For old film buffs you’re going to love what you’ll find in the City of McKinney this weekend. Beginning Friday the McKinney Classic Film Festival will be featuring some of Director Vincent Minnelli’s best work like “Gigi,” “The Pirate” and “The Bandwagon.”
Going into its third season this year, film festival founder Dena Hill said they chose these films because “We wanted to feature musicals this year, so we did an informal poll of our local film group, chose a couple of our favorites, and generally researched what would be a good cross section of well-known musicals.”
Basically, the idea for this year is MGM musicals that make you want to sing along.
Other than that, Hill said the location is perfect for the vibe this classic film festival offers.
“Beyond the films and closing party, there's Historic Downtown McKinney itself,” she said. “Audience members can explore numerous shops and restaurants surrounding the McKinney Performing Arts Center.”
The film festival actually found its home in McKinney because Hill decided to move north to McKinney from Dallas.
“I thought McKinney's historic square would be ideal for a classic film festival. After all, what is now the Historic Downtown McKinney area was there when all these films were new. I met with the folks at the McKinney Performing Arts Center (MPAC) about creating the festival in MPAC's Courthouse Theater, and they supported the idea. That was our start.”
Hill said she started the film festival too, because she realized there are many film festivals to attend, but few that feature the classics.
“We want to help keep the legacy of these films alive,” she explained. “We are trying to aid that effort by promoting and sharing them with people who grew up loving them. We also hope to create new generations of classic film lovers as younger audiences discover the richness of classic movie gems available to them.”
Other highlights of the festival include media maven, Kelly Kitchens who will discuss “Meet Me In St. Louis,” and announcer Bruce Calvert, a film collector, will share tidbits and historical notes on each film being shown.
Hill said she is also thrilled to have Christy Putnam from Houston attending the festival this year.
“Christy writes about classic film and has been a TCM Film Festival Social Producer,” Hill explained. “She will be speaking at the closing party on August 27 regarding her work on an upcoming biography about character actress Thelma Ritter.”
The closing night party will also feature fun photo ops, a trivia game with prizes, refreshments, and a festive setting to just relax and mingle with other film lovers.”
For more information check the film festival website for an update of any additional speakers who will be attending the festival this weekend.
MCKINNEY CLASSIC FILM FESTIVAL 2017
When: August 25, 26 and 27, 2017
Where: The McKinney Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 111 N. Tennessee Street, McKinney, Texas. All films will be screened in MPAC’s Courtroom Theater.
GIGI (1958)
Friday (August 25) 7:30 p.m.
THE BAND WAGON (1953)
Saturday (August 26) 3:30 p.m.
MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS (1944)
Saturday (August 26) 7:30 p.m.
THE PIRATE (1948)
Sunday (August 27) 2:30 p.m.
ON THE TOWN (1949)
Sunday (August 27) 5 p.m.
Sunday Closing Party 7:15 p.m.
All festival ticket holders are invited to return after the “On the Town” final screening for the weekend’s closing party with refreshments located just off the MPAC lobby.
Festival general admission tickets: $15 Adult; $10 Child/Student/Senior
Film Buff Pass including all films: $60 Adult; $40 Child/Student/Senior