Classic movies: Lyric Photoplay Society sets film schedule
Written by Matt Liasse | | mliasse@toledofreepress.comToledoans can once again see “The Three Stooges” on the big screen.
Part of the Lyric Photoplay Society’s classic movie series, Moe, Larry and Curly’s shenanigans will play at the Maumee Indoor Theater for one day in March.
This is the start of the fifth year for the film series at Maumee Indoor.
Lyric Photoplay Society Chairman Evan J. Chase chose to bring the Stooges back after the response last year.
“Last year we did our first one and we just packed the place,” Chase said. “It was very, very popular. So, we’re getting another assortment of some of the best Stooges to show on the big screen.”
The assortment consists of 1934’s “Three Little Pigskins,” 1935’s “Pardon My Scotch,” 1937’s “Dizzy Doctors” and 1941’s “An Ache In Every Stake.”
The Lyric Photo Society specializes in “presenting classic movies in the best possible projection and on a big theater screen,” Chase said. The Maumee Indoor was perfect, Chase said, because of its state-of-the-art digital projection.
“It’s probably the best in the area, especially when you run classic movies,” Chase said.
Chase chooses all of the films in the series. Chase, a baby boomer, fell in love with classic movies when his aunt and uncle would take him to the Redford Theatre in Detroit, an “ornate” theater with a pipe organ.
“That kind of spurred me on to want to bring that to Toledo,” Chase said. “The old movies just reflect a much better time in society … they’re time capsules; everything about them is fun.”
Chase likes to pick movies that people may not be familiar with, in a “diversified approach” with genres. For a musical, he chose “Funny Face,” starring Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire. “King Kong” will also be showing in April.
“It’s the only ‘King Kong’ that was ever really true to the feel of the story,” Chase said. “The special effects were so ahead of their time.”
Chase said years ago the series only attracted an older crowd. Nowadays, he said, there are a lot of younger people interested.
“There’s a lot of hard-core classic movie fans out there, and there’s a lot of younger ones too,” Chase said.
Upcoming showings
- The Three Stooges Festival (Part 2)
2, 4:30 and 7 p.m. March 3
A collection of Moe, Larry and Curly’s best moments from “Three Little Pigskins,” “Pardon My Scotch,” “Dizzy Doctors” and “An Ache in Every Stake.”
- “King Kong” (1933)
2, 4:30 and 7 p.m. April 7
An early sci-fi film that follows the story of a movie-maker looking to finish his film on Skull Island, a land of all sorts of creatures.
- “Funny Face” (1957)
2, 4:30 and 7 p.m. June 9
One of the most popular musicals of the decade, starring Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire.
- “Double Indemnity” (1944)
2, 4:30 and 7 p.m. Aug. 25
An early version of the film noir style.
- “Forbidden Planet” (1956)
2 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Oct. 27
A sci-fi film from the ’50s, “Forbidden Planet” takes place in outer space. It stars Anne Francis, Walter Pidgeon and Leslie Nielsen.
- “Christmas In Connecticut” (1945)
2 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 15
A Warner Bros. romantic comedy just in time for the holidays.
