Coca Cola Children’s Penny Cinema
For reservations call: (773) 947-0600 x 225
*Please note all films are subject to change & every adult must be accompanied by a child.
A film series which shares the rich historical experiences of people of African descent with a younger audience. Each child will receive a free book after each film’s screening! All films begin at 10:30am and admission is only one penny. Reservations are required.The Children’s Penny Cinema Series is made possible through the generous support of the Coca-Cola Company.
July 2 – Double Feature!
Appropriate for Pre-School thru 3rd Grade
Afro Classic: Dance of the Animals (28 min)
An exciting African Tale of competitive spirit. The King of “Jungle of Boogie” is challenged to a dance contest to see who the greatest dancer is of all time. Dazzling dance routines, songs, and chants performed by rod puppets.
Aesop’s Fables (30 min)
Bill Cosby plays the master storyteller Aesop in this imaginative, freewheeling program that combines live action and animation. The program’s featured story is the classic tale of The Tortoise and the Hare.
July 3
Appropriate for grades 4 & up
In his Fathers shoes (105 min)
Clay Crosby never had the chance to know his late father very well and it created a void in his life. At 15, he finds a pair of shoes, tries them on, and suddenly finds himself whisked back to the days when his father was a teen. When he takes the shoes off, he returns to his own time. Each time he travels backward, Clay draws more insight into his father’s personality and life, things that help the boy deal more effectively with his own life and family.
July 9
Appropriate for Pre-School thru 3rd Grade
Happily Ever After: Robinita Hood (30 min)
HBO presents this magical, animated musical special that puts a feminist spin on one of the world’s most famous fairy tales. With the help of her faithful band of Merry Chicas, Robinita Hood (Rosie Perez) saves her village from the evil Sherriff de Jamon (Rick Najera) in this salsa-fied adaptation of the classic adventure tale.
July 10
Appropriate for grades 4 & up
The Runaway (98 min)
This live-action Hallmark Hall of Fame production is based on the book by Terry Kay. Dean Cain, Maya Angelou, Cody Newton and Duane McLaughlin star is this moving story about the friendship between a black boy and a white boy in rural Georgia in the 1940s. Luke Winter (Newton) and Joshua “Sonny” Monroe (McClaughlin) set out on a youthful adventure and end up uncovering the identity of the killer of three local black men.
July 16 – Triple Feature!
Appropriate for Pre-School thru 3rd Grade
Anansi Goes Fishing (11 min)
In Eric A. Kimmel’s story, illustrated by Janet Stevens, the spider Anansi accepts Turtle’s invitation for a fishing trip, with the belief Turtle will do all the work. Anansi quickly learns otherwise, in the process discovering how to fish and build nets.
The Magic Lion (7 min)
Set in the country of Kenya, a boy goes on a quest to save the life of his grandfather who is very sick. The boy sets out in search of a mysterious village of healers who make special medicines. But on the way, the boy encounters a strange lion, caught in a trap that takes him on an adventure.
Buddy T’s Little Theater (22 min)
In his first adventure, the enterprising Buddy T tempts his talented friends to join his little theater group with the promise of prizes. But his friends receive so much more when they perform as their favorite African American heroes.
July 17
Appropriate for all ages
Taking Care of Terrific (58 min)
An imaginative teenager, her boyfriend, and a sheltered little boy team up with a street musician to plan a joyous evening for several bag ladies living in the local park. However, their well-intentioned efforts get them in trouble. Featuring Melvin Van Peebles as the street musician.
July 23
Appropriate for all ages
You Must Remember This (90 min)
A budding basketball star discovers that her beloved great-uncle, now a barber, was one of the early great black film directors in the late ‘40s. She helps him to accept his past and, in the process, unearths a rich cultural legacy. Starring Robert Guillaume, Tim Reid, Vonetta McGee, Tyra Ferrell, Vonte Sweet.
July 24
Appropriate for all ages
Tall Tales & Legends: John Henry (54 min)
Danny Glover wields a hammer to play the quintessential hero of American folk legend: John Henry, the steel-driving man. With Tom Hulce as Quinn, the Irish indentured servant who tells the tale of the larger-than-life figure: “the night John Henry was born, lightning bolts shaped like nine-pound hammers filled the sky”.
July 30
Appropriate for Pre-School thru 3rd Grade
Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad! (30 min)
Known as “the Moses of her people,” Harriet Tubman (born Araminta Ross) freed over 300 slaves in 17 different missions to the North. Her selflessness and disregard for personal safety—along with her deep faith in God—enabled her to aid the escape of enslaved family members and many others. Throughout her life, Harriet Tubman served as an African-American abolitionist, an intelligence gatherer during the Civil War, a refugee organizer, a raid leader, nurse, lumberjack, cook, and fundraiser.
