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Classic Film Series

“Criminal Farces” Blunders its Way onto the Big Screen

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COLDWATER – With excitable characters, bumbling gangsters and fast-paced nonstop comedy, the latest double feature from the Tibbits Classic Film Series showcases what happens when two film genres – the comedic farce & a crime story – are combined when Criminal Farces hits the big screen on Saturday April 1.

The first film showing at 4pm is the 1991 comedy “Oscar” directed by John Landis (Blues Brothers, Animal House). Prohibition era mob boss Angelo “Snaps” Provolone, played by Sylvester Stallone, is forced to swear to his dying father that he will go straight and give up his life of crime. His day spirals into a farcical mess and wildly funny mess as Snaps is forced to navigate around a hardnosed police lieutenant obsessed with taking him down, through the task of unexpectedly finding a husband for his young and now-pregnant daughter, and through the irritation of dealing with his well-meaning henchmen who are having trouble adjusting to their life on the straight and narrow.

At 6pm, “Blame it on the Bellboy” from 1992 will continue the night of Criminal Farces. A hitman, a corporate properties manager, and a gentleman attempting to utilize a local escort service converge at a hotel in Venice, Italy.  Bronson Pinchot plays the hotel bellboy whose bad English causes him to give each of the three men the wrong itinerary for the day. The bellboy’s innocent mix-up sets them up to clash against each other in a hilarious case of mistaken identities.

The theatre will open 30 minutes prior to the first film showing. Concessions, including popcorn and a cash bar, will be available for purchase at Tibbits’ Ghost Light Bar. There is no charge to view these films, though donations are accepted. The Classic Film Series ends its season May 20 with “The World at War.”

The entire Classic Film Series is generously sponsored by Dr. Matthew Christopher, DDS, PC. A proud supporter of Tibbits Opera House, Dr. Christopher is also a Tibbits Summer Theatre Popcorn Theatre sponsor and corporate member of the historic theatre. Dr. Christopher and his staff provide excellent quality dental care for the entire family. Conveniently located in Union City and Coldwater, they handle most treatments in office, saving patients time and money while crafting smiles to last a lifetime.

All showings will take place at the beautiful historic Tibbits Opera House, 14 S. Hanchett Street, in Coldwater. For more information or a complete listing of shows and events, please visit Tibbits.org.

ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATED SHORTS TO BE SHOWN AT TIBBITS

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COLDWATER – From the latest in computer-animated shorts to the grittiest of live action dramas, Tibbits Classic Film Series will showcase the 2022 Academy Award nominees for best animated and best live action short films Saturday, February 18.

“We are excited to bring this event back for a fifth year and present these films before the Academy Awards take place,” said Tibbits film curator Matt Biolchini. “You have a chance to be among the select few to see these films on the big screen,” he continued.

A short film is any motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes or less, including all credits, per guidelines set forth by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In the past, short films generally relied on exhibitions at festivals to reach an audience, often with the short films shown at Sundance and Cannes, the biggest festivals.

While there are three categories-live action, animation, and documentary- Tibbits will be showing nominations in the first two categories. Animation really took advantage of the short film format when Warner Brothers and Disney began putting short cartoons before all of their feature length films. This is a tradition that Pixar has carried over to the present day by screening a short along with each of its feature films during its initial theatrical run since 1995.

A short film can also be used a prelude to a bigger project such the Wes Anderson written/directed 2007 short, Hotel Chevalier. This 13-minute short starring Natalie Portman & Jason Schwartzman was used as sort of a teaser for Anderson’s soon to be released film, The Darjeeling Limited. The short film has been particularly kind to up-and-coming directors, most notably Neil Blomkamp (District 9, CHAPPIE),Paul Thomas Anderson (Boogie Nights, There Will Be Blood), Tim Burton (Edward Scissor Hands, Batman), John Carpenter (Halloween, The Thing, Christine), Mike Judge (King of the Hill, Office Space, Idiocracy), and Sofia Coppola (The Virgin Suicides, Lost in Translation).

