'Summer Cinema' Series Screens Free Outdoor Films

EVANSTON, Ill. --- An animated adventure and an adventure fantasy by Disney, the 50th anniversary screening of “The Pink Panther” and the dramatic story of a family’s survival following one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history will be screened outdoors at Northwestern University this summer.

Free and open to the public and presented by Northwestern’s Center for Student Involvement, the films will be shown on Wednesday nights from July 10 through Aug. 14.

Each film will be shown at dusk (around 9 p.m.) on the east lawn of Norris University Center, 1999 Campus Drive. If it rains, the film will be shown indoors at Norris Center’s  McCormick Auditorium on the first floor. 

Two other films in the six-week “Summer Cinema” series are part of the Evanston 150 celebration for the following reasons. “Sixteen Candles” features scenes that were filmed in Evanston and the name “Evanston” is mentioned in the dialogue of “The Sting,” requiring the film company to pay the City of Evanston $14,000 for the rights to include the name in the 1973 film. 

Moviegoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, food, beverages and insect spray.

Free parking is available after 4 p.m. in the lot south of Norris Center.

For information on the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) ratings below, visit their website.

SUMMER CINEMA 2013 OUTDOOR FILMS

• “Wreck-It Ralph,” July 10 (Rich Moore, 2012, United States, video, 108 minutes). Walt Disney’s animated adventure comedy tells the story of a video game villain who yearns to be a hero. John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman and Jane Lynch provide the voiceovers for three of the film’s key characters. The film is rated PG.

• “The Pink Panther” 50th Anniversary, July 17, (Blake Edwards, 1963, United States, video, 115 minutes). Conceived as a sophisticated comedy, the film stars Peter Sellers as the bumbling and conceited French police inspector Jacques Clouseau, who attempts to catch a daring jewel thief whose identity and features are unknown. Filmed in Rome, Paris and Los Angeles, other cast members include David Niven and Robert Wagner. The film is rated PG.

• “The Impossible,” July 24, (Juan Antonio Bayona, 2012, United States, video, 114 minutes.) Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor star in a dramatic thriller that is based on the true story of a tourist family in Thailand who were caught in the destruction and chaotic aftermath of the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia. The film is rated PG-13.

• “Sixteen Candles,” July 31 (John Hughes, 1984, United States, video, 93 minutes). A young girl’s “Sweet 16” birthday party becomes anything but special as she suffers from every embarrassment possible. The coming-of-age comedy starring Molly Ringwald was written and directed by Hughes and filmed primarily in and around the North Shore communities of Evanston, Skokie, Highland Park and Glencoe. The film is rated PG.

• “Oz the Great and Powerful,” Aug. 7 (Sam Raimi, United States, 2013, video, 130 minutes.) A small-time magician is swept away to an enchanted land and forced into a power struggle between three witches. The family adventure fantasy stars James Franco, Mila Kunis and Rachel Weisz. The film is rated PG.

• “The Sting,” Aug. 14 (George Roy Hill, 1973, Argentina, video, 129 minutes.) Set in1930s Chicago, a young con man seeking revenge for his murdered partner teams up with a master of the big con to win a fortune from a criminal banker. The comedy crime drama stars Paul Newman and Robert Redford. The film is rated PG.

For more information on the Norris film series, visit the Norris University Center website or phone (847) 491-2350.