Paramount Theatre's 50th summer film series pays tribute to classic, cult titles

AUSTIN (KXAN) — It's summertime in Austin, and with it comes the 50th anniversary of the Paramount Theatre's Summer Classic Film Series.

For half a century, downtown Austin's Paramount Theatre has rung in the summer season with dozens of films, ranging from beloved classics like "Casablanca" to cult hits like "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." In hitting this milestone, Paramount Theatre staff said it's a testament to the preservation and ongoing legacy of the historic theater and Austin's dedication to it.

"It's pretty incredible considering that when the series started in 1975, there was very real talk of the Paramount being town down and replaced with a Holiday Inn," said Stephen Jannise, the director of film programming at the Paramount. "And so the three guys that took over the theater in the 70s we're just trying to get more people back to the theater thought, 'why not try running old movies?'"

In the decades since, Jannise said the film series has become a beloved tradition in town and an unofficial signifier that summer had arrived in the Texas capital.

Each year, the series includes between 100 to 120 films, with Jannise tasked with figuring out how to cultivate a "wide ranging, diverse lineup" for guests to enjoy. The secret recipe behind his selection process, he said, is a blend of classic films paired with movies celebrating landmark anniversaries, recent restorations or titles that they feel resonate with audience members.

"It's like a jigsaw puzzle of where can I fit in these movies and end up with our lineup of 100 and so films every year," he said.

"Casablanca" is the staple film shown each year on opening night, with other series classics like "2001: A Space Odyssey" and "Lawrence of Arabia." In recent years, Jannise said he's established new traditions, such as screenings of "Purple Rain" and "The Big Lebowski." At this year's showing of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," he said they had roughly 950 people in the theater watching it — creating an almost rock concert-esque ambiance.

"It's not your traditional, everyone's sitting still kind of movie experience," he said. "People are applauding and the laughter is always louder, and the tears are always, in sad or emotional moments, always flowing. It's just the energy."

On deck this month includes screenings of titles such as "9 to 5," "Fargo," "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse" and "Blade Runner." The summer series includes breakout collections such as films noir, family-friendly titles, films with beloved soundtracks and a weeklong ode to Alfred Hitchcock.

As Austin has grown, so too has its film industry work. Alongside local filmmakers like Robert Rodriguez and Richard Linklater, the add-ins of South by Southwest Film Festival and the Austin Film Society have attracted more talent to the region and fostered an even more pronounced appreciation for the arts, Jannise added.

For those looking to support the Paramount in its next 50 years of the summer series, he said they can donate or become a member at the theater to aid in its continued work in the community.

"This ornate, gorgeous theater with a balcony and a curtain and all these little, unique touches — I think this makes seeing a movie in there so special," Jannise said.

More details on the Paramount Theatre's Summer Classic Film Series are available online.