The Catalina Island Museum’s offers a unique opportunity to enjoy an outdoor film screening under Avalon’s starry night sky during Movies at the Museum. This summer program was designed to offer families and people of all ages an option to enjoy the museum after hours. Magic is at the heart of this year’s program.
The evening also offers late night access to the museum’s special exhibitions JAWS: The Art of Fear in Filmmaking and Houdini: Terror on the Magic Isle.
Comedian Jerry Lewis stars as Gilbert “The Great” Wooley in The Geisha Boy. Lewis plays a down on his luck magician who is sent with his pet and co-star, Harry the Rabbit, overseas to entertain American troops.
During his time in Japan, he brings joy and laughter to an orphan boy who has not smiled since the loss of his parents. The boy desperately wants Gilbert to be his father, but Gilbert has orders to return home to the United States.
A highlight of the film comes when Gilbert and the boy spend their last day together in Tokyo taking in a baseball game showcasing the 1958 Los Angeles Dodgers – most notably Gil Hodges, the best defensive first baseman in the 1950s – versus a professional Japanese team. This funny film is a favorite among Jerry Lewis fans. It is family-friendly with a rating of G.
For Movies at the Museum on Thursday, July 5 the museum will re-open at 7 p.m. The film will begin at dusk (around 8 p.m.) in the outdoor amphitheater. A variety of movie snacks and popcorn will be available for purchase. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and/or snacks. Please no glass bottles or glasses.
Tickets are $5 for museum members, $17 for adults and $15 for seniors, military and students with a valid I.D. Children (age 15 and under) receive free admission with a paid adult. Admission may be purchased online at CatalinaMuseum.org, in person at the museum’s visitor services desk, or upon arrival at the door.
Upcoming Movies at the Museum include:
Wednesday, July 18: Death Defying Acts (2007)
Wednesday, August 1: The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Wednesday, August 15: JAWS (1975)
The Catalina Island Museum offers the best in art and history exhibitions, music and dance performances, lectures by guest speakers from all over the world, and the finest in silent, documentary and international film.
Open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The new Ada Blanche Wrigley Schreiner Building is located in the heart of Avalon at 217 Metropole Ave. For more information, the museum may be reached by phone at 310-510-2414 or at its website: CatalinaMuseum.org.
