Jim Wafford hosts classic movie series for families at Forest Park
Spending time together as a family is important for Jim Wafford. To ensure that the community has a weekly opportunity to hang out, he is hosting a weekly event every Friday at Forest Park’s Shelter No. 1. The event features board games, Bingo, yard games, activities, music from local bands and a classic movie at dusk.
“I love classic movies. I’m kind of romantic,” Wafford said. “I just like the older dress. I wouldn’t mind living back there. There’s a lot of class. I enjoy it. If I had a big backyard, I’d do it every time.”
Wafford, owner of Logan Street Signs & Banners, said the classic movie series is a low-stress family event.
“It’s for all ages and that’s why we have the teen bands and games,” he said. “No matter what age bracket or financial bracket you’re in, you can come out and enjoy family time and time with other families.”
Wafford said economically priced concession items like popcorn and sodas will be available, but families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, picnic baskets and coolers to the outing.
“Most people don’t have time to spend dinner together around the table so on Friday nights you can come and have dinner with me,” Wafford said.
Knowing that the 9:45 p.m. approximate start time was late for some families, Wafford added the various games and activities this year so families with young children can just come out and enjoy the outdoors. He added the local bands as a way to attract teenagers and provide them with a safe evening activity.
“When I heard a teenager ask who was Bob Hope, I knew I had a mission,” Wafford said.
This is the second summer Wafford will be presenting the classic movie series, which began during a conversation with Noblesville Parks and Recreation Assistant Director Brandon Bennett. During the discussion, Bennett told Wafford that the parks department budget had been cut and they would be showing fewer movies the next year.
“I saw a need for free family entertainment, and no one else is doing it,” said Wafford. “Parks departments show new movies, no one does classics.”
Most movies run approximately two hours. This summer will offer the first Western – 1952’s “Springfield Rifle” starring Gary Cooper.
“I’ve seen it a dozen times. I think people will like this one,” said Wafford, who is also interested in seeing the turnout for 1935’s “Naughty Marietta,” “because the title has nothing to do with the movie. It’s a musical.”
Wafford selects his movies based on remakes he’s seen or ones he’s watched on Turner Classic Movies.
“If I’m interested, I buy the DVD,” he said. “If I like it, I hope everyone else will.”
Before screening the film, Wafford must contact his representative to get licensing rights. Movies cost Wafford $200 to $400 each screening. To air “Casablanca” to 113 people last year, it cost Wafford $405.
“The more awards it won, the more expensive the movie is,” explained Wafford, who will host 19 movie nights this year. “Most people don’t realize you have to pay for movies.”
To pay for the licensing agreement, Wafford rearranged his advertising budget and has sought help from businesses to sponsor the film series.
“I’ve got to believe other community businesses get what we’re doing and will help raise half of costs,” he said. “Hopefully in another year I’ll just have to set it up and not worry about financing it.”
Classic Movies at Forest Park
• Fridays in June and July
• Live music: 8 to 9 p.m.
• Games and activities: 8 to 9:30 p.m.
• Bingo: 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.
• Classic movie starts at dusk: approx. 9:45 p.m.
For more information and details, visit www.classicmovieevents.com.
Movie Schedule
June 1 – Woman of the Year (1942)
Rival reporters Sam (Spencer Tracy) and Tess (Katharine Hepburn) fall in love and get married, only to find their relationship strained when Sam comes to resent Tess’ hectic lifestyle. Oscar winner, Romantic comedy (114 minutes)
June 8 – Inspector General (1949)
An illiterate stooge (Danny Kaye) in a traveling medicine show wanders into a strange town and is picked up on a vagrancy charge. Golden Globe winner, Comedy (102 minutes)
June 15 – Naughty Marietta (1935)
In order to avoid a prearranged marriage, a rebellious French princess (Jeannette MacDonald) sheds her identity and escapes to colonial New Orleans, where she finds an unlikely true love (Nelson Eddy). Two Oscars and one nomination, Musical/romantic comedy (105 minutes)
June 22 – Africa Screams (1949)
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello search for diamonds in Africa, along the way meeting a visually impaired gunner, a hungry lion and a tribe of cannibals. Comedy (79 minutes)
June 29 – Comrade X (1940)
An American reporter (Clark Gable) smuggling news out of Soviet Moscow is blackmailed into helping a beautiful Communist (Hedy Lamar) leave the country. One Oscar nomination, Comedy/drama (90 minutes)
July 6 – Springfield Rifle (1952)
Major Lex Kearny (Gary Cooper) becomes the North’s first counter-espionage agent as he tries to discover who’s behind the theft of Union cavalry horses in Colorado during the Civil War. Western (93 minutes)
July 13 – Love Crazy (1941)
A series of misunderstandings on their fourth wedding anniversary lead an architect (William Powell) and his wife (Myna Loy) to break up, but he pretends to be insane and even poses as his own sister in order to win her back. Romantic comedy (99 minutes)
July 20 – Bluebeard’s Eighth Wife (1938)
The daughter of a penniless marquis (Claudette Colbert) teaches her multi-millionaire fiance (Gary Cooper) a lesson, after learning he has had seven previous wives. Romantic comedy (86 minutes)
July 27 – The Awful Truth (1937)
Unfounded suspicions lead a married couple to begin divorce proceedings, whereupon they start undermining each other’s attempts to find new romance, starring Cary Grant. One Oscar and five nominations, Romantic comedy (93 minutes)