What could be better than a book club with an intimate gathering of thoughtful, intelligent people enjoying light refreshments? A short story club with an intimate gathering of thoughtful, intelligent people enjoying light refreshments! Here’s how it works: Each week, you will receive a hard copy or email of a very readable classic story by a great American writer. You will also receive some questions to consider while you read. Then, when we’re all together in a comfortable space, we will have an opportunity to participate in a lively discussion about the style, characters, setting, and what the story reveals about American culture. Class size is limited, so please register early!

Come and delve into four international films that dwell on the dark side of the street, where ambiguity and disillusionment dwell.

1. "Purple Noon" - France, 1960: The classic noir from the novels by Patricia Highsmith that spawned an international franchise. Tom Ripley is a talented mimic, moocher, forger, and all-around criminal improviser, but there's more to Tom Ripley than even he can guess.

2. "Monsieur Hire" - France, 1989: Monsieur Hire is a maladjusted, balding, middle-aged man living in France. He doesn't like to talk to people. A young woman is murdered, and a police detective suspects M. Hire just because his neighbors think he is strange.

3. "A Man Escaped" - France, 1956: A captured French Resistance fighter during World War II engineers a daunting escape from a German prison in France.

4. "The Invisible Witness" - Italy, 2018: Adriano Doria is "the entrepreneur of the year" in Milan. He drives a BMW, wears a flamboyant Rolex, has an adorable wife and daughter, and a beautiful mistress. But now he is under house arrest, accused of murder.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Among the hundreds of stars who have graced the silver screen, only a few were truly first-rate actors. Conversely, few truly great actors ever became legendary movie stars. Paul Muni, Katharine Hepburn, William Powell, and James Cagney were among the very few who were both. They became "stars" from their very first films and maintained that status until their last films. In this film series, we will spend two weeks on each of these four cinematic legends, watching both their first and their last pictures. Paul Muni is the only actor to receive Academy Award nominations for both his first and last starring roles. Katharine Hepburn stole the spotlight from John Barrymore in her first film and dominated the screen in her last more than 60 years later. William Powell was just as dapper and distinguished as detective Philo Vance in 1929 as he was as "Doc" in 1955's Mr. Roberts. And James Cagney went from playing a bootlegger in his first film to the New York City Police Commissioner in his last. Dr. Stone will introduce each film, and then, following our viewing, we will engage in what should be a lively discussion on each of the six films starring our four flawless legends. 

Lectures:

1. "The Valiant" (1929)
2. "The Last Angry Man" (1959
3. "A Bill of Divorcement" (1932)
4. "Love Affair" (1994)
5. "The Canary Murder Case" (1929)
6. "Mr. Roberts" (1955)
7. "Sinner’s Holliday" (1930)
8. "Ragtime" (1986)

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Both Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi minister of propaganda, and Adolf Hitler were film buffs and prized movies as a means to assist them in carrying out the nefarious goals of Nazi Germany. Historians of Nazi Germany have emphasized the important role films played in the history of Nazi Germany. Dr. Ed Shapiro will study World War II's history in this series through six German propaganda films. Before showing each film, Shapiro will discuss its historical context and significance. Each film will be shown in its entirety; then, it will be discussed with the audience.

Lectures:

1. "Olympia"
2. "Jud Suss"
3. "The Eternal Jew"
4. "My Life for Ireland"
5. "Uncle Kruger"
6. "Kolberg"

"He definitely knew his material and had a wealth of knowledge and experience." - OLLI Patron

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! Do you love book groups but don’t always have the opportunity to read the book? Here’s a chance to enjoy the camaraderie, education, and fun of a book group every week without having to dedicate much time to reading the selected material. The Great American Short Story Club provides great literature by email and on paper that explores our most celebrated and interesting writers' experiences, imagination, and values—in short, manageable doses. Want to participate in the lively discussion? Terrific. Want to sit back and learn and enjoy? Be our guest. The lively conversation will delve deeply into the meaning of the week's story without sacrificing the simple pleasures of reading a good story. Handouts are provided for each story. Space is limited.

Lectures:

1. "At the Anarchists' Convention": John Sayles (1979)
2. "Blown Away": Anthony Dale Gagliano (2006)
3. "The Bris": Eileen Pollack (2007)
4. "The Lie": TC Boyle (2008)

Caren is a real asset to OLLI. - OLLI Patron

Reflecting on the history, the humanity and beauty of France, these four award-winning selections are sure to prove the everlasting power of French Cinema. Shelly will Zoom in for an introduction to the film and then again for a discussion after the movie. All films will be shown in their entirety.

