WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Does a good book translate into a good movie? That’s the question movie goers will try to answer throughout February during Missouri State University-West Plains’ “A Novel Idea” film series.
This is the 15th year for this free, weekly event hosted by the University/Community Programs (U/CP) Department, organizers said, adding the films will be shown at 6:30 p.m. Thursday evenings in the West Plains Civic Center theater.
“This year’s film series celebrates the process of bringing beloved literature to life on the big screen,” said U/CP Theater and Events Coordinator Emily Gibson. “All of our films come from classic stories and, in some cases, have arguably eclipsed the success of the original literary work. Discussions with each film will highlight not only the films’ cinematic significance, but also the literary significance of the original work and what happens when that is translated to a screenplay. Revisit these great works of fiction and beloved films as we explore what happens when you move from the page to the screen. There truly is something for everyone in this year’s series!”
The series begins Feb. 6 with the showing of “The Princess Bride.” Based on William Goldman’s novel of the same name, “The Princess Bride” is staged as a book read by a grandfather (Peter Falk) to his ill grandson (Fred Savage). Falk’s character assures a romance-weary Savage that the book has much more to deliver than a simpering love story, including but not limited to fencing, fighting, torture, death, true love, giants and pirates. The movie is rated PG.
The series continues Feb. 13 with the award-winning “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Told through the eyes of “Scout,” a feisty six-year-old tomboy, “To Kill a Mockingbird” carries audiences on an odyssey through the fires of prejudice and injustice in 1932 Alabama. Based on Harper Lee’s 1961 Pulitzer Prize winning book, the film features Gregory Peck in an Academy Award-winning performance. This film is not rated.
On Feb. 20, “The Outsiders” takes center stage. Based on S.E. Hinton’s best-selling classic, “The Outsiders” tells the story of class warfare in a small town, as “Greasers” and “Socials” collide in a series of fateful events that escalates to murder and vengeance and forever alters the lives of its youth. This 1983 adaptation is brought to life by a young all-star cast featuring C. Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Tom Cruise and Diane Lane. It is directed by Academy Award-winning writer and director Francis Ford Coppola. The film is rated PG-13.
The series will conclude Feb. 27 with the showing of “Mary Poppins.” The beloved children’s book by P.L. Travers comes to life in this 1964 Walt Disney classic. In a groundbreaking effort, the film combines songs, color and sequences of live action blended with the movements of animated figures. Julie Andrews stars as Mary Poppins, the magic nanny who comes to work for a cold banker’s unhappy family. “Mary Poppins” won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director (Robert Stevenson) and Best Actress in a Leading Role (Andrews). This film is not rated.
Each film showing will be followed with a discussion session facilitated by a Missouri State-West Plains faculty or staff member.
For more information about the annual film series, call the U/CP Department office at 417-255-7966.