“Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines” will be shown July 21, at dusk, at El Dorado Park in Long Beach, Calif., one of the first events in a six-month series aimed at marking the 100th anniversary of Calbraith “Cal” Perry Rodgers’ First Transcontinental Flight from Sheepshead Bay, New York, to Long Beach, Sept. 17, to Dec. 10, 1911.
“This movie was released in 1965, but it is every bit as funny now, “ said Fifth District Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske, who is hosting the event and spearheading the anniversary celebration.
The movie is set in 1910, one year before Rodgers’ flight. A British newspaper offers a 10,000-pound prize for the first person to fly across the English Channel. It has many sub-plots and many familiar stars, including Stuart Whitman, Sarah Miles, Robert Morley, Red Skelton, Terry Thomas and Benny Hill.
There will be another aviation themed movie at El Dorado Park Aug. 25. “The Great Waldo Pepper” is about how one pilot uses post-World War I stunts to prove himself, when he missed out on the war.
For more information: 562-570-6932, Vinfizlongbeach.com