This special presentation of the 2023 Oscar-Nominated Shorts will begin with Animated films at 4pm followed by Live Action films at 6:30pm. The $15 cost gains audience members entrance to both sets of films. A link to the trailers for each of the nominated films is available at shorts.tv/theoscarshorts/. Some trailers/films, including the animated shorts, may not be appropriate for younger audiences and contain explicit content. Concessions including a cash bar will be available for purchase. The Classic Film Series will close out with Criminal Farces on April 1 and The World at War on May 20. All films are sponsored by Dr. Matthew Christopher, DDS.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit Tibbits.org or call 517-278-6029. Screenings are held at the historic Tibbits Opera House, 14 S. Hanchett St. Coldwater.

Tibbits Features Fred Astaire and “Magical Musicals” for its Classic Film Series

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COLDWATER –Tibbits Classic Film Series celebrates the incomparable Fred Astaire as it presents “Magical Musicals” on the big screen, with “The Band Wagon” and “Funny Face,” Saturday, Feb. 12 at the historic opera house.

“The Band Wagon,” featuring Astaire along with Cyd Charisse will show at 4 pm. Number 17 on the American Film Institute’s list of greatest musicals, it’s a musical about a putting on a musical. One-time Broadway star and Hollywood musical legend Troy Hunter, appropriately played by Astaire, returns to New York at the behest of his friends played by Nanette Fabray and Oscar Levant, to star in their new Broadway musical. They bring in director Jeffrey Cordova played by Jack Buchman who in turns pairs the old hoofer with a prima ballerina played by Charisse. But the pairing and Cordova’s grand, high art vision do not fare well in previews. It’s left to Hunter to save the show.

The next “Magical Musical” is number 16 on the AFI list, “Funny Face,” which again stars Astaire along with Audrey Hepburn. In need of a suitable setting for his latest shoot, fashion photographer Dick Avery played by Astaire, requests the use of a bookstore for the day. When the photo session is over, the store is left in a shambles, much to the dismay of Jo the salesgirl played by Hepburn. Later, Avery examines the photos and is intrigued by Jo’s unique appearance, as is his editor at a leading fashion magazine. They offer Jo a modeling contract, which she reluctantly accepts only because it includes a trip to Paris. Eventually, her attitude toward the job softens, and Jo begins to enjoy the work and the company of her charming photographer. “Funny Face” will begin at 6 pm.

Aside from the Oscar Shorts presentation on February 18, admission to the Classic Film Series is free, though donations are accepted.  The theatre will open 30 minutes prior to the first film showing. Concessions, including popcorn and a cash bar, will be available for purchase at Tibbits’ Ghost Light Bar.

Tibbits Classic Film Series continues with “Magical Musicals” on February 12 with showings of “The Band Wagon” at 4 pm and “Funny Face” at 6 pm. Thanks to sponsorship by Dr. Matthew C. Christopher, admission is free, though donations are accepted at the door.

The Classic Film Series continues February 18 with Oscar Shorts, April 1 with “Criminal Farces” and May 20 with “The World at War.”

The entire Classic Film Series is generously sponsored by Dr. Matthew Christopher, DDS, PC. A proud supporter of Tibbits Opera House, Dr. Christopher is also a Tibbits Summer Theatre Popcorn Theatre sponsor and corporate member of the historic theatre. Dr. Christopher and his staff provide excellent quality dental care for the entire family. Conveniently located in Union City and Coldwater, they handle most treatments in office, saving patients time and money while crafting smiles to last a lifetime.

All showings will take place at the beautiful historic Tibbits Opera House, 14 S. Hanchett Street, in Coldwater. For more information or a complete listing of shows and events, please visit Tibbits.org.

Classic Romantic Comedies and Comedic Who-Done-Its Hit the Tibbits Big Screen in January!

