A Tribute to Mal Vincent – A Summer Festival of Classic Films

In Memoriam

A series of classic films in July & August hosted by friends of Mal Vincent on Monday evenings (Also Tuesday matinees without hosts)

As you know, Mal was irreplaceable, whether as the Virginian-Pilot’s film critic for more than half a century (his annual Oscar picks were always an event), as a guest on countless local radio broadcasts, or just as a friend sharing one of his latest Hollywood exploits over the phone. It was Mal’s wish that his yearly festival of classic films at the Naro would continue. So, we have assembled a group of local celebrities and cinephiles to step in as hosts for some of Mal’s favorite films from past festivals, some he had planned to share in the future, as well as other Hollywood classics. No one can fill his shoes, but we’ll do our best to do justice to his memory and to the movies he adored.

2023 Summer Classics Film Calendar

All films in the series show Monday evenings at 7:00 pm (when hosts start their introductions) and a Tuesday matinee at 1:00 pm. Guest hosts will only be present at the Monday night presentations. Tickets go on sale about 45 mins before scheduled time.

SEATING: All tickets are for general admission, specific seats are not reserved. Naro Ticket Book coupons are valid for all films, but do not guarantee you a seat. Because of the popularity of these screenings – often sell-outs – we offer “guaranteed seating” in two ways: 1) you can purchase your ticket online* starting June 26th, or you can exchange a Naro Ticket Book coupon in person at our box office  starting on the Friday prior to the show through late Monday afternoon, subject to availability.


An Affair to Remember

Monday, August 14th at 7pm (hosted) & Tuesday, August 15th at 1pm

A man and a woman have a romance while on a cruise from Europe to New York. Despite being engaged to other people, both agree to reunite at the top of the Empire State Building in six months. However, an unfortunate accident keeps her from the reunion, and he fears that she has married or does not love him anymore. Starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr, this story was the inspiration for the 1993 movie Sleepless in Seattle, which has a similar climax and contains various not-so-subtle references to the earlier film embedded in it. As one critic noted: “Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan…have nothing on Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr.” (1957 – 1Hr, 55Min)

Co-host Danny Epperson MONDAY NIGHT PRESENTER: Danny Epperson is an Emmy award-winning producer, director, writer, editor, actor, and television host. His most recent hosting duties were with WHRO Public Media’s “Cinema 15” classic film series. At WHRO, Danny also produced “This Week in Mal’s World,” an award-winning podcast featuring legendary film critic, Mal Vincent. Danny also produced the daily talk radio program, “HearSay with Cathy Lewis” on WHRV-FM.
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High Society

Monday, August 7th at 7pm (hosted) & Tuesday August 8th at 1pm

Jazz artist C.K. Dexter Haven (Bing Crosby) is still hung up on his ex-wife and neighbor, socialite Tracy Samantha Lord (Grace Kelly); however, Tracy is engaged to another man (John Lund). Matters are complicated even further when a magazine reporter (Frank Sinatra), in town to cover Tracy’s wedding, also winds up falling for the beautiful bride-to-be. As Tracy tries to decide on the ideal husband, each suitor works hard to convince her he is the best choice. Scored by Cole Porter, this musical version of the famous play is an all-star classic featuring the iconic song True Love and Grace Kelly in her last role, as well as the lovely Celeste Holm. You also don’t want to miss the on-screen performances by Louis Armstrong! (1956, 1h 47m)

MONDAY NIGHT PRESENTER: Dr. Christopher Palestrant is Professor of Music at Elizabeth City State University, a composer and lecturer. He has given popular multimedia presentations on film music for audiences from the mid-Atlantic to Beijing, China.
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The Glenn Miller Story

2023 Summer Classic Film Festival Presentation
Monday, July 31st at 7pm (hosted) & Tuesday, August 1st at 1pm

Glenn Miller (James Stewart) is a poor trombone player with dreams of fame. Eventually, through years of hard work and determination, he is able to start his own band, and they become one of the most successful groups of the big-band era. With a beautiful wife (June Allyson) and one of the biggest songs in America, “Moonlight Serenade,” Miller has it all. But at the onset of World War II, Miller enlists, giving up his fame and success to help entertain the troops stationed in Europe. If you’re a big-band era fan you don’t want to miss this Oscar-winning classic in big-screen Technicolor, which features cameos by real-life musical stars such as Louis Armstrong, Gene Krupa, Frances Langford, and a host of others. (1953, G, 1h 56m)

“Featuring a towering performance from Jimmy Stewart as America’s most popular band leader, Anthony Mann‘s intelligent if also sentimental film is one of the most enjoyable Hollywood biopics.”

