announcements November 2008 | Vol. VII No. 3

One Civilized Reader Is Worth a Thousand Boneheads Children’s Films, Role Models, The Center for the Humanities and Broken Bamboo Mats Advisory Board 2008–2009 here is an ancient Chinese par- Flyboys centers upon two twelve-year-olds: Jason, Nancy Berg Associate Professor of Asian and Near able that is still repeated today: from a middle class family, whose grandfather won Eastern Languages and Literatures Once upon a time, there was a numerous medals for bravery during WW II; and Ken Botnick family of a grandfather, a father, Kyle, who just moved into town and lives with Associate Professor of Art Gene Dobbs Bradford and a son. The father neglected his single mother. Their relationship begins when Executive Director the grandfather, and when the Jason and Kyle take on the school bullies and end Jazz St. Louis Lingchei (Letty) Chen old man died, the father was so up hanging around an airstrip. Jason talks Kyle Associate Professor of Modern Chinese stingy that he dragged the body into sneaking onto a small airplane, which takes off Language and Literature T Elizabeth Childs from the house on a broken bamboo mat. When the Associate Professor and Chair of boy saw this, he told his father: “Please don’t forget Department of Art History and At a time when children Archaeology to bring the mat back. It is still useful.” The father, have very little freedom to Mary-Jean Cowell please to hear this, asked his son what he would use Associate Professor of Performing Arts have adventures and explore Phyllis Grossman it for. His son answered: “I will need it when you Retired Financial Executive die.” the world for themselves, it Michael A. Kahn Author and Partner Children learn what they see, and parents are is important that they have Bryan Cave LLP Chris King their first role models. This fact is as old as the alternatives provided by Editorial Director parent–child relationship. If parents express in- children’s films. The St. Louis American Newspaper tolerance, if they lie or are dismissive of their own Olivia Lahs-Gonzales Director parents or children, these lessons will be learned Sheldon Art Galleries by their children. Today, however, there are other Paula Lupkin before they can make their exit. They stow away in Assistant Professor of Architecture models for children, models parents resort to when Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts they do not have sufficient time or energy to be the luggage compartment. Upon emerging, they Erin McGlothlin find that the pilot and passengers have vanished. Associate Professor of German parents: the television set and the DVD player. At a Steven Meyer time when children have very little freedom to have They are on their own at 15,000 feet. The film then Associate Professor of English flashes back to the story of Silvio, the black-sheep Wang Ning adventures and explore the world for themselves, Professor of English, Tsinghua University it is important that they have alternatives provided son of a crime family. Deep in debt, Silvio decides Joe Pollack to rob his brother Angelo, the head of the Vegas Film and Theater Critic for KWMU, by children’s films. We should ask where these Writer film adventures are taking them. Which images of mob. His plan is to be on the family plane when a Anne Posega childhood are being honored, and which are being big shipment of casino profits is being flown out. He Head of Special Collections, Olin Library plans to kill the pilot and passengers, dump their Sarah Rivett unceremoniously pulled out on broken mats? Some Assistant Professor of English of these issues will be explored during the Center bodies, then jump out himself with a parachute and Henry Schvey the cash. This brings us back to the two boys at- Professor of Drama for the Humanities’ fifth annual Children’s Film James Wertsch Festival, November 21–22, 2008. tempting to land the deserted plane with little more Marshall S. Snow Professor of Arts and than the information they’ve picked up watching a Sciences This year, I was able to preview only one of the Director of International and Area Studies friend pilot his aircraft. Qiu Xiaolong films to be screened at the festival, The Flyboys. The Novelist and Poet Ex Officio Ralph Quatrano Interim Dean, Faculty of Arts & Sciences Zurab Karumidze visit our blog site at http://cenhum.artsci.wustl.edu/publications/blog.html Tbilisi, Republic Of Georgia editor’s notes continued

