Photo Album
2006 Dinner and a Movie at the Autry National Center: South of the Border
Subject:
The Autry National Center and Gene Autry Entertainment present Dinner and a Movie every Thursday night in July. The third evening featured the film South of the Border.
Date:
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Photographer:
Karla Buhlman and Joshua Mattrick
Comments:
The third evening of the Dinner and a Movie series at the Autry National Center was once again a huge success. Gene Autry's 1939 film South of the Border was digitally presented in the museum's Wells Fargo Theater.
With a theme like "South of the Border" the Golden Spur Café dished up another marvelous Mexican-flavored meal – this time it was a Tostada Bar. Large, crisp tostada shell bowls were generously filled with tasty fixings and served with a big piece of cake and a cool beverage. It was the perfect dinner for a warm Southern California evening at the Autry.
The museum's senior curator Michael Duchemin once again led two special tours through the museum relating to the evening's movie. In the Cowboy Gallery and the Community Gallery, Michael shared information on Vaqueros and Cowboys. Everyone enjoyed the tour and several folks asked excellent questions!
Between the delicious meal and popular gallery tour, folks visited with each other and also entered the Gene Autry Raffle. And before entering the Wells Fargo Theater, all the Dinner and a Movie participants received a free Gene Autry Souvenir Program from Gene's rodeo days. We have the Autry Museum Store to thank for this special treat!
Once everyone was settled into their seats, Gene Autry Entertainment Vice President Karla Buhlman and Michael Duchemin awarded three raffle prizes. After that, Michael shared the "Big Picture" information on Gene Autry, the Mexico/England/American relationship on the eve of World War II, and the importance of the film South of the Border. Karla shared photos from Gene's British Isles tour showing the thousands of enthusiastic fans greeting Gene Autry. The photos proved that Michael wasn't kidding last week when he talked about "Autrymania!" Karla continued with trivia and information directly related to the film and we all enjoyed watching Gene, Smiley and Mary Lee in South of the Border.
Immediately after the movie, everyone headed for the Museum Store for two more raffle prizes and time for Gene Autry "Q & A" with Michael and Karla. Folks also took advantage of the Museum Store's Marvelous Movie Sale.
Our last Dinner and a Movie night is next week when we screen Gene's film Down Mexico Way. We have another mouth-watering dinner planned, more fun-filled Gene Autry information, and the Gene Autry Raffle Grand Prize to give away to one lucky winner. Cool off at the Autry Museum with a fun evening for the family!
