From the early silent films to the golden age of Hollywood, the Canmore Opera House was once the place where local Canmore residents caught the latest in film entertainment. On Saturday and Sunday of the Canmore Heritage Festival, we are reviving the matinee movie tradition, bringing some of the fun, fabulous movies from the 1950s to the big screen at artsPlace Canmore!
ADMISSION: FREE | DONATIONS WELCOME
1950s dress is encouraged, but not required!
Refreshments Available: Popcorn – $3.75 | Grizzly Paw Sodas – $2.75 | Bubly – $2.00
1:00 PM | GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES
Lorelei Lee (Marilyn Monroe) is a beautiful showgirl engaged to be married to the wealthy Gus Esmond (Tommy Noonan), much to the disapproval of Gus’ rich father, Esmond Sr., who thinks that Lorelei is just after his money. When Lorelei goes on a cruise accompanied only by her best friend, Dorothy Shaw (Jane Russell), Esmond Sr. hires Ernie Malone (Elliott Reid), a private detective, to follow her and report any questionable behavior that would disqualify her from the marriage.
Genre: Comedy, Musical | Release Date (Theaters): Jul 18, 1953
Runtime: 1h 31m
Movie Trivia: For the film, Monroe was paid her usual contract salary of $500 a week, while Russell, the better known actress at the time, earned $200,000.
3:00 PM | RIVER OF NO RETURN
After serving a prison sentence, farmer Matt Calder (Robert Mitchum) returns to his 19th-century Pacific Northwest gold rush town and retrieves his adolescent son, Mark (Tommy Rettig). Meanwhile, goodhearted barroom singer Kay (Marilyn Monroe) is heading downriver with her boyfriend, Harry (Rory Calhoun), to explore a potential gold claim. When their raft sinks, Harry robs Matt of his gun and horse to continue without Kay on land. Sailing downriver toward the claim, the trio plan their revenge.
Genre: Western, Musical | Release Date (Theaters): April 30, 1954
Runtime: 1h 31m
Movie Trivia: The film was shot in Banff and Jasper National Parks. Monroe nearly drowned while filming . She slipped on a river rock while rehearsing a scene. Robert Mitchum and others jumped in the river to rescue her but her ankle was sprained as a result; she was treated at the Banff hospital. She remained on crutches for the rest of the shoot.
