Publications & Presentations

Monthly Columns: 

• Classic Movie Travels Monthly Columnist for Classic Movie Hub (July 2017-Present)
  • “Clifton Webb” (Nov. 2022).
  • “Betty Compson” (Oct. 2022).
  • “Marcy McGuire” (Sept. 2022).
  • “Betty Grable” (Aug. 2022).
  • “Kay Kyser” (July 2022).
  • “Hoagy Carmichael” (June 2022).
  • “Virginia Dale” (May 2022).
  • “Percy Helton” (Apr. 2022).
  • “Lola Lane” (Mar. 2022).
  • “John Fiedler” (Feb. 2022).
  • “Betty White” (Jan. 2022).
  • “Alice Terry” (Dec. 2021).
  • “Agnes Ayres” (Nov. 2021).
  • “Evelyn Keyes” (Oct. 2021).
  • “Donald Meek” (Sept. 2021).
  • “Guy Kibbee” (Aug. 2021).
  • “Vernon and Irene Castle” (July 2021).
  • “Joan McCracken” (June 2021).
  • “Tom Drake” (May 2021).
  • “Jean Porter” (Apr. 2021).
  • “Lucille Bremer” (Mar. 2021).
  • “Allan Jones” (Feb. 2021).
  • “Doug McPhail” (Jan. 2021).
  • “George Murphy–NY, NJ, and CA” (Dec. 2020).
  • “Mary Carlisle–Hollywood and Beverly Hills” (Nov. 2020).
  • “Anne Shirley–NYC and Los Angeles” (Oct. 2020).
  • “Virginia Bruce–Fargo and Los Angeles” (Sept. 2020).
  • “Hugh Herbert–NYC and Los Angeles” (Aug. 2020).
  • “Ruby Keeler–NY and CA” (July 2020).
  • “Frank McHugh” (June 2020).
  • “Dorothy Dare” (May 2020).
  • “Cliff Edwards” (Apr. 2020).
  • “June Knight” (Mar. 2020).
  • “Gale Storm” (Feb. 2020).
  • “Nell O’Day” (Jan. 2020).
  • “Burl Ives–Illinois, Los Angeles and Valley Forge” (Dec. 2019).
  • “Marion Stadler” (Nov. 2019).
  • “Hal LeRoy–New Jersey” (Oct. 2019).
  • “Adriana Caselotti” (Sept. 2019).
  • “June Haver” (Aug. 2019).
  • “Mae Busch–Melbourne, Australia” (July 2019).
  • “Rosalind Russell–Connecticut and San Francisco” (June 2019).
  • “Leslie Caron” (May 2019).
  • “Fay Bainter–Los Angeles, CA, and Provo, UT” (Apr. 2019).
  • “Dolores Del Rio–Mexico City and Hollywood” (Mar. 2019).
  • “Bert Lahr–New York, NY, and Seattle, WA” (Feb. 2019).
  • “Mel Torme–Chicago” (Jan. 2019).
  • “Danny Thomas–Toledo and Memphis” (Dec. 2018).
  • “Toby Wing” (Nov. 2018).
  • “Ray Bolger–Boston, NY, and LA” (Oct. 2018).
  • “Vivian Blaine–New Jersey, New York” (Sept. 2018).
  • “Billie Burke–New York” (Aug. 2018).
  • “Donald O’Connor” (July 2018).
  • “Jeanette Loff–Idaho, Minnesota, Saskatchewan, Oregon, California, New York City” (June 2018).
  • “Robert Young–Chicago, Seattle, Pasadena, Los Angeles” (May 2018).
  • “Glenda Farrell–Wichita, San Diego, and NY” (Apr. 2018).
  • “Josephine Hutchinson–Seattle, Washington and New York City” (Mar. 2018).
  • “Jobyna Ralston and South Pittsburg” (Feb. 2018).
  • “Jeanne Crain–Inglewood and Los Angeles, CA” (Jan. 2018).
  • “Betty Garrett–Missouri, Washington State, and New York” (Dec. 2017).
  • “Gower Champion, Geneva, Illinois” (Nov. 2017).
  • “Spencer Tracy and Milwaukee, Wisconsin” (Oct. 2017).
  • “Barbara Hale, Chicago, Illinois” (Sept. 2017).
  • “Jane Powell, Portland, Oregon” (Aug. 2017).
  • “Colleen Moore’s Fairy Castle” (July 2017).