The thing that struck me while watch- market economy. Another is Confucius’s resigned his post. Confucius spent the ing this film was that the children’s belief that human beings are perfect- next thirteen years wandering from state families played only a very small role in ible and can be led along the right path to state, advocating and attempting the story. Neverthe- to implement his less, both families political and social are shown sharing reforms. He devoted routines such as eat- the last five years ing dinner together of his life to writ- or sharing evening ing and died in 479 talks. Because Jason’s B.C. His disciples grandfather seldom referred to him as left his room, Jason Kong Fu-tzu, mean- took his dinner to ing “Kong the Mas- him and tried to ter,” a respectful title talk with him. Kyle that was latinized and his mother had into “Confucius.” established a rou- Confucius be- tine of morning and lieved that family evening talks. Such piety was crucial family routines and to a stable society rituals remind us that because it created we are not detached children who would entities but are bound respect, value, and into a web of human Image from the Cultural Revolution: a group of students listened to an Anti-Confucius talk in maintain virtuous relationships that define Confucius’s family yard. Copyright © Thomas H. Hahn Docu-Images behavior in themselves who we are and where and in their own off- we fit into the world. This is also the core through education. He emphasized the spring. Although some may think these of Confucius’s writings, where family is power of education to improve society lessons are only of antiquarian interest, everything. and to teach citizenship. Confucius was addressing universal Because the Chinese communist party Although little is verifiable about issues concerning human relationships was once virulently anti-Confucian, I Confucius’s life, the best source avail- that endure through the millennia. At a found it odd that Confucius was quoted able is The Analects (479–221 B.C.), the time in American society when prob- at the start of the Olympic opening collection of his sayings written by his lems surrounding aging boomer parents ceremony in Beijing, as if he was a followers. Much of the biographical and grandparents loom over many natural part of the five thousand years detail about his life surfaced long after people’s lives, the wisdom of Confucius of continuous history being presented his death and most of it is of question- reminds us of our responsibility as role there. In fact, although I was brought up able historical status. However, there are models. The manner in which we treat in a culture where Confucian values are some basic facts that can be accepted. our parents and our children is not so pervasive that people don’t recognize Confucius was born Chiu King about only how they will treat us, it is also an their source, my first introduction to 550 B.C. during a period of constant example for the way their children will Confucius came from the anti-Confucius warfare in China. He was a contem- treat them. If we share our power and campaign during the Cultural Revolu- porary of the Buddha and Lao-tzu and our responsibilities with films and other tion. As a teenager I was taught that lived immediately before Socrates and media, then we should require of them Confucianism was the guiding philoso- Plato. Nothing is known for certain what we expect of ourselves. We can pass phy of a feudal society dominating China concerning his ancestors except that his on our values through for more than two thousand years. But it father died soon after his birth, leaving the generations, or we seems that China is determined to drag his upbringing to his mother. He be- can be dragged out on the bamboo mat and Confucius back came a teacher in his early twenties, and a broken mat to the into the house and try to revive the old that proved to be his calling in life. His dustbin of history. “grandfather” to educate the children. fame spread rapidly, attracting a strong There are a number of reasons China core of disciples. Confucius held minor might want to do this. One is the loss of posts until age fifty, when he became a Chinese Marxism as a legitimizing high official, but he soon had a falling Jian Leng influence in the face of a growing out with his superiors and subsequently Associate Director Center for the Humanities st. louis literary calendar book of the month by Gerald Early

