Friday Night at the Movies: A Star in the Night & Amahl and the Night Visitors

Yes, it will be just four days before Christmas, and there will be so much yet to do! But give yourself a break and come enjoy a couple (yes, two) wonderful presentations to enhance your true appreciation of this most special time of year. Greta McDonald has selected two excellent Christmas offerings. The first will be A Star in the Night, a 1946 Oscar-winning short film that depicts an updated story of the Nativity with, as one review states, “a little Christmas Carol twist thrown in.” Though the film is now 66 years old, its message is timeless.

Following our discussion, anyone who cares to remain (but feel free to make it a short night if you wish!) will watch the made-for-TV opera Amahl and the Night Visitors, by Gian Carlo Menotti. This production debuted on Christmas Eve, 1951, was performed live on NBC-TV, and was actually the very first presentation on “Hallmark Hall of Fame.” And for any opera-phobes out there, it is sung in English! We will be watching the 1955 version. No formal discussion is planned after the showing, but you’re welcome to stick around and chat if you wish.

Soft drinks, popcorn, dessert and coffee will be provided; a $2 donation is suggested.

Sign-up begins December 1 in the church office.