Aycock birthplace showing 'Anatomy of a Murder'
By Staff Reports
Published in News on October 15, 2009 1:46 PM
FREMONT -- Fifty years ago, U.S. Sen. John Kennedy was running for president, it cost as little as a quarter to see stars like Elizabeth Taylor or Jerry Lewis light up Goldsboro's Paramount movie theatre, and the Gov. Charles B. Aycock Birthplace State Historic Site opened to the public.
As part of the site's upcoming golden anniversary celebration, the Aycock Birthplace State Historic Site will present Oscar nominee "Anatomy of a Murder" starring James Stewart and George C. Scott. The free screening will be held at 3 p.m. in the Ida H. Williams Auditorium on Sunday.
The film was nominated for seven Oscars including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Soundtrack and two Best Supporting Actor nominations. It was directed by Otto Preminger, with the sound track by Duke Ellington.
The movie was considered ground-breaking in its language and discussion of violence, in direct violation of the Hays Code that has governed film-making since 1930. It was voted the sixth best "trial movie" by the American Bar Association and is still being used by law professors as a teaching tool for defense in a criminal court.
This film series and other programs at Aycock Birthplace will lead up to the 150th anniversary celebration of Gov. Aycock's birth, which is planned for November. For more information on this presentation, call 242-5581 or e-mail aycock@ncdcr.gov.
The Aycock Birthplace is located at 264 Gov. Aycock Road, Fremont.