Julie Andrews: An Intimate Biography the pop hit “Downtown”), and Dusty By Richard Stirling Springfield. St. Martin’s Press, 2008, 376 pages with But the figure who seemed to tower index, bibliography, filmography, and over all of them was singer/actress Julie photos Andrews. The fact that she starred in the single most beloved musical and one It’s like seeing your mother naked. It of the most successful commercial films would be like pissing in the wind to in cinema history (The Sound of Music) try and reinvent her as the bad girl and that she won an Oscar for her lead of Hollywood. role in one of the most acclaimed chil- —British actor Stephen Fry, on hearing dren’s films, also a musical, of all time Julie Andrews curse for the first time on (Mary Poppins) probably has a great deal the set of Relative Values (2000) to do with the compelling nature of her A Mighty Fortress Is Our Star stature. For those of us Americans who “I’m very proud of my British remember the 1960s, particularly the heritage,” she once said. “I’m first and years from, say, 1962 to 1967, what we always British and I carry my country in my heart wherever I go.” It might are mostly likely to recall is how our internationally famous and are still also be said, looking at her repertoire— popular culture was dominated by Brit- watched today—seems an extension of which almost always included some of ish stars. The Beatles, of course, and the the Julie Andrews myth. “If she stops the British music hall songs she sang on Rolling Stones and others were part of to have a cough drop, she has to give stage as a kid, or some songs by Noël the British rock invasion, but there was everyone one. Andrews goes to great Coward or Vaughn Williams or Edward more. Scottish actor Sean Connery was lengths both to maintain adorers and Elgar—that she carried her country on the big box-office male star of the era, distance herself,” said one professional her sleeve as well. Who could ever forget famous for playing the unstoppable and associate. Ann-Margaret, who starred that Julie Andrews was English, which I unflappable English secret agent James with Andrews in the 1991 television suppose was part of her attraction? And Bond, created by English novelist Ian drama Our Sons, said: “We were such perhaps she did more to preserve a cer- Fleming. (No American celluloid or opposites, Julie had everything un- tain idea of Britain in the minds of most video agent, and there were many at the der control. She was always cheerful, Americans, and indeed in the minds time, came close in popularity or endur- prepared, well-organized, and perfectly- of most people in the world, than any ance to the legendary 007, not Derek dressed, Mary Poppins-like.... Her other British figure in popular culture. Flint, not Matt Helms, not Napoleon dressing room was always tidy, whereas Solo, not Jefferson Bolt—one of the few Even when she played an Austrian five minutes after I arrived, mine was black agents of the blaxploitation period nun with an inexplicable English accent, a disaster.” Andrews is described as a of the early 1970s.) as she did in The Sound of Music (much “brick,” a “trooper,” “positive,” “upbeat,” There were also songwriters An- as Arnold Schwarzenegger played a someone who “does not pull rank,” thony Newley and Leslie Bricusse, robot from the future with an inexpli- someone who always “kept the ship who penned such anthems of the era cable Austrian accent in the Terminator afloat” by her coworkers. films), her portrayal seemed to be all as “Who Can I Turn To,” “Feeling It is no wonder that despite her and about English valor during World War Good,” and “What Kind of Fool Am her second husband’s (director/writer II rather than some particular Austrian I?”—all from successful stage shows. Blake Edwards) best efforts, includ- family’s courage. The Sound of Music has Actors Albert Finney, Michael Caine, ing baring her breasts in Edwards film always felt a bit like Mrs Miniver or The Peter O’Toole (Irish), Vanessa and Lynn S.O.B. (1981), she was never able to White Cliffs of Dover done over as musi- Redgrave, Richard Burton (Welsh), and escape the undertow of typecasting or cals, or as if those films were the subtexts Julie Christie were all well-known to never quite able to escape the stereo- for it. This is all because of the presence American audiences. And let’s not forget type of herself. I used to think, glibly of Julie Andrews personifying the Brit- pop singers Shirley Bassey (who on the enough, that Julie Andrews was the ish fortress as a sweet, sunny woman of planet in the 1960s had not heard the reincarnation of Irene Dunne as a Brit. fortitude who cares for children. theme song for the James Bond film Or that Julie Andrews was Deborah Goldfinger), Petula Clark (who on the The Julie Andrews film persona—at Kerr with Marni Nixon’s voice planet in the 1960s had not heard least, the musical films that made her (the combination that was used book of the month continued for the 1956 film version of The King also joined Ted and Barbara Andrews’s missed from the show. She was a natu- and I). But I was wrong. She was never music hall act, changing her last name ral, but at the age of twenty she was still Irene Dunne reincarnated as an English from Wells (her father’s name) to very green as an actress. (She had no governess. And Julie Andrews may have, Andrews to avoid awkwardness. (This idea how to develop a character. Even to some degree, been Kerr and Nixon probably led