April Film Circle: "To Kill A Mockingbird"

To Kill a Mockingbird
Directors: Robert Mulligan
Starring: Gregory Peck, John Megna, Frank Overton, Rosemary Murphy, Ruth White
Run time: 2 hours and 9 minutes
Note this month’s earlier start time to encourage kids and teens to attend! Come early for light refreshments at 6:30. The film starts promptly at 7:00. We will have a brief circle discussion afterward. Seating is limited so please RSVP to Carolyn: cpearson@cpearsondesign.com or call 610-724-8848

"To Kill a Mockingbird is quite simply one of the finest family dramas ever made. A beautiful and deeply affecting adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Harper Lee, the film retains a timeless quality that…remains powerfully resonant in present-day America with its advocacy of tolerance, justice, integrity, and loving, responsible parenthood. Yes, it’s an important "message" movie that should be required viewing for children and adults alike, but this riveting courtroom drama is anything but stodgy or pedantic. As Atticus Finch, the small-town Alabama lawyer and widower father of two, Gregory Peck gives one of his finest performances with his impassioned defense of a black man (Brock Peters) wrongfully accused of the rape and assault of a young white woman. While his children, Scout and Jem, learn the realities of racial prejudice and irrational hatred, they also learn to overcome their fear of the unknown as personified by their mysterious, mostly unseen neighbor Boo Radley (Robert Duvall, in his brilliant, almost completely nonverbal screen debut). What emerges from this evocative, exquisitely filmed drama is a pure distillation of the themes of Harper Lee's enduring novel.”
--Jeff Shannon, Amazon

If you saw this film as a kid, come experience it anew with a grown-up perspective…its themes are still vibrantly relevant. Is there a Boo Radley in your life? Share your own experience of the film and real life in our discussion group afterward. Kids are welcome!

Directions to the PMC:
From Center City and West Philadelphia:
Take Market Street west to West Chester Pike (Route 3).
After crossing Township Line Road (Route 1), turn right on Darby Rd
When Darby Road splits, take left fork.
Cross Eagle Road, then turn right into the Oakmont Public Parking Lot.
This parking lot is directly behind PMC.
Entrance to PMC is on East Eagle Road.

From Main Line Area:
Take Haverford Road or Wynnewood Road to East Eagle Road.
PMC is near the corner of East Eagle and Darby Roads.
Turn right onto Darby then turn right into the Oakmont Public Parking Lot.
This parking lot is directly behind PMC.
Entrance to PMC is on East Eagle Road.

From Delaware:
Take I-95 north to I-476.
Take I-476 north to exit 9 (West Chester Pike).
Turn right (east) onto West Chester Pike (Route 3).
Immediately move to left lane. Turn left at next traffic light (Lawrence Road).
Follow Lawrence Road to Eagle Road. Turn left onto Eagle Road..
Follow Eagle Road to Darby Road.
Turn left onto Darby Road and then right into the Oakmont Public Parking Lot.
This parking lot is directly behind PMC.
Entrance to PMC is on East Eagle Road.

From West Chester and West:
Take West Chester Pike (Route 3) east to Lawrence Road (immediately after 476 interchange)..
Turn left onto Lawrence Road. Follow Lawrence Road to Eagle Road.
Turn left onto Eagle Road. Follow Eagle road to Darby Road.
Turn left onto Darby Road and then right into the Oakmont Public Parking Lot.
This parking lot is directly behind PMC.
Entrance to PMC is on East Eagle Road.