If there was ever a movie that defined the history of Fort Smith, it was True Grit, the 1969 classic that earned John Wayne an Oscar award, and brought singer Glen Campbell to national prominence. Now, to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of this gem, movie theaters nationwide are screening the old classic.
As you probably know, the focus of the movie is centered around Mattie Ross, who travels to Fort Smith after her father is murdered. The young lady hires Rooster Cogburn (John Wayne) to bring the main suspect in the killing in to be hanged in Judge Parker’s court.
The movie was filmed in Colorado, but despite the presence of snow capped mountains in the background, continues to talk all about the colorful history of our community, and even mentions “Dardanelle in Yell County” more than once.
The movie will be shown at 1:00 PM on Sunday May 5th and also at 7:00 PM on Wednesday May 8th in the Malco Fort Smith Cinema. Other showings will take place in Fayetteville and Broken Arrow.