The Wheeling Film Society kicks off its seventh season of screening and discussing classic Hollywood films with a free screening of the celebrated comedic masterpiece “Bringing Up Baby.” See it at 7:30 p.m. Friday, September 14 at Oglebay Institute’s Towngate Theatre.
A conversation about the film, led by John Whitehead, professor of film studies at Wheeling Jesuit University, takes place at noon Tuesday, September 18 at the Ohio County Public Library.
Back by popular demand, a dinner option for guests is available in Towngate’s social room prior to the film screening.
In the legendary comedy “Bringing Up Baby,” Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant exude all the charm and wit of Hollywood’s Golden Era.
Grant stars as a straight-laced paleontologist and Katharine Hepburn is a madcap heiress who unwittingly makes a fiasco of both their lives. Riding along for the fun are a dog named George, a leopard named Baby, a snooty society matron with a spare million, a caretaker on the sauce and a random assortment of kooky characters who can’t help but add to the confusion. Directed by Hollywood legend Howard Hawks, “Bringing Up Baby” is one of the finest screwball comedies ever made.
Dinner Option Available Prior to the Film!
With advance reservations, moviegoers can enjoy a buffet dinner at 6:30 p.m. in Towngate’s social room. After dinner, guests head upstairs for the free movie at 7:30 p.m. The cost for dinner is $20 and includes all food, soft drinks, coffee, tea, water and a box of popcorn to enjoy during the film. Beer and wine are available for purchase. Dinner guests can also reserve their seat for the film prior to the screening.
Popular Wheeling eatery Ye Olde Alpha provides the food for the September 14 dinner and a movie. The menu features glazed pork tenderloin, lemon chicken, roasted red potatoes, grilled vegetables, heirloom tomato and candy onion salad, mixed green salad and bread with honey butter
Reserve seats online or call 304-242-7700 by by 5 p.m. Wednesday, September 12. If you are not attending the dinner, you do not need to make reservations for the free film screening.
Oglebay Institute, Wheeling Jesuit University and the Ohio County Public partnered to form the Wheeling Film Society. WFS events bring movie buffs together to watch and discuss classic films. All screenings and discussions are free and open to the public.
Other upcoming 2018-19 Screenings & Discussions:
“Dr. Strangelove”
Stanley Kubrick’s classic satire on warfare stars Peter Sellers in multiple roles and follows a group of paranoid, war-happy, ultra-nationalist generals who manage to initiate an ‘accidental’ nuclear apocalypse. Screening at 7:30 p.m. Friday, November 9 at Towngate. (Conversation about the film takes place at noon November 13 at the Ohio County Public Library.)
“The Wizard of Oz”
Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion return to the big screen to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the beloved musical “The Wizard of Oz.” Screening at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 8, 2019 at Towngate. (Conversation about the film takes place at noon March 12 at the Ohio County Public Library.)
“Rear Window”
“Rear Window,” Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic 1954 suspenseful thriller, stars James Stewart and Grace Kelly. Screening at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 12, 2019 at Towngate. (Conversation about the film takes place at noon April 16 at the Ohio County Public Library.)
About Towngate
A church-turned-theater, Towngate is located in Wheeling’s historic Centre Market District and is part of the nonprofit Oglebay Institute. Towngate offers entertainment almost every weekend.
In addition to main stage theater productions, Towngate also offers poetry and spoken word performances and children’s theater. Towngate also features comedy and improv shows. Local and regional musicians perform concerts on the Towngate stage and a variety of acting classes are offered year-round for all ages.
As a single screen cinema, Towngate shows a variety of films on select weekends throughout the year including classic movies, independent films, thought-provoking documentaries and film shorts by local and regional filmmakers.
For more information on Towngate Theatre, visit www.oionline.com or call 304-242-7700.
