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The Fox Classic Film Series has expanded its summer 2024 run from 10 to 16 films. All but one of the films will be shown on the traditional Thursday at 7 p.m. and the following Saturday at 2 p.m.
Historic Fox Theatre Executive Director Josh Davies chooses each season’s lineup. In an email to The Hutchinson Tribune, Davies said, “I’m very excited about the summer lineup for our Classic Film Series, presented in Partnership with PrairieStar Health Center. We’ve gotten great feedback from folks in the community that they are excited as well! The lineup is a great mix of old and new classics, with everything from comedies, musicals, and dramas to thrillers and science fiction. There are so many great films out there from the past century of movie-making. I always try to find titles that I believe our audience will enjoy seeing on the big screen in a real movie palace.”
The series has traditionally consisted of 10 movies per season, with the summer season beginning in June and the winter season beginning in January. The 2024 summer season offers 16 classic movies, and, for the first time, all movies will have a second screening.
“We’ve expanded the series by adding an additional showtime for each movie. Each film has one screening on Thursday evening at 7:00 PM and one screening on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 PM (with the exception of ‘The Notebook,’ which plays Thursday at 7:00 PM and Sunday at 2:00 PM due to a previously scheduled event on Saturday). We’ve had many requests to add a weekend screening due to some folks wanting to travel in from out of town to see these. I’m hopeful the second screening will offer patrons more opportunities to see the films,” Davies said.
Giving insight into how he chooses movies, Davies said, “I’ve been wanting to present ‘Apollo 13’ for some time now due to its ties to Hutchinson: The spacecraft interior sets were built here by SpaceWorks, a subsidiary of the Cosmosphere. SpaceWorks built two individual Lunar Modules and two Command Modules for the filming of the Ron Howard classic.
“The very recent passing of actor Dabney Coleman makes the screening of ‘9 To 5’ bittersweet. Dabney was known for playing unlikeable characters and starred in many movies from my childhood, including films like ‘Cloak And Dagger’ and ‘War Games.’ His portrayal of the ‘sexist egotistical lying hypocritical bigot’ of a boss in ‘9 To 5’ is probably one of his most memorable roles.”
Davies researches which movies have been shown to ensure a fresh rotation. He also considers public requests.
When asked whether one specific movie selection stands out, Davies pointed out the final film in the series, “The Abyss.”
“This is one of my favorite James Cameron films, up there with ‘Terminator 2’ and ‘Aliens.’ If you’ve never read about the insanely grueling process endured by the film’s cast and crew to make ‘The Abyss,’ I recommend you check that out online before seeing the film. It almost cost James Cameron his career, but the film itself is riveting and unique. This screening will be a special edition ‘James Cameron Director’s Cut,’ meaning it is the film exactly the way Cameron intended it to be without any changes implemented by the studio.”
The 2024 Summer Fox Classic Film Series schedule:
“Mary Poppins” Thursday, June 6 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, June 8 at 2 p.m.
Father of the Bride Thursday, June 13 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, June 15 at 2 p.m.
“Imitation of Life” Thursday, June 20 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, June 22 at 2 p.m.
“Dirty Dancing” Thursday, June 27 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, June 29 at 2 p.m.
“The Hunt for Red October” Thursday, July 11 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 13at 2 p.m.
“Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” Thursday, July 18 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 20
“The Notebook” Thursday, July 25 at 7 p.m. and Sunday (note the special date), July 28at 2 p.m.
“The Princess Bride” Thursday, Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 10at 2 p.m.
“The Sound of Music” Thursday, Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 17at 2 p.m.
“Apollo 13” Thursday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 24at 2 p.m.
“The Grapes of Wrath” Thursday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 31at 2 p.m.
“The Fugitive” Thursday, Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 7 at 2 p.m.
“Hello Dolly!” Thursday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 14 at 2 p.m.
“Forrest Gump” Thursday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 21 at 2 p.m.
“9 to 5” Thursday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 28 at 2 p.m.
“The Abyss” Thursday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 5 at 2 p.m.
Admission is $5. Fox Film Passes are available for $45 and include 10 admissions and 5 free small popcorns. Tickets and film passes are available at the box office.