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COLDWATER – While Tibbits is in the middle of an extensive remodel of the dressing rooms, the theatre will not stay dark in January. The new year kicks off with two Classic Film Series double features and screenings of Classic Romantic Comedies on January 14 and Comedic Who-Done-Its on January 21.

The first of the Rom-Com films to be screened on January 14 is “His Girl Friday” starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell. Having returned to New York from a four-month hiatus, reporter Hildy Johnson marches into the office of her boss and ex-husband Walter Burns to announce she is quitting. Determined not to lose his best reporter, Walter baits Hildy with what could be, not only the biggest case of her career, but also the biggest case the Big Apple has seen in years.

The second film “Sabrina” stars Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart and William Holden. Sabrina Fairchild returns from a two-year stay in Paris to find she has caught the eye of her lifelong crush, wealthy playboy David played by Holden. But Sabrina is the chauffer’s daughter. When David’s interest threatens a business merger, his brother Linus played by Bogart, attempts to fix things with unexpected results.

The Classic Film Series continues January 21 with Comedic Who-Done-Its, including Neil Simon’s “Murder by Death” and the underrated gem “Drowning Mona.”

The evening begins with “Murder by Death” a hilarious spoof of the detective-story genre. Millionaire Lionel Twain invites five of the most brilliant literary investigators and their side-kicks to his mansion to solve a crime that is yet to be committed. With a one-million-dollar reward for the one who solves the mystery, the deductive minds work to unravel the clues of an elaborate set-up staged by a criminal mastermind. Highlighting the intrigue and comedy is an all-star cast including Peter Falk, Alec Guinness, Peter Sellers, Maggie Smith, Eileen Brennan, David Niven and James Cromwell.

The new year kicks off with two Classic Film Series double features and screenings of Classic Romantic Comedies on January 14 and Comedic Who-Done-Its on January 21 at Tibbits Opera House. Thanks to sponsorship by Dr. Matthew C. Christopher, admission is free, though donations are accepted at the door.

The second film, “Drowning Mona” from 2000 also features an all-star cast including Bette Midler, Danny Devito, Jamie Lee Curtis, Neve Campbell, Casey Affleck and Will Ferrell. When the car of Mona Dearly played by Midler, the most hated woman in Verplanck, New York, is sabotaged, resulting in her death, everyone in this eccentric small town becomes a suspect.

All film showings begin at 4pm. The second film will begin approximately 5:45pm. Aside from the Oscar Shorts presentation in February, admission to the Classic Film Series is free, though donations are accepted.  The theatre will open 30 minutes prior to the first film showing. Concessions, including a cash bar, will be available for purchase at Tibbits’ Ghost Light Bar.

The Classic Film Series continues on Feb 12 with “Magical Musicals,” February 18 with Oscar Shorts, April 1 with “Criminal Farces” and May 20 with “The World at War.”

The entire Classic Film Series is generously sponsored by Dr. Matthew Christopher, DDS, PC. A proud supporter of Tibbits Opera House, Dr. Christopher is also a Tibbits Summer Theatre Popcorn Theatre sponsor and corporate member of the historic theatre. Dr. Christopher and his staff provide excellent quality dental care for the entire family. Conveniently located in Union City and Coldwater, they handle most treatments in office, saving patients time and money while crafting smiles to last a lifetime.

All showings will take place at the beautiful historic Tibbits Opera House, 14 S. Hanchett Street, in Coldwater. For more information or a complete listing of shows and events, please visit Tibbits.org.

Christmas and Family-Friendly Films Come to Tibbits in December

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COLDWATER – From angels to sugar plums, snowflakes to sword fighting, Tibbits’ offerings on the big screen this December will feature the beloved Christmas classic “It’s a Wonderful Life,” a beautiful filmed stage production of “The Nutcracker” and the family-friendly favorite “The Princess Bride.”