• Hometowns to Hollywood Monthly Columnist for TCM Backlot (Jan. 2018-Aug. 2021)
  • “Summer Under the Stars: Eve Arden” (Aug. 2021).
  • “July’s Star of the Month: Elvis Presley” (July 2021).
  • “June’s Star of the Month: Cyd Charisse” (June 2021).
  • “Movie Roberts: Robert Young” (May 2021).
  • “31 Days of Oscar: 42nd Street (1933) (Apr. 2021).
  • “March’s Star of the Month: Doris Day” (Mar. 2021).
  • “February’s Star of the Month: John Garfield” (Feb. 2021).
  • “January’s Star of the Month: Miriam Hopkins” (Jan. 2021).
  • “December’s Stars of the Month: Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy” (Dec. 2020).
  • “November’s Star of the Month: Shelley Winters” (Nov. 2020).
  • “October’s Star of the Month: Peter Cushing” (Oct. 2020).
  • “September’s Star of the Month: Dorothy Dandridge” (Sept. 2020).
  • “Summer Under the Stars: Claudette Colbert” (Aug. 2020).
  • “July’s Star of the Month: Tony Curtis” (July 2020).
  • “June’s Star of the Month: Ann Sheridan” (June 2020).
  • “May’s Star of the Month: Edward G. Robinson” (May 2020).
  • “April’s Star of the Month: Jane Russell” (Apr. 2020).
  • “March’s Star of the Month: Joe E. Brown” (Mar. 2020).
  • “Una Merkel: Hollywood’s Best Friend” (Feb. 2020).
  • “January’s Star of the Month: Particia Neal” (Jan. 2020).
  • “December’s Star of the Month: Joan Blondell” (Dec. 2019).
  • “November’s Star of the Month: Bette Davis” (Nov. 2019).
  • “October’s Star of the Month: Paul Muni” (Oct. 2019).
  • “September’s Star of the Month: Sidney Poitier” (Sept. 2019).
  • “Summer Under the Stars: James Stewart” (Aug. 2019).
  • “July’s Star of the Month: Glenn Ford” (July 2019).
  • “June’s Star of the Month: Jane Powell” (June 2019).
  • “May’s Star of the Month: Paul Newman” (May 2019).
  • “April’s Star of the Month: Greta Garbo” (Apr. 2019).
  • “March’s Star of the Month: Fredric March” (Mar. 2019).
  • “The Academy Awards and Plenty of Hope” (Feb. 2019).
  • “January’s Star of the Month: Kathryn Grayson” (Jan. 2019).
  • “December’s Star of the Month: Dick Powell” (Dec. 2018).
  • “November’s Star of the Month: Glenda Farrell” (Nov. 2018).
  • “October’s Star of the Month: Rita Hayworth” (Oct. 2018).
  • “September’s Star of the Month: Dean Martin” (Sept. 2018).
  • “Summer Under the Stars: Dana Andrews” (Aug. 2018).
  • “July’s Star of the Month: Steve McQueen” (July 2018).
  • “June’s Star of the Month: Leslie Howard” (June 2018).
  • “May’s Star of the Month: Marlene Dietrich” (May 2018).
  • “Susan Hayward: The Brooklyn Bombshell” (Apr. 2018).
  • “March Star of the Month: Elizabeth Taylor” (Mar. 2018).
  • “Wings (1927): When Best Picture Took Flight” (Feb. 2018).
  • “January’s Star of the Month: Charles Boyer” (Jan. 2018).

Television Appearances:

• TCM Backlot Interview for Turner Classic Movies (June 2016).
• Interview with Ben Mankiewicz for Turner Classic Movies (July 2015).

Books: 

• Hometowns to Hollywood: Volume I (2021).
• Hidden Classics: Forgotten Gems of Cinema (2021) for Classic Movie Blog Association.
• Politics on Film (2020) for Classic Movie Blog Association.
• The Ida Lupino Files (2020) for Cine Suffragette. 
• Femme/Homme Fatales of Film Noir (2019) for Classic Movie Blog Association.
• Outlaws: Depictions of Outlaws in Classic Film (2019) for Classic Movie Blog Association.
• Banned and Blacklisted: Too Hot for Hollywood (2018) for Classic Movie Blog Association.
• Underseen and Underrated: Celebrating Lesser-Known Classic Films (2017) for Classic Movie Blog Association.
• Words! Words! Words! Essays on Writing and Writers in Classic Film (2016) for Classic Movie Blog Association.
• Hollywood on Hollywood: Essays on Ten Films About Tinseltown (2016) for Classic Movie Blog Association.
• The Fabulous Films of the 30s (2015) for Classic Movie Blog Association.
• Planes, Trains, & Automobiles: Classic Films on the Move (2015) for Classic Movie Blog Association.

Periodicals:

• The Jack Benny Times
  • “Rochester and Jack: Breaking Racial Barriers” (2022)
• The Moving Image Journal:
  • “Sights and Sounds Reunited: An Exploration of Information Behavior in the Vitaphone Project Community” (2021).
• The Dark Pages Film Noir Newsletter:
  • “Alarmingly Subversive: Leave Her to Heaven (1945)” (2022).
  • “A Bitter World: In A Lonely Place (1950)” (2022).
  • “Audrey Totter: Joliet’s Lady in the Lake” (2021).
  • “Glenn Ford: Canadian Star of Noir” (2020).
  • “Dana Andrews and Gene Tierney in Laura (1944)” (2019).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Lana Turner” (2017).
• Palos Verdes Pulse:
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Volume I“ (Sept. 2022).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Buddy Ebsen” (April 2022).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Betty White” (Jan. 2022).
  • “Hollywood History of the Palos Verdes Peninsula: Jayne Mansfield” (Jan. 2022).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Lucille Lund” (Oct. 2021).
  • “Top 5 Classic Film Dogs” (May 2021).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Jean Harlow” (Feb. 2021).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Errol Flynn” (Feb. 2021).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Lana Turner” (Aug. 2020).
  • “Hollywood History in Palos Verdes: Dana Andrews” (Aug. 2020).
• Laurel and Hardy Magazine:
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Mae Busch,” v. 11, no. 4 (2020).
• Nostalgia Digest:
  • “The One-Man Team” (2022).
  • “James Stewart: Our (Every)Man in Hollywood” (2020).
  • “Rochester” (2019).
  • “Little Miss Sunshine: The Story of Frances Langford” (2019).
  • “The Wilde Ones: Lyn and Lee Wilde” (2016).
  • “Blondie: From Strip to Screen” (2012).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Quarterly Columnist for Silent Film Quarterly (2016-2017):
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Buster Keaton” (Summer 2017).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Colleen Moore” (Spring 2017).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Oliver Hardy” (Winter 2016).
• Chicago Art Deco Society Magazine:
  • “The Auburn-Cord Deusenberg Museum: It’s a Deusy!” (2014).
  • “Fashion and Jewels of the Jazz Age Sparkle in Gatsby Film” (2013).