MONDAY NIGHT PRESENTER: Jim Newsom is a retired bank executive and musician who is well known for his 40 years hosting programs, specials, and pledge drives on WHRO-TV and sister radio stations.
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Rear Window

Up Next in Mal’s Movies – Summer Classic Series
Monday, July 24th at 7pm (hosted) & Tuesday, July 25th at 1pm

A newspaper photographer with a broken leg passes time recuperating by observing his neighbors through his window. He sees what he believes to be a murder, and decides to solve the crime himself. With the help of his nurse and wife, he tries to catch the murderer without being killed himself. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Starring James Stewart & Grace Kelly. “Perhaps the most elegant and satisfying of Alfred Hitchcock’s thrillers…” (1954. PG, 1h 52m)

MONDAY NIGHT PRESENTER: Joe Flanagan started out as co-host of PM Magazine in 1980, but he is best remembered for his 31 years at WVEC-TV13 reporting, anchoring, and doing his ever popular Joe’s Job series.
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Roman Holiday

Monday, July 10th at 7pm (hosted) & Tuesday, July 11th at 1pm

Overwhelmed by her suffocating schedule, touring European Princess Ann (Audrey Hepburn) takes off for a night while in Rome. When a sedative she took from her doctor kicks in, however, she falls asleep on a park bench and is found by an American reporter, Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck),who takes her back to his apartment for safety. At work the next morning, Joe finds out Ann’s regal identity and bets his editor he can get exclusive interview with her, but romance soon gets in the way. With Audrey Hepburn luminous in her American debut, Roman Holiday is as funny as it is beautiful, and sets the standard for the modern romantic comedy. (1953, 1h 59m)

Co-host Danny Epperson MONDAY NIGHT PRESENTER: Danny Epperson is an Emmy award-winning producer, director, writer, editor, actor, and television host. His most recent hosting duties were with WHRO Public Media’s “Cinema 15” classic film series. At WHRO, Danny also produced “This Week in Mal’s World,” an award-winning podcast featuring legendary film critic, Mal Vincent. Danny also produced the daily talk radio program, “HearSay with Cathy Lewis” on WHRV-FM.

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A Hard Day’s Night

Up Next in Mal’s Movies – Summer Classic Series
Monday, July 17th at 7pm (hosted) & Tuesday, July 18th at 1pm

The Beatles in their feature film debut, one of the greatest rock-and-roll comedy adventures ever. The film has a fully restored negative and digitally restored soundtrack. The film takes on the just-left-of-reality style of mock-documentary, following “a day in the life” of John, Paul, George, and Ringo as fame takes them by storm. Despite its age, the film still a delight to watch and has proven itself to be a rock-and-roll movie classic. (G, 1964, 1h 23m)

MONDAY NIGHT PRESENTER: Mike Gooding has worked at WVEC 13 News  Now since 1985, where he serves as senior military & political reporter. He has covered wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo. He attended Old Dominion University.
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All About Eve

Season Finale for 2023’s Tribute to Mal Vincent Classic Film Fest!
Monday, August 21st at 7pm (hosted) & Tuesday, August 22nd at 1pm
Winner of 6 Academy Awards, including Best Picture!

Backstage story revolving around aspiring actress Eve Harrington. Tattered and forlorn, Eve shows up in the dressing room of Broadway mega-star Margo Channing, telling a melancholy life story to Margo and her friends. Margo takes Eve under her wing, and it appears that Eve is a conniver that uses Margo. Starring Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, Celeste Holm, George Sanders, Gary Merrill and Hugh Marlowe. Smart, sophisticated, and devastatingly funny, All About Eve is a Hollywood classic that only improves with age.(1950 – 2hr, 18min)

MONDAY NIGHT PRESENTER: Page Laws, Ph.D.is Emerita Professor of English and was founding Dean of the Robert C Nusbaum Honors College at Norfolk State University. Laws received her BA from Wellesley College and her M.Phil. and Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Yale University. She serves as theater and opera corresponding critic for our own Virginian-Pilot and occasionally reviews for Cineaste film magazine. She is co-author or editor of a number of scholarly books and author of many articles in her field. 
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