Series

Saturday Matinee Classics

The films in the Saturday Matinee Classics series offer a brief introduction to classic Hollywood cinema programmed with a unique theme each semester.

Fall 2025 | Three Cheers for 100 Years

Why celebrate just one centennial when you can celebrate six? Featuring actors Paul Newman, Dick Van Dyke, Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, Peter Sellers, and Sammy Davis Jr., Three Cheers for 100 Years is a euphoric tribute to the enduring legacies these prolific men, all born in 1925, have left on our cinematic and cultural consciences.

With his searing blue eyes and magnetic acting, Paul Newman helped redefine onscreen masculinity into something more vulnerable yet exceedingly cool while also using his stardom to establish a philanthropic empire. Whether tripping over an ottoman on one of the best TV sitcoms of all time or dancing with animated penguins in a Disney masterpiece, living legend Dick Van Dyke imbues his rubber-faced comedian persona with a loose-limbed grace and heartfelt warmth that continues to make new audiences fall in love with him to this day. An unexpected combination of soulful and silly, Jack Lemmon proved himself to be breathtakingly adept at both comedy and drama with performances that can shatter your funny bone or your heart with their rich honesty. The underrated Tony Curtis subverted his matinee-idol looks to take on a multitude of genres with immense charm and ferocity. Known for his chameleonic work as wildly disparate characters—sometimes within the same film—Peter Sellers has influenced everyone from Eddie Murphy to Robin Williams to Conan O’Brien with his side-splitting yet humanistic comedic brilliance. A true triple threat, Sammy Davis Jr. overcame horrific racism throughout his career to become one of the essential entertainers of the 20th century with his stunning vocals, compelling acting, and beautiful dancing.

Including films that run the gamut from a cozy caper classic, a swingin’ spoof starring the Rat Pack, a rom-com with an unusual twist, and a groundbreaking, rules-defying comedy, Three Cheers for 100 Years takes the cake when it comes to spotlighting the talents of some of Hollywood’s most illustrious actors.