The Hope College Knickerbocker Free Family Film Series will return with four films running on Thursdays, from July 26 to August 16, at 7:30 p.m. This year the series features four blockbusters from the late 1970s.
Admission is free, and no ticket is required. In addition, the showings coincide with the Holland downtown street performers, creating a full night of entertainment for the entire family.
The series will open with the 1977 comedy, “Smokey and the Bandit” featuring Sally Field, Burt Reynolds, Jerry Reed and Jackie Gleason. The film centers around a then-daring smuggling of Coors beer across state lines with Jerry Reed driving the truck, Burt Reynolds acting as a decoy and Sally Field as a runaway bride who jumps in for the ride. In the meantime, her jilted would-be father-in-law, Sherriff Buford T. Justice (Gleason) is in hot pursuit. The film is rated PG.
On August 2, “Rocky” will hit the big screen once again. The 1976 classic spawned five sequels, but nothing matches the original. Rocky Balboa is a small-time boxer with little future. A collector for a loan shark, Rocky suddenly finds himself randomly chosen by the world heavyweight champion (Carl Weathers) for what should be an easy fight. But Rocky sees the chance to shed his “bum” status, and with help of his shy girlfriend (Talia Shire) and grizzled trainer (Burgess Meredith) aims for nothing less than victory. The film is rated PG.
On August 9, “Superman” will fly across the screen in the 1978 version starring Christopher Reeve in the title role and Margot Kidder as Lois Lane. The film follows the DC Comics hero from his origins on Krypton and upbringing in Smallville to his discovery of how to use his powers. The film, the most expensive ever made at that point, featured a cast of legends including Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Glenn Ford, Phyllis Thaxter, Jackie Cooper and Ned Beatty. The film is rated PG.
The film series will end on August 16 with “Star Trek: The Motion Picture.” The 1979 film was the first of the Star Trek movie series and features the original television cast. In the year 2271, Earth is facing a threat to its existence and Captain Kirk, now Admiral Kirk, takes command of a renovated Enterprise to determine what is threatening Earth and stop it. The film is rated G.
The doors will open at 7 p.m. The Knickerbocker Theatre is located at 86 E. Eighth St., between College and Columbia avenues.