Awards:

• Classic Movie Blogger Association (CMBA) Award:
  • Best Profile: “Lucille Ball: Fashion Icon” (2021).
  • Best Film Article. “Rochester and Jack: Breaking Racial Barriers” (2020).

Podcast Appearances: 

• Forgotten Hollywood:
  • “Episode 40: Hometowns to Hollywood” (Nov. 2021).
• Milwaukee Mob:
  • “Old School Mob Films” (July 2020).

Guest Blogger Articles:

• Classic Movie Hub:
  • “I Am Max: A Max Linder Docudrama Film” (Oct. 2018).
• “Classic Movie Hub: Classic Movie Travels” (2015):
  • “Classic Movie Travels: Lana Turner, from Wallace, Idaho, to Hollywood, California” (Dec. 2015).
  • “Classic Movie Travels: Francis Farmer, from Seattle to Indianapolis” (Oct. 2015).
  • “Classic Movie Travels: Newton, Massachusetts, and the Great Jack Lemmon” (Sept. 2015).
  • “Classic Movie Travels: The Great Katharine Hepburn of Fenwick, Connecticut” (Aug. 2015).
• “Park Ridge Library: The Rediscovered” Film Series (2014):
  • “Irene Dunne: Introduction” (2014).
  • “The Key (1934): Introduction” (2014).
  • “Remembering Mickey Rooney” (2014).
• “Park Ridge Library: Screen Deco” Film Series (2012):
  • “Forever Dancing: A Preview of Swing Time (1936)” (2012).
  • “Style is Eternal” (2012).
  • “A Screen Deco Reflection” (2012).
  • “The Face of Deco: Dolores Del Rio” (2012).
  • “Sheer Heaven: The Rhythm of Fred and Ginger” (2012).
• “Park Ridge Library: Legends of Laughter” Film Series (2011):
  • “Smile” (2011).
  • “The Legends in Our Modern Time” (2011).

Interviews with Annette:

• “Hollywood Kitchen: Oscar Cook-Along 2022” Facebook Live interview and Hollywood Kitchen episode recreating the recipes of classic Hollywood stars who did not win an Oscar. I make Irene Dunne’s Vinegar Chocolate Cake (Mar. 2022).
• “And I ‘Quote'” Zoom interview about the Golden Age of Hollywood (Mar. 2022).
• “Just Talkin'” Zoom interview for Kenosha Community Media (Mar. 2022).
• “Hollywood Kitchen: The Betty White Cook-Along” Facebook Live interview and Hollywood Kitchen episode honoring Betty White (Feb. 2022).
• “Hollywood Kitchen: The Three Stooges & Curly’s ‘N’yuk N’yuk N’yams'” Facebook Live interview and Hollywood Kitchen episode honoring Curly Howard and the Three Stooges. Special guests include author and historian Rick Greene and Bradley Server, grandson of Curly Howard (Nov. 2021).
• “Hollywood Kitchen: The Boris Karloff vs. Vincent Price Guacamole Smackdown” Facebook Live interview and Hollywood Kitchen episode recreating Boris Karloff and Vincent Price’s Guacamole (Oct. 2021).
• “Hollywood Kitchen: Ann Blyth” Facebook Live interview and Hollywood Kitchen episode recreating Ann Blyth’s Blueberry Muffins (Aug. 2021).
• Heartland Film, Instagram Live:
  • “Jimmy Stewart: A Birthday Celebration” (May 2021).
• “Hollywood Kitchen: Oscar Cook-Along” Facebook Live interview and Hollywood Kitchen episode recreating Greta Garbo’s Swedish Meatballs (Apr. 2021).
• “Hollywood Kitchen: Dawn Wells” Facebook Live interview and Hollywood Kitchen episode recreating Dawn Wells’s “Mary Ann’s Famous Coconut Cream Pie” (Jan. 2021).
• “Hollywood Kitchen: Janet Gaynor” Facebook Live interview and Hollywood Kitchen episode recreating Janet Gaynor’s New England Pumpkin Pie (Nov. 2020).
  • Q&A Portion of “Hollywood Kitchen: Janet Gaynor” via Facebook Live (Nov. 2020).
• “Glazier Interviews Bochenek” Facebook Live interview and piano concert (Oct. 2020).
• “Regina Dominican film festival to mark 60th year” for the Chicago Tribune (Apr. 2019).
• “Classic Movie Bloggers Association” Interview for Classic Movie Blog Association (Feb. 2017).
• TCM Backlot Interview for Turner Classic Movies (June 2016).
• “Stardust Melodies” Interview for Stardust Melodies (Mar. 2016).
• Interview with Ben Mankiewicz for Turner Classic Movies (July 2015).

