If they were named, the thinking went, the free weekend flicks would draw paying moviegoers away from “The Hulk” or whatever fine summer fare was raking in the bucks at the moment. Hollywood just couldn’t handle that, of course, and the ultimate losers would be the Arnada and Hough neighborhood associations, which hatched the idea and rented the films. Their rental rates would go up if the word got out.

No longer. According to organizer Seanette Corkill, film distributor Swank Motion Pictures was persuaded to make its policy a little more humane in the wake of the proliferation of outdoor summer oldies festivals these days.

All the Uptown Movie Nights organizers had to do was call the local movie house, Regal Cinemas, and make sure Regal wasn’t planning to run anything the festival was going to show. If the coast was clear, the titles could be publicized.

“I don’t know if it’s a policy clarification or Swank just decided to chill out,” Corkill said.

However it occurred, here’s the first Columbian story in seven years to contain the names of the films, along with dates and quick synopses. All are rated PG:

— July 19: “Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow.” Giant flying robots.

— July 26: “Clash of the Titans.” Zeus, Andromeda and the Greek god gang.

— Aug. 2: “Fly Away Home.” A 14-year-old adopts orphaned geese.

— Aug. 9: “The Goonies.” Pirates, crooks, caverns and kids on a quest to save the neighborhood.

All movies are shown on the side of the LSW Architects building at the corner of West 23rd and Main streets in Vancouver’s Uptown Village area. Bring blankets and lawn chairs.

Popcorn, candy and soda are $1 each. Raffles and live music start at 7:30 p.m. The movies start at approximately 8:30 p.m. Visit
www.uptownmovies.com.