Cary Grant, so dashing and debonair, was one of Hollywood’s consummate leading men. In 1999, the American Film Institute named Cary Grant the second “Greatest Male Screen Legend.”

On Sunday, July 27, Edmond Town Hall Theatre will screen his 1939 feature film, Gunga Din, as part of the 2014 Sunday Cinema Series presented by the Newtown Cultural Arts Commission. Screenings are planned for 1, 4 and 7 pm. Tickets for all shows are $2.

“Here they come! The reckless, lusty, swaggering sons of the thundering guns of Kipling’s storied India … in the picture whose action sweeps the screen like a cyclone!” exclaims one of the many original tag lines for Gunga Din, which was the second biggest money-maker of 1939, after Gone with the Wind. 

Inspired by the Rudyard Kipling heroic poem of the same name, Gunga Din tells the story of a humble Indian water bearer who aspires to become a respected soldier in the British Army.  The story is set in late 19th Century Colonial India, where three sergeants of the Royal Engineers (played by Cary Grant, Victor McLaglen and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr) lead their troops to stop a murderous Thuggee cult uprising.

“This is the lighter side of war movies, filled with love and laughter,” says Sunday Cinema Series Coordinator Jen Rogers.

This month’s screening is made possible by sponsor Bottle Stop Wine and Spirit Superstore in Newtown.

The remainder of the Sunday Cinema Series has also been announced. The following movies will be screened:

August 31 — Goodbye, Mr Chips starring Robert Donat (who received the Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his work in this film);

September 21 — Mr Smith Goes to Washington starring James Stewart;

October 19 — Hunchback of Notre Dame starring Charles Laughton;

November 30 — Gone with the Wind starring Clark Gable and Vivian Lee; and

December 28 — Babes in Arms starring Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney.

The Sunday Cinema Series was createdin part to celebrate the recent renovations at Edmond Town Hall, and timed to coincide with what is considered by many film enthusiasts to be the greatest year in film history. 

The series was created in part to celebrate the recent renovations at Edmond Town Hall, and timed to coincide with what is considered by many film enthusiasts to be the greatest year in film history. The Wizard of Oz and the Shirley Temple classic A Little Princess were featured when the series debuted in May. They were followed last month with the comedies The Flying Deuces and Ninotchka.

Visit Facebook.com/NewtownSundayCinemaSeries or NewtownArtsCommission.org for additional information.