Robeson centennial brings festivities

AMPAS to screen new 'Show Boat' print

By NICK MADIGAN

As part of the Paul Robeson centennial, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences will screen on Sept. 11 a new print of the 1936 version of "Show Boat," which features Robeson's famous rendition of "Ol' Man River."

Other events commemorating the 100th anniversary of Robeson's birth include an exhibit at the California African American Museum beginning Sept. 12, lectures at the Watts Labor Community Action Committee Center starting Sept. 27 and a series of film screenings at UCLA's James Bridges Theater between Oct. 1-11.

The Academy screening will be presented as part of the "Academy Standards" series, at 8 p.m. in the Samuel Goldwyn Theater, and serves as the inaugural event for the other Robeson events.

Robeson stars in the film, along with Irene Dunne, Allan Jones, Hattie McDaniel, Charles Winninger, Helen Morgan and Sammy White.

Based on the novel by Edna Ferber, the film's screenplay and lyrics were written by Oscar Hammerstein II, with music by Jerome Kern.

"Show Boat" was produced by Carl Laemmle Jr. for Universal and directed by James Whale, whose life is the subject of Lions Gate's upcoming "Gods and Monsters."

The "Show Boat" print was provided by Turner Entertainment/Warner Bros. and Martin Scorsese. Tickets for the screening are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members. For more information, call [phone].

For other Robeson centennial events, call the California African American Museum at [phone]; the Watts Labor Community Action Committee Center at [phone]; and UCLA at [phone].