TCM Big Screen Classics announces dates and titles for the 2016 calendar year. TCM And Fathom Events are extending their partnership for the TCM Big Screen Classics Theatrical Screening Series, which began in 2012 with the presentation of Casablanca. Now the two entities will be bringing the most popular films of yesteryear back to the big screen, in their original aspect ratios, in your local theater on an ongoing monthly basis. The fun starts Jan. 17 & 20 with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
Those of us who live in a larger metropolitan area have the advantage of seeing older films on the big screen on a pretty regular basis. Museums, film societies and archives among many other venues keep our viewing options broad, allowing a healthy dose of classics to appear even at the multiplexes on special occasions. But what about those without such big town benefits? Is there only option to travel to a classic film festival? Although TCM would love to have as many cinema devotees as they can handle at the Classic Film Festival every year, they understand it just isn’t possible, let alone a practical option for everyone. This is where the classic network’s collaboration with Fathom Events comes to the rescue. Well-chosen timeless classics are set to play all across the country in the coming year. Use the above image as a link to a calendar of what’s playing where and when.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid starts things off in January. The gold standard for the buddy film is a wonderfully entertaining western with iconic screen duo Paul Newman and Robert Redford charming their way from one bank robbery to the next. This is a must see for anyone who likes a good “bro-mance”. More must sees follow as February sees The Maltese Falcon make an appearance for its 75th anniversary, and Cecil B. DeMille's epic The Ten Commandments takes its turn in March. April features Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront in what many consider to be the finest performance by an American film actor. May sets a change of pace with Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, the seminal comedy about a high school student’s wild adventures during a single, glorious day off.
June sees Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory with Gene Wilder taking the screen as the unpredictable character. July shakes things up with the presentation of a classic summer action film, Planet Of The Apes. August sees a return to the screen of the grand Broadway musical, The King and I. Just short of the next presidential election we’ll get a taste of political satire in September with Dr. Strangelove. Then in October the season is just right for Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, based on the 1977 Stephen King horror novel. November brings light-hearted romance back to the screen with Breakfast At Tiffany’s, and December rounds out the year with the 1953 WWII drama, From Here To Eternity. Wow, what a lineup!
It may seem premature to make movie-going plans so far in advance, but I think you ought to be prepared. These Fathom Event screenings often sell out in the larger cities and I’d hate for you to miss out, especially if any of the scheduled films are a particular favorite of yours. And don’t forget to arrive early to the theater. You’ll want to be sure to get your favorite seat for a truly memorable experience you’ll want to follow up with another screening later in the year. I promise you once you see a classic the way it’s meant to be seen in its proper format on a big screen it’s a hard habit to break. Of course it’s the kind of habit that lifts your spirits and enriches your artistic soul - but don’t say I didn’t warn you.