The Hope College Knickerbocker Theatre in downtown Holland is once again offering a free summer family film series.
The films run on Thursdays, from July 23 to August 13, at 7:30 p.m. The times coincide with the Holland downtown street performers, creating a full night of entertainment for families.
There will be four films throughout the series. The theatre will screen “Newsies” on July 23, “The Apple Dumpling Gang” on July 30, “An American Tail” on August 6, and “Back to the Future” on August 13. Each film is rated PG.
“Newsies,” released in 1992, features Christian Bale, Bill Pullman and Robert Duvall. The film is a musical based on the New York City newsboy strike of 1899. When the distribution price on newspapers is raised one-10th of a cent, the newsboys decide to fight back. Young, weak, and oppressed individuals find the strength and courage to band together against the rich and powerful. The film is now a Tony-Award winning Broadway musical.
“The Apple Dumpling Gang” features Tim Conway, Don Knotts and Bill Bixby. Three orphans find gold during the California Gold Rush. Everybody tries to get the gold as their new guardian tries to protect them and their fortune. Released in 1975, “The Apple Dumpling Gang” was the most successful Disney film of the 1970s.
“An American Tail” features the voices of Dom Deluise, Christopher Plummer and Erica Yohn. Released in 1986, this animation film follows a Russian mouse named Fievel that gets separated from his family migrating to America. In order to find his family again, Fievel must get help from some unlikely characters while avoiding cats that are after him. The film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Score.
“Back to the Future” features Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd as Dr. Emmett Brown. Now, 30 years after its original release, here is a chance to see it on the big screen once again. Released in 1985, the film follows Marty being accidentally sent back to 1955 where he interrupts his parents first meeting. In order to save himself, Marty must get his parents together to fall in love so he can be sent back to the future. The film was nominated for multiple Academy Awards.
Tickets are free for each film. They will be available at the door and are also on sale in advance at the Events and Conferences Office located downtown in the Anderson-Werkman Financial Center (100 E. Eighth St.). The ticket office is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be called at (616) 395-7890.
The Knickerbocker Theatre is located at 86 E. Eighth St.