Ridgefield Playhouse Hosts Le Mans Film Event Tonight

The second film in the new Lime Rock Drivers Club Film Series is Le Mans, which will be in screened in HD at The Ridgefield Playhouse tonight, May 28, at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Steve McQueen stars in this gearhead 1971 classic which almost has the breadth and depth of a documentary and depicts an auto race on the world's hardest endurance course in Le Mans, France. The race goes over 24 hours on 14.5 kilometers of cordoned country road. Every few hours, the two drivers per car alternate - but it's still a challenge for concentration and material. The duel between the German Stahler in Ferrari 512LM and the American Delaney in Gulf Team Porsche 917 is the film's focus. Delaney is under extraordinary pressure, because the year before, he caused a severe accident, in which his friend Lisa's husband was killed. This event is sponsored by Jeff McAllister, No. 109 Cheese & Wine and Caffeine and Carburetors is part of The Lime Rock Drivers Club Film Series; running time is 106 minutes.

The highlight for all male Steve McQueen fans is certainly the racecar driver epic Le Mans. Steve fulfilled a dream with this movie, after already confirming his PASSION for racing in many races before. Since none of the big Hollywood studios believed in a film about the toughest racetrack in the world, McQueen decided to use his own money and his own company, Solar Productions. Steve played the racecar driver Michael Delaney, who despite a serious accident, comes back to start again at Le Mans. In the film, Michael Delaney drives Porsche 917 for the Gulf team -- a partnership that really existed at the 24-hour race at that time. After the film's release, the demand for Gulf team jackets rocketed, so much so, that the producer couldn't keep up.

"Lotta people go through life doing things badly. Racing's important to men who do it well. When you´re racing, it's life, anything that happens before or after is just waiting." (Steve McQueen, 1971)

What started out as an idea for a new Playhouse film program this season by car racing enthusiast Jeff McCallister has turned into The Lime Rock Drivers Club Film Series. When Ridgefield resident Jeff McCallister wanted to see some of the great old driving movies on the big screen again, he thought he must not be the only one. After meeting with Playhouse Executive Director Allison Stockel, the two got Todd Brown from No. 109 Cheese & Wine, who is also in charge of the Caffeine and Carburetors club, involved as well as people from Lime Rock. "Now, in addition to screening Grand Prix on March 12th, The Lime Rock Drivers Club Film Series will also show Le Mans on May 28 and Senna on July 16. Because Jeff and Lime Rock are helping to defer the costs of staffing and publicity for the events, we are able to offer driving buffs the opportunity to see these films for a mere suggested donation. In addition to seeing the old films on the big screen once again, there will be fun things going on in the lobby as well as driving themed food at concession plus a full bar," explains Ms. Stockel.

For tickets, $15 donation at door supports non-profit Playhouse. Visit ridgefieldplayhouse.org, or call the box office at 203-438-5795 for more information. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.

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