Press Mentions: 

• WTWO 2 Terre Haute:
  • “New exhibit at Red Skelton museum caps off festival” (June 2022).
• Tristate News:
  • “Red Skelton festival happening this week in Vincennes” (June 2022).
• Easy Reader & Peninsula:
  • “Hollywood Goes to the Library” (June 2022).
• Harbor County News:
  • “From Page to Picture” (Mar. 2021).
• Hinsdale Living Magazine: 
  • “Laugh With Me” (2020).
• Chicago Tribune:
  • “Based on the Book” (Jan. 2021).
  • “Afternoon At the Oscars” (Jan. 2020).
  • “St. Charles Public Library Presents A Night at the Oscars” (Jan. 2020).
  • “Regina Dominican film festival to mark 60th year” (April 2019).
  • “Arcada offers silent film series” (Dec. 2018).
• Daily Herald:
  • “A Night at the Oscars” (Mar. 2022).
  • “Behind the scenes of Hollywood history” (July 2021).
  • “Palatine library event March 2 explores ‘The Irish in Hollywood'” (Feb. 2020).
  • “See Buster Keaton as “The Navigator” Jan. 7 at the Arcada” (Jan. 2020).
  • “Horror classics to bring spooky thrills to silent film series” (Oct. 2019).
  • “See silent horror-comedy film Oct. 8 at the Arcada” (Oct. 2019).
  • “Silent film fundraiser to benefit Catlow Theater in Barrington” (April 2019).
• Kane County Chronicle:
  • “St. Charles Public Library to present ‘A Night at the Oscars'” (Jan. 2020).
  • “‘A Night at the Oscars’ Lecture by Film Expert” (Jan. 2020).
• The Wilmette Beacon:
  • “Regina Dominican Film Fest Celebration” (April 2019).

Presentations:

• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Beecher Community Library:
  • “The History of the Hollywood Musical” (Nov. 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Palos Heights Public Library:
  • “On-Screen Spectres: Ghosts in Film” (Oct. 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Poplar Creek Public Library:
  • “A Hollywood Halloween” (Oct. 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Clarendon Hills Public Library:
  • “A Hollywood Halloween” (Oct. 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Carol Stream Public Library:
  • “The Polish in Hollywood” via Zoom (Oct. 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Chicago Public Library–Austin-Irving Branch:
  • “A Hollywood Halloween” (Oct. 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Chicago Public Library–Sulzer Regional Library:
  • “Based on the Book: From Page to Picture, Part I” (Oct. 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, White Oak Library District–Lockport Branch:
  • “A Hollywood Halloween” (Oct. 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Metropolitan Washington Old-Time Radio Club:
  • “Ladies of Laughter: Great Comediennes” via Zoom (Sept. 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Syosset Public Library:
  • “Hollywood Goes to the Library” via Zoom (Sept. 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Chicago Public Library Bucktown Wicker-Park Branch:
  • “Ladies of Laughter: Great Comediennes” via Zoom (Aug. 2022).
  • “The Women Who Built Hollywood” via Zoom (Aug. 2022).
• Will Friedwald’s Clip Joint:
  • “The Cyd Charisse Centennial” via Zoom (Sept. 2022).
  • “Esther Williams 101” via Zoom (Aug. 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Geneva Public Library:
  • “Betty White: A Lifetime of Laughter” (July 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Sandusky Library:
  • “Mermaids in the Movies” via Zoom (July 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Somerset County Library System of New Jersey:
  • “Based on the Book: From Page to Picture, Part II” via Zoom (July 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Torrance Public Library:
  • “Hollywood Goes to the Library” via Zoom (June 2022).
• Silent Film Society of Chicago Fundraiser, The Sanfilippo Foundation:
  • “It (1927)” (June 2022).
• Des Plaines Theatre Silent Film Festival, Des Plaines Theatre:
  • “Steamboat Bill Jr. (1928)” (June 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Newberry Library:
  • “Behind the Movie Magic: Iconic Moments in Classic Film” via Zoom (Nov. 2022).
  • “Ladies of Laughter: Great Comediennes” via Zoom (Sept. 2022).
  • “Chicago: The First Hollywood” via Zoom (June 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Santa Fe Public Library:
  • “Based on the Book: From Page to Picture, Part I” via Zoom (May 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Dickinson Hall Senior Center:
  • “Bad Boys & Girls: The Characters We Love to Hate” (Aug. 2022).
  • “Dynamic Duos: Classic Comedy Partnerships” (April 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Crestwood Public Library:
  • “Chicago: The First Hollywood” via Zoom (April 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Deerfield Public Library:
  • “Betty White: A Lifetime of Laughter” via Zoom (Nov. 2022).
  • “How’d They Do That?!” via Zoom (Mar. 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Tippecanoe County Public Library:
  • “The Women Who Built Hollywood” (Mar. 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Poughkeepsie Public Library:
  • “Hollywood Goes to the Library” via Zoom (April 2022).
  • “The Women Who Built Hollywood” via Zoom (Mar. 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Lake Villa Public Library:
  • “A Night at the Oscars: Academy Awards History” via Zoom (Mar. 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Mid-Continent Public Library:
  • “Scrooge Through the Years” via Zoom (Nov. 2022).
  • “A Hollywood Halloween” via Zoom (Oct. 2022).
  • “Hollywood Goes to the Beach” via Zoom (Aug. 2022).
  • “That’s All, Folks!: A History of Animation” via Zoom, afternoon (July 2022).
  • “That’s All, Folks!: A History of Animation” via Zoom, evening (July 2022).
  • “Ladies of Laughter: Great Comediennes” via Zoom, afternoon (Mar. 2022).
  • “Ladies of Laughter: Great Comediennes” via Zoom, evening (Mar. 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Vernon Area Public Library:
  • “A Night at the Oscars: Academy Awards History” via Zoom (Mar. 2022).
• Patio Theater Silent Film Festival, The Patio Theater, (2022-Present):
  • “Nosferatu (1922)” (Mar. 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Escape Velocity Brewing:
  • “Geek Talks: Hollywood Style Icons” (Feb. 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Joliet Public Library:
  • “Hollywood Valentine: Married at the Movies” via Zoom (Feb. 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Bronxville Public Library:
  • “Dressing the Stars” via Zoom  (Sept. 2022).
  • “Everybody Dance!: Classic Hollywood’s Top Dancers” via Zoom (Aug. 2022).
  • “Hollywood Goes to the Library” via Zoom (July 2022).
  • “The Women Who Built Hollywood” via Zoom (Mar. 2022).
  • “Hollywood Valentine: Married at the Movies” via Zoom (Feb. 2022).
• The “Jack Benny at the Last Minute” Players, International Jack Benny Fan Club Convention:
  • “Hello, Louella!” Episode Re-Creation via Zoom (Feb. 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Crete Public Library:
  • “How’d They Do That?!” via Zoom (Sept. 2022).
  • “Hollywood Valentine: Married at the Movies” via Zoom (Feb. 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Palos Park Public Libary:
  • “How’d They Do That?!” via Zoom (Jan. 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Eventbrite:
  • “Chicago: The First Hollywood” via Zoom (Sept. 2022).
  • “Hollywood Goes to the Beach” via Zoom (Aug. 2022).
  • “Sibling Stars of Classic Hollywood” via Zoom (July 2022).
  • “Judy Garland: A Centennial Celebration” via Zoom (June 2022).
  • “Jimmy Stewart: Hollywood’s Everyman” via Zoom (May 2022).
  • “The Women Who Built Hollywood” via Zoom (Mar. 2022).
  • “Jack Benny: An Illinois Original” via Zoom (Feb. 2022).
  • “Ladies of Laughter: Great Comediennes” via Zoom (Jan. 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Flossmoor Public Library:
  • “Based on the Book: From Page to Picture, Part II” via Zoom (Feb. 2022).
  • “Based on the Book: From Page to Picture, Part I” via Zoom (Jan. 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Bartlett Public Library:
