We only have a couple movies left on our list of Top 25 Outdoor Movies of All Time, and although we didn’t intend to save the best for last, the 1946 classic It’s a Beautiful Life is definitely at the top of our list. Before we tell you why this film will captivate your community, here is the original theatrical release trailer for the film (trailers have sure come a long way since 1946!):

It’s a Wonderful Life was nominated for 5 Oscars, but ultimately did not win. However the American Film Institute has classified it as one of the 100 Best American Films Ever Made, and placed it as number one on their list of the most inspirational American films of all time! The story follows George Bailey (played by James Stewart), as he is down and depressed after a several turns of bad luck. Through the prayers of his family and friends, a guardian angel named Clarence Odbody, Angel Second Class (played by Henry Travers) is sent to watch over him. Before being sent, Odbody is shown the past life of George, at which point the film follows the narrative of his life’s events. As we watch George growing up, we witness an individual of great character, who always puts himself above others. George even saves a couple lives, and through his heroic actions is able to change the course of life for many.

Eventually the vision catches up to the situation that opened the film, and Clarence the angel is tasked with saving George’s life in the face of his suicidal thoughts. It’s a Wonderful Life highlights the difficult and meaningful moments of life, and shows our weaknesses, but ultimately reminds one that through the values of faith and love, life can be a beautiful experience that is highly fulfilling. This is one of those films that will really bring your community together, both in physical numbers of persons and families, but also in spirit as they contemplate the simple things in life. It’s no wonder this film is loved by so many!

There are many ways that one could really engage their community with It’s a Beautiful Life. As with many movies on our Top 25 list, this film presents a perfect opportunity for a costume contest! You could have a best dressed vintage (or maybe it’s classic?) fashion show, with categories for the ladies and the men! This would be a great film to do a drive-in outdoor movie with. And with a 40′ Open Air Cinema Elite Screen, you’d be in great shape to have a huge turnout with families in their cars. If you’ve never done a drive in movie with your inflatable movie screen, give us a call and we’d be more than glad to explain the technicalities (866-802-8202).

It’s a Beautiful Life is sure to bring back memories for all who have seen the film before. If anyone has screened this film before, and wants to share their story with how the event went, post your comments to the comments section below! We’d love to hear your story.

Our next movie on our Top 25 Outdoor Movies of All Time is Who Framed Roger Rabbit, a classic film that mixes animated and live characters in a way that was groundbreaking at the time, and still unusual today. Here is the theatrical release trailer:

Who Framed Roger Rabbit is a murder mystery set in 1947, and follows a group of cartoon characters called “Toons” who act out cartoons (similar to how humans act out live scenarios). The Toons interact with humans, and live in Toontown, which is near Hollwood, California (the place that Toontown in Disneyland is based off). Roger Rabbit is the main star of the show, and is married to the gorgeous cartoon woman Jessica. Roger is framed for the murder of Marvin Acme, after he runs away when finding out his wife has cheated on him. The rest of the film will keep your audience on the edges of their seats as the action and drama escalate as Roger tries to solve the mystery of who killed Mr. Acme.

And for some Who Framed Roger Rabbit trivia: the film features the only cinema footage where Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse appear together on screen!

This film has a PG rating, and so is not for small children, both for its mild suggestive content and violence. Who Framed Roger Rabbit would make a great outdoor movie or backyard cinema event for school and college crowds, and would be a really good pick for your next date night outdoor cinema! As we’ve noted many times before, animations do very well as outdoor movies, as their colors are crisp and bright, and the high contrast makes a stunning overall image. With Who Framed Roger Rabbit, you’ve got the bonus features of an animation, with the teenage and up content that normally comes with non-animations. The film will bring out large crowds, as it is a movie that people don’t watch as often as other movies. Nostalgia will always draw a crowd!

If you have screened Who Framed Roger Rabbit as an outdoor movie, we’d love to see images from the event, and would also be thrilled to hear your story. Please email us at community@openaircinema.us, and we’ll share your story (even if it does not have to do with Roger Rabbit!) with the rest of the open air community.

Among the venues at which the Film Independent-run LAFF will show films and host panels are Regal Cinemas, the Grammy Museum, the Orpheum Theatre and Nokia Plaza, with L.A. Live serving as its flagship venue. The festival will continue to hold outdoor screenings in Hollywood, at the John Anson Ford Amphitheater. (The Times is a presenting sponsor of LAFF.)

The move continues a pattern for Film Independent, which also runs the Spirit Awards, of moving its events downtown. The Spirits’ switch last month, to L.A. Live, met with mixed results, but festival director Rebecca Yeldham said that the new spot would be more central and also tap into the neighborhood’s emerging cultural identity.

“Our new location will continue to pave the way for LAFF to realize its potential as an international destination event, and unites our filmmakers and audiences with the diverse arts community that exists downtown,” she said.

Steven Zeitchik

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Los Angeles has a long and distinguished history of cinema. Now the Cinema Heritage Project, a San Fernando Valley-based volunteer group, is trying to create a community experience through outdoor cinema. This Saturday they will be presenting a free outdoor screening of Alien vs. Predator outside of Amalgamated Dynamics’ studio in Chatsworth, where the makeups and costumes for the film’s monsters were created. Movie-goers can enjoy a tour of the studio, along with a special introduction from filmmakers.

Cinema Heritage Project strives to create a community experience with outdoor films – people won’t just go to a theater and sit in the dark, they’ll be able to watch a movie under the stars, with friends and family, and perhaps make new friends and acquaintances. Additionally, they want to screen films in places that are significant to the filming or production of the film -like Amalgamated studio. In this way, the film is brought off the screen and connected with the real world and with the audience, giving it a historical context that the audience can literally interact with in real time.

“We show movies at the locations where they were made, but it’s more than just movies under the stars,” explained Brin, who chairs the CHP. “The idea is to connect people with their community in a very different way.” (Daily News LA)