To Kill A Mockingbird showings bring classic film to big screen

Media Contact:

Kristen Gleason
Director of Marketing
The Paramount Theater
215 East Main Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
434.979.1922 ext. 103
kristen@theparamount.net

For Immediate Release

April 16, 2008

Adapted from Harper Lee’s acclaimed Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) is one of the most revered movies to come out of Hollywood. Set in a small Southern town during the Depression, the story of Atticus Finch’s (Gregory Peck) defense of a black man (Brock Peters) accused of raping a white woman unfolds through the eyes of his feisty tomboy of a daughter, ”Scout” (Mary Badham).

Idealistic without being saccharine, the film brilliantly depicts a principled man quietly adhering to his belief in justice for all without resorting to violence, though at times his patience is sorely tried. Gregory Peck's outstanding portrayal of the wise and loving Finch won him an Academy Award.

Presented in partnership with Jefferson-Madison Regional Library’s “The Big Read” encouraging community members to read the book, The Paramount Theater is proud to present two screenings of the film on Thursday, May 1 at 3 and 7 pm.

Special Media Sponsor for this event is C-ville Weekly.

The Paramount is delighted to announce that actress Mary Badham will take part in a panel discussion following the 7 pm screening, which is included in admission to the evening showing. Chosen for the role of Scout at the age of ten with no prior acting experience, she won an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress -- at the time, the youngest person to do so.

Badham appeared in two more films and made TV appearances before retiring from acting as a teenager to pursue an education. Over the years she maintained close contact with Gregory Peck and occasionally accompanied him on his lecture tours and to awards ceremonies.

Moderated by Sarah McConnell, host of VFH Radio's With Good Reason (Virginia's only statewide public radio program), other members of the post-film discussion panel include Commonwealth’s Attorney Denise Lunsford, local attorney Stephanie Commander, and Charlottesville City Sheriff Cornelia Johnson.

Tickets for To Kill A Mockingbird on Thursday, May 1 at 3 and 7 pm are $6 for adults and $4 for those aged 12 and under. The post-film discussion is available in conjunction with the 7 pm showing only.

Tickets may be purchased online or through The Paramount’s Box Office at 434.979.1333.

Additional movie titles will be announced as part of The Paramount’s forthcoming Summer 2008 Series.