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CAPA to Offer Abbreviated, Socially Distanced 2020 CAPA Summer Movie Series

Posted: September 11, 2020

The CAPA Summer Movie Series, the longest-running classic film series in America, today announced an abbreviated schedule for its 51st series of classic films and cult favorites. The 2020 series will run September 17-27 at the historic Ohio Theatre (39 E. State St.) and feature seven films, including a silent film and Fright Nite Friday with Fritz, plus a Saturday morning Cartoon Capers presentation. Per the Governor’s order, capacities will be limited to 300 and patrons will be asked to follow safety protocols including socially distanced seating and mandatory face coverings.

“The CAPA Summer Movie Series has been a 50-year tradition at the Ohio Theatre and one of Columbus’ most-loved events,” stated CAPA President and CEO Chad Whittington. “Though it will be abbreviated, we’re thrilled to reopen the Ohio Theatre with new health protocols for our annual presentation of classic movies and Clark Wilson on the “Mighty Morton” organ.”

Show Tunes
Now celebrating his 29th year as featured organist for the CAPA Summer Movie Series, Clark Wilson will again provide pre-show entertainment at the keys of the Ohio Theatre’s treasured “Mighty Morton” theatre organ 30 minutes prior to each screening.

Fright Nite Friday with Fritz
While Fritz the Nite Owl will not be physically present, audiences can still return to the days of Nite Owl Theatre with a special Fright Nite Friday presentation of Gremlins (1984) on Friday, September 18. Fans will enjoy a full episode of Nite Owl Theatre complete with era-appropriate, retro commercials and Fritz’s signature breaks loaded with trivia-tastic tomfoolery and campy special effects.

Tickets
Tickets are $6 and must be pre-purchased through the CAPA web site at www.capa.com. For entrance at the theatre, patrons should show ushers a ticket code on their mobile device or print out a pdf of their tickets to present at the door.

Tickets go on sale today and are limited to a maximum of 300 per screening. Ticket strips will not be offered in 2020.

2020 CAPA Summer Movie Series Safety Protocols

  • Patrons, staff, and volunteers must wear face masks/coverings at all times.
  • Audience members will be asked to practice social distancing, leaving at least three empty seats between parties and an empty row in front and behind them. Groups larger than four people must be from the same household.
  • Tickets must be pre-purchased online at www.capa.com and are limited to a maximum capacity of 300. Ticket strips will not be offered in 2020.
  • Hand sanitizer stations will be available in the lobby and restrooms.
  • Patrons will all enter from a single entrance point through the front doors of the Ohio Theatre and depart through a separate exit point to prevent cross-traffic.
  • Concessions will not be offered.
  • There will be no intermission.
  • Doors will open 35 minutes prior to the screening beginning. Organist Clark Wilson will begin playing 30 minutes prior to the screening beginning.
  • CAPA will implement enhanced, deep-cleaning procedures between each screening and increase the fresh air intake through the HVAC system.
  • Those exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms or who may have been exposed to someone presenting symptoms in the 14 days prior to the screening are asked not to attend.

2020 CAPA SUMMER MOVIE SERIES

Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief (1955)
Thursday, September 17, 7:30 pm
Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Jessie Royce Landis, John Williams
The sunny French Riviera provides a picturesque backdrop as the elegant Cary Grant plays a reformed cat burglar searching for a copycat thief while romancing a vacationing Grace Kelly.

FRIGHT NITE FRIDAY WITH FRITZ!
SERIES PREMIERE!

Gremlins (1984)
Rated PG
Friday, September 18, 7:30 pm
Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton
Mayhem and hijinks ensue when a mild-mannered bank teller buys his son a cuddly, new pet for a Christmas present, but they don’t follow the rules—no water, no food after midnight, and no bright light.

Cartoon Capers
Saturday, September 19, 10 am
Enjoy an amalgamation of animated antics featuring your favorite Warner Bros. cartoon stars including Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck!

Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
Saturday, September 19, 7:30 pm
Judy Garland, Margaret O’Brien, Lucille Bremer, Mary Astor
Vincente Minnelli directs this captivating look into family life in St. Louis at the time of the 1903 World’s Fair. O’Brien’s scene-stealing performance as the kid sister earned her a special Child Actress Oscar, and Garland delights with a soundtrack that includes gems like “The Trolley Song” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

Sunset Blvd. (1950)
Sunday, September 20, 7:30pm
Gloria Swanson, William Holden, Erich Von Stroheim, Jack Webb, Cecil B. De Mille
In this behind-the-scenes exposé of the Hollywood studio system, Swanson is an aging film queen refusing to accept the end of her career. Holden plays to perfection the down-on-his-luck scriptwriter who becomes a kept man. Library of Congress National Treasure!

SILENT FILM!
The Kid Brother
 (1927)
Friday, September 25, 7:30pm
Harold Lloyd, Jobyna Ralston
Lloyd is at his finest and funniest in this masterpiece of physical comedy and standard of silent film. Trying to win the heart of the traveling salesman’s daughter proves more difficult than planned for the youngest son of the town sheriff who can’t quite live up to the machismo of the rest of the family. Accompanied by CAPA featured organist Clark Wilson on the Ohio’s “Mighty Morton” theatre organ!

The Sting (1973)
Rated PG
Saturday, September 26, 7:30 pm
Robert Redford, Paul Newman, Robert Shaw, Eileen Brennan
In this Academy Award-winning blockbuster, the delicious cons of Newman and Redford are set against the gritty and glittering world of 1930s Chicago and filled with the ragtime music of Scott Joplin.

SERIES PREMIERE!
Glory
(1989)
Rated R
Sunday, September 27, 7:30 pm
Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes, Morgan Freeman
This three-time Oscar winner depicts real-life Union Army officer Robert Gould Shaw (Broderick) as he leads the U.S. Civil War's first all-black volunteer company, fighting prejudices from both his own troops and the Confederate Army.

Digital Presentations
All screenings for the 2020 CAPA Summer Movie Series will be digital.

*Movies are subject to change without notice.