her to resent her stepfather her portrayals of Mary Poppins and Ma- biologically fused, but she was always all the more. The fact that he was an ria in The Sound of Music seemed drawn and remains far more than the sum of alcoholic did not help matters. Barbara very much on her being the “enabler,” her parts. developed a drinking problem as well.) the first-born child who was required to It was not long before Julie became the hold a family together, a role Andrews To grown men, she is a lady; center of the act and eventually the star. performed in some considerable mea- to housewives, the gal next Despite the fact that she has always sure in real life in relation to both her door; to little children, the been highly articulate and even became younger siblings and her parents, as she most huggable aunt of all. a fairly successful writer of children’s was the big breadwinner for the family She is Christmas carols in the books, Julie had little formal education, since her teenage years.) On the night snow, a companion by the fire, as is true with many child performers, of March 15, 1956, when My Fair Lady a laughing clown at charades, an inadequacy she has deeply regretted. opened in New York, Julie Andrews a girl to read poetry to on a But her years on the stage as an adoles- became a star, an awe-inspiring figure, cent, the singing and dancing lessons critics bowing at her feet, someone who cold winter’s night. were good training for her life as a star ceased to be quite like other people or ––Time magazine on Julie of stage and film. She made a screen test other performers even. Heady stuff for Andrews, 1966: Was she a at the age of twelve but it was deter- someone who still had not obtained her brilliant musical performer mined by famed musical producer Joe majority. A legend. She would never or a Hallmark card icon? Pasternak that Julie was not photogenic ever again be anything less than this. and would never become a screen star. She was cast as Guenevere in Camelot Career of the Iron Butterfly She had plenty of work at the time on in 1960, a solid but lesser Lerner and the vaudeville stage (she toured England Lowe effort. Oddly, Andrews never It seems virtually impossible for Julie several times), on radio, and on televi- played in the film versions of either mu- Andrews to have avoided a career in sion. In 1953, she garnered the title role sical. Her role in My Fair Lady went to show business. Her mother, Barbara, in Cinderella at the London Palladium. Audrey Hepburn, which many thought was, according to biographer Rich- Her big break came when she chosen for was a crime. (Hepburn was a far better ard Stirling, “a larger-than-life show a lead role in the Broadway production known actress at the time the film was business personality, helping her sister of the English musical The Boyfriend in cast. Her voice was dubbed by omni- Joan run a local dance school while 1954. This led to being cast as the lead present Marni Nixon.) Andrews was pursuing a career as a popular pianist.” in the Lerner and Lowe musical My Fair diplomatic about it. Vanessa Redgrave Her second husband, Ted, was also a Lady, based on Bernard Shaw’s Pygma- played Guenevere in the film version of performer, and he soon recognized that lion, which became not only one of the Camelot, a role Andrews did not covet his string-bean, freckle-faced stepdaugh- most commercially successful but one nearly as much. Andrews more than ter, Julie, had a voice with a freakish, of the most critically revered musicals in made up for not getting these roles by near four-octave range. As with many the history of the English-speaking mu- being cast in the title role in Disney’s children of divorce, Julie preferred her sical theater, with such memorable songs Mary Poppins (1964), in the film ver- biological father, also named Ted, over as “On the Street Where You Live,” sion of the Rodgers and Hammerstein her stepfather. (This biography does not “Get Me to the Church on Time,” musical The Sound of Music (1965), and suggest in any way that Ted Wells is not “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?” and “I’ve the Arthur Hiller/Paddy Chayefsky film Julie Andrews’s biological father. Some Grown Accustomed to Her Face.” (It is The Americanization of Emily (1964). biographical accounts suggested that not an overstatement to say that My Fair The commercial and critical success Wells married Barbara to cover for her Lady is the greatest musical ever written. of these three films did far more for out-of-wedlock pregnancy of another Many believe that.) her than if she had gotten the roles in man’s child.) Andrews was born, genetically bred to either Camelot or My Fair Lady and But it was Ted Andrews who got the play the role of Eliza Doolittle, although surely as much as if she had gotten the famed vocal teacher Madame Lilian had not Moss Hart, the director, roles in both. In 1966, she did a film Stiles-Allen to take on young Julie worked with her mightily, she would with Hitchcock, Torn Curtain, and two as a pupil. The freckle-faced kid have flopped, perhaps even been dis- with director George Roy Hill, Hawaii announcements

