Society unites film buffs

Group plans regular screenings of classic movies around valley

View File photoThe Las Vegas Film Society plans to show classic films on the big screen, including "Rebel Without a Cause," starring James Dean and Natalie Wood, on July 1 at Red Rock Stadium 16, 11011 W. Charleston Blvd. Advertisement

The cinematic scope of movies such as "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "Citizen Kane" has allowed these classics to seep into the crevices of cultural significance and modern pop culture. With charismatic characters, soaring scores and dynamic dialogue, these enduring pictures are a record of the Golden Age of Hollywood and have set a standard in movie making that many studios still breathe by.

It was for these reasons that Las Vegas resident David Wadley first became interested in classic film.

"Classic films have personality that is lacking in movies since the '80s," Wadley said. "Hollywood changed during that time, and when everything became corporate, the quality of craftsmanship suffered."

Wadley is the founder of the Las Vegas Film Society, an organization that coordinates monthly screenings of classic films in an atmosphere where movie lovers can gather and discuss the art of cinema.

The group's first screening took place at Regal Red Rock Stadium 16 in mid-January and featured "West Side Story."

"This enterprise is just getting off the ground because this was our very first screening," Wadley said. "But I think the more people that hear about it, the more people will see the value in this type of cultural community gathering."

Las Vegas resident Benjamin Hill attended the event and said that he plans to become a film society member.

"It's one thing to watch a classic on your television, but it becomes something else, a real experience that you carry with you, when you can see it in all of its glory on the big screen as it was intended," Hill said. "I think that Las Vegas needs more organizations like this one. There's a cultural void here that only events like this one will fill."

The monthly screenings will take place at alternating locations, the Red Rock Stadium 16, 11011 W. Charleston Blvd., and Regal Green Valley Ranch 10, 2300 Paseo Verde.

"We want to give everyone an opportunity to be a part of what we're doing," Wadley said. "So we are alternating locations from month to month."

The event also features an after-party in the food court, where film enthusiasts can mix and mingle.

"We would love for this to be a platform to build a community and lasting relationships," Wadley said.

The next screening will feature the Academy Award-winning "Raging Bull" at 7 p.m. today at the Green Valley location. Admission is $10 for one screening. Society memberships are available at three-, six- and 12-month intervals and range from $55 to $90.

For more information, visit www.lasvegasfilmsociety. com.