Soundtracks of Cinema - The Girl Can’t Help It

Teen classic film club Austin Flick Clique (AFC) has announced its next three-month themed series, “Soundtracks of Cinema,” exploring the powerful role music plays in shaping the movies we love. From an inspirational orchestral score to the birth of rock and roll on the big screen and one of the most iconic themes in film history, the series looks at how filmmakers and composers use music to create emotion, establish character, build tension, and make movie moments unforgettable. The series will take place on three Monday evenings at Sekrit Theater. Each screening includes informative film notes and a brief introduction by AFC Founder and Programmer Hudson Purma (16), who provides historical context, behind-the-scenes stories, and insights into the filmmaking techniques that make each selection worth rediscovering. October 5 at 7:30 p.m. - Rocky II (1979)Sylvester Stallone returns as Rocky Balboa in a sequel powered by Bill Conti’s unforgettable score, demonstrating how music can transform training, struggle, and triumph into some of cinema’s most stirring moments. November 2 at 7:00 p.m. - The Girl Can’t Help It (1956)Jayne Mansfield stars in a colorful rock-and-roll comedy featuring performances by Little Richard, Fats Domino, Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, and more - a musical time capsule capturing rock and roll just as it was exploding into American popular culture. December 7 at 7:00 p.m. - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)Sergio Leone’s epic Western pairs unforgettable imagery with Ennio Morricone’s legendary score, creating one of the great director-composer collaborations in film history and a soundtrack that became nearly as famous as the movie itself. Now entering its third year and recent winner of an Austin Chronicle Best Of 2026 recognition, Austin Flick Clique hosts monthly classic film screenings designed to introduce teens and families - though all ages are welcome - to the excitement of classic cinema. Through themed series, film notes, introductions, and discussion, AFC encourages audiences to explore film history while discovering the storytelling, performances, techniques, and artists behind the movies. “People sometimes think of a movie’s music as something happening in the background, but the best scores and soundtracks completely change the way we experience a film,” said Hudson Purma (16), AFC Founder and Programmer. “These three movies use music in very different ways, which is what makes them so interesting to watch together. We hope people leave thinking a little more about what they’re hearing as well as what they’re seeing.” The series offers three distinct approaches to music in film. Bill Conti’s Rocky II score uses recurring themes to heighten emotion and help tell Rocky’s story. The Girl Can’t Help It puts popular music front and center, preserving performances by some of early rock and roll’s most important artists. And in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Morricone’s music becomes inseparable from Leone’s images, helping define the sound and style of the modern Western. Together, the films offer audiences an opportunity to listen to movies differently - and to experience three memorable examples of how music can become an essential part of cinematic storytelling. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs. Picnics welcome! Free refreshments and snacks! $5 per person; $10 per family More information about Austin Flick Clique can be found at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1DSiLhN6bw/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flickcliques/ Website: flickclique.org