as a primer for the upcoming musical tour?

Yes! It was. Not only was it chosen to help launch the upcoming Broadway tour but this special engagement is free of charge!

What makes the film hold up as well as it does today?

I think the films strength is its humor; I think the majority of film-goers can agree that good humor is ageless.

What, for you, is the funniest moment in the film?

Marty Feldman was incredible. A little known fact is that a majority of his lines were improvised; which to me makes him all the more hilarious.  

What's your favorite Hitchcock film?

I'm going to have to go with "The Birds." I loved how Hitchcock didn't limit one certain breed of bird; seagulls, crows, etc all equal offenders. The real creep-out factor to me is that it never was really explained why they began attacking in the first place. Rumors exist that Hitchcock was fascinated by a real life event involving pollution in a California town being a factor for killing thousands of birds. Perhaps they attacked for revenge?

Why was "The 39 Steps" chosen?

Because it's an extraordinary film and we already screened several other Hitchcock films in years past!

Now seriously, what the heck are The 39 Steps anyway? I promise you won't get shot on stage if you tell.

Ha! I'm not answering that one. Not a chance.

Why "Gone with the Wind"?

Because we are confident that our traditional theater-going audience knows how to sit still for hours!

Why, in your opinion, does Scarlett remain such a vital and resonating heroine today?

Because the term "southern belle" wouldn't be the same without her, would it?

What's your favorite scene from the films three-hour plus runtime?

I'll be honest...I never made it past the halfway point!

With "Arsenic and Old Lace," I'm beginning to notice a trend concerning the films chosen having some connection with Broadway. This, the aforementioned "Young Frankenstein" and "The 39 Steps" and the upcoming "West Side Story." Heck, even "Gone With the Wind" and "Breakfast at Tiffany's" had flop musical productions staged. Was this purposeful on your part or just luck on ours?

Oh, I'd have to figure it was slightly intentional but then again, what classic films from those time periods HASN'T become a musical by now??

Is "Arsenic and Old Lace" your favorite Capra film?

No, I'll go with "It's a Wonderful Life"

Have you ever had a kind dear old Aunt offer you wine that tasted a little funny?

I'm a shot and a beer guy; all wine tastes a little funny to me...

Tell us about why you chose "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre."

I think because the poignancy of the film resonates with a lot of current events today; just look at the stock market dipping and other losses people have endured. I think this film truly reminds people of what is most important in life.

Now what's this whole Sing-A-Long "West Side Story" presentation about?

Glad you asked! It's a new trend designed to allow our audiences to interact with the film by "following the bouncing ball" and signing along in their seats. Back in 1961 ushers may have looked down on this behavior but I can assure you, this time we encourage

What's your favorite tune in "West Side Story"?

Oh, I'll go with "America."

Previous years have had a Hepburn film, and this year was no exception with "Breakfast at Tiffany's." Why this film?

Because it's a superb film and much less of a time commitment than "Gone With the Wind" for a single guy on a date!

Though Hepburn had dozens of classic film roles, this seems to be the one that made her immortal. Why do you think that is?

Well, in my opinion, it's her best role and her most recognizable.

Why was "It's A Mad Mad Mad World" chosen?

With a cast featuring Spencer Tracy, Buddy Hackett, Milton Bearle, Buster Keaton, Sid Ceaser, Jonathon Winters and Jimmy Durante (in his final screen appearance) how couldn't you? I mean, these guys still get referenced at Friars Club roasts for a reason.

Who were you rooting for to get the cash when you first saw the film?

I'll say Buddy Hackett... he never had a shot though...

When did you first see "Rosemary's Baby" and how much of an impact did it have on your ability to sleep that night?

Had to be my mid-teen years. I don't recall it affecting my sleep as much as "The Exorcist" did but it was an awfully creepy film and one I'd rate higher than any "horror" film ever made.

Why does it remain so terrifying all these years later, in your opinion?

Just the total psychological fright factor. I honestly don't know why Hollywood continues to market splatter films as scary. The blueprint of horror exists and it's with this film. I mean, I was a sucker for the splatter-house stuff when I was a kid and can still get into it from time-to-time but I certainly wouldn't view those movies as scary. With "Rosemary's Baby" you are dealing with psychological fear; not necessarily explicit or extensive gore.

Now, will you be paying Playhouse Square employees to hide in the sewers and blow air up through the grates after "The Seven Year Itch" ends?

I wouldn't dare! A lot has changed since 1955!

Tell us about why you chose the film.

Oh, I think if you're going to have a classic film series you have to have Marilyn in there somewhere.

I love that you have chosen such a diverse group of films. I wonder if anyone else could get away with having "Gone With the Wind" and "Ghostbusters" in the same cycle.

Thanks. I suppose they could but chances are it wouldn't be screened on the largest non-Imax screen in Ohio!

Please think about the next answer very carefully: Are you a god?

No, but I'll gladly give "god-like" status to our wonderful Programming Department, who carefully put this series together! Hey, I'm just the PR guy; people would probably think of me more as an arch-angel!

And then we have another great comedy, "Tootsie." Of course the film also has messages that still resonate today almost as strongly as when it was first released. Do you want to talk about them?

Well, I think it certainly opened up the conversation as to how men and women are viewed in the work place, certainly as much as any film has, all the while managing to stay a comedy. That's pretty significant.

And then we have the wonderful first "Godfather" film. Do you prefer the first or the second?

My last name ends in a vowel so that question to me is kind of like "who do you like better, Mom or Dad?"

What makes the film such an enduring classic?

Total package; great director, actors, storyline, etc. You don't get too many of those.

Can we expect Part II next Year and Part III in two years?

Well, hopefully at least part II...

And, finally, "The Muppets Take Manhattan." Let's get the controversy out of the way first, are you pro or against Pig/Frog marriage?

I'm all for it...why not?

Aside from that classic moment, what else makes this Muppet film so much fun?

It's Jim Henson and it's the perfect kind of film to bring the entire family to. The Muppets were everywhere in the 1980's. Who doesn't love them?

Tell us about the cartoons being chosen for the movies.

All the cartoons selected are classic cartoons which are programmed to further enhance the audiences experience at Cinema at the Square. In addition, guests are treated to the pre-show sounds of a restored 1928 Kimball organ which provides the perfect complement to your film.

And, finally, what makes this event so special for Playhouse Square?

Today you are able to watch a film as a passenger in a car, on a plane and even on your phone. I think people lose sight of the impact of going out on a weekend (or weeknight) and viewing a film the way they were meant to be seen. Since these films fall into the "classic" category many who have attended past seasons were able to capture the true cinematic experience. For those who missed out or were simply too young Cinema at the Square is a great opportunity to witness these Hollywood hits on the big screen; in this case the largest non-Imax screen in the state of Ohio! Even better, the cost is only $5 per film or as low as $15 for six films with our flexible "Flix Tix" package. To further enhance the experience, guests will get to hear the classic sounds of a live Kimball organ as well as view pre-show cartoons and enjoy some nostalgic treats at our snack bar. Try to get that at your local multiplex...

It's a really cool event that truly does feature something for everyone; fifteen classic films from the Golden Age of Hollywood to the special-effects laced blockbusters of the 1980's.

Go to http://www.playhousesquare.org/cinema/tickets.html to purchase tickets to this year's Cinema at the Square.

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