First Friday Film Series Grows In Popularity

March 7, 2008

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal Staff Writer

Greenwood, SC - It is common practice for people to wait until March 17 to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

However, local residents will get a chance to celebrate early tonight with an Irish-themed, Academy Award-winning film.

“The Quiet Man,” a 1952 film starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, will play on the big screen tonight at Greenwood Community Theatre as part of the First Friday Film Series. The show starts at 8 p.m., with the box office opening at 7 p.m. GCT’s Wally Dorn noted the auditorium will open for seating at 7:30. Tickets will be $5 for adults and $3 for children or students with ID. Free popcorn will be available, and cold bottled water will be on sale for $1.

Tonight’s movie will be the latest in a string of classics that have drawn big crowds to GCT for First Friday. Previous flicks included “Psycho,” “Citizen Kane” and “Casablanca.”

Dorn said the series has gained momentum.

“We had a good crowd for 'Citizen Kane,’ but we were almost sold out last month with 'Casablanca.’” Dorn said. “We are thrilled with how it’s gone so far.”

Released in 1952, “The Quiet Man” was a departure for Wayne, widely known as The Duke, who shot to fame for his role in Westerns. “The Quiet Man” was nominated for Academy Awards, winning two.

The film, shot largely on location in Ireland, won its Oscars for best cinematography and best director. The movie was helmed by famed director John Ford, who also guided classics such as “The Grapes of Wrath,” “Rio Grande” (also starring Wayne and O’Hara) and “My Darling Clementine.”

In “The Quiet Man,” Wayne plays Sean Thornton, a disgraced boxer who returns home to Innisfree, Ireland, after a stint in America. Once there, he falls for the lovely Mary Kate Danaher (O’Hara), who is the sister of Red Danaher.

Mixing romance, drama and boxing, the film centers on the rollicking relationship between Sean and Mary Kate and Red’s attempts to keep them apart.

“Being set in Ireland, we thought March would be the perfect month for this one,” said Dorn, who noted that Custom Audio and Lighting will be responsible for the technical aspects of tonight’s digitally projected presentation. “I think this a movie that everyone will enjoy.”

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