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The Smithsonian's new theater, which will be made possible as the result of a $5M gift from Warner Bros., will complement the museum's Entertainment collection, which includes these ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland as the character Dorothy in the classic film The Wizard of Oz. Image courtesy of The Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

Warner Bros. gives Smithsonian $5M for new theater

Catherine Saunders-Watson
Catherine Saunders-Watson
The Smithsonian's new theater, which will be made possible as the result of a $5M gift from Warner Bros., will complement the museum's Entertainment collection, which includes these ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland as the character Dorothy in the classic film The Wizard of Oz. Image courtesy of The Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
The Smithsonian’s new theater, which will be made possible as the result of a $5M gift from Warner Bros., will complement the museum’s Entertainment collection, which includes these ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland as the character Dorothy in the classic film The Wizard of Oz. Image courtesy of The Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

WASHINGTON (AP) – Warner Bros. Entertainment is donating $5 million to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History to create a new theater to present the history of American film.

The gift announced Wednesday will transform the 46-year-old Carmichael Auditorium into a movie theater with digital 3D projection. It will also show original 35 mm films. It will be renamed the Warner Bros. Theater when it reopens next year.

Museum spokeswoman Melinda Machado says the theater will offer free programs. It won’t be an IMAX theater like others on the National Mall because of the seating configuration.

The museum says the theater will complement its entertainment collection, which includes drawings for the first Mickey Mouse film, a camera used to film The Wizard of Oz and the ruby slippers worn by Dorothy in the movie.

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AP-WS-09-15-10 1132EDT