Thursday Afternoon Film Series March 6, 2008

In March, Williamsburg Regional Librarys Thursday Afternoon Film Series finishes screening episodes in the series, Hollywood: A Celebration of the American Silent Film. This award-winning documentary details the development of the Hollywood film industry in the early 20th century through rare clips from silent films and interviews with famous stars and directors of the period. The 50-minute episodes begin at 1 p.m., and will be followed by that weeks feature film. The March films include those that evoke the essence of various U.S. cities.

The movies are show in the Williamsburg Library Theatre, 515 Scotland Street. Admission is free and tickets are not required. Call the Adult Services Department at (757) 259-4050 or visit www.wrl.org/programs for more information.

March 6
1 p.m. The Man with the Megaphone
This episode pays tribute to that often stereotyped character, the motion picture director.

2 p.m. San Francisco (1936, unrated)
A rising opera singer (Jeanette MacDonald) falls for the dashing but disreputable owner (Clark Gable) of a rowdy saloon on the Barbary Coast in old San Francisco. Spencer Tracy costars in this terrific film from MGMs golden period.

March 13
1 p.m. - Trick of the Light
The crucial role played by cameramen in the filmmaking process is examined.

2 p.m. New Orleans (1947, unrated)
The birth of the Blues and Dixieland Jazz is affectionately covered in this little known film thats a delight for Jazz aficionados. It features performances by Billie Holiday singing the blues, backed up by Louis Armstrong and jazz greats like Kid Ory and the Woody Herman orchestra.

March 20
1 p.m. - Star Treatment
Clara Bow and John Gilbert were two of the biggest stars of the silent era.

2 p.m. In Old Chicago (1938, unrated)
A rousing disaster film about the fractious OLeary clan, whose cranky cow reputedly kicked over a lantern igniting the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Tyrone Power and Don Ameche play brothers who feud over politics and a lovely saloon singer (Alice Faye).

March 27
1 p.m. End of an Era
The era of silent film ends and the sound era begins in the final episode of this series.

2 p.m. Kansas City Confidential (1952, unrated)
A hard-boiled film noir about an ex-con trying to clear his name after being framed for bank robbery by a crooked cop. John Payne plays the hard-luck patsy who tracks down and infiltrates the vicious gang in order to bring them to justice. Lee Van Cleef, Neville Brand and Jack Elam costar in this gritty and violent picture.

Event submitted by Eventful.com on behalf of programs.