HONORING A LEGEND

Egyptian Theatre Foundation presents ‘100 Years of Film’ at Peery’s Egyptian Theater, a momentous occasion made possible by its founder Van Summerill, who died Sunday.

NEWS

Van Summerill working at Peery’s Egyptian Theater in his youth. Image provided by Egyptian Theatre Foundation

Ogden, Utah — The Egyptian Theatre Foundation (ETF) will host 100 Years of Film on Thursday inside Ogden’s iconic Peery’s Egyptian Theater, as members honor the legacy of their founder Van Summerill, who died Sunday, March 17, at age 81. The revered 1920s movie palace is still standing due to Summerill’s 12-year campaign to save the theater from demolition in 1985.

By 1997 Ogden’s Egyptian theater was restored, writes Cathy McKitrick last week in an article for Standard-Examiner. Summerill spent his childhood watching movies inside the Egyptian theater in Ogden, and his adult life ensuring its survival.

“Van started his career with Peery's Egyptian Theatre as a ticket taker when he was a teenager in the 1950s … Over the decades he worked tirelessly to preserve and protect Peery's Egyptian Theatre and was a driving force towards its restoration. Van was a great advocate for theaters, and a historian until the very end. Our community is at a great loss,” ETF stated on their social media pages.

Image provided by Peery’s Egyptian Theater

Celebratory events for the 100th anniversary of Peery’s Egyptian Theater are planned throughout the year. Summerill, who had endured Parkinson’s Disease for years, was able to attend the kick-off in January featuring a concert with Marie Osmond. The next, 100 Years of Film presented by ETF featuring a documentary about the theater, a discussion panel, and the Laurel & Hardy silent film Liberty will continue as planned on Thursday.

HONORING VAN SUMMERILL

A service commemorating Summerill’s life will be held on Monday, March 25, at Peery’s Egyptian Theater, 2415 Washington Boulevard, at 7 p.m. (doors at 6:30).

100 YEARS OF FILM

The Egyptian Theatre Foundation presents Peery’s Egyptian Theater 100 Years of Film, along with Visit Ogden, the Utah Film Commission, and Weber State University’s Film Studies Program.

A documentary premiere will be History of Peery’s Egyptian Theater and History of Film In Ogden, followed by a panel discussion moderated by the Director of the Utah Film Commission, Virginia Pearce.

Panelists will include:

James V.D’Arc, Ph.D. – Author of “When Hollywood Came to Utah.”

Andrea Baltazar, MFA – Film Studies Program Director, Weber State University

Holly Andrew – Local Historian

Dave Park – Curator of the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ

The silent film, Laurel & Hardy's "Liberty," accompanied by Mike Ohman on the Mighty Wurlitzer, will follow the panel discussion.

Reception with Hors d’oeuvres is from 6:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.

The event starts at 7:30 p.m.

Event admission plus reception is $35. Admission only is $15/$10 students with ID. Visit ogdenpet.com/events for tickets and more information.