(“To Sir with Love, 1967)
According to the Chicago Park District, 170 current and classic movies will be shown in neighborhood parks throughout the city, through September. I know many of us have missed the first program offerings, but here’s a list of recommendations for the final month of movies. Lots to choose from… Bring popcorn, a blanket, and may I suggest a basket of goodies? NOTE: Click the names of the parks below for their locations.
Highlights and Recommendations…
| 07/29/09 | 8:30 PM | Movies in the Park | Movies in the Park – To Sir, With Love (NR) * | Hamilton Park | free |
A 1967 British film in which Sidney Poitier stars as an idealist engineer-turned-teacher tries to turn around a rough inner city school.
| 08/10/09 | 8:30 PM | Movies in the Park | Movies in the Park – The World of Nat King Cole (NR) | Tuley Park | free |
A truly great 2006 Documentary abouth the Chicago-bred icon. Featuring (among others) his lovely wife. If you missed this on PBS, catch it in the park.
| 08/11/09 | 8:30 PM | Movies in the Park | Movies in the Park – The Sting (PG) * | Lake Shore Park | free |
1973 film starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford in crime-ridden 1930s Chicago.
| 08/12/09 | 8:30 PM | Movies in the Park | Movies in the Park – Uptown Saturday Night (PG) | South Shore Cultural Center | free |
Directed by Sidney Poitier, and starring Sidney Poitier, Bill Cosby, and Harry Belafonte. Steve and Wardell track across the city when they discover Steve’s won the lottery (but the ticket is in his stolen wallet). The pair meet a truckload of hustlers, crooked politicians, and otherwise colorful folk in the hunt.
| 08/15/09 | 8:30 PM | Movies in the Park | Movies in the Park – Calle 54 (G) | Humboldt Park | free |
A 2000 film featuring an abundance of Latin Jazz legends performing on stage.
| 08/18/09 | 8:30 PM | Movies in the Park | Movies in the Park – The Blackboard Jungle (NR) * | West Pullman Park | free |
In this 1955 film, an English teacher wages a war to get through to his students at a violent inner city school, even though many of his colleagues refuse to pick up arms. An early performance by Sidney Poitier is not to be missed.
| 08/29/09 | 8:30 PM | Movies in the Park | Movies in the Park – Sparkle (PG) * | Washington Park | free |
Check out the Darkjive review of Sparkle here.
| 08/30/09 | 8:30 PM | Movies in the Park | Movies in the Park – Akeelah and the Bee (PG) * | Unity Playlot Park (c/o Kosciuszko Park) | free |
A new classic featuring Keke Palmer, with Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett. A young girl tries to make it (against the odds) to the National Spelling Bee.
