The story of a professor who pushed his students to rise above what is expected and the classic tale of a weary gunfighter who attempts to settle down will be screened at two DeKalb County libraries.

“The Great Debaters,” starring Denzel Washington and Forrest Whitaker, will be shown at 1 p.m. on July 12 at the Covington Library, 3500 Covington Hwy., Decatur. Based on a true story, the movie stars Washington as Melvin B. Tolson, who in 1935 inspires his students at Wiley College in Texas to form a debate team. The team goes on to compete in a national championship against Harvard.

“Shane,” starring Jack Palance, Jean Arthur and Alan Ladd, will be shown at the Decatur Library, 215 Sycamore Street, Decatur, on July 15 at 10 a.m.

Released in 1953, “Shane” features Ladd as the title character, a gunfighter who attempts to lead a quite life, but is forced into conflict by a smoldering settler/rancher dispute.

“Shane” is being shown as a part of the library’s Golden Classic Film Series for adults ages 55 and older.

Admission to both showings is free.

For more information, call the Covington Library at 404-508-7180, or the Decatur Library at 404-370-3070.