FREMONT—Fifty years ago, U.S. Sen. John Kennedy was running for president, it cost as little as a quarter to see stars like Elizabeth Taylor or Jerry Lewis light up Goldsboro’s Paramount movie theatre, and the Gov. Charles B. Aycock Birthplace State Historic Site opened to the public.
As part of the upcoming golden anniversary celebration, on Sunday, Oct. 18, Aycock Birthplace State Historic Site will present Oscar nominee “Anatomy of a Murder” starring James Stewart and George C. Scott. This free screening will be at 3 p.m. in the Ida H. Williams Auditorium.
“Anatomy of a Murder” opened in 1959 and tells the story of Upper Michigan housewife Laura Manion (Lee Remick) returning home to tell her husband she has been raped. Lt. Manion (Ben Gazzara) kills the rapist and then claims crime of passion as a defense; at least that’s his story. Attorney Paul Biegler (James Stewart) agrees to defend him and must unravel a case in which the motivations of the murderer, his wife and the victim are all in question.
“Anatomy of a Murder” was nominated for seven Oscars including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Soundtrack and two Best Supporting Actor nominations. This movie has a star-studded cast including George C. Scott. It was directed by Otto Preminger, with the sound track by Duke Ellington.
Shot on location at the site of the murder on which it was based, the movie was considered ground-breaking in its language and discussion of violence, in direct violation of the Hays Code that has governed film-making since1930. It was voted the sixth best “trial movie” by the American Bar Association and is still being used by law professors as a teaching tool for defense in a criminal court.
This film series and other programs at Aycock Birthplace will lead up to the 150th anniversary celebration of Gov. Aycock’s birth, which is planned for November. For more information on this presentation, call (919) 242-5581 or e-mail aycock@ncdcr.gov.
The state historic site’s mission is to preserve and interpret the birthplace and history of Charles B. Aycock, emphasizing his contributions to public education in North Carolina. It is located at 264 Gov. Aycock Road, Fremont, NC 27830.
To reach the site, take U.S. 117 north nine miles from Goldsboro or U.S. 117 south 14 miles from Wilson. Turn right (from Goldsboro) or left (from Wilson) on Gov. Aycock Road. The site is 1-1/2 miles on the right. From I-95 take the U.S. 301 exit at Kenly. Take N.C. 222 east for 10 miles to Fremont and turn right on U.S. 117. Go two miles and turn left on Gov. Aycock Road.
Administered by the Division of State Historic Sites, Aycock Birthplace is part of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, the state agency dedicated to the promotion and protection of North Carolina’s arts, history and culture. Join the Cultural Resources 2009 theme observance of “Treasure N.C. Culture.” For more information, visit www.ncculture.com.