Timeless Lineup Kicks Off with Barbra Streisand’s Classic “Funny Girl”
Followed by “Gilda” and “Queen Christina”
Press Release – BURBANK, Calif. – June 24, 2016 – KCET, the nation’s largest independent public television station, announced today a new classic movie series called, KCET MUST SEE MOVIES providing a weekly destination for viewers of all ages to watch legendary stars in timeless movies from Hollywood’s most iconic filmmakers. KCET MUST SEE MOVIES premieres Fri., July 8 at 9 p.m. on KCET in Southern California and encores Sat. at 4 p.m.
The eclectic lineup of films celebrates some of the greatest classics created over the last century that are considered essential by film experts worldwide. Whether the movies inspire audiences, put them on the edge of their seats and/or bring viewers to tears, the wide variety of cinematic milestones included in the series are “Bridge on the River Kwai,” “Patton,” “The Magnificent Seven,” “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” “Rain Man,” “Speed,” “Some Like It Hot,” “West Side Story,” “The Great Escape” and many more.
The 1968 Academy Award® winning film “Funny Girl” starring Barbra Streisand as famed comedienne and entertainer Fanny Brice will kick off the new movie block. Directed by William Wyler, the film chronicles the now legendary Ziegfeld girl’s rise to fame in the early 1900s and her subsequent career and personal life, particularly with Nick Arnstein.
The July lineup for KCET MUST SEE MOVIES is as follows:
July 8 – “Funny Girl” Premieres Fri., July 8, 9 p.m.
In this bittersweet, classic musical drama, the vibrant and beautiful young Fanny Brice (Barbra Streisand) starts out as a bit player on the New York City vaudeville stage, but works her way up to stardom on Broadway. Valued for her vocal and comedic talents by the renowned theater impresario Florenz Ziegfeld (Walter Pidgeon), Fanny thrives, but her relationship with her suave, imprisoned businessman husband, Nick Arnstein (Omar Sharif), is another story. (1968)
July 15 – “Gilda” Premieres Fri., July 15, 9 p.m.
An American black-and-white film noir directed by Charles Vidor and starring Rita Hayworth in her signature role as the ultimate femme fatale and Glenn Ford as a gambling cheat who turns straight in order to work for an unsettling casino owner. But things take a turn as his alluring ex-lover appears… and turns out to be his new boss’ wife. In 2013, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.” (1946)
July 22 – “Queen Christina” Premieres Fri., July 22, 9 p.m.
Queen Christina of Sweden is a popular monarch who is loyal to her country. However, when she falls in love with a Spanish envoy, she must choose between the throne and the man she loves. This is one of Greta Garbo’s quintessential, most-remembered screen portrayals with glowing scenes that reflect the mystique of the lovely, enigmatic actress. (1933)
An online hub will update the calendar for future KCET MUST SEE MOVIES while KCET’s Facebook and Twitter platforms will offer up various trivia questions around each of the films. For more information on the July lineup of KCET MUST SEE MOVIES, including descriptions, images, and highlights please visit kcet.org/MustSeeMovies.
Join the conversation on social media using #MustSeeMovies.
ABOUT KCET
On-air, online and in the community, KCET plays a vital role in the cultural and educational enrichment of Southern and Central California. KCET offers a wide range of award-winning local programming as well as the finest public television programs from around the world. Throughout its 50-year history, KCET has won hundreds of major awards for its local and regional news and public affairs programming, its national drama and documentary productions, its quality educational family and children’s programs, its outreach and community services and its website, kcet.org. KCET is a donor-supported community institution. For additional information about KCET productions, web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community events, please visit kcet.org. KCET is a part of the KCETLink Media Group. Select original programming from KCET is also available for streaming on Hulu and Roku platforms.
