Orpheum Theatre Screens CASABLANCA Tonight

The Orpheum's Summer Movie Series will present Memphis Film Historian Vincent Astor for a special program tonight, June 21 at 6:30 PM before the 7:00 PM showing of CASABLANCA at the Orpheum Theatre.

Astor is a local film expert whose book about Memphis Movie Theatres is scheduled to hit shelves this fall. His most recent article, "Memphis at the Movies: 1900-1929" was published in the journal of the Theatre Historical Society of America. Now, Vincent will bring his knowledge to the Orpheum stage with an exciting multimedia presentation of Memphis' movie history, particularly regarding the theatres on Main and Beale, which included the Orpheum.

"In 1942, the year CASABLANCA was released, the Orpheum had become the flagship theatre of Malco Theatres, Inc," explains Astor. "Many people don't know the rich history that Memphis has with film, and this is just one of many fascinating facts that audiences will learn on the 21st."

Starring screen greats Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, CASABLANCA is considered one of cinema's finest dramas. In World War II Casablanca, Rick Blaine (Bogart), exiled American and former freedom fighter, runs the most popular nightspot in town. The cynical lone wolf Blaine comes into the possession of two valuable letters of transit. When Nazi Major Strasser arrives in Casablanca, the sycophantic Captain Renault does what he can to please him, including detaining a Czechoslovak underground leader Victor Laszlo. Much to Rick's surprise, Lazslo arrives with Ilsa (Bergman), Rick's one time love. Rick is very bitter towards Ilsa, who ran out on him in Paris, but when he learns she had good reason to, they plan to run off together again using the letters of transit.

The Orpheum Theatre's 2013 Summer Movie Series, presented for a second year by Orion Federal Credit Union, commemorates the theatre's 85th Anniversary with the best-loved films of the past eight decades. The series will run from June to August at the Orpheum Theatre.

Included in the Summer Movie Series are Thursday Night Chick Flicks, Friday Night Classics, and Family Matinees. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Tickets are on sale now and available for purchase online at the official Orpheum Theatre website, www.orpheum-memphis.com, The Orpheum Box Office (901.525.3000), the ticket counter at The Booksellers at Laurelwood, and all Ticketmaster centers (901.743.ARTS).

The Orpheum Theatre is operated by the Memphis Development Foundation, a non-profit organization that depends on the financial support of the community to carry out its mission to foster the enjoyment and understanding of the arts in Memphis, as well as the economic prosperity of Downtown and surrounding areas. For more information, visit www.orpheum-memphis.com or call 901-525-7800. The Orpheum is located at 203 South Main Street Memphis, TN 38103.

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