If you go
› What: “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial”› When: 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5› What: “Bohemian Rhapsody”› When: 2 and 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6› Where: Tivoli Theatre, 709 Broad St.› Admission for either: $12 adult, $10 child› For more information: 423-757-558
After a successful sold-out opening-night showing of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," the Bobby Stone Film Series continues this weekend with one classic film and a brand new offering.
Steven Spielberg's 1982 science-fiction film "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" will be shown twice Saturday, Jan. 5, and then "Bohemian Rhapsody," the story of Queen and its legendary lead singer Freddie Mercury, will have two screenings Sunday, Jan. 6.
As part of the series, the Tivoli Foundation installed the largest drop-down screen in North America in addition to a new surround sound system that includes 29 new speakers strategically placed around the theater. It will be on full display with the Queen movie, just released in November 2018, to take advantage of improvements in sound technology.
Older films like "E.T." and "Christmas Vacation" still look and sound good on the Tivoli system, but it really shines on newer films. Because the screen is so big, several back rows of seats in the lower area will be blocked off because of obstructed views caused by the balcony overhang.
"I don't think [architect] R.H. Hunt factored in the world's largest drop-down screen," laughed Tivoli Foundation Executive Director Nick Wilkinson.
He says capacity for movies in the 1,700-seat theater will be around 1,200 "because we want everybody to have a great experience. We will just have a second showing, like we are doing this weekend."
Wilkinson says "seeing a movie at the Tivoli is an experience. With Netflix and Prime, you can see movies anytime, but this is an experience."
Beer, wine, popcorn and Coke products are available. Each showing will include a preshow concert on the Tivoli's Wurlitzer organ.
"Bohemian Rhapsody" follows the band from its beginning to the legendary Wembley Stadium show they did as part of Ethiopian famine relief benefit concert Live Aid in 1985. In that 21-minute show, which is often cited as the greatest live performance of all time, Mercury managed to take the entire packed stadium into the palm of his hands as bandmates ripped through a six-song set. It was only a few days prior that he had announced to the group that he had the disease that would eventually lead to his death in 1991.
"E.T." is the story of Elliott, a young boy who befriends an extraterrestrial stranded on Earth. Elliott enlists the help of his siblings to hide E.T. from the government and to help E.T. return to his home planet.
Released in 1982, it knocked "Star Wars" off the top of the all-time highest-grossing film list and held that spot until "Jurassic Park" replaced it in 1993. It is considered by some as the greatest science-fiction movie ever and one of the best films in general.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.