New York City’s Film Forum announced “Film Forum Jr.,” a new Sunday matinee series of classic films for kids and their families beginning on Jan. 6. The series will run for 13 Sundays through March 31, and all tickets will be $7.00.

Programmed by Bruce Goldstein, Film Forum's director of repertory programming, Film Forum Jr. will introduce children (ages five and above) and teenagers to silent and sound classics, as well as modern gems. All movies will be shown in 35mm prints or DCP format (no Blu-rays and no DVDs). Silent films will feature live piano accompaniment by Steve Sterner.



Karen Cooper, director of Film Forum, notes that while many New York City venues present children's programming, Film Forum Jr. will distinguish itself by focusing on the classics. Cooper notes: "Bruce has presented family programming for years—especially the great silent comedians Chaplin, Keaton and Harold Lloyd, who consistently draw moviegoers of all ages. Young children recently enjoyed a screening of Lloyd's Speedy, laughing even harder than their parents.”

The series will include silent and sound comedies (Keaton's Sherlock Jr., Chaplin's The Circus, the Marx Brothers in Horse Feathers), great movie musicals (Singin' in the Rain, Easter Parade), hand-drawn cel animation (Max Fleischer's Betty Boop and John Hubley's Gerald McBoing-Boing), stop-motion puppet animation (Ray Harryhausen's Jason and the Argonauts), 1950s-style 3D (Creature from the Black Lagoon), and even foreign classics (The Red Balloon and Ozu's I Was Born But...). Most programs will include shorts, contests and other surprises.



Film Forum Jr. will kick off with the 1956 French classic The Red Balloon, presented in the miracle of "Balloon-O-Rama."