LECTURES:

1. "Between Two Worlds," 2021: A French journalist goes undercover to reveal the uncertainties and insecurities involving temporary work.

2. "Black Box," 2020: In the tradition of classic suspenseful thrillers, a young and talented black box analyst is on a mission to solve the reason behind the deadly crash of a brand-new aircraft.

3. "Other People's Children," 2022: Rachel loves her life, but she’s 40, and her desire for her very own family is growing stronger, and the clock is ticking. Is it too late?

4. "Cyrano My Love," 2018: A comedy retelling of how Edmond Rostand created one of France’s greatest and most beloved plays, Cyrano de Bergerac.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Among the hundreds of stars who have graced the silver screen, only a few were truly first-rate actors. Conversely, few truly great actors ever became legendary movie stars. Paul Muni, Katharine Hepburn, William Powell, and James Cagney were among the very few who were both. They became "stars" from their very first films and maintained that status until their last films. In this film series, we will spend two weeks on each of these four cinematic legends, watching both their first and their last pictures. Paul Muni is the only actor to receive Academy Award nominations for both his first and last starring roles. Katharine Hepburn stole the spotlight from John Barrymore in her first film and dominated the screen in her last more than 60 years later. William Powell was just as dapper and distinguished as detective Philo Vance in 1929 as he was as "Doc" in 1955's Mr. Roberts. And James Cagney went from playing a bootlegger in his first film to the New York City Police Commissioner in his last. Dr. Stone will introduce each film, and then, following our viewing, we will engage in what should be a lively discussion on each of the six films starring our four flawless legends. 

Lectures:

1. "The Valiant" (1929)
2. "The Last Angry Man" (1959
3. "A Bill of Divorcement" (1932)
4. "Love Affair" (1994)
5. "The Canary Murder Case" (1929)
6. "Mr. Roberts" (1955)
7. "Sinner’s Holliday" (1930)
8. "Ragtime" (1986)

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Films were a major cultural phenomenon during World War II, and each belligerent nation encouraged the production of propaganda films during the war. As a result, hundreds of propaganda films were produced. In this series, each film will be shown in its entirety, and there will be a discussion of its history and significance.

Lecture:

1. "Mrs. Miniver," (1942): A moving drama about a middle-class English family learning to cope with war, told in a series of dramatic vignettes.

2. "Mission to Moscow," (1943): Ambassador Joseph Davies is sent by FDR to Russia to learn about the Soviet system and returns to America as an advocate of Stalinism.

3. "Casablanca," (1942): A cynical expatriate American cafe owner struggles to decide whether or not to help his former lover and her fugitive husband escape the Nazis in French Morocco.

4. "Kolberg" (1945): One of the last films of the Third Reich, it was intended as a Nazi propaganda piece to bolster the will of the German population to resist the Allies.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Throughout history numerous women have demonstrated great artistic talent, and yet found themselves hampered by their gender in receiving recognition. Today women artists command high prices for their art and win major commissions in areas such as painting, sculpture, photography, architecture, fashion, and crafts. They have major exhibitions in museums and attract considerable attention for their innovative excellence. Women have been active contributors to all artistic movements of their times. This lecture series will be enriched with a multitude of images and archival films.

Lectures:

1. Women Sculptors: The paths they cleared -  Camille Claudel, Chana Orloff, Louise Nevelson, and others.

2. Women Painters:  "You paint like a man." - Elizabeth Vigee LeBrun, Georgia O'Keeffe, Remedios Varo, and others.

3. Women Photographers: Women seriously involved in photography since its inception - Dorothea Lange, Ruth Orkin, Dora Maar, Diane Arbus, and others.

4. Women's Work in Crafts: Glass making, pottery, woodcarving, and a multitude of other artistic endeavors -  Beatrice Wood, Toots Zinsky, Faith Reingold.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Early in the last century advice columns were called "Agony Aunts" or "Agony Uncles". In our generation we had Dear Abby, Ann Landers, Miss Manners, Dear Prudence amongst many other "problem solvers". Did advice columns end with the advent of the internet and social media? - Heck No!! Now we have sites such as Ask Polly, Dear Prudence, Captain Awkward and of course the New York Times Ethicist. This four week interactive session will explore some of the most interesting, juiciest and most ethical (or unethical) conundrums to see if the so called advice givers and problem solvers actually got the answers right. So let's discuss and let's have some interactive summer fun. 

Lectures:

1. Agony Aunts and Uncles
2. Dear Abby
3. Captain Awkward
4. The Ethicist

They say big things come in small packages and the same can be said about literary presses. Some of the biggest, and most surprising, stories are being published by small and independent publishers. This book discussion will read four examples from small and independent presses across the US (all are available through Amazon or directly through the publisher). Join us this summer for a discussion of these unique finds. Space is limited.

