Arts: Film/TV/Radio   

This course focuses on the finest films of combatant nations from both sides, set in the aftermath of history’s most destructive war. They reveal the depths of human trauma experienced by soldiers and civilians alike. They are not considered war films, as most of the killing and dying occurs offscreen. As an example, in the 2019 film, “Beanpole,” Russian women, who served as soldiers in combat, struggle to rebuild shattered lives in a shattered nation. The final film, “Mudbound” (2017), is an important corrective to the feel-good 1946 classic “The Best Years of Our Lives” as it shows the racism and violence that all too many United States black soldiers returned to after serving their country. Following the screenings, the instructor will discuss critical responses to the films, including thoughts on intellectual honesty. The instructor will then moderate class discussions so students can express their personal reactions to these films.

This class, a repeat of the same class held five years ago, will show 10 classic comedy films starting with 1923's silent film "Safety Last" with Harold Lloyd and finishing with 1988's "Coming to America" with Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall. The other eight are "Sons of the Desert," "Way out West," "His Girl Friday," "The Miracle of Morgan's Creek," "The Ladykillers," "The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming," "Sleeper," and "Manhattan." A handout for each film will be made available the week before the showing of that film except for the first film. That first handout will be made available on the day of the showing of the first film. The instructor will mention anything special to be noticed about each film just before it is shown, and students may offer comments or questions at that time. A guided discussion will follow the end of the film. Students need bring nothing more than a desire to see these special comedy films that are true classics & still enjoyable no matter how many times one views them.

NOTE: This is the second session in a four-year (12-term) series of classic comedy films first introduced eight years ago and introduced again four years ago.

This class, a repeat of the same class held four years ago, will show 10 classic musical films of Fred Astaire without Ginger Rogers. It will start with 1937's "A Damsel in Distress" with George Burns and Gracie Allen and finish with 1957's "Funny Face" with Audrey Hepburn. The other eight are "Broadway Melody of 1940," "Holiday Inn," "You Were Never Lovelier," "The Sky's the Limit," "Blue Skies," "Easter Parade," "Royal Wedding," and "The Band Wagon." A handout for each film will be made available the week before the showing of that film except for the first film. That first handout will be made available on the day of the showing of the first film. The instructor will mention anything special to be noticed about each film just before it is shown, and students may offer comments or questions at that time. A guided discussion will follow the end of the film. Students need bring nothing more than a desire to see these special musical films that are true classics & still enjoyable no matter how many times one views them.

NOTE: This is the second session in a four-year (12-term) series of classic musical films first introduced eight years ago and introduced again four years ago.