November ‘08

REGISTRATIONS In Progress FRIDAY TUESDAY SUNDAY Citizenship Classes ...... See Nov. 15 14 18 23 SANDWICHED IN: The Movie Palace. Ex- SCIENCE 101: What are heat, sound, Metropolitan Opera Trip . See Kids page travagant movie palaces allowed audiences electricity and magnetism? In this third to escape into a fantasy world beyond their of four sessions led by Philip A. Sherman, wildest dreams of luxury and gilded glam- we’ll address questions about common our. Accommodating up to 6, 000, these cin- phenomena that we all experience. We EXHIBITS emas lavished courteous attentions upon mostly take them for granted, but it’s meaningful to know just what they really In the Main Gallery patrons, offering a variety of services un- known to today’s moviegoer. After a brief are. We’ll also look at machines that put BURT YOUNG: The Art Advisory Council overview of the earliest movie houses, this these phenomena to good use. 2 p.m. hosts a reception for the artist Saturday, slide presentation traces the development November 8 from 2 to 4 p.m. AAC of larger, more ornate cinemas. Construc- tion crested in 1927 with the opening of the In the Photography Gallery FRIDAY 7 5, 888 seat Roxy Theatre, the “Cathedral of PHYLLIS R. GOODFRIEND: Favorite SANDWICHED IN: Meet Alix Strauss. Motion Pictures.” Presented by Cezar Del Places, November 6 through December Author Alix Strauss visits to discuss her Valle, this program concludes with a look WEDNESDAY 30. The “Favorite Places” of Great Neck two recent works of fiction. The Joy of Fu- at significant losses as well as grand sur- 19 JAMES CAGNEY DOUBLE FEATURE: LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES meet- nerals (St. Martin’s Press, 2007) and Have vivors. Cezar Del Valle is an artist who has Mere months after James Cagney and resident Phyllis R. Goodfriend do not often ing. Executive session at 7 p.m. The public I Got a Guy for You! (St. Martin’s Press, worked in theatre for more than 40 years. Edward G. Robinson achieved stardom coincide with those of the typical tourist. In is invited at 7:30 p.m. pursuing her passion for photography, she 2008). Both books will be available for He has written articles on theatre history with Public Enemy and Little Caesar, seeks out unusual and frequently bypassed purchase and signing courtesy of Friends for professional journals. 12:10 p.m. PORT WRITES: A group of self-motivated respectively, they co-starred in Alfred E. locations. Meet the artist at a reception of the Library. 12:10 p.m. writers reading and discussing their work, Green’s Smart Money (1931-81 min.), play- WHEN MUSIC MEETS ART: Join pro- on Saturday, November 8 at 2 p.m. and facilitated by Michael Chaplan. This group ing barbers who make it big in gambling. “MISS PETTIGREW LIVES FOR A DAY” ducer/director Martin Spinelli and artist at a slide talk on Monday, December 1 at usually meets on the fourth Wednesday of After a brief intermission, Roy Del Ruth’s (2008-92 min.). After being fired yet again, Michael McNamara for the screening of 7:30 p.m. every month. 8 p.m. Lady Killer (1933-75 min.). 1:30 p.m. Guinevere Pettigrew (Frances McDor- New York Canvas: the Art of Michael Mc- mand) seizes the opportunity to become Namara (2007-15 min.). This film follows the social secretary of glamorous actress Michael McNamara through the streets Delysia Lafosse (Amy Adams). David of New York as he captures the sights and Magee and Simon Beaufoy scripted this scenes of the city he loves. A Brahms Piano old-fashioned comedy, from Winifred Quartet, in live performance by the Jupiter MONDAY SATURDAY Watson’s novel, for director Bharat Nal- Symphony Chamber Players, provides a THURSDAY 24 1 luri. 7:30 p.m. 20 “THE WORLD OF HENRY ORIENT” FRIENDS & FAMILY DAY: Silent vaude- lively accompaniment to this fast-paced LET’S TALK ABOUT IT: Between Two villian Chip Bryant performs at 11 a.m. documentary short. Afterward, we will Worlds with Professor Sally Ann Drucker. (1964-107 min.). High-spirited Manhattan Paperback Swap from 12 to 4 p.m. and screen Life On Jupiter (2001-64 min.). Jens Today’s discussion is of Kaaterskill Falls schoolgirls Val and Gil (Tippy Walker, family movie, Disney’s The Jungle Book at Nygaard’s Jupiter Symphony. 7:30 p.m. by Allegra Goodman. Presented in partner- Merrie Spaeth) develop a crush on Henry 3 p.m. Story in this issue. FOL ship with American Library Association, Orient (Peter Sellers), a suave avant garde Nextbook and FOL. 11 a.m. pianist whose hobby is seducing married SATURDAY women. Nunnally Johnson scripted this 8 BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP: A discus- comedy with his daughter Nora; George PHYLLIS R. GOODFRIEND: A reception sion of Three Cups of Tea by Greg Morten- Roy Hill directed. 7:30 p.m. for the artist whose work is on exhibit in son, facilitated by Lee Fertitta. 1:30 p.m. the Photography Gallery. 2 p.m. SATURDAY SUNDAY 15 3rd THURSDAYS @ 3: Ralph Blakelock and CITIZENSHIP CLASSES: Free Citizen- 2 BURT YOUNG: The Art Advisory Council Albert Pinkham Ryder: Two Inner Visionary hosts a reception for the artist whose work ship Preparation Classes will be offered on Saturdays, November 15 and 22 from American Masters. The work of these two is in the Main Gallery. 