The Classic Film Series opens with “It’s a Wonderful Life” hitting the big screen Sunday, Dec. 4. Director Frank Capra it’s considered among the best films of all time as well as one of the best Christmas films. It was nominated for five Academy Awards including best picture. Jimmie Stewart plays George Bailey who has set aside his own dreams for the Bailey Building and Loan. When things go wrong he begins to believe everyone would be better off if he were never born. With the assistance of Clarence his guardian angel, played by Henry Travers, George discovers “no man is a failure who has friends.”

Nothing says holidays like the classic Tchaikovsky ballet “The Nutcracker.” The ballet is loosely based on the E.T.A. Hoffmann fantasy story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” about a girl who befriends a nutcracker that comes to life on Christmas Eve and wages a battle against the evil Mouse King. This beautiful film presentation of the stage production by Peter Wright features the Australian Ballet. With sugar plums, snowflakes and mice dancing to Tchaikovsky’s beloved score, it’s a magical experience for the whole family on Sunday, Dec 11.

Finally, the family favorite “Princess Bride” will be shown Saturday, Dec. 17. Directed by Rob Reiner and perfect for all audiences, the fantastical story, read to a boy by his grandfather tells of a farmboy-turned-pirate who encounters numerous obstacles, enemies and allies in his quest to be reunited with his true love. Starring Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Andre the Giant, Fred Savage and Robin Wright, this 1987 film has become a family favorite with a litany of awards. In 2016 it was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States Film Registry as being “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.”

All film showings will begin at 4pm. Admission to the December films is free though donations are accepted.  The theatre will open 30 minutes prior to show time. Concessions, including a cash bar, will be available for purchase at Tibbits’ Ghost Light Bar.

More dates for the 2022-2023 Classic Film Series will be added soon. The entire Classic Film Series is generously sponsored by Dr. Matthew Christopher, DDS, PC. A proud supporter of Tibbits Opera House, Dr. Christopher is also a Tibbits Summer Theatre Popcorn Theatre sponsor and corporate member of the historic theatre. Dr. Christopher and his staff provide excellent quality dental care for the entire family. Conveniently located in Union City and Coldwater, they handle most treatment in office, saving patients time and money while crafting smiles to last a lifetime.

All showings will take place at the beautiful historic Tibbits Opera House, 14 S. Hanchett Street, in Coldwater. For more information or a complete listing of shows and events, please visit Tibbits.org.

Variety of Christmas Programs Coming to Tibbits in December

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Three Men and a Tenor
The Founding

COLDWATER – Three Men and a Tenor, “Celtic Christmas” with The Founding, and classic films highlight the Christmas season at Tibbits Opera House.

After deciding to postpone the radio play “It’s a Wonderful Life,” Tibbits filled the December calendar with other entertainment suitable for the entire family.

Highlighting the season and back by popular demand, Three Men and a Tenor will bring their vocal talents with another rousing show filled with holiday spirit Saturday, Dec. 10 at 7pm. Featuring the powerful vocal harmonies of Paul Felch, Chuck Colby, Mark Stiles, and Glenn Williams the group performed at Tibbits in April including a special performance for students. This new show filled with feel-good Christmas favorites and original music is perfect for audiences of all ages.

The band The Founding will present its show “Celtic Christmas” on Friday, Dec 16 at 7pm. Pushing creative boundaries as musicians and multi-instrumentalists, their set list mixes traditional and original Christmas tunes as well as favorite traditional and original Celtic tunes. The Founding performed at Tibbits in 2018 but are looking forward to this holiday version of their show.

The season will also include holiday and family film classics. In homage to the postponed performance, the film version of “It’s a Wonderful Life” will hit the big screen Sunday, Dec. 4, at 4pm. Director Frank Capra’s beloved film tells the feel-good story of George Bailey and his discovery that “no man is a failure who has friends.”

Nothing says holidays like the classic Tchaikovsky ballet “The Nutcracker.” Tibbits will show a beautiful film presentation of the stage production by Peter Wright featuring the Australian Ballet. With sugar plums, snowflakes and mice dancing to Tchaikovsky’s beloved score, it’s a magical experience for the whole family on Sunday, Dec 11 at 4pm.

