Film Club screens 1941 comedy classic

The Historic Film Club screens the 1941 classic comedy “Ball of Fire,” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, at the Northwest Montana History Museum in Kalispell.

A modern-day telling of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," “Ball of Fire” was so well-received in 1941 that the plot was recycled by the same director just seven years later into the Danny Kaye musical “A Song is Born.” Screenwriter Billy Wilder was heavily involved in the film’s production and considered it a "test run" for his later film “Some Like it Hot,” starring Marilyn Monroe.

Eight of the most intelligent professors in New York City have been holed up in an apartment for years in an attempt to create an encyclopedia of all human knowledge. What’s missing? The sort of common vernacular that is outside of academia. So Professor Bertram Potts (Gary Cooper) ventures out to look for a test subject to study, and Katherine "Sugarpuss" O'Shea (Barbara Stanwyck) provides — and then some.

To address COVID-19, precautions are being taken at the museum. All public fixtures (hand rails, door knobs, bathrooms, interactive exhibits) are regularly, repeatedly sanitized daily. As per the governor's mandate, face masks will be required when social distancing isn’t possible. Seats in the Swanburg Classroom are spaced 6 feet apart and there will unfortunately be no free popcorn provided until further notice.

There’s no charge for the film; donations will be accepted to help defray the cost of showing the films. Wine, beer, pop and water will be for sale. Seating is provided, but film fans can bring their own floor pillows, portable chairs, or whatever is comfortable for viewing the film.

The Northwest Montana History Museum is located at 124 Second Ave. E. Call 406-756-8381 for more information.