Events

It’s a Wonderful Life: A Closer Look with Film Expert Brian Rose (Virtual)

Monday, December 2

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Registration Required Below 'Tis the season to discover the magic behind It's a Wonderful Life! Join film expert Brian Rose for a holiday classic unwrapped! Voted the most inspirational movie by the American Film Institute, Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life has been a beloved Christmas classic for generations. The snow covered streets of Bedford Falls, the desperate travails of George Bailey, and the discovery of Zuzu’s petals have become traditional signatures of the holiday season. Yet when the film was released in 1946, it was a box-office flop, won no Academy Awards, and was largely forgotten—until it was rediscovered through endless airings on local TV stations beginning in the 1970s. In this lecture, Brian will examine the fascinating story of It’s a Wonderful Life, looking at production challenges , its surprisingly dark portrait of small-town life, and how it became the ultimate portrayal of holiday goodwill and cheer. Register below to receive a Zoom link the day of the program. Include a cell for a text reminder. About Our Speaker BRIAN ROSE is a professor emeritus at Fordham University, where he taught for 38 years in the Department of Communication and Media Studies. He’s written several books on television history and cultural programming, and conducted more than 100 Q&A’s with leading directors, actors, and writers for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, the Screen Actors Guild, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, and the Directors Guild of America. His virtual lectures on film and television history have been presented at the Smithsonian, the 92nd St Y., and at JCCs and libraries throughout the country.  

World Affairs Forum (In-person)

Monday, December 2

7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Waiting List: World Affairs Forum December 2nd

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Join our popular international relations discussion group modeled on the Foreign Policy Association's Great Decisions. This seven-session series will cover an array of foreign affairs topics, international migration, the Syrian War, Japan in the 21st century and more.  These discussions are developed and moderated by members of the Great Decisions group that meets each winter. The World Affairs Forum meets the first and third Monday of the month at the Library.   Participants are encouraged to attend in person to fully participate in the discussion; however, an option for individuals to join virtually via Zoom is available.  All registered participants will receive a link the day of the meeting. Register once to receive topic specific reading material prior to all  7 sessions. Dates and Topics: October 7 — International Migration October 21 - TBD November 4 — The U.S. and the Syrian Civil War November 18 — China December 2 — Japan, Rising Out of the Ashes of WWII December 16 — Sudan and Other Understated Crises January 6 – South Africa: Recent History & Outlook for the Future Registration is full for this event.