|
|
|
First Friday Film ‘On the Beach' Depicts Fictitious World War III
Move over, Frankie and Annette … there's no room for you on this beach. For everyone else, wade on out to the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh and see how deep a First Friday can get. This month's feature, "On the Beach," is a haunting selection from the Hollywood A-list, depicting the harsh reality of a fictitious World War III in 1964. There's safety in numbers, so join us at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 2. There is no charge for admission.
After nuclear war wipes out humanity in the Northern Hemisphere, one U.S. submarine (the nuclear-powered USS Sawfish) finds temporary safe haven down under, where life-as-usual faces growing despair. In denial about the loss of his wife and children in the holocaust, Commander Towers meets the careworn but gorgeous Moira, who begins to fall for him. But what happens when the Australians detect a Morse signal coming from southern California?
"On the Beach" has a truly star-studded cast, with the austere Gregory Peck playing Towers, native North Carolinian Ava Gardner as the sadly alluring Moira, along with Anthony ("Psycho") Perkins and even Fred Astaire (sans Ginger) heading the marquee. The film was directed by the stellar Stanley Kramer, and was released between two of his best director efforts: "Defiant Ones" (1958, with Sidney Poitier and Tony Curtis) and "Inherit the Wind" (1960, with Spencer Tracy and Fredric March). "On the Beach" is based on a best-selling novel of the same name by Nevil Shute.
The Museum stays open from 5 to 9 p.m. and the feature film begins at 7 p.m. Come early for live music from The Foyer and quirky film shorts from the AV Geeks. You can also enjoy light fare and beverages from the Acro Café.
Additionally, the Museum Store offers after-hours shopping and an opening reception for two new artists, photographers Kim Kauffman and Diane Smook, in the Nature Art Gallery (6-8 p.m.).
The Museum of Natural Sciences is located in downtown Raleigh at 11 West Jones Street.
For more information, contact Steve Popson at 919-733-7450, ext. 379.
|
