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The Lawrence Film Club is inviting the community to a free, outdoor screening of “Beetlejuice” in Oak Hill Cemetery.
The historic 40-acre cemetery was created in 1865 to serve as the final resting place for the victims of Quantrill’s Raid. I wondered how the hosts got permission from the city and how they were going to pull this off.
Leah Youngren had the creative spark behind the idea, and Kalie McAlexander is a local film buff who partnered with Youngren.
Youngren heard about other cities showing films in cemeteries — “Why not Lawrence?” she said.
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She started the process in July, completing a five-page application from the city’s Parks, Recreation and Culture Department. She got the go-ahead in September.
She said her family loves all things creepy, and horror movies and the cemetery seemed like a perfect combo.
I posed the concern that some people might think it is disrespectful to gather to watch a movie in the cemetery.
Youngren said she thinks Oak Hill is a beautiful space in town, and we should utilize it.
“Historically, cemeteries have been public, green spaces for people to enjoy and to visit,” Youngren said. “Obviously, we want to be respectful. We won’t leave any trash, we are going to make sure everything looks exactly how it was when we came … I think these guys wouldn’t mind having some visitors once in a while.”
McAlexander chimed in: “That’s why we chose ‘Beetlejuice,’ because it’s a movie about a recently deceased couple and people are moving in on their space in a disrespectful way. The ending is harmonious; they are going to figure out how to live together with the undead. It was the most respectful movie choice we could make.”
Youngren said the movie has a great message.
“So many conversations we have about death are scary or sad, and having the screening in a cemetery makes you sit with it in a different light,” she said.
The free, family-friendly screening is set for 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 at Oak Hill Cemetery, 1605 Oak Hill Ave. It will be northeast of the 1917 mausoleum, at the north side roundabout.
This outdoor screening will be similar to those held at the Lawrence Public Library. McAlexander said the blow-up screen is about 15 feet wide. The hosts suggest bringing your own blankets or chairs.
Hopefully this will be a successful first run and there will be more screenings at Oak Hill.
A few housekeeping issues from Youngren: She encourages people to carpool or walk. The roads in the park are very narrow. There will be directional signs. Please be respectful of the grounds and pick up after yourself.
If the weather gets tricky, be sure to check out the Lawrence Film Club’s Instagram page, @lawrencefilmclub.
As Michael Keaton’s character Betelgeuse says, “It’s showtime.”
About the writer
Tom Harper is a Realtor at Stephens Real Estate helping people in Lawrence and Douglas County buy and sell real estate. He is the founder of Lawrence Modern, a group whose mission is to raise awareness of midcentury and modern architecture. You will find him posting frequently on Instagram under @lawrencemodern, sharing his daily observations of his favorite place on earth: Lawrence, Kansas. Read more of Tom’s writing for The Lawrence Times here.
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Tom Harper/Contributed PhotoTom Harper: It’s showtime – ‘Beetlejuice’ screening coming up at Lawrence’s Oak Hill Cemetery (Column)
