FREE! Film and Television Lecture Series
Join us on select days at 7 pm in the Discovery Theater with acclaimed Film & TV critic Ron Miller as he discusses his personal association and interviews with legendary film and TV celebrities such as Lucille Ball, Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, Alfred Hitchcock, Bette Davis, Barbara Stanwyck, Elizabeth Taylor as well as Halle Berry, Angelina Jolie and George Clooney, among others. Along with his personal anecdotes with these stars, Ron will show clips and occasionally, full length films from his personal collection.
No admission charge - Complimentary popcorn and coffee.
October 5: Let’s Do It Again
The checkered history of movie remakes. Did we really need to see another Mutiny on the Bounty after the first one won the Best Picture Oscar? So why did we get TWO new versions? But then what about that classic film A Place in the Sun? Did you know that was a remake? And what about the new True Grit?
October 12: Saluting Natalie Wood
A whole generation of movie fans literally grew up with Natalie Wood, who was on screen from childhood until her tragic death at age 43. Ron shows highlights from many great movies in her career and recalls his one meeting with her in the 1980s.
October 19: Gone Too Soon
Ron profiles several great stars from film and Television whose careers were cut short by death. Among them are legendary James Dean, television’s Inger Stevens of The Farmer’s Daughter, sinister heavies Laird Cregar and Victor Buono, television’s Robert Urich (Vegas, Spenser: For Hire), crooner Russ Columbo and many others that Ron had met in person.
October 26: Our Halloween Special
–Everything you wanted to know about
Frankenstein, but were afraid to ask
Ron tells the full story of Frankenstein on screen from Thomas Edison’s version of 1908 through the most modern versions. Included are scenes from the eight Universal films from 1931 – 48, the British series starring Peter Cushing and such oddball items as Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein with Robert DeNiro as The Monster, television’s Frankenstein: The True Story with handsome Michael Sarrazin as The Monster and Lon Chaney Jr.’s drunken performance as The Monster in a live episode of television’s Tales of Tomorrow. Ron tells stories about meeting several actors who played The Monster, including Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr. and Jack Elam (in television’s Struck by Lightening).
January 25, 2012 - The Passing Parade of 2011:
Remembering our favorite stars who died this past year.
February 1, 2012 - John Stanley in Person:
Ron Miller is joined by John Stanley, the author and former San Francisco Chronicle entertainment writer who was the host of TV's "Creature Features," and writer-director of the feature film "Nightmare in Blood." They will be discussing John's new book of celebrity interviews, "The Gang That Shot Up Hollywood."
February 8, 2012 - Tragic Hollywood Blondes:
Ron profiles three "blonde bombshell" stars who had tragic endings: Barbara Payton, Jayne Mansfield, and Marilyn Monroe.
February 15, 2012 - Ingrid Bergman:
Ron examines the career of Ingrid Bergman from her first films in her native Sweden through her many classic American films, including "Intermezzo," "For Whom the Bell Tolls," "Casablanca," her Oscar-winning performance in "Gaslight," Spellbound," and her triumphant return to Sweden to make Ingmar Bergman's "Autumn Sonata."
February 22, 2012 - Previewing the Academy Awards:
Ron discusses the Oscar-nominated films and polls the audience on likely winners.
