You Must Remember This

This weekend, the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian is dedicating its new Warner Bros. Theater. The studio donated $5 million to renovate the museum's old Carmichael Auditorium into a modern theater with 3D-projection capability. According to museum spokeswoman Melinda Machado, the new theater gives the Smithsonian its first space dedicated to film history, and it will show everything from silent films to first-run movies. The museum is also in early talks with the American Film Institute to develop a daily film screening.

The dedication festivities start off with a Humphrey Bogart festival, with Friday night's showing of Casablanca and a Q&A following with Stephen Bogart, son of Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. Saturday features the classic adaptation of Dashiell Hammett's novel, The Maltese Falcon, with NPR film commentator Murray Horwitz leading a pre-screening discussion highlighting historical tidbits and things to look and listen for in this classic Hollywood movie. On Sunday, the three-day affair winds down with The Big Sleep, the Howard Hawks directed film version of Raymond Chandler's first novel.

Along with the grand opening of the Warner Bros. Theater, the museum will have a display showcasing 20 feet of Hollywood memorabilia, including costumes worn by Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall and Clint Eastwood along with Harry Potter's robe. Visitors will also see objects representing Warner Bros. Studio history such as Jack Warner's silver telephone and Bugs Bunny animation drawings.