SZNS MAG

The Paramount Theatre in downtown Austin on Feb. 17. (Photo by Anna Deardorff/SZNS MAG)

The Paramount Theatre will honor Texas-born director Robert Rodriguez with a star on Stars Avenue in Austin tomorrow, May 25, at 5 p.m. The ceremony will kick off Paramount Theatre’s Summer Classic Film Series. Rodriguez’s ceremony will make him the seventh individual to receive their star on Stars Avenue. These stars are visible outside the theater’s box office and are dedicated to “Texas artists who have made incredible contributions to Austin culture through the city’s historic theatres,” according to the Paramount Theatre website.

“What a tremendous honor to be receiving from the Paramount Theatre,” Rodriguez said on Facebook in January when the ceremony for his star was announced. “I’ve had my best movie experiences there. The audience is always incredible, making movies feel like rock concerts. I am humbled by the recognition and thrilled to be so officially associated with my favorite theatre in the world in such an incredible, grand way.”

Rodriguez was born in San Antonio in 1968 and attended The University of Texas at Austin as a student in the Radio-Television-Film program. His first feature film, “El Mariachi,” was made for $7,000 and led to mainstream success. He collaborated with Quentin Tarantino on “From Dusk Till Dawn,” created the “Spy Kids” and “Machete” franchises and co-directed the “Sin City” duology with original comic creator Frank Miller.

Rodriguez’s star ceremony is part of the larger Summer Classic Film Series, created by the Paramount Theatre in 1975 and continuing for its 50th anniversary this year. Tonight, “Casablanca” will screen at 7:00 p.m., while “Top Hat” screens at 9:45 p.m., recreating the series’ first lineup. 

Saturday will feature a 7:30 p.m. showing of Rodriguez and Miller’s “Sin City” in honor of Rodriguez’s ceremony. Following the screening, Rodriguez and “Sin City” star Alexis Bledel will take part in a Q&A session with fans and audience members. 

The film series will continue throughout the summer, showcasing several classic films. Different film themes have been announced, including “Robert Rodriguez Presents,” a collection of the director’s suggested films. These include “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” on June 23, “Terminator 2” on July 13, “First Blood” on July 21, a double feature of “Romancing the Stone” and “Three Amigos” followed by “Like Water for Chocolate” on Aug. 11 and “What’s Up Doc?” on Sept. 1, which will close out the summer series. Rodriguez previously helped program the series in 2022 and 2023, according to Spectrum News.

“Star Wars: A New Hope” will feature the day after Rodriguez is honored, screening May 26 at 3:00 p.m. “Young Frankenstein” and “The Godfather Part II” will be shown the following week. Several major films, including “American Psycho,” “Superman II,” “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” “The Color Purple,” “A Clockwork Orange,” “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” “Blade Runner” and more will be available to audiences from May to September.

General admission for each screening is $15, while film club members pay $11. Tickets are $9 for children under 12 attending family screenings. Additionally, a $90 package of 10 tickets ($75 for film club members), valid for any screening during the summer, is also available.

For more information on featured films and ticketing, read more at the Paramount Theatre’s website.

Note: This post has been updated with the times of Rodriguez’s star ceremony and the showing of “Sin City.”

What films are you interested in? Would you like SZNS to review any of these classics? Keep reading SZNSMAG.com for more Texas film news and updates.