The Southampton Playhouse presents the first annual Gary Cooper Festival, featuring Cooper’s iconic performances in “The Pride of the Yankees” (1942), “Ball of Fire” (1941), and “High Noon” (1952), from May 9 to 11.
The festival also will feature a conversation with Maria Cooper Janis, Gary Cooper’s daughter, accompanied by a signing of her book “Gary Cooper Off Camera: A Daughter Remembers,” and a post-screening book signing and talk with Richard Sandomir, author of “The Pride of the Yankees: Lou Gehrig, Gary Cooper, and the Making of a Classic.”
The actor spent summers with his family in Southampton and was often spotted at the Playhouse. After he died in 1961, he was laid to rest at the Basilica of the Sacred Hearts Cemetery in Southampton. In the years since then, his legacy has only grown more impactful, as individual films provide snapshots of American identity during pivotal moments of its existence.
“Cooper’s filmography provides a template not only for first-rate screen acting, but the enduring power of the movies themselves,” said Southampton Playhouse Artistic Director Eric Kohn. “Cinema is a portal to learn more about the world around us, and Gary Cooper’s rich filmography will provide us with an annual opportunity to benefit from the rich themes at the root of his work.”
The first annual Gary Cooper Festival takes place during the actor’s birthday week. It celebrates Cooper’s history in Southampton and the lasting value of his artistry.
For more information, a full schedule, and to buy tickets, visit southamptonplayhouse.com.