Lexington, KY - A group formed to raise funds for renovating and updating the Kentucky Theater will screen a film classic and show off a collection of classic film memorabilia and personal letters from legendary actors and directors donated for auction.
Sabrina
Tickets are on sale now at Kentuckytheatre.com or at the historic Kentucky Theatre box office, for a Valentine’s Day special showing of “”—the 1954 Oscar® Award-winning Hollywood comedy/romance favorite directed by Billy Wilder and staring Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn and William Holden. The event is scheduled for 8 p.m. on February 14. All proceeds will benefit the Friends of the Kentucky Theatre Charitable Fund.
In addition, The Friends of the Kentucky Theatre is curating an exhibit of rare and highly collectable, classic film memorabilia and personal letters from legendary actors and directors in the adjacent State Theatre lobby. The collection has been generously donated by former Boston Globe Film Critic Michael Blowen. Items on display include autographed celebrity photos, a shirt - autographed and worn by legendary actor Jack Nicholson - in the movie “Chinatown,” and more. Blowen, also a noted film scholar, will speak briefly before the film screening begins at 8pm on Feb. 14. Attendees are encouraged to come early for auction previews and silent auction bidding.
Smiles of a Summer Night
The collection will be shipped to an auction house in Los Angeles for a live/internet auction to be scheduled later this Spring. However, on Feb. 14, movie buffs and Kentucky Theatre lovers may participate in a silent auction for two large, framed vintage movie posters; a Frederico Fellini designed promotional poster for the 1982 Cannes Film Festival and a promotional poster for the 1955 Ingmar Bergman film . The silent auction will close and winners will be announced the evening of the event. Bids may be placed at the theatre beginning Thursday, February 7 until 8:00pm on February 14. Winning bidders will be announced that evening before the movie begins. All auction proceeds will be split 50/50 between The Kentucky Theatre and Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Home.
Throughout the evening of Feb. 14, patrons may also purchase the theater seat of their choice for a donation of $500 to support the Kentucky Theatre. In return, the patron’s name will be affixed to the chosen seat— perhaps a memorable and lasting gift for Valentine’s Day for that special “sweetheart.”
Friends of the Kentucky Theatre, a group of civic-minded members of the community, has launched a campaign to raise one and a half million dollars in the coming months to pay for urgently needed upgrades for Lexington’s most famous and beloved movie house. A charitable fund has been established with Blue Grass Community Foundation, a 501 (c) (3). Funds pledged and raised to date total $250,000! Donations can be mailed to Blue Grass Community Foundation, 250 W. Main Street, #1220, Lexington, KY 40507 (checks should be made payable to “Friends of the Kentucky Theatre”) or made online at www.kentuckytheatrefriends.org