Finally, the family favorite “The Princess Bride” will be shown Saturday, Dec. 17 at 4pm. Directed by Rob Reiner, the fantastical story, read to a boy by his grandfather tells of a farmboy-turned-pirate who encounters numerous obstacles, enemies and allies in his quest to be reunited with his true love.

Tickets go on sale for Oct 26 at 9am for Three Men and a Tenor and The Founding’s “Celtic Christmas.” Tibbits members Benefactor level and above can get advanced tickets October 19.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Tibbits.org, stop at Tibbits business offices at 93 W. Chicago St. in Coldwater, or call 517.278.6029. All performances will be held at Tibbits Opera House, located at 14 S. Hanchett St. in Coldwater, MI.

HOLLYWOOD’S SWASHBUCKLING ROGUE COMES TO THE TIBBITS BIG SCREEN!

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COLDWATER – Fill your quiver with arrows and hoist the mainsail because swashbuckling adventures are coming to the big screen when the Tibbits Classic Film Series presents the Swift Sword of Errol Flynn. The double feature will screen The Adventures of Robin Hood and Captain Blood on Saturday, May 14.

Errol Flynn was widely regarded as the best swordsman to ever grace the silver screen until Vigo Mortenson took up the mantel of Aragorn the Ranger in the 2001 reimagining of Lord of the Rings. One cannot discuss the topic of charming rogues without conjuring images of Flynn’s Robin of Loxley, Captain Peter Blood or Don Juan. His adventurous on-screen persona was almost indistinguishable from his wild off-screen lifestyle.

The salute to Flynn begins at 6pm with the medieval masterpiece “The Adventures of Robin Hood.” Flynn portrays Sir Robin of Locksley, defender of downtrodden Saxons. After standing up to the oppressive rule of the Norman authority, Locksley is forced to turn outlaw. With his band of Merry Men, he robs from the rich and gives to the poor while still having time to woo the lovely Maid Marian. Ultimately Locksley seeks to foil the plot of Prince John to steal the throne of England from his brother Richard the Lion Heart. Cast as Sir Guy of Gisbourne, Basil Rathbone engages Flynn’s Robin of Locksley in climatic duel which to this day is still considered one of the best choreographed sword fights in film history.

The second film pirate adventure, “Captain Blood,” will begin at 8pm. Arrested during the Monmouth Rebellion and falsely convicted of treason, Dr. Peter Blood, portrayed by Flynn, is banished to the West Indies and sold into slavery. In Port Royal, Jamaica the Governor’s daughter Arabella Bishop buys him to spite her uncle, plantation owner Col. Bishop. Blood avoids the laborious life of his follow captives by treating the Governor’s gout and is soon part of the medical service. He dreams of freedom and when the opportunity strikes, he and his friends rebel taking over a Spanish ship that has attacked the city. Soon, they are the most feared pirates on the seas, men without a country attacking any ship that crosses their path. When Arabella becomes Blood’s prisoner he decides to return her to Port Royal. Upon their arrival Blood find that not only is England under the rule of the just King William but Port Royal is about to be attacked by England’s new enemy, France. Blood and his crew must decide if they will fight for their new king or allow Port Royal to be over-run by the French Navy.

The Swift Sword of Errol Flynn is the final spring installment of the Tibbits Classic Film Series for the season. The Classic Film Series is sponsored by Dr. Matthew Christopher, DDS. Admission to the film series is by donation. Concessions, including a cash bar, will be available for purchase. Movies will be shown at the historic Tibbits Opera House located at 14 S. Hanchett St. in Coldwater. For more information, please visit Tibbits.org or call 517-278-6029.

LEGEND DANNY KAYE ON THE BIG SCREEN!

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COLDWATER – Experience the tongue-twisting musical mastery of Hollywood legend Danny Kaye April 9 when Tibbits Classic Film Series presents “The Inspector General” and “The Court Jester” at Tibbits Opera House.

