The Hope College Knickerbocker Theatre in downtown Holland will feature three films in its summer film series beginning Friday, June 10, in addition to offering a Thursday night free family film series beginning Thursday, June 9.

The three films in the summer series are "Queen to Play," "The First Grader" and "Bill Cunningham New York," each opening on consecutive Fridays.  All showings will begin at 7:30 p.m.

° The summer series will open with "Queen to Play" on Friday-Saturday, June 10-11, and Monday-Wednesday, June 13-15. Sandrine Bonnaire and Kevin Kline (in his first French-speaking role) combine in this sophisticated feel-good comedy set in idyllic Corsica. Middle-aged chambermaid Hélène's newfound obsession with the game of chess leads her to seek the tutelage of a reclusive American expat, transforming both of their ho-hum lives in the process. The film is not rated in the U.S., but is most similar to PG-13 criteria. The film is in French with English subtitles.

° "Bill Cunningham New York" will run Friday-Saturday, June 17-18, and Monday-Wednesday, June 20 - 22.  "We all get dressed for Bill," says "Vogue" editor Anna Wintour. The "Bill" in question is 80-year-old "New York Times" photographer Bill Cunningham. For decades, this Schwinn-riding cultural anthropologist has been obsessively and inventively chronicling fashion trends and high society charity soirées for the Times Style. In turn, "Bill Cunningham New York" is a delicate, funny and often poignant portrait of a dedicated artist whose only wealth is his own humanity and unassuming grace. This film is not rated.

° "The First Grader" will show Friday-Saturday, June 24-25, and Monday-Wednesday, June 27-29. In a small, remote mountain top primary school in the Kenyan bush, hundreds of children are jostling for a chance for the free education newly promised by the Kenyan government. One new applicant causes astonishment when he knocks on the door of the school.  He is Maruge, an old Mau Mau veteran in his 80s, who is desperate to learn to read at this late stage of his life.  He fought for the liberation of his country and now feels he must have the chance of an education so long denied--even if it means sitting in a classroom alongside six-year-olds. The film is rated PG-13.

° In addition to the three films in the summer series, the Knickerbocker Theatre is hosting free family films every Thursday from June 9 to July 7 at 8 p.m., timing to enable audience members to enjoy the downtown street performers and then watch a family-friendly movie for free.  A list of films is available online at www.hope.edu/arts/knick

Tickets for the summer film series are $6 for regular admission and $5 for senior citizens and children. Updated information may be obtained by calling the Knickerbocker Information Line at (616) 395-7403 or visiting www.hope.edu/arts/knick.

The Knickerbocker Theatre is located in downtown Holland at 86 E. Eighth St.