President Obama to Introduce Screening of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ at White House - the Hollywood Reporter
He also will introduce the film, which is marking its 50th anniversary, when it airs April 7 on USA Network.
President Obama will introduce a screening of To Kill a Mockingbird, marking the movie’s 50th anniversary, at the White House Family Theater on Thursday. Children from Washington, D.C. area schools have been invited to attend.
Also on hand will be Mary Badham, who portrays Scout in the film; Veronique Peck, whose late husband Gregory Peck starred in the film as attorney Atticus Finch; Howard Stringer, chairman of the AFI board of trustees; Ron Meyer, president and COO of Universal Studios; and Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO; and Arne Duncan, the U.S. Secretary of Education.
Obama also will introduce a primetime broadcast of the film on the USA Network on April 7.
“I’m deeply honored that President Obama will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of To Kill a Mockingbird,” Harper Lee, who wrote the novel on which the book is based, said.”I believe it remains the best translation of a book to film ever made, and I’m proud to know that Gregory Peck’s portrayal of Atticus Finch lives on - in a world that needs him now more than ever.”