Just a quick note to let those of you in Southern California, in or around Apple Valley in particular, know that there will be a special screening of Roman Holiday on Monday, August 16 at 7pm at the Cinemark Jess Ranch. You can find more information about tickets on the theatre’s website here, as well as the address, phone number, and all that good stuff.

If you are in the area and have the free time, please go! This was the film that introduced Audrey to the world and won her the Oscar, go see it as it was meant to be seen, on the big screen. You won’t regret it. And thank the darling Emily for sharing this information with all of us. Thank you!

Anyway, the book is called Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and the Dawn of the Modern Woman, and delves into everything from filming to the adaptation from wandering novella to sparkling screenplay, to Audrey’s impact on fashion and the formation of the modern woman. It looks to be a great read, I can’t wait to get my grubby mitts on it!

Intrigued? You should be. And if you are in either New York or Los Angeles, you’re in luck: the author, Sam Wasson, will be onhand to discuss the film and the book, and to sign copies if you would like. Here’s the information:

For New York: This Thursday, July 8th at 7:30 PM, there will be a screening of Breakfast at Tiffany’s at the Cinema Arts Centre, and Sam will be there to speak. Ticket prices include admission to the film, discussion, reception and book signing afterward, though you will have to pay for a book separately. Details are here.

For Santa Monica: Next Wednesday, July 14 at 6 PM, there will be a book signing event at Every Picture Tells A Story, and afterward there will be a screening of Breakfast at Tiffany’s and a panel discussion to follow at the Aero Theatre just across the street. Information here.

For Los Angeles: Three weeks from now, on Monday July 26 at 7 PM, there will be a signing with Sam at Book Soup on Sunset Blvd. No word on a discussion, but if this is the only event you can make it to, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind fielding a few questions as he signs your copy of the book. Details here.

What fun! I love that New York and Santa Monica also threw together screenings of the film as well. If you’ve never seen Breakfast at Tiffany’s on the big screen, well … you don’t know what you’re missing. It was meant to be seen that way, and to feel the energy of the audience around you is astounding. If you are anywhere remotely near any of these events, please try to go! I will be at the Santa Monica signing and maybe drop by the Sunset Blvd one just for fun. And if you can’t make it, don’t despair. Other events might be forthcoming, and you can still buy the book at a regular bookshop, or Amazon has it reduced to quite a nice price, if I do say so.

Tonight, starting at 7:30 there will be a double feature of Roman Holiday and They All Laughed with an introduction by director Peter Bogdanovich (who directed Audrey in Laughed). Tomorrow, Saturday, is another double feature with Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Two For the Road, with an introduction by William Daniels, a co-star from Road. And for the record, I’m really miffed I can’t make this one because Two For the Road is maybe my favourite Audrey film and I haven’t seen it on the big screen yet.

The double feature nights continue with Sabrina, Love in the Afternoon, Charade, Wait Until Dark, War and Peace (wow!) and My Fair Lady. To see the full list of upcoming screenings, along with film and guest speaker information and screen times, go here.

If you can make it to any of these screenings, please go! I can’t tell you how much better it is to see your favourite films on the big screen as they were meant to be seen. You pick up on so much more and having an audience reacting around you just adds a new dimension to the film.

Thanks to Kendal for sharing the info!

Time for summer film screenings in the park! I love this part of summer. This morning I went over to Facebook, the only way I know what’s going on with any of my friends, and found an update from Cinespia, the group that does the film screenings in the Hollywood Forever cemetery. They just posted their June schedule, and it’s always a good sign when they put a picture of Audrey next to their post.

So, all you fabulous L.A. and southern California fans, mark your calendars for Saturday June 13th. Gates open at 7:30, the film starts at 9, and it’s a $10 mandatory “donation” to get in. Come early because parking is hideous and I’m sure the place will fill up fast. You’re encouraged to bring low picnic chairs, blankets, food, anything to make you comfortable that won’t block other people’s line of vision, so make a fun night of it. It’ll be great, I promise. I’ll go as an early birthday present to myself (oh, like I need an excuse!), and having seen Funny Face before on the big screen in San Francisco, I can tell you with absolute certainty that it will be amazing. It’s like seeing the film for the first time all over again. And if you haven’t seen the film yet or have some friends who haven’t, it’s a great way to introduce yourself or them to Audrey on the big screen. Or, rather, the side of a mausoleum, if you want to get technical. Either way, she sings, she dances, she wears amazing Givenchy creations, she’s completely in her element in this film. Go. GO! You can even sit with me if you can’t find anyone else to bring along, just be sure to come out, it’ll be great. Maybe we can get a sing-along going.

And I’m still working on all my pictures from my trip, so once I’m done editing I was thinking I’d just post all of the Timeless Audrey exhibit pictures on Flickr for everyone to peruse at their leisure. There’s quite a lot — they take up pretty much my entire 1 GB memory card, and they’re all huge, high quality pictures — so rather than posting in batches and making the blog load slowly, I’ll just post a link. And if you really like any you may comment.

I’ve said it before when I’ve caught other Audrey films being screened, but if you can ever catch any of her movies on the big screen, GO. Not only is it a totally different experience than watching at home, but the audience reaction and interaction is fabulous. The small theatre was packed, and many of the people there had never seen My Fair Lady before. Shocking, no? But it was great. They laughed hysterically at Henry’s colourful insults and Eliza’s childish antics, and groaned when Henry wondered why women couldn’t be more like his perfect self. It was fantastic.

There was also a small costume and design sketch exhibit in the lobby:

Forgive the darkness and the glare, but the costumes were protected by thick glass and absolutely no flash photography was allowed.

And please forgive my raccoon eyes, but I’d come straight from an unusual photoshoot and my makeup wouldn’t come off! I kept my Wayfarers on as long as possible.

Lastly, but most importantly, I’d like to give a very huge thank you to Ellen, who performed nothing short of magic to get us tickets to this sold out event. Whatever she wants I will gladly give her as a thank you for this great night!

So . . . what are you doing tomorrow? If you’re in the Los Angeles area, I highly recommend heading down to the Hollywood Forever Cemetery and catching Roman Holiday on the side of a mausoleum. It may sound a little creepy to you, but have you ever been to a film screening in a cemetery? More importantly, have you been to a film at Hollywood Forever? It’s amazing, to put it simply. If you can, please go! Though I highly recommend getting there early, as the line forms quickly and they do allow only a certain number of people in to a screening. Tickets are $10 and only available on entry, and you’re highly recommended to bring a picnic blanket and some good food to go with your great movie.

Here’s an extra little bonus for the Texan Audrey fans lurking about: The Austinist is having a ticket giveaway contest for this weekend’s Audrey double feature at the Paramount Theatre! You can read more about the double feature (featuring Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Funny Face) here, and enter to win tickets at the bottom of the page, directly under the Funny Face description. As an added bonus, the Breakfast trailer they have posted on the page was uploaded by yours truly.