By Jeff Alexander
August 2, 2013
They’re ba-a-a-a-ack!
August brings with it the return of the annual Summer of Free Movies at The Lyric Theatre in Stuart.
The fifth annual event features an eclectic lineup, including one welcome perennial, “Gone With the Wind.”
“Harold and Maude:” (1971) (PG) 3 p.m. Aug. 3; 5 p.m. Aug. 4. This cult comedy written and directed by the late Colin Higgins about a 20-something (Bud Cort) obsessed with suicide and falling in love with an 80-year-old (Ruth Gordon) certainly is not for all tastes. Gordon, however, is a treat, and there’s a marvelous Cat Stevens score on the soundtrack. 1 hour, 31 minutes.
“Mr. Smith Goes To Washington:” (1939) (G) 6 p.m. Aug. 3; 2 p.m. Aug. 4. Jimmy Stewart and Jean Arthur co-star in director Frank Capra’s black-and-white comedy about a Boy Scout-type leader who is chosen to fill a Senate seat vacancy. The gangly Stewart and the husky-voiced Arthur make a nice team with an entertaining filibuster near the end. 2 hours, 9 minutes.
“Ben Hur:” (1959) (G) 2 p.m. Aug. 10; 5 p.m. Aug. 11. Charlton Heston was honored with one of 11 Academy Awards (including Best Picture) for this entertaining epic in ancient Rome, directed by William Wyler (another honoree). It features a justifiably famous chariot race, which should be viewed on a large screen. 3 hours, 42 minutes.
“The Producers:” (1967) (PG) 6 p.m. Aug. 10; 2 p.m. Aug. 11. Mel Brooks (who also directed) won an Academy Award for his screenplay of this raucous comedy with Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel as Broadway producers determined to profit from staging a surefire flop. It’s definitely a matter of personal taste whether the “Springtime for Hitler” production number is offensive or hilarious; it’s more the latter. 1 hour, 28 minutes.
“Anatomy of a Murder:” (1959) (Unrated) 3 p.m. Aug. 17; 5 p.m. Aug. 18. Another wonderful Jimmy Stewart black-and-white treat, directed by Otto Preminger, features Stewart as an attorney defending an Army lieutenant on a murder charge. The all-star cast includes George C. Scott, Eve Arden, Arthur O’Connell and Lee Remick. 2 hours, 40 minutes.
“Manhattan:” (1979) (R) 6 p.m. Aug. 17; 2 p.m. Aug. 18. Woody Allen wrote and directed this very mature valentine to New York City about a Manhattanite trying to maintain a relationship, with one love interest being under 18. There is plenty of good dialogue and Allen fans should enjoy his scenes with Diane Keaton. 1 hour, 36 minutes.
“Gone With The Wind:” (1939) (G) 2 p.m. Aug. 25; 3 p.m. Aug. 31. This audience-pleaser, directed by Victor Fleming, features Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh in their definitive roles as Rhett and Scarlett. The war rages, Atlanta burns and Scarlett tries desperately to win her beloved Ashley (Leslie Howard). 3 hours, 42 minutes.
Summer of Free Movies
Where: The Lyric Theatre, 59 S.W. Flagler Ave., Stuart
Tickets: Free, sponsored by Humana; tickets are limited to four per person and available only at the box office
Information: 772-286-7827
