UNLV will host a weekend of events this September to launch its First Annual Entertainer/Artist Hall of Fame. The first honoree, inducted posthumously, will be George Sidney, Las Vegas resident and legendary director of such great films as "Anchors Aweigh," "Show Boat," "Kiss Me Kate," "Viva Las Vegas," and "Annie Get Your Gun."
The Entertainer/Artist Hall of Fame at UNLV has been founded to honor residents of Southern Nevada who have made a significant impact on the arts, including visual and performing arts and architecture.
"We are honored to recognize three-time Academy Award winner George Sidney as the first inductee into the Entertainer/Artist Hall of Fame," said UNLV president Carol Harter. "He was a great friend to the UNLV College of Fine Arts and frequently shared his experience, wisdom and advice with UNLV film students."
Born in Long Island City, New York on October 4, 1916, Sidney began his career in film at only 5-years-old playing opposite 1920s cowboy star Tom Mix in "The Littlest Cowboy." Throughout his long career, he worked with such Hollywood legends as Frank Sinatra, Clark Gable, Judy Garland, Spencer Tracy, Gene Kelly, Ava Gardner, Fred Astair and Lana Turner. Sidney passed away May 5, 2002 at the age of 85.
"Mr. Sidney's extraordinary film directing career and his unprecedented tenure as the president and founder of the Screen Director's Guild and its successor, Director's Guild of America, combined with his remarkable generosity with UNLV film students, created a tremendous positive impact on Southern Nevada and UNLV, in particular," said Jeffrey Koep, dean of the College of Fine Arts. "It is our privilege to honor the memory of George Sidney for his contributions to film and to the education of young minds in the community."
The weekend will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, September 12 with a special black tie event, made possible by the generosity of Ms. Renate Schiff, at the home of Mrs. Corinne Sidney, widow of the late director. Expected in attendance are several celebrities who had close ties to Sidney and are current supporters of UNLV.
The official awards ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 13 in Artemus Ham Hall. The evening includes a live performance from the musical "Annie Get Your Gun" and celebrity speakers who will share their memories of Sidney.
Following the ceremony, a George Sidney Film Festival will commence and run through Monday, September 15 inside Artemus Ham Hall. Four Sidney films will be shown in rotation. These films will be "Pal Joey," "Annie Get Your Gun," "Viva Las Vegas," and "Show Boat."
In addition, an exhibition of previously unseen photographs taken by Sidney, an avid photographer, will be featured in the Donna Beam Fine Art Gallery September 15 - October 4. Personalities such as Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Elvis Presley, Ann-Margret and many others are captured through Sidney's discriminating lens. These candid Hollywood photos portray the people with whom Sidney worked on a daily basis and will be publicly displayed for the very first time. Currently, the Smithsonian Institute is negotiating with Corinne Sidney to acquire the collection for the museum.
Tickets to the Friday, September 12 black tie event are $500 per person. For more information on these tickets, call 895-4292. Tickets to the Saturday, September 13 awards ceremony are $25 general admission, $10 for students and can be purchased by calling 895-ARTS (2787). Anyone who purchases tickets for the awards ceremony will receive free admittance to the film festival. Tickets for the film festival only will be $5 per person and also can be purchased by calling 895-ARTS (2787). The photography exhibit in the Donna Beam Fine Art Gallery is free and open to the public. No cameras will be allowed inside the gallery during the photo exhibition.
