CLASSIC MOVIE NIGHT at the Historic USO Building

On Wednesday, October 22, Classic Movie Night winds up its series, “Westerns…with a Twist!” with the film version of the long-running award-winning Broadway musical.

This 1955 American musical film was based on the 1943 musical of the same name by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, which in turn was based on the 1931 play Green Grow the Lilacs written by Lynn Riggs. It stars Gordon MacRae, Shirley Jones (in her film debut), Rod Steiger, Charlotte Greenwood, Gloria Grahame, Gene Nelson, James Whitmore, Barbara Lawrence, and Eddie Albert. The production was the only musical directed by famed director, Fred Zinnemann.^[5]

Set in Oklahoma Territory shortly after the turn of the 20th century, it tells the story of farm girl Laurey Williams (Jones) and her courtship by two rival suitors, cowboy Curly McLain (MacRae) and the sinister and frightening farmhand Jud Fry (Steiger). A secondary romance concerns Laurey’s friend, Ado Annie (Grahame), and cowboy Will Parker (Nelson), who also has an unwilling rival. A background theme is the territory’s aspiration for statehood, and the local conflict between cattlemen and farmers. (Info from Wikipedia) The film is widely praised for Agnes DeMille’s fabulous innovative choreography, which she had created for the original stage version.

This outstanding classic screens on flex Wednesday, October 22 at the beautiful Historic USO Building.  Our sensational Snack Bar opens at 6:15 pm to serve up some mighty tasty vittles that will make your classic movie-going experience complete.  And, they won’t break the bank!  Move screens at 7:15 pm. It runs close to 3 hours in length, so our Snack Bar will remain open during  an intermission. Admission is, as it always has been, a donation of at least $3 to help us maintain our very own cherished “movie palace.”  But, that has always been up to your discretion.  Just be there!  Film titles are always available on our Events Board located just outside the front door of the Historic USO Building. You can always pick up a film schedule from the Bookstore during its hours of operation: Wednesday through Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm.  You may also call us at 760-375-8456 during those hours for more information.