The Downtown Film Series will present Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, this season's second presentation of the Stars Under the Stars program, on Friday, July 8. A musical comedy in the tradition of Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968, Rated G) is a movie that the whole family will enjoy!

The always-entertaining Dick Van Dyke stars as Caractacus Potts, an eccentric inventor and widowed father of two children. Entered into the story is a wealthy woman named Truly Scrumptious who develops feelings for the inventor and his kids. The children soon take a liking to an old wrecked car that Potts manages to buy and restore to working condition, albeit with a certain “unique” sound from the engine. At a beach picnic with the kids and Truly, Potts tells them a story of suspense and adventure that involves the family, Truly, and an evil Baron with an airship and a castle.

Van Dyke turns in an impressive performance, particularly during the dance number where he is disguised as a marionette and appears to be controlled by strings. Musical numbers such as the Academy Award-nominated title song and “Me Ol' Bamboo” (which was cleverly parodied on an episode of Family Guy) are extremely catchy and likely to stay in your head well after the movie is over. Will the heroes prevail? Can Chitty Chitty Bang Bang really fly, or is it just part of an eccentric inventor's story?

If you missed your opportunity to place the winning bid on the recent auction of the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car, you can still bring your blankets or bag chairs this Friday, July 8, to the Downtown Crute Stage located on the corner of Main and Fourth Streets and see it in action on the silver screen. The show will begin at dusk, and in the event of rain, the film will be presented the following evening. Our final movie of the 2011 season will be True Grit starring John Wayne on August 12.

Parking is available on Main Street and in the municipal parking lot behind the court house. Admission is free, and popcorn, candy, and drinks will be available for purchase. For the comfort and safety of all, there is a “No Pets” policy.

This year's film series sponsors include: Central Virginia Regional Library, Putney Mechanical, Caryn's Bridals, and Crystal Image Photography. Donations were provided by Lib's Place and Pepsi. Special thanks also go to the Town of Farmville and The Farmville Herald.