When Warren County Public Library began managing the Capitol in 2021, our programmers had grand plans for hosting large-scale library events in its auditorium while also providing opportunities for community gatherings and artistic performances. After freshening up a few areas, carving out places for a small library collection and long-wished-for used bookstore, and transforming upstairs rooms into staff space and a meeting room, the ball started rolling.
Since that time, the library has hosted an array of free, library-sponsored events, including author visits, character meet-and-greets, music shows, movies, and more. In addition, the Friends of the Library organization has established Capitol Books as an attractive, well-stocked, volunteer-run, used bookstore. At the same time, we’ve worked with local theater groups, producers, and promoters, who have brought to the stage talented musicians, actors, artists, bands, and comedians for ticketed performances.
Managing a historic space with multiple purposes has had its logistical challenges, but Magnolia Gramling, manager of the Capitol, has been completely up to the task and remains enthusiastic about the library’s presence downtown. “WCPL is so thrilled to be on Fountain Square and trusted with breathing life into this historic space. Creating a library branch out of a historic theater has been no small feat, but it continues to be a labor of love. The Capitol has helped us expand our mission for public education, archival research, and equitable entertainment in ways that were previously unimaginable.
“We couldn’t do it without a strong, supportive and thriving community in Warren County. Our community has loved and supported the Capitol for over a century, and we are so honored to continue its legacy while also creating memories of this beautiful space for the next generation to cherish,” finished Gramling.
In the spirit of the building’s original role as a movie theater, October will be a month during which filmgoers will be treated to an eclectic array of cinematic experiences. While our public performance rights don’t allow us to publish the titles, take a look at the variety of free offerings below (and go to capitolbg.org for a full list of titles). No tickets are required for any of the movies listed.
A Whole Day of Hitchcock – Sunday, October 1
Kick off the spooky season with a full day of the prolific director who thrilled us for six decades and made a lasting impact on the genre as well as cinema as a whole! Join us for all four films or come for your favorite.
•12pm – Two college friends commit a murder, then serve up clues about their deadly deed at a dinner party. Rated PG (1948)
•2pm – A New York magazine photographer is confined to his apartment after breaking his leg. He passes the time by spying on his neighbors from his window. Suspicious goings-on in one of the apartments lead him to believe that someone has been murdered. Rated PG (1954)
•4:30pm – A retired cop, afflicted with acrophobia, agrees to shadow the wife of an old acquaintance, who fears that she may be suicidal. Rated PG (1958)
•7pm – Thriller about a psychotic motel owner who obsesses over his late, controlling mother while becoming the prime suspect in a murder case involving one of his recent guests; a pretty secretary who checked into the Bates Motel… and never checked out. Rated R (1960)
Halloween Family Movie – Wednesday, October 11, 6pm
This animated tale follows the misadventures of three teens who believe that an old ramshackle dwelling in their neighborhood houses a man-eating entity that is feasting on the locals. Rated PG (2006)
Harvest Festival Monster Movie Marathon – Saturday, October 14, 11am to 5pm
To celebrate Downtown Bowling Green’s Harvest Festival, we will host a Universal Studios Monster Movie Marathon. Go out and enjoy everything the festival has to offer, then come into the theater for a break and a fright! These classics are short and fun for the whole family. Following the festival, we will screen a 1979 sci-fi thriller at 6pm in collaboration with the BG Horror Club. Afternoon movies are:
•11am – Bela Lugosi re-creates the stage role that made him famous as the Transylvanian vampire count in this horror classic. Rated TV-14 (1931)
•12:30pm – A scientist uses corpses to create a monster, who later incurs the wrath of the local villagers when he impulsively kills a little girl. Subsequently seeking out his creator, the creature flees with him to a nearby windmill. Rated TV-PG (1931)
•2pm – A devil cultist battles a doctor in a futuristic mansion atop the ruins of a World War I fort. Rated TV-PG (1934)
•3:30pm – The discovery of a half human in the Amazon sparks this horror yarn. Rated G (1954)
BG Horror Club Hosts: Sci-Fi Thriller – Saturday, October 14, 6pm
A mysterious transmission from a distant moon is picked up by a commercial spaceship. Investigating the call, the crew discovers a strange nest of eggs and, when one egg is disturbed, an alien form attaches itself to a crew member and makes for an unsettling journey home. Rated R (1979)
Daytime Fright – Wednesday, October 18, 2pm
A shy teenager, dominated by a religiously fanatic mother, suffers at the hands of high-school bullies, whose mean pranks rile the teen into discovering she has telekinetic powers, which she uses to take ultimate revenge at the prom in this Stephen King classic. Rated R (1976)
New Movie Night – Wednesday, October 18, 6pm
Bored of the quaint town of Woodsboro, the notorious serial killer Ghostface leaves his small-town stomping grounds behind, pursuing more ambitious conquests in New York City. Determined to overthrow his reign of terror once and for all, a cohort of familiar faces returns to seek justice for the bloodshed. The sixth installment in the horror franchise released this year. Rated R (2023)
Boos and Brews: Friday, October 20
Get ready to scream with laughter and raise your spirits at Boos and Brews! Join us at a thrilling double feature (first show at 6pm; second at 8pm) while sipping on delicious local craft beer from White Squirrel – it’s a spine-tingling night of cinematic delight that’ll leave you saying, “Cheers to the afterlife!” Boos and Brews is free and open to the public, no ticket required. Both films are Rated PG.
-submitted by Ashley Fowlkes, Digital Content Manager
