Yo-ho-ho, ye landlubbers. Catch classic pirate flicks during the new film series First Friday at the Movies at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh. Even seafaring scoundrels would agree the series is a steal — admission, popcorn, beverages and parking are all free. Watch dashing pirates and swashbuckling scoundrels wreak havoc on the high seas.
The series complements the popular exhibit Knights of the Black Flag, open through Jan. 3, 2010. This major exhibit explores the legacy of pirates, from ancient times to the present, through intriguing artifacts, legends and history that bring their ruthless adventures to life.
Mark your calendar for these movies filled with intrigue and action.
First Friday at the Movies: “The Black Pirate”
Friday, Aug. 7
7-9 p.m.
Watch Douglas Fairbanks Sr. at his swashbuckling best. Fairbanks plays a young nobleman who joins the pirate band responsible for his father’s death. This 1926 silent classic is filled with action, romance and special effects.
First Friday at the Movies: “Long John Silver”
Friday, Sept. 4
7-9 p.m.
In this 1954 Australian flick, the sly pirate Long John Silver schemes and double-crosses friend and foe alike while saving a young friend from walking the plank.
First Friday at the Movies: “The Pirate of the Black Hawk”
Friday, Oct. 2
7-9 p.m.
In this 1958 action-packed adventure, a dashing pirate and his loyal crew agree to rescue a duke’s daughter from evil pirates and restore her brother to his rightful throne.
For more information, call 919-807-7900 or access ncmuseumofhistory.org. The museum is located at 5 E. Edenton St., across from the State Capitol. Parking is available in the lot across Wilmington Street.
The N.C. Museum of History’s hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free. The museum is part of the Division of State History Museums, Office of Archives and History, an agency of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources. The department’s Web site is www.ncculture.com.