Here’s Looking at You, Kid

Austin's Paramount Theatre lifts the curtain on 50th anniversary classic film lineup

Casablanca is among the films scheduled for this 50th anniversary film series.

Film still courtesy of Paramount Theatre

Besides endless margaritas and frequent trips to Barton Springs, there’s one summer tradition Austinites can look forward to every year when triple digits hit: Paramount Theatre’s (air conditioned) Summer Classic Film Series, returning this year for its 50th Anniversary. The beloved historic theater is celebrating the milestone with a better-than-ever lineup ranging from old favorites to themed events and special screenings.

Festivities kick off on opening weekend with the film that launched the series in 1975: Casablanca. The 1942 staple featuring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman will screen in 35mm at 7 pm on Friday, May 24, followed by a 9:15 pm showing of Top Hat featuring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Ticket holders are encouraged to come to the double feature dressed as their favorite silver screen icon from any classic film.

The next day, on Saturday, May 25, the Paramount will cement a bit of Austin film history by unveiling director Robert Rodriguez’s star on the Avenue of Paramount Stars beneath the theater’s marquee. Starting at 5pm, the ceremony is free and open to the public, and precedes a special screening of Sin Cityat 7:30 pm. Tickets to the screening are $25, which includes a live intro and Q&A with Rodriguez and actress Alexis Bledel.

"If you live here, it’s easy to take this place for granted," said Rodriguez at Panic at the Paramount in 2022. The theater shares this quote with the official lineup. "But whenever artists, filmmakers, movie stars come here, they’re blown away by this place…come as often as you can to support the Paramount. I love this theatre. I’ve shown all my movies here.”

A more family-friendly film will help wrap up opening weekend with a matinee showing ofStar Wars: A New Hope at 3 pm on Sunday, May 26, before Hyperreal Film Club presents Brian De Palma’s cult classic Phantom of the Paradise at 7 pm.

The fun continues after opening weekend with a double feature on Saturday, June 8, from legendary filmmaker John Waters: Pink Flamingos and a 50th anniversary screening of Female Trouble. The event includes a Q&A moderated by musician, actor and writer John Doe, and tickets are available here.

Extra-eager cinephiles can make the most of the series with special discounts by purchasing a Flix-Tix digital discount booklet of 10 tickets for $90 or by joining the Paramount’s Film Fan Membership. The latter starts at $75 and grants discounted admission, free popcorn, special merchandise, and more – all while supporting the theater’s mission to preserve film history. Find more information and stay up to date with the latest film lineup at austintheater.org.

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Historic Austin museum will close for more than a year for restoration

Photo courtesy of the City of Austin

The Elisabet Ney Museum will close at the end of 2024 and reopen in mid-2026.

Every building needs some maintenance here or there, and the historic Elisabet Ney Museum needs some extra-special care. Formerly the art studio and residence of its namesake, it's been standing since 1892. It'll spend 2025 in relative solitude, as it undergoes renovation for a year and a half with no visitors allowed.

The museum will close to the public December 30, 2024, and open again in the summer of 2026 if all goes according to plan, a news release from the City of Austin shares. It'll be a quiet period compared to the 21,000 people visiting from around the world each year.

According to a museum overview on the city's website, Elisabet Ney, a European portrait sculptor, bought the property and called her new studio Formosa. She worked on sculptures depicting important Texans like Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston, and collected works of European contemporaries.

The building at 304 East 44th St. includes 3,700 square feet of museum space, which was converted by Ney's friends after her death in 1907. It retains its unique look that juxtaposes a Neo-Classical main studio from 1892 with a later addition from 1902 including a tower for her husband, Edmund, to write in. It is also on 2.5 acres of land, which has largely been restored to its natural state with native species.

A press release lists these tasks (verbatim) within the scope of the new work, referred to as the Capital Improvement Project (CIP):

Restoration of original exterior wood doors and windows
Upgrades and replacement of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system
Replacement of the exhibit and general lighting systems
Repairs to the roof, masonry, plumbing, and interior finishes.

There will also be work to do outside of the building. Workers will replace the pedestrian bridge across Waller Creek, stabilize a 20,000-square-foot portion of the bank, and make the grounds more accessible by adding new pathways.

Funding comes from several sources, according to a release: "the 2012 Bond, Proposition 14, the Parkland Dedication Fund, the Historic Preservation Fund, Partners in Preservation through the National Trust, and contributions from the Friends of the Elisabet Ney Museum."

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Here’s Looking at You, Kid

Austin's Paramount Theatre lifts the curtain on 50th anniversary classic film lineup

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Historic Austin museum will close for more than a year for restoration

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