THINGS TO DO

IMA 2015 'Summer Nights' film series schedule

Leslie Bailey
leslie.bailey@indystar.com
Humphrey Bogart (as Rick) and Ingrid Bergman (as Ilsa) in "Casablanca."

The Indianapolis Museum of Art celebrates the 40th season of its Summer Nights film series this year with an exciting lineup of movies, including four titles determined by public voting.

The series, sponsored by The National Bank of Indianapolis, invites patrons to bring their own picnics, blankets, food, lawn chairs and dinners for an evening under the stars at the museum's amphitheater.

Running June 5 through Aug. 28, this season's films range from classics like "Casablanca" to comedies like "Elf." Tickets go on sale to members today; non-member tickets go on sale May 4.

The National Bank of Indianapolis 2015 Summer Nights Film Schedule

• June 5: "National Lampoon's Vacation"

• June 12: "Heathers"

• June 19: "Casablanca"

• June 26: "Psycho"

• July 3: "Jaws"

• July 10: "Flash Gordon"

• July 17: "Shaun of the Dead"

• July 24: "Elf"

• July 31: "Major League"

Bracket Voted Films

• Aug. 7: "Singin' in the Rain" (winner of Classic category) Enjoy a live musical performance before the show.

• Aug. 14: "The Big Lebowski" (winner of Cult category) Show off your bowling skills and be a "Dude for the Day."

• Aug. 21: "The Shining" (winner of Thriller/Suspense category) Show off your best ax-happy Nicholson impression in the "Here's Johnny!" photo booth.

• Aug. 28: "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (winner of 80's category) Participate in a Pointillism staring contest and a group sing-a-long of "Danke Schoen" and "Twist and Shout."

Tickets to Summer Nights films are $12 for the public and $6 for members, sold separately from museum general admission tickets. A members-only season pass is available for $70. Also new this year for members is the Film Buff package that includes a ticket to every film at the IMA for a year as well as access to a reserved seating section at Summer Nights.

Interactive pre-show programming begins at 7 p.m. and the films begin at dusk.

A gentle reminder, the movies are subject to change and no, you still can't bring alcoholic beverages in, although they are for sale at the concession stand.

The first outdoor films were shown during the summer of 1976. Billed as the '"first museum version of the drive-in movies," the two-part series was themed "Golden Films of the Thirties."

The first half of this series took place in DeBoest Lecture Hall in July featuring Frank Capra films and the second half was on the concert terrace (now known as the amphitheater) and featured eight Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movies as four double features. The first Summer Nights film was a double feature of "Flying Down to Rio" and "The Gay Divorcee."

Tickets for the entire series were $15.75. Single night tickets were $2.25.

Call Star reporter Leslie Bailey at (317) 444-6094 and follow her on Twitter @Lesalina, Facebook.com/Lesalina, and Instagram @Lesalina.

Want to go?

• What: The National Bank of Indianapolis Summer Nights Film Series.

• When: June 5-Aug. 28.

• Where: Indianapolis Museum of Art, 4000 Michigan Road.

• Cost: $6 for members, $12 for public, $70 members-only season pass, $240 film buff package.

• Info: (317) 923-1331, imamuseum.org.