Dr. Annette Bochenek loves to take Hometowns to Hollywood on the road–in person or virtually–in order to offer fun and engaging presentations about Hollywood’s Golden Age. Her presentations range from focusing on various subjects related to Golden Age Hollywood, in addition to presentations that profile individual performers.

Below is a listing of upcoming presentations and screenings for Hometowns to Hollywood. Attendance is free of charge unless otherwise noted.

To learn more about booking Hometowns to Hollywood at your organization, click here.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Mermaids in the Movies
Mon., Oct 3, 2023, 7pm-8pm ET
Eventbrite
Online Program via Zoom
Mermaids have made a splash in many different art forms, including films. They also happened to inspire film pioneers of early Hollywood, challenging them with creative ways to depict these fabled creatures. Join Film Historian Dr. Annette Bochenek as she explores various depictions of mermaids in classic cinema, their influence on the portrayal of aquatic creatures in films, and connections to more contemporary films. The program will include a multimedia presentation consisting of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. Tickets are $10. BUY TICKETS HERE.

A Hollywood Halloween
Thurs., Oct. 13, 2022, 6:30pm-7:30pm CT
White Oak Library District: Lockport Branch (IN-PERSON)
121 E. 8th Street, Lockport, IL 60441
Creep into the spooky side of classic Hollywood! From beloved classic horror films to lesser-known gems, explore the variety of classic horror films and characters as well as how the genre was developed to entertain audiences of all ages. Join Film Historian Dr. Annette Bochenek as she presents the production of impactful classic horror films, notable stars of the genre, as well as the legacy of these films and stars today. The program will include a multimedia presentation consisting of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. REGISTER HERE.

Based on the Book: From Page to Picture Pt. I 
Fri., Oct. 14, 2022, 2pm-3pm CT (IN-PERSON)
Sulzer Regional Library–Chicago Public Library
4455 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
Many classic films were inspired by books, with movie studios putting their own “Hollywood touch” on the story. What compelled studios to create these films and make changes? Join Film Historian Dr. Annette Bochenek as she presents about classic films based upon books as well as a discussion of comparisons between the text and film. The program will include a multimedia presentation consisting of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. REGISTER HERE.

A Hollywood Halloween
Sat., Oct. 15, 2022, 12pm-1pm CT (IN-PERSON)
Chicago Public Library Austin-Irving Branch
6100 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60634
Creep into the spooky side of classic Hollywood! From beloved classic horror films to lesser-known gems, explore the variety of classic horror films and characters as well as how the genre was developed to entertain audiences of all ages. Join Film Historian Dr. Annette Bochenek as she presents the production of impactful classic horror films, notable stars of the genre, as well as the legacy of these films and stars today. The program will include a multimedia presentation consisting of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. REGISTER HERE.

A Hollywood Halloween
Mon., Oct. 17, 2022, 7pm-8pm CT 
Prairie Trails Public Library
Free Online Program via Zoom
Creep into the spooky side of classic Hollywood! From beloved classic horror films to lesser-known gems, explore the variety of classic horror films and characters as well as how the genre was developed to entertain audiences of all ages. Join Film Historian Dr. Annette Bochenek as she presents the production of impactful classic horror films, notable stars of the genre, as well as the legacy of these films and stars today. The program will include a multimedia presentation consisting of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. REGISTER HERE.

The “Take Two!” Blogathon
Thurs., Oct. 20, 2022-Sat., Oct. 22, 2022
Hometowns to Hollywood
Blogathon Page
While Classic Hollywood explored numerous original storylines, remakes were also a common occurrence. Studios would revisit their previous films with more current contract players or even reimagine non-musical films as musical remakes. In other cases, stories would even be altered or expanded to accommodate additional scenes and characters. Hometowns to Hollywood is excited to present its seventh official blogathon, entitled “The ‘Take Two!’ Blogathon.” This blogathon will focus on remakes of all kinds occurring during Hollywood’s Golden Age or more contemporary remakes of Hollywood classics. Visit the Blogathon Page to read entries as they are posted.

The Polish in Hollywood
Mon., Oct. 24, 2022, 7pm-8pm CT
Carol Stream Public Library
Free Online Program via Zoom
The films of Hollywood’s Golden Age offered many depictions and talents from Poland. Join Film Historian Dr. Annette Bochenek as she explores a selection of the studio system’s on- and off-screen talents of Polish descent as well as classic films that portray Polish characters. The program will include a multimedia presentation consisting of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. REGISTER HERE.

A Hollywood Halloween
Weds., Oct. 26, 2022, 7pm-8pm CT
Mid-Continent Public Library
Free Online Program via Zoom
Creep into the spooky side of classic Hollywood! From beloved classic horror films to lesser-known gems, explore the variety of classic horror films and characters as well as how the genre was developed to entertain audiences of all ages. Join Film Historian Dr. Annette Bochenek as she presents the production of impactful classic horror films, notable stars of the genre, as well as the legacy of these films and stars today. The program will include a multimedia presentation consisting of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. REGISTER HERE.

A Hollywood Halloween
Thurs., Oct. 27, 2022, 7pm-8pm CT
Clarendon Hills Public Library (IN-PERSON)
7 N Prospect Ave, Clarendon Hills, IL 6051
*Copies of Hometowns to Hollywood: Volume I will be sold at this presentation.
Creep into the spooky side of classic Hollywood! From beloved classic horror films to lesser-known gems, explore the variety of classic horror films and characters as well as how the genre was developed to entertain audiences of all ages. Join Film Historian Dr. Annette Bochenek as she presents the production of impactful classic horror films, notable stars of the genre, as well as the legacy of these films and stars today. The program will include a multimedia presentation consisting of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. REGISTER HERE.

A Hollywood Halloween
Sat., Oct. 29, 2022, 2pm-3pm CT
Poplar Creek Public Library (IN-PERSON)
1405 S Park Ave, Streamwood, IL 60107
*Copies of Hometowns to Hollywood: Volume I will be sold at this presentation.
Creep into the spooky side of classic Hollywood! From beloved classic horror films to lesser-known gems, explore the variety of classic horror films and characters as well as how the genre was developed to entertain audiences of all ages. Join Film Historian Dr. Annette Bochenek as she presents the production of impactful classic horror films, notable stars of the genre, as well as the legacy of these films and stars today. The program will include a multimedia presentation consisting of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. REGISTER HERE.

On-Screen Spectres: Ghosts in Film
Sun., Oct. 30, 2022, 2pm-3pm CT
Palos Heights Public Library (IN-PERSON)
12501 S 71st Ave, Palos Heights, IL 60463
*Copies of Hometowns to Hollywood: Volume I will be sold at this presentation.
Classic Hollywood has incorporated depictions of ghosts across a wide array of film genres, including horror, romance, and comedy–just to name a few. Join Film Historian Dr. Annette Bochenek as she explores various depictions of ghosts in classic cinema, the technologies used to create these illusions, and their connections to more contemporary films. The program will include a multimedia presentation consisting of photos, video clips, and captivating stories. REGISTER HERE.