  • “A Night at the Oscars: Academy Award History” via Zoom (Mar. 2022).
  • “Hollywood Style: Icons of Fashion” via Zoom (Jan. 2022).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Lisle Library District:
  • “The Women Who Built Hollywood” via Zoom (Mar. 2022).
  • “Frank Sinatra: The Legacy of Ol’ Blue Eyes” via Zoom (Dec. 2021).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Elmhurst Public Library:
  • “The History of the Hollywood Musical” via Zoom (Nov. 2022).
  • Hometowns to Hollywood: Volume I Book Signing (Aug. 2022).
  • “Judy Garland: A Centennial Celebration” via Zoom (June 2022).
  • “Ladies of Laughter: Great Comediennes” (Mar. 2022).
  • “Movie Melodies: The Music of Cole Porter” via Zoom (Oct. 2021).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Fountaindale Public Library:
  • “Hollywood Goes to the Beach” via Zoom (July 2022).
  • “Based on the Book: From Page to Picture, Part I” via Zoom (Dec. 2021).
  • “A Hollywood Halloween” via Zoom (Oct. 2021).
• Escapism: Finding Solace During the Great Depression Exhibition, Evansville Museum:
  • “Lovely to Look At: The Glamour and Influence of Hollywood’s Golden Age” (July 2021).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Addison Public Library:
  • “Matinee Idols: Hollywood’s Leading Men” via Zoom (Jan. 2022).
  • “Bombshells: Hollywood’s Leading Ladies” (Oct. 2021).
  • “The History of the Hollywood Musical” via Zoom (July 2021).
• Arcada Theatre Silent Film Festival, Arcada Theatre,  (2018-Present)
  • “Saturday Afternoon (1926) & Soldier Man (1926)” (Oct. 2022).
  • “Battling Butler (1926)” (Aug. 2022).
  • “Tell it to the Marines (1926)” (June 2022).
  • “Casey at the Bat (1927)” (April 2022).
  • “Harrison Ford & The Nervous Wreck (1926)” (Feb. 2022).
  • “Harry Langdon & His First Flame (1927)” (Jan. 2022).
  • “The Goat (1921); Sherlock Jr. (1924)” (Mar. 2020).
  • “Girl Shy (1924)” (Feb. 2020).
  • “The Navigator (1924)” (Jan. 2020).
  • “Kid Boots (1926)” (Nov. 2019).
  • “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)” (Oct. 2019).
  • “The Cat and the Canary (1927)” (Oct. 2019).
  • “Buster Keaton in Three Ages (1923)” (Sept. 2019).
  • “Buster Keaton in Our Hospitality! (1923); Laurel & Hardy in Liberty (1929)” (April 2019).
  • “Douglas Fairbanks in The Nut (1921)” (Mar. 2019).
  • “Harold Lloyd in Safety Last (1923)” (Jan. 2019).
  • “Laurel & Hardy in Big Business (1926); Buster Keaton in The General (1926)” (Dec. 2018).
  • “Silent All-Stars Night: Charlie Chaplin in A Day’s Pleasure (1919); Buster Keaton & Fatty Arbuckle in The Bell Boy (1918); and Harold Lloyd in High and Dizzy (1921)” (Nov. 2018).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, CJE-Tamarisk NorthShore:
  • “Hedy Lamarr: A Brilliant Beauty” (April 2022).
  • “Dynamic Duos: Classic Comedy Partnerships” (July 2021).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Hamilton East Public Library:
  • “A Night at the Oscars: Best Actress Spotlight” via Zoom (Mar. 2022).
  • “A-List Animals” via Zoom (June 2021).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Maine Township MaineStreamers:
  • “Chicago: The First Hollywood” via Zoom (May 2021).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Niles Senior Center:
  • “Dynamic Duos: Classic Comedy Partnerships” (May 2021).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Thomas Ford Memorial Library:
  • “A Night at the Oscars: Academy Awards History” via Zoom (Apr. 2021).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Prairie Trails Public Library:
  • “A Hollywood Halloween” via Zoom (Oct. 2022).
  • “Ladies of Laughter: Great Comediennes” via Zoom (May 2022).
  • “The History of the Hollywood Musical” via Zoom (Aug. 2021).
  • “Based on the Book: From Page to Picture” via Zoom (Apr. 2021).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Baltimore County Public Library:
  • “Queer in Hollywood: LGBTQIA+ Depictions in Classic Film” via Zoom (June 2022).
  • “Scrooge Through the Years” via Zoom (Dec. 2021).
  • “A Hollywood Halloween” via Zoom (Oct. 2021).
  • “Ladies of Laughter: Great Comediennes” via Zoom (Mar. 2021).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Carmel Clay Public Library:
  • “Celluloid Road Trip: U.S. Edition” via Zoom (Mar. 2021).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, NA’AMAT USA:
  • “Dressing the Stars: Part I” via Zoom (Mar. 2021).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Northbrook Woman’s Club:
  • “The Women Who Built Hollywood” via Zoom (Feb. 2022).
  • “An Afternoon at the Oscars: Academy Awards History” via Zoom (Feb. 2021).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Eisenhower Public Library:
  • “Matinee Idols: Hollywood’s Leading Men” via Zoom (June 2021).
  • “Bombshells: Hollywood’s Leading Ladies” via Zoom (June 2021).
  • “James Stewart: Hollywood’s Everyman” via Zoom (Jan. 2021).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Lemont Public Library:
  • “A Classic Hollywood Christmas” via Zoom (Dec. 2020).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, St. Anne’s Women’s Club:
  • “Catholic Leading Ladies” via Zoom (Oct. 2020).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Northbrook Public Library:
  • “Dynamic Duos: Classic Comedy Partnerships” via Zoom (Sept. 2020).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Rolling Meadows Library:
  • “Hollywood Valentine: Married at the Movies” via Zoom (Feb. 2022).
  • “Based on the Book: From Page to Picture” via Zoom (Aug. 2020).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Morton Grove Public Library:
  • “Chicago: The First Hollywood” via Zoom (May 2022).
  • “The History of the Hollywood Musical” via Zoom (Aug. 2020).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, CJE SeniorLife: 
  • “The History of the Hollywood Musical” (Aug. 2022).
  • “Everybody Dance!: Classic Cinema’s Top Dancers” via Zoom (May 2022).
  • “Matinee Idols: Hollywood’s Leading Men” via Zoom (Nov. 2021).
  • “The Women Who Built Hollywood” via Zoom (July 2021).
  • “Ladies of Laughter: Great Comediennes” via Zoom (Mar. 2021).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Laurel & Hardy” via Zoom (Oct. 2020).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: The Marx Brothers” via Zoom (July 2020).
  • “Jack Benny: An Illinois Original” via Zoom (June 2020).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, North Shore Congregation Israel:
  • “A Night at the Oscars: Academy Awards History” via Zoom (Mar. 2022).
  • “Fred and Ginger: Forever Dancing” via Zoom (July 2020).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Patty Turner Center:
