Two opposable Thumbs Up

Leave it to an Englishman to make ocean voyages to Tahiti and Tierra del Fuego all about scholarship rather than sunshine. Charles Darwin went pretty much everywhere except the United States (despite his fascination with American politics and people), advancing his theory of evolution without doing much for his pallor. (Leave it to an American — a Kansan or two, say — to dispute Darwinism.) Publishers have already marked this bicentennial of Darwin's birth with a couple of much-discussed new books, but you can celebrate by going to the Linda Hall Library (5109 Cherry) for a free screening at 1 p.m. of Inherit the Wind, the 1960 film adaptation of the hugely entertaining play about the Scopes monkey trial. Agnostic Spencer Tracy faces off against God-fearing Fredric March for the right to teach primate lineage; God endures a slight setback. The Darwin at the Movies series continues the next two Saturdays and includes the classic 1970 Joan Crawford embarrassment Trog, which doesn't help Darwin's case much. Call 816-363-4600 for information.
Sat., April 11, 1-3:30 p.m.; Sat., April 18, 1-3:30 p.m.; Sat., April 25, 1-3:30 p.m., 2009