Ohio Goes to the Movies Grand Finale brings baseball to the big screen Oct. 14 at historic Strand Theater

DELAWARE — The historic Strand Theatre in downtown Delaware will host the Ohio Goes to the Movies Grand Finale, closing an unprecedented 250-day cinematic journey that brought more than 250 free movie screenings to all 88 Ohio counties in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary on Wednesday, Oct. 14.

The statewide America 250-Ohio initiative has celebrated the remarkable influence Ohioans have had on the American film industry, in front of and behind the camera, through actors, directors, writers, musicians and stories connected to the Buckeye State. 

The Oct. 14 finale will feature a free screening of the acclaimed 2013 film “42,” the inspiring story of Jackie Robinson and his historic breakthrough as Major League Baseball’s first Black player.

Directed by Brian Helgeland, the film stars the late Chadwick Boseman as Robinson and Harrison Ford as legendary baseball executive (and Ohio Wesleyan University alumnus) Branch Rickey, whose courage and vision helped forever change America’s pastime.

Free tickets are now available (up to two per person) with reservations required at https://strandtheatreoh.com. With seating limited to 440 guests across the theatre’s main floor, balcony and side sections, tickets will be claimed quickly.

Following the film, audiences will experience a panel conversation featuring Branch Rickey III, grandson of the Hall of Fame executive who signed Robinson; Larry Doby Jr., son of Larry Doby, the first Black player in the American League; legendary Cincinnati Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman; and Sidney Carlson White, assistant curator at the Jackie Robinson Museum.

The discussion will be moderated by baseball historian Dr. Leslie Heaphy of Kent State University, offering unique personal perspectives on two pioneers who transformed professional sports and American history.

“Movies have always had a way of bringing people together, and this event is a wonderful example of that,” said Tracey Peyton, managing director of The Strand Theatre. “What makes Ohio Goes to the Movies so special for Delaware is the incredible number of people, businesses and organizations coming together to make it happen.

“From our downtown merchants and community partners to our volunteers, arts organizations, schools and residents, everyone has found a way to be part of the celebration,” Peyton said.

“The Strand is proud to be the gathering place for this experience, because at its heart, this is what our historic movie theatre is meant to do — bring people together and help build community.”

Molly Kreuzman, program director of Ohio Goes to the Movies, said the Ohio Goes to the Movies Grand Finale is expected to be one of the signature events of the entire series.

“The Strand Theatre, one of the nation’s longest continuously operating movie theaters, provides a fitting setting to conclude a statewide celebration dedicated to preserving Ohio’s cinematic heritage while commemorating America’s 250th anniversary,” Kreuzman said.

About The Panelists

Branch Rickey III

Branch Rickey III is the grandson of Hall of Fame baseball executive Branch Rickey, whose signing of Jackie Robinson forever changed Major League Baseball and American history. A lifelong steward of his family’s legacy, Rickey III has dedicated his career to preserving and sharing the story of leadership, courage, and inclusion that began when his grandfather broke baseball’s color barrier in 1947. He is a sought-after speaker on baseball history, ethics, and the enduring impact of Jackie Robinson and Branch Rickey. Like his grandfather, Rickey III is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan.

Larry Doby Jr.

Larry Doby Jr. is the son of Hall of Famer Larry Doby, who became the first Black player in the American League when he joined the Cleveland Indians just weeks after Jackie Robinson’s Major League debut. Doby Jr. continues his father’s legacy by speaking nationally about perseverance, equality, and the role sports can play in advancing social progress. His work helps preserve the remarkable story of one of baseball’s most influential pioneers.

Marty Brennaman

Marty Brennaman is one of baseball’s most celebrated broadcasters, serving as the radio voice of the Cincinnati Reds for 46 seasons from 1974 through 2019. A recipient of the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s Ford C. Frick Award, Brennaman is widely respected for his storytelling, candor, and deep knowledge of the game. His career has connected generations of fans to baseball’s greatest moments and its rich history.

Sidney Carlson White

Sidney Carlson White is the assistant curator at the Jackie Robinson Museum, where he helps preserve and interpret the life and legacy of Jackie Robinson through exhibitions, artifacts, and educational programming. A historian with a passion for civil rights, sports, and American history, White played an integral role in developing the museum’s exhibits, helping visitors understand Robinson’s impact not only as a baseball pioneer but also as a champion for racial, social, and economic justice. He regularly leads tours and public programs that connect Robinson’s enduring legacy with contemporary conversations about equality and opportunity.

Dr. Leslie Heaphy (Moderator)

Dr. Leslie Heaphy is a professor of history at Kent State University at Stark and one of the nation’s leading historians of baseball and the Negro Leagues. She has authored and edited numerous books on baseball history, women in baseball, and the Negro Leagues, and is recognized for her scholarship on the intersection of sports and civil rights. Dr. Heaphy frequently appears as a speaker and commentator on baseball history and serves as moderator for the evening’s discussion.