Everything's Better Outside: The 10th Annual Chicago Outdoor Film Festival

By Suzy Evans in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 14, 2009 6:40PM

If you didn’t get tickets for the midnight showing of Harry Potter, there’s other ways to tickle your film fancy than seeing Daniel Radcliffe fight Voldemort for the sixth time. The Chicago Outdoor Film Festival opens tonight, and each following Tuesday, Grant Park will become Chicago’s very own drive-in, minus the cars and backseat make-out sessions.

Join Billy Wilder, the Marx Brothers, Elizabeth Taylor, Bill Murray and many others at this classic movie fest, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Admission is free, and every installment will feature a different giveaway. So barring any thunderstorms, Sunset Boulevard will light up the silver screen tonight at 8:58 p.m.

• Sunset Boulevard (TONIGHT at 8:58 pm): This 1950 Billy Wilder epic explores passé film star Norma Desmond as she attempts to make her big comeback. The film is the inspiration for the Tony-winning Andrew Lloyd Webber musical under the same title. Turner Classic Movies will be giving away ten goodie bags and ten “Room with a View” packages, which include a Tuesday night at the Essex Inn, a picnic at the festival and VIP tickets to John Hancock Observatory.
• Duck Soup (July 21 at 8:52 pm): We’re big fans of this Marx Brothers classic comedy and you should be too. Come see Chico, Harpo, Groucho and Zeppo throw and break things in this quintessential war movie parody. The Goodman will be giving away ten sets of tickets to their fall production of Animal Crackers, the 1928 Broadway musical starring the Marx Brothers.
• Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (July 28 at 8:45 pm): Based on Tennessee Williams’ famous play, this film heats up the scream with Elizabeth Taylor as the sexually frustrated wife and Paul Newman as the confused husband. Million Dollar Quartet will be giving away ten sets of four tickets to the hit rock ‘n’ roll musical.
• Born Yesterday (August 4 at 8:37 pm): It’s college night at the festival, and this film title is dripping with irony. Judy Holliday won the Oscar over Gloria Swanson and Bette Davis for her portrayal of the uneducated, dumb blonde Billie Dawn. In honor of college night, the festival is giving away baskets from the eleven Big 10 schools.
• Psycho (August 11 at 8:27 pm): Shower before coming because you’re certain to avoid your own for a few days after watching this vintage horror flick. Broadway in Chicago will be giving away ten sets of tickets to Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein, which comes to Chicago in November.
• Young Mr. Lincoln (August 18 at 8:17 pm): With Obama mania still raging, it's no surprise this film is part of the festival. A fictional account of the early life of our 16th president, this film also celebrates the bi-centennial of Lincoln's birth this year. The festival will give away ten sets of tickets to the Lincoln Museum in Springfield with $50 Lettuce Entertain You Gift Certificates.
• Tootsie (Aug 25 at 8:05 pm): Everybody loves a cross-dresser, and Dustin Hoffman transforms into a woman to avoid the woes of the acting world in this 1982 classic. The film also stars Bill Murray, who is a Second City alum. The improv company will be giving away ten sets of four tickets to commemorate the festival’s tenth anniversary and its own fiftieth anniversary this December.

[All screenings are located at Butler Field in Grant Park, and times and films are subject to change so check the website for updates.]