Looking at the Big Picture

"Friends, countrymen, put down your phones!" Yeah, I always thought it was pretty obnoxious to hassle people for being on their devices, some contemporary version of an etiquette that harkened back to some variation of "Get off my lawn!" or "I remember when," type deal, but in finding a through line for this year's Paramount Summer Film Series, what we wanted to highlight is why you need to see these classics on the big screen. No matter that the Paramount has draped out a brand-new screen, a new audio system, and DCP (don't worry, 35mm and 70mm are in full rotation), the Chronicle Screens team highlights the gems that are all the better writ large on the silver screen.

The 2016 Paramount Summer Classic Film Series kicks off May 26 with a 35mm print of Casablanca, but you can pre-party Tue., May 24, with the Bridesmaids Pub Run. The film series continues through Sept. 4. Films screening at the Paramount, 713 Congress, are denoted with a P, while films screening at the Stateside, 719 Congress, are denoted with an S. See insert in this issue for the full lineup, or visit www.austintheatre.org.