The movie series brings favorite films back to the big screen for one-night-only events — complete with creative concessions, costumes and crowds
Written by COLLEEN ANN MCNALLY
Photography courtesy THE SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN
GOING TO AN AIR-CONDITIONED CINEMA, particularly in the dog days of summer, is a time-honored pastime.
And while today’s streaming services make it easy to stay home and watch just about any movie of choice from the comfort of your own couch, professional cinephile Meg Weichman knows people will still show up and buy tickets for a memorable experience they can’t get at home. (Remember “Barbenheimer”?)
As the artistic manager for SCAD Theaters and Festivals, Weichman loves “to bring people together with the art of film.” Since coming on board in 2021, she has intentionally curated the summer movie lineup at The Lucas Theatre for the Arts to do just that.
First, there was The Lucas Centennial Summer, celebrating the theatre’s 100th birthday with milestone movies. Last summer, heroes- and villains-inspired programming included cult classics like Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho,” Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” and Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws.” Now, the Soundtrack Summer is under way, beginning with the 4K restoration of “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and “Pulp Fiction” in June.
For this year’s schedule, Weichman found inspiration in The Lucas’ original 1925 Wurlitzer pipe organ, which plays before every show.
“Soundtrack Summer harkens back to the connection between music and film, because even though The Lucas originally opened in the silent film era, silent film was never truly silent, as evidenced by our magnificently restored Mighty Wurlitzer,” Weichman says. “[The theme is about] exploring the connection between sound and image that defines some of the most memorable moments in movie history.”
To make the cut, a film must check several boxes. She selected flicks with iconic scores, needle drops and songs. She also searched for new restorations or connections to Savannah — like when Audrey Hepburn sings Johnny Mercer’s “Moon River” in her role as Holly Golightly. “I look for classic films that people may not have seen on the big screen that are worth seeing on a big screen, or maybe they haven’t seen on the big screen in a while,” she adds.
Once the choices are final, the real fun begins. Weichman lines up experts — often fellow SCAD faculty — to speak a little bit about the film beforehand, contextualizing it. Moviegoers of all ages show up and show out, often in apropos T-shirts or dressed in character. There are giveaways and decorations, and the snack bars are stocked with much more than the typical popcorn and soda.
“The Soundtrack Summer series is really a chance to experience this building as it was originally intended — as a movie palace, coming together to enjoy a night at the movies. It’s timeless.”
— Meg Weichman, artistic manager for SCAD Theaters and Festivals
“I love brainstorming specialty drinks and concession offerings,” Weichman says. For instance, she ordered custom coffee cups — akin to the one Audrey Hepburn holds while looking into the windows of Tiffany’s — for serving espresso martinis. For the July 11 screening of “Mamma Mia,” wear your dancing shoes for a Donna and the Dynamos-esque photo booth, and get ready for Greek-themed food and drinks. At the July 25 screening of “Forrest Gump,” which turns 30 years old this year, there will be shrimp-themed snacks and, of course, boxes of chocolate.
“You never know what is in store for you when you come see a movie at The Lucas this summer,” she teases.
Also on the calendar is Hitchcock’s “North by Northwest” on July 18, “The Graduate” on Aug. 1, “Jurassic Park” on Aug. 8 and “The Sound of Music,” on Aug. 18. As for younger audiences, The Lucas offers the Disney Summer Classics series on Sunday afternoons.
To Weichman, the best part is seeing how each movie — especially ones that are decades old — can bring up special memories for some, or make new ones for others. Occasionally, she may hear a story from someone who used to work at The Lucas or remembers going there as a kid.
“The Lucas is such a community treasure that SCAD maintains. The Soundtrack Summer series is really a chance to experience this building as it was originally intended — as a movie palace, coming together to enjoy a night at the movies,” she says. “It’s timeless.”
