I am usually asked where am I appearing next, what course or lecture will I be offering? The following schedule will give you an idea of where I will be appearing during the month of June, 2012

JUNE, 2012

4. Congregation Knesset Israel, Pittsfield, MA: Jewish Composer and the Hollywood Musical: Irving Berlin

6. 92nd Street Y Tribeca: Make Em’ Laugh-The Art of Silent Comedy

7. LIU-C.W. Post: Chasing Rainbows-Tyrone Power and Alice Faye at Fox: In Old Chicago

7. Barry and Florence Jewish Community Center, Oceanside, NY: Jerome Kern and the Hollywood Musical

11. Congregation Knesset Israel, Pittsfield, MA: Jewish Composer And The Hollywood Musical: Jerome Kern

14. LIU-C.W. Post: Chasing Rainbows-Tyrone Power and Alice Faye at Fox: Alexander’s Ragtime Band

18. Congregation Knesset Israel: Jewish Composer And The Hollywood Musical-The Gershwins

20. 92nd Street Y Tribeca: Make Em’ Laugh: Great Comedy Teams

21. LIU-C.W. Post: Chasing Rainbows-Tyrone Power and Alice Faye at Fox: Rose of Washington Square

26. Queens College: Lifelong Learning Summer Film Festival: Partners In Romance-Top Hat

27. 92nd Street Y Tribeca: Make Em’ Laugh-Screwball Comedy

Stay tuned for more lectures throughout the Summer and Fall, 2012!        

During my lecture on These Amazing Shadows, at the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library, last Sunday, I discussed the century old love affair between us, the audience, and the silver screen. I also discussed the differences in theatre-going, then, and now. Then: You paid your 25 cent, and entered another world: cathedral-palace like structure, with chandliers. You sometimes got a gift: a dish, a souvenier programe. You bought your popcorn for maybe a dime. You sat in a theatre that looked like Radio City Music Hall, or a sultan’s palace, and you were shown a newsreel, coming attractions, a couple of cartoons, short subjects, a travelogue, and then your A feature, and your b feature. You would receive four hours of entertainment, for only a quarter. You could also stay in the theatre all day.  TODAY: You walk into a plain, stark lobby, You walk up to the ticket booth or counter, and you pay your $13.00. Then,  you walk over to the concession counter, and you pay your $10.00 for your small popcorn, and your small diet soda. You are asked if you 1) want to upgrade and pay 25 cents more, and 2) do you want butter with that? YOu say no to both, since that really isn’t butter they are offering. You then settle into your screening room seat. Then, the theatre darkens, and you get possibly three commercials. Then, the previews: each preview sounds the same, with the same percussion (CA-CHUNG!!!!). Then the main feature. At the very end, you are thanked for coming to the theatre, and then  you are kicked out. Overall, you have spent at least $25, and only got a film. No free gifts to take home.     

Presented a very well received lecture and screening of These Amazing Shadows, on Sunday, May 6th, at the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library. The documentary, produced in 2011, demonstrates the importance of the National Film Registry, the list of films preserved by the Library of Congress. Each year, since 1989, the Library of Congress selects 25 films, which are preserved for their historical and cultural signifigance. I opened the program by declaring that audiences and films have had a century old love affair: a beautiful friendship, as mentioned in Casablanca. A few attendees were moved to tears, since the film drives home the fact that film represents us: our dreams, where we were, and where we are going.