2 to 4 p.m. AAC artists are some of the great treasures and 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Participants should FRIDAY be prepared to attend the full six hours. mysteries of late 19th century America. Largely self-taught, and unaided by a Eu- 28 Topics include American History and FAMILY SQUARE DANCE: For children U.S. Government to prepare for the 100 ropean tour, Blakelock made a substantial ages 5 & up. Tickets required. See Library questions. Practice questions for the per- and highly personal contribution to the Kids page for details. 12 & 2 p.m. CAC evolution of landscape painting. His best MONDAY sonal interview for Citizenship will also “SAAWARIYA” (2007-138 min.). In this gor- be covered. This program is supported work, done in the last two decades of 10 the 19th century, is conservative when geous, romantic musical, street- “FIRST SNOW” (2007-102 min.). When by a generous grant from the Friends of walker Lilipop (Zohra Seghal) falls in love his car breaks down in a desolate town, compared to that of van Gogh or Cézanne. the Library. Contact Peggy O’Hanlon at with shy musician Ranbir (Ranbir Ray), but hardscrabble salesman Jimmy Starks Blakelock is more credible when seen 883-4400, Ext. 147 to register. he is smitten with the melancholy Sakina (Guy Pearce) visits a fortune teller (J.K. as an eccentric, belated offshoot of the (), who in turn yearns for Simmons) to kill some time. But the psy- Hudson River or Barbizon Schools. Ryder, the lover who promised to return a year chic’s ominous reading sends Jimmy into unlike Blakelock, made several visits to ago. Screenwriters Prakash Kapadia and a tailspin when he learns that his life will Europe, but his visionary imagination was Vibhu Puri adapted Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s soon end, but that he is safe at least until so strong that external influences had little story “White Nights” (filmed previously by the coming winter’s first snow. Director effect on him. Through their introspection, SUNDAY Luchino Visconti as Le Notti Bianchi) for Mark Fergis scripted this drama with Hank expressiveness and abstraction, these two MOVIES AS SOCIAL COMMENTARY: 16 producer/director . artists pointed the way toward the Modern From Metropolis to Sicko. The Friends Ostby. 7:30 p.m. movement in art. Join professor Thomas Monty and Sameer composed the tunes, of the Library invites you to meet critic Germano for an in-depth exploration of and Ravi K. Chandran provided the ravish- and educator William Wolf, who has long their work in a slide-illustrated lecture. 3 ing color cinematography. 7:30 p.m. been interested in films that comment on p.m. FOL important issues affecting society. These concerns will be addressed in his lecture, which will include visual clips from social- TUESDAY ly-conscious films made throughout the 11 HYPERTENSION SCREENING: Free years. Professor Wolf writes extensively blood pressure screening by St. Francis SUNDAY on film and stage and teaches film courses Hospital. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 30 at New York University. He was formerly FRIDAY JAMES CAGNEY DOUBLE FEATURE In TOPICAL TUESDAY: Alluring Androids 21 Lloyd Bacon’s Picture Snatcher (1933-77 film critic for the Gannett newspaper chain, FREE HEARING SCREENING conducted a critic and contributing editor for New & Robots in Film. Filmmakers, pho- by the Adelphi University Speech and min.), Cagney plays an ex-con who puts his York Magazine and the film critic of Cue tographers, and artists have long been Hearing Center. No appointment neces- criminal skills to work as a tabloid photog- fascinated by the idea of artificial women rapher. After a brief intermission, Cagney Magazine. At New York University, he is VASSILIS VARVARESOS: The pianist sary. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. HAC that seem alive — The Stepford Wives, returns as a gangster who decides to run a known for his courses on Film as Litera- performs selections from Rachmaninoff Lara Croft, the latest in female Japanese SANDWICHED IN: Art and Love in Re- reform school in Archie Mayo’s The Mayor ture in the English Department, Cinema and Gershwin. Story on front page. 3 p.m. robots. Julie Wosk’s slide-illustrated lec- naissance Italy. Ines Powell, docent at the of Hell (1933-90 min.). 1:30 p.m. and Literature in the French Department, MAC and The Movie Preview Course at Lincoln ture showcases images of female robots, Metropolitan Museum of Art, presents a Center’s Walter Reade Theater for NYU’s androids, talking dolls, mannequins and slide-illustrated lecture on the Met’s cur- School of Continuing and Professional other artificial women ranging from early rent exhibition, which explores various Studies, Department of Design, Digital automatons to the lifelike heroines in to- objects created to celebrate love and mar- FOL Sponsored by the Friends of the Arts and Film. Mr. Wolf is the author of day’s video games. These images tell a tale riage in the Italian Renaissance. The ap- Library of changing attitudes toward science and proximately 150 objects, which date from two books, Landmark Films: The Cinema MONDAY AAC Sponsored by the Art Advisory and Our Century, written in collaboration toward women. Dr. Wosk is a professor of around 1400 to 1600, range from exquisite 17 examples of maiolica and jewelry given as Council with Lillian Kramer Wolf, and The Marx art history, English and studio painting at GREAT BOOKS DISCUSSION GROUP: Brothers. 