The Coronado Island Film Festival, as part of its popular monthly Classic Film Series, will present the beloved 1950 family comedy “Father of the Bride” on June 28.
Doors will open at 5 p.m for a “Meet & Greet” with complimentary adult beverages, followed by a vintage cartoon (“Mr Magoo”), with the feature presentation starting at 5:30 p.m. at Coronado’s Village Theatre, 820 Orange Ave.
Tickets are $15 and are on sale now at coronadofilmfest.com (preferred), or at the CIFF table at the door beginning at 4:45 p.m. on the night of the screening.
Organizers say these screenings have been selling out, so advance purchase and early arrival at the theatre are recommended.
Story is simple
The story is simple: Daughter at family dinner table announces she’s in love and wants to marry; father stunned, has misgivings; mother begins making big plans; prospective in-laws meet; plans get out of hand; guest list grows; bills mount; father nervous; happy couple has huge fight and cancel wedding; couple makes up; chaos reigns, etc. etc.
As you feast your eyes on the impossibly beautiful 18-year-old Elizabeth Taylor, be mindful that Spencer Tracy, one of the greatest actors of Hollywood’s Golden Age, is at the same time treating us to a Master Class in acting.
Director Vincent Minnelli, whose spot-on casting of Tracy in the eponymous role, knew full well how to showcase his grouchy understated brilliance as Stanley Banks, the completely overwhelmed father of the bride, as he navigates the baffling waters of
the wedding of his beloved daughter Kay (Taylor).
The film also boasts a stellar ensemble cast including Joan Bennett who is perfect as Kay’s mother Ellie, and a young Russ Tamblyn as Tommy Banks, Kay’s younger brother. The screenplay is by the MGM husband/wife writing team of Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett.
“Father of the Bride” was nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Actor for Spencer Tracy, and Best Screenplay for Goodrich and Hackett.
Opened in 1950
It opened on May 18, 1950 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The premiere
took place just 12 days after Elizabeth Taylor’s first, real-life wedding to Hilton heir
Nicky Hilton.
MGM took full advantage of this fact and made a huge public relations and marketing campaign of it, which definitely played a big role in the resounding box office success.
Taylor’s wedding gowns, for both the movie and her own wedding, were designed by Hollywood wardrobe maven Helen Rose.
“Grease” is the Word
CIFF next month celebrates summer in full swing with the rollicking favorite “Grease” on July 26.
Meantime, organizers say big plans are well under way for CIFF 2023, the eighth season from November 8-12.
Visit coronadofilmfest.com for updates and ways to become involved.
Organizers say this is a community-wide celebration of Coronado’s enduring love affair with Hollywood.
