Academy Ventures into “The Big Country”

Beverly Hills, CA (rushprnews) June 11, 2007 – — A newly created print from the restoration of the widescreen epic “The Big Country” (1958), starring Gregory Peck as a newly retired sea captain attempting to plant roots in the Wild West, will be premiere at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Friday, June 22, at 7:30 p.m. at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.

Filmed in Technirama by producer-director William Wyler, “The Big Country” stars Peck, who also co-produced the film, as the successful sea captain who retires to the West to marry his fiancée (Carroll Baker), the daughter of a wealthy landowner, only to find himself embroiled in a feud over land and watering rights for cattle. Set against the backdrop of the open range, the film also features memorable performances by Jean Simmons, Charlton Heston, Burl Ives and Chuck Connors.

Ives earned a Supporting Actor Academy Award® his performance as Rufus Hannassey, the poor but tough ranch owner struggling to keep his cattle alive. The film also received a nomination for Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture (Jerome Moross).
The print premiering in this Gold Standard series screening was restored by the Academy Film Archive with support from the Film Foundation.

Tickets to “The Big Country” are $5 for the general public and may be purchased online at www.oscars.org/events. There are no minimum order requirements and no transaction or processing fees. Tickets are available online until noon PST on the day of the event.

Tickets may also be purchased by mail, in person at the Academy during regular business hours, or depending on availability, on the night of the screening when doors open at 6:30 p.m.

The Samuel Goldwyn Theater is located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. Seats are unreserved. Complimentary parking is provided in the garages located at 8920 and 9025 Wilshire Boulevard. For additional information, call (310) 247-3600.
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Anne Howard www.annehowardpublicist.com writer and publicist