TUNKHANNOCK — For many, the memories of movies such as “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “Star Wars,” or Wall-E” bring to mind soundtracks that transport them back to the time and place where they first experienced the films. This summer the Dietrich Theater, in partnership with Penn State Wilkes-Barre, will bring back these special films and their soundtracks with a five-week series for adults and children, titled, “Music…The Magic in Film.”
“1776,” the classic 1972 film will be shown at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 22. The setting is the spring of 1776 and the delegates to the Continental Congress are attempting to develop a statement on the proposed separation of the American Colonies from Great Britain. This widely-acclaimed film is based on the long-running Broadway play and brings pure patriotic joy for the whole family.
What brings on this feeling of patriotism? The music, of course.
“Wall-E,” the 2008 Walt Disney Pictures/Pixar Animation production is to be shown at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 29. It is about a lonely robot on earth 800 years in the future, looking for encouraging signs of life in the environment. His actions will determine future sustainability of the planet. Those who saw it before may not remember the musical contributions of Jerry Herman, Bobby McFerrin and Louis Armstrong, just to name a few.
“Out of Africa,” 1985, will be shown at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, telling a broad, sweeping saga of love and romance in colonial Kenya with Meryl Streep and Robert Redford. How do you underscore the sweeping images of the gorgeous country landscapes and romantic interludes? John Barry does it with his music, with some help from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
“To Kill a Mockingbird,” 1962, comes to the screen at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19. The touching, poignant, story tells of small-town life and racial inequality and heroism. In this movie with Gregory Peck, moods are evoked through music you may not have thought about if you saw it before.
“Star Wars,” 1977, needs no introduction. Most the story of Luke Skywalker, Hans Solo, Obe-Wan Kanobi, Princess Leia and Chewbacca and their fight to make the universe safe. This time around, viewers will explore the musical score and its ability to make them soar with its majesty.
Pre-film lecture notes and stimulating post-film discussions with Bill Bachman will accompany each screening in the series. Bachman has taught a variety of communications course offerings on the Wilkes-Barre campus since 1986. He currently teaches basic public speaking, public speech writing, mass media and society, propaganda and persuasion, and media affects.
The cost of the series is $40 per person.
For more information, contact Penn State Wilkes-Barre Continuing Education at 570-675-9253 or wbce@outreach.psu.edu
