Does the word “rosebud” spark excitement or nostalgia for you? If the answer is yes, WJCT has your ticket next month.The 3x5 Classic Film Festival, March 28-30 at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, will offer a chance to see Orson Welles’s Citizen Kane and four other films considered by some to be among the greatest of all time.
Festival organizer and WJCT Music Director David Luckin spoke with Karen Feagins about the upcoming event.
WJCT is launching the festival, during which five films will be shown in three days, with sponsorship by The Brumos Companies.
“We thought we would do a little mini-festival,” said Luckin.
“I got inspired by going to the Bogart Film Festival in Key Largo last year and thought, let’s come back, let’s show films like Citizen Kane, The Wizard of Oz, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, The Big Sleep and Notorious, in a festival setting where you come in and you just, you can’t get enough.”
WJCT’s Melissa Ross will host the festival and a special guest will introduce each movie. Al Letson is scheduled to introduce Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.
“It’s a political movie but it’s so everyman,” said Luckin. “It’s really the story of America, where anyone can get there, but as Jimmy Stewart shows you, not without a lot of opposition sometimes."
Attendees will be able to see the theatrical versions of the films. Often films on television are presented in so-called “pan and scan” versions, narrowing what can be seen by the home viewer.
“Now you’re going to see the full picture, the way it was meant to be,” Luckin said.
Aside from the cinematic classics, opening night will feature with a reception accompanied by piano jazz performer John Thomas. Day two will feature a Wizard of Oz costume contest. Guests will also be able to enjoy food from Lillie’s Coffee Bar and original artwork throughout the festival.
“It’s just more fun,” said Luckin, when asked about the difference between watching a classic film on the big screen as opposed to watching on television.
“It’s also fun to watch these films with a crowd and you’re all laughing and crying and smiling at the same time.”
Tickets, priced at $7.50 for a single screening or $25 for the entire weekend, are available at PVConcertHall.com. Proceeds from the festival will benefit WJCT.
WJCT and Ponte Vedra Concert Hall’s 3x5 Classic Film Festival - Schedule
Friday, March 28
7 p.m. - Opening Reception at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall with piano jazz performed by John Thomas.
8 p.m. - Citizen Kane
Saturday, March 29
2 p.m. Matinee - The Wizard of Oz
5 p.m. - Mr. Smith Goes To Washington
8 p.m. - The Big Sleep
Sunday, March 30
2 p.m. Matinee - Notorious
You can follow Karen Feagins @karenfeagins, David Luckin @DavidLuckin and Lindsey Kilbride @lindskilbride.
