By Michael Butler

The American Film Institute ranked it as the fourth best movie ever, only behind “Citizen Cane,” “Casablanca” and “The Godfather.” “Gone with the Wind” claimed ten Academy Awards including Best Picture for 1939.

The American classic will be featured at the Mount Vernon Performing Arts Center this weekend with three showings.

It is possible it ran back when it was new. The local theater opened in 1935.

“I’m not sure,” said Mount Vernon owner Joey Wiginton. “I don’t know how many of the big hits they played.”

Bringing back some nostalgia is part of the allure of the classic theater which reopened in December. Wiginton said plans are to have a summer series that would include, “The Wizard of Oz,” which was also released in ’39. The theater featured a holiday series during the Christmas season that included films like “White Christmas and “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

“We want to continue these but bring in some more modern shows too. We don’t want to be just known as the movie theater with old movies. A lot of people just want to see movies on the big screen.”

Wiginton said choosing “Gone with the Wind” was by popular demand.

“This was asked for by some of the patrons. A lady named Charlotte is bringing a bunch of memorabilia. We’ll display it in the lobby. Some ladies will be dressing in those big gowns. Some of the men are coming in uniforms. It’s a fundraiser for the Talisi Historical Society.”

The movie will play at 12:00 and 5:00 on Saturday, April 5 and at 2:00 on Sunday, April 6 with brief intermissions within each showing.

“I’m thinking about grilling some hamburgers,” Wiginton added. “We have some hotdogs.”

Tickets are $12 each and will be available at the door.