July 31
Appropriate for grades 7 & up
George Washington Carver: The Peanut Man (30 min)
Our story begins when Drey Carter has been arrested for drugs. In fact, he’s also been abusing alcohol and cheating on his girlfriend. However, just for today, he’ll have one last chance to do what’s right. Over one hundred years ago, Dr. George Washington Carver was also faced with a life-changing choice. On his way to becoming rich and famous, Dr. Carver was asked by Booker T. Washington to give it all up for some people he didn’t even know. The reasons for what he decided upon and why he did are many things that can inspire us, even today! In a world ripped apart by school violence and drug abuse, Dr. Carver’s simple message to today’s youth stands as a lighthouse in the fog. “Do what’s right… no matter what the cost.”
August 6
Appropriate for Pre-School thru 3rd Grade
Tales from the Land of Gullah for Kids (44 min)
Entertaining and interactive nursery rhymes, fables and fairy tales performed by Gullah Storyteller Anita Singleton-Prather. Prather returns as her most beloved character, Aunt Pearlie-Sue in this fun and educational program designed for kids. She takes popular nursery rhymes and fables and infuses them with the folktales of her people in Beaufort, South Carolina. Joined by 50 children, together they sing and dance while learning Gullah culture
August 7
Appropriate for grades 7 & up
Brother Future (116 min)
T.J. is a streetwise teenager who thinks only of himself. He puts little value in education and often skips out on his high school classes. While running from the police, he’s hit by a car and wakes as a slave on a 1820s plantation. He quickly learns the value of education and the freedom he once took for granted. Only by learning to put others’ needs before his own can he get back home.
August 13
Appropriate for all ages
Thugaboo Sneaker Madness (45 min)
The Wayans Brothers the first family of comedy introduces Thugaboo, a kid’s animated film. Join D-Roc, DJ, Soo Young and the rest of the Thugaboo Crew as they learn the importance of self-esteem and are taught that no matter what you do, just be you!
August 14
Appropriate for all ages
The Mighty Pawns (58 min)
Guided by a tough principal, a caring teacher and a firm mother who enforces the rules, the Mighty Pawns learn to make the right moves in life. When Mr. Grenowski comes to a struggling junior high, no one believes he can make a difference, especially when he tries to organize a group of rough, inner-city kids into a chess team. In spite of what others think, Mr. Grenowski teaches the “problem” kids in D class that through hard work and discipline, they can overcome the odds against them. The chess team earns a chance at the national title, but the opportunity is threatened when Frank’s poor decisions prevent him from competing. Facing the consequences of his choices, Frank realizes the importance of honesty and responsibility.
August 20
Appropriate for grades 7 & up
Getting Grown (74 min)
Twelve-year-old Eric’s mother, Rolanda, sends him to the pharmacy to pick up a desperately needed prescription for his ailing grandmother. He sets off with $22 and the insurance card stuffed in his sock. He has an hour and a half to return, but along the way he gets sidetracked by everyone he meets. This meaningful film, which realistically portrays obstacles in the day-to-day world of pre-teens, was originally inspired by Abbas Kiarostami’s Where Is the Friend’s Home, the story of a child’s journey through his village to return a notebook.
August 21
Appropriate for all ages
The Sky is Gray (46 min)
James, the boy in question, has a raging toothache that necessitates a trip to the dentist. His mother (played by Emmy-winner Olivia Cole), accompanies James to town on an eye opening odyssey where the boy gains valuable insights into poverty, racism-and his own sense of pride. This multi-award winning film explores a child’s discovery that the world is a complicated place…where things are never truly black or white…only shades of gray.
Mark Your Calendar Now for Winter Films!
December 26
Appropriate for all ages
Kwanzaa Kwest (42 min)
A group of school children get a homework assignment on the last day of school before the Winter break. They have to do a report on some strange holiday called Kwanzaa. They are not at all pleased by all of this because they feel it will interfere with their time off from school. As two of the children are working on their Kwanzaa report, they fall asleep and each shares the same amazing dream. They see themselves and their classmates answering questions about Kwanzaa, performing songs about the Kwanzaa principles and explaining the meaning of the Kwanzaa symbols.
December 29 – Double Feature!
Appropriate for all ages
Santa Baby (60 min)
Songwriter Noel is struggling to write a hit song, and so he takes his frustrations out on his family. His daughter Dakota is granted one wish for doing a good deed and she wishes that her father will write a hit song. Additionally, there is a sub-plot about kindness to animals. Features the voices of Patti LaBelle, Gregory Hines, Eartha Kitt and Vanessa Williams.
The Celebration of Kwanzaa: Echoes of Africa (25 min)
Celebrating the African-American holiday of Kwanzaa, giving thanks for first fruits and rekindling important principles for seven days.
December 30
Appropriate for all ages
Night B4 Christmas (70 min)
An elf named Elvin, who harbors dreams of being a pop star, takes his girlfriend, Jell-O, a gnome, and a dog named Pup and sets out to make a name for himself. He hits a bump in the road in the form of a greedy producer, but decides that he has a higher purpose when he hears that Christmas has been endangered by Santa catching a virus. Elvin and his crew then set out for the North Pole in order to save the holiday.
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