'Scout' Actress To Speak At WKU As Part Of 'Big Read' Events

February 03, 2009

Bowling Green, Ky. - Actress Mary Badham, who played the character “Scout” in the 1962 film “To Kill a Mockingbird” with Gregory Peck, will speak at Western Kentucky University’s Kentucky Library & Museum at 7 p.m. Tuesday (Feb. 10) in connection with the Southern Kentucky Book Fest Big Read program.

The Big Read Southern Kentucky is focusing on the classic book “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. Ms. Badham’s appearance is the first of three special celebrity and author appearances for The Big Read taking place in Bowling Green and the surrounding area. Ms. Badham’s appearance will be moderated by WBKO anchor Gene Birk and is free and open to the public.

Ms. Badham was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her work in the movie and was the youngest person ever nominated at that time. She is also the younger sister of film director John Badham who directed the movies “Saturday Night Fever” and “War Games” among others. As an added attraction the film “To Kill a Mockingbird” that Ms. Badham starred in will be shown at 4:30 p.m. at the Kentucky Library & Museum prior to her appearance.

The Big Read is a program of The National Endowment for the Humanities and awards grants to give communities the opportunity to come together to read, discuss, and celebrate one of 23 selections from American and world literature. Bowling Green Attorney Jennifer L. Brinkley is the local matching sponsor for the program which has given away 1,000 copies of “To Kill a Mockingbird” to students and community members over the last several weeks.

SOKY Book Fest is a partnership project of WKU Libraries, Warren County Public Library, and Barnes and Noble booksellers. For information about all of the local Big Read events visit www.bgonebook.org or contact Tracy Harkins at (270) 745-5016.
               
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For information, contact Tracy Harkins at (270) 745-5016.