  • “Movie Melodies: The Music of Irving Berlin” (Dec. 2021).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: The Three Stooges” via Zoom (June 2021).
  • “Movie Melodies: The Music of the Gershwins” via Zoom (Mar. 2021).
  • “Hollywood Valentine: Married in the Movies” via Zoom (Feb. 2021).
  • “Sitcom Deep-Dive: The Honeymooners” via Zoom (Jan. 2021).
  • “A Classic Hollywood Christmas” via Zoom (Dec. 2020).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: The Marx Brothers” via Zoom (Nov. 2020).
  • “Lucille Ball: Queen of Comedy” via Zoom (Sept. 2020).
  • “Bad Boys & Girls: The Characters We Love to Hate” via Zoom (July 2020).
  • “Bombshells: Hollywood’s Leading Ladies” (Jan. 2020).
  • “Hedy Lamarr: A Brilliant Beauty” (Aug. 2019).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, North Shore Senior Center:
  • “Frank Sinatra: The Legacy of Ol’ Blue Eyes” (June 2022).
  • “Matinee Idols: Hollywood’s Leading Men” via Zoom (July 2021).
  • “Hollywood Style: Icons of Fashion” via Zoom (July 2021).
  • “Bombshells: Hollywood’s Leading Ladies” via Zoom (June 2021).
  • “A-List Animals” via Zoom (Apr. 2021).
  • “Sibling Stars of Hollywood” via Zoom (Feb. 2021).
  • “The History of the Hollywood Musical” via Zoom (Dec. 2020).
  • “Based on the Book: From Page to Picture, Part I” via Zoom (Oct. 2020).
  • “Bad Boys & Girls: The Characters We Love to Hate” via Zoom (May 2020).
  • “Ladies of Laughter: Great Comediennes” (Jan. 2020).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Laurel and Hardy” (Oct. 2019).
  • “Chicago: The First Hollywood” (July 2019).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Palatine Public Library:
  • “James Dean: Hollywood’s Rebel” via Zoom (Nov. 2021).
  • “A-List Animals” via Zoom (May 2021).
  • “Sibling Stars of Hollywood” via Zoom (Apr. 2021).
  • “The Women Who Built Hollywood” via Zoom (Mar. 2021).
  • “Based on the Book: From Page to Picture, Part I” via Zoom (Nov. 2020).
  • “The History of the Hollywood Musical” via Zoom (May 2020).
  • “The Irish in Hollywood” (Mar. 2020).
  • “Chicago: The First Hollywood” (Aug. 2019).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: The Silent Clowns; Chaplin, Keaton, and Lloyd” (May 2019).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: The Marx Brothers” (April 2019).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Laurel and Hardy” (Mar. 2019).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Cook Memorial Public Library:
  • “A Night at the Oscars: Academy Awards History” via Zoom (Mar. 2022).
  • “A Classic Hollywood Christmas” via Zoom (Dec. 2021).
  • “The Roaring Twenties: From Silents to Sound” via Zoom (Aug. 2021).
  • “Silent Clowns: Chaplin, Keaton, & Lloyd” via Zoom (July 2021).
  • “A Night at the Oscars: Academy Awards History” via Zoom (Apr. 2021).
  • “Dressing the Stars: Part I” via Zoom (Jan. 2021).
  • “Dynamic Duos: Classic Comedy Partnerships” via Zoom (Aug. 2020).
  • “Ladies of Laughter: Great Comediennes” via Zoom (May 2020).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Westmont Public Library:
  • “Hollywood Goes to the Library” (May 2022).
  • “Ladies of Laughter: Great Comediennes” (Mar. 2020).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Glenview Public Library:
  • “Chicago: The First Hollywood” via Zoom (Mar. 2021).
  • “Darlings of the Depression” via Zoom (Oct. 2020).
  • “The Irish in Hollywood” (Mar. 2020).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Naperville Public Library (95th St. Library):
  • “Based on the Book: From Page to Picture, Part I” via Zoom (Jan. 2021).
  • “An Afternoon at the Oscars: Academy Awards History” (Feb. 2020).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Chestnut Square at The Glen:
  • “That’s All, Folks!” (July 2022).
  • “How’d They Do That?!” (April 2020).
  • “A Night at the Oscars: Academy Awards History” (Feb. 2020).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Mary Lubko Center:
  • “An Afternoon at the Oscars: Academy Awards History” (Feb. 2020).
  • “Bombshells: Hollywood’s Leading Ladies” (July 2019).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Winnetka-Northfield Public Library:
  • “Hollywood Style: Icons of Fashion” via Zoom (Nov. 2022).
  • “A Night at the Oscars: Best Picture Spotlight” via Zoom (Mar. 2022).
  • “Dressing the Stars: Part I” via Zoom (Feb. 2021).
  • “A Classic Hollywood Christmas” via Zoom (Dec. 2020).
  • “A Night at the Oscars: Academy Awards History” (Feb. 2020).
  • “A Night at the Oscars: Academy Awards History” (Feb. 2019).
  • “Chicago: The First Hollywood” (Sept. 2018).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Cary Area Public Library:
  • “A Night at the Oscars: Academy Awards History” via Zoom (Apr. 2021).
  • “A Night at the Oscars: Academy Awards History” (Feb. 2020).
  • “Based on the Book: From Page to Picture, Part I” (Sept. 2019).
  • “A Night at the Oscars: Academy Awards History” (Feb. 2019).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, St. Charles Public Library:
  • “Lucille Ball: Queen of Comedy” (May 2022).
  • “A Classic Hollywood Christmas” via Zoom (Dec. 2020).
  • “A Night at the Oscars: Academy Awards History” (Jan. 2020).
  • “1939: Cinema’s Greatest Year” (Oct. 2019).
  • “A Night at the Oscars: Academy Awards History” (Feb. 2019).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, New Buffalo Township Library:
  • “A Hollywood Halloween” (Oct. 2021).
  • “Based on the Book: From Page to Picture, Part I” via Zoom (Apr. 2021).
  • “Chicago: The First Hollywood” via Zoom (June 2020).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Winnetka Women’s Exchange:
  • “An Afternoon at the Oscars: Academy Awards History” (Jan. 2020).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Helen Plum Library:
  • “Movie Melodies: The Music of the Gershwins” via Zoom (July 2022).
  • “Chicago: The First Hollywood” via Zoom (Mar. 2021).
  • “Based on the Book: From Page to Picture, Part I” (Jan. 2020).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Roosevelt University:
  • “Chicago: The First Hollywood” (Jan. 2020).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Park Ridge Public Library:
  • “A Night at the Oscars: Academy Awards History” (Jan. 2020).
  • “An Afternoon at the Oscars: Academy Awards History” (Feb. 2019).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Film Series, Arlington Heights Memorial Library (2015-2019):
