The Philadelphia Story was among Katharine Hepburn's best, and Jimmy Stewart won an Oscar for his role in the 1940 romantic comedy, which also starred Cary Grant. Hepburn, Stewart, Grant and Oscar: what a great way to kick off the annual Summer Classics Movie Series at Tampa Theatre, a classic in its own right.
The series, which continues each Sunday afternoon through Sept. 26, will include an Elvis double feature, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, From Here to Eternity, An American in Paris, The Lady Vanishes, Dr. No, The Producers, Blazing Saddles, The Way We Were, Lawrence of Arabia, Guys & Dolls, Poltergeist, It Happened One Night, Saturday Night Fever and Psycho.
Two films get special treatment during the series, playing on Saturday and Sunday afternoons: Casablanca (July 17-18) and Gone with the Wind (Sept. 4-5). The series wraps up Sept. 26 with Buster Keaton's Steamboat Bill, Jr., featuring Rosa Rio on the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ.
Members of the Central Florida Theatre Organ Society perform at the Mighty Wurlitzer before every movie. And, new this year, some films will encourage audience costume parades.
Tampa Theatre, which opened in 1926, is at 711 N Franklin St. Tickets for all shows in the series except the finale are $7 adults and $6 seniors, students and military. Steamboat Bill, Jr. tickets are $8-$10. 813 274-8981; or www.tampatheatre.org
