Catch 'The Day The Earth Stood Still' For Free This Weekend

There is nothing like a classic science fiction movie. The sci-fi movies of the 50s weren't just about aliens from outer space coming to Earth to take over, they often had a very well hidden political subtext. People were freaked out about the Red Menace of Communism and the very real threat of nuclear annihilation, and aliens were alternately the bad guys who were going to destroy the world, or in the case of 'The Day The Earth Stood Still', came to earth to warn us that we were about to destroy ourselves.

'The Day the Earth Stood Still' might seem like a campy movie made when special effects consisted of people in monster suits, but it is so highly regarded that is was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" in 1995. The story is about Klaatu, a space man who lands on Earth with Gort, a powerful robot. Klaatu tries to tell the leaders of the nations of Earth that our war-like ways have worried the rest of the galaxy, and if we take our violence into space, Earth will be destroyed.

Even if you aren't a sci-fi fan, this is another great classic that everyone should watch. You'll be able to see how this movie inspired so many other sci-fi movies that came after it. The movie is free, and there are really well priced concessions available. The bonus is you get to see the International Museum of Art which is a treasure in itself.

WHAT: 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' screening
WHEN: September 17, 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: International Museum of Art, 1211 Montana
COST: FREE
INFO: 915-543-6747

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