  • AHML Teen Film Fest Judge (Aug. 2022).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Bob Hope and The Cat and the Canary (1939) (Oct. 2019).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Marilyn Monroe & Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)” (Aug. 2019).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Eleanor Powell & Born to Dance (1936)” (Apr. 2019).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: The Marx Brothers & A Night at the Opera (1935)” (Aug. 2018).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy & Sons of the Desert (1933)” (June 2018).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Bing Crosby & White Christmas (1954)” (Dec. 2017).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: June Allyson & Good News (1947)” (Aug. 2017).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Jane Powell & Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)” (July 2017).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Red Skelton & Bathing Beauty (1944)” (June 2017).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: James Stewart & It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)” (Dec. 2016).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Myrna Loy & The Thin Man (1934)” (Nov. 2016).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Frank Sinatra & High Society (1956)” (May 2016).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Lana Turner & Ziegfeld Girl (1941)” (Apr. 2016).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Katharine Hepburn & Bringing Up Baby (1938),” (Apr. 2016).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Tyrone Power & Love is News (1937)” (Nov. 2016).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Carole Lombard & My Man Godfrey (1936)” (Oct. 2015).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Irene Dunne & The Awful Truth (1937)” (Sept. 2015).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, The Windy City Film Fanatics:
  • “A Classic Hollywood Christmas” via Zoom (Dec. 2020).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Des Plaines History Center:
  • “A Hollywood Halloween” via Zoom (Oct. 2020).
  • “Chicago: The First Hollywood” (Sept. 2019).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Polish American Cultural Club:
  • “Pola Negri: The Polish Femme Fatale” (Sept. 2019).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Oak Brook Public Library:
  • “Hollywood Goes to the Beach” (July 2022).
  • “Fred and Ginger: Forever Dancing” (Aug. 2019).
• Red Skelton Festival, Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy:
  • “Classic Hollywood Hoosiers” and Hometowns to Hollywood: Volume I book signing (June 2022).
  • “Introduction: DuBarry Was a Lady (1943)” (July 2019).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Bernard Weinger JCC of Chicago:
  • “Chicago: The First Hollywood” (July 2019).
• The Catlow Theater and Silent Film Society of Chicago Collaborations, Catlow Theater:
  • “Laurel and Hardy in Do Detectives Think? (1927); Lon Chaney in The Phantom of the Opera (1925)” (May 2019).
  • “Buster Keaton in The Haunted House (1921); Charlie Chaplin in The Kid (1921)” (April 2019).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Film Series, Barrington Area Library (2018):
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Leslie Caron & An American in Paris (1951)” (Apr. 2019).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Hugh Martin & Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)” (Dec. 2018).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Elmwood Park Public Library:
  • “Chicago: The First Hollywood” (June 2019).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Wilmette Public Library:
  • “Betty White: A Lifetime of Laughter” via Zoom (Nov. 2022).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Judy Garland” (June 2019).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Lincolnwood Public Library:
  • “Lucille Ball: Queen of Comedy” via Zoom (Mar. 2022).
  • “Chicago: The First Hollywood” (April 2019).
  • “Silent Clowns: Chaplin, Keaton, and Lloyd” (June 2018).
• Regina Celebrates Reel Women Film Festival, Regina Dominican High School:
  • Theodora Goes Wild (1936) Introduction and Panel Discussion Moderator (April 2019).
  • After Parkland (2018) Panel Discussion Moderator (April 2019).
  • Wadjda (2012) Introduction and Panel Discussion Moderator (April 2019).
  • The Trouble With Angels (1966) Introduction and Panel Discussion Moderator (April 2019).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Lake Bluff Public Library:
  • “A-List Animals” via Zoom (Aug. 2021).
  • “A Night at the Oscars: Academy Awards History” (Feb. 2019).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Algonquin Area Public Library:
  • “Dynamic Duos: Classic Comedy Partnerships” (July 2019).
  • “A Night at the Oscars: Academy Awards History” (Feb. 2019).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Fremont Public Library:
  • “Hollywood Style: Icons of Fashion” (Nov. 2021).
  • “Chicago: The First Hollywood” (Feb. 2019).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Niles-Maine District Library:
  • “A Night at the Oscars: Best Picture Spotlight” via Zoom (Mar. 2022).
  • “A Night at the Oscars: Academy Awards History” (Feb. 2019).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Prospect Heights Public Library:
  • “The History of the Hollywood Musical” via Zoom (Aug. 2022).
  • “Based on the Book: From Page to Picture, Part I” via Zoom (Aug. 2021).
  • “Everybody Dance!: Classic Cinema’s Top Dancers” via Zoom (May 2021).
  • “Jimmy Stewart: Hollywood’s Everyman” (Dec. 2019).
  • “Chicago: The First Hollywood” (July 2019).
  • “A Night at the Oscars: Academy Awards History” (Feb. 2019).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: The Marx Brothers” (Dec. 2018).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Indian Trails Public Library District:
  • “Based on the Book: From Page to Picture, Part I” via Zoom (Jan. 2022).
  • “A Night at the Oscars: Academy Awards History” via Zoom (Apr. 2021).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Elizabeth Taylor” (June 2019).
  • “Jack Benny: An Illinois Original” (Sept. 2018).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Mount Prospect Public Library:
  • “Jack Benny: An Illinois Original” (July 2018).
• Hometowns to Hollywood Presentations, Arlington Heights Woman’s Club:
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: June Allyson” (Oct. 2017).
  • “Hometowns to Hollywood: Frank Sinatra” (Sept. 2016).
• Chicago Art Deco Society:
  • “Fashions and Jewels of the Jazz Age” (May 2013).

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