Long Beach's Home Front Theater's Back at El Dorado Library

The popular film series, Home Front Theater is kicking off its first movie at its new location, the El Dorado Public Library on Friday, April 19 at 1:00 p.m., with Grapes of Wrath. Attendees voted for the movies they would most like to see in 2013, and the classic movie, based on John Steinbeck’s Pulitzer prize winning novel. 

“We’re pleased to be moving to the El Dorado Library this month, and to be able to work with the Long Beach Public Library to continue to bring our residents classic films every third Friday,” explained Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske, “It’s wonderful to have so much support from organizations in the City to provide food and drinks for our seniors who attend every month.”

Home Front Theater movies are shown every 3^rd Friday through December 2013. Long Beach residents are invited to step back in time to the WWII era and enjoy a film from the period. This year’s movies were chosen by audience members who were asked to vote for their favorite movies from that period, and Grapes of Wrathreceived the most votes.

Each month, Long Beach organizations and businesses provide snacks and beverages for movie goers. This month, refreshments will be provided by long-time sponsor CareMore and Forest Lawn. The Cliff May Ranchos Co-Op in cooperation with Kelli Johnson of the Spring Street Farm Stand, will donate produce in honor of the thousands of farmers who came to California to pick crops during the Dust Bowl era to eke out a living.

For more information, contact the Office of Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske, 562-570-6932, or emaildistrict5@longbeach.gov.

About Home Front Theater

Home Front Theater is a monthly film series sponsored by Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske and the Long Beach Rosie The Riveter Foundation. Free to the public, Home Front Theater features a collection of classic World War II era films. Launched in May 2012 to commemorate Armed Services Day, the monthly series offers residents a time to honor the spirit of the Greatest Generation. News Reels from the era are played before every movie.

About The Grapes of Wrath

After serving four years in prison for killing a man, hotheaded Tom Joad (Henry Fonda) heads back to the family farm in Oklahoma with new friend Casy (John Carradine), a former preacher who has lost his faith. The pair find the farm deserted; Tom’s share cropping family was evicted. At his uncle’s farm, Tom is reunited with hs family the day before the family must also leave that farm. The family plus Casy pack everything they own onto an old truck and head to California looking for work. The Academy award winning classic follows the family through death and hardship as farmworkers struggling against a corrupt sheriff and injustice, while never losing hope for a better future. Running time: 129 minutes.