Blanco, Texas, hotbed of film appreciation — who knew? Well, for starters, the more than 100 members of the Blanco Film Society. Not even six months old (local Jeannie Ralston founded the organization in January of this year) and the Hill Country consortium has already transported audiences to the New England high society of The Philadelphia Story and the low-rent, love-ravaged French district of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. But for the month of May, they’re fixing their sights (and their screen) a little closer to home, dedicating all of May to movies about Texas. The minifest kicked off last week with Red River and continues Saturday evenings at 7:30pm throughout the month, excepting the series’ finale of Giant, which begins at 7pm, and is preceded by a cookout on the lawn in front of the theatre, with the Rio Blanco Montessori School serving up grilled kebabs, rice, salad, and Texas sheet cake ($10 in advance, $12 at the door). Proceeds go toward the purchase of a larger projection screen for the film society. — Kimberley Jones
May 10: The Last Picture Show (1971)
May 17: Raggedy Man (1981)
May 24: Hands on a Hard Body (1998) and “Growing a Beard” (2003, director Mike Woolf in attendance)
May 31: Giant (1956)
All movies are shown at the Blanco Community Learning Center Theatre at Cherry and 11th Street in Blanco, Texas. Babysitting services are provided on-site (call in advance for reservations). Cost of admission is $2; a yearlong membership to the film society (open to everyone) may be purchased for $20 (covers entire family) at the door. Members receive free admission to all movies. For more info, call 830/833-5008.
This article appears in May 9 • 2003.