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Save The Sameric Seeks Public Support
posted by
Ross Melnick
on
March 30, 2004 at 9:46 am
PHILADELPHIA, PA — The following email was sent in by Howard Haas from Friends of the Boyd:
“We are a new organization and need your help. The Boyd is not saved yet, nor is an authentic restoration going to happen without your help. And, there will not be a film program if we can’t have a success at our films to save the theater! Please share with your friends, co-workers, neighbors, and your email lists. Thank you!
SEE GRACE KELLY’S LAST FILM AND HELP TO SAVE THE BOYD
Princess Grace’s Niece to Speak Before the Show
On FRIDAY, APRIL 16, the Friends of the Boyd will screen Grace Kelly’s rarely seen last film, the 1956 romantic comedy THE SWAN, at a benefit to raise funds to preserve and restore Philadelphia’s last movie palace, the historic Boyd Theatre (a.k.a. Sameric) at 1908 Chestnut Street. The screening, part of the 13th Philadelphia Film Festival, will take place at International House, 3701 Chestnut Street, 7:30 p.m for slide show “The Boyd: 75 years as a movie palace” and 8:00 PM for film.
THE SWAN (1956, 108 minutes) is the last movie the Philadelphia-born Kelly made before her glamorous wedding to Prince Rainier of Monaco. In this light-hearted romp-devised by MGM to capitalize on the real-life fairy tale their Oscar-winning star was about to embark on-Kelly plays a young woman set to marry a Prince (the well-mannered Alec Guinness) but who seems more taken with her tutor (the dashing Louis Jourdan).
TICKETS to The Swan are $15 and include a post-screening reception with food, Yards beer and 1950s music from original 45 rpm records by WBCB’s Smilin' Lou Powers. Guests are welcome to wear vintage ‘50s clothing or a tiara-prizes will be awarded for the best.
At a pre-screening VIP reception at 6:30 p.m, Grace Kelly’s niece Meg Packer will reminisce about her aunt’s historic wedding. VIP tickets are $50 each. On April 16, VIP guests will be informed of a weekday evening date for a complimentary tour of the Boyd. Howard Haas will lead the fascinating tour.
To purchase tickets to the screening and after-party ($15 each) or the VIP reception ($50, also includes the screening and the after-party), please send a check by April 9 payable to Friends of the Boyd to: Friends of the Boyd, c/o Howard Haas,1420 Locust Street, Suite #110 Philadelphia, PA 19102. $15 tickets can also be purchased online at www.phillyfests.com and evening of show as space permits. All who purchase $15 tickets by April 9 by sending checks directly to the Friends of the Boyd will be entered into a raffle for a tour of the theater.
The nonprofit FRIENDS OF THE BOYD is a vital part of the public-private partnership working to restore the historic 1928 Boyd Theatre. Funds raised by the Friends will be used to ensure an authentic restoration of the theater’s Art Deco glory. Friends have led a public campaign for reuse instead of demolition of the Boyd.
For more information, go to www.SaveTheSameric.org or send an e-mail to Thanks, and we hope to see you there!"
