Wexner Center Celebrates Summer with Free Films Under the Stars

Wex Drive-In Outdoor Film Fest Features Free Ice Cream, Popcorn, Much More

This summer, the Wexner Center brings the big screen outside with free open-air film parties. The Wex Drive-in Outdoor Film Fest features cinema gems from 1927 to the present, and will kick off June 21 on the Wexner Center Plaza at 15th Avenue and High Street. Additional dates in the film fest are July 19 and August 16 (all the third Thursday of the month), with a student- focused screening in September.

All movies start around 9 pm, but filmgoers can come early with their blankets and chairs, mingle with other film fans, and sip their favorite beverage on the plaza. Starting around 8 pm, free food will be available, including: Jeni’s Ice Cream (one free scoop), light food from Barley’s Brewing Company, popcorn from Whole Foods Market, and free VitaminWater. A cash bar will be set up. New this year: The Wexner Center will be selling Wex Drive-in mugs for discounts on beverages. (All Wexner Center members are entitled to a free mug; others can become a member the night of a film and receive a mug, beverage coupon, plus two film passes to other Wexner Center films.)

The Wexner Center galleries and Store will be open until 8 pm for the June and July films. In the event of rain, the screenings will be moved indoors to the Wexner Center’s Film/Video Theater. The Ohio Union Garage will be closed this summer; parking is available in the Arps Garage just north of the Wexner Center on High Street, or at the South Campus Gateway garage, a few blocks south of the Wexner Center at between 9th and 11th avenues, just east of High.

About 350 people attended last year’s outdoor film party.

The three summer screenings are “anchor events” for this summer’s Campus Hops, which encourage community members to sample the restaurants, cultural events, and entertainment available along High Street in the University District and around OSU’s Oval. The Hops run from noon to midnight; visit www.universitydistrict.org for schedules. Campus Hop is a cooperative effort of Campus Partners, Ohio State’s College of the Arts, the Ohio Union, Summit United Methodist Church, South Campus Gateway, University Community Business Association, and the Wexner Center.

The Wex Drive-in schedule follows.

Wexner Center for the Arts The Ohio State University wexarts.org 614 292-3535 1871 N. High St. Columbus, OH 43210

The scene from last year’s outdoor film party

THURSDAY, JUNE 21

The Big Heat

(Fritz Lang, 1953)

The Big Heat is a typically subversive film noir from director Fritz Lang. Glenn Ford stars as an incorruptible detective bent on bringing down a big city crime ring. Lee Marvin and Gloria Grahame (as a thug and his moll) steal the show, especially when Marvin throws a pot of hot coffee in Grahame’s face! (90 mins., 35mm.)

THURSDAY, JULY 19

Kiss Me, Stupid (Billy Wilder, 1964)

Condemned by the Catholic Legion of Decency and savaged by critics as “smut” on its release, Billy Wilder’s Kiss Me, Stupid is far less objectionable by today’s standards and is a wonderful relic of the swinging “Rat Pack” era. Ray Walston plays an aspiring small-town songwriter who hopes to convince lecherous crooner Dean Martin to record one of his songs by using a sexy stand-in for his wife (Kim Novak) as bait. (125 mins., 35mm)

Family-friendly films

THURSDAY, AUGUST 16

The General (Buster Keaton, 1927)

Preceded by The High Sign (Edward Cline and Buster Keaton, 1921)

One of the most beloved films ever made, The General is set during the Civil War and finds Buster Keaton as the conductor (of a train known as the General) who must travel behind enemy lines to recover his train after Union soldiers steal it. Filled with hilarious sight gags and thrilling train chases! (90 mins., 35mm) The High Sign, Keaton’s first independent two-reeler, takes his character to a carnival arcade where he manages to be hired as both the bodyguard and the assassin of the same man. This evening’s screenings are geared toward families.

OSU Student Event

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

The Wexner Center will host a free outdoor screening of Dave Chappelle’s Block Party for The Ohio State University’s Welcome Week. While the event is geared towards students, it is open to the public. (Giveaways and special offers for other three events do not apply to this event.)

EVENT SUPPORT

Wex Drive-in is presented with support from Univar USA. In-kind support provided by Barley’s Brewing Company, Jeni’s Ice Creams, and Whole Foods Market.

Promotional support provided by CD 101, The Alternative Station; and The Other Paper.

SEASON SUPPORT

Major support for the Wexner Center’s 2006–07 film/video season is generously provided by Abercrombie & Fitch and Mills James Productions.

Significant contributions are also made by the Rohauer Collection Foundation. Additional funding is provided by the Corporate Annual Fund of the Wexner Center Foundation and Wexner Center members.