Centennial Film Fest

Glacier National Park is world-renowned for its scenic grandeur and bevy of wildlife. Those sweeping vistas and stunning beauty have beckoned Hollywood producers on numerous occasions for movies ranging from classic Westerns to thrillers.

Here's a recap of some of the most well-known films with Glacier as a backdrop:

* "Cattle Queen of Montana," starring Barbara Stanwyck and Ronald Reagan, was filmed in 1954. It is the story of Sierra Nevada Jones, whose family's Montana claim is raided by Indians in league with neighbor McCord. Jones must fight for her land against villains and legal technicalities, and gain the help of McCord's hired gun, Farrell.

* "Heaven's Gate,"  based on events in 1890s Wyoming, was filmed at Two Medicine, the North Fork of the Flathead River, East and West Glacier and numerous sites in Kalispell in 1980, starring Kris Kristofferson as Sheriff James Averill and Christopher Walken as Nathan Champion. As Averill attempts to protect immigrant farmers from wealthy cattlemen, he butts heads with Champion over the woman they both love, Ella Watson, played by Isabelle Huppert.

* "The River Wild" is a tale of adventure filmed on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River  and in Glacier National Park, as well as other locations. The 1994 film stars Meryl Streep as Gail Hartman, an expert rafters forced by two armed robbers to carry them downriver to meet their accomplices.

* One of the best-known horror films of all time, Stanley Kubrick's 1980 film "The Shining," stars Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall. Jack Torrance, his wife Wendy and son Danny become winter caretakers of an isolated hotel. While Danny sees disturbing visions of the hotel's past using a telepathic sense known as "the shining," Jack slips into insanity.

* "Beethoven's Second" is the story of a St. Bernard named Beethoven, his doggy girlfriend Missy and their puppies, filmed in 1993. Missy's evil owner Regina wants to sell the dog as a bargaining chip in her divorce. Beethoven's family, the Newtons, rescue the puppies. Beethoven and his furry girlfriend seek to be reunited. Many scenes were filmed at Apgar.

* "All the Young Men," filmed in 1960, is a story of the Korean War. A lieutenant killed in battle places the Marine platoon's sergeant, who's black, in charge. Sgt. Eddie Towler, played by Sidney Poitier, counts on trouble from a private with more combat experience and a racist Southerner who won't take orders from a black man.

* In the 1998 movie "What Dreams May Come," Chris Nielsen, played by Robin Williams, dies and finds himself in a heaven more amazing than he could have dreamed of. The only thing missing is his wife, Annie, played by Annabella Sciorra, who went to hell after killing herself. Chris risks eternity in heaven to bring his wife to heaven. Cuba Gooding Jr. also stars in this film. Two Medicine Lake and surrounding area were used during filming, along with a location in Browning.

This summer, the park will be featured in a number of films as part of the Centennial Film Festival, which began March 18 with a showing of "The River Wild," and ends Sept. 22 at Blackfeet Community College where the film "Days of the Blackfeet" will be shown.

Kass Hardy, Glacier centennial coordinator, said the idea for a film festival was generated at a public listening session in 2008.

"Thirty-plus films were shot in the park," Hardy said. "It's been a really neat festival so far and we're really looking forward to the upcoming films."

One hundred percent of the proceeds from the showings will benefit Glacier National Park's Legacy Projects, which include a variety of restoration, preservation and education projects throughout the park

Hardy said she is most excited about the Glacier Archive Collection, which will be shown July 8 at Lake McDonald Lodge Auditorium. The collection includes home videos made in the park during the 1920s, '30s and '40s.

The following is a list of the festival films and their locations. A film festival pass costs $40. Tickets purchased at the door cost $10, and for seniors and children under 10, $8. Tickets available at all Montana Coffee Traders locations. All shows begin at 7 p.m., unless otherwise advertised.

* Thursday, May 13 -- "Heaven's Gate," Whitefish Mountain Mall CInema

* Thursday, June 10 -- "Red Skies of Montana," Columbia Falls High School

* Thursday, July 8 -- Glacier Archive Collection, Lake McDonald Lodge Auditorium (tickets also available at the Glacier Association)

* Thursday, Aug. 12 -- "Cattle Queen of Montana," St. Mary Visitor Center (tickets also available at the Glacier Association)

* Wednesday, Sept. 22 -- "Days of the Blackfeet," Blackfeet Community College

Visit www.glaciercentennial.org for more information.