Some moments in movies never leave us: the piercing eyes of a private eye, a raft hurtling down the rapids, that little black dress, the close-up of a fading movie star. In a 5-session film discussion series featuring film clips and stills, documentary filmmaker and writer Sara Lukinson revisits some of our favorite movies and characters, setting them against the backdrop of their times, the people who dreamed them up, and the America they reflected—or asked us to imagine.
Please Note: Individual sessions are available for individual purchase.
SEPT 13 Portraits of a Woman: Katharine Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor
These larger-than-life screen performers—one spirited and independent, the other a luminous beauty—brought us two completely different portraits of the American woman, turning them into enduring legends. Kate and Liz broke the rules and our hearts and turned Hollywood on its head. Film portraits include clips from The Philadelphia Story, The Lion in Winter, On Golden Pond, A Place in the Sun, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, and Cleopatra.
SEPT 27 A Different Kind of Hero: Humphrey Bogart and Paul Newman
Their eyes stared straight through us, one pair wary and the other blue, their attitudes magnetic but guarded. Both Bogart and Newman refused to fall into the stereotype of the film hero, making their characters into complex, complicated men. Each of them mistrusted fame but were two of the biggest stars we’ve known. Film portraits include clips from The Maltese Falcon, To Have and Have Not, Casablanca, Cool Hand Luke, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and The Verdict.
OCT 4 Simply Irresistible: Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Charade
Two of the most charming, sophisticated romantic comedies ever made, the last golden sparkles of Hollywood. Audrey Hepburn’s winsome beauty, Cary Grant’s easy grace, Mancini’s music, great directors, smart, witty banter and enviable chic. Made by craftsmen into sheer delights of entertainment.
OCT 25 Wicked and Wonderful: Billy Wilder
Wilder was the brilliant rascal of the Golden Age of Hollywood, expanding the subject, styles, and biting wit of movies. From his dark take on Hollywood to sex farces and satirical comedies, he made us laugh and blush at human foibles, follies, and dreams. Film portrait includes clips from Sunset Boulevard, The Apartment, and The Fortune Cookie
NOV 8 Murder in the Courtroom: Anatomy of a Murder and 12 Angry Men
Tense, thought-provoking and brilliantly acted, two classic films raised courtroom drama to new levels. Both considered serious moral questions about justice while burning a hole in the screen with their realism and keeping us on the edge of our seats.
Lukinson, a multiple Emmy Award winner, created more than 200 short biographical films for the Kennedy Center Honors. She teaches at NYU and the 92nd Street Y.
5 sessions
Photo caption (upper right):
Patron Information
- If you register multiple individuals, you will be asked to supply individual names and email addresses so they can receive a Zoom link email. Please note that if there is a change in program schedule or a cancellation, we will notify you via email, and it will be your responsibility to notify other registrants in your group.
- Once registered, patrons should receive an automatic email confirmation from CustomerService@SmithsonianAssociates.org.
- Separate Zoom link information will be emailed closer to the date of each session. If you do not receive your Zoom link information 24 hours prior to the start of each session, please email Customer Service for assistance.
- View Common FAQs about our Streaming Programs on Zoom.
