PORT ANGELES — A free screening of “The Boys of ’36” is planned tonight.
“As the countdown to the Olympic Games continues and excitement grows, the Olympic Peninsula Rowing Association will host a pre-screening of ‘The Boys of ’36,’ a new one-hour PBS documentary inspired by Daniel James Brown’s critically acclaimed nonfiction book The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics,” said John Halberg, Port Angeles Business Association member and president of the Port Angeles-based Olympic Peninsula Rowing Association.
The documentary will be shown at 7 p.m. at the Port Angeles Senior & Community Center, 328 E. Seventh St.
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.
“A full house is anticipated,” Halberg said.
The Port Angeles screening is four days before “The Boys of ’36” premieres on the PBS program “American Experience” at 9 p.m. Tuesday on KCTS-TV (channel 9).
The true story of the American Olympic rowing team that triumphed against all odds in Nazi Germany, The Boys in the Boat has been on The New York Times best-seller list for 95 weeks.
The PBS show airs in conjunction with the Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and the 80th anniversary of the miracle crew’s triumph.
One of the Olympic gold medalist rowers was Joe Rantz, who grew up in Sequim.
An exhibit celebrating Rantz and his teammates is on display at the Sequim Museum & Arts Center, 175 W. Cedar St.
“Rantz met his wife, Joyce [Simdars], in Sequim. Joe’s daughter, Judy Rantz Willman, is one of the adult children featured in the interviews in this movie,” Halberg said.
“The Olympic Peninsula Rowing Association has the proud distinction of having Judy serve on their board of directors, and she is planning to be on hand to help introduce this special pre-screening,” he added.
“We are excited to present this program to our community. Joe Rantz was my hero when I was rowing at the University of Washington, and I know those who attend this premiere showing won’t be disappointed.”