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‘Films That Make Us Happy’

Waupaca library screens classic movies

By Robert Cloud

The Waupaca Area Public Library plans to continue the classic film presentations launched by Dr. Jack Rhodes, first as a month-long February series in 2009, then adding the First Thursday Film monthly series in 2012.

Rhodes will no longer introduce the films in person, but the library video-recorded him speaking from his hospital bed about each of the four films he selected for the fall of 2022.

With a theme of “Films That Make Us Happy,” the fall selections are light-hearted movies with a focus on romance, comedy and music.

The films will be screened at 1:30 p.m. Thursdays in the library’s lower level.

Admission is free and open to the public.

Schedule

• Sept. 8 – “Meet Me in St. Louis” is a 1944 musical directed by Vincente Minnelli.

Starring Judy Garland, who later married Minnelli, the film also features Margaret O’Brien, Mary Astor and June Lockhart.

The story opens in the summer of 1903 and ends with the World’s Fair in the spring of 1904.

Among the hit songs performed by Garland are “The Trolley Song,” “The Boy Next door” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

• Oct. 6 – “The Thin Man” is a 1934 comedy mystery directed by W.S. Van Dyke.

Stars William Powell and Myrna Loy portray Nick and Nora Charles, a couple who spend their time drinking cocktails, bantering and flirting with each other.

Nick is a former private detective who retired after marrying Nora who is a wealthy heiress.

Noted for its charming dialogue, witty banter and scenes improvised by the actors during filming, “The Thin Man” was nominated fot the Academy Award for Best Picture.

• Nov. 3 – “The Glenn Miller Story” pairs director Anthony Mann and actor James Stewart who worked together on numerous Westerns known for their dark psychological themes.

Also starring June Allyson and Harry Morgan, the 1954 film features cameo appearances by several musicians and singers, including Louis Armstrong, Ray Conniff, Gene Krupa and Francis Langford.

The plot focuses on the ups and downs of Miller’s career as a big band leader. Highlights include such popular Miller tunes as “Moonlight Serenade,” “Little Brown Jug,” “In the Mood” and “Pennsylvania 6-5000.”

• Dec. 1 – “Lady and the Tramp” is a 1955 Disney animated feature about a golden cocker spaniel who meets a mongrel named Tramp.

Larry Roberts is the voice for Tramp and Barbara Luddy is Lady’s voice.

Peggy Lee provides the voice for several characters, including Darling, Si, Am and Peg.

She also sings the famous Siamese Cat song, “He’s a Tramp” and “La La Lu.”

Voice actor Alan Reed plays Boris. Some may recognize him for his performance as the cartoon character Fred Flintstone from 1960-77.

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