VTA Kicks Off Cool Films Series With West Side Story July 1-3

It's time to break out the popcorn (still FREE!) and soda (still FREE!) for the 2011 Michelob Ultra Cool Films Series at the historic Victoria Theatre, sponsored by the Heidelberg Distributing Company. West Side Story (1961) opens this popular series July 1-3, 2011.

West Side Story, starring Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno, George Chakiris and Richard Beymer, features an unforgettable score by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, dazzling choreography by Jerome Robbins and 10 Academy Awards®, including Best Picture. The film ranks #51 in the American Film Institute's Greatest Movies of All Time.

Full of spell-binding musical numbers including "Tonight," "America," "One Hand, One Heart," and "I Feel Pretty," West Side Story's Grammy® award winning Best Soundtrack is popular even fifty years later. Don't miss this classic movie musical!

The 2011 Michelob Ultra Cool Films Series is made possible through the generous support of Heidelberg Distributing Company.

What's the best part about the 2011 Michelob Ultra Cool Films Series (besides FREE popcorn and soda)? Tickets are just $5 each, or $28 for a 10-ticket passbook- a great entertainment bargain during a summer when gas prices are projected at over $4 a gallon!

Passbooks are on sale now [e1] through Ticket Center Stage. They may be purchased at the Schuster Center Box Office in downtown Dayton, by phone at (937) 228-3630 or toll free (888) 228-3630, or online at www.ticketcenterstage.com - click on Victoria Theatre Association, then Michelob Ultra Cool Films.

Individual tickets are available day-of-show at the Victoria Theatre box office, beginning one hour prior to showtime.

Films are shown at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. on Sundays in the air-conditioned comfort of the Victoria Theatre. Recreating the feel of the old-time movie palaces, guests may enjoy free popcorn and soda in the lobby beginning one hour prior to showtime, a Mighty Wurlitzer organ concert beginning 30 minutes prior to showtime, and a classic cartoon just before the movie.

For the full scoop on this summer's series, including video clips and much more, go to www.victoriatheatre.com/11-films-series. Be sure to visit our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter for exclusive Michelob Ultra Cool Films Series updates and offers.

Upcoming Films

The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) - July 8-10
Color
161 minutes
Directed by David Lean
Starring: William Holden, Alec Guinness and Sessue Hayakawa
Borrowing from the real-life building of the Burma Railway, Japanese prisoner of war camp commander Colonel Saito (Sessue Hayakawa) orders British Colonel Nicholson (Oscar® winner Alec Guinness) and his men to build a bridge over the River Kwai for Japanese military use. The Bridge on the River Kwai was 1957's highest grossing film, winning seven Academy Awards®.

PLEASE NOTE: This film will be shown on DVD because the new 35 mm print will not be available in time.

Some Like It Hot (1959) - (July 15-17)
Black and white
120 minutes
Directed by Billy Wilder
Starring: Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon
In Billy Wilder's classic film Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon travel all the way to Florida to win Marilyn Monroe's heart, except there's one problem- they're disguised as girls! Known as one of the best comedies of all time and nominated for six Academy Awards®, you're guaranteed to have a "hot" time!

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) - July 22-24
Color
133 minutes
Directed by Milos Forman
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher and Danny DeVito
Academy Award®-winner Jack Nicholson plays a rebellious patient in a mental institution who tries to overthrow the oppressive and dictator-like nurse running the asylum. Will he succeed, or does the nurse outsmart him in the end? This film is #20 on the American Film Institute's 100 Years... 100 Movies list.

Mel Brooks WEEKEND July 29 - 31
Before you see the stage production of Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein at the Schuster Center in October, celebrate the comedy genius of Mel Brooks this summer with Young Frankenstein (1974), Blazing Saddles (1974) and The Producers (1968).

Young Frankenstein (1974) - July 29
Black and white
106 minutes
Directed by Mel Brooks
Starring: Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn and Marty Feldman
Young Neurosurgeon, Dr. Frankenstein, continues his fathers' reanimation experiments with the help of his hunchback sidekick, beautiful lab assistant and old housekeeper.

Blazing Saddles (1974) - July 30
Color
93 minutes
Directed by Mel Brooks
Starring: Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder and Slim Pickens
To make a small western town unlivable and then gain political control, corrupt political boss Hedley Lemar gives the townspeople their first black sheriff. However, this soon backfires as the new sheriff spoils his crooked plans.

The Producers (1968) - July 31
Color
88 minutes
Directed by Mel Brooks
Starring: Zero Mostel, Gene Wilder and Dick Shawn
In pursuit of a fortune, down-and-out theater producer Max Bialystock swindles rich elderly women into financing the worst musical of all time!
PLEASE NOTE: This film will be shown on DVD as there is not a 35mm print available.

The Wizard of Oz (1939) - August 5-7
Color
101 minutes
Directed by Victor Fleming
Starring: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan and Ray Bolger
Luckily there's no need to worry about lions, tigers or bears when this beloved film comes to the Victoria Theatre. Sing along as you watch Judy Garland's unforgettable performance and travel through the Land of Oz.

The African Queen (1951) - August 12-14
Color
101 minutes
Directed by John Huston
Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Katharine Hepburn and Robert Morley
What could possibly happen to two people travelling down a river in Africa in a run-down boat? A whole lot of adventure! Humphrey Bogart won an Oscar® for his portrayal of Charlie Allnut, and with the strong and independent Katharine Hepburn by his side the duo can take on anything the jungle throws at them--even the Germans!

Rear Window (1954) - August 19-21
Color
101 minutes
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Starring: James Stewart, Grace Kelly and Wendell Corey
Hitchcock knows how to keep an audience in suspense--and this film is no exception. When L.B. Jeffries (James Stewart) breaks his leg, he is left to entertain himself by spying on his neighbors. His interest is piqued when one neighbor's nagging wife suddenly disappears. Grace Kelly stars as Stewart's love interest in this classic thriller.

Grease (1978) - August 26-28
Color
110 minutes
Directed by Randal Kleiser
Starring: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John and Stockard Channing
Are you born to hand jive? Spend the last of your summer nights dancing and singing along with the cast of Grease! Still one of the most adored movies of all time, John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John star in this catchy musical about the ups and downs of young love. You'll feel like you're back in high school all over again!!

For tickets call the Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or toll free (888) 228-3630, or go online www.ticketcenterstage.com or visit the Box Office located in the Wintergarden of the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center in downtown Dayton.

For more information about Victoria Theatre Association's entire 2011-2012 season, visit www.victoriatheatre.com.

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