(1966), based on the James Michener novel, Fifth Annual Children’s Film Festival and Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967). These, An Exploration of Children’s Films along with the 1982 film Victor/ Victoria (directed by her husband, Blake Edwards, and Their Audiences when she plays a woman playing a man who plays a woman), are the core body of films November 21-22, 2008 upon which her considerable reputation rests. Four of the seven films are musicals. Sponsored by the Center for the Humanities at Washington University, in con- She also made several first-rate television junction with the WU Film & Media specials over the years, including three with Studies Program and Cinema St. Louis her friend Carol Burnett. Stirling’s biography is a solid work, Friday, November 21 providing us with a fairly vivid account of Auditorium, St. Louis Art Museum Andrews’s career and personal life: a failed Opening Remarks marriage to set designer Tony Walton that 7 p.m., Pixar Shorts, 60 min. running produced one daughter; a longer-lasting time and 30–45 min. discussion union with Blake Edwards, who created, Jeremy Lasky, a Pixar director of pho- among other works, both the Peter Gunn Short is For the Birds tography, will introduce and conduct a television show and the Pink Panther movie ©Disney/Pixar Q&A with the audience. series. (He probably feels he deserves a medal for valor for having endured Peter Sellers, the star of that series, for as long as Saturday, November 22 he did.) She has undergone a long period of Brown 100, Danforth Campus, psychoanalysis and has endured having two Washington University in St. Louis Jeremy Lasky adopted daughters become cocaine addicts 12 p.m., Matchmaker Mary, 2008, and a botched throat operation in 1999 89 min. that tragically ended her singing career. Directed by Tom Whitus and fea- She has never been bashful about suing the turing Jeff Fahey, Dee Wallace, and press when it printed things about her that twelve-year-old local actress Kather- were untrue. She also sued the doctors who ine McNamara. Matchmaker Mary messed up her throat. She won all these is a family-friendly tale of a girl who suits and was awarded substantial damages arranges a romance between two in every case. Julie Andrews is a kind, even lonely people she encounters when warm performer who very much cherishes all three adopt puppies from an her fans. She is also a humanitarian. But she animal shelter. Matchmaker Mary, 2008 has always seemed distant, like a beam of Director Tom Whitus and star Jilanne light that has its origins in another galaxy. Barnes will run a Q&A session after the show. She never seems haughty in interviews but she projects, nonetheless, like an empress, 2:30 p.m., The Flyboys, 2008, 118 min. (PG-13) like the Dame she became in 1999 when so dubbed by the Queen. Perhaps that is Directed by Rocco DeVilliers why her role in The Princess Diaries (2001) and featuring Stephen Baldwin as both an embodiment and a satire of her and Tom Sizemore. The Flyboys persona seemed so fitting as a return to won best film at the 2008 Sedona public acclaim. This is far from a definitive Film Festival. The film is about two boys (Jesse James and Reiley biography of the star, something that is not McClendon) from a small town likely until she dies, when a greater range who find their courage tested people will be able to discuss her in a less when they accidentally stow away guarded way. But this biography is an enjoy- aboard an airplane owned by the The Flyboys, 2008 able read. A future issue of The Figure in the mob. Carpet will run a review of Andrews’s Home: Producer Lisle Moore will speak after the film. A Memoir of My Early Years (2008). st. louis literary calendar

Events in discuss Statute of Limitations by Steven Havill. 10am, 1640 S. Lindbergh, 994-3300. Monday, November 10 COCA features a presentation by Chip Conley, November SLCL–Jamestown Bluffs Branch hosts the Trail author of Peak: How Great Companies Get Their Blazers Book Club, which will meet at 10 am Mojo from Maslow. Admission is $75. 11am, 524 and again at 2pm to discuss Salem Falls by Jodi Trinity Ave., 725-6555. Piccoult. 4153 N. Highway 67, 741-6800. All events are free unless otherwise indicated. Webster University welcomes fiction writer Tuesday, November 11 Author events generally followed by signings. Lee K. Abbott, who will read from his body of WU Assembly Series hosts health-policy his- All phone numbers have 314 prefix unless oth- work. 1:30pm, Pearson House, 8260 Big Bend, torian Keith Wailoo, who will discuss culture, erwise indicated. 