The fourth season of our Summer series of monthly screenings under the stars in Glendale’s Brand Park commences Saturday, June 28th with Walt Disney’s animated classic from 1941, Dumbo, paired with the Disney short The Wind in the Willows (1949). Subsequent screenings will include Out of the Past, My Man Godfrey and The Quiet Man. Scroll down for descriptions of each film.

These outdoor screenings will once again be presented on the expansive lawn of the historic Doctors House in Brand Park. Admission is free. Gates will open at 6:00 PM to allow time for picnicking and socializing before the program begins at dusk. Please bring blankets, lawn or beach chairs for seating, and plenty of water or soft drinks to stay hydrated.

The series is a presentation of Alex Film Society, The Glendale Historical Society, the Northwest Glendale Homeowner’s Association, G&C Properties and Brand Associates, with generous support provided by the City of Glendale’s Arts and Culture Commission and Community Services & Parks.

Dumbo on Saturday, June 27

The 2026 film series at the Doctors House opens with two Walt Disney classics:  Dumbo from 1941 and Wind in the Willows from 1949.  Winner of an Academy Award for its musical score, Dumbo has been selected for preservation by the Library of Congress.  The main character is Jumbo Jr., an elephant who is ridiculed for his oversized ears and mockingly nicknamed “Dumbo.”  His only friend, a mouse named Timothy, convinces him to fly, using his oversized ears as wings. Preceding the feature, Kenneth Grahame’s classic children’s novel becomes the animated Wind in the Willows.  This short subject is widely praised as one of Disney’s finest animation efforts from the era, featuring lush Technicolor backgrounds and expressive characters.  The impulsive Mr. Toad’s misadventures with motorcars, lead to his imprisonment and eventual rescue. Both Dumbo and Mr. Toads’ Wild Ride have remained popular theme park attractions.

Out of the Past on Saturday, July 25

Out of the Past (RKO, 1947) is considered one of the greatest films noir. Starring Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer and blazing hot newcomer Kirk Douglas, it is a darkly complex story featuring one of the screens classic femme fatales (Greer).  Critics credit her performance for the cult status of the film with many viewers unable to bring themselves to believe she is as bad as she is.  The screenplay, based on the novel Build My Gallows High, finds Mitchum’s character unable to escape his past ties to the gangster played by Kirk Douglas. Mitchum and director Jacques Tourneur were long-time RKO pros and the studio, famous for B-films during the 1940s pulled out all the stops and provided a lavish budget. 

My Man Godfrey on Saturday, August 29

My Man Godfrey (Universal 1936) is a delightful 1930’s screwball comedy.  Carole Lombard mistakes William Powell for a destitute hobo living in the city dump and offers him a job as the family butler. Powell and Lombard (at one time real man and wife), were stars at the peak of their popularity and are joined by a great ensemble cast featuring delicious performances by Gail Patrick, Eugene Palette and Alice Brady as the eccentric rich family who are forever changed by the simple decency of their servant. Directed by Gregory La Cava (Stage Door), the film would receive six Academy Award nominations and in 1999 be added to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

The Quiet Man on Saturday, September 26

John Ford’s love affair with Ireland gets a gorgeous Technicolor rendering in Republic Pictures 1952 production of The Quiet Man.  It would be the only film from that studio to ever receive an Academy Award Nomination for Best Picture. John Wayne is an American boxer returning to Ireland seeking the hand of a spirited Maureen O’Hara and encountering unfamiliar local customs.  Barry Fitzgerald and Victor McLaglen support the leads with lusty Irish bravado.  Boisterous, full of sentimental “blarney” and breathtaking scenery, it’s a feast for the eyes and ears due to Winton Hoch’s Oscar-winning cinematography, and Victor Young’s lush score.  Ford took home an Academy Award for Best Director.

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Directions to Brand Park and The Doctors House

In Northwest Glendale, follow Grandview Ave. up the hill and into the park. Grandview can be accessed from San Fernando Rd., W. Glenoaks Blvd. and Kenneth Rd. Once in the park, follow the signs to the Doctors House or Brand Motorway. Note that vehicular access ends at the red barrier shown on the map below.