FREE MOVIE NIGHT: Don Knotts in 'The Ghost and Mr. Chicken'

 “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken,” a 1966 film starring Don Knotts will be shown during the next installment of Free Movie Night.

The 90-minute comedy was Knotts’ first film after leaving the Andy Griffith Show. Several actors from the series played similar characters in “Chicken.” For example, Hal Smith, known for his portrayal of Otis Campbell who would check himself in at the Mayberry jail after getting a “snoot-full” plays the town drunk in “Chicken.”

Knotts plays Luther Heggs – who wants to be a reporter for his small town newspaper, the Rachel Courier Express. He gets his big break when the editor asks him to spend the night at the Simmons mansion that, 20 years before, was the site of a now famous murder-suicide, according to www.imdb.com. He solves the mystery, gets the girl and a measure of respect.

The movie will be shown at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20 at Hodgenville Civic Center. There is no admission charge. Free popcorn and drinks are available.

An encore matinee will be shown at 2 p.m. on the following Sunday for residents of Sunrise Manor Nursing Home.

Free Movie Night is sponsored by the City of Hodgenville and The LaRue County Herald News.

Future movies are:

n Pieces of April – This 2003 movie stars Katie Holmes and Oliver Platt. It revolves around a dysfunctional family during the Thanksgiving holiday. It’s rated PG-13 and runs 80 minutes. It will be shown 7 p.m. Nov. 17.

n Joyful Noise – This 2012 movie stars Dolly Parton, Keke Palmer and Queen Latifah. It’s the story of a small town choir out to win a national competition. Lots of music, comedy and drama, according to www.imdb.com.

It runs 118 minutes and is rated PG-13.

It will be shown 7 p.m. Dec. 29.