CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The University Cinema at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi opens its “Movie Milestones” fall film series on Wednesday, Oct. 10, at 7:30 p.m. with the screening of the film “Scarface” in Bay Hall room 104.
From one of the earliest gangster movies to a ‘60s French flick focused on a love triangle, the series of seven films showcasing a variety of artistic approaches is organized by Dr. Bill Huie, professor of communication and TV-film.

“The films all relate to my film history class and represent different styles and movements that have influenced American filmmaking and some of the classics of American film,” said Huie, who will speak briefly prior to each film about the style employed in its making.

The films in the series are:
Wednesday, Oct. 10: “Scarface” (1932, 90 min.) – Directed by Howard Hawks, with Paul Muni and George Raft. An ambitious and near insanely violent gangster climbs the ladder of success in the mob, but his weaknesses prove to be his downfall.

Wednesday, Oct. 17: “Citizen Kane” (1941, 119 min.) – Directed by and starring Orson Welles, with Joseph Cotten and Dorothy Comingore. The Oscar-winning film is about a group of news reporters trying to decipher the meaning of the last word ever spoken by millionaire newspaper tycoon Charles Foster Kane.

Wednesday, Oct. 24: “Rome: Open City” (1945, 103 min.) – Directed by Roberto Rossellini, with Anna Magnani and Aldo Fabrizi. Giorgio Manfredi, one of the leaders of the Resistance, is chased by Nazis, so he goes to his friend Francesco’s, and asks Pina, Francesco’s fiancée, to help him.

Wednesday, Oct. 31: “The Searchers” (1956, 119 min.) – Directed by John Ford, with John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, Natalie Wood and Ward Bond. The motivation of a Civil War veteran, who spends years searching for a young niece captured by Indians, becomes increasingly questionable.

Wednesday, Nov. 7: “Jules and Jim” (1961, 104 min.) – Directed by François Truffaut, with Jeanne Moreau, Oskar Werner and Henri Serre. In 1900, two friends in Paris, Jules and Jim both fall in love with Catherine and she marries Jules. But after World War I, when they meet again in Germany, Catherine falls in love with Jim.

Wednesday, Nov. 14: “The Wild Bunch” (1969, 145 min.) – Directed by Sam Peckinpah, with William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, Warren Oates and Emilio Fernandez. Months before World War I, an aging band of outlaws led by Pike Bishop rob a Texas bank in hopes of using the money to retire. When the robbery goes wrong, the gang is forced to flee to Mexico with Bishop's reformed ex-partner, Deke Thornton, in hot pursuit.

Wednesday, Nov. 21: No film.

Wednesday, Nov. 28: “Moulin Rouge!” (2001, 127 min.) Directed by Baz Luhrmann, with Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor, John Leguizamo, Jim Broadbent, Richard Roxburgh. Christian, a young English poet falls for Satine, a beautiful courtesan whom a jealous duke covets in this stylish musical, with music drawn from familiar 20th century sources.

All movies will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Bay Hall, Room 104 and are free and open to the public. For more information, call 361.825.2316.