Film Screening Stands Up For Wounded Vets

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By Justin Swanson | LB Indy

 

A screening of a 1947 film about returning WWII vets takes place next Thursday, preceding Memorial Day.
A screening of a 1947 film about returning WWII vets takes place next Thursday, preceding Memorial Day.

The Laguna Beach Film Society’s invites the public to attend a special screening of the Oscar-winning movie “The Best Years of Our Lives,” on Thursday, May 23, in recognition of Memorial Day, which falls the following Monday.

Actor Michael Hall, who played the son of one of the film’s protagonists, is slated to attend the film screening and speak at a 6 p.m. pre-film reception at the Laguna Art Museum.

A portion of the proceeds garnered through ticket sales are to be donated the Camp Pendleton branch of the Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit organization that helps veterans with missing limbs adjust to civilian life.

“They rehabilitate the veterans both physically and mentally,” said Arnie Silverman, of Laguna Niguel, commander of the Laguna area Veterans of Foreign Wars post, who . had the idea to donate to the WWP. He is a Korean war veteran.

“It will boost the morale of maimed soldiers and let them know their sacrifice is appreciated,” said another key player in rounding up the veteran turnout, Laguna resident Frank Daniel, a member of VFW and the American Legion.

He hopes participation by veterans might attract new members among film-goers. Recruiting younger soldiers to join local vets groups isn’t easy, Daniel said.

Film Society chair George Weiss made 70 tickets available to the veterans groups to raise funds for the WWP through their sale.

“The Best Years of Our Lives” (1946) won seven Academy Awards, including best picture. It is the tale of three men who return home after fighting in WWII.

The film will air at 7 p.m. at South Coast Cinema, 162 S. Coast Highway. Presale tickets are $8 at lagunaartmuseum.org/lbfs, $10 at the door, and $5 for students.

The pre-film reception at 6 p.m. will be held at the Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Dr. The reception, which includes wine and appetizers, and the movie together call for a ticket of $20.

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