I’ll be back on the library circuit this winter/spring with a roster of brand new lectures about the Golden Age of Hollywood. Come join me for some films, some facts, some laughs, and most importantly, some fun.
Note to those coming to the Penn Hills talks: the start date has been moved to 6:00 pm. The Plum Library talks will still begin at 6:30 pm.
Each talk lasts about 40 minutes, with time for questions. Mark you calendars and hope to see you there!
Barbara Stanwyck – The Best Actress to Never Win An Oscar
Thursday, February 16 at 6:30 at Plum Library and Thursday, May 4 at 6:00 Penn Hills Library
You can register for the February 16th Plum talk here.
Barbara Stanwyck was one of the most versatile actors from the Golden Age of Hollywood. She could play a steely gold digger (Baby Face), a screwy grifter (The Lady Eve), the ultimate femme fatale (Double Indemnity) and a proud western matriarch (The Big Valley). Beloved by directors and fans alike, Barbara Stanwyck lived a life as tough as any she portrayed on the screen. Come hear how Stanwyck stayed on top for over fifty years in Hollywood.
James Stewart – Pennsylvania’s Hollywood Hero
March 2, 2023 at 6:00 pm Penn Hills Library
Jimmy Stewart is one of Hollywood’s best loved actors, often playing the lovable everyman who stands up for what’s right. He grew up in Indiana, Pennsylvania, working in his father’s hardware store. He made idealistic pictures with Frank Capra, thrillers with Alfred Hitchcock, and westerns with Anthony Mann. Come learn about the “wonderful life” and films of Jimmy Stewart.
Classic Hollywood Rivalries and Friendships
April 6, 2023 at 6:00 pm Penn Hills Library
Sometimes what’s happening onscreen is no match for what happens when the cameras stop rolling. Classic Hollywood was filled with rivalries (Bette Davis and Joan Crawford) and friendships (Henry Fonda and James Stewart). Come and learn about Hollywood’s most salacious feuds and enduring friendships.
I would love to come! Send air fare quick!
I’d love to have you there. Maybe some day I’ll take my dog and pony show international!
If only we had a library here!! Ooh I know of one in Scotland, but you’d need a swimming costume and possibly goggles.
I’m really lucky that Pittsburgh has a lot of libraries thanks to that old Scot Andrew Carnegie. I’d be lost without them.
So great to see these films and stars getting the spotlight once more through your series. Have a blast continuing to celebrate these actors and their movies!
These sound great; would be curious to know what other stars you might want to talk about? And any plans for video links/overflow capacity?
Video is something we haven’t explored yet at the libraries….they’re not really equipped to get high quality recordings. Something to explore for 2023.
I feel like the possibilities are endless as far as topics. The James Stewart lecture was by request as he’s a hometown hero around here.
On the near front, I’d like to do something about Bette Davis. Also something about the HUAC hearings (that would require more research on my side which I think would be fascinating).
I’m also toying with a talk about on-screen adaptations of Edna Ferber’s work, but I’m not sure she’s got enough name recognition (to my chagrin) to draw a crowd.