The first film “The Inspector General” starts at 4pm. Kaye portrays an illiterate stooge in a traveling medicine show who wanders into a strange town and is picked up on a vagrancy charge. The town’s corrupt officials mistake him for the inspector general whom they think is traveling in disguise. Fearing he will discover they’ve been pocketing tax money, they make several bungled attempts to kill him. In addition to Kaye, this film features a cast of Hollywood’s leading character actors including Walter Slezak, Elsa Lanchester and Gene Lockhart.

The evening closes with the musical spoof “The Court Jester” at 6pm. Former carnival performer Hubert Hawkins, played by Kaye, and maid Jean are assigned to protect the infant royal heir from tyrannical King Roderick. While Jean takes the baby to an abbey, Hawkins gains access to the court by impersonating the king’s jester, unaware that the jester is really an assassin hired by scheming Sir Ravenhurst. Hawkins is able to persuade Roderick and his men that he is indeed a jester, but his espionage work gets complicated when Princess Gwendolyn falls in love with him.  “The Court Jester” also stars Basil Rathbone and Angela Lansbury.

Leading man Danny Kaye left school at the age of 13 to work in the so-called Borscht Belt of Jewish resorts in the Catskill Mountains. From there he went through a series of jobs in and out of show business. In 1939, he made his Broadway debut in “Straw Hat Revue,” but it was the stage production of the musical “Lady in the Dark” in 1940 that brought him acclaim and notice from agents. Danny could sing and dance like many others, but his specialty was reciting those tongue-twisting songs and monologues.

Samuel Goldwyn signed Kaye and put him in a series of Technicolor musicals, starting with “Up in Arms” (1944). His debut was successful, and he continued to make hit movies such as “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” (1947), “The Inspector General” (1949), and “White Christmas” (1954), which was based on the Irving Berlin song of the same name. In 1955, he made what many consider his best comedy, “The Court Jester” (1955), with the brilliant “Pellet with the Poison” routine. Some of his last roles were also his most memorable, such as an intense Holocaust survivor in “Skokie” (1981) and as a kind but goofy dentist in an episode of “The Cosby Show” (1984). He also worked tirelessly for UNICEF.

“Danny Kaye Musicals” is part of Tibbits Classic Film double features showcasing Hollywood’ Golden age.  “The Swift Sword of Errol Flynn” May 14 will close series with “Captain Blood” and “The Adventures of Robin Hood.” The Classic Film Series is sponsored by Dr. Matthew Christopher, DDS. Admission to the film series is free. Concessions, including a cash bar, will be available for purchase. For more information, please visit Tibbits.org or call 517-278-6029.

ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATED SHORTS TO BE SHOWN AT TIBBITS

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COLDWATER – From the latest in computer-animated shorts to the grittiest of live action dramas, Tibbits Classic Film Series will showcase the 2022 Academy Award nominees for best animated and best live action short films Saturday, March 26.

“We are excited to bring this event back for a third year and present these films before the Academy Awards take place,” said Tibbits film curator Matt Biolchini. “You have a chance to be among the select few to see these films on the big screen,” he continued.

A short film is any motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes or less, including all credits, per guidelines set forth by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In the past, short films generally relied on exhibitions at festivals to reach an audience, often with the short films shown at Sundance and Cannes, the biggest festivals.

While there are three categories-live action, animation, and documentary- Tibbits will be showing nominations in the first two categories. Animation really took advantage of the short film format when Warner Brothers and Disney began putting short cartoons before all of their feature length films. This is a tradition that Pixar has carried over to the present day by screening a short along with each of its feature films during its initial theatrical run since 1995.