1. "Hazardous Spirits" by Anbara Salam (Tin House Books)

2. "Cacophony of Bone: The Circle of a Year" by Kerri ni Dochartaigh (Milkweed Editions)

3. "The Crocodile Bride" by Ashleigh Bell Pedersen (Hub City Press)

4. "Knives, Forks, Scissors, Flames" by Stefan Kiesbye (Panhandler Books)

Throughout history numerous women have demonstrated great artistic talent, and yet found themselves hampered by their gender in receiving recognition. Today women artists command high prices for their art and win major commissions in areas such as painting, sculpture, photography, architecture, fashion, and crafts. They have major exhibitions in museums and attract considerable attention for their innovative excellence. Women have been active contributors to all artistic movements of their times. This lecture series will be enriched with a multitude of images and archival films.

Lectures:

1. Women Sculptors: The paths they cleared -  Camille Claudel, Chana Orloff, Louise Nevelson, and others.

2. Women Painters:  "You paint like a man." - Elizabeth Vigee LeBrun, Georgia O'Keeffe, Remedios Varo, and others.

3. Women Photographers: Women seriously involved in photography since its inception - Dorothea Lange, Ruth Orkin, Dora Maar, Diane Arbus, and others.

4. Women's Work in Crafts: Glass making, pottery, woodcarving, and a multitude of other artistic endeavors -  Beatrice Wood, Toots Zinsky, Faith Reingold.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

In this session, the "F" in Film stands for funny. These four choices encompass various forms of comedy, each proving that humor transcends all borders.

Lectures:

1. "What’s in a Name" - France, 2012: Vincent is about to become a father. At a meeting with childhood friends, he announces the name for his future son. The scandalous name ignites a discussion that surfaces unpleasant matters from the past of the group.

2. "The Man Without a Past" - Finland, 2002: A man arrives in Helsinki only to be viciously attacked by thugs and pronounced dead by medics. He revives but with no memory of his past or his identity. He rebuilds his life from scratch, but the past inevitably catches up with him.

3. Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown" - Spain, 1988: In the film that brought Pedro Almodóvar international prominence, a television actress encounters a variety of eccentric characters after embarking on a journey to discover why her lover abruptly left her.

4. Perfumes - France, 2018: A celebrity in the creation of world-famous perfumes knows it takes a combination of sensitivity and chemistry to create the perfect scent. But when she encounters a chauffeur in need of work and desperate to retain custody of his daughter, where it will lead could change the mix.

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.

Jazz musicians love Broadway show tunes. The only Broadway composer favored more than Harold Arlen was George Gershwin. In fact, Arlen’s “Come Rain or Come Shine,” “Get Happy” and “Out of this World” sound almost like they had been written as jazz tunes. This course will celebrate the best Arlen tunes and the most exciting jazz renditions of them. Videos and vocal versions will introduce the melodies, and classic jazz recordings will dig deeper into their rich harmonies.

Lectures:

1. Over the Rainbow, Come Rain or Come Shine, Stormy Weather, featuring renditions by Judy Garland, Billie Holiday, Keith Jarrett, Art Pepper, Gerry Mulligan, Duke Ellington

2. I’ve Got the World on a String, My Shining Hour, featuring renditions by John Coltrane, Benny Carter, Sarah Vaughan, Art Tatum, Nat Cole

3. Get Happy, Paper Moon, I’m Old Fashioned, featuring renditions by Judy Garland, J.J. Johnson, Clifford Brown, Art Tatum, John Coltrane

4.  Blues in the Night, Out of this World, Sleeping Bee, with renditions by Quincy Jones, Art Farmer, Ella Fitzgerald, John Coltrane

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! Do you love book groups but don’t always have the opportunity to read the book? Here’s a chance to enjoy the camaraderie, education, and fun of a book group every week without having to dedicate much time to reading the selected material. The Great American Short Story Club provides great literature by email and on paper that explores our most celebrated and interesting writers' experiences, imagination, and values—in short, manageable doses. Want to participate in the lively discussion? Terrific. Want to sit back and learn and enjoy? Be our guest. The lively conversation will delve deeply into the meaning of the week's story without sacrificing the simple pleasures of reading a good story. Handouts are provided for each story. Space is limited.

Lectures:

1. "Jack and the Mad Dog": Tony Earley (2012)
2. "Cat Person": Kristen Roupenian (2017)
3. "The Boathouse": Tim Griffith (2017)
4. "Cafe Loup": Ben Lerner (2022)