Oswego County Historical Society Presents Classic Movie Night at the Oswego Theatre

Sept. 30, 2022

The Oswego County Historical Society (OCHS) proudly presents its annual basic film evening fundraiser with the legendary “Singin’ in the Rain.” This 12 months celebrates the 70th anniversary of the musical masterpiece which will likely be featured on Thursday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Oswego Theatre, 138 W. Second St.

Tickets are a donation of $20 per individual and can be found at the Oswego Theatre, 138 W. Second St. and river’s finish bookstore, 19 W. Bridge St. All proceeds from this particular evening will help the ongoing upkeep and preservation of the iconic Richardson-Bates House Museum in Oswego.

“Year-round, we offer events and programs that highlight our history,” mentioned Justin White of the OCHS board of trustees. “This classic movie event is quite popular and each year we work on making an interesting connection to Oswego’s history.” 

This musical is a romantic comedy a few standard silent movie star that falls for a refrain woman. It’s set in the late 1920s throughout a tough time in the Hollywood movie trade. The essential character and his delusional and jealous display screen accomplice are each attempting to make the transition from silent films to speaking photos.

Its stellar solid contains Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Donald O’Connor. Kelly’s outstanding expertise profile additionally included him as the co-director, main actor, dancer, singer, producer, and choreographer of this film. He was certainly one of the most influential musical skills and athletic dancers of his lifetime. 

There will likely be many intriguing highlights to look at for which might be typically talked about in basic film trivia. This contains the unbelievable dance routines and classic songs, that are lasting memorable moments in movie historical past. Notable songs embody “Good Morning,” “Make ‘Em Laugh,” and “You Are My Lucky Star,” simply to call just a few.

Motion image historical past data and critic evaluations have lauded “Singin’ in the Rain” as certainly one of the biggest musical movies and movement photos ever made. It was a part of a momentous time in Hollywood historical past. The 12 months 1952 is usually thought of a fantastic 12 months of films in cinema historical past. This recognition was as a consequence of the highest amount of high quality movies by the notable film firms and the report attendance. This movie premiered at the famed Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Thursday, March 27, 1952.

The day after the official premiere, a film critic Jane Corby of the Brooklyn Eagle newspaper wrote an gratifying assessment, “Technicolor musical which has everything that a spring musical should have. It’s bursting with laughter, its dances are spontaneous and carefree, its songs are lilting and its cast is the right one to put over the very spirit of youth,” wrote Miss Corby. “Gene Kelly, who dances and sings in his most joyous mood, can a be slice of credit also for the direction of the film and staging and direction of the musical numbers, chores he shared with Stanley Donen.”

The rave assessment additionally added that Hollywood laughed at itself on this movement image. “A picture of Hollywood taking a good look at itself and laughing fit to burst,” wrote Miss Corby. “That’s a rare mood for the production center, and if its merriment spills over into slapstick now and then, that only adds to the fun. The theme is the changeover from the silent films to the talkies in 1927 and the studio romance.”

Shown previous to the featured movie will likely be a short 1965 documentary entitled “Oswego Discovers Itself.” This informative and charming movie was produced by way of a grant from New York State Council on the Arts and filmed by Columbia University Press employees. The documentary is a really reminiscent view of Oswego with native civic leaders and residents of the time showcasing what Oswego needed to supply. It included historic landmarks that must be preserved and guarded.

It was filmed throughout the authorities’s plans of city renewal that might finally alter the metropolis’s historic downtown. The documentary exhibits what was occurring in 1965 and what the future may appear to be. It’s a serendipitous connection to what has been occurring now throughout modern revitalization planning. 

The documentary will likely be proven in the conventional spirit of the approach newsreels studies had been proven previous to the film. Before the introduction of residence televisions, these options introduced the nationwide information to the public.

Interesting particulars have been added to make this a particular occasion, together with internet hosting it in Oswego’s historic film theatre. There will likely be particular door prizes and a memento program highlighting the historical past of film, the theatre, and recognizing sponsors. Movie tickets have been customized by Oswego Printing to emulate a 1950s classic film-model tickets, offering a pleasant memento as properly. 

“There is certainly something special about seeing a timeless film on the big screen in a historic setting,” mentioned White. “It is a whole different experience than watching it on a television. This will be an opportunity to both enjoy and celebrate cinematic history, while supporting the museum.”

Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow has additionally proudly supported basic film evening occasions. “Oswego truly has remarkable history,” he mentioned. “I have continuously learned more by attending the many events that highlight our storied past. There is so much to offer in our community. I want to support every endeavor that makes our historic sites such as the Richardson-Bates House Museum thrive. Events like this are vital to maintain the house museum and its services.”

Among the many basic film evening occasion followers is Oswego County Legislator Laurie Mangano, District 17. “As a young kid, I was fascinated by the Richardson-Bates House Museum,” she shared. “It was so fun for me to be able walk a short distance to spend time exploring such an amazing place full of history. Now, as I have been involved with non-profit organizations, I truly appreciate it much more. I completely understand and appreciate the dedication of all of the volunteers. They work so hard to preserve our local history and landmarks. This event is for a great cause.”

The film will likely be proven in the essential auditorium of the historic Oswego Theatre, which was designed by prolific worldwide theatre architect John Eberson in the Art Deco design. It opened to the public in January 1941 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. 

“The historic Oswego Theatre is the perfect place to feature classic movies,” mentioned OCHS board trustee Lyn Patterson. “It is such a unique example of Art Deco architecture and a perfect backdrop for this event. The ticket donation will help us support the ongoing maintenance and necessary preservation needs of the society’s museum and its rare collections.”

White added, “This has been special milestone year for the historical society’s museum. We continue to showcase its legacy by promoting local history in our community. The Oswego County Historical Society was formed in 1896, but for the first 50 years did not have a permanent headquarters. It was in 1946 that the fourth generation of the Richardson-Bates family generously gifted their Tuscan Villa residence to the historical society to be the first community museum.”

The museum formally opened to the public in 1947, and this 12 months it’s celebrating a outstanding 75 years in operation. It stays the oldest cultural and historic group in Oswego County. It is certainly one of the most intact 19th century home museums in New York State with the authentic furnishings and contents from one household. In addition, the society maintains an intensive assortment of artifacts, paperwork, and images that protect the wealthy historical past of Oswego County. The group depends on fundraisers to maintain common working help.

OCHS is a non-revenue group devoted to the preservation and promotion of the wealthy historical past of the county. The society maintains and operates the Richardson-Bates House Museum at 135 E. Third St., Oswego; an historic landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum is open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 1 to five p.m. and different days by appointment.

For extra data, go to the web site at www.rbhousemuseum.org or name throughout common hours at 315-343-1342.

“SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN” COMES TO OSWEGO THEATER – The Oswego County Historical Society (OCHS) presents “Singin’ in the Rain” for its annual basic film evening occasion characteristic. The occasion begins at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13 at the Oswego Theater, 138 W. Second St. Tickets are a $20 donation and could be bought at the theater and the river’s finish bookstore, 19 W. Bridge St. Pictured from left below the restored authentic theatre marquee is Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow; Oswego County Legislator Laurie Mangano, District 17; and Oswego County Historian and OCHS Board Trustee Justin White. The trio are making a tribute to the signature umbrellas seen in the basic musical masterpiece. For particulars, name 315-343-1342.