What better way to spend a winter Sunday afternoon than watching a cinematic gem on a big screen – for free? Dayton Metro Library began a new Sunday Movies @ Main series on January 6th. Each Sunday features a different film – from overlooked masterpieces and classics to foreign films, independent cinema and documentaries. All films start at 1:30pm in the Main Library’s Eichelberger Forum, 215 E. Third Street, and are free and open to the public.

Other films scheduled in January are the Dutch classic Antonia’s Line on January 13, and the Academy Award nominated documentary Faces Places on January 27 (the Library is closed on Sunday, January 20). Coming attractions in February are the original 1937 version of A Star is Born starring Janet Gaynor; Paper Moon, starring Ryan O’Neil and his then 9-year-old daughter Tatum; and the critically acclaimed 1979 film My Brilliant Career.

“It’s really an eclectic selection of films you’re not likely to find elsewhere,” said Chuck Duritsch, External Relations Manager and coordinator of the series. “I’m especially excited about showing the 1950 film noir Woman on the Run on March 3. This rediscovered gem was restored by the Film Noir Foundation, after the only American print had been destroyed in a fire.”

All of the films in the Sunday Movies @ Main series are from the Library’s Kanopy collection. Dayton Metro Library began offering Kanopy, an on-demand film streaming service, in July 2018. Kanopy offers what the New York Times calls “a garden of cinematic delights.” It showcases more than 30,000 films including award-winning documentaries, rare and hard-to-find titles, film festival favorites, indie films, and world cinema. Library cardholders can access Kanopy from DaytonMetroLibrary.org.

Inspired by the impressive variety of films in the collection, Duritsch coordinated the Sunday Movies @ Main series.

“We intentionally picked a variety of films to start with, so we can see what our audience responds to,” said Duritsch. “Our hope is that the series catches on, and we can form a selection committee that includes Library patrons as well as staff.”

The Main Library’s Eichelberger Forum features a DLP Laser Projector and a 226” screen with 18.8-foot diagonal viewing space.

“We have casual, flexible seating so people can make themselves comfortable, bring a snack, and enjoy these movies for free,” said Duritsch.

See the schedule below. A printed schedule for January-February, with descriptions of each film, is available at any Dayton Metro Library location. Descriptions for all films are also online at DaytonMetroLibrary.org/Events.

SUNDAY MOVIES @ MAIN

All films start at 1:30 PM in the Eichelberger Forum

Main Library, 215 E. Third Street, 45402

1/13 Antonia’s Line (1995)

1/20 Library Closed

1/27 Faces Places (2017)

2/3 A Star is Born (1937)

2/10 Paper Moon (1973)

2/17 My Brilliant Career (1979)

2/24 Charlotte’s Web (1973)

3/3 Woman on the Run (1950)

3/10 Seven Beauties (1975)