2 p.m. FOL the State University of New York, Maritime A discussion of Max Planck’s Physics and gifts to the couple, to marriage portraits CAC Sponsored by the Children’s Advisory College. She is the author of Women and World Philosophy. 2 p.m. and paintings that extolled sensual love Council the Machine: Representations From the and fecundity, such as the Metropolitan’s Attila. Sponsored by the Health Advisory Spinning Wheel to the Electric Age (The AFTERNOON AT THE OPERA: Venus and Cupid by the Venetian artist HAC Johns Hopkins University Press, 2001). An opera produced in Giuseppi Verdi’s Lorenzo Lotto. The exhibition continues Council self-described “galley years” during which 7:30 p.m. FOL through February 16, 2009. 12:10 p.m. Sponsored by the Music Advisory he learned his craft, Attila is nonetheless a MAC MONDAY rousing and exciting work which features WAY OFF BROADWAY: Great Scott & Zel- Council 3 da! Spend an hour with the Fitzgeralds in GREAT BOOKS DISCUSSION GROUP: major roles for a bass (Attila), a baritone NAC Sponsored by the Nautical Advisory The discussion will be of Which New Era (his Roman rival general), a tenor (Fores- the spring of 1924. Learn about the issues, Council Would That Be? by Nadine Gordimer. 2 to), and a powerful soprano (Odabella, be- people, events and personal histories of the day. The dialogue is based on the couple’s p.m. loved by both the bass and the tenor). First Refreshments for the Sandwiched In Series WEDNESDAY performed at La Fenice in Venice in 1846, love letters and literary correspondence, “THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE 12 as well as Scott’s novels, essays and short courtesy of the Friends of the Library. BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP: A discus- the opera now receives regular revivals at JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT sion of After Dark by Haruki Murakami, the world’s major opera houses. Professor stories. Steve Corbellini and Melanie Lip- FORD” (2007-160 min.). Director Andrew facilitated by Lee Fertitta. 7:30 p.m. James Kolb entertainingly examines this ton star in this play from writer/director Priority seating at all events is given Dominik also scripted this elegy for Jesse classic opera in an audio-visual lecture. 3 David Houston. 7:30 p.m. to Port Washington residents and James (Brad Pitt) and the cohort (Casey p.m. FOL, MAC cardholders. Affleck) who betrayed him. Mary-Louise “DAYS AND CLOUDS” (Giorni e Nuvole) Parker, Sam Rockwell and Sam Shepard PORT WASHINGTON PUBLIC co-star. 7:30 p.m. (2007-115 min.). Director Silvio Soldini also co-scripted this drama about middle- LIBRARY THURSDAY (516) 883-4400 13 aged Elsa (Margherita Buy), who earns a SATURDAY DIRECTOR’S CUT: Film expert John degree in art history only to find that her 22 LIBRARY HOURS Bosco will screen Snow Angels (2007-106 husband Michele (Antonio Albanese) has LIBRARY FURNITURE SALE: Library min.). Director and screenwriter David lost his job and is coming unraveled. In furniture, including office chairs (some Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, 9 to 9 THURSDAY Gordon Green adapts Stewart O’Nan’s Italian with English subtitles. Also, writer/ Herman Miller), lounge chairs and file 6 novel, which interweaves the stories of director Thilo Ewers and Waldemar Fast’s cabinets will be available for sale. Fur- Wednesday, 11 to 9 LET’S TALK ABOUT IT: Between Two a teenager, his former baby sitter, her Lebenslauf (Course of Life) (2005-4 min.), niture can be viewed in the library’s Saturday, 9 to 5; Sunday, 1 to 5 Worlds with Professor Sally Ann Drucker. estranged husband, and their daughter. which posits that life is to be understood, Lapham Meeting Room from 10 a.m. to Today’s discussion is of The Centaur in The cast includes Kate Beckinsale, Griffin never feared. This screening comes to us 3 p.m. Minimum bids will be established CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE: Lori the Garden by Moacyr Scliar. Presented Dunne, Nicky Katt, Deborah Allen, Sam from Film Movement, an organization that and patrons can write in a bid for the item Gerbasi, Jonathan Guildroy, Jessica Ley, in partnership with American Library As- of their choice. Highest final bids will be Rockwell, Amy Sedaris and Olivia Thirlby. makes outstanding foreign films, indepen- Brooke Salit, Elly Shodell, Joni Simon sociation, Nextbook and Friends of the 7:30 p.m. dent films and documentaries available to read at 3:15 p.m. Items must be removed Library. 11 a.m. educational institutions. 7:30 p.m. no later than 5 p.m.