968-7170. history, race, and politics as they relate to the SLCL–Indian Trails Branch hosts Book Jour- health-care industry. 4pm, Rebstock Hall, Room Saturday, November 1 neys, which will talk about The Bean Trees 215, Danforth Campus, 935-5285. St. Louis Writers Guild sponsors a memoir work- by Barbara Kingsolver. 2pm, 8400 Delport Dr., Main Street Tuesday Book Club talks about shop by author Thomas Larson. Admission is 428-5424. John Grogan’s Marley & Me. 7pm, Main Street $15. 10am–noon, B&N Crestwood, 9618 Wat- Books, 307 S. Main, St. Charles, 636-949-0105. son Rd., 971-6045. LBB presents a reading of Site Acquisition by poet Brian Young. 7pm, 399 N. Euclid, 367-6731. SLCL–Tesson Ferry Branch hosts Reader Day of the Dead Beats 2008 is an annual St. Rendezvous, which will discuss Lost Hori- Louis celebration of Beat poetry. Admission is Authors @ Your Library presents Ann Zanabo- ni, who wrote St. Louis Hills. 7pm, SLPL–Buder zon by James Hilton. 7pm, 9920 Lin-Ferry Dr., $3. Way Out Club, 8pm–midnight, 2525 S. Jef- 843-0560. ferson Ave., 664-7638. Branch, 4401 Hampton Ave., 352-2900. SLCL–Grand Glaize Branch hosts a Writers SLCL­–Headquarters Branch Evening Book Monday, November 3 Workshop. 7pm, 1010 Meramec Station Rd., Discussion Group meets to talk about Snow Main Street Monday Book Club meets to dis- 636-225-6454. Flower and the Secret Fan. 7pm, 1640 S. Lind- cuss Little Heathens by Mildred Kalish. 7pm, bergh, 994-3300. Main Street Books, 307 S. Main, St. Charles, Friday, November 7 SLCL–Weber Road Branch hosts As the Page 636-949-0105. St. Louis Art Museum sponsors a lecture by au- Turns Book Group, which will discuss Daniel SLCL–Florissant Valley Branch welcomes author thor and art historian Thomas Crow. 7pm, One Woodrell’s Winter’s Bone. 7pm, 4444 Weber of 101 Things You Didn’t Know about St. Louis, Fine Arts Dr, 721-0072. Rd., 638-2210. Bill Nunes, for a night of trivia and book signing. LBB and SLCL–Headquarters Branch welcome 7pm, 195 New Florissant Rd., 994-3300. Saturday, November 8 author H. W. Brands, who will discuss and sign SLCL–Headquarters Branch welcomes author St. Charles Community College hosts the Mis- his book Traitor to His Class: The Privileged John Green and founder of EcoGeek.org, Hank souri Society of Children’s Book Writers and Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Green, as they bring their Great American Tour Illustrators Annual Conference. Admission is Roosevelt. 7pm, 1640 S. Lindbergh, 994-3300. de Nerdfighting 2008 to St. Louis. 7pm, 1640 S. $125. 8am to 4:30pm, 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Dr., The Foreign Literature Reading Group dis- Lindbergh, 994-3300. 636-922-8686. cusses Master and Commander. 7:30pm, Wash- SLCL–Grand Glaize Branch hosts Book Bunch, Discuss To Die For by Linda Howard with the ington University’s West Campus Conference whose selection this month is Thunderstruck by Romance Readers Book Club. 10am, SLPL– Center (lower level), 7425 Forsyth Blvd. Call Erik Larson. 7pm, 1010 Meramec Station Rd., Buder Branch, 4401 Hampton Ave., 352-2900. Kathleen at 727-6118 for info. 636-225-6454. Write-Along Writer’s Workshop meets at COCA Great Rivers Author Series and LBB pres- SLCL–Indian Trails Branch. 11am, 8400 Delport ent the author of Wicked, Gregory Maguire, Tuesday, November 4 Dr., 428-5424. who will speak and sign books. (Two tickets free The Webster Groves Public Library Book SLCL Foundation, Montgomery Bank, and LBB w/purchase of Maguire’s latest book in advance Discussion Group meets to discuss Mr. Pip host an exclusive book signing with Lemony at LBB). 8pm, 524 Trinity Ave., 367-6731. and Great Expectations. 6pm, 301 E. Lockwood, Snicket. 12pm, Daniel Boone Branch, 300 961-3784. Clarkson Rd. For Snicket tickets, call 994-9411, Wednesday, November 12 ext. 474 or 367-6731. SLCL–Oak Bend Branch hosts Bookies Book Discussion Group, which meets to talk about Wednesday, November 5 B&N Chesterfield Oaks hosts children’s author SLCL–Thornhill Branch Book Chat will discuss The Book of Ruth by Jane Hamilton. 2pm, 842 of Amos and the Wild Welshman Jud Miner. S. Holmes, 822-0051. Jodi Picoult’s My Sister’s Keeper. 10:30am, 1pm, 1600 Clarkson Rd., 636-536-9636. 12863 Willowyck Dr, 878-7730. Boone’s Bookies meets at the SLCL–Daniel Borders Brentwood hosts a book signing by Sunset Hills Borders Book Club meets to dis- Boone Branch to discuss The Thirteenth Tale CMT’s Lance Smith. 2pm, 1519 S. Brentwood by Diane Setterfield. 2pm, 300 Clarkson Rd., cuss A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hos- Blvd., 918-8535. seini. 7pm, 10990 Sunset Hills Plz. 636-227-9630. B&N Mid Rivers welcomes James Strait, author SLCL–Jamestown Bluffs Branch’s TrailBlazers WU Assembly Series welcomes Daniel Men- of Weird Missouri. 