Opening Lineup: Ghostbusters (10/22), Army of Darkness (11/19), and Die Hard (12/17)
RICHMOND, Va., October 13, 2016 – The cult classic cinema series is coming back to the Byrd, which may not be so strange in the Carytown neighborhood, but it didn’t stop the Byrd form calling on the original 1984 Ghostbusters to lead the series opener.
Tonight, Ghostbusters (2016) exits its run at the Byrd, but next Saturday, October 22, you can see the original back on the big screen. Ghostbusters I (1984) will usher in the return of Midnight Movies, monthly at the Byrd Theatre.
Midnight Movies are a fan favorite of longtime Richmond residents. “We’re excited to bring back this series, and know it holds a lot of nostalgia for Byrd fans. I’m included,” said Grant Mizell, Programming Chair and Vice President. “Some of my favorite film experiences at the Byrd were past midnights – The Fly, Goonies, Indiana Jones.”
Midnight Movies will focus on contemporary and cult classics of the 1980s and 90s, and screen on Saturdays. Tickets are $4.99. The first three announced, will be:
- Sat, Oct. 22: Ghostbusters I (1984)
- Sat, Nov. 19: Army of Darkness
- Sat, Dec. 17: Die Hard
All the titles scored highly in online polling. Plans are to continue to use fan participation in selections, and suggestions can be made at: https://goo.gl/gxGOa7
“Midnight Movies are a wonderful complement to our growing programming mix,” said Foundation President, Gibson Worsham. Daily Second Run remaining the heart of Byrd’s programming, movie fans now have regular opportunities each month to view Golden Age and Hollywood Classics, Cult and Contemporary films, in addition to weekly Family Classics.
The adoption of Midnight Movies, comes on the heels of another new series, Big Screen Classics, introduced earlier this month. That series will host it’s second title, Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window, this Sunday, October 16 at 2 pm. Big Screen Classics offers two opportunities a month to enjoy movies that are best seen on the Byrd’s big screen. First Wednesdays at 7:15 pm will feature more eclectic titles, Cinema for Cinephiles; and third Sundays will host broader appeal Hollywood Favorites at 2 pm.
“This is yet another exciting step in furthering our mission to expand the big screen experience, celebrate the art of cinema and preserve Virginia’s grand motion picture palace,” added Gibson.
The full upcoming lineup of special programming includes:
- 10/16, 2p: Big Screen Classics Rear Window
- 10/22, 10a: Family Classics Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
- 10/22, 11:59p: Midnight Movies Ghostbusters I
- 10/29, 10a: Family Classics Casper (1995)
- 11/5, 10a: Family Classics The Secret of NIMH
- 11/9, 7:15p: Big Screen Classics The Big Sleep
- 11/12, 10a: Family Classics The Little Princess (1933) with Shirley Temple
- 11/19, 10a: Family Classics Kiki’s Delivery Service
- 11/19, 11:59p: Midnight Movies Army of Darkness
- 11/26, 2p: Family Classics Chicken Run
- 11/27, 2p: Big Screen Classics Singing’ in the Rain
- 12/3, 10a: Family Classics Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
- 12/7, 7:15p: Big Screen Classics Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
- 12/10, 10a: Family Classics Arthur Christmas
- 12/17, 10a: Family Classics Elf
- 12/17, 11:59p: Midnight Movies Die Hard
- 12/18, 2p: Big Screen Classics White Christmas
- 12/24, 10a: Family Classics Polar Express
- 12/31, 10a: Family Classics An American Tail with 12-Noon New Years Countdown
Schedule subject to change. Always check http://byrdtheatre.com/ for updated showtimes and pricing information.
In 2007, the Byrd Theatre Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, was formed to purchase, preserve, and maintain the historic Byrd Theatre, which opened in 1928. The Foundation is executing a revitalization plan to achieve the vision of elevating the Byrd’s landmark position among American theaters as a center for film that continues to provide the broadest possible public access to exceptional cinematic experiences.