AUBURN — Primetime classic movies continue at the Auburn Public Library with two feature films. The library will show the 1963 musical comedy “Bye Bye Birdie” at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9. Then on Tuesday, Aug. 23, also at 2 p.m., the 1944 classic cinematic chiller, “Arsenic and Old Lace,” will be shown.

“Bye Bye Birdie,” starring Dick Van Dyke, was inspired by the phenomenon of singer Elvis Presley and his being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1957. Presley himself was the first choice for the role of Birdie but his manager refused to let Presley take the part.

The classic “Arsenic and Old Lace,” released in 1944, stars Cary Grant and was directed by Frank Capra. Originally, Bob Hope, Jack Benny and Ronald Reagan had all been approached to play the lead role.  In the film, Mortimer Bruster is a newspaperman who discovers that his two maiden aunts have a wicked hobby.  

Admission to each show is 50 cents and includes popcorn and drinks. Both showings will take place in the Androscoggin Community Room.