WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Newseum, in partnership with American University's School of Communication, today announced that "His Girl Friday" and "Absence of Malice" will be the first two films in the 2009-2010 season of the movie and discussion series "Reel Journalism With Nick Clooney."

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"These two films are great additions to what has proven to be both an entertaining and inspiring series," said Ken Paulson, president of the Newseum. "The Newseum is pleased to partner with American University to present these prominent journalists and classic films."

This year's film series will begin Dec. 1, when Washington media couple Steve and Cokie Roberts join Clooney to discuss the romantic comedy "His Girl Friday" (1940). The movie stars Rosalind Russell and Cary Grant as Hildy Johnson and Walter Burns, journalists and former spouses, fated to chase after the story and one another.

Veteran broadcaster and author Cokie Roberts is an ABC News political commentator and senior news analyst for National Public Radio, where she covered Congress for more than 10 years. Steve Roberts is a national television and radio commentator who spent 25 years at The New York Times. The couple, married since 1966 and co-authors of "From This Day Forward," will share their thoughts on why "His Girl Friday" remains so popular after nearly seven decades.

The second screening in the series will take place on Jan. 12 with guest Brian Williams, anchor and managing editor of "NBC Nightly News," who will examine the Oscar-nominated newspaper drama "Absence of Malice" (1981). Directed by Sydney Pollack, "Absence of Malice" stars Sally Field as ambitious reporter Megan Carter and Paul Newman as wealthy businessman Michael Gallagher. Both are pulled into a federal investigation when an overzealous prosecutor uses Carter to explore Gallagher's life and ties to the Mafia.

Since joining NBC News in 1993, Williams has become one of the nation's best known television journalists, covering major breaking news and traveling extensively around the world. Williams also has written for The New York Times, Time magazine and the Los Angeles Times.

"Reel Journalism expresses the shared mission of American's School of Communication and the Newseum to use these great films to promote widespread discussion about the role of journalism in public affairs," said Larry Kirkman, dean of American University's School of Communication. "The stories we tell about journalists are significant and influential because they help set our expectations for journalism in our democracy, as a profession and as a public service."

Veteran journalist Nick Clooney, author of the book "The Movies That Changed Us: Reflections on the Screen," will again host the series. Clooney is American University's and the Newseum's distinguished journalist-in-residence and has hosted Reel Journalism programs with guests such as Bob Schieffer of CBS News, Washington Post television critic Tom Shales and Clooney's son, George Clooney, who discussed his film "Good Night, and Good Luck."

The 2009-2010 series will feature one film each month and will take place in the Newseum's state-of-the-art Walter and Leonore Annenberg Theater. The special evening events include screenings of each film and live discussions with prominent filmmakers, award-winning actors and top journalists.

Tickets for each film are available at the Newseum admission desk or online at newseum.org for $25. Upcoming films and guests will be on announced on the Newseum's Web site.

Film Schedule:

Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009, 7 p.m.:

"His Girl Friday" (1940)

Guests: Steve and Cokie Roberts

Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010, 7 p.m.:

"Absence of Malice" (1981)

Guest: Brian Williams

SOURCE Newseum

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