by John P. Meyer

The TCM big-screen simulcasts include two classic westerns, a period drama and a Big Apple-themed Hollywood musical.

Get set to see four free classic movies for free at the Magnolia during the month of May.

First up is the western that many consider to be Clint Eastwood's finest (regardless of the fact that Unforgiven got the Oscar): The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976). It plays at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6. The movie is also notable because it marks the start of the long professional (and personal) relationship between Clint and Sondra Locke, who appeared in no fewer than five additional Eastwood films.

On Tuesday, May 12, drop by the Mag for the 4:30 screening of director Anthony Harvey's super-star acting tour-de-force, The Lion in Winter (1968), which pits the scenery-chewing skills of Peter O'Toole (as Henry II) against those of Katherine Hepburn (as Eleanor of Aquitaine); Hepburn arguably won, taking home that year's Best Actress Oscar.

Thursday, May 21 at 8:30 p.m. brings West Side Story (1961) to the Magnolia's digitally-projected big screen. Directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, star Natalie Wood (as Maria) sang her own vocals, but the filmmakers took one listen and decided to overdub her warbling with the voice of stunt-vocalist Marni Nixon. (Wood was less than thrilled about it.)

Rounding out the month, filmgoers get a chance (on Wednesday, May 27 at 9 p.m.) to see another entry on everybody's list of best westerns, the George Stevens-directed, Alan Ladd-starring Shane (1953). It's an entertaining watch even today, given its fairly forthright potrayal of extra-marital attraction (between the gunfighter Shane and the homesteader's wife Marian Starrett, played by Jean Arthur) - along with the best-ever sinister performance of Jack Palance, as ruthless killer Jack Wilson. (Palance would go on to do one-handed push-ups on the stage at the Academy Awards, as he accepted his Best Supporting Actor Oscar for City Slickers.)

Admission to each of these special Turner Classic Movie simulcast presentations is free - just arrive at the Magnolia, pick up your passes from the box office and enjoy the show.

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