Calling All Cinephiles: Enjoy Western Classics and Dreamlike Visions at the French Legation

Do you and your friends enjoy a wide range of movies—from cowboy classics to contemporary cinema? Have you and your family recently discovered a newfound appreciation for “The Wizard of Oz?” If so, grab your picnic blanket and join us on the historic grounds of the French Legation State Historic Site for “Painted Dreams and Western Horizons,” an outdoor film series celebrating the enduring magic of cinema under the Texas sky.

Rooted in the Legation's legacy of hosting Cinema East, a beloved tradition of communal open-air screenings, this thoughtfully curated program invites audiences to experience films that traverse continents, artistic traditions, and eras of storytelling. Whether you're drawn to classic Hollywood, international cinema, or the timeless pleasure of watching a film outdoors, this series offers a memorable and interactive experience for all. 

From the romantic elegance of postwar Paris to the vast sweep of the American frontier, “Painted Dreams and Western Horizons” explores the ways cinema has long blended illusion, artistry, and place. 

Actors Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron performing a ballet duet against a stylized French backdrop in the MGM film An American in Paris (1951).
Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron in An American in Paris (MGM,1951)

Complementing the screenings, artist and author Karen Maness will share expertise from her book “The Art of the Hollywood Backdrop” in a dynamic speaker series (details below). Her presentations reveal how painted backdrops, many influenced by European, including French, artistic traditions, helped shape some of Hollywood's most iconic visual worlds. Through her lens, you will discover how illusionistic scenery connects Golden Age musicals, Technicolor fantasies, and contemporary Westerns through a shared lineage of fine art and cinematic craftsmanship.

Whether you're passionate about film history, fascinated by the art of moviemaking, or simply looking for a unique evening under the sunset, we invite you to join us for this special series. Explore the schedule below for ticket access, upcoming screenings, and speaker events. Adult tickets are only $5, and children 17 and under get in free with a paid adult ticket. Children must be accompanied by adults. We look forward to welcoming you to the French Legation for a season of cinematic discovery. 

Film Series Schedule and Tickets

Book cover of “The Art of the Hollywood Backdrop” by Richard M. Isackes and Karen L. Maness. A black-and-white image features actors Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint fleeing across a giant painted backdrop of Mount Rushmore.
“The Art of the Hollywood Backdrop” by Richard M. Isackes and Karen L. Maness

Speaker Series Schedule

Behind the Scenes: Rich, Young, and Pretty
October 15, 2026 | 7-7:30 p.m.

Behind the Scenes: The Wizard of Oz
October 17, 2026 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Behind the Scenes: An American in Paris
October 24, 2026 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Special promotional support is provided by Alliance Française d'Austin and the Texas Film Commission.