President Obama will be hosting a showing of To Kill a Mockingbird

[malaise]

at the WH tonight - He'll also introduce the 50th anniversary edition on USA cable on Saturday night.
The timing is perfect given the murder of Trayvon Martin

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http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/03/obama-to-note-anniversary-of-to-kill-a-mockingbird/
<snip>
President Obama will deliver a special introduction to the first presentation of a restored print of the classic 1962 movie “To Kill a Mockingbird” on the USA cable network Saturday night.

The release of the film is also tied to the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Universal film studio.The studio and USA Network are both owned by NBC Universal.

Mr. Shields said that discussions among Universal, USA and A.F.I. about how best to introduce the anniversary version of “To Kill a Mockingbird” led to the suggestion that the White House be asked whether the president would participate. Representatives of A.F.I. approached the White House in January with the request.

[elleng]

1. WOW!

Saw a documentary about Harper Lee, on PBS Monday evening, and then noticed its showing at 'my' theater. I do think I'll go to see it, together with audience instead of home alone.

Had seen Ox-Bow Incident Monday afternoon, with friends, and discussed. Some things never change.

[malaise]

2. My bad it will be on USA Cable Saturday night

We'll be watching for the gazillionth time - I love Atticus Finch

[elleng]

3. As I recall, from the documentary,

her first title for the book was 'Atticus.'

It IS showing at MY theater!

[malaise]

4. Cool

We'll watch on USA

[onehandle]

5. Cool. nt

[Carla in Sequim]

6. A truly fabulous movie. But...

if you have never read the book, I strongly suggest that as well.
Every time I read it, I love it more. I also have a collector's copy signed by Harper Lee that my mother gave to me about 10 years ago.

Nothing can stir the imagination or open a mind to endless possibilities like a good book. I just finished reading two other favorites of mine, Hawaii by James Michener and The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury. Next book is Trial by Clifford Irving. It's wonderful.

Never stop reading books.

FYI- Peck went to Alabama and met the real Atticus Finch, Lee's aged father Amasa Lee, who died during the filming. Lee herself coached Peck in handling the pocket watch he wore. In gratitude for his performance, she presented him with her father's own watch, a gift that greatly moved the actor. Peck commented at the time: "I can honestly say that in 20 years of making movies, I never had a part that came close to being the real me until Atticus Finch."

[CTyankee]

10. This book had one of the most spell binding moments in all literature that I had read, with the

exception of "Rabbit Run" (the part where she accidentally drowns her baby). That moment leading up to the news of the black man's lynching was just riveting.

There was no way the movie made that moment more momentous to me. I did love the movie but I also loved the book for its handling of that chapter. Awful, awful...

[malaise]

13. Read it more than once

Great book

[maxrandb]

7. Cue the wingnut ass-pickles

that will accuse the President of "race-baiting" in 3...2...1

[longship]

8. I almost rented it at the video store Sunday

Well, I guess when I return the very disappointing US version of Män Som Hatar Kvinnor... Oopsy! The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo with the hopelessly miscast Mara Rooney, I'll pick up To Kill a Mockingbird.

I really love that flick, no matter how many times I watch it.

Thanks for the post.

[TahitiNut]

9. It's on my list of Top Ten movies of all time.

It's a nearly perfect movie and an awesome representation of the book. (Yes, the book is also on my Tops list.) Each character is finely-crafted and pitch perfect. It was Robert Duvall's first role -- and the performance was a harbinger of his super-stardom.

“Miss Jean Louise, stand up. Your father's passin'.” ... gives me goosebumps AND tears every time. Every time.

[elleng]

15. Happened to me just now, Nut.

[TahitiNut]

19. Kewl.

I own the DVD and watch it a couple of times each year. It NEVER gets old. But, in honor off the occasion, I'll be tuning in to the USA channel on Saturday, popcorn at the ready.

[Grassy Knoll]

11. Fox News will counter this movie....

with the enhanced version of " The Birth of a Nation "
with introductions by Roger Ailes and Rush Limbaugh.

[CTyankee]

12. If they are smart, they won't go NEAR this thing. This movie is just too emblematic.

It is just too terrific for too many people.

They would do best by leaving it alone and just ignoring this story.

But, knowing repukes, they will probably manage to turn their lemonade into lemons once again, proving to all the world that they are disgusting...

[Cali_Democrat]

14. I bet this is going to anger conservatives

It shouldn't, but it will. They will accuse Obama of "race-baiting".

They are sick people.

[malaise]

16. So what will they say about those hosting 3D editions of Titanic for the 100th anniversary

of that tragedy

[rufus dog]

17. Outstanding

I will set the recording

[LadyHawkAZ]

18. I know I'm in the minority

but I really hated this movie. The book was orders of magnitude better, and it just felt like the movie left out too much of it.

[elleng]

20. Ala. Author Harper Lee Honored by Obama Appearance.

Alabama author Harper Lee doesn't speak publicly very often, but she says she's honored President Barack Obama is taping an introduction to a special showing of the movie based on her novel "To Kill a Mockingbird."

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2012/04/04/us/ap-us-mockingbird-obama.html?hp

[Tarheel_Dem]

21. Thanks for the DVR alert! Rec!