History Center to showcase four classic WWII movies

The Senator John Heinz History Center, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, will show four World War II-themed films, including the 1942 Humphrey Bogart classic “Casablanca” and the Clint Eastwood-directed “Flags of Our Fathers,” as part of a “We Can Do It! WWII Film Festival” Saturday and Sunday.
Held in conjunction with the “We Can Do It! WWII” exhibition, visitors can enjoy and discuss four movies that focus on World War II stories from four different Hollywood eras, including “Casablanca” (1942), “Tora! Tora! Tora!” (1970), “Memphis Belle” (1990) and “Flags of Our Fathers” (2006).
The film festival, which will be held in the museum’s Mueller Education Center, will be moderated by Dr. Soren I. Fanning, assistant professor of world history at Robert Morris University. Fanning, who regularly teaches workshops on the accuracy, advantages and pitfalls of historical dramas and popular documentaries, will provide an introduction before each film and field questions from visitors after each movie.
Throughout the weekend, moviegoers can visit the History Center’s new “We Can Do It! WWII” exhibition, which explores Western Pennsylvania’s impact on the home, industrial and battle fronts during World War II. Visitors will learn about the development of the jeep, a uniquely American invention produced by the American Bantam Car Co. in Butler, and hear the stories behind “Rosie the Riveter” and the local Tuskegee Airmen, whose contributions helped turn the tide of the war.
Featuring more than 275 rare artifacts, four jeeps, stunning photography, interactive displays and immersive museum settings, the festsival brings the 1940s to life as the nation commemorates the 75th anniversary of the start of WWII.
The film festival is included with regular museum admission, which is $16 for adults, $14 for senior citizens and $6.50 for students and children 6 to 17 years old. Children 5 and younger and History Center members are free. Active duty and retired military receive a discounted admission rate of $6.
Admission will be free Sunday for those who attend the film festival on Saturday.
The film festival schedule is as follows:
• 11 a.m. – Introduction of “Tora! Tora! Tora!”;
• 11:15 a.m. – “Tora! Tora! Tora!” (run-time of 144 minutes);
• 2:30 p.m. – Introduction of “Casablanca”;
• 2:45 p.m. – “Casablanca” (run-time of 102 minutes).
• 11 a.m. – Introduction of “Flags of Our Fathers”;
• 11:15 a.m. – “Flags of Our Fathers” (run-time of 135 minutes);
• 2:30 p.m. – Introduction of “Memphis Belle”;
• 2:45 p.m. – “Memphis Belle” (run-time of 107 minutes).
All film showings will be immediately followed by a question-and-answer session.
For more information about the “We Can Do It! WWII” Film Festival, including complete film descriptions, visit http://www.heinzhistorycenter.org and click on the Events tab.