Victoria Theatre Association's Cool Film Series Returns to Dayton, 6/29-8/26

Victoria Theatre Association's annual salute to classic Hollywood is back with the 2012 Cool Films Series at the Victoria Theatre, beginning June 29 with THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING, THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING!

This summer's tableau features 11 films, ranging from the 1953 musical comedy Calamity Jane to the Mafia-dramas of the Godfather series (which itself spans from 1972-1990). With visits from Julie Andrews, Katherine Hepburn, Steve McQueen, Burt Lancaster and Elizabeth Taylor, this series has something for everyone.

Tickets are just $5 each, or $28 for a 10-ticket passbook for passbook subscribers. Passbooks are on sale now through Ticket Center Stage. They may be purchased at the Schuster Center box office in downtown Dayton, by phone at (937) 228-3630 or toll free (888) 228-3630, or online at www.ticketcenterstage.com – click on Victoria Theatre Association, then Cool Films Series. Individual tickets are available day-of-show at the Victoria Theatre box office, beginning one hour prior to showtime.

Films are shown at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. on Sundays in the Victoria Theatre. Recreating the feel of the old-time movie palaces, guests may enjoy free popcorn and soda in the lobby beginning one hour prior to showtime, a Mighty Wurlitzer organ concert beginning 30 minutes prior to showtime, and a classic cartoon just before the movie.

For the full scoop on this summer's series, including video clips and much more, go to www.victoriatheatre.com. Visit the Facebook page and Twitter for exclusive Michelob Ultra Cool Films Series updates and offers.

Cool Film Series 2012 Program:

The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming! (1966) - June 29-July 1
Color, 126 Minutes
Directed by Norman Jewison
Starring: Carl Reiner, Eva Marie Saint & Alan Arkin

Released during the height of the Cold War, this comedic tale about an accidental Russian "invasion" of New England is a must-see! Nominated for four Academy Awards® and never before seen at the Victoria Theatre, THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING features Bellbrook's (and Springfield's) own Jonathan Winters.

Birdman of Alcatraz (50th Anniversary!) (1962) - July 6-8
Black & White, 143 Minutes
Directed by John Frankenheimer
Starring: Burt Lancaster, Karl Malden & Thelma Ritter

When you have a life sentence in prison, you probably don't have much hope of pursuing a career, much less of becoming a leader in a field you didn't pick up until after your sentence. This fascinating portrayal by Burt Lancaster will give you the inside story on the "Birdman of Alcatraz" and how he managed to achieve fame from behind bars.

Cleopatra (1963) - July 13-15
Color, 246 Minutes
Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Starring: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton & Rex Harrison

Winner of multiple Academy Awards®, this film transports you back in time to watch the infamous Queen of Egypt, Cleopatra (played by the equally infamous Elizabeth Taylor), as she schemes and seduces to keep her iron grip on the throne.

The Great Escape (1963) - July 20-22
Color, 170 Minutes
Directed by John Sturges
Starring: Steve McQueen, James Garner & Richard Attenborough

Come see this war drama about the escape plans of a group of POWs in WWII- you will be amazed by the real life story (and exhilarated by all of Steve McQueen's awesome motorcycle chase scenes).

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967) - July 27-29
Color, 108 Minutes
Directed by Stanley Kramer
Starring: Spencer Tracy, Sidney Poitier & Katharine Hepburn

When Joey (Katharine Hepburn) brings her new African American fiancé, John (Sidney Poitier), to her 1960s hometown, they make a whole lot of waves. A political statement at the time, this film promotes respect and love between races and won the director, Stanley Kramer, a United Nations Award.

Murder on the Orient Express (1974) - August 3-5
Color, 128 Minutes
Directed by Sidney Lumet
Starring: Albert Finney, Lauren Bacall & Ingrid Bergman

Agatha Christie's best-selling novel is brought to life flawlessly. This is a star-studded film, with Academy Award® nominees Albert Finney and John Gielgud and Academy Award® winner Ingrid Bergman as the leads in this murder mystery that will keep you on The Edge of your seat.

Mary Poppins (1964) - August 10-12
Color, 139 Minutes
Directed by Robert Stevenson
Starring: Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke & David Tomlinson

From the moment Julie Andrews floats in on those changing winds, you can't help but become completely and totally entranced with her supercalifragilisticexpialidocious ways! Come see the astonishing film version of the magical tale before you see the Broadway musical this season at the Schuster Center.

The Godfather Trilogy - August 17-19
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola

The Godfather (1972) - August 17
Color, 175 Minutes
Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino & James Caan

Winner of over 20 various prestigious awards (including seven Academy Awards®), this classic film about the New York-Italian Mafia and their need for revenge is 175 minutes of mesmerizing cinema work you won't want to miss on our big screen.

The Godfather Part II (1974) - August 18
Color, 200 Minutes, 1974
Starring: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro & Robert Duvall

This continuation of THE GODFATHER is the first sequel to win an Academy Award® for Best Picture. Need we say more?

The Godfather Part III (1990) - August 19
Color, 170 Minutes
Starring: Al Pacino, Diane Keaton & Andy Garcia

Michael Corleone wants redemption, but the Mafia is a force to be reckoned with, and they aren't letting Michael go without a fight.

Calamity Jane (1953) - August 24-26
Color, 101 Minutes
Directed by David Butler
Starring: Doris Day, Howard Keel & Allyn Ann McLerie

Come see sweet little Doris Day transform into a rootin', tootin', shootin' cowgirl in this classic musical tale full of comedy and romance in the Old West.

For tickets call the Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630 or toll free (888) 228-3630, or go online www.ticketcenterstage.com or visit the Box Office located in the Wintergarden of the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center in downtown Dayton.

For more information about Victoria Theatre Association's entire 2012-2013 season, visit www.victoriatheatre.com.

Victoria Theatre Association is one of Dayton's premier arts organizations, presenting the Premier Health Partners Broadway Series, the PNC Family Series, the Cool Films series, Star Attractions, the Projects Unlimited Variety Series, KeyBank African-American Arts Festival, and the Frank M. Tait Foundation Discovery Series, which features curriculum-enhanced live theatre productions for school children. Victoria Theatre Association is proud of its alliance with the Dayton Opera. In addition to the performances it presents, Victoria Theatre Association also manages the historic Victoria Theatre, the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center, and the Metropolitan Arts Center, which houses The Loft Theatre. Victoria Theatre Association receives funding from a variety of diverse public, corporate, individual and private sources, including the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District and the Ohio Arts Council. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program or organization with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.