Films Starring Travolta, Ford, Jimmy Stewart And Others Coming To Fly-In Theater

Hollywood blockbusters, new aviation films and stirring documentaries will be part of this year's Fly-In Theater at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, presented by Ford Motor Company and Eclipse Aviation, which features movies nightly on July 27 through August 2. The 56th annual EAA fly-in convention takes place July 28-August 3 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

Among the presenters at this year's films are movie icons Harrison Ford (shown below, center) and John Travolta (bottom), World War II B-17 veterans and other aviation personalities. Ford will be introducing the classic "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" on Wednesday evening, July 30, while Travolta will introduce his film "Broken Arrow" on Friday evening, August 1.

Each evening's presentation at the Fly-In Theater begins at 8:30 pm, weather permitting. The feature films are shown on a screen five stories tall and are free of charge to all EAA AirVenture attendees. Even popcorn is included! Guests should bring a blanket or lawn chair for seating at the natural amphitheater, located adjacent to EAA's Camp Scholler.

"Thanks to Ford and Eclipse, we began the Fly-In Theater two years ago and discovered it was a superb way to finish a full day of flight - with an aviation movie under the stars at Oshkosh," said Tom Poberezny, EAA president and AirVenture chairman. "We are bringing even more great aviation films to the event this year, many based on suggestions from EAA AirVenture visitors."

Among the films confirmed for the Fly-In Theater are:

• Sunday, July 27: "The Memphis Belle: The Story of a Flying Fortress" (1944), and "The Flight of Gossamer Condor" (1978), a pair of documentaries featuring unforgettable aircraft. Introduced by Academy Award-winning producer Ben Shedd, who produced the Gossamer Condor film.
• Monday, July 28: "Flyboys" (2006), starring James Franco, Jean Reno and David Ellison. Ellison will introduce this film and talk about his own flying experiences.
• Tuesday, July 29: "Speed & Angels" (2008), a drama that follows two young F-14 pilots through U.S. Navy aviation training. Introduced by the film's producer, Paco Chierici, and one of the featured actors, Jay Consalvi.
• Wednesday, July 30: "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" (1984), starring Harrison Ford, Kate Capshaw and Dan Aykroyd. Introduced by Ford, who also serves as chairman of EAA's Young Eagles program.
• Thursday, July 31: "Strategic Air Command" (1955), starring Jimmy Stewart, June Allyson and Frank Lovejoy. Presented by Bill Lowe, pilot, air show announcer and journalist. 
• Friday, August 1: "Broken Arrow" (1996), starring John Travolta, Christian Slater and Howie Long. Introduced by Travolta, actor and pilot.
• Saturday, August 2: "Memphis Belle" (1990), starring Matthew Modine, Eric Stoltz and Harry Connick Jr. Introduced by World War II B-17 veterans.

The Fly-In Theater is located next to EAA AirVenture's Camp Scholler, at the north end of Doolittle Drive directly behind the Camp Store.

FMI: www.airventure.org