In honor of Ray Bradbury’s 90th Birthday, a free showing of Something Wicked This Way Comes will be presented in the Community Room on August 19 at 8:00 p.m.  The film program will open with the presentation of a Proclamation declaring Ray’s 90thBirthday, August 22nd, as “Ray Bradbury Day in South Pasadena.”

The 1983 film by Walt Disney Productions stars Jason Robards, Jonathan Pryce, and Diane Ladd. The screenplay was written by Ray Bradbury and adapted from his novel of the same name. The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films gave the film two Saturn Awards in 1984 for Best Fantasy Film as well as Best Screenplay. The 95 minute PG-13 rated film is considered Disney’s darkest and may not be appropriate for small children.

The film will be introduced by Mary Menzel of the California Center for the Book. The plot concerns Will and Jim, two young small town boys, who hear about a strange traveling carnival.   Even when the carnival rolls into town at midnight, it seems to be just another road show, until the massive enterprise is set up in only a few minutes. Before long the carnival and its ominous leader Mr. Dark are manifesting forces of darkness. Along with his collection of freaks and oddities Mr. Dark plans to take control of the town until confronted by the two boys, their friends, and Will’s father, the town’s Librarian.

Ray Douglas Bradbury’s 90th Birthday is cause for celebration and many events are being scheduled around Los Angeles County and beyond. The widely acclaimed novelist, short story writer, essayist, playwright, and screenwriter was born in 1920. Bradbury graduated from Los Angeles High School in 1938 and until 1942 he sold newspapers on the street while continuing his education with days at the typewriter and nights at the public library. His reputation as a writer of genius was established with such works as The MartianChronicles, Dandelion Wine, Fahrenheit 451, The Illustrated Man, and many others. He has published more than 30 books and 600 short stories and has been hailed since the 1970s as the “Greatest Living Science Fiction Author.” Many consider him “The Greatest Living American Author.” In 2004 he was awarded the Medal of Arts Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2007 the Pulitzer Board specially recognized him for his life achievements.

Through the years Bradbury has maintained a special relationship with South Pasadena. Many theatrical productions of Bradbury works have been presented to enthusiastic audiences at the Fremont Center Theatre in South Pasadena. In 2008 his Author Night appearance for the South Pasadena Public Library drew more than 600.  During the event he was accorded special recognition by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, then- California State Librarian Susan Hildreth, and many other dignitaries.

The Community Room is located at 1115 El Centro Street. No tickets or reservations are necessary.  A giant Bradbury 90th Birthday cake will be served as part of the refreshments. Other surprises are in the works. The program is presented by the South Pasadena Public Library and the Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library with financial support from of The Helix Foundation.