Summer Movie Series: How do we pick ’em?

Each year, the CAPA Summer Movie Series is a mix of Columbus favorites and film premieres airing on the schedule for the first time. We include a wide range of genres and stars, so we’ll have “something for everyone” on the schedule.

There is a core group of favorites that audiences want to see approximately every five years. Movies like Singin’ in the Rain, The Sound of Music, and Gone with the Wind are repeated due to their continuing popularity, often drawing bigger crowds than movies making their debuts in the series. Rather than merely repeat the same schedule every few years though, we include a number of series premieres. This gives the audience a chance to sample titles with less exposure that they would not otherwise be able to see in a theatre setting. Attendance figures tell us which newer movies (like Young Frankenstein and Grease) should be repeated in future years.

Just as our audience changes over the years, so do some of our choices, as we seek a balance between proven favorites and newer titles.

Work starts on the new schedule in January. Suggestions from audience members, CAPA staff, and analysis of attendance figures all figure into the decision process. Distributors and archives advise us on the status of new prints and restorations. We also look for movies that have become available after years of legal issues (such as Annie Get Your Gun). After several months of juggling the puzzle pieces, the annual bookings are locked in and the creation of the season brochure begins!

We hope you enjoy this year’s selection of classic films!