The Smithsonian In the Movies

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Transfomers: Revenge of the Fallen

(2009)

In this sequel to the blockbuster film Transformers, the Autobots (good robots) once again fight the Decepticons (bad robots) in a battle for the universe.

1. Filmed at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

2. The National Air and Space Museum's Steven Udvar-Hazy Center's SR-71 Blackbird will be featured in the film as the Autobot named Jetfire

Main Actors: Shia LeBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Rainn Wilson,
John Turturro

Director: Michael Bay

Distribution Company: Di Bonaventura Pictures, DreamWorks,
Paramount

Run Time: 157 minutes

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Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

(2009)

In this sequel to the Night at the Museum, Security Guard Larry Daley heads to Washington, D.C., to find artifacts and exhibit pieces from his museum that were accidentally sent to the Smithsonian Institution.

1. First time “Smithsonian” allowed in the title of a feature film

2. Filmed scenes at the Smithsonian Castle, National Museum of Natural History, and National Air and Space Museum

3. The film uses artifacts, exhibits and notable items exhibited in Smithsonian museums

Main Actors: Ben Stiller, Jonah Hill, Owen Wilson, Amy Adams, Dick Van Dyke, Robin Williams, Hank Azaria

Director: Shawn Levy

Distribution Company: 1492 Pictures

Run Time: TBA

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National Treasure

National Treasure

(2004)

As legend has it, in the years of the American Revolution members of the Freemasons hid the world’s greatest treasure for its own protection and for years the Gates family has spent their lives searching for this treasure. After listening to these stories his whole life, Ben Gates believes he has the knowledge to follow the clues to find the treasure. With the help of an archivist and computer whiz, Gates must find the artifacts before treasure hunters find the treasure to sell to the highest bidder.

1. Ben Gates donates some of the artifacts to the Smithsonian with this line:

"Divide it amongst the Smithsonian,
the Louvre, the Cairo museum..."

Main Actors: Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Sean Bean, Jon Voight and Harvey Keitel

Director: John Tuteltaub

Distribution Company: Walt Disney Pictures

Run Time: 131 minutes

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Script

Get Smart

Get Smart

(2008)

Secret Agent Maxwell Smart, CONTROL Agent 86, is sent on his first assignment as a field operative to stop the terrorist group KAOS. Alongside Max is his more skilled and experienced partner Agent 99.

1. Several shot sequences of the exterior of the Smithsonian

2. Interior shot of Max walking through the Rotunda of National Museum of Natural History

3. Headquarters of CONTROL (a secret government agency) is located inside the
National Museum of Natural History

Main Actors: Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, Alan Arkin, Dwayne “The
Rock” Johnson

Director: Peter Segal

Distribution Company: Warner Brothers

Run Time: 101 minutes

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First Monday in October

First Monday in October

(1981)

Film about two Supreme Court Justices' relationship, Dan Snow the liberal and the ultra conservative Ruth Loomis who happens to be the first female justice appointed to the Supreme Court.

1. Filmed outside the Arts and Industries Building and Castle

2. The Rotunda of the Arts and Industries building was turned into a movie set

Main Actors: Walter Matthau, Jill Clayburgh, Barnard Hughes

Director: Ronald Neame

Distribution Company: Paramount Pictures

Run Time: 108 minutes

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Image of the Crew filming at the Smithsonian

Atlantis: The Lost Empire

Atlantis: The Lost Empire

(2001)

An animated film about a young historian named Milo Thatch and his quest to find the lost city of Atlantis. Thatch, a historian working in the boiler room of a museum, believes he has the key to find Atlantis. When he is contacted by his grandfather’s old friend Preston B. Whitmore, Thatch finds himself a member of an expedition team to find Atlantis. The crew sets off on a journey to find the lost city, but once it is found the real adventure begins.

1. The opening scene shows Milo's museum which is a drawing of the Smithsonian Castle Building

Main Actors: Michael J. Fox, James Garner, Claudia Christian, John Mahoney, Leonard Nimoy

Director: Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise

Distribution Company: Walt Disney Productions

Run Time: 95 minutes

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Smithsonian Scene

The Rescuers

The Rescuers

(1977)

An animated film about two heroic mice. Miss Bianca and Bernard are members of the Rescue Aid Society, a secret organization of mice that helps anyone in need. The two mice set out on an adventure when they receive a note from Penny, an orphaned girl who has been kidnapped by the evil Madame Medusa. With the help of their friends, Miss Bianca and Bernard bravely take on the assignment to save Penny and stop Madame Medusa from stealing the world's largest diamond.

1. At the end of the film, the diamond is sent to the Smithsonian "Institute" (many films make this mistake by using the word Institute instead of Institution)

Main Actors: Bob Newhart, Eva Gabor, Geraldine Page

Director: John Lounsbery and Wolfgang Reitherman

Distribution Company: Walt Disney Productions

Run Time: 78 minutes

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Smithsonian Scene

Silence of the Lambs

Silence of the Lambs

(1991)

Academy Award winning film in which FBI Agent Clarice Starling investigates the gruesome crimes of a serial killer known as Buffalo Bill. In order to save a Congresswoman's daughter, Starling enlists the help of the psychotic, yet genius Hannibal Lector, a professor turned serial killer known for eating his victims.

1. The movie was not filmed at the Smithsonian but some scenes were set at the
Smithsonian

2. A Smithsonian entomologist identifies the moth found in the victims

Main Actors: Jodie Foster, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn

Director: Jonathan Demme

Distribution Company: Orion Pictures Corporation

Run Time: 118 minutes

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Chances Are

Chances Are

(1989)

Corrine Jefferies loses her husband on their first anniversary. Years later a young man, Alex Finch, befriends her daughter. As Alex becomes acquainted with the family he starts to have flashes of his past life. He soon discovers that he is in fact Corrine's husband reincarnated.

1. Corrine Jefferies (played by Cybill Shepherd) is a museum curator in charge of
the First Ladies Collection at the National Museum of American History

2. Several scenes with the First Ladies Collection

3. Several shot sequences of the exterior of the Smithsonian Castle and Enid Haupt
Garden

Main Actors: Cybill Shepherd, Robert Downey Jr., Mary Stuart
Masterson, Ryan O’Neal

Director: Emile Ardolino

Distribution Company: TriStar Pictures

Run Time: 108 minutes

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Smithsonian Scene: Enid Haupt Garden

Earth vs. The Flying Saucers

Earth vs. The Flying Saucers

(1956)

Kitschy B Sci Fi movie from the 1950s, where married scientists working on missiles help save the Earth from kamikaze Flying
Saucers. The film was released one year before the launch of Sputnik.

1. Filmed Scenes featuring the Smithsonian Castle

2. Flying Saucers fly through the towers of the Smithsonian Castle in the trailer

Main Actors: Hugh Marlowe, Joan Taylor

Director: Fred F. Sears

Distribution Company: Clover Productions

Run Time: 83 minutes

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The Day the Earth Stood Still

This is America Charlie Brown: The Smithsonian and the Presidency

This is America Charlie Brown: The Smithsonian and the Presidency

(1989)

The Peanuts gang visits the Smithsonian to learn about George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The gang visits the National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of Natural History, and the National Museum of American History. Originally aired on CBS in 1989 as part of an eight part mini series.

1. Smithsonian allowed in the title of the TV program

2. Main characters visit several Smithsonian museums and see many of the Smithsonian's famous artifacts

Main Actors: Erin Chase, Erica Gayle

Director: Bill Melendez and Sam Jaimes

Distribution Company: Paramount

Run Time: 25 minutes

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Smithsonian Scenes