WWI Commemoration Ends with Free Film Screening
A.K. Smiley Public Library concludes its free WWI film series with the mesmerizing French classic J’Accuse on Saturday, November 17 at 1pm in the Contemporary Club, 173 S. Eureka St.
A remake of a 1919 anti-war film of the same name by the same director (Abel Gance), J’Accuse depicts Jean Diaz, a French soldier, who returns from war and sacrifices his dream of being a poet for a far more important pursuit: ending war. Turning to science, Diaz dedicates himself to creating technology that will make combat obsolete only to find his invention in the hands of the French Army on the eve of World War II.
This screening is free and open to the public. To register for this event or for more information on future film screenings, please visit www.akspl.org or contact the Heritage Room at (909)798-7632 or heritage@akspl.org. Registration is requested, but not required.
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Past Film Screenings
La Grande Illusion
In commemoration of the centennial of the Great War, A.K. Smiley Public Library continues its free film series with a screening of the 1937 French classic La Grande Illusion on Saturday, October 20 at 1pm in the Contemporary Club, 173 S. Eureka St.
Regarded as a masterpiece of French cinema, La Grande Illusion portrays the experiences of two French combat pilots as they are shot down and sent to a German prison camp from which they plan to escape. Filmed as Europe experienced the rise of fascism, La Grande Illusion serves as a critique of the politics and ideology of the day. It was the first foreign language film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.
The Lost Battalion
The commemoration of the centennial of the Great War continues at A.K. Smiley Public Library with a free film screening of The Lost Battalion on Saturday, September 15 at 1pm in the Contemporary Club, 173 S. Eureka St.
A depiction of the events of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive of the fall of 1918, The Lost Battalion follows the terror and privations suffered by nine companies, roughly 550 men, of the United States Army 77th Infantry Division as they were completely cut off and surrounded by German forces in the Argonne Forest. This made-for-TV film was praised for its historical accuracy and powerful depictions of war. Starring Rick Schroeder.
A Farewell to Arms (1932)
The commemoration of the centennial of the Great War continues at A.K. Smiley Public Library with a free film screening of the 1932 classic A Farewell to Arms this Saturday at 3pm* in the Contemporary Club, 173 S. Eureka St.
An adaptation of Ernest Hemingway’s semi-autobiographical 1929 novel, A Farewell to Arms depicts the relationship between Frederic Henry (Gary Cooper), an American driving ambulances for the Italian Army during WWI, and Catherine Barkley (Helen Hayes), a British Red Cross nurse. The film was nominated for four Academy Awards and won two.
Pilgrimage (1933)
The commemoration of the centennial of the Great War continues at A.K. Smiley Public Library with a free film screening of John Ford’s classic film Pilgrimage on Saturday, March 17 at 1pm in the Contemporary Club, 173 S. Eureka St.
A pre-code drama by esteemed director John Ford, Pilgrimage focuses on the experiences of a mother, Hannah Jessup, whose decision to enlist her son in the Army to keep him away from his girlfriend during WWI has tragic consequences. Based on a story by I.A.R. Wylie, Pilgrimage is widely regarded as Ford’s first great film.
This screening is free and open to the public. Registration is requested, but not required. For more information, please reference the poster at A.K. Smiley Public Library or contact the Heritage Room at (909)798-7632 or heritage@akspl.org.
Wings (1927)
A.K. Smiley Public Library’s free WWI film series continues with a screening of the silent classic Wings on Saturday, January 20 at 1pm in the First Congregational Church of Redlands, 2 W. Olive Street. As an added treat, the screening will include Bob Salisbury live on the organ!
Directed by a veteran combat pilot of World War I, Wings tells the story of David Armstrong and Jack Powell as they enlist in the American Air Service, and Mary Preston who joins the war effort as an ambulance driver in France. Renowned for its realistic flying sequences, the film was the first to be awarded with the Academy Award for Outstanding Picture, the only fully silent film to receive that accolade. Wings stars film legend Clara Bow, Buddy Rogers, and Richard Arden.
Paths of Glory (1957)
In commemoration of the centennial of the Great War, A.K. Smiley Public Library continues its free film series with a screening of the 1957 classic Paths of Glory on Saturday, November 18 at 1pm in the Contemporary Club, 173 S. Eureka St.
Based on an anti-war novel by Humphrey Cobb, Paths of Glory follows the unjust court martial of a group of French soldiers for following the orders of an ambitious General. Widely considered to be Stanley Kubrick’s best film, the film was censored for several years after its release due to its anti-military perspective. Starring Kirk Douglas, Ralph Meeker, and Adolphe Menjou.
Lawrence of Arabia
In commemoration of the centennial of the Great War, A.K. Smiley Public Library continues its film series with a screening of the classic film Lawrence of Arabia on Saturday, September 16 at 1pm in the Contemporary Club, 173 S. Eureka St.
Starring Peter O’Toole as T.E. Lawrence, the film depicts experiences on the Arabian Peninsula during World War I. Lauded as among the best films of all time, it won seven Academy Awards in 1963, including an Oscar for Best Picture of 1962. Whether you are a film buff or have an interest in history, you won’t want to miss this special screening!
Oh! What a Lovely War
A.K. Smiley Public Library’s free movie series “World War I in Film” continues on Library Days, Saturday, June 17 with a screening of Oh! What a Lovely War at 1pm in the Contemporary Club. Featuring cameos by legendary actors, such as Laurence Olivier and Maggie Smith, this dark musical explores the circumstances leading to WWI and the consequences of the war on a British family. The film’s anti-war message is conveyed through parodies of WWI-era songs, including the American classic “Over There.” Oh! What a Lovely War received five BAFTA awards, including Best Supporting Actor for Laurence Olivier. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience this underappreciated gem of the silver screen!
All Quiet on the Western Front
Based on a 1929 anti-war novel by Erich Maria Remarque, the film follows idealistic German recruits in World War I as they experience tragedy and trauma that leads to their disillusionment in the war. The film received Academy Awards for Best Director Lewis Milestone and Outstanding Production, the equivalent of today’s Best Picture. Since its release on April 21, 1930, the film has gained widespread acclaim, including from the American Film Institute, which ranked it amongst the best films of the twentieth century. Whether you are a film buff or have an interest in history, you won’t want to miss this special screening!