The Newtown Cultural Arts Commission (NCAC) has donated copies of the movies that were screened last year as part of the inaugural Sunday Cinema Series presentation.

Introduced in May 2014 by NCAC member Jen Rogers, “1939: The Greatest Year in Film — A 75th Anniversary Celebration” featured classic movies on the brand-new screen at Edmond Town Hall Theatre. Audiences were treated to award-winning films like Gone With The Wind and multi-generational favorite The Wizard of Oz to screwball comedies including Flying Deuces and Gunga Din.

Ticket-holders in June and October last year were even reintroduced to the fun of a double feature.

The series is presented by NCAC in cooperation with Edmond Town Hall’s Board of Managers.

All of the films now in the library’s Sunday Cinema Series collection are available for loan.

In addition, the main showcase at the library currently has an annotated list of the films featured last year, as well as stills on display from each movie.

“I enjoy meeting guests of all ages coming to see these classic films,” said Ms Rogers, who makes a point of being in the lobby to greet attendees prior to every Sunday Cinema Series program. “I used to love watching old movies with my parents and grandparents. It was a great way to find out more about them.

“My dad,” she continued, “is a huge old movie buff.”

Ms Rogers, who continues to organize the series — which has begun offering screenings on Wednesdays as well as the occasional Sunday — has planned at least four Classic Cinema Series programs before the end of the year.

On Wednesday, October 21, Arsenic and Old Lace will be screened at 1 and 7 pm. Each attendee will be offered a free medium popcorn.

The following week, on October 28, the town hall will offer screenings, also at 1 and 7, of Young Frankenstein. A costume contest is being planned in conjunction with that program.

November 8 will see the series return to its Sunday presentations. Breakfast at Tiffany’s will be screened at 4 and 7 pm, and a Holly Golightly lookalike contest is being planned.

The 2015 calendar will conclude with The Sound of Music on Sunday, December 13, at 4 and 7 pm. Details are TBA.

Tickets for most screenings are $2, just like regular Edmond Town Hall movie features. (Tickets for the November 2014 screening of Gone With The Wind were $8, but also covered photographs of attendees, popcorn, and other special offerings.)

Sponsorships Available

In anticipation of the continuation of the series in 2016, the commission is accepting suggestions for movies to be added to the series.

A movie must be at least 25 years old and is subject to approval. Movies do not have to be rated G.

“We already have three couples who want to sponsor one of their favorite movies in 2016,” said Ms Rogers. “My goal is to get a sponsor for each film, because all proceeds go toward the Edmond Town Hall renovation fund.”

When the classic film series launched last year, its timing coincided with renovations to the historic building at 45 Main Street that had brought in a new sound system, film projection system, Wi-Fi, and even the aforementioned new screen.

Anyone interested in learning more about Classic Cinema Series sponsorships, or to suggest a film, is encouraged to contact Jen Rogers at sundaycinemaseries@gmail.com.

Four additional Classic Cinema Series programs are planned before the end of 2015. Meanwhile, patrons of C.H. Booth Library can now borrow a copy of each of the films that were screened in the inaugural run of the series last year.