The first of Walt Disney’s totally live-action films came in 1950 with the fabulous TREASURE ISLAND starring Robert Newton as Long John Silver, a picture that producer Disney made in Britain to take advantage of his UK earnings that could not leave the country. Proving popular at the box office, Disney continued through the 1950’s and 1960’s with more classics such as adventures 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA, DAVY CROCKETT, KING OF THE WILD FRONTIER, SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON, fantasies like DARBY O’GILL AND THE LITTLE PEOPLE, MARY POPPINS and THE THREE LIVES OF THOMASINA, screwball family comedies THE PARENT TRAP, THAT DARN CAT! and THE ABSENT MINDED PROFESSOR (that also had sci-fi/fantasy overtones). After Walt’s death, live action productions continued into the 1970’s (ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN; FREAKY FRIDAY, et. al.) and beyond. We’ve decided to concentrate on this early initial period between 1950 – 1980 for the crème de la crème of the Disney live action films. Please join us and be sure to bring the whole family!

Wednesday, July 11 – 7:30 PM

Restored Print! DAVY CROCKETT, KING OF THE WILD FRONTIER, 1955, Disney, 93 min. Norman Foster (JOURNEY INTO FEAR) directed this rousing tall tale, culled from "Davy Crockett", the three episode Disney TV show that became a nationwide phenomenon, so huge, so overwhelming that it defied belief. Before Spiderman and Luke Skywalker there was Davy Crockett (Fess Parker). Over 10 million records of the theme song "The Ballad of Davy Crockett," were sold and the film grossed over one million dollars despite the fact that 50% of the country had already watched it on television. No kid in America was without his coonskin cap and Davy Crockett lunch box. From grinning down a bear, to fighting crocodiles, to Indian wars, and rifle competitions with Bigfoot Mason (Mike Mazurki), Davy Crockett was truly larger than life. Also featuring Colonel Jim Bowie (THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD's Kenneth Tobey), President Andrew Jackson (Basil Ruysdael), and Maj. Tobias Norton (William Bakewell).

Thursday, July 12 – 7:30 PM

Double Feature:

THE ABSENT MINDED PROFESSOR, 1961, Disney, 97 min. Dir. Robert Stevenson. Nominated for three Oscars, this classic spawned a sequel, has been remade twice, re-released to theaters in three different decades, colorized, copied and imitated but never replicated. A true original, shown here in its glorious Oscar-nominated lush B&W photography. Fred MacMurray stars as the absent minded professor, a loveable small time chemistry teacher who stumbles on a bouncing substance that defies gravity. Madcap hijinks ensue, climaxing with the greatest basketball game of all time. Smart, charming and hysterical, the film still delights youngsters of all ages. Great supporting work by an uproarious Keenan Wynn (look for his dad Ed Wynn as the Fireman), the beautiful Nancy Olson and Disney mainstay, Tommy Kirk.

THE PARENT TRAP, 1961, Disney, 129 min. Disney's desire to capitalize on their new hit "It Girl" from POLLYANNA, led them to cast two of them the next year, resulting in the granddaddy of all split screen double movies. As Hayley Mills meets Hayley Mills at summer camp, they discover they were twin sisters separated at birth by divorce. The sisters switch places for the summer then scheme and plan a reunion of their parents, Maureen O'Hara (THE QUIET MAN) and Brian Keith (TV’s "Family Affair"). Great supporting work from underappreciated 30's and 40's veteran Una Merkel (THE BANK DICK) and Charles Ruggles (BRINGING UP BABY). POLLYANNA director David Swift once again scores a huge hit writing and directing this timeless classic that has spawned and inspired three sequels, three remakes, PULP FICTION, "Simpsons" episode and sisters everywhere. Camera work by the great Peckinpah cinematographer Lucien Ballard (THE WILD BUNCH). As always wonderful songs provided by the Sherman brothers. Also featuring Leo G. Carroll and Nancy Kulp.

Friday, July 13 – 7:30 PM

Double Feature:

ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN, 1975, Disney, 97 min. "Caught in a world where they don't belong... they have one chance to escape!" The adventure film all children of the seventies will never forget. Kim Richards and Ike Eisenmann are two orphaned children with paranormal abilities hunted by evil millionaire Ray Milland with hopes of exploiting their special talent. With help from Donald Pleasence and the widower Father O'Day (Eddie Albert) they must escape to Witch Mountain. Directed by John Hough (LEGEND OF HELL HOUSE) and shot by long time Disney cinematographer Frank V. Phillips. The final film of actress Reta Shaw (MARY POPPINS; housekeeper in TV’s "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir")

FREAKY FRIDAY, 1977, Disney, 97 min. "Annabel isn't herself today – neither is her mother this morning. THEY BECAME EACH OTHER.." Director John Hough (THE BLACK HOLE) directs Mark Rodgers' screenplay adapted from his own book, the first of a trilogy. Nominated for three Golden Globes, Jodie Foster plays an awkward, self-conscious and rebellious girl just entering her teens. Barbara Harris (FAMILY PLOT) plays Ellen, her cheerful and self-confident mother. Envious of each other’s lives, they separately utter wishes to change places, and, through magic, the two are transplanted into each other’s bodies. Both find out each other’s lives are not as easy as they seem. Music by Academy Award -winner Johnny Mandel. Also features John Astin, Ruth Buzzi and Dick Van Patten.

Saturday, July 14 – 3:00 PM

Family Matinee – Kid’s Festival:

Saturday, July 14 – 7:30 PM

Double Feature Pirate Night – Kids, Dress As Pirates!

Restored 35mm Print! SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON, 1960, Disney, 126 min. Meet the original Robinsons! Ken Annakin (THOSE MAGNIFICENT MEN IN THEIR FLYING MACHINES) directs the adaptation of the Johann David Wyss novel. A Swiss family led by Father (John Mills) and Mother (Dorothy McGuire) traveling to New Guinea shipwrecks during a storm on a deserted tropical island. Father and Mother, along with their three sons (James MacArthur, Tommy Kirk, Kevin Corcoran) must work together to survive. Through high adventure filled with rogues, exotic animals and elaborate tree homes, the stranded family must persevere by building traps and shelter to battle off pirates led by the villainous Sessue Hayakawa (BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER KWAI) Also featuring Janet Munro (DAY THE EARTH CAUGHT FIRE), winner of the 1960 Golden Globe for most promising newcomer. Photographed by Harry Waxman (THE WICKER MAN).

Sunday, July 15 – 7:30 PM

Double Feature:

THAT DARN CAT!, 1965, Disney, 116 min. Hayley Mills (THE PARENT TRAP) stars with an all star supporting cast featuring Roddy McDowall, Ed Wynn, Dorothy Provine, Elsa Lanchester, Frank Gorshin (The Riddler on TV’s "Batman"), William Demarest (Uncle Charlie on TV’s "My Three Sons") and Disney legend Dean Jones as agent Zeke Kelso. Nominated by the Writers Guild for Best Written Comedy and directed by Robert Stevenson (MARY POPPINS). A young girl (Mills) is convinced that her cat's collar is evidence in the case of a kidnapped woman. After calling the FBI, they must track down her mischievous pet, but unfortunately the agents are allergic to cats. Filled with nosey neighbors, laughs and romance. Also appearing is Richard Deacon ("The Dick Van Dyke Show").