2pm, 320 Mid Rivers Ctr. Dr., delsohn, author of The Lost: A Search for Six after Dark book club meets to discuss Deadly St. Peters, 636-278-1118. Vintage by Elaine Flinn. 7pm, 4153 N. Highway of Six Million at the annual Holocaust Memorial 67, 741-6800. Lecture. 4pm, Graham Chapel, Danforth Cam- Sunday, November 9 pus, 935-5285. Borders Brentwood sponsors a book signing by Thursday, November 6 the author of Show-Me State, Karen Glines. Authors @ Your Library & LBB presents Peter SLCL–Headquarters Branch hosts the 2pm, 1519 S. Brentwood Blvd., 918-8189. W. Galbraith, who will discuss and sign his new Mystery Lover’s Book Club, which will book, Unintended Consequences: How War in st. louis literary calendar

Iraq Strengthened America’s Enemies. 7pm, photographer. 2pm, 1519 S. Brentwood Blvd., SLPL–Central Branch, 1301 Olive, 241-2288. 918-8189. Wednesday, November 19 SLCL–Cliff Cave Branch’s Wednesday Night Thursday, November 13 Sunday, November 16 Book Group meets to discuss Lorna Land- vik’s Oh My Stars. 7pm, 5430 Telegraph Rd., SLCL–Headquarters Branch Afternoon Book B&N Chesterfield Oaks hosts author Billyo 487-6003. Discussion Group studies Devil in the White O’Donnell, who will sign copies of his work, City by Erik Lawson. 2pm, 1640 S. Lindbergh, Painting Missouri. 2pm, 1600 Clarkson Rd., SLCL–Oak Bend Branch hosts the Evening 994-3300. 636-536-9636. Book Discussion Group, which will be exam- ining Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi. SLPL–Carpenter Branch hosts the Public Con- 7:30pm, 842 S. Holmes, 822-0051. templation Book Discussion Group, which Monday, November 17 will be discussing Human Accomplishment by LBB sponsors a book signing by the author of Wednesday Evening Book Club meets at the Charles Murray. 7pm, 3309 S. Grand Blvd., Houses of Missouri, Carol Grove. 7pm, 399 N. SLCL–Florissant Valley Branch to discuss A 772-6586. Euclid, 367-6731. Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. 7:30pm, 195 New Florissant Rd., 921-7200. LBB presents a poetry reading from the new Poets Ross Gay and Charles Sweetman read book Sources by Devin Johnston. 7pm, 399 N. from their collections as part of River Styx’s Euclid, 367-6731. 34th Annual Reading Series. 7:30pm, Duff’s, Thursday, November 20 392 N. Euclid, 533-4541. SLCL–Indian Trails Branch hosts Book Jour- WU Department of English Writing Program neys, which will discuss I Feel Bad about My Reading Series features Steve Stern, award- Tuesday, November 18 Neck by Nora Ephron. 2pm, 8400 Delport Dr., winning author of such works as Lazar Malkin 428-5424. Enters Heaven and The Wedding Jester. 8pm, Forest Park Book Club meets to discuss Ma- Hurst Lounge, Duncker Hall (Room 201), Dan- chete Season: The Killers in Rwanda Speak by SLPL–Schlafly Branch Book Group discusses forth Campus, 935-7130. Jean Hatzfield. 12:15pm, Highlander Lounge, The Third Angel by Alice Hoffman. 7pm, 225 N. Forest Park Community College, 644-9359. Euclid Ave., 367-4120. Friday, November 14 SLCL–Florissant Valley’s Tuesday Afternoon WU Department of English Writing Program Great Expectations Book Group meets at Book Club discusses Lone Survivor by Mar- Reading Series offers a lecture on the craft of SLCL–Rock Road Branch to discuss Knitting cus Luttrell. 2pm, 195 New Florissant Rd., fiction by Visiting Hurst Professor Steve Stern, under the Influence by Claire Lazebnik. 10am, 921-7200. award-winning author of The Angel of Forgetful- ness and The North of God. 8pm, Hurst Lounge, 10267 St. Charles Rock Rd., 429-5116. Authors @ Your Library presents the award- Duncker Hall (Room 201), Danforth Campus, winning author of adolescent literature, Sha- UMSL sponsors a reading by award-winning 935-7130. novelist Steve Stern.7pm, 450 Lucas Hall, ron Flake, who will sign copies of her books. 516-5590. 6pm, SLPL–Schlafly Branch, 225 N. Euclid, 367-4120. Saturday, November 22 Borders Brentwood sponsors a reading and SLPL–Baden Branch hosts a Writer’s Work- book signing by children’s author of If You Give SLCL Foundation’s Pacesetter Author Series shop, sponsored by the St. Louis Writers and a Pig a Party, Laura Numeroff. 7pm, 1519 S. presents a book signing by Steven Watts, au- Performing Guild. 10am, 8448 Church Rd., Brentwood Blvd., 918-8189. thor of Mr. Playboy: Hugh Hefner and the Ameri- 388-2400. can Dream.7pm, SLCL–Headquarters Branch, Saturday, November 15 1640 S. Lindbergh, 994-3300. SLCL–Indian Trails Branch hosts the Write- Along Writers Workshop. 11am–1pm, 8400 LBB and SLPL–Schlafly Branch sponsor a book LBB welcomes the author of the Mrs. Murphy Delport Dr., 428-5424. signing by author of If You Give a Cat a Cupcake, Series, Rita Mae Brown, who will sign her children’s author Laura Numeroff. Call for time, new book, Santa Clawed. 