7-Film Series Celebrates America’s National Pastime

The American traditions of baseball and film will be celebrated at the Summer Baseball Film Series at the ArtsQuest Center’s Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem, June 16-July 28. Tickets for the seven-film series are on sale now at artsquest.org and 610-332-3378. Series passes are $44 for ArtsQuest Members, $48 for seniors and students, and $60 for the public. Individual film tickets may also be purchased at $7.50 for ArtsQuest Members, $8 for seniors and students, and $10 for public.

The Summer Baseball Film Series kicks off June 16, 7:15 p.m., with Field of Dreams starring Kevin Costner, James Early Jones and Ray Liotta. The complete film lineup is

Field of Dreams (1989) Rated PG 107 min.

June 16, 7:15 p.m.

Starring Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta

Directed by Phil Alden Robinson

Field of Dreams was nominated for three Oscars in 1990 including Best Picture. The quote “If you build it, he will come” was voted as one of the Top 100 Movie Quotes of all time (It’s No. 39) by the American Film Institute, and AFI ranked it as No. 6 of the 10 greatest fantasy films of all time.

A League of Their Own (1992) Rated PG 128 min.

June 23, 7:15 p.m.

Starring Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Madonna, Lori Petty, Rosie O’Donnell

Directed by Penny Marshall

Set during World War II, when women’s baseball teams were fielded while men were away at war, this movie was selected by the U.S. Library of Congress in 2012 for preservation in the National Film Registry archives. The film’s line “There’s no crying in baseball” appears on the Top 100 Movie Quotes (It’s No. 54) of the American Film Institute.

Pride of the Yankees (1942) NR 128 min.

June 30, 7:15 p.m.

Starring Gary Cooper, Teresa Wright, Babe Ruth

Directed by Sam Wood

In Pride of the Yankees, Herman J. Mankiewicz serves up one of the most entertaining and inspiring baseball biopics. This film was nominated for 11 Academy Award in 1943, taking home the Oscar for Best Film Editing. The quote “Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth” was voted as the No. 38 movie quote of all time by the American Film Institute, which in 2008 also ranked the movie as the third-best sports film of all time.

Major League (1989) Rated R 107 min.

July 7, 7:15 p.m.

Starring Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, Corbin Bernsen, Wesley Snipes

Directed by David S. Ward

Representing the fictional comeback of the Cleveland Indians, this picture grossed nearly $50 million during its U.S release run.

Bang the Drum Slowly (1973) Rated PG 96 min.

July 14, 7:15 p.m.

Starring Michael Moriarty, Robert De Niro, Vincent Gardenia

Directed by John D. Hancock

Based on the 1956 baseball novel of the same name by Mark Harris, Bang the Drum Slowly tells the moving story of a pitcher and catcher who battle through a season while coping with the catcher’s terminal illness. Robert De Niro’s performance in this film brought him widespread acclaim, while popular character actor Danny Aiello made his feature film debut in the movie.

Bull Durham (1988) Rated R 107 min.

July 21, 7:15 p.m.

Starring Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins

Directed by Ron Shelton

Ranked as the fifth-best sports movie of all time by the American Film Institute in 2008, Bull Durham was nominated for an Oscar, with Susan Sarandon nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy/Musical.

The Natural (1984) Rated PG 134 min.

July 28, 7:15 p.m.

Starring Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, Glenn Close, Kim Basinger

Directed by Barry Levinson

This film, which elevated the art of slow-motion photography to new heights, was nominated for four Oscars including Best Supporting Actress (Glenn Close), Best Cinematography and Best Original Score (Randy Newman).