The Academy to Honor Best Picture Nominees of 1939

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that they will be celebrating film’s banner year of 1939 with a special series: “Hollywood’s Greatest Year–The Best Picture Nominees of 1939.”

And, like most Academy events, you can expect a roster of very special guests, not the least of whom will include none other than Gone With the Wind’s Ann Rutherford (Careen O’Hara), Cammie King (Bonnie Butler) and Mickey Kuhn (Beau Wilkes).

For all of you out there living in the Los Angeles area, mark your calendars.  Tickets are available for purchase Monday, April 27th. You can purchase a Series Pass: all 10 films for only $25, and all seating is unreserved. For more information call (310) 247-3600.

Is anyone else out there absolutely bouncing off the walls in excitement about this? Personally speaking, I’ve never had the honor of seeing most of these on the big screen and I am over the moon at finally, FINALLY, getting the chance to see Gone With the Wind and The Wizard of Oz the way nature intended: on the silver screen.

Here’s the lowdown straight from the AMPAS website:

A 70th Anniversary Celebration of the Best Picture nominees of 1939

All 10 (yes, 10) of the Best Picture nominees of 1939. Best Prints! Big Screen! Special Surprises and Guests! Great Price!

All features will be preceded by one of the year’s animated shorts and a chapter of the 1939 serial “Buck Rogers,” starring Buster Crabbe and Constance Moore.

Check back frequently for updated information on guests, cartoons, and other surprises.

May 18 – Gone with the Wind

The film version of Margaret Mitchell’s epic Civil War romance was the biggest box office hit of Golden Age Hollywood, presenting Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable in their iconic roles as Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler. 238 mins.

Scheduled special guests: cast members Ann Rutherford, Cammie King, Mickey Kuhn and Patrick Curtis.

June 1 – Stagecoach
June 8 – Wuthering Heights
June 15 – Dark Victory
June 22 – Love Affair
June 29 – Goodbye, Mr. Chips
July 13 – Ninotchka
July 20 – Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
July 27 – Of Mice and Men
August 3 – The Wizard of Oz