Typically the short film is the first step for new filmmakers, but professional actors and crews will quite often opt to create shorts as an alternative form of expression, such as Twilight star Kristen Stewart did with her directorial debut Come Swim in 2017. The short film has been particularly kind to up-and-coming directors, most notably Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine on a Spotless Mind, Be Kind Rewind), John Lasseter (Toy Story, Cars), Tim Burton (Edward Scissor Hands, Batman), John Carpenter (Halloween, The Thing, Christine), Mike Judge (King of the Hill, Office Space, Idiocracy), and F. Gary Grey (Friday, The Italian Job-2003).

This special presentation of the 2022 Oscar-Nominated Shorts will begin with Animated films at 4pm followed by Live Action films at 6:30pm. The $15 cost gains audience members entrance to both sets of films. A link to the trailers for each of the nominated films is available at shorts.tv/theoscarshorts. Some trailers/films are not appropriate for younger audiences and contain explicit content. Concessions including a cash bar will be available for purchase. In April and May, Tibbits Classic Film Series will showcase free viewings of the “Delightful Musicals of Danny Kaye” and “The Swift Sword of Errol Flynn.” All films are sponsored by Dr. Matthew Christopher, DDS.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit Tibbits.org or call 517-278-6029. Screenings are held at the historic Tibbits Opera House, 14 S. Hanchett St. Coldwater.

BOGART & BACALL ON THE BIG SCREEN AT TIBBITS OPERA HOUSE

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COLDWATER – Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the sizzling chemistry of Bogie and Bacall comes to the big screen with Tibbits Classic Film Series showing of “Key Largo” and“The Big Sleep” Saturday, February 12.

Despite a 25-year age difference, Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall shared an iconic romance and a happy, albeit short-lived, marriage. Bacall wrote in her memoir, “No one has written a romance better than we lived it.” She admits there was ‘no lightning bolt’ when she first met Bogart. Arriving in Hollywood at 19 years old, Bacall wasn’t a big fan of Bogart. When Howard Hawks told her he was thinking of putting her in a movie with either Bogart or Cary Grant, her thought was, “Cary Grant — terrific! Humphrey Bogart — yucch.” In their first film together, “To Have and Have Not,” Bogart’s character romances another woman, but when director Howard Hawks saw how the two were interacting on film the screenplay was changed so Bogart’s character ended up with Bacall’s. As Bacall noted in 2007, “Chemistry — you can’t beat chemistry.”

First to be screened at 4 PM, Raymond Chandler’s noir classic “The Big Sleep” follows private investigator Philip Marlowe (Bogart) hired by a wealthy general to find out who is blackmailing his youngest daughter and put a stop to it. Very soon Marlowe finds himself deep within a web of love triangles, blackmail, murder, gambling and organized crime. With help from the general’s oldest daughter Vivian (Bacall), Marlowe hatches a plot to free the family from this web and trap the real culprit.

The evening closes with the tense drama “Key Largo” at 6 PM. World War II veteran Frank McCloud (Bogart) travels to a run-down hotel on Key Largo to honor the memory of his friend who died bravely in battle. His friend’s widow, Nora Temple (Bacall), manages the hotel along with her father. Soon after arriving, the three find themselves prisoners when the hotel is taken over by gangsters led by Johnny Rocco (Edward G. Robinson) who plan to use the hotel to wait out a passing hurricane. Opposed to violence due to his experiences in the war, Frank is reluctant to act, but Rocco’s demeaning treatment of his alcoholic girlfriend and his complicity in the death of a deputy sheriff slowly begin to motivate McCloud into taking action.

“Bogie and Bacall” is the first installment of the Tibbits Classic Film Series for 2022, a set of monthly double features showcasing Hollywood classics from every decade. Be sure not to miss “Delightful Musicals of Danny Kaye” in April and “The Swift Sword of Errol Flynn” in May. In addition, there will be screening of 2022 Oscar Nominated Short Films on March 26. The Classic Film Series is sponsored by Dr. Matthew Christopher, DDS. Admission to the classic film series is free while the Oscar Nominated Shorts will be a ticketed event. Concessions, including a cash bar, will be available for purchase. For more information, please visit Tibbits.org or call 517-278-6029.

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