BRATTLEBORO-In what organizers say is an ideal pairing, one of the greatest actors from Hollywood's golden era and a grand theater built in that era have united for a Jimmy Stewart Film Festival at the Latchis Theatre in Brattleboro from Oct. 25–28.
The festival features seven films representing some of the greatest and most interesting performances of Jimmy Stewart's career. Stewart family members, including his daughter and nieces and nephews, will be on hand at many of the screenings to share memories and stories of their famous family member.
Keeping with the theme of family, the Latchis Gallery will also feature a companion exhibit - "The Mary Stewart Art Exhibition," featuring artwork by Jimmy Stewart's sister, an award-winning artist in her own right, whose work during World War II forms a parallel story to that of her brother.
Jimmy Stewart was among the first Hollywood stars to join the service during World War II. Serving in the Army Air Force, he became a decorated bomber pilot. As a squadron commander, he flew 20 combat missions over Europe and won two Distinguished Flying Crosses and the Croix de Guerre. He remained in the Air Force Reserve after the war and retired at the rank of brigadier general in 1968.
Mary Stewart designed powerful anti-Nazi propaganda posters, and she created artwork for the organization Artists for Victory, which held the National War Poster Competition of 1942. Her cartoon was accepted and won first prize at a juried exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, beating out luminaries like Saul Steinberg and Charles Addams. The exhibition went on to tour the country to promote war bonds.
Here is the schedule of events:
• Friday, Oct. 25, 6 p.m. The film festival and companion art exhibit open. Gallery doors open for a viewing of the exhibit, with refreshments.
7:30 p.m. There will be a screening of The Philadelphia Story, featuring Jimmy Stewart's only Oscar-winning performance. Starring Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant as well, it is ranked No. 44 on the 10th anniversary edition of the American Film Institute's (AFI) list of the greatest American movies of all time (2007). Stewart family members will be on hand for a Q&A after the screening. The Philadelphia Story is being presented in partnership with Vermont Independent Media (VIM), publishers of The Commons, and proceeds will be shared between Latchis Arts and VIM.
• Saturday, Oct. 26. 11 a.m. The festival continues with a family screening of the animated film American Tale: Fievel Goes West. Stewart voiced the character of Wylie Burp, in his last film role.
4 p.m. The festival features Rear Window, a mystery thriller from 1954 directed by Alfred Hitchcock and co-starring Grace Kelly. Recuperating in a wheelchair, Stewart's character is a photographer who believes he has witnessed a murder. The film is ranked No. 48 on AFI's Top 100 list. Rear Window is presented in partnership with In-Sight Photography Project, and proceeds will be shared with them.
7:30 p.m. Harvey, a comedy/fantasy from 1950, features Stewart as Elwood P. Dowd, a wealthy drunk who starts having visions of a giant rabbit named Harvey. Stewart was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for this performance. Stewart family members will be on hand for a Q&A after this screening.
• Sunday, Oct. 27, 4 p.m. The festival features The Shop Around The Corner, a warm and light movie that has been called "one of the greatest and most influential romantic comedies ever made." How influential? It was re-made in 1998 as You've Got Mail.
7:30 p.m. For the evening film, the festival presents It's a Wonderful Life. Stewart himself said it was his favorite of all the movies he'd done. Initially released in January 1946 to mixed reviews, it has now become a holiday season classic, and No. 20 on AFI's top 100 list.
• Monday, Oct. 28, 7:30 p.m. An intriguing little-known gem wraps up the festival with a special screening of The Mortal Storm. Filmed in 1940 and set in a small village in the German Alps, it dramatizes the internal turmoil and conflicts that arose in Germany after the Nazis came to power, and portrays, for the first time, family members being deported to concentration camps. After the release of this film, MGM movies were banned in Germany. A surprising lesser-known film of Stewart's career, The Mortal Storm has a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and has been called "a gutsy film with a much stronger message than people were accustomed to hearing." This special screening will be introduced by screenwriter Tim Metcalfe.
Admission on opening night is by suggested donation of $20, although all are welcome regardless of ability to pay. Admission to all other events is by suggested donation of $10. The art in the gallery will remain on exhibit through November with regular gallery hours to be announced soon. For more information, visit latchis.com.
This Arts item was submitted to The Commons.