Behind the Scenes: Rich, Young, and Pretty

Thursday 7 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Step back in time and be transported to Paris through a large-scale scenic backdrop displayed inside the historic Legation house. Karen Maness will introduce audiences to the history of Hollywood backdrop painting and share artistic techniques featured throughout the Painted Dreams & Western Horizons series.

Fall film series promotional image featuring outdoor movie on the lawn at the French Legation State Historic Site in downtown Austin, TX

Rich, Young, and Pretty - Movie Screening

Thursday 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Step onto the historic grounds of the French Legation for our outdoor film series "Painted Dreams & Western Horizons." This fall movie series invites audiences to experience films that traverse continents, artistic traditions, and eras of storytelling. On October 15, enjoy Rich, Young, and Pretty, a story about a Texas rancher-turned-diplomat visits Paris with his daughter Elizabeth and the comedy that ensues!

Behind the Scenes: The Wizard of Oz

Saturday 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Follow the yellow brick road to the French Legation for an engaging look at the artistry behind one of Hollywood's most beloved films. Karen Maness will discuss the scenic artists, designers, and craftspeople whose work helped create the magic of MGM's The Wizard of Oz. Guests will enjoy rare behind-the-scenes images and historical materials in advance of the October 22nd screening.

Promotional image of group of people watching film on the lawn of the French Legation's giant movie screen in downtown Austin with promo image of the Wizard of Oz and event details. Photograph by Mary Margaret Kennedy.

The Wizard of Oz - Movie Screening

Thursday 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Step onto the historic grounds of the French Legation for our outdoor film series "Painted Dreams & Western Horizons." This fall movie series invites audiences to experience films that traverse continents, artistic traditions, and eras of storytelling. On October 22, enjoy The Wizard of Oz, MGM’s classic about Young Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto!

Behind the Scenes: An American in Paris

Saturday 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Explore the work of French scenic artist Ben Carré, whose influence can be seen throughout early Hollywood filmmaking and productions such as An American in Paris. Karen Maness will discuss Carré's artistic legacy and present a live painting demonstration.

An American in Paris fall film series movie poster for French Legation featuring groups of people, family, and friends enjoying the gardens and grounds in downtown Austin for an outdoor movie viewing of An American Paris this fall. People hanging out on the grounds in a greenspace outdoors with movie event info in text.

An American in Paris - Movie Screening

Thursday 7 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.

Step onto the historic grounds of the French Legation for our outdoor film series "Painted Dreams & Western Horizons." This fall movie series invites audiences to experience films that traverse continents, artistic traditions, and eras of storytelling. On October 29, enjoy An American in Paris: three friends struggle to find work in Paris. Things become more complicated when two of them fall in love with the same woman.

George Washington crossing the Delaware painting super imposed in front of the French Legation State Historic Site with text saying "Coming to the front porch November 1st" The Zahir Productions staged reading of The American Revolution by Kirk Wood Bromley

Staged reading of "The American Revolution" by Kirk Wood Bromley

Sunday 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

The Zahir presents The American Revolution, a verse play by Kirk Wood Bromley, that follows General George Washington on his quest to defeat the British Empire and secure independence.

Movie poster advertising a film screening for the movie Giant. Background is people hanging out at a green space watching a movie with their friends and family on picnic blankets in downtown Austin.

Giant - Movie Screening

Thursday 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Step onto the historic grounds of the French Legation for our outdoor film series "Painted Dreams & Western Horizons." This fall movie series invites audiences to experience films that traverse continents, artistic traditions, and eras of storytelling. On November 5, enjoy Giant, THE sprawling epic covering the life of a Texas cattle rancher and his family and associates!

Movie poster advertising a film screening for the movie True Grit. Background is people hanging out at a green space with lots of trees watching a movie with their friends and family on picnic blankets in a museum in downtown Austin.

True Grit - Movie Screening

Thursday 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Step onto the historic grounds of the French Legation for our outdoor film series "Painted Dreams & Western Horizons." This fall movie series invites audiences to experience films that traverse continents, artistic traditions, and eras of storytelling. On November 12, enjoy True Grit: a stubborn teenager enlists the help of a tough U.S. Marshal to track down her father's murderer.

Movie poster of film screening of Marie Antoinette by Sofia Coppola. The background shows people enjoying the grounds with their friends and family on picnic blankets while watching a movie in a historical site near downtown Austin.

Marie Antoinette - Movie Screening

Thursday 7 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.

Step onto the historic grounds of the French Legation for our outdoor film series "Painted Dreams & Western Horizons." This fall movie series invites audiences to experience films that traverse continents, artistic traditions, and eras of storytelling. On November 19, enjoy Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette: the retelling of France's iconic but ill-fated queen, Marie Antoinette.