7pm, 399 N. Euclid, 399 N. Euclid, 367-6731. 367-6731. Sunday, November 23 Authors @ Your Library presents the author of The Mystery Lover’s Book Club meets to dis- SLCL–Bridgeton Trails Branch Book Group Princoirs: Official Memoirs of Prince Joe Henry, cuss Firestorm by Nevada Barr. 10am, SLPL– meets to discuss To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Ex Negro Leaguer, Sean Muhammad. 2:30pm, Carondelet Branch, 752-9224. Lee. 7pm, 3455 McKelvey Rd., 291-7570. SLPL–Julia Davis Branch, 4415 Natural Bridge Missouri Chapter of Romance Writers invites SLPL–Kingshighway Branch Book Discus- Ave., 383-3021. co-founder of Paranormal Research & Investi- sion Group meets to talk about The Brief Won- gative Studies Midwest (PRISM) to speak, with drous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz. 6:45pm, Tuesday, November 25 Q&A session following. $5 admission.11am, 2260 S. Vandeventer, 771-5450. As the Page Turns Book Discussion Group B&N Crestwood, 9618 Watson Rd. Tuesday Night Writers’ Group meets to read meets at SLCL–Weber Road Branch to talk Authors @ Your Library presents Edna Cam- and critique each others’ work. 7pm, B&N Crest- about Away by Amy Bloom.7pm, 4444 Weber pos Gravenhorst, who will discuss and sign her wood, 9618 Watson Rd., 9p4a-p8bp@dea. Rd., 638-2210. new book, Southwest Garden, which details St. spamcon.org. Louis’ Botanical Garden and Tower Grove Park Brentwood Public Library Book Club meets to Wednesday, November 26 areas. 1pm, SLPL–Kingshighway Branch, 2260 discuss Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. SLPL–Central Branch Book Discussion S. Vandeventer, 771-5450. 7pm, 8765 Eulalie Ave., 963-8630. Group talks about The Inheritance by Loui- SLPL–Buder Branch Book Discussion Group sa May Alcott. 4pm, 1301 Olive St., Meeting SLPL–Carpenter Branch hosts ¡Leamos! Span- Room 1, 539-0396. talks about Thunderstruck by Erik Larson. 1pm, ish Book Group to discuss Profundos by Jose 4401 Hampton Ave., 352-2900. Maria Arguedas. 7pm, 3309 S. Grand Blvd., Borders Brentwood sponsors a book signing 772-6586. by Eric Greitens, award-winning humanitarian announcements

The Making of WALL-E, 2008 King of the Hill, 1993 7:30 p.m., King of the Hill, 1993, 109 min. (PG-13, It includes 5 p.m., The Making of WALL-E, 2008, 90 min. mild profanity and one implied sexual situation.) Wall-E is both written and directed by Pixar’s own Andrew King of the Hill is directed and written by Steven Soderbergh. Stanton, who wrote and directed A Bug’s Life and Finding Nemo. Twelve-year-old Aaron Kurlander (Jesse Bradford) struggles Disney and Pixar join forces for this computer-animated tale about on his own in a run-down hotel after being separated from a wide-eyed robot that travels to the deepest reaches of outer space his parents and younger brother. The film is set in the 1930s in search of a newfound friend, and the only friend he’s ever had. Depression-era Midwest at the Empire Hotel in St. Louis. WALL-E is short for “Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class.” Producer Ron Yerxa and local casting director Carrie Houk will Meet Jeremy Lasky after the show. be on site. This film is presented in conjunction with the Mis- souri Center for the Book.

All events are free and open to the public. Parking passes are not required for Saturday events on Washington University in St. Louis campus. Call 314-935-5576 for any questions.

Financial assistance for this project has been pro- vided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency, and the Regional Arts Commission. Notices November 2008 marks the 30th Anniversary of Non-Profit Org. the St. Louis Jewish Book Festival, which this year features thirty authors (James McBride, U.S. Postage Jeffrey Deaver, and Martin Fletcher among PAID them) and appearances by celebrities such as St. Louis, MO The Center for the Humanities Jerry Springer, Tatiana De Rosnay, and Evan Permit No. 2535 Handler. All events held at the Jewish Com- Campus Box 1071 Old McMillan Hall, Rm S101 munity Center, in the Carol H. Wohl Bldg. on Dated Material the I.E. Millstone Campus in Creve Coeur, No- One Brookings Drive St. Louis, MO 63130-4899 Deliver between vember 2–12. For more information, visit www. October 29 - 31, 2008 stljewishbookfestival.org. Phone: (314) 935-5576 email: [email protected] Abbreviations http://cenhum.artsci.wustl.edu B&N: Barnes & Noble; LBB: Left Bank Books; SLCL: St. Louis County Library; SLPL: St. Louis Public Library; SCCCL: St. Charles City County Library; UCPL: University City Public Library, WU: Washington University, WGPL: Webster Groves Public Library. Check the online calendar at cenhum.artsci. wustl.edu for more events and additional de- tails. To advertise, send event details to litcal@ artsci.wustl.edu, or call 935-5576.