Two Frank Capra films remain on the schedule as the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library closes out the 20th annual Flicks on the Bricks outdoor movie series on its patio at 1008 Wall St. in La Jolla.
KPBS film critic and "Cinema Junkie" podcast host Beth Accomando, who curated this year's lineup, chose four Capra films tied to the theme "America 250: The American Dream through the Eyes of an Immigrant." Capra was born in Italy, raised in Los Angeles and went on to win Oscars for directing comedies that championed the common man.
The final two screenings are "Meet John Doe" (1941), starring Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck, on Thursday, Aug. 20, and "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946), starring James Stewart and Donna Reed, on Thursday, Aug. 27. Both evenings follow the same format: doors open and wine is available at 7:30 p.m., film rolls at 8 p.m.
In her curatorial statement on the Athenaeum's series page, Accomando described Capra's films as reflecting an immigrant's vision of what America and the American Dream could be, while noting that the director was never blind to the country's dark side, corruption or evil. She framed the series as a celebration of what immigrants like Capra contributed to the nation as it marks 250 years.
The series drew regional attention earlier this summer when the San Diego Union-Tribune profiled the lineup in a July 2 article.
Each screening includes popcorn, weekly trivia and prizes. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase. Tickets are $24 for Athenaeum members and $29 for nonmembers. There are no physical tickets; names are placed on a list at the front door, and seating is first-come, first-served. Donor-level members and above receive priority seating.
A bit of movie trivia for the final night: when filming the scene in "It's a Wonderful Life" where Donna Reed's character throws a rock through a window, Capra hired a marksman to shoot the glass out on cue. Reed broke the window herself. She had played baseball in high school.
Tickets and information are available at ljathenaeum.org or by calling (858) 454-5872.
Upcoming at the Athenaeum:
- Thursday, Aug. 20: "Meet John Doe" (1941), Flicks on the Bricks, 8 p.m.
- Thursday, Aug. 27: "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946), Flicks on the Bricks, 8 p.m. (series finale)
