6:30 pm in the Helen Hayes Gallery
     The National Theatre
1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20004

CLASSICS OF THE LATE GREAT MILLENNIUM

First Come, First Seated FREE ADMISSION  Information: (202) 783-3372
Seating is limited!!  Tickets are Required,
and are Distributed one Half-Hour Prior to Performance.

18 June
AMERICAN BEAUTY

Lester Burnham's wife hates him, his daughter Jane regards him with contempt, and his boss is positioning him for the ax -- the typical suburban nightmare.  Provoked by middle-age passions, Lester makes some radical moves, but learns that the ultimate freedom comes at the ultimate price.

This film will be introduced by local stage and film actor and director Eric Lucas.

Kevin Spacey, Annette Benning
DreamWorks Pictures: Directed by Sam Mendes.
Rated R, 122 min., Pictures, 1999

25 June
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

This definitive film version of the classic Gaston Leroux novel provides an excellent showcase for the artistry of silent star Lon Chaney.  Shudder when the opera house chandelier crashes to the floor, and shiver when the Phantom retreats to his eerie kingdom in the sewers of Paris.

Accompaniment for this silent film will be provided by Gary Schwartz.

Lon Chaney
Universal Pictures: Directed by Rupert Julian; 1925;
Not Rated; 77 minutes, 1925

9 July
THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION

Tim Robbins plays a banker questionably accused of his wife's murder, and Morgan Freeman is a seasoned lifer in this extraordinary tale of hope, survival and friendship in the turbulent cauldron of a maximum security prison.   The hardened con befriends the erstwhile moneyman, as they do hard time through the 1940s, '50s and '60s. The film garnered an Oscar Nomination for Best Film.

This film will be introduced by Prof. Calleen Sinette Jennings, of American University.

Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Gil Bellows, James Whitmore.
Columbia Pictures: Directed by Frank Darabont
Rated R, 142 min., 1994

16 July
THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE

Twelve years after the collapse of the Christian empire of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, this film tells, for the first time, Tammy's side of the story.  She explains what really happened "backstage" when they lost control of their ministry, and she recounts her efforts to put her life back together.  Peopled by the extraordinary personalities who rule the televangelist industry, this is the playful and amazing story of a unique woman's view of her world.

This film will be introduced by Prof. Ed Ingebretsen of Georgetown University.

Tammy Faye Bakker, RuPaul
Lions Gate Films: A film by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato
Rated PG-13, 79 minutes, Lions Gate Films, 2000

23 July
MISS EVERS' BOYS

In 1932, the U.S. Government began a medical program to treat black men for syphilis in the South's only black hospital.  Funding for the program was cut off soon after, but money was made available to continue a study of the effects of untreated syphilis in black men to determine if blacks and whites were similarly affected by the disease.  The program was dismantled in 1972 after it was exposed to the public.  An aged, black nurse, Eunice Evers (Alfre Woodward), testifies before the 1973 Senate hearings into the Tuskegee study. Through a series of lengthy flashbacks, her testimony evokes the 1932 origin and three-decade course of this research experiment and its devastating effect on the black men of Macon County, Alabama.

This film will be introduced by Ani Gasti, who worked at HBO on its development.

Alfre Woodward, Laurence Fishburne, Craig Sheffer, Joe Morton
HBO: Directed by Joseph Sargent
Rated PG, 118 min., HBO 1997

30 July
THE ADVENTURES OF PRISCILLA: QUEEN OF THE DESERT

Terence Stamp is beautifully decked out as a regal old girl who calls herself Bernadette in this sentimental road picture set against the spectacular outback of Australia.  Stamp is one of three drag queens who are accompanied by a down-home Aussie named Bob as they travel halfway across the land down under.  Stephan Elliott's uproarious and touching look at a colorfully outrageous and offbeat culture features a great retro disco soundtrack and exotic production numbers.  Hugo Weaving is Mitzi, the leader of the troop, who has a couple of secret reasons for accepting a gig at a desert resort. Guy Pearce steals much of the film as Felicia, the most flamboyant and funniest of the three queens. Bill Hunter is Bob, the mechanic who helps keep the garish bus "Priscilla" running across the sands.

This film will be introduced by celebrated pageant judge, Frank Nowicki.  Special hostess for the evening will be Miss Ella Fitzgerald, who has appeared professionally for more than 30 years as  Washington's leading female illusionist.

Terence Stamp, Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce
Gramercy Pictures: Directed by Stephan Elliott
Rated R, 102 min., 1994

6 Aug
TOPSY-TURVY

The relationship between Gilbert and Sullivan, the great operetta writers, was as stormy as it was productive.  The angst and vibrant invention amidst which their jovial masterpieces were created comes vividly to life in this seductive film, which is by turns, witty and touching, funny and heart-wrenching.  Portraying these masters of operetta at a turning point in their collaboration, it also paints a rich tapestry of Victorian life in elegant detail.

Jim Broadbent, Allan Corduner, Lesley Manville
USA Films: Created by writer/director Mike Leigh.
Rated R, 160 min., 1999

13 Aug
THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN

This wild gothic concoction, adapted from Mary Shelley's novel, is a champ classic among horror films.  A wry sense of humor animates this impeccable production, highlighted by extravagant visuals and a superb Franz Waxman score.  The final laboratory sequence in which Drs. Frankenstein and Praetorious create a mate for the monster is, perhaps the most spectacular climax in the history of the genre.

Boris Karloff, Colin Clive, Elsa Lanchester
Universal Pictures: Directed by James Whale
Not rated, 75 minutes, 1935

Prints from Swank Motion Pictures, Inc.

The National Theatre thanks Charles A. Fazio and Vision Digital Media/Vision Creative for the Projection Equipment provided for this series.

Free films are shown at the National Theatre during summer months.  Performances are at 6:30 pm on Monday evenings in the Helen Hayes Gallery, where the national portrait of Miss Hayes is displayed.  Admission is free, on a first-come, first-seated basis. The series was inaugurated in 1985. Program Schedules can be secured by sending a Self-Addressed, Stamped Envelope to "Cinema," National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20004. Recorded program information is available at 202-783-3372.
 

PRODUCER         Donn B. Murphy
COORDINATOR      Natalie Forbes

MC               Todd Clark
HOSTS            Gregory Lee, LaJuan F. Liles

FLYER ART        Faith Moeckel
BOOKING          Brian Fox

GENERAL MGR.     Harry Teter, Jr.
THEATRE MGR.     Carol Hayes
SECURITY         Elizabeth Doherty, Esther King and Bob Lawrence

BARRYMORE TEAM Jon Carrow, Cynthia Evans, Sheryl John,
Betty Lanier and Krystal Morris

The National Theatre is a 501.c.3. not-for-profit organization and a member of the United Arts
 Organization, The Combined Federal Campaign and the United Way of the Greater Washington Area.   Your contribution to #8663 helps keep this historical playhouse alive and these free outreach programs operating.  Your support is greatly appreciated.

Home Page: www.nationaltheatre.org

Contact:    dbm@nationaltheatre.org