The Paramount Lights Up Tonight With the Classic Film Series

Here's still looking at you, kid: The Paramount Classic Film Season returns, as always, with the Nazi-smashing classic romance Casablanca.

You can't stop tradition, and even though it's been delayed, the Paramount Summer Season is starting tonight in the way it always does: With a screening of the 1942 classic, Casablanca.

The grandest stage on Congress has been running its Classic Film Series for the last 44 years, and the coronavirus could only delay, not prevent, number 45. Of course, some things will change. The Paramount had already introduced a clear bag policy, and only 25% of seat will be available under the new social distancing seating map (plus there will be the temperature checks and touchless operations that are now so common).

But what's not changing, even in the year of coronavirus, is the incredible line-up of classic and beloved titles, all joined together by some incredible themes. The opening weekend celebrates the Power to Choose, with Casablanca's Nazi-smashing lessons joined by the equally powerful human rights duo of Cabaret and Do The Right Thing.

Of course, there are anniversary screenings (happy 35th to The Goonies, while Bruce the shark gets a 45th birthday bash with a Jaws screening), music in the movies (Selena, Purple Rain, and A Hard Days Night), and family favorites (who doesn't love Mary Poppins). This year also sees a new celebration of women in front of and behind the camera, presented in conjunction with TCM's new documentary series about these groundbreakers Women Make Film. There'll even be a chance to catch episide one of the show in a double bill with Dorothy Arzner 1932 drama Merrily We Go to Hell

For those if you planning to catch as many titles as you can, or to take some friends, there's the Flix-Tix discount booklet, with 10 tickets for $70 or five for $50

Here's the full schedule: find more details at www.austintheatre.org/film/classic-film-series/.

Fri., Sept. 11
7:30pm Casablanca

Sun., Sept. 13
1pm Cabaret
5:25pm Do the Right Thing

Mon., Sept. 14
7:30pm Back to the Future

Tue., Sept. 15
7:30pm Raiders of the Lost Ark

Wed., Sept. 16
7:30pm Raiders of the Lost Ark

Thu., Sept. 17
7:30pm Blade Runner: The Final Cut

Fri., Sept. 18
7:30pm Blade Runner: The Final Cut

Sat., Sept. 19
1pm The Goonies
5:15pm Ghostbusters

Sun., Sept. 20
1pm The Princess Bride
5pm; Jaws

Mon., Sept. 21
7:30pm The Princess Bride

Tue., Sept. 22
7:30pm Jaws

Wed., Sept. 23
7:30pm A Hard Day’s Night

Thu., Sept. 24
7:30pm Selena

Fri., Sept. 25
7:30pm Purple Rain

Sat., Sept. 26
1pm Mary Poppins
5:40pm Double Indemnity

Sun., Sept. 27
1pm Double Indemnity
5:05pm The Big Lebowski

Mon., Sept. 28
7:30pm Devil in a Blue Dress

Tue., Sept. 29
7:30pm The Big Lebowski

Wed., Sept. 30
7:30pm A League of Their Own

Thu., Oct. 1
7:30pm Love and Basketball

Fri., Oct. 2
7:30pm Fast Times at Ridgemont High

Sat., Oct. 3
1pm Women Make Film Episode 1
3pm Merrily We Go to Hell

Sun., Oct. 4
1pm Lawrence of Arabia

Mon., Oct. 5
7:30pm Shadow of a Doubt

Tue., Oct. 6
7:30pm The Birds

Wed., Oct. 7
7:30pm The Birds

Thu., Oct. 8
7:30pm Vertigo

Fri., Oct. 9
7:30pm Vertigo

Sat., Oct. 10
1pm The Sound of Music
6:15pm Rear Window

Sun., Oct. 11
1pm Rear Window
5:15pm The Sound of Music